Chapter Text
"Ranma?" Akane called, poking her head into Ranma and Genma's room. Genma was out right now.
Ranma glanced up from his position on the floor, eyes wide.
She paused, inhaling slowly. Omega? "Did you have someone in here?"
Ranma opened his mouth to reply, but Akane noticed his flushed cheeks, slumped posture - oh, damn.
"You're an omega," She stated dumbly. "In heat."
A rush of desperation showed on Ranma's face. "Y-you can't tell anyone, please, it'll ruin me-"
She looked around the room. It looked like normal - he hadn't nested, hadn't built himself somewhere safe.
"Ranma, slow down... I won't tell." Akane slowly sat down, leaving some space between her and the anxious boy. "Can you explain this? I thought you were a beta."
Ranma sniffled, scrubbing at his eyes. His breathing was fast. "Pops didn't want an omega... We just... He had me hide it... I-I'm on suppressants, I don't know why this happened..."
"Can I see the bottle?"
He hesitantly handed her the bottle of pills, hidden in a drawer. She turned it over in her hands and sighed.
"Ranma, these are for young children. The dose is way too low for you."
His state seemed to worsen. "I ran out of my ones from China... Pops said he'd get me more..."
Akane set the bottle down. "It's too late now. You'll have to get through this one, and then we'll find some that actually work."
He shuddered. "People are gonna find out..."
"I won't tell anyone. Kasumi, maybe, if that's okay with you. She's good at taking care of people."
Ranma whined.
"When was the last time you were in heat?" Akane asked.
"Um... When I was fourteen, maybe..."
Two years. No wonder he had no idea what to do.
She took a moment to slow down and looked at Ranma. He was staring at his hands, flushed and hot. Avoiding eye contact - he was embarrassed.
"Ranma... It's not weak to be in heat. You were born as an omega, it's not something you can control."
He glanced at her, his eyes wet. She offered a slight smile - she was being nicer than usual with him, but he was in no state to take anything but kindness.
"I'll help you through this. It'll be fine." Akane assured him. "Do you know how to nest?"
Ranma shook his head slightly, eyes down. "I tried, when I was younger... Pops wouldn't let me learn..."
"Okay... We can work it out. Don't stress, okay?"
Ranma was hesitant to accept help. Seems like last time this had happened, Genma had locked him away until it had passed. While it would've protected him from other people, it had left him scared of his heats.
Akane took him up to her room - she didn't want him anywhere near Genma right now - and sat him on her bed. She set up a futon on the floor, piling it up with all the soft blankets and pillows she could find. Different scents weren't ideal, but it was better than nothing.
Eventually, she decided she was happy with it. Akane turned back to Ranma, who had pressed into the wall in an attempt to cool down.
"Ranma. Does this look okay?"
He sleepily blinked over at the makeshift nest. Something flickered in his expression, and he nodded, sliding off her bed and down to the nest with her help. He cuddled down into the pillows.
"It's nice..."
Akane felt a rush of pride at that. It was rare for omegas to let anyone help them nest, so she was glad Ranma accepted hers.
"Good. You can stay in here until your heat is over."
"Are you gonna stay...?" He mumbled.
She paused. "Well... If you're uncomfortable with me staying, I can sleep in Nabiki's or Kasumi's room. It doesn't bother me. I won't be that affected by your pheromones, though. Doctor Tofu is trialling a drug that lowers alphas sensitivity to omega pheromones, so I can smell that you're in heat, but it's not affecting me at all."
He hummed, watching her with half-lidded eyes. His panic and humiliation from earlier had shifted to preheat sleepiness.
"You can stay..."
She smiled slightly.
Akane didn't want to go too far from Ranma's side, in case he needed anything. He was fast asleep, though, so she went to the kitchen to talk to Kasumi. Ranma hadn't exactly given verbal permission to tell her, but Kasumi was trustworthy and Akane didn't know enough to get Ranma through on her own.
"Kasumi?"
Kasumi smiled gently, putting down her cooking. "Good afternoon, Akane."
"Yeah... Um, so... How exactly would you get an omega through their first heat in two years when they don't know anything about it themselves?"
Kasumi raised her eyebrows. "That's an interesting hypothetical."
Akane didn't comment. Kasumi knew, she was smart when it came to things like this.
"Well... The priority is that the omega feels safe and comfortable. Nesting, people they trust around, things like that. Also, they need to stay fed and hydrated. Heats are rough, they need all the energy they can get. It's not uncommon for omegas to wind up passing out from dehydration. It's easy to forget to eat or drink in that state."
"Okay... Thank you, Kasumi."
Kasumi smiled. "Do you two need me to pick anything up?"
"...Suppressants that will actually work. And whatever you think would help."
She nodded. "Of course."
Akane took water and some porridge back to her room. Ranma hadn't moved. She knelt by him and gently touched his shoulder.
"Ranma...?"
He grumbled, slowly peeking at her.
"I brought food and water. Can you try to eat some?"
He eyed the porridge and slowly sat up. "You didn't make it, did you...?"
Akane sighed. "No, Kasumi made it."
"'Kay..." He ate a few spoonfuls, hands unsteady. "Akane...?"
"Mm?"
"Uh... Thanks..."
"Oh. Sure." She sat back against her bed, watching him eat.
He managed to finish the bowl, and the glass of water after some prompting. She set them on her desk and sat on the bed as Ranma laid back down. His scent was soft, still in preheat. This wasn't nearly as bad as it was going to get.
Ranma squirmed slightly, uncomfortable. Akane noticed immediately.
"Are you okay?"
His face was even pinker than before. "Um... Slick, I think..."
"Ah... Do you want a bath?"
His eyes caught on her, like he was confused she hadn't made more of a deal out of it, hadn't made fun of him. She kept her expression neutral, but inside she was fuming.
"Okay..." Ranma said quietly.
Akane helped him to the bathroom. He was weak and shaky, clinging to Akane, his head finding her shoulder to rest on. She couldn't leave him in the bath like this. What if he passed out, or collapsed? She sighed.
"You're much too weak right now. Can I help you?"
He shrugged, too tired to argue. She gently undressed him, ignoring his wriggling, and helped him into the warm bath.
He let out a sound, close to a purr, as he relaxed into the water. Akane sat by the tub, keeping an eye on him.
"Better?"
"Mhm..."
She basically had to lift him out of the bath. Unfortunately, neither of them had realised in time that a hot bath during heat would be a bad idea. He was limp, almost feverish as she hooked her arms under his and hoisted him out.
Ranma sunk to the floor immediately, and she wrapped him in a towel.
"Dammit..." She quickly dried him off. "Ranma, can you hear me?"
He hummed softly, leaning against her to stay upright. She pressed a hand to his forehead.
"Dammit. Ranma, stay awake for a bit, okay?" She dressed him in soft pajamas to spare his dignity, and called out to Kasumi.
Gods, the look in his eyes. Betrayed, like she'd outed him to the world. She held him close, waiting for Kasumi to come and help.
"I'm sorry. I know you don't want anyone seeing you like this, but you're burning up. Kasumi would never do anything to hurt you, okay?"
Ranma pressed into her, like he could hide. Akane rocked him gently.
Kasumi stepped in quietly. "Is everything alright...?"
Ranma whined softly, hating that someone was in his space, seeing him like this. Akane held him as he squirmed.
"He had a bath, and now he's way too hot..."
Kasumi hummed, concerned, and gently touched Ranma's forehead. She didn't mind when he jerked away from her hand.
"It's not so uncommon. He'll be okay, you just need to cool him down a bit. Not too fast, though. I'll get some cool water and cloths, and you take him back to your room, alright?"
Akane nodded. Kasumi left again, leaving Akane with a miserable and feverish Ranma in her arms.
She was strong, but she didn't want to risk dropping him. After a moment, she got some cold water from the tap and splashed it on him.
Ranma grumbled and wiped his face, his now-red hair damp and falling over his eyes. "What was that for..."
She scooped him up, earning a startled squeak. He kicked, not liking being off the ground, and she held him tight. She was easily stronger than Ranma's girl from, especially in the state he was in.
"Stay still. I won't drop you."
"You don't have to manhandle me...!" He cried, trying to stop his wriggling.
Akane sighed and loosened her grip, holding him carefully. Ranma managed to relax a bit, pressing into her.
"Give me some warning next time..." He mumbled.
Akane nodded.
She placed him carefully back down in the nest, where he quickly retreated under the blankets, even as hot as he was. Akane took the bowl of cool water and cloths Kasumi had left and wet one, wringing one out and placing it on Ranma's forehead. He let her, closing his eyes.
"Akane..."
"Yes?"
"I don't want Pops coming in here..."
"He won't. No one will come in here. Just me, and maybe Kasumi."
He made a face, and Akane shook her head.
"Kasumi knows more than me, she'll take good care of you as well. She already knows and she won't tell anybody."
He pouted but didn't argue. "Promise..."
"...I promise. I'll make her promise too, okay?"
He hummed. Slowly, he reached out of his nest for Akane. She took his hand, and he relaxed.
Akane had left him to hopefully sleep off the fever. Kasumi was up with him, in case he needed anything, while Akane and Nabiki washed and dried the dishes.
Genma came home, and Akane stayed calm. She couldn't throw a fit and out Ranma. Who knows what fun Nabiki would have with the fact? Ranma's various suitors and/or rivals knowing would put him in danger.
Genma stopped, though, sniffing. He eyed Akane for a second - Ranma's scent must be on her, dammit. Nabiki was a beta, she wouldn't know.
Genma's expression shifted. Akane saw disgust, not at her, but at Ranma - for a biological issue he had no control over? And Genma had been the one to mess up his suppressants in the first place. Akane bit her tongue. Ranma was more important right now. She could fight his dad later.
Genma had other plans, however. Akane heard Kasumi try to stop him, and she dropped the half-dry plate in her hands and bolted for her room.
Genma had Ranma's collar in his fist, and was scolding him for not taking the suppressants, for showing his weakness, shaming him for it. Ranma's eyes were glassy - he was at his most vulnerable right now. Stress during heat wasn't good for omegas.
Kasumi wasn't a fighter. She tried to push Genma off him, but he didn't budge. He'd never hit Kasumi, but she was much too delicate to make any different.
Akane, however, wasn't holding back for anything. She swung her fist and landed a decent hit on Genma's shiny head.
"Get out of here. Now." Akane said, and both Genma and Kasumi looked shocked at how assertive she was.
Genma almost argued back, but Kasumi was pushing him out the door. Akane let her anger sizzle for a moment, before her attention was pulled back to Ranma.
He was trembling, his blue eyes teary but refusing to cry, terrified.
Akane slowly sat by him, watching his reactions carefully. He was breathing hard, hands catching on his blankets, gripping them tight.
"Ranma...?"
His blue eyes snagged on her. A soft, sad noise escaped his lips, but he shook his head.
"No..." His breath caught in his throat. "No... I can't..."
Akane reached for him, to comfort, but he jerked away, eyes wide.
"Stop...!"
Akane moved back. "I wasn't going to hurt you, Ranma..."
He shook his head quickly, pressing his palms to his eyes. "You have to go..."
"It's okay to cry..."
"Please," His voice broke. "Akane..."
Akane bit her lip, then nodded.
"Alright. Call out if you need me, okay?"
She left him.
It felt like Ranma was falling apart.
Logically, she knew it was just his heat, a normal occurrence for omegas. But he was pulling away. He barely accepted food, he didn't want touch, he didn't want anyone in the room with him. She knew he was suffering in there. Ranma had been so receptive before - he'd let Akane help with barely a complaint. Of course, Genma had to go and mess it up.
She sighed softly as she heated up some rice for him. She knocked and poked her head in.
"Ranma, I brought food."
Ranma, still in girl form, groaned from inside his nest. Akane sat down beside it.
"Can you eat a little bit, please? I'll leave as soon as you're done."
Slowly, he peeked out. He looked miserable. Dark eyes, pale skin, a thin sheen of sweat over him. She forced a neutral expression.
"Have you been drinking water...? It'll make you feel better..."
He sniffled as he slowly sat up. "I tried..."
"That's good." He hadn't reacted badly to her yet. She offered the small cup of rice and chopsticks.
He slowly took it, his hands trembling. He ate a few bites.
"I'm sorry I kicked you out..." He mumbled.
"It's alright. I'm not mad. Whatever makes you comfortable, okay?"
"Okay..." He set the bowl down. He wasn't eating much. Between heat and anxiety, he had no appetite.
Akane smiled anyway. "If there's anything you feel like you could eat, let me know."
She stood up to leave, but felt a slim hand on her wrist and stopped. She turned to see Ranma had reached for her, eyes down and blushing.
"Please... Don't go..."
"Are you sure...?"
He looked up at her desperately.
"Please... I'm sorry..."
"You don't have to apologise, Ranma." She crouched down by him, letting him hesitantly crawl into her lap.
He was light like this, delicate in her arms. He pressed right against her chest, warm and soft, and she buried her face in his red hair. His scent had strengthened, sweet and unsure. She held him close, trying to soothe his frightened energy.
She held him for a while, letting her scent wrap him up safely, until she didn't know where hers ended and his began. He nosed into her neck, seeking out her scent, and she hummed.
"You're so cute like this..."
He glanced up at her, testing her expression, and she smiled.
"It's okay. Your pheromones still aren't doing a thing to me. You're perfectly safe."
He was awfully cuddly. Akane had to admit, it was adorable. Once he realised Akane wasn't going to shame him for it, he'd stuck to her like Velcro.
She let him bury himself in her scent, pressed against her comfortably. After some time, he sleepily dragged some of the bedding from his nest up to Akane's bed, and managed to pull himself up onto it. He reached for Akane, silently asking to cuddle.
He was using her bed for his nest - meaning her scent was more comforting than his own - and he was trying to get her to lay with him in his nest. She didn't make a big deal of it, laying down next to him and staying still as he curled up small against her chest.
It felt special. For a moment, she had to remind herself that this was Ranma - Ranma, who denied ever liking her, had chosen her to protect him.
She traced the back of his neck, feeling him shudder contently. If those pills from Doctor Tofu weren't so good, she would've been tempted to mark him. He was so cute like this...
She shook her head. No. That wouldn't be okay - they were both sixteen, and them being set up to marry was a decision their parents made, not them. Ranma absolutely had the right to decide who he'd mate with, on his own terms. Right now, her job was to protect and comfort him.
"Ranma...?" She said softly.
Ranma hummed, barely awake. Akane stroked his hair.
"I'll stay with you as long as you need. If you can, sleep through the worst of it. Kasumi is gonna get you some stuff to help you through."
Ranma nodded.