Bonding and Bite Marks

Teacups and Turtlenecks

John groaned as he opened his sleep-filled eyes. Relief flooded his chest as he felt the final prickle of his heat as it faded away. He felt like he was at a normal temperature again. His skin was no longer glistening with sweat. He peeled the damp shirt from his skin and dropped it on the bed before creeping to the bathroom. The apartment was silent as he moved around. He wasn't sure what time it was, but it seemed Lin was still sleeping. It didn't take him long to shower, borrowing a towel from the cabinet before returning to the nest.

He grabbed a clean pair of boxers and some comfortable black lounge pants. Although his heat was retreating, it hadn't left yet, and his omega side was quietly craving the scent of its mate. John's cheeks flushed as he eyed the drawers. This was clearly a spare room, so Lin probably wouldn't miss anything if he borrowed it for a while. He had a quick look through the drawers. The top one was mostly odds and ends. Not clothes at all. There were spare batteries, stamps, envelopes, unopened packets of pens, foreign coins and a tape measure, as well as a few tools and loose screws. The second was filled with thick sweaters and warm trousers, clearly Lin's winter clothes. In the bottom drawer was a mixture of tops and T-shirts. He tugged one of the black tops out. It felt soft.

He pulled it on, surprised to find that it was about his size. It was well worn, with an ever so slightly musty undertone. He breathed in Lin's scent. It had clearly been with Lin's belongings for a long time, so it would do for John's purposes. Is it one of Naru's tops that got mixed up in the wash? John returned to the living room. He brushed his fingers through his tousled hair, tidying it up a little before huddling on the windowsill, book in hand once more. He tugged the high throat of the top. He wasn't used to wearing turtlenecks, but he could see why Naru liked them. It was quite cosy and offered a strange sense of security. It also brought Lin's scent closer to his nose.

She slid her skirts higher, revealing her shapely legs. Antonio raised an eyebrow as he knelt beside her, trailing a hand up her...Oh my...John's blue eyes widened slightly as he continued to read, a light pink dusting his cheeks. He was so engrossed in the increasingly intense romance that he didn't even hear Lin's door open, or the steps that padded into the living room. Lin paused in the doorway. Something tightened in his chest as his eyes landed on John.

"Morning..." A slightly strangled sound caught his throat as he recognised the top he was wearing. John looked up from the book he was reading with a somewhat timid smile. Now that his heat was easing, his discomfort was creeping back. Lin licked his suddenly dry lips, unsure how he felt about the way the black fabric clung to John's body and covered his milky throat. "That top..." he murmured hesitantly, unsure how to continue the sentence. John blushed as he tugged the sleeve higher on his wrist.

"I-I'm sorry, I was feeling...I thought the clothes in that room were unused, so it wouldn't be too inconvenient." He felt as if he'd done something he shouldn't. There was something grim and almost hurt in Lin's dark eyes as he stared at him. It was almost like he'd seen a ghost. As Lin met John's eyes, he almost felt that he had. John looked very different to Gene, but the blue of his eyes, the gentle expression, and the black clothing he was wearing made something within him ache. Their personalities were similarly timid. Similarly warm.

"No, it's alright...You can wear whatever you like," Lin replied, though he averted his eyes and found it hard to look at him. John was ever so slightly larger than Gene had been, but the top still fitted him perfectly. It hugged his slim figure, and as he got to his feet, he could see that it rested perfectly over his hips. "You're welcome to borrow anything," he added finally, feeling he was being a little silly. Those clothes are doing no good just sitting there. He knew that he should have insisted Naru take them really. He'd just wanted something to hold on to. That was his excuse for keeping most things. He'd had a lot more before they'd moved to Japan. A lot of items he'd decided not to bring.

"Are you sure? It's bothering you...I'll change." John felt flustered as he left his place at the window, cheeks flushing as Lin's large hand caught his arm. His hold was firm but gentle as he halted his steps. Tingles and warmth spread up his shoulder from the contact. Lin's hand was strong. It made his omega feel safe. He could feel butterflies fluttering in his stomach.

"No...I mean it." Both of them stood awkwardly in the middle of the room. Lin suggested breakfast, and they headed down to the kitchen, where he prepared some toast. John still didn't have a huge appetite, and Lin knew his stomach would be quite sensitive at the end of his heat. Lin wasn't hungry, so he only made one piece for himself. He refilled John's now clean cup, and they sat down to eat. They ate in awkward silence, neither sure what to say, nor whether conversation would be welcome. Lin excused himself briefly and left John alone in the kitchen.

"What the-" Naru's startled voice stammered from the doorway. As John turned his head, he noticed the same haunted expression that Lin had worn earlier on Naru's face. John tilted his head as Naru openly stared at him. He was beginning to feel uncomfortable when Naru finally regained his senses and stepped into the room, suddenly back to normal. "You surprised me," he excused as he took a seat and poured himself some tea.

"I'm sorry, I thought you knew I was here," John replied sheepishly, noting the way Naru's eyes were fixed on his chest and throat, often sneaking up to his eyes. He tugged the high neckline, noting the way Naru twitched in shock at the motion. "Ah, this is an old top of yours, isn't it? I hope you don't mind...It was mixed up with Lin's things..." John trailed off as he flattened his hand and ran it down to his chest. He really wasn't used to the tight material hugging his body. Naru quirked a surprised eyebrow as he sipped his drink.

"But that's not...It belonged to Gene," he replied stiffly, watching John recoil at the thought. I'm wearing a dead boy's clothes! In front of his brother, no less! John was mortified, unsure what he should say to Naru. He'd heard a little about his brother, Eugene, some time ago. They were still trying to find his body. He hadn't asked for many more details than that. It had seemed inappropriate to make Naru delve into such painful memories.

"I'm so sorry, I'll change immediately!" John decided as he got to his feet, surprised as Naru's tight grip caught his wrist. John was surprised to scent a certain amount of insecurity in Naru's lemon tart scent.

"It's fine, please...I don't mind." There was something almost desperate in his deep blue eyes. John didn't really understand what Naru was so desperate for, but he didn't have the heart to deny him. His eyes followed the cup to John's lips, marvelling at how similar he was to Gene. The way he tugged the high collar had almost given him a heart attack. He'd slipped his index finger slightly to the right of his collarbone, just the way Gene had. The way he cradled the cup was also identical. Two fingers hooked through the handle while the others gripped the hot body. When he leaned on one elbow, his chin tilted at the same angle on his hand. I must be projecting...What are the chances of two people developing the exact same quirks?

"I'm sorry...I really didn't mean..." John trailed off quietly. He'd noticed Naru's lingering gaze and thought perhaps it was the clothing that drew his eye.

"It's alright, I mean it...You're quite like him, you know," Naru murmured as he looked down into his own cup. His words surprised John. With twins, it seemed to go one of two ways. Either they were identical in every meaning of the word or their personalities were polar opposites. There didn't seem to be any middle ground. Somehow, he'd expected Naru's brother to be the same as him. He was hesitant to ask more. Naru was generally a quiet and private person. He was surprised to have been offered so much in the first place.

"You...must miss him very much," John murmured sympathetically, watching Naru nod silently in response.

"He was my other half...in every way." Naru dropped his gaze to his mug, trying to keep down the painful ache. Gene's softness had cushioned his sharpness, his weakness had tempered his strength, and his gentle nature had calmed his fiery disposition. When Naru had been quiet, Gene had been talkative, and when Naru had been talkative, his brother had been quiet and attentive. Even their alpha and omega characteristics had been joined and contrasted. Naru was the alpha in every sense except physically, and Gene had been an omega at heart. It was why he'd yearned for an alpha's touch. It would have troubled Naru if he'd chosen anyone besides Lin. As it was, he'd trusted Lin implicitly. He still did. Lin was the only alpha he would ever trust with his safety during his heats. John could scent Naru's pain and distress as he thought of his brother.

"I'm sorry we haven't found him yet." Naru waved it off. They'd find him. He was determined. It may take years, but Naru would literally turn the island upside down if he had to. John said no more after that, both focusing on their breakfast in silence.