Work Text:
Eugene hated how obvious his heats were.
He could feel it settling into his bones, that warm, needy pull that made his thoughts fuzzy and his body crave comfort more than anything else. Papers were abandoned on his desk, glasses set aside as he padded toward the bedroom, already half-distracted by the growing urge to build a nest.
“Annoying…” he muttered, even as his hands reached for the first thing that smelled right.
Mandeok’s jacket.
It was heavy in his arms, still carrying that familiar scent clean, warm, grounding. Eugene pressed his face into the fabric without thinking, breathing in deeply, tension melting from his shoulders
almost instantly.
“…There it is,” he sighed.
Blankets followed. Pillows. Another shirt he absolutely did not need but wanted. He arranged everything meticulously on the bed, fussing over angles and layers until it felt enclosed, safe, perfect. Only then did he curl into the center, wrapping himself up and clutching the jacket to his chest.
The heat hummed softly through him, soothed by the alpha’s scent. He was just drifting when the door opened. Mandeok stopped the moment he stepped inside. His sharp gaze softened immediately as he took in the scene. The carefully built nest, Eugene curled inside it, cheeks warm and eyes half-lidded, surrounded by Mandeok’s things like treasured keepsakes.
“…Eugene,” Mandeok said quietly, voice low and gentle.
Eugene peeked up, ears flushing red. “You took too long,” he said, not really complaining. “I needed you.”
Mandeok crossed the room in long strides, kneeling beside the bed instead of looming over him.
“I’m here now.”
That was all Eugene needed to hear.
He reached out, fingers catching Mandeok’s sleeve and tugging insistently.
“Stay. You smell right. Makes my head stop spinning.” Mandeok didn’t hesitate. He slipped off his jacket, only to immediately have Eugene steal it, and sat on the bed, letting the omega curl against his side. One large hand came up to rest between Eugene’s shoulders, warm and steady.
“You did good,” Mandeok murmured. “The nest's perfect.”
Eugene made a small, pleased sound, nuzzling closer, practically melting into him. “Of course it is. You’re in it.”
Mandeok huffed a quiet laugh, thumb brushing slowly, calming circles through Eugene’s hair.
“Rest. I’ll watch over you.”
Safe. Warm. Surrounded by the alpha’s scent and presence, Eugene finally relaxed completely, nest cradling him as sleep tugged him under.
For once, the heat didn’t feel overwhelming.
It felt… cared for.
*
*
*
The second heat was easier to recognize.
Eugene felt it early this time the gentle warmth curling in his stomach, the subtle pull toward comfort rather than the sharp edge of surprise. He sighed, setting his tablet aside before it could
slip from his fingers.
“…Right on schedule,” he muttered.
He didn’t even hesitate now. By the time Mandeok came home, the nest was already half-built. Blankets layered carefully. Pillows arranged just the way Eugene liked them. And at the center Mandeok’s hoodie, freshly stolen from the closet, sleeves tucked in like it belonged there.
Eugene curled into it with a soft hum, pressing his face into the fabric. The scent grounded him immediately, familiar and reassuring. His shoulders relaxed, the heat settling into something warm instead of overwhelming.
The door opened.
Mandeok didn’t freeze this time, he smiled.
“I smelled it as soon as I walked in,” he said quietly, setting his shoes aside. “You okay?”
Eugene glanced up, eyes a little glassy but calm. “Better than last time,” he admitted.
“I remembered to hydrate.”
Mandeok huffed a small laugh and moved closer, kneeling beside the bed like it was second nature now. “Good. You want me close?”
Eugene reached out without answering, fingers curling into Mandeok’s shirt. That was enough to answer.
Mandeok sat, letting Eugene immediately scoot closer, practically burrowing into his side. One arm wrapped around him easily, palm resting warm and steady against Eugene’s back.
“You always smell better when I’m like this,” Eugene murmured, nose brushing his collarbone.
“Stronger. Calmer.”
“That’s because you’re safe,” Mandeok replied simply. The words sank deep. Eugene made a soft, pleased sound, tailbone buzzing faintly as he tucked himself fully against Mandeok.
“Stay here,” he said, more request than command.
“Don’t move.”
“I wasn’t planning on it.”
Mandeok leaned back slightly, careful not to disturb the nest, letting Eugene curl into him however he needed. His hand moved slowly, soothing, brushing through Eugene’s hair in the same rhythm every time.
Minutes passed. Maybe more.
The heat hummed, but it didn’t claw this time. Surrounded by scent, warmth, and the quiet presence of someone who knew exactly what he needed, Eugene felt his breathing even out.
“…You’re really good at this,” Eugene said sleepily.
“At what?”
“At taking care of me.”
Mandeok glanced down at him, expression softening in a way he didn’t let many people see.
“That’s because it’s you.”
Eugene smiled, already half-asleep, nest cradling them both.
The second heat didn’t feel frightening.
It felt familiar.
It felt safe.
It felt like home.