Chapter Text
The office was cold, the air still. Suffocating, just like the gaze currently pinning him in place.
Na Baekjin studied the features of the boy before him. His eyes tracked from Humin’s fierce, angry gaze to his sneering lips, down his long, straining neck, stopping at the right side where the skin thinned. Humin’s hunched shoulders tensed. His jacket covered most of his gland, but it peeked out just enough to tease. Baekjin found himself staring at it, trying to find any sign of what he’d done years ago.
Baekjin felt his own irritation simmer. The smell coming from Humin’s gland was intense. Putrid caramel wafted in the space, the natural sweetness of the scent turned bitter from resentment (and maybe a hint of apprehension?)
Gourmand, he remembers Humin telling him. Like the caramel candies Baekjin had stolen from one of the ladies at the orphanage and gifted him. Edible. Appetizing. Baekjin loved sweets, although he was loathe to admit it. As a child, he’d made faces as Humin inhaled both chocolate and vanilla sweets (he’d told Baekjin he “didn’t discriminate”) until Humin forced a piece of candy into his mouth. He could still recall the triumphant look on his face when Baekjin admitted the taste was okay (it was better than okay).
His expression hardened. The Humin standing before him was very different from the one in his rose-tinted memories.
Baekjin had thought long and hard about what he’d do with Humin. Ever since their split (and even before, when Humin had worried too much and asked too many questions), Baekjin had scoured for a way to keep Humin close. He could leverage his position in the Union against Humin, but how long would that work? He’d already imagined all the ways that would go wrong. Instead, his considerations wound up wrapping back around to one idea: bitching.
It was an infamous concept that was considered taboo in their society, something that disgusted both Alphas and Omegas. Something that should’ve disgusted him, but didn’t. He knew his desire outweighed any moral quandaries.
It had been difficult for Baekjin to find any information on bitching. Using the bits and pieces he’d read from medical journals and court documents, he could only come up with a halfway decent understanding of what to do. Even so, the intrusive thought had grown into a full-fledged obsession. Recent events (Humin taking more weaklings under his wing) had finally made Baekjin decide to move forward with his plan. He couldn’t hesitate any longer.
Getting Humin here had been easy. Causing trouble for Park Jincheol was a surefire way to get Humin to stop playing coy and visit, even if involving the old man would lead to more trouble down the road. Baekjin was certain that Humin’s father deserved everything coming to him (as children, every time Jincheol had made Humin cry, Baekjin had told him they should run away. Humin had staunchy refused. Baekjin, frustrated, had asked Humin why he let his father treat him so poorly. Humin reminded him that he’d never understand the bond between father and son. The two had argued the point often growing up; Humin had learned to employ the cruel reminder to get Baekjin to shut up).
The stage had been set. Humin had taken the bait. All Baekjin needed now was an opening.
Humin opened his mouth to speak, likely to throw another insult. Baekjin cut him off.
“When was your last rut?” He asked smoothly. Humin’s mouth snapped shut, his brows turning upward in bewilderment.
“What?” The question had thrown him off enough to make him sound dazed as he replied.
Baekjin stood from his seat, watching as Humin followed the movement.
“Answer the question,” Baekjin shrugged off his bomber jacket, laying it on the chair. He rounded the desk separating them, sizing Humin up.
Humin held his ground as Baekjin stepped closer. His body was tensed, his gaze focused solely on Baekjin (as it should be).
“None of your fucking business,” Humin spat. Baekjin’s eyes glanced briefly at his neck; Humin’s gland was covered now. “What the fuck are you doing?”
Baekjin smiled humorlessly. He let the silence thicken the tension between them for just a moment.
“Does Go Hyuntak spend ruts with you?”
Humin’s face contorted in rage. He lunged, reaching out to grab onto Baekjin’s shirt. Baekjin sidestepped. He kicked at Humin’s leg, causing him to lose his balance. As Humin floundered, Baekjin reared his arm back and swung. The punch connected with Humin’s cheek, followed by a push to his shoulders. Baekjin crowded Humin into the wall, blocking any escape by bringing his arms up to cage around Humin’s head.
“Maybe not Go Hyuntak. What about Yeon Sieun? Or even Seo Juntae?” Baekjin murmured into Humin’s ear. His breath hit the side of Humin’s face. There was no space between them now.
Humin reared his head back and brought it forward against Baekjin’s face. Baekjin stumbled back, reaching towards his nose. It was leaking blood. He looked back up to Humin with a mean grin.
“Do they take turns helping you?” Baekjin brought a hand up to fix his hair, blood dripping down to his lips. He licked it away. “Do you fuck them, Humin?”
Humin growled and swung, punching Baekjin in the face. Baekjin took the opportunity to grab Humin’s shirt and pull him closer. The smell of burnt caramel was overwhelming this close.
“Are they your pack?” Baekjin’s voice was venomous. Jealousy clouded his judgement, face growing angrier by the second at just the thought.
Humin scoffed. He wrenched Baekjin’s hand off of his shirt, tearing his red basketball jersey in the process. “You’re disgusting,” He spat. “Leave me and my friends alone. This is pathetic.”
Baekjin stewed, teeth gritted. His fangs sunk into his gums. The only thing holding him back from lunging and sinking his teeth into Humin was his fear of the fallout. He knew it would ruin the small amount of goodwill left between them forever.
Humin took one last look at Baekjin before turning around. “I’m done.”
Baekjin’s breath hitched.
His choice was made the second Humin turned his back on him.
He was on him before Humin could move further away. He pushed Humin to the ground, jerking one of his arms back to restrain him. He ignored the enraged growl Humin let out, using his free hand to tug the jacket and shirt covering Humin’s gland. Humin tried to buck Baekjin off of him but Baekjin only pressed him harder against the ground.
Humin opened his mouth to demand Baekjin to get off of him when he suddenly stilled. No sound escaped.
The hand previously restraining his arm was now holding him by the scruff of his neck.
Baekjin leaned in, breath hitting Humin’s gland. He couldn’t stand the stench of fear. He concentrated on his own scent, changing the rage and need to something calmer. The smell of wet cedarwood filled the air, thick and overwhelming. Humin relaxed slightly.
Now that his own scent dominated the room, Baekjin studied Humin’s gland. There was no indication of any damage. Nothing left behind from where Baekjin had bitten him once before.
He’d make sure to leave a lasting mark this time.
He licked the thin skin, ignoring the sour taste of Humin’s distress. Humin let out a small keening whine, sounding more like a dog than a human. It caused Baekjin to pause.
What was he doing? Was this worth it?
You’re disgusting. Leave me and my friends alone. This is pathetic. I’m done.
Baekjin hissed as he unstuck his fangs from his gums, mouth opening wide. Baekjin ignored Humin’s gasp of horror as he bit down, jaw clamping against his gland. He gnawed and tore until blood began filling his mouth.
Humin cried out. Baekjin held onto his scruff tighter.
As Baekjin swallowed the blood rapidly spilling from Humin’s gland, he used his free hand to run soothing circles against Humin’s collarbone (a selfish movement since Baekjin knew it wasn’t to comfort Humin; he just wanted to make himself feel better). Humin continued to sob, the sound of his panicked breathing filling the room. Baekjin kept sucking until he could no longer stand the taste, his stomach nauseatingly full of bitter blood.
He pulled back, licking away the drops of blood left behind. His saliva would help coagulate the area. He stared at the wound. It looked like something done by a feral animal, not a human.
Humin laid still on the ground, in shock. His sobs had quieted and his skin had paled. Baekjin let go of Humin’s scruff slowly, waiting to see what would happen. The removal of Baekjin’s hold didn’t even seem to register.
Baekjin felt both terrified and relieved. Adrenaline and anxiety made his hands shake as he felt for Humin’s pulse. It was noticeably slowed.
He knew the upcoming days would be difficult. Humin would undergo a transition both physically and psychologically, one that Baekjin would need to be prepared for. With that in mind, he pushed his fears and worries aside (as he was used to doing). He needed to come up with a plan for taking care of Humin while also maintaining his other responsibilities.
The bite was only the beginning.