Archive of Our Own

When your time runs out

And you don’t know where to stand

I’ll step from the shadow

I’m at your command

And when you’re looking for a change

I’ll be what you’re looking for

Even it it’s not who I am

I can change

I can change for you

~Brandon Flowers “I Can Change”~

xXx

“Give it up!” Akihiko shouted across the battlefield. “You’re no match for us and you know it.”

Jin panted heavily holding his wounded shoulder as he glared at the teenagers spread out in front of him. Takaya scowled, hands still raised from where Junpei had ambushed him, the point of his sword inches from his Adam’s apple.

Takaya’s unsettlingly golden eyes moved over to assess Jin’s condition before scoffing and tossing his hair back.

“Very well.” He acquiesced.

“Toss your gun to the middle.” Mitsuru commanded, her rapier held at the ready. From her hidden vantage point Yukari kept her bow trained on Jin, waiting to nail him with another arrow if he tried anything funny.

Minato resisted the urge to sneeze at the harsh scents everyone was pumping out. The team hadn’t been expecting to encounter Strega in this area of Tartarus but he wasn’t completely surprised either. They’d theorized for a while that Strega was hiding in the Dark Hour.

Perhaps without Chidori’s navigator abilities they were unable to hide from SEES like they had before?

“Careful Leader, we don’t know what they are capable of yet.” Fuuka whispered to him through the comms.

“Have it your way.” Takaya slowly reached into his belt and tossed his gun until it came sliding under the toe of Mitsuru’s boot. “Now call off your attack dog, hardly conductive to conversation.”

Mitsuru and Akihiko glanced over their shoulders to look at Minato for his assessment of the situation. Minato recalled Orpheus into his psyche and strolled forward to stand in front of his two senpai. “Junpei, fall back.”

Junpei sucked his teeth but stepped back to stand next to Minato. Takaya’s eyes flicked up to the approximate area of where Yukari had stashed herself. “And your sniper?”

Minato ignored him. “What are you doing here?”

“We don’t have to answer to you.” Jin sneered trying and failing to hide his limp as he made his way over to Takaya.

“You will if you know what’s good for you.” Akihiko raised his fist, his scent turning more acrid as a threat. Minato winced and edged closer to Mitsuru’s icy scent to give his nose a break.

Takaya’s lips curled into a grin as he noticed the subtle movement.

“Conducting business, much as yourselves.” Takaya crossed his arms. “Our business has been impaired by the loss of our associate.”

“Her name is Chidori.” Junpei growled.

“What kind of business?” Minato asked resigning himself to the scent headache he was going to be dealing with later. Normally the scents of over people didn’t bother him too much but they’d been fighting hard today, and he sweated off his scent blocker.

“Fulfilling the requests of our clients.”

“You mean killing people using the Dark Hour to conceal your actions.” Mitsuru scowled.

Takaya sighed deeply, reaching out hand up to rub along his temple. “Are we not doing the same thing you are, eliminating Shadows?”

“The hell they’re the same thing!” Junpei’s lip curled up in disgust.

“Watch your tone!” Jin barked.

“I’ll talk to a murderer however I want!”

“Oh? Are we the only murderers here?” Takaya asked lazily.

“Of course you are!” Junpei swung his sword in agitation.

“Interesting…” Takaya turned his focus to Akihiko and Mitsuru who stiffened upon eye contact with him. What was that? Minato thought to himself.

Minato stepped out further from the group to refocus Takaya’s attention to himself. “Turn yourselves in.”

“And why would we do that?” / “Fat chance!” The two Strega members answered simultaneously.

Minato snapped his fingers and Yukari’s arrow fired perfectly between them with enough power to be buried halfway up the shaft. “We take you in by force.”

“Yeah!” Akihiko punched his knuckles together.

“By force?” Takaya laughed holding his stomach in glee. He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and moved closer to Minato. He took a deep breath and smiled.

“Such harsh words doesn’t fit your … disposition shall we say?” Takaya murmured. Minato repressed any reaction to the subtext of Takaya’s statement. Jin’s eyes widened as he processed the words, he slowly reached one hand into his pocket.

“What does that mean?” Junpei’s scent increased in aggression like someone winding their arm back for a strike.

“I may be a criminal, but isn’t a bigger affront to society to place an omega into such dangerous situations?” From his peripheral vision Minato saw his team tense.

Shit, he knows. Did he smell me?

“Do you see one here?” Minato bluffed, resisting his instinctual pull to retreat towards the safety of his team.

“Let’s find out, shall we?” Takaya smiled. “Jin now!”

“Take this!” Jin threw a vial from his pocket to shatter at Minato’s feet.

“Leader!” / “Arisato!” / “Minato!” His team cried out, Minato heard the whizzing of another arrow and the pained cry from Jin as it found it’s mark, but it was too late.

Gas exploded from the vial and rushed up around the gaps in his fingers as he tried to cover his mouth and nose, jumping away from Strega with battle honed reflexes. He felt the barest hint of Takaya’s fingers trying to grab onto his jacket, but his escape maneuver was successful.

“You bastards!” Akihiko shouted lunging towards Strega with Junpei at his side. Minato felt his eyes water from the harsh fumes and blindly stumbled back into gloved hands- Mitsuru.

“Yamagishi, what’s his status?”

“Scanning!”

“Arisato, can you hear me?” Minato felt Mitsuru guide him to the ground, the smoke from the vial smelt like rotting fruit and sharp ammonia at the same time. He was blinded by tears and heard a strong ringing in his ears.

Minato coughed and gagged at the bile crawling up his throat. Ants were crawling across his skin, it felt pulled tight across his body he needed to- his clothes were too scratchy- his fingers fumbled as he tried to pull them off- sweat trickled down his neck- a sudden cramp in his gut made him whimper in pain- a pure omega sound escaping his dry lips-

He looked up into Mitsuru’s shocked eyes and thought, oh no, then he didn’t think anything at all as Minato fell back unconscious and his inner omega woke up.

xXx

“Anything?” Yukari asked tiredly, leaning against her bow for support. Fuuka raised her hands to Lucia’s displays, her eyes glowing softly as she communed with her Persona. She shook her head sadly.

“He shouldn’t be able to hide himself this thoroughly from me, not without outside help, but Leader has always had unique abilities.” Fuuka bit her lip. “How is Senpai?”

Yukari looked over at where Mitsuru-senpai was laid out, Junpei’s jacket serving as her pillow. “Still out cold. The boys should be back soon, maybe they’ve found a clue.”

Fuuka dismissed Lucia and sat down next to Yukari, hugging her knees to her chest. Guilt sat heavily in her chest. If she wasn’t able to find Leader soon they may be forced to leave Tartarus without him.

Everything happened so quickly. They had been heading back to the entrance from their exploration that day when they’d stumbled into Strega. The team had been quick to snap to attention and overwhelm them, but no one had expected them to be armed with an inducer of all things.

Junpei and Akihiko-senpai had rushed after Strega but by that time their Leader had succumbed to the drug. Fuuka only had a moment to register his readings as tipping into a feral state before he overpowered Mitsuru-senpai, ripped his sensor off, and disappeared into Tartarus.

Their Leader hadn’t kept his status a secret, but he didn’t advertise it either. Fuuka knew because Lucia had told her and as a fellow omega she could feel a kinship with him. She suspected Mitsuru-senpai knew because she’d read his file.

“Did you know Leader was an omega?” Fuuka asked. Yukari blearily looked up from where she’d been dropping off.

“I had a hunch. He’s too sensitive to smells to be a beta. Figured he was too laid back to be an alpha either.” Yukari snorted. “Could you imagine Minato as a knot-head?”

Fuuka giggled. “No, I can’t. He’d probably say ‘I don’t care’ if someone went into heat near him.”

“Ugh, what happened?” Mitsuru-senpai groaned clutching at her head as she sat up.

“Mitsuru-senpai!” Yukari and Fuuka jumped up and ran over to the older girl. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I was hit by a landslide.” Mitsuru-senpai rubbed dried blood off her hand.

“I think you were.” Yukari mumbled. “Minato fired off his evoker like a gunslinger. By the time I jumped down you were already on the ground and he was gone.”

“I see.” Mitsuru-senpai stared blankly Leader’s armband held loosely in Yukari’s hand before her gaze sharpened. “Status report.”

“Tired, no injuries.” Yukari yawned.

“I’m fine,” Fuuka threaded her fingers together nervously. “but I’m worried the Dark Hour outside Tartarus will be ending soon. Junpei and Akihiko-senpai should be on their way back soon.”

“We’re here.” Junpei wiped his forehead with his hat. “Creepy fuckers are like ghosts.”

“Language.” Mitsuru-senpai scolded tiredly.

“Sorry Senpai.” Junpei crashed down next to Yukari who pushed him away from her. The two second year betas quickly began sniping and bickering with each other.

“Arisato?” Mitsuru-senpai asked her own classmate. Akihiko-senpai loosened the straps on his gloves and shook his head.

“It’s hard to track scents in here and Minato’s is softer than most. I could follow him for a few turns but it’s gone by the next staircase.”

“Lucia?”

Fuuka shook her head. “Nothing, Strega or Leader.”

Mitsuru-senpai stood with a sigh. “We’ve reached our limit then. Further energy expenditure will be foolish. We’ll retire to the dorm for now and reconvene the search tomorrow.” She paused. “If we need a sharper nose, do you think he’d be willing to help?” She posed this vague question to Akihiko-senpai.

Akihiko-senpai looked away and rubbed the back of his neck. His scent began to pump out notes that read to her omega senses as remorseful. There was a story there, but she didn’t want to pry. “… I can ask.” He said finally.

“Do so.” Mitsuru-senpai flipped her hair back over her shoulder. “Alright SEES, move out.”

Fuuka fell into line behind Yukari as they trudged towards the entrance of the labyrinth. “Will Leader be okay by himself?”

Yukari gave her a gentle smile. “I’m sure he’ll be fine, Minato can defeat gatekeepers by himself if he really wanted to.”

xXx

Pharos tilted his head as he felt the ripple of the Tower signaling that they were alone once more. “Do you trust me now? I told you I would hide you from them.”

Minato huffed and rolled over so his back was facing Pharos. His shaking hands curled into the sleeves of his discarded jacket and pulled it tighter across his body. Kikuri-hime tutted softly and adjusted the cloak she draped over his shoulders. Pharos felt a jolt in the Sea as Queen Mab appeared next to contribute her garment as well.

Pharos would also be in Minato’s personal space, but Minato had bared his small omega fangs in threat when he tried to get closer. Pharos pouted. He wanted to snuggle with Minato too! But he surmised that Minato’s Personas didn’t register as a threat to his senses since they were a part of him.

Pharos, as neither human nor Persona, must have been confusing to his overwhelmed instincts.

He was pulled out of his musings when Minato let out an omega sub-vocalization.

Cold-discomfort

“Not happy yet?” Pharos hummed.

“The ground is harsh.” Kikuri-hime chimed. “Omegas need soft things.” Pharos considered this as he exerted his influence over the Tower to summon something more appropriate for his dearest one.

The pressure of the air changed as two Nemean Beasts with chains wrapped around them emerged from the shadows. Jack Frost growled from within Minato’s arms at the lion’s approach.

“Don’t mind them.” Pharos scolded the magician. “You’ll distress Minato. They won’t disobey me, I asked them to bring something more comfortable.”

“Empress has chair with blanket, my Prince.”  One of the Beasts said with a bowed head. The omega turned his head curiously at their approach and when he saw there was a large, cushioned chair being pulled behind them he let out a happy trill.

Nest-mine?

“Of course, here.” Pharos approached and tried to pick Minato up, but Minato’s body was much larger than his and he couldn’t wrap his arms around him. Orpheus appeared silently from behind Minato to lift him up then gently laid Minato out on the lounge.

Pharos followed and knelt at the blue-haired boy’s side in supplication. Kikuri-hime and Queen Mab came over to fuss over Minato and tuck their cloaks around him again like nursemaids.

“Isn’t this better than the ground?” Jack Frost wobbled over to the chair and gave the cushion a few exploratory pats.

“Hee ho!” The Persona concluded with a nod and jumped on top of the chair. The smaller Persona snuggled under Minato’s arms until the omega clutched him closer like a stuffed animal.

“Good?” Pharos threaded his fingers carefully through Minato’s sweaty bangs. The omega’s gray eyes were hazy and unfocused when he looked up at Pharos. Minato mewled and bumped his cheek against Pharos’ hand affectionately, spreading his scent against cold skin.

Pharos loved Minato’s marine and jasmine scent. Normally the omega wore high collared shirts and long sleeves, so it was harder to catch it but now it leeched from his scent glands like blood in water.

“Are you hungry, thirsty?” the omega gave a soft whine in response.

Hungry-feed?

 “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything.” Pharos turned and barked orders into the shadows, energy zipped around the Tower as his subjects raced to carry out his will. Within moments Gigas marched over carrying goblets and open chests with food items. Minato’s Personas watched their procession with steely gazes until the Gigas melded back into the Tower.

Pharos selected a piece of fruit and held it up to Minato’s lips, Minato closed his eyes and leaned forward to partake in the morsels offered to him. After eating a few more bites, Minato winced and whined, shutting his eyes together tightly.

Hurt-tired

“Sleep. I’ll watch over you.” As I always have and always will. Pharos thought to himself.

Minato snuggled deeper into Jack Frost’s head. Pharos pushed down a sudden burst of jealousy and stayed vigilant at Minato’s side until his breaths evened out to sleep.

“Reaper.” Pharos felt as somewhere within the Tower the monster stopped and listened. “Anything that comes near this floor you eliminate, otherwise I will pull your bloody buttons out myself one by one.”

There was a pause. “As you command Prince.” The Reaper eventually responded.

xXx

“This is… highly upsetting news.” Ikutsuki said frowning deeply and slumping back into his chair.

“Indeed.” Mitsuru sighed crossing her arms. “With Yamagishi’s scans not able to locate Arisato there was little point in risking the rest of the team by staying in Tartarus any longer.”

Ikutsuki tapped his fingers against the armrest of his chair. “This is a priority. Ready the team to return to Tartarus until Minato-kun can be found.”

“Sir?” Mitsuru looked up surprised.

“We cannot risk the life of one our teammates Mitsuru.” The chairman stood up and walked over to the command center’s console.

“Well, yes, but Arisato is a capable fighter and-“

“He has excellent combat ability and under normal circumstances I wouldn’t be worried,” Ikutsuki paused. “but an omega doused by feralazine would find themselves reduced down to their instincts which is a dangerous position for anyone to be in.”

“Feralazine?” Mitsuru questioned glancing over at the summary of the incident she’d written. None of them had known what Strega had thrown at them so she’d omitted naming the liquid. How does he know what it was?

Ikutsuki typed steadily at the center console, pulling up different camera views of Port Island and live feedback from the shadow activity sensors. His eyes were unreadable behind his glasses; Penthesilea’s ability gave her the sense that he was mulling over his words carefully.

Eventually Ikutsuki turned to look at her with a pitying look on his face. “You didn’t recognize it?”

Oh, of course. Mitsuru thought to herself. Everything came back to Kirijo group eventually.

“It was a failed experiment to increase compatibility with Persona.” He shook his head. “All it ended up doing was reducing the chil-“ Ikutsuki cut off with a sudden coughing fit.

Mitsuru quickly walked over the refreshment cabinet and procured a bottle of water for him to drink. “Here take this.”

“T-Thank *cough* *cough* you.” He took a long drag of the bottle. “Sorry about that, guess I had a frog in my throat haha!”

“Don’t worry about it, what were you saying about feralazine?”

“Oh yes.” Ikutsuki cleared his throat. “The volunteers in the experiment disconnected from their ego completely so they were ruled entirely by id. Or in layman’s terms- they went feral.” Ikutsuki turned back to the reports pouring through the command center. “Minato-kun must be in an extremely precarious situation right now, I must insist that SEES return to the Tower tonight.”

“I don’t disagree with your assessment, but the team is exhausted. We encountered Strega after we had already cleared two gatekeepers. Returning to Tartarus in these conditions could put more team members at risk.”

“If you feel that strongly about it, then appoint someone to take Minato’s place.” Ikutsuki asked returning to typing steadily on the keyboard.

“What?” Mitsuru asked shocked.

“Wouldn’t Junpei-kun like the chance to be the one calling the shots? Or maybe Yukari-chan would enjoy having a bigger role in the team. Akihiko-kun is always spoiling for a fight- maybe he could summon another Persona and fill the gap.”

“Sir, I,” Mitsuru’s mind stumbled as she tried to follow the chairman’s logic. Replace Arisato as field leader? The team had been growing steadily under his leadership and their progress these past few months alone was more than she and Akihiko had accomplished in years. She was so close to her goal… to stop now would be…

When she failed to say anything else Ikutsuki sighed loudly and took his glasses off. He raised his right hand to rub at the bridge of his nose. “Do you understand now? He’s irreplaceable, we- you- need him. You have worked so hard to correct the mistakes of the past.”

Ikutsuki stood up and rested his hand gently on Mitsuru’s shoulder. “I have seen how much effort you’ve put in, how tired your father looks whenever we meet- but when he reads your progress reports there’s a spark in his eye.”

“Really?” She hated how childish the word sounded.

“Don’t give up. Your efforts aren’t wasted.” He squeezed her shoulder then dropped his hand again.

“I’ve only come this far with your support.” Mitsuru demurred. “What do you suggest we do next?”

Ikutsuki crossed his arms behind his back, the lines of his body becoming hard. “Recover Minato at all costs. He’s essential to our mission.”

“Yes sir. Akihiko is seeking out Shinji right now for his aid.”

Ikutsuki smiled. “Good, now go ready the rest of the team.”

“Understood.” Mitsuru turned and left the command center. Everyone else was asleep so she made sure to step down the stairs lightly, the sun wouldn’t be up for a few more hours.

When she changed into her pajamas and laid down to sleep a thought popped into her head that kept her awake for a while longer.

If it was a Kirijo group drug, then how did Strega get their hands on it?

xXx

Pharos tried to weather Minato’s fussing with as much dignity as he could muster. Once the omega’s immediate needs had been met he’d latched onto the idea that Pharos’ younger appearance and lack of scent meant he was a pup instead of potential threat.

Specifically, his pup.

“Minato that tickles.” Pharos whined. Minato ignored him and continued to rub his wrists against Pharos’ cheeks. Truthfully Pharos didn’t mind the affection from the normally reticent boy but the eyes of Orpheus over the back of the nest felt judgmental.

“I can’t stop him.” Pharos explained. Minato leaned in to sniff at Pharos’ skin then let out a happy chirp. The omega grabbed the blankets Pharos had the shadows bring earlier to rub them against the stronger scent glands in his neck before tucking them around Pharos.

“You are not trying very hard.” Orpheus commented plucking out lazy notes on his lyre.

That was true but Pharos wasn’t going to admit it. Something about being this close to Minato, sharing body heat wrapped up tight in his nest, shrinking the space between them- felt right.

He wanted to be closer.

The black-haired boy wrapped his arms around Minato and snuggled into his chest. Minato gave an approving purr and Pharos felt his arms wrapped around him in turn. Minato’s head rested on top of Pharos’, chest to chest as they were it felt like the omega’s purr was vibrating through Pharos’ whole body.

“Does this feel as nice for you as it does for me?” Pharos questioned. “I can’t remember anyone ever holding me before, but I like it a lot.”

Minato shifted underneath Pharos’ smaller body until their legs were tangled together too. Pharos took that as his answer.

Pharos felt his eyelids begin to drop. He’d never slept before, beings like him didn’t need to, but wrapped in the soothing marine scent of Minato, embraced by his warm body, a bubble of comfort for just the two of them, it put him into a potent sense of ease.

From outside the nest, Orpheus began to play a tune Pharos recognized from Minato’s childhood. It was a lullaby, a sweet song about saying goodnight to the birds and the moon. Pharos hummed along until both boys drifted off into dreams.

xXx

The Omega stirred from his nest, his pup was sleeping- a slightly chilly weight on his chest. He sniffed his hair curiously and clicked his tongue. His scent had faded from his pup’s hair again. Omega craned his neck and started to gently rub the scent glands on his cheeks against the pup.

He was careful to move as minimally as possible. Omega’s pup had been awake each time that Omega woke up so he was sure that the pup needed to sleep. Although it was nice that his little companion was so eager to wait on him hand and foot.

Omega cooed when his pup shifted in his sleep with a sleepy mumble. What a cute baby he had. Omega didn’t remember when he had a baby but something in his gut told him that the boy was his, that they belonged together, so he didn’t question it too much.

Any kind of thinking made his head hurt, he felt like he was swimming in a deep fog, when he tried to clear the cobwebs- his vision blurred and ears rang so he gave up.

The situation wasn’t too bad.

His resourceful pup had whatever they needed brought to them, their nest was small but cozy, and a pleasant song was drifting through the air.

The only thing that would make it better would be if the ache in his abdomen would go away.

He’d been able to ignore it, but the ache had been making itself more apparent over the last few days. Sometimes he would catch a hint of a spicy scent that would make the ache sharpen in a way the omega didn’t fully understand, but then something would happen and the scent would disappear again.

It felt like there was something missing. An emptiness deep inside was becoming more apparent and the spicy scent would be able to soothe his pains.

Would be able to fill him up.

“… Minato…. You… okay?” Omega looked down in surprise, his pup had woken up when he was lost in thought. The omega rubbed his hands up his pup’s back soothingly. He purred to show that everything was fine and tried to get him to settle again.

He laid back down but his bright blue eyes were creased in concern. His mouth moved and sounds came out that didn’t translate into any meaning in the omega’s foggy head. His pup frowned then tried again.

“Food?”

“Pup hungry?” The omega asked. He’d been trying to use speech more, bigger words were still hard for him to parse.

His puppy’s eyes glittered in excitement. “Feed me?” The omega nodded and gestured for one of his friends to hand him the basket of bread that his pup had brought earlier. The tall one put his instrument down and handed over the basket.

The omega lifted up each piece one by one to his nose experimentally to find the best one to feed his pup with. He settled on one that was firm with paste inside. He broke smaller chunks off and held them up to the pup’s mouth until he accepted them. His playful child nipped at the ends of his fingers.  

His pup made grabby hands for the bun and broke off pieces himself to feed the omega with. The blue-haired boy rolled his eyes but allowed his silly pup’s antics. They took turns breaking pieces off until the bun was finished.

The omega leaned over outside the nest and grabbed the handle for a jar of water. “Open.” He tipped the jar into his pup’s mouth then raised it to his own lips to satisfy his thirst. He placed the jar back down.

Water had spilled from the corners of his pup’s mouth, he grabbed his discarded jacket and wiped his face clean. His pup gave him a small smile when he was done. The omega returned the jacket to the nest then looked down at his clothes.

There were dark patches of dried blood and other debris. He frowned and sat up to take his shirt off. “Dirty.” He complained.

His pup’s eyes grew larger the more clothing he removed. Now that he noticed his shirt was stained, he found the rest of his clothes to be similarly affected and the thought of the itchy fabric against his skin felt like agony.

“Bath?” His pup asked. The omega nodded, trying to get the offending materials away from his sensitive skin as soon as possible. His pup hummed in thought then brightened when an idea came to him.

“Follow me!” he chirped, linking hands with the omega and pulling him out of the nest.

xXx

“They were here.” Shinjiro said later, taking a step back from the pile of discarded food items and blankets.

“They?” Yukari questioned.

“Yeah ‘they’.” Shinjiro nodded. “I can smell two scents on the blankets, one of them matches the scent you gave me but I don’t know who the other one is.” Shinjiro rubbed his nose. “Something’s weird about it too- makes my nose itch.”

“Strega?” Mitsuru inquired frowning.

“Nah, I know what those bastards smell like.”

“How?” Akihiko crossed his arms.

Shinjiro shrugged. “Just do, leave it Aki.”

“Any sign of the Reaper, Fuuka?” Junpei asked.

“Nothing yet.” She answered. “It’s odd though, it feels like the Reaper is trying to keep us away from the stairs.”

Mitsuru hummed, tapping her boot in thought. “Is it possible it knows where Arisato is?”

“If it did, why would it be, what, guarding him?” Yukari scoffed. “Maybe we just have bad luck.”

Akihiko rubbed a hand against the back of his head. “Yeah maybe, there’s still so much we don’t know.”

“You’re right about that.” Yukari glanced at Mitsuru then away again. Shinjiro caught the exchange but decided it was none of his business.

“Come on.” He hefted his axe over his shoulder. “I can smell a trace this way.”

xXx

When Minato came up from dunking his body under water, he felt clarity returning to his mind. Maybe that drug was still on his skin and clothes so it hadn’t worn off earlier? Whatever it was, he was glad to be on the other side of it now.

He was able to remember his name and recognized that his pup was actually Pharos… which in hindsight should have been obvious- Minato was still a virgin so how could he have given birth?

Omega instincts made no sense sometimes.

He was less worried about the Pharos-pup mix up and more worried about his rapidly approaching heat. He had no idea how long he’d been in Tartarus which meant that he was most likely several days, if not weeks, behind on his suppressants.

Which brought him to his current situation.

“Pharos, I have to go back.” Minato repeated.

Pharos pouted and rolled around in their, ugh stupid instincts, Minato’s nest unrepentantly. “But why? We were having so much fun together.”

“I’m going into heat soon.”

“Okay?” Pharos tilted his head. “You’re always warm.”

Minato allowed himself a small groan and ran a hand through his hair. “Not that kind of heat. I have to be someplace safe for it.”

“We can go somewhere else!” Pharos exclaimed, then deflated and buried his head under the blanket like a sad kitten. “But I can only stay with you during the Dark Hour and it lasts longer in Tartarus.”

“Where do you go the rest of the time?”

“I’m always with you.” Pharos answered vaguely. “But it’s much better this way when we can talk!”

“I won’t be interested in talking during my heat.”

“We can do other stuff too! I liked cuddling.” Pharos said shyly peeking over the edge of the nest at Minato hopefully.

Minato huffed and stepped over to the nest to sit down next to Pharos. “Do you know what a heat is?”

Pharos took advantage of Minato’s position to crawl into his lap dragging a blanket over both of them. Minato rolled his eyes but allowed it. It was hard to tell time in Tartarus but he guessed that he still had time before the first wave would start. His cramps were minimal and easily ignored.

“A fever?” Pharos dragged Minato’s hand up to his head so he would pet him. Sweet pup his inner omega cooed. Not our pup Minato hissed back at it.

“It’s a breeding cycle.” Minato deadpanned.

“Breeding?” Pharos trailed off thinking. Minato saw the moment it clicked in his head because he went bright red.

“Do you get it now?”

Pharos’s pout turned stubborn. “I could still bring you food and water.”

“You’re a child.” Minato rejected. He didn’t think he would be able to do what he needed to do if Pharos’ bright blue eyes were staring at him.

“Like this, maybe.” Pharos shrugged.

“What does that even mean?” No response, which Minato was expecting honestly. It would be weirder if Pharos suddenly started answering all his questions.

Pharos huffed and tucked his face in the crook of Minato’s neck. His breaths tickled and Minato resisted the urge to squirm.

“I don’t like being away from you.” Minato opened his mouth to refute the boy once more but found that he couldn’t. It was odd, maybe a remnant of his feral state, but he also felt something inside him relax when he was close to Pharos.

Still.

“You can’t help me, only an alpha can.” Minato ran a comforting hand up and down Pharos’ back.

Pharos mumbled something against his shoulder but it was too soft for Minato make out the words. Minato closed his eyes and rested his head against the back on the nest. It was a new one, Pharos had said that the old one was ‘soiled’ and dragged Minato deeper into Tartarus. Minato didn’t recognize the block they were in; he assumed they must have been higher up because it was a lot brighter than previous areas.

His instincts were still too close to the surface for him to ignore the sadness leaking out of Pharos’ undeveloped scent glands; a soothing purr started up in his chest. Pharos twitched at the vibration then haltingly a responding child’s purr echoed back.

“Can’t we stay like this? You didn’t need a dumb alpha before.” Minato could feel the force of Pharos’ pout against his neck.

He re-adjusted Pharos in his lap to give his hips a break and wrapped his arms around his slim waist. “I don’t have my suppressants.”

Pharos perked up, leaning back to look at Minato. “Those white pills I see you take sometimes?”

“How do you-“

“I know where they are!” Pharos scrambled off of the omega’s lap and tucked the blankets making up the walls of the nest around Minato’s body. “I can get them for you! Then you can stay with me!”

“I could get them myself if you let me leave.” Minato rolled his eyes. Cold hands grabbed his cheeks and forced him to look into glowing blue eyes.

“It’s not safe.” Pharos’ fingers curled around the hinge of Minato’s jaw. “You don’t have the strength to stand right now.”

Minato broke eye contact. Pharos was right but he didn’t want to admit it. When they were relocating, he’d been ridden on the back of a Shadow made docile by Pharos holding a firm hand on the back of it’s neck.  

“Stay in the nest.” Pharos gave him a gentle closed lip smile. “I can get in and out of your room without anyone noticing.”

I know.

Minato huffed and leaned over until he was laying down on his side, the blanket walls of the nest obscuring Pharos’ smug smile from his vision.

“If you’re so worried about me then why are you leaving me alone?”

“I’m not.” Pharos cooed. “Haven’t you noticed all our friends?”

“Hee ho!”

Minato shot back up incredulously. Crouched together across the room Jack Frost and Decarabaria were taking turns poking at a terrified Maya. Orpheus was playing his lyre and appeared to be ignoring Succubus and Angel that were battling over who could get his attention.

“Why-“

“-are they here?” Pharos put a finger to his chin and tilted his head. “I don’t know actually.” The child turned to the group and cupped his hands around his mouth to shout. “Hey! Why’re all of you here?”

Succubus gave up on the stoic Orpheus and batted her wings to fly in lazy circles above the nest. “Minato opened the door, so we decided to explore.”

“Door?”

“Between reality and the Sea.” Succubus undulated in the air, twisting her body as if she was riding waves. “That’s where we are until you summon us.”

“Is that why I feel so tired? Because you’re here?”

“It costs you energy to issue commands and manifest their magic.” Pharos cut in. “Neither of which you’ve been doing.”

“Unless you count Orpheus’ fingers.” Succubus purred. “You’re his reflection, right? Are they as good at plucking a woman as they are making music?”

Minato pushed down the blush that spread up across the back of his neck. “Please don’t say things like that right now.”

“Huh?” Succubus rolled over until she was right-side up again. Her nose twitched as she took in a deep breath. “Oh boy!” She sounded delighted. “Your heat is close isn’t it, baby?” Her smile turned teasing. “Mind if I watch?”

Before Minato could respond there was a twist in the air then the sound of a bubble popping. Succubus dissolved into black swirls like someone rubbing out a graphite drawing. She shot an irritated look at Pharos before she was completely gone.

Pharos hummed rocking up onto the balls of his feet. “I guess she had to go back into the Sea?”

Minato was so over him. “Just go get my suppressants. I’ll stay here.”

“Whatever you say dearest!”

xXx

Minato tossed in the nest. The temperature in the chamber had been steadily increasing- bearing down on him like a wool coat. He’d kicked all the blankets off his body earlier, along with most of his clothes. He looked longing at the marble floor and contemplated laying across it like a starfish at low tide.

 Jack Frost was trying to help by sending streams of cold air over his flushed skin but honestly the drain of casting magic was starting to give him a headache.

He threw an arm over his eyes and tried to block out all the light in the room. “Pharos?”

No response.

Just like the last ten times.

Minato pretended that the wetness he felt growing into a puddle underneath him was sweat but he wasn’t sure how much longer he could fool himself into believing that. His scent must have saturated into the walls at this point- nauseatingly sweet and cloying.

His inner omega was pressing against the walls of his psyche. Minato clenched his hands into fists trying to keep a hold of his consciousness. Any moment now he was going to lose the battle and stumble out into the night trying to find someone, anyone, to slake his need.

He groaned and rolled over onto his side, both arms wrapping around his stomach. His cramps roiled inside like the swells of a storm. He felt so empty inside and his body was making sure he suffered for it.

“Leave.” Minato clenched his jaw.

“Hee?”

“Dismissed.”

“Hee ho.” Jack Frost said sadly before Minato felt the distinct snip of connection cut off between them and his battle honed senses told him that he was alone.

Minato had dismissed the other Personas earlier when he felt the cramps first intensify. Orpheus had been the only one to leave without being asked, Minato assumed that their closer connection shared more than he’d probably wanted to about how wretched he felt.

Finally without an audience Minato gave in and shoved his hand down the back of his boxers.

Just the tips, he told himself. Maybe if I take the edge off a little it will help.

At the first brush of fingers against his twitching hole a loud moan tore out of his throat. Electricity raced up his pine, his toes flexed, and he shoved two fingers in until his palm slapped against his rim.

Fuck.

It felt so good.

It wasn’t enough.

Minato began to greedily pump his fingers in and out, never retreating far enough away to slide out completely. His virgin hole was tight, he could hear the wet schlik schlik sound of his index and ring finger moving in and out of himself.

He immediately apologized in his head for all the times he’d judged Junpei for being too loud late at night. If this was what it felt like to masturbate he could understand.

Endorphins sparking in his brain like fireworks. He shifted onto his knees and chest to get a better angle.

The rough fabric of the nest rubbed on his hardened nipples, Minato cried out again. He hadn’t even known that would feel good! He dragged the two nubs on his chest against it again, pleasure sparking down his spine.

Soft ah, ah, ah, fell from his lips. Spit dripped from the corner of his lips. He pumped his fingers faster trying to chase the high he was feeling.

It wasn’t enough for him to tip over into deeper pleasure. His inner omega cried out for more.

Deeper, deeper, deeper, it chanted.

Minato dug his other hand onto the walls of the nest so he wouldn’t fall out. He pressed back inside with three fingers, his eyelids fluttered at the delicious stretch against his walls. His fingertips just barely grazed a spot inside him that felt incredible.

He spread his knees to give his pumping hand more room, slick smeared against his cheeks and dripped down his hand to coat his wrist. Jasmine so thick in the air Minato felt he could bite down and his mouth would be filled with petals.

The omega rubbed his nipples harder against the blankets for greater friction, he was winding a coil tighter and tighter inside waiting for it to snap.

One of his knees slid out the nest changing the angle of his hips, his slammed his fingers hard against that spot inside- Minato bit down on his lip as climax overtook his senses, slick oozing from his hole that he hadn’t stopped thrusting into.

Orgasm stuffed his head full of wool, despair chasing its heels.

He was still empty inside.

His fingers weren’t long enough, weren’t thick enough. He changed angles, altered his speed- long pushes instead of quick twitches which did nothing but frustrate him more.

He needed-

He needed-

Somewhere, so faint he almost missed it, there was a spicy scent on the air. Minato dropped his mouth open to taste it across his tongue.

Alpha.

The omega dragged himself off the chair, panting, trying to figure out which direction the scent was coming from.

Alpha would help him, would fill him up so deeply that he would never feel alone again.

Slick trickled down his legs as he stumbled like a newborn deer trying to walk. He braced one hand against the wall for stability, smearing his cum coated fingers.

His boxers fell down his ankles, he kicked them off angrily before they could cause him to fall. His bangs stuck to his face with sweat obscuring his vision, in the distance he could make out the top of a stairwell.

The alpha’s scent drifted up the stairs like a finger crooking him closer.

He made to the stairs and took the first step down.

CRASH.

A loud sound behind him startled him causing him to lose his footing, he tipped forward ready to fall until a grip like iron grabbed onto his wrist and yanked him backwards.

Pharos stood there, head tilted towards the ground. The bottle of Minato’s suppressants lay broken at his feet. His hand was shaking.

“Where… where are you going?”

Minato tugged on his wrist trying to free himself. “Alpha.”

 “I’m sorry I took so long, I’ll do better, don’t leave.” Pharos babbled.

“Let go.” The bones in his wrist creaked from the pressure Pharos was exerting on him. Minato tried to pull his arm away before they snapped. “Hurts.”

Pharos gasped and dropped his wrist. “Sorry, I, I didn’t mean to-“ Minato snatched his wrist back, cradling it to his chest before turning to head back down the stairs.

Minato ignored the twinge in his chest and kept walking away from the blue-eyed boy. “Need alpha.” He opened his mouth again and closed his eyes to focus past the heat clouding his mind. That enticing spicy scent was just on the tip of his tongue, and felt vaguely familiar…

“If I was an alpha you’d stay?” Pharos’ tone was strange, unlike anything he heard before.

Minato felt the pressure in the air change, almost like he was being rapidly compressed then expanded again, not unlike the time they’d tried to enter Tartarus through the gym.

Then,

Moonlight casting a glow in his room.

Ocean waves beating against rocks.

Laying on his back gazing up at the stars.

Alpha.

Minato turned around and fell onto his hands and feet at the intensity of the smell. It was completely unlike anything he’d ever felt in his life.

If the scent before was a whisper on the wind this was an iron hook catching in his gut and yanking him closer.

That scent promised safety, promised understanding, complete trust that he could bare his soul and be held gently.

“Alpha?” Minato called out.

The room had turned pitch black, as if someone had pulled a curtain over the sun. The alpha’s scent was beckoning him deeper into the room. Minato followed it in a trance until he couldn’t see his hands in front of his face anymore.

“Alpha?” He tried again.

He reached his hands out in front of him so he wouldn’t smash his face against any of the walls. Warm fingers slid up his palms until their fingers were laced together. Minato squeezed his hand, the hand against his felt larger, the fingers long and smooth like a musician’s.

He tilted his head up, his gray eyes locking onto bright blue ones.

“Pharos?”

The alpha drew him in until they were pressed together. He was naked, their chests rising and falling with breath in sync.

“No, I don’t think so dearest.” A melodious voice answered him. The alpha released one of Minato’s hands and grabbed his chin tilting his head back. Warm breaths puffed over his scent gland before soft lips smoothed over his skin.

“Ah” Minato gasped.

The lips parted, the alpha’s tongue dragged up his neck tasting his oil. “Delicious.” He rumbled. “You’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted Minato.”

Minato lifted his chin higher, exposing more of his neck. He pressed his hips against the Alpha’s growing erection. “Alpha please.”

“I’ll take care of you.” The alpha brushed his lips against Minato’s, Minato chased his touch when he pulled away. “But I’m a little angry right now.”

Strong hands grabbed hold of the omega’s shoulders and forced him to his knees, the alpha’s hard cock slapping against his face, tacky pre-cum smearing onto his cheek. Minato turned his head and mouthed against his shaft, salt blooming across his tongue.

The alpha groaned and used one hand to grab the base of his dick. He hooked his index finger inside the omega’s mouth and held his jaw wide like a fish on a hook. “You’ll have to make it up to me.”

Minato nodded eagerly, rubbing his sticky thighs together, before the alpha stuffed his cock between Minato’s lips.

“mmph!” Minato choked- he tried to pull back but the alpha refused to let him move away. Tears sprung to the omega’s eyes, lungs burning from the sudden lack of air, wet muscles of his throat spasming around the thick cock.

“Ah ah ah.” The alpha chided. “Be good, you’re apologizing remember? Now suck.”

Minato rested his hands against the other boy’s thighs and tried not to gag. He swallowed around his mouthful of dick and when the alpha moaned encouragingly he hesitantly moved his head up and down the shaft.

He’d never given a blow job before. His teeth scrapped when he pulled back and his tongue felt clumsy in his mouth, drool dripped down his chin- he hoped the alpha couldn’t see him that well in the dark because he was sure he looked downright sloppy.

“Harder, I’ll help you.”

The alpha removed his finger from Minato’s jaw and wrapped both hands around the back of the omega’s head, his nails scratched pleasantly against his scalp and Minato moaned in bliss.

“Nnh!” The alpha’s breath hitched.

His hands pulled Minato into a faster rhythm, up, down, in, out, Minato barely hard time to take a quick breath before thick cock was stuffing him full again. He was getting lightheaded from the lack of air, eyes rolling back.

Minato shifted his legs underneath him, grinding his cunt against the heel of his foot. Sweet friction made him moan louder, vibrations travelling down the alpha’s dick until he too cried out.

Encouraged, Minato curled his hands around the back of the alpha’s built thighs and pulled him closer. “Good boy Mina.” The alpha panted out, his hands fisting in Minato’s hair. “I’m, hah, close. You won’t let any spill will you?”

The omega perked up and re-doubled his efforts. In a moment of inspiration, he cupped the alpha’s heavy balls in one hand and rolled them between his fingers. His hips shifted rapidly as he rammed his clit against his own foot again and again.

Minato pulled back until only the head rested on his lips then he rapidly flicked his tongue against the spongy tip, he sucked lightly and dug his tongue into the smaller divot trying to encourage his spend to come out.

“M-Minato.” The alpha stammered, he was so close the omega could tell. Minato took a deep breath then pressed all the way down until his nose was nestled into wiry pubic hair. He sucked, hard, pressing his dull omega fangs onto where his knot would inflate.

“Ah!” The alpha bowled over Minato, hands fisting in his hair as his cock kicked and salty semen spilled down his esophagus. Minato purred, gently tracing patterns on his thighs as he swallowed down as much as he could.

His own orgasm left his head foggy, hole twitching, he was perfectly content to breathe in the alpha’s musk and suck on his cock like a soother. His mind was blissfully blank and he floated….

xXx

“Alpha.” Minato mewled in his arms. He was face down, ass up, his alpha’s face buried between his cheeks. He pressed his hips back; the alpha pulled his face back and gave his right cheek a nip in retaliation.

“Stay still, I just want a taste.”

“T-That’s what you said b-before.” Minato had already come twice, his knees were aching from the hard ground- he wasn’t sure when he would run out of slick. Anything that escaped his alpha’s avarice he chased down with his fingers and forced Minato to lick them clean.

It was demeaning and made him even wetter, which was the worst part.

“Does it feel bad?” Long fingers pet soothingly over the curve of his hips, the alpha’s ocean scent turning into brine with guilt. “Mina if it feels bad, I’ll stop.”

Hot puffs of air escaped Minato, he wiped the spit leaking from his lips on his forearm. His vision was blurry, tears bunching his eyelashes together. He couldn’t think, aftershocks tingled and sparked in his nerves like he’d been hit with an electric attack.

He heard the creak of joints moving before a warm weight draped over his back, something hard slotting between his thighs and brushing teasingly against his pussy. Soft kisses pressed into his hair, a soothing rumble vibrating through the alpha’s chest to Minato’s ribs.

“Talk to me, don’t go somewhere I can’t follow…”

Minato fought the urge to roll his eyes then gave in and rolled them to heaven anyway. The audacity of this beast to act cute after tormenting him like this. Despite his agitation, Minato tilted his head to allow more kisses to rain down on his skin, a matching purr trapped behind his teeth.

The alpha shifted to press his knees into the back of Minato’s and tangled their feet together. His hands trailed down the omega’s arms with a ghost-like touch until he laced their fingers together. The skin Minato could see was smooth and pale like porcelain.

Minato’s hands and arms were stretched out in front of him until they were fully extended and he had to rely on his core strength to avoid flopping onto the ground entirely.

His arms are long. Minato thought, idly admiring the lean lines of muscle the action exposed. He should probably care more about being ravaged by an unknown alpha in a dark room in Tartarus of all places…

… but honestly the omega’s biggest complaint was that they were doing all of this on the ground and not his soft nest.

Plus, the alpha didn’t really feel like a stranger…

“Name.”

The alpha’s tongue paused from where it had been tracing the sweat dripping down his back. “Hmm?” He mouthed over the top knob of Minato’s spine.

“Y-your name.” Minato yelped.

“Name…” The alpha went quiet, his scent shifting between amusement and discontent.

“You said you’re not Pharos,” Minato flexed his trapped fingers; the alpha tightened his grip on Minato’s hands. “so what should I call you? I don’t want to keep crying out ‘alpha alpha’ like some cheap porn.”

His partner humped once, his hard cock sliding against Minato’s folds. The omega shuddered at the sensation; his insides gave a painful cramp at being so close to what it wanted.

“Why not?” The alpha chuckled. “It works for me.”

Minato bucked in irritation, trying to offset the alpha but he was too thoroughly pinned and only served to tease himself again with another wet slide between his legs. “nnh!” He whimpered. “I’m not losing my virginity to someone I don’t even know the name of.”

The alpha chuckled, leaving more nips along Minato’s shoulder blade heading towards the sensitive glands on his neck. “I think you will be, dearest.” His scent turned melancholy. “I’m not… I’m not ready- yet. This was too sudden, I, this body,” He broke off, burying his nose in Minato’s scent gland.

Minato got the sense he was calming himself down using his flower-like scent which pleased his inner omega greatly.

“A compromise.” The alpha’s breath tickled Minato’s ear. “I’ll tell you my name when we meet next.”

“What?” Minato raised his head.

“I’ll come find you.” The alpha nibbled on his earlobe, Minato squirmed at the small bursts of pleasure. “Now open up unless you want it to hurt.”

“Want what to- ah!” Minato thrashed, trying to pull his arms away or close his legs- but it was impossible. The alpha’s knees immobilized his legs, and his hands were as good as iron shackles on Minato’s.

A dull pressure at his entrance turned sharp with his virgin cunt being speared open by the alpha’s cock. It was too big, Minato was being split in half. His walls spasmed, trying in vain to stop the invasion, slick eased the way for the alpha regardless of what Minato’s mind wanted.

“Hurts, hurts, wait,” the omega whimpered.

“Breathe, it’s okay, just breathe.”

There was no room inside him, the cock pressed deeper and deeper into places that Minato didn’t even know he had. His rim was forced wide-open, he kept thinking that he had to be close to the end of but kept going inch by inch inside him. The alpha didn’t hesitate, didn’t try to worm his way inside, his onslaught was smooth and steady, like the steady march of time.

Minato would take this alpha’s cock to the hilt, it was inevitable. Minato could cry and beg all he wanted, but he knew the alpha wouldn’t yield.

“-hurts hurts hurts-“ Minato’s teeth were grit shut, tears fell from his lashes, his muscles locked up with pain.

“Relax.” The alpha cooed, thumbs tracing the veins in Minato’s wrists. “You’re so tight dearest. It will feel good once you calm down, we’re meant to be like this.”

“Meant to, nh, be like this?” Minato pushed out from his stiff jaw.

“This body is made for you.” Soft lips wrapped around his scent gland and sucked. A moan rattled out of Minato’s mouth. His rim pressed against the wiry hair at the base of the alpha’s dick, finally stuffed fully inside.

“A perfect match.” The alpha continued, his hips moved in little circles grinding his pelvis against Minato’s puffy rim. Pleasure began to crawl up Minato’s spine like ivy.

“A lock and key,” the alpha slowly withdrew before easing his way back inside. “night and day,” Minato gasped, pain fading as his muscles began to relax. “alpha and omega. I exist because of you.”

The words sounded heavier than the lust-filled declarations of sex but Minato’s brain was too addled by heat and pleasure to contemplate any deeper meanings.

Like the crashing of the tide, the alpha pulled and pushed against Minato. His overwhelming scent dulled Minato’s mind, he could taste ocean salt on his tongue.

A hard dive brushed the tip of the alpha’s cock against something inside that struck Minato like lightning. “There!” He gasped, tilting his hips to entice the alpha to do it again.

“Ah, there?” The alpha questioned. His knees shifted on Minato’s as he changed his angle then he rammed back inside, his cock battered against that something, euphoria burst behind his eyes, a kaleidoscope of colors.

Minato faded and heat took over his mind, his inner omega pouncing on his psyche. “Alpha! Again?” it begged.

“Is that a nice spot?” The omega nodded, tilting his head to nuzzle their cheeks together. Alpha chuckled, turning to nip the omega’s cheek. “Keep your hands where they are, okay?”

Minato nodded. “Be good for alpha.”

The alpha sat back withdrawing until the tip was just barely resting inside Minato’s rim. “No!” Minato whined, wiggling his hips. “Empty, come back.”

“Don’t worry Mina, I’ll fill you up.”

The alpha’s long fingers gripped Minato’s hip bones, blunt nails digging into soft skin, then he pounded into Minato’s pussy.

“Ah!” Minato shouted.

The pace the alpha set was punishing. Minato had to place his palms flat on the floor just to prevent sliding forward from the velocity of his thrusts. Broken whines spilled from Minato’s mouth, echoed by the labored pants and moans from the alpha.

“Minato, Minato, you feel so good.” The alpha groaned.

Minato couldn’t respond, the omega dropped his chest to the ground and decided to tighten the grip his cunt had on the alpha’s cock, like he was trying to keep it trapped inside.

His alpha gasped, cock jumping against his walls. “D-Don’t do that Mina, I’ll come too fast.”

Minato closed his eyes, focusing on pulsing his cunt in time with his alpha’s strokes. “Knot.” He demanded. The omega could feel the base of the alpha beginning to fill, still small enough to slide inside with the rest of him.

“I will but don’t you want to come again first?”

The omega growled, pushing his hips against his alpha making his cock knock against his cervix. “Empty. Knot.” He repeated.

“Okay, okay, dearest, calm down, it’s my first time too,” the alpha soothed, “I wanted it to be good for you but if you want my knot I’ll give it to you. We can go as many times as you want after all.”

His alpha tightened his grip on Minato’s hips, the omega would be shocked if he didn’t have bruises in the shape of his hands. He doubled his pace, moving faster than Minato thought a regular human would be able to achieve.

It was bliss.

Pleasure flowed through his veins like life blood, goosebumps covered his skin, he felt pulled taunt like a rubber band about to snap, and through it all a deep content in his core. A connection running between him and his alpha, like a missing part of his soul easing back into place, harsh edges being softened by loving hands.

The yawning ache in his gut, an empty chasm, was so close to being satisfied. Minato was on a rollercoaster climbing to the top, he knew once he tipped over that edge he wouldn’t be able to go back, all he needed-

He needed-

“Alpha!” He cried out, clenching his walls again. His alpha gasped, shoving in deep, hands twitching on his hips. Minato felt heat blossoming inside him, the alpha’s cock kissing the entrance to his womb. His breath was punched out of him, the alpha’s thick knot expanding and locking all the syrupy heat into place.

“M-Minato I said don’t, ah, do that.” His alpha scolded lightly. His cock pulsed, ropes of cum shooting deep. Minato ignored him, tucking his exhausted arms underneath him to rest his head on.

Minato purred, enjoying the afterglow. It some ways it was almost better than sex, a parched garden being soothed by summer rain. The salt of his alpha’s seed made the friction burns sting in a way that grounded the floaty feeling. His toes flexed, nerves sparking at the new sensation of cum dripping through his cervix to his womb. His breath hitched, each drop was a zap of pleasure.

“Didn’t you know?” His alpha’s voice was warm, amused. “You’re in heat dearest, all the cum you stole from me is going straight to your womb.” A gentle finger traced Minato’s stretched out rim. “I’ll make sure this knot won’t go down until you’ve gotten every last drop.”

His alpha laid back down on Minato’s body, making sure to keep Minato’s hips raised so gravity pulled his seed where it was meant to go. “Do you think it’ll take, Mina?”

Minato didn’t respond, he was still lost to the bone-deep satisfaction of being filled. His alpha hummed, running his hands through sweaty blue hair. “I’m so happy we’re in the Tower, no one can interrupt us here. I think I’d do something bad if someone else saw you like this.”

Why is he calling Tartarus something else? The rational side of Minato questioned, his inner omega shoved that part of him back down. Toe-curling sex now, leader duties later. Speaking of…

“Are you getting hard again?” Minato tried to ask, but after several hours of crying, shouting, and screaming all that came out was “gett’n har?”

“I might be going into rut, let’s take care of each other okay Omega?” Sneaky fingers rubbed and pulled on the Minato’s nipples. Minato sighed and surrendered his body, sprawling on the cool floor.

Leader duties would have to come much later.

xXx

Fuuka snapped her head up from her cup of tea in the dorm’s lounge.  Lucia was jabbing at her senses, pulling her hair to get her attention. She rose on quick feet to the staircase.

“Yamagishi?” Mitsuru-senpai asked tiredly. The entire team was re-convening after another disappointing search of Tartarus. Yukari was slumped over the armrest of a chair, Junpei had given up on making it that far and snored softly on the floor. Shinjiro-senpai had taken Akihiko-senpai out on a walk to calm down.

“Someone is in Leader’s room.” Fuuka called out behind her, trying to get up the stairs as quickly as she could.

“What?!” Mitsuru-senpai blurted, jumping to her feet as well. Her shout roused Yukari and Junpei. Fuuka left any explanations to her senpai and continued on quick feet until she reached the last door on the second floor.

The first thing she noticed when she threw the door open was the fluttering curtains in the breeze. Moonlight poured into the room from the ajar window. A chill went down Fuuka’s spine.

They never opened the windows in the dorm, it was too dangerous with the potential risk of a Shadow breach- and even if they did open them, they could only be opened from the inside so how…?

A cloud shifted outside, allowing more light into the room, moonbeams fell onto the bed highlighting the figure laying on it.

“Leader!” Fuuka gasped, collapsing at his bedside. “Lucia!” She called in the next second, beginning to scan the missing SEES member.

“Arisato-kun!”/”Leader!”/”Minato!” She could hear the rest of SEES cry out in shock behind her.

“Yamagishi, how is he?” Mitsuru-senpai asked coming to stand by her side. Yukari came over to the bed to grab onto the hand laying outside the blanket. Junpei scrambled over to the window with his sword drawn, he peered out trying to see if there was anyone outside.

Fuuka closed her eyes, listening to what Lucia was whispering to her. “He’s exhausted, I’m sensing some minor injuries, but his spiritual energy is stable so I don’t think he’s in any danger.” She opened her eyes, giving her Leader a quizzical look. “If anything, Lucia says he’s sated? When he wakes up he should be out of his feral state.”

Fuuka took a subtle sniff. There was something else lingering in the air, but she would ask her fellow omega about it directly before she said something to the group.

“I’m so relieved.” Yukari wiped some tears from her eyes. “Why’d you have to go run off and scare everyone dummy?”

“I’ll inform the chairman.” Mitsuru-senpai turned on her heel and left the room, her shoulders sagging with relief.

“Hey uh,” Junpei started walking over to Leader’s bedside. “Not to sound creepy, but doesn’t he look kinda.. uh.. y’know?” The tall beta squirmed.

“He’s been missing for weeks, of course he’s going to look rough!” Yukari grouched waving a hand at the sleeping boy’s messed up hair and dark eye bags.

“Not that.” Junpei hesitated. Fuuka raised her eyebrows in surprise. Did he really notice? She wondered.

“Is he naked?!” Junpei finally blurted out. Yukari gasped and jumped up from his bedside, the two girls stepped closer to the bed. Leader was tucked underneath his covers, one arm resting on top. His bare collarbones and shoulder hinted at indecency now that Junpei had pointed it out.

“Don’t boys sleep without a shirt on?” Fuuka asked trying to deflect, she couldn’t help the blush spreading on her face.

“H-How would I know?” Yukari squeaked. “Do they?” She barked at Junpei.

“Well, yeah I mean s-sometimes I guess? But we do that when it’s hot and it’s cold in here so…” He trailed off.

“You don’t think he was… y’know… do you?” The blood drained from Yukari and Junpei’s faces. Lucia tugged sharply on Fuuka’s mind.

“No.” She said firmly. “Lucia isn’t finding any evidence of Leader being in distress. His mind feels clear, just really tired. When I came out of Tartarus the first time it took my body sometime to acclimate to the amount of time that had passed.”

“So he’s what,” Yukari scrunched her nose up. “Jet lagged?”

Fuuka hummed, Lucia gave her the mental equivalent of a shrug. “In the simplest terms, yeah!” She smiled.

“Our buddy just needs to rest up then he’ll be good to go!” Junpei punched in the air. “Don’t think I didn’t see those tears Yuka-tan.” He teased.

“Wha- shut up Stu-pei!” Yukari began to push Junpei out of Leader’s room. “C’mon, lets just go to sleep we have school tomorrow.”

Fuuka waited until her year-mates left before she leaned down to the omega’s ear. “I’ll keep your secret, make sure you introduce us to them, okay?”

xXx

Minato resisted the urge to scratch at his new scent patches. After the incident Mitsuru marched him down to Port Memorial Hospital for the Kirijo doctors to come up with a stronger regimen of suppressants and blockers. His red-haired senior had been increasingly obliging to him, like she was guilty about something…

They’d had a team meeting with the Chairman once Minato had woken up where he met the new-old recruit Shinjiro who gave Minato suspicious looks but ultimately didn’t say anything to him about the time the omega was missing.

There wasn’t much Minato could tell them anyway. He’d have flashes of clarity during his escapades but much of his time was lost to his instincts. He had no idea how he’d ended up back in the dorm room or what snapped him out of his feral state.

He didn’t remember attacking his team, but he did remember feeling threatened until he’d gotten far enough away. Ikutsuki had been fascinated by the details of Minato’s Personas taking care of him, but he wasn’t sure how to explain Pharos without sounding crazy so he left the boy’s role out.

He still didn’t really know what to think about Pharos’ connection to Tartarus anyway, the memories were fuzzy but he definitely remembered the child(?) commanding Shadows like underlings.

Not that it mattered, Minato hadn’t seen Pharos since he woke up.

Minato sighed and fiddled with his headphones. He ignored the whispers of his classmates around him and waited for Toriumi-sensei to start homeroom. The omega wasn’t sure what crazy story Mitsuru had come up with to explain his absence from school and he felt better off not knowing.

Toriumi-sensei had a soft-spot for him, for reasons he did his best to ignore, so it wasn’t too difficult to get extensions on his assignments.

The rumor mill went crazy without him present. Stories ranged from him being kidnapped by a drug ring to him fighting a rare form of cancer to him being a secret heir to a large conglomerate and now he was locked in an inheritance war.

He blamed Kenji for that last one. Minato’s pretty sure that’s the plot of one of the manga he was reading recently.

The part that bothered him most about the experience was the mystery of how he ended up back in his room. He’d kept it a secret from his team, but his skin was littered with marks and there were impressions of hands on his hips, thighs, and ankles.

He traced the bruises in the shower until they faded. Pressing down on them made zaps of pleasure race up his spine, the hands were much larger than his own…

He had the faint memory of tasting sea salt and a gentle voice cooing in his ear but the memories were like trying to catch wisps of smoke.

Clearly something had happened. He supposed that most people would feel horrified by the implications but all Minato felt was a vague irritation that he’d been apparently been abandoned afterwards.

He sighed again and gave in to scratching at the edge of the patch. He must be having a reaction to the new combination; his scent glands started to feel irritated once he stepped onto campus today.

“Alright class settle down!” Toriumi-sensei slid the classroom door open. Minato’s nose twitched as she walked in, a cool scent was drifting in from the hallway.

“Teach, is it true there’s a transfer student?” Someone called from the back.

The smile on Toriumi-sensei’s face was strained. “Sure is. Completed the paperwork this morning,” under her breath Minato heard “why did he have to come so early too? Ekoda always sticks me with the troublesome students.”

A new student? Minato leaned his head on his hand. Only a month before midterms too, it’ll be rough to catch up…

“He’s lived overseas for a long time so he might not be used to our customs, I hope everyone helps him adjust, okay?” She plastered a fake smile on her face. “You can come in and introduce yourself now.” The teacher called to the hallway.

“Alright.” A smooth voice answered. Minato’s inner omega perked up, snapping to attention.

The boy that walked in was tall and had slicked back black-hair. His hips swished when he walked with the easy grace of a jaguar, the yellow scarf behind him flickering like a tail. Minato heard whispers break out behind him about his looks ‘so handsome!’ ‘like a prince’ ‘think he’s got a girlfriend?’

Minato felt equally spellbound looking into his bright topaz eyes. It was like staring into the sea, notes of moonlight and ocean seeping into the air.

An alpha. He thought. Even worse, a familiar alpha.

Minato pushed down memories of slick skin, bruising grips, and taunting coos. His inner omega might be playing tricks on him, there weren’t many alphas in Tatsumi Port Island.

The new alpha stopped next to Toriumi-sensei and rested a hand on his hip, glancing around the classroom before landing on Minato. A wide smile spread across soft-looking lips.

“My name is Ryoji Mochizuki, it’s very nice to meet you.” He near-purred staring directly at Minato.

Minato’s inner omega chased its own tail in excitement, Minato bit down on his tongue to keep a happy chirp from escaping. He looked down at his lap and ignored how the alpha’s smile began to widen.

Minato felt his hole twitch.

Fuck, he thought, this might be a problem.

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