Chapter Text
Suguru hates it.
He hates it. Now everything is veiled in heavy layers and layers of scented intent, scented precautions, and scented double meanings. Pheromones. Ever since his body changed just a few weeks… or was it months ago? he’s been having a hard time adapting to whatever this is, he can’t even remember how it went, except that it was awful.
Trying to get used to one more form of communication while being at the cusp of hormone imbalances is exhausting enough as it is and it doesn’t help that people who haven’t presented yet can’t feel any pheromones. They can’t relate to this stress. Like Satoru. He almost envies him because of it.
“Suguruuuu-“
He suddenly gets dragged out of his thoughts. His friend whines beside him, fluffy white hair and delicate features forming a pout that he avoids giving attention to. It’s not like he doesn’t want to look, he is just afraid that he will do something stupid if he stares too much. Suguru's been tense enough these days already and Satoru doesn’t make it easier for him to simply exist. All too eager to beg for attention without boundaries.
“Don't you ignore me Suguruu” Satoru clings onto him, whining louder.
His arm wraps around his neck and he feels mellow at the touch. Almost dazed at the thought of feeling that tug at his neck. It wouldn’t be a problem if Suguru could look at Satoru in the face, normally, as always.
For some reason, nowadays it’s become harder to do so.
He gets annoyed easily now, flustered even, irritated, his reactions are very unlike him. He feels strange whenever Satoru is near now, a heavy and hot sensation crawls under his skin every time Satoru is near and he can’t figure out why. It must be the summer heat. It has nothing to do with the slightly sweet scent he can almost taste whenever Satoru gets close to him. It unnerves him that this is how Satoru smells.
Yeah, summer heat.
Suguru sighs and shoves his friend’s arms away from his neck. The tingle on his skin remains.
“I’m not ignoring you you are just being very annoying, and you are way too close, you stink”
Did he just say that last part out loud?
Satoru stares at him with a slight frown and Suguru mentally hits himself in the head.
“Oh, excuse me Mr. Alpha I smell pheromones every-fucking-where now, not everybody can present as early as you”
Right.
Suguru had presented before Satoru. He can recall how much it hurt to have a semi-rut for a day, a fever so high it would shoot sharp pains all over his aching body, strong smells that felt like bile, and a stomach unable to contain any food.
It sucked really.
After that whole ordeal, he started to understand what adults meant when they told him he would “Understand the ways of the world better" when he got to present.
Pheromones make everything complicated when things don’t need to be complicated, or at least that’s what he had naively thought before presenting.
Adults let themselves be controlled way too much about this whole 2nd gender thing. Suguru thought it was so stupid. Things didn’t need to be complicated, just like his relationship with his best friend. Easy. Fun. No double-edged swords in every conversation.
But things are complicated now. He’s changed somewhat. He can’t get used to his new senses. He gets it, really, but he doesn’t want to accept this new reality where everyone communicates in such a primal way. Like animals. A reality where things that came easy before, make him uncomfortable now, for no apparent reason.
Like Satoru.
“I'm sure you will catch up soon, don’t worry too much about it ‘Toru” he says as he puts his books in the bag, ready to head out. He purposely avoids looking too directly at his friend. But he can feel him staring intently. As if searching for something, knowing that there’s something wrong.
“At least I’m sure I won’t be as grumpy as you’ve been when It’s my turn” Satoru makes a face while he crosses his arms “You've been way too sensitive about stuff lately… and I bet I don’t even smell bad”
OF course you don’t
Of course, he can’t tell Satoru he smells good. Way too good.
That would either creep him out or just plainly make him even more confidently annoying. It would probably turn Satoru into a gloating machine.
He doesn’t like any of the two options. So he decides to make a thin line out of his lips.
And of course, Satoru wouldn’t be like him.
Satoru would present magnificently and with no problems, Suguru can imagine the white-haired urchin won’t even have a fever when it happens and he will just keep on being the same, perhaps just slightly more annoying. More alpha-like.
“Well forgive me for not being a perfect, pampered young master then” Oh, god.
That might have been a little too much again, Satoru might not show it, but he is sensible about things that remind him of his status. Suguru regrets it as soon as he says it. He has no right to say these things.
Satoru flinches while staring at him and Suguru isn’t looking but he imagines how his eyes go slightly wide with a tinge of sorrow. So he looks, and it is exactly that expression, more vivid than his imagination. Satoru quickly recovers and frowns again, he opens his mouth to say something before he decides to close it again and looks away bitterly.
Suguru can only groan internally. Why is he behaving like this? Not like he can help it. Him presenting is one of the most annoying things on his life list so far. Satoru isn’t to blame for this whole ordeal. He opens his mouth to retract but Satoru beats him to it.
“Fine, this perfect, pampered young master will show you how it’s done then, things can’t be that complicated,” Satoru says with a confident daring smile. His face is bright, fluffy hair falling perfectly over his striking blue eyes, shining, just like his lips.
Suguru can’t force himself to look away this time.
He chuckles.
Closing the door to his room, Suguru takes a deep breath before exhaling, throwing his heavy body onto the bed.
“Things can't be that complicated huh…”
That’s what he had thought it would have been as well.
It’s ok, really. Satoru will present as an alpha, and they will be the strongest together. That doesn’t feel quite that right anymore. Why doesn’t it feel right anymore? He wants to drown his face over a pillow but throws an arm at his face instead.
He can’t quite pinpoint why there is a feeling deep in his chest that tugs at an empty sensation at the thought of Satoru becoming an alpha. Why does he care what Satoru will present as? That question is obviously answered already and he shouldn’t care that much about it. It is inappropriate to do so. Satoru comes from one of the big clans, he was born with the six-eyes and limitless, there is nothing that can stop him. He will become the prime example of a healthy alpha. All cockyness, elegance and confidence. Satoru is regal like that, in every sense of the word.
He can imagine Satoru embracing being an alpha so readily and easily.
Things had given a 180 since he had presented. Whenever a new smell would trigger something in him it was difficult to not give in to his own nature. Suguru found it harder to gain control over his actions now, even his thoughts. He felt so stupid everytime he found himself at the brink of jumping over his self-control. Like the comment he blurted out today. It had definitely been a dagger for his friend.
He feels like an animal.
Suddenly there’s a rumbling vibration over his chest, phone buzzing. When he unlocks it there is a selfie of Satoru making a V sign and holding onto a cute black cat: “This is your replacement now since you are always so grumpy”
Suguru can’t help but smile, at least he can look at Satoru’s face in the photo all he wants. He has a bright smile and his delicate features sit well on that boyish face of his. His canines are pointy and starting to show, signs that he will probably be due soon. He sighs. His phone buzzes again.
“Also, Yaga says we have a mission, tomorrow, 14:00 PM”
He groans.
Tomorrow will be another day of trying to control himself around Satoru then.
When Yaga is explaining what to do for the next mission, Suguru notices that Satoru is staring blankly at nothing at all, yawning between explanations, dark bags under his delicate eyelashes. He thinks nothing of it, this stupid idiot probably stayed all night playing his Digimon games.
“Satoru, did you hear what Yaga said?”
“Mmm?” Satoru raises his head from the table “What?.. Oh, yeah, yes” his eyes are slightly glazed, Suguru can’t help but look warmly at him and a slight smile creeps into his face. “You really didn’t listen to anything he said hah, you are the worst" He guesses he will have to reprimand him later.
When they get onto the train headed to the village Satoru follows him as if all his energy has been drained out of his body, slugishly he sits beside him.
He doesn’t think much of it
When Satoru unconsciously thumps onto his side and rests his head on his shoulder he notices that his friend is just a tad warmer than normal. He’s sleeping and of course, Suguru is the pillow. He doesn’t mind though.
“Satoru. You are warm, we should probably head to the hotel soon when we get there… Are you feeling alright?” He says while placing a hand on Satoru’s forehead.
“Mmm’yes.. Don’t worry… I’m ’kay…” Satoru barely answers with his eyes still closed, but at least he seems to be comfortable. Comfortable enough to be touching him. Satoru’s smell is sweet, the fever he seems to have is making it smell different though, it is slightly heavier now, the scent coming from his friend. It relaxes him, it makes him feel comfortable, just like how Satoru seems right now, sleeping peacefully while little puffs of air escape his mouth.
He readjusts Satoru’s head on his shoulder so it is more comfortable and tenderly scrapes a few hairs out of his sleeping face.
There is no one inside this train but them. He might as well relax and sleep until they get there. This time the trip is very long, they will be going to a very remote place. He decides he also needs a nap. He sleeps placidly until they arrive.
When they get to the hotel, he notices that Satoru is awfully quiet, there is none of his usual yapping about wanting to visit local pantries or weird activities but he sweats it off.
They are having dinner at a table next to their beds.
“Hey, I never asked you before… How was it when you presented?” Satoru blows his noodles before gorging on them.
Suguru slightly scrunches his eyes, trying to remember, he doesn’t want Satoru to be afraid by listening to how horrible his experience was.
“It hurt a little… I think it only lasted like a day though. Everything changes when you start smelling shit everywhere” He looks down at his bowl, suddenly he doesn’t feel as hungry anymore
“to be honest that’s the part that kinda sucks..” He murmurs
“Mmm.. I wonder what I will present as… by the way I never asked but how do I smell like?” Satoru asks amused at the thought, his sparkling eyes looking straight at Suguru.
“you smell..” Slightly sweet, minty, probably like space, it’s not easy to describe “You smell like you stink” Suguru says while scrunching his nose
“Ha, ha, very funny Suguru,” Satoru rolls his eyes, but he can’t hide the slight smile forming on his face.
“And here I thought you loved my smell because who wouldn’t?” He adds while putting his nose under his shirt, exhaling while smirking with his eyes.
Suguru scoffs, golden eyes absolutely looking away from cute Satoru pretending to pout under his shirt, Fuck, Yeah I do like your smell, anyone would.
Not like he can bring himself or anyone to admit it out loud
“Ok, let’s get ready to sleep, princess”
They finish dinner and go to sleep.
There is very little light coming from the window, his eyes flinch open. Something woke him up. He’s slowly getting conscious again. He hears something thrashing on the other side of the room. There is a sweet scent occupying the air as well.
His eyes feel heavy and he notices the Blankets on the other bed moving too quickly from one side to the other, giving way to groaning sounds. It is Satoru. Is he having a nightmare? Suguru gets up and sits by his side.
“Hey… Satoru… are you ok?”
He says softly while he searches for his friend’s forehead again. He is damp, in cold sweat. Suguru frowns worriedly.
Satoru opens his eyes and slowly wakes up. He’s burning, not burning burning, just warm, warm enough to make Suguru worry. Satoru is disoriented but he tries to look at Suguru. He stays still, dazed and confused, face flushed.
“Satoru…I think you should probably stay here today, you don’t seem good, you are burning up” He palms the side of his face this time. It is still very warm.
“I'm feeling fine”
Suddenly he grabs Suguru’s hand squeezing it. Suguru tenses, eyes widening slightly when Satoru puts his hand over his face. Making it graze over his mouth, his cheek. Satoru deeply inhales the scent from his wrist with heavy-lidded eyes. Suguru’s breath hitches.
“W-what are you-“
Suddenly, he feels a sharp pain curse through his arm. “Ah!”
Did Satoru just bite him?
“What was that for?!” Suguru looks shocked. His friend just bit him, hard.
Satoru laughs weakly. He doesn’t seem like himself.
“I dunno, It feels like I need to bite onto something and your hand smelled good” He smiles a tiny unapologetic smile
He looks totally out of it, eyes glazed, slow movements, chaotic, He does not look like Satoru at all. But like a predator. Suguru doesn’t want to test his luck by trying to reason with him. He can’t help but utter his worries.
“I think you should not go to the mission grounds today, just stay here and let me handle it” Suguru looks concerned while looking at the bite. It flares an ugly red. Satoru almost drew blood. He really is out of it.
“I won’t let my dear Suguru go on a mission alone, what are you talking about?” He pouts. Satoru sits on the bed or tries to but fails miserably and grabs onto Suguru’s arms gasping. Sweat is running through his face. Suguru is getting tense.
“God, you really are something else… Just stay here and rest!”
He grabs Satoru by the shoulders and tries to put him to rest again but to no avail. Satoru can be worse than stubborn sometimes. He notices that the trashing is releasing a strong scent. A hot feeling makes its way into his stomach, this heavy scent is starting to irk him.
“No, I’ll go with you, just give me 5 minutes” Satoru is resisting but Suguru holds on. His friend is burning up through his clothes.
“Look, this isn’t a hard mission, I can go, quickly see what’s wrong and then we can go back, ok?” He pleads to his friend “It is obvious you are sick, look at you Satoru…”
“No!, let me stand!” Satoru frantically tries to use more force to push Suguru away (Or over him, he doesn’t know). And Suguru can’t help but notice how weak he feels right now.
“Goddammnit Satoru!…” He forcibly tackles him onto the bed, grabbing Satoru’s arms over his head with enough force to make him fall limp over the sheets, it’s not like Satoru has the strength to fight back.
“Stay. Here. And. let. me. Go… I’ll be quick” he almost growls, teeth clenching. Their faces are close now. This scent is altering his senses, he can’t help but feel his blood boil, he inhales it deeply, and an ugly warmth coils in his stomach.
He exhales. He is in control. He has to be, for Satoru.
Satoru is looking closely at him with his face flushed, eyes glazed, and an unreadable expression, his lips are slightly parted and Suguru can’t help but look at them. He tightens his grip against his wrists and Satoru lets a small whine frowning weakly. His blue eyes look drunk on something, almost daring at him.
When had this become a staring match?
He’s stopped resisting at least, Suguru notices Satoru is about to say something but he puts a hand over his mouth before he can dare say anything stupid.
“Satoru. Behave.” He can’t help but give him a mean glare.
He feels a shiver run through Satoru’s body then. And the scent accentuates. His fever must be getting worse. He lets out a sigh. Satoru is about to say something again when Suguru lets him go abruptly and stands up. Quickly missing Satoru’s body heat but unable to stand being so close. He must be going insane.
He gives up and decides to go take a shower. When he is opening the door he hears a slight “Ok.. I’ll stay” from behind, the weakest sound coming from that stubborn mouth.
He looks back and Satoru looks so small. He regrets his behavior again.
Gods. He needs a shower
When he returns, Satoru is placidly sleeping.