Second Star on the Right

There’d been an undercurrent of excitement bubbling for weeks and other than the upcoming stupid ball, Alexis had no idea what it could be. The extravagant, wasteful, ridiculous event was not usually something his people revered and he could not place a reason as to why this one was different. It was an outdated, offensive notion - invite all of the town’s omegas to the castle in the hopes that one of them would attract Prince Mateo and lift someone’s family to riches. It was quite literally the perfect embodiment of everything they’d taught him to hate. So, why exactly, he found himself in Oma Gruber’s living room being poked and prodded with pins and fabric was so far beyond him. But he’d learned a long time ago that arguing or protesting was useless against the full force of the Gruber and Steiner families so he was quiet and complaint.

Fabrics he’d never felt before were gliding over his skin, being fastened in elegant twists and ropes, by hands that betrayed by just the smallest tremor and once they moved to his hair, Alexis finally had to grab on to someone and ask. “What is going on, Oma, bitte?” The elderly woman held his gaze for a moment before bringing his hands up to kiss briefly before sighing. “It’s time, Knuddelmaus, it’s time.”

That actually caused even more questions than it answered but she hushed him every time his mouth opened so he eventually fell quiet and stopped asking. He was going. And he was resigned to it until someone grabbed his right hand and started to touch what wasn’t theirs to touch. Surprised curses fell from his lips as he yanked his hand back, cradling it protectively over his chest and taking a few steps back but he didn’t get far until everyone crowded around him. “What are you doing?” He asked faintly, feeling dizzy from long-buried but nowhere near resolved feelings rushing up. “Knuddel-“

“No.”

Despite his best efforts, water still rushed to his eyes, and he looked away from them, jaw set, and resolve firmly in place despite the bullshit that was rushing into his ears. He didn’t want to hear it was time to move on, didn’t want to even consider moving on with the fucking Prince of Asshats of all people, and just - no. He was going to die alone - but he was going to die Lux’s. They weren’t going to take that from him. “I don’t want to go.” Alexis pleaded softly. “Please don’t make me. How would anyone even know I wasn’t there?” He tried. “I’m not a single omega. I don’t count. Please.” He had learned long ago to trust his instincts and right now, every one of them was screaming that this was a terrible idea. His eyes darted towards the door but before he could go - Opa Gruber was there, stooping down to be eye to eye with him and Alexis felt himself still. There weren’t many that could put him in line with a mere luck but it’d only taken pushing Opa Gruber once for Alex to learn his place.

“Sir…” he tried softly, but fell silent as he was embraced in a very uncharacteristic hug. Shocked, he just stood still and let the old man hug him before he pulled back, cupping Alex’s jaw in gnarled wrinkled hands. “Junge,” he said softly. “Here.” Letting go of Alex with one hand, he drew out a delicate platinum chain from under his shirt and slipped it over his head, dangling the chain between them. “Put it here, hide it by your heart, but the match…it was never registered - for reasons that we will explain to you tonight, but for now, boy - do as you’re told. The ring on the chain, the chain on the neck, and then off we go. Do not try to run, do not try to slip away, tonight is a very important night and we’ve done much for you - the least you can do is give us tonight, no?”

The stubborn loyal part of Alex wanted to stand his ground, fight back, run - half because he was told not to, but he was still reeling from the news the mating had never been reported. Why - how - they’d had a celebration? Their whole community had known - Opa said she’d gotten everything done and to not worry about the paperwork…Alex shot her a searching look now, but his feet were being shoved into terrible pinch-y shoes, every piece of fabric fussed over again, his hair yanked and pulled, and a fine dusting of something that made him sneeze settled over him before he was deemed ready. Crushed red velvet with golden designs hugged his torso, black velvet clung to his legs, topped with a shiny black shoe. His hair fell in a soft swoop to the left and he’d never felt less like himself.

He almost made it to the door before Opa stopped him with a stern clearing of the throat and Alex blew out a soft exhale, whispering a soft apology before slipping the ring off his finger for the first time in five years. Immediately, he felt wrong - naked - but he quickly added it to the chain and slipped it around his head, tucking it close to his heart, and pretending there was a heart still beating somewhere in there.

Dully, he followed everyone out the door and got into the carriage without further complaint. His hand immediately went to press against the foreign weight on his chest as he leaned against the window, watching the scenario fly by and take him closer and closer to the city he was so rarely allowed to go to and now was being carted off to against his will. Something strange was afoot but he lacked the energy to care enough to figure it out. Life had gone all sorts of grey without Lux and truly, this wasn’t the first time someone from their family had made comments about moving on, finding someone else, you’re so young, the bond will break, you can fall for another…but what did they know? Alex’d lost half of himself that day and in the time since, found little to stir even bits of his soul. They’d had him working out in the farms, tending to the animals as he often found people to be too abrasive, and a sheep had never judged him for flopping down with a scream or a sob because it was another tick on the calendar making the time without Lux. He’d lost weight but built new muscles, and to his extreme disappointment, not grown a single of the inches they’d promised he would. But he did have heels to cheat and pretend.

There were conversations going on around him, but they felt like another language, Alex’s mind had gone fuzzy with confusion earlier, but now it had gotten worse. Abruptly, he started to feel ill once they crossed into the city’s limits and tried again to plead his case, get pardon home, but they just brushed him off. “Just nerves”. They said. “You’ll be fine.” They promised. Alex did not feel fine but he also hadn’t eaten so there was nothing to accompany the churning in his stomach. Resting his other hand on his stomach like he could will it calm, he started to hum softly under his breath, letting his eyes fall close and pretend like he was back in their bed, with Lux’s arms safely around him, and warm voice in his ear. He stayed lost in his head and the comfortable bubble there until the carriage lurched to a halt and Opa was grasping his arm. “Come on. Help an old lady out.”

Alex couldn’t resist such a request so he slipped out, carefully reaching back to help her out, before hesitating. Already, he could feel eyes on him. Judging, undressing, measuring - terribly cold inhuman eyes but he kept his chin up and walked with Opa on his arm through the whispering crowd. Eventually, they made it down the path, up the stairs, and were guided by a stranger into the most ridiculously opulent hall. There was something weird about the building. Alex wasn’t usually the type to notice buildings or feel energies from them but there was something…inviting about this place, like something deep in the stones was calling for him, but he shook the thought off and tried to not look as gobsmacked as he felt.

He’d never seen such opulence and excess before. People looked ridiculous. In fact, in all his finery, he looked positively underdressed. His eyes swept over the crowd a few more times before a firm hand on his back encouraged him further into the room. Waves of nausea built until he genuinely grew fearful he would have to excuse himself, but before he could, they were stopping in front of a male that smelt positively disgusting but judging by the simpering faces all around him - this was the man they were all here for.

The Asshat Prince.

Opa yanked on his arm and he fell into a clumsy curtsey in front of the Prince and the Queen Regent before straightening back up. Calculating dark eyes were simultaneously undressing and dismissing him before Alex felt Opa and Oma abruptly let him go and step back. Confused, he half-turned before waves of cold fire licked over his body from head to toe, drawing an unexpected scream from him before it stopped as quickly as it began. “BEHOLD.” Opa yelled then, commanding voice cutting the chatter and halting the music. “The true King. “Der Prinz Emilio Amedeo Ludwig. He is alive, he is well, and he is here to take back his rightful throne.”

Alex found himself looking around for the mythical prince too before he realized everyone was looking at him. What? His head went fuzzy, legs going numb, but Prince Mateo was up, rough hand grabbing his jaw and jerking his gaze up. Alex heard the gasp by those around them but didn’t know why. Furious fingers pulled at his jacket, undoing the buttons, and pulling the fabric roughly aside despite Alex trying to stumble back. What the fuck was he doing? His mouth opened to say as much but the damage was already done. Another gasp went through the immediate crowd and set off waves of excited chatter. Curious, he looked down to see what they did and found an unfamiliar brand burned into the skin of his chest, a perfect recreation of the monarch brands of old - but how? What?

None of this was making sense.

How could they have done this without his knowing? When did they do that? His eyes flicked over to his Opa and Oma before another rush of emotion surged through him and he found himself unconsciously combing through the crowd until he spotted a face even more impossible than the fabled Emilio.

This was a dream.

He was going to wake up in the fields, surrounded by horses and sheep, and this will all have been a terrible dream. He was not a Prince. He was not being given to the Prince of Asshats, and Lux wasn’t alive and standing 30 feet away. He needed to go. He needed to get away from here. But when he mumbled a soft ‘excuse me’, the prince’s hand had clamped over his arm and kept him right where he was. Alex’s gaze kept flicking between the Prince and the Lux-lookalike but he wasn’t sure he was seeing either of them. He’d heard whispers of loyalists to the Ludwig family, he knew the foreign monarchs were struggling to unite the Kingdom but this was - he hadn’t expected his tiny corner of the country to be in some kind of crazy conspiracy theory. He was no Prince. And he resented that he now had to break the news to this guy and let him go back on his archaic hunt for an omega while they tried to escape with their lives in tact - and for what? They had to know that Alex wasn’t the type to play along with such lies.

But the Prince was calling for the music again and whipping him towards the dance floor and Alex found he had no choice but to fall in line and quickly weigh his choices. The brand on his chest, the first thing that’d made them gasp - it had been enough to get them this far, if he tried to tell the truth now - what would happen? It seemed as the Prince and the people had already been convinced so now…Alex just had to get through the night.

He could explain after the ball how it was a terrible misunderstanding, plead for their lives, but for tonight - tonight he was the tragically lost Emilio Ludwig - who was absolutely not being haunted by Lux’s ghost in the corner of his eye.

“So, what brought you out of hiding now of all times?” Mateo whispered hotly, faking a smile as he dipped Alex before yanking him back up and pulling a small wince from him - that was quickly schooled away. “Well, you did put out an offer that was hard to refuse, did you not?” Alex shot back, with a playful little smirk, easily falling in line with the beat of the dance and felt an uncomfortable twist in the pit of his stomach. Was this the reason for the repetitive dance lessons of his childhood? He and Lux had goofed off, been terrible on purpose, and tried to make them less dull but Tanta Meyer always made them keep doing it for years and years - and now - now it was beginning to make sense. The strange chores, stranger lessons, and the resistance he and Lux had faced at every turn of their romance - it was…they’d all truly believed they were harboring, educating, and raising the lost Prince.

His eyes found the lookalike’s over the Prince’s shoulder as if looking for some kind of validation of the realization he’d just come to before he shook it off and offered a small smile to the Prince. “Danke for the dance. May I get an escort to the powder room, please?” Did Princes expand on the whys or just give orders? Christ, was there a book he could study to learn all this? It was too much - even for just one night - and all he could do was laugh under his breath as the too-tall-to-be-his-Lux man was summoned because of course he was.

“Thank you.” he offered the Prince lightly before glancing up at the not-Lux and waiting for him to lead the way. Alex really did try to keep the feelings off his face but each step away from the party seemed like it enhanced the confusing swirling mass of emotions inside of him instead of calming it and he barely made it inside the restroom before his legs gave out, his body crumpling into a heap, and his hands coming up to press against his head like that would help rearrange things into some sort of sense as that stupid song bubbled up again, slipping into the restroom without his permission and offering a small bit of comfort - just not enough to erase the one thought going over and over his head.

Maybe Sorin didn’t know shit about french, but he knew the word vampire. His head swiveled over at the snarl, momentarily distracted from his own conversation, and… right. He’d just stay out of that blonde one’s way. Really, the only thing unexpected about it was that so far, he was the only one acting as if he actually had a problem. The angry wolf that had picked his pockets seemed less as if he had a problem with what Sorin was and more like he had a problem with Sorin existing in general, which… was fair, Sorin supposed. How else were you supposed to react to suddenly finding someone that looked just like you? Actually there were plenty of ways, but that was besides the point. 

The blondes left to go do something, and Sorin quit paying attention to them in favor of letting his gaze drift back to the werewolf who was now just sort of staring at him. Studying him, like an insect caught under a microscope. Sorin took the opportunity to study him in return. “Cine ești tu?” He asked softly. The other man blinked, as if he’d been lost in thought. “Lux,” He answered finally. Lux. No other information was offered, and Sorin wanted to pick his brain- where was he from? Romania, probably- but what part of Romania? How had he gotten here? And why did they look the same? Smell the same, even? Perhaps not all of those questions could be answered, and he had no idea whether Lux would give them to him even if he had them. But maybe he needed to offer some information of his own, first. Except he wasn’t sure where to start or what use any of the information was and if useless tidbits would be welcome- none of them were gathered here to make friends, and he’d learned in the past few months that the more someone like him stayed under the radar the better off he’d be. The vampires he’d come across tended to look at him with a mixture of pity and disgust, because he could’ve been so much more, poor thing, instead he’s just a mutt- and the wolves, for the most part, didn’t want anything to do with a bloodsucker, even a bloodsucker that was half wolf. He himself had proven why that mentality was a good thing- self preservation, on their part- so it wasn’t as if he could actually fault them for it. And of course there were hushed whispers about what really happened to the hybrids that just went missing, vanished into thin air- but Sorin had never been sure how much stock to put in any of those.

Eventually the group seemed to migrate, and though he was still halfway eyeing the sliding glass door he followed, keeping himself at a careful distance from everyone else, hands tucked in his pockets. He didn’t like this place very much. In fact, Rome in general was turning out to be kind of a sucky place, so maybe it was time to move on. Except for that thing where Lux seemed to be pretty sure he wasn’t going to be going anywhere… he stared longingly at the door, only glancing away when someone approached. The first blonde, the nicer one. He tilted his head curiously, and then offered a helplessly bright grin, fangs and all, at the introduction. He didn’t know much english but he knew please and some part of him was convinced it was adorable that Gabriel’d wanted to know his name that much. “Salut, Gabriel.” He patted his own chest, and said, “Sorin,” before offering that same hand to Gabriel, deciding easily that This One was now his favorite of the trio he was apparently stuck here with. Or he was the nicest, at least, so that had to count for something.

The vodka was welcome… sort of. Sorin had never tasted battery acid, but he was fairly certain it would taste similar- personally, he was fond of the drinks that actually tasted nice, but this was definitely the kind of situation that called for alcohol. He chanced taking one of the tiny sandwiches too before retreating. The other blonde one spoke, then, and Sorin turned the words over in his head, skin turning suspiciously pink. Surely… surely he’d misheard. Or he wasn’t understanding. He blinked at him for a moment longer, and then set his jaw and shook his head stubbornly. “Nope.” He wouldn’t. Nobody could make him do anything anymore. He was the one that made people do things- maybe his compulsions were clumsier than they would have been from a full vamp or someone with more experience, but he knew for a fact that they worked. Whether the job was easy or not, he wasn’t going to do it, and they could all just leave him alone.

__________

Up close, it became a little harder to take this vampire seriously. Vamp- wolf. Whatever he was… Lux found him sort of ridiculous. He was very much a potential threat, Lux had no doubts about that, but he also didn’t get the feeling that he needed to be alarmed, either, so he sat back and observed him head to toe. He wore obnoxiously bright, eye- catching clothes, but was uneasy when attention was directed at him. He was pretty clearly more muscled than Lux, but even so, Lux held no doubts who’d come out on top in a fight. Brute strength meant nothing if you didn’t have the willpower to put behind it, and this guy seemed… rather like a pushover. And he was pale. Lux wasn’t exactly sunkissed himself, not when the extent of his outdoors time amounted to hanging out on the balcony- but Sorin was a vampire, after all, and his skin was a shade lighter than Lux’s. 

He’d forgotten entirely about introducing himself, but gave his name pretty easily when it was asked. He still had no idea what to think about the whole… looks thing, but each little difference he found had him feeling a bit less freaked out over it all. Just a bit. He tsked at Alex’s point, because… yeah. It was a good one. I’m surprised they aren’t in any worse shape, then. I’ll be shocked if they just let them go though. Now that they had them- it would just be more income. Though he hadn’t heard of any vampires working here before, and wasn’t sure why that little fact hadn’t clued them in or what they’d do once they figured it out. 

He abandoned his post keeping the vampire pinned up against the door in favor of moving closer to his mate, pressing in close at the slightest indication Alex wanted him there, arms winding around his midsection from behind, chin resting on his shoulder as he observed the two lookalikes make introductions. He gave a tiny snort. How… quaint. He ignored them both, tuning them out in favor of inhaling Alex’s scent and slowly nosing at the line of his shoulder. You smell like the witch now, he thought, just a little grumpily, and only pulled himself away in the interest of throwing back the shot. It was true- Alex’s scent was not what it had been earlier, but he was surprised that Gabriel’d gotten his scent all over Alex so quickly. He hadn’t been that distracted- he would’ve noticed if they’d had that much contact- so it didn’t quite make sense, but he found himself wanting to drown it all out with his own anyways. When can we leave them to their own devices and get back to what we were doing before? He asked. This was supposed to be their night, and though the interruption had been wild and fascinating and a lot of other things Lux didn’t exactly have words for- it was still an interruption, and he wasn’t finding anything that couldn’t wait until sometime tomorrow. Or until after they’d reclaimed the moments that had been stolen out from under them earlier. 

The grin wasn’t what Gabriel had expected, but he returned it easily, shoulders inching down slightly when his rough attempt at an introduction seemed to work. “Salut!” He bounced back before turning the name in his head and trying it out. “Sore-en?” Easily, he took the offered hand, shaking it briefly before using it to drag him more into the kitchen and to the bounty he and Alexis had gotten together. The other-Sorin had wrapped himself around Alex so he wasn’t entirely sure where to go now, so he settled somewhere between Alex and Sorin. The shot made him feel slightly warm in the chest before Alexis’ words sank in after them drawing a soft sigh out of him. Before he had a handle on his magick - it was the only way he knew of to find a bed and potentially food especially once he discovered bars - but it’d been a few months since he’d last had to resort to that. Figures that’d follow him here.

The nope coming from the vampire surprised him though and he waited a moment to see if the vampire would expand on that before giving a small shake of his head. He didn’t have questions. Well, he had several, actually, and didn’t know where to begin so it was better to just have none until he could get his thoughts in order. Picking at the fruit, he listened to the silence for a bit, uncertain why it was so uncomfortable to look at Lux and Alexis. Relationships were a complicated thing that he didn’t get much knowledge of where he grew up but watching them out in the real world - it seemed so unpredictable. It was all chance - who ended up with who, for how long, how well, and when. Still, it made something ache inside of him so he tried not to stare as he drifted closer to Lux. Most of him was sore and tired and he just felt grimy from the club so he glanced over at Alex once he felt it was safe. “Peut-on se laver, s’il vous plaît?”

He didn’t know where they were sleeping, if they were sleeping, but those were questions for later. He just wanted to get clean and maybe curl up on part of the couch and figure out how the fuck he was going to get out. The ward had to be somewhere on premises - if not somewhere in the room itself. He just had to find a way to find it without using magick - which put a damper on things. But that could be tomorrow’s problem. “Quand viennent-ils?” Gabriel didn’t get why Alex burst out laughing but the man recovered near enough, pulling out of Lux’s arms to load up a plate and press it into his hands. “You’re too small. Eat. There’s plenty. They typically start trickling up after lunch and get real steady after dinner until the early hours of the morning. If things get…too much, call out and one of us will come to your aid, ok? The clients get away with just about everything but - we’ll protect you the best we can. And vice versa - if you hear one of us shout - come and help, ok?” Gabriel gave a small nod to show he heard, picked at the food and reached back out for Sorin with his free hand once Alex started to lead the way.

—————-

Nope? Alexis’ eyebrows rose but he was just going to let Sorin handle his mini-me’s disillusions. Thankfully, his didn’t seem to bat an eyelash at it and it may have partially been a language barrier so he tried again in French, lightly questioning if he was ok with that, before getting a curt nod in reply. Right, well. That was easy then. They’d just get the boys birth control shots in the morning, a quick physical, last minute contingency plans, and that’d be that. Happily, he relaxed back into Lux’s embrace, breaths coming a little easier surrounded by warmth and his scent before he stiffened. He smelled like a witch? Why? Did Gabriel do something? His eyes narrowed slightly at the other but he looked so wide-eyed, he couldn’t bring himself to really suspect him of anything. Do I? Weird. Maybe his scent’s stronger. Alex had no explanation for it.

But he did snort at Lux’s proposition and shoot a glance over his shoulder. When they’re fed and cleaned and tucked in and ready for tomorrow - then you can go back to blowing my mind, okay? Love you. Leaning back, he brushed a kiss over his jaw, nuzzling his cheek before pulling back at Gabriel’s questions. “Yeah, we can get you showers, some clean clothes, and a place to sleep.” The next question made him snicker and he had to translate for Lux - he wants to know when they come - and giggle some more like the Very Mature Adult he was before answering and moving out of Lux’s touch momentarily to push food on his copy and give him some details before he froze. Copies of people - that happened. Naturally. “Les jumeaux.” he breathed before turning to grab Gabriel’s arm and move closer, tossing rapid fire questions out. “Where were you born? What day? How old are you? To who? Where are you parents? Do you know them?” He clearly had caught the other off-guard but the answers started to come. “Somewhere in France? I don’t know. I was never told and I never met them. Why are you asking these things?”

Hearing words fly around him but not being able to understand was a unique sort of isolating. He wasn’t a stranger to that feeling, never really had been, but being accustomed to something didn’t make it pleasant. He gave up trying to figure out what anyone was saying as the pit in his stomach grew. Neither of the blondes gave any indication that he should worry about them, even if one was kind of staring. He gave a bright grin, perhaps a little too cheerful, and a little wave. The other one- the one that looked like him- there was something painted across his features that had Sorin feeling cautious because he could practically feel the anger radiating off the guy. Which was weird, but not something he could dwell on. Curiosity played a part but it was mostly wariness that kept his attention on the brunette wolf even as he took a careful step backwards, fingers curling around the doorknob. Whatever this was- and as much as he wanted to know what the fuck was going on- his number one priority right now was getting out. He hadn’t figured out where he was going to sleep, where he was going to go to keep out of the sun when it rose, but he’d manage. He’d been managing for months, and he would continue to do so now by walking away from this particular freak show and hopefully not remembering any of it when he woke up tomorrow.

But the door was locked, and it didn’t open the second or the third time he tried it either. He could have broken it down, easy, but there were heartbeats on the other side of the door and he was rather fond of quiet exits. They gave you more time to get a good head start. Loud entrances, quiet exits. He inhaled, slumped backwards against the wood and began eyeing the windows, eventually catching sight of a sliding glass door. “Bine,” Sorin said, clapping his hands together sharply, feeling a surge of hope and relief. “Asta a fost grozav - într-adevăr - dar știți cum este,” He grinned. “Locuri de a fi, lucruri de făcut, oameni să, ah, vezi … Ne pare rău că am tăiat acest partid scurt, dar voi… ”  And then his words were choked off into a small squeak as the werewolf shoved his way into Sorin’s space. “Sau nu?” The words were small, and Sorin bit the inside of his cheek uneasily, flattening himself against the door as much as possible. Fighting wasn’t his thing. When it came to fights, strategic exits had always been his way to victory. Which, hey, was what he was trying to do, but being cornered made it a little harder. Still… he could probably outrun this guy, right? Being a partial vampire and all?

Then the guy answered him “Nu” and had all his thoughts of leaving vanishing, even if just temporarily. His eyes grew wide and starry despite himself. It had been so long since anyone’d understood anything he said, and even if now was sort of inopportune- he was nearly tearing up with relief. He couldn’t go back to Romania, probably not ever- he couldn’t chance being recognized and torn apart for what he’d done- and he’d been reluctant to connect with anyone or learn the languages necessary to do so ever since he’d left. He’d been so lonely, though, and how could he just walk away now? He could probably count the amount of legible verbal conversations he’d had in the past almost- year on his fingers. “Știi limba română,” He breathed, sounding almost reverent. 

________

Lux gripped Alex’s hand, feeling his anxiety wane just a little with the contact. He would have been lying if he’d said he didn’t want to drag him back to the room they’d left and lock the door and just… stay there until this all went away. Whatever it was. Why did they have to deal with it? And now, of all times? He forcibly choked down a noise as Alex pulled away and stepped closer to the… whatever they were, duplicates? Except not, because Lux wouldn’t have been caught dead dressed the way that guy was but whatever. There was no part of his brain that considered getting closer to them remotely a good idea, but as tempting as it was to drag Alex away he really couldn’t. And so far, the witch hadn’t exactly done anything that warranted getting bit, so he couldn’t do that either. In truth- even if it was stupid, because he wasn’t Alex- he looked too much like him for Lux to want to hurt him with no true reason. It was an uncomfortable sensation, and Lux decided immediately that he hated it. 

If he wasn’t going to get anything fucking useful from the witch, maybe he’d get something useful from the other guy. He crossed his arms even as his hands clenched into fists, nails biting into his palms. The pain was grounding, and he regarded the other silently until he spoke. The language he chose gave Lux pause. He blinked, taken aback- the surprise of it had him staying in place before he recovered and stepped forward, jaw set, until there was barely a foot of space left between them. He gave an affirmative, because no, there wasn’t any way he was letting this guy go before he got some answers. The fact that he wanted to leave- that they both seemed freaked out, as if they were here against their will- it was either a ruse or it was a good sign and Lux didn’t know which yet. He shoved at the guys sparkly chest roughly with one hand, watching with satisfaction as he just slumped miserably further into the door behind him. “Nu te mișca,” He snapped out, mostly just to be a dick, and then started rifling through his pockets. Lots of candy wrappers in the jacket pockets along with a few uneaten sweets shaped like tiny strawberries, a pack of cigarettes, and a wallet. His… what were those kinds of pants called? Not jeans, not tights, but they were form- fitting and printed to look like a material sturdier than they actually were. They didn’t have pockets, and therefore held nothing to confiscate. Useless.

He didn’t bother stepping away as he popped a candy in his mouth- again, just to be a dick- stuffed the rest of them and the cigarettes in his own pockets and started looking through the wallet. He raised an eyebrow because the person in the ID card definitely wasn’t the same person in front of him- unless it was a glamor of some sort. Was that a thing? He didn’t smell like magic, not really, just… like wolf. And metal. “Explica,” He said shortly, and the guy immediately blurted out “Am furat jacheta fetelor, bine!” Lux tsked as if to shame him, even though he didn’t actually give a fuck and had just robbed him of his sweets and smokes and obviously had no moral high ground to stand on and said, “Grozav. Acum explicați cine sunteți și ce faceți aici, cadavru.”

That finally drew a reproachful frown out of him, but he didn’t say anything about it. “Sunt Sorin,” He answered, trying to edge away. Lux put his arm out, hand resting against the wall and blocking him from moving any further, eyes narrowing. Sorin sighed heavily, looking woeful and upset. Lux felt an odd pang of strong empathy and guilt for the stranger, but instead of responding to it- he shoved it away viciously and frowned harder. “Nu știu de ce sunt aici,” Sorin said. “Tipul înalt doar … ma prins pe mine și pe cel blond și ne-a dus aici. Vreau să merg, dacă mă lași să…” Lux considered the words with an ever- present sharp look, but eventually let out a small hum and stepped away, hand dropping to his side. Vampire or not- he believed him. That seemed a little crazy, but he hadn’t given the slightest sign that he was lying. “Puteți încerca, dar nu puteți pleca.” Lux shrugged. “Scuze. Nu e de acord cu mine.”

He finally dragged his eyes away from the vampire and back to Alex and… Gabriel, apparently. He was surprised and a little disturbed that he’d fixated so intently on the vamp that he’d essentially tuned them out for a bit- but thankfully, nothing bad had happened during his inattention. He makes your wolf antsy because he’s a vampire, Lux responded. He doesn’t know why he’s here. There was only one reason why he’d be here, if he wasn’t going to fuck them or fuck with them- and on that account, Lux wasn’t entirely sure he wasn’t, whether Sorin knew it or not- he was here to work, and Lux dreaded being the one to tell him exactly what that entailed. Says a guy just grabbed them and took them here. What do we do with them? He wrinkled his nose. I’ve never heard of four people being stuffed into the same quarters here before, but I guess if they’re not here to cause trouble they’re here to stay…?

Gabriel hadn’t expected this. He knew witches to be cruel, to hurt, and be heartless, but he’d held out hope that if he could just find his pack…or any pack, it’d be different. It was the most soul-crushing thing he’d ever experienced to find out that it wasn’t. All beings shared the same capacity for cruelty and suffering and there was no escape. Not for him. Not in this lifetime. Still, he hadn’t survived this long for this - and he had to try. But the door didn’t budge. Magick didn’t work. And it turned out, not all cages have bars. He was well and truly trapped. Again. Defeat made him compliant and he went where the other-him led easily enough. The shock and horror of realizing it’d happened again had him lost in his own head for a bit, but he eventually came back and found the other - Alexis - doctoring up his various bumps and scrapes. “Merci.” he said finally, accidentally startling the other apparently and giving him a crooked lil half-smile in apology that was immediately returned and Dieu, this was weird. Why did this guy look just like him?

Well, maybe not just - he reached out, gently catching his arm and running wide eyes over the red mark sprawled across his wrist. He’d heard of such things in whispers and hopes in the dark but he’d never seen one and didn’t dare believe in such a thing. But here it was. Glancing up at Alex for permission, he gently ran a finger over the mark, amazement growing more when he realized the letters were L. U. X - his mate was here. Letting go of Alex’s arm, he glanced over his shoulder to where the mate was roughing up the vampire and turned back with an open look of concern but Alex just laughed - and somehow, that was the first thing that made Gabriel feel like he could breathe again. Which was mildly concerning. He’d survived this long by keeping to himself, staying invisible, and always on the move - fleeing didn’t leave time for connections. And connections were messy. But, still - it was nice to just sit with someone who didn’t apparently seem to want anything from him anymore and listen to the incomprehensible bickering until he felt more than saw Alex stiffen.

“Vampire.” Alex was nearly snarling the world and Gabriel couldn’t help the snort that left. “Oui.” What did that matter? They were all creatures of various magicks. Did they not know? Surely, he had to feel it now. Gabriel could feel the magick rippling through Alex now and was ironically mildly thankful for the wards that had to be around here somewhere because normally rushes like that ended up with a lot of accidental destruction. Maybe that was a conversation for later. For now, Alex was asking about food and Gabriel got up with him to head to the food, making sure to keep the man between him and the angry wolf - just in case but easily fell in line, doing as he was told when he was told by the other until they had a small array of foods that looked somewhat familiar and somewhat foreign - crackers and cheese, nuts, tiny sandwiches, and fruits - with four tiny glasses of something that smelled terrible but Alex was grinning as he poured it and Gabriel instantly and instinctively decided that he would do whatever he could to protect that smile. And given that things had gone much differently with his copy than his acquaintance, he decided to be a little brave and bold and show Alex there was nothing to get all snarly over.

Moving over to the vampire, he couldn’t help but grin slightly at the terribly hideous jacket before patting his own chest. “Gabriel.” He introduced and tried to think over the basic English he’d been taught as he reached out to pat the sparkly jacket. “Who, you, please?”

————

Alex couldn’t explain why his guards had collapsed as quickly here as they had with Lux but at least they still existed as far as vampires went. Both his eyebrows went up as Gabriel seemed to almost find his caution and distaste laughable but who was he to tell anyone how to live their lives? Maybe vamps weren’t such dicks to witches - after all, they’re the ones that could enable a vamp to walk in the day, or survive on less blood, or whatever. Witches could be useful to them so, it’d make sense Gabriel didn’t have the same taste in his mouth right now. But Alex had seen too many good pack members go out far before their time for mere sport. Luckily for the vamp’s sake - their stories matched and he only paused for a second before getting up and offering Gabriel food. What choice did they have? There was nothing to do with them but take them in, warn them, get them ready, and then open for business-as-usual tomorrow. The optimistic inner child part of him was trying to convince him this would be a good thing - that they’d be able to see half as many clients, but the adult brain knew better.

They probably thought we’d snuck out and were being difficult lil shits. Alex pointed out dryly before giving a little shrug. Nothing to do but get them and ourselves ready for tomorrow. And we’ll just go from there. A day at a time. Maybe tomorrow they’ll realize their mistake and come let these two go. Or give them their own quarters. But for tonight - one of ‘em can have the couch and one can have my bed. S’not like I’m using it for sleeping anyway.

Gabriel’d seemed enchanted and confused by the simplest parts of the kitchen and Alex didn’t have the heart to question what his life had been like that he’d never seen a can opener before but maybe it wasn’t necessary when you had magick. Who knew? He just took care to explain what he did and why and got Gabriel as involved as he could before he was freezing and watching his new copy go and put himself immediately in harm’s way. Fuck. They were copies, weren’t they? Still, he watched with baited breath before reaching out both mentally and physically to pull Lux closer to him, needing a bit of grounding as he passed out shots and tried to figure out what language to use. “Vodka.” He said in English. “It’s how we greet in ze house. Bienvenue, welcome. Eat.”

@xjustholdonx

The dancefloor was a blur of multicolor lights and warm, living bodies. The thing about bloodlust, in Sorin’s experience, was that it was never quite sated- instead of ever feeling content there was always this deep, aching hunger for more. He’d just fed about twenty minutes ago on a pretty fae with pink hair and a sequined rainbow-y jacket that Sorin had discovered fit him very nicely, but he still found himself eyeing the bodies in the crowd with predatory interest. It was easier now to manage being around so many living creatures than it had been a little over nine months ago when he’d been newly- turned, but their beating hearts were still impossible to ignore. He hadn’t gotten around to making a move towards any of them yet and was instead sitting cross- legged in one of the chairs and softly humming to himself, lazily tracking a witch and contemplating getting up. Only then his vision was obscured, so he blinked a few times and then his eyes traveled up, and up, and up before finally landing on the face of a tall, beardy, scowling man. A werewolf, by the scent of him, and a beta- an angry beta. Sorin lifted his hand in a small, cautious wave, but Tall Angry Beta didn’t wave back. 

Instead there came a quietly hissed phrase that didn’t make sense and fingers wrapping tight around his wrist. He wasn’t sure how to say what so he blinked a little more and gave a confused noise but stumbled along as the man lead him outside, and distantly, he was aware that things like this were supposed to be a bad idea. Going places with strangers at night was how people got eaten, but usually he was the one doing the eating. Tall Angry Beta Werewolf should be more careful, because even if he was big and a little scary looking- Sorin’s teeth were sharper than his. Sorin told him as much and recieved a sigh in response. Then the world was spinning. He squirmed, trying to relieve the pressure on his midsection- being carried was fun sometimes, but shoulders in stomachs never were. Was this a kidnapping? “Are you abducting me?” He asked, the romanian rolling off his tongue, and then giggled, because he had a pretty decent view of the guys ass as they traveled down the sidewalk. He patted it and mumbled a compliment and the werewolf snarled, which only made him giggle even more. This was not at all how he’d expected to spend his evening, but he could roll with it. The man would have to put him down sometime and then Sorin would drain his blood and everything would be fine, so he just sort of laid draped over the guys shoulder and started up the tune he’d been humming earlier, eyes on the concrete.

Eventually they came to a building and then the world was spinning again as Sorin was placed on his feet, and only then did he get a good look at the people that had been walking with them. Another werewolf similar to the one that had probably- kidnapped him and a cute, vaguely familiar blonde. “What are we doing?” He asked, only half expecting a response, and then clucked his tongue as he was wordlessly pushed into a room. Rude and handsy, that’s what these guys were, but at least they were finally… wherever it was they’d been going. The couch was the first thing he noticed because it was big and looked very squishy, but instead of moving towards it he slouched against the wall and shot another curious glance at the man that had been shoved into the room with him. “Some party,” He drawled. 

He went back to examining the room, and for the first time that evening began to feel a little uneasy. Something about the scents that clouded this place had him on edge, his scalp prickling as his senses sharpened, the cheer from his earlier meal and the casuality with which he’d previously been viewing the situation slowly starting to drain away. In addition to the person next to him, there were two more people here, behind a wall or two but just a few feet away and moving closer. He took a step forward, intent on investigating, but immediately paused as two people came in to view. The first one his eyes landed on confused him because he… looked incredibly similar to the man Sorin had entered with, but before he could turn to take a close look at First Blonde his eyes were catching on the second new werewolf and then, suddenly, were incapable of moving away. Because it wasn’t just some stranger standing there. 

It was him.

The hair was different, a little shorter, and his scent- it was so very close to what Sorin’s own had been before it had been tainted with death. There was the biggest discernable difference between the two of them, because while Sorin existed on the line that seperated the living from the dead- this man was unmistakeably alive. 

_____________

Their front door slamming shut came as an unwelcome interruption. Lux startled, jumping out of his skin, hands pausing in the middle of pulling Alex’s underwear down his thighs. He’d never yet had a client make an entrance quite like that and besides, this was supposed to be one of their off days. He hadn’t done anything lately to cause trouble, so what the hell was going on? He froze in place, barely breathing as his ears strained to pick up any other sounds, and then finally turned a wary gaze on Alex. He hated for anything to intrude on the moments he and Alex got to steal together, but was a little too unnerved at the moment to be cranky about it. He frowned, pulled Alex’s underwear back into place, kissed his cheek and climbed off of him, silently hunting down the pair of sweats he’d abandoned earlier, tugging them on and turning to give the blonde another wordless look before leaving their room. Whatever this was- might as well get it over with.

He hadn’t known what to expect, but somehow- seeing them mirrored back at him hadn’t factored in as an option.

There were a few slight differences, both between him and the one that looked like him and the one that looked like Alex. Notably, he wasn’t aware of the other blonde in the same way he was his mate- the pull wasn’t there. He gulped in a breath, not having been aware that he’d quit breathing, a hand silently reaching out to Alex as he continued trying to make sense of… of anything. Lexie? He thought, mentally reaching out- he hadn’t quite managed to figure out anything to really say about this and wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but the reminder that their connection was intact was comforting and offered the boost of bravery he needed to take a threatening step forward, feeling his beastly side rise awfully close to the surface. The urge to shift was almost overwhelming, a kneejerk reaction to eliminate what seemed as if it could only be a threat of some sort. Lux had never had much experience with magick, but that seemed to be the only explanation for what was going on here. That, and the scent of it was in the room- faint, but there, coming off the imposter Alex. With a final lingering glance at the one wearing his face, he turned his attention to the blonde, though he never let his guard down where the other was concerned. One at a time, and the one that seemed most dangerous first, but it would be exceptionally foolish not to pay attention to the other while he tried to piece together this mystery. If he didn’t get answers- he would have blood. “What are you doing, witch?” He snarled. “Answer me.” 

Gabriel had found the best places to hide were among the most crowded, so he tended to find himself in nightclubs, pubs, sporting events, and concerts during the night. It was an easy way to score a place to sleep and maybe a hot meal and a shower. Not that those were entirely necessary anymore - he had spent enough time observing and even talking to solitary witches  to learn how to survive on his own now. Money, food, and cleanliness were no longer concerns of his. But purpose was. The largest part of his brain kept driving him to move - to go - to never linger in one spot for long but he was growing exhausted. There was only so much running a person could do when they weren’t running towards something and more than anything, he just wanted to stop.

It was probably that exhaustion that got him in the end. He’d been sipping his drink, watching a truly horrific rainbow jacket exchange hands and then his drink was flying and his cheek was exploding in enough pain to make him slightly dizzy and disoriented with it. The words were angry, clearly, but beyond that Gabriel had no idea what was going on and just throw out a few soft “Je ne comprends pas”’s but they did no good. He attempted to slip around the man and make a run for it, but that just got himself slammed up against a wall. Taking a risk, he tried to shock the man and pulled out of the grasp again, darting quickly through the crowd, heading for the doors and right into a large fist that was waiting for him.

He went down and came to firmly atop someone’s shoulders. Fuck. How long had he been out? Which direction had they gone in? Where were they? He tried to pick his head up to see but the throbbing was too much and he let himself just be taken for now. He could break out. He’d done it once - he could do it again. He kept repeating the words in his head like some kind of balm. And in fact, he was feeling much better once he was put back on his feet and next to a vaguely familiar brunette vamp. Gabriel gave him a brief nod of hello before they were both being shoved into a room. What the fuck? Two-toned eyes took in the décor for a minute because this was not a cage - nor a coven - by the scent of it but there was a lingering sense of malice and desperation that reminded him of the basements and kept him uneasy.

Which turned out to be the least of his worries when footsteps sounded and brought a reflection of his own face with them. And a copy of the familiar stranger's. Was this a bad dream? Had his drink been spiked? His eyes only left the weird mirrored image of himself when he caught the hint of threat under the unfamiliar words being hurtled at him. Calmly, he glanced at the angry stranger to make sure he wasn’t approaching before focusing hopefully on the copy. “Je ne comprends pas.” He tried again. “Je parle nur français et un peu anglais.”

————

Someone was going to pay. The slam of the door couldn’t have come at a less opportune time and as soon his heart slowed to an acceptable level he started mumbling angry curses under his breath. This was their time, even enslaved whores needed a day off to stay usable - and now Lux was climbing off. Growling lowly, he dropped back into the blissfully soft mattress for a full moment of pouting - because he’d earned this - before rolling to grab the first pair of pants he saw and pulling them on. He was still uncomfortably aroused and more than ready to let whoever interrupted have it - but that all flew out the window the moment he turned the corner and found themselves reflected back at them…but in different bodies. Frantically, he tried to recall if he and Lux had indulged in any kind of different herb or hallucinogen - but couldn’t think of any.

A small sniff of the room just further confused him because it didn’t smell all that different - vague whiffs of something off were there - sure, notes of metal and energy, for lack of a better descriptor but still - mostly them. His mirror was bleeding slightly so that, at least, ruled out ghosts - which was good, right? Slipping his hand into Lux’s, he covered them both with his other and moved as close as he dared given all the tough wolf vibes Lux was giving out and tried not to show how hot that was and how much it was affecting him despite something about Lux’s mirror making his hair stand on edge. He found it hard to look away from him until his own spoke.

And in French, no less.

Alex could have cried at the sheer relief of having someone that spoke his native tongue but he just gave a small nod and translated mentally for Lux. He doesn’t understand, only speaks French and a lil bit of English. Taking a few curious steps forward, he studied the face he wore too and tried to find differences or clues or something but just fell back with a slight shrug. “Je suis désolé mais qui êtes-vous?” A large part of Alexis was ready for the man to say, “I’m you, but better” but fortunately that didn’t come to pass. He says his name is Gabriel, that he was at a night club and drug here and wants to know who we are and why he’s here. He’d barely gotten the words translated before his mirror twisted, moving towards the door, and Alex couldn’t explain the sense of raising panic and dread he was feeling anymore then he could explain why he let go of Lux to move closer.

Miro was fairly certain that that meant those people were just unobservant, but he didn’t say as much. He didn’t understand what joke Dorin wasn’t making at first- he had to take a few seconds and think it over- but eventually, he did get it, and it drew a startled laugh out of him even as his cheeks faintly colored, almost surprised at where the topic had gone and a little embarrassed both because he’d accidentally said something like that and because it had taken him a bit to get the innuendo. He snorted. “Okay,” he said dryly. “You don’t make that joke, and I won’t make the one about pegging,” he teased, raising an eyebrow. Two could play at that game, right?

“A parade of suitors?” He laughed, shaking his head in amusement. What, because nerdy male betas were just what everyone’s wettest dreams were made of? Right. He’d learned pretty quickly that he was kind of bad at one- night stands. He got too invested in people too easily, and the urge to make someone breakfast or take care of them or whatever wasn’t always well received. “No, there’s just the one. But I’m sure Sofie would like to think she counts as a parade all on her own.” She was certainly lively and vibrant enough- her presence, though it could be overwhelming and even a little obnoxious at times, was usually a positive influence on even his most dreary, homesick days.

In all honesty, he didn’t generally give the state of his room a lot of thought. When he wasn’t busy with school, why should he spend his time cleaning of all things? Again, they didn’t get a lot of visitors, and Miro’d never even considered being embarrassed when the few who did come over saw their chaos- but for whatever reason he was a little ashamed to lead Dorin inside. They were probably due for a cleaning session soon, he internally admitted to himself, but instead of dwelling on it he just pushed past it and focused on what they were really there for.

Somehow the confession that Dorin had never played or even seen a video game before felt like even more of a shock than the lack of schooling, but again he tried not to show it. He was sure the guy had to deal with exclamations of surprise or pity often enough. “Okay.” He logged in to his profile and started up the game. “Don’t judge me too hard for getting my ass kicked,” he said suddenly, as he was waiting for it to load. He turned and gave Dorin an amused grin, not actually being one to mind a little good- natured teasing. “You caught me at a hard spot, okay? I’ve been struggling to get past this point for a while. I think maybe I need to switch weapons…”

“Veterinary medicine,” He answered, sparing Dorin a glance before continuing trying very hard not to die a gruesome death on- screen. “I’m a junior, yeah. Not really from around here… I grew up in Serbia, actually.” He fell quiet for a second, considering the question. “I like it here,” He said finally, “But it’s… it gets kind of lonely sometimes. It’s not home. It’s been years, I should be adjusted by now, but it’s hard to go from living in a house filled with people to suddenly living in a different place entirely.” Maybe admitting as much was kind of embarassing- babyish- but it was the truth. He shrugged awkwardly and shut down the game, not really in the mood to sit there and die over and over. Instead, he started up Minecraft, and then leaned over to power on Dorin’s controller. “Here. It’s pretty easy, I promise. I’ll protect you from the endermen and creepers, don’t worry.” He grinned. As far as games went- this was probably the best one to introduce Dorin to first. Hopefully he didn’t think it was completely stupid. “Just try and get used to the controls first, I guess. Mess around and figure out what all the buttons do. I’ll work on getting a little starter hut built so we can hide in it when night comes.” 

It took a bit to realize that Sofie wasn’t just a friend but he didn’t fault himself for it - the man had grouped her name with Anton’s the first time. But taken. He got it now and attempted to dial back his instinctive flirting. Although he was a bit preoccupied with the game to even give Miro’s face much attention. What a strange concept. The scenes and story didn’t make all that much sense to him but it was oddly mesmerizing - Dori could see how someone’d want to pass the afternoon like this and he was a little impressed Miroslav managed to pull himself way to do shit like homework and tutoring. Dark eyes briefly glanced over to him as he shared that he was studying veterinary medicine and that was interesting and helpful. Both eyebrows rose as he said he was from Serbia before his heart tugged a little. Dorin could understand loneliness. “A houseful of people?” He repeated, somewhat curiously. “I um… never mind.” The question hadn’t been returned to him and things tended to get awkward when he tried to talk about, process, and define the weird family roles that apparently everyone else found normal. If you’d have asked Dorin who his brothers were - it was the boys in the camp - not the strangers living in the big house.

Oh, shit. Dorin nearly dropped the blue plastic thing once Miro did something and it lit up and began to shake. Wide eyes flicked to the other man, worried he’d broken it or something, but moving back to the screen. “You’ll protect me from the what?” His inner alpha was furious at the assumption he needed protection from anything but his mind was always the stronger ruler and just pointed out that half the shit he needed protection from sounded like complete nonsense to his ears. What was an endermen? His eyes glanced between the screen and the controller as Miro directed him to figure out what the buttons all did and startled when the screen completely changed when he pushed the smallest and least dramatic-looking button. “Ooops! Sorry!!” He jabbed it again, breathing a sigh of relief when the screen came back and just blinked between the two a bit. He figured a lil knob thing made his person move and the other made him dizzy so he tried to not mess with that one too much and burst into giggles as his little character started punching a tree. “Seriously?” He glanced over at Miro but dutifully followed instructions until he had a little crafting table, some wood blocks/planks/sticks and could help build shit.

“I don’t think…I don’t think there’s a time limit on being adjusted.” Dorin said finally, glancing over at Miro. “I think part of your heart will always live where your grew up and that’s alright. You seem to be doing okay here and that’s all anyone can really ask for, right?” He was quiet for a bit, oddly-for-him focused on the game and all its mini-tasks and managed to barely fidget at all. “I’m general med.” He added belatedly. “So, I’ll definitely keep your number to help me through when shit really gets tough.” He half-teased, half-warned.

Every inch of his body was humming and content, the most primal parts of his being utterly thrilled by the fact that his mate was close and- so far as Lux could tell- satisfied. In a physical sense, this felt undeniably real and right but his brain was a little less easy to convince than his body was. But every little point of contact, every touch, every kiss, the way Alex said his name- all of that was grounding. He exhaled and easily complied with the request, pulling off of Alex before cozying up next to him, squirming a little as come dripped out and down his thighs. Right now comfortable mostly meant having as much skin contact with the blonde as he physically could, so he ended up laying more on his belly than his side but with an arm and a leg both draped over the other, a hand curling possessively at his waist. He rested his head on Alex’s chest, memorizing the sound of his breathing, his heart beating, and then the sound of his soft voice as he began speaking. He didn’t answer anything at first, just listened quietly, shifting a little closer at a few key points and running over the days events in his mind. 

There was a part of him that was convinced that things had to happen the way they had- Alex’s bike and Lux’s back paying the price. Both of those things could have been prevented if Lux hadn’t tried getting away in the first place, but he couldn’t regret that. Taking away his will to go would have changed something fundamental about him. Maybe he could have chosen a different bike- but then what if he’d succeeded? He’d be miles away by now and he and Alex would probably never see each other again, never know what they could be to each other, never have this. Fate wasn’t selfless, Lux knew, it demanded sacrifice. Good things always, always came with a price, but this was the first time it had ever seemed worth it. They could have so easily missed each other, never been more than fleeting strangers, but the stars had aligned just right for them to end up here, and Lux wouldn’t change a thing. 

He reached up, pressed a kiss to Alex’s jawline. “I have no regrets,” He admitted. He was sorry Alex had lost something important on his behalf- but he wasn’t sorry he’d taken it or for what it lead to. He hated that his back would forever look so damn ruined, but ultimately- the only person whose opinion mattered had already seen it and seemed to want him despite it, so once the pain faded, what did it matter? “We have a plan, remember? If it works…” He hesitated. “When it works, I’ll get you another one. To make up for it. It was a nice bike.”  And maybe it wouldn’t ever be the same, but a similar one or an upgrade was probably the best Lux could safely claim if he didn’t want to make any promises he couldn’t keep.

“I’ve always believed in this,” He whispered eventually. “I don’t think I really know what it means either, but I know it’s real. My mother met hers, so… she knew, and that meant I knew. But…” He swallowed, blinking rapidly. “Um, just because they existed didn’t mean I’d have one, or that I’d ever meet you. And the years started passing with me still here and it seemed less and less likely. And less likely that it could be a good thing if it did happen, because…” He trailed off, and then grinned, stealing Alex’s earlier words. “Well. How could anyone else be as chaotic and trapped? How could they ever understand? But you do, and you are.“ And there was some little part of him that was still struggling to understand how anyone possibly could want him, struggling to understand why Lux had this when he knew for a fact he’d never done anything to deserve it- but he shoved all of that away, burying his face in Alex’s chest and trying his damndest not to cry. It was a fruitless effort and maybe it was a little gross to cry on someone but after all the copious amounts of come and slick- and before that, blood- well, maybe a few tears didn’t amount to much in the grand scheme of things, so whatever. 

And then Lux was growling, a furious, unhappy rumbly noise because fuck if he didn’t loathe the idea of anyone else having Alex with every single fiber of his being. The thought of having to put up with others touching him wasn’t much better. “We can’t kill them all,” He mumbled, lifting his face enough for the disgruntled words to be legible. As much as he’d love to try, it just wasn’t realistic. He squeezed Alex’s hip, reminding them both- “They can touch, but they can’t have.” Maybe that thought would be all that kept him sane. “That’s exactly how it works,” Lux said firmly. He pushed himself to his knees, ignoring the pain in his back so that he could hover close. He pressed a kiss to Alex’s forehead- “Never-” one cheek- “Ever-” then the other- “Ever-” and his nose- “Again.” He gave him a crooked, fond grin, one hand landing lightly on either cheek. “Pretty sure that means you’re gonna be stuck with me for the rest of our lives. I hope you’re ready for that.” 

Parts of Alex that had never known peace settled once Lux came to a rest nearly completely strewn over him. Alex was careful of his back, but folded his arm so he could stroke through Lux’s hair idly and brought the other hand to run along the arm across his waist. Turning, he pressed another kiss to Lux’s hair, nuzzling into it briefly before relaxing back down with a soft content sigh. The furious need from earlier to mark and be marked had faded down to smoldering embers that would likely be ignited sooner than later, but for now- this was perfect. If not, completely impossible to wrap his head around. Of course the other would have no regrets, but truly, as much as Alex would have liked to have spared Lux so much pain - maybe it was necessary to get them here. Who knows how long they’d have been at each other’s throats without it. “Me either.” He admitted quietly before a grin started to pull at and finally erupt fully onto his mouth. “You’re gonna buy me a bike?” He repeated incredulously. “What’s your preferred brand anyway?” Come to think of it - for being soulmates - there was still so much he didn’t know about the other. You think that shit would be like magic-ed in.

But he listened raptly as Lux shared that he’d always believed in soul mates and shared how soulmates had affected his life - or well, his mom’s life. His heart broke for the other who wished for it before wishing for it to not and that was…perhaps much worse than not believing at all. “Oh, Lux.” He whispered but he was already back to smiling, tossing his words back at him and Alex was helpless in the face of that smile. “I do.” He confirmed, curling more around Lux as the man buried himself into his chest. And oh, fuck. He didn’t meant to make Lux cry. “Darling - “ He started, but didn’t get much further for the growl leaving his lips and well, yeah. Being soulmates kinda made the whole whoring thing harder but they’d deal. “That’s a good point.” He agreed with a half-grin before an actual good point was shared. They could touch but not have and they’d know it and that would truly make it all the sweeter. “It’s temporary.” He offered. “We need them because they have the cash and freedom we don’t but we will. I promise you - I’ll find us a way out.”

 “I do,” Miro confirmed, nodding gravely despite the helpless grin as Dorin’s voice turned playful. Man, study sessions always went so much smoother when nobody was being shitty. “You sound like a troublemaker,” He accused lightly, lifting an eyebrow and tilting his head. “I feel like I’m going to have my hands full with you.” To an extent, he could dig the whole ‘rules are meant to be broken’ attitude, but… this rule wasn’t one of them. He knew believing in yourself was significantly harder to accomplish than just saying as much, but if nothing else- Miro’d just do the all the believing for him until Dorin could manage it himself. “I can handle Andrei,” He shrugged. 

They spent a while making progress, Miro with his elbow on the table and his chin propped up on his hand. It was a rather odd assortment of words but Miro elected not to mention as much, just bumped his shoulder against Dorin’s when the guy got too… fed up or frustrated or tired, whatever. “Sure, you’ve earned a break,” He agreed, collecting his things and preparing to leave. “Have you ever played Bloodborne before?” He asked. “Or Dark Souls?” Bloodborne could be hard and irritating as shit but it was certainly great at taking your mind off of things. 

In Miro’s first year, he’d considered all the older students that looked down on the younger ones as annoying to be jerks, but as he’d become ‘one of the older students’- he’d started understanding their view, though he was considerably more private about any of his negative thoughts. Dorin wasn’t annoying, though, not yet at least. In fact, Miro quite liked his company, and he wasn’t opposed to spending a bit of time chilling with him until they got back to work. He began the trek across campus, adjusting the strap of his messenger bag before stuffing his hands in his pockets and shooting Dorin a somewhat apologetic grin. “I’m gonna warn you ahead of time, neither of us are great housekeepers. I mean, it could be worse…” As long as they knew where things were when they needed them, that was what mattered, right? “But we don’t get a ton of visitors besides Anton and Sofia, so,” He coughed, “It’s kind of a little bit of a disaster zone right now.” Clothes strung places they didn’t belong, supplies left laying where they’d last been used, et cetera. The one thing they’d made a pact on was regarding food- that shit got either eaten or disposed of, not left around to rot, and trash didn’t need to be left laying around because they weren’t complete pigs but with everything else they were kind of lax. 

He unlocked the door, holding it open for Dorin to go through before he entered himself. Oddly enough, Andrei seemed to be out- but that was convenient. Removing his shoes and jacket, he dropped his bag to the floor and headed for the couch, waking up the PS4 and making himself comfortable. “We can always play Mario Kart or Smash Bros or even Minecraft or something else, you know? It doesn’t have to be Bloodborne… do you have a preference? Oh, you want a drink or anything?”

“It usually takes people longer to peg me as such.” Dorin replied with a bright grin, tickled and pleased to find the other not exactly being turned off by his rebellious tendencies. He tried to rein them in, to not be a distraction all the time, but it was difficult. Life - sorry, “normal” life was so dreadfully boring most of the time. Parts of Dorin missed the constant traveling, the novel experiences around every corner, the thrills of never knowing what was going to happen next. This was…a quiet library and a pretty man who made him want to laugh at inopportune times. “Since you’re volunteering your time, I won’t make the joke, but I am thinking it.” Dorin couldn’t resist quipping, winking at the size innuendo the other had inadvertently made before blowing out a reluctant exhale and begrudgingly making himself focus. Or attempting too.

Miro was miraculously patient through Dorin’s embarrassing questions, lack of comprehension and focus, and inability to sit still. The man didn’t snap once about how many times he asked him to spell something or to pause, slow down, or say it again. it was far more positive than most of the tutors and teachers he’d come across and he was so grateful for it - but also, so fucking done with all of this for a bit. He was rapidly becoming convinced happiness was purely never having a textbook anywhere near you. Thankfully, Miroslav seemed ready for a break too and was ready and eager to get out of the library too. The walk was easy enough and  the warning was somewhat appreciated. Dorin may not have reacted all that well to Anton’s choice of lifestyle but he’d grown to realize that there was no danger here in keeping a messy room - outside of the obvious fire and pest hazards - but it still left him deeply unsettled. He did his best to keep the common rooms tidy and his own room spotless but not everyone was raised as he was. “No? Not a parade of lucky suitors coming through your dorm? I’m shocked.” He teased, but there was a hint of truth in there. The man was gorgeous and it seemed criminal it wasn’t being fully appreciated.

The room was every bit the disaster zone the other had warned him about and he hesitated a moment feeling his blood pressure and unease rise as the other took a seat on the couch and started doing…something. His hands curled into fists for a moment, warring internally against the impulse to start straightening up before carefully picking a path to the couch and sitting down. “Um. I don’t - “ His cheeks heated up again before he blew out an irritated-at-himself sigh. “I’ve never played. Or um, seen one of these…games. I don’t mind watching, you can play whatever you were in the middle of.” Maybe he should offer to clean while the other played…that’d be a hell of a distraction and maybe be able to discharge some of the excess energy he had boiling under his skin. “What are you studying?” He asked suddenly, realizing he hadn’t spent much time getting to know the other. “You’re a… what, junior? Are you from around here?” He had no idea what the local accent was or should be or how his own compared to them but he guessed he talked a bit strange given the looks he’d get each new semester. “Do you like it here?” Unable to help himself, he picked up one of the blue controllers and turned it around in his hands a bit, trying to understand how it worked and what it did before glancing over at what Miro was doing and back at the screen.

Lux’s breath hitched and he pressed impossibly closer, body curving into Alex’s as he bottomed out. Shivers worked their way down his spine at the sound of Alex’s voice, and god, it would be way too easy to become addicted to this- to pulling soft, sweet noises out of him, to hearing him say how Lux was his. To hear him say how he was Lux’s and fuck, Lux was positive he’d never wanted anything so bad. The past few years anyone with enough money’d had the ability to own him, even if just for a few hours. Being ‘claimed’- verbally, physically- it was nothing new, but right now? The way Lux wanted it certainly was, and so was the way Alex was so freely giving himself in return. “Tu ești a mea iar eu sunt al tău,” He repeated, breathless and starstruck. “Alexis… ești toată a mea.” He used up the last of his composure to keep from murmuring a mindless little mantra of mineminemine, instead putting his lips to better use, kissing at any bit of skin he could reach with- okay, fine, maybe a few spare whispery a meas escaping here and there until Alex’s lips were back on his own and rougher than before. He made a soft noise, low and plaintive, mouth going lax, compliant. 

He rolled his hips after each thrust, unable to help himself, until Alex was calling him perfect and for a second Lux was certain he was going to come, just like that. Instead, his movements stuttered to a stop as a low, broken noise left his throat and he buried his face into Alex’s neck, eyes blurred with tears. His limbs felt like jelly, like that one little seven- letter word had melted his very bones, and if Lux knew anything with clarity it was that he’d do anything to hear it again and again and to make sure it remained the truth. “Lex,” He choked out, reflexively jerking in to the twist. “Oh, god, Lex, Lexie- iubito, you do. Feels so good, you’re so perfect for me too,” He blabbed, trying his damndest to keep from slipping back into the language that was most familiar to him. It was important that Alex heard and understood, though, so even if he couldn’t refrain from spilling every broken thought that crossed his mind anymore at least he could speak them in a language they shared. Until Alex was nuzzling into his neck and his vocabulary was reduced to a grand total of one word. “Musca,” Lux hissed, encouraging, begging before catching himself and repeating it in italian- “Bite. Bite bite bite-” And then even that much was gone as Alex smeared his slick into Lux’s chest. Lux sobbed, deflating into the touch, helpless to do anything but tremble until Lexie was making a request and of course he’d oblige. 

His hand slid downwards, fingers slipping through precome before twining with Alex’s, wrapping around his cock and guiding their linked hands into a steady pace. He was too close already and it didn’t take much, just a few strokes, a few thrusts and he was gone, trembling and more overwhelmed than he’d ever been before. Muscles drew tight and his body jerked as he painted Alex’s stomach with hot, white, stripes, and as much as he wanted to just slump down onto his chest and try to recover from what had been hands- down the best sex of his life there was something that needed taking care of so he let go of himself, hand gliding upwards until he could smear his come into Alex’s skin. Instinctively, sticky fingers lifted up to Lexie’s throat, rubbing his release into the skin of his neck where the blonde’s own scent would be strongest. A claim that would be impossible for anyone to miss, he thought, even those weak- nosed beta guards that might desire what was his.

It was then that Lux finally noticed that brand- new, blood- red little line circling his wrist, and he froze.

His feelings on the matter of soulmates had always been complicated, and never in a specifically good way. He hadn’t given it much thought at all until he was fifteen and curious and then once he was here it had seemed equally hopeless and out of reach and terrifying because what if, by some cruel twist of fate, one of the alphas that he serviced ended up being his intended? How could they love him or even want him knowing he’d been with countless others? Or what if he didn’t even want the guy? What happened then?

But, Lux knew, as he blinked and finally pulled his stunned gaze up from his wrist to Alexis’ face, not wanting his soulmate wasn’t going to be an issue because he’d wanted this gorgeous blonde with an aching intensity before he’d had any fucking clue of what they were to each other. He’d always thought it must be disorienting to be bonded, to be aware of and connected to another living being on such an intimate, heightened level- to know their feelings, their thoughts as well as you knew your own but it wasn’t. Instead, it was that first lungful of fresh air when you surfaced after having been underwater, it was finally being completed when you hadn’t realized what exactly had been missing in the first place. It was clarity, and, he realized with surprise, it wasn’t scary at all. 

He reached out, finding one of Alex’s hands and pulling it towards him, flipping it over to look at the name now permanently printed on it. Upside down to him but familiar- Lux. Gentle fingers traced across those three little letters, unable to look away because what if he blinked and they vanished? He flipped his own hand over, exposing the Alexis written overtop pale, scarred skin, and wordlessly stared, mouth dropped open as he continued to process this wildly unexpected turn of events. Maybe there wasn’t fear but there was certainly shock and some measure of disbelief and the expectation that he was going to wake up any second and this would all just be a dream. More than that, though, as he sought out those mismatched eyes and pressed as close as possible, planting a reverent kiss to the corner of his soulmate’s mouth- there was bliss, desire, exhilaration, hope. “I really am yours,” He said, finally remembering how to speak. His voice was raw and rough, and his hand curled around Alex’s wrist once more while the other came up to touch at Alex’s face, gaze holding nothing short of wonder as he explored. “And you’re really mine.” A thumb stroked lightly at those pretty, spit- slicked lips before trailing away so that he could press in and catch them in a soft, soft kiss, and then another, because he couldn’t help himself.

Alex had absolutely no idea what that beautiful mouth was saying but the glint of his eyes and the power behind his kisses had him thinking it was probably related to mineminemine. And he was perfectly content with that. Until Lux stopped altogether. A loud whine escaped before he could stop it, his hands tightening on Lux’s skin as he blinked open lust-drunk eyes. Why was he stopping? Lux had ducked forward, whole body curled into Alex’s and so he just turned, pressing kisses to the side of his head and hair that he could reach as he waited to find out what he’d done wrong. But he got more choked out words and his name before he finally realized that it wasn’t something he’d done wrong - but something he’d done right. “Mon amour.” He reiterated before nipping as requested - and then immediately freezing himself, fearing he’d gone too far a moment later. It wasn’t really an act he’d thought about before doing - spreading his slick around - but it was the first impulse of his possessive stupid brain. Had he’d fucked it all up? A small twinge of guilt flared up for making Lux sob but every primal instinct was so goddamn satisfied by the way he melted into the marking. He was Alex’s and he’d make damn sure everyone in this terrible building knew it.

Just like he’d make sure that he wore Lux’s scent just as loudly. Happily, he gave Lux his hand to slide between them and groaned softly once he felt the warm hard flesh in his hand. “So, so, perfect.” He whispered again before Lux was exploding and to his own great surprise, he found his own body immediately reacting to follow suit. Waves of orgasm crashed over and through him like he’d never experienced but he had to open his eyes again as he felt Lux’s fingers trail over his chest until there was pressure against his neck. Intense shivers rocked him to his core at the blatant claim but every bit of him was burning with contentment and pleasure. Until he felt Lux freeze - and in a deeper way than just abroad his hips.

Alex’s heart stuttered in time with Lux’s as he forgot how to breathe again, unable to do anything but watch Lux with wide disbelieving eyes. What. This wasn’t - he didn’t have - this - his eyes followed Lux’s to his own wrist, watching the other pull it in and turn it over, exposing the unfamiliar red lines branding a name there. “Lux?” He questioned softly, able to see the pieces in front of them but not able to fully accept it quite yet. Soulmates weren’t real. There wasn’t a pair of them he could think of in the pack he’d grown up with - he knew his parents weren’t- he - wasn’t it just a myth? His whole world was flipping all around again for the second time in twenty-four hours and yet - he didn’t feel like he was spiraling. Not yet. Granted, it was still a shock to see his name spelled out over Lux’s skin despite knowing it must be there if the vague legends were true, still impossible to believe any of this, [was he knocked out, was he hallucinating, was this all going to go away], but that all faded the closer Lux got until there was lips brushing his own, soft words of confirmation sealing the tie between them. The soft touches helped anchor him and he desperately sought out the kiss, knowing this part - this part was real.

“Alright,” Miro said easily, reaching out as Dorin pushed a book across the table. He scanned the contents briefly and carefully kept his expression smooth yet open as he did so. Had he expected this? No, but the guy was clearly embarassed and making him feel worse wasn’t on Dorin’s agenda. He wasn’t a sideshow, just a guy struggling and overwhelmed. Miro slid his eyes back to Dorin as he gave a short explanation as to why he was having a hard time and in truth, it pretty much left more questions than it answered- but it wasn’t Miro’s business, so he didn’t push. 

“You’re not wasting my time,” He stated, offering a small grin. “You’re just saving me from ‘rotting my brains with violent video games’, man, my dad would love you.” His tone was teasing, pitched higher as he mimicked an accusation his dad had rattled off last time he’d talked to him on the phone. “Plus, honestly, the fact that you’ve learned enough to be accepted here in just ‘a year or so’? That’s something you should be proud of. Most people learn all of that stuff over a long period of time. Not everyone could manage what you have. And it’s not hopeless,” He said emphatically, not quite banging on the table- it was a library, after all- but patting the wood in a somewhat vehement manner. “Don’t say that. Alright? That can be, like, rule number one of… tutoring club. You’re not hopeless. It’s way too easy to give up on yourself, I get that, but… you can’t.” He leaned back, assessing Dorin once more, and then wriggling his eyebrows teasingly. “I forbid it.”

From the front, the guy working the desk gave a pointed cough, and Miro shot him a guilty grin and mouthed sorry before turning back to Dorin and lowering his voice. “Crabby, huh? If we get kicked out, we can just go back to my room or something…” He glanced over at the students nearby- he’d expected the place to be deserted right now, but it wasn’t and he really didn’t want to disturb anyone. “Andrei owes me enough favors, I can just tell him to get lost for a while so we can concentrate. He won’t tell me no.” Or if he did, he wouldn’t stick to it. “But until then…” He pushed the journal across the table, gathered his things and flopped down into the seat nearest Dorin’s, scooting up close, situating the journal in between them before going over the list of words. “So… I’ll explain what all of this means, and you can write down the definitions in a way you understand. Writing it down should help you remember… but if you don’t, you can just look back in here for a reminder.” He glanced at Dorin before starting, making sure to give enough time in between each word for Dorin to ask for clarification if he needed it, questions if he didn’t understand. If the explanations meant running in to another important word that Dorin didn’t know, Miro coached him through adding it and it’s definition to the list, keeping his voice low all the while in an effort to keep them from getting in trouble.

This was by far the most mortifying thing that had ever happened to Dorin and he’d had a lot of mortifying experiences. The beta was clearly skilled at keeping a blank face but Dorin knew his mind had to be racing with questions he’d like to never have to answer. Right now, he was just the dumb student, but at least his face was free of pity and horror every time they made eye contact. His “siblings” hadn’t yet mastered that and Dorin was afraid for this guy to learn his secret too and treat him just the same. He wasn’t made of glass, he didn’t need to be handled with kid gloves, he just - wanted to keep moving forward - whatever the fuck that meant. For today, apparently, it meant getting not-so-quietly chided by a gorgeous man. His cheeks flushed a bit darker as Miroslav stated that his father would love him for saving his son from violent video games before his brain checked out. Nope. He wasn’t proud of shit. Well, maybe of surviving - not everyone had - but his darkest moments had him wondering if it was worth all that fight just to realize he’d been left behind and was now out of place and disconnected from everyone and everything.

Shaking the thought off, he refocused, startling slightly at the light smacks to the table as much as the words behind them. Not hopeless? Dark brown eyes studied the face across from him, but he couldn’t see any signs of pandering or deceit. He truly believed that Dorin wasn’t a lost cause? “You forbid it?” Dorin said, finally finding his voice again and adding a teasing tilt to it. “Careful now. I find it hard to resist a challenge and that sounded like one. But alright, I’m not hopeless. Yet.” He threw a wink at the other and then had to bring a hand up to stifle his snort as Miro started talking shit about the scolding librarian. The offer to go back to his room had familiar parts of Dorin’s brain lighting up before remembering that life wasn’t like that anymore - it wasn’t a sex thing - just a…friendly offer. “If Andrei’s anything like his brother, I find it hard to believe it’d go so smoothly.” He pointed out but made no complaints as Miroslav got up and took a seat on his side of the table.

It took some effort to not turn into the other, to seek out comfort and reassurance from the shame and embarrassment that had his cheeks still feeling warm - but they weren’t even friends yet. He’d save it for Anton later. For now, he tried to focus on the list of his most hated words and completely failed to realize he’d relaxed enough their arms would brush occasionally. That subconscious point of contact became the only way he made it as far down the list as he did before shoving it away and tossing his pencil down. His hand hurt, his brain hurt, and he felt like the world’s stupidest citizen for how many new words he had to add in trying to take some off. Life in the pack meant there was always someone he could go to blow off steam, usually always a fight breaking out over something, but everyone here was so fucking calm all the time. He didn’t understand it. Nor how to self-soothe. Until something Miro had said earlier popped into his mind. “I’m willing to forsake your father’s love for a break.” He quipped. “Care to show me what this violent video game thing is you mentioned for like an hour and then I promise I’ll dig out some of the math homework I gotta do and we can work on that for a bit before ending it for the week? I just - I need a break. Please.”

Though he hadn’t known Anton for long, Miroslav was fairly certain that there was only one reason his roommates little brother would be flopping onto his lap. “Shhh,” He muttered instinctively, not even waiting for him to speak. Obviously the little shit wanted something, but currently Miro’s eyes were glued to the screen where the Headless Bloodletting Beast was down to a whopping 70% health. While Miro’s supply of vials had taken a pretty good hit getting him there, he wasn’t dead yet and he was very disinterested in jeapordizing that fact. It had only taken him, like, seven tries to accomplish this much. Admittedly, he was kind of bitter about it- considering its size and the fact that it didn’t have a fucking head, that bastard was way too quick. An elbow came down on him despite his distance and he snarled, flinging the controller away to sulk as YOU DIED flashed red across the screen. Fuck. He stared at it for a moment longer, taking a calming breath, and then finally shot Anton a curious glance, which was apparently as good of an opening as any because then the guy was rattling off about something. 

Miro was only half- paying attention, but he definitely caught it when Anton commented on how smart and nice Miro was- which… honestly? True- and then something about his movie star/ serial killer roommate- and even though he’d never met the guy both of those labels, in Miro’s opinion, seemed pretty unlikely- and then finally he got to the point. The point being: tutoring. And it wasn’t as if he’d had anything super pressing to do besides raise his blood pressure trying and failing to kill that fucker so he’d agreed. Besides, he wasn’t great at saying no, and if he had the ability to help someone- why not do it? That was how he’d ended up in the library during his treasured down time, doodling on a loose piece of paper and pretending to be productive while he waited for the freshman to show. 

Unfortunately, said freshman was unfairly gorgeous. Miro still exactly wasn’t picking up any serial- killer vibes (though, to be fair, not giving out serial- killer- vibes was what made the best serial killers, right?) and he was absolutely ratting Anton out for that comparison the first chance he got, but if he was being honest with himself… he could understand the movie star bit now. That hair. And that face. And… that everything. He was hard not to stare at. Miro wanted to touch his hair. An alpha, judging by the heady scent that accompanied him. 

Miro knew from past experience that sometimes alphas in particular were rather resistant to his help, but so far the guy- Dorin- didn’t seem as if he would be. Didn’t seem to fit into the stereotypical muscley meathead box at all, which was a relief. Generally Miro was ready to combat stereotypes head- on but truth be told… there were a few of that sort on campus and there was only so much you could do to help someone that wasn’t thrilled with the concept of needing it or recieving it from the likes of him. Miro relaxed, leaning forward to briefly shake the offered hand, giving him a friendly smile in return. “It’s not stupid,” Miro disagreed, voice mild. He was a firm believer that a negative attitude made learning harder, and while he wasn’t sure how serious Dorin had been about the term, might as well try to nip any sign of it in the bud. Positive vibes. “It’s good to meet you too, Dorin. I’m Miroslav, and it’s fine. I’m happy to help. What are you needing help with? I think Anton mentioned Physics and Calculus, right? Where would you like to start?” 

It rarely occurred to Dorin to scent people as it had meant little out on the streets - everyone was equally as dangerous - but he could feel the other’s eyes on him trying to get a feel for him already. And truthfully, Dorin had no idea how he was going to explain his academic troubles without the guy wondering how the fuck he even made it into college and pushing for an answer. So far, he hadn’t told a soul outside of the administration what his actual name was and hadn’t planned to - it was far safer with as few as possible knowing. He refused to go to family events, be in their press, or in any way associate with them because he feared he’d get recognized and taken again. And also part of him, had no idea who Nicolae even was and had no desire to become that person. As far as he was concerned, Nicolae had died in that car accident - and he was just some dumb lucky fool who was getting to live off his privilege.

It was hard to not argue back as the other shot back it wasn’t stupid but he held onto his tongue and gave a little shrug at the question. What did he want to start with? None of it. With shame coloring his cheeks rose, he pulled out his journal and after a moment’s hesitation - a dictionary as well. “We should, um, probably start with reading.” Dorin admitted softly. “I, uh - it’s not one of my strong suits.” Struggling with his pride for a moment more, he opened his journal and pushed it towards Miroslav. “This is a list of words I keep encountering but looking them up doesn’t help - I don’t understand their definitions either, so what would you do in cases like this? I try using - what’s it called - the rest of the words to figure out the ones I don’t know but that hasn’t been working so well.” Being asked to read out loud was the worst but he’d struggled enough that his teachers and peers now refrained from calling on him which was equally a blessing and a curse. He felt like a freak who didn’t belong. “I, uh, didn’t really get a chance to go to school. I had tutors for the last year or so try to get me up to speed so I could come to university with the rest of the kids my age but I - I think I’m too far behind. Anton made me promise to try you before dropping out but it’s - I don’t want to waste your time, you know? I appreciate your willingness to help but - it’s pretty hopeless, isn’t it?”

A romantic? Lux grimaced, face scrunching up in confusion and a little embarassment, but actually lacking any of the disgust he was trying to display. He’d been called many, many names in his life, but never that. A low groan/growl hybrid left him, eyes darting over to Alex. “I’m not… that,” He argued, tugging him inside a little faster, trying to outrun that topic and pressing up against him just a little more insistently than he would have otherwise. It wasn’t like it was a bad thing, exactly- but he was pretty sure he wouldn’t know how to be romantic if his life had depended on it.

For whatever reason Alex tilting his head so easily woke something up in Lux, had something deep in his chest flaring to life. He’d never had anything like this before. Sex for him had always been pretty straightforward- within a few short weeks of his first heat he’d learned the ropes, had things downpat and very rarely did any of the alphas stray from the routine. He knew his role and he knew how to play it well, but the difference between what was happening now and every other scenario that had played out within the confines of these rooms was that everyone else had just wanted an omega and Alex, Lux was pretty sure, wanted this with him specifically. Not just because he was an omega and not just because he was pretty- because truthfully, considering the current state of his back he was at an all time low. 

He gave a crooked grin as he climbed on to the bed, sitting astride Alex’s hips as the blonde commented on the soft bed. Lux had long since grown used to the accomodations but he could remember having been starstruck by them at first, too. If he’d had to trade freedom for a cage, at least the cage was a decent one- not that he wouldn’t have traded it back in a second if he’d had the chance. Fingers tracing up his thighs and gripping his hips had that train of thought stuttering to a halt and then Alex spoke and chased whatever intelligence Lux possessed out of his mind altogether. 

How does that sound? Lux gave a choked off little whine, legs reflexively tightening where they bracketed Alex’s hips before pressing in until he was close enough to kiss him. As it turned out, kissing Alex was definitely counterproductive to wrestling out legible words, and maybe he spent a little bit of time distractedly indulging himself, kissing the blonde and grinding against him until he was forced to come up for air and at first the only answer he could manage was a tortured sounding “Fuck.” He spent a few seconds just trying to breathe before helplessly seeking out Alex’s lips again, trading a few more desperate kisses before trying again. “Sounds so good, Lexie,” Lux panted out finally, one hand twisted in Alex’s hair and the other pressed between their bodies. “Want that- all of it- so bad. I want you to be so saturated in my scent that no matter what any of them do, they can’t ever completely chase it away. And-” He inhaled, shuddery, “And I want the same in reverse, too. Wanna smell like you.” The confession came easier than breathing, a truth automatically given whether it should have been voiced or not. If you’d asked him a week ago, a day ago- hell, an hour ago- if he would have ever even dreamed of saying something like that to anyone- Lux would have laughed and potentially punched your lights out, but here he was. It had been some time since he’d had to live without a steady food source or a roof over his head or basic necessities, but here with Alex… this was the first time in years he’d felt like he was home. Maybe it was stupid and it definitely should have been terrifying but every part of his being that wasn’t overcome with pure, unadulturated desire was humming with a cozy- warm contentment that was unlike anything he’d ever known. 

It was truly terrible what the sight of Alex’s skin flushing dark did to Lux’s heart, and by the time the other omega’s cock was sliding against his ass he was resigned to the fact that he wasn’t making it out of this alive. He bit down hard on his own lower lip to keep from urging Alex on, but a fresh new wave of slick said everything he didn’t voice aloud. The question had him automatically reaching back, breath hitching as he slipped two fingers in without hesitation and then shortly after a third. His fingers weren’t what he wanted right now but they were better than nothing and focusing was difficult, Lux growing slightly distracted until Alex was asking please. “Yeah, zeu- yeah,” Lux responded, easily reciprocating the kiss. His fingers came away wet with slick and slid down to Alex’s cock for just a second before he was finally, finally sinking down, too slow and too fast all at once, mindlessly rocking his hips once he was fully seated. Thinking and planning were both completely beyond him at the moment but Alex’d told him to let him do as much of the work as he could stand anyways. He bit at Alex’s lips, planting one hand on the bed and scraping his nails down Alex’s side with the other, sinking them in a little deeper as his hand traveled upwards before his fingers were searching for one of Alex’s studded nipples to play with, a steady stream of noises lost into Alex’s mouth. 

The sounds Lux made - Alex loved them almost more than the scents rolling off of him. Mostly because he was fairly certain Lux had no idea he was making them. But he loved the kisses too - and that was a first for him. He was used to kisses being biting, possessive, more about taking than anything and with Lux - it was something they shared, explored, and enjoyed - together. It was pleasure. Especially once Lux’s whole body got involved, grinding against Alex, and making him squirm against the soft mattress, rapidly growing desperate to rock up into that warm wet heat. They parted - briefly - in a futile desire to pull actual oxygen into their bodies and breathe - but then Lux was back and Alex couldn’t find two shits to give about breathing, would rather this soft warm pressure on his mouth and sliding his tongue against Lux’s until a hand twisting in his hair made him draw back with a low groan and his eyes fluttering shut briefly before it became his turn to whimper. Lux getting possessive was hot in a way he’d never realized it could be and even more surprising was the intense possessiveness he had over the other, desperately needed to soak the other in his scent and warn off anyone who’d get close to him. “Yeah.” He agreed, oh-so-eloquently. “Want them to know they can touch - but they can’t have - because you’re mine and I’m yours.”

The words slipped out as Lux took him in and another low keen was pulled out of his throat with each inch that got pulled into Lux’s body until they were flush together and Alex’d lost all sense of time, place, or anything that existed outside of their bodies. “Dieu.” He whispered until nails raked down his side making him shudder and toss out an “Ah, oui.” and rock up into Lux. There were too many sensations - he was overwhelmed - but in the best of ways. Normally, he’d retaliate and drag his nails down someone’s spine - but he was aware enough to not attempt that here. Instead, he ran light tracks down his thigh and kissed him harder - nipping, but not biting, - and jerking his hips to punctuate each thrust. “You’re so perfect.” Alex breathed between kisses. “So perfect for me.” Sliding his other hand up his torso, he flicked at one of the raised nubs before gripping and twisting it slightly -  not wanting to hurt too much as each thrust had to be hurting him - but wanting to give a little spice back to him - send little pleasured shockwave through his whole system. “Wanna make you feel better than anyone else ever has.” He added fiercely. “Over and over again.”

Dorin felt about two inches tall as his “classmates” fell in line around him as he left the professor’s office. The university wouldn’t fail him out - wouldn’t dare to - not with him being who he was and the story that represented but the truth of the matter was that he was largely in over his head. Sure, he was multi-lingual but only conversationally and in the poorest dialects. He was pretty sure his three year old niece could read and write better than he could despite three years of intensive tutoring. Math made sense in his head but he had a hard time explaining how he got the answer he did and as the difficulty increased - he was drowning faster and faster. He really should have expected his professors to pull him aside sooner to recommend a return to tutoring and relying on their help to keep up in class but he hadn’t seen it coming.

And it was mortifying.

Angrily slamming his special key card against the lock, he flipped the guards off behind him, threw his bag towards his side of the room and face planted onto his bed. Who the fuck did he think he was? He had no business being here. It’d taken him months to say more than a dozen words to his roommate, to stop looking over his shoulder, to not suspect every person who approached him to be a potential enemy-of-the-state but where was the credit for that? Nope, he just got chided that he was too fucking stupid to be in the general medical bachelor program. Never mind that if you put a needle in his hand around someone bleeding out, he’d have them medicated and patched up and feeling better before anyone else could react, never mind he knew how to diagnose dozens of things by sight alone, or that he knew every medicinal herb and flower that was local to their area - it was a goddamn crime that he couldn’t do calculus.

What did math have to do with saving people anyway?

An hour later he heard the door open and then some very colorful cursing before padded feet headed his way and a body climbed up, making his mattress shift around and his face to bury more into his pillows even as soft warmth enveloped him. “D. Deeee.” came the sing-song voice but maybe if he just laid here a bit longer, the ground would open up and swallow him whole. “What’s wrong? M’not going anywhere until you talk. And we both know I can be very annoying.” He, unfortunately, had a point. Sighing, Dori shifted, just enough he could breathe easier but didn’t move to dislodge the other at all.

Despite presenting as an alpha, he’d only grown half a foot so far and still craved this sometimes - someone to wrap him up and protect him. Luckily, Anton didn’t think twice about crowding into his space or being physically affectionate and Dori had to thank his belatedly-lucky stars for bringing him into his life. “M’failing calculus.” He confessed. “And Physics. I - most of the words in the books I’ve never seen before and looking them up doesn’t help because that’s just more words I don’t recognize and I - I think I may need to go. I’m not ready for this. There’s too much I don’t know.”

Anton was suspiciously quiet for too long so despite himself, he managed to look up and peek a dark eye at the other. “Why is your thinking face on? Stop that. Pour me a drink and come back. We’re full-on wallowing tonight.”

“No…I have an idea…” Anton said.

And that’s how Dorin ended up here - not withdrawn from study - but at a library at too-early-o’clock- trying to find the guy that matched the picture Anton’d sent him. Miroslav was his name and he was fucking gorgeous if he looked anything like this picture and how was he supposed to study around that but - Anton’s brother swore he was the smartest kid he knew but more importantly patient and discreet - he apparently would not be the type to run to the press with the scandal of the President’s son not being able to read or write at a normal level. So, here he was. Almost hoping to get catfished because the man was so pretty.

Shaking the thought off, his eyes scanned over the library again, one hand moving to brush his unruly hair out of his face before catching sight of a promising-looking man by the bookshelves. Heading towards them and snorting slightly to himself as half a dozen ‘reading’ students shifted with him, he slung his backpack onto the back of a chair and flopped down with a bright grin and extended hand. “Hi. I’m Dorin. I appreciate you taking the time out of your weekend to meet up with me and go over stupid shit but .. yeah. Thanks. Nice to meet you and all that.”

In the past being told to shhh had typically filled Lux with the sudden desire for bloodshed, but here all it drew out of him was a tsk. “Can’t argue with that logic,” He muttered. The ‘rich knotheads’ really did loathe the word no, but Lux had come so close to getting away so many times with so many people trying to prevent it- he wasn’t sure that they’d see fit to leave him in someone else’s care, fearing that they’d never see him again. And rightfully so, because if he had the opportunity to get away- why wouldn’t he take it? Short of keeping him cuffed and chained the whole trip… which some alphas might actually not be all that averse to. But then Alex was pulling him close, voice going whispery soft and switching to a language Lux was a little challenged in. It took him a moment to piece it together- but he got it. Protection. A way out. Speaking of such things after his latest failure had a small spike of anxiety streaking through him, but he couldn’t hear or smell anyone nearby so he just curled closer to Alex and considered it for a moment. That… was actually a method he hadn’t considered yet, and as he pieced it together inside his head- it felt like something that might actually work. “It is worth a shot,” He said finally, and then, rather accusingly- “You’re here all of five minutes and already coming up with more solid plans than me.” Instead of being annoyed he was just vaguely proud and maybe a little ashamed that he hadn’t thought of it first, but thinking things through had never been his strong point. 

Then, all thoughts of running away were shoved to the back burner because it was damn hard to think about wanting anything beyond what he had now, Alex whimpering, gasping, and very obviously hard. A hand slid down to that last irritating layer of lacy fabric, the only barrier left between them, fingers dipping inside and brushing against his skin. He could have ripped them off, if he’d been so inclined- but they were pretty and he didn’t want to ruin them. Not yet. He nipped lightly at Alex’s jawline, not roughly enough to hurt or leave a mark but enough to feel and then he was groaning as Alex’s fingers went questing and found nearly every sensitive spot he owned. He didn’t get a chance to recover from the hand on his chest and neck because Alex was talking, saying things that had Lux just trying to squirm closer. “Please,” He breathed. He didn’t know what this was either, hadn’t ever experienced anything remotely close but he also couldn’t bring himself to care about figuring it out because Alex was finally, finally kissing him, and Lux was gone. His eyes fluttered shut and he got lost in the way their lips felt moving together, the way Alex was touching him- his hips jerked into Alex’s hand, a soft whine leaving him as he automatically bit down on Alex’s lip before kissing it better, lapping and sucking apologetically until Alex started talking about moving and what? No. Bad idea. He groaned, using every ounce of self- restraint to keep from pushing back in and trying to shut him up and make him forget about beds and relocating because fuck all of that noise. “Or,” He coaxed, “We could forget beds and stay here…” Except, on second thought, that might act as an opportunity for a lucky voyeur and Lux didn’t want to share this. He’d never been averse to a little exhibition before but for whatever reason- he wanted to be selfish. It was new and shiny and he wanted to hold it close, out of reach of anyone but the two of them. Out of reach of anyone that could taint it or take it away or impose. This was theirs. 

So reluctantly and with a grumpy noise of displeasure, Lux pulled away, fingers twining securely with Alex’s as he slid off his lap. “Fuck, okay. C’mon.” He tugged him indoors, just a little impatient because this was significantly less body contact than they’d had ten seconds ago and he wasn’t a fan of it at all. Once inside, though, Lux hesitated- Alex had said bed but the couch was close and comfy, the table was close and sturdy, there were too many options. He huffed, debating where to take them, and turned to give Alex a considering look before finally heading towards the hall and pausing in front of Alex’s unused bedroom. His own room was potentially a better choice just because he knew where everything was, but… “Maybe this way your first memory of your room can be a good one,” Lux explained, and then shot him a brief, crooked grin, drawing him inside and closing the door behind them and wasting little time in pressing in as close as possible and seeking out more kisses, crowding the blonde up against the wall.  

He’d never been with anyone his own size before and that was just as new and novel as everything else. So was the fact that Alex was also an omega. Other than a beta, once- Lux’d only ever been with alphas. He hooked his fingers into Alex’s lacy underwear once more, pulling back just enough to watch as he tugged at them. “Off now,” He said, dragging them down Alex’s thighs and letting them drop to the floor. Enough was enough. He’d been such a pretty sight with them on, but bare- he was exquisite. Lux gave a content sigh, head dropping against Alex as he slid one hand around to his ass, dragging his fingers through slick before wrapping them around Alex’s cock and giving a few slow jerks, kissing at his neck. “How do you want to do this?” He breathed, because full disclosure- Lux was up for whatever, if the fact that he was achingly hard and dripping wet hadn’t been signal enough. “Do you want to fuck me? Or do you want me to fuck you? Or I could…” He looked down, biting at his lip for a second as he watched his hand still steadily working Alex. “I could blow you. I don’t care,” He admitted, hands finally sliding back to Alex’s hips and gently tugging him towards the bed. “I want anything. Everything.” So long as it was with the man in front of him. 

Alex couldn’t help but grin against Lux’s soft skin as the other huffed about him being here all of five minutes and being better planning already. “Guess you’re lucky I’m here then.” He teased back but almost immediately lost the train of thought as the vixen in his lap sent his fingers questing past the fabric snug around Alex’s hips. A soft whimper escaped but was lost in Lux’s mouth as he finally, finally, finally got to connect their lips and learn exactly what that sharp tongue tasted like. Intoxicating would be putting it mildly and Alex would be content to spend the rest of his days just like this, right here, with Lux’s hips jerking into his touch and teeth meeting sensitive skin but…his back. Alex was trying to be good but dieu Lux made it hard. Fine. Beds forgotten. His mouth went lax, allowing Lux to explore where and how he wanted until he was pulling away and wha…? Hazy eyes blinked a few times as Lux began to pull away trying to piece the situation together. Where was he going? Why? He’d said fuck the beds…

Fuck it.

Sliding his fingers into Lux’s, he let the other pull him up to his feet and back into their - well, their home. That’s what it was now. And somehow that prospect seemed exciting and invigorating instead of the terrifying reality it’d been when Alex first walked through those doors. And that feeling continued when he found himself in front of an unfamiliar door with Lux giving him a look he couldn’t quite place. Then he melted. Jesus christ. This man. “Who knew you’d turn out to be such a romantic?” He teased before his back was hitting the wall and his entire front was covered by warm, gorgeous heat. This, he could 1000% get used to.

He’d never been with an omega like this - hell, they’d barely glanced twice at him before, but he liked it. They were fairly evenly matched, hips, chests, mouths all lining up together with no straining or stretching and their scents combining - it’d be a miracle if that didn’t drag unwanted visitors helplessly to them.

Lux’s demand drew a soft whimper from Alex, but the fabric was already on its way down and off and then he was fully Lux’s - because this was more than he’d ever given anyone before. This wasn’t just his body, this was trust, this was passion, this was want and Alex’d been so goddamn careful to not want anything for so long. And now here he was, as naked with desire as he was physically. His lips brushed against Lux’s hair before a soft growl left his mouth at the too-quick grope but oh, it was worth it for the feel of Lux’s fingers around him. Though, how the omega thought he was going to be able to think, let alone make decisions, was far beyond him. “Hmm?” His head tilted to give Lux more access to his neck, fully aware that he was giving off all sorts of scents and wants but didn’t want to help it - or care. “More.” He managed to gasp out, hips pressing into the steady grip, and his mind only shouting for that one thing. More. More of this, more of Lux, Alex truly didn’t care how it happened, only that it happened now.

“Same.” He managed once Lux had let go and moved into tugging him towards the bed, allowing his upper brain to sort of hazily kick on. Alex did want everything with this man and he’d get it - maybe not all tonight - but they had time. Shaking some clarity back into his head, he swung around so he was in front of Lux, ducking in for another quick kiss, before falling back and making grabby hands for Lux to get on and straddle him. “Oh.” He breathed softly, glancing briefly back at the bed he’d laid on. “This actually doesn’t suck.” He marveled. The mattress was soft - probably more for alpha’s knees than his intended comfort - but he’d happily reap the benefits. Refocusing at the task on hand, he let his fingers slide up Lux’s thighs and grip onto the hips that made his mouth water. “Gonna fuck you.” He decided. “Just like this. You let me do as much of the work as you can stand - then we play. ‘Cause I wanna taste all of you, wanna touch everywhere, and then want you to fuck me - wanna be -“ Alex cut himself off, barely conscious of what he was saying and flushing red once it caught up to him. “Wanna be covered in your scent, inside and out before - before anyone else gets to.” He confessed. “How’s that sound?”

Lux pressed in impossibly closer, ignoring the slight twinge from arching his back, encouraged by the way Alex’s hands landed at his waist and on his knee. He was very studiously Not Thinking about how out of character this was for him because he never acted like this, not even during heats. Hell, the only times he’d ever even come close to being… snuggled by someone- because that’s what this was, right? Sort of?- was when they were tied together and closeness was an inescapable side effect of the sex. The rest of the time, Lux had worked pretty damn hard to very carefully keep people at bay, leaving a respectable space bubble between him and them. But this? Fuck, he couldn’t get enough. 

He tilted his face into the touch easily, eyes growing lidded and then sliding completely shut with bliss for just a few short moments, a low noise akin to a hum leaving his throat. But the idea of him becoming favored at this point felt silly enough to draw a little laugh out of him, a smirk playing at his lips. “I think I’ve blown my chances at being favored,” He whispered, tilting his head to press a kiss to the gentle fingers tracing his jaw. And even if he hadn’t- he’d never excelled at being good before and wasn’t sure how he’d start now, even if he’d been inclined. “I’m half expecting them to retire me any day now.” It was a quiet fear, and not one he’d exactly intended to voice aloud, but it was too late to take it back now. Fucked up back or not, he was still an omega, still a wet hole to fuck, still smelled sweet and looked decently pretty from the front. As long as he was making enough money, they wouldn’t fill his spot with a replacement- and only time would tell if today would have lasting consequences when it came to work. It was possible he’d have to up his game. He’d rather die than spend the rest of his life doing laundry and shit like that, but his heat was due pretty soon and he was pretty sure they wouldn’t make any decisions until after it had passed. “But you’ve got a clean slate… so you should take advantage of that.” The smirk widened, and he nipped at the skin of Alex’s palm lightly, affectionate but teasing all the same. “Play nice, and all. Bring me souvenirs from your field trips.”

He shivered at the kisses, a soft, high noise leaving him as he rubbed his cheek up against the skin of Alex’s shoulder and chest. Bold, perhaps, this lazy attempt at scent marking, but he couldn’t be fucked to listen to the little part of his brain that wanted to freak out or refrain. It wasn’t the neck, he rationalized, just close to it, so it only kind of counted. They were sort of packmates now anyways, right? Sharing territory, at the very least. It was a totally reasonable thing to do. Alex’s scent had been drawing him in from the start, but combined with his own it was nothing short of intoxicating, enough to make his throat feel stupid and closed up. As if that hadn’t been enough to have his brain short- circuiting, thoughts falling away into something a little primal, a little possessive- Alex was saying he’d follow him and that- that wasn’t something he’d heard from anyone, ever, and the way Alex smelled right now- just as content and happy as Lux felt- Lux hadn’t ever caused someone to give off those emotions. He’d never been the reason for anyone feeling that way before, and he knew he had to be smelling similarly and for once- he didn’t care. He wanted the blonde to know how he was making him feel, wanted him to experience a thrill similar to the one Lux was basking in.

Lux inhaled, sharp and shuddery, shivers dancing down his spine as he went still for a second and tried to process- not gripping or clutching at Alex but definitely holding on to him a little tighter, the arm across his shoulders pulling him closer. After a few blissful seconds of just drowning in everything he pressed in to Alex’s body as much as he could- so that the other would know he wasn’t leaving or pulling away- and readjusted, entirely ignoring his throbbing back and moving so that he was straddling Alex’s lap instead of just sitting on it, his knees on either side of the other omega’s thighs. “I…” He said quietly, swallowing and blinking and trying to figure out what words would accurately sum up how he felt. “…Um, me too. …I feel the same way.” Clumsy and soft as a whisper- but bare, honest. Raw. This was new territory for him, and for as brash and confident a front as Lux typically put up- he didn’t know what the fuck he was doing, and he wanted to truly expose himself here. Something about this gentle blonde man, Alexis, had him feeling safe and breathless and brave enough to do so. The only other person in the world that had ever gotten true, full- fledged trust from him had been dead for decades, and why was that changing now? He couldn’t pinpoint any solid reason, but it didn’t have to make sense for him to know it was real. He’d always been impulsive, instinct driven, and now wasn’t any different.

Both hands went up, resting on Alex’s shoulders, and he dragged his nose down the line of Alex’s breastbone, one hand sliding around to the back of his neck, playing with soft blonde hair while the other slid down his chest, pressed flat. Just feeling him, leaving traces of Lux’s scent on his body. Fingers brushed across a pierced nipple and he paused, stopping to play with it and involuntarily rolling his hips just a tiny bit because, fuck, maybe he had a thing for that, okay? He gnawed on his lower lip for a second, breathing hot against Alex’s chest, eyes still glued to the piercing. Then, his head was raising up and hovering, nose pressed right in the hollow between Alexis’ collarbones before his studded tongue flickered out, licking a stripe up the center of his throat. There, Lux paused, panting against Alex’s jawline and waiting, exhilarated- with no fucking clue what would happen next, but filled with anticipation nonetheless. 

Alex smiled softly as he pulled a laugh out of the other - even as harsh as it was - it still counted. “Shhh.” He countered. “I’ll be so good someone’ll wanna give me whatever I want and then you’ll get to come too.” He promised. “Whose gonna dare tell some rich knothead no? Because they know the second they do - then they’ll really want you because someone dared to tell them what they could and couldn’t have. It’s a win-win, really.” He was getting Lux outta Rome if only for a day or two. His chest clenched at the soft confession but he couldn’t see it - sure, they were expendable, replaceable, worthless - but Lux was so very intoxicatingly pretty - and not all alphas wanted a compliant empty-headed hole to fuck. Lux - and now Alex - could bring them a lot of money they weren’t getting before. “So we make you irreplaceable.” Alex defended quietly. “We court them ourselves on our outings. We bring in money they didn’t have access too before - we do the things these passive lazy fucks haven’t even realized they’d pay for yet and mon Dieu. This is actually brilliant. We do that, we make our niche, our connections, and that’s our - “ He cut himself off, glancing nervously over the rail and drawing Lux in closer, just barely breathing the words out, switching to English and hoping the other would understand. “That’s our way out. Our protection.”

Pulling back with wide eyes, he tried to think of his old pack, the connections he might have in Italy and where they could find the types of clients who hadn’t looked twice at this place. While they still had access to a phone - Alex was going to do what he could to set the plan into action. They were not going to die like this. Alex’d never believe in fairy tales, or love, but there was a fire that’d been lit deep inside that was burning brighter than he’d ever felt before and the only person standing within the flames with him - was Lux. The rest of the world could and would burn. Lux’s high noise drew him back, the soft rubs and the scent marking just making the flames inch higher around them. Nobody was going to take this man from him unless he chose to walk away from Alex. Not now. But there’d be time for defending and planning later, right now this was about learning and appreciating *and maybe a bit of claiming* - as this wasn’t one sided. Alex could smell the contentment and happiness coming off the other and far preferred that to the burnt anger and resignation from earlier. Though, he still feared his words had been too bold - swearing to follow him already - and the silence grew that fear until Lux was everywhere.

Blue/brown eyes went a little wide as the other shifted, straddling his lap and Alex fought a futile fight against arousal but how could he resist when he had this gorgeous incredible omega in his lap awkwardly saying I feel this too? Fuck. Alex wanted - no needed to kiss him. It was taking every ounce of self-control he had to not dart in and tumble them down a path they couldn’t come back from and then Lux was touching him. A soft whimper drew out of him at the touch in his hair as he watched Lux slide down his chest. The chest that wasn’t moving because he’d forgotten entirely how to breathe. Air came rushing back in the form of a gasp as talented fingers found his nipple and started to play - and there was no resistance left. He was rock hard by the time Lux’s hips shifted forward and barely hanging on to the edge of control when Lux snapped it. That studded wicked tongue was going to feature in quite a few of his fantasies as he tilted his head back, allowing him full access to his skin, scent, everything until everything paused.

It was almost always easier to breathe here, Lux thought. Despite his feelings about this place in general, the view was lovely. Tonight, though, he was distracted from it by the person beside him, watching as he lost a little more of that lingering tension and absently studying the planes of his face, the curve of his lips, the way his eyelashes framed his pretty eyes. Those eyes were going to get Lux in trouble, he was certain of it. He wasn’t ashamed to be caught staring, just offered a helpless grin in return to that heart- stopping smile and went easily as Alex guided him into his lap, placing his things on the floor and carefully sitting down. Before anything else, he hesitated a moment, considering- if Alex hadn’t wanted him close he wouldn’t have pulled him in, but he still wasn’t sure where the line was. He knew how to handle clients, how to handle alphas- but this was something else entirely. They’d just met, they were strangers, but he was naked and Alex was almost- naked and warm and he smelled nice and acted nice so fuck it. Lux shifted closer, one arm slowly sliding around Alex’s shoulders, curling in to him as much as his back would allow.

“It can be easy to forget out here,” Lux said quietly, dropping his head and nuzzling into Alex’s skin. Easier to pretend. Especially like this, fresh air with the sky glowing in color around them, the warmth of body heat and a comforting scent surrounding him, a full belly, weed stripping the edge off of everything and alcohol helping to dull all his aches and pains. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this sedate, this content. Being in close contact with someone shouldn’t have been such a novel experience, not considering the fact that he was an omega working the job he did- but it was, because here and now there was no pressure, no worry about performing or being what the client wanted. Just touching for the sake of touching. 

The idea of this place being an improvement for Alex had Lux aching deep in his chest- judging by the knothead that Lux had seen hovering around him it wasn’t surprising but it was pretty fucking sad and he hoped nothing horrible would happen to change Alex’s mind on that matter. Instead of answering he just hummed, stroking a thumb along his shoulder. As his fingertips began to trace light, patternless lines across his skin, he remembered all the marks he’d seen on him when he’d undressed- remembered what few short words Alex had said in the bathroom about the alpha he’d been promised to, and he couldn’t decide whether it made him sad or sick or angry. Growing up, Lux had been a naive child, believing alphas were built with the innate urge to protect and provide when what they really wanted was to own, to claim. To take. It was funny to consider the fact that most of the world was still capable of seeing them through rose- colored glasses. Sure, Lux panted after them during his heats just as badly as anyone else did, but that was where it ended. It wasn’t like they really had the option to pick and choose whose company they kept, but time and time again it was proven that having anything to do with alphas outside of straightforward, uncomplicated fucking was a bad idea. 

“I know it could be a lot worse here,” He admitted eventually, dragging his lips along Alex’s jawline in a not- quite- kiss and trying to pull himself away from that line of thought. He wanted the cozy glow back, wanted to quit thinking about the fuckwads that were an unfortunate, inescapable part of their lives and focus on the beautiful man he was pressed up against. “Warm place to sleep, a steady food supply, you don’t have to worry about getting knocked up or mated to anyone. I just wish…” He trailed off, simply breathing for a while. Things weren’t as bad as they could be, but they did suck. “Wish we got to have those things without being property, or being stuck here. I don’t like living in the city.” Not that he got to see much of it. Still, the heavily populated areas smelled and sounded so very different from the wild. As many times as he’d tried running- it had always been less ‘running to’ and more ‘running from’. He had a vague idea where he’d like to go. Somewhere in the mountains, probably, a cozy cabin with only wildlife for neighbors, the way it had been when he’d been growing up. Or maybe somewhere near the ocean, with a saltwater scented breeze and sun- warmed sand to bask in. Except seafood accompanied the ocean so maybe not. Mountains it was. He wouldn’t mind having to hunt and forage for his food, maybe he’d just live in his wolf form. It had been so fucking long since he’d gotten to hunt for game and he missed it. He wasn’t big or bulky, but he was quick and he thrived off of successfully executing strategies to take down prey- or predators- far bigger than himself. Unfortunately, these fucking italians didn’t see the appeal and preferred chains and cellblocks to the thrill of the hunt. “I guess I’d go back to the Carpathians if I had the opportunity.” He’d left them for a reason- but at least they’d been safe. They had been enough, even if he hadn’t realized it at the time. “Where would you go?” He chanced asking, resting his cheek against Alex’s shoulder. It was a risky topic, he was pretty sure, one that could easily fall under the category of things- they- just- didn’t- talk- about but if Alex got tense or cagey Lux would back off. “If you could go anywhere in the world, live whatever life you wanted- what would you do?”

Reinventing himself was not a skill he was unfamiliar with as each new circumstance of his life had called for it - but normally each new him got harder, more aggressive, more defiant - not this. Alex didn’t recognize himself tonight but also couldn’t bring himself to care. Lux was the single most grounding and intoxicating being he’d ever met, drawing and following Alex to to novel places. The warm weight slipping around his shoulders worked to settle him even more as he slipped his own arm low around his waist, mindful of his back, but needing to ensure he wasn’t going anywhere without Alex at least attempting to stop him. His other hand came to rest just above his knee - not meaning to spark any kind of reaction, other than attempting to remain grounded and affectionate as his thumb lightly ran over the soft skin there. Lux was the warmest thing he’d encountered in a long time and he had to fight the urge to draw him even closer, to curl around him, and shelter them both from the many abuses the universe seemed to enjoy inflicting on them.

Lux was doing shit-all to help with that urge as the man dropped his head, nuzzling against Alex’s skin and awakening parts of his hearts that he’d assumed had died somewhere in childhood. He was sure he was giving off all kinds of satisfied happy scents but also couldn’t be fucked to try and stop it. This had never happened for him before and maybe it was the weed, or the alcohol, or some sort of strange comedown from the adrenaline and trauma of their days, or all of the above but this was so good. He’d been ostracized from the other omegas in their pack; partly for refusing to confirm to their traditional ‘omega’ role and partly because Julien had never officially mated him and so he wasn’t really one of ‘them’ yet and he had to wonder if it was always like this for omegas who accepted other omegas. Was this normal? He didn’t dare ask. But in a way, they were pack now, weren’t they?

The light touches had him shivering slightly before just marveling at the fact that the fear wasn’t there. Normally, he withstood touches with a brace, biding his time for them to turn violent and harmful but he didn’t have that here. Lux was soft and sweet with no ulterior motives that Alex knew of and Alex just craved more of it. Which Lux didn’t hesitate to deliver, stealing his breath and focus from their conversation with those plush warm lips trailing along his jaw and making Alex’s brain fixate on how badly he wanted to connect their mouths, to guide the other closer, connect their bodies, and continue the soft and sweet to areas and pleasures normally denied to them. But not yet.