★ Ketsueki's Forest

@★ᵅ ‹ Hyunwoo Hoseok smirked when he saw the pretty tint that colored Hyunwoo's cheeks. Gods, he was too precious sometimes. Nuzzling his nose back against his, his heart felt like it did a flip in his chest when the alpha suddenly announced that he'd made him a necklace. Had he been carrying it around all this time? No one had ever done something so thoughtful for him before and Hoseok almost didn't know how to handle it. Such sweet things didn't belong it Ketsueki... and yet here was Hyunwoo, so soft and considerate that Hoseok couldn't help feeling a little weak for him. "Hold onto it for now. Not saying I wouldn't proudly wear it right this second, but... I want to earn it from you." He confessed softly, his hand stroking along Hyunwoo's cheek before he leaned in to kiss the tip of his nose. If Hyunwoo was going the court him, then Hoseok would earn his affection and heart as well.

@★ᵅ ‹ Hyunwoo Maybe it was selfish for them to hope to find each other again, to find some semblance of normalcy and happiness between the battles. "It's because of your soft heart that I know you will prove yourself, Hyunwoo." Hoseok reassured him with an affectionate smile and leaned in to press a kiss to the alpha's cheek. While others might have shunned and ridiculed Hyunwoo for his unusual nature, the brunette treasured it. Call him a sap, but after all the rough fights and struggling on his own, he liked to be treated gently and like something precious... Perhaps that was the only bit of him that was quintessentially omega. "I don't mind you being a little selfish with me. So long as you don't mind if I do the same."

@★ᵅ ‹ Hyunwoo As much as Hoseok hated to hear the reality from Hyunwoo's lips, he knew that he couldn't have wallowed in pity after his loss and neglected his duties to the pack. It would have been like dying along with all those they had lost in the war. Though it had pained him, he'd had no choice but to try to move on. "Why are we talking about 'what if's? We did find each other." He reassured him as he eased back to stare fondly into those warm, expressive orbs that he'd missed spending nights gazing into until he fell asleep. Stroking Hyunwoo's cheek, the omega encircled strong, tattooed arms around his neck, his fingers sinking into the hair at his nape. "You came back to the pack... and to me. That's all the matters now."

@★ᵅ ‹ Hyunwoo Hoseok felt a swell of pride and affection when Hyunwoo confessed that he trusted him with his life. He could have given him a number of reason - tried to sweep him off his feet with sweet praises and obnoxious compliments - but those things were not fitting of Ketsueki. Strength, however, was. From the time he presented, Hoseok had striven towards being the best possible defender he could be, regardless of the other pack's assumptions of what omegas should be. He wanted to be able to protect those he cared about... especially Hyunwoo. That was why his disappearance had been so tough on Hoseok. Leaning into the male's inviting embrace with a soft sigh, Hoseok grazed his cheek against Hyunwoo's before he tucked into the crook of his neck, breathing in his familiar scent. "... I couldn't find you, though. After the war, I looked for you, too..."

@★ᵅ ‹ Hyunwoo "Court me?" Hoseok reiterated incredulously, an amused yet undeniably fond quirk to his lips. Of course the sweet alpha would plan to do something cheesy like that. He had always been so soft and gentle... Too good for Ketsueki, honestly, and probably Hoseok, too. "The war didn't change you at all..." There was anything but disappointment in his tone as he subtly nuzzled into Hyunwoo's touch. "I'm glad."

@★ᵅ ‹ Hyunwoo ((Sorry for the delay OTL long work shifts and then had to drive out of town))

As barbaric and bloodthirsty as their pack was, no matter what terrible things they had done... Ketsueki members were not liars. They didn't have the guilty conscience to bother with them, whether the truth hurt someone or not. But Hyunwoo... He was kind and honest. Different. As Hoseok looked into his eyes, he didn't doubt that he meant what he said and the profoundness of it settled heavy in the center of his chest, making him swallow hard as his heart threatened to climb up his throat. "Well..." He began softly as he reached out to splay his hand over the junction between Hyunwoo's neck and shoulder, umber eyes transfixed for a moment by the beautiful contrast in his pale skin tone to the alpha's. "You've found me. What did you think you'd do then?"

@★ᵅ ‹ Hyunwoo ((how is he doing this?! Sjrhakjd how can he say these things and make Wonho melt? This is war))

Watching Hyunwoo shift to rise to his feet, Hoseok almost took a step back but a Ketsueki wolf didn't retreat. Not in battle and not faced with anything else, even if his heart seized in his chest when he saw the alpha standing before him in all his glory like not a day had passed since they'd last met. Realizing that Hyunwoo had searched for him in return made his gaze soften and when next he spoke, his voice held a gentleness that didn't match the scars on his body. "Then did you stop?" He asked tentatively, his eyes taking in the alpha's handsome features. "Looking, I mean..."

@★ᵅ ‹ Hyunwoo It felt like it had been ages since Hoseok had followed the ghost of Hyunwoo's scent through these woods. Part of him still honestly couldn't believe it wasn't just his kind playing tricks on him, making him chase memories again just like it had after the war had ended. The underbrush crunched softly beneath his footfalls as the tattooed omega walked into the clearing and he almost stopped in his tracks when he saw Hyunwoo comfortably settled there like nothing had changed. Stopping at his side, Hoseok looked down at the alpha, at the way the sun peeked through the trees to let the rays kiss tanned skin, and... didn't appear fazed. "So... You're alive." He stated as if that fact didn't astound him.