#brentvern

It all started with a shirt. Brent's favorite one, to be precise.

A frown etched on his features, the beta ventured throughout the household to find it, only to come up empty. It wasn't his favorite just by preference; the fabric was perfect for his sensitive skin, and it's simply a very comfortable shirt that he wore only a handful of times with the fear that washing it too many times would dull its color or wear out the fabric. The anxiety that sprouted at the pit of his stomach threatened to make him nauseous -- a feeling that he seldom experienced that Brent was about to rush to the bathroom if it weren't for Vernias popping his head into the room. "Brent? You good?" Brent turned his head, a little too fast that he felt his neck ache from the whiplash, where his features are impassive but Vernias could sense it. The distressed scent ( which reminded the omega of freshly cut grass, which is sort of odd to him ) so rare that it made Vernias's nose twitch in worry. "...Yeah," came the stony reply, which made the omega huff.

"Yeah, right. You look like you're gonna hurl! C'mere." Vernias went over, slowly reaching up with a hand as if to patiently wait for permission. When the beta gave a curt nod, Vernias wrapped his arms around the other and held him tightly. He hoped that his own sweet yet homely scent could soothe the beta, feeling him as tense as a wire. Vernias's hand ran up and down his back in a slow motion, feeling that tension somewhat easing after a few minutes.

Brent can't help but heave out a heavy sigh, nuzzling his nose into the omega's scent gland. He breathed in that cool aloe scent before pulling away. "Thanks, Vern. Don't worry about it, it's just..." Brent trailed off, wondering if he should even mention it since it was seemingly an insignificant problem to worry himself over. It was just a damn shirt at the end of the day but truth be told, he had that shirt for years.

"Just?" Vernias repeated with a raised brow, subtly encouraging him to elaborate.

The beta glanced everywhere but the other's eyes, finally relenting with another sigh. "...It's so stupid, but I couldn't find my shirt. You know, the one with that design on the back? I know it's just a shirt, but that's the one that doesn't make my eczema flare up, and it helps me sleep better 'cause it's so comfy. I've had that for years and now, it's...gone." Brent faltered like the minute he finished explaining, it sounded so stupid in his ears.

However, instead of pity or god forbid, a teasing remark like he was certain Sophist would have made, guilt flashed in Vernias's eyes and his concerned smile fell. "Oh shit... Brent, I didn't realize... I'm so sorry, dude." The beta blinked in confusion, tilting his head with his brows furrowed to emphasize such. The omega reached up to scratch at the back of his head, chuckling sheepishly. "Ah, this is kinda awkward... Lemme show you." Bewilderment silencing him, Brent allowed the omega to take his hand to bring him out of the room and towards Vernias's.

The minute he stepped foot into the room, it hit him.

An amalgamation of what he could smell that is not only Vernias given that it's his own room and his scent is known to be quite potent that even other betas could detect it, but also Nick's and Sophist's. They aren't as powerful as the clean linen that saturated the entire room, but the traces of it caused tingles along Brent's spine. He looked over at the bed, where it appeared to be emanating from, and he's astonished to see not only his own shirt, but other articles of clothing that he was certain that turned up missing for the others as well.

Sophist's scarf, the one he'd always wear whenever the temperature dipped a little too low for his comfort, is coiled around Vernias's pillow like a makeshift headrest. Or rather, one for his neck since it was wrapped around that area whenever he slept on the bed. Just next to it was an orange jacket; more specifically, the one that Nick would wear for his cosplay of Daisy. It looked a little wrinkled and it might need a quick wash, but the vivid color has yet to dull in the slightest.

Right in the middle of those, however, was his very shirt, innocently sitting there this whole time like its disappearance hadn't caused the beta to nearly vomit out the entirety of his lunch minutes ago.

Vernias shifted nervously beside him, clearing his throat as though to ease the embarrassment. "I uh... I guess I got a little carried away. I was nesting, and I wanted to find stuff to make it all comfortable. I think you were all out for something, so I just went in and...yeah...." That aloe scent slightly dampened, mirroring Vernias's sheepish smile and avoidance of the beta's gaze. Brent couldn't help but let out a low chuckle, his own scent of lime and lavender springing up in relief.

"You bonobo. You could have just asked and I'd let you use it..!" His hand rose to playfully ruffle at Vernias's soft curls, making the omega lightly huff with a smile. "I know, I know..! I just... Well, I couldn't help myself, and it made me feel safe. Like you were really here with me when I sleep." Brent hummed in acknowledgement, reaching over to wrap an arm around the omega and pulling him in to brush his lips against Vernias's forehead.

"...I guess I wouldn't mind it being gone for a bit. Might be your size, now that I think about it..." He can't help the laugh bubbling in his chest at the redness coloring at Vernias's cheeks, the omega grumbling under his breath though he eagerly spoiled himself with another fleeting kiss.

Thunder rumbled outside, the rain beating against the window with such ferocity that Vernias was concerned that the glass might crack or shatter. The forecast had predicted a storm or two for the day, but he didn't know that it was going to be this severe. He heard what sounded like hail, and the wind made the house shook with every howl as lightning flashed in the sky. He watched as it illuminated Brent's impassive features, though Vernias could sense the storms that raged within like the one outside.

"Brent...?" There's a soft sigh, but the man didn't turned to him. In his hands was Piplup, the plush staring back with its featureless expression. Vernias had hoped that it could elicit a chuckle or even a smile ( however broken it may look ) from Brent.

Instead...

"You ever feel like that, Vern?" A question is given rather than an answer.

Vernias's eyes drifted until they landed on the wall next to them. He remained silent, which encouraged Brent to continue. "Where it feels like no matter how many times you've been given the praises and compliments and assurances... It's never enough? Every single time you hear it, it ends up sounding like....like shit. Like white noise." His voice rumbled with the thunder outside, the younger man shifting on the bed so he's sitting at the edge with his head lowered.

He could understand; truly, he could! Vernias wanted to help him, to save him from the raging waters that threatened to drown Brent no matter how many times he's reached out to him. Even if Brent would turn away or sometimes reject the help needed, it never deter Vernias. If anything, it only meant that he had to try again and again. His neck suddenly throbbed with a dull ache, but Vernias ignored it in favor of clutching at his sweatpants.

"It's never too late, Brent," Vernias replied with a humorless chuckle. "You and I both know that. It just takes time for-"

A sudden crash startled him. He barely looked up in time to see Piplup now sliding along the table then tumbling to the ground. Whatever items that were on the table have now fallen over, clattering to the ground to join the plush. Vernias turned towards Brent, who stared at the Pokemon with a hollow stare.

"No, Vernias. You don't fucking know. How many times do I have to tell you that. That's the one thing about you -- you just don't fucking stop. Our ass is not listening? How about yours?!" Brent turned towards him, his features now menacing in the dimmed lighting thanks to the storm clouds. "How would you like it if you're sitting there, just sitting there, and you have this...this force just constantly following after you? It never leaves, it doesn't really do anything... But it's there. It's there, and it keeps watching your every move and you don't want to piss it off. You can't even breathe normally around it!

And then it...starts to affect with how you make friends. if you can make them at all. By then, it's all too much for you!" Brent shot up to his feet, hands sliding up his face then clutching at his short hair. His eyes went back to the fallen Pokemon, vision slightly blurring but he assumed that his eyes settling to the darkness.

"I just... I just can't fucking do it, bro! I see you guys having fun. I see that you're all worried about me and it's just... God, I hate it. I hate living like this. I hate every single moment because it's like... It's like..." Brent heaved out a sigh, his chest expanding further out then collapsing in a heap. "Life is a goddamn ocean, and I have no idea how to swim. I'm drowning, Vernias..!"

During this, Vernias was completely silent. His eyes, wide as a deer in headlights, pierced straight into Brent's heart where it quivered and stilled for a solid minute. "...I'm drowning," he repeatedly, softer this time as he made his way over to kneel in front of him. Tears fell down his cheeks and his senses made him acutely aware of the howling winds and battering hail against the fragile glass instead of the strong, warm arms tightly embracing him.

Brent's hands clutched at Vernias's shirt like a lifeline despite this. He wept as he brokenly uttered out, "...You wouldn't even hear me."

Clasping a hand at his mouth, his hips drove deep, right into that very spot that has his eyes rolling to the back of his head and a muffled scream that would have surely waken the neighbors up. Brent dug his forehead into Vernias's shoulder as he finally came in that clenching hole, those walls hugging his length tightly then loosening as Vernias laid on the mattress to catch his breath. Sweat beaded at his forehead, and his cheeks are adorably flushed, causing a warm fluttering in Brent's chest.

He planted sweet kisses along Vernias's shoulder blade, feeling the muscles shifting underneath his touch. As they settled down from their high, Brent pulled out and watched as Vernias gingerly rolled on his back to smile up at him. That enamored Brent, lowering down to kiss it then smiling when he heard Vernias chuckle.

"You okay?" Brent murmured against his lips, planting another one at his cheek where it was still flushed.

Vernias blinked and pulled away with a brow raised, though that soft smile remained. "Huh? Yeah, I am... You know I'd always tell you if I'm not comfortable with something." Brent made a hum, not exactly noncommittal but Vernias could sense the concern. It showed the way Brent kept shifting in place like he's mustering up the courage to ask about something yet failing to do so. With a sigh, Vernias brought his hands up to cup at Brent's cheeks, holding back a snicker when the other man stopped in his movements with a flabbergasted expression that bordered on comical.

God, he could be so fucking cute sometimes.

"Dude. Use your words," Vernias stated, firmly reminding Brent about one of their conversations before this. "I know it's...not your area of expertise, but you gotta let me know what's on your mind! I promise you, I'd want to hear you out..." Eyes pleading and his lips into a cute pout, Brent couldn't help but go red at the sight. His words echoed in mind, somehow quelling the boiling agitation and confusion that erupted at some point. Luckily, they were too in the moment for Brent to notice, but now that everything was quiet and they had recovered from their high...

Brent focused on the warmth emanating from Vernias's hands, dark eyes slowly closing to revel in them. Thumbs soon caressed at his cheeks, no doubt being used to coax him further, and Brent brushed his lips against one of his palms. Vernias could feel them moving, even hear the low rumblings of each one, and he pouted once more. "Brent-"

"You were screaming. A lot."

Vernias's brows rose further up, bewilderment now evident upon his features as he waited for Brent to elaborate. When he hadn't done so, he decided to use a gentle nudge -- he used the upper palm to turn Brent's head to face him now. "Pardon...?" Brent appeared embarrassed; there's even a hint of shame as he repeated, now articulately, "You screamed the whole time. Not sure if that's...you know, good or bad."

He opened his mouth to speak, only for Brent to interrupt him. "No, no, I mean... I never thought I'd be that good..? Or terrible? I dunno, I wanted to ask if you were okay or if I should stop, but...you look like you were enjoying it. Like really enjoying it. I didn't want to ruin your fun, so I just...didn't say anything." Brent spoke a bit faster the more he spoke, that redness now looking more like a hue of shame rather than out of what they just did.

Brent, realizing that he's saying too much, went silent. His features are blank, but Vernias could see the storms swirling in his eyes. Not out of anger really, but something like loathing towards himself for sounding like an idiot. He started to raise to move away, only for Vernias's hands to move to grip at his shoulders. Brent's gaze snapped towards the other's, seeing how they are fiery with conviction and earnest.

"Brent. Listen to me... We're friends, right? Okay, well, more than friends, but you get the idea!" He rolled his eyes at the light hearted scoff but continued. "Point is, you know as well as I do that I'd always let you know if I was in pain of any kind. I know you don't mean to hurt me, dude...and I appreciate the fact that you'd want me to be happy." Vernias giggled at the half hearted attempt of a smile gracing Brent's lips. It's similar to the ones he'd see in almost every picture of him, especially with the few selfies he has.

"...Well, when you put it that way," Brent quietly acknowledged, the storms brewing in his gaze becoming lighter until they were like a white puffy clouds. "I trust you, star bits. I really do...and I didn't mean to be all melodramatic like that." Vernias couldn't help the airy laugh that is breathed out like gentle breezes on a summer day, reaching up to peck at his lips and wrapping his arms around his neck. He pulled Brent down so their foreheads touched, reverence mirrored between their shared gazes.

"Melodramatic? You? Totally not your thing! The calm, cool, and collected tryhard, on the other hand...." Vernias couldn't help the joyful giggling fit wracking through his body at Brent's disgruntled utterance of his name, merely digging his face into the crook of Vernia's neck to prevent any more teasing.