Chapter Text
Swords were meant for Alphas, and flowers for Omegas. Silk for one and wool for the other. The act of picking up a sword for an Omega meant the death sentence, along with the dismissal of any family member from seats of the government. Beautiful flowers that shone with the pride of holding up the family unit. Each one like the last, like beautiful porcelain dolls, painted in careful swishes of the red brush. They all would become exactly like their mothers before them. Quiet, obedient, and simply a status symbol. To be named an Omega was to become more than your own person, more than just what you could bring in a monetary value. That status meant connections and generations.
Then, there was Pei Ming. The second child and first son of his family. Loud and proud in his almost overbearing personality. Dressing in loose wool and running about even as a small child. His Mother and Father both placed pride within the fact that he would never be weak, that they would never have to ever worry that their son would need anyone else for anything.. A sword polished daily in preparation for the day where his scent would come in.
That had been years ago now. When they waited in anticipation, holding their breaths since the day past his sixteenth birthday and waiting for the day it would all come to fruition. And now, coming upon his eighteenth, Pei Ming nearly slept through the meeting with the woman that would become his Mother-in-law. All thanks to a matchmaker that he will eternally curse.
Hoof storming through town was the only indicator to Pei Ru, the eldest sister of the Pei clan, that not all hope was lost. The cries of people, calling out insults and annoyance, announce the arrival of her brother long before he appears. A grin bursting cheek to cheek as he slings himself off the back of the stead. Straightening out his back and holding himself tall, much taller than his older sister. Brushing the dirt off of his clothes and cheeks before tossing his hair over his shoulder. Patting the horse’s neck as his attention turns to the approaching figure of his sister.
“A-Pei” She sighs deeply, pressing her fingers deep into the bridge of her nose to wane the threat of a migraine. “Do you know how late you are? Are you even going to-”
“-Take this seriously, yes. I know.” He rolls his eyes dramatically before dramatically matching his sister’s deep sight, much to her ever-growing annoyance, “I know I am late. I know that, come on. Let’s not make me later by chatting! Catch me up on the new information after we deal with this absolutely terrible idea of a day.” He brushes past her, a skip in his step that swings his long ponytail like a taunt. Holding it high up and decorating it was beautifully carved of a branch of plum blossoms that twists into a comb. The woolen clothes across a broad chest and the plum blossom comb did not mix in Pei Ru’s eyes. She would have suggested anything else besides that wool clothes, of course, she would suggest to the universe to trade out those Plum blossoms. Breathing out a sigh before she follows the man.
“Is he finally here?” Eyes find the strange sight in the Omega place. The home open to preparing them for important events or helping them to be prepared for weddings had not been open to a first-sex male in a long while. Even Pei Ming had begun to grow slightly warm under his collar, rubbing the back of his throat before smugly grinning. The plainness of his grin does not sway the stares or even the glowering of the older woman who was in charge of such an important place.
Yet, before he could speak, Pei Ru takes a step forward, clearing her throat, “Yes, he is here. I am extremely sorry for the wait. My brother seems to forget that this is much more than playtime and instead time to meet quite the important woman.” She states firmly and calmly. Folding her hands in front of her to control the nerves. The way that they stared down the pair of siblings with unrelenting eyes made Pei Ming swallow the small lump in his throat.
Pei Ming’s eyes trace the room before his sister, taking a small bow, “I am sorry for being late.” He grits out between his teeth, glaring down at the floor as if it had offended him and made him bow his head towards anyone else.
“You are about to meet a very important woman” The older lady sighs deeply, grabbing his wrist to pull him through the others. Women staring at the strange man coming through their space, whispers speaking louder than them screaming insults ever could, “And yet you're late! Late! What have we told you over and over again?”
If Pei Ming had to hear one more time how important this woman was, he would take a knife to his ear drums.
“Alphas love obedient, timely, shapely women, and I am none of those” He grumbles, which earns a quick and sharp glare. “Hey, I’m not a liar! I hate this just as much as everyone else hates me being in here. Really, If I could just, have this appointment passed over and I would not bother anyone again.”
Pei Ru can’t help but sigh deeply again at that, shaking her head as she desperately tries to get any semblance of a reasonable conversation out of this stubborn mule, “If Father heard that you were refusing to meet with your future mother-in-law because of some egotistical-”
“I am not egotistical-”
“-ideal that you are above your secondary status. He would lose his poor mind and his heart would falter again. Would you enjoy knowing that you would be the dark stain on the family name? A-ming, you need to think of other people rather than yourself!” Pei Ru scolds, feeling for a moment as if she’s speaking to a child and truly her tone sounded like it too, “It is simple, go play dress up, meet her, politely, and then you may return to your playing for a few more weeks before your wedding”
Pei Ming’s face pales and lashes flutter at the scolding. Ears feeling as if they were on fire as he listens. Although, the tightness in his throat was harsher than even her words, ‘Think about other people always and yourself last’ he bitterly hisses in the back of his head. Twisting his face away from her sight. “Just afternoon tea”
“Of course” Pei Ru lets her shoulders sag in relief as they enter the bathing room. The sweet scent of bath oils and incense floats through the room, although the steam that had been rising from the water surface was nowhere in sight. The woman moves quickly, stripping the man of his clothing and shoving him hard into the tub full of cool water. Making him gasp and scramble for the side.
“It is WAY too cold! There’s no way I can bathe in this!” He cries as the woman picks up a bucket full of water, dumping it over his head. Shivers rush up his spine as goosebumps litter his arms. Hands moving quickly to scrub at his hair and scalp.
“It would have been much warmer if you hadn’t been trying to avoid this” Pei Ru reminds him as she turns to focus on the clothing that had been made especially for this day. Placing the special bells and whistles around as she listens to her brother’s complaining settles down as the washing woman work. Unfolding a silk cloth before placing it down over top of the soft silvers and reds that would compliment his skin and eyes. Hints of black threading even make their appearance.
His hair was cleaned thoroughly and skin rubbed raw and red until he shined. It all seemed like too much to the young man, dragged out of the bath like a dog caught in the river and dried off with enough force that left a buzz over his skin before put in his underclothes. Pei Ming’s scalp burned as his hair was pulled and twisted, wrapped up tightly into the perfect bun with a few dangling pieces to frame his undoubtedly strong features. The Plum blossom comb was placed once more inside of his hair and a gentle fabric cloth wrapped loosely around his throat to cover the mateable skin.
Pei Ru turns back to the other, walking over and kneeling down, taking his hands in hers. Staring down, miffed, at the chipped and dirty nails. “Why were you playing in the mud again today?” She hisses at the other, who raises said hands in defense. Which only amplified the annoyance in her features.
“I did not! I was simply doing my chores!” he whines loudly as he sinks down deeper into his seat “I hadn’t done anything bad at all!” That was nothing more than an absolute lie. Pei Ming had been digging in the dirt, hiding things in the garden yet again, although she couldn’t possibly figure that out.
“Nothing? Truly? Then how come you have not been taking care of your hands once more? At this rate, your alpha will have to deal with the ugliest hands possible!” As this morning went on, the more annoyed Pei Ru got at the lack of care that it seemed that Pei Ming had for this entire situation. How could he forget exactly why they were forced to marry him off? Pei Ru roughly grabs his hands, glaring at them as she works to try to get the dirt out from under his nails. Which made him hiss in pain as she jabs a sharp and thin metal piece to try to get all of it out. Muttering complaints as she goes to try to calm herself.
“I know!” he snaps at her quickly, ripping his hands out of her own and pressing them close to his chest, “I know. I just wanted to relax and have some fun before this ridiculous thing that you all seem so happy to do” He personally hated every single bit of it all.
Pei Ru watches his lashes lower, the way he chews on his cheek, before rubbing her temples once more. “Ming, stand up, they have to put you into your outfit.” Pei Ming glances over towards her at that, before quietly standing up. Not even an apology.
The woman work, helping him stand to help the man into his outfit. Practiced tying and decorating any omega until they looked as delicate as a rich man's bowl. Even the well-formed Pei Ming had a slight softness to his features once they had begun their work. The muscles hidden skillfully by folds of loose fabric. Waist pulled in even more until he had forgotten if he truly was able to breathe at all. All of it until he stood before them, looking at himself in a small hand mirror.
His stomach jerked and the tightness within his throat had a viper’s grip. The sight in front of him made him sick.
“Perfect” Pei Ru sighs deeply, finally giving him a tight, albeit a very real, smile. Touching his cheek lightly as the high collar strangles him. “Really, A-Ming, this suits you. You…look regal in this. I’m sure that the Alpha’s mother will approve of you in an instant seeing you like this” there was a pregnant pause after that, her words faltering for a single moment before Pei Ru shakes her head, “You will truly be a wonderful addition to their family, Ming. Just prove yourself worthy, and show her that our family values run through you.”
“I will, Ru” He promises softly, despite how his voice shook. “I’ll make sure that you are proud”
She smiles more, before taking a step away, “Your carriage should be out front then. Remember, be polite-”
“And obedient, and quiet. Speak only when spoken to, and never state your opinion. I know” He mutters, turning to start out towards the door before a hand on his arm stops him.
“And Do not speak of weapons or swordplay, Ming. I beg of you. Keep that to yourself, even if offered.” She pleads softly, but Pei Ming simply smiles at her, placing a hand over her’s.
“I’ll be back after tea” He reassures, squeezing her hand once before he is guided out towards the front and into the simply elegant carriage waiting for him. His hands folded neatly over his lap as it slowly pulled away from the Omega home. Not once looking to see his nervous sister watching, chewing her lips raw.