Chapter Text
“Hayi? Uhm, can I ask a favour? It's just-” He hesitates, clearly fiddling with his hands.
“Whatever it is, Kaveh, just say.” Ah, that’s always so easy for him to say yet Kaveh couldn’t help the struggle he felt whenever he tried to express something he wanted. He didn’t feel like he deserved whatever he wanted, yet it was something his partners were slowly teaching him to overcome. Kaveh took in another breath before speaking.
“My- uh, pre-heat is soon. Can you, when it happens, stay with me?” Alhaitham hummed, eyes still on his book as he read through each line with the same stoic seeming expression.
“Isn’t that a given, Kaveh?” The architect just huffed, gazing away.
“I just don't like to assume, I always want to make sure.”
“Hm. I know.”
“Then why did you- ugh, forget it. I have blueprints to work on before things start getting irritating.” Alhaitham’s eyes finally shifted from his book, eyeing Kaveh a little.
“Dont work too hard, Tighnari will kill you and by extension me for letting you continue as you wish.” Kaveh had already turned around though, heading back for his room whilst dismissively waving his hand behind him.
“Yeah, yeah- i’ll listen this time.” But when did he ever?
It had taken a few hours with Kaveh working on his drafts before Alhaitham knocked on the door, pushing it open once he got the go ahead from the Omega sat working tirelessly at his desk. Though, even through his work- his eyes soon met Alhaithams as he put his quill down giving his full attention to his Alpha.
“Is everything alright?”
“I won't be able to make it for the first day of your heat- the Akademiya has insisted they need help over-”
“It's fine.” Came Kaveh’s quick response, picking up his quill once again before starting to go over some lighter lines of his blueprint.
“But it isn't fine-”
“I’m lucky. I have three very doting and protective Alphas, no? I’m sure Tighnari and Cyno will be there. So i’ll be able to wait for you, okay?”
Kaveh knew Alhaitham was visibly upset by this, even if his expression didn’t clearly state it. Over the many years of knowing one another, Kaveh had learned to capture those micro-expressions and the way Alhaithams fists clenched right now followed by a tug on his lips downwards? Yeah, his Alpha was worried even if his scent remained steady.
“Okay, only if you’re certain you’ll be alright. I’ll be there for the second or third day at most.” He turns around, about to leave the room before pausing. “And… If Tighnari and Cyno aren’t free, tell me immediately and i’ll tell the Akademiya where to put their foolish ideas-”
“No need, ‘haitham. I promise, ‘kay?”
Alhaitham simply nodded before leaving the room properly this time to start their dinner as Tighnari and Cyno would be home soon. They all took turns switching between Gandharva Ville and Alhaitham’s home and Kaveh had a precious and comfortable nest in each. He was lucky, truly- blessed with three Alphas who all doted on him non stop. Their relationship came easily, all four of them caring for one another through sickness and health- bad days and good; in all truth, KAveh loved it so much. Being able to give each of them soft kisses and care for them and spoil his Alphas but… He’d been lectured as of late to let them care for him in turn too. The Omega wasn’t as fond of that due to the deep rooted feeling that he’d only burden them. Kaveh views this as ‘saving up’ their wanting to care for him, and allow them to during his heats instead. That’s how he viewed it anyway, no matter how much his Alphas would disagree.
It didn’t take too much time for him to get around to asking Tighnari the next day, following him to Gandharva Ville due to promising to help Collei with her drawing some plants. Walking along the path together, Kaveh fiddles a little with his hands- an anxiety settling deep in his stomach for reasons he could never explain. He knows he should be confident in asking, but he feels bad. Isn’t he disturbing their time?
“Hey, ‘nari?”
“Yes love?”
Ah, Tighnari always spoke so gently to him- to all of them truth be told. His tall ears flickered as they continued down the path with greenery surrounding them. It always felt like nature itself was trying to reach out to Tighnari, always reaching out for him and blooming beneath his touch. In all truth, that’s how Kaveh felt too.
“Are you perhaps free this week? Soon as-”
“Master Tighnari!” The fennec visibly sighed at being interrupted with his Omega, gently taking his hands and squeezing them.
“We will finish this conversation later, alright? Go to Collei and I'll meet up with you later. I bet some idiot has eaten a mushroom again-”
Tighnari was soon pulled away from him, and the Omega was left standing in the sunspot alone with his scent starting to sour. It's alright, Tighnari is busy- he would have to ask Cyno next. However, when he went to do so the next day- he was truly nowhere to be found. Another mission in the desert, perhaps and he’d be stupid to go there when his preheat had finally hit. This was all how things ended up working out for Kaveh every single time. He had three Alphas, none of which could spend his heat with as they were so busy; Omega’s were even more vulnerable during their heats, but here he stood- alone and wanting and beginning to feel the tell tale signs of being abandoned.
“No.” He whispered out to himself, “I haven't been abandoned- they’re just busy and I can't disturb them any further-” His inner Omega begged to differ.
Kaveh continued to struggle onward through his preheat alone in Tighnari’s hut- curled up alone in his nest after finishing the rest of his blueprints. Was he undesirable? Should he have been an Alpha instead? No, no- because then who would help them with their ruts? Jealousy flared deep within his chest as he felt himself beginning to pant and grow hotter. Ah, he truly was entering his heat alone then this time. The last time his heat hit, their pack surrounded him and Tighnari was cooing sweet nothings in his ear letting him cuddle his tail, Cyno was carefully playing with those blonde locks and Alhaitham was holding his hand ensuring they were there. Here he is now, though- a stark difference from before. An involuntary whine slipped from his lips as tears gathered in his eyes. Would he truly be alone with no Alpha to help? It was starting to hurt, everything was burning and he just wanted to be held… Nevermind, he had the comfort of his nest that still held his Alphas scent- he would be completely fine alone.
Day one had gone by in a blur and day two was a different kind of hell as he lay naked and wanting in the centre of his nest. He hadn’t touched himself, though- hence the searing pain that only intensified day in and day out.
“Think Kaveh- come on,” He mumbles to himself, panting and whining. “What else helps heats I-” He pauses for a moment, the haze in his mind increasing as his eyes meet the plush lion across the room. How hadn’t he noticed that before? Hesitantly, he crawls through his nest- fingertips reaching out across the room with another pathetic whine. “Cub?” Came his hoarse whisper from all the previous sobbing from being alone. His fingertips soon meet the gentleness of the fabric and that’s all it takes for him to bring it into his chest whilst simultaneously falling back into the centre of the nest curling around the plush protectively. “Cub.” He repeats, certain this time as he pulls it carefully to his chest, nestling it close to his chest as if to feed it like it truly was alive and his. The haze of his heat had simmered into the want to protect, to feed and to care for his newly acquired cub. “Mama’s here…” He clutched the pup closer, tears rolling back down his flushed cheeks. He felt so horrid and his inner omega was practically sobbing from the feeling of being abandoned.
It was all his fault though, he felt. The haze was rapidly returning tenfold, causing him to slowly begin to purr and groom his kit- the plush lion already having messed fur from it. It’s alright now, though. They were safe, him and his kit- just them.
Alhaitham let out a large sigh, snapping the book shut and shuffling through the endless amount of files the Akademiya had left at his desk. Unfortunately they were all vital and had to be tended to by the Acting Grand Sage personally which irritated him. He had an Omega in heat to get to, and that was two days ago now! They had no excuse to keep an Alpha away from their Omega for an entire day, let alone three whilst they’re in heat. He had squeezed one too many pens out of frustration, now on his twelfth with several terrified students outside his room all discussing who would go in first to bother him- none thankfully were brave enough. That, however, was proven wrong once Cyno had walked through and locked the door shut behind him after the elevator.
“Alhaitham.”
“Cyno.” He responds, calmer now one of his mates were in the room. “I’m surprised you’re not with Kaveh? I assume he asked Tighnari, then.” Cyno looked visibly confused as he walked over, eyeing all of the thankfully nearly finished paperwork littering his desk.
“Asked Tighnari about what? I was away on a sudden mission, thankfully it didn’t take too long.” He speaks, arms now crossed against his chest. “And ‘nari is working on some long training course for the new rangers, should be finishing soon, though.” Alhaitham pauses, pen giving way beneath his grip. Ah, the thirteenth now.
“So, you’re telling me you were busy and Tighnari is busy too?” Cyno nods, tilting his head.
“Is Kaveh not busy?”
“He is. With his heat that started two archon-forsaken days ago-” The Alpha before him grew still for a moment before immediately leaving for the door, closely followed by Alhaitham.
“Why didn’t he tell us?”
“He told me but I mentioned this, thus he said he’d ask you and Tighnari.” Cyno just sighs, grabbing the scribes wrist and dragging him hurriedly behind him.
“We will get Tighnari on the way, Kaveh will need all of us there.”
It took less time than originally anticipated, but they had found Tighnari’s group on the way.
“Oh? What brings my beautiful pack to me, hm?” His warm smile gave the two comfort, but they gazed a little nervously at the students surrounding them. Tighnari didn’t hesitate to dismiss them to the other main ranger, walking a bit away with a concerned gaze. “Kaveh isn’t stuck on his blueprints again, is he?”
“He’s in heat- alone.” The fennec stilled, eyes flashing through several emotions before what Alhaitham most certainly deciphered to be anger given the way his tone raised and tail flicked angrily side to side.
“And you think to come here first?! Wait- no i’m glad you got me lets just go-” He didn't hesitate to tug both Alhaitham and Cyno, gaze clearly irritated. “I’m assuming it's been a few hours since its start? What even happened?” Cyno would squirm if he weren't sprinting alongside them.
“Uh, about that- its been three days now.”
“WHAT?” Tighnari didn’t even bother arguing, he just broke into a quicker sprint toward his main hut assuming that’s where Kaveh would be. Thankfully, he was right given the way the scent of an Omega in heat was leaking rapidly from the shut door. Before going in, Tighnari stopped them all.
“Look, three days without an Alpha through what smells like an excruciatingly strong heat. His inner Omega is going to think we abandoned him and archons knows what he’s had to resort to to stop the pain. Be gentle, no jokes Cyno and Alhaitham no teasing even if you think it’ll help. Kaveh needs care right now and understanding gentle Alphas. Do you all understand?” He asks, eyeing them both rather sternly.
“Yes. We do- please, lets go.” Cyno speaks, pushing the door open and shifting through to their bedroom. Though, when he did expect a naked Kaveh- he didn’t expect him to be purring nor grooming something. Jealousy flared in his chest before Alhaitham tugged him back and Tighnari shifted forward.
“Omega?” Tighnari spoke, ensuring not to get too close to the nest. He was anticipating a cry of relief, but what he did not expect was a hiss and an angry Omega’s scent flaring up as he turned around the best he could- a plush lion clutched protectively to his chest. “Oh- I see.”
“Is that a plush lion?”
“No- well, yes but… That’s his cub now.” Tighnari sighs, stepping away trying to figure out what to do, Kaveh was definitely not with it and he clearly wasn’t permitted to go any closer. Cyno was the most possessive of the three, always protective- and so seeing a ‘cub’, placebo or not, against his Omegas chest flared a type of instinctual upset in him.
“So,” Cyno breathes through his impending haze, “That’s his cub now, right?” Tighnari just nods before Alhaitham opts to speak up this time.
“I’ve heard this method be used for heats- it still hurts, but it dulls the pain and sends their protective instincts haywire. Thus, unless we truly want to get our throats slashed for breaching an Omega’s nest with a… supposed cub in it- we cannot get close.” Tighnari sighs, gazing over.
“I never thought Kaveh would have to resort to this with the three of us here so I never did in depth research so…” His gaze flickers back to Alhaitham . “Anything you read that could help us?”
“We need to show we’re not a threat- but him feeling abandoned… That’s a separate issue as a whole, really. Something better discussed once he’s fully coherent.” Cyno hums, eyes flickering to the lion plush and taking a breath, carefully crouching by the nest. It was clear Kaveh hadn’t taken his eyes off of them and his stress levels were off the chart.
“Kaveh… Shh, sweet Omega.” Tighnari coos, gently moving to crouch by Cyno.
“Doing such a good job taking care of our pup, aren’t you?” Kaveh just glares, a low growl leaving him- but there was clear hesitation as words of praise like that always seemed to get through to him- especially when he was vulnerable like this.
Alhaitham soon joined them, eyes uncharacteristically soft before them all- gazing into Kaveh’s ones.
“We’re… sorry we weren’t here. We are now though, yes? Pup is so pretty… So well looked after with you aren’t they?” Kaveh’s eyes in turn seemed to lessen their hostility- a soft glassy gaze replacing them.
“...Mine.” Kaveh manages to speak out, clutching the plush a little closer- if even possible. Tighnari nods, cooing lightly.
“I know. You did such a good job, didn’t you Omega? Do they need feeding, love? Want Alpha to help?” The Omega stilled a little, eyes softening as he gazed down and slowly nods- tearing up whilst using his other arm to reach for him.
“A-Alpha…” He whimpers, Tighnari carefully shifting to get into the nest now he had permission. Kaveh clearly wasn’t pleased with the textures as tears began to effortlessly roll down his cheeks until Tighnari removed it all to give his Omega some skin-to-skin.
“Shh, I know. You were all alone mm? Alpha is here now…” He purrs low, carefully shifting to help the plush cub ‘latch on’, though he was surprised to see actual milk leaking from him. “Oh?”
“What is it? Is he okay?” Cyno asks, already concerned and on edge.
“Kaveh is fine- what’s new though is he’s leaking.”
“Well, that’s to be expected.” Alhaitham butts in, eyes never once leaving Kaveh’s fragile frame.
“Not from there- from his chest.” Their eyes both widened, shifting a little nervously.
“Is he pregn-”
“No, Cyno. It’s just a strong placebo effect, pretty much. It must have been a really intense heat for his body to get into such a state like this.” Tighnari soon shushed Kaveh again, keeping the plush pressed up to the front of his chest, comforting and scenting him to help the process. “Good boy… So perfect for us hm?” Kaveh just let out another heartbroken whine which made Alhaitham flinch slightly- eyes softened with worry.
“Our pup…” Alhaitham speaks carefully, “We will protect you both mm?”
“I-” Kaveh starts, trying to speak through the haze, “I can do it myself… ‘s okay- just… just go. I know you’re all busy- '' That's thankfully when Cyno spoke up, eyes staring into Kaveh’s glassy ones.
“We are never too busy for you. I never want you to think you’re less important than our work.” The Omega just gazed toward the ‘pup’ against his chest, opting to focus on trying to feed it whilst being cuddled by Tighnari. Tighnari however could tell the other Alphas were desperate to get into said nest, thus he thought he should work on it.
“I think the little one wants to meet their other papas… And they need some more safety mm? What’s better than your other two Alphas?” Alhaitham caught onto that, moving a little closer- a small purr being heard from him. Ah, how rare. “Can they come into the nest to help, mama?” The nickname had Kaveh’s eyes widening, a purr of his own being heard before he simply nodded and allowed them into the nest. It truly didn't take long for them to get in, wanting to hold Kaveh and watch over the placebo pup. Alhaitham took the space behind Kaveh whilst Cyno took the lower space ready to protect his pack. In all honesty the pheromones were making his instincts go haywire and wanting to protect his pack and newborn despite knowing it was fake. Though… He didn’t mind living in the illusion for a little while.
Hours of cuddling and watching Kaveh dote on the pup turned into him carefully cradling it and grooming it, Tighnari monitoring his symptoms and tail swaying slightly at the sight.
“Omega, I need you to eat a little now for me. Can you do that?” Kaveh just whined, frowning.
“Busy.” Alhaitham nuzzled between his ears, cooing softly.
“Kaveh… It’ll be beneficial for our pup- that way, they can get more nutriants from your milk.” Tighnari swears he won't nag Alhaitham for three days, because thankfully it got through to Kaveh who nodded and accepted the fruits Cyno chopped up for him and began to push lightly against his lips.
“Better hm?” Kaveh just nodded slightly, the worst of the heat thankfully gradually subsiding and clarity starting to return.
“I-I’m sorry for all of the trouble I ended up causing…” Came his first coherent words since they found him. “I just wanted to try and deal with it on my own for once, I didn’t know i’d make things more stressful for y-”
“Shh, Kaveh.” Alhaitham mumbles, hugging him closer to his chest. “You didn’t bother us. Though next time, you come to us instantly and let us know okay? You’re more important than work.” Kaveh nods at this, starting to purr and cuddle the plushie.
“Y-yeah. Okay. thank you for staying with me, all of you. Though- it’s kind of embarrassing now I can think a bit better-” Cyno frowns at that,
“Our pup’s embarrassing?”
“Well, it’s a lion plushie-”
“That’s our pup.” Alhaitham corrects, nipping him a little and purring. “May I hold it?” Kaveh just nods, easily passing the plushie over. Tighnari takes that as a sign his heat is coming to a rather rapid end, smiling lightly and purring- starting to groom Kaveh and smile.
“You did amazing Omega.”
Those words, however, fell on deaf ears as he watched Alhaitham cuddle the ‘cub’ to his chest and Cyno watch over the two. Oh… Maybe… Perhaps a real pup wouldn’t be a horrid idea? Then again, that’s if they wanted them too… That though was a problem for another day.