On Friday afternoons, Eley often stayed behind in the library, diving into some assignment or losing himself in a book. He detested going home on Fridays, as it usually meant dealing with numerous family members all too ready to bemoan the fact that he was a recessive Omega. Tired of that label echoing in his ears every day, he would linger in the library until closing time, before trudging home at the slowest pace possible, rueing his dearth of friends.
Cheng was already at his evening job and couldn't be asked to keep Eley company, especially knowing he needed the work to continue affording university.
With a heavy sigh, Eley picked up a mystery novel and began to read.
No more than three pages in did he notice the chair beside him shift. Looking up, he was almost taken aback. The figure was cloaked in a black hoodie, face obscured, but the intensity of those eyes was unmistakable — the same he'd seen before, drawing the gaze of many in the vicinity.
"Can I sit here?" the Alpha asked.
Speech deserted Eley, his heart racing much like the moment they first met. He could only nod, his ability to vocalize failing him entirely.
"What are you doing here? It's pretty empty."
"Reading," Eley managed, eyes darting back to his book yet struggling not to scrutinize the face and eyes before him.
"Oh, that book. I've read it. It's good."
"Don't spoil it for me."
"Wouldn't dream of it," came the response, punctuated by a smile.
Eley resumed his reading, fixated despite the Alpha's scrutiny. Resting his chin on his hand, the Alpha watched him more closely. To Eley, he seemed like a Beta, someone who didn't care enough to sneak glances back. It was clear he wasn't bothered, but Eley couldn't help being distracted by how endearing the observer was, noting the soft cascade of red hair framing striking eyes, and inhaling the scent of his cologne, devoid of any hormonal trace, only carrying the sweet fragrance.
Unable to hold back, Eley sneaked a peek in return. Their eyes met briefly, Eley's lingering on the beauty of the other's, almost glowing. Quick to avoid an awkward stare, but already feeling ensnared. For his part, the Alpha, Lukyan, took in Eley's features too — the long lashes, gray eyes, and slightly parted lips, only breaking eye contact as Eley wet his lips and refocused on his book.
Generally surrounded by Betas, Lukyan preferred the company, ignoring the Omegas in the library, mindful to breathe through his mouth, eschewing the heady, repelling scents that conjured unwanted memories and revulsion.
"How was class today?" he finally asked.
"Same as always," Eley replied, dismissively.
"That slow a reader? You've been on the same page since I arrived."
The Omega clenched the book a bit tighter, inhaling deeply.
"Hard to concentrate with someone staring so much. Haven't you seen a Beta before?"
A small, crooked smile formed on the Alpha's lips.
"Sure, I've seen plenty. Just, you look different."
"Different? If that's your idea of a pick-up line, it's terrible."
The Alpha's smile broadened with intrigue.
"Sorry about that. Won't stare anymore. I'll go grab something and be right back."
Eley nodded, watching him leave through the entrance.
Breathing heavily, Eley pressed a hand to his chest to reassure himself his heart remained in place. Wiping sweat from his palms over his face, he closed his eyes briefly and, out of caution, took an inhibitor pill he rarely used, feeling off-kilter enough to warrant the precaution.
With the Alpha's backpack temptingly close, Eley resisted the urge to inspect it. But resistance faltered, and he leaned in, overwhelmed by an intense variety of scents, ultimately discerning a distinctive chocolate note.
Swallowing hard, he pulled back abruptly, tapping his head with the book to clear his senses.
Upon Lukyan's return, Eley noticed him sipping from a water bottle, calmly reading. The Alpha simply settled beside him and seemed to doze off, arms folded on the table to cradle his face, lips slightly parted, black hair veiling his eyes.
"Hey," Eley spoke, signaling closing time. "Hey, Lukyan, it's late."
Gently nudged, the Alpha's eyes slowly opened.
"Ah, my apologies."
"No worries, but we should go; they're closing up."
Lukyan stood, trailing behind Eley, a silent giant in tow.
"Do you come here often?"
"Just Friday afternoons. I don't like getting home early, so I hang out here instead."
"Why not head home?"
"Prefer dodging my family most times. They're not the kindest."
Lukyan nodded in understanding.
"Yeah, I get it, my family isn't exactly warm and fuzzy. In fact, they're downright hostile, which is why I moved out."
"You live alone?"
"Yeah, for four years now."
"That's quite a while. So, how old are you?"
Lukyan gave him a contemplative look, to which Eley expectedly awaited an answer.
"How old do you think I am?"
"No idea," Eley pondered. "Twenty-five?"
"Come on, do I really look that old?"
A grin escaped Eley, and Lukyan couldn't resist mirroring it.
"No, it's just you're tall and broad; you fit the bill of that age."
"Only twenty-two."
"So, since you were eighteen you've been living alone," Eley surmised. "That's impressive. I'd like to move out too, but I can't bring myself to leave my mom. I know she's got my dad, but being the youngest, I feel obliged to stick around."
"Is your mom an Omega?"
Eley nodded.
"Mine's a dominant Omega."
Eley's eyes tracked the Alpha's, which failed to convey pride or affection. If anything, it sounded like resentment. Curious as he was, silence won over questioning as he watched Lukyan's demeanor shift to a grim pensiveness.
Sensing Eley's gaze, Lukyan regretted letting his feelings show. He clenched his jaw, watching the traffic while wondering how he could ever rekindle any relationship with his parents. His escape from home had been his liberation from a life marred by desperation and abuse.
Lukyan's thoughts lingered on the welcome company of an appealing Beta as the pedestrian light turned green. In silence, they walked, Eley with quick, short steps, Lukyan with slow, elongated strides.
"Eley," Lukyan voiced, eliciting a chilled shiver down Eley's spine.
His name sounded different, as if it had power over him. However, he simply raised his eyes to meet a kindly gaze.
"Want to grab a drink? Living alone can be lonesome sometimes."
Eley hesitated, reading the unease in the Alpha's expression, a tightness gripping his own chest. The absence of Lukyan's usual luster was painfully apparent; thoughts of the mentioned Omega father evidently weighing on him.
"Yes, I'd like that," he replied with a smile, which Lukyan returned with relief.
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