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"Kaz we all agreed. No scent blockers here, not when it's just us." Inej said softly. She carded her fingers through the omegas hair, cooing to herself when he leaned into her touch.
"Why?" Kaz said petulant, banned from applying his morning dose of blockers. He wasnt going anywhere today, and Inej would not let him hide himself away if he didnt have to, "What does it matter if you can 'smell' me or not. You already know how I feel."
Right. His nose didn't work anymore. Not after the Barge.
"It helps us know how comfortable you are. If you're at ease here. And it keeps us all from pushing each other too far. Just... it helps, jaanu. Especially with those knotheads we call alphas." Inej murmured. "And you like to help."
Kaz huffed, twisting away till his back was to her. He curled up on the far side of the bed, Matthias's shirt riding up along his back. They had been the only two to sleep in it seemed, and she wanted to luxuriate in this moment. But it was okay, if Kaz needed a beat to gather his thoughts. He got like this when he was nervous, and she knew her sweet omega would come around. He wasn't ignoring her, he was collecting his thoughts. And he would face her again once he pinned down whatever was bothering him. She grinned to herself. Oh, what it must be like to be in Kaz Brekkers head.
"You.. you would tell me if I smelled bad, right?" Kaz asked quietly, the majority of his face smashed against Jesper's pillow. She hadn't exactly heard what he had asked through the muffle of their bedsheets, but she could connect the dots. Instantly, her smile fell.
"Thats not how this works, omega-mine. You smell... your scent is good. Really good," Inej said softly, flopping over until she was laying parallel with him. He made a grunt, unconvinced.
"Its hard to describe though. Saying it so objectively, that you can either smell 'good' or 'bad', it removes all the nuance of it. Your scent is exactly what Kaz Brekker should smell like. You are exactly what we want Kaz, regardless of the semantics."
"Could you describe it to me anyway?" he said grumpily, finally turning to face her. "I don't like not knowing."
She sighed, and nodded. For a moment she simply inhaled, letting Kaz's scent wash over her. Then, she spoke, "You smell like right before it rains. Soft, dewy in that way, but dangerous too. Like a brewing thunderstorm. When you're mad it gets darker, black leather and burnt air. Sometimes your scent turns sweet, though, like the vanilla cookies at Annette's. Especially when you're happy. I like that scent of yours the most. It's very pleasant."
Kaz mulled it over, his face nor his scent betraying his thoughts at the revalation.
"Keep going. About the others, too."
"Kaz, my nose is hardly the best reference. Betas aren't as good at this kind of thing."
"I don't care. I like to hear how you describe it." He said softly. He leaned forward and kissed her brow. Saints, how could she say no to their packs' sweet boy.
"Nina smells like syrup, sweet but full of spice. Cinnamon-like, almost, but it heats up into more of a paprika or cayenne scent when she's angry. And there's always a hint of coppery tang. Its hard to describe but its this bittersweet blend. I dont know if thats a heartrender trait to have such an alluring scent, but it's definitely a Nina trait," Inej started, closing her eyes to better picture her words. "And Jesper smells like the brandy he pours but never actually drinks. He smells rich, savory like coming home to a full house, especially when he's content. He smells kind of metallic, too, like gunpowder. Apparently a lot of durasts smell slightly metallic. I can't quite describe Wylan, but it's an earthy scent. Like springtime. Floral, or maybe more of an herbal tone when he's puzzled by something. Sometimes his scent gets so familiar, as if you've found yourself in a meadow meant only for you. A secret garden. It's welcoming but not overbearing. And Matthias - "
"If that druskelle doesn't smell like pine I'm calling bullshit." Kaz muttered, entranced with her descriptions.
Inej laughed, rolling over and covering her face. "Okay, okay, he does but there's more. It's crisper than that. Like the first hint of winter chill on the air. He smells like sawdust and woodwork. And when he's happy it gets lighter. Fresh. That kind of ocean smell you only get from the harbor at night, when the heat of the day fades and you're left with the hint of salt on the breeze."
Kaz nodded, "Fine. Let the records show that our beast of an alpha smells slightly better than just trees."
Inej laughed again, swatting lightly at Kaz but not actually touching him.
"And you? What do you smell like?" He asked, tugging lightly at a stray lock of her hair. He twisted the strands around his finger, not quite meeting her eyes.
"I've been told it's exotic," she wiggled her eyebrows, but Kaz remained unamused. She rolled her eyes and continued, "Matthias said I smell like sweet tangerines. He had never had one before until Wylan and I drug him to the market, but was adamant that it described my scent perfectly once he tried one. So, tangerine. Citrusy. And apparently lush, like sweetgrass. I don't really know how else to describe it, I don't sniff myself often."
Kaz hummed, satisfied with her answer. He laid there for a moment, before scowling. "That's great, but how the hell does any of that help our pack?"
"Scents carry emotions, Kaz. They can tell us when our mates are sad, or distressed. Happy, pleased, annoyed, in danger even. They help us know how to best take care of our pack in a given situation." Inej said. The sound of the door opening downstairs distracted her from saying more. It seemed the rest of their pack was home with breakfast. She sat up in the bed, running her hand through her hair. Kaz looked up at her, intrigued but content to remain curled up in his spot. That is, until something clicked in his brilliant mind. He quickly sat up, cheeks flushed.
"Wait. Does that mean you can smell when I'm..." his ears turned redder and redder as the wheels churned in his head. His scent turned slightly sour, tinged with embarrassment. "Inej, can you smell when I'm horny?"
"Let the records show that I neither confirm nor deny that proposed theory," she said cryptically, launching herself out of bed. She could hear Kaz squawk indignantly behind her, and her laugh echoed down the hallway as she raced to great the rest of her pack