The Claimed Omega

'Wonho… Remember not to see any of your alpha or omegas friends fo-'

'-at least two days or they'll know we were together and they'll kill you. Okay.' Wonho finishes his sentence, staring bemusedly at Minwoo. The latter has been repeating the same thing over and over again since yesterday, making sure he remembers so their time together won't be exposed, as per Wonho's own request. According to the guidebook, since they slept together, their scents linger around each other for a while. Most alphas' scents only last for a day but Minwoo's a noble so his lasts longer. 'Minwoo?'

'Yeah?'

'Is our scent lingering the same as bonding?' Minwoo almost bursts out laughing before noticing the genuine confused look on the other. 'Nope. Urm, how do I explain this… for bonding, you'll feel like the other's mate is always nearby but our scents mixing after sex is just like… hrmm… you wearing my shirt?'

Minwoo stares at Wonho, who shakes his head, 'It's like saying you have boyfriend, so back off.'

'Your shirt on me would look like my own shirt.'

'You don't get the poin-'

'Your metaphor sucks. You suck.'

'Yah! I never have to explain something like that to someone!' 

'Buh-bye.' Ignoring the excited alpha, Wonho waves to the other, grabbing the knob to exit but is pulled into a hug. 'Hey. I've been mentally exhausted these pass few days.'

'And?'

'You should take responsibility for my deteriorating mental health.'

Freeing himself from the bear hug, Wonho knocks the giant's head lightly. 'I thought you liked me redecorating your house. Okay then, don't miss me too much. I'm going now.' He notices the smirk and again, waves at the alpha. Making his way towards the elevator, Wonho glances back one last time to see Minwoo still waiting in front of the door. 

He truly enjoyed his time with Minwoo. The man didn't hold anything back at all. Though he hates being screamed at, it is somewhat a breath of fresh air when Minwoo scolded him to snap him out of his hysteric attacks.

Wonho might went crazy here a few times, but around the alpha, he somehow feels a sense of security. He feels safe knowing someone would pull him back from his nightmare by any means possible, including forcing him to think logically. Except for Haneul who stopped halfway when Wonho fought back, everyone else only try to talk to calm him whenever he feels like losing his mind. Though that sometimes does help, he would always end up feeling like a burden when it is over. He doesn't want to compare them, nor blame them though, because he knows they don't want to risk hurting him. Because they still feel guilty for the night, for leaving him alone.

On the other hand, Minwoo plainly showed how agitated he was about his random outbursts, but he never left not treat Wonho any different. Obviously he only did that because he has no responsibility to care for him or his feelings, but weirdly that made Wonho comfortable; knowing that someone would always be there beside him, even when he couldn't hold everything together, even when he clearly drove the other crazy. Despite not having to.

Minwoo really is a great guy. 

He is really thankful he stumbled upon Minwoo that day.

#####

Humming his favourite song while resting his head on the headrest, looking out at the street, Wonho closes his eyes. It has been a while since he last rides the bus back to campus. Since that night, he never ventures out of his university alone. In fact, the only reason he would go out to the city is to see his therapist, and even then, Haneul would drive him to and from. 

Taking advantage of being under the protection of Minwoo's lingering scent, Wonho decides to challenge himself by riding the bus instead of the more expensive taxi. It can be another step to building his self-confidence. And he has to admit, the long ride back really gives him some kind of tranquility. Since there are very few people inside, that is.

Wonho looks around him, observing other passengers, something he liked to do back then. There is a really old lady with her big hat, a rebellious-looking teenager who keeps singing some unknown song while headbanging lightly, a sweet little kid with huge glasses looking back at him with a grumpy look…

This view too, has been a while. Almost a year to be exact.

He has been too bitter and scared to lift his head up in public places, afraid that they know what happened just by looking despite it being impossible. Which is all the more reason he feels really accomplished today. 

Wonho smiles at the kid, waving to her despite her deep frown as she is dragged out by her mother. He tries to close his eyes but sits back up when he realizes something.

This scent. He smelled this before.

Turning around quickly, Wonho almost lost his mind when he sees a familiar alpha. The man was there that night. He didn't remember what the man did, whether he is one of those who attacked him, beat him or the ones watching but he was there. In fact, he had been close enough for Wonho to recognize his scent.

Owh no.

The man is staring back at him. There is a look of recognition.

Feeling sick to his stomach and trying hard not to throw up, Wonho presses the stop button as quickly as he can. He needs to get out. He doesn't want to be in the bus anymore. He needs to get away. Away from the alphas. Why isn't the bus stopping??

'Kid, stop pressing the button!' Wonho flinches at the command, afraid to look at the owner of the voice. He can feel his whole body shaking as his breaths get shorter. He doesn't want to have a breakdown now. Not in front of his attacker.

Closing his eyes to try to distract himself, he hears the door opens and rushes out the bus, almost forgetting to pay. He runs a few steps towards the nearest traffic light before stopping to catch his breath. 

Shit. The scent is still there. The man's scent is getting stronger!

He cannot cross the street. There are too many cars. He should go straight ahead.

Shit. He cannot move his legs anymore! They are shaking violently.

The man is right behind him.

Wonho holds his breath, waiting for the pain to come but it never did. The scent becomes weaker, moreover at a pace quicker than it was stronger. Daring to lift his head, he sees the man holding groceries, rushing somewhere. Running away from him.

Waiting anxiously until the alpha is out of sight, plus a few more minutes until his legs would cooperate, Wonho stops a blue taxi. To hell with building confidence. He just wants to lock himself in his room and wrap himself in the blanket. 

He should never have taken the bus.