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"Huh?" Gian came up blank after reading the question for the third time. He was about five answers away from completing his exam papers, but he kept on getting distracted by Haven’s mouth-watering scent.
Even though he was four rows behind the love of his life, he could still smell the sweetness of his favorite peaches. His omega probably forgot about his cycle because of the stressful exam season. Did he just call him "his" again? The alpha in him had gotten more territorial since that wicked marketing conference a year ago.
Gian had been ensuring Haven's safety and well-being despite the fact that they were nothing more than friends. From the moment their eyes met, this omega had completely stolen his heart, truth be told.
The first year was spent talking to everyone who seemed suspicious and showed an unhealthy interest in Haven. Some alphas tried harder than others, but nobody could make him bow before them. Naturally, his lineage made him the prime, the alpha of alphas.
Even from other species, he made sure the omega was carefully safeguarded. There was this cunawabi who seemed pretty harmless, but somebody snitched to Gian that there was a big wager on whoever could score a date with Haven, so he confronted him.
"Who are you, anyway? Talk to me when you have the right to tell me to back off," the guy answered in arrogance.
"I'm his friend and I'm politely asking you and your pack to stop toying with him. He's not your plaything." The jerk laughed at his face, but a strong fist landed solidly on his jaw, and that shut him up. All the bets were then called off.
Haven's allure was not limited to their race. His fashion, friendly demeanor, and smarts made him likable to everyone on the campus. This made it more difficult for Gian to fend off suspicious beings, but on the bright side, he became famous too and earned many new friends. Their circle slowly formed among twelve beings, remarkable in their own ways. Their first year was over before they knew it.
Just like any academic break, he had to go to their city, the Port Metro, to learn the ropes from the elders, essentially how to run the city which included, as ludicrous as it might be, dealing with personal struggles (also known as ruts and heats). The point was that if one is crippled by these cycles, he cannot perform his duties. The elders offered him a personal guide to deal with his ruts even though many already volunteered to give him relief. Nonetheless, he opted to use suppressants.
Initially, he intended to master that ultimate self-control, but then he fell deeper for a particular omega, and the romantic in him couldn't help but devote himself to him. The urge to dominate would come and go on a monthly basis, but all he craved was Haven. The problem is that although the injections quench his dangerous desire, he becomes extra clingy to the omega. So he always had to find a reason to spend more time with him. He thanks his lucky stars, though, because the pretty omega simply goes with the flow.
Some months ago, both were left at the library after most of their friends finished their activities. Laurie continued the One Piece marathon with Rai and Shio joined them. Gian, being the genius that he is, typed the final paragraph for their essay assignment while Haven had not even begun his.
"Do you want to have dinner with me? There's this new diner just outside the city," Gian asked quietly as he slid his laptop into his backpack.
"Sure, let me just finish this paper," Haven answered without taking his eyes off the screen.
"Okay, then I'll just stay here in the library with you. Can I sit beside you?"
Haven had to pause his typing and glance up Gian, who was standing. "Of course, you can. Why do you even ask?"
"I don't know. It’s just that sometimes I feel like I somehow manage to rub you the wrong way."
"Tsk. It's all in your head," Haven chided, continuing to type.
But he did sense the omega’s annoyance when he, Laurie, and Rai were so engrossed in this brand-new anime that he couldn't answer a phone call from Haven. He did call him back an hour later when he saw the missed call notification on his phone. Haven said it was nothing important, but the next day he never spoke or even glanced his way.
Or when their trickster friend rode with him to school and Haven saw Shio smiling as he stepped out of the passenger seat. Shio was teasing him nonstop because he noticed a heart emoji next to Haven's display name on his phone when the omega replied to his daily good morning message. The demigod shared scenarios he would gladly conjure if he needed assistance confessing and couldn't stop laughing at how red his face was the rest of the way to the school parking lot. When he handed the omega his Americano on the way to their class, all he received was a curt “thanks.”
"No, it isn’t. I can think of two instances when you've been distant."
"Perhaps I wasn’t in the mood?"
"Maybe."
"Come on. Sit here," Haven said, pushing back and patting the chair to his left. "Be my beta."
"Haha, you and your puns," he said before taking a seat and pinching the omega’s cheek.
"Ow! That hurts. You’ve got gigantic hands, Gie," The omega commented with a pout as he rubbed his cheek.
"Then let me pay for your dinner as an apology."
"Yes, sir. Now be quiet and let me type my essay."
Oh, how the "sir" did things to his heart. To hide his big smile, he had to lay his head on the table and face the opposite direction. He had to remind himself that the omega had only recently overcome his dislike of his scent, and that he still had a lot to prove to himself and to the person he had been wanting to protect and cherish for a long time.
Gian finally circled the letter to answer the exam's last question. When he passed by Haven's row to submit the paper to their professor, he saw Haven was on the second to the last page.
He sat on the bench closest to their classroom door, waiting for him. He removed his sweater as soon as he noticed the peach scent intensifying. Haven was probably making his way to the front to turn in his answer sheet. He stood nearer the door, wearing only a plain white crew neck shirt.
"What's your answer to the last item? Was that a trick question?"
"Wear this first," he commanded, handing the omega the hoody.
"Okay, so?"
"I answered C."
"Let me buy a bottle of juice first, that exam drained me," Haven said, beelining to the nearest vending machine.
"Uh, no."
"But I'm so thirsty."
"Yeah, 'cause your heat is about to peak. The alphas keep looking your way, Veni."
"You're with me."
"Just get in my car, and I'll buy you whatever you want on the way home, alright?"
"Okay, alpha."
"Shut it."
“Okay, that'll do," Haven said after injecting himself with a suppressant and discarding the syringe and silver packet.
"Should I start carrying extra shots with me just in case?"
"I was just totally focused on my revision that I forgot."
"What if I'm not in your class, Haven?"
"Then I'll ask one of our friends to be with me and go home right away. I can take care of myself, Gie. You don't need to worry about me."
"But I am."
"All is fine now. Don't think about the what ifs, you’re gonna get old fast if you keep doing that."
"Tch. I'll go ahead."
"Why don't you stay for dinner?"
"Just got a message from Father I needed to be home because some guests are coming over. I'd stay if I could, Veni. Sorry."
"Alright. Thank you for making sure I get home safe."
"No problem. See you tomorrow."
"See ya. "
Although it was pretty common for them to spend their free time together, Gian couldn't help but assume he wasn't the only one who was falling.
"Are you free tomorrow? I got an extra ticket for the Van Gogh exhibit."
"I thought you'll go with Shio and Laurie?"
"They have their own tickets. I got another one."
"How about Rai?”
“What about Rai?”
“Maybe ask him if he wants to go?”
“Uh, you don’t want to go?”
“I want to, but I need to go somewhere early in the morning."
"..."
"Fine. I'll just meet you guys there."
"..."
"Unless you want to go with me and grab some fresh flowers at dawn? Mom is expecting a family friend to visit this weekend, so she wants all vases filled."
"Yes! Yeah. I’ll buy some too," Gian replied, obviously overly eager to do anything to spend more time with him.
"I'll pick you up from your unit, and then we'll bring the flowers to your house before meeting up with Laurie and Shio."
"Okay. Maybe you’ll meet Vic."
“Who’s Vic?”
“Son of Mom’s friend. I get the impression that they wanted us to be mates.” Haven had just dropped the bomb, and the unwelcome idea made him want to explode.
"Oh. Arranged?" he pressed on, trying to remain cool.
"I hope not. I want the decision to be solely mine," Haven said looking at him squarely.
"Yeah, same with me," he answered unfeigned as he held his gaze.
Haven bought a variety of flowers, while Gian purchased two bouquets, one for Haven's mother and one for Haven, which the latter placed inside his own room before heading for the museum hangout. When Haven informed his mother that he would not be joining them for lunch at home, his mother asked Gian for a favor. Gian promised his mother that they would return before dinner.
"I can't believe you told Mom I'd be back for dinner. I was planning to have it with you!"
"But..."
"The flowers aren't going to make up for it, Gie. Think of something else."
"Your mom asked me nicely to bring you home before seven o’clock so you could spend some time with them. How could I refuse?"
"You could've said it’s up to me. I don't want to meet that alpha."
"Why?” he asks, "He's just a family friend, right?"
"I just don't feel comfortable with the obvious setup, and that guy asked me out for a date two months ago."
"How was it?"
"How's what?"
"The date?"
"Why would you think I'd go out with him?!"
"Chill, pretty. I'm sorry I said that to your mom."
"Okay, but I told you the flowers weren’t going to cut it."
"Oh, don't worry. I'll think of something else. I bought you those flowers because I wanted to. They're not an apology token to begin with."
After a week, heads in the hallway turned when Haven let out a shriek when he opened his locker and saw three familiar boxes. He got customized rings with gigantic beautiful gemstones on them and some more vouchers for his own designs. Gian only smiled through the excited punches he received on his arm and endless “thank you's” from the omega. He almost kissed him because he found him adorable while overjoyed with his peace offering.
"It's already the 3rd of the month."
"So?"
"Aren't we gonna go somewhere?"
"Huh?" he faked innocence, but he was already planning to ask him to watch a Netflix series with him at home.
"Gian. I know it's your rut cycle every first week of the month."
"Oh."
"So? What's the plan?"
"Netflix? My place?"
"Okay. Do we need to buy anything?"
"I got some popcorn and chips at home. Do you want something else?"
"How about ice cream?"
"Alright, we'll get that, love."
An eyebrow was raised. Gian thought he was bothered by the endearment when in fact it was because he did not say they would get his usual mint flavor.
"We'll get that, Haven," he corrected.
Both eyebrows were raised, and now he was confused because he already rectified his slip, but what’s with the reaction? So he asked, "What?"
"Never mind," the omega said, not bothering to explain why he reacted that way. If he could only hear what was on his mind, he would be over the moon, that Haven liked the endearment. In fact, he loved hearing it from him.
"Thank you, Veni, for letting me be close to you during these times. I didn't think you knew."
"Anytime, love ."
Cupid's arrow shot straight to his heart, but his overthinking brain second guesses if they were truly on the same page or whether he was simply making fun of him.
They agreed to watch a Marvel movie because, of course, Haven would choose that, and Gian did not mind as long as he could snuggle with him really.
"Uh, just to be clear, we are exclusive, right? I am your boyfriend. Kiss me if your answer is yes." The omega decided to drop another bomb ten minutes into the movie.
He felt time stop when it sank in. While the omega was buying ice cream and other junk food at the convenience store, he was literally listing ideas on how to ask him to be his boyfriend on his notes app. He got some elaborate tentative plans since he wanted it to be a special event, but could not decide how to execute them. So yeah, the world came to a halt when the omega just blurted it out.
He placed a small kiss on Haven's nape. Both of them were on the floor with the omega sitting in between his legs while he loosely hugged him from behind.
"Thought so," Haven shrugged, leaning back comfortably when he felt the soft lips. He pressed the play button to continue watching.
"I'm not sure whether I'm amazed or annoyed by how casual this is. Do you know I have plans for the great confession of Gian's love for Haven?"
Haven giggled at his sulky tone, "Let me hear it some other time. I don't want to get confused with what we're doing so I just asked. Sorry if it ruined your plans."
"Nah, just turn around and seal the deal." He's pretty sure Haven would end up spending the night over at his place being a small spoon to him.
Gian did not mind the loud sound the movie made. Haven let go of the remote control so he could twist and wrap his arms around the alpha's neck. Everything faded into the background anyway when their lips came into contact. As he devoured the lush lips, he tightened his grip around the omega's waist. He stroked his tongue across his mouth, tickling it. The kiss went deeper, and Haven began to push him until his back touched the wooden panel for the pullout. He let go of him and put his hands behind his head, liking how the omega responded to his kisses. Haven doffed his green hoody, leaving his favorite grey tank top on before straddling his thighs.
"Take off yours too, alpha."
"Got nothing under my sweatshirt. I might get cold," he said jokingly to break the tension. It might be Haven's boldness earlier, but he needed to calm down his heightened emotions.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure you won't.”
"Would you hate me if I say let's keep it vanilla tonight?" He felt like he needed to unload his thoughts to Haven, especially since the omega had made it plain they were on the same page. He was hesitant to share what’s been on his mind, plus the fact that he was a little bit afraid and unsure if it was wise to confess to Haven, but he beat him to it. Sure he wanted to prepare something grand, but he realized he was more worried if the timing was right.
"Of course not! Let's go to bed?"
Gian changed into a more comfortable tank top before slipping inside the sheets beside Haven, who was busy removing his necklaces and other jewelry and placing them on the nightstand. Gian waited quietly, laying on his side next to him.
"Gie?"
"Hmm?"
"Is something bothering you? You seemed distracted."
"How so?"
"I don't know. I just feel something's off. And you've been kind of quiet lately. You can tell me anything, I'll listen."
"I need cuddles first."
After Haven put the last ring on the table, the omega buried his face into his neck, half on top of him, hugging him like a pillow "Okay. Now, tell me," he heard him say quietly.
He ran his hand through the omega's hair several times and took a deep breath and started, "You know that every academic break I had to go back to Port Metro, right?"
"Mm-hmm."
"Well, this time Father wanted me to submit all my requirements in advance so I won't need to come back to the uni for the last semester unless it's for removal exams, thesis defense or graduation. He was planning to forward a letter to the college to offer internship opportunities in our company so, along with other interested seniors, I could work there as soon as possible."
"What seems to be the problem?" he heard him ask when little nibbles on his neck stopped.
"I thought I could spend more time with you during our last semester in uni."
Haven pushed himself off of him to look at his eyes before raining kisses on his face. He could only give him a tight-lipped smile with the gesture, but deep inside he was so scared how this would affect them. They literally just established explicitly what their relationship was tonight.
Haven gave him a sweet, soft kiss on the lips and said, "You will be carrying not only the company, but the entire Metro on your shoulders someday, so I think it would be wise to learn as much as you can as soon as possible."
"But how about us?"
"Fortunately, I'm not some dumb omega. You need all the help that you can get and you can count on me to lift some burden off of you, not add to it. We, our relationship, our bond, should be the least of your concerns, okay? So don't worry about us. We will make us work."
He heard how earnest his partner was and smelled his scent, which quickly eased and calmed his heart, prompting him to blurt out, "I fucking love you. I am in love with you."
"I do love you, my alpha. You make it so easy to fall for you,” he heard him loud and clear and his heart had been beating wildly in his chest. “Now, where were we?"
"I believe you were on top of me and about to keep me warm."
Haven climbed on top of him, grazing his lips on the side of his neck, all the way down to his chest, planting light but moist kisses until he reached his abs. He felt the omega suck on the skin of his flat tummy, his obliques, along his V line with his shirt bunched up his chest. He closed his eyes and imagined his torso covered with purple marks all over. He opened his eyes when he felt Haven hook his fingers on the waistband of his sweatpants. When he peered down, the omega was simply waiting for his go signal. He nodded and lifted his hips to help his boyfriend strip him naked waist down, then saw him stand up to undress.
He reached for his hand and drew him closer until their lips met again. He let his omega assume the same position they had when they were talking earlier, half on top of him and they kissed languidly, taking sweet time to caress each other's bodies.
His fingers found their way to the omega's slick hole and began teasing. The whimpers coming out of his boyfriend's sexy mouth were enough to urge him to get on with it. With his base instinct subdued by medicine, he felt like doing him as slowly as he could. He wanted his omega to feel how much he adores him. He'd pushed him as far as he could until he'd be on the cusp of orgasmic bliss.
Gian wrapped his arms around Haven’s waist and rolled over, caging him in his arms. "I love you. I love you. I love you so much, my omega," he uttered repeatedly as his lips moved from Haven's mouth, traveling to the crook of his neck, and down to his chest. He left kisses all over Haven's body, all slow, tender, and reverent. His long fingers traced his skin as if trying to memorize every inch of him.
The slow sensual worship that Gian did to his body worked Haven up so much that he was on the verge of crying and had to beg, "Alpha, please. Enough vanilla."
He kissed and nibbled his earlobe, whispering, "Tell me, what do you want, love." It was smooth and sultry, stroking the fire inside consuming Haven’s body and soul.
"I want you inside me... deep... hard... and fast," the omega pleaded while staring deep into his eyes.
He turned him around and slowly slid into him. He buried his dick deep into his hole but stayed unmoving for several seconds. Then he started thrusting in and out unhurriedly, letting him feel every inch of his hard length while kissing his bare shoulders as he did so. The moans and whimpers got louder the longer the deliberate fucking went on until Haven couldn't take it anymore.
"Alpha, please?! You're driving me crazy," Haven implored, so he pounded into him faster this time. Haven's loud, breathy moans together with his own deep grunts added to the tension building steadily. One of his hands sought both of the omega's hands to pin them over his head, while the other grasped his shoulder tightly. He rammed into him over and over until the coil snapped and both of them came apart at the same time.
"Damn," he sighed, pulling out after both of them calmed down. He collected Haven to rest by his side, not minding how sticky their exhausted bodies were. "Just gimme a sec, then I'll clean us up."
"You are fucking amazing," he heard Haven mumble, about to pass out.
"Sleep, my love. I'll take care of you."
"I love you, Gian," Haven said softly before succumbing to sleep.
"I love you beyond words, my Haven."