#collaring

I haven't been able to get this au out of my head since first learning about it as it slowly consumes my mind like a parasite, so of course I just had to draw it ^^

Au made by @candysignal they're work is seriously unbelievable and if you love chubby Vox, needy streamer overload, and darker subject matter I would highly recommend checking them out :D

A few extra sketches under the cut :3

Written for the @stmarchmm day five prompt “collaring” | Tags: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Insecure Steve Harrington, Alpha Eddie Munson, Omega Steve Harrington

Bat divider -@popmilky

Also posted on Ao3

The problem with being the Omega half of an Alpha/Omega pair and also being deeply possessive of your mate and pack is that your bite doesn’t stick.

No matter how hard he clamps down, no matter how much he makes Eddie bleed, the bite is always healed in a matter of days. Too many years of evolution ensuring that Alphas heal at max speed, making it impossible for a bite at the already rapidly healing mating gland to stick around.

Every time he rolls over in bed to see his mark gone from his Alpha’s throat, like it never existed, Steve’s heart hurts just a little bit. Eddie can always tell from the bond, always rolls over instinctively and blinks awake, reaching for his Omega before he even knows what’s wrong. He always offers his neck right up again, willing to let Steve latch on and make him bleed no matter how much it hurts. He just wants to make Steve happy.

But after a while, Steve starts to give up. He rolls over a year into their mating to see Eddie’s neck healed once again and rolls back over. When Eddie wakes up and reaches for him, tilting his head up to offer his throat, Steve tells him it’s ok. He doesn’t want to hurt Eddie again when it won’t last.

Eddie is concerned and tries to assure his mate that he doesn’t mind. He loves carrying his mark and doesn’t care that it hurts every time, at this point it only registers as a dull ache. But Steve is adamant.

The problem is, the reason Steve has always been so insistent on marking Eddie is that ever since they got the hell out of Hawkins, Indiana, Omegas and Betas have been all over his mate. Steve has always known that Eddie is a hell of a catch. He’s sweet, caring, considerate, goofy, and still somehow 100% Alpha in the best way. He’s so authentically himself while still managing to be strong and capable in a way that makes Steve’s knees feel weak, and now that he’s not haunted by his reputation as an untouchable “freak”, he draws a lot of attention.

Steve can’t blame them, but that doesn’t mean he has to like it.

Eddie always says no, kindly at first and getting more firm the longer they insist on “one little date” even after he explains that he is happily mated and not interested in a second mate. But Steve has been through some things. He’s been cheated on, he’s been left behind, he’s been the third in a relationship that didn’t really want him for more than a couple quick fucks and shared responsibility of the chores. Every time someone approaches Eddie, all he can think is “this will be the one. This will be the one Eddie decides is better than me.”

He thinks he’s got a grip on it. Thinks Eddie doesn’t know the extent to which this is eating him up inside. How much he’s worried Eddie will wake up and decide that not only does he not want Steve’s bite, he doesn’t want needy, clingy Steve at all anymore.

Until Steve comes home from work one day to find a long, fancy looking box lying perfectly centered on their coffee table. Everything else has been swept away, no half-empty mugs of coffee or sports magazines to be found, just a sleek black box. For a second Steve thinks it might be something sexy. They don’t use many toys, but it’s not out of the question.

But upon closer inspection, Steve sees that there is mat black lettering on the shiny black surface. Collar and Courting, it reads. With that, his knees fall out from under him. He knows that brand. Saw it in one of his Omega geared magazines that no one but Eddie knows he reads. Remembers how fixated he’d been on that article.

“Some say it’s old fashioned. Some even go as far as to say it’s an archaic show of status with no place in the modern age. Some say it’s the most romantic thing an Alpha can do for their mate. Love it or hate it, Collar and Courting is one of the last groups of leather artisans keeping the tradition of Alpha collaring alive.”

He thought he’d hidden it from Eddie, the longing in his chest, but he must have noticed. He always noticed. Hope surges painfully in his chest, his scent blooming. He’s almost afraid to open it, too scared of the slightest possibility that it’s not what he thinks it is.

When he finally musters the courage to lift the lid, his breath catches in his throat. Black, shiny leather stares back at him. More simple than he thought Eddie would go for, just a black band and buckle and a silver O right in the center. He doesn’t hear the footsteps behind him, isn’t aware of Eddie’s presence until he’s leaned over the back of the couch, speaking softly in his ear. 

“You like it?” He asks, as if Steve could ever not love it. He turns around and throws his arms around his mate, headless of the couch between them. 

“Of course I love it, you asshole!” He exclaims because really, what kind of question is that? Eddie laughs in his ear, climbing over the back of the couch instead of going around like the heathen he is. Steve loves him so much. They end up sprawled half haphazardly across the cushion, Eddie pressing noisy kisses into Steve’s neck until he’s a giggly mess.

When they finally calm down, Eddie sits them both up, looking deep into his eyes with that sincerity that always makes Steve swoon a little. “I’ve got one more thing for you,” he says like it’s a secret. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out something small. It clinks quietly against the metal of his rings.

Steve drags his eyes away from Eddie’s deep stare and immediately feels tears pooling in his eyes. It’s a charm, clearly meant for the O ring on the collar. Small and simple, no long winded engravings, just Steve’s signature. The same one on his ID, on his social security card, on the mating certificate hanging proudly on their bedroom wall.

“Fuck, I love you so much,” he says, voice muffled by the kiss he presses firmly to Eddie’s mouth. Eddie welcomes him the same way he always does, smiling into the kiss and pulling him in by the waist. Eventually, he pulls away, reaching for the abandoned box on the table.

“Come on big boy, don’t leave a guy hanging.” There’s mirth in his voice and joy in his eyes, but when Steve goes to pull the supple leather out the box, he pauses.

“Are you sure, Eddie? We don’t have to do this, I love you no matter what. I trust you.” He can see Eddie’s eyes dim with confusion, soft feelings of doubt seeping into the bond.

“What do you mean sweetheart?” He asks, reaching to lay his hand on Steve’s wrist. Comforting, always so comforting. Steve stares at the leather, this thing he wants so badly it hurts, but…

“I mean, I just know it’s kind of old fashioned,” he explains. “And I know you hate archaic gender roles. I just don’t want you to do this because you think you need to. Because you think I need you to.” Eddie is looking at him in that way that’s always so hard for him to read, even with the bond. Years of hiding from his father making Eddie excellent at masking how he feels.

“Listen to me,” he says, eyes back to that intense, earnest gaze that keeps Steve captive. “I love you so much, and there is nothing I want more than for every person on the street to know I’m yours. If I could go back and prevent millions of years of evolution so I could have your bite, I would do it in a heartbeat. I don’t give a shit if it’s traditional or non-traditional, I want this.” And now Steve is really crying. Big, fat, happy tears that Eddie wipes away with gentle fingers.

“Ok,” he says, wobbly but oh so happy.

“Yeah?” Eddie asks, checking in one last time.

“Yeah,” Steve confirms, firmer now. Sure.

Without another word, Eddie scoots back just enough to give Steve access, baring his neck the same way he used every other morning until Steve asked him to stop. Ready and willing for Steve to mark as his own. This time, Steve doesn’t hesitate. Brings the leather up, admiring how it looks against his mate's pale skin, and reaches around to secure it. It fits perfectly, Eddie must have had it custom made, the sap. Steve makes sure it sits low, leaving his mating gland free for scenting.

Wordlessly, Eddie passes him the little charm. His eyes are dark the same way they were when he bit Steve, like he’s trying to capture this moment in all its brightness. The metal makes a small snick sound as it settles into place, and then it’s Eddie’s turn to loose his breath as Steve tilts his head to press a soft kiss to the little tag. Finally, he pulls back, admiring the full picture.

Eddie preens a little under his gaze, tilting his head up just a little to show off his new jewelry. “Look good?” He asks.

NEVER DOUBT YOURSELF ANON!!! THIS IS THE KIND OF VITAL WORLD BUILDING SHIT I LOVE LOVE LOVE ABOUT OMEGAVERSE!!!

You turned to the person who was harassing you at the convention. Behind you was a tiny girl, barely coming up to your shoulders. “Look. I think you’re mistaken, but I’m not into that sort of thing so maybe you’re looking for someone else. If you could just leave me- Arf!”

The click of the leash to your collar surprised you as much as the bark that escaped your lips. Your hands reached up tracing the collar that had magically appeared around your neck. Your eyes trailed down the leash to where it sat in the girl’s hands.

“That’s better. But I guess I should train you. Sit!” You immediately dropped to your knees, your butt falling back on your heels. “Good job puppy!” She pet your head happily. You felt a warm sensation run from your head to your toes. You didn’t hate it.

“Lay down.” You dropped to your side, rolling over onto your back, legs and paws pulled up towards your stomach. It felt so natural to obey to your owner. Even with everyone around watching you, it felt so comfortable to obey your commands.

The objects watch the player go through just a really bad week, like horrendous. Family comes over and the player has to be the peace keeper for days on end, a friend has a fight with their boyfriend and the player takes care of them when they’re upset, the neighbor gets mad at something and has a moment yelling at the player on their porch- just terrible shit. The whole house sees how the player keeps trying to take care of those around them no matter how unfair it is or how much energy they actually have to give others. It’s about time they they get taken care of.

It’s Ben-wa’s idea of course, and not everyone understands how it will help, but they explain that it isn’t just about the sex, it’s about submitting and getting into a headspace where it’s welcome to be taken care of. It’s about trust with your lover(s) and not being expected to do anything but follow orders and be pampered. It’s about that glassy eyes look they get when they slip into subspace.

Yeah that convinces everyone.

Besides, the player has helped everyone in the house too. Helped find missing in-animals, helped people get together, or even back together in Washford and Drysdale’s case, fixed the faulty wire. and been there for everyone emotionally in countless ways. It was time to return the favor.

And Volt actually vouches for the idea since this is after most of the house is dating or friends with the player and when they were having a night with Volt and Eddie, there was a joke made about collaring them and the player didn’t seem at all against the idea. Plus he knows first hand from Eddie what someone looks like when they’re in desperate need of being taken care of, and the player is at that breaking point.

So Ben-wa goes to Mac to order a collar perfect for the player in their favorite color (Berry helped pick the shade that would match them most when they blush). Dorian is the most standoff to the idea first, not cause he doesn’t want to take care of the player (he does, oh god he does), but because it’s going to be a surprise. What if they don’t like the collar or it’s overwhelming? He would just have to wait and see since the part of himself that really wanted to be walking a glassy eyed and submissive player around the house (since Ben-wa declared he would be their chaperone while so out of it) won over his anxieties.