Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The car came to a halt. Krateros put up the handbrake. He hadn’t said much ever since the outline of the university’s grand clock tower had come into view from the road five minutes prior.

Mydei’s eyes cast across the university campus in front of him. He looked across the cluster of buildings that towered overhead. The architecture of each building was incredibly polished, yet the red brick and mortar they were made of seemed as if it had been there for centuries, refusing to be eroded by time. Was there such a need for so many buildings? Perhaps it put into perspective just how many students attended this university annually.

Okhema University. It was the top university in the country, its name infamous and prestigious from the many famous and successful faces who had studied within its walls across the years. It was the dream of most aspiring alphas and betas to study here. The university’s slogan was simple after all:  building up those who will create our next dawn.

Offers and scholarships to Okhema University were minimal, and the university sought to take on students only with the highest of capabilities. The tests and examinations to get a place were brutal. Despite studying relentlessly for the past year to take the entrance exam, Mydei barely scraped through with the required grades himself.

There was another way to get a place in the university, of course, which involved large underhanded quantities of money, something Mydei was not fond of.

No, he’d earned this spot all on his own.

It was early on a Friday morning, and there were barely any other students around. It was exactly as he and Krateros had planned.

Mydei clutched the bag he was holding in his hands tightly.

“Got everything?” Krateros asked.

Mydei put a hand on the doorhandle. “Yes.”

“Mydeimos, wait just a moment.” Krateros put a hand on his shoulder, making Mydei stiffen. He already knew what the man was going to say. “Are you sure about this? It’s not too late to change your mind.”

Mydei could smell the comforting scent of burning wood filling the small space in the car’s interior. The scent of a familiar alpha, safe and sincere. Krateros’ scent begged Mydei’s body to relax, to weigh-up the situation one last time.

Mydei could count on one hand how many times Krateros had tried to reach him in this way.

Mydei refused to face Krateros, and he refused to take in his scent. If he did, he was concerned his spirit would waver. There was no way in hell he was going to let that happen. Not when the thing he’d been anticipating for months was now right in front of him.

His fingers unconsciously curled around the ring pendant on his necklace.

“This is what mother wanted, and it’s what I want as well. I will not change my mind.”

He heard Krateros hum. A squeeze on his shoulder.

“Good lad. Then you better get going.”

Mydei got out of the car and popped the trunk. He had another suitcase stored in there. Then, he approached the driver’s window, where Krateros was watching him.

“I’ll let Cifera know that you are here,” Krateros said. Mydei nodded in response.

A moment of silence came over them. Mydei wasn’t quite sure what to do, nor how to say goodbye to this man. His chest felt tight, his hands clammy. He’d been living with Krateros for many years, ever since his mother passed. The guy had become more of a father to him than that man could ever be.

He fought back the urge to show his affections.

“I’ll keep in touch,” Mydei said simply.

Krateros studied him for a moment, before sending him a small smile.

“Good luck, my boy.”

Mydei watched Krateros drive away, until his familiar red car had disappeared from view. He stood on the side of the road holding his luggage for just a couple moments longer, before turning to the campus, and setting his first steps through the gates.

As Mydei made his way across the campus looking for the registration point, he kept himself focused, refusing to make eye contact with anyone who passed him. A couple go-getter alphas were doing early morning jogs. A couple more gossiping by one of the many fancy fountains that decorated the sprawling campus. A few security personnel strolled around casually. It seemed he was yet to come across any betas here.

Alphas who did not enrol in military or public services were expected to study at grand universities such as this one. They were to succeed intellectually and financially. Universities were the perfect places to expand the horizons of young alphas, and set up connections for them to branch out into a successful career.

Mydei had come to Okhema University to study political science. It wasn’t a subject that held much personal interest for him. His interests lay more in history and arts, but he and his mother had determined that studying politics would be his gateway to success, the one his mother had always wanted him to take. Politics lead to so many possible careers. Whether that led him to be a businessman, a politician, a journalist, or something else; an alpha in politics became untouchable, and an alpha graduating from Okhema university was even more so.

Thinking of her, and her voice, made him clutch his luggage tighter.

It was also his father’s wish for Mydei to come to this university and study. It was the same university that he had graduated from decades ago, of which had helped him reach unprecedented heights of success. Mydei’s father owned a large company which specialised in artificial intelligence technologies. He’d tried to reach out to Mydei and Krateros several times in the past, insisting he could nudge the university to let Mydei enrol without the hassle of getting all those frivolous grades they asked for.

Mydei often wondered what his father’s expression was when he found out that Mydei had gotten into the university without any of his ‘help’. However, Mydei hadn’t seen his old man since he was a preteen. Krateros had made certain to never let the two of them in the same room again. And with his work, Eurypon was often overseas. Mydei wasn’t concerned about the man appearing in his life to belittle him and attempt to earn his favour now. Besides, the less he thought of that man , the better.

Mydei eventually found a sign pointing him in the direction of the first year registration point. It was inside a tall brick building on the far side of the campus.

On entering, Mydei’s nose twitched at the strong scent of alpha that clung to the walls. It wasn’t even a single scent he could pin-point. It was simply that so many alphas had come through the doors over the years, that it simply curdled into a disgusting, cacophonic stench. He supposed that he would have to get used to such a smell during his time here, the stench would surely fester everywhere.   

Upon registration, Mydei had to fill in a couple of forms, and some university volunteers checked his bags. It was a good thing Mydei had packed lightly. Enough clothes for each day of the week. Some kitchen supplies, pillow covers and basic toiletries. It made his registration swift and easy. So long as he found Cipher in the evening as they had already arranged, he’d be fine.

In no time, he was handed the keys to his dorm, and was heading back out across the campus towards student accommodation. He was still annoyed that none of the student apartment blocks offered single rooms. The best he could get was a double. Only a singular complete stranger to concern himself with.

More than his studies, that was what posed the most concern to him.

Mydei followed the directions from the lady in the lobby of the apartment block up a flight of stairs. He studied the number engraved on the key. 7-3. Once he found the correct floor, he made his way across the landing, until he came face to face with the door that bore the same number.

Mydei blew air between his teeth, trying not to furrow his brow. It was the moment he’d been anticipating.

Please just be a beta. Or someone normal. At the very least, someone who isn’t loud and nosey and obnoxious.

Mydei went to unlock the door, only to find it was already open. It seemed his new roommate had already arrived and made themselves at home. He supposed that was to be expected. Though it was early in the morning, it was still the last day of registration. Most had already settled in by now, and were preparing for the horrendous student parties that were sure to go down in the evening.

Mydei sucked in a deep breath. He wasn’t nervous. But whoever was behind this door would determine how easy his year here would be.

Mydei opened the door. There was silence. He saw no life from inside the apartment. Mydei went to take a step inside -

-And there he was. Bounding straight into his personal space like he owned it.

“Hello! You must be my roomie!” The man bounced over, immediately grabbing his hand and shaking it. “I’m Phainon. Nice to meet you!”

Mydei stood completely still, watching this Phainon enthusiastically shake his hand.

Mydei looked beyond their hands and up an arm, to the white dishevelled-looking hair, the frying pan Phainon held in his other hand, accompanied by a lovely burnt smell and a charcoal black egg in the centre.

Then, Mydei stared a bit more. He realised that he was gazing upon the most atrocious-looking attire that he had ever seen. From the choker around Phainon’s neck, to the mustard yellow jacket, to the rainbow printed t-shirt which read ‘I’m not weird, I’m limited-edition’, and finally down to the odd socks on his feet.

All that came along with the brightest, bluest pair of eyes Mydei had ever had the horrors of being face-to-face with.

All Mydei could think was, what the actual fuck?

“…Mydeimos,” he said, incredulous to what he was seeing.

“Nice to meet you Mydeimos!” Phainon beamed so brightly it was like looking at a second sun. “Can I call you Mydei? I think that’s a cute nickname for you. Not to call you cute or anything! I’ll let you call me Phai if you want!”

Mydei was dragged from his thoughts as Phainon leaned in closer. “An alpha, I take it?” Phainon asked. “I’m a beta, so I can’t smell your scent.” He tapped his nose. “Nose isn’t built that way, lucky me hey? Hehe~”

Mydei tried not to frown, or pout, or react at all.

Did this man just say hehe out loud?

“…Is that a problem?” Mydei asked.

The smile beaming across Phainon’s face got wider, and he was still shaking Mydei’s hand.

“Nope, not at all! Though I hope you’re not too territorial. Do you alphas actually go around scenting stuff or is that a myth? Not that either of us will have to worry. You won’t get any problems from me. I’m as tame as a dog, promise.” The man cocked his head slightly and beamed.

What was he trying to do? Look cute or something?

Mydei pulled his hand from Phainon’s with graceful speed. It took all his restraint to not wipe his hand on his jacket. It now felt incredibly itchy.

Great. And obnoxious too. Just great.

“Are you going to let me inside?” Mydei huffed when Phainon still hadn’t moved out of the doorway several moments later.

“Oh, right.” Phainon stepped aside. “Please make yourself at home!”

Mydei took off his shoes and stepped inside the apartment, refusing to look at Phainon again. He studied the apartment, wandering around the tight space. Why did it look so much smaller than the pictures? They didn’t even have separate bedrooms. It was a single bedroom with two different coloured walls, as if to give the illusion of privacy.

Phainon’s stuff was haphazardly thrown about most places already, though even more of it was piled high on top of one of the single beds. He hadn’t even put away his ugly clothes. His toiletries were all over the sink rather than in the holder. The kitchen cupboards were open, as were the windows to let out the smell of burned eggs and toast.

Mydei beheld it all with a severe eye twitch.

“I hope you don’t mind, I already chose my side of the room,” Phainon called, appearing in the bedroom beside Mydei. He leaned closer again, blinking his blue eyes incessantly. “We can swap if you want?”

“It’s fine.”

Mydei made his way over to the free bed and placed his luggage beside it. He hadn’t even sat on the bed yet, when Phainon bundled over to him again, sitting himself down on Mydei’s bed and leaning into his space with unfiltered extroverted glee.

Mydei’s personal space had been violated three times in the space of two minutes.

“So Mydei, my amazing new roomie, where abouts have you come from?” Phainon continued to bat his eyelashes in Mydei’s direction, far too enthused in whatever Mydei was about to say to him.

“A long long way away,” Mydei deadpanned, glaring at Phainon’s messy unkempt bed ahead of him.

“Really, where abouts?” Phainon asked. Mydei opened his mouth, only for Phainon to stretch his legs and continue talking anyway. “I used to live in a really small town a long way from here. I’ve been living in the city for a few years now, but I still don’t think I’m used to it. That country spirit never really leaves you, y’know?”

Mydei did not know. And he did not care to know.

“So, what are you here to study?” Phainon asked.

“Political science,” Mydei replied plainly.

Dread filled him when Phainon gasped, stars twinkling in his eyes.

“Really? No way, me too!”

Oh no…

“What are the chances we’re on the same course!?” Phainon exclaimed. “I wonder if we’ll share lectures together!? We’ll get to walk to class together and oh! We can share notes and everything!”

“… I doubt it,” Mydei grumbled.

This couldn’t get much worse. First he found out that this was his roommate. And now, he was finding out said roommate would not only be confined to their dormitory, but would be following him to class as well.

Just great.

Silence came between them and Mydei hoped that meant the pleasantries were over and he could proceed to ignore this beta as much as possible for the next year.

He went to stand, to move anywhere that was away from Phainon’s side.

But here was Phainon, leaning even closer so that he could peek around Mydei’s nose to study his face.

“Damn, I love the colour of your hair. Is that natural?”

Mydei froze in place, caught off-guard by the question. Mydei found himself running his fingers through his blond hair. He’d decided to wear it down today, with a small plait falling to his shoulder.

“It’s natural,” he said.

“Wow.”

Phainon peered at him some more. To the point where Mydei felt like an artifact being studied in a museum.

Phainon dared to reach a hand out, as if he were planning to touch Mydei’s hair.  “I love how you’ve styled it too,” Phainon breathed. “It’s really…pretty.”

Mydei’s brain completely shut down.

Had he just heard that right?

Pretty?

Pretty!?

Day one and his new roommate had called him pretty!?

He felt himself beginning to flush from embarrassment. Or maybe it was rage. Yeah, he’d called it unfiltered unfettered unquenchable fury.

Mydei tsked and turned his head away from those evil blue eyes. That was the only reaction that seemed to make its way out of his head.

Phainon chuckled at that. “Not good with compliments, hey? You alphas never are.”

Phainon rested his hands behind his head. “You know, I’ve been trying to imagine what my roommate would look like all week. I was getting kind of concerned you weren’t going to show up at all, since it’s the last day of registration today, so many of the big parties have already happened, and it wouldn’t be very fun to study a whole year on my own.”

Phainon’s smile was inextinguishable as he grabbed Mydei’s shoulder and patted it, much to Mydei’s disgust. “But I’m so glad you’re here now. We are going to have the best time! If you ever need anything or want to borrow any of my stuff, just ask and I will gladly help you out, anything you need! Just…I wouldn’t ask me to cook if I were you, I’m not the best just yet. I’ll get there though, then I’ll make you a lovely dinner fit for a king!”

Mydei gripped onto the side of the bed knuckle-achingly tight as this…this Phainon… continued to prattle on and on and on and-

Perhaps this whole university thing was a bad idea.

Perhaps Mydei was stupid for only realising that now.

But, even if it was stupid, there was no way he was backing down.

As Phainon continued to talk, Mydei’s eyes were already flicking around the apartment. He could already see some spots to stash and hide things away from prying puppy blue eyes.

At least this Phainon guy was a beta. Even if the sight of his face induced thoughts of murder, that was still better than room sharing with an alpha.

There was one catch, one thing that Mydei would keep unsaid, that was going to make his time at university just that little bit more difficult than everyone else’s.

His big secret.

Mydei wasn’t an alpha. Nor was he a beta.

Mydei closed his eyes, taking another deep breath. He’d faked being an alpha before. He’d successfully kept his real identity as an omega hidden since he presented at twelve years old. Even his own biological father didn’t know.

If his father ever found out, Mydei would lose everything he had. His father would denounce him, and he’d be thrust into wedlock against his will, pumping out pups for whatever alpha he’d been unceremoniously passed around to.

It was the same here. Omegas weren’t allowed at the university. If he were found out, there was no recovery, no second chance. His life would be as good as over.

Playing the part of an alpha was no issue for him. He had never been a stereotypical omega. Pairing that with heat suppressants, and special scent blockers that could artificially create him his own alpha scent, and no one knew the difference.

There were only two people who had ever known the truth. The first had been his mother, who had done everything in her power to hide her omega son from her husband before she passed. The second was Krateros, the man who had raised him since his mother’s passing and helped him perfect the façade.

However, universities were environments dominated by alphas. This place was designed with alphas in mind, from the grand student parties, to the way classes were taught. Not only that, the alphas that festered here were the worst kind of alphas. Doted on, bigoted, told over and over how great they were. There were bound to be many alphas here who had views on the world that were rotten to the core. There would be people here who wanted nothing more than to see omegas like him birth pups for their entire lives, and nothing more.

Mydei had chosen to surround himself with jerks, including the beta that was now looking to him expectantly, waiting for him to answer the however many millions of questions he had just asked.

Mydei had no fear. Fear wasn’t in the equation. It was his mother’s dream to see him succeed against the odds, and Mydei would achieve that dream, he would make her proud, no matter what this place would throw at him.

He stood up quickly whilst Phainon was mid-sentence. That shut the guy up. Mydei proceeded to open his luggage bag.

“…You okay?” Phainon asked.

“I’m trying to pack my stuff away.”

“Oh, right,” Phainon said sheepishly. “I’ll leave you to it for a bit then. Let you get settled in. Just call me if you need anything!”

Mydei hoped that meant Phainon would be exiting the room for a bit.

It did not. Phainon went and sat on his own bed, knocking half of his stuff onto the floor in the process. He lay on his back holding his phone pretending to scroll. But Mydei could see the way he kept glancing over in his direction. It was as if he couldn’t help but be nosey.

Mydei sighed to himself.

Great. Just great.

Chapter Text

Ever since humans evolved to have secondary genders, nation states and governments had been struggling to find ways to manage it. 

Alphas were seen as stronger, they had a natural instinct to protect and preserve. They were less fearful. They were brash and dominant. Not only that, alphas had a higher sex drive, more inclined to reproduce, with an innate desire to repopulate. Society was best run under the protection of a growing alpha populace for that reason. That was what the ones at the top said to justify the things they put into place.

Since betas were most common in the populace, most fell into everyday jobs and simpler lives. It was seen as common practice for betas to only pursue relationships with other betas and to keep to themselves. High-achieving betas could pursue higher career paths alongside alphas, though Mydei had heard plenty of stories about alphas who frowned upon having betas in ‘their’ spaces, one such person including his own father.

It was omegas that were the main issue. Most omegas were seen as nurturing and empathetic by nature, but they were also often weak, frail, overly sensitive. That was why alphas insisted that omegas were happiest taking on domestic roles. Omegas were happiest serving their alphas, birthing pups, and mothering the next generation to be stronger than the last. That was what came naturally for them. It was only a small minority of broken omegas that protested against that natural role. That was what they said.

That kind of rhetoric had increased greatly within the past few decades. One of the main reasons for that being that there simply wasn’t enough fertile unclaimed omegas to go around every alpha that desired one.

About two decades ago, there was a disease that spread wide through the omega population. Though the disease was rarely fatal, it had widespread and severe effects on omega fertility. The disease wasn’t rampant anymore, isolated to a few solitary cases here and there, but those in power continued to use the existence of the disease, and fear-mongering about population decline, to justify the rules they’d establish and reinforce the status quo, and to put in place extra rules on the omega population.

And thus, every omega was now to be closely monitored from the moment they presented. Omegas would then go through routine checks of their health and fertility annually. Schemes were put into place to help healthy alphas connect with fertile omegas when they came of age. If an omega had not been paired with an alpha by their twenty-first birthday, the authorities would intervene and pair alphas and omegas accordingly.

Because of this, many institutions, including universities, had a no omega policy. Omegas that were of age should not be studying, not seeking a career, they should only be seeking their mate, preparing to birth pups whilst their bodies were still in their prime.

And the most prestigious of those universities held that rule in a cradle like a sacred child.

One might say that Mydei was lucky to look like an alpha. Broad shoulders, toned chest, tall with sharp features, eyes that glinted with threat and venom. Those were all stereotypical features of a perfect alpha.

The reality was that Mydei had worked hard to earn this body. He used to be weak and tiny and frail as a child. His bastard father hadn’t helped with any of that.

When his mother passed away, Mydei’s father left rather quickly and headed overseas for ‘work reasons.’ Unknowing that Mydei had already presented as an omega, he left Mydei’s custody to Krateros, who had been an old friend of his mother.

Krateros was big into fitness, and he passed that interest on to Mydei. For Mydei at the time, it was the perfect way to take out his heartbreak at losing his mother, and his rage at his father, whilst also making himself stronger.

The two of them had perfected a workout regime that made Mydei feel strong and unbeatable. A fitness regime that also helped to facilitate the alpha persona he wore.

Putting it to the test, the façade worked perfectly. No one suspected him. No one bothered him at all. He fit straight in amongst other alphas. For those who did look his way, one glance from him, and they would turn the other way again.

With one exception. That trick didn’t seem to work on his damned roommate, who had done nothing but bother him since they’d met.

After packing his belongings neatly away and making his bed (unlike a certain someone else) Mydei went for a jog around campus to familiarise the area in his mind, but also to get away from those prying blue eyes that would not leave him alone.

Phainon was far too interested in him. Phainon was a beta, so his senses were dull compared to an alpha or an omega. There was no chance of him seeing through Mydei’s disguise, or realising Mydei’s alpha scent was fake. His interest in Mydei seemed to stem entirely from being nosey and obnoxious beyond human proportion, something that Mydei did not have the energy or temper to deal with.

As he jogged, Mydei kept a lookout for the place Krateros had mentioned earlier in his text.

Cifera said that she will be located down an alley between a convenience store and a laundrette this evening. She’ll keep a lookout for you.

Mydei was at the edge of campus, but he could see the illuminated signposts for both shops from across the road.

He jogged a bit further, before his phone pinged.

(14:12) Krateros: How’s it going over there? Everything alright?

(14:13) Mydei: It’s going fine. No one at registration suspected anything

(14:13) Mydei: Just my roommate is a complete ass

(14:14) Mydei: Can’t complain though, he’s a beta

(14:14) Krateros: That’s good

(14:15) Krateros: Perhaps you should get to know him, maybe he won’t be so bad then

Mydei’s face squashed at the prospect. He’d rather jump off the top floor of his apartment than get to know Phainon, though he wouldn’t tell Krateros that.

(14:16) Mydei: I’ll consider it

He put his phone away and continued his jog. He intended to drag this jog out for as long as he could, though he’d have to be careful not to overexert himself too much. The more he sweated, the quicker he went through his scent blockers, and right now, he didn’t have a spare.

It was late afternoon by the time he returned to his dormitory. He was more sweaty than he would like and wanted at least a quick shower. However, as soon stepped foot inside the dorm, Phainon was back at his side again, blabbing about a load of things that Mydei couldn’t give two flying fat fucks about.

“There you are, I wondered where you’d gone!”

“I went for a jog. What’s it look like?” Mydei responded, pushing past Phainon and into the kitchen to get himself a glass of water.

Phainon’s dirty dishes from the morning were still in the sink. Little bastard.

Phainon followed him to the kitchen, leaning in the doorway.

“I was looking through the list of university clubs and societies whilst you were gone,” he said, pulling out his phone. “There’s so many, literally a club for anything you could think of! I might sign up for some.” Phainon scratched his head, going a little pink in the face. “There’s an antique society. I know it sounds a little weird, but it’s always something I’ve found interesting. Here, have a look at the list. It’s not too late. We can go to registration together if you want.”

Phainon handed his phone to Mydei, but Mydei batted it away. Instead, he got some rubber gloves from the cupboard below the sink and snapped them onto his hands.

“I’m not interested.”

He started the hot tap, beginning to wash the dishes. He couldn’t stand dirty plates being left unattended. It made him feel gross just to look at them. And pissed off. Severely pissed off.

Phainon didn’t seem to catch the vibe. He strolled over to Mydei and leapt up so he was lazing across the countertop.

His dirty mismatched socks. On the countertops.

“C’mon~,” Phainon slurred out. “There’s bound to be something you like. There’s plenty of sports and fitness clubs on here, I bet you’d do great in those.”

The steam from the hot water intensified.

“I said I’m not interested,” Mydei responded, more forcefully this time.

“You’re not gonna meet anyone if you just stay in here,” Phainon warned. “I know one of the professors here, and she told me the worst mistake any student can make when starting out is not joining a society. You gotta get out there and meet people.”

“It’s none of your business what I choose to do with my time.” He put just a little more force to his voice, and finally Phainon frowned.

“Hey, chill out, I’m only trying to help,” Phainon said, crossing his arms over himself.

Mydei turned off the tap with force. “You can help by cleaning your fucking plates when you’re finished with them.”

Phainon opened his mouth to say something else, but Mydei brushed straight past him and into the next room. This time, he wasn’t followed.

Perhaps Mydei was being a little harsh, but if this living arrangement was going to work, then the absolute bare minimum he wanted was for the place to be clean, and for him to be left alone when prompted.

After a shower, Mydei stood in front of the bathroom mirror and inspected the scent blocking patch on the side of his neck. It was incredibly thin, not usually noticeable at all. However after his long jog and the shower, it had begun to peel at the edges, and the artificial alpha sent it gave off had definitely dampened. He hadn’t brought any more patches with him because of the bag searching at registration, so he’d have to make sure to stock up tonight.

Mydei couldn’t really describe the scent the patch made him give off. The scent was strong and distinctively alpha-like there was no doubt, alongside a hint of musky cologne. But that was all he could really gather from it. Since it was a fake scent, there was nothing personal about it, nothing to make it stand out by design.

He’d been wearing the patches for so long, he was no longer sure what his true omega scent smelled like, or even if it was still intact.  

He’d need to get heat suppressants as well tonight. Those were to be taken daily. It was important that he always had enough on hand. If his true scent somehow seeped out, he could think of excuses to cover it. But if he started going into heat in a university writhe with horny young alphas, then he was pretty much doomed.

After combing through his wet hair, Mydei put a towel around his neck and made his way into the bedroom. Luckily, Phainon wasn’t in there, allowing Mydei to grab a hoodie from under his bed and shove it over himself. He pulled the hood up, concealing the patch on his neck from view. He then proceeded to sit on his bed, wondering how he should plan his exit.

Phainon was still a stranger, Mydei didn’t have to justify to him a reason for leaving their apartment late at night. Should he make up some lame excuse? Or could he just…walk out without saying anything?

That was when the door opened behind him and Phainon stepped in. He cleared his throat, which made Mydei turn to look at him.

Phainon had clearly tried to do himself up, only his zero sense of fashion greatly hindered that. A bright yellow top, paired with wide-leg jeans and rainbow socks was a bit of an odd combination on even a normal day. He’d also tried to comb his hair back, only his ahoge was having none of it, and was now pointing even higher toward the sky, likely without Phainon realising. Mydei was tempted to try and style him a little better. Perhaps he would have, if this guy didn’t piss him off so bad already, and if he were here to try and make friends.

Which he wasn’t.

“Hey, sorry about the plate thing. And for bothering you earlier,” Phainon said, looking a bit sheepish. “As you can probably tell, I’m not the most organised person. Not yet anyway. I’ll try and be better going forward.”

Mydei noted that Phainon seemed a lot less confident than before. He felt a slight ping of guilt, though forced it down quickly.

“It’s fine,” Mydei replied nonchalantly.

“Good,” Phainon said, perking up slightly. Mydei watched his ahoge physically point a little higher on top of his head. “Well then, there’s a big party happening across town. I think practically every first year is there. I wanted to ask if you’d like to tag along?”

Phainon was planning to go out wearing that?

More importantly, Phainon was going out.

That gave him the perfect opportunity.

Mydei turned himself away, looking down at the bedsheets. “Parties aren’t my sort of thing,” he said. That wasn’t even a lie.

“That’s okay. I don’t know anyone there either. We can stick together.”

“Thanks, but no thanks.”

He felt a little bad when Phainon noticeably deflated. That stupid ahoge drooped like a sad dog’s tail.

Mydei couldn’t look at him at all, he trained his eyes to the floor.

“Well then, I’ll be back later I guess,” Phainon chuckled half-heatedly. “Wish me luck.”

“Bye.”

Phainon hesitated at the door, before closing it behind him. Mydei waited till he heard the apartment door lock shut, before tutting to himself.

What did Phainon look so solemn for? Like some sort of kicked puppy. It was a party, and he was clearly a social person, what did he need Mydei to accompany him for?

Did he feel unsafe going on his own without an alpha around?

That question only dawned on Mydei after Phainon had already disappeared. No doubt there were some alphas on this campus that didn’t take happily to the presence of betas in their alpha institution. He hoped those alphas were not present at whatever party Phainon was going to.

Not that Mydei would feel guilty about turning Phainon down. He wasn’t a social person. He didn’t party. Not to mention, he wasn’t even an alpha in reality. He had his secret to keep and supplies to gather. Going to a place with every alpha on the block and enough alcohol to fill a sea was definitely not a way to keep that secret.

What’s more, he didn’t intend to befriend anyone here. He’d come to this university to study, and to fulfil his mother’s dream for him, that was all.

Mydei gave it another hour, until it was completely dark outside, before he headed out.

He made his way with his hands stuffed in his pockets to the location he’d spied earlier. He looked around briefly, sniffing for anyone in the vicinity. When it was clear, he dipped into the alleyway.

He’d barely plunged into the darkness when he heard the rattle of a coin purse and an unmistakable giggle.

“And here he is~ The little boy prince.”

Cipher appeared at his side, somehow managing to reach up and wrap an arm around his shoulders. “My my! I think you’ve grown even more since I last saw you!” she purred, dancing around him as she inspected him. “Look at you! What a handsome alpha you are.” She pulled down his hood and grabbed him by the cheeks. “And what a pretty face you have, hahaha.” She laughed as she squished his cheeks.

Mydei pulled back, quickly pulling the hood back over his head and checking their surroundings again.

“Cipher, be careful.”

“My little prince, we’re down a suspicious alleyway in the middle of the night to trade illegal goods, how more careful can ya be?”

Mydei sighed. He hadn’t seen Cipher in person for a good few years. It was usually Krateros who went to meet her. But she really hadn’t changed at all. She even looked the same, her blue eyes cutting through the dark night, her smile devious and playful, yet caring all the same.

“Have you got what I need?”

“Straight to business are we?”

In a flash, Cipher had placed a plastic bag in his hands. “There’s enough in there to last you a month. And I made sure to source you scent blockers of only the highest quality, just for my little prince.” She put her hands on her hips. “Those weren’t easy to get you know.”

Mydei inspected the contents of the bag. Boxes of scent blockers infused with musk, and a few tubes filled with heat suppressant pills. Everything looked how it should.

“Thank you, Cipher.”

“No need to thank me, only payment is necessary,” Cipher winked.

“How much do I owe you?” Mydei asked, tying the bag in a tight knot and struggling to stuff it inside the pocket of his hoodie.

“For you my dear? Well, I guess I can put you on the friends and family rate so…” Cipher came over and whispered the price into his ear. Mydei nodded, grabbing a wad of cash from another pocket. Cipher giggled as she inspected the notes in her hand.

“Hehe~ Perfect. Although maybe next time, you can throw in a tip for little old Cipher, hmm?” Mydei flicked through a few more notes, handing those to Cipher.

“Is that okay?”

Cipher took the notes, although this time with a lot less speed.

“Wow, I didn’t mean right now, but if you insist, my dear.”

“Sourcing these must be difficult,” Myei said. “I don’t mind giving you extra.”

“Don’t you worry your pretty head over it. I can handle myself just fine.”  She patted him on the shoulder. “You just worry about looking out for number one, okay?”

Mydei sent her a smile. “Alright, thanks Cipher.”

“If you ever need me, I’m usually hanging around these parts. Business is busy lately though, so you miiiight have to book an appointment first,” she winked.

“Really? Then what else do you supply the students here?”

Cipher laughed manically. Almost like a cat. “Well~” She drooled. “If you’d like to purchase anything else, I do have something I think you’d really like. Very popular with first years! If you ever want to get it on with anyone, whether that be with a stranger, your new roommate, or even your professor, then I–”

“-Never mind, I don’t want to know.”

Cipher laughed again. “Still too innocent for that one? Krateros was just the same as you when we were younger.”

Mydei could only imagine. He huffed a smile.

“I should get going,” he said. “My roommate’s out at a party. I should get back with these before he does.”

“I can second that. Business is booming lately for me. Places to go, things to see~” Cipher responded. “See you next time, little prince. Make sure to come by before you run out of supplies.”

“I will. Thank you.” He was met with nothing but a swift breeze against his face. It seemed Cipher had already disappeared into the night. Mydei sighed, before setting off himself.

Mydei made his way quickly back to the apartment with his hands in his pockets. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear bass booming. He wondered if that was the party Phainon was at?

Once inside his dorm, he was thankful to find Phainon wasn’t back yet. Mydei got straight to work stashing the various pills and scent blockers in different places. He made sure to change the scent patch on his own neck, and then settled into his bed.

He looked at his phone. It was almost midnight and Phainon still wasn’t back. That wasn’t unusual. It was a student party for fucks sake. Phainon probably wouldn’t be back till the morning.

At least Mydei got to have his first night in his dorm in peace.

Phainon returned at some ridiculous time in the morning. A few loud thuds around the apartment woke Mydei from his sleep, though he didn’t open his eyes, pretending to sleep through it. He felt a presence enter the bedroom and then heard Phainon flop straight onto his bed.

Silence passed for several minutes after that. Mydei took a chance to sit up and peek over at his roommate. Phainon had fallen asleep almost instantly it seemed. Not only had he fallen asleep in his sweaty unfashionable party clothes, but he’d also done so with half his limbs propped in ridiculous positions, and drool coming from his mouth.

Was this really a grown man?

Mydei rolled his eyes. He could smell the scent of alcohol oozing from his roommate. No wonder he’d passed out instantly. Just how much partying had he done?

At least Phainon was back in one piece. Perhaps he’d ask Phainon about how he found the party in the morning. Perhaps.

The next morning, Phainon was very clearly hung over. He spent most of the morning buried under his bedsheets moaning and groaning to himself.

Serves him right, Mydei thought to himself, even if that was a little harsh.

Mydei lay in bed, scrolling through any messages he had. He continued to peek over at the bundle of blankets which hid his roommate. Eventually he got annoyed about feeling sorry for him and went into the kitchen.

He came back ten minutes later, and placed a glass of water, some pain killers and a plate of toast on Phainon’s bedstand. He didn’t say anything, simply leaving the supplies there, before exiting to the bathroom.

He had a quick shower and dressed himself. Then, he slipped a fresh scent blocker from his pocket. He peeled the old one off and discarded it straight into a new binbag where he could dispose of them discretely. He peeled the wrapper of the fresh scent blocker and stuck it tightly to the side of his neck. After that, he combed his hair, and styled a braid in the same place he had the day before, right over where the scent blocker sat on his neck.

Next, he fished out the vile of heat suppressants he’d been hiding in the pocket of his jeans. He popped one into his mouth, swallowing it alongside a sip of water from the bathroom tap. He screwed the lid back on the vile, and stuffed the tube of pills back into his hoodie pocket. Finally, he made his way out of the bathroom.

In doing so, he almost opened the door on Phainon’s face.

The sight of a half-dead looking Phainon right in front of him made Mydei flinch.

As he flinched, the vile of pills fell out of his pocket. The vile crashed onto the floor between the two of them.

Mydei’s eyes went wide. He watched Phainon’s gaze fall down, until he too was looking at the vile on the floor.

Crap.

Before either of them could have another look at the vile, Mydei had snatched it up from the floor and stashed it back in his pocket. To his horror, Phainon’s gaze followed the exact motion of his hand.

Phainon’s expression was unreadable.

Wasn’t he supposed to be wrecked by a hangover?

The vile had no label, and the suppressants were just simple white pills. There was no obvious hint as to what they were. But even so, Mydei hadn’t wanted anyone to see them regardless.

Don’t make a big deal of it, His mind prompted. Ask him how the party went.

“What are you looking at?” Was what he ended up growling. It came across far too aggressive.

So much for not making a big deal.

Phainon blinked at him once. Twice. As if the thoughts in his head were being processed via every blink.

“Nothing. Nothing,” Phainon said. “Just wanted to use the bathroom…I think I’m about to throw up.”

Mydei rolled his eyes, side-stepping around Phainon to give him access to the bathroom. He moved back into the bedroom, his shoulders rising as he waited for the bathroom door to click shut behind him.

Several moments of silence passed.

Why couldn’t he hear the door closing? Was Phainon watching his back? Wasn’t he supposed to be throwing up?!

As soon as he heard the bathroom door click shut, Mydei immediately stashed the pill vile deep inside his bag. He cursed himself internally. How could he make such a blinding error like that? And on his second day?!

On cue, just to make his day worse, that was when Mydei heard the unmistakable sound of a hungover college student hurling into a toilet.

Phainon was hungover, and too busy being sick, surely he’d think nothing of the pills.

In the meantime, Mydei would just have to act extra alpha-like around him, just in case.

Mydei flopped onto his bed and groaned into his pillow.

This Phainon guy really was going to be the end of him.

Chapter Text

Phainon spent the entire weekend (mostly) throwing up down the toilet.

Such a thing calmed Mydei’s mind about the incident with the pills. Phainon was so out of his own head that he surely wouldn’t remember what happened. However, it did mean the apartment absolutely reeked, no matter how many times Mydei went around trying to clean and freshen it up.

When he wasn’t throwing up or wallowing in self-pity, Phainon did try to talk to him, asking about his homelife, if he was excited about university, and telling Mydei a little about the massive party he’d been to. Apparently it had been the ‘craziest party he had ever been to’, and he ‘totally had the best time ever’ and that ‘Mydei should feel jealous for not joining him.’ He said all those things whilst completely avoiding eye contact the entire time. Phainon also thanked Mydei for making him breakfast. Mydei did his best to keep his responses to minimal grunts and grumbles the entire time.

He made sure to go on several long jogs over the weekend. If he had to be in the apartment with Phainon, then he was sticking in his earbuds and turning up the music as loud as was healthy, lest he listen to Phainon’s voice more, or be asked more questions that he didn’t want to answer, or hear Phainon being sick from the other room again.

Mydei made sure to leave for his first lecture early on Monday morning. So early that Phainon was still rolling around in his bed. Mydei heard a “where are you going?” as he closed the door, and decided he would pretend not to hear.

He walked to the lecture hall and sat himself down towards the back row. He was incredibly early to an already early morning lecture. A couple betas sat at the front row, otherwise the place was empty.

Mydei crossed his arms and pulled out his phone. Of course, the signal inside the lecture theatre was completely shit. He couldn’t even send a text to Krateros. He grunted to himself, it was going to be a very long hour’s wait for the lecture to start.

Mydei watched students filter in slowly. He scrunched up his nose each time the scent of an unfamiliar alpha itched his nose. As the theatre filled up, more and more seats were taken up by alphas, until betas were the minority in the room. It was just as Mydei had anticipated. This university was prestigious, but it was also incredibly old-fashioned.

If any of the faculty realised that an omega was sitting their classes, he couldn’t imagine they’d take to it enthusiastically.    

And neither would the students. Mydei could sense it in the air. Unfamiliar alphas sizing each other up, trying to work out a hierarchy, which of them would be the most dominant, which was most of a threat, which was weakest. Alpha pheromones clogged the space.

Mydei had no clue nor interest in the mind games of alphas.

However, from his seat at the back, one alpha in particular seemed to catch his attention.

The alpha sat in one of the middle rows, on the seat nearest the middle aisle. His golden blond hair already made him stand out amongst the rows of students. Even more so did his scent. Mydei could smell that it was particularly strong. Achingly strong. Burning wood and charcoal, a scent that radiated above the curdled mix of other alpha scents.

Mydei noticed that a lot of the other alphas seemed to give this alpha some distance. Only those who carried themselves the highest dared to sit next to him.

If Mydei were a weaker omega, his instincts might’ve given in to such a dominant scent. It was a good thing he had done a lot of training on himself to resist the pull of such instincts. But even he couldn’t stop his eyes being drawn to the mysterious alpha.

Mydei frowned at the back of the strange alpha’s head. This guy was clearly the dominant alpha in the room, and by a long shot.

So the alphas had already worked out some hierarchy of their own? Perhaps they did so at one of the student parties? Or perhaps this guy’s persona was so strong that alphas didn’t even seek to fight with him. Mydei wasn’t sure; the ways of alphas were incredibly foreign to him.

Mydei turned back to his phone, checking his timetable once again. His university schedule was fairly simple. Two lectures and two seminars a week. He had three different professors. Political philosophy was being taught by a guy named Professor Anaxagoras, with his seminars being led by Professor Aglaea. The other topic, social and economic relations, was being taught by Professor Lygus. Mydei didn’t recognise any of the professors by name. Truth be told, he didn’t find politics particularly interesting. This module was a stepping point to success, that was all.

He just hoped that Phainon’s timetable would differ from his own so he could have a morning of peace and quie-

“Hey, Mydei!”

Right on queue. A mop of dishevelled white hair. An awful t-shirt with some cringey tagline on the front (the tagline this time was ‘You’re not a bad bitch, you’re a bad person’) . And a pair of shining blue eyes that honed in on him all the way from the bottom of the lecture hall.

Did this man have no shame?

Mydei averted his gaze, trying to pretend he didn’t know the guy.

He did, however, catch Phainon’s demeanour faltering as he passed the blond-haired alpha.

The two seemed to stop and look at each other for a moment. Mydei was pretty sure he saw Phainon physically pale. What was certain was that the shine dissipated from his ocean eyes, the smile falling straight off his face. The confident extroverted man Mydei had been subjected to for days, suddenly vanished in an instant.

After a few moments, Phainon steered clear of the blond alpha, continuing up the stairway until he took the seat beside Mydei silently. Mydei’s gaze stayed on the blond alpha, who turned his head just slightly to look back at the pair of them. If Phainon’s eyes were the brightest blue, then those alpha’s were the deepest gold.

Phainon seemed to squirm in his seat.

“So after all that, we do share the same class,” Phainon said in a hushed tone as began unpacking his laptop. He crossed his arms over himself. “Nice of you to wait for me.”

Mydei was still watching the blond alpha, who had now turned back around, waiting for the class to start.

Though Phainon was a beta and didn’t give off a distinguishable scent, Mydei could taste the way his mood had soured.

He shouldn’t ask, but he was so curious.

“You know that guy?” Mydei motioned to the blond alpha.

“What’s it got to do with you?” Phainon replied, sounding surprisingly defensive for someone who had tried to lecture him about being social and meeting new people.

Mydei blinked at the beta once, before Phainon let out an annoyed huff. “Fine, I’ll tell you,” Phainon sighed. “That down there is Khaslana, my twin brother.”

Mydei did a double take of the two men. The alpha ahead had distinctively golden hair, whilst Phainon’s was a glossy silver. But now that he could compare the two, their facial features did look alike. Jarringly so. Mydei didn’t understand how he hadn’t noticed earlier.

Mydei wondered what their history was.

Phainon poked him in the side, making Mydei growl at him.

“What?” Mydei scowled.

“I said ,” Phainon pouted. “Now that I’ve told you something about me, you gotta tell me something about you.”

Mydei rolled his eyes. “I thought I told you to mind your own business.”

“That’s not fair, Mydei,” Phainon bit back.

“You didn’t have to tell me, that was your own stupid decision,” Mydei said, slouching into his chair.  He pulled out his phone, pretending he could use it to do anything. “And just for you, I won’t pry any further.”

Phainon frowned at him, going to open his mouth to say something, only another man’s voice cut over him.

At some point, an older man with teal hair had walked into the lecture theatre. Mydei thought he was a student first, considering he had no supplies with him. But the man sat in the lecturer’s chair.

And then…continued to sit. He did nothing at all.

Mydei studied his appearance. He was a beta. Long teal hair tied into a low side ponytail, interesting red tattoos on his hands similar to Mydei’s own, and a patch covering one eye. He wore robes as if he were from two centuries ago.

He was a beta, but that didn’t stop him from seeming incredibly intimidating.

The beta surveyed the class silently until the students caught on, falling silent.

“Alphas are naturally inclined to be dominant. Omegas are naturally submissive. Betas lack natural human instinct.” The man walked forwards, to the podium at the centre of the lecture hall. The click of his boots was deathly loud. “Please tell me if these sentences are true or false?”

The class went quiet. One person raised their hand.

“It’s true,” they said.

“Wrong.”

The man, seemingly the professor, didn’t even look at the student whom spoke. He continued to pace, dragging his heels across the wood.

The class turned to hushed hesitant whispers.

“I’m waiting,” the professor said, adjusting his eyepatch. “Who will answer my question?”

Another brave student raised their hand. “Then, they are false?”

“Wrong.”

“It’s a trick question!” Someone shouted.

“Idiots, wrong again.” The professor flicked his ponytail over his shoulder once. He held himself so highly, his chin pointed toward the ceiling almost. “The answer is that they are both true and false.” He announced. “Does anyone know why these statements are both true and false?”

No one responded this time. Deathly silence filled the theatre. The professor tutted to himself.

“To you,” the professor pointed to an innocent student in the crowd. “These statements are true.” He pointed to a different student, this time from the front row. “But to you, they are not. Therefore, they are both true and false at the same time.”

“What the fuck? Why is a beta leading this class?” Mydei heard someone mumble.

Somehow, the professor caught that mumble. His eyes lit up red, and he pointed to the alpha student who had said it.

“Why do you give that reaction?” He asked, making said student turn quite pale. “It is the truth. Does the truth disappoint you? Does a beta being your professor disappoint you? Why?”

Another alpha raised their hand. “There’s been many high-profile scientific experiments carried out which prove there are innate differences between alphas, beta, and omegas,” the new voice spoke. “Whether you like it or not, the statement is true.”

Mydei realised it was Phainon’s twin who had spoken this time. His voice was silky and sonorous, as if one could be lulled to his will by just a whistle from his lips. An incredibly powerful alpha indeed. It took restraint not to respond to such a voice. Phainon also flinched on hearing the voice.

The professor hummed with more interest. He paced back and forth slowly, as if contemplating it.

“Whether I like it or not, alphas are designed to lead and omegas are designed to follow,” the professor hummed. “That’s why alphas are built strong and omegas built weak. Omegas cannot handle the things alphas can. Omegas are here to care for alphas, whilst raising the next generation that will go out and make our world turn. And betas, they aren’t in the equation at all. There are too many of them, they provide nothing useful, have no obvious benefit to society. If the world was just alphas and omegas, we would reach successes beyond anything that’s ever known of humankind.” The professor frowned harshly at his class. “That’s what regurgitated nonsense they tell you, is it not? That’s what is seen as truth.”  The professor pointed at Khaslana with a long finger. “But what you are trying to say sir, is that there is an objective quantifiable truth to human nature.”

Several students turned to each other in utter confusion.

“Objective truth…Objective truth,” the professor continued to tut to himself. “What is it with this field and objective truth? If we want to answer this question objectively , and find the objective truth, that is, one singular claim of unquestionable validity or falsehood, then we are seeking an answer free from human bias. To irrigate our own human biases from the equation, then we must ask many other questions first.”

The professor beheld his class with a deathly cold glare. “What is an alpha? What is an omega? A beta? What is human instinct? Does human nature even exist? What does it mean to be dominant? To be submissive? What does it even mean to be human?”

In his peripheral vision, Mydei was sure he heard Phainon’s breath hitch. A sneak peek Phainon’s way, and the man’s eyes were glued to the professor’s farce. His blue eyes almost looked like they were full of glitter with how intently they shined.

Of course he was into these theatrics.

All Mydei could think was, this guy’s crazy.

The professor clasped his hands together again, his cold gaze retreating for now. He looked pleasantly satisfied now that his class looked entirely confused out of their minds.

“These are some of the things we will be covering this semester. My name is Professor Anaxagoras. I will be the one presenting talks to you on political philosophy. Some of your will also very fortunately get to speak with me personally on the topics of this module in our weekly seminars.”

A singular hair stood up on the top of professor Anaxa’s head, a twitch in his smirk. “Those of you who are not with me, will unfortunately be subjected to Professor Aglaea, of whom will teach you nothing important whatsoever.” The professor shook whatever thing he was thinking out of his head, returning to his composed state. “That means that it is extra important that you absorb everything that I will tell you in this hall. Once again, that’s Professor Anaxagoras. If you wish to speak with me, use my full name.”

“By the way,” Anaxa continued, “If you thought my lectures would be slower paced, considering they are first thing on a Monday morning, then you are deeply mistaken. My aim is not to teach you, but to challenge you, to make you question everything you’ve ever known and been told. If you leave my lecture hall feeling deeply confused and questioning your life and your sanity, then I have succeeded. If you leave my lectures still feeling sane, then my lectures would have been a waste of your time, as much as you would have been a waste of mine.” He clasped his hands together a final time. “Now, let’s get started.”

After an incredibly…intense lecture where Professor Anaxa contemplated the meaning of all existence for two hours in front of everyone, Mydei had had more than enough and wanted to give his brain – and nose – a break.

The stench of alpha clogged his every pore. His head spun so fast from the lecture and the combined stench. He needed space and fresh air. His only saving grace was that he had been sat so far toward the back that the professor couldn’t pick on him to answer questions, which he seemed to like doing. Apparently the professor’s vision didn’t extend past the unfortunate students on the first few rows of seating.

As soon as Anaxa dismissed the class, Mydei was lugging his bag over his shoulder and making for the exit, desperate for some fresh air. Luckily he could still walk in a straight line, even if his head felt as clogged as the student accommodation’s plumbing.

However, as he paced rather quickly through the corridors to the building’s exit, he heard footsteps following behind him. He didn't even have to look to know who it was.

He would have ignored it, but he really couldn’t relax and take in the fresh outside air with a lingering gaze on the back of his head.

“Stop following me,” he grumbled, continuing to walk.

“I’m not following,” a voice replied. A voice that was far too close for Mydei’s liking.

“Yes you are.”

“Am not.”

“Then where are you going?”

“I don’t know, where are you going?”

Mydei came to a halt and spun around to face Phainon with a growl on his lips. “Listen, I’ll tell you one last time,” he spat. “Stop trying to be all buddy with me. I don’t want your company. Get lost.”

Phainon’s eyes went wide, his mouth forming an o shape. Mydei didn’t stay any longer to see what other faces Phainon would pull. He continued onward, noticeably alone this time.

He didn’t mean to lose his temper. He knew Phainon was innocent enough. Being surrounded by alphas and their stench had simply put him in a detestable mood.

The further he walked, the more Mydei felt guilt creeping up his chest for lashing out at the beta. Not that he’d linger on it. He was going to check out the library, then he had another seminar to go to. He was far too busy to think about his puppy dog roommate.

Phainon and Mydei were in different seminar classes, so Mydei didn’t see Phainon for the rest of the day. Mydei’s class was with Professor Aglaea, a tall lady with beautiful golden hair and eyes that looked like they’d seen unto the end of existence. Mydei noticed the walking aid by her desk, but that didn’t seem to stop her from looking into the souls of her students.

She had a different kind of intensity to Professor Anaxa. Whereas Professor Anaxa seemed to talk and ramble to himself like he were the only sane person to exist, Aglaea remained focused, letting the students talk for most of the session, only cutting in to steer the discussion, and letting them know that she disagreed with what they said with a threatening glare that went straight through their heads, as if she could finish them all with a single flick of her finger.

Phainon wasn’t in Mydei’s seminar class, thank the Aoens, but Phainon’s twin, Khaslana, was.

The classroom desks were laid out in an oval shape, and Mydei found himself sat facing the alpha. Khaslana didn’t say anything, but seeing Mydei in front of him did seem to get his attention.

He studied Mydei intently, his lucid eyes never blinking once. His expression was completely unreadable, as if it were devoid of any emotion at all.

Mydei did his best to ignore that gaze, but it did make the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

There was something unnerving about Khaslana. He didn’t seem to be like the other alphas in the class: brash, arrogant, nasty pieces of shit, eyeing each other up, trying to seem bigger and better than each other. Khaslana seemed above those games.

Mydei found it interesting that from a pair of twins, one became an alpha and another a beta. Perhaps that was the reason their relationship was sour. Not to mention that their personalities seemed like complete opposites.

Mydei could ask Phainon about their history…could being the main word there.

Khaslana cocked his head ever so slightly, his gaze was still fixed on Mydei. Something had suddenly changed. Was that a glint of interest in his eye? Was his lip curling into a thin smile?  Or was Mydei imagining Phainon instead?

Mydei simply sent Khaslana an annoyed glare in response. However, it seemed this other alpha wouldn’t back down first, for he kept staring.

Not long after Aglaea had started teaching the class, an unusual scent met Mydei's nose, making his shoulders raise. It was a sticky, sweaty scent, mixed with rust. It was contagious, stronger than the combined scent of all the other alphas in the room.

Mydei knew what it was, and where it was coming from by the glint of a golden eye.

Almost immediately he could feel the effect of Khaslana’s pheromones trying to control his body.

Submit.

I’m in charge here.

Submit like all the others.

In alpha talk, that was as good as inviting Mydei into a fight, purposefully riling him up.

In reality, Mydei’s instinct urged him to bare his neck for the present alpha.

Instead, Mydei clicked his tongue, showing no response. He could handle it. Around the classroom, the other alphas also reacted to Khaslana’s scent in various ways from complaining to laughing to going completely rigid. The few lucky betas of the class were spared the torture.

Professor Aglaea cleared her throat. “I would like to remind you all that I am here to teach, and as such, I would like for things to be kept civilised inside the classroom. Your little rivalries are for outside of my classroom, understand?”

Khaslana was still watching him. Though it annoyed him, Mydei was the first to look away, letting the other have the victory. Mydei knew that this wasn’t his fight to win. He was supposed to be keeping a low profile, even if his competitive side wished to put the alpha in his place!

What a creep, even Phainon was better than this.

Mydei did not look back at Khaslana for the rest of the lecture. He focused on the professor, as a good student should do. If Khaslana tried to challenge him again or talk to him as he exited the classroom, Mydei didn’t see. He chose not to bat an eye in the alpha’s direction.

It was fine. He could have his own sense of smugness, for no matter how ‘alpha’ Khaslana seemed, even he wouldn’t be able to tell there was an omega in the room with them.

After the seminar finished, Mydei felt incredibly pent up. He decided he’d head back to the apartment and change, then he’d head straight for the campus gym. He needed to let off some steam after the day.

Upon returning to his dormitory, he saw Phainon lounging across his bed in a purple hoodie. He had the hood over his head, arms and legs stretched out, holding his phone high in the air.

“Oh,” Phainon said. “It’s you .”

His voice had a purposeful bite to it. It seemed Mydei had finally pissed him off.

Mydei rolled his eyes. He fished out a sleeveless red vest and some black shorts from his clothes drawer. Not his preferred gym outfit but it would do. He then left without another word. He was sure the lack of reaction would annoy Phainon.

 Once arriving at the gym, Mydei did his stretches, and then got straight to work on the bench pressing machine.

There were a few other alphas in the area, eyeing up each other’s builds, likely trying to convince themselves that their body was bigger and better. The room was damp with the scent of wet alpha and sweat. As irritating as that scent was, Mydei found that it actually improved his performance, probably because it pissed him off.

After working out his arms and core for a while, he moved onto the treadmills, of which were lined in a row near the large windows. To his surprise, there was no one else on the treadmills at all. That meant he got his pick of treadmill and some time alone, even better.

Mydei went for a relatively slow-paced jog. As he did, his mind wondered over the events of the day.

He’d known coming to study here was going to be tough, both physically and mentally. He’d done everything he could to prepare himself to be here, training himself to resist alpha scents, pheromones, even alpha commands. And yet, nothing quite compared to the real smells he was experiencing, and the real other alphas who moved around him. It was going to take a lot more self-composure than he’d imagined to remain here. A challenge. Just the way he liked it.

Mydei checked the time on his phone. He’d worked up a good sweat by now. He’d stay a little longer, enough that he could avoid the certain someone whom he shared residence with for just a little-

“Good evening, Mydeimos.”

Mydei was pulled from his thoughts, only to see someone on the treadmills. Not just any someone, it was Phainon, decked out in his own gym wear, which happened to be a disgraceful mustard coloured tank top and purple sports shorts.

Why was Phainon’s wardrobe entirely just mustard yellow, purples, cringey t-shirts and rainbows?

Phainon was more muscular than Mydei had realised. Apparently those tacky slogan t-shirts covered up just how bulky he was.

That wasn’t the worst part. Phainon wasn’t just on any treadmill…he started up the one right next to Mydei’s own.

Of course.

Phainon had a sour smirk written across his lips.

Mydei felt himself begin to bristle. “What are you doing here?” He half-sighed, half-growled.

“Working out? Duh? What does it look like?”

Mydei bore his gaze straight ahead. “You could have chosen literally any other spot in this gym, and yet you choose to go on the treadmill right next to mine.”

“Well, this one has the nicest view.”

“I thought I told you that I don’t need your company.”

“Ha, you think I’m here to see you? I love that ego of yours.”

Mydei didn’t respond, even as his eye twitched. He refused to take the bait. Instead, he turned up the speed of his treadmill slightly, popped in an earbud, and focused on his breathing.

That was, until he saw Phainon also press a button on his treadmill, the pace he set identical to Mydei’s own.

Mydei felt a low growl in his throat. He found himself turning up his treadmill to the next setting, going a little faster once again. Immediately, Phainon did exactly the same, matching him stride for stride.

Mydei frowned. He retaliated, increasing the speed a third time. Phainon copied him.

In the corner of his eye, Mydei could see Phainon’s smirk quipping upwards, one eyebrow raised. He was just fishing for trouble.

And Mydei couldn’t resist his bait.

“What is your problem?” Mydei hissed, pulling the earbud from his ear.

Phainon glanced over at him innocently. “I dunno, what’s yours?”

“You know what you’re doing.”

“Hmm?”

Mydei grit his teeth to stop himself growling louder. He bashed the button on the treadmill, going faster, now on a fast-paced jog. Not only that, he turned on the incline feature. The treadmill rose up slightly. Mydei felt the burn in his legs almost instantly. Sweat rolled down his arms. If he went much faster, he’d be sprinting.

Immediately, Phainon matched him.

“Stop copying me!” Mydei growled out.

“You think you’re so big and alpha, don’t you?” Phainon sang, almost laughing. “Well, I’ll show you that a beta can keep up just as much, or even do better!”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Mydei hissed in response.

“A proposition, dear Mydeimos,” Phainon said, his expression growing fierce. “Highest setting, steepest incline, whoever lasts longest, wins.”

Mydei knew he shouldn’t.

But he could not resist.

“Fine,” he gritted out. He could already feel the thrill of competition swirling in his gut.

“Good,” Phainon replied, a sheen of sweat having now formed on his own forehead. “Then I’ll count us down. Three…two…one!”

Mydei pressed the button on the treadmill. The thing lurched beneath him. As it inclined, he almost lost his footing. He could feel his legs slipping, trying to give way. Pain shot up all the way up the back of his legs, whilst sweat rolled down.

Beside him, Phainon was growling through the pain, burning in sweat.

Mydei wasn’t sure exactly how long they lasted. He held on for as long as he could.

The moment he fell, Phainon fell with him.

Mydei managed to slip off the treadmill and land on his feet, albeit holding onto the railings for dear life as his legs wobbled like they were made entirely of sweat.

Phainon wasn’t so lucky. He fell straight on his knees and was then flung straight off the treadmill and onto his back on the floor below. Not long after that, Mydei also collapsed on the floor beside him.

The two of them rolled around on the floor trying to catch their breaths, trying to think of anything but sweat. Phainon covered his eyes with the back of his arm. Mydei watched the sweat droplets drip onto the floor, examined the beta’s scraped-up knees.

Anyone else in the near vicinity had vanished, no doubt scared off by their fierce competition.

Though Phainon was worse off, they had technically lasted the same amount of time.

A tie.

“Satisfied?” Mydei puffed between breaths.

That immediately garnered him a smile from the white-haired man.

“Very,” Phainon breathed. A few beats of silence passed between them. “….Though, I might throw up in a sec.”

After their incident at the gym, they walked back to their dormitory together.

The sun was setting, glinting off the sides of the buildings. It would have been quite scenic, if Phainon hadn’t been walking next to him and talking the entire time.

Phainon was clearly trying to cover a limp, even as he continued to boast about their ‘competition’.

“We may have tied this time,” Phainon hummed, crossing his arms behind his head. “But mark my words Mydeimos, I’ll beat you next time.”

“What makes you think there will be a next time?” Mydei inquired. He could feel a prominent ache up his own thighs. He did not want to repeat that experience any time soon, even if the thought of beating Phainon and putting him in his place was a tasteful one.

“Oh, there will be. There will be many next times. I’ll beat you at running, bench pressing, skipping, I’ll even beat you in every grade.”

Mydei couldn’t help but humour the idea. “Tsk, bold talk from someone who can barely walk right now.”

Phainon’s gaze was transfixed on him. “Just you wait, this beta has plenty of bite.”

Mydei rolled his eyes. There was something about that cocky, determined expression on Phainon’s face that made it difficult to look at. Though Mydei couldn’t work out if it was because he looked too sincere, or not sincere enough.

All that really registered to him was: dog.

Phainon physically bumped into his shoulder. Pain shot up Mydei’s legs and he also stumbled over his own feet.

“Ah, watch it!” he quipped, sending Phainon a dirty look.

Phainon had an eyebrow raised. “You were smiling just now~”

Mydei almost froze. He made sure to draw his lips into a thin line. “No I wasn’t.”

Phainon looked incredibly smug. “So you do feel emotions other than rage. Good to know. I can work with that.”

Mydei shoved into Phainon’s shoulder, the same as the beta had done to him earlier. That turned into them spatting all the way back to their apartment.

By the time they had crashed through the door, the two of them were freshly sweaty once more. They’d been throwing jabs at each other verbally and physically all the way up the stairwell.

“You absolute dog.”

“Mister grumpy pants.”

“Get a life!”

“Nope, you gotta get one first.”

When they burst through the doors, they were still locked together in a spar. Finally, Mydei managed to get the upper hand on the beta, and pinned him to their living room wall.

“Does this mean I win?” Mydei grinned, sweating rolling from the tips of his blond hair.

The two of them stood there panting for a moment. Phainon’s whole body was trembling from over-exertion, but Mydei remained wholly focused on the beta’s expression, tired and wrecked, but his eyes bright and exhilarated.

Phainon seemed to study Mydei up and down when Mydei didn’t release him.

Then, something softer.

“Nah, I win,” Phainon smirked.

“How? I’m in control here. You can’t move.”

“Because I got to see something new today,” Phainon winked. “You have a nice smile.”

Mydei hadn’t realised that he was grinning again. He also didn’t realise quite how close his and Phainon’s faces had gotten.

He quickly wiped the smile off his face, unpinning Phainon from the wall.

“Whatever,” he said, turning and striding quickly into the next room.

Phainon immediately came after him.

“I think you should use it more,” Phainon called from behind. “You’ll make yourself the target of my jokes if you always have that frown – ah!”

A well-aimed towel met Phainon’s face head-on.

“Whatever, go shower. Right now,” Mydei ordered. “You stink.”

Phainon huffed but took the towel. “Well, what a gentleman you are.”

“Go.”

Phainon cocked his head intently, before heading towards the bathroom. Mydei waited until the door was closed, and he could hear the shower being turned on, then he retreated into the bedroom.

He landed on his bed, throwing a hand through his sweaty hair. For some reason, he still felt all hot under his skin, he guessed his tussle all the way across campus with Phainon after their gym disaster had completely tired him out.

Mydei pressed a couple fingers to the scent blocker. He almost squirmed when he realised the thing was soft and loose, about to peel off. After exerting himself so much, he’d completely sweated through his current scent blocker. If he’d left changing it any longer, his omega scent could have started leaking out. Or worse, his scent blocker could’ve peeled off altogether.

He’d completely forgotten about the scent blocker during his competition with Phainon.

As it was, he could pick up the tiniest hint of a floral scent hanging to his skin. Just a hint towards his true identity. If Phainon weren’t a beta, there was every chance he could have smelt it and caught on.

This was the second time he’d let his guard down around Phainon.

How foolish of him. He should be more careful.

However, as Mydei quickly changed the scent blocker, he didn’t realise a small smile had creeped back onto his face.

He wouldn’t mind challenging Phainon to another competition again. And beating him properly this time, of course.

You have a nice smile.

Tsk, how ridiculous.

Chapter Text

The week passed, and Mydei found himself dragged, both willingly and unwillingly, into a variety of Phainon’s ‘competitions’.

Competition one: who could get up and get dressed faster in the morning? Phainon had won that one every time so far. He was for sure a morning person. He got out of bed like it was easy, and changed into his awful ugly clothes like he was proud of them.

Competition two: who could make a better breakfast? Mydei honestly wasn’t quite sure why Phainon even tried to challenge him in that department. Phainon had proven his inadequacy around the kitchen already. Even though he had now worked out how to fry his eggs, he simply couldn’t compete with Mydei’s honey pancakes. Though, Phainon had repeatedly managed to steal a pancake or two each morning.

Competition three: who could jog the farthest? And fastest? Mydei had been hoping to take a brisk lonely jog, keen to enjoy his own company. Only two minutes into his run, there was Phainon coming into step beside him with that ridiculous grin of his.

“Feeling tired this morning, Mydeimos?” Phainon asked as he fell into step. “I thought your pace would be a little faster than this.”

Just one wink from Phainon and Mydei could not help himself.

“You really think you can keep up with me? Fine. I’ll show you the pace I like!”

The competitions went on and on and on.

Who could do more washing? Who could buy a coffee with the most caffeine and stomach it? (that one was stupid, and Phainon deserved the stomach ache he got that evening.) Who could reach the library first? Reach the dormitories first? Who could get the best seat in the lecture theatre? Who could tidy the kitchen the best? Every mundane task, Phainon had found a way to turn into a competition. Every time, Mydei could not turn him down.

By the end of every day, when Phainon tallied up the points, they always ended up in a tie.

And so, the competitions continued the next day. And the next. And vice versa. Until Phainon wasn’t the only one starting their competitions.

The competitions continued onwards into the following week. Mydei and Phainon were sitting in their spot in the lecture theatre. They were furiously typing on their laptops as if they were typing the kill code for a bomb fuse. Both were craned in their seats, glued to their laptop screens, their knuckles white and fingers trembling from the sheer speed of their typing.

Whilst waiting for the lecture to start, they’d decided to race each other to see who could go write notes for their reading materials the fastest. Spelling mistakes abound both of their screens but that didn’t matter. The competition was who could write the most notes, neither had mentioned anything about the accuracy of said notes.

Khaslana - Phainon’s twin brother - had been repeatedly turning around to eye them whilst they waited for the lecture to start. As had many other students around them, likely annoyed by the constant and loud clacking sounds coming from their direction. Mydei didn’t have any time to glare at them, or to remind them to mind their own business. The only thing that mattered in that moment was having more pages of notes than the white-haired beta in the seat next to him.

He was so busy making notes that he barely registered that their actual lecture was starting. Which, in hindsight, was a good thing.

The professor presenting the lecture today was not Professor Anaxa. Instead, it was a different man. He called himself Professor Lygus. He seemed quite acclaimed in his field, introducing himself through the several books he’d written on various social theories. He was an alpha on the older side, with a certain irksome wiseness to his eyes.

When Mydei finally registered what the professor was saying, he liked nothing about the way the professor spoke, nor the things he said.

“You have heard of the theory of Darwinism, yes?” Lygus asked his audience. “The basic concept of evolution. Survival of the fittest. This concept can also be applied to secondary gender. Let me introduce you to the concept of Social Darwinism.”

Lygus spoke in a slow, drawn out tongue, as if he felt the need to accent every syllable. “We do not know exactly when humans evolved to have secondary genders, but it is easy to see why. It’s for survival. Alphas excel in almost every category compared to their beta and omega counterparts. ”

Mydei immediately stopped typing notes. He felt himself fill with loathing. He could feel the same thing from Phainon in the seat next to him. The beta beside him was frowning deeply, and Mydei could sense his unease.

The professor’s lips quipped upwards.

“The simple and unanimous goal of the human population is to increase its numbers. As I wrote about in detail in one of my many published works on the subject, one of the greatest - if not the greatest – attribute of those with secondary gender is increased fertility. Alphas and omegas don’t just have naturally increased levels of individual fertility, but their instincts also increasingly attract one to the other.”

Lygus’ smile was unnerving, even more was the strange chuckle he continued letting out as if he were looping it on a cycle. “One to protect, one to serve. One dominant, one submissive. It’s a perfect and natural match. That is why we must ensure alphas and omegas continue to mate, why monitoring the health and fertility of our omega population is so important, and why research into how to… engineer secondary genders must be studied further.”

After Lygus said that, Phainon and Mydei exchanged a horrified glance.

They simultaneously closed their laptops.

The rest of the lecture felt incredibly long. Mydei was clenching his fists and gritting his teeth the entire time. If he didn’t he was sure he might go straight up to Professor Lygus and punch him. Phainon also looked red in the face, a dark scowl cast on his forehead.

At least they were both in unison for thinking this guy was a piece of intellectual shit.

The worst part was, that the alphas in the class around them listened far more intently to Professor Lygus than they ever had to Professor Anaxa.

Professor Lygus even had the audacity to bow at the end of his lecture.

“Thank you for listening to me today, class. It is a pleasure to see so many aspiring alphas in one room.” The professor’s eyes glinted, and Mydei was sure that his gaze lingered on Khaslana at that moment. “I look forward to getting to know some of you in our seminar classes later into the term. Class dismissed.”

Mydei turned to Phainon. The tips of Phainon’s ears were red, and his brow furrowed in thought. Mydei would’ve teased him about it, had that lecture not been about reducing his own existence to that of a submissive pup-maker for two hours.

Professor Lygus’ views on betas weren’t much better. In fact, it seemed he wished for betas to not exist at all.

“Wow, and I thought Professor Anaxa was crazy,” Phainon said, once class had finished. “But the way that man talks is familiar for some reason…” Phainon frowned. “I just can’t work out why…”

“He’s just spouting bigoted nonsense,” Mydei replied, beginning to stuff his laptop into his bag. “Pay him no mind of day. He doesn’t deserve it. Attend his classes for attendance points only.”

Phainon stopped and stared at him. Surprise overtook his features. “What is it?” Mydei asked, slinging his bag over his shoulder.

“I just presumed, since you’re, y’know, an alpha, that you might…”

“Agree with the things he said?” Mydei was aggravated by just the idea. “Why did you think I stopped taking notes?” He clenched his jaw tightly, lest he lose his temper again. “ HKS. You really are annoying. ”

Mydei felt a great need for personal space and fresh air. He stood up and left the class on his own. Not only had the stench of alpha in the hall pissed him off, the lecture had pissed him off, and now, Phainon had too. How dare he think that Mydei would agree with those kinds of views? Even if he was pretending to be an alpha, Mydei had no intentions of thinking like one.

Mydei passed by the professor, who was still watching the class from his chair at the front. He hoped the professor wouldn’t perceive him. It might be better that way. He didn’t want to consider what would happen if that man found out his true identity.

Once outside and breathing in much needed fresh air, Mydei checked his phone. He had a couple messages from Krateros.

(10:07) Krateros: Just checking in on you. How is everything?

(11:34) Mydei: Just met my other professor.

(11:35) Mydei: He deserves to be burned alive and thrown into a bottomless pit of despair

(11:36) Krateros: He really must have been a nasty piece of work

(11:37) Krateros: Perhaps stick to the back row in his lectures

(11:37) Mydei: Noted

(11:38) Krateros: What about your roommate? How are you getting on with him?

Before Mydei could think of how to respond, a familiar voice caught his attention.

He looked off to the side, where he saw Phainon and Khaslana standing face-to-face. Khaslana seemed to be blocking Phainon’s path. Mydei couldn’t quite hear what was being said between them. Khaslana’s face remained void, but Phainon’s scowl was fierce. Mydei could tell from how Phainon’s shoulders had risen that he felt threatened.

Phainon tried to step past his twin, only for Khaslana to grab him by the shoulder.

“Let go of me,” Phainon growled.

Khaslana didn’t move. He leaned closer to Phainon, opening his mouth.

That was when Mydei forcefully stepped between them. He glared at Khaslana.

“Hey, back off.”

Khaslana beheld Mydei, standing so close to him that they were almost nose to nose. Khaslana’s eyes dilated for just a second, filling with vibrant colour, before returning to that expressionless golden stare once more.

Mydei braced himself for the alpha to release his pheromones again, like he had done in their class with Professor Aglaea.

The pheromones never came. Khaslana kept his gaze on Mydei, but backed off without saying a word.

Mydei remained staunchly in front of Phainon until Khaslana had long disappeared from view. He continued to squint even after he’d disappeared, just to make sure that he was gone.

In fact, it was Phainon’s voice that cut him out of his trance.

“…You didn’t need to protect me.”

Mydei glimpsed back at Phainon. The beta looked totally gob struck, astonished beyond words.

Mydei realised that he had stepped between the brother’s conflict without even thinking. He wasn’t even sure why he interfered in the twin’s drama, whatever it may have been.

But to Phainon, it would seem like his alpha roommate was protecting him.

Mydei simply brushed away all those thoughts and tsked.

“Is that how you give thanks?” He asked, already turning from Phainon to leave before he did something more stupid.

“Mydei, wait!”

Phainon stopped him, putting a hand on his shoulder. Mydei found himself going completely still. He turned over his shoulder to see sparkling sincere eyes looking back at him. “Thank you, Mydeimos, really.”

Mydei was shocked by the clear sincerity. Perhaps it was the first time he’d seen Phainon be completely open with him. There was a strange vulnerability to it.

Mydei had his own secrets, but what could Phainon possibly be hiding under those bravado blue eyes?

He wanted to ask Phainon more about his brother, but wasn’t quite sure how to go about it.

Before they could get any more sincere, Phainon closed his eyes and cocked his head. “Wow, your heart really isn’t made of stone.”

Mydei rolled his eyes. “Ugh.”

Back at their apartment that evening, Phainon offered to cook. He made his specialty dish: fried rice and salad. It was a basic dish, and could really deal with a bit more flavour. Phainon was so adamant about cooking that Mydei decided not to turn him down. Phainon also hadn’t challenged Mydei to any competitions since the morning; they actually got to eat half a meal in peace.

“So, what do you think?” Phainon gestured to the rice and salad piled high on Mydei’s plate. Mydei chewed a little more before answering.

“…Could do with a little more flavour.” He nodded, swallowing the food. “Serviceable rice I guess.”

Phainon huffed out a smile. “It won’t hurt you to praise me every once in a while, y’know?”

You want me to praise you over rice? Was what Mydei wanted to say. He kept that to himself for now.

“Hmm.”

Mydei continued eating. Phainon sat at the table across from him. He had barely touched his own food yet. He seemed to be fiddling with his hands. Mydei could feel the weight of his gaze.

Phainon eventually sighed. “Mydei, I need to ask you…Why did you step in earlier? When my brother was trying to talk to me?”

So this was why Phainon insisted he cook.

Mydei remained silent for a few moments.

“…It didn’t look like he was just trying to talk to you,” he said. Phainon blinked at him with those puppy dog eyes and Mydei knew he had to come up with some sort of reason. “Fine. Your brother was in my seminar class last week, and he didn’t give a positive first impression.”

Phainon perked up at that. “You spoke with him already?”

Mydei shook his head. “We didn’t talk. He was releasing pheromones in class. I think he was trying to challenge me.”

“What? Really?” Phainon tapped his chin. “Aglaea never mentioned any of that.”

“Aglaea?” Mydei asked.

“Oh, right I didn’t tell you.” Phainon scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “You remember I said I know a professor here? That’s Professor Aglaea. I know her personally. Outside of class. She um… she looks out for me.” Phainon chuckled nervously. “Did you know she used to date Professor Anaxa?”

“Hmm, that’s certainly something.”

“I know right?” Phainon leaned forward, his expression changing back to something more focused. “Anyway, you said my brother was being aggressive towards you?”

“It was less aggressive, and more like he was trying to get my attention and gain a reaction.”

“Hmm,” Phainon frowned. “That’s unlike him to do something like that. I’ve never seen him react to another alpha.”

Mydei kept his face blank. He didn’t want to entertain the idea that Khaslana was such a powerful alpha that he could see through Mydei’s alpha façade. Cipher had reassured him that she provided only the best scent blockers and heat suppressants, and he had total faith in her.

“Perhaps it’s because I’m your roommate?” Mydei stated. “I don’t know the full details of your relationship with your brother, but he is an alpha. And, you’re a beta. Even if your relationship is…strained, he’s your brother, that instinct to protect you may still be there.”  

Phainon squashed up his face as if that fact disgusted him. He didn’t say anything straight away. A deep frown was etched on his face.

“It’s a little complicated,” Phainon admitted after a while. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to tell you…”

Phainon exhaled loudly. “…Our parents died in an accident when we were teens. We were…separated afterward. I don’t know him that well anymore. But, he doesn’t want me to be here. He wants me to drop out.” Anger flared in his eyes. “I don’t know what he thinks he’s trying to do, but there’s no way I’m leaving this place.”

Mydei was surprised that Phainon had shared such information with him. Phainon had definitely left some things unsaid, but it wasn’t really Mydei’s place to hear whatever had happened in Phainon’s past. That he felt comfortable saying anything made Mydei’s heart squeeze in a way he couldn’t quite describe. He couldn’t imagine such a cheery person as Phainon had been through all that.

Mydei thought back to the lecture earlier, and the things Professor Lygus had said. He recalled how the professor seemed to glance in Khaslana’s direction every so often.

Was Khaslana against betas studying at the university just as that professor seemed to be?

Mydei studied Phainon again. The white-haired beta looked unusually perplexed, a troubled dark colour seemed to swim in his eyes.

Or, was the conflict between the two brothers more personal than that?

“You got accepted into this university just as Khaslana did,” Mydei said. “So pay him no mind of day. Just because he’s an alpha doesn’t make him better than you, and it never will, no matter what anyone else says.”

Phainon bit his lip. He looked unsure, as if he wished to say something else. However, Phainon swallowed it back down and replaced it with an easy smile.

“Look at you giving advice,” he chuckled with bravado. “I just hope that for Khaslana’s own sake, that he doesn’t bother you too much. There’s no way he could handle your bad side.” Phainon winked. “Makes me glad I can’t smell your scent, I bet it reeks when you’re pissed off.”

“HKS!”

Mydei tried to ignore Phainon’s teasing so that he could think about the things Phainon had said a little longer.

However, he could see Phainon peeking at him from the corners of his vision with that stupid puppy dog expression.

Phainon cocked his head innocently, batting his eyelashes. “Do I get to hear something about you now?”

Phainon’s eyes were bright, almost transparent, as if they were pressing for a certain answer.

Could I tell him that I’m not an alpha? Can I trust him? What would his reaction be?

For the first time, Mydei briefly considered it. Emphasis on briefly considered.

“Hmm, maybe some other time,” he said, getting up to go wash his plate.

“Being mysterious is only cool in movies!” Phainon called after him. “I’ll get to the bottom of you Mydeimos, some day!”

Previously Mydei might have growled at him for being nosey.

But now, he found himself rolling his eyes, a smile on his lips that Phainon couldn’t see.

The next morning, Mydei felt groggy and muddy as he woke, so much that a loud crash from his close vicinity made him jump. By the banging and crashing sounds beyond the door, it sounded like Phainon was trying to burn down their kitchen.

Mydei held his head for a moment. It felt like he might be getting some kind of migraine. As if a worm was trying to burrow its way through his skull and into his brain.

Mydei grabbed some clothes, his suppressants and scent blockers, and made his way for a shower.

He peeled off the old scent blocker and stepped into the shower. A quick shower was all it would be. He didn’t dare take a patch off for long in case his scent began leaking out faster than anticipated. He wasn’t sure exactly how potent it would be. Even if Phainon was a beta and couldn’t pick up on scents, it was better to be on the safe side.

As Mydei dipped his head under the shower, letting the water trail down his jaw and drip onto his feet, he concentrated on how the water felt on his skin, trying to erase the thumping pain in his head. At some point, he was sure he heard muffled banging from behind the door.

What the hell was Phainon doing out there?

All well, if the apartment was burning down, it could wait until after his shower.

After showering and sticking a new scent blocker over his scent glands, Mydei brushed his teeth and took his heat suppressants. He looked at the pill in his hand before he took it. He’d been taking heat suppressants everyday straight for almost two weeks. The pills worked to suppress his heat cycle, and they did so incredibly successfully. He hadn’t felt any urges to go into heat whatsoever. The pills did, however, come with setbacks.

The pills prevented the natural cycle of his body, and that came with other complications. Headaches, migraines, joint pains, stomach aches, sickness and fever. Those were just some of the side effects from taking heat suppressants long-term.

Taking heat suppressants long-term meant that when the pills were waned and an omega’s heat cycle presumed, dry heats were more likely, and the entire heat cycle was likely to be interrupted, becoming erratic, unpredictable, and likely painful to go through.

And the main complication as to why these pills were highly illegal: taking heat suppressant had a direct correlation to diminishing rates of fertility among omegas. In a world where fearmongering about population decline was rife, and where alphas desired to control omegas and their fertility more than ever, such pills were an alpha’s worst nightmare come true.

The side effects of the pills were not of Mydei’s current concern. He’d known long in advance what taking heat suppressants long-term would do to his body and he was prepared to deal with the consequences of it. What concerned Mydei was that it had barely been two weeks. Just two weeks on heat suppressants. He had about another month until mid-term break. If he was experiencing migraines already, how much worse would it get?

No matter, he would persist whatever happened.

He examined his appearance in the mirror for a moment. His broad shoulders, the sharpness of his face, his body woven in inky red tattoos. Getting those tattoos had been his own idea. Not only did they make him seem more bold, more unapproachable, more ‘alpha’ , it was a chance to express himself without saying it out loud. To tattoo an omega was seen as defilement in the eyes of some alphas. To be tattooed by his own choice was to take back that control.

And yet, whenever Mydei looked at himself in the mirror, he could only focus on the slight imperfections in his façade. How plump and pink his lips were. How long and dark his eyelashes were. How soft his hair was to the touch, as if it were made to be caressed, for fingers to weave through as if to claim him.

Those were things no one else would likely notice, that Mydei himself never used to notice, until he was forced to pretend that they didn’t exist at all.

Mydei couldn’t focus on his appearance for too long, nor his migraine. He got a dreadful sense that a certain someone else was quite close at the moment.

Mydei threw his towel on top of his head and opened the bathroom door.

The first thing he saw upon opening the door was Phainon, who stood completely unsuspiciously close to the bathroom door. He was almost pressed against the wall as if he were on some secret spy mission. Luckily, this time, Mydei had made sure to bundle his pills and suppressants tightly in his pockets so they had no chance of falling out.

The two stared at each other for a few seconds. Phainon blinked at him, then blinked a bit more. Did he think Mydei hadn’t seen him or something?

“Hi,” Phainon said, waving as if they’d seen each other from across the street.

Mydei crossed his arms. “Can I help you?”

“Good morning to you too, Mister Sunshine.” Phainon leaned against the wall, ruffling through his fluffy white hair. “Wanna eat breakfast with me?”

“What were you doing in there earlier?” Mydei asked, walking past him. “I could hear you banging around even with the shower on.”

“Err duh, making our breakfast? The eggs aren’t gonna fry themselves.”

Phainon had made him food…again?

“If you’re going to try to challenge me to see who can eat their breakfast faster, then I’m going to tell you now, it’s an awful idea, and you’re going to seriously regret it.” Mydei scoffed. “You already found that out the hard way when you tried to drink a whole bottle of Pepsi without breaking.”

“No. No competition,” Phainon denied. “Just eating.”

Mydei squinted at him. “That sounds…concerning, coming from you.”

“Hey, what are you trying to say?” Phainon frowned. “And just to remind you, I actually managed to get through half a bottle easily. Unlike you. You barely had three sips.”

“That’s because I decided that I didn’t want to try and kill myself.”

“You’re supposed to be saying yes to my breakfast proposal!” Phainon reminded him with an annoyed tone, even as his eyes appeared soft. “Can’t you ever just say yes like a normal person?”

Mydei let out a huff. “Fine. Just let me put my stuff away.”

As Mydei moved over to his bed, Phainon stayed in position. Not only that, his eyes followed Mydei’s movements exactly. Whenever Mydei turned around to look at him, that innocent, head-empty expression only met him back.

With Phainon’s eyes on him, Mydei wasn’t quite sure how he was supposed to hide his pills and suppressants. He usually buried them in the draws under his bed, hiding them at the bottom and piling all his clothes on top. He couldn’t exactly do that with Phainon watching him. Not only that, he had to act like he wasn’t experiencing a migraine.

So, for a few moments whilst he tried to work out what to do, he simply stood there. Probably looking like an idiot.

“…You okay?” Phainon asked, that tiny little bit of concern in his voice making Mydei seize up.

“You go ahead…I’ll join you in a moment,” Mydei said over his shoulder.

Phainon didn’t respond straight away.

“…Sure,” Phainon said eventually. “Don’t be too long.”

Phainon made his way back into the kitchen. Mydei let out a breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding. He quickly buried his vile of suppressants. He considered taking a couple painkillers for his migraine, but decided against it. The pain wasn’t that bad, he could handle it. Talking to Phainon would surely be a good distraction from it. It would be best to save his painkillers, he’d likely need them much more another time.

Mydei quickly tied his hair into a braid. Just a simple one to cover his neck, then headed off to find Phainon and whatever mess he’d created.

When he went into the kitchen, Phainon had indeed prepared a couple plates of fried eggs on toast. He’d even paired it with a glass of milk. It reminded Mydei of the breakfasts his mother used to make him. She used to make him pink milk using pomegranate juice. Perhaps he should try and buy some pomegranates and recreate it.

“So, what’s with you treating me to all these fine dining experiences?” Mydei asked as they ate.

“Hey, I’m trying to do something nice for you.” Phainon scratched the back of his ear.

“You don’t need to thank me for what happened with your brother,” Mydei said, already knowing the reason behind the breakfast. “I jumped in without thinking. There’s no need for praise. Let’s just call it even and move on.”

Phainon hummed in response to that, staring down at his plate.

No, he wasn’t staring at his plate, he was trying to steal glances in Mydei’s direction without him noticing.

Mydei did notice. It was pretty obvious. Phainon really wasn’t good at masking things. But he would indulge and pretend to not notice.

“…Mydei?” Phainon asked after a while.

“What?”

“…Nothing,” he said, before immediately perking up again. “Actually, I wanted to ask you. It’s the society meeting today. It’s at lunchtime.”

“Is that the antique thing you were on about?”

Phainon’s eyes began to sparkle. “Mydei, you remembered! Aww, I’m flattered!” Phainon smiled brightly. Too brightly. “But yeah, I went last week already, and it was amazing! The society goes on thrift hunts and we gather a load of artifacts and then identify if they’re real or fakes and talk about their histories…And the people there are so interesting! Castorice is quiet like you are, but she’s so poetic and loves history. And Hyacine is the most adorable ray of sunshine and has the cutest pet cat! I think you’d like her too. She has this little plush unicorn on her bag and apparently it’s this super rare collectible but she calls it fat fu-”

Phainon cleared his throat, blushing when he noticed Mydei was still listening to him. “Did you, maybe, want to tag along?”

He’s quite cute when he blabbers.

Nope. Don’t think like that.

Why the heck would I think that?

“I don’t know anything about antiques,” Mydei said.

“That’s okay, you don’t need to. It’s chill, promise.”

Phainon’s hand stretched out across the table, getting closer to Mydei’s own. Mydei looked at that hand. He actually considered taking it. What was worse, a part of him actually wanted to go with Phainon.

The snap of pain in his head said otherwise.

Mydei turned his head to look out of the window. “I might go and study in the library for a while. But, thanks for inviting me. I…hope you enjoy yourself.”

Phainon pouted. He studied Mydei with that inquisitive gaze of his, and Mydei hoped no pain had shown on his face just then. He covered it up by taking a huge bite of his eggs on toast.

“Progress. We’re making progress,” Phainon mumbled to himself after a while. “It’s all part of the process to our united pact of brotherhood.” Phainon sent Mydei a mischievous grin. “ Hey, I know another way we can get closer.” Phainon wriggled his fingers. “A tickle match.”

Mydei shot him an unimpressed look. “Sometimes, I think you shouldn’t say the things that are rattling around in your head out loud. That’s why they are called thoughts.”

“Pfft,” Phainon clicked his teeth together. “And what would you know about thoughts, dear Mydemios?”

As he spoke, Phanion reached across the table, and flicked lightly at Mydei’s braid.

Yes. Touch me.

Mydei’s mouth fell open. He shocked himself into silence. For the briefest moment as Phainon touched him just then, he felt his omega instinct flare up.

That instinct told him he wanted more touch. More attention. Wanted to grab Phainon’s hand and drag it back so he could pet him properly.

It shouldn’t have been possible. Mydei had been in a whole room full of alphas and felt nothing. The only alpha who had effected his omega was Khaslana, and that was only when the guy had leaked his fucking pheromones all over the class.

How had a beta made his omega instincts flare? And how had that beta been Phainon!?

Phainon quickly retreated from the kitchen, giggling to himself. He probably thought that Mydei would try to murder him for touching him.

He had no idea what was actually going on in Mydei’s head.

Mydei sat deathly still for quite some time. It was a good thing that Phainon was no longer with him. Mydei felt quite hot all of a sudden. He couldn’t work out if his migraine felt better or worse.

Mydei didn’t end up going to the library. He stayed in the apartment whilst Phainon went out to his antique society meeting.

Mydei tried not to think about how Phainon had made his omega instincts flare up for the rest of the day. However, he found himself continuously going back to it, trying to think of various excuses for it.

Those excuses included:

My hair is just sensitive.

It’s because of this damn headache.

Those suppressants are probably messing with my head.

And the briefest thought of: I’m not that touch-starved, am I?

He told himself to stop fretting about it. Migraine or not, he had to do something constructive with his day.

Phainon probably wouldn’t be back until the late afternoon. It would be good to take advantage of the silence and go through some of the reading material that his professors had given him.

Mydei had been studying for all of five minutes when Phainon burst through the door in a ray of sunshine like the second sun he was. That was when Mydei checked his phone, and realised it was indeed, late afternoon.

“Mydeiiii, I’m baaaack! You won’t guess what antique someone brought in!”

Fuck.

Mydei closed his textbook.

A bathtub. The unexpected antique someone brought in was an old professor’s bathtub.

And it was authentic.

Mydei partly listened to Phainon recount his entire afternoon, whilst the other part could only focus on how gleeful Phainon’s expression was. Who knew rusty old bathtubs could be so interesting?

Later that evening, the two of them were sitting in the bedroom. Mydei was studying at the desk – or trying to – whilst Phainon was upside down on his bed, his legs up against the wall, his head lolling off the side of the bed as he scrolled through his phone. Mydei had decided to not question it. Apparently having the blood flow to all the wrong places in the body was the optimal position for indulging in internet slop content.

Mydei had one earbud in whilst he focused on the reading materials on his laptop screen. He’d been making a few notes as he went through. His headache had cleared slightly when Phainon had been telling him about his time at the society meeting, but trying to understand all the long and complicated terms on the screen seemed to be bringing it back again. The feeling of something knocking inside his head was definitely an effective distraction from his uni work.

Mydei sighed to himself, pinching his brow. He wanted to call it quits and sink his face into his pillow so badly.

“You okay?” Phainon asked from behind him. It wasn’t the first time that Phainon had asked him that today. Mydei immediately went back into study mode.

“Yep. This is just boring as heck.”

Mydei had not been raised to be a quitter, and he certainly wasn’t going to quit in front of Phainon.

He kept studying for another twenty minutes. Phainon said nothing in that time. Occasionally, Mydei could feel the other’s eyes burning into his back. He did all he could to ignore it, when finally, another distraction decided to enter the fray.

“Mydei, are you sick?”

Mydei looked up from his screen. “Hmm?”

Phainon was no longer in his strange upside down position. He sat cross-legged on his bed, looking at Mydei with a slight frown.

“I-I don’t mean to pry. Well, really I have no right to know,” Phainon stumbled over his words, sounding unusually awkward. “But…I noticed that you seem to take a lot of pills, and y-you don’t quite seem like yourself today. So I was just…”

“Being a nosey bastard?” Mydei finished for him.

Of course Phainon had noticed.

Mydei was keen to end that conversation there.

He turned back to his computer screen and began typing again. He had no idea what he was typing. His fingers were simply clicking random keys. Black dots danced across his screen, making no sense. It took everything to keep his shoulders from rising.

Phainon however, wouldn’t let it go just yet. He slid his legs off the sides of the bed, drawing himself slightly closer to the other man in the room.

“…What if something happens to you and I’m the only person around that can help?” He asked gently.

Mydei’s fingers hovered over the keys.

Can I really tell him the truth?

“…You don’t need to worry about me,” Mydei said after a long pause.

“So, you are sick?” Phainon asked, moving even closer.

“I am minding my own business, and I think you should too,” Mydei spoke more harshly. He kept his eyes trained on the screen.

But now, Phainon was resting a hand on the back of his chair.

“I won’t judge you. I’m being genuine here.” He was leaning in closer, his voice dropping. A hand edging its way onto Mydei’s back. A sweet smile. “My view of you isn’t going to change.”

What?

Mydei’s heart beat loudly once. Only once. He wouldn’t let it beat twice.

“Phainon,” Mydei said with a growl this time.

Phainon immediately put his hands in the air in surrender.

“Okay, okay, boundary overstepped. I got it.”

Phainon backed off after that. The air hung heavy between them. Mydei felt incredibly fidgety.

“I’m going to take a shower,” Phainon announced quite quickly.

“Suits me,” Mydei replied.

Phainon left for the bathroom, not without taking a last glance back towards his roommate. Mydei clenched his teeth hard.

When Phainon was gone, Mydei tried to go back to studying, but if he couldn’t focus before, now he had no hope.

For someone who seemed totally off with the fairies, Phainon was observant. And what was this… touching he’d been doing today?

Right there and then, Mydei swore to himself that he would do better to hide his heat suppressant pills. He’d make sure Phainon never saw the vile again. He’d make sure Phainon would never think he was sick again. He’d make sure that Phainon only saw the stoic faultless alpha that Mydei wanted him to see.

Chapter Text

One month later.

Mydei groaned as his alarm went off. He turned over and buried his head in his pillow. Maybe if he tried hard enough, he could will himself back to sleep with sheer force of will, despite the noise assaulting his ears.

The next he knew, something else was assaulting him.

“Wakey wakey! Rise and shine!”

Phainon tapped on his arm incessantly like he were some impatient toddler. “Come on! You said you’d study with me before the exam starts.”

It was the week before midterm break, and that brought only one other thing, midterm exams.

Since it was going to be Professor Lygus overseeing the exam, neither of them wanted to take any chances. They’d both agreed to study together.

When Mydei didn’t move, Phainon hummed to himself, before swiping a finger up Mydei’s back.

Mydei’s bare back.

“Ah~!”

Mydei immediately craned upwards and bared his neck. He jumped up so fast that he almost launched himself out of his bed.

Phainon stood awestruck beside him.

The two of them stared at the other for far too long as Mydei realised exactly what sound he’d just made. And that he was currently baring his neck to Phainon. He froze in absolute horror.

The next moment, Phainon was grinning from ear to ear.

“Ha! I knew you were ticklish!”

Mydei took his frustration out on his alarm, slamming it harshly.

“Get lost,” he spat. Though he was still too sleepy for it to come off with any venom.

“Tehee~” Phainon looked absolutely thrilled by his new discovery. “I am going to hold that against you forever~”.

Mydei decided that sleep was no longer his priority. His priority now was to get away from Phainon as quickly as possible, before he could try anything else. Mydei grabbed his clothes and went immediately to the bathroom.

“Don’t be too long!” Phainon called after him. Mydei ignored him, save the way he gripped his clothes tighter in his hands.

As soon as the bathroom door was closed behind him, Mydei wiped his hands down his face.

For the past two weeks, he hadn’t been able to clear the feeling of exhaustion from his body. He knew that the effects of taking heat suppressants long term were starting to kick in. Headaches. Random dizzy spells. Bouts of nausea. It was nothing he couldn’t handle. The more often he felt sick, the more mundane the feeling became. He was more concerned that Phainon would notice. Especially since – if that stunt was anything to go by – his body was also becoming more sensitive.

He was also starting to run low on heat suppressants and scent blockers. He’d have to arrange to meet Cipher sometime within the week, before his supplies got dangerously low.

Mydei fished the vile of suppressants from the back of the bathroom cupboard. He kept them hidden behind his bottles of soap and lotions, in a small padlocked case. Ever since Phainon had asked him if he had a sickness, he didn’t want to take any chances. They had supposedly arranged that each of them owned a shelf in the bathroom cupboard. Mydei the lower one, and Phainon the higher one, as he was ‘just that much taller’. What a joke.

Mydei monitored the position of the case and his shampoos strictly. If Phainon dared to rummage through them or the case, he would know about it. So far, it didn’t seem like Phainon had bothered with the case. Though Mydei had no doubts that his ever-observant eyes had seen it. Not that he could get into the case anyway, Mydei had no intentions of telling him the passkey for the padlock. Phainon also hadn’t inquired any further into Mydei’s ‘sickness’ since a month ago. Mydei hoped that meant that he had dropped the subject permanently and learned to mind his own business.

Though recently, Phainon kept nicking his body wash, annoying bastard.

Mydei stepped into the shower, trying not to think about that man. He was supposed to be thinking about their mid-term exam.

How brash can he be? Trying to tickle me whilst I’m asleep. Mydei thought as he scrubbed his hair. A beta should be more careful around an alpha in their space.

An alpha…by the Titans, that noise he’d let out just now was anything but alpha-like.

The two of them pulled up to the library and sat down with their books. Their subject had essay-based exams rather than having test papers, however there was still a need to memorize key terms, topics and reading materials.

The two of them asked each other questions about their topics for a while, going back and forth.

Mydei had been quite focused, until he saw someone else enter the library over Phainon’s shoulder.

It was Khaslana. He carried some books of his own. It seemed he had also come here to study. His gaze fixed almost immediately on the pair of them, even though they were on the other side of the library from the entrance.

Khaslana’s expression was as unreadable as ever. Unlike Phainon. As soon as Phainon noticed his twin brother, his shoulders rose and his expression darkened.

Then, he wove an arm around Mydei’s shoulders.

It was only when Phainon did that action that Mydei realised just how close the two of them were sitting. Phainon’s leg had been knocking against his own for over an hour and he hadn’t even noticed.

Khaslana observed them a little longer. Then, he disappeared deeper into the library. Completely wordless.

Even long after Khaslana had disappeared, Phainon still had his arm around Mydei.

“…You okay?” Mydei asked after a while.

Phainon stretched back in his seat. “Me? I’m fine. I’m not going to let him bother me anymore.” Mydei knew Phainon was lying through his teeth, but it was true that his reaction to seeing his brother wasn’t quite the same that it used to be. Phainon hadn’t looked quite so uneasy around his brother ever since Mydei had stood up for him.

Phainon patted Mydei’s shoulders. “Besides, I have more important things to be focusing on right now.”

Phainon looked Mydei in the eye. His blue eyes swam with something deep and uncharted.

Mydei’s shoulders stiffened.

…Like what? He wanted to ask.

Phainon smiled, and pointed to the textbook with his free hand. “Would you go over this concept again?”

Of course, they were supposed to be focusing on the exam.

When they left the library later that morning, Phainon took in a big lung full of air and stretched his arms up high over his head.

“Since we worked so hard all morning,” Phainon started. “What do you say to getting a crepe from the food cart?”

It was true that they had worked pretty hard, enough to set off another headache. Even still, Mydei couldn’t resist something sweet.

“Sure.”

“Great!” Phainon bowed, holding out a hand. “This way then, my prince.”

Mydei rolled his eyes. He bashed into Phainon’s shoulder purposefully. Phainon found it funny of all things, and returned the shoulder bashing with matching force.

Once they started walking, the shoulder-bashing match ended. However, Mydei noticed the way Phainon’s shoulders continued brushing against his own. But every time he peered inquisitively at Phainon to ask him what the fuck he was doing, the other seemed to be looking elsewhere entirely, humming happily to himself.

When they got to the university food cart, there was a small queue. This place was quite popular with students at lunchtimes. They served delicious crepes and waffles, covered in the fruits or chocolate of one’s choosing.

“What are you gonna get for toppings?” Phainon asked him. Mydei looked at the menu.

“I think I’ll get strawberries and sugar.”

“You know, it’s kinda cute that you have such a sweet tooth, even though you’re an alpha,” Phainon teased, his eyes sparkling.

Mydei frowned at him, crossing his arms over himself. “Just because I’m an alpha doesn’t mean I can’t partake in sweet desserts. Stop being so closed-minded.”

“Oh, I apologise profusely!” Phainon wept. “The only way I can make it up to you is to pay for your lunch.”

Mydei’s gaze snapped to him. “You are not paying for my lunch.”

“Move aside Mydei.”

“No.”

“But I insist.”

“There is no reason for you to pay!”

“Accept your defeat already!”

“HKS!”

Their bickering over who should pay caused quite the scene in the food cart line. Several people moved aside to give them space.

When they finally got their crepes, Mydei made sure that Phainon ended with half of his on his face.

It did not have the intended effect. With his cheeks and jacket covered in chocolate sauce, Phainon laughed even brighter.

“That’s going to be a bitch to wash off, you know that?” Mydei jeered. Phainon simply drew him in closer, squeezing his shoulder.

“That’s why I have such a great alpha to help me.”

It was annoying, but at least with Phainon around, it was a good distraction from his headaches.

Mydei lay away in bed that night. Another migraine was coming, and he was cursing himself for it. There was no chance that  it would be gone by the next morning for his exam.

Phainon had already drifted off on the other side of the room, snoring gently. Mydei observed his sleeping figure for a while, watching the gentle rise and fall of the bedcovers in time with his breathing.

Mydei found his mind drifting back over the day and how prominently Phainon had featured in it. They’d gone from spending most of their days apart, to most of them together. The more he thought about it, the more Mydei also realised that Phainon’s touches were starting to become a more consistent thing. He often put an arm casually over Mydei’s shoulders, flicked his nose or lightly pulled on his hair. Even during their lecture classes, Phainon sometimes tapped his hand, or his knee, or peered right into Mydei’s space to look at his notes.

And most often, Mydei let him get away with it.

Since when have I become so lax with him?

Mydei struggled through the exam the next day. Every sound around him felt far too loud. Those sounds stood out even more in the quiet lecture theatre. He could hear the scribble of each pen, each turn of a page, all of it nagging at his brain. Professor Lygus stood at the front of the class the entire time, watching them all silently. It made it incredibly difficult to concentrate.

Every now and then, Phainon looked his way, sending him a reassuring smile. Mydei sent one back. He had to at least beat Phainon, then he’d be happy.

By the end of the allotted time, he was fairly pleased with what he’d written, considering the circumstances. The professor stood at the front, asking for each student to place their paper on his desk.

“So? How do you think you did?” Phainon asked as the two of them made their way down the stairs.

“Fine, hopefully,” Mydei replied. “The question wasn’t too outlandish. I wrote down everything I could remember from our study session.”

“That’s good,” Phainon nodded. “I feel the same, I’m glad we studied hard, otherwise I might’ve been screwed…”

Phainon’s voice trailed off. He seemed to be looking at something ahead. Mydei followed his gaze. He wasn’t surprised to see Phainon’s attention had gone to Khaslana, who was handing his paper to Professor Lygus ahead of them.

The unexpected thing was how Lygus reached out, and patted Khaslana on the head. The professor seemed to lean closer to the student’s ear, saying something more hushed. In response, Khaslana nodded. Somehow, he seemed to know he was being watched. He turned back to gaze directly at Phainon and Mydei, before taking his leave.

Phainon and Mydei remained silent, handing in their papers quickly, and making for the exit.

That wasn’t how an ordinary teacher and student behaved.

“What was that?” Mydei asked once they were out in the corridors.

“I…don’t know,” Phainon replied, a frown etched deeply into his forehead. He didn’t say it particularly convincingly.

The two of them walked to a quieter corner of campus.

“Do they know each other?” Mydei stated, once he was sure no one else was listening in.

Phainon paced backwards and forwards. “I…can’t believe this,” Phainon mumbled to himself. “How did I not realise sooner?”

Mydei couldn’t help but notice Phainon’s visible distress. The way he paced, how his white hair seemed to fall in his eyes, the jittering of his hands.

Mydei bit his lip. He didn’t like seeing Phainon this way. He wanted to help, but was hesitant to speak, lest he say the wrong thing and turn Phainon away.

Seeing Phainon in a distressed state made Mydei think of his mother. He found himself reminiscing to memories of her. No matter what. No matter how bad it got. She was always there for him. She never coddled him, never pushed for him to open up, never told him to shove his feelings aside. She was just a quiet, understanding presence.

She would take him to a quiet corner of the house, and hold his hand, until his tears stopped, until the rage burst forth and Mydei cursed his father and their life to the sky. Her presence, her invitation, was all he’d ever needed to get through the next day, the next month, the next year.

“Sorry, Mydei.”

Phainon’s voice cut Mydei from his thoughts, pulling him back to the present. “It doesn't matter. You go back to the apartment. I’ll see you later.” Audible cracks were noticeable in Phainon’s voice. He tried to wave, tried to fake a smile. But Mydei knew…

“I’m here if you want someone to listen,” Mydei said, his tone gentle, his expression quiet but focused on Phainon. There was no pressure. It was an invitation.

Phainon stopped. For a moment, he looked at Mydei like he was mad. Then, the expression fell. A sorrowful shine in his eyes. An acceptance. A sigh.

“After our parents passed away,” Phainon began, his voice more hoarse than before, “there was a family who came to see us, who wanted to adopt. They were a rich family. The husband was a professor.” Phainon looked up, to the grey sky above their heads, as if it might rain. “Khaslana had already presented as an alpha at the time. I was at presenting age too back then, but…” Phainon balled his hands into fists. A rage in his eyes. “They only wanted him. They only took him. They didn’t want me, a beta. And so, my brother left me behind.”

Those words hung heavy.

Phainon slumped on the floor. He picked up a stone, and flung it. Phainon watched it spin through the air, landing unceremoniously on the grassy patch ahead.

Mydei stayed silent, his expression void. After a while, Phainon took a shaky breath. The rage from before was now replaced with something more sombre and blue.

 “After that…” Phainon started. “I wanted nothing to deal with that family or my brother…” He picked up another stone. “I’m certain now. Lygus was the one who adopted Khaslana. The professor looks different from all those years ago, and I’m sure he used to have a different name, that’s why I didn’t recognise him, but the way they interacted, Khaslana doesn’t let anyone touch him, it’s definitely him. And Khaslana…” Phainon growled. “Crap, no wonder his head is full of shit about the way the world should be. That bastard.”

Phainon threw the other stone in his hand, further this time. Far enough that neither saw where it landed.

Mydei remained silent. Then, he moved forward, and slid down the wall to sit beside Phainon.

It finally all made sense.

Phainon had never said it out loud, but Mydei knew, could tell.

Phainon despised alphas and everything they stood for.

Now, finally, Mydei understood why.

“The world is unfair,” Mydei said.

“Oh yeah?” Phainon bit, his eyes burning once more. “What would you know? You’re strong, good-looking, hard-working, you’re a perfect alpha in every way! What would you know about the world being unfair?!”

Mydei’s eyes widened at Phainon’s sudden lash out. The burning fire in Phainon’s eyes cut through his chest.

Phainon’s eyes widened after he realised what he said. His eyes filled with blue, panic, regret. “I-I take that back. I shouldn’t have said that. Sorry, Mydei, I-I didn’t mean it.”

“You’re saying I’m…not perfect?” Mydei questioned, adding in a hint of playfulness to his voice. What Phainon had just said did hurt. However, Mydei knew he didn’t mean it. Or, didn’t fully mean it.

A perfect alpha was the persona Mydei was trying to wear, after all.

What was more, he’d never seen Phainon be so openly vulnerable before. He didn’t want to scare him off.

“…You know what I mean.” Phainon licked his lips, fidgeting with his hands. “You’re not…heartless like the others are. And you don’t talk about it… but I know you have your own problems.”

Mydei hummed in response.

The two fell into a silence for a moment. Mydei thought over what Phainon had just said. It must’ve brought back some terrible memories to even just see Khaslana again. Let alone see the professor who tore them apart, who had deemed Phainon unworthy based on his secondary gender alone. And now here they all were at university together.

It was messed up as all shit. Mydei felt rage for him.

Bastard alphas.

“I see…” Mydei said. “Your situation is complicated.”

“I guess that’s one way to put it,” Phainon scoffed, picking at the grass beneath his hands “Lygus hasn’t approached me at all, only Khaslana. Perhaps he doesn’t remember me. Maybe that’s for the best.” Phainon balled a fist. “I wonder if seeing my name on the exam paper will refresh his memory? Bastard.”

“Don’t let him bother you,” Mydei replied. “Neither of them deserve your attention. Focus on yourself, on your studies. Use the rage they’ve given you, and show them how wrong they are about you, and about betas.”

Phainon looked at the floor. A disingenuous smile on his face.

“Yeah…I’m trying to do that. Thanks, Mydei.”

It sounded as if the conversation might end there, but Mydei still had questions.

Slowly, he reached his hand across the grass. Not enough to touch Phainon, just enough for the other to notice, for him to stop and look.

“Phainon…what happened to you after your brother got adopted? Where did you go?”

Mydei waited quietly for Phainon’s response.

 “For a while I just wandered.” Phainon said, slowly picking another blade of grass. “But, ironically, I eventually got picked up by Aglaea. So in the end we both got picked up by professors.”

“That is ironic.”

“It is.” A small smile appeared on Phainon’s face. “She’s done so much for me. It’s because of her that I wanted to study here to become an activist, just like what she used to be. I want to make change like how she does.”

“Yeah, you’d be good at that,” Mydei replied.

“You think so?” Phainon sighed. “…What if I told you that she’s the only reason I’m here?”

“What do you mean?”

“I…didn’t pass the entrance exams to get a spot here. I was off by one mark. Aglaea put in a word for me afterward ... .They let me enrol because of her.”

Mydei felt intense rage looking at Phainon’s kicked puppy face all of a sudden. He surged forward, glaring Phainon in the eye.

“You really think she’d put a word in for you if she didn’t believe in your potential? Don’t be ridiculous. I studied with you all day yesterday, and you think you don’t have what it takes? You think you haven’t worked for this?!”

Phainon looked startled. He had tears in his eyes, his mouth quivering. He looked pathetic. “Mydei…I.”

Mydei prodded him hard in the chest.

“Ow! Mydei, what the heck!?” Phainon exclaimed. But now Mydei had his full attention and Mydei could say exactly what he thought.

“Stop comparing yourself to that shit-head of a brother of yours. You deserve this opportunity the same as everyone else here. Just be you, do your best and keep pushing to be better. Look forward, at the amazing man you’re going to become. That’s what matters.”

Phainon was stunned into silence. He looked as if he was about to burst into tears. Mydei wondered if he’d been too straight-forward.

But then, Phainon wiped the few tears that did escape away. The quiver in his lips turned into a smile.

“If I were to go back and tell the past me that I’d be getting a pep talk from my emotionally constipated alpha roommate, there’s no way I’d believe it,” he said.

“I’m not emotionally constipated,” Mydei pouted.

That made Phainon laugh. He wiped away the last of his tears. “No, you’re not. Not quite,” Phainon smiled. Properly this time.

Phainon studied Mydei’s face as if he’d never seen it before.

Then, he tentatively reached out.

He wrapped his arms around Mydei’s neck. So lightly, as if he were afraid to crush him. He rested his head on Mydei’s shoulder, embracing him.

“Thank you, Mydei. Really. I’ll take your words to my heart.”

Mydei wasn’t sure how to react. So, he just stayed in place, trying not to think too hard about Phainon’s body heat radiating with his own.

Phainon pulled back after a while, wiping his eyes clear of tears. His smile looked easier, a faint pink tint to his expression.

“We should be unwinding after that exam,” he said.

“Good idea,” Mydei nodded, getting to his feet. “Want to get coffee?”

He reached out a hand. Phaion took it, letting Mydei pull him up.

“I’d love to,” Phainon said, still gripping Mydei’s hand.

*

Now that exams were over, Mydei could finally start thinking ahead. The following week would be midterm holidays and all students would have no classes for one week. Mydei supposed that most students would take the opportunity to travel home to see their families.

He had also arranged to return home with Krateros for the week, though not for the same reason as most.

His body was telling him that he needed to stop taking suppressants. He needed to have a heat. He’d hide out at Krateros’ place for the week, lock himself in his room, and ride out his heat. Then, he could return to his studies feeling refreshed, and hold out on suppressants again until the winter holidays. It was the perfect plan.

The next day, whilst Mydei was heading to his seminar, when his phone pinged with messages. Mydei opened it up only to find it was Krateros.

(10:15) Krateros: Hey, kiddo. I’m afraid there’s going to have to be a slight change of plans

(10:17) Krateros: I can’t let you come here during your midterm break.

(10:18) Mydei: Why? What’s happened? Are you alright?

(10:19) Krateros: I’m fine

(10:19) Krateros: It’s your father

(10:20) Krateros: He’s here

Chapter Text

Mydei stilled, his blood running cold.                   

(10:21) Mydei: He’s with you?

(10:21) Mydei: Wasn’t he overseas with work?

(10:22) Krateros: Apparently he came this way on a business trip and decided to see how we were doing

(10:23) Krateros: He thought you might return for your university break

(10:23) Krateros: He expressed that he wanted to catch up with you

Mydei felt sick at just the idea of seeing his father’s face again.

He hadn’t seen that man since…since his mother’s funeral.

(10:24) Krateros: I told him that you had plans and wouldn’t be coming home

(10:24) Krateros: But that means you’ll have to stay where you are

(10:25) Mydei: Right

Mydei felt something stirring, itching beneath his skin.

His phone buzzed again.

(10:26) Krateros: Are you going to be okay?

(10:27) Krateros: I know it’s unhealthy for you to go so long without having a heat

(10:27) Krateros: But I can’t in good conscience let that man near you again. I won’t

(10:28) Mydei: No, you’d did the right thing

(10:28) Mydei: I’ll be okay.

(10:28) Mydei: It’s too risky to have my heat here, even if my roommate goes away for the week

(10:28) Mydei: I can manage holding off my heat until winter break

(10:29) Krateros: Alright

(10:29) Mydei: Will you be okay?

(10:30) Krateros: There’s no need to worry, your old man wouldn’t dare lay a finger on me

(10:30) Krateros: I’ll send you some extra money for some more supplies

(10:31) Krateros: You take care of yourself kiddo

(10:31) Mydei: Thank you

(10:31) Mydei: Good luck

Mydei couldn’t believe that his old man had shown himself, hoping to see him no less.

Mydei took himself to the nearest bathroom, and steadied himself against the wall.

He was pathetic. Just thinking of his father, those ruthless eyes of his, and those strong arms, it still made him feel the same way. He didn’t want to label it as fear. He’d told himself that he didn’t feel fear anymore a long time ago.

But, he also knew that he’d rather make himself sick on heat suppressants for the rest of his life, than ever see that man again.

Suppressants. Mydei’s stash was running low. He was going to need some more if he were to stay here over the break.

Mydei got up Cipher’s number.

(10:58) Mydei: Are you in the area this week?

Before he’d even sent the message, an automated response had appeared in his mailbox. It was a map of the surrounding area, with a cat avatar dancing towards the top right. Beneath the map, another message popped up.

(10:58) Bartholos: For one night only, Thursday, up to 75% off for returning customers!

*Terms & Conditions apply

Mydei rolled his eyes, but he was glad to know Cipher was around. Thursday was tomorrow, he’d make sure to be there.

Professor Aglaea’s seminar class went as usual. Mydei took the seat furthest from Khaslana. When the other alpha continued looking his way, Mydei resisted the urge to rise to his challenge. Rather than averting his gaze, Mydei had taken to looking straight past Khaslana instead. Something about not even acknowledging him made him feel quite smug.

Once the seminar had concluded and Aglaea dismissed the class, Mydei twiddled with his thumbs. He packed his bag slowly, waiting for the other students to filter out. Aglaea was still sitting at her desk, her legs crossed. He’d been debating whether to do this for the past hour, but as he got up from his seat and approached her, he guessed that he’d made up his mind.

Professor Aglaea must have been able to sense his presence, though she didn’t acknowledge him at all. Standing in front of her, Mydei realised that he hadn’t spoken out loud in her seminar even once since they did their introductions in the first lesson.

Mydei awkwardly cleared his throat.

“Professor Aglaea.” Why did his voice have to break like that? “Hi. I’m Phainon’s roommate.”

Aglaea’s eyes flickered over his form once, before returning to her paper.

“I’m well aware,” she said in her strong accent. Mydei felt like an absolute idiot just standing there. “Did you want to talk to me about him?” She asked eventually.

Mydei felt warmth in his cheeks. Hearing it said out loud was different than acting it out in his head.

“Well…” He scratched his head awkwardly. “…perhaps somewhat.”

Aglaea’s almost luminous eyes remained transfixed on him. She motioned to the seat in front of her, and Mydei followed.

Mydei told her about what happened the day prior. About how Khaslana had been antagonising Phainon, trying to convince him to drop out of the university. About how he and Professor Lygus seemed to have some sort of connection, and how Phainon had realised Lygus was the one who adopted Khaslana and caused the rift in their family.

“…I see,” Aglaea said, with no visible reaction shown at all. “And how did Phainon react when he put two and two together?” She asked.

“Not fantastically, if I have to be honest,” Mydei replied. “I tried my best to talk him round. I could tell he had insecurities, but I didn’t expect them to be so…”

“And, where is Phainon right now?” She asked.

“Uh,” Mydei blinked. “I guess…he’s gone to his seminar with Professor Anaxa.”

Mydei saw the fleetest twitch of Aglaea’s eyebrow at the mention of the other professor. Then, her expression settled again.

“Then there is no harm. He will be fine.”

Mydei was surprised by how nonchalant she was in her response. He watched Aglaea begin piling up the papers on her desk.

“…You’re not concerned about him at all?” Mydei asked, not in an accusatory way, more out of surprise.

“I saw something special in Phainon the day I took him in. Should he remain focused, then he will go on to achieve great things.” She looked at Mydei, her expression becoming slightly colder. “I’m aware of his history with Khaslana, and with Professor Lygus. Phainon has a lot of trauma from his youth, I imagine that is likely the reason he did not make the connection between his brother and the professor until now. However, it is not my place to interfere. He must navigate and overcome this burden on his own. We can support him, but we cannot overcome his past for him.”

Mydei’s brow furrowed. He wasn’t so sure. Leaving Phainon to navigate his studies whilst one of the sources of his trauma was right in front of him? It sounded incredibly harsh. But at the same time, Aglaea spoke with such sincerity and so much assurance. It was her expressionless face that made it all the more believable.

A small smirk seemed to appear on her face. “Do not fret for him,” she said. “He has all the potential he needs. It is up to him what he does with that potential. I hope that settles your worries.”

“I’m not worried about him,” Mydei rebounded.

She was right though. Phainon was bright, and gifted. He was sociable and caring. He had determination, and just a smidge of unintelligible weirdness. He had all the puzzle pieces necessary to prove his brother wrong.

Aglaea wore a strange kind of smile on  her usually stone-like face. “I appreciate you looking out for him, Mydei,” she said, a little twinkle laced into her voice.

Mydei pouted at the use of the nickname Phainon used for him now being used by his professor.

“Does he talk about me to you?” He found himself asking against his better judgement.

“Hmm,” Aglaea pondered for a moment, tapping a pen on the desk. “Every now and then perhaps.” 

Mydei dreaded to think exactly what Phainon had said to his professor. Perhaps it was better off not knowing.

Mydei nodded, rising from his seat to take his leave. He wasn’t quite sure how to end the conversation with Aglaea, who was still watching his every move as if she knew everything about him already.

“Mydei?” He looked over to her again. “If you ever need anything, do not be afraid to ask. Phainon would love nothing more than to support you like you have supported him.”

Her gaze, as if it could pierce right through him, made him feel hot.

“Hmm,” he hummed in agreement. He bowed politely. “Thank you, Professor.”

Though he couldn’t tell her about his own problem, he hoped that she could sense he was grateful for her offer.

Mydei exited the classroom, closing the door behind him. The corridors were empty, it seemed he’d been talking to Professor Aglaea longer than he realised.

He took a couple steps down the quiet corridors, when a familiar scent hit his nose. Copper, burning wood, ash.

The next moment, a brute force bumped harshly into his shoulder. On instinct, Mydei went to fight back and counter, only he wasn’t quick enough. Strong arms grabbed him by the shoulders, slamming him into the nearest wall.

Mydei’s breath left him as his back hit the wall. Hands grabbed around his wrists next, pinning them either side of his head.

“Get off of me,” Mydei hissed, glaring at the alpha who pinned him.

Instead, Khaslana leaned forward into his space.

“What are you doing?” He demanded. “Talking about my brother to our professor?”

“That’s none of your business,” Mydei cut back. He tried to pull himself free. Mydei was physically strong. He’d made himself so.

He was no match for Khaslana. His sheer aura radiated strength. His scent seemed to seep directly into Mydei’s bones. With his scent and stature piling over Mydei’s frame, Mydei found his body trembling, betraying him. He couldn’t push the other off.

“I can’t sit by when an alpha is trying to get with my brother.” Khaslana leaned in closer, his voice dropped. “No, that’s not what’s happening. It’s my brother trying to get with an alpha.”

“Neither of us are trying anything, we’re just roommates,” Mydei hissed. “You’re not even close to Phainon. You left him behind. Why should you get a say in his life anyway?”

Mydei grit his teeth and tried to shove himself out of Khaslana’s hold again. The alpha stood firm against him, as if he were watching a meek animal squirm around. Rather than loosening, the grip on his wrists only got tighter.

A low growl came from deep within Khaslana’s throat. His eyes shone like the only light in the darkest cavern.

“I’ve seen how he is with you in class,” Khaslana preened. “What does he do when you’re in private together? You’re really going to let my puny beta brother step all over you?”

Mydei looked Khaslana dead in the eyes as he purred the next sentence. “He’s more of an alpha than you’ll ever be.”

For the fleetest moment, Mydei saw the alpha falter. For just a moment, Mydei saw horror in his expression.

Mydei tried to bend his wrists out of Khaslana's hold whilst the other was distracted. As soon as he moved, Khaslana’s grip tightened ever more, becoming vice-like. Mydei winced. Alphas were strong, but Khaslana was something else. His grip was sure to leave bruises.

“You want to fight, pretty boy?” Khaslana leaned excoriatingly close, until Mydei could feel his breath on his cheeks, could feel the tip of his nose brushing his blond hair, could count the specks of gold floating in his eyes.

Khaslana seemed to loudly, and purposefully exhale. “Tell me, Mydeimos, how can an alpha even have a face like yours?” He came even closer, breathing against Mydei’s ear in a hushed whisper. “Who do you think you’re fooling?”

Mydei felt the alpha’s scent overwhelm him.

It was the first time he’d felt such a feeling for a long time. Fear curdling in his stomach, going down, down. Like a caged animal. His vision going blurry, his body wanting to fall. The only thing that registered was the alpha’s words, and an obsession in his mind to bare his neck. A complete takeover of his omega instincts.

To submit.

It felt like an outer body experience. At the same time, it was all too familiar.

He hadn’t experienced this since…

“You dare talk back to me, boy?”

“You want to stand up for that whore?”

“Then I’ll treat you like one.”

…Since the day he presented.

No. He wouldn’t succumb to that again.

Mydei threw a punch in a burst of strength.

He hit Khaslana straight on the nose.

Khaslana wasn’t moved, not even as his nose began to bleed.

He glared down at Mydei. “You’re gonna regret that,” was all he said.

Then, he let go.

Mydei remained in place long after Khaslana had left. He couldn’t tell where the other had gone, his vision still swimming. He held himself against the wall, trying to catch his breath between the illusions dancing in his head.

When he came back to reality, he was alone in the corridor. The sun was setting outside. Khaslana was nowhere in sight. The only remnants that he’d been there were the couple droplets of blood on the floor at Mydei’s feet.

And the scent. It clung to Mydei’s clothes. He could feel it scratching his skin, an incurable itch. His wrists felt like they were burning from the overwhelmingly strong scent bruised onto them.

Mydei didn’t give himself the chance to ponder what had just happened. He could only think of one thing.

I have to get this scent off me.

As soon as he got back to the apartment, Mydei ran straight for the shower, ignoring Phainon’s calls and questions about his day. He threw off his clothes and slammed on the water.

He grabbed a bottle of bodywash, not looking to see whether the bottle was labelled as his or Phainon’s, and squirted the entire contents onto his hands. The soapy gel-like liquid dripped from his fingers, falling down his chest, his thighs, and onto the shower floor.

Then, he got to work scrubbing at himself as viciously as he could. He could still feel the skin throbbing around his wrists from where Khaslana had pinned him. He scrubbed his body harshly, nails digging into the skin.

Though Phainon could not smell the scent of Khaslana on him, Mydei most certainly could, and he did not like it one bit. Anything to distract from that awful smell, and the way it made his body feel.

It made him feel like he wasn’t in control.

Like all his efforts to take control of his own fate were futile.

Like he was that young helpless presenting omega all over again.

A knock came from outside the bathroom door.

“Mydei? Are you alright?”

Mydei zoned back to the present. He was hunched over in the shower, water spiralled down his back. His breathing had fogged up the glass.

The itch in his skin was starting to reside. He couldn’t smell that intrusive copper scent anymore.

Phainon knocked again. “Mydei?”

“I’m fine,” Mydei called over the gushing water. “Just…washing my hair.”

To reinstate the point, Mydei picked up his shampoo and popped open the bottle.

He didn’t hear Phainon’s voice again after that.

Mydei washed himself thoroughly, until the itch was completely gone and his alpha persona restored.

He tried to think over the situation with Khaslana rationally, now that he was calm.

Khaslana didn’t like Mydei being near his brother, that much was confirmed. He’d not only listened in on Mydei’s conversation with Aglaea, but threatened him about it. It was as Mydei had thought, though the brothers weren’t close, Khaslana’s alpha instinct to protect those familiar and still lingered. Even though Mydei had no intentions with Phainon, having another alpha even in the vicinity of Phainon riled up Khaslana’s instincts.

But it wasn’t just that.

“You’re really going to let my puny beta brother step all over you?”      

“Tell me, Mydeimos, how can an alpha even have a face like yours?” 

“Who do you think you’re fooling?”

Did he…know? How could he know?

The heat suppressants Mydei took were the strongest medication of their kind, and his scent blockers were so effective they too had been made illegal, Cipher said they were incredibly difficult to source, and had to be specially made.

Mydei knew that Khaslana was an exceptional alpha. But could his alpha instincts really be so strong that he could see through the medication and tell that Mydei’s alpha persona was a hoax?

However, there was no reason why Khaslana would get possessive over Phainon if he knew Mydei was an omega. There was also no reason for him to keep Mydei’s secret, especially since Khaslana didn’t seem to take fondly to him.   

Alphas were so confusing.

Mydei shook his head. Now that Khaslana’s scent was gone, he could feel a migraine starting to niggle at the back of his skull again. What a pain.

Mydei began to rinse out his conditioner. Just like how he would endure the side-effects of his suppressants, he would endure Khaslana’s mind games. Whatever Khaslana’s deal was, he’d just have to deal with it. He wasn’t going to let some freak alpha ruin this.

After his hair was rinsed out, Mydei found himself taking in the scent on his body.

The bodywash he’d used didn’t smell like his usual one. It had a subtle minty smell to it, soothing and gentle. It also distinctively reminded Mydei of Phainon.

Smelling that on his body made his heart skip a beat.

Looking at the bottles, he realised that he really had used all of Phainon’s bodywash, and in one go as well. He hoped Phainon wouldn’t mind. It wasn’t like Phainon didn’t steal his all the time, there was no reason for him to question it.

Mydei turned off the shower. The whole bathroom was completely steamed up. He hadn’t realised that he’d had the temperature up so high. He couldn’t even see in the mirror to brush his hair.

Then he realised that he hadn’t brought a change of clothes with him. The clothes he’d been wearing from the day still carried Khaslana’s scent. Dirty laundry; no way Mydei was putting those back on.

Whatever. He changed his scent blocker, wrapped a towel around his waist, and another around his neck, and held a hairband between his teeth. He picked up his hairbrush and walked out of the bathroom.

Only to be immediately struck by a strong sense of déjà vu, because Phainon was waiting on the other side of the door.

Why did they always have to have meetings like this?

Mydei frowned at him, still drying the ends of his hair with the towel around his neck.

Phainon stood with his mouth hanging open, his eyes fixed on Mydei’s chest, then his neck, and finally, his annoyed expression. Phainon didn’t move, save the incredibly noticeable bob in his throat.

“What?” Mydei tried to say with a hair-tie in his mouth.

“Nothing! Nothing at all!” Phainon waved his arms around erratically. “Just checking in on you!” He scratched the back of his neck. “You didn’t look like you were in a good mood when you came home.”

“Hmpf.”

Phainon’s face paled. “It’s not my brother…is it?”

“No.”

Mydei walked past him. He sat down at his desk, putting down the hair-tie, and beginning to brush through his damp hair. He tried not to look in the mirror as he did, for he could see Phainon creeping into view on there.

“…Mydei?”

“Hmm?”

“…Want me to brush your hair for you?”

Mydei’s gaze met Phainon’s through the mirror. Phainon’s expression was laced with concern. He always did wear his feelings on his sleeve. But, he also knew that Mydei didn’t like to talk about feelings. Not his own anyway.

What did the bastard think he was trying to do? Asking that so softly? Making his blue eyes sparkle like that? Making Mydei feel bad for making him worry?

For some reason, Mydei found himself closing his eyes, and holding the brush above his head.

He waited in that position for several long seconds. Did Phainon not get the message? Had he changed his mind? Was Mydei changing his own mind?

But then, he felt warm fingers brush against his own, and the brush was taken from his hold.

Mydei looked straight ahead, his line of sight going right through the mirror. Shoulders drawn in a high line, he held his breath, as Phainon laced gentle fingers through his hair, and then began to brush.

“You’re terrible at lying,” Phainon whispered. He didn’t say anything else, focusing on Mydei’s soft hair.

After a few strokes of the brush, Mydei couldn’t help the shaky exhale that escaped his lips. A few more strokes, and his shoulders relaxed on their own. A couple more, and Mydei closed his eyes to focus on the feeling.

Phainon was so gentle, as if carding the brush through water.

It felt…good. So good.

Mydei reclined into the seat, letting the gentle sensation wash over him. The slight scratch at his scalp, the wistful way the brush slipped through his hair, followed by Phainon’s fingers, a touch of familiarity.

He felt his inner omega beginning to preen at the sensation, could feel the pleased omega noises bubbling on his tongue.

When was the last time he satisfied that omega part of himself?

He could indulge in this for just a moment…he could pretend….

…That an alpha was caring for him, that an alpha desired only to make him happy.

It felt so good.

“Prr~!

Mydei shot out of his chair as soon as the noise vibrated in his throat.

His hands slapped over his mouth.

He’d been about to fucking purr. 

He’d never purred before. Ever.    

He hoped to every God, Aeon and Titan, that Phainon hadn’t heard that.

Phainon went completely still.

“Mydei?” He breathed, “Did you just…?”

Mydei burst into flames. He knew he was blushing. Hard.

“Errr,” he cleared his throat, when his voice came out far too high-pitched. He didn’t dare look back at Phainon to see what expression he was pulling. He was mortified. “I’m suddenly…really hungry!”

Mydei stormed out in a flurry, leaving Phainon standing in their bedroom in awe.

Mydei wanted to stick his head straight inside of an oven. Good thing there was one in the kitchen.

He didn’t see Phainon cover his mouth with his hand, nor the pink blush dusting all over his face.

After the hair brushing incident, Mydei had been quite keen to avoid Phainon for the rest of the evening, and the day afterwards. It seemed luck was on his side, as for Phainon – for once – didn’t pester him about it. Nor did he pester Mydei about anything relating to his freakish alpha twin brother. Mydei could tell the beta wanted to, he kept shooting that dually empathetic and pathetic look in Mydei’s direction.

Mydei wore long sleeves that day, covering up the purpling bruises on his wrists left behind by his confrontation with Khaslana the day prior.

Meanwhile, Mydei decided to blame the purr on Khaslana throwing off his alpha persona, and move on. He had other things to attend to.

It was late in the evening and Phainon was already asleep. He was snoring, a sign he was completely relaxed and out of it; surely not going to wake up any time soon.

Mydei quickly slipped out of his own bed and into a black tracksuit and hoodie. The cash he needed was still stored inside the pockets of the hoodie. He checked the time on his phone. It was almost midnight.

He slipped his phone into silent mode and pulled up his hood.

Mydei took that as his opportunity to slip out of the apartment. He headed straight for the location pinpointed from Cipher’s text.

Just like the last time, it was an eery and dark alleyway nestled in some dodgy part of the city beyond the university campus.

Cipher was already lingering around, appearing from the darkness without a sound. The two of them caught up briefly. Cipher asked him how his studies were going, and how effective her products had been for him. Mydei didn’t mention anything of the incident with Khaslana, only nodded his approval of what she’d supplied him. Then, he asked her how her business was doing, of which she cackled to herself but didn’t expand too much. It wasn’t a good idea for them to linger for long. This was a place for transactions, not small talk.

Mydei gave her the cash, and she handed him another month’s-worth of supplies. Mydei dug the bags into his pockets and nodded to her.

Mydei headed straight back to his dorm afterwards. He’d been gone for just over an hour. It was late so he only passed a couple other people. He made sure to draw his hood high over his head to hide his hair and ducked his head as he walked to cover his tattoos.

However, when Mydei got back to the dorm and unlocked the door, Phainon was immediately on him, grabbing him by the shoulders. His face was sheet white, blue eyes wide and bursting, locked on Mydei’s face.

“Mydei!? Where the heck have you been!?” He exclaimed loudly. Phainon’s grip on him was vice-like, his knuckles going pale. Mydei could feel Phainon’s arms trembling from where they held him. Phainon’s eyes looked glossy with…fear. There was also something else burning within them. Something Mydei hadn’t seen before.

Mydei found himself stumbling over his words.

He dug the bags filled with heat suppressants deeper into his pockets.

“I went…for a walk.”

“In the middle of the night!?” Phainon growled, anger and disbelief in his voice. “I’ve been calling you for ages! Why didn’t you pick up!? You scared the shit out of me!” His grip on Mydei only got tighter, to the point where Mydei could feel a bruise starting to form.

Mydei met fire with fire. He tugged himself from Phainon’s hold.

“Why are you so concerned?” He frowned. “You’re being ridiculous. I’m an alpha. I can handle myself just fine.”

Phainon’s eyes flickered over Mydei for a little longer. After a few seconds, he let out a hissing sound between his teeth. The tension in his body however, remained.

“Well…” he stuttered. “Well…don’t go out late at night again. And if you do, at least let me know you’re going out first. I don’t like not knowing where you are.”

Phainon remained in place, his expression flipping between something relieved and something much graver. He couldn’t seem to keep his hands still, as if he wanted to reach out and grab Mydei once more. And his eyes, why did he look like he might cry?

What was he so concerned about?

Mydei wasn’t quite sure how to react to this Phainon. Not only that, he felt incredibly self-conscious about all the heat suppressants and scent blockers lining his pockets that he really needed to hide right about now.

“Fine.”

He rolled his eyes and pushed his way past Phainon.

Phainon’s line of sight followed him.

“Go back to sleep, it’s late,” Mydei said to him from the other side of the apartment.

The beta bit his lip, but closed the door, saying nothing else.

The following morning Phainon was sitting on his bed packing a small bag of his things. He was going to stay at Aglaea’s place for the week, whilst they had no lessons. Aglaea didn’t live too far away, her place was somewhere on the other side of the city.

Mydei was sitting on his own bed. He’d just been mindlessly scrolling through his phone. He’d told himself to get up and do something productive, but apparently the algorithm was particularly catered to his taste that day. Tips for workouts, meal recipes and suggestions for a healthy lifestyle, and some cute content about fluffy chimera creatures sprinkled in here and there. He also saw plenty of random viral trends and brain-rotting slop, and something called cupcake remixes. Mydei blamed Phainon for those. He’d sent him far too many of such reels. Their direct messages were ninety percent just nonsensical cupcake remixes. Phainon thought that they were hilarious. He’d doubled over in a fit of laughter more than once at a cupcake remix he’d already seen fifteen times over. Mydei didn’t quite understand the humour of it, he much preferred brain rot that involved cute animals, though he did find it quite amusing to see Phainon losing his shit over something so ridiculous.

It was going to be a quiet week without him around, that was for sure. He’d gotten so used to sharing the small space with Phainon, and putting up with his strange ways and habits, having him be gone for the week would be…out of place.

“Are you not packing anything?” Phainon asked as he threw some socks in his bag.

“Hmm?” Mydei hummed, forcing his eyes off his phone screen.

“You were gonna stay with that guy right? Your uncle? What did you say his name was? Krateros?”

“Oh, I’m not going,” Mydei replied. “I’m staying here now.”

Phainon stopped what he was doing, gaze fixing on Mydei’s form. “Why? Did something happen?” He asked, sounding concerned.

“Not really,” Mydei shrugged. “Just a change of plans.” He tried to play it off casually, turning his phone back on to continue scrolling through reels.

However, he felt his bed dip beside him. A large hand beside his own on the bed, blue eyes burning into the side of his head. He felt Phainon’s shoulder bump his own. Mydei could sense the puppy dog eyes were very much targeted at him right now.

Mydei could’ve easily shoved him away, just the same as all the times before when Phainon had tried to pry into his life.

“I was going to stay with Krateros. He’s not actually my uncle though,” Mydei reached up, curling his fingers around the pendant on his necklace. “He was a friend of my late mother. He raised me since I was a teenager, so he is family to me.” Mydei inhaled slowly, feeling the cool metal of his late mother’s ring against his thumb. “But, my father made a surprise visit to him. He’s…not a good man. I don’t want to see him. It’s better if I stay here.”

Mydei held his phone up again, ready to continue going through the barrage of discordant nonsense reels that were designed to keep his attention for hours.

He froze when he realised that he could see Phainon’s reflection in the dark phone screen. Phainon was staring at him with that sad look that Mydei hated so much.

Mydei despised the feeling that sad look gave him. Like he was deserving of sympathy. Like he was pathetic. As if those few sentences about his life could define him.

“…You don’t have anyone else you can stay with?” Phainon asked quietly after a while.

“Don’t pity me Phainon, it’s fine,” Mydei responded more sharply. “If anything, it will be easier here without you attempting to burn down the kitchen every five minutes.”

To his surprise, Phainon didn’t rise to the joke. Instead, he remained silent, pursing his lip.

“I was only going to stay with Aglaea,” Phainon said, putting a hand on Mydei’s shoulder. “Her place isn’t far from here. I’ll stay here with you. I don’t mind. Or, you can come with me. Aglaea won’t be bothered. Cas is coming as well anyway.”

Phainon’s eyes were sparkling and sincere. Mydei found himself drawn in by their colour, and by the offer. Phainon was offering to give up his week away to stay with him?

If he looked too long, he feared that he’d get lost in that unending blue colour.

Mydei hastily turned his gaze from Phainon’s view when he felt his cheeks begin to heat up.

“It's okay,” he said, fiddling with his braid all of a sudden. “You go.”

“But I don’t wanna leave you on your ownnnn,” Phainon pouted, pulling a kicked face.

That had Mydei spinning to face him with a fierce look. “Who do you think I am? I’m not a defenceless child!” Mydei crossed his arms, puffing out his chest. “I think I can manage.”

Phainon leaned forward into his space, grabbing Mydei by both shoulders so he couldn’t look away this time.

“Then I’ll make sure to come see you,” Phainon declared. “Everyday.”

Mydei blinked once. Twice. He wasn’t sure if he was going pale or burning up in a pink colour. He wasn’t sure if he was more focused on Phainon’s touch or his statement.

“That’s…not necessary,” he said.

“Oh, I know! I could bring Cas and Hyacine over one of the days so you can meet them. We can have a little party!” Mydei immediately pulled a face, which had Phainon laughing. “Don’t worry they aren’t loud and annoying like I am. They are literally both nerds! You’ll all get on like a house on fire, promise.”

“I really dislike that catchphrase,” Mydei grumbled, pouting further.

“That settles it, I’ll ask the girls what day is best, then I’ll text you the details!” Phainon beamed, shaking Mydei by the shoulders gently. “Oh! And I’ll make sure to drag you out for coffee. Don’t you dare ignore my messages. I will drag you out of bed myself if I have to.” Phainon sent him a wink with that last statement, which had Mydei lightly strike out and punch him in the chest.

Phainon fell back onto the bed laughing. The beta seemed entirely too gleeful all of a sudden. Mydei really couldn’t make sense of him at all. He should have said no firmly when he had the chance. There was no way Phainon would go back on his decision now.

“Here, I’ll give you a demonstration of what I’ll do if you ignore me!”

Before Mydei could roll his eyes, Phainon was grabbing him by his sleeve and dragging him down also.

“Hey!”

The two of them crashed onto the floor in a flail of limps. Mydei ended up on his back. He looked up to the ceiling, only to see Phainon crouched on all fours over him.

They both froze, looking directly at the other. Mydei noted how Phainon’s hair framed his sharp features, the strength of his arms as they pinned Mydei down, that good-looking grin on his face.

Then, Phainon moved a hand. With it, he gently flicked at Mydei’s braid, splayed out against the floorboards. There was something almost distant in his eyes.

“Woah…” Phainon breathed.

Mydei’s breath completely left him.

Like this, Phainon didn’t register to him as a beta at all.

No, in his mind, rang something else entirely.

Alpha.

Mydei felt his omega instinct flare. The temptation to bare his neck. To have an alpha scent him. It hit him so vividly that he immediately broke out into a full body flush. He had to strain to stop his body reacting to Phainon in any way.

He had no idea why it was happening, or how Phainon was suddenly having this effect on him. Phainon wasn’t an alpha! And Mydei had trained his mind and body to ignore his omega instincts.

Yet, here he was, pinned by a beta man, with the desire to submit to him.

“What’s the matter?” Phainon teased from above him, clearly with no idea what crisis Mydei was suddenly going through. “Can’t handle a boring little beta like me?” Phainon pouted suddenly, circling something on Mydei’s wrist. “Hmm, what’s this? Why have you got bruises here?”

Mydei erased all those crazy thoughts in an instant.

Omega instincts were strong.

But his fury was stronger.

He stared Phainon dead in the eye.

“I’m going to punch you.”

Chapter Text

Phainon (unfortunately) kept his word about coming to see him every day during midterm break. Mydei woke every day the following week to a barrage of texts, only to find it was Phainon lighting up his phone early every morning.

(8:08) Phainon: Wakey wakey!

(8:08) Phainon: Rise and shine handsome! 😉

(8:10) Phainon: Also please open the door and let me in, it’s kinda cold out here!

(8:11) Phainon: Otherwise I’m breaking and entering

Mydei huffed at his phone screen, barely awake and with his hair plastered to his pillow, but still somehow amused by Phainon’s antics.

(8:13) Mydei: You’re going to break and enter into your own apartment?

(8:13) Phainon: Don’t be clever with me

(8:14) Phainon: Otherwise I won’t let you win the next sandwich eating competition

(8:14) Mydei: As if you’d ever win

(8:14) Phainon: Oh yeah? Well get out here and we’ll put that to the test!

The next morning, it was exactly the same scenario. Mydei was fast asleep in bed (he may have been drooling slightly), only for his phone to ping a million times. When Mydei groaned and shoved his phone further beneath his pillow, the notification sound somehow seemed to get even louder. He was pretty sure he could feel his phone vibrating through the pillow.

Eventually he gave up, turning on his phone to stare at all the messages from Phainon.

(8:06) Phainon: Time for a day of fun! 😉

(8:06) Phainon: I’ll give you five minutes to open the door

(8:08) Phainon: Come onnnnn, put a shirt on and open the door!

(8:08) Phainon: Or, y’know, don’t put a shirt on

(8:08) Phainon: I don’t mind seeing that inconspicuous body of yours

(8:08) Phainon: Err, what I mean is, we’re both men! Seeing each other shirtless doesn’t mean anything

(8:09) Phainon: Nothing at all!

(8:09) Phainon: Stop making me yap to myself! Lemme in!

(8:10) Phainon: Mydei~ You have 1 minute left

(8:10) Phainon: I’m inserting the key into the lock~

(8:10) Phainon: That reads incredibly dirty

(8:10) Phainon: Less than ten seconds now~

(8:10) Phainon: Hehe

Before Mydei could answer there was a loud clatter at the apartment door, as if Phainon really were breaking and entering.

The next moment, a large man-sized puppy was launching itself onto his bed.

“What are you still in bed for!? Get uppppp lazy bones!”

Phainon bounced all over his bed, babbling on and on as he tried to irritate Mydei out of his own bed.

When Mydei groaned and buried his head under his pillow, Phainon stopped talking. Mydei could sense Phainon coming closer.

“Mydei~” He could hear Phainon’s voice right next to the pillow. Suave and song-like. “C’mon, don’t hide your pretty face from me.”  The voice got closer, quieter. Mydei felt the pillow lifting up. He countered by pinning it back down with his own hands.

“Go away,” he moaned. “Wanna sleep.” He was no longer half-asleep, but he sure wished he was.

“I’ll take you to the waffle place if you get up~” Phainon sang.

Mydei instantly raised his head. “Waffles?”

Not even a second later, Phainon grabbed him firmly by the arm and tugged.

Mydei found himself manhandled straight into the bathroom by Phainon. Phainon even turned on the shower for him, and checked the temperature. Even patted Mydei’s cheek as he left.

“Be a good boy and have a shower, then I’ll take you to get waffles, kay?”

Only later when they were in the waffle house, did Mydei realise that Phainon had called him a ‘good boy’ earlier in the bathroom.

He immediately grabbed Phainon by the collar, dragging him halfway across the restaurant table they were sitting at.

“How dare you!? Calling me…good boy!? The fuck is wrong with you!?”

That was how Mydei ended up on top of Phainon in a fit of flushed rage.

That was also how waffles ended up flying halfway across the restaurant.

And also how the two of them got kicked out of the waffle house, their hair sticky with maple syrup.

By that point, Mydei had forgotten why he was pissed at Phainon. Or perhaps, he’d not been that angry in the first place. How could he, when Phainon was grabbing at his shoulders to steady himself, tears trailing down his cheeks from how hard he had been laughing. That carefree rolling laughter must have had some kind of hypnotic effect, for it made Mydei smile too. Not that he’d let Phainon see it.

Mydei stared at his figure in the bathroom mirror one night whilst Phainon had gone back to Aglaea’s place.

Mydei observed his expression in the mirror. He had to admit to himself that he looked tired. It must’ve been from enduring all those headaches he got. He did so often without so much as a frown. He’d become quite the master at masking his discomfort with a stoic expression. Quiet moments like this one, where Phainon wasn’t present, were some of the only times he could let the tension show on his face. And when he had those moments alone without Phainon, he felt exhausted.

Mydei felt out the scent blocker he knew was on his neck. He fiddled with it. It felt like a thin plastic wrap under his fingers. It was funny to think really, that just a thin patch was the only thing keeping his secret from being exposed.

Mydei found himself thinking of Phainon again. It annoyed him how much he’d been thinking about the beta, especially this week, whilst Phainon wasn’t living with him. The apartment felt desolate without him jumping off the walls every five minutes.

Phainon this, Phainon that. Phainon, who was always looking out for him, always with an arm around his shoulders, a smile to brighten his day, a competition to distract from all the things that Mydei was keeping from him.

Mydei often felt bad for lying to Phainon about being an alpha. He’d thought that the guilt would dissipate with time, but it only seemed to be getting stronger.

Mydei threaded his fingers around the pendant he wore around his neck, rubbing his mother’s ring between his fingers.

Phainon was clearly someone he could trust, and sharing the weight of his secret with someone else would surely relieve some of his tension. It would be nice to tell Phainon the truth. In fact, he wanted to tell Phainon the truth. They’d grown so close that telling him felt like the right thing to do.

No more hiding pills and scent blockers, no more pretending to be something he wasn’t, they could finally be on the same page. And Phainon was a beta, finding out that Mydei was an omega wouldn’t damage their dynamic. Or, it shouldn’t do, unless Phainon felt totally betrayed from all the lying and never wanted to talk to him again. Mydei didn’t think he’d react like that. At least, he hoped not. The more he thought about it, the more uncertain he became of what Phainon’s reaction would be.

At the same time, he’d vowed to himself, and to his mother, not to tell anyone else about his secret. There was no room for trust when his own life was on the line. And ‘anyone’ included Phainon. The risk that it could somehow slip free, that either he or Phainon could make a mistake, or even the slightest possibility that Phainon would turn on him…was the truth really worth more than the risk involved?

Mydei sighed to himself. Right choice or not, he couldn’t tell Phainon. Mydei was never the type to back down, especially not from a promise he made so long ago.

He could be close friends with Phainon, and keep his identity hidden. What Phainon didn’t know couldn’t harm him.

After that, every day of the week was the exact same. Phainon would knock on the door stupidly early in the morning like he worked a corporate job there. After five minutes, he’d give up waiting for Mydei to open the apartment door and burst his way inside. Well, he did own the other key. Then, he’d force Mydei out of his own bed, whether that be with an enticement or a threat, or just grabbing him around the waist and launching Mydei onto the floor like he weighed nothing.

When Mydei was dressed and fed, Phainon would grab Mydei by the wrist and drag him out to one of the many campus cafes for coffee, or one of the libraries so Mydei could choose some history books to read, or the gym so that they could do ridiculous exercises and turn them into competitions that scared even the gym staff away.

Mydei kept asking Phainon if he should be spending more time with Aglaea instead. This was his chance to spend some time with her outside of classes, after all. Every time, Phainon waved it off, saying they had more important things to do, like stuffing their faces full of strawberry ice cream.

Somehow, Phainon was even more obnoxious when they lived apart, than when they were living together.

Phainon arranged for his two friends, Castorice and Hyacine, to come over to their apartment on Saturday evening for a small-scale party. Mydei agreed, on the condition that he would socialise for all of ten minutes, and then retreat to the bedroom. Phainon didn’t look too pleased, but wanted to throw a party so badly that he agreed to it.

The two of them spent most of Saturday morning shopping for supplies for the party using whatever petty student allowance they had left. Mydei was unfortunately dragged along to the shops. Phainon even interlinked their arms at some point so Mydei couldn’t scurry away.

A few people looked at them funny as they made their way around the supermarket. To see a beta dragging an alpha around wasn’t particularly normal. It reminded Mydei of what Khaslana had said to him.

“I’ve seen how he is with you in class. What does he do when you’re in private together? You’re really going to let my puny beta brother step all over you?”

It was just a closed-minded sentiment. There were still many who frowned upon the idea of alphas coupling with betas, especially of betas taking the lead in such a relationship, or of selfish betas who prevented alphas from fulfilling their natural goals of impregnating an omega and –

What the heck was he thinking? He and Phainon were friends. If even that. Mydei hated the guy most of the time! He was only putting up with Phainon because he had to. Phainon was literally dragging him around against his will at that very moment. Just because they’d become a lot more physically close of late didn’t mean they were interested in each other! He wasn’t even actually an alpha for Aeons sake!

Besides, men could have close platonic relationships with each other, how closed-minded of himself!

“Which to pick…Which do you prefer?”

Phainon’s question broke Mydei from his inner turmoil. He came back to reality to see Phainon peering intently at two different packs of cupcakes. Chocolate cupcakes, or vanilla cupcakes with pretty pink icing. Phainon appeared deeply troubled, mumbling with indecisiveness to himself.

“There’s only going to be four people. Three for most of the evening,” Mydei reminded him. “Besides, I can bake some things, it will save you spending all your money,” Mydei pouted, “And it will cut down on your sugar intake. You’re hyper enough as it is.”

“Awww Mydei, that is so sweet of you, looking out for me,” Phainon cooed, squishing his cheek. “What a good alpha you are.”

“I’m not doing it for you!” Mydei retorted, his ears going pink.

“You just said you wanted to bake to stop me, and I quote-”

“Stop talking!” Mydei yelled, beginning to get flustered. Phainon looked quite gleeful, patting him on the head.

“I know!” Phainon exclaimed. “How about you bake a big cake, and we’ll decorate around it with these little ones?” Phainon winked at him. “Don’t worry, little Ica will finish off all the cupcakes before I get a chance to have any.” Mydei shook his head in disbelief, watching both packs of cupcakes land in their shopping basket. “Next, the important part. The drinks!” Phainon interlinked their arms even tighter. “Come, Mydeimos!”

Oh no.

Mydei spent the rest of the afternoon in the kitchen baking. Phainon had insisted that even though his offer of baking for everyone was (literally) the sweetest thing, he didn’t want Mydei to go overboard. Just a single cake was more than enough.

Mydei didn’t often admit it, but he really enjoyed baking. There was something simple about seeing ingredients come together and getting hit by the scent of sweet treats as he opened the oven, that put his mind at ease. He wouldn’t brag about it to anyone. Baking wasn’t exactly ‘alpha’ in image. But he would indulge in a chance to bake every now and then. Especially because he secretly loved a sweet treat or two as well.

He decided to bake a simple victoria sponge, just a vanilla cake with jam and cream separating two layers of sponge. Meanwhile, Phainon tidied and decorated the apartment, hanging up bunting, and making a playlist for them to blast from their speakers, and clearing the furniture in the living room so they had space for a dancefloor.

“That smells goooood,” Phainon said as he wandered into the kitchen and peeped over Mydei’s shoulder to survey the cake. Phainon reached out a finger toward the cake, which Mydei quickly swatted away with his oven gloves.

“Get back,” he said. “I’ve just gotten it out of the oven, it’s hot.” Phainon pulled puppy dog eyes at him, his metaphorical tail between his legs. Sometimes, Mydei wondered if he really was living with a dog disguised as a human.

The evening finally rolled around. Mydei had already changed clothes. It was just a casual get-together, so nothing too fancy. A black shirt and pants with a cropped red waistcoat. He had been deciding how to style his hair, when Phainon graced him with his presence.

Phainon had come dressed up in his best ugliest outfit. He wore that darn mustard yellow shirt which said ‘cocky’ with a picture of a chicken underneath, and those purple pants that were the bane of Mydei’s existence.

He spun around in front of Mydei.

“So? What do you think?” Phainon asked, alluding to the outfit.

Mydei was already not feeling good about meeting Phainon’s friends and having them blast loud cringey 2000s pop music all night (note from the author, I actually don’t mind cringey 2000s pop music!), he was not also dealing with fashion horrors as well.

He immediately grabbed Phainon by the collar and dragged him into the bedroom.

“Wow, hasty aren’t we?” Phainon teased. “I didn’t realise I looked this good.” (It was a good thing that Mydei didn’t quite understand what Phainon was implying with that sentence at that moment, too focused on his eye-bleeding attire).

“You are not wearing that,” Mydei deadpanned.

“Why not!? This is my best shirt!” 

Mydei opened Phainon’s clothes drawer and started searching through it. The sight made him feel violently sick. So many awful t-shirts in colours that should never have be allowed to exist.

A few notable ones were the following:

A rainbow tie-dye shirt with the slogan: Don’t do drugs, do vitamins’

A pasty green top that said: ‘Be grateful, I could have turned out worse’

And a neon pink shirt that read: ‘I haven’t lost my virginity yet because I never lose!’

Mydei didn’t dare ponder too deeply on that last one. He was more disgusted by the fact that Phainon’s clothes weren’t even folded properly!

Through all the horrific slogan t-shirts and shitty monetary purchases, Mydei did eventually manage to put together a somewhat decent outfit. Tight black pants and a plain white shirt. He then went to his own clothes drawer and pulled out a grey cropped suit jacket, which he layered over the rest of the outfit on the floor.

“Wear that,” Mydei demanded, handing the clothes to Phainon. “No arguments.”   

He left the room before Phainon could make a comment.

Mydei stood outside the door, waiting for the other to change. Five minutes later, Phainon opened the door far more timidly than before.

Mydei tutted to himself. The jacket was wonky and his collar was flipped the wrong way. This man really was hopeless with fashion!

“I pick out an outfit for you and you still wear it wrong,” Mydei grumbled. He stepped forward into Phainon’s space, fixing the jacket and his collar. The jacket was a little big on Phainon, since Mydei had broader shoulders than the beta, but the oversize gave off a more playful, casual look that suited Phainon well.

Phainon’s throat bobbed beneath his hands. He heard Phainon’s breath hitch.

Then, Mydei frowned at Phainon’s hair. His ahoge stuck up high like an antenna. Luckily, Mydei had already prepared a solution. He fished some of his hair gel from their bathroom and lathered his hands. Then he (didn’t want to acknowledge) that he got onto his tiptoes, and started smoothing Phainon’s hair down.

Phainon was completely silent the entire time. His eyes only focused on Mydei. How close they were. How intimate this felt. Mydei was too busy tackling the ahoge to notice.

When he was done, Mydei stepped back to survey his work. He’d styled a slight side sweep to Phainon’s fringe, a style that framed his blue eyes well, and managed to stick down that pesky ahoge, though he had no doubts that it would perk up again sometime in the night. That abomination had a life of its own.

“My work is done,” Mydei declared. Phainon blinked himself out of whatever trance he was in. He studied his reflection in the mirror, prodding the spot where his ahoge usually was.

“Damn,” he said. “You’re good at this.” Phainon fingers threaded gently over the fabric of the cropped jacket. He looked as if he went to bring the fabric to his nose, but changed his mind halfway. “Thanks Mydei. I’ll make sure to look after your jacket,” he said softly.

“You better,” Mydei replied.

He surveyed Phainon a little longer. He really did look handsome with his hair swept, the muted colours of his attire bringing out his eyes and tight jeans suited him best of all, accentuating his thighs, and the slight bulge of his-

Aaaaaaaaaand Mydei was going to stop that train of thought right there.

He felt himself turning red as a tomato and made his way to the bathroom with haste before Phainon could see.

Once in the bathroom, and after much deliberation, he decided he’d wear his own hair up in a messy bun. He usually left his braid to hang down, but today he decided to fix it into the bun, a plait running across the side of his head. He fixed his fringe and then pulled free a few more longer strands to frame his face.

He shouldn’t have his neck on show too much because of the scent blocker but…

Phainon will surely like it if I look like this, Mydei thought to himself.

He felt himself blushing at just the thought.

It was that same feeling he kept getting when Phainon was around of late. A single burning question.

Do I…like him?

He thought back to a few moments before, as he fixed Phainon’s hair, those unforgettable blue eyes completely transfixed on him.

It was a question that he hadn’t let himself ponder on. Afterall, he was at university to study, not to dabble in romance and feelings. Besides, those really weren’t his strong suits.

He’d swallow the answer to that question down, just like how he buried the desire to tell Phainon his secret. Neither was important. And especially not right now.

He was supposed to be preparing himself for socialising.

Mydei checked his scent blocker, making sure it was flat to his neck so it wasn’t visible, and then nodded his approval.

Just ten minutes. All this effort for ten minutes.

He was just in time, as their doorbell rang.        

He made his way into the living room to see Phainon cheerily greeting two other girls. The first girl was a beta with long violet hair, covered in butterfly hair clips. She stood politely with her hands clasped together as Phainon hugged her. The second beta girl was much shorter, with pink curly twin tails bouncing with every tiny movement she made. A dazzling smile was on her face. In her arms, a large white creature. Mydei guessed it was her cat, Ica, which Phainon had told him about previously. However, the thing in the short girl’s arms looked like anything but a cat. It was incredibly large, and must’ve been heavy, yet the girl had no issues cradling him gently in her arms as she greeted Phainon with a carefree smile. How on earth she had managed to sneak a cat into student accommodation was beyond them all.

Mydei blinked at Little Ica. Pitch black orb eyes stared back into his soul from across the room.

I know your secret, Mydei could almost hear the creature saying.

Mydei had been slightly interested in meeting a cat, but now, he decided it would probably be best to stay out of the cat’s reach.

“You look nice, Phainon,” Hyacine praised.

“Since when did you dress…successfully?” Castorice asked, inspecting him up and down.

“It was Mydei, he helped style everything, so save your praises for him,” Phainon replied brightly. He turned his head, spotting Mydei across the room. He looked far too excited to see someone that he’d lived with for almost two months. “And here he is!”

Phainon immediately bounded over to grab Mydei by the hand and drag him over to meet the girls.

“Come Mydeimos! Don’t be shy now! The girls don’t bite! Ica might though.”

“Phainon…” Mydei mumbled under his breath. He could already feel himself turning pink.

“The man of the hour,” Castorice said quietly, so that only Hyacine heard.

“Just the hour?” Hyacine whispered back.

“Maybe not,” Castorice said, watching the two men. “I already have two mental pages worth of notes on them.”

“Aglaea asked you to make notes?” Hyacine peeked. Ica made a cute little questioning noise also.

“No,” Castorice said, never breaking eye contact from the scene in front of her. “Just my own…personal records.”

Phainon and Mydei stood in front of the girls. Phainon made a vague gesture to Mydei.

“Castorice. Hyacine. This is Mydei.” He then turned to Mydei. “Mydei, meet Castorice and Hyacine. And little Ica!”

“Little…?” Mydei mumbled to himself. He hoped Hyacine didn’t hear.

“Hello,” Hyacine waved. “It’s nice to meet you Mydei.” Good, it seemed she hadn’t heard.

“Phainon has told us a lot about you,” Castorice said, bowing gently. “It’s nice to finally meet you in person.”

Mydei tried to clear his throat. He wanted to send Phainon a death look. What did ‘Phainon has told us a lot about you’ mean?

“It’s nice to meet you both as well,” Mydei answered, his voice sounding awkward to his own ears. He noticed Ica glaring up at him. “And…Little Ica, too.”

“You like cats Mydei?” Hyacine asked. She held Ica out in Mydei’s direction. “You can pet him if you want. I fed him before we came so he shouldn’t be too hungry.”

“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea,” Phainon sweated.

Against his better judgement, Mydei did reach out and pet the cat. Well, it was more of a poke, but at least Ica didn’t try and eat him. His fur was surprisingly soft. Both Castorice and Phainon held their breath during the entire exchange of cat and man.

“Aww, he likes you!” Hyacine exclaimed, hugging Ica tightly.

The rest of them highly doubted that.

Mydei did, somehow, end up socialising for more than ten minutes. Mainly because Phainon put an arm around him like a tether. Whenever Mydei tried to move away, Phainon’s grip would tighten, the easy-going smile on his face wider as he tried to pretend that he wasn’t doing anything.  

Castorice and Hyacine seemed like nice girls, though their temperaments seemed the complete opposite to Phainon’s. Castorice was quiet and reserved but well-spoken, and Hyacine was bubbly and friendly, but in a mature less-overbearing way than her puppy-dog beta of a friend.

They both praised the cake that Mydei made, which he tried not to get too embarrassed over, especially as Phainon proceeded to tell the girls how great of a cook he was.

“He can cook, he can clean, he knows how to dress well, he works out, and he passes all of his exams. Mydei here is the full package! Almost as cool as me. I’m sure he’ll have omegas swooning over him in no time,” Phainon blabbered, squeezing Mydei’s shoulders tightly. Mydei could only make a grumbling noise in response.

Castorice looked between Mydei, the beta’s arm glued to him, making sure they were pressed close together at all times, and the drink in Phainon’s other hand.

“Evidently,” Castorice said. Hyacine chose not to respond, save a hum from around the cake in her mouth.

“Anyway, who wants drinks!?” Phainon asked, despite the fact he’d already downed one bottle. “And who wants some music!?”

When Phainon finally let Mydei go to fetch the drinks, Mydei took that as his moment to politely but awkwardly nod his head to the girls, and slip away.

He retreated straight to his bed, burying his face in his pillow to try and drown out whatever horrific mass of sound that Phainon had decided to play from his speakers. Good thing all their apartment neighbours weren’t around at the moment.

What was more, Phainon was insufferable when he was sober, Mydei had no intentions of being subjected to a drunk Phainon.

It seemed whatever Aeon that was out there wasn’t on his side, for an hour passed, and the music had not died down. Mydei was just casually scrolling through his phone, contemplating his existence perhaps-

-When his bedroom door burst open, and Phainon stumbled in.

“Mydei! There you are!” Phainon exclaimed. There was a noticeable slur to his words, and an even more noticeable stumble in his gait. Damned beta couldn’t even walk in a straight line. His ahoge had freed itself, sticking up high on top of his head, and his collar was all messed up. His cheeks were puffy and warm. There was no denying that the beta was drunk.

“Where else would I be?” Mydei sighed, trying not to look away from his phone screen.

Only for Phainon to trip, and land beside him on the bed.

Phainon quickly clung his arms around Mydei’s neck. He positioned himself on top of Mydei, and propped his chin up on Mydei’s chest, as if him falling onto the bed wasn’t an accident at all.

“I miss you,” Phainon said, his voice sounding actually heartbroken. 

“I’m sure you’ll survive for a night,” Mydei said in a monotone voice, trying to ignore the weight of Phainon on top of him.

Phainon feigned a whimper. He reached out, pulling Mydei’s phone from his hands. For some reason, Mydei let him.

When Phainon had discarded the phone, he intertwined his hands into Mydei’s own, and despite being very obviously flat-out drunk, he leaned down low, and looked Mydei dead in the eye.

Not only that, his expression was so fond, gentle, not a hint of hesitation.

“Come dance with me,” he said.

Mydei had to look away, lest that awful expression sway his spirit, or Phainon see the blush blooming on his face.

In retaliation, Phainon began pulling, begging. “Please, Mydei, come dance.”

“You’re completely pissed. I’m not dancing with you.”

“But I need a partner.”

“Ask one of the girls.”

“But I want you.”

Mydei froze. Phainon said that so firmly, so thoroughly.

Mydei sighed to himself, as Phainon tugged on him again.

“And here I thought you’d be a crying drunk,” Mydei mumbled.

After that, Mydei let Phainon pull him up off his bed. He let Phainon drag him out of his room and into the living room, where Last Friday Night was blaring loudly from Phainon’s shitty speakers, empty drinks cans and bottles lying haphazardly all over the furniture that Mydei had worked hard to keep clean. Hyacine and Castorice were dancing together. Little Ica was in the kitchen attacking the remainder of Mydei’s cake.

And yet, all Mydei could focus on was the way that Phainon grabbed his wrists, an unending smile on his lips as he moved them both in time with the music.

The arm movements Phainon made him do were silly, inelegant. Mydei would’ve felt like a complete fool were he doing this with anyone else.

He should’ve hated this, but Phainon looked so happy and carefree, and his hands were warm and soft, Mydei found that he didn’t really mind this at all.

Phainon’s lips moved a few times whilst they danced, though Mydei couldn’t hear what he was saying over the music. Perhaps he was simply singing along to the lyrics of the song.

After dancing like children for a few upbeat pop songs, the song changed again. The gentle melody of Love Story filled Mydei’s ears.

Before he knew it, Phainon was coming closer into his space. Their chests pressed together. Arms were wrapped around his neck, their gazes locked on each other.

Azure eyes melted into his own.

Mydei shut down.

Too warm. Too close.

He heard Phainon hum contently from his new position, likely completely unaware of what he was doing.

He really is completely pissed, Mydei thought, trying to relax his body. He ended up rolling his eyes fondly, and choosing to go along with it.

They began slow dancing in small circles. Their movements were sloppy, Phainon kept stumbling over his own feet. His chest was pressed far too heavily against Mydei’s own. Yet neither broke away.

From this position, Mydei could finally hear Phainon’s voice when he spoke.

“Has anyone ever told you that…you’re so pretty,” Phainon breathed drunkenly into his ear.

Mydei blinked in surprise. “That was one of the first things you told me when we met,” he replied.

“No, but…I really mean it.”

Blue eyes stared him down unabashedly. Phainon reached up a hand, brushing his fingers lightly through Mydei’s hair. “I don’t care that you’re an alpha. You’re so beautiful.” 

Phainon’s lips parted, his gaze flickering down just slightly. “You’re so beautiful, it makes me…” He leaned closer, his eyes darkening. “…Makes me wanna…wanna…”

Phainon’s nose brushed against Mydei’s neck, right where his scent gland would be.

Mydei went completely stiff. He felt Phainon blow air between his teeth, shivering as he felt a dusting of Phainon’s breath on the sensitive spot. Even covered by a scent patch, his skin prickled from oversensitivity.    

Then, Mydei felt a wet warm tongue slide over that spot.

A startled whine broke Mydei’s lips instantly and he shoved Phainon back. It was a noise so raw, and high-pitched, something only an omega could produce.

Mydei’s vision blurred with panic, trying to make sense of what was happening. The music was too loud, the lights too much, the stench of alcohol from Phainon’s breath making him feel intoxicated.

However, he felt Phainon’s head finding home in the crook of his neck. Laughs rolled off the beta’s tongue, drunken and unable to be controlled. He rested his entire bodyweight against Mydei, arms wrapped around Mydei’s waist in a death grip, no longer able to hold himself up as he laughed until tears began falling from his eyes.

Phainon was too drunk to think anything of what he’d just done, but Mydei was internally freaking out.

Mydei wasn’t sure how, but he managed to untangle himself from Phainon and race into the bathroom. He slammed the door shut behind him.

Once he was alone, he braced himself against the sink and let his ears ring. He felt his cheeks. He was bright red! He checked his neck. The scent blocker was still there, still working, even as his skin prickled as if a needle had pierced him. He felt his throat. Had he really just made that noise? He hadn’t done that since…or even ever!?

What the hell was that!?

Chapter Text

The next morning, Mydei found Phainon groaning loudly with his face mushed into his own pillow. To say he was hungover seemed to be an understatement.

Mydei didn’t linger around in the apartment for long. He decided that he’d head out for an early morning jog, then he might head to the library and brush up on a few things before classes started again.

Before he left, he set a plate of toast and a drink by Phainon’s bed, with a note reminding him to eat and drink. He felt bad, leaving Phainon on his own when he was groaning and whimpering in pain like a hurt puppy. He wondered if Phainon would stay over, or if he’d go back to Aglaea’s place for a bit longer.

Mostly, Mydei just wanted time on his own to clear his head.

He still couldn’t believe what had happened the previous night was real.

Phainon - a beta - had tried to scent him. The beta had licked his scent gland as if preparing to mark him like an alpha would mark a mate.

The whole thing was insanity.

The only justification Mydei could think of for Phainon, a beta, acting like that, was the fact that he had been piss-faced drunk at the time, maybe even more than Mydei had realised. Perhaps he should have monitored how much Phainon had been drinking, rather than disappearing to his room for most of the night.

After a seriously long jog, and running everything from the prior night through his head once more, Mydei came to his answer. The easiest and sanest option was to dismiss Phainon’s actions as drunken insanity, and forget that the night ever happened. If Phainon was in such a poor state, then he’d likely forgotten about what happened too. Mydei wasn’t going to ponder on the topic any longer.

The campus had been quite empty for the week, but now Mydei was noticing students beginning to file back into campus, luggage and suitcases in tow. Even the library was pretty lively, with students looking to brush up on topics they’d covered, or get ahead on the next topic, or even blast through the assignments they’d left to the last minute. Others looked like they were still recovering from last night’s bad decisions.   

Mydei headed back to his apartment later in the afternoon. Phainon hadn’t texted him, so Mydei wondered if he was still in bed.

His questions were soon answered. He was halfway across campus, just passing one of the larger water fountains, when a head of familiar white hair peaked into view. 

Phainon was sitting on a bench by one of the campus water fountains. He seemingly hadn’t noticed Mydei at all. In fact, he seemed completely zoned out to everything around him.

Mydei was taken aback by just how awful Phainon looked. His face was shrivelled up in a deep frown. His hair was a mess, half of it sticking up toward the sky, as if he’d been sleeping for two years. He looked incredibly pale, his hands wouldn’t seem to stay still, his fingers weaving in and out of his hoodie sleeves as if he were in pain, and he was seriously sweating. His skin seemed to gleam from how much sweat he was producing.

“Phainon?”

Phainon gasped when he heard the voice. Mydei saw how unbalanced and dizzy Phainon seemed. It was even more obvious as he tried to stand.

“Mydei, there you are,” Phainon said, his voice sounding pained. Even his torso seemed to be held tightly, as if Phainon didn’t dare breathe too hard.

“What are you doing out here?” Mydei demanded, folding his arms.

Phainon reached out and grabbed Mydei’s sleeve, probably to steady himself. Mydei could still smell alcohol on him. Idiot hadn’t even changed out of his clothes from the night before. 

“I was looking for you,” Phainon stated, struggling to look Mydei in the eye.

“You look like shit. Go back to the apartment.”

“I’m fine, really. Just...feel a bit dizzy is all.”

Phainon seemed to be looking at him strangely. He was feigning a smile to hide his pain, something Mydei had seen before, but there was also a foreign glint to his eye, something Mydei hadn’t seen before, nor could decipher.

Phainon hissed as he raised a hand to his jaw in pain. “And…I have a bit of tooth-ache.” 

Despite the way that Phainon was swaying on his feet, his hand had a vice-like grip on Mydei’s sleeve. 

“Did you eat the bottles last night as well?” Mydei joked.

Phainon groaned, not appreciating the joke. He stumbled right into Mydei’s personal space, burying his face in Mydei’s chest and flinging his arms around his neck.

“Come home with me, Mydei,” Phainon whined, sighing pathetically into Mydei’s chest. 

Phainon’s arms didn’t stay around Mydei’s neck for long, they began crawling down his back, gripping onto anything they could purchase.

Never had Mydei seen this man look quite as pathetic as he did currently. It was almost laughable.

“You’re such a baby,” Mydei sighed. 

Immediately after, a pinch caught his attention. Phainon had a vice-like grip around his middle, enough that it hurt. Mydei didn't realise that Phainon had the strength to grip him quite so tightly. His strength was impressive for a beta who was incredibly hung-over.

Mydei rolled his eyes. “Come on, fool,” he said, beginning to lead Phainon in the correct direction to their apartment. Phainon didn’t let go even once.

Mydei made sure Phainon had a shower, got back into bed and stayed there until the next morning. A good night’s sleep and lots of water would cure him.

However, the following morning, Mydei woke up to the sound of Phainon rolling around and panting across the room.

Phainon was on all fours on his bed. Sweat was dripping off his chin in a rhythmic pattern. His eyes were wide and lucid. When Mydei approached him, Phainon seemed to whimper loudly and buried his entire face in his pillow.

“Phainon?”

Phainon didn’t respond, save a pathetic whine.

Mydei felt the back of Phainon’s neck, ignoring the strange noise Phainon made in response. It was feverishly hot.

Was it normal for a hangover to lead into a fever?

Mydei frowned. Phainon’s scent also seemed off. He was a beta so his scent wasn’t distinctive. It was usually incredibly faint, Mydei usually got the slightest hint of mint from it. Right now, what Mydei was picking up from his scent was mostly just sweat. However, laced underneath seemed something different. It smelled a bit like dry wheat perhaps? Or maybe fresh hay?

“There’s no way you’re going to class like this,” Mydei said.

“Ugh,” Phainon groaned into his pillow. “…Dunno…what’s wrong with me.”

“You’ve got a fever.”

“Professor Anaxa…” Phainoned whined.

“Don’t worry, I’ll share my notes with you.”

Phainon made grabby hand motions, until he finally found what he was looking for and curled a hand around Mydei’s upper leg.

“Don’t leave!” He cried pathetically.

“I have a lecture to go to.”

“Mydeiiiii.”

“Neither of us will have any notes if I stay.” Mydei reached out and mused a hand through Phainon’s hair. It was slick to the touch with sweat. “I suggest you go shower and cool off. I’ll leave some food for you.”

Phainon complained some more, but was ultimately too sick to stop Mydei from leaving. Mydei did as he said, leaving Phainon some toast and some sweet biscuits, with a few painkillers in a container, before he set off for Professor Anaxa’s lecture.

It was odd being in the lecture theatre without Phainon. There was a noticeable empty seat at his side, and no distraction to the riddles the professor liked to speak in.

Khaslana sat in his usual spot in one of the front rows. He looked back several times, perhaps puzzled to see the absence of his brother. Mydei hoped he could get out of the lecture hall without bumping into him. He didn’t want a repeat of their previous confrontation.

It didn’t help that today’s topic was a complete bore. Economic structures and relations weren’t exactly Mydei’s favourite topic. Not that he really enjoyed politics at all, unless it tied into history in some way.

Even then, the history of economics was not a highlight. If anything, it was just depressing.

However, he made sure to diligently make notes. He made them as detailed as he could, typing out Professor Anaxa’s every word. When the lecture was over, he had about ten full pages of notes. The whole thing looked quite daunting to read, so he decided he would head over to the library. That way, he could make his notes look more presentable for Phainon, and maybe also make some notes on the reading materials for him as well. He could go back to the apartment to do that, but he wasn’t sure if he could concentrate with Phainon rolling around pathetically across the room.

Mydei left quickly as soon as the lecture ended. Luckily he managed to sneak out long before Khaslana had even gotten off his own seat.

Mydei pulled out his phone as he walked toward the library and got up Phainon’s number.

(12:04) Mydei: Heading to the library for a while, will be back later

(12:05) Mydei: I hope you’ve eaten something

Mydei found a good seat in the library and got to work making sense of the notes he’d made. He decided that he’d colour-coordinate everything, that way it would be easier for Phainon to pick out the main bits of information. 

When his notes were organised, he then went through the library shelves looking for the required reading Anaxa had set them. Once he found the books, Mydei took a seat again, and began to go through them, noting down anything that seemed to stand out. Thatcherism this. Neo-liberalism that. Phainon was lucky to choose this week to be sick. This shit was so ass.

Mydei wasn’t sure how long he’d been studying for. He’d gotten bored and burned-out several times, but had kept going for Phainon’s sake. People had been coming and going around him quietly without bother whilst he worked.

However, his concentration dissipated in an instant when a new scent slapped him around the face.

Mydei was startled by it as soon as the door opened. A thick pungent scent stinking out the air, mixed with something unmistakable.

Fresh wheat, and mint. Strong mint. Feverishly strong. So strong, and yet so familiar that it could only be…

Phainon sought him out immediately, and made his way over, stumbling as he did so.

Mydei shot from his seat, dread pooling low in his stomach. Instinct seizing his body.

Impossible...

Phainon looked just as awful as he had done earlier. Drenched in sweat. Panting hard.

But his eyes were vivid and piercing. Like a predator sighting its hunt. 

“Mydei,” Phainon said sharply. His voice was far too loud in the quiet library, laced with unease, demanding and stern and vicious despite his condition.

Several people around the library were already staring at them.

“P- Phainon?” Mydei stuttered, shooting out of his seat.

Phainon’s lips were parted, groans and whines spewing from his tongue. Phainon barged his way across the library, straight to where Mydei was. Once they were together, Phainon didn’t stop. He grabbed Mydei around his waist, embracing him tightly against his heaving chest.

“Why did you leave me?” Phainon bit, his voice low, slurring on a growl. “Am I not good enough for you?”

Mydei tried to pry him off. “Phainon, what are you talking about? Cut it out,” he hissed, watching as more heads turned in their direction.

Phainon’s scent was so strong, so hot, that Mydei felt like his own skin was catching fire. His vision was blurring, his skin prickling as oversensitivity to the scent spiked across his body. 

Mydei kept trying, but he couldn’t pull Phainon off himself. Meanwhile, Phainon continued groaning and making weird growling noises against his ear. Mydei could feel Phainon trying to nose at his neck. All the while, Phainon’s scent was getting stronger, spicier.

“Phainon, let go,” Mydei warned with more venom, hitting him harder on the top part of his chest.

“Why would you run away from me?” Phainon repeated, burying his head against Mydei’s shoulder. “Don’t you dare run from me, you’re mine.”

“What are you talking about?”

Strong arms curled around Mydei’s waist, circling his hips, dipping lower. Mydei yelped as Phainon squeezed tightly at his ass. 

“I won’t let you get away again,” Phainon snarled against his skin.

“E-enough of this!”

Mydei finally managed to push Phainon back, breaking free from his grip. He stumbled backwards several paces, until he was hitting the bookshelf behind him. Severeal books flew off the shelves, scattering at his feet.

By now, Mydei’s heart was beating through his chest, that scent making his hair stand on end, his instincts screaming up his throat, and inescapable dread lodged in his –

Before he could do anything, Phainon growled lowly, the noise vibrating to Mydei’s core. In a swift movement, Phainon had grabbed Mydei’s wrists, and pinned him loudly to the bookcase behind them. Mydei’s back slammed against the wood, his hands pinned above his head, the noise echoing through the space.

Mydei gazed into predatory azure eyes. He shivered and mewled in response to the growl that bubbled low in Phainon’s throat.

Mydei’s gaze caught sight of the piercing fangs in Phainon’s mouth.

It was there that everything snapped.

Mydei bore his neck. He couldn’t stop it.

Phainon wasn’t sick.

He was presenting.

“Wanna smell you,” Phainon murmured against his ear, a satisfied rumble coming from his throat. “Gonna scent you, bite you, fill you with my pups…make you mine.”

Phainon went to press his nose against Mydei’s scent gland. His lucid alpha scent overwhelmed the omega, caging him into a space for just the two of them to share. “Mine…” The alpha purred. “All mine.”

Alpha, alpha, alpha! The urge to comply rang around in Mydei’s head, daring him to tilt his head even more, to let Phainon have full access and take everything he wanted.

He felt Phainon lick at his scent gland again, felt teeth slide across the skin, threatening to peel away his scent blocker. Fear gripped him in an instant, enough to knock some sense back into his head.

Mydei surged forward, and punched Phainon hard across the face.

Phainon stumbled back and fell to the floor. The punch seemed to bring him to his senses somewhat, for the fierceness in his eyes seemed to dissipate. Phainon hunched over, trying to catch his breath. He blinked, and his eyes seemed to fill with tears, wavering. He looked up at Mydei in question, blood rolling from his nose.

“Mydei…?” He whimpered.

Mydei had no idea how to respond to him. His own head was spinning. His heart was about to beat out of his body.

Phainon’s an alpha.

Phainon’s an alpha!

Alongside his own flaring instincts.

Your alpha is here.

Go to him.

He needs you.

They’d caused such a commotion that several people came running over, trying to put some space between him and Phainon. Phainon’s scent was so strong now that it was undeniable what was happening. Someone went to call for a nurse. A library assistant came up beside Mydei, ushering him away from the scene. She suggested that he should put some space between himself and Phainon. Presenting alphas could become violent after all, especially to other alphas.

Another person kneeled at Phainon’s side, trying to get him to calm down. Mydei realised it was Khaslana. But when Phainon saw Mydei walking away, he rose up with vigour once more.

“No, don’t take him away! Give him back!”

Khaslana grabbed Phainon by the shoulders, preventing him from pushing through.

“Phainon, calm down!” Khasalana said, struggling to hold the presenting alpha back.

“Give him back! He’s mine!”

Mydei’s inner omega mewled, reaching out to Phainon. It begged him to turn back, to be with the alpha who needed him.

Then he remembered that alpha was, and he felt dizzy and nauseous once more. It got worse the more he heard Phainon call desperately for him, both rage and agony all at once. It made Mydei tremble, made him want to curl up with guilt, made him want to cry.

He stopped. His body knew it should return to Phainon’s side.

A hand on his back made him keep moving forward.

“Don’t worry dear,” the library assistant said to him, “We’ll get your friend sorted out. You look pale. I think you should step outside and get some air. Otherwise, I’ll have to call for another nurse.”

Mydei was escorted outside by the library assistant. She then left to call for some more nurses. 

Mydei waited outside of the library quietly. He felt incredibly dizzy. Phainon’s new scent hung around him, clinging to his flesh. He kept tapping his fingers against his neck. He could still feel the remnants of Phainon’s warmth lingering on his skin. It was a clear sign that he’d been scented by an alpha. And that alpha was Phainon, his Phainon.

The next moment he was bending over a trashcan and violently throwing up.

When he could no longer vomit, he stumbled away from the bin, and found himself leaning against whatever wall he managed to make his way to.

His head was still spinning when he saw Castorice and Hyacine running towards him.

“Mydei, are you alright?!” Hyacine asked with panic. “We heard from the library assistant what happened. Are you hurt? Do you need me to check you over?”

“I’m fine,” Mydei lied, keeping his expression composed.

“Are you sure?” Hyacine asked again, approaching him. “You look like you’re going to vomit.”

He wasn’t about to tell the girls that they’d already missed that part.

“It’s fine,” he said again. “H-how’s Phainon? Did you hear what happened? Is he…?”

Castorice and Hycine exchanged glances, before Castorice nodded her head.

“He’s with the nurses already,” she said. “One of them just confirmed with us, Phainon has presented as an alpha, and he’s going straight into his first rut.”

Hearing the words out loud didn’t make it seem anymore real.

“He’s an…alpha,” Mydei murmured. The words felt like more vomit on his tongue.

“Yes, I can hardly believe it too,” Hyacine said. “Because he’s much older than the usual presenting age, the nurses said they were going to monitor him for a while.” 

Mydei must have given some kind of negative reaction to that, because Hyacine was kneeling down next to him. Wait. Since when had he been on the floor?

“Do not fret, Mydei,” Hyacine continued. “The nurses assured us that his condition was inside the normal parameters for a presenting alpha. Once they give him the all clear, he should be fine to spend his first rut in his apartment.” 

“…” Castorice bit her lip, wanting to say something but stopping herself. All three of them could fill in the blank.

Phainon’s condition was normal, except from how he’d seemingly tried to mark another alpha.

“It’s kind of shocking really,” Hyacine huffed, trying to smile. “Twenty-two years old and presenting as an alpha, that’s basically unheard of.”

“It really is something only Phainon could do,” Castorice said. The three of them hummed in unison as agreement.

“Did you let Aglaea know?” Mydei asked, trying to keep himself distracted from the things whizzing around his head.

Castorice nodded in response. “She’s with the nurses.”

“…Good.” Mydei scratched the back of his head. “I hope I didn’t punch him too hard.”

“I think that’s the least of his worries right now,” Castorice said. 

Phainon…an alpha. Had all the hints been there and Mydei had never noticed? All that time they had spent in close proximity to each other, those friendly touches, their dance at the party, which had descended into…

Suddenly, it was all obvious.

Phainon’s dormant alpha instincts had reacted to prolonged exposure with an unclaimed omega in his vicinity. The closeness that had been developing between them, the way Phainon had started to touch him, those times where he got overly protective, overly jealous, it had all been his alpha beginning to show, reacting to the omega he didn’t even know was with him.

How had he failed to see it coming?

His chest felt taunt, it hurt to breathe.

Hyacine placed the back of her hand to his forehead. “Hmm,” she said, checking his temperature. “You might not be hurt physically,” she said. “But you still look quite shaken up. You should take it easy for the rest of the day.”

Mydei looked at the grass beneath his hands, letting out a groan of agreement. 

“Mydei,” Hyacine said with a smile. “If you need somewhere to stay whilst Phainon has his rut, you are welcome to stay with us in our apartment.”

“I wouldn’t recommend you stay with Phainon at this moment in time,” Castorice added. “We would be happy to have you stay with us.”

Mydei willed all his thoughts back down. The nurses were looking after Phainon’s health. His priority right now was to keep himself calm, and stay away from a rutting alpha. He was thankful that Phainon’s friends seemed to want to help him.

“Thanks,” Mydei nodded. “That would be good.”

Castorice and Hyacine accompanied him as he went to pack a small bag of things from his and Phainon’s apartment. Enough clothes for the week, a few toiletry supplies, and his suppressants and heat blockers. They waited by the door for him as he packed. 

As Mydei stepped inside, he was hit by the pungent scent of alpha going into rut. It stunk of dry wheat, fresh mint, and sex. It seemed after Mydei had left for Professor Anaxa’s lecture in the morning, Phainon had been practically leaking pheromones, likely unable to contain them any longer.

The scent made Mydei shiver and his hair stand on end. His eyes were drawn to Phainon’s bed. His fingers itched to run across the fabric and bury it against his nose. His instinct told him that he should stay in this place and wait for the alpha to return. He could feel the stench of Phainon’s rut attempting to bring on his heat even through the suppressants, his body clenching in an attempt to produce slick for the alpha.

His mind knew better. He packed as quickly as possible. By the time he had filled his bag and walked back up to the girls, he was straining against the power the scent held over him. He was drenched in his own sweat.

“Let’s not hang around any longer,” Mydei said to them, struggling to keep his voice level.

“Agreed,” Hyacine said, looking sympathetic. “I’m a beta and even I can smell Phainon’s scent here. It must be quite unbearable for you.”

The girl’s dormitory was at another apartment block, about a twenty minute walk away. Once they got there, Hyacine led Mydei into their small living room area. Ica was curled up in his basket, but came bounding over to them as soon as they entered. The cat wrapped itself around Mydei’s leg and then proceeded to stick to him like tape.

“Are you alright to sleep here?” Hyacine asked.

“Yes, this is fine, thank you.”

“The bathroom’s over there,” she pointed. “And I’ll make sure to keep Ica in his crate at night so he doesn’t bother you.”

“Thanks.”

Castorice was scrolling through her phone, humming to herself.

“Any updates on Phainon?” Mydei asked.

“Yes, here, look at this.”

She held out her phone screen and all three of them (plus Ica) huddled around. There were several messages on the screen between Castorice and a certain someone.

(13:46) Castorice: Phainon, let us know you’re okay when you can  

There was then a few hours before the next message.

(17:03) Phainon: So..

(17:03) Phainon: Youll nevr guess what happned tome

(17:04) Castorice: Well then I guess I have absolutely no idea

(17:04) Phainon: U alrdy know?

(17:04) Castorice: Might’ve heard from several different sources all over the campus already

(17:05) Phainon: Fuck

(17:05) Castorice: It’s okay, Phainon

(17:05) Castorice: How are you feeling?

(17:06) Phainon: Gud

(17:07) Phainon: Not gwreat

(17:09) Phainon: Bad

(17:09) Phainon: Feel like Im on fire

(17:10) Castorice: You’ll be okay, just try and take it easy

(17:10) Phainon: Wherz Mydei?

(17:10) Castorice: He’s staying over with us until your ruts over

(17:11) Castorice: He’s fine, don’t worry about him

(17:12) Phainon: ☹

(17:12) Castorice: Try and get some rest

(17:12) Castorice: Goodnight, Phainon

(17:14) Phainon: Godnighte

“It’s good to hear he’s okay,” Hyacine said.

“If you ignore the fact he can’t type for shit,” Castorice said, cupping her hands together. “I hope his rut isn’t too painful.”

“I’m afraid first ruts aren’t known for being mild,” Hyacine replied. “But Phainon is a tough cookie, and the nurses will make sure to give him plenty of supplies, he’ll be fine.” Hyacine turned to him with the sweetest smile. “Isn’t that right, Mydei?”

Mydei was still looking through the messages on Castorice’s phone.

“Ah, yes.”

All three fell into silence.

“I don’t think any of us will feel like cooking tonight,” Castorice stated.

“I can second that,” Mydei said.

“Takeout anyone?” Hyacine asked, perking up.

All three hummed in approval.

Still relatively early into the night, both the girls retreated into their room to go to sleep. They were all feeling quite sleepy after their takeout meal.

“Ica shouldn’t bother you,” Hyacine said, wearing the pinkest, fluffiest pair of pyjamas Mydei had ever seen. The Ica in question was already in his cat crate, and lying upside down with his legs in the air. Mydei was pretty sure he could hear the little guy snoring. “But if you need anything, just knock on the door.”

“Thank you, both of you.”

“It’s not problem Mydei,” Castorice said. “We’re happy to have you here with us.”

Castorice’s gaze lingered on him a little longer than Hyacine’s. She looked concerned for him. Perhaps she could sense Mydei’s unease. She didn’t pry, however, and said her goodnights gracefully.

Once he was alone in the living room, Mydei opened his phone and tapped the messaging icon. He wavered when he saw Phainon’s name in his contacts. Phainon hadn’t messaged him personally. Should he message and ask if he was okay?

He ended up selecting Krateros’ name from the list of contacts instead. Krateros had messaged him earlier in the day and Mydei hadn’t even noticed.

(13:24) Krateros: I hope your first class back after your break went well

(13:25) Krateros: You still need to tell me how that party with your roommate and his friends went

(16:38) Krateros: Let me know how you’re getting on kiddo

Mydei’s finger hovered over the screen. What was he supposed to say? He rubbed a hand through his hair, exhaling.

(21:17) Mydei: Hi

(21:18) Mydei: I’m doing ok

(21:18) Mydei: But there’s been a bit of a…situation

(21: 19) Mydei: Phainon, my roommate, he presented as an alpha today

(21:19) Mydei: And I think it’s because of me

*

Mydei stared at the ceiling until it was completely dark outside. He urged himself to stop over-thinking things. It wasn’t like him. Worry never solved anything. It was pointless.

And yet, he couldn’t help himself, couldn’t stop pondering over every little detail of the events of the day, and the past two months that he’d spent living with Phainon, an unpresented alpha.

Phainon’s alpha scent was still on his clothes, and yet Mydei didn’t want to change or wash himself clean. His hand kept winding its way back to the spot on his neck where his scent gland was, where Phainon had almost marked him. It felt tender there, beneath the thin scent blocker, making him shiver. He couldn’t stop playing the moment over and over in his head, reminiscing about the press of Phainon’s tongue there, dominant and possessive over him.

In that moment, he’d almost let Phainon claim him. His omega instincts had flared, stronger than Mydei had ever felt before. If he hadn’t found the strength to pull himself out of the alpha’s trance and punch the guy….

Back in the library, when Mydei had realised that Phainon was presenting, his own body had reacted as if Phainon was his alpha. When they were forced apart, Mydei felt the pull to return to Phainon’s side. Not only was he shaken up that Phainon had presented as an alpha at all, he was shaken up at how natural it had felt to submit to him.

With horror, Mydei realised that he’d imprinted on Phainon and hadn’t even let himself notice.

Alphas usually presented a little later than omegas, around the ages of fifteen and sixteen.

Phainon was twenty-two, a couple of years older than Mydei, who was twenty.

Though an alpha’s presentation and rut could be brought on by several triggers including puberty, a fight with another alpha, or some kind of fight-or-flight experience in which the former won out, everyone knew that the easiest method to trigger an alpha’s presentation was to put them in close proximity with an unclaimed omega.

Phainon’s alpha must have been deeply dormant. Unbelievably dormant. Presenting past the age of twenty was an absurd idea, practically unheard of.

Mydei knew about what Phainon had been through as a teenager. It seemed impossible that none of his trauma had ever triggered his presentation. Not to mention that he must have come across at least a few omegas in his twenty-two years of existence.

Instead, he’d gotten close to Mydei, the unclaimed omega that he didn’t even know about, but that his body had taken interest in and snuffed out anyway.

Phainon’s dormant alpha had reacted to his omega, there was no other possibility. Mydei wasn’t exactly sure which moment between them had been the trigger, but the most likely candidate was their drunken dance. Phainon had let his control go, under the influence of alcohol. Without even knowing, he’d scented an unmated omega, and set into action a slow and painful presentation. Both of them had mistaken the beginnings of his rut for a hangover, then a fever. Somehow, Mydei hadn’t realised what was happening until Phainon was practically on top of him, trying to mark him in the public library.

Phainon an alpha…The more that Mydei thought about it, the more it made so much sense. Phainon had been so touchy lately, and had been constantly seeking his attention, not to mention the possessive inflections that had been appearing in his voice and his body language.

Not only that, Mydei himself had reacted strangely to Phainon more than once. He had felt it before when they had competed with each other, or when Phainon pinned him down, or when he had spoken too softly in his ear. More than once, Phainon had made his heart beat faster, and made a spiralling blush form across his body. Mydei had felt it before, his mind telling him to submit himself to the present alpha. He’d ignored it, because it was just Phainon. It was just a few stupid feelings he’d get over.

There had been so many signs…so many, and he’d failed to react to any of them.

Instead, he’d let himself get close to someone who could be a danger to everything he, Krateros, and his mother had tried to do for him.

Would Phainon work him out? Phainon’s instinct certainly had. 

Mydei was shivering and blushing again at the thought of what had happened earlier.

Trapped beneath a crazed presenting alpha, wrists pinned above his head as growls crawled up Phainon’s throat.

“Wanna smell you,” Phainon had purred into his ear. “Gonna scent you, bite you, fill you with my pups…make you mine.”

Hearing that from Phainon…he’d been almost powerless against him.

Mydei had no idea if Phainon was actually interested in him in such a way, or if today was just his newly presented rutting alpha talking. He was inclined to think that it was just the latter. 

Either way, it was going to be difficult for Mydei to resist. A crush on a beta could be ignored. But, a crush on an alpha…

Mydei could still feel the stench of Phainon’s rut attempting to bring on his heat even through the suppressants, even hours after Mydei had been in his presence. It felt as if smooth warm hands were caressing across his abdomen, circling his hips, making his hair stand on end. Teasing, bringing him to a state of hypersensitivity, only to leave him hanging, for his alpha was nowhere to be seen.

This was incredibly dangerous. He couldn’t be attaching himself to an alpha. Perhaps he should consider asking to change dorms. He could blame it on territorialness, or a fight. Two alphas in one place. It was a viable story, especially since to everyone else in that library, it looked as if Phainon had been trying to claim a fellow alpha. Any sane alpha wouldn’t stand for that. However, the other part of him did not want to leave Phainon. And perhaps it would make him even more suspicious if he did leave.

After a lot of pondering, Mydei settled on a course of action. Once Phainon was out of his rut, hopefully his scent wouldn’t be too strong. Hopefully he wouldn’t act on his instincts. Hopefully he’d still just be the same old Phainon.

For now, Mydei would just take more extra heat suppressants.

Right. His suppressants. He’d been around a newly presented alpha. He should probably take quite a few extras.

Mydei went to the bathroom and began unpacking his supplies there. Quite quickly, he realised that he couldn’t seem to find his suppressants. He went through the bag once, twice, five times. He looked all around the living room, the kitchen and the bathroom. He couldn’t find them anywhere in his luggage.

Had he been in such a hurry to leave his apartment that he’d forgotten his heat suppressants?

That meant they were still in the bathroom…at his apartment…where an alpha who had tried to bite him was currently rutting…

Fuck.

Mydei could already feel himself sweating profusely just walking back to the apartment. He pulled out his phone as he walked with pace. He couldn’t really turn up at a rutting alpha’s door without some sort of forewarning now.

(9:41) Mydei: I’m coming over to pick up something, I forgot to pick it up earlier

(9:41) Mydei: I won’t stay long

It wasn’t clear how long Phainon’s rut would be. Could be as short as a day, or as long as two weeks.

Mydei needed those pills. Even forgetting to take them for one day could cause his heat to trigger. How could he be so idiotic as to leave them behind?

Phainon didn’t reply to his messages. Because of course he didn’t.

Mydei stood in front of their door. The light wasn’t on, but Mydei knew that Phainon was there. He could smell Phainon’s scent through the walls. He was already feeling the urge to call for Phainon, to make sure he was okay, to help the alpha in need.

Mydei bit his tongue. Hard.

Then, he unlocked the door and stepped inside.

He seized up instantly. The scent was stronger than a hammer blow. It had a heavy salty tinge, mixed with the overwhelming scent of ripened wheat, golden and crisp and sharp, with a pinch of mint that was far too sharp. And sweat. So much sweat.

Mydei took a step inside. In the dark and quiet of the house, he heard shallow moaning and whining from deeper inside.

Along with biting his tongue, he dug his nails into his hands until he was drawing blood.

“Phainon,” he called as loud as he could into the dark house. “I’m coming in for two minutes. I apologise for bothering you.”  

He turned on the light switch and almost fell over. The apartment was in tatters. Furniture toppled over, feathers from cushions torn in half littered the floor, the curtains were ripped, claw shapes carved into the material. The sofa lay on its side.

Another groan came from the bedroom, this time louder.

Mydei’s heart beat fast, his stomach churning.

Alpha.

Mydei breathed shallowly as to not take in too much of the scent, and made his way forward. He made straight for the bathroom, closing the door quickly behind him. The scent wasn’t any less fervent in the bathroom. It was still damp in the bathroom. Phainon must have recently taken a shower, though it seemingly hadn’t helped him at all.

Mydei quickly stumbled to the bathroom cabinet and grabbed his suppressants. He stuffed them into his pocket. The heat in his groin was growing, desperate to react to the rutting alpha. His whole body was trembling from the weight of his restraint. Drops of sweat were dripping off his forehead and onto the basin.

All the while, the voice endlessly mumbled in his mind.

Alpha alpha alpha alpha.

Mydei couldn’t stay a moment longer. He turned to open the door and leave.

On leaving the bathroom, he found the bedroom light had been switched on. He told himself not to look, just to say goodbye and leave.

But Phainon was whining. He was in pain. And he smelled so good. So perfect.

Mydei’s heart seized up, and he ended up peering inside.

Phainon had entrapped himself in his bed. All Mydei could see was a huge lump of blankets. Phainon was moaning and whining like crazy. Mydei could hear that he was gritting his teeth, doing everything he could to keep himself still.

“Go, Mydei,” Phainon bit, sensing the other’s presence. There was no venom to Phainon’s voice. He sounded completely hoarse, as if he’d been screaming.

Another whine spewed from Phainon’s lips and he curled up tighter. “I don’t want…do anything stupid…don’t wanna…hurt you.”

The fear in his voice, Mydei heard it clear as day, it was poignant in his scent as well. Phainon was terrified.

Terrified to hurt him.

Mydei could feel it as well, his omega lured in by an alpha in pain, knowing he had the cure to make all the alpha’s pain go away.

“You would never hurt me,” Mydei found himself saying. He meant it. Made sure Phainon could hear his certainty.

Phainon definitely heard it, for he went silent for just a moment.

“I still can’t believe it…” Phainon tsked, voice broken. “Me, an alpha…Nurse said she’d never seen such a late bloomer before.” Phainon whined again, curling up into a tighter ball beneath the sheets. “Shit…I’m not cut out for this.” 

“The first rut is always the worst. You’ll get through,” Mydei said to him, comforting him against his better judgement.

Mydei traced his fingers along the doorframe, where slashes were now ingrooved into the wood. He could feel himself leaning forward, that desire to get close to the rutting alpha draining every rational thought he had.

A growl slipped from Phainon’s throat, making Mydei tense once again. “Go, Mydei,” Phainon growled. “Get out. Now. Can’t hold back…much longer.”

Mydei too couldn’t let himself succumb to his instincts, no matter how much it pained him to see Phainon in this state.

He turned his back. He had to leave. Quickly.

He looked over his shoulder a final time, at the pile of blankets containing the alpha he cared about. “For your information,” he said. “I think you’ll make a great alpha.”

Mydei left after that, not staying to see Phainon’s reaction. He felt too warm, too flustered, he needed to take his suppressants immediately.

Once outside, he could finally breathe. Still, Phainon’s scent stuck to him. A magnet just like the man himself.

Mydei felt bad for him, he’d heard that first ruts were painful just as heats were. A part of him felt guilty for not doing anything to help.  

Mydei hesitated, making sure no one else was around, before popping two pills straight into his mouth and swallowing them quickly.

After taking the pills, he hesitated. He could feel the pull of Phainon’s scent sticking to his clothes. He ended up pulling the fabric of his hoodie up to his nose and taking a deep, calming breath.

The smell went straight to his groin. Mydei felt his lower body clenching. His body was trying to produce slick. He couldn’t, his suppressants prevented it, but his body kept clenching, desperate to be wet and slick for the alpha just beyond the door.

Mydei shivered. Partly in interest, partly in unfettered horror.

He couldn’t…He couldn’t!

He ran the rest of the way back to Castorice’s apartment, and straight into the bathroom to pop two more suppressants into his mouth and then throw himself into a shower. He cursed himself incessantly under the water.

This was dangerous…too dangerous. His self-control should be better than this.

Whatever these feelings he had for Phainon were, he blamed it all on his inner omega. He’d sworn to never acknowledge that side of himself again, and so he would do the same to these feelings, no matter how wrong it felt. 

That didn’t stop him from curling around his hoodie, the one which still carried Phainon’s scent, and falling asleep with the fabric pressed against his nose. 

Chapter Text

“Mydei…”

Phainon groaned into his pillow as the name spilled off his lips. Sharp nails dragged across plush bedsheets. He was desperate to hold purchase on anything, lest he give in and indulge the leaking red cock between his legs, and moan that name until his voice went hoarse.

He’d been trying so hard to hold back. The medication from the nurses had helped to restrain the gruesome thoughts in his mind concerning the man that filled his every thought. But the effects of that medication were already fading.

He’d spent the evening going around his apartment, tearing his claws into anything he could touch, taking out his agony on the couch, the curtains, the walls. Fire burned through his body. It hurt. It hurt so much, and yet unquenchable pleasure was building at his core. He was so hard that he wanted to scream.

He was blinded by images of them taking him away, the one that was supposed to be his.

But after seeing him, having him in this apartment whilst he was in his rut, it was pushing him past his limit. He was doing everything he could to stop himself lashing out at the other alpha, would rather be sick than hurt him.

“And for your information, I think you’ll make a great alpha.”

Mydei’s words drove Phainon over the edge, the threat holding him back snapping completely.

He reared up, ready to launch himself at the object of his desires, pin him to the wall, strip him of all his clothes and dig into that sweat heat that was rightfully his.

Only, Mydei was already gone.

His mate had left him. This time by choice.

Phainon slammed on the front door, tearing sharp nails across the wood as he wailed.

“Mydei!”

Phainon found himself sliding down the door, crying uncontrollably. Even as he cried, his cocked bobbed and ached, still eager to sink inside the wet heat promised to him.

The part of himself that told him that this was irrational, that this was simply a rut-induced craze, had long died away. There was nothing but unfettered raging lust and intense loneliness.

Phainon growled, beginning to fist his cock roughly. The length was a rusted red colour, bouts of precum already leaking from the tip in long strings.

Phainon stroked his fist back and forth over the length at a harsh unforgiving pace. Growls and whines slipped freely from his tongue. He bit into his lips, drawing fresh blood, which only fed more into his desire.

His lust was so thick and he was wound so tightly, that he couldn’t tell if he was close to his release, or if the scorching heat in his chest would consume him forever.

“Fuck…” he hissed. “Shit!”

An image of Mydei flashed in his mind. A memory of the other alpha pinned beneath him on this very floor, blushing and reduced to silence as Phainon dominated him.

“Mydei!”

Phainon came hard across his hand. White liquid streamed from the tip of his cock for several seconds. More spurted out as he continued to stroke the length, until a thick puddle of his own cum had formed at his feet.

No sooner had he came, the burning desire shot straight back into his veins. His cock immediately stood erect once more.

Phainon growled loudly, slamming a fist on the floor.

Why wasn’t he here!? How dare he leave!? Who does he think he belongs to!?

Phainon began pumping his cock rigorously again. The length was slick and wet from his own cum, creating more delicious friction. Like this, he could almost believe that he had a warm body pinned beneath his own, and he was sliding in and out of Mydei’s wet heat.

Yes…the squelching sound as Phainon’s cock prodded against his womb over and over was so beautiful. Even more beautiful was Mydei below him. He was crying, beautiful big wet tears tracking down his cheeks as Phainon fucked him so good. He’d been trying to restrain his moans, but Phainon had wrecked him. He cried and moaned without remorse. Pouring off his body, the delicious scent of heat and sex.

“Cry louder!” Phainon demanded, fucking into him even harsher. He grabbed Mydei’s wrists into his own hands, pinning them onto Mydei’s back. Like this, he could get more purchase on the sweet pliant body beneath him.

This time, his thrust hit right inside the omega’s womb.

“Alpha!” Mydei screamed, obeying his alpha. “Alpha, breed me!”

“Aaargh!”

Phainon cried out and came again, thick white liquid spurting from his cock onto his hands.

Mydei wasn’t really here. He’d left him behind, all alone to suffer.

Phainon fell forwards onto the floor. He felt so incredibly dizzy, so hot.

Again, the heat refused to die, scorching lust consuming him again, spurred on by the beautiful images in his head.

“Mydei~” Phainon chirped, beginning to pump himself again.

This time, he imagined Mydei on his back. Phainon was seated snuggly inside his mate, watching how Mydei’s greedy cunt took all of his cock with every thrust. Mydei’s own cock was hard and perked cutely from all the attention his mate was giving him.

Phainon threw his head back as Mydei’s wetness clenched against him, daring him to fuck into him deeper.

“More,” Mydei whispered to him. “Give me more, alpha. All of you.”

Phainon’s thrusts into him quickened. He gripped onto Mydei’s hips in a bruising grip. He wanted to paint Mydei in his love, inside and out.

“Mydei!” He sang the name, feeling his release coming. “Mydei Mydei Mydei!”

Phainon came a third time, this time crying out louder than the last.

It wasn’t enough. Mydei wasn’t really here. He needed him here. Needed the warmth of his mate. Needed to be inside him.

Phainon got to his feet, stumbling in a daze to the bedroom. He flung open Mydei’s clothes drawer, rummaging through his clothes, pulling out everything.

Phainon found Mydei’s black hoodie. He latched onto that item immediately, drawing it to his nose. He breathed in and smelled it over and over, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not pick up his mate’s scent on the fabric.

“Raaargh!”

Phainon screamed. He began to tear through the apartment again. He didn’t care how much he destroyed, how much he cried, how much he made himself climax. Nothing was enough. Nothing would do but him!

Phainon found himself back on his own bed, clutching tightly to Mydei’s hoodie. He pressed the fabric to his nose as he began pumping his cock again. It hurt. It hurt so much that his mate wasn’t here, that he couldn’t even catch his scent.

Mydei, how cruel you are.

Phainon hit his release again, throwing his head back. Some of his load had dirtied the sleeve of Mydei’s hoodie, white stripes contrasting greatly against the black fabric. He wanted to imagine Mydei wearing this, Phainon’s cum covering his clothes, dripping from his chin, coating his lips in a thin sheen. He’d look so good painted white like that.

Phainon looked at the sight of the messy hoodie. Without a word, he bundled up the hoodie tightly into his fists. He bundled it in a way that it sank at the middle.

Then, he began to thrust into the gap in the fabric.

A bolt of pleasure zipped its way to his head immediately.

Mydei had worn this. His skin had brushed up against this very fabric. No doubt, he often thought of Phainon when he wore this.

Even if Mydei never wanted him, Phainon would make sure Mydei never forgot him.

In Phainon’s head, it was the very man beneath him now. Mydei was clinging to the pillow beneath his head. His hair was sweaty and splayed across the pillow, mixed with the tears that slipped down his cheeks. His back was arched off the bed in a perfect curve, his own cock pink and leaking, his toned chest heaving with each of Phainon’s thrusts into his cunt.

“Fuck Mydei…” Phainon growled as he fucked into the fabric. “So tight…so good for me.”

He continued to fuck inside the glorious heat, drawing mewls and sobs from Mydei’s lips.

“Alpha,” Mydei moaned. “Gonna…gonna.”

Phainon growled, quickening his pace even further. Harsh slaps rung between their bodies. His knot was starting to form at the base of his cock. It was slowly growing, slowly rising, ready to plug the omega full.

Mydei’s eyes were blown wide, a small scream ripped from his throat.

“Submit,” Phainon hissed, ploughing deeper, urging his knot forwards. “Submit and scream for me, omega.”

He spanked a hand across the omega’s ass. Mydei whimpered, jostling forwards on the cock that speared him. Phainon felt his cock breach Mydei’s womb, and his knot slip inside the wet heat. The omega screamed as it slid inside.

“Alpha!” Mydei screamed, baring his neck, revealing the swollen scent gland on his neck. The omega’s cunt clenched on his knot tightly. Phainon drew him to an orgasm, the omega cumming hard.

As the omega climaxed, Phainon’s knot stuck snuggly inside Mydei’s cunt, Phainon bent over him, fanged teeth latching onto his scent gland.

“My omega.”

Phainon bit down hard.

Then, he climaxed, harder than all the previous times.

With his knot trapping the omega in place beneath him, he began to breed the omega full of cum. He’d have every last drop. Until his belly was plump with their pups.

For Phainon, Myei would have two, four, five pups. As many as the alpha desired him to have. Phainon would plug him on knots for the rest of his life. Completely ruin him until it was just Phainon’s name that he could recall.

Phainon’s name, and the feeling of his knot pumping him full of their offspring.

“Mine…All mine.”

When Phainon opened his eyes again, he was lying on Mydei’s bed. The heat in his groin still lingered, but for now, it was reduced to a simmer.

A black hoodie sticky with cum was clutched tightly in his hands.

Phainon suddenly felt sick looking at it, thinking about what he’d done with Mydei’s name on his lips, going so far as to ruin Mydei’s clothes.

What was he doing? How could he be thinking such awful things about Mydei?

Fantasising about Mydei as some helpless omega? Degrading him to a body to fill with pups? How disgusting could he be?

If he were to really have Mydei beneath him like that, he’d want to treat him like a princess. He would kiss every inch of his lover’s body, pamper him, spoil him rotten, just as he deserved.

Just as Phainon didn’t deserve him.

Phainon wiped his brow with a hand. He had never felt so guilty before, so vile, so inhuman. He was doused in sweat. Tears were streaming from his eyes. He was exhausted and sobbing uncontrollably.

However, once again, the heat was coming back. His disgust and guilt being quickly side-swept by his desire to see Mydei pinned and marked beneath him, and to do anything to douse the fire in his veins. His cock was already hard and aching again, demanding attention from an omega.

“Mydei,” he sobbed, beginning to rub his length once more. “I’m so sorry.”

*

It took eleven days for Phainon’s rut to completely clear. In that time, he wasn’t allowed to attend any classes and had to stay in his dormitory. Mydei made sure to take as many notes as he could for him whilst in class.

Whilst in classes, Mydei did notice some murmurings from some of the other students. A few of them even approached him. Some complete strangers.

“You’re the one that presenting alpha harassed in the library.”  

“Is it true what happened? That he tried to mark you?”

“An alpha with another alpha? You could get kicked out of the university for that.”

Mydei growled at all of them.

“Mind your own damned business.”

It was clear news of what had happened had spread further than he’d anticipated. News that an alpha of Phainon’s age had presented was blasphemous as it was. That he had also scented and tried to bite another alpha on top of that was beyond all reason.

Alphas weren’t supposed to be interested in other alphas unless it was to compete. To fight. To defend. Alphas didn’t pursue each other for sex, for relationships, and most definitely not as a potential mate. To do so was to go against their every instinct.

However, to everyone else in that library, that was what it looked like. An alpha in rut, trying to claim another alpha.

Mydei hoped the rumours would die down by the time Phainon was out of rut and back in class. There had been a few other rumours he’d heard that Phainon had been trying to start a fight rather than bite him. Mydei could only imagine what either rumour would do to Phainon’s self-esteem.

He thought it might be inevitable that Khaslana also approached him over the situation. Phainon’s twin definitely sent him many questioning glares during seminars and lectures. When they passed each other, Khaslana’s gaze was like an anvil to the back of his head. There was clearly something he wished to say. There was also more than one time where Mydei got the distinct feeling that Khaslana was following him around.

However, he never approached.

Castorice and Hyacine took it in turns to deliver food to Phainon throughout his rut. One of the days, Mydei asked if he could use the girl’s kitchen to bake Phainon some sweet treats. Nothing too sweet, he likely couldn’t stomach much on his rut. Mydei decided pancakes with honey were the best option. He hoped Phainon got a chance to enjoy them between the highs of his rut.

Eleven days later, Mydei found himself standing in front of his apartment door. He had been texting Phainon on and off for the past eleven days, but it still felt like it had been a long time since they’d seen each other. Too long. It didn’t feel right, attending lectures without Phainon making quips at his side, or going to the gym to be the only person using the treadmills, or to go to the library and actually sit there in peace and quiet.

He didn’t miss Phainon. He wouldn’t never admit that. It was just…strange. Unnatural. Like a half of himself was missing.

He’d even struggled sleeping at night, couldn’t stop thinking about Phainon whining in pain, rolling in his own sweat, curled into himself beneath his bedsheets.

Mydei hesitated outside of the door. It wasn’t like him to do so, but he couldn’t help the way his head churned. He felt a deep sense of dread to open the door, but he also felt a great deal of concern for the newly presented alpha. They’d had the all clear from the nurse, and a string of thumbs up emojis from Phainon saying he was ‘back to normal.’

Mydei knew that was a lie. There was no back to normal anymore.

The bigger question was, how much different would it be? And could Mydei handle it?

Mydei took a deep breath, steadying himself.

Remember. No feelings.

Then, he knocked on the door.

A few moments later, the latch clicked open, and a familiar face and smile appeared into view, peeking around the door.

“Hey,” Phainon said. There was a slight croak to his voice, and a noticeable red blush on his cheeks.

Mydei studied him. Phainon seemed mostly the same as before. The same build. The same ridiculous hair. He did, however, look exhausted, with large back bags under his eyes. He looked pale too, with the shine not quite as vibrant in his eyes, and his lips chapped from how dry they were. Mydei could see several cuts along his lips, it must have been from where he’d been catching his lips on his new fangs, not used to the new sharpness and length of his canines.

Canines designed for biting into an omega’s neck.

Mydei tried to breathe shallowly, but there it was. The thing he couldn’t ignore. That new scent. Phainon’s scent. It was not as oppressive, but just as addicting as when he was in rut.

Mydei shook his head, vanishing those thoughts. Phainon kept stealing little glances at his figure, never staying focused on him for long. He was clearly waiting for Mydei to say something.

“So, you’re alive,” Mydei stated, crossing his arms over himself.

Phainon opened the door a little wider, letting Mydei see him entirely. Phainon rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah, guess you’re stuck with me a little longer.” Phainon chuckled to himself. “I have to admit, there were some points where I thought I might not make it through.”

“But you did make it,” Mydei said.

“Yeah…I did…”

They fell into silence again.

Mydei studied Phainon a little more. He was still wearing those stupid ugly clothes he loved. He seemed to hold his posture the same as before. Though he couldn’t seem to hold eye contact at all. His gaze kept going to Mydei’s shoes, or over Mydei’s head. Literally anywhere but the face of the person he was talking to.

And why did he look so red in the face? Had the flush from his rut not fully worn off yet?

“How do you feel now?” Mydei asked gently.

“Not too bad,” Phainon replied. “Just a bit tired.” He winced, scrunching his eyes closed. “And everything sounds really loud, and smells really strong, for some reason.”

“Your senses are stronger than before. It will take some time to get used to.”

“I see…”

More silence.

Phainon scratched the back of his head, cleared his throat. His face was still an odd shade of red. Flushed as if he were drunk.

“Anyway,” he said. “It’s good to have you back Mydei.” Phainon bit his lip, then instantly regretted it when a fanged canine sliced through the skin. “Ack!” Phainon quickly raised a hand to his lip, catching the blood that fell from his lips. “I keep doing that,” he grumbled. “I swear you don’t have fangs like this. It’s not fair!”

Mydei chuckled at the sight of him. Good. He was still just a pathetic little puppy.

“I guess it’s just another way that I’m better than you,” he smirked. That got him a pout from Phainon.

With blood dripping down his chin, looking all tired and pathetic in his ugly clothes, Phainon really did look quite stupid. Stupidly adorable.

Mydei sighed fondly. “Come on,” Mydei said, walking forward. “Let’s get inside before you drip blood all over the landing.”

Phainon looked hesitant to let Mydei through the threshold, but did move aside.

Mydei took a singular step inside and almost bowled over.

“I apologise if I’ve stunk out the place,” Phainon said sheepishly behind him. “I did my best to clean and make the place look presentable but…”

Mydei had to steady himself against the nearest wall. He couldn’t think over the cacophonic smell. It crawled up every part of him, filling his lungs with the radiant smell of fresh mint and grainy ripened fields ready for harvest.

It was the same scent that clung to the man himself.

It was delectable. Mydei’s omega wanted to croon so badly, and fall in the embrace of that scent. He wanted to douse himself in that scent; wanted it everywhere.

“Is it really that bad?” Phainon asked nervously. He was holding both hands over his mouth to stop blood dripping everywhere. Mydei barely heard him through the scent-induced brain fog.

Mydei pushed himself off the wall, clearing his throat. “It smells like an alpha had an eleven day rut in here,” he said simply.

“I promise I’ll go out and get air fresheners, just as soon as my lip stops bleeding.” Phainon rushed past him. “I’ll open all the windows for now!”

Mydei grabbed the back of Phainon’s shirt as he ran past. To which Phainon spun around to stare at him.

“It’s fine, Mydei said, “Go get yourself cleaned up first.”

It took Phainon a few seconds to process what Mydei said. There were bloodstains on his ugly shirt by now. He eventually nodded and made off for the bathroom.

Once he had disappeared, Mydei had the chance to properly study the apartment.

Mydei noticed that Phainon had washed everything in their apartment. The living room, the kitchen, even the curtains and the carpets. Apart from the scratch marks all over the walls and the curtains, everywhere was spotless – which was very forward and unusual for him. However, despite all the washing, the stench from Phainon’s rut still clung heavily to everything. It would likely take a few washes and a few more days for the scent of rut to properly dissipate.

Mydei made his way around opening all the windows. He quickly surveyed the kitchen, before making his way to the bedroom. Both his and Phainon’s beds were neatly made, pillows fluffed and blankets pulled taunt. Mydei made his way over to his own bed and sat his bag down.

He frowned, noticing a certain scent not just radiating from Phainon’s bed, but his as well.

Mydei brushed a hand across his bedcovers. He could smell traces of Phainon’s rut on his sheets.

Mydei flinched backwards. He went over to his clothes drawer, opening it up. His clothes were folded, but definitely not in the way he left them. His black hoodie was on the top. It had clearly been washed. Mydei picked it up, bringing it closer to his nose.

A feeling he couldn’t describe pooled in his gut.

The scent was unmistakable.

Underneath the fancy floral scent of whatever detergent Phainon had washed it with, Mydei could smell Phainon’s alpha scent of countryside winds, along with something uniquely salty. It smelled like sex.

There was no other explanation for the scent.

Phainon had been using his stuff during his rut.

It was natural for both alphas and omegas to wish to surround themselves with comforting or desirable scents during their ruts and heats. Whether that be scents of loved ones, lovers, or those they desired.

The omega they desired.

To think Phainon had clung to this hoodie, groaned into the soft fabric.

Was it possible that Phainon had been clinging to it, moaning a name between his teeth, whilst bringing himself to-

‘Mydei…’

‘Omega…’

‘Need you…so bad.’

No. No he couldn’t think about it. Couldn’t consider it.

Couldn’t even bring himself to feel mad about it.

Instead, he felt…

“Mydei? I’m going out to get those air fresheners now.”

Mydei twisted his neck. Phainon was in the doorway. He looked innocent enough right now, even if he was eyeing Mydei quite obviously.

Mydei stuffed his hoodie back into the drawer, not even bothering to fold it up.

“It’s not wise for you to go on your own,” Mydei said. “You’ll overwhelm your senses.”

Mydei walked past Phainon. Their shoulders accidentally brushed as he did so.

Phainon shuddered once, quickly moving to cover it up.

“Is that you offering to come with me?” He asked.

Mydei was already bent down, tying up his shoe laces again.

“Not offering,” he said.

Phainon did indeed struggle to walk around outside. Even the birds that flew past seemed to grate his ears. Mydei was pretty sure that Phainon almost fainted when they walked past the waffle cart. Not only that, Phainon seemed to walk incredibly close to his side, even closer than he usually did. Probably because he was seconds away from passing out.

“Since when does chocolate smell like that?” Phainon groaned. “I feel like I can smell…every single atom of it.”

Mydei would have laughed at him, did it not look like Phainon would topple over at any moment.

“Maybe I should’ve come out on my own,” Mydei said.

“Nope! I can manage!” Phainon replied.

A couple of other alphas walked past them on the other side of the path.

Phainon lunged forward, seemingly in an attempt to hide Mydei behind his tall shoulders.

Before Mydei could wonder what on earth the alpha was doing, Phainon stumbled over his own feet.

“Ah!”

“Phainon!”

Mydei caught him before he could fall over completely. Phainon’s arms clung to him, their sides pressed tightly together. Mydei’s nose ended up right against Phainon’s neck. The alpha’s new scent practically injected itself into his brain.

Perhaps he would have been able to resist it.

Had Phainon not breathed heavily against his own neck the second after.

Mydei shivered, unable to restrain the tiny whimper that broke free.

In this position it would be easy for Phainon to scent him. Would he try it?

Was he trying it!?

No, no way.

He felt Phainon still in that position, and Mydei was torn between panicking, baring his neck or grabbing Phainon by the ear and dragging him off.

“Are you going to get off me?” Mydei eventually bit.

“Sorry, sorry,” Phainon quietly apologised.

When they were upright again, Phainon was frowning slightly. Mydei decided it was best not to question it. Nor did he focus on the burning spot on his own neck where Phainon’s breath had warmed his skin and made his insides tingle with interest. He needed this shopping trip over as soon as possible.

After choosing the air fresheners and setting them all up, the two of them sat in the living room in front of the television with two plates of instant noodles.

Mydei was trembling all over and very much struggling to hide it, wracked by oversensitivity to the strong alpha scent around him. Phainon hadn’t made it easy whilst they were out, stumbling around, standing way too close. That was why Mydei had suggested – for the first time in his life – that they get instant noodles. An easy meal and be done with it.

Now that the air fresheners were taking effect, he was finally starting to feel like he could breathe again.

Phainon was still unusually quiet. He kept exchanging glances in Mydei’s direction, as if he was trying to do so discreetly. A frown hadn’t left his face since he almost fell and broke his neck by the waffle cart. He looked more like a kicked puppy now than he ever had done as a beta.

“What’s wrong?” Mydei eventually asked.

“Nothing’s wrong,” Phainon responded. “Just, trying to get used to this...alpha thing. I should probably sleep early tonight.”

“I know that look,” Mydei said, turning to gaze at the other. “There’s something that’s specifically wrong. You’ve been looking kicked since we went out.”

Phainon flinched. He rubbed the back of his neck.

“It’s really nothing, I just…”

“Spit it out already.”

Phainon licked his lips, looking at the floor. “I just expected your scent to be different, is all.”

Mydei blinked once. Twice.

Phainon had just finished his rut, presented as an alpha at twenty-two, stunk out their entire apartment and made himself look like a fool in front of a library of people.

And he was most concerned about Mydei’s scent?

“What?”

“Everything smells too strong, too much…except your scent…It’s…”

Underwhelming. Too little. It doesn’t suit you at all.

It smells entirely artificial.

Phainon didn’t finish his sentence, but Mydei could guess those were the things that he was thinking.

Mydei looked at the floor, crossing his arms over himself. Very quickly, he could feel sweat beading across the back of his neck.

It doesn’t smell right because it’s not real at all.

“That’s okay though,” Phainon said, chuckling with unease. He hugged Mydei’s shoulder. “Means I can hang around you no problems. I’d much rather have that.”

Mydei frowned at him in response. He didn’t dare try and make up some kind of response.

“Hey, Mydei,” Phainon asked quietly. “Were you worried about me whilst we were apart?”

Mydei pouted fiercely. “What? No.”

“Oh really?” Phainon raised an eyebrow. “Cas said you were struggling to sleep at their place.”

“Their couch was uncomfortable.”

“Hyacine said you made me a whole folder of notes from class for me.”

“Just to prove that I’m better than you.”

“They both said that you kept bringing up my name with a worried expression on your face.”

“Doesn’t mean I was worried about you.”

Phainon chuckled. That chuckle quickly dropped. He clasped his hands together. “Hey, Mydei, I’m sorry for what happened in the library. Truly. I can’t believe I did that…I…”

Mydei thought back to that moment.

“Gonna scent you, bite you, fill you with my pups…make you mine.”

Mydei had been trying not to think about it too hard. Afterall, it was just Phainon’s rut that had been talking in that library. That hadn’t been the real Phainon.

“You were out of your own head,” Mydei responded. “It’s fine, stop worrying about it.”

Phainon didn’t respond straight away. He went to bite at his lip, not meeting Mydei’s eye contact, then changed his mind when he remembered he had fangs now.

“If you want me to give you some space, then I completely understand,” Phainon said, his voice hushed. “Honestly, I would want to give me space. I’m…not even sure how you can stand to be around me.”

There was that self-deprecation from him again. Mydei couldn’t stand to see it. He wished he could grab Phainon by the shoulders and rattle him until he understood how much of an amazing person he was…and how big of an impact he’d had on Mydei’s life, in both good and bad ways, but Mydei wouldn’t regret meeting him for a second.

Mydei reached out, placing a hand on Phainon’s shoulder. Phainon blinked down at that hand, following it back to rich golden eyes that gazed at him undauntingly.

“It doesn’t bother me, Phainon. Alpha or beta, my view of you won’t change. And neither will what you did when you were in rut and couldn’t even walk straight.” Mydei blushed slightly. “I’m just glad to see that you’re okay.”

Phainon’s breath hung heavy between them. His eyes watered, on the brink of tears, and his cheeks clouded with a pink flush. Apparently so much that he couldn’t even speak.

“You should get some rest,” Mydei sighed. “You look exhausted.”

Phainon seemed to debate something. Then, Phainon came closer to him.

Mydei let Phainon put his arms around his sides, until Phainon was hugging him. At first, just a gentle embrace, but quickly it tightened, Phainon squeezing their chests together with his newfound alpha strength.

“It’s good to have you back,” Phainon whispered into his shoulder. “It was strange being here alone…I missed you.”

Mydei could feel himself turning red. He shivered as Phainon’s alpha scent washed over him. Despite the strength of his scent, still toxically strong and fresh out of rut, it felt soothing, gentle, filling him with relief.

It felt so intimate, so perfect.

Mydei scrunched his eyes up, willing it back down.

I can’t. I can’t.

I can’t like him.

He can’t know the truth.

Mydei let Phainon hug him. He didn’t respond, didn’t pull away.

If Phainon used his head, perhaps he’d realise that Mydei’s silence hung heavy with the same sentiment.

I missed you too.

Chapter Text

Mydei attempted to continue his studies as if nothing had changed. However, there was no denying the changes in Phainon’s behaviour since he presented as an alpha.

He was somehow even more clingy than before. Always lurking behind him, a hand on his shoulder constantly, a palm pressed to his back whenever they were in a crowded space. Phainon smiled with his eyes closed, as if he were attempting to conceal whatever heinous thoughts were swirling around in his head. He also seemed to stare down anyone who came too close to them. A growl slipped free from his throat whenever Mydei’s attention was held by another person that wasn’t himself, as if it were a crime for Mydei to interact with anyone who wasn’t a tall, handsome and called Phainon. He was still quite prone to headaches from oversensitivity to his newfound sense of smell, but he was getting on alright. Being an alpha suited him well.

 Phainon’s scent was the most dangerous part. Mydei couldn’t deny it. Phainon’s alpha scent was heavenly. It was like being drawn into a bakery from the smell of freshly made bread, earthy and fresh and comforting. Not to mention, Phainon hung around him practically all the time, meaning Mydei was dosed in that gorgeous scent almost constantly. It made his inner omega mewl, in ways that he absolutely would not allow himself to indulge in.

When the two of them made their way to their lecture on Monday morning, the first lecture Phainon had attended since presenting, they were accompanied by a murmur of rumours and gossip through the hallways.

“He’s the guy who went into rut in the library?”

“How can someone present that late?”              

It got worse when they got inside the lecture hall. Eyes from all over the theatre were drawn to Phainon’s silver head of hair, and to his fresh alpha scent.

“I heard he was trying to mark up another alpha.”

“Is that allowed?”

“Should he even be here?”

“What a freak.”

Every other student in the room seemed to be focused on them, their expressions ranging from hushed giggles to outright disgust.

Mydei had already heard the same gossip and rumours for two weeks, whilst Phainon had been in rut, though he found himself concerned for how Phainon would react to it.

“Ignore them,” Mydei muttered to Phainon.

Phainon looked embarrassed and uneasy to be the focal point of the entire lecture theatre’s attention, especially when he was already struggling with his newly heightened alpha senses in a room full of stinky hormonal alphas.

But of course, Phainon was Phainon, and he couldn’t simply ignore it. For any student who looked his way, he simply closed his eyes and sent them a disingenuous smile. All the while, his fresh alpha scent was gradually souring, turning smoky as if it were gradually catching fire.

As the lecture started and Professor Anaxa began to talk, Mydei could smell Phainon beginning to sweat. Phainon kept tapping his fingers on the desk, sliding closer to Mydei. He kept drumming his foot on the floor, his leg weaving closer and closer to Mydei’s own.

“You okay?” Mydei asked after a while. Though he already knew the answer. Phainon’s distress was evident from his scent, let alone his pathetic-looking facial expression.

“Mmm,” was Phainon’s only response. Phainon kept his gaze focused on the professor, but it was clear from his unfocused eyes and the sweat beading on his forehead that he was concentrating on anything but. Throughout the lecture he moved closer and closer to Mydei’s side, until their shoulders stuck together. What was more, Phainon had barely typed any notes on his laptop.

Mydei’s ears picked up on some murmurings between a couple other students a few rows in front of them.

“It’s that guy, the blond alpha he’s always with,” one alpha student whispered. “Tried to claim him like an omega.”

“The blond one?” The other questioned, stealing a glance in Mydei’s direction. “His face is far too pretty for an alpha.”

“But he’s too well built for anything else,” the other student responded.

The first student tapped their fingers on the desk, grinning. “Perhaps someone should bitch him. That would take the muscle off him. We need a little omega to play with around here.”

“Isn’t bitching just a myth?”

The other sniggered in response, looking back. “Shall we test it?”

Phainon had also heard the two alphas talking, his scent strong and burning.

He immediately snapped. Mydei watched the fangs extend from his mouth. Phainon rose from his seat, positioning himself staunchly in front of Mydei.

To add to it, Phainon snarled loudly.

Mydei completely froze up at the sound of an alpha – of Phainon - protecting him like that.

No, such a display wasn’t protective. It was possessive.

Phainon’s growl was loud enough that half the theatre – along with the alphas who had been talking – turned around to face them.

It also included the professor, who crossed his arms and shot them an unimpressed look, pointing a long finger at Phainon.

“You there, Phainon, thank you for volunteering to answer the next question. Tell me…”

Mydei could hear his heartbeat ringing in his ears, so much that he didn’t even hear what the Professor’s question to Phainon was. He was so transfixed on the idea of the alpha being possessive of him, that he couldn’t even reign in Phainon’s behaviour.

Phainon had to reign himself in, awkwardly sitting back down and scratching his head whilst he tried to play off a light-hearted chuckle.

“Errrr…”

Phainon continued to give some kind of answer. Apparently, it wasn’t all that bad of an answer, for Anaxa didn’t immediately dismiss him. Instead, he hummed, before pointing at some other beta who hadn’t been listening properly to answer his next question.

Phainon turned to Mydei. A hand went to Mydei’ shoulder. Mydei could feel the other alpha’s strength in his grip. Being reminded of such a thing always perked his interest.

“Sorry Mydei, got a bit carried away there.” Phainon said. His eyes were closed, that fake smile plastered on his face. Phainon had never been able to hide his true emotions before, and now that his scent leaked out everywhere, he really had no hope of concealing anything. Phainon’s scent was bubbling, fuming. It stunk of putrid fish and ash. And the hand on Mydei’s shoulder was vice-like.

“Pack it up,” Mydei hissed to him, trying to regain his own composure and not cause more of a scene.

Phainon was still reeling in his seat. He’d yet to retract his fangs. His eyes burned with venom at the two alpha students a few rows ahead of them.

“But they just-” Phainon bit between his teeth. “I won’t have anyone talk about you like that.”

There was that thrill inside of him again, telling him that his alpha was protecting him. That he should reward his behaviour.

Mydei had to shut it down again.

Instead, he jabbed Phainon in the side. “Stop. I told you to ignore it. Your scent is unbearable.”

Phainon made a sad pouty face at that. Mydei could even feel the sad puppyness infect his scent.

After that, the kicked puppy look remained on his face for another half an hour. Mydei found himself relieved to see it for once. He was far more familiar with puppy Phainon than with alpha Phainon. Alpha Phainon did unquestionable things to Mydei’s self-control.

Once the lecture finished, both Phainon and Mydei were keen to exit the building as quickly as possible. By that point, Phainon was doused in his own sweat, and his scent was all over the place.

“You should go back to the apartment and rest,” Mydei said to Phainon once they were outside.

“Aww, but I wanted to get lunch with you,” Phainon pouted, blinking his bright blue eyes innocently. “It’s waffle Monday!”

It was true that they always went for a waffle brunch after their Monday morning lecture, that was until Phainon presented as an alpha and made Mydei’s life ten times harder.

“I thought you said that you couldn’t handle the smell of chocolate anymore?” Mydei asked.

Phainon shook his head. “It’s still going to taste good…right?”

Mydei crossed his arms, looking the alpha up and down, watching sweat drip from his chin. “You’re an alpha now, Phainon,” he said.

“You’re an alpha and you love sweet things!” Phainon pointed a finger at him accusingly.

Mydei had to turn his head away and blush slightly.

“You’re going to make yourself sick again,” Mydei sighed. “I’m not standing in line with you whilst you puke everywhere. Besides, there'll be loads of other alphas in there. You’ve got to give your nose a break, let yourself adjust gradually.”

“What if I pay?”

Mydei went to growl at him, when he felt the presence of another alpha closing in on them. The new scent came first. Copper, burning wood, ash. Oppressive with how strong it was.

He knew that scent.

Phainon recognised it too. He was instantly back on high alert, his fangs bared.

Khaslana approached them from behind, his arms crossed over himself.

“Phainon.” Khaslana said. He turned to Mydei. “And you’re here too, as always, Mydei.”

Phainon growled, instantly putting himself between Khaslana and Mydei. Mydei’s shoulders rose as he felt Phainon’s scent clogging the air around them, almost smothering him, as if on purpose.

“What do you want, Khaslana?” Phainon snarled, baring his teeth at the other alpha.

Khaslana looked his twin up and down, examining him. “I see you’re adjusting to being an alpha just fine,” he said after a few moments.

“Yes, I am. So I don’t need you coming to chastise me about it,” Phainon frowned. “Go find someone else to bother.”

Khaslana didn’t move. He seemed unbothered by Phainon’s reaction to him.

“I have something I wish to say to you, brother,” Khaslana said slowly.

Phainon reeled at that. His fists balled, and his fangs sharpened as if he wanted to slash his own brother’s skin. “Well I have nothing to say to you,” he bit back.

“You shouldn’t be an alpha.”

Khaslana’s words made Phainon wince, whatever retort he’d wanted to say dying on his tongue. Khaslana spoke with a completely straight face. He said such a sentence as if it was nothing. As if it were an undeniable truth.

However, Khaslana wasn’t focused on Phainon. He looked dead at Mydei. Piercing ash-stricken eyes honed in on him, so much that Mydei couldn’t think.

“How can an alpha bring on another alpha’s presentation?” Khaslana said, aiming the question at him instead of Phainon. “And at such an age. It’s not possible.”

Phainon snarled, blocking Mydei from Khaslana’s view again. “Mydei hasn’t done anything,” he snarled protectively. “I already asked you before to leave him out of this.”

“Hasn’t done anything?” Khaslana scoffed, though his face remained stone cold, unaffected by Phainon’s pheromones stinking up the space around them. “If only you had listened to me the first time and left this place whilst you could, then none of this would have ever happened.”

Khaslana turned his back on Phainon, crossing his arms.

He looked back over his shoulder, ensnaring Mydei in his gaze once again. “You still haven’t told him, have you?” Khaslana said. “I hope you’re happy. Let’s talk some other time, little alpha.”

Mydei felt himself shiver. His eyesight drained, his world becoming small. Those words bounced around in his ears until it was all he could think about.

Little alpha…?                                                  

Without evening registering it, or realising that Khaslana had used alpha voice on him, Mydei began to bare his neck.

Khaslana’s gaze was still transfixed on him, drinking in his reaction.

Phainon came forward, too full of fury to notice what Khaslana’s voice had done to Mydei.

“Bastard!” He shoved Khaslana hard in the shoulder. “How dare you!”

Khaslana countered Phainon’s attack and caught his wrist. “What? Does me talking to him offend you so much, brother?” Khaslana pursed, twisting Phainon’s wrist. “Does he belong to you? Is he your mate?”

Phainon hissed from the pain, but that only seemed to spur on his alpha instincts more.

“I hate you! I hate you!”

Phainon lunged at Khaslana with full venom.

The two alphas began to fight. Phainon had gone into a complete alpha frenzy. His eyes burned with fury. Saliva dripped from his fangs. He growled and roared with every swipe and punch at his brother. Khaslana remained in control of himself. He dodged most of Phainon’s attempts to hurt him. When Phainon lashed out and managed to scratch him across the face, drawing blood, Khaslana seemed genuinely shocked, his stone-cold expression faltering long enough for Phainon to punch him in the nose.

A small crowd began to gather around the fighting alphas, chanting and laughing and ebbing them on.  

Mydei found himself on the outside of the crowd. He hadn’t realised that he’d zoned out completely.

He came back to himself only to find that he could no longer see Phainon and Khaslana. A crowd of people had formed in front of him. Mydei could hear the two brothers fighting on the other side of the crowd. He cursed to himself, trying to push his way through the excited crowd.

“Move!” He yelled to the people in his way. “Get out of the way!”

When the fight ended with Khaslana pinned beneath Phainon on the floor, everyone seemed to gasp. No one dared to challenge Khaslana, and most certainly, no one had ever beaten him.

“You see?!” Phainon yelled, his brother pinned beneath him. “I’m an alpha now. You can’t control me anymore, and you can’t call me worthless and toss me aside!” He leaned down breathing heavily over his brother’s form. He gripped Khaslana’s collar tightly, lowering his voice. “I know you’ve been going around doing the dirty business of that slimebag adoptive father of yours. You thought I didn’t know, but I do, Khas. And now that I’m an alpha, the two of you can’t wait to get your grimy hands all over me too. I’m not as worthless as you both thought, am I?!” Phainon sneered, his grip tightening. “I’ll tell you one last time. Stay away from Mydei.” Phainon leaned even closer. “If I see you or that bastard Lygus near him…I’ll kill you both.”

Khaslana had blood dripping from his nose. His eyes had grown sombre, almost desperate.

“Phainon…” He breathed. “You have no idea…”

Phainon growled, shaking him violently to cut him off. “Didn’t you hear me? I mean it!”

“Open your eyes Phainon!” Khaslana said, a plead to his voice that Phainon hadn’t heard in a long time.

“You still doubt me!?” Phainon roared. “Do I need to show you exactly how far I’ll go?” As he said that, Phainon enclosed his hands around Khaslana’s neck.

“I don’t want to hurt you, or him,” Khaslana said, closing his eyes. “If you knew the truth, you wouldn’t remain here, you’d take him away.”

Phainon slightly faltered at that. “What are you saying?” When Khaslana didn’t respond, Phainon grew angry once more. “You bastard!”

Phainon went to choke him again.

That was when Mydei managed to cut through the crowd.

He punched Phainon across the face, knocking him off Khaslana. Phainon tumbled to the ground on the other side. The whole crowd around them gasped.

“Both of you, cut it out!” Mydei shouted. “You’re both acting like dogs. What is your problem!?”

Phainon pulled himself to his knees. He was knocked from his alpha trance – quite literally. His gaze now focused again on Mydei.

He teared up slightly, reaching out for Mydei.

“Mydei…”

Mydei sent him a cold glare. He took one look at Khaslana also, who seemed surprised that Mydei had stood up for him. This was quite a different turn of events from their last confrontation.

“Mydei…” Khaslana also mumbled, imitating his brother.

Mydei’s head was reeling. Khaslana had used his alpha voice on him. And it had worked, enough to put Mydei in a trance for a couple minutes. Enough time to let Phainon completely lose himself in rage.

Enough time for two alphas to fight over him without him being able to do anything to stop it.

If the fighting hadn’t drawn everyone’s attention, anyone could have noticed the effects of alpha voice on him.     

Mydei felt sick to his stomach. A sudden migraine had flared up, banging at his forehead.

Khaslana was still watching him.

Mydei had trained himself to resist the effects of alpha voice. How could Khaslana have this effect on him so easily?

Mydei turned and walked off with pace, leaving both brothers behind.

“M-Mydei!” He heard Phainon call after him. Mydei didn’t spare him a glance. Not right now. His head was reeling.                            

Mydei was convinced now that Khaslana knew about him being an omega.

And that was terrifying.

Let alone what his goal in this was. Something wasn’t adding up about that alpha. 

Mydei gritted his teeth through the pain in his head. He was telling himself to calm down, but nothing seemed to be working, like his body had a mind of its own, shutting down against his wishes. He needed to get back to his apartment and take some suppressants.

Phainon came into step beside him. When Mydei didn’t stop, didn’t acknowledge him, Phainon grabbed his shoulder, turning him around.

Phainon was still panting, his eyes bright and lucid from alpha rage. His scent was fierce and agitated, only making Mydei feel worse.

“Look, I’m sorry for causing a scene,” Phainon said. “I didn’t mean to get so worked up, and then I-”

Mydei flicked him on the forehead, cutting him off. He was a little off-centre, and ended up hitting Phainon in the eye instead.

“Ow!”

“Enough. I just want to get out of here.”

“That isn’t something I’d expect you to say…” Phainon blinked at him a couple times, concern suddenly pooling in his eyes and in his pout. “Hey, are you alright? You look kinda pale.”

“Ignore it Phainon,” Mydei growled. “Let’s just go.”

“Mydei, I’m serious, you look really sick.” Phainon took his hands, trying to guide him to lean against his chest. “Something’s not right,” Phainon mumbled under his breath. “Do you need to sit down? Do you feel faint?”

Mydei’s vision was spinning, his heart climbing up his throat. It was similar to the effect Khaslana had had on his body when Khaslana had pinned him against a wall after class. Violent dizziness, a loss of control, a desire to submit to the nearest alpha and give everything up. Only this time, it was far stronger, and Mydei had nowhere to hide. A crowd of people was just behind him. Khaslana was watching them leave. And Phainon was right against him, watching his every move with pointed concern.

“Bastard, I’m still mad at you,” Mydei gritted, weakly pounding a fist to Phainon’s chest. “Let go of me.”

Mydei felt Phainon trying to direct him in a direction that was clearly not towards their apartment. “What are you doing?” He asked, his voice raised.

“I’m taking you to the nurses office.”

“What!?”

Mydei tried to wriggle himself from Phainon’s grasp. He put up so much of a fight that Phainon was forced to let go.

“Mydei, stop, you’ll hurt yourself more!”

“I’m not hurt, and you’re not helping anything!” Mydei hissed back.

That was when Phainon growled at him.

“I know you’re keeping something from me, I’ve seen all those pills you take.” Phainon grit, a deep threatening noise bubbling in his throat. “If you won’t tell me what’s wrong with you, then I’ll make the nurses do it, simple as.”

Mydei’s mouth fell open. Had beating his own brother in a fight altered his brain chemistry that much that he thought he could boss Mydei around!?

“Do you want me to punch you again?” Mydei spat, once again fighting off Phainon who tried to grab his wrists.

Phainon growled a second time, grabbing Mydei tighter, his grip strong enough to bruise. “Do you want to tell me why Khaslana seems to know your secret but I don’t?” He said darkly.

Phainon’s words cut deep.

Mydei’s head was spinning more and more, but there was no chance he was letting Phainon have his way. The nurses office!? Who in hell did he think he was!?

If a nurse checked him over, they’d find the scent blocker on his neck. They’d realise what he was. He’d be done for.

Khaslana’s words rang in his mind.

“You still haven’t told him? I hope you’re happy. Let’s talk some other time, little alpha.”

You still haven’t told him.

Tell him.

Why won’t you tell him!?

Mydei’s grip went lax. He closed his eyes.

“Fine. Let’s just go home and…I’ll tell you.”

That made Phainon stop.

“You mean it?” He asked, sounding surprised. “Promise?”

Mydei was just desperate to get somewhere closed off. He had to take some more suppressants, before Khaslana’s alpha voice could have any more effects on him.

“Yes,” he snapped. “I’ll…tell you the truth.”

Phainon licked his lips, his fury being replaced by a sudden nervousness. “Okay then, let’s go home.”

*

When they got back to the apartment, Mydei went straight to the bathroom and downed two more heat suppressants. He hoped that would clear the effects of Khaslana’s alpha voice from his mind and body. He was horrified by the slight wetness in his pants. It felt as if his body were trying to surpass the suppressants and go into heat anyway, just from a single command from an alpha.

He hadn’t felt alpha voice affect him this way since his father…since the day he had presented as an omega and gotten into this mess in the first place.

His hands were still shaking as he quickly downed the pills. It scared him. That an alpha could affect him so casually. It hadn’t even been a command. Just that lilt in Khaslana’s voice was enough to wash his mind clean of free will. Mydei had spent years training his mind and body to resist the pull of alpha voice. When Khaslana was involved, all that training seemingly meant nothing. Just what kind of alpha power did Khaslana hold? And how did he know Mydei’s secret?

Phainon hung in the doorway. He watched intently as Mydei downed the pills, frowning at the vials full of the things in the box that Mydei kept locked in their bathroom.  

Once Mydei had taken the pills, Phainon led him to sit down on his bed. Decidedly not Mydei’s bed, but Phainon’s own. The sheets stunk of his scent. Phainon then disappeared to make Mydei some tea.

Mydei stayed on the bed, waiting for the suppressants to kick in and settle his body once more.

Phainon’s scent was like a comforting cushion. Mydei felt his rational mind beginning to return. He felt like he could breathe again. He found himself picking up Phainon’s bed pillow. He closed his eyes and lifted it to his nose, drinking in the warm familiar scent.

He knew that he liked Phainon. He also knew that his body thought of Phainon as his alpha. Even before Phainon had presented, his body had reacted to Phainon as if he were to be his. Omegas were supposed to mate for life. Once that bond had been established, it was incredibly difficult to break.

Mydei had been trying to ignore his attraction to Phainon, but he also couldn’t deny how Phainon pulled him in, and how he wished he could stay there. Phainon was funny, he was competitive, determined, courageous, incredibly caring. He was a little dumb, but in a loveable kind of way that seemed to endear Mydei to him more. He could also put Mydei in his place, and Mydei would let him, would gladly let him.

His heart beat fast and excitedly at the prospect of Phainon knowing his secret, of having Phainon treat him like that, like an omega.

It was entirely possible that Phainon was attracted to him also. The signs were there. The clinginess. The possessiveness. The way he made sure his scent hung everywhere in Mydei’s vicinity. By all regards, an alpha should be pleased to find out the one they like is an omega, right? Any normal alpha would anyway.

It wasn’t a normal alpha that he had lied to for months about his identity.

Mydei hugged Phainon’s pillow to his chest, resting his chin on the top. His fingers wove around the pendant he always kept around his neck, his mother’s pendant.

He was certain that Phainon could be trusted with this secret. The worst that could come to pass was that Phainon would reject him. Mydei could cope with that. Phainon was an unintended side-effect of his education anyway. So long as his secret didn’t get out any further, then he could keep going towards his mother’s dream of…

Could he really cope with that? Phainon’s handsome fond expression contorting into disdain and betrayal? He would have every right to hate him. The person he had been so vulnerable with, had been doing everything he possibly could to lie and deceive him.

“Feeling any better?”

Mydei looked up as Phainon placed a cup of tea on the nightstand.

“Yes, I’m fine now,” Mydei responded.

Phainon sat next to Mydei on the bed. He wasn’t wearing his usual soft smile. His expression was stoic, guarded, even as his scent exploded around them.

Mydei continued to grip Phainon’s pillow tightly, grinding his teeth.

“So…” Phainon said after a while, prompting that Mydei should talk.

The only wall in their relationship was Mydei’s secrecy.

The truth would dispel that wall between them.

They could move forward. They could become a couple. They could…

Just tell him, Mydei thought. Tell him tell him tell him!

“I am…” 

Chapter Text

“I am…”

I am an omega.

“I’m…”

An omega! Just say it dammit!

Mydei hissed between his teeth, trying to quieten his thoughts.

Phainon watched him expectantly. He was trying to keep his expression flat, but his eyes were blown wide. His alpha scent was sharp, jittery, anticipatory.

Mydei sucked in a sharp breath. The words hurt, like spikes up his throat. Desperate to break through the array, to reach out to the person who had come to mean so much to him the past few months.

And yet, the words still couldn’t break free.

“I…have a rare sickness.”

The moment the words left his mouth, guilt sprawled through his body, consuming him. As if it were screaming at him for continuing the lie.

Phainon sucked in a slow breath, as if pacing himself. He didn’t look surprised. Nor did he look relieved. If anything, Mydei sensed disappointment in how Phainon’s shoulders sank, how he nervously licked his lips.

Mydei turned his head downwards, looking at the plush pillows beneath his hands. He felt red in the face, felt hot, felt awful.

How could I lie to him like this? He’s my alpha! And yet I-

“I have to take pills every day to manage it.”

And yet I continue to lie to him. Like a coward.

“Is it…life threatening?” Phainon breathed.

Mydei felt himself gripping Phainon’s pillow tighter, squishing it right against his chest as if he wanted to pop it.

“No,” he said flatly.

Phainon shuffled uncomfortably in his seat. “But, it’s a rare sickness?”

“It’s not life threatening,” Mydei said with more force. He hid his face further from Phainon, wanting to slam it into the pillow “It just flares up sometimes.”

Phainon remained silent. Mydei feared the silence meant that the alpha wasn’t convinced. “I get nausea,” Mydei continued, his voice wavering as continued. “Dizzy spells. Migraines. That kind of thing.”  

Phainon was still silent, to the point where Mydei was starting to get frustrated. “I’m not telling you the name of the sickness,” he frowned. “It’s too long and I can’t remember how to spell it.”

“And you get those symptoms often?” Phainon asked in a hushed manner.

Mydei turned slightly, so that he could just about catch a glimpse of Phainon’s face. He didn’t want to look any further right now. “What?”

“The dizzy spells, and the headaches. You get those often.” It was framed more as a statement than a question the second time around.

“Not that often,” Mydei replied.

“How often is not that often for you?” Phainon asked, making Mydei sweat some more.

“Stop being so difficult,” Mydei hissed, making Phainon raise an eyebrow. Mydei mumbled curses under his breath at this alpha. “Not often for me might be often for you. Does that satisfy you?” He pouted.

“Mydei…” Phainon said in a hushed low voice. “Look at me.”

Mydei stilled. There was the slightest hint of alpha voice in Phainon’s words. For someone who had only just presented and had been going around as a clumsy alpha all week, that was quite some impressive control of his voice.

Mydei did as he was told, much against his will, and turned to look at Phainon properly.

For once, Phainon’s expression was unreadable to him. All he could gather was something cold in his eyes.

“How does Khaslana know about this?” He asked, his voice unusually icy. Mydei couldn’t help but be affected by it.

“I’m not sure,” he replied. “I’ve never told him anything. He must have figured it out somehow. Perhaps he saw that I looked unwell in one of our seminars.” That statement was somewhat true. Mydei didn’t know how Khaslana had worked out his omega heritage, or if he’d told anyone else about it.

“So, why were you so afraid to tell me this?” Phainon asked.

“I was not afraid!” Mydei argued, pouting slightly.

“Were you worried that I wouldn’t see you as a proper alpha if I knew the truth?”

Mydei closed his eyes at that. The fabric of the pillow seemed to sting his hands. “How many questions are you going to ask?” He hissed.

Phainon didn’t respond straight away. He chose to simply study Mydei’s body language.

Mydei usually revelled in Phainon’s attention. Right now, he wanted nothing more than to flee from it forever. Those blue eyes looking right through him…and right past the truth. The truth that Mydei was keeping concealed from him.

“Oh Mydei…” Phainon wisped. “You once told me to stop comparing myself to others. To just be me, and to keep pushing to be better. You said I was amazing, and that was all that mattered.”

Phainon edged closer to him. “I don’t think you need me to tell you the same thing. But I do want to say this…”

Phainon’s hand found its way on top of Mydei’s own, turning it over. Mydei watched Phainon’s warm hand close around his own, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.

“It’s okay if we’re not amazing one-hundred percent of the time,” Phainon said, smiling fondly. “Mydei, I love how amazing you are. You are the strongest alpha I know. But I also love when you aren’t so amazing. When you aren’t perfect. That’s what makes you such a strong alpha in my heart.”

Phainon’s other hand reached over, until he was tucking some of Mydei’s stray hair behind his ear. The touch was so gentle, like a hum under Mydei’s skin. It was everything his body needed and wanted. He wanted to melt into that touch so badly.

Instead, he could only let his breath hitch, only watch as the man he had come to love, submitted to the lie that he had weaved.

“So, when you aren’t feeling perfect, let me in. Let me be there for you…” Phainon’s touch trailed downward. “That means no more hiding pills from me. And no more pretending that you’re fine when you’re not…I want to be there for you.” Phainon’s thumb caught on Mydei’s lip, pressing against the plump flesh. Phainon watched it bob as he let go, revelling in the way Mydei’s breath caught on the action. “…m’kay, Mydei?”

Mydei’s lip wobbled. His face flushed completely red.

All the while, blackened guilt crawled through the depths of his body. It was too late to take the lie back.

Even so, those beautiful caring blue eyes, that intimate touch, those words that almost felt like a confession, and the gaze that flickered to Mydei’s lips, all those things came to him as if he were an outsider looking in.

Phainon cared deeply about him, and in return, Mydei was lying right to his face.

Coward. A voice called in his head.                                                                     

He had never felt so awful in his life.

“Okay…” Mydei mouthed quietly. He looked down at the floor once again, breaking eye contact with Phainon.

Okay? What part of this was okay?

*

The next day, Phainon walked quietly through the corridors of the humanities and social sciences building. He didn’t have any classes at the moment. Mydei was currently attending one of his seminars. Phainon had decided that he would wait outside of Aglaea’s classroom and wait for the class to finish, that way he could whisk Mydei away as soon as class ended.

He felt jittery and on edge as he walked alone. It was a feeling he’d felt before; not having Mydei at his side made him feel flighty and fidgety, even more so now that he was an alpha.

He was trying to brush off the decision to wait for Mydei like this nonchalantly. Friends could wait for each other outside of class. However, the lie wasn’t even convincing in his head.

He wanted to be there to stop Khaslana getting close to Mydei. And if he did, Phainon would be there. That was why he was here. He was reeling at just the thought of Mydei and Khaslana being in the same space without him.

Phainon knew he was being somewhat irrational. Mydei was a capable alpha, very much capable, in fact. Mydei admitting that he had a chronic illness didn’t change that. However, just the thought of Khaslana looking Mydei’s way made Phainon’s scent burn up, made his vision line red, and made him want to growl at anyone who walked by him.

Phainon shook such a thought from his mind. Very quickly, it was replaced by the image of Mydei from the day before. His pretty blond hair all messy and fluffy after their confrontation with Khaslana, an intimate vulnerability swimming in his eyes and a pink blush dusting his cheeks as Phainon hooked a thumb on his pink lips and ushered reassurances to him.

He’s so perfect, Phainon had thought back then, and continued to think now.

Phainon had gotten the urge to kiss him, and he still had that urge now.

Phainon felt himself turning pink at the thought, his heart beating loudly in his chest.

Very quickly, that feeling turned itchy and vile.

An alpha can’t be into another alpha this way.

A few people around him seemed to look his way. Perhaps they murmured about how he was the alpha who had presented in the library, the one who had tried to markup another alpha. Or perhaps they were just annoyed at the stench of the pheromones that he was currently letting off in the tight corridors. Aglaea had tried to give him some pointers on how to manage his pheromones, but when he was worked up it was incredibly difficult to follow her advice.

Phainon averted his eyes, trying not to focus on anyone, or hear anything. Every glance his way made him feel gross in his own body. He gripped the sleeves on his jacket tightly, until he could feel his own bruising grip around his own wrists. He grit his teeth, wishing it away.

Khaslana’s words continued to rot in his head.

You shouldn’t be an alpha.

Phainon’s personal thoughts on being an alpha were conflicted. He’d despised alphas since he was a teen. Ever since that day his brother had left him behind because being a beta simply wasn’t good enough.

Now, he had become the thing that he hated. Now, he shared the power that alphas had used over him, and against him. It felt both validating and horrific to think that people who had overlooked him all his life because he had been a beta, would now listen to his voice, would seek out his approval, would treat him like a true person.

Not only that, now he was affected by the same strong instincts that other alphas were, he had an awful insight into the reasons why alphas acted the ways that they did.

Phainon had always been interested in romance and finding a partner, but he’d never considered secondary gender in that equation before. He’d presumed that he would one day find another beta like himself, and settle down. The only alpha that he liked would be Mydei, his single exception. He had never once considered what it would be like to partner with an omega. It was so deeply frowned upon for a beta to partner with an omega, since it was considered stealing away a mate from a potential alpha. Phainon had never even met an omega even remotely near to his own age before.

Rut was the first time he had ever experienced attraction to an omega. That desire to have one in his grasp hit him like one of Mydei’s punches. To desire an omega really was just as intense as other alphas in his class had described in their own fantasies. An insatiable lust for a pliant body, a wet slick heat to sink inside, a pretty hole to knot and fill with pups. A person to mark, to breed, to call his own. Deep in the throes of his rut, plunging inside an omega had been all that he could think about.

Only, the omega he’d fantasised throughout his rut wasn’t actually an omega at all.

He felt incredibly guilty for fantasising about Mydei like that. If Mydei knew that he’d dreamed about pinning him down, bitching him into a pliant omega, and pumping him full of his seed, Mydei would never want to talk to him again. It didn’t matter that he’d been out of his own head in a frenzied rut craze, he’d still moaned Mydei’s name, and sniffed in the weak scent from Mydei’s clothes as he jacked himself off.

Phainon had told himself after his rut that he should try and give Mydei some space. Any inappropriate thoughts about the other alpha were to be banned from his mind. But once they were reunited after his rut and Mydei moved back in, Phainon’s heart couldn’t stop itself. Having anyone else look Mydei’s way made his hair stand on end, made him want to growl and lash out, made him want to establish to them who Mydei belonged to. Besides, Mydei had a bland scent, perfect to make his own.

It wasn’t just a crush or a lustful craze, he liked Mydei, truly. So much that his world now revolved around the other alpha. So much that he’d presented right in front of him.

So much so that he would wait for Mydei whenever they were apart, so that he wouldn’t be able to spend time with anyone else.

An alpha can’t like another alpha. It’s not right.

No matter how guilty or gross Phainon felt about his thoughts, or the way his body acted, that wasn’t going to stop his obsession. His desire to keep Mydei close was far stronger than that. Especially from his twin brother.

He reeled at just the thought of Mydei and Khaslana in the same room. How could Khaslana know about Mydei’s sickness first? That wasn’t fair. Mydei was his! Who the hell did Khaslana think he was?!

There wasn’t something deeper going on between the two of them, was there? No, surely not. They were both alphas! What would Khaslana want with Mydei? He hoped it had nothing to do with whatever Khaslana and Lygus were doing together.

Phainon grit his teeth, his alpha pheromones flaring again.

But then, he felt a presence behind him.

When he turned around, that anger he felt turned into a blaze.

“Ah, Phainon, I was hoping to come across you.”

Of course. Because this week couldn’t get any better.

It was fine. He knew this was coming, he had rehearsed how to react in this situation in his head several times already.

It didn’t stop his fists balling, nor did it stop his scent spiking intensely.

“Professor Lygus,” Phainon replied, catching the older man in a blazing stare. “So you do remember my name?”

“I admit that it did take me a while,” Professor Lygus responded, holding himself politely. “You have grown so much since I last remember seeing you. Back then, you were just a tiny little lost thing.”

“And that’s why you thought it would be a good idea to take my brother away and leave me alone to fend for myself? Noted.” Phainon turned his back on the professor. “Good day, professor.”

“I see the past still has a deep impact on you,” Lygus continued, making Phainon stop in his tracks. “I do apologise to you, Phainon. It was a choice both me and Khaslana made together. The lifestyle that I follow… is not suitable for anyone besides an alpha. Khaslana didn’t want any more harm to come to you. It was a very difficult decision that he came to. It still hurts him to this day, that he didn’t get to see you grow up.”

Phainon’s eye twitched incessantly. His shoulders were shuddering as he tried to stop himself from lashing out.

“Of course,” he bit through his teeth. “He’s already told me that several times.”

“And I see now that he had no reason to worry for you,” the professor said, his expression unreadable. “What a magnificent alpha you have become.”

“Was there something you wanted from me?” Phainon asked, ignoring that comment. “If so, I prefer it to be quick. I have places to be.”

“Apologies, my boy,” Lygus responded. “Actually, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a moment, in private? It will only take a brief moment of your time.”

When Phainon stared at him with an incredulous look, the professor clasped his arms together. “Do not fret, this talk is of entirely…scientific matters.”

Phainon looked at his watch. He did still have fifteen minutes before Mydei would be out of his class. As much as he wanted to be three cities away from Lygus, he was both confused - and somewhat intrigued – to know what the professor wanted to talk to him about after years and years of ignoring his existence. Hearing what he had to say might shed some light on what he’d been doing with Khaslana all these years as well.

“Fine,” Phainon spat. “But it better be quick.”

“Of course. Please, follow me. My office is just over here. We can talk there.”

Phainon kept his jaw tightly clenched as he followed the professor to his office. He kept his gaze glued to the professor at all times, lest he try anything suspicious.

Once the door of the office was closed and it was just the two of them inside, Phainon was on even more high alert. There was nothing unusual about Lygus’ office. It resembled that of any other professor’s office, with a laptop on the desk, a mug of half-drunk coffee and papers piled up high.

Lygus took his seat behind the desk. He signalled to another chair.

“Please. Take a seat,” the professor said.

“If this is a brief talk, then I don’t need to sit,” Phainon responded.

The professor hummed to himself, his expression unchanging. Not even a hint of annoyance. “Very well,” Lygus said. The professor then took a deep breath. “Your alpha scent is impressively strong,” the professor commented. “And after presenting so late. How extraordinary you are.”

Phainon was completely irked out, watching the professor clearly taking in his scent, of which currently must’ve smelled awful.

“There is still so much we need to learn and discover about secondary genders and their effect on the human body,” Lygus continued, ignoring whatever face Phainon was pulling. Lygus pulled out a pen, clicking the top. “Would you be willing to help with this important pursuit of science?”

Phainon blinked out of his disgust. “What do you mean?” He asked.

“I’ve been conducting some…scientific studies into the effects of secondary gender presentation on the body. The concept of secondary gender is still vastly understudied, and the field holds so much…potential for the human race to reach even higher achievements.” Lygus clasped his hands together. “Since you are newly presented, I was wondering, if you would allow me to run a few…tests, on yourself? Nothing too complex, of course.” The professor smiled. It didn’t reach his eyes.

Tests? Tests!?

This was the man who had separated him from his only remaining family, who had morphed Khaslana into something unrecognisable and vile, who had Phainon alone to fend for himself in his time of need.

Now that Phainon was an alpha, the thing that Lygus had adored about Khaslana, he wanted to run some…tests!?

“The audacity you have to ask me this,” Phainon said darkly, flashing a fake smile, his fingernails biting into the palms of his hands. “You’re already using my brother as a lab rat, is that not enough for you?” His anger was unfathomable. It must have punctuated his scent harshly, for the professor’s eye twitched in response.

Phainon couldn’t stand to look at the man any longer. He immediately grabbed the door handle.

“Don’t approach me about this again. In fact, don’t ever approach me. I’m a student in your class and nothing more. Goodbye.”

*

Mydei had been somewhat concerned to sit in Aglaea’s seminar, where he would be with Khaslana. After the incident the day prior, he didn’t want to get cornered by the other alpha again. Especially since he knew the alpha wanted to talk to him.

Whatever words Khaslana and Phainon had exchanged during their fight seemed to be enough to stave him off. Khaslana didn’t approach him at all. As per usual, he continued to gaze Mydei down, sending him that deep unreadable expression of his. That was as far as he got. Perhaps a few stern glances from Aglaea also kept him away, though Mydei dreaded to think how she would react if she found out that Phainon had attacked his own brother in the university courtyard. She’d probably have a few stern words for him. Scratch that. She probably already knew and was planning Phainon’s punishment as she gave the class.

Everything else in the class was normal. There was no indication that Khaslana had spread Mydei’s secret around. If that was Mydei’s best case scenario, then he hoped it was true. Even still, he could feel the strain on his heat suppressants. Apparently even just being in the same room as Khaslana was testing the limits of his heat suppressants. His migraine from the day prior still hadn’t settled down, and being cushioned in a load of alpha scents was not helping.

When Mydei came out of class, he was surprised to find Phainon outside of the door waiting for him. The puppy alpha beamed when he saw him. He smiled brightly, waving his arms to get Mydei’s attention as if Mydei couldn’t pinpoint his ahoge in a crowd.

As Mydei approached, he noticed something was off about Phainon’s scent. It smelled sour again, not matching the brightness on his face.

“What are you doing here?” Mydei asked, raising an eyebrow.

Phainon bounded over, embracing Mydei in a tight hug.

“Thought I’d come meet you after class!” Phainon smiled enthusiastically. He patted Mydei’s head as he hugged him. “How was your class? How are you feeling? That headache is still bothering you?”

“The class?” Mydei blinked, too focused on Phainon’s weight around him, and his unusual demeanour. “It was fine. I’m fine.”

“No headache?” Phainon asked, raising an eyebrow as if he didn’t believe what Mydei was saying, which would make him correct.

“It’s clearing off,” Mydei half lied. That answer seemed to satiate Phainon for now.

“Where is you know who?” Phainon whispered, leaning in to whisper in Mydei’s ear. As he asked that, a certain someone with golden hair exited the classroom. Khaslana sent the two of them a pointed look, but didn’t come any closer.

When the two brothers saw each other, Phainon made sure to cup his hands over the back of Mydei’s head and hug Mydei tightly into his chest. He sent Khaslana a threatening glare of warning over Mydei’s shoulder.

“Phainon,” Mydei groaned in warning, knowing exactly why Phainon was here, and what Phainon’s possessive tendencies did to his omega.

“What?” Phainon asked innocently once Khaslana was gone, giving Mydei that toothy puppy smile of his. “I came to ask you if you want to go get coffee together?”

“Of course you did,” Mydei sighed.

He looked Phainon up and down again. Something was definitely up with him. He stood far too close to Mydei’s side, for one. His smile looked more stupid than usual. And his scent was giving clear alarm bells. “What’s the matter with you?” Mydei asked. “Did something happen?”

“Hmm?” Phainon hummed. “Nope. Nothing’s happened. I’m completely fine and dandy!” Phainon grabbed Mydei’s hand. “Anyway, let’s go! Coffee awaits!”

Aglaea stepped out of her classroom on hearing Phainon’s voice, and from being harassed by his spiking scent. She stood in the doorway, her arms crossed.

“Phainon,” she said the name punctually. “I hope that you are abstaining from causing any mischief out here.” Though her voice always sounded serious, Mydei could see that there was something deeper in her eyes. She was clearly concerned about Phainon just as he was.

Phainon still had Mydei’s hand tightly gripped in his own hand, which had now made Mydei blush quite a bright pink colour. Phainon smiled politely at Aglaea with his eyes closed. “Me? Cause mischief? Why would you think such a thing of me?”

Aglaea looked between Phainon, Mydei, and where they held hands. She seemed to sigh to herself. 

“Nevermind,” she said. “Just remember, I am always here if you need anything.” She turned to Mydei. “That invitation extends to you also, Mydei.”

“Thanks Aglaea,” Phainon responded, butting in before Mydei could even open his mouth. “Anyway, we’ve got to run. Bye!”

Mydei pouted as Phainon led him through the corridors as if Mydei didn’t know how to use his own legs. Phainon’s scent was still smokey and on edge, even as Phainon smiled and joked with him as usual. Mydei could feel Phainon’s scent affecting himself. He could feel the desire in himself to placate the tense alpha in his vicinity, and every omega knew that the easiest way to make an alpha happy was to bare their neck. 

There was absolutely something up with Phainon, something he didn’t seemingly even want to tell Aglaea about, but no matter how much Mydei pried, Phainon insisted he was fine. 

By the time their coffee cups were empty, Phainon’s scent had returned to its usual freshness and his smile had relaxed. Whatever had bothered him had apparently passed. Mydei decided to let him off this once. Besides, he knew a thing or two about keeping things secret.

If it happened again though, Phainon wouldn’t get off so easily.

*

Mydei had been trying to get in touch with Cipher since the incident with Khaslana, though he’d yet to hear a response. He kept checking phone every five minutes. Of course, Phainon noticed and kept asking him who he was messaging with that jealous little twinge to his eyes, as if Mydei communicating with anyone else physically hurt him. Mydei just kept swatting the alpha away, even as the thought of Phainon being possessive over him made him feel warm and tingly on the inside.

Even before the incident with Khaslana, Mydei had been struggling to manage his omega instincts around Phainon. His dosage of one heat suppressant a day was clearly no longer going to cut it if he and Phainon were to remain roommates. 

That was without mentioning Khaslana. It would be safer to take another suppressant before every class he had with Khaslana, and to be prepared for the time that Khaslana would inevitably confront him again. 

A sane omega would likely realise that they were in too deep over their head and flee whilst they could. Khaslana had clearly worked him out. That enough put Mydei in danger. Put that alongside Mydei’s growing inability to be able to handle himself around the two brothers, and he was, well, cooked. 

However, Mydei was a stubborn omega and he refused to call it quits. He could deal with Khaslana and whatever he was trying to do. There had to be some kind of truce or agreement that they could come to, or something Khaslana wanted. Perhaps Mydei could even try to seek Khaslana out first and take him by surprise. Mydei didn’t like the thought of it, but if offering a part of his body to Khaslana was the only way to keep the alpha quiet about the secret, it was something he was willing to do.  

At the same time, he would reign back his omega instincts and feelings for Phainon through heat suppressants until the winter holidays, where he would be able to have a heat in private and reset his body. He’d take as many suppressants as necessary. Taking so many suppressants would have a large impact on his health, he knew that. He already woke up in the morning restless and itchy to take another suppressant, and he was already struggling with migraines and dizziness. Upping the dosage would make the side effects worse. The list of side effects ranged from anything to aches, fever, to nausea and sudden blackouts. Infertility was another thing that could happen. He knew he was becoming too reliant on the drugs. And an overdose would be…

But if he could just get to the winter holidays, just a few more weeks, then he would be able to start the next semester fresh. He’d be able to make it through. 

If the worse came and he couldn’t handle the side effects of the heat suppressants anymore, his last option would have to be to cut Phainon off. Find a new student apartment. Make sure that he and Phainon avoided each other in class. That way, Mydei would have no choice but to get over his feelings. Phainon was the route cause of most of his current issues, though Mydei really didn’t want to pursue such a thing. Afterall, it was Phainon who made him smile every morning despite the pain and stress, made his heart flutter with fondness and feeling, and made him, for the first time, want to indulge his own omega instincts and put the facade down. When he was with Phainon, he wanted to be an omega.

He could always…tell Phainon the truth. 

No. He was in too deep now.   

Suppressants. He needed suppressants. He should message Cipher again.

By the time evening came around, Mydei finally had a response from Cipher. Well, from Cipher’s number at least.

Bartholos: To all my wonderful clients, I’m afraid Miss cat lady is out of office at the moment. She will make her grand return shortly! In the meantime, the humble and generous Bartholos will be selling wares in her stead. All prices greatly discounted from retail price, with 5* customer service!

Bartholos: *All products are non-refundable and all payments must be in full on site, we don’t do buy now pay later schemes! Any unsatisfied customers should scream into the nether. Discounted prices based on supply and demand…and how much you beg.

This is an automated message

Though Mydei hadn’t met Bartholos before, he was sure it would be fine. Besides, he needed more pills. Whether that be to counter the effects of Khaslana, or to counter the effects of Phainon. Or just to up his dosage overall because university life was turning him into a mess. It didn’t matter. He just needed more.

The difficult part was sneaking out to go and get them.

Mydei had already noticed that Phainon’s inquisitiveness and obnoxiousness had tripled already since he’d lied to him about having a sickness. Mydei wasn’t hiding the pills from him anymore – since they were unlabelled there was no way for Phainon to know what they actually were – but when Mydei had gone to take an extra heat suppressant after their coffee outing, he had turned around only to find Phainon intently watching him. 

Throughout the day, Phainon had asked repeatedly about his wellbeing. Was he drinking enough? Eating enough? Studying too much? Did he want a tea break? Phainon would pay! Or he could brush Mydei’s hair again? Or even make him lunch! Mydei had lashed out at him a couple of times for being too overbearing, to which Phainon apologised, and then proceeded to not change his behaviour at all.

Somehow, at nightfall, Mydei managed to slip on his clothes and hoodie, and head out of the door without the alpha waking. He made straight for the spot listed on the text.

Once there, he came across a hooded figure, looking quite bored as they waited in the darkness. They carried no scent, so they had to be a beta. The man was humming to himself, kicking stones, mumbling about money.

So, this had to be Bartholos.

Mydei stood behind the short man. When Bartholos didn’t notice him, Mydei cleared his throat.

The man turned around, his hood remaining completely over his face. Mydei didn’t even get to see an inch of what he actually looked like.

“Can I help you?” The beta man asked.

“I’m here for supplies. Or do you not want my money?”

“Do you have your codename?”

“Codename?” Mydei asked.

“I can only supply to returning customers, of which Miss cat lady has graciously given each a codename. If you don’t have one, scram!”

Mydei sighed to himself.

“Sometimes she calls me…little prince. Or, little lion.” He grumbled, distaining the nicknames.

“Ooh! Little lion! Miss cat lady told me all about you!” Bartholos cackled, circling around him once. “You’re the omega~”

“Keep it down would you!?” Mydei hissed. “Have you got what I need?”

“Hmm, I believe these are what you want?” Bartholos held up a clear plastic bag, stuffed haphazardly with vials of pills and packets of scent blockers.

“Yes,” Mydei took the bag. “Do you have any extras? I’m willing to pay a little more if you do.”

“Let me see.” Bartholos rummaged around in his bag pack. He pulled out several more vials of pills, handing them to Mydei. “Will this suffice?” Mydei examined the tubes.   

“Yes, thank you.”

Mydei rummaged through his own pockets, pulling out a wad of cash. “Here’s the money for the regulars, how much will the extras be?”

Bartholos took the cash, flicking through each bill. After a while, he tutted.

“I’m afraid this won’t cover it, let alone the extras. You’re gonna have to cough up a bit more than that pretty boy.”

“What? But this is what Cipher has charged me before.”

“Times are tough right now, and these pills are especially difficult to supply at the moment,” Bartholos feigned a sigh. “Surely you must understand?”

Mydei rolled his eyes. He fished out a little more money, slapping it into Bartholos’ hand.

“How’s that?”

Bartholos inspected the cash again. “Better,” he said, pocketing the money, “but still not enough.”

Mydei was starting to get frustrated. He balled his fists. “Are you kidding me?” He growled. “But that’s all I have.”

“You see, there’s an extra handling fee-”

“Handling fee?”

“And don’t forget the VAT.”

“VAT!? You’re just making this up!”

In a swift movement, Bartholos took the bag of suppressants out of Mydei’s hands.

“Hey!” Mydei exclaimed. “I need those!”

“No full payment, no goods,” Bartholos tutted, swinging the bag around in his hands like it were some kind of toy.

Mydei was beginning to sweat. Why was this man being so difficult? He wanted nothing more than to punch this man’s face in and tackle this bastard to the ground, but if he did, Cipher might never want to supply to him again.

Mydei tried to take a calming breath, lest his voice get any louder. “Look,” he sighed. “I really need these right now. If you really must charge me extra, add it to my bill for next time. You can even add extra for the inconvenience. I don’t have the money you’re after right now.” He grit his teeth. “…Please.”

Bartholos waggled a finger in his face in response. “Tut tut, didn’t you read the terms and conditions? All payments upfront, in full.”

Mydei was almost astonished at the lack of sympathy.

Now he really was mad.

“Bastard, give me the bag,” Mydei seethed.

“No way!” Bartholos replied. “Haha, you’re face right now,” Bartholos laughed, pointing in his direction. “You’ve gone all pink!”

Mydei snarled, lashing forwards. “Give it!”

He attempted to swipe the bag off the other man, only for Bartholos to doge his every attempt. Bartholos was throwing the bag around over his head as if they were playing a game, laughing as he did so. Mydei was getting so fixated on grabbing the bag that nothing else mattered to him at that moment.

“What a poor little cub,” Bartholos teased. He was laughing to himself so hard that he had to wipe his eyes. “I bet the other alphas would love to see you like this~ Maybe I should take a picture. I bet someone would pay good for it-”

“That’s enough. Give him the bag.”

Both of them immediately froze at the new voice.

No, not a new voice. Mydei knew that voice all too well.

Mydei pulled his hoodie over his face as far as it would go. He didn’t dare move. Didn’t dare turn around as the footsteps approached them. He didn’t even dare breathe.

Bartholos quickly stopped laughing when he was caged inside the shadow of such a large and domineering alpha. He too had frozen in place, his limbs having slackened.

The alpha, dressed completely in black, came into place beside Mydei. The alpha outstretched a hand in Bartholos’ direction. Specifically, at the bag full of heat suppressants.

“The bag. Hand it over,” the alpha repeated in a low voice.

Mydei felt his skin crawl upon hearing the alpha command. It didn’t even have to be directed at him for it to have an effect. Only one alpha had ever been able to affect him in such a way.

The alpha carried no scent right now, he must’ve been wearing a scent blocker, but that voice that cut him in two, that aura that struck him down, it could be no one else.

At the command, Bartholos quickly put the bag in the alpha’s hand. He was sweating profusely.

“W-why didn’t you say earlier that you’d brought your b-big strong alpha with you?” Bartholos stammered. “P-pleasure d-doing b-business with you both, c-come again!” After that, he quickly disappeared into the night without another word.

Mydei was still frozen in place. He didn’t dare look up at or make eye contact with the alpha. The alpha was mulling the bag over in his hands, examining the contents. The hairs on Mydei’s back stood on end. He should grab the bag and run, was his first thought.

“There’s a lot in this bag for just one omega,” the alpha commented suddenly. “Surely you aren’t planning on taking all of these? You’ll ruin your body. An overdose could get you hospitalised, or worse.”

Mydei tried to grab the bag from the alpha’s hands in a swift movement. The alpha’s reflexes were sharp. He raised the bag up high out of Mydei’s reach.

Mydei could feel the alphas gaze on him.

“Give me one reason why I should give you this bag,” Khaslana said slowly.  

Shit, I’m not ready to face him yet! Mydei thought. Shit shit shit!

When Mydei didn’t respond, the alpha bent down into his space. Mydei hid his face with his arms, even though it was likely already too late.

“You weren’t shy like this the other day,” Khaslana breathed. “Why act all timid now? You have nothing left to hide, little alpha.”

Mydei could feel the alpha’s breath. He grit his teeth, cursing the sky.

He was right. There was nothing left to hide.

“How long have you known?” Mydei hissed quietly.

“How long?”Khaslana scoffed. “Your little tricks never hid anything from me. I’ve known the entire time. It’s just so absurd that I simply couldn’t believe it at first.”

Mydei seized up completely. The world around him was spinning. 

“Bastard,” he hissed.

The entire time.

Khaslana had known the entire time.

The first time they’d met and he’d released his pheromones, he’d already known.

The time Mydei had stood up for Phainon, he’d known.

When Khaslana confronted Mydei, pinning him against a wall, he’d known.

Just a few days ago, he’d used his alpha voice on Mydei, knowing exactly what it would do.

“Do not fret,” Khaslana said, cutting the thoughts from Mydei’s head. “No one else knows, and I have no plans to share what I’ve found.” Khaslana grabbed Mydei’s wrists, pulling his hands away from his face.

Finally, their eyes met. Burning ash on shining gold.

A black hoodie covered Khaslana’s hair, and he wore a mask over his mouth. By his neck, Mydei could just about see it, a scent patch over his scent gland.

They just stared at each other for a moment.

 “I know you haven’t told Phainon either,” Khaslana said darkly. “And that idiot has yet to work it out.” He squinted his eyes. “The two of you are fools.”

“How?” Mydei growled, showing teeth. “How could you possibly know?”

Khaslana peered at him, then the bag of suppressants. He swung the bag lightly.

“These don’t work on me,” he said nonchalantly.

“Impossible.”

Khaslana blinked at him once. “Is it now?”

Mydei wrestled from his grip, stumbling back several paces.

“You stalked me here, didn’t you?” Mydei hissed. “You’re wearing a scent blocker so I wouldn’t notice.”

Khaslana cocked his head slightly to the side. “So what if I did? There’s not much you can do about it now.”

“You freak. You dare underestimate me? I could take you on.”

Khaslana didn’t even try to rise to it. Instead, he threw the bag of suppressants nonchalantly. Mydei caught the bag on reflex. His fingers dug into the plastic, bringing it protectively against his chest, even as he struggled to believe what was going on.

Khaslana turned away from him. He walked a couple of paces.

How dehumanising. It was as if he knew that Mydei wouldn’t run from him, and knew that Mydei would follow him like a dog.

“This is our only chance to talk privately,” Khaslana said. He peered back over his shoulder. “Come, omega. Walk with me.”