"C-cold…" John's teeth chattered slightly as he hunkered down on the bed. Lin, ever the attentive alpha, gently wrapped him in a fleece blanket. He planned on bathing him soon. His heat had finished, and his scent was now back to its normal gentle cotton candy sweetness. Before bathing him, Lin planned to clean up the bedroom, change the sheets, and get rid of the soiled clothing in the nest. It was always quite messy after a heat. Stale sweat, dried slick, and semen was thick on the sheets and the stale scent hung heavy in the air. John continued to shiver as Lin pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead and gathered him up.
"I'll take you to my room." John didn't respond as he continued shivering and curled into his chest. Lin carried him across the hall, quietly worried about his frail state. He was already underweight before his heat had started, but now that it had run its course, he was wasting away. A week of light snacking had left him looking quite anaemic. It wasn't a good sign that he was suddenly so ill, either. He'd come down with it particularly badly over the past three days, giving himself over to his omega completely. Lin laid John on the bed, quickly wrapping the thicker duvet around him, too. John whimpered miserably as he straightened up. He didn't want to be separated from his alpha. Lin's eyes softened as he stroked his damp locks. He looked truly sorry for himself. He was pale and sweaty from both his current illness and his latest heat. Lin was sympathetic as he crouched beside him, smiling as John peered up with glistening blue eyes.
"I won't be long…I'll get the bed ready and then we'll take a shower, alright?" John pouted slightly in response. He didn't want him to leave, even if fresh sheets and a shower did sound good. Lin huffed in amusement, letting his spiced scent wrap around him soothingly. After a final assurance that he would return soon, he left him wrapped securely in the bed. John tried not to move. Whenever he moved, a fresh wave of shivers washed over him. The daylight seeping in through Lin's windows was almost blinding to his sensitive eyes. He huddled on his side, examining the tidy room with tired eyes.
It was sparse. The walls were plain white, and the furniture was all black. The bed was black framed with white sheets, but large. It was a king-sized, likely due to Lin's height. To John, lying all alone, it felt far too big. His gaze finally rested on the single framed picture in the room, set on the drawers beside the bed. Naru? His blue eyes sharpened curiously as he took in the gentle features and warm gaze, lips pulled into an unfamiliar smile. Gene…So that's what you look like…He shuffled a little closer. He was almost hesitant as he reached up, but his grip wasn't strong enough to pick up the photo. He winced as it slipped, the corner of the frame hitting his forehead painfully. His brow pinched as he rubbed the sore skin, though he managed to stop the heavy frame from falling on the floor.
He rolled onto his back, holding the frame loosely as it rested on his chest. The picture was clearly old, and he could tell from the frame that it was well loved. The edges were faded and worn from travel and constant movement. The glass was fairly clean, but he could see multiple fingerprints and smudges. He hadn't wanted to think about it before, but he couldn't help wondering if Lin's relationship with Gene had been more than that of siblings. He didn't keep any other pictures in his room. He didn't even have any other family pictures in his apartment, unless he kept them in his office.
He examined Gene's face again. The warmth in his deep blue eyes. He wondered if Lin had been the one holding the camera. If that were the case, then Gene had certainly adored him. John could recognise it, the love in his gaze. Something about it hurt. Someone else had looked at Lin like that. Someone else had held a place in his alpha's heart. Was that why he hadn't planned on taking a mate? Something in his chest tightened at the thought. So does he really…was he so patient with me because he isn't really invested? He wanted to be sure that wasn't the case.
The warmth in Lin's eyes, the gentle touches, his constant devotion. It couldn't be fake. Could it? He second guessed himself, biting his bottom lip vulnerably. But when he looks at me…I can feel it…He does care about me. His mind insisted that was true, but his omega felt vulnerable. He'd only just come out of his heat. Everything felt so raw and confusing. A large part of him wanted Lin in that moment, but the other part couldn't face him. Don't doubt him. It isn't fair. He knew that, but it was hard to not to when he kept a picture of someone else on his bedside. Someone he cared about and lost. It's not unreasonable that he'd-
"John, what's wrong?" Lin asked as he returned, having scented John's vulnerability. He couldn't read the expression on his omega's face. He hurried over as he noticed the angry red mark on his forehead. "What happened here?" He leaned over for a closer look and noticed the large frame in his hands for the first time. His heart lurched as he looked at Gene's picture being held by someone else. John flinched at the intensity of Lin's scent. It was a raw, almost painful, scent. He felt vulnerable and somewhat violated. The frame almost slipped from John's grasp at the shock of it.
"Sorry." He could barely bring himself to look at Lin as he took the picture and carefully replaced it on the bedside. Lin felt bad for his unfiltered reaction, using his scent to comfort John as he settled on the edge of the bed. He knew he had meant no harm. In fact, it seemed Gene had done the most damage. The mark on John's forehead looked a little tender. He flinched again as Lin examined the skin with gentle fingers. He looked up vulnerably, wondering how far he'd overstepped. He knew Lin wasn't angry. He was almost apologetic as he caressed him with spiced chocolate.
"Was it the picture?" Lin asked gently as he stroked the red mark. John nodded silently. There were a lot of questions he wanted to ask, but it didn't seem appropriate. He also wasn't sure he'd like the answer to them. What if he really is just…making do? Lin frowned a little. He could feel the distance between them returning. He was a little sad. He'd finally been making headway with John and their relationship.
"I-I was getting a closer look, but I guess I'm a little weak," John murmured quietly, not quite meeting Lin's eye. Lin felt his insides melt at the vulnerable expression he was wearing. He was gentle as he reached out to card his long fingers through John's fluffed hair. Despite his mixed emotions, John leaned into the touch. His omega ached for reassurance. He needed it so much it hurt. Lin offered it freely, but didn't quite understand what had him so on edge. Lin leaned down and nuzzled John's temple, kissing his nose as he drew back.
"Maybe you'll feel better after a shower." John was almost reluctant as he allowed himself to be carried through to the bathroom. The unasked questions hung over him like a cloud as he was carried, but he couldn't bring himself to ask. He felt horribly dizzy as Lin placed him on his feet and clung to him on unsteady legs until he lowered him to the tiled floor. Lin hushed him as he knelt to help him wash. They were quiet, almost awkward. Lin could sense that he was holding something back, something he desperately wanted to say.
Despite feeling vulnerable, John couldn't help stealing glances at Lin's body as he lathered his skin. He hadn't bothered to dress yet; it being so close to the end of his heat. It hadn't made sense to dress when he planned on taking a shower. There really was something quite beautiful about his long limbs and muscled body. He might be described as lanky, but he had the right amount of muscle to offset the length of his limbs. He wasn't too thin, either. He was the ideal alpha in some ways. Rather than being overly strong, he was sleek. More like a jaguar than a bear. Lin blinked in surprise as he stroked his way up John's chest and raised his gaze to find him staring so intently. He was almost bashful, surprised by the lingering lust in John's eyes. He was a little uncertain as he licked his lips, biting the sensitive skin before leaning in to kiss him.
John was a little surprised at the sudden contact. He looked almost owlish as Lin's eyes fluttered shut and he pressed closer. The affection made him feel a lot better. He whined softly as he leaned into the kiss, enjoying the way Lin's hand came up to caress his neck and cheek. Lin didn't intend to take things too far. John was clearly worn from his heat and the fever he was coming down with. He drew back slowly, leaving a few smaller kisses in his wake. John purred softly as large hands teased and caressed his skin, rubbing circles of foam across his flesh. Lin cleaned every inch of his skin, taking extra care as he pressed and teased his swollen entrance. John couldn't help the little whimpers that escaped as he held himself on his knees and let Lin rub and stroke between his thighs. Apologies fell from his lips as he worked, thoroughly cleaning every trace of slick and semen away.
The best part by far was when Lin washed his hair. Lin knew it was his favourite part from previous experience. He settled himself against the tilted wall and pulled John between his thighs as he worked. John purred and mewled as long fingers teased and caressed his scalp. He was shameless as he tilted his head and nudged further into the firm touches. Lin chuckled as he leaned back against his chest, almost falling asleep under his ministrations. He barely even roused himself as Lin rinsed him them both beneath the steaming spray.
John certainly seemed a little warmer after the shower. He felt slightly happier, too. He'd been thoroughly spoiled. Lin had taken his time during the shower, leaving his skin spotless and tingling from all the soothing massages. Upon returning to his room, Lin set him on the covers and took his time moisturising his pale skin. It wasn't something he'd ever done before. John moaned as he massaged one of his feet, working cream into the soft skin between his toes, over his ankle, and up his calf. He gave the same attention to his other leg, lingering to press and loosen the worn muscles of his calves. It was almost painful.
John squirmed as he moved higher. He raised his leg and rested his ankle on his shoulder as he pressed and teased the muscles of his thigh. If he'd had the energy, John was sure his shaft would have revived itself. Their position was unmistakably intimate as Lin knelt on the bed and worked his thighs one at a time. John felt his cheeks flush as Lin leaned down to press and caress his hips. He shuddered as Lin rubbed the cream up and down his chest, though he did his best not to linger on his sensitive pecs for too long. He did as he was told as Lin had him roll over to lie on his front. He moaned shamelessly as Lin massaged his back and shoulders. It felt so good, even the more painful parts where Lin pressed his knuckles into the right muscles. He flushed a little as Lin's hands crept down to squeeze his ass, moulding and rubbing cream into the rounded flesh before stroking up to his neck. He moaned loudly as Lin squeezed, pressing into the dominating touch as he raised his head and closed his eyes in bliss. Lin chuckled softly as he flopped down again. He turned his head to watch with hazy eyes as Lin worked his way up and down each of his arms. He even massaged his hands, leaving gentle kisses on each palm. He turned on his side and closed his eyes as Lin leaned down to moisturise his face with gentle fingers. He circled his thumbs on his cheeks slowly, enjoying the little mewls that fled John's lips, which he swiftly claimed in a lingering kiss.
John missed his touch as he pulled away and returned to the smaller heat room. When he came back, he'd brought some clean pyjamas and pants for him to wear, and the long charcoal cardigan he'd claimed as his own. He helped him dress before tucking him lovingly into the oversized cardigan. John's eyes were getting heavy from all the attention. The fever was making him weak. He didn't have the energy to think anymore. Lin was sure he was asleep before his head hit the pillow. He roused him a short time later, spoon feeding him a light chicken broth and helping him take a sachet of powdered medicine.
"I'm sleeping here? You don't mind?" John murmured sleepily as Lin helped him under the duvet. This was the first time he'd been in Lin's bed. The sheets were thick and heavy with his comforting scent. It made him purr with a sense of contentment and security. Lin nodded as he climbed in beside him. It was still the middle of the afternoon, but they were both sleep deprived from a long week of heat sex. Lin had been awake for more or less the whole week so far. He'd only caught an hour or so between their lengthy couplings. He'd forced himself to remain awake, watching over his mate. He'd needed to monitor his condition carefully to ensure he didn't get dehydrated or malnourished. He'd been especially worried over the last few days as the fever set in. He was still worried, but now that the heat had receded, John would be able to regain his strength.
"I don't mind at all…If this were a heat room, I'd gladly have you here all the time…" Lin replied warmly as he propped himself up on one arm to admire his exhausted mate. He had his back to Gene for now, his attention completely focused on John as he took in the pale skin and dark rings beneath his eyes. His heart felt full as John's tired blue eyes gazed up at him, still full of need and vulnerability. He seemed uncertain, almost doubtful, as he stared.
"Are you sure?" He couldn't help his eyes darting over Lin's shoulder to glance at Gene's smiling face. Either Lin didn't notice the direction of his gaze, or he ignored it as he reached out and caressed his cheek. He was completely serious as he leaned down to catch his eye.
"You're my mate. You belong at my side, always." It was impossible not to see the conflicting emotions John was grappling with. "Try to sleep, John…" he urged, using his scent to lull him. John hummed tiredly as he nestled closer to Lin's reassuring warmth, purring in contentment as Lin held him against his bare chest. The wool of the cardigan was almost rough against his skin, and John's gentle breath was warm on his pecs. He breathed in the sweet scent of his mate and curled against him just a little more.