Work Text:
Cingeats!!! :)))
Aerion rolled his eyes. He had been spending way too much time deciphering Dunk's text messages at this point to not know immediately what he actually meant.
Just let me buy you a phone with a bigger screen already, this is getting stupid, he still typed back, leaning back into the car seat. And congratulations for what?
The next text message took longer despite its shortness, meaning Dunk was actually taking his time as he typed with his giant fingers and Aerion would roll his eyes again if some part of him didn't find it weirdly charming. And another part shivered delighted at the memories of just what those giant fingers could do.
Most accomplished omega list, congrats on #2
Aerion’s eyebrows shot up.
WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN NUMBER 2????
***
He did not wait until his driver dropped him off in front of his town house ten minutes later. Once he was there, he already had seen the list, had read some of the reactions to it and, most importantly, had researched just who the hell this Shane Hollander person was who had stolen his top spot.
Hockey player, he had been informed through Wikipedia. Recently revealed as one of the first omegas playing professionally in the NHL, his public Instagram account had added.
Hence the inclusion on the list, some articles speculated. Years before it had been purely focused on looks, on what a stereotypical omega was supposed to be. Sweet, demure, a homemaker.
Public pressure in recent years had shifted the focus. Now it was about accomplishments, from successful businesses to social efforts to artistic endeavors, though the vast majority of the omegas making the list still were rather attractive, some sharp tongues whispered.
The hockey guy certainly ticked all necessary boxes for the top spot, especially with some of the public reactions to him revealing his orientation.
Clearly the top spot was given to him as a sign of acceptance, of support, because of utter and complete bullshit.
Aerion had his Instagram open the moment he walked through the door.
Seven Vogue covers, the face of Dolce & Gabbana, most successful fragrance line in the world but I guess it's not pushing some rubber around on ice?!
He pressed post without re-reading. Then he threw his phone on the couch, ripped the fridge open and reached for a bottle of mineral water. Left it inside, returned to the couch to pick up his phone and then added a comment.
@TheHollander and yes, this is about you, I am not a coward who is going to hide and pretend otherwise. I can and will fight you.
Then he returned to the fridge. His phone rang less than five minutes later. He was sorely tempted not to pick up when he saw who was calling. Still did because he was no coward after all.
“Father,” he said, voice syruply sweet. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Did you really threaten a fucking professional hockey player on the internet?!” his father hissed. Aerion felt himself smirk slightly. Since his thing -it wasn't a relationship because he didn't do relationships - with Dunk had started, Aerion had almost been behaving.
No more late-night drunken party pap shots, alphas in various stages of undress stumbling out of his place or tabloid headlines about him getting into fights with security at another club.
No, instead he now did private date nights with Dunk, went to watch his stupid brother's rugby games that Dunk was coaching and brought him around for family dinners and somehow managed to keep it all under wraps because Aerion Targaryen did not do relationships.
It was all very quaint and probably a sign of just how deep he was in that he didn't find it boring. It had also made his father begrudgingly and reluctantly almost warm up to the man he had called a thickheaded fool the first time they’d met.
“I don’t know what you're talking about,” Aerion replied, years of instincts kicking in. “How would you even know what I am doing on the “internet”?
“Daeron posted a screenshot in the group chat,” his father said.
Traitor, Aerion thought.
“And Aegon told me just who the hell this Hollander guy is. Delete this. Do you hear me?”
“I’ll think about it,” Aerion replied. “Somebody else is calling, got to go.” He hung up as his father took a deep breath, no doubt to yell at him some more. Then he looked at his phone.
Some missed calls. Several Instagram notifications. Three mails and eight text messages from his manager, who knew better than to try and call him.
And the family chat. He opened it.
Aegon The Annoying: He doesnt realy fight people xcept that 1 time but he's still a hockey player!!!! Im sure he can kick Aerions ass!
Drunkard: don't know aerion does karate and shit like i am betting at least a few stags on him getting some punches in
#3: You are aware that this is a professional hockey player we are talking about, right? He has muscles and several inches on Aerion. I am betting against him on this.
Father: Stop betting on your brother fighting a professional hockey player!
You: Because I can and I will.
*Several people are typing*
He closed the chat before he could see any of the replies. Opened Instagram instead and started scrolling through the comments to his post.
TiaraDreamer: ??? Is he seriously threatening to fight him?!!
SmileMonster76: Have you ever heard about Aerion?? Shane should be glad he's not showing up at his doorstep ready to throw down
RozianMachine: Touch him and I’ll make you regret it
BrightflameStan: every goddamn day this stan thing is getting harder like can't he be happy, the hockey guy had a really tough time when he revealed he was an omega
MonMetros24: It was awful :( Still is. I don't know anything about this Aerion guy though, isn't he a model or something?
BrightflameStan: Yes he also did some movies and has a perfume line (I fucking love Dragon Dreams). But also like he does martial arts?? Like karate I think??
MonMetros24: He seems very tiny though??? Like compared to shane??
AerionTheBrightflame: That does not mean I can’t or won't kick his ass.
MonMetros24: I really don't know what to even reply to this. Can you like at least wait till the playoffs are over before fighting our captain?
AerionTheBrightflame: No :)
BrightflameStan: every goddamn day
SashaBarker: @AerionTheBrightflame Reply to my damned mails!
A deep sigh and Aerion switched over to his mails. DELETE IT IMMEDIATELY!!! read the subject line of the first his manager had sent. The mail itself was empty.
I WILL END OUR CONTRACT IF YOU DON'T, read the subject of the second mail, equally devoid of any text.
The third one had no subject line but rather just contained a copy-pasted modeling contract offer in Lys.
He started it, Aerion typed out in reply to this. The answer from his manager was immediate.
He started nothing. He got picked because we all know how hard it still is to be an omega especially in professional sports.
If it's so hard he can deal with some pushback.
They will write dozens more articles about you hating other omegas! Do you really want yet another round of discussion if you're setting back omega rights by being toxic? Just delete this, we will put out a statement saying that you obviously support other omegas and wish Hollander all the best in the playoffs.
Fuck this, Aerion thought and closed his mails. He checked his appearance briefly on his camera, decided he looked good as always and then went back to Instagram. His manager had added a clause about going live without checking in before in their latest contract renewal. His father might have pushed for it.
He clicked the live button with some satisfaction. It didn't take long for the first comments to start pouring in.
HappyDreams: Oh, this is going to be good
Tinnaaaa: is he going to apologize?
TeaDrinker: Obviously not, this is Aerion.
“Exactly,” Aerion mumbled before looking at the camera. “This is in regards to the post I made this morning.”
BrightflameStan: please don't, i can't do this again
TeaDrinker: The girls are fighting!
HollWinner: Shane doesn't even know this is going on, he’s too busy trying to get us that Cup!
“Oh please, as if trying not to slip on ice while wearing an oversized shirt takes any effort,” Aerion said, briefly distracted by the comment section.
HollWinner: dude I really hope he fights you now. You're just jelly Cosmopolitan named him Hottest Man in the NHL once.
BrightflameStan: Well, Aerion did win Most Accomplished Omega five years in a row
HollWinner: Until now >:)
Aerion felt the corner of his eye twitch slightly. His lips curled into a smile, eyes widening slightly in faux innocence. Nobody who knew him would ever buy it.
“Now, obviously I would never disparage the achievements of a fellow omega,” he then said. Several question marks and “Press x to doubt” comments followed his words. “And truly it's probably very difficult to spend your days running after a piece of rubber and hitting it with a stick.”
Oh, he thought gleefully, they did not like that. “Still,” he continued, preparing for what would undoubtedly be several weeks of internet outrage and another fruitless campaign to try and get him cancelled. “Obviously I meant to say that…”
“Aerion? Are you home?” There was the sound of a key opening the front door and he froze. Dunk walked into the living room, face lighting up when he saw him.
“I got you flowers,” he said, holding out a bouquet of his favorites. “Number 2 is still very good, you know that, right?” Currently he was still out of view from the phone camera, not visible on the live. Aerion was not reading the comments but he could see the amount of confused emojis coming in.
And then Dunk walked behind him, bending down to gently kiss him on the check, in full view of his camera and Aerion’s damned body instinctively leaned into the touch.
SusieWhen: omg, omg, omg
TagGroupie: who’s that?!
HollWinner: Okay, this is actually very cute. Is that his alpha? He’s hot
BrightflameStan: i have no clue like he doesn't do relationships????
PepperAnn: i’d do relationship if i found somebody as tall as this
HollWinner: Idk, they look cute together,
“And your father texted?” Dunk said. “Said to talk to you? Is this about dinner, I thought we were doing it this Sunday?”
BrightflameStan: dinner with his dad???? How serious is this?!
“And Egg said … oh.” Dunk’s attention finally moved to the phone Aerion was still holding. Faintly he knew he should end this live immediately.
Some part of him though, the part that could not fall asleep anymore without Dunk’s arms around him, that maybe did not mind his father stiffly asking Dunk about his latest game during Sunday dinners, that would keep the cheap bouquet by his bed till it wilted, couldn't bring itself to do anything.
“Is this … are you doing a livestream?” Dunk asked awkwardly. Aerion nodded. “Oh,” Dunk said, voice faint. He squinted at the screen, paled slightly. “Oh. That is … a lot of people watching.”
PizzaLover69: He’s so damn cute
LuisaFoxy: not his usual type though right, this one seems like actually nice?
RaidersFanXOX: I came for the Hollander slander, not whatever this is
DerDare: That kiss, how long have you guys been together???
“Oh, uh, a year, I guess?” Dunk said. Aerion glared at him. “Do not talk to them. Also what do you mean, you guess?! It's been one year and two months.”
BrightflameStan: I can't wait for this to hit Twitter.
HollWinner: Congrats I guess and also my condolences, whatever your name is
“It’s Du-,” Dunk began and this was enough, Aerion decided. “Live’s over,” he cut him off, ignoring the stream of more questions and disappointed emojis that followed.
“Good luck with that hockey thing, bye.”He really was out of it, he thought, as he ended the live with one swift click. To not end this with another swipe towards that hockey guy.
“I am … I am sorry?” Dunk said in the ensuing silence. He looked both worried and confused. Aerion let out a sigh. “I will call my manager. We’ll do a public statement.”
A pause. “About us?” Something twisted inside Aerion's chest. He didn't do relationships.
He wanted to now though.
“Unless you don't want to,” he said slowly and Dunk immediately reached for his hands. “Of course I do,” he replied with a smile and damn him, Aerion thought, damn him and damn his smile.
He crushed their lips together without thinking, Dunk returning the kiss without hesitation and that call to his manager could wait just a bit longer.
***
Lily: I can fight him for you. He’s tiny. I will win, no problem.
You: I have no idea what you're talking about?!
Lily: Or his alpha. He’s taller. It will be a fair fight.
You: Oh god, I literally just opened Instagram, do not fight either of them???
Lily: >:(