ONE TERRITORY

-When the Hyde is activated, one thing that Tyler hadn't expected was the increased senses. How he could hear an animal scuttling up a tree across from his home. The way he could smell the roasting beans at the Weathervane a street away before he reaches his destination.

-The sickly scent of the baked goods almost making him keel over. The smell of someone's cologne or perfume wafting in before they even they enter the establishment.

-He can smell if someone has been close to another person, the faint scent of their sweat and perfume lingering on the clothes and skin of the other person. That's how he learns his former English teacher is having an affair with the receptionist the local Dentist clinic. He even smells when a woman walks in pregnant, her stomach not even swelling with life yet. Tyler hands her the green tea. 'Congratulations' Is all he mutters she stares at him in shock.

-He learns how to distinguish the outcasts that come in. The werewolves smell like earth, raw meat and a little bit of wet fut. The vampires are death warmed up; the scent of blood, suncream (which explained a lot) and decay filling his nostrils. The gorgons smell like aging stone and surprisingly, floral which confuses Tyler greatly.

-He can smell things starting to rot in the fridge, days before the food begins to rot. His father often coming home and seeing Tyler furiously sorting the fridge, trying to find the source of the smell to eliminate it. He knows when the fruit is fresh or starting to turn, which is why he becomes annoyed when a local farmer insists all his fruit is fresh when he can smell it turning already as he unload the crates.

-It annoys him beyond belief, being led by his nose. He can still smell his mother's perfume lingering throughout the home. Making his heart ache with longing and loss once more. He rummages through her packed away clothing, bringing her favourite coat to his nose and inhaling deeply and remembering the way she had wrapped it around him one Winter morning, pulling it tightly to his small body as she whispered in his ear.

-One thing he doesn't mind though is smelling you. He knows your signature perfume has undertones of floral and berries. Where exactly you had sprayed it on your body, being strong across your neck and wrists. Mixed with the scent of your body wash- a perfect combination of earth and a fresh night breeze. When you've washed your hair. The almost sickly sweet scent of your shampoo invading his senses as you smile brightly at him.

-He notices that you stop smelling of your perfume. When he asks, you inform him the local Pharmacy no longer stocks it, and it would cost too much to have it sent. So he drives an hour away to a bigger pharmacy, walking through the perfumes, inhaling them all deeply until he finds yours. Smiling as he pays for it and gifts it to you the next day. Your eyes widen in excitement as you throw your arms around him. The coffee you had just finished, he can taste on your tongue as you kiss him deeply.

-It's also how he learns your favourite ice-cream. Visiting him after dinner one night, and he tilts his head as you smile at him. Smelling the sweetness of your mouth, the faint hint of chocolate and peppermint. Your eyes widening when he presents you with a tub of it the next time you visit his home. 'Just a lucky guess.' Is all he says as you happily take a bite before offering a taste to Tyler, though he already knew the taste from you, he eagerly accepts the spoonful.

-The first time he smells your arousal is when you have a heated make-out session in his bedroom. Your laying next to him, legs casually thrown over his and he glances at you. The smell of your arousal causing him to close his eyes and breathe in deeply as you still smile at him; none the wiser to what he was enjoying. The scent is sweet and natural, and how it wants it on his tongue so desperately.

-Your scent also changes when your frustrated. It goes from the familiarity of earthy and floral to something darker. A little mix of sweat and dirt. It was after you witnessed a fight between Tyler and his father, you're sitting at his desk, twirling in the chair as Tyler looks at you intensely. 'What?' You finally ask, and Tyler merely shakes his head.

-When his hands are dancing over your skin, his lips placing soft kisses across your neck. He hears your heart beat quicker, the small intake of breath that would be missed by anyone else and that delicious smell of arousal. His kisses become more hurried, his hands dancing along your thighs as you sigh softly. His name falling from your lips soon becomes his favourite prayer.

-The one time Tyler truly hates the smell is when you walk into The Weathervane, greeting him with an innocent kiss on the cheek. The smell of your ex engulfing him and he stiffens. He knew he was back in town but what he hadn't expected was for you to actually see him. The scent is faint but there, not enough to make him worry but he clenches the jug in his hand, crushing the handle slightly as he stares at you. The scent of him still lingering around him and he almost drags you into the storage room, wanting to cover you in his own scent, blocking out any remnants of the person before him. Soon it becomes too much and he grabs your arm tightly as he does actually drag you into the storage room, dropping to his knees and throwing a leg over his shoulder as he stares up at you, his eyes dark as he buries his tongue in you. Soon the scent of your ex is long gone.

-He also learns when your close when he is atop you. Panting above you, not only by the sound of your heartbeat and the contractions of your muscles but your arousal becomes overwhelming. It's all he can focus on, wanting so desperately to be the scent that he dies smelling. The way you mewl in pleasure beneath him, your nails digging into his arms as you finally come undone.

-He loves how you smell afterwards. The perfect combination of sweat, pleasure and him. He is all over you, every inch of you smells of him. Which is why he finds himself burying his head in your neck and inhaling deeply, as you giggle, trying to push him away but Tyler only pulls your closer, wanting to remember every inch of this scent.

-He had always enjoyed the taste of you, but only so much more since his Hyde was activated. You taste like a beautiful symphony on his tongue as you tug at his curls. You're hidden away in the back of his car, your legs splayed uncomfortably in the back as Tyler has nestled himself between them. Bringing you to new heights of pleasure over and over again. Never wanting to forget the taste, wanting to bottle it all and savour it. He only stops when you desperately push him away, your legs shaking in exhaustion.

-He smells you before you even enter his prison at Willow Hill. That perfect scent of floral and earth and he lifts his head as you walk in. Your eyes saddened but can smell the anger on you from here as you stand in the middle of the room. Looking at him with pity as you shake your head.

-As he walks towards you. You don't move, taking only a tentative step towards him. He is happy to not discover any new scent, that you hadn't taken another lover in his absence. He can only smell you. He can even faintly smell himself on the jacket you wear. You've washed your hair too, he can smell the familiar shampoo.

-'I wonder when you'd come and visit me.' Is all he drawls out as you still stare at him, still not saying word. 'Miss me, lover?' He's not sure why he is provoking you when he had been dreaming of this moment, the chance to smell you once more, to have you encompass him entirely even through bars. 'Tell me, has anyone made you scream their name like I have?'

-And there it is, that delicious smell of anger and frustration. Your hands clenching at your sides as you shake your head at him. Your heartbeat is steady. Most around him, their heartbeat is quickened and nervous but yours is steady. Despite knowing what he was now, you showed no fear towards him.

-'I only came to say goodbye.' Your breath hitches in your throat as Tyler walks towards you, tilting his head and laughing darkly. 'You weren't the person I thought you were. Goodbye Tyler.'

-You don't allow Tyler to say anything further, nodding at the camera's and turning and walking out of the room. Tyler cringing at the sound of the large door shutting behind you but your scent is still lingering as he closes his eyes and inhales deeply. He knows it isn't the last time he will see you. He was simply biding his time, waiting until someone made a mistake and he was out of these chains.

-You would be his first destination, and you knew it too. Perhaps that's why you had come to see him. He doesn't move from his spot, his muscles tensing as he tries to cling to your scent. Wanting to keep it for as long as he can until he sees you again.

Joe's hand shot up to cover the spot. "What are you talking about?"

"You've got a hickey the size of a quarter, bro," Sam said, his eyes wide as he brought a fist up to cover his mouth, his shoulders shaking with a deep laugh. Ja'Marr's laugh boomed through the room as Joe's eyebrows furrowed, a blush creeping up his neck. He glanced around, hoping no one else had noticed.

"What?" Joe murmured, self-consciously touching the spot.

"Come on, Joe, let's see," Ja'Marr prodded, reaching for his phone to snap a picture.

Joe slapped his hand away, "Fuck no. You're not putting that anywhere," he hissed, his cheeks burning.

Sam leaned back in his chair, grinning. "Looks like someone had a good night."

"Or a good morning," Ja'Marr piped up, still chuckling. "Did your girl sneak in before you came down?"

Joe sighed flipping his camera to selfie mode, dropping his hand, and turning his head to show the offending spot. It was definitely a hickey, a dark, round bruise that stood out against his skin. "No," he muttered, "It's from last night."

Sam leaned in to get a better look. "Damn, she wasn't playing around." He took a sip of his smoothie, pulling back with a smirk when Joe sent him a glare.

Ja'Marr chuckled. "You ain't have to stunt on us like this. Good for you, Joey B."

Joe silently thanked the heavens when Zac stood up at the front of the room, calling for the team's attention. The teasing subsided, but the guys couldn't resist throwing a few more jabs under their breath as they turned their focus to their coach. The meeting dragged on, Joe's thoughts consumed by the unwelcome brand on his neck.

Later that evening, Joe fell back against the crisp hotel sheets. His mind was racing with thoughts of how to cover the hickey before the game tomorrow. He picked up his phone and called you, hoping you would have some kind of ingenious solution. Your face filled the screen, your tired smile brightening at the sight of him.

"Hey, babe," you said, your voice warm and unassuming. "How's the hotel?"

"It's fine," Joe replied, his tone flat. He felt his annoyance rise as he thought about the hickey. "But I've got a problem." He turned his head slightly, showing you the reddish blemish that was beginning to purple around the outer edges.

Your eyes lit up with amusement. "Oh," you giggled. "Is that from last night?"

Joe rolled his eyes. "Yes, it is, and it's not funny."

You couldn't help but laugh, your eyes sparkling. "Well, you never told me to take it easy," you said, your voice teasing. "I got a little carried away. That's not a crime."

Joe felt his own smile tugging at his lips despite his embarrassment. "It's not funny," he said, trying to keep his tone serious, but failing. "What am I gonna do?"

Your laughter subsided, your expression turning thoughtful. "Makeup?" you suggested. "You can get some concealer to cover it up before the game."

"Makeup?" Joe echoed, his disbelief clear. "You want me to wear makeup?"

Your smile grew. "Well, not exactly. You don't have to go full glam. Just a little dab of concealer to even out the skin tone."

Joe groaned, rubbing a hand through his damp hair with a scowl. "Where am I gonna get makeup from? Won't it melt off from the sweat anyway?"

Your eyes danced with amusement. "Well, I guess you gotta own it, Burrow. Maybe it'll be your new good luck charm," you said, leaning closer to the camera to kiss the screen. "From me to you."

Joe couldn't argue with your logic, though the thought of walking onto the field with a glaring hickey didn't sit well with his image. He sighed, nodding. "Alright, I'll figure it out. Thanks for the support," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Anytime," you said, your laughter bubbling up again. "Good luck tomorrow. Love you."

Joe couldn't help but smile back. "Love you too." He ended the call, feeling a bit more at ease despite the looming embarrassment of tomorrow. He decided to take your advice and own the hickey. It was a small price to pay for how down bad he was for you. Plus, he had to admit, the idea of you leaving your mark on him was kind of hot.

His confidence lasted until the next afternoon, when Joe found himself in the locker room, surrounded by his teammates and their knowing glances. He felt like he had a neon sign pointing at his neck. The guys didn't let up, making hushed comments and sharing smirks every time he looked their way. It was clear that the news had spread through the team like wildfire. Joe tried to ignore them, focusing on his preparations for the game. But as he pulled on his jersey, the fabric brushed against the tender spot, a stark reminder of his predicament.

He stepped onto the field for warm-ups, the cool air hitting his bare neck. The stadium lights seemed to highlight the hickey even more. Joe felt his jaw clench and his face grow hot, but he forced a straight face as he threw the ball around. He had a game to play, a job to do, and he wasn't about to let a little thing like a hickey throw him off his game.

By the time he returned home that night, a win tucked under his belt, Joe was exhausted. He was looking forward to cuddling with you and forgetting about the long weekend. But the moment he walked through the door, you were trying to suppress your amusement, your eyes dancing every time you looked at him.

"Okay," Joe sighed, his chest deflating beneath your head as he exhaled deeply. "What are you smiling about?"

You couldn't hold it in any longer, bursting into a fit of giggles. "You looked so grumpy all game," you exclaimed, poking his chest playfully. "You were trending on Twitter again."

Joe groaned, his hand sliding from his neck to his face. "I know," he said, his voice muffled by his palm. "Couldn't believe it when Sam told me."

You sat up, your laughter fading into a gentle smile as you reached over to trace the hickey with your finger. "You looked like a spoiled toddler," you said, your eyes sparkling with affection. "It's kind of cute, you know."

Joe rolled his eyes, his irritation from the day melting away. "Cute is not the word I would've chosen," he muttered, but he couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I can't believe you did this to me. Destroyed my neck like a chew toy."

You leaned in to kiss him, your eyes gleaming with mischief. "Could've stopped me," you whispered, your breath warm against his skin. "But you didn't."

Joe chuckled despite his feigned annoyance. "I guess I was a little preoccupied," he admitted, his voice low.

"A little?" you teased, your eyes twinkling. "I think you liked being my chew toy."

Joe's cheeks flushed, and he couldn't help but laugh. "Okay," he conceded. "Maybe a little."

You leaned back, your expression satisfied. "So, you're not mad at me?"

Joe sighed, his annoyance giving way to a fond smile. "Mad? Nah, I can't be mad at you," he said, pulling you closer. "It's just, you know how I feel about PDA. It's all over the internet now."

You shrugged, kissing away his pout. "Well, at least your fangirls know you're taken," you said, planting another kiss on the bruised spot.

Joe grimaced, but couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through him at your touch. "Very funny," he said, his tone laced with affection.

"You have a pretty neck," you whispered playfully, your hand moving to his neck again as your eyes darted over his skin as if examining where you could stake your claim next. "You want another one?"