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Now, believe Shadow Milk when he says he does love his mother. Did it take much therapy, persuasion, and abrupt ends of needed conversations for him to finally go home? Maybe.
Did the added knowledge that his mother found a new partner and he would become an older brother, realizing his younger sibling would have the experiences he never had, cause him to literally crash out from jealousy and book the next flight to leave? Definitely.
Did Skim Milk and Cottage Cheese have to drag his miserable ass out of his apartment and finally have a proper talk with his mother? Shadow Milk would rather die than admit anything, but it resulted in much crying and a lot, lots, of hugging.
But that’s a story for a different day and his therapist.
“You’re a lucky little bastard, aren’t you?” Shadow Milk asked, cradling Toughie between his arms. The baby slept, they always did, but Shadow Milk preferred it that way.
It felt strange, caring for his baby sibling. Despite being an omega, he didn’t really feel the supposed parental instinct that came with taking care of a pup.
First Milk was called to travel due to an ongoing disaster. Toughie was many months old, and everyone First Milk was close to was either joining her or busy with something else.
Shadow Milk was currently on semester break, so he decided to lessen his mother’s burden. First Milk was initially reluctant. The mistrust hurt, but they were still in the process of reconnecting, and First Milk conceded due to the free time Shadow Milk had.
“Are you sure?” First Milk asked, uncertain. “I can hire a sitter while I am away.”
“Mama,” Shadow Milk said, the word somewhat foreign. “I want to help, and this is an opportunity for me to get close with Toughie.” Shadow Milk briefly looks down, his heart beating ruggedly against his chest. “You and your partner are already stressed; let me help lessen the burden.”
Shadow Milk gulped, “Please.”
Shadow Milk feels like a child again, frustrated and sad that his mother has not returned home yet or answered his calls.
First Milk looks at him, unsure and doubtful. After a moment, she lets out a sigh. “Okay.” Shadow Milk tries not to visibly light up, but First Milk notices.
“You are currently teaching and taking a doctorate in education,” First Milk considered, taking a step forward. “The age is a bit off, but it’s nice that Toughie has a teacher to guide them.”
Shadow Milk weakly laughs. “I mean, I don’t think my experience includes pediatrics.” Shadow Milk winces, ears red and tense. “No— Not that I won’t try, of course. Babies soak up knowledge like a sponge. I’m sure I could do more research and figure out—”
Before Shadow Milk could continue, First Milk pulled him into a tight hug.
“Thank you.” First Milk murmured. Shadow Milk released a sharp exhale, returning the hug. It felt a bit stilted, both unused to each other’s embrace until recently. But it’s going to be fine. Everything will turn out fantastic.
Packing and bringing Toughie home was a mission in itself. Shadow Milk swore more than half his luggage weight was just baby stuff, huffing and coughing as he carried his slumbering sibling and all their things. First Milk filled and sectioned a notebook of to-do lists, dos and don’ts, and wrote an entire guidebook on how to raise a newborn for first-time parents.
The notebook was thick, and yet First Milk decided the space was not enough and had to squeeze two paragraphs into a margin.
Shadow Milk would have dropped dead on the couch if Toughie hadn’t decided that was the time to wake up and cry.
Speaking of the little grunt, Toughie quietly snorted, adjusting themselves in Shadow Milk’s arms and nose twitching. Toughie kept doing so, growing upset and wiggling their chubby arms up. Shadow Milk furrowed his brows, confused.
“Are you hungry?” Shadow Milk whispered, rocking the pup back and forth. “But that won’t make sense. I just fed you and changed you. Perhaps,” Shadow Milk's eyes widened as Toughie loudly inhaled through their nose.
Shadow Milk swore under his breath, scratching his scent patch off before Toughie woke up. Shadow Milk brought Toughie to his neck, the slumbering baby sniffing his scent.
His scent was more tart and sweet, different from the delicate and warm scent of his mother. Perhaps it’s because he has a pup snuzzling into his neck; his scent changed to that of his mother. The fruity smell was still there, but it was more subtle than his current milkier scent.
It was enough to convince Toughie, gurgling and laying their head on Shadow Milk. Shadow Milk sighed, taking a seat on his couch and inspecting the room.
The luggage and bags have not been unpacked, leaning next to the table. Shadow Milk tries not to dread the upcoming days, reminding himself he volunteered, and any panic will immediately change his scent.
Shadow Milk checked the time, seeing it was past dinner. Once Toughie gets comfortable, he will eat the leftover Pure Vanilla placed in the fridge the day before.
Shadow Milk freezes, vividly aware of one important, little detail throughout the whole endeavor he may have left to inform.
The door to the apartment opens, and walking to the living room, Pure Vanilla announces, “Shadow Milk, did you get my text on…”
Pure Vanilla stops, stray blond hair falling onto his damp face as he takes a moment to observe and smell the scene before him. His eyes wander to Shadow Milk, Toughie, the bags near the table, Toughie, and returning to Shadow Milk again.
Shadow Milk almost hissed at how Pure Vanilla’s eyes linger on Toughie, the edges of his lips twitching and his gaze unreadable, then recalls he has not once responded to any of Pure Vanilla’s texts or calls when he was returning.
Shadow Milk gets up slowly so as not to awaken the pup, but loud enough for Pure Vanilla to hear, blurts out, “I can explain.”
Shaken from his stupor, Pure Vanilla nods, silently trudging over, his lips still pressed tight. Pure Vanilla stands a meter before him, eyeing Toughie in case his new presence woke them up.
Flickering his eyes between the tuft of white hair and mismatched eyes, Shadow Milk tries to think of his words as critically as his sleep-deprived brain can.
“This is Toughie, and they’re with me.” Shadow Milk begins, looking at Toughie. “My mother and her partner are usually the ones raising them, but their jobs required them to leave home, and that’s where I,” Shadow Milk points at himself. “Swoop in to save the day.”
Toughie yawns onto Shadow Milk’s scent gland. “Mmmm… Ma.”
Shadow Milk lets Toughie prattle on. “They will be staying here for about a month. I’m sorry for not texting back, or at least calling.” Shadow Milk raises his head, smile half-hearted. Pure Vanilla leaned in, his mismatched eyes steady, tilting slightly. “I should have told you, or asked, but I…”
Shadow Milk removes Toughie from his neck, holding them between his hands. “I want to get to know them better. They deserve that.”
Pure Vanilla mulls over the situation, straightening himself and nervously exhaling. “Shadow Milk,” Pure Vanilla starts, somewhat stiff. “A heads-up would’ve been preferred, and the circumstances will honestly cause some issues.” Pure Vanilla glances at Shadow Milk’s bare neck, causing a shiver to run up Shadow Milk’s spine.
Shadow Milk met Pure Vanilla after the alpha responded to his ad listing. The apartment was near their respective graduate schools and jobs, and the rent was cheap. Their differing dynamics were not much of an issue with their schedules, and it was actually beneficial. Shadow Milk was still unaccustomed to hormonal alphas being stubborn about putting on patches, and Pure Vanilla visibly reacted to the smell of emotional and vulnerable omegas.
They maintained a cordial relationship, taking turns bringing home food or cooking meals, cleaning the apartment, and making sure neither of them passed out on the floor. There are studies stating the mutual benefits of an alpha and omega living with each other, particularly how pheromones release positive hormones into the other’s body. But that is for couples.
Shadow Milk and Pure Vanilla are not a couple. They occasionally let their pheromones loose, but only in the context of practice or irregular mating cycles. In the latter, they usually stay over with a friend or in a motel until the cycle is over.
With Toughie, a pup, they need to be in constant presence of their parents’ scent to feel safe and grow well. Shadow Milk’s scent was close enough to First Milk’s to trick Toughie, the pup clinging to him for comfort.
Pure Vanilla, an unmated alpha, will either have to isolate himself in his room, which won’t stop the scent permeating through the cracks, so either he or Shadow Milk has to leave.
“I won’t ask you to leave; it will be unfair.” Pure Vanilla cut through Shadow Milk’s thoughts, eyes soft. “I could—”
“No.” Shadow Milk nearly shouted, Toughie twitching, then calmed. “Toughie’s staying in my room. I’ll just incessantly scent their toys and plushies. I’ll wipe the apartment clean of my scent.”
“You know it’s not recommended to keep a pup in one place. They need fresh air, and I’m sure Toughie would like it to have your scent everywhere.”
“I’m the one who decided to bring Toughie to our apartment. We can make this work.” Shadow Milk’s eyes shot open, realization hitting him. “You want to be a pediatrician, right? And that’s where your current rotation is, right?”
Pure Vanilla’s jaw gaped; his eyebrows rose. “I’m still in med school, Shadow Milk. And I’m an unknown alpha. I’m sure Toughie wouldn’t like that.”
“They won’t.” Shadow Milk affirmed. “If anything, you’re the only alpha they know right now.”
Pure Vanilla had a strange expression, biting his lower lip and looking downcast. “I don’t wish to offend, but,” Pure Vanilla’s voice lowered, gentler. “Is it just you?”
Shadow Milk tilted his head, confused. “Yes?” Shadow Milk said like a question. “I guess there’s mother and her partner, but right now. It’s just me.”
There is a pregnant pause. Pure Vanilla looks at Shadow Milk, hesitates, then slowly places a hand on Shadow Milk’s shoulder. “I’ll help you if you let me.”
Shadow Milk’s heart palpitates, begging that his scent does not change to something sweeter. “Do you want to hold them?”
Pure Vanilla appears taken aback. “Shadow Milk, I’m still in my scrubs.”
Shadow Milk shrugs, bringing Toughie closer. “Did someone puke or sneeze at you?”
Pure Vanilla shook his head. “We only gave vaccinations and interviewed the parents on their pup’s development. Shadow Milk, at least let me change before—”
Shadow Milk lays Toughie right in front of Pure Vanilla’s chest, the alpha immediately taking the pup before Shadow Milk lets go.
Pure Vanilla freezes, staring at a pup as if it were the first time he ever held one. Toughie makes a disgruntled face and fidgets, the alpha repositioning the pup to be cradled.
Toughie sneezes and settles themselves, slumbering quietly.
Pure Vanilla gazes at Toughie in awe, sniffing Toughie and inspecting them. “They are adorable.” Pure Vanilla comments, rocking Toughie. “They look like you.”
Shadow Milk blushes, throat parched. That’s a first. Nobody compared Toughie’s appearance to his. Normally, with their mother, but never with Shadow Milk.
Pure Vanilla never met First Milk; that may be why, but Shadow Milk wants to believe Pure Vanilla was calling him adorable indirectly.
“Thanks.”
Apparently, Shadow Milk did have some inner parental instincts, but not in the way he hoped.
“Ugh.” Shadow Milk groaned. Toughie ignored their brother, suckling the milk from his nipple.
Toughie grew tired of all the formula milk, whining and flailing. First Milk did warn Shadow Milk that Toughie was extremely picky, but Shadow Milk hoped that the formula milk his mother packed would satisfy the pup.
It did, only for the first few days. Fortunately for the little rascal, Shadow Milk always held Toughie, so that made subtle changes to his body, his chest growing tender and heavy. Shadow Milk freaked out with the sudden changes until Toughie cried out of hunger, making grabbing motions at Shadow Milk. The omega automatically lifted his shirt and unthinkingly brought Toughie’s mouth to his nipple.
Before Shadow Milk could react in horror, Toughie began sucking, and he was actually lactating milk.
“This is mortifying.” Shadow Milk uttered, wincing at a too-harsh bite. Shadow Milk deduced their familiality dug up some primitive instinct for omegas to produce milk for hungry orphaned pack pups, and Toughie is his sibling.
Eventually, Toughie decided they had their fill and let out a satisfied mumble when they finished. Shadow Milk puts Toughie on his shoulder and pats them until he hears a burp.
Shadow Milk takes Toughie to their crib, keening at the sensitivity when he pulled his shirt down. Both his breasts had varying discomfort. Checking Toughie one last time, Shadow Milk leaves his room, knowing his distress will wake up Toughie.
Once he is out of the door, he is met with Pure Vanilla carrying a macadamia bar.
“Shadow Milk.” Pure Vanilla exclaimed, almost jumping. “I was about to knock. You haven’t come out for breakfast, and I wanted to give you a snack.”
“Thanks, Nilla, but I’m not feeling particularly hungry.” Shadow Milk winced, turning his face away. But Pure Vanilla caught it, his face showing concern.
“Did something happen, Shadow Milk?” Pure Vanilla asked.
Shadow Milk weighed his options, knowing the alpha won’t stop until he gives a proper answer. “Toughie is fine. They are sleeping like a baby after a happy meal.”
“Shadow Milk,” Shadow Milk glances down. “You don’t smell content; please tell me.”
Shadow Milk flushes, ear twitching. “It’s embarrassing.”
Pure Vanilla shook his head, kneeling down to meet Shadow Milk’s downturned eyes. “Nothing is embarrassing about your well-being.”
Shadow Milk stared at Pure Vanilla, tittering rumbles soothing him. Shadow Milk rolled his eyes and sighed. “I’ll tell you on the couch.”
“Why not my room?” Pure Vanilla suggested. “The bed must be more comfortable than a couch.”
“I’ll stink up the place.”
“Whatever is distressing you, I’m certain you’d want Toughie to play in the living room without sensing remnants of your unease.”
Pure Vanilla offers the macadamia bar, an easy smile going along with it.
Shadow Milk takes it and opens it, following Pure Vanilla to his bedroom.
Upon entering, Shadow Milk quickly inhales the concentrated pheromones of vanilla decorating every corner, almost shuddering. Pure Vanilla was fortunate to have an omega-adjacent scent considering his current plans. Shadow Milk initially mistook him for an omega but then remembered the information Pure Vanilla gave when responding to his ad listing.
Pure Vanilla always smelled nice and calming, the temptation for Shadow Milk to swipe his nose against Pure Vanilla’s wrist or neck growing stronger.
The aches lessened, though, but the swelling remained present.
When they both sat down, Pure Vanilla inquired, “What’s wrong?”
Shadow Milk chewed on his inner cheek. “I’m lactating.” Shadow Milk blurted, surveying the alpha’s reaction. Pure Vanilla had that look his mother had when handling a patient, his eyes gentle and body relaxed. “Toughie wouldn’t stop crying and kept swiping the milk bottles away. I was scared, but then they reached out to me and my chest is hurting.”
Shadow Milk exhales. “This is a first, considering…”
Pure Vanilla nods, his hand covering Shadow Milk’s, thumb rubbing over the skin. “That’s normal, Shadow Milk. But I may need to ask something personal.”
“Whatever it is, as long as it gets rid of soreness, I’m up for it.”
“I’ll need to remove your shirt and massage your back.” Shadow Milk blinked. “I’m going to get some more food and water. Did Toughie suckle from one or both breasts?”
“One.”
Pure Vanilla nodded, his other hand clasping around Shadow Milk’s. “You will need to manually express them out. Do you want me to wait outside while you’re expressing?”
“No.” Shadow Milk replied, clutching the sheets underneath. “I’d want you to stay. For the back massage, of course. Might as well cover all my bases here.”
Pure Vanilla’s mouth curved into a smile, crooning. “I’ll grab a bowl. Please take a seat and lean forward on the desk.”
Shadow Milk closed his mouth, looking down. “Aren’t you worried I'll spill all over it?”
“No, your comfort comes first.”
When Pure Vanilla returned, Shadow Milk had taken off his shirt. Pure Vanilla passed Shadow Milk food and the bowl.
“What am I supposed to do now?” Shadow Milk asked through bites, taking a drink before laying on his arms.
“They taught us this during my rotation in the OB-GYN ward.” Pure Vanilla began, pressing the tips of his fingers against the tense muscle on Shadow Milk’s bare back. Shadow Milk choked out, swallowing down a moan wanting to leave his lips, warm, coarse fingers touch and unwind him. “Are you feeling relaxed, Shadow Milk?”
“Kinda.” Shadow Milk murmured, staring at the empty table.
“Good.” Pure Vanilla croons, rubbing at a particularly tight spot. “On the breast that wasn’t fed on, normally we would have a breast pump to express the milk out. But, in this situation, can you massage your breast in a circular motion?”
Shadow Milk obeys, cupping his breast and applying pressure, repeatedly squeezing it. After a few more moments and Pure Vanilla’s encouraging words and kneading, milk began dripping from Shadow Milk’s nipple.
“Ugh.” Shadow Milk huffed, ashamed as milk filled up the bowl.
“Don’t be embarrassed, Shadow Milk.” Pure Vanilla laid his fingers on Shadow Milk’s shoulders, rubbing his thumbs on the bony part of Shadow Milk’s back. “This shows your body is healthy.”
“Doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it.” Shadow Milk gasped, loosening and almost making a sound similar to a purr. Pure Vanilla continued massaging the same spot, eyes heavy in concentration while omega found a rhythm in the ordeal.
Eventually, thank the witches, there was no more milk coming out of Shadow Milk’s breast.
Shadow Milk brings the bowl to his face, impressed by the amount he produced. “And to think Toughie drank all that.” Shadow Milk comments, swirling the bowl around and sniffing it.
Pure Vanilla hums, happy with how relaxed Shadow Milk became. “Pups need a lot of milk because it contains all the nutrients needed for them to grow big and strong.” Pure Vanilla informed, patting Shadow Milk. “With how Toughie is looking, you’re taking care of them very well.” The alpha rumbled, scratching the back of Shadow Milk’s neck, avoiding the sensitive scent gland. The omega purred louder this time, arching his back.
High on the dopamine, Shadow Milk’s curiosity decided it needed to be answered, and he drank the milk.
Pure Vanilla choked, stopping to stare.
“Sweet.” Shadow Milk murmured, putting the bowl down and lying back on his arms. “And creamy. With a tang of blueberries.” Shadow Milk tilts his head to look at Pure Vanilla, quietly giggling at the alpha’s flustered expression. “Is that normal, doctor?”
Pure Vanilla blinks and coughs into his fist, face red. “The flavor of breastmilk does depend on the omega, but I read it does get sweeter over time.”
Shadow Milk grinned, keening as the massage continued. “Duly noted.”
Pure Vanilla is genuinely a witches sent, choosing to spend his limited free time to help Shadow Milk despite the few moments of relaxation he has.
Shadow Milk has never been this grateful to have the alpha as his roommate. Even with the surprise baby sibling and Shadow Milk’s need for back massage, Pure Vanilla would always offer to help and let Shadow Milk bask himself in the alpha’s room almost after every feeding.
Shadow Milk wishes he could have Pure Vanilla’s hands somewhere else, but he doubts Pure Vanilla’s interested. During the first few months of living together, Shadow Milk’s mood has been unpredictable, and Pure Vanilla once joked it felt like walking on eggshells whenever Shadow Milk was visibly irritated. At the time, Shadow Milk thought Pure Vanilla had been overreacting and needed to suck it up.
Now, without ever asking anything in return, Pure Vanilla has been acting like the ideal alpha, and Shadow Milk couldn’t help but fall deeper. Yet, Shadow Milk was sure that constantly experiencing the omega at his most temperamental and argumentative must have turned the alpha off.
Besides, who would go for an omega who springs up a third roommate into the apartment on a random weekend?
“Just focus on checking these essays.” Shadow Milk grumbled, red pen in hand and pushing up his reading glasses. Shadow Milk recoiled upon finishing an essay, circling and correcting all the mistakes he instantly found.
It was a good decision to check these papers in the living room. Toughie would have woken up from the slight smell of irritation coming from Shadow Milk, even if he were wearing a scent patch. For such a deep sleeper, not even waking up from the loudest of noise or alarms, Toughie instantly startles when they sense their older sibling unhappy, reflecting how Shadow Milk feels.
Distantly, he heard the main door to the apartment opening, Pure Vanilla announcing his return.
“You’re still up?” Pure Vanilla asked, pulling off his face mask and throwing it into the bin. “It’s quite late, Shadow Milk.”
“And a teacher got sick, and they got me to check these last minute.” Shadow Milk places the checked assignment into his folder, returning to the task. “I’d file a complaint about how well that teacher is at actually teaching. Most of these essays are incomprehensible.”
“It can’t be that bad.” Pure Vanilla leans in, barely able to maintain his expression as he holds in a wince upon finishing a paragraph. “What year are these essays from?”
“Ten.”
“Oh.” Pure Vanilla then goes into the kitchen, picking out his dinner. “Have you eaten yet?”
“Yup, after finally getting Toughie back to sleep.” Shadow Milk typed in the grades of the students, adding comments on where they can improve when the teacher gets back.
“Try not to stay up too late, Shadow Milk.” Pure Vanilla reminded him in the kitchen.
Shadow Milk rolled his eyes, a small smile plastered on his face. “With all these essays to check? It would be a miracle if I were done before midnight.”
True to Shadow Milk’s word, he didn’t get the task done by midnight. Not that he was aware of the time, Shadow Milk took a ‘short nap’ after reading through several papers that were obviously copied from each other with a few alterations. Shadow Milk had a headache, gave the papers a huge red zero, and passed out on the nearest pillow.
Shadow Milk’s ear twitched, dreaming about a classroom full of bawling children, growing louder and uncontrollable. Shadow Milk angrily cursed, shoving a pillow into his ear as he covered his other ear by turning to the semi-firm cushion of the couch. But the howls grew impossibly louder, upsetting Shadow Milk and waking him up in frustration.
“Shut up!” Shadow Milk all but shouted, forcing himself up. His reading glasses and red pen fell, and the crying did stop. As Shadow Milk wiped the crust off his eyes, he realized why he was dreaming of childish shrieking as he looked at the time.
“Shit!” Shadow Milk nearly slipped, clutching onto the armrest just before he tripped, running towards his room where he swore he heard Toughie crying their tiny lungs out.
Huffing for breath, Shadow Milk doesn’t notice that his room has been opened as he slams the door open.
Shadow Milk tightens his hold on the handle, taking in the sight before him.
“Hi, Shadow Milk.” Pure Vanilla greeted, swaying Toughie back and forth in his arms. Toughie giggled, playing and pulling Pure Vanilla’s loose hair as the alpha tickled the pup’s nose. “ I am sorry for intruding into your room, but I heard Toughie crying.” Pure Vanilla apologized, not even flinching at a strong tug from Toughie. “Toughie only needed a diaper change.”
Shadow Milk walked towards them, eyes on Toughie, almost chewing on blonde hair before Pure Vanilla expertly distracted the pup with his fingers. Toughie laughed, excited with the new ‘toy’ in front of them and attempting to grab Pure Vanilla’s hand with as much energy as their little body contains.
“You’ve been in my bedroom before, Nilla.” Shadow Milk said, observing how calm and cheerful Toughie is. “I should be the one apologizing for Toughie waking you up.”
Pure Vanilla shook his head, staring at Shadow Milk with such tenderness and softness while playing with Toughie. “I’m just glad to see Toughie so happy.” Pure Vanilla took Toughie in both his hands, the edges of his cheeks rising when Toughie touched his face, cooing in curiosity. “Who's a good pup? You are, you smart child.”
Toughie pinches Pure Vanilla’s cheeks and pulls, giggling at the funny expressions Pure Vanilla makes.
Shadow Milk watches, voice caught in his throat. Then, he opens his mouth.
“You’d make a good parent, Nilly.”
Shadow Milk freezes, realizing what he said. His cheeks grew warm and his heart prattling harshly against his chest, cursing his tired, loose mouth. Before he could retract his statement or change the topic, Pure Vanilla releases a pleased preen.
“I’d always wanted to be one,” Pure Vanilla confessed, continuing to entertain Toughie. Soon, Toughie began yawning and cuddled onto Pure Vanilla’s shoulder, resting their head into the crook of Pure Vanilla's neck. The alpha returned the sleepy Toughie to their cradle. “Having Toughie here is honestly a blessing and an opportunity.”
Toughie lets go of Pure Vanilla’s fingers as they turn, slumbering within their cradle. Pure Vanilla tenderly strokes Toughie’s head, curling his finger around the small tuft of hair.
It took everything for Shadow Milk not to let his exhausted brain slip up his feelings with how Pure Vanilla is gazing at him now, heart hammering and sweat building up.
“Thank you, Shadow Milk.”
Shadow Milk tries not to cry, desperately rocking Toughie as the baby struggles and attempts to remove the towel from their forehead. Shadow Milk keeps trying to sing a tune their mother hums whenever Toughie gets upset, not working on the feverish baby.
“I already called a cab over.” Pure Vanilla walks to his side, taking Toughie into his hold, the bawling pup briefly struggling. Pure Vanilla quickly examines them. “Did Toughie still feed from you?”
“Yes.” Shadow Milk fretted. “Around thirty minutes ago.”
“That’s good; that means Toughie still has an appetite and has not shown signs of vomiting.” Pure Vanilla made eye contact and called for Toughie’s name. The fussy pup lifted their chubby arms in the direction of Pure Vanilla’s voice.
Pure Vanilla leaned in, inspecting Toughie’s breathing and flushed face. “Shows awareness, stable breathing, a bit warm, but that’s expected.” Pure Vanilla returns Toughie to Shadow Milk, a soothing hand on Shadow Milk’s rigid shoulder. “I already called my pediatric supervisor, and she said she would be available to check on Toughie.”
Shadow Milk refuses to sob, but short, soft sniffles escape his lips. “Thank you, Nilla.”
Pure Vanilla croons into Shadow Milk’s ear, rubbing his back. “Calm, omega.” Pure Vanilla soothed, releasing some of his scent by pulling a sliver of his patch. Shadow Milk composed himself, the vanilla scent calming him and Toughie down.
Fortunately, the cab arrived sooner, and the roommates hurried to the pediatric ward, Pure Vanilla’s supervisor performing several examinations on the finicky pup.
“After some tests, Mr. Shadow Milk, Toughie has been diagnosed with a common cold.” Oatmeal Yogurt explained. “Toughie’s temperature does not require immediate medical care, and the rest of their vitals are normal. Toughie needs the medicine prescribed, proper rest, and hydration. Please observe them for improvement, and if possible, please visit again for another evaluation next week or if there are sudden changes in Toughie’s symptoms.”
Shadow Milk lets out a ragged exhale, relieved that nothing serious is affecting Toughie. “Thank you, Dr. Oatmeal Yogurt. This is the first time I’ve ever seen Toughie sick.”
Oatmeal Yogurt sends Shadow Milk a reassuring smile, giving him the prescriptions for Toughie. “I’m glad to help, Mr. Shadow Milk. First-time fevers are hard for parents. I understand how you’re feeling as a parent myself.”
Shadow Milk blinked, repeating Oatmeal Yogurt’s statement in his head. “Excuse me, but I’m actually Toughie’s brother.”
Oatmeal Yogurt’s expression did not change, but Pure Vanilla swiveled his head towards Shadow Milk, eyes and mouth wide open and gawking in shock. Shadow Milk swore he had never seen Pure Vanilla’s brows rise so high it hid beneath Pure Vanilla’s bangs, or his eyes bulge out so much that Shadow Milk felt afraid they might fall off.
“I apologize for the mistake, Mr. Shadow Milk. Dr. Pure Vanilla told me otherwise.” Oatmeal Yogurt clarified, sending a knowing look at her clerk.
It was Shadow Milk’s turn to stare at Pure Vanilla, who was finding the tiled floor much more interesting than the questioning stares in his way. “Thank you, Dr. Oatmeal Yogurt, for the check-up.” Pure Vanilla sputtered, standing up. Shadow Milk followed, his blue eyes remaining on Pure Vanilla’s fidgeting expression.
Oatmeal Yogurt nodded. “I’m delighted to help any child, Dr. Pure Vanilla. Take care, Mr. Shadow Milk and Toughie.”
Just before they leave, Oatmeal Yogurt advised, “Dr. Pure Vanilla, please check all the facts first.”
Pure Vanilla nods furiously and thanks Oatmeal Yogurt again, leading Shadow Milk and Toughie to the indoor drugstore and out of the hospital, constantly talking and avoiding what occurred during the visit. After waiting for an available cab and Pure Vanilla still rambling on, Shadow Milk thinks of the conversation earlier throughout the trip back to their apartment.
After giving a reluctant Toughie their medicine, making sure they do not spit it out, and cradling the pup back to sleep, Shadow Milk brings up the misunderstanding.
“I know I’m handsome, but this omega has never popped out a pup before.” Shadow Milk starts as they walk out of Shadow Milk’s room, nudging his shoulder against Pure Vanilla. “Our mother is the one who birthed the little rascal. I’m just the good ol’ prodigal son taking care of his baby sibling.”
“I know that now, Shadow Milk.” Pure Vanilla stressed. “I’m sorry if the misunderstanding offended you.”
“Nah,” Shadow Milk urged, yet playful. “I’m pretty sure you would’ve caught on to me being pregnant. I’m aware I would be an absolute pain to deal with already and have to move out if I were pregnant.”
“You’re not, and you wouldn’t need to. I’ll make sure you will be comfortable.” Pure Vanilla swore, humorless. “I would never blame you for how you feel or react. I’ll try my best to attend to you if the situation ever arises.”
Shadow Milk became quiet; Pure Vanilla’s words sank in. He could sense the tension rising, growing too thick and bitter for his taste.
“You still thought I was Toughie’s parent?” Shadow Milk tried teasing, laughing as Pure Vanilla’s face grew impossibly redder. “Do I even look like parenting material to you?”
“We— Well, with how you worded it, you can’t blame me.” Pure Vanilla defended, stammering when Shadow Milk cackled. “And parenting does not have a specific look, Shadow Milk.”
“I shouldn’t be surprised you would say that.” Shadow Milk trailed off. “You must have handled all kinds of parents.”
“Not one family is the same, Shadow Milk.” Pure Vanilla reasoned. “You and Toughie, siblings or not, are also unique.”
“You must be relieved about that fact.” Shadow Milk joked, finding amusement in the situation. “Even though I told you Toughie will be staying for only a month, you must be glad I didn’t randomly get knocked up and make you deal with it.”
“It wouldn’t matter if you got randomly knocked up or not.” Shadow Milk blinked, mouth gaping at the sudden seriousness. “And I wouldn’t be dealing with it, Shadow Milk. You deserve more than that.”
“He— Hey,” Shadow Milk began, the mood changing back to its original unease. “I’m saying it would have been even harder dealing with a sudden plus one. Besides,” Shadow Milk faced away, feeling rather despondent. “I know I’m not the easiest roommate to have. It would be an asshole move if I had brought a pup and taken advantage of your kindness, which I technically did. I never want to be more of a hassle—”
“You’re not.” Pure Vanilla interrupted, taking a step closer. Shadow Milk looked at him, shocked at how earnest Pure Vanilla appeared. “Regardless of whether Toughie is your pup or not, neither of you are a hassle to me. I would try my best to spend time aiding you, help watch over any pup you call yours, and try to support you with the best of my abilities. Yes, I do agree you do have your moments, Shadow Milk. But…”
Shadow Milk tries not to take a step back as Pure Vanilla gets closer, strong vanilla pheromones invading his nose and senses. “I would help you no matter what, Shadow Milk. You and Toughie are a blessing, Shadow Milk.” Gulping, Pure Vanilla takes Shadow Milk’s sweaty hands into his. Pure Vanilla’s hands completely enclose his, and Shadow Milk does not mind how clammy they are. “If you let me, I would be by your side.”
Shadow Milk lets out a quivering exhale, his mind clouded. “You’d do that for any friend, Pure Vanilla.” Shadow Milk pointed out, refusing to let his hopes up. “I’m nothing special.”
Pure Vanilla carefully pulls Shadow Milk closer. “Perhaps,” Pure Vanilla murmurs, breath touching Shadow Milk’s lips. “But you’re more than a friend. And,” Pure Vanilla cautiously wraps a hand behind Shadow Milk’s head, observing Shadow Milk’s reaction. “You’re special to me. Since we met, I’ve been fascinated by you.”
If Shadow Milk wheezes into the kiss, Pure Vanilla makes no comment on it. Instead, he brings Shadow Milk closer, and they only stop upon hearing the familiar cry.
In retrospect, the fact that, as an alpha, Pure Vanilla did not see Toughie as a threat, but his own sends something warm and soft in Shadow Milk’s gut. Whether from his mother or retellings from his students, Shadow Milk heard too many horror stories about alphas reacting horribly upon discovering that the person they are attracted to already has a child.
Pure Vanilla readily took Toughie into their shared apartment as if they had always been living there. Shadow Milk should genuinely thank the stars for having someone like Pure Vanilla in his life.
For now, Shadow Milk is cursing at the sky and witches.
“My boobs hurt.” Shadow Milk complained, disgruntled with how heavy both breasts are. Apparently, even in sickness, Toughie is still a glutton, yet no matter how much milk the pup gulps in, there is always extra weight in Shadow Milk’s chest.
Pure Vanilla gives Shadow Milk a lukewarm towel, and Shadow Milk uses it to wipe the saliva and milk from his chest. They were sitting on Pure Vanilla’s bed, resting after a long, stressful day.
“There’s still so much.” Shadow Milk keens, staring at the small white droplets escaping his chest. “Remind me to never actually have a pup.”
“You know,” Pure Vanilla scoots closer to the omega, their shoulders touching. “I know an alternative for your problem.”
“Whatever it is, it better work.” Shadow Milk threw the towel to the side, pausing at what Pure Vanilla was looking at. “Seriously? What if poor Toughie gets hungry later?”
“I wouldn’t take too much.” Pure Vanilla offered, staring at Shadow Milk with a cute, wide-eyed expression, tilting his head.
Shadow Milk blushed, ears twitching. “Don’t bite too hard.” Shadow Milk warned, gasping as a warm hand slipped onto his waist, then to his back, bringing him close.
“Thank you, Shadow Milk.” Pure Vanilla breathed and leaned down to Shadow Milk’s chest level. Shadow Milk shivered as Pure Vanilla breathed against the wetness on his breast, and moaned at a tentative lick on his nipple.
“Sweet.” Pure Vanilla muttered, and latched his mouth onto Shadow Milk’s swollen chest, suckling deeply and with fervor. The heavy scent of saccharine milk filled the room, Shadow Milk fidgeting and squeaking the more Pure Vanilla took. Eventually, Shadow Milk was lying on the alpha’s bed, grasping around Pure Vanilla’s hair the more the alpha swallowed, rolling his tongue on the sensitive nipple and letting out a loud ‘pop’ as he pulled away.
“So good, it’s addicting, omega.” Pure Vanilla says between Shadow Milk’s chest, eyes dilating and getting drunk on Shadow Milk's delicious taste. “May I have more?”
Shadow Milk trembles, heat coiling within his abdomen and tingling at the thought of the alpha wanting more from him. “Yes.” Shadow Milk exhales, growing disheveled.
Pure Vanilla releases a happy rumble and sniffs Shadow Milk’s other breast, smelling and kissing the unattended mound. A hand pulls Shadow Milk’s zipper down, pulling the waistband of his shorts and panties. Shadow Milk squirmed, whining as cold air touches his hot, oversensitive body. Pure Vanilla distracts him by languidly swirling around the dripping nipple, wantonly sucking as much milk as Shadow Milk could offer.
“Ni— Nilly!” Shadow Milk whimpered, twitching at a hand fondling his wet breast and the other brushing a thumb against his engorged clit. Shadow Milk arches his back, sucking in a breath and crying out when both his nipples are pinched, legs spasming and kicking at the different sensations.
Pure Vanilla licks his tongue on Shadow Milk’s nipple, satisfied with his fill. “Such plentiful and yummy milk, omega. Worthy for any pup lucky to have you nurse them.”
“Hah…!” Shadow Milk twitched, Pure Vanilla trailing his tongue and teeth as he went down between Shadow Milk’s legs, placing particular focus just below his navel and pressing a kiss on it. “No pup mention, ‘kay?”
Pure Vanilla nods, removing his wet hand from Shadow Milk’s wet pussy to spread his bare legs apart. “May I?” Pure Vanilla asks, looking at Shadow Milk.
Shadow Milk whimpers, unused to the general circumstance. “Just slow down, I don’t…” Shadow Milk covers his face, turning to his side. “Usually do this. ”
Pure Vanilla rumbles on Shadow Milk’s thigh, releasing a more potent vanilla scent, creating a delectable mixture of their pheromones in the bedroom. “I’ll take care of you, omega. Don’t worry.” Pure Vanilla promises, kissing Shadow Milk’s quivering folds, and his tongue licks a strip over the omega’s hole and dips into Shadow Milk’s core.
Pleasure buzzes Shadow Milk, voice hitching and increasing as the coarse muscle delves against his wet, hot walls, parting his inner lips and exploring Shadow Milk. Pure Vanilla noisily licks and sniffs Shadow Milk, taking in where the milk and blueberry scent that enticed the alpha is at its richest. Pure Vanilla drank in Shadow Milk’s slick, his whines vibrating into the pussy as the alpha desperately sinks his face deeper.
Shadow Milk’s vision turned blurry, arousal consuming him and everything becoming too much yet not enough. His abdomen was cramping, his nerves lighting up with the new and exciting experience. Shadow Milk suddenly bucks at a swipe onto a spot within him, earning him a proud growl, and Pure Vanilla dips his tongue on it repeatedly.
“Alpha, alpha!” Shadow Milk babbled, legs trying to move around yet couldn’t escape Pure Vanilla’s firm grip. Shadow Milk drooled, twisting the sheets between his fingers. His body felt like its drowning, flooded by torrents of want and need, helpless under Pure Vanilla’s ministrations. With a sharp exhale, Shadow Milk spills into Pure Vanilla’s mouth, coating his face with his delicious slick.
Shadow Milk’s then lets himself float, body twitching from the aftermath of his orgasm. “Thank you for the drink, omega.” Pure Vanilla, amused, his hand releasing Shadow Milk’s trembling leg to slide between Shadow Milk’s dripping pussy, not yet entering. “Blueberries have always been my favorite.”
Shadow Milk’s weakly purrs, mind heavy and relying on instincts. Shadow Milk feels Pure Vanilla move, keeping a hand on his cunt as the alpha positions himself to be near Shadow Milk’s scent. Pure Vanilla kisses the scent gland, inhaling Shadow Milk’s concentrated, fragrant smell as he slides a finger into Shadow Milk. Shadow Milk jolts, relaxing at a nip on his neck.
Pure Vanilla hyper-focuses on the omega’s expressions, lapping and sucking on where Shadow Milk is most sensitive to distract the omega. Feeling the soaked walls relax, Pure Vanilla adds another and chuffs at a hiss.
“You’re doing great, omega.” Pure Vanilla hums, his available hand grabbing and fondling Shadow Milk’s breast. “You’re so amazing, you make me proud.”
“Mmmnghh.” Shadow Milk croaks, moaning as teeth indent themselves close to his scent gland, tongue dragging where he was bitten. Shadow Milk’s pussy squelches, producing more slick for the alpha to spread him around and prepare him for what happens next. A shudder runs throughout Shadow Milk’s body when his stiff clit is pressed on, the bundle of nerves teased and flickered with the rhythm of the rest of Pure Vanilla’s fingers.
At a twist on his nipple, a third finger pushes through and spreads Shadow Milk further. Shadow Milk squeals, fucking himself on Pure Vanilla’s hand and drenching the sheets below them. Another wave crashes onto him, mewling and bursting at the seams of the growing orgasm burning within his tight skin. Pure Vanilla plays with his other nipple, making milk drip out and spreading it around Shadow Milk’s chest.
When Pure Vanilla goes to lap up the escaped liquid, Shadow Milk squirts and screams, eyes blown wide and confused.
While Shadow Milk huffs for air, breathing in the cocktail of their pheromones, Pure Vanilla decides the omega is stretched enough and undoes his pants, kicking his undergarments down to the floor.
Aware of what’s to come, Shadow Milk glances down, loudly gulping, and hides his expression.
Pure Vanilla notices, stops.
“We don’t need to do this.” Pure Vanilla comforted him, resting his hands around Shadow Milk’s, giving calming rubs on the back of the omega’s hands. “I want you to feel safe, Shadow Milk.”
Shadow Milk entwined his fingers between Pure Vanilla’s, squeezing them. “You’ve been doing that since we met, Pure Vanilla.” Shadow Milk admitted, tilting his head to reveal his scent gland more. “I want this with you. Only you.”
Pure Vanilla stares at him and nods, leaning in to kiss where Shadow Milk’s most vulnerable. Shadow Milk held onto Pure Vanilla for dear life, pulse quickening and focusing on Pure Vanilla’s soft touches, desperately lulling himself as Pure Vanilla slowly parts him. The room is enveloped by vanilla and the alpha’s continuous crooning with every inch burying into the omega; an uncertain blend of sighs and whimpers escapes Shadow Milk.
“I love you, Shadow Milk.” Pure Vanilla grunts, licking the tears trailing down Shadow Milk’s face. “I love you so much, you make me insane.”
“Gl— Glad it’s working.” Shadow Milk squirmed, dizzy from the unfamiliar aches yet content with how well the alpha fills him, happy with how the alpha openly admits how much the omega is affecting him.
They both suck in a breath when Pure Vanilla finally buries himself wholly inside the omega, inhaling the heavy hormones clouding the room. Pure Vanilla waits, listening to Shadow Milk’s shallow intakes of air and observing everything on the omega’s beautiful body.
Pure Vanilla’s face returns to the crook of Shadow Milk’s neck, tongue flickering on the omega’s swollen scent gland. Shadow Milk spills more slick, mewling when cramps don’t hurt as much, wiggling his hips experimentally.
“Mo— Move.” Shadow Milk ordered, spreading his legs apart. “Just… still slow, please.”
Pure Vanilla pressed a promise on Shadow Milk’s neck and pulled his hips back, and deliberately pushed back in, letting the omega get used to the burn and pleasure. Shadow Milk whines with each thrust against his cervix, his tone turning needy and lewd, his volume uncontrolled.
The squelches became noisier, and arousal overcame Shadow Milk’s senses, starting to rock with the pace Pure Vanilla gave.
Pure Vanilla rumbled, happy the omega beneath him was becoming pleasured and letting loose his usually controlled expressions. The alpha studied how the omega rocked with the thrusts, mouth widening and eyes lost in a haze. Shadow Milk’s scent has never been so rich, so heavenly and tempting as it is now. It takes everything within the alpha not to bite down on the inviting scent gland, wishing for a proper time and to be lost in the cycle once their relationship is more guaranteed, when they are both sure and have talked it out.
At this moment, Pure Vanilla wants to lose himself in all that Shadow Milk offers.
“Omega,” Pure Vanilla panted, voice ragged at the sinfully tight grip Shadow Milk’s pussy has on him. “Omega, need you. Let me have you.”
Shadow Milk gushes, his brain no longer functioning and his head full of alpha, his name and pheromones the only things running through his neurons. Shadow Milk yells, sharp teeth just at the edge of claiming him, back arching off the bed and walls sucking in the alpha.
Pure Vanilla licks apologetically at the small drops of blood, murmuring and lapping everything that got the omega squirming in joy.
The pace quickened, instinct and raw arousal clouding and fogging the couple’s minds. Their voices grew hoarse, the penetration heightening their primal instincts. Shadow Milk lost count of how many times he came on Pure Vanilla’s pelvis, frantically bucking and clamping on the cock ruining him.
Bites litter around Shadow Milk’s neck and collarbones, Pure Vanilla now peppering Shadow Milk’s wet face with kisses and nips.
Through the cacophony of pheromones and instincts, Shadow Milk knows Pure Vanilla is about to topple over, his breathing erratic and cock pulsating. Shadow Milk scratches on the back of Pure Vanilla’s hand, drooling through the haze.
“Kno— Knot me, alpha.” Shadow Milk wheezed, begging even. Pure Vanilla kisses his mouth, tongues swirling against each other and exploring the wet crevice.
As they slobber into each other’s faces, Pure Vanilla's rhythm is becoming sporadic. The feeling of a growing knot intensely trying to drive into the tight hole has Shadow Milk promising trailed scars on the alpha’s hand, moaning and crying out heavily and pathetically. The more his cunt is split to accommodate the knot, the more slick and prickling pleasure turns Shadow Milk inside out.
Shockwaves burst and Shadow Milk jerks, gasping into the alpha’s mouth as he comes.
With whatever energy he has left, Shadow Milk wraps his legs around Pure Vanilla’s waist, wanting the alpha to spill in him. Sucking the omega’s tongue in and grasping the omega’s hands, Pure Vanilla trembles as he slams into Shadow Milk, knot slipping through and spreading Shadow Milk’s convulsing walls apart.
Shadow Milk purrs despite the pain, blissed and pleased with the cum filling his womb to the brim. The purrs and chirps became mixed with the alpha’s satisfied croons, enjoying their connection and rubbing their sweaty faces against each other.
Shadow Milk is happy, and his chest no longer aches as much as it did.
Shadow Milk is no longer happy, his chest heavy. At least there was something to begrudgingly put a smile on his face.
“Milky!” At his hip level, Toughie rushes to their older brother, curious eyes looking over the growing life beneath Shadow Milk’s tummy. Toughie cautiously places their hands on their brother’s stomach, cooing and giggling at the discovery.
Shadow Milk and Pure Vanilla were visiting Shadow Milk’s mother, wishing to celebrate Toughie’s birthday.
“Milky?”
“Yes, Toughie?” Shadow Milk tilted his head, seeing a question swimming in Toughie’s eyes.
“Is this where I came from?” Toughie innocently asked, copying their brother’s expression. Toughie kept patting Shadow Milk’s stomach. Softly, of course, just like what First Milk instructed.
Shadow Milk sputtered, then the tips of his ears turned bright red. In the kitchen, his mother, her partner, and Pure Vanilla all choke on a laugh with varying success.
“Toughie, mama is our mother.” Shadow Milk reminded.
Toughie frowns, puffing their chubby cheeks. “Mama said Nilla thought you made me.” Toughie proclaims as if it’s a fact, certainty painting their face. “And Mama and Nilla are both doctors, so that means they are right!”
At this point, his mother is lost in her laughter. Shadow Milk stammers, giving up when the self-assured and resolute expression remains on Toughie’s face.
Pure Vanilla walks towards the siblings, kissing Shadow Milk on the forehead. “Dinner is almost ready.” Pure Vanilla cheered, carrying Toughie and carefully swinging Toughie around, riotous laughter echoing in the room as Toughie played with Pure Vanilla.
“Dinner, dinner!” Toughie shouted, very happy and swinging their limbs around.
Shadow Milk watched them and snorted, rubbing the little one kicking about. It seems they, too, are excited to play with Pure Vanilla.