"I really can carry it myself," John grumbled as Lin carried his large case into the house. His duffle bag was slung over Lin's other shoulder, leaving John with nothing to carry. He was bristling with annoyance as Lin insisted he carried everything. "I'm not a damsel in distress!" John griped as he slipped his shoes off. Lin dropped the case and bag while he sorted out the door and removed his own shoes. He hung his long coat on the stand, watching as John shrugged out of his light hoody and hung it up.

"Don't be so defensive. Your coming heat is draining your strength...I'm here, so there's no need to push yourself." His considerate words and gentle assurances made John's heart skip, but at the same time, he didn't want to seem so weak that he couldn't handle a simple bag of clothes. He stubbornly went to his case and tugged the handle, almost panicking as he failed to raise it from the floor. On the second try, he managed to heft it enough to take it a few steps, but it soon dragged him down. Why can't I lift it? It isn't even heavy! "John...it's alright..." Lin assured as he gently pried the handle from his stunned fingers.

He led him through to the kitchen, hoping that a mug of tea would calm him down. John felt vulnerable and weak as he sat on one of the stools and allowed Lin to make the tea. When he was done, Lin sat beside him, sitting close and letting his scent soothe his omega. He could feel him slowly relaxing, the chilli chocolate scent and the warmth of the mug lulling him into a state of quiet bliss. That was good. That was how an omega should be just before their heat.

"I know it must be frustrating and strange, but this is only temporary...After your heat, your body will return to normal." He knew he was right, but he didn't like it. He felt useless. Weak. Feeble. He was a burden. "Come on...let's head upstairs." Lin gently coaxed him up to follow him with his tea. He left the bags for now. It wasn't like anyone else would come home that night, and John wouldn't need anything for a while.

John followed Lin upstairs, his omega purring happily as he was finally surrounded by his alpha's scent. The room had barely changed, but there was one huge difference that made John's breath catch. A small whimper escaped as he padded over to the window, where Lin had built a sort of cosy bench into the alcove. Along the lower half of the window was a padded barrier he could lean against without getting cold or risk falling through the glass. The windowsill had been extended outwards and coated with a plush cushioned padding, and a backrest had been added. There was also an armrest on the outside, so it was almost like curling up in an armchair.

"I thought you looked a little uncomfortable before..." Lin excused quietly as he padded over and climbed into the seat. He leaned back against the padded surface of the alcove, looking down at the deserted park. He felt happy and secure. He was also deeply touched. He'd had no idea that Lin was gifted with wood work. He could still smell the vague scent of wood and sawdust. "I'm pleased you like it," Lin purred as he stroked John's head over the back of his new chair, leaning his elbow on the padded surface that reached his chest.

"I do, very much...Thank you." Lin watched as John settled down in the seat, rolling from side to side as he seeped his scent into the fabric of the bench. He was almost irresistible. A small trill escaped his lips as he slipped down onto his back, his blonde hair dishevelled on the pale peach material. His lips looked so kissable in that instant. Lin swallowed and looked away. Unsure of John's comfort levels, he planned to keep the same arrangement as before.

"Would you like your book?" he asked as John sat up and cradled his mug once more. He nodded shyly, noticing a leather bookmark had been slotted inside to keep his page. As he examined it, he found it had his initials embedded in it, along with a small cross. "Here..." Lin leaned across to the padded side near the window and pulled up a small flip table. John placed his cup on the small circle and stared at the table warmly. He let out a small purr as Lin returned yet again with a blanket and his long charcoal cardigan. He left them over the arm of the chair, watching in amusement as both items were swiftly tugged out of sight.

Lin left him alone for a while, allowing John to settle into his new seat and reacquaint himself with the quiet room. He went to his office to sort through some papers before heading to the heat room to make sure everything was ready. It was cosy enough. He turned on the new air conditioning unit above the bed, allowing cool air to fill the small space. He then fiddled with the newly added cotton curtains around the bed. He'd thought last time, with John's sensitivity to light, he'd appreciate the extra barrier. Finally, he quietly headed downstairs to bring up the bags.

"Are you ready to unpack?" he asked as he returned to the living room, pausing as he didn't get a response. His expression softened as he approached the window seat and peered over the edge to find John sleeping soundly. He moved the half-full cup and slotted the table away, closing the book and laying it aside before gathering him in his arms. He felt perfect. He was just the right size and weight to snuggle into his larger body, the right angle for him to breathe in his candy floss scent. He's still a little thin though...

"I fell asleep again..." John murmured as he roused in Lin's arms. Lin hushed him quietly as he carried him through to the nest. John sighed in contentment as he was placed on the bed, not quite ready to relinquish Lin's warmth. Lin paused as a needy hand fisted in his shirt, urging him lower. "Do you mind?" John asked sleepily as Lin drew his legs up onto the bed.

"Why would I mind?" Lin mumbled softly as he turned on his side, propping himself up on one elbow as he stroked John's cheek. John hummed as he closed his eyes, opening them again to gaze up at Lin almost coyly. The atmosphere was almost static. They paused. Lin's hand stilled. John barely breathed. It almost felt like time had stopped. A perfect moment. My heat hasn't started yet...There's no reason for us to...but...John's breath shuddered as he breathed in, eyes darting to Lin's lips.

"Lin..." The hand that still held Lin's shirt gripped tighter. Lin hesitated, unsure whether John was in his right mind. He wouldn't complain, but John had been reluctant this far in their relationship. He leaned forward as John tugged him closer, reaching across to rest his hand beside his head for support. I've never felt like this before...John felt vulnerable as he reached up to caress Lin's smooth cheek, watching him lean into his touch.

"Tell me what you want," Lin almost purred, his spiced scent washing over John as he leaned closer. John breathed deeply, blue eyes turning hazy as he peered up. Lin's alpha almost growled in approval. He was stunned as he felt John's desire flare. He was in sync with his omega. The hand on his cheek slowly slipped behind his neck, and Lin allowed it as John pulled him closer. "Wait...before we...Are you sure, John?" He didn't want to damage his slowly forming bond with his mate. John placed a lot of trust in him, and he didn't want to break it.

"I don't know why, but right now I...Please...touch me." John gasped as Lin's body covered his. He felt a little vulnerable as he felt Lin's hands caressing his clothed body. It wasn't the first time, but this time it was on his terms. His omega was present, but they were working in tandem. The heat wasn't driving his urges. He leaned up to Lin's mouth with needy lips, mewling into the kiss as he was devoured by his alpha's intense heat.

He wasn't sure how much time passed as they writhed on the bed together. Lin was still in his work clothes, the buttons of his shirt coming undone one by one as John's desperate fingers explored his heated skin. Their mouths barely disconnected as Lin whipped John's grey top up and over his head and tossed it. He leaned down to kiss and lick their bonding mark. A loud moan escaped John's lips as he writhed and bucked his hips. Lin stroked the newly exposed skin, relishing in the gasps and whimpers that fell from John's lips like a prayer. He was so sensitive, even outside his heat.

"John, if we go much further, I don't think I'll be able to stop." Lin was serious in his warning. He could feel his alpha side rattling its cage. This slow, gentle teasing was all well and good, but he wanted his mate spread out beneath him. He wanted to be embedded deep within that tight warmth. He wanted John screaming his name. He wanted him to come undone in his arms. He could barely hold himself back as it was. John's hazy eyes opened.

"Please, don't...don't stop," John begged breathlessly, sealing their lips once more as his slender legs wrapped around Lin's hips. His alpha growled possessively as he rocked against John's smaller body. Their shafts rubbed together through their trousers. Lin moaned as he felt John's length, just as hard as his own, prodding his pelvis. He reached between their bodies and closed his hand over the bulge, enjoying the sight of John squirming beneath him.

He unbuttoned John's jeans and slowly worked them down. John made no protest, not even as his tight boxers swiftly followed. He felt a little self-conscious as Lin drew back to gaze down at his naked body. His skin was like milk, and Lin wanted to drink it. He caught John's hands as he made to cover his chest and lower body, bringing them to his lips to kiss, caress, and lick his slender digits and smooth palms.

"You're so perfect...don't ever hide from me." Lin enjoyed the light dusting of pink in his omega's cheeks. Before John could complain, he leaned down to reclaim his lips. He hadn't realised how different it would feel, having John willingly submit to him. His heart felt so full he thought it would burst. After almost three months, it felt like they were finally beginning to find each other. They didn't know everything there was to know, and that was alright. What mattered was the bond of trust and affection they now shared. "I've wanted this..." Lin confessed in a desperate whisper.

"What?" John was a little confused as Lin drew back. He was surprised to see unshed tears glittering in the deep chocolate eyes staring down at him. John felt his breath catch at the sight as Lin shared this rare moment of vulnerability with him. Lin hadn't fully realised how much John affected him either. He felt a little unsure of himself, allowing John to see him like this, admitting weakness as an alpha.

"Us...like this." Lin linked the fingers of one hand with John's and used the other to caress his warm cheek. John bit his lip, feeling guilty as he realised the extent of Lin's feelings. How many times over the past few months had he sat alone, worrying about his omega? How many times had he yearned for his touch and acceptance, only to find himself shunned with bitterness and resentment? Through all of that, he'd understood and waited patiently.

"I'm sorry, I..." John trailed off, silenced by Lin's gentle finger pressing against his soft lips. He shivered as he ran his finger across the sensitive skin. I wasn't ready...Maybe I'm still not, but I'm going to try from now on. John watched Lin's eyes soften, as if he could read his mind. John tilted his chin up a little, a silent request. Lin acquiesced, dark eyes fluttering shut as he leaned down and sealed John's lips with his own. John arched his spine, pressing their bare chests together with a small trill. Lin drew back a little, slipping a hand between their bodies to stroke and tease John's dripping shaft.

"Your heat hasn't started yet, and I wasn't prepared for this." Lin enjoyed the way John's small body writhed beneath him, desperate hands scratching and grasping at his naked torso. John barely understood what he was saying, but Lin seemed to get an idea as he shifted further down his body. John flushed self-consciously as he parted his thighs. He could barely meet Lin's gaze as he tilted his hips a little.

"Y-you can...if you want to..." John watched his alpha shiver and melt at his innocent invitation. Lin leaned down, pressing little nips and kisses along his jutting hipbones. They were sharp and defined. Far too visible. John shivered and moaned at the attention, biting his knuckles and gripping the blanket beneath his head. Lin travelled further down, teasing the base of his twitching cock before licking up in one long strip.

"It will hurt you without the slick...We can wait for that," Lin decided with a small smirk, sensing John's disappointment and vulnerability. "I didn't say we wouldn't be satisfied," he added almost teasingly as he licked further down, between John's milky thighs. John gasped and bucked as he began his teasing ministrations. He circled the tight ring with his tongue, finding it less willing than usual without the usual sweet release. Despite the lack of slick, John was still a whimpering mess. If anything, that knowledge only made Lin more attentive.

He licked and prodded circles against the tight hole, slowly edging further and further inside. He moaned himself when he finally forced his way through. It wasn't as sweet as usual. The slick was only just beginning to pool inside, but it was still uniquely John. He gripped John's hardened shaft and pumped it slowly, enjoying his moans as he rocked his hips up. He whimpered as Lin pulled back.

"Here, in my lap," Lin instructed as he helped him to sit up. John panted needily, obediently crawling forwards until he was sitting on the bed with his legs hooked over Lin's thighs and around his waist. Lin hooked his own legs loosely behind John, leaning back on one hand as he grasped both of their shafts with one hand. John almost shuddered as he saw how much larger Lin's was. "Together." John bit his lip nervously as he copied him. One of his hands joined Lin's on their throbbing cocks as he supported his weight on his free hand.

"Oh..." John gasped quietly as Lin guided their hands up and down. It was a new feeling, their silken flesh pressed together, rubbing and caressing between their joined hands. John shuddered as he felt Lin's shaft pulse and twitch against his own. He used the leverage he had on the bed to thrust upwards. The move tore a moan from Lin's tight lips. "L-Lin..." Lin nodded as he guided their hands in a steady rhythm and began circling his own hips. It wasn't as intense as their usual heat sex. There were no nails, rough thrusts, or deep penetrations, but this was somehow more intimate. Making love...

"I'm close," Lin murmured needily, John nodding his breathless agreement as he continued to pump and thrust against his hand. He was surprised as Lin came first. White streams spilled over their joined hands as he continued the steady pace. John had no idea how he managed it. His hips didn't even stutter as he milked himself. The feeling of Lin's throbbing cock and the warm release wetting his hand was enough to tip John over the edge. His own hips jerked out of control as he rode out his orgasm, mewling and whining Lin's name as he gazed up with hazy eyes.

"That was..." John gasped tiredly as he fell back into the nest, staring up at Lin as he reached for some wet wipes on the drawers. "Nice," he concluded with a blush, watching Lin's expression soften as he cleaned their hands and spent shafts. Lin tugged the white curtain around the bed, watching John's omega side purr at the safe, enclosed, and intimate space that had been created.

"Would you like to be alone for a while?" Lin knew that he was usually uncomfortable in his presence. He was surprised and quietly delighted as John shook his head and reached for him with needy hands. Lin allowed him to take his arms and pull him closer, obediently lying down beside his mate. He turned on his side to watch him. John also rolled over so that he could peer across at him. He was hesitant as he gazed at him. He wasn't sure how to put it into words, so he allowed his omega side to purr quietly and nestled closer. Lin responded in kind. His deeper purr made John's heart flutter as strong arms drew him closer in acceptance.

"Thank you...for everything," John murmured quietly, unable to look up as he said so. There were so many things that Lin had done, and he'd barely acknowledged them. He'd nursed and cared for him during his heats. He'd worried about him endlessly. He'd listened to his bitter resentment and stayed anyway. He'd tried to help with his diet. Made him a space in his home, and saved him from danger. He really meant it when he said he was taking his role seriously...

"I'm your alpha...you don't need to thank me." John's cheeks flushed at the words. For the first time, it felt like those words went both ways. Lin was his alpha. He would forever be in control, forcing his obedience and taking pleasure from his body. But at the same time, Lin was his alpha. He would forever love, protect, and worship his omega. He would give himself to him completely. He would give his body just as much pleasure as he took, if not more. John nestled closer. Lin held him tighter. I've got you...

Lin was the first to sense it. The sweet scent of John's slick roused him from his light slumber. John's skin was warm against his own. He was glad he'd thought to turn on the air conditioning earlier. In the coolness of the room, John seemed content as he slept soundly against his chest. That was something he intended to fix. He felt bolder than usual as he slowly eased John onto his back, pressing gentle kisses along his jawline as he stroked down his slender hips.

He watched as John hummed in his sleep, one hand idly reaching up to rest beside his pale face on the pillow. He looked deliciously sweet and vulnerable. Lin's cock throbbed at the tantalising sight. John's body was ripe. Ready to be plundered. Lin stroked his alpha, urging it to be patient. He wanted to rouse John gently, to fill him with buzzing, pulsing heat. He wanted him to wake with his name on his pretty pink lips.

With that in mind, Lin began his leisurely journey down John's pale body. He was careful not to rest too much weight on him, or linger in one place for too long. He knew exactly where he wanted to be when John's blue eyes snapped open. He almost smirked at the thought as he nipped one of John's hardened buds before kissing his way down to his elegantly dipping naval. He licked further down. A gasping hum escaped John's lips as his brow furrowed. Lin drew back from his slowly swaying shaft, waiting for him to settle once more.

He didn't want to risk his mate waking before his plan was in motion, so he forewent further teasing. He settled on his stomach, gently prying John's milky thighs apart. He almost purred in pleasure as John's breath hitched at the first feel of warm breath on his sweet, dripping entrance. Lin didn't hold back as he pressed his face into John's willing heat, his tongue mercilessly forcing its way through the loosened ring of muscle. Lin stared at John's face, watching his brow crease. His head turned restlessly, small gasps and moans escaping. He wasn't awake yet. Lin curled and flicked his tongue within the slick passage, suckling the sweet fluid that surrounded his eager lips.

"Mm...huh...Lin..." John whimpered as his eyes fluttered open. Lin moaned as his tongue continued to work his entrance. It was more perfect than he'd imagined. Hearing John's gentle voice whimpering his name was even better than the scream he'd initially desired. One of John's hands clenched in the pillow while the other reached down to tangle in Lin's hair urgently. "More! Please!" John gasped as his hips bucked. Lin almost growled. John was willingly begging him, almost demanding satisfaction.

John whimpered at the loss of tongue, only to gasp as two long fingers easily slid inside his hot passage. Lin's mouth had other work to do. He watched John's flushed, vulnerable face closely as he leaned higher and took the hardened shaft in his mouth. John moaned in abandon, hips thrusting against his willing mouth. Lin obeyed his omega's silent pleas, sucking harder, bobbing up and down at a merciless pace as he plunged his fingers in and out.

"Lin...J-Jo!" Lin's eyes widened as John cried out. He'd never even called him Koujo, not once, and yet he'd somehow cried out that old pet name. Lin was almost torn from the moment. If John sensed his mate's sudden distraction, he didn't show it. He was too busy writhing and gasping as he came, moans dripping like honey from his lips. Lin almost choked in surprise as John's hot seed hit the back of his throat, but he remembered to swallow. In an instant, John's fingers were laced in his ebony locks, urgently tugging him higher. Lin obeyed.

"You...said my name..." Lin felt John stiffen beneath him, clearly mortified. He leaned down and nuzzled his shoulder, kissing their mating mark. He felt John shiver at the sensation.

"Do you mind?"

"Not at all...We're mates, and I already call you John, so..." Though hearing someone else say that name was almost painful. He'd lost count of the times he'd heard his lost love cry that name. He breathed John's scent deeply, trying to chase away the unwelcome memories. This was his present. This pure, innocent creature, secure in his embrace.

"Then K-Koujo..." John stammered, getting used to the sound of the name on his lips. He felt Lin thrum with pleasure, but there was an almost forlorn undertone. John desperately wanted to chase it away. He shivered as a wave of heat coursed through his veins. That wasn't the only thing he wanted to chase away. "Koujo, please...inside," John urged meekly as he rocked his hips up, feeling Lin chuckle against his shoulder.

"You're eager." He enjoyed John's flush as he drew back.

"Whose fault is that?" John shot back, losing himself to a breathy moan as Lin eased himself inside with a smooth thrust. He shivered, feeling delicious tingles prickling his skin as Lin rocked forwards. John reached up to move the ebony locks out of his face, gazing into a pair of deep brown eyes. "Uh...huh...mm..." Different sounds broke free with each gentle thrust, spurring Lin on so that he could hear them all. One hand gripped Lin's shoulder, while the other fisted in his hair. His body was soon off the mattress as he held himself up with Lin's body.

Lin watched breathlessly, hands gripping John's slender hips as he rocked on his knees. John threw his head back, blonde locks pressing into the pillow as he revealed the milky surface of his perfect neck. Lin leaned down and captured the soft, unmarked skin with lips and teeth. The grip in his hair tightened, pulling him closer. John's hips started bucking, signalling his imminent release. Lin gripped tighter, wanting to draw it out.

"Koujo...Jo..." John moaned, urgently tugging him up to seal their lips. Again, the name made Lin's insides twist painfully. Again, he breathed in his mate's scent to chase it away. He finally released John's hips, allowing him to do as he pleased to reach completion. Lin supported his weight on his arms, giving in to John's kisses and meeting each buck of his slim hips. With a final cry, John came, whimpering as he felt Lin's knot form within him. He wrapped his legs tighter, pulling him deeper. Lin shivered as he felt fingers teasing his unmarked shoulder, and buried his face in his throat.

John gasped as Lin's grip tightened. He rolled their locked bodies until John was resting on his chest, and his own spine was sinking into the firm mattress. John was so light and thin that he didn't want to risk crushing him with his weight this time. John seemed content as he rested a leg on either side and nuzzled into the fleshy surface beneath. Lin rubbed circles on his back, unable to stop his mind from wandering to his former love. They were so similar sometimes it was painful. I shouldn't compare the two...I don't want to compare them.