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His mother had always repeated the same words to him for as long as he could remember, she said them to him a lot, especially when she was lost in the haze of whatever drug his father had given her to keep her submissive, Oliver trembles when it's time to take care of her so that she doesn't drown in his own vomit.
“You better not have let her die by the time I get back” are the words of his father, and Oliver only sobs when he has to put his fingers down his mother's throat to force her to expel whatever she has ingested. No one can say that Oliver doesn't love his mother, although he is sure that her mother would love him more, If he simply gives up, he leaves her to her fate while he runs away from there.
But Oliver doesn't have the heart for that, he can't leave her there, at the mercy of him, of that Alpha, Oliver doesn't trust him, he doesn't trust him to take care of her, until now he is the man who has done the most damage to her, he has done them the most, because Oliver also suffers, he suffers when his father forces him to parade naked for photos and videos, he suffers when his father threatens to sell him if he dares to neglect his mother. And Oliver does what he can to survive, he tries, in every way possible, to get out of that shit hole, he tries to get his mother out of there, but she insists that it's too late, at least for her.
“Oh my sweet, sweet, Ollie,” she says, lost in the height. “You have so much to live for.” And Oliver knows it, which is why, in the rare moments when his mother is not lost in drink or in the drugs, Paula Quick enrolls him in schools, sends applications for scholarships and government aid, she makes the effort to get her son out of that hole.
And Oliver doesn't object, the last thing he wants is to end up like her.
Oxford opens the doors and Oliver leaves Prescot, he fears that he will look back and see her mother trapped, he fears that if he looks at her, Oliver will not want to leave. Paula calls him, but it is not to stop him, in her place, the woman shows a serious expression, her face is a sickly pale with dark circles that have begun to sunken her eyes, Oliver wants to cry, but he swallows his pain. Instead, his mother says goodbye to her with the same words she has been repeating to him over and over again.
“Don't trust anyone, especially the Alphas.”
His stay at Oxford is no different from any elite school he has been to, pompous arrogant people, with more money than brains, abound in these places, he does not know if Webbe College was the best option, but it was the only school that had opened scholarship places for Omegas. Oliver couldn't ask for more, it was a paid stay, in addition to books and materials, the only thing Oliver had to worry about was getting him to eat and where he would buy the suppressants that he needs week after week.
Making friends was never easy for him, especially with his lack of social skills, he has spent more time among books than among people, not that he complains, he has always been alone, not only avoided because of his status, but also because of his caste, not everyone Rich kids want to be related to an Omega, especially a poor, out-of-nowhere one.
Oliver doesn't want to have friends either, he has problems trusting people, especially those who show affection in an enormous way, Oliver is not used to that and prefers to avoid it, it seems that everyone understands this, except Michael.
Michael Gavey is a math student, they met in the cafeteria the first night, the boy, a Beta, was desperate to prove that he was a math genius and Oliver had been harassed to the point of becoming awkward, wanting to avoid conflict. As he always does, gives the Beta his way in the hope that he will leave him alone, and it seems to work, until...
“Oliver, Oliver” Oliver looks up from the cash register, Michael Gavey is in front of him, on the other side of the counter that separates the kitchen from the rest of the cafeteria, Oliver has started working that same week, the Omega looks around to see that there are no more tables that he must attend to and that he can afford to give Michael five minutes of his attention, despite having stressed to the Beta, too many times, that he cannot continue coming to the cafeteria to bother him.
"What's happening?" He says, Michael smiles at him and hands him a few bills, he makes an order, Oliver knows that he is only doing it so he can talk to him, the Omega just rolls his eyes and complies with Beta's order, Oliver is now cleaning the bar while Michael speaks.
“Do you know there is a Christmas party tonight?” Oliver looks at him with a raised eyebrow, the holiday season is approaching, so it's normal for some students to go out to celebrate, but he doesn't understand where Michael is going with that question. “And you and I, we're not invited” Oliver twisted his mouth, he knew he wouldn't be invited, Oliver doesn't have any friends other than Michael, so he doesn't know why it's a surprise to the Beta that the same thing happens to him, Michael had said it the first night, they were both Norman No-mates.
“I don't understand, Michael, why are you upset about not being invited?” Oliver asked. “You've been complaining about them all term,” Michael snorts.
“Basic education” He growls, which only causes a poorly concealed laugh from Oliver “Not even that busty girl I tutor had the decency to extend an invitation to me, even though I'm the only thing saving her from having to suck the teacher” The tone in the Beta is one of real annoyance “Fucking losers” Oliver rolls his eyes.
“I'm sorry to be the one to tell you, Michael, but that busty girl is just using you.” Michael looks offended, which makes his expression funnier.
"I know he's using me, although not in the way I want." Oliver shrugs his shoulders, he doesn't talk to Michael anymore, because the doorbell rings, announcing a new customer, the Omega approaches the counter, ready to take a new order. On the other side of the bar is a young man, he is tall, quite tall, Oliver recognizes the Alpha essence, mixed with a masculine lotion that makes his stomach have a funny tingle, the Alpha is distracted with his phone, so Oliver turns away. He clears his throat to get attention, the Alpha barely glances at him, before looking back at his phone.
"An American, please, well loaded." He doesn't say anything else, Oliver marks his order and tells him his total, the Alfa pays without giving him a glance, just extending the money, Oliver notices the beginning of a smile and how his fingers , long notes, they move through the device to answer the message that arrived, Oliver returns his change and proceeds to place the order, it doesn't take long, the Alfa again barely glances at him when he hands him his coffee, there is a distracted smile and a vague thank you, Oliver stands there just a moment longer, watching as the taller Alpha disappears back into the street.
“Don't get your hopes up,” he listens to Michael, Oliver looks at him without understanding what he means.
"Sorry?"
“Your scent.” Michael points to his own nose. “It changed when you saw it, don't get your hopes up.” Oliver tenses up at the implication of his partner, cutting short the faint sweet smell that had begun to emanate from him unconsciously. “You smell like blackberries; I didn't imagine that.”
“Shut up,” Michael smirks, causing Oliver to remain frowning and his scent to sour a little.
It is night, in the Kings Arms he sees the same Alpha again, now surrounded by a group, two girls, three boys, Oliver knows one of them, he has had a couple of run-ins with him, one when he arrived at Webbe and another when they found themselves sharing tutoring with Professor Ware.
On his turn, it's his turn to serve the few occupied tables in the pub, Oliver has no problems, it's a quiet night for a weekend, he serves a few rounds of pints and the occasional shot of tequila, nothing complicated. Then that Alpha's group starts making bigger orders, they have started some kind of competition between them, he knows it by the way they shout and make a fuss.
For the new round, the tall Alfa gestures for him to come closer, orders a round of tequilas, Oliver nods and goes to get the order and places it on a tray so that it is easier to carry, the Alfa pays with a bill and He barely smiles at him telling him to keep the change, Oliver nods and barely manages to say thank you before his voice is overshadowed by those present at that table, the Omega simply walks away to attend to another table, Oliver focuses his attention on other clients, which makes him oblivious to the gaze of the tall Alfa.
Now that all the pub customers have been served, Oliver focuses on tending the bar, cleaning some jars and changing the bottles that are already empty, he is halfway through his tasks when that Alpha, the same one he saw in the cafeteria, is in front of him "A round of tequila please" he asks with a bright smile, Oliver nods and begins to prepare the order, both are wrapped in silence, until it is the Alpha who breaks it. “Excuse me, do we know each other? “I think I've seen you before,” he comments curiously.
“I've started this week,” he replies simply, hearing the Alpha hum in affirmation.
“But I'm sure I've seen you somewhere.” Oliver finishes serving the round and arranges it on a tray so it's easier to carry.
“I think… we study at the same college, so…”
"Oh really?" The Omega doesn't answer, he just shrugs his shoulders. “That's-… it's incredible, my, my name is Felix by the way.”
“Oliver” The Omega cannot say more when the group of friends protests against Felix's lateness, the screams and reproaches are heard throughout the place, which makes the Alpha take the order, thanking Oliver once again and walk away with the drinks.
Oliver hates to admit that there's something tugging in his stomach. Something he tries to ignore with his mother's words.
"Trust nobody"
“Don't trust Alfas”
Unfortunately those words are fading from his mind when it is Felix who is looking for him now, the Alpha has found him in the library during his studies, Oliver does not know how to feel about it, on the one hand, his rational mind tells him to keep the distance with Félix, he is an Alpha, one of the most sought after in Webbe, he knows it when he sees the faces of the girls, Alphas, Betas and Omegas, looking at him with poorly concealed jealousy.
He knows that they wonder what he has done to deserve Félix Catton's attention, but he has done nothing, against all odds, Oliver has tried to keep his distance, he has changed his places and times of free time to stay away from the Alpha, but Félix He always finds a way to locate him and when he can't, the Alpha looks for him in the Kings Arms on weekend nights, or in the school cafeteria during the afternoons, orders a drink and simply talks to Oliver about his day. .
The Omega no longer knows what to do to avoid the Alpha, it's not like he really wants to push him away, but he can't stop his mother's words from making an impact on him, years of seeing how she suffered at the hands of an Alpha, his father or even but no less, they made him have doubts about the almost obsessive interest that Félix seemed to have.
He also can't help but feel hurt when Felix, like every Alpha, looks for a way to satisfy the biological needs of his caste, Oliver can't help but feel a certain pang when he sees the girls hanging around the Alpha, all eager for a little attention from one of them. the most sought-after men in Oxford, he repeats that it is the best thing, that in this way Felix would leave him in peace for a couple of days.
But sadness and anguish are painful.
It's Sunday night and there are almost no customers in the pub, which makes Oliver leave earlier than usual. Oliver puts away his apron and is ready to return to his room, check if he has the assignments, he has to hand in during the week ready, take a shower and go to bed. That's his plan. A plan that unfortunately Félix has changed.
"There you are! Hey Ollie!” Oliver turns his gaze to the side, he can see how Félix and his group have just arrived, Félix's companions are already taking their seats when Félix approaches him, the Omega is about to leave, but the smile that Félix is giving him is makes him stop on the spot. “Ollie, are you going out?” Oliver nods, which only makes the taller man's smile grow. “Great, why don’t you come with us?” He wants to refuse, but the tug in his stomach is stronger and against everything he believes, Oliver gives him a slight smile and follows him to the table.
Félix introduces him to the group, Oliver gives a slight nod, he barely speaks, and not because he doesn't know what to say, but because being surrounded by people, especially Alphas, is not the most comfortable for him, he barely says a couple of things when His voice is muffled by other people, Oliver just stands there, listening to what the others say, internally praying that the meeting is over. But then the rounds begin to arrive, the shots of drinks are ordered and consumed quickly.
Oliver shifts uncomfortably in his seat when one of the shots is placed in front of him by Felix. The Alpha gives him a smile before consuming his own. Oliver doesn't know how to refuse, although he tries kindly, but the pressure of the people around him and Farleigh prodding and inciting the humiliating wave of boos, make him bow and give in, Oliver drinks for the first time in his life.
The liquid burns his throat, he coughs a little, but the shouts of joy, make him smile, he can feel Félix patting his back in an attempt to calm his discomfort and the cycle begins again, a round is ordered and consumed, Félix returns to encourage him to drink and Oliver gives in, the Omega begins to loosen up a little more, the alcohol makes it easier and the laughter comes almost naturally, that is until Farleigh tells him that it is his turn to buy a round.
Oliver's smile falters. “I- I think it's better that I go” he says, and in part he believes it pertinent, his head is starting to spin and the last thing he wants is to pass out somewhere on campus and end up drowning in his own vomit.
“Oh, no, no, no, you can't get out of your round,” Farleigh accuses, earning inquisitive and judging looks from everyone around him. Oliver swallows.
“I don't, it's just-…”
“Well, it looks like you do.” Then the pressure starts again, the boos echo in his dizzy head, Oliver doesn't know what to do, so he just gives in again. The Omega staggers to the bar and tries to negotiate a round of drinks with his partner. Oliver takes out some coins and bills, but it's not enough. Travis, the night shift bartender, refuses to help Oliver.
“I'm sorry, Oliver, but this is your first weekend working, I can't help you.” Oliver tries to plead, telling Travis to pay him first thing tomorrow morning, but his co-worker doesn't give in.
“Please, it's my round, I can't go back there and ask them for money.”
“Then maybe you shouldn't have friends, Oliver.” The Omega, to his retort, is about to give up, until it's Felix who appears next to him.
“I thought you would need help with the drinks” He says with a slight smile, then spreads a crumpled bill in front of him “Oh, and you dropped this, it was at your feet, I wanted to steal it, but it's better to do the right thing, right?” Oliver looks at him for a few seconds, the second where Félix hands him the bill again, Oliver lowers his gaze and sadly accepts, the Omega hands the payment to Travis and the bartender gives him a tense smile.
Oliver watches Félix arrange the drinks on one of the trays. “Thank you, I-I'll pay you, okay? tomorrow” Felix looks at him and smiles, that smile that makes Oliver's heart dance in his chest.
“I don't know what you're talking about, buddy” Then Felix walks away with the drinks and shouts “Thanks, Ollie!”
That night, Oliver returns to his room with his mind clouded by alcohol, but with his heart dancing to the rhythm that Félix sets.
And his mother's words slowly bury themselves deep in his mind, until Oliver forgets them completely.
Felix and he have established a little routine, Felix looks for him every morning in the cafeteria near the college, he orders a coffee and they chat about things, they know each other, Felix talks to him about his time at boarding school, Oliver talks to him about how He survived his own, Félix tells him about his family and his house, Oliver tells him about his mother and how she supports him in everything.
Oliver tries to leave out the mistreatment and abuse, but Felix has started asking questions.
He is tending bar that night when Felix asks, “Why were you avoiding me when we first met?” Oliver freezes at the question; the Omega lowers his head and continues cleaning the beer glasses that arrive at the bar. “Ollie?” Oliver squeezes one of the jars.
“I-I…” He wants to continue evading the question, but Felix has been so honest with him that it would be inconceivable for Oliver not to reciprocate in the same way, so he sighs and begins. “I have problems, Félix, serious problems, specifically trust problems, and even more so when it comes to Alphas.” Félix cannot help but look surprised by his friend's words, especially when he tells him about his father and how he mistreated his mother. Now Felix understands the discomfort that Oliver felt towards him and his circle, mostly composed of Alphas, because of the drinking and how the Omega seemed to want to leave that night in the pub.
“Wow, Ollie you're… a pretty cool Omega, you know that?” Oliver is surprised to hear Felix's words. “I'm your fucking admirer, friend” Oliver can't help but blush at the Alpha's compliments, his heart is pounding and Felix's bright smile tells him that maybe not all Alphas are like his father.
He allows himself to believe that Felix is someone he can trust.
Oliver confirms that he can trust Felix that night.
The pub is packed, even though his shift ended half an hour ago, his boss has asked him to work overtime, Oliver doesn't refuse, extra money will never hurt, but then his phone starts ringing, Oliver ignores the first two calls, when his phone rings a third time it is indicative that something is happening, the Omega sees his phone, his mother's name is on the screen, he asks Travis to cover him, that it is an emergency.
His partner grunts, but finally nods. Oliver leaves the bar and heads out of the pub and answers, “Hello, mom.” The slight smile on Oliver's lips fades as the voice on the other side listens breathlessly. "Mother?" He tries.
“O-Ollie?” He finally listens, but that doesn't reassure the Omega who has begun to worry.
“Mom, where are you, are you okay?” He hears a pitiful whimper from the other side, and Oliver can't stop his heart from beating with fear, he knows that sound, his mother is suffering. “Please, mom, tell me you're okay.”
“I'm dying, Oliver.” Oliver loses his breath at that statement, his blue eyes begin to blur, but he refuses to believe what his mother says. “My sweet, sweet Oliver, I‘m so sorry” the Omega puts a hand to his head, ruffles his hair in despair, he knows he is far away, He knows that these could be the last words he hears from his mother, yet he tries to deny it.
“You're not dying, Mom,” he tries to sound reassuring, even though he can't stop the tears from falling. “Maybe—maybe it's just the use of those narcotics, remember? “The ones dad uses on you”
“He doesn't use narcotics anymore, honey, he hasn't used them since you went to college.” That statement alone makes Oliver shiver, if his father has stopped drugging his mother, it means he's been using her as a punching bag without nothing to dull the pain.
“I'll go find you, okay? I will go out tomorrow and get you out of that house, just hold on, mother” But his mother's pitiful laughter shatters her heart.
“No, Ollie, it's too late for me.”
“No, don't say that, I'll go find you!” Oliver can't help but scream, the desperation, the helplessness of not being able to help his mother eats away at him, he feels like he wants to throw his phone on the ground. “Just…just hold on, mother, I'll be here tomorrow.”
“Ollie, son, promise me something” Her mother's voice sounds increasingly muffled, Oliver is afraid he will stop hearing her. “Move on, Oliver, move on with your life” Oliver does not respond, he knows that only whimpers will come out, he is sure that his mother hears him crying on the other side. “Don't go back to Prescot, Oliver” And the call hangs up.
Oliver doesn't know when he burst into tears, he doesn't know when he let himself fall to the ground, he doesn't know when Felix came to his side, He can feel the Alpha wrap his arms around him, leaning Oliver's face against him, hiding the Omega against his neck in an attempt to give him comfort, and Oliver just clings to Felix, using him as a lifeline.
The following days are surrounded by an anguishing cloud, Oliver has stopped crying during the day, but he continues to do so at night, his red and swollen eyes give him away, his employers have understood him and have given him a week off from each job, his teachers tell him that he can hand in his pending work in the remainder of the month, they have also given him a free pass to return home and attend his mother's funeral.
Oliver refuses all that, he tries to continue with his daily routine, he goes to work, attends his classes and submits his assignments, Félix keeps accompanying him when he can, he tries to be there for him in whatever Oliver needs, but Oliver remains silent, much more than he already did, and Felix doesn't pressure him, he's simply there, watching as Oliver tries to pick up the pieces of himself to put himself back together.
The pain decreases over time, Oliver begins to return to being himself, the mourning continues, Félix smells it in the anguished aroma that Oliver releases every time something reminds him of his mother.
The end of the semester has arrived and the celebrations begin. Felix can see Oliver walking towards him at the end of the evaluation ceremony, in his hand he holds a badge of recognition, one that he shows him with pride, Felix congratulates him and Oliver couldn't be happier to have Felix by his side.
When the dance is about to begin, Félix pulls him aside and takes him another way, Oliver can barely keep up with the big strides that the Alpha takes, they finally reach the bridge that divides the faculty.
“I wanted to share something with you,” says the Alpha. “It's a family tradition, my great-grandfather started it when he lost his son in the war.” Oliver listens attentively, then Felix tempts him with a rock with the word “mom” on it. Oliver takes her and looks at her carefully, he can't help but smile lightly and let his eyes soften a little with the unshed tears. “So far, I've only done it with my dog, but… I thought…” Félix laughs nervously. “You might think it's nonsense.”
“No, of course not,” says Oliver. “It's very thoughtful of you, Felix, thank you.” Oliver remains silent, thinking about all the moments he lived with his mother, the good moments, those where they both laugh, where his mother hugs him, where she repeats that she is proud of him.
And Oliver throws the rock.
Knowing that Oliver will remain in Oxford during the summer because he refuses to return home, Félix offers him to spend the summer at his mansion, telling him that Saltburn is big enough to have him as a guest, Oliver tries to refuse, but Félix insists.
Oliver can't say no, not when Felix has been there for him, helping him pick up the pieces his mother's death left behind, not when Felix has shown him that he can trust him.
Félix has been his first real friend and he allows himself to trust him, completely forgetting his mother's words.
And everything seems to be going well, there are pros and cons of meeting Felix's family and their friends, but Oliver tolerates it, he does it because he appreciates Felix.
Because maybe, just maybe, he has started to love it.
Then his birthday arrives and he can't help but be excited by Felix's words.
“Get dressed, birthday boy, today we're going for a walk.”