Chapter Text
It has been years since Mydeimos, crown prince of Kremnos and chosen Chrysos Heir, has gone through a heat.
In an era of fear and uncertainty the people look to the Chrysos Heirs for salvation, and in doing so often forget that before passing their respective trials and inheriting the power of the Titans they are, in the end, simply human. They eat, they sleep, they laugh, they cry, and, like so many others, they must deal with the inconveniences that come with having a secondary gender. Some of the Heirs, such as Hyacine and Castorice, who were fortunate enough to be born as betas and thus free from dealing with heats or ruts, and Tribios, who lost their secondary gender upon being turned into children too young to present, luckily need not concern themselves with such things. There was also Aglaea, who, upon inheriting the powers of Mnestia, had risen above the mortal concern of being an alpha, though she retained many of the traits of one, her already sharp sense of smell only growing more powerful along with many of her other senses, save for her sight. No longer did she have to deal with going into rut, which was fortunate, because being the leader of the future saviors of Amphoreus left no room for a clouded mind or errors in judgment.
And then there was Mydei, who had the unfortunate luck of presenting as an omega in Kremnoan society, which valued alphas far more due to their bulkier physiques and aggressive tendencies, two things that are perfect for a people who value strength in combat above all else. However Mydei has never let his secondary gender dictate anything in his life, and from the moment he'd crawled out of the River of Souls as a child he'd fought tooth and nail to grow stronger, to take revenge on the Mad King Eurypon, his very own father who'd cast him into the River of Souls to die. Doing so had not only freed him from the cycle of revenge, but also proven to his people that an omega could conquer, could lead, could be the one to save them from the Black Tide. It's a heavy burden to bear, but bear it he shall, for that is his destiny. He will use the immortal body he'd been cursed with to stem the Black Tide as best he can, paving the way for the Era Nova and ensuring a bright future for all of Amphoreus.
Which is all well and good, but even his immortal body is not free from the curse of going into heat periodically, which is why he's forced to take suppressants to keep his hormones at bay and his mind free from becoming dangerously clouded in the midst of the many life or death (temporary or not) situations he faces on a near daily basis. He cannot afford to be out of commission for a week because his body insists that he be bred, and so he, along with Phainon, an alpha and the only other Chrysos Heir currently among them that's susceptible to losing himself to his instincts, are expected to remain on suppressant pills until they either inherit a Coreflame and transcend such things, or die. Both of them have always been diligent about taking them, at least until everything is turned upside down when two travelers from beyond the sky crash-land on Amphoreus one fateful day. It was a miracle that none of them, even Tribbie, had foreseen, and the fact that they seem willing to help with the Flame-Chase Journey is quite unexpected indeed, but certainly not unwelcome.
Of course every blessing has some kind of caveat to it in Mydei's experience, and this time it comes in form of him being so completely distracted by the arrival of the Trailblazer and Dan Heng, along with the constant threat of the Black Tide looming in the distance, that he completely forgets to take his suppressants. Something he's unfortunately oblivious to, though he does notice the increase in lingering looks he's been getting during his visits to the markets lately...and the baths...and on the street. He simply chalks it up to some new wave of rumors about either himself or the Kremnoans as a whole, something he and his people have had to contend with ever since arriving in Okhema.
Unfortunately with Phainon off serving as a guide of sorts for the visitors from beyond the sky as they assist him in locating the floating fortress of Castrum Kremnos there's no one around to tell him he's starting to reek of pheromones until it's too late.
Mydei has become so accustomed to not having to deal with such things that he doesn't even realize the telltale symptoms he's experiencing are all pointing towards him being in pre-heat, and so they go either unnoticed or ignored. The sensitivity to smell, the increased appetite, the restlessness, the slight elevation in body temperature, all of it is nothing to the crown prince of Kremnos, who's faced down death itself and emerged victorious many times. It's likely just some minor illness from the change of the winds, or perhaps his immortal body trying to store energy for the next battle. Whatever the case he endures it just like he endures everything else, his mind preoccupied with the fate of his people, along with all of Amphoreus.
However, it is not something that can be ignored for long, and soon he's summoned to the Chrysos Heir baths to meet with Aglaea for reasons yet unknown to him. Being called to a meeting with the Goldweaver in itself isn't strange, but her specifically requesting that he come alone certainly is, and trying to pry an answer as to why out of Tribbie, who'd been sent to fetch him, ultimately proves futile.
"Sorry De, Agy didn't tell me the specifics, just that she needed to speak to you alone. Don't worry though, I'm sure whatever it is can't be that bad, or else she would've summoned all of us," Tribbie says with that bright little smile of hers that never fails to reassure others even in the darkest of times. Not that he needs reassurance at the moment, but still, he appreciates the gesture.
"Right. Tell her I'll be there shortly," he says, and with a nod and a little wave Tribbie is off, able to navigate Okhema much quicker than the rest of them with the blessing of Janus. It's a short walk from his chambers to the baths anyway, the path so familiar to him now that he could navigate it with his eyes closed.
It's Lucid Hour when he arrives at the baths, though it's impossible to tell the difference in the time of day when the Dawn Device shines upon the city all day, every day. There are a few people in the public bathing areas, and once again Mydei turns heads as he passes by them, hushed whispers following in his wake. He pointedly ignores them as he makes his way to the lift up to the Chrysos Heir baths, and when he finally arrives he sees Aglaea waiting for him at the top, arms crossed over her chest as she eyes him critically. It's always a bit unsettling to speak with the Goldweaver one-on-one knowing that her golden threads are everywhere, able to detect even the slightest lie, even if Mydei is never one to shy away from speaking the truth. Her presence is as commanding as ever, and there's not even a ghost of a smile on her lips as she approaches him.
"Thank you for arriving so swiftly, Mydeimos," she says, and Mydei simply nods, crossing his arms over his chest with an expectant look. Aglaea's scent is mostly neutral, which is unusual for an alpha, hints of flowers and some kind of perfume lingering about her that give her an air of sophistication and grace. Mydei doesn't usually pay other people's scents any mind, normally too preoccupied to care, but right now he finds himself crinkling his nose a bit in her presence, his sense of smell definitely having become sharper since last he visited this place. Why he suddenly finds her scent, along with everyone else's in the bathhouse unpleasant he cannot say, but it's probably nothing to worry about.
If Aglaea notices his reaction to her scent she doesn't say as much, instead fixing him with that piercing gaze of hers. "I will not waste your time with small talk. The reason I summoned you here is to inform you that your scent has become incredibly potent lately."
Mydei blinks slowly. Then stares. Then scowls, letting out an indignant huff. "My scent? Are you saying I stink? I just took a bath this morning," he says, though thinking back on it he did do a few hundred push-ups between now and then. Hmm...perhaps another bath is in order after this meeting...
Aglaea, however, shakes her head, her expression turning serious...well, more serious than usual, anyway. "I am not referring to your personal hygiene, Mydei. I mean your pheromones," she says, brows furrowing slightly, and Mydei bristles for some strange reason, as if having his pheromones mentioned at all is some kind of insult. And maybe it is, for someone who does their best to simply pretend that they have no secondary gender at all.
"My pheromones? What about them?" he snaps, the words coming out harsher than intended, but Aglaea doesn't flinch, her expression instead changing to one of concern.
"Have you truly not noticed?"
Okay, now he's getting annoyed. Aglaea said she wouldn't waste his time, and yet it almost seems like she's trying to lead him to his own conclusion about what she's trying to say, which would be fine, if he wasn't already feeling a little on edge today. "Noticed what?? Speak plainly, Goldweaver," he nearly growls the words, his patience running thin much faster than usual. He respects Aglaea a great deal, and would normally mind his tongue around her, but right now he feels nothing but prickly irritation welling up inside him. Maybe there really is something strange going on with his body...
Aglaea remains unfazed, her gaze is as piercing as ever, though her scent sharpens to something almost musky, typical alpha posturing that Mydei has never been fond of. At least he can trust that Aglaea isn't looking down on him and is simply trying to get his attention, as stubborn as he can be sometimes.
"Mydei...you reek of pre-heat," she says oh so matter-of-factly, and Mydei thinks he must not have heard her right, because there's no way she just said what he thinks she said.
"What?"
Aglaea sighs. "I said you smell like you're in pre-heat, Mydeimos."
He scowls. If he were speaking to anyone else he'd assume that they were joking, but Aglaea isn't known to joke about serious matters, and one look at her expression is enough to tell him that she is, in fact, speaking the truth.
...oh. Realization finally dawns on him then, though he's none too pleased about it.
This is not the kind of news I was expecting to hear.
Well. That would certainly explain all the staring and whispering he's been subject to lately, but it's also not possible, because he's been on suppressants ever since he first arrived in Okhema. Perhaps the Goldweaver is simply mistaken? Her sense of smell may have sharpened after becoming a demigod, but it certainly isn't infallible...right?
He huffs, waving a gauntlet-clad hand dismissively.
"That's not possible. You must be mistaken. I've been taking my suppressants, so whatever you're smelling isn't me," he replies, fully confident that he's right, because there's no way he'd forget something as important as taking his suppressants. It would be incredibly foolish and borderline dangerous to miss a dose in the middle of all this Flame-Chase business, even if he isn't the one set to inherit the Coreflame of Strife as Aglaea had once asked of him. He still has many responsibilities to see to, among them being in fighting form at all times due to the constant threat of the Black Tide, and because of that he's never, not even once since he started taking them, missed a dose of his suppressants. And yet Aglaea looks completely unconvinced by his insistence that he'd never forget such an important thing, and Mydei quickly finds himself wanting to leap off the nearest ledge to escape this conversation.
"I may no longer be the young alpha I once was, Mydeimos, but I know the scent of an omega in pre-heat when I smell it. I practically raised Cifera, and I know all about the changes that occur before an omega goes into heat. I also know how vulnerable omegas can be during this time, and I do not wish to see you put yourself in danger out of stubbornness, immortal body or not," she says, her voice softening in a way that lets the human side her dissenters like to say she no longer possesses peek through. Mydei has seen it before, but never directed at him, and something about the look of concern she gives him has him bristling, his own scent souring from the turn this conversation has suddenly taken.
"And I'm telling you that you're wrong, Goldweaver. Save your concern for someone who actually needs it," he snarls, turning to leave and end this conversation, desperately needing to blow off some steam before he says something he'll regret. Aglaea lets out a weary sigh as he starts to walk away from her, and Mydei feels the slightest pang of guilt for blowing her off like this. It's not enough to make him stay though, not when everything suddenly feels like too much all at once. The scents of the bathhouse suddenly feel overpowering in the worst way, and his armor feels far too hot despite how much of his body is exposed. It's awful, and he suddenly needs to get far away from this place, and from the alpha who's telling him things he doesn't want to hear.
"If you won't believe me then I urge you to go and count the pills you have left, Mydeimos. Chrysos Heirs we may be, but we are more than capable of making mistakes," she calls out to him, but he's already riding the lift down to the first floor, gritting his teeth when her words manage to reach his ears anyway.
How absurd. Count my pills? What a waste of time. If I were going into pre-heat I'd know it.
Or would he? The first and only heat he's ever experienced was when he first presented as an omega, and it had been so sudden that he hadn't had time to prepare in advance. Raging teenage hormones combined with the already unpleasant symptoms of a heat had made it a miserable affair, and he had been incredibly lucky to have people he could trust surrounding him when it happened. Krateros, while in shock that the Crown Prince of Kremnos had presented as an omega, had stepped up to guard his tent as he rode out the misery of his first heat, threatening any who drew near with violence should they even attempt to lay a hand on the prince. The man was, and continues to be, more of a father figure to Mydei than his biological one ever could've been, and he'll be forever grateful for his aid during that trying time. It also meant the world to him that the man had not looked down on him when his second gender had been revealed, and it had given him the confidence to continue proving himself to his people as he grew stronger and stronger each day.
But that was years ago, and he's mostly forgotten how it felt to be in heat due to being on suppressants for so long. As he makes his way to his private chambers he feels a prickle of doubt in his mind that has him scowling again, doubt that maybe, just maybe, Aglaea is right. He shakes his head as if that will rid him of the pesky feeling, and while he should he just ignore the Goldweaver's suggestion to count his pills he ends up going to fetch them from his bedside table anyway, glaring at the bottle as if it's wronged him somehow.
This is ridiculous.
He grumbles to himself as he plops down on the edge of the bed and opens the bottle, shaking the little white pills into his palm until it's empty. The date of his last refill is printed clearly on the label, along with the amount of pills in total, and Mydei starts methodically counting them one by one, taking the current date into account. One after another he places them back into the bottle to ensure he doesn't count any twice, and oh...there are...more than he expected. Several more, actually, and the higher the number climbs the more Mydei begins to sweat, because there's just no way he was careless enough to forget to take his suppressants, let alone forget an entire week of them. The numbers clearly aren't lying, but out of pure stubbornness and disbelief he empties the pills back into his palm and counts them again, only to be faced with the same harrowing conclusion.
He's missed a week of suppressants. Somehow, some way, he'd managed to fuck up royally, and his mind races with an intense desperation to come up with a reason why he would do such a thing. His days are far from structured lately but he's always made time to stay fit, eat at least one good meal a day, and take his damned suppressants, so what changed? What could cause such an uproar in his life that he'd forget something so important? He racks his brain for the answer, and it doesn't take him long to realize what's changed lately.
The travelers from beyond the sky. Dan Heng and...Caelus, was it? Those two...
They'd crash-landed on Amphoreus exactly one week ago, turning everything upside down by proving that there really was something beyond the boundless sky, beyond the eternal night that had fallen upon all but Okhema, beyond even Aquila's reach, and needless to say it had been a startling revelation for them all. Phainon had been the one to find them in the Abyss, and he'd also been the one to determine that they were trustworthy enough to lead them back to Okhema. And then there had been the attempt to breach Okhema's gates by Nikador's Titankin, and while it had been easy enough to repel them it was also just one more thing that had distracted him from being diligent about taking his suppressants.
He glares down at the bottle, grip tightening on it until he nearly shatters it in his hand, frustration and anger, mostly at himself, roiling within him. It's far too late for normal suppressants to effectively stave off a heat when it's mere days away, and there are no miracle drugs to stop a heat from happening entirely...right?
An idea strikes him then, a possible solution to his problem, and just like that he's tossing the pills aside and practically sprinting out the door, leaving many a confused passerby in his wake. Were he to stop and think rationally for a moment he might realize that seeing one of the Chrysos Heirs sprinting at full speed through the city streets in the middle of the day might be a cause for alarm for ordinary citizens, but thankfully no widespread panic ensues, only confusion and the occasional curse when Mydei nearly barrels into someone in his haste.
He makes it to his destination in record time, something he'll have to brag to Phainon about later (take that, Deliverer!!), but for now he's a man on a mission, and that mission is to find Hyacine in the Garden of Life, hoping against hope that she hasn't yet departed to head back to the Grove of Epiphany. He doesn't know her well, only that she is the Heir tasked with retrieving Aquila's coreflame, but he has heard tell of her miraculous healing abilities, and that's more than enough reason for him to find her and see if she can somehow fix the mess he's suddenly found himself in.
When he arrives the Garden of Life is bustling with both scholars and chimeras, and once again he attracts unwanted attention, a few of the scholars that had been absorbed in their studies looking up to see just who's suddenly stinking up the place. Some of them (alphas no doubt, judging by the waft of musky scent that suddenly assaults his nose) let their gazes linger far too long, and Mydei feels his skin crawl from it, his own scent souring in response. Normally he'd shoot them a scathing glare that could send even the mightiest warriors fleeing with their tail between their legs, but he has far more pressing matters to attend to, and so he does his best to ignore them for now, glancing around the Garden in search of Hyacine.
She is thankfully easy to spot, her bright candy-colored twin tails standing out amongst the crowd, and Mydei immediately makes a beeline for her, pushing past anyone who happens to be standing in his way. She seems to be caught up in conversation with one of the scholars, a cute little grey and white chimera in her arms, its bright blue eyes looking up at Mydei curiously when he approaches. Mydei can't help but stop and stare at it for a moment, the little critter reminding him of a certain Deliverer.
"..."
"Awoo?" the little chimera chirps up at him, and Mydei is suddenly overcome with the urge to snatch the little guy up and protect and care for it as his own. It's so tiny and cute, just like a pup would be, and Mydei's scent quickly turns softer, warmer, and Kephale above is he really experiencing those kinds of instincts already??
Damned hormones. I need to fix this, and fast.
"Lord Mydei?" a soft, feminine voice calls his name, and he's immediately snapped out of his thoughts, glancing up from the little chimera to see Hyacine staring up at him in wide-eyed surprise. Her scent is gentle, soft, and very, very muted due to her being a beta, and it's a welcome change from the wafting stench of the bathhouse. "It's rare to see you here in the Garden of Life. Did you need something?"
Mydei clears his throat, trying to appear casual and like he hadn't just sprinted here and had a motherly moment with a chimera of all things. He nods to her question, shifting awkwardly on his feet. "Yes, actually. I need to speak with you about...a private matter," he says with feigned calmness, eyes pointedly flicking over to the scholar that Hyacine had been speaking with before he'd arrived. He stares at the old man intently, who looks more than a little offended about being interrupted mid-conversation (and probably also at the sudden appearance of a Kremnoan where they don't belong, as so many stuck-up scholars have declared over the years). Luckily Hyacine catches on to the urgency of the situation and politely excuses herself, the scholar turning around to leave in a huff. Good riddance. With that they're left alone in their little corner of the Garden, aside from the little chimera, who's decided that Hyacine's arms are the perfect napping spot. Cute.
"Is everything alright, Lord Mydei? You look flushed. Are you feeling unwell?" Hyacine asks, already switching to caretaker mode, it seems. Something about her presence is soothing, comforting in a way that Mydei didn't know he needed, and finally he lets his guard down a little, breathing a heavy sigh.
"I wouldn't call it feeling unwell, just...unpleasant," he says, and Hyacine tilts her head questioningly, prompting him to continue, "I..." he glances around them once more, an unusual (for him) sense of paranoia that some eavesdropper is in their midst temporarily overtaking him. When he sees only a few other chimeras frolicking about he finally relaxes again, heaving a weary sigh. He didn't think it would be this difficult to admit it out loud, but he manages to push through the awkward embarrassment and mumbles, "I...think I'm going into pre-heat."
Hyacine blinks once, twice, then lets out a little giggle, and Mydei bristles from it, his scent souring enough for even Hyacine to notice. She quickly seems to realize that he thinks she's laughing at him, and she immediately shakes her head, looking apologetic. "Sorry, I wasn't laughing at you, Lord Mydei, I'm just relieved that it isn't something more serious. You had me worried for a moment there."
Mydei grumbles, crossing his arms over his chest. "I realize this may be normal for others, but I haven't had a heat since I presented, and I have never gone through a true pre-heat," he admits, teeth worrying his bottom lip, and he can't seem to hold Hyacine's gaze at the moment, glancing away as a light dusting of pink settles on his cheeks. He feels so pathetic right now, so foolish for letting anxiety over the unknown creep up inside him when normally he would stamp it down before it even had a chance to manifest. There is no word for "fear" in the Kremnoan language, and Mydei has charged into many a battle without a single trace of it, courageous to the point of recklessness, because what is there to fear when death cannot claim him? He's had to fight since the very day he was born, and no opponent, not even Nikador himself, could make him feel afraid.
But this? The idea of his body betraying him and threatening his clarity of mind? Now that is truly terrifying. The feeling of slowly losing control of himself, no matter how natural it may be for an omega during their cycle, is something he wants to avoid at all costs, and it's what has brought him all the way to the Garden of Life to ask for help. And Hyacine, bless her heart, doesn't turn him away, even though her talents are in high demand all across Amphoreus. Her expression is thoughtful, her bright, twinkling eyes looking up at him in a way that makes him feel heard and not judged, something Mydei greatly appreciates at the moment.
"I see. I understand your concern now, Lord Mydei. I could go over the basics with you, if it would bring you peace of mind. It helps to be informed and prepared for things like this," she says, finally setting the little chimera down on the grass to go join its friends. The little guy doesn't seem keen on playing at the moment though, instead flopping over onto its side on the grass and resuming its nap. Yet another trait that reminds Mydei of Phainon, who could fall asleep just about anywhere. Damn that Deliverer for plaguing his thoughts even when he isn't present. Thankfully Hyacine is patient and understanding, awaiting a response from him with a soft little smile on her face that almost makes him think she knows exactly what he's thinking right now. Hmph. Is he really that predictable?
"I appreciate the offer, but the real reason I came here was to see if you have any sort of medication that can stop my heat altogether. As you're no doubt aware, I cannot afford to be out of commission right now, not when all of Amphoreus is relying on us," he says solemnly, and Hyacine gives him a empathetic look, knowing the pressure of being a Chrysos Heir far too well. She also looks like she's hesitating though, fidgeting a little with the pegasus charm on her hip.
"I understand, believe me I do, but...I'm afraid there is no such miracle drug," she says, and Mydei feels his heart drop, the small glimmer of hope that had carried him here instantly snuffed out like a candle in the wind. His frown deepens, and Hyacine looks up at him apologetically, but then a look of consideration crosses her face that has Mydei quirking a brow questioningly. "At least...not one that's been tested and approved for use by the general public," she adds, eyes darting around as if afraid she might be overheard. A bit foolish, perhaps, when Aglaea's golden threads are literally everywhere in Okhema, but hopefully the Goldweaver has more important things to be eavesdropping on than their conversation.
That tiny glimmer of hope ignites yet again, even if Hyacine's sudden hesitation to say more speaks volumes about the potential dangers of ingesting untested drugs. He looks at her imploringly, hanging on to the possibility of a solution to his looming problem, even if it may not be the wisest course of action. "Then there may be hope," he says, and Hyacine suddenly looks like she's been put under a spotlight, regret clear as day on her face.
"I...suppose, but there's no telling what kind of side effects such drugs could have, even on an immortal body like yours," she says, trying so hard to backpedal that Mydei feels a little guilty about pressing her, but desperate times call for desperate measures. "Plus, I've seen so many patients suffer from taking street suppressants that I simply cannot condone their use."
"I can't die, so I'm-"
Hyacine promptly cuts him off, putting her foot down on the matter.
"Lord Mydei please, forget I said anything! It was a thoughtless comment! I don't want to be responsible for you ending up sick or injured, immortal or not," she says, her expression desperate, pleading. "It's far safer for you to just go through your heat! In fact I have an herbal tea that's perfect for soothing some of the symptoms of a heat, as well as medicine to help you sleep. You're even welcome to stay in one of the clinic rooms until it passes! That way if you need anything I'll be right there to help!"
Mydei feels like the biggest idiot on Amphoreus for getting his hopes up like that, though he can't bring himself to be angry with Hyacine for unintentionally giving him false hope. The poor girl has no doubt seen it all when it comes to caring for patients, and it would be cruel of him to burden her with any potential issues he might have from being careless enough to ingest something off the street. He may not be able to die, but that doesn't mean he can't suffer immensely from whatever potential side effects they could have on him. He is, after all, only human.
He sighs, rubbing the back of his neck as he contemplates what to say, though when it causes a jolt of sensation to shoot through him from head to toe he curses in Kremnoan, because of course his nape would be sensitive right before a heat. Hyacine gives him an apologetic look, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I'm sorry you're going through this, Lord Mydei. There is one other solution that could at least shorten the duration of your heat, if you're willing to hear it."
He feels like he's going insane with the way he instantly perks back up at those words, though he tries not to get his hopes up too much, lest he be disappointed once again. "What is it? Tell me," he says a little more forcefully than he means to, but Hyacine doesn't seem bothered by it, nodding.
"You could always find an alpha you trust to help you through your heat. They needn't be a mate, just someone to...keep you company during it," she says, trying not to sound too clinical or too explicit. "Studies have shown that even just having an alpha in the same household can help alleviate symptoms and shorten the duration of a heat. Of course you'd need to speak with them about it before your heat sets in to establish consent and boundaries," she says oh so casually, meanwhile Mydei looks ready to dive off the nearest roof, his scent turning harsh, almost acrid as he bristles at the mere suggestion of letting an alpha anywhere near him while he's so vulnerable. Might as well just tell them where to stab him in the back to end his life while he's at it.
"Absolutely not," he hisses, though there's no real anger behind it, "that's just asking for trouble." Not that he doubts that he can protect himself even while in heat, but why bother even taking the chance? Even he is not infallible, especially when the term "heat brain" has come about precisely because omegas tend to lose all sense of inhibition when deep in the throes of a heat. Hyacine is no doubt well aware of that though, given just how many patients she treats each day, so it must not be that absurd of an idea, a potential lifeline for desperate omegas doomed to spend their heats alone.
Hyacine looks like she expected that answer, but remains undeterred for whatever reason, and Mydei wonders if it's just ingrained into every Chrysos Heir to be stubborn as a dromas. "Why not ask Lord Phainon? Aren't you two close friends? He's always been trustworthy in the many years I've known him," she suggests, looking up at Mydei innocently, and he gapes at her in disbelief, because what?
"Excuse me???" Hearing the Deliverer's name mentioned has an instant effect on him, cheeks suddenly flooding with heat, and why is his traitorous heart suddenly thundering in his chest??? He doesn't usually get caught off guard so easily, but he hadn't expected Hyacine to go there, because clearly he and Phainon are just friends and rivals, nothing more. "Are you seriously suggesting I invite the Deliverer of all people to spend my heat with me???"
If he didn't know any better he'd say that Hyacine is getting a kick out of this, smiling a knowing little smile, and suddenly he feels himself burning hotter than Kephale's Dawn Device, shifting uncomfortably when he feels a slight wetness form between his legs at the mere suggestion of spending his heat with Phainon. What the implications of that are he refuses to think about, especially not now, with Hyacine's big, sparkling eyes gazing up at him. Thank Kephale above she can't smell his arousal like an alpha could, or he might just combust on the spot from sheer humiliation.
"Is it really such an odd suggestion? You two are together more often than not these days, and I know for a fact that Lord Phainon cares for you a great deal," she says, as if that's going to help anything, her voice as warm and bubbly as ever.
Mydei scoffs, trying his best to ignore his racing heart and raging hormones. It's true, the two of them are incredibly close, and he trusts Phainon with his life, but there's a reason the Deliverer didn't immediately come to mind at Hyacine's initial suggestion to find an alpha to spend his heat with. The look of pure indignation on his face slowly shifts to something conflicted, almost pained, because although he won't admit it out loud he's often wished that he and Phainon could be something more than friends. And a wish it shall remain, because there's simply far too much to lose if he were to dare push for more.
Plus, the Flame-Chase Journey is one of constant loss, and it wouldn't be fair to either of them to pretend that they could ever have a happy ending together.
Mydei swallows hard, glancing away. "I...can't," he feels like he's choking on his words with the knot that's suddenly formed in his throat. "I can't ask that of him."
Not Phainon, his most precious person. Not Phainon, whom he trusts above all others. Not Phainon, who regards him as an equal despite his secondary gender, and who has never once looked down on him because of it. He'd have to be a complete idiot to risk ruining their friendship over something like this, even if it means a week of suffering through a heat alone.
Hyacine listens, tilting her head curiously, looking as if she hadn't just suggested that he get his closest friend to fuck him through his heat. "Why not?"
Mydei's frown deepens, and he really should just end this conversation right here and now, but he feels the need to clarify anyway, for whatever reason. "Because it would change everything. Our friendship may become strained because of it, or even shatter completely. On top of that he's the Deliverer, set to inherit Nikador's coreflame and put an end to Strife, and he doesn't need any...distractions," he says, the word tasting bitter on his tongue, because that's all he would be during his heat, wouldn't it? Phainon already has enough on his plate, and he certainly doesn't need to be distracted by his own dick insisting that he knot his best friend.
...of course the mere thought of Phainon's knot is enough to make him wet again, his stupid, traitorous body refusing to give him a break from his pre-heat hormones for even a second. Talk about emotional whiplash. A refreshing dip in the River of Souls would be preferable to this, he thinks.
Hyacine gives him a sympathetic look, something that he resents just a little, because he doesn't need anyone's sympathy, thank you very much. "Hmm...I suppose you're right. However, even if you try to hide this from him, he's very likely going to come looking for you the second he returns to Okhema. Shouldn't you at least be honest with him about the reason behind your sudden absence? Lord Phainon is prone to worrying about you, even if he tries to hide it sometimes."
Oh I know. I know all too well how much he concerns himself with everyone's well-being but his own. HKS.
He knows that Hyacine is right, that he should just be honest with Phainon about this, but for once in his life Mydei finds himself wanting to do everything he can to keep that puppy of a man from finding out the truth, even if it may be inevitable.
"...I'll consider it." It's not technically a lie, because he will consider it, if only to avoid having to lie to his best friend. Still, it would be preferable if he never found out, because Phainon, being the bright ray of sunshine that he is, would absolutely insist on helping Mydei through such a difficult time however he could. That's just who he is; kind to a fault, but also not a complete pushover, and it's part of the reason Mydei respects him so much. Being a Kremnoan prince Mydei knows better than most how rare kindness is in this world these days, especially outside the gates of Okhema. Such a trait is perceived as a flaw in his culture, a weakness to be exploited, but Mydei has never once thought of it that way. He may not remember his mother, but from the dreams he's had of her, along with the stories Krateros has told him about his travels with her, she too had a kind heart, even if it was wrapped in ferocity and violence befitting a Kremnoan warrior.
At least Hyacine doesn't push any further, flashing him that bright sunny smile of hers. "Great! In the meantime I can put together a heat kit for you if you'd like! It usually contains things like herbal tea, pills to help ease some of the symptoms, quick, nutritious snacks, and some lubricant just in case you have any issues with slick production!"
Mydei sputters, not having expected that to come out of Hyacine's mouth. Nevermind the fact that she's a doctor who deals with this kind of thing all the time, and that she's only trying to help. He stares at her incredulously for a moment before relenting with an exasperated sigh.
"Fine."
Hyacine beams, giving him a thumb's up. "Sounds good! I'll just need to head back to the clinic to grab everything, then. I'll even throw in some scent blockers so that you can go out and get any last minute supplies before your heat without being bothered."
Ah, now that is something Mydei is very much interested in. It'll be a good back up to ensure that even if Phainon returns to Okhema before his heat he won't be able to smell anything amiss. "Very well. How quickly do they kick in?"
"It should only take a few hours from your first dose, so take one pill tonight and you should be good by morning!" Hyacine starts heading towards the elevator, and Mydei can't help but breathe a sigh of relief that this awkward conversation is finally coming to an end. "Alright, I need to get going. See you at the clinic!"
He grunts in acknowledgment, and with that she's off, leaving Mydei to wander the garden, a few curious little chimeras eventually coming up to sniff at him. He bends down to give each one a pat and a gentle scritch under the chin, the creatures purring and awoo-ing in delight. If only he could stay here and indulge in a play session with the little guys. Alas, he's already lingered here far longer than he'd anticipated, and soon he's heading out, feeling just a tad lighter than before as he makes his way to Hyacine's clinic.
He may not have succeeded in finding a way to completely stop his heat from happening, but at least the scent blockers will make his life easier until it's time to shut himself away in his chambers and ride out the worst of it. He's always heard that the longer an omega goes without going through a true heat the more intense it will be when they finally do, but he pushes that thought to the back of his mind as he approaches the clinic and meets up with Hyacine once again, giving Little Ica a pat when the chubby pegasus comes doot-dooting at him. One day he'll have to ask Hyacine how he managed to get so round, and how he's still able to fly with those stubby little wings of his.
As promised Hyacine puts together a heat kit for him, rambling off instructions for each item along with some general advice, and Mydei just grunts and nods along, ready to head back to his chambers and relax a little. Thankfully she doesn't keep him long, and soon he's on his way, cloth bag of goodies in hand. He walks the familiar path back to Marmoreal Palace, completely ignoring the stares and hushed whispers of the common folk as he passes by. He has a house, albeit a small one, in the Kremnoan district, but lately he's been staying in one of the rooms in the Hall of Respite, mostly because of its close proximity to the baths, and maybe also partially because Phainon has taken to staying there lately as well. Which is both a blessing, since their rooms are fairly close together, and a curse, because that means that the Deliverer can easily wake him up at any time for an impromptu trip to the baths. And, being the fool he is, Mydei will agree to go, every single time. To say he has a soft spot for the alpha is an understatement, and that just makes this whole heat situation even more unbearable.
If only there were a way to be near him during my heat. There is no one else I'd rather have by my side.
During battle, during the rare, peaceful times they share in between, and yes, even during his heat. He trusts Phainon more than anyone, of that he's sure. If only he could trust himself not to ruin everything by pushing too far, for asking too much, but he simply can't control how his hormones are going to affect him during his heat, and he'd rather not take any chances. And so once he arrives at the Hall of Respite he heads straight to his private chambers to start preparing for the inevitable, ignoring the looming anxiety that's slowly clawing its way back into his gut. He quickly decides he never wants to feel like this again, and hopefully he'll never have to. Everything should go back to normal once he's completely off his heat cycle, and then he can go back on his suppressants and pretend that none of this ever happened.
For now though he'll follow Hyacine's instructions and take one of the scent blocker pills she'd prescribed, washing it down with a bit of pomegranate juice he had leftover from breakfast. Too bad he's fresh out of milk to add to it, but he is absolutely not leaving this room again aside from a quick trip to the market in the morning to acquire any last minute necessities, so he’ll just have to make do.
He then decides to snack on some dried meat included in the kit, leaving plenty to get him through his heat, or so he thinks. In reality the more he thinks he's prepared to face whatever may come the less sure he actually feels, but sometimes you just gotta fake it till you make it, right? Hyacine had insisted that he contact her via teleslate with any questions or concerns he may have, but he'd rather not take up any more of her time than absolutely necessary. The poor girl is almost always flooded with patients to tend to, most of them in far more dire straits than an omega about to experience a heat, so he'll simply have to tough it out on his own unless things take a turn for the worse.
Rather than dwell on what-ifs he decides to busy himself with arranging his room, glaring at the bed like it's wronged him somehow when he sees the lack of nesting material there. Not that he even realizes what he's doing, or why he suddenly feels so picky about the placement of his blankets and pillows. He also has no idea why the lack of any scent besides his own clinging to the bedding is irritating him, but there's little to be done about it, so he'll just have to settle on a half-assed nest for now.
A bath after such a stressful day sounds wonderful, and so he strips down completely before indulging in the room’s private bath, sinking down into the warm water with a pleased sigh. It's not nearly as hot as he usually likes it, but it'll do for now, especially when his body still feels like it's running much hotter than usual. Something that Hyacine said is normal during an omega's pre-heat and heat, but it's nothing he can't handle. In fact, none of what's to come is going to be enough to break him, not when he's experienced dying in battle, which is arguably much, much worse than going through a heat, surely. Surely.
After a long, relaxing soak Mydei emerges from the bath and towels himself off before flopping onto the bed completely in the nude, uncaring about his nakedness when he already feels like he's burning up inside. He quickly finds himself curling up in the middle of the bed, surrounded by a pile of pillows and blankets, an unusually powerful wave of fatigue overtaking him that has him grumbling as he settles in to sleep. Thankfully the thick, crimson curtains he'd hung up in the room block out the ever-shining Dawn Device, and he's able to fall into a restless slumber, saving the rest of his worries for the next Entry Hour.