Zayden set his phone on the table and followed the quiet sound of Kael rustling through the kitchen.
As he stepped inside, something shifted.
The faint scent of cherry—soft and fleeting—drifted into the air. It hit him unexpectedly, drawing him closer without thought.
He moved to stand just behind Kael, his voice low, teasing.
"Did you bring cherries?"
Kael's body tensed instantly.
The next second, Zayden found himself pushed back—firmly, instinctively.
Kael spun around, rubbing his neck and ears, visibly flustered.
"Are you crazy?" he snapped, voice an octave higher than usual. "Why would you whisper in my ear out of nowhere?"
Zayden blinked, caught off guard. His gaze flickered over Kael's flushed ears, his too-red cheeks. Something about the way Kael was reacting felt... too extreme.
"What? It's normal between friends, right?" Zayden shrugged, still confused. "I just smelled cherry on you and thought you were eating it."
Kael stammered, voice faltering.
"There… there's no cherry here. Just—go wait outside. I'll bring the food in five minutes."
Zayden raised a brow, still unsure what just happened, but nodded.
"Alright."
He left.
The moment the door clicked behind him, Kael collapsed to his knees on the kitchen floor, heart hammering against his ribs.
Why now? Why is the scent coming out?
He buried his face in his hands, ears still burning.
It had been years since he'd last experienced a scent flare—and now, of all people, Zayden had caught it.
---
Five minutes later, Kael placed their meal neatly on the dining table.
Zayden was outside on the balcony, speaking to someone on the phone. His expression was unreadable.
When the call ended, he returned and sat across from Kael, silently picking up his chopsticks.
"I heard you're studying design now?" Zayden asked casually, looking at him over the table.
Kael gave a small nod, eyes fixed on his plate.
"Mhm."
"How's life in Z City been?"
"Good," Kael replied, still not looking up.
Zayden's hand stilled above his rice bowl.
He stared. Hard. Long enough that Kael felt the weight of it pressing down on him.
Kael finally raised his eyes—only to meet Zayden's sharp, unreadable gaze.
"Don't you have anything to ask me?" Zayden asked, voice low. "Like how I've been? What I'm doing now? After six years?"
Kael's heart sank.
Zayden's pheromones—cold, sharp, unsettled—filled the space. Kael could feel the pressure crawl along his skin.
Too much.
Too dangerous for someone like him.
He swallowed thickly.
"Should I be curious?" Kael asked blankly.
Something in Zayden snapped. His jaw clenched, and his violet eyes grew darker. The scent in the room grew heavier—more territorial.
Kael began to cough faintly, pretending it was irritation from the spice. He stood abruptly, gathered his dishes, and walked away.
Zayden didn't stop him.
When Kael returned from washing up, the table was nearly untouched—and Zayden was gone.
He stared at the half-eaten food, the untouched drink. A cold sigh escaped him.
"I don't want anything to do with you," he murmured quietly, more to himself than anyone else.
That evening, Kael paced across the living room before finally calling a familiar number.
"Dad."
"Kael, dear! You sound tired. Did you eat properly?"
"Dad," Kael sighed, his tone bordering on frustration, "why did you ask Zayden to check on me? And why… why would you give him my door code?"
There was a pause on the other end, then a soft, apologetic voice.
"I was worried about you. You haven't come home in so long. When Zayden's mother mentioned he was traveling to Z City, I… asked if he could check in. Was I wrong, dear?"
Kael opened his mouth—then closed it. He couldn't argue with his omega father's worry.
"No," he muttered. "Just… don't do it again. We grew apart. I don't even think he sees me as a friend anymore."
Silence.
Then his father replied gently,
"But Kael… it was Zayden who came to me first."
Kael froze.
"He asked for your door code. He wanted to know if you were okay."
"What?!"
"Yes. He was the one who offered to stop by… said he hadn't heard from you in years. He sounded worried."
Kael stood still, the phone trembling lightly in his fingers.
Zayden had come… because he cared?
But… then why did it still hurt so much?