Not much had changed for Jason, as he has always tried to live methodically.
When he met Lein, he made a plan and carefully integrated him into his life. The breakup left him out of loop for a while, but he managed to find his rhythm, save for his habit of smoking like a chimney. Only for that hard-won rhythm to be completely ripped into shreds a second time after the incident at the cocktail lounge.
He crumbled.
He left the country.
He managed to get a lot of work done along the way.
And he found order again.
He cut back on the smoking opting for nicotine gum and nicotine patches, but he hated them. It was the act of smoking itself that calmed him not the nicotine, but he couldn't let himself fall back into the habit.
The amount of time he spent at the gym, the pool or on hikes basically doubled.
So did his workload, he was working on anything and everything, and the projects he had initially declared were too troublesome and tossed to someone else? He took them all back.
He felt the need to channel his pent-up anger into something, anything or he would lose all presence of mind, and as such, he was working his body into a constant state of exhaustion.
Slowly, he collected himself, the raging pit of anger began to simmer down. He rebuilt order, he needed it especially with the shitstorm that was coming.
What was intended to be making true on a promise delivered turned out to be much more than he had bargained for. From Sayer's to Eddie… and now the Bohemians… He needed a clear mind, established a new rhythm and managed to fall into a pattern that resembled his life before Lein.
So...
So why the fuck was Lein at his doorstep?
Even before he opened the door, he could tell the other was in no condition to be up and about. His scent was too strong, it had basically saturated his home in the few seconds he stood at his doorstep.
He caught the weakened man before he could hit the floor. Lein's body was burning up. He heard him say something, but his voice was too small. Jason leaned closer to his mouth.
"... hurts..."
The sensation of his hot breath against his ear sent a shiver down his spine. It was unfair how tightly wrapped around Lein's finger he was. He sighed, slipped an arm under his knees and picked him up.
Lein stared at his profile, eyes glazed over with desire "Jay..." He buried his face deep in the crook of his neck.
Jason took him to his own room and tried to lay him down, but Lein was not interested in cooperating. He clung tightly to him and refused to let go "Rosalein…"
The person in his arms groaned in reply.
"Do you know what you're doing?"
No words, just another groan.
Jason grew impatient, peeling Lein's body away from him "Get a hold of yourself."
"…don't...leave...please..."
Jason looked at the feeble hand clutching the hem of his shirt "You need help."
Lein was delirious and couldn't make sense of his words. Tears spilled out of his eyes "…please...don't...leave...me...again..."
There was no point in explaining, Lein was in no condition to listen, so he let Lein stick to him as he made way to the bathroom. He rummaged through cabinets in search for a sedative while Lein pressed his heated body against his, occasionally rubbing up on him. His task was made cumbersome by the hands roaming over his body, fondling him along the way to rid him of his clothing.
It became a true test of his patience, but he managed to find a sedative. He propped Lein up with an arm firmly around his waist while the other fiddled with the packaging, another menial task made laborious when he felt hot lips press against his neck.
Eventually, those wicked lips creeped up and found their way to his.
It was a wild hungry kiss. Lein's previous frailty seemed to be an illusion. It appeared he had found life at Jason's lips.
And he devoured it greedily.
Encouraged when he felt Jason take off his jacket, he pressed harder against his cool body. There was a prick at the base of his neck. It disappeared as quickly as it appeared, so he paid it no mind.
Slowly, the frenzy began to wane as the sedative took effect. Lein struggled to keep his eyes opened but it was useless, he slumped against Jason chest.
The empty syringe rolled to the floor as Jason's chest heaved with emotion. It was a close call, any further and things might have taken a very colourful turn. He quickly gathered the now unconscious person into his arms and returned him to the bed and when Lein was settled in, he reached for his phone.
"Yu-" he cleared his throat "…Yul."
"Yes?"
"I need a doctor. One familiar with Rosalein's condition."
"I heard he didn't come in for his last checkup. Did something happen?"
His brows furrowed at the information "I think he's in heat, but it doesn't feel natural." He glanced at the person sleeping peacefully in his bed.
He heard her sigh "Did he suddenly stop taking the inhibitors? That's something you taper off."
"Should I just bring him over?"
"There's no need to go that far, I'll send someone over. It's not exactly a bad thing just the suddenness might throw him off."
"It's a bit..." he sighed, pressing the space between his brows with a thumb "It's too intense so..."
"It's fine. It's usually like that for cases like that, you know. Remember, the same thing happened to Alexei, though that was a rut. I think it's cause-"
"Yul."
"Right, right. I'll send you some drugs, in the meantime just soothe him and wipe him down, let him sweat it out. But don't go too hard at it."
"That's not… ok."
"I'm so happy you guys are back together."
"We're not-"
Beep.
While waiting on the doctor's arrival, he opted for a long, cold shower.
The doctor arrived.
Lein received what possible inspection could be done, was given some fluids and that was it. There wasn't much that could be done, at the end he would have to weather out the storm. Antipyretics were definitely not an option, Jason had to wipe him down with a damp cloth to keep his temperature in check. He had mixed feelings when he saw the piercings but making sure Lein would be fine took front seat out of all his concerns.
When he looked up he saw an unfocused pair of eyes fixed on him. At some point, Lein had actually woken up. Jason, determined not to be destabilized, did not stop moving. He finished wiping him down, gathered the damp clothes and threw them in the washer. He returned with a cold compress and gently placed it over his forehead.
Lein caught his hand before he could pull away, pressing it against his face.
Jason sat on the edge of the bed, reluctant to take his hand back "How do you feel?"
"It hurts...." He croaked. He felt like he was burning from inside out.
"Do you know where you are?"
Lein shut his eyes tight. The next time he opened them, they were blazing "Jay…"
He stroked the side of his face affectionately "You'll be fine. Just hold on a little, I'll find a way to-"
"…you come see me?"
"Rosa-"
"I'm working so hard every day. I've changed but you're not there to see it." He poured out his grievances weakly "I miss you every day and it hurts so much so why won't you come see me?"
"…I'm sorry."
Eventually, the worn out Lein went back to sleep. He withdrew his hand and stared at it, it bore the warmth of his skin. He felt something stir within him, before his mind could piece together what that feeling was, a phone rang.
It was Lein's.
He snatched it up and silenced it so it wouldn't wake him. He stared at the silently vibrating phone.
Henry.
He knew that name, Caleb made sure he did. The person named Henry was Lein's new boyfriend. Whatever was stirring in him was snuffed out.
He was glad.
Glad that Lein was still as selfish as he had always been. Glad that he stopped himself before he foolishly got tangled in another of Lein's whims. He had made the right choice cutting him off, completely.
He was certain of it now.
His eyelids were so heavy.
When he finally managed to open his eyes, he was staring at the ceiling of his room. Even though he felt like his body was being crushed under his own weight, he was in a good mood.
Lein had dreamt of Jason, not the usual wet dreams that made him so ashamed he almost couldn't look his own reflection in the eyes. Not those, this time was different. In his dream, Jason had cared for him like he always did. He even said his name affectionately and said he was sorry for making him wait. He couldn't help but grin foolishly.
He staggered out of bed and dragged himself out of his room.
"You're awake? How do you feel?" Hank asked, rushing to his side to hold him steady.
"Not bad, I guess."
"Not bad?" He led him to the dining table "You've basically been unconscious for a week but if that's how you feel, that's good." He fondly ruffled his hair "Think you can eat something? Ma made something just in case you woke up. Up for it?"
Lein touched his stomach, he did feel a little hungry "Sure."
Hank gently pushed him back into his seat "I'll get it." He went to the kitchen, dished his food and returned, very quickly. "Do you remember how you got home?"
He paused, how exactly did he make it back? The last thing he remembered was leaving the group meeting and getting on his bike. He frowned "Did I get into an accident?"
Hank shook his head.
"Did I... Did I do something bad?"
"No. It's fine if you don't remember but next time, if you feel out of it, call me to get you, okay?"
Lein nodded and continued eating.
"I thought the drugs were meant to make things easier for you…" Hank commented absentmindedly "…you should tell the doctor during your next appointment."
"…yea."
Hank had no intention of telling him about Jason's role in the whole affair. He didn't want him getting his hopes up and having them crushed when he gets rejected again.
It wasn't until later, when he received a call from Yul to check on his condition that he found out that on the day he got his heat, he had in fact driven to Jason's and spent almost the whole day there. His parents had hidden it from him. He couldn't tell if the conversation actually happened or it was just wishful thinking but the fact that he had been sent home and had received neither call nor message from Jason indicated it was the latter.
"Ma, Yul called me today." He started over dinner "She said she wanted me to fill out a questionnaire." He eyed both parents seated on the opposite side of the table.
"Really?" Mari asked.
"Yea, she's making a compen...compen- I forget what it's called."
"A compendium, dear. It's a drug encyclopedia. That's nice."
Hank watched the interaction quietly.
"Yup. She had heard about my heat from Jay when he called to have a doctor come over."
The room was silent for a full minute.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Hank spoke up this time "It was for the best."
"Why?"
"Because you have to stop. This has to stop. You are nothing but a nuisance to him now."
He clenched his fists "Did he say that?"
Both parents remained silent. Even if the man was too polite with them to actually say so, it was clearly a bother having Lein stick to him after everything.
"You're seeing someone else now, so don't do things to complicate your-"
"I'm not."
Hank scowled "It hasn't even been up to a month."
"You said I was doing the wrong thing."
"I said your attitude was wrong, and it is still wrong. Why can't you take other people's feelings into consideration when you do these things?"
He sprang out of his seat.
"Sit down! I am still speaking."
"I-"
"Don't make me repeat myself." He said with a firm, steady voice.
Lein slowly, and with a great show of reluctance, sank back into his chair.
"You need to work on that nasty habit of leading people on."
"I never asked anyone to like me. Why do people keep expecting something from me just because I'm nice to them and I give them what they want?"
Hank eyed him, clearly unimpressed "Then, why don't you go now to find Jay and say those words to his face?"
Lein was silent.
"Go now and tell him that you never owed him anything and he is overreacting. That he should just take you back because you said so. No one in their right mind, not even Jay, would overlook what you did. The sooner you understand that, the better."
He rose again, this time, no one stopped him. He grabbed his key and walked straight out the door.
"Foolish child."
Mari who had been quiet for the entirety of the exchange also stood and began to clear the table.
No one was in the mood to eat anymore.
"It had to be said at some point." Hank said as he helped.
"I know." Even though she agreed, it didn't mean her heart was broken any less.
Mari and Ethan were in her office, dividing his newly bought suppressants into quarters and refilling the almost empty vitamin bottle he had been using as camouflage, just in case.
"How have you been feeling lately?"
"Good." That much was clear from his obvious giddiness "Alex hasn't said anything about my scent."
She nodded "I booked the appointment for twelve next week Wednesday, is that okay?"
"Yes. Thank you."
"Hank will pick you up."
He beamed at her, he liked being with Hank. He reminded him of Xavier… in a way.
"Ethan…" she gathered up the cut tablet and gently poured them into the vitamin bottle "…have you thought about it? Telling your husband, I mean."
He pressed his lips into a thin line "What if he changes?"
"I don't think he will. It's obvious that he likes you… a lot." She really did think so, especially with what she had heard of his current condition. It could almost be considered the makings of a love story.
He picked at the edge of his seat "The last person I told... He started hitting me."
Her eyes widened.
"And he said it was my fault he had to sleep with other omegas."
That was completely ridiculous.
"I know Alex would never do that but…" Ethan took a deep breath "…he might hate me. I d-don't… I don't know what I'll do then."
She felt there wasn't much she could say, she didn't particularly know enough about his husband to say anything with certainty. "You can always come to me, I'll try to help you best as I can." She gathered the remaining pills into the bottle "You remember what I told you?"
He nodded and began to recite the instructions he had committed to memory.
Such an obedient and sweet child, she thought. If only her own son had just a tiny bit of that obedience.
After his return, Lein had chosen to remain silent, not as an act of rebellion but it was something akin to introspection. He always seemed to be buried in deep in his own thoughts.
She convinced herself to take it as a sign of some form of maturity; unlike before when he would normally storm out and stay away for days, this time he was gone for barely an hour and he hadn't strayed far from home, instead he just sat on a park bench before returning. They knew this because she had been watching him from the kitchen window.
When she returned home that evening, Lein, sprawled out in the couch, had his head buried deep in a textbook. Hank was nowhere to be seen, it wasn't the most common occurrence but there were times he stayed late at the gym.
Her phone came alive.
She glanced at it, it was Hank. A message, not a call. Perhaps, he had something keeping him. She read the message once and then, twice, stole a peek at Lein before reading the message again.
Hubby: meet me at ###. Bring Rose's old phone but don't tell him.
"Rose, I have to run out for a minute."
He tore his eyes away from the book languidly and nodded.