Scentless

HEAT

"I built a wall in front of me, 'Don't come inside' I'm an island in this wide ocean, 'Don't abandon me'" – 140503 - Agust D

Yoongi wakes hot and uncomfortable, his skin slick with sweat. Jimin and Taehyung's naked forms are tangled with his. Ever since their awkward wrestling match a week ago, he's grown accustomed to sleeping in a pile with the two. He's also become accustomed to the fact that they tended to shed their clothing while they slept. And even though his newfound attraction to the beautiful omegas means he usually wakes with an erection; they hadn't had sex. Still, he thinks he probably wouldn't mind, if he could just get out of his head about it.

Something else I never expected from myself.

He shifts and wiggles, detangling his limbs from Taehyung's and Jimin's. Neither stir as he gingerly steps over their naked forms. He feels hot and grimy.

I need a bath.

He straightens his cloak, making his way out of the den. The cool predawn air feels great against his skin, but as the sweat dries, he feels an even greater need to bathe. He shifts, leaving his cloak outside the den and picking up the sack of empty water skins. He makes a quick patrol of the immediate area before heading to the spring, certain his sleeping pack mates will be safe in his brief absence.

The sun is just filtering through the lower branches when he reaches the spring. He shifts, filling the water skins before stepping into the chilly water. It only comes halfway up his calf, making bathing difficult, but not impossible. It'll have to do since he doesn't want to travel all the way to the small lake at the end of the stream. It's too far. As he cups and splashes water over his body, he notices a patch of sweat on his thigh that doesn't easily wash off. Curious, he runs a finger over the spot. It comes away slippery.

Slick?

The omegas like to cuddle, but they've never leaked slick while sleeping. Maybe it isn't. If he could smell it, he'd know, but he can't. He could taste it, probably. He's never tasted slick but he has heard it is usually sweet with a hint of the omega's scent. He eyes his finger, sticking it in his mouth before he even realizes what he's doing. When he realizes what he's done, he jerks his finger back, disgusted with himself. But... It is sweet. With just a hint of something familiar.

Strawberries? That confirms it's slick. Jimin told me Tae smells like strawberries. Taehyung must have had a particularly good dream last night.

He scoops up more water, scrubbing the spot on his thigh until its clean of the sweet substance. He's just running water through his hair when he feels a gut-wrenching sense of panic. Instinctually, he shifts, his fur standing on end. He barely remembers to grab the water skins before he's charging back through the trees, moving on pure instinct.

Something is wrong. Someone is missing. Where is he?

He bursts into the clearing, shifting and sliding into the den in one swift motion. He moves as fast as he can, hunched in the tunnel, bursting into the sleeping den, his eyes quickly adjusting to the candlelight. Jimin is huddled with Taehyung against the far wall. The moment he sees them, the panic fades into overwhelming relief.

"Oh, thank the gods, you're okay," Jimin whines, releasing his hold on Taehyung and crawling toward Yoongi.

"Are you okay? Who's missing?" Yoongi demands.

"Who? You! You were missing. We were worried because we woke up and Taehyung is in preheat and freaking out and I'm going to go soon, and we can't be alone. We need you here. We need the pack," Jimin rambles, panic rising in his voice again.