Trial And Error 5/5
Baekhyun tries. He gets up in the morning with Joonmyun and accompanies him to the circle for breakfast. He attempts to hold his own in conversations that die because he’s lost his train of thought. Jongin and Sehun pipe up to keep things going, but Baekhyun is already pulling away to sit as a spectator while his friends move on.
Sehun seems to have a tight hold on Luhan and Minseok; the two alphas scramble to do anything he wants even if Sehun doesn’t mean for them too. A blush flourishes on his cheeks every time it happens and it usually leads to the three of them slinking off to be alone. Jongin likes to pick fun at Sehun, but Sehun has ammo in the form of Yifan. It had taken Sehun lifting Jongin’s shirt teasingly for Baekhyun to notice the claim mark around Jongin’s left nipple. There’s a matching one on Yifan that he’d been told about later.
Even Chanyeol has made headway with Joonmyun who is more open with his affections now that Chanyeol seems to have gotten over Jongin. Chanyeol is still an overgrown pup with far too much energy, but now that all that energy is oriented at getting Joonmyun to notice him, talk to him, touch him, it’s more endearing than annoying. Baekhyun asked Joonmyun when he’d finally allow Chanyeol to court him and Joonmyun had gotten this small, secretive smile that lit up his eyes. “Soon,” he’d breathed. “Soon.”
The pack is moving on.
With an Alpha to properly lead them, the council has been set loose from their chains of responsibility. Yixing had allowed them to keep their titles and promised to run all major decisions past them out of respect, but there’s no mistake that Yixing is the final authority in all things. The oldest and strongest of their alphas all bow to him, never once speaking ill of Yixing.
There are also whispers of omegas making their interest known. One of the duties impressed upon an Alpha is to have children and Baekhyun knows this. And yet the very idea of another omega hanging from Yixing’s arm or leaning in to whisper in his ear makes Baekhyun’s stomach twist and his wolf growls territorially. Baekhyun tries his best to keep his distance from the Alpha, but with a pack as small as theirs, bumping into one another in inevitable.
It doesn’t prepare Baekhyun for the sharp gasp that spills from his lips and the bubbling jealousy that curls through his veins at the scent of another on Yixing when the Alpha nears him. His eyes turn amber, his fists balled at his sides and Yixing stares at him, lips parted as if he wants to speak, but he stays his tongue. Baekhyun almost dares him too, but catches himself and manages to bow his head politely at his Alpha before walking off as calmly as he can.
“You can’t keep this up,” Joonmyun whispers into Baekhyun’s ear later. The two of them are away from the camp, half-filled baskets of berries in their hands as they pause to pluck more.
“It’s all I can do,” Baekhyun answers weakly. He crouches beside Joonmyun, leaning his head on Joonmyun’s shoulder.
“It’s not enough.” Leave it to Joonmyun to be blunt even when Baekhyun’s in pain. He whines, lifting his head, but Joonmyun uses his hand to push it back down and hold him there. “I know you’re hurting. And I know you still want Yixing because that much is obvious to everyone. But he needs to choose a mate and if you don’t move on, it’s going to rip you apart.”
Joonmyun grows quiet and Baekhyun shifts to nuzzle his face into the crook of Joonmyun’s neck. Baekhyun knows he’s right, but he doesn’t want to admit it. Baekhyun’s stubborn.
“It kills me to see you this way.” Joonmyun cups Baekhyun’s cheek and pulls away to look at him. “The light is gone from your eyes. There’s so little of you here nowadays. You’re stronger than this.”
Baekhyun closes his eyes and lets out a soft sigh. “Am I?” he wonders aloud.
“I think you don’t want to be strong,” Joonmyun answers. “And sometimes that’s alright, but not like this.”
“Am I being selfish, Joonmyun?” Baekhyun inquires, blinking his eyes open to peer at his friend. “I can’t let him go,” he confesses, his hands trembling. “I can’t even when I know I must.”
“Then figure out a way not to let him go and be happy.”
“You wouldn’t happen to know a way to do that, would you?” Baekhyun grumbles, dropping his basket in favor of wrapping his arms around Joonmyun’s waist.
Joonmyun sighs and sits to pull Baekhyun onto his lap. “I wish I did.”
Baekhyun goes to the only person he knows with the experience to help him. He thought he’d feel a lot of things when he stepped inside his old tent to face his mother, but the only thing he feels now is sadness. Complete and utter sadness. He sinks down at her feet, head low and shoulders hunched. His fingers twist in the fabric that pools at her ankles and she sits, her hands soothing when they run along the sides of his neck.
“My boy,” she croons, and Baekhyun breaks.
She pulls at Baekhyun until she has him cradled like she used to when he was little. Baekhyun’s bigger than she is, but it doesn’t stop her from gathering him close and rocking, her presence enough to calm him. “I don’t know what to do,” he confesses in a whisper.
"My selfish, selfish boy," she murmurs, her voice warm and soft and just what Baekhyun needs.
He hiccups on a sob and clings tighter to her, arms around her neck. "I know," he whimpers. He wants it all and it's tearing him up inside that he can't have it.
She lets him cry it out. It seems like the tears will never end; they just keep welling up in his chest and forcing their way out. Baekhyun sobs until there's nothing left and he's left sniffling with sore, puffy eyes and this hollow echo in his chest. He feels better and worse all at once.
"When your father died," she begins softly, her fingers combing gently through Baekhyun's hair, "I was devastated. It tore me to pieces and I never thought I'd be whole again." She leans back to peer down at Baekhyun, her thumbs gently swiping underneath his eyes as she cups his face. "But I'd do it all again in a heartbeat."
A smile teases the corners of Baekhyun's mouth. "Because of me?" he guesses.
She smiles at him, tweaking his nose as she screws up her face. "No," she admits. "For me. I was happiest with him - with the both of you at my side. And that's not something I would trade for the world. We didn't have much time, but it was enough. I will always treasure it the most."
She wraps her arms tight around him and Baekhyun snuggles against his mother, comforted by her presence and her words even if he still doesn't know what to do. At least he's stopped crying.
"Put your pride aside," she whispers, "and ask yourself if you could ever be as happy with someone else as you would be with Yixing. And there's your answer."
The answer is obvious, instant, and Baekhyun knows without a doubt that he would never want anyone as much as he wants Yixing. There's no hesitation. But is it enough? Is it really that simple?
Baekhyun indulges in his mother's arms for a while longer before finally crawling away. She leaves a kiss on the top of his head and swats him on the butt for being stubborn just like his father. Somehow, it has Baekhyun laughing as he slinks back to his tent.
It's been an emotionally long day and he's ready to sleep away the ache in his eyes. Joonmyun isn't there when he slips inside, but that's alright. Baekhyun could use the time alone to think over things. He knows his mother is right; she's always been right. She's always known him better than he knows himself.
If Baekhyun were to sit on the sidelines as Yixing claimed another, he'd regret it for the rest of his life. There's no denying it. He's starting to believe that any time with Yixing is better than a lifetime of never knowing what if. And it's not like Yixing is doomed to die like Baekhyun's father. He's a strong Alpha and Baekhyun should have more confidence in him. He's proven himself over and over already.
He falls asleep with muddled thoughts, hoping to find his answer with the morning sun.
Baekhyun wakes before the sun, having slept fitfully even with the reassuring presence of Joonmyun beside him. He lays there for a bit, listening to Joonmyun's even breathing and the thumping of his own heart. His mind settles on Yixing and Baekhyun wonders, after all, if he's too late.
Would Yixing even accept him after being rejected?
Baekhyun swallows down the foul taste in his mouth and carefully, slowly, eases out of the cage of Joonmyun's arms. He pauses when he sees the dark mark on his friend's neck, smiling to himself because now that he's paying attention, he can smell so much Chanyeol lingering over his skin. Gently, he sweeps the hair from Joonmyun's forehead. Baekhyun owes him a lot; he'll be sure to thank him later.
It's still mostly dark when Baekhyun steps outside, the soft grass tickling his feet. He breathes in the fresh air, letting it curl around him and clear his head. His eyes settle on the tent not far from his where Yixing used to live. He's moved to the one in the center of camp now and Baekhyun doesn't like the new distance.
Baekhyun makes his way through the sleeping camp, his footfalls quiet and his chest tight. His hands are shaking when he stops in front of Yixing's tent. The last time he'd been inside, it had been the meeting place for the council, but now it's home to the Alpha. It's more intimidating knowing Yixing is inside and he nearly falters.
Baekhyun doesn't know where the courage that has him sneaking inside the Alpha's tent comes from, but once he does, all trepidation vanishes. Yixing's presence is everywhere and Baekhyun blinks his vision into focus through the darkness, orienting on where the Alpha is still asleep on the far side.
Baekhyun discovers, upon approaching, that Yixing wears nothing to bed and he kicks his furs to the side. He's a magnificent sight and Baekhyun's breath catches, his lungs filled with the scent of Yixing. It makes his head spin and he lets out a soft noise unintentionally.
Yixing stirs, his head rolling to the side and eyes cracking open the littlest bit. "Baekhyun?" he rumbles, lifting his head to peer more closely. "Am I still dreaming?"
There's confusion on Yixing's face. Baekhyun quietly makes his way to Yixing's side before sitting, chewing nervously on his lip. "It's me," he whispers.
Yixing doesn't believe him until he reaches out, his palm warm and calloused as it caresses Baekhyun's cheek. And then Yixing is awake, lifting onto his elbow to peer at him closely. Baekhyun covers Yixing's hand with his own and offers Yixing a smile. His heart is beating so fast, his senses all heightened by the proximity of the Alpha.
"I haven't lost you, have I?" Baekhyun asks, uncertainty staining the edges of his voice. Tears threaten to blur his vision and Baekhyun blinks them back.
Yixing shifts forward, thumb running along Baekhyun's cheek where his hand is still pressed. "You could never lose me."
Baekhyun nuzzles into Yixing’s hand. “I can’t promise to be perfect,” he admits. “And I don’t know if I’ll be as strong as my mother was when she stood by her Alpha, but I’ll do my best. For you and for the pack.”
“I think you don’t give yourself enough credit,” Yixing says softly, smiling. “But if you don’t think you are, I’ll help you. I can’t tell you that nothing will ever happen and you’ll never have to worry about being left alone. I wish I could. But I’ll do everything in my power to stay at your side.”
Baekhyun lets out a quiet sigh. Yixing's fingers slip so easily around to rest on the back of Baekhyun's neck. He uses his hold to bring Baekhyun closer to him until Baekhyun is staring into the red of an alpha's eyes. Baekhyun's wolf rises to the surface, antsy and eager, and he takes the final step.
Yixing's mouth is soft, his lips dry from sleep, but no less sweet to Baekhyun who pushes his own insistently against them. He's waited so long for this, yearned for it and it's no less than perfect. Yixing is warm and inviting, bringing Baekhyun in and tilting his head to kiss him deeper, harder.
Baekhyun's mouth falls open willingly and he moans softly, breathing in deep through his nose until there's nothing but Yixing. His hands find purchase on Yixing's back, winding around to hold tight because he's not letting go. Not now. Not ever.
His nails bite into Yixing's skin when he's suddenly lifted, gasping as Yixing pulls Baekhyun into his lap. The heat of Yixing's body is nearly overwhelming and Baekhyun is addicted to it. It's been so long since he's been able to soak in it and he appreciates it all the more now. A low moan rips from Yixing's chest and Baekhyun whines when he swallows it down.
"Alpha," he groans against Yixing's mouth. "My Alpha."
Yixing's hold on him tightens until Baekhyun can't breathe and his kisses burn trails of fire down Baekhyun's neck and to his shoulder. His shirt is stretched to the side and Baekhyun wriggles until he can rid himself of the barrier completely.
Yixing's eyes are predatory when they scrape over Baekhyun's chest, down to his stomach and then back up to his mouth. For the first time, Baekhyun doesn't fight when his instincts begin to take him over. He wants to give all of himself to Yixing and he means to do just that. His body relaxes and he molds against Yixing, head falling back as Yixing scrapes his teeth teasingly over his neck.
Baekhyun shudders and his toes curl and the heat builds beneath his skin everywhere Yixing touches. He rolls his hips and moans aloud when he feels Yixing's arousal against him.
"Baekhyun," Yixing growls in warning, his hands now grasped tight to Baekhyun's thighs to hold him still.
"Don't stop," Baekhyun begs, breathless. "Make me yours. I want to be yours."
The world spins, his back suddenly on the furs and Yixing over him, between his legs. The alpha is staring at Baekhyun, his eyes dark and flickering red and Baekhyun watches the way Yixing's tongue trails along his lower lip. He whines, reaching out because Yixing isn't moving and Baekhyun needs him to.
"You're sure?" Yixing questions.
Baekhyun nearly misses it, too distracted with the thick taste of desire in the air that's coming off Yixing in waves. He's a slave to it, a willing victim and the pressure in his chest is close to bursting. "Yes," Baekhyun answers. No hesitation.
His legs come up, ankles hooked on the backs of Yixing's thighs to pull him down. Yixing fits perfectly between Baekhyun's legs, his weight solid and welcome. The only problem is Baekhyun's pants and Baekhyun is about to say as much, but Yixing's hands are slipping down the back, palms cupping Baekhyun's cheeks. Yixing kisses the moan from Baekhyun's lips and licks into his mouth, using his hold to grind their hips together.
Baekhyun feels as if he's going to combust if Yixing doesn't hurry. His pants are pulled so tight around the front and his cock is trapped, throbbing. He whines pitifully, dragging in deep breaths when Yixing's attention moves down. His eyes are glazed over, staring mindlessly at the top of the tent. The wet heat that surrounds his nipple is sudden and Baekhyun arches into it, fingers twisting in Yixing's hair.
Yixing rocks their hips quicker, his mouth suctioning around Baekhyun's nipple as his tongue flicks over it. Every touch sends fire through Baekhyun, a spark that fills his groin until he doesn't think he can take it. Yixing moves to the other nipple, biting around it just enough to blur that line between pleasure and pain. And that's all it takes for Baekhyun to come.
It soaks into his pants as his head tips back, jaw slack and muscles tense when it washes over him. Yixing has his face pushed to Baekhyun's neck, breathing him in deep as he holds Baekhyun through it.
That heat is still there, simmering beneath his skin and waiting to boil to the surface. Baekhyun pushes at Yixing who raises to his knees, momentarily distracting Baekhyun from his mission to get his pants off because Yixing is hard, the tip of his cock wet and his knot already beginning to plump around the base. Baekhyun salivates, breathing in the scent of his arousal and it claws at his throat.
Baekhyun only snaps out of it when he hears the ripping of fabric. He looks down to see the front of his pants in shreds, Yixing's nails tearing through it like it was nothing and Baekhyun can't even be upset over the loss. The air in the tent is already heated, but it still feels cool when it fans over Baekhyun's legs as Yixing removes the last scrap from him.
Yixing's palms slide reverently up the insides of Baekhyun's thighs and Baekhyun's legs fall open. He's already so slick, just waiting for his chosen alpha to knot him and Baekhyun needs Yixing to hurry. He trembles as Yixing’s palms run hot over his stomach and to his chest before moving down his arms. Yixing takes Baekhyun’s hand, fingers lacing together and pushed to the furs by Baekhyun’s head.
There’s so much tenderness in Yixing’s eyes, so much emotion that Baekhyun could swim in it. And he would if this were any other time, but he’s been waiting so long for this. He raises himself up, stealing Yixing’s mouth for a kiss as he props his legs on Yixing’s hips. He can feel the weight of Yixing’s cock against his thigh and he rolls his hips, a sticky trail left over his skin.
Yixing hisses, pulling away with Baekhyun’s lower lip secure in his teeth. “”Baekhyun,” Yixing moans, rocking against him feverishly. “Are you -”
“Knot me,” Baekhyun begs without shame. “Claim me, please. I need it. Need you.”
It’s all the confirmation Yixing needs before his cock is dragging down the cleft of Baekhyun’s ass, slipping through to slick himself before pressing inside. It’s more than Baekhyun had anticipated. He knows the pleasure of having his own fingers inside him, but Yixing’s cock is something else entirely. He’s so full, stretched wide as his body gives around Yixing’s girth. A loud moan escapes Baekhyun’s lips as Yixing pushes all the way in until their hips are flush and they’re both out of breath.
He leaves welts down Yixing’s back when his cock drags out slowly, keeping Baekhyun held open with the crown before he’s thrusting back in with enough force to push the air from Baekhyun’s lungs. Yixing isn’t soft and gentle anymore and Baekhyun only wants more. He lifts into every thrust as best he can, relishing every tendril of pleasure that skitters through him with each slide of Yixing’s cock.
The pleasure only multiplies when Yixing’s knot grows large enough to pull on his rim. Baekhyun clamps around it, Yixing’s name on his lips when it finally locks inside him. Yixing lets out a soft groan, still holding tight to Baekhyun’s hand.
“Alpha,” Baekhyun whimpers, head falling to the side when he feels Yixing’s mouth on his neck.
It’s a simple press of lips at first, but then Baekhyun goes rigid when Yixing’s teeth sink into the skin and don’t release. He inhales sharply, body locked tight and his release flooding through him when Yixing pierces through. It’s a shot to the chest, an instant connection that bonds the two of them together.
Sehun was right. The pain was fleeting, but the resulting feeling is more than anything he could have prepared himself for. It’s like he’s come home and there’s nowhere else he’d ever rather be. Tears fall from Baekhyun’s eyes to travel down his temples and into his hair. He’s never felt so whole.
Yixing licks over the wound even as he rocks his knot further into Baekhyun’s pliant body. Baekhyun scrabbles for purchase on the furs, sending himself down onto it until Yixing stills, his cock pulsing inside him. Yixing tries to keep his weight off Baekhyun, resting it on his forearms, but Baekhyun isn’t having any of it. He’s smiling at Yixing, staring at him through the blur of tears still in his eyes and he’s never been happier.
“Mine,” Baekhyun says, laughing.
Yixing’s mouth falls open with a moan from the way Baekhyun’s body moves and Baekhyun brings him down for several sweaty, breathless kisses. “Thank you,” Yixing mumbles against his mouth. “Thank you.”
Baekhyun is crying again, trying to hide his face, but Yixing won’t let him. It’s overwhelming, all these emotions raging through him and he feels silly. “I’m sorry I waited so long,” Baekhyun sniffles.
Yixing kisses him again, tender and sweet. “I’d rather you were sure than have you hate me later.”
“I could never hate you,” Baekhyun laughs.
Yixing hums thoughtfully, nosing his way along Baekhyun’s jaw. “Not even if I do this?”
Without warning, Baekhyun finds himself off the furs. His arms lock tight around Yixing’s chest and he lets out a squeal as he’s seated in Yixing’s lap, the knot still keeping the two of them connected. It sends a shock of dull pleasure into him and his head falls on Yixing’s shoulder, hips rocking forward involuntarily.
“How many times do you think I can make you come on my knot?” Yixing whispers in Baekhyun’s ear.
Baekhyun moans his name, thighs spreading so he can sink down lower. “You’re all talk for someone who isn’t moving,” Baekhyun goades. Yixing’s hands are unforgiving when they grip Baekhyun’s hips to guide him and Baekhyun knows he’s in for a long day.
Baekhyun wakes up with a groan; his mouth is dry and he’s sticky from sweat and he’s pretty sure it’s dark outside. Yixing is behind him, an arm possessively tight around Baekhyun’s waist and his breath hot on the back of Baekhyun’s neck. When they’d fallen asleep, Yixing’s knot was buried inside him, but now it’s gone and Baekhyun feels empty, stretched too thin from so much exertion in one day.
He shifts, trying to lay flat and Yixing wakes, nosing at Baekhyun’s cheek until he turns to kiss him. “Hey,” Yixing whispers, smiling.
“Hey,” Baekhyun repeats, trailing his finger along Yixing’s lower lip. He’d bitten it a little too hard earlier, but the cut is already healed. “I can’t believe we spent the entire day in here and no one came in.”
Yixing’s smile only grows and he nips at Baekhyun’s finger playfully. “That’s because they could all hear you screaming my name.”
Embarrassed, Baekhyun shoves at Yixing’s chest, only to pull him back instantly because he doesn’t want to be apart. Yixing skims his lips over the permanent mark on Baekhyun’s neck, leaving soft kisses that have Baekhyun’s toes curling. He wonders if he’ll ever get used to his body’s reaction to Yixing’s touch.
“We should probably get up,” Yixing sighs. “Find some food.”
Baekhyun petulantly burrows closer to Yixing, arms tight around his mate. “Don’t want to move,” he pouts.
“I’ll race you,” Yixing teases.
Baekhyun leans back, pondering the idea. He hasn’t had a good race in a while and Yixing is always a challenge. Yixing seems to know this as well and he’s already peeling himself away, arms stretched over his head.
“Unless you don’t think you can win . . . “
The words have Baekhyun jumping to his feet even as his legs protest. “To the river,” Baekhyun announces. The two of them are absolutely filthy and a wash would do them good. They stand at the opening of the tent, staring each other down.
“On your mark,” Yixing taunts.
Baekhyun stands on his toes and pulls Yixing down for a kiss, fingers tangled in Yixing’s hair and chests flush together. His tongue swipes over Yixing’s lips before he leans away. “Go,” he whispers.
He sprints off, leaving a dazed Yixing behind and confident that he might not lose so horribly this time. The air does wonders to wake him up and the stretch helps with the ache in his muscles. There are only a few people still out and they watch as Baekhyun passes, darting for the trees. He doesn’t bother trying to keep quiet, rushing over the forest floor and toward the river.
Baekhyun breaks through to the waters, teetering to a stop along the bank. His chest is heaving and the moonlight is bright overhead and Baekhyun turns to realize that he’s won. Elation swells in his chest and he’s grinning when Yixing gets to him moments later.
“You let me win,” Baekhyun accuses as Yixing advances on him.
“Maybe,” Yixing offers with a half-hearted shrug, his hands settling on Baekhyun’s hips.
“But you don’t let people beat you,” Baekhyun reminds him.
The light of the moon glints in Yixing’s eyes. “I do when they earn it.”
It’s a beautiful moment, one that Baekhyun wishes he could bottle. Except for the part where Yixing then pushes him into the river like Baekhyun had done to him so many years ago. He screeches when he hits the surface, falling under before resurfacing. Baekhyun scowls as he brushes the wet hair from his face. Yixing is laughing at him, far too pleased with himself.
Baekhyun splashes at him, nose scrunched and a pout on his lips. Yixing, however, wades into the water after him even as Baekhyun tries to back away. There’s no malice when Baekhyun tries to push him and he’s all too easy to conquer when Yixing bends to kiss him.
In the morning, the two of them are going to have to face the pack and Baekhyun will have to leave his tent with Joonmyun to live with Yixing. He doesn’t feel so bad about it when he knows Chanyeol will probably be nosing his way into Joonmyun’s tent soon enough to stay permanently. Baekhyun finally feels like he’s found his place.
The summer sun is high in the sky, unhindered by the few clouds that float by. Baekhyun isn’t bothered by the heat, lounging lazily on his back, soft blades of grass tickling against his skin where his shirt has risen up and the familiar, welcome weight of Yixing’s head resting on his stomach. It’s a lazy day that’s been well earned.
The last days of Spring had been spent gathering and drying the last of the berries so they didn’t go bad and Baekhyun had been in charge of it all. He hadn’t realized how much responsibility his mother had taken on just by being the Alpha’s mate even before he was gone. For years she had maintained her position over the omegas, helping task and organize everything to ensure the pack’s needs were met even after the Alpha was gone. Baekhyun is stumbling along, trying to keep up with her legacy and there have been a few roadblocks, but he’s getting the hang of it now.
He’d been afraid that his being catapulted so suddenly to the top of the omegas would lead to resentment, but instead, his friends had stood by his side and helped him when he faltered. He honestly doesn’t know what he’d do without Joonmyun, Jongin and Yifan for support. And sure, Sehun too - when he’s not whining because he hates berry picking because he gets cut up, and pouts until someone bops him on the nose. He stopped the day Liyin told him that she didn’t mind the scratches from thorns because Jongdae liked to lick her fingers clean after.
Yixing is playing with Baekhyun’s hand, distracting him from what promises to be a wonderful nap because his touch sends shivers skittering up Baekhyun’s arm. He’d ask him to stop, but he’s enjoying the attention. Yixing’s Alpha duties keep him away, sometimes for days at a time. He’d even had to make a trek back to the mountain pack not long after they’d mated to form an official alliance and solidify his position - returning with a few more wolves looking to settle in a smaller pack.
That first absence was the worst. Baekhyun had worried over everything until it dawned on him that there was very little difference from what he’d done before. More people looked to him, but helping was something so ingrained in him that it was second nature. It eased his nerves and he rose to every occasion a little more confident than he’d been before. He still nearly climbed right up on Yixing the moment he was back in camp, scrambling into his arms and refusing to be parted from him for days.
Yixing gazes up at Baekhyun with a soft smile, taking Baekhyun’s hand and placing it on his head with a pleading look. Baekhyun scoffs for show before sliding his fingers through the silky strands of Yixing’s hair, his nails scraping carefully as Yixing leans into his touch. Sometimes he can be worse than Sehun who still seeks head scratches from anyone who isn’t busy.
Off to the side, Sehun is doing just that. Minseok and Luhan each have a hand stroking through his hair while speaking to each other in low voices as Sehun drifts to sleep. He’s been napping everywhere lately and Yixing’s mentioned a slight change to Sehun’s scent. Baekhyun has the sneaking suspicion that he might be carrying a little one or two.
Joonmyun’s probably picked up on it too. Probably. He’s got his hands full with Chanyeol who is even worse than before. Now that Chanyeol’s officially claimed Joonmyun as his, he’s become possessive. He darts over any time he gets a moment, draping himself entirely over the smaller omega until Joonmyun is slumping forward and ordering him to get off or he’ll force him to sleep outside. It’s an empty threat, but Chanyeol always slides off, pouting until Joonmyun gives in and allows him a hug before pushing him away.
When Baekhyun looks over, he sees the corners of Joonmyun’s lips fighting to stay down because Chanyeol has manhandled Joonmyun onto his lap and has him locked in place with no hope for escape. Joonmyun absolutely loves it, but he doesn’t want Chanyeol to know. It would only encourage him to do it more and while Joonmyun’s confided that he gets this rush every time Chanyeol holds him, it’s very distracting and he can’t think properly. If Chanyeol had his way, he’d never leave Joonmyun’s side and Joonmyun would never get anything done.
Chanyeol looks immeasurably pleased, his chin propped on Joonmyun’s shoulder, as he converses with the two people tangled together on the grass in front of him. Unlike the rest of them, Yifan and Jongin are literally inseparable; they spend their days going about their tasks, but always touching in some way. When Yixing’s alpha duties take him away, Baekhyun finds himself wistful when he sees their heads tipped towards each other, sharing whispers and smiles while he’s pining for Yixing. He’d unintentionally growled at them once just for being affectionate and they’d tackled him into the grass and snuggled him until he fell asleep.
Everything is falling into place. The pack is stabilizing, beginning to flourish under the leadership of a young, strong Alpha and Baekhyun is proud to be at his side. He’d once balked at such a responsibility, but he knows now that he’d been foolish. He was born the son of an Alpha, and raised by a woman strong enough to lead the pack after he was gone. Baekhyun was raised to fill this role and it feels right. Finally.
Yixing twists, pulling away long enough for Baekhyun to let out a soft whine at the loss of heat. But Yixing is crawling over him, leaning in until Baekhyun can see nothing but Yixing in his view. “What are you thinking about so intently?” the Alpha questions, nudging the tips of their noses together.
“You,” Baekhyun answers with a hum. He shifts beneath Yixing, laying out more comfortably. “And napping.”
Yixing drops a kiss on the tip of Baekhyun’s nose before leaving one on his lips. “You should rest lots,” Yixing mumbles, slowly leaving a trail of kisses across Baekhyun’s cheek and jaw, over to just beneath his ear. “You’re going to need it.”
“To put up with you?” Baekhyun jests even as his heart flutters and his breath catches in his throat. Yixing’s soft laughter rumbles through his chest and Baekhyun gets his arms around his mate, content and wanting nothing more than to bury his nose in Yixing’s neck to fall asleep.
“With the little me,” Yixing corrects.
It takes Baekhyun’s sluggish mind a moment to catch up, but when it does, his eyes pop open and he goes limp. “What?” he says weakly.
“Go to sleep,” Yixing grunts, dropping his full weight on Baekhyun who wraps around him instinctively. “We’ll talk later.”
Later. Baekhyun grins, fingers curling in Yixing’s hair. He’s comforted by Yixing’s even breathing and his steady warmth and his heart could burst from his happiness. He’s finally right where he’s supposed to be.