Sean didn't quite know what to expect, even if Brandon explained everything to the best of his abilities. The second the young Alpha had mentioned feeling overly emotional, wanting to be hugged and just cry, Sean had struggled to swallow the sudden lump in his throat.

His Omega already whining and crying in his head, a mantra of "!Want!Need!Alpha!". No matter how much he pushed his Omega back, it persisted, demanding that its needs were finally met.

Fear still clung to Sean's heart, viciously sinking its claws into his tensing muscles and cramping stomach. He remembered flashes of where his Omega had sought out warmth and comfort, only to receive a sharp slap to his face and a scolding that always ended up with Jamie taking over.

So when Sean lost control of his Omega and watched as it lunged straight into Brandon's arms, he had expected to be pushed back and punished. To have Jamie take over and protect him, as he always did.

However, the opposite was true; Brandon enveloped him in such a soft and warm hug that Sean and his Omega no longer struggled against one another.

Instead he cried right along his Omega, whining at the painful tension in his muscles. The heaviness that clouded his mind while his muscles shivered at the slightest touch, his body and awareness overly sensitive like an exposed nerve, waiting to react.

Brandon only proved himself even more, as each time Sean made himself vulnerable within the Alpha's vicinity, he was protected and nurtured.

Loved.

Sean inhaled shakily, chest still heavy and eyes burning. Wanting to cry more, needing to let out all the stress that was stored in his body. Luckily Brandon's hoodie draped over his body had doused him in the Alpha's pheromones, wrapping him in the man's scent.

When Brandon had asked for Sean's permission to send his mom a text explaining the situation and requesting for items, he was slightly wary. However, Brandon had explained his reasoning and reluctance of leaving Sean, especially now that his Omega had surfaced and expressed its needs.

"Leaving you to get the materials myself would only aggravate your Omega." Brandon had pointed out gently, tone soft and warm, just like his hug. "It may think I'm abandoning you or may think you're being too needy, which certainly isn't the case."

It had made Sean swallow several times, lump growing in his throat before he had nodded and simply clung tighter to Brandon as he quickly contacted his mom, allowing Sean to read the text before it was sent.

The young Omega realized Brandon could've easily and secretly contacted his mother over the mind link they shared. The fact that Brandon didn't do that, waited until he had Sean's express permission...

It made Sean's Omega squirm with neediness, clinging onto the Alpha, their Alpha, with all the power his lithe body possessed.

He wanted to be held and hugged. To be pampered and coddled, to be cared for. Sean didn't quite know what he wanted but instinctually, he knew a decent Alpha, a good Alpha could provide it.

And Brandon was more than just a good Alpha. His Omega wanted nothing more than nuzzle in the man's throat, to find the scent glands hidden there and mouth at them.

To wrap himself around the Alpha, feel the man hug him in return and get all the affection he had been denied.

Sean flushed slightly, whining at the embarrassing thoughts of his own Omegan wolf but Brandon soothed the stress away. Gently brushing his hand over Sean's back until he nearly purred at the attention.

His stomach cramped, a heaviness settling in his muscles as even Jamie nuzzled against his mind for a moment. Leaving after a whispered "Enjoy. You deserve this. I'll be in the background if you need me."

Sean sent him a thought of warmth and gratitude, for once not a hint of fear even if he was left alone with an Alpha. A hesitant smile playing on his lips as Brandon hummed pensively.

"Now, every Omega is slightly different in their nesting behavior." Brandon explained as he sat down, gently pulling Sean so the Omega was comfortably situated on the Alpha's lap.

Pointing around the room, Brandon continued "Some Omegas start off by doing a deep cleaning of their home. Making things neat and pretty, surrounding themselves with fresh scents of soap and the like."

Sean glanced around his room, not really feeling the need to clean it anymore than it already was. Besides, what was he supposed to clean?

He didn't have many possessions and even his clothing was washed and ironed by the pack. There were no decorations to dust, no house to clean, just his room. And by his very nature, the room was kept clean at all times.

Brandon's fingers gently scratched through Sean's hair, making his Omega whine contently as the Alpha's voice provided him with a soothing vibration against his sensitive body.

"Other Omegas start their nesting by taking a nice long bath or shower. Clean themselves as the hot water helps relax their muscles. Usually they wash themselves with scented soaps used by their loved ones."

Jasmine sweetened infinitely, making Sean flush awkwardly as his Omega filled the room with their scent. Brandon chuckled, sandalwood mixing with Sean's own scent, warm and pleased.

"As for the rest, Omegas love making their bed comfortable during nesting. Provided with enough blankets, pillows and scent marked items, their inner Omega can relax and soothe itself from its stress." Brandon murmured softly, never raising his voice as he patiently explained the nesting process.

A knock sounded on the door, making Sean flinch and glance at Brandon. Noticing how the Alpha didn't call in the person yet patiently waited until Sean had gathered the courage to do so himself.

Caramelized apple flooded the room as Faye entered, a warm smile on her face as she carried in a box. "The hot chocolate is on its way in a few minutes." The pack Omega smiled as she placed down the storage box and started removing items.

Sean watched curiously, flushing as multiple blankets were placed on the bed, along with several soft body pillows and loose sweatpants. "I had to look up Sean's measurements but I'm sure these will be a nice fit."

At the Omega's curious look, Faye's smile gentled. "Our stomachs can be highly sensitive to touch when we're close to nesting or in heat. While some are in varying states of being undressed, in certain company you can't do that."

Brandon smiled as he patted Sean's back soothingly. "Mom always wore a sundress whenever she nested when I was around. All she wanted was to have the house clean and cuddle after the cleaning."

Faye smiled warmly at her son, eyes flitting between Sean and Brandon. "Good thing the heavens gifted me with a cuddle bug of a son." She teased, making the young Alpha bark out a laugh.

As she was about to leave, she gave Sean a reassuring smile. "You're in good hands darling." Sean swallowed thickly, nodding hesitantly while the arms around him tightened a fraction when he whispered his reply.

"I know."

When the door closed behind Faye, Brandon guided him towards the storage box. Sean's nostrils flared, catching Brandon's scent from multiple shirts that were stored in a ziplock bag. "Keeps the scent longer, though I have no issues scenting more clothes if you need Sean."

"Now then..." Brandon rolled up his sleeves, making Sean's eyes linger on the bared skin and lean muscles before the Alpha recaptured his attention with a soft grin. "Mom usually has the bed against the wall for a perfect nest, so she can tuck pillows against the wall. Do you-?"

Brandon didn't need to continue; the warm jasmine that flooded through the room made the Alpha chuckle. He made quick work of rearranging the furniture, asking Sean where he wanted to have everything.

Sean let his Omega guide him, pointing towards the corner that caught his attention. With the bed snuggly against it, his eyes were drawn towards the mass of pillows and blankets.

The young Alpha watched with an excruciating softness in his gaze as Sean stumbled across the floor, overtaken by his instincts. Sifting through the blankets until he found the one he wanted, draping it over his bed. Tucking scented shirts and plushies between soft pillows and downy blankets.

His nostrils flared, needing more scents, more comfort. When he turned, Brandon was already waiting, presenting several scented candles.

Woodfire. Ozone. Petrichor. Apple. Cinnamon. Sandalwood.

Even Alpha Ryker's bergamot scent, tart yet floral, was present in the candles that were provided. Brandon motioned to the other scented candles with his chin.

"We didn't quite know which scents you wanted but there's more." Brandon's voice was a distant echo in his mind as Sean reached forwards, sniffing at several candles before adding the frankincense one to the group, as it reminded him of Steve.

He placed the candles around the room, scattering them so their scents could mingle gently without overwhelming the others. Sean reluctantly put the sandalwood candle back, realizing it would overpower the other scents considering Brandon's clothes and presence.

Sean hesitantly turned to Brandon, Omega barely contained under the surface. Brandon smiled reassuringly and motioned to the bathroom.

"As for your bath, you can decide whether or not you'd want my help." Brandon quickly raised a hand as he reassured "I wouldn't get undressed, nor do you need to be." The young Alpha pointed at the swim shorts laid out on the chair.

Sean hesitantly shuffled his weight from one foot to another. Omegan instincts warring with the fear inside as he questioned "W-what did your mom do?"

The young Alpha instantly shook his head. "You don't need to copy my mother, Sean. She didn't experience what you all did, nor are you the one who has birthed me. Our relationships are different." The Alpha stressed, eyes focused on Sean to convey his point.

"But." Brandon sighed, scratching through his hair as he pondered for a moment. "It depended. There were moments where mom liked to nest with just dad around, and there were moments where us pups were present as well. We'd treat it as a spa day out, everyone in swim suits as we played and relaxed."

Raising a finger to his lips, Sean nibbled at his nail, scent filling with anxiety and stress. He wanted to trust Brandon, instincts screaming to do it.

But there was a vague voice whispering in his ear to be cautious. Not of what Brandon would do, the Alpha had more than proven himself.

What about my scars? What... how will he react?

He nibbled and ripped at the skin until a gentle hand wrapped around his fingers, stilling Sean's destructive habit. The young Alpha in front of him offered him another warm smile before motioning to the chair beside the bathroom.

"If you're more comfortable, I'll wait right there. Close enough so your Omega is satisfied but far enough that I don't see you."

Sean knew Brandon made the suggestion for his benefit but his instincts instantly whined and whimpered. Wanting Brandon close, needing him in the same room, within touching distance.

"Alpha-" Sean whined, breath stuttering as he struggled. Muscles tensing painfully while his fingers dug within the fabric of Brandon's shirt, who simply smiled and crouched a bit lower.

"It is your choice to make darling." Brandon husked, lovingly petting through Sean's hair until the Omega relaxed a fraction. "I cannot make it for you."

Sean didn't quite know how long he stood there, wrapped in Brandon's comforting scent as his instincts struggled to make a decision.

There was a slight nudge in his mind, a little sparkle of electricity running down his spine, as if someone gave him a silent go on.

He felt safe.

He is safe.

That was the only reason why Sean slowly relaxed and reached for the swimwear, allowing his Omega what it truly wanted.

Brandon's grin could've dulled the sun as the young Alpha motioned towards the soaps and scents. Sean scurried over, grabbing some of the bathing salts after a few delicate whiffs and darted in the bathroom with a flush on his cheeks.

The instincts heated his skin, drowning out a lot of his earlier stress and fears. Instead, Sean allowed the bath to fill with hot water as he quickly got dressed and hesitantly opened the door again.

The young Alpha turned at the sound of the opening door and Sean couldn't help a little smile of his own as Brandon seemed to hesitate for a moment.

Eyes focused on Sean's. Not lingering on his body, not even daring to dip down. All focus was on him as a person.

And not him as an Omega, an object of desire for some packs and individuals.

Sean whined noisily when Brandon didn't move, making the Alpha smile and reach forwards. The Omega nuzzled into the touch, steam slowly filling the air along with the fragrance of the selected soaps.

"Let's get you washed up and pampered then, shall we?" Brandon murmured, guiding Sean towards the tub. As promised, the Alpha remained fully dressed beside the bath, kneeling and reaching for the washing cloth.

"Do you trust me Sean? To not take things further and to respect you as a whole?" Brandon paused until Sean nodded with another whine that made the young Alpha soothingly hush him.

Tears gathered on Sean's eyes but he refused to let them fall as Brandon handled him as if he was the most delicate, most expensive thing he'd come across.

The Alpha held the back of his head, gently pouring water over his hair before working in shampoo. As strong hands gently scratched through his hair, nails scraping his scalp, Sean shivered with delight.

Omega crooning at the attention, the warmth and affection offered as Brandon washed out the soap before applying conditioner. Even using a comb to gently apply the product over his entire hair before grabbing the soap.

Sean wasn't even fully aware of what happened anymore. He turned this way and that, feeling the cloth wipe over his skin before Brandon's hands kneaded his muscles into compliance.

Heaven. This is heaven.

His Omega whined in agreement as the heat of the water combined with the gentle affection of the Alpha managed to soothe the tension within.

With each touch came a whiff of Brandon's pheromones, slowly but surely mingling with his own until the scent permeated his skin.

When fingers dug into a particular rebellious muscle, Sean released a soft moan of delight. There was only a moment of hesitation before Brandon continued with a strangled sound of his own as the man sighed "Now you're making this unfair sweetheart."

Sean's cheeks hurt from the content smile that split his lips, hearing Brandon chuckle beside him before the Alpha rinsed out the remaining soaps.

"Here we go, hold on darling."

The Omega eagerly followed the whispered instruction, wrapping his arms around Brandon's neck before he was pulled out of the bathtub.

A preheated towel gently wrapping around him and removing any moisture before it was effortlessly draped around his waist.

His Omega saw Brandon turn towards the door and latched on his wrist. Silently begging his alpha not to leave him. Not now. Not ever.

"It's alright sweetheart, I'm just giving you room to remove the shorts and get dressed." Brandon smiled but his Omega persisted.

"Alpha. Stay, Alpha-" His eyes widened, instincts panicking before Brandon hushed him, soothing the anxiety that threatened to overtake him.

The Alpha held Sean in his arms for a moment before murmuring "How about this? I turn around so you can remove those wet clothes, dry off and get dressed, then we can further relax in your room?"

At Sean's nod, Brandon turned around and didn't peak once. Not even when Sean's swim pants fell to the ground with an audible splat, nor when the Omega's pheromones filled the air with a breathtaking potency.

Though the Omega preened, hiding a delighted smile when his nostrils flared, sensing a barely veiled spice within Brandon's scent.

The second Sean had pants on, his Omega sought out Brandon's arms. Nuzzling against the man as he sighed and returned the gesture. When presented with one of Brandon's heavily scented hoodies, Sean instantly lifted his arms and deeply inhaled the scent that provided him with warmth and comfort.

He was effortlessly lifted up and carried into his room. For once, his Omega was contently quiet, purring in the background as Brandon settled Sean within his nest.

Safe. Secure. Warm. Home.

Everything he had longed for and he finally had it.

His little slice of heaven was improved when Brandon gently handed him a mug of hot chocolate. The whipped cream added an extra sweetness to the drink, making Sean smile as he wiped his nose clean from the sweet froth and licked his lips.

Right now, his body was as relaxed as it could ever be. And as Brandon grabbed his own mug and settled by his side, allowing Sean to mold against the Alpha until he fit just right....

Perfection.

The rest of the evening was spent in a daze where he enjoyed his hot drink and nuzzled against Brandon. He was so relaxed that when the mug was gently pried from his relaxed grip, Sean simply turned further against Brandon and ever so slowly, fell asleep.