Eric opened the door, raindrops still clinging to the ends of his hair. He pushed his slippers aside and wiped a little water from his jacket with his sleeve.
"Just a little wet," he said, trying to act casual even though his clothes were soaked.
Liam, sitting in the living room, looked at him with slightly wide eyes.
"Hey, are you okay? Why are you so wet?" he asked, stepping closer.
"Ah, got caught in the rain a bit. On my way back, ran into Clara, grabbed a bite, then rain hit again," Eric replied lightly, trying to make it seem like nothing happened. Liam nodded slowly, still watching Eric with a small smile.
"Uuuh, Clara…" he murmured jokingly, but Eric just gave a thin smile.
From the kitchen, quick footsteps could be heard. Jay appeared, drying his hands on his apron.
"Dinner's ready. Eat before it gets cold," he said, placing plates on the table. The aroma of freshly cooked food spread through the room, but Eric noticed something else—a light, fresh, unusual scent he couldn't quite place.
"Hey… Jay, what perfume is that? What's that smell?" Eric asked, sniffing curiously.
Jay shrugged, giving a small smile.
"Me? No perfume… maybe it's just my body soap," he joked. Liam, sitting nearby, frowned slightly.
"Really? Smells a little different."
Eric chuckled lightly. "Haha, okay…" Jay just smiled, not adding anything else, leaving them both puzzled.
The room fell into a calm silence for a moment, rain still dripping outside. Eric sat in a chair, Liam beside him. They ate a little and chatted quietly.
Eric smiled faintly to himself, glancing at Jay moving around the kitchen. That scent… strange but somehow comforting, making him feel at ease. Liam, sitting next to him, just shrugged silently, still curious but not daring to ask.
The rain gradually stopped outside, fresh air flowing through the slightly open window. They sat, ate, and talked, feeling a bit lighter—though Eric's mind kept drifting to Clara, and that lingering scent of her Omega pheromone stayed in his thoughts.
---
Later that night, Liam's room was quiet. The rain had stopped, but the air remained damp and fresh. Liam sat on a chair, still sore from earlier. Jay sat beside him with a first aid box and some bandages.
"Let me wrap this up for you," Jay said softly, opening the box and pulling out a roll of bandage. Liam just nodded, eyes half-closed from exhaustion. Jay carefully lifted Liam's arm and began wrapping the wound with precision and gentleness, each movement attentive—not just physically, but with genuine care.
Liam held his breath a little as Jay pressed the bandage down, making sure it was snug and comfortable. The room was silent, save for the occasional footstep in the hallway and the distant sound of the rain slowing outside.
Suddenly, Liam lifted his head, catching an unusual scent.
"Huh… why do you smell… like…" he said slowly, curiosity clear in his voice. Jay paused, raising his gaze slightly, confused.
"Like what?" Jay asked, observing Liam closely.
"You… smell like an Omega," Liam replied, frowning as he tried to process it. "Did you meet any Omegas today?"
Jay stared at Liam blankly for a moment, then smiled faintly, almost laughing.
"Omega smell? I didn't go out today. I don't know any Omegas."
Liam thought for a moment, shifting his gaze from the bandage to Jay's face. The scent… it was definitely there. But Jay seemed genuine. Liam felt puzzled, yet intrigued. He lifted his arm slightly, letting Jay finish the bandaging.
Jay pressed the final bandage gently, then sat back beside Liam.
"All done. If it hurts or feels tight, just let me know," he said softly. Liam just nodded, still fixated on the unexpected scent.
The night grew quieter, but Liam felt that something strange was happening—the Omega scent stirred something in him, both unsettling and oddly compelling. Jay, unaware of the effect, remained by Liam's side, carefully checking the bandages to ensure everything was fine.
That night, Liam began to realize that something was changing, and the scent he had noticed—clearly from Jay now—was no coincidence. The quiet night and the damp air surrounded them as they sat close, without heavy words, but with curiosity slowly drawing Liam's attention toward Jay.
---
Later, Eric stepped into Carl's house with calm, measured steps. The house was warm, with the aroma of fresh coffee and faint sounds of instruments in the living room. Carl glanced up from the sofa, smiling faintly.
"Showing up uninvited, huh?" Carl teased.
Eric smiled, walking over to the sofa beside him.
"Yup, just came to hang out," he said casually, sitting cross-legged, relaxed.
Carl sipped his coffee, eyes glancing at Eric.
"You look calm. After everything, you okay?"
Eric let out a light laugh.
"Yeah… sometimes it's nice just to sit and chill, away from all the chaos." He drew a slow breath, glancing briefly out the window.
Eric sat at the end of the sofa, eyes staring out the window. Rain still fell gently outside, creating a soothing rhythm in the room. Carl sat at the other end, arms crossed, watching Eric quietly. They remained silent for a moment, letting the atmosphere set its own pace.
Finally, Carl spoke softly, almost like a whisper.
"Hm… can I ask you something?" He turned slightly toward Eric, waiting for a nod.
Eric looked up briefly, nodding.
"What…?" he said quietly, hesitant to open up but ready to listen.
Carl exhaled lightly, his gaze serious but calm.
"Where's your family?"
Eric was silent for a moment, swallowing a familiar bitterness. He inhaled slowly, letting himself settle before answering.
"My parents… they're dead," he said simply, his tone steady, though tinged with sorrow. He didn't elaborate—just left it at the fact, letting Carl understand without long explanations.
Carl's eyes softened, full of attention. He didn't repeat the question or push.
"So… were you happy with them?" he asked gently, balancing curiosity with empathy.
Eric lowered his gaze for a moment, recalling his mother's warm smile and his father's protective hands.
"I was… happy. Always protected. They'd risk everything for me. That's why… they're gone," he said quietly, voice honest, holding back tears. He didn't say more, just enough to express his longing and regret.
"You can't blame yourself for their deaths," Carl said softly. Eric remained silent. Carl stayed quiet too.
Outside, the rain continued to fall, but inside the room, a gentle warmth lingered. Sometimes silence was the best way to show care—no need for long words.
Eric inhaled deeply, feeling a slight relief despite the bitter memories. Carl said nothing more, just watched, giving him space to sort through his thoughts. The moment was quiet, yet full of understanding—calm, steady, and quietly touching.
---
Note:
Pheromones are natural scents emitted by Alphas and Omegas that signal identity, emotions, and energy levels. Alphas generally emit strong, controlling scents, while Omegas release soft, calming ones. These pheromones influence comfort levels, reactions, and interactions between individuals.