Sandalwood And Lime
It's been years since you had met Nathan face to face and now he sends you an invite to his super secret research lab? What could he possibly want from you?
[Part 1] | Part 2
AO3
tags: Omegaverse AU | not really unrequited love | reunion | gender-neutral reader | Alpha!Reader (yes, reader has a penis) | Omega!Nathan Bateman | Nathan is the Omegaverse version of a Girl Boss | Bonding/Mating | canon divergent (duh) | android shenanigans | scent kink | Nathan Bateman is a brat | throat fucking | oral knotting | breath play
ship: Nathan Bateman/Reader
word count: ~5k
You double check everything but despite your utter surprise and confusion it seems legit. You actually got an e-mail from Nathan fucking Bateman. No, not simply an e-mail but an invitation.
Staring at your laptop screen you've half a mind to pinch yourself just in case you are actually dreaming. You hadn't talked or seen each other since Nathan dropped out and now he invites you to his research facility? The e-mail is too clean and professional to be from Nathan personally but still. Even if his secretary wrote it the invitation made you feel both uneasy and excited at the same time.
Of course instead of answering immediately you leave the e-mail open without replying for the next few hours. In between tidying up your living space, cooking food and doing little things here and there you keep looking at the e-mail, forming a reply in your mind before turning to the next thing to do. Procrastination at its best: Writing, deleting, re-writing a response over and over again before stepping away from the laptop to do something else. By the end of the night as you're ready to go to sleep you take one final look at your reply. You take a deep breath, click on the send button, close your laptop and go to bed.
You wake up to a message thanking you for accepting the invitation. Attached to that e-mail is a plane ticket and a map. It dawns on you that you're going to see Nathan and it will be awkward as hell. But maybe you'll have the possibility to talk about what happened back then and clear the air. You just hope he won't hide you in his basement and kill you for leaving him alone back then. Or worse: Talk to you about Bitcoin.
The plane and subsequent helicopter ride goes by in a blur. Back on the ground you focus on the map you got, thankful that you decided to load it on your phone beforehand because the connection around here is atrocious. Your heart beat rises with every step, the anticipation of meeting Nathan again making you nauseous. You find your way through the trees and undergrowth, hiking for longer than you feel capable of. You find what you assume to be the entrance surprisingly easy. It looks more like an oversized outdoor closet than the entrance to a secluded research lab but it does oddly fit into the otherwise untouched wilderness. The serene rushing of water, the chirping of birds, it all seems more wilderness retreat than scientific research. The atmosphere does help to soothe your nerves but doesn't get rid of the anxiety entirely.
As you take a look around you're startled by a feminine sounding voice saying your name. You turn towards the source of the voice, a noise of surprise escaping you. "Please approach the console and face the screen," the disembodied voice continues. You inspect the mentioned console from the side. Your first assumption is that it's some kind of intercom with a video interface. Maybe the owner of that voice worked for Nathan? Not thinking too much of it you step in front of the console and face the screen as instructed. A few seconds later you're reminded of taking pictures for your school ID, the almost blinding flash of a camera leaving you startled, your face scrunched up in displeasure. "Take your keycard," the voice instructs. You're still blinking furiously as you look back down at the console. A small keycard protrudes from a slot under the screen. You take the card, your scrunched up face looking back at you from the small metal plate. You roll your eyes in annoyance but you can't deny the little smile threatening to spread across your face. This is such a Nathan prank to do. It reminds you of the time when you were still friends, just friends. Some things don't change apparently.
"You may now enter the residence." The metal door next to you opens with a satisfying click, the intercom lighting up in an affirmative blue. With a shrug you take your bags, your new keycard clutched safely in your hand and enter. You make your way down a set of stairs surrounded by glass walls. The view is breathtaking and yet the glass makes you feel like a specimen kept in a see-through cage. The space at the bottom of the stairs replaces the open glass walls with huge blocks of concrete straight out of a brutalist architect's wet dream. An effort was made to give it a 'carved from stone' look but it feels fake, a mere copy of nature's design. The living space you find yourself in is all straight lines with hints of rustic influences that don't shine through. It feels sterile and unlived in like a show room at IKEA, pretty but empty of any humanity.
Somebody behind you clears their throat. You whip around, almost knocking over your bags, and freeze. In front of you stands Nathan Bateman, your best friend and Omega. Former best friend and Omega. He looks just like you had seen him on the magazine covers: the buzz cut, the bushy beard, the glasses. This Nathan looks nothing the man you knew and had left behind. You feel mad at yourself for being disappointed because what did you expect? People change, nobody stays the same forever. Without taking a closer whiff you know he is wearing scent blockers, the whole room smelling sterile. There is no spark, no connection left between you two. Your connection through the bond does not return. You're left with the realization that he probably had the bond severed ages ago. Looking at him now you feel ridiculous. Why did you even come here? What did you expect to happen?
"It's been a while. You look good."
You blink at him. Calm civility is the last thing you expected from him, well, second to last thing. You expected gloating: 'See what you could have had if you hadn't run because of stupid biology and feelings?' or something along those lines. For him to rub your nose into what you could have accomplished as his co-owner Alpha. But no, he is being nice. So very unlike the Nathan you knew. But alas, people do change.
"Yeah it has. You too! Look good, I mean."
Smooth.
He nods in acknowledgment. "Let me explain why I invited you here," he begins and yes you would love to know why he thought of you after so long. "I need your help testing my newest project."
"I am assuming there is an NDA involved here?"
Nathan smiles and fuck that's been a rare sight even back in the day. "Yes, of course but first, please, sit. Relax. Make yourself at home," he motions for you to take a seat on one of the couches while he plops down on a chair himself. "It's so good to see you. I am excited to work together."
You awkwardly sit down, feeling stupid for whatever you had imagined in your head would happen here. Evidently Nathan does not have any hangups about how you two fell apart. He is thriving and you had never seen him so calm before. Being successful does him good. And surprisingly he still values your input, your intelligence. This is business, research, nothing else. Of course it is. You've been a fool to think otherwise. You take a deep breath before responding. "I'm glad you think so. Though given your success with BlueBook I don't understand what you need me for?" What you really wanted to ask was: "Why do you need me, genius? If you can't figure something out then how should I?" But that feels too personal, too familiar. It's something you could have asked a decade or so ago but not today, not now.
"Without sharing too much let me just say I need the insight of a third person, someone outside of all of this," he waves his hand around, motioning to the room. "And given that you are both very intelligent and very removed from the work BlueBook does you fit the criteria perfectly." Translation: We haven't talked in over a decade but you still work in the field so you can give better perspective than the people who work for me. "And don't worry. You will be compensated for your work." You nod in understanding. With a company as successful as BlueBook he can't afford not to pay people. "So how have you been? I've seen some of your work but you're pretty low-key online otherwise." He isn't asking if you got an Omega with three kids waiting at home but he is also not not asking that. Or maybe you're overthinking this. There is an itch at the back of your mind, potentially another migraine coming to say hello and ruin your day. You try your best to ignore it.
"Eat, sleep, work, repeat. Not much else going on besides that. I try to make time for hobbies and social interactions but my life is kinda boring," you reply with a nervous laugh. Nathan just smiles at you serenely.
"I understand. It's similar for me," he responds. You sincerely doubt that but decide not to comment. You're not close enough for gentle ribbing and good-natured insults anymore. The awkward smalltalk continues. You feel like Nathan is waiting for something, maybe for you to mention your past but you ignore it. If he wants to talk about what happened then he should start that conversation. You're not going to bring it up on your own, especially since once again it feels like you're the only one affected.
When both of you turn quiet, unable to think of safe topics to talk about, Nathan gets up and walks towards your bags. "Let me show you where you will stay for the time being," he explains and takes your luggage. You try to stop him, fully capable of carrying your bags yourself but he refuses. "You're my guest. Come on now, you must be tired from the trip."
As you step out of the elevator which took you even deeper down into this whole facility you find yourself in the most sterile hallways you've seen outside of hospitals. Nathan leads you through them, explaining how your keycard works. It's simple enough: If you are allowed to enter then your keycard will open the door, if not then it doesn't. He stops in front of a door, a glowing console built into the wall next to it, and motions for you to use your keycard. As soon as you tap the console with the card the door opens with a soft hiss. You step inside finding a small bedroom with an attached bathroom. The space looks like a high end hotel room, sleek and well lit. Nathan places your bags next to the bed. He shows you around the small room, the cupboards, mini fridge and desk. The lack of windows is making you feel a little claustrophobic. There are papers already placed on the small desk in the corner, the NDA you'll have to sign before learning more about Nathan's project. "I'll leave you to explore for a bit. Or take a nap. Whatever you need. When you're ready for dinner come up to the living room."
You look up from the documents to see Nathan stand in the doorway, ready to leave. "Will I have to sign this before dinner?"
He smiles again and the sight turns more eerie the more he does it. "I would love that yes. That way we can get started as soon as possible. But take your time reading through everything."
"Got it."
Nathan leaves you in your new room and you immediately read through the NDA, ignoring that you could probably use a nap or maybe some caffeine. Under your breath you read through the document aloud.
"The signee agrees to regular data audit with unlimited access, to confirm that no disclosure of information has taken place in public or private forums using any means of communication, including but not limited to that which is disclosed orally or in written or electronic form."
What in the 'Big Brother Is Watching You' is this? What is Nathan working on that warrants something (probably illegal) like this? But you're too curious. Nathan had always talked about having big plans even outside the search engine that is BlueBook. What had his mad scientist brain come up with? What is he so eager for you to see? Against your better judgment you sign the none-disclosure agreement and take a nap.
You still feel a little tired afterwards. One of those naps that have you unconscious for a bit but don't really seem to help much. You step into the living room, the signed NDA in hand and greet Nathan. "How was your nap?“ he asks softly. You shrug and simply give him the piece of paper. He takes it with that off-putting smile and thanks you.
"You know about the Turing Test, right?" he asks suddenly.
You furrow your brows and can't hold back the offended tone with which you answer. "Of course I know about the Turing Test."
Nathan gives a short laugh, "Of course. Well, what I need you to do is be the human part in a Turing Test."
Wait what?
"You're working on artificial intelligence? That's what this is about?" He gives you a toothy grin and, oh no, that hits a little too close to home. Your stomach is doing somersaults as Nathan leans forward conspiratorially.
"I made an artificial intelligence. All I need is for a third party to verify that I reached the next big step in science, no, evolution."
"OK, first of: Hold your horses, genius," the old nickname rolling off of your tongue with nostalgic familiarity, "I am not going to go along with this just to boost your already overinflated ego. For science? Yes. But I am not blowing up your head to get even larger." Nathan doesn't react for long enough that you regret your words. Not for what they were but for how you sounded. You weren't two dumb barely adults in a student dorm anymore. You don't know Nathan like this, haven't in a long ass time. "Sorry, that came out wrong-"
"No, I understand," he interrupts you, "I don't take it personally. I am however very happy you'll be helping me. For the science." You blink at Nathan, his reaction once again too calm and understanding compared to your expectations and past experiences with Nathan. Something rubs you the wrong way but you can't quite place it.
"Of course. So when will we start?“ you ask, trying to move on from your blunder quickly.
"Soon, but first you need to eat." Nathan leads you into a cozy kitchen space. In the middle of the room a table is already set, lit candles giving the whole scene a soft glow. It's almost romantic if you ignore the circumstances. You both sit down and you notice two things immediately: Nathan made your favorite food and you're the only one with food on their plate.
"Are you just going to sit there and watch me eat?"
"I already ate something while you were napping. I can look somewhere else if that makes you more comfortable?" You roll your eyes at him and he answers with that sly smirk you've gotten quite familiar with back in college. The unserious bickering is comforting in a way; it feels more natural than your earlier stilted conversations. Maybe you can actually do this, work with Nathan without the bitter sting of a broken bond. And it has to be broken. Being around him longer there is still no pull, no hormonal need to be close, no earth-shattering flood of emotions. There is heartache, regret and shame, yes. But those feelings are fully your own, a result of the loss of a dear friend due to your own actions, not the consequences of a severed bond.
You dig into your food and it's delicious. The taste is just right, just how you like it. After your first bite you look at Nathan suspiciously. He holds your gaze for a moment before tilting his head in a silent question, one eyebrow raised. "Did you make this?“ you ask, pointing at the food in front of you. Nathan still looks at you, seemingly pondering his answer. That off-kilter smile returns and your stomach twists a little, the sight making you more uncomfortable each time.
"Is it so strange that I know how to cook?"
You lay down your utensils with a sigh, not averting your gaze. "It's a good skill to have. You're just the last person I would have expected to learn that. Beyond knowing how to heat up leftovers I mean."
"But the food is good? You like it?" he asks, keeping eye contact. You look at him deadpan, waiting out the impromptu staring contest you find yourself in. When Nathan keeps staring at you, waiting for your response, not even blinking, you give up with an irritated groan. You pick up your utensils again and take a big bite of your food. Nathan keeps grinning, basking in his victory. "Thought so."
Stupid handsome Nathan and his stupid delicious food. You can't help but start laughing at the ridiculousness of it all. Nathan's laugh joins yours almost immediately and at once your anxiety clears up. You can actually do this. The rest of dinner passes by uneventfully. You try to get Nathan to talk about his project but he keeps deflecting even though you have signed the NDA already.
"You just arrived! Settle down first. We have so much time for the tests. We don't need to rush." He invites you to his research facility all the way in the middle of nowhere after not talking for years and instead of letting you do the job he asked you to do he wants you to chill and hang out with him? Oh god, this is just like college. He probably thinks he doesn't really need to do the Turing Test for whatever A.I. he built. Just like he didn't need those humanities classes. Well, he's paying for every hour you're here so if this is how he wants to spend his money you won't complain.
After some less awkward post-dinner small talk you make your way back to your room to sleep for the night. The labyrinthian hallways leave you directionless. Every wall, every door looks the same and you have a hard time finding your way to your room again. Your frustration is replaced by confusion when the faint scent of sandalwood and lime hits your nose. You sniff the air, the barely there scent making your heartbeat fasten. That's Nathan. But you couldn't smell him earlier. Is he putting on scent blockers just for you? You swear the hallway didn't smell like Nathan before. Are you just in the wrong place? Is Nathan's room here somewhere? You have the sudden urge to follow the scent, to find Nathan and-
"Did you get lost?"
You flinch and let out an undignified yelp. You quickly turn around to find Nathan stand behind you like he suddenly teleported here just to scare you. "You scared the shit out of me. Fucking hell," you curse, your heart racing with adrenaline, "And yes! I did! Stupid fucking hallways."
Nathan raises an eyebrow, seemingly unimpressed by your outburst. "Let me show you the way to your room then. Again."
You don't talk while you follow Nathan to your room, still feeling a bit off. You try to subtly breathe in his scent but only find a lack thereof. So he is wearing blockers. Should you too? You hadn't thought of it before but now you feel a little self-conscious. When you arrive at your room you say good night to Nathan and lock the door behind you. There is still something gnawing at the back of your mind. Something is off about this but you can't put your finger on it yet. You're pretty sure that Nathan is not telling you the whole truth.
You're still haunted by the scent of sandalwood and lime as you fall asleep.
The next day isn't any less weird. Breakfast is a small affair since Nathan declines breakfast with you. He once again already ate before you or so he says. You eye him with suspicion but eat breakfast nonetheless. "So," you look at Nathan with a raised eyebrow, "Your A.I. that I am supposed to test. Where is it?"
Nathan rolls his eyes at you. "The weather is so nice. We could go hiking! But no, you need to think about work."
"Because that's what you invited me for!" You step forward, closer into his personal space. "Why are you-" you stop yourself, the faint scent of sandalwood and lime hitting your nostrils again but something is off. The scent is wrong. You grimace, taking a step back instinctively. "Why do you smell like this?"
"I don't know what you mean," he answers, tilting his head in confusion. You rub your nose trying to get rid of the smell. It's the correct notes but wrong, like somebody tried to recreate an Omega's scent in a lab so it could be sold as a perfume afterwards. Whatever it is it is not Nathan's scent. Not like you remember and not like you smelled it in that damn hallway. It's not-
You look at the person in front of you and suddenly everything clicks into place. Every little thing that felt off to you combines into one realization.
"You're not Nathan." He stares at you, unflinching, unblinking, unnatural. "You're the A.I. that I'm supposed to test."
It's like a switch is flipped and the 'Nathan' before you gives you that uncanny smile again, an artificial replica of human expression. "I am sorry for the deception. Mr. Bateman was adamant about this."
That motherfucker.
"Where is he?"
"I'm sorry but-"
"Where the fuck is he?"
Your aggressive tone makes the android in front of you flinch. You almost feel bad about it but your rage at his creator overshadows your regrets.
"I can bring you to him. I want to warn you though: your presence here has affected him strongly. I'd advice to take caution."
"Affected him? What do you-"
The scent in the hallway. How you wanted to follow the smell so badly it distracted you from anything else. The way it still stuck in your brain even when you went to bed.
Nathan never did break the bond.
And now he is in heat because of you.
A pleased thrill goes up your spine at the thought, the need to find him getting even stronger.
"Get me to him now."
The android does as you ask, leading you back downstairs through the many confusing hallways until you pick up the scent again. Your heart is racing as 'Nathan' stops and opens the door where the scent is strongest.
You're not prepared for how it is inside: Sandalwood and lime mixed with pheromones so thick in the air that you feel like you're choking. And the sounds. A familiar voice huffing and puffing and groaning mixed with the sound of skin meeting skin.
"You can leave," you tell the android and he obliges immediately, knowing better than to defy his creator's Alpha. You step inside the bedroom, the door automatically closing behind you. Through deep breaths you try to calm yourself, try to keep a clear head while your cock is already growing hard.
"You look horrible," you say with a smirk as you watch Nathan, the real Nathan, lay naked on his back on the bed, stroking his weeping cock furiously with one hand and fingering his slick hole with the other.
His head snaps back, his eyes going wide as he sees you, pupils blown out so wide you only see black. His hands and fingers don't stop moving but pick up the pace instead. "Shut up and fucking touch me," he groans, tilting his head to the side to bare his neck, showing of the scarred tissue of the Mating Bite.
A low growl escapes your throat as you slowly approach the bed. "Bossy. I knew you couldn't have changed that much. You made your little copycat too nice," you tease as you stand above him, looking down on the Omega in heat. Your Omega.
You reach out your hand and like a magnet he is drawn to it, his body begging to be touched. He swallows a whimper. "You can critique me all you want but just FUCK ME," he demands, his voice cracking with need.
You reach out and wrap your fingers around his throat. His breathe falters, his eyes following your every move. "Why did you cut off your hair? Now I don't have anything to pull on," you mutter, displeased.
"I just like it," he wheezes as your fingers tighten around his throat. You respond with a disagreeing nose. His hips stutter upwards, his hand stroking his cock faster and faster as Nathan struggles to breathe. As soon as you loosen your grip and pull back your hand Nathan chokes on the sudden influx of air, stroking himself through his orgasm as ropes of cum shoot from his heavy cock. His fingers don't stop their rapid motions in and out of his slick hole. You pet his head, missing the feeling of digging your fingers into his hair. "Good boy. Feels better now, doesn't it?" Nathan looks at you, wide-eyed, and nods, a soft whimper escaping his throat.
You undress quickly, letting your clothes fall where you stand, and palm your aching cock. Nathan's gaze is fixed to your length, the tip of his tongue wetting his lips. "I remember last time you were crazy about getting your mouth on this," you purr as you gently slap the head of your cock against his eager mouth. His lips part without a second thought, his tongue tasting your pre-cum. Nathan groans, immediately starting to suck on your cock head. You gasp, his lips wrapped around even a small part of your length feels amazing. It's been so long since you had been so close. With desire and joy running through your veins like electricity you're unsurprised that Nathan's heat was triggered by your presence. You wouldn't be surprised if your Rut follows suit.
"Do you want me to fuck your throat, Omega?" Nathan moans around your cock, nodding furiously. You take a step back to give him space as Nathan slides further off the bed, his head falling back over the edge of the mattress. You line up your cock with his mouth, one knee placed next to his shoulder on the bed for support and leverage. "If you need to stop grab my knee, OK?“
"Yeah I can do that. Now please-"
You don't let him finish, forcing his mouth open with your cock. He moans around your length, the vibrations running through it and making your cock twitch. "Nice and easy. Open up for me," you purr and his throat relaxes, his mouth open in a perfect O-shape. Slowly you push inside and let out a curse once you feel him swallow around you. "Fuck. Careful or I am going to knot your pretty throat," you threaten teasingly. Seeing this as a challenge Nathan swallows around you again, his choked off moans muffled by your cock stuffing him full. In response you slowly push your cock out of his mouth just to snap your hips forward again. As you start fucking his face in earnest Nathan does his best to keep his throat relaxed. The indecent sounds escaping him only spur you on further. You quickly feel your knot threatening to swell as you find yourself rapidly approaching your peak. "I'm gonna come," you warn and try to pull out but Nathan reaches back and holds your hips in place. You curse under your breath. "Fuck, you really want me to knot your mouth?" Nathan simply moans around your cock, swallowing it down further, needing, begging for your cum down his throat without words. Unwilling and unable to refuse him you pick up your rhythm again, your throbbing cock dragging against the walls of his throat. You feel the delicious tension build and this time you're not holding back. You push down on your knee to keep your balance, driving your cock down his throat one final time before you feel your knot expand, filling Nathan's mouth, locking him in place.
As you orgasm your seed spills directly down his throat, forcing him to swallow load after load of cum. Through the haze of pleasure you try your best to keep yourself upright and not fall forward onto Nathan. You feel him swallow and lick your knot, seemingly unbothered by the limited air he has access to. The minutes go by in a daze until your knot recedes again. Once it is safe to do so you slowly slip out of Nathan's mouth until you're only connected by a thin strand of cum and saliva. You quickly check on Nathan as he inhales in short bursts, his breath sounding weak, rattling in his lungs. "Are you OK?" Nathan looks up at you with glassy eyes, completely blissed out, his face having turned faintly blue.
"Please fuck me, Alpha," he croaks, his hips canting upwards, legs spread wide. Nathan in heat is truly insatiable.
You lean forward, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "Patience," you coo, "We got all the time in the world." He looks at you pleadingly, his hand clutching your thigh. Your unspoken history hangs heavy between you even through the haze of heat and pheromones. Your lips find his, your kiss slow and longing. As you break apart you can still taste your cum on his lips. "Don't worry," you whisper, "This time I am staying right here."
Nathan answers with a sigh of relief. "I'm glad," he begins, his voice hoarse, "But please, fucking first, feelings later."
You can't help but laugh, leaning your forehead against his. "You fucking idiot," you say with affection, "I can do that."
