Jaebum lets out an affirmative grunt, allowing Yugyeom to help him on his feet.
About halfway to their apartment they meet with Jinyoung, Mark and Bambam. The eldest doesn’t wait for anyone to tell him what to do and in the next second Jaebum’s weight is supported not only by Yugyeom, but also by Mark. They manage to bring him back home without much struggle, where Jackson and Youngjae are waiting for them all with warm soup and dry sets of clothes.
Jinyoung looks thoroughly displeased with his best friend’s behavior while he takes him to his room, telling Youngjae to sleep in Yugyeom’s bed. After a couple of minutes he emerges from Jaebum’s bedroom, motioning for the youngest to come closer.
“You’re going to spend the night there.”
“What? Why? I don’t think it’s appropriate-“ Yugyeom starts, afraid that his presence might upset Jaebum after he has just calmed down.
“He asked me to bring him your jacket. I believe that the real thing would be better. He’s feverish and in heat, he needs the smell of the alpha to calm down.”
“But we’re not even-“
“Did you not hear me? He needs you. He needs an alpha. You are his alpha.”
The words die on maknae’s tongue, as he stares at the other in disbelief. The older man doesn’t seem like he is joking. On the contrary – his face looks completely serious and sincere.
“What makes you say that?” Yugyeom’s question is loaded with so many emotions that the elder feels sorry for him and his jumbled up feelings.
Jinyoung sighs, his fingers wandering to massage the bridge of his nose.
“I know that your parents weren’t expecting you to be an alpha, but they could’ve at least tell you the basics-“
“I’m sorry hyung, but can you just get to the point,” Yugyeom’s posture screams ‘desperate’, but he can’t help himself and Jinyoung is aware.
He decides that a clear explanation might spare Jaebum from having to spit out his guts (only for now and only because he is in no condition for any thought-through confessions), while the maknae can avoid pinning and further misunderstandings.
If Yugyeom knows the truth, he will be able to figure something out, even with Jaebum’s stubborn denial in his way.
“A stressed out omega calms down about six times faster when provided with a smell of an alpha. But not just any alpha – the strongest reaction occurs when it’s the alpha they chose themselves. I’m going to hazard a guess that he clung onto you when you first found him. Maybe there was even some sniffling at your clothes?”
When Yugyeom nods dumbly, Jinyoung continues.
“He was calm all the way here, but when I took him to his room he started to be a little snappy. Plus, he almost combusted, but asked for your jacket nevertheless. Do you realize how hard it was for him? Then again – if he decided to throw his ‘pride’ away, because I’m pretty sure he thinks of it that way, it means he must feel really safe with your scent around him. Now, if we are done here, can you please go to him now? I hate watching him in pain.”
“So do I,” Yugyeom answers, but he stops for a second just before opening the door, and with a soft smile turns to face Jinyoung.
“Thank you so much, hyung.”
***
When Yugyeom enters the room, he sees Jaebum laying with his face turned to the wall.
Maknae’s anxiety levels sky-rocket when he notices how the elder’s back stiffens at the sound of clicking door.
Yugyeom clears his throat awkwardly without moving from his place. If he wants to do it right, he needs to take it slowly.
“How are you feeling hyung?” It’s neutral and it shows that he cares without being too dramatic or fussy. Yugyeom mentally pats himself on back and waits.
“Been better,” the answer is mumbled into the thin air, but there is no anger or venom in Jaebum’s tone, so the younger knows he’s not being pushed away. The silence stretches, making Yugyeom nauseous. How does he proceed from here?
‘Do you mind if I sit down?’
‘Do you want me to bring you something?’
‘Do you want to be left alone?’
“Can I sit by the door?” The question that leaves Yugyeom’s mouth makes him want to slap himself, forget about the patting.
“I d- what?” Jaebum fumbles with the stack of blankets that’s on top of him and after a short while Yugyeom’s eyes meet the incredulous stare of two dark orbs. The younger takes a deep breath and tries to stay calm.
“Can I sit by the door? I promise I won’t distur-“ Yugyeom’s sentence is interrupted by a quiet, genuine laughter.
“It’s ok, you can sit by the mattress, I know you won’t disturb me,” Jaebum sounds slightly amused and dead tired, so Yugyeom doesn’t bother him with another ‘Are you sure?’ and moves to sit beside his hyung’s bed.
Yugyeom stays true to his words and keeps quiet, noting how Jaebum’s eyelids become heavier. The lingering scent of distressed omega vanishes after about two minutes into maknae’s arrival, making his chest light and full at the same time. The sweet aroma of heat, although noticeably weakened (all thanks to the earlier dose of suppressants) fills alpha’s nostrils. He forces himself to stay composed, not only because of Jaebum’s condition, but mainly because he wants him to know that he is able to control himself.
The older man’s breath is still somehow haggard, most probably because of the fever and the heat combined, but he’s fast asleep nevertheless. Yugyeom’s orbs land on Jaebum’s face, tracing sharp lines of leader’s jaw, the bridge of his nose, wandering to soft wrinkles around eyes. His lips are pale and dry, slightly parted. Yugyeom’s gaze flicks to other man’s fingers, gripping at the edge of the quilt like it is his lifeline. Instinctively, Yugyeom’s own hand slowly raises to cover the back of Jaebum’s palm, gently squeezing it. And tentatively the gesture is reciprocated. Jaebum is half conscious, falling deeper into his slumber. He holds tightly onto Yugyeom, inching into alpha’s personal space. So the younger decides to move closer, letting Jaebum use the side of his thigh as a pillow. The older man seems so, so tired and yet Yugyeom is unable to tear his eyes away - their independent, always reliable pack leader allows the younger to help him, to be near him. Jaebum’s vulnerability is just as beautiful as the strength he possesses. And Yugyeom is happy beyond words to be able to see it.
Yugyeom uses his free hand to pet dark, reddish hair on top of Jaebum’s head, carding his fingers through drying locks. He is relaxed, satiated and he doesn’t know why this simple action gives him all these nice feelings. He suspects it might have something to do with Jaebum cuddling up against him, smelling like jasmine tea and spring mornings. Yugyeom’s eyelids close as he lets himself be submerged in the overwhelming calmness.
***
Jaebum wakes up in the middle of the night, thirsty and a little sore from the weird position he slept in. When he tries to move, he realizes that he had made Yugyeom his pillow. The sudden urge to nuzzle against the maknae makes him freeze in place.