Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In a world dominated by alphas, the ways to win over an omega ranged from asking them out on a date to more extreme measures like kidnapping or buying them. Not the whole world was still tough on omegas. However, while things improved over the years, and omegas gained independence, working and living alone, it didn't change some alphas perception and they still saw them as something less.

Nigel left Bucharest after his darling omega found an asshole, who was a beta. Fucking beta. He moved with a broken heart, and a scar on his forehead. He wasn't alone though, his best friend Darko left with him with the biggest expectations. It was known that the US was behind with omegas. Auctions, bars, hotels, name it. Darko hoped to find someone who could finally fulfill everything he sought. Nigel, on the other hand, simply needed distance from Romania and the haunting memories of Gabi. They opened a new bar, similar to one they shared in Romania, omegas needed a job. It was good, Nigel had enough money to stop working if he wanted to. Darko was quickly surrounded by omegas, girls, boys, whatever, he was glad he wasn't alone.

It made Nigel feel alone.

Seeing his best friend living his life, every week a new omega, or two...well. It didn't help his head.

"Why don't you find someone? Forget fucking Gabi, you don't need her, you weren't even mated," Darko said one day when they were dealing with paperwork. Darko knew his friend, he was there for the whole relationship with Gabi. He knew Nigel better than himself. He also knew Nigel was lonely, he wanted love, he craved to be loved.

"I don't want to get hurt again," Nigel growled, sipping the beer sitting on the table. It was so strange for him to talk with Darko English in private. Life in Romania was a lost history...almost.

"Maybe you will find true love," the other alpha chuckled.

"Fuck you, I want that, okay? Shit, I want someone who will love me and won't get a chance to leave me. Jesus, fucking Gabi left me for a beta, you know how I feel?" 

"So buy one."

"What?" Nigel frowned, he was lonely, sure, but did Darko genuinely believe he needed to buy someone to fill the void?

"Yeah, you heard me. You can buy them. You know that," Darko looked up.

"That's fucked up, even for you," Nigel gulped. 

"We have a fucking bar selling omega bodies, what would be so different about buying one temporarily? And you could save an omega's life," which was true. Nigel might be a bad man, however, he treated omegas right. When it came to finding the right person, he was willing to offer them everything. Lovesick fool.

And Nigel thought about that. 

It was decided - he would buy an omega. He went to auctions. They were held every week, sweet omegas paraded themselves and wanted to be owned, to be taken care of. Most of them were sold by their parents who didn't have enough money to support them, and the rest sold themselves, sad story. But you had to make money somehow and if you were an omega, college wasn't an option and without it, you would hardly find a well-paid job. This was mostly a problem in America, lucky Nigel.

Nigel was looking for someone sweet, a virgin preferably. He didn't have many requirements, just have another body to fuck, to own. To love. He didn't care about gender, he wasn't picky. But no one caught his eye. Until...

Until one particular Friday. He didn't want to go, but he persuaded himself. He had nothing to do and those auctions were leaving him with hope that he could find someone who couldn't have said no, who could never leave. He got there, took a seat by the door, and waited. It was getting to the end, and he almost got up and left if the cutest omega didn't stumble his way to the middle while the old man was introducing him. The rest of the alphas looked up hungrily. All those omegas were just in their underwear so you could see their full potential. 

The reasons to acquire an omega were simple—a pleasing physique and an attractive face were enough.

"Not last, but very special one - Adam Raki. His father sold him when he was 17 years old, now he's 21. He is a treasure, let me tell you. Don't be shy, sweetheart, let them see you," the old man looked at him, approached him, and slapped his ass. The omega whimpered. People laughed. Nigel caught himself clenching his fists.

"In our humble opinion, he is brilliant. He was always the top in his classes, he is trained well, ready to be a property of someone. He is very obedient, and quiet, if you tell him. He takes punishments very well, so if I were you, I would prepare my money," he said. Someone whistled.

"His heat is supposed to be this month. He needs a strong alpha to take care of him, doesn't he?" the old man added.

Enough.

Nigel was sure of one thing at that moment. He wanted him. His eyes fixated on the omega. 

He might say he was in love. He knew he wasn't (maybe).

"We're starting at 5,000 dollars, and before you object, let me remind you how special he is. If I didn't mention it, he is a virgin also. We wouldn't let him end up with some alpha who would pay 1,000 dollars, this boy deserves more, he was there for a long time, he is one of the best omegas to be found there," Nigel agreed, "so, someone would like to bid?"

"5,500 dollars," a man in the front screamed.

"Someone would offer more?" the old man asked. He smiled. It was clear, he knew they would get more money than they gave his dad. 

It didn't matter the omega was useless, if they were pretty...and Adam was. He was like an angel.

"6,000 dollars," another alpha added.

"10,000 dollars," Nigel declared with a firm tone. At that moment, the omega finally looked up. Nigel wrestled with the impulse to bid on himself immediately. He almost got up to hug him, kiss him, to tell him everything would be alright.

"10,500 dollars," someone else said.

"15,000 dollars," Nigel breathed out. He was impatient, they couldn't be serious. Adding fucking 500 dollars. He would pay millions.

"16,000 dollars," a man next to him said, smirked as if he did something.

"Okay, 40,000 dollars," Nigel finally stated. The room filled with gasps, even from Adam himself. It marked the highest price Nigel had ever paid since he started attending these auctions.

So much for the worth of omegas.

An uneasy silence settled over the room. No one dared to utter a word.

"40,000 once...twice, sold to the gentleman in back! Congratulations, you can pick him in the back," the old man screamed.

Nigel smirked, he liked winning and this prize was satisfying. He was glad he had enough money, thanks to Darko. He promised himself he would buy him a champagne.

After it had ended, he went to sign a contract, the sweet boy was there standing, trembling. Nigel wasn't sure if it was because he was cold or frightened, but he offered him his coat, the boy mumbled "thank you" and let the coat embrace him. Nigel saw by a corner of his eye, how the omega sniffed the scent. Magnificent. Perfect.

"Thanks for the cooperation, we would like it if you send us feedback, good luck," the lady smiled, giving him all the papers. She explained a little about Adam, Nigel didn't care, he would find out from his boy.

His.

How good it sounded in his head.

He swore to himself to give this boy the world, to treat him properly, to love him.

"Thanks," Nigel nodded and shook her hand. The woman left.

"So, gorgeous, let's take you home," the alpha said. Adam nodded, not looking at him. Nigel had guided him out, holding his hand. They sat in the car.

"Are you hungry?" Nigel asked, starting the motor. He turned his head to see the boy. The omega smelled like lavender and chocolate. Nigel would bathe in the scent. No time for that now, he had to secure his pretty omega.

"No, thank you," Adam said, his tummy rumbled.

"Don't lie, sweet thing, I don't like liars," he put his hand on top of Adam's thigh, squeezing it tight. He had already imagined how to ruin those sweet pale thighs. And he was sure his sweet omega would love it. He was so sure he would love to be marked up.

"I-I don't either...just, they said...they said I should please you. My needs aren't im-imporant," he put his hands into fists, maybe to hurt himself with nails.

"Baby, calm down, we'll have to set slightly different rules, for now, just tell me your cravings, huh? Don't worry, let me take care of you," Nigel looked at him, his hand moving up, and then leaving his body cold. When Adam shifted uncomfortably, Nigel let his hand drop on his neck, massaging it with one hand. 

"Oh. Um, well, I really like macaroni and cheese," the omega finally stated.

"It's macaroni and cheese then," he grinned. His hand traveled on Adam's thigh and stayed there till they arrived at the restaurant.

Chapter Text

Nigel ordered the food to go. He didn't think he would be comfortable showing off his unmated and almost naked omega around the restaurant. The visible relief on Adam's face affirmed Nigel's decision. Scaring Adam off was the last thing on his mind. The plan was to give him everything.

They arrived at his house an hour later. Nigel didn't want to live in New York, he had chosen Greenwich, a deserted area with nature. One house close to the forest. New York was for work and since he co-owned the bar with Darko, he didn't have to go there every day.

As they parked, a gasp escaped Adam.

"What is it, gorgeous? Not good enough for your tastes?" he teased Adam.

"N-no! It's beautiful," Adam stammered, wide eyes scanning the big house. It looked old but well-kept, with two floors and big windows letting in lots of light.

"Let's get inside, you must be starving," Nigel said, got out of the car, and came on the other side so he could open the door for Adam. He took his hand, in the other he had the food and pulled him to go towards the house. Adam was speechless, he was looking around with his mouth open. 

Nigel let go of Adam's hand briefly to unlock the door, then immediately reclaimed it. Once inside, he gently removed Adam's coat.

"Go sit down in the living room, I'll bring you a fork," Nigel pointed to the space.

"Thank you," Adam whispered and went in that direction. The living room was huge, he sat on the edge of the couch, trying not to touch it with his whole body. He didn't want to make a mess. Nigel reappeared, gave him a plate of hot macaroni, and a fork before vanishing again. Adam stared at the food. Hungrily. In the center, he could only start eating once someone said so. And he didn't know if he could start. Nigel didn't say anything. 

So, he stared at the food.

Eventually, he decided to look around. The house was spacious, too big for one person. Could Nigel have more omegas, or perhaps live with other alphas? They mentioned it was not uncommon for alphas to share. Adam didn't want to be shared. While Nigel seemed kind, he couldn't predict what might happen. The fear of being confined or mistreated...

"Why didn't you start?" Nigel's voice interrupted Adam's thoughts.

Adam jumped and looked in the direction. The alpha was holding a T-shirt.

"Y-you didn't say, I'm sorry," Adam stuttered. So nervous.

"Shit, I'm new to this. Okay, here's the plan. No rules, no punishments for now. Do anything you feel like to and if I don't like it, I'll tell you, but I won't punish you," Nigel explained.

Adam nodded, carefully looking up. Nigel changed into sweatpants and a plain t-shirt that highlighted his body. Maybe dangerous, but undoubtedly a very handsome alpha.

"Use words, doll," he insisted, kneeling, one hand on Adam's thigh. The alpha's scent hit Adam's nose, he instinctively tried to breathe deeply, he didn't know why he did that. He breathed in again, savoring the scent.

"Yes, sir," Adam replied after a while, his head feeling almost drugged.

"Nigel," he corrected, emphasizing his name.

"What?" he shook his head a little as if he didn't understand.

"Use my name, okay? Always, not your sir, not your daddy. I'm your alpha. And my name is Nigel," the hand was still resting on Adam's thigh. 

"Yes, Nigel," he finally responded.

"Good. Now, I have to make a call. You can turn the TV on, I don't care. And eat your food. And here," he handed the t-shirt to him, "put it on. I'll be right back."

Adam did as he was told. The T-shirt was soft, comfortable, and carried a pleasant scent. With the shirt on, he looked up at the TV, found the controller, and switched it on. Scrolling through the channels, he settled on a nature documentary, and with a sigh of relief, he began to eat his food.

A subtle panic crept in.

Was Nigel testing him?

But why would he say one thing and expect another? Should he be looking for signs? Adam struggled to read people. No. If he did anything he shouldn't, he would accept the consequences.

Adam started eating. He almost moaned how good it tasted. Meanwhile, the show about sharks has ended and there was another one. About Mars. Adam actually started bouncing. In the center, there was a limited amount of time for space. They had one free hour per day that could be spent in the library, outside, or doing some omega things such as knitting or drawing. Adam always spent his hours in the library. He had read every single book there was about space. Some twice, thrice, or even more times.

"Fan of space?" Nigel came through the door, glancing at the TV.

Adam's eyes widened. He wasn't accustomed to that. It was all so new, many unsaid rules were waiting for him somewhere. He didn't know what to do. Nigel acted differently than how they described alphas who would buy them in the center.

"I-I can turn it off," he said quickly, gripping the controller. His body started shaking, he expected to be yelled at.

"You don't have to, I said you can watch it," Nigel reassured with a smile. 

"Thank you," Adam whispered, relieved. Nigel was kind. Or at least right now he was. Which made it difficult for Adam to decide in which situation he was. Would Nigel stay like that or it was just a start? He didn't care, or...maybe he did, but there was not a lot to do. He couldn't run away, not on his own. He had nowhere to go, no money, and no one to turn to. Just Nigel. He promised himself to try. To try to be a good omega. He wanted to be.

"No problem," Nigel sat close to him.

Adam shifted uncomfortably.

"Come here," Nigel patted the space in front of him.

"Where?" Adam asked, confused.

"Take your food and sit between my legs." 

Adam nodded and did as instructed. Obedient boy. Nigel wrapped his arms around Adam's tummy and guided him to lean against him.

"Yeah, like that, my pretty omega. Keep eating," he said right into Adam's ear, the omega shivered and blushed at the compliment, focusing on finishing his meal. He ate in silence and almost didn't finish the food, but the imagination of not being able to have one of those for some time made him eat it all. 

"Good, very good," Nigel praised him after Adam put the empty plate on the table.

They stayed like that for a while. Nigel occasionally planted a kiss on Adam's neck, tightened the embrace, or just rested his head between Adam's shoulder and neck to inhale his scent. He was touch-starved. Jesus fucking Christ, he didn't remember having a body right next to him for so long. He felt comfortable enough with Adam. It was weird, he didn't know the procedure, but he couldn't help but suspect that many alphas didn't cuddle their omegas, not on the first day. Despite not knowing much about omega centers, he had read enough to understand that they often weren't treated as well as portrayed. It seemed like a business, training omegas to fulfill any alpha's desire for profit. He wanted to show Adam he would be treated right.

Adam calmed down.

The TV show ended.

"Go shower, okay?" Nigel ended the embrace, the omega already missed the heat and scent of the alpha's body.

"Yes," Adam nodded. He knew what was about to happen. They would have sex. He was trained for that. But he was so scared. They explained the act, taught them different positions, but he had never engaged with another person that way. He was scared it would hurt. Some alphas were aggressive, cruel. The thought of being hopeless under an alpha made him terrified.

"Then go," Nigel caressed his thighs, sending shivers down the omega's spine. He nodded and got up.

"Up to the stairs, I left the door open," he added.

Adam climbed the stairs. He was a good omega. He was always praised in the center for being good at things. He didn't want to disappoint Nigel, not this soon, especially when they weren't even mated. Being sent back would be painful. They would refund half the money to Nigel and place Adam among omegas worth basically nothing. They might just kick him out.

He stayed a while under the hot steam of the shower, he also shaved himself with a razor blade he found on one shelf. He breathed out. His heart was racing, his cheeks slightly flushed. Adam entered the bedroom just in the underwear from the center, no sight of Nigel. He sat on the bed, playing with his fingers. Nigel entered in after five minutes. Adam looked up.

"Come here," Nigel said, Adam obeyed. He got closer and got caught in Nigel's warm hands. 

"Look at you, so beautiful," Nigel had to touch Adam's body.

"You're attractive too," Adam whispered, unsure if it was appropriate.

"Glad to hear it," he placed a kiss on his forehead, squeezed his hips, "you can grab whatever you want from the wardrobe, I don't know what you'd like to sleep in."

Adam nodded, when Nigel let his body go, he got to the wardrobe, carefully opened it, and grabbed the first t-shirt he spotted and some clean underwear. He felt Nigel's stare, he almost dropped the clothes.

"Put it on, baby," Nigel said, "lay in the bed. It's been a long and hard day for you. You need to rest, okay?"

"We're not going to have...sex?" Adam hesitated, his head started turning. 

"No, or do you want to?" Nigel asked, coming closer to Adam. Adam's head went quiet.

"I don't know," the omega admitted.

"So when you're gonna be sure, we can, huh? Don't worry for a moment, okay? We'll talk tomorrow. You'll be alright, I promise."

Chapter Text

Adam woke up in the bed alone, glancing at the spot where Nigel had been lying. He couldn't believe his luck, how he survived the first night without anything bad. Okay, maybe it wasn't the perfect situation to be in, but his imagination was wild, he could have been locked up in the basement, be used, beaten up. He had to stop thinking.

However, panic set in. Shouldn't he be the first to rise, perhaps preparing breakfast like a good omega? Taking care of his alpha? Not his, not yet.

"I can see you thinking too much. Just sleep, baby," Nigel whispered, his hand around Adam's hip.

"I'll try," he replied, his eyes wide open. He was sure he wouldn't fall asleep. New room, new bed with an unknown person.

"Good," Nigel repositioned himself so he was closer to Adam, he breathed in and out into Adam's neck. Adam closed his eyes and to his surprise, the embrace worked its magic and he fell asleep. He felt safe for a moment. He hasn't felt safe for a long time.

He looked at the clock on the wall. Half past ten. He has slept for eleven hours. He got up and descended downstairs, where he heard Nigel's voice. He carefully walked into the living room.

"You're a fucking weirdo, man. No, I'll be there," Nigel turned around when he heard steps, holding a phone at his ear. He smiled at Adam.

"Yeah, yeah. Gotta go, bye," he hung up, his whole attention on Adam, "hey, baby, slept well?"

"Yes, thank you...I, I apologize for sleeping that long," his cheeks were slightly flushed. He stood in the middle of the room, just in the underwear and T-shirt. His hands moved to his thighs.

"Never apologize to me for this, darling. Are you hungry? You can pick whatever you crave," he stood up, slowly approaching his omega.

"We...we always had plain cereals," Adam hesitated. He pinched his right thigh. 

"You don't have to eat that shit," the alpha was so close, he saw Nigel's nostrils widen, he inhaled Adam's scent and grinned.

"I'm used to it, it's...," Adam began but trailed off.

"It's what?" the alpha demanded.

"No-nothing," he shook his head and then muttered, "stupid."

"It's what, doll? Talk to me," Nigel urged. He was lost, so lost. He wanted Adam to be honest with him, not to be scared to say anything.

"Everything's new...I always preferred having routines," he finally admitted.

"Oh my, baby, it's out of order, yeah? Just for today, we'll set some routines. I have some fucking cereals, I guess. We'll go shopping, get you everything you need, huh? Then we'll have lunch, do something, and maybe have dinner or order out if you don't feel like it. Sounds good?" it sounded good. Too good to be true.

"It does, but you don't have to, I don't want to burden you," Adam locked his eyes on the floor, studying the pattern. 

"Bullshit, baby. Go eat, then take something to wear and we'll go, okay?" the alpha put one hand on his cheek, making him look up. He caressed it. It made Adam feel better.

"Okay."

---

Adam hated every second of shopping. They parked in a crowded parking lot, and Nigel had chosen shops Adam hadn't heard of before. Designer clothes and items for the wealthy made him feel undeserving of such luxury. Plus the scents, noises, and bright lights overwhelmed him.

"Nigel?" he finally took the courage to go to the alpha. 

"Yeah, baby?" he looked up from the clothes he'd been spending time at. He didn't want to push Adam to pick anything he didn't want, so he drew back and pretended to be invested in something else.

"This T-shirt is 100 dollars and...and it's the cheapest one I've found...um, it's too much," he showed him a plain black T-shirt on a hanger, his hands slightly trembling. Nigel frowned. 

"I said you can pick whatever you want, I know it's fucking expensive. I want to spoil you," Nigel took the T-shirt from him. He remembered being younger, still in Romania. His mum was shopping in second-hand stores. He also remembered getting his first money from selling drugs, how Darko persuaded him to buy nicer pants and he was hesitant, being used to not having money. He knew how Adam must have been feeling.

"P-please," Adam pleaded and flinched when people behind him laughed loudly.

"Please what? Adam, darling, look at me," Nigel urged, sensing Adam's discomfort. Fuck, he didn't want that, did he?

"Do you want to go away? You could've said you're not comfortable, we can order it online," he proposed the idea. It was fine by him, he just thought taking Adam out would be good.

"Really?" Adam's eyes twinkled like two stars. Nigel would do anything for him. Oh God, he was fucked up. He knew that boy for twenty-four hours. That was bad.

"Fuck yeah, you can just say so," he took the omega's hand, squeezed it. Then he lifted it to his mouth and kissed it.

"I-I wanna leave," Adam nodded. His body was tense, one hand was playing with the hem of his shirt, Nigel's shirt.

"So let's go," he tossed the T-shirt away on a pile of clothes and pulled Adam's hand so they could leave.

Nigel bought food to go and drove home. There, they ate lunch on the balcony as Adam wished. It was getting warmer, the winter had ended and spring was in its full force, the sun shining, making the world seem better, warmer. He brought some blankets, so Adam wouldn't get cold and Adam just smiled at him, comfortably hugged by the blankets, eating macaroni. They didn't talk much and enjoyed the silence. Adam looked content so Nigel didn't want to ruin the moment. 

"Thank you, Nigel...I really, I really appreciate it," he brought one of the blankets closer, hiding part of his face there. He was grateful for Nigel. He should be scared, he should be angry, but he wasn't.

That raised a million question marks in the omega's head. It was crazy, he should feel crazy for feeling safe with the man who paid for him. Who paid for the luxury of having an omega who wouldn't be able to protest. He could've taken him right the day before, and Adam wouldn't say no. He was raised and trained well. And still, Nigel said he would wait, he wouldn't pressure Adam. There had to be some trick in that. Maybe he was dreaming. Maybe he was still in the center dreaming someone like Nigel would come up and save him. Oh gosh. 

"I don't know what they've told you in there. I know they make you feel horrible, but I won't. I'll try to. You can do anything you want. As before all of this. You'll sleep in the bed with me, you can go anywhere in this house. You can do anything here and say anything you'd like to say. Any wish, any need, any want, just say it to me. I'll give you fucking everything. Of course, maybe you'll act like a brat. I can punish you for that, but nothing crazy, huh? We'll talk about it. I don't want you to feel here as if you don't have any rights. This country is so fucked up, baby, this whole thing is a bullshit. I'll give you the world if you want to. And I don't expect you to adapt so soon, you've been there for what...three years?" 

Adam was full of emotions at that moment. Nigel was somehow so gentle with him. And that speech, oh my gosh, his heart was beating so fast.

"Four," he corrected, not being able to say anything more, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Four fucking years, baby. I bet you have all of that in your mind, how you should act, and all that fucking bullshit. I can't fix it right now, but we'll get through it. You'll live. I won't let you feel like you can't, I'll explain everything today about this, I promise," one hand was extended towards Adam, and he took it. Nigel's hand was warm, Adam felt warm from the inside out.

"What if I make a mistake?" he asked, his eyes locked with their entwined hands. Nigel moved his chair closer, their knees now touching.

"Everybody makes a fucking mistake from time to time, we'll solve it when something comes, hm?" Nigel suggested, and Adam nodded, finding comfort in the promise.

"Can I ask you?" his thumb tracing Nigel's hand. Nigel's hands were rough, there was a small scar on the back of one. 

"Of course, darling," Nigel's heart swelled, it felt so good to see Adam feeling okay in his presence. He had to admit he was proud of himself. He had to do something correctly to deserve Adam's openness in such a short time. He had a feeling Adam was broken inside and it was hard to believe others. 

"Why...why did you buy me? I mean. Um. You're so...you seem like a good alpha, it wouldn't be a problem for you to find someone," the other hand brushed against a blanket.

"I want someone who couldn't leave, baby. You can't, never," he squeezed his hand. 

"Okay," Adam just nodded, it was honestly okay for him. Nigel would take care of him. If he wasn't lying, right...but why would he? Why wouldn't he tell him how cruel he would be from the start?

"And I'm not very fucking kind, am I? I bought you, but I want to do this properly as if you had a choice to pick me. I want you to want me. I would want you anyway, if it was a normal situation, you know. If we could meet in a random place. You're not from my world, baby, so I don't imagine anything huge. But bumping into each other in a fucking shop, anything normal. I would change the past if I could, I would give you a better life from the start. I would court you, or I don't know the word," wow. Adam's heart was beating even faster and he didn't know it was possible. 

Adam freed his hands and started moving them a bit, fluttering movement. Before Nigel could have asked anything, Adam placed the hands on his cheeks and kissed him. 

Chapter Text

Time seemed to stop.

Nigel expected a lot of things, but not a kiss. He could tell Adam hadn't kissed another person. He was clumsy which made Nigel growl and pull him closer. They both felt electricity, Adam was so delicate, and Nigel's lips felt soft, warm against his own. Nigel tasted of cigarettes, while Adam's lips held the sweetness of candy. The pace was unhurried, allowing them to savor every moment, to explore each other.

Adam's thumbs carefully danced on Nigel's cheeks, tenderly touching him as if he could fall apart. Adam's heart pounded with nervous excitement. He stopped, breathed out, and rested his forehead against the other man.

"S-sorry," he whispered, realizing what he'd just done. He wasn't in a position to initiate the contact. 

"No need, can't be angry about this," he kissed him on the cheek, Adam smiled.

"Let's talk, okay? I can see you're still unsure, I can't blame you for that," Adam nodded, still against his forehead, then he pulled himself away. Nigel had already missed the touch on his cheeks. He at least took Adam's hands and held them.

"I don't know where to start, you can fucking ask me anything, alright? Not just now," one of his hands traveled in Adam's curls, he was fascinated by his beauty.

"Do you work?" the omega finally asked.

"I do, baby," Nigel laughed a little.

"What do you do?" he almost started purring like a cat. The wind blew a cold feeling, he wanted to grab the blanket which somehow dropped during the kiss, but Nigel was quicker, making sure he was warm. Adam couldn't stop smiling. 

"I'll tell you later, I'm a bad man, baby, don't overwhelm your pretty head of yours with that," Adam breathed in, trying to put his thoughts in order. It was hard with Nigel being so close, one of the alpha's hands massaging his hand and the second playing with his hair.

"Do more people live here?" he gulped. Suddenly, he was distracted by two birds playing on the ground. Nigel looked the same way, but didn't comment on it.

"Where? In Greenwich?" he asked.

"No, in this house," Adam still didn't take his eyes off the birds, it was safer to look somewhere else.

"It's just you and me, darling. What do you mean?" the alpha was watching Adam, enjoying the view.

"I just...it's huge, I thought that maybe you have more omegas or more alphas live there," he shrugged.

"Fuck no, this house was a bargain. I've always wanted a fucking big house," Nigel chuckled.

"Did it cost more than me?" 

Silence.

"I-I apologize, Nigel. I...I don't know why I said that," he dropped his hand, leaned into the chair. Nigel's hands were now empty.

"It cost more, I'm sorry, baby. I would spend every fucking dollar on you," it was desperate. Trying to save the situation somehow. He didn't want to make Adam feel unworthy.

"It's just...," he shook his hand, his look transferred to the forest. The color green was everywhere.

"Sad, I know, darling. I don't even know how they can profit from that," he didn't know what to say more, what to ask to fix that.

"Most omegas are glad they have something to eat," Adam sighed, playing with his hands, "isn't it supported by the government? M-my dad talked about it once."

"I think so, yeah," Nigel agreed, that wasn't the topic he wanted to talk about. 

There was another pregnant pause. Nigel gave Adam time, he didn't want to start talking bullshit.

"Oh...what I will be doing?" Adam finally spoke after a while. He wasn't uncomfortable, just didn't know what to say.

"Whatever you want," the alpha answered immediately. 

"So I'll be tidying and cooking? I don't know what else," he grabbed a cup that was on the table, Nigel made him tea, he said it was better to keep himself warm. The tea went cold in the meantime. But it was still good, an herbal tea, Adam liked herbal teas.

"You're not my maid, darling. Once a week I have a cleaning lady sent here, or more often, if it's necessary. If you want to cook, you can cook. I can buy you cookbooks. Or you can order, it's up to you," Nigel would normally feel embarrassed. He had never begged anyone, he had never tried to please anyone. But this was his omega he was talking to. If he could give him the moon, he would give him the moon.

"I can go outside?" he knew the answer, but it was worth the try.

It was stupid, he was aware of that. Why would Nigel let him outside? Alone? Madness. He was raised better. He was raised not to ask stupid and weird questions. He was raised to keep his mouth shut, not to be imprudent. He wanted to take it back, it was too late.

"I believe I can let you out, yes, you're not my prisoner, I hope you won't try to run away," Nigel smiled a little.

"I have nowhere to go," Adam whispered, he was sure he would be seen as an ungrateful little kid.

There was a silence. Nigel felt bad.

"Tell me about your life, baby," he proposed.

"What exactly?" Adam was looking at Nigel's shirt. 

"Where you grew up, your parents, anything," he leaned closer, their knees still touching.

"We grew up in New York. I have...had a brother. Will. He um...he was really clever," he started. 

"Was?" Nigel asked confusedly.

"Is," the omega corrected himself. He was playing with his hands.

"Was he placed in a center also?" Nigel was actually interested. He was interested in everything Adam had to say.

"No, he wasn't," he sounded sad. Of fucking course he was sad.

"What happened with him?" the alpha was trying to deduce something from Adam's face. There was not much, sadly.

"He ran away," Adam bit his lip and then he closed his eyes.

"Okay, how did you end up in the center?" he needed that information. He needed to know what trauma has Adam gone through. What happened to him, what he needed to fix. Not exactly needed, maybe wanted.

"My...my dad promised my mum he would take care of us. At least of one of us. Um. I... it...well. He was just Will's father. My mum had me with so-someone else. She died when I was 13 and I've, um, never met my real father and dad, Will's father, I think...I think he had never liked me? Will was, Will is older. I think right now, he's 24. Dad couldn't afford to support us both. And if he sent Will off to college, Will would start to earn more money earlier than me. B-but for college he needed money so he wanted to sell me, he picked some center, they only offered a little money, but it was...something. Will ran away after he graduated, he told dad to keep me and dad promised him he would do anything in his power. H-he wrote me letters, almost every week, but dad never let me read them. And we moved to a different city still close to New York, a smaller apartment. And dad…he didn't. He didn't keep me, he said it's my fault my mum's dead and that Will ran away. Which...yes, it w-was my fault. He also found another woman, she supported him in that decision and when I was 17 he got me in that one center. I-I'm sorry, I think. I think...," he started hyperventilating, his hands trying to find something, he put them on his temples. And Nigel thought for a moment he would hit himself.

Fuck no. 

"Oh, shh," he hugged him, grabbed Adam's hands and put them around his neck, squeezing him, "nothing like that. Nothing is your mistake, you were just a kid. You're safe now."

"Safe," he echoed, his body melting, hands automatically transferred in Nigel's hair.

"Safe, I'll protect you, I'll take care of you," Adam put his head to Nigel's crook, inhaling the scent, nuzzling against it.

"Won't you hurt me?" he mumbled against the skin. The blanket dropped again, but his body was now warmed by Nigel's. Good, safe, and it was possibly a dream.

"Maybe, but not intentionally, I'll try not to," he sniffed on the omega's hair, rubbing his back.

"I want to get to know you, Nigel," he said shyly.

"Don't worry, we have a long time to figure everything out, you'll know me."

---

"I'll have to go to work tomorrow, you'll be a good boy here, right?" Nigel came through the door, Adam lying on his back, staring at the ceiling.

"Yes, of course," he breathed out, counting how many dots were in one square. Thirty-five, maybe forty.

He almost jumped when he felt the mattress curving under Nigel's body. The alpha laid down on Adam's chest, kissing it through the t-shirt. Adam giggled, sighed happily. 

"And you can think of something we can do," he looked up, seeing Adam's beautiful face bathed in the moonlight. 

"W-we could have a walk," he proposed, not returning the look. He wouldn't be able to stand the intense eye contact, not right away, not even when it was almost dark there.

"Yes, darling, sounds good, to the forest?" his hands ached to touch Adam's body, so he did touch him. Why not? 

"Mmm, maybe we could...I don't know, watch the stars?" the alpha felt the omega's heart race fast.  

"It's a date," Nigel whispered it in his ear, sending shivers down his spine and then kissing him on a cheek.

"I've ne-never been on a date," Adam's eyes shined as two stars in the dark. Nigel had to hold back, the urge to do something big, to mate him, to show him how good he could feel, how loved he could be.

"I'll make sure it will be special," he promised.

Chapter Text

Adam stirred from his sleep, the sun was gently warming his cheeks. He heard the wardrobe being opened, Nigel moved around the room with quiet grace. Adam stayed nestled in the blankets, pulling one closer to his nose, breathing in Nigel's scent.

"Good morning, darling, I hope I didn't wake you up," Nigel said softly, finishing the buttons on his shirt. 

"I think you did, but I'm not sleepy," he blushed right away after he realized what he'd said, Nigel had every right to wake him. That was bad, saying that to an alpha...

"Great, I'll have to go to work. I'll order you some food, you don't have to do anything, they will put it in front of the gate," he pressed a kiss in his hair and breathed in. Adam smelled so good, Nigel felt somehow calm. And he surely didn't want to leave his omega.

"Mmm," Adam nodded, his eyes now shut. He knew he was pushing boundaries, risking punishment for his behavior, but in that moment, all he wanted was to stay in bed with Nigel and to sleep even though he said he wasn't tired.

"I'll try to be at home as soon as possible, baby," he promised before tearing himself away.

An hour later, Adam woke up once more. He stretched as a cat and looked around. Such a beautiful room, he shivered and his tummy rumbled.

Maybe he could steal something to eat. Steal...maybe Nigel wouldn't mind. He went downstairs and looked around. His eyes were locked with the front door. He couldn't help himself, he went there and tried it.

It was open. Nigel didn't lie. He said he wouldn't lock him, that he would let him outside. It wasn't so surprising, he had to grab the ordered food somehow. But he could let him starve. He didn't know what to do with that. He could run away. 

Jesus, that thought made him dizzy. He didn't want to, but Nigel gave him the chance. He put the trust in him.

He closed the door.

The next stop was the kitchen. There was a lot he didn't know how to work with. A dishwasher. They didn't have one of those at home. A coffee machine. Some fancy one. Wow. It was shining, it was so big. He touched it, he's never had a coffee. He hoped he would have the courage to ask Nigel if he could try it, or try to make it.

The place was unknown, he didn't know how to feel, but he tried to not jump when he heard any noise. He dressed up a shirt from yesterday which still wore the rest of how Nigel smelled.

---

He was walking through the house. He didn't have much to do and the TV was boring him, somehow. He always dreamt of being able to be in bed the whole day and just watch TV, but the curiosity played a dangerous game with his head. He decided to look around. 

He made a plan, that he would browse the house from the upstairs. He tried to touch everything, tried to imagine Nigel what he was doing there. How he would spend the time in a specific room. He arrived at his bureau. He knew he shouldn't have. It was his personal study, where he had important papers as it seemed. But Nigel wasn't there.

He sat in his chair. It was comfy. He looked around. The room was huge, as the rest of the rooms. The light was dim. In the house, there wasn't a lot of personal stuff. No pictures, no cheeky signs. But there was one photo.

One photo with an older woman in it. Probably his mother. They sat on an old sofa, Nigel looked young. In Adam's age probably. The woman looked tired but was smiling and looking at Nigel fondly. Adam wondered what happened to her. What was their relationship? What about his father?

He stood up and went from one corner to another. And then he had to stop, his heart started beating.

There was a gun lying on the coffee table. He took a step back, then two forward. He suddenly held it in his hands. He gasped.

I'm not a good man.

He imagined Nigel pointing the gun towards him, making him do things he didn't want to do. His lip was trembling. The image of Nigel standing on top of his bloody body. He was sick.

He imagined the poor woman from the picture seeing Nigel with a gun. He dropped it on the floor, then took it and tried to place it as it was. He slammed the door.

He would finish his little tour another day. He wasn't prepared to unfold more of the darkness of Nigel's world.

---

Adam was sitting in the living room and was looking through books. He heard car coming to the house, so he jumped up from the sofa and slowly came up to the door. Nigel opened them. A man was standing behind him, dressed in all black, his face cold. 

Oh no.

Was he there to take him away? To hurt him? He started shaking. He remembered the gun. 

"Hey, gorgeous," Nigel smiled and kissed him on the forehead, "you're shaking, are you cold?"

"N-no," Adam stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Nigel frowned. Concern flashed across his face.

"Let's go inside, I'll make you a tea. Darko, do you want anything?" he asked the other man who seemed a bit uncomfortable to be there.

"Beer, I'll take a piss," Darko replied.

"What's up?" Nigel asked after Darko went away. He took Adam's hand.

"Who's that?" his heart was racing again. He wasn't sure what it meant that your heart could jump out of your body. He knew that now...

"Darko, my best friend, we own a bar together, we do business," Nigel's thumb was making small circles. Adam looked at his hand.

"And...," is he there to hurt me? To do something you promised you wouldn't personally do? What about the gun in your study? Are you going to use it on me one day?

"And? Nothing, shit, darling, calm down. Nothing bad is about to happen. He just needs some papers I left here. I'll order some food and we'll go on the walk, yeah?" he hugged him tightly. Adam's eyes were hurting because of the tears pushing into them. 

"I hate to break your romantic moment, but I would rather take the papers and just go," Darko said. Nigel started to laugh, his chest rising under Adam's head. Adam let a long breath out.

Chapter Text

Darko was...nice. Adam didn't know if that was an appropriate word to describe that man, but he wasn't mean or anything. He just introduced himself, grabbed the papers, and left. Which was good, somehow. He was an alpha so it made him dangerous. Adam was getting to be comfortable with Nigel, another alpha's presence felt overwhelming. And then there was the gun. He couldn't stop thinking about the gun. Were there more? Were they hidden somewhere or put carelessly as that one? 

As for Nigel, he continued to confuse Adam. He kept his word, ordered food, Chinese. Adam was scared he wouldn't like it. He often didn't like specific food and was left hungry then. But Nigel picked three different foods for Adam to try. They settlet on a couch, some sitcom played comfortably in the background. Adam didn't even hope for the walk by then, but Nigel rose to his feet.

"I hope you still wanna go on our walk," he said. He put his arms to the sky, stretching out, the shirt rolled its way up too and showed his tummy. Adam couldn't look anywhere else till the moment Nigel stopped the stretching.

"Yes, please," Adam smiled widely, he couldn't wait to be outside, to be able to see stars.

"It's getting cold, I'll pick you some jacket and we can go."

Right when they stepped out, Nigel took Adam's hand. Nigel's hand was warm, strong, kept him steady. He said he would take them up the hill where they could see the stars the most. They walked in the silence for a while. Adam didn't feel he had some topics to raise. Or if it was appropriate for him to say anything. Maybe about the weather? Maybe to ask about Nigel's day? 

"How do you like the house, darling?" Nigel broke the silence, drawing Adam's attention.

"It's...i'ts nice. Very big," Adam replied, words spoken with uncertanity.

"Fuck it is," Nigel laughed, "do you mind if I smoke, baby?"

"N-no, I just...I just don't like the smell," he didn't want to be rude. Of course, Nigel could have a smoke, why not? It wasn't Adam's decision to make. But how Nigel had asked...that was so sweet.

"Okay then," he didn't take out his cigarettes.

"B-but you can! I didn't mean...," Adam's words trailed off, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Hush, I won't try to make you comfortable. I can live without a cigarette. We're almost here," he pointed on a bench. Just few steps and they got there.

On the hill there were a few trees, bushes and the one bench. There was a view of the towns that were in a greater distance, at that moment Adam realized how far away they were. The wind was playing nicely with the trees, letting them move their branches, the stars created a pleasant atmosphere, they were beautifully visible. Adam didn't even notice, but Nigel was carrying a few things. One of them was a blanket, which he put on the bench.

They sat down, Nigel immediately wrapping his hands around Adam's shoulders. Adam wore Nigel's jacket, it was big on him, and it rustled every time he moved.

"The stars look pretty from here," Nigel said, turned his head, and kissed Adam on the cheek.

"Do you go there...regularly?" the omega turned around also, now looking directly at Nigel, not in his eyes, on his lips.

"No, I've been there twice, just wanted to clear my head, you know," Nigel replied.

"Okay," Adam nodded.

"Do you like to stargaze?" he knew the answer, he wouldn't propose that idea if he disliked it. 

"I've never had a lot of opportunities," Adam started playing with the jacket, letting it make noises. 

"Yeah, shit, sorry," the alpha squeezed his shoulder.

"Will sometimes sneaked us out, I was around ten when he did it for the first time," Adam admitted, finally opening up a little. Sharing a thought from his past.

"And where did you go?" Nigel said, trying to sound curious, trying to provide Adam space to talk.

"N-not far...there was a park, I always dreamed I could have a telescope. To see the stars properly," he looked up at the sky, his hands made a quick movement, he was so happy at that moment. The stars really looked pretty.

"A telescope you say," Nigel turned his head up to the sky as well and then looked at Adam, again. His mouth was slightly open, a cold air coming out. The omega was so pretty. Prettiest sight he's even seen. 

"Mmm, my dad said they cost a lot," he breathed out, his eyes scanning the stars.

"Hm," Nigel nodded, haven't added anything more, except when he realized something by seeing the cold air coming out of Adam's mouth again, "shit, darling, I totally forgot."

He pulled out a thermos flask and some cookies. By that movement, he had to end touching his omega's body. 

"What's that?" the younger man studied what was Nigel trying to do.

"Just a cocoa and something I thought you could like," he put the cookies into Adam's lap and pour the hot cocoa into a cup, handing it to Adam, who took them but wasn't able to tear from the cookies. 

"They're in the shape of stars," Adam observed with a smile.

"That's right," Nigel waited expectantly for the omega's reaction.

"W-wow," Adam's corner of the mouth started to twitch. That was a good move from Nigel. Adam realized at that moment that if Nigel was trying to manipulate him in any way, no matter what, because Adam was sure he would do anything for Nigel, he would accept the manipulation. Adam would trade a little love for whatever Nigel had prepared for him, even if it was bad. 

"You don't have to eat them if you don't like them," he placed one hand on Adam's thigh. The omega would swear something jumped in his body. A weird feeling in his stomach. To be honest, something in his stomach was bothering him. Like something was about to explode. It wasn't the unfamiliar feeling he used to get when he was nervous, this was a different kind of unknown.

"I will try it," he bit the corner and it melted in his mouth.

"Great," Nigel caressed Adam's cheek which was now full of the cookie. Adam's face was gentle, Nigel figured it out at that moment, how much his heart was pounding. As if it wanted to leap out of his chest into Adam's arms, to be at the mercy of the omega, to let him do what he wanted with it.

"They're...good," Adam nodded.

"Right," Nigel smiled, proud of himself for choosing well.

Adam looked up at the stars. Nigel could only look at his own, the only one, he promised himself that he would ensure that his star would shine as much and as long as possible. 

Chapter Text

They were lying in the bed, both showered and each on one side of the bed. 

"Baby? When's your heat due?" Nigel's voice was gentle, it would make Adam warm, however this topic made him rather cold. He was sure that question had to come up sometime, but he wasn't ready for this conversation, hadn't prepared himself to confront the reality of the situation.

"I-I don't know," Adam stammered, anxiety in him shaking his whole body.

"When did you have your last?" Nigel turned to the side, looking at Adam. His eyes studied him, the beautiful creature.

"Um...I've...I've never," Adam wanted to admit, whispering as if it was a secret.

"What?" Nigel was shocked but didn't scream. He could though, they didn't exactly tell him anything about Adam.

"I've been under suppressants in the center and before that...I don't know," Adam trailed off, Nigel breathed in and sensed the change in omega's scent, discomfort most probably.

"Oh shit, okay, I'll call a doctor, okay?" he attempted to reassure him, put one hand on his body, he was met with a nod from Adam, who was still trembling.

"Okay," he murmured, he was sure Nigel must have heard his heart beating, "and...what about your rut?"

"Don't worry, darling, I have a month or so," he hugged him, scenting him. He hadn't done that before, but it felt right, nice, calmed him a bit, but it ended too soon, just because Adam couldn't move an inch at that moment, maybe Nigel thought he felt uncomfortable. He wanted to scream for him to come back. Nigel lied on his side and fell asleep. He wished Nigel would hug him once more, only so he could breathe in his scent. 

There it was, the silence, that gave a space for Adam's thoughts.

Adam didn't know about which thing he didn't have to worry about. About sex? He was scared of physical intimacy. He saw Nigel was trying to be kind to him, but what about their sex lives? Alphas lose themselves, lose control, they said.

Don't even try to tell an alpha no. You're not with them to be pleasured, to feel good. The alpha has to feel good, so brave yourself up. You're fucking nothing, deal with it.

Adam shivered. He turned around, took one blanket, and threw it over his head. So what, he could take a little pain. He always did. Kneeling for almost an hour just because he forgot to say hello to the alpha in the center. Being held in a dark room for a whole day, because he talked too much and omegas aren't supposed to be that talkative. Nobody cares about what the omega has to say. Being put in a cold shower after he had a meltdown because that week was too rough on him, other omegas were still saying weird and rude things and he just couldn't hold it any longer. Two alphas took him, one held his arms, and the other held his legs, they put him in the cold shower. He screamed, he tried to run away, but they just left him there longer. And all those things, punishments were normal. He had to live with that. He had to get used to that, which he had after some time. He closed himself. He ignored everyone and concentrated himself on being a good omega. 

Yet, despite the horrors of his past, Adam clung to the hope that Nigel would be different. That somehow, in the middle of the chaos of his own emotions, he would find shelter in Nigel's arms.

And he would be a good omega for Nigel. It was alright.

---

Nothing was alright.

He woke up. His head was aching, but he ignored it. He searched for Nigel, although, the only thing he found was a small piece of paper in the kitchen.

'You look so pretty when you sleep, I couldn't wake you up. There are pancakes in the fridge, just heat them. Nigel'

Adam ignored the fridge, ignoring the comment about looking pretty. He just hugged his small body and wandered around. He went back and forth, trying to find some kind of certitude, anything that would reassure him. He didn't even know what he was doing, acting like a robot.

He tried to remember what Nigel had told him about the first floor. Kitchen, big living room, and stairs that went up. Okay. Under the stairs, there was a small bathroom. Next to it was the toilet. But what was the third door? He frowned, Nigel didn't tell him. He ignored the door as if it was invisible. But Adam knew damn well he didn't have hallucinations. He got there and tried to open them.

Locked.

Adam's heart started beating. Logical thinking, Nigel could use the room to store his guns. That's normal, right? Yes, sure.

But Adam was determined to know. He didn't know why, but his head was still pounding, he didn't feel good. And Nigel wasn't telling him something. 

"I'm not a good man," he whispered to himself. He walked to the hallway, grabbed all the keys lying around and came back to the door, tried to open them.

One key worked. The door creaked open, revealing a staircase that descended into darkness. Oh. Of course, the basement. Was Adam freaking out about some basement? 

"It was locked," he had to say out loud. As if someone could listen to him and tell him he wasn't crazy.

The whole room stank, he didn't like that weird cellar smell. It was damp, cold. He regretted not taking something over his arms, but he didn't want to go back.
He fumbled for the light switch, flicked it on and blinked his eyes a few times. A larger space spread out before him, covered with shelves of various things. Mostly there was alcohol, and various expensive bottles. He just ran his hands over them, dust remained on his hands.

He looked around properly, once more, searching for something, a reason why the door must be locked.

Another door.

He had to lean into it to open it. The door revealed a corridor, a long corridor that stretched to who knew where. There was another door and Adam just sighed, turning into the room and deciding what to do.

He took a step forward, then back again. Finally, he walked forward. He opened the door, there wasn't much in it, some boxes, old furniture, food. He was disillusioned by all the doors. 

He almost didn't even notice that there was another door in one room. He almost left, almost gave up this search for something. 
But what? What would he find that would change the fact that he had to stay here? Wouldn't ignorance be better?

But he so hated secrets, hated not knowing and living in illusion.

He opened them, feeling that they should have been locked, but someone must have forgotten to secure them. He was expecting a lot of weapons, he'd deal with that somehow.

But the room was huge, and it wasn't just hiding weapons. Adam almost threw up. There was a table with various items lying around casually, a bag, a hammer, scissors, a knife, and of course some kind of weapon. Two chairs, one damaged. There was a chain hanging from the ceiling. In the next corner was a closet that probably held more stuff.
Then he looked at the floor. The room wasn't well-lit, he almost didn't notice, but there was blood. Already dried, so it wasn't recent, maybe a few days. Maybe a few days before Nigel bought Adam. Another toy to play with.

Adam whimpered, his knees buckling, falling right in front of where the small, almost washed, pool of blood was. As he tried to catch himself, he touched the blood. He started crying, hysterical, pushed himself against the wall, and pulled his knees together. Someone had died here, and probably more than one person. And maybe this is where he would die too.

Of course, maybe you'll act like a brat. I can punish you for that, but nothing crazy, huh?

He didn't want Nigel to kill him. It made him sick to think that this was the first alpha he could trust in a long time.

Crazy thoughts ran through him. Was that why they weren't mated? Because if you would mate someone...you wouldn't be able to kill them, would you, really? It would ruin you. He couldn't think rationally. Nigel was good to him, taking care of him, but at that moment he could think of nothing else. Maybe it was all one big lie.

He decided to seduce Nigel, to force them to become mates. He didn't have the strength to live, but he wasn't ready to die.

Chapter Text

"So, what about your boy?" Darko looked up from his computer. Nigel was sitting on his chair, looking out the window, it was clear he wasn't paying any attention to the work.

"What about him?" he murmured.

"Nigel, you know you can talk to me about your relationships," the other alpha said, more or less interested because it was a slow day. There was barely any work for one person. And he didn't want to admit it, but he missed Nigel's complaining. He didn't miss the problems with Gabi, but he felt like Nigel was shutting down and not telling him everything.

"Yeah, okay," he wrinkled his nose, gave his friend one look, and went back to his thoughts.

"I didn't know you were into guys," Darko uttered, hoping to provoke some sort of reaction.

"What the fuck, you're sleeping with guys, I thought you would be the last person on this planet to care," Nigel frowned, slamming the table.

"Yeah, exactly I'm sleeping with them, not dating them. And I'm not homophobic, alright, I just said what I had on my mind," Darko laughed, picked up some papers that the bang had carried a few inches away, and arranged them.

"Damn."

"Fuck off," Darko rolled his eyes, "so? Will you tell me something about him?"

"Why don't you go over dinner, bring some of your omega friends," Nigel suggested. He wanted to go home already, he needed to sleep, his head would hardly let him sleep, he had to take a pill. He imagined crawling into bed. But his imagination wasn't so empty anymore, suddenly Adam was in his thoughts too. A smile formed spontaneously on his face.

"Fine, but you won't tell me anything?"

"There's not a lot to tell, he's...you know, he's broken, I guess," he sighed.

"Yeah, brother, I heard things about those places, you won't leave them with a clear mind," these words did not put his friend at ease, but unfortunately, he could not offer any words of comfort.

"I just...fuck, I wish there was something to show him I'm not a bad guy," he hid his face in his hands, not knowing what a stupid idea this was. He should have found someone normally, or he could have bought some omega from their bar. But the thought of not having Adam by his side...his heart ached and he'd only known him for a few days. His heart was a dangerous muscle.

"You're a bad guy," I guess Darko didn't quite get what he was trying to say.

"But not to him, you know that, right. Darko, for fuck sake, be honest with me," Nigel was desperate and didn't know why, he needed to hear that he was a good man deep down, even though he knew the truth himself.

"What should I say?" 

"Say that I'm not a bad guy."

"I won't lie to your face," Darko laughed, he couldn't remember ever seeing his friend in such a state. If ever.

"Darko...please, I'm not bad to him," Nigel pleaded.

"I know that, but he doesn't know that. Be gentle with him, maybe...have you slept together already?"

"No, he kissed me one time, we cuddle, I scented him yesterday, but nothing more."

"Give him the reins. Just tell him he can do the first step, if he feels like fucking you, he will do it because he wants."

"You're such an expert on omega's," Nigel rolled his eyes.

"No, I've just...learned through the years," Darko shrugged his shoulders.

"Do you think he'll like me someday?" there it was, the insecurity.

"Nigel, you fucker, I think you're sometimes hard to love with your...anger issues and everything, but you're not an unlovable person."

Nigel didn't say anything.

"Do you have the clothes for him?" he said after a while.

"Yeah, you can take it when you leave," the other alpha nodded towards a door where it was hidden.

"Thank you," he said, Darko kind of knew he meant it about the conversation.

---

He came home, bags in his hands and flowers. He just dropped them, put the keys on the table, and went into the living room. But stopped right when he saw Adam in the kitchen.

"Oh hello, darling," Nigel greeted him, a warmth spreading through his chest at the sight of Adam. He placed the flowers on the table and watched the omega before him in fascination.

"Hi, Nigel," Adam blushed, his hands trembling, his scent felt weird as if he was scared, "I-I made dinner."

"You're fantastic, hey, come here," he opened his arms. Adam put down the knife, breathed out, and then stepped into the embrace. Nigel kissed Adam's face, it felt so good.

"I want you to tell you something, baby, you have the control, okay? It's not just about me. If you...like this, if you ever want to do anything at all, just to touch me, hug me, kiss me, do it, okay? I'm not fucking against it, I welcome it, but I don't want to do it myself so you wouldn't feel pressured. Even sex, just tell me when you're ready, it's alright, I'm not trying to make it difficult for you," trying to be as honest as possible. Maybe he should have been more all along, saying every single thing he could think of. But he didn't know how to find exactly what to say to Adam, it was so hard.

"I think I want to have sex," the omega whispered. Nigel's nostrils have flared. He took a deep breath, not knowing what to say. Adam's scent still screamed with fear. Was he just afraid to say it out loud? It was so confusing.

Nigel gripped Adam tighter in a hug. It felt a little crazy how much he liked someone after such a short time. His head knew it, he knew he wasn't normal, but this whole situation wasn't normal. 

"You think," he realized what Adam had said.

"I don't know, I've never done that...I don't know how that feels," Adam admitted, and it was actually true. Deep down he hoped that Nigel was serious, at least a little, that he would soften him up somehow and the alpha wouldn't want to hurt him. He leaned into him, nuzzling his neck, Nigel smelled amazing.

"You want to do it tonight?" Adam nodded, "you're trying to romanticize me, you're such a sweet thing," Nigel sighed and captured him in a kiss. Adam was all stiff, but Nigel made a mental note to relax him as much as possible, to make the whole situation as pleasant as possible. 

Then he moved to his neck and allowed his tongue to stick out and lick it. It had been so long since he'd had sex. He pulled away, took Adam's cheeks in his hands, and kissed him again. And Adam's head went blank for a moment.

Chapter Text

"Okay, let's go to the bed, alright?" Nigel said after a few kisses. He felt Adam relax a little. They were on the right path.

"Alright," Adam sighed, placing one hand on Nigel's chest, close to where his heart lay. It was there, beating. 

Nigel didn't hesitate, picked Adam up in his arms, and carried him into the bedroom where he laid him on the bed. He immediately removed his shirt so that he had good access to his body. He loved the way Adam shuddered. He stroked his tummy and Adam's body reacted by getting goosebumps.

Adam was aroused, Nigel could smell it, and the slight rise in his trousers was further evidence. Just as he was about to unzip his pants, Adam woke up as if from a trance. He sat up.

"What's that, baby?"

Adam didn't respond.

He got up, ran to the nearest room, which was the bathroom, and shut the door.

He wasn't able to lock it, because Nigel was already at the door. Too slow.

Adam sat on the floor, his hands in his hair, pulling it, then hitting his head. That was bad. It was so bad he wanted to cry, again. He wanted to get up and run somewhere, run away from it all. He wanted to scream because he had a chance to escape. Nigel put his trust in him, left the door open.

"Baby, fuck, stop," Nigel tried to get closer, but Adam just screamed. So he stopped in the middle of his movement.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," the omega was whispering, "I'm sorry, I'm good, I'm good, I promise."

"I know, baby, I know that, so be a good boy for me and tell me what's going on," Nigel crouched down to be on his level. He didn't want to scare him. He wanted to smack himself for overlooking whatever had led up to this moment. Anything that left Adam distressed, looking like a wounded animal. He was so sexually deprived that Adam's offer got him.

"I'm sorry, Nigel! I want to have sex with you and I don't want you to kill me," he made himself into an even smaller ball, he knew this was his death sentence. He didn't know why he said it, he was waiting for Nigel to make some unexpected move, take him to the basement. 

"What?" the alpha's thoughts paused.

That was weird. He figured he'd misheard. It must have been hyperbole, he couldn't have been serious.

"I'm sorry, please, don't hurt me," he whispered, tears falling all over his cheeks. 

"I won't, I promise, darling, come here, okay?" he spread his arms and Adam just let him tangle them around him. Even if he didn't trust him right now, he needed some kind of support. Although it was from a man who could have killed him at any time. He didn't care anymore, it was the last show of affection before it was all over.

Nigel nuzzled against his neck, one hand in Adam's hair, caressing it, the second on his back, cuddling him as a little kid. The omega's skin was cold.

"I'll never hurt you, I promised that, my sweet omega," he squeezed him, Adam sobbing into his shirt, it didn't matter. 

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Nigel," he didn't even know what he was apologizing for, but he needed to say it again and out loud. 

"None of that, baby, you have nothing to be sorry about," Nigel whispered in his ear, inhaling his scent and squeezing him harder, continuing to caress him.

"I've been a bad omega," he could barely breathe.

"No, you've never been, you're a good boy, such a good boy, baby, do you understand that?" the alpha tried, it was useless, he didn't know what he was working with, he was never good at calming people down.

He remembered yelling at Gabi a lot, he was ashamed. But he was better than that, he wouldn't dare yell at Adam.

"I-I'm not."

"Yeah, you are, I'm so proud of you, you had to go through so much. I'm so proud, you have no idea," another caress, gave him a kiss on his bare shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he said again. A kind of salvation, deliverance.

"No, no, it's alright, what has gone to your little head of yours to think I would ever hurt you, huh?" he was desperate again. He wished so badly he could say anything to help the situation.

"I saw the blood," Adam admitted. He felt Nigel stiffen all over. 

"What blood?"

"In the basement." 

And Nigel went quiet. Adam sobbed harder, trying to get out of Nigel's embrace. That was terrible. A never-ending nightmare.

"Shit, baby, no. I'm a fucking bad man, but I would never hurt you," he tried to hold on to him. Suddenly he understood what it must have looked like. He imagined uncovering the horror the cellar held. His horrified expression, seeing the blood, what images must have come to him.

"You're a liar," Adam couldn't even think about what he was openly declaring.

"I've never lied to you," which was a truth the omega didn't know.

"You're doing it again!" he finally got out of his grip.

"Calm down, shush, deep breaths. Listen to me, I never lied to you. I would never hurt you, I couldn't. I told you I wouldn't tell you what my job is, but this is part of my job. I work with drugs, and sometimes some asshole comes along and wants to hurt us, and I don't let him, I hurt him. It doesn't happen often, not here. This was one of the exceptions. I promise you, I would never hurt an innocent person. I may be an asshole, I'm sure I am, but I would never lay a hand on you, I'll give you a gun so you can kill me first."

"You promise?"

"On my fucking life, baby," Nigel sobbed. One solitary tear ran down his cheek. 

A wave of some emotion he couldn't describe passed through Adam. At that moment, he jumped at Nigel. He rolled him onto the cold bathroom floor and straddled him. He bent down and began to kiss him. Nigel had no idea where it came from, but he let himself. He put his hands on Adam's shoulder blades and slid down gradually. 

Adam's hands remained on Nigel's cheeks. A few more tears fell, but he ignored them. He just kept kissing Nigel.

"I need you, alpha," he said between kisses.

"Are you sure?" please, say you are. Please, trust me.

"Yes, yes, please," he nodded.

Nigel sat up, holding Adam. He looked into his eyes. They were silent. The only thing that disturbed it was their loud gasping. Adam did what he had done before. He put his hand over Nigel's heart. 

In his head, he asked himself if he could ever conquer him. If there was a chance that Nigel would surrender it to him. Probably not, but it was nice to think about at the moment.

"Take me to bed."

---

Adam had all sorts of ideas about sex. He thought it wasn't a pleasure for omegas, but a necessity. A need to please the alpha, not himself. But Nigel was doing the opposite, caring for Adam.

First, he laid him down on the soft bed and finally stripped him all over. He took off his own shirt and pants and stayed in his underwear. He kissed the boy under him all over his body. Adam didn't think there was a spot left that hadn't been kissed or at least caressed. 

Then Nigel turned him over and spread his cheeks. Feeling his tongue between them, Adam began to moan loudly. Nigel buried himself in his ass, murmuring how perfect he tasted. Adam began to produce a slick. He was horny, rubbing himself against the blanket beneath him, moaning.

Then Nigel rolled him onto his back. He stroked his thighs and smiled. Adam smiled back at him. He was all red, tears still dried on his cheeks. And he was beautiful.

Nigel thought of nothing but how heavenly his boy sounded and looked. The previous incident was forgotten, left in the bathroom, locked behind the door. Now there was only giving. Caring, giving love.

Nigel pulled out the lube, although he could see he didn't need much, he didn't want to take any chances. He spread Adam's thighs wide. Then he ran his fingers casually over his length, Adam twitched all over, groaned.

"Please," he whispered. And Nigel leaned down, kissed the corner of his mouth, and obliged Adam, diving into his body.

Adam held out his arms, Nigel fell on top of him, Adam wrapped his arms around him, holding him close as if he could escape. Nigel was thrusting into him, making inhuman noises in his ear, whispering dirty things to him, things about how wonderful he was, how good he was for him, too, and Adam was moaning all over from every praise that came. He kissed his cheeks, ruffled his sandy hair.

He felt like he was in heaven, every time Nigel slammed into him he arched all over. He didn't know what to do first. He needed everything. 

"Kiss me," he groaned, and Nigel turned his head and kissed him like he should.

"You're so fucking amazing, darling. My good boy, the best boy I could've wished for, so good, baby, come on," babbling, Adam made him feel like he was floating on a cloud of happiness. He wanted to give him everything, he wanted to give him himself.

"Can I, Nigel? Can I come, I need it," the omega pleaded.

"Of course," he took his penis and gently went up and down. He felt a twitch.

Then Adam came all over his tummy, all clenched up, Nigel's cock still in his ass. The alpha growled, pumped in and came right away, knotting him.

Adam opened his mouth at the sensation going on inside him. It hurt, Nigel's semen inside of him. 

"It hurts, Nigel, get it out, please," he put his hands on his chest and tried to push him away.

"I can't, baby, I'm stuck in there," he chuckled and noticed how Adam was teary, "shit, darling."

He put his hand on the place where you should bite your mate. It was one of the solutions to ease the pain. But he didn't want to ask out loud, didn't want to be vulnerable, demanding.

"Do it," Adam ordered.

Nigel wanted to comment on his bratty behaviour, his disobedience, but the truth was that he liked that Adam had done it. Not that he took it as bad behavior, he just knew that in a normal situation his little angel would apologize immediately.

His teeth skimmed over the spot, he inhaled, exhaled, and then sank his teeth into his throat. 

Adam yelped, wrapped his arms around Nigel's head, then groaned. After a while, Nigel pulled away, licked the wound, gave it a few kisses, and pressed his full weight onto Adam.
Then it dawned on him what he was doing.

"Geez, sorry, I didn't realise, don't you want to lie on top of me instead? I'm weak now, and it'll probably be a while before I can get away from you" he heaved and hissed as his cock moved.

"No, please lie on top of me, it feels nice."

"Really? You weigh like a quarter of me."

"Please, Nigel, I feel safe," Adam said very quietly, carefully. He watched Nigel's face, then how he let his body fall back. Adam let out a contented sigh. That was the right thing to do. Everything was good. 

"Whatever you need, my love."

Love.

Chapter Text

It was his fifth day at Nigel's.

He couldn't sleep properly the whole time. He kept tossing and turning, fell asleep for a while, and then woke up. He didn't really know what was wrong. Maybe everything. Maybe his whole life was wrong.

In the morning he went to the bathroom and then stood in front of the mirror looking at the bite on his neck. He projected the previous night before his eyes. Nigel doesn't want to kill him. Probably. That's what he said. He swallowed and ran his hand over his neck again.

He sat at the window niche, watching the birds hopping. His hand still on his neck.

"Mmm, darling, why are you awake?" he heard a voice from the bed. He jumped up and turned to the source. Nigel lay in the blankets, hair disheveled, eyes closed. He groped around with his hands, then just sighed and stared at the window. He looked divine.

"I don't know, I couldn't sleep much, did I wake you up?" he pinched his thigh, exhaled loudly. 

"No, I normally wake up early. Come here, I need you close," he grumbled, lifting the blanket to make Adam get into the bed. He did. He didn't know how to lie down. Face him? With his back? On his stomach? Farther away from him?

Nigel figured it out for him, nudging the omega to lie on his back and laying his head on his chest himself. Adam's heart skipped a beat.

"About yesterday...," Nigel started.

"I'm sorry I made you mate me," Adam got the best of himself. He needed to apologise. He didn't know what had gotten into him. It felt like his first week at the center. He felt bad, he couldn't control himself at all.

"You didn't make me, baby, I wanted it, I didn't want to pressure you," Nigel's hair tickled his skin. He didn't get dressed, the room was warm and he saw no reason to hide from Nigel. He felt safe with him, still not one hundred percent, but at least he felt better than he had at the centre. He lifted his hand and placed it on Nigel's head, gently tangling his fingers through his hair.

"So...you're not angry at me?" he made sure. He was losing his inhibitions. It was stupid and careless. 

"Never," he kissed his neck, "it seems we are making progress. I'm glad you're acting like this and opening up to me. I don't want you to act like you're in the center, I don't want to yell at you and make you do things you don't want to do. I'm not one of them, I don't want an obedient omega who will do as I whistle."

"I don't feel very behaved right now," he had to say it, he had to let him know that he was aware and that he wasn't making it up.

"I don't care, be yourself," alpha said and fell silent.

Nigel squeezed him in his arms. 

"Would you really give me a gun?" Adam said aloud. He wanted to hit himself. He often got things out of himself that he didn't think much about and didn't see the consequences.

"You want one?" Nigel offered.

"Maybe," his heart was pounding and Nigel must have felt it. He tried to calm his breathing. Nothing was going to happen to him. Nigel wouldn't do anything to him. He wouldn't send him under cold water, he wouldn't deny him food. If the people at the center saw what he was doing after all these years of training, they'd probably kill him outright.

"If you want one, I will give you that. Will you try to kill me?" Nigel lifted himself up and looked at Adam.

"No, Nigel. When I won't feel in danger, I wouldn't use it," he swallowed, and again touched Nigel with his hand. This time it was his shoulder, which he squeezed gently. 

"But you can, you know that, right? Whenever you need, just shoot me," Nigel said and although it sounded insane to Adam, it sounded convincing. It was crazy. This whole situation was crazy, but he didn't mind at all. It was better than what he expected. Which was weird, he should still feel threatened, but after the previous day, he wasn't so worried anymore. And if he had a gun...

Nigel jumped out of bed, threw on his underwear and disappeared for a moment. He came with a gun and put in in Adam's hands. It was small, not dangerous. Adam liked how cool it was, how it felt to hold something like that in his hand. The alpha sat back down on the bed, curiously watching the omega.

"Point it at me." 

"No," Adam quickly said. His eyes widened. He searched Nigel's face for any clue as to what he should do. But he'd never been the best at reading people.

"Do it, see how it feels."

And Adam did. Obedient boy. He pointed the gun at Nigel's chest and watched in fascination. Nigel flinched a little, but otherwise left nothing to be seen. Adam could smell a change in his scent and something like a telepathic connection told him that he was actually nervous.

He rather liked the power he had, adrenaline rushing through his body.

"Are you sexually excited?" Adam asked out of nowhere.

"Oh?" 

"I-I just, I am, a bit, I just ask," Adam bit his cheek and put the gun down. His courage began to leave him. It was really very stupid to admit something like that. And to ask the alpha if it turned him on. Jesus.

"You little pervert, you are all horny when you're holding a fucking gun against me?" Nigel started laughing and Adam wanted to disappear. He's misunderstood something again.

"Okay, now I'm fucking turn on."

Before Adam could say anything, Nigel pounced on him. He started kissing him. Adam still had the gun in his right hand and Nigel let it like that. Adam tried to imitate the alpha's lip movements but couldn't keep up with him and still wasn't the best at kissing. However, he liked it. A lot.

Nigel's hands were everywhere. He had huge, rough hands that could destroy Adam without blinking an eye. But his hands were only crushing his body on a scale that felt good. Maybe too much. Adam groaned loudly, unable to hold it all in.

Nigel was everywhere again, lips on his neck, his nipples, his hands touching his thighs, squeezing them, stroking them. 

Adam opened his legs as wide as possible to give Nigel room to get between them. He felt his hand travel underneath, touching his ass.

"Fuck, you're so fucking wet, darling. Bet you don't need any preparations, do you?"

"N-no," he didn't even know what he was saying.

But Nigel didn't take it without preparation, he wouldn't have done it. His fingers worked from the inside while his mouth went all around.

And then Adam felt a sensation of fullness when Nigel entered him. It felt so good, Nigel was moving expertly and Adam could only squirm and make it loudly clear what Nigel was doing to him.

"Yeah, say it, tell me how much you like it." Nigel whispered in his ear as he leaned down and started to thrust more into him.

"I feel so good, Nigel. You fill me up and I feel like you could tear me apart!" he yelled as Nigel hit a spot that made his toes curl.

The gun was long forgotten, lying casually beside them.

Chapter Text

"Darko is coming for dinner," Nigel mentioned it like it was nothing. They were sitting outside enjoying the sunshine. It was going to rain in the afternoon, so they wanted to take advantage of the fresh air.

"Today?" omega asked, his breath hitching as he looked at Nigel who just had a cigarette in his mouth, then blew out the smoke and licked his lips.

"Yes, is that a problem?" he put the cigarette in his mouth again. It was doing something strange to Adam. He hated cigarettes, but Nigel looked too attractive. His whole body shivered.

"No...no," it itched. Nigel promised him a routine. He didn't give him one. Nigel didn't seem to have any routines. Plus, he didn't give Adam any orders, nothing. He was waiting for the moment when something would happen. When everything would tip over, come crashing down. This whole life seemed too good for him, it wasn't sustainable, was it?

"We can change the date," alpha suggested, then held out his free hand to Adam, who took it. Nigel squeezed it.

"No, Nigel, I'm sorry," he whispered, stroking Nigel's hand with his thumb.

Nigel sighed. Be patient. Be patient.

"I finally got you those clothes. Wait a minute," he changed the topic, disappeared inside and came back with bags full of things, "so, everything you need should be in there. Of course, if you want, take any of my clothes. And... here's your phone. It's got my number on it. And here's your laptop. I'm gonna teach you the basics on that."

Adam opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

"Can I kiss you?" he broke the silence, he needed to give Nigel proof that he was grateful.

Nigel laughed, leaned over to Adam and surrounded him with his scent. Adam thought he had never smelled alpha that smelled so good. Then he kissed him.

Nigel tasted like cigarettes. And Adam realized how little he minded.

---

Darko came with a company. She introduced herself as Isabelle, she smiled kindly at Adam.

Adam didn't know what to do with himself. He was constantly doing something with his hands. Bumping his thighs, touching things, needing to keep himself busy.

Then he began to circle around the alpha cautiously. Nigel noticed, of course. He kept getting asked if he needed help with anything if he wanted something to drink. 

"What's wrong with you? You're so fucking restless, do you need anything?" he asked, not meaning it as a reproach, more like he didn't know how to handle it.

"I'm sorry, Nigel," Adam whispered, pulling away from him, his gaze cut into the floor.

Nigel sighed and returned to his discussion with Darko. Then, as if nothing had happened, he reached out his hand to Adam, placed it on his thigh and gently massaged it. Isabelle returned from the bathroom and sat beside her partner, curiously watching the omega next to Nigel.

Then Nigel announced it was dinner time, they moved into the kitchen, he held Adam around the waist and murmured in his ear how wonderful he was, how good he smelled.

Adam felt uneasy again as Nigel stood up and started to put food on the table. It was supposed to be his role, he was being taught how to be a proper housewife, how to cook, and how to treat guests. But Nigel dismissed it. He cooked something light and prepared a salad and Darko brought some dessert. 

"Do you want some wine?" alpha asked his curly-haired omega, who was awfully quiet. He regretted what he's said earlier.

"I've never had one," Adam admitted with big eyes.

"You can just taste it, see if you like it," Nigel put his hand on the omega's shoulder.

"Okay," and Nigel poured the wine into a glass, giving it to Adam, who tasted it.

"It's sweet," he said appreciatively.

"Yeah, this one is, do you like it?" 

"Hmm," he nodded.

Alcohol has made him a relaxed person. Adam was giggling. He was cuddly, he was still touching Nigel, trying to hug him or at least hold his hand. Darko watched him carefully, as if checking if he was right for his best friend. Adam didn't mind the attention, he didn't care about anyone but Nigel. And Nigel was fine with that, giving him kisses everywhere, whispering random things to him.

Adam fell asleep on a couch. Isabelle turned on the TV, sat beside him, and pulled out her phone to keep herself occupied, while Darko and Nigel went to the balcony.

"You quit smoking? You've only had one cigarette in the entire time," Darko said.

"No, I'm actually...not. I think it's Adam, he doesn't like the smell," he cocked his head, exhaled smoke, and watched the sky. 

"He's changing you...it's been just...what, five days? Does he change for you?" Darko cleared his throat, looked back into the house. 

"Of course he does," he was getting angry.

"How?" Darko wanted to know. He had to keep himself from laughing as he saw Nigel flinch and start to frown.

"He's more open-minded," he said with a serious face.

"What the fuck does that mean? Are we trying to find people just for us to change them to fucking what, be more open-minded?" and now he had to laugh. He always knew Nigel was a dreamer, a romantic, that he saw something in everything that wasn't there. But seeing how distorted his view of things is...

"The fuck is your problem?" he stubbed out his cigarette, put it in the ashtray, and turned his whole body on Darko, approaching him as if to scare him.

"Nigel...," he shook his head.

"No, explain it to me. You were the one who suggested getting him. You were giving me advice on how to behave around him. You told me he would be broken, you told me to give him reigns. And now it's wrong he's finally being more himself?"

"I'm just scared this isn't really progress, that...I don't what happened, but this isn't a healthy behaviour of a person who's spent more than one year in that fucking building," he explained, lighting another cigarette.

"You expect him to heal so quickly?" Nigel growled, his alpha instincts coming to the surface.

"No, you're the one who does...Nigel, I don't know what you've told him, but did he really want to mate you himself? Didn't he just...thought that's what you wanted so he decided to act upon it? Does he want to sleep with you? Or was he just scared you would take him back? Wasn't he trained to do exactly so?" he raised his voice. Nigel remembered the moment when Adam had shaken in front of him and begged him not to kill him.

"So what are you saying..."

"You don't know each other. Hey, you didn't even have the honeymoon part. And you're mated. You haven't been mated with Gabi and the relationship was for what, for five years?" he threw up his hands, then covered his face once and sighed.

"Don't fucking mention her name," raised his index finger, scolding him like a mother. 

"I can't do it forever. I'm just scared it's too fast and it's not consistent. I don't want you to get hurt nor Adam," Darko wasn't afraid of Nigel. He'd been through a lot with him and knew he had to tell him this.

"I don't fucking know what I'm doing, Darko," he tok a step back.

"I know, I know. I'm just saying what I've observed. You know I...I care about you. Adam seems like a good kid, but I'm afraid his behaviour isn't entirely natural. He might think so. But they're there to abuse them, punish them for stupid things, and they're supposed to be machines for alphas. Just tools, instruments. Nothing important. Omegas aren't supposed to have that much freedom. I know you don't think so, I don't fucking think so, but they do. This fucking country thinks so. And I don't want you to naively think you cured him after such a short time. Isa was there for a month. You remember that, right? She told me what they were putting in her head. Their needs come last. You must never argue with an alpha. You can't have your own interests. You're supposed to tidy up, carry a baby, satisfy the alpha.  You're supposed to be everything the alpha needs. And what does the omega need? Nothing. She's supposed to be glad someone chose the dirt. It's awful. Nigel, it's fucking awful. So imagine what that must have done to Adam. They brainwashed him, had to say shit that's gonna take him a long time to recover from," Nigel was surprised at how invested his friend was in this. He knew little about the centres, he knew America was a fucked up country, but he thought there was at least some humanity left.

"What should I do?" he lowered his gaze, knowing Darko was right.

"Don't pressure him, don't expect him to be healed after a few days. It will take months till he gets to the point where he will be normal. I thought...you would pick someone tougher," Darko sighed again.

"He's a tough kid," Nigel frowned, ready to protect his omega.

"I'm not saying he isn't...it's, fuck, you know, let's talk about this the other time."

---

They left, Nigel was doing the dishes, lost in his thoughts. He was thinking about what Darko had told him. He didn't notice Adam getting closer until he spoke.

"I'm sorry, Nigel," his voice trembled as he knelt at his feet, hands on his thighs, back straight, eyes fixed on the ground.

"What the fuck are you doing?" he turned off the water and watched his omega on his knees in front of him. He started to panic a little, what the fuck was going on?

"I'm sorry for acting like a brat at your dinner, I'm sorry for ruining it," his words seemed rehearsed, a desperate attempt to hold it together, but the tears betrayed him, streaming down his cheeks. He sobbed, a choked sound that made Nigel's heart ache so much he wanted to rip it out.

"Darling, get the fuck up," Nigel urged, started losing everything he had inside him. All that faith, all that strength. He didn't know what to do, or how to calm his omega. 

"I'm sorry, Nigel," he said louder, more frantic. He was shaking all over. His palms were no longer resting loosely on his thighs, but his nails were digging in. Tears continued to pour uncontrollably, and it was painfully clear he was trying to stop them, but it was futile.

"Jesus...fucking get up, Adam, it's an order," it was said with a desperation that Adam obeyed, Nigel immediately pulled him into his arms, lifting him onto the kitchen counter. He stood between Adam's legs, cradling him tightly.

"Come here," he hugged him, "you're so good. Such a good boy for me, huh? Look at you, so obedient, doing everything you can to please me. You didn't do anything wrong. You haven't done anything wrong this whole time you've been here, you understand that? I want you to tell me, I want you to tell me you understand."

Adam clung to him, crying into his shirt, his fists clutching the fabric, he sobbed, his voice raw: "I'm n-not enough, Nigel, I'm s-sorry."

Nigel's heart shattered, and he tightened his embrace.

"You're more than enough, baby. We're gonna work on this together, okay? I want you to feel comfortable here, to know that I'm here for you and that I'm not gonna hurt you, because that's the last thing I want. I want you to feel safe with me and know that you can say absolutely anything because I will never judge you or punish you for normal things that you do, we're equals," he whispered fiercely.

"Y-you're such a good alpha, Nigel," Adam whispered, his voice still shaky but filled with a hint of gratitude. His face was still buried in the crook of Nigel's neck, breathing in his scent, pulling him closer. His head ached, he was sweating, but he felt better.

"And you're the perfect omega, darling," Nigel replied with a reassuring undertone.

"I want you, Nigel," he laid his head against his alpha's neck, gently nibbling it with his teeth. The sensitive skin immediately began to turn color. Adam felt the wetness in his trousers, slid a little closer to Nigel, and almost moaned.

"You want me, huh?" he exhaled, tilting his head to give Adam better access, a shiver running down his spine.

"I'm sorry," Adam whispered, his voice breaking again. He pulled away from his neck, though it took a lot of persuasion.

"No," he shook his head and pressed his lips to Adam's, a tender yet desperate kiss, seeking to reassure him.

"You smell...different," Nigel said after a while, his brow furrowing. 

"How?" he was a little scared. Maybe Nigel sensed how horny he was? He swallowed loudly, closing his eyes.

"More sweet, maybe it's your heat," Nigel speculated, Adam's cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and realization. Nigel checked his temperature, his pupils, touched his ass through his pants, at which Adam squeaked.

"M-my heat? Will I ask a lot for sex?" Adam's voice trembled with uncertainty.

"Don't know, omega's demand sex during heat, but you don't have to explicitly, just use me as you please," Nigel reassured, his hands gently caressing Adam's back.

"I don't want to...use you," Adam's voice was small, fearful of overstepping boundaries, "a-are you going to use me?"

"Never, baby," Nigel said firmly, cupping Adam's face in his hands, "but you can use me, okay? Just say so, and I will do anything you want."

Chapter Text

The next four days passed in a blur. Adam really had his heat.

He didn't know about the world. He only remembered bits and pieces. Nigel whispering sweet things in his ear, grinding into his body, holding him, stroking him, praising him. Then he remembered Nigel feeding him sweet fruit, bits of bread, cheese. He tried to refuse, but Nigel ordered that he must eat.  

He also remembered waking him up the other night, needing help, Nigel sighing tiredly and Adam started to apologise, and Nigel telling him he was too tired but to at least sit on his face to give him some relief and Adam thought he was going to explode.

On the fifth day, he woke up tangled in blankets and Nigel's embrace. His whole body ached, his ass on fire. He remembered all the times he had pleaded for Nigel to help him, and he flushed. He hoped Nigel wouldn't be mad at him or anything...

"You up, baby?" was muttered in his ear, and he shivered all over.

"Yes," he replied. He turned to look at his alpha. Nigel was all disheveled, a satisfied smile playing on his face. He left his eyes half open.

"Are you feeling okay?" Nigel asked, his hands stroking Adam's naked back, gently.

"Yeah, my body hurts a little," he admitted.

"I'm not surprised."

"Thank you...for taking care of me like that," Adam chirped. It was polite to say thank you for the sacrifice an alpha must make.

"Baby, I'm your alpha, it's my pleasure. And besides, you were amazing, I enjoyed it," he moved closer to Adam's neck, breathing into it, then placed a few kisses there. Adam had a chance to look at part of the alpha of his back, he saw scratches, probably from his fingernails. 

"Y-your back...I'm sorry," Adam whispered, not sure what to do. His mind began to be haunted again by images from the center.

"Don't worry, it's nothing compared to your body," he laughed and pulled away. Adam looked down, bites, scratches everywhere. He didn't mind the sight at all.

"Baby, let's eat, you must be so hungry. I'll run down to the bakery in town, okay? We can eat outside. Do you have any special requests?" he stroked his cheek.

"Not really, maybe I'd like...croissants?"

"Sure," he kissed him and got up, leaving Adam in bed.

---

They were lying on a blanket in the garden. There was food everywhere, Nigel wanted to spoil Adam. They'd just had a break because they were both full. Nigel was teaching Adam how to use his mobile phone and computer.

"So I guess you know everything you need to know," Nigel said, taking a grape in his mouth.

"R-really...you don't mind me using this?" he looked skeptical. 

"Darling, that's why I bought it for you, okay? Use it however you want, you need to have some fun," Nigel reached out and stroked his cheek, Adam could have sworn at that moment he thought he was going to purr. 

So the next day, Nigel went to see Darko, he wanted to do some work, so Adam stayed home alone. He got his computer, sat in the living room and started googling. First it was space stuff. His big eyes wandered around the screen, trying to take it all in. So much information, he was shivering, oblivious to the world around him.

And then those happy feelings dissolved at the thought.

He thought to type a name into the browser. He typed in 'Will Graham', his heart racing. He swallowed loudly, looking around as if Nigel was going to jump out and take his computer and yell at him for not agreeing to this. Then he turned his attention to the computer. Nothing popped out at him. He sighed. What did he expect? He didn't know himself.

Then he typed in 'Nigel' and paused. He didn't even know his last name, or had it been mentioned somewhere? So he tried 'Nigel and Darko' and a couple of articles popped up. He opened a few, some had nothing to do with them, but one did. He was describing events that were happening in Bucharest. Adam preferred to stop reading and put the computer away. He lay down, staring at the ceiling. He sighed, wishing he was happy.

He had no idea what Nigel had in store for him...

---

Nigel arrived normally, brought dinner, they ate it at the table. Nigel told him some stuff from Bucharest, funny stories. Adam didn't quite get them, but he tried to laugh in the right places, pretending to understand. Nigel didn't comment, but he had to smile at his attempts.

Then they went to lie down watching TV, it was very domestic. Adam was only in a shirt and underwear, which Nigel didn't mind at all, he just took him closer, hugging him. Adam was fascinated because they were just talking about a new discovery. Nigel admired his body, which was playing with all the colours, with little bruises on his legs, which he noticed that Adam took between his fingers and squeezed them once in a while. He opened his mouth and let out a deep breath as he did so.

"Star?" Nigel said after a while, when something else was going on. Adam didn't seem so interested anymore.

"Mmm?" and he didn't pay much attention anyway.

"I found him," Nigel announced, expecting a question to follow.

"Mmm," was all that came out of Adam. His little eyes roamed the television, his thoughts probably elsewhere, which Nigel didn't blame him too much for. At least he was trying.

"I found Will," he said at last. He watched Adam's reaction and it didn't come much. 

"Yeah," then the words finally struck him.

"You found Will? My brother Will?" his eyes finally shifted to Nigel, stars seeming to appear in his eyes. His breathing became a little faster.

"Yes, baby," alpha confirmed, inhaling deeply, Adam really did smell fantastic. Omega turned his whole body to face Nigel, so Nigel was no longer clutching him, something he immediately missed.

"W-where is he? Still in New York?" he wanted as much information as possible like it was a new discovery in the universe. He fidgeted nervously on the sofa. He put his hands on his thighs, moved them gently, patted his legs.

"Baltimore," the older man leaned back in the sofa and watched his star. He would have liked to have pushed him under himself. He would have loved to shower him with kisses. He looked magnificent, curls framing his face, his blue eyes shining and his mouth slightly parted. He almost couldn't contain himself.

"Oh."

"I think he's studying nearby. And he's mated," Nigel added. He was losing the connection, Adam was closing up, his eyes not lighting, his head dropping down, following the structure of the sofa.

Adam just nodded. His mind was racing, he didn't know what to think, he wanted to fall to his knees and beg Nigel for a shred of mercy, to take him to him, to at least let him see him from a distance, to make sure Will was okay. His omega instincts were starting to surface. He hated it. And he hated how much Will meant to him. 

"What is it?" Nigel asked after a moment. He could see Adam holding himself back from saying anything.

"I hoped he would be closer. Baltimore is far, isn't it?" he sighed, took a deep breath, let it out. There it was again, the urge to scream again. Why was Nigel even telling him that? This was so stupid. He felt stupid himself. Nigel didn't care about him. He wanted to smash something, but then Nigel would probably beat him up. He felt helpless.

His hands were tied, so to speak, there was nothing he could do. Something stirred inside him, some emotion like jealousy. Jealousy at Nigel's position, anger that they weren't equals.

"Fours hours by car I think."

And Adam nodded, again. Nigel saw tears in his eyes. 

"N-not that I would expect to see him! I’m happy with you, Nigel. I’m not trying to be ungrateful," his hands were suddenly in fists, holding on, trying to hold it in. His chin quivered, and his lower lip jutted forward.

His thoughts were back with Will, for the second time that day, Will hadn't really left his mind much. Then he realized why Nigel was telling him. He saw what he had looked up today, how hard he had tried to find a sign of his brother in this world. And he wanted to make sure he didn't do something stupid, so he decided to give him the information that he was at least okay. He squeezed his eyes together, holding himself from collapsing. He waited to feel Nigel's hand, waited to be punished, to be sent under a cold shower, to wake up and not act out.

"I'll take you there," Nigel couldn't look at him anymore. He was kind of hoping Adam would ask for it himself, but he understood how much he'd been taught to keep quiet and keep up. In fact, he had no idea what he wanted to achieve. God, he should have listened to Darko.

"What?" his breath hitched, he didn't dare open his eyes. He didn't want to see Nigel's smirk that he'd misunderstood again. That he should have seen all the signs.

"You heard me," Nigel whispered after a while. And Adam dared to open his eyes. Alpha ran a hand through his hair, the hand on which the bracelet hung. Adam followed the hand, trying to think of something quickly so that Nigel wouldn't be angry with him.

"Nigel...but, it's so far away. I can't ask you that, that's too much," he shook his head. He stood up, sat down again, not knowing what to do, how to act, what to say. Because the truth was, of course, that he would go, right away. 

Nigel's heart ached at the sight of his omega.

"You're not asking, baby. Do you wanna go?" he asked.

"Is there a catch in it? Do I have to do something I don't want to? Like have a threesome with Darko or...I don't know, will you leave me there, because you don't want to be with me anymore? That's why you were looking for him? Did I behave badly during the heat?" the cycle of thoughts started and Adam couldn't shut his mouth. But he was trying to piece together what had happened since the day he'd been here and trying to figure out the mystery of why Nigel in particular would do anything for him selflessly. Why would he? He didn't have to, he didn't have to do anything. 

"Darling, where does it come from? Come here, let me hug you," and Adam nodded and allowed himself to be hugged, immediately inhaling Nigel's scent while Nigel put his hand in Adam's hair and pulled it, "here, like that. Shh, I will never let you go, you hear me? I don't want you to do anything, I want to take you there, simply as that, hm?"

Adam hummed. He couldn't find any words.

"And threesome with Darko? What the fuck,“ Nigel laughed, putting his face to Adam's, rubbing against it. 

"They said alphas like to share, you seem close,“ the omega whispered, suddenly feeling awkward, the center had taught him to listen, but they hadn't prepared him to get a good alpha who would fight for his happiness. Alpha, who squeezes him in his embrace, lies down and lets him lie on top of him, going under his shirt and gently touching him with his big hands. And then he kissed him on the cheek, and Adam could only let out a contented sigh.

"I don’t share. Especially not you, you’re just mine,“ he whispered in his ear, making Adam shiver. And then he gave him another kiss on the cheek, leaving his lips on it and gently moving it to the next place he gave another kiss.

"Yours,“ Adam said, leaning back against the seat and looking at Nigel's lips.

"That’s right, doll.“ 

Chapter Text

The next three days were terrible. Adam didn't really know how to behave, because it seemed to him that any wrong move could cause him to never see Will again. The thing that irritated him the most was how Nigel hadn't spoken about it, from that moment on, Will's name, Baltimore, or anything else related to this hadn't come out of his mouth.

But Adam thought maybe this was a test, and he should keep quiet about it too. So they both said nothing, ignoring that such an offer had even been made.

Adam would jump out of his skin if it were possible. What bothered him more was that Nigel had no obligations to him, so it was no big deal if he didn't follow through in the end. Nothing would happen if he ended up giving Adam false hope. He was just lying to him...but he could do that.

Adam tried his best to keep from looking up where Will actually lived. If it was a nice town, what school he probably went to...he tried not to think about it, because the day after he and Nigel lay on the couch together, he couldn't stop thinking about it. And it hurt him terribly because then they slept together in the evening, woke up the next day, sat on the balcony and didn't say much.

And the day had been long, they'd done nothing but watch TV and Adam hadn't known what to do with his body as it burned to be near Nigel. he had to admit that getting used to his touch hadn't been difficult at all...and it was even more difficult to lose it suddenly.

Nigel had been touching him since day one, gentle touches at least, but suddenly nothing. 

The next day Nigel left for work, Adam wandered around the house, avoiding the cellar as he refused to explore the room further. He went upstairs, opened Nigel's bureau. It wasn't very organised but he didn't mind, he laid down on the sofa that was against the wall, covered himself with a doggy shirt that smelled like Nigel and closed his eyes. Then he just stared dully at the picture of Nigel's mom, the gun on the coffee table tidy. He'd had dinner with Nigel when he'd arrived, doing nothing. 

In bed, there was no missing the fact that something was wrong. He'd come in just his underwear, lay down next to his alpha, kissed him, trying to get him in the mood, wanting Nigel's touch.

But Nigel just sighed and said: "Not today Adam, if you need me, I'll help you, but I don't feel like it."

And so Adam turned away, holding back tears. 

It was over, all of it. He's done something wrong, something that even Nigel doesn't want to tell him, because Adam doesn't deserve to be led around by the hand and shown every mistake he makes. 

The next day was a little better, on the balcony at breakfast, as Nigel smoked a cigarette and looked away, he took his free hand in his own. Nigel blew out the smoke, looked at him. Adam smiled, squeezed his hand, Nigel did the same. 

Then he left for work.

In the evening he snuggled up to him, at least something, Adam was grateful for even that small thing.

And the third day...the worst day of all.

In the morning, Nigel woke up early, kissed Adam on the cheek and said he had to go to the event with Darko. And since the event is difficult and dangerous, he'll come back a little later so he doesn't have to wait for him.

He stood with his alpha in the hallway as he put on his shoes. Nigel had a large bag at his feet and Adam had no doubt that there were at least three guns in there, certainly a lot better than the one he'd been given.

He hugged himself with his arms, but as soon as Nigel stood up, he couldn't take it anymore. He crossed the distance a few steps and hugged Nigel tightly, as if he suspected something. He hugged him so tightly that he heard a crunch in the older man's back. He put his nose to his neck, inhaling gently. Nigel returned the hug, not so tightly, he didn't want to hurt him. 

Adam pulled away and kissed Nigel as fervently as he had ever kissed him before. It made his head spin too.

"Be careful," he whispered.

"Don't worry," Nigel replied.

"And I'm sorry," Adam added.

"For what?" the alpha frowned.

"I don't know, I thought you'd know."

For a moment there was silence, Adam thought he was going to fall apart. Then his cheeks were taken into Nigel's hands and he was kissed. He wanted to stay in that kiss, for as long as possible. 

---

Adam couldn't sleep. He laid down in the living room, left the lights on everywhere. He didn't know why, he didn't believe in monsters, but something inside him couldn't turn off the lights. 

He heard a car pull up, looked at the clock. Two o'clock in the morning. He hoped it was Nigel. He heard footsteps in the hallway, but Nigel wasn't walking alone. He didn't know what to expect. Another...omega, maybe? Because Nigel doesn't share Adam, but Adam has to share. A cold sweat poured over him.

"He's going to hate me so much, so fucking much," he heard Nigel say. His breath hitched. 

"Why would he hate you? You're a complete dickhead," the other voice said.

Darko. It's just Darko. 

He jumped up and ran over there. Darko was backing Nigel up. Nigel was wearing different clothes, his hair sticky. 

"Adam." Darko said, stopping in his tracks.

"W-what happened?" He looked at Nigel, who just lowered his gaze. What happened? Who was going to hate him? Adam? For what? What the hell was going on?

"This idiot was shot," he pointed to his leg, which was bandaged. And probably not just shot, but maybe a little beat up from how bad he looked.

"Shot?" Adam took two steps, supporting Nigel from the other side. They walked him to the couch.

"Shouldn't...shouldn't he be in the hospital?" Adam asked anxiously, began pacing the room, throwing his arms about.

"No, no hospital. Look, he's fine, our doctor fixed him up...somehow. It wasn't serious, he's just old, he doesn't have the reflexes anymore, well, he'll be fine in a week, he's been through worse. It's just a little scratch, but he likes to play sensitive," Darko laughed, probably trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.

"Fuck you," Nigel gave him an evil look.

"Well, see, I think he's already good, he's just acting," the other alpha walked up to him, gave him a little kick in the leg, after which Nigel groaned, "hey...do you mind if I sleep here? This asshole chooses solitude and then expects me to drive him here and there. It's okay if you say no, I'm just asking."

"It's not up to me," Adam hugged himself, he was only wearing Nigel's t-shirt, it dawned on him at that moment. But nobody said anything, nothing happened.

"But it's up to you, Nigel doesn't give a shit, but it's up to you, so you say."

"I don't mind," he finally said.

"You're a good boy," Darko gave him a smile, then he yawned.

Adam looked at Nigel.

"Can you help me up with him?" he looked towards the stairs, Nigel didn't look like he wanted to get up at all.

"Forget it, I'm done for the day...tomorrow. He's sleeping here tonight," he took off his jacket.

Adam nodded, ran upstairs to get blankets and pillows, Darko helped him set up the couch, which was already too big, but it didn't matter. He adjusted it and sat down next to Nigel, taking his hand. It was two-thirty in the morning.

"I'll take the guest room, thanks, Adam," Darko waved at him

"You don't have to thank me. If you...want some food..."

"Yeah, I know, but I'm completely dead, so good night," and he disappeared upstairs.

Adam laid down next to Nigel, who was silent the whole time, saying nothing. He laid down so that they were facing each other. He put his hand on Nigel's cheek and stroked it gently. His alpha said nothing, didn't pull away.

"Does this normally happen?" he asked, the television still playing in the background, quieter but still filling the unrelenting silence.

"What?" Nigel looked into his eyes, Adam bristled uncomfortably, he didn't like eye contact so he preferred to look at his forehead.

"Getting shot."

"Sometimes..." he cocked his head more to the side and kissed Adam's palm.

"Nigel?"

Nigel just grunted.

"S-something wrong? I...I don't know, I can't see it, but if I did something, would you...would you tell me?" he dared to ask. They promised to communicate and be honest, didn't they?

"What are you talking about?" he moved his leg higher, checked the bandage and turned to Adam again.

"Since...since you mentioned Will, I can talk about it, right?" he swallowed, closed his eyes.

"Adam, look at me. You can talk about anything. No topic is off limits between us, do you understand?" he said more harshly, taking Adam's hand in his, kissing his knuckles.

"I-I just...we haven't talked about it. And if...you changed your mind, then...it's okay. I-I...it's...sorry," he rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. His hand remained in Nigel's.

Nigel was terribly confusing. It was his own private enigma. The worst thing was that everyone was confusing to him, he never understood people. Will tried to explain it to him, said he felt the same way, but he was better at this game of life. He was more empathetic, which ensured that deciphering what people were thinking wasn't such a problem. But for Adam? And especially Nigel? His mate? Now that was a challenge he didn't know how to handle.

"Oh, sorry, baby. That's not...shit. I want to take you there, I just felt like you were forcing yourself into things you don't want to do to please me and to repay me, but I'm not doing it for that. I want to take you there because I know it'll make you fucking happy. But that's all I fucking want, you know?"

"Nigel..." he wanted to say something, but he didn't know what. He hadn't expected anything like this.

"You threw yourself at me in bed that very day like it was your life on the line. And it's not that I didn't like it, but somehow I figured out why you were doing it."

"Nigel... it wasn't..." he fought back, but to no avail.

"Whatever, sorry, I should have communicated more, right?" Nigel sighed.

"So...did I. I can't...I can't read what you're thinking," Adam said, as if Nigel had some kind of superpower to look inside his head and know what he was thinking.

"Neither can I, sweetheart. Let's be more honest. It's just, I want to apologize because I'm definitely not taking you this week," he looked towards his leg. Adam then noticed a bruise forming on Nigel's arm.

"I don't expect it, Nigel...I'll wait," he nodded.

"Next week, as soon as I'm better. I've got it all planned. We'll discuss it tomorrow, okay? I'm serious," he kissed Adam's hand again.

"Thank you," Adam whispered, all uncomfortable anxiety dissipating. 

"Come here, you're too far away," the alpha tugged on his arm, indicating for him to move.

"I'm right next to you."

"But you're not with me."

Adam moved closer, hugging Nigel.

"And Nigel...I...I didn't do...I didn't do anything for Will, or not involuntarily that I had to force myself to do. I like it when you touch me," he decided to say it because he thought it was important.

"Really?" Nigel wondered, squeezing Adam in his embrace, exhaling happily into his hair.

"Y-yeah...is that okay?"

"Adam, darling," Nigel whispered, kissed Adam softly, "of course it is."

---

They had breakfast with Darko in the morning, and Adam was quite surprised at the way he was treating him. He probably shouldn't have expected much else, since he was Nigel's best friend, and he had explained to him how things were with omegas in Europe, in the countries he had lived in for a while. 

"I'll have to go, I need to finish some paperwork," Darko took one last bite of his toast. He glanced at Nigel, who had his hand on his omega's thigh. 

"Sure, thanks...for yesterday," Nigel looked at him.

"I mean, yeah, I'm happy to save your old ass," Darko laughed, and he stretched. 

"Thank you, Darko," Adam said. It was sincere, because he was truly grateful to him for taking care of his alpha, even though he was a close friend and it was to be expected.

"You're welcome, if this bastard gives you any trouble, just say the word," Adam looked down at his lap, somehow suspecting it was meant to tease Nigel.

"Hey! Don't turn Adam against me," the omega felt him squeeze his thigh. He put his hand on Nigel's arm.

"You're doing that to yourself, you bastard," Darko laughed, then just patted Nigel on the shoulder and walked away.

There was silence.

"How's your leg?" Adam asked. Nigel was walking, sometimes a little sore and hopping funny, but otherwise he was fine, within reason.

"You already asked that." Nigel said, finishing his food and standing up. He put the dishes in the sink, poured himself another coffee.

"I'm sorry," Adam said, not knowing what else to say. Did it bother Nigel that he cared?

"What?" he raised one eyebrow.

"I-I don't know...I feel like I'm doing something wrong," he shrugged, looking down at his plate.

"No, everything's fine. Let's go to the garden, I'll show you the planned route and stuff...yeah?"

"Okay."

Adam took the three blankets he'd thrown on the lawn, grabbed some drinks, his favourite lemonade, which Nigel had ordered because on about the third day Adam had mentioned it was too good. Nigel himself took a beer, a computer and lay down in Adam's lap. He opened the browser and the document that laid it out.

"So, it's four hours to Baltimore, which isn't much, but I've already found a gas station to stop at. Here, it's about halfway there, we'll rest here, that's good enough for me. Well, and there's more options, but I've picked five hotels that I think are the best, you pick one and it's arranged accommodation. It doesn't matter how many nights we stay there, Darko knows that, so there's no problem with the work...not that I'm any great asset to the club. We'll get there around the afternoon, depending on the day. I don't know your brother's exact schedule, I just know he spends Thursdays and Fridays at the shelter, so we can go there," he had a map ready, zoomed in on places, clicked links to hotels.

"Wow...you really set this up, everything." the omega praised him with admiration.

"Of course, darling," he turned his head and placed a kiss on his omega's thigh, "then Will and us can go out to lunch, tour the city, whatever really, it's pretty free and I didn't want to plan it tight. I've got some ideas, but we don't have to stick to them, which I hope you don't mind if it's not completely planned."

"I'll manage," he ran a hand through his hair, "thank you, Nigel. This...god, I thought I'd never see him again."

"You'll see, I want the best for you." Adam smiled, smiled so hard Nigel could see his teeth, he didn't look away. Then something flashed across Adam's face.

"What?" Nigel asked.

"I remembered something," he shook his head.

"What?" the alpha asked again.

"Something...from the heat," he licked his lips, and averted his gaze to the house.

"Hmm, there was more going on, what do you think?" he looked at him curiously, feeling Adam's scent change.

"How...I woke up one night, I was sitting here..." he ran a hand over Nigel's face.

"What about it?" Nigel raised one eyebrow. He rubbed his head against his shorts, and Adam bit his lip.

"S-sorry."

"No, it's nothing like that, you tell me what you want and I'll give it to you, but I can't give you something you don't ask for," he tried to get Adam to say it, wanted to hear him say it.

"But...you know...what I want," Adam frowned.

"But I want to hear it from you, don't be ashamed, I won't hurt you. Shall I bring you a gun to make you force me?" he reached out one hand and touched Adam's cheek.

"Nigel..." 

"Holy shit, I feel something move under my head, go get your gun, gorgeous, I want you to do it."

That was so sick, so wrong. Adam knew this wasn't normal, but Nigel supported him. He wasn't making fun of him...or so he hoped. So he got up, ran upstairs to the bedroom, grabbed the gun he'd stashed in the bedside table and ran back.

He didn't even know how to hold the gun, but he pretended he did. It gave him a little courage. Nigel laid on the blanket, propping his head up with his hand, and watched Adam walk towards him.

"Shit, you look so good with that gun. You could take over the world, just the look on your face, the way you're holding that gun...oh my god, no one would be able to say no to you," he touched his bulge that was already visible through his shorts.

Adam was blushing, actually he was terribly embarrassed, but Nigel was horny about it...so was it okay?

"W-want you to...take your clothes off," he commanded, but he was still terribly uncertain what to do and what would happen, what the consequences would be.

"All of it?" Nigel asked, removing his shirt.

"Does that bother you? Do you think anyone will see us?" he looked around.

"No one's around, love, just making sure," Nigel laughed and stripped off everything, dropping it on the grass and waiting to see what would happen.

"And n-now you'll strip me, but only my shorts and underwear," he ordered the next thing and walked up to him, waiting for Nigel to touch him.

"And no shirt?" he made sure.

"No, not yet."

"Oh, not yet, I like the promise implicit in that," he winked at him.

"You talk too much, Nigel," Adam said.

"Hm, I don't feel like anything could happen to me, look at you darling, you're keeping the gun down, you're not threatening me at all, you're making it so easy for me."

Adam knew Nigel was trying to provoke him, it worked. He pointed the gun at his alpha's temple. He must have looked ridiculous, the gun wasn't even unloaded, he wouldn't have fired it even if he could. But it gave him a sense of power. And Nigel was kneeling, Adam was still standing. 

"F-finally you're silent," he said, Nigel making a sort of strange sound, "and n-now you lie down, I'll sit on you. You can touch me, but not yourself."

"Well look at my omega, he forbids his alpha such things," he looked at him, not reproachfully, but Adam took it that way, took it as literally as he could.

Adam paused. Yeah, maybe that was too much.

"S-sorry," he dropped the gun. He put his hands in fists at his temples and gave them a little thump.

You mustn't. You mustn't. You mustn't. You must not burst. You mustn't make a scene. You may not order the alpha around. 

"Oh no, gorgeous, you're great at it. Take the gun, order me around, you look so awesome. I'd worship you like my god, for fuck's sake. Grab your pretty ass and come over here," he rolled over on the blanket and licked his lips. Adam looked at him. It was a sight to behold...Nigel, all naked, his cock hard, muscles taut, one leg bandaged. His knees buckled.

"N-Nigel...are you...sure?" he put his hands together and pinched them a couple of times.

"Stop asking, you're great, totally attractive in the way you command me, so don't worry, I'm a big boy, I can handle it," looking down on him. Adam would be able to fall apart, such a beautiful man. Bruises adorned his skin, but he was beautiful despite it.

"I'm sorry... for freaking out like this," he said. He wanted to save the situation.

"Come on, I'm not mad." 

"Really?" omega's eyes lit up

"Seriously, I'm gonna be mad if you decide to stop now because I'm so fucking horny and you look so beautiful I'm gonna explode," Nigel replied, he probably didn't mean it, but Adam understood that he was just trying to reassure him.

Adam was deciding what to do. Then he let it all go, all the voices, all the memories of punishment. He hadn't been at Nigel's for one day, it had been longer and in all that time Nigel hadn't hurt him, though he had so many reasons. He took the gun and walked over to him. 

"Okay, do your best," he smiled shyly and Nigel nodded, a smirk on his face. 

Adam sat on top of him so that he was facing Nigel's body, his knees surrounding the alpha's head. Nigel's hands encircled the omega's thighs and pulled him closer. Then Adam felt his tongue at his entrance, he shuddered all over.

Nigel was teasing him, slow, his tongue moving with the speed of a snail. Adam grunted, the gun on Nigel's left breast.

"Don't try to outsmart me and come on," he pushed the gun, leaving an imprint. That made Nigel start to really try. Adam was enveloped by the nice warm air, the hand that wasn't holding the gun resting against Nigel's chest. He moaned softly, enjoying the feeling.

It was strange to experience it outside the heat, he didn't know if it was better, but he was able to perceive it more and enjoy it more. Nigel's tongue floated in and Adam began to twist automatically, whatever it took to make it as pleasurable as possible. Nigel's hands gripped Adam's thighs, scratching him, squeezing him. Nigel was making incredible noises like he was eating the best food in the world.

"I-I hate your tattoo" Adam grumbled after a moment as he straightened up and looked down to see a piece of tattoo. Nigel chuckled, but continued with his work. 

"That's enough." Adam said as he reached the edge of his strength. Nigel let him pull himself up. He crawled to the bottom and straddled Nigel, reaching for his cock, rubbing against it a little and Nigel groaned. He took of his t-shirt.

"Fuck, you're unreal," Nigel breathed out, Adam's slick was around his mouth...such a dirty image, "will I ever be able to cum? I don't think I'll last long."

"Well...we'll see," he said, taking the older man's cock in his hand and sliding it into his ass. 

He started to move, they were both awfully close, so it didn't take long. Nigel wrapped his hand around Adam's cock and started to stroke it, Adam just had the gun loose in his hand, it fell out at the end and he came. It took a while for Nigel to come too. Adam fell on top of him, Nigel hugged him tightly and started to nibble his neck. He smelled fantastic, so sweet as always. 

Adam whimpered as he tried to come down, but couldn't.

"Just a little longer," Nigel whispered, stroking his curls, biting gently at his neck and shoulders, scratching his back, "you were amazing."

The air was fragrant. Not just Adam, but spring, heat. It smelled nice, soft, and pleasant. There was a little breeze, the sky was blue. 

"Is your leg all right? Sorry, I didn't ask if it was okay." 

"It's nothing, it's on my calf, it hardly affects me if you sit on me. And I could survive a bigger injury because of you, you're so...delicate."

Adam just gripped him tightly, kissing his cheeks. 

Chapter Text

Nigel felt perfectly fine three days later. The exhaustion had worn off, Adam was looking after him and making sure he didn't strain his leg, although there wasn't much wrong with it.

Darko brought in a doctor who assessed that he was indeed cured and Nigel began to plan a trip to see Will. Adam was nervous about it, of course. Nigel took it all on himself, he wanted Adam not to worry about anything. He tried to do everything for him and more.

The hotel was booked, the trip was planned. All they had to do was pack up and leave.

It was both exciting and stressful. Adam liked to have a plan, he liked to know what was going to happen and how it was going to happen and although almost everything was planned, meeting Will wasn't. It bothered him, but he didn't want to bother his alpha any more.

"Do you have things ready to pack?" Nigel asked. It was about two days before they left. Adam didn't realize it was really happening. He's gonna see his brother. His little heart always fluttered at the thought.

"No, I don't know what to take," he said while watching Nigel sip from the tea he'd prepared for him. He still wanted to learn to do coffee, but he didn't dare ask.

"Do you want me to pack?" he looked at him, put the cup down. It was the last thing that needed to be done.

"I'm not a little kid!" the omega shouted, stepping away, putting his hands over his mouth. He didn't do that, or he tried not to lash out at people unless it was warranted. He'd learned to keep his mouth shut at the center, but now it was uncontrollable, like a reflex. He was embarrassed.

Nigel stared at him, horrified.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry...I'm so sorry," Adam repeated, his heart beating so fast he thought he was going to die. Something whistled in his ears, he shuddered, he wanted to punch himself so badly.

"It's okay, come here," he spread his arms, "let's make a list, okay? We'll sit outside, write down what you need, and then wrap it together, okay?"

Darling Nigel, he'll come up with a solution, even though his omega is mean to him. 

"I'm so sorry..." Adam said again, because he was really sorry. Nigel had tried so hard...no one else would do for him what he was doing and yet he was acting ungrateful. Nigel squeezed him in his arms. 

"It's okay, you're stressed."

The night before their departure, Nigel woke up to a cold bed. His thoughts began to flow and he couldn't stop them. His head ached and he began to feel that it was all a dream. Was Adam real? He sat up quickly.

Squinting his eyes, he turned on his lamp. 

Of course Adam was real. But he wasn't lying in bed...

Had Adam left? Where would he go? Would he find his way to Will? His heart ached in an unreal way. He hadn't even entertained the possibility that it could happen because he had put all his trust in him. Was it like what happened to Gabi? He hated how insecure he was.

He was only wearing his underwear, as it was warm outside he didn't need to wear anything. He went through the whole house.

And then he saw him, on the balcony, wrapped in one of the blankets. He was leaning against the railing, watching the stars.

"Gorgeous, what are you doing here?" he gasped, all the fear falling out of him.

"I c-couldn't sleep, sorry, did I wake you?" it was obvious he wasn't expecting Nigel, and he twitched slightly, turning his head to look at him.

"I woke up because you weren't next to me," he walked over to him, wrapping his arms around Adam's hips, resting his head in the crook of his neck, licking him gently. Adam smelled so beautiful, like the most fragrant flower. Nigel could bathe in it.

"Is something wrong?" he asked after a moment.

"No, just...I don't know, thinking about Will," he tilted his head, giving Nigel space, his eyes open, watching the sky. It was beautiful, the stars shining brightly. He wasn't surprised that Nigel lived away from the big city, the sky was beautiful to see without pollution. Though it wasn't perfect, at least it was something.

"Um, do you want to share that with me?" he stroked his hips, squeezed them. Adam had gained some weight, he looked amazing, healthy.

"I don't know, do you want to hear it?" he asked reluctantly, not wanting to burden him any more. The wind blew, Adam swallowed.

"I want to hear everything from you," the alpha said honestly. He gave another kiss on the omega's neck. Adam exhaled loudly. His body reacted instantly to Nigel, he didn't know if it was a good thing or not, but he didn't ask. He suspected what the answer would be.

"What... if Will doesn't even want to see me?" he answered after a while. Nigel waited, patiently. Although it was about three o'clock in the morning and they had a journey to Will ahead of them. He waited, letting him organize his thoughts, not going to sleep. Adam had a great desire to drop to his knees in front of him.

"Why wouldn't he want to see you?" he left his place behind the omega and stepped to the right, leaving his arm around his waist. He pulled it as close as he could, tilting his head so he could look up at the sky like his beloved omega.

"I-I don't know," Adam also put his arm around his alpha's waist. Heat radiated from his body, warming him.

"I'm sure he wants to see you," the alpha turned to him, gave him a kiss on the temple. Adam felt safe, he wanted to explain why that was so, why he wasn't afraid of Nigel, why he wasn't trying to escape, and why he trusted him implicitly.

"You can't be sure," Adam objected.

"Have a little faith in me, okay?" he laughed, squeezed his side.

"I'm sorry," he shook his head, sighing. He did it again. He'd given Nigel reason to think Adam was a bad omega again.

"No...it's just, Adam, darling, I know what it's like to miss someone like that. And I know that he must miss you so fucking much, and if he doesn't, I'll beat him until he admits it," Adam shuddered at the thought. He didn't know how Will would react to the way Nigel was. He didn't want to keep thinking about it, but unfortunately he did.

"You don't have to hit him," he paused for a moment, "who do you miss?"

"Mom," he said and fell silent.

"Where is she now?" Adam got the chills. He thought about the picture of them together that hung in his bureau.

Nigel continued to stare at the sky. Tears glistened in his eyes.

"N-Nigel?"

"She's dead. She's somewhere...up there, if there is such a thing. She was so fucking good, so fucking...she didn't deserve any of what happened to her at all. I'd give anything to see her. Will must feel the same way, okay? Don't worry about him not wanting to see you, because if he doesn't, he's a cold-hearted bastard. His father may be, but he sure as fuck ain't, okay?" the alpha squeezed Adam's side again, the omega inwardly hoping it would leave a bruise. He forced himself not to think about it.

Adam didn't know what to do. He never knew what to do. So he hugged Nigel, so hard it hurt.

"I'm so sorry," he felt Nigel stir, felt the wetness through the blanket on his shoulders, but he let it go. 

Nigel did so much for him and he felt he could never be enough for Nigel. He wanted to be, he wanted to be a support to him. He didn't realise how selfish he was being. He kissed his cheek, stroked them. He held him close, waited patiently.

---

"Do we have everything?" Nigel was looking in the trunk.

"A bag with my stuff, your stuff, a pillow, here's a list...I think so," checked it out, tried to think of everything.

"Okay, so let's go."

They got in the car, Nigel set the sat navigation and set off.

Adam got all shaky. There it was. He hadn't seen Will in so long. Nigel looked at him and then put his hand on his thigh. Adam relaxed, took it in his hands, and squeezed. The radio was playing in the background.

Then they pulled onto the highway, Nigel stepped on the gas, his hand still on Adam's thigh. He was humming songs, and Adam was looking out the window, watching the sky. After a while, Nigel was singing loudly, Adam pulled out his phone, which was in the compartment, opened the camera and turned on the video as Nigel had taught him, trying to stealthily direct it.

The chorus was just in, Nigel really laid into it. He noticed Adam filming him. He didn't say anything, he kept singing. Adam giggled, turned the video off, and continued to listen. Nigel was relaxed, Adam wished he could be like that too, carefree, not having to worry about anything. But he realized he didn't need to stress. Nigel will arrange everything, always. 

They stopped after about two hours at a gas station Nigel had found. Alpha had a coffee, lit a cigarette. Adam sat on the curb nearby, washing his hands.

"Are you sure you're not hungry? Can I buy you anything, a cookie? There's some food in the trunk, too," he exhaled smoke.

"No, thank you," he bit his cheek, he wasn't hungry, he was sick.

"Thinking again?" Nigel asked. Adam propped his head up, watching him. He was handsome, attractive when he smoked.

"I just...what if...w-what if you don't like Will? Or... what if he doesn't like you?" his other hand rubbing his pants, pinching his thighs.

"Well, it doesn't matter that much, does it? The important thing is that you like him and he likes you," he finished his cigarette and threw it in the trash. He drank the rest of his coffee, walked over to his omega and offered his hand to be picked up, which Adam accepted.

"B-but...then you won't want to see him," he frowned, squeezed Nigel's hand.

"So?" he tilted his head to one side like a puppy, took Adam's rosy cheeks in his hands, and bent down to kiss him. Gently, not so passionately, he loved the way Adam shuddered as he put his arms around his neck, pulled him closer.

"I-I was hoping...that this, this might not be the last time I see him," the sweet omega whispered.

"I still don't know where you're going with this," Nigel kissed him on the tip of his nose.

"Then I won't be able to...see him if you don't want to see him," he looked at him through his lashes. Then he looked away, pausing. An omega was on her knees in front of her alpha, a collar around her neck. That was disgusting...that kind of behavior towards an omega in public, in a parking lot. Adam got sick. It was the alpha's right, of course. 

Nigel noticed, took Adam by the chin, and turned him towards him.

"Shh, it's all right, darling, that's not how it works, you can see each other. I don't have to be at every meeting you have with him. Sometimes he visits you, sometimes we visit him. I don't have to stay here, I can just drop you off," still cupping his chin in his hand, he gave him another kiss.

"Really?" his heart was beating fast again.

"Right, you didn't think I was going to ban you from seeing him, did you," Nigel said, and seeing Adam's look, he just added, "yeah, you did."

"Sorry," he felt bad for not trusting him.

"Good, I just always think we're over something and it's obvious we're over nothing," he sighed, but hugged Adam, his hands in his hair.

After some time, he pulled away and motioned for them to continue on their way.

Nigel turned on the radio, the news was on, he almost switched it over, but...

"The Florida center reports another riot. It was triggered by a gang of omegas who killed the chief. The rebellion is growing and the government is trying to take further action, but to no avail."

"Oh fuck," Nigel said and looked at Adam, who was staring wide-eyed. 

"That's... crazy. Um...are you mad?" he asked cautiously.

"Why would I be mad? I'm fucking glad they're doing this, I don't support this shit, okay?" stroking his cheek, Adam smiled. 

Nigel set something up, but this time he didn't put on songs, but a podcast. Adam was confused for a moment and then he understood. Some podcast about space was on, with experts discussing various things.

"Thank you," he said quietly. Nigel probably had little idea what that meant for Adam. The omega took Nigel's hand in his lap again, playing with it, thinking of everything.

"You're welcome, love, just relax, everything will be fine, count on me," Adam nodded, leaned back comfortably in his seat, closed his eyes, breathed in Nigel's scent and listened to the words of one of the astronomers talking about black holes.

The trip flew by like it was only ten minutes. 

"We're here," pulled into a parking lot, and turned to Adam, who froze, "what's that? You don't want to see Will?"

"I do! It's just...as me, he doesn't like surprises...o-or unexpected visits. I hope he won't be mad. I hope he will be glad to see me," he was breathing furiously, trying to calm down, but he didn't want to do anything wild in front of Nigel, not now, not here.

"He will, doll. Let's go," he opened the door, walked to the other side, opened it for Adam and took his hand in his, pulling him out. Adam finally looked around the place they had arrived at. Surely...Will couldn't live here, could he?

"Where are we?" he asked in confusion. He heard dogs barking, it smelled weird.

"He has a part-time job here, I called there to inform them, so we could see him, then we'll go to the hotel and maybe we'll have dinner, if he has time, or lunch tomorrow," Nigel locked the car and dragged Adam to the entrance.

"He works in...in a shelter?" he opened his mouth and closed it again, he was so surprised. It was too much, everything was fighting inside him, so much news, so much information, he couldn't process it, he didn't have time to process it. 

"Yeah," Nigel nodded, pulling him into a hug.

"He always loved dogs, my dad wouldn't have let him one," Adam explained, letting out a ragged breath.

"Let's go, shall we?" Nigel grinned, Adam relaxed. He has Nigel, Nigel on his side, who would do anything for him...or so he thinks.

They got to the building. A woman greeted them.

"Hello, I'm Nigel, I called here. Is Will here?" he shook her hand.

"Yes, he's currently outside with dogs. Follow me," she smiled genuinely and led them out.

"I hope it's not a problem we're here," Nigel added, gripping Adam's hand, feeling it shake.

"Not at all, not when the special guest is his brother," said the woman and continued on her way.

They had to walk through two different rooms, until they got to the garden. 

"Will? Someone is looking for you," she announced like it was nothing. Adam's knees almost gave out.

Will was surrounded by ten dogs, sitting on grass. He was laughing. Then he turned around. He had glasses, disheveled hair, clothes that didn't go together, but he looked healthy, happy. Nigel had to admit that he and Adam were similar, almost twins if it weren't for small details. Will was looking at Nigel, then he transferred his sight to Adam.

"Oh my God," he got up. He almost tripped over a dog that got in his way.

"Hi, Will," Adam's cheeks turned red. Nigel let go of his hand and walked over to one of the walls, wanting to give the brothers room to greet each other.

"Adam," Will ran towards him, embracing him. He ran so fast that he threw Adam to the ground in the grass. The younger boy couldn't even complain, he hugged his brother. A couple of dogs followed the older brother, sniffing who he was hugging.

"I didn't make it up. You're real, right?" Adam felt tears in his eyes, after so long, after all these years and months of despair, separation...

"Y-yes, Will, I'm real," he held him tight, he didn't want to let him go, he never wanted to be without his brother for that long again, he wouldn't survive.

"I missed you," he whispered in his ear, pulled back to look at him, and fell on him again with his whole body and embraced him.

"I missed you too," he was shaking all over. He didn't know why, if it was enthusiasm, excitement, fear, but he let it pass.

"I'm sorry I left, I'm sorry I couldn't find you, I'm sorry," Will cried. Adam couldn't remember when he'd seen Will cry, because Will had always tried to be strong, tried not to let on that something was wrong. And now he was crying like a little kid.

"It's okay, I have you now," Adam tried to reassure him.

After a while, they got up. Will was still looking at him. He was breathing furiously, smiling, letting tears run down his cheeks.

"That's...your alpha?" he nodded towards the man watching them.

"Yeah, Nigel," Adam nodded, a certain pride on his chest. After all...it was Nigel who'd tracked Will down, who'd cared, who'd brought him here.

"He looks like...well, whatever. Can you introduce us?" he grabbed Adam's hand.

"Y-yeah," they took a few steps and they were at Nigel's. Adam nervously introduced them, but Nigel took over. Adam wanted to kiss him, so badly.

"We thought we'd have dinner? Now we'd let you finish what you need to do, we'd go to the hotel," Nigel said, because he had it all planned out.

"Yeah, that sounds fine...fuck. My mate is having dinner for his friends tonight. It's kind of a...very fancy affair, so can you come over?" Will suggested, swallowed, his eyes flicking between the two, trying to think of something, trying to analyze the situation.

"I-I...I don't think I want to be around too many people," Adam admitted, Will wasn't social either, so he was surprised that he'd invited them himself. Truth was, he'd done a lot of things for Nigel too, maybe that's how Will felt about his mate.

"And lunch now would be good? And we'll see you tomorrow?" Nigel looked at Adam, but the question was directed at Will.

"When are you leaving? I don't...I don't want to not see Adam," Will asked urgently.

"We don't have a definite plan, but we can definitely stay here for a week," Nigel replied, smiling at Adam as he beamed. He knew that was the plan, but...he didn't know if Nigel would really want to stay away from home, with a stranger, for that long.

"Jesus, well... that sounds amazing. Okay, I'll tell Carol and we'll go to lunch?" Will took a step towards the door where the woman had disappeared.

"Can be, cool, gorgeous?" Nigel preferred to make sure, the omega just nodded, so Will went inside, the dogs looking on in confusion.

"Perfectly fine," Adam smiled, grabbing Nigel by the collar of his shirt, pulling him close and kissing him with such vigour that his head spun.

Chapter Text

Plans had changed and Nigel and Adam were sitting in the car, food from the restaurant laid out on the back seats, following Will who was driving in front of them. They had agreed that they would like more privacy and Will's home would provide that.

The drive was quiet. Adam stared out of the window. Nigel glanced over at him a couple of times but didn't push him to talk. They arrived in front of a beautiful house. They entered it, and everyone's head swam with all the sounds and smells. 

"Wait a minute," Will said, disappearing down the hallway, leaving Nigel and Adam standing awkwardly in the entryway.

"Are you okay?" Nigel asked, took a step closer to Adam. He inhaled his scent. He wanted to be closer, wanted to hold him, anything.

Adam glanced around the room, unsure of how to answer. He wasn’t okay, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was going to go wrong again. But he nodded anyway, offering Nigel a small smile.

"I’m fine."

Before Nigel could say anything more, they heard footsteps approaching. Will returned, but this time, he wasn’t alone. Walking beside him was a tall man with dark, tousled hair and a calm presence that seemed to fill the room.

"I wanted to introduce you," Will said, his voice slightly softer now, "Hannibal, this is Adam, my brother, and his mate Nigel, Nigel, Adam, this is my mate, Hannibal."

"Pleasure to meet you, Adam. I've heard a lot from Will and I never thought we'd meet," Hannibal extended a hand. He breathed in deeply and Adam shifted a bit. 

"Yeah..." Adam swallowed hard, feeling a bit intimidated by Hannibal. He and Nigel were quite similar in appearance, but Hannibal was more well-put together. His eyes wandered to Nigel. He exhaled.

Hannibal then turned to Nigel, offering the same polite handshake: "And you, Nigel, it’s a pleasure to meet you as well."

Nigel nodded, his expression unreadable as he shook Hannibal’s hand, he replied: "Likewise." 

Hannibal smiled once more, but there was a flicker of something in his gaze, a silent acknowledgment of the tension in the room.

"I’ll just finish one thing and join you right away," he said as he headed toward the kitchen. "Can I offer anything for drinks?"

"Just tea for me," Adam said quietly, feeling small under the weight of everything happening around him. It was too much, they had just arrived, he had seen his brother after a long time and now he was in his house. A house he'd probably lived in for a long time. And not alone...

"I'll have a coffee, thank you," Nigel said, his voice calm.

As Hannibal disappeared into the kitchen, Will gestured toward the living room: "You guys can settle in there. We’ll be right with you."

Nigel and Adam did as they were told. They sat down on the sofa and waited. Adam fidgeted with his hands, his mind racing, wondering what would happen next. He could feel Nigel’s eyes on him, but neither of them spoke. The alpha finally couldn't stand it and grabbed Adam's hand. He brought it to his mouth and kissed it. 

After a few minutes, Hannibal and Will returned. Nigel stood up and made room for the older brother to sit in his place. He grabbed his coffee and walked a little further, looking at the walls, which were filled with all sorts of things. Hannibal interrupted him and started asking him questions. On art, music.

"So...how are you?" Will asked. He watched the face of the other omega, his brother, the last one he'd seen...he couldn't even remember when. It had been so long, it felt like a dream. 

"Good, great," he took his tea, took a small sip, "s-sorry...I don't know how to act."

"Normally, I'm your brother. I know you, it's okay, no need to freak out. It's so good to see you," put his hand on his thigh to give him a grounding feeling, he always used to do that. He looked great, calm, confident.

"So...how did you meet?" Will asked, moving even closer to his brother and then looking over to his mate who was talking to Nigel.

"W-well...in the center...I...," Adam shifted uncomfortably. His mouth felt dry, the feeling on his thigh didn't feel as comforting as it should have.

"What?" Will's voice was sharp as a blade. He said it loud enough, that Hannibal and Nigel fell silent.

"Will?" Hannibal wondered. 

"What did you just say?"  Will demanded. Adam could see it, the same look Will had when they were kids, the one he got whenever someone tried to mess with Adam. But this time, that look was directed at Nigel.

Adam looked fearfully at Nigel. He knew he'd messed up. Will was furious, he knew that look. When the kids made fun of Adam, Will didn't hesitate to come to the rescue. He was scary, Adam was scared of him himself.

"You fucking bastard," he snapped, taking a few steps towards Nigel and shoving him. Nigel barely had time to react before Will was on him again, pushing him back further. Adam jumped to his feet, not knowing what to do. His whole body was shaking.

"Come on, mylimasis." Hannibal grabbed him around the waist and pulled him close.

"Let go of me," he growled.

"What happened?" the alpha obeyed him like a dog.

"This prick bought my brother and he comes in here and pretends nothing. Don't you think that's stupid? Are you a complete asshole?" he didn't shout, but he said it harshly.

"Will..." Hannibal was ready to say something.

"No, don't talk," he directed it to Hannibal, then to Nigel, "I don't understand what you're thinking. I'm not going to thank you. You're a fucking cunt, like all the other alphas. You don't deserve Adam. You're a motherfucker, you make me sick. When this system falls apart, and it will, you’ll be left with nothing. Adam deserves better. He deserves freedom. A life without you."

"Will, that's really enough," Hannibal said, visibly touched by what his mate was saying.

"You're accusing me of something...well. You leave him and let your father have him and you think he'll be fine. Be thankful that I have him. Be thankful that he wasn't taken in by another pig who would only have him for sex, who would beat him, hurt him, forbid him everything. I'm not perfect, but I don't think you are either," Nigel replied, shooting a quick glance at his omega. 

"Don't try to compare yourself to me! I did it to save him," Will was really angry, ready to do something to Nigel, to protect his brother. Adam had seen that, he remembered Will beating up a kid who'd called him names and made fun of him.

"And I fucking didn't?" Nigel defended himself.

"No! Am I supposed to believe you? You own him. Go fuck yourself, you selfish prick, leave now," Will pointed to the door. Hannibal just watched, he didn't step in. And Adam didn't dare either.

"Okay, I'm leaving, Adam, I'll come get you tomorrow," Nigel looked at him. His whole face softened.  

"No, Adam's staying. Forever," Will looked in the same direction. He took Adam's trembling as fear of Nigel. He wouldn't allow it.

"I-I'm going with Nigel," he walked over to Nigel. He wanted to grab his hand, finally he did, and the shaking stopped for a moment when Nigel squeezed it back.

"Adam, you don't have to, you're safe here, he won't hurt you, you've got us," Will was helpless.

"I want to go with Nigel," Adam replied, strongly, firmly. He squeezed his mate's hand again.

"We had a picnic planned for tomorrow morning at Patterson Park. So if you calm down...you can join us," Nigel said the last sentence and pulled Adam out of the house.

---

The drive to the hotel was quiet. Adam mouthed a quiet 'sorry', Nigel replied saying it wasn't his fault and that was it. The omega looked out the window and tried not to cry. This was probably the end, he wouldn't see Will again and it was his own fault.

They went upstairs to their room, Adam laid down in bed and tried to sleep it off. He didn't want to face the consequences, Nigel. He knew it was rude and that he would face it afterward, but at that moment he didn't care. He clutched his pillow, closed his eyes and tried to slow his breathing, tried not to think about what had happened.

Nigel, meanwhile, was smoking his second cigarette. It was afternoon and it was beautiful. He would have loved to go for a walk with Adam, but he didn't want to bother him. When he came into the room, Adam was asleep. So Nigel took his laptop and tried to concentrate on anything else.

When Adam woke up, he didn't say a word, his head was down. He laid down next to Nigel, didn't say anything. Nigel didn't say anything either. He wanted to give him space. 

After a while, Adam got up and went to take a shower. He came out in his pyjama pants and a t-shirt that Nigel had given him because Adam loved the way it felt on his body.

"N-Nigel?" he spoke softly, his hand brushing the edge of the t-shirt.

"Yes?" he looked up from his computer.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry...and...and I understand if you want to go home," he took a step forward, he had to face it. He couldn't beat around the bush, he couldn't avoid it, he wanted to get it over with.

"No, Adam..." he put the computer to the side, waved his hand for Adam to come closer. Adam sat on the edge of the bed, looking around in confusion.

"And you can...you can punish me, I know I deserve it. I'm so sorry, Nigel," he put his hand in a fist, pinching it, trying to stay calm, not wanting to break in front of Nigel, not now.

And Nigel had had enough. He grabbed Adam, threw him on the bed and straddled him. 

"Hey, listen to me. You have nothing to fucking apologize for. You didn't do anything wrong, and the next time I hear you say anything about this, I'm going to bend you over my knee, okay?" his eyes burned with fierce, protective anger.

Adam shuddered beneath him, nodding weakly but still unsure of what to do next. He stared up at Nigel, fear and confusion swirling in his wide eyes. He hated this...seeing Nigel angry, seeing him upset because of him. He felt like he’d failed, and the weight of that failure pressed down on him like a lead blanket.

Nigel’s expression softened as he cupped Adam’s face in his hands.

"Baby, look at me. I'd be surprised if he didn't react that way. He loves you, okay? He cares about you. I'm a fucking asshole, I literally paid for you, he's right and he has a right to treat me like this, he has a right to be pissed. At me. If he hadn't reacted, it would have been wrong. Don't apologize, there's nothing to apologize for, okay? He just needs time."

"So, we're good," the omega swallowed hard, his eyes searching Nigel’s face for reassurance. Nigel’s serious expression melted into something gentler as he leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Adam’s forehead.

Nigel started to move, but Adam grabbed his arm, his voice barely a whisper. “Stay?”

The alpha stopped and smiled. He pounced on Adam, rested his head in his neck, gave a few kisses, felt Adam's body melt under his.

---

The next day they woke up in a hug. They got dressed quietly, Nigel took a blanket and a bag and they went out. They stopped at a café, Adam quietly asked for hot chocolate, Nigel bought lots of sweets, though Adam protested. They reached the park, found a quiet spot and sat down. They ate, Adam put on a video that interested him.

Then he told Nigel about new discoveries, as he was finding out a lot of remarkable things thanks to his access to the internet. Nigel just watched him, fascinated. Adam was very clever, it warmed his heart.

"Hi..." came from behind them, and it inadvertently interrupted Adam's monologue. They both turned around.

Will was standing there. 

"You came," Adam's hand began to tap furiously against Nigel's thigh.

"Can I talk to Adam? Alone?" Will asked towards Nigel.

"Yeah, sure," the alpha looked at Adam, gave him a kiss on the cheek and stood up, leaving them some space. Will sat down on the blanket, looking into the distance, trying to organize his thoughts.

"I'd like to apologize, for my behavior...I...I've been living under the assumption all this time that you just hate me, but you're okay, if nothing else. That our dad...that he might send you to a worse school, but that you'd be able to study and get a job and become independent. That you won't have to rely on the alpha," he sighed. Adam shot him a look, he looked very elegant again, probably the influence of Hannibal.

"Your dad...he's not my dad. He blamed me for you leaving. He sold me. And Nigel saved me," he said, looking up at the sky.

"What? We still need to talk about this...I'm so sorry. And...Nigel...is he...nice to you?" he tried to lighten the situation a little, countless questions were running through his mind, but he didn't want to upset his brother at the moment, the previous day had been enough.

"Very," Adam nodded, looked at the blanket, at the unfinished chocolate and the unfinished sweet pastries.

"Is he hurting you?" Will asked cautiously, looking at his neck, which was adorned with a bite mark from Nigel, healed, not very visible, but there.

"No, not once...in the centre...they told me all the things he could do to me...he didn't do anything," looked at him, shook his head. He grabbed his chocolate, drank some.

"What if you do something?" he realized that he hadn't kept his promise not to disturb his brother too much...probably.

"Then nothing," Adam answered, took a piece of croissant and put it in his mouth.

"Nothing?" he made sure.

"He's really good to me," he whispered sincerely, looked around the park, breathed in the fresh air.

"I'm glad...sorry I ruined yesterday. He doesn't...he doesn't mind me being here?" the older brother watched Adam's movements, trying to decipher him, read him, see if he was sincere, what was different.

"No, he found you. He did...he did it for me," he smiled.

"That's nice."

"Yeah."

"I don't know what to tell you," Will rubbed his face.

"I'm sorry," Adam whispered, not knowing what else was appropriate in the situation.

"No, I was a dick...I feel..." he waved his hand.

"It's okay."

"Do you think we could go for a walk? I'd show you around town," Will suggested. He wanted to talk to him, for a long time, to tell him everything, about Hannibal, about himself, about school, about work, about everything he could. And in turn, he wanted to hear everything about what Nigel was like, what he was doing, how they were living.

"With Nigel?"

"Well...I was thinking we could be alone for a while?" he tilted his head.

"I'll ask if he's okay with it," Adam got up.

"Okay."

Adam walked over to Nigel. He was sitting on the bench, smoking a cigarette.

"Finished, gorgeous?" exhaled smoke, smiled at him.

"I was...I was wondering, was...would it be okay if I was with Will this day? He wants to take a walk with me...and..." he was babbling.

"Sure, doll. You want to be with your brother. Here, this is my credit card. Take it, okay? Buy whatever you want, take him to lunch, go anywhere. Here's your phone, so when you want, text me, I'll pick you up," he put it in his hand and stroked his cheek.

"Nigel..." he was looking into his chest, studied the pattern of the shirt.

"What?" he stroked his cheek again, gently, as if it would crumble under his touch.

"Thank you so much, I don't know... how to thank you more," he sighed, holding his cell phone and credit card in his hand, thinking about everything Nigel had done and was still doing for him.

"I know about something," he laughed.

"Yes?" Adam lit up.

"Give me a kiss." 

Adam exhaled, gripping his alpha in a hug, then pulled away and kissed him. Nigel crushing his hips, returning the kiss, furiously, desperately. Everything seemed suddenly bathed in sunshine.

Chapter Text

Will and Adam were talking. There was so much they had to say to each other. Will was asking questions, wanting to know what Adam had been through. They walked around, oblivious to what was around them. They were so happy to be together. It was strange, Adam had been Will's whole life and nothing had changed since Will had run away from home. It was as if that long time hole hadn't existed, as if they'd been together all along.

"And how did you meet Hannibal?" Adam asked after they had sat down in the café for a while. Their legs were aching and they wanted to rest.

"Well...you know, I can't quite tell you," Will suddenly tore his gaze away. He looked into the distance, trying to organize his thoughts.

"Why?" Adam winced, looking down at the menu. A waitress had just come in and put a soda in front of the two of them. They both said thank you and stayed in silence for a while.

"You'd probably judge me," older brother whispered it, his hands tightening around the glass of lemonade, Adam could barely hear it. He didn't like it when Will did that. When he whispered, he didn't say what he really thought or wanted. Because Adam was his brother, they'd known each other since they were kids and it would be stupid to think Adam would judge him.

"I'm your brother, I can't do that," he looked at him. Will blinked, several times, then sighed, settling more comfortably. 

"When I came here, an alpha wanted to hurt me, I fought back and hurt him. Hannibal found me, helped me...well...he courted me. And we've been together ever since," he explained very briefly, because in public he would not dare to go more in depth. There were a few people sitting around him to tell the whole story, what really happened, how he'd been hurt...and he really didn't believe in Adam not judging him, especially on this...

"Oh...so...you like him, right?" Adam brightened a little. He wanted that, he wanted so badly for Will to feel good, because he knew Will felt he didn't deserve love. Or...that's how he felt a few years back. Will's lips twitched into a faint smile.

"A lot, Adam...I hate the other alphas so much, but shit...Hannibal...we have something between us that can't even be described. I'm happy, so happy. I wish you could feel it too. He...he's not hurting you, is he? I know I asked, but I got the feeling you didn't want to tell me, that you were afraid of him," Will scratched his cheek, swallowed, and sat up so he was closer to his brother. 

"No, Nigel...I've always been told that alpha will never treat me well, but Nigel does. All the time, I...so many times he's had the opportunity to hurt me. He says we're equals...he gave me a gun," Adam didn't know how to express his feelings, never had. He blushed a bit and looked down at his hands.

"Excuse me?" he said aloud. A few people turned to them.

"He said I could hurt him if I felt threatened," he took a sip of his drink. It seemed normal to him to mention this. And as he said, he would never judge Will, so he figured it would go both ways. He always spoke openly in front of Will.

"That's crazy," the brotherly protectiveness was awakening in him again. 

"I...I like him, Will, okay? He's good to me, he takes care of me, I...I feel like I don't deserve this, I never knew this could happen to me, I want you to be happy for me," he said firmly.

"I'm sorry, I can't not be skeptical, he still bought you," the older brother crossed his arms, studied Adam, tried to read him. His baby brother flinched, but forced himself to meet Will's gaze.

"Because he wanted someone he could be sure wouldn't run away, he's been hurt before," Adam replied, his voice steady though his heart pounded in his chest.

"He's got a wonderful insurance policy," Will shook his head, his jaw tightening.

"I don't want to argue with you. I'm quite tired, do you mind if I call Nigel?" Adam sighed.

"Sure...see you again?" Will hesitated, his expression torn between frustration and concern. 

"Yeah, we can arrange tomorrow if you're free," Adam allowed himself a small smile. Will gave him a brief nod, his lips pressing into a thin line, and Adam stepped away to call Nigel.

The phone rang only once before Nigel’s deep, familiar voice answered.

"Hey, baby," he said warmly.

"Hi Nigel...um, will you pick me up?"

"Send me the address, I'll be right there," Nigel replied without hesitation.

When Nigel's car pulled up, he stepped out and exchanged a polite "hello" with Will before his attention shifted entirely to Adam. Will gave Adam a quick hug, his hands gripping his brother's shoulders firmly as though he wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

Adam climbed into the car, sighed happily, when his body hit the seat.

"Are you hungry?" Nigel immediately put his hand on his thigh. Adam lowered his gaze, his hand covering his entire thigh. 

"A little," Adam admitted.

"Have you eaten?"

"Yeah, I had something small with Will...but I wanted to have dinner with you."

Nigel smiled and took Adam's hand, kissing his knuckles. 

"And how have you been?" Nigel asked, his voice low and calm.

"Good, we walked...talked. How about you?" then he paused. He took a deep breath.

"Not much, fell asleep for a bit, dealt with something with Darko. Anything wrong?" Nigel exhaled, his fingers tightening briefly on Adam’s hand. His eyes flicked to his omega, searching for a clue.

"I don't know, I can't smell you," he took a deep breath, but nothing, it hadn't occurred to him until now.

"Yeah, that's possible, I took suppressants," Nigel finally understood.

"Why?" Adam’s voice was barely above a whisper.

"Baby, why are they being taken?" he sighed, he glanced at Adam, his gaze softened, "my rut was approaching."

"I mean...y-you have me...don't you want to?" Adam’s chest tightened, his thoughts whirling.

"Darling, I promised to bring you here, my rut was supposed to come in maybe two weeks, but it probably would have come sooner because I have you. I didn't want to reschedule again," the alpha's jaw clenched slightly, but he tried to stay calm.

"I would have understood..." Adam's voice lingered with guilt.

"No, it can wait, the suppressants should push it back a bit," he squeezed Adam's thigh reassuringly.

"Nigel..."

"What are you in the mood for? There's a nice restaurant near our hotel," he broke off the conversation and offered something, not wanting to discuss it further and stir Adam's fears.

"Okay."

They arrived at the place, settled in. Nigel ordered wine, Adam kept glancing at him. He couldn't concentrate. He didn't even notice the noise around him, not that there was any unusual. Of course, Nigel hadn't picked a restaurant that Adam wouldn't be comfortable with. The lights weren't aggressive, but they illuminated the room pleasantly. The chairs were comfortable, the whole environment was great. But Adam just couldn't stop thinking about Nigel's rut.

After all, they were mates...Nigel had taken him through his heat, it was only fair that Adam reciprocate. It was expected. He was built for it. He was born to please the alpha. But Nigel didn't want to. 

"What can I get you? They have macaroni and cheese here," Nigel looked up from the menu. He looked magnificent, the lights lit him up so well, his face was...kissable. Adam shifted in his seat.

"I'll have that," he finally agreed. 

"Anything else, dessert, whatever?" thinking, choosing, while Adam just watched his lips.

"Can I have some wine, too?" he asked, maybe that would help him relax.

"I ordered it for both of us, darling. Maybe some water, juice? So you don't get sick."

"Okay."

And then there was silence for most of dinner. Nigel asked about space because they were watching a documentary together. Adam was finding out a lot about it afterwards, so he at least talked a bit. And about two and a half glasses of wine loosened Adam's tongue more...

When the bill came, a beta waiter brought it over. Adam noticed how the beta placed a hand lightly on the back of Nigel's chair, his gesture casual but unwelcome. Adam's gaze darted nervously between Nigel and the waiter.

The bill landed on the table near Nigel. Without hesitation, Nigel nodded toward Adam.

"My mate's paying," Nigel said. Adam froze, unsure how to react. It wasn't until Nigel gave him a pointed look that he remembered the credit card in his pocket. He fumbled slightly, then he pulled it out and handed it to the waiter.

The beta studied them briefly before taking the card.

"Don't forget to give yourself 10 percent," Nigel called after him, "the audacity..."

Adam glanced at him, unsure if he should say anything.

"It was your credit card," he murmured softly.

"I know, baby, what's mine is yours, you can keep it," Nigel smirked.

"No, thank you," the omega shook his head.

"Okay, I'll get you yours," Nigel relented with a grin.

They arrived at the hotel. They sat on the couch together. Adam moved closer, then rolled his body over so he could kiss Nigel. 

"I hate that I can't smell you," he whispered into the kiss. Nigel squeezed his hips and pulled him even closer.

"I love the way you talk when you're tipsy. Is that what you've been thinking about all night? Is that why you didn't talk?" he grinned into the kiss.

"Maybe...maybe you don't want me...for your rut. You can spend it with someone else if you're more comfortable," Adam hesitated.

"Oh baby, if you only knew," he ran his hands under Adam's shirt. He stroked his smooth back. Then he grabbed his hips again and sat him on his lap.

"I don't want to sleep with anyone else," he pulled his shirt over his head and began kissing his chest with his lips, taking his right nipple into his mouth and sucking it gently. Then he just rested his chin on his chest, watching Adam's throat as he swallowed.

"Don't twist my words, okay? I should have fucking gotten the rut, but I knew you were looking forward to getting here and if I had to sacrifice delaying the rut a week or two later...I'll do it for you. You're fucking happy, you're smiling, you've got your brother with you, so don't go around saying I don't want to sleep with you just because I took suppressants. I took them so I could bring you here. I didn't want to jeopardize it, when we get home, we can fuck all you want, I'll still have the routine, okay? I don't want anyone else, Adam, remember that."

Adam kissed him, Nigel was good. Too good. He didn't understand it. It was overwhelming. He felt like he could explode. 

He felt like he was in a dream again. It couldn't be real. How would someone like Nigel choose him? Someone who constantly questioned his actions, someone who couldn't behave enough, someone he had to conform for? Nigel was a fool. A true fool who chose the wrong omega, but acted as if he'd chosen the right one. Yet Adam was going to end up with someone who would disregard his feelings, beat him up if he protested. And he didn't. He was still thinking about the place where he'd spent several long months, where he'd been abused and had ideas drilled into his head about alphas, the complete opposite of Nigel.

Nigel bit his ear.

"Don't think," he whispered, then picked him up and walked with him over to the bed, where he laid him down in the sweet-smelling blankets. Covering his body with his own, he trapped him in a kiss, planting kisses everywhere he could. He undressed him all over, then himself. First he prepared him, because his sweet omega deserved the best care. Then he rolled him over onto his belly, straddling him, spreading his cheeks so he could enter Adam.

When Nigel finally entered him, Adam gasped, his body shuddering at the sensation. Nigel’s movements were slow at first, his lips claiming Adam’s as he whispered soothing words between kisses. But as Adam melted beneath him, Nigel picked up the pace, thrusting deeper. Adam whimpered and moaned, burying his face into the pillow.

Nigel entwined their hands, pressing them into the mattress as he moved faster, harder. Adam’s voice broke into soft cries as pleasure overwhelmed him. When he finally came, his body trembling, Nigel followed moments later, collapsing against him with a satisfied groan.

"So good, my baby, you're so good," Nigel whispered, licking his cheek. Adam smiled with contentment.

---

"Nigel?" Adam whispered into the calm silence, they were lying under the blanket together.

"Yes, star?" Nigel's voice was gentle. He ran his hand through Adam's curls, tugging gently.

"Have you...have you ever been mated?" he asked, gently nipping at Nigel's jaw with his teeth.

Nigel paused, brushing his fingers through Adam’s hair: "No...not till now."

"Oh," Adam shifted slightly, his brow furrowing. 

"Surprised?" Nigel tilted his head, studying Adam’s face in the dim light. He kissed him on the forehead, inhaled his scent.

"Yeah, I thought you were, I thought...I thought that's why you bought me, because you said..." he frowned slightly, his eyes fixed on Nigel's chest. 

"No, Gabi, Gabriella...she...we were together for a long time, she didn't want to mate me. I don't know why, in Europe...it's better, you know. If she didn't want to be mated...there are clinics and shit. She always said she wasn't ready. And then this fucking beta comes and she breaks up with me," Nigel sounded sad, Adam didn't want that, but he wanted to know what had happened.

"She cheated?" Adam looked up at his mate.

"Yeah, baby. But it's okay, I have you now," Nigel said, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Adam’s head.

"Aren't you...sad? Disappointed?" Adam asked, his words cautious, as if afraid of digging up something painful. Maybe he was crossing an imaginary line...

"I was, I'm not now, not really," Nigel answered with a shrug, pulling Adam closer into his embrace.

"Was she nice?" Adam asked, almost hesitantly, but still curious.

"Yes," Nigel replied, his voice quiet.

"How nice?" Adam prodded.

"I don't know, baby, I don't really want to talk about my ex," Nigel let out a small sigh, running a hand through Adam's hair, again and again.

"Uh, oh, sorry," Adam murmured, feeling guilty.

"No, fuck, darling. You can ask. Hey, she wasn't cool with my way of life. Her dad was pretty against us being together, maybe that's why she was delaying us becoming mates. But in the end...she's probably fucking happy now, so whatever. It took me a long time to get over it, but what else was there to do?" Nigel said quickly.

"And...are you happy?" Adam's hand stroked Nigel's heaving chest, feeling his beating heart.

"I am," he nodded.

"With me?" his voice shook slightly, it always did, he hated it.

"With you," Nigel cupped his cheek, his thumb brushing softly over Adam’s skin.

"I'm happy, too," a small, shy smile tugged at Adam’s lips. Nigel pulled him close, kissing him on the lips.

---

The next few days were in the same spirit. Adam and Will met up, spent the day together and the evening belonged to Nigel. But all good things had to come to an end. So a week later, Adam hugged Will for the last time, holding him tight. They promised to call each other and see each other soon.

Adam climbed into the car with Nigel. He didn’t want to cry, but the emotions were overwhelming. The thought of leaving Will behind, even temporarily, made his heart ache.

"You know it won't be the last time...I'm sure you will see him at Christmas, darling," he reassured him.

"Really?" the omega looked at him, Nigel cupped Adam's cheek in his hand. Adam immediately felt safe.

"Don't stress, I promised. Will can come and see us in the meantime, everything will be sorted out. I promise, I'll try to give you everything you need and want," his thumb gently ran over Adam's skin.

"You're already doing that," Adam gave a small, contented smile, the tension easing a little.

Nigel smiled back, after a while they settled down normally, Adam fastened his seatbelt  and Nigel immediately took the opportunity to place his hand on Adam's thigh. Adam sighed contentedly and turned his head towards Nigel so he could watch him drive.

Chapter Text

When they came back, about the third day Darko was with them. Nigel was off the suppressants, so he knew he wouldn't be going to work for another few days. So Darko brought some papers, contracts, things that needed to be done. Nigel was in the bathroom at the time.

"You look good," Darko said to Adam, who was sitting across from him, then he took a sip of beer. 

"Thank you?" he squirmed uncomfortably and pulled his legs up, which he then hugged.

"I'm not hitting on you, just the knowledge that you and Nigel look good together. Hey, did Nigel have anything to do with the party? I know there probably wasn't time..." he changed the subject because he noticed Adam's body language.

"Party?" the omega tilted his head.

"Birthday...he didn't tell you? It's in two weeks," the other man snorted.

"He didn't..." his head started working again, doubts. He realized how little they knew about each other, and he was sorry that Nigel hadn't told him such an important thing. He might be throwing a party, but he didn't want to invite him.

"He's a bastard, he doesn't like to celebrate. When's yours?" Darko asked.

"O-october...so um, when exactly is Nigel's?" Adam played with his hands, trying not to panic.

"28th of May," he didn't really know what to do, he didn't know how to deal with this omega.

"I have nothing for him..." he uttered sadly.

"I don't think he needs anything, this old fuck doesn't deserve anything. Look, if you get any ideas or want to do a romantic evening, text me, okay? I'll make it happen," he grabbed at it, he was sorry he'd upset him so much.

"Thank you, Darko," his breathing slowed, his alpha came into the room at that moment, he smiled at Adam immediately.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Nigel growled at Darko. He sat down next to Adam, squeezed his knee, the omega untangled his arms and let his legs slide down onto Nigel's thighs.

"I'm telling Adam what a useless piece of shit you are," Darko looked at him with a serious face, Nigel gave him the middle finger. Adam breathed in, finally feeling Nigel.

"Look, I should get going. Call me, okay?" Darko rose from his seat, leaving his unfinished beer on the table. He saw himself out. Nigel, meanwhile, took Adam's face in his hand, kissed him.

Adam let out a contented sigh.

---

They were lying in front of the TV, Adam watching something, Nigel oblivious, kissing his omega's neck, gently biting it. They were both lying on their sides, Nigel behind Adam, his arm thrown over Adam's side. 

"Baby, I need you," he muttered as he felt his arousal.

"Now?" Adam asked, Nigel's chest tightened. During the rut, he was vulnerable. It was the beginning, but he was feeling the symptoms. And he hadn't slept with someone during a rut in so long...he and Gabi didn't want to take any chances and after Gabi, he tried a couple of times with a beta. But now he had his omega. He almost groaned out loud.

"No, sorry. I'm going to take a shower," he cleared his throat. He'd withdrawn a little, the presence of his omega making him crazy

"N-no, Nigel...um, I just don't feel like getting up, can you take me like this?" he exhaled, moved closer to his alpha.

"You don't have to force yourself," he stroked his hand.

"I'm not forcing myself."

"Well, if you don't want to, just say so. Even during the rut, I'll try to hold back. If you want to hit me, hit me, okay?" he mumbled against his neck and then started kissing him. He pulled his sweatpants and underwear down his ass, he was in his underwear, so he was ready right away.

Adam gasped, continuing to watch TV. Nigel stroked his cock. He gulped as he looked down

"I don't know if I can control myself, will you get yourselves prepared?" eventually he left Adam only in his shirt to have better access. With his free hand he stroked his ass.

"I don't need to, we slept together two hours ago," Adam replied, spreading his cheeks to prove it, his slick all glistening, he stuck two fingers in there, which slipped in with no problem.

"Shit, you're such a good omega, darling," he lifted Adam's leg that was on top and moved in a little closer. Then he finally entered him, groaning.

"Grab that leg," he ordered, Adam just nodded and did as he was told. He didn't know what to do with his head, so he just put it on his hand.

Nigel's hand slipped from under Adam's body to grasp his chest. He began to thrust into him. Adam made cute noises, which drove Nigel wild. After a while, he grabbed his omega's chin with his other hand, forced him to tilt his head and kissed him. It was a terrible kiss, Nigel had to admit, like he was trying to eat Adam. Adam had his saliva everywhere.

"Nigel," Adam moaned, his upper hand holding Nigel's head. The alpha began to kiss him all over, never stopping moving. He ran his hand under Adam's shirt.

"Darling, you're so...fucking hell," he tried to get something out, but he was at a loss for words. Adam grabbed the hand that had gotten under his body and intertwined his fingers with his. He closed his eyes, though he was still trying to concentrate on the show that was coming to an end.

"C-can I cum, Nigel?" he asked, letting go of his leg and letting it fall behind Nigel's body, letting himself lay on top of him a little. Nigel grunted and began to come with more vigor.

"You don't have to ask that, ever. I already told you," he took his cheek and brushed his lip with his thumb before kissing him.

It only took Nigel a few thrusts to come, Adam following him. Nigel knotted him, held him close.

"Are you okay?" Nigel asked after a few minutes of catching his breath, cuddling with his mate, his leg over Adam's body, Adam slid his hand over Nigel's leg.

"Yeah, but I don't know how I'm going to handle the whole rut," he admitted wearily.

"Hey," he took his face in his hands again and turned it towards him, though he didn't get eye contact from Adam, "you don't have to, if it gets to be too much for you just say so, lock me in my room, I'll try my best to control myself. And if you don't want to go through this rut with me, feel free to say so, I won't get mad, okay? I don't want you to feel like you're being forced into this by something or someone."

"I wanna, I...I like having sex with you, I'm just exhausted already. How did you handle the heat with me?" he asked, because if Nigel demands sex every two hours...

"Gorgeous, I won't need sex that many times, I'll be fucking tired myself. And as for you...I don't even know, I was so intoxicated by you that it went by so fast," inhaling his scent, he moved his hand to Adam's neck, squeezing gently.

"Should we order some food?" Adam gasped, pressing himself harder against the body behind him, his head rubbing against Nigel's chin.

"We've got a full fridge, there's plenty of cookies, dried fruit, drinks in a drawer in the room," he assured him, he'd set everything up because he didn't want his omega to worry about anything.

"Okay, shall we move to the bedroom?" Adam suggested, Nigel's knot loosening,

"If you want," Nigel replied, hoping for a positive answer. He wanted nothing more than to spend his days in peace with his beautiful omega. Have sex sometimes, then cuddle, talk about useless things. Because that's how Adam's heat went and it was amazing. Everything seemed easy with Adam.

"I do."

---

Adam didn't really remember much of the rut. Nigel was right, it just kind of slipped away. He remembered the little things again, it felt good.

He woke up in the middle of the night, Nigel holding him close, somehow he'd wriggled out and disappeared into the bathroom. When he came back, Nigel was standing by the window, smoking.

"Do you need...?" he took a step forward, noticing Nigel's shirt lying on the floor. He picked it up, sniffed it and then put it on, the fabric swallowing him.

"No, darling, my rut's over. Thank you, you were great. I hope I didn't hurt you too much?" he exhaled smoke from a cigarette.

"Not at all," Adam went over to him. He wrinkled his nose a little when he smelled the cigarette, but said nothing, just wrapped his arms around Nigel's waist and buried his head in his chest. Nigel ran his right hand into his hair, gently tugged it. Then he pulled away, leaned down and kissed Adam. Because he wanted to, needed to, didn't care. He could. He could kiss Adam anytime, anywhere. Adam kissed him back, his small hands on Nigel's back, running over them gently. 

"You smell like me," Nigel whispered, kissing the corner of his lips.

"I'm cold," he whispered back, making his way to the bed where he crawled under the covers. Then something struck him, he immediately grabbed his phone. He found a contact for Darko.

A: Hi, Darko. I thought of something for Nigel's birthday, I don't know if it's too much. But I could use some help. I need you to come with Isa sometime...I'd like to give him a lap dance. And maybe buy some underwear? I don't know about this, but you and Nigel own a bar, I thought you might know. Thank you very much in advance. Adam

"What are you doing?" Nigel took a last drag from his cigarette, closed the window and turned to his omega.

"I just wanted to...l-look something up," he stammered uncertainly. He couldn't lie.

"You're so fucking cute, gorgeous," he climbed into bed with him.

In the morning, he discovered a reply on his phone, written by Darko a few minutes after his message was sent.

D: the bastard will love it, i'll sort it out, underwear like lace and stuff?

A: I guess? I don't know what Nigel likes. Probably something like panties and knee socks?

D: i don't know what Nigel likes either, Isa will help, we'll come by during the week

A: Thank you very much, Darko.

Chapter Text

"Darko wants to come," Nigel said as they were sitting on the balcony, letting the sun's rays fall on them. It wasn't warm, but the blanket over their shoulders and the warm tea were enough to let them enjoy the outdoors for a while.

"Fine," Adam took a sip of tea.

"Really? You don't mind?" he moved his chair closer, stroked his cheek with his rougher hand. It was warm. Nigel often said that he had Romanian blood running through him and that's why he was always warm. Adam didn't understand, but he enjoyed how warm Nigel was.

"He's your friend, Nigel," the omega replied simply, knowing that Darko was coming for him. He felt like lying to Nigel, but there was no other way if he wanted to make a surprise. He remembered how Will always tried to do something special for his birthday. Staying up till midnight, stargazing, carving him a raccoon...

Later that afternoon, they heard a car pull into the driveway. Darko and Isa came inside, small talk took place in the living room.

"Hey, let's go to your office," Darko said and stood up, nodding at Nigel. He didn't say anything too specific, he didn't really know what he was going to do himself, but the job always offered plenty of things to talk about.

"Is it okay?" Nigel asked Adam, who seemed nervous. He kept playing with his hands, shaking and darting his eyes around. He didn't engage in conversation.

"Yeah," he nodded eagerly. Suddenly, he seemed to come alive. Nigel looked at him strangely, but just gave him a kiss on the cheek and stood up.

As soon as they left, Isa pulled out her backpack and took out the things she needed. 

"So, I have some music. Lap dance is good, like...you know, I like it, I feel like I have power over the man, it's free, you can do whatever, it doesn't have rules. You can move with your hand like this, or like that," she was pointing, she was wiggling. She also put on a song quietly, turning around to make sure Nigel didn't come in.

"I prefer rules, I'm not good in improvising," he squirmed because he couldn't imagine looking as seductive as she did. She was beautiful. Adam looked down, he was wearing the pants Nigel had bought him several of, the big sweater he had stolen from Nigel...he assumed it wasn't something one imagined as something attractive.

"That's fine too, my friends are like that, they have some dance routine and they rarely do it differently. For me it's the opposite. And you're not doing it professionally, just for him, you don't get paid, you don't have to do the best dance in the world," she smiled.

"Do you think Nigel will like it?" he asked uncertainly. Maybe he should have bought him a shirt, a necklace, a watch. But he was embarrassed to buy something with his money. Darko already wrote that he'd take the money for underwear out of his paycheck.

"Hey, men are the same and I see the way he looks at you, hey, I'll show you some steps, it's easy, really. Make him sit in a chair," she ran and got a chair from the kitchen and motioned for him to sit, "and you can walk around him, like this. Touch him, lightly, on his neck, sway your hips, like this."

"You look natural...I'm...I'm not like this," he put his hands in his lap. Isabelle was really attractive, he could see why Darko spent so much time with her. He didn't know how to learn this in a few days. To be confident, seductive.

"Hey, I'm doing it almost every night for three years right now, don't worry about it. He must find you attractive, he won't care your technique isn't perfect. He won't say to you you're doing it wrong," she patted him on the shoulder.

"Thank you," he nodded and shifted in his chair. He felt a little uncomfortable, like he was doing something illegal.

"Don't thank me, Adam. Do you want to try?" she offered and sat down on the couch.

"I feel weird in front of you," he pulled the sleeves of his sweater down over his arms and rubbed it gently.

"No judgement here. Should I show you?" she held her head up. Another song started playing in the background, a slower one.

"You don't mind?" he asked uncertainly.

"It's fun, just sit there," she nodded towards him, "just watch. You can incorporate some moves into your dance. No pressure."

She started dancing. She didn't do anything too complicated, talking as she went along and trying to explain as much as possible. Adam was absolutely fascinated. It didn't excite him like it probably should a normal man, but he found it incredible what she was doing, how she looked.

"I'll leave you the songs, I like this one...well, here's your lingerie, hide it somewhere. Maybe you should come to the club, I mean, you have still a few days. You can be inspired more," she suggested, handing him a small bag. He peeked inside, saw the light blue lace lingerie. 

"I don't think Nigel would like that," he whispered and put the bag down. He cast his gaze down.

"You can try," she said, leaning a little closer.

"What would I tell him? I-I don't like to lie," he was playing with his sweater again. He could feel Isa watching him.

"So tell him you promised to tell me something about the Jupiter, you're fond of space, right?" he raised his head and watched her. He saw something like understanding on her face, he didn't know. She smiled, he smiled too.

"A-alright," he nodded.

---

"Nigel?"

It was the afternoon of the second day. They were lying on the couch, Adam in only Nigel's t-shirt and underwear, his head resting in the lap of his alpha, who was reading something on his phone. Adam stared at the wall.

"Yep?" he grunted, his hand finding Adam's hair, tugging gently.

"Could I...go with you? To...the club?" as soon as he said it, he hid his face in the thigh of the alpha, as if to shelter himself from the world. Nigel laughed.

"To the...club?" alpha wondered, putting his phone down and tugging harder on his hair. Adam liked it, somehow, Nigel wasn't rough, but it was nice.

"Yes, I would like to...um, see where you work, and I wanted to see Isa," he whispered. Nigel ran his other hand down his back, gently patting his ass.

"Well...I mean, yeah, sure," Nigel replied and Adam looked at him immediately, not believing it was that simple. Nigel covered Adam's cheek with his large hand and stroked it gently, then ran his thumb over his bottom lip.

"Really?" he beamed and leaned closer to the warmth of the alpha's hand. 

"Yeah, dress up, I have to leave in 15 minutes," he leaned down and kissed him on the forehead. Adam looked at the clock. His heart started beating so hard. This wasn't planned but he wanted to go. 

He didn't understand what he was doing for Nigel. They had a pretty solid routine, but it wasn't quite as steady as he'd imagined it would be, and despite that, he was managing...somehow. He was trying.

They arrived at the club and Adam realized that it was a big mistake. It was a beautiful space, but the music was awful. It was loud, he couldn't hear Nigel. A couple of men were looking at him hungrily, he just lowered his gaze, took Nigel's hand and let him lead him. He looked around. There were several ladies scattered around the club, dancing. They looked amazing, confident, natural. He, on the other hand, looked like a scared puppy.

Isa was sitting next to a man who was whispering something in her ear. As soon as she saw Adam and Nigel, she lit up, waved at them, whispered something in the man's ear and ran after them.

"Hi!" she smiled. She was wearing underwear and a semi-transparent dress over it. Adam didn't really want to look at her, he felt awkward. But there was no escape, all the girls were dressed like that. He was thinking about whether Nigel liked them. 

"Hey, where's Darko?" the alpha asked, looking around the club. Normally he found Darko where Isa was, it wasn't customary for her to make entertainment for other alphas.

"I don't know, somewhere in the back," she nodded towards the door, Nigel nodded understandingly. 

"You can come to our office if it's too much for you," he shouted so Adam could hear him. He jumped a little as a different song started playing and the floor started to rumble more.

"I'm going to stay here for a while, can I?" he asked uncertainly, looking at Isa.

"Sure," Nigel kissed him on the temple, "if anything, tell Isa, she knows where it's quiet. If anything, call me, I'll come for you anywhere."

"Thank you," Adam kissed him, he needed to feel something comforting. Nigel put his hands on Adam's cheeks and Adam could melt in that moment.

Isa showed him around the club, told him lots of interesting things, introduced him to different people. They stayed for a while so Adam could watch the others dancing, but it just made him more nervous and sick of all this, so Isa took him to one of the rooms, they got on the bed and Adam talked about space. Isa often asked him questions because she knew next to nothing and Adam was willing to elaborate on anything she wanted.

In the end, Isa just gave him a few tips on what else he could add to his dance. Then they just sat in silence for a while until Adam texted his alpha. Nigel found him, took him in his arms and led him out the back door.

---

Nigel hated Darko. He understood that his best friend knew that he hated his birthday, but somehow he wanted to spend it with Adam, even though his omega didn't know that it was his birthday on this day. Darko overwhelmed him with work he could have done any other time, but he just had to do it. He didn't go home until the afternoon, still plenty of time to enjoy at least the rest of the day with Adam. He longed to lie down in his omega's arms and be caressed.

When he arrived in front of the house, he let out a deep breath. He looked at the seat in the back where he had some desserts. He didn't want to admit it, but he was feeling sad that he didn't have cake and candles. Never mind.

He got out of the car, opened the door, and waited for his omega to throw itself around his neck. Nothing. Silence. He was used to Adam always greeting him, sitting in the living room, and as soon as he heard the car arrive, he jumped up and ran to hug him. Now he stood in the hallway, listening to the silence of the house.

Welcome home.

"Adam? Darling?" he said into the emptiness. He hoped he wouldn't wake him. And he was actually hoping to wake him up if he was sleeping. He didn't want to be alone. He wanted to sit in the living room or kitchen with Adam, eat the sweets he brought and listen to him ramble on about whatever.

"I'm in the bedroom," came from upstairs. Nigel's heart leapt.

He felt terrible, he thought something was wrong and he couldn't describe it. Such a strange feeling in his chest, in his stomach...everywhere. 

Adam didn't go down. Nigel wanted to hit something. What the fuck was going on? Was it that hard for him to go and greet him?

"Will you come here, please?" he heard his omega.

Sighing, he put his things down and went into the bedroom.

"What's up, baby? Oh," his brain stopped working at that moment. Adam stood by the chair, wearing stockings, light blue, hugging his pale legs. And to cover it up, he wore his shirt with the dachshunds. He felt like a Neanderthal, for he had perhaps never seen anything so beautiful in his life. All he could do was look at him and keep his mouth open. He almost started drooling.

"Can you please sit down?" the omega grabbed a chair and then grabbed the shirt, rubbing it in his hand.

"What's the matter, I...," he didn't understand what was going on. And it was so simple...

"Everything's okay, I just want you to sit down," he took a deep breath. He looked nervous. Nigel would love to worship him. The whole world should worship this beautiful boy. Nigel couldn't believe Adam was his.

Nigel settled down, and at that moment he realized that he was probably going to die in a few minutes. Adam put a song on his phone. It was slow, sung by a woman he didn't know, but he didn't care.

Adam walked over to him and patted him on the shoulder. Then after another, he walked around him. He lifted his shirt. Nigel started to really salivate. His lovely omega was wearing lacy panties and he almost couldn't contain himself.

When he whispered 'cause i just wanna look for you' in his ear, he thought he was going to come at that moment. A sigh came out of him. Adam continued, it was obvious that his movements were rehearsed and he didn't feel like himself, but Nigel didn't care.

Because it was for him, because Adam was trying and he looked better at it than all the girls in the club put together. He couldn't be seductive, he looked focused and just tried to go with what he'd learned, but Nigel couldn't handle it. He couldn't have imagined this in his wildest dreams.

Adam wriggled his hips, did a squat. He walked around Nigel again and then stood in front of him, bending over. Nigel swallowed loudly as Adam looked at him and whispered 'let me show how proud i am to be yours' along with the song. Then he stood up and began to touch his chest, slowly undoing the buttons. 

It was the sexiest thing Nigel had ever seen in his life. He's had so many lap dances in his life, he couldn't count. But none has affected him like this one. Adam, his smell, his movements, his expression. It was too much. The realization that he was his and that this performance was tailor-made and no one else would ever see it...

Adam turned around, just sitting quickly on one of Nigel's thighs. Nigel could have cried at how much he wanted to touch him, but he didn't want to distract him. Then he did another lap, touching him, pulling his hair, and then sat down on him, stiffening.

"What's wrong, baby?" Nigel whispered, almost groaning as he felt Adam's weight on his body.

"I messed up, I-I should have...I," he began to panic.

"You're amazing, baby, fuck, please keep going. Finish, pick up where you left off, you're absolutely perfect," he tried to encourage him. Most of all he would have stood up and given Adam a long round of applause and then fallen at his feet and worshipped him as his god.

Adam took a few breaths and then really continued. He didn't do anything too special, just finished undoing all the buttons and let his shirt slide down his arms a few times. 

He finished by sitting in Nigel's lap and whispered: "Happy birthday, Nigel."

Nigel kissed him with such vigor. He gripped his hips, pulling him closer. Adam returned it. The song finished, but they didn't care. Nigel needed to touch his omega everywhere. He ran his hands over his smooth skin. 

Finally, he picked him up and laid him on the bed. He didn't dare remove any of his underwear, so he fucked him in his tights and panties. It was so sexy. Adam surprised him further by rolling him onto his back and riding him, his hands on Nigel's chest. They both were moaning and it wasn't long before they both came.

They were lying in bed, cuddling. 

"I've got something else for you," Adam whispered almost shyly, as if he hadn't been riding Nigel for dear life half an hour ago. He got out of bed and ran away.

He returned with a cake that had a couple of candles on it.

Nigel looked at him in disbelief. He had to kiss him. He just kissed him until he couldn't breathe. Adam pretended not to see his tears. He lit the candles and held the cake so his alpha could blow them out. 

"Make a wish," he whispered.

Nigel looked into his eyes and blew out the candles. They took a bite of cake, Nigel didn't hold back and kept touching Adam, kissing him all over.