Bonding and Bite Marks

If

Mai turned the key in John's door with a light click. Naru had taken the key so they could get inside, and they'd taken a taxi from the office. It was faster than the subway. The taxi had agreed to wait so long as he was still on the clock. The first thing that hit Mai was the scent. John's heat had started in the office, but he'd been suffering the build-up for a few days prior to that. The almost sickly cotton candy scent was clinging to everything in the small, well-kept apartment. He'd been scenting things without even realising. It was leeching from every surface, hanging thick and heavy in the air. An alpha would surely be forced into a rut by the strength of it. Naru was very relieved that Lin hadn't offered to drive them. At least in the office, John's scent was muffled by the scent proof walls.

"Let's make this quick," Naru murmured stiffly as he stepped inside, his cheeks gaining a little colour as he looked around for the homeliest items he could find. I'm far from home, too...What are the things I crave most? Naru thought back over his first few heats in Japan, back when it hadn't felt like home. Having things scented by Lin had helped, but John didn't have a partner or any family close by. Pictures could be comforting, and anything with obvious sentimental value. Soft things were important. Comfortable things. Things to build a nest from. Things to curl up and burrow into. He shivered as Mai's gentle fingers brushed his shoulder. He could almost feel the warmth of her skin through the thick material of his jacket as tingles shot down his arm. Naru jerked around to face her, noting the way she'd pulled her hand back in surprise.

"Sorry, didn't you hear me? I asked what sort of things we'll need...I mean, clothes and toiletries aside." Her own brown eyes looked a little hazy in the heavily scented apartment as she murmured in a sheepish tone. She was a beta, so he knew he didn't need to worry about being jumped by her. She was far less susceptible than an alpha would be, and she didn't share their driving instincts to mate. However, that didn't mean she was completely unaffected. Smelling the heat of an omega was tugging on both their instincts, bringing usually buried feelings to the surface. Naru tried to keep the flush from his cheeks as he caught Mai's fruity, and somehow honeyed, scent drifting across. Her cheeks flushed as she looked into his blue eyes, hoping he couldn't hear the thrum of her heartbeat. He smelled so good, she just wanted to push him against the wall and...They both paused. It was as if Naru was waiting for her to make the move. They both looked away awkwardly, as if they'd sensed the other's thoughts.

"You can leave those things to me...Why don't you gather the day-to-day items?" Naru suggested quickly, looking for any excuse to get into a different room. Mai nodded her agreement and headed to the bathroom, leaving Naru to survey the living area. He sighed as Mai's scent moved away. It wasn't a good idea to let such thoughts take root. As a male omega and a female beta, they weren't a good match. It wasn't fair to either of them to indulge in such fantasies. He hummed softly as he started his new task. He needed things that would comfort John and keep him calm. Going into heat was a traumatic ordeal, especially the first time. He couldn't even imagine how terrifying it must be for John as a fully grown adult raised believing he was a beta. He grabbed the most personal looking items he could see. Family photographs, an ornamental cross, a well-loved blanket, and a decorative cushion that was thick with his scent. There was a kangaroo hand embroidered on the soft material, likely made by someone in his family.

He then moved to the bedroom to find other comforting soft items and gather some clothing. His lips quirked as he saw the small bear on the bed. It was worn and well-loved, carefully patched in places. It reminded him of Gene's old bear. He used to take it everywhere. Getting it back with the rest of his things after his disappearance had been the most difficult thing. Naru still remembered clutching it to his chest as he'd leaned back against his bedroom door and slipped to the floor. He'd cried for hours before Lin had finally come to pry him from his solitude. He swallowed the old grief as he lifted and squeezed the soft bear. It would certainly bring John comfort. He added it to the pile before looking through some of his clothing. There was an old hoodie, soft with wear, tossed over the back of the desk chair. He took that, as well as a few changes of fresh underwear, pyjamas, and another set of outdoor clothes for after his heat had passed.

He picked up Mai's scent again as he started packing. His omega lurched within, desperate to touch, to feel, to explore. Naru gritted his teeth firmly and closed his eyes to calm himself. It was stronger than usual. He was usually only this needy around his heats. Is John's scent affecting me that badly? He cursed inwardly, massaging his temples. This wasn't the time or place, and she wasn't the one. She couldn't be. Absolutely not. He was an omega, and she was a female beta. It wasn't practical for either of them. At the same time, he craved her. He knew her skin was soft, and that she'd fit perfectly against his body. He could well remember the feeling of her lying beneath him as he'd shielded her from the falling classroom ceiling a few months back. He was lucky he had a stronger frame than most omegas, possibly from being the identical twin to an alpha. If not, he would have suffered serious injury.

"I think I've got everything..." Mai trailed off as she dropped the toiletries into the holdall they'd brought to carry their supplies. There was something different about Naru. His sweet lemon tart scent was calling to her like never before, and John's sweet scent was toying with her beta instincts. She couldn't help it as she stepped a little closer to his side. Close enough that their arms brushed as they both packed the bag. As Naru turned towards her, she glimpsed it before he pulled his walls up. His blue eyes had looked so desperate. So needy. Her heart leapt in her chest at the sight, subconsciously returning the look. Naru blinked self-consciously as he saw his own affection reflected in Mai's soft eyes.

"Right..." Naru hurriedly packed a few more items before zipping the bag. His body froze as Mai's hand touched his. The contact sent tingles across his skin. Her hand was soft and warm, much like his own. His voice caught. Pink dusted his cheeks, but he wouldn't let her see that. He didn't want to lead her on. He pulled away from her quickly, hefting the bag. His heart had kicked into overdrive. Part of him was desperate for Mai's gentle affection. The need to be cared for and fussed over. It was something he couldn't shake as an omega. "We should hurry and get out of here. John's scent is affecting both of us," he excused quickly, watching Mai nod her quiet agreement, but there was regret in her honey coloured eyes. If I were an alpha...or she were an alpha...