Work Text:
"Oh, I'm sorry, did I dab too hard?"
Enjin doesn't say anything when Zanka clearly slows his hand while cleaning the wound, gentleness is obvious in his action. His delicate hand, fetching a bandaid now, that's a little too much in Enjin's opinion.
It's just a cut on the corner of the mouth, why would he even get a bandaid? Suck it up, and the pain will heal in no time.
"Zanka, I don't think that's necessary—"
Zanka shakes his head. "Look, better be safe than sorry. I don't want you to get infected through the open wound."
There's a small voice behind, agreeing with him.
Eishia's.
"Zanka's right. It may heal quickly, but you can never be too careful."
Enjin scoffs.
It's just a small cut, nothing significant. Anybody can get that kind of cut in literally every situation.
Why's everyone overreacting, now?
"You're good, now," Zanka says, before he glances in Eishia's direction as if he's silently asking whether he's doing okay. Eishia smiles at him, nodding. "Hopefully, you'll get better soon."
"It's no biggie, thanks—"
Zanka bows down, even if he struggles to do so, always aiming for the perfect angle even when his baby bump is on the way.
"Zanka, please—"
Enjin moves on instinct, swatting the hand away. Zanka straightens his posture instantly.
"Enjin, you already crossed the line once," he glares, catching the Alpha's wrist in warning. "Gris, I'm so, so sorry—"
But Gris merely laughs, before he winces as if he just remembers how Zanka had treated the cut he got seconds ago.
Enjin glares at him. Zanka grabs his Alpha's coat, telling him silently to step back. Enjin doesn't budge.
"It's alright, Zanka," Gris says, can't keep the grin off his face, it's getting annoying.
"If Follo's in your position, I'd probably do the same."
At the mention of the Omega, the aggression seems melting off Enjin's shoulder.
Oh, right, Gris already has Follo; he couldn't possibly do anything with Zanka, do anything to Zanka.
"I'm pretty sure, you won't," Zanka sighs. "Now, I have to believe that you're one of the most controlled Alpha around here."
Gris dismisses the statement with a wave of his hand.
"Or, probably the second best," Zanka pauses before he adds. "After Semiu."
Enzim makes a displeased sound at that, he doesn't even realize he does it until everyone turns their attention to him, including Eishia who's surprised to hear the low, guttural growl so close to her.
Zanka rolls his eyes, before he gives Enjin a look—the look of 'Can you stop?' which Enjin would gladly respond with, 'No, that's why you gotta stop praising another Alpha when your own Alpha is present.'
He doesn't say it, though.
Based on Zanka's expression alone, he's sure his mate could guess what's in his mind already.
He just looks so done.
"GRIS!"
The door slammed open, as the rookie giver entered the room—the scent of distressed Omega soon permeates the air, replacing the aggressive and defensive Alpha's. The sudden change tickles Enjin's nose, he's almost tempted to sneeze.
"Are you hurt? Where does it hurt?"
Follo immediately fusses over his Alpha and Gris looks overwhelmed with the Omega but also genuinely happy that it's almost impossible to sniff the air and rule out the contentment from him. Despite everything, Gris does enjoy the attention.
That somehow sobering Enjin up.
"Gris, Follo," Zanka begins. "I'm very sorry, apologies from myself and on his behalf too."
Follo doesn't respond, he clings to Gris, like his life depends on it, that Gris can't help but smile as he wraps his arm around his Omega.
"Hey, it's all good," he says. And to Enjin, he adds. "Enjin, I'm sorry too, I will never do anything that can harm Zanka. I think you should give him the credit for still enduring the mentoring session while he should just lay in bed and rest."
Zanka blushes at that, immediately protesting. "I love mentoring Rudo, it makes me feel useful—"
Gris cuts him off, eyes sharp on Zanka but Enjin can tell they're more for him, rather than for the Omega.
"Never sell yourself so short, Zanka," Gris lets Follo tuck his head on the crook of his neck, scenting him. "You're pregnant and still running hot like usual, that's useful enough. You've helped Follo a lot, you know."
Follo makes an intangible sound at that.
Gris chuckles as he directs his gaze, specifically to Enjin.
"And Enjin, I won't tell you to stop being protective of your mate, but I think you can have more trust in Zanka and in people around him who genuinely care."
Fortunately, once the aggressiveness has died, Enjin can start thinking clearly. Now he tries to disregard the bias and sees everything from a neutral perspective.
Enjin just got home from a mission. He had tried to cut back some hours so he could be with Zanka, but a mission is a mission, and they often get unpredictable. This time, he got home past dinner time. Riyo had already retreated to her room, saying she needed her bed more than she needed food. And Enjin, of course, was immediately looking for Zanka.
His mate probably just casually hangs out in the Mess Hall.
Enjin has tried to tell him to go to bed first, on repeat, especially if Enjin comes back way later after the mission. Turns out the trash beast belly isn't the only unbreakable thing he encounters, Zanka's stubbornness definitely can rival it.
He had already missed Zanka's hug and Zanka's smile and Zanka's scent, and he's craving for Zanka so much; Enjin would not even be ashamed to say that he's half-sprinted through the corridor.
Until he made a turn and saw it.
Gris, another Alpha, having his arm around Zanka's waist; an offered open palm and he got Zanka's hand on it.
Zanka winced and Enjin saw red.
He strided across the corridor, didn't even acknowledge Gris and Zanka's surprise, didn't even bother to ask what's actually happening—before he flew a punch, so hard with no resistance, it got Gris stumble back and fall on his ass.
"Enjin, what are you doing!"
Zanka went to him, Gris got a minor cut, and now, Enjin was the asshole in every scenario possible.
"Eishia, please tell me if Gris needs anything," Zanka turns to her, before he shifts back to Gris and Follo. "Again, I'm really sorry."
Gris manages to comfort Zanka, before Zanka excuses himself not without grabbing Enjin's arm forcing him to get out of the situation now.
Enjin dutifully follows suit.
Even if Gris doesn't act like a gentleman Alpha (damn him) and still chooses to fight him back; Enjin still thinks that nothing scares him more than the way his Omega halts in front of their room.
There's a small wooden plaque there, a gift from Rudo, the surface is carved with their name, Enjin & Zanka.
"Some sort of new home present. People up there do that sometimes."
Rudo got the worst case of flustering, but Enjin is proud of him for committing to the act. Probably with the help from a certain, pretty Omega who keeps cheering on him while he's practicing.
Now the plaque seems like mocking him.
Zanka doesn't open the door, he merely crosses his arm over his chest, one foot tapping impatiently, like he's waiting for Enjin to say something.
Enjin wavers when the Omega stares at him sharply.
"In my defense," Enjin begins. "I never like it when someone touches what's mine."
Zanka doesn't react.
Enjin's shoulder sags in defeat.
"I'm sorry, okay? I'll make it up to Gris later. It's just the instinct that kicks in and—"
"And it gets you a pass to throw a punch in any direction, as you please?"
Enjin opens his mouth as if he wants to contradict him, but to think now, his mate is right. He's too controlled by his instinct; he doesn't think twice, he doubts he even thinks once.
It's kind of embarrassing in its own way, Enjin has twins on the way and yet, he still acts like the brash, impulsive Alpha he once was. He should be more coolheaded, he should be more rational. While he acknowledges this flaw, he doesn't completely dismiss the thought that this only happens because he sees someone touch his Omega, his very pregnant Omega.
He doesn't try to justify his action, but Enjin would say, even if he has his reason, he can definitely handle it better.
"No, it doesn't," Enjin sighs. "Violence is not the answer."
He can tell that Zanka wants to stay mad at him, but gradually loses the edge the more Enjin admits his wrongdoing.
"It's sweet that you're this protective of me and our pups, Enjin," Zanka steps forward, hands raised, and Enjin immediately lowers his head. His Omega palms his face.
"But you should never lose control like that, okay?"
Enjin leans to the touch. This is what he's been craving; this is what he's been wanting to get. If he didn't rush and just greet his mate like a normal person, he could get this sooner.
"Yeah, I'm sorry," Enjin murmurs, hands hovering above Zanka's hips, not really touching—unsure if it'll be welcomed or not.
Zanka smiles at that, and as if he deems Enjin's regretting his action is enough, he slowly pulls him down for a proper welcome home kiss.
Enjin follows his lead, letting the Omega's lips touch his, the exact way Enjin wants them to be touched. Enjin doesn't try to take control, letting the scent of happy and content Omega fill his lungs.
When Zanka pulls back first, Enjin doesn't even try to chase him even if it's the only thing that he wants to do.
"Let's get inside," Zanka sighs. But this time, it's kind of a happy sigh, the kind that gets Enjin nodding wordlessly as his mate unlocks the door.
"Enjin," Zanka starts. "While I condemned you for punching Gris out of nowhere while he's just trying to help me like that—"
His mate grabs his wrist, pulling him inside of their room, before he awkwardly pines him behind the room. The height difference, the baby bump are ridiculous, and yet Enjin doesn't get the humor, only something else that also starts with an 'H.'
And it seems he isn't the only one.
Enjin gingerly places his hand over Zanka's waist as his mate breathes out, "—I think, it's also hot when you get overprotective like that.”