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The air in the dorm room was thick, cloying.
It wasn't just the typical scent of two omegas in close quarters; it was the sweet, heavy perfume of impending heat, curling off Felix and Seungmin in overlapping, suffocating waves. The thermostat was turned down as far as it would go, but Felix still felt like he was wading through a swamp of his own sweat and slick, the fabric of his shirt clinging uncomfortably to his back.
"I'm burning," Felix whined, flopping face-first onto Seungmin's bed. The sheets were already a mess, half-pulled from their corners, a haphazard attempt at a nest taking shape on the mattress. "Everything's too hot."
"It's not hot," Seungmin countered, his voice raspy. He was on the floor, methodically pulling clothes from their shared dresser. A pile of soft things was growing in the center of his own bed: old t-shirts, worn-out hoodies, a couple of spare pillows he'd swiped from the common room. After he gathered his own stuff, he’d get something from Chan’s dorm. His own pre-heat made him focused, almost twitchy. He needed the space to be perfect. Safe. "You're just being a baby. You need to build your nest properly. Go suffer in your own room.”
Felix grumbled and rolled over, watching him. "How is yours proper? It's just a pile of laundry."
"A very carefully curated pile of laundry," Seungmin sniffed, pausing to rub at a cramp in his lower abdomen. "It has to have the right scents. The right textures. It's… instinct." He gestured vaguely at the mess. "It needs to feel like a den."
"My bed doesn't feel like a den," Felix pouted, pushing himself up to sit. The movement made the room spin for a second, the dual omega scents making him dizzy. "It just feels like a bed. A hot, lumpy bed."
"Then fix it," Seungmin said, a sharp edge to his tone that was more hormonal irritation than actual malice. "Stop complaining and go find your own soft things."
Felix's gaze drifted from Seungmin's pathetic pile to the shared dresser, then to the lone armchair tucked in the corner. Draped over the back of that chair was a hoodie. Not just any hoodie. It was a large and black and soft and it practically radiated comfort. And more than comfort, it radiated safety. It was thick with the scent of tiramisu, the unmistakable, grounding aroma of an alpha. Of Chan, their pack alpha.
It was Seungmin's absolute favorite hoodie. The one Chan had left behind last weekend, the one Seungmin had been sleeping with every night since. The alpha's scent was a potent balm to Seungmin's fraying omega nerves, a promise of protection and care. It was usually the centerpiece of his nest.
But Felix's pre-heat addled brain wasn't thinking about territory or social etiquette. His omega was screaming, clawing at his insides, demanding something to soothe the building ache. That hoodie… it smelled like safety. Like home. Like a strong, capable alpha ready to take care of everything. His own nest-building instincts were a chaotic mess, and in that moment, that hoodie seemed like the only thing in the world that could make things right.
He scrambled off the bed, ignoring Seungmin's startled "Yah, what are you doing?" and made a beeline for the chair. His fingers closed around the fabric, and he pulled it to his chest, burying his face in the material.
Oh.
The scent was incredible. It washed over him, a cool wave against the fire of his heat, immediately calming the frantic fluttering in his chest. He breathed in deep, a happy, contented sigh escaping his lips. It was perfect.
He didn't even register the sudden, sharp silence that had fallen over the room.
When he looked up, Seungmin was frozen by the bed, hands clenched into fists at his sides. His eyes, normally soft and playful, were wide and almost wild. A low, dangerous growl rumbled in his chest, a sound so at odds with his usual demeanor that it sent a shiver of genuine fear down Felix's spine.
"Lix," Seungmin's voice was a strained whisper, thin and brittle. "Put it down."
Felix hugged the hoodie tighter. "But… it smells so good, Minnie. Can't I just borrow it? For my nest?"
Something in Seungmin snapped. The growl tore from his throat, no longer a low rumble but instead a full-throated snarl. His scent spiked, the sweet vanilla curdling into something sharp and sour, the scent of a cornered, territorial animal.
"No!" The word was a shout, ripped from him. "That's mine! That's Channie's! Put it back!"
He lunged. Felix, startled and already weakened by his own pre-heat, stumbled back. Seungmin wasn't trying to hurt him, not really, but he was trying to claw the hoodie from his grasp. His hands, usually so gentle, were like talons, grabbing at the fabric, scratching at Felix's arms.
"Seungmin, stop! You're hurting me!" Felix cried out, tears welling in his eyes from the shock and the stinging scratches. He didn't understand. It was just a hoodie. Why was Seungmin acting like this?
"Give it back!" Seungmin sobbed, a hysterical, high-pitched sound. His face was blotchy, tears streaming down his cheeks, but his expression was pure, primal rage. "You can't have it! He's mine! His scent is mine!" He wrenched at the hoodie, and the sleeve ripped with a sickening sound of tearing fabric.
That was the final straw for Felix. The shock, the confusion, the stinging scratches, the terrifying aggression from his best friend—it all crashed down on him at once. He let out a cry and shoved Seungmin away, collapsing to the floor amidst the scattered nest materials. He curled in on himself, clutching the damaged hoodie to his chest, and sobbed.
Seungmin stood over him, panting, chest heaving, a mess of tears and fury. His growls had subsided into choked, ragged breaths. He looked lost, caught between the urge to reclaim what was his and the horror of what he'd just done.
***
Meanwhile, three floors down, Chan jolted upright on the couch.
Jeongin, who had been peacefully playing a game on his phone, glanced over. "Hyung? You okay?"
Chan didn't answer. His head was tilted, a strange, disoriented look on his face. A cold dread was seeping into his veins, an alien wave of distress that wasn't his own. It was Seungmin's. But it wasn't just the usual pre-heat anxiety; it was a sharp, frantic, violent spike of pure agitation. It felt like a sonic boom of negative emotion, blasting through their bond and leaving him breathless. Seungmin was in distress. A distress so profound it felt like a physical attack.
"Chan-hyung?" Jeongin's voice was laced with concern now, the younger alpha picking up on the sudden shift in the alpha's pheromones. The comforting coffee scent in the room had turned sour.
"Something's wrong with Seungmin," Chan choked out, already on his feet and grabbing his keys and phone from the coffee table. His heart was hammering against his ribs, a frantic, panicked rhythm. "Something's really, really wrong."
He didn't wait for a reply, didn't bother with shoes, just bolted for the door, slamming it open and taking the stairs two at a time. His alpha was roaring inside him, screaming at him to get to his mate, to protect, to fix whatever was causing this devastating agony. He burst out onto the third-floor hallway, the scent of distress growing stronger, now layered with something else. Felix's sweet, confused omega scent, and the sharp, acrid tang of fear.
He threw their dorm door open without knocking.
The scene that greeted him was a chaotic nightmare. Seungmin was standing, trembling and wild-eyed, over a huddled, sobbing Felix on the floor. The room was a wreck, clothes and bedding strewn everywhere, the air so thick with clashing, distressed omega pheromones it was almost suffocating. Felix was wailing, a heartbreaking sound of pure misery, and Seungmin was panting, still radiating that dangerous, territorial energy.
Chan's mind struggled to process it. Felix was crying. Seungmin was the cause. His gentle, sweet Seungmin had reduced their friend to a weeping, terrified mess on the floor.
"Seungmin!" Chan called, his voice ringing in the small space.
Seungmin flinched, turning to him with a dazed, tear-streaked face. "Alpha…" he whimpered, the rage instantly deflating into confused despair.
Chan's gaze fell to Felix, who was clutching a familiar black hoodie. A hoodie with a freshly torn sleeve. His hoodie. The pieces clicked into place with horrifying clarity.
This wasn't a problem he could solve. Not with Felix here. His priority was Seungmin, but Felix was his pack, his responsibility too, and he was hurt and scared. Acting as an alpha right now would only escalate things, making Felix feel cornered by two powerful presences. He needed another alpha. One without a direct stake in this mess, one who could soothe his omega.
He fumbled for his phone, his thumb shaking as he found Changbin's contact. The call barely rang once before it was answered.
"Chan? What's up?"
"Bin," Chan's voice was strained, tight with a command he couldn't fully suppress. "Get to Seungmin and Felix’s dorm. Now. Bring a sweater or something of yours. Something's happened. He's… he probably needs you."
There was a beat of silence on the other end, then Changbin's voice was serious, all traces of sleepiness gone. "On my way."
Chan hung up and dropped the phone onto the dresser, his focus snapping back to the two omegas. Felix was still crying, hiccupping now, and Seungmin was just staring at him, looking utterly lost.
"Hey, Lix," Chan said, forcing his voice to be as soft and non-threatening as possible. He took a slow step into the room, keeping his body angled away from Felix. "It's okay. You're okay."
He locked eyes with Seungmin. "Minnie. Come here."
Seungmin didn't move. His gaze was fixed on the torn hoodie in Felix's arms, a fresh wave of possessive hurt crossing his face.
Chan took another step closer, slowly raising his hands to show he was no threat. He reached out, not to Seungmin, but to the door, clicking it shut. "Puppy, look at me."
Finally, Seungmin's eyes lifted to meet his. They were glassy, frantic. "He took it," Seungmin whispered, the words breaking. "He just took it. It smells like you."
A pang of guilt and understanding hit Chan hard. This wasn't just about a hoodie. This was about a threat to the security of their bond, a violation of the most sacred part of Seungmin's den. The pre-heat had amplified it into a full-blown territorial crisis.
"I know," Chan said. "I'm sorry, puppy. I know." He opened his arms, a clear invitation. "Come to me. Let me fix it."
Seungmin crumbled. The aggression bled out of him as if a plug had been pulled, leaving only a hollow, trembling ache. He practically fell into Chan's arms, burying his face in the alpha's chest. Chan wrapped him up tight, one hand coming up to cradle the back of his head, the other pressing firmly against the small of his back. He flooded the space between them with his pheromones—not the aggressive, commanding scent of an angry alpha, but the deep, calming aroma that Seungmin needed. The scent of safety. The scent of home.
Seungmin shuddered against him, a full-body wrack of sobs. Chan just held him, murmuring nonsense words into his hair, rocking him slightly. "I've got you. You're safe. It's okay now. I'm here." He could feel Seungmin's frantic heartbeat starting to slow, the raggedness of his breathing easing as the alpha's scent overwhelmed everything else, smothering the fire of his distress.
Chan looked over Seungmin's head at Felix. The younger omega had pushed himself into a sitting position, his knees pulled up to his chest. The crying had subsided into quiet, hiccupping hiccups. He looked small and utterly bewildered, the torn hoodie still clutched in his hands like a shield.
"I'm sorry, Lixie," Chan said gently. Felix flinched at the sound of his name, shrinking back further. "Don't be scared. We're not mad."
Just then, a sharp, decisive knock echoed from the door. Chan didn't have to say a word. He knew who it was.
"Bin," he called out, his voice steady. "It's open."
The door swung open to reveal Changbin, looking formidable and concerned. His gaze swept the room, taking in the chaos, Chan holding a sobbing Seungmin, and Felix curled up on the floor. His brow furrowed, but his expression remained carefully neutral. He held a faded red hoodie in one hand.
Changbin's presence was like a physical force. A different kind of alpha energy—not Chan's wide, calming warmth, but a dense, solid mass of unshakable stability. The scent of clean cotton and old books filled the air, cutting through the cloying sweetness of the distressed omegas.
He didn't hesitate. His focus was entirely on Felix. He moved slowly, deliberately, and crouched down a few feet away from the younger omega, holding out the red hoodie.
"Hey, Felix," Changbin's voice was a low, deep thrum, the kind of sound that vibrated in your bones. "Brought you this. Thought you might need something better to nest with."
Felix looked up, his wide, tear-filled eyes locking onto Changbin. He sniffled, looking from the offered hoodie to Seungmin, still tucked securely in Chan's embrace. "I… I don't understand," he whispered, his voice raw. "He just… he got so mad."
"He's not mad at you," Changbin said, not moving closer. He just waited, a steady, comforting presence. "He's in pre-heat. His omega is… a little feral right now. That hoodie… it's important to him. It's important to their nest."
"But it smelled so good," Felix whimpered, the confession sounding pathetic even to his own ears. "My nest feels wrong. I just wanted… I wanted to feel safe."
"I know," Changbin said, his tone full of a gentle understanding that only another alpha could project in a situation like this. "It's okay. Here. Try this. It's mine."
He laid the hoodie on the floor between them and nudged it slightly closer with his foot. The scent drifted towards Felix, wrapping around him like a warm blanket. It wasn't Chan's intoxicating tiramisu, but it was good. It was safe. It was the scent of pack, of protection, of an alpha who wasn't mated to the person currently trying to claw his eyes out.
Felix hesitated for a second, then slowly reached out and pulled the grey hoodie towards him. He buried his face in the soft fabric, inhaling deeply. A visible wave of relief washed over him. The tension in his shoulders eased, and the frantic, panicked energy began to bleed away. He looked back at Changbin, his expression one of pure, grateful exhaustion.
"Thank you," he mumbled into the hoodie.
"Anytime," Changbin grunted. He stood up, moving to offer Felix a hand. "Come on. Let's get you out of here. Let Minnie and Channie have their space. We'll build you a proper nest at my place."
Felix let himself be pulled to his feet, leaning heavily against Changbin's solid frame. He risked one last look at Seungmin. Chan had shifted, murmuring softly into Seungmin's ear as he led him towards the bed. Seungmin was still crying, but now it was quiet, shuddering sobs of release, not aggressive wails of fury. He met Felix's gaze for a brief, guilt-ridden second before burying his face back into Chan's neck.
"I'm sorry, Lix," Seungmin's muffled voice reached them.
Chan guided Seungmin to sit on the edge of the mattress, the mess of his half-finished nest surrounding them. He kept a firm arm around his mate, his calming scent a constant, reassuring presence.
Changbin wrapped a protective arm around Felix's shoulders, steering him toward the door. "Let's go, sunshine. You'll feel better once you're somewhere quiet."
As they left, Chan caught Changbin's eye. A silent look of thanks passed between them. Changbin gave a short, sharp nod, and the door clicked shut behind them, leaving the room in a heavy, ringing silence.
Chan knelt in front of Seungmin, gently taking his face in his hands. He brushed the tears from his cheeks with his thumbs.
"Talk to me, puppy," Chan said, his voice a low, intimate murmur. "What happened?"
Seungmin took a shaky breath, his gaze fixed on Chan's chest. "I don't know. I was trying to nest. I was so… agitated. Everything felt wrong. And then he just… took it." His eyes darted towards the discarded black hoodie on the floor. "He took your hoodie. My favorite one. And my omega just… saw red. It wasn't me, Channie, not really."
"I know," Chan said softly. He understood the primal, territorial instinct all too well. An alpha's scent on an unmated omega during pre-heat was one thing. An alpha's scent, specifically his scent, on another omega in the same space as his mate… it was a direct challenge. A perceived threat to the sanctity of their bond. The pre-heat had turned a simple act of thoughtlessness into a declaration of war in Seungmin's hormone-addled mind. "It's your instinct. Your omega protecting what's his. I'm not mad."
"But I hurt him," Seungmin whispered, the guilt a fresh wave of anguish. "I made Felix cry. I saw his face, Channie… he was so scared. I scared him."
"Hey." Chan tilted Seungmin's chin up, forcing him to meet his gaze. "You were feral. You weren't in control. We'll fix it. Felix is with Binnie, he's safe. He'll understand. But right now, you need to calm down. Your heat is too close for this kind of stress."
He stood up, scooping Seungmin into his arms with ease, and settled them both back against the headboard of the bed. He maneuvered Seungmin until the younger omega was curled up in his lap, tucked securely against his chest. Seungmin went willingly, pliant, seeking the solid warmth of his alpha. He buried his nose in the crook of Chan's neck, inhaling the grounding scent that was uniquely his.
Chan began to rock him slowly, a gentle, rhythmic motion. "We're going to get through this. But we need to make some rules, okay? For next time. So this doesn't happen again. And we’re going to tell Felix, too, so he knows not to take your favorite things." He pressed a kiss to the top of Seungmin’s head.
Seungmin mumbled something against Chan’s skin.
"What was that?" Chan asked, stroking his hair.
"Okay," Seungmin breathed, the fight finally gone out of him, replaced by a bone-deep exhaustion. He was safe. His alpha was here.
Seungmin sighed. "I feel awful, Channie. I really hurt him."
"I know," Chan said, kissing Seungmin's hair. "And you're going to apologize. When you're both lucid and not hormonal wrecks. But for now, you rest. Let me take care of you."
He gently eased Seungmin down onto the mattress, tucking him into the messy pile of nest materials. The bed was still a disaster, but now it felt less like a chaotic crime scene and more like a shielded space. Chan picked up the discarded, torn black hoodie from the floor. He looked at the ripped seam, a frown touching his lips.
"I can fix this," he said, more to himself than to Seungmin. He folded it carefully and placed it on the nightstand, out of the way. "But for now…"
He shrugged off his own sweatshirt, leaving him in a plain white t-shirt. He draped the sweatshirt over Seungmin, tucking it around him. The fresh wave of his scent made Seungmin sigh in contentment, the tension finally melting from his shoulders completely. His omega was soothed, sated. The threat was gone, and his alpha was here, providing fresh scent and warmth.
"Better?" Chan asked, settling on the edge of the bed.
"So much better," Seungmin mumbled, his eyes already drooping. The emotional and physical exertion had utterly exhausted him. He burrowed into Chan's shirt, letting the familiar scent pull him under.
Chan watched him sleep for a long moment, his expression soft. He carefully rearranged the pillows and blankets around Seungmin, reinforcing the nest into a proper, safe structure. He made sure the torn hoodie was still visible but not intrusive, a promise of repair to come.
Satisfied that Seungmin was as safe and comfortable as possible, Chan stood up and quietly left the room, pulling the door almost shut, leaving just a crack open. He had one more thing to do tonight.
He called Changbin once he was in the kitchen. The phone barely rang.
"How is he?" Changbin's voice was a low rumble.
"Asleep. The crash hit him hard. How's Lix?"
"Fell asleep about ten minutes ago. He’s nestled in like he’s going to hibernate," Changbin reported. "He's okay, hyung. Just shaken up. And feeling incredibly guilty."
"He's not the only one," Chan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, Changbin-ah… thanks. For coming so quick. For handling him. I didn't know what to do."
"That's what the pack is for," Changbin said simply. "You'd do the same for me."
"I know. Still. It means a lot."
There was a comfortable pause on the line. "So," Changbin started, a hint of amusement in his tone. "New house rule?"
Chan let out a short, tired laugh. "Yeah. I'll talk to them both when they're more human."
"Wise words, Alpha. Wise words."
"Get some rest, Binnie."
"You too, Chan."
The call ended. Chan leaned against the counter, the silence of the dorm pressing in around him. The storm had passed, leaving behind the quiet wreckage and the gentle rhythm of sleep. He knew tomorrow would bring apologies and awkward conversations, but for now, there was only this.
***
The morning sun did little to chase away the heavy atmosphere in the dorm.
Felix woke up slowly, cocooned in warmth and the deep, comforting scent of an alpha. For a blissful few seconds, he forgot the previous night's chaos. His body ached in anticipation of an oncoming heat, but the anxiety that had been clawing at him was gone. He felt secure.
Then the memories flooded back. Seungmin’s wild eyes. The guttural snarl. The sharp sting of nails on his skin. Felix curled into a tighter ball, a fresh wave of shame washing over him.
He wasn't alone. Changbin was asleep in the armchair across the room, having kept vigil through the night. He stirred when Felix shifted, his dark eyes blinking open.
"Morning," Changbin’s voice was still rough with sleep. "How are you feeling?"
"Embarrassed," Felix mumbled into the red hoodie he was still wearing. "And sore."
"Sore from the pre-heat or from Seungmin?"
Felix hesitated. "Both?"
Changbin stood up and stretched, his joints popping. "Let me see your arms."
Felix reluctantly pushed the sleeve of the hoodie up. Angry red lines, the thin crescents of Seungmin’s nails, decorated his forearm. They weren't deep, but they were stark against his pale skin.
Changbin frowned, a low growl rumbling in his chest. "He got you good."
"He didn't mean it," Felix defended quickly, the words automatic. "It was my fault."
"No, it wasn't," Changbin said, his tone firm. "It was a hormonal shitshow. A perfect storm. But we're not doing that again." He walked to the door. "I'm going to get you some water and a painkiller. Then we're going to go back. You need to talk."
The thought of facing Seungmin made Felix’s stomach clench. "Do I have to?"
"Yes," Changbin said, without a hint of room for argument. "You do. You're in a pack, Lix. Packs don't let fights fester."
***
Seungmin woke with a groan. His head was pounding, his body felt like one giant cramp, and his heart felt like it was full of lead. The events of the previous night played back in horrifying detail, each one a fresh stab of guilt. Chan was beside him, propped up against the headboard, scrolling through his phone. The scent of tiramisu was thick in the air, a deliberate, soothing cloud Chan had created around them.
"Morning, puppy," Chan said softly, putting his phone down. He reached over and brushed the hair from Seungmin's forehead. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I fought a wolf and lost," Seungmin croaked. He squeezed his eyes shut. "Is Lix okay?"
"He's fine. A little scratched up, but Changbin's with him. They'll be over soon."
Seungmin’s eyes flew open. "Now? Channie, I can't see him. I can't."
"You have to," Chan said, his gentle but firm tone leaving no room for protest. "We're all going to talk. We're going to establish that rule and put this behind us before your heats hit full force. The last thing we need is you two stressed out and snapping at each other for the next three days."
He helped Seungmin sit up, propping pillows behind his back. Seungmin's gaze fell on the black hoodie on the nightstand, the torn sleeve a glaring accusation. He winced.
"I can fix that," Chan said, following his gaze. "It's just a seam. What's more important is fixing things with Felix."
A knock at the door made Seungmin jump.
"That's probably them," Chan said calmly. He went to the door and opened it.
Felix stood there, practically hiding behind Changbin's broad form. He was still wearing Changbin's red sweater, his hands tucked into the front pouch. His eyes were red-rimmed and fixed on the floor. The air grew thick again.
Changbin gave Felix a gentle nudge into the room. The younger omega shuffled in, keeping as much distance as possible from Seungmin, who was watching him with a pained expression.
No one spoke for a long moment. The silence was thicker than a brick wall.
Finally, Felix couldn't take it anymore. He looked up, his gaze meeting Seungmin's. "I'm so sorry, Seungmin," he whispered, his voice cracking. "I wasn't thinking. I should have asked. I didn't… I didn't realize."
Seungmin shook his head, tears welling in his own eyes. "No, don't apologize. I'm the one who's sorry. I went crazy. I attacked you. There's no excuse for that. I was so scared you were going to take Channie away and my omega just… snapped." He looked down at his own hands. "I hurt you."
"It's just a few scratches," Felix said, though they both knew it was about more than that.
"It's not," Seungmin insisted, looking back up at him. "It's about trust. I broke your trust." He took a shaky breath. "Channie and I talked. We have a new rule. For everyone."
He paused, and Chan stepped in. "The rule is this: if you want to borrow something that belongs to a mated alpha for your nest, you must ask their omega first. No exceptions. Their scent is their territory. We have to respect that."
Changbin spoke up from the door, his deep voice adding a layer of command to the statement. "That goes for everyone. Alphas, betas, omegas, whatever. You don't touch a mated pair's nest items without permission. Period."
Felix nodded eagerly, tears of relief spilling down his cheeks. "Okay. I swear, I'll never do it again."
Seungmin let out a watery sigh, the tension finally starting to leave his shoulders. "I'm still so sorry, Lix."
"I know," Felix said, taking a hesitant step forward. "And I know it wasn't really you."
The two omegas stood there, a fragile bridge of understanding starting to form between them. It was Changbin who broke the emotional stalemate.
"Alright," he said, pushing off the door. "Apologies accepted on all sides. Emotional crisis averted. Now, Felix, your pre-heat is about to become a full-blown heat, and you're not doing it without a nest.” He looked at the two omegas, his gaze shifting between them. "Let's fix your nests, properly this time, and then you can both hibernate in peace."
“Oh, Seungminnie won’t be hibernating,” Chan said with a wiggle of his eyebrows. Seungmin blushed and slapped him on the arm.
***
An hour later, the room was transformed.
Seungmin's nest was on his bed, a compact, meticulously arranged den. At its heart was Chan’s repaired hoodie, the seam expertly stitched back together, layered with a few of Chan's t-shirts and a worn-out flannel that smelled like everyone in the pack (because he had gone around and asked them all to scent it).
Felix's nest was in his room on his own bed, a sprawling, pillowy landscape of soft blankets and cushions. At its center, tucked in like a treasure, was Changbin's red hoodie, now joined by a t-shirt he had taken from Jisung earlier that week, a padded jacket that belonged to Jeongin (he didn’t know it was gone yet), and a soft throw blanket that Minho had lent him ages ago, now saturated with the comforting scent of their packmate.
Both omegas were now tucked inside their respective nests, looking flushed and exhausted, but at least calm. The dangerous clashing of scents had subsided into a sweet mix of two contented omegas and the reassuring presence of two alphas.
Chan knelt by Seungmin's bed, checking his temperature with the back of his hand. "How are you feeling, puppy?"
"Sleepy," Seungmin mumbled, already half-lost in the haze of encroaching heat. He reached out and tangled their fingers together. "Stay?"
"For a little while," Chan promised, squeezing his hand. “Baby, do you want me to help you during your heat?” he asked softly, knowing that while the pre-heat made Seungmin emotional, the actual heat would make him whiny and bossy and a tiny bit desperate.
Seungmin’s answer was a soft, breathy “please, alpha.” The formal title slipped out, and Seungmin smiled faintly, knowing how Chan got flustered at the name.
Chan’s gaze softened, and a flush rose to his cheeks. “Of course. Anything for my mate.”
Seungmin was watching him with heavy-lidded eyes. The air was growing warmer, thicker, the sweet scent of Seungmin’s heat blooming in the enclosed space. Chan leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Seungmin's forehead, his own alpha scent rising in a steady, calming tide to meet it. "Rest now," he murmured. "I've got you."
Seungmin made a soft, contented noise and nuzzled closer, his grip on Chan's hand tightening slightly. The storm had passed, leaving behind only calm. The nests were built, the rules were set, and the pack was whole. Outside, the world could wait. For now, there was only the quiet hum of the dorm, the gentle breathing of pack, and the slow, sweet slide into heat, guided by the steady hands of their alphas.