Branching into the beta Robby is turned omega niche. @permanent-fire-hazard, does this count as a rejection sickness fic?
Imagine, it’s middle of Covid. Jack’s wife died maybe five months before. Robby moves him into his house because he doesn’t trust him to be alone and also because he isn’t taking the isolation well.
For a few months it works. They go to work, they go home. Jack’s working through the grief. It’s slow but even virtual therapy is better than nothing.
The thing about beta’s in this universe is they aren’t a fixed presentation. Their bodies adapt to stress, and there are instances of them switching presentation in order to fit a 'deficit' in their pack, or as a way to better ingratiate themselves to one.
Hell Robby's been through this once before, with Janey. He was verging on presenting alpha when she pulled the plug on the relationship. Mostly it was on him, his avoidance, him shutting down, etc. But a small part, one that was only confessed to over copious amounts of wine years later, was due to the fact she didn't fully trust a transitioned alpha.
There's stigma surrounding transitioned anything, that they're unreliable, not truly that presentation, that they're deceptive. Hollywood certainly makes enough crime thrillers with the plot point that the seemingly innocent omega was actually a beta that transitioned to steal the money.
The part everyone forgets about is it's completely involuntary.
The beta's body makes the call and there's no conscious decision.
It's hard to remember that when Robby's suddenly presenting as an omega.
His body desperate to establish some sort of pack in the wake of his mentor/father figure's death. And it just so happens his in close and constant proximity with an alpha that's just gone through a similar loss and looking for a pack as well.
It was truly a worse case senerio.
Robby was going through a presentation heat. Jack couldn't leave the house. Both of their instincts were screaming to bond.
People often assume omega's seduce their way into a bond like this. That the pheromones they emit are an aphrodisiac.
In reality Robby just stank of loneliness and desperation. Sure there was an appealing scent underneath but what compelled Jack to finally enter his room was the sheer abandonment emitting from the newly presented omega.
Robby has a chance of transitioning back into a beta, if his body is given adequate space and time, and if he's not mated.
They both become lucid again with Jack tasting blood and Robby feeling a bite.
It's terrible after. Both spiraling with guilt and regret. Robby feeling like he trapped Jack into a relationship. Feeling every bit the conniving beta that's portrayed in the media.
Jack feeling like he's doomed Robby to a life he never wanted. Feeling like he's forced Robby to take on the role of his late wife.
They still have to live together.
Jack switches to the night shift.
Robby's omega feels abandoned. He doesn't say anything about it.
The second lockdown is over Jack leaves. Robby only has a faded, forgotten hoodie with his scent on it.
They go back to being friends, brothers even. Robby's popping suppressants at an almost deadly rate. He hasn't even gone to the doctor.
Jack's getting increasingly flighty and aggressive. He picks up TEMs shifts instead of talking about it.
It comes to a head on the 4th. Robby actually collapse and everything comes to light.
Stage 3 rejection sickness.
Dana looks like she wants to rip Jack's throat out when he arrives and Robby's vitals immediately improve. He'd let her.
Jack stays on the roof for a long time after that. No Robby to talk him down. No, Robby's downstairs nearly dead because of his mistakes.
Jack finally listens to his alpha and gets off the damn roof and goes to his omega.
Robby looks...shriveled. As if ever bit of life was thoroughly squeezed out, then ran over by a steam roller just to be safe.
He sits by his side and scents him. Robby's body weakly tries to return the favor.
Once he wakes up he's immediately apologetic.
Jack kisses him to shut him up.
"I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry." Jack looks at Robby, frail in a way he should never be. Confused and guarded like he can't imagine Jack may actually want him. Slightly leaning into his touch as if it's the only thing keeping him alive and he doesn't know if he's allowed to have it.
Jack's throat and chest tightens. He's got an entire life to make up for this.
