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If you had told Luna a year ago that the crazy smart and brilliant Dr. Xeno would be asking her for advice, she would have died laughing.
Luna may think of herself as a cool and capable young woman, but cmon! The doctor was in a completely different league. The two of them were the only omegas amongst those who managed to break out of the stone, and yet they were nothing alike.
Dr. Xeno is, well, super cool! In the face of despair, with all of civilization as they knew it having crumbled completely away to dust, Xeno didn't falter. He didn't allow himself to mourn or feel bad for himself. No, no, no, instead, he moved forward with a smile! He embraced the challenges thrown their way and led their group to prosperity! While some questioned whether or not an omega should be in charge, they quickly shut their mouths when Captain Synder gave them a single glare. Those brutes fell in line quickly and, under Xeno’s leadership and scientific expertise, they said goodbye to kicking it in the wild to living in an actual castle!
Dr. Xeno was amazing, and Luna…She was there
She was a medical school dropout who only got in because of her father’s money and connections. She offered no real value to the group. She wasn't a professional soldier like Captain Snyder. She wasn't an expert mechanic like Dr. Brody. She was nothing special.
Yet here she was, the belle of the ball.
To celebrate the completion of the haber-bosch plant, Maya convinced the doctor to give the men a day off and even throw a small party. Despite the Doctor’s hesitation, he agreed and really did go all out. Small tables were scattered across the room, with red tablecloths draped over them, giving them a rather elegant look. Punchbowls with various flavors were put out as well as an array of delicious finger foods. Luna couldn't believe Dr. Xeno actually managed to make mini cheeseburgers.
They even had music, as some of the soldiers admitted that they played in their high school’s band, and Xeno was quick to craft them their desired instruments. Luna waltzed across the floor with Max and Carlos, who praised her, acting as her own personal cheer team. Having done ballet as a little girl, Luna moved with grace and beauty. So it was really no shock that she got the attention of most alphas in the room. Who were quick to offer to get her some more punch or refill her plate with more finger foods when they noticed she had run out.
They followed her around like shadows, waiting on her every little need. Most omegas would be flattered at the attention, but she was quickly getting annoyed. She was looking forward to a fun night, and the overbearing alphas were really preventing that. Luna faked a sneeze and pretended to shiver from the nonexistent chill of the castle.
“Jeepers! I’m getting a chill!”
And just like that, all of them were quick to offer to fetch her a jacket or blanket. Fluttering her eyes, Luna gave them her big doe-eyed look.
“Oh, would you? I would be so ever grateful!”
It was almost comical how quickly they scattered, tumbling over each other to be the first one to get her something to keep her warm. Luna made her escape to the corner of the room, taking a deep sigh.
“Are you enjoying yourself?”
Luna nearly jumped out of her skin with the sudden voice beside her. Quickly turning, she was face to face with Dr. Xeno, who didn't seem to notice or care that he almost gave her a heart attack.
“Dr. Xeno! Uh- oh of course! Yeah! Totally having fun! Mhm! A blast!”
God, Luna wanted to jump into traffic. Their scientist leader rarely ever spoke to her, and now that he is, she sounds like a total idiot! But Dr. Xeno just smiled and looked toward the dancefloor.
“I had no idea you did ballet.”
The doctor had been watching her? Luna felt her cheeks heat up, and she awkwardly looked down at her cup of punch.
“Y-Yeah, when I was around 5, I saw Barbie and the Nutcracker, so I begged my dad to sign me up. I only did it for 2 years before dropping it… “
“For only 2 years? I wouldn't know by just looking. You moved with such grace and dignity. It was, dare I say, elegant.”
“Oh, Doctor, you are way too kind!”
If Luna wasn't blushing before, she sure was now! She was certain Dr. Xeno didn't even know her name, now he was calling her elegant?! Luna felt like a million bucks, that a cool and capable omega like Xeno was impressed by her.
Before she could dwell on it too much, Xeno looked down at his own punch and spoke so quietly that Luna almost missed it.
“You sure know how to capture an audience…”
Luna let herself chuckle aloud and twirled her cup around
“Well, you know how alphas can be. They are as simple as always, even in a stone world.”
Luna raised her cup to sip the fruity punch, it was still very refreshing.
“I have worked with alphas before, yes, but never had any eat out of the palm of my hand like you so effortlessly had done moments ago.”
Luna halted mid-sip and slowly lowered her cup. Did she hear that right? The scientist didn't seem to notice Luna’s stare as he continued to speak.
“To be completely honest with you, I can't help but feel jealous.”
“Ha?!”
Luna nearly dropped her punch as she stood with her mouth agape. Xeno? Jealous?? Of her???
“You are jealous of me?”
“A little yes”
Was Luna dreaming, or has the world gone crazy?!
“B-But- B-But- You’re amazing! You became a NASA Scientist at 20 years old! You sent rockets to space! You built this whole factory under 2 years! You're so cool! Not to mention super cute!”
Thankfully, the music was pretty loud, so everyone else was none the wiser to Luna’s current semi-meltdown. Luna felt her face become hot and flushed as Xeno just silently blinked at her. Seemingly taken aback by her sudden outburst. Before Luna could say anymore, he turned away to look back at the dance floor.
“Well, you are certainly right about those things, Luna, but for some reason, even back at my high school days, whenever I spoke to alphas, they always acted like I was going to conduct some inhumane experiment on them.”
Luna didn't mean to, but she couldn't help the fit of giggles that escaped her, which earned her a glare from the doctor. But can you honestly blame her? She always believed Xeno had no interest in romance. After all, he devoted all his time to science. He seemed to be the type to find romance unnecessary. But now to know he just didn't know how to get an alpha’s attention? It's too cute!
“Im sorry, Dr. Xeno- I didn't mean to laugh, it's just…well, you probably would conduct some horrible experiment on them.”
Xeno pouted. He. Actually. Pouted. This is way too cute! He huffed and looked down at his drink.
“I grew out of that habit by 3rd grade, after being threatened with expulsion…”
Xeno put his cup down at a nearby table and crossed his arms, staring ahead.
“It’s silly, I know, but… People are so quick to assume I have no interest in romance, and I suppose at some point that was true, but…”
For once, Luna felt like she was actually seeing Xeno. Not Xeno, their crazy smart scientific leader who is always so cool and confident. Just Xeno, an awkward and a bit shy omega who wants to be seen as desirable. Luna can get that, hell, she wants that. Luna quickly put her own cup down beside Xeno's.
“Alphas are extremely simple-minded! It takes little to no effort to get them to be all over you!”
Xeno raised a brow at her, clearly not totally buying what she was selling, but Luna was a capable gal! A determined one to!
“Listen, Xeno, the reason no alpha has ever tried to approach you before is most likely because they are intimidated by you. I mean, you have this whole ‘im leagues above you scum’ vibe going on”
“Oh”
“But! If you want them to approach you, all you need to do is flutter your eyes at them, smile a lot, and laugh at all their jokes, even when they're not funny.”
Xeno’s pitch black eyes squinted at Luna’s brown ones, as if deeply thinking about what she had just said. Looking ahead, he finally spoke.
“Well, that sounds extremely shallow and idiotic…..”
Xeno’s eyes gleamed as he smiled at Luna with a childlike curiosity
“Let's try it out!”
“Yeah! Think of it like an experiment!”
Luna leaned on her body on the wall behind them, arms crossed all cool like, and with her best male voice impression, she spoke.
“Hey there, sweet cheeks~ How you liking this party?”
Yes! Luna nailed it! All Xeno had to do was-
“AHAHAHA!”
…Not that
Xeno’s laugh sounded very chihuahua-like, as well as very forced. Not to mention, it was way too loud, causing nearby soldiers to turn and give them a questioning look.
“How was that?”
Xeno smiled, very proud of his performance, almost as if he deserved an Oscar.
Luna cleared her voice to ease the awkward tension she could feel growing
“Well…it was a start! Okay, how about a pickup line? Come on, tell me your best pickup line!”
Xeno tapped his chin with his claws, Luna wondered if he ever took those off. After a while of pondering, Xeno smiled gleefully.
“That's a sharp outfit, Luna. Careful. You could puncture the hull of a beautifully crafted U.S Navy battleship, leaving thousands to drown at sea…because it's so sharp!”
“What kind of pickup line was that?!”
Seriously?? Was the silver-haired omega really that dense, or was he just pranking her? The look of confusion and slight hurt proved to Luna that Xeno was being genuine with his pickup line.
“Stanley taught me that one…I thought it was good….”
“...we have our work cut out for us…”
Before Luna knew it, she was teaching Xeno all her tricks! After all, Xeno was by no means unattractive! He had a certain charm to him, he just needed to learn how to properly utilize what he was born with! For instance, his eyes! Many would be quick to call them lifeless or creepy, but they were also big and round, giving Xeno a sort of soft puppy look.
“You don't have siren eyes like Charlotte, no, they are more doe-like. But many alphas like that! Here, try fluttering your lashes...yeah, that's it!”
The next step was learning how to change your tone of voice when talking to alphas. Xeno always spoke with a very matter-of-fact tone of voice that can come off as snooty. Luna showed him how to sound sweeter so that he would just melt any alpha who hears. It took a while, since Xeno found it embarrassing to pitch his rather deep voice a higher tone, but he got the hang of it.
When Luna felt he was ready, she sent him off to the sea of alphas who were still tearing it up on the dance floor.
“Miss Luna! We found you a coat!”
“Hmph! About time!”
Luna took the coat from Max’s hands and went to refill her punch. As much as she wanted to watch and observe how Xeno put her teachings into practice, she didn't want to make him nervous with her staring. From her experience, no one works well when they have someone hovering over their shoulder.
.
.
.
Luna was BEAMING with pride. As soon as she finished sharing a dance with her bodyguards, she caught Xeno chatting it up with a soldier Luna recognized to be named “Jason.”
Like a cool, capable woman, she scooted closer to try and hear what was being said, and she couldn't be prouder.
“-And then I said, “Man, guess I overswept!"
Xeno laughed softly into his fist as he pats Jason’s chest softly with his other hand
“Oh, what an elegant story! My..”
Xeno patted more around Jason’s chest, specifically the alpha's pecks
“I didn't realize how strong you are…”
The alpha’s face turned to a bright shade of red, he laughed nervously, and rubbed the back of his head.
“Ah, well, you do keep us workin', doc…”
“Your muscles are so big, I could feel them through your suit…”
Luna walked away with the proudest smile on her lips! Xeno took all her words to heart and look at him now! A natural! He had that alpha wrapped around his finger, and who knows? Jason might get lucky if Xeno were feeling bold-
“Oof!”
Luna’s thoughts were interrupted as she crashed against a hard chest. Thankfully, she didn't topple over, but she did drop her punch.
“Hey, watch it-
“Luna”
Any good feeling Luna was having quickly disappeared as she instantly recognized THAT voice. A voice that made her feel like a helpless deer, stuck in a bear trap, as a grey wolf slowly inches its way closer. A voice that made her blood run cold like ice throughout her entire body.
Slowly looking up, Luna felt like a fly trapped in a spider’s web as her brown eyes made contact with his hazel ones.
Eyes that held no warmth for her, only disdain.
That’s just Luna’s luck, she clashed quite literally into the only alpha not taken in by her charms
Stanely Synder
“S-Stanley! Im sorry I didn't-”
“Shut it.”
Luna nearly bit off her tongue with how fast she shut her mouth. The blonde alpha looked at Luna like she had cursed his entire bloodline, before his eyes shifted behind her. His lips curling in disgust as he sees Jason getting way too close to the doctor.
“Tell me, Luna…enlighten me… Why is the doctor dancing with a subordinate…”
Confused, Luna looked behind her and saw Xeno and Jason sharing a dance. The silver-haired man had his arms wrapped around the other's shoulder. While Jason’s hands were shyly holding the smaller man’s hips.
“Well… maybe he likes him?”
Stanley scoffed and looked back down at Luna
“Why would the doctor like a brainless idiot like Jason?”
Luna tilted her head in confusion. Why would that make Stanley mad? Here she was thinking he was going to rip her head off for spilling punch on his shoes, but instead, he was mad that Xeno was…having a good time?
That didn't make sense.
Think Luna, think!
You are a cool and capable woman!
Why would Xeno flirting with Jason make Stanley mad…
It shouldn't, why would it? Unless…
Wait
Luna felt her mouth drop as she looked back and forth between Xeno dancing and Stanley’s snarl.
Stanley had a crush on Xeno!
“Well? Answer me”
Luna was snapped back to the conversation as Stanley was awaiting her answer. He asked again
“Jason is a bumbling fool at worst and a mediocre soldier at best. He can't even properly handle a firearm, so why is the Doctor wasting his breath on him?”
Luna felt herself frown. Stanley had no right to be upset, not when he never even told Xeno his feelings. Xeno wasn't his! He had no say in who Xeno talks to! Let alone flirts with! Without thinking, Luna said-
“Maybe it's because he isn't afraid to show Xeno he is interested.”
“What did you just say?”
Luna wanted to scream and cry. To apologize, take it back, and run away. But it was too late! She can't back out now.
“Y-you heard me, mister! Xeno may be a cool and brilliant scientist! Maybe even a little unhinged, but he is just like me! He wants to be seen as a desirable omega! To be sought after by others! The kind of omega that alphas get into fights for!”
Stanley no longer looked angry, instead, he looked taken aback, his hazel eyes widening the closer Luna got. She nearly had him backed into a corner as she jammed her finger into his chest.
“You don't like Xeno dancing with another alpha? You want him for yourself?? Well, how about next time there is a party, you buck up the courage and ask him to dance! Before somebody else does!”
Luna began to catch her breath as Stanley stared at her in a state of she can only assume to be shock. He no longer looked like that stoic and heartless sniper she always saw him as. But rather, a confused and lost fool. He looked back at Xeno one last time before closing his eyes.
“Thanks, Luna, I needed to hear that…”
Okay, it was weird enough for Xeno to be jealous of her, but now Stanley was thanking her?? What is the world coming to?!
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to ask a certain scientist if I can have the next dance.”
Stanley marched right passed her and Luna was still at a loss over the fact she, a medical school dropout, scolded Capatin Stanely fucking Synder.
“Miss Luna?? Are you alright?”
“What did Stanley do?? Do we need to talk to him?”
“Pssh yeah right, like you have the guts to talk back to Stanley!”
“I can! For Miss Luna!”
“Ha! Your legs are shaking!”
Max and Carlos began to scramble, making the girl roll her eyes at their ridiculous shenanigans. Luna turned around one last time to see Stanley extending a hand out for Xeno to take. Luna saw no sign of Jason, he must have run for the hills the second he saw the blonde alpha approaching them. Xeno appeared to be debating whether or not to accept Stanley's hand.
He looked at the alpha's eyes, then back down at the inviting hand. With slight hesitation, as if nervous, Xeno gently placed his clawed hand on top of Stanley's. Stanley effortlessly pulled Xeno into his arms, and the two began sharing a dance. The omega had a soft and shy smile on his lips. A smile that Luna recognizes to be genuine. While Stanley looked at Xeno, the way all omegas want to be looked at. Like they were the most important thing in the world
Luna couldn't stop the smile forming on her lips. Looks like all her hard work of teaching Xeno how to flirt was paying off
“Enough, you two! It's late, let's call it a night.”
Luna walked out of the party with Max and Carlos following suit. The two were blissfully unaware of the very weird evening Luna had just had. While they were dancing like fools, she was unknowingly playing matchmaker! But oh well, they didn't need to know that. After all, she was Luna.
A really cool and capable gal!