Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: As always, I own nothing but the original characters and the situations the characters find themselves in. Thanks so much for continuing to read and giving me feedback on my work. It's muchly appreciated, and I do read every review you send me!

Hey, this has been sitting around for almost a year, unfinished...so if you like it and want to read more let me know. If not it will just be a two parter and I'll leave it at that. Thanks!

Start of Something

In retrospect there were signs he should have picked up on. A bunch of little things that, had he really stopped to think about it, would have clued Jake 'Hangman' Serein to the fact that his alpha inhibitors weren't working the way they were supposed to. The biggest clue, realized far too late, was the fact that Jake had finally figured out that morning why Bob 'Bob' Floyd fascinated him so much.

From the start there had been something about the W.S.O. that had rubbed Jake the wrong way. No, that wasn't accurate. Not in a wrong way-just a weird way. Basically, he'd had no reason to be interested in the other man, but had found himself thinking about and watching Bob way more than made rational sense. Or no sense right up until that morning's big reveal.

Bob, Jake realized, was an omega. A rarity in the Navy, much less in Top Gun.

They were both on blockers, as the military required to be. Because of this the Navy provided their service men and women with the best inhibitors money could buy. One of the side effects for alphas, as it happened, was a decreased sense of smell, making it harder for them to identify other alphas or omegas that way. A pain, yeah, but not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things.

It had never really bothered him since usually Jake was pretty damn good about picking out an omega from the crowd. Somehow, though, Bob hadn't so much as made a blip on his radar right up until the other man had passed by him at breakfast and Jake had gotten a whiff of the sweet scent that said omega to him.

The man might be a little odd, but Jake didn't figure Bob was the sort to use strawberry and vanilla cake bath products. Well, unless he was pranked, which he hadn't been to the best of Jake's knowledge. Either way Jake had a thing for strawberry shortcake, so that scent change had definitely gotten his attention. And increased his interest in the boy scout W.S.O. with surprisingly dry wit.

But yeah, that was the biggest smoking gun that might have saved Jake and the others a lot of pain, embarrassment, and cursing later if only Jake had put two and two together. Dammit.

Instead, the realization didn't come until Jake found himself being held back from ripping Rooster's goddamn head off, the other alpha similarly restrained.

Nothing they'd been saying should have set them off this way. Trash talking might be something Jake had an unofficial PHD in, but he hadn't been trying that hard to get under the underachiever that was Rooster's skin. They'd just been needling each other like usual, right up until the barbs suddenly seemed a lot harsher and cause for rage. For retaliation. Suddenly Jake found his blood pressure skyrocketing, his higher brain functions taking a back seat to his alpha subconscious, which said to end this motherfucker who was challenging him. Daring to think him the better man and alpha.

A small portion of Jake's still working brain realized what was happening as he struggled to get free of the others. Recognized what was going to happen and was equally horrified and afraid of what he was about to do. But that part wasn't in control. Not remotely.

Torn between terror and rage Jake squirmed furiously against Yale and Fanboy's hold right up until Bob was suddenly in front of him, the omega's hands coming up to cup either side of Jake's face.

"Easy there, Cowboy. You don't want to hurt me, do you?"

Freezing immediately, Jake shook his head automatically. This was an omega in front of him. He would NEVER hurt an omega.

"That's my good alpha. Now let's get away from Rooster, okay. Just you and me."

All attention on the pretty omega, Jake only half heard Bob tell the others to let him go. He was too busy focusing on how perfect the other man's hair part was. And how much he was looking forward to messing it up now that his hands were free.

"That's it. You're so good. You know how strong and powerful you are. You don't need to prove anything by getting into a fight with that silly Rooster. Now come on, away from everyone else. Just you and me."

Bob's soothing voice and firm hands were grounding, a connection as the omega stepped backwards, leading them away from the others. Jake followed every step, not wanting the space between them for even a moment. He would have growled over even the small distance-not to mention the fact that he sort of wanted to stay with the others a little longer so that they understood, absolutely, who Bob had chosen as his alpha-but he also got that Bob was shy. Quiet. His omega wouldn't want an audience when he rewarded Jake for being so much stronger and better than stupid Rooster. Who would never, ever deserve an omega of his own.

But want was pulsing hard through his veins, so Jake figured he'd just speed up the process and walk faster, forcing Bob to stumble back until the omega's back hit the wall Jake had been directing them towards.

Perfect.

They were the same height, which Jake most certainly liked as he leaned in closer to those pretty, bitten at lips. He couldn't wait to sink his own teeth into them.

But Jake hesitated for a moment, over thirty years' worth of training coming into play to battle back the raging hormones that were fogging up his brain and currently making his decisions for him. His mama had installed in him a code when it came to omegas and how a gentleman treated one. A code he'd never broken, knowing to do so would break his mama's heart. And Jake loved his mama more than anyone or anything in this world.

Consent. Verbal consent was needed. Never assume. Never take what wasn't freely given.

Biting down hard on his own lip, using the pain to help him focus more, Jake drew back a little and stared into the big blueish green eyes that looked back at him, eyes slightly dilated behind the clear lenses of Bob's glasses. Those eyes met his gaze without any fear, Bob's hands still on his cheeks. Nonverbal cues said they were a go, but still...

Jake all but had to bite the words out through grinched teeth, but he managed it.

"Can I kiss you?"

A look of surprise, then a small smile that Jake instantly fell in love with, it was so adorable.

Bob nodded. "Give it your best shot, Cowboy."

A challenge. Consent and a challenge. Two of his most favorite things in the world.

Now a smart man, when it came to kissing, took his time and learned what his partner liked before taking things further. If you fucked up the kissing, your chances of actual fucking decreased dramatically. Or at least that was the case if you preferred someone with brains, which Jake did. Stupidity was one of his biggest turn-offs, in fact. He liked a partner with high standards, liked proving that not only could he reach whatever bar they set, but set a new one.

He was going to ruin Bob for everyone else before he was done.

Goal set, Jake went about learning everything there was to know about how Bob liked to be kissed. How firm, how soft. How fast, how slow. What made the omega sigh and open his mouth more, and what made Bob shudder and gasp in obvious want and need.

And while he used his mouth, teeth, and tongue to find out just what made Lieutenant Robert Floyd melt to the point where the other man had to wrap his arms around Jake's neck for support, Jake enjoyed himself immensely.

)

Fuck, the man could kiss. Like seriously, Hangman was a Top Gun level kisser. Not that Bob had any intention of ever telling the arrogant ass that. That was never going to happen. But in his head, at least, Bob's hormones were discussing building a shrine to the man. Hangman would go down in infamy for the kissing alone. And that was even before Bob factored in the very delicious body pressing him up against a wall so that he could feel every inch of him. EVERY inch of him. Inches Bob really, really wanted to get more intimately acquainted with. Inches that had his hormones also planning the names of the babies he wanted the bastard to plant inside him ASAP. Because they should totally get naked and reproduce. There was no one better for the job. It would be a service to his country, to provide this man with offspring.

Who cared that Hangman was one of the most arrogant, smug, egotistical asseholes Bob had ever come across, which was objectively saying something since he was Top Gun who'd been surrounded by fellow Top Guns for years. No one did cocky assehole like an alpha in the military. Proven fact.

Fuck. He needed his brain to start working again! What was he thinking?!

Thank all the deities in the world that he was almost thirty, and not in his early twenties or younger. Otherwise, if he was being honest, Bob was pretty sure he would be trying to rip the man's clothes off instead of just holding on and enjoying the ride. It was pretty obvious all their suppressors weren't doing their job, which was how they'd gotten into this situation, but his next heat was far enough away that most of his brain cells were-

Eyes all but rolling into the back of his head when Hangman's lips drew the lobe of Bob's left ear into his mouth, Bob's eyes instead fluttered closed as he hung on for dear life. Fuck. Oh fuck. He had a thing about his ears.

Moaning like a porn star and not giving a shit, Bob whined more encouragement, then all but purred with pleasure as the man turned his experimentation skills to a new part of Bob's body. As in his neck.

Damn. He felt like a brand-new fighter jet Hangman was putting through its paces for the first time. Experimenting, finding out what his limits and upgrades were...

Logically Bob knew he shouldn't find that mental comparison remotely complimentary or erotic...but he did. He really, really did. Fuck.

How long their commanding officer tried to get their attention Bob would rather not think about. Bob was lost in his own little world of sensation and pleasure right up until Hangman set him free and started growling in a not at all sexy way.

Okay, it was still sexy as fuck, especially when Hangman stated that Bob was his, but Bob's brain was still just enough online that he opened his eyes and was mortified to see their captain standing a meter and a half away, watching them with a complex set of emotions flashing across his face. Mav obviously was not sure what he was looking at or how to react to it.

Normally, overprotectiveness from an alpha annoyed Bob, but in this case, he was okay with Hangman whirling around and acting as a human shield between him and Maverick. He'd rather Maverick not see him blushing like an idiot.

"Easy, Hangman. Settle." Maverick's hands were up, but his tone was very much alpha male to alpha male. Bob could feel the impact of it in the way Hangman's bearing became more military than alpha. "Bob. Medical's ETA is five to seven minutes. They're bringing meds to help."

"I'm good." Bob managed to choke out, the heat in his cheeks making its way down his neck and towards his chest. "He's just being...affectionate. I'll keep him distracted."

"I can see that." Pause. "Call if you need extraction."

"Yes, Sir."

Maverick took a moment more to make sure he was reading things right, then the older man inclined his head and walked off to presumably check on the others.

"Mine. Not his." Hangman grumbled, what could only be described as a pout shaping those sculpted lips of his as he turned back around to face Bob. There was also a look in his eye as he very explicitly eyefucked Bob that made it clear he wanted confirmation that he was right.

Bob blamed his hormones one hundred percent for the fact that he immediately stated that yes, he was Hangman's.

But that earned him more kisses, which was a win in Bob's books as he wrapped himself around the other man like a vine. Sadly, he couldn't remember ever being kissed this well or thoroughly, and he was going to enjoy it while it lasted.

There was, after all, no question in Bob's mind that Hangman was going to mock and make inappropriate comments about this later-or worse, expect sexual favors on the downlow because he assumed Bob was just that desperate, and would give it up without expecting anything in return. Give an alpha an inch, especially if you were an omega, and they expected you on your knees with your mouth open on command.

And didn't take being told no nicely.

Hangman's lips and then teeth going back to work on his neck was enough to distract Bob and give his hormones principal control again. Probably for the best, especially since Hangman was enjoying it so much that he didn't even notice when a medic sidled up to inject him with a shot of something that put the alpha right out.

It was hard not to be sorry it hadn't taken the medic just a little longer to arrive on scene.

Ah, well. All good things had to come to an end.

Now he just had to wait and see what the price was.

)

It was late, and only getting later as Jake stood in the hallway, calling himself every version of coward and idiot he could think of. And all his brothers were older, so he knew a lot of put downs. In English and Spanish. But if he didn't get his ass in gear Bob would already be fast asleep by the time Jake got up the courage to knock on the omega's door and wouldn't that just piss the man off that much more, being woken up. Bob already had plenty of reasons to want him dead. Or at least horribly, permanently maimed. Which he deserved.

Especially since when he wasn't thinking about what a horrible person he was Jake found himself thinking about how surprisingly hot Mr. Adorkable was. His hormones had done a number on him, but Jake's memory was pretty clear when it came to Bob's smell, taste, and kissing skills. The man had surprising game and-Fuck.

Better to just face the music.

Squaring his shoulders, and taking one last deep breath for courage, Jake took the couple of steps needed to get to Bob's door and knock.

And okay, maybe he was hoping that the W.S.O. wouldn't answer.

But of course fate was not remotely on Jake's side, the door opening moments later to reveal Bob, hair wet and slicked back due to his recent shower. He wasn't wearing his glasses either and damn-

"Why don't you do that to your hair normally and wear contacts?" Bob had gone from adorkable to hot, and Hangman didn't think it was the leftover hormones doing his thinking for-fuck.

Jake's roving gaze settled on the bruising on Bob's neck. More disappearing into the simple white T-shirt Bob was wearing with black pajama bottoms.

"Shit. I'm sorry."

"What?" Brows drawing together, Bob looked very cute in his confusion.

"Fuck. I am so sorry. I can't believe I-there's no excuse." Fuck it. He was going to own up to this. "Bob-I'm so sorry. I have no excuse, and I don't expect you to forgive my behavior in the slightest. You want to take a swing at me, go ahead. I have it coming. I should have been stronger, had better control. You shouldn't have had to let me...I owe you for what you did, and any way I can make it up to you, you just have to say."

Bob probably wanted him gone, and never to see him again. If there was a way to make that happen, Jake was prepared to take those lumps. He'd behaved inexcusably and-

"You...you came to apologize to me?" Bob did not know what to do with that news. This was not how he'd thought this would go-and this was a sincere apology. He'd had plenty of the non-sincere kind over the years. He knew the difference.

But alphas didn't apologize to omegas like this. Or at least not to him. And this was Hangman-what the hell?

That his apology seemed to shock Bob...well fuck, did that say something about what the omega thought of him or what? Fuck, and the way he'd been treating him, not realizing that he was an omega...

Hands tightening into fists, Hangman belatedly remembered that he hadn't come empty handed. Might as well get that over with too. Especially since he'd agonized over what to get in the first place.

"This is for you."

Chapter Text

Something to Think About

It was a testament to how off-guard Hangman had caught him that Bob hadn't even noticed that the other man was holding a gift bag in one hand. It was a cheerful sky blue color and about the size of a laptop. A gift bag that was now being held out to him expectantly, the other man's tense body making it plain that the usually overconfident alpha expected Bob to refuse to take it. Or possibly throw it back in his face.

So much of this made absolutely no sense to him right now. When Hangman had first started talking...well you'd have thought the man had come to tell Bob he'd run over his infant child with his car. As in that he'd done something horrific and unforgivable, not made out with him earlier.

I mean seriously, Hangman had asked permission before kissing him, so what was he even apologizing for? It wasn't like Hangman had forced himself on him or something. The Texan was obviously blowing this whole thing way out of proportion.

"I get that it doesn't make up for what I did. I do. And the medication is no excuse, I should have had better control and never..." Hangman's words trailed off, the alpha looking downright tortured as he looked away, like he couldn't stand to see Bob's reaction to his words.

Okay, not taking the bag was probably sending the wrong signals, Bob belatedly realized.

Reaching out Bob slid his fingers under the handle of the bag, more concerned than insulted when Hangman visibly flinched over their fingers meeting.

But seriously, what the hell?

"I'm not mad at you." Bob told him carefully, waiting until Hangman risked a glance in his direction. "Seriously. You have nothing to apologize for. You asked my permission before you kissed me. It's actually impressive, that you were able to rein yourself in like that. Not a lot of alphas, especially ones as dominant as you, would have that kind of control after being on suppressants for so long."

"I did a little more than give you a peck on the mouth, Floyd."

"I'm aware." And boy did he have the hickies to prove it. "But I didn't tell you to stop, did I? Yeah, it was only to keep you from beating the crap out of Rooster, but still-I could have taken Mav up on his offer to extract me if I thought you were stepping out of line."

Okay, that was partially a lie, since he'd enjoyed like hell making out with Hangman, but no way in hell was he going to admit to that unless he had to.

"You don't even like me."

"And you don't like me. Hormones make us dumb."

"Hell yeah, they do." Rubbing the back of his neck, Hangman studied Bob like he didn't know what to make of him. "You really aren't mad at me?"

"About this? No."

Hangman narrowed his eyes, apparently trying to ascertain just how honest Bob was being with him.

Unnerved by the scrutiny, especially since the medics hadn't been able to give him proper meds yet, which meant his hormones were still all for getting naked with the alpha, Bob turned his attention to looking down at the bag he had yet to open.

"You really didn't have to get me anything."

"You haven't even looked at what I got."

True. And now he was more than a little curious about what Hangman had bought him. Because in Bob's experience alphas very, very rarely apologized to you and meant it. And in the unlikely event that they did feel bad about being a jerk, they still only apologized because they didn't want to get dumped or made to sleep on the couch. Not to mention the fact that usually those apologies were halted, sulkily made, and half assed at best.

An apology 'gift', meanwhile, was usually given so that they didn't have to honestly apologize in the first place. Flowers or overpriced chocolates, usually. If a big apology was owed then that usually meant a 'gift' that benefited the alpha in some way like an expensive dinner, lingerie, or occasionally some piece of bling that they could brag about being able to afford to decorate their omega with. Like the omega was a show piece.

Hangman had awkwardly, but honestly, apologized to him in person, even though he hadn't done anything wrong. And he didn't appear to be angling for a repeat of earlier with less clothes, either. This wasn't even the basic cheat of grocery store flowers.

What the hell would he even buy him?

Really curious now Bob gave the bag all his attention as he stuck his free hand past the tissue paper, fingers closing around a box. Getting a good grip on whatever it was, Bob let go of one of the bag's handles and then pulled the box out to see what it was.

Holy shit. No way.

Okay, in most cases buying someone a store box containing twenty-four full sized Mars bars would seem an odd choice. Most people would probably figure it just meant that Hangman was too cheap to buy an expensive chocolate brand or had seen him eat one once and figured it was a safe choice.

The thing was...Bob ate a Mars bar before every flight. It was his ONLY major superstition.

Odds were high that Hangman hadn't been paying enough attention to him to work that out, but he had been paying enough attention to even just notice what Bob's favorite chocolate bar was, which was mind-blowing, honestly, since plenty of his previous boyfriends never had.

"There's, uhm-the envelope has the main gift. That's...I wasn't sure when you'd be able to use it, so I got you the chocolate too."

Seriously?

Even more baffled as his curiosity peaked Bob didn't think about it, he just held out the box for Hangman to hold for him and then went rooting around in the bag for the envelope.

Finding it, Bob took it out and opened it up, mouth dropping open when he immediately recognized the name of the franchise scrawled elegantly across the front of the gift card holder. Or not a gift card holder, Bob soon realized as he flipped the card open to discover what was actually inside.

Then he had to stare at it for a good minute or so, Bob's brain trying and failing to comprehend what he was seeing before he was able to look up and give Hangman the biggest 'what the hell?' look, because words were beyond him.

Unfortunately, Hangman was giving him a look that said he didn't know what the hell to make of Bob's reaction, which meant Bob really needed to find his words, ASAP.

But seriously...this was for 'Cashmere'. The premium omega spa in the United States. A spa by omegas, for omegas. Alphas weren't even allowed past the lobby. All the staff were either omegas or betas, and all the services had been designed specifically to meet the unique needs of their clients. Bob had only seen pictures and a TV special about the franchise personally, but he did know a few omegas who'd all rhapsodized for months about how amazing their visits had been.

He'd never thought he'd go to one though because it was expensive, and he'd feel guilty as hell spending that much money on something like that.

Hangman had gotten him a gift certificate for a spa day PACKAGE.

He'd have to look it up to find out what that all entailed...but there was no way this hadn't set the alpha back several hundred dollars.

"And just to be clear, this isn't me being an ass. I'm not trying to suggest you need a makeover." Hangman blurted out, possibly misinterpreting the look on Bob's face. "What we do, it's hard on our bodies. I figured you'd appreciate some back and reflexology massages, mani, pedi...whatever else that covers. They said you can tailor your package; you just have to call them and pick from the options."

Okay, he hadn't thought of this as being a dig at his looks, but he would have gone down that road eventually so Bob appreciated the clarification.

Not to mention the fact that Bob was now remembering that when he'd opened the door Hangman had commented on his hair and lack of glasses, his words and the way he'd looked at him-before freaking out over the hickies-seeming to suggest that Hangman did find him attractive sometimes.

Oh fuck. Was he blushing? Crap.

)

It would really, really help if Bob didn't smell so fucking good. Now that Jake knew he hadn't molested the omega-well he kind of had, but apparently Bob didn't have a problem with that so he was sorta off the hook-Jake found himself very distracted as one, he tried to figure out what the hell the blushing and weird looks he was getting from Bob meant, and two...trying and failing not to mentally salivate over how fucking good the other man smelled now that he was paying attention.

See, getting ahold of a new brand of military grade suppressors for alphas hadn't proved difficult for the Top Gun medics. Jake was already on the new medication and should start seeing results by morning. He'd been told these ones weren't quite as strong as his old ones, but they would definitely do their job for the time being.

Omega blockers, at least the sort that reached military standards...that was another story. Especially since omegas had to completely wean themselves off their old blockers before they could even start a new one at the appropriate time for their biology. It was apparently way, way more complicated, and also time sensitive if they didn't want to risk bad side effects from the very strong drugs.

Jake knew that Bob wasn't currently taking anything, and what's more wouldn't be on anything but scent patches for not just the next couple of days, but even when they boarded the carrier. As in odds were high Bob wouldn't be on anything strong enough to remotely hide what he was for this mission.

An omega, and an unmated one at that.

Nothing to dilute how mouthwateringly delicious the omega's scent was.

Thinking about that and realizing that that meant they'd soon be trapped on a carrier with over five thousand people, the vast majority of them men and alphas...

"Are they going to let you on the carrier without proper blockers?" Jake blurted out.

"They kind of have to."

"It won't be safe for you!"

Oops, he hadn't meant to say that quite so loudly. And the look he was now getting made it clear Bob did not appreciate the insinuation that he couldn't take care of himself.

"Admiral Simpson stopped by earlier. He said I'll be taking his personal quarters for the duration of the mission. I'll be fine."

"Having your own room isn't going to save you, especially if any of the other alphas on the ship are on faulty suppressants too. No. You can't go."

In some corner of his mind Jake recognized that he had zero right to tell Bob what he could and couldn't do, especially since if the Admiral said Bob was going then there was nothing Jake could do about it. Cyclone seriously outranked him. Hangman did know that, but a much larger portion of his brain was seriously freaking out at the idea of the omega being in harm's way and didn't give a fuck about the rest.

"Your hormones are still riding you a little, aren't they?"

Blinking in surprise, Jake stated that that was a possibility. Mostly so Bob wouldn't tell him off for what he'd said and how he'd said it.

Further surprising him, Bob reached out and gave Jake's shoulder a pat and quick, reassuring squeeze.

"Thank you for my gifts. You really didn't have to-like REALLY didn't have to-and if you want the gift card back, I wouldn't think less of you or-"

Jake interrupted him. "It's yours. Not to mention, what the hell would I do with it?"

"Ah, use it as a bribe/present for your next girlfriend slash boyfriend. A 'sorry I missed this special event because I'm in the Navy' present. I really don't get why you'd spend this much on me given you aren't getting anything in return or care what I think of you."

"And what do you think of me?"

"Since when do you care what I think of you?" Bob retorted with a smirk. "I've barely been on your radar before today."

"You were on it more than you think."

The look Bob gave him in turn made it clear he didn't believe that for a moment.

"It's true. And you'll be on the radar of a lot of alphas on the carrier if you-"

Bob didn't let him finish that sentence, the omega dropping the gift bag Jake's only warning.

One moment the omega was in front of him and then the next Bob was behind him, twisting Jake's arm back around and up in a painful hold that meant Jake risked breaking or at least dislocating his arm if he struggled. Caught, Jake had no choice but to let Bob shepherd him forward with his body until Jake's nose was pressed up against the wall beside Bob's door, sandwiched between it and the omega.

"I can take care of myself, understand?" Bob firmly stated into Jake's ear, the omega's chest pressed up against Jake's back. "So leave it alone."

"I hear you." Jake agreed, staring straight ahead while he waited for the inevitable next step.

Because obviously thinking his point was made, Bob let go of Jake's arm, which was exactly what Jake had been waiting for.

Jake had grown up with three older brothers. Wrestling and beating the crap out of each other-and anyone who messed with one of them-had very much been the norm. Being the youngest he'd gotten the worst of it, especially since they'd seen him as a Mama's Boy.

The point was...when it came to winning a tussle he was very, very good at it. And there was a point to be made here.

And so putting aside his 'don't you dare lay an unwanted hand on an omega' philosophy for Bob's own good, Jake made his own moves.

Moves that ended with Bob's back to the wall and Jake's hands holding the omega's hands over his head, Jake now pinning him in place there, though he kept as much distance between their lower halves as he could.

He was a gentleman, after all.

"See the problem with that move, Darlin, is that eventually you have to let go." Jake informed Bob, the two of them practically nose to nose. "Unless you break the arm first, which I don't think you're inclined to do."

Raising his chin rather than admitting defeat Bob asked him if he really thought that there weren't countermeasures he couldn't take even now.

"True. But would it be enough to stop an alpha with military training? Especially one who's maybe been at sea a little too long, then finds you running around the ship like an oasis in the fucking desert."

Bob just smirked at him. "From sea to desert. Maybe work on that metaphor a little, Hangman. Like I'm land while lost at sea. Makes more sense."

Not amused, especially since Bob very obviously was, Hangman very deliberately shifted his stance so that his thigh slid between the omega's a little, wiping that smirk off like it had never been there.

Not so funny now, is it, Hangman thought with a satisfaction that took a complete left turn as his nose caught a spike in Bob's scent, close as they were. A change in the scent that suggested that Bob found his maneuver not threatening, but arousing.

Immediately distracted by that fact it was Jake's turn to smirk as he stated that Bob never had said what he thought of him, deliberately giving the omega a look that said yeah, he had noticed the change in the other man's scent, and knew exactly what it meant.

Showing that unexpected streak of sass Jake had come to appreciate when it came to this omega Bob didn't back down, instead parting his legs just enough so that Jake's thigh rested a little more intimately than before.

"I think we've already established that hormones can make a person dumb, Alpha."

He had a healthy ego, but Jake wasn't about to believe that Bob's move and calling him Alpha weren't traps meant to seduce and distract him from whatever Bob's next move was.

The little minx.

"You look delighted."

"Do I?" Jake asked, giving his most innocent look while moving just ever so slightly closer.

"You do." Bob told him, a slight hitch to his breathing as the omega's scent grew stronger even as the resolve in the man's beautiful eyes made it clear he wasn't backing down here.

But he couldn't control his scent without the blockers, and Jake's nose didn't have the more powerful suppressants to hinder him from reading the omega's scent changes like a book.

"You're going to have to let me go eventually, too, you know. And you might not like how I react when my arms are free."

"So I should keep you pinned down?" Jake asked as he leaned his head forward, angling his lips to hover very close to Bob's, so that they shared breath.

"You can't keep me pinned forever."

"True." Jake murmured. "So the question is...do you really want me to let go?"