Archive of Our Own

Kaveh had never noticed how strange Alhaitham's scent was before he'd been invited to live with him. Kaveh had presented in his time in the Akademiya, but Alhaitham had been late and seemingly indifferent about his secondary gender. While Kaveh had always been a bit curious, he hadn't been curious enough to directly ask, even after they'd moved in together. Due to Alhaitham's weak scent he'd just assumed he'd presented as a beta. That would be the ideal outcome for him anyways, probably. After all he'd frequently groused about how irritating the behavior of Alphas and Omegas were.

He began to question his assumption one day when Kaveh had passed Alhaitham's room, tidying up some of the shelves of the hallway.  A whiff of a strange scent made his nose wrinkle as he frowned, turning his head towards the door curiously. It hadn't been unpleasant, not really, just different from what he'd been used to. There was a more potent edge to it that wasn't normal and he couldn't tell if it was due to a mood shift or something else mingling with the familiar scent of herbs and petrichor. Curious, he'd stepped closer to the closed doorway and inhaled, taking in the familiar scent, but also noting the hints of something else underneath the hints of anxiety, the slight burnt edge of annoyance. It wasn't until he felt himself growing tense, his alpha bristling, that he realized what the scent weaving amongst the familiar tones of Alhaitham's scent was.

Rut.

Kaveh frowned, wondering if, perhaps, Alhaitham had helped someone with a rut recently. It wasn't... Unheard of for betas to assist alphas. However if he had then... That was impressive. Betas weren't necessarily equipped to handle an alpha in rut, something that made Kaveh tense with sudden concern. He stepped closer, inhaling again, searching for signs of pain or distress. Thankfully there was simply that hint of annoyance and the weak, barely there scent of a rut, indicating that nothing untoward had happened.

It was tempting to open the door and seek out the source. After all he would just be making sure that Alhaitham was alright and... What? What excuse could possibly cover for him just wanting answers to questions that were, frankly, none of his business? Clearly Alhaitham was fine as he'd walked out of the house that morning without a limp and had behaved as he typically had. Clearly nothing was wrong and, well, if Alhaitham had taken to sleeping with an alpha then... That wasn't Kaveh's business right?

A strange feeling made Kaveh's jaw clench and his gut twist unpleasantly. He felt agitated and on edge, unable to settle now that he'd caught that scent in the air. Scrubbing a hand over his face, he turned and began to head back towards his room so he could forget about the scent, about his curiosity, and, most of all, forget about how concerned he felt. It wasn't as if his concern would be appreciated, after all, what with him being an alpha and—

Oh.

Immediately Kaveh stopped, his eyes going heavy lidded. That was it, wasn't it? He wanted to laugh at how pathetic it was for him to want to barge into that room and eradicate the scent of alpha that lingered throughout Alhaitham's room. It was bad enough that he still harbored unfulfilled wants and desires from their days at the Akademiya, but treating Alhaitham like some omega he wanted to defend? An omega that he wanted to coax into wanting him?

"You've reached a whole new low, Kaveh." He breathed, raking his fingers through his hair, his jaw aching, his agitation making him pace in the hallway.

It was going to bother him, not knowing whose scent had clung to Alhaitham, whose hands had—Best not to think about that. Kaveh turned his head, regarding the door, feeling torn between respecting Alhaitham's privacy and this other horrible, vicious thing that threatened to choke him. Swallowing, Kaveh approached the door, his fingers curling around the door knob.

"It's not like he'll know. He's a beta." Kaveh breathed, steeling himself.

On his exhale, he turned the knob and pushed the door open, Alhaitham's scent familiar, but not in such quantities that it was overwhelming. Intermingled with it was that other scent, the scent of an alpha in rut and, somehow, it was stronger. It made Kaveh's brows knit together, made him wonder how he could have possibly missed the smell of an alpha in rut visiting them as it was clear that whoever it was had been in Alhaitham's room. He stepped inside, eyes scanning the room, noting that it was as messy as he'd expected, filled with piles of books, the sheets in disarray, and the loose bottoms Alhaitham wore to sleep tossed casually across the floor.

Kaveh frowned as his eyes scanned the room, noting there was nothing out of place. For him to be able to pick up such a scent, there had to have been something lingering with the alpha's scent. After all, the last time he'd been out of the house had been days before, and he knew that Alhaitham would have known to wash his sheets before he returned. Another alpha's scent would have irritated Kaveh and, well, Alhaitham frequently made it known how aggravating he found that.  He also knew someone hadn't visited in the past two days as Alhaitham hadn't been feeling well and—

Wait.

Wait.

Kaveh froze, eyes widening, his eyes sliding to the sheets of Alhaitham's bed as he scented the air. Hesitantly he approached, picking up the top sheet and swallowing as he brought it to his face. He didn't press his face to it, instead opting to inhale deeply once it was close, doing his best not to leave his scent behind. He quickly dropped the sheet back to the bed, his hand moving to cover his nose and mouth as heat rushed to his cheeks. It was covered in the smell of sweat, cum, and rut, the scent both familiar and foreign, the sharp, earthy tones of petrichor mingling with mint and harra fruit, edged with the muskier tones of leather and wood.

There was no other scent mingled into that scent. It was only one scent, a familiar one, made more potent by arousal. He knew that scent because it lingered in every corner of the house.

Alhaitham's not a beta.

His discovery had been a week ago.

Logically, the moment he'd registered Alhaitham's scent, the way he smelled in the middle of his rut, he should have been repulsed and agitated. That was the natural way any alpha would have reacted. However the instant he'd processed the familiarity of it, the scent of arousal had made him ache in his pants instead. It didn't make sense. Not only had there not been any sort of mutual interest between them whatsoever in years, but he hadn't had such a reaction to Alhaitham's scent before.

Then again, he'd never smelled Alhaitham aroused before either.

Kaveh groaned, leaning forward at this desk to bury his face in his arms, uncaring about the unfinished blueprint that crinkled in protest beneath them. It was driving him mad, the knowledge of what Alhaitham smelled like in the depths of his rut. His scent wasn't strong. If it had been Kaveh would have known he was an alpha the moment he had moved in with him. Was he wearing something to block his scent? That didn't make sense either considering how many people assumed he was a beta. Though... Perhaps he'd always worn something. Maybe he'd presented long before Kaveh thought he had and had simply concealed it.

Why would he do that?

It wasn't as if it was unheard of for alphas to be friends. In fact many alphas tended to bond rather easily unless it came to the omegas they were interested in or their homes. Most would proudly declare their secondary gender when they presented, especially if one was an alpha or omega, but... Alhaitham had never really been like everyone else. Had he found it too troublesome? Was there something wrong with him that left his scent muted? His speculations were driving him mad, especially since it wasn't as if he could just ask him. What was he supposed to say? Invading another's space was a betrayal of trust.

Lifting his head, Kaveh scrubbed a hand over his face and raked his fingers through his hair, wincing as they caught on one of the clips in it. He had no idea why the sudden revelation that Alhaitham was an alpha plagued his thoughts. By all rights it should have simply made him want to move out more. Instead it had made him hyper aware of how scarce his scent was, how it was difficult to find even traces of it lingering on furniture or towels. He found himself wanting to abscond with pieces of the Alhaitham's clothing so he could inhale the traces of it. Them being in the same room was becoming a problem as Kaveh almost constantly wanted to lean into his space to see if he could catch his scent, so he could sate his hunger for it.

None of those urges was normal. He was an alpha, Alhaitham was an alpha, and he should have wanted to snarl and snap at him any time he caught the scent in the air. Instead he found his mouth watering when he saw a stretch of exposed skin, especially when the lines of Alhaitham's bare neck were exposed. Kaveh felt like a pervert, lusting after an alpha, especially when that alpha was Alhaitham, and wondered if there was something wrong with him. Was it, maybe, a lingering crush from their Akademiya days that was overriding his normal instincts? Ugh. That was so. Fucking. Embarrassing.

Slowly his eyes slid to where his schedule was pinned on his wall. He stared at the day that his own rut was supposed to start and swallowed, a sudden stab of panic lancing through his gut. Was it possible that his current fixation for Alhaitham's scent would bleed into his pre-rut and, Celestia forbid, his actual rut? Kaveh liked to think that he was perfectly in control and reasonable during his ruts but he'd also never found himself hungering for a partner during them, either. He knew that, when courting a beta or omega, most alphas kept themselves locked away so their instincts didn't get the better of them. If this was similar then... How was he supposed to avoid Alhaitham other than locking himself in his room?

An image of Alhaitham, flushed and panting, sprawled across his bed flashed through his mind and Kaveh sucked in a startled breath, his cheeks heating and desire rolling through him. There surely was no worse way for him to rediscover his crush on his roommate than to suddenly be fixated on him like an alpha would be on an omega. It felt like he'd sunk to an all new low, a new, horrible level of desperation, and it made him want to crawl into a wine bottle and drown his sorrows.

"I have to tell him." Kaveh breathed, shame making his eyes burn. "Archons. What have I gotten myself into?"

He could already imagine the look of disgust on Alhaitham's face, both at Kaveh's 'predicament' and his intrusion into Alhaitham's room. Was he going to have to find another place to stay? So close to his rut it would be difficult. He wasn't interested in attracting random omegas, not when he was already so busy and had so much on his plate. Maybe Tighnari would take him in for a few weeks. It wasn't ideal but it was better than being completely homeless and—

One thing at a time.

There were worse things than Alhaitham's disgust. If Kaveh approached him in the middle of his rut, drawn by his scent and his instincts, it could cause a genuine altercation and just thinking about that felt far worse than the rest of it. Worse, if Alhaitham's control of his instincts was as good as Kaveh thought they would, it was possible that Kaveh would be aggressive in his advances in the heat of his rut and... No. No, he never wanted that. He'd simply have to ask Alhaitham to... What? Lock him in his room? Leave for a few days? Ask him to be his partner for his rut?

"Absolutely not." Kaveh groaned, swallowing as his mind conjured up all sorts of filthy images. "This is going to be the worst conversation of my entire life. Why him?"

The silence of his room was the only response he received.

Steeling himself, Kaveh climbed to his feet and set his draft pencil aside, his eyes sliding to his door. In that moment it was like that elegantly designed piece of wood was all that stood between him and his imminent demise. While it wasn't that dramatic, it still made him pause in front of it, his hand hovering over the handle. Kaveh found his chest aching at the thought of no longer calling that house home. Why? He'd been so adamant about wanting to move out as soon as possible but, now, faced with the reality of it, it filled him with dread.

He couldn't keep this a secret, no matter how much he wanted to. Kaveh didn't want to hurt Alhaitham. Every part of him screamed at him to do right by him.

When had his feelings gone from casual attraction to yearning? It had to have been long before his discovery. Kaveh knew he couldn't just blame instincts for this sudden problem he was running into. Maybe that was the true reason why he was faltering, why the thought of having this conversation with Alhaitham was filling him with intense anxiety. If Alhaitham asked him to leave, Kaveh wasn't certain how he'd handle it.

"I'm being such a child." Kaveh breathed, back straightening and brows pinching together. "Just get it over with, Kaveh."

As soon as Kaveh turned the knob, shoving the door open with a burst of courage, he wanted to slam it shut again. Alhaitham, fresh from the bath, had paused in the hall, clearly having been in the process of towel drying his hair. Another towel was wrapped around his hips, catching the droplets of water that trailed down his torso. Teal eyes were staring at him and, as Kaveh watched, Alhaitham inhaled and his eyes narrowed slightly.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuckfuckfuckfuck—

"Kaveh?" Alhaitham's voice cut through his panic, drawing his attention back to his face. "What dramatic revelation have you come to this time?"

Instantly, Kaveh bristled, his panic muted beneath his irritation. "Must I have had a dramatic revelation? Perhaps I was just hungry."

"You must be half starved, judging from the way you opened your door."

"Maybe I am."

"You sound awfully defensive, Senior."

Kaveh took in a deep breath, steadying himself, only to pause, realizing he wasn't able to smell Alhaitham. His eyes darted to his neck, to where his scent glands were, and saw the telltale outline of a strip of flesh toned fabric, the sight making him bristle. He strode forward, watching Alhaitham's expression turn puzzled, his hands moving to deposit the towel they held over his shoulders. Kaveh wasn't certain why the sight agitated him to such a degree, perhaps it was the confirmation that Alhaitham had been hiding what he was from him, but it made him step into Alhaitham's space and viciously poke the patch, making Alhaitham flinch.

"What's this?" Kaveh growled, eyes narrow, nose flaring, searching for any hint of the man's scent, but all he smelled was soap and whatever herbs the patch used.

"Why ask a question you clearly know the answer to?" Alhaitham countered, reaching up bat Kaveh's hand away.

"Why're you hiding your scent, Alhaitham?" Kaveh watched Alhaitham's nose flare, watched him take in his scent, and wondered how he hadn't noticed sooner, how Alhaitham had managed to keep up such an act for so long.

Silver brows drew together in confusion. "Because I prefer my living situations peaceful. Not that I have much peace with you present."

Kaveh flinched and his jaw clenched. "Right. I should have known."

He wished he could smell Alhaitham in that moment. Ever since their Akademiya days Alhaitham had been so difficult to read and he'd always wished he'd been able to smell him, to tell if his mood had shifted. Instead he had to watch the way his throat bobbed as he swallowed, had to watch the way teal eyes narrowed slightly, how they darted away briefly then returned to Kaveh's face.  Alhaitham was so damned difficult to read but, now, knowing he was an alpha, he knew Alhaitham could smell him, and that made things easier.

"I'm not arguing with you and ruining my mood." Alhaitham's voice was quiet and tense. "Go eat, Kaveh."

This hadn't been how Kaveh had wanted this conversation to go. He'd wanted to be reasonable and to explain himself clearly to make sure Alhaitham understood his particular... Problem. Guilt slid through his limbs and made them ache, making him wrap his arms around himself and glance aside. Alhaitham didn't move, the silence between them only broken by the occasional sound of drops of water striking the polished wood of their home's floor. It was a bit pathetic how quickly his irritation morphed right back into anxiety, the force of it nearly enough to make him ill.

"...I need to tell you something." Kaveh murmured, his nails digging into his clothed arms.

"Surely it can wait until I've gotten dressed." Alhaitham's voice was steady and sure and Kaveh wished he had a fraction of his composure.

"No."

"Fine. Tell me, then."

Kaveh swallowed, heart hammering in his throat as he drug his eyes back to Alhaitham. It had been a while since they had been in such close proximity. Alhaitham's eyelashes were thick, but not overstated, his jaw square, and his lips full. Kaveh hated how handsome he looked and hated himself for deluding himself into thinking that he'd ever moved on, that he'd ever stopped wanting him to some degree.

"My rut's soon." Kaveh managed, voice tense, unable to maintain eye contact, instead focusing on a drop of water stubbornly clinging to Alhaitham's jaw.

"I don't see how this can't wait." Alhaitham muttered, annoyance creeping back into his tone.

"Because—" Kaveh's eyes snapped back to Alhaitham's face, his hand reaching out to grasp his arm to keep him in place. "Because I-I... I..."

Kaveh could feel himself cracking under the intensity of Alhaitham's gaze. Why did he ever think he could possibly have this conversation? He should have just gone and stayed with someone for his rut or found some other alternative. He could feel the dread curling around his throat, choking the words he wanted to say, the warning he wanted to give. He couldn't do it. He couldn't do it—.

"Kaveh." Alhaitham's voice was soft, quiet, and drew Kaveh's gaze.

There was a strange look on his face, one that looked like concern but could pass for wariness, and it forced words out of his mouth. "I'm sorry."

He was a coward. As he released Alhaitham's arm, his hand falling limply to his side, all he could think of was how selfish he was being. Kaveh needed to force the words out. He needed to tell him and just get it over with. However anxiety clawed at his throat dragging the words back down whenever he tried to say them.

"Kaveh." Alhaitham's voice was genuinely gentle then, and Kaveh could only imagine how sour and terrible his scent likely was in that moment. "Tell me."

Kaveh looked back at him, noting how those teal eyes were a fraction less cold, and felt his self control slip as he stepped closer. "Take the patches off."

"Kaveh—"

"Please."

Alhaitham's shoulders were tense, his jaw clenched, as he drew in a breath, then slowly exhaled. He gave a short, curt nod before he reached up, gently peeling away the patches on his neck. Kaveh watched as his thumb rubbed over the spots, wiping away the remnants, and, suddenly, he realized that his request had been a bad idea. He felt himself salivate and he wondered, wildly, if his cycle was a little early to make him hunger so.

He could smell him now. Kaveh leaned forward slightly to breathe deep and take him in. There was a slight, burnt edge to the petrichor, mint, and Harra fruit scent that had captivated him so, telling him that Alhaitham was on edge. It was tinged with the tang of confusion and something else that Kaveh couldn't immediately identify. Kaveh found himself wanting to press his face against Alhaitham's neck and inhale deeply, to fill his lungs with Alhaitham. It was as he struggled with the urge that he realized that his chest was rumbling in a low, possessive growl.

"This is why I wear them." Alhaitham muttered, moving to back away, his scent twisting with the unexpected tang of hurt.

Kaveh was moving before he'd even fully processed the implications of the change. His hand snapped out, curling around Alhaitham's arm and jerking him sideways. It seemed that the suddenness had caught Alhaitham off-guard as he stumbled, providing Kaveh an opening to advance and shove him against the closest wall. Still growling, he pressed himself into Alhaitham's space, burying his face against his neck, running his tongue over one of his scent glands, tasting the bitter bite of fear. However, as he inhaled deeply and pressed his lips to the gland again, he also tasted when it sweetened slightly and took on a familiar edge, one that had been haunting him for the better part of a week.

"Haitham..." Kaveh groaned, pressing closer, feeling the way the water that still clung to Alhaitham's skin soaked into his shirt.

"Is... This what you wanted to tell me?" Alhaitham's voice was strained, his entire body tense.

"Sorry..." Kaveh gasped out, rolling his hips, trailing his tongue up the side of Alhaitham's neck. "Your scent... It..."

"Kaveh, I'm an alpha."

"I know."

"You can't want—"

"But I do." Kaveh groaned, his head tipping forward so he could press his forehead to Alhaitham's shoulder. "I've been thinking of fucking you for a week—"

Alhaitham's scent shifted, filling the air with the spicy scent of his arousal. "Kaveh—"

"—of breeding you—"

"W-we need to talk—"

"Haitham, please."

"You smell like rut." Alhaitham sounded breathless and he smelled even better than the stale scent that had been left in his sheets. "We shouldn't—"

"I'll be good to you." Kaveh pleaded, kissing along Alhaitham's jaw, dragging his fangs along the lines of his throat. "I'll be so good, Haitham."

"You don't know that."

Kaveh whined, nuzzling Alhaitham's scent gland, shivering as large fingers tangled in his hair. He could smell Alhaitham's want, could feel it through the thin towel he was wearing, but still he was being logical. Deep down, Kaveh knew that was the smart thing to do. If he was in the early stages of rut, it would be safer for him to pull away and lock himself away in his room. He knew they needed to talk about this, to stop and negotiate what they were each willing to do, but he wanted.

Kaveh continued to nip and kiss along Alhaitham's throat, feeling like he would die if he stopped tasting him. "I promise. I promise I'll be good. Haitham, please. I want you—"

"If you try to bite me, I'll leave you like this." Alhaitham's hips rolled forward, grinding against Kaveh's. "I'll do the same if you try to force me to do anything."

Kaveh nodded against his neck, panting. "O-okay."

"It's going to take work."

"I don't care."

Suddenly Alhaitham's hand fisted in his hair, pulling his head back, ripping a hungry groan from Kaveh's throat. It wasn't a normal reaction, not for an alpha. Alphas were assertive and demanding, something that Kaveh normally was. However something mingled with his desire, something deep rooted that meant that his emotions ended up tangled in his instincts. Alhaitham's pupils were blown wide in his arousal, his lips parted to allow his labored breathing, and Kaveh desperately wanted him to just let him ruin him.

"Let me kiss you." Kaveh demanded, pulling against the hold on his hair, his fingers digging into Alhaitham's waist.

There was a struggle behind Alhaitham's eyes briefly, his scent shifting into annoyance before desire drowned it out again. "Fine."

Kaveh moved forward as soon as the fingers in his hair loosened their grip, shoving their mouths together with little finesse. It wasn't gentle, nor could it simply be described as passionate, not when fangs dug into the delicate flesh of their lips and their tongues pressed deep. They were both greedy and aggressive, each hungry for contact, making the kiss messy and almost violent.

Alhaitham had to fist his hand in Kaveh's hair to tug his head back again, resulting in a low growl rumbling in Kaveh's throat. Alhaitham growled in return, lip curling in a snarl, the sound dragging Kaveh's mind back, making him remember what he'd agreed to. Slowly he forced himself to relax, letting out a soft whine, the sound meant to placate, to diffuse the brief tension. After a moment, Alhaitham seemed to relax, leaning into Kaveh's space to nose at his neck, his breath washing across Kaveh's scent gland.

"How unlike you." Alhaitham mused, laving his tongue over the swollen patch of skin. "To be so eager to be in my presence."

Kaveh could tell it was meant as a jab, but now that he could smell Alhaitham, he could pick up on his emotions. While still weaker than any other alpha he'd met, with how close they were, Kaveh could pick up on the insecurity in it, the uncertainty. "Is it? I don't think so."

Alhaitham went still for a moment only for him to jolt as Kaveh's hands slipped beneath his towel, loosening it to the point that it dropped to the floor. "Kaveh—"

"Are you going to try and tell me what my own feelings are?" Kaveh's hands slid down, grasping the globes of Alhaitham's ass and squeezing, punching a stuttering gasp from him. "You really think I'd want to fuck an alpha that isn't you?"

"Your hormones—"

"Would be telling me to hurt you if you were another alpha. You know that."

One of Kaveh's hands slid sideways so he could dip his fingers into the cleft of Alhaitham's ass, the move making the fingers in his hair tighten painfully. Alhaitham was tense, his scent fluctuating wildly between discomfort and arousal. Kaveh went still, tilting his head slightly to press their cheeks together and letting out a reassuring purr. Alhaitham wasn't an omega. Despite that, he seemed to relax a degree, his hold loosening a bit, allowing Kaveh to draw back. As per usual, Alhaitham's expression bordered on neutral, but there was a slight flush to his cheeks and his brows were pinched together.

"Haitham." Kaveh's voice was soft, gentle, even as he rubbed his fingers over Alhaitham's hole. "Can I have you in your bed?"

"Why?" Alhaitham's words were slightly breathless, the only thing, aside from his obvious erection, that betrayed the fact that he was affected by what they were doing. "Isn't your bed the more logical choice?"

"I want your bed to smell like me."

Once more Alhaitham's scent sweetened, taking on the hint of earthy spice that had started Kaveh’s descent into madness a week prior. It was so much more tantalizing from the source, making his mouth water and his jaw ache with the urge to bite. He smelled so good. Everything he knew about the way alphas behaved and smelled told Kaveh that he shouldn't enjoy the scent of another alpha, but here they were. If it weren't so horribly embarrassing it might have been intriguing.

"Fine. Get off me." Alhaitham muttered, releasing Kaveh's hair in favor of using both hands to push him backwards.

"Archons you're an ass." Kaveh let out a strained chuckle, taking a couple steps back.

"You are welcome to change your mind." Alhaitham shot back, turning to head to his room, leaving his towel discarded, forgotten.

"As if it's so easy." Kaveh groused, following closely behind, closing the door firmly behind them once they were both inside. "Unfortunately I'm a bit too invested at this point."

"Unfortunately."

Alhaitham had halted at his bed, tense and unmoving, and glanced over his shoulder at him. Kaveh stared for a moment before he approached, sliding his hands around his slender waist, pressing his mouth to a naked shoulder. He could feel the shudder that went through Alhaitham's form and, now that they were close again, he could pick up the faint scent of unease again. Despite their bickering and irritation, it was starting to concern Kaveh just how uncomfortable Alhaitham seemed.

"Haitham?" Kaveh's hands slid up and down his flanks, attempting to be soothing, his lips pressing gentle kisses across tense shoulders.

"I'm fine." Alhaitham advised, moving to pull away.

"Don't lie." Kaveh murmured, tightening his hold. "Do you really find talking to me that unpleasant?"

"...No." Alhaitham's hands moved to curl around Kaveh's, gently squeezing. "I simply haven't..."

Silence fell between them for a moment before Kaveh rubbed his cheek against a strong shoulder. "...At all?"

"With an Alpha."

"Me either."

"I believe that this may be more difficult for me than you."

Alhaitham was so horribly wrong. Their struggles were different, but he didn't understand just how much effort it was taking Kaveh to not push, to not shove him down into his bed and take him. Every part of him wanted to shove past whatever discomfort Alhaitham was feeling and lose himself in the taste of his skin and desire. However Kaveh hated the scent of discomfort lingering in the air and wanted to banish it. He wanted Alhaitham to smell of desire and pleasure, especially because his doubt seemed so alien when he was typically so confident.

"Do you want to stop?" Kaveh asked, swallowing, his entire being protesting the question; his rut would be hell after this but he would manage.

"...No." Alhaitham's voice was quiet.

Kaveh let out a tremulous, relieved breath. "Okay. It... Might be easier on all fours."

Alhaitham let out a noncommittal sound but otherwise didn't respond, his hands releasing Kaveh's. With his hands now free, Kaveh moved to strip out of his lounge clothing, toeing out of his shoes even as he leaned in to press reassuring kisses to Alhaitham's neck. He drew back only to pull his shirt over his head and drop it on the floor, immediately returning to what he was doing once he was free of it. Once again Alhaitham's breath was coming a bit faster and, when Kaveh pressed against him, wrapping his arms around him from behind, he didn't tense.

"Haitham, did you think of me during your rut?" Kaveh questioned, his voice low, laced with the undercurrents of a growl, as he attempted to bait Alhaitham into thinking of anything but whatever was causing him distress.

He sucked in a shuddering gasp. "...What does it matter?"

That was absolutely a yes. "Did you fuck your fist while imagining it was me?"

Kaveh could feel the shudder that went through Alhaitham and could smell the change in him. Once more arousal hung heavily in the air and it made him hungrily kiss and nip along Alhaitham's neck and shoulder. "Are you... Trying to get me to feed your ego, Senior?"

"No." One of Kaveh's hands slowly slid around to Alhaitham's front, curling around his cock and giving it a stroke. "I want you to think about that instead of whatever else is going through your head right now."

"I thought you wanted to fuck me."

"I do. I want to fuck you so badly."

Kaveh kept stroking the sizable length in his hand, swirling his thumb over the tip. There was still some unease but, gradually, Alhaitham was leaning back against him slightly, relaxing in Kaveh's arms. It couldn't have been easy, given Alhaitham's personality, for him to allow himself to be vulnerable. He was always so in control and confident in everything that it was likely difficult for him to just... Let go.

"Do you want me to fuck you?" Kaveh asked after a moment, pressing his lips to the back of Alhaitham's neck.

"...Yes." Alhaitham's voice was strained and Kaveh was fairly certain he'd never heard an admission quite as attractive as that.

"Is that what you thought about during your rut?"

"Kaveh—"

"Have you wanted me as long as I've wanted you?"

Alhaitham's head bowed slightly, his breathing ragged, and a few things tumbled into place in Kaveh's mind when he received no response. Licking his lips, he drew his hand away from Alhaitham's cock, moving to slide it up the line of his spine and push ever so slightly, just to test. There was no resistance, something that made Kaveh let out a shaky breath. He could give a shove and Alhaitham would likely just let himself be pushed into the mattress and that tested Kaveh's already frayed restraint. Despite his every instinct snarling at him to take what he wanted, he knew he had to hold out for both their sakes.

"Can you... Um." Kaveh licked his lips, feeling his focus waver; he could feel the beginnings of his rut. "All fours?"

Alhaitham glanced back over his shoulder at him before he slowly crawled onto the bed, situating himself. Kaveh couldn’t help but watch, mouth dry, his eyes raking over lines of lean muscle and the swell of his ass. Teal eyes slid to him and panned up Kaveh's body once he’d settled, Alhaitham’s lips parting so his tongue could dart out and wet them. There was a look on his face that made Kaveh's cock twitch, precum dribbling from the tip. 

Clearing his throat, Kaveh climbed up after him, situating himself on his knees behind Alhaitham, his hands sliding up his thighs and over his sides, feeling the lean strength of him. His thoughts were hazy now, arousal hanging heavy in the air, Alhaitham's scent enveloping him from every direction. It was only when he noticed movement that he looked up, blinking at the vial that Alhaitham was handing back to him.

"What's—" Kaveh began even as he took it, noticing how thick the liquid inside seemed to be.

"You're not fucking me dry." Alhaitham responded, not looking back at him, his head hanging between his shoulders.

Kaveh blinked before his eyes softened and he leaned forward, running his tongue over the ridges of Alhaitham's spine. "Thank you."

Whatever anxiety had lingered in the air turned sweet again, this time with something more delicate than desire.  Even through the haze of the early stages of rut it made Kaveh's heart beat faster in his chest, his eyes softening. He continued to press gentle kisses to Alhaitham's back and shoulder blades as he popped open the vial and coated his fingers with whatever was inside it. It was viscous and slick, so clearly it was some form of lubrication, but it didn't seem to have a scent, something that seemed odd. Dismissing it, Kaveh dribbled some of the fluid from the vial over Alhaitham's hole and used his slickened fingers to spread it.

A soft gasp was his reward, one of the only sounds Alhaitham had made that evening, and it set Kaveh's blood alight with want. Groaning, he slipped his middle finger past the tight ring of muscle, shuddering at the heat he found inside. Alhaitham's breath was tremulous, but he remained relaxed, shifting restlessly but not with discomfort. Thus Kaveh only gave a few drives of his finger before sliding a second one inside, beginning to work him open. Under him, Alhaitham let out a small, muffled moan, the sound sparking electric through Kaveh, making him press his fingers deeper, searching, seeking.

Kaveh was suddenly very grateful for his experience with the few betas he'd taken as rut partners.

After a few more experimental thrusts of his fingers Alhaitham's back bowed and he let out a soft, strangled sound of pleasure; he'd found that spot that had made previous partners lose themselves. Feeling triumphant, Kaveh began to fuck his fingers in and out of him faster, his free hand lifting to wipe the drool from his mouth as he continued to fight with his instincts. It would be worth it. It was Alhaitham, pliant and willing beneath him. Kaveh wanted nothing more than to take his time with him, but the more Alhaitham gasped and arched beneath him, the more his stoic façade cracked in the face of pleasure, the harder it was to hold back. Thus he slid in a third finger, marveling at how well Alhaitham was taking it.

"Are you okay?" Kaveh asked, his voice rough with desire.

"Don't... Ask stupid questions." Alhaitham gasped out, even as his legs spread a bit wider.

"That's a yes." Kaveh sighed, teasing, his free hand moving to press between Alhaitham's shoulders. "Fold your arms before they give out."

"Awful—Nnh—cocky of you to assume—"

"Haitham, you're trembling."

Silence stretched between them for a moment, only disturbed by Kaveh's ragged breath and Alhaitham's soft, barely audible moans. Kaveh's eyes narrowed before he twisted his fingers, pressing ruthlessly against Alhaitham's prostate and rubbing. It tore a loud, startled moan from Alhaitham's throat and, as predicted, his arms gave out beneath him. This left him with his head twisted slightly to the side and, now, Kaveh could finally see his expression.

Alhaitham was a mess. His cheeks were flushed and his brows were pinched together. From what Kaveh could see, his lips were swollen from being bit, plump and kissable. Briefly he wished that they were face to face but... Maybe another time. Watching Alhaitham gasp and writhe beneath him, seeing his eyes crack open to reveal how hazy they were as they glanced back at Kaveh, made the remnants of his control falter.

Ruts were vicious things, full of hunger, aggression, and a loss of inhibitions. It had only been a matter of time before Kaveh gave in to his instincts. He was only human, after all. Seeing Alhaitham sprawled beneath him and ready for the taking served as his undoing, making him draw his fingers free before dribbling the last of the fluid from the vial on his cock. He could feel himself growling possessively as his fingers gripped Alhaitham's hips. Kaveh used his own legs to push Alhaitham's wider, gripping his cock to position it, his eyes locked on Alhaitham’s face, on how he could barely keep his eyes open.

"Gorgeous." Kaveh gasped as he began to push inside. "When you're not so cold... Archons, you're pretty, Haitham."

"Kaveh." Alhaitham's voice was low and he had to pause to gasp when Kaveh pushed inside him. "F-focus."

"I am." Kaveh groaned, pressing deeper, hissing at how tight Alhaitham was. "On you. You feel so good and you keep making these sounds."

"You're—a-ah—exaggerating..."

Kaveh shuddered as he bottomed out, hips pressed flushed to Alhaitham's ass. He leaned down, draping himself over his back so he could pant against the back of his neck. It was dangerous. There was the temptation to bite, to claim, to contend with. However Kaveh made sure to keep that in the front of his brain, to remember what he'd promised and all of the horrible things that came from biting someone in the heat of the moment. They had a lot to talk about after this. For the moment, he'd settle for doing what all his instincts were screaming at him to do.

"Stop talking." Kaveh growled, drawing his hips back slowly and driving roughly back in, wringing a grunt from Alhaitham. "Just take me, Haitham."

Alhaitham opened his mouth to speak but all that came out was a ragged gasp as Kaveh began to fuck him. It felt amazing, to give in to his desire to simply breed like his rut wanted him to. Kaveh knew his grip had to be bruising, that his teeth were leaving tiny scratches and puncture wounds across Alhaitham's back and shoulders, even as he carefully avoided his scent glands. Despite that, he couldn't stop himself, not when Alhaitham was gasping and arching beneath him. He was quiet compared to the omegas and betas Kaveh had been with, but each tiny sound that Alhaitham let out felt like a victory, like a crack in his normally glacial composure.

To Alhaitham's credit, he'd listened and didn't speak further, just making his pleasure known through small, pleased sounds and the way he gradually began to rock back to meet the punishing drive of Kaveh's hips. It was intoxicating, being buried deep in such tight heat while also knowing that it was Alhaitham, a man Kaveh had long thought well beyond his reach. Knowing that it was him and that he was an alpha who was willingly spreading his legs for him? It was no wonder that Kaveh felt the base of his cock begin to swell earlier than he'd wanted.

For a moment, a tiny, sweet, fleeting moment, he considered sparing Alhaitham his knot. Being an alpha it had to be difficult to take something so large. Thus, Kaveh began to make his thrusts a bit more shallow, doing his best to be kind despite his instincts. However, suddenly, Alhaitham was pushing back harder against him, forcing him deeper, making Kaveh moan and shudder, his nails, pointed and sharp in his rut, digging into Alhaitham's hips.

"Haitham." Kaveh gasped out, groaning as he tried and failed to still his hips; it was too good. "Stop. I'm trying not to—"

"Do it." Alhaitham growled, continuing to press back against him.

Kaveh had never been so turned on in his life. With a low, hungry groan he nodded and obeyed, rutting helplessly into Alhaitham with renewed hunger. It didn't take long before his knot had swelled to the point where he couldn't do more than give rough, shallow thrusts, each forcing tiny, wrecked moans from Alhaitham's throat. A logical part of him told him that knotting him early was good. It meant that the rest of his rut would be easier, but it was quickly washed away in the wake of how good Alhaitham felt, how tight and hot and his he felt. It was too early for that, far too early, but Alhaitham demanding his knot made the alpha in him feel possessive.

His orgasm snuck up on him. One moment he was reveling in the way Alhaitham's hole was clenching down on him, the way he sounded, and the next he was drowning in pleasure, crying out as he pressed deep, grinding his hips against Alhaitham's ass. Distantly he heard Alhaitham make a soft, keening sound, one he vowed to commit to memory, as he filled him, his hips jerking as he emptied himself inside him.

For a few heartbeats Kaveh felt as if he'd gone deaf and blind, the intensity of his release leaving him reeling. Eventually, however, he came back to himself, drawing back to stare, wide-eyed at the mess he'd made of Alhaitham's back. A single, teal eye was peering back at him, watching him, as Alhaitham caught his breath, his body loose and relaxed beneath Kaveh's. Licking his lips, Kaveh reached around, intent on helping Alhaitham finish, only for a large hand to catch his wrist.

"I finished." Alhaitham murmured, releasing his hand before moving to bury his face in his arms.

"...Haitham?" Kaveh questioned, some of the haze of his rut retreating enough for concern to go through him. "Are you al—"

"You were wrong." Alhaitham murmured, cutting him off. "I've wanted you longer than you've wanted me."

Kaveh stared, stunned for a long moment before he processed what had been said and gasped, his hips jerking. "D-don't just say things like that!"

Alhaitham hissed. "Control yourself."

"Y-you're the one making it difficult!"

"Hardly."

"Haitham." Kaveh bit his lip, reaching out to brush his hand over the back of Alhaitham's neck, pushing his hair out of the way so he could press gentle kisses to the delicate skin there. "You can't say that. Not when just your scent did this to me."

Alhaitham was quiet for a moment before his head twisted to the side so he could look back at him once more. "...I suppose I can acknowledge the fact that you simply have poor restraint."

"You—" Kaveh growled, giving another roll of his hips. "Big talk for an alpha with a knot in his ass."

Alhaitham grimaced, then averted his eyes. "I almost didn't."

"Yes! Because I was being considerate!"

"I had already agreed."

"We hadn't exactly... Talked about it." Kaveh faltered, feeling self doubt creep up on him. "We should have talked about it more. I'm so—"

"Stop." Alhaitham let out an aggrieved sigh. "...Roll us over, Kaveh."

Kaveh gave a small nod, feeling oddly small as he gently rolled them onto their sides, his arms immediately wrapping around Alhaitham's waist. Beside him Alhaitham was loose and relaxed, his scent clean and calm when Kaveh pressed his nose to his scent gland. He could already feel desire sinking its claws into him again, but he wanted a moment to think, to process.

"Kaveh." Alhaitham's voice drew him from his thoughts.

"Hmm?" Kaveh tightened his hold, burying his face in the back of Alhaitham's neck.

"When have you known me to do something I don't wish to?"

Kaveh opened his mouth to respond, then closed it, heat creeping into his cheeks. "...Never."

"Stop overthinking." Alhaitham murmured, his voice oddly gentle. "We'll talk after your rut."

"Promise?"

"Yes."

"Okay." Kaveh bit his lip, burying his nose against Alhaitham's scent gland.

Closing his eyes, he let his scent wash over him. Alhaitham smelled like Sumeru after a rainstorm, like studying inside as the spring rains drizzled outside. There was a sweet spiciness to it, but there was a quality to it that he hadn't smelled before. As he nuzzled closer, breathing in deep, even as his rut loomed, insistent and borderline overwhelming, he felt his eyes burn at the traces of quiet affection and happiness he could pick out.

Yes, they needed to talk, needed to discuss the years of bitter arguments and hidden secrets, but, for now, it was enough knowing that Alhaitham wanted him. Feeling the steady drum of his heart, the way his chest rose and fell with his breaths, it calmed the insistent, ever present voices in Kaveh's head, if only for a few stolen moments. Hopefully, by the end of Kaveh's sudden, early rut, they'd be too worn out for anything but sincerity. Until then, he supposed that he would do his best to savor their small, stolen moments of intimacy and hope that there were many more to come.