The atmosphere in the room was unbearably tense, laced with the sharp bite of desperation and something even heavier—desire, curling in the air like smoke.
Avery kept glancing at Noël, whose body trembled with pain on the bed. The heat clung to him like a fevered shroud. His skin was flushed, sweat trailing down his temples, and his breath came in short, ragged gasps. But what gnawed at Avery wasn't just the sight of Noël in pain, it was the helplessness. And the fact that he was the only one who could help.
He turned back to the doctor, voice strained. "There's really nothing you can do? Nothing else that might help, even just for a little while?"
The doctor, an older Alpha who seemed more tired than unkind, adjusted his glasses. "I can give him a low-grade suppressant. It might buy you ten to fifteen minutes of clarity. But that's all. After that, it'll wear off. Possibly hit harder. Could backfire. It's not a long-term solution."
"But it'll bring him back to himself?" Avery asked.
"Enough to think. To speak properly." The doctor said, his voice low. "But you need to understand that it's only a window. If you're hoping to get his consent, use that window wisely. Because once the suppressant wears off, he'll be overwhelmed again, maybe worse."
Avery's jaw clenched. "I just need him to choose. I don't want this to happen if he's not… there."
The doctor gave a nod of professional understanding. "Then I'll leave you with the pill. I've said all I can." He packed up his bag and added, almost as an afterthought, "It's good of you to ask. Not everyone would."
And then he left.
Avery sat at the edge of the bed, looking down at the pill in his palm. His own body wasn't doing much better. His instincts stirred every time Noël whimpered or shifted. But he wouldn't let himself snap. Not unless he knew for sure.
"Noël," he murmured. "Come on, just a little longer."
He cupped the Omega's cheek and gently coaxed the pill between his lips, using a bit of water to help him swallow. It took effort as Noël was semi-conscious, trembling but eventually he managed.
Avery stayed close, watching. Waiting.
A few minutes passed. Then Noël blinked, his eyes slowly clearing. His breathing calmed, just slightly.
"W-What…?" he whispered, brows furrowed in confusion. "What's happening…?"
"You fainted," Avery explained gently, brushing damp strands of hair from his forehead. "The suppressants stopped working. Your body reacted badly. I… I called the doctor."
Noël's lips parted, fear trickling into his expression. "D-Doctor? Am I dying?"
"No," Avery said firmly. "But you can't take any more suppressants. Not the strong ones. They've already messed with your system enough. It's dangerous now."
"Then…" Noël swallowed. "What… what am I supposed to do?"
Avery hesitated. He had practiced the words in his head so many times but now that he had to say them, they lodged in his throat like a stone.
"There's only one other way," he finally said. "Sex. With an Alpha. It'll ease the heat. Soften the symptoms."
Noël blinked, looking dazed. "You're kidding…"
"I'm not," Avery said softly. "And before you ask, yes, I'm willing to help. I'll do it. But only if you say yes."
For a long moment, silence settled between them like snowfall. Noël stared, unblinking, eyes wide with disbelief. His fingers trembled against the sheets. "Why… would you do that?"
Avery gave a strained smile. "Because I care. I don't know what this is yet, but I won't take advantage of you. If we do this, it's because you want to. Not because you're in pain."
Noël's heart beat painfully in his chest. He'd dreamt of moments like this though not quite like this. This was reality, complicated and raw. But somehow… somehow, he wasn't afraid.
He opened his mouth to speak but no words came. Instead, his gaze softened, laced with quiet surrender. His body was starting to heat again, the suppressant's weak effect already fading. But this time, it wasn't only pain. It was want.
He met Avery's eyes. They were dark, desperate, filled with restraint barely holding.
Avery leaned forward, breath ghosting over Noël's cheek. "Say something," he whispered. "Because if you don't, I'm going to take your silence as permission."
Noël's cheeks flamed, his body shivering as arousal curled low in his belly. And then, with trembling lips, he whispered:
"Please… take me."
Avery stilled. For a breath. Then another. And then, every part of him surged with a hunger he could no longer deny.
"I'll take responsibility," he whispered back, voice rough and reverent. "You don't have to be afraid."
Avery hovered over Noël for a moment longer, eyes searching his flushed face, watching every tiny reaction, every tremble. "You're sure?"
Noël nodded slowly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need you"
That simple confession made Avery's chest tighten. He leaned in, his lips brushing lightly against Noël's forehead, then his cheek, taking his time giving Noël the space to retreat if he changed his mind.
But Noël didn't retreat.
Instead, his fingers reached out, curling around Avery's wrist with a quiet urgency. "Please… don't make me wait anymore."
That was all it took.
Avery kissed him. Not rough or hurried, but deep, tender, reverent. His hands trailed over Noël's heated skin, every touch slow and deliberate. He needed Noël to feel wanted, not just relieved. Needed him to know that this wasn't just instinct, it was choice.
Noël's lips parted with a soft sigh, welcoming him, pulling him closer. His skin was burning, his body aching, and the need rolled through him in waves. But beneath the rising desire was something softer: safety.
Avery pulled back just enough to meet Noël's gaze. "I'll go slow. Tell me if anything hurts."
Noël nodded, breathless, and began tugging lightly at Avery's shirt.
Clothes fell away, piece by piece. Whispers of fabric brushing against skin, revealing soft planes and hard muscle, the contrast between them stark and beautiful. Avery's fingers touched Noël's bare chest, reverently, brushing over his sides, his stomach, down his hips. Noël gasped, shivering, arching slightly into the touch.
Avery's lips followed his fingers, kissing down Noël's collarbone, tasting the salt of his skin. "You're beautiful," he murmured.
Noël's cheeks burned from pleasure and satisfaction. He reached up, tangling his fingers in Avery's hair smiling, pulling him down into another kiss. This one messier, deeper, needier.
Hearing Avery call him beautiful aroused him even more.
It didn't take long for Avery's control to begin slipping. Noël's scent had grown sweeter, headier, intoxicating, and Avery's Alpha instincts clawed at him, begging for release.
He pulled away just long enough to check if Noël was ready. He used some of his pre cum to slick his fingers. Noël watched with wide eyes, biting his lip, but didn't flinch.
"I'm going to prep you, alright?" Avery said, voice rough with restraint. "Breathe for me."
Noël nodded, already moaning softly as Avery slid a finger inside. Slow, gentle. The Omega tensed slightly but relaxed under the soothing strokes and kisses Avery pressed to his inner thigh, to his hip, to his temple. He added a second finger, then a third, coaxing Noël's body open with patience and murmured praises.
When Avery finally felt Noël releasing slick from prepping him. He lined himself up and paused for a second, his breath unsteady. "Last chance, Noël. Say no, and I'll stop."
Noël opened his eyes half-lidded, glassy and wrapped his legs around Avery's waist.
"I want you," he said.
Avery groaned and pushed in slowly, biting back a moan as Noël's body welcomed him with intense, slick heat. Noël cried out softly, both from the pressure and the overwhelming relief. For a moment, neither moved. Both overwhelmed by sensation.
Then Avery began to move.
The rhythm started slow, measured. His hand cradling Noël's cheek, his lips kissing away every tear and every gasp. Noël clung to him, nails raking gently down his back, mouth open with whimpers and breathless moans.
The scent of heat and pheromones thickened the air, clouding everything. Noël arched, gasped, and called Avery's name in moans.
"More," he begged, breath hitching. "Don't hold back."
And Avery didn't. He buried himself deeper, kissed him harder, letting the intensity build. Noël tightened around him, body responding with desperate pulses of pleasure, and Avery knew he wouldn't take it slow anymore. He slowly started speeding up his rhythm. The moaning and groaning become louder and more intense.
"Noël," he groaned against his neck. "I'm close. Can I…?"
Noël nodded, body trembling violently. "Yes inside… I want it"
That was all it took.
Avery thrust deep, a growl tearing from his throat as he came, warmth flooding into Noël's trembling body. Noël followed moments later, crying out as his orgasm overtook him, hips shaking as he clung to Avery, sobbing through the release.
They lay tangled, sweaty, gasping.
Avery didn't move for a long while. He held Noël close, pressed kisses to his hair, whispered soft reassurances against his skin.
When Noël finally spoke, it was a whisper.
"Thank you… for not forcing me."
Avery's arms tightened around him. "I would never."
Noël buried his face in Avery's chest and let himself be held. His heat soothed, his fears quieted.
Being in the arms of an Alpha who cared for his permission made him feel safe. All his nerves calmed down and all he wanted to do is enjoy the moment while it lasted.
Whatever happened next, they would figure it out together.