Absolute Chap. 7

[kumo_is_kumo]

Title: Absolute

Pairing: Chanbaek, Kaisoo

Genre: WolfAU, SoulmateAU, Romance, Angst, Smut, Fluff

Length: Series

Summary: Baekhyun waits, but Chanyeol backs away from him. Kyungsoo runs, yet Jongin comes after him.











Poster by: ate nylevoj



Chapter 7



His heat is finally over. Baekhyun stands in front of the mirror, staring at his sunken cheeks and heavy eye bags. He should have gone to work already but he can’t find himself gazing away from his own reflection.

He is staring at himself, but he can’t recognize the person staring back at him. Who is it? Who is Baekhyun? Who is the one staring back at him in the mirror? He looks familiar, yet looks so foreign at the same time.

It takes around two days after that incident until his heat is officially over. Baekhyun can’t stop himself from dreaming the same scene over and over again. At one time he feels like Mr. Park is here with him, caressing him with affection, and the next time he opens his eyes, he sees nothing in the darkness. The silence is too much. It’s deafening.

Baekhyun sighs and practices a smile in front of the mirror. He knows how much his colleagues will worry over him so he should show them that he is okay.

The bus is crowded just like usual, but the people in it can notice his sadness. His aura is evaporating in the air and they keep giving him a stare full of pity. Baekhyun bends his head down to avoid the stare.

Yixing is waiting for him in the front entrance, welcoming him with a gentle smile. Baekhyun smiles back, sauntering into the kind alpha’s embrace. “Welcome back.” Yixing says, patting his head. Baekhyun finds himself smiling even wider; he can smell the mixed scent of Yixing’s calming scent and his omega mate’s fresh scent.

“Hey, hyung.” He mutters. Yixing leans away, gazing at him up and down. “Are you feeling better?”

He nods, “Yeah. I’m alright now. Thanks for worrying, hyung.”

Yixing makes a face. “Of course I am worrying about you. Come, come. Let’s get up to the office and talk a bit. Work can wait, you know.”

Baekhyun lets Yixing drags him into the elevator. Along the whole ride up, he can’t stop seeking for Mr. Park’s scent all over the building. He wants to see him. He wants to see him real bad, having so many things to talk about. He wants to ask about everything, about what he meant with a few days ago.

It’s as if destiny is playing with him or maybe Mr. Park is too good in playing hide and seek, because Baekhyun can’t find him everywhere. He tries excusing himself in between his works, having a reason of going to the restroom to relieve himself and purposely passing across the alpha’s room but he still can’t see even a glimpse of him.

“Baekhyun?” Joohyun calls for him, landing a gentle tap on his shoulder. “Are you okay? Do you need to rest?” She asks. Baekhyun blinks his eyes, forcing a smile to curl up on his face. He can see even Sunyoung and Yixing are staring at him in worry. He is so lucky to have such caring colleagues.

“Yes, I’m fine. Just a bit sleepy.” He lies, giving everyone a cute smile that he had practiced earlier. Yixing frowns a bit. “You can take a rest for a while, Baekhyun. We can handle it.”

“No, I want to work. You guys had been doing so much when I was absent. I don’t want to burden you all for any longer.”

Joohyun opens her mouth to come back with a refusal but Baekhyun has already started typing into his computer, so she pats his head. “Sure, you can work. But do tell us whenever you want to rest, okay?”

“Okay, noona.” He says softly. Everyone goes back to continue working and Baekhyun gazes back to his computer.







As the lunch time comes, Yixing drags him into the lunch room. The alpha had said earlier: “Joonmyeon told me to make you eat. I don’t want to go back on my promise,” so Baekhyun follows after him to grab his lunch tray.

Everyone is chatting around while enjoying their lunch. The lunch room is buzzing with noises and various scents, but Baekhyun can notice this outstanding scent just fine. He stops eating his rice and snaps his head up, glancing to where he can feel the presence.

Mr. Park is there, talking with a few colleagues just across the room. Baekhyun keeps his hopeful eyes on the alpha, hoping that he would at least glance here and make eye contact with him. They need to talk about everything anyway. Noticing his sudden abrupt in eating, Yixing looks up with his mouth full of food. He follows his direction of gaze and a scowl curls on his mouth.

“That jerk.” Yixing says, glaring and growling in anger. Both Joohyun and Sunyoung stay silent, not wanting to get into the trouble although the two girls are sometimes glaring at the boss. Baekhyun gulps, he doesn’t even tell them about the heat incident and they are already acting like this. He wouldn’t know how they would react if they find out about Mr. Park leaving him along after fucking him thoroughly.

Eventually the growling sound from Yixing manages to steal the alpha boss’ attention. Mr. Park glances to the direction of the noise and Baekhyun holds back his breath. Please, please, look at me, he begs inwardly.

Mr. Park glances away from them, treating him as if nothing is there. Baekhyun feels the pinch of hurt in his chest, suddenly feeling himself not wanting to continue his meal. He can hear Yixing’s grunts of shit words directed towards the alpha but he can’t care anymore.

Mr. Park is avoiding him again.







With his head spinning and his heart heavy in pain, Baekhyun continues working and trying to act as if the avoidance doesn’t affect him at all. He might have fooled the people around him but he can’t even fool himself. He knows he is hurting and he really needs to talk with the alpha.

Baekhyun clutches onto the papers, taking deep breathes right in front of the door. They are only separated by this single door; Mr. Park and him. It only takes one knock onto the door before finally he can see the alpha in the eyes.

He braves himself, lifting a fist up to knock onto the wood. Mr. Park’s voice is heard from the inside, steady and low, just like usual. Baekhyun gulps, twisting the door knob and pushing the door open to let himself in.

“Excuse m-me, sir.” He whispers softly, trying to take the alpha’s attention. He can see the sudden stillness coming from the alpha and a little light of hope is blossoming in his heart. The papers in his hands are clutched tightly, as it’s the only reason on how he can meet the alpha in here.

“I c-come to give you this, s-sir.” He stutters, hoping the alpha would lift his gaze from the computer he is staring. Maybe if he is looking at Baekhyun, he can notice the discomfort and the hope. Maybe, just maybe, they can sit down like normal people would do, talk about whatever the problem between them is, and solve it for a happy ending.

He gets no answer from the alpha, the only noise is the typing sound of the alpha’s fingers on the keyboards. Baekhyun’s teeth come out to worry his lower lip.

“S-Sir, I… can we t-talk…?” He starts slowly. Mr. Park doesn’t acknowledge him at all, as if he is dispersing into the thin air, as if Baekhyun is not there. As if Baekhyun doesn’t worth his time.

Actually, Baekhyun starts to think that it’s the truth.

“Mr. Park, I… when I was in my h-heat break… why d-did you, I mean, um… why did you leave after… after that…?” His lips tremble while he talks, eyes slowly blinded with unshed tears. He can’t blame himself, his hormone is still all mixed up from his weird heat cycle. He has ever felt this kind of sadness before.

No answer is coming to greet him. Baekhyun bends his head down, swallowing back a sob. He can see a tear drops onto the carpet under his feet. Mr. Park is ignoring him blatantly. His chest hurts and his aura changes into one that is sadness.

Eventually, Mr. Park lifts his head up, annoyance clearly written all over his face. Baekhyun feels his breath hitches as he finds the strong gaze full of resentment.

“You annoy me so much.” Mr. Park says in between his gritted teeth. Baekhyun grips onto his fingers. “Your scent smells so bad. Must you spread your fucked up sadness all over the building?” His words are cruel. So damn cruel.

“M-Mr. Park—”

“Stop talking and get the fuck out of here.” Mr. Park slams his hand down, causing him to flinch.

“You want to know what happened before?” The boss sneers at him, “Nothing. There is nothing. I was just being a very good alpha, helping a helpless omega in heat. There is no other same alpha that would leave the temptation of fucking an omega in heat. Keep that in your thick head, omega, and when you are done, close the door on your way out.”

Baekhyun sobs, his breathes hitching as he cries. He doesn’t understand what mistakes he had done to be treated this badly. He just wants an alpha for himself, gosh. Does he not deserve all of this? Being told that he is just a mere omega in heat and getting help by an alpha for a release of pain makes him rethinks everything again. It’s clear as the day that the alpha doesn’t even appreciate this presence here. What else is he waiting for?

His heart throbs very painfully as he spins on his heels, walking towards the door. He wipes his tears with his sleeve, running to his office to grab his belongings before sprinting out of the building, ignoring the worried calls from his colleagues.

Baekhyun doesn’t know where he is going. He just rides the bus, sitting on the back seat while crying into his palms. He can feel people’s worried glances and hushed whispers, but he ignores everything. The world is so fucked up, he doesn’t know what else to do.

People come and go, they change on each stop the bus pauses, but Baekhyun remains in his seat. His tears have long dried after spending an hour crying nonstop. His nose is clogged and his eyes are swollen. His throat feels sore and the most painful is his head, which is pounding so hard. This is the worst headache he has ever felt.

Suddenly, the bus feels too crowded and he runs down the vehicle right after it stops on one bus stop. He doesn’t know where he currently is, not paying any attention to where the bus was taking him.

He doubles over the side road, gasping for air and clutching onto his chest. No one seems to be able to help him, as he can’t see anyone walking around. It’s so deserted at the time like this, the time where people get off from their work and head to their own respective home. No one seems to notice him writhing in pain and tears by the side road, alone and feeling so awful.





***





Jongin whistles happily, flipping through the ordered goods’ papers as if they are his favorite comic books. He gets a weird and blatant stare from Joonmyeon. People might be thinking he must have hit his head somewhere for him to smile all the time, but no, Jongin is too happy to even function normally.

Even though there is no physical proof, but he thinks he has made some progress with Kyungsoo. Sure enough, the omega no longer ignores him when he talks, although he doesn’t really respond whenever Jongin is speaking. But, no matter how small it is, it’s still a progress for him.

“Earth to Jongin, please stop smiling if you are listening to me.” A gentle hit is delivered to his head. Jongin, instead of scowling just like how he usually would do, smiles up to Joonmyeon who has this grimace on his face.

“The more I look at it, the more I find you scary, Jongin.” The older male mutters in disbelief, shivering as if he is in cold. Jongin grins widely. “Do you need any help, hyung? I’m ready to help you in anything!”

“Sure, sure,” Joonmyeon makes a face, “the driver is absent today and since you are so hyped and all, you can do the delivery then.”

“Oh, well! Poor the driver! I will take care of the delivery for today then! Should I go now?” He singsongs, rising up from his seat and heading towards the door, the car keys twirling in between his fingers.

Yongseon makes a face and Sooyoung shudders in fear. Joonmyeon shakes his head, massaging his temple. “Weird indeed.”







Jongin whistles while driving the delivery truck, being so happy for no apparent reason. He delivers the goods to the customer, giving them friendly smiles and all. While heading back to the office, he glances at the time and finds out that it’s the time for lunch break. He could use this chance.

Grinning triumphantly, he changes the lane and drives towards Sweet Delicacy for a very good lunch.





The employees in Sweet Delicacy must have recognized him all along, as they all have this secret smile whenever he arrives there. They greet him as if he is a loyal customer (he is indeed) and lead him to the booth with the best view. Jongin recites his order with a wide grin, looking completely like an idiot, and waiting in giddy in his seat.

The kitchen door is opened after quite a while, Jongin doesn’t really count how long he has been grinning there. Out from there, he sees Kyungsoo, holding onto a tray of food. The more he stares at his omega, the more he realizes that the omega is walking there towards him.

His heart beats so quickly in his chest, feeling happiness bubbling in him. Once Kyungsoo is in his reach, Jongin greets him almost immediately. “Hello, Kyungsoo! Such a nice sunny day! How is work? Is it hard? You should rest! Look at all the sweat accumulated on your temple! You should—”

“You should shut up.” Kyungsoo cuts him off, putting the tray of food on the table in front of him. Jongin’s eyes and mouth go wide in round. “This is for me? You are delivering this for me, Kyungsoo? This is… this is the first time!” He can’t get over his happiness. Usually, there will be another employee giving him his food despite how hard Jongin has been praying to see a glimpse of his omega. But today, luck is on his side and Kyungsoo himself walks down the aisle to give him the delicious food.

The omega nods his head towards the tray of food, a silent way of him to tell Jongin to stop talking and to start eating before the lunch break is over. Jongin grins widely, thanking him with a loud voice, and grabbing all the other customers’ attention on him. Kyungsoo walks away, rolling his eyes at the embarrassment.

Jongin grabs his spoon, sipping onto the warm chicken soup and shivering at how delicious it tastes. Even the bland rice tastes so great! Is this how love changes you? To make you appreciate every single simple thing lay in front of your very eyes?

He doesn’t see it but suddenly, a small plate of perfectly made of strawberry cheesecake slice is put in front of him. Jongin chokes on his food, swallowing entirely, before lifting his head up to see the culprit.

It’s Kyungsoo, towering over him with a hard gaze.

“It’s on the house, so don’t waste it.” The omega says, walking away from him. Jongin’s cheeks are hurting from smiling so widely and he screams out his gratefulness to the omega. “I will it eat well!” His voice booms in the entire place.

Kyungsoo hides his smirk behind his hand and he walks back into the kitchen to continue his work.

Jongin eats everything slowly, savoring every single bit and bite of the food as if he hasn’t gotten any food in a year. The strawberry cheesecake is too pretty to be eaten but he shouldn’t waste it, moreover when it’s delivered directly by Kyungsoo. He fishes his phone out, taking photos of the slice of cake from every angle he could find, before indulging in the sweet thing with a pleasured moan.

He doesn’t realize the blatant stare from the kitchen door window though, where the chef is smirking in amusement.

When Jongin is nearing the last bite of the cake, he glances around and finds the employees are all watching him intently, with a teasing smile playing on their lips. Jongin gives them a wide grin.

He rises up from his seat, seeing that it’s already time for him to head back to the office. He grabs his phone to push it back into his pocket and is ready to walk towards the door, but he hears someone clearing their throat behind him. He spins around, finding his omega standing there with his flat face.

“Here. Take it.” Kyungsoo says, handing him a takeout box colored in pasted pink and designed with curly flowers. Jongin stares at the box in confusion. “Uh?”

“Consider it as snack during working.” The omega says nonchalantly, as if he doesn’t know how this small little thing is affecting Jongin’s poor heart. The full smile blooms on Jongin’s face and he grabs onto Kyungsoo’s hand before the omega could even thinking of walking away.

“Thank you! Thank you so much! I will treasure this and won’t waste even a crumble of it!” He exclaims happily, skipping on his feet.

There is a look of surprised flashing on Kyungsoo’s face before the omega regains himself back and gives Jongin a firm now. He pulls his hand away and heads back to the kitchen, to hide from the cooing and teasing eyes from Jongdae, Seungwan, and Seulgi.







Jongin is working very happily, humming a pop song he listened from the radio earlier. Joonmyeon has given up in giving him weird stares and lets him be.

As he fiddles with the papers in his hands, his eyes keep darting back to the pastel pink takeout box placed comfortable on the other side of his desk. Jongin bites down on his lip, holding back a squeal and he decides that he can’t wait any longer. He reaches for the box and gently peels the strap, eyes widening in awe at the display of pretty cookies and slices of cakes in it.

“That’s so cute!” Sooyoung squeals from somewhere behind him. Jongin flinches and reflexively covers the box back, gasping when he finds his three colleagues peering behind his back.

“W-What are you guys doing here?” He squeaks in shock. Joonmyeon gives him a knowing smirk.

“Won the omega’s heart, eh, don’t you?”

Jongin finds himself smiling again, abashedly. “Well, I can’t say that just yet,” he squirms like a teenage little girl, “but he gave me this and—”

“Can we try it then?”

“No!” He barks out, hugging the box safe to his chest. Joonmyeon is giving him a teasing smile. “Oh, come on. A little taste won’t hurt.”

“N-No! This is only exclusive for me and me alone!” Jongin grunts like a kid. Joonmyeon makes a face at that. “You are so cheap. Not even want to share the happiness. Let’s ignore him then, girls.”

Sooyoung makes a face at him, sticking her tongue out to mock him. Jongin pouts at them but he is relieved that he could save his precious little cakes from those three.

Now, continue with the first cookie…





***





As he nips onto the cakes and continues his work, Jongin glances to the clock and finds that it’s nearing the closing time for Sweet Delicacy. He scrambles to tidy his desk and save all the documents of work. He ignores the obvious snickers coming from both Joonmyeon and Sooyoung, before he bides them goodbye and heads towards the parking lot.

With a whistle, Jongin drives his car towards the familiar Sweet Delicacy and imagines what kind of words he should tell to Kyungsoo to show how much he appreciates the cakes and cookies. Should he bring him flowers too? Nah, Kyungsoo might hit him with the flowers and the thorn might hurt him, so no.

As he is nearing the restaurant, his eyes catch onto something weird on the side road. The sky is slowly darkening and the street gets so empty from people walking through and fro. Why would there be a person crouching on the side road?

His helping sense kicking in, Jongin swerves the lane and stops right beside the crouching person. He can hear weak sobbing and he goes panic.

“Excuse me but are you alright? Do you need some help?” He asks gently.

The person doesn’t answer him but Jongin catches the glimpse of the face. His eyes widen in shock and he grabs onto the person’s shoulder, wanting to see his face more clearly.

“B-Baekhyun?!” He gasps out.

True enough, he doesn’t mistake in recognizing him. When he sees the tears and scrunching face and hears the heart wrenching sobs, Baekhyun hugs him and cries into his chest. Jongin feels his heart is throbbing in worry about what causes Baekhyun to cry this badly.









***








A/N: Do you find this as a surprise? A plot twist? No? Okay then xD Hahaha, thanks for reading! ^^