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Omegas aren’t allowed to be knights. That has been Camelot’s rule for as long as anyone can remember. And for as long anyone can remember, knights must be nobles. Just about every noble family has one knight, at least the eldest son. That’s the way it has always been.
Leon is his parents’ only child. His birth injured his mother so badly she couldn’t have any more. Leon is also an omega. His father doesn’t want an omega son. An omega daughter would have been fine. A lovely, beautiful girl who could have married a proud, well respected knight.
Leon isn’t that.
Leon is a disappointment.
That will not stand. His father wants a true son and that’s what he gets . From the time Leo is seven years old, he takes daily suppressants. His father never lets him miss a day in his life. They all pretend Leon is a beta like his grandmother,, and expect him to act like one. Every nest he builds is taken apart, every attempt at scenting denied. And eventually he stops trying. He is a beta and that is the end of it.
Even Gwen and Elyan think he’s a beta. They’re the children of his mother’s favourite maid, so Leon is allowed to play with them. Elyan is a beta and Gwen an omega. Leon loves them but he can’t pretend that being with Gwen doesn’t make him sick with jealousy sometimes. She gets to build nests and be scented by her loving parents. She can play amongst the ladies’ pretty dresses and build weapons in her father’s forge with Elyan. Leon aches for their freedom. His days are structured with rigorous studies and training so he is prepared for his duties as a knight.
When he goes to the castle to begin his official training, he meets Prince Arthur. Arthur is an alpha, loud and brazen and he understands the same pressure for perfection as Leon. They become friends, Leon a calming balm to Arthur’s temper. His parents are thrilled. Leon doesn’t find as much joy in that as he should. But when Lady Morgana arrives, Leon is able to recommend Gwen as a serving lady, and that makes him happy.
Then Arthur gets a new omega manservant, Morgana has magic and turns against them, Uther is dead and Arthur is king. And suddenly commoners and omegas can be knighted.
Elyan is one of his brothers in arms and Leon is thrilled. He gets to know Percival, Lancelot and Gwaine, the other omega knight. Gwaine doesn’t bat an eyelid at that, and the wound Leon has tried so hard to close is wrenched open. He wishes he could be open like that, steal the other knights’ cloaks to make nests when they make camp, expose his neck and scent the air when he wants something. But he’s been a beta for twenty years now, he can’t admit his lies now. Living a lie is hard, but being cast aside by everyone he loves would be worse. So Leon will carry on through the pain. He tells himself that the pain will fade in time. It doesn’t, but maybe it will one day.
The heat is stifling. Leon pulls at his collar and cloak. None of the others seem bothered, but Leon can feel sweat dripping down his back. He can't stop his panting breaths. All he can do is keep as quiet as he can. There's no need to draw the others' concern. He's fine, just a little overheated. Sure, the movement of the horse underneath him is making him a little dizzy, but he's fine. He closes his eyes for a moment.
"Alright, Leon?"
Leon jerks upright. Merlin is suddenly riding beside him, looking at him with concern.
"You look like you're falling asleep up there. Normally that's Gwaine's job."
"Oi!" Gwaine yells from the back of the ride.
Merlin ignores him. His focus is entirely on Leon. Leon shivers under the scrutiny. Merlin's worried omega scent leaks into the air and Leon burns with jealousy.
"Really though, are you feeling alright?"
Leon gives him what he hopes is a reassuring smile. From the look on Merlin's face, he isn't successful.
"I'm fine, Merlin."
Merlin opens his mouth to speak.
"Merlin!" Arthur bellows.
"You'd best go see what he wants." Leon says.
Merlin trots to catch up to Arthur, casting a worried glance back at Leon.
Leon's hands are trembling slightly. He lets his reins slacken and buried his hands in the horse's mane. She's well trained enough to follow behind the other horses with little instruction. He hopes they will stop soon. They're camping for the night, he knows that. But he can't actually remember what they're doing out here. A cold shock of panic runs through him. What is this? He had been absolutely fine when they set out that morning. How could an illness set in so quickly.
Hoof beats echo louder in his ears. Dimly he becomes aware of Elyan riding up just behind him. He can feel the prickle of Elyan's eyes on his back, but can't summon the energy to do do anything about it. Logical thought has all but escaped him; all he can think of is a warm nest of blankets in front of a crackling fire, arms wrapped around him protectively. He shakes his head with a start. No, no, no. He must focus on the task at hand, not silly dreams.
"There's a glade up here. We'll make camp for the night." Arthur calls.
Oh, thank the gods. Leon follows Arthur and Merlin into the glade. He dismounts and has to lean against his horse until his unsteady legs can hold him.
"Merlin, firewood. Percival, Gwaine, water from the stream over there." Arthur barks.
"Leon, could you give me a hand please?" Merlin asks.
Arthur looks stunned at being interrupted. Leon freezes in place uncertainly. Arthur sighs heavily. "Fine. Lancelot, Elyan, go see what you can catch for dinner."
Everyone disappears in their various directions. Leon stumbles his way over to Merlin. Merlin takes him gently by the arm and leads him towards the woods. Leon crouches to pick up a load of wood, Merlin slaps a hand to his face. Leon jerks back, landing on the ground with a thud, glaring up at Merlin.
"As I suspected. You've got a fever."
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not. You should be resting in bed, not riding around the forest. Honestly, what were you thinking?"
Leon rubs at his forehead. He's beginning to develop a headache. "I felt fine when we left. I don't know what's come over me."
Merlin softens, squeezing Leon's shoulder. "Alright. But you need to take it easy for now."
Leon smiles wryly. "That's easier said than done."
"Leave Arthur to me." Merlin says.
Suddenly Leon feels very tired. All the fight has left him. If given a choice, he'd stay sat on the ground for the rest of his life. But Merlin doesn't give him a choice. He hauls him up, wood pile and all. As they stumble back to the camp, Merlin ends up taking most of Leon's weight.
"Sorry," Leon mumbles, "Dizzy."
All his focus is on putting one foot in front of the other and keeping hold of the wood.
"It's alright. I've got you."
Leon nods.
“What on earth is taking so long!” Arthur yells.
“Leon has a fever.” Merlin snaps back as they stagger into view.
Arthur’s eyes widen and he rushes to take Leon’s other side. It’s a relief. Leon can barely keep his legs under himself. As soon as they reach the centre of the glade, Leon drops the wood. Only Arthur’s strength keeps him upright.
“He’s getting worse fast.” Merlin mutters.
“I’m fine.” Leon protests.
Both Merlin and Arthur roll their eyes in perfect unison.
“Of course you are,” Arthur says, “Now sit down before you fall down.”
With an uncharacteristic gentleness, he lowers Leon to the ground and starts unbuckling his armour. When it’s off, he wraps Leon in both of their cloaks.
“Sire? That’s yours?”
“You need it more than I do.”
Leon just nods. He wraps the cloaks tighter around himself and lies down. He doesn’t even care about the ground. Something is laid down beside him.
“Come on,” Arthur says, “Your bedroll will be much more comfortable.”
Leon groans as Arthur helps him move onto his bedroll. He’s right though and is much more comfortable. Warmer too. The suffocating heat has become an unbearable cold.
“Are you sure we shouldn’t take him straight back to Camelot?” Arthur asks.
“The horses need a rest,” Merlin replies, “And so does Leon. Some sleep will be better before he has to endure another long ride.”
They keep talking, but Leon can’t hear any of it. The call of sleep is too powerful.
He wakes to the scent of bark and rain and smoke. He feels no less rested for the sleep, but the warmth and the familiarity of the scent stirs him awake.
“Elyan…” he mumbles.
“Sleeping beauty’s awake.” Elyan’s teasing tone says.
Leon blinks his eyes open slowly. Elyan is sitting next to him, just inches from his head. Elyan squeezes Leon’s shoulder tightly.
“Do you feel up to some broth?” Merlin asks.
“Not really.”
“Leon, you need something to keep your strength up. Even just a little.”
Leon shakes his head.
“Come on, Leon. Do as Merlin says.” Elyan says.
Leon sighs and nods. Elyan helps him sit up and Merlin presses a bowl of broth into his hands. Leon steels himself and slowly sips it. His hand is shaky and several drops fall from the spoon. He can only manage half the bowl before his stomach threatens to protest.
“Gwaine?” He says as he holds his bowl out, “Here.”
Gwaine grins at him but it’s tinged with worry. When he takes the bowl, he ruffles Leon’s hair. Leon doesn’t have the energy to protest.
“Why, thank you kind sir.”
Leon smiles back but he can feel himself fading fast. “Would anyone mind if I went back to sleep?”
“Course not. Get some rest.” Elyan says.
With that, Leon lays back down, still bundled in his and Arthur’s cloaks.
When he wakes again it’s dark. Sweat is clinging to his whole body and his muscles are burning. He can’t help but whimper aloud. Someone scrambles to his side.
“Leon? Leon? Shit- you smell- your scent- Merlin!” Gwaine cries.
Leon whimpers at the dizzying concussion of sound as the knights wake and all gather around him. A cool hand settles on Leon’s forehead and he leans into it.
“His fever’s getting worse.” Merlin says.
“But why does he smell like an omega?” Gwaine insists.
He smells like an omega? No, no, no- that cannot be happening. But he can smell the distress in the air, thick and cloying, that doesn’t belong to Gwaine or Merlin. Panic overcomes him. He drags himself away, only to crash into Percival’s chest. The beta’s large hand rests on his shoulder.
“Hey, hey it’s okay.”
Leon shakes his head desperately. “No! You can’t know! I’m not allowed to tell anyone!”
“You’re not allowed to tell anyone that you’re an omega?” Lancelot asks. He smells like honey and steel and there’s a part of Leon’s brain that wants to drown in the alpha scent.
He shakes his head. This is it, this is how he dies. Everything is unraveling.
“Why not?” Arthur asks. His voice is heavy with command.
Leon fights to keep his own steady when he replies, “Omegas aren’t allowed to be knights.”
“They are now.” Gwaine says, sounding mildly offended.
“But they weren’t,” Leon stresses, “And my father wouldn’t let me be anything else. So he gave me suppressants and pretended I was a beta.”
“Leon…” Merlin sounds so unreasonably horrified.
“It’s fine. I’m fine.”
“No it’s not. How long have you been on suppressants?”
“Since I was seven.”
“Oh. That’s- Leon. Your body is rejecting the suppressants. That’s why you’re sick. Twenty years of heats that have been repressed. And now, suppressants will be completely ineffective.”
“Will he be alright?” Elyan asks.
“He should be once his system has cleansed itself of the suppressants. But he’ll have to go straight to Gaius when we get back to Camelot.”
“Very well. We’ll abandon the hunt and head straight back first thing in the morning. Will he be alright until then?” Arthur asks.
“I think so, as long as his fever doesn’t get much higher.”
“But how have you lived so long not being an omega?” Gwaine asks.
Leon can smell his sour distress, but he doesn’t understand what is distressing the other knight.
“I’ve seen your room, you don’t even have a nest.”
“I’ve never had a nest.” Leon croaks.
“Leon!” Gwaine gasps in horror.
“I was never allowed.”
As soon as the words leave his mouth, Gwaine is diving to Leon’s side and pulling him into a tight hug.
“And I’m always stealing your cloak when we’re out! So you never have anything!”
“Gwaine, it’s alright. I don’t- I don’t mind.”
“Don’t you?” Elyan asks gently, “I’ve known you since we were children. You’ve never acted like an omega. That’s not healthy.”
The soft tone of voice shouldn’t cut as deeply as it does. All of Leon’s wounds are being torn open.
“I’m. I’m fine.” He says but his voice is shaking and his eyes are blurry.
“No you’re not. And that’s alright.” Elyan says.
And that is what breaks him. Between one breath and the next, he’s sobbing brokenly into Elyan’s chest with Gwaine at his back. All of the others are huddled tight around them in a protective circle. This, Leon thinks, is what a nest must feel like, warm and safe. Like nothing can hurt him again.
“When we get back Merlin and I will teach you everything about being an omega.” Gwaine promises.
“And I’ll protect you from Gwen’s mother henning.” Elyan adds.
“And I’ll protect you from Gaius’s.” Merlin says.
“And you’ll get a nice, long holiday for all of this.” Arthur says.
“And I’ll keep the squires in line for you.” Lancelot says.
“And I’ll get you all the best food.” Percival says.
“Thank you, thank you.” Leon cries.
His parents broke him down. Hid him away. But these people build him back up again. The Round Table is his family. And he has never been more grateful for them.