Thread by @D13F0RY00U

⚠️ omegaverse; nsfw; mafia; upsetting themes; dead dove
#joongdok

as dokja watched alpha yoo joonghyuk reject another confession, he thought he should get rejected too.

dokja often thought how he doesn't fit in the school he was attending as a senior in high school.

their school mostly known for the codw given to it #.bi-7626 was one of the only 3 coed school in the country.

in order to prevent crimes, bullying, and more, the government had schools for alpha, omega, and beta separated however as much as a lot of people supported this —

— ordinance, a lot also protested.

people cry that it was a bad idea to separate the three dynamics as it will only create a divide and build walls. it was also pointed out that it will be hard for student to transition to college.

the government gave in from the protests —

— and finally allowed three huge coed schools to be established.

although their schools were co-ed, all three dynamics were in separate classes and buildings.

dokja who was a recessive omega or to the words of others a 'not good enough' omega surprisingly had a —

— peaceful life in the school.

he didn't experience the usually pushing nor teasing he had back in middle school after people found out about his dynamics.

it was probably because omegas were usually peaceful and have a natural instinct to take care of others.

there wasn't any drama in their building though omegas love to talk about alphas and who they saw as a mate potential.

in contrast, dokja never heard a peaceful day at the alpha building. it's either there's always a brewing drama, there's a sports match, or a literally fight —

— happening.

all of that, dokja could witness from his seat next to the window as the alph building was just opposite the omegas.

unfortunately, this also meant dokja could see if other alphas were flirting with the omegas from their building.

their school wasn't small.

the stellar amount of students were shocking but out of all the students, one name stood out among the rest.

yoo joonghyuk.

even when dokja would love to pretend that he doesn't know who yoo joonghyuk was, he heard too much about the guy that it was impossible to pretend.

yoo joonghyuk was an alpha whom according to rumors (dokja didn't bother to verify) was an heir of a huge construction company. he was also the top of the class, he was unbelievably good at any sports he desired to play.

but the thing that made him popular was how he —

— constantly rejects anyone who confessed to him.

it doesn't matter if it was the most beautiful or the most popular omega, or if it was a beta or another alpha, he rejects them all.

"no one's good enough for him," dokja would hear one of his classmates says.

others would agree.

it was so well known that yoo joonghyuk rejects anyone that it somehow became a silent contest in the school of who will be able to make yoo joonghyuk say yes.

there were always bets going on if someone will be rejected or not.

"i knew it!" dokja heard his classmate rejoiced as another heart was broken by yoo joonghyuk. "i knew she will be rejected." she added proudly.

"i guess if you are yoo joonghyuk you would not be afraid rejecting anyone." another sighed. "he knew people will always want him."

"he came from a rich family right? don't rich family do arranged marriage?"

"ohhh, maybe he already has a fiance?"

"if he had one, don't you think that fiance will brag about it. if that were me, i would never shut up."

dokja began to tune them out as he turned away from the —

— window. he began to draw on his skin using his pen.

it wasn't as if he wanted to fall in love with yoo joonghyuk. if he was honest, he thought falling for someone of yoo joonghyuk's level was stupid but the more dokja watch him, the more he heard about him, the more —

— he got curious was the more he couldn't help but completely fall for the guy.

it wasn't really hard. joonghyuk had the face, the height, and the build. he was also charismatic and appealing. dokja also like the fact that he was good in a lot of things and he also had brains.

heck, he even find it cute whenever yoo joonghyuk walk early to school with a scowl or looking all grumpy.

"remember when he rejected jiwon? i mean that's already jiwon. i don't know how others had confidence in confessing when the guy already rejected the perfect omega?"

dokja stopped from drawing on his arm, staring at his unfinished art.

in an instance, he was flooded with tons of insecurities and questions. then he began to imagine if one day yoo joonghyuk finally answered yes to a confession.

then what?

would dokja be fine then?

he doesn't know how deep his affection ran for joonghyuk. it could be a cute crush or a heart aching first love but whatever it was dokja was afraid to handle the aftermath.

maybe, he thought, maybe he should confess?

if he confessed he will be rejected and once he's —

— rejected then he can finally move o. he can so easily let go of whatever feelings he held for yoo joonghyuk and then he could act as if nothing happened.

after that, yoo joonghyuk would nothing but a high school memory.

as the teacher arrived, dokja made his mind.

it was a week after dokja decided that he will confess and be rejected by yoo joonghyuk but up until now he doesn't really know how in the world was he supposed to confess to the alpha.

he doesn't wanna go and call him in some corner or have people see him rejected.

dokja let out a sigh as he closed the novel he was reading. he leaned against the wall.

it was free time and he decided to spend it in the library that no one seemed to use aside from the smart kids or the kids trying to keep their scholarships.

there was a corner in —

— the library that was carpeted and had couple of bean bags. it was near the novel or fictional stories shelves. it was cozy and sometimes being used as a place to sleep on by other students but right now dokja had the monopoly to the place.

not a lot visit the library so not —

— many knew about the place.

placing down the book he was holding, he pulled a pen out of his pocket and began drawing on his arm when he heard footsteps coming.

looking up, dokja was surprised to see yoo joonghyuk's familiar figure. he was standing before him, looking down.

dokja blinked and quickly looked away. he suddenly felt uncomfortable.

"are you done?" joonghyuk asked.

the omega whipped his head to him, meeting his eyes, "h-huh?"

joonghyuk lazily pointed the novel next to dokja, "are you done reading that?"

mindlessly, dokja picked the book up and handed it to joonghyuk, "yeah."

joonghyuk stared at the book before finally grabbing it. he flipped it through. he looked at dokja who was quick to avert his eyes. opening his mouth, he wanted to say something but decided against it.

dokja began to unconsciously rub his nape, fidgeting uncomfortably as he could still feel joonghyuk stare at him.

the omega was surprised when joonghyuk spoke, "you," dokja straightened up and turned to joonghyuk who showed the cover of the book he got from dokja.

"you smell like this flower," joonghyuk added.

dokja read the book title again: lily of the valley.

it was a historical fantasy book about a salary man transported into a medieval like fantasy world.

"h-huh?" dokja was dumbfounded. people often describe his scent as —

— fresh and spring-like. they describe it as a floral scent but theg were always unsure what flower it was. dokja couldn't really smell his own scent so he doesn't even know what flower he smell like.

"my mother grew them in her garden because she loves how they look."

joonghyuk flipped the book, staring at its cover. "she wouldn't shut up how they smell."

"i..." dokja swallowed down. "i never saw them or smell them."

the alpha kept his eyes on the book, "what's interesting about this flower is it's deadly poisonous." there was a —

— ghost smile that touched joonghyuk's lips. lifting his gaze he met dokja's surprised one. "if you ingest it, it can severely affect your heart."

dokja was unsure whether what joonghyuk said was surprising or the fact that this was dokja's first time hearing joonghyuk talk —

— that much. as far as he knew, from what he heard, joonghyuk doesn't talk much and was a man of few words.

joonghyuk smirked, "i wonder if you are the same."

the omega blinked several times at what he heard. it almost sounded as if the alpha was flirting with him.

if they were in a bar with drinks in their hands, dokja would definitely think that joonghyuk was somehow flirting with him.

or that he was delusional.

joonghyuk then thank him for the book but as the alpha was leaving, dokja was quickly on his feet thinking he will never —

— get a chance like this.

before he could even process the whole thing, dokja was holding joonghyuk's wrist, stopping him.

the alpha turned to him, brows furrowed.

"i like you," dokja said, breathless. "would y-you like to go out with me?" to where he got the courage, dokja —

— will never know and he doesn't even wanna know.

there was a silence that settled between them and each seconds that pass, dokja wished harder to be swallowed by earth.

he comforted himself by saying at least he can start moving on and forgetting about joonghyuk.

"okay," joonghyuk responded. "let's go out."

the shock was too much that dokja almost fell down, luckily, joonghyuk managed to hold unto him.

joonghyuk asked if he's okay but rokj only pinched his own cheek so hard that he almost yelled. "okay," he started stupidly.

"i guess i am not dreaming," he added.

joonghyuk raised an eyebrow as dokja straightened himself out. "uh, well, i haven't introduced myself, right?" dokja began to fidget. "i'm kim dokja... and i guess, i am dating you?" he sounded so unsure.

well, this wasn't what he —

— expected. dokja was expecting a cold rejection just like what joonghyuk had been dishing out for years.

"yoo joonghyuk," joonghyuk responded. "and yes, we're dating, kim dokja."

"holy shit," dokja couldn't help it. "wow, this is real, right?"

joonghyuk moved closer.

he then pinched both dokja's both cheeks and the omega nearly let out a yelp which he swallowed knowing they're in the library.

"what do you think?" joonghyuk asked.

"it's real, all right," dokja rubbed both his cheeks. joonghyuk pulled his phone out of his pocket.

he handed it to dokja, "put your number."

"of course," dokja hurriedly dialled his number, he checked it three times before giving his own number a ring. he then returned the phone to joonghyuk.

"i would like it if you respond fast to my messages," joonghyuk said.

dokja didn't expect that and it made him smile. "i'll annoy you, don't worry."

"i look forward to it," joonghyuk then gave dokja a last pinch on his cheek before finally leaving.

dokja was left in disbelief, after a moment he flopped on a bean bag and stare at the ceiling.

he gave his cheeks another pinch and it still hurts.

his phone vibrated in his pocket, snapping him back to reality. he pulled it out and check a message from an unknown number but he knew immediately who it was.

unknown number
[it's not a dream. we're dating.]

"holy shit," dokja stared at the message for the couple of seconds before he saved the name. it took him a while to decide what he would save joonghyuk's number and finally just decided to have a simple heart on it.

he doesn't want to use joonghyuk's name.

it was because dokja doesn't want someone accidentally looking over his phone and seeing joonghyuk's name.

dokja sat down properly and replied to joonghyuk.

[i know.]

chewing on his lower lips, he sent another message.

[can... can we keep this to ourselves?]

♡
[???]

dokja continued to chew on his lower lips.

[i just want to enjoy the... i mean, can we just have this to ourselves? no one needs to know, right?]

the more seconds pass that joonghyuk didn't reply, the more dokja get nervous.

♡
[okay.]

dokja sighed in relief.

noticing the time on his phone dokja stumble to stand up and rush back to his classroom while sending a reply to joonghyuk.

[thank you.]

dokja kind of want to thank him for dating him but he managed to stop himself from doing that.

as he sat down on his seat, he was smiling.

he tried to stop himself from smiling but it was as if his lips had a mind of their own.

giving up, dokja just hunched over his desk and bit his lower lips.

fuck, he couldn't believe it. well, it was unbelievable but he was dating yoo joonghyuk. the yoo joonghyuk.

sitting back up, he stared outside the window and saw joonghyuk walking in the corridor.

dokja almost waved his hand to him or called for him but managed to keep to himself but it was as if joonghyuk heard his desperation that the alpha turned outside the window.

their eyes met and dokja almost raised his hand to wave at his /boyfriend/.

joonghyuk only smirked before finally leaving and entering his classroom.

dokja was quick to slump over his desk, hiding his face. his lips on a wide grin. fuck his heart was somersaulting.

the next day, dokja went to school early. he barely had a decent sleep but he felt so fucking alive.

he wanted to kick and punch the air because joonghyuk wished him good night last night.

no matter how much he tried to process it, it felt so... surreal. so unreal.

when he got in his classroom, he was surprised to see joonghyuk there. the guy was not really late but he doesn't also come to school that early.

joonghyuk was sitting on his desk, waiting.

"hey," dokja greeted him, walking to him.

"guess, you can't also sleep?"

dokja nodded, "well, a bit. i still had decent sleep, it's important," he lied.

joonghyuk raised his hand, offering his palm. dokja stared at it before placing his hand on top of it. as joonghyuk closed his fingers around the omega's hand, he pulled dokja closer.

"you really smell nice," joonghyuk spoke, burying his nose over the junction between dokja's neck and shoulder.

dokja was surprised when joonghyuk hugged him closer. "can we stay like this for a minute?" the alpha muttered, his hot breath fanning against dokja's neck.

dokja nodded as he also wrapped his arms around joonghyuk.

when the minute is up, joonghyuk pulled away and the two of them fell into a conversation naturally. dokja expected it to be awkward but it wasn't. somehow they managed to talk about different things.

before people could trickle in, joonghyuk quickly left. as he was an alpha, he can't really be seen in the omega building.

their conversation continued in their kakao messages. that day dokja learned how impatient he can be as he kept wishing the class to be over.

the only saving grace of the day was joonghyuk played basketball with his classmates and dokja enjoyed watching him.

joonghyuk glanced up to him and dokja was surprised with how his classmate began to squeal while claiming that joonghyuk glanced at them.

dokja just smirked.

they can all live in their little bubble after all dokja knew the truth.

three days into dating yoo joonghyuk, someone called for the alpha to confess. she was confident and dokja knew why. she was beautiful and she was smart. she also came from a good family.

everyone was building her confidence by telling her that if anyone had a chance in dating joonghyuk it would be her.

joonghyuk coldly rejected her but this time what he said shook the entire student body.

"i am not interested, i am already seeing someone."

so the manhunt began

theories were thrown, names were spoken. everyone were trying to find who yoo joonghyuk was dating.

few claimed it was them, others said it was definitely not someone from school. even names of famous idols, models, and celebrities were dragged into the search.

"i'm pretty sure he just said that so that people will stop confessing to him."

"i don't think he would do that because why now? why haven't he done it before and avoided all that confessions?"

dokja found himself nodding with the theories his classmates were saying.

"how about you, dokja?" dokja was surprised when someone asked him. "who do you think he was dating?"

dokja shrugged, "i mean whoever he is, congratulations to him."

"you're no fun," his classmate replied. "you should offer a theory at least. drop a name if you can."

feeling a little playful, dokja pointed at himself, "it's me. joonghyuk is dating me."

his classmates were immediately laughing dismissing him but he didn't expect that one statement would hit hard.

"yoo joonghyuk will never date a recessive omega, be for real."

it was said as a joke. they were laughing but it somehow hurt. dokja tried to laugh it off but the words stayed in him until the last period.

to relax, he kept drawing on his arms but it didn't put him at ease. he received a message from joonghyuk.

♡
[wanna eat?]

that somehow lifted dokja's mood.

[yes!]

dokja had so many things he liked about joonghyuk and now one of them was how fast he respond to messages.

♡
[scenarios cafe
📍map,kakao,com/scenarioscafe/gsu5ej7

see you there.]

and just like that dokja was distracted

the cafe they went to had a beautiful interior, there wasn't any people and the food and drinks were amazing. him and joonghyuk were also able to enjoy some card games.

but what dokja like the most was their conversation which helped them get to know each other more.

though he still had doubts and he couldn't stop thinking about his classmate's words but that simple date help him feel more at ease.

— —

on how dokja managed to date joonghyuk for nearly two months with no one finding out was still a miracle to him.

it's either they were —

— lucky or they were good at hiding just like now, they were in the library again which much to their luck no one was there.

"draw on my arm too," joonghyuk moved closer to dokja as dokja grabbed his arm.

"what do you want?"

"i don't know just draw anything."

"okay, what a demanding client," dokja chuckled as he began to draw on his arm. it was a beautiful pointillism art of stars and aurora.

"are you planning to be a tattoo artist?" joonghyuk quietly asked. they were so close, their bodies touching. joonghyuk watched dokja focus.

"i don't think i am good enough to be one."

"that's not true, you always had amazing art on your arms," joonghyuk kept his eyes on his boyfriend.

dokja chuckled, still focus on what he was doing. "you don't have to flatter me, joonghyuk-ah."

"i'm serious."

dokja turned to him, the omega felt his ears heat, turning red. they were so close, their noses almost touched when he turned to joonghyuk.

"besides, you can always train and study," joonghyuk said.

the omega smiled, "are you getting a tattoo from me then?"

"i want one."

dokja could feel his sincerity. that's the thing with joonghyuk, he always meant what he said.

"i want you to tattoo something on me," joonghyuk added.

"i'll tattoo my name on you," dokja joked. he quickly backpedalled. "i'm kidding but sure, if i become one, i'll tattoo you."

"i'll look forward to it," joonghyuk said.

dokja focused back on what he was doing. it took him almost 20 minutes but he managed to finish a beautiful piece on joonghyuk's arm.

"done!" dokja grinned at his boyfriend.

joonghyuk stared at his arm and the work dokja did.

"it looks amazing," joonghyuk complimented.

"thanks," dokja felt himself blush.

the alpha continued to look at the work. he then turned to his boyfriend with a smile, "you should definitely be a tattoo artist."

dokja knew he couldn't and he shouldn't. his parents would be —

— against it.

they began to talk about the piece dokja made as the omega talked about wanting to see the aurora at least before he died.

"hey," joonghyuk spoke low. "do you wanna go to my place after class?"

it took dokja to process what joonghyuk said. the omega nodded.

joonghyuk assured him that they'll only hang out but dokja's mind was already few miles away and it continuously run fast with all the scenarios it was making.

when class was over, dokja was anxiously waiting for joonghyuk in the station the alpha told him to get off.

as soon as he saw joonghyuk, dokja could feel himself getting more nervous. swallowing down all his nerves he smiled at joonghyuk as they walked towards what seemed to be an expensive building.

when they got up to joonghyuk's unit, he found out that joonghyuk lived alone.

his father lived in their house and his sister was studying abroad.

"what about your mom?"

"she died when i was seven," joonghyuk answered nonchalantly.

"oh," dokja muttered. "sorry about that."

"why are you apologizing. it's a long time ago," joonghyuk shrugged.

the two of them darted towards the kitched where joonghyuk began to prepare to cook.

dokja offered to help but joonghyuk only tell him to sit down and dokja occupied a tall stool by the marble island, watching joonghyuk.

"must be hard," dokja unknowingly muttered still —

— thinking about what joonghyuk told him.

"not really," joonghyuk replied, chopping ingredients. "i somehow knew she would leave eventually."

dokja wanted to apologize for bringing it up but joonghyuk acted like it was nothing.

"she's always miserable," the alpha spoke.

joonghyuk continued to chop things when he said, "until the day she died, her heart hurts."

for some reason dokja remembered what joonghyuk told him on the first time they talked.

he remembered about the lily of the valley.

the alpha then changed the topic.

dokja was thankful for it and was quick to jump on the new topic.

the food joonghyuk cooked was amazing. dokja was mind blown on how joonghyuk could even cook and his cooking was good. he wasn't even exaggerating when he said it tasted like something from an expensive restaurant

after eating, they went to watch a movie while talking about small things.

the movie was good and brough such a nice atmosphere between them. when they finished watching, dokja couldn't help but talk about the story, the dialogue and the cinematography.

he raved about —

— the little things he appreciated and noticed about the entire movie while joonghyuk listened.

"i like hearing you talk," joonghyuk suddenly commented.

that made dokja stop talking. suddenly embarrassed.

joonghyuk moved closer to him. "and i like the way you look."

"i like that you are at the perfect height. i like that you draw on your arms whenever you can," dokja couldn't keep his eyes off the alpha as he spoke.

"i like how you always quietly watch me, your eyes always following wherever i go. it's like i am the only one you could see."

joonghyuk's finger played with dokja's hair. "it's crazy how i like a lot of things about you." he leaned closer. "dokja," the way dokja's name rolled off his tongue set shiver down the omega's spine. "can i kiss you?"

dokja felt all air left his lungs as he nod in response.

"i need to hear it," joonghyuk spoke, fingers still playing with dokja's hair. "i need to hear that you want me to kiss you."

dokja could feel his cheeks burn. usually, it was him who talks a lot whenever they're together but when it was joonghyuk who does the talking —

— it always leave him speechless.

"y-yes," dokja felt himself grew redder the moment he stuttered. "you can kiss me."

joonghyuk wasted no time as he pulled dokja close, kissing him on the lips.

dokja was just frozen there, not really knowing what to do.

gently, joonghyuk eased him. kissjng him slow and gently as he encouraged dokja to respond to him.

as the omega began to immerse himself in the moment, he clung to joonghyuk and began to open up more, responding to the alpha's kiss until it grew deeper, needier, hungrier.

was it because it was his first time being intimate with someone that dokja could feel the burning need and adrenaline coursing his veins?

joonghyuk pushed him against the sofa, kissing him more. his warm hand crawled under dokja's shirt, mapping his skin.

of all the million things that run in dokja's mind the loudest was his omega screaming wanting more.

before dokja noticed it, joonghyuk pulled his shirt off his head then removing his own shirt. the moment their skin touched, they both knew there was no way they'll stop.

joonghyuk began to trail open kisses on his skin while dokja tried not to whimper at everything joonghyuk did.

when the rest of their clothes came off, all the logic flew out of the window and all they could ever focus was to tend to that burning fire between them.

"please tell me you also want this," dokja could feel joonghyuk's hot breath fanning against his ear as their bodies grind. "dokja, i need you to tell me."

"i want this," though he stuttered a bit, there was no hesitation in dokja's voice. he welcomed joonghyuk with open arms.

joonghyuk flipped him and began to position himself as he continuously lick dokja's scent gland.

on how his heat wasn't triggered, dokja will never know but it was probably due to the fact he was a recessive omega.

joonghyuk muttered praises against dokja's skin.

every thought left dokja's mind the moment joonghyuk filled him. at some point he thought how it was too early. how it was wrong. and how they shouldn't be doing this but as he could feel himself stretched and felt so full, dokja couldn't think of anything anymore.

joonghyuk continued to call his name, continued to tell him how he smelled so nice. how his body fit so well with his and dokja could only sob in response.

nothing coherent came to his mind not left his lips.

dokja wasn't even sure how they managed to move to the bedroom.

he doesn't know how much time passed and how he fell asleep in joonghyuk's arm but he woke up when his phone rang for the nth time. pushing himself to sit down while joonghyuk remained sleeping next to him, dokja answered his phone and the frantic voice of his mother welcomed him

— —

joonghyuk woke up at exactly 6:30 in the morning. he felt refreshed although he could feel his back throb from the scratches dokja left on his skin. a smile painted his lips.

he stared at the empty side of the bed. ah, it would have been beyond perfect if he woke up with —

— dokja next to him.

next time, he told himself. he had to be patient. one step at a time. he was already impressed that he managed to stop himself from biting dokja down and claiming him.

he reached for his phone to message the omega. dokja had to leave nearly 1 am last —

— night. joonghyuk tried to tell him to stay and sleep over. he even offered to speak to his mother but dokja insisted on going home.

the only thing joonghyuk was able to do was call for a cab for dokja which dokja didn't fight him.

he sent dokja downstairs and kissed him.

they promised to see each other early thus joonghyuk quickly left the bed and went for a quick shower after texting dokja a simple good morning.

joonghyuk furrowed his brows at his phone when he hadn't received a response when over half an hour had passed.

dokja must have been tired, he thought. he did pushed dokja to the limit as he was unable to control himself.

joonghyuk just hurriedly left for school, still waiting for dokja to respond.

when he got to the school, he went straight to the omega building and to dokja's classroom

joonghyuk remembered the first time he noticed dokja. it was back when he was in the hallway with some classmates.

dokja had been staring at him, just admiring when joonghyuk noticed him. whenever you notice something it was impossible to not see it.

since then —

— he found his eyes always straying or searching for dokja.

always wondering if he was looking.

back when they were in junior, he stumbled at dokja sleeping on one of the bean bags in the library. that was the first time he noticed his smell.

joonghyuk felt he was hit —

— by nostalgia. it was a familiar scent he had grown up with but somehow dokja's scent was comforting. so much more alive and spring like.

since then, he can't take dokja off his mind.

joonghyuk sat down on dokja's desk, playing with his phone waiting for a text.

the alpha waited and waited but no message nor dokja that came. joonghyuk was forced to leave the building knowing students will start coming in.

as he got into his own classroom, he began to call dokja's phone.

"the number you dialled is out of coverage area."

joonghyuk started to get worried as he checked thr cab app he used. according to the app the cab driver dropped dokja to his destination.

the alpha dialled for dokja's phone again. he was greeted by an operator again.

"the number you dialled is out of coverage area.

he continued to call but it was the same thing. he only stopped when there was an announcement through the speakers asking for all the students to go to the school's gym.

joonghyuk wanted to bolt out and leave, he was starting to feel his heart sink in his stomach.

grumpily, he walked to the gym with his classmates who distanced themselves from him seeing how restless and angry he was.

it took awhile to settle every student at the gym. during that time joonghyuk continued to call and send dokja messages.

the vice principal went in —

— front of the students with a microphone one.

joonghyuk was told to put his phone away by his homeroom teacher, the alpha cursed inwardly pocketing his device.

the vice principal let out a sigh, "we would like to inform everyone of a sad news we received today."

joonghyuk couldn't concentrate and just wanted to leave.

"one of our students sadly passed away last night in a tragic fire accident together with his parents," joonghyuk froze on his spot.

the moment dokja's name left the vice principal's lips, joonghyuk was running to her.

the alpha grabbed her collar as every teacher were on their feet, quickly pulling away joonghyuk from the vice principal.

"stop lying!" joonghyuk shouted. "he's not dead!" his voice boomed all over the gymnasium as every eye were on joonghyuk. "you're lying! take that back!"

the silence that followed was heavy and tensed.

joonghyuk let out an empty chuckle, "you're lying, i was just holding him last night! he was with me!"

his homeroom teacher hugged joonghyuk, "i'm sorry, joonghyuk-ah."

joonghyuk quickly pushed the teacher away.

"joonghyuk..." the teacher called but the alpha was quick to run out of the gym. with shaking hands and heavy breathing, he quickly called for a cab putting the address that dokja placed last night on his phone.

the entire ride joonghyuk was restle and in denial.

he was determined to prove the vice princip wrong. when the cab stopped at his destination, joonghyuk was welcomed by burned down ruins of what was once a house.

it was also surrounded by yellow tape.

the alpha wanted to call for dokja's name but nothing left his mouth.

he stood there with a painful lump stuck in his throat and the burning regret that he should have held dokja, he should have never let him leave.

he should have stopped him. he should have held him close.

joonghyuk was shaking his tears came down and his heart broke apart.

— —

10 years after

— —

joonghyuk woke up with a jolt.

"you okay, boss?" hyunsung asked from the driver seat.

joonghyuk waved his hand, dismissing his questions. he rubbed his eyes before slumping on his seat.

it was the same dream. it was funny that he had the same dream for over ten years.

the dream starts with him and dokja and always end in front of that burned down house.

"do you need medicine?" hyunsung offered.

"no, i'm fine," joonghyuk stared at the view outside the window. there it was again, that longing. it burned in the back of his throat.

it was so heavy in his chest. it always left him choking like he was slowly falling deeper into the waters but he couldn't swim up to save himself.

"we're here," hyunsung announced.

joonghyuk just stepped out of the car and was welcomed by heewon who bowed down to him.

"the tattoo artist is here," heewon told joonghyuk as they entered the house.

joonghyuk only hummed.

"boss," heewon turned to him. "you were always against it what made you change your mind?"

his father and the elders had been nagging him for years since he —

— took over the entire clan. it was tradition to get inked the moment someone became the clan head but joonghyuk refused to get one. the elders and his father was angry about it but can't do anything.

"it's time," joonghyuk responded. "i can't run away from it forever."

in reality, joonghyuk always held unto the fact that he wanted dokja to be the one to ink him first.

"while i can say that it will save us from the nagging," heewon opened the door. "i also think it will free you from something."

joonghyuk turned to her.

heewon shrugged, "i just feel like there was something always holding you back. let's hope this helps you."

"how can a tattoo help me?" joonghyuk smirked as they enteredthe room.

"i just feel like it will," heewon responded. "i will call for the tattoo artist."

joonghyuk didn't bother looking at her rather, he pulled his tie off, shook his coat and removed his vest. he then began to unbutton his shirt. the alpha dumped all his clothes on the chair as he went to pour himself a water on a glass.

the yoo clan had a tattoo artist who inked the family for generations. the last time joonghyuk heard the old man took an apprentice as he was too old to do tattoos.

according to heewon it would be the apprentice doing the line art while the old tattoo artist will do the colors.

joonghyuk heard the door open but as soon as it did, the room was flooded by the nostalgic scent.

"boss, here's the tattoo artist."

joonghyuk turned only to see dokja standing next to heewon. he was wearing a huge thin gold frame glasses which had golden thin chains on them.

his hair was the same length he remembered and he was taller then before. he also carry himself more confidently. dokja was wearing a loose white long sleeves paired with black pants and chunky shoes.

dokja bowed down to joonghyuk who couldn't even move. "nice to meet you."

"i'm dj, i am master sangkyung's apprentice, i will be doing the line art for your tattoo today," dokja added.

joonghyuk snapped back to reality as he found himself rushing to dokja and pulling him into a hug much to dokja and heewon's surprise and confusion.

"dokja," joonghyuk weakly called. the relief on his voice was palpable that heewon was speechless.

"uh..." dokja spoke. "i'm sorry, i think you are mistaking me for someone else?"

joonghyuk pulled away, looking at dokja who pushed his glasses in place.

"uh, i'm sorry but this is the first time i saw you, boss," dokja bowed down. "also my name is dj, sun dj."

joonghyuk was quick to know that dokja must have lost his memories ten years ago but that wasn't important what's important was dokja's in front of him right now.

the alpha will deal with everything later.

"sun?" heewon asked. "i hope it's not the same sun as sun wukong."

dokja flinched, "he's my brother."

heewon automatically pulled a gun out of her coat. dokja seemed to be used to that kind of situation only calmly put his —

— things down and raised both his hands.

"i'll let you know that whatever my brother's business is not my business besides i am just adopted into the family when i was 17," dokja recited it like he had said it million times. "he disowned me after knowing i wanted to be a —

— tattoo artist."

"heewon, gun down," joonghyuk firmly ordered. "leave the room."

"but boss!" heewon turned to joonghyuk, her gun still pointed at dokja.

"now." joonghyuk ordered.

heewon lowered his arms, "yes, boss."

"don't worry, i won't kill him," dokja assured.

"you can only try and you'll fail," heewon sounded so sure before she left, closing the door behind her.

joonghyuk locked the door, turning to dokja who was quick to recover from what happened probably used to how often it happened. he just pick his things and began to prepare.

joonghyuk watched him, not taking his eyes off him. "working as a tattoo artist for the enemy of your brother, aren't you living such dangerous life?"

dokja didn't even look away from what he was doing and continued to prepare his tools and began sanitizing things.

"not really, i am just doing what i wanted to do. tattooing people," dokja spoke. "besides, we're always at risk of dying."

joonghyuk wanted to pull him close, kiss him, breathed him in. it had been ten years and it felt like an eternity.

no matter what dokja says —

— joonghyuk knew that he was kim dokja. the same kim dokja he lost ten years ago.

"do you know what you smell like?" joonghyuk settled on one of the couch.

dokja raised an eyebrow at him, "smell?"

joonghyuk nodded.

"i am a beta, boss," dokja rectified.

joonghyuk stood up and walked closer to dokja. "you're not. you reek. the whole room smells like you."

"i'm sorry but my papers can prove i am a beta," dokja insisted.

the alpha then began to release his pheromones in the room as dokja suddenly fell on his knees.

"w-what's..." dokja could feel his breathing hitched. suddenly he was feeling all hot. "whatcs g-going on?"

joonghyuk moved closure to him, tilting his head. "dokja..." joonghyuk called.

"my name is n—"

"seems like i imprinted on you."

dokja looked surprised.

"ten years ago"