Chapter 1
The air in the bathroom is muggy from a well-deserved hot shower. The steam still hangs in the air, making it humid. The mirror fogs up to the point where nothing can be made out, but it seems the longer the shower is off, the lighter the fog becomes. It doesn't stop Tiwa Buathong, a male omega, from wiping a rag across the mirror a few times to clear the glass a little faster.
It is the night after a local concert, and he feels completely overwhelmed. The compliments he received from strangers weighed heavily on him, impacting him more deeply than he would prefer. As an omega, Tiwa usually hides his true self, not wanting society's labels to define him. However, those compliments manage to seep into his thoughts, lingering like a haunting reminder that he struggles to confront when he looks at his own reflection.
With a trembling hand, Tiwa tosses the rag aside and risks a glance at himself in the mirror, grimacing at the sight. It is after 2 a.m., and after midnight, it always turns into one of those nights where he fills his mind with foolish thoughts that make him want to hide from himself. One of those nights entails spending too much time scrutinizing his weakness in the mirror.
While others are lost in peaceful slumber, he is wide awake, like a night owl. Not just a night owl—an embarrassing night owl who is unable to stand up for himself without assistance from others. Unfortunately, this pattern of self-criticism and doubt seems to be a recurring theme in his life as a singer.
As he presses his fingers against the mirror, he feels the smoothness and slight slipperiness of the glass against his skin, rubbing it over his reflection. It's conflicting to receive compliments about his appearance and be compared to an omega, a highly esteemed male that others desire so much they would go to extreme lengths to possess one.
He gazes into his own eyes in the mirror, shaking his head in disbelief. "I'm not pretty! No! I'm not…" His words trail off as he senses someone outside the door, causing him to swallow hard and cover his mouth in fear of making a noise.
"What is taking you so long?" His adoptive brother, Jaran Buathong, is a dominant alpha, and his voice penetrates through the door.
"Nothing. I'm all right," Tiwa responds, his voice barely above a whisper, as he scans the bathroom for his clothes.
A towel rests neatly on the counter, conveniently close. He reaches out and snatches it, briskly drying off the remaining water droplets on his skin. After putting on his pants and slipping into a tank top, he takes a deep breath, trying to muster the courage to face his brother. Draping the towel over his neck, he straightens up and opens the door, only to be pushed aside by Jaran, who enters the bathroom to confirm something.
After confirming all is well, Jaran lets out a sigh of relief and turns toward Tiwa. He still feels uneasy about something. "Are you sure about being all right?" He asks with a worried look on his face.
"Hmm," Tiwa hums, but there is a hint of hesitation in his voice.
Jaran, knowing his little brother well, narrows his eyes suspiciously. "Look into my eyes and say that again," he demands, placing a hand on Tiwa's shoulder.
They stand still for a moment, the tension between them slowly dissipating. Finally, Tiwa shakes his head in anxiety and bites his lip, glancing at his reflection in the mirror behind Jaran. He winces as he sees the frustration reflected in his own eyes that he is trying to hide. Unable to hold on any longer, he lowers his head to focus on the floor.
His brows furrow, deepening the lines on his forehead as he struggles to control his emotions. A finger hooks under his chin and forces him to meet his brother's gaze, even though he doesn't want to. A wave of guilt washes over him, leaving him feeling defeated by the worry reflected in the eyes staring back at him.
Jaran narrows his eyes, and his lips draw back in a tight, thin line. He can always manage to find whatever he is searching for in his little brother's eyes, leaving him unable to hide anything. After a moment of silence, he asks softly, "Is it the same issue that's troubling you?"
Tiwa hesitates to respond because he dislikes lying to his brother. Despite his reluctance, he musters the courage to nod and tell the truth. "I hate when people say I'm too pretty to be an omega." He looks down at the white titles on the floor and his own bare feet, clenching his fists tightly at his sides. "A sin that I'm constantly trying to cleanse myself of." He lets out a soft whimper.
Unable to resist, Jaran pulls Tiwa into a hug, holding him close to his chest. Despite his tough exterior, Jaran has a soft spot for his family, especially for his little brother. "Don't let anyone's words bother you. You can't be the best singer if you focus on what others say," he says, pressing a kiss on Tiwa's head and stroking his hair gently.
Together, they stand in the bathroom, united and providing strength for each other. Their bond is silent yet strong. Nothing in the world can hold them back from doing what they want because they're made to prove the impossible to be possible. Their legs may hurt, but they can even cross the hills together.
After a moment, Jaran pulls back to look into Tiwa's eyes, feeling a strange yet powerful sensation lulling into his nerves. He leans in to inhale the sweet, delicious scent, realizing the change in it. "You're going into heat if you don't take a suppressant. Just wait. I'll be back in a minute," he says before quickly leaving the bathroom to retrieve the suppressant.
Tiwa feels the heat rising in his body as he looks back at himself in the mirror. The stress that engulfs him intensifies as he thinks about why he has to bear the burden of being an omega. Being an omega is terrible—the one he despises, the one he must conceal from the world out of fear of being mistreated. Despite being used to abuse, thinking about his identity only makes him feel more miserable.
Usually, he is distant from others out of fear that getting close will expose his secret. However, maintaining this distance is getting harder as he is the lead singer of 'The Prides of Music', a band favored by his adoptive father, Suppasit Buathong, whom he deeply respects for the kindness shown to him not to become one of the desperate beings roaming the streets.
As an omega, living on the street would leave one vulnerable to the deranged alphas out there. The thought sends shivers down his spine, causing him to absentmindedly rub his arms. He is well-informed about everyone in his band, but they know very little about him except that he is the little brother of Jaran Buathong. He refrains from sharing more about himself due to a deep-seated distrust of others.
Jaran returns to the bathroom with a suppressor pill and hands it to Tiwa. "Do it fast. It's 2:39 a.m. You need good sleep to prevent your body from aching," he advises, offering words of comfort.
Tiwa lets out a sigh and takes the pill, swallowing it with a gulp of water from the sink. Immediately, a wave of weakness washes over him, and the tension in his muscles begins to ease as he tries to hold back a yawn. Seeking comfort, he leans against his brother, enveloped by the familiar scent of safety, and buries his face in the warm shoulder.
Jaran pats Tiwa's head gently before leading him to the bed and tucking him under the crumpled covers to cocoon him in the warmth. He then turns off the light and moves to the other side to lie beside him. "Don't stress too much," he whispers softly, wrapping his arms around him protectively.
A soothing warmth spreads through Tiwa as he nuzzles his face into the crook of Jaran's neck, embracing him and breathing in the alpha's scent. His body begins to relax, and a small smile forms on his lips. He feels immense gratitude for Jaran, recognizing him as the best brother he could ever have, someone irreplaceable and deeply cherished.
Despite his adoptive mother's dislike and humiliation, Tiwa finds solace in the kindness shown by others in the house. His sister, in particular, treats him like a child rather than a grownup whenever he visits Phitsanulok. Without them, he feels like he is nothing. Absolutely nothing!
"Good night, brother," he murmurs in a sleepy tone.
"Good night, Tiwa," Jaran whispers as he presses a kiss on his little brother's forehead. His fingers run through Tiwa's soft, short, and messy hair until the younger one drifts off to sleep.
It is a bond, not by blood but by heart. It is stronger than any other connection in their lives. Their care and support for each other will endure through any challenge. Even as they grow older and face new obstacles, their bond remains unbreakable.