Juhyeok used to think promises were stupid, which was ironic because he was the one who made one first. When they were kids, he and Su-ah swore they would stay together forever, even joked about getting married. Back then it felt easy.

Then their secondary genders presented and everything got messed up. Juhyeok became an Omega ++, rare and constantly judged. Su-ah became an Alpha ++, overwhelming and impossible to ignore. Juhyeok pulled away first, acting cold like he didn’t care, even though Su-ah was the only person who ever made him feel safe.

Years later, Juhyeok was on the edge of winning Olympic gold, and the only person who could actually help him get there was Su-ah. Showing up at his door again felt like swallowing glass.

“I need your help,” Juhyeok muttered.

Su-ah looked at him for a long second, hurt obvious even if he tried to hide it. “Of course you do.”

Juhyeok clenched his jaw. “And… I’m sorry.”

That was enough. Not forgiven, not fully, but enough.

Su-ah let him in with one condition. “We’re actually dating this time. No more using me and leaving.”

Juhyeok hated it, but he needed him. “Fine.”

Training together brought everything back. The tension, the history, the way Juhyeok’s body reacted to Su-ah like it had been waiting for him this whole time. It got worse during his heat cycles. Three weeks without Su-ah’s scent and he couldn’t function. He had tried replacing him once with another Alpha, but it only made things worse.

One night, everything snapped.

They were in the shower, steam thick, Su-ah’s scent wrapping around him. Juhyeok was already struggling when Su-ah noticed the marks on his body.

“Who did that to you?” Su-ah asked, voice low.

“Not your business,” Juhyeok shot back.

That was the wrong answer.

Su-ah lost control. His scent turned sharp and possessive, and he grabbed Juhyeok like he was something that could be taken away. Juhyeok tried to push him off, cursing, telling him to slow down, but Su-ah wasn’t listening. Years of anger and jealousy hit all at once, and he went too far.

Juhyeok blacked out.

The next morning, everything hurt.

“What the hell is wrong with you,” Juhyeok snapped, furious.

Su-ah looked wrecked, guilt written all over his face. “I lost control. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t get to do that again,” Juhyeok said coldly.

“I won’t,” Su-ah said immediately. “I swear.”

Silence sat between them, heavy but not empty.

“…We’re still dating,” Su-ah added, quieter.

Juhyeok rolled his eyes, annoyed, exhausted, still pissed. But he didn’t leave.

“…Yeah,” he muttered. “Whatever.”