Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Culinary school is more than just "learning how to cook". If you said that to any self-respecting chef, they would most likely give you a well-versed tutorial in common knife skills that all culinary arts students learn within the first year of their education. It's hard work, exhausting, grueling, and extremely competitive. Everyone is determined to one-up each other, apply for the best jobs at the best restaurants after graduation, and make a stable name for themselves as a good chef. 

Each person has their specialties of course, but every graduate leaves with a culinary degree in all types of cuisines from around the world. It's just basic knowledge they are required to know. And so naturally, if you have one of the best grades and various highly recommended and positive feedbacks from professors and other well-known chefs on your records, it guarantees a better chance of getting hired. More opportunities to explore, more doors wide open to choose from.

Choi Beomgyu and Kang Taehyun were included in a class of highly skilled students throughout their college years. They did everything to the best of their abilities, and the competition among the other 98 students was fierce. There was not a single time to slack; everyone was aiming to be at the top. 

And with fierce competition comes a barrage of glares, snarky remarks muttered under breaths, cocky smirks when one outdoes the other on a skills test, and overall petty but friendly rivalry. 

Beomgyu and Taehyun were rivals with everyone in their class, but it was just something about the other that dug under their skins even more than the others. Everyone figured it was because they were both strong alpha males and had the whole 'grrr I'm more dominant than you' thing going on, but it was more than that. It went deeper than second genders, and more times than anyone could count, they would find beomgyu and taehyun nose to nose egging each other on with taunts and stupid insults while staring at each other with an intense heat in their eyes.  

But that was back then. About 6 months ago, they each sighed a huge breath of relief when they graduated with high marks, and there were various jobs to choose from in their pretty cityscape. So, without reluctantly looking back, they parted ways and hopefully would never see each other again. 

Well, that lasted like, barely two months. And here they are now, back at it with the rivalry, each competing for the now newly opened Head Chef position at Huening's Eatery, a well known up and rising five star restaurant settled comfortably on the shoreline of the city's major river. The view from the front of the restaurant was breathtaking, especially at night with all of the lights reflecting the large buildings surrounding it. There were bridges connecting the two sides of the river, which made for a very enjoyable spot during a break after the dinner rush. 

Despite their (friendly) rivalry, and their endless bickering (flirting) on a good day, both alpha males had to agree that this is probably the best restaurant they could work at, and didn't want to leave for a while, or ever if they could help it. The fact that the owner's son and semi-boss was super friendly and adorable was just an added bonus. Could it get any better than this? 

~

Great.

This is a joke, right?

Beomgyu dropped his duffel bag on the concrete at the front entrance of what used to be his apartment. He just got off shift after 12 hours, and comes back home to his apartment building on fire.

Yeah, on fire. With fire trucks and wee-woos and people scattered and everything, just like you would see in the news or on tv shows. He honestly didn't think it would ever happen to him, but here he is now, watching as the worst of it was now over, the sprayers still going strong as firefighters and police cleared the area and made sure all people were out and safe. 

He supposed it hit the local news, but being in the back kitchen with your arms up to the elbows in meat, grease, and other foods could distract a guy from checking social media or other sources of the outside world. Which is why he's only finding out about it now, when he got off shift and had to walk the grueling hike from the restaurant to his apartment building on aching feet. The only good thing about the walk was the nighttime view and cool wind blowing off the river and soothing his heated cheeks from working over a grill and stove top all day. 

He stared in disbelief with a huge wave of numbness at his ruined building. Naturally the fire destroyed his half of it, so it was very likely his apartment was in rubble. 

It wasn't much. The apartment building was rather crappy, decaying on the outside and in desperate need of renovations on the inside. But it was all he had, and now it was gone. 

People might wonder why beomgyu lives a little poorly. He has a very high paying check from the generous owner of Huening's Eatery twice a month, and he works more than 80 hours a week. All of the other chefs at the restaurant own a really nice and fancy apartment around the restaurant, in the higher end of the city. Even the lowest paid chef on the totem pole of hierarchy is well endowed. But beomgyu didn't spend his hard earned money on himself, at least not yet. He needed to pay off some major student debt after graduation, which kicked in just a few months ago unfortunately. That took away just a small sum of his money each month. The rest went to his parents, who accumulated so much debt and sacrificed themselves for more than 20 years so that their son could have a decent education in anything he wished to pursue. He selfishly wanted to go to culinary school, and they didn't even question it. They were so supportive during his years there, and even tried out his newest dishes and experiments, giving him helpful feedback. He was an average kid with a big dream that fell out of the social class niche they were forced into. So it was only right that he help pay back what he forced them to borrow in loans. He calculated it out; another two years of working and he could have the majority of it paid off. Then he would focus on saving for a decent apartment closer to work and start to build a life for himself without too much worry. It honestly could be worse. 

So that's why he's here in a rickety apartment on the sixth level, barely any furniture to his name, and just the basic necessities he needs to get through day to day life. He's at work most of the time anyways, so why would he need more than just an average bed, a small bundle of casual clothes, and a few toiletries to maintain a fresh look? Plus a lumpy couch and small tv for those rare days he has off from work. His fridge is always near empty, but working at a restaurant as a grill chef has its perks, so he eats there most days. He wears a sharp looking chef's uniform, the long sleeved top crisp and white, with black slacks and socks to go with it, and his black shoes shiny and well made. Really, that's all a guy needs to survive. 

And it's all gone. Everything, which wasn't much, but at least it was his. He just hoped his boxed books and notes from college were okay. Most of it was on his laptop, an older purchase he had to buy for classes, but he wasn't too concerned about it. He hardly uses his laptop now, and he synced everything up to his online account, so it was all saved no matter what happened to his technology. 

After his initial shock, he remembered to call his boyfriend and make sure he was okay. Sometimes Changmin stayed over while beomgyu was at work, which is fine since he needed the sleep. He lived in a noisy home and barely got enough rest as it was. 

With shaky hands, he brought out his phone and tried to dial changmin's number. He didn't hear about any casualties, and it looks like the firemen managed to get everyone out of there safely before any major damage could be done. But that doesn't mean Changmin wasn't at least startled, or scared, or maybe he inhaled some smoke-

He glanced quickly around the crowd while the phone dialed, sweat beaded on his forehead in nervousness. Maybe Changmin stayed home today, but that was unlikely. They had a date tomorrow since it was one of beomgyu's few days off. It would be easier if changmin stayed over night-

"Beomgyu, oh my god!" He heard the voice on the other end pick up, and immediately beomgyu relaxed. 

He's been dating his omega boyfriend for about 6 months now, and things were going pretty good. He and Changmin have had their ups and downs, and yeah a few times they got into some bad fights, but they always managed to make it work, sort of. 

"Changmin, are you okay? You didn't come to my apartment yet, right?!" Beomgyu replied. His heart was still beating a mile a minute. It hasn't completely registered yet inside his mind that his house basically burned to the ground. He will feel the panic about that later when he sees Changmin was doing okay. His wolf was mildly concerned and waiting patiently for beomgyu to go seek out their omega partner, if only because it was part of their protective instincts to take care of what was theirs. 

"I was there...and then somehow the fire started and we all had to evacuate. It was pretty bad and I figured I would wait around until you came back to let you know," Changmin answered. 

Beomgyu was already moving. "Where are you? I'm here already-"

"I'm near the west side of the building. But wait, beomgyu, there's something I need to tell you-" 

"I'll be there in like, a minute, just wait for me," beomgyu interrupted and hung up. He inhaled all the scents of people, sweat, fear, smoke, and looked for the overly strong scent of sweet pea from his boyfriend. It wasn't hard to find once he got close enough, not that beomgyu needed it since Changmin was taller than the average person and towered over the crowd. He had a long slim neck and lithe body frame, perfect for alphas to hold; beomgyu can confirm.

"There you are," beomgyu called out once he was within a few feet away. "You seem to be okay, and I don't see any injuries-"

He paused when he was only half a foot from Changmin, his nose catching the scent he didn't think anything much about while he was out of range. Particularly a smell that coated the skin of his boyfriend.

A growl erupted from beomgyu's throat before he could stop it, and his eyes flashed his wolf briefly before returning back to his original coffee color, his inner animal warning everyone around that they were on thin fucking ice. They were possessive of the things they owned. 

Another growl replied from the boy next to Changmin, his arm wrapped around his waist in a protective manner. 

Beomgyu thinks the fuck not.

"You asshole," he swung, clipping the brown haired male with a hard fist. That stung his knuckles momentarily but he was too angry to care. 

"Beomgyu wait!" Changmin yelled out, jumping in front of the other guy, who was a little more built with an athletic physique. 

Beomgyu glanced back and forth between each male, forcing his breathing to remain calm and his wolf to hold back from urging him to tear out the other guy's throat. 

"Explain," he growled out, his words barely audible. He didn't care if they got the attention of the people around them. He was too pissed and hyper focused on his omega smelling like some other alpha to really worry about a public appearance. 

Changmin lifted his hands up in a placatory gesture, as if beomgyu was some kind of feral animal that needs to be approached with caution; as if his anger wasn't justified with the fact that his boyfriend smelled like someone else. And sex. He smelled like sex, which was ironic because they haven't had sex with each other in almost a month. Beomgyu was too busy, and Changmin was never in the mood. Now he knows why. 

"I've been meaning to tell you, but I just didn't know when would be a good time. You've been so stressed about work so I held off. But well…" he trailed off, having the audacity to look sorry in front of beomgyu. 

Beomgyu remained perfectly still, wanting Changmin to say it with his own lips. 

Changmin squirmed a little under his scrutinizing glare. Beomgyu could be super friendly on most days, but when he was truly pissed he was downright scary.

Taking a nervous swallow, Changmin let out everything in a breath. "I want to end things between us. I found someone else, and it's just not working. Please understand." He said it as if beomgyu would be unreasonable about breaking up. 

Beomgyu clenched his fists at his sides, scoffing in the process. "Let me get this straight," he started in a deadly voice. "You come here with another guy and break up with me-"

"He's not mated. He's allowed to date whoever he wants," asshole alpha interrupted him and didn't let him finish. 

"Younghoon, please," Changmin rested a comforting hand on his arm and squeezed. Beomgyu's eyes narrowed in on the gesture. While they were dating, yes were because this relationship was so over with now, Changmin never initiated physical contact with beomgyu. It was one of the things they always got into an argument about. According to him, Beomgyu was too clingy for an alpha male. Which was stupid. There was no rule with how much he was allowed to touch his boyfriend, respectfully of course. He just wanted to shower his omega with love, was that so bad? 

"No, let me finish," beomgyu growled out. "You think I'm stupid? I can smell the sex all over you two. And it doesn't take a genius to put two and two together. Changmin wouldn't let me touch him for almost a month. A whole month without touching my omega boyfriend. So how long have you been fucking behind my back?" He glared at Changmin, who took a step closer to younghoon. "How long have you been cleverly hiding his marks and anything else he did to you? All of my money is on a month," he snarled, his upper lip curling. Honestly, he saw the signs a while ago, deep down he knew something was going on, but he chose to believe the best in his boyfriend. It wouldn't be fair to accuse Changmin of cheating just because they didn't fuck, or even hold hands, or spend time together when beomgyu was off every other week. 

"Hah, what money," younghoon snorted. 

"Beomgyu, I'm sorry-" Changmin began to plead, and really, that just made beomgyu completely close off to the other. He was done here.

"Stop it," he said calmly, but that was the farthest thing he felt inside. "You look pathetic pleading for forgiveness. A better person might forgive and forget, but not me. All those days you spent over my place 'sleeping'..." He muttered the last sentence under his breath, shaking his head at his stupidity. 

"Yeah, he was sleeping all right," younghoon said smugly. "We slept all over the place. Many times-"

Changmin gasped, watching as beomgyu took another swipe at younghoon and knocked the alpha on his ass. 

"Get out of my sight, both of you," he growled, his eyes the ice blue color of his wolf's. "I never want to see you again. Don't come near my apartment, don't step near my place of work, nothing." His fist was definitely sore now, but the pain kept him grounded.

"You have to at least understand. This isn't how I wanted things to go," Changmin said with a tiny shaky voice while helping younghoon back up. 

"I don't care," beomgyu cut him off, but he kept talking.

"I wasn't happy beomgyu," he sniffled. "You were always working, never giving me attention. I was lonely and sad, and younghoon was there for me when you weren't. Really, you're to blame for all of this." 

Oh he was good. Turning everything around so it made it look like beomgyu's fault. 

Instead of giving him the satisfaction of a response, beomgyu shook his head. "I bet you two were together at my apartment when the fire started. That's why he's here so fast. Tell me the truth," he accused this time.

Changmin pursed his lips not saying anything, and yeah that was enough for him to know it was true. They were literally fucking in his apartment, most likely for  weeks if not longer, and he was none the wiser. 

Beomgyu walked away first. He had to. He didn't want the cops or anyone to get involved, because if he stayed in their presence for a moment longer, he was seriously going to send that guy to the hospital. He wants to keep his job, he needs to make a livelihood, and he can't afford to have a mark on his record. He needs to remain calm. 

After grabbing his duffel bag and walking away from the apartment building, which was still in mayhem with firefighters and police trying to keep the crowd contained, he headed back the way he came. He needs to clear his head, and the only place he could think of to do that was on the bridge over the river, his favorite spot to go. 

Breathing in the heavy scent of water and wind, he relaxed somewhat. He was still raging inside, but now he can think through everything he's overlooked recently.

Changmin lied. Beomgyu did pay attention to him. He tried the best he could, but the omega wouldn't let him dote on him as much as he wanted to. Beomgyu wears his heart on his sleeve, and anyone could see he cares for the people he's with. Even when it's a quick casual fuck during his ruts, he makes sure to take good care of the person afterwards before sending them on their way; everybody appreciated him for it. Every time he has a day off, he tries to spend it with his boyfriend. But the past month, Changmin kept turning him down claiming he was busy with something or other. And beomgyu was fine with that, because he understood despite his wolf craving and needing the physical touch from their current partner. 

Changmin also knew that beomgyu worked his ass off so he could help his parents. He's not obsessed with work, he does it to make a better life for his family and future life with his mate. Which could have been Changmin...maybe. Guess he will never find out. 

And Changmin was sad and lonely? Beomgyu ignored him? Bullshit. If changmin needed something, beomgyu always had his phone on him in his pocket. He even makes sure to text his boyfriend periodically throughout the day to see how he's doing, make sure he's eating and sleeping, letting him know he's thinking of him during his breaks at work. One call away. One call and beomgyu would come running if it was an emergency. 

Changmin was a manipulative little bastard. If he wanted to break up, he should have done it sooner instead of going behind his back. Beomgyu would understand and wish him the best. He wasn't vindictive or evil. 

But seriously? Fucking in his apartment? His personal space? Not only is that a major insult to an alpha's territory, but it's just plain disgusting in general. Who the hell invites someone over to another person's apartment and hooks up? Just go to a motel or whatever, god damn. Beomgyu wracked his brain thinking how he didn't notice the scent of the other alpha, or the smell of sex in his apartment. The only conclusion he could think of is that they didn't do it on the couch or bed, thank God, but instead maybe the floor or kitchen counter? It would be easy to clean up and wipe away the scents with cleaning solution, and opening a window and airing out the place would take care of the rest. Beomgyu was gone for almost 16 hours a day. The whole place would clear out from unusual scents within a solid 2 or 3 hours easily. 

That's just fucked up. Why go through all that trouble? To what? Make a statement? Prove a point? Who the hell knows. 

Beomgyu bent over the railing of the bridge and sighed. Now that the initial shock of everything was starting to sink in, he felt like crying. What did he do to deserve this? His boyfriend cheats and breaks up with him the same day his apartment building burns up. That is some major shitty luck and he hopes he used up all his bad luck for the rest of this lifetime. 

The waves of the river lapped softly below him, and the city lights casted a very pretty reflection on the surface of the water. It's got to be close to midnight, one of his favorite times, but now he doesn't feel like enjoying it. 

What's he going to do? Where is he going to go? 

Panic and anxiety started to take hold of his chest, and he quickly needed to sit down. With wobbly legs, he made it to a nearby bench and plopped down with his bag. 

His two sunbaes, and really good friends, were out of the picture. Yeonjun and soobin have been with him since culinary school, and he was delighted to find out they both worked at the same restaurant he got hired at. But earlier this week, soobin went into labor and so the two were on leave with a brand new baby pup at home. The new alpha father was delighted, and doted on soobin the entire time. Beomgyu smiled when he remembered how his phone now holds many pictures of the family, courtesy of yeonjun. Soobin and yeonjun have been dating for forever, and when the omega revealed to everyone he was halfway pregnant and starting to show a baby bump, the entire kitchen erupted in cheers. Hueningkai, the son of the restaurant's owner and their partial boss, was insistent on soobin taking time off for the rest of the pregnancy. Standing on your feet that long can't be good for the baby. Soobin declined and promised to take the time off when he was farther along, and when that eventually happened yeonjun worked extra hours to save up for when he would go on leave to help take care of soobin and the baby. They now have a few months to themselves with their pup. 

Alphas were very possessive of their families, especially their mate and newborn, so having another alpha stay at their place was a very bad idea. Plus beomgyu didn't want to intrude on their life like that. Having a baby was a really big deal, and he would feel awkward and in the way. Omegas were also extremely stressed the first few weeks after labor before their hormones could calm down and regulate back to normal again. Beomgyu's alpha scent would agitate the hell out of soobin, no matter how nice and friendly the omega is. 

Yeah no, there's not a chance he could call yeonjun or soobin for help. No matter how much he knows the other two would gladly accept him into their home and around their newborn, he refuses to do that to them. This is their first child, and they deserve to spend this time with each other without drama or distractions. 

Which leaves only hyuka as a last resort. Hopefully the omega will let him crash on his couch for a day or two while he figures out what's going on with his apartment. 

Pulling out his phone, he made a call and hoped hyuka was still at the restaurant or still up.

Luckily, he was, and beomgyu was greeted with a big cheery hello. 

He smiled. At least his day wasn't total shit. He gets to have a sleepover with hueningkai, which was always a joy. 

~

"Do it again," taehyun said in a deadly calm voice, throwing the plate in the sink, food and all. He didn't have time for this shit. 

"But sunbae-" the other chef called out, "what's wrong with it?" 

Taehyun was already halfway turned around, but that stupid idiotic question made him snap his head back and glare at the beta. And no, he wasn't using his strong alpha vibes to show dominance over the poor fellow; taehyun was just that pissed off all on his own. 

"What's wrong with it? You seriously asked me that? How can you even consider yourself an assistant?" 

The all-purpose chef just stared wide eyed at him. This person was hired long before taehyun was hired right out of school, and yet he was a complete idiot. His job was to specifically bounce from station to station, assisting in tasks and taking the place of anyone who is absent from work. He is trained to have general knowledge in all areas, yet he can barely handle a good piece of poultry it would seem. 

Taehyun huffed. He doesn't have time for this shit. Plates are piling up and customers are getting hungry. He shouldn't have to spend his precious spare moments in the kitchen teaching a chef how to cook a fucking piece of routissere chicken!

Taehyun grabbed the plate again out of the sink and slammed it down onto the countertop with a clang. He was careful not to break the dish, despite him wanting to whip the entire thing at the fucking wall. 

With expert fingers, he tore open the piece of chicken breast. It looked beautiful on the outside, cooked and browned with almost perfection. But his trained eye could tell it wasn't done. It was still raw despite being white on the inside at a glance. 

"The juices from the chicken breast alone should have told you it wasn't done. All you had to do was poke it and see it bubble out of the meat in light pink. It needs to be clear! And when you cut it up," he demonstrated with his hands, pulling it apart right there, "the tendons inside the pieces are still shiny and soft, not tender and cooked. Are you sure you passed the culinary arts? Because anyone who cooks regularly at home on a daily basis knows at least this much!" 

The chef glanced between the semi-raw chicken breast and taehyun's no-nonsense face. Usually taehyun was even tempered, but he couldn't stand stupid rookie mistakes. They were at a 5 star restaurant, he doesn't need this bullshit on one of their busiest days during the lunch hour rush. 

"You almost got someone sick and cost hueningkai a fucking lawsuit. You're off rotisserie and grill, go help out with soups. Please don't fuck it up," he said, shooing the chef away. Taehyun has only been here for half a year, but already earned one of the top spots in the kitchen and is extremely respected. He was an all around chef, as everyone should be in here, but specialized in the pasta dishes, which were being pumped out by the hundred as the day progressed. Everyone loves soup and pasta for lunch.

The chef scurried off before taehyun could ream him a new asshole. He's lucky he's too busy to report him and possibly get him reprimanded. 

With a quick glance through the kitchen, taehyun assessed the progress of his line. They seemed to be doing fine, and so he turned his attention back to the meat. 

He frowned, noting the empty station. Usually there is always a big bustle of energy and laughter on that side of the wide kitchen, but not today. No, today he has to somehow do damage control and organize the place before everything ends up in flames.

Their Head or Executive chef, yeonjun, was out on leave because his mate who was the Sous chef just had a newborn pup. So. Their kitchen was down Head chef and Sous chef, which was the assistant Head chef, and now they were down their main routiseur and grillardin chef, who handled all the meat. 

So going down the ranks, taehyun was one of the few next most experienced to run the kitchen. He's a Senior Chef and a Chef de Partie, meaning he excels in a certain area of the kitchen and directs staff under him. There were a few of them in the kitchen, but since Mingyu is being a piece of shit and not helping, he's self-proclaimed in charge. 

He threw out a few orders to some people over at the fryer area, and then walked over to make sure the salads were up to perfect standard. Their restaurant had a reputation. 

At least he knew the sushi would be perfect thanks to Senior Chef Mingyu, who specializes in them, but that does little to help in the bigger picture. 

Frustration and sweat beaded at his forehead. Everything was going okay, but not as smoothly as usual. Bumps and road blocks were everywhere.

"I want that plate tossed! There's too much sauce!" He yelled to a chef about to pass a plate to the waiting counter. It was drowning in balsamic sauce and not acceptable.

"Sir we just got five more orders for steak, medium rare on two, slightly rare on one, and two well-done," one of the head waitresses walked in, adding the tickets to the growing stack. To his horror, she pulled out another few tickets from the other pocket book. "And three orders of chicken over pasta." 

Taehyun sucked in a calming breath, held it there for a few moments, and then released it. "They will be ready in twenty minutes," he ground his teeth as he told the waitress. It wasn't her fault that they have an unusual order of meat dishes today...or maybe they always had this amount, but a certain grill chef made sure it was all taken care of. Taehyun has never had to worry about the meat that goes on his pasta dishes. Not since his fellow classmate and the bane of his existence got hired soon after him. 

"And where the fuck is beomgyu?!" He finally snapped, just yelling into the void of their kitchen. He rarely showed this much anger, but he was beyond stressed and a few people chuckled with amusement at his outburst. Beomgyu was also a Senior Chef and would help him out seamlessly when they worked together. Kim Mingyu should be helping as well, but taehyun couldn't really stand him. Mingyu always did whatever he wanted and preferred to work in his little area on his own with few people to assist him. 

He might have this weird rivalry thing going on with beomgyu, and thinks he's an arrogant asshole on a good day, but at least beomgyu knew how to work around him and with him when the job needed to get done. They didn't joke around when it came to their food. 

"He had to take a half day!" Someone yelled out in answer. He didn't expect one, but he was thankful at least someone heard him. 

"And why is that?" Taehyun growled, annoyance coursing through him. 

"Personal reasons!" The reply came back, probably from one of beomgyu's usual assistant chefs. 

He glanced quickly to the growing pile of meat requests. Of course they had a ton of meat requests. A good majority loves meat with their meal. Hell, taehyun loves meat the most. 

Fuck, beomgyu is gone only a couple of hours and already they were swamped. He refuses to admit it out loud, but beomgyu's grilling and rotisserie skills are extraordinary. No one can make meat melt in your mouth like he can, so missing him today is definitely noticed. 

Taehyun sighed, deciding for himself that he will take over the grill along with his pasta station; the two usually always went back to back together anyways since there are so many delicious pasta dishes with meat on top. He's good at grilling, of course he would be, but not as great as beomgyu. It's not taehyun's specialty, and he's okay with admitting that much. Everyone excels at something, and he happens to be pasta dishes of any kind. Beomgyu was meat. Mingyu was sushi. Jeonghan was pastries, the list goes on. 

Rolling up his sleeves to his elbows, he stepped over to the grill and asked for the situation. One of the assistant chefs gave him a look of relief knowing taehyun was more competent than the chef from before, and he easily smiled taehyun's way. Beomgyu's assistants were always easy-going, just like him. They somehow managed to have fun while working, a rare feat in this place. 

"If you start grilling up the steaks, we can handle the rest. Those are the ones you have to watch closely the most," an assistant said to him. Taehyun nodded and got to work. 

When his break came around, taehyun took off the little half apron from around his waist and threw it in a corner. He gracefully made his way out of the kitchen and headed straight for hueningkai's office.

"Alright, where is he?! Dinner rush is going to be starting up soon, and we need a griller," taehyun said, bursting into hyuka's office like he owned it. 

Hueningkai was on the phone and held a hand up for a moment. Taehyun shut the door and crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at nothing in the background while he waited. 

When hyuka was done, he gave taehyun a huge smile. "Taehyun! What were you saying earlier?"

Taehyun huffed. "First of all, Mingyu is a piece of shit who doesn't help at anything other than his station. But that's not the point. Where the hell is beomgyu? I thought he was taking a half day?"

Hyuka gave him an 'ah' face, understanding the situation. 

"He's running a little late, but don't worry! He will be here before dinner really starts going. How have things been going in the kitchen? I was too busy to come back there and check on you guys." 

Taehyun pursed his lips. "It was horrible. We were swamped with work, and we need a grill chef. How selfish can that guy be for missing one of the busiest days of work?!"

Hyuka frowned. "He had personal reasons and I let him go," he defended beomgyu. 

"What personal reasons? Couldn't it have waited till after his shift?" Taehyun snarked back. He was just a little high strung and stressed from the day. Barely anyone was cooperating with him or each other. The teamwork was horrible. 

Hyuka placed his hands together calmly on top of his desk. "Taehyun, that's not nice. You know beomgyu hyung wouldn't miss today unless it was absolutely important. Stay off his back," he warned. He was well aware of their constant bickering and bantering at work, and usually they were careful not to cross a line. But he was always prepared for the worst in case someone took it too far. Two alphas in the kitchen wasn't usually a good combination. And it was rare for a restaurant of hyuka's family's caliber to have five. 

Yeonjun, mingyu, jeonghan, taehyun, and beomgyu were all alpha males. The rest of the kitchen were betas and omegas. Usually a closed space workplace only employed betas and omegas in order to keep the peace. It was perfectly normal, and the alphas were fine with it. An alpha liked being in big open workplaces and spaces, where they could spread out and not feel caged in. Many times an alpha has gotten himself into a rage because he was stressed and his wolf felt claustrophobic in their environment. 

But there are rare occasions. Not every alpha is the same, all mighty and demanding. Some are more mild tempered and calmer than others. Some are more introverted and quiet. That's when you will find these alphas working alongside betas and omegas in harmony. So if an alpha wants a job in a workplace that really shouldn't be suited for their secondary nature, an employer could give them a trial run to see how things work out. Simple as that.

Beomgyu and taehyun got the same speech from Mr. Huening before they were each hired. They were watched and tested for two weeks, and if they found that they could handle the environment with their alpha wolf, they were allowed to stay on the payroll. Naturally they both succeeded. 

Yeonjun was there two years before them, and worked his way up to Head Chef despite being an alpha. He was such an easy-going person that he was perfect for the kitchen. They needed a strong team leader, and he more than qualified for the job no matter what his secondary gender happened to be. And soobin was his complete counterpart. They worked so well together, they were so in tune with each other, that it was sometimes scary to witness. The only explanation taehyun could think of was because they were mates, maybe even soulmates. You can just see that type of genuine bond between two people a mile away. 

Jeonghan was a lone wolf type of guy. He has no interest in leading or taking over the place. He sits in the background and makes his pastries, perfectly at peace. So Mr. Huening was totally okay with that alpha being in the kitchen along with yeonjun. 

Mingyu unfortunately only thinks about himself and his station and hardly helps anyone else out in the kitchen, but he's kind to the assistants who work under him so there was no problem in letting him stay. 

Next came taehyun. He was serious about his work and always cared about the outcome. He knew how to be a team player and was completely content in letting yeonjun run things. His alpha wolf wasn't interested in taking charge either. He was more of the all-rounder type of guy, which is why he was approved of and stayed as an employee, adding a fourth alpha to the batch.

Finally came beomgyu. That guy was such a charmer, he could get any old grump in the room laughing and having a good time. He rarely showed dominance or strong alpha tendencies, so everyone forgets he's an alpha altogether. In fact, most people don't even realize he's an alpha until they get very close to take a whiff of his scent. He got the job without Mr. Huening even realizing until it was too late that he hired yet another alpha. But beomgyu already made fast friends with over half the kitchen staff and so he passed with flying colors. 

However, that casualness about beomgyu was what always irked him. Taehyun could always see the undeniable dominance laying dormant under the surface. He could sense the predator in beomgyu that others foolishly overlooked. If beomgyu truly wanted to cause damage, he could. It fascinated his wolf since the moment they met back in school, and it irritated taehyun to the point he sometimes lashes out at the other alpha. He couldn't help it. Plus Beomgyu liked to be a little shit most days.

Beomgyu must have thought the same way about taehyun, because he doesn't hesitate to start pushing taehyun's buttons the first chance he gets. 

Still, taehyun knows when he needs help and won't hesitate to ask for it. With yeonjun and soobin gone, and Mingyu being worthless, on top of these assistants who have no idea the difference between chicken breast and chicken tenderloin, taehyun is overworked and dare he say it...he needs beomgyu's help. 

He sighed, the tension leaving his body. Hyuka is right. Despite beomgyu being a flirty pain in his ass, he wouldn't cop out of work unless it was really important. It's one of the few things he appreciates about that idiot. 

"Fine. Just...tell him to hurry up if you see him. Dinner is gonna be a bitch without him," he reluctantly said. 

The door to the office opened up right as he was saying that, and immediately taehyun stiffened. He would know that scent like the back of his hand. He's been subtly surrounded by it for years to the point it was practically ingrained into his sensory nerve receptors. His wolf liked it a little too much, urging taehyun to inhale deeply and let it fill his lungs, taste it on his tongue, linger on his skin-

So taehyun held his breath instead. He doesn't need to be distracted by a mouthwatering scent of lemongrass, bringing with it a refreshing clear of mind. Beomgyu's alpha scent wasn't the usual potent and masculine sandalwood or musk or other strong fragrances that accompanies most other alphas. His was light, fresh, lemony and earthy, with a spice of sweetness. The aroma clung to him as if he just walked out of a fresh shower and wore a clean shirt smelling like laundered soap. Many people around taehyun described it as subtle, comfortable, homey, warm, cozy...stuff like that. 

His high strung wolf was usually at peace around it, so naturally taehyun is determined to hate the scent. He doesn't trust an alpha who has a scent like it should belong to an omega, or those overly affectionate grandmas who are super sweet and bakes cookies all day. He views beomgyu's scent as the devil, enticing people to come closer so he can have them eating out of the palm of his hand. Well taehyun wasn't going to fall for it. 

"Yeah life's a bitch, because if it was a slut it would be easy," beomgyu quipped as he entered the office behind taehyun. He chuckled at his lame joke and hyuka rolled his eyes. 

"Dinner officially starts in 10 minutes," taehyun clipped back in reply. Then he left without another word. 

Right before he exited the office, he glanced at beomgyu's face. He had to do a double blink to make sure he saw right. 

Despite beomgyu's overly confident and annoying sexy deep voice, he looked a bit off. Usually he has a glint of mischievousness in his eyes and a perpetual smile at the corners of his lips, like he enjoys life. His face is always fresh and perked up even after being tired from a long shift. But this time, the happiness was gone out of his smile and his eyes looked dull and sad. 

He guesses hyuka was right. Something major must have happened to make even Choi Beomgyu look like that. 

The rest of the dinner rush went by...smoothly but everything was weird and awkward. 

Taehyun watched closely from his spot at the front of the burners in the pasta line, plating and checking things to make sure they were good to go out. From this vantage point he could always clearly see beomgyu's back while he works at the grill. Usually beomgyu is laughing loudly and throwing his head back at something funny one of his assistants said to him, or he's calling out the orders for everyone obnoxiously, tacking on cheesy nicknames he comes up with just to be endearingly annoying. Or he's over here bothering taehyun, leaning seductively across the metal countertop and trying to rile him up, get him to make a mistake as a joke. Sometimes he succeeds. 

But right now...right now beomgyu has his head bent over the grill while finishing the orders as they come, and he's quiet. Even his assistants are glancing at him with uneasiness, unsure of how to handle the situation. And taehyun also has no idea on how to approach him. Usually it was effortless. Beomgyu would come over and slide plates of meat across to him so he could finish up his pasta dishes. With each plate came a snarky or flirty response that no doubt was said to annoy him. 'Here's your steak Your Highness', 'Pork is ready to go, baby,' 'chicken is more tender than your pasta could ever be,' just stuff like that. Taehyun has learned to ignore them, and dare he admit it, sometimes chuckles under his breath after beomgyu turns back around because okay, some of them were funny. 

But now beomgyu is just sliding them over silently, and then quietly taking the new stacks of orders and once again silently grilling. His meat is still flawless as ever, taehyun sneakily tried one and claimed it slid off the plate just so he could be sure beomgyu wasn't spacing out and potentially killing the entire restaurant with undercooked meat. But low and behold, everything is just as delicious as it should be. To add to it, beomgyu didn't even get annoyed or make a snappy remark at taehyun wasting a good cut of meat and he having to cook a fresh one, putting him a few minutes behind. He just nodded and went on his way.

This was unnerving, and it made taehyun's wolf agitated with worry. But beomgyu seemed to be handling stuff fine and it wasn't affecting his work, so taehyun ignored it. It's none of his business. Together they got the kitchen under control and the night ended without any further problems. 

"Oh no! I'm so sorry!" One of the omega female chefs exclaimed, right after she accidentally bumped into beomgyu and dropped her bowl of orange glaze for the sesame chicken onto the floor. A small swipe of it splattered up onto beomgyu's white chef's top. 

"It's fine," beomgyu reassured her, calmly grabbing a nearby towel and wiping at it. "Sorry about the glaze," he apologized. Half of it landed on the tile floor and was useless now. She will have to make a new batch of it tomorrow. Accidents like this happened all the time, even though everyone was very careful. 

She bowed a few times and shook her head. "It's no problem. I can whip up a new batch tomorrow morning. I should've watched where I was going."

Beomgyu nodded and stuck the corner of the towel under some warm water in the sink. Then he wiped some more at the spot so it wouldn't stain. Most of it came off and it was just a pale orange area on his otherwise clear uniform. How he never gets grease spattered horribly on him taehyun will never know. 

Taehyun was one of the last with them cleaning up the kitchen before heading out. The female quickly rinsed her dish and then she too left.

"You almost finished?" Taehyun called over to beomgyu, who was sort of spacing out at the counter. If he needed help cleaning the grill, he could spare a few minutes. Everybody helped everybody, as a team. Just like how soobin and yeonjun wanted it. 

"Yeah, you can go ahead," beomgyu hummed, paying him no mind. Taehyun shrugged and left, trusting beomgyu to lock up. 

Still, he glanced one more time in his direction before turning out of the kitchen. It wasn't completely a glance of worry, but it wasn't one without concern either. He's never seen beomgyu so out of character in all of their years skirting around each other. 

~

"Any luck?" Hyuka asked, his eyes shining with hope. 

Beomgyu shook his head. "No, still nothing within my price range and isn't far from work. The one I had was pretty much the only place, it would seem," he replied, sighing. He was tired. Really really tired. 

For three days he's been looking nonstop for a new place to live. His apartment along with ten others were shut down due to the fire. The building he was staying in didn't have any extra apartments to relocate everyone and so...they were on their own. Which means beomgyu has no place to stay until he finds a new one. This wouldn't be a problem if he had some money to spare, but he doesn't. And now he's spending way more out of his budget to find a new apartment. 

The restaurant is located in a high end part of the city along the shore of the river, so everywhere he goes it's pretty pricey. The apartment he was staying at happened to be a stroke of luck...until now. 

Hyuka has been generously letting him sleep on his couch at his apartment, but he can't stay there forever.

"Dammit," hyuka cursed, which wasn't often. "We have a problem, hyung," he said sadly. 

Beomgyu's heart dropped. No, not another problem. He's been staying up all night and walking around every morning since the fire to find a new place, then working the dinner shifts in the evening and doing it all over again. He's tired of having problems. He just wants to go home and sleep in a normal bed and not have to worry about anything but the menu for next season's holiday specials. 

Gulping and willing his pulse to stop racing, beomgyu encouraged hyuka to continue. "What's the matter?" 

Hyuka bit his lip and looked away. "My sisters, aunt, and mother are all coming to stay with me for a few weeks. I tried to reschedule and delay it a week so that you had some more time but...it didn't work. I'm sorry," he looked down, feeling really bad. 

Well damn, that is a major problem. The words weren't spoken, but beomgyu heard them loud and clear. He needs to leave. There is no way a young unmated alpha male can stay in a home with women, and a few unmated ones at that. It just wasn't decent. 

Beomgyu willed his hands not to shake and tremble. Anxiety was blowing full force through him, and he needed to get a hold of himself before hyuka sensed his worry. 

"It's okay hyuka. You've been more than enough help these past few days. I don't know what I would've done without you," he said with a smile. His tone was gentle and grateful. 

Hyuka started to sniffle, and beomgyu was quick to approach him.

"Hey, hey, don't cry. Why are you crying?" Beomgyu chuckled. 

Hyuka still wouldn't look at him. "Because now you have nowhere to go and I can't do anything about it," he said in a tiny voice. "Are you sure we can't call yeonjun and soobin hyung?" 

Beomgyu pulled hyuka's chair away from his desk and bent down to half hug him the best he could. "No baby, you know I can't do that. I'll figure something out." He soothed hyuka by rubbing his back lightly. 

"Isn't there anything I can do for you?" Hyuka sniffled again, rubbing his blurry eyes over beomgyu's shoulder. He hugged back, wrapping his arms around beomgyu's waist, trying to avoid the messy apron that was tied to the front. 

Beomgyu thought about it. His pride is telling him not to cave and ask for more help, but that would be a stupid thing to do. "Actually, if it wouldn't be too much of a bother, can I crash here on your office sofa? Just for the night so I can find a good hotel to stay in while I look around some more for an apartment. And perhaps I could take on some extra hours after the kitchen closes up. I could clean the entire place for more pay-"

"Done." Hyuka said without hesitation. 

"Thanks, you're the best," beomgyu smiled down at him, patting his hair and then leaning out of the embrace. "It's almost dinnertime, so I'm gonna go prep. When do I need to be out of your place by?" 

Hyuka looked up, his eyes slightly rimmed with red. He usually wasn't a crier, but his heart went out to beomgyu and his horrible situation. "T-tomorrow. I'm so sorry-"

Beomgyu waved it away nonchalantly. "Don't worry about it. Is it ok to at least keep my stuff there though while I continue looking around the next few days?" 

Hyuka nodded his head frantically. "Of course! I'll keep it in my room, nobody will touch it."

"Okay, I'll be back later tonight after I clean the kitchen," beomgyu winked, trying to make the situation light and happy again. For hyuka's sake.

He turned and headed out of the office, blinking back the tears he felt stinging behind his eyes. His situation just got about a thousand times worse, and he's seriously trying not to just run to the bathroom and ball his eyes out. 

He was so overwhelmed in his thoughts that he didn't even take notice of taehyun approaching hyuka's office. He hurriedly passed right by without even a glance.

Taehyun finished up the last of his orders and told his staff he was going on break for a few minutes. He needed to discuss an inventory issue that keeps going on in the kitchen. Someone wasn't ordering the correct amount of ingredients, and his line always ends up short. They are almost out of pasta. On a Friday night. That was an absurd thing to even think about, and now the third time it's happened. It's about time he brings it up to hyuka's attention so they can regulate the stock better. 

On his way down the hallway he noticed beomgyu exiting hyuka's office. So that's where he went on his break. He walked fast, and taehyun was prepared to banter back and forth with him like they usually do whenever they pass by each other.

But he blinked in shock when beomgyu didn't even seem to notice him, blinking his eyes rapidly and making a run for it. 

What the hell?

And then it hit him. Beomgyu's scent was covered lightly with hueningkai's scent. Like, all over his clothes. There's no way taehyun would miss that black raspberry smell their omega boss always carries around with him. 

Huh. That's weird.

Taehyun's jaw worked itself into a tense position and he chose to ignore it. His wolf perked up at this interesting bit of information. 

When he knocked on hyuka's door, he didn't mean to startle the poor omega. He jumped in his seat and finished wiping his eyes and blowing his nose before turning to taehyun.

Was hueningkai...crying? Did he get into a fight with beomgyu?

No way. Were they a thing? Lovers quarrel? 

All these questions raced inside taehyun's mind, but he stomped down on them and ignored the sudden pang of...something that coursed through he and his wolf. What beomgyu does is not his business, but it would be pretty shitty if he had their boss in bed with him. 

No. That was an inappropriate train of thought.

"What's up taehyun?" Hyuka asked, his voice a little raspy. 

Taehyun cleared his throat. "It's about the inventory of food. Someone isn't ordering enough pasta and sauce ingredients. I thought at first it was a fluke, but this is the third time in a row now. If we don't get some fast, we won't make it through Saturday."

Hyuka pursed his lips. "Shit, ok. I'll check and see who's in charge of ordering the stock and let them know to double it. Thanks for noticing so quickly," he gave him a cheery smile, despite it being a little watery from his earlier bout of sniffles. Taehyun chose to politely ignore it and not question why he was sad. 

"No problem," he replied quietly. He lingered a moment, deciding whether or not to ask what was wrong, but ultimately decided to let it be. 

When he returned to the kitchen again after his break, dinner time was once more quiet and awkward for the third day in a row.

Beomgyu stepped off to the side to adjust his ponytail better, and taehyun couldn't help but watch as he tied back his semi-long dark hair. Then beomgyu got back to work and didn't say much the rest of the night. 

And just because taehyun was an overly observant person, he noticed. 

Was that the same orange glaze faded spot on beomgyu's uniform top from almost three days ago? No way, surely he washed it by now.

~

Beomgyu blinked his eyes awake, just barely registering that his phone alarm was going off. 

4am. Only three hours after he went to bed. 

He got up from the long leather couch settled in hyuka's office, and cringed when he heard tons of cracks in his back. 

Glancing down at his outfit, he sighed. The first night on hyuka's couch was not the best. Plus he was still in his grimy clothes.

Yeah, he definitely needs a hotel room after work today. He can't keep coming here looking like a slob since he has no ready access to a shower or washing machine. 

Staying at a hotel around here wasn't going to be cheap, so he will have to work fast to find a place to stay. Which is why he asked for these additional hours at the restaurant, so he won't lose too much of his savings. He's barely got enough to make these extra purchases.

All because of some dumb fuck who loves incense a little too much while trying to mask the smell of weed and whatever else they were smoking. Yeah, the police all notified everyone what the cause of the fire was, and everybody is basically sueing. 

Rubbing his eyes and using the restroom, beomgyu shuffled over to the refrigerator area and began his morning cleanup before everyone else arrived. He still has a little bit of pride and really doesn't want his coworkers to know he's basically homeless and tight on money. Hyuka is going to pay him under the table for cleaning after-hours, both in the morning and evening once everyone goes home. Which was why he was here until 1am last night and crashed on hyuka's couch. The omega was nice enough to give him his keys to keep. 

He yawned while dragging over a large trash can and some cleaning towels, rubber gloves, and whatever else he needed to tidy up the huge walk in fridge.

His nose crinkled at all the old stuff from earlier in the week that nobody got rid of. 

Why the fuck are there bowls of old chopped up veggies just laying around and molding? And who the hell didn't cover the pasta correctly? He knows for a fact it wasn't taehyun, that boy was impeccable with his cleanup. As he should be, since it was a chef's responsibility to keep the kitchen spotless and avoid possible bacteria growing on their ingredients. 

Speaking of taehyun, things have been quiet between the two. Beomgyu just wasn't in the mood for his daily playful arguing with the other alpha. He's been internally freaking out about everything else to focus on annoying his old schoolmate, which is saying a lot because that was always his past joy time. Riling taehyun up was so much fun. Taehyun always indulged him in stupid arguments, always fell for the bait. Truly it was the highlight of beomgyu's day. 

And sometimes, he did it because he really liked getting up close into taehyun's personal space, trying to see what would make him tick. Any other alpha would've snapped and swung at him by now, but taehyun always played back, getting equally in his face nose to nose and making beomgyu's mind have a run for it's money. It was during those times that beomgyu would have to hold his breath because if he breathed in taehyun's scent, it drove his wolf crazy. 

His scent was always pleasing to beomgyu. Like juniper berries, it had a touch of pine and cedar, very fresh but spicy with woodsy powerful undertones. It describes taehyun perfectly, and certainly attracts omegas from all over. 

It's a shame taehyun wasn't more open to threesomes or even foursomes in college. As two very attractive and sexually aware alphas, Beomgyu thought he and taehyun could have had a lot of fun with a couple of omegas or betas in the sheets. But, taehyun was a strict no touching, not even casually dating, kind of guy. Not for a while at least. Beomgyu thought he saw taehyun with a few partners their first and second years at school, but nothing since then. It's like the guy closed himself off for good. Maybe he was just waiting for his mate? Beomgyu mentally shrugged at the thought. He was in no hurry to pick a mate out. He is not afraid to admit he's a very sexual alpha that loves to have fun in the bed, and he's very open to dating. 

Well...not anymore. And he doesn't think he will be for a while, ever since Changmin basically betrayed him. Man, getting cheated on sucks. 

Beomgyu might like to get freaky in bed, but if he's in an exclusive relationship, he's loyal. His parents didn't raise a cheater. Can't say the same for Changmin, he hissed under his breath as he bent down over a shelf in the walk-in fridge and wiped up some fallen lettuce towards the back. 

There wasn't a terrible hole in his heart from Changmin dumping him for some other guy. If anything, he was really pissed he was cheated on instead of just properly breaking up with him like any other decent human being would do before fucking someone else. Instead he's upset with himself. He should've listened to his wolf long ago. The animal took one look at Changmin when they first met and just snuffed out a breath, almost like a snort. But he respected beomgyu's decision to try things out with the omega, and took a back burner in this relationship all these months. He didn't get overly excited whenever beomgyu was with the omega, he didn't feel possessive or want to bite and mark Changmin, he didn't even think much about him during their day away from him. And he really wasn't fond or crazy about changmin's overly sweet scent of sweet pea. Sometimes his wolf would sneeze if beomgyu got too close while he and Changmin were together with nothing between them. 

The only time his wolf ever rolled around onto his back playfully and urged beomgyu was to coat the both of them in a certain juniper scent, like he's doing right now with his tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth and his eyes and ears perked up alert-

Beomgyu tensed and remained frozen for a second. He was still bent towards the ground and in the middle of reaching for an over expired bottle of soy sauce, but now that he's not lost in thought he can sense what his wolf already sensed probably a few minutes ago. 

He unconsciously breathed in a spicy pine and cedar scent, letting it settle over him and making him shiver. He could taste it on his tongue.

There was no doubt about who belonged to that scent.

~

Taehyun tilted his head to the side, admiring the view.

Well, this was a pleasant early morning surprise. He didn't think coming at ass-o-clock at dawn aka 5am in the morning would have it's perks, but here he is, leaning up against the doorway to the open walk-in fridge and getting a personal front row view of the finest ass in the universe. 

He licked his lips and just stared and waited until beomgyu took notice. Which should be soon. 

Taehyun couldn't sleep last night. He wanted to make sure he had enough ingredients for his shift later that day. Running out of pasta on a Saturday was like suicide for his position, and so he decided to stop by early before the restaurant opened and make sure he had enough and everything was all settled. Then he would return home and catch some more sleep before it was time to come in around lunch time. Maybe he could even work out a bit while he waited. 

He didn't expect to enter the back kitchen and hear shuffling around and whispered ranting under someone's breath. He barely caught a few words, but he definitely heard something about cheating and lettuce. 

When he turned the corner quietly to see who was here, he blinked in surprise. The scent slammed into him immediately and yeah, not even the molding shredded cheese (who the hell left that in here?) could mask the only smell that could get him quickly tight in the front of his pants. He shifted uncomfortably and leaned against the doorway, choosing not to make his presence known. 

His eyes roamed all over just drinking it in, from the nice curve of beomgyu's ass in his black uniform pants, down to the material tightening around his thighs, and the delicate arch to his back as he reached for something on the lower shelf. 

Is it considered inappropriate to fantasize about wanting to just tear those pants down and sink into beomgyu's waiting heat, even with the cameras all over the place? 

Taehyun bit his lip hard, trying to snap out of it. It's always been like this with the other alpha. The sexual attraction he has for another dominant predator like him was weird, and unknown to him or anyone he knows. And beomgyu definitely feels it too. It would be nothing for him to close this door right now and push beomgyu up against the metal shelves. His wolf liked that idea. It would be a battle for power, control, dominance over the other. A constant push and pull-

But who would win between the two? Does it even matter? The whole prospect of being in that type of situation with beomgyu always excited both him and his wolf. Something like that to happen...it no doubt would be incredible. 

Enough. It will never happen. He and beomgyu have been dancing around each other for a long time, and nothing is going to change that. They are both too stubborn. Plus taehyun wants to settle, not have fun. Oh boy would it be fun with beomgyu, but that's all it will be-

Finally sensing he wasn't alone, beomgyu tensed his muscles. They both remained still and didn't say a word, like they were in a trance and sound would break it. Right now it was just the two of them in a closed off walk-in fridge, their scents swirling and mixing, creating a very appealing combination of juniper and lemon. 

Taehyun committed that very nice ass to memory. Beomgyu always looked good in any pair of pants and he was very proud of it. Taehyun may think the guy was annoying, but he knew how to appreciate a fine figure like this one.

Yeah, he will fantasize about it later, when he's alone in his room at night. 

Beomgyu slowly stood up and turned around, his comical lime green rubber gloves going up to his elbows to meet his rolled up sleeves. 

They sized each other up, just as they always do whenever they first enter a room together. It was a reflex that neither could help, and not a common one. Taehyun never did it to jeonghan, Mingyu, or yeonjun, and he never cared about the alphas in his school. But it was just something about beomgyu that made him perk up, eye him carefully, resist the urge to enter his personal space and snap his teeth in warning, or lick, or bite and suck-

Beomgyu was the first to break the silence. Their little macho assessment of each other was over with, both wolves once again recognizing they were evenly matched. Which was a first for both. If they could, their wolves would be circling each other slowly, waiting for the other to make a mistake so they could pounce on each other. The air crackled with electricity and their scent, thick but alluring. 

"Come here often?" He said in the cheesiest way possible. He wiggled his eyebrows up and down, making a show of obnoxiously smacking his lips.

Taehyun snorted. "As a matter of fact, I do," he replied back. "Fancy seeing you here at...5 o'clock in the fucking morning." 

Yeah, why the hell is beomgyu here so early? He wants to know.

Beomgyu shrugged, going back to tossing out some used broccoli into the huge trash can he wheeled in here. 

Taehyun took that moment to look at him, not his ass which is still doing great in case anyone was wondering, but really take a good examine of his face. 

"You look like shit," he said a moment later. He crossed his arms over his chest and watched as beomgyu didn't respond, instead wiping down a now clear metal shelf that would no doubt be filled back up with half used ingredients again by tonight. 

Taehyun didn't like to be ignored. Usually beomgyu always had a comeback or something snotty to say, so the lack of response bothered the hell out of him. 

"And when the hell was the last time you washed your shirt? I swear that slight orange spot has been there since a few days ago," he continued. 

Beomgyu stiffened, glancing down at his white button up, frowning at sure enough the orange glazed spot from the other day. He was hoping no one would notice. Tonight he was definitely going to wash it up and spend money at a laundromat. Of course taehyun would point it out. 

"Oh, I didn't see it," he lied under his breath, turning so that he could start throwing out a ton of shit on the middle shelves. 

Taehyun was getting impatient. And for some reason his wolf was nagging at him inside his head. The animal kept pawing at the ground, needing taehyun to realize something he clearly wasn't seeing. 

"And why the hell are you cleaning our fridge? That isn't part of your payroll or job description," taehyun threw one blow after another.

Beomgyu was still acting strange. "Oh you know, thought I'd help out, noticed it was getting a bit cramped in here," beomgyu shrugged again, obviously being vague on purpose. They both knew it, and he was just waiting for taehyun to call him out on it. "Why are you here so early?" He went on the defense. 

Taehyun pursed his lips, letting it go and ignoring his wolf inside his head. They were always battling it out and never on the same page with each other, both man and animal stubborn beyond belief. 

"I came to make sure I had enough ingredients and pasta for later today. I've been falling short these past few weeks and I don't know why."

Beomgyu glanced over his shoulder, nodding. "I noticed some of the containers over there weren't sealed properly. The top layer of noodles are hard and the whole thing has to be thrown out."

Taehyun stood up straight, pushing off the doorframe. "What?!" He exhaled, anger in his voice. He marched over past beomgyu and sure enough, he was right.

"I was going to make a new batch to replace them once I was done here," he continued, seeing the anger flick in taehyun's eyes and his jaw work up in a tense manner. 

Taehyun took the metal container wordlessly and dumped everything into the waste bin much more aggressively than necessary. "It wasn't me," he defended himself. "I know for a fact these were well sealed by the time I left."

Beomgyu snorted, watching taehyun finish his mini tantrum and finally let out a huff of hot air from his stunning lips. 

"I know," he told taehyun confidently, making the other alpha snap his head in his direction, eyes wide with shock. "It was probably one of the other dumbfucks around here," he waved his hand in the air nonchalantly.

"You seriously believe it wasn't me?" Taehyun asked incredulously. 

Beomgyu raised a brow. "Of course. Don't give me that look, we went to the same school taehyun. I know more than anyone else here that you wouldn't make a rookie mistake like that."

Taehyun flicked his eyes away, needing to break the intense gaze he felt from beomgyu. His chest warmed at the trust beomgyu had in him despite them always competing for the top spots. He didn't ask for it, but a sort of relief washed over him that at least one person believed him. 

"Thanks," he mumbled. 

"Well, get off your ass and go make some more for tonight," beomgyu grinned. "Plus you're in my way, I'm busy. Everyone will start coming in a few hours."

The other boy's mouth started to twitch at the corners. "I'm low on ingredients. I need to get some transferred from one of the other suppliers before lunch," taehyun started rambling, checking off things on his list out loud. "Probably will need twice as much fettuccine, linguine, and rotini. Some farfalle too." He sounds like a nut, but thankfully he doesn't have to explain himself at all. Beomgyu knows exactly what he's talking about since they are in the same career field.

"Have fun with that," beomgyu tossed over his shoulder as he hurriedly went back to cleaning. Everything was starting to look spotless, and taehyun still doesn't know why he's doing this. It should be the assistant chefs who clean out the fridge on a regular basis. 

Plus it was very obvious that beomgyu was beyond tired. Anyone who knew him well could see it. Despite his smirks and nonchalant attitude, taehyun could see the fatigue on his face and in his movements. Usually beomgyu was energetic and always hyper. 

Glancing at him one last time, taehyun wordlessly left the fridge and made his way to one of the pantries, grabbing more pasta. Their pasta noodles are always freshly made from dough at one of the other locations and sent to this one weekly. Taehyun could very easily make the noodles himself, but that takes way too much time and prep, something he doesn't have because this restaurant was the busiest on this side of the river. So he receives the pasta from the other sites and makes it fresh in the morning to use throughout the day. After lunch time he's out, and then he makes a whole other fresh batch for dinnertime, constantly rotating it. The Huening's take great pride on how fresh everything is down to the smallest detail. Nothing is artificial. 

So he quietly and quickly took note of his stock, hissing with how little he has when he very clearly put in an order for at least three times what is present, and also hissing at the fact that he just had to throw away three tubs of ingredients from them not being sealed properly for more than an hour. Fuck, he won't make it through today.

So while he ignored the slight banging coming from the other side of the kitchen in the fridge, he dialed some numbers and managed to get a few small deliveries that would arrive by 10am. Cutting it close, but it was better than nothing. 

When that was all finished, he peeked around the corner of the fridge to see how beomgyu was doing. He told himself it wasn't because he was concerned or worried, but he wasn't that much of an asshole. 

Beomgyu was humming softly, sweeping through the walk-in, and it seemed like he was finishing up. So taehyun quietly left without another word to him.

~

The announcement a few days later shocked everyone.

They needed a new Head Chef while yeonjun was out.

"It was brought to my attention that some areas of the kitchen are lacking, and we won't stand for that. So I need you guys to get your shit together and either vote for a temporary head executive chef, or I'll choose one myself," hueningkai told everyone sternly before it was time to prep for the day. Despite being an omega, he didn't take shit from anyone. So naturally he sent a glare to one of the newer alphas who growled at the demanding tone an omega was giving them.

Taehyun was about to say something, but beomgyu beat him to it. 

"You will show him respect," he snapped his teeth in a clipped tone. Taehyun answered it with a responding growl to back him up. As one of the only other alphas in this kitchen and experienced chefs, they both outranked the new alpha assistant chef. Mingyu didn't bother to help, looking bored, and jeonghan doesn't come in till later.

Hyuka raised a hand to bring peace to the kitchen. "I haven't had a chance to introduce our newest member. Everyone, this is Hyunjae. He will be mingyu's newest assistant chef and on trial for two weeks. Please welcome him."

Reluctantly the others gathered all clapped, except for beomgyu and taehyun. They tried to make a point that they won't tolerate any bullshit in this kitchen. They go strictly on experience and skill here, not secondary gender. 

"How will we be able to decide who gets to be the temporary Head chef?" One of the female betas asked.

"I think it should be based on who was here the longest," Mingyu declared. "Which goes to me or jeonghan. And since jeonghan doesn't care for the position, then me."

Taehyun sent a glare to Mingyu. Oh sure, now he wants to show interest in the kitchen when it benefits him the most. What a jackass. He tightened his fists at his side in irritation.

"Or," beomgyu interjected, running a tongue across the front of his teeth. "It should be based on who is more of a team player. We need someone willing to work with all areas of the kitchen like a true leader. Clearly you're farthest from that." 

A few snickers could be heard around the kitchen, and taehyun snorted behind his hand. So it would seem beomgyu can't stand Mingyu just as much as he does. 

Mingyu let out a low growl in warning, and beomgyu just casually leaned back against the counter looking unbothered, crossing his arms over his chest. His sleeves were rolled up and- damn that was hot. 

Hyuka's eyes travelled around the room, and then he spoke up.

"It would seem you all need some time to work this out. I would rather have the staff themselves vote for a leader, but if a decision can't be made by next Monday, I will decide. No questions asked." His stern look left his face and then he clapped happily. "Ok everyone! Good luck today!"

He left and everyone remained silent. 

"Can't we have yeonjun-nim decide for us?" Someone in the back whined.

"No, we are not to bother him. You know as soon as we call him up, he would come right over to help out and fix the problem. I doubt soobin would appreciate his alpha leaving him and the newborn all by themselves at home," taehyun said gently to the omega who asked. 

The omega's shoulders slumped in defeat. Yeah, they know he was right. 

"Okay, how about this. We all take an anonymous vote at the end of the weekend. That way there's no hard feelings. We each submit our vote on who we think would be best as interim Head chef to hueningkai, and he announces it for us?" Beomgyu suggested.

The tension immediately relaxed in the room. 

"Yeah, that would be best," someone spoke up.

"I think it's a great idea," someone else agreed. 

Everyone nodded, and then went on their way to prep for the day. 

~ 

The following Wednesday, taehyun stayed after hours to look for his batch of sauce he made for the next day's lunch. He had it sitting on the stove in a pot to cool during the end of the dinner rush, and now it's time to seal it up. Everyone had gone home and it was getting late. 

"Where the hell did it go?" He hissed under his breath. Did someone put it away for him? He checked both fridges, even the freezer.

Maybe someone set it aside on one of the counters?

But a quick run through of the large kitchen area showed no sign of it. He angrily started flipping open cupboards, when he suddenly paused at one of the shelves holding many pots.

Someone might call him crazy, but he was certain the pot he used for his sauce is now sitting all nice and clean up on the shelf. No sauce in sight.

He took it down and examined the pot. They have many just like it, but the one he used had a scratch at the bottom from lots of use over the years. 

This was definitely it, which means someone dumped his sauce down the drain and washed and cleaned the pot. 

Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe one of the newbies didn't realize that the sauce was cooling and just thought it was leftovers from lunch.

A weird feeling churned in his gut, but he really tried to remain on the optimistic side. It could have been any number of misunderstandings or accidents. 

So with a sigh he glanced at the clock. It was nearing midnight, and he really wanted to go home. But he needs this sauce by morning. There won't be enough time to remake it tomorrow and also prep for the day, so he has to do it now. And the sauce needs to cool for at least an hour or two before putting it in the fridge, otherwise the tomatoes in it will start to sour if it's still hot when it hits cold temperature. 

Rolling up his sleeves, he brought the pot down and began to gather his ingredients. The sauce itself won't take long to get going, but he needs to simmer it on a low temperature for an hour, so if he hurries he figures he would be able to get out of here by 3am at the earliest. Except, taehyun is a perfectionist, so it will be more like 4am. It's better to do something right rather than rush and have to start over again. 

He walked over to the huge pantry they have in one of the back rooms behind the kitchen, and he stopped dead in his tracks.

The scent hit him before he spotted the boy, but by now and after all these years, taehyun pretty much has this scent embedded permanently into his lungs. 

"Beomgyu?" He called out, tilting his head in confusion at the scene in front of him.

Beomgyu was sitting on a pile of empty milk crates, leaning against them with his chin to his chest, fast asleep. A broom was held in his hand, as if he was in the middle of sweeping and sat on a crate to take a break, falling asleep in the process. 

Taehyun tried calling out his name again, but the other boy didn't stir. What the hell was he doing here this late at night anyways? 

Tilting his head, taehyun stepped closer to get a better look. Man was he pretty, with his hair out of his ponytail and falling in his face. 

He bent down, reaching out a hand to rest on beomgyu's shoulder, shaking him a bit. Beomgyu either was a heavy sleeper or extremely tired, because all he did was shift and mumble something in his sleep. 

"Hey," taehyun called again softly. He reached a hand up to tuck some of beomgyu's hair out of his face so he could see him better. Then he shook him again, this time a little more forceful. "Hey, beomgyu. Wake up."

The broom in beomgyu's hand fell from his grip and smacked onto the floor, making both boys jerk at the sudden noise. Beomgyu blinked awake and then froze when he noticed how close taehyun was to his face. 

"Why are you sleeping here?" Taehyun asked, not leaving beomgyu's personal space. 

Beomgyu looked around, then brought a hand up to rub his face tiredly. 

"Shit, what time is it?" He mumbled, his words half slurred.

"About midnight. Our shift ended an hour ago, so why are you still here?" Taehyun replied, crouching down so he didn't break his back standing there bent in half. Plus he could see beomgyu's face better from down below. 

"Have to finish cleaning," beomgyu answered. He stretched and yawned, and wow he looks fatigued. It was progressively getting worse. Taehyun was definitely concerned now, which is new territory for him. 

"No you don't, the cleaning is for the assistants. You should go home and get some rest, you don't look good hyung," taehyun argued with him. 

Look, they might have not been super close friends, but beomgyu sort of...occupies a small place inside him. It was just normal routine for him to see the other alpha every day now. Beomgyu was a weird constant in his life, and taehyun can't help but take notice or worry when he knows something is going on. 

Beomgyu looked a little irritated, but otherwise kept his mouth shut, which in return pissed off taehyun. 

"I'm fine," beomgyu stated, trying to get up and finish what he started. He just wanted a small little break, and when he sat down for the first time that day, his eyes dropped and he just couldn't keep them open. Constant nights of working late and arriving super early was finally taking its toll on him.

"Bullshit," taehyun called him out on it, pushing him back to sit on the crate. "I'm not letting you leave here until you tell me what the heck is going on."

Beomgyu bristled at taehyun's tone. He's not letting him leave? "The hell did you just say to me? I don't have to tell you anything. Now move." He kicked a bit at taehyun's ankle, trying to get him to stand up and back off. Taehyun was too close for comfort, and his scent was potent with his growing frustration. Beomgyu held his breath so he couldn't breathe more of it in. 

"Make me," taehyun challenged, standing up so he could look down on him. 

Beomgyu's jaw tensed in anger at the derogatory gesture, and he too stood up from the crates. They were now chest to chest, eye to eye. Two alphas at a standoff. 

"It's my business, and it doesn't concern you," beomgyu hissed, trying to step around taehyun so he could pick up his broom. Taehyun stepped in his way again. A low growl of warning rumbled from beomgyu's throat. 

He technically was right, so taehyun had to think fast to make it his business. He was being a nosy bastard on purpose. 

"Someone is sabotaging my work in the kitchen and I think it's you," he accused. He actually didn't think it was beomgyu. In fact he knows it wasn't beomgyu, but he wanted to get the other alpha pissed on purpose. 

"Say that again," beomgyu's eyes glowed a light reddish tint from his growing anger. His alpha wolf was clearly coming close to the surface.

Taehyun took on a bored stance, not threatened in the slightest. "Well it makes sense," he said in a snotty tone. "You're always here before anyone else, so naturally you're at the top of the list of people who could easily ruin my work. What, still jealous I graduated with one more point than you? So now you're trying to get me fired?" He raised a brow. 

Beomgyu snorted, stepping even closer to taehyun so their breaths mingled. It took everything inside taehyun to stop his heart from skipping a beat, or leaning forward so he could bite that delicious looking bottom lip, or push beomgyu up against one of the shelves and press his body into him. 

"I have more concerning things to worry about than messing with your work Kang, so don't even try to lay the blame on me. I don't know what's going on, but it wasn't me," beomgyu snarled at him. He wanted to throttle the other alpha for even suggesting such a stupid thing. Their gazes were intense, and taehyun stared right at beomgyu, not looking away. Why would he? They were both dominant alphas, not some meek wolf. 

"Concerning things like what?" Taehyun asked in a mocking tone, almost like he didn't believe beomgyu when he said he had other things to worry about. "It's not as if you have a lot going on in your life now, unless you're still playing around and keeping your bed always occupied with a warm body." Shit, he didn't mean to sound jealous. Just because he couldn't get any action for a few years doesn't mean he had to begrudge beomgyu of it. Alpha males were very sexual, and the lack of physical intimacy has made taehyun on edge, causing him to snap at beomgyu for always having a bed buddy during college. 

Or so he tells himself. He tried not to remember hearing tons of omegas and betas raving about how good it was with beomgyu. And taehyun desperately locked up the horrible memories of other omegas and betas avoiding him like the plague any time he needed a sexual partner. 

Gulping, taehyun continued onward into this hole he's digging himself. "What could possibly be so bad for poor little beomgyu-"

Beomgyu snapped his teeth with an audible click, really pissed now. He gripped taehyun's chin to keep him still and shut him up.

"Oh nothing much," he said with dripping sarcasm. "Really, coming home to a burned down apartment and your omega boyfriend of 6 months cheating on you with another alpha is just like a refreshing holiday for me," he growled out, his face so close to taehyun's he could almost kiss him. "Let's not forget the fun little fact that they basically fucked all over my place while I was gone at work, taking on extra hours to send money back home to daegu so my parents don't lose their house. Nothing to worry about at all, not a care in the world," he laughed quietly without humor. 

Taehyun's eyes widened in guilt. He didn't know. "Wait, beomgyu I didn't know-" he began to say, his words a little stiff from beomgyu's grip still on his chin. He could easily back away and get out of beomgyu's hold, but he chose to stay there. 

"And oh yeah," beomgyu tapped the side of his face with his other hand, his eyes even more red the more angry he became. "My apartment building is so shitty that they don't have an extra one to place us in, so I was evicted. With no money to spare and no place to go. So now I'm bouncing between hyuka's office couch because he has his sisters, mom, and aunt all staying at his place, and a hotel that I really can't afford. Hence the extra hours cleaning the place up for pay under the table. But those are just childish concerns, right?" He asked in a harsh snap to his voice.

His rant was over and he continued to glare into taehyun's eyes. Once he managed to calm down, he let taehyun go and backed away. 

Wordlessly, he picked up the broom and began to finish sweeping. It was awkward and silent, and beomgyu refused to acknowledge taehyun's presence anymore. 

When it was clear taehyun wasn't leaving, beomgyu sighed. "Go ahead and laugh. Or mock me. Or give me fake sympathy because I don't have a single friend I could stay with here in the city while I try to figure out what I'm gonna do."

He peeked a glance over at taehyun, not sure what to expect. 

Taehyun seemed to have a faraway daze to his eyes, and beomgyu knows him well enough to recognize that's his thinking face. Taehyun was always a thinker, analyzing all situations before speaking. 

Finally he spoke up, and beomgyu forced himself not to flinch at his softer voice. The snottiness was now gone and replaced with something a little more genuine. 

"Don't say you don't have any friends. What about yeonjun-"

"No." Beomgyu told him sternly. "Not a word to yeonjun. You know why."

Yeah, taehyun did. He didn't have to explain. 

"Okay, when are hyuka's relatives leaving?" 

"Not for a month," beomgyu said grimly. Staying in a hotel for a month would deplete his savings and earnings big time. He's already thought about this the past few days, and he has no other choice. 

"So...what are you going to do now?" Taehyun asked that deadly question.

Beomgyu stopped sweeping and sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. 

"I've already decided. The only thing I can do now is just...go back home and live with my parents. Maybe work at a small cafe or diner for a few years and save enough to pay off mine and my parent's debts. The pay won't be as good as here, obviously, so it's going to take much longer to clear everything up, but it's better than nothing. Maybe if I beg hyuka, he can take me back when I'm all done. I like working for him." 

Taehyun's heart stuttered in his chest, and a weird sort of panic started to tingle all over his body. 

Beomgyu was going to leave? Back to Daegu? He won't be his grill chef anymore? 

"Wait, but for how long?" He asked, his voice coming off a little breathless and broken sounding. Just a little though, barely noticeable. 

Beomgyu looked up at the ceiling and sighed, thinking for a moment. 

"The wages won't be as high as they are here, so instead of paying everything off in two years like I originally planned, now it could take anywhere from 7-10 years. That's still not so bad. I could be around 30 when I finally have the money to buy my own place back in the city." 

Okay, now taehyun was going to hyperventilate. Ten years?! Beomgyu was leaving for ten years? And what if he couldn't get rehired as a chef in this place when he comes back? A lot could happen in ten years. This boy in front of him has always been a constant in his life, and taehyun likes it that way. Now everything was changing in a blink of an eye and he doesn't quite know how to grasp things and regain control. Taehyun needs that control to stay sane.

"You can't be serious," taehyun let out a nervous laugh. "Ten years is a long time. The restaurant won't be the same by the time you make it back here." 

Beomgyu rolled his eyes. "I know that, smart ass. Still, it's a nice thought seeing hyuka, soobin, and yeonjun again if they're still working here."

And what about me? Taehyun wanted to say. 

Beomgyu sent him an arrogant smirk. "Try not to miss me," he said jokingly. 

Taehyun tried to play it off with a snort, crossing his arms over his chest to hide his shaking hands. The backs of his eyes stung. Since when did he ever get emotional over anything? Especially over a fellow coworker moving on with his life. These things happen all the time. 

"Yeah right," he joked back, but the constricting feeling in his chest told him it was anything but a joke. "When do you leave?" He barely managed to get the question past his lips. 

Beomgyu smiled sadly, sweeping a few spots before answering. "Probably by next week. I'll give hyuka my notice tomorrow." 

Taehyun made a small choking sound, trying to form a blank face when beomgyu glanced up at him questioningly. 

"Good luck as the new temporary Head chef," he continued. 

Taehyun took a moment to process those words. "What? Why would I be the head chef?" 

Beomgyu leaned casually on his broom, a playful smile on his face that made him look so handsome despite the exhaustion around his eyes. He gave taehyun a knowing look.

"Because you deserve it more than anyone else here," he answered truthfully. There was no sarcasm or mocking in his voice. "And I plan on voting for you before I go."

"But-" taehyun opened and closed his mouth, unsure of what to think, how to feel, dammit why was beomgyu acting like this now?! Where were the jokes, and the half assed insults, and the petty pranks they usually had between them? Why does he have to stand there all mature with that look on his face like he actually cares about him? 

"But Mingyu has more experience, or jeonghan because he's the oldest, or sangyeon?" Taehyun argued. 

"Doesn't matter to me. Anyone with eyes can see you're the best choice. You're a team player, know how to get work done, have expertise in every area of the kitchen, and are willing to stay over hours without getting paid just to make sure everything is set to go for the next day. Why wouldn't you deserve it?" Beomgyu listed everything off with a small smile. 

Something warm curled it's way throughout taehyun's body. It always did whenever beomgyu was serious and gave him that look he's giving him now. It always happened when he flirted with him, or brushed up close next to him while they worked together, or just being around him in close proximity on a daily basis for years. The stupid friendly rivalry they had all these years helped mask his whatever this was he was feeling, but in this moment he doesn't have that to hide behind anymore.

"You too," taehyun said quietly, glancing away out of...shyness? When did he ever get shy? 

"Huh?" Beomgyu tilted his head to the side, not quite catching that. 

"I think you would be a good head chef too. I was going to vote for you...maybe," he added in cheekily to hide the embarrassment he felt for admitting that. 

A slow grin spread across beomgyu's face, his eyes lighting up in joy and appreciation. "Aw, you do care about me. Be still my heart," he joked while clutching his chest. 

Yeah, he does care about him...maybe a little too much.

It was quiet after that again, and then beomgyu asked what he's been wondering.

"You already know I'm cleaning as overtime, so why are you here this late?"

Oh shit, taehyun needs to make his sauce. 

"My sauce from earlier got dumped down the drain, so I need to make a new batch. I came in here to get some onions and garlic," taehyun explained, stepping quickly over to the shelf where they keep all of their onions, garlic, and potatoes. 

"Who the fuck was the idiot that dumped a whole pot of sauce out?" Beomgyu asked with slight annoyance. 

Taehyun shrugged, "I'm not sure. Anyways, it's gonna be a while before I go home, so I'll let you finish here…"

He needs to get out of here so he can wallow in misery in peace. 

Beomgyu waved him on. "I'll help you if I finish early," he offered.

Taehyun shook his head. "Nah, it's ok. This is my problem."

Beomgyu rolled his eyes. "Yeah so? And it seems like you've been having a lot of problems lately. What's going on?"

So he noticed. Which confirms it wasn't taehyun's imagination or paranoia. 

"I'm not sure, but I'm getting pissed," taehyun tossed over his shoulder as he walked out into the hallway. He hurried back to the kitchen where he was far away from beomgyu and his intoxicating scent, sexy voice, and pretty face. 

While throwing shit into the pot and finishing up his sauce, taehyun stood there at the stove and just zoned out lost in thought. 

Everything was starting to add up. Beomgyu seeing hyuka often in his office; that could explain the omega's scent all over him for a few days. He was staying with him since he had no apartment. And beomgyu looking completely tired, probably from working late at night and early in the morning. It's why he caught him a few times after hours. Plus the disheveled look he's been sporting for a little over a week now. Beomgyu probably didn't have access to a washing machine and other small but basic necessities. 

And damn, he didn't know about his parent's situation, not that it was his fault. Beomgyu kept it quiet which is understandable. Taehyun didn't have much debt, and he's almost paid off. Plus he's doing really well in a nice apartment across the bridge along the river. So he has no idea what beomgyu is even going through, but the thought of it alone was horrible. 

And to top it all off, beomgyu was cheated on. Ouch. He suspected for awhile that the other alpha was in a relationship of some kind, since beomgyu would walk in with a faint sweet pea scent every now and then. But it wasn't strong like how partners or mates usually smell like, so taehyun just figured it was a casual fling, not a serious relationship. 

During college, beomgyu never seriously dated. It was rare to see him with anyone more than a week. Taehyun guessed they were just hook ups or rut partners, which is totally normal for everyone. Hell, even taehyun had a few rut partners until...that incident. So seeing someone under beomgyu's arm was never a cause for concern. But then they graduated and moved into separate places. And they didn't see each other for a little while until they both coincidentally started working for hyuka. So taehyun didn't know about a relationship. The thought of beomgyu possibly being mated with an omega by now started to really mess with his mind. His world is changing around him, and he was too stupid to really pay attention and notice. 

Of course beomgyu would want to settle down eventually. He wasn't going to be having hookups his entire life. But taehyun didn't think it would be so soon, and almost with an asshole omega who cheated on him-

There goes that strong feeling in the pit of his gut again, a low growl rumbling in his chest. But he closed off his throat before it could escape. Why the hell was he and his wolf jealous? Since when did they care who another alpha dates?

The thought of beomgyu staying committed to one person for half a year made him more upset than it should. 

And now after all that, beomgyu is going to leave. Go back home because he has no place to stay and can't afford to pay his parents debts as well as maintain an apartment around here in the heart of the busiest part of the city. The prices were outrageous. 

Taehyun gulped, stirring his pot of sauce absentmindedly and titling the lid slightly half off the rim so it wouldn't bubble up and spatter everywhere. 

He doesn't want beomgyu to go. 

He tried to tell himself it's because they would be losing one of the best grill and meat chefs in the city, but really it was obviously more than that...

Taehyun's thoughts were interrupted when beomgyu sighed, leaning up against the counter. "Man I'm beat. Did you know there was a rotting potato wedged between the shelf and the wall three shelves high up? Thought I smelled something disgusting every time I went in there. How the fuck did it get up there?" 

A snort escaped taehyun's lips. Beomgyu was just so random, always making work fun...as well as group cooking assignments while they were in school; if they weren't competing against each other of course. 

Yeah no, he was going to miss beomgyu too much.

"Hey," taehyun said quietly, stirring his sauce some more and clicking the burner off. The sauce needs to cool now. 

"Hmm?" Beomgyu hummed, just staring at the other side of the kitchen and chilling against the counter. He didn't want to go back to his hotel room yet. He likes sitting here with just taehyun. It was almost domestic in a way. 

"Come stay with me," taehyun suggested, his back still turned to beomgyu. He doesn't think he has the courage to look at him right at this moment. His heart was beating really hard in his chest and he hopes beomgyu wouldn't come closer and hear it. 

Beomgyu flicked his gaze to taehyun's figure at the stove, his eyes wide in shock. He parted his lips, not knowing what to say. 

"No, I couldn't intrude like that-" he began to argue, as what any normal person with manners would do. He hates feeling like a burden, or a charity case. He still has a little bit of pride, especially in front of taehyun. 

Taehyun sighed, spinning around and shooting beomgyu an 'are you serious?' look. 

"I wouldn't have suggested it if I thought you would intrude. Besides, we both work similar hours at the same place so it's not a big deal."

The more he thought about beomgyu in his home, his personal space, the more he liked the idea. His wolf liked it too. 

"But, having another alpha in your space can't be okay-" beomgyu continued to push, not able to wrap his head around this situation. Kang Taehyun was offering to have him stay with him. Another alpha sharing his personal territory. It was rare, and not common.

Taehyun huffed out an annoyed breath. "You want to continue working here, right?" He waited for beomgyu to nod his head. "And all you need is a place to stay for maybe a few months while you get back on your feet, right?" Beomgyu nodded again. "Then just stay with me. I don't have anyone living with me, and this way you won't be a bother to hyuka or yeonjun and soobin. So just quit being a prideful idiot and accept the offer. You're free to leave any time you want." 

Beomgyu remained silent for a few seconds, just staring at taehyun and studying his face. He was dead serious about this, and it made beomgyu feel almost...happy that he offered. 

Logically, it was a good offer. Beomgyu could pay off his debts much faster if he worked in this high paying job. His parents wouldn't have to know. He still refuses to tell them about his current horrible situation and he wants to keep it that way. They would worry too much about him and he didn't have the heart to put them through even more. 

The tension in his shoulders dropped, and he glanced away from taehyun's waiting stare and instead onto the ground. "If it's not too much of a bother, then okay," he said quietly.

Taehyun's wolf rumbled in satisfaction at that. Both of them were willing to argue all night if they had to, anything to convince beomgyu to stay with them. 

"But," taehyun added in, a playful smirk on his face. Beomgyu immediately snapped his head back up and squinted his eyes in suspicion at him. "I have a spare bedroom, but I'm using it for storage. Which means you gotta sleep on the couch." He snickered. 

Beomgyu pouted out an adorable face, but then shook his head. "Fine, it's the least I can ask for. How is this gonna work? Do I help pay for rent or utilities or what?" 

Taehyun thought about it for a few seconds. His wolf didn't give a shit about any of that, he just wanted to lock beomgyu away into their room and mate the shit out of him. He could stay for free for all they cared, because taehyun was an alpha, and it was inbred into him to pamper and spoil their mates. But that was an irrelevant thing to bring up so he settled for something a little more civil and casual.

"You don't have to pay me for rent since you technically aren't getting a room. But half of the utilities and half the groceries and food should be good enough. We will both be gone at work most of the time anyways so I doubt the bills will be high at all." 

Beomgyu beamed at him, giving him a huge smile that did things to taehyun's insides. In two swift steps, he entered taehyun's personal space and wrapped his arms tight around him. If it was anyone other than an alpha, they would have never attempted something like that to an alpha they weren't extremely close to. 

"Thank you," he breathed into taehyun's neck, hooking his chin over his shoulder. "Seriously taehyun, thank you. I've been majorly freaking out all this time, and you just helped me more than I could ever hope for." He buried his face into taehyun's neck and shoulder, just standing there with their bodies pressed close together.  

Beomgyu held tight longer than necessary, not wanting to let go just yet. He subtly breathed in a deep breath of taehyun's scent, his wolf settling inside his mind for once in the past week and a half. They've been on edge since they had nowhere to go. 

He secretly smiled when he felt taehyun's arms hesitantly come up and press into his back, returning the hug. 

"No problem," taehyun replied, his voice a little husky and low. He didn't let go either.