Chapter Text
Teerak has never hated being an omega, despite the intense symptoms during his heats and sometimes being seen as inferior by bigoted people. He’s learned to deal with his omega traits the best he can, and fortunately it’s worked so far. Well it was working, until recently---until he met P’Fah.
Teerak is happily zoning out, contemplating his entire existence and fake relationship with Muenfah when Lee suddenly snatches his wrist and starts dragging him out of the cafeteria. Teerak barely has enough time to stumble after his friend before they’re suddenly standing outside one of the more secluded buildings.
“Ok, spill.” Lee demands.
“Spill what? Why did you drag me out here?”
The beta rolls his eyes lightly and then folds his arms across his chest before staring at Teerak exasperatedly. Sometimes Lee reminds him too much of his sister Babe.
“Do you really not notice?”
“I know my scent is a little off but I didn't think it was that bad. I was having a perfectly normal lunch until just now.” The omega pouts and crosses his own arms defensively.
“Your scent is leaking, and not as little as you think it is. I think you’re in pre-heat, it’s probably best if you go home for the day given what’s probably going to happen.”
“What!?” It feels like he’s been punched in the gut. Dread starts to settle in his stomach as his mind starts to reel with all the different possibilities as to why this is happening to him. “How bad is it?”
Lee pursues his lips as he tries to formulate a response.
“I don’t think it’s too bad yet, but it’s going to be an issue within the next 30 minutes.”
Just great. Apparently his scent blockers aren’t as effective as they used to be. He was prescribed medical grade scent blockers fairly soon after he presented. During his first heat the pheromones he had emitted were practically potent. His family could barely stand being in the same house as him much less his room.
They all thought it was a one-time thing, but the next time he was about to have his heat, his pre-heat scent resulted in his entire class rioting. That’s when they decided to take him to the doctor and do some blood tests. That’s also when Teerak discovered his status of “Prime Omega.”
Teerak distinctly remembers being handed the pamphlet describing what it meant and all the symptoms. At the time, he was still in shock and wasn’t able to comprehend the weight of what had happened. There was definitely also part of him that was in denial upon learning the news, because it meant he’d almost always have to hold back.
Being a prime omega meant higher fertility, intense preheats, irregular heats, a potent scent, and constant self-monitoring. He and his family were instructed to always keep close tabs on his symptoms, especially his scent. As a prime omega even the smallest scent fluctuations could cause fights due to how strong it was. Teerak’s scent was strong not just in its range but also in how appealing it was to other subgenders’ instincts, that’s why it needed to be controlled.
Since then, he’s used medical grade scent blockers and high dose suppressants to keep everything under wraps. Monitoring himself in this way doesn’t generally bother him. He knows his scent will remain this way until he finds a mate, but foolishly, he had thought he wouldn’t have to worry about it for a long time.
Teerak had thought he wouldn’t reach the point where he’d have to worry about finding a true mate until he graduated college. The thought for the most part had slipped his mind until he started fake dating P’Fah. The longer they fake dated, the harder Teerak fell in love and the more his omega started craving the alpha. That’s currently why he is absolutely freaking out and acting like a fool.
Teerak opens his mouth to try to come up with some lame excuse as to why he’s been acting funny when Lee beats him to it.
“Tell me what’s going on, saggy cheeks. You’ve been acting really weird ever since the beach trip. The morning after you two were sitting so far apart at the table that a truck could have driven in between you!”
Teerak cringes at that comment. It’s true though, he was acting highly suspicious after that night and couldn't' t bear to look P’Fah or frankly anyone in the eyes.
“You’re spacing out more, you seem exhausted, and you’re acting especially weird around my brother. You’re not being very saggy cheeks.” Lee tries to lighten the mood at the end and Teerak gives him a small smile.
The truth is, he knows exactly what’s happening, but he doesn't want to believe it. Lee is right. He’s been acting strange since the beach trip, and it’s because that is when he realized that he’s fully in love with Muenfah. He hasn’t just caught feelings, no, he’s fallen so far in love that even his omega wants to broadcast that P’Fah is his mate.
Teerak remembers vividly the night the two of them kissed. Muenfa’s “May I ask if we can do things like how a real couple does” echoes in his head like a ringing bell. The way the older boy had kissed him so gently, as if he was the most precious thing on earth is ingrained in his skin. The way his inner omega had completely melted, and also cried out for more still strikes Teerak to his core. It was at that moment Teerak knew the relationship was no longer fake.
When the lights had turned back on and P’Fah’s phone suddenly started going off, that’s when everything hit Teerak. The alpha had stepped out to take the phone call and the omega had been left spiraling about what the hell he was going to do. The pull his omega felt was undeniable, and it was already upset about the distance between them.
That had honestly scared Teerak more than he’d care to admit. The second their lips had touched it was like a rope had been pulled taught and something had snapped into place. His omega had immediately reacted to the new connection, strawberry scent flaring and body starting to go lax. It has taken everything in him to keep himself upright and to rein his scent back in like he’s always done.
Both his mind and body had warned him, he was in love, and P’Fah was the mate he wanted. And that’s precisely why he started acting differently. He couldn’t let himself indulge, not in his feelings or instincts because if he did he wouldn’t be able to stop. For years he’s kept himself perfectly composed, and now he’s barely holding it together. He can’t do that to himself, and especially not to P’Fah, not after everything the older boy has already done for him.
Teerak is startled back to reality when he feels hands on his cheeks. The direct contact burns for some reason, but the omega doesn’t flinch, not wanting his friend to feel bad. Lee pulls back once he sees that the other boy is finally looking him in the eyes and Teerak tries not to show the relief on his face now that they aren’t touching.
“Rak, be honest with me.”
He used my real name. This must be serious. The omega swallows and tries not to convey how terrified he actually is on his face.
“Have you caught feelings for my brother?”
“...would you even believe me if I said no?” Teerak answers defeatedly.
Lee laughs at him, but there’s no hint of true mockery.
“You’re right. I wouldn’t believe you. It’s painfully obvious how in love you are.”
“Leeee stop teasing me!!
The omega starts pouting as Lee continues to grin at him mischievously. Eventually his best friend schools his expression enough to look semi serious before asking
“Have you told anyone?”
“P’Babe.”
It’s the partial truth. After they had got back from the beach trip Babe had also called him out for being weird and spacing out. She had easily convinced him to spill what was on his mind and he had told her everything he was feeling, well almost everything. He didn’t admit to thinking P’Fah was his true mate out of his own embarrassment and concern for Muenfah’s safety. If Babe knew what he really thought she’d surely kill the older boy.
“Well considering my brother wasn’t one of the people you mentioned I’m guessing he’s clueless.”
“…yeah.”
“Do you want to tell him?”
“Want to? Yes, I really do,” Teerak admits shyly. “But can I do it is more of the issue here.”
“What do you mean? Even if I didn’t know my brother that well I could clearly see he likes you back.”
“It’s—“ the omega waves his hands around as if he can magically pull the words he wants out of thin air.
“If you say it’s complicated I will laugh. It’s really not. Just trust your feelings and be honest with him and yourself. Unless…”
Teerak sees the second realization dawns on his best friend’s face.
“Is this about being a prime omega?”
“M-maybe, kinda, sort of? I don’t know?”
“You’re such a bad liar, saggy cheeks.”
“Ughhh I knowwwww. Please stop rubbing it in!”
“So you haven’t told him at all about your status?”
“I never thought there was a good moment, and I’m scared about what he’ll think. What if he thinks I trapped him in this fake relationship!? What if he’s so mad I lied to him he breaks up with me and never wants to see me again? Or what if his alpha rejects me?”
Teerak can already feel himself tearing up at the thought of P’Fah’s alpha rejecting his omega. If that happened it would probably crush his soul. His omega already knows the other boy is the one, and from what his doctor said it would be excruciatingly painful for him to have to abandon that connection.
“That won’t happen, ok? Stop spiraling, it's going to be fine! Just go home and get some rest and then when you’re better you can confess to my brother and it’ll be great.”
Lee is right, he usually is. Teerak should just follow his advice and it will be all fine and dandy. The omega really needs to get home now because he can tell his scent is starting to spike and his pre-heat is quickly approaching.
Teerak tries to tell Lee he’ll be fine walking home by himself but the beta gives him a piercing look that leaves absolutely no room for argument. The two of them lapse into a comfortable silence as Teerak focuses on stabilizing and containing his scent. It’s a bit difficult with all the thoughts racing in his head, but years of learning to control it comes in handy.
Once Lee ensures Teerak is inside and safe, only then does his friend leave. Honestly sometimes Teerak wonders what he did in his past life to gain such a great and patient person in his life.
The first thing the omega does is make a beeline for the bathroom. Despite his scent blockers and scent blocking spray being medical grade, they haven’t been cutting it the last two heats he’s had. He can feel how soaked the patches are and the spray is making his skin itchy.
The omega carefully starts pulling the patch on his neck off first. It’s heavy and sticky with moisture and Teerak tries not to make a face as he finally removes the whole thing. Fortunately the patches are skin color, unfortunately they are extremely hard to get off, but that’s why they are supposed to be more effective as they are made to last.
Once the patch is off Teerak has to do a double take once he sees his neck in the mirror.
This can’t be good.
His scent gland is horribly swollen and has turned a dark purple. Teerak didn’t even know scent glands could bruise. When he tentatively brings up his hand to touch it the jolt of pain that shoots through his neck has his head spinning. He didn’t feel it earlier so why now? Or maybe that’s why he’s been feeling so bad lately? He has had a mild headache and sore muscles for the past week but that usually happens during his pre heat.
What is going on?
Teerak tries to suppress his mounting panic as he shakily removes the other scent patches from his wrists. What he finds is equally swollen glands that are the same if not more bruised than the one on his neck. This has never happened to him before, but what the omega does understand is that he absolutely can not let anyone know.
Just treat it like normal. Follow the procedures, don’t let anything show.
Teerak takes a deep breath to steel himself before enacting his emergency protocols. Fortunately, years of monitoring and controlling his inner omega have equipped him with plenty of experience in concealing his instincts. First, shower.
Mind made up, the omega starts going through the motions. A short, cold shower helps temper the heat he’s putting off and clears some of the fog from his mind. He’s extra gentle on his scent glands, and tries not to overthink too much about why they’ve changed. Without the blockers his scent has re-gained its usual saccharine quality and starts to fill up the small space of the bathroom. His strawberry scent has always had a tinge of sweetness to it, but when it’s fully unstrained it’s so sweet you can almost taste the sugar in the air.
Teerak has learned to rein in his scent even without the scent blockers thanks to years of scent training, but sometimes it’s nice to just let it flow freely. However, he only does this when he’s sure no one else will be in the house.
The smell of strawberries soon overtakes his senses and the omega allows himself to find comfort in his own scent, feeling like he’s in a cozy bakery, before finally reeling it back in. With practiced ease the scent recedes like a wave pulling back from the shore. Teerak opens his eyes slowly once he’s sure he’s under control. Step one is complete.
Next, it’s time to reapply the blockers. After drying off and putting on comfy pajamas, Teerak opens the bathroom closet where he stores all of his supplies. His hand automatically finds the scent patches and he pulls out six. If there was another thing he disliked about being an omega, it was how expensive all the supplies are, especially if they are effective.
Teerak carefully tears open the packaging and puts on the first layer over the gland on his neck. He shivers slightly as the cool adhesive meets his skin, and then makes sure to press down on the patch to ensure it will stick. The contact sends another jolt of pain through him, but it’s not like he has a choice. With a grimace the omega applies the remaining base layers to his wrists and then the second layer on top. Normally he wouldn’t double up, but normally they don’t fail like they have been.
Teerak reaches into the drawer on the right side of the sink and pulls out the scent blocking spray. He spays an unhealthy amount into the air before walking through it and immediately coughing afterwards. With that done, Teerak places the spray back and takes out one of his suppressant pills. The suppressants Teerak is on are not designed to stop his heats, just regulate them. His prescription is to tone down his pre-heat symptoms as for him, those are often worse. He swallows it dry without blinking twice.
He also makes sure to take a couple of pain pills out of the drawer as well to bring with him tomorrow. Unfortunately his university doesn’t allow omegas to take off days for pre-heat, only once the real heat starts, he has to just endure as much as he can and make sure his symptoms aren’t impacting anyone else, but that’s something he’s used to.
With those preparations made, he can now focus all his energy on suppressing his pre-heat instinct. Although there are devices he can use to suppress his scent and other physical issues, there’s no medication to hide the urges to nest, scent others, snap at those that get too close, and wanting to cry at the smallest inconveniences.
Teerak hates feeling irrational, but during pre-heat when his omega side vies for complete control, he can barely restrain it. For the most part he’s been able to keep a little bit of a grip on his instincts, but again, after the last two heats and after meeting P’Fah, his restraint has started slipping.
Teerak lets out a deep sigh as he attempts to mentally prepare himself for the next two to three days of this torture. He takes one last glance at himself in the mirror before deciding he’s done enough and heads to his room.
At least when he’s at home he can somewhat loosen up on his omega side. Teerak spends the next couple of minutes allowing himself to slip into the deep feeling of comfort his omega is craving. Moving on autopilot he gathers up various soft items from spare blankets, to pillows, to hoodies, socks, and even some shirts to pile up on his bed for his nest.
After a few minutes he carefully sits down in the middle of the makeshift nest to evaluate. It looks fine, but it still feels incomplete. It still feels like there are things missing. The omega frowns as he closes his eyes and tries to think of why it feels wrong.
There’s a sharp tugging in his stomach that he doesn’t know how to decipher. It’s like his omega is trying to guide him somewhere but he’s in a dark tunnel. There’s not even a single ray of light he can use to orient himself.
Teerak does his best to listen to his omega, but it’s not working very well. However, he knows with his recent realization it must have to do with P’Fah, but he isn’t sure what he should do about it. He’s already put some of P’Fah’s clothes in his nest, but the effect is weak. Of course it still smells like the alpha which is comforting, but it’s not the same.
It’s not exactly like he can just ask P’Fah to spend his heat with him, they aren’t even real boyfriends. He knows he's in love with the other boy, his omega knows it too. He knows he should confess, Lee’s definitely right that he is overthinking and just needs to talk to his senior, but why does it feel so impossible?
The more he thinks about it the more upset he becomes. His nest isn’t even having the calming effect it usually does that helps soothe him. With a frustrated huff Teerak allows himself to fall on his side and forcefully shuts his eyes. Maybe I can reboot myself. There’s no use in trying to solve things now with his mind a jumbled mess, it’s best to try and get some rest and then go from there. For now, all he can do is hope things will work out.