Lin woke to the sound of knocking. The front door? His head was still foggy as he opened his eyes and looked up at the ceiling. He was where he'd been before, lying on his back on John's side of the bed. The difference was that, rather than just John tucked up against his side, he had Naru huddled against his other side. He wasn't sure when, but at some point, Naru had discarded the pillow in lieu of his body. Lin had wrapped his free arm securely around him in acceptance, trapping himself on the bed. There was also a small weight on his stomach, where Sebastian lay curled up watching him. He was part way to groggily wondering what was going on when there was another loud knock that reminded him why he'd woken up.

"Mm...Lin?" Naru murmured sleepily as he stirred and pushed himself up a little, cheeks flushing as he realised Lin's arm was wrapped around his waist. Lin stroked his hip affectionately as he gently roused John. John whined in protest but opened his eyes and sat up just in time for another loud rap on the door.

"Oh, the front door!" John murmured sleepily as he stumbled to his feet and padded away. The other two quickly followed, and Lin swept Sebastian in his arms rather than disturbing him. Yellow eyes blinked open briefly, but swiftly closed again as his tail looped around Lin's arm. John hurried down the stairs and opened the door curiously to find a breathless Yasuhara standing there. "Oh...Yasu..." John was surprised as he and his quizzical greeting were brushed aside and Yasuhara hurried inside. Lin paused, perplexed as Yasuhara grabbed Naru, who swiftly fell back into the wall where he stood on the stairs.

"What were you thinking, leaving like that?" Yasuhara demanded, firm hands gently gripping his cheeks as he looked him over. Naru was taken aback and truly flustered as Yasuhara examined every inch of him he could see, reassuring himself he had suffered no mischief on the way home. "You shouldn't have run off like that! I would have taken care of you!" Yasuhara gave a possessive growl in reflex as Lin's large hand landed on his shoulder and pulled him back. He flushed shamefully as he realised it was Lin.

"I don't believe it's your place to do so." His visible dark eye looked to Naru for instructions. If he felt threatened or uncomfortable, he'd see that Yasuhara was removed. It was hard to pick up on how Naru felt through his scent. The lemon tart scent from earlier still lingered, reminding them of his distress. Right now, he was flustered and a little uncomfortable. Naru flushed and shook his head to say he was alright, so Lin removed his hand but remained guarded. Naru was still vulnerable, and Yasuhara was still an alpha.

"I-I guess not, but...it doesn't feel right that an omega I was taking care of ran away," Yasuhara added somewhat meekly, chocolate eyes lowering to his feet. Naru shifted anxiously against the wall, uncomfortable at being the topic of conversation. He also felt bad for making Yasuhara worry.

"Sorry, I..." He wasn't sure he could put into words just how he'd felt when he'd woken up that morning. It was surreal to remember the way his head had spun when he'd looked down to find both Mai and Yasuhara in the bed with him, and no clear memory of what had happened the night before. It was hard to comprehend the heaviness in his limbs and the aching in every joint and orifice. He'd somehow staggered into the bathroom and showered, feeling cold even as the water burned, and then he'd just wanted to leave.

"We were really worried about you. We were looking all over the city until John called." That made Naru feel even worse. "I'm glad you made it home." He almost flinched, blue eyes blinking as a hand came to rest on his head. The damp, fresh scent of the forest rushed through his senses as he breathed in. His cheeks flushed as he remembered how that scent had bound and enticed him the night before, getting flashes of the things Yasuhara had done to him. Things he'd wanted him to do to him. He looked away quickly.

"We're actually just on our way to the hospital," John interrupted, sensing that Naru was confused and conflicted by the myriad of thoughts rushing through his head. Yasuhara turned to John as if for the first time, catching the unmistakable scent of an omega. He'd heard what had happened, but it was his first time seeing him in his true form. Being an omega suited him well. He'd always been soft and gentle, and his eyes glimmered with warmth and care. In truth, they always had. The difference was that his scent was now much sweeter and more pronounced, and he could easily pick up the sharp spice coming from Lin's mating mark.

"Hospital?" Naru echoed stiffly.

"We need to get you tested...It's alright, Lin and I are both coming with you." John understood Naru's reluctance to let strangers touch him right now. He'd felt similarly anxious on his last visit to the hospital. It seemed so long ago now. Warmth flooded his chest as he looked up at Lin, remembering how he'd crushed him against his chest as they'd met outside. It was hard to believe he'd ever really felt that way. It seemed absurd to be afraid of Lin now, and any bitterness or resentment was long behind them.

"Would it be alright if I came too?" Yasuhara looked to Naru rather than Lin or John. Even if he wouldn't say it, John could feel it. Naru felt safe in Yasuhara's presence. His other thoughts and feelings may be confusing him, but that single feeling was clear. Safety. He nodded wordlessly and Lin called a taxi. On the way to the hospital, Lin sat in the front, leaving Naru in John's care as he sat safely sandwiched between him and Yasuhara.

Yasuhara handled the communication at the hospital. It seemed he was no stranger to the procedure. Many of the nurses and doctors even seemed to recognise him and didn't sound surprised at all when he explained why they were there. Naru gripped John's hand as an alpha doctor approached to speak to him. They were all standard questions. How did he feel physically? Had there been any tearing? Had they used protection? Did he want a rape kit? Did he want the police to be called? Then he was asked to head to a small office for swabs to be taken. He tightened his grip on John, afraid to go alone even if he wouldn't say it out loud.

"Your friend can come with you." With that gentle assurance, they set off down the hall. Naru was asked to undress his lower half, and offered a green robe for a little modesty. He flushed shamefully as he climbed onto the examination bed and rested his head on folded arms. John soothed him with his scent and stroked his hair, whispering assurances and insisting he didn't need to feel exposed or ashamed. Naru blinked tears of shame from his eyes as the doctor probed his abused entrance. It stung a little as he prodded the tight hole, though at least the swabs were relatively quick and harmless. He redressed, unable to meet the doctor's eye as he was told to call him in three days for the results. "We offer counselling services, free of charge, to all patients," the doctor added as he offered Naru a card.

"That won't be necessary," Naru insisted with a wave of his hand. He'd already put up with that once when his brother died. The last thing he needed was to sit in a room with a stranger and talk about it. John quietly took the card, just in case, and thanked the doctor. Naru bowed respectfully before allowing John to lead him into the corridor.

"That wasn't so bad," John encouraged, not missing the way Naru almost rolled his eyes at the tone. "Sorry," he added sheepishly, quietly pleased to see a little of Naru's former rigid nature returning. Lin and Yasuhara sensed them coming and got to their feet, and John didn't miss the way Naru's shoulders relaxed even more at the sight of the two alphas. He was positively glowing when a third scent reached his nose, a small sound catching in his throat as Mai hurried down the corridor to fall against his chest.

"Yasuhara called me," she replied to the unspoken question as Naru folded her in his arms and buried his face in her hair, breathing in her sweet citrus scent. John wasn't sure who was comforting who as he watched the couple embrace. There was a sweet warmth in his chest as he watched them, and he wondered if this was how other people felt when they saw him embracing Lin. As if sensing his thoughts, Lin's arm appeared around his shoulders, long fingers stroking circles on his mating mark.

"I know it's a little late, but I'm quite hungry," John confessed as he looked up at Lin, who nodded his agreement. They'd only had breakfast, and it was early evening now. He didn't need to ask if Naru felt the same. He was clearly sagging from a lack of energy, not to mention the stress of the examination he'd just undergone. In the end, the five of them headed into the city and stopped at a small restaurant. They chose a small one so the amount of scents was limited. John and Naru were both about to enter their heats, so the fewer scents wafting around the better.

"I know you usually stay in the office for your heats, but I'd feel better if you came home this time." Lin knew the idea would be strange to Naru. He'd passed every heat in the office since their arrival in Japan, unless they'd been on a case. Naru flushed a little at the idea, inwardly cringing. Lin and John would be upstairs in a similar predicament. The thought of them being so close made him feel uncomfortable. What if they could hear him? What if he could hear them? All of his supplies were at the office, so he'd have to get them or buy new ones.

"Or you could come to mine...I'm well prepared for home clients." Yasuhara's offer made Naru's cheeks burn and his stomach flip. If he accepted that offer, then there was no hiding what the plan was. Yasuhara wasn't just offering him a room, he was offering his services as a heat relief partner. Mai flushed and bit her lip anxiously as she sat beside him. Naru reached across and rested his hand on her thigh in comfort.

"I'm surprised you'd make such an offer to a bonded omega." John wasn't whether he meant it to sound scathingly reproachful or shocked. Yasuhara's expression softened as he regarded John. He was a good and loyal friend, but somewhat naïve when it came to omegas and their needs.

"You'd be surprised. It's not actually unusual for certain couples to do such things." John's blue eyes shot open in disbelief. "Well, think about it. A female beta simply isn't equipped for the job of satisfying a male omega, and honestly, the physical toll of a heat is often too much for betas to handle. Alphas and omegas are physically designed to withstand their heats and ruts. A beta doesn't have the metabolism for it, not really." He didn't mean it to sound harsh, but Mai and Naru needed to be aware of their limitations in that regard. Lin nodded his agreement and understanding. Heats were trying for both omegas and alphas. It was mentally and physically exhausting and could easily lead to hospitalisation if not properly prepared for.

"Are you saying that you actually have other clients like Mai and Naru?" John asked curiously.

"Well, I can't give any personal details about my clients, but yes. I have serviced omegas in similar situations...I've even had an omega couple before, which was...unpleasant." Yasuhara shuddered at the memory. Many alphas would think it heaven to have two omegas at their mercy, but satisfying two omegas, keeping them fed, hydrated, and healthy, was without a doubt the most difficult thing he'd ever done. Luckily, the next time they'd agreed to allow a second alpha into their group, and within a few more weeks, they'd met an alpha couple in a similar situation to their own. It was a match made in heaven and Yasuhara had gladly sent them on their way.

"I'm not sure..." Naru trailed off uncomfortably, shivering at the fractured memories that kept coming back. His ass being filled, thrusting into Mai with Yasuhara leaning over his back and growling in his ear, mewling and writhing, legs flung wide.

"Don't feel pressured into anything...Just know I would be more comfortable with you at home, or in the company of someone you trust." Lin's firmness put an end to the discussion, dark eyes warning Yasuhara not to push it. Naru nodded his agreement. Honestly, the thought of being by himself in the office was much scarier now than it had been before. It scared him how willing and desperate he'd been with the drug in his system, and he'd be no different during his actual heat. John and Yasuhara continued their discussion quietly. John was curious about the world of a heat relief agent.

"Are you really saying that omegas can't take care of themselves?" He felt conflicted and somewhat belittled by the idea. Yasuhara smiled softly, knowing John was inexperienced in this area, despite being an omega himself. He'd presented so late that he'd missed out on some essential education.

"You're quite lucky John...Since you presented, you've had Lin taking care of your needs...Tell me, can you imagine how it would feel without that relief? How would you handle it if you went into heat and Lin wasn't there?" John tilted his head thoughtfully, unable to comprehend the idea of his alpha not being there. He felt lost somehow.

"I-I'm sure I'd manage..." he murmured, though he'd never really thought about satisfying his own needs before. Outside of his heat, it was hard to recall how it felt. The desperation and need were dulled in his memory. He knew that, but he was still sure he could handle it.

"How? Do you have the right tools for it?" Yasuhara knew from the confused, barely comprehending frown on John's face that he didn't. It didn't seem like he even understood what he meant by tools. "Your hands alone wouldn't be enough, you know that, right?" he teased, watching John's cheeks flush as the meaning sank in. "Joking aside, you should really have some form of relief, just in case...Here, this is the place I get my stuff. It's really discreet," he added as he pulled a small card from his wallet and handed it across to John, whose cheeks were almost the shade of a tomato.