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Logan’s omega had been whispering of courting since he had settled in with Althea and Wade, instinct pushing that this was his pack and he needed to solidify the claim by all the means it knew.
Logically, Logan knew courting wasn’t a thing in this world, but that was rational thought arguing with instinct, that baser need championing him to secure Wade for his own before someone else came along and showed him how much of a disaster Logan was. He had been able to ignore it, put it out of his mind as their relationship moved at a snail's pace. Vanessa’s bluntness had helped things along faster than they had been moving, guilt ridden touches in passing traded for casual touching and the occasional kiss. It was nice, a slow change that kept them both from being overwhelmed by the panic of something new. The fear that it may very well burn to the ground around them.
But then he had been cooking dinner one night, Wade narrating some television drama to Al when he had said in the most honest voice:
“Oh to be courted Al, that’s what it's all about. The wooing, the romance, the proof that someone loves you so much they feel like they should prove anyway they possibly can-”
“Motherfucker, narrate the show or I’ll let the tv do it.”
“Way to crush a gal’s dreams.”
And well, after that there was no stopping it. Everything he saw that made him think of Wade begged to be bought, to be collected and hoarded until the perfect moment came along for him to show his devotion. Once he’d humored the idea of it, there was no fighting back his instincts.
But the problem was that traditionally, omegas don’t court, they get courted. Or at least they did if they weren’t as lousy of an omega as Logan was. But all of that is moot in this universe anyways. Despite his designation, he wants to do everything he wants done for him, the simpering omega all too eager to do anything to prove how much he can please and provide, show that he can be a good omega for his partner.
It’s how he ends up settling into an uncomfortable café chair across from Vanessa with a sigh, hating that he was nearly late to what might be the most important part of his courting plan.
“How’s the handful?”
Logan lets himself grumble into the cup of coffee that was already waiting for him, strong and black. “As annoying as ever, I swear he’s got a mutant talent just for getting under your skin. Part of why I’m late.”
Vanessa laughs at him, honest happiness in her smile, in her scent.
“I’d like to say that’s the first time I’ve ever considered it, but it isn't. Especially not after learning about it all. Though I will say that he wasn't too different before everything changed.” She bites her lip, turning the cup of coffee in her hands as she clearly mulls over something.
“God this is awful, but he’s kind of like a dog, one of those high energy working breeds. He excels when he has a task in front of him that he loves, and if that isn't possible, at least something that snags his interest. I know I’m not the first person to compare their ex to a dog, but I hate how much it suits him.”
Logan shrugs, immediately picturing Wade in his mind as an insane Australian shepherd, or maybe a husky. “Nah, I can see it. Makes sense.” He shakes his head, chuckling at the mental image. “How's your guy from work?”
“He’s good. We went hiking over the weekend, it was nice to get out of the city.”
“I bet, I could use some time away myself.”
While not exactly small talk, Logan feels like they are both tiptoeing around the subject, despite the fact that they’re openly talking about Wade. He knows that she knows that he didn't just invite her to coffee for the hell of it, that there’s something he’s holding back. She’s enjoying watching him suffer if her smirk is anything to go by. His brusk nature finally wins out with a huff of air leaving his nose, his stare landing on Vanessa.
“You really don't mind?”
Her smirk softens, a sad sort of happiness warming her eyes as she meets his gaze.
“No, you’re good for him. And he’s good for people, as much as he doesn't see it. “
“He still loves you y’know.”
It’s a fact he’s certain of, but one that doesn't sting nearly as much as it did previously. Vanessa nods, not shying away from the uncomfortable turn of conversation.
“And I still love him, I don't think we’ll ever stop. But the love we have is different now, it has been for a while.” She's quiet. “Does that bother you?”
He thinks on it, but shakes his head, sipping at his coffee as he mulls over his answer.
“Not as long as he’s honest with me, and I appreciate that you’re being honest too.”
“Well who knows, maybe we make his day and there’s something for the three of us down the line.”
Logan chokes on his coffee, coughing into his cup as Vanessa breaks into a carefree laugh across him, oblivious to the onlookers peering at their table in concern or curiosity. His eyes are watering by the time he stops, but his voice is deliciously dark when he speaks, charm dialed up alongside his accent just because he can.
“Honestly can't say I haven't thought about it darlin’. Wade said you two were adventurous.”
She's charming with a blush on her cheeks, and Logan is starting to see what intrigued Wade all those years ago. Vanessa tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and clears her throat.
“Let's put that on my back burner. If nothing else, maybe as a birthday present in a few decades.”
They share a laugh before falling silent once more, and Logan fights through the nerves, voices the intention he’s been agonizing over for the past few days.
“I want to court him.”
Vanessa tilts her head, clearly unfamiliar with the practice. But she doesn’t laugh in his face, doesn’t tell him he could never be worthy of Wade. Yet.
“Is that something from where you’re from?”
He should have expected he’d have to give her some sort of explanation, share how it worked back where he came from.
“Yeah, some folks aren't as formal nowadays but-” he breaks off, steeling himself. “I want to do this right.”
She doesn't hesitate to give him another one of her smiles, teeth biting into her lower lip as eagerness makes her lean closer.
“Okay, how can I help?”
“The real old fashioned matches believe in asking the family before you even start. I know there are the others, but you and Althea are Wade’s world. And-” She interrupts him before he can finish. “You're asking for my permission?”
Tears well in her eyes, and he’s feeling as if he's misstepped when she snatches one of his hands between her own in the center of the table, no hesitancy around his knuckles, just a vice grip.
“I feel like yes isn't even close to good enough Logan. You have my permission, my blessing, whatever you need.” He stares at her in wonder, gaze going back and forth between her face, and the fearless grip she has on his hand. “Whatever?” Vanessa nods. “Whatever. On one condition.”
“Anything.”
He’s heard of the shovel talk, given a few in his time, but this will be the first, and hopefully the last time he ever gets one. Vanessa pins him with a cold look, all joy from a moment ago gone in a snap.
“I know wade, so I can't tell you not to hurt him. I think you’re both going into this knowing that it will hurt, but the difference is you both know how to hurt, and more importantly how to recover.” She pauses, chooses her words carefully as if she might scare him off. “But I will say that should you hurt him on purpose, and I know enough about that man to say I don't mean that kind of hurt, if you ever hurt him, I’ll make it my life’s goal to kill you, I don't care what it costs me.”
She doesn't blink, and a chill runs down Logan’s spine as he realizes that she’s serious, that Vanessa has more than a few connections up her sleeves who could connect her with even more powerful entities. He nods, tongue tied. Once, then a second time before speaking.
“Of course.” He sighs, allowing himself a small piece of vulnerability. “I’m tired of hurting the people I care about.”
“Then you have my approval.”
A weight seems to lift from his shoulders, and his instinct curls up in contentment, a comforting purr rumbling in the back of his mind. He grins, excitement bleeding out in the show of too sharp teeth, but she only smiles back, all ease and no fear.
“ Now , about Wade.”
Althea gives him her blessing with a hoot of laughter, shaking her head as she takes his face in her hands. He stares at his own reflection in her glasses, and it’s curious what a bit of happiness has done for him by appearance alone. Her smile is blinding as she tilts her face in his direction.
“Your ass is probably the only one capable of keeping him on some sort of leash. God help both of you motherfuckers.”
Logan laughs, and figures he’ll take all the help he can get.