The Claimed Omega

Minwoo feels his heart beating furiously, a sudden rush of panic takes over his body. His eyes open abruptly, still feeling the violent thump; his mind fully aware of his surroundings. He was already in offence mode before realizing that there is no real threat.

It must be Wonho again. Lately his omega has been having nightmares which is worrisome but thankfully, the man is strong enough not to act crazy like he used to back when they first met.

Bringing his hand back to search for his mate's, Minwoo turns back to the omega's side to find it empty. The latter's pheromones also calmed down abruptly, despite the traces. Wonho is getting really good at controlling his emotions and scent. 

'Wonie?' He calls as he feels the man getting out of bed.

'I'm fine.' Wonho speaks weakly, voice still a bit shaky. 'Go back to sleep.'

#####

The unfamiliar absence of warmth on his left makes Minwoo open his eyes completely. It is only 5 a.m. but Wonho is gone. Getting out of bed, the alpha slowly makes his way towards the living room. There, seated on the dining table with his knees up to his chest is the missing male. 'What are you doing this early?'

'Can't sleep,' Minwoo takes a seat beside Wonho, somehow a bit concerned. He smells coffee -  Wonho is trying to stay awake. Something is not right. 

'Come on,' He pulls the other back to the bedroom and releases his pheromones to embrace his omega to sleep.

#####

'Wonho? What's wrong?' Minwoo throws his bag on the floor the moment he enters the door and rushes towards his cocooned omega. 

Wonho hasn't been sleeping for a while and now he is on the floor having a breakdown. Since Wonho came back from France, this is Minwoo's first time seeing his mate like this. Grabbing a hand which causes the man to go berserk, the alpha intensifies his pheromones and hugs the distressed male. 

It has been a while since he had to do this. Though he should be thankful he didn't have to do it, he can't help but feel a bit nostalgic.

'You okay now?' Wonho's tight hug on his waist tells him he needs more time. 'You had those nightmares again?' A nod. 'Every night?'

'Since we left the doctor's…' Minwoo frowns. Why?

'Minwoo? The doctor, she really said I made you knot? C-cus I want babies?' Wonho asks between his sobs and the other sighs inwardly. 

So, Dr. Kim didn't say that. But Minwoo lied in hope to influence Wonho into believing that he wants babies too. Right now. Because the alpha didn't want to be the only one who does. Besides, every omegas he knows are the ones who want children first in their respective relationships. Why is his omega so different from everyone? Why does Wonho want to wait for a child?

Also, that was a white lie. How is that related to his nightmares? 'I-'

'I didn't, I-I… that night, I didn't,' Minwoo frowns at the stutter. He can feel something really bad is about to happen. Wonho stopped talking about that night a long time ago.

'They knotted.' Minwoo curses to himself. He forgot. 'I didn't want babies! I swear!! Minwoo!'

Fuck he just got goosebumps on the back of his neck. That is a really messed up thought. 'It's not my fault, right?'

'Hey,' He tries to calm him omega with no avail.

'Owh no… Something's wrong with me!!! I made the-'

'Wonho!' Minwoo bumps their heads together, holding the omega close. He doesn't want to hear anymore of that twisted thought. He can imagine how traumatizing it is for his omega. No wonder he can't sleep, heck, just hearing about it made his heart beat violently out of anger. How the hell did he manage to forget about the knots when he pulled one out of his omega right before he claimed Wonho the first time?? 'I didn't call them to breed!!!'

'Shut up!' He growls, finally exerting his authority. He knows Wonho hates it, but he has to stop the man from thinking about it any further. Because that is not what happened. He fucking lied about it without thinking about how his words can affect Wonho. Him and his careless mouth, screwing things up again. 'Shit. Wonie, I'm sorry. I lied. Okay? The doctor never said you wanted it.'

'Wh-what?' Wonho stares at him, puzzled.

'I want you to want it too.' The alpha looks into those eyes - a look of relief mixed with betrayal, 'I lied because I'm kinda embarrassed. I have a problem. I know.'

'W-why?'

'Cus she said I knot because I'm desperate.' He finally releases his hold when he realizes Wonho stopped shaking. His eyes are still watery but Minwoo can see him light up a bit. Maybe Wonho is quick to accept the idea that he was not responsible for his own attack and feels at ease, or maybe he is just reacting to the word 'desperate'. Because Wonho secretly loves it when people call Minwoo silly names. It was one of his guilty pleasures, one that Minwoo finds adorable as he only enjoys it alone in secret. His bet is on the latter as he knows Wonho too well to know that the man needs time to digest the new fact. In fact, he may need to see a therapist to get rid of the traumatizing thoughts. For now, Minwoo will have to distract the man away from his concern. 'I think her exact words were 'you like him too much' but I'm sure she's just being polite. She basically said I knot 'cus I'm obsessed with you.'

'So… it's not me…?' Wonho is finally calm enough to ask after a few minutes of silence. His voice is higher than a few moments ago; hopeful. The alpha gives him an apologetic smile and bobs his head in agreement. 'You just knot 'cus you're a creepy alpha?'

'Creepy?'

'A pervert.'

'Hey-'

'I hate you!' The push on his chest triggers Minwoo who responds by a playful shake of his body, pushing the smaller omega down until they are both on the carpet; Wonho struggling to break free. Continuing his attack with a light tickle to make sure his beautiful lover no longer feels depressed and blames himself for the attack, the alpha utters, 'Those jerks are creepy perverts. I, am an obsessive lover. Who promised to protect you from those desperate alphas. You're safe with me.'

No answer. Wonho is still upset.

'…or, if you have a problem with that, you can give me something else to obsess over.' He winks at his annoyed omega. Having a mini Wonho around will be so adorable he bet his kid can steal most of his attention from this being in front of him.

'Or I should run away right now.' Wonho responds.

'Is that a threat? That's a threat. I'm threatened. I should knot more and make babies.'

'As if you can knot more you freak! Why the hell am I still with you? You're a bad mate. You made me remember those jerks.' Wonho murmurs. Minwoo knows he is genuinely mad about it, no doubt he feels guilty. He made Wonho recall his attack after god knows how long. He needs to take responsibility for what will happen in the next few days until Wonho's mental trauma calms down. 

'Asshole.' Wonho curses again, showing his agitation.

'But I'm hot.' Minwoo smirked at the frowny face. He knows Wonho hates it when he says narcissistic things, which is why he said it. 'Also, I like you too much to hurt you so...'

'I hate you.' Wonho huffs, ready to push the alpha back.

'I know.' He totally deserves the hate. Pecking those soft lips, he whispers, 'I'm sorry.'

'Unh.' The omega grunts, still angry.

'...but if we make babies we can go fo-Ahkk!!' Minwoo's head is pushed away as far as possible.