The Red Dragon Restaurant is as authentic as a Chinese restaurant can be in the middle of a frozen place like this. It was beautifully decorated with lots of red and gold trims. Stereotypical for sure but elegant all the same. André didn't want to walk too fast in this place for fear of breaking any of the expensive vases and dragon decor that made the place what it was. The place was nothing like the hole-in-the wall Chinese restaurants from back home. In those places, a person would be lucky to have freshly painted walls or a menu that wasn't yellowed.

André shifted his saxophone case close to his body. People were bustling around the place, preparing for this evening's patrons to pour in. The staff paid no mind to the omega walking around with a black case. Judging by the small formation of cars and people he saw when he came through the door, they are in for a crowd.

Taking another scan of the area, André spotted a small stage area. It was a small, lifted stage, perfectly suited for small acts. Standing next to it was Bai Lok. His eyes fiddled with the microphone with an intense look on his face. André's heart thumped against his chest. If André hadn't heard that man speak before, he would have assumed the larger male to be a hardened alpha who would bear his fangs without a second thought.

Or maybe André was thinking about his father.

"Hey...Bai Lok, is it?" André said.

Bai Lok lifted his head with speed and almost dropped the microphone. After some fumbled catching and a small mutter under his breath, he turned to André.

"Yo...Glad to see you found your way." Bai Lok said.

"Your directions were  thorough."

A small tinge of red castes over the Asian's cheeks. "I didn't want you to get lost." There was an awkward period of silence that fell between them. Both men are unsure how to carry on. André placed his case down.

"I suppose I will be playing here. I'll just set up if you don't mind." André tried.

Bai Lok nods his head quickly. "Right! Of course! We open in ten." Bai Lok said. He didn't leave André much room to reply before he quickly walked off somewhere near the kitchens.

André shook his head. "What is wrong with me?" He muttered to himself. Pushing the thoughts to the back of his mind, André prepared his instrument and pushed the thoughts out of his mind. He had music to focus on. His inner omega could sort out his feelings later.

~~~

André played well. Really well. He has been playing this instrument since he was nothing. André had all confidence in his ability to deliver a good performance. He loved it; the patrons seemed pleased enough, and Bai Lok's eyes never left. His eyes tracked his every move. His stance swayed in tune to the music, his hips followed suit, the long brown fingers danced across the white buttons, his perfectly plump pink lips bent so beautifully around the mouthpiece, and those eyes. The omega's honey brown eyes, half lidded with long black eyelashes framing them.

"You're staring," Bai Lok heard a voice from behind say.

Bai Lok didn't have to turn around to see who it was. His tongue switched to his native language with ease.

"I thought you weren't coming. The party wasn't to your liking," Bai Lok questioned.

Bai Li laughed. "Nah, Huang got drunk and hit his head. Killed the mood." Bai Li leaned forward, following his brother's eyes. "Dìdi... Is there something you want to tell me?"

Heat went through his body. He crossed his hands as if he were restraining himself. His voice fell into a low rumble as he glared at Bai Li. His older brother stood a few centimetres shorter than his large baby brother. Nonetheless, he was alpha all the same. A coy smile played on his lips. Shoulder firm and unbothered by his normally quiet brother's emotions.

"Ge...I have nothing to say to you."

Bai Li pats the younger alpha on the shoulder. "As you wish." He mused before walking away. His footsteps slowly drowned out the sound of the smooth saxophone music. Bai Lok's eyes drifted back to André. The alpha's mood instantly fell, as did his arms.

"How foolish of me. To be jealous of someone who isn't mine."

André was packing up his instrument. He hummed away, still on a high from a performance well done. He hasn't felt this way since he arrived in this frozen icebox. The rhythm of the night still pulsed through his veins. A smile plastered on his face as he stuffed a few tips into the case as well. Tonight was indeed a good night.

"Beautiful performance. You are as feisty as you are talented, Omega."

That lasted longer than he expected.

André's lip curled. He turned on his heel and looked at the familiar alpha. "What the fuck did you just call me?" André growled, stepping up to Bai Li.

"Are you not an omega? Omega~. A very sweet-smelling one, I might add." Bai Lok smiled.

André covered the ground towards him in three strides and gripped him with his pressed Dréss shirt. "Do you want to fucking die?"

Bai Li continued. "Now...I can't go hitting your employers."

In one instance, Bai Lok appeared. André budgetarily lets go of Bai Li. Bai Lok puts some space between them.

"If I had known." André stated. His honeyed eyes looked past Bai Lok with fury. Then they snapped back to Bai Lok. "Did you set this up?"

Bai Lok shook his head quickly. "No...Please no. I had no idea that you and him I wouldn't dare." Bai Lok sputtered. His heart raced something awful.

André breathed out. "Whatever, just keep him on a leash!" The omega turned back around. He hastily closed his case, ready to catch the next bus back to campus. However, it seemed like Bai Li wasn't finished with him yet.

"You know, our mothers have a policy of unbounded omegas. I wonder how they would react knowing that Bai Lok hired one in their place." Bai Li could feel his brother's intense glare, but he persisted. "I would have you out of a job."

André's resignation was on the tip of his tongue among the other unpleasant things on there. But Bai Lok's mouth opened first. "I'm courting him!" He blurted out.

André blinked. Bai Li blinked. Bai Lok blinked.

.

.

.

"Congratulations Dìdi..." Bai Li finally said. He turned and walked off. "I'm sure mother would be excited."

Once Bai Li disappeared, André's anger flew at Bai Lok.

"I don't know what the fuck you are on but I'm out!" He said.

He picked up his case with haste and was practically running out of the building. His voice was angry but his heart was all twisted up. His mind is racing like a waterfall. André only made it outside. The cold winter air hit him full force. He had forgotten to put on his gloves at his speed. Suddenly, a large, warm blanket captured his right hand. Looking back, Bai Lok held him. The grip wasn't painful. André imagined that getting gripped by those large hands would be like a vice grip. Instead, it was more like a nice, fluffy, heated blanket.

"Let me go!" André pleaded.

"Please..." The large male's voice sounded so pathetic. Unbefitting of an alpha of his size. "I didn't mean to lie. I...I just wanted Li to not I didn't think. "

"Hey...Stop the rambling. I.."

"I'm so sorry, André." Bai Lok bowed his head.

Now this was awkward. André teethed on his bottom lip.

"Look, I get it. The guy's an asshole. But that was not right, man," he said.

'When did I get so soft?' he thought.

His hand was still wrapped in the other male's one. André was right. These hands could definitely cover his face.

"I know. I Know. Please, please don't quit." Bai Lok begged.

André scoffed. "Who said I was going to quit?"

Bai Lok looked up. "You're not?"

"Fuck no. Who's going to pay me this well?" André laughed.

Bai Lok smiled. "You are right." His eyes wandered. "Though my brother is going to think..."

"Then let him think what he wants to think." André cuts him off. "You and I both know the truth."

Bai Lok's heart panted. "Right."

Reluctantly, André slipped his hand from the alpha's. "I should get going. I'm going to miss my bus."

"I could take you back."

André shook his head. "Nah...I't's ight." André turned. "See you later, Teddy!"

Bai Lok watched as André walked off down the path of street lights. His hand felt empty the further he got.

"He called me Teddy."

~~~

Having a pretend boyfriend isn't as bad as André first thought. To be honest with himself, André and Bai Lok aren't really boyfriend-ing. A normal day usually goes like this:

André comes to work.

André plays the saxophone.

Bai Lok watches him play while juggling his managerial duties.

André finishes playing.

Bai Lok gives him dinner.

If Bai Li is by, Bai Lok gives him a hug.

Else, André, and Bai Lok part ways with an awkward wave.

Repeat loop.

This loop had been occurring for two weeks, so when André arrived at the restaurant to see No Bai Lok, he was left with many questions. By the end of the night, Bai Lok was still nowhere to be found. As André packs away his kit once again, he finds his eyes lingering towards the kitchen area.

"Stupid Teddy. You got me worried about your big ass," he muttered to himself.

Taking his saxophone in hand, he goes over to the kitchen area to collect his food. Whatever it is with Bai Lok, he can just interrogate him at school. He is bound to find the huge alpha walking around the campus.

"Leaving so soon?"

André is getting tired of this man.

"What now?" he said.

Bai Li smiled. Does he ever stop smiling?

"I thought you would be looking for your dear alpha." Bai Li said.

"It's clear he's not here." André responded. "Why, is he sick or something?"

"You could say that." Bai Li looked over to the back of the kitchen. A hardwood door sat fully flushed against the wall. The only thing that highlighted that it was a door was the shiny gold knob. "He left your pay check there. You should go get it."

An uneasy feeling gripped André. His intuition sends his hair on edge.

"Why can't you bring it?" André questioned.

"For what? Do you need an alpha's help now?" Bai Li teased.

André gritted his teeth. "Fine!" He answered.

The young omega set his case down. Every step towards the door felt like gravity was pulling him back. At the first turn of the knob, he should of left.

The scent.

'Fuck...' André's mind cursed. He barely registered the hands that pushed him in. The sound of a door locking sealed his fate. André turned and banged on the door.

"Hey! Boy! Open the fucking door!" He cursed.

The scent in the room was thick. The lemony, woody aroma was increased tenfold. His lungs were gasping to take it all in. His face felt so hot and legs were jelly. He slid down the firm door, barely keeping himself upright. Heavy footsteps dragged across the hardwood flooring. Familiar warm hands burned his skin. It was all too clear what was about to happen. It was too dark to see anything but the large shadow of limbs moving.

"Bai Lok..." He breathed.

His body was hoisted in the air like a rag doll. André held his breath until he was returned to a soft, solid surface. André should have known. It made too much sense, yet he ignored it.

A heat/rut room is a common room found in most public places. Though the ability to track and prevent cycles has improved, spontaneous ones are still fairly common. That being the case, many places have been mandated to provide these areas if the need arises.

André hoped to never be unlucky enough to have that fate. Sadly, as the large alpha's hands caressed his body, he was reminded of how unlucky he can be.

"Please...no.." André gasped. He didn't expect him to listen. As he learned in his health class back in secondary school, a rut can completely take over an alpha's sensibilities. He is sure that is the case. It wouldn't be the first time he has been the slave to an alpha's better judgement. He at least hoped the next time would be wanted.

Bai Lok's teeth grazed the smooth brown skin of André's abdomen. A low growl slipped through his lips as he nibbled and sucked down the trail of hair to his navel. His hands moved to his pant. He could very easily rip the fabric, André would assume. Expose him. Take him. Claim him.

"Bai Lok, stop!" He shouted. The corners of his eyes felt warm with fresh tears. "Please Teddy..."

The hands stopped. The heated breath bathed his abdomen with heat. Slowly, a pair of eyes locked with his own. Bai Lok's heart skipped a beat. The honeyed eyes he has come to adore looked at him with such fright.

"André," He whispered.

The alpha pulled himself away with speed. Heavy footsteps quickly moved before light filled the room. It was only then that André realised that the man before him was as naked as can be.

"Guess the hands do match." He commented.

Bai Lok's face was beyond red. He quickly pulled himself into the far corner of the room, his legs pulled up high and close to hide his shame.

Well, this is awkward.

André is seated, half clothed, while the alpha, who was just ravishing his body, is seated in a corner. The alpha moved to come off the bed.

"No!" Bai Lok shouted. "Please! Stay over there."

André complied. "You...you don't want to..."

"Yes, I do!" he said a bit too fast. "Wait no! Not like this. Not now." Bai Lok held his head in his hands.

"How did you get here?"

"Your brother. He-"

The scent went bitter.

"Li...he—of course he did." André's fists clenched. In a quick motion, Bai Lok's fist connected with the door. The door stood no chance against the larger male's fist, leaving a sizeable dent into the now-splintered wood.

"Hey! Don't break your hand!" André warned.

"Hmph. I want to break more than my hand." He grumbled. As quick as his anger came, it left. Shifting his shoulders, he looked back at André. "Sorry that I got you involved in this. "I never thought Li would do something like this."

André brings his legs forward. "I got an asshole brother too. Just as a knotted head like yours." He said. "Look, if you can get that door open, I will go."

It is risky business, André knows, to ask an alpha in rut to leave. Bai Lok walked up to André. The omega keeps his eyes to his own hands. The heat of his shadow radiating down his frame.

'This is it. So long, unmated world. It was nice to know you.'

.

.

.

CRASH!

André's eyes flew up.

"Are you fucking stupid?" André yelled, running over to Bai Lok. The remains of the door surrounded the alpha as it lay on the ground. Alpha stooped down and moved his body away from André's attempts to assist.

"André, go now! I don't know how long I can restrain myself." Bai Lok ordered.

André didn't need to be told twice. He picked up his coat and darted straight out. Bai Lok laid his hot body against the cold tile. The omega's beautiful scent became further and further away until it was just whispering.

~~~

André didn't tell anyone. How could he? Evading Jaxon's interrogations had been a problem. Having his omega-best friend come home smelling of Alpha would have anyone in trouble. André knows he is going to have to come clean about it, but not at the moment.

While Jaxon worked his shift in the library one afternoon, André found himself sitting in the recreation room. Head bowed into his laptop, looking at an assignment that had no business being so complicated.

"André..."

The omega flinched. Nevertheless, he placed a generic smile on his face.

"Bai Lok. I see your rut's done."

Bai Lok shifted his feet. "I came to bring you this." He said this, setting the black case down.

His saxophone. He hadn't realised he left it until the morning after the incident. He had been meaning to go back for it but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

"Thanks." He replied. He moved the nonsense assignment away in favour of looking over his dear baby. All pieces were intact and the case even looked cleaner somehow.

"I...I also wanted to talk about...

André cuts him off. "Hey! None of that. You were in rut. You couldn't help it."

"Yes, I could. I could of done better. I could have stopped. I could have never dragged you into this mess."

André sighed and motioned for Bai Lok to sit across from him.

"Say what you got to say." André held up a hand. "That's not an apology."

Bai Lok fidgeted. "I will pay you. Even if you don't come to work,. I understand that you don't want to come back and work for me."

"I never said that."

Bai Lok freezes. "What?"

André gives him a more natural look. "I needed time to think. And, since you didn't actually do it in your right mind, I'll forgive you." André picked up his laptop.

"Really! I am so-"

"But on one condition." André cuts.

"Anything!"

André turned the laptop around. "How good are you at poetry?"

Bai Lok smiled.

"For you? The best."