Scent-exchange programs were nothing new.

If an omega or an alpha needed a little extra help through their heats or ruts respectively, they could mail in their articles in exchange for a box of their own.

Which is precisely why he’s in the process of carefully folding and tucking away a handful of his old articles; tank tops and military issue t-shirts still damp with sweat. A sweater frayed at the sleeves. Old clothing. But saturated in that musky scent of sweet cigar smoke and pine.

Maybe it’ll help some poor omega out. Maybe he’ll get something nice in return.

And he does.

Express shipped, just before his rut was due to start. Soft clothing, decadent sweet scent.

It’s so easy to get lost in the idea of you, letting his imagination run wild as he rutted against the sheets, biting clothing between his teeth, wishing it was something supple and soft.

It helped.

God, it helped.

Months pass, he’s content with exchange. It’s a welcome reprieve between missions and the like. He imagines you weaving his clothing into your nest, and that pleases him. It’s fun to speculate.

Part of him wishes he could reach out, maybe meet you in person, but between his chaotic schedule and his deadly line of work, it’s hardly ideal.

This would have to do. And it did.

Until it didn’t.

Heading into the local post office, he has a package meant for you tucked under his arm. Gifts from his last rut. Something to make your toes curl. Express shipped.

He has your heat cycle memorized, and knows gonna need it soon. Of course he wanted to send it sooner, but he had only just arrived on base here, and he hadn’t had the time before they departed.

He’s waiting for his turn in line when he smells it. That delightfully sweet scent, familiar in all the wrong (right) ways.

At first he thinks it may be coming off his clothing; but it’s too strong, too fresh. He follows it to… The drop off counter.

He knows it’s you before he has to ask. He’s moving before he gives it a second thought.

“Let me save you in the postage.” He states wryly, placing a hand over the box.