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Takiishi is a beta. That means he's never experienced a heat. He's also never lived with someone that goes into heat, and definitely never has bothered to look into the topic.
He gets the gist of it. Omegas have a period of time every once in a while where they really want to have sex.
It has nothing to do with him.
It didn't have anything to do with him.
Today, the entire house he lives in is filled with a sweet scent.
When he was told Haruka would be going into heat soon, he assumed that meant they were going to lock him up so he wouldn't go have sex with every single living human in the vicinity.
In reality, this is the most docile Takiishi has seen him.
He is on bed, curled up on Endo’s lap, completely quiet, with his head leaning on Endo's chest. He is barely moving. He is like a doll, a doll that breathes, softly.
Takiishi doesn't understand, and that frustrates him, so he walks up to them and punches Endo on the head with all that frustration. “Explain.”
Endo rubs the back of his head, right where he was hit. “Explain… this?” He points to the boy on his lap. “He is in heat.”
“I know that already. Why is he so calm?”
“Hmm.” Endo hesitates on answering. He looks at him, then looks at Haruka, then shrugs. Takiishi really wants to punch him more. “I didn't think it would be this way, either. I'd be lying if I said I actually understand, but I have my guesses.”
Takiishi takes another look at Haruka. They are talking about him, and he isn't reacting at all. It's not that he's ignoring them, and he isn't asleep, the words just aren't reaching him. His eyes are half closed, staring at nothing… but he does seem comfortable.
“What guesses?”
“He must be scared. Terrified, really. I'm not sure how he dealt with heats before, but this is a big chance. Our presence is making him so nervous that his mind protected itself by shutting down… or something like that.”
Why is it such a big deal? They have kissed and slept on the same bed already. He knows Haruka has let Endo touch him under his clothes, too. And if they are dating, isn't sex an obvious outcome?
But Haruka is an omega. Maybe caring so much is an omega thing.
Takiishi observes the younger boy. He looks cuter than usual like this. He opens his arms. “Give him to me.”
Endo doesn't react right away. His eyes stay on Haruka, caressing his face with a thumb.
Why aren't you giving him to me?
Endo usually does everything Takiishi wants as soon as he is told.
But, thinking about it, Takiishi does know why he is taking so long to say or do anything at all. Endo isn't sure if that would be good for Haruka.
And when Haruka is around, Endo gets very… responsible towards him.
While Takiishi is annoyed that his wish isn't being granted, he can admit to himself that he doesn't exactly know how to make someone feel better.
Then Endo smiles. In a very soft way, how he started smiling when Haruka began hanging out with them more. “Sure, but it won't be comfortable if you are standing.”
Takiishi doesn't get it. He is strong and Haruka is light, he can carry him without trouble… then he realizes, Haruka is the one that won't be comfortable.
So he sits down on the mattress, and opens his arms again. “Give me.”
Endo's movements are extremely careful, as if handling something that could shatter, and not a boy that is capable of just as much violence as the two of them, lifting Haruka from his lap and gently placing him on Takiishi’s. “There you go.”
Being moved seems to bother Haruka. He groans and turns a little. Then he sniffs Takiishi’s shirt, and is still again.
Betas have scents too. They aren't as strong as an alpha's or omega’s, but they do exist. He could never fill an entire house with his scent the way Haruka’s floral smell is currently everywhere… but Haruka himself definitely can smell it up close.
“He looks happy.” Endo points out. “You look happy, too.”
Takiishi looks down at Haruka. He isn't sure whether he himself is happy nor not. It's always hard to tell, how good does he have to be feeling for it to be considered happiness.
But hearing that Haruka is happy does improve his mood. Because Haruka is cute. And Takiishi likes his cuteness.
Endo has been trying to convince him to move in with them permanently, but Haruka rejects the offer every time. Takiishi thought at first, they should just be more forceful. But Endo told him if Haruka isn't here by his own will, he will be sad.
And so, Takiishi gave up on that idea.
“Since you are taking over, give him some love, Takiishi. He will like it.”
Love? Like… headpats? Takiishi raises a hand and caresses Haruka's head. He's never done this before, but he's seen people doing it to dogs.
Haruka reacts positively to the touch, leaning onto his hand, sighing.
Takiishi looks at Endo.
Endo gives him a thumbs up.
“How long will he stay like this?”
“Who knows? You are stuck now, Takiishi! Like when a cat falls asleep on their owner's lap.”
Takiishi doesn't get it. If a cat fell asleep on his lap, he would just put it aside. But he doesn't want to move when Haruka is resting on him. If he will be in this position for a while, it's best he gets comfortable. He leans back, onto the many big pillows. Haruka is curled against his chest, so Takiishi wraps his arms around him, out of instinct.
Instinct for what?
“You two look adorable together,” Endo comments, watching them. “But I sure am jealous right now.”
“I'm not giving him back.”
Endo laughs, but it's not as enthusiastic as usual. The look in his eyes doesn't match it. “That's not what I meant. Just… you got attached fast.”
Takiishi stares at him. He is supposed to watch people more, to figure out their feelings by himself. “You brought him to me. And then said ‘be nice and get along’ to us.”
Endo smiles in a manner that seems more genuine. “You remember my words? I'm glad! I'm glad you like Sakura, too.”
Takiishi doesn't get it. Didn't he just complain about that?
Haruka is so lightly breathing against his shirt, Takiishi feels the need to pet him again. Haruka is soft and small and pretty, he is like having a doll Takiishi can always pick and carry around. Of course he likes him.
While he was distracted looking at Haruka, Endo took his chance to move closer and sit by his side, leaning his head onto Takiishi’s shoulder, slightly.
“If… if Sakura can cuddle on you, then I can have this much… right?” He is still acting weird. Different. His voice isn't loud. He is avoiding eye contact.
Takiishi doesn't reply, but the fact that he isn't punching him across the room should be answer enough.
Endo sighs in a similar way dogs sigh. Haruka curls up a little more.
And Takiishi has a realization: this is the first time he is in the middle. When they sleep on the same bed, Haruka is always placed in the middle, because he is the smallest one. When they all sit on the couch to watch TV, Endo is tending to both of them and letting them use him as a big pillow.
Today became his turn, and he doesn't like it.
“Don't fall asleep on me.”
“I wouldn't. I must enjoy this moment.”
Endo is heavy, but he is barely putting any of his weight on him. Haruka is light. So why does Takiishi feel like he can't move? It's irritating.
“Endo.”
“Yes?”
Takiishi hesitates. He has a question, but he doesn't know how to word it. “Do you like doing this? Being leaned on, and having someone sit on your lap?”
Endo hums. “You are asking if I like to take care of you two?”
Takiishi thinks about that. Just having someone rest on you, is that considered taking care of them? “Yes.”
“I love it. More than anything.”
“Why?”
“Because I love you. I love you very, very deeply. And when you love someone… you like taking care of them.”
Takiishi tries to watch Endo as he speaks, but he can't see his face from this angle. He glances at Haruka, notices his eyes are now fully closed, and he has completely relaxed. He might be asleep now.
“Do I love you?”
Endo moves away from him as soon as he hears the question. He covers his face with one hand, a hand that Takiishi notices is shaking pretty hard. His cheeks are red, like Haruka's often are. “I… don't know, Takiishi. But if you are considering it… that alone is a true honor to me.”
Takiishi is annoyed by how useless that response was. Endo's voice is just as shaky as his hand.
He wants to ask Haruka if he loves them, but he doesn't want to wake him up. The scent of flowers and soap has weakened, he notices. Is it because Haruka is so soothed? If he hadn't been cuddled, maybe he would have snapped out of that state instead of falling asleep… but Endo said Haruka is scared, so it should be better that he is sleeping.
“Come back here.”
“You sure?” Endo is uncharacteristically timid when he asks. It's a little amusing, when Haruka is so calm, the opposite of their usual personalities.
Takiishi nods. And is a little angry he has to confirm. “Hurry up.”
Endo puts a hand to his own chest. “As you wish.” And returns to his previous position.
If he enjoys doing this, that means Takiishi loves them. But, he still finds it bothersome just how heavy Endo is, even if only a portion of his weight is on him. Holding Haruka is more pleasant, but he doesn't like how his movements have become extremely limited.
Still, he doesn't feel the need to end any of this.
“Endo. I can't tell if I like this. What does that mean?”
Endo exhales a breath he had been holding onto. His voice is still somewhat shaky. “You took it that way, mm? It's not about the action itself, more like…” He turns around, pointing at the sleeping Haruka. “look at our cute cat over here. He looks so comfortable, yeah? Do you like seeing him like this?”
“I do.” Of course he does. It's cute.
“That's your answer. That's the part that matters.”
Takiishi thinks about those words in silence for a moment.
“This is complicated.”
“Yeah. But you'll get it eventually.”
Endo moves away again, covering his face just like before, looking… pink. “Sorry, I can’t take this for too long.”
Takiishi again mentally points out that this is not the most physical contact they have had, so why is it so different to Endo? It’s not helping him figure anything out.
“Then get out and go make dinner.”
“Ah, yes, that I can do…” Endo stands up, still watching them. “You are doing good.”
“I know.” Takiishi pets his head a little more. He likes how soft his hair is. He even finds it amusing that he is drooling onto his shirt.