Archive of Our Own

Shane knew the moment he walked through the door that being here was a mistake. The room was packed with alphas, of course it was. It was a frat party. He already wished he’d never listened to Rose and Hayden. Parties were never his thing. He would’ve rather been back in his dorm, curled up with a book or rewatching one of his favorite rom-coms… The Notebook.

But instead, he was here. Rose and Hayden made it sound good at first, telling him he needed to get out more since he wasn’t going to lose his virginity by hiding in his dorm all day. And yeah… they weren’t wrong.

Being an omega and still a virgin wasn’t exactly ideal. It wasn’t something Shane used to think about much until his first heat hit. After that, everything changed. Not having an alpha didn’t just feel inconvenient… It made him feel lonely. Like he was missing something everyone else already had.

Rose and Hayden helped him through it the first time.  But Shane knew he couldn’t rely on that forever. Which is exactly why he was here now. The music was loud—too loud for Shane’s liking. He leaned back against the wall, half-listening to whatever Rose and Hayden were talking about.

The red solo cup in his hand was still untouched. He wasn’t a drinker, and he hated the smell of alcohol.

Rose glanced down, immediately noticing. “Are you going to drink that? You need to loosen up,” she said over the music.

“You know I don’t drink this stuff,” Shane muttered, gripping the cup anyway.

“You’re going to have to if you expect to lose your V-card tonight. There are so many hot alphas here,” Hayden leaned in, voice low.

Shane groaned, rolling his eyes, glancing down at the full cup of vodka in his hand. 

Rose nudged him. “Just take a sip.”

After a second, Shane gave in. He brought the cup to his lips and took a small sip of the vodka, instantly regretting it. The burn hit the back of his throat, sharp and awful.

He pulled back, shaking his head, trying to get rid of the taste. Rose and Hayden burst out laughing at his face.

“Oh, come on, Shane, it’s not that bad,” Rose said, covering her mouth.

“You’re gonna need to drink that whole cup,” Hayden added, nodding toward it.

“I am not drinking this whole thing, Hayds,” Shane shot back, setting the cup down. One sip was more than enough.

Rose wasn’t convinced. She picked the cup right back up and pushed it into his hand. “One sip isn’t doing anything. Drink.”

“I said no—”

“Shane,” Hayden cut in, giving him a look. “You wanted to come here for a reason, right?”

That made him hesitate. Rose softened a little, nudging his shoulder. “Just a little more. You’ll feel better, I promise.” Shane sighed, already knowing he was outnumbered.

“Fine,” he muttered. He took another sip. Then another. It didn’t taste any better, but the burn wasn’t as shocking this time. It spread warm through his chest, loosening something in him just enough that he didn’t immediately hate it.

“There you go,” Hayden said, clearly pleased. A few minutes later, they were dragging him toward the dance floor. Shane barely had time to protest before he was pulled into the crowd, the music hitting harder, the bass vibrating through his body. It was worse here. Hotter. Closer. People pressed in from every side, moving without space, without care. Shane tried to focus on Rose, on Hayden, on anything familiar.

But then— something had changed. He stilled for a second. The air felt different. At first, he thought it was just the alcohol finally hitting him, making everything feel heavier, slower. But then it hit again, stronger this time. A scent. Not like the others. The whole room already smelled like alphas - too many of them—but this… This one cut through everything else.

Warm, smoke, spice. Overpowering in a way that made his breath hitch. Shane’s fingers curled slightly at his sides, his body going still even as the crowd kept moving around him. It felt like it was wrapping around him. Like it was meant for him.

“Do you—” he started, then stopped, swallowing hard. His heart was beating faster now, and he didn’t know why. Without really thinking, his gaze lifted, searching. Like his body already knew what it was looking for.

His eyes landed on an alpha with blonde, curly hair. Shane knows him from seeing him around the halls, maybe they shared a class, he wasn’t sure. Shane knew he was a part of the frat house. Ilya was his name. 

Shane took another sip, trying to not think about the strong scent across the room. He felt hot, his body changing and fuck, that only happened once. Shane hoped that wasn’t what was happening right now, he hoped he wasn’t going into heat at a gotdamn frat party. 

Shane kept dancing. Even though his body felt weird, he wanted to dance it off, maybe his heat would go away. 

****

Ilya leaned back against the wall, his eyes never leaving the freckled boy in the middle of the dance floor. He’d noticed him the second he walked in. Not because he was loud or trying too hard, no, it was the opposite. The omega looked out of place from the start. Too stiff, too aware of everything around him, like he didn’t belong in a room like this.

Like he didn’t know what being here really meant. Ilya had seen it before. But this—this was different. He could smell him now. Even through the mix of cheap alcohol, sweat, and too many alphas packed into one space, the omega’s scent cut through clean and sharp. Sweet. Honey-sweet. Soft in a way that didn’t belong here. Ilya’s jaw tightened slightly. That kind of scent, in a place like this… yeah. It wasn’t going unnoticed for long.

And underneath it. Something deeper, unsteady. A heat. Ilya took a slow sip from his cup, though his focus never shifted. There it was. The omega’s movements had changed—subtle, but obvious if you knew what to look for. He wasn’t really dancing anymore, just standing there, a little too still, like his body didn’t know what to do with itself.

Like he could feel it starting.

Svetlana followed his gaze, leaning beside him. It didn’t take her long “Your boy’s going into heat,” she said, like she was pointing out the obvious.

Ilya didn’t answer right away. His attention stayed locked on him, on the way his shoulders tensed, the way he glanced around like he was trying to ground himself in a room that suddenly felt too loud, too crowded.

Too many alphas.

“He’s not mine,” Ilya said finally, voice low.

Svetlana huffed out a quiet laugh. “Sure he’s not.” Ilya ignored her. Because the scent was getting stronger. Honey, thick in the air, was now too easy to follow, too easy to want. And now that he’d locked onto it, it was impossible to ignore.

Shane shifted again, clearly uncomfortable now. His hand brushed against his arm, like he was trying to steady himself, trying to push through whatever was creeping up on him. Ilya’s eyes darkened slightly. First heat at a party like this. Bad idea… really bad. Anyone else in this room would notice soon enough—if they hadn’t already. His grip tightened around the cup before he set it down beside him.

Svetlana noticed immediately. “Don’t,” she said, sharper this time. “You know how this goes.” Ilya didn’t look at her. Didn’t move. But something in the air shifted anyway, something heavier, colder, more controlled.

His own scent was bleeding out without him meaning to. Dark. Something like smoke and spice, sharp enough to cut through the sweetness hanging in the air. Claiming space without asking for it.

Svetlana glanced at him, unimpressed. “Yeah, that’s not subtle at all.”

Ilya barely reacted. “Didn’t think you were the type to stare this hard,” she added, a hint of a smirk in her voice. “Or is it just him?”

Ilya’s jaw tightened slightly, but he still didn’t look at her. Because Shane stilled again just for a second like he felt it. Like he noticed.

And that was enough. Ilya pushed off the wall. “Yeah,” he muttered.

“Mm,” Svetlana hummed behind him. “Go get your crush, then.” 

He ignored that too. But he was already moving through the crowd. People bumped into him, music pounded through the floor, voices overlapped into noise, but none of it stuck. None of it mattered.

All he could focus on was that scent. Honey. Too sweet. Too easy to follow. It lingered in the air, pulling him in without effort, cutting through everything else like it belonged to him alone. The closer he got, the stronger it became. Now he could see him properly.

Shane wasn’t really dancing anymore. He was just standing there, slightly off-beat with everyone else, like he’d forgotten how to move. His breathing looked uneven, his shoulders tight, eyes flicking around the room like he was trying to find something to hold onto and coming up empty.

Ilya’s gaze sharpened. Yeah. He was slipping. And the worst part was, no one around him seemed to realize it yet. Or maybe they were just starting to. A couple of alphas nearby had slowed, their attention drifting in that direction, subtle but noticeable if you knew what to look for.

Ilya didn’t like that. Not one bit. His jaw tightened as he stepped closer, closing the distance without hesitation. The crowd shifted around him, but he didn’t slow down, didn’t second guess it. By the time he reached him, the scent hit full force.

Up close, it was worse. Sweeter. Warmer. Almost dizzying. It clung to the air around Shane, thick enough to taste, and Ilya had to steady his breathing just to keep his control where it needed to be. He stopped right behind him, close enough to feel the heat coming off his body.

Shane tensed almost immediately. Good. He could feel him. Ilya let his own presence settle into the space, not forcing anything, just enough to be noticed. His scent slipped out without effort, darker in contrast, something sharper that cut clean through the sweetness in the air. Smoke, spice, something grounding enough to push back against the chaos around them.

Shane stilled even more. Yeah. He definitely felt it. Ilya’s eyes dropped slightly, taking in the details now that he was this close. The faint flush across his skin, the way his hands didn’t seem to know where to rest, the tension sitting in his posture like he was holding himself together by a thread.

Ilya exhaled slowly, keeping himself steady before he spoke.

“Hey.” His voice was low, but it carried easily through the noise, close enough that it didn’t need to be loud.

Shane froze completely. For a second, he didn’t turn around, didn’t move at all. Just stood there like he was trying to process it. Ilya didn’t rush him. He stayed where he was, close, controlled, giving him a second to catch up without letting him slip any further into the mess around them.

“You alright?” he asked, quieter this time, but more direct. There was something firm about it. Not pushy, not aggressive. Just steady.

Because whether Shane realized it or not, he needed that right now. And Ilya wasn’t about to let this go the wrong way.

“N-No, I think I’m going i-into heat. Why is it so hot in here?” Shane asked.

Ilya let out a quiet chuckle. He knew exactly what Shane was feeling.

“Come with me.” Shane didn’t even question it. Maybe it was the heat, maybe it was the way Ilya’s voice cut through everything else—but he nodded, even if it was small, barely there.

“I—I can’t find my friends,” Shane admitted, voice unsteady as he glanced around the crowded room. Everything felt louder now, closer, harder to focus on. “Rose and Hayden—they were just—”

“They’re fine,” Ilya cut in, calm, steady. “You need to get out of here.”

Shane hesitated for half a second.

Then nodded again.

“Okay…” Ilya didn’t waste time after that. His hand hovered near Shane’s back, not quite touching, but close enough to guide him through the crowd. Every time someone got too close, Ilya shifted slightly, putting himself between Shane and anyone else without making a big deal out of it.

The difference was immediate. The further they got from the center of the party, the easier it was to breathe. The air felt less heavy, less overwhelming, even if Shane’s head was still spinning. Ilya led him down a hallway, the noise fading with every step until it was just a dull thump behind the walls. Shane stumbled slightly, catching himself against the wall.

“Hey—” Ilya’s hand finally touched him then, steadying him easily. “Careful.”

Shane let out a shaky breath. “I feel… weird.”

“I know,” Ilya said quietly. He pulled open a door, guiding Shane inside before shutting it behind them.

The room was quieter. Cooler. Too quiet, almost. Shane leaned back against the door for a second, trying to catch his breath, trying to understand what was happening to his body.

“I didn’t think it would feel like this…” he murmured. Ilya watched him closely, expression unreadable but focused.

“Yeah,” he said after a second. “It usually doesn’t—until it does.” Shane nods his head, his eyes scanning the room, and Ilya watches him. 

“N-Nest… do you have clothes?” Shane asked, rubbing the back of his neck. Ilya got up from the bed, walking over to his closet. The second he opened it, Shane’s breath hitched—the smell of Ilya’s scent hit him stronger this time.

He let out a soft whimper. Without thinking, Shane moved closer, grabbing a few pieces of clothing from Ilya’s closet. He brought them back to the bed, dropping them down and slowly arranging them, almost like he needed it to feel right.

He climbed onto the mattress, settling in the middle of it, pulling the clothes closer around him. Building his nest. Ilya’s scent surrounded him instantly. Calm…..warm, spice wrapping around him in a way that made his shoulders loosen, his breathing evening out just a little.

“Are you okay now?” Ilya asked, his voice low as the music outside started to fade.

Shane shook his head slightly, reaching out with grabby hands. “C-Come…”

Ilya smiled faintly before climbing onto the bed. The second he was close enough, Shane moved in, nuzzling into his chest like it was instinct, like he didn’t even think about it.

Ilya stilled for just a second before relaxing, letting him. His hand hovered before settling lightly against Shane’s side.

“Is this your first heat?” he asked quietly.

Then, softer— “Or have you gone through one before?”

Shane went quiet for a moment, like he wasn’t sure how to answer. His fingers curled tighter into Ilya’s shirt, holding onto the fabric like it was the only thing keeping him grounded.

“I… I had one before,” he admitted finally, his voice soft, almost hesitant. He moved a little closer without thinking, pressing his face more into Ilya’s chest, like hiding there made it easier to talk.

“But it wasn’t like this,” he continued, words slower now, like he was trying to make sense of it himself. “It didn’t feel this strong.”

His grip tightened slightly, bunching the fabric under his fingers.

“Rose and Hayden helped me through it,” Shane said, his voice quieter now. “I stayed in my dorm the whole time. I didn’t go anywhere, didn’t… deal with anything like this.”

He let out a shaky breath, his body still a little tense even as he stayed close.

“This feels different,” he added, almost like he didn’t want to say it out loud. “Everything feels too much. It’s too hot, and I can’t think straight, and…”

He trailed off, swallowing hard.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do,” Shane finished, the words barely above a whisper.

His fingers tightened again in Ilya’s shirt, like he didn’t want him to move away.

“Am I… is this normal?” he asked quietly.

“It’s normal. You’re normal,” Ilya said, his voice steady, grounding. He studied Shane for a second before adding, a little softer, “This your first time with an alpha, yeah?”

Shane nodded against his chest. “Yeah… it is.”

That explained it. Ilya exhaled slowly, his hand settling a little firmer at Shane’s side, keeping him close but not forcing anything.

“It’s gonna feel stronger,” he said. “Your body’s reacting to it. To me.”

Shane swallowed, his fingers tightening in Ilya’s shirt again.

“I don’t like it,” he admitted, even as he pressed closer. “It’s too much… but I don’t want you to move either.”

Ilya’s expression softened just slightly.

“You’re okay,” he said quietly. “I’ve got you.” Shane let out a shaky breath, but it didn’t steady him the way it should have. If anything, it made everything feel sharper. Warmer. His body felt too sensitive, every little shift sending something unfamiliar through him.

Ilya could smell it now. Stronger than before. Sweeter, but heavier thick in the air between them. His jaw tightened as he forced himself to stay still, to stay in control.

“Shane…” he started, low, like a warning more than anything. But Shane wasn’t really listening anymore. His head tilted slightly, breath uneven as he stayed close, like he was chasing the scent without even realizing it. His hands shifted, gripping Ilya’s shirt tighter before sliding up just slightly, like he needed to be closer than he already was.

“Ilya…” he murmured, barely there and then he moved. It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t thought through. Shane leaned up, closing the small space between them, his lips brushing against Ilya’s. Soft. Unsteady, like  he didn’t know what he was doing—just that he needed it.

*****

“Shane, you need to stop. You’re in heat right now, I have toys you could use,” Ilya warned, pushing Shane back slightly.

“I don’t want toys,” Shane whimpered, shaking his head as he pressed closer again. “I want you.” His hands tightened in Ilya’s shirt, like he was scared he’d pull away. “Ilya, please…” 

Ilya’s jaw clenched, trying to keep some control over the situation.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked, voice lower now, more serious. “You’re not thinking straight right now.”

Shane swallowed, his breathing uneven, but his gaze stayed on him this time.

“I—I know,” he said, softer, but still certain. “But I don’t want anyone else.”

His fingers curled tighter, pulling himself a little closer again.

“I’ve never… I’ve never done this before,” Shane admitted, his voice dropping, a little embarrassed but still honest. “I’m a virgin.”

He hesitated for half a second, then added—

“But I want it to be you.” That’s all it took for Ilya. He leaned in, closing the gap between them. Their lips touched and Shane melted into it, buried in Ilya’s warm spiced scent.

A soft moan slipped from him as he felt his body react, grinding more against Ilya’s thigh.

“F-fuck,” Ilya breathed out, his voice rough as he felt the tension building in his body.

“I-Ilya…” Shane let out another moan, pressing closer, moving without thinking.

Ilya stopped him, gripping his hips before flipping him over onto the bed.

He helped Shane out of his clothes, tossing them off to the side without much care. He then got up, quickly pulling his own shirt over his head discarding the rest just as easily.

He climbed back onto the bed, hovering over Shane. For a second, he just looked at him.

“You’re so beautiful,” Ilya muttered, his voice quieter now as he leaned down, pressing kisses along Shane’s body.

“Ilya… p-please,” Shane whined, bucking his hips up.

“I’m gonna take good care of you,” Ilya said, his voice low. He kissed down Shane’s body, moving to his inner thigh, sucking gently at the skin, marking his territory. Ilya licked his lips at the sight of Shane’s pretty cock resting against his stomach.

He leaned down, taking him into his mouth. Shane let out a moan, his hand immediately finding its way into Ilya’s blonde curls.

“Oh… oh…” Shane threw his head back as Ilya began bobbing his head, slow at first, then deeper. He had never felt anything like this before. He’d watched porn, touched himself once or twice, but feeling someone’s mouth on him… it made everything else feel like nothing.

He hated that he waited so long to lose his virginity— but maybe he didn’t. Because now he had Ilya. A hot alpha, making him feel good, taking care of him.

“F-fuck, Ilya…” an inhuman sound left Shane’s mouth as he whimpered and squirmed, overwhelmed by the pleasure. His grip tightened in Ilya’s curls, hips bucking up. Slick continued to leak from him.

Ilya pulled back, and Shane groaned at the loss.

“You don’t get to come yet,” Ilya said, his voice firm as he stood, moving to his nightstand.

He opened the drawer, grabbing a small bottle and uncapping it, pouring some lube onto his fingers. Climbing back onto the bed, he spread Shane’s thighs. He pushed one finger in slowly, easing in and out. Ilya leaned down, sucking on Shane’s nipple as he worked him open.

Shane moaned, the music from downstairs now distant, muffled.

“O-oh… mhm… ohhh…” He pushed down against Ilya’s fingers, his body reacting instinctively, slick coating everything.

The room filled with their scents—warm spice mixing with sweet honey. Ilya added another finger, scissoring him open carefully.

“I—I need you… I want your knot… p-please, fuck—please give me your knot,” Shane begged, his voice breaking as his pheromones flooded the room.

“So ready for me, little omega,” Ilya whispered, leaning down to kiss him. “I’m gonna make you feel so good… make you take my knot. That’s what you want?”

He added more lube to his hand, coating himself.

“P-please… make me f-feel good,” Shane whimpered, desperate now.

“I’m gonna fuck you so good you won’t be able to feel your legs for a week.”

Shane moaned as Ilya lined himself up, slowly pushing in. A gasp left Shane’s mouth as Ilya let him adjust before moving.

“M-move…” And Ilya did. He began to thrust slowly, groaning at the feeling of Shane’s tight heat around him. The slick made every movement smooth, wet.

“So wet for me… fuck, Shane.” He picked up the pace, thrusting deeper, harder.

Shane moaned loudly, gripping onto Ilya’s shoulders.

“F-fuck… I-Ilya, feels s-so good… f-faster…”

He didn’t care who heard anymore.

“Oh—fuck, Shane… so pretty, so wet… feel so good,” Ilya groaned, leaning down to kiss him. The kiss was messy, desperate, as Ilya kept moving, pushing Shane into the mattress. Their scents blended together spice and honey thick in the air between them. Sweat dripped down their bodies.

“F-fuck, I-Ilya… I want your knot… please fill me up,” Shane begged. Ilya moved faster, the headboard beginning to shake against the wall.

“Oh—fuck, Shane… f-fuck…” Ilya growled, his control slipping. His eyes flickered, his fangs pressing through.

“Mark me… I want to be yours… I want you as my a-alpha,” Shane whimpered, his voice breaking between soft cries.

“F-fuck… you really want me to?” Ilya asked, looking down at him, completely wrecked beneath him.

“P-please… I-I don’t want to be alone anymore… I don’t want to go through my heat alone… I want this…” Tears gathered in Shane’s eyes as everything overwhelmed him. He didn’t know if he’d regret this, maybe he wouldn’t. He just knew he didn’t want to be alone anymore. Ilya leaned down, brushing his nose along Shane’s neck, searching for the perfect spot.

He found it. His fangs sank into Shane’s skin, biting down just enough to mark him. Shane moaned, his body reacting as Ilya continued thrusting.

“I-I’m so close…” Shane gasped, throwing his head back.

“Come for me… I wanna feel you,” Ilya groaned. That was all it took. Shane came undone, moaning loudly, his body shaking as he spilled between them.

“F-fuck… so pretty when you scream my name,” Ilya groaned, thrusting one last time as his knot locked into place, filling Shane.

He rode it out, breathing hard.

“So good… my little omega… so good for me,” Ilya murmured, pressing soft kisses along Shane’s body.

Their chests rose and fell together as Shane slowly came down from it, his heat easing.

Ilya’s knot softened, and he carefully pulled out, pulling Shane into his chest.

“Are you okay?” Ilya asked, his voice rough.

“Yes… more than okay,” Shane said softly, a small smile forming as he felt warm and heavy.

“I’m your omega now?” he asked, reaching up to touch the mark on his neck.

“You’re my little omega,” Ilya smiled.

It was something he’d always wanted. For all the things people thought about him, the frat boy, the player Ilya had always wanted Shane. It was those freckles. He’d noticed them first.

One week later 

It had been a week since that night, and Shane couldn’t ignore the feeling that something wasn’t right anymore. When he finally woke up, the sunlight was already spilling into his dorm, warming his face in a way that made him groan and turn onto his back. For a second, he just lay there staring at the ceiling, trying to figure out why his body felt so heavy. It wasn’t just tired he knew what tired felt like. This was different. His head felt foggy, like his thoughts were slow to catch up, and there was a dull, uncomfortable twist in his stomach that wouldn’t go away no matter how still he stayed.

He let out a quiet breath and pushed himself up, rubbing his face before reaching for his phone. The second the screen lit up, his stomach dropped harder than before. It was already 10:47 AM.

“You’ve got to be kidding me…” he muttered under his breath, staring at the time like it might change if he looked long enough. He had missed his first class—completely. That never happened. He didn’t oversleep, not like this. Even on his worst days, he still got up.

His phone buzzed in his hand before he could think too much about it, and when he opened the group chat, it was exactly what he expected. Rose and Hayden had already been blowing it up.

Rose: where are you???
Hayden: you missed class??
Rose: shane you NEVER miss class

Shane sighed, dragging a hand through his hair before typing back.

Shane: I'm up
Shane: I don't feel good

The response came immediately, like they had both been waiting for him to answer.

Hayden: What kind of not good????
Rose: yeah like sick or something else???

Shane stared at the screen for a moment, trying to figure out how to explain something he didn’t even understand himself. He didn’t feel sick, not really, but something was definitely off.

Shane: I don't know
Shane: i just feel weird

There was a pause after that, and it stretched just long enough to make him frown. That wasn’t like them. They always had something to say.

Then the messages came in, slower this time.

Rose: …

Hayden: …

Shane sat up a little straighter, his stomach tightening again, though now it wasn’t just physical.

Shane: What???

Another pause followed, heavier than before.

Rose: don’t freak out

Shane let out a short breath, already irritated. “Why do you keep saying that…” he muttered to himself before typing.

Shane: Why would I freak out???

It took a second longer than usual for her to respond, and when she did, it was a question he wasn’t expecting.

Rose: when was your last heat???

Shane blinked at the screen, confused for half a second before answering.

Shane: last week why??

Hayden: yeah we know that

Rose: no, like…
Rose: are you feeling weird after it???

That made his stomach twist again, sharper this time.

Shane: yeah

Another pause. Longer. Shane’s grip tightened slightly around his phone.

Shane: what???

Rose: did you hook up with an alpha???

The question hit harder than it should’ve, and Shane froze where he sat. For a second, he didn’t type anything at all. His mind immediately dragged him back to that night—the party, the heat, the way everything blurred together, and Ilya at the center of it.

“Seriously…,” he muttered under his breath, but his fingers moved anyway.

Shane: …yeah

Hayden: okay

Rose: and you didn’t use anything right???

Shane didn’t respond this time. He just stared at the screen, his chest tightening as everything started to connect in a way he didn’t like.

Rose: shane 

Rose: you could be pregnant

“No.” The word came out immediately, sharp and automatic. He shook his head like that alone would make it untrue.

“No, that’s not—no.” His fingers moved quickly.

Shane: i’m not pregnant
Shane: i can’t be

But even as he sent it, his thoughts started racing, dragging him right back to that night again. To Ilya. To everything they did.

His phone buzzed again.

Hayden: hey

Hayden: breathe

Rose: we don’t know for sure
Rose: but you feel off and that’s not normal

Shane stood up, pacing slowly across his dorm, running a hand through his hair as his thoughts got louder. “I’m fine,” he muttered, even if it didn’t sound convincing anymore.

Shane: i’m fine

Hayden: you don’t sound fine

Rose: we’re coming over

Shane stopped pacing immediately.

“What—no.”

Shane: no you’re not

Hayden: too late

Rose: we’re already on the way

Shane let out a shaky breath, dragging both hands down his face as he stared at his phone.

“Of course you are…” The knock came sooner than he expected.

“Shane, open the door,” Rose called from the other side, her voice slightly out of breath. He hesitated for a second before finally walking over and pulling it open. Rose and Hayden stood there, both looking like they rushed, and the second Shane noticed the small plastic bag in Rose’s hand, his stomach dropped all over again.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he said, already shaking his head as he stepped back.

“We’re not leaving until you take it,” Rose said immediately, walking in like she already knew he wasn’t going to argue hard enough to stop her.

“I said I’m fine,” Shane shot back, even as the words felt weaker than before.

“You don’t look fine,” Hayden said, shutting the door behind him and leaning against it for a second. “And you don’t sound fine either.”

Shane exhaled sharply, turning away from them. “It doesn’t mean anything. I just don’t feel good. That’s it.”

Rose set the bag down on his desk and turned to face him fully, her expression soft but firm. “Shane, listen to me for a second. If it’s nothing, then great. We all move on and never talk about it again. But if it’s not…” she trailed off slightly before finishing, “then you’re not dealing with it alone.”

He didn’t answer right away. Hayden stepped closer, his tone calmer. “You’re just checking. That’s it. It’s not a big decision, it’s just finding out.”

Shane looked between them, his chest tightening again as he swallowed. “…I don’t want to do it.”

“I know,” Rose said quietly. “But you need to.”

The silence that followed felt heavier than anything else.

After a long second, Shane let out a breath and nodded slightly. “Fine….”

Rose didn’t hesitate. She grabbed the test from the bag and handed it to him, her voice softer now. “Bathroom.” Shane took it, staring down at it for a second like it might somehow disappear if he waited long enough.

“This is stupid,” he muttered, but he turned and walked into the bathroom anyway, shutting the door behind him.

The quiet hit him immediately. He stared at the test in his hand, his grip tightening slightly. “I’m not pregnant,” he said under his breath, like saying it would make it true.

But his voice didn’t sound sure. He got it over with quickly, setting the test down on the counter and deliberately not looking at it before stepping back out into the room.

“Done,” he said, dropping onto his bed like his legs didn’t want to hold him anymore.

Rose nodded, but she didn’t move right away. “Okay… we just wait a minute.”

Shane dragged his hands over his face, exhaling slowly. “This is so stupid,” he muttered again, though it sounded more like he was trying to convince himself.

Hayden leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. “If it’s negative, I’m making fun of you for stressing this hard.”

“Shut up,” Shane said automatically, though there wasn’t much bite behind it.

Rose paced once across the room, then stopped. “Okay, I’m checking it.”

Shane’s head snapped up. “Wait—”

But she was already moving.

“Rose—” Too late. She disappeared into the bathroom. Shane stood up immediately, his heart pounding so hard he could hear it. A second later, she came back out. But she didn’t say anything.

And that was worse.

“Rose,” Shane said, his voice tight. “What does it say?” She hesitated just long enough to make his chest tighten even more.

“It's positive.” For a second, Shane didn’t react at all. He stood there, trying to figure out if he had heard Rose right, or his ear was playing tricks on him. He shook his head, pacing back and forth….his hand running over the back of his neck. 

“What????”

“It’s positive,” she repeated, quieter this time.

He shook his head immediately. “No, that’s wrong. Those things can be wrong.”

Hayden glanced between them before saying carefully, “Sometimes… but not usually.”

“No,” Shane said again, his voice starting to crack. “No, that’s not—” He stopped, his chest tightening as everything hit at once.

Ilya…that night. Everything. And this time, there was no way to push it away. Because now it wasn’t just a possibility. It was real.

******

The next morning, Shane didn’t try to argue about it. He didn’t even bring it up. He just got dressed slower than usual, pulling on his hoodie like it might somehow make him feel more put together than he actually was. His thoughts were already running before he even left the room, circling the same thing over and over again until it made his chest feel tight.

Rose noticed immediately.

“You’re not backing out, right?” she asked, standing near the door with her arms crossed, watching him carefully.

Shane shook his head, not meeting her eyes. “I said I’d go.”

Hayden leaned against the wall, quieter than usual, but still watching him. “We’re coming with you.”

Shane glanced up at that, frowning slightly. “You don’t have to.”

“We know,” Hayden said. “We’re still going.”

Rose nodded once, like that was the end of the discussion. “You’re not doing this by yourself.”

Shane didn’t argue. He didn’t have the energy to. The walk to the clinic felt longer than it should have. Shane kept his hands shoved into his pockets, shoulders slightly hunched, his gaze fixed on the ground like if he didn’t look up, nothing around him would feel real. Rose talked a little, filling the silence with random things that didn’t really matter, but Shane barely heard her. Hayden stayed quieter, only speaking every now and then, like he knew Shane wasn’t really listening anyway.

By the time they stepped inside, Shane already felt worse. The place was calm. Too calm. People were sitting, scrolling on their phones, talking quietly like it was just another normal day. Nurses moved back and forth like nothing about this was important.

For them, it wasn’t. For Shane, it felt like everything. 

The receptionist looked up. “Hi, what can I help you with?”

Shane hesitated for half a second before answering. “I need to get blood work done.”

She nodded, already typing. “Name?”

“Shane Hollandar.”  he said, then quickly added his last name when she looked up again.

Rose stood close beside him, not saying anything this time, but her presence alone made it a little easier to keep standing there.

After a few minutes, they were checked in and told to wait. Shane sat down, his leg bouncing without him realizing it. He kept glancing around the room, then back at the floor, then at nothing. Hayden noticed first and reached over, tapping his knee lightly.

“Relax,” Hayden said quietly.

“I am relaxed,” Shane replied, a little too fast.

Rose gave him a look. “No, you’re not.”

Shane let out a breath, leaning back slightly. “It’s just a blood test. It doesn’t mean anything.”

“It means you’ll know,” Rose said gently.

Shane didn’t respond to that. After a few minutes, a nurse called his name. Shane stood up immediately, then hesitated, glancing back at Rose and Hayden.

“We’re right here,” Hayden said.

“Yeah,” Rose added. “You’ll be fine.”

Shane nodded once before following the nurse down the hall. The room she led him into was small and quiet, the kind of place that made everything feel more real than it already did. He sat down where she told him to, his hands resting awkwardly in his lap while she prepared everything.

“Just a quick blood draw,” she said, calm and routine. “It’ll only take a minute.”

Shane nodded, but his shoulders were still tense.

“Try to relax your arm,” she added.

“I am relaxed,” he muttered, even though he clearly wasn’t. She gave him a small smile but didn’t comment on it, gently adjusting his arm. Shane looked away the second he saw the needle, focusing on a random spot on the wall instead.

It was quick….too quick.

Before he could even fully process it, she was done.

“All set,” she said, placing a small bandage on his arm. “We’ll have your results later today.”

Shane blinked, looking back at her. “Later today?”

She nodded. “We’ll call you as soon as they’re ready.”

“Okay,” he said, even though his voice sounded distant to his own ears.

He stood up and walked back out, his mind already racing again. Rose and Hayden both looked up the second he came back.

“Well?” Hayden asked.

“It’s done,” Shane said, running a hand through his hair. “They said they’ll call later.”

Rose exhaled slowly. “Okay. That’s good. That’s something.” Shane nodded, but it didn’t feel like something. It felt like waiting. The walk back to his dorm was quieter. No one really tried to fill the silence this time, and Shane didn’t mind. His thoughts were already too loud. By the time they got back, he dropped onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling again, his phone sitting beside him like it was already about to change everything.

Rose lingered near the door for a second before asking, “Do you want us to stay?”

Shane didn’t answer right away. He kept staring at the ceiling, his chest rising and falling slowly.

“Yeah,” he said finally.

Hayden nodded and pulled a chair closer. “We’re not going anywhere.”

Shane turned his head slightly, glancing at his phone again.

It was still silent.

And somehow, that felt worse than anything else.

****

By the end of the week, avoiding Ilya had stopped feeling like a simple decision and started feeling like something Shane had to actively work at every second of the day. It wasn’t just taking a different route to class or leaving early anymore. It was constant awareness, constant tension sitting under his skin, like he was always bracing for something he didn’t know how to face yet. Every time he stepped onto campus, his eyes moved on their own, scanning without thinking, checking corners, crowds, doorways, anywhere Ilya could be.

It was exhausting.

Rose noticed. Hayden noticed. Shane knew they did, even when they didn’t say anything. He wasn’t acting like himself, and he didn’t have the energy to pretend otherwise. His thoughts were too loud, circling the same thing over and over again, and no matter how many times he told himself to calm down, to just breathe, it didn’t help.

Because now it was real.

The confirmation from the clinic sat heavy in his chest, and the appointment scheduled for the next day made everything feel closer than he was ready for. He had spent days trying not to think about Ilya, trying not to replay that night in his head, trying not to connect the two things together, but avoiding him only made it worse.

He couldn’t avoid him forever.

That truth hit him the moment he stepped into the hallway outside his dorm room, his phone pressed to his ear, his voice low as he spoke.

“So tomorrow, right?” he asked, pacing slowly in front of his door, his free hand running through his hair as he tried to keep his tone steady.nThe voice on the other end confirmed the time again, explaining what would happen during the appointment, how early he should arrive, what to expect.

“Okay… yeah,” Shane said quietly. “I’ll be there.” He ended the call and stood there for a second, staring at nothing, his chest tight again.

Tomorrow. He turned toward his door, reaching for the handle, still holding his phone loosely in his hand, and that was when he saw him. Ilya was standing a few feet away, leaning slightly against the wall like he had been there long enough to notice everything Shane had just said.

Shane froze. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air between them felt heavier than anything Shane had dealt with all week, and suddenly all the effort he had put into avoiding him didn’t matter anymore.

Ilya straightened and walked toward him without hesitation.

“What are you—” Shane started, but he didn’t get the chance to finish. Ilya reached him quickly, his hand closing around Shane’s arm just firm enough to guide him backward into the room.

The door shut behind them with a solid sound, and Shane barely had time to react before Ilya locked it.

“Ilya—” Shane tried again, his voice sharper now, but Ilya didn’t move away.

“Finish your call,” Ilya said, his tone low and controlled, like he was holding something back. Shane blinked, thrown off for a second, then glanced down at his phone, realizing the call hadn’t fully ended.

“Yeah—sorry,” he said quickly into the phone, forcing his voice steady. “I’ll be there. Okay. Bye.”

He hung up and looked back up. The room felt too quiet. Ilya stepped closer, not rushed, not aggressive, but deliberate, his presence filling the space in a way Shane couldn’t ignore.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

Shane looked away immediately. “Nothing.”

Ilya let out a quiet breath, shaking his head slightly. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?” Shane shot back, even though the edge in his voice didn’t quite land.

“Act like you haven’t been avoiding me all week,” Ilya said, his voice still calm but firmer now. “You think I wouldn’t notice that?”

Shane swallowed, his chest tightening. “I wasn’t—”

“You were,” Ilya cut in, stepping closer, close enough now that Shane could feel the warmth of him, the steady presence that made it impossible to keep pretending. “Every time I get near you, you leave. You won’t even look at me. So don’t tell me it’s nothing.”

Shane’s hands tightened at his sides, his thoughts racing. He didn’t know how to say it. He didn’t know how to explain something he barely understood himself.

“I just needed space,” he said finally, quieter.

“From me?” Ilya asked. Shane didn’t answer. The silence stretched between them, and Ilya’s expression shifted slightly, something softer slipping through the frustration.

“Why?” he asked. Shane let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his hair again. His chest felt tight, his thoughts loud, and there was no way around it anymore.

“Because I didn’t know how to tell you,” he admitted.

“Tell me what?” Shane looked up at him.

“I’m pregnant.” The words settled heavily in the room. Ilya didn’t react right away. For a moment, he just stared, like his brain needed time to catch up.

“What?” he said finally, quieter.

“I went to the doctor,” Shane continued, his voice unsteady but pushing through anyway. “They confirmed it. And I have to go back tomorrow for a sonogram.”

Ilya blinked, still processing, still taking it in.

Shane’s chest tightened under the silence, his mind already jumping ahead to what this could mean.

“I know it’s a lot,” he added quickly. “And I didn’t plan for this and I—”

“I’m going with you.”

Shane stopped.

“What?”

“Tomorrow,” Ilya said, more certain now. “I’m going with you.”

“You don’t have to—”

“I want to,” Ilya said, cutting him off, his voice softer now but steady. “I’m not missing that.”

Shane stared at him, caught off guard.

“I just needed a second,” Ilya admitted, running a hand through his hair. “That’s… a lot.”

“Yeah,” Shane said quietly.

“But it’s not a bad thing,” Ilya added, meeting his eyes again. “Not to me.”

Something in Shane’s chest shifted.

“Are you serious?” he asked.

Ilya nodded. “Yeah. I am.”

“Do you want to keep our pup?” Ilya added, he leaned against the door frame. 

“Of course I do. As scary as I was when I first found out, I want to keep our pup…. I want to do this with you.” Ilya smiles, he steps toward Shane, their chest meets. 

“I am glad, because I’ve always wanted you my little omega and now we’re going to have pups together… I want this with you too.” Ilya says, he presses soft kisses on Shane’s lips. 

*****

The next day, Ilya was there before Shane even stepped outside. He didn’t say much at first, just fell into step beside him as they walked toward the clinic together. It felt strange, but not in a bad way. Different. Steadier.

“You don’t have to pretend you’re not nervous,” Shane said quietly.

“I’m not pretending,” Ilya replied.

“So you’re not nervous?”

“I am,” Ilya said simply. “I’m just not going anywhere.”

That was enough. Inside the clinic, everything felt too calm again, but this time Shane wasn’t alone in it. When they called his name, Ilya stood up with him without hesitation, walking beside him into the room.

The lights were dimmer this time, softer, and the machine hummed quietly as the technician guided Shane onto the bed.

“Just relax,” she said gently.

Shane nodded, his heart already racing. Ilya stayed close, his presence grounding in a way Shane hadn’t expected.

After a moment, the technician smiled slightly. “There we go.”

Shane’s breath caught as he looked at the screen. Something small flickered there.

“That’s your baby,” she said softly.

Ilya leaned in slightly, his hand brushing against Shane’s.

“That’s ours,” Ilya said. Shane swallowed, his eyes fixed on the screen.

“Yeah,” he whispered. The moment felt quiet and overwhelming all at once. The technician printed a few images and handed them over. “Congratulations.”

****

Back in Shane’s dorm, everything felt softer somehow. Ilya set the food down after ordering it earlier, then sat beside Shane on the bed. Shane still had the sonogram pictures in his hands, staring at them like he couldn’t quite believe they were real.

“You’re still looking at them?” Ilya asked.

Shane let out a small laugh. “I can’t stop.” Ilya shifted closer, pulling him in slightly until Shane leaned against him without thinking.

“I can’t believe this,” Ilya said quietly. “I’m gonna be a dad.”

Shane smiled softly.

“Yeah,” he said. “You are.” Ilya looked down at him, something warm in his expression.

Shane met his gaze, his smile growing just a little.

“I’m carrying our pups,” he said softly, “after losing my virginity to you seven days ago.”

Ilya let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head.

“Yeah,” he said. “That happened fast.” Shane leaned into him, letting himself relax for the first time in days. 

And for once—He didn’t feel scared.