a sneak peak for a new project:

small summary — leon is diagnosed as a beta despite having omega traits since he never had a heat/presented properly. then he meets chris and somehow this older alpha causes him to kick start the whole process properly. neither of them are ready for it. but you won’t see them complaining about it.

On a Thursday morning, just a couple of weeks before his twentieth birthday, Leon’s life took a missive turn.

“It’s a rare condition, Mr. Kennedy.” the doctor spoke, as he wrote out the new form. “But it does happen. Betas… they rarely have children with a designation different from their own. Honestly, I’d assumed that someone would catch it sooner.”

The doctor turned a little, pressing something on a FAX machine and waiting as it printed out another form.

“Nonetheless, we caught it now. It’s not that big of a change, you still need to make appointments at the gynaecologist from time to time though. Not that your chances of getting pregnant are great, without the right hormones, you will just miscarry at best. Anyways. Other than that, you can live as any other beta man would, just uh… with some additional equipment.” the man laughed dryly and took the paper, reading it over quickly. He nodded to himself, attaching a few more forms from his desk to it with a staple, before handing it out to Leon. “Congratulations, Mr. Kennedy.”

Leon took the paper with shaking hands, also reading the words.

“You’re a beta.”

Beta.

A small four letter word that shifted his world around. A word that opened so many doors, and yet.

Leon pursed his lips, nodding once before standing up.

“Oh, make sure to go to the town hall this week. Update your documents and all that. They’ll know the drill.”

With that, Leon left the office walking home, to his cramped and cold apartment. He undressed, laid down in his nest and just stared at the wall.

Beta.

He was… a beta.

TIME SKIP ⏭️

“Officer Kennedy.”

Leon straightened up, raising his head just for his thoughts to go flying.

There was a man descending the stairs. Captain Redfield, if he wasn’t mistaken.

His first real expression of the man was that he was… large. Seriously, the man’s black uniform seemed ready to burst at the seams. Immediately, Leon knew that he commanded respect without even trying, his sheer size was enough for that. What also probably helped, was that he was handsome as well.

Dark air chopped short, slowly turning grey around the temples, an equally dark stubble that bordered on becoming a beard soon enough, sharp features, wrinkles in the right places, skin tanned probably from the remnants of the summer heatwave that hit Raccoon City, just over a month ago.

And his eyes… his eyes were such a warm brown, that Leon just wanted to melt on the spot.

His legs trembled, something stirring in his belly the closer the man got. It was an alien feeling, but also familiar.

It was the nerves. Had to be.

Swallowing and stubbornly refusing to make a fool of himself, he stuck out his hand the moment Redfield fully approached him.

“Captain Redfield, I—it’s…” he swallowed again, something in his lower stomach twisting as the scent of the alpha enveloped him. It was strong. Stronger than he’s ever smelt before.

Captain Redfield smelled like oak, air just before a storm, with a hint of coffee and smoke. Very outdoorsy, very fresh, very warm, very good—

“Officer Kennedy.” he finally managed, “Reporting for duty.”

Redfield smiled and nodded, shaking his hand gently.

Why? Why didn't he squeeze it firmly? Everyone at the Academy damn near broke Leon’s fingers whenever they shook hands, alphas liked to show off their dominance like that. So why? Why, why, why—?

“It’s good to have you with us, Officer Kennedy. Come on up, let’s get you your uniform, and then we can have a look around the station.” Captain Redfield said and let go of his hand.

Leon nodded and glanced back to Rita who gave him a thumbs-up, “I’ll see you later, rookie! You’re in good hands.”

He flushed bright red. Whether it was from Rita or the handsome alpha Captain, he wasn’t sure, but the colour spread down like fire. He could feel it, the heat that travelled from his ears and cheeks, below his shirt, to his neck, chest, shoulder and back.

Another symptom that didn’t seem to care that he was actually a beta. Omegas were known for their excessive and distinct blushing patterns that created a distinct V-shape around the chest and back.

He needed to calm down. Leon was a beta, he deserved to be here, he was allowed to be here. He was a beta, he was a beta—

“Are you from the city?” Redfield asked, making Leon realise that he was rather soft spoken. A voice that fit him, even though it differed from the usual alpha growl like tones, that Leon was used to.

“No, no, I uh, I arrived yesterday.” he replied, trying not to gawk too much at the twisting and turning hallways. This place was a maze…

Captain Redfield nodded, “So a new start, huh?” he mussed to himself, “You live far from the station?”

“Oh. It’s a ten minute drive, so it’s not too bad I guess.” Leon awkwardly responded, feeling a little nervous about the questions. But he guessed that it was normal.

The alpha smiled and glanced at him, making Leon feel uncomfortably hot.

“It’s not too bad, you’ll just need to remember the traffic patterns. Getting to the day shift should be fine, we start bright and early. But watch out for the night shift, the city is basically a traffic nightmare after sundown.” Redfield stopped suddenly and pulled open a door, stepping back to let Leon pass through.

They both froze.

The way Redfield positioned himself at the door, his posture wide, one hand on the handle, the other slightly outstretched to guide Leon in.

It was how alphas usually treated omegas. The position was protective, careful, aware of the space and the omega.

But there was no omega here.

Redfield frowned, looking slightly confused as he curled his hand into a fist and allowed it to drop to his side.

Leon cleared his throat and nodded, coming through first. Electing to ignore the strange situation all together.

He entered the locker room and glanced around, seeing the showers and a sign that said.

“Locker room - Alpha & Men”

Right. Right. Another thing that he never quite got used to.

Entering the “Alpha & Men” bathrooms was still weird to him. But continuing to go to the “Omega & Women” bathrooms seemed… wrong now. So Leon was just stuck being an intruder wherever he went.

“We have three open lockers,” Redfield said and walked over to point them out, “Choose one, and I’ll head over to get your uniform. I’ll be just next door.”

Leon nodded, taking off his backpack. “Alright. Thank you, sir.”

“Chris.” the older man immediately corrected, “Or Captain, if you must. But honestly, call me Chris. I’m from a different division, so you’re not exactly… under me.”

Chris trailed off, something passing through his expression, but it was gone too fast for him to decipher.

“Anyways. Be right back.”

Leon watched him go, and as soon as the door closed behind the Captain, he just sank down to sit on the bench. He buried his head in his hands, groaning.

He was feeling hot.

Way too hot.

He sighed and opened his shirt a little, shrugging off his jacket to hang it in the locker.

“You can do this, you can do this, you can do this.” he muttered to himself, taking a deep calming breath and straightening back up. He was second in his class, he could shoot, he knew all the forms, all the procedures. He will do good here, he will be fine.

The door opened behind him, and Leon turned around, watching as Chris came through with his things. He handed them over carefully and smiled lightly, when Leon took them, pressing the clothes close to his chest.

“Here you are. Marvin will handle the rest of the usual gear, he’s a great guy so don’t worry too much.” he reassured and pulled back, staring down at Leon with what seemed like hesitation. Then after a moment, he blinked and turned to leave, “Get dressed, I’ll… just wait outside for you.”

Again. It would’ve been fine if Chris stayed, it was a communal place. Leon wouldn’t even take off his underwear and shirt. Still. He watched as the Captain left and gently shut the door.

Leon listened for his retreating footsteps, but they never came. Neither did the shadow leave from beneath the door.

Why was he… just standing there?

He blushed again, something in him settling down, the longer he observed the broad shadow. Some anxiety itched away now that he knew that no one would enter, that he was alone to undress and just do what he needed to do.

Usually, it was something that people did for omegas. Since they were anxious about being vulnerable in front of strangers. Also it was considered very disrespectful to try and take a peak at an unclothed omega.

Back in school, before his diagnosis… when Leon still went into the Omega & Women designed spots. He remembered there being changing rooms in the lockers, so that everyone got to keep their privacy.

Looking around now, he didn’t get how alphas did it. Just… undressing to nothing, in front of others. It seemed uncomfortable to him, even back at the Academy.

Leon looked to the door again, the shadow hadn't moved.

This was all so weird. Captain Redfield seemed weird.

Not necessarily in a bad way, as he was kind. Very kind honestly, but they just met and he was Leon’s superior… it just didn’t make sense.

At the Academy, his superiors were assholes at best. Still, he did alright in the end, so he can handle this.

Then again, Chris was just finishing up his nightshift, maybe in his head he was already back in his warm bed… his mate waiting there, his children and maybe a dog too. A golden retriever, or an old german shepherd who used to serve in the K-9 unit.

He had to be mated, there was no other way considering his age and well attractiveness. He seemed like a perfect alpha. Who probably had a perfect family…

Leon’s eyes watered as his hand ran down to the soft part of his lower belly. A biting reminder that nothing would grow there… ever.

He shook his head and slapped his cheeks, pushing it all back. Now was not the time.

People had mates and families.

Good for them.

Leon had a badge and a new start.

Good for him.

in the actual work, the changes in leon will happen at a slow pace (weeks-months), he will deliberately ignore all signs of it all (because of course he will), ending in a heat and realisation that. oh. oh this is actually happening.

while chris is in his office ripping out his hair wondering WHY the fuck is his rut cycle messed up all of a sudden. (he will stop having ruts after meeting leon). and WHY can’t he stop thinking about the rookie and sniffing at air, looking for a scent that leon DOESNT EVEN HAVE??? (yet. he doesn’t have it YET)

let the boy COOK chris!