Chapter Text
Marc was, in fact, not okay. He was in Japan on Thursday. After having one of the strangest but one of the best times last week, at the Ranch with the boys and Vale, it was time to go back into the circus that was his life.
When he landed in Japan, alone to not cause any media fury, the first thing he noticed was that he was tackled to the floor by an Alex-shaped figure. Needless to say that his brother missed him a lot. And so did Marc, the day before, it got so bad that Marc was stuck to someone at all times. Whether it was when they were cooking, eating, watching a movie etc …
When they decided to go ride, Marc declined, to everyone’s surprise. Of course, all he wanted was to get rid of the anticipation running through his veins but he couldn’t afford to get hurt a few days before the GP where he could win the championship.
A little voice in the back of his mind, traitorous and mean, even told him that Valentino suggested he join them just so Marc wouldn’t be able to ride in Japan, before quickly getting this type of thought out of his mind. It would do anyone any good. Valentino still looked like he understood what went through Marc’s mind because he took a sudden step back with a hurt expression, when the omega refused to ride on his track.
After a few hours of watching them battle with each other, as fun as it was, Marc started to feel really bad. He didn’t know if it was because of the memories attached to the track, or because his hormones and instincts were still acting up. But he wasn’t alone for long, because Celestino Vietti appeared at his side and started to chat Marc’s ear off.
His newfound friendship with the younger omega, Valentino’s youngest pup, was really unexpected to Marc. The younger man never said outright mean to Marc, and the Ducati rider understood why : Celestino always admired Vale, but not nearly as much as the other guys. He never went as far as the other guys, and the rest of the academy riders admitted that Celestino was always neutral toward Marc.
The younger man was an omega, but not the same type as Marc or Bez. He was very theatrical, pretending to be hurt when Bez would go to Pecco for a cuddle or when Valentino was saying he had no favorite. When the pack alpha said that, Celestino murmured in Marc’s ear that the alpha was only saying that to not hurt other people's feelings, since he was obviously the favorite.
His mischievous look made Marc burst into laughter, and the moto2 rider looked delighted. From that, a friendship started to form between them. Celestino loved to prank or irritate his packmates and pack alpha, and Marc had a lot of fun protecting the younger one by pretending he didn’t see him do anything or distracting Vale with kisses.
It was fun, it was easy. The night before, when they were on the sofa deciding what to watch, Celestino let himself fall right on Marc, making him huff in surprise. When Vale started berating the younger man, telling him to get off his elder and to go on the carpet, Marc just sent a murderous glance at his lover and tightened his hold on the younger man, who started to purr with delight.
Vale looked surprised, before softening and cuddling the two omegas. He knew it was important to Vale that Marc was getting along with the academy riders, with his pack. He may be part of it one day. If everything would continue to go as well as it did.
Bez was less clingy the following day, apparently reassured that Marc was okay. Apparently, the Aprilia rider was very sensitive to other people’s cycleq, so staying with Marc at the beginning of his stress heat almost sent him into a heat of his own. Now that Marc pheromones were more stable, Bez was letting some distance into them, without acting mean or like a stranger either.
It felt a bit like a loss, if Marc was honest with himself. He craved so much, he was so hungry for touch and relationship, especially with omegas. So when Celestino started to gravitate toward him, he wasn’t going to let that opportunity pass.
One person he got closer to was Pecco. Since his teammate comforted him in the kitchen, the two of them started to understand the other more. Pecco was a quiet person, a little withdrawn from the conversation, being surrounded by so many loud personalities.
Even if Marc was a person of strong character, when he was around Pecco, he was calmer. He was always taking care of listening to the younger alpha, to make sure he wasn’t interrupted. Francesco’s eyes would go all fuzzy, touched by Marc’s attention and was also very responsive to Marc’s touch, almost like he was craving the soft affection.
It was likely because Vale, the pack alpha, wasn’t as soft or cuddly with him than with the omegas. If Tino and Marco were being scented every morning with a hug, Pecco and Franky were scented quicker and it was more of necessity than actual care. Marc didn’t doubt Vale’s love for the beta and the alpha, but he suspected his lover to not know how to act with them. To think that they needed less care and affection, when the two melted in it.
Franky was a harder person to understand. As the oldest, he was almost acting like a second to Vale, and according to the boys, Franky also helped raise them alongside Vale. But he was a quieter character, not teasing or arguing half as much as the other.
He was watching, like he was worried that something would go wrong, that not everyone was happy and satisfied. He was polite and kind toward Marc, but stayed distant, like he didn’t really trust the omega. Probably because of what happened between him and his brother, even if Marc didn’t really know what actually was going on.
Andrea Migno was not really around. The beta apparently wasn’t part of the pack, staying with his familial pack during most of his freetime. He went by the Ranch to check something with Vale and looked stunned to see that Marc was here, as if he wasn’t made aware of the situation. But he recovered quickly and smiled at the older omega.
But one of the biggest relief for Marc was that Uccio wasn’t part of the pack. One night, while they were trying to sleep, Marc picked up some courage and finally asked about the man who hated him so much. Vale stiffened and the omega regretted asking about it. After a few minutes of silence, the alpha looking for the right words and Marc spiraling, the alpha said :
“He’s not here because I don’t want him to be. He’s not part of the pack, he has his own with his wife, and … I’m upset at him anyway.”
That didn’t seem right, thought Marc immediately, furrowing his eyebrow. As much as he disliked the overweight Italian, the two were attached by the hips since they were kids. Marc’s confusion must have been evident on his face, because Vale sighed and admitted the truth with anger and resentment filling his voice and facial expression.
“I’m mad at him for what he did to us. I know it’s my fault, for everything I’ve done and said but … he’s the one who first told me that you were collaborating with Lorenzo, that you were fucking him behind my back. I’m aware I shouldn't have believed him but …”
“He’s your best friend.”
“Yes ! He never did anything bad for me before but … he … he never really liked you. Always warned me that you wanted to take advantage of me, when I was the one with the championship and the 14 years … so, yeah I’m mad at him.”
“I don’t want to be the reason you’re losing your best friend” Marc protested, panicking. “I don't want you to hate me in a few months or years because you think you had to.”
“I know I didn’t have to, Marc, but it’s about respect. He disrespected you and abused my trust, because he was scared you were going to take his place. So, he won’t be back as long as he doesn't apologize and you accept his apology.”