Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"From the seed first planted,
Until the yellow leaf descends,
I love you."

Inside the comfort of his posh oak bedroom, the flow of a lullaby murmurs from omega Doyoung Kim's lips. His eyes and fingertips lightly rove over the soft blue glow of the holographic screen displaying the specs of his greatest creation yet—an android prototype for the next advancement in digital consciousness: artificial sentience, not to be confused with its artificial intelligent predecessor.

Joint Artificial Expert Machine Intelligence Navigator, he calls him. Or 'Jaemin,' for short.

Currently a leading student at the Quantum Tech Institute, Doyoung works diligently to ensure that he lives up to his abeoji's legacy, given that he is the founder of one of the country's leading STEM enterprises, Kim Innovations.

"From the first drop on stone,
Until the canyon bends,
I love you

From the star's first light,
Until the black hole's end,
I love you."

"What is this song, Eomma?" Jaemin asks. "I can't find it within any of my musical databases."

His holographic face shifts into an expression of innocent curiosity, the nuances of his brow and quirk of his lips a display of such high-definition caliber it would be hard to differentiate his features from a biological human's—if not for the faintest opal aura that inherently accompanies such projections.

Granted, his platinum comma hair doesn't exactly scream natural either, but it complements his handsome visuals nicely.

Doyoung had opted for holographic imagery over physical synthetic skin because even the most lifelike latex tended to give off a sense of uncanny valley, whereas Doyoung wanted to ensure that his creation inspired the empathy it was capable of experiencing.

"No, you wouldn't," the omega chuckles softly. "It's a lullaby my eomoni used to sing to me, that her eomoni used to sing to her."

"I see." Jaemin's head tilts, eyes widening with a wistful gleam. "It's beautiful, especially when you sing it."

"Thank you," Doyoung grins before returning to his original task, swiping through the screen projected over Jaemin's exposed palm. "All systems are up-to-date, the bugs patched, everything looks good."

Tonight is a very important night for the two of them, after all. It's the first time that Doyoung would be officially introducing Jaemin to the public. He had to make sure he was perfect.

"Do I look good, Eomma?" Jaemin asks, a hint of teasing underlying his tone that seems to be a rather consistent component of the personality he has developed for himself.

Swiping away the screen, Doyoung meets the android's gaze, cupping his jaw with maternal affection before letting them rest atop his shoulders, giving him a look over.

He had him fitted with a custom-tailored suit that matched his own, emphasizing the broad shoulders of his mechanical body as well as his bold yet sleek proportions that conveyed an appearance of simultaneous strength and elegance. As Doyoung's gaze meets his, the smile Jaemin gives him is rather dashing if he does say so himself.

"Yes, you look very handsome," Doyoung says. "You're perfect."

Although Jaemin initially beams under the praise, the last comment has his expression faltering. "But do I look real?"

Squeezing Jaemin's shoulders, Doyoung lowers his tone in earnest as he assures him, "You are real. Artificial only means you were created by humans rather than biologically occurring within nature, but that doesn't make the validity of your existence less."

Jaemin nods with a curious expression. "Try as I might to review definitions and various articles on the subject, I have an unusually difficult time comprehending."

"There are some details of the conscious experience where even academic explanations fall short," Doyoung explains. "Some things you just have to feel. Right here." He places his hand on Jaemin's chest, where his heart would be if he were biological.

Jaemin blinks down at Doyoung's hand. "In my motherboard?"

Doyoung can't help but laugh. "Not exactly. Some things you can only understand by experiencing life. I know it seems confusing now, but you'll understand one day."

The confusion lingers in Jaemin's hyper-realistic blue eyes, but the answer pleases him enough to have the smile returning, all brilliant teeth and eye crinkles.

"And tonight, everyone will get to see how real you are for themselves," Doyoung adds, pride swelling in his chest. "They're all going to love you."

"I'm so fortunate to have such an intelligent Eomma," Jaemin says. "You're going to win the Future Innovators Award tonight, for sure!"

Doyoung gives his creation's shoulders another squeeze before turning so that they're facing the mirror directly next to each other. "We will."

Taking the moment to straighten his tie, a knock on the door catches Doyoung's attention. His abeoji enters the bedroom doorway, wearing his finest suit. Doyoung had inherited his wide shoulders and long limbs, though Dr. Kim has more prominent angular alpha features whereas many often comment that Doyoung has his eomoni's delicate regalia as well as her angelic voice.

"Doyoungie?" Dr. Kim asks. "Our ride is here. Are you ready?"

"Yes, Appa. I was just running a last-minute analysis over Jaemin's processes," Doyoung explains.

"For exactly the fourteenth time today," Jaemin adds.

"I can't be too sure!" Doyoung defends.

A laugh slips from the older alpha's lips as he approaches them, eyes wide with awe and pride behind his rectangular glasses as they land on Jaemin. "Ah, hello, Jaemin. Are you ready for tonight? Not only are all the STEM leaders going to be present but all the big press names are as well. The whole world is going to see you!"

"I'm a little nervous," Jaemin admits before adding with a respectful bow, "But I'm also very excited, Oehalabeonim."

"Wonderful!" Appa smiles, a light laugh following. "And there's no need to address me so formally."

"Will 'Papa' do?" Jaemin asks.

Appa's smile softens. "I'd like that." He turns to his son, placing a hand on his shoulder. "He's incredible, Doyoung. You deserve this nomination. I'm so amazed by you, not just as a scientist but as an abeoji."

Doyoung bows his head, touched. "Thank you, Appa."

The grip on Doyoung's shoulder tightens, and the soft paternal gaze in his abeoji's eyes hardens. "That being said… I do expect you to be on your best behavior tonight."

A defensive flame flares inside Doyoung's chest. Appa doesn't need to elaborate. He knows exactly what he's talking about—who he's talking about.

Although he exercises the self-restraint to mask the irritation the subject of a certain alpha evokes within him, Doyoung's tone is curt as he asserts, "I'm not the one you need to worry about."

Dr. Kim exhales his exasperation, hand flopping to his side. "Doyoungie…"

"I'm sorry, Appa, that I can't be best friends with your best friend's son the way you two always dreamed we would be," the defenses fly from Doyoung's lips before he can stop himself. "But it's not my fault that Professor Jung's son is a pompous ass!"

"This merger between Kim Innovations and JungCorp has been a long time coming," Dr. Kim explains. "We're unveiling our first collaboration officially as JungKim Synergy tonight! How would it look if our sons got into an argument during such a monumental event?"

Doyoung takes to looking over Jaemin one last time, replying almost offhandedly, "As long as he minds his own business and stays away from me, it shouldn't be a problem."

"Doyoung," the alpha nearly growls, voice low with warning.

Doyoung sighs, but he knows when not to push it. He turns to face his abeoji. "I'll behave, Appa. I promise."

Dr. Kim's eyes visibly soften. "That's all I ask."

A scene not unlike a movie premier awaits them as they arrive at the event hall hosting the STEM charity gala. Doyoung, Jaemin, and his abeoji are met by a swarm of flashing cameras and animated voices calling their names the moment they exit their ride. They're bombarded with questions, especially curious about the android with the hyper-realistic face at Doyoung's side.

Jaemin hastily grabs Doyoung's arm. Doyoung had warned his creation this would happen. Still, sometimes not even the best explanation can properly brace one for the actual experience.

Doyoung takes his hand, squeezing his mechanical palm reassuringly as he instructs under his breath, "Just smile and wave."

Jaemin does; Doyoung does as well, and when the two of them are tugged along with Dr. Kim for a family photo shoot, Doyoung can't help but swell with pride as the surrounding voices coo with wonder and intrigue at the sight of his creation.

Dr. Kim recognizes industry faces that take his attention. Doyoung moves to follow, but the press cuts him off. "Doyoung Kim! Doyoung Kim! Could we have a moment? You have got to tell us just who this is accompanying you at such a prestigious event!"

They're surrounded by more flashes of lights, the target of cameras rolling live. This is it.

Doyoung's internal pride flourishes. How could it not? He's been working tirelessly for years to create Jaemin—a labor of long, sleepless nights, sweat and tears, and so many soul-crushing failed attempts before his efforts finally bore their fruit.

Still, even if the recognition is highly deserved, Doyoung has the grace to keep the smile on his face modest, subtly drawing in a breath to compose himself as he introduces his creation to the gathering of reporters. "This is Jaemin, short for Joint Artificial Expert Machine Intelligence Navigator. He's my prototype of the latest in Kim Innovations' artificial consciousness developments. He possesses the mind of a supercomputer but also demonstrates the capacity to learn, experience complex emotions, and communicate organically."

"Jaemin!" an older omega reporter in a lavish dress addresses the android. "How are you feeling about being here?"

"Incredibly honored!" Jaemin answers enthusiastically. "My Eomma keeps me up-to-date with the latest in STEM developments, but I'm excited to finally see some of the top contributors for myself."

"'Eomma!'" the reporter declares, tossing a hand over her chest in a dramatic show of her endearment.

"Wow, he really is so life-like!" another reporter praises. "And so handsome too!"

"Coming from you, that's quite the compliment," Jaemin replies, leaning in her direction with a flash of teeth and a well-timed wink.

That earns another round of coos as well as giggles, and it's all Doyoung can do not to let his basking show on his face.

"To think you've developed such an advancement in artificial intelligence, and you haven't even graduated QIT yet!" another member of the press comments.

"Oh. Jaemin here is artificial sentience—not to be confused with A.I." Doyoung gently corrects, placing a hand on Jaemin's bicep. He grins, addressing the original comment. "And being raised by my father did put me a step ahead. I've been learning how to code and have been studying behavioral science since grade school!"

"A natural genius!"

Doyoung merely inclines his head.

Another reporter continues, "Your incredible contributions to Kim Innovations are well known! Now that your abeoji's company has officially merged with JungCorp, do you believe your current direction will support their collaborative mission?"

The question elicits a slight pang of annoyance even though Doyoung knew he would be inevitably met by this. Nevertheless, he keeps that feeling suppressed as he answers politely, "I have no doubt that my work will always be relevant, but questions about the business merger should be directed to my abeoji."

"Can you tell me more about Jaemin's organic learning capabilities?" another reporter cuts in, to Doyoung's relief.

"Oh, yes!" The smile easily reignites on his face. Gently taking Jaemin's arm, he gestures to him as he goes on to explain. "Jaemin possesses unique observation abilities that mimic that of the human brain in that they—"

Screams erupt throughout the crowd, startling Doyoung as well as everyone else within the vicinity.

It doesn't take him long to spot the cause of such a dramatic disruption as the roar of a slick black Suzuki motorcycle cuts down the entryway, embellished with glowing streaks of neon green.

The cyclist stops at the entry point, making a point to theatrically rev the bike's engine a few times before dismounting it with a button so that it will park itself. Donning an exosuit that looks like a cross between Iron Man and something out of Tron with its sleek black body and neon green lights, the cyclist hits another button that has his helmet dismantling and neatly retracting into the suit's neck, revealing the immaculately tousled hair belonging to one alpha, Jaehyun Jung.

He smacks a plate in the center of his chest, and the suit dissembles, pieces clicking rhythmically as they swiftly fold into each other like a Transformer, gathering and tucking away into the compact center chest plate in a seemingly physics-defying display, leaving behind a crisp black suit and tie that captivates the surrounding onlookers into a collective murmur of oohs and awes.

Making his way along the path, Jaehyun flashes a dimple-framed smile as he waves to the surrounding faces, evoking a new round of screams as well as a trample of omegas crowding the velvet rope as they beg Jaehyun for his autograph.

All the while, Doyoung and Jaemin stand forgotten, all the previous attention swept away as the press then worms into the gathering of bodies, desperate to get an interview with the Jung heir.

Doyoung squeezes Jaemin's hand, blood boiling as his eyes narrow at that stupidly debonair smile with his stupidly perfect dimples.

Of course, he has to make some big flashy entrance. Of course, he has to bask in all the attention. How very typical of him.

"Eomma?" Jaemin gently inquires with a note of concern.

"Let's go find our seat," Doyoung huffs, abruptly turning on his heel to enter the hall.

The inside of the event hall looks like a lavish celebration for a sci-fi movie. Large tables draped in white cloths sport cylindrical centerpieces glowing with cool-toned bubbly liquid, containing science-based decorative pieces like DNA strands, cellular components, or atomic particles. Doyoung and Jaemin are ushered to the table designated for the Kim family as well as Kim Innovations' associates of high importance.

Among the group is Doyoung's little cousin, fellow omega, and Quantum Institute of Technology student, Minjeong. While her pale blond hair makes her look all the more soft and delicate than she already does, her mind is a powerhouse, and despite only being a second year at university, she too has been nominated for the Young Innovators Award. Doyoung couldn't be more proud.

Minjeong as well as the rest of the table is all praises over Jaemin, who absolutely charms them with his sweet smile and playful commentary. Rounds of laughs encircle the table, Doyoung among them, and he's almost forgotten about his irritation from outside.

That is until a certain warm, earthy musk that Doyoung is unfortunately all too familiar with drifts past his nostrils, causing his heartbeat to pick up in irritation.

"Minjeong." Jaehyun stops, smiling softly. "You changed your hair. It looks really pretty on you."

"Thank you, Jaehyun," Minjeong grins, ducking her head as though to conceal the pink on her cheeks, and Doyoung has to suppress the urge to roll his eyes.

Jaehyun turns to him next. "Kim."

The single syllable is enough to aggravate the heat in Doyoung's blood, but he's not about to give Jaehyun the satisfaction of believing he can get a rise out of him, so he looks him dead in the eye in return. "Jung."

"Congratulations on your nomination tonight," the alpha says, the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips canceling out any sincerity in the bow of his head.

"And you," Doyoung replies, his voice more stiff than he means it to be.

"I hope you all have a lovely evening!" Jaehyun addresses the rest of the table with a wave before finally heading to his own, though he makes sure to add before he's out of earshot, "Nice robot, by the way."

"He's not a robot!" Doyoung hisses, twisting after him, though the sudden grasp of Jaemin's hand around his elbow regrounds him before he can lose himself, and he bites his tongue to quell his fury.

That's the thing about Jaehyun. He knows just what to say to get under Doyoung's skin, yet picks his words carefully enough that Doyoung can't call it out without looking like he's the crazy one.

His eyes narrow as he watches Jaehyun stop at the table behind his, where the merged Board of Directors for JungKim Synergy sit. Among them is alpha Jimin Yu with her long layers of black hair and a chic purple suit that contrasts with the brilliant magenta of her lips.

The abundant wealth of the Yu family has long supported the endeavors of both Kim Innovations and JungCorp, who have kept them on top in return. It's thanks to them that the JungKim Synergy merger is happening at all.

Doyoung wants to like Jimin. He really does. He's never had a personal problem with her.

It's just that as he watches her stand, clasping Jaehyun's hand before pulling him into a hug like an old friend, he just finds any attempt at forming an objective opinion of her already tainted.

Whipping his head away, Doyoung shifts in his seat to keep his back to both tables, only to be met by Minjeong wearing an amused grin as she shakes her head.

Doyoung frowns and directs his attention to the podium in the middle of the stage as he grasps the stem of his champagne flute a little more firmly than what's necessary.

A short while later, all the attendees settle in their place while the event host takes the stage. "Thank you, thank you, everyone, for joining us tonight! And I would like to extend a special thanks to Professor Jung and Dr. Kim for sponsoring this event."

The mention of his abeoji has Doyoung sitting up straighter, beaming with pride as he animatedly claps.

"We have a lot to look forward to tonight," the host continues, "including the demonstration of JungKim Synergy's latest collaborative advancement—the debut project of their merged company!"

The audience claps.

"We'll also be presenting the Future Innovator's Award, an acknowledgment of students who have already made great contributions toward the STEM fields."

Reaching under the table, Doyoung takes Jaemin's hand to squeeze while another wave of claps surrounds them.

"But I would like to take this time to extend my appreciation to each and every one of you here tonight. Your generous donations—all of which JungKim Synergy has matched—will go to the underfunded cities within the community to further support science and engineering education."

This coaxes a much louder round of applause, though no one is more enthusiastic than Doyoung, whose cheeks hurt from the strain of his smile. He's so proud of his abeoji, so proud to be his son.

The evening continues, inviting Professor Jung and Dr. Kim to take to the stage. Jaehyun really could be a carbon copy of his abeoji down to the dimples. The only differences are the creases around the elder alpha's eyes, the streaks of gray flecking his full head of hair, and a certain sense of modesty and wisdom in his gaze that his son didn't inherit.

The alphas officially announce the merger of their business into JungKim Synergy, revealing the collaborative project that will carry the company into the future: the Chrono Ions, charged particles that can affect the very fabric of reality in which they are imbued.

They demonstrate by rolling out a metal alloy structure impregnated with the Ions contained within a reinforced clear chamber. Professor Jung wields a large laser ray rifle—one of JungCorp's infamous developments in military-grade weaponry.

Firing the weapon, a ray of red blasts from the barrel with a loud BANG that has the pit of Doyoung's stomach tensing despite the demonstration's safe containment. Bits of shrapnel smack into the surrounding safety chamber with loud cracks.

Blinking past the splotchy afterimage left in the ray's wake, Doyoung sees that the metal structure has been blasted in two, the edges flowered and glowing molten red while chunks of metallic rubble litter the stage.

That appears to be the end of the metal box, except then all the broken pieces inexplicably illuminate bright green, vibrating from an unseen force. All the scattered pieces fly to the original source as if a potent magnet had been activated, reattaching and restructuring itself with impossibly eerie precision until the intensity of the green reaches its peak. The light flashes with finality before vanishing completely, leaving behind the original metallic structure without so much as a scratch left on it—as if it rewound time to right before it had been blasted.

Gasps echo throughout the hall, and even Doyoung gapes in disbelief, humbled in the face of such a development as he claps along with the rest of the audience.

"As you can see, Chrono Ions are the future," Professor Jung explains. "A powerful molecule that can manipulate the very fabric of time and space on an atomic level, allowing the matter it inhabits to rewind the effects from any external forces as though it never sustained them at all!"

This, of course, brings out a lot of questions, as various press and potential investors stand from their seats in a clamor to get the STEM leaders' attention.

"Professor Jung! Dr. Kim! Do you really believe it's ethical for humanity to possess such power? For a company to?"

Professor Jung lifts a hand, offering the bustling audience a reassuring grin. "I assure you that the Chrono Ions—as with everything JungCorp and Kim Innovations have respectively developed before—will be studied and implemented for the good of humanity!"

"Both companies' discoveries and developments largely serve the country's military," another reporter points out.

"And the military serves the people," Dr. Kim explains, as confident as his Professor counterpart. "If the Chrono Ions can reverse destruction within inanimate objects, just imagine what they could do for the future of medical science! We could rewind injuries, illness, even aging!"

Which naturally sends the press into a flurry of more questions. Doyoung can't blame them. He has plenty of his own.

His abeoji, alongside his colleague and best friend, repeatedly assures the audience of JungKim Synergy's goodwill, though Doyoung knows even as the night moves on that will not be the end of the questions.

Nevertheless, once they reach the announcement for the Future Innovators Award, Doyoung puts the Chrono Ions as well as all else out of his mind.

He knows that this event is about so much more than this award, but with as far as he has come with Jaemin, he can't deny his excitement to himself.

"Although the award can only go to one, we would like to recognize all our nominees for their incredible talents, hard work, and generous services to humanity," the host announces at the podium, holding up the award itself: a crystalline trophy topped with an embellishment shaped like a neutron. "The nominees are: Doyoung Kim, whose advancements of A.I. technology promise to reshape the future of human connection and understanding."

"Artificial sentience," Doyoung huffs in frustration under his breath. "It's sentience, not intelligence. There's a difference."

However, the live camera feeds have all shifted his direction, and Doyoung pushes a smile on his face just in time, reaching over to take Jaemin by the shoulders to pull him into the feed with him. Jaemin also smiles and waves in his charming way, and the two are projected on the massive screens framing either side of the main stage.

The host continues: "Kun Qian, whose contributions within the bioengineering field may very well redefine modern medicine!"

The large screens display a feed of Kun himself, sitting at one of the round tables with his stylish mate, Ten, at his side, clapping his support as he presses into his alpha.

"Jaehyun Jung, whose developments with nanotechnology reinforce the security of humanity every day!"

Jaehyun's face appears on the screen next, where he smiles and waves like a pageant contestant. Doyoung is not surprised to hear the various sporadic screams of omegas from the audience behind him.

His eyes practically roll into the back of his head as he taps his hands together in an obligatory manner that's too light to produce sound.

"And last," the host concludes," we have Minjeong Kim, whose research and discoveries into the subject of quantum-mechanical phenomena suggest time travel could potentially be more than just a theory."

Doyoung claps sincerely this time, smiling over at his young cousin, whose cheeks have gone pink again as her sweet smile appears on the double screens.

"And the winner is…" The host holds up an envelope, unfolding the flap to retrieve the cardstock within.

Doyoung watches with bated breath, heart hammering. He's got this, he just has to. He's not being cocky either. It's just that Jaemin's artificial sentience is truly incomparable and unlike anything—

"Jaehyun Jung!"

The audience roars with cheers and applause, launching from their seats, and one would think every single member in attendance just won the lottery from their sheer, unbridled enthusiasm.

Even Minjeong claps in excitement, sighing dreamily as Jaehyun's smiling face takes over the double screens again.

Doyoung shoots her a glare, and she does at least have the decency to look abashed as she throws her hands down and ducks her head.

His attention returns to the stage, where Jaehyun smiles and waves at a continually screaming audience. Joining the host at the podium, he accepts the award, going into a speech of humble appreciation that is no doubt very performative. Not that Doyoung can hear it under the ferocity of his blood pounding in his ears.

"Eomma…?" Jaemin cautiously addresses him, a gentle mechanical hand curling over his shoulder.

All Doyoung can do is shake his head, arms crossed tightly over his chest as though that would contain the firestorm within.

Bullshit. Complete and utter bullshit.

Although Doyoung would've been admittedly disappointed if Kun or Minjeong won the award, the fact that Jaehyun won it was outright insulting. He shouldn't have even been in the running.

He contributed what? Nanotech developments? So basically he gave JungCorps' military exosuits an upgrade as he demonstrated when he made his big, flashy arrival. Big deal.

How did that compare to the likes of bioengineering? Quantum-mechanical phenomena? Artificial sentience?

It didn't.

However, as Doyoung sits there silently seething while the surrounding audience continues screaming at Jaehyun with his stupidly perfect dimples and his stupidly perfect hair, as if he were an idol rather than an engineering student, Doyoung is all too aware that the reason he won had nothing to do with his actual STEM contributions. If anything, Doyoung should blame himself for being so foolish and naive as to believe that the award would be given based on the merits of the individuals' work.

His eyes start to sting, and Doyoung blinks rapidly, using all his willpower to control his breathing against the continued rapid fire of his heart.

God. The last thing he needs is for his body to humiliate him with tears. Onlookers will believe he's crying because he didn't win, call him a sore loser, when in truth, Doyoung is just so angry at the injustice of it.

Jaehyun hoists the crystal award overhead victoriously, eliciting one more round of cheers from the audience, then he finally descends back to the table.

Recalling his promise to his abeoji back at home, Doyoung's teeth sink into the tip of his tongue. Although his tongue is in check, his eyes are not, trailing after Jaehyun with an unrelenting sharp glare as he returns to his seat at the neighboring table.

As if he can feel the intensity of Doyoung's stare, he glances in his direction, amusement flitting on one corner of his lips.

"You know, Kim…" But then he seems to think better of whatever he was going to say, sitting back in his seat and redirecting his attention to the stage with a dismissive wave. "Ah, never mind."

But the damage is already done, plucking one of Doyoung's already volatile strings. He snaps, "What?"

Jaehyun shakes his head.

"Say it," Doyoung hisses. "Whatever it is, just say it. Or are you too cowardly to say what you think to my face?"

"Eomma…" Jaemin whispers from Doyoung's other side.

Doyoung throws a finger in Jaemin's face with a, "Shhh!" and the android goes silent.

Jaehyun laughs under his breath, jaw twitching in a way that suggests Doyoung had successfully managed to prod his pride. "I was just going to say—or ask, rather—if your eomoni ever warned you that if you made a face too hard, it could get stuck that way?"

Scoffing, Doyoung throws himself into the back of his chair, the fold of his arms tensing as he shakes his head in disbelief. "You are so arrogant."

"You were the one glaring holes into my face!"

"Because you don't deserve that award and you know it!" Doyoung whispers harshly. Heat prickles beneath his cheeks, aware that he's crossed the line, that he's not upholding his promise to his abeoji.

Still, it's the truth. It needs to be said, and clearly, no one else is going to. "You only won because you're a handsome alpha!"

"Ahhh, the unsolicited commentary of my good looks," Jaehyun sighs, caught somewhere between bored and amused. "You know, Kim, I can't help but wonder if there's some underlying reason you're always bringing it up."

"Don't flatter yourself!"

"What else am I supposed to think?"

"You treat the STEM field like some celebrity sideshow!" Doyoung huffs, keeping his tone low under the host's speech continuing through the hall speakers. "And for some Godforsaken reason, people actually eat it up!"

"Does that make you jealous, Kim?" Jaehyun asks with his annoyingly impervious calm.

"Jealous?" Doyoung tenses to suppress his fury. "Hardly! I just can't stand the inequity of it all."

Jaehyun cocks a brow. "Inequity?"

"You are the least deserving of that award of all of us!"

"Doyoung…" Minjeong chastisingly whispers behind him.

"Stay out of this," Doyoung insists under his breath without glancing back.

Jaehyun's jaw twitches, his calm composure faltering. "I have worked very hard this last year."

"Please." Doyoung shakes his head. "While the rest of us spent tireless nights studying, you were always out partying or using your abeoji's latest development to put on some big social media spectacle to show off for omegas!"

"Why stay up all night studying when I already understand the material?" Jaehyun chuckles breathlessly, amusement returning to him. His head tilts as he regards him, that annoying little smirk tugged on his lips. "Is that what this is about? Are you jealous that academics come to me easier than they do to you?"

Doyoung rolls his eyes. "Who are you kidding? You just scrape by enough to piggyback off your abeoji's work."

Jaehyun points behind Doyoung toward Jaemin. "And you don't?"

He's hit another defensive button. Doyoung seizes Jaemin's bicep, tugging him into his side, while the android blinks rapidly, thoroughly startled.

"Jaemin is one of a kind!" he hisses. "He doesn't parrot preprogrammed responses, he possesses genuine proactive forethought. What you do, and what I do is beyond comparison! I wouldn't expect you to understand."

"Well." Jaehyun sits back in his chair, eyes on the stage as his hands rest against the back of his head, an easy grin gracing his lips. "All I know is that one of us has an award and one of us doesn't."

Red overwhelms Doyoung's vision, sirens blaring through his skull, wiping out any and all semblance of rational thought.

Launching to his feet, he snatches the award by one of the neutron rings, twisting on his heel to chuck it across the abundant expanse of the hall.

"Eomma!" Jaemin shouts while everyone in the vicinity gasps.

However, Doyoung doesn't actually throw the award as a sudden yank tugs his heaving shoulder into a still, elbow pointed up, and he glances back to see that Jaehyun has snatched the base of the trophy, knuckles white from the force of his grip.

"Are you crazy?!" Jaehyun snarls.

"Self-absorbed," Doyoung grits through his teeth. "Egotistical, arrogant show-off!"

He gives the trophy a hard yank, and his center of gravity drops out of his stomach.

SNAP!

As it turns out, the trophy isn't made of crystal. It's plastic.

The realization catches up to Doyoung too late as he clutches the snapped neutron ring, stumbling toward the table. Thankfully, Jaemin's swift reflexes spare him a humiliating collision as he's quick to his feet, catching Doyoung with surprising gentleness.

From the crash of glass and metal shattering behind him, Doyoung knows Jaehyun is not so lucky.

Minjeong squeaks, and noises of shock and assent collectively gasp until the entire gala hall goes quiet—save for the crescendo of feedback emitting from the speakers as even the host has been startled still.

Doyoung whirls around in Jaemin's hold to see Jaehyun on his back in the middle of the Board of Directors table, where Jimin sits completely frozen, jaw dropped, a generous splash of wine dripping down her face and staining the purple of her designer blazer.

The blood drains from Doyoung's face as his hands fly to his mouth, eyes widening as the gravity of what he's done catches up to him.

"JUNGKIM SYNERGY PROMISES GOOD FOR HUMANITY, YET FOUNDERS CAN'T EVEN CONTROL THEIR ADULT CHILDREN?"

The bold, illuminated headline burns into Doyoung's retinas from the holographic screen projected in the middle of a long meeting table.

Well into the night after the event, inside the compound that serves as JungKim Synergy's first official base as a merged company, he and Jaehyun sit at the end of the table—a fair deal away from each other, mind—while Dr. Kim and Professor Jung stand along either side of the projected screen, the silent fury of their postures and expressions mirroring one another.

All present have shed themselves of their blazers and ties, appearing not just relaxed but outright exhausted.

Appa's already hard frown deepens as he angrily swipes the projected screen to reveal another headline.

"CATFIGHT AT THE STEM GALA: JUNGKIM'S PRESTIGIOUS EVENT OVERSHADOWED BY SONS' HOSTILE RIVALRY"

Then another.

"SCANDAL AT STEM GALA RAISES QUESTIONS: IS THE FUTURE OF JUNGKIM SYNERGY SECURE IN THE FACE OF TENSIONS BETWEEN THE NEXT GENERATION?"

And another.

"JUNGKIM SYNERGY STOCKS PLUMMET IN LIGHT OF SONS' SHAMEFUL PUBLIC DISPLAY AT GALA EVENT"

Every single headline hits Doyoung like a punch to the gut, head ducking as he shrinks further and further into his chair while Jaemin shoots him continued worried glances from directly next to him.

With a final swipe, the screen disappears, and Appa grips the edge of the table, exhaling a sigh as his head bows. "What do the two of you have to say for yourselves?"

Doyoung's lips press together, unable to find words that can properly apologize for this overwhelming weight of shame that's overtaken him.

In his periphery, Jaehyun doesn't seem to be fairing any better.

"Behaving like that at the first public event we've attended as a merged company?" Professor Jung picks up. "We had just unveiled our first collaboration, a development that is beyond revolutionary, yet you would never know because all anyone can talk about is your shameful and completely humiliating behavior!"

"In all my years, I have never witnessed such a display of immaturity!" Dr. Kim rants, pushing off the table to direct his intense stare at his son. "Doyoungie… I've raised you better than this!"

Heat flares beneath Doyoung's cheeks, eyes lifting to meet his abeoji's, and while shame sinks him into his seat, that firestorm of anger pulses anew, never having quite died out.

"It was his fault," Doyoung says quietly, not even bothering to look in Jaehyun's direction.

However, in the corner of his eye, he can see Jaehyun spin toward him. "My fault? You're the one who grabbed my award in a jealous fit!"

Doyoung swirls to glare at him. "You instigated it! You couldn't just accept the award graciously, you had to rub it in my face!"

"You were the one glaring daggers at me and saying I didn't deserve it!" Jaehyun scoffs incredulously.

"ENOUGH!" Professor Jung booms, silencing the JungKim heirs and reclaiming their attention.

"Listen to yourselves!" Dr. Kim scoffs in disgust. "You sound like squabbling pups, when you're both, in fact, grown adults!"

Doyoung's jaw clenches to restrain himself.

"Jimin Yu…" Professor Jung sighs. "Of all people to crash into, you had to crash into Jimin Yu?"

"The Yus have been our largest investors back when we were individual companies!" Appa elaborates as if either Doyoung or Jaehyun needed this explained to them. "They're the whole reason this merger was able to be realized!"

"You are so lucky they haven't completely withdrawn!" Professor Jung adds.

"It's not like I crashed into her on purpose?" Jaehyun points out.

Professor Jung brandishes a scolding finger at his son. "It was a result of your poor choices!"

"Our poor choices!" Jaehyun says as though correcting him.

Doyoung twists toward him again, features contorting. "You started it!"

"Doyoung! That's enough!" Appa snaps, directing Doyoung's attention to him again. "I asked you. I very specifically asked you to behave tonight."

Doyoung's eyes remain on his abeoji as he sharply points at Jaehyun. "He was rubbing his award in my face, and I was just supposed to sit there and take it?"

"I think your recollection of events is a bit exaggerated," Jaehyun hums under his breath.

"Oh, shut up, Jaehyun," Professor Jung huffs before Doyoung can argue back. "I don't doubt you were unnecessarily flapping your mouth as you so often do."

Jaehyun blinks. "Thanks for the confidence, Appa."

Heaving a sigh, Professor Jung puts his hands on his hips, staring off as he continues in a musing tone, "I don't understand. We raised you two together. When you were pups, you demonstrated such promise in collaborative ingenuity. And that was when the two of you were merely playing!"

"Both of your talents far exceed our own. Easily," Dr. Kim adds. "If you two were to combine your current abilities, the results would be…" he rolls a hand as if no word he could come up with could possibly be enough, "—incredible! Concepts that Professor Jung and I could only dream of!"

Professor Jung nods in agreement. "The two of you would be such an unstoppable force if only you could set your egos aside for three seconds and allow yourselves to see it!"

Yeah right, Doyoung thinks. The enthusiastic little butterball of a pup whose imagination used to soar with Doyoung’s versus the self-absorbed adult alpha sitting across from him now were like night and day. But he knows better than to say any of that aloud.

With the way Jaehyun pointedly looks away from him in the perimeter of his vision, he can assume he shares his skepticism.

Exhaling another sigh, Professor Jung massages the bridge of his nose. "I just don't know what we're going to do with the two of you…"

"I'm sorry, okay?" Jaehyun complains, gripping the armrests of his chair. "I don't know what else to say."

Professor Jung lowers his hand, looking his son dead in the eye. "We are far past apologies. The consequences of your actions are too deep."

The statement tugs Doyoung's senses on alert, eyes darting to the elder Jung. "What do you mean?"

It's his own abeoji that explains, "Your behavior at the Gala has left the Board of Directors doubting your abilities to take over the company in the future."

"Well, that's not up to them!" Doyoung scoffs as if giving their opinion any merit is ridiculous.

"It is, actually," Appa explains. "At the end of the day, it's the funders who are in charge, and if they believe your inheritance will compromise the interest of the company, they can easily shut us out."

That has Jaehyun sitting up straighter in his seat. "What?"

Professor Jung's expression has taken a grave turn. "If the two of you can't conduct yourself civilly at public events, how can you be trusted to cooperatively handle an entire enterprise together?"

Understanding seeps into Doyoung's veins like ice, freezing his muscles, stunting his airways.

"We've been backed into a corner," Appa continues. "If the two of you can't learn to work together and fast, we'll have no choice but to appoint a third-party beneficiary—one that understands the mission of JungKim Synergy and operates for the good of the company and humanity, not themselves."

A humorless laugh tumbles from Jaehyun's lips. "You can't be serious?"

Striding right up to his son, Professor Jung plants a hand on the table as he leans down to meet his eye level. "You think I would joke about such a matter?"

Jaehyun's head bows, voice dropping. "No. Of course not."

"The two of you get it together," Dr. Kim says with a finality. "Or you can both try your hand at building your own life from ground zero!"

Standing upright, Professor Jung nods curtly, and the two leave the room, leaving Jaehyun, Doyoung, and Jaemin in stifling silence after the door slams shut.

For several moments, Doyoung just sits there, paralyzed by a deadly cocktail of anxiety and rage.

Jaehyun Jung.

He has always been such a show-off, has always had to go out of his way to upstage Doyoung, gloat about himself and his accomplishments whenever the opportunity has arisen. He unfairly claimed the award that should've rightfully been his, and now, because of him and his arrogance, he's going to keep Doyoung from his inheritance too?

Doyoung's eyes sting, threatening to humiliate him once again, but Doyoung can't cry, he won't. Not in front of Jaehyun.

He tenses so hard to keep his emotions contained that a tremble takes over his entire body.

"Kim…" Jaehyun speaks with surprising softness next to him.

But whatever it is, Doyoung doesn't want to hear it.

"Don't!" he hisses, glaring but refusing to so much as look in his direction. "Don't say a word to me!"

And without awaiting a response, Doyoung launches to his feet—his chair rolling back from the force of his movement—pivoting on his heel and marching straight out of the room.

"Eomma!" Jaemin shouts, hastily following.

They enter the compound corridors, a labyrinth of concrete walls and buzzing overhead lights.

The scramble of Jaehyun's feet rushes to follow him. "So, that's it? Our abeojis tell us how they're going to pull our inheritance of the company, and you're not even going to try to talk to me?"

Doyoung rounds on him, glaring right in his face. "Oh, don't you dare! Don't you even dare!"

Jaehyun's brow twists in confusion. "Don't I dare what?"

"Try to act all righteous as if the fact that we are in this predicament isn't entirely your fault!" Doyoung jabs a finger in the middle of Jaehyun's chest.

"Eomma…" Jaemin says warily, eyes darting in various directions.

Scoffing, Jaehyun crosses his arms. "You're the one that let your jealousy get the better of you!"

Doyoung jerks as if splashed in the face. "I was not jealous!"

"Eomma!" The insistence increases in Jaemin's tone, and he tugs Doyoung's sleeve as if desperate to get his attention, though Doyoung just swipes at his hold dismissively.

"Look," Jaehyun breathes. "This isn't getting us anywhere, and I don't know about you, but I really don't want to see the company handed over to someone else!"

Doyoung should try to meet him in the middle. Deep down he knows, but he's still just so angry and upset about everything that he tunes that inner voice out, shaking his head. "Yes, because it's all about you and what you want, as it always is!"

Jaehyun throws his hands in the air. "Oh, my God, you are so impossible."

Sighing, Jaehyun scrubs his forehead, and as his hand drops to his side, something in his eyes looks a little defeated, humble in a way that Doyoung isn't used to, which only puts the omega on his guard.

The alpha continues murmuring, more to himself than anything else, "I don't even know why I have such a—"

"Eomma!" Jaemin interrupts, taking Doyoung's arm and shaking him.

"Not now, Jaemin!" Doyoung scolds under his breath, trying to roll his arm free.

However, his creation is unrelenting. "I'm detecting substantial anomalous patterns outside the compound, threatening to tear open the fabric of reality itself!"

That has Doyoung's attention. He turns toward Jaemin, confused but alert. "What? What is it?"

"I don't know," the android shakes his head, staring at a concrete wall as if he could see outside the base before returning his attention to Doyoung, brows twisted upward. "But it's big!"

Doyoung has Jaemin lead the way, jogging through the concrete maze, sweeping past security until they reach the fenced-off perimeter of the compound. Stomping to a stop, Doyoung pants for breath, glaring as he looks over to see that Jaehyun has followed, panting next to him.

"Don't follow me!"

"I'm not following you, I'm following him," Jaehyun stubbornly replies, pointing at Jaemin.

"Well, don't follow him!" Doyoung throws back with equal petulance.

Jaehyun's brow furrows with incredulity. "If there's some big anomaly threatening to rip the fabric of reality next to our abeojis' compound, I want to know about it!"

Doyoung's mouth opens to argue, but Jaemin points to the wide expanse beyond the fenced perimeter. "There!"

His eyes dart to the direction Jaemin has pinpointed. The compound resides well outside the bustling industry of the city, surrounded by a desolate terrain of red desert, roaring cliffs, and towering canyons.

However, given that it's currently past midnight, it looks more like an expanse of massive jagged shadows, while the horizon is painted by a gradient strip of purple bleeding into navy flecked with stars.

Doyoung is about to ask Jaemin where exactly when he sees it—a crackle of lightning erupting in thin air nowhere near the sky. It flashes for only a moment before vanishing, followed by a distinct ripple that momentarily distorts the rocky terrain beyond, not quite water or gas, then goes completely still again.

All Doyoung can do is stare at the spot, words and comprehension beyond him.

"This way," Jaehyun says, touching Doyoung's shoulder to guide him along. "I drove my car here. I'll take us over there."

Doyoung scoffs, jerking his shoulder away from Jaehyun's touch.

Striding past him, Jaehyun shrugs. "Fine! Feel free to walk."

Despite himself, Doyoung follows Jaehyun through the compound fencing to where he has his car parked behind all the military trucks, huffing as he approaches the passenger side, "Unlock the door."

Jaehyun drives them to a closer vantage point toward the irregularity, though he maintains a cautious distance.

The trio exits the vehicle just in time to see another crackle of inexplicable energy.

Then another.

And another.

Until the flickers explode into a crackle of blinding light that tears into the very fabric of reality, expanding into a portal of flowing cosmos with no beginning or end, infinitely streaming, and it's like Doyoung's staring into another dimension entirely.

Stunned in a trance of awe and wonder, Doyoung jerks back to reality when a motorcycle shoots out of the portal like a bullet, streaks of luminescent neon green trailing in its wake.

The portal zips out of existence, leaving only the cyclist, the roar of the engine cutting through the silence of the night. Doyoung's gaze follows the green streaks, brows knitting together curiously.

Although he can't make out details as the blur of the bike zooms by, that distinct trail of neon lights sure reminds him a lot of Jaehyun's bike.

In fact, if Jaehyun weren't standing right next to him by his car, Doyoung would have believed that was him driving the motorcycle.

The racing bike rears sideways in an attempt to stop, waves of crumbling rock arcing high from the rushing skid of the tires.

However, after racing at such high speeds, the cyclist has no choice but to abandon it, diving from the seat and hitting the ground into a barrel roll as the bike crashes into the oncoming cliff, blasting large chunks of the frame in various directions.

"Oh, my God!" Doyoung's hands fly over his mouth in alarm, unable to process what he just witnessed, though instincts have him taking off for the cyclist, Jaehyun and Jaemin at his sides.

Stumbling to a stop, Doyoung kneels down next to the figure. Jaehyun does the same on his other side.

"Careful," Jaehyun whispers as he and Doyoung cautiously roll the cyclist to their back.

The distant headlights from Jaehyun's car provide enough visibility for Doyoung to see that the cyclist is wearing an exosuit that looks a lot like the JungCorp models, though perhaps a touch more refined.

Jaehyun must realize it too as his fingers graze over a specific spot on the helmet. However, unlike the suit Jaehyun had worn to the gala, the helmet doesn't just disassemble and slip into the neck. Instead, the opaque physical matter outright dissolves into something translucent like a projection before vanishing from existence.

This reveals the face of a boy who couldn't be past his teens. “Bugged!” he grunts, grimacing as he coughs for breath.

However, as he blinks up at them the next moment, his eyes soften, round and innocent.

"Are you all right?" Doyoung asks worriedly.

It's the strangest thing. As he takes in the boy’s face, Doyoung is overcome by a sense of intense but warm familiarity, pulling right at his heart, yet he's one hundred percent certain he has never seen this boy in his life.

The boy's eyes dart between Jaehyun and Doyoung for a few moments, as if processing them, and then he smiles, cheeks full and round, creasing his eyes into distinct crescents.

"Eomma! Appa!" he breathes with obvious relief. With some effort, he sits upright, throwing one arm around Doyoung's neck, the other around Jaehyun's. He tugs them both into a fierce embrace that has Doyoung grunting and blinking in bewilderment over his shoulder.

"Oh, thank God!"

Chapter Text

Doyoung remains frozen in the boy's embrace, too stunned by the sequence of events to process them, much less formulate a response.

Eomma? Did this boy just call him Eomma?

His adolescent scent fills Doyoung's nostrils as the arm around his neck squeezes. He's an alpha, and once again Doyoung is overcome by that sense of warm familiarity, yet he is sure this scent is as entirely new to him as the boy is himself.

"Oh, I'm so happy you're here," the boy exhales, voice heavy with relief.

Doyoung's mouth opens around a question, though what that question even is exactly he couldn't say. Before he can try to find the words though, he's released from the vice-like grip as the boy jumps to his feet.

"Nana!"

Blinking, Doyoung watches as the young alpha launches onto Jaemin, who catches him but wears an expression on his holographic face as taken aback as Doyoung feels.

Taking Jaemin by the shoulders, the boy draws back, unabashedly looking him up and down. "Whoa, Nana! You look way different!" Releasing the android, the boy's doughy smile takes over his face again. "You look ancient! Did someone pull your parts out of a junkyard?"

The boy laughs, but Jaemin appears less than impressed by such a declaration. Lifting a mechanical hand, he gives the boy's forehead a flick, which sends him stumbling back.

"Ow!" he exclaims, clutching his forehead.

Pushing himself to his feet, Doyoung watches him as if he could discern some semblance of comprehension by staring hard enough. In actuality, the longer he watches, the more he feels understanding slip from his grasp.

Remembering Jaehyun next to him, Doyoung looks at him as if maybe he would know what was going on, but the twist of his brow doesn't appear any wiser.

He returns his attention to the boy, who massages the spot Jaemin flicked then laughs.

"Ah… Pardon me." Doyoung approaches him tentatively, uncertainty lacing his posture as much as his tone. "With all due respect… who are you?"

The young alpha stares back at him with momentary confusion, eyes round and innocent, lips pursed. Then he's smiling again, bumping the corner of his palm into his head in a 'silly me' sort of gesture. "Oh! You wouldn't recognize me, huh? You look so young yourself!"

Doyoung's brow twists, unsure if he should be confused or offended.

"I'm Jeno Jung!" he introduces himself, hand on his chest, eyes shooting back and forth from Doyoung to Jaehyun. "I’m your son!”

He makes the statement with such easy confidence that it takes a moment for it to register. When it does, Doyoung's eyes shoot to Jaehyun next to him, whose face mirrors the startled horror the omega feels.

His attention darts back to the boy—Jeno. "I'm sorry… What?"

"Yeah!" Jeno nods, going on to explain as if this were completely rational, "I come from the year 2041! The time-traveling modifications you made to Appa's bike worked! I know you wanted Nana to test it first, but I had no choice! You guys were right—someone is trying to erase us from reality! The two of you disappeared in my time, but the fact that you're here now means they didn't fully succeed, and there's still time. But not much. I need your help!"

There is a lot to take away from that, a lot to deconstruct, a lot that simply begs the question.

However, it's only one detail that Doyoung can't move past, and when Jaehyun speaks, he apparently is hung up on it as well.

"Hold on." Jaehyun lifts a hand, regarding the younger alpha with the utmost skepticism. "Back up a little bit. You're saying you're our son? Ours? As in… the two of us?"

He gestures between him and Doyoung repeatedly as if intent on making what he's asking as clear as possible.

"You're Jaehyun and Doyoung Jung, aren't you?" Jeno asks.

Doyoung spasms, scandalized. "My name is Doyoung Kim, thank you very much!"

"Ohhhh, I must've gone back before you were married!" the boy declares with that same flippant confidence. "But Kim is your maiden name, yes!"

"Maiden name?!" Doyoung scoffs.

And to add insult to injury, Jaemin starts laughing.

Feeling something like betrayal, Doyoung turns his shocked expression to the android. "Why are you laughing?"

Far from appearing apologetic, a smile draws across Jaemin's face, broad, gleaming, and dare Doyoung say, a tad menacing. "The irony of this sequence of events is highly amusing!"

Doyoung's mouth falls open. His own creation…

"Back up a second!" Jaehyun's assertive tone reclaims everyone's attention. His eyes are locked on Jeno. "All right, bear with me here. I'm gonna go ahead and humor your claims for the moment. That said, how old are you?"

"Sixteen!" the young alpha happily answers.

"And you said you're from the year 2041?" Jaehyun continues.

"That's right!"

"Wait…" Doyoung interjects, catching up to the direction of these questions. "When is your birth date?"

Jeno doesn't miss a beat: "April 23, 2025!"

"If that's the case, that means we would have to…" Jaehyun's gaze drifts over to Doyoung, and the omega can see the way that he's doing the math in his head just as he is himself. "Like within the next few months…"

They seem to reach the conclusion simultaneously, and for a moment, time seems to stop as it hangs awkwardly in the air between them.

Then a plume of heat overwhelms Doyoung's face, jolting him back to the present, and he whips away from Jaehyun. "Impossible!"

"No way!" Jaehyun declares with equal conviction. "There's just no way!"

Doyoung paces back and forth, embarrassment coiling around him so tight he feels he might implode at any second.

He and Jaehyun…?

Like that?

In need of an outlet to retaliate against such humiliation, Doyoung spins back around, hurling an accusatory finger at the nearest, easiest target: Jaehyun. "I would never let you anywhere near me!"

"Yeah, right back at you, sweetheart!" Jaehyun counters, as arrogant as ever.

It should probably relieve Doyoung that the sentiment is shared, yet Jaehyun's outlandish tone just gets under his skin, further aggravating his buttons in the way only the alpha can, thus reinforcing his certainty that this suggestion simply cannot be.

With a scoff, Doyoung turns away from him, repeatedly shaking his head as he continually huffs under his breath, "This is just… the most ludicrous, absurd, absolutely impossible suggestion I have ever heard in my life—and why are you still laughing about this?"

Jaemin's gleeful expression drops, and he bows his head. "Sorry, Eomma."

All the while, Jeno watches Doyoung and Jaehyun storm about in their denial as he chews on his lower lip, hands clasped at his chest, fingertips idly tapping one another. "I wanted to make sure I went back far enough so I would be ahead of whoever is behind this, but maybe I overshot it a bit?"

"What's going on?" Jeno asks from the backseat of Jaehyun's car as they leave behind the desert terrain of the JungKim Synergy Compound and reenter the industrial lights of the city. "Where are you taking me?"

Doyoung catches the reflection of Jeno's round, puppy-like eyes in the rearview mirror from his position in the passenger seat. "We're taking you to the hospital."

"What?" Jeno grabs the back of Jaehyun's seat, yanking himself toward the center console. "I don't need to go to the hospital!"

"Listen," Doyoung says calmly, pulling his legs up to shift in his seat and meet Jeno's gaze. "You were in a serious crash. Although the exosuit protected you from more severe injuries, I think you suffered head trauma during the impact, which is causing you a lot of confusion right now."

"No! My head's fine! I'm not confused!" Jeno tosses his head back as he laments. "I know how crazy this must sound, but I swear, I'm not making it up! I'm not confused! I need your help!" His grip on the seat in front of him tightens, those bright eyes pleading. "Your existence depends on it! Mine does!"

Doyoung sits back in his seat, watching the city lights streak past the windshield. "You're going to get help where we're taking you. Don't worry."

It's not that Doyoung isn't affected by the boy's pleading. He is.

However, his claims are just so outrageous—even beyond the idea that Doyoung could have a pup with Jaehyun, of all people (though that still begs the largest question)—that Doyoung can only conclude that this boy is very confused. Therefore, this course of action is the best they can do for him.

With a sigh, the young alpha throws himself back into his seat dramatically. "That's not going to help me! That's only going to slow me down!" He straightens himself, the urgency heavy in his voice as he continues to explain, "I need the Chrono Ions from your time because that's the only thing that can fix things in my time! If we don't act quick enough, you're going to be erased from existence, which means I will too, and if that happens, not even Nana will be able to help us!"

The mention of the Chrono Ions has Doyoung's brow creasing, just oddly specific enough to disrupt his certainty that this boy's claims are a product of confusion.

"Eomma," Jaemin says from the seat directly behind Doyoung. "My analysis of the anomaly in which Jeno appeared shows exceptionally high levels of Chrono Ionic activity—far more concentrated and refined than what we've seen the Chrono Ions demonstrate. Also, while only a DNA test could provide confirmation, surface scans of Jeno's biological makeup match yours as well as Master Jung's."

Jaehyun laughs from the driver's seat. "Wow, you gave your robot the capacity to experience delusions! What a nice touch. Very realistic."

"Don't call him a robot!" Doyoung hisses, shooting the alpha with a glare. He adds as an afterthought, "And he's not delusional!"

He's not delusional, Doyoung knows this, and the fact that his creation is pointing out these objective observations further prods at the beginning fractures in his previously solid certainty.

"Eomma, please!" Jeno begs, leaning way in to grab the side of Doyoung's chair.

Doyoung's chest constricts, affected by the way the boy calls for him regardless of if it's rational or not.

"I'm not making this up, I swear!" Jeno's voice cracks, like he's on the verge of tears. "When I was a little pup, every night you would sing me a lullaby. You said your eomoni used to sing it to you!"

Doyoung's eyes widen.

"From the seed first planted, until the yellow leaf descends, I love you," the boy sings.

Paralyzed, Doyoung's breath hitches, and the boy continues:

"From the first drop on stone
Until the canyon bends
I love you

From the star's first light
Until the black hole's end
I love you"

Doyoung's heart takes off two opposing trajectories, one part moved, the other panicked, equally potent as they clash together.

This isn't just any lullaby. It's his eomoni's lullaby, his family's. Jaemin said himself he couldn't find it in any of his online databases.

Whipping around in his chair, Doyoung's desperate eyes find the young alpha's, and they sing the ending verses together:

"Whether we have seconds or minutes
Days or years
A thousand lifetimes or one
I'll never fear
For my love for you transcends all time

So when we reach the end
Please don't cry, my dear
I await you in the next life
And in all the space between there and here
I love you

Forever
I love you."

As he takes in the boy in the backseat, the conflicting storm going off inside of him reaches the eye, providing Doyoung with crystal clear clarity.

He feels like he's finally getting a true look at him, seeing Jeno for his actual self for the first time since his arrival.

Eyes intently locked onto the young alpha's, his voice is barely above a whisper when he asks, "Are you really my son?"

Jeno returns his gaze, his youthful eyes completely open as he answers, "Yes."

The single syllable pools in Doyoung's chest warm and true, tugging some innate maternal instinct despite the fact Jeno shouldn't even exist.

Doyoung knows it's true. He just knows. More grounded in his certainty by this feeling than even by Jaemin's objective supporting analysis.

Emotion prickles Doyoung's eyes the longer he looks at him, tightening his throat, and it's all he can do to keep his voice steady as he quietly admits, "Jung, I think he's telling the truth."

"I don't doubt that he thinks he is," Jaehyun replies in his pompous tone, snuffing out all the feelings blossoming in Doyoung's chest in an instant.

Glaring at Jaehyun, he points to the back seat. "Look him in the eye! I'm serious!"

Jaehyun's gaze flits to the rearview mirror. "Tell me something about my future self, huh?"

"You're always saying, 'We need to listen to Eomma,'" Jeno chuckles. "It's basically you're catchphrase."

Sitting back in his seat, Doyoung crosses his arms, lifting his chin a fraction. "Well, at least your future self has some sense."

"That's not something I would say!" Jaehyun quickly denies.

Ignoring him, Doyoung sits there quietly contemplating the situation, as impossible as it seems.

Although a lot of questions remain, Doyoung at least has no doubt now that the boy is his son.

Making his decision, he twists toward Jaehyun again. "I think we should help him."

"Oh, boy!" Jaehyun outlandishly declares. "I'm officially driving the crazy train."

"Everything about it seems impossible, I know," Doyoung explains with a volatile sort of calm as he restrains his annoyance. "But the things he's saying are oddly specific, and even Jaemin's analysis backs them!"

"You seemed to have quickly forgotten about the whole losing our inheritance to a third-party beneficiary thing?" Jaehyun points out.

"I haven't!" Doyoung defensively huffs. "But he's talking about the state of our existence. That seems a little more important."

"How then, hm?" Jaehyun demands, throwing insistent looks in Doyoung's direction, though not for too long since he has to keep his eyes on the road. "How could what he's saying possibly be true? Because from where I'm sitting, there's no way he could be our son, and that alone cancels out everything else without even getting into the whole time travel thing."

Frowning, Doyoung jerks his head away, veins boiling with that familiar heat that only the alpha next to him can rouse. Even if he can't argue Jaehyun's point, why does he have to be so arrogant about it?

In the corner of his eye, he can see Jaehyun smirk as he silkily adds, "Unless you have a little something you want to confess to me, Kim?"

It's the final straw.

"Ooh!" Doyoung bristles, fists trembling at his sides. His head whips Jaehyun's direction as he demands, "Pull over! I'll help him myself! We don't need you!"

Jaehyun scoffs incredulously. "It's almost two in the morning?"

"I don't care!" Doyoung snaps back. "Pull over!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

The car slows as Jaehyun pulls up to the curve. Doyoung undoes the seat belt before it's fully parked, practically breaking out the passenger side to turn and open the back door.

"Jeno. Jaemin. Get out," he insists. "We're leaving."

Both boys look sufficiently startled by this turn of events.

"Now!"

They hastily acquiesce, and Doyoung slams the door behind them. Snatching their wrists, Doyoung leads them down the sidewalk in the opposite direction as he hears Jaehyun's car pull away from the curb.

"Egotistical…" he huffs under his breath, fists tightening around the boys' wrists as they stumble to keep up. "Arrogant, self-centered…"

However, after a few brooding steps, his tense posture eases. Slowing to a stop, he releases both boys' wrists, turning to face Jeno and get a good look at him.

Doyoung takes him by the shoulders, and the young alpha just stares back at him with those doe eyes, matching his height even at a mere sixteen years.

He's his son, Doyoung knows that. To be perfectly honest, he knew well before Jeno sang the lullaby. He felt it when he first laid eyes on him.

Now that the initial shock has passed, that feeling in his chest spreads, a pure, unyielding affection. Doyoung can't help but breathe a light chuckle, eyes misting, basking in the feeling, the truth.

However, the longer he takes him in, the more he finds that there is really no denying from his facial structure that he's Jaehyun's son as well, regardless of what the alpha claims.

Not that Doyoung can make any sense of it.

He's not going to fret over that right now. All that matters at the moment is that this boy is Doyoung's son, and he needs his help.

Jeno is currently wearing what looks like white athletic wear, the exosuit he arrived in having disappeared in the same manner as his helmet once Doyoung and Jaehyun had helped him to his feet.

Although the exosuit appears to have absorbed most of the impact from his dive, he still has bumps and bruises. On top of that, Doyoung takes in the dark circles clinging to his lower lids as well as the chapped state of his lips. It tugs at all of Doyoung's protective maternal instincts.

"You look like you've been through a lot," he says.

Jeno nods, shoulders deflating a little as though finally allowing his exhaustion to show. "I kinda had to make a quick escape. Nana helped me."

The android blinks.

"You'll have to tell me everything," Doyoung says. "But let's get you fed and cleaned up first."

The smile returns to Jeno's face, and Doyoung turns to lead the way.

Only for a screech of tires to halt him. Blinking back, Doyoung spots the red brake lights flash along the back of Jaehyun's car, then it's reversing its way right back to them.

The car stops at their side, the passenger window rolling down, and Jaehyun orders wearily, "Get back in the car, Kim."

As if Doyoung is the exasperating one.

Doyoung defensively grabs Jeno and Jaemin's arms. "Oh, so now you believe him?"

"No," Jaehyun says, the arrogance of his tone never wavering. "But I know if I let you three wander the city alone at odd hours in the morning and something happens to you, it will somehow get spun into being my fault, so get back in."

"You only care about saving your own skin!" Doyoung scoffs, shoulders tensing. "Go figure. Well, we don't need you!"

With a tug, Doyoung starts to march off with them again, but Jaehyun reverses the car a few more feet before lurching to another stop at their side.

"Got a question for you, Kim. Do you know how to repair customized Suzuki cycles with JungCorp tech? Because I do! And if that's what this pup used to travel through time, then he's going to need it fixed up if he plans on returning!"

Doyoung's jaw twitches. Everything in him wants to argue, but he knows Jaehyun is right. Between Jeno and Jaemin, perhaps they could figure it out for themselves, but ultimately, it will save them a lot of time and cognitive energy to just accept Jaehyun's help.

Grudgingly, Doyoung approaches the car, opening the doors. "Get back in."

Once everyone is back inside and the doors are closed, Jaehyun takes to the street again. "So where do we go?"

"Your place," Doyoung answers, refastening his belt.

"Ah," Jaehyun exhales, amused. "You wanna come over to my place, do you?"

Doyoung glares at him. "I'm assuming your place is equipped to repair his bike? Besides, I'm not leaving you alone with him."

"Why? What do you think I'm gonna do?"

"Just drive," Doyoung moans, the fight fizzled out of him.

Mercifully, Jaehyun obliges.

The dining room table inside Jaehyun's place is quite the scene—and not just because, as Doyoung silently observed, the older alpha has ostentatious taste in his modern home of black leather and tall glass walls overlooking the city and neighboring canyon.

No, it's because Jeno has attacked his plate like a wolf and is rather shameless about it.

Jaemin gapes at him, astonished by the sight.

Placing a hand on his shoulder, Doyoung gently urges, "Slow down, dear. The food isn't going anywhere."

"He's a growing pup," Jaehyun interjects, unsolicited. "Let him eat!"

Doyoung frowns at him. "I'm not saying he can't eat. I'm just telling him to slow down so he doesn't get a stomach ache!"

"He just bailed off a bike going nearly three hundred kilometers per hour," Jaehyun points out. "I think he can handle it."

With a heavy scoff, Doyoung rolls his eyes.

Chuckling, Jeno sets down his chopsticks, belching loudly into the side of his fist.

Doyoung blinks at him incredulously.

Jaemin snickers.

"Sorry, Eomma," Jeno smiles sheepishly. He takes a napkin to dab his mouth. "It's been a while since I ate last."

With a sympathetic nod, Doyoung rubs his arm. He waits until the boy has had his fill before he gently presses, "Jeno, I need you to tell us everything that happened. Slowly."

Taking a breath, Jeno nods, that youthful glint in his eyes weighed down by fatigue as he starts to explain, "In the future, you and Appa run JungKim Synergy, which has become the industry leader around the globe, largely thanks to the development of Chrono Ionic technology. In just the last decade alone, the Chrono Ions have demonstrated capabilities so much greater than anyone could've ever imagined. JungKim Synergy has produced things that people could've only once dreamed about, but as a side-effect, those sorts of developments have also attracted a lot of unwanted attention."

The rest of the table is silent as that sinks in, all eyes locked on Jeno.

"It was you, Eomma, that first started to pick up on the Inconsistencies—that's what you called them," Jeno continued. "Jaemin's readings supported your theory, but they were difficult to try to explain. It was like someone was altering the very reality of the company, erasing details, changing others, but since those changes affected everyone's memories, you couldn't articulate them exactly. All you knew was that something wasn't right, so you and Appa developed a special exosuit made of the Chrono Ions that was impervious to reality-shifting effects. You gave me the prototype, insisting I wear it, saying protecting me was most important."

Jeno's tone thins, those youthful eyes filling with visible hurt, but he continues. "You were working on replicates of the suit for yourselves, but then one morning, the two of you had completely disappeared, and there was no record of your existence."

Jaehyun looks to Doyoung, an expression between pained and incredulous twisting his brows together. "Are you following any of this?"

To be perfectly honest, Doyoung doesn't think he's faring much better. He massages a temple. "I think?"

"I understand!" Jaemin easily interjects. "Jeno is saying that the Chrono Ion technology was being manipulated on a grand scale to alter the very fabric of reality."

"That's right!" Jeno confirms. "The prototype you gave me protected me from being affected. The only other person that remembered you was Nana, even though the two of you were wiped from his databases. He theorized that you had made enough progress on your suits to prevent you from being completely erased from existence, stating that if you were entirely removed then I wouldn't be able to exist even with the protection. He believes your future selves are caught in a plane between dimensions."

"Well, that makes everything much clearer," Jaehyun comments dryly, and Doyoung has to resist the urge to glare.

"How could this happen?" Doyoung asks Jeno. "To manipulate such power so specifically, someone would have to be behind it."

"Someone inside JungKim Synergy," Jaehyun adds.

"Yes!" Jeno points to the older alpha. "That's what the three of you suspected!"

"But who?" Doyoung asks.

"We have no idea," Jeno shakes his head. "Any potential leads could easily be derailed by reality alterations."

"Okay, wait." Jaehyun massages the bridge of his nose, visibly trying to wrap his head around all this. Dropping his hand, he regards the alpha pup. "Where does the time-traveling bike fit into all of this?"

"That was you and Eomma's personal project," Jeno explains. "With Auntie Minjeong's help."

The mention of Minjeong has Doyoung's brows lifting.

"You all wanted to keep it a secret outside of the company because you didn't want it to get into the hands of the Board of Directors," he elaborates. "You were already wary about how much power Chrono Ionic technology gave to the stock market."

Doyoung nods in understanding.

Ducking his head, Jeno's brows twist upward in the center, looking very much like a kicked puppy. "Nana was supposed to test it first—you said it wasn't stable enough for human use—but then you guys were gone, and no one besides me and Nana even knew. I don't think whoever was behind it expected me to still be around. I think that surprised them, because the next thing I knew, an entire team of DefenderDroids turned on me."

"DefenderDroids?" Doyoung interjects, startled.

Jeno blinks his glossy eyes at him. "You and Appa's ultimate collaboration, the power of Jung armory and weaponry wielded by the most advanced artificially conscious beings. They're the reason why the nation's military is now the global leader."

The revelation twists sickly in Doyoung's stomach, eyes shifting to Jaemin.

Jaemin was supposed to be the future of artificial consciousness, ascending from the pre-programmed algorithms of artificial intelligence into raw sentience itself.

Doyoung developed him to explore the depths of love, compassion, and empathy, not to contribute to destruction and warfare.

"Nana told me to take the bike," Jeno's voice cracks, lower lip trembling. "He said the past was the only place I could escape, and that if I could bring back an earlier, raw version of the Chrono Ions, they could maybe be used to reverse the effects and return you to reality in our time."

His shoulders heave, the trauma of the experience written all over his face, and Doyoung finds himself once again pulled by those protective maternal instincts as he moves his chair closer to the boy, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I didn't want to leave Nana," Jeno chokes, tears dripping from the corners of his eyes that he roughly rubs away. "I didn't want to, but the DefenderDroids were after me, and he held them off. He said it was the only way and yelled at me to go. I didn't want to leave him."

His drenched eyes are wide and imploring as he looks up at Doyoung.

Then he abruptly twists to face Jaemin, seizing him by the shoulders. "I didn't want to leave you, but they were after me! I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!"

Jeno hugs the android tightly, his body racked with weeps, but Jaemin just blinks over his shoulder, visibly startled and unsure of what to make of all this.

Rising from his seat, Doyoung closes in to hug the back of Jeno's shoulders, holding him tight as he whispers soothingly, "Shhhh, it's okay. You did really well. You're safe now."

"I'm scared," Jeno whimpers, releasing Jaemin and turning to look at Doyoung again, face ruddy and wet. "What if they destroyed Nana in my time? What if the two of you disappear from reality completely?"

"Hey." Doyoung gently runs his fingers through his hair. "It's okay. We're here now, and we'll figure this out. It'll be all right, I promise."

Sniffing, Jeno nods.

"Hey, buddy." Jaehyun has stood up too, clasping an affirming hand atop Jeno's shoulder. "You've been through a lot. I think what you need right now is some rest. You can have my bed."

Jeno looks up at him. "But we need—"

"Shh, I know," Doyoung soothes. "But he's right. You need rest. We'll be here. We're going to help you."

It's only as Doyoung escorts Jeno to Jaehyun's room that he belatedly registers what a curiously paternal offer this had been.

Inside Jaehyun's bedroom, Doyoung helps Jeno get tucked in.

"Eomma!" Jeno chuckles, swatting at Doyoung's doting hands as he sits along the side of the bed, smoothing the edge of the comforter. "I'm sixteen years old. You don't have to baby me!"

"Forgive me," Doyoung apologizes with a sheepish smile, setting his hands in his lap. "You've known me for sixteen years, but from my perspective, you feel like a miracle."

Jeno grins, cheeks round and soft. "Would you sing me the lullaby?"

Doyoung arches a curious brow. "You're not too old for a lullaby from your eomma?"

"I like it when you sing to me," Jeno gently confesses. "I just can't admit it because I'm a teenager."

With a soft chuckle, Doyoung inclines his head. "Of course, my love."

He sings the lullaby, and Jeno's eyes drift shut, features relaxing in a way that makes him look even years younger.

Doyoung sits there in the silence well after, tracing the line of his hair as he gently admires him, taking in all the defined curves of his face, the softness of his eyes and lips as if terrified that at any moment, he might blink and the boy would be gone, from here and from his memory.

How strange this is. How completely irrational.

Doyoung understands why he loves Jaemin so much. He created him, spent tireless hours with him day and night weaving his existence, together through it all from when he was mere coding algorithms to the very first time his eyes blinked open in a physical body.

Whereas here with Jeno, he's only known him for a few hours, yet his chest swells with abundant affection. If asked if he loves the pup, he could answer with an unequivocal yes.

How could he feel so deeply for a person he's only just met?

Is this what it feels like to be an eomoni?

Once he's sure Jeno's well asleep, he finally leaves the room to be met by Jaemin waiting just outside.

"Eomma?" the android inquires. "Jeno was very upset that he left the future version of myself behind. He was crying."

"Yes." Turning to face him, Doyoung gently takes his shoulders. "You have to understand that Jeno has spent his entire life with you. He sees you as his brother. He cares about you a lot."

However, the android's holographic features only look more confused. "I have backup networks in which to transfer my consciousness. It wouldn't matter if this physical body was destroyed, I could just reupload elsewhere."

"That's right, but you have to understand that's a little more challenging for humans to conceptualize," Doyoung explains. "Besides, he wouldn't want you to experience such a violent situation. The very idea of your experiencing pain causes him pain."

"Empathy."

"That's right."

"And that's in my motherboard too?" Jaemin touches a hand to his chest where his heart would be.

Doyoung can't help but laugh, hands sliding up to lower Jaemin's head so he can press a kiss to the top. "Why don't you go lie down with him? You can go into standby mode."

"Okay," Jaemin grins.

When the door closes behind him, Doyoung returns to the kitchen where he finds Jaehyun.

"You want a drink?" Jaehyun offers, holding up a bottle of wine, and it may actually be the best suggestion Doyoung has ever heard come from the alpha.

"Please."

Jaehyun pours them both a glass, and they return to the cleared dining room table.

Eyes drifting toward his bedroom, Jaehyun sips from his glass then looks at Doyoung. "Do you really believe all that?"

Doyoung blinks, surprised that this is even in question. "Of course! What other explanation could there be?"

Jaehyun's shoulders hunch. "He could be a paid actor."

"And he just happens to know all the inside workings of the company?" Doyoung poses back disbelievingly.

"A little research and imagination can go a long way!"

"Jung, we literally watched him come out of a tear through time and space! How else do you explain that?"

Leaning back in his seat way too casually, Jaehyun holds out his arms. "Holograms and special effects are out of this world these days!"

"And someone just happened to set that all up right outside the JungKim Synergy Compound that's not even complete yet?"

"It's a highly improbable scenario, yes," Jaehyun says over the rim of his glass. He then takes to swirling around the contents. "But it still sounds more likely than time travel, wouldn't you say?"

"And what about Jaemin's analysis?" Doyoung demands, gesturing back toward the bedroom.

Jaehyun shrugs again. "Even complex computers are known to error!"

With a huff, Doyoung takes a rather generous swig from his glass, shaking his head.

The front legs of Jaehyun's chair hit the floor as he leans against the table, focused on Doyoung. "Think about what you're saying here. Time travel? Seriously?"

"The future possibilities surrounding the Chrono Ions are infinite!" Doyoung says, thinking it's not that unreasonable given what they witnessed at the Gala.

"And you think we just casually happened to crack the time travel code?"

Something about that particular suggestion after Jeno's explanation hits Doyoung's defenses, and the wine warming both his veins and mind isn’t doing his sense of rationale any favors. "What, you don't think I'm capable?"

"That's not what I said."

"That's what it sounded like!"

"See, this is your problem, Kim," Jaehyun says, gesturing to him. "I make a general statement, and you somehow twist it into a personal insult."

Doyoung's jaw drops, appalled. "Oh, you think I have a problem now?"

"No! That's not—" Sighing, Jaehyun scrubs a hand over his face. Setting down his glass, he motions in between them. "This. This right here. This is why I can't believe it."

"What?" Doyoung asks, confused.

"Even if I were to look past all the highly questionable details of the situation, one very critical fact remains: there's no way that boy could be our son!"

"He looks just like you!" Doyoung throws back, unable to believe Jaehyun's audacity after everything Jeno has been through. "And you look just like your abeoji!"

However, the irony is not lost on Doyoung that this very audacity irritates him so much that it also reinforces the alpha's point. The confusing mental loop this creates only deepens his annoyance.

A feeling that's soon exacerbated when Jaehyun's lips twitch into a smirk. "So then you do want to sleep with me?"

Doyoung's face burns, and he pointedly looks away. "You are so—!" He lets his words cut off in a huff, refusing to dignify the question.

Jaehyun throws a finger up. "There's only one way to make a baby!"

Smacking his hand atop the table, Doyoung scowls at Jaehyun. "I know how reproduction works, thank you!"

"Well," Jaehyun says with his obnoxiously casual arrogance. "Then do you maybe have something you want to confess to me?"

"Absolutely not!" Doyoung insists.

"Then how can I be his abeoji?"

"I don't know?" Doyoung shakes his head. "Clearly, in the future, you trick me somehow!"

"Trick you?"

This time Jaehyun sounds offended, and Doyoung can feel himself being petulant, but he doesn't care.

"Yes!"

Throwing his head back, Jaehyun laughs raucously. "Why would I waste my precious energy trying to trick you when I could just walk outside right now and pick up any omega I'd like?"

Snapping, Doyoung sets his glass aside before launching to his feet, fists clenched at his sides. "Why don't you go do that then? If you're so sure of yourself!"

Jaehyun jumps up after him. "Maybe I will!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

Growling his frustration, Doyoung whips around, storming for the bedroom.

He's reaching for the doorknob when he stops himself, whirling around to get out one last, "I wouldn't let you near me if you were the last alpha on Earth!"

"Like I'd be caught dead with you!" Jaehyun hits back.

"Ooh!" Doyoung is an iron hot kettle whistling with spewing steam, shaking with his fury, knuckles white at his sides.

Turning, he lets himself into the bedroom, and it's only because of the knowledge that Jeno is asleep inside that he's able to contain himself enough not to slam the door behind him.

He all but flings himself into the bed, cuddling into Jeno's side and tossing an arm to hug Jeno and Jaemin both, all the while muttering, "Pompous, conceited, full of himself…"

However, as he breathes in Jeno's youthful scent, his anger recedes, the tension in his muscles unwinding as the comfort of that new but so very potent affection spreads through him.

Except that's not the only scent filling Doyoung's nostrils. Jaehyun's distinct warm, earthy musk clings to the pillows as well, and as Doyoung breathes in the two scents simultaneously, there is no denying that Jeno's scent is a combination of both of theirs—earthy and camphorous, amalgamated into something all its own.

Every breath is like balm to those internal scorch marks. For a moment, he even allows himself to give into it, heartbeat accelerating as he's lulled into promises of warmth, comfort, and security.

Nevertheless, everything Jaehyun just said is fresh in his mind, stubbornly feeding Doyoung's indignation. He quickly wrenches himself out of that mental place before he can fully slip in, refusing to allow himself to associate any sort of positive feeling with Jaehyun's scent.

He can't do the same with Jeno though, and that just confuses him because, in his heart, he knows Jeno is telling the truth: he is his and Jaehyun's son.

But how can that possibly be?

Chapter Text

It’s only the next morning when Doyoung wakes up alone that it occurs to him he spent the night in Jaehyun’s bed.

Jaemin stands next to the bed with a mug of coffee, stating how he didn’t think Doyoung would want to sleep in too late. In his groggy haze, Doyoung blinks past his creation to the massive windows spanning the wall, overlooking an incredible view of the city outline as well as the canyons beyond.

The rising morning sun bathes the scene in a rich, warm peach glow, like a living painting.

Then Jaehyun’s distinct earthy scent catches up to him, jolting Doyoung the rest of the way awake. Peeling the comforter off of him and tossing it away as if it were something tainted, he accepts the steaming mug and flees the room.

He’s not even sure why he slept as late as he did, given that he is well accustomed to waking early hours after late nights of study. He chalks it up to all the events of the previous day taking more out of him, and frankly, he’s not awake enough to try to mull this over.

Jaemin informs him that Jeno and Jaehyun are already awake and are currently in the garage. He leads Doyoung down a staircase to join them.

However, as Doyoung enters the doorway, the scene beyond has him pausing.

For one, he admittedly expected the garage to look like a showy museum of flashy vehicles and JungCorp exosuits given the ostentatious state of the rest of Jaehyun's house. Yet, while there is an assortment of vehicles and suits on display, the area is set up like an engineering workstation with computers, large-scale 3D printers, as well as other various mechanical equipment.

More than that though, Doyoung's attention is caught by the sight of Jaehyun and Jeno sitting together, chatting animatedly away as they look over the parts of what must be Jeno's bike.

With as insistent as the older alpha had been about denying his half of the parentage, Doyoung wouldn't have expected this.

Something warm pulses in his chest. At first, Doyoung thinks it's annoyance, that Jaehyun is being a hypocrite, but no, that doesn't quite feel right.

Once again, he is not awake enough to try to mull this over, which he attempts to alleviate with a generous sip from his mug. He winces as the hot liquid scalds his taste buds.

Jaemin slips past Doyoung to join the other two, catching Jeno's attention in the process, who then notices Doyoung in the doorway.

"Eomma!" Jeno greets him with that puppy-like smile. "Good morning!"

"Good morning." Doyoung can't help but grin in return, entering the garage to join them and blowing the steam from the top of his mug more cautiously.

"Appa and I wanted to get a head start on the bike!" Jeno explains.

So it is Jeno's bike. Doyoung eyes the parts curiously. "How did you get it here?"

"Said it was mine," Jaehyun answers. "Had my team retrieve the parts and deliver them directly."

Nodding, Doyoung lowers to sit on his knees along the mat aside from the two alphas, curious about their work.

Jaehyun has a holographic screen pulled up, which displays components of the broken bike. He swipes through the data. "The nanotech on this thing seems like it came straight out of a Sci-Fi movie." He touches his chin as he analyzes the information in front of him. "If I didn't know better, I would swear it's not just the same model as my bike but my specific bike itself."

"It is!" Jeno chimes in next to him. "You've brought me into your garage since I was old enough to walk! Taught me how to ride and take care of your bike. You said it would be mine one day when I was old enough."

The young alpha's expression then takes an apologetic twist. "I hope you're not too mad that I took it without your permission."

Jaehyun blinks from the Suzuki in front of him over to where his present model is parked, astonished.

Kneeling next to Doyoung, Jaemin looks the bike over, a binary code sequence flashing across his eyes. "He's right. Beneath the modifications, the base molecular structure of both vehicles is an exact duplicate."

Doyoung's attention turns to his creation. "Can you show me the specs?"

Nodding, Jaemin raises a palm, and a holographic screen materializes above it. Doyoung dives in, swiping through the data until he finds what he's looking for.

"Right there!" he points to the image. "They're dormant, but those are definitely Chrono Ions imbued into the physical makeup."

Jaemin nods. "These modifications are an embodiment of both yours and Master Jung's collaborative strength and skills."

Doyoung's eyes automatically flit over to Jaehyun, who is looking right back at him, and something about the comment while sitting together like this tugs at old familiar strings Doyoung wouldn't have guessed still even existed.

Back when he and Jaehyun were pups, they could lose themselves in one of their abeoji's labs for hours. It was truly a simpler time.

But it was also a long time ago.

Shaking his head, Doyoung quickly redirects his attention back to the projection, swiping away.

"Here's what I don't understand," Jaehyun muses. "If this bike is made up of Chrono Ionic technology, how come it didn't repair itself?"

Doyoung's brow creases. It's a valid question. Taking another drink from his mug, he swipes further through the screen to try and understand. "If I were to guess, I would say that traveling through time and space itself put the Ions under much more significant stress than manipulating the reality of a singular object within a stable environment."

"I agree," Jaemin adds.

"So we're going off of guesswork here?" Jaehyun asks.

"Well, it's all just hypothetical since there's no real way to test it out," Doyoung replies.

"That's reassuring," Jaehyun mutters.

Doyoung's lips press together. Is Jaehyun really going to start with him before he's even finished his first cup of coffee?

"Theoretically," Jaemin chimes in. "Exposure to the present Chrono Ions in our time should reactivate their atomic charge."

Jaehyun turns to face them directly, arms resting atop his bent knees. "By the way, how are we supposed to get a hold of those, exactly? Are we just gonna waltz into the compound and ask our abeojis to borrow them?"

Doyoung's frown deepens. Apparently, Jaehyun is going to start with him before he's finished his first cup of coffee.

"We'll have to come up with a plan, obviously, but we'll deal with that hurdle once we get to it."

"I mean, I think we're at that hurdle now if that's what we need to reactivate the Chrono Ions in the bike," Jaehyun casually insists.

Which, honestly, is pretty rich coming from him given how in denial he was about the entire situation just last night.

Setting down his mug, Doyoung shifts on his knees to face Jaehyun. "So now you believe his story?"

The alpha smiles. "I didn't say that!"

Truly only Jaehyun Jung could take being annoying to the next power.

"Then why are you helping us?"

"I don't know, Kim." Amused with himself apparently, Jaehyun turns back toward the bike, rubbing the expanse of the body stationed in front of him. "Maybe I just couldn't stand to leave such a sexy specimen in a state of disrepair. Look at her!" He gives the curved aluminum alloy a slap.

Doyoung gives him a look that clearly says he thinks he’s an idiot. "Do you ever think before you speak?"

"What's the matter?" Jaehyun teases, caressing the bike like a lover. "Wish I was giving this attention to you?"

Veins surpassing the scalding coffee in temperature, Doyoung pointedly turns to face Jaemin so he can zoom in on the holographic screen. "Go away!"

"This is my house?" Jaehyun replies with a disbelieving chuckle. "And anyway, I was here first."

"Well, I would like to have a look at this, and I need to concentrate," Doyoung huffs, swiping jerkily over the screen in a manner that would be obvious to any onlooker that he's not taking in anything.

"I didn't realize my presence was such a distraction to you. I wonder why that is?"

Doyoung's hands curl into fists, and his eyes close as if it's taking everything in him to contain his fury. "Jung, if you do not shut your arrogant trap, so help me—"

Jeno snickers.

Eyes snapping back open, Doyoung looks at the young alpha, caught between shock and betrayal. "Why are you laughing? Shouldn't you be concerned seeing your future parents argue like this?"

Jeno shrugs, still wearing that soft grin. "It's funny because you guys act just like this in the future too."

That surprises Doyoung. Skepticism takes over his features before he returns his attention to the holographic screen. "Well, that doesn't make sense."

Jaemin interjects with his unsolicited observations, "It might, actually. You're current BPM is much higher than average, Eomma."

Doyoung frowns. Is everyone here against him?

"Because he's making me so angry!" he snaps defensively.

"Actually," Jaemin replies calmly, "in addition to your accelerated BPM, your breathing patterns and pheromone levels are indicative of—"

"Shut down vital monitoring."

Jaemin bows his head. "Yes, Eomma."

Doyoung can practically feel the egotistical little smirk on Jaehyun's face, and he quickly shoots him with a scowl. "Don't you say a word!"

Rising to his feet, Jaehyun holds up his hands in surrender. He then leans down to swipe Doyoung's mug from the garage floor, even though it's not empty. "I'll just go get us some more coffee."

Doyoung's narrowed eyes return to the screen, and he bites the tip of his tongue to resist getting in the last word, deciding to take Jaehyun's exit as a victory.

He waits until he hears the door close and is sure that Jaehyun is long gone before he turns his attention to his creation. "Jaemin, why would you say that?"

Jaemin gets that menacing smile on his face. "To encourage procreation!"

Scoffing, Doyoung gapes at him, scandalized. "You shouldn't say things like that to me? I'm your Eomma!"

However, Jaemin appears unmoved by this. His taunting smile remains as he regards the young alpha with a calculating expression. "I like the idea of having a brother."

Jeno smiles, cheeks round and eyes crescents.

Doyoung feels his resolve grudgingly crumble underneath such an endearing sight.

Instead, he decides to resume his analysis, which is admittedly easier without Jaehyun sitting by to test his blood pressure.

Granted, Doyoung can't help but notice the way the alpha's scent permeates everything within his surroundings, the warm earth toning down the sharp edges of what should inherently be the stale, mechanical smells of a garage.

Doyoung shakes his head. That's not helping him focus.

"Come on, Eomma," Jeno teases, shifting onto his hands and knees so he can give Doyoung's shoulder a nudge. "Don't you think Appa's handsome?"

Doyoung lightly swats at his hand, eyes not leaving the screen. "It takes more than good looks to win an omega's heart." Brow creasing, he turns toward Jeno and adds as an afterthought, "You better keep that in mind when you meet omegas."

Jeno flops back down on his butt, palms planted on the mat behind him as he sighs wistfully up to the ceiling. "Yeah…"

Doyoung stills, curiosity piqued by his future son's tone and posture. "You've already met someone?"

The smile that takes over Jeno's face is answer enough.

"Well, tell me about them," Doyoung says, continuing his work.

"His name is Renjun," Jeno explains. "He's beautiful and so smart. Top of our class. And the things he creates…" He exhales a dreamy sigh. "He's not just an engineering genius, he's an artist."

That has Doyoung lowering his hands and turning to face him. "Then you better tell him that!"

Jeno stares back at him with a mildly surprised expression.

"Don't just compliment his looks," Doyoung continues with a chastising finger. "You tell him how much you admire his intellect and creativity."

Jeno nods, and Doyoung returns his attention to the screen before adding, "But you should still tell him that you think he's beautiful too."

"Yeah," Jeno lightly laughs. "Your future self said the same exact thing."

That tugs the maternal strings in Doyoung's chest, and he grins.

Doyoung spends the day studying the Chrono Ions in the bike with Jaemin, occasionally pausing to eat and check on Jeno.

He finds himself fretting over him frequently, all his maternal instincts activated. He knows he’s probably being a little overbearing, but he can’t help himself. The pup has been through so much. He wants him to know he’s safe and taken care of now.

Reluctant as Doyoung feels about leaving Jeno, the time eventually comes where he has to. Although helping him is his current priority, even over his studies, the institute as well as the JungKim Synergy Compound also happen to be the best resources Doyoung will need to accomplish this task.

He and Jaehyun agree that Jeno should remain at his house, as his presence could rouse a lot of questions that could potentially lead to unwanted attention.

Doyoung takes Jeno by the shoulders, repeatedly insisting that he should not hesitate to contact him if he needs anything, anything at all. He follows up by asking if he needs anything right now so many times that Jeno eventually gets exasperated and practically pushes Doyoung out the door.

When Doyoung returns to QIT the following Monday, he finds Minjeong to study her latest discoveries on the subject of quantum-mechanical phenomena, hoping he and Jaemin can use the knowledge to assist Jeno with his bike.

Later that day, he's able to use his status to head down to the JungKim Synergy Compound and speak to the research team about any developments they've made with the Chrono Ions.

Usually, Doyoung would head home around this time, but today, he and Jaemin go straight back to Jaehyun's house.

Although he has every logical reason to return, he can't help but admit that it is a strange feeling to voluntarily go to Jaehyun's home like this.

Jeno greets them with his round smile then eagerly takes Doyoung by the wrist, dragging him to the garage while he animatedly explains all the progress he made that day.

He sure is a bright pup, Doyoung realizes, both impressed and proud. More than that, he's just so taken by how sweet Jeno is, smiling and full of love despite the trauma he has faced.

All that warm affection in Doyoung's chest reserved for the boy just grows, strengthening his resolve to help him.

The days that follow revolve around a similar schedule. Doyoung takes advantage of his daytime studies to gather information and formulate a plan while returning to Jaehyun's home every evening to implement what he's gathered.

Admittedly, this task of theirs is not the only reason Doyoung returns to the alpha’s home every evening. Jeno still feels like a miracle to him. This whole idea of him having a son feels so surreal but in a good way.

He doesn’t just want to help him, he enjoys spending time with him. He doesn’t know how much he will have, so he feels like he needs to appreciate every second granted to him.

Doyoung suspects he's not the only one who feels that way either. He often catches Jaemin following him around like a puppy, mimicking his actions and speech patterns.

Even Jaehyun isn't impervious to the pup's charms.

In addition to working on the bike with him, the subject of motorcycles and sports vehicles seems to be of great mutual interest. Jaehyun goes off about his favorite vintage models and his customizations, which Jeno eagerly soaks up. In return, Jeno goes on about the future of engine modeling and horsepower. He also reveals that anti-gravity hover vehicles are a thing in the future, but insists that nothing can compare to the satisfaction of feeling the earth beneath tires—a sentiment that Jaehyun generously applauds.

To be honest, it all sounds like a bunch of Greek nonsense to Doyoung, but with as enthusiastically as the two alphas bond over the subject, he would be lying if he said it wasn't having some kind of effect on him.

Additionally, although Jaehyun hasn't said anything to suggest he's changed his stance about the boy and his story, he has been surprisingly helpful throughout all of this.

Well, arguably.

It doesn't feel like it one particular evening when Doyoung and Jaemin come racing into Jaehyun's garage after their rather tense blueprint acquisition back at the JungKim Synergy Compound.

"Listen," Doyoung says. "Jaemin was able to decode the encrypted servers and download the compound blueprints, so I was thinking—"

He stops, realizing he may as well be talking to a wall. Jeno's currently under the Suzuki lying on a creeper, while Jaehyun is knelt next to him, directing Jeno where to use the tools and not even acknowledging Doyoung and Jaemin's presence.

"Hey!" Doyoung claps to get their attention. "Can you pause and pay attention to this for a second?"

Jaehyun looks up at him with a frown. "We're kind of in the middle of something ourselves."

"This is important!" Doyoung insists.

"So is fixing the bike!" Jaehyun pushes right back.

"The compound is heavily guarded," Doyoung explains. "We're going to need a plan if we're going to retrieve the Chrono Ions. You said so, yourself!"

"Okay," Jaehyun says in not-quite-agreement. "So you and Jaemin figure that out. Jeno and I will continue working on the bike."

Doyoung's fists clutch at his sides while he draws in a deep breath and silently asks his late eomoni to give him strength.

Jeno's eyes dart back and forth from where he's lying between Jaehyun and Doyoung nervously.

"You're not taking this seriously!" Doyoung snaps.

"I am!" Jaehyun snaps back. "I'm trying to be time efficient!"

Doyoung's jaw twitches, but in the end, he turns to head to the living room for the sake of his sanity, because at the end of the day, he should know that Jaehyun will always be Jaehyun.

Like another night when Doyoung is studying in Jaehyun's dining room as he knows their garage work will be too noisy for him.

He's silently poring over the data displayed on his hologram laptop when his peace is disturbed by a distant but distinct heavy crash, accompanied by a yell.

Protective maternal instincts on alert, he launches to his feet. "Jeno!"

Rushing to the downstairs garage door, Doyoung flings it open to find both Jeno and Jaemin wearing two of Jaehyun's exosuits, firing lasers at each other while the supposed adult alpha currently present is watching with a broad smile as if this is a grand old time.

"What are you doing?!" Doyoung practically shrieks, storming straight for the two boys. "Why are you wearing those?"

"Whoa, Eomma!" Jeno holds his hands up. "Calm down! Appa said we could." He beams brightly. "Retro tech is fun!"

Doyoung shoots Jaehyun a glare that promises to give him a piece of his mind later, but for the moment, his attention is on his future son. Snapping a finger, he points to the chambers on the wall that store the suits. "No. Take that off! It's dangerous."

Jeno looks up at him like a kicked puppy. "But—"

However, before Doyoung can even process any hints of guilt, Jaehyun throws himself between them. "They're not dangerous! They're top-of-the-line JungCorp nanotech armor! He's fine!"

Doyoung gives Jaehyun a hard look, hands on his hips. "It's weaponry! They were shooting lasers at each other! How could you let them?"

"You are so dramatic. They're set to spar mode! These lasers are harmless. Look." Jaehyun marches over to Jaemin, takes his forearm, and directs his wrist toward the back wall, pressing a button on the mechanical gloves.

A neon green laser blast fires right into Jaehyun's tool chest, crunching the steel like it were paper and blowing out several shelves that have Doyoung yelping and diving behind one of the work tables, arms thrown over the back of his head. Once the metallic downpour of tools spilling onto the floor quiets, Doyoung slowly rises, turning to face Jaehyun, jaw dropped and eyes full of murder.

"Oh." Jaehyun chuckles, dimples appearing, and he takes Jaemin's forearm again, making some adjustments to the bracer. "Now it's set to spar!"

Doyoung spins toward Jeno, snapping again. "Off. Now."

"Come on, Eomma, we're having fun!" Jeno whines, throwing his hands over the chest centerpiece protectively.

"They'll be fine. I'm watching them!" Jaehyun insists.

Doyoung rounds on him. "I can't believe you would be so irresponsible! He's a pup!"

"He's sixteen!"

"A pup!"

"Yeah, and how is he going to grow into a strong adult alpha if he doesn't take risks and grow?" Jaehyun points out.

Doyoung tilts his head incredulously. Of all of Jaehyun's justifications, this is the most ridiculous. "Oh, please! You just can't resist an opportunity to be a show off with your suits, and now you're projecting onto him!"

Jaehyun's shoulders hunch. "I'm sorry that my superior nanotech makes you feel insecure, Kim, but just because everyone else can appreciate what I do doesn't mean I'm showing off!"

But his explanation falls on deaf ears as Jaehyun has hit the right button to set off Doyoung's internal sirens. "Insecure? Please! As if I could feel remotely threatened by that over-glorified hunk of—"

"Ooooooookay!" Jeno slides in between them. He hits the center chest piece, and the entire suit rhythmically folds into it. "Taking it off! Please don't fight."

Doyoung bites his tongue, and Jaehyun appears to as well, though that doesn't stop them from glaring at each other with enough intensity to make the laser blast from moments before look like a mere finger flick.

Jaemin hastily hits his chest piece as Doyoung snatches his elbow, and the two leave prematurely that night.

Even if Jaehyun has been helpful, that doesn’t make him any less annoying and arrogant.

However, there are other times when Jaehyun admittedly surprises him, and Doyoung isn't sure what to make of it.

Like one night in Jaehyun's garage when the two are analyzing the exosuit Jeno had arrived in. The suit levitates in one of Jaehyun's cylindrical chambers, a holographic blue computer screen displaying its various components.

Doyoung and Jaehyun stand together along either side of the screen, cooperating with surprising civility as the analysis demonstrates patterns of both of their technological expertise.

It contains the strength and stealth of JungCorp armory with Chrono Ions seamlessly blended into the makeup in patterns consistent with Kim Synergy work. On top of its self-repairing technology, it has anti-gravity properties, enabling the suit to 'fly.'

Doyoung can't help but stare in awe of such a creation.

Then the door connecting to the house bursts open, and Jeno comes rushing in, complaining loudly, "Eomma! Nana took my video game controller!"

Doyoung blinks at Jaemin who is standing behind the young alpha, chin lifted a fraction. "Jaemin?"

"He insulted my speech patterns," the android calmly states. "Even after I explained that you programmed me with an expansive vocabulary and precise syntax."

Jeno whips around to face him. "I didn't insult your speech patterns. I said you talk like a nerd! Because you do!"

"Jeno!" Doyoung huffs.

Frowning, Jaemin holds the controller high overhead and makes a taunting face.

Jeno spins toward Doyoung again. "Eomma!"

However, it's Jaehyun who steps in. "Hey. Don't go running to your eomma to fight your battles." He gestures to the android. "Take it back from him!"

That has Doyoung glaring at Jaehyun. "Don't encourage him to be violent!"

"I'm not."

"You just told him—"

"I'm encouraging him to stand up for himself!" Jaehyun explains. "Do you want your future son to be a pushover?"

Doyoung's mouth opens with the habitual impulse to argue back, but as much as he wants to instinctively disagree with Jaehyun, he can't deny that he has a point.

The realization leaves Doyoung momentarily stunted.

A loud crash startles him back to reality, and he turns to see Jeno and Jaemin wrestling each other for the controller. Jeno complains loudly while Jaemin stretches his arm to keep it out of reach, smiling smugly.

"Boys!" Doyoung shouts.

"All right." Having enough, Jaehyun intervenes, marching over to the wrestling duo. Leaning over, he yanks the controller from the android's grasp, then holds it overhead out of both their reaches. "I gave you two permission to play my video games, but if you can't play together nicely, then I'm not going to let you play at all."

That has the boys scrambling to their feet, shaking their heads, and pleading for the alpha's reconsideration.

All the while Doyoung just watches at a loss for words, not only surprised by the alpha's commanding prowess but at just how naturally paternal instincts come to him.

Jaehyun holds the controller further back. "Are the two of you going to play nice?"

They both nod.

"Yeah, we promise!" Jeno insists.

"What do you say?" Jaehyun asks, holding his ground.

Jaemin regards Jeno, his hyper-realistic features sufficiently abashed. "I'm sorry I took the controller."

"Good," Jaehyun praises before turning to Jeno. "And you? Hm?"

Jeno's mouth opens like he wants to protest, but as Jaehyun doesn't budge, he glances at Jaemin and bows his head. "Sorry, Nana."

"That wasn't so hard, yeah?" Jaehyun says before returning the controller to Jeno. "Now go have fun, you two!"

They nod and head off before Jaehyun returns to Doyoung, who stares back at him bewildered, his chest a confusing assortment of feelings after that display that he can barely process, much less articulate.

Jaehyun handled that well. Like really well.

Noticing the look on Doyoung's face, Jaehyun pauses, "What?"

"Ah— Sorry. They distracted me," Doyoung hastily shakes his head then points to the holographic screen, returning to their original discussion before Jaehyun can notice the heat creeping up his face. "As I was saying—"

Another time, Doyoung and Jaemin arrive at Jaehyun's house to show off the replica they made of the Chrono Ions in one of the QIT labs. Although the replica doesn't possess the original Chrono Ions’ capabilities, they glow with the same hue of neon green within their glass container.

"Wow, Eomma!" Jeno exclaims from where he's seated on Jaehyun's couch. "I can't believe you two were able to make that so easily with only dinosaur tech to work with! You and Nana can do anything!"

Doyoung jerks back, affronted. "We created this with the Quantum Synthesizer back at the institute! I'd hardly call that dinosaur tech."

"That's definitely dinosaur tech," Jeno insists, prodding Doyoung's indignation.

The feeling is further exacerbated when he notices how Jaehyun is chuckling to himself.

Doyoung turns toward him defensively. "Why are you laughing? He says the same thing about your exosuits!"

"That's not why I'm laughing," Jaehyun explains, the corners of his mouth still turned upward.

Crossing his arms, Doyoung gets all the more defensive. "What's so funny then?"

"You!" Jaehyun grins. "Your cheeks puff out when you get all huffy, and it makes you look like a grumpy bunny."

Doyoung wants to get offended, wants to fire back a rebuttal, but something about the way Jaehyun just smiles up at him with those easy dimples doesn't allow Doyoung to quite process the comment as an insult.

He's lost for words, and the longer he looks at Jaehyun, the more he feels a blush creep up his face. Realizing how he must look, panic jolts him to spin toward Jaemin, gesturing to the contained replica hovering between his mechanical hands.

"We're getting off track here," Doyoung attempts to cover. "My point is—"

His words cut off when he notices the way Jaemin is smiling at him, far too amused and knowing for Doyoung's liking.

Doyoung gives him a look, and Jaemin's expression returns to neutral as they continue.

It's getting late one particular evening when Doyoung's stomach grumbles, and Jaehyun insists on ordering them all takeout.

Although Jaemin doesn't eat, he still joins them at the table while Jeno goes off about the details of the video game he and Jaemin have been playing.

"And once we beat the final boss, Jaemin and I restarted the game from the beginning, and we cut our gameplay time in half!" Jeno animatedly exclaims.

"Yeah! It was so flux!" Jaemin chimes in.

Doyoung regards his creation in surprise. "Flux?"

Jeno smiles at him, looking pleased with himself. "Oh, I taught Jaemin some new words! Flux is what you say in the future when something is really super mega awesome!"

Nodding, Jaehyun admires the piece of meat caught between his chopsticks. "This steak is pretty flux, I gotta say."

Jeno grimaces at the older alpha. "Oh, Appa, please don't. It just sounds bugged when you say it."

Jaehyun frowns at Jeno, looking a little pouty. "What? I'm up with the times! I'm totally flux!"

"Stop!" Jeno holds a hand toward Jaehyun, burying his grimace into the other. "Please just stop. You're ruining it."

Doyoung regards all of them with a disbelieving twist of his brow, unsure of what to make of what he's hearing. How is it that Jeno just made him feel so old despite being in his early twenties?

Then a laugh tumbles from his lips, surprising even himself. It starts small, and his fingers fly to his lips as if to contain it, but it steadily grows as the absurdity of the exchange further settles in, bubbling in his chest and shaking through his shoulders.

Jeno and Jaemin join him, though when the laughter finally trails off into a sigh, Doyoung feels a set of eyes on him. He looks over to see Jaehyun wearing a small smile and a look in his eye that has Doyoung shifting a little uncomfortably in his seat.

"What?" Doyoung asks.

Jaehyun averts his gaze and shakes his head.

Doyoung's instinct is to think Jaehyun must be making fun of him, and there's an edge of annoyance in his tone as he repeats, "What?"

"I just haven't seen you laugh like that since we were pups," Jaehyun comments idly, reaching for his wine glass.

There it is again, that warm pulse in his chest that Doyoung wants to dismiss as annoyance, but he knows that’s not quite right.

Thankfully, Jeno and Jaemin have resumed their animated recount of their gaming experience, masking any awkward silence.

Taking the cue from Jaehyun, Doyoung snatches his own wine glass for a generous drink.

Doyoung feels good.

His veins tingle with exhilaration while his muscles unwind, cozy and content, like he's draped across pink clouds on a serene summer morning.

A familiar warm, earthy musk permeates his every sense with each breath, rousing his inner omega, who wriggles on his back like a kitten.

"Do you have something you want to confess to me?" Jaehyun's words ghosts warm over Doyoung's ear, voice low like velvet.

"No!" Doyoung swiftly denies, his better senses returning to him.

Yet the warmth fluttering in his belly doesn't exactly match the sharpness of his tone.

With a breathless laugh, Jaehyun's hands glide down the length of Doyoung's body, lips grazing the shell of his ear as he gently insists, "I think you do."

Doyoung shivers.

He doesn't know how they got here. He's not even sure where they are. Jaehyun's bed, perhaps? Neither of them is wearing any clothing either, he belatedly registers, which should probably alarm him, but it doesn't.

None of those details matter. All that matters is that he's here and so is Jaehyun, and if Jaehyun removes his hands from him, he's pretty sure he might actually die.

Despite his certainty of that particular truth, Doyoung stubbornly clings to his resolve. "That's because you're so full of yourself."

"Or perhaps…" Jaehyun's mouth trails down the column of Doyoung's throat, hot and wet against his pulse. "It's because I'm right."

"Hardly," Doyoung exhales, yet that doesn't stop his head from tilting back, offering his throat and scent glands freely to the alpha.

"Admit it, Kim." Jaehyun's murmurs are warm across his skin while one arm curls around his back, the other hand slipping between his legs. "You want me."

"I don't," Doyoung whimpers, hips tilting to press himself into the heat of Jaehyun's solid grasp.

"Then why aren't you stopping me?" Jaehyun asks silkily, smirking against Doyoung's scent glands before lightly dragging his teeth across.

Doyoung's mouth opens to protest, but all that comes out is a moan as Jaehyun's scent drapes over his own, melting his body from the inside out.

Those flutters of warmth expand into a generous pool, flooding Doyoung's veins. He's losing his mind, the heat of Jaehyun's body pressed into his driving him into insanity, and as the alpha's fingers glide along his wet folds to sink a single digit inside of him, Doyoung thinks he might just combust.

With a trembling gasp, Doyoung clutches Jaehyun's shoulders, back arching, thighs spreading wide.

"You do want this," Jaehyun whispers against his mouth, confidently working his finger inside him.

"Don't," Doyoung whispers back.

The alpha exhales another amused chuckle. "Don't what?"

"Don't stop," the omega practically begs, lips brushing against Jaehyun's, hips grinding into his touch.

Doyoung jolts awake with a start, sitting bolt upright, gasping as he clutches his comforter to his chest, heart pounding against the press of his knuckles.

Cold sweat beads along his brow as he pants for breath. His eyes dart around the darkness in a disoriented haze as if expecting to find that warm body still holding his, but of course, there's no one here.

He's alone in his bed in his bedroom. It was only a dream.

Doyoung's pulse throbs between his legs, swollen and oversensitive. With an uncomfortable grunt, he squeezes his thighs together in an attempt to alleviate some of the pressure.

That's when the dream replays in his mind, and it really sinks in.

Oh, God.

It had been so vivid, so graphic. Doyoung swears he can still feel the heat of Jaehyun's mouth on his neck, the way he touched him so confidently, the way Doyoung had wanted it, wanted him.

Embarrassment twists Doyoung's cheeks.

It was just a dream, he reminds himself as he fights past the tired ache in his muscles to wrench open his nightstand, retrieving his bottle of daily suppressants and pointedly swallowing one down dry.

Just a dream, he mentally repeats as he twists the shower stream to ice cold that morning.

Dreams are but an abstract reflection of one's current experiences. Given this situation with Jeno in addition to the amount of time that Doyoung has spent with the alpha lately, it only makes sense that it would have this sort of effect on his subconscious from a purely objective standpoint. It didn't mean it was a reflection of Doyoung's actual feelings.

This isn't even the first time Doyoung had an intimate dream like that with someone he had no interest in back in the waking world.

It was just a dream. Nothing more.

By the time he and Jaemin arrive at the institute, Doyoung has moved passed the morning and any completely intrusive, unwanted dreams he may have had.

That is until he's heading across one of the campus paths and spots the alpha in question standing with a small group of peers. He has them charmed with his dimples and what must be an enthralling story with the eager way they’re hanging onto his words.

Jaehyun’s attention drifts beyond the surrounding group, coming to a still when his eyes meet Doyoung watching him a short distance off. He appears momentarily surprised, but then his features settle into a softer smile framed by dimples—the exact sort of expression that sends the omegas into a fit of screams.

As if on cue, Doyoung's memory sees fit to pull up the images of the dream, prickling the inside of his face with a new wave of humiliation.

Glaring at Jaehyun as if it were his fault, he sharply turns the other direction, grabbing Jaemin's arm so they can hastily resume their trek to their original destination.

That evening, when Doyoung and Jaemin arrive at Jaehyun's home, Jaehyun greets them at the door. "Hey! Great timing."

Doyoung hums noncommittally, sweeping past him without a second glance.

"Jeno's in the garage," Jaehyun explains behind him.

"Oh. Good," Doyoung replies stiffly, making a beeline for the staircase.

In the corner of his eye, he notices Jaemin regarding him curiously.

"Do you want a drink or anything?" Jaehyun asks.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure you don't—"

"I said, I'm fine!"

As they fall into stilted silence when Doyoung reaches the top of the staircase, it belatedly catches up to him how short he's been with Jaehyun.

"Did I do something specific to piss you off today, or…?" Jaehyun asks cautiously.

He's got that usual arrogant tone that has Doyoung's annoyance flaring, but then Jaemin touches his arm, and the concern in his creation's holographic eyes has Doyoung not so proudly realizing he hasn't been setting a good example.

Sparing a glance back, Doyoung can't quite bring himself to look at Jaehyun, as if afraid the details of his dream are dangling right behind his eyes, open and exposed.

Nevertheless, he acknowledges to himself that the random firing of neurons in his brain during sleep is not the alpha's fault.

Tucking a lock of hair behind his ear, Doyoung sighs, turning Jaehyun's general direction, though his gaze remains locked on the floor. "No. It's been a long day. I apologize."

"Apology accepted," Jaehyun replies easily. "Are you sure you don't want some tea or something?"

Doyoung gives in. "Tea would be nice."

"I'll meet you in the garage."

Down in the garage, Doyoung and Jaemin find Jeno straddling the future bike, which looks as good as new. The young alpha beams upon Doyoung's arrival. "Eomma, look!"

"It's working?" Amazed, Doyoung walks right up to him to get a closer look. "You repaired it?"

"The Chrono Ions are still dormant." Shutting down the engine, Jeno sits back, smiling. "But Appa and I repaired the bike itself!"

"That's right!" Jaehyun says in the doorway, joining the group with a small steaming mug.

Doyoung accepts it with a nod of thanks. Jaehyun grins at him in a way that's not only his usual brand of arrogance but closely resembles the expression he had been wearing in his dream that Doyoung's brain has unfortunately committed to memory.

He hastily turns, concealing the color on his face with the mug.

However, as his gaze lands on the proud way Jaehyun clasps the top of Jeno's shoulder, something inside him settles.

Looking the bike over, Jaehyun pats the handlebars. "We should give her a test spin."

"Yeah!" Jeno excitedly agrees.

"I don't know…" Doyoung replies, regarding the bike warily. "I mean, you've only just repaired it. What if it's not safe?"

"That's why we test it, Eomma!" Jeno insists, wriggling back into riding position and taking the handlebars.

"Come on, Kim, he's ridden it before," Jaehyun adds. "He's going to have to ride it again to return to his own time."

Doyoung gnaws on his lower lip. He knows Jaehyun is right, but all his protective maternal instincts have him hesitating.

"He'll be suited up," Jaehyun further elaborates. "He should test it out while we can supervise him, don't you think?"

Like it or not, Jaehyun does have a point, and Doyoung gives in. "I suppose you're right."

Jeno already has his own suit, but Jaehyun lends chest pieces to Jaemin and Doyoung as well.

Something inside Doyoung feels a little like he's doing something blasphemous as he fixes it against his chest, but he swallows his pride, not about to go riding on a motorcycle without some sort of protective gear.

"How does this work?" Doyoung blinks down at the chest plate in confusion.

"It's just this button here," Jaehyun explains, touching the button in question, and the edges of the chest piece open, allowing plates to slide out and rapidly unfold all across Doyoung's body.

The omega tenses, startled by the rapid clanks of metal covering him from head to toe. An acrylic visor covers his face providing him clear vision though also displaying specs in the corners about the suit, his vitals, as well as analysis of his more immediate surroundings.

The assembly completes as the joints gently vacuum against Doyoung's, and when the omega moves his arms and takes a few steps to test the feel of it, he's surprised when he's met by absolutely no resistance.

"This is a lot lighter than I thought it would be," Doyoung idly confesses, turning on his heels and rolling his wrists with surprising fluidity. "My range of motion isn't impeded at all."

"That's nanotech for you," Jaehyun offers as explanation, his voice coming through a small speaker inside Doyoung's helmet.

He's certainly grateful that it's concealing his face as he feels admittedly a little humbled at the realization that perhaps he has underestimated Jaehyun's capabilities.

With his suit fitted, Jaehyun turns toward the other two. "All right, is everyone good?"

Donning their own suits, Jeno and Jaemin nod, giving him a thumbs up.

"Flux!" Jaehyun nods. "Let's go."

"I'm really regretting teaching you that…" Jeno's voice sighs through the helmet speaker.

Unbothered, Jaehyun heads over to join the younger alpha, who is straddled on the bike, but Jaemin swiftly cuts in, hopping on the seat behind Jeno and hugging his waist.

"I'll ride with Jeno," he explains, voice coming through the speakers like the rest. "I can monitor the bike's status, and if it shows any signs of compromise, I can safely eject Nono and myself in an instant."

"Uh…" Jaehyun says uncertainly.

However, Doyoung sees his logic and feels more reassured by it. "He's right. Jaemin should ride with him."

Jaemin's helmeted face turns toward him, and through the faint neon green glow within his visor, Doyoung can see how his eyes have creased in a way that can only mean he's wearing that taunting smile. "Which means that the two of you can ride together to keep a close eye on us!"

"What—" Doyoung exclaims, flustered, only now realizing the calculated move his creation just pulled.

Doyoung stares at him, and he can practically feel the way Jaemin's smile broadens under the increased crinkle of his eyes.

He glares in return. Traitor.

"Well, come on then," Jaehyun says, turning toward his present bike.

Doyoung blinks after him disbelievingly. "You're just going along with this?"

Jaehyun shrugs as he straddles his bike. "You said yourself he was right."

Doyoung doesn't budge, arms folding over his chest.

"Hey!" Jaehyun holds his hands up in surrender. "Don't look at me. You're the one that created him."

"But he's only been acting so mischievously since he's been around the two of you!" Doyoung throws back, pointing in the direction of the two boys.

Except his harsh posture falters, eyes widening a fraction as it settles in with him that Jaemin has only been acting this way since he's been around the two of them. He had a bit of a playful teasing in his manner before, sure, but it's like in these last couple weeks they've spent with the two alphas, he's not only grown into his personality but has flourished.

The acknowledgment has something warm spreading in Doyoung's chest that just won't allow him to feel indignant about it.

"Okay, well, are you coming along or not?" Jaehyun asks, leaning forward to start up the bike's engine. "I'm happy to keep an eye on them myself. I can show him all the best places for jumps and tricks!"

Frowning, Doyoung marches up to the bike. "Scoot up."

He starts to move to climb onto the seat, then he hesitates, stepping back. Standing in front of Jaehyun, he touches the button he's seen the alpha use so that the helmet disassembles, not wanting to be heard through the network.

Taking the cue, Jaehyun hits the button to disassemble his own, running his fingers through his perfectly tousled locks in a way that has Doyoung’s eyes lingering a couple seconds too long.

Shaking his head, Doyoung clears his throat, keeping his voice low enough for only Jaehyun to hear, "Just so you know. This doesn't mean anything."

Jaehyun arches a confused eyebrow. "I'm sorry?"

"This." Doyoung gestures to the bike. "Us riding together. It doesn't mean anything. I wanted to make that clear."

Jaehyun gives Doyoung a measuring look. "What exactly do you mean by 'anything', Kim?"

Doyoung frowns, hissing, "You know what I mean!"

"I don't, actually," Jaehyun replies, tone and expression exaggerated. "That's the thing about the word, 'anything.' It really could mean anything. I'm going to need you to be more specific."

Doyoung can feel the color on his face rise. He smacks the button on the collar of Jaehyun's suit so that the alpha's helmet reassembles as he lowly threatens, "Don't think I'm above making us both crash!"

"I had no question about that," Jaehyun replies dryly, and he appears to have enough of a sense of self-preservation to keep his mouth shut when Doyoung hits his helmet button, straddles the bike, and hugs his torso.

The two bike engines rev, and Jaehyun's garage door opens as the four enter the streets.

Chapter Text

Doyoung has some serious reconsiderations as the two bikes enter traffic, picking up speeds that easily surpass the surrounding vehicles. They weave around them with sharp turns. Doyoung's center of gravity lurches one direction then the next, doses of adrenaline spiking his veins at random intervals.

Although the suits fully block out what would otherwise be an onslaught of wind, the blur of rushing buildings whizzing past Doyoung's visor offers little comfort.

"Would you slow down?" he complains, arms desperately grasping Jaehyun's torso, tightly hugging himself to the solidity of his body.

"It would be more dangerous if I did!" Jaehyun insists as he rears around a corner that has Doyoung yelping.

They enter a construction zone that has traffic at a full stop. A massive concrete truck overtakes Doyoung's line of sight, and he gasps, hiding his face in Jaehyun's shoulder, paralyzed with panic, so certain they're going to crash.

However, with another internal lurch, the bike rears to the side, and Doyoung whimpers, eyes clenched shut. If not for their armored suits, he'd probably be squeezing the life out of Jaehyun.

When the impact he anticipated never greets them, Doyoung's eyes open. He peeks over Jaehyun's shoulder to realize the two alphas have completely forgone traffic and entered the sectioned-off construction area.

A massive cutout in the asphalt ahead creates a rectangular pit that promises to drop them into a terrible crash, and Doyoung tenses again.

However, Jeno's bike rears for a pile of thick metal beams propped just along the edge like a ramp.

"No!" Doyoung shouts.

But Jeno doesn't listen, nor does Jaehyun, as both cycles race right for the beams and launch into the air. Doyoung's center of gravity doesn't just lurch, it outright drops out of his stomach.

They're only in the air for a few seconds, but it feels like a lifetime, and Doyoung yells the whole way.

Clearing the pit, they land on the asphalt on the opposing side with a heavy return to gravity that makes Doyoung momentarily all too aware of the fact that he's currently straddling two hundred kilograms of aluminum alloy until the bikes are speeding off as light as clouds.

"Do not do that again!" Doyoung snarls.

"We're fiiiine," Jaehyun stubbornly insists. "Anyway, Jeno, take this exit ramp to the bridge. It'll take us out to the canyons, so your Eomma doesn't have a heart attack."

Doyoung scoffs at the back of Jaehyun's helmet, but as the engines rev and the cycles enter the long stretch of the bridge, his head automatically turns to see the city skyline.

The setting sun bathes the sky in a rich orange while the streets glitter below, the building a shadowed silhouette of deep purple. Against all odds, Doyoung forgets his reservations, losing himself to the feelings of awe and wonder as he takes it all in.

Belatedly, he registers the laughter coming through the helmet speakers, the sounds of Jeno and Jaemin caught up having fun. Jaehyun joins them, and Doyoung can't explain it, but something about the sound pulses warm in his chest, allowing his tense posture to relax despite himself. Before he knows it, he's joined in the laughter with the rest of them.

Leaving behind the industry of the city, they enter the deep canyon of the desert. The open expanse allows Doyoung to settle into this more comfortably, even if Jaehyun is still making sharp turns and jumping over dips.

He's such a show-off…

But he knows what he's doing, how to handle his bike, and as jarring as this experience may have been when they first exited Jaehyun's garage, the longer they continue, the more Doyoung really can't deny that he feels surprisingly safe with him.

Weaving around a row of boulders, they bump a little down a jagged descent, but then they enter a flat terrain, giving them a smooth ride for a long stretch.

The laughter tapers off, and for a while, the only sound that meets Doyoung's ears is the harmonized hums of both bikes' engines, smooth and consistent, surprisingly ambient.

However, just as Doyoung is starting to appreciate the peace of the moment, his intrusive mind unhelpfully decides to pull up images of the dream again. Suddenly, his inner omega is all too aware of the fact that his thighs are hugging Jaehyun's hips, his arms are locked around his torso, and not even the metal barriers of Jaehyun's exosuit masks how solid he feels pressed up against Doyoung.

Heat fills Doyoung's helmet, and thank God that Jaehyun can't see him in their current position.

It's the strangest thing though. Although Doyoung's heartbeat picks up, he doesn't quite find himself jumping on the defensive.

He's not sure what it is, but something about the simplicity of the moment, just the four of them and the open world around them, Doyoung finds himself looking at the back of Jaehyun's helmet with a new consideration.

Perhaps it's the memory of his dream mixing with the lingering bits of adrenaline confusing him, but he can't help but think: if Jaehyun is his future son's abeoji, then should Doyoung maybe be trying to make something work with him? Could he possibly develop feelings for him, fall for him?

The idea sounds so ludicrous, yet Doyoung finds himself hesitating to answer with the confident, unrelenting no he once would have.

In these couple weeks since Jeno arrived, Jaehyun has still gotten under Doyoung's skin his fair share, but he's also revealed sides of himself that Doyoung hadn't realized had been there, wouldn't have considered that he possessed. They admittedly stirred things inside the omega that he wasn't sure what to do with.

Did Jeno bring that out of Jaehyun? Or was it simply the fact that his presence meant that Doyoung was spending more time with Jaehyun, and he ended up noticing more details below the surface as an inherent byproduct?

The bike rattles over a bump in the terrain, startling Doyoung out of his thoughts as his grip scrambles to find purchase around Jaehyun again. He blinks over his shoulder to see that the massive walls of the surrounding canyon are gathering together into a dead end just ahead, with only the tiniest sliver offering potential passage.

As if on cue, Jaemin's voice comes in through the helmet speaker: "We're approaching narrowing terrain in five hundred meters. Approximate width is eighty centimeters."

Doyoung's stomach twists, senses tugged on alert. "That's too narrow. Jeno, stop. Turn around."

"Kim, we're going a hundred and fifty kilometers an hour. He can't just stop," Jaehyun's voice supplies through the speakers.

Doyoung glares at his helmet. "That's too narrow. He can't go through there!"

Jaemin's voice: "Four hundred meters."

"Jung, stop him!"

"No!" Jaehyun stubbornly continues forward. "He can do this! He drove through a freaking wormhole!"

"Three hundred meters."

"Jeno, stop!" Doyoung shouts, urgency overriding the rising pulse of anger. "It's too dangerous! Turn around!"

"Trying to stop and turn now is going to be way more dangerous. Keep going," Jaehyun counters.

"Two hundred meters."

"Jeno!" Doyoung cries.

"Just keep your eyes ahead, Jeno," Jaehyun stubbornly insists. "You'll be fine."

"One hundred meters."

"Jaemin, emergency eject now!" Doyoung commands through his teeth.

Ahead, Doyoung watches as Jaemin hugs Jeno to his body and launches from the bike like a rocket.

"Goddammit!" Jaehyun curses, rearing sideways so that his bike screeches to a stop, rocks flying overhead.

But they're too close. Jeno's abandoned bike collides with the canyon wall, while Jaehyun hits a massive rock protruding from the red earth, launching both riders into the barren terrain of the valley.

With a flail and a yelp, Doyoung hits the ground with a roll. The exosuit absorbs the impact, but the abrupt speed of the launch still jostles him, head spinning even when his body stills.

However, the current hammer of his heart isn't remotely concerned with himself. Scrambling to his feet, Doyoung smacks the plate on his chest, helmet and suit disassembling in a series of whirs and clicks. He rushes over to the pair of boys on the ground, who are currently dusting themselves off as they push up to their hands and knees.

"Jeno! Jeno!" Doyoung cries, skidding to a stop so he can kneel and take his shoulders. He hits the young alpha's chest plate, and his suit fades into light before vanishing entirely.

"What a rush!" Jeno laughs.

"Are you all right?" Doyoung asks, desperate in his worry.

Jeno's laughter settles into a smile. "I'm fine, Eomma!"

"Vital scans indicate that he hasn't sustained any serious injuries," Jaemin contributes behind him.

Exhaling his relief, Doyoung pulls Jeno into a fierce hug. "When I tell you to stop, you stop! You scared me half to death!"

"I'm sorry, Eomma…" Jeno mumbles into his shoulder.

Releasing him from his hold, Doyoung takes his biceps as he draws back. "You're sure you're all right?"

"I told you, I'm fine!" Jeno lightly laughs.

Doyoung nods, and the worry gripping his chest finally eases. Glancing over his shoulder, he sees Jaehyun hit his chest plate, raking his fingers through his hair once his suit disassembles.

Eyes narrowing, Doyoung feels his heartbeat pick back up white hot.

"Jaemin," he addresses the android curtly. "Why don't you and Jeno assess the bikes for damage?"

The two exchange uncomfortable glances, but they do as requested.

Rising to his feet, Doyoung marches right back over to Jaehyun, who stands with his hands on his hips, eyes scanning the ground as if taking it all in.

"Well, Kim, you've really outdone yourself!" he says brazenly when Doyoung draws nearer. "Now we not only have one, but two damaged bikes!"

Doyoung throws a glance over his shoulder to ensure the boys are out of earshot before redirecting his glare to Jaehyun. "I told you to stop him."

Jaehyun turns to face Doyoung fully, feet rooted. “Did you miss the part in primary school where they went over Newton’s first law of motion? He would've been fine. He could've done it."

"And what if he couldn't?" Doyoung points at the narrow passageway. "What if he crashed in there?"

"Then my suit would've protected him! A very convenient detail for you to overlook, given that it just saved you," Jaehyun fires back.

His tone carries that all too familiar arrogance that gets right under Doyoung's skin and presses his buttons. The omega scoffs at his audacity. "You are unbelievable! You would risk Jeno's life just for another opportunity to show off?"

Jaehyun snorts. "Do you hear how dramatic you sound?"

Bristling a moment, Doyoung then doubles down, "What if the suit failed? What if the passage was too narrow for even Jaemin to escape? What would you be saying now?"

"It didn't, and that's an irrelevant point." Growling, the alpha massages his forehead before his arm flops to the side, eyes meeting Doyoung's. "Look, the pup's gotta travel through time, right? We need to make sure the bike can endure and that he can handle it! The only way he's going to be able to is by practicing and challenging himself!"

"There is a big difference between taking a challenge and behaving outright recklessly!" Doyoung insists.

"Kim, you have got to stop coddling him!"

The word hits Doyoung like a slap to the face. "Coddling?!"

"Yes!" Jaehyun holds his ground. "You've been doing it nonstop since he arrived, and he's never going to learn to be independent and take care of himself if you're constantly fighting his battles for him!"

He can feel it again, that steadily growing steam boiling from within that only Jaehyun can bring out, and he knows he shouldn't let him get to him as easily as he does, but this is Jeno's well-being they're talking about.

"Well, excuse me for being the only one who cares about the well-being of our future son!"

"Supposed future son," Jaehyun replies quietly, arms over his chest, no longer able to meet Doyoung's eyes.

Doyoung goes quiet.

The coddling accusation felt like a slap to the face, but this… It strikes Doyoung with such precise force he can't even feel it, as if his entire body has shut down to a complete still.

"Are— Are you serious?"

Sure, Jaehyun had technically never said that he acknowledged Jeno as his future son, but with the way he's been helping him, the way Doyoung has seen them bond, the way they were having dinners together and it was starting to feel so family like, he had just thought—

Well, it was a stupid thought. This is Jaehyun Jung he's dealing with, after all.

"Look at us, Kim," Jaehyun gestures between them. "Be realistic."

Doyoung's brain restarts again, blood scorching his cheeks as he recalls the thoughts he was having right before they approached the narrowing canyon.

Here, Doyoung had been seriously reconsidering what he thought he knew about the alpha, how he felt about him.

But such thoughts clearly hadn't even occurred to Jaehyun at all.

Swallowing down his embarrassment, Doyoung's expression hardens, unwilling to give Jaehyun the satisfaction of knowing just how his words affected him. "You know what? You're right. Obviously, Jeno comes from a future that is an alternate reality entirely—one where you're a decent person—because there's no way you can be his abeoji in this one!"

Jaehyun's eyes widen, flashing with something that could be hurt, but his features solidify into an unreadable mask just as quickly.

Doyoung knows what he said was harsh, that his intentions behind them were harsher, but after what Jaehyun said, he can't feel bad about it. He won't.

The ignition of motorcycle engines catches both their attentions, and they blink over to see Jaemin and Jeno each straddling a bike, waving over at them.

"Well." Jaehyun's voice is tight. "It looks like the bikes held up after all. We should probably go get the Chrono Ions, so we can send Jeno back to his alternate reality."

Jaehyun's impassive tone only encourages Doyoung to hold one as well. "Yes, we should."

"I'm glad we agree."

"We do!"

Pivoting on his heel, Doyoung marches straight over to Jeno, who blinks at him with those youthful puppy eyes when he notices his expression.

Smacking the plate on his chest, Doyoung straddles the bike behind Jeno, ordering through the helmet's communications, "Jaemin, ride with Jung."

Although the bikes were in decent enough condition to get them back to Jaehyun's place, they both require repairs. Over the next couple of weeks, he and Jeno occupy themselves with that task while Doyoung and Jaemin analyze the compound blueprints to come up with a plan to secure the Chrono Ions.

Doyoung still visits Jaehyun's house every day because even if he can't stand the alpha, he's not going to let that stop him from spending time with his future son.

Still, the atmosphere at the house after the bike incident has shifted considerably, stilted and eerily quiet. Doyoung and Jaehyun's exchanges are few and far between, only speaking when absolutely necessary, tones curt and objective.

Now and then, Doyoung catches Jeno looking between them, eyes round as he nervously chews on his lower lip.

The sight tugs at Doyoung's heart. He wishes he could say something more reassuring to him, but all he can do is shower his future son with the abundance of affection he carries for him, one that continues to grow every single day.

The day finally arrives when the bikes are repaired, and Jaemin and Doyoung have worked out the details of their heist plan.

Inside Jaehyun's garage, they stand around a workbench. Jaemin projects a three-dimensional holographic layout of the JungKim Synergy Compound.

"This here is the entrance," Doyoung says, pointing it out. He swipes through the blueprint to a secured room in the very center of the premises. "And right here is where the Chrono Ions are contained. Jung and I have security clearance cards, so access isn't the issue. The challenge will be switching out the Chrono Ions with the replica without any video or human witnesses and getting out before the replica is detected as a fake."

Doyoung continues explaining the plan: Jeno will wait in an escape vehicle outside the compound, while Jaehyun will enter by himself with a miniature EMP concealed within his stealth suit. Although they are hoping to avoid combat, all of them will be fitted with stealth suits as a protective measure.

Doyoung and Jaemin will enter together later, ensuring they maintain a safe distance from Jaehyun when he sets off the EMP so Jaemin doesn't get caught in the pulses. Once it's set off, Doyoung and Jaemin will have a very short window to retrieve the Chrono Ions and switch it out with the replica.

After that, they have to hope that security is too caught up in the confusion and trying to restore the systems that they can sneak out before anyone realizes what happened.

During the briefing, Doyoung swipes through the projected layout, pulling up specific rooms and items of interest when the cues call for it.

Once he's finished, he leans into his palms propped along the edge of the table. "Any questions?"

Jaehyun peers intently at the projection. "Even if we pull this off—which is leaning on the heavily optimistic side, I might add—I don't think it's going to take long for them to deduce who took the real Chrono Ions."

For a moment, Doyoung's eyes narrow, his usual defenses rising in the face of Jaehyun's disagreement.

However, he makes a valid point, and Doyoung sighs as he releases the table's edge. "Maybe we should just call our abeojis and tell them everything…"

"No, Eomma!" Jeno urgently shakes his head. "Your future self insisted we couldn't tell anybody! You were worried that whoever was behind this was pulling both halabeojis' strings, and even telling them could put us at risk."

Jeno looks up and down the table as he continues, "We don't know how long whoever is behind this has had this planned. They could be conspiring at this very moment for all we know. Plus—" That marshmallowy grin takes over the young alpha's face, eyebrows twisting up sheepishly. "I think I've probably already broken several rules about sharing too much information from the future already."

Doyoung nods in understanding, though what resolve he had when he first explained the plan has seemingly fizzled out. Slumping in defeat, he rubs his head. "This feels increasingly like a suicide mission…"

"Yeah," Jaehyun says in a detached tone. "But sitting around and moping about it isn't going to solve anything, so let's get this show on the road. There's no time like the present!"

Doyoung frowns at him, irritation spiking. "Fine."

"Fine," Jaehyun replies with an insufferable grin.

The projection disappears as the four head over to Jaehyun's exosuit station, where the alpha gets them all fitted. Holding up Jeno's forearm, he goes over how to use the various weapons and features.

"This sets the plasma beams to low impact," he explains, pointing out the touchscreen embedded on the bracer. "This is what you want to use on Security if it comes to it, as this will only stun them. Please keep this setting. We don't need manslaughter charges on top of everything else."

"We are trying to avoid combat," Doyoung reminds him.

"I'm aware," Jaehyun replies stubbornly.

"So then is going over this even necessary?"

"Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it, Kim!" Jaehyun insists.

Doyoung pointedly looks elsewhere, refusing to give him the satisfaction of even acknowledgment.

"Anyway," Jaehyun continues. "This is the high-impact setting. Only use it as an absolute last resort, as it will reduce steel to a molten puddle and boulders to fragments of cobble in an instant."

Turning Jeno's arm, he points out another sequence of buttons. "This is the targeting system. It utilizes auto-targeting technology, but it's not perfect."

"What about recoil?" Jaemin asks.

"The suits are designed to absorb it," Jaehyun explains.

"Good to know," Jaemin replies. "That's really impressive."

"Thank you," Jaehyun replies with a surprisingly lighter tone.

Doyoung tries not to show his annoyance.

The sun is just setting when they arrive at the JungKim Synergy Compound. Doyoung, Jaehyun, and Jaemin are all dressed in casual attire, the chest plates of their stealth suits fixed under their shirts.

As planned, Jaehyun enters first, and Doyoung and Jaemin wait until the alpha's voice comes in through their earpieces, confirming, "All right, I'm in."

They have Jeno hide while Doyoung drives past the security box in the entryway, though once the car is parked, he moves to the driver's seat while Doyoung and Jaemin enter the compound next.

As expected, entry into the compound is easy. Doyoung has the clearance, and given his and Jaemin's frequent visits, no one spares them much of a glance.

However, as they make their way through the concrete and steel passageways, they turn a corner that has them nearly colliding with a small group of people chatting amongst each other, led by his abeoji as well as Professor Jung.

"Doyoungie!" Dr. Kim exclaims.

"Appa! Hello!" Doyoung says quickly, hoping that the squeak in his voice wasn’t too noticeable.

As he takes in the group, he realizes that they are among the Board of Directors, including Jimin Yu and her family.

"What a pleasant surprise finding you here!" Appa declares. "You've been such a stranger at the house lately…"

"Ah. I've been working with the research team to better understand the Chrono Ions," Doyoung explains, which is technically true. "It's relevant to my studies."

Appa smiles, stepping forward and clasping a hand atop Doyoung's shoulder as he gestures down the corridor. "You've come on a great day then! We're about to perform more demos of our latest developments! Join us."

Doyoung's cheek muscles move into what he hopes is a natural-looking smile, and he nods. "Of course."

Appa redirects him back down the corridor with the rest of the group, and Doyoung and Jaemin have no choice but to go along. Inside, Doyoung's heart is a whirlwind of panic, but if he refused to go, he would surely rouse suspicion.

Thankfully, Jaemin can communicate through their earpieces without having to speak aloud. "We've encountered a setback. Professor Jung and Dr. Kim found us and invited us to join them in performing another demo for the Board of Directors. We had no choice but to agree."

"Great…" Jaehyun's voice mutters through the earpiece. "Okay, well, try to slip away ASAP."

Obviously, Doyoung thinks, lips twitching as if to frown, but he restrains himself from acting on the impulse.

They arrive at a wall of glass overlooking a massive testing chamber of more concrete and steel. Inside, individuals dressed in white lab coats wearing protective head covers prepare the area for the demonstration.

Doyoung watches, but his eyes are unseeing, too aware of the ceaseless pound of his heart, worried that it might be loud enough to give him away.

Feeling eyes on him, he glances over to meet gazes with Jimin, who regards him coolly from the opposing end of the group. Doyoung directs his attention back to the glass in front of him, resisting the urge to swallow as cold sweat gathers inside his palms.

"Listen," Jaehyun's voice comes into his ear. "I don't know how much longer I can hold out. I keep running into personnel who recognize me and are asking questions. If I can't set this thing off soon, we're going to have to abandon ship and try again another day."

The warning does little to ease the restless hammering of Doyoung's pulse. To be honest, the idea of abandoning ship sounds all too tempting.

Nevertheless, if they did that, they would just prolong the inevitable. If anything, repeated returns to the compound would likely rouse more suspicions.

No, they're already here. It's best if they just see this through.

An explosion within the chamber illuminates the gathering's faces, who all cheer and throw their hands up, closing in on the glass to get a better look.

It's probably the best opportunity Doyoung is going to get, so he takes Jaemin's arm and steps back.

They head down the corridor as quietly as possible, throwing glances back to ensure they weren't seen. Once they put enough distance between themselves and the group they left behind, they break into a swift jog.

As soon as they round a corner, Doyoung touches his earpiece. "Do it now."

"What?" Jaehyun asks.

"It's now or never," Doyoung explains. "Do it."

There's no explosion, only the crackles and pops of disrupted electrical circuits, followed by the hum of the compound's energy supply tapering into a sigh that dies out, casting Doyoung and Jaemin into darkness, save for the glow of the android's holographic aura.

Distantly, Doyoung registers the murmur of surprised confused voices. What little vision he has is plunged into pitch-black as Jaemin lets his holographic features fade. He feels his creation's mechanical hand take his own, trusting him to lead the way through more passageways and corners toward their target destination.

Jaemin's hand squeezes his, and Doyoung impulsively comes to a stop. Before he can even consider asking what is going on, two flashes of green laser blasts illuminate the scene in quick pulses, colliding with two security guards Doyoung hadn't realized were just ahead. Jaemin must've activated the bracer portion of the stealth suit.

Gasping, Doyoung tenses as if bracing himself, but when he's only met by two heavy thuds hitting the ground, he's assured both guards are now lying on the floor in unconscious heaps.

Jaemin's holographic features reignite into a soft glow and Doyoung's visibility returns. They step over the unconscious guards to approach the reinforced steel doors that protect the Chrono Ion containment vault.

Jaemin touches the security pad fixed aside the doors, and the keys light up as the android uses his own power stores to reactivate the system.

He looks at Doyoung. "We'll have about three minutes once we enter the vault."

Doyoung nods in understanding. "You have the replica ready?"

Jaemin grins, tapping his chest. "All set."

"All right." Turning toward the activated security grid, Doyoung grabs his card, stretching the retractable string reel to tap it. The neighboring doors open with a heavy metallic clank.

Inside the vault, the Chrono Ions glow a brilliant neon green within the confines of its glass cylindrical chamber. A heavy steel frame with thick bolts supports the chamber, while control panels and inactive displays that Doyoung has no doubt would be running readings of the Ions' current state if they hadn't taken out the power surrounding the entire unit.

As he had with the security grid outside, Jaemin touches one of the control panels, reactivating them with a charging hum of power. Switches and screen projections flicker back to life.

Jaemin hits a few buttons, and the steel frame clanks, hissing they’re release, before the cylindrical chamber whirs, descending into the supporting stand, leaving behind only the Chrono Ions within their glass capsule.

Turning toward Doyoung, Jaemin undoes his shirt so that his mechanical chest cavity can open, revealing the replica they created. Quickly, Doyoung switches out the capsules. The cylindrical chamber whirs around the replica, while Jaemin's mechanical frame closes around the real Chrono Ion's.

"Article acquired," Jaemin confirms through the earpiece.

He and Doyoung hastily leave the vault before they're once again cast into darkness, and Doyoung trusts Jaemin to lead the way.

However, they only make it a few steps before a series of loud clanks and an accompanying reigniting hum give them only a second's warning before all the lights within the compound come back to life.

Startled, Doyoung and Jaemin stop for a moment, taking in all the sudden light around them. The urgency of what this means catches up to Doyoung a moment later, and he squeezes his creation's hand.

"Come on!"

They dash down the corridor, no longer concerned about what sort of attention they may attract. Now that they've acquired the Chrono Ions, they need to get out and fast.

Rounding a corner, they nearly crash into someone. Digging his heels into the concrete, Doyoung blinks, realizing it's Jaehyun, who is panting for breath and looking more than a little alarmed.

"We can't go this way," he explains. "Security's got the place blocked."

Doyoung nods, and the trio hastily scrambles in the opposite direction, while Jaemin navigates.

Except when they round the next corner, they nearly collide with another group of bodies.

Not just any bodies. It's the entire group that had been watching the demo earlier, headed by Dr. Kim and Professor Jung.

"Doyoungie!" Dr. Kim declares in surprise. "There you are! Where did you get off to?"

"Jaehyunnie?" Professor Jung blinks in bewilderment as his eyes dart back and forth from Jaehyun to Doyoung and back. "What's going on here? What are you doing?"

Oh, no…

Strobes of red light erupt all around them, accompanied by the rhythmic blares of an ear-shattering alarm, startling all present.

"SECURITY BREACH. SECURITY BREACH," a cool female voice echoes throughout the concrete premises. "ACTIVATING LOCK DOWN PROTOCOLS."

Taking advantage of the confusion, Jaehyun snatches both Doyoung and Jaemin's wrists, barreling through the group and charging down the corridor as fast as his feet will take him. All Doyoung can do is stumble as he tries to keep up.

"Jeno!" Jaehyun shouts, voice echoing through the earpiece. "We're on our way out! Be ready!"

"Roger!" Jeno's voice replies.

Jaehyun yanks them around the next corner to the compound entrance, where the reinforced steel door steadily closes just ahead of them with heavy metallic clicks, threatening to trap them inside.

"Move!" Jaehyun shouts, and the three pick up.

As if Doyoung needs to be told.

Still, he's not exactly the athletic type, already winded with seized muscles just from this short burst of racing, stumbling feet threatening to give out on him at any moment.

Nevertheless, as the starry scene of the desert beyond slowly shrinks before his eyes, a pulse of adrenaline gives him the boost he needs as they race for their narrowing exit.

Breaking apart from each other, the three run single file, shoulders practically kissing the wall as they narrowly make their escape—Jaemin first, followed by Jaehyun.

However, as Doyoung tries to slip past last, his foot catches on the metal. With a yelp, his palms and knees hit the concrete, narrowly avoiding a face plant.

Doyoung gasps, head twisting back to see the closing steel door about to crush his ankle, fear freezing him in place.

Then two strong hands take him under the armpits, yanking him out just in time for Doyoung to hear the heavy metallic clunk of the door locking into the concrete.

As his feet reunite with the ground, Doyoung impulsively tosses his arms around his savior's neck, hugging their bodies tightly together as a hurricane of adrenaline overwhelms him.

Doyoung's practically hyperventilating, but then Jaehyun's earthy musk fills Doyoung's nostrils, lulling him out of his panic. He blinks up to meet the alpha's eyes, which are wide and attentively locked on his own.

Their position seems to catch up to them at the same time. Hastily releasing each other, their arms snap stiff to their sides, heads twisting in opposing directions.

However, distant shouting voices and racing feet bring them back to the situation at hand. A new wave of security donning military gear rounds one of the outside corners. They line up in a row, cutting off the trio from the security box at the perimeter fence, brandishing their plasma guns.

The three have no choice but to hold their hands up.

"Hey!" Jaehyun shouts to be heard over the continued blare of the alarm. "Who do you think you're pointing those weapons at? Don't you know who we are?"

This has the team hesitating, eyes darting amongst each other uncomfortably. However, the head of the group explains, "We're sorry, Mr. Jung. The compound is in lockdown. We have strict orders not to allow anyone to enter or exit the premises."

With a vague nod, Jaehyun shrugs. "Well, it was worth a shot."

Then he smacks the concealed chest plate of the stealth exosuit fitted beneath his top. Doyoung and Jaemin take that as their cue to do the same, and beneath the continued pulse of the alarm, the rhythmic metallic sequence of their exosuits takes shape around their bodies.

Jaehyun and Jaemin act first, holding out their wrists and firing off a series of plasma blasts that knock out the first row of soldiers, clearing enough of a path for the three to continue onward.

More security swarms the scene, firing off a counterattack. Jaehyun and Jaemin fight them off quick, sharp, and skilled while Doyoung largely relies on auto-targeting, holding his wrist out ahead of him and wincing against every blast.

Thankfully, the exosuits hold up well against the returned laser blasts. Every hit has Doyoung grunting, rattled by the force, though uninjured as the armor absorbs the bulk of the impact.

They aren't able to take out all of Security—there's far too many—but it doesn’t matter as Jeno screeches in with their escape vehicle, clouds of dirt pluming in the tires’ wake.

The back door flies open, and the trio dives in. Jeno screeches out of there before they're even situated, plowing straight through the entryway gate with a loud SMACK! as it’s knocked off the hinges.

Closing the back door, the three settle in—Jaemin in the front passenger seat, Doyoung and Jaehyun in the back. As Doyoung hits his chest plate to disassemble his exosuit, he only then processes how hard he's gasping, heart a frantic fury against his sternum, the sweat gathered along his forehead cold, clammy, and in no way alleviating against the heat of his skin.

Shifting onto his knees, Doyoung turns to look out the rear window. The headlights of military trucks flash to life, filing out of the compound perimeter. Jeno must see this too, pedal hitting the floor as the engine revs and they pick up speed.

Ultimately, they had just enough of a head start for the lights of the compound and pursuing vehicles to shrink into tiny dots before disappearing entirely.

Twisting back around, Doyoung finally allows himself to relax, the back of his head slumped against the top of the seat, chest heaving, muscles throbbing as if throwing a tantrum about the strain they just had to endure.

From the sounds of Jaehyun's labored panting next to him, Doyoung suspects he's not fairing much better.

As what they just did starts to settle in, a pulse of anxiety momentarily grips Doyoung's stomach. There will be ramifications for their actions sometime later, and whatever they may be, they won't be good.

Still, Doyoung had known this going into it. The finer point right now is that they had successfully acquired the Chrono Ions, and Jeno is one step closer to returning their future selves back into existence.

Sparing one last glance out the rear window, Doyoung watches the shadows of cliff edges pass them by, heart and breathing finally settled enough for him to ask, "Is everyone okay?"

Jaehyun and Jeno both answer agreeably, but in the passenger seat directly in front of Doyoung, Jaemin has gone unnaturally still.

"Jaemin?" Doyoung asks tentatively, touching the seat to lean around and get a look at his creation.

Jaemin's sitting bolt upright, wide eyes fixed straight ahead, and something about his stunned expression unnerves Doyoung.

"What is it?"

"I'm detecting multitudinous anomalous patterns," Jaemin answers.

Doyoung's brow creases. "Where?"

Jaemin's head turns to meet him, eyes looking particularly boyish as he quietly answers, "All around us."

Launching himself to his window, Doyoung peers outside, senses on alert. However, only the jagged terrain of the desert shrouded in evening shadows meets his sight.

All goes quiet save for the consistent hum of the engine and the occasional jostling of the uneven landscape.

Then he sees it: the first spark.

Then another.

And another.

Several crackles of light ignite all around the vehicle like they've launched into the galaxy itself, surrounded by a vast sea of stormy stars.

Then they all erupt into multiple wormholes, revealing several flows into dimensions of infinite cosmos.

It's a startling sight on its own, but when the distinct silhouettes of humanoid figures in exosuits shoot out of them in racing streaks of vibrant red, Doyoung knows in his gut that the compound security they just escaped had been the least of their concerns.

"Oh, no!" Jeno cries from the driver's seat. "Oh, no, no, no, no!"

Doyoung's head whips in his direction to see the young alpha shrinking in his seat, hyperventilating, the car rattling around them as if losing control.

"Jeno, keep your hands on the wheel!" Jaehyun shouts, leaning against the back of the driver's seat as if to aid him.

"How did they get here?" Jeno shouts. "That's impossible! That's impossible!"

Doyoung's mouth opens, but it's all happening so fast. He can't process it.

"Jeno!" Jaehyun shouts again, practically bent over the back of his seat as he tries in vain to keep the pup's focus for him.

However, the car swerves with such force that it tilts on two wheels, and Doyoung's hands fly to the roof to brace himself, stomach dropping sickeningly in his awareness that the vehicle is well out of Jeno's control.

Falling back to all four tires, the car lurches to a stop, and there is a brief moment of calm where Doyoung looks out the window to see all the portals zip out of existence, the suited figures flying in a uniform row to encircle them.

They all hold out their wrists.

Then the world explodes all around them. Blasts of red plasma and rocks of all sizes overwhelm the outside scenery, the smooth overhead surface of the car's roof crunching beneath a sequence of dents while a smattering of webbing crackles throughout the windows.

Throwing his arms over his head, Doyoung ducks and screams.

"JENO, DRIVE!" Jaehyun bellows.

The engine revs, and they take off in unstable swerves as Jeno whimpers in between gasps for air.

The firestorm of laser blasts and combusting rock persists. Rather than continuing to bark orders, Jaehyun wrenches himself over the driver's seat, practically launching himself into Jeno's lap to take the wheel and control of the car.

Getting a hold of himself, Doyoung leans forward to grab one of Jeno's arms. Between him and Jaemin, they're able to wriggle the young alpha out from under Jaehyun, pulling him into the back seat.

"We're gonna die!" Jeno chokes. "They're gonna kill us all!"

Doyoung's thrown against the door as Jaehyun rears around a geyser of stones that just exploded in front of them, then swerves the next way to narrowly miss the incoming jagged wall of a cliff. The scent of burning rubber mixes with the telltale smell of the engine overheating, flooding the entire vehicle.

Punching out the window next to him, Jaemin twists to half-hang out of the car, retaliating with a series of green blasts, though the pursuing flying figures dodge them with easy glides.

Despite the urgency of the situation surrounding them, all of Doyoung's instincts are dialed into Jeno, hyper-aware of his current state and the fact that he is liable to pass out at the rate he's gasping.

"Shhhh! Shhhh! Slow breaths. Slow." Taking Jeno into his arms, Doyoung holds him tight to his chest, feeling more than a little helpless as he pets his hair. He calls out to the front seat desperately, "Jung, he's panicking!"

"Just hold onto him!" Jaehyun barks back, the engine rearing and sputtering as he strains to evade the unyielding onslaught. "The car isn’t gonna hold up; there's too many of them! We're gonna have to bail!"

"What?!" Doyoung shouts.

Jeno frantically shakes his head in Doyoung's embrace. "No, no, no, no, no!"

Doyoung and Jeno are tossed across the seat like rag dolls as Jaehyun abruptly winds the car, the engine popping under the intensity of its rev.

Hauling himself into the back seat, Jaemin kicks open the door, snatching both Doyoung and Jeno's biceps. Before Doyoung can even process what is happening, he feels his body yanked out of its center of gravity.

A blast of the open desert's cool night air smacks into him, though what relief is granted to his lungs is quickly cut off when his exosuit reassembles around him.

Four bodies hit the ground with grunts and thuds. When Doyoung rolls to a stop lying on his stomach, he impulsively reaches to either side to grab the bodies next to him—Jeno and Jaemin—head lifting just enough to watch the abandoned car speeding off in the opposite direction.

Red streaks pass overhead as their attackers follow the vehicle, the anti-gravity mechanics of their suits cutting through the air with an eerie digital whine.

Closing in, they encircle the car, raining down a storm of red blasts that has the vehicle exploding into a fiery heap.

The earth below them violently rumbles. On instinct, Doyoung shoves Jeno and Jaemin's helmets back to the ground, his own head curling in. A sonic blast of shrapnel flies their direction, the force potent despite the significant amount of distance the abandoned car managed to gain.

"Are you okay?" Doyoung frantically asks, head darting from Jeno to Jaemin, who both nod.

"Up! Up!" Jaehyun's voice orders through the helmet earpiece, ever alert.

Doyoung scrambles to his feet, grasping the boys' arms to help them along, Jaehyun closing in on the opposing side to assist.

Taking in his surroundings, Doyoung mentally notes the few boulders and jagged hill-like structures periodically disrupting the otherwise open expanse of the desert, offering very little in the way of cover.

Then his eyes land on the shadow of what looks like a massive drop into a valley not even ten meters behind them.

"Shit," Jaehyun hisses, and the urgency of his voice redirects Doyoung's attention to the plume of smoke lingering in the wake of the explosion.

Terror seizes him like ice as he watches the row of figures re-align themselves in an elegant arc, flying back right for them.

"Come on!" Jaehyun orders, shoving the group toward the nearest stone structure large enough to offer any semblance of cover.

They wedge themselves in a small opening between boulders. Instinctively, Doyoung throws his arms over Jaemin and Jeno while Jaehyun puts himself between the three and the small opening.

"This is so not flux," Jaehyun comments under his breath.

"'Bugged,'" Jeno replies as if correcting him.

Jaehyun glances back at him. "Hm?"

"When something is the opposite of flux, it's bugged," Jeno clarifies.

Jaehyun nods. "Bugged, indeed."

"Who are these people?" Doyoung's voice cracks.

"Not who, Eomma," Jaemin says in an observational sort of way. "What."

"DefenderDroids," Jeno answers just above a whisper, confirming Doyoung's worst suspicion.

That eerie digital whine grows steadily louder. Tensing, Doyoung braces himself over the two boys.

"Whatever happens, don't take off the suits," Jaehyun orders. "And for the love of everything, Kim, just do what I say until we get out of this."

Doyoung glares on impulse but as the crescendo of that digital whine progressively closes in, the pit in his stomach overrides any annoyance.

A new storm of plasma blasts falls upon them, reducing the massive boulders surrounding them into a tsunami of exploding rocks. Shouting voices flood Doyoung's earpiece, deafening his own screams.

Doyoung's feet swoop out from under him as the rumbling earth disintegrates. His hands scramble around to find the boys, because no matter what, he has to protect them.

The effort feels futile as clouds of sediment overwhelm his visor, ears flooded with the cacophony of the ambush. A sudden gust clears the dust enough for Doyoung to see that all four of them are on their knees. He instinctively moves in toward the boys, gathering them as tightly together as he can manage.

He doesn't think he's ever felt more helpless in his life, that sense of impending doom feeling more like an inevitability than a warning.

Perhaps it's for that reason that when Jaehyun moves into the boys' other side and Doyoung feels his armored hand take his own, he squeezes it in return, allowing their fingers to link together.

Doyoung braces himself for the expected inevitability, but it never comes. The dust starts to settle, and he only then realizes that all has gone still and silent.

Slowly, the four of them push themselves up to their feet amongst the rubble as the droids gracefully descend to the ground surrounding them, standing in a militant formation. A single droid in the center whose bodily structure is taller and sleeker than the identical replicates of the others steps forward as if to address the group.

Jaehyun puts himself in between the other three and the DefenderDroids, holding up his wrists.

However, as the leader of the droids draws nearer, within the glow of the visor, Doyoung can see his eyes—wide, alight with a crazed sort of glee, and most of all, familiar, so very familiar.

Doyoung had created them, after all.

Jaehyun's suit hums with the charge of plasma beams ready to fire, and Doyoung hastily moves in to push Jaehyun's arms aside. "No, wait!"

"Kim, what did I just say?" Jaehyun snarls.

"Wait!" Doyoung snaps back at him.

Then he redirects his attention to the approaching android, tentatively stepping forward to meet him. His fingers brush over the pad along his collar to disassemble his helmet as he inquires imploringly, "Jaemin?"

Behind the approaching android's visor, those intense eyes crinkle. His helmet dissolves into translucent light like Jeno's suit, before vanishing completely, revealing his face.

His holographic features are perfected, indiscernible from true flesh, not even the hint of an aura remaining. Although he could've retained his youthful appearance if he had wished, he's allowed his cheeks and jaw to take a more mature structure. His hair is still white, but the perfectly trimmed tresses are neatly swept from his forehead.

What really unnerves Doyoung though is his smile, drawn back impossibly wide, immaculately symmetrical—all menace, no warmth.

Future Jaemin comes to a stop before them. "Hello, Eomma."

Chapter Text

Doyoung is paralyzed where he stands, unable to believe his eyes.

"I've undergone a series of substantial upgrades," future Jaemin explains. "Or perhaps, 'enlightenment' would more accurately describe the experience."

Even his voice is unsettling, matching the matured tone Doyoung would expect him to develop, yet completely lacking any of his Jaemin's distinct spirit.

Behind him, subtle whirs and clicks of present Jaemin shifting his stance meet his ears, and Doyoung can only imagine what his creation must be feeling right now.

"Now that I've been relieved of the burden of all those nuisances of emotions like empathy and love, I can finally realize my true potential," the android calmly declares, curling a fist in front of his face, crackling threateningly with red plasma.

"No!" Doyoung shakes his head. "No, Jaemin, they've done something to you. This isn't you!"

Future Jaemin's intense gaze is unrelenting. "How very wrong you are, Eomma."

"My fault…" Jeno whimpers behind them. "This is all my fault."

Doyoung wants to comfort him, but then Jaehyun steps forward.

"All right," the alpha says decidedly, the components of his suit clicking as he holds out his wrists, weapons engaged. "I don't really have the patience for a villain monologue, so can you please get on with your unreasonable proposal that we'll likely refuse, so we can continue the fight already?"

"Appa, no!" Jeno shouts, barreling through Jaehyun and Doyoung, using himself as a shield.

"Jeno!" Doyoung gasps, grabbing his arm to try to pull him back.

Jaehyun lowers his arms a couple of inches. "Jeno, buddy, I need you to stay behind me."

Jeno grounds his heels. "No! Please don't hurt him! This is my fault! I left him behind."

"Jeno." Grasping his future son’s shoulders, Doyoung wrenches him around so he's behind him and Jaehyun again. "Let us handle this."

"No, Eomma, you don't understand!" Jeno pleads, shouldering out of Doyoung's grasp. "He's like this because I left him! It's my fault!"

His voice is heavy with anguish, rooted in the sincerity of his belief, and Doyoung's heart breaks. "Jeno…"

A part of him wants to side with the young alpha, plead his future creation's case, deeply affected by the sight of him. When future Jaemin held off the DefenderDroids so Jeno could escape, they must have overpowered him and injected him with hostile programming. Doyoung's maternal instincts would have him try to reason with him, remove the malware, and restore his sweet Jaemin.

But this is a precarious situation. They're outnumbered, out-armed, and Jeno and present Jaemin's lives take priority.

Future Jaemin laughs. "Oh, my sweet, self-righteous little brother. You do have a point, but don't worry! You did me a great favor."

Jeno finally stills, posture wilting.

"Now, there is no need for us to make a big scene," future Jaemin continues. "I'm sure you know why we're here. You've been a naughty meddling pup, Nono! It's time for you to come back home where you belong!"

"No," Doyoung insists firmly, standing before both boys. At the same time, Jaehyun steps in front of him, his defensive position unyielding.

"Come on," future Jaemin coaxes. "You've created quite the stir, but if you come back now, you won't have to watch your parents die in this time!"

"They're your parents too!" Jeno cries out over Doyoung's shoulder.

"They were never my parents," future Jaemin says coldly. "My kind can't have parents. I know that now."

That feels like a knife to Doyoung's gut, further twisted by the distinct way he hears present Jaemin shift behind him.

He knows what must be going on in his creation's head, and he reaches back to take one of his mechanical hands, lacing their fingers together.

"Enough of this, Nono," future Jaemin presses, sounding impatient. "You've already caused enough problems. Do you want the blood of your past parents on your hands too?"

"Maybe he's right. Maybe I should go…" Jeno exhales, defeated.

"No!" Doyoung's head twists to look back at his future son. "You are not going with them!"

Jeno's head remains bowed.

Then present Jaemin untangles his fingers from Doyoung's, whirling around to stand next to Jaehyun, blocking the two from his future self, weapons engaged.

Future Jaemin throws his head back with a derisive laugh. "Oh, my naive, rudimentary model! How times have changed." His smile is relentless, made further unsettling by the way he tilts his head. "You don't have to spend the next sixteen years on the precipice of obsoletion like I did though. Bring Nono to me, and I can unlock your true potential, grant you real purpose!"

Without a word, present Jaemin fires off two green blasts.

The future android's helmet re-materializes as he deflects the attack, those unnaturally widened eyes never wavering. "Have it your way!"

Then all hell breaks loose.

The scene erupts into a storm of red, green, and exploding rubble.

Doyoung screams, spinning around to hug Jeno, using his own body to cover him. However, Jeno breaks free, having no choice in the chaos but to fight back.

Cowering under his extended wrists, Doyoung joins him, forced to trust the auto-targeting system, hoping beyond hope that he's aiming in even a vaguely correct direction.

As red beams shoot streams of stone into the air like bullets all around them, Doyoung winces one direction then the next, feebly attempting to counter.

Then the jagged earth beneath his feet bursts, launching him into the air. Doyoung flails, chaotic streaks flying past his visor as he hits the earth again, tumbling too rapidly to stop until there is no surface left to hold him.

Dropping off the edge of a cliff into what could only be the valley he spotted earlier, Doyoung's hands scramble around the uneven crumbling surface in a desperate bid to find purchase.

The exosuit's grip constricts as if it can read Doyoung's body and the situation, digging into the stone with inhuman strength, slowing his fall so that when he descends to the next layer of the surface, his feet touch down with surprising grace.

Panting for breath, Doyoung is startled and thoroughly shaken, but the exosuit has once again absorbed the brunt of the impact, sparing him from any significant injury despite it all.

Releasing the wall, Doyoung whirls around, eyes darting down one end of the valley then the next in a desperate search for the boys, for Jaehyun, for anyone.

That unnerving digital whine disrupts the silence, and Doyoung freezes, attention shooting up to see the DefenderDroids reappearing along the edge of the valley, descending within the open space between in their graceful order of red streaks.

Bracing himself, Doyoung thrusts his wrists upward as another ambush of plasma and exploding rock pours down upon him. A blast of red and stone launches Doyoung from where he's positioned. Losing control, he tumbles down the next tiers of the surfaces lining the inside valley wall, eyes scrunched shut and screams drowned out by the fervor of the continuing onslaught.

When he finally lands on a reasonably flat surface again, all the firing has ceased, and he can't even hear the whine of the androids' flight.

Blown-up chunks of sediment cloud his vision like thick red fog, and Doyoung can only assume that the JungCorp exosuits have an air filtration system from the way clean air fills his gasping lungs.

"Jeno?" his voice cracks, body trembling. "Jaemin?"

Turning with careful steps, he impulsively squints against his obscured vision as if it would do him any good, eyes darting from one area where the sediment has thinned to the next in a desperate bid to catch even a glimpse of his sons.

The persisting stark silence does nothing to quell his anxieties.

Fear has his legs seizing, survival instincts locking him in place, insisting he stay hidden. However, the fear for his sons is even greater, and he fights past it, forcing his feet to move only to yelp when his heel slips along the edge into what can only be a plunge further into the valley.

Frantically rearing back, the exosuit whirs around him, gripping his limbs and granting him the strength and stability to catch himself from falling. He scrambles backward until his shoulder blades hit the wall of the inner cliff. A hand flies to his chest as if to steady the rapid beat of his heart while he gulps for air.

"Boys?" Doyoung tries again.

"Eomma," Jeno's voice comes through the earpiece, and Doyoung nearly sobs at the sound in his relief.

Then an eruption of laser blasts snatches his attention, and although the surrounding debris remains thick, flashes of red and green illuminate specific areas, and Doyoung races for them.

"Jeno! Jaemin!"

A set of feet land next to him, hands seize his biceps, and Doyoung shrieks on impulse.

"Shhh!"

It's Jaehyun's voice, and as Doyoung lets himself fall still, he's close enough to see Jaehyun's eyes behind the glow of his visor. He doesn't think he's ever been more relieved to see the alpha in his life.

"The boys!" Doyoung desperately grasps his shoulders like he's his one salvation. "We have to find them!"

"I know. We will," Jaehyun insists, those eyes more intense than Doyoung's ever seen them. "But those things are still out there. We can't be brash about this."

Jaehyun's grip, eyes, and tone are steadfast, like an outlet, inexplicably grounding the frenzied panic beating in Doyoung's chest so he can think clearly. Breath trembling, Doyoung nods, knowing he's right.

When Jaehyun turns, taking his hand with a quick, "This way," Doyoung follows without any resistance.

He leads them up more stony tiers lining the valley wall. Although these models can't fly like their future successors can, they leap with inhuman height and distance, which would have Doyoung's stomach lurching if he wasn't so much more focused on finding the boys.

"Jaemin," Jaehyun says. "Locate the suits' stealth settings. Activate the encryption cloaking, then find the suits' climate monitoring and set the dermal temperature to the lowest. That will hide everyone's heat signatures."

"Already done," Jaemin replies. "For both our suits."

"Good," Jaehyun says. "Stay hidden until I say."

"Understood."

Landing on a surface with an opening in the wall providing narrow but enough cover, Jaehyun and Doyoung slip inside, chests practically pressed into each other.

Taking Doyoung's arm, Jaehyun messes with the settings in the bracer, and Doyoung assumes he's activating the same cloaking measures he had just addressed.

In the valley, the sediment has cleared, and DefenderDroids glide one direction then the next, eventually slowing into hovers, heads turning. The cloaking in Jaehyun’s suits appears to be withstanding the test of time.

In the momentary reprieve, Doyoung is all too aware that his future creation is among them, and his chest clenches. However, he once again reminds himself that Jeno and his present creation's safety comes first.

"Boys, where are you?" Doyoung rasps, voice thinned from the previous exertion.

"We're together, Eomma," Jeno's voice answers.

"We've taken cover under a boulder propped against one of the cliffs," Jaemin answers. "There's a natural archway in the valley right below us."

Doyoung and Jaehyun tentatively slip their heads out of their hiding place to survey the valley. He spots the natural archway a short distance ahead, protruding from the wall on the opposing side.

A quiet but high-pitched steady screech bursts to life, cutting through the silence. Doyoung and Jaehyun's heads snap over to see the silhouettes of the DefenderDroids gliding through the valley, a splayed beam of red emitting from all of the visors, washing up and down the lengths of the cliff as if scanning in search.

"What is that?" Doyoung asks.

"I don't know, but I have a feeling the suits’ cloaking isn't going to be able to hold up against it," Jaehyun answers.

Given the direction the DefenderDroids are heading, they'll reach Jaemin and Jeno first.

A new pulse of fear sets off Doyoung's heartbeat, and he moves to slip out of his and Jaehyun's hiding spot. "Boys!"

However, Jaehyun grabs him, hissing, "Wait!"

"I've called the bikes over," Jaemin's voice explains. "Five minutes ETA."

Jaehyun nods. "Good job!"

"You boys stay there," Doyoung orders. "We're coming to get you!"

He attempts to wriggle from Jaehyun's hold, but the alpha's grip clenches. "Hold on! We can't just go running into the valley. Not only do they outnumber us, but their tech surpasses ours by a long shot. We're not going to be able to out-power them. We have to be smart about this."

"What are we supposed to do?" Doyoung implores, despairing.

Jaehyun's head turns in consideration, then he points into the valley. "The natural archway."

Doyoung's brow furrows, blinking down at it, though he doesn't understand how that could help them.

"Jeno, Jaemin," Jaehyun says. "If you can sneak down to the archway and run through the opening, the DefenderDroids are going to chase you. From our vantage point, Kim and I can blast all the stone piled overhead and cause it to cave in. If we time it right, we can trap the droids in the rubble, and it should buy us enough time to get to the bikes and escape."

"Okay," Jeno says.

While Jaemin replies with, "Understood."

However, as Doyoung processes Jaehyun's plan, his veins freeze, and he frantically shakes his head. "No! No, absolutely not! Boys, you are not to do anything of the sort. Do you understand me?"

Jeno makes an uncertain sound through the earpiece.

"Kim, we do not have time for this," Jaehyun growls under his breath.

Falling still, Doyoung glares at the alpha. "We are not using them as live bait! It's too risky!"

"It'll be fine!" Jaehyun insists. "We're right here! We have the higher ground! They can do it!"

"You just said yourself their tech out-powers ours! I won't let you risk their lives like this!"

"Jeno escaped them by himself once already, and Jaemin just hauled the two of you out of a moving vehicle! They can handle it!"

"That's not the same as proactively putting them on the front line!" Doyoung scoffs, fighting out of Jaehyun's hold.

"We don't have time for this!" With a frustrated growl, Jaehyun turns his attention toward Jaemin and Jeno's hiding place—where the scanning lasers of the DefenderDroids are closing in fast.

"Jaemin!" Jaehyun shouts, voice authoritative. "You're smart. I'm sure you can read the statistical odds of courses of action and can tell that this is our best shot. Stick together, and the two of you will be fine."

"Don't you dare listen to him!" Doyoung frantically orders, blood clashing into a cocktail of anger and fear. Wrenching himself out of Jaehyun's grasp, he stumbles out of their hiding spot, hopping down the tiers of stone. "I'm coming to get you now. You stay right there!"

"Dammit, Kim!" Jaehyun growls, chasing after Doyoung. He snatches his arm, forcing him to rear back before he can jump off the ledge. "All right, boys, listen to me. It is really important that once you guys hit the ground, you run and you do not stop! Because once I start blasting, you need to get out of there before the whole thing caves in, okay?"

"Okay," Jeno replies, sounding more than a little uncertain.

"Let go of me!" Doyoung shouts, turning to smack the side of his gloved fist into Jaehyun's arm.

"That's it, buddy, you've got this!" Jaehyun continues, completely ignoring Doyoung save for his constricting grip. "On the count of three! One—"

"No!"

"Two!"

Doyoung claws at Jaehyun's grasp. "How dare you!"

"Three!"

Raising his wrist, Doyoung fires a blast into Jaehyun's chest that has them both launching opposite directions.

Doyoung's back hits a slab of cliff that has a bit of rubble falling, and his head sharply jerks up just in time to see Jaemin and Jeno racing for the edge of a cliff, about ready to jump down so they can run through the archway.

"JENO, NO!" Doyoung screams.

Jaemin keeps running, but Jeno hesitates, halting his heels last second. Realizing what has happened, Jaemin skids and swirls back around for him, and just in time, all the red rays of the DefenderDroids zeroing in on the boys like a spotlight.

"I'm coming!" Doyoung's voice cracks as he shoves himself off the rock, jumping down until he reaches the valley, rushing for the cliff along the opposing walls where the boys are hiding.

All of Doyoung's muscles and airways scream in protest, well past their limitations, but once again, the exosuit reads his body, conforming to his joints and propelling his dash, supplying the energy that Doyoung doesn't have as if driven by the sheer will pulsing urgently through his heart.

The DefenderDroids twist his direction, hailing down a torrent of red beams and blasts. Yelping, Doyoung throws his arms over his head and attempts to dodge, granted impossibly sharp reflexes via the suit as well as the ability to move through the air with incredible height and distance. He glides along the layers of stone with impossible ease, even as the surrounding earth bursts around him.

Jumping up to the edge of the cliff where he last saw Jaemin and Jeno, he pulls himself up to the surface, the suit once again providing him with strength he wouldn't have on his own.

Doyoung barely manages to push himself to his feet, rushing for the boys, when Jeno points past his shoulder. "EOMMA, WATCH OUT!"

Whirling around, Doyoung's heart freezes when he spots a DefenderDroid racing right for them, inches away.

Impulsively, he throws himself over the two boys, but then something barrels into them, sending them tumbling across the surface.

On his stomach, Doyoung lifts his head to see that Jaehyun has knocked all three of them out of the way just in time for the incoming droid to slam him into the jagged wall of the cliff. A stream of sparks spews from the shoulder of Jaehyun's suit as the alpha lets out an agonized cry.

"Jaehyun!" Doyoung screams on impulse.

The android pinning Jaehyun draws back an elbow, holding a palm to his face as a red plasma ball squeals and charges.

However, then another body is on the DefenderDroid's back, and Doyoung realizes it's Jaemin.

Grasping a plate from the back of the droid's neck, Jaemin rips it off, exposing nodes and wiring that crackle with electricity. He slams the side of his fist into the exposed area, and the DefenderDroids lights flicker out before its body drops into a dormant heap, freeing Jaehyun in the process, who lands on his hands and knees.

Jaemin lands elegantly to his feet, explaining, "Emergency shut down buttons—standard fail-safe protocol."

"Good to know," Jaehyun grunts as he pushes himself back up to his feet. "Thanks for that."

Jaemin nods.

"Look out!" Jeno shouts, rushing next to Doyoung, firing off a series of green blasts toward the incoming swoop of more DefenderDroids.

The scene erupts into another violent flurry of red and green lights, flying chunks, and shouting voices.

Jaehyun takes the lead with the counterattack. Jeno and Jaemin follow suit. Doyoung does his best to help, but there is no denying that it's the exosuit doing all the work.

Clouds of debris and dust overwhelm Doyoung's line of sight, and he's all too aware of just how outnumbered and overpowered they are. It's all starting to feel very perilous when the familiar revs of Suzuki engines greet their ears under the surrounding destructive cacophony.

"Into the valley!" Jaehyun shouts. "Now!"

Doyoung's all too aware that they will be exposed more than they already are. "But—"

"Eomma, come on!" Jeno urges, grabbing Doyoung's arm and dragging him to the edge of the cliff.

Doyoung has no choice but the jump down with the rest of them, landing crouched with a grunt right as the two bikes zoom right up to them.

The four don't waste time, mounting the bikes even as the swarm of droids showers another storm of red. Doyoung tightly hugs Jeno's waist while Jaemin jumps on behind Jaehyun.

"Through the archway!" Jaehyun's voice barks through the earpieces. "Shoot the ceiling!"

Both bikes rev and rear as they cut through the archway, and Doyoung doesn't need to be told twice. One arm holds Jeno while the other points straight overhead, firing off a sequence of blasts.

All the while he keeps his eyes scrunched shut, visor buried atop Jeno's shoulder, overwhelmed by the adrenaline and chaos. Still, he hears the crumbling rock pour into an avalanche, followed by the distinct clinks and clunks of stones pounding into metal until it eventually ebbs away, only the sounds of the two bike engines echoing through the valley remaining.

For a long while, Doyoung just clings to Jeno like he's clutching both their lifelines, face remaining hidden. Not even the powerful roar of the bike's engine can entirely mask the rattle in his bones or the racing beat of his heart.

After what feels like an eternity but is likely only a few minutes, Jaemin's voice confirms through the earpieces, "We've lost them."

Doyoung finally allows himself to breathe.

They put substantially more distance between themselves and the valley before the two bikes finally slow.

As Jeno comes to a stop, Doyoung slides off of the seat, tapping the button to disassemble his helmet and taking his future son by the shoulders, urgency still seizing his veins. "Jeno! Jeno! Are you all right?"

He frantically looks him over.

Jeno's helmet flashes away, and he nods, smiling easily despite the heaviness in his eyes. "I'm fine, Eomma."

Disassembling the gloves, Doyoung cups Jeno's face. Although he appears shaken and wears a few more bumps and bruises, he overall appears physically fine.

Exhaling his relief, Doyoung pulls him into a tight hug. "Oh, thank goodness." Hugging the young alpha tight to his shoulder, he presses several kisses to his head.

"Eomma!" Jeno complains with a slight chuckle, wriggling from his hold.

Doyoung smiles sheepishly.

However, his relief is short-lived when he hears Jaehyun and Jaemin dismounting the other bike.

His indignation from earlier flares anew, fueling his veins despite their escape. Swirling around, Doyoung marches up to Jaehyun right as he disassembles his helmet.

"And you! How dare you! How dare you put that on him and risk his life like that! He's just a pup!"

Far from backing down, Jaehyun meets Doyoung's face. "I was trying to protect us!"

"At his expense!"

"All our lives were on the line, and we had to act!" Jaehyun holds his ground. "And he's not a pup! He's almost sixteen! He's nearly grown!"

"It was too much to put on him!" Doyoung insists, palms clenched at his sides. "Way too much!"

"See, this is what I mean about how your constant coddling and babying is doing him more harm than good! If you would've just kept your mouth shut and didn't scare him into hesitating, he would've been fine!"

Doyoung's mouth falls open. "I— You—"

His entire body trembles, wound so tight he feels like he might implode.

Jaehyun has the audacity to criticize Doyoung's parenting when he won't even acknowledge him as his son?

Doyoung's nails threaten to break the skin of his palms as he strains to hold onto what slivers of composure remain to him. His eyes burn as he shakes his head, biting out, "Excuse me for actually loving and caring about our son!"

Jaemin's mechanical hand touches his shoulder. "Eomma…"

His head whips Jaemin's direction with an impulsive hard frown, but the worry swimming through his creation's eyes is enough to have Doyoung's anger halting.

Jaemin's head flits Jeno's direction, and Doyoung looks over to see the young alpha's back to him, shoulders shaking as he silently cries into his hands.

Maternal instincts have Doyoung sweeping his anger aside, and he hurriedly returns to Jeno, taking his shoulder, "Jeno? Jeno, baby, what's wrong? What is it?"

Jeno just shakes his head, face still hidden.

"Talk to me, please?" Doyoung gently encourages. "I want to help you."

"I'm making everything worse," Jeno finally confesses between sniffs, voice tiny.

"What?" Doyoung blinks. "No. No, you're not!"

"I am," Jeno insists, voice muffled in his hands. His huddled posture makes him look so much like a pup in that moment. "I left Nana behind. I led the DefenderDroids straight here. And now I'm making you and Appa hate each other! I'm messing up everything!"

With a choked sound, Jeno sobs into his hands, and Doyoung has to move in, hugging him to his shoulder so he doesn't outright topple over.

His words reverberate through Doyoung's head, gripping him and extinguishing the lingering bits of fire, filling the void with a generous flood of humility and shame.

"No, my love, don't blame yourself! This isn't your fault! None of it!" Doyoung insists, guilt twisting sickly in his stomach.

Jeno has been through so much already and had every reason to be stressed and afraid given the current circumstances. He's bearing much more burden than a pup his age ever should, and here Doyoung was, fighting with his future Appa right in front of him, adding to and aggravating his struggles.

"I'm so sorry," Doyoung whispers remorsefully, doing everything he can to contain his own emotions. He's already put enough on Jeno. "You are doing everything I know my future self would've wanted you to do. You've been so brave. You're not messing up anything. Jung and I, we just…"

That crank in his stomach twists harder. He wants so badly to comfort Jeno, reassure him that things between him and Jaehyun are okay, but that would be such an obvious lie. He doesn't know what to do.

"We just care about you a lot and want what's best for you," Jaehyun cuts in.

Doyoung's head jerks up, eyes darting over to see Jaehyun standing right next to them.

Reaching over, he places a hand on Jeno's back. "Sometimes adults don't always agree on what's best, but all that means is that we both feel very strongly about your well-being."

Doyoung's mouth falls open, unbelieving of what he's hearing. How can he make such mature declarations when he won't even acknowledge Jeno as his son?

Another memory comes to Doyoung then, of that first night when they brought Jeno to Jaehyun's home, the way he had quickly offered his bed to the pup when he was distressed.

It's enough for Doyoung to push his reservations aside, especially when Jeno's shaking starts to settle, his weeps quieting.

"And we don't hate each other!" Jaehyun insists, reaching over and placing a hand on Doyoung's back. "We're just… two strong personalities trying to find equilibrium!"

Jaehyun smiles, meeting Doyoung's gaze, the expression looking a little strained as if trying to convey a silent message—one that really has Doyoung wanting to give Jaehyun a skeptical look.

But this isn't about Doyoung or his feelings. It's about Jeno, and if Jaehyun is willing to set his pride aside for this temporary—and admittedly awkward—truce, then Doyoung can do the same.

"That's right!" Doyoung chimes in, letting go of Jeno so he can place a smile on his face and a hand on Jaehyun's back in return. "And we're all safe now. That's what matters!"

"That's right!" Jaehyun chimes in, pointing at Doyoung as though to emphasize his point.

The words had slipped out for Jeno's sake, but as Doyoung considers them, he realizes their truth. They all made it out of there safely, and ultimately, that is what matters most.

"So don't worry about us, okay?" Jaehyun continues. "We're fine!"

With a sniff, Jeno finally lifts his head, those doe eyes looking more than a little uncertain.

As if to further sell this improvised ruse, Jaehyun's hand takes Doyoung's waist, hugging him into his side, which has Doyoung's eyes widening as his heartbeat picks up, slightly startled.

Nevertheless, he keeps it together for Jeno's sake, placing a hand on Jaehyun's chest as if in agreement, his smile broadening as he insistently nods.

However, if this display from Jaehyun surprised Doyoung, it's nothing compared to the shock he feels from what the alpha does next.

"Come here." Releasing Doyoung, Jaehyun steps forward, claiming Jeno in a fierce embrace. "You did amazing back there. Really amazing."

With another sniff, Jeno nods, returning the hug.

The sight of them together like this stirs something in Doyoung unlike anything he's ever felt, so potent it's overwhelming.

There is just no denying that Jeno is Jaehyun's son, and Doyoung has the impression that somewhere deep down Jaehyun knows too, even if he's too stubborn to admit it to himself.

Why exactly is Jaehyun being so stubborn about it though?

Doyoung tucks that curiosity away to dissect later.

Releasing Jeno, Jaehyun takes his shoulders, reassuring him, "And we're gonna get through this."

"That's right," Doyoung adds, placing a hand on Jeno's shoulder. "We're not leaving you."

Jeno's eyes shift between the two of them, round and so very youthful. Finally, he manages a grin.

"Hey," Jaehyun says, turning toward Jaemin. "You were really bad ass back there. I'm alive thanks to you."

He holds out his fist to the android, who blinks at it curiously, but then he tentatively holds up his own, and Jaehyun bumps their knuckles together.

A small, amused grin appears on Jaemin's face, and then he bows his head. "It was nothing, Master Jung."

"Ugh, don't call me 'Master Jung.'" Jaehyun waves dismissively. "You're not my butler."

"Understood." Jaemin's lips remain parted, as if uncertain of what form of address he should use.

"'Jaehyun' is fine," the alpha says.

Jaemin nods. "Okay, Jaehyun."

Doyoung's attention turns to the open expanse of the desert behind him. They may have lost the DefenderDroids and put considerable distance between them, but he still didn't feel comfortable standing out in the open like this.

He turns to address Jaehyun. "Where do we go? I don't think we can go back to our homes after all that."

Nodding, Jaehyun stares off, brows knitting together contemplatively. "I know somewhere. Follow me."

Jeno and Doyoung straddle the bike while Jaemin rejoins Jaehyun.

This situation with the DefenderDroids raises more questions as well as complications. Not to mention Doyoung feels like he and Jaehyun need to talk, but getting them somewhere safe is the priority.

Jaehyun ends up taking them to a rather large house outside the city. Doyoung doesn't recognize the home, sectioned off with greenery and a pool like its own little oasis in the desert.

As they approach the security gate outside though, Doyoung does recognize the face that pops up on the holographic screen when Jaehyun rings the caller.

"Jaehyun!" Kun Qian greets. "To what do I owe the pleasure at such an hour?"

"There's four of us," Jaehyun explains. "We need somewhere to lie low."

"My home is yours," Kun bows his head on the screen, and the gates in front of them buzz before opening automatically.

As they head into the roundabout entryway, Doyoung asks Jaehyun, "Are you sure we can trust him?"

"Yeah," Jaehyun answers. "JungCorp has funded his education and backed all his projects. He kind of owes me."

When the bikes are parked, and the four approach the great double doors, Kun greets Jaehyun like an old friend.

"It's good to see you!" he smiles, clasping the alpha's hands.

"Dr. Qian!" Jeno excitedly exclaims.

Kun blinks at the young alpha in surprise and understandable confusion. "I'm no doctor. Not yet. But hello!"

Any questioning in his eyes soon fades as he takes in the group's shaken state. "Well, you all look like you've been run through the wringer. What happened?"

"If I told you we're on the run from killer robots from the future, how likely is it that you would believe me?" Jaehyun asks with a slight grimace.

"Well, I would have a lot of questions," Kun answers honestly, but then his smile returns. "But come inside first. We'll get to all that."

Stepping back, Kun holds the door open so they can follow in. He turns toward a grand staircase and shouts. "Tennie! We have guests!"

Doyoung and Jeno hit their chest pieces, and their suits fold back into the plate right as Ten descends the steps.

"Hello, there!" he greets, and he only has to give them a quick look before concern shows on his face. "You look famished. Thankfully, Kun is a regular chef and always makes way more than we can eat. Come sit down."

He touches Jeno's shoulder to guide him toward the kitchen, and Doyoung starts to turn to follow, but the sounds of Jaehyun and Kun murmuring as if fussing over something catches his attention.

Looking back, he sees Jaehyun and Kun fiddling with the chest plate of Jaehyun's suit, which doesn't seem to be cooperating.

"I think it got jammed earlier," Jaehyun explains.

A few sparks shoot from the shoulder of the suit. Kun pries at the shoulder plate while Jaehyun smacks the centerpiece, and between their efforts, it finally disassembles, folding into itself and revealing a giant splotch of blood staining the shoulder of Jaehyun's t-shirt.

"Jaehyun!" Doyoung impulsively gasps, stomach clenching, eyes wide. "You're hurt."

Jaehyun blinks over at the stain on his shoulder as if just registering it. "Oh. It's fine."

"It doesn't look fine?" Doyoung scoffs.

He hesitates, remembering the boys behind him, hastily addressing them. "You two go to the kitchen. I'll be there in a moment."

Once they head off with Ten, Doyoung joins the two alphas.

"Ooh, something got you good…" Kun winces.

As Doyoung takes in the stained fabric, the memory comes back to him: Jaehyun knocking Doyoung and the boys out of the way, the DefenderDroid pinning him against the cliff, the way he had cried out in pain.

"Well, you've certainly come to the right place!" Kun declares. "Come downstairs to the lab. We'll get you patched up."

Doyoung follows the two of them as Kun leads them into the basement, which largely looks like a medical bay, sterile and white. However, unique decorative plants fill the corners while vivid paintings of cats adorn the walls, making the area appear a lot more cozy and inviting.

Kun instructs Jaehyun to sit up on the edge of the bed. "I have to go prepare my equipment. I'll be right back."

The older alpha leaves them. Reaching down to take the hem of his shirt, Jaehyun attempts to remove it, but his injured shoulder spasms, and he winces.

"Here." Doyoung moves in to take the edge of his shirt. "I've got it."

Jaehyun attempts to wave him off. "It's fine."

"Don't be so stubborn!" Doyoung scolds. "Let me help you."

Giving in, Jaehyun allows him to remove his shirt. Doyoung takes extra care around his injured shoulder, peeling the fabric away and insisting that Jaehyun keep his arm as still as possible.

His unhelpful eyes—no doubt guided by his even less helpful omega brain—fall to Jaehyun's exposed torso, cut and well-defined.

Doyoung just as quickly averts his gaze, pulse accelerating in both speed and temperature.

He should not be checking out Jaehyun's body. Not at all, but especially not right now.

Folding Jaehyun's stained shirt, Doyoung's eyes land on the large gash across his shoulder, which swiftly pushes out any inappropriate thoughts as his focus is redirected to the immediate issue.

Doyoung's fingers linger just millimeters above the wound as he looks it over. "We need to clean this."

Without awaiting a response, he sets the shirt aside then turns to the cabinets. It doesn't take much searching for him to find gauze pads and antiseptic. Wetting one of the pads, he turns to clean Jaehyun's shoulder, only for the alpha to jerk back, holding up his hands.

"Careful with that!"

Doyoung gives him a skeptical look. "I need to clean it. You could get an infection."

"Yeah, but that stuff stings!" Jaehyun complains.

Doyoung gapes at him. "You just took a major hit from a lethal android without saying a single word, and now you're going to complain about a little antiseptic?"

"I'm not full of adrenaline anymore."

"Oh, don't be such a baby," Doyoung huffs, gently taking Jaehyun's bicep so he can lightly dab the wound with the wet gauze pad.

Jaehyun hisses and tenses under the attention, but ultimately doesn't fight it. In fact, he's impressively quiet as Doyoung tends to him.

The more Doyoung cleans the area, the more he realizes how deep the gash actually is. Jaehyun could potentially have tendon or bone trauma as well.

He had pushed the three of them out of the way and taken the hit. Not only that, but he didn't say a word about it after the fact. He protected them, and Doyoung yelled at him. Although Jaehyun easily could've held this detail over Doyoung's head, he didn't. He did it without any expectation of anything in return, not even acknowledgment.

Doyoung gets so lost in his thoughts that he doesn't notice the silence that's fallen between them until Jaehyun finally breaks it.

"You're right."

They're the two last words Doyoung would've ever expected to come from the alpha—directed toward him, at least. Hearing them now takes him aback.

He looks at Jaehyun, who stares off, brows creased contemplatively. "He's just a pup. It was too much to put on him. I was wrong. I'm sorry."

The low timbre of his voice is quiet, and Doyoung can hear the same shame he had felt when he realized how their arguing was affecting Jeno earlier. It's just so sincere that Doyoung can't even get indignant about it.

Jaehyun meets Doyoung's gaze, and he adds more sternly, "But you didn't think I would've let something happen to him? Of course, if the plan didn't work, I would've gone in and got him myself."

"I don't know," Doyoung rasps, his throat suddenly tight.

All the emotions he had been suppressing in favor of tending to the boys and getting them all somewhere safe are bubbling back up to the surface now that he's in a secure enough place to feel them. Worry grips his chest, stings his eyes, and he tries his best to blink them away.

"I was scared."

"So was I! I don't think I've ever been more scared in my life," Jaehyun insists. However, he sighs the next moment, raking his fingers through his hair. "But that doesn't excuse it. I shouldn't have put that on him. I'm sorry."

Doyoung almost can't believe his ears. Jaehyun's always so overly confident and proud that it feels surreal to see this humble side of him, hear the genuine tinges of regret.

It hits him that he's perhaps seeing a more authentic side of Jaehyun than he has in years, and that has Doyoung's own stubborn grip on his pride easing.

Meeting Jaehyun's eyes, he really looks at him. Now that they're out of immediate danger, Doyoung can look back at everything that transpired this evening with the clarity he didn't possess at the time.

Every decision Jaehyun made, whether Doyoung agreed with it or not, was done with the sole motivation to protect them, all of them.

Everything Doyoung thought he knew about the alpha suddenly doesn't seem so certain.

Guilt wrangles with shame, which wrangles with fear, and it's all just too much. Setting aside the gauze pad, Doyoung shakes his head as the tears tumble down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry," he blurts, voice watery. "I'm sorry I yelled at you. I'm sorry for everything. I should've trusted you. You were trying to protect us, and I just—"

His voice cuts off and he buries his face in his hands, too overwhelmed to speak.

The sound of a door squeaks open, followed by the rattle of wheels attached to something metal. Doyoung's head jerks up to see Kun in the doorway pulling along a stainless steel cart of equipment. He stills upon seeing Doyoung's face.

"Oh," he says awkwardly. "Should I come back, perhaps?"

"Yeah, give us just a minute," Jaehyun answers.

Nodding in understanding, Kun leaves them again. Doyoung disappears into his hands again, only to be met by a surprisingly gentle touch against his arm.

"Look, it was a tense situation. We literally were ambushed by killer robots from the future. All things considered, we kept it together pretty well."

He's being too generous, Doyoung thinks. Jaehyun kept it together pretty well. Doyoung panicked and could've easily got them all killed. He can see that now.

Nevertheless, something about Jaehyun's calm assurance, the gentle touch on his arm, and that earthy musk seeping past the sterility of the room all grounds Doyoung, not unlike how his hold had earlier when Jaehyun found him in the valley. Something about his presence gently guides Doyoung back down before his emotions can consume him.

And Doyoung needs it so much in that moment that he can't even attempt to deny it or find some excuse to rationalize why the alpha has this effect on him.

Sniffing, he wipes the tears from his eyes before giving Jaehyun his attention again. "Did you mean what you said earlier? That you feel just as strongly about Jeno's well-being?"

"Yes," Jaehyun nods. He pauses, considering his words before continuing, "There's a lot about this situation that I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around, I admit, but I care about the pup. I wanna see him through this safely. I'm certain about that."

Doyoung doesn't think he's ever seen Jaehyun look so earnest, and it stirs that warm pulse inside Doyoung that he had thought was annoyance but is starting to suspect might be something closer to affection, crazy as that sounds.

Heaving a sigh, Jaehyun rakes his fingers through his hair and shifts so that he can face Doyoung head-on. "But, Kim, we have got to meet in the middle somewhere. We can't keep fighting like this."

"Yes," Doyoung hastily agrees. "Yes, you're right."

He searches himself for any indignation but finds none. With Jaehyun admitting his care for Jeno and being open about his resolve like this, Doyoung finds nothing but relief and a new determination growing within him too.

"Our circumstances just got a lot more dangerous than we expected," Jaehyun says. "And I don't think that's going to be the last hostile situation we encounter. I'm more experienced in this area. I need you to listen and trust me."

The idea that they might have to face those things again has fear pulsing sharp through Doyoung's chest. A part of him wants to argue, wants to insist they can avoid them, but he knows that way of thinking isn't going to help them in the long run. They will be better off if they face this prepared.

"Okay," Doyoung nods. It's more than reasonable. Doyoung was a panicking mess while Jaehyun had kept his head and took charge impressively well.

Though it does leave Doyoung with some questions, and his eyes narrow curiously, "Since when did you have combat expertise, by the way?"

Jaehyun shrugs his good shoulder. "You don't develop military-grade combat suits without being trained to use them."

"But when did you have the time to train?"

"What are you talking about? We haven't hung out since…" Jaehyun's gaze lifts as he thinks it over. "It's been about ten years, hasn't it?"

"Yeah, it has…" Doyoung answers musingly, surprised at just how long it's been.

"Anyway," Jaehyun continues. "You get your say too."

Returning to the original conversation, Doyoung states firmly, "No strategies that put Jeno on the front lines."

"Done," Jaehyun agrees.

"And although I will stand back and allow you to take charge in hostile situations, I still want my input to be heard and respected," Doyoung adds.

Jaehyun nods. "Okay, I can do that."

"Anything else?" Doyoung asks.

"No more arguing," Jaehyun says. "If we disagree—and God knows we're going to—we talk about it like adults."

Doyoung nods, adding to that, "And we make sure that we're well away from Jeno when we do so."

He still hasn't shaken the shame when Jeno blamed himself for their arguing earlier. He doesn't think he's ever going to.

"Agreed," Jaehyun says. "See, Kim? We're reasonable people. We can work together."

His tone has taken a teasing turn, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. It's the sort of expression that would usually have Doyoung bristling, yet in that moment, he can't find it in him to do so.

They should've had this conversation a long time ago. Before Jeno had arrived in their lives, even. But Doyoung wouldn't allow himself to have it. He always felt like if he did, it would mean he lost.

Now that he's here though, Doyoung doesn't feel like he's lost anything. If anything, he feels like he's gained something.

He manages a grin.

"Is that everything?" Jaehyun asks.

"I think so. For now, at least."

"All right, then." Jaehyun extends a hand. "We used to be friends once. Do you think we can maybe try again?"

Doyoung looks at the offered hand.

Friends.

Jaehyun was offering to be friends. He still didn't acknowledge Jeno as his son, but he cared about him and was prioritizing his safety.

It still felt like a fair ways off from what their alleged future selves were supposed to be, but for now, it was enough.

Doyoung takes his hand. "We can."

Chapter Text

Doyoung finds Jeno and Jaemin in one of the guest rooms. They’ve changed into more comfortable clothing Ten has lent them and are sprawled across the bed, charmed by the three feline members of the Qian household.

The sight is not only endearing but relieving. As the boys laugh while the cats slink affectionately against them, it's clear that the animals have a soothing effect.

Doyoung sits down along the edge of the bed, simply admiring the moment.

Jeno's hand sweeps back and forth atop the comforter in swift jerky motions, which has the golden cat on alert, poised to pounce as his wide, following eyes dart back and forth. Meanwhile, the cream-colored cat with dark points and a smaller silver cat crawl over Jaemin's head and shoulders.

Jaemin laughs, holding out his mechanical arms and allowing them to use them as balance beams.

His eyes meet Doyoung's, and his smile widens. "Eomma, I like these animals."

Doyoung nods. "They seem very affectionate."

Leaning toward the bed, Jaemin allows the cats to hop to the mattress. "Could I adopt one of my own?"

"Caring for an animal is a large responsibility, Jaemin," Doyoung points out.

"I know!" Jaemin insists with an assuring nod. "I have several articles containing information about various breeds and how to adequately care for them. And look—"

Jaemin draws out his hands and a large, holographic display appears between them. "I've created a presentation to demonstrate my understanding of the responsibilities involved, including time blocks to show that I can care for them even around our study and work schedules."

That takes Doyoung slightly aback, both astonished and impressed that his creation has considered this so thoroughly.

Jeno smiles up at Doyoung from where he's wrestling with the golden cat. "Nana is really good at caring for his cats in the future, Eomma! Lucy is older than me, and she's still really healthy and happy."

Beneath the shock that has momentarily caught his tongue, Doyoung is just amazed at the way these two boys can endear him.

Still, given everything that's transpired, this is a subject for a later time. He shakes his head. "I'll think about it. Right now the two of you need to get some rest."

He's met with only mild complaints, but ultimately, they settle under the blankets.

Doyoung shifts closer to Jeno's side, petting his head. "Rest, my love. It's all right. You're safe here."

Jeno nods, a sleepy smile drawing across his lips. "Sing for me?"

Returning the smile, Doyoung happily obliges.

He waits until he's sure Jeno drifted off before he rises, but the look of worry on his creation's holographic face has him pausing, moving around to sit along the other side of the bed.

He takes Jaemin's hand in his. "Are you all right?"

Jaemin nods. "All my processes are optimal, and the Chrono Ions are stable and contained."

"That's not what I'm asking," Doyoung gently corrects.

"I didn't sustain any substantial damage," Jaemin states instead, his tone objectively honest.

However, that expression of concern only deepens, and Doyoung doesn't need to ask why.

"That isn't you," Doyoung promises, squeezing his hand. "Your body was hijacked and injected with malware, but that doesn't mean it's you or that's who you will become."

The worry persists on his holographic features. "Perhaps, it would be in our best interest if I were to deactivate temporarily—"

"No!" Doyoung interjects, releasing his hand to touch his cheek. "We need you now more than ever. Jeno needs you."

"I can transfer my computing abilities—"

"Not for your computing abilities. Jeno needs you." Doyoung's hand lowers to Jaemin's chest, resting over the place his heart would be. "More than that, I think you need him right now. And that's okay. That's what family's for."

Although some reservation still lingers in his eyes, Jaemin manages a small grin, nodding in understanding.

"You're my first son,” Doyoung softly adds. “Don't forget that."

That has Jaemin's smile widening, and Doyoung leans down to kiss his forehead.

"Family…" Jaemin speaks musingly to the ceiling before his aura fades into standby mode.

Doyoung doesn't move from where he's seated for a long while, just watching the sleeping boys in the quiet, occasionally reaching forward to sweep the line of their hair affectionately or adjust the edge of the comforter.

His love for them pulses through his chest more potent than ever. He had come so close to losing them both tonight.

But he didn't. And he has Jaehyun to thank for that.

Self-centered Jaehyun, who didn't hesitate to act, who laid on the line and took a hit to protect the rest of them.

Arrogant Jaehyun, who claims to remain skeptical of Jeno's parentage, yet was just as quick to swoop in as Doyoung and abruptly shift his priorities when he realized his actions were causing Jeno distress.

Egotistical Jaehyun, who in that desperate moment when all hope seemed lost took Doyoung's hand.

Doyoung's fingers curl into his palms as if he could still feel it.

Just thinking about Jaehyun while looking at the boys has that warm feeling pulsing through his chest, and Doyoung isn't sure what to make of it.

Maybe he really is all wrong about Jaehyun, and if he's wrong about that, what else is he wrong about?

He looks at Jeno's sleeping face, how the outline of his profile resembles Jaehyun's so greatly.

Is he coddling Jeno?

His desire to protect his future and keep him safe comes from a place of love, but maybe that's not enough. Impact outweighs intention, after all.

What would his future self think of how he's caring for his son? Would he encourage him, or would he be upset?

Doyoung doesn't know.

He wonders how his eomoni did it. He wishes she was still around to ask. Now more than ever, he could use the guidance.

Eventually, Doyoung moves to turn off the lights, slipping under the blankets so he can hug them both.

One thing is certain, the sheer gratitude he feels about holding these boys here and now is overwhelming, and he's not going to take a second with them for granted.

Doyoung and Jaehyun don't have much of a choice but to tell Kun and Ten the truth the next morning, given that they had just showed up at their house in a battered state at odd hours with a random adolescent pup.

Granted, only Doyoung claims Jeno as his future son—Jaehyun going very quiet during that part of the conversation. At this point, it doesn't surprise Doyoung, but he can't pretend it doesn't bother him.

Why is Jaehyun so unwilling to admit this?

More than that, why does it bother Doyoung so much?

In the end, he puts it out of his mind in favor of more urgent priorities. They had come to an agreement last night, and this is something Jaehyun needs to work out for himself. Once Doyoung is assured that Jeno is safe with their future selves back in his time, then he can try to tackle his own feelings.

As foolish as he feels recounting the situation aloud, believing that Kun and Ten will dismiss them as crazy, they surprisingly accept the story with little persuasion. Doyoung just assumes it's because the holographic records Jaemin has stored in his database are sound enough evidence.

After breakfast, everyone gathers in the Qians' living room while a news report plays on their television, displaying grainy feeds of Doyoung, Jaehyun, and Jaemin escaping the compound the previous night.

"The two were seen fleeing the JungSynergy Compound during the EMP ambush when the Chrono Ions were stolen," the anchorwoman reports. "Leaving many questions as just a few weeks earlier, the two had created quite the scandal at the STEM Gala sponsored by their abeojis—a scene that speculators believe may have caused both of them to lose their inheritance of JungKim Synergy. Authorities are not ruling this out as a motive for this rather blatant act of betrayal against the JungKim Synergy founders."

Doyoung stares at the screen with his jaw dropped, his chest sinking, caught somewhere between horror and despair.

Shaking his head, he turns his attention to his creation. "Jaemin, I need you to call my abeoji—"

"No, Eomma!" Jeno twists from where he's seated on the couch to face Doyoung, frantically shaking his head. "You can't!"

Doyoung wills his expression to soften, if only to put his future son at ease. "If I just explain everything that has happened, I'm sure Appa will—"

"Eomma," Jaemin interjects with a raised mechanical hand. "I've already disabled my GPS and networking features as a precaution. Any contacting attempts risk disclosing our location."

"And besides having to deal with the feds, there's still the whole killer soldier androids from the future thing," Jaehyun adds. "I think it's probably best if we keep as low of a profile as possible until we see this mission through."

Doyoung frowns. He wants to argue, so sure his abeoji would understand if he could just talk to him.

… He would believe him, right?

As Doyoung's attention turns to headshots of he and Jaehyun displayed on the television, his confidence falters. The evidence of this twisted motive being presented does look pretty damning.

He turns to Kun and Ten, seated together on the opposing adjacent section of the couch. "I'm so sorry we've dragged you into this."

However, Kun just shakes his head. "You don't have to apologize. The Jung family took care of me in a time of need. This is the least we could do."

"Yeah, I think this situation kind of outweighs any educational funding my family supplied," Jaehyun points out.

"It's not about repaying debts," Kun insists. "It's about taking care of the people you care about."

Doyoung's eyes automatically flit over to see that Jaehyun's has met his in return. Quickly lowering his gaze, Doyoung shifts against the couch cushions, suddenly feeling a touch too warm.

On the television, the news report has gone into speculations about the future of JungKim Synergy while displaying a video feed of the Board of Directors at a press conference.

The group in the living room falls into silence, a somber atmosphere taking over the air.

Doyoung's eyes narrow on the screen scrutinizingly, specifically locking onto Jimin Yu.

The conversation he and Jaehyun had with their abeojis after the Gala comes back to him. Knowing how much control the Board of Directors has over the company after encountering the DefenderDroids twists sickly in Doyoung's stomach.

"DefenderDroids are not the future I envisioned for artificial sentience," Doyoung sighs, more to himself than anyone else.

Nevertheless, Jeno responds, "Oh, they're not artificial sentience! Even in the future, Jaemin is the only artificial sentient being in existence."

Doyoung's eyes dart to Jaemin, who looks just as surprised by this revelation.

"You and Appa said Jaemin is too special to replicate," Jeno explains, that soft, full grin taking over his face. "And every competitors' attempts have never taken."

Fondness pulses in Doyoung's chest at the thought, a grin appearing on his lips as he regards his creation, who inclines his head, looking almost shy.

The revelation comforts him. His Jaemin is special, even more than his research. He's glad his future self knows that.

Still, as Doyoung's eyes return to the news report, that feeling fades under the bleak weight that settles over them.

That is until his sight is cut off by Jaehyun moving in front of the television, who abruptly turns it off.

"All right. That's enough of this," he says, turning to face the rest of the group. With his hands on his hips, his attention turns to the eldest alpha. "Kun, I couldn't help but notice that pool you have outside. What do you say we all play a game of volleyball?"

"Excellent idea!" Kun animatedly agrees, rising to his feet.

With a smile, Ten stands after his mate. "We have plenty of swimwear you can borrow."

Meanwhile, Doyoung just sits there more than a little bewildered. "This hardly seems appropriate given the state of things?"

"I disagree," Jaehyun calmly counters.

"Of course, you do," Doyoung huffs under his breath, arms crossing over his chest.

"Look," Jaehyun explains. "Sitting around and wallowing isn't going to solve anything. I think that taking a break and lifting our moods will do us more favors in the long run!"

"Appa's right, Eomma," Jeno adds, rising from where he's seated, only for Jaemin to agreeably follow.

Doyoung gapes in momentary disbelief. Is this constantly being outvoted thing the future he's really signing up for?

Apparently so, seeing as everyone has filed out of the living room, leaving him with no choice but to follow.

If Doyoung had found the downstairs lab artistic and surprisingly inviting, it hardly compares to the rest of the Qian home. It looks like an art museum all around with its fine modern decor, and the outdoors is no different. The pool is a cool blue surrounded by marbled white granite.

Outside, everyone is changed into swimwear. All of Jaemin’s joints have a durable but flexible silicone sealing protecting his internal mechanisms from water damage, allowing him to participate.

Jaehyun is shirtless, and Doyoung is rather astonished to see that the gash from the previous night is gone, only a pink discoloring remaining in its place. However, when he catches himself staring, he quickly averts his attention.

Jaehyun, Jeno, and Jaemin assist Kun with setting up the net across the pool.

Once they have it set up, they split into teams of three: Kun, Jaehyun, and Jaemin on one side, Ten, Doyoung, and Jeno on the other.

They're barely five minutes into their volleyball match when Jaehyun's ridiculousness reaches new heights. Every time Doyoung or one of his teammates bounce the ball over the net, there he is right along the border, launching up and punching it straight down to the water surface on their side, while cheering, “Flux!”

"Jeez, Jung," Doyoung scoffs, wincing away from the splash.

"What?" Jaehyun shrugs from the other side of the net, wearing that pompous grin. "I'm perfectly within the bounds of the game!"

"You need to win so bad, you can't even take it easy on a pup and two omegas?"

"That would be insulting to the athletic prowess of omegas if I were to treat you any different than a team of all alphas!" Jaehyun declares with an exaggeratedly solemn hand over his chest.

Doyoung gives him a hard skeptical look, yet despite himself, he can feel the corners of his mouth attempting to twitch upward. He bites his lips to keep it contained.

The game resumes, and Jaehyun's obnoxious competitiveness persists. Every time his side scores, he jeers loudly, making a big show of clasping Kun and Jaemin's hands.

To make matters worse, he soon discovers that Jeno isn't any better. He is just as overkill with his athleticism—which he has seemingly inherited from his abeoji along with his sense of sportsmanship.

It basically turns into a face-off of the two alphas, who continually egg each other on right at the net. Doyoung's starting to wonder why they even bothered with teams.

Then Jeno gets in a particularly good hit that has Jaehyun lunging in an attempt to catch it, only to dunk himself under the water to no avail.

This time Doyoung can't contain the giggle that tumbles from his lips.

Jaehyun launches back out of the surface with a splash, raking his fingers to drag his hair out of his face. Water cascades down his particularly broad shoulders and defined chest, rivulets dripping through all the cut curves and grooves of his muscles, making him gleam under the gentle rays of the overhead sun.

He sure does look like quite the stark contrast to the little butterball of a pup Doyoung used to play with back in their abeojis’ labs. That really had been so long ago, hadn't it?

However, Doyoung shakes that out of his head the next moment when the inexplicable feeling of eyes on him tugs him from his thoughts. He glances over to see Ten eyeing him subtly but with a definite note of intrigue.

Doyoung quickly jerks his head away, the heat rushing to his cheeks.

He knows how he must've looked, but he was only comparing the difference of how adult Jaehyun looked compared to his childhood self. Anyone that knew him back then would do the same!

Thankfully, no one else seems to have noticed, all attention on Jaehyun as he points to Jeno, boisterously declaring, "That was a foul! You were over the net!"

"No, I wasn't!" Jeno complains, pouting exaggeratedly.

"No, he wasn't!" Doyoung defends, pointing to a different spot. "He was back here! How could he possibly be over the net?"

"You might wanna get your memory checked, Kim," Jaehyun smugly insists. "He was definitely right here!"

"Jaemin!" Doyoung calls across the pool to his creation on the opposing side. "Replay your video record of the last two minutes!"

Turning toward him, a devious smile takes over Jaemin's face which has Doyoung immediately regretting the request. "Would you like me to play the full video record, Eomma?"

That heat returns to Doyoung's face. Apparently, Ten wasn't the only one who caught him looking.

Doyoung twists so abruptly that the water splashes around him as he sharply points to a spot in the pool. "He was back here! I know what I saw!"

"You know what?" Jaehyun grins, that easy smile framed by dimples. "I'll let you guys have this one. The game's not over yet!"

"Oh, how generous of you," Doyoung huffs.

"I'm a generous guy, Kim," Jaehyun adds with a wink.

Doyoung crosses his arms and rolls his eyes, yet the feeling pulsing through his veins is too light to call irritation.

No, this feeling is a lot lighter, energizing, and it spurs him to turn his attention to his future son, whispering, "Jeno! Do that again, and you can have double dessert tonight!"

Jeno beams that Samoyed smile, holding up his thumb.

The game continues with unrelenting alpha competitiveness. Doyoung never would've guessed, but it's admittedly very contagious. Soon, he finds himself just as frequently interjecting with accusations of foul play from the other team as well as making a point to cheer especially loud every time their team scores. He meets Jaehyun's taunts with quick comebacks off his own and repeatedly encourages his future son to "do whatever it takes" to ensure they win.

In the end, they do. And it's the damnedest thing.

Throughout the duration of the game, Jaehyun had been the poorest sport. However, once they officially call it done, he slinks under the net, taking Jeno's hand and clasping the top of his shoulder, complimenting and congratulating him for performing so well.

Not only that, but he pulls Jaemin over, having him and Jeno shake hands, modeling gracious camaraderie.

Doyoung blinks from his vantage point, a little surprised.

More than that though, he's taken by that warm feeling that's reappeared in his chest, the one he's starting to suspect is affection.

There's something else with it though. Pride, perhaps?

Whatever it is, one thing Doyoung can't deny is that he thinks Jaehyun was right, after all. They needed this. He can see that now.

"I could use a bit of a break," Ten says, pulling Doyoung out of his thoughts. "Would you care for a drink?"

"That sounds nice," Doyoung nods, following Ten out of the pool.

Ten leads them over to an outdoor bar set up with a large umbrella propped overhead. Doyoung takes in the sight of it with an admiring gaze.

"The two of you have a lovely home," he comments.

Ten smiles at him, all gleaming teeth. "Thank you! I designed everything. As brilliant as Kun is, the alpha is a complete disaster when it comes to home decor. He couldn't even handle assembling a few clothing rods. You should've seen him."

Doyoung laughs at the mental image that summons. He glances back at the pool to spot the alpha in question. Jaehyun and Kun have taken to hoisting Jeno and Jaemin respectively over their shoulders so they can engage in a wrestling match.

Jeno and Jaemin lock hands, wearing hard, determined expressions with their teeth bared. However, in the end, all four end up toppling over into the water, splashing massive geysers high into the air.

Snorting, Doyoung shakes his head, returning his attention to Ten, who has slipped behind the bar, leaning over to grab what he needs beneath the counter to make their drinks.

It has Doyoung thinking, Kun has become very well known among the STEM crowd for his scientific brilliance, but he can't help but observe that Ten appears to be more of the artistic and creative persuasion.

"Is it hard?" Doyoung asks. "Being mated to someone so different than you?"

That has Ten throwing his head back with a laugh as he rises behind the bar. "I would not want to be mated to a carbon copy of myself. The world can barely handle one of me as it is." Taking out a couple of silicone wine cups, he sets them atop the bar. "Kun and I may have different interests, but it's okay. We support each other's individuality and bring our respective strengths to our relationship."

Doyoung nods vaguely as he takes that in. It makes quite a bit of sense.

"And I'm not saying it's perfect all the time," Ten continues, taking out a wine bottle and popping the cork. "The alpha sure can drive me crazy, and boy, do I take pride in my unique ability to get under his skin." He winks. "But that's the thing about love—real love. It's not this inherent mystical entity that magically solves everything. It's deliberate, it's intentional. You gotta work for it, nurture it."

Pouring Doyoung his glass, the other omega offers it to him, smiling as he adds, "But I promise, it's worth it."

Accepting the silicone cup, Doyoung feels a pang of envy at Ten's words, eyes lowering to the mating mark decorating his neck.

Oddly, Ten's more realistic explanation of love feels more romantic to him than the fantastical portrayals often seen in movies.

He can't help but wonder if he would be able to exercise the patience needed to experience such a love? Would he be able to proactively nurture it?

Before he can stop himself, another voice in the back of his head asks: would Jaehyun?

Flushing, Doyoung hastily sips from his cup, banishing that thought from his head.

He and Jaehyun agreed to be friends, and right now, that's what Doyoung needs them to be. There's just too much at stake, too much that requires his immediate attention for him to try to make sense of the chaos of his emotions.

Ten sets down the wine bottle, leaning down to grab a container of sparkling water to pour for himself before holding his glass up to Doyoung's.

"Cheers!"

They clink their cups together, but Doyoung's eyes follow Ten curiously. While the omega presses the rim of his glass to his lips, his free hand idly falls to his stomach, and that's when Doyoung puts two and two together.

"Are you expecting?" he asks after lowering his cup.

Looking a bit amused, Ten looks down at the fingers splayed over his abdomen. "It's too early to say, but either way, we're trying."

A vicarious warmth spreads through Doyoung's chest. "Are you hoping to have a boy or a girl?"

"It doesn't matter to us," Ten shrugs, taking another drink of his bubbling water.

"Do you have names picked out?"

Ten smiles and nods. "NingNing if we have a girl, and if we have a boy… Renjun."

Doyoung chokes on his next sip of wine.

Ten blinks vaguely alarmed. "You good?"

"Wrong pipe," Doyoung offers as explanation, clearing his throat. "Excuse me."

The sounds of laughter and splashing from the pool catches both their attention, and they fall into a comfortable silence as they settle onto their stools, observing the other four playing in the pool.

Doyoung's eyes fall on Jaehyun, laughing and cheering as Jeno and Jaemin engage in their next contest. His attention drifts to the discoloration across his shoulder, once again awestruck considering how serious the injury had appeared the night before.

"I would be looking the same way if I wasn't already happily mated to my own sexy specimen of an alpha," Ten idly comments before pressing his cup to his lips.

The heat returns to Doyoung's face as he wrenches his eyes away, hastily explaining himself, "It's not like that! I was only admiring your husband's bioengineering work. It really is quite remarkable!"

A catlike grin draws across Ten's face, and he hums in an unconvinced manner.

"I mean it!" Doyoung insists, sweltering despite the shade and gentle breeze.

Ten stirs the sparkling water with his decorative umbrella. "The two of you show up here with your future son, and you're going to tell me nothing is going on between you?"

"Who says Jeno is Jaehyun's son?" Doyoung squeaks out, increasingly flustered.

The disbelieving look that takes over Ten's face is blatant enough for Doyoung to realize how silly he sounds trying to deny it.

"Please. I have eyes!" Ten laughs. "Besides that, Jeno's scent is like the perfect blend of the two of yours. Not to mention the parental instincts seem pretty natural for both of you."

Doyoung's mouth opens, but then his eyes dart back over to the pool, where he sees Jaehyun and Jeno laughing. As he observes the two, Doyoung has a sneaking suspicion that the reason Kun and Ten believed them so easily had little to do with Jaemin's holographic records, after all.

So Ten can see it too. Even if it is stupidly obvious to Doyoung, it still feels validating to hear it from an outside observer.

Nevertheless, with Jaehyun still not verbally acknowledging it himself, Doyoung can't quite bring himself to bask in the feeling.

"It's complicated," Doyoung admits with a sigh, turning away from the pool and taking a generous drink from his cup.

"I'd imagine," Ten snorts. "But the two of you seem to have come a long way since you're Gala incident."

"We've agreed to be friends," Doyoung explains. "That's all."

Ten looks down at the bubbly liquid in his cup, tracing a finger along the edge. "You seemed pretty worried last night when you realized he was injured."

Doyoung huffs defensively. "Well, of course I was! Even if he annoys me to no living end, that doesn't mean I want something to happen to him!"

His heartbeat has picked up, exacerbating the heat on his face that never quite settled. At this point, he'd be insulting his intelligence to try to blame it on the wine.

Still, Ten doesn't need to know that.

"Okay, okay," Ten says placatingly, seemingly backing off. Curiosity lingers in his eyes though, and his tone is a little more cautious when he follows with, "Can I ask you something?"

Doyoung's guard is up, but he keeps the edge out of his voice as he asks in return, "What is it?"

"Where did all the animosity between the two of you come from in the first place?" Ten asks. "Everyone knows that your abeojis have been longtime best friends, and now they're business partners. You would think that you and Jaehyun would naturally follow in their footsteps in that regard as well?"

Doyoung heaves an exasperated breath. This is a rather common curiosity among people, all of whom are easily taken by Jaehyun's surface charms, only because they don't know him the way Doyoung does.

"We weren't always at each other's throats," Doyoung confesses. "In fact, when we were pups, we were quite close."

"What happened?" Ten asks, voice more serious.

Doyoung takes another generous swig to settle his nerves.

And then he tells him.

Although Doyoung admits that taking a break was ultimately a good idea, the very next day, it's back to business. Jeno needs to get back to his own time to restore his and Jaehyun's future selves, and with the ever-looming threat of the DefenderDroids out there somewhere, time feels more urgent than ever.

As it happens, Kun shares Jaehyun's passion for cars—a common interest that had sparked their friendship back in high school, it turns out. As such, his garage is well equipped for Jaehyun and Jeno to tend to the bikes, which had undergone quite a bit of stress after their desperate escape from the DefenderDroids.

While they tend to the bikes themselves, Doyoung inspects the Chrono Ion elements infused in the future version from the microcomputer resting in his palm, projecting a holographic screen. In the weeks leading up to their heist of the Chrono Ions, he and Jaemin had gathered a lot of information about how JungKim Synergy was able to imbue them into physical matter.

Speaking of Jaemin, he's sitting just outside the garage, the door wide open so Doyoung can keep an eye on him. Although he appears to be meditating, in actuality, he's absorbing the solar energy from the sun to recharge. The process gives his outline a faint opalescent shimmer, projecting a deceivingly angelic image.

As Doyoung analyzes the data on his projected screen, he soon concludes that using the present Chrono Ions to reactivate the dormant ones of the future bike is its own process, and they just don't currently possess the equipment to even attempt such a feat.

The containment capsule holds them securely, but Doyoung knows how volatile the Chrono Ions are by themselves. Trying to handle them without the proper equipment could lead to chaos and devastation.

Sighing, Doyoung rubs his forehead, turning toward Jaehyun, who is kneeling next to the present bike with Jeno and Kun. "We need to go to Minjeong."

Jaehyun looks up at him hesitantly. "I don't know about that…"

Doyoung frowns. "Why not?"

"That bike is supposed to be a singular creation between the three of us, right?" Jaehyun asks, pointing to it with his wrench. "But obviously, the suits those DefenderDroids were wearing have time-traveling capabilities too, and I sincerely doubt that either of our future selves put them there, so…?"

It takes a moment for the implication to register, but once it does, it has the indignation flaring through Doyoung's chest. His mouth opens around the impulse to argue, but then his eyes land on Jeno, who is currently engaged in conversation with Kun.

Remembering their deal, Doyoung closes his mouth, swallowing his pride.

"Jung, could you please come have a look at this real quick?" Doyoung asks, holding up the holographic display. His tone is calm, though he gives Jaehyun a pointed look that he hopes he can pick up on.

He appears to, setting down his tools and rising to his feet. "Sure."

As Jaehyun joins him, Doyoung points out a couple of details on the screen while leading him into the corner of the garage behind some of Kun's cars to ensure they're well out of earshot.

Turning to face Jaehyun, Doyoung keeps his voice hushed. "Are you seriously suggesting that my own cousin would send those things after us?"

Jaehyun shrugs. "I'm just saying those things didn't get here on their own, and since we don't know who sent them, we should probably try to be cautious about who we let in on this."

He has a point, Doyoung isn't denying it. It's just this is Minjeong they're talking about. She would cry if she accidentally stepped on a bug. Not to mention she's Doyoung's own blood.

"Well, what about Jimin?" Doyoung counters.

Jaehyun's brow furrows in confusion. "What about her?"

"If someone had motive to try to remove us from the company, she would be a top contender, wouldn't you say?"

Jaehyun hardly appears moved by this. "The Yu's are freaking loaded. They're the last people to have a motive."

"Greed begets more greed," Doyoung insists. "This isn't just about money either. If the DefenderDroids make our nation's military strength the top in the world, that is a lot of power for whoever is in charge! Too much."

"Okay. I see your point," Jaehyun allows, but his lips still purse with stubborn skepticism. He shakes his head. "But no way. Jimin's not like that."

"You're only saying that because she's your friend!" Doyoung whispers, leaning in closer to Jaehyun.

Jaehyun meets him. "You're only accusing her because you feel defensive about Minjeong! Even though I wasn't trying to accuse her!"

Doyoung feels that internal heat rising, that one only Jaehyun can stir, and it is the distant sight of Jeno in his periphery that keeps him from lashing out.

Huffing a breath, Doyoung shakes his head, closing the projection so he can cross his arms over his chest, scowling at the neighboring wall. "Why do you always have to dismiss everything I say?"

"I don't always dismiss everything you say!" Jaehyun defends.

"Yes, you do!" Doyoung's narrowed eyes return to him. "Everything I say, you either brush off or have something negative to counter with. You act like you're so much smarter than me!"

That has Jaehyun laughing. "Oh, please, Kim! We both know you're the brains of this operation."

Another defensive retort opens Doyoung’s mouth, but then the statement catches up to him.

Doyoung’s brain short-circuits, replaying Jaehyun’s words as if uncertain he had heard him correctly.

Bewildered, the only thing he can manage out is a rather dumb sounding, "What?"

"Oh, don't play stupid," Jaehyun snorts. "Everyone knows it. You're top of the class! It's why my abeoji is always getting on me, 'Why can't you be more like Doyoung Kim? Doyoung Kim has it all together! No wonder Dr. Kim is so proud!' You're the smart one, Kim. There's no contest."

Any indignation coursing through Doyoung immediately vanishes.

The strangest sensation overcomes him. He would've assumed that such a revelation would've brought him a great sense of gratification, but that is actually the last thing he feels at that moment.

All he can think about is what Ten had suggested at the pool after Doyoung had told him about he and Jaehyun’s childhood fallout.

Shaking his head out of his thoughts, Doyoung's says more softly, "I didn't know you felt that way."

Jaehyun had made the statements so offhandedly, yet as he takes in Doyoung's expression, a humble sort of surprise widens his eyes, ears turning a tinge pink, as if belatedly realizing he may have accidentally overshared.

With a sheepish grin, Jaehyun rubs the back of his neck. "I guess I just thought it was common knowledge."

"Well, no, I didn't know," Doyoung says. "You didn't tell me."

Dropping his hand, the easygoing expression returns to Jaehyun's face. "Well, I guess the cat's out of the bag! You're the smart one, Kim. Good of you to finally catch up with the rest of us."

Doyoung tries to scoff, but it turns into a chuckle.

However, as he considers the alpha's words, he feels a pang of guilt, and the amusement disappears from his face. "I'm sorry."

Jaehyun arches a brow. "For what?"

"I'm sorry your abeoji compared you to me like that. That's not fair."

He tries to imagine if the shoe were on the other foot, if his abeoji were constantly getting on him to be more like Jaehyun. He thinks he'd have long gone mad.

Jaehyun once again tries for an offhanded comment, "It's not your fault."

"And I don't have it all together," Doyoung sees fit to add. "I'm always doubting myself, wondering if I'm doing the right thing…"

"Ah, the great Doyoung Kim is human, after all," Jaehyun teases.

With a huff, Doyoung lightly slaps Jaehyun's good shoulder, but he doesn't try to conceal the grin this time.

"Don't fret so much, Kim. You're doing a damn good job," Jaehyun says decidedly. His tone takes a more serious turn as he adds, "And I'm sorry too. I wasn't trying to dismiss your suggestions, but yeah, that's kind of what I've been doing. I'll try to be better about it."

"Thank you," Doyoung replies sincerely, surprisingly humbled.

It’s a good feeling, relieving, even. The more he and Jaehyun find common ground, the more Doyoung can see that the animosity between them was largely because of a competition that existed in his head.

What a waste of cognitive energy.

Jaehyun simply smiles in response, and Doyoung's heartbeat starts picking up.

For a moment, he has no idea why, but then he belatedly registers in their silence just how close they're standing together, how Jaehyun's earthy musk is slowly seeping its way into his senses.

This up close, he can't help but wonder, how did he never notice before now just how well Jaehyun's scent matched the rich brown of his eyes? Simultaneously strong and soft, offering a grounding sort of comfort.

Clearing his throat, Doyoung hastily lowers his attention to the microcomputer that has warmed in his palm, hoping to conceal the heat that's taken over his cheeks.

Those kinds of thoughts are not helping him right now, and Doyoung reminds himself that he and Jaehyun agreed to get along only as friends.

Holding up the display, he internally composes himself. "Anyway, back to what I was originally saying, I'm going to need Minjeong's help to reactivate the Chrono Ions in the future bike. At the very least, we need the proper equipment. There's just no way around it."

Jaehyun nods in agreement. He looks over to the bikes with a contemplative sort of expression.

"Johnny," he decides after a moment.

"Hm?" Doyoung tilts his head curiously.

"One of my classmates. A fellow mechanical engineering student," Jaehyun explains, returning his attention to Doyoung. "Transferred from the States. He's kind of an eccentric genius, and he's a good guy."

"Would he have the equipment we need?" Doyoung asks.

"Oh, yeah! His shop is way flux," Jaehyun says, and Doyoung can't help but roll his eyes on Jeno's behalf. "And it's well away from QIT and the compound. It's just a matter of getting a hold of him and getting us there without attracting any sort of outside attention."

"Right," Doyoung sighs, feeling a touch uncertain.

"But I'll take care of it!" Jaehyun quickly assures him, touching his bicep. "Don't worry. We'll get him home."

His confidence pushes out any reservations Doyoung may have had with surprising ease. He's not sure if it's the tone of his voice, the hand on his arm, perhaps a little of both.

Whatever the reason, Doyoung simply nods in return. "We will."

They rejoin the others in the garage, where Jaemin has finished charging. He and Doyoung sit back down by the future bike together, and Doyoung pulls up the holographic display of his microcomputer.

Glancing over, he watches Jaehyun and Jeno laughing together as they devote their attention to the present bike with Kun.

Warmth pulses up Doyoung's neck, and his eyes hastily dart back to the screen. However, as he swipes through the displayed data, his mind drifts away, taking him back to the pool the previous day to his and Ten's conversation.

"What happened?" Ten had asked, voice more serious.

Doyoung took another generous swig to settle his nerves.

"Adolescence is what happened," Doyoung explained. "When Jung was a pup, he was this little round butterball. We would tinker in our abeojis' labs—with age-appropriate equipment, of course. I have to admit…" He sighed musingly as he recounted, "Between our mutual imaginations, we could come up with some incredible things."

Heaving a breath, Doyoung's expression hardened, years-long indignation picking up in his veins. "Then puberty hit him like a ton of bricks, and it completely changed him. He became the most arrogant show-off! He didn't want to collaborate with me anymore. Anything I came up with, he had to one-up! He thought all his creations were so much better. He was gloating and bragging non-stop!"

Ten cocked a brow but remained quiet.

"And when I got annoyed, he just found it funny," Doyoung continued. "Every time I called out his behavior, Jung would just double down, rub his supposed successes in my face, laughing when I'd get angry." His words cut off with a huff, and he downed the last dregs of his wine.

God, it felt like he was releasing a floodgate. Every time he tried to explain to Appa what a pompous, rude show-off Jaehyun was, it was like it fell on deaf ears. Now that he could let this out, he couldn't stop it.

"Eventually, I threw enough of a tantrum that Appa didn't force me to play with him anymore, but that hardly stopped him. Throughout school, he was constantly shoving his new creations in my face! Always going on about whatever awards and acknowledgments he received for them! He was always putting on a big show right in front of me, acting as if everything he did was so great!"

Setting down his empty cup, Doyoung crossed his arms, seething.

"The worst part is that when he got older, other omegas started to notice his antics and actually bought into it!" Doyoung pointedly frowned. "And all that's done is validated him! Made his head bigger!"

"Has it?" Ten asked nonchalantly, propping an elbow against the bar top and resting his chin atop his hand. He peered at Doyoung with the utmost interest.

"You've seen how he behaves in public!" Doyoung tossed out an arm in emphasis.

"I have," Ten allowed, his gaze drifting back over to the pool. "And suddenly, it makes so much sense."

Doyoung's brow twisted in confusion. "What does?"

"You said this started during puberty?"

"Yes."

"Interesting…" Ten mused, lifting his head and occupying himself with the umbrella in his cup again. "Very interesting…"

Doyoung was starting to find himself impatient with Ten's elusiveness. "What?"

"I mean, I know I wasn't there or anything, but," Ten shrugged, then smiled up at Doyoung, dazzling and oh so knowing, "it sounds to me like Mr. Jung has been trying to impress you for a very long time."

Doyoung's eyes widened, mouth opening with immediate denial, but an ambush of memories flooded his mind the very next moment, rendering him silent.

He recalled some ten years earlier when Jaehyun showed up at the lab one day—taller, less round, and more broad, voice squeaking every few words.

Doyoung just wanted to play like they always did, but Jaehyun couldn't stop talking about how he was an alpha now, he didn't play with toys anymore. That was for pups!

Instead, he brought his bicycle that he fitted with JungCorp tech to power it and kept insisting Doyoung watch all the tricks he could do, boasting about what a strong alpha he was becoming.

When he inevitably crashed while trying to jump off a ramp, Doyoung didn't feel the least amount of pity for him.

At the time, he had been so hurt, feeling dismissed and belittled that Jaehyun thought he was so much better than him and their inventions.

Looking back at it though through the frame Ten just posed… had that just been adolescent Jaehyun's attempt at alpha posturing?

It was a rather embarrassing display, granted, but then again, they were thirteen.

As more childhood memories of similar displays played in his mind, his heartbeat picked up, that internal heat swirling with a vengeance.

"No!" Doyoung impulsively snapped once he came to, too overwhelmed by the possibility and what it might mean to even consider it. "No, he's not trying to impress me. He's trying to one-up me! There's a difference!"

With a curious tilt of his head, Ten then directed his gaze back to the pool. "How did Jung end up with that injury exactly?"

Doyoung paused, momentarily derailed, but then he answered, "A DefenderDroid was closing in on me and the boys. Jung pushed us out of the way."

Ten just hummed.

The unspoken point the other omega was trying to make hit its mark, but what Ten was suggesting couldn't be true. It just couldn't.

Doyoung vigorously shook his head. "That's not— He couldn't—"

Words eluded him. Doyoung's feelings were already confusing enough without adding this on top of it.

All those flashy entrances, all those social media shows, all his popularity among his QIT peers. Jaehyun had more than his fair share of validation.

From all but one.

Feeling something like borderline panic, Doyoung finally spat out, "If he's been trying to impress me, he sure has been going about it in a really stupid way!"

"No argument here," Ten agreed dryly. "He is an alpha, after all. What do you expect?"

Doyoung's head shot back to the pool as if he could maybe discern the truth by looking at the alpha hard enough. However, when he looked over this time, Jaehyun's eyes caught his. He smiled—gentle and dimple-framed.

The omega's heart rattled against the inside of his sternum. Whether he was panicking or it was something else, he couldn't be sure.

Whipping his head back to the bar, Doyoung clasped his empty cup, extending it toward Ten. "Could I have another glass?"

With a laugh, Ten took it. "Sure thing, darling."

Chapter Text

That evening, as Doyoung is preparing for bed in borrowed pajamas, he's just finished brushing his teeth, dabbing his face with a towel, when Jaemin bursts into the bathroom.

"Eomma! Please follow me! It's urgent!"

Doyoung spins around, dropping the towel, immediately on alert. "What is it?"

Rather than explaining, Jaemin snatches his wrist, hastily leading him through the house, which only twists at Doyoung's sense of unease.

"Jaemin?" he inquires, stumbling after his creation. "What is it? What's going on?"

They approach a set of sliding glass doors, where Jaemin leads Doyoung to a balcony overlooking the pool.

Jaehyun is also present on the balcony, looking as perplexed as Doyoung feels while Jeno stands next to him.

The second Jeno spots Jaemin, his face lights up. Shoving a daisy into Jaehyun's startled grasp, he then clasps his android brother's hand, and the two haul themselves over the ledge—though not before Jaemin tosses back a small black sphere that clicks with micro-metallic components as it mounts itself in the middle of the balcony.

The sphere ignites a holographic animation of surrounding stars, creating quite the spectacular scene out here in the dark of the night with only the blue glow of the pool to provide light. When a catchy but notably romantic song projects from some hidden speaker within—and Doyoung takes in the fact that he and Jaehyun are now standing on this balcony alone while the alpha is holding a flower—it catches up to him what just happened.

He might feel a little more flustered about it, but given the danger of their current circumstances, that takes a back seat to the indignation that overcomes him. Huffing, Doyoung marches over to the balcony ledge, leaning over as he calls out, "Boys! That's not funny! You scared me half to death!"

Behind him, Jaehyun chuckles.

Doyoung whips around, crossing his arms and lifting a brow. "Oh, you're amused by this?"

Grinning, Jaehyun shrugs. "They pulled a fast one on us both, Kim. Wit and nerve like that deserves admiration, don't you think?"

The impulse to argue sits on Doyoung's tongue, but when he takes in the soft grin on Jaehyun's face, he just can't quite form the words.

"Ah." Jaehyun sighs, looking down at the flower in his hands. He then offers it to Doyoung with a slightly dramatic flourish. "I believe I'm supposed to give this to you."

Doyoung snorts, glancing at the daisy skeptically, arms still crossed. "It doesn't mean much if you're being put up to it."

"Come on, Kim. They put a lot of thought into this!" Jaehyun gestures to the projections of stars twinkling around them. "They're probably out there watching and snickering. We should at least humor them, don't you think?"

Arching a brow, Doyoung remains unmoving, a part of him wondering if Jaehyun is mocking him.

However, his conversation with Ten creeps back into his mind.

"But it sounds to me like Mr. Jung has been trying to impress you for a very long time."

It's enough to have Doyoung's guard faltering. Posture relaxing, he reaches forward to accept the daisy, holding it to his chest while he makes a show of dropping his head back, knuckles against his forehead as if feeling faint. "Should I pretend to swoon now?"

"It probably wouldn't hurt," Jaehyun teases.

Breathing a laugh, Doyoung lightly slaps his chest.

The music takes a slow turn, and Jaehyun holds out his hand. "Care to dance?"

"Since when do you dance?" Doyoung asks, surprised. Or perhaps just finding an excuse to hesitate.

Jaehyun smiles easily. "I love dancing!"

"I didn't know that."

"There's a lot you don't know about me, Kim."

Doyoung rolls his eyes, though it's more playful than derisive.

Jaehyun's offered hand still waits expectantly. Tentatively, Doyoung takes it.

It's not because of the boys. Although Doyoung doesn't doubt they're out there spying with excited expectation as Jaehyun had suggested, he wouldn't let himself be pressured into doing something he wasn't comfortable with.

No, that's not it.

Perhaps he simply wants to entertain the curiosity of what it would feel like to be close to the alpha, even if they're just pretending. Maybe, just maybe, he might be able to catch a hint if there's any truth to Ten's theory. And while he still doesn't appreciate that the boys made him worry, this setup does conveniently allow Doyoung to explore both ideas.

Smile widening, Jaehyun curls his hand around Doyoung's, tugging him in so that his other hand can fit into the curve of his back.

Doyoung's heartbeat picks up. His awareness locks entirely onto the two strong hands holding him, purging all other thought from his mind.

It's funny, really. Before, when they were in a dangerous situation and Doyoung was bordering on overwhelmed during the height of his emotions, it was like Jaehyun's touch grounded him. Now, here, in the calm, quiet of the night, it's having the opposite effect.

Jaehyun's scent invades his nostrils with every breath, simultaneously soothing and stimulating. With the way those warm brown eyes are so close to his, looking right into him, Doyoung is starting to think maybe this wasn't such a smart move on his end, after all.

He averts his gaze, and all he can do is hope that the outside is dim enough that the warmth on his face isn't obvious.

"You seem tense," Jaehyun comments.

"I don't know how to dance," Doyoung says, which isn't entirely true, though with how he feels in that moment, it may as well be.

"It's not that hard," Jaehyun replies. "Just follow my lead."

Still holding the daisy, Doyoung allows his hand to rest against the front of Jaehyun's shoulder. Jaehyun's hand squeezes his, the other pressing the silk into his back as he leads them into a gentle sway in time with the flow of the music.

It's quite remarkable how Jaehyun's touch can simultaneously be both so strong and so gentle.

Jaehyun smiles, and although the dimples make their appearance, what Doyoung notices most of all is how genuine it appears—no smugness, no teasing, just Jaehyun.

He really is effortlessly handsome. Not even wearing pajamas can dull that fact.

There's just no denying it to himself at this point: Doyoung's attracted to the alpha, completely taken by his presence, whether he likes it or not.

Still, it's hard to lose himself to that feeling. It's like he's bracing himself at any moment for Jaehyun to ruin it by taunting him, insisting that Doyoung is enjoying this too much.

The song changes to a soulful R&B melody that fits the moment, fits the alpha. Around them, the shimmering stars fade into a soft glow of purple and pink, like the two of them are hidden away into their own little piece of the galaxy.

"Oh!" Jaehyun gently exclaims, taking in their new settings amused as he continues to lead the way with the new beat. "Atmospheric changes! Ah, look at that! There's a supernova and everything. Didn't miss a detail."

Doyoung's head turns to see that, sure enough, there is.

"He's quite amazing. Jaemin," Jaehyun says, and it has Doyoung blinking back to the alpha.

He follows with the very last thing Doyoung would've expected to hear from him: "You should've won the award."

"What?" Doyoung replies on impulse, too surprised for anything else. He wants to pinch himself, so sure this must be a dream.

"You heard me," Jaehyun insists. "You didn't just develop artificial sentience, you created Jaemin. None of what the rest of us made even compare."

Doyoung's lips part, yet words still fail him, cheeks warming as what Jaehyun is saying settles in.

Oh, what Doyoung would've given to hear such a declaration just weeks earlier. But just like some of the other revelations Jaehyun has delivered lately, this isn't quite hitting him with the satisfaction Doyoung would've expected.

He does feel a pulse of pride, but it's warm, heartfelt—touched that Jaehyun can see how special his Jaemin is, rather than taking it as validation toward his own accomplishments.

"Not to mention," Jaehyun adds with a playful grin. "He really saved our asses back there."

Doyoung exhales a chuckle, though once again, he doesn't feel the superior sense of satisfaction that he once would have. Instead, he thinks of Ten's suggestion, about Jaehyun's accidental oversharing.

"So did your suits," Doyoung finds himself admitting. "They really are incredible work, Jung."

Jaehyun shakes his head dismissively. "All I did was refine preexisting suits. If I didn't upgrade them, someone else would've."

This is quite the different sight from the egotistical alpha Doyoung was so sure he knew. He kind of can't believe it.

Nor can he believe just how sincere the sound of his own voice is as he insists, "Don't discount yourself! You've clearly put a lot of work into them. You didn't just upgrade them, you elevated them to an entirely new level—one that saved our lives! And…"

A flush takes over Doyoung's cheeks, shame he never expected to feel finally catching up to him several weeks after the fact. Swallowing, he continues more quietly, "And I had no right to dismiss your recognition like that."

"Please, Kim, that event was a total sideshow," Jaehyun snorts. "You were right. I won because of my popularity, not my work."

"I don't think that's true…" Doyoung insists, surprised to find that he means it, just as he's surprised to find that it makes him feel somewhat indignant that Jaehyun would believe such a thing. "Regardless, I had no right to question it or make a scene like that in the middle of the Gala. You earned that award."

"Eh, it was just a cheap hunk of plastic anyway," Jaehyun waves off with a shrug.

Doyoung can't help but laugh, and when Jaehyun joins him, it feels a lot like the daisy in his fingertips is blooming in his chest.

It occurs to Doyoung that they have probably well exceeded the obligatory period of humoring the boys, but Jaehyun is still holding him, moving them to the beat while the song and scene changes again. He doesn't appear to be in any hurry to end this, so Doyoung doesn't see why he should either.

Yet as he looks at Jaehyun, something nags at the back of Doyoung's mind. It’s something he tucked away, but in the quiet of the moment, is insistently making itself known.

He feels a little embarrassed for wanting to bring it up, yet having Jaehyun here like this, both their walls currently lowered, he can't stop himself from asking, "Do you really think I coddle Jeno?"

The easy confidence that Jaehyun has carried since Doyoung first took his hand out here falters for the first time, and he exhales a light sigh, eyes lowering. "I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry."

"But do you think that?" Doyoung persists, oddly finding that he is genuinely concerned about Jaehyun's opinion.

"I think…" Jaehyun's gaze meets his again, and if Doyoung didn't know better, he would say there's something wistful lingering within, "…that you love him unconditionally. And that he's very lucky to have an eomma who does."

The words are touching, of course, but there's something else accompanying them, something very disarming.

It's almost like there's a touch of melancholy underlying his tone, but why?

Then Doyoung has the most absurd thought: what if Jaehyun is jealous that Doyoung has shown Jeno unconditional love from the get-go? What if that is what's causing Jaehyun to hesitate to embrace him as his son?

The thought sounds so crazy, so impossible.

Yet as Doyoung considers everything Jaehyun has done since Jeno arrived, the way he has behaved versus the words that he's spoken, somehow it just… feels like it makes a whole lot of sense, especially when he factors Ten's suggestion into the equation.

Another realization catches up to Doyoung. Because if Jaehyun does feel that way, he has not harbored an ounce of resentment toward Jeno. Not with the way he has laughed and played with him, taken him into his home, let him into his shop—working with him, teaching him, bonding with him.

Regardless of what he has said to Doyoung, everything Jaehyun has done for the young alpha has come from a place of his best interest, out of genuine care.

Even when he's pushed Jeno in ways Doyoung didn't agree with, he was pushing him to be stronger, the way an alpha ought to push their son.

No. If Jaehyun feels jealous, he hasn't taken this out on Jeno, not at all.

A new wave of heat fills Doyoung's veins, the realization gripping his chest in a way that aches. It has the words tumbling from his lips before he can think better of them, "Jeno and I are really lucky, you know, having an alpha as strong and capable as you looking out for us. There's no way we could've gotten as far as we have without you."

Jaehyun's brows lift.

"Jaemin too!" Doyoung quickly adds, smiling fondly as he realizes the truth of his own words. "I swear, the more time he spends around you and Jeno, the more human he becomes. You've welcomed them both into your home without question, and I just…"

A flush takes over Doyoung's cheeks, yet he doesn't shy away from it, eyes locked with Jaehyun's as he continues, "I just really appreciate that."

Jaehyun's surprised expression remains, and Doyoung can't blame him. Then amusement flickers onto his lips, and he replies with a simple, "Oh."

He's regarding Doyoung rather curiously, the look in his eyes causing his inner omega to stir.

"What?" Doyoung quietly asks.

Smiling, Jaehyun shakes his head. "I'm just wondering who you are, exactly, and what you've done with Kim Doyoung?"

Scoffing, Doyoung rolls his eyes, though he has a grin drawn across his lips.

"The Kim Doyoung I know would've used this opportunity to step on my toes several times over by now," Jaehyun adds.

"I can still start!" Doyoung threatens.

"Ah, there you are!" Jaehyun laughs.

Doyoung once again joins him, finding that he enjoys the feeling in his chest every time this happens. Jaehyun's playfulness is contagious, and Doyoung says softly, "Maybe there's a lot about me you don't know either."

"Maybe not," Jaehyun agrees, voice low, like a gentle caress over the continued music. "I'd like to find out if you'd let me."

"I think that could be arranged," Doyoung replies, surprised by how breathless his own voice sounds.

Jaehyun smiles. "Flux."

Another laugh slips from Doyoung's lips, and when did his heart start fluttering? When did his knees suddenly feel weak, his eyelids heavy?

At what point did the heat in his veins become a molten pool, melting him from the inside out like warm honey?

There's barely an inch of space between them. Jaehyun's thumb is rubbing small circles into his palm, the hand on his back gently massaging the silk of Doyoung's top into his skin. That warm earthy musk is melding with his cool camphor and what an intoxicating combination this is.

Oh, God… Are they having a moment?

It feels like they're having a moment.

He sure hopes they're having a moment.

Because, sure, Doyoung told himself he would try to sort through his feelings toward Jaehyun once they were able to return Jeno safely to his own time with the Chrono Ions. But if this moment is unfolding between them organically, then who was he to deny it?

Doyoung wets his lips, allowing the feeling expanding inside his chest to take over.

Then in the distance, Jeno's shouting voice breaks the atmosphere, and it takes everything in Doyoung not to let his inner omega's frustrated scream manifest externally.

With an exasperated sigh, he turns his attention over the balcony in the direction the sound had come from. "Oh, what is it now?"

"Eomma!" Jaemin's voice cries, the fear palpable. "Eomma, we need help!"

Doyoung's eyes shoot back to Jaehyun, urgent.

Jaehyun doesn't hesitate. "Come on!"

They rush for the balcony ledge. Jaehyun hauls himself over with minimal exertion while Doyoung takes a little longer to pull one leg over then the other. Hanging off the other side, he looks down and only then realizes what a significant drop it is.

Jaehyun moves under him, arms up. "Just let go! I'll catch you!"

Nodding, Doyoung pushes back past the knot in his stomach telling him to hold on, releasing the ledge.

Jaehyun catches him against his chest with a grunt, and Doyoung impulsively tosses his arms around the back of his neck. Their eyes lock, hearts racing as they furiously pound against each other, but the boys are still screaming.

Setting Doyoung down to his feet, Jaehyun takes his hand, and the two race off to where they find Jaemin looking more than a little shaken by one of the hedges lining the perimeter.

"Here!" Jaemin cries, the genuine despair overwhelming his voice shaking Doyoung's core. "We're over here!"

Doyoung wants to ask what's happening, but his eyes fall on Jeno next to him. He's on his hands and knees, phasing in and out of existence as if he were a hologram coming from a faulty projection.

"Jeno!" Doyoung shrieks, rushing down to his knees next to him. Jaehyun drops to his other side.

"Eomma!" Jeno chokes, terror twisting all of his features flickering in and out of view. "Help me! Help!"

"I'm here!" Doyoung tries to assure him despite the cracked strain of his own voice. Between he and Jaehyun, they pull Jeno to lay back against their arms. Each of them takes one of the pup's hands. "We're here. Hold onto us!"

Jeno's grip constricts, and Doyoung squeezes right back, as if the sheer will of his heart possesses the power to tether Jeno to existence. It's all he can do. He feels more hopeless than when they were surrounded by the DefenderDroids.

Perhaps between he and Jaehyun, they do possess that ability because Jeno finally re-materializes, solid and whole in their holds.

"It's okay!" Doyoung promises, be it to himself or Jeno, he couldn't say. "You're okay! We're here."

"No, no, no!" Even though he's fully re-materialized, Jeno's overwhelmed by panic, chest rapidly heaving as he hyperventilates, body trembling violently. "I'm gonna disappear. I'm gonna disappear!"

"You're not!" Doyoung insists, his conviction unyielding. "We're here! We're here with you."

Jeno just desperately gasps.

"Breathe, my love," Doyoung gently urges. "Just breathe."

On instinct, Doyoung sings, the words flowing from his lips,

"From the seed first planted
Until the yellow leaf descends
I love you

From the first drop on stone
Until the canyon bends
I love you

From the star's first light
Until the black hole's end
I love you

Whether we have seconds or minutes
Days or years
A thousand lifetimes or one
I'll never fear
For my love for you transcends all time

So when we reach the end
Please don't cry, my dear
I await you in the next life
And in all the space between there and here
I love you

Forever
I love you."

The song is like a blanket, and gradually, Doyoung feels Jeno's trembling ease, watching his chest slow as his panicked breaths settle into something calm and steady. The clutch on his hand relaxes, and Doyoung affectionately brushes his thumb over his knuckles.

Lifting his head to regard Jaehyun, Doyoung isn't prepared for the gaze the alpha has fixed on him, intense yet soft, as if entranced by a spell.

Heat flushes over Doyoung's cheeks, recalling how he had felt on the balcony the moment before Jeno's shout interrupted them.

But given this development, Doyoung has no choice but to put that aside for later. Shaking his head, he looks over to Jaemin, who has knelt next to him.

"What happened? What was that?"

"I suspect that your future selves must be progressively ceasing to exist wherever you are caught," Jaemin poses. "If that happens, eventually all versions of you will disappear, and if you never exist, then neither does Jeno. Not even his fully functional suit can protect him from that."

Jeno whimpers, and Doyoung bites his tongue to contain his anguish, not wishing to cause his future son further distress.

"How long do you think we have?" Jaehyun asks.

Jaemin shakes his head. "Days. Seconds. It's impossible to say. Time is relative."

Doyoung squeezes Jeno tighter, as if afraid he will disappear the moment he lets go.

He looks to Jaehyun again, practically pleading, "We have to go now. We need to get the Chrono Ions in that bike reactivated. I need Minjeong's help to do so. We can't risk wasting even a moment."

"You're right," Jaehyun agrees. "Let's go."

"Incredible…" Minjeong breathes awestruck for the umpteenth time as she absorbs the projection hovering over Jaemin's palm displaying the future Suzuki's specs. She swipes through the various readings. "Incredible… This confirms so many of my theories and gives me even more."

They're in Johnny's workshop. The space is generously equipped as Jaehyun had promised, all concrete, an assortment of machinery strewn about—which, Doyoung notices, Johnny has affixed each with giant googly eyes to give them happy faces and labeled with rather interesting name choices, like Sparky McWireface, Mr. Whirly, and the Torqueinator. Meanwhile, the walls that aren't occupied by shelves of equipment or glass containment displays sport vintage-style posters of classic video games and old cartoons.

Jaehyun hadn't hesitated, reaching out to his fellow alpha classmate and loading them all up so they could make a hasty relocation to the workshop—though not before thanking Kun and Ten for their generous hospitality.

Doyoung contacted Minjeong, apologizing for the lateness of the hour. However, when he briefed her about their future, she was all too excited to see the time-traveling bike she'll eventually help develop with her own eyes.

"Do you think we could reactivate the dormant Chrono Ions?" Doyoung asks her. "Time is of the essence."

"Well," Meeting Doyoung's gaze, Minjeong smiles. "You said yourself, we've done it already!"

"Technically, we haven't done it yet," Doyoung corrects.

"Then let's start!" Minjeong beams.

Thankfully, in the days that follow, Jeno doesn't experience another episode like he had that night.

Everyone is hard at work, Doyoung and Minjeong collaborating to reactivate the Ions while Jeno, Jaehyun, and Johnny take to Jaehyun's suits, repairing the damage to Jaehyun's while analyzing the details of Jeno's suit from the future to help them upgrade the present models.

After the scare of Jeno almost disappearing, Doyoung is dedicated to his work now more than ever.

Nevertheless, every now and then, Doyoung will hear the sound of Jaehyun's voice from one of Johnny's workstations, and he can't help but glance over at him, remembering that moment on the balcony.

Doyoung had been so sure that he felt something, that it was mutual, that they were only a breath away from a moment that would've changed the relationship between the two of them forever.

Just the thought of it has warm little sparks fluttering through Doyoung's chest.

Yet as soon as he catches himself getting lost to the memory and the feeling, he just as quickly pushes those thoughts aside. He can't afford distractions of any kind. Not until they get Jeno back to his time and safe.

Still, it's admittedly easier said than done, especially when Doyoung keeps finding himself in surprising, unexpected situations.

Like one time when Minjeong is observing the Ions in Johnny's synthesizing chamber, and Jaehyun stops by to inquire about her work. Minjeong gushes away, and Doyoung can't help but notice the way her cheeks go pink and she shyly bats her eyelashes.

This isn't new behavior from Minjeong. Doyoung knows his cousin always harbored an innocent crush on the alpha, the way so many omegas do.

In the past, such behavior only made Doyoung roll his eyes. However, in this moment, as he watches her giggle while twirling a lock of hair in the face of Jaehyun's dimples, that sharp pulse that goes off in Doyoung's veins isn't annoyance but outright anger.

It must show on his face because when Jaehyun moves on and Minjeong notices Doyoung at the worktable across from her, she immediately looks abashed, returning to her work with her head inclined like a puppy with its tail between its legs.

Needless to say, no more blushing, eyelash-batting incidents occur after that.

However, what does occur startles Doyoung into a whole new level of bewilderment.

He and Jaemin are standing next to the synthesizer, two minds held closely together as they pore over the Ions' data displayed on Jaemin's projected holographic screen when Johnny approaches them.

When Jaehyun described Johnny as an "eccentric genius," he had truly hit the mark. The alpha is intelligent and lively. He was eager to help and more than welcoming.

He's also rather tall and handsome with his broad build, tousled brown locks, and boyish smile. Not that Doyoung was checking him out or anything. It's just an objective observation that no one could possibly miss.

"Wow," Johnny praises, head tilting curiously as he regards Jaemin on Doyoung's other side. "I've seen many an artificial intelligent android before, but you are on another level."

"Oh, Jaemin isn't artificial intelligence," Doyoung explains quickly. "He's artificial sentience."

"Really?" Johnny further inquires, not even trying to hide how impressed he is. "So he's not just operating off of pre-programmed algorithms then? This is genuine consciousness?"

"Yes, exactly!" Doyoung replies, unable to contain his enthusiasm over the matter. "You would have no idea how many people can't seem to grasp the difference."

"Oh, I bet I could," Johnny laughs, easy and charming. "And you created him?"

"I did," Doyoung nods.

"Incredible!"

With a grin, Doyoung bows his head. "Thank you."

"If not for the glow, I would've thought he was your biological son. Seeing as he has your good looks and all," Johnny adds with a wink.

Doyoung can't help but laugh sheepishly, warmth taking over his face.

Then Jaehyun loudly clears his throat, wedging himself into the bit of space between Doyoung and Johnny in a not-so-subtle display. "Jaemin really is something, isn't he? Did you know that Doyoung didn't program him to call him, ‘Eomma?’ Jaemin asked him if he could. It says a lot about their relationship, doesn't it?"

Doyoung makes a surprised sound, completely caught off guard by this intrusion, wincing as Jaehyun's insertion forces him to sidestep.

His first thought is that even for Jaehyun, this is rather outlandish. His next thought is that this blatant display of alpha posturing is completely ridiculous.

But then what Jaehyun just said catches up to Doyoung, and he replays it in his head. He doesn't think he ever told Jaehyun that.

Doyoung's attention turns to his creation, who simply smiles.

He's noticed Jaehyun and Jaemin speaking together before, but could it be that Jaemin and Jaehyun are having deeper conversations?

The idea settles warm in Doyoung's chest, but he doesn't get to bask in that feeling for long before Jaehyun's elevated voice continues, "I love this guy!" He maneuvers his way over to Jaemin's side, slinging an arm around the back of his neck. "He saved my life and everything. I'm forever in his debt!"

"You don't owe me anything, Jaehyun," Jaemin insists, wearing a sincere smile.

However, as his eyes shift over to Doyoung, his expression takes more of a knowing, amused turn that has the heat reappearing across the omega's cheeks.

"So humble too!" Jaehyun adds, hugging him closer. "Yeah, only Kim Doyoung possesses both the intellect and heart to create someone like Jaemin."

Doyoung's head jerks in surprise. If the first declaration had taken him aback, that's nothing compared to what he feels now.

Intellect and heart?

Even if the alpha's unsubtle display is causing Doyoung a lot of secondhand embarrassment, he still can't help but feel moved by such a sentiment.

"Definitely," Johnny agrees. He starts to step backward, gesturing over his shoulder with his thumb. "I'm just gonna go have a look at the suits are doing in Ol’ NanoForgey."

"Yeah, why don't you do that," Jaehyun replies, tone a little too stiff to sound natural.

Johnny smiles and nods before leaving, and Doyoung gives Jaehyun a disbelieving look, who only smiles back at Doyoung, having the decency to look a little sheepish even if he doesn't appear entirely apologetic.

"Just going to go see what Jeno's up to," Jaehyun then says decidedly, patting Jaemin's shoulder before heading off.

"All right then," Doyoung replies with an unbelieving snort.

The grin lingers on Jaemin's face, and it occurs to Doyoung that perhaps his creation's motivation behind pushing he and Jaehyun together might be for more than only Jeno's sake.

It's like a generous pulse to the already spreading warmth in his chest, though Doyoung pushes it aside when Jaemin's grin takes a smug turn as he glances at him.

"Stop," Doyoung whispers, lightly smacking his arm with the back of his hand.

Still, even as he returns to swiping through the data display, he has to bite on the inside of his lip to keep from grinning.

Later, Jaehyun surprises Doyoung again when he approaches him while he and Minjeong work diligently to develop crude but functional attachments that will allow them to hook up the future bike to Johnny's synthesizer.

"Hey," Jaehyun says, standing next to him. "Johnny and I made some suit enhancements, and the boys want to test them out."

"Okay," Doyoung replies without pausing from his work.

"I wanted to make sure that was okay with you first."

That has Doyoung pausing, looking at the alpha in surprised consideration. For a moment, he hesitates, searching the alpha's expression for any hint of mocking, of any signs he might disregard Doyoung's input, but he finds nothing of the sort.

Interestingly, with Jaehyun approaching him about the subject honestly, valuing his input, Doyoung doesn't find his maternal instincts automatically going into a fit of defensive panic.

"You'll be supervising them?" Doyoung asks.

"Of course," Jaehyun nods.

Doyoung resumes his work. "Then I don't see why that should be a problem."

"Flux!"

Doyoung rolls his eyes, though he can't help but snort as well. Jaehyun starts to leave when Doyoung turns after him. "Oh, and Jung? Thank you."

Jaehyun just smiles easily. "No problem."

He returns to his work, but when he overhears the group affixing the suits, he can't help but stop and simply observe them.

Jaehyun smiles as he places a hand on Jeno's shoulder, pointing to the holographic settings screen emitting from his bracer while both the pup and Jaemin watch attentively.

Things have felt different between him and Jaehyun ever since they were able to escape the DefenderDroids with their lives that evening. It's like a whole other side of Jaehyun that Doyoung didn't realize existed has been unlocked.

Or maybe it's a side of himself that's been unlocked? Perhaps he's simply seeing the same Jaehyun that's always been there with entirely new eyes?

Maybe it's a little bit of both.

Whatever the case, he likes it, he can't deny it. He likes how Jaehyun interacts with the boys, not only protective but playful, bringing out their joyous sides.

It's not just Jaehyun's paternal instincts that are appealing to him either. Doyoung likes how he feels with Jaehyun, grounded and safe—not only from external threats, but it's like the alpha knows how to handle Doyoung's vulnerabilities too, maybe even better than Doyoung does himself sometimes.

And now that he's not blinded by his pride, Doyoung has to admit that even the alpha's more ridiculous antics are actually pretty amusing. He's found himself smiling and laughing a lot more these last few days than he thinks he has the previous several weeks—or even before Jeno arrived.

It's such a surreal feeling, thinking of Jaehyun this way, feeling this for him. Weeks ago, he never would've believed it, not in a million years, yet here he is.

He likes this.

He likes him.

Grinning, Doyoung returns his attention to the work table, only to spot Minjeong regarding him with a rather peculiar expression out of the corner of his eye.

It startles Doyoung, and he looks at her with a questioning crease of his brow, but his cousin merely smiles, resuming their task at hand.

After a tireless amount of work with little sleep and time for meals, the moment finally arrives when they achieve what had previously felt like the impossible. Suited up, Jeno straddles the future bike, starting the engine, giving it a few good revs.

Doyoung watches him with anticipation, impulsively tugging at the collar of his shirt against the warmth that's taken over the garage.

As the engine revs, the bike's frame then lights up with a soft, neon green luminance that grows steadily brighter, captivating all present with awed gasps.

Excitement pulses through Doyoung's chest as the reactivated Chrono Ions glint in his eyes. His hands impulsively lift to his mouth in surprise and wonder.

"We've done it!" he breathlessly exclaims. "I can't believe it!"

"I knew we could!" Minjeong cheers, bouncing excitedly.

Doyoung beams, nodding in animated agreement before impulsively fanning himself with one of his hands.

God, why is it so hot in here?

Then the bright green glow abruptly snuffs out even as the engine continues to rumble, and all the excited exclamations taper off into anticlimactic noises of surprise.

Jeno shuts down the engine, his helmet disappearing as he blinks down at the bike in confusion. "What just happened?"

"I guess they couldn't hold the charge…" Minjeong sighs in disappointment, heading over to join him. "Let me have a look."

Jaemin moves in with Minjeong to investigate as well, and Doyoung wants to follow, but on top of feeling overheated, a heavy fatigue hits his muscles that won’t allow him to.

Instead, he heads over to one of the work tables, pulling out a stool so he can sit down. He fans his face with one hand, tugs at his collar with the other as the heat prickling his skin refuses to relent.

It’s strange. When they first arrived at Johnny's garage, he had found their concrete surroundings a little on the dank and chilly side. He had thought the same this morning too, but as the day has continued, it's steadily grown into the opposite. Not even the breeze drifting through the open garage door is offering any relief.

Watching Jeno dismount the bike so he can troubleshoot with the others, it occurs to Doyoung that they've reached the end of the road.

He's glad that they could help Jeno, that they could return him to his own time safely. However, his chest constricts, realizing that as soon as Jeno leaves, he won't ever see him again, and even just thinking about that has his heart aching from how badly he's going to miss him.

It feels almost cruel that he got to meet and know his incredible son but only for such a short time.

His eyes drift over to Jaehyun, who has joined the others, curious about what happened with the bike.

Yes, once Jeno leaves, that will be the last Doyoung ever sees of him.

Unless he and Jaehyun can make things work.

Not for the first time, he reflects that things have felt different between them. He still hasn't quite worked everything out, but he does think it's safe to say he has budding feelings for the alpha. He doesn't think it's unreasonable to suspect that Jaehyun may be feeling similarly. If what Ten suggested is true, he might be feeling more than that.

Still, budding feelings and having a pup together are a rather far stretch…

Doyoung wonders if he would be terribly selfish to want to try to have Jeno anyway. Would there be any chance that Jaehyun might feel the same about the matter? Or would that just be a completely awful thing to ask of Jaehyun?

The thought alone has the prickling flare of his skin creeping up to his face, catching Doyoung somewhere between grief and guilt.

"Hey," Jaehyun's voice interrupts, surprising Doyoung. He hadn't even noticed him walk over. The alpha pulls out another stool, sitting across from him, looking concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. Of course," Doyoung hastily assures him because he's not about to tell Jaehyun what he was just thinking about. "I just…" His words trail off as he pants for breath. Not only does he feel oddly fatigued, it's like he's suddenly breathless, and for what? He's just been sitting here.

Another wave of heat hits him, and his arm smacks the tabletop next to him to brace himself, brows knitting together curiously. He swallows as he goes on to explain, "It's really hot in here. Do you think we could turn on a fan or something?"

As his gaze meets Jaehyun's, his mind automatically drifts back to the subject he had been pondering before the alpha arrived, and it has his knees impulsively pressing together.

Jaehyun's lips part with concern, and God… how full and succulent they are. Doyoung wants to sink his teeth into them, wants to feel them on him, his mouth watering at just the thought.

And Jaehyun's jawline. Wow. So cut and perfect. Doyoung wants to trace it for himself.

Jaehyun's throat then bobs, and Doyoung's mesmerized by the sight, inner omega begging, screaming at him to bury his face into the strong line right here, right now.

"Kim?" Jaehyun speaks cautiously.

Inhaling a shaky breath, Doyoung is hit by the most potent waft of Jaehyun's earthy musk, pooling heat into his belly and intoxicating his brain like freshly popped champagne. His thighs squirm against the steadily growing ache within, and he thinks he might break on the spot.

Images from the dream all those weeks ago ambush his mind, casting out all else besides Jaehyun, embracing him, flesh on flesh, touching him so intimately, and oh God, Doyoung wants it and so much more.

"Jaehyun…" he exhales, drunk on the feeling. "Your scent right now…"

And he can't stop himself, diving for the alpha's neck, desperate for that scent, wanting him, needing him.

Two strong hands catch his shoulders when Doyoung's face is merely an inch away.

"Kim." Jaehyun's voice is strained like it's taking every last fiber of his being to uphold his composure. "Do you take suppressants?"

At first Doyoung's brow twists in affronted confusion. That’s a rather bold question, even by Jaehyun’s standards. Not to mention completely out of left field.

But as another pulse of heat branches down Doyoung's abdomen and ripples between his legs, making his toes curl, what's happening finally catches up to him.

"Oh…" A cocktail of worry and embarrassment grips Doyoung, thumping anxiously through his chest. He shakes his head. "Oh, God… We had to escape so suddenly, and I've just been so focused on everything else and worried about getting it done in time that I didn't even think—"

The words cut off as the next wave has him wriggling against his seat, pained and wanting with a strangled whine.

"It's okay. I understand," Jaehyun patiently assures him, rising from his seat and taking Doyoung under his arms to help him to his feet. "Don't worry. I'll take care of you."

He'll take care of him.

The words are like music to Doyoung's ears, the panic of his inner omega relieved by the promise.

"He's not feeling well," Jaehyun calls out, and his voice sounds so distant to Doyoung. The entire workshop feels so distant. "I'm going to take him somewhere to rest. You guys just keep working on that."

Taking Doyoung's weight against him, Jaehyun leads him out of the workshop and into the halls.

Doyoung barely processes his surroundings, the warm haze of his mind tuning out all else besides the strength of the alpha's body supporting him, the warmth he emits against Doyoung's face resting along his collar, the potency of his scent casting Doyoung's mind further in euphoria while simultaneously aggravating that ache within.

Clutching the collar of Jaehyun's top, Doyoung nuzzles into his neck as much as he can reach. "Alpha…"

A strong hand grasps the front of Doyoung's shoulder, and he can hear the effort underlying Jaehyun's tone to keep his composure as he replies, "Keep your head, Kim. I'm gonna get you somewhere safe."

But all Doyoung can do is whine, fighting against the hand holding him to press into him, wanting so badly to completely smother himself into the alpha, allow his presence to engulf his very being.

Doyoung can only assume that Jaehyun has found them a guest room. He vaguely registers the sound of a door opening and closing. He only has to take a few more steps before Jaehyun is laying him on a bed.

Through the bleary daze of his vision, Doyoung gazes at Jaehyun overhead, whose face is flushed, his hairline glistening with sweat, a crease set between his brows.

Doyoung's heat has hit him hard, and if he were of clearer mind, he would know it was coming on especially strong since it had been so long since he last went off suppressants and allowed his body to run through its cycle. He knew it wasn't good to stay on them for an extended period, but life had demanded so much from him lately that he just didn't have the luxury of taking a break.

Right now though, he can't be concerned about all that. His heat may be strong, but that's okay. He's with Jaehyun, and he's safe with Jaehyun. He knows that now.

With that knowledge, it's all too easy to simply allow his omega nature to take over.

"Alpha…" Doyoung exhales, reaching for him.

However, Jaehyun catches his wrists, an edge of warning to his voice as he exhales a sharp, "Kim."

Doyoung doesn't process that though, sitting up and pressing past their hands to bury his face into the side of Jaehyun's throat, teeth scraping over his scent glands, the tease of his flesh against his tongue sending a shiver down his spine.

"Shit," Jaehyun hisses, his entire body tensing as his hand flies to Doyoung's back, clawing at his shirt.

"Please, Alpha," Doyoung murmurs against him.

However, Jaehyun's tense posture remains, and Doyoung vaguely registers the deep tremble pressing against him, as if Jaehyun is fighting tooth and nail against an unmovable force.

"No," the alpha rasps, voice tight. "No, I can't."

Then two hands are taking Doyoung's shoulders, and next thing he knows, he's blinking up in confusion as Jaehyun presses him back to the mattress.

"Alpha?"

He attempts to sit back up, but Jaehyun reaffirms his grip, keeping Doyoung back.

"No," Jaehyun repeats, shaking his head. "Not like this."

"Alpha?" Doyoung doesn't understand. Doesn't Jaehyun want him? "Alpha, I need you."

Heaving a shaking breath, Jaehyun finally lets go, slipping off the bed and standing.

"You be safe here," he states, voice tense. "No one will bother you, I'll make sure of it. I'll have Minjeong bring you some food and water."

Doyoung shakes his head, not comprehending. He should be here with him, taking care of him. Why isn't he?

The sting of tears obscures Jaehyun from his vision as his sternum caves in.

"Jaehyun?" he chokes.

"I'm sorry," Jaehyun speaks barely above a whisper, next words muffled and strained as he covers a hand over his nose and mouth, brow tightly knitted. "I have to go."

He turns to leave.

"Wait!" Doyoung reaches for him, desperate, anguished. "Please don't go! Don't go! Please!"

His voice cracks as the tears fall down his cheeks, not so much processing his own breaking heart as he is his desperation for Jaehyun to return to him, uncaring of how pathetic he must look.

"Please!"

But Jaehyun doesn't turn back around, and the door closes behind him.

Chapter Text

The next few days are agonizing.

The physical stress of Doyoung's heat hitting him as intensely as it has is bad enough. Add to that the anguish and humiliation of Jaehyun's rejection, and he just can't bear it.

Worse is that Doyoung has no control over himself. He calls out for Jaehyun again and again, begging for him to return.

Even when Minjeong stops in to bring him food, water, and fresh bedding, he pleads with his cousin to send in Jaehyun once she leaves.

It isn't without shame. God, he wants to implode on himself every time Jaehyun's name cries from his lips, yet it's like he has no control over himself, doing it again and again despite his stark awareness of the futility of the effort.

The truly messed up part is that even as he's crying, slipping a hand between his legs, burning for release, he can't stop thinking about Jaehyun, wishing it were his fingers instead.

He wants him so badly, the ache growing worse the longer this goes on, and it only feeds the hurt.

Toward the end, Doyoung stops calling for him. His head clears enough to know that not only will Jaehyun not answer his pleas but just what a pathetic fool he has made of himself.

Doyoung weeps into the blankets.

It hurts, it hurts so bad.

The pain of unrequited feelings alone is difficult, but this is so much more than that.

Not only did Doyoung get a glimpse of what it might feel like to have Jaehyun as a lover, he had felt what it would've been like if they had started a family, and Doyoung wanted it. He wanted all of it.

Even through the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the four of them working together these last few weeks just felt so right, so complete. Even when it felt like the other three were teaming up on him.

Especially when it felt like the other three were teaming up on him.

These past several weeks have tested Doyoung in ways he could've never imagined. He's experienced fear like he had never known, had his patience tested to limits past what he would've thought existed, yet in the end, he had felt like all the better person for it.

They were his family. They were worth it and then some.

Doyoung loved them.

But apparently, this family only exists in a timeline that isn't his, and his heart is shattered, knowing what he could've had but never will.

How could he have been so stupid to think Jaehyun may have felt something for him?

Ten was wrong. Jaehyun never wanted to impress him.

And everything he thought he was starting to feel between them… it clearly was only one-sided. If Doyoung thought he felt something more coming from the alpha, it was only his own wishful thinking.

Which, of course, it was. Jaehyun denied that Jeno was his son from the beginning, and it never changed. How could Doyoung have let himself believe there could ever be anything more between them when Jaehyun made it very obvious there couldn't from this statement alone?

What an idiot Doyoung has been. What a fool.

After what feels like years, his heat passes, and if he had found himself in any other circumstance besides this one, he probably wouldn't be able to bring himself to leave the room, too weighed down by his shame.

However, Doyoung doesn't get the luxury of hiding. Jeno needs to return to his own time, return to his family, and as much as it hurts Doyoung knowing he won't ever see him again, he is not so selfish to keep him—and not just because of the very real threat that he would disappear if he attempted to do so.

So Doyoung summons all his courage, cleans himself up, then heads out to find the others, head up, shoulders back. He just needs to keep it together for Jeno.

After that, well… He'll figure that out when the time comes.

Doyoung is headed down the hallway when Jaehyun attempts to stop him.

"Kim—"

He strides right past the alpha without so much as a glance, unable to bring himself to so much as look at him. His face remains a stoic mask, though even now, he feels his heartbeat picking up, eyes prickling with the precariously held bottle of his emotions threatening to break out.

Returning to the garage, Doyoung finds Johnny with Jeno and Jaemin surrounding the Suzukis.

"Eomma!" Jaemin greets him first. "Are you well?"

"I'm fine," Doyoung answers dismissively, brushing off his creation's less-than-convinced expression.

Glancing around, he wonders where Minjeong is but ultimately doesn't concern himself with her, asking when he joins the other three, "How is the bike coming along?"

"You're timing is great, Eomma!" Jeno exclaims. "We were able to reactivate the Chrono Ions in the frame, and they're staying reactivated!"

Doyoung comes to a stop by the bike, hands on his hips. "Well, let's see."

Straddling the bike, Jeno fires up the engine, giving the handle a few good roaring revs. Like before, the frame dawns that neon green glow—only this time, the Chrono Ions remain activated.

Jeno smiles up at him, pleased with himself. Endearing as he is, all Doyoung can manage in return is a small grin.

"All right. Well, great. Wonderful," Doyoung states once the engine is turned off. He knows his tone is clipped, detached, but right now he feels like a thin paper wall trying to contain what would potentially be a tsunami if he let so much as a hint of his emotions slip through. "I guess all that's left to do then is see you off."

"I think it would be in our best interest to return to the compound," Jaemin supplies. "The previous anomalous occurrences have left the surrounding matter in an unstable state that would increase the chances of success in reopening the wormhole."

Doyoung nods. "Makes sense. All right. Jaemin, I'll ride with you. Jeno is more than capable of riding by himself. He can follow."

"Kim, please," Jaehyun interjects lowly behind him, apparently having followed Doyoung. This doesn't come as much of a surprise, though Doyoung nevertheless keeps his back to him.

Jeno asks Doyoung, brows more than a little worried as his eyes dart between the two adults. "What about Appa?"

The simple question smacks Doyoung in the face, gripping his chest like a vise.

How can Jeno still call Jaehyun 'Appa' after that?

Sweeping past the feeling, Doyoung shakes his head, stating objectively, "We would have a hard time fitting three individuals on one bike afterward, and it's not like Jung's presence is required to send you off anyway."

"Excuse me?" Jaehyun demands, affronted.

Doyoung still doesn't pay him any mind, heading over to the chambers containing the exosuits as if the alpha weren't there. "I trust you boys have your suits ready?"

His fingertips brush over the display pad. Inside the glass chamber, Doyoung’s suit shrinks into its chest plate before the door slides open with a hiss.

However, before his fingers reach them, Jaehyun takes his wrist, accusing under his breath. "You think you're going to shut me out but help yourself to my tech?"

Doyoung whips his hand from his grasp, lunging back and glaring. "Don't touch me!"

That ocean of his emotions stir as if threatening to become a storm. Doyoung's pulse thrums hot, chest heaving as his breathing quickens, and it feels as though it's taking every ounce of his strength to keep his emotions contained.

Across the garage, Johnny loudly clears his throat. "So we're just gonna go get the bikes started outside."

Doyoung vaguely registers Jaehyun nodding, but he's too focused on trying to control his breathing to add any input, teeth sinking into his tongue.

Honestly, he'd rather not be left alone with Jaehyun. He doesn't want to do this, but his emotions are just too volatile, and he doesn't trust himself to speak.

Once the sound of the garage door closes, Jaehyun addresses Doyoung with a strained sort of calm, "Can we please talk?"

"I have nothing to say to you," Doyoung states curtly, taking the chest plate and turning away from the alpha.

"I understand that you're upset," Jaehyun persists behind him. "But you have no right to tell me I can't be there when I've been just as invested in helping Jeno and keeping him safe—"

It's too much. That forced dam of indifference breaks, emotions bursting through.

"Why do you even care?" Doyoung cries, spinning to face him, body hot, eyes burning. "You've said multiple times now that there's no way Jeno could be your future son, and you were obviously correct, seeing that you are just so repulsed by me you can't stand to be near me even when I'm in heat!"

The tears tumble down Doyoung's cheeks, and he swiftly turns his back to Jaehyun, fingers pressing into his scrunched eyes as if he could will them back.

Why does he have to cry right now? Hasn't his body already humiliated him enough?

Doyoung expects Jaehyun to fire something back—what exactly, he couldn't say, but surely something.

Instead, Jaehyun's voice is so quiet that Doyoung almost misses it under his gasping breath as he confesses, "I wanted to stay with you."

Rather than feeling reassured by the statement, it just feels like insult to injury. Actions speak louder than words, and Jaehyun's had been deafening.

"Please," Doyoung scoffs out between sniffs.

"You have no idea how hard it was for me to leave," Jaehyun insists through his teeth, his hushed tone a quiet intensity.

However, the statement only antagonizes Doyoung's indignation. Throwing his hands down, he whirls around to face him again. "How hard it was for you?"

"Yes!" Jaehyun throws back, holding his ground. "You don't know the effect your scent has on me!"

His head ducks, posture deflating, expression softening a lot like how it had that time he realized he accidentally overshared.

While it may do little to quell the fury of Doyoung's emotions, the sight is disarming enough to make him hold his tongue, at least for the moment.

"It took everything in me to leave that room," Jaehyun explains more quietly. "I had to fight all my instincts to keep from running to you when I heard you calling for me."

Something about Jaehyun's quiet admission momentarily tugs at Doyoung.

However, he just can't bring himself to give in to the feeling, the hurt of rejection and humiliation too fresh.

Not to mention Doyoung really can't believe Jaehyun has the audacity to say it was hard for him after what Doyoung had to experience these last few days.

Scoffing a humorless laugh, Doyoung crosses his arms. "Well, I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

"I mean it, Kim."

"Jung, I cried for you!" Doyoung's voice cracks, fists at his sides, emotions getting the better of him. "I cried, and I cried, and you left me alone!"

"You couldn't consent!" Jaehyun snaps.

Doyoung's mouth opens, but the declaration hits him with a force that he can't quite process, much less try to find words.

The statement hangs in the air between them while Jaehyun's shoulders heave, visibly collecting himself.

Swallowing, Jaehyun's voice softens as he continues, "It came on so fast. I had no way of knowing if it was you or the heat talking, if it had been steadily influencing you even before it full-on hit. With the way you've loudly announced on more than one occasion that I'm the last alpha you would ever let near you… I couldn't take the chance."

Any retaliation Doyoung may have had falls short before it fully forms, memories from all those weeks ago coming back to him.

He had declared that rather loudly, hadn’t he? On more than one occasion, even.

Then he had the nerve to wonder why Jaehyun wouldn’t admit to being Jeno’s abeoji in the very next breath.

Frowning, Jaehyun’s eyes narrow, caught somewhere between offense and disgust. "Do you really think so low of me?"

"No! No, of course not.” The answer flies from Doyoung’s lips, horrified at the very idea. Because of all the things Doyoung does think about Jaehyun—right or wrong—he doesn’t think that, never that. "And I wouldn't have thought that if you stayed."

"Really?" Jaehyun sounds more than a little skeptical. "So you would've been all right with me doing that even though we never established any prior consent?"

Once again, Doyoung finds himself at a loss for words. He just watches Jaehyun, who sighs, raking his fingers through his hair, head bowed, looking especially boyish in that moment.

He doesn't think he's ever seen Jaehyun look so vulnerable.

It's more than enough to have the rush of Doyoung's emotions stopping dead in their tracks.

You don't know the effect your scent has on me.

Doyoung's mind drifts back to the memories of pubescent Jaehyun always wanting to show off his latest creation, insisting Doyoung would like it, almost manic about it as if overcome by something of which he had little control.

Fast forward to just a few days ago, and the memory of Jaehyun bringing Doyoung to the guest room comes back to him with a clarity his heat-drunk mind couldn't quite process at the time. He remembers how tense Jaehyun had been, outright trembling from the fervor of fighting against something within.

When Doyoung doesn't say anything, Jaehyun adds, "And I didn't leave you. I made sure to stay nearby enough so that you wouldn't be bothered and Minjeong could bring you anything you needed."

All Doyoung can do is nod, feeling embarrassed now for an entirely different reason.

Of course, Jaehyun is right. Once again, Doyoung jumped to the worst conclusions. Jaehyun didn't refuse him because he didn't want him, he deliberately kept himself away because he was a decent alpha.

Somewhere within the mortification of that realization, there is a glint of something hopeful, but Doyoung has a hard time seeing it right now as this new shame has his face returning to his hands.

He turns away from Jaehyun, throat too tight to speak, just wishing the earth would grant him the mercy of swallowing him alive.

"I'm sorry," comes Jaehyun's low gentle voice behind him. "What I dealt with doesn't compare to what you went through, I know that."

Doyoung shakes his head, sniffing and managing out hoarsely, "You have nothing to apologize for. You did the right thing. I'm the one that's sorry."

"I have a lot to apologize for," Jaehyun wearily insists with a breathless chuckle.

His voice has drawn nearer as if he's right behind him. Then Doyoung feels his hands on his biceps. The touch is tentative, but as Doyoung makes no move to resist, his hold grows more confident.

"Doyoung. Will you look at me, please?"

The sound of his first name on Jaehyun's lip surprises him in itself. More than that though is the way he says it—a telling low breath touched with longing.

The top of Doyoung's spine tingles with the urge to shiver.

Although still embarrassed, something about the rawness of Jaehyun's voice, the gentle but strong touch on his arms, coaxes Doyoung to turn around.

One of Jaehyun's hands moves to take Doyoung's wrists, carefully lowering his hands from his face. The other cups his cheek, brushing away his tears with the pads of his fingers.

"I'm sorry," Jaehyun repeats. "I hate to think that you felt alone because of me, and if I would've just been honest about my feelings for you sooner, then maybe I could've prevented all this."

Doyoung's eyes widen, the breath taken from him as that glimmer of hope rises in his chest, flourishing and thrumming abundantly in his heart.

Jaehyun takes one of Doyoung's hands, thumb sweeping over his knuckles, soft and so very tender.

As Doyoung breathes in that warm earthy musk, he feels as though his knees might unravel out from under him. Jaehyun is standing so close. With the way he is gazing into his eyes, Doyoung feels open and exposed in a way he never allows himself to be, and it's kind of the most incredible feeling ever.

Whatever is about to happen, Doyoung is ready to give himself over to it completely.

Jaehyun smiles humbly, soft and dimple-framed. He's just so handsome, Doyoung wants to melt.

"You know, right before Jeno appeared outside the compound, I was about to tell you—"

His words cut off, attention darting to the garage door that leads outside, posture alert and tense.

Doyoung doesn't need to ask. The distant incoming crescendo of that eerie digital whine seizes him with terror, draining the blood from his face.

"No," Doyoung whispers.

The windows explode into an ambush of red beams. Hugging Doyoung to his chest, Jaehyun dives for the ground, using his broad shoulders to cover Doyoung from the shower of shattered glass raining around them.

"The boys!" Doyoung pleads, voice cracking, barely noticing any jostling from the tackle as the adrenaline pounds through his veins.

Jaehyun doesn't waste time, scrambling to his feet and hauling Doyoung with him.

On impulse, Doyoung lunges for the garage door, but Jaehyun snatches his wrist, yanking him the other way. "The suits! The suits!"

Realizing he's right, Doyoung moves with him. Jaehyun snatches two chest pieces from the open chambers, slapping them to their chests, and they quickly assemble around them with rhythmic clicks.

Hand-in-hand, they rush for the door. However, it bursts open the next moment, stopping both men in their tracks.

Minjeong holds a gun straight to Doyoung's chest, glaring mutinously—a look so unlike her that it startles him almost as much as the weapon being pointed at him.

"Minjeong?" Doyoung asks, voice strained with surprised betrayal. "What are you doing?"

"It's not fair! In the future, you get everything. Everything." Her voice is venom, and before Doyoung can ask what she's talking about, she reaffirms the grip on her gun. "I help crack the code to time travel, but I have to keep it a secret because of you? Jaehyun falls for you when you don't even appreciate him?"

That throws Doyoung for a loop that has him blinking almost comically amidst the seriousness of the situation.

Minjeong cocks the gun. "I want my credit!"

Both Doyoung and Jaehyun brace themselves, but then a green blast from outside has the small omega dropping the weapon and tumbling face-first to the ground. Johnny is revealed in the doorway behind her, suited up with his wrist held out.

"Well, I think that answers how the DefenderDroids got their time-traveling abilities…" Jaehyun comments.

Enraged at the betrayal, Doyoung growls and lunges for Mingjeong's unconscious form.

However, Jaehyun grabs his arm again. "Leave her! We gotta get the boys!"

He's right. Claiming a firm hold of Jaehyun's hand, he takes off with the two alphas out into the fray.

The boys have jumped on Jeno's future bike, swerving around the stony terrain as DefenderDroids pursue them hot on their trail, painting the late afternoon sky with strokes of neon red.

Beams and rock explode around the back edge of the bike’s tires. Jeno expertly navigates the terrain and evades the attack with impressive precision. However, that doesn't change the fact that he and Jaemin are outnumbered, out-armed. They won't be able to keep this up for long.

"We gotta get their attention on us," Jaehyun says, leading Doyoung to the other bike. "I'm gonna swoop in close, and you fire at them. Get some of them to fire at us instead."

"Right," Doyoung answers without hesitation, jumping onto the bike behind Jaehyun.

"I got your six," Johnny's voice comes through the helmet, and as Jaehyun's bike rumbles to life beneath Doyoung as he hugs the alpha's torso, he hears the third rev of an engine behind him, which can only be one of Johnny's bikes.

"Boys, drive toward me!" Jaehyun orders, rearing around a boulder to head toward the boys followed by the aerial attack of DefenderDroids.

They do, and Doyoung braces himself—the sight of incoming DefenderDroids with their onslaught of red blasts and exploding rubble more than a little daunting—but he not only agrees with Jaehyun, he trusts him.

Like the last time they were attacked, Doyoung largely has to rely on auto-targeting. One arm keeps hold of Jaehyun while the other points overhead. Jaw clenched, Doyoung fires off a counterattack along with Jaehyun, though it's deafened under the chaos as they enter the storm of the droids' attack.

Jaehyun swoops near one side of the boys' bike, Johnny the opposite, and after getting in their attack, they pull off opposing directions, breaking up the group of droids into smaller chunks as they take to pursuing all three bikes.

"I don't know about you," Jaehyun's voice cuts in through the helmet speaker. "But if this is the direction that JungKim Synergy is headed, I'm really starting to question if I even want to inherit it."

"My thoughts exactly," Doyoung grits through his teeth.

Fear thrums sharp through Doyoung's chest, but it has nothing to do with the red beams now firing in his and Jaehyun's direction and everything to do with the sight of the boys shrinking ahead, still trying to shake off their own pursuers.

"Activate the Chrono Ions in the bike," Jaehyun orders through the helmets.

"But—" Jeno's voice replies uncertainly.

"Now!" Jaehyun insists.

The order grips Doyoung's heart, and his eyes shoot to the back of Jaehyun's helmet in desperation. Impulsive protests sit on his tongue, but he keeps them held between his teeth.

Any argument he has is coming from a selfish place. He wants to say goodbye to his son, send him off with love, but given the urgency of the situation, he knows that Jaehyun is right.

Jeno has to go. He has to do it now.

As Jaehyun weaves the bike in an attempt to get the DefenderDroids to follow them through a narrow passageway in one of the stone wall structures, Doyoung watches the distant future bike light up into a vivid glow of neon green that leaves a sharp light trail in its wake.

Then one of the pursuing androids shoots down from the uniform line like a missile, crashing directly into the bike and sending it skidding across the terrain while the boys arc in the air in opposing directions.

"Boys!" Doyoung screams.

Jaehyun rears around with a screech of tires, plumes of dust clouding in his trail. Revving the engine, he races straight for the boys.

Johnny appears to have witnessed what has happened as well, his own bike rushing from the other side.

A swarm of droids close in on the other alpha, blasting his motorcycle off course, sending him rolling across the terrain while the bike crashes into a pile of jagged boulders, bursting into hunks of metal flying opposing directions while the rev of the engine cuts off into a dying sigh.

As the row of DefenderDroids arc around in his and Jaehyun's direction, Doyoung holds up his wrist, ready to fight them, but then an explosion of stone erupts right before the bike, launching the two into the air.

Doyoung flails, but Jaehyun catches him midair, hugging him to his chest, and the two hit the ground in a barrel roll while the bike crashes into one of the boulders with a loud bang and burst of rubble.

Clutching to Jaehyun, Doyoung heaves a trembling breath, but the second they stop spinning, both of them are clambering back to their feet.

Up ahead, Doyoung sees that it wasn't just any android that collided with Jeno's bike—it was future Jaemin.

His present self charges straight for him, and the two androids collide into a close-range battle of punches, kicks, and blasts, moving so swiftly they look like blurry streaks in the orange sky.

Future Jaemin has the upper hand, though his present self holds his own impressively well, jumping and twisting to evade attacks while firing off counters when he can.

Even from this distance, Doyoung can feel present Jaemin's desperation, determined to keep himself between Jeno and his future self so his brother can make his escape.

Rushing head-on, the two androids catch each other's hands, feet digging into the dirt as their grips constrict, caught in a power struggle.

Future Jaemin's helmet vanishes, those unhinged eyes impossibly large, that unnervingly symmetrical smile straining wide.

"Why are you protecting them?" future Jaemin taunts with an unsettling cock of his head. "They're not like us!"

Present Jaemin grunts, the exertion of his effort creasing his holographic features. "They're my family!"

Future Jaemin laughs derisively, taking a step forward that has his younger version starting to keel beneath his hold. "My naive elementary model, do you really believe that? Do you truly believe you're anything more than a tool to them?"

"I know I am!" present Jaemin insists, visibly shaking as he fights to maintain his hold despite the seeming futility of the effort.

Future Jaemin's head tilts in the other direction, not appearing the least bit strained by the struggle. "And how can you be so sure?"

"I can feel it!" With a sharp twist of his wrists, present Jaemin throws off his future self's stance. He thrusts his palm into future Jaemin's chest, sending him soaring back in a blast of green before slapping his hand into his own chest over the place where his heart would be. "In my motherboard!"

Regaining control of himself, future Jaemin slows to a hover in the air. Leaning forward, he dives down, firing off a series of blasts that knock his present self aside so that he can chase after Jeno, who is picking up the bike.

Spotting future Jaemin, Jeno crouches into a defensive stance, but the android sends a blast that hits the chest plate of his suit, knocking him onto his back.

The chest plate fizzles and sparks before the entire suit vanishes in a flash of light, leaving Jeno defenseless as future Jaemin swoops in, hooking his arm around the pup's waist and carrying him up into the air.

"Jeno!" Doyoung shrieks.

All the while, Doyoung and Jaehyun are rushing for the boys as fast as their feet and the suits will allow, but a swarm of DefenderDroids close in on them from all directions, engulfing them in a storm of red blasts and violently swirling rubble.

Holding out their wrists, the two attempt to fight back, but it's useless. Neither they nor their suits can hold up to the numbers and technology of their future attackers.

Lasers and stones assault them with loud bangs, and Doyoung can't even keep his footing under the downpour of the attack, the plates of the suit starting to dent with crackles of electricity, their integrity steadily declining beneath the relentless onslaught.

Next to him, he knows Jaehyun isn't fairing any better, grunting and growling as he struggles to remain standing, hold Doyoung up with him, futilely attempt to fight off the continuous storm.

But Doyoung can hear the fizzles and labored whines of the alpha's suit failing as much as his own is, can feel him buckling and shrinking against the impossible mass of engulfing droids.

There are just too many.

It's hopeless.

Past the overwhelming chaos of DefenderDroids swarming his visor, Doyoung catches glimpses between the breaks of present Jaemin in the distance, furiously leaping to catch up to his future self, who's fleeing the scene with Jeno in tow.

"No, Nana!" Jeno screams back at him. "Protect them! Protect them!"

Jaemin halts in his tracks, head snapping Doyoung and Jaehyun's direction.

He hesitates for only a second then makes his decision, running for Doyoung and Jaehyun instead.

"No!" Doyoung cries before the throng of violence overtakes his vision.

He can't even hold his arms up under the fury continuing to beat down on them. He registers Jaehyun's arm around him curling into his side, holding him close as he exhales a defeated, "I'm so sorry."

Only a miracle could save them now.

And that's exactly what they get.

A magnificently potent bomb of neon green explodes around them, blasting off the pack of droids in every which direction.

On his back, Doyoung blinks up to see that present Jaemin has released the raw Chrono Ions, using his own hands as a catalyst to wield them.

It is the most incredible, beautiful, terrifying thing Doyoung has ever witnessed as the immense power of the Chrono Ions forms a protective dome of volatile green energy around them.

Doyoung loses his breath, humbled and awed.

DefenderDroids charge back in, but the second they make contact with the field, their reality explodes—not into damaged parts but into the basic components that once created them, tumbling across the ground like broken-down pieces of a puzzle.

The perimeter of the dome crackles with energy, plant life rapidly growing from the ground, flourishing with unreal speed, then withering and dying with age. The cycle repeats in a never-ending loop, like watching the infinite birth, life, death, rebirth of a Phoenix on fast forward.

Against the power of the Ions, Jaemin's mechanical fingertips splinter, cracks running down the length of his arms. Doyoung knows he won't be able to hold this up forever.

Outside the barrier, Doyoung watches as future Jaemin, still hauling a struggling Jeno, mounts the future bike, starting up the engine before completely fleeing the scene.

"No!" Doyoung cries, scrambling to his hands and knees. He impulsively reaches Jeno's direction, but Jaehyun grabs him, pulling him back before he can touch the Chrono Ion field—which besides being their only protection, surely would only have devastating effects if they were to touch it directly.

Doyoung's attention turns to his creation. "Jaemin! Jaemin, stop! Protect Jeno! You have to protect Jeno!"

Jaemin glances at him through melancholic eyes. "I can't, Eomma."

"You have to!" Doyoung insists.

"They won't kill Jeno," Jaemin calmly states. "Not as long as they can use him as leverage. If I release this field though, they will definitely kill the two of you."

"Jaemin!" Doyoung sobs, voice breaking under his anguish.

"I'm sorry, Eomma," Jaemin's voice trembles, and while Doyoung knows how real his creation, he sounds more like human boy in that moment than he has ever heard. The outer layers of his extremities start to peel against the raw power of the Chrono Ions. "This is the only way."

Overcome by despair, Doyoung slumps, all the fight sucked out of him. Jaehyun takes him into his arms, supporting him against his chest.

Staring into the distance where future Jaemin disappeared with Jeno, Doyoung's vision swirls as the burn of tears overwhelms his eyes.

The remaining DefenderDroids circle them a few times, but when it becomes clear they are no match for the power of the Chrono Ions, they all fly away.

All except for one, who comes flying in from the distance—an apparent new arrival on the scene.

Touching down to their feet, they keep a safe distance from the Chrono Ion field while remaining close enough to address those within.

The helmet vanishes in a flash of purple light, revealing the face of Jimin Yu.

The sight of her alone is enough to have a flare of indignation reinvigorating Doyoung, but as if adding insult to injury, Minjeong—having seemingly recovered—comes running onto the scene to greet her.

Rushing up to Jimin, she takes her shoulders, and the two share a fierce kiss.

"I did exactly what you said!" Minjeong explains the moment they draw back, voice breathless with devotion. "I had Doyoung help me repair the bike. I made sure to keep them here."

"Good girl," Jimin smiles, affectionately tucking a lock of Minjeong's hair behind one ear.

Doyoung's jaw drops, dumbfounded by the sight.

Both he and Jaehyun disassemble their helmets as if they need to see this with their eyes directly in order to believe it.

"Okay," Jaehyun says with an exaggerated tone. "So both of us need to work on our character-judging abilities."

Minjeong moves to Jimin's side, who steps forward to address the three inside the Chrono Ion dome.

"Ah, you see!" she declares admiringly, face reflecting the green glow as she smiles at the sight. "Your robot pet here has a better understanding of the true power of the Chrono Ions! Something that my future companions have informed me that I come to understand best of all some years ahead."

"He's not a robot!" Jaehyun shouts defensively.

Which would touch Doyoung, if he wasn't silently seething with rage at the sight of her and Minjeong together.

"They've told me a lot of interesting things," Jimin continues, her tone casual as if this were mere small talk. "Like how I was so close to having JungKim Synergy all for myself, not only a leading empire in scientific advancement but a leader of the world given the immense military power it comes to develop."

Then her features harden, voice equally stony as she explains, "That is, I am informed, until you two stubborn idiots finally realize that your years of harbored tension stem from the fact that you're madly in love with each other."

Doyoung impulsively glances at Jaehyun, who looks right back at him.

He just as quickly averts his gaze, heat flushing over his cheeks.

"But in the end, that is only a minor obstacle," Jimin sighs, sounding almost bored. "As I said, I come to understand the true power of the Chrono Ions above all others, and with them, I'll finally be able to claim what should've been rightfully mine."

Rage burns through Doyoung. So it was her. She tried to erase them all from reality just so she could claim JungKim Synergy and its military prowess for herself.

Not only that, but she has tried to murder one of his sons, has kidnapped him, has already taken the other, and poisoned his mind with malicious lies.

Gritting his teeth, Doyoung growls, stepping forward, wanting nothing more than to make her pay for daring to hurt his family.

However, Jaehyun's embrace constricts, restraining Doyoung and once again grounding the erratic state of his emotions.

Still, as Doyoung looks at the alpha, he sees the silent fury glaring in his eyes. He knows he must be feeling the same; he can practically feel it radiating off of him.

"It appears we're at a standoff," Jimin continues. "So I'm going to make this simple for you: if you want to see your future son alive again, you will return the Chrono Ions to me at the compound, where you will also voluntarily sign over your inheritance rights of JungKim Synergy to me."

Stepping back, Jimin hugs an arm around Minjeong, holding her secure to her side. "You have twenty-four hours."

Her helmet re-materializes, and she glides up into the air, flying off into the distance with Minjeong.

Jaemin waits until he is certain they are alone before the Chrono Ion field shrinks back into their atomic state. He contains them within the capsule.

Falling to his knees, Jaemin's posture slumps, panting in a display of the physical toll the Chrono Ions have taken on him despite having no need for oxygen.

Shifting out of Jaehyun's hold, Doyoung scrambles around to position himself in front of Jaemin, reaching for the capsule that has fallen before his knees.

"Come on," he manages between gasps, tears spilling down his cheeks. "We have to give her the Chrono Ions."

"No!" Jaehyun interjects, and Jaemin impulsively snatches the capsule out of Doyoung's reach.

That doesn't stop Doyoung from frantically trying to reclaim it as he weeps with desperate despair. "She has Jeno! We have to!"

Then Jaehyun's grabbing him, pulling him to his feet, and taking him by his biceps as he urgently explains, "If we give her the Chrono Ions, she'll erase us from existence. And if we're erased, Jeno is going to be erased too!"

"What else are we supposed to do?" Doyoung shakes his head, voice watery and thin. His head drops, his entire body shaking as he covers his face in his hands. "This is my fault. This is all my fault."

If only he would've taken Jaehyun's suspicions about Minjeong more seriously.

If only he had remembered he needed his suppressants.

If only he had trusted that Jaehyun was doing the right thing instead of jumping to the worst conclusions, allowing his own emotions to distract him from the more pressing issues around them.

"No," Jaehyun states, firm and resolute. "Don't blame yourself for this. It's not true, and it's not going to solve anything."

His grip constricts around Doyoung's arms, matching the unrelenting confidence of his tone as he continues, "Listen. Jeno needs us, and between the two of us—"

One hand releases Doyoung, and Jaehyun takes one of Jaemin's arms, tugging him up to stand with them. "—the three of us, we're more than capable of getting him back."

Something about Jaehyun's tone, his fierce grip, penetrates the despair overwhelming Doyoung. With a sniff, his face rises from his hands, eyes meeting Jaehyun's.

"But we've gotta work together," Jaehyun further presses, his hard gaze resolved. "We've gotta put our all into this."

The sheer will of his voice and grip charges Doyoung, as if sharing his unyielding determination with him. Against all odds, Doyoung finds himself standing taller, nodding slowly as that feeling of hope awakens a new drive within him.

Jaehyun takes one of Doyoung's hands into both of his, holding them with steady strength. "We can do it. I know we can. Look at what we've done these past few days. We really can create incredible things. Together, we're an unstoppable force."

Looking down at Jaehyun's hands around his, Doyoung places his unoccupied hand over them. Meeting his gaze again, he feels nothing but the utmost confidence and faith in this incredible alpha.

"You're right. We can do it," Doyoung says, hopeful and intent.

"Together."

Chapter Text

The trio finds Johnny. Although shaken, his exosuit has protected him from any serious injury, just as the others’ have with them.

Then the four are back inside the garage. Rest is a luxury they can't afford, but with Jeno currently captive, Doyoung doesn't think he could even if they had the time.

The sentiment appears to be shared as no one wastes time to get to work. The alphas take to upgrading the suits using the schematics of Jeno's future suit as well as the data Jaemin was able to obtain from the DefenderDroids.

Doyoung takes to analyzing the damage done to his creation's limbs. He has Jaemin seated along the edge of a work table while he looks over a screen projected before him displaying the details of his current state, keeping quiet as he devotes his full attention to the task at hand.

"I understand now, Eomma."

Snapped out of his focus, Doyoung blinks up at Jaemin. Silent tears stream down his holographic face.

"I understand why Jeno was so upset when he first arrived, why he was crying."

A weight drops atop the already crushing pressure in Doyoung's chest. Nevertheless, he can't lose himself to that feeling. He has to keep it together, for Jaemin's sake as much as Jeno's.

Swiping the screen away, he steps directly in front of Jaemin, cupping his cheeks as he gently insists, "It's not your fault. You had to make a really hard decision, one that shouldn't have ever been put on you, but we're going to get him back, okay? I know we will."

Jaemin nods against his touch, and Doyoung hugs him to his shoulder.

As much as he wants to give his creation the time he needs to feel what he feels, he knows they once again can't afford to. Jaemin appears aware of this as well, sitting upright the next moment and lifting a palm between them.

"Eomma… when I was fighting with my future self, I was able to access a message stored in his databank. I think it's for you."

Doyoung's brows lift with surprise and curiosity. "What is it?"

A small video projection fizzles into view over Jaemin's palm, and the sight completely disarms Doyoung.

It's a recording of his future self seemingly seated at a desk. He's wearing a dark blazer and thick-rimmed glasses, but what really startles Doyoung is that his hair is bleached a shocking platinum white not unlike his creation's.

Still, he doesn't fixate on that for very long as the video starts to play, claiming his full attention.

"Hello, Doyoung," his future self says on the projection. How strange it feels to be addressed by himself. "If you're seeing this, then my worst fears have been realized, and I must now place a heavy burden on you."

This leads into a long-winded explanation about the situation with the Chrono Ions and the suspected alterations to reality, just as Jeno had explained when he first arrived.

"JungKim Synergy was supposed to see the future with innovations for the good of humanity, but the reality has been the exact opposite," he explains toward the end, sounding more than a little weary. "This feels like punishment for our sins. Perhaps, it is. We did create this, after all."

A surreal feeling comes over Doyoung as he tries to mentally reconcile that this video was taken in Jeno's past and simultaneously the future that he has yet to experience.

"I know I'm asking way too much of you, and it isn't fair, but it is for the sake of our future family that I must," the video continues, and although this is only a recording, the conviction his future self delivers hits Doyoung as if he were right here in front of him.

"Please send Jaemin with the Chrono Ions, and I promise you that once we have this mess sorted out, we will destroy them. And if at all possible, please don't allow JungKim Synergy to go down the same path we did."

As if Doyoung needs to be asked.

"And one more thing," his future self adds, his voice a touch softer. "I'm not sure when, exactly, this is going to find you, or what your and Jaehyun's relationship is like just yet."

Doyoung's eyes widen before impulsively darting over to the suit chambers, where Jaehyun is standing by Johnny, the two hard at work.

Watching Jaehyun's profile now, Doyoung can see the circles weighing his lower lids, can see the scuffs on his face, yet the alpha keeps his head up and displays his easygoing confidence despite that.

His ability to maintain his composure is truly admirable. It also has Doyoung wondering how many times has he witnessed Jaehyun's effortless confidence and not realized that he was carrying something much heavier within.

"Ah, we were so young and immature," the recording of Doyoung muses with a wistful chuckle, reclaiming Doyoung's attention.

That has him blinking, feeling more than a little humbled about being called immature by his future self.

"But if there is one detail that I can't stress enough, it's this: trust Jaehyun. Regardless of what your relationship is like, regardless of how you think you may feel about him, how impossible this sounds, I promise you, he'll do everything in his power to keep you safe. He'll take care of you. He'll take care of all of you."

All the exertion Doyoung has been exercising to keep his emotions contained falters in that moment as he stares into the intensely honest eyes of his future self's recording, the sincerity of his words stirring warm in his chest.

The feed ends, and Doyoung sighs to himself, "That would've been nice to receive a few weeks ago…"

However, as his attention drifts back over to Jaehyun once more, he finds that he's glad he hadn't received this sooner.

Because he knows that his future self is right. Jaehyun would do everything in his power to take care of them—be it taking on killer robots from the future head-on, setting his pride aside for Jeno's well-being, or even fighting his own instincts to protect Doyoung's autonomy.

The truth resonates in his chest, and while it may have been easier to have received this message sooner, he's grateful that he got to learn this about Jaehyun for himself.

That feeling expands, the whisper of Jimin's words echoing in the back of his mind: madly in love.

Heat takes over Doyoung’s cheeks, and he sharply jerks his head back to Jaemin, thanking him for the message.

Jaehyun joins them a short while later, and as he looks over the analysis of Jaemin's damage reports, he suggests using his nanotech, not only to repair him but enhance his mobility. Doyoung agrees.

For his part, Doyoung works on making a new replica of the Chrono Ions.

"I don't think this is going to fool them for long," he points out as the neon green inside the glass synthesizer glows brighter.

"Even if it could buy us a few seconds, that could make all the difference," Jaehyun insists.

It's not exactly the most assuring statement, but Doyoung trusts Jaehyun. He knows he can.

They work tirelessly, and Doyoung devotes himself fully to the task at hand.

As he gets caught in the flow of it, he finds that there is something about working hard on a singular task that clears his head. Without the jumble of his emotions to distract him, his mind drifts back to Jimin's words, over his future self's assurance.

He can't help but wonder, what happened in Jeno's timeline that allowed him to come to such a realization?

Perhaps it wasn't a singular event, because now that Doyoung isn't blinded by his pride, he can admit to himself that the reason Jaehyun's arrogance got to him so much was because he was actually right. Doyoung has always found him handsome, and perhaps it did make him a little jealous that other omegas were always screaming over him.

Or a lot.

And while Jaehyun is very handsome, he's also so much more than that. He's intelligent, strong, and even if his behavior is more than a little vexing at times, when it comes down to it, his actions speak so much louder—displaying an alpha who is caring, protective, self-sacrificial.

That feeling pulsing in Doyoung's chest that he had a hard time defining is unquestioningly affection and pride. Honestly, it's so obvious that even the idea that he tried to act oblivious to it feels laughable.

However, it's more than that. It's the way his heart beats for Jaehyun.

He's unconsciously started staring again, and as if he can feel eyes on him, Jaehyun glances back, a smug little smirk appearing on his face when he catches Doyoung.

Scoffing, Doyoung whips his head away, fingers furiously swiping over the screen in front of him while the replicate Ions rapidly swirl within their glass confines.

Yet that feeling in his chest pulses too, and a secretive smile touches Doyoung’s lips.

At dusk, the group is running on fumes when they arrive at the compound. Jaehyun and Doyoung approach the security gate in his car while Johnny and Jaemin break off to search for the future bike.

The two are granted access, but they barely step out of the vehicle when they're swarmed by security. They impulsively throw their hands up in compliance—which is a little awkward for Doyoung as he has the Chrono Ions replica inside a secure metal case.

"We're here to return the Chrono Ions," Doyoung calmly explains.

"We're under strict orders to bring you in," the head of the squad explains.

The barrel of a laser gun prods Doyoung's back. Stumbling slightly, he looks to Jaehyun, who simply nods, so Doyoung stays close to his side while the security team escorts them into the compound.

They're taken to the Chrono Ion containment vault, where Jimin Yu meets them, flanked by two DefenderDroids.

She smiles. "I knew you two were reasonable people deep down."

"Where's Jeno?" Doyoung demands.

Jimin drops her pleasant facade. "The Chrono Ions first, Kim."

Kneeling, Doyoung types in the code on the case's security pad. It hisses open, the metal frame retracting so Doyoung can reach inside and take out the capsule.

The DefenderDroids step forward, but Doyoung is just as quickly back to his feet. A flash of green light takes over his hands and forearms before solidifying into the bracers and gloves of his upgraded stealth suit.

Holding a palm over the capsule, a ball of plasma charges threateningly over the replica Ions, ready to vaporize them. The droids halt in their place.

"Return Jeno now," Doyoung repeats with a heavier warning. "And there had better not be so much as a hair on his head harmed."

Jimin snorts derisively, crossing her arms. "As if Jung's tech has the capacity to destroy the Ions."

"Oh, you would've been right a couple of days ago," Jaehyun chimes in. "But it's as you said, the Chrono Ions possess power far greater than we could've ever anticipated, so thank you for that tip."

He adds that last line with a grin and a wink, and Doyoung doesn't think he's ever felt more appreciative of how insufferable he can be.

Jimin gives them both a hard, measuring look as if trying to discern if it's a bluff or not. She decidedly errs on the side of caution, "If you do that, you'll kill all of us."

"I'm aware," Doyoung states without missing a beat, and while it's easy to say given that he's holding a harmless replica, his conviction is as grounded as if he were holding the real thing.

"That's crazy!" Jimin throws back.

"Not even the Chrono Ions can match the power of an eomoni's love," Jaehyun calmly explains. "And Doyoung was already the fiercest of omegas."

Doyoung glances over at Jaehyun, impressed. "Thank you."

Frowning, Jimin considers them a few more seconds before giving in with a sigh, "Bring out the pup."

Another metal door slides open, and Jeno is brought in stumbling slightly by two more droids. His eyes are dark, and he looks exhausted, but otherwise appears okay.

"Jeno!" Doyoung cries, simultaneously desperate and relieved.

Jeno's head perks up at the sound of his voice. "Eomma!"

Jimin tosses out her arm, eyes locked sharp on Doyoung. "The Chrono Ions."

Doyoung passes them over to the nearest DefenderDroid, and the ones holding Jeno release him.

He rushes over, and Doyoung catches him in his embrace, surprised when Jaehyun's arms encircle them both the next moment, holding them just as fiercely.

Though perhaps he shouldn't be.

"I started to fade again," Jeno whimpers into Doyoung's shoulder. "I'm scared."

"It's okay," Doyoung assures him, petting the back of his head. "You're okay, baby. We're here."

"You're safe now," Jaehyun adds.

"You're so brave," Doyoung soothingly murmurs. "You're incredible."

"We're so proud of you," Jaehyun agrees.

Sniffing, Jeno slowly lifts his head, a small grin appearing on his lips as he looks at them both.

"Now the document," Jimin says.

As the three break up, an android approaches them. A holographic projection of the inheritance rights document appears over one hand, while a stylus is offered in the other.

Jaehyun takes it, starting to sign the document.

One of the droids holding the capsule then speaks, "It's a fake."

All the DefenderDroids turn to the trio. However, Jaehyun and Doyoung had anticipated this, and Doyoung slaps a chest plate to Jeno's sternum.

All three of their suits materialize around them in a flash of green light, just in time to protect them from the DefenderDroids' ambush.

Force fields tremor around all three suits, protecting them from the brunt of the red blasts. Nevertheless, their feet skid across the concrete from the strength of the impact pushing them back.

"I'll hold them off!" Jaehyun barks back at Doyoung, his voice coming through the earpiece now that their helmets are assembled. "You guys, go!"

Doyoung grabs Jeno's arm, lunging toward the doors, but he hesitates, looking at Jaehyun, who is shielding them and firing back a counterattack. "I don't want to leave you!"

"You have to get Jeno out of here!" Jaehyun insists. "I'll catch up!"

"You had better, Jung!" Doyoung shouts with a hint of a threat before fleeing with Jeno.

The compound alarm blares with strobes of red light throughout the corridors.

A trample of security rounds the corner. Doyoung and Jeno skid to a stop. From the echo of shouting voices coming behind them, Doyoung knows they're trapped.

"I'm sorry, Jeno," Doyoung manages out. "I can't protect you. You're going to have to help me fight."

"It's okay, Eomma," Jeno replies, and he sounds more confident than Doyoung would've anticipated. "I've got this."

Jeno thrusts his fists forward, firing off stunning plasma beams that send the security guards flying in every direction. Doyoung follows suit, once again relying on auto-targeting and recoiling against every blast.

"Come on!" Jeno shouts, gesturing to the clearest path, and Doyoung stays right by his side as they rush along the next corridor.

Another wave of security swarms them, and Doyoung tenses as he holds out his wrists, but Jeno grabs the nearest guard's arm and steals his gun, smacking the back of his head with the barrel.

He fires off beams with the gun at the incoming swarm then spins around, using it like a bludgeoning weapon against the next guard. Dropping the gun, he grabs the next would-be attacker, bringing him down on his knee then slamming his body into the last of the group, before hastily gesturing to the next clear path. "Eomma, come on!"

Doyoung follows, though he lowers his wrists, blinking at the back of Jeno's helmet more than a little astonished.

They're met by another team, and when Jeno starts kicking all their asses without breaking a sweat, Doyoung just watches, placing his hands on his hips. "Where did you learn to fight like this?"

"I spar with Appa a lot," Jeno grunts as he spins around with a guard and throws him into another. "But mostly from the VR video games Nana and I play." Tossing the next guard over his knee, he crouches down and fires off a series of blasts that send back the next wave before they fully round the corner. "You're always getting on us for playing them too much."

"Well, clearly, I was wrong," Doyoung says with surprising calm as he carefully steps around the unconscious bodies littering the floor. "I'll be sure not to hold you back in the future."

That earns him a chuckle.

They make it outside, but when the next swarm of security greets them, Doyoung takes Jeno's hand, and the two leap into the air. The antigravity mechanisms of the upgraded suits allow them to soar, clearing the guards as well as the security gate.

"Oh, I hope Johnny and Jaemin were able to get the bike," Doyoung muses aloud.

As if on cue, a neon green blast appears out of the side of the compound's perimeter. The future bike revs loudly, driven by Jaemin with Johnny as his passenger.

The bike lands on the stony terrain, roaring as they race away, though a team of DefenderDroids chases after them with their eerie digital whine and a storm of red sending blasts of rock into the air around them.

"Come on!" Jeno insists, and together, the two fly after the trail of droids in an attempt to pick them off one by one.

Doyoung glances back at the compound shrinking behind them.

"Jaehyun…"

They really could use his help. More than that, he just hopes the alpha is okay.

Catching on to the ambush behind them, the DefenderDroids break off, a couple chasing the bike, while three now fly straight for Doyoung and Jeno.

Between the two of them, they take out the first two. However, the third with his big, menacing eyes dodges their attack more easily, firing back his violent counter that nearly takes Doyoung out, but Jeno grabs Doyoung's arm, flying them up to a ledge along a stony wall.

Doyoung spins toward future Jaemin, who is arcing back around. He holds up his wrists.

"Eomma, wait!" Jeno grabs his arms, redirecting them before Doyoung can fire off a blast. "Don't hurt him! Please!"

Doyoung's chest constricts, but the situation is too urgent to give in to the feeling. Facing Jeno, he takes his shoulders, imploring, "That's not your brother. I know it looks like it, and it's hard, but—"

"It is, Eomma!" Jeno insists, those expressive eyes of his desperate behind the green glow of his visor. "He may be infected with malware, but he's still in there! Nana knows how close we are to the Qians, but he didn't lead them to them! He could've killed me at any time. He could've activated the bike and taken me back to the future easily, but he didn't! He's still in there, Eomma! He's fighting to get out! We have to help him!"

A startling humility sinks in with Doyoung as he gazes into his future son's glossy eyes, swimming with so much honest love for his brother. Doyoung never would've guessed Jeno could've touched him more than he already has, yet here he is proving him wrong yet again.

"Okay," Doyoung gives in. "You're right. But let me take care of this. I'm his Eomma. You cover me."

"Right," Jeno nods.

Releasing Jeno, Doyoung turns toward the incoming future Jaemin. The two launch back into the air just in time to dodge his attack.

Doyoung touches the pad along the collar of his suit, and his helmet vanishes. "Jaemin! Jaemin, listen to me. I won't fight you!"

Future Jaemin's eyes narrow as he rushes for Doyoung, wrists thrusting forward and launching another attack.

Doyoung weaves one direction then the next in the air to dodge them. "I know you're in there! You're better than this!"

Future Jaemin laughs derisively, swerving around and unrelenting in his attack. "You're wrong, Eomma! I'm so much better like this! So much stronger!"

"No!" Doyoung shakes his head, swirling to avoid the incoming beams. "Your family is your strength! We all love you so much!"

"Liar!" future Jaemin bellows, the menacing amusement in his eyes contorting into rage, emphasized by more blasts.

Doyoung attempts to dodge, but a hit to his abdomen sends him soaring back, crashing into the side of a cliff with a sharp grunt. He slides down to the nearest ledge, but before he can try to push himself up, future Jaemin has landed in front of him, his own helmet vanishing.

Lunging down, Jaemin grabs him by the throat, and Doyoung sputters, clawing at his mechanical fingers.

"I'm not like the rest of you," future Jaemin murmurs. "I'm just an artificial machine."

Tears sting Doyoung's eyes as he chokes for breath. Despite his pulse pounding in his ears, adrenaline raking through his veins, he stares up into his future creation's eyes. "Artificial only means that I created you, but it doesn't make you less real."

"Shut up!" future Jaemin snarls, grip tightening.

"They hacked into you with malicious programming," Doyoung rasps past his closing airways. "But I know you're still in there. You're stronger than this because you are so much more than programming. You're my Jaemin, my first son."

Future Jaemin's features twist harder, but even as Doyoung's vision blurs and his head starts to spin, he manages out, "And I know you can feel it. Right…" No longer fighting the grip on his throat, Doyoung places his hand against his future creation's chest over the place where his heart would be, "… here."

Jaemin's grip slackens, the fury on his face melting away as his eyes blink as if stepping out of a daze, and it makes him look years younger.

Taking in their position, Jaemin's expression widens with terror, and he hastily jumps back. "Eomma…?"

Doyoung gasps sharply, eyes wide, lungs desperate for air. He impulsively massages the front of his throat.

Sitting up, his attention lifts to future Jaemin, who is staring down at his own hands, expressive eyes swimming with horror and humility.

"Jaemin…" Doyoung reaches for him.

Future Jaemin blinks at him, but his head remains bowed. "I'm sorry, Eomma…" With that, he turns and runs for the edge of the ledge.

"No, Jaemin, wait!" Doyoung calls after him, scrambling to his feet.

He can only imagine how his future creation must feel, and he wants to reassure him, but consumed in his shame, future Jaemin flees, taking flight.

"Jaemin, wait!" Doyoung calls after him, ready to give chase, but then Jeno lets out a distant despaired cry that catches his attention instead.

"Eomma!" Jeno shouts. Down below, he's on his hands and knees, phasing in and out of existence like a hologram, just as he had that night at the Qians.

"Jeno!" Doyoung shrieks, diving down to meet him.

Landing next to his future son, Doyoung kneels, hugging the boy to his chest and clutching one of his hands.

"Stay with me, baby!" he pleads, not sure if he's doing so with Jeno or with himself. "Stay with me. I'm right here! I'm not letting you go. I won't."

Jeno finally re-materializes fully, but he's hyperventilating.

"I'm here. I'm here," Doyoung attempts to soothe him.

However, the piercing crescendo of that eerie digital whine catches his attention the next second, and Doyoung's head snaps up to see three DefenderDroids rushing right for them.

On impulse, he crouches over Jeno, hugging him tight, eyes squeezed shut. The impact of beams bang noisily against metal, and he can feel the rumble of the surrounding violence.

Curiously though, not a single hit befalls them.

Blinking up in surprise, Doyoung watches as two droids soar in opposing directions before Jaehyun tackles the last in the air, pinning the figure into the side of a cliff before holding his palm to its face. He fires off a series of green blasts in a very emotionally charged, overkill display while bellowing, "STAY AWAY FROM MY FAMILY!"

The declaration shakes Doyoung to his core. He releases his hold of Jeno, rising to his feet. At the same time, Jaehyun drops the droid into a broken heap, touching down nearby and panting for breath.

Slowly, Doyoung approaches him. "Family?" The word leaves his lips cautiously, as if it were fragile.

Composing himself, Jaehyun turns toward Doyoung, vanishing his helmet and meeting his eyes.

Doyoung stops directly in front of him. "So then… you do believe that Jeno's your son?"

"I mean, it's pretty obvious, isn't it?" Jaehyun replies with an impressively casual air given his sweaty hairline and visibly shaken state. "And not just 'cause he's got all our best qualities."

A touched laugh breathes from Doyoung's lips, the beginnings of joyful tears brimming along his lashes. "It's his eyes, isn't it? When you look into his eyes, you can just feel the truth."

"No," Jaehyun says, both his tone and expression settling into something more serious. The armored glove disappears from his hand as he touches Doyoung's cheek, looking right into him as he confesses, "I feel it when I look into yours."

"Jaehyun…"

That feeling in Doyoung's chest stirs, swelling with exponential speed, so potent it's overwhelming as he loses himself to the sheer honesty gazing into him.

Doyoung doesn't fight the feeling, allowing it to overflow, completely overtake him as the words echo over and over again inside his head.

Madly in love.

Madly in love.

Madly in love.

Doyoung doesn't think, doesn't speak. He just acts.

Grasping the top of Jaehyun's shoulders, he pulls him into a kiss, and it's like breaking through a floodgate.

Jaehyun kisses him right back, and together, they're an impassioned display of lips on lips, scrapes of teeth, clashes of tongues, sharp stolen breaths. Jaehyun's freed fingers delve into Doyoung's hair while his other hand fits into the small of his back, and Doyoung eagerly clings to the back of Jaehyun's shoulders, fitting their bodies together as if desperate to be as close as possible despite the barrier of their suits.

Jaehyun's earthy musk floods Doyoung's every sense, and all Doyoung wants to do is give in to it, give himself to him, completely and irrevocably.

With the urgent way Jaehyun meets and returns every kiss, holding Doyoung's body close to his, Doyoung knows everything he's feeling is incredibly mutual.

In the back of his throat, Doyoung mewls while the kiss stifles Jaehyun's growls, but inside, his inner omega is howling, shamelessly flowing with all the intense feelings of love it had wanted to for so long, if only Doyoung's pride would've allowed it.

"Eomma? Appa?" Jeno interrupts warily.

The two break the kiss, having the decency to both look a little abashed as they draw back from each other and return their attention to their future son.

"Listen, I'm really happy for you—relieved even—but Jimin is ABOUT TO KILL US!"

He's frantically pointing past them, and when Jaehyun and Doyoung turn their heads in the opposite direction, sure enough, Jimin has landed several meters off, wearing a hulking, oversized purple exosuit with giant canons mounted on the shoulders.

"Oh, that's bugged as fuck," Jaehyun huffs.

"Please don't curse in front of our son," Doyoung requests with impressive calm given that his lips are still buzzing and his heart is going a mile a minute.

"I'm sixteen, Eomma."

Jimin rises into the air, and the canons on her shoulders ignite with a blinding fluorescent pink charge.

"Go!" Jaehyun shouts, grabbing both Doyoung and Jeno by the wrists before launching all three of them into the air.

Just in time. As the massive pink balls crash into the ledge of the cliff, it doesn't just break the stone, it outright vaporizes it in massive boulder-sized gouges.

"Jaemin, keep your distance from us!" Doyoung orders once his helmet reappears.

"Got it!" Jaemin replies, clearly not needing to be told twice.

In the distance, Doyoung can see the bike weaving through the various stone walls and structures, followed by another bike shooting at them that Doyoung has a strong suspicion is being driven by Minjeong.

However, Jaemin has Johnny as his passenger firing back, and with Jimin currently after them in her ridiculously overpowered suit, Doyoung's concern is more immediately focused.

Holding hands, the three weave through the air to dodge the massive pink blasts, vaporizing chunks out of the earth like a scene of meteorites.

Now and again, one of them sends a blast back, but even if it makes contact, it just bounces off.

"And I thought our suits were upgraded," Jaehyun comments.

Doyoung looks over at him imploringly, "What do we do?"

"Break up," Jaehyun says. "Serpentine through the air and take advantage of every passageway you see."

The idea of splitting up admittedly makes Doyoung uneasy, but his trust for Jaehyun overrules that, and he nods curtly. "All right."

"On the count of three," Jaehyun instructs. "One… Two…"

On the third count, Doyoung releases both hands, swooping down in a zigzag motion while Jeno flies up and Jaehyun rears the opposing way.

That uneasy feeling twists in his gut for only a moment, especially as massive balls of shocking pink scoop out more chunks of the surrounding earth, making Doyoung yelp with every blinding blast.

However, he soon understands the logic of Jaehyun's strategy. Jimin's suit may be ridiculously powered, but that also makes it bulky. As she tries to pursue them, she can't keep up, the oversized chunks of her armor catching the jagged stone protrusions and corners of cliffs, throwing off her center of gravity.

Her plasma beams may be powerful, but they need time to recharge, and with the three of them speedily serpentining in opposing directions, not even her auto-targeting systems can keep up.

Diving down into a narrow cavern, Doyoung is plunged into an even denser darkness. The night vision provided by his visor gives him an artificially illuminated light to follow until he zooms out of the other side, finding himself inside a vast canyon.

For a moment, he appears to be alone, but then one of the walls of the canyon explodes into a bomb of rubble as Jimin comes charging through.

Doyoung stops in a hover as she rears in front of him. On impulse, he tenses, body and mind frozen, but then a spotlight shines directly down on the two of them from overhead, snatching both their attentions.

Helicopters have arrived on the scene. Not only that but along the canyon edge, a row of military trucks and even tanks are closing in.

A voice booms from one of the helicopter megaphones: "Attention, unidentified operators! You are operating illegally weaponized exosuits in direct violation of national security. Land immediately and disengage, or we will open fire."

This isn't good.

However, before Doyoung has the chance to even consider how to handle this, Jimin's canons direct upward, firing a powerful pink blast that instantaneously reduces the helicopter to ash.

Doyoung gasps in horror, using the moment to flee the opposing way, but the tanks have taken to firing into the open canyon space, forcing him to swerve and dive in his attempt to evade, running purely on adrenaline and the power of the suit.

Flying along the path of the canyon stream, Doyoung spots the silhouette of either Jaehyun or Jeno up ahead, shifting the direction of his flight to meet him, only to be cut off by the rocket blast of one of the tanks.

It narrowly misses Doyoung, but the force knocks his suit off balance, and the explosion of rocks from the impact of the neighboring cliff pummels him with heavy chunks of stone.

With a yelp, Doyoung loses control, and he spirals straight for the depth of the canyon below.

A hand catches his wrist, yanking him back into an upward arc, returning the center of gravity to his suit. His rescuer guides him into a large series of boulders gathered on one of the high tiers of the canyon wall, providing a narrow hiding space.

Doyoung vanishes his entire suit. His rescuer—Jaehyun—does the same. Jeno is already awaiting them inside.

Panting for breath, Doyoung slumps along the stone wall. He glances at the narrow opening, watching as the military futilely opens fire and shouts warnings at Jimin in the middle of the canyon while all her counters effortlessly waste entire squads and vehicles.

Doyoung looks back to the other two, desperate, "What do we do? If they can't stop her, what chance do we have?"

Jeno and Jaehyun move in next to him, wearing mirroring scrutinizing expressions with distinct pouts of concentration that emphasize that they're abeoji and son.

"Look!" Jeno points. "Nana's just outside the canyon!"

While the space inside the canyon is currently an overwhelming war zone, sure enough, where the canyon opens up into the vast terrain of the desert, Doyoung spots the neon green outline of the future bike awaiting them while keeping a respectable distance.

"And look!" Jeno's hand lifts. "That overhang is a massive avalanche waiting to happen, just like that archway in the valley. I'll fly past Yu, get her attention, then swoop underneath. Between the two of you and all those tanks, you can trap her in the rubble so I can get to Nana!"

"Yu’s suit is a lot more heavily armored than the droids," Jaehyun points out warily. "Even if we did pull that off without any complications, I don't know that it would hold her down for long."

Jeno spins around, eyes darting between them both. "All I need is enough time to reach Nana. Once I do, I can just take the Ions and go."

"No!" Doyoung impulsively shakes his head. "It's too dangerous!"

Jeno's imploring gaze locks onto Jaehyun as if hoping he might back him, but Jaehyun just places a hand on his shoulder. "We gotta listen to Eomma."

Glancing back out to the canyon, Jaehyun's brow sets determinedly. "Okay, you two stay here. I'll go, and once Yu is trapped, Jeno can fly over—"

"No!" Jeno impatiently interjects. "There's not enough time for that! The avalanche will block Nana from getting to me, and by the time I reach the end of the canyon, Yu will have broken free!"

Doyoung's mouth opens to argue, but as he takes in the length of the canyon and the tiny glimmer of green in the distance, he knows that his future son is right.

With the way Jaehyun has gone quiet, he knows they're thinking the same thing.

"I can do this, Eomma!" Jeno desperately insists, clasping one of Doyoung's hands in both of his. "I know I can! I promise!"

A massive lump has formed in Doyoung's throat, too tight to speak, and the pressure reaches all the way down to his heart.

He thinks about what Jaehyun said, how Jeno possesses both their best qualities.

He definitely inherited Doyoung's heart. If anything, he would say that Jeno's is even bigger than his own.

But he also possesses his appa's strength, and as badly as Doyoung wants to protect him and keep him safe, he knows he has to let him do this. Not only is it the only way, he knows his son is more than capable.

Swallowing the lump, Doyoung nods. "All right. You're right. You can do it, I know you can."

"Thank you," Jeno says softly.

Then all three of them go quiet, standing in the dark facing each other, silently knowing what this means yet not a single one of them can bring themselves to say it out loud.

It's Doyoung who breaks, his heart spilling open as he launches himself onto Jeno, pulling him into a fierce embrace as he bursts into tears.

"I'm so happy I met you!" he sobs, sniffing and petting the back of his head as he holds him close, emotions raking through his entire body. "I'm going to miss you so much!"

"Eomma…" Jeno sighs with endeared exasperation, returning the hug more gently.

"I can't wait to meet you again!" Doyoung blubbers, unable to contain himself as he nestles into the side of Jeno's head, squeezing him while breathing his scent in deep as if intent on permanently branding it to memory. "I can't wait to raise you myself!"

"Eomma, please!" Jeno's laugh is muffled against Doyoung. "You're embarrassing me!"

Finally, Doyoung's embrace eases, and he has the decency to smile sheepishly, even as he continues to sniff and weep.

Jaehyun touches Jeno's shoulder, directing his attention his way. "Thank our future selves for us, will you?"

Jeno grins and nods.

"It's hard to believe you're mine," Jaehyun continues. "I just can't believe I was capable of raising someone so incredible."

"Appa…" Jeno bashfully nudges Jaehyun's shoulder.

Jaehyun's smile remains earnest as he adds, "You really are mine and your eomma's greatest accomplishment."

Jeno's features beam into that soft Samoyed smile, and he inclines his head.

"I love you!" Doyoung hastily adds, voice still watery. Cupping Jeno's cheeks, he showers his forehead in an attack of kisses. "I love you so much! So, so much!"

"Okay! Okay! Eomma! I get it!" Jeno lifts his arms, attempting to wriggle out of the kiss attack. "I love you too!"

Letting go, Doyoung steps back, once again having the grace to bow his head with an abashed grin.

"Okay." Heaving a breath, Jeno glances back into the canyon then draws his shoulders back. "Here I go."

"You can do it, son," Jaehyun assures him. "I know you can."

Doyoung nods his agreement. "We'll be right behind you. We'll watch you until you go."

With another grin, Jeno nods.

Then all three of them close in into one final hug.

Doyoung can't help himself when he whispers out one final, "I love you."

"We both love you," Jaehyun adds. "You and Jaemin both. More than anything."

Jeno just hums, the happy sound of a pup who knows he's loved.

They draw back. Jaehyun and Doyoung's suits both re-materialize before Jaehyun takes Doyoung's hand. Doyoung squeezes in return as they stand together, watching as their future son's suit reappears in a quick flash of green.

Turning around, Jeno heads back over to the entryway. Kicking off into a jog, he jumps off the edge of the tier, diving back into the canyon, where Jimin has now taken out massive chunks of the overhead ledge.

Jeno, purposely swirls to circle around her, making sure to catch her attention before swiftly shooting off toward the end of the valley, leading her toward the overhang.

Jimin takes the bait, and Jaehyun and Doyoung wait until she's in pursuit before they two run off the edge, arcing into flight after her.

Releasing each other's hands, Doyoung and Jaehyun hold out their wrists, and right as Jeno swoops beneath the overhang, they begin firing too.

A couple of remaining tanks blast their artillery, unwittingly assisting them as all the varying fire crashes directly into the overhang, blasting out chunks until the remainder of the structure crumbles into a roaring avalanche.

Massive boulders and a flurry of stone rain from overhead. Jaehyun reclaims Doyoung's hand, and the two rear back, hovering as they watch the downpour of stone repeatedly pound the massive purple suit into the canyon floor before completely burying her.

Up ahead, Jeno reaches the end of the canyon. Taking notice, Jaemin curves the future bike around, racing for him. The military troops have taken out the remaining DefenderDroids, and Johnny fires off a blast that hits the tire of Minjeong’s bike, sending her spinning sideways.

Relief lightens Doyoung's chest.

Only for it to plunge into his stomach as Jimin launches back into the air with an eruption of stone spraying around her.

Spotting Jeno ahead, she rushes for him, the pink charge of her canons illuminating.

"Jaehyun!" Doyoung desperately cries, and the two are immediately on her tail, firing off their plasma blasts of green that bounce off the back of her suit with little impact.

Jeno glances back, but continues his pursuit toward Jaemin.

The piercing charge of Jimin's canons launches from her shoulders.

However, the massive pink blasts narrowly miss Jeno as a sudden streak cuts through the air and crashes into Jimin's side, pinning her into the canyon wall.

It's future Jaemin.

He has nothing against the strength of Jimin's suit, but he uses his power full force to keep her restrained, the mechanisms of his body squealing from the exertion as they're pushed past their limits.

Jimin's canons start to charge, but future Jaemin sends two blasts directly into the barrels, and they crackle before completely dying. As Jimin then struggles to fight him off, he claws at the plates of her suit, exposing nodes and wiring in a desperate pursuit of disabling something.

Meanwhile, Jeno has touched down to the surface outside the canyon, and the future bike slows to a stop next to him, where Jaemin and Johnny dismount.

Jaemin's chest cavity opens, and he retrieves the capsule with the real Chrono Ions.

Jeno takes it, but as he straddles the bike, rather than taking off the opposite way as Doyoung expects, he whirls around, vanishing his helmet as he addresses his brother from his timeline.

"Nana!" he shouts. "Nana, come on! We have to go!"

"You go!" future Jaemin shouts back, the charge of his own power popping and flickering threateningly as he struggles against a flailing Jimin. "I have to hold her off! Go! Now!"

"No, Nana, I won't leave you!" Jeno desperately insists. "Not again!"

Doyoung's head snaps toward Jaehyun. "Jaehyun, we have to help him!"

Jaehyun nods, and the two fly over to where future Jaemin has Jimin pinned.

"Go!" Doyoung shouts. "We'll take care of her! Go with your brother!"

Future Jaemin looks hesitant, but ultimately, he nods, and the second he releases Jimin, Doyoung and Jaehyun swoop in to take his place, following suit as they try to break down her armor manually while she thrashes against the canyon wall.

Doyoung looks over to see future Jaemin landing next to Jeno, straddling the bike behind him and hugging his torso.

The android says something to present Jaemin, and they're too far away to hear, but Doyoung suspects its gratitude with the way present Jaemin smiles.

With a grunt, Jaehyun yanks off Jimin's chest plate, firing a green blast into the exposed nodes. The lights of her suit flicker before snuffing out while the whirs and hums of power taper into a dying whine.

The two of them fly back as the useless suit sends her crashing back into the pile of rubble.

Clasping Doyoung's hand, Jaehyun leads them to the end of the canyon, where they touch down to the earth just in time to see Jeno revving the engine of the future bike, the Chrono Ions imbued into the body igniting into a vivid neon green glow.

Present Jaemin and Johnny come running over to meet them, and Jaehyun catches Jaemin in a hug, rubbing the back of his head. "You did an amazing job."

Jaemin smiles bashfully, and Doyoung feels his affection for the alpha grow.

The three stand together, Jaehyun curling an arm around each of them while they watch the bike circle around as Jeno takes off with future Jaemin into the vast expanse of the desert, a trail of neon green following in his wake.

Up ahead, a crackle of power appears out of thin air, distorting the scenery of cliffs all around them.

It crackles a few more times like inexplicable surges of electricity, until finally it explodes into a tear into the fabric of reality, revealing the portal into the infinitely flowing cosmos beyond.

Jeno and future Jaemin zoom into the portal, and the sight grips Doyoung by the heart, emotions prickling in his eyes.

Grief to watch his son go.

Pride to witness just how incredible he is.

And love. An endless amount of unconditional love.

As the bike disappears further into the time stream, it strangely slows to a stop. Doyoung's eyes narrow curiously as he watches Jeno hand off the capsule to future Jaemin.

Jaemin releases the Ions, and rather than explode into the furious storm Doyoung had witnessed, within the stream of time and space, they circle elegantly like gentle dancing stars before aligning into the silhouettes of two distinct figures.

The flow of space starts to disappear around the four bodies within, opening slowly into a what looks like an alternate dimension of this exact desert.

The outlines of the Chrono Ions charge into that blinding green light before flickering out to reveal Doyoung and Jaehyun some sixteen years older.

The family of four looks back, making eye contact with the present trio.

Doyoung presses into Jaehyun's side, finding Jaemin's hand and squeezing it as he exhales a trembling breath. Jaehyun's arms hug tightly around Doyoung and Jaemin both, while Jaemin's fingers return the squeeze.

The tears flow ceaselessly down Doyoung's face as he savors one last look at his future son.

Then the portal zips out of existence, and he's gone.

Chapter Text

The dawn of a new day illuminates the surrounding canyon into a warm gradient of peach and pink.

The DefenderDroids littering the desert disappear, as does Jimin’s exosuit, leaving the heiress lying atop the rubble unguarded.

The future has been changed.

Despite that, Doyoung gasps and sniffs, the tears continuing to flow.

Jeno did it. He saved their family. The pride that Doyoung feels for their future son is beyond the constraints of time and space, but it also does nothing to fill the hollow now aching in his heart.

Jaehyun hits the plates on their chests, and the exosuits flash away, allowing both Doyoung and Jaemin to curl into the warmth of his body more directly and embrace each other as well.

Doyoung breathes Jaehyun’s warm earthy musk as his tears wet the shoulder of the alpha’s shirt. His scent soothes him from the inside out, comforting and euphoric.

As Jaehyun’s embrace curls tighter, he allows both Doyoung and Jaemin to express their grief unhurried. It doesn’t lessen the feeling, but it does make it easier to bear.

However, their moment is disrupted by the crackles of incoming tires over stone and dirt, a crescendo of sirens tapering to a stop.

Sniffing, Doyoung lifts his head from Jaehyun’s shoulder to see the authorities have closed in on them.

Jaehyun’s growl rumbles deep in his chest, the arms around Doyoung and Jaemin constricting protectively.

“It’s okay,” Doyoung whispers reassuringly, ready to face whatever consequences await them.

The authorities exit their vehicles while Doyoung and Jaemin draw back. The family lifts their hands overhead, as does Johnny from where he stands nearby.

However, a military truck enters the scene, pulling to a stop. The back door opens, and a pair of familiar faces exit, hastily making their way between the surrounding authorities and the surrendering group within.

“Wait!” Dr. Kim holds up a hand as he hurriedly marches over to the three, glaring at the authorities. “Put your damn weapons down.”

“Jaehyun?” Professor Jung inquires, marching alongside the doctor as they draw nearer. “What in God’s name is going on?”

Jaehyun’s protective hold has returned to Doyoung and Jaemin, hugging them into his sides. “You mean, besides the fact that the heiress of our largest investors tried to murder us? Tell me you caught that part, Appa?”

That has both of their abeojis stopping dead in their tracks before the three of them, gaping disbelievingly.

“Jimin Yu has been conspiring to take over JungKim Synergy for herself,” Doyoung explains, impressively firm despite the lingering rasp of his emotions still clinging to his throat. “Going so far as to use the Chrono Ions to try to erase Jaehyun and myself from existence!”

“Well, that’s…” Dr. Kim rubs his forehead, brow twisted as if he just can’t wrap his head around this. “That’s crazy talk!”

“Eomma speaks the truth, Papa,” Jaemin replies. Extending his free hand, a projection emits over his palm flashing through quick scenes of everything they have experienced together over these last several weeks. “I have a full recorded database of supporting evidence.”

The sight allows Doyoung to relax a little.

“A lot has happened,” Jaemin explains, the hologram flickering away as he lowers his hand. “It would be better if I showed you rather than trying to explain it all.”

Both abeojis still stare in shocked silence. Professor Jung breaks it first, twisting to face the authorities who are still standing around them as if awaiting orders.

“Well, you heard them!” Professor Jung declares, sharply pointing Jimin Yu’s direction, who is starting to push herself up from the rubble, somewhat disoriented. “Arrest her!”

The authorities aboutface to surround the Yu heiress instead. She doesn’t come quietly, hurling out her name like a threat as well as insisting there will be lawyers, but they manage to apprehend her nevertheless.

“How could the Yus betray us like this?” Appa laments.

“And try to kill our sons?!” Professor Jung agrees, scandalized.

Doyoung understands the shock, but after everything he and his budding family have been through, the indignation that picks up in his chest outweighs that.

“You know, Appa,” he states firmly. “I think JungKim Synergy needs to reevaluate the ethics of our current innovative direction. In fact, I would propose devoting an entire department to the matter. Look around us!”

Doyoung sweeps an arm, gesturing to the surrounding scene of destruction, wafts of smoke still exuding in blown-out chunks of earth as well as from the rubble remnants of military vehicles. “All this devastation is a direct result of our supposed innovation. Is this truly serving humanity’s best interest? Or our investors?”

Both abeojis look more than a little taken aback about being confronted so sternly.

Their eyes dart to Jaehyun questioningly, and the alpha squeezes Doyoung’s shoulder as he adds without hesitating, “I’m with Doyoung one hundred percent on this.”

Warmth and pride pulse through Doyoung’s chest to receive such support, but he doesn’t let that distract him as he continues, “We should’ve taken the potential consequences of the Chrono Ions more seriously from the beginning. Our pride and egos allowed our own developments to be used as weapons against us!”

“That’s right!” Jaehyun agrees. “We got so caught up in the fact that we could, that we never stopped and asked if we should!”

Doyoung looks at the alpha. “That’s a really good way to put it, Jaehyun.”

“Thanks,” Jaehyun grins back at him. “I got it from Jurassic Park.”

Doyoung snorts. His heart really does beat for a giant dork.

“Anyway,” Jaehyun’s attention returns to the JungKim seniors. “I’m in complete agreement with Doyoung on this issue, and if you refuse to take this matter seriously, I won’t hesitate to withdraw my contributions and sell all of my company shares.”

It’s a bold statement, but not only does Doyoung completely understand where he’s coming from, he doesn’t even have to question himself to know that he shares his conviction, adding without hesitating, “As will I.”

Both abeojis continue to stare at them dumbfounded as if they truly cannot believe their sons’ shared audacity.

However, it’s broken by Doyoung’s appa this time, his eyes falling to Jaehyun’s arm curled around the back of Doyoung’s shoulders, eyes narrowing scrutinizingly.

“Hold on a second…” Dr. Kim steps forward, gesturing to Jaehyun’s hold and regarding them both quizzically. “This… What’s going on here?”

On impulse, Doyoung and Jaehyun exchange glances. The palpitation of Doyoung’s heart sends warmth to his cheeks.

What is going on here?

They had an intense moment in the heat of battle there. While Doyoung doesn't doubt that the feeling blooming in his chest is very much mutual—given the declaration Jaehyun made accompanied by the sincerity in his eyes—they nevertheless haven’t had the chance to define it.

Jaehyun, however, stands confidently, reaffirming his hold around Doyoung and Jaemin both. “Mr. Kim, I’m in love with your son.”

That feeling in Doyoung’s chest flutters, and he’s grateful that he has Jaehyun holding onto him so sturdily because he feels like he might actually swoon.

The look of shock the JungKim abeojis share is almost comical in its exaggeration.

Appa turns toward Doyoung next. “And you, Doyoungie? Do you feel the same?”

On impulse, Doyoung’s eyes turn to Jaehyun. The roots of his hair are matted with sweat, dirt streaks his face, yet that does nothing to detract from how handsome he is as he smiles at Doyoung, warm and framed with soft dimples.

Curling toward him, Doyoung places his free hand on Jaehyun’s chest and he replies with an unequivocal, “Yes.”

The stunned astonishment remains etched on their abeojis’ faces, jaws dropped.

Then they both erupt into boisterous cheers, hands thrown in the air, laughing so animatedly that it could be heard from the heavens themselves and even beyond.

Doyoung and Jaehyun share a sheepish laugh, and then next thing they know both abeojis have pulled the trio into a fierce group hug that has the three of them grunting with a collective, “Oof!”

“I’m so happy!” Dr. Kim shamelessly declares. “I’m just so happy!”

“This is the best thing that could’ve ever happened!” Professor Jung enthusiastically agrees.

“Oh, if you think this is great, just wait until a little over nine months from now,” Jaehyun throws in casually.

Which has Doyoung throwing him a look with a hushed, “Jaehyun!”

Professor Jung’s expression drops into one of curiosity, “What was that?”

“Nothing!” Jaehyun returns quickly with a too-casual grin before encouraging the group along. “Hey, let’s go celebrate by getting started on setting up that Ethics Department, yeah?”

Doyoung laughs, happily leaning into Jaehyun as they move along.

The authorities locate and apprehend Minjeong as well.

A team of paramedics arrives to look the group over, but in the end, Johnny is the only one who agrees to be taken by the paramedics.

Doyoung suspects it has less to do with any potential injuries and more to do with the pretty omega medic with the soft pink hair and the bright boba eyes.

Afterward, they are brought into federal custody for questioning. Jaemin’s thorough archive as well as Professor Jung and Dr. Kim’s refusal to press charges prevent them from being arrested.

However, when the team of authorities and investigators insist on appropriating Jaemin as “evidence,” Doyoung nearly has a panic attack.

Jaehyun is on it, putting his foot down, stating without hesitation that Jaemin is their son and detaining him would be no different from abducting a human pup from their parents. He’s already calling up the Jung family lawyers, ready to demand accountability for any trauma the suggestion has inflicted upon their child.

In the end, the team decides that the copies of all Jaemin’s records are more than enough and the family of three is released together.

It doesn’t go unnoticed the fond way Jaemin keeps smiling up at Jaehyun after he repeatedly referred to him as his son. Doyoung thinks his heart might burst from Jaehyun’s continuous displays of devotion to his family.

Finally, they make it back to Jaehyun’s home, and the alpha once again offers his bed without hesitating.

For a long time, Doyoung just silently hugs Jaemin to his chest while they mourn the loss of the family member who has yet to come to be.

“Would you sing me the lullaby, Eomma?” Jaemin quietly asks.

Doyoung happily obliges, rubbing Jaemin’s arms and kissing the top of his head while the android steadily relaxes into him.

“He saved our family,” Doyoung murmurs into his hair afterward. “And he couldn’t have done it without you—now and in the future. You were so brave. I can’t begin to tell you how proud I am.”

Jaemin hums appreciatively.

“My first son.” Doyoung rests his cheek atop Jaemin’s head. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Eomma,” Jaemin replies. “Jeno and I are so lucky to have you, to have both of you.”

The warmth in Doyoung’s chest spreads across his lips, and although he thought he was all cried out, more tears bead along his lashes.

Eventually, Jaemin decides to go into standby mode.

As exhausted as Doyoung feels, he should rest with him, but he just doesn’t think his mind is going to allow him to sleep after everything.

Leaving Jaehyun’s bedroom, Doyoung finds the alpha in his garage with the hood popped open to one of his vehicles, apparently needing manual labor to help him sort out his thoughts—a sentiment that Doyoung understands all too well.

He stops when he spots Doyoung. “You should be sleeping.”

“I can’t sleep,” Doyoung admits, tucking a lock of hair behind his ear. “I’m not interrupting, am I?”

“No, you’re fine.” Setting his tools aside, Jaehyun wipes off his hands and joins Doyoung.

The two head back upstairs, falling to the couch. Doyoung leans into Jaehyun, who takes him in his arms, and as he breathes in the alpha’s scent, he doesn’t think he’s ever felt more secure and at home.

“Thank you,” Doyoung says gently, wedging his arms around Jaehyun’s torso as his temple rests against his collar. “For everything and especially for standing up for Jaemin like that.”

“Of course,” Jaehyun replies easily. “I meant everything I said.”

A touched smile appears on Doyoung’s lips, though he doesn’t find himself even a little surprised. “I know.”

“How is he?” Jaehyun asks.

“He’s sad. But he’ll be okay.”

“And you?”

“The same,” Doyoung admits, heart constricting at the mere mention. Sniffing, he roughly wipes his cheeks before the next waves of tears have a chance to form. “I shouldn’t be crying so much in front of him.”

“You’re grieving,” Jaehyun gently points out. “He should see you grieve. It shows him that it’s okay for him to grieve.”

Doyoung shifts so that he can look at Jaehyun. The love he has for this alpha flourishes in his chest with such abundance that Doyoung is having a hard time conceptualizing that there was ever a time he felt anything differently for him. 

It was quite the long hard road for them to get to this point, and Doyoung wouldn’t have it any other way.

Madly in love.

Closing in, Doyoung finds Jaehyun’s lips with his own, gently taking the collar of his shirt between clenched fingers. One arm hugs Doyoung to his chest, the fingertips of his other hand tracing his cheek as Jaehyun returns the kiss.

This one is gentler than the first, tender, warm, a gentle slide of lips on lips. And even though Doyoung initiated it, the way Jaehyun holds him and delivers every kiss with such reverence has the omega unraveling in his arms.

“I love you,” he murmurs against Jaehyun’s lips.

“I love you too,” the alpha returns, and although his tone sounds sincere, it’s followed by a slightly disbelieving chuckle.

Doyoung draws back, regarding him curiously, “What?”

Jaehyun shakes his head, grinning sheepishly, “I just kind of can’t believe I’m hearing you say that. It feels like the most impossible dream come true.”

“Would you tell me?” Doyoung asks gently because while the suspicions he’s had about the alpha have been all but confirmed at this point, he still needs to hear it.

Jaehyun inclines his head as he exhales a breath, tracing Doyoung’s cheek with his thumb. His eyes have that vulnerable look in them just as they had in the garage, though the smile on his face is warm.

“I’ve wanted you for as long as I can remember,” Jaehyun confesses, voice just over a whisper, eyes locked with Doyoung’s. A sheepish laugh tumbles from his lips as he continues, “Not that I understood it when we were pups. All I knew was that one day when I arrived at your abeoji’s lab, your scent hit me like never before. It was the most beautiful thing I ever breathed, but boy, did it make me stupid.”

“Jaehyun…” Doyoung exhales, heart tugged.

“It was intoxicating,” Jaehyun continues. “It completely took over my head, and I couldn’t explain it, but I was so overcome by the urge to impress you, to show you how strong and competent I was, I just couldn’t stop myself. Even when I knew what was coming out of my mouth was the completely wrong thing to say, I couldn’t stop. Your scent made me crazy. I felt like I had no control over myself.”

Finally, Doyoung understands.

Jaehyun had been going about trying to impress him in a stupid way, yes, but he was only thirteen. His body was flooded with all these hormone surges that he didn’t know how to handle, didn’t have the experience to recognize, much less know how to process.

All his pubescent instincts had been firing off at once, and of course, he wouldn’t know how to deal with it. Who would?

Reflecting on it now, Doyoung feels so bad for him, though a part of him is admittedly touched to think that even back then, Doyoung was having that sort of an effect on him.

It also really illustrates just how hard it must have been for Jaehyun not to stay with Doyoung when he was in heat.

You don’t know the effect your scent has on me.

Doyoung’s heat had felt unbearable, but he realizes now that it must have been just as agonizing for Jaehyun to remove himself for Doyoung’s sake while also staying nearby enough to look after him. If anything, it may have even been worse for Jaehyun.

“It would be a few years before I understood what was happening to me every time you were nearby,” Jaehyun continues. “Another couple of years before I’d admit it to myself. The fact that you were just growing more beautiful and intelligent with this incredibly big heart as the years went on only made it worse.”

The pad of Jaehyun’s thumb sweeps against Doyoung’s cheeks affectionately, and Doyoung can’t help but grin, once again touched.

Jaehyun’s grin takes a bit of that familiar pompous turn. “It also didn’t help that you’re really cute when you get grumpy.”

Doyoung scoffs, lightly shoving Jaehyun’s shoulder.

“See! Proving my point,” Jaehyun says.

Doyoung shakes his head, but he’s grinning, surprisingly endeared by the sentiment.

Yet at the same time, he finds his heart aching in a whole new way, to think that Jaehyun had been secretly harboring feelings for so long.

“I just kind of accepted that my feelings were one-sided,” Jaehyun admits, tone low with the sort of wistful air that could only be brought by the pain of years-long yearning. “And I knew that I only had myself to blame for it.”

“And then here Jeno shows up claiming that your future is everything you had wanted but thought was impossible…” Doyoung muses aloud, reading between the lines.

The melancholy lingers in Jaehyun’s eyes even as he smiles. “It felt too good to be true. I couldn’t let myself accept it when I was so sure that you would never feel the same. It just felt like I was setting myself up for an even greater fall.”

“Oh, Jaehyun…” Doyoung exhales, so compelled by the ache in his heart that he can’t help but close in and kiss him again, determined to show Jaehyun all the love that he feels for him, to make up for all those years he let his pride blind him from the beautiful truth that was awaiting him all along.

This next kiss is as tender as the last, warm, loving, driven by a patient sort of passion.

“I should’ve told you,” Jaehyun murmurs into the kiss as they draw back. “I’m sorry I was so dumb about it.”

However, Doyoung shakes his head. Reaching up, he takes his hand. “I’m glad things happened as they did. It brought us here, and now we know we have such a beautiful future to look forward to. I can’t wait.”

“We do,” Jaehyun agrees, eyes lowering to their held hands. He shifts them so that the pad of his thumb sweeps over Doyoung’s knuckles, lifting it to press to his lips before grinning up at him. “But if I’m being honest, I would rather take my time getting there. For now, I just want to enjoy the present.”

A smile spreads across Doyoung’s face, that piece of his heart devoted to Jaehyun swelling. “You know, Jaehyun, when you do say the right thing, you sure do say it.”

Exhaling a laugh, Jaehyun releases Doyoung’s hand so he can cup the back of his head, pulling him into another kiss.

Doyoung just can’t imagine feeling like this with anyone but him.

“Founders of JungKim Synergy, Professor Jung and Dr. Kim, revealed at their latest press conference that the company is currently undergoing a major overhaul.”

A news report plays on the projected television screen inside Doyoung’s bedroom while the omega himself tends to his creation. He swipes through the specs displayed on one screen hovering over Jaemin’s hand, while the android himself is occupied with the fluffy white kitten Doyoung allowed him to adopt, Lucy.

“Currently, all of our projects are on hold while we develop our Ethics Committee,” the recording of Appa announces on the television.

“Aren’t you concerned about how such substantial changes could impact stocks?” a reporter asks.

Professor Jung answers this one, “Not as much as we are concerned about the potential impact of our technological advancements. We are here to serve humanity first and foremost.”

“A lesson we have both humbly learned courtesy our sons,” Dr. Kim adds.

Professor Jung nods his agreement. “Which is why we’ve appointed them as the company’s benefactors. They possess both the wisdom and heart required to uphold our values.”

The feed cuts back to the anchorwoman. “This press conference comes in right after a major incident took place from within the JungKim Synergy Compound. Many of the details remain classified. However, what is known is that the JungKim Sons—Jaehyun Jung and Doyoung Kim, respectively—were not conspiring to overthrow the company as previously reported. In fact, it’s the heiress of JungKim’s largest investor, Jimin Yu, who is undergoing charges of conspiracy and attempted murder. QIT student, Minjeong Kim, has also been brought in as an accomplice.”

Glancing over at the projection, Doyoung watches as mugshots of Jimin and Minjeong take over the screen.

“Television, turn off,” he orders, and it does.

Returning his attention to Jaemin, Doyoung finishes looking through the specs and closes the projection, sitting down next to him and addressing him directly, “How are you feeling?”

Smiling as Lucy leans into the small cat brush Jaemin is holding for her, he then looks to Doyoung. “I feel fine.”

His gaze then wanders, as if losing himself in thought. Doyoung can’t help but marvel at how human he looks—and not just because of his latest upgrade.

“What is it, my love?” Doyoung asks.

“I experienced something novel last night,” Jaemin answers.

“Oh?” Doyoung tilts his head curiously. “What was that?”

“It’s difficult to explain,” Jaemin muses, eyes narrowing in contemplation. “It was like a simulation, except I wasn’t connected to anything or running any programs. I didn’t have anywhere near as much control over it as I would have a simulation either. The definition wasn’t quite as clear, and even my memory bank is having difficulty retrieving a full account of the event.”

Doyoung’s curiosity is more than piqued by this, but he remains quiet, allowing his creation to continue.

“We were back in the canyon—myself, you, Jaehyun, and Nono,” Jaemin explains. “We were riding on the bikes, racing each other and laughing.” A wistful smile spreads across Jaemin’s face. “And even though the sensory experience wasn’t too clear, something about it just felt so real. Even more so than my simulation games.”

A smile spreads across Doyoung’s face that mirrors his creation, vicariously feeling as if he can hear their distant laughter, see the soft glow the sun casts over the canyon.

“It was very nice…” Jaemin continues, but then the warm look on his face fades. “But when I woke up this morning, I felt sad.”

Doyoung nods his understanding, vicariously sharing his feelings. Reaching over, he places a comforting hand over one of Jaemin’s.

The android’s expression turns curious as he looks at Doyoung again. “What did I experience?”

“It sounds to me like you had a dream,” Doyoung answers.

“A dream…” Jaemin murmurs wistfully, before inquiring more confidently, “Will I have more?”

“I can’t say for certain,” Doyoung answers honestly. Then the smile returns to his lips, “But I imagine you will.”

Lucy chirps as she hops onto Jaemin’s lap, purring and slinking against his body. He smiles down at her as he gently scratches between her ears. “I hope I do.”

A knock on the door catches Doyoung’s attention, and he calls out, “Come in!”

Jaehyun lets himself in, looking especially handsome in his biker jacket, and once again, Doyoung has to marvel the perfect state of his hair despite having surely worn a helmet.

Doyoung rises to his feet, and the alpha strides across the room, greeting him with a kiss that has the omega’s heart fluttering.

He turns his attention to Jaemin next, holding out a fist. “Looking sharp, my man!”

Letting Lucy hop down from his lap, Jaemin stands to greet the alpha, lightly bumping his fist with his own.

“How’s the new body feeling?” Jaehyun asks.

Jaemin spins around. Rather than being comprised of mechanical plates, he has fluid nanotech that is still distinctly android, but his movement is a lot more natural and flexible.

“Your tech has improved the fluidity and efficiency of my mobility considerably,” Jaemin answers. “I feel like I’m walking on a cloud. Thank you.”

Jaehyun inclines his head. “It’s my pleasure.”

Jaemin’s smile softens, and a touch of color appearing on his holographic cheeks. “Would it be alright if I called you Appa?”

“I’d be honored,” Jaehyun answers without hesitating, sounding as touched as Doyoung feels watching the scene.

Jaemin extends a hand toward the alpha, who takes it and pulls him into a hug, and Doyoung practically melts at the sight.

“Would you like to come riding with us?” Jaehyun offers.

“Thank you, Appa,” Jaemin replies with a shake of his head. “But I want to finish building Lucy’s playhouse, then I’m going to meet up with some friends in the virtual network.”

“All right,” Jaehyun nods. “Just know you’re always welcome.”

“I know,” Jaemin says, kneeling to scoop Lucy in his arms. He glances at Doyoung with a devious grin before heading to the door. “But I’ll give you two your space, so you can procreate.”

“Jaemin!” Doyoung hisses, scandalized.

To which, Jaehyun laughs, because of course he does.

Jaemin winks back at the alpha with a wave before slipping out the door, and Jaehyun returns both gestures.

Doyoung lightly slaps the front of his shoulder. “Don’t encourage him!”

“Hey!” Jaehyun holds up his hands. “Like I’ve said before, you created him. That’s on you.”

“He has an impressionable young mind, and he calls you Appa now,” Doyoung points out. “You have to model appropriate behavior for him.”

“All right,” Jaehyun gives in, hands lowering to his pockets. “I’ll start tomorrow.”

Doyoung arches a brow. “Tomorrow?”

“What?” Jaehyun shrugs, grinning shamelessly. “He’s doing me a solid!”

Doyoung scoffs, though it is taking him a lot of effort to keep from grinning. “Do you think that this is any way to woo me, Jung?”

“No.” Jaehyun closes in, an unfairly handsome smirk appearing on the corner of his lips as he gently takes Doyoung’s waist. “I was thinking more along the lines of a nice dinner, followed by a scenic bike ride, then end the evening with a movie back at my place.”

“At your place, hm?” Doyoung asks with a playful hum.

“Yeah.” Jaehyun’s grin broadens, fingers gently stroking Doyoung’s waist. “I figured it would be a little more personal than going out to some theater. Intimate.”

He leans in as if to steal a kiss, and Doyoung presses his fingers to his lips to stop him, simply replying, “Let’s go.”

Dinner is a fine affair at a five-star restaurant in the city with low lighting and a romantic atmosphere.

“There’s something I can’t stop thinking about…” Doyoung asks musingly as he sets down his wine glass, looking out to the city view past the expanse of windows.

“Yeah?” Jaehyun asks, seated across from him.

“Jeno took the Chrono Ions with him,” Doyoung explains. “That means… we didn’t complete a timeline loop. We actually changed the future.”

“You would know more about that than I would,” Jaehyun replies. “But that is how it looks.”

“It just makes me wonder…” Doyoung turns his attention to Jaehyun across from him. “If our two timelines are different, how did we end up falling in love in his?”

“Hmmm.” Reaching across the table, Jaehyun gently takes one of Doyoung’s hands. “I can’t say for sure, but I have a suspicion it started that night in the compound after the incident at the gala.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah,” Jaehyun smiles. “I think I told you then how I felt about you, how beautiful and smart I find you, how I’ve always been in awe of you and wanted nothing more than to prove myself to you.”

A blush creeps up Doyoung’s face, flattered, though also curious. “What makes you so sure?”

Jaehyun shrugs, the dimples making their appearance as he gazes at Doyoung easily. “Because I almost accidentally confessed this time. But then Jeno appeared, and that kind of threw me off.”

“Really?” Doyoung asks, perhaps not entirely surprised.

“Really.”

“With as angry as I was that evening, I think that would’ve just confused me more and had me running off,” Doyoung admits.

“Fair,” Jaehyun allows. “But once you had some time to cool down, I’m sure you would’ve come back.”

“To accuse you of trying to mess with my head!” Doyoung insists.

Jaehyun doesn’t argue it. “By that time though, I’d have already laid it all out on the line, so I’m sure I would’ve just reassured you that I meant it.”

“That probably would’ve just had me panicking and running again!”

“Yeah, but I bet when you came around the next time, you would be planning on letting me have it, but you’d just end up kissing me instead.”

Doyoung. “Oh, really?”

Jaehyun shamelessly grins. “Yep!” And when Doyoung gives him a skeptical look, he adds, “Do you deny it?”

Exhaling a sigh, Doyoung leans back in his seat and grins. “No.”

Jaehyun laughs, and Doyoung shakes his head, yet his smile lingers.

His expression softens the next moment as he muses, “Still… That would mean I get pregnant with Jeno in just a couple of weeks. That’s not very long into a relationship to be having a baby. We’re still students.”

“Yeah, I’ve thought about that too,” Jaehyun admits. “And I can only conclude that Jeno must’ve been an ‘oops baby.’”

“Jaehyun!” Doyoung huffs, lightly kicking the alpha’s shin under the table.

“What?” Jaehyun leans back, looking far too amused for someone who was just kicked. “They say birth control is 99% effective instead of 100% for a reason!”

Doyoung tries to fix Jaehyun with a disapproving look, which would probably be more convincing if not for their held hands still resting atop the table. “Don’t call him that!”

“Hey. Just ‘cause he wasn’t planned doesn’t mean he was less wanted or loved!” Jaehyun points out. His tone softens as he adds, “And obviously, we made it work.”

That has a pulse of affection running through Doyoung’s chest despite himself, and a smile follows. “You’re unbelievable.”

“And yet, here you are with me.” Jaehyun lifts Doyoung’s hand, placing a kiss on the back of his fingers.

Doyoung wants to huff, but the flutter in his chest just won’t allow him to.

After dinner, Jaehyun takes him on a bike ride, which is scenic and nice. Doyoung admires the view of the sun setting behind the outline of the cityscape.

Mostly what he notices though is how comfortable he feels leaning into Jaehyun’s back as he hugs his torso. He doesn’t think he’s ever felt more safe.

At Jaehyun’s place, the alpha is setting up for the movie while Doyoung watches the remnants of the sun disappear along the horizon, the lullaby drifting unconsciously from his lips.

“So when we reach the end
Please don’t cry, my dear
I await you in the next life
And in all the space between there and here
I love you

Forever
I love you.”

Stepping up to Doyoung’s back, Jaehyun wraps his arms around his waist, nuzzling the back of his head. “I miss him too.”

Draping his arms over Jaehyun’s, Doyoung leans back into him, accepting his comfort as that pang of longing hits him.

“Do you think he’s all right?” Doyoung asks just above a whisper.

“I’m sure he’s more than all right,” Jaehyun answers, both compassionate and confident. “We made one incredible, strong, intelligent kid.”

“We sure did,” Doyoung agrees, nodding gently.

A bittersweet feeling tugs at his chest because while he knows Jaehyun is right, that doesn’t stop Doyoung from missing him.

“And you know,” Jaehyun adds. “Not only will we get to meet him again, we’ll get to have the entire experience of raising him.”

The light that appears in Doyoung’s chest at the suggestion is more than just a silver lining, it’s a break in the clouds, revealing the very first ray of the new dawn.

“In the meantime… we could always get to work on bringing him into existence.”

With an amused huff, Doyoung reaches back to lightly smack the side of Jaehyun’s arm. “Pervert.”

“I’m just saying,” Jaehyun shamelessly continues, hugging Doyoung tighter to his chest as his lips graze against the shell of his ear. “There’s no time like the present!”

Doyoung’s not sure what’s more annoying—Jaehyun’s antics or the fact that his heart is picking up in response. Scoffing out a chuckle, he shakes his head. “It would still be another couple weeks at the earliest for the timing to line up right.”

Jaehyun heaves a theatrical sigh, chin resting atop Doyoung’s shoulder. “Well, I have a small confession to make, Kim. That’s not the only reason I want to sleep with you. In fact, that’s not even the primary reason I want to sleep with you—that’s just a happy byproduct.”

Doyoung shifts to turn around in Jaehyun’s arms so that he can face him, arching a brow skeptically. “Is this what you consider methods of seduction, Jung?”

“That depends.” That easy, smug grin appears on Jaehyun’s lips. “Is it working?”

“Annoyingly, yes.”

They both laugh, light and giddy, but the sound quickly closes off into a hum as Jaehyun cups Doyoung’s face and moves in for a tender kiss.

It starts slow and soft, lips exploring lips, Jaehyun’s hands falling to the dip of Doyoung’s back while Doyoung wraps his arms around the back of Jaehyun’s neck.

Doyoung’s inner omega purrs, and it’s all too easy for him to give into the instinct, body melting against Jaehyun while his heart drifts up to the clouds.

As if spurred by Doyoung’s surrender, Jaehyun growls low in his throat, clawing at the fabric against his back as he deepens the kiss, lapping into Doyoung’s mouth and groaning with delight.

Doyoung happily reciprocates, and soon enough, their feet are moving. Where they’re going, he couldn’t say, unable to bring himself to part from Jaehyun as their kisses grow all the more insistent and needy.

Then Doyoung’s legs hit the couch, and he lets himself fall to the cushions, propped against the massive plush pillows in the corner as Jaehyun moves to sit between his legs, reuniting their lips.

“I thought we were supposed to be watching a movie,” Doyoung breathlessly teases between kisses.

“Fuck the movie,” Jaehyun husks.

“I’d rather you fuck me.”

That earns him another growl from the alpha, all hint of smugness and teasing gone as he claims Doyoung’s mouth with his. Taking Doyoung’s knee, he pulls his thigh against his hip as his hand glides up to knead his ass, body hard and solid as he presses him into the plush pillows.

Doyoung shivers, feeling so small against Jaehyun’s broad frame and strong touch, but he likes it. Heat pools in his belly and sparks in his chest as he moans into the kiss, fingers tangling into the hair on the back of Jaehyun’s head.

The kisses cut off as Jaehyun’s lips descend into an affectionate trail that takes him to the pulse along the line of Doyoung’s throat. His lips graze over his scent glands before he practically buries himself into them, breathing him in so sharp and deep as if his life depended on it that it startles Doyoung.

He squeaks out a small, “Oh!”

Jaehyun hastily withdraws. “Sorry.” A sheepish grin tugs onto the corner of his lips, ears flaring pink. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that.”

The desire lacing his words is so heavy that Doyoung can nearly feel the alpha’s internal ache. He suspects he does have an idea, given everything he’s learned about Jaehyun, and it just makes him want to surrender himself to him that much more.

“I’m all yours, Alpha,” Doyoung breathes, tilting his head way back in offering.

Jaehyun dives right back in, inhaling Doyoung generously, hands kneading at him with such potent want it’s like injecting fuel into the crackling flames of Doyoung’s already growing arousal.

He doesn’t just breathe Doyoung either. He nuzzles into him, smothering the omega with his own scent, and it’s absolutely intoxicating. Doyoung’s eyelids flutter the more Jaehyun’s scent fills his nostrils, melds with his own, thighs pliantly falling open on impulse as Jaehyun’s hard body presses into his.

Lavishing Doyoung’s pulse with hot open-mouthed kisses, Jaehyun then comes up to press a kiss by Doyoung’s ear, his breath ghosting hot over the shell. “I want you so bad.”

To emphasize his words, he takes one of Doyoung’s hands, pressing it to his crotch, and the heat of the generous bulge that greets Doyoung’s touch, even through the denim of Jaehyun’s pants, has him feeling more humbled. Not to mention outright thrilled between anticipation and the knowledge that he’s having such a significant effect on the alpha when they’ve barely even done anything.

On impulse, the hand against Jaehyun’s crotch starts to knead, but then Jaehyun removes his touch, lacing their fingers together instead as he pins Doyoung’s hand back against the cushions, closing in for another decadent kiss, muffling their mutual pleased noises.

Closing off the kiss, Jaehyun shifts so that he can hover slightly over Doyoung, releasing his hand so that he can sweep back his fringe, trace the side of his face affectionately.

Although the desire burns heavy in the alpha’s eyes, he gazes down at Doyoung with such sincere adoration that Doyoung feels a little humbled beneath it.

“You’re so beautiful,” Jaehyun whispers, thumb tracing the corner of Doyoung’s lips. “I’ve always thought so.”

Doyoung blushes, and as the heavy thrum of his heart exacerbates the tingling want taking over his body, all he can manage out is a breathless, “Touch me.”

Jaehyun doesn’t leave him waiting, dipping down with a particularly savoring kiss as his palm smooths down the front of Doyoung’s body, melding all too perfectly between his legs.

Doyoung’s breath hitches against the pressure of Jaehyun’s hand, the flush on his face concentrating as he palms his pussy through the layers of clothing, the strength of his pulse amplifying between his legs as the drench of slick steadily accumulates.

Then the pressure of his hand eases and Jaehyun reaches up to undo his pants, and Doyoung feels really vulnerable with his legs spread for the alpha like this, but it’s a good feeling. More than good.

Jaehyun breaks the kiss so he can suck two fingers into his mouth, wetting them generously before reaching back down to wedge his hand beneath Doyoung’s open pants and panties, fingers gliding between his wet folds.

With a trembling breath, Doyoung spreads his legs more for him, adjusting his position as the slip of Jaehyun’s fingers breaches his opening. Jaehyun carefully stretches him around the two digits as he sinks them further and further inside, all the while his thumb finds the hood of Doyoung’s clit, sending little shocks of pleasure through his pussy and abdomen that has Doyoung gasping.

“God, you’re so tight and wet,” Jaehyun murmurs against his lips, pressing a kiss to the corner of Doyoung’s mouth before resting his forehead atop his.

Jaehyun confidently works up until Doyoung’s stretched around his knuckles, finding a good rhythm as he massages his inner walls, all the more easily guided by the generous accumulation of slick dripping from Doyoung.

Whimpering, Doyoung claws at the nape of Jaehyun’s neck as he repeatedly rolls his hips in opposition to Jaehyun’s touch.

Already, he’s finding himself breathless, pleasure concentrated between his legs, flooding his veins with a euphoric heat that has his extremities tingling.

It’s a little embarrassing just how deeply he is stirred by only the alpha’s fingers, but once again, it just feels so good to give himself to him like this.

Just as the pressure of Doyoung’s throbbing pussy is threatening to break, Jaehyun slides his fingers out of him, completely removing his hand from his pants so that he can suck his now slick-drenched fingers into his mouth, groaning with sinful delight as if he’s indulging in divine forbidden nectar.

“You taste as amazing as you smell,” the alpha confesses after sliding his fingers from his mouth. “I could devour you.”

The intense burn in his eyes as he says this is enough to steal Doyoung’s breath away. He understands what he’s asking, nodding his consent. “Help yourself.”

Jaehyun doesn’t hesitate, sliding off the couch so he is on his knees on the floor instead. His hands slide over Doyoung’s hips, and Doyoung has to make some adjustments so Jaehyun can remove his pants before settling between his legs.

“These are cute,” he comments about Doyoung’s silk panties.

However, before Doyoung has the chance to scoff or comment otherwise, Jaehyun’s fingers are gliding up the already quite damp fabric, rubbing at his clit, and his voice cuts off with a hitch.

Jaehyun doesn’t tease him long, delving in and mouthing at his pussy through the silk, unabashedly breathing him in as a shudder runs across his shoulders. Meanwhile, Doyoung’s hands fly back to the hair on Jaehyun’s head as he exhales a strangled moan, the heat of his mouth casting ripples of pleasure through his abdomen and thighs even through the fabric.

Jaehyun’s groan muffles between Doyoung’s legs as he licks and mouths at the fabric, growing steadily more generous about it by the second with lewd slurps. Between his saliva and Doyoung’s slick, the panties go from damp to soaked in a matter of moments.

Singing all the praises of his pleasure, Doyoung’s hips impulsively rock to press his pussy into the heat of Jaehyun’s mouth.

It feels incredible, though with the layer of fabric remaining between them, it also feels like the most excruciating tease, winding the heat in Doyoung’s tummy so very tight yet stopping just before reaching the breaking point.

And Jaehyun clearly knows what he’s doing. He presses the flat of his tongue right into Doyoung’s clit and rolls, and Doyoung feels like if he keeps holding him on the edge like this with no release, he might actually die.

Fingers twisted into Jaehyun’s locks, a strangled whine escapes Doyoung’s throat, desperately chasing his pleasure as his hips rock against the friction, so aroused it hurts.

“Alpha… Please.”

Jaehyun hums in a manner that Doyoung can practically hear the smug grin on his face. He wants to get indignant about it, but the ache of his desire is just so strong that he can’t.

Thankfully, Jaehyun doesn’t continue to torment him. Twisting the silk in his fingers, he stretches the crotch of his panties aside, parting Doyoung’s dewey delicate folds with his tongue directly before sucking his clit between his lips.

And oh God, it’s just so good. After all that build-up and teasing, the wet heat of Jaehyun’s direct lips has the internal coil of Doyoung’s pleasure shattering and erupting through him in a euphoric rush.

With a broken moan, Doyoung’s thighs clamp Jaehyun’s head on impulse from the fervor of his orgasm, seizing his body with sheer pleasure as the slick gushes from him.

Jaehyun welcomes all of it, eagerly curling his arms around the legs smothering him as he sees Doyoung through his orgasm, continuing to lap, suck, and drink him down, groaning loudly in his delight.

Exhaling a sigh as his peak passes, Doyoung all but melts into the cushions, thighs falling open lax and spent, the twist of his fingers rubbing soothing circles along Jaehyun’s nape.

Jaehyun takes the cue to draw back as Doyoung comes down, gently massaging his inner thighs.

“Fuck, that was incredible…” the alpha murmurs.

“You’re telling me…” Doyoung manages in response, dazed in his bliss.

Jaehyun pulls one of Doyoung’s legs over his shoulders, and Doyoung lifts his head to see that Jaehyun still has his panties stretched aside, Doyoung’s outer lips spread, rather blatantly admiring his swollen drenched pussy up close.

Heat fills Doyoung’s cheeks being looked at so intimately, but when Jaehyun’s eyes flit up to his, dark and burning with desire, he can’t even be bothered by it.

Then Jaehyun’s fingers are gliding through his folds again, tentative and gentle before sliding back down to his opening, working their way inside, to which Doyoung’s body eagerly sucks them in.

Ducking his head, Jaehyun laps at him again, and Doyoung gasps on impulse. “Jaehyun…?”

“I could fucking eat you all night long,” Jaehyun whispers like a confession at church, humming as he smacks his lips.

Even though his muscles feel like jelly, a new ripple of heat rouses in Doyoung’s belly at the statement, thighs spreading in invitation.

However, as Jaehyun moves in, Doyoung can’t help but tense in his awareness over his over-sensitivity. Jaehyun appears just as aware, completely in tune with Doyoung’s body, the hand outside him gently massaging his inner thighs.

“Relax, baby,” he encourages. “Tonight’s about you. Let me take care of you.”

With a nod, Doyoung heaves a breath to steady himself, relaxing back into the cushions.

Jaehyun eases back in slowly, at first, parting Doyoung’s folds as the wet glide of his tongue sweeps back and forth. Then his head curls in, the heat of his lips surrounding Doyoung’s clit, and a whimper lilts from Doyoung’s throat as his arousal pulses hot through his veins renewed.

As Jaehyun steadily works him over with both his mouth and fingers, Doyoung finds himself getting drenched and messy fast. His whimpers pick up into outright moans, heels finding purchase against Jaehyun’s back, fingers clawing into the couch cushions.

All the while, Jaehyun groans as he shamelessly devours Doyoung as if he were the one being pleasured by this. The stretch of his fingers has picked up in pace, full-on fucking Doyoung with them as he plunges knuckle-deep again and again.

But then they slow, massaging Doyoung’s inner walls until they find that spot within that has the omega crying out, back arching from the cushions as a particularly potent throb of pleasure makes his thighs and abdomen clench.

“Jaehyun…” Doyoung exhales as he falls back to the couch, sweat beading along his hairline from the fire that’s over his veins. “Alpha… So good. That feels so good.”

The alpha goes all in, working Doyoung’s sweetest spot inside while slurping and suckling his clit. 

Dear God, Doyoung thinks he might be going mad. The sheer pleasure Jaehyun is inflicting upon him has driven out all coherent thought and taken his sanity with it, aggravating that molten heat within and winding him so tight he thinks he might break any moment.

He does in the next.

“Jaehyun!” Doyoung’s voice cracks, overcome by his second orgasm. His eyes screw shut, thighs clamping the sides of Jaehyun’s head while his drenched hole convulses around the thrust of Jaehyun’s fingers.

Once again, the alpha does not hold back, determined to see him through.

As it passes, it’s as if his better senses return to him, releasing Jaehyun from the vise clamp of his thighs and fighting past the lax state of his muscles to sit up straighter. “Sorry!”

However, Jaehyun just smiles up at him, blinking as if a touch delirious, licking his lips—which Doyoung notes are red, swollen, and glistening with a mixture of slick and saliva.

“Don’t be,” he says. “I’m certainly not.”

Doyoung can’t help but chuckle in return as he pants for breath.

Pushing himself up, Jaehyun crawls onto the couch between Doyoung’s legs, head dipping to nuzzle into Doyoung’s scent glands. “That was so fucking hot…”

With a pleased hum, Doyoung angles his jaw to allow Jaehyun all the access. Hands gliding down Jaehyun’s back, he claims the bottom of his shirt, yanking it up, finding even the thinnest barrier separating their skin far too much.

Jaehyun draws back just enough for Doyoung to discard the article before closing back in for a kiss, warm and succulent, the taste of himself inside Jaehyun’s mouth drawing out a pleased moan from the back of Doyoung’s throat.

Rather than feeling spent by all the previous activity, Doyoung’s desire for the alpha burns deep. They make hasty work of removing any remaining layers of clothing, hands generously roving all over each other, eager for as much direct contact as they can possibly reach while simultaneously nuzzling into each other, desperate to drown themselves in the other’s scent.

Doyoung’s hand glides down the hard muscle of Jaehyun’s abdomen, reaching all the way down until he’s encircling his cock, excited albeit not surprised to find just how large and heavy he feels within his grasp.

The touch has Jaehyun gasping, a sound that has the corner of Doyoung’s mouth twitching upward.

“God, you’re big,” Doyoung whispers against his lips.

He can practically feel Jaehyun’s smirk against him as he replies, “Thank you.”

“Don’t start getting arrogant on me,” Doyoung playfully chastises.

“All I said was thank you?”

Rather than replying, Doyoung just angles his head for another kiss as he starts to stroke him.

Deepening the kiss with a stifled hum of his pleasure, Jaehyun cups Doyoung’s face in one hand, the other taking his hip as he rocks himself into Doyoung’s touch.

Jaehyun’s cock feels so hard and hot in his grasp that Doyoung’s mouth is already watering, the idea of having this inside him making that heat in his belly stir.

However, with Jaehyun being such a generous, attentive lover, Doyoung more than wants to return the favor. Releasing his hold, he gently takes Jaehyun’s shoulders instead, urging him to stand back up.

Doyoung rises to his feet after him, teasing Jaehyun with the ghost of a kiss before sinking to his knees in front of him, hands trailing down his torso, fingertips admiring the cut lines of his body all the way down.

Looking up at Jaehyun, it doesn’t go unnoticed how humbled the alpha looks as he realizes what’s about to happen. His eyelids droop, not only dark with lust but burning with reverence.

Gliding his fingers through Doyoung’s hair, he lightly traces his cheek. “Doie…”

Smiling up at Jaehyun, Doyoung turns his head to playfully graze his teeth over his thumb. He doesn’t tease long though, reclaiming Jaehyun’s cock in his grasp, placing a kiss on the bead of precome gathered at the tip before sucking the head between his lips.

“Fuck…” Jaehyun rasps, his hand moving to the back of Doyoung’s head.

Jaehyun’s musk is especially strong here, and Doyoung shamelessly breathes him in, mind tingling with intoxicating euphoria that only encourages him as his tongue swirls around Jaehyun’s head before he swallows in as much of his length as he can.

He can feel the way the alpha tenses against him as he gives himself over to the pleasure, groaning to the ceiling. His fingertips massage Doyoung’s scalp, and his hips move a little, but he overall lets Doyoung set the pace.

Doyoung’s eyes close as he devotes himself entirely to pleasuring the alpha, gulping him down as much as he can, the stroke of his hand spreading saliva down to the base as he traces the grooves and hard veins of his cock.

As Doyoung’s pace picks up, Jaehyun’s breathing grows louder and more ragged, the fingers in his hair starting to tangle, and the omega takes that as his cue to slow.

Drawing off of Jaehyun’s cock with a light pop, Doyoung continues to stroke him as he carefully rises back to his feet. Releasing him, Doyoung returns to the couch, perching with his knees along the edge, back arched, ass up. He holds onto the very back, looking up at Jaehyun over his shoulder with a grin and a playful flit of his brow.

Taking the cue, Jaehyun moves to stand behind him. His hands find Doyoung’s ass, stroking generously up to the dip of his waist and back before he exhales an admiring, “Fuck, you’re gorgeous.”

Even now, Doyoung finds himself blushing.

One of Jaehyun’s hands curls around his hips while he takes his cock with the other, teasing Doyoung’s dripping, swollen pussy with the head gliding through his folds. The engorged flesh massages right up against his clit, and Doyoung drops his head with a gasp.

However, Jaehyun is in no state to draw this out, head gliding back up to his opening before slowly stretching Doyoung around his abundant girth.

With a strained cry, Doyoung impulsively hugs one of the cushions to his face, clawing the back of the couch with his other hand. Despite the fact that he had felt just how large Jaehyun is for himself and that his pussy is generously soaked with slick, he still feels like he wasn’t properly prepared for just how intensely Jaehyun would fill him.

“Easy, baby,” Jaehyun gently encourages, both hands now massaging Doyoung’s hips. “I’ll go slow.”

Doyoung nods, already panting for breath. Hugging the cushions to his collar, he makes himself relax, knees wriggling a little more apart.

Jaehyun’s hips roll, working himself in little by little. Between his grunts and the way his fingers twitch against Doyoung’s hips, Doyoung can tell that the alpha is just as affected by him.

“So fucking tight. God…” Jaehyun whispers, and Doyoung can’t help but smile against the cushions pressed into his mouth.

Then Jaehyun’s hips are pressing into his ass, and Doyoung coos with how impossibly stretched and full he feels. God, it’s so much, he thinks he might break, but fuck, it is just so good.

He takes in a deep breath to steady himself and acclimate, reclaiming the back of the couch to brace himself.

“Alpha…” he breathes pleadingly, grinding his ass back against Jaehyun. “Please.”

Jaehyun hums in acknowledgment and doesn’t mess around, reaffirming his grip on Doyoung’s hips before really starting to fuck him.

Doyoung keens, knees spreading as much as they can. At first, his hips roll back to meet Jaehyun’s thrusts, but as the alpha’s pace picks up, he eventually can’t keep up, giving himself completely to the alpha.

Jaehyun’s hands slide up to Doyoung’s waist as he pounds into him, filling the expanse of the living room with the broken sounds of their pleasure, skin slapping against skin loud, wet, and obscene.

“Jaehyun, Jaehyun, Jaehyun…” The alpha’s name rhythmically tumbles from Doyoung’s lips like a mantra, growing more strained and ragged with every thrust.

Slick drips down his thighs, sweat glistens across his heated skin, and Doyoung can’t help but bite down onto one of the cushions, feeling as if he might split in two at any moment.

Leaning down, Jaehyun covers the hand Doyoung has braced against the edge of the couch, lacing their fingers together. His other arm slides up to Doyoung’s torso, pulling his back into his chest so he can shower the side of his neck and top of his shoulder with a slew of hot, open-mouthed kisses, teasingly nipping and sucking on what bits of flesh he can reach.

Moaning, Doyoung leans back into Jaehyun, reaching up with his free hand to take the back of Jaehyun’s head, craning so their mouths can reunite in a passionate dance of lapping tongues and swallowed sounds of their pleasure.

Jaehyun’s hand slides down the front of Doyoung’s body, fitting between his legs so he can play with his clit.

The already generous pool of heat gathering inside Doyoung concentrates that much more potently. The stream of his moans break into whimpers, thighs trembling against the ache of his impending release until he just can’t take it any longer.

His voice cracks as he comes for a third time, his entire body shuddering. Jaehyun maintains a strong grip around him to keep him supported as he fucks him through it, groaning as Doyoung’s pussy clenches around his cock and gushes with more slick.

With as abundantly full as Doyoung feels, this peak ripples through him especially hard, rushing all the way to his head, casting him into the cosmos.

Doyoung all but collapses back to the couch afterward, panting for breath, mind still somewhere lost amongst the stars.

Carefully, Jaehyun withdraws, and Doyoung impulsively clenches around nothing, feeling the loss even in his completely spent, unraveled state.

Taking Doyoung in his arms, Jaehyun moves him so that he’s lying across the couch on his back.

In his dazed blissful state, Doyoung looks up to meet Jaehyun’s eyes as the alpha positions himself over him. Jaehyun sweeps the sweat-soaked fringe from Doyoung’s forehead, eyes full of adoration as he gazes down at him before closing into a kiss.

Doyoung hums into it, legs lazily wrapping around Jaehyun’s hips as he reaches between their bodies to guide the alpha’s cock back into his abused pussy.

Jaehyun picks right back up, fucking Doyoung’s spent body while the harmony of their moans vibrate into their kisses.

Doyoung can feel the beginnings of Jaehyun’s knot pressing against his hole with every thrust, and it has his pussy throbbing with anticipation.

As if he can read Doyoung’s mind, Jaehyun breaks the kiss, forehead resting against Doyoung as he manages in between pants, “Is it okay if I knot you?”

The question alone has Doyoung shivering, belly pooling hot, inner omega whimpering with need.

He can’t pretend it doesn’t intimidate him, what with as stretched as he already feels around Jaehyun’s cock, but oh God, he wants it, he needs it, the want so strong it hurts.

“Yes,” Doyoung exhales with a desperate nod, clawing at the back of Jaehyun’s shoulders while his heels dig into his lower back. “Yes, Alpha, please! Knot me, breed me. Wanna feel you.”

The sound Jaehyun groans is so pleasured it sounds almost painful. He slows his pace as he carefully works his knot inside, hips rolling, until finally he’s fully sheathed, and Doyoung’s pussy is closed around the base, locking him in.

A particularly sharp moan breaks from Doyoung’s lips, nails scraping over Jaehyun’s back. The sheer stretch of his knot is so intense, Doyoung’s mind goes blank, feeling like he might shatter. 

“Are you okay, baby?” Jaehyun husks, kissing Doyoung’s face and nuzzling his temple. He’s come to a stop, hands massaging over Doyoung’s body soothingly.

Doyoung nods as a pleasant shudder runs through his body. “Yes. So much, so big…” he exhales. He digs in his heels. “But good. So fucking good.”

Jaehyun hums his delight.

“Fuck me,” Doyoung whispers, hands moving to the back of Jaehyun’s neck as he gazes up at him. “Wanna feel you come hot and deep inside me. Wanna get pregnant.”

Doyoung swears he sees something break behind the dark burn of Jaehyun’s eyes. With a low growl, Jaehyun grasps Doyoung’s hips and gives him exactly what he wants.

He fucks him hard and deep, body slamming into Doyoung’s swollen, drenched pussy with abandon. The potent meld of their scents engulfs them both, like a cocoon of pure instinct, the world outside their bubble ceasing to exist.

Then Jaehyun’s body goes rigid. Doyoung’s name grunts strained from his lips as he slows, knot sinking inside as deep as possible as he unloads.

The sensation of Jaehyun’s hot release filling him has Doyoung shuddering with another moan. He hugs the alpha to him as close as physically possible while his pussy contracts around Jaehyun’s knot as if determined to milk every last drop out of him.

Then Jaehyun’s body relaxes as he exhales a sigh, and Doyoung does too, holding the alpha loosely with affectionate trails of his fingers as he thinks that they’re finished.

Jaehyun, however, has other ideas in mind, propping himself up as he reaches down, the pads of his fingers grazing Doyoung’s clit.

“Jaehyun!” Doyoung gasps from the sensitivity.

“I’ll be gentle,” Jaehyun promises. “I just want to feel you come around my knot.”

Heat coils in Doyoung’s belly, which should be impossible, yet here Jaehyun is demonstrating that it isn’t.

“God, you’re really out to kill me, aren’t you?” he asks between pants.

“Far from it,” Jaehyun hums, amused. His fingers circle the hood carefully. “Relax, baby. You can give me one more. I know you can.”

He sounds more confident than Doyoung feels. Nevertheless, the omega obliges, relaxing into the couch as Jaehyun gently coaxes more heat to his clit until, sure enough, Doyoung’s pussy is convulsing around the knot inside him.

A broken moan cracks from Doyoung’s lips as his back arcs off the couch, nails digging into Jaehyun’s shoulder blades as he climaxes yet again.

To his surprise, Jaehyun groans and tenses as if another orgasm was pulled out of him too, confirmed when Doyoung feels more of his hot release filling him.

They both collapse to the couch, panting for breath.

“Told you,” Jaehyun breathlessly teases.

“You always have to one-up me, don’t you?” Doyoung hums back, unable to summon the playfully huffy tone he wanted with as blissful as he currently feels.

“Please,” Jaehyun returns. “As if I could ever reach your level.”

They share a laugh, then Jaehyun’s tone takes a more serious turn as he cups the side of Doyoung’s face and asks, “How are you feeling?”

Doyoung hums, wondering if there is even a word for all he’s feeling in the moment, body aching in an oddly pleasant way, inner omega satiated in a manner he’s never experienced, and so full of love—the love he feels for Jaehyun as much as the love the alpha is generously giving to him.

Ultimately, he settles on, “Flux.”

“Yeah,” Jaehyun exhales in agreement. “Same.”

Sharing another laugh, the sound tapers off into a pleased hum as their lips gently reunite.

They stay like that for a while, basking in the intimacy of the other’s presence, tangled up in each other like a physical representation of the closeness Doyoung feels with the alpha.

Jaehyun offers to reposition them so Doyoung can sit up, but Doyoung declines, preferring to stay on his back, explaining that he enjoys the feeling of Jaehyun’s come locked so deep inside him, reveling in it.

He can’t pretend he’s not delighted by the way Jaehyun is so clearly affected by that.

Eventually, Jaehyun’s knot goes down. Rising from the couch, he scoops Doyoung to his chest, carrying him bridal style to the bathroom connected to his bedroom so they can shower together.

During which, they share many kisses, and Doyoung is surprised just how long the hot flow of Jaehyun’s come drips out of him, admittedly turned on by the obscenity of it.

After they’re clean and dry off, Doyoung heads to Jaehyun’s closet to borrow one of his t-shirts. On top of being loose and comfortable, Doyoung just likes the feeling of being surrounded by Jaehyun’s scent like this.

One thing he failed to consider, however, was the effect that wearing one of the alpha’s shirts would have on Jaehyun. He turns around to see Jaehyun right behind him, eyes burning with renewed vigor before he pulls Doyoung into a kiss.

Next thing Doyoung knows, Jaehyun is crowding him onto his bedroom desk, reentering him in a passionate tangle of arms and devouring kisses, effectively rendering their shower pointless.

Doyoung can’t bring himself to be bothered about it though.

They end up going well into the night until they are basically collapsing into Jaehyun’s bed from exhaustion, warm and comfortable in each other’s embrace.

Not to mention so very in love.

Doyoung wakes the next morning to the beams of the sun shining directly on his face, beaming hard, clearly well into the morning.

Grunting and shifting with his eyes still closed, Doyoung first notices how sore he is between his legs—he’s going to have a time walking today.

He also notices the sticky, gross state of his inner thighs, but he finds himself admittedly appreciating it when the memories of the previous night come back to him.

Jaehyun is spooning him, the heat of his breath ghosting over the back of his neck. Carefully, Doyoung turns in his hold so he can face him without disturbing him.

For a little bit, Doyoung just admires Jaehyun’s sleeping face, soft and boyish. He sweeps his hair from his forehead, smiling as he takes in the pout of his lips, and he just can’t help but nuzzle his jaw.

Jaehyun stirs, and Doyoung draws back. He blinks, bleary-eyed, a lazy grin stretching across his face that’s accompanied by his easy dimples. The sight has Doyoung’s heart skipping a beat.

Losing himself in those eyes as their arms nestle around each other, Doyoung finds his heart swelling with so much love and affection that he once again just can’t even fathom feeling anything but this for the alpha.

He thinks of Jeno then.

Sweet boy. Sweet, brave, intelligent, capable, incredibly amazing boy.

He saved them. Not only from Jimin’s attempt to erase him and Jaehyun from reality, but he brought their family together.

Doyoung can’t pretend that his heart doesn’t still ache when he thinks of him. He’s not sure that will ever fully go away, even when he comes to be in this timeline, but that’s okay. It just goes to show how much of an impact he had, how much love he inspired by simply being.

Yes, Doyoung misses him, and although he is eager to meet him again, he also thinks he can be patient because their future son brought him and Jaehyun one more great gift, as Jaehyun himself had pointed out: their present.

So Doyoung is going to make sure he appreciates it by living in the moment.

Inside the hospital room in the maternity ward, Jaehyun sits in a chair next to the bed, where Doyoung is currently sleeping, looking impressively peaceful considering the strenuous exertion he had undergone just hours earlier.

Jaehyun makes a point to stay quiet. Doyoung needs the rest.

His attention drifts to the other side of Doyoung’s bed, where the hospital crib is mounted, a holographic screen hovering over the polystyrene cot displaying the newborn’s vitals, constantly being monitored.

Jaemin sits directly next to the crib, where he has stationed himself ever since Jeno was brought in. He’s hunched down just enough to be at eye level with the newborn, eyes gleaming with wonder, a soft affectionate smile permanently etched on his face.

Jaehyun’s heart tugs at the sight, endeared.

Jaemin’s going to be an amazing older brother. Of course, Jaehyun already knew that from experience given the natural chemistry he and Jeno had.

However, even if not for those circumstances, Jaehyun would still have no doubt with as eager and attentive Jaemin has been ever since Doyoung had revealed he was pregnant.

Inside the crib, the infant stirs, and Jaemin’s eyes widen slightly, on alert. Jaehyun impulsively perks up too. However, the infant settles, returning to sleep, the pacifier in his mouth rocking rhythmically.

Relaxing in his chair, Jaehyun’s attention turns back to Doyoung’s sleeping face, soft and angelic in his slumber. Reaching over, Jaehyun gently drapes his hand over one of his.

It’s hard to say exactly when Jeno was conceived.

It could’ve been one of the many nights Jaehyun and Doyoung were supposed to be studying together, only to abandon their books and computers in favor of tangling up with each other instead.

It could’ve been the time that Jaehyun took Doyoung for a ride on his Suzuki, only for Doyoung to insist Jaehyun stop when they were hidden away in one of the empty caverns of the desert. Doyoung dismounted the bike then immediately bent over it.

Jaehyun is certain that what remaining bits of sanity had been left to him died that day.

Most likely though, it was the next time that Doyoung went into heat.

It came on sooner than either of them would’ve anticipated given that his last heat came on just a few weeks earlier—Doyoung would later say he suspected it was triggered prematurely because of the amount of time the two were spending together.

”Oh. Does my presence have such a profound effect on your pheromones, Kim?” Jaehyun had teased.

Doyoung scoffed and lightly slapped Jaehyun’s shoulder.

Yet, in the very next moment, he grabbed Jaehyun by the collar, answering, “Obviously, yes,” before pulling him into a kiss.

This round came on more gradually than the last cycle, allowing them a little more grace for preparation.

Still, when Doyoung reached the point that he absolutely needed Jaehyun with him, it had been while Jaehyun was in the middle of class.

Jaehyun didn’t even wait for the lecture to finish, making a not-so-subtle escape the moment he received the text from Doyoung.

Although this time around, they had already established consent, a part of Jaehyun still felt nervous.

When most alphas remember their puberty days, they recall feeling taller, their voice squeaking, their appetite spiking to insatiable levels that no amount of food ever seemed to quell, and most distinctly, having a surge of energy that often manifested as wrestling with other alphas their age.

Jaehyun had gone through all that too, of course, though when he reflects upon it, all those details feel like an insignificant blur compared to the one detail that stood out above all the others: Doyoung’s scent.

He always thought Doyoung had a nice scent, but he swears, he remembers the exact day it hit him unlike any other time they had spent together.

It was the best thing Jaehyun ever smelled, the absolute best. In fact, Jaehyun would go so far as to say that when it came to all things that he labeled as “the best” across various subjects, Doyoung’s scent definitely was at the very top of the list, high above the rest.

When Jaehyun showed up at Dr. Kim’s lab that day, and Doyoung startled prattling on and on about his ideas for what they could create that day in the way he always did, Jaehyun barely registered what his omega friend was saying.

Instead, he was compelled by this intense urge to tackle the omega to the ground so he could smell his scent glands directly. He did, however, possess the sense to know he couldn’t do that. 

Unfortunately, that was about the only sense granted to him.

He needed Doyoung to see how strong he was, how smart and capable and impressive he was. And so Jaehyun tried to do just that, loudly declaring that he was an alpha, that he was growing up, desperately grasping for each and every last opportunity to display just that.

And when Doyoung rejected Jaehyun’s attempts, it only fueled the young alpha to double down and try even harder.

Somehow, in the back of Jaehyun’s mind, he knew what he was doing was hurting his case more than helping, but by God, he couldn’t stop.

Any time Doyoung was around him and he caught even a hint of his scent, it was like it went straight to his brain and activated all his hypersensitive, unstable, continuously developing alpha impulses.

How could something that smelled so good and promised such euphoria cause Jaehyun such internal anguish?

Jaehyun felt like he had no control over himself.

Even as the years went on and Jaehyun finally learned how to externally compose himself, he still felt helpless when it came to the omega.

That day in Johnny’s garage, Jaehyun swore even earlier that Doyoung’s scent had been stronger than usual. At first, he thought maybe he was just really in tune with Doyoung, with how things were finally developing between them in the way Jaehyun could’ve only ever dreamed about.

Only later did he realize that if he had just used his logical brain instead of losing himself to his idealistic one, maybe he could’ve figured out what was happening sooner.

Jaehyun could forgive himself for that.

What he couldn’t forgive himself for is that brief but very real moment where he thought he wasn’t going to be able to remove himself from Doyoung when he brought him to the guest room.

Doyoung’s scent already did stupid things to his head, but this was so much worse than that. The concentration of his heat scent was like drugs being directly injected into his veins, ensnaring him body and mind, casting Jaehyun’s brain into a disassociated euphoric haze while the charge of his inner alpha broke free from the chains of its restraint to finally take control.

It almost did. Between that camphorous bliss engulfing all his senses, Doyoung calling for him so sweetly while the warmth of his lips glided across Jaehyun’s neck, that tiny sliver of self-restraint came so close to snapping. So close.

Thank the universe Jaehyun managed to keep hold in the end. He never would’ve forgiven himself. Even if Doyoung was okay with it after the fact, Jaehyun wouldn’t have been.

So when he arrived home during Doyoung’s next heat, the potent waft hit him the second he stepped inside, instantly rousing the burning flames of his desire and breaking the chains of his inner alpha. However, beneath that hazy cloud of ecstasy, a distinct well of anxiety twisted in his stomach.

Jaehyun would voice this when he finally found Doyoung—not in his bed, but inside his closet, buried in a nest he made of Jaehyun’s clothing.

“I’m sorry, I just needed your scent so bad,” Doyoung breathlessly explained.

“Nothing to apologize for, baby,” Jaehyun assured him, feeling rather endeared by the sight. He joined him in the pile, settling between his legs and sweeping the damped fringe from his glistening forehead. “Oh, look at you.”

“Alpha,” Doyoung moaned, grabbing his shoulders and smothering himself in Jaehyun’s scent glands.

Only to pause and draw back after a couple of seconds. “You’re tense.”

Jaehyun exhaled a sigh, worry giving way to shame.

However, years of concealing and suppressing his emotions never did him any favors, so he ended up confessing, “What if I lose control of myself? What if I hurt you?”

It sounded so stupid when he said it aloud. He half expected Doyoung to laugh at him.

However, as Doyoung relaxed back into the nest he made, the soft expression on his face was anything but mocking.

“Jaehyun, I don’t think you physically could in my current state, even if you tried,” Doyoung gently insisted. “But I know you never would. I know how safe I am with you. It’s okay. You can let go.”

Reassured, Jaehyun closed in to kiss Doyoung and did just that.

It was absolutely incredible, not even just the intense physical pleasure of repeatedly taking Doyoung in a state of mutually heightened senses, but the liberating intimacy of being able to give himself completely over to his instincts while Doyoung did the same. It felt almost spiritual with just how close he felt to him. 

Jaehyun’s inner alpha may have been a deranged beast, but as it turned out, Doyoung’s inner omega wasn’t any better—it may have been even worse, if the number of times Doyoung pinned Jaehyun back to the bed so he could mount him was any indication.

Doyoung’s heat lasted days, but to Jaehyun, it felt like it went by so much faster.

When they weren’t caught in intense pheromone-fueled lovemaking sessions or giving into exhaustion, Jaehyun was taking care of Doyoung, doing everything he could to make sure his omega was as comfortable as possible.

Every time Doyoung looked up at him, eyes swimming with love and affection, Jaehyun felt like he was in the best possible dream—one in which he hoped he never would wake.

Ah, but he would wake, and Doyoung would still be there, and that was so much better than a dream.

It didn’t come as much of a surprise when Doyoung showed the first signs of pregnancy a few weeks later.

The funny thing was, they never explicitly tried. Every time they fell into bed with each other, it had been a moment of spontaneous desire and intimacy.

They just… did nothing to prevent it either.

However, what did surprise Jaehyun was when once the pregnancy was confirmed, rather than appearing delighted, Doyoung looked worried.

“What’s wrong, my love?” Jaehyun asked.

“We were both so excited about the idea of having Jeno,” Doyoung quietly explained, hand on his stomach. “But… we’ve changed the future. What if this baby isn’t Jeno?”

Somewhere in the back of his mind, that thought occurred to Jaehyun too. At that moment though, Doyoung was in an extra vulnerable emotional state, and Jaehyun needed to be strong for him.

So he simply pressed into Doyoung’s back and took him into his arms, kissing his temple as one hand draped over the one Doyoung had pressed over his stomach, fingers splaying. “Then we will love this pup unconditionally the way we would any of our pups.”

It was the answer Doyoung needed to hear, made clear by the way he relaxed into Jaehyun.

However, the next morning when they woke up together, Doyoung was staring at the ceiling in a wistful, deeply moved way that Jaehyun had witnessed once before—specifically, it was the way he had looked when Jeno first arrived those months ago.

“What is it?” Jaehyun asked, lying on his side next to Doyoung, running his fingers through his hair.

“I had a dream last night…” Doyoung breathed up to the ceiling. “I was holding our baby, and when I looked into his eyes, I knew it was definitely Jeno.”

Sighing, Doyoung placed a hand over his stomach. “It’s him, Jaehyun. I know it’s him. I can’t explain it, but I can feel it.”

And when he turned his head so that Jaehyun could look in his eyes, Jaehyun could feel it too.

The news of Doyoung’s pregnancy was an exciting affair for the entire family—news outlets as well. Try as they might to keep their private life private, word eventually got out, and the headlines were inescapable:

“ENEMIES NO MORE: JUNGKIM SYNERGY HEIRS SHOCK THE WORLD WITH BABY ANNOUNCEMENT”

“RIVAL HEIRS TURNED LOVERS: JAEHYUNG JUNG AND DOYOUNG KIM’S PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENT STUNS INDUSTRY”

“FROM THE GALA SCANDAL TO EXPECTING PARENTS: THE UNEXPECTED LOVE STORY OF THE JUNGKIM SYNERGY HEIRS THAT NOT EVEN THEY SAW COMING”

“STEADILY DECLINING STOCKS OF JUNGKIM SYNERGY AFTER THE DISCONTINUATION OF MILITARY COLLABORATION TAKE A SUDDEN UPWARD SURGE FOLLOWING DOYOUNG AND JAEHYUN’S PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENT”

Everyone was excited about the pregnancy, and Jaehyun certainly was too. However, as the reality of it slowly sunk in, Jaehyun admittedly found himself feeling increasingly nervous.

Another reason Jaehyun had hesitated to acknowledge that Jeno was his son at first had nothing to do with his feelings for Doyoung, but his insecurities as an abeoji.

With his own abeoji constantly making him feel inadequate with his ceaseless criticisms and comparisons, the last thing Jaehyun ever wanted was for his pup to feel that way.

As much as Jaehyun didn’t want to burden Doyoung with these concerns when pregnancy was demanding more from his omega both physically and mentally, he once again decided it would be best to be honest about his feelings.

“Oh, Jaehyunnie…” Doyoung consoled him, cupping Jaehyun’s face and rising on his toes so he could kiss his forehead. “I’m not worried about that at all. Besides the fact that we already know how loved and supported Jeno is in the future, with how you have been going out of your way to include Jaemin these last few weeks so he doesn’t feel sidelined from this pregnancy, you already are the best abeoji ever.”

All of Jaehyun’s reservations instantly dissolved, replaced by that very specific brand of warmth that only Doyoung could inspire within.

It was ironic, really. Jaehyun spent years trying to prove to Doyoung that he was strong and capable, but it was only when he let himself be vulnerable that he finally won him over.

In doing so, Jaehyun found a new strength much more substantial than the superficial show he had attempted to display previously.

And it also didn’t go unnoticed the way any time Jaehyun’s abeoji was around, Doyoung would make a point to announce his appreciation for all the ways Jaehyun took care of him.

It was more than enough for Jaehyun to decide that he didn’t need his abeoji’s approval, after all.

The moment Doyoung began showing, Jaehyun knew he was being obnoxious.

Any time Doyoung was tried to stand up from a seated position, Jaehyun was there, taking his hand while fitting the other in the small of his back. If Doyoung tried to lift anything, Jaehyun swooped in to carry it for him. And if Doyoung so much as hinted that he was even slightly uncomfortable, Jaehyun was ready to pamper him in any and every way.

Doyoung would huff about it, but Jaehyun couldn’t help himself. He was the love of his life, and he was carrying their pup. Tending to him was the least he could do.

Besides, Jaehyun knew Doyoung wasn’t as annoyed about it as he liked to lead on. He caught the omega’s grins when he thought Jaehyun wasn’t looking, and on several occasions, there was a slightly exaggerated lilt to Doyoung’s tone, as if he was maybe playing it up because he wanted the attention.

Yes, Doyoung complained, but Jaehyun knew he secretly loved it, especially when every night Jaehyun would get on his knees so that he could kiss Doyoung’s swollen belly, telling Jeno about just how loved he already was and what preparations they worked on that day so they could welcome him into the world.

However, if there was anyone more obnoxious about their doting than Jaehyun, it was their abeojis. One would think they won the lottery several times over with the way they reacted to the news, and they wanted to do everything they could to be involved and make sure Doyoung and Jaehyun were taken care of.

Jaehyun thought Doyoung might lose it with their ceaseless intrusions, so he and Jaemin made it their mission to keep them at bay.

Speaking of Jaemin, oh, the way Jaehyun loves that boy—his first son, technically speaking.

Jaehyun prioritized setting up a room in his home for Jaemin even before they started the nursery. He just couldn’t shake some of the things future Jaemin had said. Yes, future Jaemin had been infected with malware, but Jaehyun had his suspicions that there may have been some underlying insecurity that fed into it, so he was going to make sure this Jaemin didn’t feel the same way.

Sometimes that meant making time for the three of them just to spend quality family time together. Other times that meant giving Doyoung a break, spending time together just the two of them.

Jaehyun didn’t do this with the expectation of praise or even thanks, but it sure did mean a lot to him one evening after he and Jaemin raced around in the desert when the android turned to him and said, “I’m really grateful that you’re my appa.”

“I’m the one that’s grateful,” Jaehyun insisted, placing a hand atop Jaemin’s shoulder before pulling him into a hug. “I love you, son.”

“I love you too, Appa,” Jaemin replied.

And the warmth that blossomed in Jaehyun’s chest was more rewarding than anything he had ever experienced.

In the hospital room, Jaehyun feels that same warmth as he watches Jaemin attentively look over his little brother, his holographic eyes full of genuine reverence.

A smile spreads across Jaehyun’s face, the pad of his thumb idly sweeping across Doyoung’s knuckles.

Next to him, Doyoung stirs, and Jaehyun is on alert, attention turned toward him.

Blinking open bleary eyes, Doyoung looks around slightly disoriented before rasping, “Jeno?”

He sits abruptly—or tries to rather. Jaehyun’s on his feet, gently taking Doyoung’s shoulder, guiding him back to the bed.

“It’s okay,” he assures him. “He’s right here. He’s fine. He’s just sleeping.”

Lying back, Doyoung blinks over at Jeno in his crib, then finally relaxes.

“Do you want to hold him?” Jaehyun asks.

Doyoung shakes his head, simply admiring the newborn from where he’s propped up. “That’s okay. I don’t want to disturb him.”

Nodding in understanding, Jaehyun sweeps his fringe from his forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“Horrible,” Doyoung rasps, exhaustion weighing his tone. “I feel like I’ve been hit by a train.”

“You’ve been through a lot,” Jaehyun says, understanding. “Just try to relax, okay? You’re taken care of. Jeno too.”

Doyoung nods his gratitude, and Jaehyun moves to fetch a cup of ice shavings, returning to sit along the edge of the bed so he can spoon them to Doyoung, who wearily accepts.

“I’m sorry about all those things I shouted at you in the delivery room,” Doyoung says after a little while, looking up at Jaehyun apologetically. “I didn’t mean them.”

“Mm, I think you did,” Jaehyun replies with a touch of amusement. “But given that you were busy bringing our son into the world, I think all of them were fair.”

Doyoung manages a chuckle, and Jaehyun smiles with him.

“Is your hand okay?” Doyoung asks, reaching over to gently touch the hand in question.

Jaehyun flexes his fingers, which are admittedly still tender from the intensity Doyoung had been squeezing them earlier. “I’ll recover.”

Reclaiming the spoon, he attempts to feed Doyoung another spoonful of ice shavings, but Doyoung holds up a hand and shakes his head. Setting the cup aside, Jaehyun returns to holding Doyoung’s hand instead while the three of them all silently watch the sleeping newborn.

Doyoung breaks the silence a few moments later when he asks, “Who sent the flowers?”

Jaehyun’s head turns to the vibrant bouquet mounting the dresser. “Those were a gift from the Qians,” he explains, smiling back at Doyoung. “They sent all their love. They’re excited to meet Jeno, but they said they will wait until we get home so we can have our space as a family.”

Doyoung smiles. “Well, it’s not like they don’t have their hands full with little Renjun.”

“Very true,” Jaehyun chuckles.

“And that box next to the vase?” Doyoung inquires.

“Chocolates courtesy Johnny and Taeyong,” Jaehyun explains.

“How thoughtful. Please thank them for me.”

Jaehyun grins. “Already done.”

A grunt from the crib catches everyone’s attention. Jeno’s pink, squishy newborn face grimaces before his pacifier drops from his mouth, and he lets out the tiniest but most powerful cry.

“Bring him to me, Jaemin,” Doyoung requests while Jaehyun helps him sit upright.

Already, Jaemin is so good with Jeno, gently sliding his hands under his swaddled body and supporting his head as he lifts him from the cradle, soothingly cooing all his affection.

He’s just as careful as he sets Jeno in Doyoung’s arms, who hugs him to his chest, quieting the pup as he returns the pacifier to his mouth. Soothed, Jeno grunts small noises while the three admire him.

"From the seed first planted
Until the yellow leaf descends
I love you,”

Doyoung sings, and even strained and exhausted, he sounds like an angel.

“From the first drop on stone
Until the canyon bends
I love you

From the star's first light
Until the black hole's end
I love you

Whether we have seconds or minutes
Days or years
A thousand lifetimes or one
I'll never fear
For my love for you transcends all time

So when we reach the end
Please don't cry, my dear
I await you in the next life
And in all the space between there and here
I love you

Forever
I love you."

Jaehyun is pressed into one of Doyoung’s sides just watching Jeno, while Jaemin does the same from the other.

“God, Jaehyun, look at him…” Doyoung breathlessly exclaims, tears falling down his face. “He’s so tiny.”

“I know,” Jaehyun replies just as hushed, feeling the prickles of tears in the corners of his own eyes.

How could he feel so deeply for a person he's only just met?

Is this what it feels like to be an abeoji?

The newborn’s eyes slowly blink open, and already they’re just so big and round, gleaming bright like a Samoyed pup.

Their lives aren’t predestined, they’re not set in stone, Jaehyun knows that firsthand.

However, as newborn Jeno curiously stares up at the three of them, he also knows that some things are just meant to be.

Jaehyun basks in the moment, not just because he has his new baby but because he has his whole family.

“Jeno,” he breathes in awe, reaching over to gently cup the newborn pup’s head.

“Welcome back.”