[ holy shit. that's definitely shiro, and that's definitely shiro in the grip of-- rut? except it doesn't smell like a rut, it smells cloying and sweet and enticing in the opposite direction.

it smells like a heat. it really smells like a heat, like an omega heat, and it jerks him forward like someone had just yanked him on a leash, involuntarily taking a step forward into the doorway. he can feel his heart-rate immediately double, eyes going wide and dragging in a deep, dizzying breath. shiro smells stressed and anxious and amazing, and lance just wants to get closer and bury his face against his skin.

he shakes his head sharply to dispel it. he's not an alpha to go into a lust-drunk stupor at the first scent of an omega, and shiro isn't an omega. this isn't right. he swallows hard. ]

You don't smell fine. You-- is this why you sent Keith off on that mission?

[ and then immediately he's annoyed at Not Being Included, imagining that everybody else had been told, had been treated like pack, while shiro kept lance on the outside for some reason. shiro should have stayed in his own quarters, or picked out some kind of familiar, calming setting, and he should have someone with him to bring him water and food and-- and anything else he needed, he didn't have to run off and hide like this.

beta instincts. he wants to help, he wants to provide support. an alpha would want to possess and defend, an omega would want to submit and be taken care of. betas didn't bite or grab according to instinct, they attended.

if another compatible alpha walked in right now and the omega (shiro, but shiro's not an omega, what the hell) accepted them, a beta like lance would willingly service them both. normally the thought bothered him, but right now he can't believe shiro would just slink away from all of them and endanger himself by trying to ride out his cycle alone. ]

Jesus, Shiro, you can't just lock yourself up for this! You'll get heat sickness!