Work Text:
Kaiser jolts awake, covered in sweat and disoriented. He instinctively reaches out to his right, searching for Ness’s familiar warmth. His hand meets the cool sheets, the emptiness adding to the cold pang that has settled deep within his bones. He shifts slightly, but even the smallest movement sends jolts of discomfort through him. Burying his face in Ness’s pillow, he seeks out Ness’s lingering lavender.
A low groan escapes him when it isn’t enough. It only intensifies the aching need within him, the primal instinct that something was terribly wrong. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest as he shifts. It felt like every nerve ending was on fire, the pain pulsing with each breath.
His headache only worsens when he tries to recall the events of the night before. It had all been fine, hadn’t it? They had been together, laughing and enjoying the evening. But now he was alone. Alone, and everything hurt more than he could bear.
Desperation clawed at him, urging him to rise, to find Ness and reclaim that lost warmth. The fear of being alone in this state twisted in his gut, an unfamiliar pain he hasn’t felt since his childhood. The weight of isolation crashes down on him, and he can't help but cry out, his voice raw with desperation. "Ness!"
The name escapes his lips like a prayer, filled with need. The silence that follows is deafening. Every second feels like an eternity, the world outside the window blurred and distant as he fights against the darkness creeping in.
With a groan, Kaiser swung his legs over the side of the bed, each movement a challenge. He leaned heavily against the nightstand, steadying himself as he pushed up to stand. The world around him felt hazy and disconnected, like he was moving through a thick fog. Each step he took toward the living room felt like wading through mud.
“Where is he?” he murmured to the empty room, his voice raw and unsteady. He felt like he was falling apart at the seams, the very fabric of his existence unraveling without Ness by his side. Only the faint morning light greeted him when he staggered into the living area. Inhaling deeply, he searches for Ness’s scent to ground himself. The lavender is beginning to fade, taking Kaiser’s sanity with it.
Just as he thinks he’ll really lose it, the front door creaks open, a familiar scent filling the air. It’s warm and inviting, laced with soothing notes of lavender. Kaiser barely registers the sound of Ness’s footsteps before he’s bolting upright, driven by an instinctive need. He rushes toward the door, heart racing as adrenaline surges through him. As soon as Ness steps inside, Kaiser lunges forward, tackling him with a force that sends them both stumbling back. He buries his face into Ness's neck, and inhales deeply, drinking in the calming aroma that clings to his omega like a lifeline.
“What is wrong with you?” Ness exclaims, eyes wide with surprise. He steadies himself against the wall, hands tightly grasping Kaiser’s shoulders as if to keep him from collapsing. “Did your rut come early?”
“No!” Kaiser manages to gasp out, pulling back just enough to look into Ness's concerned eyes. He squeezes his eyes shut, trying to gather himself. His nose presses against Ness’s scent gland again, greedily drinking in the lavender scent. “It’s not that. Everything hurts, dammit! I can’t stand it.”
Ness’s expression softens. His eyes fill with concern as he squeezes Kaiser’s shoulders comfortingly. “What do you mean everything hurts? Is it your body?”
There’s an urgency in Ness’s voice, but Kaiser can’t bring himself to respond beyond a barely-there nod. He shifts, pressing his body closer to Ness. The pain seems to disappear when Ness is present.
Ness’s brows furrow in concern, but he doesn’t hesitate to pull Kaiser closer. Kaiser sinks into the embrace, relishing the way Ness fits against him like they were always meant to be. The warmth radiating from Ness eases the aches that had consumed him moments before. For the first time since waking, he feels like he can breathe, each inhale rich with the scent of lavender, grounding him to the present and pulling him back from the edge of despair.
“Are you feeling any better?” Ness asks softly, his fingers weaving through Kaiser’s hair in slow, calming strokes. Kaiser nods slightly, still feeling the remnants of pain, but they’re no longer the jagged spikes they had been earlier. Instead, they feel more like distant echoes, fading away in the presence of his omega. “Good. Just hold on to me. We’ll figure this out together.”
“I don’t feel like I’m in rut,” Kaiser says, trying to make sense of the turmoil within him. “But everything hurts, like something is squeezing me from the inside.”
“Maybe it’s stress? Or anxiety? With everything going on, it wouldn’t be surprising.” Ness’s brow furrows with concern, his thumb brushing against Kaiser’s cheek in a soothing motion. “You’re not in pain right now, are you?”
Kaiser shakes his head, the tender touch of Ness grounding him even further. “No, not like before. I don’t know. I feel lost.”
Ness nods, his grip tightening around Kaiser as if to shield him from the swirling confusion. “Maybe we should take a step back and just breathe for a bit. Focus on what we can control.”
Kaiser nods slowly, losing himself in Ness’s words. The way Ness speaks is deliberate, each word a soothing balm against Kaiser’s frayed nerves.
“Okay. Let’s go sit down, I think I should look into this,” Ness reluctantly pulls away, his brow creased in thought. He slips an arm around Kaiser’s shoulders and begins to guide him back to their bed, each step slow and steady, giving Kaiser all the time he needs.
Once they reach the bed, Ness gently urges Kaiser to sit, and Kaiser sinks into the sheets with a sigh of relief, already feeling the tension begin to ease. Ness moves quietly around him, gathering blankets, fluffing pillows, and arranging everything in a way that cocoons Kaiser in warmth and comfort. He takes his time, layering blankets and tucking in pillows, folding everything around Kaiser with the utmost care.
The second Ness lays down, Kaiser crawls over. He immediately rests his head on Ness’s chest, arms wrapping possessively around Ness’s small waist. Ness’s heartbeat beneath his ear is a soothing rhythm that he loses himself in.
Ness’s phone screen casts a soft glow in the dim room. His other hand idly strokes Kaiser’s back, a comforting touch that keeps Kaiser tethered as Ness scrolls through countless search results. Every so often, Ness shifts a little, adjusting the phone or typing in new keywords as he searches for answers.
“Symptoms of heightened emotional sensitivity, clinginess. No fever, no physical signs of a typical rut. Hmm.” Ness murmurs, reading one of the lines from the screen. He scrolls further, lips pressed in concentration. “But it’s not like you’re unwell, either.”
Kaiser tilts his head up slightly, catching the soft glow of the phone screen illuminating Ness’s face. The lavender scent surrounding him seems to get a little stronger, almost like Ness is unconsciously trying to calm him, even as his own worry begins to rise. Ness’s thumb rubs circles against his back as he keeps scrolling, muttering fragments of search terms.
“Nothing is helping,” Ness mutters to himself, running a hand through his hair in exasperation. He looks over at Kaiser, who is still curled up on his chest, lounging in their nest like a lost puppy. “Maybe we need to try something different. How about we experiment a little? We can try some things out and see if anything helps.”
“Like what?” Kaiser asks, his voice still rough but now laced with curiosity.
“Well,” Ness begins, sitting back down next to him and leaning in close, “what if we scent mark each other? That could help ground you. It might remind your body that we’re together, and hopefully, it’ll ease whatever this is.”
Kaiser nods slowly, and the hint of a smile forms on his lips, however faint. “Okay, we can try that.”
Ness’s heart quickens with determination as he leans in, breathing in the minty scent that is uniquely Kaiser. He lifts his hand to brush against Kaiser’s neck, his fingers grazing over the soft skin there. With careful intention, he leans forward and presses a gentle kiss, letting his breath linger against Kaiser’s scent glands. The moment feels electric, and he can’t help but pull back to meet Kaiser’s gaze.
“Your turn,” he urges, holding still as Kaiser’s expression shifts to one of fierce determination. Kaiser leans in, mirroring Ness’s actions. His mouth is more urgent as he plants a kiss against Ness’s neck, claiming him in a way that sends shivers down Ness’s spine.
The atmosphere thickens with their shared scent, wrapping around them like a heavy blanket. For a brief moment, Kaiser’s breathing steadies. But then, just as quickly, the tension returning as if summoned by an unseen force.
“Now, let’s stop touching for a bit and see if that helps,” Ness suggests, though his heart sinks slightly at the thought of parting from Kaiser. “We can keep the connection strong through the scent and see if that alleviates the pain at all.”
Kaiser hesitates but eventually nods, settling back against the cushions of their nest, leaving a breathless space between them. Ness watches as Kaiser’s expression shifts, the initial relief mingling with the stubborn cloud of discomfort that still hovers around him.
“Just breathe, Mihya. I’m right here,” Ness reassures him softly, feeling the weight of his own anxiety trickle into the air.
“It’s not working,” Kaiser admits, his voice barely above a whisper as he shifts to rest his forehead against Ness’s shoulder. The weight of his body against Ness’s side feels heavy, like an anchor pulling him into turbulent waters. His clinginess escalates with every passing moment. He shifts closer, unable to resist the pull of Ness's presence. His need for contact growing stronger, the pain gnawing at him like a relentless beast.
Ness instinctively wraps an arm around Kaiser, trying to provide the comfort he desperately craves. “We can try something else,” he reassures, though he can hear the doubt creeping into his own voice.
“Like what?” Kaiser snaps, frustration seeping through the cracks of his calm facade. The desperation in his eyes is unsettling. “I can’t just sit here and feel like this, Ness! I can’t stand it.”
“Okay, okay, let’s think,” Ness urges, fighting against the rising panic in his chest. “What if we tried being closer? I mean, like, physically, you know? Maybe we could—”
“No! That’s not it! I don’t just want to be near you, I need you! I can’t breathe without you! This, ” Kaiser gestures wildly at the space around them. His skin feels too tight, too raw. “This feels wrong! I can’t take it!”
The intensity of Kaiser’s words sends a shiver through Ness. He can feel Kaiser trembling, his body thrumming with anxiety that is nearly palpable. “I know, Mihya. I know. Just hold on a bit longer. We’ll figure this out together, I promise.”
“I hate this! I don’t want to be like this!” Kaiser’s frustration morphs into a desperate plea, his fingers gripping the fabric of Ness’s shirt as if it’s the only thing grounding him in the storm of his emotions.
“You will be okay, I swear it,” Ness whispers, feeling the heat of Kaiser’s body radiating into him. His heart breaks at the sight of Kaiser’s vulnerability.“Let’s try lying together again, okay? I’ll hold you. Just let me hold you.”
“Please,” Kaiser murmurs, gaze flickering with a mixture of relief and desperation.
Without hesitation, Ness helps Kaiser back into the nest, settling beside him. The moment they are flush against each other, Kaiser lets out a shaky breath, as if he’s been freed from a cage.
“I need you,” he whispers again, the weight of his vulnerability crashing down as he buries his face in the crook of Ness’s neck, breathing in the soothing scent of lavender. It envelops him like a protective blanket, easing some of the ache within him.
“I'm right here,” Ness murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to the top of Kaiser’s head. “Just breathe with me. We’ll get through this.”
But even as they settle into the comforting closeness, Ness can feel the urgency in Kaiser’s grip, the way he clings to him like a lifeline. With every minute that passes, Kaiser seems to become more restless, his breaths hitching as the anxiety swells again.
“Nothing helps, Ness! I can’t!” Kaiser gasps, his voice thick with emotion. “It just keeps getting worse. I can’t keep doing this.”
“Okay, I think we should see a doctor,” Ness suggests, his voice steady despite the rising anxiety swirling in his gut. The thought of Kaiser suffering so intensely without knowing why grips him with an urgency that is hard to shake off. As soon as the words leave his mouth, he can see the tension flare in Kaiser’s shoulders. His body instantly becomes rigid, like a coiled spring ready to snap.
“No,” Kaiser growls, his voice low and edged with a fierce protectiveness that sends a shiver down Ness’s spine. The minty scent that usually clung to Kaiser, fresh and vibrant, begins to twist into something bitter and acrid, a clear sign of his agitation. Ness instinctively leans in closer, letting the soothing lavender of his own scent mingle in the air. “I’m not going anywhere without you. You can’t leave me with someone else.”
“Mihya, we need to figure out what’s going on. You’re in so much pain, and I can’t help you like this. I won’t leave you alone with the doctor. Let’s go,” Ness looks at him, a frown creasing his brow as he studies the deepening shadows beneath Kaiser’s eyes. His words are laced with desperation, but they seem to bounce off the wall of Kaiser’s resolve.
“You don’t understand. No one can touch you. They can’t take you from me,” Kaiser growls, his expression darkening. The possessiveness in his tone makes the air thick and heavy, wrapping around Ness like a warm blanket, but it’s suffocating all the same.
“No one is going to take me, Kaiser. You’re not losing me,” he reassures, but the weight of Kaiser’s intensity hangs heavy in the air. He leans in closer, letting the calming scent of lavender surround them both, hoping to soothe the sharp edges of Kaiser’s agitation. “Please, just try.”
After a moment of uncertainty, Kaiser’s shoulders sag, and he lets out a shaky breath that mingles with the bitter mint, softening just slightly. “Fine.”
“I’ll be right there,” Ness interrupts, leaning in to kiss his forehead, hoping to ground him further. “I promise.”
The journey to the doctor’s office is fraught with tension. As they navigate the bustling street, Kaiser’s possessiveness spills over in subtle ways. He walks so close to Ness that their arms brush against each other with every step, his fingers occasionally tightening around Ness’s wrist as if he fears losing him in the throng of people.
Once they arrive, Kaiser’s grip tightens even more as they approach the receptionist, who offers them a friendly smile. Kaiser’s eyes narrow at the sight of her, and Ness feels the way his body goes rigid beside him.
“Just breathe,” Ness murmurs, but Kaiser’s gaze remains locked on the receptionist, watching her every move with fierce intensity. Ness nudges him gently with his shoulder. “Mihya, just focus on me.”
Finally, they’re led into the examination room, and the moment the door closes, Kaiser seems to exhale a breath he didn’t know he was holding. Yet, the possessiveness doesn’t wane; instead, it shifts. As the doctor enters, Kaiser’s anxiety spikes again, and he instinctively steps in front of Ness, shielding him from view. The action surprises Ness, and he can’t help but let out a nervous laugh, a sound tinged with both amusement and worry.
“Mihya, I’m fine. You can stand beside me,” he says, trying to ease the tension, but Kaiser’s possessiveness only deepens.
“I don’t want anyone else near you,” Kaiser states firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.
As the doctor steps forward, clipboard in hand, a flicker of apprehension crosses Kaiser’s face. He stands taller, shoulders tense, and Ness can practically feel the protective aura radiating off him.
“I don’t like this,” Kaiser mutters under his breath, and the sharp minty scent surrounding him begins to twist back into something bitter.
“Just relax, Mihya,” Ness encourages softly, stepping beside Kaiser to offer him an anchor. But as the doctor approaches, Kaiser’s body tenses further. The doctor offers a professional smile, but it falters slightly when he senses Kaiser’s mounting agitation.
“Good afternoon, Kaiser,” the doctor begins, trying to maintain a calm demeanor. “I just need to ask a few questions and perform a quick examination. Is that alright?”
The response is immediate. Kaiser snarls, the sound low and guttural, echoing off the sterile walls of the examination room. “No. You won’t touch me.”
The doctor pauses, surprise etched across his features. “I understand that you’re feeling uneasy, but this is important for your health. I just need to—”
“I said no!” Kaiser barks, and the air thickens with tension. The minty scent surrounding him turns sharp and acrid, creating an almost tangible barrier around them. “Get away from me!”
“Mihya, please,” Ness leads, stepping closer to Kaiser, his voice soothing. His cozy lavender does little to dilute the tension in the air. “It’s just the doctor. He’s here to help.”
But Kaiser isn’t listening. He stares down the doctor with fierce eyes, and in that moment, it’s clear that any semblance of rationality is slipping away.
“You don’t get to decide what happens to me,” Kaiser hisses, low and threatening, fists clenching at his sides.
“Okay, okay. I won’t proceed without your consent,” The doctor says, trying to keep his tone neutral. He raises his hands in a placating gesture, sensing the tension escalating. But then, he turns his attention to Ness, stepping slightly closer. “Maybe we can talk in private about his condition? It might help to—”
Before the doctor can finish, Kaiser’s eyes flash dangerously, and he lunges forward, the movement so quick and fierce that it catches Ness off guard. “You touch him, and I swear—”
“Stop!” Ness exclaims, stepping between them, his heart racing as he tries to hold the fragile peace. “Mihya, it’s okay! No one is going to hurt you.”
“He’s trying to take you away from me,” Kaiser growls, voice low and filled with possessiveness. Kaiser’s gaze flickers from the doctor back to Ness, breathing heavily, the bitter mint scent flooding the air around them. “You can’t let him do that. I won’t let him.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Ness assures, keeping his eyes locked on Kaiser. His heart aches at the raw desperation in Kaiser’s voice. “We’re in this together. Just breathe, please.”
The tension hangs thick in the air, and the doctor steps back, giving them space, unsure how to navigate the volatile emotions swirling around them. Kaiser’s aggressive stance begins to soften slightly, but the heat of his possessiveness still radiates.
“Let’s try to work together here,” Ness suggests gently, reaching out to grasp Kaiser’s hand. “We need to understand what’s happening. The doctor can help us, but you have to trust me.”
Kaiser’s breathing begins to steady as Ness holds his gaze, the intensity of their connection grounding him. “You promise you won’t leave?”
“Never,” Ness replies firmly. “I’m right here. We’ll figure this out together.”
Finally, with a reluctant nod, Kaiser releases the tension in his shoulders, allowing a small measure of trust to seep back in. The doctor clears his throat, cautiously stepping forward again.
“Alright, let’s take this one step at a time,” he says, careful to keep his distance while still maintaining a professional demeanor. “Kaiser, I just want to help you feel better. Can we start by discussing how long you’ve been feeling this way?”
“Just today. Everything hurts. I can’t think straight,” he mutters, his voice barely above a whisper, as if admitting weakness in front of Ness is the hardest thing he’s had to face.
“What do you mean?” Ness prompts softly, coaxing him to elaborate as he tries to read the turmoil behind Kaiser’s eyes. He leans closer, brushing his fingers gently against Kaiser’s forearm.
“I feel like I’m on edge all the time. Like everything is too much. I’m not in rut, but…” Kaiser trails off, clenching his jaw. “It’s like I can feel everything twice as strong. All this desperation and need, but no physical drive to go with it.”
“Interesting,” The doctor jots down notes, a frown creasing his brow as he contemplates Kaiser’s symptoms. “So you’re experiencing heightened emotions without the usual physiological responses associated with rut. It sounds like a proxy rut, which can happen under certain conditions, especially if you’re under significant stress or have unresolved emotional issues.”
“What does that mean?” Ness asks, his voice steady but laced with concern. Kaiser shifts uncomfortably beside him, the bitterness of his scent swirling in the air like a storm cloud.
“It means you’re feeling the emotional intensity of a rut, like the longing, the desire to bond and nest, but without the usual physical urges that come with it,” the doctor explains, his tone calm and professional. “This can lead to feelings of anxiety and frustration, especially when the need to connect is so strong. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do other than ride it out.”
“Ride it out? That’s it? Just wait until it passes?” Kaiser’s voice rises slightly, tinged with anger. He huffs, the sound laced with annoyance and helplessness.
The doctor nods, maintaining a calm demeanor. “In cases like this, that’s often the best approach. Focus on emotional support and comfort,things that will help you feel more grounded. It may take some time, but you will come through it.”
“We can do that. I’ll be right here with you. We can cuddle, talk, whatever you need.” Ness assures, squeezing Kaiser’s hand a little tighter. The sincerity in his voice pierces through the tension.
The doctor clears his throat, breaking the moment but keeping the atmosphere supportive. “I recommend creating a calming environment at home, things like your favorite scents and soft lighting. It might help to engage in activities that you both enjoy. The emotional bond is what will help you navigate through this.”
Ness nods appreciatively at the doctor. "Thank you for all your help," he says with a warm smile, but Kaiser only grumbles, still agitated. Ness nudges him gently, leaning close to murmur, “Manners, Mihya.”
Kaiser huffs, mumbling, “Thanks.”
When they finally step through the door, Ness heads straight to their bedroom, his focus sharp as he prepares the space to ease Kaiser’s frayed nerves. He knows the slightest comforts can make all the difference, especially when Kaiser’s on edge like this, and he’s determined to make their bed into the sanctuary Kaiser needs.
Ness readjusts the blankets and pillows from the makeshift nest from earlier, layering them carefully until the bed turns into a proper nest. With each careful tuck and fold, he presses his wrists against the edges of the blankets, letting his scent settle deeply into the fabric. The aroma fills the room, warm and calming, wrapping around them both like a cocoon.
Kaiser watches him, leaning against the doorframe, his posture softened yet still visibly worn from the day’s strain. He’s quiet, and the slight bitterness in his scent from earlier has faded, replaced by a muted, weary hint of mint that mingles with Ness’s lavender, grounding him. “Thank you.”
"You don’t have to say anything," Ness says softly. He crosses the room, guiding Kaiser to the bed with gentle hands. “Just relax. Let it all out.”
Kaiser exhales a long, shaky breath, the tension in his shoulders finally starting to ease as he sinks into the nest Ness has created. He closes his eyes, breathing in Ness’s scent deeply, feeling the warmth spread through his chest and ease the ache he’s been carrying.
Ness lies beside him, wrapping an arm around Kaiser, pressing close so that his scent surrounds them both fully. Kaiser burrows into him, letting Ness’s warmth and lavender soak into him, chasing away the lingering discomfort.
The next week becomes a pattern of constant closeness, with Kaiser rarely leaving Ness’s side. He follows Ness around the house, barely giving him a moment to himself, and at night, he clings to him in their nest, holding onto him with an intensity that would be overwhelming if it weren’t so desperate. Kaiser wraps his arms around Ness, burying his face against Ness’s neck. He constantly breathes in the lavender scent that he’s come to rely on, letting it ease the constant ache inside him.
Every time Ness tries to pull away, even just to grab a glass of water or make a quick meal, Kaiser’s grip tightens and a low growl escapes him. The raw need radiating from him is unlike anything Ness has seen. Each time Kaiser reaches for him, he’s right there, offering whatever comfort he can.
During the day, Kaiser trails after him, practically glued to his side. When Ness sits down, Kaiser is there, curling up next to him or wrapping an arm around him, always keeping him within reach. Kaiser’s usually composed, controlled presence has unraveled, replaced by a raw, vulnerable need that makes him cling to Ness like a lifeline. It’s as if his entire world has narrowed down to the space they share, the steady presence of his omega the only thing grounding him.
They talk in quiet moments between Kaiser’s bouts of exhaustion, with Ness doing his best to reassure him and distract him from the uncomfortable, unfamiliar pull of the proxy rut. Ness’s lavender scent fills every corner of their home, growing richer and more soothing each day as he tries to calm Kaiser’s agitated mint, which flares bitter and sharp whenever he’s left alone too long.
At night, it’s even worse. Kaiser burrows into Ness, refusing to let go even in his sleep, his grip possessive, almost painful in its intensity. He wakes up often, his fingers curling tightly into Ness’s shirt or pressing against his skin as though afraid he’ll disappear. Ness murmurs soothing words into his hair, pressing gentle kisses to his forehead, reminding him again and again that he’s right here, and he’s not going anywhere.
By the time Saturday rolls around, Kaiser finally stirs awake with a sense of clarity he hasn’t felt in days. For the first time in what feels like forever, there’s no throbbing need pulsing through him, no ache clawing at his chest and gnawing at his composure. Instead, there’s a calm warmth, a feeling of peace he hasn’t known in what seems like an eternity. Blinking against the early morning light filtering through the curtains, Kaiser realizes with a small, cautious breath that the proxy rut has finally let go of him.
He looks over to see Ness, still fast asleep, his face softened in the quiet of the morning. Kaiser allows himself a long, steady breath, relieved beyond words. A part of him feels weightless, almost disbelieving that the intensity of the past week could simply fade like this. But the relief is so tangible he feels a small smile tugging at his lips. It’s over. He doesn’t need to cling desperately to Ness just to keep himself from unraveling; he can just breathe again.
Kaiser shifts a little, savoring the space he has without the immediate need to press himself closer. He reaches over, careful not to wake Ness, and gently strokes a thumb over his arm, absorbing the peaceful rise and fall of his chest, the comforting scent that still fills the air around him.
Finally, Ness stirs, eyes slowly opening, and he turns his head to see Kaiser watching him, refreshed for the first time in days. A small, knowing smile spreads across Ness’s face. “Feeling better?”
“So much better,” Kaiser murmurs, voice quiet with relief. The weight of the past week falls away as he meets Ness’s gaze.
“Good,” Ness hums, shifting closer, draping a lazy arm over Kaiser. “You owe me breakfast in bed for a week.”
Kaiser chuckles, the sound lighter than it’s been in days, and wraps his arms around Ness, pulling him closer. For the first time in a week, he can hold Ness simply because he wants to, not because he needs to.