Chapter Text
That was not a Pink Bolete,
Wulfgard thought as he slowly came to his senses, he felt dizzy, his usual coordinated movements were now sluggish, as if his own body refused to cooperate with his brain - not that his mind was feeling any better, there was a haze that he couldn’t explain, for some reason his thoughts were a scattered mess, at least his blurred vision was slowly recovering.
He instinctively reached his forehead, pressing the palm flat against the sticky forehead, as if to check his body temperature – he did feel feverish in a way that had nothing to do with his Oripathy infection, in fact, it seemed to be something else.
Something he had never experienced firsthand but that he witnessed countless times within the Pack.
It must’ve been those mushrooms.
A lie.
He knew the real reason behind his current state.
Wulgard tried to sit up in the bed, wait, where was he? He couldn’t recall anything except those mushrooms, one moment he was gathering materials with Catcher and the second he passed out.
Catcher must’ve alerted the Endministrator, because as his eyes squeezed in the dim light to adjust his focus, he finally seemed to recognize his whereabouts - the OMV Dijang.
There was something different in the air, though, a hint of confusion flashed in his dazed eyes as he tried to make out the lines of the furniture that was surrounding him, but deep down he didn’t have to, not really, because he could feel the difference through scent alone; that was not his bedroom.
It was the Endmin’s.
Fuck his life.
The Operator took a deep breath, originally meant to calm his racing thoughts for even just a moment, yet failing spectacularly because as the sweet scent of the Endministrator filled his lungs, Wulfgard felt a sharp ache in his chest, the sting hurting as if someone had just stabbed him with a knife.
What the hell was happening?
He knew.
Catello Wulfgard Luppino was not one that blindly followed instincts above all, calm and collected his mind always conjured plans - he valued resourcefulness and caution, letting his own impulses run rampant only meant a free pass to an early grave, the world around him was not a gentle one, even the simplest of mistakes could cause a disaster, he knew that better than anyone else.
Control and restraint were part of his persona, he was not as strict as Pogranichnik, and sometimes he definitely followed his hunches, but caution was an encompassing trait of his persona that worked wonders in their team, despite his solitary tendencies he had found himself quite surprised and pleased with his companions, they were not close by any means, but there was mutual respect and a sense of community that led them toward a shared goal, the Endmin was a good matchmaker, their active party had been proven to be efficient, bound by duty but at a reasonable distance - it was good, the less you trust, the longer you live.
Except that same very restraint had been wavering for a while now, since the moment he let the Endmin in, sharing his story, placing an enormous amount of trust he’s not even sure he should have let him access to, yet no matter how much he had tried, he simply couldn’t do otherwise.
He trusted the Endmin.
He understood him.
He liked to spend time with him.
He — No, Wulfgard, no.
The operator shook his head, trying to get rid of unwanted thoughts, now more than ever, because the more the Endmin’s scent enveloped his senses and the more he got lost in a maze of emotions he could no longer suppress.
He had tried to.
Desperately.
Acknowledging to have imprinted on the Endmin had been a torturous journey for Wulfgard, not only the Endmin was not part of the Pack, but their different race also meant that he was unaware of the inner turmoil that plagued the Operator’s mind every time they were in close proximity - and as the Endmin lived his days in blissful ignorance, Wulfgard had been close to lose his own sanity more than he would like to admit, the mushroom being the last straw to his control.
Watching how the Endmin easily mingled with the other operators, seeing him give gifts to each of them as a token of gratitude for their job and a way to raise their bond, the way his pinkish lips glistened under the artificial lights of the ship as he spoke, the way his voice sounded as he laughed at some jokes he would never smile to - and those beautiful eyes when the mask was off - those thoughts were haunting Wulfgard’s mind at every hour of the day and every minute of the night, the urge to pull the smaller male into his arms, to shield him from danger and other people’s attention, the way he wanted to mark him and stake a claim on that pale skin, nothing too savage - he knew restraint, just a little red mark on that pale throat or the shape of his fangs on his nape – stop, Wulfgard,
He couldn’t.
The scent was too strong, his body too weak and in that very moment, for the first time, Wulfgard let that caution slip enough to follow his body’s command; he shifted his position in the bed, as he let his tongue follow where the scent was the closest, it slowly lapped the fabric of the pillow before his fangs sunk into it, a soft groan leaving his mouth because get a grip, Wulfgard, you’re better than this, you’re not some savage animal-
Yet his hand slowly traced the front of his pants, since when were they so tight?
A slow whimper escaped his lips as his palm flattened against his growing arousal, the firm pressure sending shiver down his body, he couldn’t stop it and at this point he wasn’t even sure he wanted to, his hips slowly grinding against his palm as his nose buried into the Endmin’s pillow, seeking more of that scent that drove him crazy, more, more, more -
Like an addict chasing his next high he moaned in the pillow, a small drop of saliva coating the fabric as he lapped it up, as if the taste of the sweaty fiber that had definitely seen better days could quench the fire burning deep inside him, he needed more of it, he wanted to taste him, damn it, his brain conjuring pictures of the Endmin’s soft neck as he bucked his hips faster into his fist, was he really going to chase a release like that?
A frustrated snarl followed as his fingers were about to reach his zipper, he felt conflicted, his mind screaming at him to stop, to be ashamed, that it was dirty and that he wasn’t an animal - yet his body kept moving of his own accord as he grinded against his own fist, his breath labored and heavy as his body tried to keep up with his needs and failing, the effects of the mushroom - he would blame that thing until the end of the times - rendering his body slow and uncoordinated, too confused and far too gone to actually make sense of what was happening at all.
His ears flattened against his head as a muffled moan echoed through the room, he was so close, as embarrassing as it was to be on edge by humping his own fist, still fully clothed, when the soft sounds of footsteps approaching snapped him out of his daze; his body stilling like a prey sensing danger.
The steps approached, closer, closer, closer, until the click of the door opening made Wulfgard freeze, he slowly shifted his position, managing to lay on his back right before the Endmin’s face came into view and damn, what a fucking sight.
“Sorry, did I wake you?”
Fuck, he loved that voice.
“No,”
Wulfgard choked out, trying to sound calm and collected despite his heart still thumping wildly inside his chest, if he had missed a couple breaths, the Endmin didn’t say.
“I’ve been awake for a while, just confused.”
“How are you feeling? You scared me back there, one moment you were sniffing herbs and the next Catcher brought you back unconscious.”
“I apologies, Endmin, I didn’t mean to— Let you down. I’ve been careless.”
“None of that now, it wasn’t your fault.”
“Such a rookie mistake is far from being considered acceptable, I should’ve known better.”
The Endmin hummed low in his throat as he sat on the bed, right next to him, and fuck his life, Wulfgard’s tail thumped heavily against the mattress, earning a curious gaze from the Endmin.
“No need to be upset, the only thing that matters is that you’re safe, Catcher is truly our little GPS tracker.”
Those words would have normally reached something behind his cold exterior, the way Endmin sounded concerned would have had his heart do a little flip were he in his right mind, but at the moment he was anything but that and the only thing he could focus on was the way the Endmin’s skin was glistening, the wet droplets of water falling from his hair on that delicious neck that looked far too inviting and that shirt— Wait, did the Endmin just shower?
He must’ve because he was wearing only a shirt and a pair of sweatpants, his hair were damp and his face was prettier than anything he had ever seen.
Focus, Wulfgard, stop staring at-
His jaw tightened, the Operator’s tail thumping against the bedsheets again in distress, it was obvious he was not feeling well, but how could he tell the Endmin what was really happening to his body? He was not one of them he couldn’t possibly understand.
When the Endmin’s fingers curled in the fur of his tail he nearly lost it, it was meant to be a gesture of comfort, he probably wanted to soothe his distress, but the feeling of those slender digits gently rubbing his fur had his whole body on fire, his aching arousal twitching inside his now way too tight pants, he was glad he had managed to put a blanket over his crotch, it could not hide the deep flush that crept from his neck nor the way his eyes were wide with arousal and need, but at least it didn’t make him too indecent for the Endmin to look at.
He couldn’t risk him to know, and ruin whatever bond was slowly building between them.
What Wulfgard didn’t realize, though, was that the Endmin knew.
After the Operator passed out and was rushed to the medical bay, he sought counsel to understand what went wrong, and the more Wulfgard went through to check-ups, the more he learned.
The Operator waking up in his room was not a coincidence, the Endmin purposely placed him there - in his bed, with his blankets, surrounded by his scent.
That was what he’d been told to do, that was also what he had wanted to do.
For a long time.
He might’ve not understood fully the extent of what being imprinted on meant for Wulfgard, but he wasn’t as naive as people seemed to believe him to be, he had noticed the way the Operator’s behaviour shifted every time they were alone, and the more he read about the topic, the more he realized how special he was; Rossi knew better than anyone else what was going on with his brother, and he didn’t bother sugarcoating the truth of his behavioural changes,
“Mio fratello è cotto di te,”
She told him, not even bothering lowering her voice, as she blatantly announced that her brother had a crush on him as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
Well, no shame in that, it just had been really… Embarrassing.
He still remembered how Perlica’s cheeks flushed once she caught sniff of what they were talking about before he dragged Rossi in a more secluded corner, he couldn’t risk everyone to know Wulfgard’s feelings, he wanted to protect him.
“Technically, imprinting happens when you see your one and only,”
She crossed her legs with a scoff, as if the mere thought made her ears itch, not because she was against it, but because she found ridiculous the way Wulfgard seemed to turn into a puppy everytime the Endmin was around, even if he would never admit it.
“To him you’re the center of his world, his soulmate, partner, lover, call it however you want, it’s physically harmless but kinds of fucks you up emotionally and mentally, I respect him for acting though and hiding it for so long… I don’t know if I should call him brave… Or stupido.”
Her gaze turned toward her brother’s sleeping form, he had been given an injection to temporarily subside the side effects of his conditions.
“If it’s as harmless as you say, why is he burning up?”
The Endmin’s voice was low and hesitant, something that didn’t really belong to him, but the amount of information his brain was absorbing and processing were a bit too much at once, this wasn’t the factory he was thinking about, no blueprints, no belts to connect - it was feelings they were talking about, and the fact that he meant the whole world to Wulfgard, in a way that he would never truly understand but that he found himself drawn in.
After all, he liked him too.
“That,”
Rossi shook his head, as if contemplating something but didn’t stop, better to spill all the beans.
“Is his rut.”
“Rut?”
“Rut.”
“Like… Animals?”
“Are you being racist?”
“What–? No! Just… I don’t get it. Do they exist?”
“Have you never studied biology?”
“I’m human, I don’t have-”
“What, mating cycles? Listen, I’m not… The most qualified person to talk about this but it’s common knowledge that when you find your special someone it just happens. So yes, mio fratello è innamorato di te. Sta male perché ti desidera. And it’s disgusting! Pick up a book, I don’t even want to think about it.”
The Endmin laughed as she stormed off, and following her tip he had read plenty of logs and books about it, so yes, the way he was currently playing with the sensitive fur on his tail right now was definitely intentional, and it was working.
“Endmin,”
Wulfgard whispered, his cheeks becoming redder with each caress, his hair damp with sweat, he was both terrified and aroused at once and he didn’t know what to do, he was already past the point of reason and from there it could only end with his downfall.
“Shhhh, let me help you, Wulfgard. I might not know the full extent of your needs, but I am willing to give you everything you need.”
“I can’t-”
The Operator choked out, his claws tearing at the sheets as he tried and failed to keep his composure.
“Why is that?”
Because I don’t want to ruin what we have.
Because I don't want you to know I’m scared.
Because I don’t want to lose you.
Because I don’t want you to lose your trust in me.
Because I don’t want you to stop looking at me.
There were so many words he wanted to say and yet none made it past his lips, his throat suddenly dry.
“You don’t have to fear anything with me, I will never judge you, especially not for being yourself.”
Those words seemed to spark something inside the Operator, because his lips parted as he finally whispered:
“Perché ti voglio così tanto che sto impazzendo, perché non riesco più a nascondere ciò che provo per te, fingere di non desiderarti è straziante, ma pensare di non poter avere il tuo cuore è pura agonia.”
The Endmin blinked once, twice, his breath stopped for a moment – those words, he felt them, deep down within his soul, and with a single move he leaned forward, cupping Wulfgard’s face between his hands, looking at him with a soft gaze filled with all the unspoken feelings he harbored for the Operator too; he pressed their foreheads together as he shifted closer,
“Please, let me take care of you.”
The sheer need in the Endmin's voice, his close proximity, the way his gaze pierced right through the haze of his desire was the last straw that held him back, his willpower shattered like a broken piece of glass.
He closed the distance between their lips, and as his mouth tasted that forbidden fruit for the first time, he couldn’t help but moan low in his throat, his need taking over, reason completely abandoned.
“Ti prego,”
Wulfgard moaned in between kisses, a needy sound that sent a rush of heat all over the Endmin’s skin,
“What do you need right now?”
He whispered back at the Operator’s soft plea, his teeth finding Wulfgard’s bottom lip and biting it slowly, savoring the taste of him like one would with the finest wine.
“Let me have you,”
Wulfgard moaned, lost in a daze - the Endmin didn’t need to be told twice because he laid on his back, arms wrapped around Wulfgard’s muscular form as he undid his garments, clothes falling on the floor with a heavy thud none of them cared about; the Operator’s claw tearing the Endmin’s outfit to shreds, too lost into his instincts to pay attention to what he was doing - and the Endmin couldn’t say he didn’t love it.
The Operator’s tongue found its way over the Endmin’s neck, finally tasting what he dreamed about for months - sweat, salt, and the scent of the factory clinging on his skin mixed with the musky scent of soap, it drove him feral, still he had some restraint - he didn’t want to hurt him, he needed to remind himself that the Endmin was human therefore he somehow needed to get a hold on his nature and slow down, he couldn’t afford to scare him or, even worse, overwhelm him.
The Endmin’s hands buried themselves within the Operator’s hair, damp from sweat yet still incredibly soft, the texture was rough, resembling the fur covering his tail, but pleasant to the touch - actually he pulled, earning a raspy moan from the man above him.
There were many many ways their first time could have played out, but the Endmin was self conscious enough to know that this was something beyond the Operator’s control, he knew he would feel guilty once the effects of his rut would begin to fade but as of now his priority was to give him everything he needed and ensure his well being, there would be plenty of time for them to talk about it afterwards and, maybe, doing it properly, but as of now there was no time for foreplay, he had come prepared, his shower had not been casual.
“Ho bisogno di te,”
Wulfgard growled as he turned the Endmin’s onto his stomach, the action causing the Endmin’s aching arousal to rub against the mattress, a soft moan escaping his kissed swollen lips; the Operator didn’t waste time, he climbed on top of him, caging the smaller frame underneath him as he positioned himself, clawed hands wrapping around the Endmin’s hips as he easily lifted him, forcing his back to arch just enough to not be uncomfortable; and no matter how far gone Wulgard was, he pushed a pillow underneath the Endmin’s stomach, effectively trapping his aching length and at the same time ensuring his partner would not feel discomfort.
“Make me yours, Wulfgard,”
The Endmin moaned, face flushed, his length twitching against the fabric at the feeling of rough palms running eagerly up and down his thighs, and oh, fuck, nothing had prepared him for the feeling of Wulfgard’s tongue delving deep inside his entrance, he’d expected lube somehow but no, here he was, getting eaten out by the Operator in a way that had his whole body shake with need.
He was too good, the way Wulfgard’s tongue thrusted inside his rear, devouring him with a ferocity that could only resemble a wild starving beast latching onto its prey after a long and exhausting haunt, the way the Operator’s claws dug in the back of his thighs, sending a delicious jolt of pain through his body didn’t help the Endmin’s case, his hips bucking helplessly against the pillow as he pushed his ass back, trying to get Wulfgard’s tongue as deep as he could.
Wulfgard, for his part, lapped at the Endmin without restraint, pure unfiltered need leading each and every move, his senses on fire, instincts burning with a passion so consuming it was a miracle he didn’t pass out again; he growled with each thrust, his own chin coated in saliva as he buried his face into the most delicious banquet he had ever had the privilege to eat - only when the Endmin’s entrance clenched around his tongue, walls soft and compliant, he pulled back, settling once again on top of him, his own aching arousal pressing right against the crack of his ass, red tip glistening with pre-release teasing the pulsing ring of muscles with a delicious and tortuous pace.
“Are you sure?”
He rasped, voice hoarse, his claws clamping around the Endmin’s waist with a possessive grip that left him breathless.
“Yes - Please, Wulfgard, take me, I’m yours.”
And just like that, the Operator snapped his hips forward, burying his length to the hilt within the Endmin’s tight warmth— he was warm, loose and incredibly accommodating, the action wasn’t forced despite their haste, his cock burying itself quite easily with little no resistance – he didn’t know the Endmin had spent an hour in his shower getting himself all prepped to receive him, and he definitely didn’t know that it was a special case.
The Endmin rarely let himself be on the receiving end, but this time, for Wulfgard’s sake, he didn’t mind.
Wulfgard’s thrusts were deep and erratic, the sharp snap of his hips had the Endmin seeing stars and, soon enough, the room was filled by moans and obscene slap of skin against skin.
The Endmin’s hand gripped the bedsheet so tightly his knuckles almost hurt as his body swayed back and forth in rhythm with Wulfgard’s thrusts, his own length forced to rub against the pillow, his mind lost in a haze of pleasure and overwhelming passion; he moaned again and again, part of his mind self conscious that someone could hear them, but at the moment that was the least of his problems, in fact there were no problems at all - all he could feel was Wulfgard thrusting deep and wild inside him, fangs sinking at the base of his nape as his claws held his waist so tightly it almost hurt, but he didn’t complain, he loved to see the ever guarded wolf lose himself into his instincts, experiencing the full extent of his nature was something he deeply cherished, and he couldn’t hide of good it was, to be the source of such a strong and unfiltered need.
“Endmin, mhhh,”
The Operator moaned, low and deep as his teeth bit the shell of his ear, one hand moving from the Endmin’s waist to his length, calloused fingers tightening around his hard and leaking cock, his touch not too gentle but not too rude either, it was the perfect amount of pressure, desperate and wild, just like Wulfgard was in that moment; his thrusts deepened, his hips stuttered and the wolf couldn’t help but to lick the Endmin’s ear, his cheek, the soft spot behind his ear that always taunted him with mischievous beads of sweat and unclaimed skin.
“Ah, mhh- Wulfgard-”
The Endmin rasped, it was hard to catch his breath under such a strong stimulation yet he was slowly losing himself too, an all consuming need that kept him right on the edge.
“Sei mio,”
Wulfgard whispered as he tipped the Endmin’s head back, just enough to seal their lips in a fierce kiss as they both fell over the edge, their orgasm hitting them hard, white flashed before them as their eyes rolled back in ecstasy, the kiss swallowing their moans as they rode the aftermath of their release, Wulfgard spilling deep within the Endmin’s warm body, while the Endmin spilled onto the pillow.
Exactly what he needed.
I took a moment for them to catch their breath, Wulfgard’s body collapsing onto the Endmin’s back, nose nuzzling into the crook of his neck as he held him tight against him, he was content, his expression dazed and vulnerable, the Endmin could feel his tail twitch slightly, and it sent a pleased jolt of affection through him, he was so cute.
“You did so good,”
He rasped as he reached back with his hand, slowly ruffling the Operator’s hair, he slowly untangled himself from the mess of sweaty limbs and rolled onto his back, Wulfgard immediately following suit, now curling against him like an over sized puppy, sated and content as he basked in the afterglow of his release, his body slowly relaxing as he felt the Endmin’s fingers thread through his hair.
Wulfgard didn’t answer, sleep catching up sooner than the Endmin expected, he knew he must’ve been exhausted, all he wanted was for him to rest, after all… A long day awaited his partner.
Wulfgard didn’t knot him.
Not because he was human or because he restrained himself, but because he couldn’t.
It wasn’t a rut.
It was a heat.
Wulfgard was an omega.
And even if this temporary release calmed his symptoms, granting him a little bit of rest, the Endmin knew it was only a matter of time before the Operator’s body flared to life once again, demanding to be taken, begging for his touch and this time, the Endmin would not deny him: he would give him exactly what Wulfgard craved, but he wanted to do it properly, to savour the moment, that had been the only reason he had let the Operator go feral on him, because next time he wanted to give him his all: his body, his heart and his soul.