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Julian's hand found mine, his warm fingers wrapping around mine with gentle pressure. "We'll pick up the prescription right away. The sooner you begin, the smoother the transition should be."

"I'll go," Christopher volunteered immediately. "I need to get a few ingredients for dinner anyway." He paused, his gray eyes finding mine. "Is there anything else you need while I'm out? Comfort food, tea, anything that might help you feel better tonight?"

I considered his offer, touched by his thoughtfulness. "Maybe some of that chamomile tea? And..." I hesitated, feeling foolish for the request.

"And?" Christopher prompted gently, his expression encouraging.

"Ice cream?" I admitted with a small, embarrassed smile. "I know it's childish, but I've been craving it lately, and if I'm going to have mood swings..."

Christopher's face lit up with delight. "Not childish at all. What flavor?"

"Vanilla," I said quickly, then paused. "Actually, whatever flavor you think is best. I trust your judgment."

The simple statement seemed to affect him deeply, his gray eyes softening with emotion. "I'll find something perfect. Maybe a few different options so you can try.”

After Christopher left to pick up the prescription and ice cream, the house settled into a quieter energy.

Nicolaus excused himself to research transitional medications and their effects, while Miles returned to his gardening magazine, though I noticed his attention kept drifting to me with concerned glances.

Julian remained beside me on the couch, his presence steady and reassuring. "Would you like to start setting up your nesting materials now?" he asked softly. "It might be good to have your space properly arranged before you start the new medication tonight."

I nodded, feeling a flutter of excitement despite my anxiety about the medical transition. "I'd like that. I want to create something that feels... mine."

I glanced over to Miles, biting my lip, “Would you like to join us Miles?”

Miles looked up from his magazine, his green eyes brightening with genuine surprise and pleasure. "I'd love to," he said, setting the publication aside with immediate decisiveness. "I've been curious about what you selected."

We gathered the bags from the entryway, Julian and Miles each taking several while I carried the smaller packages containing the scarf and some of the decorative items. As we climbed the stairs to my room, I felt a strange mixture of nervousness and anticipation.

Inviting them into my most private space to help arrange it felt intimate in a way I hadn't fully considered when making the offer.

My room was neat but showed signs of my earlier attempts at nesting—blankets arranged in a rough circle on the bed, pillows positioned with careful precision, and small items I'd collected placed strategically around the space.

It wasn't much compared to what we were about to create, but it represented my first fumbling attempts at claiming space for myself.

"You've already started," Miles observed with approval, noting the careful arrangement of what I'd had to work with. "This shows good instincts."

Julian set his bags down near the window, his gaze taking in the room with what seemed like professional assessment. "The positioning is excellent—you've created a sense of enclosure while maintaining clear sightlines to the door and windows. Very practical."

I felt heat rise in my cheeks at their praise. "I just arranged things the way that felt... safe."

"Safety is the foundation of any good nest," Miles said, beginning to unpack the weighted blanket. "Everything else builds from that basic need."

As we began removing items from their packaging, I marveled again at the quality of what Julian had helped me select.

The merino wool blanket was even softer than I remembered, and the scent-retaining pillowcases felt luxurious against my fingertips.

Julian carefully removed the protective wrapping from the salt lamp, placing it on my bedside table where it cast a warm, rosy glow across the room.

"Where would you like to begin?" Julian asked, standing back to give me space to direct the process.

I hesitated, suddenly overwhelmed by the options before me. "I'm not sure. I've never had this many choices before."

Miles smiled encouragingly. "There's no wrong way to do this. Some omegas prefer to start with the base layer and build up, while others arrange the outer boundaries first."

"Base layer," I decided after a moment's thought. "I want to get the foundation right."

Julian nodded approvingly. "Good instinct. The temperature-regulating sheets would make an excellent starting point."

We worked together to strip the bed and replace the standard sheets with the sage green set I'd selected.

The fabric felt impossibly smooth against my skin as we tucked the corners and adjusted the fit.

Julian showed me how to create hospital corners that would keep the sheets secure even during restless nights, his movements precise and efficient.

"These are beautiful," Miles commented, running his hand appreciatively over the material.

Next came the weighted blanket, which Julian helped me position just so—centered on the bed with enough overhang to create a sense of security without restricting movement. The weight settled over me as I tested it, immediately bringing a sense of calm that made my shoulders relax.

"How does that feel?" Julian asked, watching my reaction closely.

"Wonderful," I admitted, reluctant to move from beneath its comforting pressure. "Like being hugged by the blanket itself."

Miles smiled, already unwrapping the scent-retaining pillows. "That's exactly how it should feel. The pressure activates your parasympathetic nervous system—it's why many omegas find weighted items so calming."

I reluctantly emerged from beneath the blanket to help arrange the pillows.

The scent-retaining fabric felt different from ordinary pillowcases—slightly denser but still incredibly soft.

As I positioned them against the headboard, I found myself wondering how they might feel infused with the scents of the men helping me build this nest.

"These go around the perimeter," Julian explained, helping me arrange the soft throws in a semicircle that created a subtle boundary. "They define the space without closing it off completely."

Miles added the decorative pillows, his eye for arrangement evident in how he balanced colors and textures. "What do you think of this?" he asked.

I stepped back to survey what we'd created, my breath catching slightly at the transformation.

The bed had become something entirely different—a cocoon of comfort that seemed to beckon me forward.

The sage green sheets provided a calming foundation, while the weighted blanket created an inviting centerpiece.

The scent-retaining pillows were arranged in a way that would allow me to surround myself with comfort, and the soft throws created boundaries that felt protective rather than confining.

"It's perfect," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion I hadn't expected. "It actually looks like... like it belongs to me."

Julian's expression softened by my words. "It does belong to you. Every choice, every arrangement—this is yours, Lilianna."

Miles moved to adjust one of the throws slightly, his green eyes warm with satisfaction. "And it's not finished. Nests are living spaces—they evolve over time on how you are feeling.”

I ran my fingers along the edge of the weighted blanket, marveling at how right it all felt. "I never thought I could have something like this," I admitted softly. "My mother always said elaborate bedding was frivolous and encouraged inappropriate behavior."

Julian's jaw tightened at the mention of my mother, but his voice remained gentle. "Your mother was wrong about many things. Creating a space that brings you comfort isn't frivolous—it's essential for your wellbeing."

Miles picked up the bamboo-silk scarf, the deep green fabric catching the warm light from the salt lamp. "This is beautiful," he said, holding it up admiringly. "The color suits you perfectly."

"Julian chose it," I said, glancing at him with gratitude. "He said it would suit me."

"I was right," Julian replied, his hazel eyes warm. "Would you like us to scent anything for you?” My heart fluttered at his words, heat going to my cheeks as I felt the blush come full force.

The direct offer made my stomach flutter with nervous anticipation. Dr. Chen had explained that scent comfort was natural and healthy, but the reality of asking for something so intimate still felt overwhelming.

"I... yes," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "If you wouldn't mind."

Miles smiled gently, understanding my embarrassment. "Of course we wouldn't mind. Which items would bring you the most comfort?"

I looked at the beautifully arranged nest, my fingers twisting together as I considered. "Maybe the scarf? And one of the scent-retaining pillows?"

Julian nodded, reaching for the bamboo-silk scarf. "Would you like us to scent them individually, or together?"

The question caught me off guard. "Together?"

"Some omegas find blended scents more comforting than individual ones," Miles explained, his tone soft as he explained it to me.

The concept of blended scents felt somehow even more intimate, a mingling of their identities specifically for my comfort. "I think... maybe separately for now?" I said hesitantly. "So I can learn each of your scents individually."

"That makes perfect sense," Julian said with an approving nod. "Learning to distinguish individual scents is important."

Miles held out his hand for the scarf. "May I?

" he asked Julian, who passed it to him with a nod.

I watched, fascinated, as Miles brought the fabric to his neck, gently rubbing it against his scent glands in a deliberate motion.

The casualness with which he scented the material for me made my breath catch—this intimate act performed without hesitation or embarrassment.

When he finished, he carefully folded the scarf and placed it on the edge of the nest. "There," he said softly. "That should hold my scent for quite a while."

I reached out tentatively, my fingers brushing against the fabric.

The scent that rose from it was distinctly Miles—something earthy and green, like fresh soil and growing things, with an underlying warmth that reminded me of sunshine on leaves.

It was immediately comforting, wrapping around me like a gentle embrace.

"It smells like your garden," I murmured, surprised by how right it felt to have his scent so close.

Miles's expression brightened with pleasure. "I spend enough time there that it's probably part of me now."

Julian picked up one of the scent-retaining pillowcases, his movements careful and deliberate. "Would you like me to scent this one?"

I nodded, watching as he brought the fabric to his throat.

His scent was different from Miles's—something crisp and clean with undertones of cedar and cloves.

It was the scent of safety and protection, of someone who could be trusted to keep his word.

When he handed me the pillowcase, I pressed it to my face without thinking, breathing in the comforting fragrance.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice muffled by the fabric. "Both of you. This means more than I can say."

Julian's hand briefly touched my shoulder, a gentle squeeze of acknowledgment. "We're honored that you find comfort in our scents, Lilianna. It's not a burden—it's a privilege."

Miles nodded in agreement, his green eyes warm with affection. "And if you need fresh scenting during your transition, just ask. We want you to feel secure…I am sure the other two will be happy to scent something for you as well."

I gave him a smile, my cheeks still warm from the blushing. It felt so nice to be treated like this with no expectations. I was definitely becoming more comfortable with these men and could see myself having a future with them…even with the small amount of time I have been here.

I couldn’t wait to see what was to come.