Shin Jaehyun moved quickly, his only thought to escape the crowded cafeteria. The wave of heat was intensifying, making his senses swim and his steps unsteady. He needed somewhere private, somewhere he could try to regain control before this unexpected turn completely overwhelmed him.
He stumbled upon an abandoned classroom from the far east wing of the building. The rooms were dusty and forgotten, but they offered the solitude he desperately needed. Ignoring the curious glances of those he passed, Jaehyun hurried towards the less-trafficked stairwell.
The air grew cooler and stiller as he descended. The once-grand corridors were now lined with peeling paint and shadowed doorways. He chose a room at random, its door still loosely attached to its hinges. He slipped inside, the dim light filtering through a grimy window doing little to illuminate the dust motes dancing in the air.
Leaning against the decaying door, Jaehyun closed his eyes, trying to focus on his breathing. His body felt flushed, his heart still racing. The scent of his own burgeoning heat was faint but undeniable, and the residual tang of Woo Bin's alpha pheromones lingered unpleasantly in his memory.
Just as he began to feel a sliver of control returning, a sound startled him. A soft scraping noise came from deeper within the room. Jaehyun's eyes snapped open, his heightened senses on alert. He wasn't alone.
"Who's there?" he asked, his voice a little shaky.
Silence for a moment, and then a figure shifted in the gloom. A man straightened up from where he had been examining something on the floor. The dim light made it hard to see his features clearly, but there was an air of quiet intensity about him.
"I... didn't realize anyone still came down here," the man said, his voice a low, resonant tone.
As his eyes adjusted, Shin Jaehyun recognized him. It was Kang Dojoon. Dojoon was somewhat of an enigma within the social circles. Known for his sharp intellect and reserved nature, he often kept to himself. Jaehyun had observed him from a distance but had never spoken to him directly.
Dojoon's gaze, now fully on Jaehyun, seemed to take in his flushed appearance and slightly disheveled state. A flicker of something unreadable crossed his expression.
"Jaehyun?" Dojoon said, his brow slightly furrowed. "Are you alright?"
The unexpected concern in Dojoon's voice caught Jaehyun off guard. He suddenly felt more vulnerable, his carefully constructed facade threatened by the unexpected onset of his heat and now, this unexpected encounter.
"I... I just needed a quiet place," Jaehyun managed, trying to keep his voice even. But the subtle tremor betrayed his inner turmoil.
Kang Dojoon took a step closer, and Jaehyun instinctively recoiled slightly. Dojoon paused, his gaze softening with understanding.
"This wing isn't exactly known for its peace," Dojoon observed gently. "Is everything alright?"
Before Jaehyun could formulate a reply, another wave of heat washed over him, more intense this time. He bit back a gasp, his knuckles white as he clutched his arms to his chest. His scent, he knew, would be becoming more noticeable now.
Dojoon's eyes widened slightly, a dawning comprehension in them. He took another step, not closer this time, but a step that seemed to convey a silent offer of… something.
The silence in the dusty room hung thick with unspoken understanding and the undeniable scent of Jaehyun's rising heat.