#cod pack 141

After Soap nearly shoots beer out of his nose, there’s a brief moment of silence among the pack. It’s clear it’s making you anxious with the way you begin to fold into yourself, an unsteady whine building in the back of your throat. You want to bolt, to suck the words back in. Your scent becomes acrid, like chlorine.

Gaz is the best at this sort of thing and makes a small rumbling sound to settle you. His socked foot reaches out to rub your ankle.

“Alright.” It’s John who finally answers and his voice is easy and certain. No disappointment and no guilting. His words help the rest of the pack settle back in.

“Aye, nothing wrong with that. Si hides out in the shed for his ruts.” Johnny jerks a thumb at Simon who gives him an unimpressed look. Ghost shoots a pea at Johnny’s skull, the younger beta barking indignantly at his alpha.

The return to normalcy helps you settle. You lean back into the couch instead looking as if you were going to bolt. You take a sip of your drink, clearing your throat as your scent eases.

“I’m not opposed to it happening in the future, this is just… new. I want a chance to get used to you guys when I feel that way.”

“Then what do you want us to do for your heat?” Gaz finally asks as he puts his empty plate on the coffee table. He leans back and nuzzles his nose into your shoulder. There’s no expectation in his question, simply trying to understand where you’re at.

You find yourself blanking for a moment. You hadn’t really thought of what you did want, only what you absolutely didn’t want to happen.

“Well… normally I’m mostly sleepy. I’d like you to stay with me in my nest- if that’s what you want.” You quickly try to give them an out. You had been with mates and partners who weren’t interested in the idea of babysitting you during your heats. If they weren’t getting their knots wet then they weren’t sticking around.

But Gaz purrs at the idea, pushes his face beneath your chin. It makes you giggle as you fight to keep him from spilling your drink.

“We can do that. We can get a rotation going, so someone’s always with you.” John pipes up from his armchair, always the planner.

“What type of foods do you want? Probably those snacky things you like, right? Something easy when you wake up!” Johnny is already opening his phone to start making a grocery list. Simon leans over and offers ideas of things to prepare.

“We’ll need to get some more bedding.” Simon adds and Johnny is already nodding, his fingers running swiftly across the keyboard.

“Oh, I don’t know if I need more-“ You quiet down with the look Simon gives you.

“You need more.” He says simply and he won’t be told otherwise. “Add a heating pad, a big one.” Ghost commands and Johnny begins to ramble about one he saw in the store the other day that would be perfect.

John collects yours and Kyle’s dish as he gets up. But before he makes his exit to the kitchen he leans down to kiss the top of your head. You feel him nuzzle his nose and beard against your scalp.

“We got you pup, whatever you need.” He assured you before he goes to drop the dishes into the sink. It’s not his night for dish duty after all.

Kyle is still laying on you, your legs tangled up. He asks questions about what you want to happen. Johnny takes any comment and adds it straight to his notes. And Simon doesn’t allow you to bullshit them. If he determines you need it you will have it.

It settles the anxious pup in your chest. Like John said.

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Si!" is the only thing Johnny can get out. He honestly should have expected this, he simply assumed he would get more than exactly two minutes into the evening before one of his mates tried something.

You're wide-eyed, looking up at Ghost with a mix of surprise and intrigue. And despite Soap's outburst, Ghost is still looming over you. You meet his eyes, dark and heavy, but there is nothing vulgar there, no leering or devious intent despite the words he had muttered. And you decide that you like him, as forward and unorthodox as he is. And when you breathe in his scent, something earthy, like petrichor and charcoal, it makes you smile. "You must be Simon, Johnny has told me a lot about you." You hum in response.

"'as he now?" Simon has already decided he likes you. You do not cower or lower your eyes when you look at him. And he can see the way your nostrils flare as you breathe him in, unapologetic and curious. Before you can hope to respond, Johnny is lifting a hand to knock against the giant's shoulder. "You can't just walk up on someone, you big bastard!" Soap complains, and Ghost gives a small grunt, his eyes flicking to the other omega who is decidedly not pleased with the behemoth of an alpha. "You said to be nice- this is me being nice." Simon answers blandly, getting a small giggle out of you, and his eyes snap back down to you. He doesn't even realize he's grumbling out a pleased sound. He likes how your scent flourishes with your laughter, how your eyes lighten. He won't say it aloud, but he decides that Johnny has made a good choice bringing you around.

While Simon and Johnny bicker, a new presence makes itself known at your side. "Ignore them, this is them flirting." A playful voice notes. And when you turn your head, you meet two more bodies. It's easy to distinguish them with the images you have made in your mind from Johnny's descriptions.

Gaz, Kyle, has an easy air about him. His eyes have a warmth to them, as if he has decided you are already a friend. He steps close and extends his arm to you, overturning his wrist so you could see the gland. When you lower your head to sniff at his inner wrist, it makes your chest warm. Cocoa butter and something citrusy, something fresh. "I'm Kyle, and this is Cap', John." He corrects himself with ease, nodding his head over his shoulder to the bear of a man that stands at his side. And John certainly embodies the title of Captain, its easy to see why he is the head of their pack. He's not bigger than Simon, but his presence is felt just as deeply. Even without the alpha offering his wrist for scenting, you can detect it. Tobacco, campfire smoke, evergreen trees in the winter. It's warm and eases the anxiety. "It's good to finally meet you, Johnny talks about you often." John's voice sounds like tumbling stones, low and steady. "Let's get you inside. Let the muppets figure themselves out." John decides and you find yourself agreeing with ease.

Kyle curls an arm around your shoulders, pulling you into his side as he brings you towards the doors of the pub. And John's hand hovers just over your lower back, guiding you both forward. "Do they always do this?" You manage to ask as you finally enter the establishment. "On any day that ends with "Y", yeah." Kyle chuckles. John picks the table you all will occupy, you notice. Somewhere towards the back of the pub where he has eyes on every exit and entry, of every patron. Kyle pulls out your chair for you and John helps remove your coat, draping it over your chair.

Once you're seated, Kyle takes one of the seats beside you, his arm draped over your shoulders once more, but John chooses the seat opposite of you. It's nice, but you can already see where both have left holes that will be occupied by the other members.

By the time Johnny and Simon enter, Soap is flustered and his lips slightly more swollen then before, and Simon seems satisfied with himself. The table already has a round of drinks and greasy appetizers, and you are positively glowing, smiling and laughing at something that is said.

Johnny takes the free seat on your other side. And John shuffles to allow Simon in, the large Alpha taking the corner with his back to the wall.