Grumpy Alphas need lots of love✔️

7

With the young alpha snuggled against his chest, Chan had eventually drifted off too and managed to get a few more hours of fitful sleep. Jeongin seemed so peaceful in his arms, the leader couldn't help but scent the boy gently, making sure not to wake him. As the other members woke up one by one, Chan shushed them quietly, wanting their youngest to get as much sleep as possible after last night's incident. Felix sat up straighter, cutely rubbing his eyes with his fists before sleepily blinking up at the two alphas on the couch. Why did they have to cuddle without him, when all Chan would give him was his arm to cuddle with. "Good morning, pup", the oldest whispered, reaching out to pet Felix' hair. That was enough to cheer the omega up and he happily nuzzled into Chan's hand. Stretching his arms, Felix yawned: "Why did Innie leave the nest?" – "I think he ended up at the bottom of the pile and started to overheat", Chan replied quietly, brushing a strand of hair out of Jeongin's face, "When I helped him get out, he was all sweaty and I think he was lightheaded too. He took a cold shower to cool off but he stayed with me after that." - "Aww, poor pup", Felix cooed, lightly running his fingers down the maknae's arm, "How are you feeling, hyung? Did you manage to get some sleep?"

The question had taken Chan by surprise and he needed to think for a moment before replying. He had wanted to say he was fine and honestly, he had been convinced that he was, his sole focus on their youngest, but now that Felix forced him to pay attention to his own body, the leader realized that he was far from fine. "I don't know", Chan shrugged, "Achy an' tired but it's okay." Rolling his eyes, Felix got to his feet and rested his small hand against his hyung's forehead before clicking his tongue: "Your fever's still pretty high, so maybe stop downplaying the way you feel, hyung." He refrained from pointing out that cuddling their dongsaeng had probably made it worse because he knew Chan always craved affection from their maknae but rarely ever got it. "I-I genuinely didn't pay attention", the alpha defended himself, trying to take note of every sensation, "I guess, now that you say it, my head an' throat still hurt an' my eyes are a little irritated, probably from the fever, but that's 'bout it. No big deal."

Minho had been listening in on their conversation and offered: "Do you want me to take Innie from you, so you can get up and have some water?" The angry glare, Chan shot him was enough for the dancer to defensively raise his hands as the oldest tightened his hug, pulling Jeongin even closer. Chan couldn't help but feel possessive. Usually it was Minho that Jeongin sought out, so no, Minho couldn't have their dongsaeng this time! Still looking angry, the leader hoarsely growled: "You won't take my pup!" - "I wasn't going to take your pup from you, hyung. Would you drink the water if I brought it to you and you wouldn't have to let go of Innie?", the second-oldest tried, afraid Chan would put his own needs on the backburner to make sure everyone else's needs were covered. Relaxing at the reassurance that no one was going to take the maknae from him, Chan gave a hesitant nod and watched the younger wearily as he got up. He still wasn't going to completely let his guard down in case it was a ruse and Minho would come back to steal Jeongin.

Shaking his head at his hyung's possessiveness, Minho went to the kitchen and poured the older a glass of water. When he returned to the living room, Chan was nosing at Jeongin's scent glands, while Felix scented his wrist. It was times like this, that Minho remembered just how much their pack-alpha too was depending on their affection. As he quietly convinced Chan to take a break, just long enough to sit up and have a few sips of water, Changbin and Seungmin passed them, heading to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the pack. Hyunjin and Jisung were the only two still curled up in the nest, limbs tangled with each other. The pair looked so cozy cuddled together like that. They had grown even closer since the dorms were separated and Hyunjin moved in with 3racha and Minho wasn't entirely used to seeing the two of them so all over each other. The alpha could still remember how the pair had hated each other's guts during the survival show. Even after they had formed a pack, they still rivaled for the three alphas' affection. It seemed their differences had taught them to understand each other and by a long shot, be each other's source of comfort.