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“I got dumped.” Hirose’s voice filled Nakamura’s ears.
All the outside noise dropped to zero as the center of his universe returned. His muscles relaxed, and his shoulders straightened as he greeted his friend. The sunlight hit Hirose’s face at the perfect angle that gave him the illusion of an angel.
“Huh?”
“You sound more surprised than I was.” Hirose flashed a grin.
So cute. The way the corner of his lips stretched to meet the twinkle in his eyes.
She didn’t deserve him. His alpha grumbled. Neither she nor anyone deserves that beautiful smile.
“She was really your girlfriend?” Nakamura bit his tongue to prevent his alpha’s thoughts from verbalizing.
Hirose shrugged, “She asked me out, and I said yes because I was excited that someone had liked me.”
Like meant different things to people. Some people liked for looks, some for money, and others for personality. Society even had standards for who should be able to like who. “Was it nice? Did she make you feel cared for?”
“Hana is a nice person.” Hirose hesitated as if unsure about how to phrase it. “But I didn’t know what to say or how to act when I was around her. It was almost suffocating.”
The fear from not knowing was something Nakamura understood too well. It was the reason he held his feelings at bay.
“Seriously, WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT BEING AN ALPHA? Once she found out I was an omega…” Hirose tugged at the scent blockers on his uniform. “She said alpha males are more her type. Then blabbed on and on about true mates. Are they like soulmates? I don’t get it at all.”
“Her loss for not realizing how charming you are.”
“Hmm?” Hirose stepped closer. “Aren’t you an alpha, Nakamura?”
“Hah! Yeah!” His voice betrayed his brain. “But not really the alpha male stereotype.”
“THAT'S SO COOL!” Hirose’s face lit up, so he must not have heard the last part. “Most of my friends are betas, so I barely hang around alphas!”
Cool? There was nothing cool about it! Nakamura’s alpha was dedicated to one omega and wouldn’t even glance in another’s direction! He was hopelessly pining for—Hirose was his omega—there was only possessive yearning!
“I was telling Hana about you yesterday. Maybe that’s how she got the idea of an alpha male in her head.”
“My name came up in conversation?”
“Remember, she saw your pen and discovered we had matching ones. I was telling her all about how much you love octopuses and our trip to the aquarium in Chinatown.” Hirose sighed, “Thinking back, I probably scared her away because I never talked so much on our walk home.”
“Whoa, I never considered myself the type to brag about.”
“Hey! Can you teach me how to be more of an alpha? I can’t change my secondary gender, but I can develop more alpha-like habits!”
“Uhh…I don’t think I’m...” Nakamura mumbled.
Ask Omega to walk home. His alpha commanded.
“Wait, hearing it out loud sounds stupid.” Hirose shook his head. He picked up the pace, walking ahead. “Forget I said it.”
“Let’s walk home together!” Nakamura blurted.
Hirose paused, hands still on the school doors. He slowly turned to face Nakamura, his expression lit back up with joy, “Sure! Whatever my alpha wants!”
Alpha? Did Hirose really call him that? His mind buzzed with delight, counting every minute till Hirose greeted him at the school gates.
“Alpha!” Hirose said cheerfully.
“You don’t have to call me that.” Nakamura didn’t think he could hear it again. His heart pounded so hard it almost hurt.
“Too much?” Hirose tilted his head to the side. “You are my alpha for the day.”
Omega finally learned his place. His alpha purred as Hirose walked by Nakamura’s side. Their backpacks bumped against their shoulders in an easy rhythm, and their hands swung casually at their sides.
“I don’t think you’re saying what you want to correctly.” Hearing Hirose call him that title wasn’t something that felt quite right yet. “Alpha is a title that has to be earned.”
”Hey!” A familiar voice, Oomori, one of Hirose’s friends, must have spotted them leaving together. “Wait up, Hiro—“
Nakamura peeked over his shoulder and glared: FUCK OFF. His alpha scent flared.
Oomori’s jog slowed into a nervous tiptoe.
Weaklings who couldn’t protect Hirose have no place by his side. His alpha sneered.
They turned the corner, and Hirose turned his head.
“Are you looking at someone?” Hirose asked.
”Nope.” Nakamura sensed that Oomori had chickened out on his pursuit.
”It looked like you were making some scary alpha face!”
Nakamura struggled to fix his expression. “My face isn’t that scary, is it?”
”Haha! Maybe to others, you did win that horror photo contest.” Hirose joked, “But to me, your face is usually calm. It’s amazing how you manage to keep it together.”
Keep it together? More like he let everything build up until it exploded into a crazy expression of his feelings.
“Do alpha males hold hands? I held hands with Hana.” Hirose glanced down at his empty hand. “Maybe she thought that was too soft.”
“Soft?” Nakamura trailed off, his words evaporating as the warmth from Hirose’s proximity brushed against his body.
“Like this?” Hirose placed his hand on Nakamura’s.
Fingers brushed against his palm—the light, tentative contact sent a rush of heat up Nakamura’s arm. “Soft.”
“So I shouldn’t have?” Hirose sounded ready to pull away.
Nakamura shifted closer. His alpha rumbling, “Stay.”
Their palms pressed together fully, clammy and a little shaky. Hirose's fingers slipped carefully between Nakamura’s, fitting into the spaces as if they'd always belonged.
“Your hand feels different from Hana’s.”
Nakamura glanced at Hirose staring intently at their interlocked fingers.
“More snug and secure!” Hirose’s thumb brushed across the back of Nakamura's hand. “Probably because your hand is bigger than mine.”
“Maybe,” Nakamura muttered.
“Or is it an alpha thing? Quick! How do my hands feel?”
A hundred ideas rushed through Nakamura's mind, but none of them could compare with the overwhelming feeling of Hirose holding his hand—choosing to hold it.
“That question isn’t too weird, is it?” Once again, Hirose seemed to be questioning his actions. “I mean this is…”
Their wrists brushed against each other, making their scent glands tingle.
Nakamura felt his arm tremble. “Don’t overthink it! I’m the one looking goofy!”
“We probably both look goofy!” Hirose laughed. “But that’s what I like about being with you, Nakamura, I don’t feel embarrassed at all!”
They kept walking home together, their joined hands swinging between them.
Mine. Mine. Mine. Mine. His alpha was going hysterical, knowing Hirose would depart on the other side of the crosswalk soon. A low growl slipped out.
“Are you okay?” Hirose asked.
“Alphas don’t like abandoning someone they care about.”
“I hate saying goodbye to my friends too!”
“It’s a little more complicated than that.”
“Would this help?” Hirose pushed up his sleeves to reveal his scent glands.
Nakamura yanked their interlocked hands towards his nostrils, inhaling their mingled scents. Cinnamon with blueberries. It smelled better than he had imagined. He gently nuzzled Hirose’s scent glands.
“You’re super into it.”
Damn it! Nakamura got too excited. He shakily lowered their hands only to feel Hirose push back against the movement.
“Smelling me made you feel better.”
“I’m fine now.” His nose pressed against soft skin, lips brushing the side of Hirose’s hand with each word.
Hirose’s expression became unreadable. “Hana didn’t enjoy my scent as much as you. She once joked that my scent didn’t match my handsome face.”
More like an underhanded insult. How could she be so fixated on surface-level things after spending so much time with Hirose! His alpha snarled. Omega has so many charming qualities!
“It got me worried that my scent was trashy!” Hirose laughed as if relieved that Nakamura didn’t feel the same way. “Alpha's reactions to scents are so interesting! Do you want to come over?”
Nakamura felt Hirose squeeze his hand. He tried to lean away but got lost in Hirose’s eyes: big, innocent, and adorable.
“Maybe, if you have time? You can teach me about scenting.”
“I have time.” Especially since Hirose was always kind enough to spare time for his friends, Nakamura could return the favor.
Entering Hirose’s room was something Nakamura only did in his dreams. As Hirose’s hand touched the doorknob, Nakamura wondered if this was okay—an unmated omega and an unmated alpha in a room together.
“Aiki, is your friend staying for dinner?” A voice called from downstairs.
Even if Hirose’s older sister was home, leaving the two of them alone was…
Omega’s scent…so wonderful. His alpha smelled the sweetness oozing through the cracks. Need more.
“Wanna stay for dinner?” Hirose asked with a smile.
Nakamura nodded stiffly.
“Cool.” Hirose nodded back, then shouted at his sister, “He will stay!”
“Okay! Let me know if y'all want any snacks!”
Hirose pushed open his bedroom door with a sigh, dropping his backpack to the floor. “She is so extra. Whenever I bring a friend over, she acts like the face of hospitality.”
“Does she not usually cook?” Nakamura followed, sticking to the nearest wall to examine his surroundings.
The walls were a patchwork of AquaPet posters, from band pictures to the individual members. A shelf above the desk held a mix of comic books and video game cases.
“We get take-out most of the time.” Hirose dropped into the desk chair and spun around lazily. When he made it back to facing Nakamura, his brows furrowed. “You don’t have to stand around like a fly on the wall.”
Nakamura gazed around the room. There weren’t many places to sit. He slid to his knees. “I’m comfortable.”
“Come on, we’re friends! My home is your home.” Hirose pointed to his bed.
A twin bed, unmade with a blue comforter and two pillows.
“Really, I’m fine!” Nakamura’s alpha made him catch his tongue: GO. Don’t make Omega sad. “On second thought, thanks for the act of kindness.”
Omega’s bed. His alpha rumbled with affection as Nakauma sat down.
It took all of Nakamura’s strength not to bury his head in the pillows and take in the sweet, succulent scent of his omega.
He noticed Hirose’s mouth moving, his voice going in one ear and out the other as he quietly nodded along.
The voice and face of an angel. No one was more benevolent! Nakamura could listen to Hirose ramble for hours without saying a word.
“I always knew you were a chill guy, Nakamura. Even if you did make me a little confused at first.” Hirose stopped spinning in the chair.
“Sorry. I’m not very good at approaching people.” People tended to make him nervous: too loud, not patient enough, and lacking empathy. But Nakamura was so happy, he decided to talk to Hirose. A person who greeted him with kindness without even knowing his name.
“Huh? I’m talking about how you’re acting in my room.” Hirose raised a brow. “Besides thinking back on it, I don’t even remember how we met. You’ve always been there in class.”
So their first meeting meant nothing to Hirose? Well fuck.
“Just like now in my room. You’re just here. Most people would comment on my posters or pictures on my wall.”
“I do like your Aquapet posters!”
Hirose’s face flushed. “Really?” His eyes avoided Nakamura’s gaze. “Thanks.”
Oh. OH. Why did Hirose’s scent change as if he got excited?
“My friends don’t get it. They think it’s weird to have pictures of guys on my wall. Heh.” Hirose laughed dryly, “They think only girls are supposed to have photocards of the members' faces.”
“You have photocards?” Nakamura asked.
“Do you wanna see?”
“Yes.”
Hirose jumped to his feet. He ran over to the bed and lifted the pillow. “I have ten photocards of each member so far! I still have to sort them by which is my favorite, but here is how they are organized right now!” He flipped open the photo card book.
Cinnamon rolls! Nakamura breathed in a lungful of Hirose’s scent. Delicious. Tantalizing.
Hirose got so close that personal space disappeared between them. “You went quiet. Is keeping the book under my pillow weird?”
Nakamura thought about the comic drawn in his notebook about the two of them. He would sometimes fall asleep holding it. “Not at all. If you sleep with it so close, it must be precious to you.”
“Yep! I wanna collect them all!” Hirose pointed to one member, “He is my favorite. Did ya know, he is an alpha like you? I wonder if he scents all the other members so he doesn’t miss them!”
Every time Hirose leaned closer, his scent wrapped around Nakamura like a blanket. It lingered in the air, making his thoughts blur together. Smooth skin. Unmarked. His eyes locked on Hirose's neck. There, smelled the sweetest.
“When you scent somebody, does it make you want them more? Or does it leave you imprinted on their mind due to the long-lasting smell?” Hirose flipped through the photo cards.
Sharp teeth pushed against his gums. Nakamura shakily covered his mouth. Not here! No. No. Stop! His alpha wasn’t listening.
“Guess I’ll find out soon.”
“What?” Nakamura winced.
“Earlier at the crosswalk, you scented me. It is the first time anyone has ever done that!” Hirose sounded excited, bringing his wrist to his nose to sniff. “Your scent smells really nice. Blueberries. Mmmm!” He hummed blissfully.
Oh crap. This was bad! His fangs throbbed.
“Guess I’m more of a fruit than a flower guy. Hana’s floral scent wasn’t as satisfying.” Hirose pressed his wrist against his cheek.
See? Omega enjoys it. Now time for the next step. The tips of his fangs pressed against his lower lip.
“Alphas smell so good. No wonder girls like them. Add more of your scent to mine!” Hirose yanked down his jacket collar, fully exposing his neck.
Omega wants…
Nakamura bolted, scooting to the farthest corner of the bed. “Alphas are not what you think they are! Most alphas are aggressive, cruel, and possessive over the omega they like! I happen to be really good at controlling my alpha urges!”
Good? What was he talking about? The fangs peaking from his mouth were the biggest indicator of how far gone his mind was.
Do it. Claim him. He wanted to do nothing more than push Hirose onto the bed and sink his fangs into his neck.
“Being an alpha sucks! You’re obsessed with an omega and want the best for them, no matter what!” No matter what his alpha wanted, he wouldn’t do anything without Hirose’s permission. “No matter who they choose to be with or what they do.” He could only watch from the sidelines, doing what he could when the opportunity presented itself. “All you want to see is their happiness!”
Protect Hirose’s smile. Protect everything precious to Hirose. Ensure he lives his best life. His alpha coaxed him.
Warm arms embraced Nakamura from behind, and a forehead pressed against his back. He felt each breath Hirose took, their hearts beating almost in perfect sync.
“You must have found your true mate. A connection like that is…heh, no wonder Hana broke up with me. It makes sense now.”
“Hirose.” Saying the name felt like a sin. Nakamura barely stopped short of begging, Please.
“True mates are drawn to each other. Kinda like how friends are?” Hirose hugged Nakamura tighter. “Why I feel so comfortable around you…why I don’t feel afraid to be myself when you’re by my side.”
Afraid to be himself? Friends were supposed to be honest with each other, yet this whole time he’d been suppressing his urges.
“I want to do something. But I’m afraid you’ll hate me.” Nakamura whispered.
“Hmm?”
Nakamura turned around so quickly that Hirose gasped, losing his grip. His hands grasped Hirose’s cheeks, keeping his face close. “Can I kiss you?”
Hirose’s eyes widened; his scent changed.
“If you hate it, push me away. I’ll stop.” Nakamura promised.
Hirose nodded slowly.
Nakamura closed the distance between their lips. His mouth movements said more than his words ever could. He thumbed Hirose’s cheek and felt Hirose’s hand comb through his hair.
More.
Nakamura tilted Hirose’s head upwards, allowing the kiss to deepen.
MORE.
“Mmm!” Hirose let out a primal omega sound.
Immediately, Nakamura pulled away.
Hirose breathed heavily below him, “Why’d you stop?” His hand grabbed a fistful of hair, yanking Nakamura back.
Their mouths mashed together.
A blissful explosion rippled through Nakamura’s body. His toes curled as Hirose’s tongue licked his fangs.
“Your fangs dropped for me?” Hirose rasped between the kisses.
“Y-yeah.”
“Because you’re my alpha?” Hirose shifted closer till their chests pressed together.
“Yeah.” Nakamura stupidly repeated the same word.
“My alpha. Someone who likes me for me.” Hirose nuzzled his nose against Nakamura’s.
“Boys! Dinner is ready!” The voice from downstairs seemed to snap Hirose back to reality.
Hirose straightened up, his face flushed. “We should go.”
Nakamura fiddled with his hair, his hand knocking into Hirose's. Both of them struggled to correct the mess of tangles. “It probably doesn't look suspicious. Let's leave it. Wouldn’t want the food to get cold! Plus my mom would worry if I’m here too late.”
“You’re leaving after dinner?”
“Gotta. We have school tomorrow.”
“Alright,” Hirose stopped combing his fingers in Nakamura's hair. His hands fell to his sides as he hunched over. “Let’s keep this between us.”
“This?”
Hirose rubbed his wrists against Nakamura’s, mingling their scents. “Our connection isn’t something I think our classmates will understand.”
Nakamura felt his fangs retracting into his gums.
Hirose must have noticed his disappointment. “I care about you. Nobody else’s opinions will change that! Which is why I want to keep this between us, so our connection can grow until I feel ready for you to claim me.”
Omega wanted his claim?
“The day that I feel ready for you to leave your bite mark is the day we tell the world about us!” Hirose kissed Nakamura’s fingertips.
The heat from Hirose’s lips went straight to Nakamura’s face. He intertwined their fingers together, “As long as you like me back, that’s all that matters. I’ll wait for you.”
“I won’t make you wait too long,” Hirose promised. “And it won’t even feel like waiting because we can hang out whenever! We can call each other every night! We can scent each other and—!”
“Kiss?”
“Definitely. We'll do a lot of that.”
