Chapter Text
The first thing Jim thought when he first met his soulmate was “Nope.”
It was his first day at his new job, a small paper company in rural Pennsylvania. He wasn't planning on staying here long, just something to hold him over for the time being. This fact was made increasingly clear as he met his new coworkers. Particularly the one who occupied the desk beside him. He had introduced himself immediately after Michael Scott, his new boss, as if to assert his importance, implying he ranked right after the head despite just being a salesman. Jim knew guys like him. Arrogant, competitive, obsequious, old fashioned, probably thinks he’s better just because he was born an alpha. So, when Jim met those light blue eyes behind ugly large framed glasses and felt that mythical zing, he thought resolutely “nope.”
Jim always had a vague appreciation for the concept of soulmates. He liked the idea of finding someone that completed you perfectly, but he was still hesitant to tie all his horses to that ideal. He thought maybe soulmates aren't everything and that being able to find someone out there that makes you happy was just as beautiful, if not more so. This opinion strengthened when he finally did find his soulmate. Suddenly, he was thankful that it was the omegas that recognized the connection first. It was something he’d never really cared about one way or the other. Scientists said it was a defense mechanism, to protect omegas from demanding alphas. It allowed them to assess whether their alpha was really a suitable match. Jim understood it but never gave it much mind. Now he saw where they were coming from. Even though he had just met Dwight, from the way he spoke of his position in the company and mentions of his farmhouse upbringing, there was no doubt that the salesman was traditional. Jim strongly suspected that if Dwight knew they were a pair he would try to force Jim’s hand, say he had a right to his soulmate or some other traditional bullshit Jim wished society would leave behind them already.
So it was almost immediately that Jim decided he didn't want to do anything about his soulmate. He would just work here for a little bit, find a better job, and never think about soulmates or this place again. Besides, it wasn't so bad. He and the receptionist, Pam, hit it off pretty quickly.
As time passed, Jim’s initial read of Dwight was proven spot on. He was overbearing and annoying, constantly acting as if he ruled the office and enforcing rules to an inane degree. If Jim’s papers even slightly hung onto his desk, Dwight would knock them off. If someone was even a few minutes late Dwight would remind them of the importance of punctuality and proper use of company time. He got on Jim's nerves to no end and everyday the omega was thankful for the way biology had turned out. Jim wondered how Dwight could possibly be his soulmate while Pam was right there. She was smart and cute and funny and never went on about beats or bears or Battlestar Galactica. Jim swears there was some mix up in the soulmate department. That he had accidentally met Dwight first when he was supposed to see Pam. It'd make sense. Who is the first person you see when you step into an office? The receptionist. Jim likes to tell himself this sometimes. Whenever he makes Pam laugh or sees her make that adorable thinking face as she works. It was all a big mix up. Pam is the person he's supposed to be with. He decidedly forgets that he had met Pam first. That they'd locked eyes just before Dwight inserted himself into the picture.
What was supposed to be a year turns into a year and a half and then two years. Jim stays at Dunder Mifflin. He doesn't know why he does it. He has no chance with Pam and has to bear painful stabs to the chest everytime she mentions her fiance or when said fiance comes up from the warehouse to visit. He also has to deal with Michael’s antics and Dwight’s…everything. Jim thinks he must be some kind of masochist. That or just weak.
Thankfully, Jim had found a way to cope with the boredom of working an office job and the burden of an annoying coworker. He starts to pull pranks on Dwight. Little things at first. Shifting his desk, hiding his mug, leaving him messages on his answering machine one word at a time so he had to listen to 20 messages just to find out his business cards were delivered and in the back room. Jim sees it as retribution for all Dwight puts him and everyone in the office through. He enjoys Dwight's angry and exasperated face as he notices the most recent prank. He smiles when he hears the pitch to Dwight’s voice as he tries to report to Michael, as if they were kids telling the teacher on each other. Jim tells himself he doesn't care if Dwight's dark eyes are on him. That he doesn't crave being the center of his attention. He tells himself this is purely because Dwight annoys him and nothing else.
So much about Jim's first impression had been right. Dwight is arrogant. He is a kiss ass. He does have pride in being an alpha. He is traditional. But not always. Or at least not in ways that completely conflict with Jim’s own views. Dwight certainly thinks being a pureblood alpha, born from two alpha parents, gives him a sense of superiority, but he also puts a lot of weight on effort and ability. Rank isn't just gifted from birth but requires hard work to earn it. Jim realized this when they were on a sales call and had to meet with the head of some book publisher. They had apparently just switched hands, the son taking over for his father who had stepped down. Immediately, it was clear this alpha couldn't be bothered to care about the company much less what paper they used. He sat back in his big office chair, picking lazily at his nails as Jim and Dwight recited their pre-prepared speech. Jim wasn't sure if a single talking point had gotten through to him. As they made their way out, Dwight was visibly upset. Once they were in the car, he laid into the guy, ranting about him not taking things seriously and wasting their time. He went on about how just because he was an alpha and his dad was the former head didn't mean he was entitled to the position. That he was going to run that company into the ground in no time.
Jim sat stunned as Dwight went off. He was usually ridiculously respectful of their clients, even behind their backs. Speaking like this was surprising in itself but hearing him say things like being an alpha did not entitle you to authority or a position was almost too much. It threw Jim off more than he wanted to admit. He told himself Dwight was just upset they didn't get this client despite all the time he spent researching their company and practicing for this sale. He convinced himself that Dwight was just trying to hit him where it would hurt, even if he didn’t believe it. It works for a bit but after that the omega began noticing more and more things that went against his narrative of Dwight. The way Dwight never made any remarks about Jim being “un-omegan” (something he had heard quite a few times in the past). How he seemingly respected David Wallace, an omega, just as much as Michael. How no matter how far Jim pushes him or how angry he makes Dwight the alpha never crosses that boundary.
The divisive switch came one random afternoon. Creed had said something sexist. Something about how omegas, especially women, were not strong enough to handle the stress of something or other. Jim wasn't going to say anything. Creed was prone to saying outrageous things that he probably didn't even agree with. Plus there were already disagreeing sounds coming from others in the office. But the one that caught Jim's attention originated right next to him.
“That is completely false. One of the strongest people I’ve ever met was a female omega.” Dwight said curtly. He said it like he says everything, as if it was an undeniable fact without room for argument. Jim’s head immediately shot up, looking over to his coworker. Dwight wasn't even paying attention, looking down at his files as if he hadn't just said something completely out of character.
“Oh yeah, who Dwight?” Pam asked. Jim silently thanked her. He was suddenly desperate to know, to see if there was some twist to this seemingly progressive statement. The alpha flipped a page idly.
“My grandmother. She raised me and my cousins while my parents worked the farm. While my mother was an extremely capable individual, even as an alpha, she struggled dealing with all of us.” It makes Jim’s stomach twist but not in the way he was expecting. It was still tinged with traditionalism, that omegas were the caregivers, but that wasn't something Jim was completely against. He'd admit that omegas were instinctively more skilled in child care; they just shouldn't be forced into the role or left on their own in it. Dwight didn't seem to be advocating for either. He seemed to be saying something many old fashioned alphas would dismiss, how difficult typically omega duties were. He wasn't writing them off as easy or simple work but recognizing the strength required for them.
Suddenly, Jim felt sick. Without thinking of how it would look, Jim stood up, mumbled softly about getting some air, and rushed outside.
The cool October air sent a rush though Jim as he pushed open the office doors. He felt more aware, present. The rushing thoughts through his head were suddenly more clear. They made him pace, back and forth in the company parking lot. He prayed no one was in the conference room looking out the window right now. They'd think he was having a breakdown. But wasn't he? Everything he thought he knew, decided he knew, was falling apart. New doors and windows were opening in their place. It was too much to handle right now. He didn't think-
“Jim?” The soft call of his name had the omega pausing his stride, looking up to the doors he'd just burst through. Pam was there, still in the doorway. Her thin eyebrows were knitted lightly, obviously concerned. The stricken look on Jim's face probably didn't help. Pam took a few careful steps closer.
“Are you alright?” She asked gently. Caring. Pam was always so caring. Always there when you needed her. She was kind and loyal and talented and perfect for him.
Jim rushed closer, suddenly determined. He stopped a few inches from the receptionist. She seemed surprised but didn't back away.
“Yeah yeah just…please, can I try something?”
“Jim what are you-” Pam couldn't finish her sentence because Jim was cupping her face and bending down to connect their lips. It was soft, sweet, exactly what he had been fantasizing about since he'd first gotten to know her. But it wasn't right. He didn't feel that zing down his spine or sense of fullness. He felt a tightness in his chest, a needling voice in the back of his head that screamed this was wrong. It was only a few seconds, barely a proper kiss. Jim pulled away because there was no denying it anymore. His defeated, already wet eyes didn't leave Pam’s own surprised but careful ones as he took a few steps back. A short, choked laugh escaped Jim’s throat. He shook his head lightly, head hung, hair falling in front of his face. A few moments passed where neither moved. Jim’s shaky breathing rang in their ears. Then Jim took in a deep breath and wiped at his damp eyes with the back of his hand.
“Fuck.”