Chapter Text
Clingy.
That’s how Bdubs would be described as.
Although, he prefers the term territorial much better.
He loves his boyfriend, more than anyone. But, the fact that Etho is not marking him is extremely difficult for him to understand.
He wanted to touch him, hold him, and love him loudly. Considering that they aren’t mated nor are a touchy couple, Bdubs needs aren’t constantly met.
He would never think about pressuring his partner, but he doesn’t know how much longer he can wait to be mated or loved publicly, for that matter.
Etho’s love was unapologetic when they were alone; desperate and wanting.
Bdubs currently is curled into his and Etho’s bed. The sheets spread lively on the mattress. The television playing a movie, that he isn't paying attention to, in the background.
He whines as he closes his eyes. He smells the strong scent of his boyfriend lurking all over their shared pillows.
He is desperate for his boyfriend back. Etho stays at his other base while his ruts happen and Bdubs cannot comprehend why. He wants his partner here, now. He whimpers and grabs onto the sheets, grounding himself in whatever way he can.
He hears the front door open and Etho’s scent hits him completely, his eyes flutter open as soon as Etho walks into their bedroom.
“Hey flower,” Etho whispers. He sluggishly takes off his jacket and mask, putting the clothes into the hamper as he changes into his nightwear.
Normally, Bdubs would run to meet him downstairs, desperate to see his boyfriend after being seperated for so long. He would be almost trembling for his scent and touch. Now, he is locked in place, watching his partner change.
He can’t help but feel unwanted at the fact that Etho hasn’t marked him. Bdubs’ brain starts to spiral. He worries that his partner doesn’t want to be bonded with him. He just doesn’t understand why he hasn’t done it yet.
Without realizing, Bdubs’ scent of sweet berries has turned sour. Causing Etho to instantly look up, his eyes worried and attentive.
“What’s wrong?” Etho asks, immediately pulling his partner into his arms, he presses Bdubs’ gently into his neck, pushing his comforting musk into the room.
Bdubs is flooded with Etho's woodsy scent, causing his muscles to relax slightly. He takes a deep breath, feeling Etho overwhelm every part of his body.
He never once questioned Etho’s love for him until recently. He tried to convince himself that Etho didn’t want anyone else, considering how everyone in the world confirmed him of that.
Just a few weeks ago, Grian stopped by Bdubs’ string store in the shopping district.
“I just don’t understand why he doesn’t want to bond with me, I have gone over the top to show it, but he just switches the topic!” Bdubs complains, huffing and whining.
Grian can’t help but smile and let out a chuckle. The fellow omega providing a comforting scent of floral as he attempts to comfort Bdubs.
“What are you talking about? Etho is crazy about you! When you aren’t around all he talks about is you. It’s almost exhausting.” Grian smiles. A teasing undertone in his voice, paired with a familiar mischievous glint in his eyes.
Bdubs huffs, “Easy for you to say, Scar would die for you to just stay mated,” he sighs. Grian’s wings instantly puff, his muscles tense, and he blushes from his ears to his nose.
After a few moments of silence, Grian mutters, “It was mutual to break the bond,” he is looking downward, defensively. His scent slightly wilted. Bdubs rolls his eyes, he’s not stupid, he knows there is no helping those two.
In a sense, Bdubs realizes he is right. Grian doesn’t understand his struggle. After all, it doesn’t take a genius to see that Scar would go into the void and back for Grian to acknowledge his presence.
Compared to Bdubs, who has to wait till his partner is alone and stabilized to be relished.
“I would just talk to him about it, maybe he just doesn’t know how to show it,” Grian explains. He puts a hand on Bdubs’ shoulder and pushes his gentle pheromones his way; Bdubs smiles at the friendly gesture.
Another time is when Cleo came to visit his base a few days ago. They stared directly at Bdubs' neck.
“Nothing yet?” She asks, curiously. This causes Bdubs to snarl in annoyance. Cleo chuckles, knowing it’s not directed at her.
“Okay, that's definitely a no,” Cleo says, raising their hands in a mock surrender. Bdubs snarls again, his territorial wants and frustration getting more overwhelming with the longitudinal time frame of being unmated.
“I’m starting to think he doesn’t want me.” Bdubs says quietly, his scent wilting.
Cleo’s teasing attitude drops instantly. Her nose curled at Bdubs’ sour scent. “You don’t actually mean that, do you?” Cleo asks, her eyes instantly widen, appallment all over her face.
“I don’t know what to think anymore,” Bdubs states, a small whimper falling from his lips. “He goes and stays at his other base during my heats and during his ruts. We still aren’t bonded after a year of being together, that has to be some kind of record, right?!” Bdubs exclaims. He sits on the ground and his hands are instantly into his hair, attempting to calm himself down.
Cleo goes to snarl at seeing her friend hurt, knowing an Alpha is causing her friend so much distress, makes them extremely upset. She shakes her head and snaps out of it, acknowledging that Bdubs doesn’t need that right now.
“Oh Bdubs,” she comforts, rubbing his head in a consoling motion. “Etho is just… Etho. Talk to him. I am sure if you express your worry, he will fix it.” She says, trying to soothe him.
“I want him to want it,” Bdubs states. That’s all he says but it’s enough for Cleo to understand. He is still looking down at the ground, silently refusing to make eye contact with his friend. His knees are pressed into his chest, as he continues to try to reel in his wilted scent.
Cleo doesn’t know how to respond, they just keep rubbing his head gently.
Currently, Etho is holding Bdubs close to his scent gland, trying to comfort his partner by releasing his calm and loving pheromones.
“Tell me what’s wrong,” Etho utters into Bdubs’ hair. He is completely ignoring the sour scent emitting from Bdubs’ neck and just focusing on alleviating his boyfriend’s sadness.
Bdubs is anything but subtle, especially in his weakened condition.
“Why don’t you want to bond with me?” Bdubs asks, propping up his body to give him the ability to look Etho directly into his eyes. The words came out more desperate than he wanted them to. He wanted to sound angry.
Etho’s breathing sputters. His muscles tighten and his scent reels inward.
“I– What?” Etho stutters, clearly trying to give himself more time to answer. The look of shock on his face is unexpected, but Bdubs continues.
“I said why don’t you want to be bonded with me?” Bdubs repeats. His eyes are still locked on Etho's expression. His scent is getting more sour as time passes. They don’t need to bonded for Etho to feel his pain.
Etho stares at him a minute, trying to process the immense importance of his answer.
“Do… you want that?” Etho whispers, his breathing is extremely shallow or he isn't inhaling at all. Bdubs cannot tell which is true and growls in response.
“No Etho, I don’t. I just want to be boyfriends forever.” He snarls with sarcasm, his annoyance prevalent. Etho cringes slightly, as he realizes that was the wrong thing to say.
He takes a minute to collect himself and then walks over in front of Bdubs' side of the bed. He crouches down in front of the mattress, immediately grabbing onto Bdubs’ hands. Etho pushes his scent outward into the room causing Bdubs' muscles to unconsciously relax.
“I’m sorry. I just… I didn’t want to pressure you into doing something you didn’t want to,” Etho explains. “I just don’t want to hurt you,” Etho whispers, trying to clarify. Bdubs looks down at their interlaced hands and notices Etho is trembling.
This is incredibly surprising to him. Bdubs is always running to Etho for warmth and safety. Considering how Etho is always so collected in everything he does. To see his boyfriend so nervous and in distress, even though he is hiding it extremely well, makes the omega whimper.
“I thought you just didn’t want me anymore–” Bdubs is cut off by Etho shaking his head violently, pulling his boyfriend closer.
“I always want you,” Etho states, clear and firm. The love and reassurance in his voice engulfs him.
Bdubs nuzzles into his neck. Inhaling his scent, breathing deeply, as if he could absorb Etho into his bones.
They sit quietly for a few minutes, both letting out slight noises of comfort as they burrow into each other's skin.
“I’m sorry I took so long,” Etho whispers. His voice is barely there, laced with need and love, as if he was barely hanging on for months on end.
Bdubs goes to say something playful, as well as snarky, but before he can, Etho stands up from the ground, keeping their hands still interlocked and he gently plants his face into Bdubs’ neck.
“I’ve never wanted anything more than to be your mate,” Etho mutters, reassuringly. Etho's body pressed as close as he can, keeping in consideration that he is standing between Bdubs’ legs.
Bdubs feels Etho’s teeth grazing his neck, causing his face to turn bright pink within an instant, his sweet berry scent soaring, causing Etho to sigh in relief.
“Not now!” Bdubs’ sputters, completely ignoring Etho’s small chuckles into his neck. He hears Etho whisper, “Okay, whenever you are ready,” before nudging his nose gently into his jaw.