The Claimed Omega

Sangcheol and Minwoo looks at him, shocked. Before Minwoo can say anything, he continues, 'Architecture is the only thing that is holding him together. I know that, you know that. We all can see that. What'll happen if you take that away from him?'

'I'm not taking anything away. He can stay here, there are places that want him! It doesn't have to be a big firm!'

'He's not going to be happy.' Haneul finally confesses what he had been feeling for the last year, having watched the younger omega struggling. Being an omega in his field is hard enough, but having his one opportunity taken away and taunted by it for the past year really changed Wonho. Right now, he is only surviving. 

'I can make him happy.' Minwoo growls unintentionally, feeling like the two are trying to take Wonho away from him. 'He needs me.'

'No, he needs to work on his issues. On his own.' Haneul insists, not liking how Minwoo is adamant about holding Wonho back. The younger omega has a lot of potential; if not for Minwoo claiming him, Wonho would have learnt how to depend on himself earlier instead of looking for his mate for comfort and security every single time.

'So you want me to break the bond because of that? Make his nightmare come true?' Minwoo frowns at the omega, speaking as calmly as he can. If anything, Wonho is afraid of Minwoo leaving him the most. Now Haneul is suggesting he leave his mate. Well, technically let his mate leave him, but in the end, they will still both be apart. 'He can't handle it. I won't let it.'

'You know this will continue to haunt him.' Haneul responds, speaking the hard truth. 'I don't think that's healthy for your relationship.'

Minwoo rubs his face roughly, not liking what he is hearing. Seeing the distress on the younger, Sangcheol decides to give it a shot. He is aware that Haneul was trying his best to explain his thoughts, but he was speaking through Wonho's point of view. Minwoo will never comprehend it. He knows the man cannot. Because if the same thing was said to him, Sangcheol knows he too wouldn't be able to accept having mental issues as a reason he needs to break their bond either. Especially for Minwoo who has a successful exhibit A sitting in front of him, it would be even harder to agree with.

'Minwoo, I agree with Haneul. Hear me out.' He warns the other to listen, 'You can make him happy, I'm confident bout that, but,' He continues carefully, looking at the younger alpha's face for any reaction - Minwoo seems to be listening. 'If he let this chance pass and regrets it later, he will blame it on the bond. He will blame you for claiming him, and making him attached. I know you think so too. Isn't that why you're here?' 

Minwoo exhales deeply, not able to deny what was said. That is exactly what is happening, their biggest obstacle - the fact that Wonho doesn't know the difference between his personality change due to being an omega, his trauma or the bond. From him showing affection to his own alpha, to him needing to be near Minwoo for security, Wonho tends to attribute everything to him being bonded. It is cute, but it is also frustrating, because Wonho does not believe that he is in love, or that he is still traumatized.

To Wonho, every change that happens to him, good or bad, will always be because of the bond.

And as much as Minwoo adores him, and would do anything for his omega, sometimes he cannot help but feel used. He is not sure he will be able to take the blame for ruining Wonho's dreams. That will be too much for him handle, no matter how much he loves Wonho.

'You should let him experience what being a free omega feels like. Let him recover by himself. Then he'll know the difference a bond makes.' Sangcheol adds, his voice low. He does not like what he just said either. 'And I think, with time, he'll be comfortable enough to want to be with someone again… By choice.'

'But what if that someone's not me anymore?' Minwoo turns to look at the couple seated opposite him. They are only together because he saved Wonho that night. Wonho would never have been with him if not for the bond.

'What if he choose another?'

Sangcheol's shoulder drops. That is another question he doesn't have answers to. He looks up to search for his mate's eyes. Again, Haneul bear the same expression as his.

#####

Wonho locks himself in his room at the omega house. He doesn't want to see Minwoo and the only place available for him to stay for a while is here. He gave up his dorm room last year when he decided to move in with his mate. Jinyoung already graduated, and Haneul moved out with Sangcheol so he cannot stay at theirs either. Not that, he wants to bother them either since he doesn't want to let them know about his problems.

The volunteers here were very happy to see him, welcoming him with open arms. They already know him from his frequent visits for volunteer works or for omega classes so they didn't hesitate to give him a room. He never thought he would come to appreciate this place as much as he does.

Wonho goes through all the pictures his mother spammed him of France. Of the buildings, of the nature, of the foods. Everything looks so different from here. European countries have always been his favourite places because of the architecture. Of course, who wouldn't think so. In fact, most of his works were inspired by the ones here.

Suddenly curious, he searches his name on the web. Behind it, he adds 'architect'. To his delight, the foundation of which he received the awards for pops up. And upon clicking on it, true to Joseph's words, his old works are displayed, further exciting him.

On another tab, he searches for the company he is going to. Everything is in English so it takes a while for him to navigate through, but he finally realizes what he was offered, is not written on the recruitment page. But Joseph insisted that he will be recruited as an architect protege.

Which means, he is special. Pisano offered to groom him himself.

Pisano believes in his talent.

Smiling to himself, Wonho takes the brochure and lies on the bed, looking over it for the umpteenth time.

This chance that is offered to him, is not something that will come again. It isn't like one door close, another one open type of shit. No one would even look at his resume after the word 'omega'. If he refuses this, his road in this field will end. Unless, he accepts the ones in the rural areas.

This not something he can afford to let go. He doesn't have the privilege.