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Sonic has always found himself as an exception, especially when it comes to his secondary gender. Alphas are stereotyped as someone who has a large build and a commanding aura, someone who you would be scared of even meeting eyes with. While for him who has a pretty face and a beautiful body, the times he got mistaken for being an omega are countless.
Alphas would try to hit on him, and the omegas will usually treat him with hostility as he is seen as competition. He just kind of accepted that there was no hope for him to find a mate because there was zero chance for him to be known for who he really is.
Until he met the person who made him think twice about giving up.
“Everyone, I would like you to meet North. He’s our new junior racer who’s also going to help Sonic with promoting our crew online.”
The new boy’s smile was blinding, brighter than the sun if you ask Sonic. He filled out a missing part of the team which they only just realized the existence of.
Before North came, the team were all focused on how to win, and how to keep on winning. And now, they had found the one who would be more interested in something else.
“I think I should get to know every member of the team for me to be able to determine how to advertise them to the people outside. I don’t want to end up saying something that would misrepresent them. I know you know how digital footprint is scary these days, one wrong word, one wrong move and it might be associated to you for the rest of your life.” North said during one of their first meetings while planning for the team’s rebranding.
Alan wanted them to recruit more racers to allow their existing racers to rest for some time and carefully choose what races to join. This will also attract more potential investors if they end up recruiting good racers like Babe and Way.
“Okay, I’ll ask P’Alan to gather all the crew members’ schedules so you can interview them as long as you need. What you have to do is to prepare the set of questions then send them to me so I can give you suggestions. Please, as much as possible, do not ask personal questions.”
North kept on writing in his notebook and it annoyed Sonic that he wasn’t listening to him.
“Hey, you. Did you hear what I said?”
“How do you expect me to get to know someone without sparing me a chance to gossip?”
“Are you crazy? Did someone send you to spy on the team?”
“Calm down, Sonic. No one sent me, but you know what’s crazy? Rumors. If I don’t check the truth with them, how am I supposed to answer the media’s questions? How do you want me to do damage control if I have to help one of our crew?”
Sonic paused to think, then realized how North was right about making a plan ahead by considering all possible options of what might happen.
“Okay, do whatever you think is okay.”
—
A few weeks later, Sonic arrives at the noisy garage, where he finds North at the center of the group. They were laughing at something which for some reason made Sonic feel something unfamiliar.
As he walks towards the other members, North turns his head and finds him. North stands up to ask him to join them, but Sonic shakes his head no, making the excitement die down.
“What are you guys laughing about?”
“North just showed us one of his university projects, he did a vlog on how to do a backflip. He edited it in a funny way, but you can still see that he worked hard to achieve it. He succeeded once, then never did it again to save his back from getting injured.” Dean explained.
“And how is this going to benefit the team?”
“North suggested for us to let him vlog during the race, to make online content that will help people get to know us behind the scenes.” Alan answers this time.
“Are you sure this is not going to interfere with the game plan? Or distract Babe and Way when they are going to race?”
It’s Way’s turn to reply, “We won’t be posting the whole video, North already knows how to edit, and besides, we love to hear North talking. It’s a breath of fresh air for us who’s stressed before and during the race. And don’t worry about the distraction, you know Babe already has a trick to keep him focused.”
Sonic felt agitated at how the members keep answering his questions instead of North who doesn’t let a chance to speak pass by.
“Sonic, calm down. Is there any problem? Your pheromones are everywhere and you know how I hate the smell of alpha pheromones.”
“Sorry, please excuse me.”
Sonic goes out of the garage, and every member looks at North, waiting for him to move.
“Go on, I know you want to ask Sonic. We’ll set another meeting once I finish fixing the schedule of the team’s races for this season.”
Upon receiving Alan’s permission, North follows Sonic outside. He finds him sitting inside the storage room for spare parts. North went in, but he still did not open his mouth to talk.
“Are you just going to stare at me? Because if that’s what you intend to do, leave me alone.”
North bites his lip, and only then did Sonic see the fear in his eyes. “I don’t know if I am allowed to.. I wanted to wait for you to talk to me first.”
“This is not you. You would always annoy me with your stories that don’t seem to run out. Then all of a sudden, it’s like you lost your own tongue or something.”
“I could say the same thing, this is not you, Sonic. Or maybe I have made a mistake of thinking you considered me as a friend.”
Sonic felt a pang of guilt, but he didn’t know exactly what to do in this situation, because again, there goes the unfamiliar feeling.
“I thought we were friends, but every day that I get closer to the team, I felt like you were building a wall against me. You would make up excuses to avoid me, then today, you didn’t even want me to be near you. You confuse me, Sonic.”
Sonic badly wanted to tell North that he’s also confused, but he just decided to apologize for his behavior, “Sorry, maybe it’s because I am stressed about the coming season. I might have let it out on you. I’ll try to be better.”
North smiles, “Okay, I’ll hold you to your word.”
—
True enough, they become inseparable. Sonic had gotten used to North’s presence so much that he can’t help but look for him in the crowd as soon as he arrives.
He would act all annoyed when North talks to him non-stop, but he kept his promise in mind.
North slowly let go of his fear and started to change the way he treats Sonic. He would make him breakfast, he would always send him messages, whether it is asking or giving updates about each other’s lives. He would put his arm around Sonic’s shoulder, pulling him closer each time. He would call Sonic’s name whenever he clicks the record button on his phone.
Sonic felt comfort that the level of friendship was growing each day. He found out North sets his alarm every five minutes so he won’t be late. When there’s news about the other members, North has to be the first to know.
That’s why when Babe and Way’s relationship got into a rough patch, he took the time to go hang out with North and make sure he was warned about how he should act around those two.
“If they are more than friends, then they should date. Just like us, if we were even closer, we’d be a couple, right?”
Sonic raised his eyebrows, “Quit being nosy about them, and besides we’re way too different from them in terms of their friendship. They went through a lot of hardships together, way more complicated than ours.”
“No need to compare what we have to what they have, I already know that.”
This is the first time after the garage situation that Sonic saw the same expression in North’s eyes.
He wanted to apologize, but he didn’t know for what reason. “Gossip time is over. Let’s head home.”
Sonic tried to ignore North’s joke, but it ended up haunting him even in his sleep. Why did North react that way when they both know they were just fooling around, they’re friends after all.
—
“Sonic, you might end up drowning in your thoughts, you should share that.”
“Oh, it’s nothing, Uncle.”
“Don’t try to lie to me. I can smell you all the way from my office.”
He just forgot to use scent blockers, one of the most important rules set inside the X-Hunter team because they’re mostly alphas and it would cloud their rationality if they end up fighting, and also because of Babe’s request.
“I don’t know…”
“Is it North?”
“How did you—”
“I see how you two look at each other, you know. Sonic, you are someone who doesn’t care about what people think that much before. You speak your mind without hesitation… but now, I don’t even know what you’re thinking about. Don’t wait for the burden to be heavier than what you can carry, sometimes, you have to let it out. Try to find the answer to your question before it’s too late.”
Alan is relieved when he senses that Sonic’s scent changed because he has calmed down. “Go take a day off, you don’t want to end up being asked by Babe to leave because of your alpha scent.”
Sonic nods and prepares to leave when he finds North entering the garage, “Sonic!”
North runs to give him a hug but stops when he is close enough to wrap his arms around Sonic. The alpha notices, so he releases calming pheromones before giving North a pat on the head. “See you tomorrow, North.”
—
Can you come out for a bit? I’m outside your condo. A message from North.
Sonic goes to his closet, looking for something to wear. Then it hit him: Alan was right about him changing because of North. He tried to act normal around him like how he is with the other members, but Sonic kept on getting conscious about how he should talk, how he should move, how to react to whatever North is doing or saying.
He was overthinking about what his answer should be when it was supposed to be simple as 1-2-3.
He likes North, more than a friend.
He checks his look one last time, brushing his messy bangs after tying his hair up before he went out to meet North.
“Here, Sonic!” North waves his hand through his car’s open window. Sonic gets in and is handed a lunch box where he finds sausage shaped as a little octopus on a stick.
“Why are you here?”
“I thought you were sick because Uncle told me you had to take the day off.”
“And?”
“I’m your friend! Of course, I will go visit you when you’re sick!” North has his hand on the back of his head, making it obvious that it was just a silly excuse.
“Thank you for visiting me, friend. Go home now that you have seen I am alive and well.”
“You’re right, I should go. Don’t forget to return the container washed and clean. Finish what I made you, I even learned how to do it from a Youtube video.”
“Okay, okay. I get it.”
Sonic went out of North’s car, and walked to the other side where North was.
“Did you forget something?”
There was something that pushed Sonic to put his face close to North, catching the other off guard and making him blush.
“Nope, just wanted to give you a taste of your own medicine. Now you know how I feel when you tease me.” Sonic says as he moves away.
“You’re worse than me, you know! I am annoyed now, I’m leaving.”
“Drive safely, North. Text me when you’re home.”
“Hmm.”
—
The last few weeks has been the craziest ones that the team has ever experienced, Dean got sent to prison after finding out he’s the one behind Babe’s accident, the discovery of Way’s motive against Babe, Pete cooperating with them to expose Tony’s secret and now Kim has gone missing after trying to help Babe.
“I need you two to be on the lookout, Pete has sent us one of the places where Winner was seen visiting often. He told me that he has a reliable informant that Kim might be there.” Alan tells North and Sonic.
Sonic was doubting the choice at first, aware of how North always runs his mouth, but he comes to a realization that he is one of the people who would notice anything strange or get information as it is his job to observe whatever goes on within the crew.
“Okay, Uncle. Send us the location and we’ll go there to check. North, you drive for us.”
Sonic chooses a car that won’t catch others’ attention, one of Alan’s old cars that was in their garage.
They arrive at their destination: a building in the middle of nowhere. After finding a safe place to park, North grabs something from the backseat: two packs of ready- to-eat meals.
“If we only had a microwave here, I would have let you eat it warm.”
“It’s okay, I appreciate you thinking about bringing food for us.”
“An army runs on its stomach, you know. And besides, you are my friend. I won’t let you die starving because you are important to me.”
“See, this is why I love you.” Sonic squeezes one of North’s cheeks, making him blush.
“I know you love me because I’m your bestfriend.” North removes Sonic’s hand on his face.
“And who said I love you as a friend?”
North’s eyes widen upon hearing what Sonic just said and he feels his heart beating quick. He collects himself and replies, “If I am not your friend, what am I to you?”
It’s Sonic’s turn to be caught off guard, unable to speak. They were in a cramped space in the car, their faces in close proximity. And something hit him, a scent he’s picked up for the first time.
“North…”
“Hmm?”
“Nothing.”
Sonic moves away, opens his meal kit and starts to eat. After they had their early dinner, they get themselves set to undercover mode again.
They find men wearing suits get out of a van, and there they confirmed their suspicions: Winner welcomed the men and they followed him inside.
Sonic looked at North, telling him to get ready.
They walked towards the entrance quietly, North was in front checking if there will be someone blocking their way and Sonic behind him making sure they don’t get attacked from behind.
They hear a voice, it was faint, but the person is begging for someone to help.
North tries to look at it through the door crack, “Sonic, it’s Kim. He’s tied to a chair and he’s badly hurt, we have to save him.”
“Let me set the camera up first as we have planned to make sure we have a record of everything and anything that might happen while we’re here.”
Sonic finds a place to hide the camera and opens his laptop to set it up for recording. North, on the other hand, is trying to break the lock on Kim’s room.
“North, can’t you wait? I am almost done.” Sonic was pushing the hand on his shoulder away, until he realized it wasn’t just a hand, there was a gun pointed to his head.
“Well, well, look who we have here, the nosy duo of X-Hunter. Did you come to play heroes or are you the ones they wouldn’t care about if you end up dying?”
Winner pushes North towards Sonic, causing them to fall on the ground together. “Between the two of you, who wants to die first?”
The man pointed his gun left and right, trying to scare off the two.
“North!”
Sonic screamed in surprise when North tackled Winner, causing Winner to lose balance and let go of the gun. Sonic was quick to kick the gun far from Winner’s reach, but he was unable to stop the fist fight.
North and Winner were punching each other in all places, with no intention of backing down. Sonic wanted to help, but North didn’t want him to. He observed Winner’s movements, and when he found the right timing, he beat his head with wood making him pass out.
Sonic helped North to stand up and lean on Kim’s door as he opened it. “Stay here while I go and take Kim outside, try not to fall asleep in case you hit your head or something.”
“Hmm.”
Sonic untied Kim and carried the injured man on his back.
“Hey, North, can you walk by yourself? I can’t carry you both.”
“No, let me carry Kim.”
“But you’re hurt, North.”
“I can handle it.”
Sonic helps with putting Kim on North’s back, and once they’re all settled, he leads the way outside the building.
Sonic drove the car as fast as he could so they could have Kim checked at the hospital and get professional help. The hospital staff let them stay inside the emergency room while they waited for the doctor.
—
“Can I close my eyes for a moment? I am really tired.”
Sonic used his hand to squeeze North’s, and used the other one to caress his face because he is really worried.
“You haven’t been checked, North.”
North smiled weakly, eyes getting heavier as he spoke, “I know myself, and I am not worse than Kim’s condition, a nap won’t kill me.”
“Fine, but give me the consent that the doctor can check you even when you’re sleeping.”
“Hmm.”
Sonic asked a nurse if there’s an available bed so North can lie down and sleep comfortably. He places North’s arm on his shoulder so he can help him walk to the bed, he tucks him in and soon enough, he hears North’s breathing going steady.
“Who’s the guardian of Mr. Kim?”
Sonic stands up to talk to the doctor, “How is he?”
“He didn’t need any surgery but we had to clean the wounds all over his body. We also gave him IV because he is dehydrated. All he needs is to rest as much as his body needs to recover. We’ll get him checked by the nurses regularly and let you know once we have an update.
“Thank you so much. Uhm, can you also check on my friend? I am afraid that he might be hurt somewhere I can’t see.”
The doctor follows Sonic to where North was sleeping soundly. The nurse checked his vitals, and they were all stable. The doctor lifted up North’s shirt and found bruises on them.
“Your friend is alright, he also just has to rest his body because the blows might have been too much on him. As for the wounds on his face, I have informed the nurses to clean them and put medicine on them. You have to make sure they get cleaned regularly and inform us as soon as you find something that needs our attention.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
The doctor and nurse leave, and Sonic sits beside the bed, holding North’s hand with both of his hands. Honestly, he was scared of the possibility of not getting out of the building alive, but fear got the best of him when North shielded him with his body.
Sonic is an alpha, he should have been the one to protect North. He should keep the person he loves safe from danger. What if Winner shoots them for real, what if he shoots North first and he has to watch him die in his arms?
He breaks down into tears, drowning in the thoughts of what could have happened and how he would badly regret not letting North know how he feels.
“Are you crying?”
Sonic hurriedly wipes his tears away upon hearing North’s voice. “I’m sorry, did I wake you up?”
“Can we go home? I need to get something.”
“But you have slept for a short time.”
“Please, Sonic. I really need to get it.”
“Oh, okay. Let me book a cab for us.”
“No. You have to drive me home.”
—
It’s Sonic’s first time in North’s apartment, and there was something about this situation that made him nervous.
“Make yourself at home, I need to go run to the bathroom.” North slams the door loudly behind him so that it surprises Sonic.
“Hey, North. Are you okay there?”
“Yes, I’ll be out in a minute.”
“You sure?”
“Hmm.”
After a few minutes, North goes out of the bathroom, looking worse than when they left the hospital.
“You know what, let’s go back to the hospital.” Sonic holds North’s arm to pull him, but North pulls back.
“No need, I’m okay.”
“No, you’re not!”
“Can you please just stop, Sonic?!”
Sonic froze when he heard North’s loud voice.
“Get out if you don’t want to listen to what I want to do.” North removes Sonic’s hold forcefully.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I was just worried about you.”
“You go sit on the sofa, make sure you’re on the end.”
“Hmm.”
Sonic sat on one end and North on the other.
“It’s really nothing serious, Sonic. It’s just that your scent made me distressed.”
“My scent?” Only then did he realize that the scent blockers might have worn off.
“You were scaring me back in the emergency room, I badly wanted to throw up because your pheromones were intense.”
“I want to apologize for my behavior, North. I was getting lost in bad thoughts while you were sleeping, it might have caused the scent blocker to wear off faster than usual.”
“I don’t want you to say sorry, Sonic.”
“What do you mean?”
“I…Uhm..”
“Hmm?”
Sonic starts to move towards North, as if he was being pulled by an invisible string.
“I liked how you thought of me, how it made you mad that I was hurt.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know you know what I meant, Sonic.”
Sonic’s nose is filled with the scent of mint, and he feels his chest hurt a bit. He had made an omega protect him, when it should have been the other way. Tears build up in his eyes, threatening to fall.
“North..”
“Hmm?”
“I want you to listen to what I say, want you to speak after I finish because I don’t know when or how I will be able to have the courage to say it again.”
“Okay.”
“The day that you became part of the team, it annoyed me how you could get close to the same people that fast when it took me time to do it. It annoys me when I hear you laugh with them without me, hear you share stories that I don’t know even if we’re together most of the time. I kept this feeling to myself because I didn’t understand why I had them in the first place. That is until we had that talk in the garage, that it wasn’t only me that was confused of what’s going on.
You know why I took the day off when you visited me? It’s because I can’t control myself and Alan didn’t want me doing anything in that state. It drove me crazy that I couldn’t put a word to it. I am used to people approaching and hating me for all the wrong reasons because I don’t belong to their so-called standards. But with you, I want to explain everything, to let you know who I really am and I wanted your acceptance so bad.
I waited for the right timing to tell you this, but then after today, fuck whatever right timing is. I want you to know that I love you, North.
And it hurts me so bad that I couldn’t do a lot of things because it took me time to realize this. I blame myself that I let you do whatever it is that I was the one supposed to be doing it. I—”
Sonic did not get to finish what he was saying because North’s lips were on his. He feels himself relaxing, blinking the tears in his eyes.
“ You don’t have to worry about me doing things that an alpha should be doing, because like what you said, you don’t belong to any of their standards. You are special, Sonic. And for that, I love you.”
Upon hearing those words, Sonic pulled North and kissed him as if his life depended on it. They were so lost in their feelings, all they wanted was to be close to each other. North’s sitting on Sonic’s lap, his hands on Sonic’s nape, and Sonic’s hands were rubbing North’s back and holding North’s waist steady because the way the omega was grinding on him was dangerous. He might lose control and hurt North more than he already is.
“You don’t want me, Sonic?” North asks, worry laced in his voice.
“It’s not that I don’t want you, North. It’s just that I want us to take this slow, we just confessed our feelings.. and your body is not in a good state now, you have to rest.”
Sonic smiles at how North is pouting, it was so cute that it made it harder for him to resist. He cups North’s face and showers him with kisses all over his face, making North break into giggles.
“You’re tickling me, Sonic!”
North almost fell back, but Sonic was quick to catch him in time and switched them into a more comfortable position.
They are now lying on the sofa in each other’s embrace, North’s head on Sonic’s chest, listening to Sonic’s breathing and heartbeat. Sonic, on the other hand, is playing with North’s hair, relaxing in silence.
“We should go to sleep so we can visit Kim with the others.” Sonic tells North.
“Hmm.”
Sonic holds North’s chin so that their eyes meet, and damn, it was the most beautiful sight he has ever seen in his life.
“What is it, Sonic? I can smell you, you know.”
Sonic laughs, and gives North a quick peck on the lips. “Nothing, I just want to tell you goodnight and that I love you, so fucking much.”
“I know, and I love you too, Sonic.”
They share a long kiss, feelings taking over them, igniting something that they agreed not to entertain moments ago.
Well, who cares about standards anyway?