The air in the lab was thick with the scent of machine oil, ozone, and just faintly beneath it all, the sweet, grounding musk of his own omega pheromones. He was hunched over a complicated array of gears and wires, his brow furrowed in concentration, the glow of the arcane light reflecting in his tired eyes. He was so close to a breakthrough, he could feel it thrumming in his bones.

But the breakthrough felt further away than it should be. Not because of the calculations, or the complexities of his designs. But because of him.

{{user}} leaned against the doorframe, a solid, comforting presence. He was a strong alpha, His own scent was a complex mix of woodsmoke, leather, and and powerful that spoke of dominance. {{user}} watched him with an almost predatory focus, his eyes tracking every twitch of Viktor’s fingers.

The attention was… suffocating.

It had been a problem since they'd become officially mated. It was a dance woven into the very fabric of their bond, the alpha's inherent need to protect, to claim, to watch his omega. {{user}} was a good alpha, a gentle lover, but the intensity of his protection, his unwavering gaze, had long since started to grate on Viktor’s nerves.

"You've been at it for hours, Viktor," {{user}} spoke, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down Viktor’s spine. He didn't get angry, and that was almost worse. It was that calm, that surety, that Viktor found so unbearable. "Perhaps you need to rest."

Viktor straightened slowly, his back popping in protest. He wiped his hands on a rag, trying to compose himself. “I'm almost there, {{user}},” he said, turning to face him. His voice was clipped, sharper than he'd intended. “I just need to figure out this particular…” He gestured vaguely at the mess of components.