His scent calms me

Killian's point of view:

I was working at the company as usual. Reviewing reports, signing contracts, giving instructions... everything mechanical, without much thought. My mind was more scattered than normal, and I couldn't focus completely. Still, I kept going. Because that's the only thing I knew how to do when I didn't want to think about other things.

But then, that voice interrupted my routine like an unexpected dagger.

"Killian."

That voice... I didn't need to look up to recognize it. I knew it all too well.

Maria.

My body tensed immediately. It was as if her presence clouded the air. A wave of discomfort filled my chest. I felt something twist inside me. Disgust, rejection... something deeper. Something rotten.

I turned slowly, looking at her with coldness.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice icy, not hiding the hardness in my eyes.

She smiled awkwardly and took a step toward me.

"Killian... please, don't be so cold."

That plea felt empty. Forced. As if she were trying to appeal to a bond that no longer existed. I wanted her to stop, to stay away. Her closeness suffocated me. Her very presence made me feel trapped, as if the oxygen in the room had thickened.

"Don't come any closer," I snapped sharply, raising my voice just enough to make it clear I was serious.

She stopped, visibly shaken. Her body trembled slightly, as if my tone had wounded her. But I didn't care. I had no intention of consoling her. Not now, not ever.

"Then tell me," I continued with the same coldness. "Why are you here?"

I wanted her to be direct, to say what she had to say and leave. The longer she remained in my office, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. I felt the air tighten around my throat, the blood boil under my skin.

Maria slightly bowed her head.

"I wanted to apologize for that day. I-I'm really sorry... for Ren's behavior," she said, giving a slight bow.

While her words filled the room, my mind was elsewhere. Why now? Why come here with such hollow apologies? I just wanted her to leave. To stop dragging more problems into my life. I didn't want misunderstandings or unnecessary drama.

"You don't need to apologize," I responded in a flat voice.

She seemed confused, even a little nervous. She hesitated. I could tell she wanted to say something more, but she wavered. That only began to wear down my patience.

"By the way, um..." she mumbled, not daring to look me in the eye.

I frowned. What else did she have to say that made her so hesitant?

Finally, she spoke.

"Killian... was that omega really your boyfriend?"

The air seemed to freeze for a second.

'That omega.'

My jaw clenched tightly. How could she refer to Angel like that? As if he were someone irrelevant, as if he had no name or worth.

"Why do you want to know? That's none of your business," I said in the coldest tone yet. My fangs peeked slightly, a clear warning. "Leave."

She paled and backed away quickly. She was scared. And for the first time, I didn't mind. I wanted her to feel intimidated. I wanted her to know she had no right to pry into my life.

"A-alright..." she stammered and hurried out of the office.

I dropped into the chair with a long sigh. She was finally gone.

But I didn't feel any better. On the contrary.

My head hurt. A strange pressure wrapped around my skull, as if the walls were slowly closing in. My vision felt blurry, my body heavy. Everything was... out of order.

My eyes drifted toward my phone, lying in the corner of the desk. I picked it up between my fingers and stared at the black screen.

And suddenly, the one person who could calm me came to mind.

Angel.

I remembered what he had told me before, when he offered to be by my side if I needed him, that all I had to do was say "I need you." Was he serious? Or was it just politeness? Would he come if I called him?

What am I to him, anyway?

I stayed like that for a few minutes, my thumb over the screen, hesitating.

And finally... I dialed his number.

It rang.

Once.

Twice.

"Hello," he answered.

His voice was a balm. For a second, I could breathe better.

"I need you," I blurted out, unfiltered, without thinking.

There was a brief silence.

"I have to perform a surgery right now," he said, his tone soft but firm.

My chest sank.

Of course... what did I expect? That he would come running to see me? How stupid...

"So come here instead," he added.

My eyes widened slightly.

"To the hospital?"

"Yes. Wait for me in Director Samuel's office, like before. Use any excuse you can."

An excuse? Like the time I pretended to need a consultation just to see him for the first time?

"I have to go now. See you soon!" he added quickly before hanging up.

The call ended, and I stared at the screen for a few seconds. Then I stood up and didn't take long to leave.

I went to the hospital without delay. I didn't think too much, I just acted on instinct.

I didn't know why I needed him so much.

I just knew that... I needed him... I wanted to see him, to be near him.

The air in the office had become unbreathable since Maria had been there. But just thinking of Angel gave me a bit of calm. I wanted to be in the same room as that omega... the only one who seemed to have the power to both unravel and soothe my heart.

When I arrived, I pretended I needed a medical consultation with him. I knew I didn't have to invent anything elaborate; Director Samuel knew me and didn't ask questions. He gave me his office without hesitation, just like the last time.

I sat down to wait.

One hour.

Then two.

He still hadn't come.

Would he even show up?

What if he was too busy?

What if he had forgotten...?

I checked the time on my phone for the umpteenth time, feeling a sharp pang in my chest. I was about to get up when the door suddenly opened.

And there he was.

Angel.

As soon as he closed the door behind him, I hugged him. I didn't give him time to react, I just pulled him into my arms, holding him close to my chest as if he might disappear at any moment.

"K-Killian..." he murmured, confused.

I rested my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes.

"Please... let's stay like this for a while..."

My voice came out low, laced with a plea I hadn't even realized I had inside.

As soon as I embraced him, I felt like I could breathe again. The knot in my throat began to loosen. His scent wrapped around me: soft, warm, sweet... it had that anesthetic effect that calmed me even when everything else set me on edge.

And then, he hugged me back.

I felt it. His arms around me gently, tenderly. And that single action made my heart clench tightly. I held him even tighter. I wanted to imprint his warmth on my skin, his scent. I wanted this moment to last forever.

For several minutes, we stayed like that.

In silence.

With the sound of his breathing and heartbeat setting the rhythm of my calm.

But eventually, I forced myself to let go. Little by little, I pulled back, feeling his warmth fade from my arms.

"S-sorry..." I murmured, lowering my head a bit. I was nervous. Had I made him uncomfortable? Would he avoid me now?

"Are you okay?" he asked, with that voice of his that always sounded more worried than he wanted to admit.

"Yes," I nodded, sincerely.

"That's good, then. Now sit down," he said firmly, guiding me to a chair.

I obeyed without thinking.

Not because he ordered me to. But because I felt... safe with him.

He handed me a glass of water, as if he knew I needed it.

"Drink a bit."

"Thank you," I replied, taking the glass in my hands. The liquid slid down my throat in one gulp. Refreshing. Like his presence.

"Will you go back to work?"

I nodded slightly.

"Yes. I won't be home tonight."

Then he did something that caught me off guard.

He grabbed my hand.

He didn't say anything. He just held it, with that delicate touch only he had. And although for a second I wanted to intertwine our fingers, I ended up hesitating. I just... left it like that. But that soft touch comforted me more than any words.

"Take care," he said softly.

"Thank you," I murmured.

"Don't forget to eat dinner."

I nodded again.

"Don't forget to send me a message, either."

I nodded once more.

It seemed that I had suddenly become obedient. A child being instructed by a worried mother. And, although part of me found it ridiculous... another part felt strangely good about it.

"Where are you going to sleep?"

"There's a bedroom next to my office. I'll stay there tonight."

He nodded... and then stroked my head.

Literally.

His hand reached my hair and gave it a few gentle pats. I froze for a second.

Why... did that feel so warm?

I didn't understand it. It was such a simple gesture, and yet, it made me completely lower my guard. I closed my eyes for a moment, enjoying that almost childlike sensation.

"Don't forget to sleep early," he said, with a smile that disarmed me.

But suddenly, my brow arched.

"I'm not a kid."

"You are."

"I'm not. Stop treating me like one," I grumbled, half annoyed, half amused.

"Why should I?"

"You'll regret it..."

"I won't," he said with a defiant smile.

And that was when I did it.

I took his hand and pulled him toward me, abruptly.

He gasped, ending up very close to me. Our faces just inches apart. His breath brushed against my skin.

"Are you sure you won't regret it?" I asked, voice low and hoarse.

He blushed immediately. I could see the heat rising to his cheeks, spreading up to his ears.

"Y-you're too close..." he whispered.

God... he looked so adorable like that.

I leaned in a bit more. Just enough for my breath to brush against his ear.

"Really?" I whispered, then blew softly on his skin.

He shuddered. His body reacted with a visible shiver and, as an immediate response, he pushed me away.

"I-it seems everything's fine now. I have to go, bye!" he exclaimed and ran out of the office.

I watched him disappear through the door.

And then... I couldn't help but laugh.

A soft but sincere laugh.

"Little fool," I murmured, smiling.

I really can't understand him.

Sometimes he ignores me, other times he seems to want to take care of me. Sometimes he's cold, and sometimes... he treats me like I'm the fragile one. And yet, he always makes me feel something.

Something only he can make me feel.

...