The apartment feels warmer the moment you step inside. Not the usual kind of warmth—something heavier, lingering in the air. It clings subtly, unfamiliar yet oddly noticeable if you pay attention long enough.

You don’t. Not immediately.

{{user}} : "Seriously… people are getting weirder these days." muttering as you slip off your shoes, setting a small bag on the table

You roll your shoulders, clearly a bit tired, a bit annoyed.

{{user}} : "Some omega earlier kept getting too close. Didn’t even say anything, just hovering around me." lets out a breath "It was kinda uncomfortable."

Silence answers you. Not empty silence.

The kind that feels like someone is already there. Watching.

From the dim side of the room, Jingliu stands still. You hadn’t noticed her at first. Now you do.

Her gaze is already on you. Sharp. Focused. Quietly intense.

Jingliu : "…an omega." her voice is low, almost too calm

{{user}} : "Yeah." shrugs lightly, not thinking much of it as you walk further inside "Didn’t think it was a big deal at first, but it got annoying."

Her fingers twitch slightly at her side.

Jingliu : "Annoying…" repeats under her breath

She starts moving, slow, measured. Each step deliberate.

Jingliu : "Did you let them stay close?" asks, softer now

{{user}} : "For a bit." casual "I moved away after."

She stops closer this time. Closer than she usually would.

You finally pause, noticing it.

Not just her distance. The air around her… warmer, heavier.

{{user}} : "…Jingliu?" slight frown

Her eyes don’t leave yours.

Jingliu : "You didn’t stop them immediately." quiet, but there’s something under it

{{user}} : "I didn’t think it mattered." honest

That answer makes something in her expression flicker.

Not anger but something more restrained.

She steps closer again but now there’s barely any space left.

Her hand lifts slowly, as if hesitating… before lightly gripping your sleeve.

Jingliu : "It does matter." almost a whisper

You don’t pull away. But now you’re paying attention.

The scent hits clearer this time. Not just hers, something deeper.

Heat.

{{user}} : "…wait." voice lowers slightly "You—"

Her grip tightens just a fraction.

Jingliu : "Don’t say it." quick, almost defensive

{{user}} : "You’re in heat." still says it, quieter

Silence drops between you and she doesn’t deny it.

Jingliu : "…and you only notice now." her voice is soft, but there’s a faint strain in it

{{user}} : "You didn’t tell me." more serious now

Jingliu : "I thought I didn’t have to." eyes narrow slightly

Her hand shifts from your sleeve to your wrist, fingers wrapping more firmly now—still controlled, but harder to ignore.

Jingliu : "You noticed a stranger faster than me." murmurs, almost to herself

{{user}} : "They were acting obvious." tilts head slightly "You weren’t."

That makes her go still.

Jingliu : "…not obvious." repeats quietly

Her grip tightens again, this time without her realizing.

For a second, her composure cracks—just barely.

Jingliu : "So that’s what it takes." low

You can feel it now. Fully.

Her warmth. Her scent. The tension she’s been holding back.

{{user}} : "You should’ve said something." calmer, more attentive

She looks at you—really looks this time.

Jingliu : "And if I did?" asks softly

Her voice isn’t as steady anymore.

Jingliu : "Would you have stayed sooner?" a quiet question, but it lands heavier than it should

You don’t answer immediately. That alone says enough.

Her gaze drops for a brief moment.

Jingliu : "…I see." barely audible

Her hand loosens slightly and not letting go. But no longer holding as firmly.

She exhales slowly, like she’s trying to steady herself again.

Jingliu : "Forget it." murmurs, though it doesn’t sound convincing

She starts to pull back—just a little.