Work Text:
"Enjin—"
Enjin knows that tone very well, having known the one who uses it for years, he's familiar with the intonation. He can stop, he can put a break on this, but even after being isolated with each other for days, Enjin still can't get enough.
He doesn't think, he will ever get enough.
It's his mate, his one and only beloved Omega; smelling so good, smelling like him. And Enjin is expected to not indulge himself when the said Omega is in close proximity?
Unrealistic.
"I told you—ngh!—Enjin, we'll have someone's coming," Zanka tries to peel Enjin off of him, but either Enjin is too strong for him, or Zanka doesn't really try; the attempt is futile.
Enjin still latches on his neck, like his life depends on it.
In a way, it does.
If it wasn't for Zanka, literally gambling his life over the unknown consequences of drug-induced rut, Enjin wouldn't know what could have happened. He had heard gruesome stories about an untreated rut that ends up with feral Alpha losing himself to insanity and eventually death. Though in retrospect, his normal rut isn't as unbearable as this one. Even if it's unsatisfying, toys and himself still make do.
He has feelings, that wouldn't be the case if his mate isn't present to help him getting through the nightmare.
And while Zanka has been nothing but wonderful and sweet, Enjin doesn't think it will be enough.
He will always want more.
"It's way too late to have guests over, Zanzan," Enjin wraps his arms even tighter around his mate; tight enough that Zanka won't escape, but still mindful of his baby bump. The Omega instinctively tilts his head when Enjin nuzzles behind his ear, his inner Alpha purrs in delight, when the action elicits a surprised gasp out of his mate.
"They have things to do—ah!—and this is when they finally get the free time," Zanka fiddles with Enjin's hands above his swelling belly, but Enjin peppers his neck and shoulder with kisses, hindering the younger's attempt to get away from him.
"They can come tomorrow," Enjin emphasizes every word with a peck, lingering for a while over their mating mark.
It's freshly remade.
At the end of his rut, Enjin finally asks to mate him again and Zanka has been more than willing to be bitten.
And ever since that time, Enjin has been nothing, but obsessed.
It makes him giddy with possessiveness whenever he remembers that under those fabrics Zanka wears, the Omega bears his claim on his skin.
"Enjin—" Zanka wiggles, both hands come up to push Enjin back, now with more strength.
Enjin definitely doesn't pout.
Enjin definitely doesn't look dejected being denied by his Omega.
Zanka manages to free himself, rising up from the bed with a flushed face. Even if Enjin doesn't feel happy of being pushed away, he still can't help the pride take place in his chest upon watching his mate clearly affected by his actions.
Only when they are separated, Enjin can hear the faint buzz of the choker, which comes from Zanka's wrist.
Zanka tries to compose himself before he answers the call.
But, he hasn't even said a word yet, when a familiar voice echoes in their room.
"Are we still on?"
Zanka glares at Enjin, before he turns his back on him.
"Yeah, we are. Sorry, there's some, um, situations—"
"I figured," there's a combination of a smug 'I knew it!' with an exasperated 'Can you not?' that is almost impossible to be misinterpreted from the call.
Zanka must get it too, because Enjin can still see the tip of his Omega's ears turn red even if he doesn't have the clear image of his expression.
"So, no funny business?" The voice continues. "I swear, Zanka, you two are better in clothes."
Zanka looked at his wrist like he couldn't believe what he had just heard.
"I would never—" he began, completely flustered now, even from the side view.
There's a delightful cackle at the end of the line, before it's ended with, "See you soon!" without giving Zanka a chance to explain himself and save his dignity or what's left of it.
Enjin wonders what it's all about.
He gets off the bed, planning to lure Zanka back and coax him to speak, when suddenly there's a loud knock on their door.
Enjin seriously considers dragging his mate to the bed, ignoring whatever 'that sneaky plan' thingies he has with someone on the call.
But, Zanka is already unlocking the door and pulling it open, exposing them to a group of familiar faces, standing expectantly in front of their room.
Enjin suddenly forgets, why he's so against people visiting them at this hour.
Because standing before them, is a group of people that Enjin has wanted to get together with.
Riyo and Rudo aren't that much of a strange occurrence, but there's also Eishia and to Enjin's surprise, Shikage.
"Yo, Captain," Riyo leans to the door, grinning. "Are you sane enough to let us in?"
It isn't rare for the Akuta Team to hangout in this room.
This place used to be a safe space for them to wind down, discussing strategy, preparing for a mission, or just simply hanging out.
The activity no longer centers here, since Enjin had mated with Zanka, because once Zanka turned their room into his nest, he's apparently very protective of this room.
He would still allow people to come in, and yet, Enjin could tell he's restless when there are people around, that slowly Enjin redirects their mini headquarters to anywhere else but here.
Now, the room seems to return to its original state with people scattered everywhere, just like the old times.
"How are you feeling, Enjin?" Riyo claims her favorite seat on the single sofa on the corner of the room.
Rudo is sitting next to Eishia and Shikage takes another single sofa across them.
Enjin takes a seat next to Zanka on their bed, still having a hard time believing that the whole Akuta Team is here.
Like, the entirety of them.
"Never better," Enjin says curtly, before he turns to his mate. "Did you arrange this?"
Zanka puts his hand on his swelling belly, chuckling. "Someone's gonna kill me if I take the credit, so no, I'm not responsible for this."
He glances at the particular someone and Enjin follows his gaze.
It settles on Rudo.
Rudo seems startled when suddenly Enjin has his attention on him.
"I just thought, we should know if you're really okay," the redness rapidly colors his face. "Maybe we can have a little celebration to, you know, celebrate you being okay and all."
Enjin blinks.
"Aren't you a softie," Riyo laughs, leaning to ruffle Rudo's hair. It is not appreciated, based on the irritated shrieks that the boy shamelessly lets out.
"We came prepared," Eishia shyly says, as she pulls out a basket behind her back. Enjin didn't think he saw her carrying any suspicious item like that. "Riyo helps me with the food from the kitchen."
"There are beers too for you, you're very welcome," Riyo ends up patting Rudo's hair flat, the gesture that is instantly returned with a swat of Rudo's hand on hers.
Enjin hasn't had alcohol ever since Zanka is pregnant. He knows that Zanka never tells him to completely stop drinking, but it just doesn't feel right. With their affinity to be lovey-dovey, the thought of having a trace of the alcoholic substance that can be transferred to his mate, makes his stomach churn.
He would never endanger Zanka like that.
"Semiu told me, they are alcohol-free," Zanka bumps his shoulder. "You don't have to stop indulging yourself for me, you know."
Enjin doesn't know what to say.
"I brought you this," Rudo pulls out a small pot of artificial cactus from behind his back. They're small, green pricky delights, with a tiny orange flower on top of it. "Delmon says, cactus is known to survive even through the harshest condition. And I think, this really suits you."
Enjin is so stunned he can't make himself move, that Zanka has to take his hand, opening his palm so Rudo can put his gift in his grasp.
"Sadly, it can cost you arms and legs to buy the real deal, so it's just an imitation," Rudo rubs the back of his neck, as he makes a face which is a confusing mix of smirking and mocking.
It's his way of smiling.
Enjin hears Zanka snicker, but the Omega doesn't tease the little Alpha further.
"Thank you, Rudo," Enjin manages to say, at last. He lets his mate support the back of his hand, as Enjin processes the whole thing.
"Shikage says, he doesn't have many things to offer, and I very much disagree, especially because he told us, that he has developed a better perimeter as a precaution in case any Raider is getting close to us," Zanka adds, giving a grateful smile to the hunched figure in front of Eishia. Enjin can't make out his expression, but he thinks he sees, the mouth moves pronouncing, I'll do better in watching you.
People are never his scene and that is precisely why it's very rare for Shikage to come out of his hideout, but it's nice to know that the Akuta Team is in full formation at this time, with him joining them too.
"Gotta disagree too, that's really something to offer," Enjin replicates Zanka's smile. "We owe you, Shikage."
Shikage makes a strange noise like he's very pleased with the responses and for his level, it equals to the excited squeals.
Enjin puts the potted cactus on their nightstand, before he looks around, taking in every familiar face that presents in his room.
Riyo and Rudo, the last time he heard, who are very adamant on showing Jabber the consequences of his actions. Eishia who has done her best in accommodating his and Zanka's needs during their time in the isolation room. And Shikage, who does his best in taking part, of making sure any threat shall never occured around the HQ.
His eyes settle last on Zanka.
The Omega is still having Enjin's hand in his grasp, that when their eyes meet, he doesn't even need to say anything but giving their joined hands a light squeeze.
This is a collective effort and Zanka plays a big part in making this happens.
Making sure Enjin stays in the room (even if Enjin's being honest, he doesn't see the appeal of leaving in the first place) and making sure Enjin gets the little surprise at the right time too (even though Enjin himself is responsible for almost ruining it).
"From me," Zanka starts. Eishia rises up from her seat, to hand him a paper bag. "I asked for August's help to make you another coat, since yours are torn after the incident."
"We contribute too," Riyo protests.
Zanka laughs. "Yeah, that's right."
He peers into the bag and sees a seemingly identical coat with the one he usually wears.
But, Zanka encourages him to get the coat out.
It's true, everything is the same as the old—the model, the color.
However, what catches Enjin's eyes are the pins on the lapels.
It's more crowded than the one he used to have.
There are badges with so many cute things on them: a cartoonish wolf, a small scissors, a miniature of Lovely Assistaff, a cute cable plug with little sparks around it, and a pair of golden eyes under a hunched blanket that is clearly a depiction of Shikage.
Enjin doesn't know what to say.
The words do not seem enough to express the amount of emotion that he's currently experienced. He doesn't even know if he could name every one of it.
He pulls the coat to his chest and before he knows it, his hand finds Zanka's hand again; always so close, never too far. As if Zanka knows, Enjin will need his support at this exact moment.
He opens his mouth like he knows what to say, and he ends up clamping it shut, when the words are once again lost in him.
Zanka squeezes his hand once, the touch feels like saying, it's okay, take your time.
And so, Enjin does.
"We haven't properly said it, but I guess it's the time," Riyo grins, her eyes sparkle with genuine happiness—something that Enjin doesn't get to see often.
"Welcome back, Enjin!"
The words are echoed with glee by everyone in the room, that Enjin doesn't realize his grip on Zanka's is tightening even more.
There's a lot he wants to say, there's so many things he needs to say; and yet, in the end, he settles for a quiet, "thank you, this means a lot."
The rest of the group seems to get that Enjin is struggling to find the appropriate response that Riyo decides to break the ice and tells everyone to start digging into the delicious treats that she and Eishia have worked hard to get from the kitchen.
Soon, her bubbly personality dominates the room, so easily influencing Rudo and Eishia into the conversation too. Even if Shikage doesn't say much, he clearly blends to the loud commotion as the passive participant quite well.
Enjin sits there, watching his team members soundlessly.
"See? I was right," Zanka says, pulling their joined hands to his lap. Enjin shifts his gaze to his mate, and Zanka greets him with a triumphant grin across his face. "It's never way too late to have the guests coming over."