The scent of an alpha is very distinct from an omega's. It's easier to ignore for Chanyeol and it doesn't take hold of him like a certain omega's does. When Kangyeol hugs Chanyeol, Chanyeol inhales the fresh scent of linen and cotton. It's fresh, just like Kangyeol's disposition and demeanor. Chanyeol immediately relaxes, forgetting about the thoughts plaguing him for the past few days and nights.

"I've missed you little brother" Kangyeol says in his deep, rich voice.

Though Chanyeol's family has been on the taller side, Kangyeol is even taller than Chanyeol and more sturdily built. Now, from his injury, he sports a noticeable limp that he waves away when Chanyeol frowns and worries about it.

"It's nothing" Kangyeol says. "Something that I'll get over with time."

At the airport terminal, Chanyeol can't help but notice that Kangyeol looks around, as if expecting someone else to be with Chanyeol.

"Are you looking for...?"

"Minseok? No, he told me he was busy with training. I was just ... hoping is all."

Kangyeol smiles bashfully and again, the pang spreads throughout Chanyeol's chest. He remembers Minseok's spearmint scent and matches it with Kangyeol's own refreshing scent. In Chanyeol's mind, they are perfect mixture and when he acknowledges this, a green monster curls up from the bottom of his belly. He shakes his head of jealous thoughts and focuses on feeling the joy of his older brother's visit.





+++





Junmyeon and Kyungsoo welcome Kangyeol joyfully when they reach the pack's base. Junmyeon's already asking for battle stories and Kyungsoo asks about the healer who works at Kangyeol's pack.

"Battle stories later, when I've rested and kissed Minseok" Kangyeol laughs. "And Kyungsoo, Yixing is doing fine. He asks about you all the time but you two are so busy so there's much to tell."

In the crowd that gathers to see the visitor, Kangyeol spots Minseok right away. The tall, uniformed man parts the crowd and bends down to hug the smaller Minseok. Kangyeol's inhalation is audible to all, as he breathes in Minseok's neck.

"I missed you" Kangyeol says heavily. "So, so much."

Minseok blushes at the emotional sentiment shown in front of all the people, but Kangyeol doesn't seem to notice anyone else at all. Chanyeol remains frozen, still standing next to Kangyeol's bags. He feels like his whole body can no longer move and the scene in front of him seems like one from an old romantic movie - something he cannot touch or be apart of.

It's Baekhyun who unfreezes Chanyeol from what feels like never ending moment. Baekhyun claps a hand on Chanyeol's shoulder and whispers into his ear.

"So that's your famous brother, huh?" Baekhyun asks.

"I heard he's a hero over in his pack" adds Jongdae, joining them in a huddle.

"Are you ever going to introduce us?" Baekhyun whines, as others come in to welcome Kangyeol.

"...Of course" Chanyeol says, trying to smile and wondering if his face looks normal. "Of course, I will. You're my best friends and... he's my older brother after all."





+++




Chanyeol tries again not to show the shock on his face when Kangyeol naturally follows Minseok back to Minseok's sleeping quarters. Of course it's not uncommon since they are to be mated, but it still throws Chanyeol off. Just how many things were missing from his memory? And why hadn't anyone told him this important fact?

The next day, Chanyeol waits to catch Minseok's eye, but it seem like Minseok does his best to avoid Chanyeol. After Jongdae and Baekhyun are introduced to Kangyeol, they all but hero worship him throughout meal time, asking for more stories of his adventures. All the while, Minseok watches them indulgently. Next to Minseok, Jongin watches Minseok nervously. The stoic, scowling Jongin is gone, but in his place, there's a Jongin that clucks around Minseok like a mother hen.

Meanwhile, Chanyeol sits with Sehun, who prattles on about how Minseok is taking time off leading the training, how Sehun himself wishes he could take a sabbatical. But in the middle of his gossip, Sehun notices Chanyeol glancing in Kangyeol's direction.

"Ah, everyone's monopolizing Kangyeol hyung's time, huh? You should take an afternoon to spend with your older brother" Sehun says, mistaking Chanyeol's glances for brotherly jealousy.

Chanyeol sighs. His dreams were getting more life-like and even now, he can smell citrus. He glances at Sehun, who pokes at his half eaten food.

"Sehun-ah, did I ever... when I was..." Chanyeol finds it hard to complete his question.

Sehun puts down his chopsticks and his eyes turn serious.

"What is it hyung?"

Chanyeol takes a deep breath.

"Before I lost my memory, how ... how was I?" Chanyeol finally asks.

It's a simple question, but one everyone has expertly sidestepped. And the complexity of the question shows on Sehun's furrowed brows. Sehun picks up his chopsticks again, poking at the mixed greens on his plate.

"Well, you were... I don't know... You're happier now" Sehun says.

"Happier?"

"Before the accident, you were ... depressed all the time. It didn't seem like you were sleeping at all. You wouldn't talk to me... you wouldn't talk to anyone. And right before the accident, it seemed like you were planning on visiting Kangyeol hyung, but then..."

Sehun's voice tapers off and he stares out the window.

But Chanyeol's more confused than ever. A forming theory of his had been that his accident had something to do with the citrus scent of his dreams. But the way Sehun was talking, it seemed like depression had driven him to do stupid things. What had depressed him so? According to Minseok hyung, he had been the happy go lucky boy he'd remembered from his childhood.

"Did... did I ever mention anyone? Was I seeing anyone?" Chanyeol asks, frustrated.

Sehun looks surprised.

"Seeing someone?"

Chanyeol nods, leaning in. But Sehun shakes his head firmly.

"No, you never mentioned anyone. In fact, Junmyeon had been pestering you to venture out and find a mate before you ... turned into a hermit."

Chanyeol sighs, cradling his head in his hands.

"Then, who...?" Chanyeol mumbles.

"What is it hyung?" Sehun asks worriedly.

But Chanyeol smiles reassuringly at Sehun, shaking his head.

"Nothing Sehun-ah. Nothing."