Archive of Our Own

Dennis won’t settle. They got back to Robby’s less than an hour ago, and, despite having just finished a twelve hour shift, the omega can not sit still. Robby had let him take first shower as he re-heated something from the freezer, and when Dennis came down he was dressed in some sweats and a hoodie Robby knows he put in his laundry basket a couple days ago. 

Robby leaves Dennis to watch over the food as he has his own shower, coming back to Dennis waiting for him in the living room when he’s done. They usually try to eat at the table, but it’s not unusual for the omega to drag him to the couch so they can cuddle while they eat. 

Tonight it takes a while for them to get situated. Dennis carefully arranges throw pillows around them, then carefully arranges Robby in the middle of the, so he can curl up at the alphas side. Their food has cooled significantly by the time Dennis is done, but he growls when Robby offers to put it in the microwave again, so Robby just eats as fast as he can before it gets completely cold.

However, that turns out to be easier said than done. Not with Dennis pressing as much as his body against Robby’s as possible. He keeps shuffling next to Robby, almost knocking his food out of his hand a couple times. When he can’t seem to get comfortable he starts rubbing up against Robby, scenting himself with a complete disregard for the alpha who is trying to spoon the last of his food into his mouth.

Dennis has already given up eating his own food, leaving the bowl half full on the coffee table so he can squirm against Robby’s side freely. Once Robby’s done he tries to get up to clean up their dishes, but the second he leans forward Dennis whimpers like it physically pains him. 

Robby sighs, leaning forward just enough to leave his bowl next to Dennis’ before falling back and wrapping his arm around Dennis. “Alright, what’s going on, baby?”

Dennis huffs, shoving his face into Robby’s armpit, whining when he realises it smells like soap rather than Robby. “It’s not enough.”

“What’s not enough?” 

Robby tries to release a relaxing scent, which Dennis immediately chases by moving his face to the alpha’s neck. “Your scent. I need more.”

“Sweatheart.” Robby sighs, running his hand up and down Dennis’ back. “You’re in my dirty clothes, in my house, practically crawling into my skin.”

Dennis growls again, a vibration Robby feels in his own throat. “I know. It’s still not enough.”

Robby pressed a soft kiss to the omega’s temple. “How can I help?”

Without moving his face from Robby’s neck Dennis swings himself onto the alpha’s lap. Robby immediately wraps his arms around the omega, running his wrist over Dennis’ neck to continue dousing Dennis in his scent. “Is this better?”

Dennis huffs again, wiggling further into Robby’s lap. “A bit. Can we just sit like this for a bit.”

“Of course, sweetheart.”

They barely get through five minutes like that before Dennis starts shifting. At first he just changes the angle of his ass enough to shift his weight. Then he shifts his knees further into Robby. Then he keeps doing that over and over again. 

“Alright.” Robby breaths, pulling Dennis back by the hair so they can look each other in the eye. “This is needier than you normally are, is something wrong?”
Dennis whines, trying to push himself towards Robby’s neck again. “I don’t know.”

“You’re not due for a heat anytime soon.” Robby starts listing. “We’ve spent all day at work together, so it can’t be a separating thing.” 

“I don’t know, ok, just-” Dennis pouts, still pulling against the hold on his hair. “Let me go.”

Robby runs his other hand to Dennis’ neck, rubbing gently at his scent gland as he keeps musing. “Maybe it’s work?”

Dennis frowns. “Today wasn’t particularly traumatic.”

“No, but our last couple shifts have all been kind of shitty.” Robby says softly. “That could be adding up. Causing you distress.”

The omega pouts again, dropping his head onto Robby’s chest. “I guess that makes sense. What am I supposed to do about that?”

Robby runs his hand through Dennis’ hair, scratching lightly at his scalp. “Well, this itch under your skin might be you wanting to nest.”

Suddenly Dennis sits up straight, staring down at Robby with clear contempt at the idea. “I don’t nest.”

“I know you haven’t.” Robby starts slowly, running his hands up and down his omega’s side to try and calm him. “But it could help with this. I mean you kind of started nesting already when you spent five minutes setting up the pillows, and me, on the couch for your own comfort.”

Dennis looks stricken, tensing before pushing off of Robby and sliding himself to the other side of the couch, kicking the pillows into disarray as he does so. “No. No, that’s not what that was.”

“Dennis.” Robby reaches out for him, but the omega just curls further into the arm of the couch.

“I don’t nest.” He repeats, looking at his own hands rather than Robby. 

Robby sighs. “I know. I know you don’t, and I’ve never brought it up cause it’s your business. Not all omegas have the same coping methods, but I genuinely think it could help with what you're feeling right now.”

“What would you know about what an omega needs?” Dennis snaps back, tone too uncertain for Robby to take any offense by it. 

Robby just puts his hand on the couch between them. “I like to think I know what my omega needs. Anyway, it was just a suggestion. You don’t have to do anything.”

Dennis just stares at the wall, not looking Robby in the eye. “I’m going to go to bed.”

“You don’t want to watch TV for a bit?”

He shakes his head, already getting up. “No. Hopefully I can sleep this off and I’ll feel better in the morning. 

“Ok.” Robby watches Dennis fiddle with the stings of his hoodie. “I’m going to stay up for a little longer, but if you need me - or my scent - come get me.”

Dennis nods again, finally looking Robby in the eye again. “I will. Sorry for being so weird.”

Robby waves a hand in dismissal. “You don’t need to apologise. I just hope you sleep well.”

Dennis hums in agreement before stepping forward and leaning down for a kiss. Which Robby happily gives him. “Good night.”

Robby runs his hand through Dennis’ hair, ruffling it before letting him go. “See you in the morning.”

-

The next day Robby catches Santos at work when she’s sat down charting. As soon his forearms hit the desk Santos groans, putting her head in her hands.

“Still catching up on charting?” 

She nods into her hands, before looking up at Robby with a strained smile. “What do you need, boss?”

“I have a question about Dennis.” Robby explains, leaning forward and lowering his voice.

“Oh.” She gives him a look, clearly changing her perspective of Robby in this conversation from boss to friend's boyfriend. “What do you want?”

“Does he nest at your place?”

That gives Santos pause. She leans back and crosses her arms. “No. He doesn’t.”

Robby raises an eyebrow. “That it?”

“Why do you need to know?” Santos counters, already clicking around her chart again. 

Robby sighs, dropping his head down between his shoulders. “Look, I’m just worried about him. He was really clingy and unsettled last night, and when I said nesting might help he got really closed off and went to bed.”

Santos frowns. “Was he better this morning?” 

“Yeah.” Robby shrugs. “He wasn’t as overtly distressed but he’s still fidgeting, and he’ll probably get distressed again eventually.”

Santos nods along, chewing on her lip. “Ok.” She looks around, continuing when she decides they are alone enough.

“Before you two got together, when Dennis thought he had no chance, I think he nested.”

Robby frowns. “You think?”

Santos nods, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. “It wasn’t, like, a stereotypical nest. I was heading to work, and I went to check in on him before I left. He wasn’t in his room, but he’d put some of my sweaters on his bed, and took all our blankets off the couch. They weren’t, like, organised, but it looked like he had been laid in them.”

Robby hums. “Is that the only time he’s shown nesting behaviour?”

“Yeah.” Santos lets out a breath. “When he realised I saw it he got really embarrassed and rushed me out the apartment. When I came home my stuff was washed and left in my room, and all our blankets were folded on the couch. He hasn’t done anything like that since.” 

“Ok.” Robby sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’ll just keep an eye on him for now. Has he ever mentioned anything that would explain his… resistance?”

Santos shrugs. “Not directly, but you’ve heard him talk about his family right?”

Robby nods gravely. He’s heard a lot from Dennis. Enough for his alpha to prickle at just the mention of them. “Yeah, he’s told me about them.”

Santos nods, expression also twisted in distaste. “I just wouldn’t be surprised if it’s something from his childhood.”

Robby’s shoulder drops in defeat. “Ok, well, thanks for the information. I’ll let you get back to charting.”

“No problem.” Santos mutters, turning back to the computer.

-

Robby doesn’t talk to Dennis again, afraid he will just be shut down. Instead he schemes. He starts small. On nights when Dennis stays over Robby will leave his clothes on the bed. Those nights he makes an excuse to go to bed after Dennis. Whether he watches TV for a little longer, or takes a long time in the bathroom before bed, Robby gives Dennis time to settle before him.

Most of the time when Robby gets to the bedroom his clothes are thrown on the floor, and Dennis is mid turning away from them. The omega doesn’t say anything as Robby slides into bed, so Robby doesn’t ask, just pulls Dennis into his chest and goes to sleep. 

However, on nights where Robby gets a bit too caught up in whatever show he’s watching it’s a bit different. Robby’s extra screen time gives Dennis time to fall asleep, and when Robby does eventually drag himself to bed he finds Dennis drooling onto the article of clothing Robby had left for him. 

The morning after Robby normally wakes to the mattress shifting, and his own scent growing weaker as Dennis throws the piece away before he curls into Robby again. Robby doesn’t let Dennis know he’s been woken up, sparing his omega any embarrassment he would probably experience being perceived, but he can’t help feeling a little disappointed every time.

About a month into Robby’s plan Dennis stops hiding what he’s doing, and starts tucking Robby’s clothes around the pillows or under the covers. They are always situated before Robby gets to bed, and always put into his hamper before Dennis leaves, but he lets Robby see. Something the alpha gets excited for whenever Dennis stays over. 

The best part is that Dennis is clearly doing better. He is less fidgety after hard shifts, sitting with Robby for dinner and a movie then kissing him on the cheek before going to bed. When Robby joins him, Dennis is already knocked out, so deep in sleep that he doesn’t even curl into Robby’s body when the alpha joins him. 

He also sleeps longer. Robby is used to waking up to Dennis already cooking up breakfast and a cup of coffee left on the nightstand. Robby always thought it was a habit left over from growing up on a farm, but when he sees how content his omega looks sleeping peacefully in the morning, he doubts Dennis ever got up that early because he wanted to. 

However, the omega is still yet to make an actual nest. He only uses the clothes Robby leaves out, only stealing clothes from the hamper to wear. Then those just end up back in the hamper rather than the bed. Still, Dennis is not visible as uncomfortable any more, and that is enough to settle Robby’s alpha, so he doesn’t bring it up again. He lets the omega do whatever he needs to comfort himself.

-

It has been a long day. It always is when Robby has to work on Dennis’ day off. Today he was extra cranky, because his omega had a shitty day yesterday, and Robby would have much rather spent today curled up with him than dealing with the general public. Allas, he had to leave his omega alone in bed, reminding himself what’s waiting at home when people are particularly frustrating.

Robby finally relaxes when he steps into his house. Dennis' scent lingers downstairs, but it’s weak. Like he’s spent most of the day upstairs. Robby stretches in the hallway, toeing off his boots.

“Honey, I’m home.” Robby calls out, waiting for a reply. He frowns when he’s met with silence. “Den?” 

He heads straight upstairs, where the omega’s scent gets stronger. As he goes, he realises his own alpha scent is getting stronger as well. 

It’s clear why the moment he opens his bedroom door. Their combined scents are strongest as he steps in, coming from a carefully crafted, incredibly enticing, nest. A nest that Dennis is currently curled up in. Robby’s hamper is on its side over in the corner of the room empty, all its contents spread across Robby’s bed. There’s a pair of gym shorts and a t-shirt Robby doesn’t recognise tucked into Dennis’ side of the bed, which Robby assumes are stolen from Santos, but he can’t catch the scent from here. 

Dennis stretches out in the nest. He’s wearing his favourite shirt of Robby’s. It’s as old as Dennis, worn in and soft. Robby’s tired enough to pinch himself in case he’s just passed out at the hub dreaming. He’s not. 

Once Robby processes this he moves quickly. He hesitates at the side of the bed. His skin crawls with the need to just jump into the nest, but he won’t disrespect his omega like that. As much as it pains him to disrupt his sweet, slumbering Dennis, he also needs to get the fuck into his nest, and he wants to get the permission to do so.

He reaches out slowly, shaking the omega's shoulder gently. “Hey sweetheart. Can you wake up for me?” 

Dennis whines, face scrunching as he wakes up slowly. He doesn’t open his eyes as he murmurs, “Alpha.”
“Yeah.” Robby whispers, running a hand through Dennis’ curls. “Yeah, it’s me. Wanna open your eyes?”

“No.” 

Robby chuckles. “Oh, baby, I know you're comfy. Can I join you in your nest, sweetheart?”

The omega’s eyes fly open then, sitting up fast enough that Robby has to jump back to avoid a collision. Dennis looks around his nest, immediately turning red. 

“Shit.” He whines, dropping his head into his hands. “God, this is so embarrassing. I was going to put everything away before you got back.”

“Well, I for one am glad you didn’t.” Robby sighs, running a hand through Dennis’ hair again. “Because you looked like you were having a very lovely rest, before I selfishly woke you up.”

Dennis looks up at him, wrapping his arms around his knees. “You want to come in?”

Robby nods. “Yeah. I really, really want to.”

The omega blinks at him. “It’s not a bad nest?” 

Robby deflates at the quiet tone, leaning forward to press a kiss to Dennis’ hair, leaving his lips resting there. “No, baby, it’s perfect. It’s your’s, so it’s perfect.”

Dennis lets out a breath, and turns his nose into Robby’s shoulder. “You can come in, but take your clothes off. You reek of hospital.” 

Robby obeys immediately. He strips down to his boxers, flinging his work clothes out the bedroom door to be safe.

He slips into the nest carefully, making sure he doesn’t shift anything. As soon as he lays down Dennis pulls him to the middle of the bed, curling up at his alpha’s side. Robby feels all tension from work dissolve as he sinks his fingers into his omega’s curls. It's warm, and soft, and a perfect mixture of the pairs scents. Robby could die in this nest and be at peace. He might die in this nest, because he never wants to leave.

They sit in comfortable silence for a moment, before Robby notices the slightly sour scent of insecurity. “What are you thinking about, sweetheart?”

Dennis sighs, propping his chin on Robby’s chest. “Are you sure the nest is ok?”

“Baby, it’s more than ok.” Robby runs his hand over his own clothes. “I mean, I know you made it for you, but this is exactly what I needed after today, so I’m pretty fucking happy.”

Dennis frowns. “Bad day at the hospital?”
“No worse than usual.” Robby sighs, leaning forward to press a kiss to Dennis’ forehead. “I just missed you.”

Dennis shakes his head, grinning. “You’re so codependent.”

Robby frowns. “You spend too much time with Santos.”

“At my home?” Dennis raises an eyebrow.

Robby nods, hand running down Dennis’ back. “Yeah. I don’t like it when you’re gone.”

“Co-dependant.” Dennis says flatly. 

Robby scoffs. “Love you too, baby.”

Dennis smiles, leaning forward to kiss Robby softly. He tucks himself into the alpha’s side after that, sighing contently. After another moment of silence Dennis whispers, “I never started nesting when I was younger.” 

Robby hums, running his palm up and down the omega’s back. “Why’s that?”

Dennis shrugs. “My family would get pissed when I stole their stuff, and they didn’t know much about omegas.”

“They could have learnt.” Robby mutters. “Could have tried to support you.”

Dennis nuzzles into Robby’s chest. “I mean, I also held myself back when I got older. I didn’t want to feel lesser than my brothers. At least not anymore than I already did.”

Robby turns his head until his lips brush Dennis’ temple. “You’re not lesser.”

“I know that now.” Dennis replies quickly. “You and Trinity have really helped me know that.” He reaches his hand over Robby’s chest, running his fingers over a t-shirt at the alpha’s side. “I still avoided nesting though, because I just didn’t know how. I didn’t want to embarrass myself.”

“Your nest is for you. It’s instinctual.” Robby starts, running his fingers through the omega’s curls again. “It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.”

“It matters to me what you think.” Dennis breathes, barely audible.

Robby kisses the omega’s temple. “I’d love anything you create, and I do love this nest.”

Dennis smiles into Robby’s chest, but then moments later his stomach rumbles loud enough to fill the room. Robby laughs, and Dennis slaps him lightly on the chest. “Shut up, I fell asleep just before lunch. I’m fucking starving.”

Robby reaches for Dennis’ phone on the nightstand. “Well, I’m not leaving this nest to cook, I’ll order something from that Thai place you like.” 

Dennis nods. “That sounds good, but we will have to leave when we eat.” Robby makes a wounded noise and Dennis glares at him. “I don’t want food, or food smells in my nest.” 

“This is my house.” Robby challenges. 

“Yeah, but this is my nest. If you bring curry into this room you can sleep in your guest bed.” Dennis says, completely serious. 

Robby sighs. “Fine, but can you at least nest up the couch a little. We can watch some TV before bed.” 

Dennis nods. “I like that compromise.”

Robby finishes the order, dropping the phone on the bed and wrapping both arms around Dennis. “I love you. So much. By the way. Thank you for letting me be here.”

Dennis grins, giving Robby a deep kiss. “Love you too. There’s no one else I’d rather be with.”