college student alpha jeno moves into his new apartment and meets...
bea 🐰 new fic!@jaempregs
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Sep 16, 2026
~56 min read
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1
college student alpha jeno moves into his new apartment and meets single mom omega jaemin who flinches at alphas after a brutal marriage. he later learns jaemin only moved there to hide from his ex-husband so jeno’s determined to show he’s nothing like the man jaemin escaped (🧵)
2
as a senior jeno got the notice that he had to move out of the dorms to make room for the incoming freshmen. the timing was terrible but he found a place, a small slightly shabby apartment on the edge of town but rent was cheap and he didn’t mind. it was a place to call his own.
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after a long day of scrubbing floors and unpacking boxes, jn finally had the place looking decent. he gathered up all the trash bags and headed for the dumpster behind the building, exhausted but satisfied. it was getting dark, the only light coming from a flickering bulb above.
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as he rounded the corner, a scent hit him. soft and sweet like peonies in bloom and warm vanilla. an omega. his steps faltered for a second and then he saw him. a man with a pretty face also carrying a trash bag. he was dressed in a big worn-out sweater that swallowed his frame.
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jeno, being friendly, offered a smile to the omega. "hey there, i just moved in today. i'm lee jeno, from apartment 2B. looks like we had the same idea, huh?" he said, gesturing to the trash bags with a small laugh. the omega was shocked when he realised there was someone else.
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but the omega didn’t smile back. his eyes went wide and scared, and snapped to jeno’s face for a fraction of a second before darting away. he flinched, his whole body going rigid, and practically threw his trash bag into the dumpster.
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before jeno could even say another word, the omega turned and speed-walked back toward the building, disappearing through the door without a single sound. jeno was left standing there, bag in hand, confused and a little worried. "did i do something?" he muttered to himself.
8
over the next few days, jeno made sure to time his trash runs at different hours but the omega with the sweet scent was never there. it was like he had vanished. he tried not to think about it too much. the guy was probably just shy or maybe jeno had caught him on a bad day.
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it wasn't until his seventh night in the apartment that jeno realized something else. he had never met the neighbor living right next door. not once. the apartment 2A was always quiet whenever jeno passed by as if no one lived there.
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but quiet didn't mean empty because the walls in this building were paper-thin. and at night, jeno could hear his neighbors next door, the sounds of someone moving around, a young boy's voice, and a deeper one shushing him gently.
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one night, jeno was lying in bed when a loud cry jolted him awake. it was a child, crying like he was having a really bad dream. jeno groaned internally. he had an 8 a.m. class tomorrow. but then he heard something else.
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a man's voice. not just shushing this time. it was cracking. the mother was crying too. jeno heard him trying so hard to hold it together while comforting his son. his voice was wobbly and tired. "jisungie, it's okay, baby. shh. it's okay. he won't hurt you anymore, i promise."
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jeno's annoyance disappeared. his chest suddenly felt tight. he just laid there in the dark, listening to the mother's shaky promises and the child's fading sobs.
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it wasn't long until the crying stopped. just small sniffles from both sides of the wall. then silence. jeno stared at the ceiling, wide awake now. he didn't know who they were or what they ran from but his chest ached for them.
15
a week later, jeno was coming back from his class when he saw him. a tiny boy, probably around four years old, standing right in front of apartment 2A. he had chubby cheeks and big curious eyes, clutching a small stuffed dinosaur to his chest. this had to be the kid next door.
16
jeno crouched down to the boy's level, keeping his distance so he wouldn't scare him. "hey there, little guy. are you waiting for someone?" the boy just stared at him with wide eyes, saying nothing. jeno tried again, softer. "what's your name? i'm jeno. i live right next door."
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the boy stayed completely silent, just hugging his dinosaur tighter. jeno smiled gently. "is your mommy inside? did you get locked out?" still nothing. the kid just blinked at him. jeno was about to ask where his mom was when he heard it.
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"jisung!" a panicked voice called from the stairwell. jeno turned and there he was. the omega from the dumpster. who was actually his neighbor and this boy's mother. he was struggling with two heavy grocery bags, his face pale with fear when he saw jeno crouched near his son.
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the omega rushed over, nearly dropping the bags. "jisung, what did i tell you? you cannot run ahead like that! you have to wait for mommy!" his voice was shaky, more scared than angry. the little boy, jisung, just pointed at jeno silently.
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jeno stood up slowly, raising his hands slightly to show he meant no harm. "hey um, sorry. i was just coming back from class and saw him standing here. i didn't mean to scare him. or you. i'm jeno, we met at the dumpster remember? i'm your neighbor."
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the omega's eyes darted from jeno's face to his hands to the door, never settling anywhere for long. he fumbled with his keys, nearly dropping them. jeno took a small step back to give him space. "here, let me help with the bags—"
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"no." the word came out sharp and desperate. the omega finally got the door open and guickly pushed jisung inside. he grabbed his groceries and slipped through the doorway, not once looking back at jeno. the door clicked shut and he could hear the sound of it being locked inside.
23
jeno stood there in the empty hallway, staring at the closed door of apartment 2A. so the little boy's name was jisung. and his mother, the omega whose name he still didn't know despite meeting twice now, was his neighbor. the same one who cried himself to sleep some nights.
24
jeno knew he should be minding his own business but he couldn't. not when he could hear the sound of them crying at night. he told himself it was just concern, just normal human decency. but late at night, he still thought about the omega's scared eyes when he looked at him.
25
a few days later, jeno was scrolling through his phone when he heard footsteps in the hallway. he didn't think much of it until he heard a small and excited voice. "mommy, look! i'm a dinosaur!" and then a sound that made the alpha freeze.
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a giggle. soft and bright and nothing like the trembling voice he heard through the walls at night. jeno was on his feet before he could stop himself, moving toward his door. he knew he looked like a creep but he couldn't help it. he pressed his eye to the peephole.
27
through the fisheye lens, he saw them. jisung was stomping around in the hallway, his arms held up like tiny t-rex claws. and the omega, whose name he still didn't know, was laughing. really laughing. his whole face was lit up, his eyes crescent moons, his smile was genuine.
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jeno's breath caught. the omega was beautiful. not just pretty in the way he noticed before, but truly beautiful when he smiled like that, carefree and unafraid. jisung roared at him and jaemin scooped him up, peppering his face with kisses as the boy squealed with laughter.
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jeno's hand actually reached for the doorknob. he wanted to open it. wanted to introduce himself properly, to see the omega's smile directed at him, and to hear that laugh up close. but he didn't. the alpha pulled his hand back.
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he watched through the peephole as jaemin and jisung walked into their apartment. their laughter faded as the door closed, the locks clicking into place. jeno leaned his forehead against his own door and sighed. he wasn’t supposed to feel this way about people he barely knew.
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so he stayed in his lane. he stopped trying to time his trash runs. he stopped lingering in the hallway. if he saw them coming, he waited behind his door until he heard theirs close. it felt wrong but less wrong than seeing the omega's fear in those eyes again. until one morning.
32
jeno was half asleep when he heard it. small, repeated knocks on his door. he frowned, reaching for his phone. 7:23 a.m. on a saturday. who the hell was knocking this early? he pulled on a shirt and when he opened the door, still bleary-eyed, he froze. jisung stood there.
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the child's little face was streaked with tears, his dinosaur clutched to his chest so tightly his knuckles were white. he was shaking. jeno dropped to his knees immediately, all sleep gone in an instant. "hey, hey what's wrong? are you okay?"
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jisung just cried harder, big hiccupping sobs that broke jeno's heart. "mommy," he got out between cries. "mommy cannot... cannot go up." he pointed back toward their apartment. "he's on the floor. mommy won't wake up..."
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his blood ran cold. he scooped jisung up without thinking, the boy clinging to him, and stepped inside their house. upon entering, he noticed the omega’s home was… something. he had thought his own place was already lacking necessities, but it seemed he had been ungrateful.
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there wasn't anything too much in there. a small couch with a blanket thrown over it. a few toys scattered neatly in a corner. a tiny kitchen with minimal dishes drying by the sink. it was clean but sparse, like they were camping in someone else's life.
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the alpha followed the sound of ragged breathing to a small bedroom. and there he was. the omega, jisung's mother, lying on a thin mattress on the floor, curled on his side. his face was flushed and sweaty, his breathing shallow. he was shivering despite what looked like a fever.
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jeno set jisung down gently and rushed to the omega's side. he pressed a hand to his forehead and flinched. he was burning up. "hey, hey can you hear me?" he touched his shoulder carefully. the omega stirred but didn't open his eyes, just let out a weak, pained whimper.
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jisung tugged at jeno's pant leg, crying. "mommy sick. mommy very sick. jisung scared." he looked down at the little boy. he crouched, putting a hand on jisung's shoulder. "i know, buddy, but i'm going to help him, okay? i need you to be really brave for me. can you do that?"
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jisung nodded through his tears, his hand stayed fisted in jeno's jeans. jeno turned back to the omega, carefully sliding one arm under his knees and the other behind his back. he lifted him easily. he was so light, too light, and burned with fever even through his clothes.
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jeno carried the omega out of the apartment, moving as carefully as he could. jisung never let go of his leg, stumbling along with his short little legs, his dinosaur clutched in his other hand, and tears streaming down his face, whimpering "mommy, mommy" under his breath.
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when they reached his car, he laid the omega across the backseat, then turned to find jisung already trying to climb in by himself, his legs scrambling against the seat. jeno helped him up and jisung immediately crawled over to his mom, pressing himself against his side.
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jeno immediately drove to the nearest hospital, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. the moment he pulled up to the emergency entrance, he was out of the car and flagging down the nurses. they rushed out with a gurney, carefully transferring the omega from the backseat.
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jeno stood back, his heart pounding, as the medical team began to handle him. a nurse was asking questions. from his name, his symptoms, how long he'd been like this, and jeno could only shake his head helplessly. "i don't know. i'm just his neighbor. i found him like this."
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he felt a small hand slip into his. jisung stood beside him, still clutching his dinosaur, staring at the doors where they had taken his mom. his face was pale. jeno squeezed his hand and led him to the waiting area. "we'll wait here, okay? the doctors are going to help him."
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jeno didn't know how long they sat there. minutes felt like hours. he just kept one hand on jisung's back, rubbing small circles, and stared at the double doors where they had taken his mother. finally, a doctor in light blue scrubs walked toward them.
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jeno sat up straighter, which made jisung stir. the doctor offered a tired but warm smile. "are you here for the omega who was brought in with high fever?" jeno nodded, his throat dry. "yes. how is he? is he okay?"
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the doctor nodded reassuringly. "he's going to be fine. it's a severe case of viral fever, probably brought on by exhaustion and stress. we've got him on fluids and medication. he's resting now. you can see him once we move him to a room."
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jeno let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. jisung perked up slightly, looking at the doctor with wide eyes. "mommy okay?" he asked, his voice tiny. the doctor's expression softened. "your mommy is going to be just fine, little one."
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but then the doctor's face shifted. he glanced at jeno, then back at his clipboard, then at jeno again. "sir, can i speak with you privately for a moment?" jeno's stomach dropped. he gently shifted jisung to the chair beside him. "stay here, buddy. i'll be right back, okay?"
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jisung nodded, clutching his dinosaur, his eyes following jeno as he stepped a few feet away with the doctor. the doctor kept his voice low. "when we were examining him, we noticed... there are bruises. old and new. on his arms, his ribs, his back."
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jeno felt like the air had been knocked out of him. the doctor continued, concern evident in his voice. "some of them look like they were made by hands. fingers. some look like he was being hit by something hard. we're required to ask—is he in a safe environment?"
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jeno's hands curled into fists at his sides. not at the doctor, but at the thought of someone doing that to the omega. he forced himself to breathe. "i... i don't know. i just moved in next door a few weeks ago. i don't know his situation. but he has a son. he's a single parent."
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the doctor nodded slowly, making notes. "he didn't have any identification on him. we'll need to ask him some questions when he wakes up. but for now, he needs rest. you can meet him in room 204." jeno thanked the doctor and walked back to jisung.
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jeno's mind was spinning. bruises. old and new. on his arms, his ribs, his back, almost everywhere. he thought about the flinching, the fear in the omega's eyes, the way he locked his door immediately. the way he cried at night promising jisung that "he won't hurt us anymore."
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whoever they were running from, whoever hurt him like that, he hoped he burned. he scooped jisung up again. "come on, buddy. let's go see your mom." jisung perked up immediately, his arms wrapping around jeno's neck. they took the elevator to the second floor and found room 204.
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jeno pushed the door open slowly. the omega looked so small in the hospital bed. an IV was taped to his arm, a blanket pulled up to his chin. his face was still pale but less flushed than before. his breathing was steady. he stood in the doorway for a moment, just looking at him.
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jisung squirmed to be let down and immediately ran to the bed. he couldn't reach, so jeno lifted him onto the chair beside it. jisung climbed up on his knees and placed his hand on his mom's arm. "mommy, jisung here." jeno leaned against the wall by the door, giving them space.
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a few hours passed. jeno didn't move from his spot. he watched over them both, making sure jisung didn't fall off, flagging down a nurse to ask about updates. at some point, jisung fell asleep with his head on the bed next to his mom's arm. then, finally, the omega moved.
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his fingers twitched first. then his eyelids fluttered before his eyes opened slowly, groggy and unfocused. he blinked at the ceiling, at the unfamiliar room, at the IV in his arm. "mommy!" jisung's voice cut through the quiet. he was awake instantly.
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jisung scrambled up to press his face against his mother's shoulder. "mommy wake! mommy okay!" the omega's brow furrowed in confusion. he looked down at his son, then around the room, his expression lost. "jisung? baby, where... where are we? what happened?" his voice was rough.
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then his eyes landed on jeno. and just like that, the fear was back. the omega's whole body went rigid, his hand instinctively pulling jisung closer, his eyes going wide and wary. he tried to sit up but winced, his body too weak. "you," he breathed. "what... why are you here?"
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jeno stayed exactly where he was, not moving an inch. he raised his hands slightly, palms out. "it's okay. you were really sick. you had a high fever. jisung came and got me. i brought you here. that's all."
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jisung, oblivious to his mom's fear, tugged at his sleeve. "mommy, uncle jeno helped! jisung scared but uncle jeno came. he carried you. he was nice. he gave jisung crackers." the omega stared at his son, then back at jeno. confusion warred with the fear on his face.
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the omega didn't remember. he couldn't remember anything after trying to wake up to make breakfast. his hand went to his head, wincing. "i... i don't..." jisung kept going, his little voice earnest. "jisung waited with him for long time. let jisung sit on his lap!"
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"uncle jeno said mommy would be okay. and mommy is okay now!" jisung finished with a bright smile. the omega looked at his son's face, so trusting, so unharmed. then he looked at jeno again. the alpha hadn't moved, giving them both space with a non-threatening expression.
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"...thank you," the omega said quietly. the words were barely audible, but they were there. jeno's heart did something complicated in his chest. he smiled. "it's no problem at all. that's what neighbors are supposed to do." but the omega didn't respond.
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he just pulled jisung closer, holding him tight, his eyes still not quite meeting jeno's. but he didn't flinch away this time. jeno counted that as a win. then the doctors came in to check on the omega and jeno slipped out to give them privacy.
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the alpha waited in the hallway, leaning against the wall, until they were done. when they left, one of the nurses smiled at him. "he's stable. we're keeping him overnight for observation, but he should be fine to go home tomorrow." so the next day, jeno was back. surprisingly.
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he hadn't planned to be. he told himself he should just go home, focus on his study, mind his own business, let the omega figure things out on his own. but then he thought about their sparse apartment. no car. no family around that he knew of. a four-year-old to take care of.
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so he went back. and when he walked into the room, the omega was sitting up, looking pale but better. jisung was on the bed next to him, chattering away about something. they both looked up when jeno appeared in the doorway. the omega tensed immediately.
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but jeno just smiled at them. "hey. just came to check if you needed a ride home. i mean, unless, you want to order a cab, then that's fine too. but i don't mind bringing you guys home, really," he said it casually, like it was no big deal, like he wasn't trying too hard.
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the omega stared at him for a long moment. his first instinct was to say no. to refuse. to put up the wall he'd built so carefully. but jisung was already bouncing upon hearing the alpha's words. "yay! uncle jeno ride! uncle jeno ride!" and the omega was so, so tired.
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"...okay," he whispered. jeno's smile widened just a little. "great. i'll wait outside while you get ready. take your time."
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the drive home was quiet. jisung fell asleep in the backseat, exhausted from the hospital stay. the omega sat in the passenger seat, stiff and alert, his eyes fixed on the window. but every now and then, jeno caught him sneaking glances. watching him. assessing him.
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when they finally pulled up to their building, the omega's hand was wrapped tightly around jisung's little one. he didn't let go, not even when they got out of the car. jeno walked them to their door, hanging back a few steps to give them space.
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the omega fumbled with his keys, his hands shaky. jeno didn't offer to help this time. he just waited. when the door finally opened, the omega guided jisung inside, then paused. he didn't turn around fully, but he hovered in the doorway.
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jeno spoke before he could overthink it. "hey, um... i just want to say, i mean it. if you ever need anything. like, anything at all. groceries, or someone to watch jisung for a bit, or just... i don't know. i'm right next door. seriously. don't hesitate. i don't mind at all."
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the omega's shoulders tensed. for a moment, jeno thought he would just shut the door without responding. but then his head turned, just slightly. he nodded once. a small, almost imperceptible movement. but it was something. jeno nodded back and turned to walk to his own door.
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he fished out his keys, trying not to feel disappointed. it was fine. it was progress. he couldn't expect—
"jaemin."
jeno froze, his key halfway to the lock. he turned slowly. the omega was still standing in his doorway, one hand on the frame, the other wrapped around himself.
"jaemin."
jeno froze, his key halfway to the lock. he turned slowly. the omega was still standing in his doorway, one hand on the frame, the other wrapped around himself.
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he wasn't looking at the alpha. he was looking at the floor. "what did you say?" jeno asked gently, taking a small step closer. the omega's voice was even quieter this time, but jeno heard it.
"jaemin. my name is jaemin."
"jaemin. my name is jaemin."
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jeno's heart swelled. he smiled, a real smile, warm and bright. "jaemin," he repeated, tasting the name, committing it to memory. "it's nice to finally get to know your name, jaemin. that's a really pretty name. and i don't mean it to sound creepy– i just– it's good to know you."
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jaemin glanced up for the briefest second, just long enough to see jeno's smile. then he ducked his head again and slipped inside his apartment, closing the door softly behind him.
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jeno stood there in the hallway, staring at the closed door of his neighbor, a stupid grin on his face. jaemin. his name was jaemin. and he had said it himself. willingly. the alpha pressed his forehead against his own door and laughed quietly.
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he didn't know everything about jaemin yet. he didn't know who hurt him, or what he ran from, or why he had bruises on his body. but he knew his name now. and to the smitten alpba, that felt like the most important first step in the world.
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over the next few weeks, jeno noticed the small changes. when they bumped into each other at the dumpster now, jaemin didn't run. he still tensed up, still kept his distance, still avoided eye contact. but he stayed.
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and when jeno smiled and said "morning, jaemin," the omega would nod back. sometimes he even mumbled a quiet "morning" under his breath. jeno treasured every single one of those mumbled greetings like they were gold.
but the biggest change came through jisung.
but the biggest change came through jisung.
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it started when jeno came home from class one day to find a piece of paper taped to his door. on it, in wobbly crayon, was a drawing of three stick figures. one small one with a dinosaur, one medium one with brown hair (jaemin, he guessed), and one taller one with a smiley face.
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under it, in jaemin's neat handwriting: "jisung wanted you to have this."
jeno taped that drawing to his fridge immediately.
jeno taped that drawing to his fridge immediately.
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a few days later, there was a knock on his door. he opened it to find jaemin standing there, jisung hiding behind his legs. jaemin wouldn't meet his eyes. "i... need to go to the grocery store. jisung is tired and i don't want to drag him out again. would you... could he...?"
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the alpha's heart melted on the spot. "of course. hey jisung want to come see my dinosaur drawing? it's on my fridge." jisung peeked out from behind jaemin's legs, eyes lighting up. he looked up at his mom for permission. jaemin nodded, and jisung ran inside without hesitation.
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jaemin lingered in the doorway for a moment. "i won't be long. thank you, jeno." and then he was gone. jeno stood there for a moment, watching him go, a warm feeling blooming in his chest. the omega trusted him enough to leave jisung with him. that was huge.
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from then on, it became a regular thing. whenever jaemin needed to run errands without a tired toddler in tow, jisung would show up at jeno's door. they would build forts out of blankets, draw more pictures for the fridge, and he would let jisung "help" him with his assignments.
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he didn't mind at all. in fact, he looked forward to it. hanging out with jisung was the best stress relief from his final year projects. the boy's laughter was contagious, his imagination endless, and his trust in jeno grew more every day.
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and every day, jeno fell harder for the omega next door.
it was in the little things. the way jaemin's sweet scent would linger in the hallway long after he'd passed. the way his hair fell over his forehead when he hadn't had time to fix it. the way he giggled at jisung's words.
it was in the little things. the way jaemin's sweet scent would linger in the hallway long after he'd passed. the way his hair fell over his forehead when he hadn't had time to fix it. the way he giggled at jisung's words.
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the way jaemin would sometimes stand in his own doorway when jeno came home from class, like he was waiting to make sure the alpha got back safely. he would duck inside immediately if he caught him, but jeno noticed. he noticed everything.
and then there was the food.
and then there was the food.
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it started with a small container of kimchi jjigae, left outside jeno's door with a sticky note that simply said "thank you" in jaemin's handwriting. the alpha had nearly cried at the first spoonful. it was warm and rich and perfect, nothing like the instant noodles he lived on.
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the next week, it was bulgogi. then japchae. then tteokbokki that was perfectly spicy. jeno left his own sticky notes on the empty containers: "best thing i've ever eaten" and "thank you" and "you're an angel" (he crossed that last one out but jaemin probably still saw it).
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jaemin never mentioned the notes, but the meals kept coming. sometimes he would even bring them himself, hovering awkwardly at the door while jeno gushed about the food. "it's really nothing," jaemin would mumble. "it's the least i can do. you spend so much time with jisung."
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jeno would just grin and say "it was nothing. i get to hang out with the cutest kid ever and eat the best food in the city? i'm winning, really."
and sometimes, just sometimes, the omega's lips would twitch. not quite a smile, but close. and jeno lived for those moments.
and sometimes, just sometimes, the omega's lips would twitch. not quite a smile, but close. and jeno lived for those moments.
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one night, jeno was lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, when he realized something. he couldn't remember the last time he heard them cry. he thought back to his first weeks in the apartment.
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the sound of jisung crying and jaemin's cracked voice, barely holding it together. his shaky promises to the small boy whispered through paper-thin walls. it used to be so regular that jeno had learned to sleep with it.
but now? now the sounds from apartment 2A were different.
but now? now the sounds from apartment 2A were different.
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now he heard jisung's giggles, bright and unrestrained, usually followed by jaemin's mock growls as he chased the boy around their small living room. he heard the pitter-patter of tiny feet, jaemin's laughter joining his son's, the sound of pure joy seeping through the walls.
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and at night, when jisung was settling down, he would hear it. jaemin's melodic voice singing lullabies to the boy. it was the most beautiful thing jeno had ever heard. he would close his eyes and let the sound wash over him until he fell asleep, a huge smile on his face.
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it started as a normal day. jeno realized he needed groceries. his fridge was down to expired milk and a sad-looking apple, and he was craving jaemin's cooking so bad he almost knocked on their door to beg. instead, he grabbed his keys and headed to the mart a few blocks away.
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he was wandering through the produce section, pretending he knew how to pick good vegetables, when he heard it.
a child's cry. sharp and scared. and familiar.
jeno's head snapped toward the sound. and then he saw them.
a child's cry. sharp and scared. and familiar.
jeno's head snapped toward the sound. and then he saw them.
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jaemin was backed against a shelf, one arm wrapped protectively around jisung, the other held tight in the grip of a tall alpha. the man's face was twisted and cruel, his voice loud enough to echo through the store.
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"did you really think you could get away from me? you think i wouldn't find you, you useless little omega?" the man, jaewoo, yanked jaemin forward. "well too bad, you're coming home now. and don't think i will ever let you and this brat escaped again after this. you're mine."
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jisung was sobbing, his little face buried in his mother's leg. "let mommy go! let mommy go!" jaemin was pale, shaking, his voice barely a whisper. "please hyung, not here.. not in front of jisung. please—"
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"shut up." jaewoo's hand tightened, and jaemin winced. "you don't get to tell me what to do. you're my omega. you belong to me. and this brat—" he reached for jisung harshly, "—needs to learn some manners."
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jeno didn't remember moving. one second he was thinking about which vegetables he should pick, the next he was there, his hand wrapped around jaewoo's wrist, squeezing until the man's grip faltered. "take your hand off him." jeno's voice was low and deadly calm.
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jaewoo's eyes snapped to him, surprised. then his lip curled. "and who the hell are you? his new toy? you like my sloppy seconds, alpha?" jaewoo laughed, ugly and mean. "trust me, he's not worth it. he's broken. i broke him myself. he can't even look an alpha in the eye without—"
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jeno stepped closer, his body blocking jaemin and jisung from view. his scent flared, protective and warning, alpha to alpha. "i said. take your hand off him. now."
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jaewoo's eyes flickered. he was bigger than jeno, broader, taller, but there was something in jeno's face that made him hesitate. people were starting to stare, pull out their phones to record. a store employee was already approaching. he finally released jaemin's arm with (cont)
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a shove, making him stumble back. he held up his hands in mock surrender but his smile was cruel. "fine. fine. but this isn't over." his eyes raked over the three of them. "you can't hide forever, jaemin. when i find you again, there won't be some young alpha to save you."
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jaewoo turned and walked away, pausing at the door to look back. "enjoy your little freedom. it won't last." and then the alpha was gone.
117
the store was silent for a moment. then jisung's sobs broke through, loud and wrecked. jaemin sank to his knees, pulling the boy into his arms, his whole body shaking. this made jeno crouched beside them, his heart pounding. "jaemin. jaemin, look at me."
118
jaemin's eyes were glassy, unfocused, tears streaming down his face. jeno kept his voice soft. "he's gone. you're safe now. both of you are safe." jaemin just stared at him, like he couldn't process the words. jisung reached for jeno, making grabby hands at him.
119
"uncle nono, that daddy.. the bad man.." jeno scooped him up without thinking, holding him close. "i know, buddy. i know. but he's gone now. i won't let him hurt you. okay?" jisung buried his face in his neck, sobbing. jeno looked at jaemin, still on his knees, still shaking.
120
"can you stand? we need to get out of here." jaemin nodded weakly. jeno helped him up, keeping one arm around jisung and the other steadying jaemin. they walked out of the store, past the staring customers, past the employee who asked if they needed help. jeno ignored them all.
121
he led them to his car, checking every corner and making sure jaewoo was really gone. only when he was certain did he open the door and help them inside. jisung clung to jaemin in the backseat, both of them huddled together.
122
the drive home was silent. jeno kept glancing in the rearview mirror, watching for any sign of jaewoo following. his hands were tight on the wheel, his jaw clenched. the fear in jaemin's eyes, the way jisung sobbed, all of it was burned into his brain.
123
when they finally pulled up to their building, jeno did another sweep of the area before letting them out. he walked them to their door, standing guard while jaemin fumbled with his keys. the omega's hands were still shaking.
124
inside, jaemin sank onto the small couch, pulling jisung onto his lap. the boy was still crying, quieter now. jaemin rocked him gently, his own tears falling silently. jeno stood near them, unsure what to do. "jaemin. is there anything i can do? anything at all? you can tell me."
125
jaemin looked up at him. his eyes were red, his face pale, his whole body trembling. for a long moment, he just stared at the alpha, like he was trying to figure something out. then, slowly, he reached out. his hand wrapped around jeno's wrist. his grip was weak but it was there.
126
jaemin took a breath, then another, before he finally spoke. "jeno... can you... can you stay tonight? at our place? i know it's a lot to ask but i'm scared he'll find us here and i don't—i can't—" the omega's voice broke. and jeno's heart shattered but he nodded.
127
"of course." jeno squeezed his hand lightly. "of course i'll stay. i'll stay as long as you need me."
jaemin's eyes filled with fresh tears, but this time, they looked different. relieved and grateful. he nodded, once, then finally let go of jeno's wrist.
jaemin's eyes filled with fresh tears, but this time, they looked different. relieved and grateful. he nodded, once, then finally let go of jeno's wrist.
128
hours passed. jeno helped made jisung a small dinner from whatever jaemin had in his sparse kitchen. he helped the boy wash up. he sat with him until he fell asleep, curled up in his tiny bed with his dinosaur clutched to his chest. and then he went back to the living room.
129
jaemin was still on the couch, wrapped in a thin blanket, staring at nothing. jeno sat on the floor, giving the omega space but letting him know he was there. for a long time, neither of them spoke. the apartment was quiet except for the distant sounds of the city.
130
then jaemin's voice came. "that man... his name is jaewoo. he's my ex-husband."
jeno stayed silent, letting him talk.
jeno stayed silent, letting him talk.
131
"we were married for four years." jaemin's voice was barely a whisper. "i met him when i was nineteen. he was charming at first. and sweet. he made me feel special.. wanted.. i thought i was lucky. an alpha like him choosing someone like me."
132
jaemin let out a bitter laugh. "the wedding was small. we only invited our parents and our closest friends. he said it was because he wanted to save money for our future. and because he didn’t like too many people. i didn't question it. i was young and stupid and in love."
133
jaemin held his breath. "the.. the first time he hit me was three months after the wedding. he was tired from work, i didn't realize i burned his dinner.. he slapped my face so hard he left bruises. then he apologized, cried, said he'd never do it again. and i believed him."
134
jeno's hands curled into fists, but he kept his face neutral. the omega didn't need his anger right now. he needed him to listen.
"but he did it again. and again. and again. every time, he had a reason. i looked at someone wrong. i didn't clean enough. i was too tired to—"
"but he did it again. and again. and again. every time, he had a reason. i looked at someone wrong. i didn't clean enough. i was too tired to—"
135
jaemin stopped, swallowing hard. "when i found out i was pregnant with jisung, i thought it would change things. i thought having a baby would make him happy, finally make him stop and changed." his voice cracked. "but it didn't. it made it worse."
136
"he was jealous of jisung after he was born. said i paid too much attention to the baby, and not enough to him. when jisung cried, he would scream at me to shut him up. and when i couldn't..." jaemin's hand went to his ribs, unconsciously. "he made sure i paid for it."
137
jeno closed his eyes. he remembered the bruises the doctor mentioned. old and new ones. the marks of hands on the omega's arms, ribs, and back. just hearing that made him want to find jaewoo and make the alpha feel every bit of pain he'd caused to jaemin.
138
"the night i left... he was really drunk. jisung was three. he wouldn't stop crying and jaewoo just... snapped. he grabbed jisung by the arm and shook him. shook our baby. and i—" jaemin's voice broke completely. "i hit him. i hit him with a lamp. i grabbed jisung and i ran."
139
tears were streaming down the omega's face now. "and we've been running ever since. we've moved four times already. i tried changing our names, our numbers, everything. but he always finds us. he always does.. and he won't sign the divorce papers. he says that i'm his, forever."
140
jaemin sniffled. "that he'll never let me go. that if he can't have me, no one can. and every time he finds us, he threatens to hurt jisung and take him away. says that he'll make people think i'm not good enough to take care of him. that i'm not worthy of becoming a mother."
141
jaemin finally looked at jeno. his eyes were wrecked, red, completely bare. "i'm so tired, jeno. i'm so tired of running. tired of being scared.. i'm so tired of jisung having nightmares and being scared of his father. i don't know what to do anymore.. what if he comes back?"
142
sensing the stress, jeno moved then. slowly, carefully, giving jaemin every chance to pull away. he sat on the couch beside him, close but not touching. and then he said the words that had been building in his chest since the first night he heard jaemin cry through the wall.
143
"i'll protect you."
jaemin's eyes widened.
jeno met his gaze. "i don't know how yet. and i don't know what it will take. but i promise you, jaemin. i will protect you and jisung. that man will never touch either of you again. not while i'm alive."
jaemin's eyes widened.
jeno met his gaze. "i don't know how yet. and i don't know what it will take. but i promise you, jaemin. i will protect you and jisung. that man will never touch either of you again. not while i'm alive."
144
"jeno, you can't.. you don't understand what he's capable of—"
"i don't care." jeno's voice sounded sincere. "i don't care what he's capable of. i care about you and jisung. and i'm not going anywhere. i'll make sure he won't ever lay his hands on either of you ever again."
"i don't care." jeno's voice sounded sincere. "i don't care what he's capable of. i care about you and jisung. and i'm not going anywhere. i'll make sure he won't ever lay his hands on either of you ever again."
145
jaemin stared at him, tears still falling, something fragile and hopeful flickering in his eyes. "why?" he whispered. "why would you do this? you barely know us. we're not your responsibility.."
146
jeno thought about the first time he saw jaemin at the dumpster, scared and flinching. the nights of crying through the wall. the way jaemin's face lit up when he laughed with jisung. the meals left outside his door. the sweet mumbled greetings. the trust that grew day by day.
147
"because you deserve to be safe," he said simply, looking at jaemin lovingly. "because jisung deserves to grow up without fear. cause no one should have to go through what you've been through alone. and because..." he hesitated, then continued. "because i care about you, jaemin."
148
"more than i probably should. more than i have any right to. but i do."
jaemin's breath caught. for a moment, he just looked at jeno, searching his face for something. lies. pity. but all he found was determination and something warmer, something he hadn't seen in a long time.
jaemin's breath caught. for a moment, he just looked at jeno, searching his face for something. lies. pity. but all he found was determination and something warmer, something he hadn't seen in a long time.
149
slowly, hesitantly, jaemin find himself leaned toward him. his head came to rest on jeno's shoulder, just barely, like he was ready to pull away at any moment. jeno didn't move, didn't breathe, didn't do anything that might break this moment. he didn't expect this from jaemin.
150
"okay," jaemin whispered against his shoulder. the omega felt his body finally begin to calm, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks. "thank you, jeno."
jeno smiled, even as his heart ached with how much he wanted to hold jaemin closer. but for now, this was enough.
jeno smiled, even as his heart ached with how much he wanted to hold jaemin closer. but for now, this was enough.
151
after that night, things shifted. jeno didn't go back to sleeping in his own apartment. not really. he would go in to grab clothes, books, sometimes to actually sleep when jaemin insisted he needed rest after working on his assignments. but most nights, he was in apartment 2A.
152
sometimes jaemin asked him to stay. sometimes he didn't have to ask. he would hear jisung have a bad dream again, or notice jaemin's hands shaking after a long day, and he would appear with takeouts, tea, blankets, or just his presence.
and slowly, jaemin started to let him in.
and slowly, jaemin started to let him in.
153
they learned things about each other in those quiet nights. he learned that jaemin loved old movies, the cheesy kind with terrible special effects. jaemin learned that jeno was terrible at cooking but excellent at ordering takeout.
154
jeno learned that the omega would hummed when he was concentrating. and jaemin learned that the alpha talked in his sleep. it mostly nonsense, but sometimes jaemin's name.
jaemin never told him about that last one. his cheeks burned just thinking about it.
jaemin never told him about that last one. his cheeks burned just thinking about it.
155
the physical barriers started to fall too. at first, jeno was careful never to touch the omega without warning, always giving him space to move away. but then jaemin started brushing against him intentionally. a hand on his arm to get his attention.
156
sitting close enough on the couch that their shoulders touched. leaning into jeno when they watched movies late at night. the first time jaemin fell asleep on his shoulder, jeno didn't move for three hours. his arm went completely numb. he didn't care.
157
and jisung was thriving, of course. he had taken to holding both their hands when they walked anywhere. he would crawl into jeno's lap during meals, demand piggyback rides to bed, made him read bedtime stories. jeno gave him all of it. every single thing jisung asked and more.
158
it was a regular evening when it happened. jaemin had made dinner, his famous budae jjigae that made jeno want to weep with joy, and they were all sitting on the floor around the low table, since jaemin still didn't have a proper dining set.
159
jisung was chasing rice grains around his bowl with his spoon, until jaemin lightly scolded him. pouting, he stopped. he looked at his mom, then at jeno. his little face scrunched up like he was thinking very hard about something. and then, with innocent curiosity, he asked:
160
"uncle nono, you going to be my new daddy?"
jaemin choked. tea went everywhere, including on jisung's dinosaur who was sitting nearby. jaemin coughed and sputtered, his face turning a shade of red that jeno had never seen before. "jisung! what—where did you—why would you—"
jaemin choked. tea went everywhere, including on jisung's dinosaur who was sitting nearby. jaemin coughed and sputtered, his face turning a shade of red that jeno had never seen before. "jisung! what—where did you—why would you—"
161
jeno was no better. his face was on fire, his brain short-circuiting, his mouth opening and closing without making any sound. daddy. new daddy. did he really just heard jisung called him that word?
162
jisung, completely unbothered by the chaos he'd caused, nodded innocently. "at playground! minji with her daddy and mommy. saw her daddy picks her up, hugs her, and protects her mommy and makes her laugh and smile." he pointed his spoon at jeno. "uncle nono does that too!"
163
"he protects mommy and makes mommy laugh. and makes me happy! so he should be my new daddy!"
jaemin made a strangled sound. jeno buried his face in his hands. "baby," jaemin managed, his voice squeaky, "it's not that simple. jeno is our neighbor, he's not—we're not— i–i mean—"
jaemin made a strangled sound. jeno buried his face in his hands. "baby," jaemin managed, his voice squeaky, "it's not that simple. jeno is our neighbor, he's not—we're not— i–i mean—"
164
"but mommy said uncle nono very kind." jisung said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. " and mommy smile a lot now!" the boy looked at jeno. "mommy said mommy happy now cause of uncle nono! and me too!" jaemin looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him whole.
165
jeno's heart was pounding. did jaemin really said that to jisung? how he was kind, how he was the reason the omega started to smile even more, and both him and jisung were happier now? something warm settled in his chest.
"jisungie, that's enough—"
"jisungie, that's enough—"
166
"and uncle nono looks at mommy like mommy the best thing ever!" jisung continued, relentless. "like how i look at mr. dino. like mommy is his favorite!"
dead silence.
dead silence.
167
jeno's hands dropped from his face. jaemin was staring at him, wide-eyed, the omega's cheeks still flushed. the air between them changed, heavy with everything unsaid. and then there was jisung, who had already returned to eating his meal like his work here was done.
168
that night, after jisung was asleep, they sat on the tiny balcony. well, jaemin called it a balcony. it was really just enough space for two people to stand and look at the city lights. they were sitting on the ground, shoulders pressed together, neither speaking.
169
jeno broke the silence first. "jisung's not wrong, you know." his voice was quiet. jaemin tensed beside him but he let him continued. "about how i look at you." the omega didn't respond. didn't move. jeno could hear his breathing, quick and shallow.
170
"i know it's too soon. i know you've been hurt. i know you're scared." jeno turned to look at him, at his face illuminated by the distant streetlights. "and i'm not going to push you. i'm not going to ask for anything you're not ready to give. but jaemin... i need you to know."
171
jaemin turned then, slowly, meeting jeno's eyes for the first time that night.
"i'm falling in love with you."
"i'm falling in love with you."
172
jeno's voice was sure and honest. "i think i've been falling since the first time i saw you at that dumpster. since i heard you sing jisung to sleep. since you left that first meal at my door. since you laughed at my dad jokes. since– everything. i'm in love with you, na jaemin."
173
jaemin's eyes glistened. his lips parted, but no sound came out. his hands were trembling in his lap. jeno saw it. he reached out slowly, giving the omega every chance to pull away. when jaemin didn't move, he cupped his face, his thumb brushing away a tear that had escaped.
174
"you don't have to say anything. you don't have to feel the same way. i just needed you to know that whatever you're feeling, whatever you're scared of—i'm here. i'm not going anywhere. you and jisung are my number one priorities and i'll protect you both. swear on my life."
175
jaemin stared at him. the city hummed below them. the night air was cool against their skin. and then, so small and quiet jeno almost missed it, jaemin whispered:
"what if i feel it too?"
jeno's heart stopped.
"what if i'm scared because i feel it too?" jaemin's voice cracked.
"what if i feel it too?"
jeno's heart stopped.
"what if i'm scared because i feel it too?" jaemin's voice cracked.
176
"what if i'm terrified because every time you're near me, i forget to be afraid? because jisung asks about you when you're not here? because i made you dinner tonight and all i could think about was how much i wanted you to stay forever? with jisung and i."
"jaemin—"
"jaemin—"
177
"i don't know how to do this." jaemin's tears were falling freely now. "i don't know how to trust. i don't know how to let someone in. but jeno, i want to learn. for you. i want to try."
178
jeno didn't think. didn't plan. didn't calculate the consequences or worry about timing. he just leaned in, slowly, giving the omega every opportunity to turn away.
yet jaemin didn't turn away.
and finally their lips met.
yet jaemin didn't turn away.
and finally their lips met.
179
jaemin's breath hitched against jeno's mouth, his hands coming up to clutch at jeno's shirt like he needed something to hold onto. and when jeno started to pull back, afraid he'd pushed too far—
jaemin kissed him back.
jaemin kissed him back.
180
deeper this time. more certain. jaemin's fingers twisted in the alpha's shirt, pulling him closer, and jeno's arms wrapped around him, holding him like he was something precious. because he was. he was the most precious thing jeno had ever known.
181
when they finally broke apart, foreheads pressed together, breathing ragged, jaemin was crying and giggling at the same time. jeno chuckled. he wiped his tears with his thumbs, he was smiling so wide his cheeks hurt. "i've got you," he whispered. "and i'm not letting go."
182
jaemin laughed, wet and shaky. "you better not."
"never." jeno kissed his forehead, his nose, and the corner of his mouth. "i'll protect you. both of you. for as long as you'll let me. forever, if you'll have me."
"never." jeno kissed his forehead, his nose, and the corner of his mouth. "i'll protect you. both of you. for as long as you'll let me. forever, if you'll have me."
183
jaemin pulled back just enough to look at him, really look at him. and for the first time since jeno had met him, there was no fear in his eyes. just hope. just trust. just the beginning of something beautiful. "forever sounds nice," jaemin whispered.
184
jeno kissed him again, tender and sweet, and the city lights twinkled below them like they were celebrating too. inside, jisung slept peacefully, his dinosaur clutched to his chest, dreaming of the day he'd get to call jeno something more than just "uncle nono."
185
3 months later. jeno officially moved out of his apartment. his lease wasn't up, but he barely slept there anymore anyway. jaemin and jisung came home from groceries to find jeno's clothes folded next to theirs. his books in the living room. his toothbrush in the bathroom.
186
the apartment looked different now fuller. warmer. jeno had brought over his own things, sure, but he'd also bought new things for them. a real dining table so they didn't have to eat on the floor. a proper bed for jaemin and jisung because the thin mattress hurt their back.
187
shelves for jisung's growing collection of books & drawings. "jeno, you don't have to do this," jaemin said every time. "we're fine. we don't need all of these-" "i know." jeno would kiss his forehead, his nose, his lips. "but i want to. let me take care of you both. please."
188
and jaemin would melt, because no one had ever said “please” while offering to take care of him. the alpha also took on part-time jobs in addition to his classes. sometimes it was early mornings at a café, other times late nights tutoring.
189
jeno would came home exhausted but never empty-handed. snacks for jisung, flowers for jaemin, small things that said 'i was thinking of you'. "you're going to burn out," jaemin fretted, pressing cool hands to jeno's tired face.
190
jeno just caught his wrists and kissed his palms. "then i'll burn out happy. knowing you and jisung have what you need." jaemin's eyes welled up. "you're too good, lee jeno. too good for me." "impossible." the alpha pulled him close. "you're everything to me. you and jisung."
191
jisung, now completely comfortable with their new dynamic, would say, "daddy! mommy! go to grocery please. wanna buy snacks." or "daddy! look at this drawing! draw you, mommy, and me! like a family!"
jaemin still blushed at the "daddy" word but jeno beamed every single time.
jaemin still blushed at the "daddy" word but jeno beamed every single time.
192
life was good. life was everything jaemin never thought he'd have.
until one afternoon.
until one afternoon.
193
it was tuesday. jaemin was in the kitchen, making lunch. jisung was at the table, coloring another dinosaur masterpiece. jeno had class but he'd promised to be home as quick as he could to enjoy the omega's cooking and of course, to be with them.
194
the kimchi jjigae was bubbling. jisung was humming. jaemin was smiling to himself, thinking about how jeno always asked for seconds, how his face lit up at any of his homemade meals—
knock. knock. knock.
jaemin's hand stilled on the ladle. that wasn't jeno's knock.
knock. knock. knock.
jaemin's hand stilled on the ladle. that wasn't jeno's knock.
195
jeno had a rhythm, a soft tap-tap-tap that jaemin knew by heart. this one was heavy. deliberate. wrong.
"jaemin." a voice through the door. low. cruel. familiar in the worst way. "i finally found you. and i know you're in there, nana. so open up. or things get worse."
"jaemin." a voice through the door. low. cruel. familiar in the worst way. "i finally found you. and i know you're in there, nana. so open up. or things get worse."
196
the omega's blood turned to ice. jisung looked up, his crayon pausing. "mommy, that sounded like—" jaemin moved on instinct. he crossed the room in three steps, scooping jisung out of his chair. the boy's eyes went wide. "mommy, what's wrong—"
197
"shh." jaemin pressed a finger to his lips, his hands shaking. he carried jisung to the small bedroom, to the closet where they kept extra blankets. he slid open the door and pushed jisung inside.
198
"baby, i need you to be so brave for mommy, okay? really brave." jaemin's voice was barely a whisper, cracking with fear. "you stay here. you don't make a sound. not one sound. no matter what you hear. don't come out. promise me."
199
jisung's face crumpled. he was scared, jaemin could see it, but he nodded. "promise, mommy." he clutched his dinosaur tighter. "jisung be brave." jaemin kissed his forehead, his cheeks, his nose. "i love you. i love you so much. i'll come back for you. i promise."
200
he closed the closet door just as the knocking turned to pounding. "jaemin! i'm not playing games! open this fcking door now!" jaemin backed away from the bedroom, his eyes fixed on the front door. it shook with each blow. the lock held. for now.
201
"please," he whispered, not sure who he was begging. "please, no."
then the pounding stopped. for a moment, there was silence. jaemin dared to hope. then the door exploded inward. jaewoo stood in the doorway, his chest heaving, his eyes wild. he looked around the apartment.
then the pounding stopped. for a moment, there was silence. jaemin dared to hope. then the door exploded inward. jaewoo stood in the doorway, his chest heaving, his eyes wild. he looked around the apartment.
202
jaewoo could sense the evidence of another alpha's presence everywhere and his face twisted into something monstrous. "well, well, well." he stepped inside, kicking debris out of his way. "you've been busy, wife. making yourself comfortable. playing house with your new boy toy."
203
jaemin backed up until he hit the kitchen counter. his hands gripped the edge, knuckles white. "get out. get out of my home." "your home?" jaewoo laughed, ugly and cruel. "you don't have a home. you don't have anything. you're mine. you've always been mine. and that brat—"
204
jaewoo's eyes scanned the room, "—where is he? where's my son?" "he's not here." jaemin's voice shook. "he's at a friend's. you need to leave before—" "before what?" jaewoo was in front of him in three strides. his hand closed around jaemin's wrist, squeezing hard it bruised.
205
jaemin cried out as jaewoo yanked him forward. "please—you're hurting me—" "good." jaewoo's face was inches from his. "you need to remember who you belong to. running away, hiding, spreading your legs for some alpha—you think i'd let that slide? you think i'd let you go again?"
206
"no no please," jaemin sobbed. "please, jaewoo, just let us go. i–i won't tell the police. i promise—"
jaewoo slapped him.
jaemin's head snapped to the side, stars bursting in his vision. he tasted blood. jaewoo grabbed his chin, forcing the omega to meet his eyes.
jaewoo slapped him.
jaemin's head snapped to the side, stars bursting in his vision. he tasted blood. jaewoo grabbed his chin, forcing the omega to meet his eyes.
207
"you're not going anywhere. neither of you. i'm taking you both back where you belong. and that alpha? if he tries to stop me, i'll k*ll him. i'll make him suffer and make you watch." jaemin's blood ran cold. "no—please—don't.. he has nothing to do with this—"
208
"he has everything to do with this." jaewoo shoved him, and jaemin's head cracked against the counter edge. pain exploded behind his eyes. he slid to the floor, vision swimming. "he touched what's mine. and he needs to learn what happens to people who touch my things."
209
jaewoo grabbed a handful of jaemin's hair, pulling him up. jaemin screamed. then, from somewhere, so faint he thought he imagined it, he heard a tiny whimper. jisung.
'no. no, no. jisung, stay quiet, baby, please stay quiet for mommy...' jaemin silently begged inside his head.
'no. no, no. jisung, stay quiet, baby, please stay quiet for mommy...' jaemin silently begged inside his head.
210
"what was that?" "nothing." jaemin grabbed at his arm desperately. "it's nothing, please, just—" jaewoo threw him aside like garbage and strode toward the bedroom. jaemin crawled after him, his head spinning, his vision blurry. "no—no, don't—please, he's just a baby—"
211
jaewoo reached the bedroom. looked around. his eyes landed on the closet. "jisung?" his voice was almost sweet. sickeningly so. "hey, it's your appa. come out. come see your appa. appa's gonna take you and mommy home." silence. jaemin prayed. begged every god he'd ever heard of.
212
jaewoo's expression darkened. he grabbed the closet door, yanked it open. jisung was curled in the corner, his dinosaur pressed to his chest, his whole body shaking. when he saw jaewoo, his eyes went huge and terrified. "there you are." jaewoo reached for him. jisung screamed.
213
"don't touch him!" jaemin lunged, grabbing jaewoo's arm, but jaewoo backhanded him so hard the omega crashed into the wall. jaemin slid down, dazed, blood running from his nose. "mommy!" jisung's scream was piercing. "mommy! mommy!"
214
jaewoo grabbed jisung by the arm, yanking him out of the closet. the boy kicked and thrashed, his dinosaur falling to the floor. "let me go! let me go! i want mommy! i want daddy nono!"
215
"daddy nono?" jaewoo's voice went cold. "you call that bastard daddy?" he shook jisung hard. "i'm your father! me! not some pathetic college boy who's probably already tired of your broken mother and taking care of a brat like you!"
216
jisung wailed. jaemin tried to get up, tried to reach them, but the omega's body wouldn't cooperate. everything spun. everything hurt. jaewoo raised his hand to hit jisung.
and then the door, already broken, slammed open again.
jeno stood there.
and then the door, already broken, slammed open again.
jeno stood there.
217
he took in the scene. jaemin bleeding on the floor. jisung in jaewoo's grip, his face red from crying. something in jeno's eyes went dark, empty, dangerous. "let him go." his voice was deadly. nothing like the gentle alpha jaemin always heard and known before.
218
jaewoo laughed, but it wavered. "look who decided to show up. the replacement alpha. here to save the day?"
"i said. let. him. go."
jaewoo shoved jisung aside. the boy ran to jaemin, throwing himself into his arms. jaemin held him, sobbing, shielding him with his body.
"i said. let. him. go."
jaewoo shoved jisung aside. the boy ran to jaemin, throwing himself into his arms. jaemin held him, sobbing, shielding him with his body.
219
they watched as jeno stepped forward. "you think you can take me?" jaewoo sneered. "i've been fighting since before you were born. i'll destroy you easily."
jeno didn't answer with words. he answered with his fist.
jeno didn't answer with words. he answered with his fist.
220
the first punch connected with jaewoo's jaw, snapping his head back. jaewoo staggered, surprised, but recovered quickly. he swung back, catching jeno's cheek. the young alpha barely flinched.
221
they traded blows. jaewoo bigger, stronger, fueled by rage. but jeno's faster, younger, fueled by something more powerful. protection. love. the need to keep jaemin and jisung safe. jaemin watched through blurred vision as jeno fought.
222
he took hits that would have dropped anyone else. he bled. yet, he kept going. "you don't touch them!" jeno's voice cracked as he landed a punch to jaewoo's stomach. "you never touch them again!" jaewoo stumbled back, gasping. a kick to the chest sent him crashing into the wall.
223
jeno was on him instantly, his hands around his throat. "jeno!" jaemin's voice was weak, desperate. "jeno, stop—you'll kill him—" the alpha didn't stop. his grip tightened. jaewoo's face turned red, then purple. his hands clawed at jeno's arms, but jeno was beyond feeling.
224
"jeno!" jaemin crawled toward him, jisung still clinging to his mother. "please... for me... for us... don't do this..."
that voice. jaemin's voice. broken and scared but still reaching for him. jeno's hands faltered. he looked down at jaewoo, gasping and choking beneath him.
that voice. jaemin's voice. broken and scared but still reaching for him. jeno's hands faltered. he looked down at jaewoo, gasping and choking beneath him.
225
jeno looked at jaemin. bleeding, bruised, but alive. then he looked at jisung. terrified, but safe. the omega was right. they needed him. they needed him whole, not for him to become a murderer. and so, his hands on the older male’s throat finally released.
226
jaewoo collapsed, coughing, gasping for air. jeno stood over him, chest heaving, blood dripping from a cut above his eye. "if you ever come near them again," jeno said, his voice wrecked but steady, "i will fcking finish what i started. and there won't be anyone here to stop me."
227
jaewoo just lay there, whimpering. jeno turned away from him and dropped to his knees in front of jaemin and jisung. "i'm here," he whispered, his voice breaking. "i'm here now.. i've got you. i'm so sorry i wasn't here sooner. i'm so sorry—"
228
jaemin reached up, his hand shaking, and touched jeno's face. "you came," he breathed. "always." he pressed his forehead to jaemin's, tears mixing with blood. "always. i'll always come." jisung grabbed onto both of them, sobbing. "daddy nono! mommy and me.. scared.. scary man—"
229
"hey, hey. it's okay, kiddo. he can't hurt you anymore." jeno pulled them both into his arms, holding them as tightly as he could. "i promise. he can never hurt you two ever again. it's over."
230
it wasn’t long before the police and ambulance arrived. everything after felt like a blur. there were police statements, ambulance workers checking on the three of them, especially jaemin and jeno. jaewoo was loaded onto a stretcher, handcuffed to it, his eyes still full of hate.
231
and jeno stayed with them through all of it despite his injuries. at the hospital, jaemin was treated for a mild concussion, bruises, and the beginning of what would become a black eye. jisung was physically unharmed, but he wouldn’t let go of either of them. it was finally over.
232
[TIME SKIP: ONE YEAR LATER]
jeno stood on a stage in a cap and robe, squinting against the bright sun, looking for two familiar faces in the crowd. then, he found them. jaemin, his mate, more beautiful than ever, waving a small banner that said "congrats to my brilliant mate!"
jeno stood on a stage in a cap and robe, squinting against the bright sun, looking for two familiar faces in the crowd. then, he found them. jaemin, his mate, more beautiful than ever, waving a small banner that said "congrats to my brilliant mate!"
233
there was a samoyed drawn next to it. he knew it was supposed to be him, considering how jaemin always giggled about the resemblance. beside jaemin, jisung jumped up and down holding his own sign, “world’s best daddy!”
jeno’s heart swelled so much he thought it might burst.
jeno’s heart swelled so much he thought it might burst.
234
when they called his name—lee jeno, bachelor of business administration, cum laude—he walked across the stage, accepted his diploma, and pointed directly at his family in the crowd. jaemin was crying. jisung was screaming. and jeno was grinning so wide his cheeks hurt.
235
after the ceremony, he fought through the crowd of families and graduates until he found them. jisung launched himself at jeno's legs, and jeno scooped him up, spinning him around. "yay daddy graduated! daddy a smarty pants!" jeno laughed, pressing kisses to jisung's cheeks.
236
"i couldn't have done it without you, buddy. you and your mom." he set jisung down and turned to jaemin. jaemin was still crying, but smiling, his eyes so full of love it took jeno's breath away. "hi," jeno said. "hi," jaemin whispered back. "i'm so proud of you."
237
jeno immediate pulled him into his arms, burying his face in jaemin's neck. his scent, peonies and vanilla, had become home in a way nothing else ever had. "i love you," the alpha murmured against his skin. "i love you so much."
238
they stood like that for a long moment. then jaemin pulled back slightly. his expression shifted. nervous, excited, and something jeno couldn't quite read. "jeno," he said softly. "i have something to tell you." jeno's heart stuttered. "what? what is it? is everything okay?"
239
jaemin giggled, that bright sound that the alpha fell in love with. "everything is more than okay. in fact, everything is perfect." he took jeno's hand and placed it on his own stomach. still flat, still unchanged to the eye. yet, jeno could feel something.
240
he looked down at their hands. then up at jaemin's face. then back down. his brain struggled to catch up. when he finally did, his eyes widened. "jaemin," he breathed. "are you—is there—" jaemin nodded, tears in his eyes. "yes, i'm pregnant, alpha. we're going to have a baby."
241
jeno's legs gave out. he sank to his knees right there on the lawn, his hands still on jaemin's stomach, his face tipped up toward the omega he loved more than anything. tears streamed down his face too. "a baby," he repeated, his voice breaking. "our baby?"
242
jaemin giggled through his tears, cupping jeno's face in his hands. "yes, our baby. yours and mine. jisung is going to be a big brother." jeno pulled jaemin down into his lap, wrapping himself around him, crying and laughing and kissing every part of his face he could reach.
243
"i love you. i love you. i love you. thank you, my love. thank you for this. thank you for everything. god—"
jisung, who had been watching with curious eyes, suddenly gasped. "mommy have baby? inside mommy's belly now?" jaemin reached out and pulled his son into their hug.
jisung, who had been watching with curious eyes, suddenly gasped. "mommy have baby? inside mommy's belly now?" jaemin reached out and pulled his son into their hug.
244
the omega nodded. "yes, you're going to be a big brother now, jisungie. say hello to your baby sis or brother." jaemin gestured to his stomach. jisung's face went through about fifteen emotions in three seconds. then he shouted, "yay! i'm gonna be the best big brother ever!"
245
"gonna teach baby sis and baby brother about dinosaurs! share snacks and protect them from bad guys! like daddy protects us!" jisung beamed. the couple laughed. the tears were still there. jeno nodded and kissed jisung’s cheek. "you already are the best, buddy. the very best."
246
they stayed there on the grass. a family of three about to become four. people walked around them, smiled at them, took pictures of them. jeno didn't notice any of it. all he noticed was jaemin's hand in his, jisung's head on his shoulder, and the tiny life growing between them.
247
"i promise," jeno whispered, for jaemin and jisung and the baby who hadn't even been born yet. "i'll spend the rest of my life making sure you're all safe. all loved and happy." jaemin blushed and kissed him. "we know. we've always known." jeno grinned and kissed his mate again.
248
jisung covered his eyes dramatically. "ew, mommy and daddy kissing again! baby sis and brother! help me!" jeno and jaemin laughed. then both of them kissed jisung on both cheeks, making the boy giggled.
after everything, they finally had their happy ending.
[END]
after everything, they finally had their happy ending.
[END]