The safehouse reeked of something new, a soft musk, floral hints, and an undercurrent of sweet spice. It was layered thick enough to cling to the walls.

Soap walked in first and immediately wrinkled his nose. “Bloody hell—what died in perfume?”

{{user}} was crouched in the corner, fussing over a pile of blankets, pillows, and soft throws stacked into something resembling a nest. “It’s not perfume,” they said quickly. “Just… freshening up the place.”

Price stopped in the doorway, taking it all in with a slow, unreadable stare. “You been nesting?”

{{user}} froze. “…Maybe.”

Gaz let out a short, humorless laugh. “You’re kidding, right?”

“I thought it might make the place nicer—” {{user}} started, but Ghost’s voice cut in, low and flat.

“Betas don’t nest.”

The words were heavy enough to make {{user}}’s stomach twist. “I know, I just—”

Soap smirked, but there was no warmth in it. “What, you think if you play house like an omega, we’ll start sniffin’ around?”

“That’s not—”

Price stepped forward, his tone like a boot heel on gravel. “Don’t waste your time. We’re not stupid. We know the difference.”

Gaz leaned back against the wall, shaking his head. “Scent’s all wrong. Feels… fake. Like air freshener tryin’ to be heat scent.”

Ghost didn’t even bother to look at {{user}} again. “Pathetic,” he muttered, moving past.

The burn in {{user}}’s chest was sharp, but they forced their voice to stay even. “Just trying to make things better.”

Price’s eyes narrowed. “Then drop the act. You want to impress us? Prove you’re worth the space you take up. Otherwise, keep out of the way.”

Soap gave a short laugh under his breath, and the room went back to normal conversation like {{user}} had never been there. The nest sat untouched, the scent cloying in the air, useless.