Chapter Text
It starts off with stolen glances. Jake catches them every once in a while, maybe when he’s making a drink or ringing out a customer, he’ll feel the nagging feeling of somebody staring at him. Sometimes he’s quick enough to lock eyes with the perpetrator of those stares, other times, he’s not.
He’s not very familiar with the alpha who runs the bookstore connected to the cafe that he works at. He actually isn’t very familiar with the cafe or the bookstore, since Jake just started working here around a week ago, but there’s one thing he can say for sure.
The alpha who’s constantly stealing glances at him is hot. Scratch that, he’s fucking divine. He has beautiful hair, a peachy pink in color, and it falls in soft waves over his forehead. He has a chiseled jawline, nice nose, and nice teeth. He seems to be personable since he’s always talking to a customer enthusiastically.
Jake tries to give him bedroom eyes everytime they accidentally make eye contact, but the other man’s cheeks flush like he's never been flirted with before and he inevitably breaks their gaze.
The bookstore is what’s popular, so the alpha is busier than Jake. He constantly has a long line of customers waiting to be checked out or assisted, and Jake can’t say that the way the alpha seems to know literature inside out isn’t attractive.
Of course, Jake isn’t close enough to actually hear what’s being said, but based on the way that the customers smile at him, the alpha must be good at his job. The way that the bookstore is set up doesn’t really allow for much interaction between them. They’re too far away, tables filled with books in between them.
The main purpose is to sell books, after all. The cafe that Jake works at is tucked into a small corner towards the back, but they still get a good amount of customers. When he’s making orders, Jake wonders if the alpha likes pumpkin spice or vanilla? Maybe he doesn’t like lattes at all and prefers black coffee? Maybe matcha? Maybe a flavored tea? Jake wants to know, wants to find out.
So after his first week is over and he’s comfortable enough to leave his post for a few minutes, Jake makes a hot chocolate and walks it over to where the alpha is crouched down at a shelf, putting books away. He doesn’t seem to hear Jake walking up to him, too lost in thought as he runs his fingers across the spines of the book and slides one in its place.
“Hello,” Jake softly says, as a way to not scare the alpha. It doesn’t work, because he lets out a squeak and drops the book that he’s holding, hand coming up to clutch at his chest. He looks up from his crouched position and Jake tries not to coo.
Not only is he attractive from afar, but he’s cute up close too. His eyes are wide and basically glimmering under the warm lighting of the store, and Jake actively tries not to melt. The alpha’s cheeks flush a pretty pink as he stumbles with his words, grabbing the book that had fallen and standing up.
He’s taller than Jake, not by a lot, but it’s noticeable. He’s lean and a little muscular, his clothes not giving away too much. He’s wearing a white button up with khaki slacks and a brown apron on top. It’s his uniform, but he looks adorable in it anyways. Jake is trying not to swoon because he doesn’t even know this alpha’s name, but it’s so hard when his lips have a natural pout to them.
His name tag is clipped onto his apron, and Jake’s eyes roam over it.
Heeseung . It’s written delicately and decorated with flowers surrounding it. It’s so cute, Jake’s heart tightens like a tightrope.
“Uh…” Heeseung lets out, eyes refusing to meet Jake’s as they flit nervously across the room. He backs up into the bookshelf like he’s scared Jake is going to hurt him.
“I brought you this,” Jake says, hoping to calm him. He can tell that Heeseung is nervous by the way his sweet scent spikes into something sour. Jake can’t really depict what he smells like, it’s familiar, but he doesn’t know why. He’ll worry about that later though, right now he wants to comfort Heeseung.
Heeseung’s eyes finally move up from the ground and settle on the cup in Jake’s hand.
“I don’t understand…” Heeseung replies, voice trailing off.
Jake really wants to coo, but it would be so rude because the alpha is already nervous and Jake doesn’t want him to feel like he’s being made fun of.
“I noticed you staring at me from time to time,” Jake admits, smiling softly when Heeseung flushes all the way up to his ears . And he’s so cute, Jake wants to put him in his pocket and carry him everywhere. He wants to throw his arms around him and hug him tight and maybe pet his hair.
“I’m so sorry. I promise that I’m not one of those creepy alphas, but you’re just really pretty and I couldn’t look away. You were always distracting me from doing my work, but it’s not your fault, if anything, it’s mine –” and then Heeseung stops and seems to realize that he’s rambling, and maybe that he called Jake pretty, but Jake doesn’t mind. If it’s even possible, Heeseung’s ears flush darker and he’s looking really apologetic and embarrassed and it’s so earnest that Jake wants to cry.
“It’s okay, Heeseung,” Jake says, liking the way that Heeseung’s name sounds coming out of his mouth. The aforementioned seems confused as to how Jake knows his name, but Jake nods towards his chest where the name tag is placed and Heeseung looks even more awkward.
He holds his hand out, urging Heeseung to take the hot chocolate. “I made this for you, it’s hot chocolate. I didn’t know what you’d like, but I hope to be able to find out, if you’d let me,” he boldly says, taking pleasure in the way Heeseung fumbles with his next words before he takes the cup from Jake’s outstretched hand. Their fingers brush slightly and Jake’s body lightly jolts with the feeling of electricity that rushes through him.
Now he’s actively blushing as Heeseung brings the cup up to his lips and takes a short sip. He has a cute smile on his face as he pulls it away. “It’s really good, thank you, Jake.”
And Jake stupidly looks down at his own name tag before he looks back up at Heeseung. “You’re welcome. And I didn’t find the staring creepy, it was cute,” he says before he’s making his way back to the cafe and leaving a flustered Heeseung in his wake.
☕️
The following day when Jake comes into work, there’s a note left for him on the counter. It says his name in pretty handwriting and he unfolds it, heart beating so loudly when his eyes roam over the words.
‘Hot chocolate is good, but I really love iced coffee with chocolate sauce :)’
Jake’s heart flutters and he spends the entire first half of his shift looking forward to his break. The clock ticks by slowly, making him even more restless. They don’t get that many customers today, but he’s grateful for that because he’s sure that his excitement would’ve caused him to mess something up. When it’s finally time, Jake gets to making the coffee, taking extra care to add in the correct measurements of everything so that it’s perfect. The order itself isn’t very difficult, but he still wants to perfect it, wants Heeseung to really enjoy it. He even goes as far as to add java chips in it.
Jake makes sure to grab Heeseung a straw before he leaves the cafe to find the alpha. He immediately is able to spot him at the checkout counter, helping a customer with a pretty smile on his face. He watches as bags the book with caution, taking care not to bend it or crease any part of the cover. He smiles as he hands the bag to the customer, and Jake swoons like Heeseung is smiling at him.
He walks over once the customer is gone and sets the drink on the counter separating them, opening the straw and poking it through the hole. He slides the cup over to Heeseung and leans his forearms against the counter.
Heeseung wordlessly takes the drink, bringing the straw between his lips to taste the drink. There’s a drop of coffee on his lips when he pulls the straw away and Jake watches as his tongue darts out to catch it. Heeseung makes eye contact with Jake as he does it, seemingly accidentally, and blushes as a result.
He clears his throat. “Thank you, Jake. It’s really good. One of the best iced coffees I’ve had in a long time.”
Jake smiles, heart soaring at being accepted by the alpha. “You’re welcome. I’m glad you like it. It’s not every day that I get to make coffee for such a cute alpha,” he says, shamelessly flirting. He really likes how it doesn’t take much for Heeseung to get flustered, the other man’s neck, cheeks, and ears flushing red.
“Well it’s not everyday that a cute omega makes me coffee, either,” he responds, stumbling over his words in an attempt to flirt back.
Jake smirks. “You think I’m cute and pretty then. What else?” He’s curious as to how Heeseung will respond. He quite likes flustering him and watching him find words as he tries to calm himself. He tries to omit comforting pheromones, a promise that he won’t make fun of Heeseung, and watches the alpha visibly relax.
Heeseung takes a deep breath. “You seem sweet and kind,” he says in one quick breath. Jake barely catches it, feels lucky that he does, and then Heeseung is swiping the coffee off of the counter and saying that he has to get back to work. Jake stands there, very flattered and a little surprised at Heeseung’s sudden departure, but he doesn’t dwell over it.
In fact, he looks forward to tomorrow when he gets to make Heeseung another coffee.
☕️
The next day, Jake is a little disappointed because there’s no note for him on the counter. He starts to think that he really must have scared Heeseung off yesterday, and he spends the entirety of his morning thinking about how he can make it up to the alpha. He decides that he’s just going to make Heeseung the same iced coffee as he did the previous day.
However, Jake doesn’t get the chance to deliver Heeseung the coffee, because the other man approaches him first. He looks timid, a book bound tightly between his hands as he walks up to the counter. He’s wearing black slacks and a washed gray button up, the sleeves rolled up to his forearms. He also has on his work apron and his hair is in the same style as always, slightly wavy and falling softly over his forehead.
He looks adorable and Jake wants to tell him as much, but he doesn’t want to fluster Heeseung even more than he already has. So he stays silent and attempts to smile comfortingly to help ease Heeseung’s nerves again. As the other man gets closer, Jake can smell the spike of anxiety in his scent and again tries to release his own pheromones to comfort him.
Heeseung’s tight shoulders drop and he places the book gently on the counter between them, sliding it over to Jake. It’s Romeo and Juliet , a first edition. It has tabs and sticky notes sticking out of it, but the cover and pages seem to be in really nice condition, like Heeseung had taken extra care of it. “I thought that since you’ve been making me drinks, maybe I could return the favor, in my own way? It’s stupid, I don’t know –”
And the way Heeseung sounds so unsure of himself when Jake is almost melting in a fondness overload is what makes him cut the alpha off. “It’s not stupid. It’s – no one has ever done anything like this for me, so keep going,” Jake says, smiling at Heeseung softly.
Heeseung nods and looks down with a flush on his cheeks, his lips threatening to tug up into a smile. “It’s one of my favorite plays. I love Shakespeare, and I love his tragedies, I mean, they’re amazing, you know? And I know it’s written in early modern English so it’s harder to read, but that’s the beauty of it. Like, you can interpret it in any way you want and –” he stops, face flaming red as he looks back up at Jake. “I’m sorry, I was rambling.”
Jake is smiling so hard, his cheeks hurt. Heeseung is so earnest and so passionate, it's so cute. And Jake typically doesn’t read, but he’s going to read this play for Heeseung and he’s going to enjoy every second of it because he knows that it’s going to make the alpha smile. “Don’t apologize, Heeseung,” Jake says, picking up the book and flipping though the pages. He sees writing in what he’s learned to be Heeseung’s handwriting on the sticky notes and looks back up at the other man questioningly.
“Those are just my thoughts and feelings while reading. Feel free to leave your own and I’ll go through and read them too,” Heeseung shyly says, pulling out a pink pad of sticky notes and a black pen out of the pocket of his apron. “You don’t have to, though. You don’t even have to read it if you don’t want to. I know a lot of people dislike Shakespeare, and tragedies, and reading…” he trails off, the unsureness coming back.
Jake is quick to reassure him. “I’ll read it and I’ll leave notes for you. I’ll take extra good care of it, too.” Heeseung smiles at him, a real, full smile, and hands him the pad of sticky notes and the pen. Their fingers brush again and Jake wants to hold on, doesn’t want to let go, but he does anyways. He thinks that he sees a flicker of disappointment in Heeseung’s eyes, but he doesn’t want to entertain such foolish thoughts.
“Excuse me!”
Heeseung immediately breaks their eye contact and turns his head at the sound. Sure enough, there’s a customer waiting for him with three books in her arms. “Well, that’s my cue –”
And Jake suddenly remembers the iced coffee that he made for Heeseung. “Wait, here. Iced coffee with chocolate sauce and java chips,” he says, picking up the drink and straw and holding it out towards the alpha.
Heeseung’s eyes are wide as he takes the drink. “You didn’t have to…”
“It’s okay, I wanted to.” Jake smiles at him again. “Have a good rest of your day,” he tacks on at the end, just because.
“Thank you, Jake,” Heeseung sincerely says.
“You’re welcome.”
And when Heeseung walks away, humming to himself as he sips on the drink, Jake thinks that he’s developed a crush on an alpha that he formerly met only two days ago. And he’s not even a bit mad at that.
☕️
It takes Jake a week to finish Romeo and Juliet. He’s completely enamored in it and spends all of his free time reading it (which isn’t much to begin with), but he finishes it and he’s so mad at Heeseung for giving him a tragedy. The morning after he stays up late to read the final act, he walks into the bookstore a few minutes before his shift and finds Heeseung stocking shelves.
“I can’t believe you’d do this to me,” Jake loudly exclaims, clearly scaring Heeseung who hadn’t seen or smelt him coming and causing him to drop a pretty thick book on his foot. Jake winces as Heeseung leans over to pick it up, looking at Jake as if he’d committed the world’s biggest offense. “The ending. It’s sad,” Jake elaborates.
“Oh yeah, most of his tragedies have sad endings. That’s why they’re called tragedies,” Heeseung says, laughing lightly when Jake rolls his eyes.
“You’re not getting your coffee today,” Jake says, placing Heeseung’s book on the cart of books getting shelved before he turns around and goes to walk away. Jake has been making Heeseung a coffee every day that he works, always delivering it to him when there was a lull in business. He and Heeseung would briefly chat for a bit, but it seemed as if the alpha was still unsure and a little shy around Jake.
Heeseung stops him, grasping his wrist. “I’m sorry. I’ll give you something with a happy ending,” he says, and his voice sounds pleading, almost as if he didn’t catch the fact that Jake is completely joking. When Jake turns around, the alpha is staring at the ground, a deep frown etched on his face.
“Hey,” Jake tries, pulling himself out of Heeseung’s grasp to nudge at shoulder. Heeseung looks up at him, eyes void of the playfulness and mirth from thirty seconds ago. “I’m not actually mad, Heeseung. I really enjoyed it. You’ll read all about it in the annotations I left you,” he says, and his hand on Heeseung’s shoulder feels warm, feels right, even if the alpha is a little bit taller than him and the angle is a little awkward.
“You don’t have to lie to me,” Heeseung says, and the way that he sounds so dejected melts Jake’s heart.
“I’m not lying.” And Jake picks up the book from where he’d dropped it, flipping through the pages until he’s on the last one. There’s Heeseung’s sticky note, an in depth paragraph detailing why the ending isn’t romantic and how people should stop labeling the play as a romance when at it’s core, it’s a tragedy, and then there’s Jake pink one, right beneath it.
‘You’re so right, it’s a tragedy. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to what else you have in store for me! <3’
Heeseung’s cheeks blossom into a rosy color as he reads the note, looking up at Jake with a small smile on his face.
“Now hit me with something happier,” Jake says, bouncing on his heels as Heeseung lets out a cute giggle. He seriously thinks that his heart is going to explode with how adorable Heeseung is. The truth is, he’s never met an alpha that was so soft spoken and sincere. Most of the alpha’s he’s dated in the past were douchebags to him and just looked down on omegas as a whole, but he’s glad that Heeseung isn’t like that.
“Okay,” Heeseung agrees, and then he’s leading Jake over to the counter. “Wait here.” He opens a door behind the counter and disappears into it, but he’s back soon after, carrying another tabbed book in his hands.
He hands it to Jake. “Pride and Prejudice. One of my favorite romances. Actually, one of my favorite books,” he says, a shy smile on his face. Jake takes the book into his hands, it's a worn paperback, clearly having been read and studied multiple times.
“You’re awfully into romance,” Jake offhandedly comments, flipping through the pages and smiling at the sight of Heeseung’s annotations.
“I am a bit of a hopeless romantic,” Heeseung replies, cheeks a pretty pink when Jake looks back up at him. “Have I earned back my coffee?” His voice is timid when he says it, so quiet that Jake has a hard time hearing him, but when what Heeseung has said registers, it feels like his heart is going to beat out of his chest.
Jake wants to squeeze his cheeks and maybe swaddle him in blankets and just keep him forever, are these feelings normal? “I would’ve made it for you anyways.”
Heeseung takes a deep breath. “Well, maybe you won’t have to make it today after all.”
The other man is so endearing, Jake leans down on to the counter and places his chin in his hand, dopey smile on his face and all. “Oh yeah? Why’s that?”
He can tell that Heeseung is nervous by the way he’s avoiding Jake’s gaze and pulling at the color of his shirt like he’s too hot. “I was thinking that maybe we could take our breaks together and get lunch? There’s a really nice brunch spot down the street and it would be my treat! We don’t have to if you don’t want to. You can say no –”
“I’m not saying no,” Jake says, completely enamored with the way that Heeseung starts rambling when he’s nervous.
“You’re not?” Heeseung asks, and the way that he sounds so shocked, like he had expected Jake to decline his offer, tugs at Jake’s heart strings.
“Why would I say no to a cute alpha asking me out on a lunch date?” Jake questions, smirking when he’s successfully made Heeseung flush from his ears down to his neck.
“Uh…” Heeseung says, eyes flitting across the room and never meeting Jake’s once.
Jake laughs to himself. “Come get me when you’re ready.” And he’s walking to his corner of the bookstore where the cafe is located with an extra pep in his step.
☕️
They end up at a cute lunch spot with fall decorations around the walls and lining the tables. Heeseung seems nervous, leg bouncing up and down under the table. They haven’t ordered their food yet, but there’s been a lull in conversation as they looked at their menus. Even on the short walk over, Heeseung wouldn’t really look at him. Jake doesn’t know what happened in the short time that they’ve been apart, but he desperately wants to reach over and hold Heeseung’s hand that’s resting on the table.
He doesn’t though, because something has clearly happened and maybe Heeseung is regretting his decision to ask Jake on the date altogether. He really, really hopes that that’s not the case.
Jake is feeling unusually unsure of himself, but he still extends an olive branch to Heeseung. “Are you okay? Is there something wrong?” He’s a little scared of what the answer will be and he doesn’t want Heeseung to outwardly reject him. That would definitely hurt.
Heeseung seems shaken by the question. “I’m just – I’m really nervous. I’m sorry–”
“Stop apologizing. It’s okay, just relax,” Jake says, offering Heeseung his most comforting smile in an attempt at soothing him. The alpha shyly smiles back, and then his leg is no longer bouncing underneath the table.
“I just really don’t want to mess this up,” Heeseung confesses.
“Impossible. I’m already quite taken by you,” Jake admits, a pink coloring his cheeks that rivals Heeseung’s own fluster.
“Oh…that’s nice to know,” Heeseung mutters with a giggle. And Jake really wants to cling on to him and never let go. Like, Heeseung is genuinely so cute and Jake can’t believe that he’s even met an alpha this cute to begin with.
The waiter comes by, and the mood is ruined, and Jake is staring up at the only person who has ever made him consider murder.
“Jay?!” Jake says, face scrunching up in disgust at the sight of the other alpha.
“ This is the omega you met? Seriously, Heeseung?” Jay says, pouring water into both of their glasses and not hiding the fact that he purposefully fills Jake’s with too much.
Jake narrows his eyes at Jay and gives him a look of disgust.
“You guys know each other?” Heeseung asks, face contorting into something akin to confusion.
It’s cute, Jake likes when Heeseung looks confused and clueless, but he can’t stop to admire it because their date is being ruined by Park Jongseong.
“Unfortunately,” Jake deadpans.
Jay snorts and the sound of it makes Jake want to strangle him. “You know, when you said you found a cute and sweet omega, I would’ve never guessed you were talking about Jake. He’s the opposite of those two things. He’s mean.” Jake gives him a look that could kill. “And scary.”
Heeseung furrows his eyebrows and looks at Jake as if he’s reanalyzing him in an attempt to see what Jay sees.
Jake doesn’t care. He rolls his eyes. “You have a personal vendetta against me for no reason. I did nothing wrong to you.”
“You convinced Sunghoon to break up with me—”
“Oh please I didn’t convince him to do anything,” Jake interrupts.
“If you just admit that you convinced him, then I won’t have an issue with you. Especially if Heeseung is planning on keeping you around,” Jay responds.
Jake’s eyes flit from Jay to Heeseung. The alpha is staring at him and shaking his head. He’s about to open his mouth but Jake beats him to it.
“Fine. I convinced Sunghoon to break things off with you because he was crying to me about your failure of a relationship every night. Happy?” Jake sarcastically spits, fingers forming air quotes around the word ‘convinced.’ He’s about five seconds away from standing up and spilling his overfilled glass of water on Jay’s head.
Heeseung is now shaking his head more aggressively, looking completely and utterly stressed out.
“You had no place getting involved in our relationship!” Jay counters, his grip on the water pitcher tightening.
“Could you even call it a relationship? You made him miserable, Jay. I wish it could’ve worked out, but it didn’t. Boo fucking hoo. Get over yourself,” Jake says and then in a fit of rage, Jay slams the pitcher on the table, causing Jake’s water glass to spill over. Some of the water drips off of the table and over his thighs.
“What is your fucking problem—“ Jake starts, but Jay is promptly cutting him off.
“ You are my problem. And I don’t approve of whatever this is, Heeseung. You can find someone better,” Jay spits out, no longer acknowledging Jake and paying all of his attention to Heeseung.
But Jake sees red. He won’t let Jay sway Heeseung’s decision. He won’t let him ruin something that has been so good.
“That’s not your decision to make,” Jake states.
“Oh, just like it wasn’t yours when it came to me and Sunghoon?” Jay fires back.
And before Jake has the chance to respond, the sound of a chair scraping against the floor has him stopping in his tracks. Jake scrunches his nose at a sour scent before he realizes that it’s coming from Heeseung. He feels stupid to have not even realized how much distress the alpha was in.
Heeseung stands up and his eyes seem to be glazed over in tears, but he doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t spare either of them a look before he’s rushing out of the restaurant.
Jake’s heart shatters and he doesn’t look at Jay before he’s running out in an attempt to catch Heeseung.
When Jake walks into the bookstore his eyes immediately roam the store in an attempt to find the alpha, but there’s no sign of him. Jake doesn’t see Heeseung for the rest of his shift.
☕️
If there’s one thing that Jake excels at, it’s baking. And if there’s one thing Jake has always been told, it’s that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. So, he spends the rest of his night baking Heeseung a chocolate cake. He takes his time making sure that it’s cooked perfectly and that the chocolate frosting he makes isn’t too sweet. He spends way too much time in the grocery store standing under the fluorescent lights staring at strawberries and trying to choose the perfect ones.
He frosts the cake in an intricate design and finishes it off by topping it with the strawberries. He packages it up and goes to sleep hoping that Heeseung will forgive him.
☕️
Jake is jittery with nerves as he walks into the bookstore, cake held tightly in his hands. He’s not usually like this. He doesn’t get nervous, he doesn’t get anxious around alphas, and he most definitely doesn’t bake them cakes in an attempt at an apology. Then again, he’s never made an alpha coffee every day and borrow his books in return. Heeseung is apparently bringing new sides out of Jake everyday.
He spots Heeseung almost instantly, movements slow and heavy as he shelves books. He doesn’t have that usual energy in his movements and it tears Jake up from the inside. He approaches him closer, trying to be quiet, like he’s cornering a wounded animal.
Jake swallows thickly. “Heeseung,” he softly calls, the other man stopping his movements and turning to look at Jake.
And there’s something about the way that Heeseung is looking at him, like he’s so sad and broken, that makes Jake’s heart ache. “I’m so sorry for ruining our date yesterday.” He sets the box down on the cart and opens it, presenting the cake to Heeseung. “I made you this and I know that it doesn’t make up for anything—”
“You baked me a cake?” Heeseung quietly asks, putting the book on the bottom part of the cart and turning his attention towards the cake like he’s impressed.
Jake’s cheeks heat up. “Yeah. To apologize. It’s chocolate, see?” Jake takes one of the plastic forks he packed and pokes into the cake. He doesn’t think as he brings it up to Heeseung’s lips.
The alpha is looking at him with surprise in his eyes and Jake hesitates once he realizes that he’s trying to feed Heeseung.
But Heeseung opens his mouth and lets Jake feed it to him. He’s a little nervous that Heeseung isn’t going to like it, but all of that melts away when the alpha moans quietly in delight, his eyes softly closing as he chews.
“It’s delicious. Really, thank you, Jake,” Heeseung quietly says. Jake swears that he can hear his own heartbeat in his ears. “I think we should talk about what happened yesterday.”
Jake nods. “I shouldn’t have fought with Jay like that. I’m sorry for ruining our date.”
Heeseung shakes his head. “It’s not— that wasn’t the only issue. I saw a different side to you yesterday. I didn’t know you were like that,” he shyly admits and Jake can tell that it hurts him to say. He knows that Heeseung doesn’t want to hurt his feelings, but it still does.
“I grew up in an environment where my parents were always fighting. They hated each other,” Heeseung starts, his voice quivering. “Seeing you and Jay do that, act like that, it was a lot. It brought back bad memories because I care about the both of you so much, but it was hard for me. If you’re the type of person to yell and scream during an argument, then this isn’t going to work. I can’t — I can’t put myself through that again,” he finishes.
“I understand. And I’m sorry. I’m so sorry that you had to see me like that and I promise it was just a lapse of judgment. Sunghoon is my best friend,” Jake says, wanting so desperately to reach out and hold Heeseung, but not feeling comfortable enough to do so.
“And Jay is mine. It’s important to me that you guys can get along…I don’t even know what happened with the two of them. Jay never told me,” Heeseung says. He looks exhausted and as if he can read Jake’s thoughts, he lets out a tired sigh and sits on the ground, his back leaning against the bookshelf. He motions for Jake to sit next to him.
Luckily the bookstore isn’t very busy and Jake's shift doesn’t start for another twenty minutes.
“They were friends. We all were. We had similar classes during our last year of university and just naturally got closer,” Jake starts, twiddling with his fingers. He can tell that Heeseung is watching him intently.
“I guess they got closer, I don’t know. Sunghoon and I have been best friends since high school, so letting Jay into our friendship was something…special. Sunghoon doesn’t get along with people easily, so it was surprising that he liked Jay so much,” he continues.
“Did you like him? Jay, I mean,” Heeseung quietly asks.
Jake shrugs. “He was cool and funny. I didn’t mind letting him in, but I could tell that Sunghoon liked him in a more than friend way. Like, he would always talk about him and stuff.” His hand finds its way to a scrap piece of paper on the floor and he starts playing with it. This is where the story starts to get a little more raw. Vulnerable.
There must be a shift in his scent or maybe it’s from his fidgeting, but Heeseung takes notice. He looks at Jake with a shy glint in his eyes before he takes his hand and interlaces it with Jake’s.
Jake’s heart almost beats out of his chest in surprise, but he squeezes Heeseung’s hand tighter. It anchors him, makes him feel grounded.
“Is this okay?” Heeseung asks, looking so cute with the way his legs are drawn up to his chest.
Jake nods. “More than okay.”
A pretty blush spreads across Heeseung’s cheeks and he looks away from Jake, biting his lip as if he’s trying to contain his smile. There’s a dopey smile on Jake’s face too, and for a minute it feels something akin to fate. It feels like he was born to be with Heeseung in this moment, admiring him. His heart feels warm.
“Sorry,” Heeseung suddenly mumbles. “Keep going with the story.”
Jake forgot that’s what they were talking about, but regardless he follows Heeseung’s instructions.
“I guess I was jealous of Jay because he was getting closer to Sunghoon. And then they started sleeping together behind my back and I hated him. I hated both of them for a while, but Sunghoon was the only person I had, so I forgave him. I’m not sure what Jay’s reasoning was, but all I know is that Sunghoon was upset because Jay didn’t want to be anything serious,” he says.
Heeseung hums in acknowledgment. “That sounds like him. He doesn’t like to settle down.”
“Exactly. And at a certain point, I couldn’t stand to see Sunghoon upset over Jay. I told him I would never allow someone to treat me like that. And then I told him to do what feels right. I guess Sunghoon told Jay that I said that and Jay has hated me ever since. We were never close to begin with, you know? But I didn’t – I wasn’t trying to get back at Jay or anything like that. I know he feels that way, but I was just trying to protect my best friend,” Jake finishes, turning his head to look at Heeseung’s face. He tries to get a read on what the alpha might be thinking. He isn’t easy to read, he’s keeping his expressions guarded, and Jake feels himself break down in frustration.
His eyes start to sting with tears and he let’s go of Heeseung’s hand, bringing his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them.
“Jake…” Heeseung whispers, moving closer so that their sides are touching.
“You don’t believe me,” Jake says, states it like it’s a fact.
Heeseung is shaking his head. “I do. I believe you. I think this is all just a big web of misunderstanding.”
When Jake doesn’t respond, Heeseung keeps going. “And I think that you and Jay should probably talk. Despite what stupid comments he made, I do plan on keeping you around, and it would mean a lot if you guys could get along,” he says, cheeks dusted over in a light blush and Jake just can’t deny him.
He can’t deny him anything and he wants to give him everything.
So Jake agrees. If it’ll make Heeseung happy, he’ll always agree.
☕️
Jake stares at the alpha sitting across from him. Jay’s eyes are narrowed and his arms are crossed in front of his chest. They’re at the restaurant where he and Heeseung had their failure of a first date. Jake had come in and asked for Jay and the alpha took his break so that he could have this conversation with Jake.
“You’re here,” Jay says, nonchalant as he leans back in his chair and gives Jake a once-over.
“Of course I’m here. Heeseung wants us to get along,” Jake responds. The look that Jay is giving him is making Jake want to reach over and strangle him, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t make any snide comments, he doesn’t give Jay any looks. He is not going to make things worse.
“I don’t foresee that happening,” Jay says.
Jake clenches his jaw. “We were friends once before. I’m sure we can put our differences aside for Heeseung.”
Jay lets out a sarcastic laugh. “Calling us friends was a stretch.”
“Well I thought we were friends. Before you fucked Sunghoon behind my back. Multiple times,” Jake spits, clenching his fist at his side in an attempt to keep his anger at bay.
Jay’s glare wavers and his eyes break away from Jake’s. “It wasn’t like that. I didn’t ever want to hurt you.”
There’s something in the way that Jay says it that has Jake’s heart softening. “Well it did . I wouldn’t have minded if you guys had just told me, but — Sunghoon and I didn’t keep secrets from each other. And then you came around and suddenly he was keeping secrets and going through something and you were being weird too…” Jake stops, trailing off at the end of his sentence.
Jay doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t look at Jake. He just sits there, head down and fiddling with his hands. It fills Jake with satisfaction to see the alpha looking so small and meek, but he doesn’t comment on it.
“It’s whatever now. You don’t have to like me. I don’t have to like you. We just need to get along. For Heeseung,” Jake says, standing up from his chair and holding his hand out.
Jay stands up too and shakes it, nodding his head.
☕️
Things are relatively back to normal after that. Jake makes Heeseung his drinks everyday, and Jake burns through the books that Heeseung recommends to him. He’s never read so much in his life, but he finds himself invested in every single piece of literature offered to him by the alpha.
He goes through Pride and Prejudice and The Great Gatsby in only two weeks. He gives the copies back to Heeseung fully annotated and with a lot of thoughts, and they spend their breaks going over everything they love and hate about the books.
It’s nice. It’s cute. It’s so them , and Jake is just glad that they were able to get through the whole thing with Jay that he doesn’t really care about anything else. September passes them by and before they know it, it’s October.
The weather is somewhat cold outside, regardless of the fact that the sun is shining brightly, and Jake is content to stay leaned up against the counter of the cafe, the smell of coffee and hot chocolate wafting around him. He’s got a worn copy of Wuthering Heights (it’s Heeseung’s, of course) balanced in between his fingers, and he’s just enjoying the atmosphere.
He isn’t really getting any reading done though, because he’s watching as Heeseung shelves books, looking too happy for it to be a normal day. His smile is radiant and his eyes are gleaming and he’s humming to himself. In retrospect, it’s really cute and Jake finds himself endeared (like he does with most things regarding Heeseung) but he also wants to know what’s got the alpha so happy.
Jake doesn’t have to wonder for any longer, because Heeseung is bounding up to him, pretty smile on his lips. The alpha leans against the counter and plucks the book out of Jake’s hand, placing it face down on the counter.
“Guess what month it is?” He asks, voice excited.
Jake tries so hard not to coo, but he fails miserably at it. Heeseung’s cheeks are bright red and he’s pouting. It feels like Jake’s heart is melting.
“It’s October,” Jake finally answers.
“Yes! Guess what’s in October?” Heeseung counters, basically vibrating out of excitement.
“Halloween—”
“My birthday!” Heeseung cuts him off, almost like he couldn’t hold himself back from doing so.
Jake graps at his chest and squeezes because it actually hurts his heart how cute Heeseung is.
“And I got us a reservation for dinner tonight! If you’re up for it, of course. I thought that we could redo our first date, but now that I’m standing here, I’m thinking that maybe I should’ve asked you before actually making the reservation–”
“Heeseung, baby. I have no plans for tonight,” Jake cuts him off. Heeseung’s scent sweetens, possibly at the use of a petname, and Jake loves it. He smells as sweet as cotton candy, and it’s the first time that Jake has ever smelt an alpha so sweet, so enticing.
“So you wanna go?” Heeseung asks, after he’s regained his composure.
“Yes,” Jake softly says, reaching his hand out and squeezing Heeseung’s.
☕️
Heeseung picks him up at eight. Jake had realized that they didn’t have each other’s phone numbers and promptly punched his in to Heeseung’s phone. He then had texted him his apartment complex’s address and his apartment number, instructing him to come up when he arrived. When he hears the knock on his door, Jake has to physically stop himself from running over to it and instead walks over to it like the adult that he is.
He opens the door and Heeseung is standing there with a bouquet of roses in one hand. He has a nervous smile on his face, and Jake really wants to kiss him. No, he wants to pull Heeseung inside of his apartment and wrap the both of them up in blankets – in a nest – and cuddle him for the rest of their lives. He wants to pepper Heeseung’s face in kisses, wants to kiss his lips .
“I brought you some roses. I’m sorry if you hate flowers or something, but I just wanted to bring you something,” Heeseung says. The bouquet is pretty, it has different colors, pink and red mainly, with tissue paper that’s wrapped in a sparkly bow. Jake loves it. He doesn’t know what to do with the emotion that’s threatening to claw out of him, the need to kiss Heeseung.
Jake doesn’t realize that he hasn’t given Heeseung an answer, and the other alpha almost curls into himself, holding the flowers close to his chest as he stutters for something to say. Jake is pulled out of his trance when he smells the unsureness tainting Heeseung’s scent.
“I love them, thank you. You’re such a thoughtful alpha,” Jake says, not thinking it through as he takes the flowers from Heeseung’s hands and then pulls him into a hug. He feels Heeseung tense and then relax against him, and he can smell the way that Heeseung is preening at being called thoughtful.
When they pull away, Jake puts the roses into a vase and then holds Heeseung’s hand and leads him out of the apartment complex.
“You look pretty,” Heeseung quietly says once they’re in the quiet of the elevator.
This time it’s Jake’s turn to blush. “Thank you. You look really handsome, but you always do.”
Heeseung smiles to himself and squeezes Jake’s hand in response.
The sun has already set when they walk outside. Jake shivers, feeling stupid for not wearing anything heavier. He honestly didn’t realize that it would be so cold, which is a stupid thought, looking back on it now. He’s about five seconds from going back up to his apartment to grab a coat, but Heeseung seems to take notice of his shivering.
Before Jake even says anything, Heeseung is reaching into the backseat of his car and pulling out a black hoodie. He looks sheepish as he hands it to Jake, no words said between them as he holds it out.
It’s just a plain back hoodie, there’s literally nothing special about it other than the fact that it belongs to Heeseung. It smells like him too, and Jake can’t think of a reason to say no, so he doesn’t. He burrows himself in it, basically drowning in the fabric, as he tries to subtly inhale Heeseung’s scent through it.
“If you’re still cold you can have my coat, too,” Heeseung says, opening the passenger side door for Jake.
His heart swells. Heeseung truly is the perfect, most thoughtful, gentleman and alpha.
“I’m okay for now. Plus, I don’t want you getting cold,” Jake says. Heeseung smiles and Jake watches as he walks around the front of the car and gets into the driver’s seat.
“Haven’t I made it obvious? I’d get hypothermia for you if it meant keeping you warm,” Heeseung jokes, and it’s a little cheesy, but Jake doesn’t mind. He laughs as a response and loves the way that it makes Heeseung break out into a wide smile.
The drive isn’t too long, and they spend the time talking about everything there is to talk about. Jake tells Heeseung that he graduated with a degree in business and that his dream is to open up his own bakery one day.
Jake finds out that Heeseung graduated from college with a degree in English and that he loves working at the bookstore.
“I know that it’s not an ideal career, but it’s what I love. I love books, I love literature, and I love the bookstore. It’s been in my family for generations–”
“Wait, what?” Jake cuts him off.
“My grandpa owns it. And his dad before him, and so on. It skipped over my dad, but I have no interest in becoming anything like my father. Anyways – when I make enough, I plan on buying it from my grandpa,” Heeseung says, glancing at Jake as if he’s trying to gauge Jake’s reaction to his choice of career.
“So the person who interviewed me for the job – that was your grandpa?” Jake asks.
Heeseung laughs fondly. “You know, I tried so hard to convince him to let me interview you, but he wants to be apart of the hiring process, even though I’m the hiring manager.”
Jake is still shocked that they’ve somehow managed to never come across this topic, because if Heeseung’s grandpa owns the bookstore and the cafe, then that means that Heeseung is technically his boss.
“Does this…change anything?” Heeseung tentatively asks.
“You – I can’t date my boss, Heeseung,” Jake says, and the way that Heeseung’s shoulders drop in disappointment makes his stomach clench. God, all he wants is just a nice, normal date with Heeseung. Why is the world against them?
“I’m not your boss. Don’t think of it like that. My grandpa is your boss, he pays you, not me. I’m just your coworker, alright? And I don’t want you to worry about if this – if we don’t work out. You’ll still have your job, I can promise you that,” Heeseung says, suddenly very dejected. His knuckles are white from how hard he’s clenching the steering wheel.
What he’s saying makes a lot of sense, and Jake feels bad for speaking before actually getting his facts right, because Heeseung is right. So he’s quick to allow his hand to find Heeseung’s arm, squeezing it reassuringly.
“You’re right, I’m sorry. It just caught me off guard.”
They’re at a red light, so Heeseung turns his head and looks at Jake. “Is it really okay?”
Jake smiles, reassuringly. “It is. I promise.” Heeseung nods his head, his own smile playing at his lips.
They get to the restaurant shortly after. It seems pretty fancy, and Jake immediately feels underdressed, his outfit covered up by Heeseung’s oversized hoodie. The alpha however, doesn’t seem to mind, in fact, he looks like he takes pleasure in the way Jake looks swaddled by his hoodie. Once they’re walking towards the door, side by side, Heeseung takes Jake under his arm, their sides now touching.
The display of confidence from someone so shy and timid like Heeseung makes something burn deep in Jake’s gut. He tries to keep his arousal at bay though, because he would die of mortification if Heeseung picked up the spike in his scent.
They’re led to their table once Heeseung quickly talks to the hostess, his arm never leaving from around Jake’s shoulders. Once they sit down and have the chance to look at their menus, the waiter comes back around and they’re able to put their orders in.
They talk about nothing really important until Heeseung says something that makes Jake tense up.
“Jay told me that you went to go talk to him.”
Jake purses his lips. “I did.”
“Thank you,” Heeseung says, voice raw and filled with emotion. “I know that doing that must’ve been hard for you.”
Jake’s heart literally turns to mush, because how is Heeseung even real? He doesn’t want Heeseung thinking that Jake wouldn’t do anything for him, because he would.
“It wasn’t hard for me because you wanted me to do it. It made you happy,” Jake says, and Heeseung reaches his arm across the table, squeezing Jake’s hand into his own.
“Still. You swallowed your pride for me,” Heeseung responds.
Jake smiles. “You deserve it. You’re the sweetest alpha I’ve ever met.”
Heeseung flushes all the way down to his neck.
The date goes by really smoothly. The food is good, the conversation is good, and Heeseung looks so sexy, it takes everything in Jake not to pounce on him. Jake is buzzing because he’s been getting princess treatment from Heeseung all night. From getting him flowers, opening doors for him, pulling out his chair, and now taking care of the bill, Jake’s omega is begging him to invite Heeseung in by the time that they reach his apartment.
And Jake would be lying if he said that it was just his omega that wants to invite Heeseung in. The alpha had just been so polite the entire night and for the entire time that they’ve known each other. Jake feels like he’s completely taken by the other man and he has this sudden urge of possessiveness, like if he lets Heeseung leave now, then he would be leaving for good. He doesn’t want Heeseung being with other omegas, doesn’t even want to think about him with other omegas.
Jake never puts out on the first date, but this technically isn’t their first date and he’s just so ramped up that when Heeseung goes to bid him goodnight, he pulls at his sleeve.
“Forgetting something?”
And Heeseung is stuttering, cheeks flushed, so cute. Jake smirks, and leans up on his tiptoes, tilting his head and pulling Heeseung in for a kiss, their first kiss. He hears Heeseung gasp into his mouth and takes initiative by licking at the seam of his lips before the alpha opens them in compliance, letting Jake in.
Making out in the doorway of his apartment isn’t exactly classy, but Jake doesn’t want to pull away from Heeseung. He’s growing obsessed with the way he tastes, and the way he sounds, small whimpers escaping him as Jake continues to lick inside of his mouth and grope at his body. He can smell the tinge of arousal in Heeseung’s usually sweet scent. He does force himself off of Heeseung’s lips in favor of nosing at his neck, taking in his scent and licking over his scent glands.
“Jake,” Heeseung moans quietly, rutting his hips against Jake’s. He sounds so needy , Jake’s omega preens at being the one to make Heeseung whine for him. Heeseung is shameless in the way that he continues to cant his hips, searching for some relief. Jake pulls away just then, smiling at the sound of Heeseung’s whimper.
“Come inside. Let me suck your dick,” Jake says, not an ounce of embarrassment present in his voice.
Heeseung turns red all the way up to his ears, sputtering and opening and closing his mouth like a fish. Jake thinks it’s cute, but he’s impatient and he wants Heeseung like nothing else.
“Please. I need you,” he says, and something clicks in Heeseung’s head as he nods, pushing Jake inside and closing the door behind him. He flips them around so that Jake is against the door, connecting their lips again and nipping at Jake’s. Of course, Jake lets him in, will always let him in. The kiss is wet and hot and their noses are bumping against each other, but Jake loves it. His hands find their way to the back of Heeseung’s head, pulling at the strands at the base of his neck. His heart is threatening to beat out of his chest, and he hopes that Heeseung feels the same way as him, but based on his desperate motions, he is.
“Come on, alpha. Let me show you how good I can be,” Jake moans, pushing Heeseung back until the other man’s knees hit the couch and he’s promptly sitting down. Jake smirks at him, dropping to his knees and getting in between Heeseung’s spread legs.
Heeseung is hard, and Jake can see how big he is through his slacks. The view makes his mouth water and he eagerly goes to unbutton his pants ,looking up at Heeseung for confirmation.
Heeseung’s hand comes down to Jake’s face and brushes a few stray strands away out of his eyes. His lips are swollen from their kisses and his tongue darts out to lick them. “Are you sure?”
Jake rolls his eyes. “More than. I’ve been dreaming of this since I met you.”
As usual, Heeseung's cheeks heat up and he nods, lifting his hips so Jake can pull his slacks and boxers down.
Jake spits in his hand and immediately uses it to slick Heeseung up. He glances up and watches as the alpha furrows his eyebrows in pleasure, eyes scrunched shut.
“So big. I knew that you’d be big. You’re the perfect alpha for me,” Jake shamelessly says before taking Heeseung into his mouth. Heeseung has the gall to look embarrassed at Jake’s observation, but the look is quickly replaced with pleasure when Jake hollows his cheeks and starts moving up and down along Heeseung’s dick.
Truthfully, it’s too big and too messy. The sides of Jake’s mouth are leaking with spit and he can’t fit all of Heeseung in, but the only thing that matters is that Heeseung is enjoying it. His mouth is open and he’s letting out little whimpers and moans, and Jake can tell that he’s trying hard not to buck his hips up in fear of hurting him. But that simply won’t do.
Jake takes one of Heeseung’s hands and places it on his own head. Heeseung pulls his hair tightly, seemingly understanding what Jake wants from him. They way that they’re already so in tune with each other, how they can speak to each other without actually talking is so reminiscent of fate. It feels like they belong with each other, to each other. Maybe souls from a past life intertwined together again, but Jake can’t think about it for much longer because Heeseung is thrusting his hips and his cock is hitting the back of Jake’s throat.
Jake likes the feeling so much. Loves the feeling of being on his knees for Heeseung, of taking his cock in so deep down his throat, of submitting to an alpha who typically wouldn’t be this dominant given a different situation. Heeseung is groaning from above him, dick moving in and out of Jake’s mouth at a more rapid pace. It so messy , spit and drool running down Jake’s chin as he sucks even harder.
He’d gotten hard from the moment that he’d taken Heeseung into his mouth, but Jake can’t hold back anymore. He squeezes his thighs together in an attempt to get some fricken, but eventually just moves his hand down in between his legs and starts palming at his own cock. It feels so good, he does it to the rhythm of Heeseung’s thrusts, constantly moaning around the alpha as he uses Jake’s mouth for his own pleasure.
“So good for me, Jake. Such a good omega. You’re perfect, baby,” Heeseung moans. His thrusts grow more erratic and start to lose their rhythm, and Jake can tell that he’s close. His scent is musky and its surrounding Jake at all angles, clouding the room in thick waves. Jake closes his eyes as he gets lost in the drag of Heeseung’s cock in his mouth until he finally comes in his pants, moaning around Heeseung’s length.
Heeseung is rocking his hips and then he pulls out, causing Jake to open his eyes. He’s met with the very hot sight of Heeseung stroking his cock until he’s coming all over Jake’s face. Jake is momentarily shocked at the feeling and Heeseung seems to come back to his senses because his eyes are wide and he’s tucking himself back into his pants. He steps over Jake and grabs him a handful of tissues.
“I’m so sorry. Fuck, I wasn’t thinking, Jake. I’m sorry-”
“Stop apologizing,” Jake says, grabbing the tissues and wiping his face clean. “Next time come down my throat,” he cheekily says, loving the way Heeseung is back to his shy, stuttering self at such a dirty comment. He stands up and sits on Heeseung’s lap, tipping his chin up and kissing him. Heeseung’s hands grip at Jake’s waist, and then he’s pulling away.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Heeseung huskily asks, licking his lips as he stares into Jake’s eyes.
Jake smiles, bashful. “No need. I got off from you fucking my face.”
Heeseung lets out a groan. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
Jake laughs, nuzzling his head against Heeseung’s neck. Heeseung’s hands wrap around his back and hold him close. It feels so good to be so close after such an intimate moment. He’s surrounded by the calming pheromones that Heeseung is releasing, and he can’t help but to hum in contentment.
It’s nice until Jake’s pants start to get uncomfortable from the fact that he came inside of them and then he’s forced to part from Heeseung, which makes the feeling that much worse.
“I should probably go,” Heeseung says, voice sad as he adjusts himself so he doesn’t look so disheveled.
“No, you should stay,” Jake says, clinging on to his arm and stopping him from grabbing his keys.
“We have work tomorrow.”
Jake rolls his eyes. “Yeah, and we work at the same place. Just stay the night. I don’t think I can survive another night without you cuddling me.”
Heeseung chokes out a laugh. “You’ve survived twenty four years worth of nights without me cuddling you.”
“Your omega wants you to stay,” Jake insists, completely ignoring Heeseung’s comment and holding on to him tighter.
He watches as the alpha swallows thickly, completely torn on whether to leave or stay, but he concedes quickly. “I’ll stay. Your alpha will stay.”
His voice is quiet as he says it, like he’s afraid of Jake rejecting him as his alpha, but Jake truly has no intentions of ever letting Heeseung go ever again. He wants to make sure that that fact is known, so he reaches up and connects their lips, holding Heeseung’s hand tightly in reassurance when he pulls away.
They carry on to the shower together, washing each other’s hair and stealing small kisses underneath the warmth of the water. Jake lends Heeseung a pair of pajama pants, which are too short on him and tight around his thighs, but Heeseung doesn’t mind. They both get a good laugh out of it. Then Jake is leading Heeseung to his bed, making sure he’s comfortable before he turns the overhead light off and opts for the lamp on his bedside table. He gets in next to Heeseung, sitting with his back to the headboard.
He grabs Heeseung’s copy of Wuthering Heights and flips the book open to where he last left off. Jake begins to quietly read it, reveling in the way that Heeseung cuddles closer to him and basically starts purring in his lap. His head is now resting on Jake’s thighs and his eyes are closed, mumbling along with certain parts that he must have memorized from reading so many times.
It feels right to be like this, so close and intimate with one another. As Jake finishes out the chapter, he feels Heeseung sit up, pulling the book away from him and placing it on the bedside table. His hand is reaching up for Jake’s chin before he’s pulling him in for a sweet kiss.
“What was that for?” Jake asks, blushing high on his cheeks.
Heeseung smiles, leaning in and doing it again. “Just because I can now.”
And Jake burrows him and Heeseung into his blankets – into something akin to a nest – just because he can. Just because Heeseung is his alpha and he’s Heeseung’s omega.
Just because they belong together and Jake never wants to let go.
☕️