I glance toward one of the cabinets, the one that holds something I never dared to touch before. It always seemed cringe to me that they even kept it here. A tightly compressed set of pillows, cords, blankets, and sashes meant for creating… a nest.
I kneel by the cabinet, open it, and stare at the vacuum-sealed bundle for a moment. To reduce its volume, the manufacturer packed everything down in thick plastic.
I pull it out, grab a knife from the kitchen, and cut the foil open.
With a sharp crack, the plastic splits, releasing the pillows, which almost leap out of the vacuum pack.
Eliano lifts his eyes from the laptop and watches me.
I ignore his gaze, feeling kind of embarrassed. I carry the pillows, blankets, and sashes to the bed and stand there for a moment, just staring at them, not sure what to do.
What am I even trying to achieve? What the hell is happening to me?
I pick up one of the pillows. It has soft pastel colors that shift slightly, like a rainbow, mostly muted blues, purples, and pinks. The sashes and cords are navy blue, the blankets are light pink.
I start slowly arranging the pillows in a circle along the edges of the bed, then thread the sashes between them. As I work, I notice small fabric loops sewn into the pillows, probably meant to make things easier, little tabs you can thread the cords through to hold the nest together.
I have almost never seen such additions on omegas’ pillows. Many omegas are purists who believe omegas have a natural talent for weaving materials together even without helpers, and many of them really can create complex, solid nests. I remembermy dad’s nests. Even with nothing but simple pillows and blankets, he could weave something sturdy and secure.
But I am only a beta, so maybe I need a few helpers.
I thread the long cord through the loops first, then start weaving the sash between the gaps, over, under, wrapping it around, then going back over again, switching as I go.
I realize that the work gives me a strange kind of calm pleasure. Minutes pass without me noticing as I keep reinforcing and fixing the nest with an odd sense of fascination. You hear so much about how nesting has a soothing effect on omegas, and maybe there really is something to it, because the sadness that stuck with me after my conversation with Eliano slowly fades and settles as I work.
After a good hour, the nest is finished. It is spacious, clearly made for two people. From time to time I glance at Eliano and catch him watching me with a very specific expression.
I am sure he will not comment on it, though.
That is common knowledge throughout ABO society. Alphas are not allowed to make remarks on nests unless they are in a close, loving relationship with their partner. Anything else is considered rude or intrusive. Between partners, deep trust and intimacy are required for such a conversation to happen naturally.
What is funny is that betas have absolutely no right to speak at all. While an alpha’s remark is seen as crude or insensitive, a beta’s comment is considered completely outrageous, a violation of taboo that no one tolerates. Even within families, between people who love each other, it is unacceptable.
I remember that even Senu, who nested very carefully and made small, uneven nests that I think he was embarrassed by, would not allow me to comment in any way. Once I dared to say something about the sizes of pillows he used, something positive but curious, and he snapped at me and stormed out of the room.He was upset for days after that, and I understood then that this was an area of his intimacy I should never step into, not as a brother and especially not as a beta.
Now, though, I am the one nesting. And it is actually kind of fun.
When I am done, I stand there staring at it with satisfaction. I feel Eliano’s eyes on me and I can practically sense how badly he wants to say something, so I take pity on him and give him the green light.
"I can see you’re choking on words. Say whatever’s on your mind."
He exhales.
"Well. I just wanted to say that the hour I spent watching you gave me more joy than all the orgasms we had this morning. Maybe except for the one that merged us."
I roll my eyes slightly.
"Don’t joke. It can’t bethatsatisfying."
Eliano gets up in a sudden motion and closes the distance between us in two steps.
"Salt, you have no idea how important it is for an alpha to see his omega nest."
"I am not an omega," I protest, puffing my lips in defiance.
Eliano smirks.
"Fine. For his beta with omega characteristics to nest, is that better?" he mutters, a mischievous look on his face.
