* * *
Oliver usually acted so mature that it was almost sad, but now he looked like a regular kid.
‘Who would’ve thought Oliver could get shy? Bringing these clothes was definitely a good idea!’
“You really think so, hyung?”
“Of course! You look amazing, Oliver.”
“Amazing…?”
“Yep.”
Flustered, Oliver stammered for the first time, making Remy stifle a laugh.
Usually so reserved, was he really this happy about the clothes?
Determined to bring even better winter clothes next time, Remy smiled warmly.
“Thank you… hyung.”
Looking bashful, Oliver thanked him before sitting down at the table.
After cleaning his siblings’ messy faces, he finally started eating.
Remy sat beside him, grabbing a sandwich and casually munching on it.
“Hyung, what are you going to do today?”
“Me?”
Remy chewed his food thoughtfully.
What was he supposed to do today?
Was there anything on his agenda?
“Not much, really.”
“Then… would you like to play with us?”
“With you guys?”
“Yes.”
Although Oliver seemed nervous, Remy didn’t mind.
With his usual cheer, he replied, “Sure!”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I’m free today.”
“Ah… Thank you, hyung.”
“Nah, what’s there to thank me for? Hanging out with you guys is fun. I’ve got nothing else to do anyway.”
“Alright.”
Crunch, crunch.
After devouring all the food Remy had packed, the three brothers were full and began running around excitedly.
In front of Oliver’s house, located in the farthest corner of the tent village, there was a large open space.
They often spent their days playing games like tag there.
“Should I join in too?”
“Then you can be ‘it,’ hyung. We’ll run away!”
“Alright, sounds good. I won’t go easy on you, so run for your lives.”
“Sure, whatever.”
Oliver’s indifferent response rubbed Remy the wrong way.
Internally smirking mischievously, he let out a sinister laugh.
‘Hmph. You dared to call me scrawny last time? Just wait—you’re in for it today.’
Alright, it might be a bit much to say such things about a kid.
But this time, Remy was determined to show him what it meant to face an adult.
His plan?
Ignore the younger brothers and relentlessly chase down Oliver until he was tagged first.
“Alright, I’ll count to three. Run while you can. One, two, three! Here I come!”
Remi charged toward Oliver at full speed.
But Oliver, looking unfazed, started running away effortlessly.
Perhaps it was because he was smaller, but he moved much faster than Remi.
“Ahhhh! Remi-hyung, you’re so fast! Hahaha! Come and catch us, Remi-hyung!”
The second and third brothers giggled as they cheered.
However, despite their encouragement, Oliver easily evaded Remi’s grasp.
Panting heavily, Remy struggled to keep up, his breaths coming in short gasps.
He was this close to catching him, but Oliver always managed to slip just out of reach.
‘No way! Is this even possible? He’s just a kid, and I’m an adult! How can I not catch him? Is it because he’s an Alpha? How does he have this much stamina?!’
Even with their height difference, Remy’s one stride should’ve covered two of Oliver’s.
That meant Oliver had to take twice as many steps, yet Remy still couldn’t catch him. At this point, it was almost humiliating.
‘What’s with this kid? Why is his physicality so extraordinary? Is he secretly a dominant Alpha? This level of athleticism surpasses a regular Alpha!’
Eventually, Oliver, who seemed to fly while Remy ran, forced him to admit defeat.
Collapsing onto the ground in exhaustion, Remy was met with the two younger brothers jumping around in glee.
“Wow! Oliver-hyung, you’re amazing! Even Remi-hyung couldn’t catch you!”
Good grief.
So much for hauling sandwiches every morning to build stamina…
Feeling bitter, Remy didn’t even have the energy to show it.
“Hyung, are you okay?”
Like a victor helping a defeated rival in a movie, Oliver extended his hand toward Remy.
Swallowing his pride, Remy forced himself to stand—ignoring Oliver’s offered hand, of course.
“I knew you were weak, but I didn’t think it was this bad, hyung.”
“Hey! I’m not weak! I just wasn’t in the best condition today!”
“Right. Your condition’s always bad.”
Crack.
Remi’s patience snapped.
It had been a while since he’d last seen Ashton to spar with, and now even a kid was mocking him.
Unable to vent his frustration at a child, he swallowed his resentment.
“I don’t think you should play running games with us, hyung.”
“What do you mean?! I can play just fine!”
Fired up, Remy shouted, brushing off the dirt on his clothes and rolling up his sleeves.
Determined to regain his pride, he charged forward once again, gritting his teeth to finally show that arrogant kid his place…
“Oh. You caught me?”
“…!”
Oliver, who had been easily caught this time, spoke as if surprised.
“Looks like I got caught, hyung.”
“…”
“I guess I’m ‘it’ now. Hyung, you better run—I’m coming for you.”
“Don’t just pretend to get caught like it’s nothing!!”
By now, Remy felt like he was being toyed with by a child.
Honestly, this kid was no different from a young Ashton.
Why were all the Alphas around him like this?
Even this little one.
“Run already?”
“No. I’ll just stay ‘it.’”
“Come on, hyung. Adults shouldn’t throw tantrums.”
“What? T-tantrums?”
As Remy fumed beside him, Oliver counted to three before sprinting past him toward his two younger brothers.
“Ahhhh!”
The younger brothers shrieked gleefully, running in all directions.
Watching Oliver’s interaction with them, Remy stood frozen.
‘What the…? Oliver’s pace is totally different with them.’
Though Oliver was clearly capable of catching them, he slowed down deliberately to let his brothers have fun.
Watching him, Remy regretted going all out earlier.
Maybe, just maybe, Oliver was mentally older than him.
‘Still… he’s just precocious, that’s all.’
Clinging to this self-rationalization, Remy nodded in agreement with himself.
He then joined the group, running around the open field with them.
As the autumn breeze cooled their flushed faces, they enjoyed their time together.
“Phew.”
After running and laughing for a long time, the four of them collapsed onto the grassy patch at the edge of the field.
Though their clothes—gifts from Remi—were now caked in dirt, none of them cared.
For Oliver, this was a rare moment of pure happiness. It was the first time he had played without a care, his heart at ease.
And for another reason, he felt content.
He could feel greedy—to want something, to wish for something.
Just knowing that he could was enough to make him happy.
“Whew, I should get going now,” Remy said, sitting up.
The sky had turned a deep orange without them realizing it.
“Already? Do you have to?”
“Yeah. Staying out too late isn’t safe. The world’s tougher than you think.”
“…”
Oliver didn’t reply but seemed to understand what Remy meant.
This neighborhood wasn’t a safe place, especially not for someone like Remy—a delicate Omega.
If someone dangerous saw him walking alone at night, he could lose everything in an instant.
And Remy was a particularly beautiful Omega, which made it even riskier.
‘If only I were old enough to protect him…’
Despite his reluctance, Oliver got up to escort Remy as usual.
Holding out his hand, he silently vowed to walk Remy to the edge of the slums.
“It’s fine. You don’t always have to walk me back, you know?”
“No, I’ll take you.”
“I said it’s fine.”
* * *
Oliver and his growing feelings for Remy is so cute