Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I don’t think anyone has ever made Lung that flustered before. I guess you really can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

Jeff stared blankly at North, eyes drifting to the hand gripping his shoulder. He prayed the man would let go and leave him alone. Based on the impression he should’ve left during his interview, he never imagined any of his coworkers would want to talk to him.

Yet here he was.

With a coworker far too close for comfort. 

The omega had been finalizing the tune up on Dean’s car, just having stepped out of it and about to continue working with his computer on the car roof, when North had snuck up behind him. The moment a hand had grabbed for his attention a shock had slithered down his spine, causing him to freeze. His throat had clogged up as North began to talk to him. The other man was blissfully ignorant to the discomfort he caused Jeff, yammering about something Jeff couldn’t focus on in his panic. It was a terrible affair that the young omega was quite used to.

He was only able to breathe again when he remembered he wasn’t the one who initiated the contact. The chances of a vision were slim. Still, he clutched the company computer like a lifeline, trying to appear less tense. He slowly began typing in an attempt to collect himself, but his attention was elsewhere. 

“The way you went under his arm to dodge him was fucking hilarious. He wasn’t expecting it at all. I wish I had been recording just so I could’ve captured the look on his face. It would’ve been perfect blackmail.” North laughed, squeezing Jeff’s shoulder. The mechanic frowned at this but North continued, “You got guts, nong. I knew hiring you was going to be a great idea.”

Jeff nodded without processing the praise, praying the brief acknowledgement would satisfy his coworker’s desire for conversation. He thought he had made it clear that he didn’t like or want to be touched, yet it seemed certain members of X-Hunter were keen on pushing past this boundary. 

His nose twitched as North’s scent wafted through the air. The aroma ironically resembled fresh rubber tires, so it almost blended completely into the background. An otherwise potent scent was reduced to nothing due to adaptation. However, he was able to detect it because of the emotional undertones of an alpha. This differentiated the odor from what would’ve otherwise been the stagnancy of the garage. Along with the short distance between them, it was harder to ignore than it had been before. 

There was a territorial edge to it that contrasted the carefulness of North’s touch and the chipperness in his voice. It made Jeff uneasy for more than just the unwanted proximity. He didn’t believe North was threatening him, but his scent was saying otherwise. The smell was far too sharp and uncontrolled for how calm the man was, but Jeff knew how dangerous a seemingly collected alpha was. Maybe North hadn’t found the way the new intern treated his pack alpha to be as funny as he claimed. 

“Don’t mind Lung’s awkwardness. He has no idea how to interact with omegas. His last partner was a beta and he basically only has alpha employees.”

Noticing Sonic out of the corner of his eye, Jeff observed how the other alpha watched them. Sonic was leaning against a car as he pretended to be on his phone, waiting for North to finish talking with him. The rubbery scent sharpened with this poorly hidden focus, surrounding Jeff.

“Between you and me, I have sent complaints to him about his hiring. Some of his employees are real assholes and he just can’t see it.”

Jeff had just entered the X-Hunter garage for the first time when he noticed the identical scents coming from who he could only now assume were two members of PR. It was hard not to when the one with spiky hair and a sleeveless cardigan started pushing their boss to hire him because he offered to work for free. This weird act of kindness wasn’t the only thing that had confused Jeff. He had never heard of people sharing scents outside of relatives. There was always some sort of variation between similar scents, but theirs was indistinguishable. 

“We need to stop hiring alphas… and random people Lung took off the street because he wanted to adopt them into the pack. That’s how we got Dean. He’s usually a good kid, but sometimes I think he forgets he isn’t the baby of the pack anymore.”

While they had been present when he had applied for the position, the alphas and their shared scent had not been at the front of his mind during the hiring process. There had been some residual curiosity as he saw them laughing out of his periphery while he tuned up a car under Lung’s scrutiny, but that was the extent of it. However, it became very hard to ignore the loud alphas who wore bright and fashionable clothing instead of coveralls while documenting the inner workings of the garage for their YouTube channel. They helped out the mechanic uncles when asked but tended to do their own thing out of the way of others. He noticed they preferred to be around their pack members: Babe, Way, Dean, and Lung. 

This meant that Jeff had never interacted with them one on one and he had planned on keeping it that way. With his powers and past, it was best to maintain a distance between himself and his coworkers. He was only there to make sure Tony didn’t use someone like he had tried to with him and that required observation, not interaction. Charlie was the one who was interacting with the pack and Jeff was there to support Charlie. He didn’t need to make connections; he chided himself. 

“I have to get back to work,” Jeff interrupted the alpha’s rant he had been ignoring, shrugging off the hand on his shoulder. The alpha seemed nice enough, if not loud, and was clearly trying to be friendly to the newcomer. It wasn’t North’s fault for this reaction, yet the last thing he needed was more of his peers being unexpectedly touchy. There were only so many times he could zone out before it became obvious he wasn’t only aloof. 

His fingers remained tense on the keyboard as he hoped he hadn’t made North upset. With the arms he had seen on the alpha, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to be overpowered. The aroma was still circling him like a predator and it showed no sign of dimming. However, the alpha didn’t seem bothered. He instead smirked at Jeff, “If you ever have a problem with anyone here, come talk to me. I’ll straighten whoever it is out, even if it’s Lung. Especially if it’s Lung actually.”

“Thanks,” Jeff murmured in confusion. He almost dismissed it as a joke before realizing North was being completely serious. Based on what he knew up to that point, North wasn’t the type of person to fake sincerity.

“It’s no problem,” North waved him off, “Us omegas gotta stick together.”

A second passed where Jeff remained oblivious to what he had heard, not processing it until North was about to walk away. His brows furrowed as he thought over how none of North’s emotions had affected the rubbery scent but Sonic’s had. 

This was what happened when he made assumptions. He was just so used to knowing intimate facts about people that they had never divulged to him. Even worse, he was accustomed to constantly being told how an omega was supposed to act.

And North wasn’t like how Father had trained him to be.

No time would ever be enough to rid himself of the scars the Foundation had left.

The apathy he had fortified began to ebb away ever so slightly. It was replaced by a want, no, a need to clarify if what he had heard was correct. As he spoke up to grab North’s attention, there was an uncertainty in his tone. 

“You’re an omega, phi?” Jeff asked. 

“Yeah?” North said it like it was obvious, like there was no way anyone could see him as anything but an omega, and that perhaps Jeff was an idiot with a terrible sense of smell. He stared at Jeff like no one had ever tried to make him earn his dynamic. North looked at him as if there was nothing to prove.

Jeff wondered what that felt like. 

After the momentary confusion, a thoughtful expression crossed over North’s face. He lifted up the collar of his jacket to sniff it. There was the problem: a certain alpha’s scent was permanently stained into the fabric. Jeff found himself watching as the other omega hummed contentedly, soaking in the aroma. He wasn’t convinced that North was aware of how visibly relaxed he was becoming. 

“That’s probably Sonic you’re smelling on me. He’s super clingy,” North chuckled with a smile. He was as fond of the scent as he was of the alpha behind it. “But I promise I smell better than him usually. In fact, I know two harsh critics who think I smell better than anyone. You can scent me if you want.”

Jeff was taken aback by North’s offer. The younger omega didn’t know what an appropriate response would be. Scenting was for a person’s pack. It was intimate and personal. It wasn’t for random employees someone barely knew, yet North waited for his response.

When the silence lasted for too long, North shrugged, “It’s fine if you don’t want to.”

“No, I-” 

This wasn’t necessary for his job or even for finding out who was working for the Foundation, and there was a good chance he would end up using his powers on an unsuspecting North. It wasn’t a good idea, yet Jeff felt hesitant about rejecting it. There was an ache longing for what had been offered. 

He avoided eye contact with North, straining to have a shred of composure. Glancing at Sonic from across the room, he realized the alpha had given up on pretending to not be paying attention. They locked eyes and Sonic nodded as if to give Jeff permission. Tension began to leave his body. A calm settled in and Jeff felt a resolve pushing him forward. 

“I would like to scent you.”

North grinned before tilting his head to expose his neck, allowing Jeff free range to the most intimate scent gland. Immense trust defined the gesture. If Jeff wanted to, he could rip out North’s throat or even claim him against his will. This wasn’t a trust he had earned, but North was blindly giving it to him. 

There hadn’t been many omegas around him growing up. It became apparent early on that if it weren’t for the strength of his abilities he would’ve been sold immediately. He was only kept around for a very specific purpose that made his skin crawl. Being isolated for a good portion of his life, and only interacting with alphas when not, had left his omega feeling neglected. Instinct was now clawing at the back of his mind in a way he hadn’t experienced in a long time. It refused to be brushed aside. 

He had never even properly scented anyone before. Blurry memories of pressing his face against the necks of his parents were his only guideline. Charlie had tried to breach the topic but Jeff didn’t want to entertain the possibility of a vision or passing off his curse to his brother. There was already too much his brother had been through for him. However, he now had a chance to bond with another omega and he didn’t know why he wasn’t ignoring it like he had with everyone else. 

Timidly he approached North, awkward as he tried to avoid skin contact. He was close enough to feel the heat of North’s skin tickling against his nose. The scent of rubber tires was still there, stubbornly clinging as all scent marking did, but it disappeared when he inhaled. A soft sweet perfume broke through that felt ripe against his tongue. It left a chill in the back of his throat that was oddly satisfying and left him wanting more. North smelled like mangos under the protective layer of his alpha, yet there was more to it than that. There was a smooth and milky quality that made it seem more like mango ice cream than just the fruit.  

He had to hold himself back from chomping into North with how good he smelled. A purr escaped from his mouth and it would’ve shocked him if he was able to comprehend it. The scent comforted the younger omega, fogging up his brain. The bliss was intoxicating and numbing. Instinct urged him closer to the unreachable comfort. His hands hovered over the other omega’s sides, wanting to ground himself in touch but being unable to.

As lost in scenting as he was, it was easy to notice the sudden turn in smell. The rubber tire scent was flaring in warning. It soured the mango and bit at his nose. He didn’t want to pull away, but he knew he had to. 

There was the desire to submit to North and allow the other omega to scent him, but he didn’t want to invade more than he already had.

Drowsiness hit full force when he finally separated from North. He was lightheaded and his vision blurred in such a familiar way but he was in control. There was no future to read, only a static taking over his brain. He felt relaxed and safe. Any turmoil that had been left in his mind was long gone. No one had ever explained to him why people scented each other. If this was why, he would’ve started doing it way sooner. 

Even North had a dazed expression on his face with half-lidded eyes and a soft smile. He looked giddy, nearly vibrating out of his skin, yet Jeff was still more out of it.

“When was the last time you properly scented someone? You look totally blitzed out. Do you not have a pack, nong?” North teased, meaning well but hitting a nerve.

Jeff stumbled into his words, “It’s just me and my brother.” His tongue felt loose in his mouth. It took energy to speak, yet he couldn’t stop it once he started. “It’s not a problem though,” he said, assuring himself more than he was assuring North. He would be fine with never having the emptiness filled again. He would be fine…

“We’re just so busy because of our schedules. Between classes and work, I don’t really have time. Plus he does freelance as a video editor and that is about as stable as it sounds, so I’m okay with him taking all the jobs he needs. It just leaves very little room to see him.”

The older omega was amused by how wide-eyed and frazzled Jeff seemed to be, clearly coming down from the scenting. North grinned, “We might have to hire him for our channel then.”

“I don’t want you to hire my brother just because of me.” It was embarrassing how the words left his control as soon as he thought them.

“Well, it wouldn’t be just for you,” North said before mumbling under his breath, “It’ll make it easier when Lung finally gets his shit together and asks you to be in the pack.”

Jeff was going to ignore that last part and how light it made him feel. He was already good at ignoring how casually Lung would throw his arm around him, sometimes briefly touching his wrist against the omega’s neck. It was intimate and a sign that either the alpha was trying to court him or was so used to his alpha pack members he forgot the sensitivity of omega scent glands. 

There might have been a bit of hope that it was the former. Based on what North believed, Lung at least wanted him in the pack. He blushed slightly upon remembering a vision. Watching himself be fucked up against a bathroom wall, legs lazily hooked around Alan’s waist as he was knotted raw, had helped him realize he didn’t mind the alpha’s accidental advances. 

“I appreciate it, but I don’t think my brother would accept,” Jeff steered back his focus. Charlie would most likely be confused by the job offer and the X-Hunter team would be confused by Charlie being his brother.

“His loss. While the paternity leave is shit, the working hours are pretty flexible and the pay is good,” North let out a chuckle, looking over his shoulder at the alpha who he knew was eavesdropping. “Tell him how great it would be, Sonic.”

The alpha straightened up a bit from where he was leaning against the car, lowering his phone as he looked up at his friend. Sonic was only now realizing that North had been aware of him watching them. After collecting himself, he mulled over the order the omega had given to him. “Fifteen days really isn’t enough time,” Sonic agreed. 

“That isn’t what I asked you to do,” North whined. He leaned in, murmuring to Jeff, “I don’t want to keep video editing, so I would appreciate you running the job offer by your brother. Ignore everything said about paternity leave.”

Jeff pulled away from North. He wasn’t completely comfortable with the omega just yet. He whispered back, “I don’t think he has to worry about that.”  While Charlie wanted kids, that did not mean it was biologically possible for him to knock his partner up or legal for him to adopt.

“Does he have no game?” North asked and Jeff balked at the bluntness.

“He-,” Jeff’s eyes wandered to the garage door leading outside where he knew Babe and his brother were currently making out, “-has a boyfriend.”

“Is he more of a maternity-leave type? We are given twelve weeks if that would change his mind.”

“Which is unfair,” Sonic interrupted, giving up on pretending he wasn’t listening.

“It’s more unfair to the person who has to take care of the pups by himself,” North shot back, causing Sonic to pout and grumble under his breath. He huffed as he crossed his arms and leaned back against the car. Like a retreating puppy, he wilted at North’s words. 

Jeff looked between the omega and alpha, confused by the tension and the path the conversation had gone down. It felt like intruding when he finally answered North’s question, “No, he and his partner are both male alphas.”

“I wonder if P’Babe knows him then,” North mused, “He has fucked about every alpha willing in Bangkok... well, every alpha has fucked him would be the right way to put it.”

Consideration was faked as Jeff said, “Maybe.” 

He was back to short answers once again, uncomfortable and wanting to leave the conversation, yet it was different now. North noticed how he shied away.

“I’ll stop bothering you for now. Lung will be on my ass if I keep distracting you. He’s glaring at me right now,” North pointedly stared back at someone far behind the younger and Jeff had to stop himself from turning to look. North shouted across the garage, “If you have something to say, come over here! Stop being a coward! Jeff may be weird and quiet, but he isn’t scary!”

Before Jeff could take all that in, North was waving goodbye and scurrying off to rejoin Sonic. The older omega was met with an apologetic look that soon dimmed to enamored as North began to talk animatedly. Sonic leaned in to smell the collar of North’s jacket, snickering at how North complained about him ruining his clothing.

Jeff knew he should get back to work, but he couldn’t help but watch North out of the corner of his eye. He was still in shock from their interaction. He couldn’t help but observe, especially when the odor of rubber tires guarding him faded away as soon as North had reached Sonic. Jeff wasn’t even sure Sonic was aware of how pervasive his scent was.

Play-fighting was the best word to use when describing what Sonic and North were doing. They pushed up against each other as they bickered, roughhousing without a care for others watching. The goal was to win and neither was going to let in. It wasn’t until North cornered Sonic up against a car that the alpha submitted, legs between legs and chest against chest. Sonic laughed while North furiously scent marked him. 

Sonic didn’t seem to be the clingy one.

As North smushed their cheeks together, Sonic continued to laugh as he jokingly tried to shove the omega away. North refused to relent as his hands grabbed at Sonic’s waist to somehow bring him ever closer. Jeff knew the alpha was enjoying this because of how pure joy danced through the air in a dense cloud.  

It was an intimate moment, yet Jeff couldn’t look away. They looked so comfortable with each other and clearly they had to be. Sonic scent marked North and his clothes so much that the omega’s own scent was no longer detectable unless one was right next to him. This showed a level of affection and trust that most friends didn’t have.

Suddenly, everything began to click together. The protectiveness, the scent, the bickering, and the overwhelming displays of affection were beginning to make sense. While relatives shared scents, couples carried them. The domestic and sweet scene in front of him could have no other explanation. 

They were mated. 

Chapter Text

Jeff looked up from his computer after hearing the resounding smack of someone hitting the floor. His attention was seized by the echoing thud of a body against hardwood and the subsequent gasps from onlookers breaking through the window next to his seat. It wasn’t rare for people to fall in the rink next to the cafe, but it wasn’t every day that someone ate the floor loud enough for everyone in the vicinity to hear. 

Besides, it wasn’t like the report due in two days was holding his focus anymore. Words had begun to blur together in a mass of black and white on his computer screen as he scrolled through the paper listlessly. He had long since finished the strawberry milkshake he had ordered, so he could no longer reward himself for menial tasks. The omega had always been drawn to sweet things, contrasting the sour and bitter notes of his lemon scent. 

The last hour had been filled with him wasting time on his phone, twirling a straw around a depressingly empty glass, and checking if he had actually finished all of his other assignments. There was nothing left to do on the report except for a few final touches, so it wouldn’t hurt to see what was happening outside the cafe for just a second. It would certainly be more interesting.

He regretted his decision as soon as he recognized the two figures helping each other up. Sonic and North were far too easy to recognize. Even if their clothing was more muted than usual, the energy of their presence was enough to identify them. In the back of his mind, he was already imagining how either North or Sonic had tripped the other only to be surprised when they were grabbed onto and tumbled down with their partner. They looked slightly scuffed but were otherwise fine, laughing and pushing each other around like nothing had happened.

There was no reason to continue staring.

It was obviously a date with the soft touches exchanged, North whispering into Sonic’s ear as the alpha laughed. As North pulled away, Sonic grabbed his hand with a grin and they began to go around the rink. Without interference from the other, they were actually picking up speed with every lap. It would be an understatement to say they were going faster than most of the people around them. No one would believe they were the ones that had fallen with how in sync they were. 

Like most racers, they were bound to be adrenaline junkies which explained the move they pulled out of nowhere from Jeff’s perspective. As they had finished turning around the bend, North launched Sonic with a single whip of his hand. The momentum sent Sonic flying forwards and North backwards. This was evidently the goal as the alpha began whooping in excitement, easily controlling the newfound speed he would’ve never been able to build up by himself. A huge grin spread across North’s face, punching the air with joy as he realized the maneuver worked. 

As Sonic made a lap, he caught North by surprise as he grabbed his shoulders from behind to slow himself down. They nearly stumbled once again but were able to remain upright in spite of their heavy breathing and manic-filled eyes. North turned to face Sonic, holding his arms to steady him and making sure he was okay. For a second, they stood there in each other’s embrace as they collected themselves. 

Jeff hadn’t gone roller skating since he had first found his study spot. He felt no motivation to pick it up again, but there was something about the excitement coming from the couple that made him itch for the rink. More importantly, it made him wish he had someone to skate with. He had never thought of skating as an activity that could be intimate. For a second, he pondered how popular skating was in the 2000s and if P’Alan was able to do it.

A pang in his chest interrupted his thoughts, diverting attention from Sonic and North to the longing he had ignored. It was hard to forget how he had cried alone in his car after keeping his wall up around his coworkers, after being told that it was his fault for making himself untrustworthy and unlikable. How ironic that when he got what he wanted he couldn’t help but feel abandoned. Not only had he succeeded in keeping people away, he succeeded in proving himself right. He was a hindrance that was best left being ignored until people needed someone to blame. Even if he didn’t sabotage the car, he was the reason P’Babe had gotten hurt. 

Because calamity followed him like a shadow. While he never set things into motion, he ensured they would happen. 

If only he hadn’t used his powers.

If only he had kept to himself and not wanted to get closer.

If only he had tried harder.

It stung to have his hopes dashed when it was revealed to him that he wasn’t trusted. He was finally opening up to the people around him and it turned out to be for nothing. Alan’s lame and stupid and sweet apology had helped him feel good enough to return to his internship, but it didn’t erase the complete dejection he had felt when being accused. It didn’t erase the hurt. 

What a fool he had been to hope Alan would believe his word over a packmate’s, to hope that he mattered to the alpha more than anything.

Maybe he only enjoyed watching Sonic and North because it allowed him to experience what he lacked. They were two people who completely trusted the other and would stand by the other even if no one else would. He had never seen their futures, so all they were was the present to him: a couple intertwined and not focusing on lasting but existing in the moment. They didn’t need to worry about the future when they believed it was inevitable for them to always be at the other’s side.

Deep down he felt that by just watching their date he was intruding. Without their knowledge, he was invading their privacy and it toed the line of being akin to his powers. This was what made him finally look away. He couldn’t start stealing people’s presents along with their futures. It would be selfish of him, so, with one final glance at what he would never deserve, he turned back to his computer.

Numb would be the best way to describe how he approached the report with mechanical being a close second. His mind faded easily into uncomfortable static and there were minutes where he stared at the screen with not a single thought entering his head. He considered leaving with how distracted he was. However, that was an excuse hiding the real reason. 

He shouldn’t feel pressured into leaving because of coworkers who didn’t even know he was there. The coffee shop comforted him with its nice staff, wonderful sweets, quiet atmosphere, and passable coffee that could be choked down when needed. It was a better place to do work than his on-campus apartment or faculty building. It was his safe haven and it shouldn’t matter if he had to share it for a little while longer.

Sonic and North would eventually finish skating, so he would be able to focus again very soon. People could only skate for so long and last he saw they were prone to doing things that would tire them out easily. He could wait them out. He would finish his report and then leave on his own terms.

With his resolve found, he slipped back into working and paid no mind to when the door chimed open. His ears picked up the sound of two men whispering to each other, but it faded into the background until the scent of rubber tires brushed against his nose and the taste of mango sticky rice against his tongue. 

“I’ll have a medium iced Americano.”

Jeff forced himself not to look up but he could still see two faint figures out of his periphery. 

North glanced over Sonic’s shoulder, skimming over the menu before butting in, “Oh! You should also get a slice of coffee cake.”

“...and a slice of coffee cake.”

Jeff ignored the short conversation between the barista and Sonic as the alpha paid for his order. Instead, he tried to scan for a quick exit, but he realized too late that he wouldn’t be able to leave without them noticing. He mentally slammed his head against the table for not rushing back to his apartment as soon as he knew they were in proximity. There was still a chance for him to slip out as they stood waiting for their order, yet he did not take it. He was frozen, indecisive, and he could do nothing but chide himself when the order was finally handed over to Sonic. 

“This is such a cute spot,” Sonic mused as he took in the interior of the coffee shop, scanning for an open seat. Of course, Jeff did overhear them ordering for-here instead of to-go. “We should've come here to do assignments instead of pushing them off until the last second.”

North prodded Sonic in the side with his elbow, “Still graduated, didn’t we?”

“Just barely,” Sonic chuckled, readjusting the plate of cake and glass of coffee in his hands after being poked.

For a brief moment, Jeff glanced up as he was unable to satiate his nosiness and accidentally made eye contact with Sonic. He immediately looked back down in vain, covering his face with a hand and hunkering down closer to his computer. Hopefully, they would ignore him by going to another table and then leaving promptly. Anything would have sufficed over Sonic walking over one harrowing step after the other with North following along like a lost pup.

Nothing could be done as they got close enough for Sonic to ask, “Can we sit here, nong?”

Jeff had no choice but to weakly nod as North pulled up a chair next to him and Sonic sat across from him, setting down the dessert and coffee. The lull that followed was expected. It completely contrasted how the couple had entered the cafe and was only broken by North drumming his fingers against the table. Sonic offered him a smile, yet it waned as the quiet refused to go away. Jeff felt bad for ignoring them, but he had nothing to say to them after everything that had happened. They were all staring at each other, awkwardly waiting for someone to speak.

“We heard that Lung apologized,” North broke the silence first, “How was it? Was it cheesy or sweet? Both?” He wiggled his eyebrows as he grinned, leaning in towards Jeff and nearly knocking over the milkshake glass. The mood brightened slightly once he started talking.

Even with North in his personal space, thinking about how P’Alan had apologized made him feel more relaxed. It had been really cheesy now that North mentioned it. The entire apology idea had been stolen from a romantic comedy that came out the year Jeff was born, but it was touching to know P’Alan had gone through the effort. He was sincere and a bit flirty, so Jeff was inclined to forgive him. 

However, North soon drew back after Sonic smacked him upside the head. Jeff flinched at the sound of North being hit, looking away as he expected Sonic to fully reprimand his mate. They may be in public, but it was an alpha’s place to make their omega submit. Jeff stared out the window, hands clenched on his thighs as tried to remember how nice of a couple the two mates in front of him had seemed.

He squeezed his eyes shut upon hearing the thud of a punch hitting cloth, but then reopened them upon hearing Sonic groan in pain. His head swiveled to see North scowling at Sonic as the alpha hunched over, holding his stomach. Jeff could feel the gaze of everyone in the cafe on them, but the couple didn’t seem to care.

“Was that for this morning?” Sonic murmured, wincing as he sat back up. His posture suffered.

“Yeah, you know my nerves are absolutely fried there, but at least you didn’t mean to then.” The omega rubbed the spot at the back of his head where he had just been hit, hissing in discomfort, “What was this for?”

Jeff stared at them in shock. He could never understand these two. They were unlike anything he had been taught to adhere to when in the Foundation. He never would have been allowed to hit Charlie or any other alpha he ended up with.

“You got ahead of yourself. We haven't even apologized to Jeff yet,” Sonic chastised before addressing said confused omega, “All we had was a video of you doing your job. We should’ve gathered more information before we started accusing people. I’m sorry we didn’t believe you, nong.”

The words hit like a raindrop in a stagnant pond. He wasn’t going to start crying, but his eyes began to sting. It was gratifying to have Sonic acknowledge they had done something wrong and that it wasn’t inherently Jeff’s fault he got caught in the crossfire. There was the spark of acceptance that he had yearned for, but it was immediately ruined.

“We did stand up for him before that, but it was Dean who showed the video. How were we supposed to believe Jeff over pack? We barely even know him,” North said indignantly. 

Jeff’s hope plummeted along with expression on his face. The smell of rubber tires sharpened as Sonic brought up his hand, threatening to smack North again. This time, however, Jeff knew that the gesture was akin to two pups play-fighting.

North put his hands up in defense, “What? It’s true. You know I tried to reach out, but he was so distant. The only person he ever really talked to was Charlie and they turned out to be siblings.” He grumbled under his breath, crossing his arms with a huff, “Doesn’t know P'Babe, my fucking ass.”

There was something about being rejected by one of the only omegas in his life that dug deep. Scenting North had meant a lot to him. It was a sign of trust and a comfort he hadn’t been afforded in years, but it seemed to have been inconsequential to North. His inner omega whimpered, cowering behind the belief that he deserved to be isolated. The desolation was evident, yet underneath it all was fury. 

He had been tricked out of his shell and shunned back into it. The filter he had when P’Alan first confronted him after he left was thrown out. Back then he knew that if he started talking, he would break into tears. He was pissed off now and had a piece to say.

“I was an intern,” he started and it was the most the mates had ever heard him speak uninterrupted. “What were you expecting from me? I wasn’t going to waste my time trying to connect in a garage with blatant favoritism towards the boss’ pack. With pack members, there was no reason to even try. The non-pack mechanics were nice enough, but I could tell they didn’t respect me and it wasn’t because of my age.” There were too many workers in their early twenties for that to be the cause. 

Some of what was said was more observation than the actual truth. It wasn’t like he could say out loud his actual reason for being so guarded, but he could bring attention to the faults of the garage. Maybe then they could understand why people had no loyalty to the company and were so willing to leave when offered a better salary. He was expecting an angry rebuttal or for them to defend themselves once again, but he was met with something unexpected. 

“What North meant to say,” Sonic glared at his partner, “Was that we want to get to know you more.”

“And I meant to say that it was better for me to be closed off.”

Sonic nodded, sympathy shining in his eyes, “I’m sorry we put you in that situation.”

The alpha then nudged North softly, aiming at the ribs and making sure to avoid the abdomen. North pointedly looked and Sonic pouted as a result. He began to push the glass of iced Americano closer to the omega, trying to entice him to look his way. North side-eyed the glass before picking it up to take a sip.

“I’m sorry too,” North gave in, tension melting off, “I get it. It’s hard being in this field as an omega and we made it harder.”

It wasn’t as full of an apology as he wanted, but it was close enough. Jeff acknowledged their joint attempt with a, “Thank you for the apology.” There was no obligation for Jeff to forgive them and they weren’t going to fight it. Sonic smiled softly at him in understanding after taking a bite of coffee cake. Jeff realized neither of them had ordered for themselves. 

North shook his head, “You’re right to be mad at us. I remember how I was a couple of months ago when one of our mechanics claimed I was a flaunting bitch that had whored my way through the company. Sonic had to be held back, but I would’ve killed him if I could’ve at the time.”

Jeff was taken aback by the comparison North had used and kind of concerned for the older omega. He didn't need to be familiar with North in order to relate to him. What had just been said did not make him feel confident about continuing to work for X-Hunter if it would be another iteration of his childhood.

“He was fired,” Sonic interjected when he saw Jeff’s eyes widen, not wanting him to get the wrong idea.

Jeff felt a relief wash over him. He wouldn’t have to reconsider P’Alan’s offer, yet North shot over a confused look to his partner that was immediately reciprocated. 

“He was fired,” the alpha’s brows furrowed as he witnessed the dusty cogs begin to turn behind North’s eyes. The aroma in the air began to turn and Jeff shuddered.

“If that’s true, then why have I been sending anonymous complaints to Lung?”

“Wait,” Sonic covered his mouth in disbelief, “You’re the one clogging up his inbox with emails about our lack of diversity?”

“No… I would never do that,” but the older omega avoided eye contact as he made this claim. The alpha smirked knowingly and in jest, but the scent seeping into the walls spoke of a deep anger.

Sonic lightly explained in a concern similar to Jeff's, “You were on leave. I told you when he was fired.”

“I think I would remember that,” North scoffed. 

“He hasn't been at the garage since you’ve been back. It’s been a few months now. Did you think you were still working with him?”

The silence was enough of an answer until it became too much of one.

“Oh, it slipped my mind,” North laughed uncomfortably, “I totally erased his name and face from my memory. I actually forgot about that whole incident until just now. How crazy is that?” 

“P’North-”

The older omega smiled at the younger like he was begging for the topic to be dropped. As the veneer began to falter, the other patrons of the shop began to glance at their table as the scent of tires started to burn. Acid and sulfur stained the cafe until North reached out to grab Sonic’s hand, squeezing it with his own. Once again, Jeff felt like he was intruding on what should’ve been a private moment between mates. He didn’t know how to help and he didn’t know if he had a right to.

Like North had said, they were basically strangers. 

Still, it left him uncomfortable not being able to help North in a meaningful way. Even if the apology had been lackluster, North was a generally good person and he didn't deserve to feel like this. It contradicted everything Jeff knew about North. He was pretty confident the man would brush off any physical pain with a laugh but when it was emotional...

Jeff stared back down at his computer that was still open and somehow on after being long forgotten. North followed his gaze, reading the contents over. He hesitantly reached for the device and looked to Jeff for permission. The younger allowed him to turn it so Sonic could see as well. 

“Is this for technical writing?” North murmured and quiet sounded unnatural on him.

Jeff nodded, still unsure of what to do but he would let North take the reigns.

“A vehicle repair and maintenance report? Gross,” Sonic attempted to lighten the mood, “It looks like you’re using information from the internship but aren’t you in your second year?”

“I’m covering another credit requirement. I will have to take engineering-specific technical writing later,” Jeff shrugged as he explained.

Sonic squinted at the omega, “You chose to do a technical writing course unrelated to your major?”

“It’s interesting.”

“No, it’s not,” Sonic scoffed at the lie. “You were nodding off right before we sat down.”

North read over the report while the two continued bickering over him, taking sips every once in a while from his drink. He highlighted minor grammar errors and made comments for possible improvements, humming as he went along. After he finished, he phased back into the conversation. His volume steadily increased as he spoke, regaining his confidence, “You forgot the acknowledgement. I had a professor who would get pissed if we didn’t include him even if you never talked with him and you also need to put in the company you are interning under. You would think writing wouldn't be as important as it is in engineering, but then you end up in public relations and a good portion of your job becomes writing. Technical writing is so boring, but it was better than fluid mechanics in my opinion.”

“I am excited for that course,” Jeff admitted, going full force into the topic change. “Math is more of where my strengths lie and I like how the majority of the equations are estimations that can’t be proven because of nonlinearity. There is a lot of uncertainty.” Surprises weren’t something he was used to and there was comfort in being able to choose when he was in the dark. 

It was then that a mischievous grin placed itself on Sonic’s face. He smirked at North as he wondered aloud, “Nong, have you ever had anyone in one of your classes who thought they solved one of those incomprehensible equations and really tried to stick it to the teacher? They were annoying, weren’t they?”

A certain alpha classmate and how loud he was came to mind as he nodded. Jeff noticed how North perked up at the question, pouting slightly. 

Sonic placed a hand to the side of his face, whispering loudly to Jeff, “That was North in Calculus I. It was how we met.”

Jeff could easily imagine North as a very exasperating classmate who was rude and sure of himself in all the wrong ways, but his focus wasn’t on that. It was on how Sonic tried his best to cheer North up. Even as he pretended to gossip to Jeff, his gaze never left North as if he was waiting for his reaction.

“And you were the person who decided to talk with me afterwards,” North snapped back, but there was a genuine smile he was failing to hide behind clear glass.

“Best decision I ever made.”

It was flirtatious, inviting, and Sonic clearly meant every word, so North was caught off guard. He was left flustered by his mate, telling the alpha to shut up as he hit him on the arm yet Jeff saw how soft the touch was. Regret for what he had said was never something that reached Sonic’s eyes. There was only adoration and the genuine quality of it forced North to look away. While Sonic couldn’t see North’s expression, Jeff could. He saw the smile that curved ever so slightly downwards and the shock.

Most importantly he saw sorrow and a reluctant acceptance he couldn’t comprehend.

Chapter Text

His return to X-Hunter had been more accepted than he had imagined it would be. It had gone about as expected for only two people. He knew P’Alan was going to be receptive. After all, the alpha had been the one who reached out and apologized before asking if he would be willing to come back. Charlie was obviously ecstatic to be working with him, but he was busy with training as a replacement driver so he wasn’t around Jeff as often as he had hoped.

It was everyone else that was a surprise. Babe was now supervising his internship when he wasn’t coaching Charlie and Jeff was endeared by how his brother’s new boyfriend was trying to gain his approval after being an asshole to him. Jeff realized it was a misunderstanding, but it was gratifying to be viewed as an important part of Charlie's life. Way and Dean had their own jobs separate from X-Hunter that they were more focused on than some random intern so they didn’t care about him returning. The other mechanics also weren’t bothering him as much. He actually felt like a part of the garage rather than an unwanted visitor. 

Having just a bit less to hide took a weight off of his shoulders and made him more comfortable around his coworkers. He was still reserved, but there was an understanding that it wasn’t a personal slight. Jeff was just mean to everyone and would open up in his own time.

This was probably why Sonic and North hadn’t given him more than brief acknowledgements since he came back. Well, brief by their definition. They were sizable one-sided conversations to Jeff, but they were somewhat appreciated. There was no pressure for him to talk, so he could remain in silence with them chattering in the background. It showed he was welcome and they were willing to back up what they had said to him at the coffee shop. The mated couple was annoying, but they were also genuine. 

He didn’t realize these interactions had built up their trust towards him until he was caught off guard in the middle of his lunch break by the result of it.

He had an hour for his break, so he would usually head to the lone stall across the street to get some pork skewers to add to whatever meal he had prepared. The auntie who owned the stall always gave him extra pork, happiness evident in her scent whenever she saw him. Her son had at first tried to stop her from sneaking in extra, but she smacked and cursed at him for allowing an expecting omega to go hungry. 

Jeff had been slightly embarrassed until the son had apologized and explained that his mother’s memory was failing her. When her health had first started declining, there had been a pregnant omega who visited their stall daily because of cravings and she most likely believed Jeff was them. She would probably feel better if they both went along with it, so Jeff had continued visiting every lunch break when he could. Even if the free pork was nice, he mainly kept going because of how overjoyed the auntie was when he visited. 

However, the delicious pork was not helping the taste of Charlie’s leftover fried rice that he was slowly shoving into his mouth. It was a mechanical process of grinding it between his teeth, trying to make sure it didn’t hit his tongue, and then begrudgingly swallowing it. He wasn’t going to trust his brother with food that wasn’t microwaveable ever again. If he wanted his rice to crunch and taste like nothing, he would’ve eaten the grains raw. The mistake of a rice dish reminded him of the market trip he had been pushing off and the empty fridge at his apartment. 

It was as he was sitting alone, vulnerable and unsuspecting in the break area, that North came up from behind him. Sometimes it felt like that was the only way the other omega approached him. While he never intended to sneak up towards Jeff, he always managed to do it.

“Nong, could you hold this for a second?” North asked, getting close enough to lightly toss something into Jeff’s lap. “Thank you. I will be back in a second!” The other omega exclaimed without looking back as he dashed away before Jeff could respond. 

He sat in silent shock as he watched North disappear as quickly as he had arrived. There was no explanation and barely a warning was given. Every random errand was apparently meant for the intern on break. North was lucky he was actually able to catch what had been given to him. It could’ve hit the table or fell onto the floor. Although it felt very squishy, it could’ve been damaged and then Jeff would’ve been blamed once again. 

Jeff looked down, wondering what could have possibly been entrusted to him, and a baby stared back. They were just as wide-eyed and confused as their new seat was, sticking their nose out as they tried to smell for the person who abandoned them to a stranger. Their lips began to tremble as the panic began to set in to Jeff’s scent.

He couldn’t touch the pup, but he couldn’t not touch the pup. 

He had already touched the pup.

The pup North had thrown at him. 

Time was not going to be on his side.

His hands hovered over them as he fretted over what to do, his thoughts fading out and his blood pressure rising. The last baby he had been allowed to see was at the foundation and that was years ago when the limits of his powers were being tested.

He ended up repositioning them in his lap so that their back was against his torso and both of his hands were holding them steady. The pup didn’t protest too much to the change, only wiggling at the beginning and fully relenting by the end. Jeff supposed he had some luck with how calm the baby was. There was no telling if he was going to have a vision or not, and he wasn’t about to let a second of unawareness cause the pup to fall backwards off his lap onto the floor.

It turned out to be the correct decision because as soon as the pup was settled he was sent into the recesses of his mind. Flashes of people’s faces and indistinguishable moments clipped together behind his eyes. He was able to make out Sonic, North, Charlie, Babe, P'Alan, and who appeared to be the new driver for Red Racing through all the fuzz, but other than that there wasn’t much to say at the beginning.

Pups weren’t as aware of their surroundings as kids or adults so this was reflected in visions caused by them... unless there was an association with pain. These were the fortunes Jeff could see the clearest because recognizing when they were in pain or when someone else was in pain was something pups had to be good at. It taught aversion to certain foods, objects, scents, or people. This instinct helped them remain safe and alive, but sometimes there wasn’t anything that could be done.

Sonic and North sat next to each other on a bed, the room blurring around the edges as the vision focused on them. There was a pup fussing and softly crying into Sonic’s chest as the alpha swayed from side to side.

“This fever is going to break me before it does,” Sonic yawned, laying his head on North’s shoulder as he closed his eyes for a second. 

“The doctor said it should be over soon and then we can pass the fuck out for a few hours,” the omega reassured his partner. “I’m sure P’Babe won’t mind babysitting them. It might be a good distraction for him.”

Sonic murmured, “You’re right. If only Lung didn’t need a hip replacement soon, we could’ve asked him.”

“And they said we were loud. I can’t believe they woke everyone up.”

A silence followed and North noticed how Sonic's hold was beginning to loosen from exhaustion, so he took the pup out of his partner's arms. Whimpering then turned into full-body sobs as the pup’s face scrunched up in a bright red, tears staining their cheeks and North’s shirt. The omega allowed Sonic to fall asleep against his shoulder while he continued to soothe the pup. 

Jeff came out of the vision with a snap, immediately glancing down to make sure the pup was still safe. They were gnawing ferociously on their hand now, but they were otherwise the same as before the vision. Sighing in relief, he began to think over the invasion of Sonic and North’s privacy that had occurred. 

The pup in his lap was somehow theirs.

It made some sense if he oversimplified it. They were a mated couple, had stable careers, and were at a good age to be starting a family if they wanted one which apparently they had. He was having a hard time wrapping his head around North and Sonic being parents the entire time he had known them. They weren’t exactly the pinnacle of responsibility or competency. 

Especially with how North had handed the baby off to him. 

Based on the vision, they were caring parents who were still learning but trying their best. It was anyone’s guess how good their best would be. Still, it made his heart melt seeing a family who loved each other. This sort of relationship was not a luxury he had been afforded since his parents died.

Without thinking, he leaned his head down to sniff the pup. Instinct entirely compelled him. Jeff picked up the signature baby scent of fresh warm bread and milk. Underneath the aroma, there were the remnants of scent marking from their parents and if he searched hard enough there were faint wisps from other pack members. This was a pup who was pampered and adored. He felt relieved that the baby was going to grow up surrounded by a caring pack.

The pup started shifting around in his lap and flailing their arms, not appreciating the intrusion into their space. Jeff recoiled as he got thumped on the nose. Even if it had stung a bit, he could understand. Sometimes he wanted to hit people too. 

Wearing a plain blue onesie, the pup was far less nonsensical with their clothing than their parents. It was honestly surprising that the two hadn’t dressed the pup up more, so Jeff was inclined to believe it was not them who bought this outfit. 

The pup had a full head of wispy black hair and brown doe-like eyes that kept peering at Jeff. With the chubby fist not in their mouth, they tried to reach back towards Jeff’s face. The omega didn’t know if it was an apology or if the baby was curious about who they had just whacked in the nose without remorse. Maybe they had already forgotten. Either way, Jeff was completely infatuated and would never let anything hurt the pup. He had come to terms with them being stuck together for the foreseeable future. 

Kids were much easier to deal with than adults. If they hurt or bothered him, it was usually out of innocence instead of malice. They did not know better and Jeff could not be mad at someone who was learning. He had always held a soft spot for the other children of the Foundation, even if he was only permitted to see them from a distance. So much had been ripped from him. 

Jeff held on a little tighter to the pup, squishing them against him, much to their annoyance. However, Jeff felt that the closer the pup was, the safer they were. They were harder to take away and he would rather have a vision again than lose another. 

His eyes stung as he imagined another time: a time that would never pass, a time he worked so hard to make sure would never come true, and yet he still mourned it. 

As these thoughts began to dissipate, his attention was grabbed by Sonic skidding around the corner into his line of sight. The alpha was frantically searching and sniffing the air for what Jeff could only assume was the pup. Jeff waved to grab the alpha’s attention before the smell of rotting rubber burned through the ozone, “P’North threw your pup at me!”

“He did what?” Sonic screeched, breaking into a sprint towards Jeff. 

With how fast the alpha was approaching, Jeff thought he was going to be barreled into and braced the pup for a potential impact. The pup didn’t seem to have the same worry, giggling at the frantic movement of their parent. Sonic luckily stopped right before colliding with Jeff, looking over the pup to see if they were harmed. 

He lifted each arm, each leg, checked every finger and toe, and even prodded his nose against the pup’s wrist gland to check for any sign of distress. When there appeared to be nothing wrong, the alpha collapsed in the chair next to Jeff in relief. 

Sonic slumped onto the table, pressing his head against the surface and mumbling into it, “Can you hold him for one more second? I need to catch my breath…” As he spoke, his words dissolved into a whisper. 

Both Jeff and pup watched what could only be described as a thirty second nap before Sonic jerked back up from the table. 

“Where am I?!?” 

Sonic scanned around the room yet it seemed that he was not processing anything. There was a tenseness to his body as toxic fumes began to waft off of him. 

The pup’s face began to twist at the smell, hiccuping out soft cries as they tried to shuffle out of Jeff’s lap. It was to no avail. Jeff’s arms were too strong of a barrier to break. Still, it was clear how much the pup wanted their parent, so Jeff would help as he could.

“You’re at the garage,” Jeff said softly. 

The alpha’s head snapped to look at Jeff, gaze falling to the pup in his lap. He blinked as if he just now realized that Jeff had been the one holding his child.

“Oh, hi, Jeff.” Sonic smiled, waving at him and giving a smaller wave to the pup.

Jeff gave a slight wave in return, “Hi… phi.” He took in the alpha in front of him. There were dark circles under his eyes to match the vacant gaze and there was a noticeable lack of shine to his lips. Grey sweatpants had been thrown on with a grey t-shirt covered in unknown stains and Jeff had never seen Sonic look less put together. 

“I’m sorry for that,” Sonic groaned into his hands. “I haven’t slept in forty-eight hours. They were just starting to sleep through the night and then it backtracked this week for some reason.”

He held out his arms to Jeff, silently asking for the pup. For a second, Jeff considered not returning the pup, but then he peered down at the pup chewing on their digits with light tear marks reddening their cheeks. It would be selfish to hold onto something that was not his and did not want to be his, so he handed the pup over. 

Sonic softly grabbed the pup from Jeff’s hands, placing them into his lap as he switched out the hand in his pup’s mouth for a pacifier. For a second, the pup looked like they were going to have a problem with the swap. Their little face turned serious as they thought over whether they preferred the pacifier or not, but they eventually deemed it suitable. 

Jeff pursed his lips slightly at the realization the pup was more upset by the pacifier changing than the other change. Still, Sonic and Jeff watched with rapt attention. Once they were comfortable, Sonic turned to him. 

“And sorry about North leaving you with Nik. You were the only person on break and we needed to find something really fast,” he explained.

“It’s fine, phi. Nik is very cute,” Jeff assured, testing out the pup’s name. 

He probably shouldn’t have said it was fine because of how his powers had gone off, but other than that he had no problem looking after the pup. If he was warned next time, he might even be able to avoid touching the baby entirely. It was a selfish and foolish thought. 

Sonic beamed at the compliment, “I know and thank you again for watching him.”

“It’s no problem," Jeff said, a question on the tip of his tongue. He didn't want to strike a chord. Sonic and North were open books, yet they never failed to surprise him.

Sonic beat him to the question.

"I bet you were shocked by this little guy existing.”

Jeff nodded.

“Me too,” the alpha admitted, looking down at the pup in adoration. “They were entirely unplanned. North likes to call it the one time he bottomed and-”

“I didn’t need to know that.”

“But now you do. I wouldn't trade them for anything. They're my family, even if we are unconventional,” Sonic kissed the top of his son’s head before asking Jeff in excitement, “Do you want to see my favorite photo of them?” 

Jeff didn’t have the heart to say no with the shining look in his eyes and the bright smile begging him. There was something intoxicating about how obviously Sonic cherished his family. He was like an uncle showing off the pictures they kept stocked in their wallet of their grandchildren to any passersby who would listen. With the affirmation, the alpha opened up his phone and turned it over so that Jeff could see his lockscreen. 

It was a photo of North in a hospital bed holding two pups in his arms. The wrinkly newborns were bundled up in blankets with little caps on, eyes closed and presumably sleeping after the ordeal of being born. North looked like he was barely awake and was planning on passing out the moment the camera was out of sight, but there was a genuine smile on his face aimed at the person taking the picture. The love brewing between the new parents was palpable. Jeff wished he would one day earn the right for someone to stare at him with nothing but admiration and devotion like North had to Sonic.

Then he realized they weren’t just trusted with one pup but two.

“Do twins run in the family?” Jeff wondered aloud, processing how much he didn’t know.

Sonic nodded, “North’s mom and uncle are twins and his older brothers are too.” He pointed to the pup on the right, “This is Sonia and she is older by seventeen minutes. She is currently being hoarded by Lung right now and-” Covering his younger pup’s sensitive ears and being careful not to whack them with his phone, he screamed into the general direction of P’Alan, “SHE BETTER NOT BE NEAR BOLTS, LUNG.”

“SHE'S NOT,” a certain uncle responded, voice echoing through the garage.

“HE’S LYING,” North yelled back.

The alpha shook his head in disbelief, putting away his phone as he prepared to stand up and steal his daughter back until he stopped himself. Sonic looked down guiltily at his pup, “Sorry, Nik. I didn't properly introduce you.”

He cleared his throat before he pitched his voice, putting the pup’s hands together as he did a little wai, “Sawasdee khap. My name is Manik. I'm a whole six months old and today I learned I love the taste of bolts which is why I had to be taken here because I wouldn’t stop crying when I was denied bolts. I don’t realize that bolts aren’t edible, but now that Papa has found my pacifier I will be too focused on that to want bolts. Hopefully, Lung hasn’t allowed my sister to eat bolts in the time it took me to introduce myself.”

Sonic’s voice returned to normal, “And this is your Uncle Jeff. Even though he is only nice to Lung, I know he will absolutely adore you.”

Jeff was baffled, “Uncle? I'm not part of your pack."

He shouldn’t have that title. The X-Hunter pack flowed smoothly enough and it didn't need a random rock to obstruct it. He appreciated Sonic trying to be friendly and showing off his adorable pup, but it wasn't meant for him. If anything, it felt like Sonic was mocking him with what he could never have and would surely lose if the pack found out why he was truly there. 

“You're not yet, but Charlie is your brother and Lung is courting you so by proxy you are now an uncle.”

“He’s not courting me,” Jeff weakly defended, knowing his future and still denying it. P’Alan might eventually have sex with him, but they would never last long enough to be in a relationship.

“Right,” Sonic rolled his eyes, “Alphas just touch the necks of omegas they aren't interested in. He may not know it, but that is what he is doing. I’ve also seen your deer-in-headlights look. You're very cute when flustered, nong.” The alpha smiled knowingly when Jeff turned away to hide his expression.

When it became clear Jeff was going to ignore him, Sonic finally got up and started to head towards where the rest of his family was. However, Jeff followed a few steps behind. His break was over anyways, so it was about time he also went back. There was no other reason.

As soon as North was within their sight, Manik started reaching out for him with one arm and pushing against Sonic with the other. Despite having been left behind by North, it was clear who the favored parent was as the pup struggled to get closer. The pup couldn’t appreciate the irony of how the very person he was shoving away was the only reason he was moving closer at all. Manik wasn’t content until North reached out to take him from Sonic’s hold. 

As the pup shoved his face into North’s neck, his fists clenched onto the collar of the jacket North was wearing. North scented him back and he noticed the new sour aroma surrounding Manik. It caused him to smirk as glanced behind his partner at Jeff, “Didn’t I tell you, nong? Two reputable sources love my scent more than anything.”

“It’s because you smell like their food,” Sonic remarked. The point was soon proven as the pup spat out his pacifier onto the floor in order to nip at the omega’s shoulder. Both parents slowly blinked at the object that was disregarded, processing that they had searched for no reason. However, the pup did not care as he continued to fail at gumming through fabric. 

"Well, I guess he just likes me more," North shrugged with the opposite shoulder as to not disturb the teething. He had gotten over the disappointment easily.

“Yet you threw Manik.”

“Jeff caught him and it was only a centimeter-”

“North, do not throw our son.”

“Okay.”

“Or our daughter.”

“Fine.”

Jeff began to tune the couple out as they continued to bicker, turning his focus to P’Alan who was a couple of meters away. Lung was sitting on the ground with his legs crossed and a pup in between them. Just as North had claimed, there was a bin of bolts in front of him along with a bin of nuts. However, they were out of the baby’s reach, so maybe P’Alan hadn’t been lying either.

“You can tell these are bolts because they have external threads and these are nuts because they have internal threads. See?” He watched as P’Alan picked up a bolt with one hand and a nut with the other, bringing them closer so the pup could take a look. “Which one is the bolt?” Lung asked, shaking the hand with the bolt in it so Sonia would reach for it. “So smart,” he cooed when she grabbed the bolt. Allowing her to hold it, he warned, “Now don’t try to eat it like your brother did.” The pup grunted like she understood, keeping the bolt an arm’s length away as she stared intensely at it.

Jeff was amused by the sight and he could not ignore the longing he had pushed aside earlier. It was something he had shunned ever since he had learned why he was a favored child in the foundation: the desire for a family. He remembered when he was naive and young enough to be excited about being adopted. As the other children were given away, he remained and was told they were waiting until he was older. Then the years had passed and the future became more clear to him. 

Charlie was his brother, his support, but he never fulfilled this want completely. They were both unused to having other people in their lives. There were so many things they kept from each other. His brother didn't know what had happened during his first escape and he didn't know what his part had been to play in Tony’s plan. 

The foundation would only allow him to run for so long before they eventually dragged him back. Something would slip through the cracks. This time jumping out in front of a car would only kill him instead of changing his fate. He was numb to the reality that any dignity he had left and any child he bore would be stripped away. 

The omega watched as P'Alan played with his niece, knowing the man could one day be a good father. He would have the choice to start a family just as Sonic and North had theirs. Jeff only needed to accept that it was going to be separate from him and that was for the best. Lung shouldn’t be pulled down with him. Still, Jeff yearned for a family that he was able to choose. He didn’t care whether it was through a pack or his own blood. He wanted to belong somewhere, but more importantly he wanted to live in this fantasy where he did for as long as he could.

Chapter Text

The incessant question plaguing him since his powers had manifested was whether the future he saw was always destined or if it was only set in motion by his sight. This was something he could never be certain about, but he nevertheless believed everything would be better off without him. 

Nothing good ever came from his visions. 

They were triggered by touch and he had lied to himself about what that meant. Human contact was all he had to avoid for them to go away. Human contact was the sole thing he needed to deprive himself of, yet the visions still appeared. The difference was now he didn’t have a grasp on them. He couldn’t disconnect from the blood flowing under his skin or the ground underneath his feet. 

University and the internship allowed him a normalcy the foundation had stripped away. The pack he wished he could call his own was inching ever closer to asking him to join. He had felt like his life was coming together. Then he was reminded of what he had always known to be true, but it wouldn’t be just him who was pulled under. 

People who had no reason to be involved were now on the board and Jeff couldn’t allow it to continue like this. He had to stop living in this passive fantasy and take advantage of what no one else could see. 

Trying to change the future never worked if one ran in the opposite direction. Fate had to believe it was being followed and submitted to, or it would throw a fit. Small alterations could result in an entirely different outcome as long as it was close enough to what fate had drawn. As long as the trigger was still pulled, a person could survive being shot. 

Jeff had made the deal with Tony because it gave him time to develop a plan. There was already a rough idea of what needed to be done, but the pack wouldn’t be happy if they found out. He would have to talk to Charlie in person soon and, if he knew anything about his brother, Charlie would decide to put himself on the line. His brother saw himself as expendable after years of isolation. There was so much he already had done for Babe before even falling in love with him. Charlie just needed to be told what would happen to Babe and that this would end in all of them dying. 

There was no reason for anyone else to be told all the details of what Tony wanted.

It didn’t stop him from wondering if Kenta knew what was devised for the omega and if that was why the beta had let him run. 

He remembered the uncle he had met all those years ago when he had first tried to run away and prayed that the serum the uncle dreamed of now existed. Maybe one day he would be free of this curse. Tony would have no use for an ordinary omega. Jeff only needed to live long enough for his plan to bear fruit and nothing but the present would matter anymore. His future would be unknown and he wouldn’t have to fear being forced to have a child with…

Charlie was one of the few people who could empathize with what it was like to have an ability that could only take. This was why he was so understanding when Jeff stopped touching him after their combined fates never stopped leading to tragedy. He was the only person who hadn’t been disgusted by his ability or tried to use it for profit. 

But then there was Lung.

It wasn’t often that he discovered his destiny through another and it was positive . 

After only a few hours of his internship, he had learned they would eventually be intimate with each other. It wasn’t a bad vision, but it was unexpected. The man was his boss who he barely knew and suddenly he was being informed that this would be the alpha to take his virginity. Assuming the vision showcased a one-time fling made the most sense to him at the time. He was working undercover to help his brother undermine the foundation they were raised in. There wouldn’t be time for him to have a relationship. 

Yet, Alan had been the one to accept the gift he had never asked for. 

This gave him the confidence to pursue the inevitable. Flirting was easy when he couldn’t doubt that the person was attracted to him. He didn’t know if he deserved Lung, but he would take the small moments he could. If everything went wrong with his plan, he couldn’t imagine where he would end up.

It was obvious the older man was taken off guard by his blunt advances. The alpha had been accidentally coming on to him, but he was the one to take the next step. Alan hadn’t expected the college student would be the first to make an intentional move.

Even if being held against his will was the price, having his phone taken away was the best thing to ever happen to him. There was nothing confidential on the phone that was stolen, but there were certainly things on Alan’s phone that should’ve been deleted before it was handed off to Jeff. The first thing Jeff had done was read through the text messages Lung claimed to have sent him and they only confirmed that the alpha had never stopped thinking about Jeff. There was security in knowing the man returned his affection.

He mourned the movie date they could’ve gone on if he hadn’t broken into the foundation. 

It almost made him regret his decision until he began to think over possible first date locations. Roller skating with a partner had seemed fun. Also, he wouldn’t have been able to warn his brother about Way. The enigma was the entire reason he had started working for X-Hunter in the first place, so a date was a simple sacrifice to ensure Babe’s security. 

Either way, he ransacked Alan’s phone for everything it was worth by looking through the messages sent to him and the photo album. Nothing too intrusive but it allowed him to learn more about the alpha. The thoughtfulness of Lung truly bled through because, while it was his phone, there were very few photos of himself on it. Pack members and a dog he hadn’t realized the alpha owned were the focus of the majority of the pictures. Through them, he was able to appreciate how much Alan loved his pack.

There was a picture taken of Dean at one of his junior racing events holding a second place trophy, coming off as disappointed but still happy to place at all. P’Alan was clearly proud of how much the young alpha had progressed. Jeff didn’t believe Dean realized how much his pack cared about him.

Numerous selfies of Sonic and North were littered throughout from times the duo had presumably stolen Lung’s phone, but the pack alpha never found the heart to delete them. Just like the other couple, Charlie and Babe were never far apart from each other in the photos they were in. While he adored his brother and Babe, there was definitely an ease at which Sonic and North melted into each other that the newer couple didn’t have. It was a level of comfort and intimacy that could only develop with time.

Jeff always paused over the photos with Way in them, finger hovering over the enigma’s face so as not to ruin the photo. He noticed how happy Way seemed in them and it made his stomach twist. Even if the joy was genuine, Way was there to betray the pack he claimed to care about. He was there to rape the friend he had lied to for years, to force Babe to go through a pregnancy and the pain of having his pup ripped from his grasp as soon as it was born. 

This was Jeff’s future and he couldn’t allow another to suffer through it.  Whatever had made Way choose to pursue Babe didn’t matter to him because there was no possible scenario in which he could respect or trust someone who had gone about it in the manner he had. 

At least Charlie would be drugged too.

At least an owner wouldn’t pretend to be his friend. 

The photos of the pups did help him feel better. The twins looked pretty much the same, but he began to pick up how Sonia was usually put in green and Manik in blue. He found it adorable how their parents color-coded them. The pups got progressively smaller as he scrolled through until he started hitting photos of sonograms. A lot of storage was reserved for the two youngest in the pack and this fact didn’t escape him. Even though they had only been born over half a year ago, Lung had painstakingly documented their lives. They were an obvious favorite. Lung seemed keen on bringing up the next generation of racers if the tiny X-Hunter racing suits he kept dressing the twins in were anything to go by.

It made Jeff wonder how Alan would be with his own pup. 

What stuck out to him the most though were the pictures taken of him from afar as he worked, oblivious to the world around him. Lung had found something special in those mundane moments. This caused even more of a flutter in his chest than the messages had. Even if it was just platonic, P’Alan truly did like him. It was affirmation after affirmation.

As he finished going through the phone, he hugged it against his chest and beamed. He begged whatever forces were out there to let him have this for even a second. His excitement felt like an energy underneath his skin trying to pry its way out. Jeff wasn’t accustomed to experiencing intense emotions that weren’t negative in nature. Even then, most of his life had been spent in apathy as he needed to maintain a level head at all times. 

He didn’t know what to do when he felt like this.

It was when he heard a knock that the energy sharpened into a focus on the door. With how late in the day it was, he hadn’t expected anyone would visit him. If anyone would, it would’ve been Charlie, but Charlie had called him earlier through the new phone to catch him up. His brother had told him he would be staying with Babe for a while, so it couldn’t be him. 

His heart quickened when he wondered if Lung had come back. He had to straighten himself out as he walked towards the door, trying to get an inkling of the scent behind it. Sadly, the doors were pretty good at keeping scent out, so he couldn’t detect any crisp or earthy tones. Reaching for the handle, he attempted to shove down his emotions before opening it. 

Unexpectedly, he was greeted by Sonic and North staring back at him. Jeff couldn’t stop the souring of lemon as his scent went from happy to disappointed. North chuckled when he saw the frown on Jeff’s face.

“Expecting someone else? A certain uncle?” North teased, making Jeff huff. There was no reason he had to deal with Sonic and North today along with everything else.  

He maintained eye contact as he began to close the door, but the duo had been expecting that. The other omega shoved his foot in to stop it from fully shutting, pushing it back open easily. He allowed himself and his mate in. They both at least seemed more amused than angry at the stunt Jeff had pulled, smirking with the knowledge they had something to hold over his head. They sat down at his kitchen table, making themselves comfortable as Jeff begrudgingly joined them. 

“Why are you here?” Jeff asked. Of all the people who would visit him, they had not been on the list. He couldn’t imagine why they would. 

“Lung told us what happened, so we decided to check in on you,” Sonic explained. The alpha’s smile had yet to drop even with Jeff’s clear exasperation. 

“I’m fine.”

“You were held captive, nong,” Sonic pushed.

“I don’t need-”

North cut him off, “Why were you expecting Lung back so soon? He did seem pretty disheveled when he talked to us.”

Jeff didn’t appreciate the look that was sent his way or how Sonic nodded along to everything his mate was saying. There was nothing worse than being teamed up on and he wasn’t ready to admit out loud his feelings to anyone who wasn’t Lung. They obviously had some idea that there was something going on based on the numerous times they have teased him, but he wasn’t about to give them the satisfaction of accepting their insinuations. He had never experienced romantic love before and he didn’t want to mess it up.

“I was expecting your pups,” he dodged. “Where are they?” The couple had lives outside of being parents, but it was a fair question to ask. It felt like a question that could divert attention away from himself and it wouldn’t hurt to know. He did care about the pups after all. 

Sonic’s mouth curved downwards, “Back at Lung’s. We don't feel comfortable taking them out right now.” 

With everything going on at the moment, being separated from their children was probably something the mates dreaded. Jeff could tell Sonic was uneasy about being away from them, yet the two of them had still decided to visit him. It made Jeff realize that the couple did care about him and were genuine about being concerned. He felt a little less irritated by their intrusion.

“Charlie and P’Babe are watching them though. It’ll be good practice for them.” North ruefully assured but it was like he was comforting himself. He murmured under his breath, “My pups better not end up calling Babe mama though.”

Glancing at North who was still mumbling, Sonic continued, “We’ve talked about possibly leaving them with North’s parents until things settle.”

He sounded disheartened and his frown only deepened. It seemed as if the alpha couldn’t believe he had brought his children into this. If there was one thing the mates were serious about, it was the safety of their pups. Jeff didn’t believe anything less than Tony being killed would make them feel better. He understood what that constant dominating presence was like and how it wore down life until nothing was left except for apprehension. 

“Tony doesn't usually sell or take kids that aren't special. He just…” Jeff’s voice tapered off, gaze falling from Sonic and North to the table. 

Tony got rid of people that weren’t of use to him alive. He had already seen the future where North was gunned down protecting Sonic. The alpha had been wide-eyed as the omega held him tightly even in death. Sonic was shot with tears streaming down his face as he grasped desperately at a corpse.

Their children would be orphans. Both Manik and Sonia were betas, so there was no reason for Tony to go after them. Yet, Tony was also a man who ruined families in the hope that he could steal their children. There was no telling what he would do to the twins.

The couple weren’t pleased by the pensive look that crossed over Jeff’s face. They were able to interpret its meaning and it didn’t settle their worries. North crossed his arms on the table, sinking his head into them. His words were muffled as he lamented, “My babies are going to have their organs sold for two billion baht to some cannibal. If only pups weren't so delicious and tender.”

Sonic patted him on the back. A sharp undertone filled the room and North began to visibly relax at the aroma as the tension left his body. It was a doting gesture. As the alpha used his scent to comfort his mate, Jeff noticed something on North’s arm. He could make out a wound that had scabbed over near his elbow and made its way up half of his forearm. 

“Is that from attempting to rescue Kim?” Jeff asked, pointing at North’s arm. He knew they had failed based on what Charlie had told him, but he was confident that Kim would be fine. For the first time in a while, his visions contradicted each other. Kim would die in that cell and have his organs harvested according to them, but how would Manik be able to see him? There was a solid chance the beta would make it out alive and Jeff would do what he could to ensure it through his bargain with Tony.

North picked his head up and inspected the wound as if he had forgotten it was there, “Yeah, Sonic already nagged me about it.” He stuck his tongue out at the aforementioned alpha, falling back into routine.

Sonic scoffed, “It wasn’t nagging.”

“Then why were you scolding me for protecting you? I’ve always protected you.”

“But you still shouldn’t have thrown yourself into danger like that,” his alpha lightly chided, but there was some residual irritation under the surface that wasn’t lost to North. 

The omega adopted a joking yet affectionate tone, “But you looked so good playing nurse. All concerned for me.” He smirked as he faked pondering,  “If I didn’t know better, I would think you loved me.”

Jeff found how they teased each other to be endearing. It was a back-and-forth he was used to watching, so he recognized the signs. The omega’s eyes would fill with mischief as he tried to fluster his mate, laughing whenever Sonic finally pushed him away. It was something integral to how the couple operated. North had a special ability to always take Sonic by surprise, but today Sonic was not having it.

“If it wasn’t for Lung hitting, you would’ve died ,” the alpha gritted his teeth as his words came out like a hiss.

“Don’t act so hormonal,” North rolled his eyes while his partner seethed, “I knew you had my back.”

“What about the twins?” Sonic snapped, “You almost let their mother be killed without a second thought. It was fucking selfish of you.”

For a moment, North faltered and his air of confidence almost dropped, but he reinforced himself. They both had known the risks, so the alpha couldn’t act like this was only on him. He leaned in closer to his alpha, eyes falling to Sonic’s lips before slowly going up, “Am I only your children’s mother to you? Earlier you said you didn’t consider me a friend, so what am I?”

This was usually about the time where Sonic would create some distance between them and laugh off what had been done. North was supposed to be the one who pushed until Sonic gave in. Jeff expected that when the alpha’s hand began to rise he was going to push North away or hit him on the head. Instead, his hand landed on North’s shoulder and snaked closer to his neck. He held North’s gaze as he thumbed at the scent gland, causing North to moan softly at the pressure. The alpha cupped his nape and brought North’s face ever closer.

Sonic growled, “You’re mine, North.” 

This was not the answer the omega had expected, but it felt like something he had always yearned for. Everything went hazy except for the alpha in front of him. 

Their pupils were blown, eyes flitting over their partner’s lips but refusing to commit. North’s palms had made their way up Sonic’s thighs and his grip tightened, clenching at his jeans. The omega was straining to not grab Sonic by the waist and drag him onto his lap. There was a fine line of lucidity reining him in from having the alpha ride him right then and there. They were breathing each other in, seconds away from going feral.

Arousal clung to the air like a fog. It was a sharp and sweet mixing of the couple's scents, invading Jeff’s senses in a pungent fusion. On instinct, he covered his nose, yet he failed to look away. He was so taken aback, his eyes flitting between the omega and the alpha. Everything happened so fast, so he was understandably uncomfortable. He had never seen the two kiss before, but it seemed like they were about to devour each other in front of him.

This couple was somehow the ones who had their lives the most put together and an added bonus was that both of them were comfortable in their own skins. They talked about their issues rather than bottling them up and making assumptions. They were the only adults in his life who were in a steady relationship that wasn’t built on lies. 

He watched them as a stranger, not knowing what he could possibly say. Once again he was an outsider for the two mates. It was a routine he was used to, though usually it was listening to them as they had their own conversation around him. He was always an observer, but he had never seen them this angry or lustful towards each other before. 

It reminded him of how they had ended up with two pups. 

What they must’ve done and what they probably still do.

He didn’t need, let alone want, to see that. 

“Please don’t start fucking in my apartment.”

They pulled away from each other like their skin had been scalded, blushing and embarrassed for once in their life. As they apologized to him, he fondly thought of how these idiots were part of his pack. 

He hoped his visions wouldn’t come true.

Chapter Text

The ache wasn’t an uncomfortable one so much as an unfamiliar one that he had enjoyed being introduced to. It was a pleasant twinge that culminated at his shoulder where Alan had bitten him. This wasn’t a feeling unique to the mark as it also coiled its way through his entire body, but it was certainly the most persistent. With its proximity to his mating gland, the mark taunted the omega. Their lives could’ve been tied together until death if it was shifted only a few centimeters. 

P’Alan could’ve claimed him. 

And he wasn’t sure if he would’ve been against it. 

Despite tiptoeing around each other for a while now, they had just started dating the day prior. This was his first relationship, his first everything, and the first person to make him realize he deserved to be loved. It would be irrational to get mated so soon because of the exhilaration of it all. They hadn’t even told their pack they were together, but he also understood that this was all he would ever be permitted to have. 

Certainty didn’t stem from the pull he experienced around the alpha or the security he felt in Alan’s arms. It was more than a feeling, a simple emotion, that made him wish the alpha had sunk his teeth into his neck and branded him without hesitation. 

After being wound up for so long, every breath closer to release was a moment of ecstasy. It was a drug that he intentionally sought out and refused to withdraw from. The unfortunate side effect was the visions that spun on a never-ending loop. They refused to stop replaying behind his eyes, simmering and obscuring his thoughts. Jeff was familiar with how this would end. 

With every touch. 

Every thrust.

Every kiss.

The only thing that would separate them was Lung’s death. Whether it was decades or days away, Jeff would be there by the alpha’s side as he passed and left behind to deal with the aftermath. Time spent fretting over their relationship status was a waste at this point. Lung purposely avoiding what should have been the target made his instincts flare up. His omega bristled and seethed at this insult; the bastard had the nerve to knot and possibly even pup him, but he didn’t dare to claim him properly?

He smothered the urge to rip into Alan’s jugular and get the job done himself.

Lung was being considerate of him and his autonomy. It was something he was so unused to that he couldn’t help but see it as slight. With how broken he was, it was a surprise that P’Alan had never wrenched away from him. There were no signs of disgust as Jeff had feared. Instead, he was given countless comforts no one else had ever afforded to him.

Never before had he woken up in someone else’s embrace. If his parents had ever held him safe in their arms as he slept, he wasn’t able to recall the feeling. Even in the foundation with Charlie supporting him, Jeff had strayed away from any contact that was too intimate. Yet, he now found himself burrowed into Lung’s side with his head resting against the alpha’s chest and their hands entwined.

His fingers lightly traced the callouses on Lung’s palms as he nuzzled closer, refusing to get up. He appreciated how even with the simplicity of the moment it would be impossible to replicate. For once, Jeff’s mind was blissfully quiet. 

If it weren’t for the light streaming into the room, he might’ve stayed like that until Lung stirred, but the brightness itched at his eyes until he was forced to open them. Fuzz faded from his vision, still foggy from sleep, as he accepted he would have to get ready for the day. He grumbled slightly as he detached himself from Lung. With how heavy of a sleeper P’Alan was, the older man remained unfazed by his movement and murmurings. He almost wished Lung had woken up so the alpha could’ve begged for Jeff to stay in bed for just a little longer.

Jeff leaned over the alpha, tempting fate as he hovered ever so close. He studied the curve of his cheekbones and the laugh lines that were beginning to appear. Lung’s mouth parted slightly from breathing, bringing the omega’s attention down to the soft lips that had peppered his body the night prior.

“I told you to be gentle,” he chided to the small space between them, “But you gave it your all. For an uncle, you have a lot of stamina.”

Placing a hand on Lung’s cheek, he lightly stroked it with his thumb. After everything, he couldn’t stand to deny himself contact with his boyfriend. He didn’t fear Lung retaliating at what could be an invasion of privacy. The alpha had been nothing but sincere when he had claimed that he didn’t mind Jeff knowing his future because the omega was his future.

Maybe if they survived, Jeff would finally be shown a vision that wasn’t grim. It felt like cheating in a way, getting the answer long before it was even created, but it would be nice to know there would be more happy moments before the end. If he was really lucky, the serum would work and he would never have to suffer through a vision again. They were bearable at times, especially when the few good ones came to pass, but he would prefer them gone. Regardless, he could only smile upon remembering how he had reacted to the first vision Lung had given him.

Losing his virginity had been a wonderful experience because Alan had dedicated himself to pampering him. His treatment reflected the sweet nature of the alpha he had grown used to. Thoughtfulness was what defined the bath they shared afterwards where Lung reminded Jeff through his actions that this was more than sex to him. It was making love. 

The alpha could’ve easily gone to bed, leaving Jeff to clean up the slick and cum coating his thighs by himself.

Lung didn’t have to take the time to guide Jeff through being knotted for the first time. While P’Alan had been prepping him, he had asked Jeff if he consented to being knotted and the omega had said yes, but Jeff hadn’t anticipated being asked again right before the knot started to form. Lung didn’t want to force Jeff to do something he wasn’t ready for. Jeff hadn’t expected the whispers of reassurance after the stretching caused his breathing to hitch against Lung’s throat. The words were low and hot against his ear as the alpha praised him for taking him so well.

Such a good kid.

Such a good boy for Lung.

One of the alpha’s hands supported the omega who was failing to gain purchase, his legs weakly wrapped around the alpha’s waist and his nails tearing into flesh to hold on. The other hand settled on Jeff’s stomach, massaging it to help quell any discomfort. The alpha rubbed their cheeks together to scent him and the omega, barely registering anything outside of his womb being filled, purred. The overstimulation had left him experiencing a euphoria that detached him from reality.

It was such a new sensation. He had obviously never been knotted before, but he had also never been allowed to use any heat aids outside of pain medication growing up. After escaping the foundation, he still felt uneasy about buying toys because of the stigma that had been ingrained during his formative years. 

Jeff wondered how Lung would be during a cycle and it made him feel giddy upon realizing he could finally share a heat with someone. He dreamed of creating a big nest to show off to his alpha with pillows and blankets and clothing items from pack members just like he had seen omegas do in movies. He should be having a heat soon. It was only a couple of weeks away at most.

Unless…

“I hope you’re the father of my pup,” he whispered. His brows furrowed, face darkening as he pulled his hand away from Lung. His palm settled on his middle, still bloated from the night before, and imagined how it would feel further along.

It was empty; he had to remind himself.

There was nothing there yet. 

While conceiving outside of heat was rare, it wasn’t impossible. It was irresponsible of them to not have used any protection when Jeff wasn’t on birth control. He bit his lip as he mulled over the probability. Just like with bonding he didn’t feel that opposed to it, but he was deluding himself by believing this would result in anything. 

If Lung had gotten him pregnant, he would’ve known immediately. There were no surprises in his life because a vision always warned him. There were only things he waited for with an apathetic acceptance, but with Lung’s future it was never like that. He yearned for their future.

He had not prayed by himself since the foundation. It was always easier to follow along with a script like he had at Charlie’s funeral mass, yet he begged for a vision that reassured him he would have some control. If God still had any mercy for him, Jeff might’ve been able to look forward to his inevitable pregnancy.

Because there was no stopping it when there were multiple visions spanning the months of him carrying. Death was easy to avoid. It was a millisecond of a difference within a single vision, but dodging an entire pregnancy would be unthinkable. He could try to change the context surrounding it, but a pup would come into existence no matter what he did. Sometimes he wondered what it would be like to be allowed to live in ignorance, to not be forced to see himself sobbing and isolated in a locked room with the only comfort being the pup kicking in his swollen belly.

He wasn’t a person who cried often unless overwhelmed, yet it was all he was shown. Complete desolation was apparently the only noteworthy thing about his pregnancy. There had been some hope that he had misinterpreted the future when he received that first vision right before creating the plan with Charlie, but then they kept happening. He witnessed his pup being taken from him as he pleaded to hold them at least once, but the sole response was an injection that caused everything to fade away.

Jeff had watched himself die, alone and horrified by the possibility of what would happen to his child. It was a fate he had known would befall him, but it still made him queasy to have it laid out in front of him gin. There was a dread that refused to settle as he was forced to take in the aftermath. The vision reminded him of why he loathed having spectators to moments of weakness and distress.

It reminded him of how fate hated to be altered. He couldn’t brush aside the thought that this was the result of him running away from the foundation and straying from his future with Charlie. For the first time, he considered telling Charlie the truth. 

But his brother already had so much to worry about. It would be selfish to add another concern. Their pack being killed off one by one and the foundation’s trafficking should be at the forefront. There was no reason to share these particular visions. Keeping it to himself and limiting the variables would be the best way to ensure his pup’s sire wasn’t forced upon him. He was doing what he could to change who the other father was.

It didn’t seem like too much to ask for P’Alan to give him a pup. The other man was a great uncle to the twins, so Jeff thought it was fair to assume he would be a fantastic father as well. Alan would be the mate the omega would choose if given the opportunity. The bracelet he had been given already proved that Lung was a sentimental boyfriend. The alpha was barely holding himself and his pack together, yet he had still found the time for Jeff.

With one last look at Lung sleeping, he hoped that maybe he was wrong to believe nothing would come of their night together. However, it would be for the best that he moved on. He was familiar with how desperation looked on him.

Lung deserved to sleep in at least once, so he luckily managed to get out of the bed without waking up his boyfriend. He grabbed the clothes P’Alan had given him to borrow, blushing slightly as he smelled the earthy tinge of Lung on them. Besides the jeans being a little too long and a bit tight at the waist, the outfit comfortably fit. It was just a pair of jeans and a plain black t-shirt, but it meant a lot to him. Hopefully, Lung didn’t expect the clothes to be returned because they were going straight into the new nest at his apartment. 

Once it was safe to leave the pack house, of course. 

He left the room quietly, checking his phone for the time as he headed downstairs to the kitchen. It was around ten in the morning which wasn’t too late of a start when considering the time he went to sleep at. Everyone else had probably been awake for a while though, so he decided to make a quick detour to the living room to see if anyone was there. Even if he didn't like admitting it out loud, he enjoyed being around his pack. They made him happier than he had been in a long time. He could still make coffee and drink it in peace by the pool later. It wouldn’t stop being a nice day outside by then.

As he expected, the rest of the pack was found in the living room. Babe and Kim were both on the floor with Sonia where they had laid out a blanket with a few toy cars scattered around. The oldest pup, who usually loved the cars, was more focused on the sleeping Great Dane that had intruded her area. Bobo was just as heavy of a sleeper as his owner was, so he wasn’t paying much mind as Babe guided Sonia through petting him. 

The alpha looked exhausted with fading bags under his eyes and a permanent frown on his face, but he was trying to create a veneer of calm for his niece. Pups easily detected emotion through scent and it could upset or even frighten them if they were too negative. Based on Jeff’s recent talks with Charlie, the two of them had discussed having children together. Sonia, in a way, was both a reminder of what Babe believed he could now never have and a distraction from what he had lost.

P’Alan had confided in him how he had found Babe locked in his house, refusing to eat and laying catatonic on the floor as he rewatched Charlie’s crash. Babe was running on revenge and Lung was fearful of what would happen once the foundation was taken down. If there was nothing left driving Babe, then nothing was stopping him from joining Charlie. 

It only made Jeff feel worse about lying. He wished Charlie could understand the full extent of how he had affected his partner. Maybe he would once he returned, but it was obvious he didn’t believe he could make this much of an impact. His brother had grown up in an environment that constantly kicked him down for being worthless, so he wasn't able to realize he was valued by others.  

Charlie could not fathom how much power he held over Babe and how easily he destroyed him. 

On the other hand, Kim was doing much better than when he had first been released. The beta had been handed over to Jeff dehydrated, malnourished, and beaten. He was completely out of it by the time they got him to the pack house. Sonic and North were the ones to volunteer to help him bathe and settle in. They felt guilty about how they had left him behind after failing to save him, so they wanted to make it up however they could.

When Kim was finally sound asleep with as much pain medication as safely possible running through him, Sonic pulled Lung aside to tell him about a wound that had been stapled shut on Kim’s side. It was fresh and they wouldn’t be able to remove the staples any time soon, especially without a doctor. They needed to monitor it to make sure it wouldn’t get infected, but Sonic was pretty sure one of his kidneys had been harvested as a warning after they had tried to save him. Kim later confirmed this. 

Jeff was relieved he was able to get Kim out before anything else was removed. This was something Kim never needed to involve himself in, yet his morals hadn’t allowed him to turn a blind eye. He didn’t deserve what had happened to him, but Jeff was glad he was with them now.

The ex-Red Racing member was becoming more and more comfortable around the pack. It showed even now with how he was having a conversation on his phone with the speaker on, allowing everyone to listen in if they were able to as it was in a different language. Jeff didn’t understand Korean, so he was a bit confused by the woman’s voice floating through the room. However, he could still be amused by how flustered Kim seemed. His somehow manicured nails clutched onto his phone with a vice-like grip as he kept getting interrupted by a furious tone. 

Sonic and North were being entertained by this altercation as they lounged on the couch, so he decided to sit down next to the alpha. Sonic welcomed him with a brief smile before turning his attention back to the phone call. The alpha knowingly smirked as the voice on the phone got louder and North started cackling. 

Jeff watched as the older omega butted in with a few words in Korean which seemed to make the woman on the phone happier. Kim breathed a sigh of relief and mouthed a thank you before continuing the call. 

This was what caused Jeff to process the fact that North was wearing a pair of baggy jeans with no top on. Of course, it wasn’t like he had never seen the other omega without a shirt. Jeff had stopped by the pack alpha’s home gym on multiple occasions to sneak a peek at Alan. North and Lung had made it their duty to force Babe into the routine of working out with them so he wouldn’t rot in his bed or the nearest chair all day. Besides respectfully ogling P’Alan, he also got to have an existential crisis over how toned North was. North had apparently been hiding a lot under those jackets. 

If someone had to guess between the two omegas of the pack who had given birth to twins less than a year ago, North wouldn’t even be in the running and Jeff would have both first and second place. Even with the C-section scar, it was hard to imagine. No one had told him the human body was capable of such feats.

As North was sitting on the couch at the moment, his body was obviously relaxed and the muscle was soft. However, Jeff wasn’t able to appreciate this because most of North’s torso was blocked from his view by Manik feeding. He had only been around when the twins were eating solids or being bottle-fed, so he was slightly intrigued. The pup seemed content as he rested against his parent’s arm. North glanced down to make sure the pup wasn’t finished every one in a while, but he was still engaged with whatever was happening with Kim. 

It kind of seemed like second-nature.

Jeff wondered if it was painful. He couldn’t imagine it was pleasant having something with teeth latch on to such a sensitive area. Even just thinking about it made experience a twinge in his chest and he shuddered. The speculation was discarded immediately. He wasn’t going to dwell on it, so he distracted himself. There were more important things to focus on.

Jeff diverted the other omega's attention from the call, “You can speak Korean, P’North?”

It explained why Kim had been hanging around the mated couple so often and why they were so loud together. Being able to speak his native language might’ve made the beta feel more at ease around them.

“I’m passable when it comes to Korean and English,” North admitted before cheekily adding, “I also know a few words in Thai. Enough to order food.”

“I never would’ve guessed,” Jeff deadpanned but the sarcasm was ignored because the older omega found his joke far more hilarious than the younger did. 

“Sonic is way better at English than me though.” North nudged the alpha’s legs with his foot, grabbing his attention. He used his eyes to point at Jeff like he was asking Sonic to prove the claim. Jeff had to stop himself from asking if the alpha was better at Thai too. 

“I wouldn’t say I’m that good.” Sonic remained humble, but it only caused North to stare at his mate in bafflement.

“Remember when we went to Europe for our babymoon? That old couple thought that you were an American and I was your mail-order bride. They accused me of stealing your money.”

“You do steal my money though. You also steal clothes, food, and most of my things.”

“It’s called sharing.”

Sonic scoffed but he was clearly not as agitated as he was pretending to be. As he faked not hearing what his mate had said, he turned to Jeff, “My old boss had a lot of business partners who didn't speak Thai and had English as their second language.”

North loudly whispered, “He worked as a hacker for the mafia.”

“Don’t tell him that,” Sonic flicked his mate lightly on the forehead, causing North to chuckle and grin mischievously.

“He was actually their professional eye candy.”

Sonic sighed, rolled his eyes, and explained before Jeff could get any wrong ideas, “I was a flag girl for an underground racing circuit. It helped me pay my way through college.”

This didn’t make Jeff believe he wasn’t also a hacker for the mafia. With how the topic was presented, it seemed like Sonic was more annoyed by North bringing up his old job than he was at North possibly lying. However, Sonic being a flag girl made a lot of sense with how he dressed and looked. Charlie had also told him about when he was used as a bet and how Sonic had been the one to signal the start of the race. X-Hunter had some ties to illegal racing, so it was possible Sonic and North had been introduced to the company through those means.

North smirked as he opened up his phone and showed his screen to Jeff. The omega was greeted by a photo of Sonic standing between two motorcycles with a checkered cloth clutched in his hand. Jeff’s attention first went to the origin of the gloss that was blinding him through the screen. The rest of the makeup paled in comparison, easily drawing the eye downwards to full and shiny lips. 

His hair was longer than it was now, reaching past his shoulders with a sleek finish, but the half ponytail was still present. Sonic was managing to pull off thigh-high white stripper heels with a black short skirt and a strapless cropped white top. It was a very bland color scheme for Sonic, so Jeff was a bit surprised. Regardless, there was a youthful glint and a sure smile on his face. The confidence only helped make him more attractive. 

Jeff wondered how P’Alan would look in a skirt. He wouldn’t mind having free access to his boyfriend’s legs. His instincts thought biting into the muscle of his thighs like a feral animal sounded like a salivating and delicious idea.

“ Hot, right ?” North pulled him out of his musings without remorse. Jeff nodded, wide-eyed and slightly flustered from the thoughts of his own alpha. 

The older omega beamed with pride. He was very aware of the fact he had bagged the best and most attractive mate. This alpha was his and no one should forget it. 

Sonic wasn’t as pleased. 

“Don't show that picture,” he chided, swiping the phone and looking at the photo before pouting, “The outfits they gave me to wear were so plain. Why did you have to share that one?”

“Because you’re sexy as hell in it.”

Sonic delivered the most exasperated and tired stare to his mate like he was somehow only now realizing what had signed up for which Jeff thought was slightly unfair. A mate who unabashedly complimented seemed like a nice thing to have.

“I should’ve never let you come with me back then.” 

“Then who would’ve stopped those alphas from getting too handsy?”

Sonic thought it over, “I guess it might’ve been a good thing to have you around.”

This reminded Jeff of the conversation they had at his apartment and how it had turned unexpectedly, so he decided to interject, “P’North, is that what you meant when you said you have always protected your alpha?”

Said alpha’s face became flushed as he stuttered out, “I’m not-” 

However, North was more than thrilled to interrupt Sonic and answer. He was ecstatic to have Sonic acknowledged as his property. It appeared Jeff had yet to forget.

“There was this asshole there who kept bothering him because they thought he was lying about being an alpha and so his boss said he could bring someone to the races to help him feel safer.” North adjusted his arm to better support Manik. “Despite having one, I was his only friend who didn’t pussy out when he asked.”

Jeff hoped that one day he would actually deserve Alan depending on and trusting him like Sonic and North did with each other. He wanted to build his relationship on something that wasn’t deception. Alan didn’t view it that way, but Jeff couldn’t see past why they had met and what he was currently doing. He didn’t have much experience with relationships and watching the almost picture-perfect mates of the pack helped him realize there was still a part of him that was a stupid child who wanted a cliché college romance. 

P’Alan was luckily very close to fulfilling these dreams.

“But enough about us,” Sonic exclaimed, grabbing the two omegas’ attention as he clapped his hands together, “How was Lung last night?”

Jeff froze up which didn’t go unnoticed by anyone. He swore even Nik and Nia were side-eying him. 

“Did he break a hip?” North moved on far too easily to teasing him.

Why did everyone seem so smug around him?

“Did he break your hip?”

How did they all know he had sex?

“He didn’t seem to be having any problems when he walked in.”

Did they smell it on him? 

“Maybe Jeff topped.”

Could they smell P'Alan on him?

“We both know that Lung isn’t a pillow princess like you are.”

Wait. He was wearing Lung’s clothes.

“I’m not a fucking pillow princess.”

He felt so stupid.

“Tell that to the pillows then.”

He just wanted to tell the pack they were together in a more appropriate way with Alan by his side.

“I’m going to ignore your slander. Nong, how was Lung?”

Sonic and North were crowding him with their words. He didn’t know how to answer. His brother’s boyfriend and a pup were only a meter or so away. North was holding his own son while they were asking him this. Kim was having a private conversation right there with a stranger. He couldn’t just say-

“P’Alan took really good care of me for my first time. He was very sweet and considerate.” His eyes were locked on his knees as he spoke. He took back his earlier thoughts. Sonic and North were the worst .

“Lung better have been,” Sonic scolded Jeff like he was his own child. He had never heard Sonic's parent voice before and it frightened him with how sharp it was. “You two woke up Nik last night. You’re lucky his fever went down this morning.”

Embarrassment and shame seeped in. The poor pup didn’t deserve to be woken up by that after being sick for the past few days. If they didn’t get quieter or install sound-proof walls, Jeff would have to talk to Lung about having sex at his apartment next time. He didn’t want to inconvenience his pack more than he already had. 

And it would be a great excuse to flaunt his nest.

“Nong, could you…” 

North motioned with his hand like he was stretching the collar of an invisible shirt to reveal his bare shoulders. In his confusion and exhaustion, Jeff complied without thinking too deeply about it. By the time he realized he had revealed where P’Alan had bitten him, it was too late. Sonic covered his mouth as he tried to stop himself from laughing in shock and North wasn’t even trying to hide how funny he found this. 

Jeff turned a bright red.

“Lung is such a tease,” North tutted before squinting at Jeff’s hands, “Did he bite your wrists too?” 

The young omega hadn’t thought about the scent glands on his wrists until then. As he glanced down to check the wrists that had been connected to him his entire life, he was met by teeth marks covering them completely. 

North laughed at him, “How did you not notice?”

“I was preoccupied,” Jeff defended himself, failing to register the sight before him. He had been taught that alphas only marked omegas like this when they were courting.

“By what? Lung’s bad aim?” North mused cockily. 

“Shut the fuck up.”

The words left his mouth so fast he couldn’t process them. Jeff was reeling from the fact Lung hadn’t claimed him but was openly branding him as his and no one quite got on Jeff's nerves like North could. The older omega seemed impressed by the fact he had managed to get Jeff to curse. 

If there wasn’t a baby acting as a barrier, Jeff might’ve hit him and he wasn’t a violent person. North emitted an aura that he both looked up to and was annoyed by endlessly. For some reason, it reminded him of Charlie if the alpha had no filter or impulse control. Still, both of them had a death wish that would only leave their partner with grief to remember them by. 

North was ultimately saved by Kim’s call ending. Jeff’s attention was grabbed by the sudden silence in the background. He had grown used to the concerned yet mad voice of an unknown woman. The tension was beginning to break when the beta spoke up.

“That was my mother,” he said to no one in particular. It seemed like a courtesy to explain who he was talking to because neither Babe or Jeff knew because of the language barrier. “She wanted to know if I was okay. I missed a lot of her calls,” he winced slightly and Jeff remembered how it sounded like he was being absolutely ripped into. P’Alan had only recently given the beta a backup phone, so it wasn’t like he could’ve called earlier. 

Jeff thought it was sweet that Kim’s mother had never stopped trying to contact him. Even with the circumstances, Kim seemed a little lighter after talking to her. Most of the members of the X-Hunter pack were either kidnapped from their parents, disowned by their parents, or their parents were dead. Kim and North were the only ones with familial packs they could depend on. 

Sonic gave Kim a confused look, pursing his lips, “Wanted to know if you were okay? North told me when we came in that she was seconds away from dragging you back to Korea.”

“And she would’ve if I hadn’t told her that he was in a pack that had kids,” North added. He smugly turned to Jeff, informing him like he hadn’t insulted his boyfriend a few seconds ago, “Eomeonim loves me the most for giving her grandchildren.”

That first word made Kim choke on air. While Jeff didn’t know what it meant, he couldn’t imagine it was anything good with that reaction.

“Please don’t call my umma that,” Kim pinched the bridge of his nose, holding back annoyance. North smirked at the reaction, quickly becoming intrigued. It may not have been as much of a rise as he had gotten out of Jeff, but it was still amusing. The younger omega watched as the older began to tease Kim in Korean. The beta responded in turn, leaving everyone else behind.

Even if he was being left out, Jeff noticed that Sonic didn’t seem to mind. While he couldn’t understand what exactly was being said, he could read the body language of his partner. He could get the rest of the story later, but Sonic could still savor watching his mate’s emotions and reactions. North was nothing if not animated.

As North and Kim continued talking, Manik decided to unlatch. The pup fought back sleep, refusing to fully close his fluttering eyes as he yawned. Jeff couldn’t imagine how exhausted the pup was after being sick. That was a lot of stress for something so tiny. However, the pup was as stubborn as his parents.

When North noticed Manik was satiated, he dropped the Korean and asked, “Kim, could you hand my other Kinder Surprise to me?” The omega started to pass Manik to his alpha when the pup regained his energy and began to fuss about being given away. 

“Stop being mad. I know you're full,” North poked the pup’s tummy, “I would try dual wielding but you’re too big now… and you fight each other.”

Manik was placed into Sonic’s lap and the pup whined, visibly deflating. Even if North hadn’t bragged about it before, Jeff was pretty sure he could tell who the favorite parent was. Sonic was used to his huffy and dramatic pup acting like this so he started scentmarking him, lightly rubbing his wrists against the pup’s neck. As Sonic’s scent began to wrap around Manik, the little boy began to babble as he was once again content.

Sonia also wasn’t too happy about being picked up off the ground away from Babe and the big puppy. Babe's scent slightly dampened when she was taken. She reached out for Babe as she was lifted, but her arms were too stubby. Her face was buried in Kim’s chest as he carried her over, grasping onto him like a koala. Even as he passed her to North, Jeff could smell how the pup lingered on him. Sonia had scented him and recognized him as pack all by herself. Jeff was so proud of her and her parents were too as they cooed over her accomplishment. Manik and Sonia were doing amazing so far today. 

They prayed it would last.

Settling her into his arms, North brought Sonia closer to his breast and waited for her to latch. North’s weren’t the only eyes on Sonia as this was happening. Sonic was watching because it was his kid and his mate. Jeff was observing because there was some residual curiosity about how breastfeeding worked. However, there was another person who was way too zoned in and North noticed as they tried to avert their gaze.

“No need to be shy, Kim,” North bit his lip as he looked Kim over, “After I finish feeding Nia, you can have a taste.”

What stunned Jeff more than North blatantly coming on to someone in front of his own mate was how serious North sounded. The omega didn’t even seem to care about the brief jealousy that fell onto his mate’s face before being covered up. Sonic hugged his son closer, but no one noted this except Jeff. 

“Don’t embarrass him,” Sonic scolded lightly, acting like it didn’t bother him.

Kim was looking back and forth at the mated couple in confusion. A different one than what Jeff was feeling but still present nevertheless. They all witnessed Sonic standing up with Manik in his arms, stifling his scent. 

“P’Babe, could you help me put Manik down for a nap?”

Jeff could see where Sonic’s line of thinking was. He wanted to separate himself from North for a bit, but he could also try to help Babe. If Babe put a pup down for a nap, then maybe Babe would also get some sleep.

“I don’t think with my scent…” Babe’s voice tapered off and Sonic understood. It was terrible, but it was true that Babe could disrupt the pup’s sleep if his distress leaked out.

“I could help,” Kim eagerly offered much to Sonic’s chagrin but he nodded in reluctant silence. Jeff didn't know what Kim was planning, but he hoped it worked. The beta followed the alpha out of the living room as nature intended, leaving four pack members behind.

Jeff was now sitting silently on the couch with North feeding his oldest while Babe continued to pet Bobo and dissociate on the floor. The morning hadn't gone as he had expected. Even when Sonic and North had fought at his apartment, it didn't end like this. Hopefully, Sonic opened up to North about how he had acted around Kim. Jeff didn't like when they were on edge around each other. It was unnatural.

“Why would you do that?” He ended up asking when he noticed how guiltless North looked. His words were barely audible. It was an innocent question. Jeff was new to actual relationships, so there was a genuine curiosity about what just happened. This was not the norm he had been taught and there had already been much he had learned from Sonic and North about how real-world relationships worked. 

The omega perked up, glancing away from Sonia. North stared at Jeff as he attempted to gauge what he meant. His eyes flickered from the younger to Babe as if either of them would supply an answer with just a look. When that didn’t work, he asked out loud, “What- what did I do exactly?”

“You came onto Kim.” And it had not appeared to be a friendly joke. Sonic certainly hadn’t taken it as one. 

He hadn’t expected both North and Babe to look at him like there was nothing with what North had done. Jeff was bewildered. To his understanding, flirting with another person while mated was frowned upon. He certainly wouldn’t appreciate his partner doing that, but maybe Sonic and North were different. 

North frowned, glancing at Babe like he couldn’t believe what Jeff had just said and needed confirmation. He very solemnly placed a hand on Jeff’s knee, patting it, “Do you have something against betas, nong?”

“What?”

The omega froze, not even processing that he was being touched. He had no idea how to respond to such an accusation, especially one that had nothing to do with their conversation. 

“I know how the foundation raised you and that you probably didn’t know many good betas,” North continued, “But I don’t want that prejudice around my children. They don’t deserve to be treated as less than because of their status.”

“I don’t care that Kim is a beta,” Jeff ripped his hand out from under North’s after finally noticing the contact. “I care that you were flirting in front of phi.”

“You mean Sonic, right?” North squinted at him, confusing Jeff even more. The older omega seemed so uncharacteristically detached from his alpha’s feelings. 

“Who else would I be talking about?”

North shrugged it off, “Why would that matter?”

“You were holding your son,” he said in disbelief. He motioned towards the pup in North’s arms, “Your daughter was right there.”

The other omega laughed lightly like Jeff had said a joke. North adjusted Sonia in his arms, kissing the top of her head as she kept feeding. He smiled down at her before murmuring, “Your Uncle Jeff cares about you so much. He doesn’t want anything bad to be said around you, but he doesn’t know that you don’t understand innuendos yet.”

“North-”

“It’s okay,” Jeff’s words were brushed aside, “You don’t need to say anything else. I won’t make jokes like that anymore around them. You made a good point. It isn’t appropriate for little ears.”

That was not the point Jeff was trying to make at all, but he didn’t have the energy to push further. It seemed at least that North didn’t intend for Sonic to take the flirting seriously, but the alpha had. Jeff understood that. Even if it was a joke, if Alan ever flirted with someone in front of him, he would be hurt and he wasn’t even mated to the man. He hoped whatever Kim was planning to say to Sonic was received better. 

Either way, he had no intention of staying to find out. It was time for him to get his coffee and enjoy the morning outside. Maybe he would even invite Babe outside with him once he was done with his drink. He needed to properly check in on his brother’s boyfriend. Based on how Babe was still petting Bobo with glazed-over eyes, he was not doing great. 

As he stood up and left the room, North watched him leave. He purposely waited until Jeff was out of earshot to address his packmate on the ground.

“P’Babe, did you think Sonic seemed jealous? Do he think he likes-” North paused, collecting his thoughts as he tried to deny what he had seen. He couldn’t though. It had happened right in front of him and he had allowed it to. Kim and Sonic were now alone because surely it shouldn’t have taken more than a minute to set Manik to sleep and return. However, they hadn’t returned.

Sonic hadn’t returned to him and their daughter. He hadn’t even peeked his head in check on them. He didn’t even pretend to care.

His scent rotted as if attracting maggots to eat him whole. It caused Sonia to unlatch and squirm against his hold. Her eyes began tearing up and North remembered why Sonic would never want a useless omega like him. He choked down the sob that wanted to escape as he calmed down for his child. She didn’t deserve to be distressed because of him. 

He forced the words out.

“Do you think Sonic likes Kim? They would be cute together.”

The question drew the alpha out of his catatonic state, eliciting the most emotion Babe had expressed all day. 

“You are a fucking idiot.”

Chapter Text

One thing that North hated about Sonic was that, while the alpha was slightly taller than him, he was lanky as hell. It wasn’t so much of a problem early on in his pregnancy when the pups were slowly gnawing away at his abs, but now they weren’t remotely the same size! He couldn’t steal his jackets anymore or even his baggy hoodies. North was forced to live off of Sonic scenting his clothes before they went out and nesting in their closet, getting scent drunk off of the concentrated fumes. 

The scenting was nothing to complain about, but he just wanted to go back to when he could cozy up in one of Sonic’s shirts and feel the remnants of him on his skin. He wanted to go back to when he could pout at his friend and the alpha would sigh before reluctantly taking off his jacket to throw it at him. Victory was wrapping himself in the cloth and immersing himself in the sharp aroma that reminded him of the X-Hunter garage. 

That reminded him of the boy who had followed him after class one day and never stopped.

So he hated Sonic for ruining his ability to do this.

If the stubborn bastard had just gone to the gym with him like they had promised to do in university, then he wouldn’t be so small and dainty with the perfect hip to waist ratio to make North stare a little too long. It was that slutty waist that made it so he had to surrender to the ugly yet comfortable maternity jeans. He was jealous of all the other people in his birthing class who could just borrow their partners’.

Though Sonic had said the jeans accentuated his bump nicely…

So maybe he didn’t hate Sonic entirely.

It would be hard to hate someone who had stayed by his side through everything, even though he had no obligation too. The alpha had been there for him when he found out he was pregnant and supported his decision to keep his pup. Sonic hadn’t taken back his offer to raise their child together when it turned out the omega had one more parasite than expected. His family had a history of hyperovulation, but he never thought about how it might affect him. It was just something Mae complained about when his brothers hadn’t visited in what she deemed too long. 

He never believed he would have a pup, let alone two. He was supposed to be a bachelor for the rest of his life.

And it seemed like he still would be. 

But a partner was overrated when he had Sonic. No other alpha or omega or beta or even enigma would’ve tolerated his demands and cravings. They would’ve started complaining as soon as he started draping himself over them every chance he got and helping himself to their food and clothes. 

He knew P’Way was certainly annoyed by him borrowing the designer jackets he used for meeting with clients. However, if he didn’t want North to have them, then why were they out in the open of his closet that North broke into the one time he visited Way’s apartment? He wasn’t going to settle for just the X-Hunter coveralls of all his pack members. His pups deserved better than that. 

It was crucial during pregnancy to scent the person expecting and to keep them surrounded with the scent of their pack. Without it, the pup could become overwhelmed by the scents they are unable to recognize. This was especially important for the other parent and one of the first major steps of bonding. 

North might have taken this to the extreme and stolen a significant amount of clothing from his pack members. He had snatched everything he could get his hands on and about fifty percent of it was white tank tops. He could blame Dean, Alan, and Babe for that. Everything had accumulated into two piles: the pack’s clothing pile he kept in the guest room that used to be his room and Sonic’s clothing pile that was in their closet.

He refused to allow Sonic to contaminate the pack pile. 

The alpha had never been more shocked than when North yanked him back by the hair the one time he tried to enter the guest room. Sonic had grown complacent after years of being allowed to enter North’s heat nests as he pleased while never noticing how everyone else was growled away.

Sonic wasn’t used to him nesting so possessively. He wasn’t really used to North acting like an omega, but North supposed it was fair. He wasn’t used to Sonic acting like an alpha either. 

He didn't know if it was the pups or not but, whenever Sonic scented his clothes for the day, he always felt a flutter in his stomach. He imagined what it would be like to have Sonic pressed against his neck as he pressed against the cloth. He remembered all the fantasies he had ignored since they had met. He remembered how much he wanted to softly kiss Sonic's plush lips and pull him close. 

But Sonic wasn't his alpha.

And he was barely an omega.

Back when they were in university, North was the only one with a car, so it had made sense at the time for the omega to be the driver. Then they had continued this routine because North was the most aggressive driver Sonic had ever met, putting Babe to shame when it came to reckless driving, and it resulted in them miraculously dominating Bangkok traffic. After they graduated, their diplomas clutched tight like they expected the documents would be taken away at any second, they bought their first apartment and had been living together ever since. There was no reason for Sonic to use his own vehicle when most of the places he was heading were with North. It would be a waste of gas. 

This didn’t mean Sonic never drove them places. There were countless times they needed to get somewhere faster than a car would allow and they ended up on Sonic’s motorcycle. While weaving through traffic with North’s arms wrapped around his middle and face pressed against his back was a thrilling experience that left his blood racing, there was something about the air conditioning of a Toyota he couldn’t argue against. 

This dynamic of the alpha being the designated passenger princess had been long-established. Obviously, Sonic never called himself that, but North did whenever they were bickering in the car. 

“You are critiquing my driving way too much for a passenger princess, Sonic.”

“If you want to drive, no one is stopping you, princess.”

“Get out of my fucking seat now. I'm not getting in on the other side. I refuse to get stuck in traffic because of you. You’re my designated passenger princess and it isn’t like the contractions are that close together.”

The omega had been a lot more impulsive during his pregnancy down to the last second. He had complained the entire trip to the hospital about Sonic being a controlling knothead who didn’t believe he was capable. The insults being thrown haphazardly at him didn’t bother Sonic. He noticed how North grimaced every once in a while, hand rubbing his stomach and leg bouncing to distract himself. North was in pain and the griping shifted his focus from it.

When Sonic was bringing his new family back home a few days later, North had not grumbled once about being the passenger because he was so focused on admiring the twins. If it weren’t for the stitches, he was sure North would’ve reached back to hold their soft tiny hands while they slept. Neither could believe that their pups were finally here. It felt unreal and like they would dissolve if North didn’t keep his eyes on them. 

As North lovingly studied and memorized every feature of their children, Sonic asked if North would stop calling him a passenger princess because technically the pups were now the passenger princesses. North had given him a quizzical yet fond look, thinking it over before boldly responding as he always did. 

“You’re right. You're the passenger queen now.”

And North had smooched his non-driving hand like he was mock royalty. Sonic had felt the tired giggles being stifled like tremors against his skin and he could do nothing but laugh softly in return. It was an incredibly stupid thing to say, yet it had also made his heart flutter like every other time North was casual with affection. Light kisses on the cheek, hugging him from behind, leaning into him, scenting him in front of others, and cuddling outside of their cycles had defined the seven years of their friendship. He was so used to these displays that he no longer noticed the beat skipped or how he would stumble through a hitched breath.

If he was being honest with himself, he had never noticed. Everything had been written off as signs of their friendship. He had wasted so much time by refusing to delve deeper into why he felt so different around North. 

After North kept tiptoeing the line of death by protecting him, he realized he would never be able to live happily without his friend. Anguished misery was what he imagined he would experience if it happened and it was such a stark contrast in emotional depth. He had been scared when Babe had gotten into his crash, in mourning at Charlie’s and Way’s respective funerals, and worried when Jeff went missing. The incidents had affected him on more than a surface-level, but they also didn’t extinguish his will to live. Watching Babe be dismantled from the inside after Charlie’s death had helped him come to terms with the fact that he would react to North dying in the same way. 

He couldn’t read too far into it because then he would also have to explain everything else: the apprehension towards moving out by himself, the jealousy whenever someone was too close to North, how he stopped sleeping with other people because he felt like he was betraying North, and the insurmountable joy that had wracked through him when North revealed he was pregnant. 

What they had together was the best thing to ever happen to him and that should have been enough. It didn’t need to become something that could ruin them so easily.

The worst thing about being their friendship’s designated passenger princess was that it gave him too much time to reflect.

At the moment, he was staring vehemently at the hand gripping his thigh. It was nothing out of the ordinary as North usually had one hand on the wheel and the other somewhere on Sonic’s person, yet he couldn’t stop ogling it. North was caressing his inner thigh with eyes on the road like Sonic wasn’t there. The omega was instinctively winding him up and it frustrated him to no end.

They were in the Toyota on their way to pick up their pups from North’s parents’ house so that the four of them could head over to Lung’s. It had only been two weeks since the foundation was exposed, so Kim was still living there while trying to hunt for a new apartment. The beta hadn’t wanted to be left alone while P’Alan was spending Jeff’s heat at the omega’s apartment, so Sonic and North had volunteered to stay with him. It was understandable for Kim to have some residual discomfort about being by himself after he was dragged from his apartment, tortured, and had an organ harvested. 

The last time the three of them had gotten together was at Way's funeral a week prior and before that it was when they beat Winner to a pulp, so it would be nice to have it just be them around Kim for a while. They just needed to house sit and make sure Bobo was taken care of until the heat was over. Taking care of the pups would probably be the hardest part of their stay and that was only every single day of their lives. It wasn’t a daunting task, but Sonic understood that the silence of the house would have gotten to Kim.

So it wasn’t exactly the best time for North to get his dick hard. If the omega was going to fuck with him, he might as well bend Sonic over the center console and get it over with. North was taunting him with his toned arms and strong hands and supple fingers. It was all he could think of now as he tried to subtly shift to get more comfortable, his alpha clawing at his last shreds of composure. They only had penetrative sex during their cycles, so it had been a few months since North had properly fucked him into a mattress. He was willing to settle for a seat cushion if it meant getting some relief. 

North didn’t pay mind to his slight movement or the strain against denim, continuing to knead his groin with little regard to the yearning he was holding back by a thread. It was taking all of his control to not have his scent explode everywhere. The omega couldn’t fathom how Sonic was fantasizing over his hand working its way up even further and unzipping his jeans before tearing him apart. He imagined how easily North could stroke him to completion in the car without anyone realizing. Any passerby would just notice him biting the palm of his hand, forcing himself to remain quiet and constrained, while North continued to drive calmly. 

A tantalizing aroma of sweet mango wafted into his face, taking him back to when he followed that very scent to find the loud idiot from lecture. The scent had changed since then because of age and pregnancy, but it had never stopped enticing him. He dreamed of biting into its owner to get a taste and wondered if the texture would be as creamy as he smelled.

There was music playing that North hummed along to, yet the silence between them was unbearable. He couldn’t stand continuing like this when he had finally accepted his own feelings. Their interactions were under a microscope being scrutinized and he was unable to ignore the implications. 

There was a lot of fear that North didn’t return his feelings and that he might play off Sonic having a crush on him as a joke the alpha was making. Their relationship was meant to be platonic, yet he had violated that by developing romantic and sexual feelings towards him. He was terrified of the possible outcome of their friendship deteriorating as they slowly grew apart and raising his kids with a virtual stranger.

He shouldn’t have listened to Kim. The beta may have had an outsider’s perspective and be able to view Sonic and North interacting in a way they were unable to, but that didn’t mean he was correct in his assumption that the two of them were in love. Kim could’ve misinterpreted, yet deep down Sonic had listened to his advice with rapt attention. He thought of when he had met North’s family, how they had accepted him as a fourth son, and how their gazes grew more expectant with each passing year. He thought of the excitement that had quickly turned into confusion when North and him announced they were having pups, one of North’s brothers cursing as he handed money back to his family. He thought about how he didn't want to disappoint them and have another family reject him, yet he didn't know what they wanted from him. He thought about Lung who always came to them for love advice. He thought about Jeff who sometimes stared at them with an envious longing, who had asked them not to fuck in his apartment, and how he had called him North's alpha. He thought about every time they had joked and danced around the topic of them dating, teasing each other until someone broke. Even after thinking about all of this, he pushed to the side what Kim had said. 

He shouldn’t have only realized Kim was right after North and him nearly died. It was as North was holding him on the floor with a gun aimed at them that he wished he hadn’t squandered their time together. 

“North,” Sonic forced out before he could stop himself, a pulse running through him as the hand on his thigh finally relaxed. 

“Yes?”

He swallowed down his anxiety before glancing to his right, “Remember when P’Kim helped me put Manik to sleep?”

“The day Jeff was kidnapped?”

When it was put like that, everything was forced into perspective. That morning he had been teasing Jeff about having sex with Lung and the next thing he knew Lung was panicking because his boyfriend had gone missing. So much had happened in such a short period of time. 

Sonic hummed an affirmation, nodding even though North couldn’t see it, and continued, “Well, Kim and I talked for a bit.” 

As he mulled over how he could explain what happened, he went quiet. North waited for him to keep going, but he didn’t. The omega glimpsed over, making eye contact with the alpha for a brief hopeful second before turning back to the road. The gaze was tender and encouraging without trying to be. It was enough to spur Sonic on.

“You know how I said I was fine with you flirting with Kim?” Sonic started back up again, refusing to be discouraged. He needed to reveal this even if he had to crawl his way through it.

“Of course,” North snorted, “I wouldn’t forget our deal.”

Around the first week or so that Kim was brought to Lung’s house, they had noticed how both of them were acting around Kim. They were going out of their way to help Kim adjust to the pack. They couldn’t tell if it was remaining guilt from leaving Kim behind or not until North revealed he could speak Korean. When Kim’s eyes lit up and he excitedly started talking to North, the two friends had been enamored by his joy. They discussed it afterwards, teasing each other as they went along, and decided how they would handle this. Both of them would try to pursue Kim and whoever lost had to back off. He regretted the deal. It felt like a distraction for both of them and he felt guilty for using Kim in that way.

“I ended up kissing Kim.” 

Words were shoved out into the open, ready to be judged and scorned. He waited for North’s reaction, hoping for the best while expecting the worst. As the silence deepened, his worry grew. 

“Like a full-on make out session? With tongue and scenting and everything?” North ended up asking, unbothered but clearly curious enough to be wondering what exactly happened. He tilted his head, drumming his fingers on Sonic’s thigh as he contemplated how that must’ve gone.

“Not exactly…”

“Did he lift you and press you up against a wall? I know how you like to be manhandled by strong men,” the omega teased.

“Shut up,” Sonic blushed. Kim had taken good care of him but not in the way North clearly thought. After they had talked and tucked Manik in, Sonic had lightly kissed Kim. He had thought that was what the beta had wanted, only to be pushed away as quickly as their lips touched. Sonic had been confused, wondering why another person didn’t want him, and Kim had finally asked the question he had been ignoring.

Don’t you like North? Doesn’t he like you? What the fuck are you doing right now?

He took in how North nodded as if he was impressed by Kim. The omega had seen the beta working out for his recovery, so he knew what Sonic was dealing with. North seemed happy that his friend was getting closer to his crush and it made Sonic start to rethink what Kim had claimed. 

“I-”

“Congrats on the potential sex. You’re finally getting some. I was worried I would have to help you with your ruts for the rest of your life,” his mouth quivered as he spoke but the words were steady. Sonic was familiar with when North used humor to shield himself. 

They had shared their cycles for years at this point and neither of them seemed to be searching for new partners. North hadn’t had a heat since he got pregnant and wouldn’t have one until he stopped breastfeeding. His friend tried to hide it from him before, but he could tell how the omega believed Sonic would stray from him if they didn’t share a heat soon. A hidden and unknown part of North was convinced that if he wasn’t offering Sonic his body, then the alpha wouldn’t stay. 

“It isn’t like that.” And Sonic couldn’t allow him to believe it. North was worth so much more than a heat. He was his co-parent, his business partner, his pack, and most importantly his best friend. 

“Is he going to ask you out?”

“North.”

“You should use a billboard like you said earlier to Lung,” North recalled what Sonic had dreamed of because of course he would remember what Sonic believed to be the height of romance. He mumbled under his breath, “Wait, Kim would prefer something a bit more private and personal. Maybe I could help him buy a billboard to ask you out.”

“Listen to me.”

“I really thought he was going after me for a second there, but I’m fine with backing off. Just don’t forget the kids even if you're with someone else.”

The request hit Sonic like a truck. He had not expected North to acknowledge that concern again because it was one that had come up months ago. When they had first discovered North was pregnant, there was the question of if Sonic wanted to be involved. North had given him multiple opportunities to opt out and leave the pups in his sole custody. It wasn’t because he wanted Sonic to go. He just couldn’t stand the possibility of Sonic staying only because he had no other choice. He secretly yearned for Sonic to choose to stay and the alpha had. Even when one of the X-Hunter employees had accused North of baby-trapping Sonic to secure his spot in the company, the alpha refused to denounce them. 

But if Sonic got with someone…

Manik and Sonia were the product of North helping with a rut and unknowingly triggering his heat. They weren’t planned and their parents had never been in a relationship with each other. If Sonic were to start dating someone, it was an opportunity to start over. He could leave the family he had made behind, but that was unthinkable to him. Even if he didn’t already dream of spending every second of his life with North, he wasn’t that big of an asshole.

He placed his own hand on the one on his thigh and gave it a reassuring squeeze. It was something he was used to doing because North appreciated the small comfort when he needed it. Sonic held firm to North and refused to let go.

“North, I was jealous when you flirted with Kim.” 

North remained silent, not answering. Sonic couldn’t imagine what was going through his head. 

Pressing onward, he tried to keep collected, “I… I was jealous that it was Kim you were flirting with… and not me.” He whispered the last part as he admitted to himself what he should have known all along.

“What?” North’s attention was finally grabbed, so Sonic had to see it through to the end.

“I don’t want to be your friend. I can’t believe it took me about seven years, two children, almost dying, and a beta rejecting me to realize this. A while ago you asked me what I saw you as and that doesn’t matter because-,” his words got caught in his throat as his eyes softly looked towards the omega, searching for any reciprocation, “-because I want to be yours, North.”

“You-”

“I know you don’t see me like that, but I needed to be honest because I love you and I have for a long time without realizing it. If it weren’t for Kim, I probably never would’ve.”

“And you decided to confess while I was driving?” North sounded exasperated, his grip on the wheel fastening. 

Sonic's voice shook, “I’m sorry.”

The alpha forced back the tears and trembling that wanted to flood through him. He had done it. He had managed to throw away years of friendship because he was stupid enough to find everything North did endearing even when it frustrated him. He was stupid to dream of a peaceful life, watching their kids grow up among their pack while sporting mating marks on their necks. It was too much to ask for and his selfishness had sowed this. 

North sighed, “I can hear you being melodramatic from over here.”

“I’m not being melodramatic,” Sonic sniffled, using the back of his hand that was still holding North’s to wipe at his eyes. North just allowed it to happen.

“Sonic, you can’t expect me to respond properly while I’m driving.”

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, waiting for North to let him down easy. 

“Stop apologizing. There is nothing to apologize for unless you lied about Kim rejecting you.”

“No, he told me he prefers other betas and said I was stupid for not realizing you were in love with me.”

North chuckled lightly, “We are both a bit stupid and that is why we are perfect for each other.”

The omega readjusted his hand in Sonic’s so that their scent glands were rubbing directly against each other. Any distress that was coming off of the alpha was placated with the soothing gesture. Sonic didn’t know what to make of it until North admitted, “If I tried to kiss you like I have wanted to for years, we would probably get into a car crash and we had too many of those recently. I have an idea though. After Jeff’s heat is done, we’re dropping the twins off with my parents and testing out if I can fuck their sibling into you.”

Gaping at North, Sonic tried to comprehend what he had been told as he turned red and his brain became mush. The omega held tightly onto his hand, scent marking him with a vengeance. Somehow North was still able to act like he hadn’t said anything as he continued to drive a little faster than before. As the shock settled, Sonic realized how he wasn’t opposed to what had been suggested. In fact, a smile began to overtake his face as he reminded himself over and over again that North reciprocated. 

Kim hadn’t been wrong.

Chapter Text

Jeff was ecstatic to be over halfway through getting his Bachelor's. Classes had ended just in time; the lectures were starting to blur together and he was easily losing focus. The frequent migraines that worsened with every droned word weren’t helping either. Fatigue was more likely to cause him problems than the Chen Foundation it seemed.

Luck was the only reason he managed not to ruin his grades and lose his scholarship the prior semester. His entire schedule would've been thrown off because not even being involved in taking down a human trafficking scheme would’ve been a good enough reason for him to miss so many classes. Nothing short of giving birth or dying would’ve satisfied any of his professors. 

Even with all its issues, this semester was a good reset after the prior was riddled with trafficking schemes and pack drama. The biggest worries were passing exams instead of living. As he began studying with peers and asking his pack questions related to his classes, he realized he had found the normalcy he had craved. He had settled and his support was no longer limited to his brother. 

After scraping through the final lecture of the semester, Jeff was dead on his feet. He wanted nothing more than to pass out on Lung’s bed and pretend he didn’t have an exam on Monday to prepare for. A couple hours of blissful sleep in a nest made of his boyfriend’s bedding sounded like the perfect evening. However, this plan changed when P’Alan offered to buy him pork skewers from the stall next to the garage. 

Apparently, he was a lot more food-motivated than he had thought.

“North used to come here all the time when he was pregnant,” Lung mused as they walked towards the stall. He reminisced with a smile, “I was sure Sonia and Manik would come out as little piglets with how often he ate them.”

Jeff huffed, “You know how good these pork skewers are.” 

“They are pretty good,” his boyfriend conceded before adopting a teasing tone, “But you’re about as territorial with them as he was.”

“I'm not territorial,” he mumbled. The slight pout on his face made P’Alan chuckle.

“When you found out I ate one, you tried to stab me with the stick it was on.”

“If I had tried, you would’ve been stabbed. It was more of a…”

“A threat?” Lung offered, eyes crinkling.

Jeff rolled his eyes, but he still nodded. P’Alan wasn’t technically wrong. He didn’t remember there being any other motivation beyond ensuring Lung would never take his food ever again. It seemed irrational in hindsight. 

With how giddy he felt when the scent of pork reached his nose, he might have a problem.

“P’North coming here does explain how the auntie treats me,” he admitted, glancing at Lung as they reached their destination. 

“How she treats you?”

“You’ll see,” Jeff whispered to his boyfriend before taking his place in front of the stall. He politely greeted both the auntie and her son before paying for two skewers. The auntie sat on a stool, fanning herself with a newspaper. She stared at Jeff, scenting the air, until recognition began to seep in. Her gaze softened and a smile spread on her face.

A reminder was murmured to her son, a familiar request he had grown used to, before he began to prepare the order. P’Alan watched as the son placed three skewers in a plastic bag under the watchful eye of his mother. For a moment, the alpha believed that he had heard Jeff’s order wrong. 

When the auntie finally seemed content with the order, she turned her attention back to the customers. She directed a question to the omega, using the newspaper to point at P’Alan, “Is this the father?”

Lung’s reaction was immediate, eyes widening and mouth gaping for a moment. He quickly looked towards Jeff for some sort of explanation, but his boyfriend ignored the questioning glance. As the son handed Jeff the bag, they both were pushing down laughter. They were entertained for different reasons, yet the alpha's shock was no less amusing to either of them. 

“Yes, Auntie, this is my boyfriend,” Jeff finally answered, much to P’Alan’s surprise.

She observed Lung, sweeping him over with a single gaze. The auntie thought he was a handsome alpha with a strong face and a soothing grassy scent. He seemed like such a nice match for the omega who visited her stall. However, she tutted upon noticing the lack of marks on the couple's necks.

“Best to take responsibility before someone else does, young man,” she warned, stabbing the newspaper towards Lung again. “He’s a good kid. A cute one too and, even if he hasn't told me, I can tell how worried he is about you leaving. You better mate him quickly.”

It began to dawn on P’Alan that it wasn’t his boyfriend who had told a stranger he was pregnant. Even though he had grasp on the situation and understood it wasn’t truly meant for him, he was still taken aback by the auntie’s declaration. 

There had been a lot of deliberation when he first realized he was attracted to Jeff because he was the omega’s boss and fifteen years older than him. There was an imbalance he could easily abuse. Despite going through so much in his life, Jeff had very little real-world experience. It would’ve been easy to manipulate him, so being accused of not taking responsibility for his child hit even harder. Jeff did not deserve a first — and last — partner who didn’t love and give him their all. 

“Don’t worry,” Lung put his arms around Jeff’s shoulder, a soft smile spreading on his face when Jeff leaned into his side. Such a simple act, but it was something Jeff wouldn’t have been comfortable enough to do when they first met. “I plan to soon,” he assured her.

"With the price of gold recently, I would hope so. It will only get worse."

"It wasn't as bad in September," P'Alan recalled offhandedly, causing Jeff to choke on air. 

They had been courting since the beginning of their relationship, and it was hard not to get visions around Lung when he was the one person Jeff consistently touched. He was doing his best not to commit the details of his engagement to memory, but there was only so much information he could ignore. At some point before his next semester, Lung was going to propose, yet he hadn't been aware of Lung planning this for months behind his back. His boyfriend never failed to be meticulous and meaningful.

He felt like they were going too fast yet not fast enough. Still, this somehow evened out at a pace Jeff was content going at. With a confidence that would seem like ignorance to an outsider, he continued. This was the life he wanted, even with the residual fear of everything falling to ruin.

The auntie laughed, pleased by the answer and reaction. There was too much mischief in her stare. Despite the years separating her from it, she understood the follies of youth and how it led to situations like this. She grinned into the newspaper, “Remind me. How far along are you, nong?”

Resting a hand on his abdomen, Jeff thought through whether or not it would be appropriate to respond. A simple lie was easy enough, but there was more to the situation than there had been when he first started doing this. Things has changed. However, he didn't have to decide as Lung stepped in for him.

“Eighteen weeks,” the alpha beamed, his scent expressing as much pride as his voice. “They’re due in May. It feels like a whole year has passed, yet he is still just only in the second trimester. There is so much we have to prepare for. We haven’t even decided if we want to raise them Buddhist or Catholic yet. My boyfriend truly is the most amazing omega I have ever met and he is so strong for carrying our child. I know he will be the best mother because no one is as handsome and talented and-”

Jeff interjected, “I’ve told you I’m fine with Buddhist.” 

He tried to hide the newfound blush on his face, but it only worsened as the aroma got stronger. P’Alan was too good at finding opportunities like this. Unlike their pack, the auntie would not tease Lung for his blatant infatuation, even if she seemed amused. If Jeff hadn’t stopped him, the alpha would’ve invented new words to compliment him.

“You don’t have to set aside your faith for me,” his boyfriend said, aiming the most sorrowful look at him. Lung’s eyes were almost cute with how soft they were. It reminded Jeff of when Bobo would lay against his stomach and peer up at him with sad puppy eyes, begging him for a treat or to go outside.

He sighed, swatting at Lung’s shoulder, “Phi, I’m not that religious. As long as we celebrate Christmas and baptize them, I don’t care. They can decide if they want to be confirmed when they’re older.”

“Our first Christmas together will be pretty memorable,” Lung smiled, placing his hand above Jeff’s on the omega’s stomach. Jeff nipped at him in warning. They were still in public and he didn’t like the pensive look crossing the face of the auntie’s son.

Their first heat together hadn’t happened at the best time. The pack had been mourning P’Way’s recent death while also helping fix the mess left behind by the Chen Foundation. This would be the pack’s first Christmas without Way and their first with Jeff and Charlie. At times, Jeff felt like a replacement for a dead man, but he always pushed that thought aside. Neither him or his brother remotely filled the hole left behind by Way, even after everything that enigma had done to his pack. Despite all this, Jeff was looking forward to being able to go to midnight mass with his brother and P’Babe. 

The auntie cooed, reminding Lung better than Jeff had that they had an audience. Lung pulled away slightly, but his hand never moved. 

“It was twins, right?” The auntie sniffed the air and nodded to herself. “They must be two boys. You smell so sugary. Girls would have a more floral scent.” She was wrong on both ends as P'North didn't have two boys either, but at least the other omega had a son.

Regardless, Jeff and P’Alan went along with what she said, bobbing their heads along in agreement. She might have been wrong about who she was talking to, but there was no harm in making her happy. It wasn’t like everything was a lie either.

The couple thanked the auntie and her son for the food, heading back to Lung’s car. It was as they settled into their seats that P’Alan stared over at his partner, studying every detail of him. Within seconds, he reached the conclusion he had already been sure of. 

“You look nothing like North,” he informed his boyfriend.

“Her memory isn’t the best and male omegas aren’t that common,” Jeff shrugged. He was far more preoccupied with the bag holding his most persistent craving. As he peeked in, his stomach grumbled in anticipation. The wonderful aroma of savory meat tingled his nose and made him salivate. He didn’t want to wait until they were back home to eat them, so he picked out what he deemed to be the best skewer based on size. Taking the first bite, he tore off a small portion from the side. It was as delicious as always: sweet and tender and just the right amount of fat. The meal satiated him, causing him to make noises of content. 

Still chewing, he thought aloud, “I think it might be because we both have fruit scents. It doesn’t matter either way. She is only a nice auntie who gives me free food.”

The alpha sighed, but there was a fond resignation to be found in it. His partner truly was a part of the pack. He leaned over the console and took Jeff by surprise with a kiss on the cheek. The soft press of lips against his skin coincided with a fluttering in his stomach, causing Jeff to turn red. The shade only worsened as Lung pulled away. 

As Jeff swallowed, he thought about how there was a smaller skewer in the bag. He reached in once again to pick out this particular skewer, taking it out before showing it to Lung. P’Alan’s surprise was evident as it was handed over to him. 

“You’re giving me one?” He asked.

Jeff nodded as he took another bite. His cheeks were now only dusted with pink. 

Lung glanced down at the pork in doubt before looking back up to Jeff, “And you’re fine with me having it?”

“For now,” the omega mumbled, eyeing the skewer he had given away with a tinge of regret.

His boyfriend didn't waste this one-time opportunity, biting into the skewer without hesitation once he knew it was allowed. Jeff almost regretted his decision until Lung gave him a thankful smile. Maybe sharing one of his skewers wasn't so bad after all.

They both sat next to each other, enjoying their skewers. It was nice to just sit next to Lung in silence sometimes. With the pack, moments like this were getting more rare. He frowned slightly, thinking about how everything was changing, but it soon faded because he was relieved that they were both still around to change. 

“How long have you been doing this?” Lung asked once he had finished his skewer and Jeff had started his second. 

“Since I started the internship,” Jeff admitted, his voice muffled by the food in his mouth. 

“That is over half a year, noo.”

“I like the skewers,” he said and that was explanation enough. It would have to be because Jeff refused to elaborate further, focusing once more on finishing his food. Lung shook his head in amusement before starting the car so they could head to the market.

When Lung had bribed him with buying skewers, Jeff had promised he would go to the market in return. Lung wanted to buy fresh ingredients for a “special surprise” as the older man called it.

There was some confusion when his boyfriend dragged him along, grinning and asking Jeff what flavor he thought would be best. At first, he thought Lung might be celebrating the end of his school year.

However, Lung celebrating that didn’t make any sense. He had yet to survive his exams and P’Alan would never have him buy a surprise for himself. He must’ve forgotten something. Something important based on the absolute joy exuding from his boyfriend. 

Then he remembered that the next day was the twins’ first birthday and everything fell into place. 

The couple started bouncing ideas off each other which was how they ended up with a five-pack of Hot Wheels and the knowledge that Jeff could write with frosting. It was a skill P’Alan had not expected a person raised by the Chen Foundation to have based on his own experience with Babe and Jeff had to explain that Babe was meant to be sold as a weapon. Jeff wasn’t.

“No matter how strong my abilities were I would always be an omega to a buyer,” he said. “I couldn’t be sold on power alone.” He appreciated how Lung looked at him in understanding rather than pity. 

Baking with someone else had been a lot more fun than he had initially thought it would be. There was no getting in each other’s way or having to start over. It was just two people enjoying the company they had. Lung loved baking for pack events, so it was a calm environment while P’Alan guided Jeff through his recipe for chocolate cake.

They waited for the two layers to cool overnight in the freezer before decorating, planning to wake up and get straight back to work. Jeff used this as an excuse to stay over, though it didn’t seem to fool P’Alan with how the alpha pulled him into bed. Nothing more than cuddling happened, but sometimes that level of intimacy was enough.

In the morning, P’Alan leveled and prepped the cake layers before handing them off to Jeff to be frosted. Watching Lung put so much effort into something the recipients wouldn’t even remember was endearing. The alpha truly cared about his pack and making experiences memorable.

They had landed on using a light blue buttercream with white accents. It felt appropriate given the occasion. Jeff ripped open the five-pack and took out two large trucks that seemed the hardest to choke on. He set aside the rest to be given to Babe and placed the trucks on top, leaving room to write a little message. It couldn’t be anything too long with how small the cake was.

Lung peered over Jeff’s shoulder, hand on his waist and front against his back, as the omega put the final touches on the chocolate cake. Fuzz settled behind his eyes every other time he leaned back into the touch. The piping bag drifted, hovering next to the cake and not over it, because Jeff didn’t want to mess it up. However, he didn’t want Lung to stop either. 

“You really want to baptize them?” Lung murmured as he cradled Jeff’s stomach. 

“Them?” The omega questioned incredulously. 

P’Alan smiled into the crook of his neck, “I can hope.”

“Hope somewhere else,” he remarked, yet he didn’t pull away

“Your scent really is more sugary than usual. ” P’Alan inhaled, nose tickling Jeff’s gland, “You smell amazing.”

It took a lot of strength to not melt into the contact with how warm and secure it made him feel. A short laugh escaped, more breathy than anything. “Stop that,” he scolded lightly. He needed to finish decorating the cake.

“I bet you taste better.”

Lips graced his gland, kissing it softly before nipping at the skin. He luckily managed to stop himself from tensing up, but he wasn’t able to catch the slight hitch in his breath or the inviting aroma coming off of him. Instinct begged for a deeper bite with a permanent mark, to be forced down against the counter and taken. He attempted to quell the senseless depravity, but it only made his head pound alongside his powers.

His omega hadn’t been this desperate since his last heat. There was something about Lung pressing up against him, hard against him, that made his omega salivate. He bent slightly into the touch, becoming flustered when he felt the cool of slick. His body was preparing for something that wasn’t there, for Lung’s presence and scent was enough. 

He had heard this was a symptom that could happen around one’s alpha, but he didn’t realize it would be this early. However, he remembered then that over four months had gone by and he wondered when he had finally grown happy enough to not fret over the passage of time.

Jeff set the piping bag down to the side, pursing his mouth. Nothing would be finished until he resolved this, so he would have to give up on frosting for now. He turned around and stared down P’Alan, “I’m trying to concentrate.”

His boyfriend hummed in acknowledgement but feigned innocence, looking around for who could possibly be bothering Jeff. Both his hands settled on the counter on either side of Jeff, boxing the omega in. 

“I’m not doing anything.”

“You keep triggering visions,” Jeff chided.

Lung leaned in closer, “Then don’t return the contact.” From the look Alan gave him, he could tell the alpha knew it was more than the visions distracting him.

Their bracelets clinked together as Lung grabbed one of Jeff’s hands. He lifted it up, kissing the palm before running his cheek along the wrist. Earthy tones mixing with citrus soothed both the alpha and omega. Jeff watched, breath caught in his throat, as Lung held eye contact with him. His partner was seeking permission in his stare and he found it. The alpha bit at the wrist’s scent gland, breaking through and leaving another mark on Jeff.

There was no wince or recoil from the omega as his skin was pierced into. Even with the lust swirling in the room, Lung made sure to be careful, so the sharp twinge of pain was temporary and quickly turned into a soft ebb. The simple act made the omega’s head feel light instead of heavy, euphoric instead of burdened. 

It was as perfect as every other time Lung had claimed him this way.

When the alpha released, Jeff’s eyes were drawn towards the specks of blood on his wrist. They were stagnant and sparse unlike the slick he prayed wouldn’t soak through. Lung licked the wound and only as he tasted the omega in front of him did he feel his boyfriend tremble slightly. 

“But I know you don’t want to keep to yourself,” Alan said as he drew away.

The space between them, the temporary separation, gave Jeff a choice: to continue this game or not. Lung was familiar with how capable he was at ignoring his emotions, even after being riled up. It was easy after straying away from others his entire life, but it didn’t mean he preferred it.

Ever since he became Alan’s boy, the alpha had gotten more bold but so had Jeff. All those months with his pack and Lung had helped him realize he was more than the limits he had set for himself. 

So he allowed himself to do what he had always feared.

He allowed himself to take.

His arms looped around Lung’s neck. As he drew the alpha back in, he pushed through the glint of an engagement ring blurring his vision and the laughter only he could hear. It was only when their lips were about to meet that he faltered, the vision finally grabbing his attention. 

Instinct recognized the chime before his mind. Even with how light the tone was, it held a weight that settled in his chest. The panic that followed confused him. It refused to go away until it found what it was looking for: the outline of Lung in the momentary haze.

There was no way he could ignore the cooing pup cradled in the alpha’s arms. Glancing up from the child, his boyfriend beamed at him with watery eyes. 

“I don’t tell you this enough but thank you,” the herald said. “Thank you for giving me her.”

His omega searched the air for someone that had yet to be born, distressed by the lack of freshness in the air. Jeff could feel the start of whine beginning to develop in his throat, but he pushed through it. He pushed through the vision and the anxiety and the heartbeat pounding in his head as they overwhelmed him.

He pushed through until his lips were against Lung’s, grounding him back to reality. For a second, he considered how easy life would be if he took Reval’s offer, but he couldn’t take the serum at the moment. The unknown side effects were enough to scare him away. Maybe he would turn to it once desperation hit.

There was still a fuzz present, but it faded into the background as Jeff persisted with the kiss. Lung was always gentle at the beginning, as if checking Jeff’s mood, before becoming more assured and passionate. It was a reminder that Lung was more experienced than him.

Jeff would never admit it aloud, but he lived for when the older man took control. 

He felt the edge of the counter against his back as they alpha melded into him, uncomfortable but bearable as he got lost in P’Alan. They breathed each other in, parting to rub their cheeks together. His thoughts felt light and feathery as the earthy musk mixed with the tang of lemon. Fingers teased their way under the shirt’s hem, lifting it slightly to tease at the band of his jeans.

When Lung pulled back once again, he followed the ghost of his lips, but he soon realized he couldn’t because the alpha had knelt down. He was barely able to process when Lung began to mouth at him through the fabric.

A gush of slick escaped at the sensation and doused the room in a sweet perfume. While drunk on the aroma of his partner, Lung purred, providing enough vibration for a whine to grow in Jeff’s throat. He looked down through the haze, breathing growing heavy, as his boyfriend hooked his teeth onto the top of his jeans above the zipper. The alpha forced the button through with his tongue, using his teeth as leverage, and the rest easily followed suit. 

His jeans were being slowly peeled off of him. Lung’s hands slipped through his underwear to cup his ass, kneading at the fat. It was the cold contact of their skin together that brought him back to his senses.

He reached down to grab Lung’s hands and the alpha stopped to look up at him. “Not here,” Jeff ordered, pulling P’Alan back up. They both glanced at the cake that was still on the counter, sitting undisturbed despite everything. Lung nodded in understanding. 

Jeff grimaced, praying the cake wouldn’t smell of lemon in a couple of hours. 

Taking a second to collect himself, he tried to settle the tremble in his legs and fix his jeans. It didn’t help that Lung was ogling him the entire time but he managed, even if there was a slight quiver when he picked up the cake to store it in the fridge.

For a moment, he thought about hurriedly writing out the message, but he didn’t want to mess it up. If he was going to finish the cake properly, he would have to do it later if he did at all. The younger frowned before reassuring himself; it wasn’t like the recipients could read anyway.

As soon as the fridge door was closed, Lung grabbed his hand to lead him towards their room. They rushed upstairs together, trying not to trip in their hurry. Once inside, they were a flurry of motion as Jeff pushed P’Alan onto the bed, climbing on top of him. The omega straddled the alpha, letting him feel how wet he had made Jeff. The soft pleading motion of Jeff’s hips broke through any composure Lung had left.

Their lips bruised together, Jeff grinning into the kiss. Both their hands wandered to take off Jeff’s jeans and, unlike in the kitchen, they succeeded. 

“You make me insatiable,” the alpha whispered against his partner’s like it was a secret before surprising the omega by flipping their positions. He looked down at him with adoration, placing a simple peck on his nose, “I will never have enough of you.” Jeff became flustered as Lung worshiped him, spewing sweet nothings and compliments with ease. 

He didn’t want this to ever stop, but nothing good could be forever.

“Do we have enough time for this?” Jeff asked, sitting up while Lung helped him take off his shirt. 

Lung threw his own shirt off then pushed Jeff back down. He toyed with the hem of Jeff’s boxers. “They’re coming over at five,” he reassured, hovering over him. “We could have all day if we wanted to.”

“Don’t act like you're not more excited than them,” Jeff teased, shuffling to Lung began to lower his boxers. The alpha only hummed before peppering kisses along Jeff’s jaw and neck.

Jeff closed his eyes for just a moment, letting himself relax into Lung trailing his mouth down. He bit at the subtle plush of the omega’s chest and grinned as he heard a whimper above him. It motivated him to continue downwards. Hot breath against his stomach caused the omega to shiver, anticipating what Lung would do next. 

His boxers were finally slided all the way off. The omega blushed as the comforter underneath him dampened from slick. Lung settled in front of him, palms landing on Jeff’s knees. With a gentle push, legs spread apart as Lung moved between them. 

“Be good for me, kid,” Lung ordered. His fingers danced across soft thighs while his eyes drifted upward. “Try not to touch me.”

“Yes, Lung,” Jeff managed to choke out, face flushed and pupils blown.

A palm was used to catch some slick, lubing Lung’s hands as he grabbed the omega’s dick to stroke it. While he mainly wanted it out of the way, it deserved some attention too. His focus diverted to marking the pudge of his boyfriend’s inner thigh. Jeff’s pulse quickened as Lung scented down there. As the man began to press their lips together once more, Jeff had to stop himself from rocking his hips into it and fucking himself on Lung’s mouth.

Gasps were contained as Jeff gripped the comforter, head thrown back as he rode the feeling of ecstasy deep in his stomach simmering and ready to boil over. He twitched around a tongue, flashes appearing behind his eyes that he forced down. 

Haggard but sensuous breath fluttered over his vulva, resulting in trembles of pleasure. The mouth which usually supported him was being masterfully used to tear him apart, edging into near euphoria. Desperation struck as P’Alan’s tongue began to only stimulate and flit around his clit, the hand wrapped around him slowing down to a sickening pace despite the blood rushing to it. 

He wanted nothing more than to wrap his legs around Lung’s head and suffocate him, to tug sharply at his hair as a plea to devour instead of just eat him out. 

“Daddy,” he gasped, “Stop teasing me.”

A moan broke through when nails embedded into his hips. Lung tried to remain composed, but Jeff knew what would get through to him. Within a second, he returned to his task of pleasing the omega before him. This time he wasn’t holding back.

Pressure was applied to the clitoris as two fingers were pushed in and out in a rhythm Lung constructed especially for him. Somehow the alpha hadn’t forgotten about his other hand, stimulating the omega even more as he continued to stroke him off. It was as if there was a song with a slow and rough melody kept secret between the two. P’Alan understood the body of his boyfriend better than anyone. This finally drew Jeff to climax: his whole being shuddering against a skilled mouth.

Lung drew back. The absence caused a flutter in his overstimulated pussy. Jeff watched, wide-eyed and boneless, as the alpha lapped up the cum that spilled over onto his hand. Lung got closer to him and Jeff’s eyes were drawn to his lips. They were covered in glistening slick. Noticing his line of sight, Lung licked them clean. 

“You do taste better. It's like lemonade,” Lung chirped, coming down to kiss him. 

“You’re disgusting,” Jeff giggled as he weakly pushed away his boyfriend who continued to try to kiss him. Eventually, the alpha relented and settled down, laying next to Jeff. 

Lung grinned cheekily, squishing closer, “You didn’t seem to have any complaints a few seconds ago."

“But I did.” Jeff waited for confusion to reach Lung’s eyes before pulling the alpha down. He hitched his voice and whimpered softly into his ear.

“Daddy.”

It was P’Alan’s turn to become flushed, hiding his face against the omega’s chest in embarrassment. Jeff stroked his hair, chuckling, “You really are just an alpha sometimes.”

“I can’t help it,” Lung murmured.

Jeff was too distracted by the whiny tone to prepare for the alpha sneaking in a kiss. While there was no slick left, the taste of him was still on his boyfriend’s lips. It managed to break through his closed mouth and he flinched back. 

“Why did you do that?” Jeff gagged. He nearly heaved into his words, “That is unnaturally sweet.” He couldn’t believe P’Alan could swallow it down so nonchalantly. It was like downing an ounce of sugar that was just sour enough to make his eyes water. 

“It’s delicious.” Lung chomped playfully on his cheek. With love and adoration in his gaze, he said, “You’re delicious.”

The fondness didn’t distract from the taste in his mouth. He cringed as he tried to get it out, scraping his tongue with his teeth, “It’s less of a lemonade and more of a lemon dessert.” The worst dessert he had ever had but a dessert nonetheless. 

“But the consistency reminds me of a drink,” Lung said, which caused Jeff to roll his eyes. The alpha had certainly treated it as such. Lung continued, a thoughtful look crossing his face, “The undertones are kind of like a shake though.”

As the flavor dimmed, the aftertaste became more apparent to Jeff. It wasn’t as bad as what preceded it. He could see what Lung meant and asked, “Like a lemon milkshake?”

“Yeah,” Lung nuzzled into his neck as Jeff exposed it to accommodate, “Just like your scent right now.”

Jeff’s mind wandered to what the doctor and auntie had told them and what his vision had confirmed. “Apparently, it’s supposed to be more floral,” he joked, watching as Lung detached from his neck to focus on his stomach. The alpha shifted down the bed so he was on the same level. Jeff laughed softly when he was tickled by Lung kissing the curve of it, everything forgotten but the sight before him.

His alpha was already completely enamored with their daughter. 

“My little piglet,” Lung said to the bump.

“Don't call her that,” yet Jeff smiled, rubbing the top of the swell.

The alpha pouted but continued to whisper to the pup. His voice was low and steady as he talked about their plans for the day, how he wished she was already there to join them when the pack arrived. They couldn’t wait to meet her. 

How they loved her.

Such a foreign concept from when he was a child. Without even being born, she was adored. She didn’t need to earn it or worry about it being taken away. As he had always known, Lung would be a wonderful father.

It was himself he worried about.

Chapter Text

At some point, there had been a chocolate cake on the counter. It had been a cute little thing sitting in Lung’s kitchen atop a white paper tablecloth. Two dents between eight tiny wheel-shaped dips had been the only imperfections in the buttercream. These marks had been left behind when the candles were blown out and promptly thrown away while the two trucks were safely put aside by Babe. 

Of course, the alpha had to promise not to steal them away for himself before being allowed to do this.

It was a chocolate cake Jeff had reminded Kim when the beta whispered to ask why it smelled like lemons. Even if it was white and blue, the cake was chocolate. Also, it absolutely did not smell like lemons so there was no reason for Kim to bring it up and it was a ridiculous question for the beta to even think to ask.

It wasn’t as if a couple hours ago P’Alan had glanced up from between his legs, tongue glistening with slick, and told him how he tasted. 

Luckily, the questioning gaze that went between the omega and the pack alpha wasn’t picked up by anyone other than Jeff. The pack was too busy gathering around the counter, laughing and chattering as their lives finally reached a peace after months of trying. 

When the prior embarrassment fell away, he realized this was the feeling of home he had been yearning for. He could appreciate the simplicity of what was happening and realize how that didn’t take away from its importance. 

He had never celebrated a birthday before.

He knew the steps, the phrases, and what hypothetically should happen, yet he had never experienced it for himself. He pushed off Charlie’s offers after he escaped the Foundation because he hadn’t seen the point, but he was mainly afraid of being disappointed. 

As he watched the cake slowly transform into a pile of mush, he knew for certain he would never have as much fun as Sonia and Manik were having. This wasn’t a bad thing though. The amusement he gained from the sight of the two pups tearing into the cake he had baked for them was enough. 

Blue frosting was smeared all over the tablecloth that Alan had thankfully had the foresight to put down. It seemed Jeff wasn't the only one who could sense the future in their relationship. The twins destroyed any semblance the brown paste had to food. Far more of the cake was making its way up their arms than it was into their mouths. Their eyes were wide and manic with sugar. It explained why Manik was living up to his name and gnawing at the crumbs on Sonia’s arm. The oldest didn’t seem to mind as it meant more of the actual cake was left for her. She kept one arm sticking out for her brother like a corn on the cob while she dismantled the cake with the other. They were messy, unapologetic, and would be a nightmare to clean up later. 

Jeff was convinced they preferred their destructive habits being enabled over the taste. He hadn’t failed to notice the way both their noses had scrunched at the first bite before realizing how flimsy the food put in front of them was. 

The most surprising thing was how long the cake lasted. It put up quite the fight, but the pups’ victory was inevitable and lovingly recorded on Alan’s phone. The video would end up in the pack group chat and would be gushed over as much as the pups were being gushed over now. 

This cake and the trucks being guarded by Babe were the only physical gifts for the pups. Sonic and North had asked for nothing to be given this year. It was not like the pups could appreciate gifts yet. Therefore, the couple just wanted pack time after everything and everyone that had been taken from them.

…and they had asked for free babysitting for an undisclosed amount of time. 

It was an easy thing to negotiate when all of the pack members were thankful to be involved in the twins' lives. Still, Jeff knew how much Alan had to hold himself back from buying more. It was why they had settled on the five-pack of cars. Jeff imagined the twins would be swimming in toys and treats when their second birthday came around. 

As the pups destroyed the final remnants, he understood why Sonic and North had been so insistent on changing them out of the clothes they had been wearing upon arrival. 

The mates had visited their temple that morning to make merit with the pups and North’s family. There had been a small celebration (after a brief nap) that included North’s old pack, and the pups had been far more dressed up for that. Sonia had worn a frilly green dress that made her look like a moss ball someone had miraculously grown to the size of a human baby. North had cooed while changing her out of it, reminiscing on how proudly she had shown off what she was wearing to her grandparents. On the other hand, Manik had worn a green tuxedo with a bow tie that he had not enjoyed wearing based on the constant frown and piercing stare in the photos Sonic had shared. Stiff and uncomfortable was the best way to describe the poor kid. The relieved huff that escaped the pup once being stripped of the clothing did not convince Jeff otherwise.

This party was a more personal and private event. It was one of the first major gatherings since Way’s funeral a couple months prior. Even then, Dean had been unable to go because of his arrest. The alpha wasn’t able to celebrate the twins’ birthday either as he was in prison. Kenta had been invited to the party because he was Kim’s roommate and a brother to about half of the pack, but he had declined. He had understood it was a pack event and he didn’t want to intrude. 

Jeff felt this mindset was far too similar to the one he had carried before officially joining the pack. Much like he had been, Kenta was unknowingly being courted.

His thoughts turned away from the pups in front of him as their happy scent became overwhelming. Nausea bit at the back of his throat as fuzz fought at the back of his mind. Visions of empty nothing were blinked away. He rubbed his wrists against each other in a soothing motion, ignoring the rough feel of the bite marks, to help him feel better. The cuffs of his flannel jacket had ridden up as he did this, exposing his glands.

As he quickly pulled down his jacket’s sleeves to cover the bites on his wrist, Jeff could feel himself being studied. He ignored the glances from Charlie and the not-so-subtle snickers from the mated couple. P’Alan’s scent still clung to him in a way that denoted far more than the average scent marking, so it didn’t require much to connect the dots. He could deny how his scent stuck to the kitchen, but he didn’t have that privilege with his boyfriend’s aroma. 

There was a mixture of emotions on Charlie’s face. It was like the alpha couldn’t decide between congratulating him on having an active sex life or being disgusted by the obvious indication his baby brother had sex.

He had tried to scrub off the odor until he skin was raw, but it didn’t appear to have worked. The subtle shift from late winter to early spring stained him in more ways than his brother could imagine.

Maybe he shouldn’t have showered with Alan.

Or had sex with him in the tub.

Still, it was better for them to focus on that scent than the one hidden underneath. A milky aroma was just now beginning to develop and there was only so much time before the rest of the pack noticed.

Kim’s nose had already twitched in his direction, sniffing the air before assuming he must’ve been wrong. Jeff was lucky Kenta wasn’t also there to verify what the other beta had smelled. 

Jeff briefly placed a hand on his stomach for just a moment, trying to make it look more like a swiping motion. He was simply smoothing out a wrinkle on the loosest shirt he was able to find, nothing else. He told himself it didn’t look obvious, but he had seen how Alan had stared at him. If the pack wasn’t clued in by his scent, the way his boyfriend’s eyes glued to his stomach may help them figure it out. 

Speaking of how his alpha watched him, Alan had noticed how the omega’s touch gravitated to the bump. The older man stepped closer to him, placing a hand on Jeff’s hip and pulling him into his side. The action was like a warning to everyone to mind their own business. However, as attention fell away from the twins, this only made everyone pay more mind to them. 

Jeff inwardly sighed, trying to quell the blush rising on his face. 

There was only so much longer they could keep this pregnancy between them, yet Jeff wanted to be selfish for a little while more. Alan and him deserved to have this pup be only theirs before she became the pack’s. Although, Jeff knew the pack would love her as much as they loved the twins. 

As the atmosphere of the kitchen began to lull, Sonic softly thanked the two of them for baking the cake. 

“We couldn’t find the time to bake something,” he admitted, beginning to wipe off Manik’s face with a wet wipe. The mates had stocked up on them and had brought yet another change of clothing. Jeff was impressed by how prepared they were. 

North chuckled from beside his partner as he cleaned up Sonia. The omega teased, “What Sonic means is we tried but we nearly started a fire, but we knew we could trust Lung. He has always baked for the pack. It was nice to have you join in on that tradition, Jeff.”

“You’re welcome,” Jeff murmured, slightly flustered by how Alan beamed beside him. The alpha squeezed him even closer, fingers dancing against the curve of his stomach.

Both of their faces fell when North said, “Even though it did smell like lemons. I hope you two didn’t have too much fun in the kitchen before we all came over.”

Jeff ignored how Kim’s stare bore into the side of his head. He ignored how Babe whispered to his amused brother. Instead, he parted from Alan’s side and moved to help the mates with cleaning up the counter and pups. It was his way of showing he wasn’t bothered. There was nothing to be ashamed of because he was an adult in a fulfilling relationship. 

As North smirked at him, he rolled his eyes and pulled out another wet wipe from the pack Sonic had placed on the counter. Jeff held Manik’s hand as he removed the leftover cake. He mused over how easily Manik could've eaten then but he had instead decided to gnaw at his sister. The pup’s mother rubbed at his face until his cheeks were bright and ruddy. Nik seemed content with having the attention of the two omegas.

Once Jeff had started helping with the mess, the rest of the pack joined to make the process go by faster. Alan aided Sonic with Nia while Kim went to get the extra pairs of clothing. Charlie and Babe worked together to clean up the kitchen. Jeff did not know he could be thankful for a moment so mundane. 

After they finished cleaning, Jeff found himself with two sleepy pups settled on his hips. They were dressed up in their X-Hunter onesies and Alan had taken copious amounts of pictures of the sight. 

It showed how much Jeff had changed that he didn’t try to separate himself from those around him. His pack wasn’t fearful of his powers and he hoped to one day be able to share that feeling. 

Manik pressed into his side while Sonia tugged at the front of his flannel. The younger of the two fought against his drowsiness, murmuring nonsense into the fabric of his jacket. Jeff could make out some words like “ma” and “pa”, but one stood out to him. As Sonia’s fist clenched his shirt, her twin pouted and whined. Nik swatted at his sister’s hand, chiding her as he mumbled, “My puppy.”

The omega tensed up at this slightly but was quick to relax. No one besides him had heard what Nik had said besides maybe Nia and Nia wasn’t a snitch. She was a lot like her parents in that way and Nik was similar in his possessiveness. 

However, soon the pups were taken from his hold by Sonic who lightly unclenched Sonia’s hand from his shirt. The alpha handed the sleeping Manik to North while adjusting Sonia in his own arms. The pups were truly tuckered out from all the activities of the day. 

As Manik pressed his face into North’s neck while in his sleep, the omega smiled, peering over at his mate and daughter. A silent conversation happened between them as the couple turned their attention to the pack they had left in the dark. 

“We have an announcement to make,” North said, making sure to not wake Manik as he swayed slightly from side to side. “We told my family this morning, so I thought it was time to tell the pack.” Sonic nodded, drawing closer to his omega. 

“Please don’t tell us you’re pregnant again,” Babe interrupted and threw North off what he was going to say.

“What? No… How would I? First of all-,” the omega calmed himself before he became any louder.

He pointed an accusatory finger at Babe, “First of all, I’m not having any more kids until I figure out a way to knock Sonic up myself.” A hand snaked around Sonic’s waist as the alpha rested an arm around North’s shoulders in return, making sure to leave room for Manik. The alpha smirked at what the omega had declared, finding amusement as Babe seemed lightly mortified. North scoffed, “Don't look at us like that. You two don't have a monopoly on breeding kinks.”

Sonic chimed in, “And second of all. If anyone is getting pregnant next, it's Jeff. With how horny he and Lung have been, I’m surprised they don’t have a litter by now.” 

This was what Jeff got for friendship: overwhelming bluntness.

North hummed in agreement, “He would be way cuter than I was. Of everyone who isn’t Sonic, I think he could pull it off the best."

Said omega blushed as everyone looked at him. Lung’s lips pursed together as Jeff crossed his arms against his chest. He hoped the motion didn’t appear as protective as it was. 

“So what is your news?” Jeff forced out the question to draw attention from himself, trying to act confident. Alan and him were avoiding eye contact. It was as if they feared everyone would find out Sonic had spoken the truth if they acknowledged each other. 

North grinned manically at this question, reaching up to the collar of Sonic’s shirt to reveal a mating mark. The alpha turned red at this but allowed his omega to proudly show off what Jeff could only describe as a wound. 

It was fresh and deep, dipping from Sonic’s neck far to the middle of his shoulder. Jeff had heard of people reopening their mating bonds, but this was something else. If it weren’t for how bonds healed, Jeff was sure the alpha would’ve lost the ability to raise his shoulder. The bond was ragged and looked as if North’s teeth had reached bone. North had devoured Sonic and there was no way this bond could ever be broken. 

As Jeff glanced at his own alpha, he was surprised to see Alan covering his mouth with both hands like he was praying. Maybe he even was. There was a relief in his eyes that Jeff didn’t understand.

“You finally…” He laughed in disbelief before growing quiet. The alpha murmured, “If only Way was here to see this.” This statement did nothing more than confuse Jeff. What was so special about this that Alan wished for the presence of his dead packmate? The mated couple was only showing off what they had done in the first heat North had had since giving birth. 

Yet Babe continued this trend.

“I never thought this would happen.”

And Charlie nodded in agreement. 

“They wouldn’t have without me,” Kim announced proudly, “You’re welcome for getting them to this point.”

Jeff wondered what was happening and why everyone seemed so… surprised. 

He watched as his Babe teasingly nudged Kim, “Kim is what made you two realize this? Not two kids or living with each other for how many years? It was some random Korean.”

“I’m half Thai.”

“Yet you look and talk like you’re fully Thai,” Sonic butted in.

There were all talking so casually. Jeff felt left out of the conversation. He felt apart from the pack. He didn’t know how he was supposed to be reacting. 

And the fuzz built behind his eyes as he settled a hand on top of his stomach for comfort.

“I can’t believe you finally mated.” Alan said so nonchalantly.

Jeff’s vision blurred as he processed what his boyfriend had said.

He muttered to himself, “They finally mated?” Charlie overheard and misunderstood while Jeff failed to collect himself. 

“Yeah, Jeff is right. You got mated so soon? Did you even date before it?”

“We had basically done everything else already,” North shrugged. “I feel like children are more permanent than a mating bond.”

The couple melted into each other as North spoke and Jeff gaped at them. He stared in silence as everyone crowded and talked and the pounding in his head grew louder. 

They were a couple now. 

Now.

Not before.

They weren’t mated, let alone a couple, when he believed they had everything he had ever wanted. 

They weren’t together when he thought he had finally met a healthy couple.

“You weren’t together before?” He gasped the words out, interrupting the conversation. His boyfriend looked to him in concern as he saw the shakiness in the hand Jeff had over his bump. 

“What?” His boyfriend asked, trying to get closer but Jeff drew away. 

His breathing grew hoarse as he held himself, comforting himself and the life within that wouldn’t stop taunting him. The darkness kept niggling in the back of his mind, wanting out and wanting to take him out of this moment into a future that was incomprehensible. 

“They weren’t together this entire time,” he giggled to himself, closing in on himself and losing sight of those around him. 

“Jeff, are you okay,” Charlie asked and Jeff nearly jumped at his voice. He hadn’t realized his brother had gotten so close. 

“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” He prayed the ringing in his ears wasn’t only being heard by him.

“You’re crying, noo,” his boyfriend spoke up.

“No, I’m-,” but he reached his hands up towards his face and was surprised when liquid painted his fingertips. His visions were never wrong. They became true one way or another. Tears would define this pregnancy. 

A ring filled all the crevasses in his mind and he couldn’t find the ability to cover his ears. It was muffled yet piercing and surrounding him entirely. It was terrifying to exist yet not live. 

It was his vision that went out first, his legs soon after as he hit the floor. He sank into a heap, unable to stop the tears that started flowing down his cheeks. He didn’t see how Alan rushed to his side as he trembled but he could sense someone’s presence. 

“Don’t touch me,” he slurred out, begging as he kept repeating the same phrase. “Don’t touch me. Don’t touch me.”

His powers had never shown him a future like this before. It was a vast expanse of nothing except auditory hallucinations, a never-ending beat that refused to stop. He couldn’t see anything as his pupils shook in search of something. 

The only thing he could sense that was real was the light movement in his belly, under the skin and fluttering so innocently. His daughter didn’t know the pain she was causing him. 

It was the sound of the twins crying that brought him out of the vision. It was them crying for their mother, for North, that brought him back to reality as he stared down at the hands he had been propping himself up with. He was barely able to process his proximity to the floor, let alone the tear marks that had cascaded down his face. 

The odor of rotting fruit hit his nose and he somehow managed to force the vomit back down. 

Alan sat down beside him, pulling Jeff into his embrace and lap as the omega sobbed from the overstimulation. 

“What set off the vision?” Alan asked and Jeff answered with silence. It was enough to confirm something they had both feared. 

“I don’t want to know how my pup dies,” he confided, crying into Alan’s shirt. It was no secret to the alpha that Jeff knew more about his future than he would ever be able to tell. He knew Jeff had seen how he had died and that it was a burden the omega would always have to carry. 

Everyone else watched in shock as the alpha comforted Jeff. They had just been forced to witness the vulnerability Jeff had so closely guarded the entire time he had been a part of the pack. And worse…

“You’re pregnant?” North questioned, handing Manik over to Sonic to be comforted so that he could kneel next to Jeff. “You’re actually pregnant?”

“And you’re actually mated,” Jeff mumbled bitterly to North’s confusion. He admitted, barely audible, “I didn’t want to announce it like this.”

“If I had known our mating would cause this, I would’ve waited to tell everyone. I didn’t know it would get this emotional,” North tried to joke but a frown settled on his face when he saw how Jeff clung to Alan. The alpha glared at North. 

“It’s not your mating. It’s because-,” Jeff exhaled, “It’s because I thought you were already mated.”

North furrowed his brow, “Since when?” He couldn’t imagine anyone seeing them as a couple with how oblivious they had been around each other. 

“Since I met you. It’s why I got so mad when you flirted with Kim,” Jeff admitted, mumbling into Alan’s chest in embarrassment. He was trying to move past the vision and the promise it held.

“Aw, nong,” Sonic cooed, “You were protecting my honor?”

“Why wouldn’t I? You were the only healthy couple I had ever met and I couldn’t let that be ruined.”

But it had been ruined. He felt like an idiot. Jeff had based so much on them. It made him question himself and his life with Alan. It made him remember the future that had taunted him since he was a child.

He didn’t know if he actually wanted a pup or if he had just accepted he had no choice. Maybe he was forcing himself to be he desired a baby to make himself feel better about being trapped. Was he now walking blindly towards bringing a pup into the world without preparing to give it the environment it deserved?

A pup did not deserve a parent who was terrified to touch it. 

His daughter didn’t deserve him and the fate he would seal. 

“Jeff,” Alan snapped near his ear, “Get out of your thoughts.”

North and Alan’s faces were morphed with concern and Jeff couldn’t understand why. He had brought nothing but ruin to them.

“Good things are never easy. While Sonic and I are only together now, we have always loved each other. Even when we both believed that the other was only platonic. What you saw wasn’t something you made up. It was real and you’re part of the reason why we are together now.”

“Really?”

“Yes, we are lucky to have the support of the pack. If it wasn’t for you or Kim calling us out, it would have never happened. I was even luckier to be able to have pups that are part me and part-,” North glanced at Sonic with a smile, looking at his children in adoration, “-of someone who I love.”

North looked to Alan for permission to get closer before he embraced Jeff, letting the other omega scent him like they had for the first time all those months ago. 

“You’re going to be a good mother, Jeff. You will have your pack to support you.”

Jeff melted into the embrace and, even if it was just for that moment, he allowed himself to believe what North claimed.