The doorbell rang out through the empty hall, and Seunghyeon padded out of his old room, unlatching the door and pulling it open. He squinted at Kwangsun. "You're late."

"Good to see you too," Kwangsun replied. Seunghyeon stepped back as he stepped inside, setting his duffle bag down as he took off his shoes. "So, this is where you guys live?"

"Nope, this is our old apartment," Seunghyeon said, moving towards his room. "My parents are in Shanghai, and instead of selling, we just kept it," he explained before waltzing into his room. "Come on. We don't have all night."

Kwangsun followed behind. "Wait, so this place is empty? Why don't you live here?"

Seunghyeon sighed dramatically. "I don't know; my parents are weird." Running his fingers through his hair, Seunghyeon walked past the haphazard piles of old art towards his set up by the bed. "Did you bring another light?" he asked, adjusting his own light to face the bed at an angle, toning down the brightness.

"Yup," Kwangsun said, placing his duffle bag on the ground and unzipping it, pulling out the different pieces of his light and screwing them together. They both silently set up, Seunghyeon adjusting his camera to the dim lighting when Kwangsun spoke up again.

"How's Myungsuk?"

Seunghyeon shrugged, testing different shutter speeds. "He's better. Insoo came to visit the other day. So he was happy."

Kwangsun nodded slowly and started to unpack the rest of his things. "How're you?"

"Me?" Seunghyeon flicked his gaze up. "What about me?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. You seemed upset. Heck, I would be too if one of my sisters had a meltdown," he said and looked over his shoulder, facing him.

Seunghyeon pressed his lips tight, as Kwangsun's sincere expression. Seunghyeon looked away first. "I'm fine," he snapped. "It happens. But he's good now, and that's all that matters."

"Sure," Kwangsun said, rolling his eyes. "Whatever you say."

Seunghyeon clicked his tongue. "Can you stop being in my business? Gods, you're so annoying."

Kwangsun raised his eyebrow. "What did I do? I just asked how you were."

"Well. Don't," he huffed.

Kwangsun shook his head as he got up. "If today's not a good day, I can come back. I thought we were cool now. Why're you so annoyed?"

Seunghyeon tensed and focused on his camera. "I wonder," he hummed, sarcastically. They were starting to be cool. But after coming back here and going through his old works, he remembered why Kwangsun was annoying in the first place.

He felt Kwangsun's eyes on him and tensed before caving.

"Urgh, okay." Rolling his eyes, Seunghyeon turned around and shuffled through a pile of canvases in the corner. He pulled one from the middle and carried it to his desk, dropping it in front of Kwangsun. "Ring any bells?"

Kwangsun furrowed his brows as he walked over to the desk, looking down at the painting. Concentrating, he rubbed his chin. "I don't–"

"First-year, orientation," Seunghyeon jumped in, leaning against the desk. "Something about this being the most hideous thing you've ever seen."

Kwangsun's eyes lit up, and his mouth fell into an 'O'. He puffed out his cheeks and slowly nodded.

Seunghyeon bit back a snigger and crossed his arms, relishing his embarrassment.

"Well," Kwangsun started, putting his hands on his hips. "I was a dick in first-year. I just got out of the military; I wanted to show off."

Seunghyeon hummed. First-year Kwangsun really was a whole different person. "Excuses, excuses," he sighed, pushing off the desk and shaking his head.

Pouting with knitted brows, Kwangsun walked over. "Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't know this was yours. And like, it's not that bad. I mean–" he looked the painting over and fought to keep smiling. "The colours. And the blending is... And the whole thing here"–he waved his hand around the corner of the canvas–" is impressive."

The more he tried to find something to compliment, the harder it was not to laugh. But the moment Kwangsun pressed his temple, Seunghyeon burst out laughing. "You have to stop," he gasped out and gulped down a deep breath. "It's okay. I know it sucks," he chuckled with a lopsided grin.

Kwangsun blinked at him before sighing in relief. "You just wanted to see me suffer, didn't you?"

Seunghyeon shrugged. "Worth it."

"Well, for what it's worth. I am sorry. I ripped it apart for no reason other than to sound cool."

Seunghyeon stared at Kwangsun's warm eyes and the slight pout on his lips. Could four years of spite wash away just like that? If he was honest, Seunghyeon forgot about the painting until today. If he thought about it, sure, Kwangsun bugged him sometimes, but they were partners now. He couldn't let his grade suffer over pettiness.

Turning around, Seunghyeon waved his hand. "Whatever. Just glad to hear an alpha finally apologize for something," he said. "Want to take pictures first?"

"What did you say?"

"Want to take pictures first, or pose first?"

"No, before that." Kwangsun's smirked and walked over, tucking his hands into his pockets. Seunghyeon scrunched up his nose and leaned back. "Did you just call me an alpha?"

Seunghyeon frowned. "...Yes?"

"Wow," Kwangsun pulled away and laughed, and it was Seunghyeon's turn to be confused. "You're serious." Kwangsun breathed out. "You think I'm an alpha?"

Seunghyeon stared at the crazy guy in front of him and nodded.

Kwangsun huffed out another laugh. "Damn. I thought omegas had a keen sense," he said and placed his hand on his chest. "Seunghyeon, I'm a beta."

Seunghyeon gaped. "What?" He scrunched his nose and scowled. "F off. There's no way," he said and gave him a once over. A beta with that height? "No way."

"I am," he insisted. "Haven't you realized I don't have a scent?"

Seunghyeon frowned. "I don't go around sniffing people like a crazy person." There were other, more decent ways to know if someone was an alpha.

Kwangsun chuckled and held his arm out. "Sniff me."

Seunghyeon stepped back. "I'm not going to sniff you."

Kwangsun shook his arm. "Come on. Why would I lie?"

Seunghyeon glared. There were a million reasons to lie. Sighing, Seunghyeon held Kwangsun's arm in place and leaned down, sniffing his wrist. The smell of paint and varnish overwhelmed him, strong enough to cover anyone's scent.

He took in a deeper breath. But even under that, there wasn't any musk or spice. Instead, he barely made out a freshness like dew on grass, a familiar scent among betas. Seunghyeon blinked. No way.

Clearing his throat, he dropped Kwangsun's arm. "Well..." He ran his fingers through his hair, ignoring Kwangsun's teasing grin. Seunghyeon huffed. "Get undressed. I'll take your picture first," he said and grabbed his camera. How embarrassing. He might as well have 'world's stupidest omega' tattooed onto his forehead.

Seunghyeon kept his back to Kwangsun as he heard him unzip his pants. "Look at us learning about each other," Kwangsun joked as he stripped off his shirt. "And now you get to see me naked. Big leaps, huh."

Seunghyeon gripped his camera, ignoring his burning ears. "Man, stop making this weird," he said and gestured to the bed. "Put the sheet over your lap and sit in the pose I sent you. Tell me when you're ready."

"Sure thing," Kwangsun sniggered. Seunghyeon listened as the sheets rustled and his heart started pounding in his chest.

What the–? Why was he nervous? Seunghyeon shook his head. No, it wasn't nervousness. He was... just embarrassed. Yeah, that's right. Stupid him thinking Kwangsun was an alpha this whole time.

"Ready."

Nodding, Seunghyeon turned around. Think objectively.

The lights bathed Kwangsun's body in a warm glow, highlighting his skin and emphasizing his muscles' shadows. He leaned back against one hand with his other elbow resting on his knee; the sheet barely draped over him.

"You okay?" Kwangsun asked, smirking.

Seunghyeon cleared his throat. "Yeah," he said and held the camera up. "Look over to your left and smile. A slow smile and half-close your eyes."

Kwangsun nodded and shifted around. He leaned his neck back ever so slightly, smiling as if he was gazing upon the most beautiful person, his eyes almost fluttering closed, going in for the kiss. He was seamless, carefree, and erotic without even trying. Seunghyeon swallowed his words.

Think objectively!

Seunghyeon took several photos before spinning on his heels to assess them. "Okay, I'm done," he said, once satisfied with the outcome.

"That was fast," Kwangsun said, stretching his arms before he got dressed. "Okay, kitten. Your turn."

Seunghyeon pursed his lips and set his camera down, grabbing the hem of his shirt. "You better not peek," he scolded.

Kwangsun laughed and nodded, having his back to him. "I promise. Just sit with your back to me and the sheet to your chest."

"Yeah, yeah," he mumbled. Seunghyeon piled his clothes beside his camera, blushing when he held his underwear, tucking it under his shirt. He shuddered. Was the room drafty?

He hurried to the bed and got in position, gripping the sheet to his chest. Were his hands shaking? He shook his head; he was cold because of his fully exposed back. That's it. "Ready."

Kwangsun turned around, and Seunghyeon felt his eyes on him. Seunghyeon gulped. "What is it?"

"I need to adjust the sheet," Kwangsun said.

Seunghyeon tensed when Kwangsun walked over. Seunghyeon held the sheet and squeezed his eyes shut, Kwangsun's ghostly touches against his skin sending shivers up his back.

"Okay, it's good," he said and took several steps back. Seunghyeon nodded and opened his eyes. He looked over to his right, waiting for this to be over.

Instead of a camera shutter, Kwangsun clicked his tongue. "Come on, kitten, you look terrified. Be a bit more interested," Kwangsun said.

Seunghyeon gripped the sheet and pursed his lips. "Stop calling me kitten," he grumbled.

Kwangsun laughed. "How about kitty?"

Seunghyeon shrugged. "Fine." It sounded better than kitten.

"Okay. Just look over with your eyes almost closed and your lips relaxed," he instructed and held his camera up. "There's nothing to be afraid of, kitty," he said in a low, smooth voice.

Seunghyeon let out a breath and relaxed his face. With Kwangsun's real eyes on his back, he imagined the Kwangsun from a moment ago in front of him, with his inviting smile. Seunghyeon leaned in, his heart pounding and a blush creeping over his body.

This was art and nothing more. All of this was to capture a beautiful moment. A staged, made up moment.

Snap.