pairing: todobakudeku (bakugou x midoriya x todoroki)
genre: fluff, angst | abo au, canon-compliant
warnings: swearing, trans male character, mild canon-typical violence, mentioned child abuse, implied non-con, misgendering, endeavor
word count: 4118
summary: Katsuki being an omega from birth changes a few things.
chapter six of when i fill them, they’ll shine forever
"If you're here to give me some sympathetic speech or some shit, I will kill you, Pinkie," Katsuki spits over his shoulder.
"Eh?" Pinkie startles, scrambling to compose herself as Katsuki turns to look at her. "I have no idea what you mean."
Katsuki narrows his eyes at the way she nervously scratches the back of her head, her smile much too wide to be genuine. Pinkie scuffs the toe of her shoe against the floor, her arms dropping to her sides so she can play with the ends of her school jacket. Her scent is as sweet as any other omega’s but there is a sour aftertaste to it that makes Katsuki wrinkle his nose in distaste.
"What the fuck do you want? I have places to be," Katsuki says as he crosses his arms over his chest.
He doesn’t know anything past a few of his classmates’ quirks, much too busy with bettering himself and challenging his mates to give a shit about anyone else. Shitty Hair and Pikachu are showing some potential since they have enough of a backbone to socialize normally with him instead of fearfully or putting him on a pedestal. Most of the others will be unimportant to his story in the long run and Katsuki isn’t usually the type to write people off so soon, but Pinkie herself hasn’t impressed him in the least.
“I just um-” Pinkie flushes, fingers twining together nervously. “All the girls wanted to thank you.”
Katsuki frowns, suddenly confused. As far as he knows, none of the girls want to be within two feet of him. He has no idea why they would want to thank him for something.
The only thing he can think of that would be spoken about is the Perverted Grape incident that happened earlier that day. Katsuki is waiting for Deku to finish talking to Glasses, Todoroki already having left a few minutes before. He wants to go to Deku’s and gorge himself on Auntie Inko’s cooking while he avoids going home where his mom will scream for blood and his dad will flutter nervously around him for the rest of the weekend. He already had Glasses, Hundred Arms, and Shitty Hair try to comfort him in their own shitty ways about Perverted Grape, he doesn’t need any more of this crap today.
“What the fuck is this about?” Katsuki asks, glaring down at Pinkie. “You have five seconds to speak or I’m walking away. One.”
“Thankyouforgettingridofmineta!” Pinkie shouts, bowing at the waist once before she runs away.
Katsuki scoffs as he watches her leave. “As if I did it for any of you.”
“Did what, Kacchan?” Deku’s voice pipes up behind him.
“Nothing, you shit nerd. Let’s go already,” Katsuki grumbles, barely even reacting to Deku’s sudden appearance.
His alpha’s scent is more familiar to him than his own so if Deku really wants to startle him, he is going to have to work harder than that.
Katsuki takes Deku’s hand and leads the way towards the train station, already imagining all the dishes his Auntie Inko will prepare. Deku follows behind him quietly, not having to say a word for Katsuki to understand his alpha will always support him.
The sports festival is turning out to be fucking boring.
Katsuki delivered his "speech" before the first challenge began, which was really just him pointing out a fact by stating that he and his mates were going to mop the floor with all of them. No need for everyone to get their fucking panties in a twist at the truth.
They had taken one look at the mouth of the tunnel before both his mates grabbed hold of Katsuki’s arms and held on tight as he shot them over the other students piling up beneath them. Many yells and shouts had followed them but Deku only whooped as they came out of the other side and got their first glimpse of the obstacle course prepared for them.
The zero pointers from the entrance exam rose up to greet them but Todoroki froze one and Katsuki blew up the one beside it at Deku’s request. Deku had grabbed a stray piece of the now broken robot as they flew over it while Todoroki directed ice back at the other students to cut their competition in half. At the pit, Todoroki made more ice to make them a path straight across and Katsuki used more of his blasts to ski them over the pit in no time at all.
By that point Katsuki and Todoroki had practically ruined the obstacle course as they held Deku between them, all three of them keeping first place easily. Then Deku had pulled himself away from them at the third obstacle, dropping onto his knees to dig at the edges of the landmine before Katsuki got the memo. Together, they dug up the explosives and put them in a pile together.
Todoroki had just enough time to grab Deku's shirt and Katsuki climbed onto his alpha's back as Deku held up the piece of the robot that he had nabbed earlier. His alpha then slammed it into the explosives and all three of them were thrown into the air, sliding past the finish line easily and more importantly, together.
The second challenge hasn't been that big of a challenge either actually. Katsuki grudgingly allows Round Face to join their team after Deku brings up his plan and when the countdown begins, Todoroki makes ice appear in a circle around them while Round Face slaps her hands on the backs of Katsuki’s mates before pressing her fingertips together with a determined look in her eyes. Katsuki settles Deku on his shoulders and waits until Todoroki and Uraraka have grabbed hold of his alpha’s arms to shoot them up in the sky. More yells and shouting follows them but Katsuki ignores it. He knows they are not breaking the rules through anything but a technicality and while last year, he would be enraged about using such a cheap tactic to win, now he only cares to shield his mates from any harm that may befall them.
Despite the lack of a real fight, their team is doing exceptionally well by staying out of other students’ grasps. The only time anyone gets near enough to almost ripping the headband worth a million points off Deku's head, Todoroki's left side erupts with the barest lick of flames before his ice overcomes some random girl’s vines. Katsuki felt the almost unbearable heat of Todoroki’s fire tease the back of his hand as he prepared himself to power off an explosion and can't help the sharp intake of breath that he takes through his teeth at that moment.
Which is why he is only slightly surprised when Todoroki asks him and Deku for a word in private during the lunch break. Once the break is over, all the stupid extras will then ready themselves for the games UA's staff has prepared for the losers who didn't make it to the final round so technically, they have a longer break than most. Katsuki exchanges a not-so-subtle glance with his alpha before he nods and allows Todoroki to lead the way.
As soon as they are alone, Todoroki tells them his life story.
All of it.
The quirk marriage. The forced mate bond. The breeding. The training he began at age four. His mother losing her grip on sanity. The isolation from his siblings and peers alike. The abuse he has withstood ever since then. The resentment and anger Todoroki has carried for countless years. The determination to never use the quirk he inherited from his father.
Every single, excruciating detail has Katsuki's blood boiling and his hackles rising. His body calls for blood, the need to defend and fight and tear limbs apart almost overcomes him.
He doesn’t understand how a parent can look at the life they helped bring into this world and not want to protect them with all their power. Deku has an idea if his claim of not being All Might’s secret love child can be believed, but Katsuki has never faced that misfortune. Not even his coming out impacted the relationship he had with his parents much - not in the way that most would expect anyway. Katsuki does not understand and he never will but he does understand that what both his mates’ fathers have done and are doing now is wrong.
Wrong and awful and horrible. Downright evil in Todoroki’s case. That is more than enough to warrant Katsuki’s bloodlust. He’s sure his parents would understand why he murdered the Number Two Hero anyway. Auntie Inko most definitely would. Hell, probably Yagi-san too, especially considering the way he dotes on Deku.
Regardless, Katsuki has already made up his mind.
"I am going to fucking kill him," Katsuki spits out between clenched teeth, his hands smoking and curled into tight fists at his sides. "No, no. I am going to destroy him! I'm gonna rip off his balls and feed them to him! I'm gonna hold my hands over his skin and see how well he likes getting burned!"
Katsuki continues, his methods of torture growing more grotesque and painful as he does, all while ignoring the surprised and somewhat wary look on Todoroki's face. Deku is silent beside him, but his scent tells Katsuki enough.
Their alpha is angry.
Deku is trembling, his eyes flashing gold and hands curled into fists as well. The air around them reeks of ozone and Katsuki feels the ridiculous urge to sneeze. Todoroki’s gaze keeps flickering between the two of them, unsure of who needs his attention more: his alpha who is rapidly losing his grip on his control or his omega who is ranting about every which way he will harm his father.
"Aren't you going to tell me that killing is bad and I don't know what other fucking nonsense you preach and shit?" Katsuki asks when Deku's scent sours enough to bother him. "I'm gonna murder the Number Two Hero, you fucking nerd. Shouldn't you stop me?"
Say something, Katsuki doesn’t plead aloud. Say you agree. Say you’re with us, no matter what.
Deku tenses all at once then sighs, his body going lax as he closes his eyes and leans his head back on the wall behind him. "If it was anybody else, literally anybody else, I would say yes."
Katsuki smirks, the edges of it sharp enough to cut. "But?"
"Not in this case," Deku finally says, his scent still angry and now frustrated.
"I am fully capable of killing that bastard, you know," Katsuki continues, eyes flickering between both of his mates. "I could go and murder him right now and I would be glad to be thrown into jail for it. My parents would probably throw a fucking party."
Todoroki looks at him like he's insane, but Katsuki ignores him. He focuses on Deku instead, watching the corners of his mouth twitch with a smile, the sour anger in his scent slowly starting to bleed away.
"I know, Kacchan," Deku agrees, opening his eyes which have now returned to their normal color and leaving Katsuki horrified as they start to water.
Katsuki bites his lip, looking back at Todoroki again who is staring open-mouthed at Deku in shock. "Do you want me to?"
He means it as a question for them both but it is Deku who answers. "Yes, but you shouldn't. People would paint you as a villain and that's not who you are, Kacchan.”
“Shut the fuck up, Deku,” Katsuki bites back but there is a smile on his face and no heat in his words.
“Okay,” Deku replies with a tired smile.
Katsuki pivots to stare at Todoroki, pinning his beta with his gaze alone. “And you, you bastard, come here!”
“Are you going to kill me?” Todoroki asks as he stands up straight, his spine probably in pain due to how quickly he came to attention.
Katsuki's grin turns sharp once more. “If you Order me again, then yes, but just get your ass over here already! ”
“Wait, you Ordered Kacchan?” Deku asks, head swiveling between them both in confusion.
"Twice, the fucking shithead!” Katsuki admits.
Deku's eyes turn flinty before they soften once more. "You must have a death wish, Todoroki-kun. Please, don't ever do that again."
Katsuki huffs, crossing his arms over his chest as he glares at his alpha. "I don't need you to defend me, fucking Deku!"
"I know," Deku murmurs, "but sometimes, you want me to and I don't really appreciate the fact that someone would Order you, even if he's our mate, Kacchan. Todoroki-kun, seriously, don't do that again."
"Shut up, Deku," Katsuki spits out at the same time that Todoroki says, "I won't Order you again, Bakugou-kun."
"Good," Deku huffs as Katsuki moves closer until he can sling an arm over his alpha and tuck him into his side. "Now get over here. We're going to scent you so your father knows he'll have plenty of things to explain the next time I smell him on you."
Katsuki nods sagely. "Deku will destroy him."
"Why would he do that?" Todoroki looks at Deku like he can't imagine the alpha going toe-to-toe with his dipshit of a dad, but Katsuki knows better. And Todoroki should know better too after what happened the week before in the locker room's bathroom.
"Because you're our mate, you fucking bastard," Katsuki growls, reaching out and grabbing hold of Todoroki's arm before he drags him closer. "We'll end anyone who fucking hurts you. You're mine now and I don't like it when people touch my things. I beat the shit out of anybody who dared to lay a hand on my alpha and I'll beat the shit out of anyone who hurts my beta too."
Deku smiles at Todoroki from underneath his arm, his scent calmer and steady like before. "Don't worry about it, Todoroki-kun. Kacchan is just really overprotective. You'll grow used to it."
Todoroki is stiff underneath Katsuki's hand, but, slowly, he starts to relax as well. He leans into Katsuki's side and lays his two-toned head against Katsuki's shoulder. On his other side, Deku does the same, mirroring their mate. They stand there for a moment, huddled up in each other's warmth as they allow their scents to slide across one another, mingling and intermixing. Katsuki is certain that no one is going to speak for some time yet, so he's slightly surprised when Deku does.
“Your quirk is your own, Todoroki-kun.”
“Hm?” Todoroki hums in response, his head shifting against Katsuki’s shoulder.
Deku leans forward until even Katsuki is having difficulties keeping his eyes on them. “Your fire is your own. Everyone else here is using a hundred percent of what they’ve got to make it. It would be wrong of you to do this with only half.”
Todoroki stills in Katsuki’s embrace, expression shifting until his face is blank once more. Katsuki can physically see all the walls Todoroki is putting up again and he cannot have that.
“We can talk about that later, you little shits,” Katsuki cuts in. “Deku, seriously not the fucking time.”
His beta’s scent pulses for one short breath before it calms, Deku oblivious to it all as he starts to say, “Todoroki-kun should work with a hundred percent of what he has too, Kacchan! Otherwise-”
"Shouto."
"Huh?" Deku asks, like a fucking idiot as if Todoroki's intentions aren't clear enough.
Todoroki only blinks at him though, his scent still remaining calm and focused. "You can both call me Shouto."
Deku brightens considerably, his smile like the sun breaking through a heavy layer of overcast while he pushes the quirk issue off to the side for now. "Ah, well you can call me Izuku and Kacchan Katsuki!"
"No, he can't," Katsuki scowls.
"Yes, he can," Deku replies instantly, his smile never faltering. "Go sulk another time, this is loving and supporting our mate hours right now!"
Katsuki can't help the startled laughter that escapes him, but he lets it run its course when Deku only brightens even further at the sound and Todoroki relaxes against him again. "Shut the fuck up, Deku. That meme is as old as balls."
Deku's grin only grows bigger, the edges curving dangerously but he says nothing and wraps his arms around Katsuki's waist. Todoroki too settles further into their warmth, his scent now laced with a dash of content.
From the corner of his eye, Katsuki can see the hint of a smile on his beta's face. The sight alone does weird things to his heart that he promptly ignores in favor of enjoying the company of his mates.
Deku and he run into Endeavor before starting their second fight in the third challenge and Katsuki wonders how the Flaming Piece of Shit got out of there alive.
Considering that All Might was also present, Katsuki is doubly confused about how Endeavor is still breathing.
“Come on,” Katsuki spits as he drags Deku out the door. “Fuck everything else and focus on this stupid match. If you let your quirk break you again, dipshit, I’m taking our beta in the divorce.”
Katsuki isn’t happy at all about the team matches but considering that there are many mated students in the sixteen contestants left for the third challenge, he supposed that it made some lick of sense. Not that he’s going to admit that out loud anyway.
Deku laughs, following behind Katsuki willingly, but his smile dies as they round the corner and run into the last person either of them wanted to see.
They have seen the Number Two Hero plenty of times on television and social media. Katsuki thought he was pretty average looking when he was younger but at that moment he is ugly beyond belief. His facial hair is made up completely of fire and spare bits of it run through his hair. He is tall and in his hero suit but there is nothing about him that shows he is a hero in Katsuki’s eyes.
Instead of the mild admiration Katsuki used to feel for this man, all he can focus on is the hate and rage that’s building up quickly within him.
“So you’re the alpha who’s staked a claim on my son,” Endeavor says like he never expected anybody to try and interfere with the plans he had forced upon his child’s shoulders.
Katsuki bares his teeth at him, forcing himself to stay silent. Endeavor’s eyes linger on Deku’s arm where he is grabbing hold of his alpha. His gaze flickers to Katsuki briefly, looking him up and down as if he is a piece of meat being put on display at the market before he focuses back on Deku. Katsuki can’t help the cold disgust that rolls down his spine when the Flaming Piece of Shit’s eyes are no longer on him. Deku shifts beside him in response, subtly putting himself in front of Katsuki to shield him from view.
“And you’re Shouto’s father,” Deku points out, the anger in his voice plain for anyone to hear.
Endeavor’s brows raise up for a moment before his face settles back into its usual scowl. “Your omega. She’ll do fine but if you don’t prove you are the best alpha around, neither of you get to have him.”
Deku growls and the overbearing scent of ozone fills up the hallway. Katsuki holds onto his alpha tighter while allowing his lips to curl back and make his snarl look more aggressive.
“You don’t decide that for him,” Deku snaps. “And don’t refer to Kacchan as a girl. He will rip out your tongue for such disrespect.”
Endeavor’s gaze flicks back towards Katsuki at this and Katsuki snaps his teeth at him, wanting nothing more than to do just that.
Shouto had told them about all the awful crap his father had done but this - what he just said - takes the fucking cake. Katsuki wants to let go of his alpha and watch him tear into this arrogant beta until there is nothing recognizable left. He doesn’t though because he isn’t stupid and the only person allowed to go to jail is him, but the idea itself is still very tempting.
Fortunately, Yagi-san’s smell rises up behind them announcing his presence. Katsuki doesn’t look back to see his arrival, not trusting Endeavor enough to take his eyes off him but he does smell it when Yagi-san realizes what is going on. It would have been difficult not to, considering Deku is sending out angry and agitated alpha pheromones for everyone in the entire building to smell. Even the lowliest beta with the worst sense of smell would be able to tell that Katsuki’s alpha is in distress.
Within two seconds, Katsuki is facing the broad back of the Number One Hero. All Might is in the shifted form he uses for public appearances and has his arms extended by his sides in a way that appears natural but effectively blocks them both. The fact he did this in a way that did not draw any attention to them at all is only another reason why Katsuki immediately begins to calm down when All Might appeared.
“Endeavor, what are you doing to my students?” All Might rumbles, acting as if he had not stumbled over the end of his question.
Katsuki can no longer see the expression on Endeavor’s face but he can hazard a guess about it well enough. “Wishing them luck.”
All Might’s stance doesn’t relax in the least. “Then you may go now. These two are due for their match soon.”
Endeavor merely huffs and walks away then. All Might doesn’t move from his stance until the other man is no longer nearby. He turns and smiles at them, dropping a hand on both their shoulders when the coast is clear. Katsuki allows it, his anger still pulsing dangerously within him even if he knew they are safe with All Might now present but it is dying down nevertheless.
“What happened?” All Might asks, his blue eyes glinting dangerously under the hallway halogens.
Katsuki tells him. He keeps quiet about what their mate had told them earlier that day because it isn’t any of his business to share until his beta is ready to get help, but he holds nothing back about the conversation they just had with the Flaming Piece of Shit. All Might’s eyes turn almost black with the force of his anger, more ozone joining the air around them.
(And Deku had seriously thought Katsuki wasn’t going to assume that Yagi-san was his dad?)
“He won’t bother you again. You have my word,” All Might vows. “Now run along. Your match is starting within the next three minutes.”
They both nod and are rewarded with pats to their heads. Yagi-san then steps to the side so he is no longer blocking the path and Katsuki drags his alpha away before Deku can add more fire to the fuel.
Katsuki and Shouto share first place, Deku taking second and Emo Birdbrain taking third.
He would consider it a loss any other time, but considering all the crap Shouto has been put through and shared with them today, Katsuki just rolls with it.
(And no, he does not miss the fact that All Might hugs his alpha just a little too long to be normal after he drapes their medals over their heads during the awards ceremony. Going by Shouto’s thoughtful hum beside him, their beta doesn’t miss it either. That conversation should be fun.)
Later, he still takes pleasure in burning and blowing up all of his and Deku's Endeavor merchandise.
He takes greater pleasure in watching Shouto try and keep a straight face as Katsuki blatantly flirts with him when they get ice cream the next day. Deku's flirting is a lot more subtle but they both relish at the sight of Shouto's flushing, blank face over a banana split.
Of course, not all good things last. Katsuki had learned this fact early on in life.
He knows it isn't true when people say that the only way is up. Life isn't that easy and it has never been especially kind to Katsuki of all people. He doesn't mind that fact. He understands that is just how things work and that it is the way of life no matter how much he may wish it not to be. It's just how things are and he gets that.
He just didn't expect the rug to be pulled out from under his feet so soon is all.
a/n: sorry for the wait! i hope that you all liked this though (: thanks for reading!
Nothing else could explain why when Taehyung decided she would go by Taehee instead, Yoongi and Jeongguk stayed by her side.
Jeongguk has always been a raging bisexual, shy whenever a girl is around and bratty with everyone else. Accepting and staying with Taehee wasn’t an issue for him. They were all aware of that.
It wasn’t an issue for Yoongi either, not really anyway.
When Taehee came out, Yoongi was still as in love with her as he always had been. He still wanted to be with her in every way they had been together already. Taehee and her body had changed, but Yoongi’s feelings and desires hadn’t.
Even now, whenever he thinks of his partners, a golden warmth envelops him whole. His love for them transcends many things and it always will.
warnings: swearing, abo dynamics, implied sexual content, mentioned ruts and heats, canon typical violence, billy being an a-hole
word count: 10810
summary: Steve isn’t a normal alpha.
Steve isn't a normal alpha.
He knows this well, has never thought of it as a hindrance when it came to navigating the social hierarchy he was suddenly thrust into as soon as he began middle school. It didn't bother him much either when his parents stopped returning from business trips and conferences as he got older. Really, he was just glad to have a den all to himself where unfamiliar scents could no longer taint his territory.
He has never had a pack before. This too is a fact he steadfastly ignored up until high school. He is still determined to build one from the ground up as soon as he graduates and is therefore old enough to do so without gossip and rumors somehow traveling back to his parents. Carol and Tommy H. seem all too willing to be his after all, but sadly, he knows it has never been what his instincts truly wanted. Really, it isn't until Nancy Wheeler flounces into his life that Steve’s alpha instincts finally dare to grace him with their presence.
Steve’s inner alpha instincts have been but a stranger to him almost all his life. His father had seldom shared any insight of the behavior of a proper alpha, but seeing as money continues to be deposited into the bank account his mother had set up for him at age eleven, he supposes he isn't fucking up enough to enrage him at least.
Mostly, Steve learned what was expected of alphas by paying attention to body language, social cues, and reading between the lines when people would compare him to other alphas. He may not be the brightest or most devoted student when it comes to books and learning, but people are easy to understand. People he gets even when he doesn't get why his parents never really loved him the way he knows that they should have.
Sometimes, his alpha instincts want to rip and tear and deny anything that is provided by his parents. To hate them with all the ire and discontent that he can manage because he knows he deserves better than the dismal, pathetic attempts of affection they have given him thus far. But they are his parents regardless and Steve can’t do anything to change what has already come to pass. Better to learn from this instead so he knows what not to do when he has pups of his own one day.
(One day.)
So Steve isn't a normal alpha and that's alright. Even if he doesn't quite understand the importance of pack due to his lack of one, he thinks he might start to understand when he stands in front of Nancy and Jonathan with nothing but a nail-studded, wooden bat in his hands to fend off some monster even he would never be able to think of in his worst nightmares.
He plants his feet and readies himself to swing as he thinks with enough conviction that he even surprises himself, I dare you to try and touch what’s mine.
And that is, well - that is a train of thought his alpha instincts quite like. Claiming these two as his.
Even after all the wounds and blood have been cleaned and wiped away, when the danger is no longer imminent, Steve can’t quite get the thought out of his head.
On one hand, he is vastly horrified at the thought of claiming someone unaware without even giving them the chance to deny him, but on the other, he knows that whether they accept being his or not, he will be theirs.
So he leaves Carol and Tommy H. behind, knowing that they will hold fury for him for being left adrift with no alpha or the safety net of a pack he is sure neither of them would actually be happy in. It isn't easy, not after all the years Steve has spent with them, but none of them are the same children they used to be anymore. If he was going to be honest, Steve should have left them at the first sign of their disapproval of Nancy because all it really led up to was a fistfight in the alley beside the movie theatre with an omega that Steve couldn't even will himself to physically harm and the pain in Nancy’s eyes when he insulted her.
So he apologizes first to Nancy and reassures her of the fact that he doesn't expect her forgiveness or her love. She gives it to him anyway, even though he knows she is deep in grief over Barbara. And Steve can't blame her for that. He learned a lot about what an alpha was supposed to do by paying close attention to Barbara ever since she broke a girl’s nose for pulling Nancy’s hair back in elementary school.
He accepts it with grace nevertheless, always making sure that he is gentle when he scents and comforts her on the days that she misses Barbara so much it is difficult for her to even breathe.
Not soon after he apologizes to Nancy, he does the same to Jonathan. He is more than sure of the omega not wanting anything to do with him, but Jonathan accepts his apology easily enough. He thanks Steve for the camera he gets him for Christmas to replace the one he broke before and accepts the offer of sitting with him and Nancy during lunch as well.
By the time New Year's passes and school starts up again, Nancy and Jonathan are constant fixtures by Steve’s side. He knows this isn't without consequence considering that many others also wished to be potential future pack mates of Steve’s, but if anyone wants to harm what is his, they’ll have to go through him first. Whether it be monsters or high schoolers, Steve is prepared to face them all down in order to keep those who are his safe.
Steve makes this known well enough, not caring of the glares and whispers that trail after him when he leans against Jonathan’s locker to flirt with him in the hallways or when he and Nancy drive to and from school together in his car every day. He doesn't care what others think anymore. His inner alpha will only be happy with these two by his side and he’ll be damned if he lets anyone lead him astray again.
Not too soon after his eighteenth birthday though, Steve falls into his first rut.
It doesn't surprise him really considering his recent surge in overprotective instincts and the fact that his father called him up on his actual birthday to tell him he left him the house in his name and will continue with the monthly deposits until he graduates. His mom doesn't call him at all, but that's okay since he last talked to her when he was fourteen anyway and has long since given up hope of hearing from her ever again.
He is a legal adult with a den that is entirely his own with enough money to support him and a growing pack for many years to come. Altogether, it isn't hard to imagine why his body decided to follow suit and mature as quickly as the rest of him did.
Steve is lucky that his rut starts on Friday night. Ultimately, it means he won't have to miss school and what he considers crucial times with those he wants to claim as his mates in the future. He calls Nancy soon after his rut begins, letting her know that he won't be available to hang out this weekend and if she could please pass the message along to Jonathan that would be great, thank you. He knows better than to call an omega, matured or not, during his rut. There is no telling what he could say or do that might convince Jonathan to come over and help him through it and Steve would rather that his omega stay as far away from the situation as he can until it has passed.
Of course, that doesn't work out because Saturday afternoon finds him waking up to Nancy and Jonathan leaning over him on his bed. He locked himself in his bedroom soon after he got off the phone with Nancy and has been jerking off for hours now, nothing bringing him any release. As soon as he realizes who his company is, he starts to panic thinking of what his rut-induced hazed might make him do to Jonathan, but his inner alpha remains calm. He wonders for a moment why they can't quite meet his eye until he looks down and notices that he is naked. He pulls on a pair of boxers and a long-sleeved shirt that hangs low over his hips before he lets Nancy drag him downstairs.
Oddly, he feels completely in control of his actions while they are there.
Nancy heats up the soup she brought on his stove that he rarely ever uses and says nothing about his absent parents. Jonathan keeps staring at him while he eats, his eyes tracking Steve's every movement like he has to make sure that the alpha actually finishes his food or it will otherwise be the end of the world. The soup is nice and Nancy left more for him to devour later in the pot, he just has to remember to heat it up and eat it. Hopefully, he can manage that.
His rut shouldn't last long anyway. He started last night and it's been over an entire day now. He might have to miss school on Monday if his rut lasts for the customary three days he has heard older alphas complain about at the bars Steve sneaks into from time to time. He doesn't think he will, but that's a whole lot different from knowing after all.
Steve eats and he thanks Nancy first, then Jonathan before he puts the bowl in the sink and starts to wash it. Jonathan butts him out of the way and cleans the bowl and spoon Steve just used himself, handing it off to Nancy to dry. Steve finds himself blinking stupidly at his outstretched hands, not quite understanding what happened but not upset with the turn of events either.
By then, it becomes clear to Steve that he isn't going to hurt those he means to claim as his mates even during his rut, although he would still rather they not be here at all.
Even though it isn’t the main aspect of his attention, he can feet his rut running its course through him, the need to get off shimmering just beneath his skin. It is easy to ignore with Nancy ordering him about and Jonathan quietly taking some of the weight off his shoulders. Steve grabs a glass and fills it with orange juice from his fridge, handing over a water bottle to Nancy and grabbing another glass for Jonathan when he thinks of how bad of a host he has been to his guests. His mother would probably yell at him for close to an hour about shirking his duties and failing to be cordial to the potential investors she always invited over for social gatherings when he was a kid.
She isn't here anymore though and she will probably never come back. Steve finds that he is oddly okay with this fact. He has a house, he has money, always more than enough food in the kitchen, and he knows without asking that he will also have a pack within due time as well.
Nancy and Jonathan leave soon after they clean up the kitchen and Steve allows relief to wash over him as they put their coats back on by the door.
Although he soon finds out that he shouldn't have when after Nancy hugs him goodbye, Jonathan leans in to do the same and Steve's nose is assaulted by the scent of a nearly mature omega. He whines low in the back of his throat, stepping back quickly to put distance between them. Jonathan blinks at him in surprise, his face flushing a light pink when he realizes what just happened. Steve motions frantically for them to leave, his rut already making a sudden reappearance. He shoves his shirt awkwardly over his crotch, not caring in the least about how obvious he is being and whines again when Jonathan's eyes flicker down at the motion. Nancy tugs the distracted omega out the door and rolls her eyes at Steve before the door shuts.
Steve thanks any diety that may be out there for the gift that is Nancy Wheeler.
On Sunday night, his rut ends, the last dregs of his aggressive libido quickly being overtaken by his returned appetite and thirst. In the kitchen, there is enough soup left in the pot Nancy brought to tide him over until he can go out and buy more groceries. He calls Jonathan first, dialing the Wheeler's house phone number when no one at the Byers' picks up.
"Come with me to buy groceries, please?" is the first thing Steve says when Mr. Wheeler hands the phone to Nancy.
"Are you fine to be out so soon?" Nancy asks, and even without being able to see her, Steve can tell that she is frowning.
Steve takes stock of his body, sure of the fact that he'll need to shower again before he leaves his den. His elbows and knees feel wobbly, his stomach already grumbling again for more food. His thighs and crotch are sensitive, but all in all, Steve is in great shape if a little dizzy from the lack of activity that didn't involve his dick.
"I'm fine," Steve finally manages to respond. "Hungry, but I'm fine. You don't have to come with me if you don't want to."
Nancy scoffs and Steve smiles as he envisions her rolling her eyes at him. "I'm coming. Have you called Jonathan?"
"Yep. Called the Byers first, but no one was home."
"Alright. I'll see you in a few?"
Steve nods before he remembers that she can't see it. "See you soon, Nance."
And then, before his courage can fail him, he says, "Love you."
Nancy doesn't even hesitate before she says it back and hangs up.
In the following week, Nancy manages to corral both Jonathan and Steve together to inform them that she is tired of all their dancing around and would like to be on the same page with both her mates.
Steve feels weightless when Jonathan agrees and they both turn to look at him expectantly.
He doesn't feel like he's flying until Jonathan and Nancy both take to holding his hands in the school hallways for everyone else to see though.
The week before Jonathan's eighteenth birthday, Nancy drags Jonathan to him with an irritated look on her face and demands him to help Jonathan through his first heat.
Steve is, understandably, confused about the request and has half a mind to decline just on principle because it doesn't seem like Jonathan is the one who wants that. At least, until Jonathan shakes off Nancy's hold and asks Steve himself.
Again, Steve thinks of declining because while the three of them are no strangers to sex with one another, Steve and Jonathan have never actually fooled around without Nancy somehow being involved or in the same room as them. He accepts anyway because Nancy made him read up on omega heat cycles the month before and assured him that when his ruts and Jonathan's heats started syncing up in the future, she would be there for them without a doubt.
So he agrees and forgets about it until two days after Jonathan's eighteenth birthday when his omega presents in the middle of Gym class and he almost gives Steve a heart attack in the process.
Steve has just passed the basketball when Jonathan is suddenly behind him, hands twisted into the fabric of Steve's sweaty gym shirt.
"Hey, man. What's up?" Steve asks. It's not like Jonathan to initiate physical contact unless he's feeling threatened, so Steve is ready for any number of things to come out of Jonathan's mouth except what actually falls out.
"I think my heat is starting," Jonathan mumbles into the back of his neck, hot breath fanning across Steve's neck, raising goosebumps. "Need to get out of here, Alpha."
Steve was already inclined to get Jonathan far away from any other alpha that could possibly try and take advantage of him but with the title and the encompassing smell of Jonathan's heat fanning around him, Steve is fighting not to haul Jonathan over his shoulder and make a break for the nearest bathroom. He clenches his fists instead and glares at Tom who is sniffing the air and slowly turning in their direction. Steve maneuvers them until Jonathan is stuck to his side, a possessive arm around his waist as he drags him off the court towards their Gym teacher, Coach Jackson before Steve can start growling at any alpha who looks at them sideways.
Already he can feel the pheromones rolling off him, daring anybody to come near so he can tear their fucking heads off. Steve would like to see someone try and touch what's his without their permission.
"Jonathan and I need to leave," Steve huffs out as soon as Coach has shifted his attention on them. "He just presented."
Coach waves them off. "I'll cause a distraction. Go."
Steve nods and does as he's told, hauling Jonathan towards the locker room to get them changed back into their clothes before they go looking for Nancy. Nancy will know what to do because Steve certainly does not.
"Do you want to take a cold shower?" Steve murmurs once the locker door has clanged shut behind them.
Jonathan shakes his head. "Can we just go, please? I can feel it starting soon, Alpha."
Steve shivers at the title. "Sure. Let's just grab our stuff, find Nance, and then we'll leave. You know what class she has right now?"
"Trigonometry with Miss Jean," Jonathan answers dutifully.
"Great. She loves me, I can definitely get Nancy out if we need her." Steve pauses then, glancing back at Jonathan who is leaning against the lockers while Steve shoves his clothes into his backpack. "Do we need her?"
Jonathan flushes under his gaze. "Not really? Unless you want her to be there."
Steve frowns. "Do you want her to be there?"
"Only if you two are okay with it."
"We'll go with whatever she decides to do then. What's your locker combination?"
Jonathan doles out his combination, his brow furrowed as he concentrates on giving the correct answer. Steve quickly grabs Jonathan's belongings and shrugs one of the straps of his backpack onto his other shoulder so he's carrying both of theirs. He helps Jonathan stand up, not liking the hazy look that is starting to encroach on Jonathan's vision and guides them out of the locker room, steadily leading them towards Miss Jean's classroom. The hallways are, thankfully, empty so it only takes a few minutes more for them to reach their destination.
"Stay here," Steve shoots over his shoulder as Jonathan leans against the wall, eyes clearing for a moment as he nods in response.
Steve takes a deep breath just as he grips the doorknob, painting his most charming smile onto his face as he opens the classroom door. Miss Jean is, at first, a bit miffed by his presence but easily swayed by his request nonetheless and before Steve knows it, Nancy is brushing past him into the hallway. She immediately darts to Jonathan's side, brushing her cheek against his in welcome as Steve closes the classroom door and joins them quickly.
"What's going on?" Nancy asks, her wide eyes flickering between her mates.
"Jonathan presented. His heat is gonna start soon," Steve answers in Jonathan's stead, his hand subconsciously wrapping around his omega's nape.
Nancy nods, some of her panic bleeding away. "Alright. I have some stuff in my locker stashed away for this. I didn't know when you would present, but I thought it best to be prepared, just in case."
Steve worries his bottom lip when Jonathan doesn't even glare at Nancy's words, only rolls his eyes and leans further into Steve's space. "How long have you had that?"
"Since last week," Nancy shrugs. "I can't skip school again, so I'll meet you at the den after. Take what you need from my locker though. You remember the combination, right?"
"12-4-23," Jonathan recites.
Steve huffs out a relieved sigh, wincing when he looks up to find Nancy's knowing gaze on him.
"You'll be fine for a few hours," Nancy assures them both though her eyes remain on Steve. "I don't mind being there, but I'm not really needed. Just take care of each other until I can do it instead."
"That's the biggest lie I've ever heard," Steve scoffs, a teasing grin spread across his face. "Can you believe this, Jonathan? Nancy thinks we don't need her."
Jonathan smiles, his eyes hazy once more but still present for the most part. "Biggest lie."
Nancy laughs as she shakes her head at them, quickly kissing them both before she steps back. "Go. I'll make sure to bring groceries because I'm sure you're almost out again, Steve."
Steve doesn't even bother denying that and continues to smile, waving at her as his beta ducks back into the classroom. Jonathan shifts beside him, tearing his gaze away from the door.
"Nancy's locker is on the way to the office, so we'll get what we need quickly and then sign out. Do you want me to call your mom?" Steve asks as he leads them down the hallway again.
"Nancy should do it," Jonathan mutters, only stumbling once during their trek. "She explains things the best. Plus, my mom still doesn't completely trust you.
Steve presses a hand to his chest in mock offense. "That's just hurtful."
But at Nancy's locker, when he's shoving a box of knot condoms into his backpack, he pretends to be in the midst of deciding whether to grab the second box or not when he asks, "Do you trust me?"
"Yes," Jonathan replies without hesitation. "You don't have to do this."
Steve closes Nancy's locker and zips his backpack closed, hauling Jonathan into his side again as they walk to the office. "I would be honored to help you through your first heat."
Jonathan doesn't speak again until after Steve has signed them out and ushered them to his car, eyes set forward as Steve drives them to the den. "Are you going to claim me?"
"Only if you want me to," Steve replies after his shock has worn off and he is suddenly grateful for the lack of cars on the road with them. "And only if Nancy green lights it. We'll both be too focused on your heat to think clearly and she's always been the most level-headed out of the three of us."
Jonathan hums but doesn't say anything else on the matter. Steve decides to take his silence as agreement and focuses on driving safely, his blood boiling as Jonathan's scent grows heavier and sweeter in the confines of the car.
Steve parks as quickly as he can and helps ease Jonathan out, grabbing their backpacks before he leads them up the path to the front door. Jonathan slumps against the wall as Steve unlocks the door and lets himself be shuffled inside, slowly slipping his shoes off.
"You okay?" Steve asks when Jonathan stands, blinking at the coat rack for a moment after getting his shoes off. "Do you want to take a bath or something?"
Jonathan shakes his head and Steve gulps when he turns to look at him, his brown eyes glazed over completely now. "I'm leaking. I can feel it."
"I know." Steve nods dumbly, rifling through his backpack for the box of condoms before he drops it beside the coat rack. "I can smell it."
"Alpha," Jonathan whines, the sound high-pitched and filled with desire. "Too hot."
Steve takes a deep breath to steady himself and instantly regrets it as his nose is assaulted by the scent of Jonathan's heat. It's mouthwatering, to say the least. Jonathan smells like vanilla and spice, something like leather underlying everything. Steve has honestly never found any of these scents arousing on their own, but now as they are being pumped out together into the air around him, he finds himself straining and itching to get out of his clothes.
He can only imagine how Jonathan is feeling though.
"Do you want to make a nest?" Steve asks, not understanding how he can speak so calmly when all he wants to do is press Jonathan into the wall and rut against him.
Jonathan shakes his head, hands twisting around the hem of his gym shirt.
"Okay," Steve does his best to reassure him, grasping Jonathan's shoulders before he can stop himself and leaning down to catch his omega's gaze. "Tell me what you need."
"Just you," Jonathan tells him, his face slowly flushing a bright red. "Please, Alpha."
Steve nods and reaches down to where Jonathan is now desperately tugging at his shirt. "I'll take care of you. Let's get you upstairs and out of these clothes, huh?"
Jonathan surges into his space in response, nose buried in the small space where Steve's jaw meets his throat. He nuzzles his face there, scenting Steve to make his intentions all the more clear. Steve can't help but to swallow thickly, his inner alpha rising to the surface again with Jonathan so willing and close.
He does them both a favor and sweeps Jonathan into his arms, carrying him up the stairs to his bedroom. There he kicks the door shut behind them and deposits his omega on the bed. The seat of Jonathan's shorts is soaked, his slick smelling so sweet that Steve is strangely reminded of honey. Jonathan whines as he steps away from the bed to set the box of condoms atop his bedside drawer, but Steve shushes him with a chaste kiss that soon has the alpha tumbling into the sheets with his omega.
Jonathan's movements are more uncoordinated than usual, his need for Steve growing as the seconds tick by. Steve takes his time though, carefully ridding them of their clothing before their bare skin slides together and Jonathan gasps into his mouth, neck arching in a way that exposes his scent gland. Even in the midst of his first heat, Jonathan is still submitting to him without even knowing it.
Steve spares himself a moment to take in the beautiful sight underneath him before Jonathan pulls him back down and they are lost to one another again.
By the time Nancy arrives, Jonathan is sound asleep and Steve is cleaning them both up gently in order to not wake the omega.
"Groceries are downstairs. I brought your homework too, by the way," Nancy says when she steps into the bedroom. "How is he?"
Steve tosses the condom and its wrapper into the trash can by his desk, glad that he had enough forethought to put his boxers back on first. "Good now, I think. I'm not sure. I've never really done this before."
Nancy comes further into the room, fingers gliding across Jonathan's forehead as she walks closer. "Neither has he. Don't worry so much about it. I wouldn't let you get this wrong."
And maybe any other alpha would snarl and beat submission out of Nancy for saying something like that, but Steve only feels relief as he smiles at her. Nancy would never guide him wrong, not even to mess with him for her own entertainment. She knows exactly how much he doubts his decisions and knowledge half the time and while she can be cut-throat when the situation calls for it, she has always rushed to assure him when he needed it. She is always the first to defend him when it seems like someone is on the verge of confirming his self-doubts.
Really, it shouldn't surprise him so much that he loves her with all he has. If anything, he is surprised that she loves him back despite his many faults.
"Have you called Joyce?" Nancy asks quietly, her soft voice drawing him out of his thoughts.
Steve wraps his arm around her when she stops by his side, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "Jonathan wanted you to do it because she doesn't really trust me yet."
"She'll get there," Nancy assures him, palm resting lightly on his jaw. "Are you hungry?"
"Starving," Steve admits with a grin.
Nancy nods her head as she smiles back. "Good. I'll make something light so Jonathan can eat too."
"Sounds great, Nance," Steve replies.
Nancy kisses him quickly before she steps out of his embrace and leaves the room after pressing her hand briefly to Jonathan's shoulder. Steve watches her go, unable to fight the besotted smile he's sure is stretched wide across his face right now.
Jonathan stirs once she returns, two plates laden with sandwiches and chips in hand. Nancy hands him the regular ham and cheese sandwich he has always favored and sets the turkey and swiss one down on the bedside table before climbing into the bed to kiss Jonathan properly. Steve watches them as he eats, smiling to himself as Nancy wraps the blanket around Jonathan until he's swaddled in it, uncaring of his nudity. She coaxes him into taking bites of his food, murmuring soft words of encouragement that Steve echoes, his cheeks stuffed full of food. Nancy grimaces every time Steve opens his mouth while he’s chewing until she finally picks up a pillow and throws it at his head. Steve grins as he dodges the pillow, laughing when Nancy scowls at him and picks up another pillow threateningly. Jonathan ignores them, the blanket sagging down his shoulders as his eyes begin to glaze over again.
Steve finishes his food first and helps Nancy get Jonathan to finish most of his before she leaves the room again to call the Byers. She leaves soon after, the keys to Steve's car in hand so she can pick up Will and take him back to the Wheeler's for a sleepover while Joyce works the nightshift.
Jonathan is coherent enough to want to talk to Will though so Steve brings him down to the kitchen and dials the number, handing the phone off when Will answers.
After Jonathan hangs up, he sinks to his knees and looks up at Steve with enough heat in his gaze to burn. It doesn't honestly surprise Steve that he gives in so easily to Jonathan's every whim, but he still never thought they would do something like this in the kitchen of all places.
Or the living room. Or the kitchen table he never uses. The stairs. The bathroom. The damn hallway when Steve is returning back to the bedroom only to find Jonathan desperately crawling past the door in search of him.
Jonathan's heat lasts for four days and leaves them both sore and exhausted by the time the last dregs have been wrung from his system. Nancy visits them often to make sure they remember to eat and drink water. She changes the sheets while they shower and brings the second box of condoms when the first box is near empty. She draws them a bath and changes the sheets again when the heat is over, already running a load in the washing machine when they finally emerge from the bathroom in fluffy bathrobes Steve doesn't remember buying.
"So, now that that's over with," Nancy announces as they fall into the sheets. "Claiming. Are we going to do that or not?"
Steve flaps a hand at her. "Too tired right now for that conversation. Later."
Jonathan nods beside him, his eyes already drooping closed. "Later."
Nancy shakes her head at them, fond amusement clear on her face. "Let's take a nap. I call middle."
"Whatever you want," Steve and Jonathan murmur simultaneously, shifting to make room for their beta.
Steve falls asleep easily with his mates beside him.
"No."
"Come on, man," Steve whines. "It's not a big deal."
Jonathan curls his lip at him in anger. "Fuck you. I'm not taking your charity."
Steve groans, burying his face in his hands. "This isn't charity, asshole. This is me providing for my mate."
"That doesn't include my family!"
"Yes, it does! You're a package deal!" Steve shouts back, already exhausted with this conversation. "Do you honestly think that you could ever be mates with someone who didn't care about your mom and brother? Do you think that I don't care about them too? That I want them to struggle while I have all this stupid money that I don't even need? I can give it to you instead, to people I care about who do need it."
Jonathan snarls at him, stepping back to put space between them. "They are not your responsibility! We don't need some alpha's pity!"
Steve steps back as well, not wanting to crowd his upset omega, just wanting this argument to be over with already. "This is not pity. I know your dad was an awful alpha, but I'm not him, Jonathan. I want to help. It is an alpha's job to provide for their mates and pack. Your dad was more than wrong to abandon you guys like he did and I'm not a normal alpha, I know that, but I'll be a horrible one just like him if I can't even do this."
"If I can't provide for you and your family, then what good am I?" Steve speaks into the shocked silence between them.
Jonathan sucks in a deep breath as the fight visibly leaves him, shoulders slumping and fists uncurling. He looks as tired as Steve feels and still upset, but not mindlessly angry anymore. Steve cautions a step forward, then another when Jonathan doesn't stop him and another until he's close enough to wrap his omega in his arms and hold him tight. Jonathan melts into his embrace, leaning so his weight is being held up by Steve.
"You're plenty good, you idiot," Jonathan finally breaks the silence with, his voice hoarse but words sure.
Steve knows he shouldn't push his luck, know that he should concede and never bring this up again. He also knows that his conscience would never let him be if he did just that though.
"Let me take care of you and your family," Steve murmurs, face buried in Jonathan's hair so his words are muffled, but clear nonetheless. "I can't stand seeing you guys struggle so much while I just have shit handed to me. Please, let me do this for you guys."
Jonathan thumps his head against Steve's chest and groans, "I need to talk with my mom about this first. Don't expect anything though. I got my stubbornness from her."
Steve laughs, elation making him feel weightless. "Of course, baby. Take all the time you guys need to come to a decision. I can wait."
"Not a baby," Jonathan mutters darkly, pinching Steve's arms when the alpha only chuckles. "Stop that. I am not a baby."
"Oh, but you're my baby. You and Nancy both," Steve coos, smiling as Jonathan tips his head back to level him with a glare. "That's fine, right?"
Jonathan frowns, shrugging after another moment has passed. "I guess."
Steve grins and dips down to kiss him before Jonathan can say anything else.
Apart from when the world as he knew it was torn apart by the appearance of monsters and the Upside-Down, Steve has never felt anger take control of his emotions to such intense degrees as most other alphas do.
He has witnessed them plenty growing up, considering that they were the equivalent of a temper tantrum back in elementary school. Now, they aren't as common since it means that alpha lacks control and no one wants an alpha who is prone to anger and violence after all. Of course, in certain situations (like life-threatening ones) these fits are acceptable which is the only reason Steve hasn't gone to Chief Hopper and demanded to be forced into his submission after the one fit he ever had in his life.
Steve has never felt threatened by one of these fits overcoming him until Billy Hargrove crashed into the Hawkins High School social hierarchy on one chilly Autumn morning.
By this point, Steve hasn't cared about his position in the hierarchy for over a year now. He knows he isn't the top dog anymore like he used to be back when it was just him, Tommy H. and Carol. He also knows that whatever his position may be, it isn't going to stop him from doing what he wants with his mates.
It is strange but not unheard of for an alpha to have more than one mate at the same time and while most are not happy about who exactly Steve’s mates are, no one is going to go up against him about it. An alpha decides who their mate is and if their mate accepts, then the bond is unbreakable. Steve claimed both Nancy and Jonathan and they wear his Claiming Bite with pride to the envy of a surprisingly large amount of people. Objectively, Steve knew that he was the top dog mostly for his looks, but he hadn't realized that so many people were vain enough that they would have accepted being his mate simply because he was physically attractive. Steve is more than blessed to have mates who want him for him.
Still, Steve's social standing took a major hit as soon as he claimed Jonathan as his and the day Billy arrives is the same day he decides to rub that into Steve's face. He honestly doesn't give a shit about it but Jonathan doesn't feel the same. It's taken months for Steve to finally convince his omega that the Claiming Bite wasn't out of some mistaken feeling of pity for an ugly omega no one would ever want. Nancy's expression soured at Jonathan's self-deprecating words, but she let Steve handle the conversation instead of stepping in and slapping some sense into their omega's head like she obviously wanted to.
So Steve keeps himself between Billy and Jonathan the entire day, not allowing the beta's acidic words to be hurled at one of his mates. Jonathan is especially sensitive today with his heat due to start the following week after all and Steve doesn't want to risk the chance of the situation blowing out of proportion.
Conflict seems like it was always meant to be when Billy sneers past Steve's shoulder and says, "It's a wonder I can even smell the heat on your omega, Harrington. I thought the only reason you even picked him is because he can't give you pups but will spread his legs for you and your real mate at any time. Isn't that all he's good for anyway? A good fuck like the ugly slut he is."
Steve isn't proud of the rage simmering in his veins or the way a growl tears its way up his throat and past his lips. Or the menacing step he takes in Billy's direction, intent on tearing his tongue right out of his mouth for insinuating that Steve values one of his mates over the other or that he would ever give someone his Claiming Bite just for the sex they happen to share. He isn't proud of the different scenarios running through his mind lightning-quick that all result in Billy either being badly injured or dead by his hand.
What he is proud of though is how quickly he calms down when Jonathan grabs his arm and pulls him down the hallway, away from the loud cackling that makes Billy sound like he just lost his sanity. Considering what Steve was just thinking about, Billy is lucky he didn't lose something more important.
"Calm down," Jonathan murmurs to him.
Steve doesn't feel like he can, not with the lingering wisps of anger floating around in his system or Billy's awful words echoing in his head, but he inhales deeply and tries his best to not rip out of Jonathan's grasp and maul Billy anyway. For Jonathan and for himself both. He can't let some arrogant jackass be the reason he loses both his control and his mates.
Nancy finds them soon after, her brow crumpling with worry as soon as she catches a glimpse of Steve's face. Steve opens his mouth to give her a brief rundown of what just happened, but all she does is take his other arm and leads them into an abandoned classroom where she kisses him until he completely forgets about why he was upset in the first place.
He doesn't know how he ends up being the one taking care of these shitheads, but he does his best to keep them in line anyway.
They may try their best to act older than what they actually are, but to Steve, they're nothing but unruly pups. Unruly and difficult pups that he has to keep an eye on.
Mike, he has a vague understanding of how to mind considering Nancy is one of his mates and all, but it doesn't do much of anything to keep all of them in line. Even though he knows that it should because even with having an un-presented alpha in their midsts, they all look to Mike for direction as their leader. Dustin, the alpha in question is dorky and a bit of an asshole but Steve thinks he could grow to like him with time. The redhead, Max, is a beta too and a bit at odds with Mike it seems but not enough to cause strife in their circle. Lucas, however, is an omega like Will and just as much of an asshole as Dustin is but serious and well-adjusted for his age as far as Steve can tell. Mike keeps mentioning another girl, El, while they wait at the Byers' house and he wants to run out into the night and do what they can, but Steve keeps them there which inevitably ends with Mike sulking. As soon as it becomes clear that Mike isn't about to go gallivanting off in the woods though, the other pups settle down as well.
Steve doesn't understand the dynamic being presented to him right now, but considering he and Jonathan do the same thing when it comes to Nancy, he's starting to believe it's just a Wheeler-thing instead of a pack-thing. Or, at least, he hopes that is the case. He wouldn't honestly know considering his pack right now consists of him, his mates, and the other Byers as pack-adjacent anyway.
He thinks he might start to understand it when Billy shows up and shoves his way into the house. Steve is, at first, all for letting him take Max home because she will be safe, away from all this craziness since Billy wouldn't be looking for her if he didn't care about her. His opinion on the matter changes quickly when she panics as his car comes up the drive, fear clear in her stance and scent. Her eyes find his and Steve feels his alpha instincts bristle at the terror in her gaze and the silent plead she is directing at him, the way the three boys around her take up defensive positions without having to think about it. He can tell that she isn’t afraid of getting in trouble, but rather afraid of what will happen to her for getting in trouble.
So he steps out to meet the beta as he parks in the dirt driveway and pretends like he has no idea who Max even is. He can admit that he's still angry with Billy about the bullshit he said about Jonathan and he takes a strange satisfaction in fooling him so easily until Billy directs his attention back over his shoulder where Steve can clearly see those idiot pups in the window, Max's fiery hair standing out like a beacon in the dark.
Steve doesn't even have the chance to defend himself before Billy knees him hard in the crotch and shoves him to the ground, kicking him in the ribs and back before he runs up the steps and forces the front door open. It's such a dirty, cheap shot but it works and Steve struggles to stand up, his ribs burning with every breath he takes. He is more than sure of the fact that his ribs will have to be taped, but any injuries he has now are pushed to the back of his head as Lucas' scent rises to greet him, laced with panic and fear. Billy's voice then rings out as Steve manages to push the door open with his shoulder, anger already replacing the pain and wariness from before.
What Steve finds leaves him shocked, stunned that a boy - no, a man. Billy is his age, Steve reminds himself viciously - so much bigger and stronger than Lucas would hurt him, a child omega who has done nothing wrong. The other three pups are standing by the kitchen doorway, watching in horror and yelling with fright as Billy shoves Lucas against a cabinet hard enough for its contents to fall off the shelves. Lucas grunts in pain, kneeing Billy in the groin as the beta did to Steve earlier so Billy will be forced to step back and let him go.
Steve is only torn out of his motionless state when Billy moves to advance again, hate and anger clear in his scent.
Later, the kids will tell him of the deafening Alpha Roar he released before advancing and tearing into Billy with enough maliciousness to terrify them at night. At that moment though, all Steve can think about is the fact that someone just harmed one of his pups and is planning to do it again and Steve will not let that stand.
He was trusted with the safety of these pups, these kids trying to play big in a world that only wants to crush them and he will not allow someone to hurt them. How is he meant to be trusted with their care again if he allows something like this to happen right in front of him? What kind of alpha - no, no, no. What kind of person would he be if he allowed a child to be harmed while under his care?
(Not much of a person at all if you ask him.)
So he ducks and dodges Billy's hits as much as he can, anger making him lash out with his own fists to strike Billy across the jaw, the center of his stomach, and around his nose. The beta manages to catch him in the side again, Steve's ribs flaring up with enough pain to make him falter. Billy takes advantage of his hesitance, darting forward to catch him square in the face. Pain explodes around his eyes and nose, blood dripping over his lips as he clumsily strikes back, intent on keeping the man away from his pups.
Billy falls to the floor after Steve's knuckles scrape his jaw and Steve kicks him in the ribs to keep him down, wiping the back of his hand under his nose as an afterthought. Confident that the fight is now over, he turns his back on the beta and holds his arms out to Lucas who is still standing in front of the cabinet, shaking like a leaf. He may be angry as all hell, but he doesn't want Lucas to think that anger is directed at him.
"Hey, pup," Steve says, his voice pitched low while he forces himself to move slowly. He doesn't want the pup to be scared of him and after what just happened, Steve isn't sure he could handle that. "It's alright. You're okay."
Lucas takes a hesitant step towards him before he freezes, eyes blowing wide as his gaze locks onto something behind him. Steve only has enough time to recognize the scared expression on Lucas' face and the panicked cries of the other pups before something shatters against his head and he stumbles forward. A foot connects with the back of his knee and he falls, slumping onto his side as his vision turns dizzy. His head pounds and he can vaguely recognize the pup's shouting and a large, deafening thunk against the floor that makes Steve wince, but he can't actually focus on one specific thing.
As much as he doesn't want to, he fades into unconsciousness with the echoes of his pups' cries ringing in his ears.
Of course, the pups take that chance to leave the relative safety of the Byers' house (which admittedly, has never been that safe, to begin with).
Steve should probably count himself lucky that they take him with them, but all he really feels is confusion and a pounding headache that makes his head spin when he wakes up in the backseat of his car with Max at the wheel and Dustin shouting in his ear. He feels slight irritation and annoyance as well when they continue to not listen to him as Max parks and they all crawl out in a field before they gear up as best as they can. They descend into a series of tunnels Steve isn't sure how they found actually but refuses to be left behind and follows them down into the darkness.
He could probably have just forced them back to the surface and taken the keys to his car back from Max, but the blow to his head has knocked a few other things around as well. It's hard to focus on the plan - if there even is one - so he sticks close to the pups, holding the bat Jonathan made last year but they all agreed now belongs to Steve securely in his grasp, always half a second away from shifting into a ready stance that will allow him to hash out the most damage. Despite his every instinct telling him not to, he lets Dustin pull ahead and confront Dart, the monster he imprinted on and tried to keep as a pet. Dustin distracts the little monster with food, allowing the others to pass through without being harmed thankfully.
It's dark as all hell and Steve can't make out much of anything, so he's relieved when the walls start to shake and the pups finally kick it into high gear and run back to the opening. Quite frankly, the smell alone is starting to freak him out, but he ignores that and herds them away from the oncoming shrieks he can hear approaching. He pushes Max up first, Lucas following right after her in a rush. Mike makes a pained, choking sound he most likely did not mean to let out as Steve gives him a boost up but he doesn't have the time to demand to see what new injury the pup managed to obtain because, in the next moment, Dustin starts yelling beside him and the pitter-patter of hundreds of feet echoes around them.
"Shit," Steve curses to himself and picks his bat off the ground from where he left it to help the pups up.
Adrenaline courses through him as Steve makes sure to keep Dustin behind him, growling as the monsters (or demodogs, as the pups have taken to calling them) come around the corner and rush at them.
Dustin grips onto the back of his shirt, trembling hard enough for Steve to feel it from that tiny point of contact which only hardens his resolve.
Like before when he stood in front of his mates with nothing but this same bat, he lowers his stance and thinks to himself that he'll die before he lets anything happen to Dustin. Steve tightens his hold on his bat, ready to fight and tear into anything that thinks it has a chance in hell getting past him to hurt his pups.
But the monsters ignore them, curving around them as they run past. Steve, still feeling the effects of his sudden adrenaline, stares at the retreating wave of demodogs in shock, reaching out without thinking to press Dustin close to him so he isn't swept away by the hoard. He snaps back to the moment though when Lucas, Max, and Mike yell at them from the hole, urging them to climb up before it closes.
Steve isn't sure how the hole would close so suddenly but he guesses it has something to do with the Gate they keep talking about. He pushes Dustin and the bat up first before he takes a running leap to catch onto the edges of the opening, his feet dangling beneath him in the open air. Hands grab hold of his arms and drag him up, small hands that Steve never would have guessed could hide such strength.
He collapses next to the hole once he's on solid ground and shifts in alarm as it closes up, dirt drifting together of its own violation. Steve stands, backing away from the terror they just experienced and has only a few seconds to look around and confirm that none of the pups are bleeding or injured before Lucas practically throws himself into Steve's arms.
The omega is shaking, much like he was earlier but Steve wraps an arm around him and sends his protective pheromones out. Back in the cave, no one could really smell much of anything, but in the open air, he knows each pup can smell this from the way the tight lines of their shoulders loosen. Dustin snuggles into his side at the same time Max does and Steve lifts his arms up, holding all three of them to his chest.
He looks up to find Mike staring at them, hesitance clear in his gaze as if he isn't sure if his presence would be welcomed in the group hug. Steve rolls his eyes at the mere thought of that and drags the others with him as they approach Mike, suddenly remembering the noise he had made when Steve helped him up earlier. The other pups shift around until Mike can press himself into the space between Lucas and Dustin and it's all Steve can do to stretch his arms out as wide as they can so no one feels left out.
"It's alright," Steve murmurs to them, not knowing at all if things really are or not but unwilling to voice his doubt when his pups need him. "I've got you."
As loathe as they all are to separate, Steve manages to get them all back into his car and back to the Byers' house. His head starts to pound again halfway back, but he ignores it and focuses on the road.
Logically, Steve is certain he must have a concussion at worst or a cracked rib at best and he shouldn't actually be driving, but he'll be damned if he ever lets Max behind the wheel of his baby again. Luck manages to get them safely back and Steve doesn't even bother parking correctly in the Byers' driveway before he turns off the engine. Dustin and Lucas help Mike up the steps as Steve stumbles in behind them, intent on getting ice for what he's sure is Mike's sprained ankle but freezes when he almost steps on Billy's face.
"Uh," is all Steve manages to say while glancing up to raise a brow in silent question at the pups.
Dustin is the one who answers, all but beaming at Max. "Max stabbed him in the neck with the needle full of drugs and then almost hit him in the crotch. She told him that if he ever messed with her friends again, he would regret it. It was awesome."
Steve shakes his head at the obvious awe in Dustin's voice and instead leans down to grab hold of Billy's arms. "That's cool and all, but I'm leaving him outside. I'm not taking the chance of him waking up and hurting one of my pups again, the asshole."
"Your pups?" Mike asks, his dark eyes pinned on Steve.
"Yes, my pups. After all the crap we just went through tonight, it's obvious I'm stuck with you shitheads," Steve snipes back, uncaring of the fact that he just claimed four middle-schoolers without even talking to their parents first. "If you have a problem with that, well, too bad because I don't care."
He stares back at them, ignoring the pain flashing around his nose and along his ribs. Steve's practically daring them to attest his claim, to convince him that no, this isn't something he or they want in the slightest actually. To his surprise, Mike presents his neck to him in the traditional manner of showing submission and the other three pups follow suit without a thought. Steve nods, not knowing what to say now so he decides to say nothing and instead focuses on getting Billy outside.
Max silently grabs Billy's feet as he starts to tug on his arms and together they manage to drag him onto the porch where they leave him. Steve would probably feel guilty about doing such a thing at any other point in time, but his patience for Billy Hargrove had gone up in smoke the moment he raised a hand against Lucas. He doesn't care if another monster from the Upside-Down somehow manages to find them and eats Billy, he doesn't want him anywhere near his pups.
Back inside, they do their best to patch each other up but Steve doesn't notice all of his own injuries until Nancy and Jonathan burst through the door with Joyce and Will trailing after them.
"What happened?" Steve and Nancy ask at the same time, Jonathan somehow having found himself squished between the two as they cling to one another.
Steve nuzzles them both, hissing when his nose bumps against Jonathan's ear and suddenly, his mates are tilting his face up towards the light, examining him closely. He startles when they both growl, their fingertips gentle against his face as they prod his nose and left eyebrow where butterfly bandages are taped to his itching skin.
"What. Happened." Jonathan demands, his eyes kept on Steve's face as Nancy turns to the pups with her hands on her hips.
Dustin is the one left explaining again, leaving both Steve and Max flustered with how reverent he is in his storytelling. Mike isn't paying much attention to them, much too focused on cuddling the shit out of Will, the small omega admittedly looking the worse for wear even to Steve's blurry vision. Lucas avoids meeting anyone's gaze as Joyce's voice rises in outrage while they argue over what to do with Billy, but Steve hangs back and swings an arm around the pup's shoulders, pulling him close into his side. Joyce quiets once she catches sight of them and it is clear that she isn't unhappy with Lucas in the slightest and doesn't want him to think the opposite so she changes the subject and gets the first aid kit the pups were searching the entire house for but couldn't find to finish cleaning all the cuts and scrapes they collected amongst themselves.
Chief Hopper shows up then, brows furrowed as he carries in a little girl in his arms. His gaze keeps flickering back to the porch before he sets the girl down on the couch and steps back, arms crossed over his chest as he studies everyone else present. Steve ignores the other alpha as best as he can and soon learns that the little girl is the famous El Mike has been waxing poetic about. All Steve really sees is another pup who has been forced to go through too much at her age.
"Is anyone going to tell me why there's a boy passed out on the porch?" Hopper asks in a way that his gruff voice demands everyone's attention.
Steve looks down towards Lucas who is still by his side, suddenly knowing what he has to say to get Lucas to agree to his idea. It will be scary, Steve can guess that much, but it's the right thing to do.
So while the others tell Hopper about what Billy did, Steve leans down and whispers into Lucas' ear until the young omega meets his gaze with a determined glint in his eyes and nods.
"Chief," Lucas cuts into the brewing argument about what to do with Billy, eyes solely focused on the older alpha. "I'd like to press charges."
Steve tunes out for the rest of that conversation and sits on the floor, head spinning again. Most of what happens next, he doesn't remember but he can vaguely recall climbing into Hopper's truck and holding Nancy in his lap with a still unconscious Billy beside him as they drive to the hospital.
Thankfully, Steve only has a mild concussion so he's allowed to leave by morning but Billy is still out cold. Hopper gets two of his deputies to guard the beta's door, the Sinclairs' report on the attack already filed and being worked on back at the police station. Steve is groggy on the drive back to the Byers' house but he doesn't allow himself to fall asleep until he walks in, sees the giant nest Jonathan made with him and the pups in it and lies down beside him with Nancy trailing after him.
Sleep takes him as he finds himself being huddled into by Dustin and Lucas on one side and his mates on the other. Joyce will mostly likely wake him in a few hours to make sure his concussion hasn't made him slip into a coma, but he feels like he could sleep for a year regardless of any interruptions he may receive.
By the time Steve decides to wake up and stay awake, it is close to noon and the pups are clustered around the kitchen table eating a late breakfast. Nancy and Jonathan are eating at the counter beside Joyce and Hopper but quickly hold out a plate to him and shuffle aside to make enough room for him to eat between them.
Steve has just finished eating when Joyce clears her throat and garners everyone's attention. She then nods her head in Hopper's direction and steps behind him, taking the traditional third position in a pack. Hopper catches his gaze then and tilts his head meaningfully towards the second's position, one corner of his mouth twitching upwards in the semblance of a smile.
He might be quick on the uptake but Steve doesn't quite realize that he is now the second in a pack headed by Hopper that includes everyone in the Byers' kitchen until the pups start chattering excitedly between them. They fall silent again when Hopper clears his throat and Jonathan steps into their formation seamlessly, flanking his mom as her second.
By then, the pups cannot keep their excitement to themselves and Steve grins along with them. They're all pack now, after all.
Well, not officially until Lucas' parents thank Steve for his part in what happened with Billy and allow the young omega to be a part of their pack knowing that he will be protected no matter what. Until Dustin's mom bursts into tears when Steve approaches her and she tells him she was worried she was doing everything wrong by the little alpha since she is, of course, only a beta and Dustin doesn't have a father figure nor an alpha figure in his life to guide him. And until the Wheelers admit they don't care too much about having a pack since they are both betas but allow Mike to join their makeshift one anyway.
(No one asks Max's parents, but that's alright too.)
Steve may not be a normal alpha, not by a long shot, what with his absent parents, unfulfilled childhood and lack of a birth pack. His instincts don't control him as much as they do other alphas and he doesn't mind it when others defy or contest him. He's overprotective of pups and doesn't always know what he's supposed to say or do, but that's fine because while standing in the Byers' kitchen with bandages on his face and blood splattered on almost all those present, he thinks he might know what pack is supposed to be after all.
And with that, everything else will solve itself. He is more than sure of that.
a/n: title taken from lee hi’s “no way (ft. g soul)”!
can you really blame me for falling down this hole? can you??? lol um i haven’t watched s3 but i know most of what happens thanks to fanfics and youtube clips so i’m not really against spoilers and such...and ik that billy is “redeemed” in s3, but :) no :) thank :) you :)
i’m also dedicating this to my baby, rachel, who without i never would have finished this lil monster bc big word counts are my sworn enemy. love you, mi amorcito <3
“So, there’s an art exhibit downtown on Valentine’s Day if you’d like to go.”
Taehyung doesn’t even bother looking up from his sketchbook. “Can Seokjin come?”
Namjoon feels his brow crumple. Seokjin is Taehyung’s on-and-off-again boyfriend, a man so handsome that Namjoon’s pretty sure he’d be half in love with him too if he wasn’t so head over heels for Taehyung. Namjoon was sure of the fact that Taehyung was now single again, but maybe Jimin meant something different when he told him that Taehyung was interested in him.
“If he wants to,” Namjoon murmurs, wincing when he realizes how desolate he sounds.
“Cool. It’s a date. Wear something nice, I can’t have my dates embarrass me in front of my art friends,” Taehyung replies, tilting his head up to smile at Namjoon after he has finished his sketch.
“D-Dates?” Namjoon stutters, stunned in the face of Taehyung’s bright smile and distracting beauty.
Taehyung’s grin slants at an angle then, his brows furrowing together in thought. “Yeah. You’re cool with polyamory, right? Jiminnie said you were.”
Namjoon blinks stupidly at the younger man until his words register in his brain and all the information he has gathered over the past few months suddenly makes a lot of sense. It seems like all those times Namjoon has seen Taehyung make out with people who were not Seokjin hadn’t been because he was single after all.
Well, Namjoon can work with that.
“Yes!” Namjoon blurts, practically falling over himself to assure Taehyung of his relative coolness. “I’m cool. Totally cool.”
“Alright. I’ll text you about the details later then.” Taehyung’s grin softens as he turns back to his sketchbook. “Seokjin’s gonna love you.”
Namjoon flushes, hands tangling together. “I’m sure I’ll love him too.”
pairing: vmonkook
genre: fluff, smut, travel au, bookstore au, vampire au, rated xxx
warnings: explicit sexual content, oral sex, anal sex, multiple smut scenes, mild swearing, mentions of blood, referenced nightmare
a/n: as part of the #BSCproject held by @btssmutclub in collaboration with group4some. a HUGE thank you to @lovewyself for the beautiful banner and to group4some as a whole for hyping the hell out of this! please check the replies for the link to our collab masterlist and read my group members’ wonderful stories as well 💕💗 you’ll also be able to find the fic playlist linked in the replies as well! 🎶🎵
words: 5002
summary: When Namjoon and Jeongguk decide to travel to Transylvania, they end up staying long past the summer for one supernatural being with an obsession for strawberries.
+ tag list: @dimplemono @kirtikagarg @disrespectfulkookies @honeymoonjin @reeneryu ✨
When they step off the bus with their one piece of luggage and backpacks strapped to them, Jeongguk almost stumbles.
He wasn't expecting the wave of sinister heat that was lurking just outside the air-conditioned windows of the bus to strike him against the face so soon. He knows that in the summer, most places are high in regards to heat, but Namjoon had assured him that it would be tolerable here.
Either Namjoon was wrong, which Jeongguk very much doubts, or an unexpected heatwave struck this town.
Probably a heatwave since Namjoon looks confused about the heat as well. Oh, well. At least the town is pretty and their Airbnb has air conditioning.
Namjoon has an interview lined up at a nearby bookstore, so they pull their luggage between them and walk into town. Brașov has an old-time feel to it, from its swooping architecture and cobbled streets to its cheery air and lacking signs of technology around. Jeongguk doesn't understand much of the language spoken around them, but he's used to that by now.
They have spent the entire summer backpacking around the world. They stopped first in Japan and stayed there for two weeks before they moved on to China. Namjoon cut their stay there short, so they ended up in Europe only a week after that. London was pretty if you could get over the pollution and Paris was even better. But now they are on their last leg of their mini-tour around the world. Transylvania.
Namjoon is a Dracula fanatic and pouts whenever Jeongguk doesn't use Dracula's proper name, but Jeongguk isn't bothered enough to remember it, so. Dracula. Everyone knows who that is anyway.
They stop by the bookstore first. Namjoon follows one of the managers into the back of the shop while Jeongguk waits in the poetry section. The shop is filled to the brim with books; old, new, current, and historical. It isn't your typical Barnes & Nobles, but Jeongguk likes it. Namjoon would thrive here anyway.
Namjoon tends to thrive just about anywhere though.
Jeongguk kicks his feet against the plush red rug underneath his armchair and turns his gaze back towards the surrounding shelves. He can't read most of the titles, but a few are in English and he knows enough of that to understand them at least. In the five countries they visited, Jeongguk's limited knowledge of English came quite handy. Especially, in London.
They saved up as much money as they could which was actually quite plenty thanks to Namjoon's books selling off the shelves as soon as they were published, but Jeongguk insisted they take on jobs during their trip anyway. After all, he doesn't want to coast off Namjoon's money forever and he definitely doesn't want someone to mistake him as Namjoon's sugar baby instead of his long-term boyfriend.
He hums as he reaches out and picks up a tiny collection of poems, browsing through it quickly. Most of the pages have very short poems on them, sometimes with illustrations, but generally without. Jeongguk wonders why this kind of book is on the best-selling shelf and puts it back, staring down at his feet and keeping a steady hand on their suitcase.
There are a few customers walking around in the other shelves, but they don't stray towards the section he finds himself in and wonders if it's because they've read these books already or they find them as interesting as Jeongguk does, which is not at all.
Just as he's contemplating picking another random book off the shelf, Namjoon returns. A bright grin that shows off his dimples has Jeongguk smiling in return before his boyfriend has even uttered a word. He already knows it's good news.
Namjoon keeps a hold on their suitcase as they leave the shop, a skip in his step that wasn't there before. He starts humming a song that Jeongguk vaguely recognizes as Hoody's Sunshine and takes his boyfriend's hand as they continue to walk.
Soon enough, Namjoon is leading them into an apartment building where he spends a few moments talking to the owner before he comes back with a set of keys in hand. Namjoon hadn't blinked an eye at the cost of the apartment they would be staying in for the last month and a half of their vacation, but Jeongguk had later calculated the cost and almost had a heart attack. It was less than half a month's worth of the rent they pay back in Seoul and that was with the utilities they had to pay for on top of that as well.
The apartment is bigger than their own back at home with a washing machine in the kitchen that Jeongguk wants to get his hands on immediately. Namjoon pulls him away though and shows him the two bedrooms, repeating the fact that the manager wouldn't let them get a one-bedroom apartment if he revealed they were a couple. Jeongguk only shrugs, not caring too much since they are bound to end up in different rooms a few nights during their stay anyway.
Namjoon presses a kiss to his forehead then hefts their suitcase onto the bed and Jeongguk loses himself into dividing and organizing their clothes.
Bran Castle broods high up over its surrounding peaks and forests. Jeongguk has to tip his head back impossibly far before he's able to see the very top of the castle.
The bus ride to the castle had lasted far longer than it actually was and Jeongguk almost fell asleep plenty of times aboard. Namjoon had nudged and prodded him each time he began to nod off and Jeongguk world startle awake, leaning heavily onto Namjoon’s side so as to not disturb the other passengers. The dense forest they had driven past made Jeongguk itch to draw, but he had left his sketchbook back at their apartment so he left his head on Namjoon’s shoulder and watched the scenery pass by.
Now, they’re here and facing a mob of a crowd. Namjoon is vibrating with excitement beside him, a travel-sized dictionary held in one hand and one of his smaller backpacks clenched tight in the other. Jeongguk can admit that the castle is gorgeous, but that's mostly thanks to the scenery that he already had his fill of.
Either way, it'll be good to listen to his mother tongue for the next few hours. Namjoon signed them up for a Korean tour of the castle, which Jeongguk was surprised they had, but Namjoon's excited so he will behave.
Near the entrance is a booth. A crowd of people mingles about there, a mix of tour guides, janitors, and tourists. The clash of languages is harsh on Jeongguk's ears as they approach, but he heeds it no mind. Namjoon keeps shooting glances at him, a wide smile spread across his face as he tries to figure out if Jeongguk is actually enjoying himself or merely pretending for Namjoon's sake. But nothing much has happened as of yet, so he's pretending for now.
They get in line and once they reach the front, Namjoon pulls their tickets out of his special folder in his backpack and hands them to the woman behind the booth so she can scan them and wave them inside. Namjoon had printed their tickets out back when they were still in Seoul, vibrating with his excitement much the same way he was doing now. Jeongguk had agreed to the tour because it was the least he could do after Namjoon had insisted on paying for all of their plane tickets.
Once they have finished checking-in and sport new colorful bracelets, Jeongguk leans on Namjoon's shoulder and goes on tiptoe to look over the heads of the gathered crowd. He spots a handsome looking man holding up a sign in Korean that reads: BRAN CASTLE TOUR.
"Found it," Jeongguk says into Namjoon's ear as he drops back down to his regular height. "Follow me."
Namjoon grips onto the back of Jeongguk's shirt and trails after him as they push their way through the crowd. Jeongguk occasionally goes back on the tips of his toes to make sure they are going the right way then maneuvers them through the bodies pressed so closely together around them. It's not as hot today as it was yesterday when they arrived, but here in the thick of things, Jeongguk feels almost suffocated by the body heat.
He's relieved once they emerge from the crowd and find their tour guide. Until their tour guide smiles at them and Jeongguk's breath catches in his throat.
Holy shit.
The man's smile is rectangular in shape, but bright enough that Jeongguk's sure it could very well light up this entire castle at night. Namjoon freezes beside him in a similar fashion at the sight that greets them but he recovers much more quickly than Jeongguk.
"Hi! Are you the tour guide?" Namjoon asks while a hesitant smile of his own spreads across his lips.
"Yep! Hello. My name is Kim Taehyung and welcome to the Korean tour of Bran Castle," Taehyung greets them.
Jeongguk blinks, unsurprised by their tour guide's fluency. "Hello, Taehyung-ssi. Are we expecting anyone else?"
Taehyung shakes his head. "Not today! But yesterday, the tour was jam-packed full of people. I almost wish I wasn't the only one who speaks Korean here. It was difficult leading the tours by myself."
"How often does that usually happen?" Namjoon asks, instantly intrigued.
"Very often this summer actually! But it was rare to have a day like that the last couple of summers. Management is thinking of hiring someone else to help me out," Taehyung smiles at them. "But enough about that, let's start the tour!"
Jeongguk takes Namjoon's hand and follows after Taehyung, finding it hard not to stare at the tour guide's ass. It’s plump and round, which is only complimented by his jeans that are practically hugging his legs. Jeongguk laughs under his breath when he catches Namjoon blatantly staring though. The pervert. At least Jeongguk is making an effort not to look.
Namjoon frowns at him but doesn't stop staring at Taehyung's ass. Probably to spite him.
Once they've passed a few other tour groups and made their way into the courtyard, Taehyung stops and turns to face them. His smile is still as bright as ever and Jeongguk feels a strange stirring in his chest as Taehyung reveals a box of strawberries that he hadn't noticed before.
He feels hypnotized as he watches Taehyung raise a strawberry to his mouth and take a bite. A bit of the fruit's juice dribbles down his chin but is quickly wiped away by Taehyung's pink tongue. Namjoon shuffles beside him, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose in what Jeongguk knows is a nervous tic.
Seems like it isn't just Jeongguk who is very interested after all.
Taehyung finishes his strawberry in record time and smiles at them when he looks up to meet their gazes. Jeongguk can't fight the feeling that their tour guide did that on purpose, but he pushes it down and tries to give his most polite smile in return. Namjoon leans into his side and hides his face in Jeongguk's shoulder instead, the coward.
Jeongguk knows it isn't in his imagination when Taehyung smirks at that.
Namjoon looks up once Taehyung has resumed the tour, speaking of the queen whose artifacts are being showcased in the castle. How the castle is popular amongst Dracula fans, but that it is only ever spooky on Halloween when tourists are allowed to spend the night in the castle. Jeongguk does his best to nod along even though he doesn't actually care.
He lets Namjoon grip onto his arm and pinch him from time to time when something excites him, but Jeongguk can't help but think that they definitely could have been doing something a lot better than this.
Of course, that doesn't mean that watching the excitement and happiness on Namjoon's face (or watching Taehyung’s ass in those jeans) isn't worth his boredom though. Jeongguk would do just about anything for Namjoon and that includes walking through an old as shit castle listening to a hot as fuck tour guide talk about its history and architecture while torturing them with his strawberries and eating habits.
By the time the tour is over, Jeongguk is half hard in his pants. They thank Taehyung for the tour and Namjoon shoves a scrap of paper that has their numbers on it in Taehyung's hand before he forcibly drags them away to the bus stop.
Namjoon jumps him as soon as they have kicked off their shoes back at the apartment and Jeongguk responds happily. Namjoon is always so gentle with him, always keeping them face-to-face as he fucks into him. Sometimes his hands will frame Jeongguk's face as he murmurs praise into his skin, but this time Namjoon grips his hair and kisses him hard as he rides him. Jeongguk comes in Namjoon unexpectedly and feels utterly boneless after Namjoon has jerked himself off on Jeongguk’s stomach.
Namjoon is cleaning him up when he leans over and kisses Jeongguk tenderly, garnering his attention.
"Again?" Jeongguk asks, already beginning to turn over so Namjoon can have him this time.
"No, maybe later," Namjoon murmurs as he grabs his hips and turns Jeongguk on his back. "But we should talk about something before we get dressed though."
Jeongguk nods, tendrils of his hair sticking to his sweaty face. "Taehyung?"
Namjoon nods in return, an amused smile on his face. "You were hard by the time we got on the bus."
"You were too."
"We should sleep with him."
"Yeah, we should," Jeongguk sighs, closing his eyes as he relaxes into the pillows. "He has our numbers thanks to you."
Namjoon kisses him again, slower this time. "We just have to wait."
Jeongguk doesn't bother with a verbal reply. He's pretty sure that the kiss is enough of an answer for the both of them.
Jeongguk is visiting Namjoon in the bookstore when Taehyung texts them.
unknown: is this namjoon and jeongguk?
jeongguk: yep! namjoon is working right now so he can't answer messages for another hour
this is taehyung, right?
unknown: yes. i thought a group chat would be a better idea than individual texts
jeongguk: well you were right
taehyung: i'm glad (:
Jeongguk looks up from his phone to shoot a cheeky grin at Namjoon. "Seduce Strawberry Man is a go."
Namjoon rolls his eyes. "I didn't agree to that name."
"Well, it's not like Wine-and-Dine Tae was any better!"
"So you say," Namjoon says with another roll of his eyes.
"Because I'm right!"
"Sure."
Jeongguk grabs the application Namjoon had been trying to convince him to take since he arrived and angrily starts to fill it out. "Just watch. I'm stealing your job to get back at you. This is Seokjin-level of petty right here, Joon."
Namjoon laughs and excuses himself as a customer comes up to him. Jeongguk doesn't understand most of what they're saying since the customer is most definitely a local, but Namjoon has always said that practice helps more than studying when it comes to languages.
And, well, Namjoon is always right.
Jeongguk continues to fill out the application, cringing at his mediocre writing in English. By the time he's done, Namjoon has returned and spares a quick glance at the paper before he goes behind the register and starts to rifle through things. Soon enough, he's holding up a few papers stapled together and hands it to Jeongguk with a triumphant look on his face.
It's his resume. Seems like Namjoon is always one step ahead of him after all. It's even been updated since they both worked in that coffee shop back in Paris. Jeongguk shakes his head fondly and staples his resume to the application. Namjoon takes it and drops it in a small in-and-out stand Jeongguk recognizes from countless office scenes in movies. Next to that is a box of new books Namjoon immediately starts to sort.
"I'll see you for dinner then?" Jeongguk asks.
Namjoon hums in response and Jeongguk smiles at him before he turns and leaves.
He has dinner to cook after all.
A few days after Jeongguk has gotten the job at the bookstore, Taehyung convinces Namjoon to apply for the new tour guide position up at the castle.
Jeongguk isn't surprised in the least when Namjoon does so immediately and hands in his twenty days at the bookshop right after. Once it's confirmed that Namjoon has gotten the tour guide job, Jeongguk and Taehyung take him out to celebrate. Jeongguk gets drunker than he can imagine and almost climbs onto Namjoon’s lap right there in the restaurant before a smirking Taehyung pulls him firmly back into his seat. He has to forcibly stop himself from leaning in and kissing Taehyung just to get rid of that irritating smirk on his face, but all in all, the night turns out to be pretty great.
Taehyung shows them his favorite haunts slowly after their first night out. His Romanian is perfect, much better than Namjoon's and leaves Jeongguk wondering just how long Taehyung has been living here. Namjoon quirks his eyebrows every time Taehyung easily switches between a variety of languages, all with the ease of someone who is fluent in them, but never verbally asks about it.
Well, not to Taehyung anyway. Jeongguk falls victim to his musings instead each time they return home after going out someplace new with the pretty tour guide.
"You know what's really weird though?" Namjoon asks when he comes to visit Jeongguk at the bookshop one morning.
Jeongguk looks up from the books he was registering on their system, a brow raised in silent question before he returns to the ancient computer.
"He never eats anything except those strawberries he carries around," Namjoon hums, fingers tapping against his chin as he leans on the counter. "I've never seen him eat anything else. He'll order food and stuff when we go out, but have you ever seen him actually chewing any of it?"
Jeongguk pauses then, shock overcoming his senses as he realizes that what Namjoon is saying is true. "Holy shit. You're right."
"Of course, I am," Namjoon replies with a frown, fingers moving through his hair now. "It's just really strange. Honestly, if I hadn't seen Taehyung in the sunlight multiple times, I would have thought he was some kind of vampire. You know, since they only feed on fruit and stuff."
"Maybe he's just following a new fad diet or something," Jeongguk theorizes. "You never know."
Namjoon's frown deepens. "I don't think that's it. Taehyung is very comfortable in his outward appearance. I can tell just by observing him at work. It's something else, I just don't know what."
Jeongguk turns back to the computer screen in front of him again. "Well, maybe we should leave it alone. It's not like it's any of our business."
"No," Namjoon agrees, before sighing, "but it could be. He's coming to our place for dinner again tomorrow. We should make our move soon, we only have two weeks before we go back to Seoul."
"Yeah, sure," Jeongguk says.
He ignores the yawning pit in his stomach that declares he doesn't want to leave Brașov just yet and leans in for the kiss Namjoon places on his cheek before leaving. Jeongguk watches him go, not knowing what he's going to do.
Jeongguk wakes up with his heart in shambles, breaths fighting to get past his lungs.
Namjoon lies beside him, curled into himself right on the edge of the bed. Jeongguk watches him, pressing a hand to his chest to calm himself. It works slowly, but Jeongguk is just glad that it works at all. He hopes it isn't one of those nights where it doesn't because those are the worst and they have a guest spending the night too. The relief he feels is tremendous once he has managed to calm himself down.
The clock on their bedside proclaims it as seven past three in the morning. Jeongguk sighs and gets out of bed, leaning down to kiss the back of Namjoon's head before he puts his slippers on and leaves the room.
Jeongguk slows down as he passes by the second bedroom, cocking an ear out in the hopes of hearing deep breaths. When silence is the only thing that greets him, however, Jeongguk frowns and makes his way down the hallway towards the kitchen.
There he finds what he was looking for.
"Oh, you're awake," Taehyung says in greeting.
Jeongguk nods as he gets a glass of water. "Yeah. I had a bad dream, so I decided to get some water and then try to get back to sleep."
Taehyung hums thoughtfully. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not really," Jeongguk murmurs. "Thank you though."
Once the glass is full, Jeongguk turns and leans on the counter. He takes a sip from his glass before he finds himself chugging the whole thing down, surprised by his own thirst.
"Thirsty?" Taehyung asks.
Jeongguk meets his eyes over the glass, setting it down once it is empty. Taehyung's eyes are dark with want and amusement, something Jeongguk has found himself getting used to after spending two weeks in his company. A box of strawberries stands on the island, open and nearly empty, but Jeongguk isn't worried. He knows that Taehyung has another one in his bag, completely filled to the brim with bright, blood-red strawberries.
"Yeah," Jeongguk manages to rasp after a while.
Taehyung smiles, the want in his gaze slowly ebbing away until amusement is the only thing left. "Think you can sleep now?"
Jeongguk shrugs. Taehyung takes it as a yes.
"Come on," Taehyung urges as he stands, flipping the lid on his strawberries closed before he holds his hand out in Jeongguk's direction. "I'll sit in the rocking chair until you fall back asleep."
Jeongguk takes his hand, surprised by the heat he can feel coming off the older man in waves. He remembers Namjoon's words in the bookshop yesterday as they echo in his head, but he follows Taehyung back down the hallway and lays down in bed beside his boyfriend.
The rocking chair creaks quietly as Taehyung settles down in it. Jeongguk can see him over Namjoon’s messy hair, but he closes his eyes anyway and throws an arm over his boyfriend's chest. He can feel Taehyung's gaze on them, branding them as his somehow and Jeongguk swallows.
Of course, they want Taehyung. Jeongguk knows that the what he and Namjoon feel isn't just sexual, but something more too. It's just hard to convince Namjoon of that when he's focusing on how long they have left here instead.
Jeongguk settles himself into his boyfriend's side and falls asleep quickly, the rocking chair's creaking sounding like a lullaby.
Jeongguk wants to get his shirt off already, but Namjoon gives him a look to slow him down. He pouts, but obeys it, and continues to kiss Namjoon languidly.
Taehyung watches from the rocking chair, one hand on his thigh as the other digs around in his box of strawberries. Jeongguk wants to watch him watch them, but Namjoon's mere presence demands most of his attention. Kissing Namjoon requires tact and all of his focus, something he learned easily and quickly after they first started dating.
Namjoon hums in the back of his throat and Jeongguk groans against his mouth, handing over the reins to his boyfriend as he closes his eyes. Hands grip his waist and clamber up underneath his shirt, barely-there fingertips grazing the bumps of his spine. Jeongguk shivers, leaning into Namjoon's embrace as his boyfriend takes his time picking him apart.
"Are you sure you want me to be here?" Taehyung asks quietly, his voice not more than a murmur.
Jeongguk glares at him. "Yes. Get over here."
Taehyung laughs, standing up from the rocking chair and approaching them. Jeongguk shivers in anticipation as he closes in, his eyes fluttering shut when Namjoon grabs the ends of his shirt and swiftly pulls it over his head. A new set of hands take claim to his torso then, pressing down on his stomach before moving upwards and rolling one of his nipples between nimble fingers.
A moan makes its way past his lips and Jeongguk loses himself in the motions. He's the first one to get naked, but then Namjoon and Taehyung follow quickly after. Namjoon ends up being laid out like a feast on the bed and Jeongguk takes him in his mouth as Taehyung works him open.
Namjoon groans underneath them, throwing an arm over his eyes as Jeongguk takes him all the way down to the base at the same time Taehyung manages to get three fingers into him. Watching his boyfriend of many years writhe under their mercy is more intoxicating than Jeongguk ever imagined actually. He almost doesn't know what to do next.
Taehyung taps his shoulder and asks him for a condom, drawing his attention away and forcing him back on planet Earth. Jeongguk grabs one of the condoms they set aside on the bedside and opens it, rolling it down Taehyung's already leaking cock before he moves back to observe what comes next.
He has to stop a moan of his own from mingling with the ones Namjoon and Taehyung let loose when Taehyung buries himself in Namjoon slowly. Namjoon is tense at first then relaxes soon after, focusing on his breathing as Taehyung and Jeongguk watch him. Jeongguk kisses him once Taehyung has started moving, the sounds of skin slapping against skin almost too loud to bear.
Jeongguk looks up when Taehyung taps his cheek though, immediately caught off guard at his closeness. Taehyung grins, gripping Jeongguk's chin as he tilts his face up towards his and kisses him.
His lips are softer than flower petals, but he tastes weirdly of strawberries and blood. Jeongguk feels his insides melt and turns towards Namjoon, starry-eyed after Taehyung has pulled away. "You were right."
"About what?" Namjoon gasps, raising the arm over his eyes so he can chance a glance at Jeongguk.
"He is a vampire," Jeongguk breathes, smiling when Taehyung pauses behind him.
Namjoon only smiles. "I told you."
Taehyung interrupts then, a frown marring his beautiful features. "Wait, you knew?"
"Of course. You're not really subtle," Namjoon tells him, gasping again as Taehyung leans over him while hitching his legs up over his waist. "You only eat strawberries."
Jeongguk watches the two older men stare at one another, not knowing if he should say something or stay quiet. Taehyung makes the decision for him though.
"Ah, so then you also know that I'm Dracula then?"
Namjoon sputters. "What?"
"Nevermind. We can talk about it later."
"You almost came just now, didn't you?" Jeongguk asks with a sly smile on his face.
Namjoon flushes. "Shut up."
Jeongguk smiles over his shoulder at Taehyung. "You don't know how many times I've dressed up as a vampire just to make him squirm during sex."
"Well, no need now. A real vampire is fucking your boyfriend. How does that make you feel?" Taehyung says, his eyes flashing before he starts to build up a rhythm again.
"Turned on," Jeongguk answers honestly.
Taehyung smirks, leaning down so he can press his nose into the hollow of Namjoon's throat, inhaling deeply. "Good. Because after I make our little vampire fucker here come, I'm fucking you, Jeongguk-ah."
Jeongguk shivers, not knowing at all what to do with himself. "Please."
His only answer is another smile before Taehyung lifts himself up and fucks Namjoon with vigor, looking from Jeongguk to Namjoon's cock. Jeongguk understands almost immediately and lays down sideways on the bed, taking Namjoon into his mouth again. Namjoon hisses loudly somewhere above him, but Jeongguk ignores it, focusing instead on getting his boyfriend to come.
It doesn't actually take a lot to get Namjoon to reach his orgasm after that. Namjoon is, of course, fulfilling his biggest fantasy after all.
Fucking Dracula himself.
Namjoon is never allowed to make fun of Jeongguk for his fantasies after this now, the vampire fucker.
It is embarrassing just how quickly Taehyung makes him come afterward. Jeongguk refuses to believe his endurance has really fallen that low to come apart after just a few minutes of getting fucked by the best cock he has ever had in his life.
Nope. Just not believable. At all.
After it is all said and done, Jeongguk lays himself on top of Namjoon and throws an arm over Taehyung beside them.
Namjoon is tapping away at his phone, a look of the most utmost concentration morphing his features. Jeongguk lazily glances at the screen before blinking himself into awareness.
"Are you canceling our plane back to Seoul?"
"Yep," Namjoon says without missing a beat. "You don't sound surprised though."
Jeongguk laughs in delight at the news and kisses Namjoon firmly on the mouth. He turns to Taehyung right after and kisses him hard, relishing in the taste of strawberries on his tongue. There's no trace of the blood he tasted earlier but Jeongguk decides to ask about that another time.
Because now they have time.
“You know as well as I do that we were gonna stay the second we laid eyes on Taehyung,” Jeongguk murmurs into Namjoon’s skin as he leans back into him once he remembers to answer the question Namjoon asked just moments before.
Namjoon rolls his eyes and runs a hand through Taehyung’s mussed hair. “Yeah. I guess I did.”
Jeongguk hums happily, leaning down to kiss his kiss lovers again. He lets the warm feeling in his heart tingle in his fingertips as he traces lines down their naked bodies and enjoys the blissfulness of this moment.
He’ll never have anything greater than these two, that Jeongguk is more than sure of.
