Chapter Text
So as far as everyone knows, Maks is going on vacation. The heavy suitcase he is carrying with himself is deemed on his frivolousness, raising no suspicion on the true reason behind the travel, but sneers such as:
“Omegas.”
Coupled with eye rolls that he ignores – he’s learned to. After all, one cannot expect open-mindedness from a small city such as his, where people still get at each other’s necks because of pack rivalry. Not even a week before his departure, two alphas have gnawed at each other’s faces in an attempt at swooning an omega. Maks thinks that really, they can compare dicks in bed if they desperately need to know who’s got the bigger size. But from people who still think that a pussy hole gets looser for forever once even one dick gets inside, he cannot really say that such endeavors are surprising.
He has decided that he’s not going to deal with it, still.
Once his clock has ticked the day of his twenty first birthday, it has been all the same. People’s expectations have suddenly pointed towards the need for him to choose one of the packs in town, get an alpha and then hopefully a bunch of little kids. When it has been clear that he wasn’t that overjoyed by the idea, he’s started to get leers. Gossip about him spread worryingly fast.
Maks knows that they consider him a bitch – no matter the fact that he’s only had a boyfriend in kindergarten, and his sexual endeavors have all been solo action. A no-good. The internet is full of stories from people like him, not wanting to belong anywhere but being forced to at some point in their lives. Because no one survives alone, they’ll say, but truth is that omegas are useful for breeding purposes, and the more the kids, the more one’s group gets larger and hence more influential. Especially when the pack in question is freshly created – most often by people close to his age.
To be honest, they can fuck themselves on a walking stick if that’s why they want him.
But the smaller the city the more the risk of getting either forced in a union he doesn’t like or shunned until he accepts his fate. Being isolated then means that, were anything to happen to him, he’d be on his own. Take accidentally breaking a leg, for example. Or contracting a very rare disease. Who would drive him to the closest hospital?
Not his parents, that’s for sure, seen how they share the same vision as the rest of the people there.
When he’s got that job – yes, mostly with the thought of leaving in mind – at that decrepit fishing shop near the sea, his mother has even had the audacity to tell him that he should quit immediately; that working is something that is up to alphas or betas. As for his father, he’s always wanted him to get a degree, instead. Because a smart mind is more palatable than the profanities that slip on his tongue when he’s frustrated. Maks often wonders how he can expect anything of that sort to happen when he’s learned how to swear from him. Hypocrisy really runs in the family, seen how neither of them are even part of a pack in the first place.
Still, seen the preface, hopping on a train and dropping off in the first city available – where such closeted views are rarer – can’t compare on the scale of terrifying events that has being used as a breeding machine at the top.
He still gets criticism for it. From his parents, from their friends, from the friends of their friends. This is how it works in rural areas. Why would an omega travel alone? The action borders blasphemy.
The only way to get out of it is to make the promise that he’ll finally settle once he comes back.
As if he ever will.
When the hiss of the brakes hits the count of twenty, making the red railcar wobble a little, Maks deems the distance he’s put in between him and the seaside city enough for now. He quickly hops his way to the sliding doors as they open a path for him to the station, and the ruthless heat of July greets him.
Maks doesn’t mind the warmth, usually. This summer, still, it is unbearably humid. The heat sticks to his skin, covering it in a layer of sweat, and his hair is a messy nest. He’d dare anyone to try and hit on him in that state.
Still, that is merely a check on the list of incredibly annoying things happening to him at the moment.
First there is the anxiety. The thought of people finding about his escape plan, putting the police on his ass. It makes him dart his eyes behind himself a couple of times as he drags his suitcase along, checking if someone is following him, scared that a figure will indeed be there.
Second, there is the way his clothes lay loose over his body. Generally, this is a thing he should be over with at the age of twenty first. It’s mostly genes, then a poor diet because he’s always been picky as a child. However, he still hates the way his arms are slim, his body skinny, a myriad of freckles all over it.
Maks has the luck of being anything but cute. He’s got piercing eyes and a resting bitch face, and he’s quite tall so even if his second sex and his physique can trick people into thinking that he’s a weakling, his aura speaks for him. At the same time, when he drags the heavy suitcase down the stairs – because God forbid they build elevators in that stupid station – he still gets a couple of worried stares. One man even attempts in subtly reaching for the heavy object, although he deems it better not to when the other darts his eyes his way.
The omega sort of hates not having used that gym coupon now.
When he finally gets out, greeted by a random whiff of cold wind that is typical of a city in between mountains, he finally breathes in fully. The first step is done.
If he’s got the itinerary right, he now has to wait one hour to hop on his bus. And then, finally, he’d be in between skyscrapers and technology. He’ll arrive way past midnight, so not entirely in a safe time frame. Better than staying overnight in a place that is still too close for comfort. If things go as planned, as he’s still keeping in contact with his parents to avoid any kind of early suspicion, he'll be okay for at least a couple of days. The time of his vacation. So that’s what he’s got. Five days to try and get himself as far as he can. The fact that he’s an adult will help even if he’s found.
To be fair, Maks almost feels melancholic when he thinks about it.
Leaving the place he’s grown in for a bigger, certainly more hectic one. If he had been able to get accustomed, maybe falling in love with someone, life would’ve been easier. What he’s got from being too much on the internet has been what most label as rebelliousness. And a couple of long distance friends that hyped this whole endeavor up.
And now he’s got his ass sat on cold pebble, he’s almost run out of cigarettes, and the stress is catching up to him.
Great.
Maks steadfastly makes his way to a souvenir shop close by. Places such as those usually sell cigarettes in between the clutter, and since he’s got time to wait anyways, he can use it to roam for a bit. He saw a bookshop down the road too. Although he’s never been that big on books, whatever helps in passing the time is gladly welcomed.
When the bell over the door dings to signal a client getting in, the old lady by the desk sends him an almost toothless smile. Which Maks reciprocates out of politeness, however relieved that a couple of people are keeping the shop busy already, freeing him of the duty of keeping the clerk entertained. Perhaps the group is merely trying to take advantage of the air conditioner that makes the shop cooler, although definitely still on the warmth side. Since it’s close to midday, the heat isn’t much surprising, and if their intention is to find ease in there, he doesn’t blame them.
The room is square. In front, a wooden counter behind which the lady is reading the daily paper, glasses perched down to the tip of her nose. At her back, a door is in between shelves holding from the simplest of cups to a collection of stuffed plushies that he sincerely finds trashy to the most, then a couple of posters with the name of the city in a big funny font over the picture of a mountain. Keychains hang from the front of the desk, a shiny golden candelabra from the ceiling. And if the reddish hue of the wood of the furniture wasn’t trashy enough, the entire pavement is covered with a material that resembles a fur carpet. Tacky would be a compliment when referring to the place.
Maks finds himself roaming to the counter, spotting a couple of cigarette packages. Close by, a black lady instead makes a standing postcard dispenser turn on itself, and she snorts.
“Look here”
She says, beckoning the two other people inside close. Maks diverts his eyes quickly, gently asking the lady for a package of smokes. Being nosy isn’t certainly a likeable attribute.
“Congrats on your baby?”
A deep voice inquires from behind him, snorting.
“I mean, it’s fitting.”
“So we take a postcard for everyone?”
Another, sweeter one goes.
“After all, it’s you guys’ baby too.”
“Man, I didn’t really expect to be a mom at twenty three.”
Maks blinks fast, thinking, stop eavesdropping on people like this. More so, stop being judgmental. He is all about free choice, so why the hell is he even thinking that they’re too young to be having a baby?
Maks gets a small keychain to add to his shopping, frowning at himself.
Then a strong scent prickles at his nostrils.
Now, it isn’t in any way the first time that he’s got an alpha’s eyes on himself. Maks seldom gets ignored by the kind, possibly because of the ‘you smell delectable’ comments he’s gotten quite often. He himself is drawn by strong masculine flavors like the one of the person hovering close to him. Yet, he acts like he isn’t aware of the attention.
In a world such as that, it is better to.
If not for the dude drilling a hole in his skull with his stare making it difficult to ignore him. When he gets his cigarettes – and the silly keychain – and Maks has to turn his way, he makes sure he gives him a leer. Idiot. The person smiles. Not the embarrassed kind of smile, still, the one that says sorry, no. He looks thoroughly amused.
And if he knows something about the world as an omega, Maks says that it is not a good sign. Not a good sign at all.
Maks almost hurriedly makes his way to the door out after casting his eyes down, thinking to himself that he can’t already be attracting trouble. He needs to make his way to the city, he’s got plans. It will take more than a tall, tattooed alpha with a buzz cut and pierced ears to have him abandon it – why did he have to be attracted to the hooligan type, he wonders.
And yet. His skin flushes and his hands tremble slightly as he fetches himself another cigarette, thinking back to the strong smell. He ought to be acting like that hasn’t entirely tickled his interest. Mostly because he’s sure the dude is an idiot.
When the same voices from before reaches his ears, Maks subconsciously shifts closer to the train station again. He looks at his phone clock, counting the remaining time for the bus, savoring the tiniest bits of his freedom already.
Then he thinks, what are the odds that those people are waiting just like him? After all, when he spies from the top of his shoulder, he finds them right under the bus stop. Coincidences only go as far.
“Hello.”
The deep voice that pierces a hole in the blanket of his thoughts has him startling and almost dropping his cigarette to the ground. Maks would cuss, but when he turns towards its source, the same alpha from before sends him another smile, and suddenly his mouth goes dry.
“Do you happen to have a lighter on yourself? Mine’s dead.”
This an overused excuse. There is a heavy smell of cigarettes mixed with the dude’s scent, clearly pointing towards an as heavy smoker. Now, usually someone like this will always make sure to have options. Maks knows because his packages finish more quickly when he's stressed, and he always has a couple of lighters on himself to avoid having to get angry about not having one.
Now the thing is, does he take the bait?
Maks finds himself fishing the lighter from his pocket and throwing it to him without thinking too much about it.
“You can keep it.”
He says, noting how the other takes a while to thank him, letting his eyes rest on him for a bit.
Maks himself starts studying the details of his face, not really on purpose and not even because he wants to, but still: his eyes flicking down on the lighter, not entirely hooded like his, though they share their almond shape, his bottom lip being bigger than his top, the jawline is square but soft. He’s got features that make him look younger than he probably is, and if he hadn’t got a buzz cut and tattoos, Maks is sure he’d feel more like a puppy than a hooligan.
“Thanks.”
The alpha is studying him back, he realizes. Somehow, it makes something in his stomach throb, although that could be more than simple anxiety.
“Mind if I smoke here? My friend is pregnant and I don’t want to be close to him.”
Maks thinks, this is the perfect time to tell him to fuck off. This is the moment he needs to distance himself before this idiot thinks he’s flirting back. After clearing his throat, however, the omega finds himself lost in the dark orbs of his eyes. Somehow, the more he stares in them the more it rips his intentions away from his chest. Like he doesn’t really want to push this creep back. It’s stupid, still. This fucker is probably anything but good and yet something is still pulling towards him, like the moment he’s stepped out of that train, Maks has turned starved for attention.
Perhaps he should’ve lost his virginity before setting off like that.
The shrug that is his answer has the alpha giving him a thoroughly satisfied smile, and he puts the cig in between his teeth the moment afterwards.
It slowly dawns on Maks that he could’ve fucked himself over.
“So what brings you here?”
The other casually throws his way.
“Visiting family?”
Why do you care? Maks takes a puff of his smoke, thinking, why am I being this accommodating today?
“Just passing by.”
He still goes, then:
“And you? You don’t certainly look like you belong to the place.”
At least his sarcasm has the other snorting, making the conversation more lighthearted. Maks tries his best not to think that he’s got a dashing smile, but he fails miserably.
“Believe it or not, but this place has got interesting things to offer.”
The alpha exhales some smoke before going on:
“We chilled for a bit and now we hop our way back to the mainland.”
He’s friendly. Could it be that he’s reading too much into it? Maks stays silent after that, smoking placidly. He’s aware that even when he’s staring to a point far away, the alpha keeps on letting his eyes trail on his body instead, eating him up. This is definitely not a behavior from someone who is merely searching for small conversation to pass the time, and still.
Today there is something about this man that makes him want to indulge him. Maybe the scent? Maks has seldom smelled someone with such strong pheromones. Or worse, could the alpha be close to his rut? It would explain his will to accommodate him.
“Am I making you uncomfortable?”
As if on cue, the other exhales a bit of smoke, expression pleased no matter the question he’s asked. Maks feels a shiver dropping down his spine when he stares back to his face, noting how he doesn’t seem worried about the likeliness of it.
“I mean”
He starts as the alpha takes another puff of his smoke.
“What do you think?”
Maks himself doesn’t know which one it is, hence the counter question.
“I think I am.”
The alpha snickers a bit, gives him a grin the moment afterwards.
“Sorry. I’m often told that I intimidate people.”
Maks thinks, that’s not really the reason. It’s sticking to a stranger, more so an omega, that would make anyone in his position fell anxious. To know that he’s also naturally fit for the job doesn’t help, although he still feels a pull towards him.
What do they call it? Fascination with danger? Could as well be at that point. Or maybe Maks just wants to enjoy himself now, and the thought of indulging his lust for once, and with someone who’s bound to a group – with a pregnant person, moreover – makes it feel safer.
“You’re an alpha.”
Regardless of his thoughts, Maks still finds himself saying that.
“If someone’s bound to be intimidating, that’s you.”
Said man gives him an intense stare.
“Alright.”
He then agrees, throwing the by then finished cigarette bud on the floor and smashing it with his foot.
“Anything I can do to make you less uncomfortable?”
Maks takes a moment to register the implication set there. He darts his eyes to the two people under the bus stop sign, how they seem not to care one bit about their companion, and he thinks to himself how likely it is that he’s diving headfirst into trouble.
Still. For someone who’s always spent his heats alone and only had one boyfriend when at a age when it doesn’t matter, Maks has never been entirely an angel. The taboo that sex was in the family has made him interested in the subject ever since his hormones has started working. The end result has been an implacable thirst that he usually had to suppress at best of his capabilities. So then that’s the thing there, maybe. The alpha is as normal as any alpha, but now that he’s not scared about judgment and all the sorts, to indulge in his lust comes easier.
“Do you have a name?”
Maks still asks, because he needs to say something and because it will make him calmer to put a name on the stranger in front of him.
“Theo.”
The alpha doesn’t hesitate one moment to answer.
“Okay.”
Maks finishes his cigarette.
“Am I reading your scent right or are you just perpetually horny, Theo?”
He then asks, and by the other’s smirk, the answer seems pretty clear.