When John jolted back to himself, it was sudden and intense. He became painfully aware of everything around him. He could feel the cool, wet tiles pressing against his arched spine. He could feel his own trembling legs gripping Lin's strong hips so tightly the muscles ached as he squeezed his rump in a painful grip. His nails were digging hard into Lin's shoulders, and Lin was hissing at the sensation. His expression was one of pure, feral desire with a pinch of discomfort, and the return of John's consciousness only seemed to spur him on more. His dark eyes blazed with dark veins at the edges. There was cool water raining down on them, soothing John's overheated skin. The thing he was most aware of was his own imminent orgasm as Lin's throbbing length plunged deep into his passage. Deeper than he'd ever felt it. He could barely breathe. A distressed moan escaped his lips as Lin gave two final thrusts. He felt John's passage tighten around him as he spilled onto his own pelvis. John shuddered as Lin filled him before pulling out. He didn't allow them to knot. He knew John was at his physical limit.

Lin breathed heavily as he kept John secure in his arms, leaning his head on his shoulder. He was having trouble keeping his hold firm. He was exhausted. He'd lost track of how many times he'd coupled with him, and the hours it had taken. He knew he hadn't slept for two nights. His legs ached. His arms were shaking. His skin was raw and stinging from John's gripping, rubbing, and clawing. He finally decided he could move and slowly placed John on his shaking, unsteady legs.

"Welcome back," he greeted softly, still trying to catch his breath. He enjoyed the soothing cool of the water trailing down his scratched and bruised spine as he leaned on the wall, looking down at John's dripping hair. His cheeks were flushed as he looked up. He was just as breathless as he experienced the wonder of the afterglow.

"How long was I...gone?" He was clearly uncomfortable with the situation. One day, he'd get used to it. Maybe he'd even enjoy the freedom that came with surrendering to his omega. Right now, Lin knew it terrified him to think of himself as completely vulnerable and unaware, with his omega in control. Lin shut the water off almost reluctantly and turned away to grab a towel.

"I'm not sure exactly...Two days, maybe three," he replied as he held a white towel up for John to wrap around himself. John looked worried as he accepted the towel around his slim shoulders. He tugged it closer. He seemed hesitant as he huddled in the towel. His eyes widened as Lin turned away from him.

"What happened to your back?" Lin raised an eyebrow and looked over his shoulder. He couldn't see, so he wiped the mirror over the sink and tried again. He winced as he took in the damage. This happened last month too, but I don't recall it being this bad...There were long, thin trails of red that slipped down his large back. He looked like a tiger had tried to claw him to death. He's actually more of a kitten though. He huffed affectionately as he looked down at John's timid form. Right now he looked guilt stricken.

"It's just a few scratches. They look worse than they feel," he assured as he grabbed a black towel and tossed it over his back to cover the bloodied skin. John looked ashamed as he lowered his gaze to the floor. He only raised his head reluctantly when Lin tilted his face up with a finger on his chin. He looked gentle and sincere as he gazed down at him, and John felt a foreign thud in his chest at the expression. He had no idea what it was, but it felt like a spark. "You have nothing to apologise for...You'll need some attention yourself," he added, apparently unaware of the exchange.

John wondered what he meant for a while until he raised his right hand. He hissed as he tried to bend his wrist, whimpering as he found the skin slightly red and swollen, like it had been twisted. He was hesitant to ask about it as he followed Lin through to the bedroom, where he had him sit on the bed while he gently wrapped the joint. John watched lazily, wincing and whimpering every now and then as Lin wrapped and tugged at the bandage. He was skilled and gentle as he wound the stretchy cotton tight. When he was finished, John stared down at the white covering that went from his forearm down to his hand.

"I had to restrain you a little, and you almost fell. Sorry about that," Lin apologised awkwardly as he sat beside him. John shook his head as he looked at the bandage. He had no way of knowing if what Lin said was true, but he also had no reason to doubt him. Especially not since the last time. It was still fresh in his mind. The vivid memory of being three fingers deep and gripping his own shaft as the door opened to reveal Lin. He tugged the towel closer and buried his face in it. If I hadn't turned into an omega, would I have become such a terrible pervert? "Whatever you're thinking, stop," Lin murmured as he watched John begin to close in on himself.

"I can't help it...I feel...shameful," he admitted in a small voice. Lin let out a soft sigh and snuck a glance at his half buried face. He couldn't see him through the damp towel he'd pulled up over his head like some sort of veil.

"I think we all feel like that sometimes...Alphas and omegas I mean...We go through changes, and lose ourselves sometimes, whether it's to heats or ruts. What happens during your heat doesn't change who you are." Lin was tentative, resting a comforting hand on John's head. When he didn't shrug it off, he left it there. They remained that way awhile, just sitting in companionable silence. Eventually, John turned his head to look up at him with a vulnerable expression.

"Then who am I?" he asked uncertainly, unable to find the answer himself. Two months ago, he knew exactly who he was. If asked, he would have said he was a priest and exorcist. Devoted to God. Devoted to helping people. He was calm and collected. He knew his goals and had his future more or less planned out. Now, he'd lost his livelihood. His direction. The loss had changed him. He no longer had the calm confidence he'd had before. He was jittery. Nervous. Uncertain. Vulnerable. Where before he'd felt content and safe alone, he was now restless and terrified.

"You're still John Brown. The same kind-hearted, sweet natured young man you've been since I first met you...Maybe you just need time to see it more clearly." Lin didn't miss the pink in John's cheeks as he ducked beneath the towel. "I'll bring you some tea," he decided as he gave John a final affectionate pat on the head. John slowly pulled on some clothes, ending up in his boxers and one of Lin's long T-shirts. It was so long that it fell over his rump to the top of his thighs. Normally, he'd be shy and pull on a pair of pants, but he was still suffering his heat. He could barely tolerate the shirt.

He felt a little timid as he slipped out of the bedroom and padded over to the windowsill. He sat quietly, finding the book he'd started exactly where he'd left it a few days ago. The whole room looked untouched. Was Lin with me the whole time? His cheeks flushed as he slowly began to feel the various aches and bruises. Even his slickened entrance felt tender, though he wasn't really surprised by that. It surprised him that Lin's solid length would fit in his smaller body at all. He pressed his legs together as his body recalled exactly how it felt. He licked his lips as a light, fluttering sensation filled his chest.

"You should stay in the heat room until it's over," Lin chided softly as he reappeared at the top of the stairs with two cups. He was still topless, but had pulled on some black tracksuit bottoms. John's sweet scent was permeating the room now and, though it didn't bother Lin, he didn't like the idea of it seeping out to other alphas. John looked a little sheepish as he turned his head to huddle against the cool glass once more.

"I was a little hot." He obediently followed Lin and returned to the small room, where his sweet scent saturated the air like a cloud. Lin looked apologetic as he kicked the door shut behind them. He didn't argue as John climbed onto the wooden drawers so that he could lean against the wall and look out the bedroom window. The streets below were as quiet as they'd been a few days earlier.

"Sorry, I didn't have air conditioning installed in this room because I haven't used it until now," Lin apologised as he handed him one of the cups. John accepted it and cradled it against his chest, savouring the familiar scent. The cool of the window felt nice against his skin. He was about to say that it didn't matter, because it was only for the next couple of days, but then he wondered. Does Lin mean to make this a permanent thing? "In the long term, it's something I'll need to get sorted," Lin added thoughtfully, noting the way John twitched. He hid the lower part of his face behind the mug.

John watched as Lin adjusted the nest. He wouldn't change the sheets, since John was still going through his heat. He flipped the duvet and tossed the more soiled items aside, replacing them with fresh items from the drawers. The blanket was heavily soiled, but he had another ready, and carefully tucked it into the centre. It looked so good. So cosy. So comforting. Safe. John's toes twitched as he eyed it from his place on the hard wooden drawers. It could wait until he finished his tea. Lin left for a few moments to toss the soiled items into the laundry basket.

He said nothing when he returned to find John rolling and writhing in the nest with the new blanket wrapped around his smaller body. He slowly kicked it off, panting a little as he rested one hand across his forehead. Lin's eyes roved over his body. His slender legs were bare and slightly parted in the nest of random clothes. His black boxers were tight over his now hardened shaft, and the rumpled T-shirt was riding up his waist, leaving his flat stomach bare. He was gorgeous. Especially with the light flush on his cheeks.

"It's starting again," Lin observed as he picked up his tea. The shade of John's cheeks deepened further as he noticed Lin's intense stare over the top of his mug. He nodded quietly, feeling a little better while shrouded in Lin's scent, with soft fabrics caressing his skin. He hummed softly as he closed his eyes and breathed. He could feel the heat washing over him like a gentle tide. It was less intense as his heat slowly drew to a close. He likely had another two days of mild irritation, but it had eased up enough for him to keep control. That's what he thought until his eyes landed on Lin.

Lin's eyes were like melted chocolate, smouldering as he looked at him over his cup. His elegant hand was steady as he held the small handle with long fingers. Fingers that had left trails of fire and ice on his skin barely an hour ago. His lips were slightly wet as he lowered the cup, tongue darting out to catch any stray droplets of tea. He didn't miss the small gasp John let out at the sight, the corner of his mouth quirking almost imperceptibly. He moved over to sit on the edge of the bed beside John's sprawling form. John shuddered as long fingers stroked circles on his ticklish abdomen. The skin dipped and twitched until Lin pressed a little more firmly. He gave no objection as Lin leaned down and hesitated just inches from his lips. He closed the distance.