Oh, god, you think as the odor hits your nose. I smell awful. It seems to be the strongest scent in the whole world though that's probably because it's on your arm.
It's not a big deal considering that Norman has a candle collection that has slowly been taking over the house. Was it smart to let him buy candles after his history with arson? Your friends insisted it wasn't but he came up with his best work while staring into a flame. It eased his mind for whatever reason.
Lately Norman's been lighting up the mango beach candle he got in town last month every morning while he gets ready for work. At first you mocked the idea because why would you combine fruit with a summer destination? But it grew on you instantly. It mixed with the scent of coffee in a pleasant way. You told him this a few days later and now it's the only one he lights. You could ask him though you're not supposed to leave a candle burning overnight. What if you caused the house to burn down? What if-
"[y/n]?"
You jump at the voice behind the bathroom door, interrupting your thoughts. There's a noise accompanied by the voice, the doorknob not turning. On the other side, Otto frowns at the lock.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?"
You couldn't tell him. It's only the first night and you want to be on T, you really do. Not that you need to prove your transness to Otto or Norman. They were the first people you ever came out to and at times they seemed to understand more than anyone else.
"Yeah, I'm okay," you say and shrink down when your pitch rises.
Nervousness is often accompanied by your dysphoria for this reason.
Outside the door Norman and Otto share a look of concern.
"Are you sure?" Norman calls.
Shit, you think. Now both your boyfriends are involved. It was hard enough lying to one. But Otto and Norman? There was no way you could do that successfully.
"Uhh, yeah. Just go to sleep without me."
"Are you mad at us?" Otto asks from the other side of the door.
He's not very loud and now concern is replaced by sadness.
"No, no, no. Of course not!" you quickly say, dismissing the idea with guilt.
You didn't mean to make them feel bad.
Despite you shutting down the notion, Norman starts racking his brain.
"Is it because I came home late from work? I know I promised but I really tried to-"
"No, Norman, you're not the issue. I'm the problem."
You hear shuffling and then a tap against the door. Norman got off the bed to lean against the door with Otto.
"I..."
"You what?" Otto asks patiently, concerned all over again.
"Smell bad. I smell very bad. There, I said it."
The two men turn to each other, confused.
"Honey," Norman tries. "You took a bath with me. You're clean. There's no way you smell."
It was true, you did. Norman got home late from work so he missed dinner. He offered to take a bubble bath with you, leaning against your back as he told you about the events of the day.
Otto thought back to the scribbled handwriting on the kitchen calendar that he couldn't read and your nervousness this morning.
"Sweetheart," Otto tries again, voice understanding and low. "Did you get approved? That's amazing! I'm so proud of you!"
"Approved? For what?" Norman mouths.
Otto shakes his head. This man was always one step behind when it came to context clues. Then again, you usually were in the same boat as him. How did I end up with such dense boyfriends? Otto often ponders.
"T," Otto whispers back.
"Oh. OH."
Otto almost bursts out laughing at Norman's expression but clamps a hand over his mouth so you don't think he's laughing at you.
"Honey, I'm sure you smell very manly," Norman says and Otto's clutching his sides.
This corny motherfucker, he thinks.
"If it's annoying I'll just sleep on the couch."
That shuts Otto up fast.
"Oh like hell you will! You could spend a week in a dumpster and I'd still sleep next to you. Get your ass out here."
"Yeah, I second that," Norman agrees.
Now he's struggling to keep serious. Norman can never, under any circumstance, take Otto seriously. Something about Otto scowling always sets Norman off howling. Otto notices Norman's lips twitching.
"Osborn." he warns.
"Yes, Octavius?"
These dorks, you think, opening the door. They immediately rush to hug you.
I see why he's self conscious, Otto thinks. But the scent will go down as it dries. And honestly? He thought it was kind of hot.
"What are you blushing about?" you ask as he pulls back.
"Uhhh, nothing."
Now it's you and Norman suppressing laughs his way. Despite pretending to be pissed, Otto is relieved. He climbs into bed with Norman, you in the middle. As Otto's arms wrap around you and you burry your head into Norman's bare shoulder, you drift off into sleep.