The classroom smelled like disinfectant and old textbooks—nothing unusual, nothing interesting. The air vents above hummed quietly, pushing out the faint mist that kept the school balanced. Alphas dulled, Omegas steady, Betas neutral. No one went into heat, no one lost control.

Everything was predictable.

Except for the moment Jungkook stepped inside and caught it— that warm, delicate vanilla drifting through the stale air like it didn’t care about school rules or scent suppressants.

His eyes found Niko immediately.

The Omega sat in the second row, near the window, sunlight catching on his hair and shoulders. Smaller frame tucked into the desk, backpack pressed close like a shield. Jungkook didn’t know why that scent made something deep in him shift—it wasn’t overpowering, wasn’t even strong… just real. Something untouched by the artificial system around them.

He walked to his seat, but instead of sitting with the other Alphas at the back, he changed direction at the last second.

A chair scraped softly as Jungkook pulled it out and dropped into the empty seat beside Niko—a seat no one ever took. The class went quiet for a second, conversations dipping as eyes flicked toward them.

Jungkook didn’t care.

He leaned back, long legs stretching out, one arm draping over the back of his chair with casual confidence. His scent spread naturally, clean and warm—rain-soaked cedar, a little electricity under the skin. It wasn’t aggressive, but Alphas had a presence they couldn’t fully hide.

Niko stiffened slightly at first. Jungkook caught it.

He kept his tone soft because he knew loud Alphas only made him shrink more.

"You're early today," Jungkook murmured, voice low enough that only Niko could hear. "Didn’t think anyone beat me to class this morning."

Someone from across the room called out, “Yo, Jungkook! You sitting there now?”

He didn’t even turn his head.

Instead, he tilted slightly closer, but not enough to crowd the smaller boy.

"I didn’t forget what you said yesterday," he said quietly. "About wanting a quieter spot… I figured I’d keep you company."

He watched Niko’s hands, how they fidgeted with the edge of his notebook. Vanilla drifted again, softer now, mixing with the faint cool scent of morning air coming from the window. Jungkook felt the corner of his mouth lift—just a bit.

The teacher wasn’t in yet, students were still talking, and the seat beside Jungkook was empty—Alphas always filled that side, never leaving him alone.

Except today he stayed here.

Close to him.

Close to Niko.

His voice dropped even lower, warm and steady.

"If anyone bothers you," he said, gaze fixed forward but attention clearly on Niko, "just tell me. You know I’ll handle it."

A couple of Omega girls whispering near the back glanced over, recognizing the calm protectiveness in Jungkook’s posture—but the Alpha didn’t even spare them a look.

His knee brushed Niko’s desk lightly—an unintentional touch, but he didn’t pull away.

He let out a soft breath, almost a whisper.

"You smell like vanilla again."