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Lavender and Cinnamon spice (baby powder and pink pepper)
The rain was getting worse.
At first, during their couple event, they hadn’t even realised it was raining. The mall was large enough to encompass a small town, and the ceiling in the areas they visited was not made from multiple windows to offer a glance at the sky.
They had shared a small worried look however, when they had seen some of the fans turn up with damp hair, or even wet clothes.
Por had leaned over to the brand representatives and asked them if it was possible to offer towels or at least tissues for them. Tee had nodded along, and when the brand representative saw their genuine discomfort, they had quickly agreed.
The hashtag #TeeTeePorloveVava had started trending again only minutes later, P’Bird told him when their event had come to an end. They both had just shrugged – they hadn’t done this for PR, or to impress anyone. They saw their fans enduring discomfort for them, and had tried to find a way to elevate it.
However, it did feel nice, knowing that their efforts were well received.
“It’s pouring now,” P’Bird announced as they walked to the back entrance of the mall, where their Van was supposed to wait, “so be quick okay? I’ll open the door for you and you get in, okay?”
Tee had immediately protested, his cinnamon scent spiking along with his emotions as he pointed out that P’Bird’s health was just as important as theirs to which their manager had just laughed.
“Don’t be silly,” he had told them, “if I get a cold, it’s fine. I can take a day off and get better. You guys know what getting sick means for you at the moment.”
Their schedules were tight. Packed to the brim actually – not just with official events, but planned photoshoots, rehearsals, dance practices, studio sessions…
Tee’s shoulders had slumped.
“Fine.”
P’Bird nodded when Tee finally relented and looked over at Por who gave him a small nod. Tee hummed and found that Por’s gaze was fixed straight ahead, to the exit, where the window panes were already blurry with rainwater.
Ah.
Tee’s scent permeated the air again, calm and soothing this time, like when waking up to the smell of something sweet. Something that felt like a good memory.
Por relaxed – and when he looked at him a heartbeat later, Tee could recognise the gratitude in his eyes.
He nodded, and then P’Bird walked through the automatic doors of the exit, grabbing the handle of the car’s door.
They made a run for it.
“Made it,” Tee announced when they had both plopped down into the seats, their seatbelts fastened. P’Bird joined a moment later in the front.
“Barely,” Por mumbled to his side, and fumbled with his hair.
“Pi’Por looks great even with slightly damp hair, you don’t need to worry~~”
P’Bird was laughing at his cheesiness, but Tee only had eyes for the one seated next to him. Por had stopped playing with his hair, his ears the slightest bit pink.
Or perhaps it was the dim light in the car. Tee chose to stay delulu about it.
Still. Even though Por’s control over his scent was impeccable, Tee knew the other wasn’t feeling well. They both weren’t the biggest fans of rainstorms, and looking at his weather app, it was pretty much a given that a thunderstorm would join the fun pretty soon as well.
Which was probably what had the other so on edge. If they weren’t fond of rainstorms, Por was absolutely terrified of thunderstorms.
To this day, Tee still didn’t know why. And he had a feeling that if the elder could have had his way, no one, not even Tee, would know about his fear. The fear that Por had declared as irrational. The fear that, in Tee’s eyes, just made him more human.
“Por, you still want us to drop you off at your condo?” P’Bird’s voice cut through the endless drumming of rain against the window.
Por just nodded.
Tee, who was worrying his bottom lip between his teeth, decided to be a little reckless. He reached out and pulled one of Por’s hands into his lap.
“I’ll join,” Tee said to P’Bird before meeting his partner’s eyes, “if it’s okay?”
Por looked at him for only a moment, his eyes searching and showing a mix between trepidation and relief at Tee’s words.
“Yeah, okay.”
And then there was the tiniest trace of lavender in the air, and Tee couldn’t help but grin. His heart was doing a little summersault at smelling Por’s personal scent like that, the other allowing it to seep out. To show his emotions.
To let Tee know that he felt safe enough with him, that he welcomed his offer. His presence.
Tee’s own cinnamon scent immediately flooded the cramped space of the van in response, and his lips pulled into a wide smile.
“Let’s go,” he said and P’Bird just sighed again, muttering something. Tee just decided to ignore it in favour of taking Por’s hand in his, squeezing. They had to make a quick sprint from the van to the entrance of Por’s condo as soon as the older man would open the door. But they would be fine.
Por’s eyes found his again and then he gave a nod. A heartbeat later, they were running, Tee’s heart was racing while the first roar of thunder could be heard in the near distance. They made it without getting completely drenched, but once the elevator doors shut behind them, Tee already knew that Por was far from okay.
All the while, he hadn’t let go of his partner’s hand. And right now, Por was clutching it tightly, and even though the elder tried his best, tried to keep his professional mask up, Tee knew he was fighting inside. His body trembling slightly, earning for the safety of his home.
“We can still go to your house,” Tee said when they were almost on the right floor, “Your mum won’t mind even if it's late.”
“I know,” Por replied instantly, “but I want to be here.”
“Okay,” Tee replied, rubbing his thumb over the other’s hand that was still holding his. The elevator doors opened, and Por’s fingers barely shook while typing in his code.
The moment his partner led him inside, Tee’s knees became weak. He had to stop himself from inhaling too deeply – because this, this was Por’s private place. There was no other scent than his own. Just that now familiar mix of lavender and baby powder that filled Tee’s senses.
Por let go of his hand and started moving through the apartment, pulling close all the curtains. Still, the flashes of light caused by the lightning couldn’t be kept out completely, but it was better than nothing. Tee just waited, watching in silence, the pouring rain a permanent background noise.
“Better?” he asked when all the windows were closed and covered up as best as possible.
“Almost,” Por said and took Tee’s hand in his.
Tee didn’t know what to expect. The decision to come along had been made in the spur of the moment, because while he wasn’t the best with thunderstorms, Por was worse. And Por was… Por was…
To Tee…
There was no word for it. No label they had ever agreed upon. But deep inside, in his heart and soul… Tee had known for a long time already what Por was to him.
Even if they were both omegas – that had never mattered to Tee. And he knew it didn’t matter to Por either. At least, he was pretty sure there.
Yeah. Like 98,3%, probably!
So, very sure. (But he was aware that when it was about another person, no one would ever be 100% sure.)
In Tee’s understanding of the world, the answer to that was a clear no. So, 98,3% was already pretty fucking good.
“Almost?” he asked, because for a few moments, neither of them had moved. As if Por was still contemplating what he needed. What he wanted.
But then there was a tug. And Tee let himself be pulled along. And while he really had no expectations whatsoever, he had a clear idea of what he had not expected.
And that was standing in front of Por’s bedroom door. Standing there, while the other opened said door.
Maybe, just maybe, this was what Tee had dreamed about – secretly, quietly. Had yearned for it every time he had been buried in blankets on his own bed and holding onto a sweater he had talked off Por in a very weak moment .
The first thing he noticed was the scent. It was overwhelming. The fresh, herbal note of lavender was strong, immediately pulling a crooning sound out of Tee’s throat. Por squeezed his hand before tugging again.
Tee didn’t move.
Por stopped, and turned around, his eyes big and clearly fearing rejection. Tee immediately let his warm cinnamon out, hoping it would underline his sincerity.
“Pip, no,” he tried to soothe him, “Just… are you sure?”
Because Tee had been able to peek inside. Por had been nesting. And entering someone’s nest… that was… unspeakable if you were not invited in. A violation of the worst sort.
Tee would never. He would never do something like that to his partner. So, he had to be sure.
His whole body was yearning for it. Wanted nothing more than to bury himself in those blankets that would smell of nothing but Por’s most intimate fragrance. But Tee respected and loved Por too much to forget himself.
“Pip,” he said, “I need you to say it. I can’t… with this, I can’t just assume.”
Their eyes met. Tee could practically see the cogs turning in the other’s head as he seemed to mull over the right words. His partner always thought that he was bad with it – finding the right things to say – but actually this wasn’t true in Tee’s mind. Because Por somehow always knew exactly what to say to him.
In a way that mattered. Or maybe… Por just knew him.
“Tee,” Por spoke, his eyes not leaving his, his hand still holding Tee’s, “Please come inside. I want you to. I…” and then there was a short pause and a small smell of distress in the form of soured milk. Tee was already about to open his mouth and say something, but Por shook his head, facing him again with new resolve.
“I need you to. Come inside, please.”
The tug came again, and this time it met no resistance. Tee went, taking a first tentative step inside Por’s private bedroom.
When Por was sure that Tee was not going to stop or leave him alone, his scent went back to its usual calming floral note. The change was instant and Tee helplessly mewled as it hit his nose.
His partner led him inside, and straight to his bed. To his nest.
To his freaking nest – Tee’s brain was close to experiencing a short-circuit when the realisation really settled.
His nest.
Por’s nest.
And he was inviting Tee in.
Por stopped only when his legs met with the bedframe. All the while, his dark doe eyes had not left Tee’s.
He felt himself swallow at the intensity of the situation. Por’s gaze, unwavering now that he knew what he wanted. What he had asked for.
Por’s scent that was permeating everything – it had Tee already half delirious, and he wasn’t even in touching distance of the other’s nest yet.
The way his own heart was beating in his chest, a fast rhythm that hammered against his ribcage because – holy shit – this was really happening. His own scent was probably all over the place.
His warm cinnamon fizzled in the air so heavy that he could taste it on his own tongue. Yet, Por didn’t call him out. Didn’t tease him either.
Por just looked at him – waiting.
As if Tee wasn’t head over heels for him. As if Tee hadn’t dreamed about this for the longest time.
As if his knees didn’t feel weak, as if his jaw didn’t ache.
And then the room suddenly flashed in bright light and not a heartbeat later, the explosive crack of the thunder sent both of them stumbling into the bed.
It was silly really – Tee knew he didn’t need to be scared. Por and him had had this conversation many times, sometimes in person, sometimes over the phone to drown out the noise during just such a storm.
And yet, here they were. Por had instinctively pulled him along and under the first blanket, drawing Tee into his most sacred space.
Tee’s whole body relaxed the moment Por’s nesting blanket fell around him. The thunderstorm fell from his mind. He probably let out a sound of absolute bliss.
It didn’t properly register with him. Because all he could smell was Por. All he felt was Por, who had pulled him tightly against his chest, holding him there with no intention of letting go.
(Not that Tee had any intention of leaving. Someone would have to literally drag him out of here, if he had any say in this.)
“Pip,” he let out, soft, his nose buried against the other’s chest. The scent of lavender was the strongest here, right in the junction of his shoulder and neck. Tee nuzzled right into it, careful to avoid the elder’s scent gland. Barely.
But Por allowed it – even buried his own nose into Tee’s hair as he held him close. The blanket was covering them from head to toe, shielding their view. Their ears.
The sound of the endless rain was barely audible like this. All that Tee heard was Por’s heartbeat. Steady, but definitely faster than normal.
He grinned a little to himself at this.
“Thank you,” he breathed out after his body had relaxed into it, and when his brain wasn’t so profusely high on Por’s pheromones anymore.
“For?” Por muttered, and the way he spoke into his hair tickled a little bit.
“Inviting me in.”
Por let out a scoff above him. He couldn’t see his partner, but he didn’t need to in order to know he was exasperated, yet amused.
“Of course I would,” he clarified, “it’s you.”
He said it as if it was the answer to everything.
And in a way… it was.
Tee swallowed. He was sure that Por’s nose was full with cinnamon and pink pepper right now. Tee had never been good at hiding his emotions and his scent. He could – if he focused. But why should he now?
Why should he with Por?
“Smells good,” Por whispered, and when Tee heard the other inhale, taking in his scent and savouring it, the sound that came out of him was of pure satisfaction and comfort. Something between a purr and a mewl, he nuzzled closer, shamelessly licking over Por’s scent gland in the process.
The flavour that exploded on his tongue sent tremors through his whole body and the little noise that came out of Por’s mouth was nearly sending him into a subspace he was not yet ready to explore.
He inhaled, trying to stay focused. Even if that was one of the hardest things he had ever done in his life.
“You too,” he whispered against the other’s skin, because he wanted Por to know that, “Always smell so good. Should let me smell it more often.”
And while he expected the other to simply deny him, never in a cruel way of course, the answer was yet another thing he hadn’t expected. Por used one of his hands to make him look up, fingers hooked under his chin.
“Okay,” Por said simply, and a moment later, the lavender and baby powder scent intensified around them, mixing with his cinnamon and pink pepper.
Tee pulled the blanket off them, allowing them to properly see each other and get some much-needed air into their lungs. The thunderstorm still stayed forgotten. Completely drowned out in the little world they had created.
Por leaned in and Tee closed the gap, their lips meeting in a short kiss that was sweet, floral and spice mixing.
“Stay with me?” Por asked as he leaned their foreheads together. Tee hummed in agreement. But when he heard the thunder roar in the back of his mind, he got a burst of confidence and looked his partner in the eyes again.
“Till the storm is over?”
Por met his gaze, understanding settling in.
The other swallowed, his pink tongue wetting his lips before he answered, a little shy now.
“Always?” he whispered, a tentative question. As if there was a possibility that he had misinterpreted every little thing Tee had ever done for him. With him. Tee growled in his throat, wishing he could just chase away all the doubts in the other’s mind.
Could chase away the fear, the lightning and the thunder.
He brought their lips together again, kissing his partner for all that he was worth. On the mouth, his nose, his cheeks, The little mole under his eye. The spot right below his scent gland before coming back up for his lips.
Once he was satisfied (enough for the moment at least), Tee pulled away again so he could meet the other’s eyes.
He grinned, his heart soaring, the air smelling of their own perfectly mixed fragrance.
“Always then.”
Le fin.