Tangled Hearts And Classroom Smiles

Nest

Later that night, Fourth was lounging on the couch, Pond's hoodie wrapped around his shoulders like a safety blanket. The scent was doing wonders to keep him calm as his heat approached, but it also made him feel lonely. He was just about to call it a night when he heard a knock on the door.

His heart skipped a beat, a smile spreading on his face as he assumed Pond had come back. He moved to open the door, expecting to see his enigma's familiar grin. But when he pulled it open, his breath caught in his throat.

Standing there, looking almost too good to be true, was Joong. His police uniform was immaculate, fitting his tall, broad frame like a glove, and his presence seemed to fill the entire doorway. Fourth's mouth went dry, and for a moment, all he could do was stare, struck by just how handsome Joong looked.

"Hey, Fourth," Joong said, his voice smooth and a little teasing when he noticed Fourth's wide-eyed look. "Can I come in?"

Fourth blinked a few times, his cheeks flushing slightly as he snapped out of his daze. "Oh! Yes, of course, come in," he said, stepping aside to let Joong into the apartment.

Once inside, Joong handed him a bag. "Here," he said, his tone softer now. "Dunk went through all our closets and picked out some clothes for you to use for nesting. Even Phuwin let him take some of his stuff, though he grumbled the whole time."

Fourth's eyes widened as he took the bag, a rush of gratitude flooding through him. "You guys... You didn't have to do this," he said, touched by the gesture. He knew how protective alphas could be of their belongings, especially when it came to things with their scent on them.

Joong gave him a small smile. "We want to make sure you're comfortable, Fourth. We know this isn't easy for you," he said, his voice sincere. "And besides, Dunk insisted. There's no saying no to him when he sets his mind on something."

Fourth chuckled at that, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, I can imagine," he said, his smile growing. "Thank you, Joong. I really appreciate it."

"Don't mention it," Joong replied, his eyes softening as he looked at Fourth. "Have you eaten yet? I could smell something good from the hallway."

Fourth's eyes lit up at the mention of food. "Oh! I made too much dinner earlier," he said, suddenly shy. "Would you like to join me?"

"Well, I can't say no to that," Joong said, flashing him a grin that made Fourth's heart flutter. "Lead the way."

They sat down at the table, and Fourth served up the dinner he had prepared. The atmosphere was surprisingly comfortable, and they talked easily, the conversation flowing from one topic to another. Joong shared stories from his time on the police force, his voice animated as he described some of the more ridiculous calls he'd had to handle. Fourth found himself laughing more than he had in days, feeling lighter in Joong's presence.

As they finished eating, Joong's phone buzzed with a call. He glanced at the screen and sighed. "Duty calls," he said, a hint of regret in his voice. "I have to head back to the station."

Fourth stood up with him, walking Joong to the door. He hesitated for a moment, then reached out and wrapped his arms around Joong in a tight hug. The scent of Joong's uniform—clean, crisp, and unmistakably alpha—made Fourth's head spin just a little.

"Thank you for tonight," Fourth said softly, his voice muffled against Joong's chest. "It means a lot."

Joong's arms came around him, holding him close for a moment longer before he pulled back slightly to look down at Fourth, a gentle smile on his face. "Anytime, Fourth," he said, brushing a stray lock of hair out of Fourth's eyes. "Take care of yourself, okay?"

Fourth nodded, feeling his cheeks warm under Joong's gaze. "I will," he promised.

With one last smile, Joong turned and headed down the hallway, his presence lingering long after he had disappeared from sight. Fourth closed the door with a sigh, his mind spinning from the warmth of the evening. As he glanced at the bag full of clothes and the remnants of dinner on the table, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope in his chest.

Maybe, just maybe, he was starting to find his place with them after all.