solarium

@na jaemin []told you i may end up replying this quickly, but pls don't ever rush!

"careful jaem, you sound as if you miss me calling you ugly, and i just might use that to my advantage," the older woman taunts, a flicker of a smirk playing on her couplets as darkened orbs find his and she nods her head slowly. she doesn't know if it's from the scenting or something else - maybe their sole base connection of being in the same pack prior. being around each other a lot, even knowing that she wanted to bash his head into a wall one too many times and he probably felt the same - she felt overly protective of the omega and naeun has to stifle the growl of annoyance at the idea of having the younger work so hard due to spilled food. "ing stupid is what, maybe they were all kind and fine about it, as they should. they can't blame you for their bull. if they're clumsy it's on them," rolling her eyes once, nostrils flare, the woman's grip tightens around his shoulder and she clears , feeling a dreadful sense of awkwardness slithering down her spine once more.

it causes the alpha to shudder even if she's far from feeling a single semblance of coldness in her veins. leading jaemin over to where she parked her car, she stops short, opening up the doors with the keypad in her hand, the beep shrilly sounding in the still air between them and she turns to face jaemin with a quirked brow. "i told you the scent would help, if someone did something i would've been there either way, they'd be dumb to try." pausing momentarily as she walks him over to the passenger side, naeun belatedly wonders just who's the male in this situation - she feels like a gentleman escorting their date back to their car and being cheesily romantic as he opens the door for them. naeun does the same before humming under her breath and shrugging a bit.

"could care less about that 'date' wasn't necessarily an actual date idiot," her wording may have seemed harsh, but her voice shows that she's just teasing him for being a little dumb in the head at times, something naeun always loved pointing out when they were younger. she liked to call jaemin a himbo at times, but this moment was all the same as well, "weren't you thinking that i'm going with anything that comes my way love? isn't that what it was like to you?" her body crowded his- even with her shorter stature, she's a bit ticked off by being hit like that with his blunt, harsh, albeit truthful words and it did hit her pride that jaemin saw her like that. naeun won't admit it, but the alpha wonders if the omega even respects her whatsoever and this aggravates her a bit, maybe it's his scent ing with her head too but she can't stop glancing at his scent gland with darkening eyes as she pulls herself back with a soft huff.

"you're so annoying, get in the car, he wasn't a date, just a stupid client, got jealous i had you all over me, happy? i told him off and left, you're my priority now get in," she muttered lowly, shoving his lower back gently and moving over to the driver's side and slipping into the warmth of her car and starting it up as she waited for the omega to do the same. knowing her protective instincts would kick in once more and probably even nag him to put on his seatbelt if he forgot or just do it for him in the end. all these thoughts and feelings are foreign to naeun - since she never once felt this protective for the younger, maybe she had to an extent, she would've killed anyone who hurt him - she can hurt him but no one else can. but this - this was different and it scares naeun all the same. she feels vulnerable.

@son naeun ✹ He nearly jumps when he feels a weight settle on his shoulders before that familiar scent greets him. It's Naeun. The coat is warm and Jaemin is cold enough to not protest as he tugs it closer and turns to face the alpha. She looks unphased at the chill, and he might be a little envious of it - just a bit.

"Ugly boy?" he repeats, brows furrowing. "You haven't called me that since I was a kid." Well, a "kid" being about 15-18 years old, but still. It's been a long time since he's heard it from Naeun. Jaemin won't admit it, but it's almost kind of nice in its familiarity. "Yeah, I'm ready." He ducks his head when Naeun wraps an arm around his shoulders, forcing him into her side. It's an awkward angle but he knows better than to say anything about it, and it's honestly not that bad. Definitely warmer than if he was standing beside himself. He lets her guide them toward wherever they're going, since he doesn't know the way to the place Naeun is staying at now.

"Oh, so you admit to bullying me?" he ribs, a small smile making itself known on his face. Jaemin shrugs, keeping up with Naeun's pace just fine since he's still the one with the longer legs. "My shift was fine. One of the guests spilled an entire plate of food at one point, but it was easy to clean up, and they were at least sorry. Um, and your scent did help. No one tried to approach me for the rest of the night." Jaemin wonders if he sounds pretentious. He's not some desirable omega that's constantly being approached by others, but it's happened often enough at events where people are mingling and alcohol is involved, so it was genuinely nice not to have to worry about it this evening. "What about your night?" he asks. "I didn't see you walk out with your date."

@na jaemin the dark snicker that emits from the curled sneer that's playing prettily on naeun's alabaster features wouldn't rest as she looked at the alpha male, knowing fully well she can take him out with a snap of her wrist, one punch to his ing ugly face and he would be out like a light. however, she reels in that anger as her proud features lit up and she decided to shoot a text to her boss, calling it quits for the night - if she doesn't get paid, so be it. she has enough money anyways, and she doesn't need such a prick giving her any cash, especially when he ain't worth it. she tugs out the device in front of the haughty male, eyes glaring at his features as she presses 'send', once it's done, she gives a single nod to him and even does a curtsy to piss him off further with a small smirk playing on her pink couplets.

"my work here is done," with that, not wishing to start a stupid fight in solarium, naeun walked off in hopes of finding jaemin, which frankly wasn't even hard. she looked on as he worked from time to time, sipping on margaritas to kill time. if the younger male felt her eyes on him during the night - he didn't show much of a reaction, which frankly, eased naeun's mind a lot. after all, she's still worried for the younger omega.

--

as time passed and it was time to meet the other, she walked out quickly, ignoring any on-lookers, knowing it could be the stupid alpha from earlier, she ignored all of that, knowing if he was to outrightly attack her, he would indeed breach the contract he signed when taking her up as his for the night. walking out and looking at the male, she quirks an amused brow when he tries to warm up - being an alpha, her body is insanely hot all the time, maybe it's different for omegas, she never bothered to ask, perhaps jaemin being here now would teach her a thing or two.

with that, the woman shrugs off her coat and instantly slides it around his smaller shoulders, treating him like a kid all over again, or like her omega - the thought has her feeling awkwardly embarrassed, her cheeks are a tad flushed but she blames it on the chilled wind that keeps beating across her colored features. "hey ugly boy, ready to go?" her tone - casual and soft, an arm briefly moving to wrap around his shoulder, even if he's taller, she yanks him into her side effortlessly, it's kind of amusing that the older woman can still manhandle the alpha- turned omega boy. she snickers under her breath at the thought and shakes her a bit.

"you're still so bully-able," her words are snide and taunting, eyes lighting up with a form of childishness - something she never, ever shows, fearing to wear her heart on the sleeve and have people taking great advantage of her all over again. cold walls have been built and she focused on simply being the ruthless alpha she built herself into. with those thoughts lingering in her mind, she starts walking out from the back alley with the male, reaching into her pocket to call the uber she arrived here with. "the car may take a couple of minutes, but we can just walk slow, how was your shift? did my scent help?" she questions curiously, albeit her tone being a bit emotionless, not wanting to show just how interested she is in the younger's life.

@son naeun ✹ ‘You’re still annoying, and you’re welcome.’

Just a few words with a minor insult is enough to make Jaemin feel marginally normal again. It’s the kind of thing he expects from Naeun, and while in the past he would have insulted her right back, this time it just makes him (almost) smile. He squeezes her hand back without looking in her direction because that would just be embarrassing on top of his already horrendous behavior this evening. And then she’s shoving him towards the door and whatever little moment they were having evaporates.

It’s fine. Jaemin will be fine. He always is.

“You too,” he starts to say to Naeun, but the door is already closed before he can finish, the sound of her heels clicking on the tiles muffled and fading. Jaemin sighs. He waits a few more minutes before leaving the bathroom himself, hurrying back to the kitchen as quick as he can. He was definitely gone for longer than five minutes and he apologizes when he sees Dahyun again. Jaemin is ready to get straight into work but Dahyun grips him by the sleeve and pulls him to an alcove between the kitchen and the washroom.

“Jaemin,” she hisses lowly, hands fluttering over his shoulders as if she’s afraid to touch him. She looks around to make sure no one else is paying attention and leans in, “Jaemin. Are you… okay?”

“Am I…? Oh,” Jaemin realizes what she means after a few seconds, looking around as well before gently pushing her further into the alcove. “No, I mean, yes, I’m fine. It’s not what you think.”

“You reek of alpha! Jaemin, I know you don’t do hook-ups, and when you do it’s never with-”

“Listen, I know,” Jaemin says, and he holds Dahyun’s hands in his. He’s lucky to have someone who’s honestly not even a close friend, but a mutual friend, and yet still cares enough to check up on him when he disappears and comes back smelling like nearly-claimed omega. “It looks- smells bad, but I promise, nothing happened. At least nothing that you’re thinking of. If it did, I would tell you. Omegas stick together, right?”

Dahyun nods, and though she still doesn’t seem fully convinced, she seems to be willing to drop it for now.

“Okay. Just, be more careful, alright?”

Jaemin nods and promises he will.

The rest of the night after that passes in a bit of a blur. Jaemin is just trying his best to finish his shift without any other incidents. He swears he can feel a pair of eyes on him as he’s walking around the floor, and he can’t tell if it’s Naeun or perhaps the guy she’s here with smelling her on him. Either way Jaemin is /not/ getting involved with anyone else tonight, and as soon as they’ve cleaned everything up after the event is over he books it out the back door, just barely saying a quick good night to Dahyun on his way out.

It’s a little chilly outside and Jaemin wraps his suit jacket tighter around him, cupping his hands and blowing hot air into them while he waits for Naeun.

@na jaemin Whiplashes of pain, suffering, the anguish that Jaemin has felt over the years, and Naeun standing there and looking on with cold, brooding eyes. Not to mention that when he left with welts lining his back and that expression dwindled from and confident, to low and broken — she was there to see it all. Not every single time, no. Whenever she was away on business and came back, someone in their pack always rushed to give Naeun the details of what she missed while away. She always asked them to tell her, make it known what happened when she had to leave the poor alpha with his horrendous father. Jaemin's attitude would never be fixed back then, no matter how many beatings his father gave nor how many strict scoldings he may get from a heartless Naeun. Maybe it's why he turned out the way he is — being cocky and confident and simply a royal pain in the — a ty alpha male that's merely a dickhead!

Definitely, it isn't something that Naeun is proud of or was proud of in the past when looking back at the struggling boy. As her face and neck feel the close comfort of his nose, nudging in and lips speaking against her alabaster flesh, she also belatedly recalls the light and defeated way he mentioned, "Ah, you're right noona," to her. The alpha woman may stay quiet and seem like she doesn't pay attention but Naeun is a very observant woman and it shows as a hand grasps his hair and lovingly toys with the nape of hair, fluffy at the back of his head as she breathes him in and exhales herself out. Making sure that enough of her scent was slathered over him that when he walked out of the bathrooms, he'd be dripping in chocolate and spice.

"You're doing great Jaems... just like that," she whispers, cajoling, kind, and soft, so unlike the way she usually is. Maybe it's her alpha instincts to protect an omega after all, she couldn't help but emit a soft groan of approval of having his face buried where she's most sensitive. Baring her neck for someone is a sign of trust and she clearly trusted Jaemin enough to not pull any stupid stunts and hurt her by biting her scent glands in any way out of mere wickedness or spitefulness.

With one last satisfying inhale and a part of her lips emits a deep breath, a puff of air flowing out in the still air— Naeun maneuvers herself slightly to face Jaemin fully. Her own eyes ran around the bathroom as if awkward but realistically speaking, she was just embarrassed due to knowing that he must have felt her alpha purring at the feeling of an omega scenting her and having his scent so close. Having him needy for comfort and protection, gave rise to her alpha and her ego and she didn't dare utter that it bothered her so much that deep down she wished that they were home and she could have him close to her as such.

The thought alone grosses her out and her stomach churns as she gags inwardly, "You're still annoying and you're welcome," she huffs out, snapping her words out at the pink-haired male and rolling her eyes once as she reaches out to squeeze his hand. Sometimes she's so sure that her cold and hot emotions towards people would get her into so much trouble because how can someone render an alpha dumb and speechless? Added to the fact that it's an idiotic kid she hates the majority of the time?

It's a mystery to her and not one she's all eager to find out as her hand squeezes his once, rubbing the back with her thumb and then shoving him towards the door, albeit roughly. Yeah, Naeun doesn't do affection and especially with Jaemin, it's quite challenging due to feeling embarrassed and somewhat shy to show her more vulnerable side. Even if she's not an omega, sometimes her alpha craves that bit of affection — or maybe it's just Naeun, since she has always been cold and ruthless. Never caring to get close enough to another body that isn't for just messing around in the sheets.

"Good luck with work and I'll see you later, keep your head down idiot." Muttering lowly, the woman gives his lower back a gentle pat and she walks out of the bathrooms, knowing she took far too long and glancing around the area with a deep sigh. She inches her face down to sniff her clothing and the omega's thick scent encompasses any lingering scent of vanilla fields that are laced in perfume and her chocolate and spice has simmered down dynamically.

"Guess, that alpha wouldn't be too pleased..." Either she walks back over to her *date* and risk the snarky comments from Jaemin after when his words come to shine bright because indeed, she's hanging off some 's arm to leech him out for money. But it's her job— her job that took her places and he doesn't know she's an aspiring author, making it big with her brains either does he?

Why does she even care what that fool thinks? Rolling her eyes after her inner conflict, with confident steps and a head held high, Naeun approaches the man once more and slips an arm around his as she sees his nose crinkling and it only arouses a chuckle. "Sorry love, I got a little distracted, pretty omega and all, couldn't be helped, do you wish to get a drink maybe? Something to eat?" Hopefully, her charms and flirtatious tendencies as her slender hand comes up to rub at the man's chest and his ego a bit, eyes fluttering and lips coyly smiling in his direction — would simply deter him from making a bad review on her and jeopardizing her job.

One can hope. If Naeun was trying to peek around in between and spot the pink head she was with prior, the other male didn't say much, simply clenched his jaw and insulted her, "Couldn't keep it in your pants for a second huh? See a pretty omega and instantly want to rut. Such a ."

@son naeun ✹ The kiss to his forehead is unexpected and causes Jaemin to shiver. , is he really that starved for affection? It doesn’t make sense. He has plenty of close friends now, to the point that it might be considered a found family lover's wet dream. (But, the traitorous part of him says, they don’t know you like Naeun does.)

Jaemin can’t articulate his fears on the matter of his father, at least not right now. He knows it’s irrational to ask Naeun not to tell him. If anyone hated his father just as much as he did - if not more - it was Son Naeun. She saw the worst of his father that he allowed the public to see, and in the rare moments that a younger Jaemin allowed himself to show what he perceived as weakness, she saw the darker, more hidden parts of his father as well. In the bruises on Jaemin’s arms and back, in the way Jaemin would just barely hide the tremble in his hands whenever his father was nearby. The thought of her being privy to all of this is both humiliating and comforting; like when you’re ashamed of something and you don’t want anyone to know, but at the same time it’s a weight off your shoulders when they eventually find out.

‘Chin up! … I’m the one you’re going to be dealing with, not him.’

“Ah, you’re right, noona,” he says, laughing a little, a hint of something melancholy in it. Naeun wasn’t going to let him go now that she’s seen him, and in some twisted way it feels like affection. It probably is when it comes from the alpha.

Similar to the forehead kiss Jaemin isn’t expecting it when he suddenly feels arms wrap around his waist. He squeaks in surprise (though he would deny ever making such a sound) freezing momentarily. He doesn’t know what to do with his arms, flushing from the tips of his ears to the base of his neck. The scenting is awkward because it’s Naeun, the same alpha that used to hit him in the back of the head when he was being a and also the closest thing he’s ever had to an older sister; it’s awkward because this isn’t something the two of them do. Maybe others, but not Naeun and Jaemin, Jaemin and Naeun. Or maybe it’s something they do now? Now that everything is different? Jaemin doesn’t know what to think, letting his body run on autopilot and return the embrace just as Naeun said to.

He buries his face in the crook of her neck and breathes in the scent of chocolate and spice. Jaemin can’t hold back the soft, almost wounded noise in the back of his throat as he wraps his arms tighter, as if to bring her closer when it’s physically impossible to do so. Her scent is soothing, as strange as it is to compare such a feeling to Naeun, but it’s doing wonders to calm his nerves and make him feel safe. Safe - that’s all he’s ever wanted. “I’m not stupid, noona,” he finally says, quiet and subdued against her neck. “I’d crush an alpha’s hand if they even tried to touch me.” It’s just that since he’s covering tonight he doesn’t want to risk getting his friend fired if such an incident occurred. If it was his own job, well, that would be a different story entirely.

After what feels like ages - it could have been seconds or minutes, Jaemin doesn’t know - the omega finally pulls away, though reluctantly. He can tell that he smells more like Naeun than himself now, and it helps to put him at ease, even if temporarily. The embarrassed flush is still prominent on his cheeks, realizing now that Naeun smells like him too, and if he wasn’t so emotionally drained he would be fake vomiting about it just to irritate her.

It would have been like pulling out every one of his teeth for him to say this before, but now the words come almost easy to him when he says, “Thank you.” Jaemin stands awkwardly, shuffling on his feet for a beat, then two, before saying, “I should get back to work now. I’ll see you… later?”

@na jaemin Petulant! A brat! Naeun could think about a lot of other colorful words that she'd rather call the dumb alp— omega. Looking at the male, she cannot help but roll her eyes as her teeth grit and she snips out annoyed, "And if you're a fool who doesn't see that it isn't MY fault and I'm not the one to blame then I guess you're more stupid than I thought."

Huffing out a deep breath, the alpha really wanted to throttle the out of this stupid fool, her eyes slightly widened when the heated contact come in touch with her gentle palm. She wasn't mean and didn't dare sink her freshly manicured nails into his fair flesh. His face looks gaunt and dreary enough as it is, causing her heart to sink down her stomach in quick succession after seeing just how much Jaemin has changed over the years and it's not to something positive— at least not in her eyes. Minus the mild attitude going down a notch due to knowing his place but now he must just feel like he's some pretty prey stuck in a corner with nowhere to go and no way to breathe.

She couldn't help but give his cheek a rather harsh pat, call it her way of being affectionate, her fingers gliding lower to grip his pointed chin and she leaned over to press a fleeting kiss to his forehead. Lips warm and soothing to the touch she's sure — not entirely sure when last the poor male has had any form of physical contact to be comforted. Omegas are highly needy of these, especially during the heats and if they choose to *nest* during these periods. Looking at the daunting male before her, the alpha woman can't help but wonder if Jaemin has those qualities and tendencies as well. Something about this secondary gender shift makes her mind boggle over so many questions and curious instances. Wanting to probably see how he is during the times when he's acting like a proper omega. Does he have alpha instincts left intact like he does when he's fighting with Naeun - snapping and just being an annoying brat? Maybe pushing anyone close to him away in favor of sticking to himself, wracked with guilt and shame.

Emotions are coiling in her stomach in return FOR the younger as she listens to him begging, pleading with her, voice rushed and quaky, and upon listening closer, she can tell the organ in his chest is scurrying like the speed of light in fear, worry and danger. She wouldn't dare hurt Jaemin like that, maybe by fighting him on her own and biting him and keeping him in his place where he belongs. Always have belonged — beneath her. Naeun never saw Jaemin as some big, bad alpha, she usually saw him in this same light, so there wasn't much of a difference in her soft, golden eyes. She always saw him as someone beneath her that's merely an indignant and cocky spoiled kid, who never knew the true walks of life. And when that walk of life hit him square in the face, she was eager to see him during that bump in the road, how hard it'll slap him back as he tumbles and she'd jovially laugh in his face with an, "I told you so," tremoring from the tip of her tongue.

Yet, as she sees the severity of his idiotic choices, only anger plays in her emotions. Anger at him, his ed up father who clearly only cares about status, power, and looking good to the public than loving and protecting his son — and to that useless alpha who hurt her Jaemin, to begin with. Even if the dumb asked for it, maybe begged for it. The thought causes distaste to rise in , the bitter feeling of dismay lingers on her taste Buds and she breathes out finally.

"You're a fool if you think I would let your father know and deal with you when I wish to do that. Don't be afraid and don't beg and plead like some ing Jaemin. Chin up! Stand up for your damn self, defend yourself, I'm the one you're going to be dealing with, not him." Her icy glare was full of promises of humiliation and punishment clearly to come because after all, how can Naeun show him love? Wouldn't it be tough love? The one and very same that she had shown him over the years and the omega still refused. Shaking her head she moves to gather herself better, her scent already rubbed off on the younger, hopefully, it'll be bound to keep the leeching alphas off of him if they choose to corner him. He would give off the impression that he's *presumptively occupied*. With one last look in the mirror, she smells the lingering candied lemon on her skin and she moves back before looking at his back and then she moves closer and winds an arm around his waist to brush her nose into his crook. Intimate. She knows and it feels ing awkward! But deep down she's doing it because she cares, she's worried and she'd be damned if some tries laying a land on him again.

"Just relax and keep your head down and don't go close to any of those alphas in here. Work or not. Just be careful and be wary, people are high in status but when they see *help* such as yourself you know damn well they see a body to use for the night. And don't you dare get your stupid self back in a position like that, you hear me?" Her words are low and gritted out into a snarl against his neck as she brushes her nose up against his scent glands and her tiny frame glides to his front. Hands resting loosely on his hips as she tips her head to the side, baring it for him as she grunts out. "Take a whiff, bury your face in, and scent me back, I left enough of my pheromones on you, get to working on keeping some of me on you too so they stay the hell away."

Her eyes find the lights above, thinking they look rather pretty, anything else to focus on than the fact that she's willingly baring her neck for some omega to scent her and take a piece of her away with them like they're oh privileged for that. Please, they ought to work harder for that! Jaemin nonetheless, the idiotic child she despises but this alone can show just how protective she is of him and she belatedly thinks, *if this doesn't show you that I love you then you, clearly your brain flew out the window as well when you got ed.*

"Come on you idiot, I don't have all night nor do you."

@son naeun ✹ “Don’t act like it’s entirely my fault when you’re just as much to blame.” Jaemin seethes. Everything he bottled up related to Naeun is bubbling just under his skin, pressure building and wanting to be let out. There’s a boy in him that wants to rage and scream at how unfair she’s being. There’s him as he is now, far more grown than he was and willing to apologize for what he did. And the biggest part that he holds down with chains and locks, too scared to be so vulnerable in front of her, like a scared child, wants to ask: why didn’t you stay? Was I not enough for you? Why, why, why? “You left me in that //,” he accuses. He wants to believe her when she says she cares. Jaemin thinks that deep down he always knew, but acknowledging it when he was so terrible to her would have been too much for him to handle: the guilt. It was easier to pretend he didn’t see it, to act like they truly were at each other’s throats just for the hell of it and not because there was an actual bond there. “How was I supposed to know any of that when you never said any of it out loud? I'm not a mind reader - but sure I’m blind, and you’re mute then,” he says, all of the fight truly draining out of him now.

Jaemin lets Naeun do as she pleases, too tired at this point to make much more of a fuss. Of course, he’s irritated as she starts undoing all the work he’d finished earlier to make himself look presentable, but he also knows why she’s frantically ing his shirt like this. “It’s been gone for years,” he says when she finally gets his shirt open, revealing the unblemished expanse of his shoulder. There are two prominent bites closer to his back that are more or less hidden, but where there would have been a third one isn’t even a hint of discoloration or scar tissue. Zero evidence of the mark she'd left on him. Jaemin leans into her hand on his cheek almost unconsciously, trying not to enjoy the warmth too much. “I stopped feeling you just before- just before it happened.”

‘Where’s your alpha now? Why did he leave you alone?’

Jaemin wishes he knew the answers to those questions. He pretends he didn’t hear her ask.

“My father… I’m sure you can imagine his reaction,” Jaemin says, thinking back to the night his father found out and wincing. To be fair, Jaemin’s way of "telling" him did involve parading around his father’s birthday gala stinking of alpha scent and showing off the mating bite on his shoulder, still fresh and bloody. It’s hard to remember much more than that; Jaemin’s therapist calls it a trauma response, but he’s pretty sure he was just too delirious at the time to hold onto those memories.

When Naeun steps back, Jaemin takes the chance to once again cover himself up. There’s no getting out of this. Once the alpha sets her mind to something she’ll stop at nothing to get it. Jaemin makes a frustrated, defeated noise and fixes his shirt. “11PM,” he says, relenting to her demands. “Midnight at the latest. I might need to stay and help clean up.” He pauses, looking down at the floor and wishing he didn’t have to act so pathetic in front of her when he looks up and says, unable to keep the nervous tremble out of his voice, “Noona, you can’t tell anyone I’m here. Please. I don’t care if you have to make up some stupid story or- or whatever, but you can’t- He can’t-” Jaemin hasn’t seen his father the entire night. He doesn’t even know if the man is present at this event, and while he was only slightly concerned about it earlier, Jaemin can feel panic setting in at the thought of being found out. It would be humiliating to be caught by others from his past, but there's genuine fear in him at the thought of it being his father. “I’ll meet up with you, I’ll go home with you, I’ll do it, but /please/ don’t let him find out.”

@na jaemin If Naeun hadn't flinched and blanched so many times over, she would've done so yet again. It seems that Jaemin became a poisonous viper, snapping out and breaking her into so many pieces that she didn't know was possible. "Are you blaming ME, for your bratty behavior and leaving me in the end? It was YOU who walked away by pushing me away with nothing to do anymore. What else you wanted me to do when you're far too hard-headed and stubborn to listen and give a ? You think that I wasn't trying to prevent you from being in this position... not this necessarily because this is a whole new you, very surprising. To answer your stupidity about me being a so-called hypocrite. I treat OTHER omegas with respect because they deserve it." Pausing, the haughty woman looks him up and down with distaste showing clear in her features, fangs baring to showcase and lips smacking in a complete expression of annoyance.

Pink couplets form a thin line, eyes downcast before lashes flutter up to gaze into his brown orbs, her eyes softening just a smidgen as she expresses in a soft breath, "It's because of the likes of who you are. Who you've been, you're getting treated as deserved... since you treated everyone that way before, no? Like you're so high and mighty and you deserve everyone to bow the down for you? I think not sweetheart." She did hear the little whimper that emitted from his lips and it only caused her alpha to roar in a sense of accomplishment but Naeun herself felt guilty from the way that she made the omega before her react but it didn't stop her nor allowed her to remove her arms. Glancing at his shoulder, she belatedly wonders if *it* is still there.

Dark orbs flicker up to his features, ignoring his silly, petty jabs, after all, Jaemin has always been high-tempered and quite immature when he's arguing stupid, pointless things with the older woman, it has always been that way. Watching the younger grow up through the years — more times than not, she was rather disappointed yet, the affection she held for him was a bright flame, flickering in the wind and never fully extinguishing. All because, he reminded her of herself oh so much, her old self. A bit of her in the present as well. "I've always cared, you stupid fool. If you didn't see me caring and loving you then clearly you're blind." Shaking her head, she inches a hand around his waist, gliding it to his lower back knowing that it's jamming against the edge almost painfully. She gives it a little rub before gliding her hand in between and hoisting his frame against her before stepping back fully. Patting his clothed body and she moves back fully, letting him breathe. The scent that released from him from her rubbing his scent glands is enough to annoy her, and affect her— whether she wishes to admit it or not. Her nose crinkled a little, nostrils flaring out wide before shaking her head in dissatisfaction as her heart sank lower in her chest. Enough with the two butting heads, she should just merely put a stop to this before it gets out of hand. Before she or he really hurt themselves. Sure, Jaemin may be an omega but she knows he wouldn't dare back down without a fight, she reaches out without thinking, silent, wordlessly. Not sure what to even say at this point, too disappointed, annoyed, angry, beyond livid, and disheartened that he actually asked for something like this. How could he give up such power? The power he was born with and blessed with? Is it because of his father?

Memories flood behind her eyes as she mutters a low, "Stay still idiot," as her hands make quick work of his shirt, undoing the top buttons and shifting the material of his shirt aside so she could glance at the male's shoulder, the same side she once bit when he got on her nerves, lunging at him, unsuspecting and biting into his flesh enough to make him go livid and stop his silly antics. Enough to make them form a connection, a bond that kept them both in tune with each other over time. A long time passed and Naeun stopped feeling it, all of it eventually. Stopped experiencing the churn of current in her stomach whenever the boy was pissed off and hurt, her eyes soften as she realized why she didn't realize nor get any inclination as to what happened to him. Why this.. when did this happen, what broke him into the pathetic being he is today?

"It's gone... that's why I couldn't feel you anymore," she breathes out, a finger rubbing the spot before looking at him, her other palm coming up to cradle his cheek, a fond softness suddenly washes over her and If he was to bring this up anytime again in the near future she'd kill him before he utters a word on this. It's a side she never likes showing, it's too genuine, too real, and her heart on her sleeve for everyone to take advantage of is a big NO. "Where's your alpha now? Why did he leave you alone? Unprotected and so vulnerable and ed up? Your father— he..." Of course, he wouldn't dare support his son's choices, the man might rather die.

A flicker of disgust crosses her features as she breaks eye contact with a roll of her eyes, drops her hand as if it burns when touching him and steps back. Arms coming up over her chest— crossed as she looks at the mirror, staring at her reflection and eyeing the back of pink on his head. "What time do you finish your shift, if you try to run away I would track your sorry down and find you. Tell me a time and I'll meet you out back, you're coming home with me."

Her words are soft and firm, with no hint of room for argument as obsidian orbs flash, and finally glances at his, holding his gaze with a firm set in her jaw.

@son naeun ✹ Jaemin can feel a flush of humiliation spreading on his cheeks. It’s embarrassing for Naeun to treat him like he’s still some unruly pup, only furthered by her immediately clocking his behavior as a defense mechanism before he realized it himself. “And who’s fault is that?” Jaemin asks. “You’re only a ghost to me because you’re the one that ran away.” He huffs and adjusts the cuffs of his shirt under his jacket. It’s a momentary distraction that lasts long enough for him to be caught off guard by the new hostility in Naeun’s tone, and then he’s being grabbed and shoved into the sink. His dress shoes slip on the bathroom tiles and his hand slams on top of the counter to hold himself up far enough to not smash his head.

“What the , Naeun?!” he snarls, the lack of honorific slipping out like it used to when they were younger and he got his kicks denying her respect. “Get the hell off of me.” Physically, Jaemin is more than capable of breaking out of Naeun’s hold, but his instincts are once again telling him to stand down. Like hell he’s just going to let that happen. He doesn’t pull away, but he does an elbow into Naeun’s side just to be petty. Whatever he said must have really set her off to be resorting to physical violence already. That childish part of him that still exists preens at getting her to blow her lid, though it's dwarfed by the sickly-tasting guilt in the back of his throat.

When she tugs him around Jaemin goes willingly this time, only to freeze when he feels her hand on his neck, massaging his scent glands and causing him to falter, leaning into the countertop. All he can do is stay put and let her talk down to him. He knows he deserves at least some of it for acting so out of turn - like a brat, she would say - but it still makes him squirm uncomfortably. “You’re a- Hah-!” He can’t help the pathetic whimper that leaves his mouth when she bites his ear; embarrassing. “ing hypocrite. Aren’t you the one who used to lecture me about treating omegas and betas with respect? Calling me .”

Jaemin glares at her from his position against the counter. The hard surface digs into his back and he’s caged in on either side by Naeun’s arms, effectively trapping him in this conversation. Who did this to me? Jaemin laughs out loud, thoughts swirling between the past and present like a bad slideshow. “Why?” he grins wickedly. “What are you gonna do to him, huh? You seem to like me being a little omega that you can push around now. Maybe you’ll thank him.” Jaemin clutches onto his anger like a lifeline, using it to mask the complicated feelings showing in his eyes, beating in his chest. He looks away from Naeun, staring at a blank spot on the wall as he simmers down. Jaemin forgot how /exhausting/ it was to be like this; uncontrolled temper and biting words. He didn’t miss it.

“Why?” he asks again, voice turning bitter. “Do you suddenly care again?” He exhales and turns to face Naeun once more. Jaemin doesn’t want to talk about this right now, and here of all places. He feels uncomfortable in his own skin and just wants to crawl into bed and stay under the covers for three days straight. “I asked for it,” Is what he eventually settles on saying. “It’s my own fault.” He doesn’t mean to call it a “fault;” he’s long since come to terms with his secondary gender, accepting it and not viewing himself as lesser because of it. But still… as always, Naeun was right; he’s just an insecure kid who hides behind his words, and this time was no different.

@na jaemin ()love him saur bad lmfao

"Alas, that's best what you do no? Taunt and hide behind your insecurities to mask the fact that you're quaking in your boots at being found out. Chin up buttercup, you look as if you've seen a ghost from your past, is that what I am to you? Wouldn't want your skin to be bruised silly now would you," her words are low, soothing, almost sweet as she noticed the clear sign of how submissive he may have become, it's in his omega's nature after all, to act like a helpless little pup. Maybe she's being too mean and rude in her mind after all, seeing as she cannot stand stupid alphas who look at omegas and think so lowly of them, seeing them for one thing and one thing only- to be bred or used in any form or manner. She would dare not stand rooted and look on as an alpha or even a beta doing something like that, she would be up in their face.

However, the one person that seems to irk her at this timing would be the guy standing right in front of her, she cannot help but glare at him- the words that he sneers out at her couldn't be far from the truth- or maybe it is the COLD, HARD TRUTH, that slaps her hard in the face, it's like icy, cold water cascades down her smooth skin and she shudders at the thought of Jaemin seeing her hanging off the sleaze's arm later on that night. He would be so right, "watch your tone little wolf, don't forget you're not some cocky of an alpha anymore," she hisses out, her right arm coming to easily snake around the male's neck, and she headlocks him, shoving him against the front of the sink.

The thought of him struggling earlier to clean the remnants of what was on his shirt, had long gone out the window, all the alpha woman see is red - he truly managed to get under her skin this time. Yes, Naeun sells her time for stupid men and women alike, rich, pompous pricks, but it doesn't mean she's doing it because she simply wants to rut against everything she comes across. She wants to use them for the money, the glamor, the popularity, the links, the credit! This little bi-.... has no idea what she has been through, heck maybe he does, but she cannot help but flip him around, her arms moving effortlessly as her slender frame jams the petite male, his size bulking down gradually to accommodate his omega and she cannot help but guffaw a low, degrading chuckle at his pathetic features.

Long fingers glide up to grip onto his neck, rubbing at his scent glands, on purpose to further create a problem for the lowly omega, her eyes blaring crimson as she leans in close enough for her lips to touch his ear as she utters degradingly, "don't forget your manners, you're now a ing little , don't forget your place and manners at the table baby. You made your bed, you better crawl in there and lay in it, marinate for all I care," a low snarl is given as her teeth bites against the shell of his ear in warning, her face slowly retracting and her eyes coming back into focus, her body tremors dying down, the heat subsiding and the crimson easing slowly, dying out like a withered flower to show just how tired she is, tired because of him. Exhausted that this stupid brat cannot see that she was guiding him all along, trying to help him see his wrong, stupid, prideful ways, yet here he is being an absolute about it.

Taking a few calming breaths, the female finally looks into his orbs, admiring the soft, golden hue, how pure and innocent those eyes were at times, sometimes she wanted to even hold him rather than throttle the living hell out of him - right now? Even if she's cackling outright at his choices, his situation, it pains her terribly to see Jaemin in this condition. "Who did this to you?" She calmly asks, a low thrum in her voice, her eyes darker than before and her right brow quirks up as if challenging him to say nothing and walk away. Arms around his waist and on both sides of the sink - right on the edge, barricading him as she leans down to face him head on, eye level as her face is mere inches from him, as if trying to intimidate him, whereas in reality, she's more pissed off that he's stupid enough to get himself into this .

Dumb fool.

@son naeun ✹ Of all the people he could have run into at this event Son Naeun hadn’t even made it onto his list of possibilities. The last time Jaemin had seen her she had her back turned to him, running away from their sparkling, sad little world like a dog with its tail between its legs; that’s how Jaemin perceived it back then, at least, too proud to admit that he was the one in the wrong.

His entire body tenses when Naeun leans into his space and Jaemin fights the urge to naturally bare his throat to the alpha. Becoming an omega didn’t suddenly make him soft and docile, like a lamb willing to be taken to the slaughter, but the remnants of his submission to another alpha - his father - has his instincts feuding to comply and make himself less likely to inspire her anger. That’s another thought that only serves to add fuel to the fire inside him; being confronted by his past so openly has his head spinning.

Jaemin holds the edge of the stall door and grits his teeth. He shouldn’t respond to Naeun’s taunts, that’s how the two of them got into fights in the past. “I see your laugh is still grating as ever, noona. You should really work on that, it detracts from your appeal,” he sneers, unable to stop himself from responding, unconsciously slipping back into the persona of that stupid alpha boy aged fifteen to twenty who should have known better. “Really, every time you open your mouth.” He lets the stall door go and it swings open fully. Stepping out while buttoning his shirt Jaemin’s eyes follow Naeun in the large mirror against the wall.

Careful to avoid being caught in her range of motion Jaemin stands before the sink again. He flips up the collar of his dress shirt to start redoing his tie, trying to keep his gaze fixated on himself, but finding his eyes drifting to Naeun every few seconds. “Who’s the cliche alpha now, huh? Following me in here like some kind of wild animal on the prowl, practically drooling all over yourself; were you expecting a sweet little omega willing to get down on their knees for you?” His skin crawls with the sensation of being observed by Naeun; it's uncomfortable, not in a sense of feeling unsafe, but more from the fact that this is one of the few people to know the most about him. It's an unwelcome awareness of vulnerability that has him wanting to run away. Jaemin pulls harshly on his tie and flattens it against his stomach, swiftly closing his jacket and washing his hands. If he’s obviously nervous with the way he scrubs his hands a little too hard, a little too long, he can only hope Naeun doesn’t notice. But knowing her tendency to watch he's sure he’s already been caught.

“I shouldn’t be surprised,” Jaemin says, tearing sheets of paper towel from the dispenser. “You’ve always thrown yourself at anyone that smelled good enough to sink your teeth into. Who are you hanging off of this time? Some rich sleazebag that promised a hefty sum in return for debasing yourself in front of everyone here?” The words falling from his lips taste like acid on his tongue, hot and painful. Jaemin doesn’t mean to speak with such vitriol, but old habits die hard, even when they’ve been sleeping for years; after all, a bear coming out of hibernation is still a beast with teeth and claws.

And a scared animal will always lash out in fear.

[] no worries ! you're alright - i just have chronic "i need to reread all the lore every time i write a post including it" so i've been absorbing all the details lately lmao also, sorry in advance i didn't intend for jaemin to be so askdfhs /hand waves at him. that

@na jaemin ()omg, i didn't even think about the scent blockers stuff :o my abo is very uncultured, been so long, excuse me lol ><

A dizzying mingle of water and something sweeter tantalizes the Alpha woman, her eyes flaring a slight crimson but her nostrils are back to normal as the quench of her thirst for an Omega thankfully seems to die down after some much-needed restraint. She feels mildly ashamed, usually, Omegas are a rarity in hiring her, and Alphas are far too proud sometimes, but seeing as not everyone is set in their old-time ways - a lot of the Alpha community hire her even though she's one herself. Thankfully, she still manages to do her job swiftly and effortlessly even when they try to make her bend like some Omega for them, treating the societal norms quite differently in this day and age. Pride and egoistical fools really!

The level of chagrin and disgust settling in her very being, running its course through the bubbling crimson in her veins hinted enough from how annoyed she truly is, the man she came with today is no different, a bit suffocating really and the whiplash of scent flooding from under the stall has the woman slightly losing her balance, a shame really, being affected this easily. She clearly, needs to scent an Omega soon enough since she has been lacking. Dark brows shoot up into her hairline, a bit confused as to what's going on - the toilet flushed, a defeated sigh that her sensitive ears picked up, a grunt of frustration, clearly, something isn't right.

Oh wow! The flood of his scent coming out full force now has the woman's mouth watering as her eyes cloud with desire, but she tries her very best to prevent herself from knocking persistently like one of those annoying Alpha men, always running down omegas as if they're the ones in heat - pathetic and quite disgusting if she may say so herself. Funny how she thinks that way, yet her instincts are all 'predator and prey' oriented. Lunge! Attack! Sink your teeth in and stake your claim!

The annoying, pounding voice of the Alpha blaring in her mind confuses her when the door finally snaps open, a creak ringing clear in the air, shy shuffling of shoes, or nervous? Something's off about the youth's scent when she takes in a larger whiff, from his shoes, moving up to his slacks and finally, the dress shirt he clumsily spilled the beverage on, the spot sticking out like a sore thumb has the woman's lips set in a thin grimace of disapproval. Her hand itches to touch and rub at the spot, but she knows far too well that it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

Wait, what? Did she hear that correctly? Does this person know her? The 'noona' catches her off guard as her eyes bulge out and finally, that pretty boy's face comes into view, her eyes widen, lips form a scowl and distaste replaces the desire as quickly as it came, flooding out of her system as her stomach churn and she feels like all the alcohol ingested would be coming out in quick spurts back to back. "What the fu-- Jaemin? That was YOU? Ew... what the hell are you doing here, smelling like..." She leans in and sniffs at his neck, clearly, the patch was there blocking out the majority of his sweetness and she grimaces, ignoring the way waters as her eyes deadpan while glancing at the pathetic-looking male.

"You're that pretty of a waiter? The heck... Since when are you an... Omega?" Her brow quirks up and a teasing smile plays on her lips, arms sliding up to fold over her bust, clearly pleased by this predicament, since Jaemin was the one who looked down on petty omegas back in the day, thinking of them as weak, pathetic, lowlifes, look at him now, the very thing he once despised. It causes a gloating emotion to bubble up Naeun's throat and a soft snicker is choked out as she laughs louder than before, the shrill sound of her voice ricocheting off the tiled walls in the bathroom stall as she shakes her head once. "My, my, I cannot for a minute wrap my head around the thought that you, of all people, would be attractive enough to sink my teeth into," her face expresses distaste and she looks him up and down, checking him thoroughly as she steps back and waves an arm to the sink. "Don't stop on my behalf, carry on, Omega."

Her words are sharp, rude, and mean and, she's taunting the annoying little kid she once loved and hated all the same, maybe she still does, but would she ever agree to it? Hell no.

@son naeun ✹ The mess is worse than he thought and Jaemin sighs. This was his only good suit too. Once the night is over he's going to take it to the dry cleaners tomorrow and have his friend foot the bill; it's the least they could do, he thinks as he enters the bathroom. There should be actual towels in here, and running water to help clean himself up. He stops at the sink and looks into the mirror, noting the large and obvious stain on the left side of his shirt. Adding water only makes the spot bigger but it does help to remove the stickiness of the alcohol, so Jaemin thinks it's worth it.

He hisses quietly as an itch begins to build on his neck and collarbone from the wet scent blocking patch. It's basically useless now, so he doesn't feel too bad about deciding to take it off. He s the tight collar of his dress shirt and two more buttons down, opening it enough to get his fingers under the edge of the patch and gently pull it off. He should have brought extra, really, in case this happened. It should be fine though. There are already so many scents mingling in the air, either from people who couldn't be bothered to wear scent blockers in the first place, or those who thought a public social event was the perfect place to get intimate in dark corners, their scents obvious to everyone around them.

Jaemin doesn't want his own scent lingering in any capacity though, so he enters one of the bathroom stalls to flush the scent blocking patch down the toilet. He hears the door to the bathrooms open a few moments later and freezes. He holds his breath without meaning to, telling himself it's just a random patron or another member of the waitstaff, and that he doesn't need to keep freaking out thinking it's someone looking for him; but then he hears the knock and a voice at the very stall he's standing in, partially undressed and giving off omega scent without anything to cover it up, and he kind of wishes he could just drown himself in the goddamn toilet water.

He can tell its a female alpha on the other side, and he can see the shadow of her heels from under the stall, meaning she's a guest, and most likely an important one at that; even if he wanted to pretend like he didn't hear her it's not in his best interest to anger a wealthy patron. And for some reason there's a niggling sense in the back of his head that the voice is familiar to him. There's no way though, right? Jaemin can't seriously be /that/ unlucky to be cornered by someone from his past in the bathroom of all places, right?

"Thank you," he says hesitantly, choosing his words carefully as he shuffles on his feet. He has to open the door, it would be impolite to not open the door. His past self would say all to social customs, but he recognizes the position he's in right now as an omega, as much it makes him burn to know it. Jaemin takes a deep breath and turns the lock on the stall, opening it slowly just enough to reveal his face and part of his upper body. "I don't need any help though, Mi- Naeun noona?"

Well, damn it all to hell.

@nessa barrett ˡᵘⁿᵃ []her look & vibe ✨️
https://64.media.tumblr.com/3271fb96b98fa5b44f985e32c14884bf/5c37bdc67553c4b4-0e/s1280x1920/e255ed2a2298baf597b957272f434f5f8b0d8525.png

A beast in disguise, that's what many people may think when looking at Son Naeun. A born, bred alpha, only knowing what it's like being the top predator, top of the food chain, ordering those around that she deems beneath her. She was always the type of kid growing up, rich, bratty, and snide. Thinking that betas and omegas alike are nothing but a waste of space. Garbage. Who needs others when there's something as gifted as alphas existing? The woman grew out of such bad habits and patterns, but did she genuinely change? Hmm, maybe for the bad— she changed her views on societal norms with ranks and the likes. All secondary genders matter.

The young woman, at the age of thirty, is already an established amateur author. Her 'Sin City' franchise took off to a perfectly great start. Of course, the links she made while being an for the rich and glamorous did a lot to help heighten her levels of work, her levels of recognition. Not that she minded one bit, after all, the woman 'knows' without a doubt that she's truly talented. Those who can't see that may be blind. Her newly found assistant is supposedly a Luna wolf, something about the wicked, malicious girl got under her skin since the very first day. She never had it out in her to bully her and take advantage of her, oh no, but Naeun isn't blind.

Nessa, her name alone— foreign yet so familiar, manipulative, and a trickster to say the least. Something about the young employee reminds her so much of herself. However, it's not in a good way. Whereas Naeun manipulates and is conniving towards people who properly deserve it, she spotted Nessa being that way towards cluelessly, innocent people around them. In the building where she works with other publishers for her books and even around the Sol Pack whenever she has to assist her. After all, Nessa isn't just a random Luna, Naeun took her under her wing as her assistant basically, her personal assistant.

"Nessa, darling, didn't know you'd be here too, thought you'd be a dear and stay back in the building to do your work properly?" Her boss croons out with a smirk, a little glare hinted in her dark eyes, rimmed with a mere speck of crimson, showing off her Alpha status shamelessly to the others.

Naeun nods her head to everyone else in the room, it's a small, yet packed gathering. Everyone working with her publisher and editor is present today, upon a first glance around the table, she can tell quite easily that her assistant is rather drunk, along with the editor-in-chief. The publisher seems to be decent at least, his head screwed on right but upon closer look, Naeun spots a male co-worker she never saw before. Maybe briefly, hm, a beta from the 'smell' of it. Despicable really, anyone who glances at Nessa can easily tell that the young woman is rather intoxicated, and on top of that she's VERY YOUNG.

This ticks off the woman alpha as she glares in the man's direction, getting close enough to place a hand on the girl's exposed thigh from her work skirt. "Nessa, would you care to take a walk with me, I'd rather have a smoke and I'd like to discuss some important matters with you." Her voice is firm, no-nonsense and she isn't leaving a single inch of room for argument. Her gaze is shrouded, firm and her jaw clenches as she looks around the room once and notes everyone who's eating, mingling, talking, and of course, pathetically drinking when they can't handle their stupid alcohol intake. Something she'd be scolding the pathetic girl for as well. How could she be so stupidly reckless? Shaking her head, she pushes her chair back, standing up with a glass of Jack Daniels Scotch, the golden liquid swirling with the ice blocks as she takes a sip, tugging out a pack of mentol and nudging her head in the direction of the young lady.

Nessa has been such a pain in the arse since joining the team. She always pretends to be 'innocent', acting as if Naeun is giving her such a hard time. But deep down, Naeun's gut tells her that it's all a show or something along the lines of being grateful that her new boss is a so she could use that as a valid excuse to get pity from her innocent co-workers.

What a conniving little !

@na jaemin []her look & vibe ✨️
https://64.media.tumblr.com/544d9daecf712ea9d7e514dcdac3bc40/tumblr_pfsdod5tb21vc5ocjo1_1280.jpg

They say the finer things in one's life come around when you least expect them. Keep working hard. Hold your head high and never back down, don't let a stumble on the road stop you from achieving all the goals you have set out for yourself. Naeun? She bashes someone's head in if needed to get what she wants, craves, and needs. Selfish, conniving, despising, confident and commanding. All of these best traits are seasoned with a pinch of negativity. Make that a large dollop!

"You look beautiful tonight dear, thank you for accompanying me to the dinner party," Naeun acts pleasant but in her mind it keeps blaring all the levels of insults towards the uptight, overly confident, and ruthless alpha sitting next to her. Even though Naeun herself is the same, she couldn't help but discreetly roll her eyes in annoyance at the man's antics. Acting dumb as hell, trying to impress her as if he thinks that would provide him some sort of discount. Ha! In his dreams. "Darling, don't mean to be rude, but I think I'm going to walk around a bit, yeah? You keep your coworkers' company and I'd be right back." Naeun's voice is sweet yet firm, her eyes darkening as they blare a crimson shimmer as her alpha's command is deeply etched in her roots. Only a fool would be tempted enough to actually disagree with her or worse yet, actually have the balls to say "no."

Limber are her steps as her heels make the annoying 'click-clack' sounds echoing around her head. Eyes darting to and fro— Naeun is rather confident while holding her head high, feeling all the wanton gazes that take a look her way. She's well known in this business and many rich CEOs have had the 'pleasure' of having her company for the night. A matter of an extra golden fee added to sweeten the pot so to speak. However, her attention is drawn to a clumsy waiter, spills gleaming on his dress shirt and making an ugly damp spot as she grimaces. Pretty. Her type. Omega too. Why does he have to be clumsy. She cannot help but emit a scoff of amusement as she looks on with inquisitive eyes, following his movements, noting the mild makeup scattered on his delicate features. His scent is unknown but there's the sweetness that gives off his omega gender.

The young woman makes her way over to the joint bathrooms, after all, this place is for the classy and over-privileged, they wouldn't expect someone to sneakily hook up in a stupid toilet. They clearly, don't understand how fickle Naeun's brain works. She couldn't help but stalk the pretty omega like her prey over to the bathrooms and she's such a lady, even knocking and calling out sweetly. "Do you need some help, pretty boy?" Naeun didn't get a proper look at the male's face but his body structure, hair, brief features her hawk eyes captured and his scent alone bristled her hair and skin, making her curious about him.

@son naeun ✹ Jaemin feels the cold drink seeping into his dress shirt before he sees the man that bumped into him, too focused on scouting the open floor to look out for drunkards who don't have a sense of personal space. He holds back a discontent sigh - noting that the man is both an alpha and clearly wealthy if the gold watch on his wrist is any indication - plastering a concerned expression on his face and apologizing.

"I'm so sorry, sir. Please forgive me," he deftly takes the near empty glass from the man and loads it onto his tray, quick to replace it with a new one before the man can say anything. "Enjoy the party." Then he bows his head and walks away, only exhaling in relief once he's far away enough to go unheard.

That was too close for comfort. What if it had been somebody that used to know him? Jaemin is sure he's near unrecognizable with his pink hair, styled to soften his features, as well as the makeup and the colored contacts he's sporting this evening, but if someone were to get close enough they might realize who he is. He grimaces, realizing that the champagne that spilled over his shoulder has turned sticky, and no doubt destroyed the effectiveness of at least one of the scent blockers he has on.

"Dahyun," he says to a passing waitress in the same uniform suit that he's wearing. "Can you take this back to the kitchen? I'm going on a five minute break to clean up." After she takes the tray from him Jaemin makes his way to a table near the far wall, close to an open hall and the bathrooms. He swipes a napkin from the edge of the table and starts to dab at his jacket and shirt, wishing not for the first time tonight that he hadn't agreed to cover for his friend.

@son naeun ✹ “Ugh, that makes me crazy,” Nessa hissed, slamming her empty paper cup onto the table while she aggressively tore the packet of coffee with her teeth. Her hands balled into fists and her nails dug into her soft flesh just at the thought of interacting with that monster of an author again.

Nessa’s eyes flickered to the pile of crumbled up pitches she was asked to compile only to have them thrown back into her face. Her blood boiled just thinking about it. “It’s not like you’re a great writer either, what the do you know?” She hissed and shoved the pitches into the trashcan before huffing and quickly fixing her hair and expressions when a couple of her coworkers walked in. ‘Did they see?’ It didn’t matter, everyone knew what a diva Naeun could be. It was understandable for her to be frustrated.

“Nessa, just forget about it and drink your heart away.”

“Yes! Are you ready to go? You can ride with us.”

A smile stretched across her cheeks and her eyes sparkled a little— the way it always did when things went her way. With the coffee long forgotten, she hurried to grab her bag and she was off to the company’s happy hour event.

The restaurant wasn’t small by any definition, but it seemed tiny to Nessa when so many people were cramped inside. It was suffocating. She giggled as another shot was poured into her shot glass while another coworker blabbered on about her drama with a girl from another department for the nth time. Still, Nessa pretended as if she had heard it for the first time.

Suddenly, a couple of people stood up, making her jolt up as well in confusion.

“Naeun, you made it! Come, come. Make yourself comfortable.”

Nessa grimaced and plopped back down into her seat, not bothering to greet her properly. Her rudeness could be chalked up to her being ‘drunk.’

@lee hayi ✹ everything had been going according to plan. chan had managed to get into the private gala without anyone questioning a single thing about his phony credentials. he not only looked the part of an aristocrat in his neatly tailored black suit, but he also acted it. he moved through the crowded ballroom like he was born to belong there, schmoozing with businessmen and dignitaries while holding a glass of untouched champagne. when he'd finally located his mark, bumping elbows with him was almost laughably easy. now it was just a matter of getting his hands on his prize.

he coaxed his target into drink after drink, pretending to get a bit tipsy himself to encourage him. then when the man began to linger too close, chan sweetly tapped the lapel of his jacket and found what he was looking for. his wallet. as he discretely slipped it out of his suit jacket pocket and into his own, chan thought he was home free. but that was too good to be true. because it was then, over the man's shoulder, that he noticed the event's florist... staring right at him.