Dennis, who wasn’t really hiding the fact that he was an omega, but it was a hidden fact nonetheless.
He’s got a soft scent that’s barely there. After years of torment by everyone in his small town, his scent made sure to stay light as a means to protect him.
If you took in his scent for a long time, there’s no doubt that he’s an omega, but most people assume he’s just a beta with a slightly sweeter scent to him.
And he doesn’t really act like an omega.
Growing up, he wasn’t allowed to. His instincts are semi-trained out of him. He’s never felt safe enough to nest, and he definitely didn’t want any of his family members’ scents in his nest, not that he’s ever made a proper one.
Most of his nests back in Nebraska were hastily put together before being stuffed in a closet in case anyone came in. Then he felt such shame for giving in to his instincts that he would dismantle them not even an hour later, refusing to even think of nesting for the rest of the month. The cycle was never-ending back in Broken Bow.
Now that he’s alone in Pittsburgh, he has no reason and no connection with anyone. Building a nest would be a sad experience, so he doesn’t bother. Plus, he was homeless and didn’t have a lot of possessions; there were hardly any clothes available to build a nest. Especially during winter out on the streets, he needed all the layers he could get.
He doesn’t think to buy cute and cuddly stuff cause he’s never been given that option, and it’s hard to break out of his old mindset and realize he can indulge himself or find someone to indulge him.
Nothing about him screams omega, so they assume he’s a beta and never say anything about it.
One day, when there’s a Pitt outing, they decide to go to dinner together. Dennis is sitting between Robby and Trinity. Somehow, Robby always finds a way to be near Dennis, whether he realizes it or not, and they end up discussing designations.
“I guess you don’t have it that bad, do you, Huckleberry? Being a beta and all.” Trinity joked, nudging him with her shoulder, causing him to look up from his beer.
Dennis blinked owlishly, “No? I’m an omega.” Silence. “I… I thought you all knew that…?”
Robby’s eye twitched, and his mind immediately went to all the times he’s touched Whitaker inappropriately just because he thought it wouldn’t matter.
He can see HR calling him now, hounding him for being inappropriate for an older alpha to touch a young, unmated omega like he does. Robby can feel his soul leave his body.
At least he wasn’t the only one who seemed shocked at the news.
“Shit, so you’ve been an unmated omega this entire time?” McKay raises an eyebrow, impressed, as she crosses her arms. “Good job, man. I know how biased this field can be.”
Dennis blushed softly and rubbed the back of his neck with that familiar awkward air around him. “Yeah, it definitely was super hard. But meeting Trinity really saved me, and I’m being courted now, which is definitely something I’d never thought would happen.”
“Awe!” Trinity bumped her shoulder against Dennis’s. “Wait what-“
“What?!” Victoria gasps, the omega’s eyes intense as a wide smile spreads on her face. “You’re being courted? Oh my gosh, who?”
“Someone’s been courting you?” Robby asked, feeling a flare of anger in his chest at the thought of Dennis being courted and wooed by an alpha who clearly didn’t deserve him.
Maybe he was a little too aggressive because everyone at the table started looking at him strangely. Especially Dennis.
Dennis tilted his head, his eyes glancing around the table before landing back on Robby. “Uh, you?”
The air stilled, and Robby’s eyes widened.
“Umm, isn’t that why you’ve been scenting me at work, being next to me all the time, and giving me stuff?” Dennis asked quietly.
That’s true. Robby had noticed how thin the younger man was, so he started buying snacks for him every day. And he did lend his jacket and sweater out to him multiple times, even letting Dennis take him home. And of course, it all comes back to the touching that Robby couldn’t stop. It was compulsive.
He’s totally been courting Dennis without realizing it.
“Am I… wrong?” Dennis asked insecurely.
Just hearing the sadness and fear in his voice snapped Robby out of whatever realization trance he was in. He never wanted to make Dennis sound like that. “Nope, you’re not wrong. I was definitely courting you. On purpose. Yes. This is a thing that I definitely knew was happening.”
“Oh, so that’s why you’re constantly touching him and around him.” Mel gasped and nodded her head, looking at Langdon for confirmation.
“Mel, not now.” Langdon shook his head, glancing over at the older alpha. “Robby looks like he’s gonna have a conniption.”
Robby coughed, trying to clean his face of any visible emotion and simultaneously avoiding the piercing glare directed at the side of his head from Trinity.
Trinity also quickly fixed her face when her best friend turned in her direction with a curious expression on her face.
“This is great, Huckleberry.” She grinned. “If you need me to kill him for you… I will. No questions.” She muttered, looking Dennis deep in the eyes.
Dennis laughed. A full body laugh with his head thrown back and a wide smile on his face.
And then, Robby was hit by it.
The sweetest, most delicious scent he had ever had the pleasure of smelling. It was the same light scent he had been craving for months, but had no idea where it was originating from. Of course, it was fucking Whitaker.
Damn, he really needs to pay closer attention.
“I’ll be careful.” Robby addressed Trinity, casually slinging an arm around Dennis’s shoulder and pulling him closer, enjoying the pretty blush high on the omega’s cheeks. “Promise. If I mess up, I won’t fight you killing me, Santos.”
Trinity narrowed her eyes but nodded, the conversation starting to flow again around the table.
Dennis gently played with his fingers, hesitantly snuggling closer to the alpha. This was the first time it was blatant physical contact without the guise of it just being friendly or professional.
“Uh… I have my heat next month…” Dennis whispered softly, looking up at Robby through his eyelashes. “I’m not- I’m not ready for anything big… but maybe I can build a nest at your place?”
Robby’s heart pounded in his chest. An omega choosing to build their nest in an alpha’s den was the highest honor.
“Anything,” Robby whispered, giving in to an impulse and pressing a kiss to Dennis’s forehead. "Let me take you out on a proper date before then."
Dennis chirped softly, leaning up and pressing a chaste kiss to Robby’s cheek, before turning and joining in the conversation again, making no move to remove himself from Robby’s hold.
Yeah, something like that
vaporwave
yousharknotpass
