Chapter Text
Rudo was familiar with pack dynamics on the Sphere. He had watched as kids formed packs too quickly and broke up weeks later- not truly understanding the effort and love put into them. He still didn’t really understand it himself. Even when Regto had explained it to him, his dad quickly dismissed the idea of them being a pack.
His brow raised as he thought of a better way to explain it-
“We don’t meet the requirements for a pack… but we’re still family Rudo.”
Regto was an omega by all accounts of the word, his softer appearance giving it away even as his height towered over most like him. Rudo was still a pup, that’s what Regto said- where most children presented around 14, he was considered a late bloomer. At least he didn’t have to deal with heats or ruts.
But once Rudo fell to the Ground, he saw a true pack dynamic.
Enjin held all the tell tale signs of being an alpha, his pine smoke scent with an overwhelming presence of tobacco- something that seemed to never fluctuate with his emotions. He was in charge of protecting the pack with Gris. Riyo, a scentless beta, supported the group- mediating when needed. Then there was Zanka… the hard-headed omega that pushed against all Rudo was taught about omegas. Their supposedly calm and submissive demeanor was the exact opposite of the older boy.
Once the embarrassment and shame of their first meeting had settled, Rudo noticed his scent. It was proudly left to fill the car, even going through the thick layers of his uniform. Clean laundry stained with burning incense, as if the clothes hung to dry were left near the potent smoke. The way it smelled cleaner with every praise Enjin gave him, like a breeze wafting past the drying laundry- something dampened so quickly Rudo almost missed it. From his spot in the car, he could see the way Riyo frowned at it, but didn’t seem to want to comment on it so openly.
Despite the never-ending sour mood Zanka seemed to be in, Rudo could visibly see the way his shoulders relaxed in the presence of his pack. After missions, when everyone was finished taking a shower to try and get rid of the smell of trash clinging to their skin, Zanka would, by habit it seemed, make his way through the pack, scenting everyone diligently as they would to him. He would ensure that everyone was present for dinner or whichever meal they would share next. Even as he would barely touch his plate some days, he would push the others to finish theirs.
When anyone would damage their uniform, the garments always seemed to land in Zanka’s lap secretly, so as not to upset August for not asking him first. But Zanka would quickly patch up anything small, scenting the item before giving it back. Rudo was sure it was just an excuse to get the omega to scent the item, Zanka would roll his eyes at their sheepish grin.
The way each one of the members of the Akuta pack worked together was interesting to watch. As if tuned into each other’s emotions like a finely oiled cog in a hug machine.
After the freakshow of a mission where he met Zodyl, it clicked to Rudo that he was slowly becoming part of the pack. However, some artificial barrier was preventing him from being fully dragged into the circle. He was part of their team as a Cleaner, but the more viscerally close dynamic of being in their pack missed him.
He was sitting on the couch in the lounge when Enjin explained it to him.
“Everyone in a pack gets a say in whether a new member joins or not. Gris and I already like you, and Riyo is all game for bringing you in.”
He raised an eye at this, his chewing slowing as the macaron in his mouth began to taste not so sweet anymore, almost like ash coating his tongue. A small pout adorning his face, looking towards Enjin,
“Then what’s stopping me from joining?”
Crumbs fell to his lap as Enjin sighed… the unlit cigarette crushed between his teeth as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Well… Zanka is the only omega in the pack and he hasn’t decided yet- but you’re just a pup, so I’m sure it won’t be long till he’s scenting you too.”
The man chuckled at this! Rudo’s own ears turned a shade of pink at the thought. Big bad Zanka getting the stick out his ass and being calm enough to scent him like Regto did when he was still alive… Maybe don’t think about it like that.
A frown adorned his features as he shoveled more kettle corn into his mouth.
“Zanka is like a cat; you have to let him come to you. Kids’ still trying to unlearn things from his shitty parents, so bear with him.”
The last thing was sort of muttered, as if Enjin was speaking more to himself than Rudo.
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After that wonderful chat with Enjin, Rudo waits and continues to watch from afar. Enjin and Gris still fluff his hair on occasions and Riyo would lean on him. As if silently incorporating him into the group, making the transition easier, which he is grateful for. From going from essentially being part of a one man “pack” to one so big, it did something to his heart he couldn’t describe. Zanka kept his distance, as much as a mentor can when he’s not beating Rudo black and blue during training. But apart from their first encounter, Rudo notices how Zanka’s scent never wavers, never expresses his emotions- even as he yells at Rudo for not dodging a particular move…
“Zanka’s scent?”
Riyo tilts her head, pondering his inquiry.
He sat on her bed, feeling a little fidgety being in her room- but he needed the reprieve from the overwhelming scents. Where on the Sphere, many of the residents were betas, leaving little to no buildup of the potent scents he found on the Ground. Where most were unapologetic with them, letting it mix and blend with others around HQ. With that, his nose would become overwhelmed by being in the cafeteria for too long. Something Eisha said would go away once he’s lived here long enough.
A small hum left Riyo,
“He’s always been like that; it’s kind of crazy he can control it so well.”
Rudo thought back to Enjin, scent expressive and matching his current mood- whatever it might be. Even Gris, when in states of distress, or apparently not dying on the floor from blood loss would smell of old plaster? Sort of dusty in the way that would make you cough up a lung and tear up when it would make the room overly stuffy.
Even when Zanka made his way back from battling Jabber the first time, his scent remained neutral. The clean laundry and incense muted but still consistent- even Jabber seemed a bit miffed by the fact, trying to goad Zanka to going all out, thinking the other was holding back on him.
“It takes a lot of discipline to do that, Rudo. If you end up being an omega, he will help you with that.”
“Will” not “Could.”
Something sweet bubbled up in his stomach, reaching up to his heart- holding it in warmth at the thought and he was almost sure it wasn’t the bonbons he had just finished.
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Slowly, Rudo noticed some things of his going missing. First, it was a pillow case, then his actual pillow. Soon enough, one of his shirts went missing.
Gris was the one to point him in the direction of the new home his missing stuff made. On the couch, where Riyo laid on top of a passed-out Zanka. His head cushioned by the pillow, hand holding onto his shirt tightly, and Riyo lying on his chest- playing with his hair.
“Get a photo, quick!”
Enjin “tried” to quietly mutter, but only seemed to increase in volume as he rushed for a camera. The omega shuffled slightly to bring the shirt closer to his face.
“Hey, Rudo.”
Riyo looked at him, yawning slightly as she motioned for him to come closer. Now almost inches away from Riyo, she made a small shushing motion-
His ears perked up at the sound of Zanka purring quite loudly, the rumbling in his chest bringing awe to Rudo. He didn’t know someone could purr so loudly. Even Regto’s purr was a low tone with long stretches between each.
“He came back from a mission a few hours ago, all tired out.”
Gris whispered as he approached quietly.
“He said he was just gonna lie down real quick, and ended up passing out once Riyo got some things from his nest.”
Rudo nodded at this, Zanka looked peaceful, sleeping like this… Wait a minute! His stuff was in Zanka’s nest!
____________________________________________
“Fuck…”
He muttered, pushed against the sharp canine- now loose amongst the rest of his teeth.
According to Eisha, he should be presenting soon, which involved small changes over a long period of time, of which apparently hurt like a mother fucker! The sudden pain in his jaw from his teeth only confirmed one thing- he wasn’t a beta, so he had to stew in the fact while nursing his sore jaw.
As of now, he had spent hours letting ice cubes melt against his aching gums, the canines being too stubborn to fall out but too painful to actually pull out. So, Rudo sat on the couch, letting the ice melt and soothe the sore parts of his mouth.
He had training with Zanka today, but he really did not want to be punched across the face while he felt like this… or maybe he could get Zanka to knock out the offending teeth since his gloved hands could not get a good grip on the small tooth.
Sighing against the air, the cool air of the lounge aiding a little to his warming skin. He had been avoiding Zanka all morning and probably should have moved to a new location before he could find him- but his body felt like a sack of trash unable to move.
He heard the door to the lounge open with the scent of laundry reaching his nose- speak of the devil…
“The hell do ya’ think yer doin?”
Zanka stood above him, brows furrowed in a way that held sharp discontentment, Rudo’s nose twitched, noticing hints of dampening laundry and ashy like smoke, but it quickly mellowed out, leaving nothing but flat notes of laundry detergent.
“Ma’ gums hur’”
The ice clicked against his molars, pushing against his tongue as it threatened to choke him. Rudo opened his mouth slightly, eliciting a tilt of Zanka’s head- the same way Riyo does as well. Zanka’s expression softened as he sat on the couch next to him. A small sigh escaped him as he gently propped Lovely Assistaff against the nearby wall… he was sitting closer than usual.
“It’ll take a while for those to come out- they’ll grow wrong if you yank ‘em out.”
Rudo grimaced at the fact- How many more days of this pain in his jaw will he have to endure??? He couldn’t even eat most of his favorite sweets!
“How lon’ did it take fo’ you?”
“Umm, I don’t think I waited long?”
Rudo almost asked for more, because what the hell was that face? Zanka looked uncomfortable- his usually straight cut attitude seemed more drawn in as his face turned away from him.
“Anyways, the ice is a good idea- try not to swallow those canines in your sleep.”
Hold up-!
“Wha-! Wha’ ta’ hell! Tha’ can happen??!!”
He almost choked on the ice cube again, coughing slightly as some water went down the wrong pipe.
“Of course not, idiot! I was joking.”
Zanka smirked slightly, not truly looking towards Rudo as he steamed in his own embarrassment- that bastard really scared him. It wasn’t like he knew anything about this!
A small chuckle left Zanka, his hand covering his mouth- not truly muffling his laugh but… Rudo caught a glimpse of something he felt like he wasn’t privy to. Two gaps in Zanka’s smile, where his canines were supposed to be. How had he not noticed that before?
“I’ll let ya’ miss today- but go to Eisha if yer teeth ain’t letting ya’ eat.”
Rudo blinked, no longer seeing the imposing gaps- the missing teeth.
“Sure, thanks, Zanka.”
A light smile, rosy blush adorning his face-
“No problem, Rudo.”
____________________________________________
“Wucha doin’?”
Rudo walked up to Riyo, her face neutral before smiling towards him. Her hand beckoned him to sit next to her.
“Watching Zanka train.”
His eyes drifted towards Zanka, standing in front of Enjin. Lovely Assistaff not at his side, actually it leaned against the wall beside them. Zanka’s shoulders were square, face glaring towards Enjin, the man frowning in turn with his arms crossed.
“What are they doing? The hell?”
“Well, Rudo, y’ever had an alpha command you to do something?”
The thought of being commanded was familiar; many of the Spherites would flippantly use their higher status to command him to kneel down in the dirt. The command made his entire body numb- switching his brain to mush, only his eyes being able to move freely. Even the older kids who had presented as alphas before most had used their newly found power to wreak havoc, especially on him.
He shivered at the memory, nodding as he watched Enjin mutter something too quiet for either of them to hear. Zanka’s body twitched- his jaw set tight as his teeth gritted against each other. His fingers curling into a tight fist, brows pushed so low, Zanka almost seemed to bow his head.
“Yeah, it sucks.”
“It does, and it’s worse for omegas- Zanka is trying to train to overcome them.”
Rudo could only look on in awe- the amount of mental fortitude one must have to resist an alpha’s command… Even commands yelled by Zanka made every nerve in his body flare up. Still only a pup, something in his brain told him to shut up and listen.
With a sudden shock that made his knees shake despite sitting-
Enjin had yelled out,
“SIT OMEGA!”
The man pointed towards the ground with extra emphasis as Zanka seemed to sink closer to it, His knees shook with an even greater, heavier, invisible force. His balled up fists now welling with blood.
With a slide of his foot, Zanka planted his feet more firmly on the ground- blood now dripping down his nose as he began to stand straighter. The grimace that lay on Enjin’s face quickly dissolved into a huge grin as the shaking began to subside.
Zanka was breathing loudly, trying to wipe away the blood that had collected- only smearing it across his cheek.
“Amazing job, Zanka!”
“Wooho, Zanka!”
Rudo could only stand in silence. Enjin’s command, although not directed at him, had made his own heart plummet. He couldn’t imagine how Zanka felt, and to resist it with such determination. He didn’t care what Zanka said about himself- he was not just average. He didn't know many omegas, but none of them could resist a command like that.
Zanka reciprocated the high five Enjin had been waving around in his face, before plopping down onto the ground from sheer exhaustion. His head tilted back slightly as his breathing continued to come out in short puffs of air.
Rudo ran up to Zanka and Enjin,
“Zanka, that was so cool! You have to teach me how to do that!”
The other looked at him, scratching the back of his neck as the same rosy tint brushed across his face.
“Pff- kid, you gotta at least be presented to start training like this- pups are like, super susceptible to all commands: Alpha or not.”
Enjin helped Zanka up with an easy heft of his arm,
“Plus, Zanka here is mat-”
As if slapped in the face, Enjin clicked his mouth so quickly that Rudo almost didn't catch any of what he had said. The air felt heavier, almost, Zanka glaring at Enjin before a heavy sigh escaped him.
His eyes did not meet Rudo’s as he placed a hand to his neck,
“Mated omegas can fight off other alpha’s commands easier than unmated ones, Rudo- it would be difficult for you to train this skill.”
It took a minute, Rudo had to admit, to connect the dots- for it all to come together.
“Wait! You’re mated Zanka? Whose the alpha?”
Rudo wasn’t sure if Zanka could hold such an expression, but if Riyo’s distant hiss of grimace was to go by- this wasn’t a frown he held often.
“Some bastard in the Kamuatari district… ‘m gonna take a shower.”
And with that, Zanka quickly left, without another word. Once out of eyesight, Enjin whistled a small note, his own deadpan expression adding to the sudden guilt Rudo felt.
“Rudo, walk with me.”
They had walked in silence for a few minutes, the bustle and sounds of headquarters passing them easily as Enjin led him to the building’s roof. The wind brushed against his hair as he sat near the edge with Enjin to his left. The other took out a cigarette, flicking open his lighter- inhaling the strong smoke into his lungs. Letting the smell of it surround them in silence. Rudo had learned quickly that the tobacco smell wasn’t part of Enjin’s scent, just an unfortunate aroma that clung to him and overpowered his actual scent.
“Is Zanka mad at me…?”
He had to ask, if Zanka was… he would apologize a thousand times over, he would even give the other his favorite candy if it made him feel better.
“No Rudo, Zanka is not mad at you.”
Enjin’s hand found his hair, fluffing it like he usually did when he got too much into his head.
“Rudo, how were omegas treated on the Sphere?”
Enjin wasn’t looking at him, more like blankly staring out into the setting sun. His mind wandered back to his previous home. Despite most of the inhabitants being betas, there were a select few who were omegas. If rudo could remember correctly, they weren’t treated right. Even Regto, who didn’t look like the average omega, got snide remarks here and there. His unmated status made his reputation sink, only plummeting further when he took him in.
“Not well, the ones in the slums never really left their homes- I’m not sure of the richer ones.”
A small hum left Enjin as he seemed to internally debate what to truly say- the silence between them was like a scratchy blanket. Rudo wanted to know about Zanka’s reaction, why the boy was so distant, and why Enjin had brought him here.
A soft sadness overtook Enjin’s features,
“Omegas on the Ground are treated less than dirt, Rudo- that’s why you don’t even see much of them, they are more content to live as betas.”
Rudo could only imagine-
His heart twisted with something deep down
“Zanka was shielded from most scum during his upbringing, but that didn’t mean things were easy… He is as close to a rich kid you’ll get here, and that status comes with dumb traditions and expectations.”
The smoke travelled with the wind, as the words settled and Rudo thought of Zanka- his consistent scent, stealing things for his nest, his apparent mate left when he became a cleaner.
“So, his fangs…?”
He was almost too nervous to even ask but curiosity won over. The image of absent fangs would circle his mind every now and again. The thought plaguing his mind every time he saw Zanka cover his mouth when he would laugh, albeit rare. Rudo would have distant nightmares about his own canines falling out and never growing back. A sort of final defense he had built in that Zanka had stripped away from who knows who.
He wasn’t sure if Enjin would give him the answers he was looking for. For a second, Rudo was sure he could hear the grinding of teeth- before another drag of a cigarette brought more smoke.
“The fangs, the forced bonding, the stupid expectations put on him, Rudo- a lot of old traditions that only an old family like the Nijiku would use. Despite their garbage treatment towards omegas, I never thought they would…”
Rudo’s own jaw still aches from his canines growing in place properly, pushing out the old ones as his gums feel as if they were on fire from anything other than sweet ice brushing against them. To have your adult canines pulled…
“It’s not normal, Rudo- for their natural defenses to be stripped from them. But, that doesn’t bring down Zanka- everything he’s been through has only made him stronger, and I hope you keep that in mind.”
He could only nod, something seemingly lodged in his throat. He still didn’t know the full story, and maybe he never will. It didn’t really seem like Enjin knew either, only enough to form a pure, visceral hatred towards Zanka’s family.
He could only look out to the disappearing sun as the cigarette in Enjin’s hand burned to his fingers.
____________________________________________
Rudo couldn’t sleep. No matter how many times he shut his eyes, wishing and hoping for the nightmares to dissipate, they wouldn’t.
Regto’s corpse bleeding out in his arms, feeling his body go weightless as he fell from the sphere, running too late to save Amo from a fate worse than death… Everything seemed to make him jolt up in a panic and cold sweat. His heart was hammering against his chest, pumping so quickly that he was sure it was going to break a bone.
So now, he sat on the cold floor of the kitchen. The only sound was the distant click of a clock in the hallway as seconds became minutes and soon enough hours. The hard tiles pushed against his bones, keeping him awake, as every time he would begin to nod off, a cold chill would wrack up his spine.
‘Only for a little bit…’
He thought, to stay for just a bit. Once he was tired enough to pass out into a dreamless sleep, he would go back to his room.
But maybe he should have left sooner, as the quiet tap of shoes brought Rudo to look up at the blue eyes of his mentor. Zanka looked tired, no, he looked exhausted. Now dressed in loosed clothing, Rudo could clearly see the indentations of his mate’s mark on his neck.
“Ta’ hell you doin' on the ground, punk?”
Zanka rubbed his eyes, a yawn leaving him as he continued to stare at Rudo’s disheveled form.
“Wha’bout you?”
A small look of irritation crossed Zanka’s brow-
“I asked first, idiot.”
With a gentle hand, Zanka helped Rudo off the floor. Both of them stood awkwardly as the other raised an eyebrow. They hadn’t really talked since Zanka walked off after mentioning his mate, or ex-mate if Rudo could go off anything.
“Oh… I couldn’t sleep…”
Really it was worse, he was so tired. He hadn’t been able to sleep for days, no more than a few hours at a time. He hadn’t wanted to bother anyone with his sleeping issues, hell- he used this bout of sleeplessness to watch over Amo as she recovered. Something in the back of his mind not wanting to leave her alone, but today- he decided to leave her alone, but that only really caused him to have a bubbling panic itch beneath his skin.
“Funny, I couldn’t either.”
Rudo looked to Zanka again, his expression neutral as he silently led him out of the kitchen. If Rudo was just a little more awake he would have pointed out how evidently horrible Zanka’s exhaustion made him look, but he let the other walk him through the hallway.
“Where are we going?”
“Don’t question your mentor.”
‘What?’- He felt it was pretty valid to ask when little to no words were actually exchanged. But whether Zanka realized it or not, his command left the pup speechless- allowing him to pull the other into his room with ease.
The first thing Rudo noticed about Zanka’s room was how clean it was. At least the parts where it mattered, as the omega’s nest was a messy pile of blankets, clothes, some towels covered in what looked to be hair dye, and the things Rudo had been missing.
The second thing Rudo noticed was how warm everything was. Even just walking in, he could instantly feel the difference in temperature. It blended nicely with the strong scent of incense and fresh laundry, it was so open now, no longer confined to Zanka’s uniform.
“Are ya just gonna gawk and stare?”
His tone was rough, but still mindful- Rudo shook his head as he approached the nest. It was almost drawing him inside. The fabric of the blankets looked soft, softer than anything he had on the sphere, and somehow softer than the ones in his room now.
He must’ve been taking too long for the impatient Zanka’s liking, as the older boy practically dragged him inside the nest. Rudo felt as if he was swimming in a cloud of marshmallows, the thought of the sweet treat making his stomach growl. A small huff escaped Zanka as he pulled Rudo closer to his chest. If the nest was warm, Zanka was hot- Rudo could already feel the beads of sweat collect on his brow. But… he couldn't move away. On the account that Zanka was holding him in place so tightly to his chest that he could feel the other’s heart beat, but also his instincts to stay right there.
A feeling of tightness on his chest brought a gasp from his lungs. A stinging feeling building behind his eyes, a choked sob muffled by Zanka’s chest.
“Rudo?”
He was glad that the room was so dark, so Zanka couldn't see the way his face bunched up in an effort to repress the flood of tears soaking into his shirt.
“I-’m sorry Zanka”
His bandaged hands held onto the others arms, they burned- stung in pain he was familiar with but it brought him back to where he was- Zanka’s nest as he cried like the pup the pack saw him as.
“What for?”
Zanka’s tone was so gentle it only made the tears come rushing faster despite his attempts to stop them. His throat constricted with a silent sob. Enjin had told him that Zanka was not mad at him, but the guilt only built.
With the knowledge of the unwanted mark on Zanka’s neck, the recent mission going against Zodyl, and Amo still recovering- everything seemed to bring him to tears.
“F-for the other day… didn' t mean to make you upset”
His breath hitched as Zanka only pulled him even closer if that was possible.
“It’s okay, you didn’t know..”
Zanka’s hand rubbed soothing circles on his back as his cries mellowed out.
“Do you think Amo will be okay..”
His hand paused before continuing.
“Is that what got you so worried?”
Rudo nodded, letting his hair get tussled as it rubbed against the other’s chest.
“With yer’ help, she will be..”
With a few last sniffles, letting his snot join the patch of wet tears marring Zanka’s shirt- the omega’s chest began to reverberate with a loud purr. A soothing melody that began to sing alongside his heartbeat.
‘So this is what Riyo felt.’
His mind remembered the scene fondly as if it was yesterday- of Riyo laying so closely to Zanka’s chest, she seemed to shake with every new purr the omega made.
While Zanka’s nest was comfortable and lulled him into quick, dreamless sleeps, he woke to others, who seemed to have the habit of barging into Zanka’s room as loudly as possible.
With every new pack member entering his room, both he and Zanka would wake. Each time, becoming fuzzier as sleep would drag them away faster and faster.
First was Riyo,
She drawled out a dramatic, “Zaaaaankkkaaaa, I can’t sleep.”
Waking them up as she graciously, opened and closed the door. Rubbing her tired eyes as she crawled into the nest alongside them without a care.
“Ahh, Rudo, yer here too.”
Her smile was lazy with sleep, as Zanka would murmur a ‘goodnight’ before making sure both were wrapped in the pile of blankets. Rudo sandwiched between them, snug and secure.
Next was Enjin,
“I didn’t know we were having a party in here.”
His entry into the room was louder than Riyo’s, with his poorly concealed laugh not helping at all. Zanka woke up first this time, directing Enjin on where the spare futon was- carefully dropping spare blankets to the alpha as he got comfortable on the ground next to the bed. Almost as if guarding them, Enjin was fast asleep- the jostling of Zanka rearranging the nest to accommodate the alpha was what woke Rudo.
But with a tired Zanka, Riyo, and now Enjin- it was only a matter of time before he fell asleep once again.
Lastly was Gris,
Where, somehow, the light from the hallway woke Riyo up first.
“Gris, c’mon, you’re late.”
“If I knew everyone was nesting, I would have been here earlier.”
Rudo could distantly hear Riyo shushing him to quiet down, Pointing towards Zanka and himself, only for Zanka to raise his head off Rudo’s stolen pillow, reaching his wrists to Gris for the other to scent quickly before he found his place on the futon with Enjin. The other had been on a mission for a few days, so it wasn’t exactly a surprise to see Zanka quickly scent him.
A small chirp left the sleepy omega, as his head dropped to the pillow once again- practically drained of all the energy he had left knowing his entire pack was in the safety of his nest left him sleeping like a log.
Rudo curled up tighter next to Zanka, accidentally squishing him against the wall as Riyo held both of them as well as she could on the edge of the bed.
With everything so warm and soft around him, how could Rudo not fall asleep- dreamlessly?
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Waking up, though, Rudo was unsure how anyone would want to leave the safety of an omega’s nest. He had lain in Regto’s nest plenty of times- but he guesses every nest was different. This one made him rethink how a pile of blankets could be so comfortable, so warm, and calming.
If Rudo was hearing it right, Enjin and Gris left first, making their exit quickly before returning with cups of coffee. Sitting on the futon, with their backs to the bed as they quietly talked about who knows what- he was too tired to pay attention.
Riyo woke up next; he knew this because her hands found their way to his hair. Laying with the strands that were most likely drenched in sweat.
Zanka was last to wake up, stretching with the little room they had as his eyes fell on everyone who had found their way to his nest. A loopy smile adorned his face as he tried to rub the sleep from his eyes.
Once Rudo had made it known that he was awake, and had been for awhile-
“Welcome to the pack, Rudo!”
Enjin’s voice was loud, accompanied by a click of his mug against Gris’s. All he could do was lie there as everyone said their welcomes- his face no doubt flushing red, as he tried to worm his way from the nest, only to be dragged back by Zanka.
‘Huh, he was part of a pack…’