Bonding and Bite Marks

A Stressful Morning

It was morning when Lin next opened his eyes, groaning stiffly as he turned his head to look around his living room. The weight had left his chest at some point and, unless Sebastian had developed some unusual skills, Lin knew John must be awake as he tugged the thick blanket aside. I fell asleep here? He was surprised he'd slept at all. Looking at his phone, there was still no response from Naru. That somehow made him even more uneasy considering it was heading towards midday.

"You're awake," John's voice greeted from the stairs, where he stood holding a breakfast tray. Lin immediately got to his feet to remove the heavy-looking burden from his grasp. "You shouldn't sleep on the sofa like that," John chided as he followed him back to the sofa. Lin placed the tray on the small coffee table before taking a seat, fully expecting John to sit beside him, which he did. He still wasn't entirely used to others looking out for his wellbeing. Being the older brother figure, and an alpha, it had always been his job to look after others.

"I'll keep that in mind, but I'm still worried..." he murmured in response as he set about making the tea. It wasn't like Naru, not at all. He hadn't heard from either of them. Mai's phone had been turned off the last time he called. He sighed and massaged his temples as John's sweet scent washed over him again, soothing his frazzled nerves. He set about buttering some toast before offering it to Lin, who took it with a thankful smile before nibbling the corner. His appetite was almost non-existent. Did something happen? Are they alright? Should I call around the hospitals?

"Let's leave it a little longer...If they had a late night, they may well be sleeping," John suggested softly, though he couldn't deny that his mind had gone to similar places. Mai may slip up occasionally, but it was very rare for Naru to forget to do something. Though if they were drinking, then maybe...Despite the thought, he found it hard to picture Naru drinking, at least not to the extent he'd be inebriated. They finished breakfast and tidied the apartment a little while they waited. John was reading his book, and Lin was brushing Sebastian's short fur when they finally heard the front door click. Lin was on his feet in an instant.

He hurried down the stairs, breathing a sigh of relief as he saw Naru closing the door. He was wearing his suit from the night before, ruffled but seemingly unharmed. Though he was unharmed, there was something odd about his posture. His body was somehow smaller, more stooped than usual, and he visibly flinched as he closed the front door, catching Lin's scent in the air. He'd been hoping to avoid facing him. He didn't think he could keep it together. Lin had practically raised him. He'd know something was wrong the moment he got a look at his face.

"Noll." He already knew there was something wrong. It was obvious from his frazzled scent. Naru bit his lip at the use of his old nickname. He could feel it quivering and inwardly chided himself for being such a child. The last time he'd thrown himself into Lin's arms had been when Gene died. His hand still gripped the door handle, tempted to go outside again. He jerked as Lin's hand landed on his shoulder and tugged, encouraging him to turn and face him. "What happened?"

"Lin..." Naru choked, feeling his shoulders quivering as he tried to hold back. Lin made no comment about it, nor did he mention the fact that tears had already started sliding from his glittering blue eyes. He wordlessly pulled him against his chest and rested a hand on his head, his other arm wrapping securely around his shoulders. It was something he'd often done for Gene. Something to make him feel safe and comfortable. It seemed the brothers had similar tastes as Naru reached up and gripped his shirt tightly, unable to stop his tears. "I...I-was...They..." He tried not to sniffle like a five-year-old.

"Hush...You can tell me later...Just breathe for now," Lin murmured as he rubbed circles on Naru's back. Naru nodded against his collarbone, grateful for the proffered comfort as he cried, doing his best to swallow and muffle his sobs. After a while, he calmed himself enough to step back, and Lin encouraged him up the stairs. Naru seemed even more grateful to be in John's presence as the other omega soothed him with his sweet scent. Eventually, he settled enough to talk quietly about what had happened, curled up pressed against John's side with his face buried in his knees. Naru had left the hotel that morning with his head spinning and his feet had somehow carried him home. He already had a dozen missed calls from Yasuhara's phone.

"I'll let them know he's safe," John decided as he hurried to the bedroom to find his own phone. Lin regarded Naru, wondering what it was best to do. There was no point in going to the hospital. Naru had already said he'd showered, and he'd slept with Yasuhara and Mai straight afterwards. The drug in his system was already clearing, and he was physically in good health. He also wasn't fertile outside of his heats, so he wouldn't get pregnant. Naru was on birth control pills anyway, so that wasn't a huge concern. At the same time, he probably should get checked for STDs.

"Are you tired?" Lin asked, watching Naru avert his eyes. He didn't even need to answer out loud. Lin could see it in his sagged posture and the dark rings around his eyes. "You can sleep in my room." His exhaustion was obvious. He was also reluctant to be on his own. As Lin led him through to the bedroom, he could hear John's voice in the guest room, where he was offering gentle assurances to Mai or Yasuhara. Naru was silent as he all but fell on the bed, curling up on Lin's side and tugging John's pillow against his chest. The two scents together made him feel somewhat safe and reassured. There was a small trill as Sebastian hopped onto the bed. It seemed he knew his favourite human was in need.

Lin watched as Naru eyed the black cat, blue eyes dulled with fatigue and distress. The yellow eyes that met his were soft, partly curious and partly sympathetic. Sebastian padded closer and curled up beside John's pillow, which was still clutched against Naru's chest. Naru allowed his free hand to rest on Sebastian's small body, idly teasing the glossy fur and giving him something else to focus on. Sebastian purred loudly, the sound and vibrations soon soothing Naru enough for his eyes to close. Lin bit his lip thoughtfully, unsure what it would be best to do once Naru woke up.

"How is he?" John asked softly as he crept into the room and stood beside Lin, who was sitting on John's side of the bed. Naru didn't stir as they spoke, and Sebastian remained content, tail swishing slowly as he purred with his eyes closed. John smiled softly, wondering how the small black cat was so attuned to the moods of humans.

"Sleeping for now..." Lin replied with a small sigh.

"We should take him to the hospital...Even if they can't do a rape kit and he's on birth control, we don't know what else those alphas might have." Lin nodded his agreement as he continued to watch Naru sleep. It was true, there were many STDs out there, and it was alphas like those who usually had them. The sooner Naru was tested, the sooner they would all be able to relax, but it could wait for a few hours. Naru wasn't in a fit state to go anywhere at the moment. Should I have gone with him? Is this somehow my fault? Lin couldn't help feeling guilty, knowing he'd been less attentive to Naru's needs since mating John. "Don't think like that! It was a date. Everyone's entitled to go out and have fun...It was just...bad luck."

"But I haven't been looking out for him recently..." Lin sighed, feeling a soft touch on his cheek.

"You're not his mother, Lin. Naru's an adult now, and he's not careless. This was a one off, a bad thing that happened. It couldn't be helped," John insisted as he stepped closer. He didn't like to see Lin agitated, especially when it wasn't his fault. Lin accepted the offered comfort, wrapping John securely in his arms and pulling him onto his lap. John gladly wriggled into a more comfortable position and wrapped his arms around Lin's broad shoulders. "You didn't get to sleep much...Why don't you rest a little while?" John suggested, coaxing Lin to lie down so that he could nestle against his side. He couldn't help the wave of relief and contentment that washed through him as he buried his face in Lin's chest. He'd missed him the night before. Lin laced an apologetic hand in his blonde locks as he closed his eyes.

The room was still and quiet, only the sound of Sebastian's soft purrs breaking the silence. Lin was careful as he shuffled back to give John a little more space. He didn't want to squash Sebastian and disturb Naru by being careless. John hummed softly, nuzzling his pecs and wrapping his arm around his waist. Lin smiled as he pressed small kisses into his golden curls and breathed his candyfloss scent, comforted by the sweetness. John felt just as content as he scented Lin's spiced chilli chocolate, letting it curl around him like a warm blanket. John's light purring soon joined Sebastian's, gentle vibrations thrumming through Lin's chest. He finally relaxed, falling into a restful slumber as he let out a purr of his own.