Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“What.”

Louis didn’t really phrase it as a question and Dr. Lawrence didn’t take it as one, if the uneasy expression on his face was anything to go by.
The third time Louis fainted in the office was the final straw. The higher up’s ordered him to go to the doctor and not just any doctor.

Louis had argued with them for hours face to face and over passive aggressive emails that it was none of their concern. All of these incidents could be chalked up to the fact that he was just stressed and maybe, maybe a little overworked. No one said managing the second largest modeling agency in the UK was a simple task. Louis was all for the challenge though and had been running the company diligently for the past four years, leading them into their prime. A few measly fainting spells wasn’t going to change that.
And it certainly had nothing to do with his omega, for fuck’s sake.

Still, the demands persisted and Louis could only hold them back for so long before rumors began to spread. The last thing he needed was for his colleagues and employees to start whispering behind his back or sending leering glances wondering if the great Louis Tomlinson had finally succumbed to something as foolish as sickness.

Which led him to the pristine office of Dr. Lawrence, an omega specialist at the top of his field. If he was going to get a doctor’s note to appease his colleagues he was going to get it from the best.

Now though, this doctor, best of the best or not, was about to be put ten feet under if he didn’t start explaining. Fast.

“You can’t be serious.” Louis shifted on the table, making the exam table paper crunch beneath him. He was in nothing but a flimsy patient gown, glaring at the beta before him looking perfectly pristine in his white coat and sleek shoes. “I’ve never heard of this.”

“You’ve never heard of it because it isn’t exactly common.” The doctor explained, holding out his hands like he was trying to be placating. Trying being the key word. “This method has been found to be more than successful though when dealing with dire cases.”

“Dire?” Louis spit out, nonplussed. “I get a little feint sometimes.”

“And,” The doctor pointed out, reaching for his chart, “you show symptoms of occasional vomiting, cold sweats, overheating, tremors, sensitivity to light and touch--”

“Occasional.” Louis reiterated.

“This is what you told the nurse, Mr. Tomlinson.” The beta looked up from the chart, fixing Louis with a serious look. “And even if they are in your words only occurring occasionally, blood work doesn’t lie. You’re hormone levels are extremely low for an omega your age.”

“So what?” Louis said, fighting the urge to rake his nails down his forearms. “I’m on medication to stabilize my cycle--"

“Suppress.” The doctor corrected him gently.

“A lot of omegas do it.” He argued, biting down harshly on his bottom lip. Heats were bothersome and interfered with an omega’s life. Louis would’ve been stupid not to take advantage of what science had created for them.

“Yes, it isn’t uncommon nowadays with enough natural alpha contact in one’s life…” The doctor didn’t continue nor really ask a question, but Louis could hear it nonetheless.
“I’m not talking about an alpha mate necessarily, Mr. Tomlinson.” The doctor said, all professional and straightword. “A close alpha companion, family?”

Louis remained stubbornly silent.

Sighing, the doctor went back to his chart. “And I understand you’re also on medication for touch deprivation.”

“Yes.” Louis grit out. “I am.”

“And you’ve received stims to replicate alpha pheromones as well.” The doctor finished, eyeing him carefully.

“I--” And Louis hated that. Hated that his body craved something his mind outright rejected. “Yes. It’s what was recommended to me at the time. Yes. Isn’t that a good thing? You just said my levels were low. Shouldn’t I be getting more of it then?”

The beta tensed up. “Mr. Tomlinson, those medications of synthetic. Replicating the effects can only hold out for so long--”

“I’ll just need to have them adjusted.” Louis cut in, firm.

The beta’s nose scrunched up. “I don’t recommend that solution.”

“I’ve done it in the past with no push back.” Louis breathed out, the room around him suddenly feeling too hot and too cold at the same time. The edge of his vision was beginning to grow fuzzy and he clamped his eyes shut with a scowl. “I’ll find a doctor to do just that and write me off as fine to work if I have to, Dr. Lawrence.”

The doctor paused briefly. “Mr. Tomlinson, I hate to be frank with you considering this is our first appointment. I don’t like to start my patient relationships with such hard lines, but I’m afraid with everything I’ve seen so far I don’t have a choice. You can listen to me continue my diagnosis and proposed method of treatment or you are free to get a second opinion, but I highly advise against that. Whatever doctors you’ve seen in the past that just push pills onto you are not going to help you in the long run.”

Louis tensed at that. This was why he had pushed back so hard against his superiors. He’d rather spend his time in a morgue than stuck in a sterile, white room with a person telling him what he needed to do with his body.

The omega didn’t lug himself there to come out empty handed though, not with everyone breathing down his neck and clocking his every move. Louis was never one to back down from a challenge. That was all this was, an assignment. One that he would complete with flying colors. “Fine.”

The beta’s face softened. “Thank you. I’ll start from the beginning again. You’ve been suppressing your heat for fifteen years now, Mr. Tomlinson. While I won’t lie to you and say that some omegas have gone longer than that, what differs between their cases and yours is that ulterior methods were used.”

“That’s what I’ve done.” Louis insisted. He thought back to his medicine cabinet back in his flat, filled to the brim and close to overflowing.

“Not through medication alone.” The doctor said carefully. “They make sure to have some form of contact with an alpha or multiple alphas.”

“My--My fucking secretary is an alpha.” A lousy one at that, but Louis had hired him to salvage his image when word had somehow gotten out that he held bias when it came to secondary gender. It had been a weak strategy from the beginning and now he paid the price for it daily.

The doctor raised an eyebrow. “Again, apologies for the frankness, but do you let your secretary touch you at all, even platonically. Scent you?”

Louis’ couldn’t help but sneer at that, giving the doctor his answer with just one look. Anderson knew that if he dared step foot into his office without scent neutralisers he’d be fired on the spot. Worse if he tried to put a hand on him.

“Touch is a very important aspect to preserving and calming one’s omega, Mr. Tomlinson, even more when it comes to an alpha’s touch.” He said. “But I’m not here to give you a sex ed lesson, I’m sure you already know this.”

Of course he did, didn’t mean he had to like it, or abide by it.

“With all that’s been said I can conclude this much: You’ve been suppressing your heat unhealthy for too long without natural alpha touch or pheromones and, taking into account your severe case of touch depri, I really only have that one solution for you.”

Louis’ felt his stomach drop, mouth going dry. His voice sounded hollow, even to his own ears. “You want me to go through a heat.”

“As soon as possible.” The doctor said, slowly adding onto Louis’ impending horror. “I would prefer it to be as natural as possible as well. No medications, stims, or scent neutralisers. It will help your body reset by flushing out all the chemicals in your system.”

No medication. No neutraliser. A heat.

“I can’t.” Louis said, forcing his voice to be strong. He imagined he was sitting at the head of the conference room, all eyes on him waiting to be led in the right direction. “I can’t. I haven’t gone through a heat since I was sixteen, doctor. I would fucking drop.”

Any hopes to sway the doctor quickly crumbled when he only nodded, “You would. I don’t have many doubts about that. Which is why I recommend, well, actually it would be a little more than just a recommendation that you have an alpha partner to assist you through it.”

If Louis thought the situation couldn’t get any worse he was sorely, sorely mistaken. Saliva filled his mouth like he was about to start wretching right then and there onto the floor, but he dutifully held it back. Louis didn’t show weakness, didn’t show that he was scared.

Instead, he put on his best glower. “Not an option.”

“Not really a choice.” The doctor quickly coughed, catching himself. “Pardon me, that came out wrong. You said it yourself, Mr. Tomlinson. I have no doubts with your results that you’d definitely have a, uh, hard time getting through your heat without help. The best course of action would be to find an alpha you trust who would be willing to…”

White noise filled Louis’ ears as the beta kept droning on and he was almost glad for it, couldn’t stomach listening to him for another second if he could avoid it. A simple doctor’s appointment to get the company off his back was slowly morphing into Louis’ worst nightmare and he felt powerless to it.

It had been a long time since Louis had allowed himself to be put into a situation he had no control over. The thought was daunting and utterly humiliating.

“Mr. Tomlinson,” The doctor addressed him once more, waiting until the omega stopped balking at the floor and met his eyes, “I know this probably wasn’t the prognosis you were hoping for coming in, and for that I apologize. Without adding even more stress onto the situation,” Louis couldn’t suppress a snort at that, “I feel it’s my professional duty to relay how pressing this matter is. Dropping during a heat with an alpha is one thing, not ideal but definitely not even edging towards a dangerous outcome. Dropping in your work place unexpectedly with your heat still being suppressed and your other various medications still in place… that’s a whole other scenario that I don’t think I need to explain the ramifications of.”

The sides of Louis’ head felt like they were going to collapse onto his brain, the migraine he had been suffering through since he rolled out of bed that morning intensifying. Louis chanced a look down at his clammy hands and knew exactly what the doctor was implying.

Omegas who unexpectedly dropped, especially when using medication, were hard to bring back. Sometimes they couldn’t be.

Louis swallowed hard, his throat bobbing. Inhaling deeply through his nose and ignoring the acidic smell wafting around him, he pulled himself together. It was what he always did. “Walk me through the next steps.”

***

The next couple days at the office were a blur. Louis couldn’t concentrate on anything, he was irritable and quick to snap at his subordinates more than he usually did. Worst yet, people were starting to take notice.

Coming back from his appointment and laying down the doctor’s note on his superior’s desk felt like he was putting in his resignation, or selling his soul. What should’ve been a simple note clearing him to work turned out to be a two week notice declaring that he would be absent for a “heat leave.” Louis had cringed at the terminology, but didn’t wait for his boss to say anything, “This problem will be solved by the end of the month. Thank you for your concern, ma’am.”

And with that he had disappeared back into his office, his black walls never feeling more suffocating. He buried his feeling of impending doom behind working. He would stay overtime, take on more tasks than normal, but nothing seemed to shake him out of the haze he found himself in. Besides doing things related to his job, Louis began working on a spreadsheet of what would need to be done over the next month, anything to keep him busy no matter how unsavory he found it.

Before leaving his appointment the doctor had run down what he needed to do next. The first was to get in touch with an agency to find an alpha. Dr. Lawrence had handed him brochure after brochure, like Louis was about to go on a fucking cruise. Each agency had different names and licenses, but at the end of the day they were all the same. They specialized in training alphas on the intricacies of successfully servicing an omega though a heat. Louis had bristled at the term servicing.

So they’re overpaid prostitutes, Louis thought bitterly.

Noticing Louis’ look of disdain, the doctor had reassured him that the agencies had strict training programs as well as high security background checks on all their alpha residents. He had also mentioned that there were similar agencies with omegas servicing alphas through their ruts. Like that would make Louis feel any better. He could care less.

The next line of business would be to induce a heat. To Louis’ ears it sounded like the doctor was explaining to him how to shoot himself in the foot. He had explained that it would be best to wait a day or two with the alpha he eventually chose, see how they reacted to each other and if they were compatible. The doctor had told him that upon injecting himself the effects of his heat would slowly overtake him over the course of a few hours.

“Once that has happened,” the doctor had said, writing him a prescription to pick up the injection, “your heat will officially begin and beyond that point there is no going back. Your heat will last around five days to a week, but I expect yours will be on the longer side due to the nature of your situation. Whichever agency you eventually choose will all be made aware of this and will take the necessary procedural steps.”

And lastly—after the whole shit show was over—he would need to report back to Dr. Lawrence’s office to check his levels. Three steps. If Louis could pay to skip to step number three he would throw all of his life savings away in a heartbeat.

No amount of money was going to get Louis out of this and he was fine. He was. He had dealt with worse and he refused to let this little interference in the life he had so carefully built up for himself crash and crumble because of it.

He was on his fifth agency website when his headache almost overtook him, beating so loud on all sides he felt like he was at a rave. Each agency website had a cold, clinical feel to it. He shuffled through their accolades and summaries describing themselves with a bitter taste in his mouth. Upon entering this Louis thought he would want nothing more than that--cold and clinical. But as he scrolled through the countless blank faces of alphas, nothing but their first name, height, and weight underneath, he couldn’t help but feel like he was shopping for flesh. Like a hunk of steak and not someone who was going to see him at his most vulnerable.

Louis grit his teeth, scrolling faster and telling himself mentally to just pick one. At the end of the day it didn’t matter who. It wasn’t like they were going to hold hands during this and talk about their life aspirations, for God’s sake.

Louis was just about to close his eyes and resign himself to hiring whatever mug-shot looking alpha he clicked on when a tuff of blonde hair peeked his interest. He stared through the large glass panels of his office, watching the omega fiddle around with a tray of coffees with a large smile on his face.

“Anderson.” Louis snapped. The alpha in the far, far corner of his office jumped up from the weird, little desk the omega had supplied for him.

“Y-Yes, Mr. Tomlinson.” Anderson stuttered, making Louis fight not to roll his eyes. The alpha Louis had been forced to take on as his assistant was tall, but that was about where his alpha qualities ended. His lack of alphaness was probably the only thing Louis liked about the guy.

“I need you to bring, uh,” Louis gestured towards the blonde omega on the other side of the glass, now handing out coffees willy nilly to anyone who bat their eyes his way, “bring him into my office.”

“Huh?” Anderson said, stupidly. His eyes drifted to where Louis was looking, “Niall? I mean, Mr. Horan?”

“Yes.” Louis said shortly and before the alpha could leave his office, “Also, take a fifteen. Don’t under any circumstances bug me till then.”

Anderson stared his way. “Uh, okay. Right. Do you, um, need me to do anything--”

And Jesus Christ it felt like he was a babysitter most days. “I don’t care, just don’t be here. Understand? Go have a smoke or maybe grow some balls and go flirt with that omega in marketing you’re always staring at. I don’t care.”

The alpha flushed, quickly giving Louis a nod before hastily exiting the office. Louis sighed, dipping low into his velvet armchair and not knowing what the fuck he was doing.
Mr. Horan--Niall--didn’t bother knocking. The omega just strolled in, a smile still on his face but there was a glint of uncertainty behind his eyes.

“Mr. Tomlinson, you called for me?”

He said it like a question which was fair. Niall worked as a receptionist--a low position for an omega, but he had never tried to rise higher than his current rank as far as Louis could tell. This made their actions far and few between. Most of whatever Louis would need from him got communicated through Anderson. There should be no reason why Louis invited him in and yet—

“Did you notice the coffee? I--I just ran out, but I could go make more—”

“Mr. Horan, please sit down.” Louis said, gesturing towards the chair before him. He needed to take control. Louis was good when he was in control.
Niall sat down, shifting around a bit, “Is there something you need from me, sir?”

Yes, Louis thought dismally, maybe. Clearing his throat, Louis dove right in. He was running out of time and even though this could just end up being all for nothing at least he was doing something. “Mr. Horan, I’m well aware rumors spread around this office quickly, meaning I know you’re probably all caught up on the whispers of my… illness going around.”

Niall’s eyes widened. “I-I--no. No, Mr. Tomlinson, I’m not one for gossip--”

“You’re one of the few receptionist in this building.” Louis said, flatly. “My condolences for not really believing you.”

Everything that happened in the building went through reception. It was the first point of contact when you walked in and Louis would be a fool not to come to the conclusion that they were the hub to all things related to gossip. Louis watched as the omega gulped, his hands clutching the top his thighs. It was a part of his job that he loved, watching people squirm underneath his gaze, but he would be lying if he didn’t admit it lost its allure when a person didn’t deserve it.

“You aren’t in trouble, Mr. Horan.” Niall let out a long sigh.

“Okay.” He nodded. “What… what is this about then? If you don’t mind me asking. I’ll be happy to help in anyway I can.”

Louis eyed him carefully, his breath suddenly getting caught in his throat. “Anything?”

Niall seemed taken aback, but nodded quickly again nonetheless. “Anything, sir.”

“My…” Rip off the bandage, Tomlinson. “My issue, the thing that has been causing me fainting spells in the office and so on, has been caused by the fact that I’ve been supposedly unhealthy suppressing my heat and will need to go through one in its entirety in a little less than two weeks time.”

When Louis spared him a look he could’ve sworn that the omega in front of him was about to start following Louis’ new M.O., looking seconds away from nearly passing out in his chair. Louis soldiered on though, “I know we have never been close, per say,” Louis could probably think of maybe a handful of conversations they had shared in the last three years they worked together, “but my options are beginning to dwindle. I need to find an alpha to,” Ugh “service me through it. You aren’t mated, correct? Have a partner?”

Niall gaped at him before rushing out, “No. Uh, to the first one. I’m, uh, I’m seeing someone. Have been. For a while.”

“Oh,” Louis said, dipping his head slightly. He had been positive he had never smelled another alpha scent on Niall before, but maybe the omega was diligent with his scent blockers. If Niall had an alpha in his life—

“She’s a beta though.”

“What?” Louis choked out.

Niall’s cheeks reddened, but a small smile was still on his face. “We’ve been together for almost five years.”

“Oh.” He tapped his fingers on his desk, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious and foolish. “I apologize.”

“Don’t be. We get looks and shit all the time, but that doesn’t bother us.” Niall said, clearing his throat quickly. “Pardon my language.”

“Still,” He stammered, feeling the back of his neck grow hot, “I shouldn’t have presumed.”

“Seriously, it’s fine.” Niall said, earnestly. The smile on his lips brought Louis a sense of calm, if only slightly. “I only explained myself because, um, pardon me if I’m overstepping, but I think I know where you are going with this? You want advice on where to find an alpha, no?”

Louis bit the inside of his cheek, “Unfortunately yes.”

“Pardon me, I don’t know how close you two are, but uh… have you considered...?” Niall titled his gaze towards Anderson’s desk and Louis scowled.

“No,” He said, darkly, “this needs to be completely confidential. The less people at this office who know the better.”

“That’s fair. Well,” Niall leaned back, finally starting to look more like his jovial self instead of a caged animal, “I can’t speak on having a heat. I haven’t had to go through one of those in a long time, but in turn I’ve had to seek other options to maintain that balance. Stupid biology, you know? Never been much of a fan of alphas myself.” Seeming to just process his own words, Niall shot forward, “Only relationship-wise, of course. Just… not what I’m into, personally.”

“Course.” Louis said, motioning for Niall to continue.

“So, uh, well my girlfriend is a freelancer for a construction company and she works with alphas day in and day out.” Niall explained. “She has a lot of friends there--friends who have become my friends and understand what I need without taking it too far. Giving my omega, you know, a touch and a scenting here or there, while also respecting me and Claire’s boundaries.”

“I see.” This conversation wasn’t going where Louis had hoped. He didn’t need an alpha to just merely touch him after all.

“But,” Niall jumped back in, “I know a lot of omegas around the office who use agencies and whatnot and absolutely swear by them. I mean, I haven’t heard of anyone using them for heats, but those kinds of sites provide many services. A lot of people just hire an alpha to cuddle them for a day or two every couple of months. Just to take the edge off, you know?”

No, Louis thought darkly, that’s why I’m in this mess.

Louis nodded again. “Thank you for this information. I appreciate you being open and honest with me.”

“Course, boss.” Niall shrugged a bit, still smiling.

“I hope this doesn’t feel too forward, especially in the workplace…”

“Shoot.” The omega assured him. “I told you I would do anything.”

Louis grimaced, pinching his thigh roughly through his pleated pants, “If you wouldn’t mind asking around the office a bit more about some of these agencies, I’d--I’d really appreciate it.”

This was what Louis needed. He needed more than just staring at a screen and reading reviews probably written by a bot or the company itself. A first hand encounter would do wonders in quelling Louis’ nerves and pushing him forward and past this horrible situation he found himself in.

“Oh.” Niall said, clearly not expecting such a request. Just as quickly though, he was nodding enthusiastically. “Of course, Mr. Tomlinson. I’d be more than happy to.”

“Great.” He stood up from his desk, motioning for the omega to follow him towards his office door. “Another thing Mr. Horan,” Niall halted, his hand on the doorframe, waiting for Louis patiently, “I would… I would more than appreciate your discretion on this matter. I would like this predicament I find myself in to be done and over with so I can focus on running this company to its fullest capability.”

He drew the issue at hand back to something work related when both omegas knew it was far more than that. Niall didn’t seem like he was going to challenge Louis on it though, just gave him a fond smirk, “Of course. You have my word that I won’t speak a word on this. I’ll be super subtle in my digging around, nothing specific.”
And with that Niall was gone and Anderson was back, his cheeks a bit flushed like he had actually taken up Louis’ advice and had finally gone and talked to the omega across the floor.

Now I’m playing babysitter and matchmaker, Louis thought before huddling back into his desk, determined to finish some work before the day ended.

***

Harry was running late. So the usual.

He coaxed his hands up and down Tyler’s arms, letting his scent pump out of him more than he usually would, stronger and all consuming. He relished in the fact that the omega almost became putty in his arms, smiling with his eyes closed as he huddled towards Harry’s chest, his sweet scent invading the alpha’s nostrils.

Harry caught him with steady arms, “Whoa, don’t go down on me now, man.”

“Fuck you.” Tyler replied, knocking Harry’s chest when he gained his footing. “Your fault.”

“Guilty.” Harry shrugged, not letting go of his hold. Tyler was too fucking good to him, seriously. “I can stay. That motherfucker knew I requested these days off. I’ll--I’ll tell my boss--”

“Nothing.” Tyler said, flipping his eyes up towards the ceiling and thrusting Harry’s jacket into his arms. He took a deliberate step back, crossing his arms. “I’m fine. More than fine. You know I just hire you for your shitty sense of humor, right?”

“Right.” Harry breathed, rolling his eyes and shucking on his jacket. He really was running late, but Tyler had paid for three days and although the idea of working one last shift at The Alley before rent was due was all too enticing—

“I can see you shaking in your boots, Harry.” Tyler commented, his eyes lingering down his form. “Get out of here.”

Harry sighed, “I’m not charging you for the full two days, you know.”

Tyler rolled his eyes, moving up towards Harry and pointedly pushing his shoulder towards the front door. “Stop your blubbering. I’m not keeping a timer on you.”
Harry looked back, conflicted, “Still--”

“You’re like seven hours short. I’m not willing to do the math on how that would change the pay out.” Tyler laughed, helping Harry into his jacket. “This actually works out great. Garret is flying home early and will be thrilled that I’ve aired your alpha stench out of our apartment.”

Harry smiled, fisting his hands in his pocket. “Have I ever told you, you are seriously the best, Ty?”

Tyler shrugged, his large sweater barely making the action noticeable. “Only about half a dozen times. Now go. Harrisburg will fire your ass for sure if you’re late again.”
Harry reached out, let his index finger trace along the omega’s neck once more before flying down the corridor of the omega’s apartment. “Can’t be late if I wasn’t even fucking scheduled in the first place!”

He heard Tyler’s laugh emanating throughout the halls before the elevator door closed behind him.

***

Harry ended up being late. But somehow, for once, no one noticed.

Quickly checking his surroundings behind the scenes, Harry busied himself with oiling up the bowling alley machines. To his flank, he heard the sound of a strike followed by the pitched off squeals of a young girl. He smiled, delighted in the noise amongst the usual bullshit of old men grumbling and moaning whenever they missed a pin or two.
“You’re late.” A familiar voice spoke, vibrating off the small confines of the inner workings of the bowling alley.

No one noticed he was late, except for Liam, of course.

The alpha flashed his teeth Harry’s way, his thin wife beater already collecting blots of sweat. Their air conditioning had been busted for over a month behind the scenes, but their stellar boss was too much a stingy fuck to get it fixed. “You’re lucky I worked tonight and was able to hold him off. Harrisburg was in a shit mood.”

“When is he not?” Harry muttered under his breath, dragging himself down to aisle eight. The pins had fallen in such a way that the machine couldn’t set them back up properly. “It’s a bowling alley, not a fucking bank. I hope you guys didn’t get robbed in my absence. My requested time off absence”

Liam followed behind him, both of them too tall to not have to duck around the equipment to make it to the problem at hand. They worked in harmony, years of doing the same schtick over and over again engrained deep into their bones. It wasn’t one of the best side gigs Harry had acquired over the years--especially considering their boss was a true terror when he wanted to be--but it was money and at the end of the day where there was money to be made Harry found himself stuck in the middle of it, no matter how unpleasant the work may be.

A small bottle was thrown his way. Harry barely caught it, reading the knock-off label of the scent neutralizer. Liam quirked a brow, “You reek, mate.”

Harry dutifully sprayed his glands on both sides of his neck before chucking the bottle back. It wasn’t the most effective way to cover up his and Tyler’s biddings, but it would have to do for tonight. “Better reword that particular statement. I’m not afraid to rat your ass out to the particular omega you just insulted.”

Liam laughed loudly, the sound being drowned out by the knocking down of pins and the crummy music blasting through the speakers. “How’s Ty doing then? Him and Garry still going strong?”

“You know he hates being called that.” Liam didn’t respond, just sent him a cheeky grin. “He’s fine, both of them are. He and Garrett are thinking of buying a house, can you fucking imagine?”

Liam put the last pin down and they both watched as the machine grabbed hold of each dusty pin, taking them up into the inner mechanisms.

“No.” Liam said, his voice quieter than before. Or maybe Harry just couldn’t hear him properly over all the other noises surrounding them.

Liam suddenly clapped a hand on his shoulder, the lilt in his tone returning, “So, Ty and Garry are doing fine. How ‘bout you? Haven’t seen your mug for a couple days and I’ve been lonely.”

“I’m sure.” Harry shrugged him off, bending down to examine a crank. “Having the apartment to yourself and free to bring home any omega you’d like for a quick shag was probably torturous.”

“Yeah, that got old after night one,” Liam drawled, following Harry down the line, tipping his head to the few fellow alpha workers they passed along the way, “you probably got more action than me, I promise you that.”

“It’s not like that, Li.”

“I know.” The alpha said, good-naturedly. “Ty isn’t a total idiot. He may be a bit for actually paying for your scent instead of mine, but he knows your ass isn’t even worth half of what you charge him.”

Harry elbowed him in the chest, knowing Liam didn’t mean a damn thing he was spouting. Liam helped Garrett every couple months just like Harry helped Tyler. It was a strange foursome, but one they’d all gotten accustomed to over the past year and half. Liam and Harry would scent the couple and then they’d get paid for it. It was mutually beneficial to all parties involved.

The two chatted idly as they went through their mundane tasks, the night passing slowly, as it usually did. He and Liam worked in tandem and nearly on auto pilot, fixing pins and oiling up old machinery. It was only when their shift came to an end that they both felt a rush of energy. It was Friday and that meant--

“To Mal’sssss.” Liam cheered, wasting no time grabbing Harry by his elbow as soon as they punched out, dragging him out of the bowling alley and onto their next job. It was nearing midnight and Harry’s day of working was far from over.

***

“Another shot here, love!”

Harry huffed under his breath, but his smile never wavered. He turned back around, picking up a bottle as he did so, “Call me love on more time, darling, and you might get this one for free.”

The corners of Charlie’s eyes crinkled as he smiled, “Sounds like a fine deal,” the alpha took the shot Harry slid him with grace, downing it before fixing him with a look, “sweetheart.”

Harry scoffed and the older alpha threw his head back in a boisterous laugh. The clinking of pool balls being scattered around a table and the whoops from patrons when a dart had been successfully thrown echoed in his ears. It was everything he had grown accustomed to while working at Mal’s, the first and only bar he had ever worked at. With Liam by his side, slinging cocktails and shots to alphas and the occasional betas, he felt at home. It was a sense of familiarity that had grown on him like an unkept plant, rooting deep within him and keeping him from ever truly leaving. Bartending was more or less easy and he could do it anywhere, but something about Mal’s kept him loyal and always coming back.

“Letting Charles here charm you up again, Styles, huh?” A familiar, gruff voice sounded behind him.

Harry spun around, taking in the owner’s relaxed demeanor, “Not a chance. Not when when a fine, young woman is lingering behind me.”

Mal chuckled, shaking her head and shoving him aside. She approached the bartop, leaning towards their regular, “What’re you drinking tonight, Charles? Is it a good or a bad day?”

Charlie, an alpha well into his late fifties, only grinned her way, “Always a good day when you drag yourself out of that stuffy office, beautiful.”

Mal rolled her eyes. She shrugged one shoulder before standing up straight, her frame towering over Harry’s by a couple inches. Her height alone made her an intimidating force, obviously alpha and someone not to be reckoned with. Unless you weasled your way onto her good side.

“Cut him off soon.” Mal said, smirking Charlie’s way. “He obviously hit his head on the way here or sumthin.”

Charlie just gripped his drink--an old fashioned Liam had made--closer to his chest. “Nonsense. Mallory here has just forgotten how to have some fun. Come here, darling, I’ll show you how it’s done.”

“In your dreams.” Mal said, flipping her long hair over her shoulder before motioning to Harry to follow her with a quick flick of her long, manicured fingers.

“Uh,” Harry answered dumbly, eyes lowering to the salty dog he was in the process of making.

“It’ll be quick.” Mal assured him. “Whenever you get the chance, pop into the office, okay?”

“Sure thing.” Harry said, not thinking much of it.

***

“Jesus Mal,” Harry stepped over a few hefty cardboard boxes, making his way towards the cluttered desk where the alpha sat. Her office looked the same, memorabilia hanging off the walls and thick shag carpet matted down after years without a proper cleaning. The smell was still prominent though, rich cottonwood and a hint of spice. It was Mal’s scent and there wasn’t a day of the week that it didn't bring Harry a sense of calmness and familiarity.

Finally reaching the desk, Harry shot Mal an amused grin, “Ever heard of spring cleaning? I’m busy, of course, but Liam would be more than happy to help.”
He expected a quick, witty response back. Mal may be well into her fifties, but she was one of the sharpest people Harry knew.

When nothing came, just Mal eyeing her desk wearily, Harry cleared his throat. “You know I’m just fucking with you. I’ll stay a little longer after we close and help you lug some of this upstairs--”

“Harry,” Mal’s voice came out uncharacteristically quiet. The alpha leaned back far in her seat, knuckles gripping the edge of her desk like she was holding onto a life line. When her eyes met Harry’s they were red-rimmed and tired, “Two months.”

“Huh?” He asked, accidentally bumping his shin against a tall stack of papers.

Mal sighed, long and heavily. It was only then that Harry allowed himself to really take her in. The confident line of her bare shoulders were now slumped in exhaustion he hadn’t known Mal was capable of. Her thick eyeliner that she was known for was done, but the lines were shakier than he had ever seen them. Even the clothes she wore--usually bright and vibrant--didn’t seem to shine as much as they normally did, missing the flair and ease she usually brought to the bar night after night.

“Over thirty five years of running this old girl and that’s all they are doing to give me, hun.” Mal said, a small smile creeping onto her tired features. “I-I thought you should know first. Break the news to Liam for me, you two have always been like sons to me but I don’t think I could stand seeing his sad, puppy dog eyes when he finds out they are closing us down.”

Realization pooled into Harry’s gut like lead, thick and uncomfortable. “Mal,” Harry said, carefully, “you can’t be serious.”

“As a heart attack.” Mal whacked a piece of paper and they both watched it skitter to the floor. “Place isn’t bringing in enough money, love. Hasn’t been for a while, but I thought we were just hitting a rough curve. We always do during the summers. I thought if we could just stick it out till the holidays those assholes would stay off my back but…”

Mal shrugged, “One can only hope so much.”

“They can’t close us down.” Harry said, hands clenching at his sides. “Take out a loan or something, fuck Mal.”

“Too late, Harry.” The alpha grunted, stepping up and out of her chair. “Plans are already being drawn up to turn this place into something more new school as the investor described it to me. Whatever the fuck that means.” Mal laughed quietly under her breath. “She was a little omega thing and I don’t think I have to be a genius to put together that “new school” translates to “omegas only,” like we’re the ones who have been discriminating against them all this time.”

Harry flinched. Mal’s had never turned a patron away based on something as mundane as secondary gender, Mal wouldn’t dream of it. That didn’t change the fact that the bar nearly exclusively only served alphas. He knew that was never Mal’s intention when she first opened the place it had just… happened. Harry could count on his hands how many times he had seen an omega cross the threshold of the place in the nearly eight years he had worked there.

“We’ll think of something.” Harry urged on. “They can’t--I’ll pitch in. I know Liam will too. This--This place is our home. Your home. I’m not just gonna sit back and let them--”

“Love,” Mal’s voice held authority, but all Harry could hear was a mother placating her child. It made his stomach churn. The alpha approached him, gathering him up into a hug that he couldn’t help but lean into, “I had a good run here. Running a business by myself for this long? And as an female alpha? I’m damn proud of myself, and I’m proud of you and Liam too for sticking by me for so long when I’m sure there are much better bars to work in.”

“There isn’t a single one.” Harry said earnestly, tears pricking his eyes because he meant it.

***

Louis woke up on the floor on the master bathroom. The tile was cold beneath his cheek and the side of his head throbbed and pulsed as he weakly pushed himself up. He eyed the sink above him and it didn’t take him very long to put two and two together. At least he wasn’t in the office this time. There was no one to care if he got up or not at his flat.

“Fuck,” He hissed, lugging himself up and dragging his feet towards the large mirror above the faucet. He inspected the side of his head and willed himself to ignore his chapped lips and the dark, heavy bags under his eyes. There was no blood this time so that was good, at least. The last thing he needed though was more pressure on his head when his migraines already felt they were out of control. He had toyed around with the idea of putting some sort of cushioning around his sink and kitchen counters the last time he had hit his head, but the whole idea made him feel weak and powerless. Like a child who needed safety precautions. The whole idea was humiliating.

He hastily reached up into his medicine cabinet, thumbing open his depri medication with shaky hands. He took three of them when he knew he really should only take two but he was sick of it. Sick of it all and just wanted the itch and burn underneath his skin, the pounding against his skull, all of it, to go away.

He dug his nails into the palm of his hands and focused on the pain there, letting his eyes drift shut as he breathed shallowly. He could get through this. He always got through it. All he needed was himself and that was all he had ever needed.

When he opened his eyes he was met with nothing but his abysmal reflection, an empty shell with faded and new bruises littering his temples and arms, all covered in sunken in, waxy skin. Makeup did wonders at the office and everyone was none the wiser, but hiding it from the alpha he would have to hire to get through this mess was going to be trickier. It might be impossible and Louis loathed that he gave even a single shit about what some alpha prostitute would think of him.

Words from his past echoed in his head. Aren’t all omegas at least supposed to be pretty?

Shaking off the memory, he glanced down at his watch. He still had an hour before he needed to get ready for work. He couldn’t even remember why he had gotten up so early in the first place, the new bump on the side of his head effectively erasing the reasoning. He could try and get a couple more restful minutes of sleep, but that felt like an impossibility with the aching in his bones. Instead, he made his way past his large bed and towards his closet. When he opened the door he was immediately welcomed with his scent, the same one he so often hid in his day to day life. He would need to shower thoroughly before going into the office, but it was worth it to indulge himself in that moment.

Stepping into the confines of his closet, he shut the door and let himself fall down upon the mounds of blankets and clothes that had accumulated over the years. He had long since forgotten when he used his closet for its intended purposes. Now it was his safe haven, a small place where he could curl up into himself and try to find some semblance of peace and security. It worked some days, most days it wasn’t enough.

Nest, his omega resounded within him, but he could never will himself to admit what it was. Not out loud, and certainly not to himself.

Nevertheless, he wrapped the blankets around himself and willed himself to disappear. Disappear from his work, his life, and the fact that a strange alpha would be living under the same roof as him for nearly a week. The itch under his skin dimmed slightly and it was just enough to make his breathing come out a little easier and that would have to be enough.

He could survive like that, with just enough to continue to scrape by.

***

The soft knock came as a surprise. Louis had firmly instructed Anderson that he was not going to be taking any walk-in appointments till at least ten thirty. By then his headache should've dimmed enough that he could have coherent thoughts. Trust the alpha to screw up something as simple as that.

When Louis lifted his head from his screen he saw Niall standing on the other side of his office, waving at him like they were good friends or something. Behind him stood a petite, brunette omega with slicked back hair and suspenders that peeked out from underneath his blazer.

Anderson was quick to get up out of his desk, hastily making his way to the door. “Apologies, Mr. Tomlinson. I’ll send them away--”
“No,” Louis butt it, standing up from his desk, “send them in and take a fifteen.”

Anderson opened his mouth but his brain must’ve actually been working that day because he shut it with a clack. Nodding stiffly, the alpha let the two omegas in before making his own departure.

“Hi Louis, hope this isn’t a bad time.” Niall said, smiling brilliantly. “Also we--or, I guess, Tyler--got you this.”

“Thank you.” Louis said, blindly reaching for the cup offered to him while still reeling from hearing his first name in the office. The smell of maple hit his nose as he carefully took a whiff. “What is this?”

“Some imported tea that I splurge on from time to time.” The omega lingering behind Niall said. He didn’t sound nervous, but Louis could see from the tightness in his shoulders that he wasn’t really relaxed either. “It’s from the Netherlands. They say it’s supposed to help with joint aches. I-I hope you like cinnamon?”

“I do.” Louis said. “Thank you.”

“Of course.”

“Louis, this is Tyler.” Niall introduced him, patting the omega on the shoulder. “He’s one of our agents, but he mostly works out in the field, hence why you might not recognize him.”

Louis didn’t make it a habit to know anyone’s name--in the office or on the field--unless he had to, but Niall didn’t need to know that. “Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, the honor is all mine, Mr. Tomlinson.” Tyler said hurriedly. “Good to finally meet face to face. Usually I’m just listening to you through a zoom call.”

“Right.” Louis let his gaze slide back towards Niall, wearily. He asked, carefully. “What is this about, Mr. Horan?”

Niall seemed to tense at that, but quickly composed himself. “Well, I-I was doing as you asked. Asking around. Subtlety, of course.” Jesus, did Niall think he was Louis’ personal spy now? “And I happened to catch the attention of Tyler here. He says he knows a great service and has been using them for well over a year.”

“Yeah,” Tyler chimed in, “they are super, and I mean super, under the radar. A very private institution. The only reason I ever got their information was because Garrett actually ran into one of the owners when he was out of town on business.”

Louis didn’t know who Garrett was but that seemed irrelevant to the matter at hand. “I see. Tell me more.”

The three omegas all sat down, Louis at his desk and the other two before him. Tyler began to tell Louis about the lovely and personal experiences he had with the alpha the agency sent him and Louis tried not to outright grimace at the prospect.

“He is amazing.” Tyler was saying, flinging his hands around. The omega really liked to speak with his hands. “I’ve only had to use him for the occasional scenting every couple of months or so, but I’ve used other agencies in the past and everything felt so, so uncomfortable. Like I was in a business meeting instead of in my house just needing cuddles. This agency though--It was like opening myself up to a whole new world, really.”

“Aw,” Niall cooed, smiling Tyler’s way, “that’s so--”

“In your house?” Louis asked, raising a brow. All of the agencies that he had looked into exclusively offered their services at allocated locations with constant supervision. Whether it was a full on heat or just a couple days of scenting, it didn’t matter. Louis had looked into them in depth, all the rooms colorless and lifeless, only baring the essentials. The pictures had made Louis’ stomach seize in discomfort.

“Oh, yes! That’s the best part.” The omega said. “They let you choose the location. I’m sure they have designated rooms like any other agency, but I always preferred to have the services done at my house. Made me feel more relaxed that way.”

Louis could relate to that. His home was his sanctuary. Suddenly the knot inside of his chest was slowly starting to unravel, but Louis was never one to let hope overtake him quickly. He cleared his throat, “That’s highly unusual. All the agencies that I’ve looked into don’t allow it.”

“I know.” Tyler whispered, but his voice was excited like he was letting Louis in on some big secret. “Like I was saying, they are very private and progressive.” Tyler slid an old, worn down business card onto his desk. “They don’t have a website, but you can get in touch with their front desk through that number. If you’re at all interested, no offense taken by the way if you choose another route.”

Louis lifted up the card and immediately frowned. “Scenters and Stuff?”

Niall hid his laugh behind a cough and Tyler offered him a little shrug. “They are a little eccentric, I guess you could say. But I assure you they are the best people I have worked with. Their prices are the same as any other agency as well.”

“Money won’t be an issue.” No, the issue is what he would be paying for.

Tyler continued. “They’re accommodating and respect an omega’s boundaries to the nth degree. I’ve never once felt like I wasn’t in complete control with them.”
Control. Louis liked being in control. He turned the card back and forth in his hand. “And… and I’m sure Niall has informed you of my situation. They do heat services as well?”
“Yes! It’s been a while, but I’m sure I remember asking them about it a while back out of curiosity.”

Louis set the card down firmly in front of him. He had eight days till he would have to go into heat and the injection was sitting on a shelf in his fridge like a gun just waiting to go off. He had told himself all he needed was some face to face reassurance, right? Or was that just him pushing off the inevitable? Buying himself more time when there was no more.

Letting out a shaky breath, Louis straightened his back. “Thank you, Mr…”

“Oh, just call me Tyler.” When Louis just stared blankly his way he coughed. “Mr. Darren, sir.”

“Mr. Darren.” Louis nodded. “Thank you for this. I really appreciate you going out of your way to, uh, help me.”

“So,” Niall said, eyes drifting between Louis and the card, “do you think they’ll be a good fit?”

Louis chewed on his bottom lip. “I’ll have to see. Do you mind if I borrow this, Mr. Darren?”

“Of course. It’s yours.”

“Thank you. I’ll call their offices tomorrow and ask them some questions then.”

“Oh good!” Tyler blurted out, but was quickly hushed by Niall’s firm hand on his shoulder and stern look from Louis. The omega cleared his throat. “I’m--I’m glad to hear that, Mr. Tomlinson.”

The two omegas left and Louis was left with nothing but himself and the business card lying in front of him. He settled back into his chair, closing his eyes and trying not to let the anxiety always crawling underneath his skin reach his brain.

He could call tomorrow. Nothing was set in stone yet. He was fine.

***

“... and then I told her if you’re gonna be out late, spending all of my money, than you might as put out a lil more, right? Is that so much to ask? I’m only a man here.”

Harry hummed under his breath, wedging his shovel underneath a particularly stubborn clump on manure. The sun was beating down on top of his head and he loathed Liam for using up all of their sunscreen when he took on that part-time life guarding gig at the beginning of the summer. He was definitely going to burn, at least on his shoulders and nose, but there was nothing he could really do about that now.

Max was still going on beside him, somehow still thinking that Harry was listening. “I’m telling you Hazza,” Harry hated when he called him that, “choose carefully who you settle down with. One second my Roxie was all sweet and nurturing. She would wash my clothes, make me breakfast in bed after sucking me off, the whole shabang. The next? She’s out doing God knows what night after night making me broke. Probably whoring herself out for whoever wants it.”

I’d run from home too if it meant not having to hear you listen to yourself talk, Harry thought, wiping his thin tank top up and over his head and rubbing his sweaty face.

His farm job, in the plainest terms, sucked ass, but the pay was almost worth it. Harry would shovel pig shit for a couple of hours and come home smelling like death, but the paycheck was immediate and that was all he cared about. Plus, it normally did him good to get outside, but with the air around them smelling the way it did that feeling usually didn’t last long.

Max was going on about his DVD collection when Harry felt his phone buzz in his back pocket. Looking at the caller ID, he frowned, “Max, I gotta take this. Cover me for a second?”

Harry didn’t wait for a reply, just scurried off with his shovel until he was a safe enough distance from his colleagues and the sound of bleating pigs. “Ty, what’s up? Everything okay?”

“Does something need to be wrong for me to want to speak to my old friend?”

“Enough niche Kung Fu Panda quotes.” Harry said, deadpan. “We’ve talked about this.”

Tyler didn’t bother responding to that, just smugly said, “What were you saying the last time we met up? Oh, I remember. It’s that I was the best.”

Harry chuckled a bit. “Sure, sure. You know this. Did you call me just for an ego boost?”

“Yes and no.” Tyler said. “More importantly, I just got you a great client. You’re still taking new clients, right?”

“Um,” Harry looked down at himself, chest bare and red and boots caked in thick layers of mud. Not really the image he presented when Tyler was in need of a scenting, “yes?”
“Good!” Tyler didn’t seem to notice the hesitancy in Harry’s tone, barreling on too quickly. “I’ve told you about the head of my company.”

“CEO of absolute terror I think I remember you saying.” Harry said, looking over his shoulder to make sure noone had noticed his absence yet. “Makes everyone’s life a living hell?”

Tyler sounded giddy on the other end. “That’s the one.”

“Did he finally make you cry too?” Harry asked. “You told me that's kind of his speciality.”

“Not yet.” Tyler said, not deterred by Harry’s teasing. “Buuuutttt you’ll never guess who needs your guys’ services.”

“I’m guessing by the fact that you're talking about him it’s your scary boss.” Harry had always assumed the guy had to be an omega, anyone that high up had to at least be a beta, but he’d never explicitly asked whenever Tyler brought him up.

“Not just my scary boss, my very rich scary boss who I think I just convinced to use you guys as a provider! Isn’t that great? I gave him your card and everything.”

Harry gulped. He had forgotten they had made cards for this little, well, side business Harry had come up with on a whim. He couldn’t remember if he had Zayn put his or Liam’s number on it, fuck.

“I really talked the business up too. There’s no way he’s not going to call tomorrow.”

Tomorrow, Harry thought with a sigh of relief, I can deal with this tomorrow. What’s the harm in adding one more client to his fake business?

“Should I be thanking you, Ty?” Harry asked, trying to sound casual. “Foisting your devil of a boss onto us, huh? What did I do to deserve your wrath?”

“Shut up, you can handle him. He’s not too bad. Maybe a bit awkward and unpleasant, but I’m sure that won’t be a problem when he’s in your care.” Tyler said, voice sounding mischievous and Harry frowned.

“Why’s that?”

“He doesn’t just need an alpha to scent him and cuddle him up a bit.” Tyler said, and Harry could imagine him biting him lip in excitement. “He needs to go through a heat. Like, a medically induced heat.”

If Harry hadn’t been gripping his shovel he would’ve toppled over face first into the manure. By sheer force he held himself up, masking his surprise with a cough.

Tyler--sweet, innocent Tyler--was terrible at reading the room, even over a phone call and just kept going, “I told him you guys do heat services and he seemed really keen on the idea of doing it from home. I’m positive Liam told me you guys provided those kinds of services when Garrett and I first started. You do, right?”

Liam. Liam who didn’t restock the sunscreen when he used it all. Liam who told their clients they did heats when they most certainly did not. They weren’t even technically qualified to do scentings, for fuck’s sake.

Harry was going to kill him.

“Ah,” Harry squeezed his eyes shut.

Seemingly not hearing him correctly, Tyler continued. “Brilliant! He said he’s going to need your services in around a week, week and a half. Is that too short of a notice? Because--”

Harry’s brain was spiraling and the sweat pooling down his forehead had nothing to do with the sun beating down on him. Not anymore. “Tyler--”

“--if it is I’d seriously recommend moving some stuff around. I told him you charge the usual rate other agencies do, which I guess I don’t explicitly know that, but money isn’t an issue with this guy, believe me.”

Harry tried again. “Ty--”

Tyler just kept going on and on, leaving Harry staring blankly out into nothing with the phone loose in his grip. It was only when the omega started bringing up money again that Harry forced himself to butt it.

“I’m sorry?” Harry asked, a little winded. “How much?”

Tyler relayed the amount and Harry’s knees almost buckled underneath him. “People pay that much for a heat service?”

“Well, yeah,” Tyler said, sounding skeptical for the first time. “It’s a delicate thing for us omegas. How much do you guys charge?”

Harry spluttered, “I, um, I’d have to have Liam check the, uh, books. Yeah, we uh, just haven’t serviced an omega through a heat in awhile--”

Harry was cut off by the strange look an alpha female was throwing at him, her shovel halfway in the ground. Harry tried to send her what he hoped was a reassuring smile, but he was sure he just looked on the verge of being sick.

“Oh yeah, I didn’t think about that. It is pretty uncommon nowadays.” Tyler mused, pausing for a moment. “Do you think you’ll still be able to take him on? The guy might be a menace around the office, but I could tell he was desperate. Hell, you could probably even charge him more due to it being on such short notice.”

More. Harry’s mouth nearly watered at the thought. With that kind of money his and Liam’s rent wouldn’t be an issue for months, maybe even well over a year. With that kind of money he could stop shoveling cow shit in the middle of summer. With that kind of money--

With that kind of money Mal could pay off the investors and keep her bar.

“Harry?” Tyler’s voice echoed in his ears, pulling him back into reality.

Harry was about to do something stupid. He could feel it thrumming through his body whenever he stumbled upon a new idea on how to make cash. This feeling usually led him into a lot of trouble, but also directed him towards a profit. And that was what he needed, more than anything at that moment. More than rational thought to keep him from doing something so crazy.

Harry breathed in, “Of course we can help him.” He said, hoping his voice sounded easy and firm. Like he did this all the time. “We’re here to help omegas, no matter how many souls they’ve crushed.”

His attempt at humor thankfully worked as Tyler cackled over the phone. “Seriously, send one of your best men. My dear CEO’s been known to have quite the temper.”
“Of course.” Harry laughed, but it sounded forced even to his own ears. “I’ll send my best.”

When he finally managed to get Tyler off the phone, Harry was immediately calling another. On the fourth ring Liam finally picked up, sounding groggy, “Hullo?”

“Were you fucking sleeping?” Harry asked, pulling his phone away from his ear and checking the time. It was well past noon.

“I worked the graveyard shift last night.” Liam moaned, followed by the sound of bed sheets rustling around in the background. Another grumble could be heard, but higher pitched and distant. Liam must’ve dropped his phone before saying, “Fucking sue me.”

“Oh, I’m about to.” Harry said, darkly. “For being a fucking moron.”

“Huh?” The alpha sounded genuinely confused and good. At the end of the day this might be Harry’s insane plan, but Liam had put it in motion by opening his stupid, fat mouth.

“We’re having a meeting tonight.”

“I gotta--”

“Cancel it.” Harry moved his shovel and began dragging his feet back through the mud. “Do you still work with Zayn at the record shop?”

“What?” Liam sounded even more confused now, but at least much more awake. “W-Why are you asking about Zayn--”

“Just answer the question.”

“Sometimes? We don’t work a lot of the same shifts anymore, but--”

“Bring him too. We need all hands on deck.”

***

When Harry had finished dishing out his brilliant plan he wasn’t surprised to be met with two expressions of utter shock mixed with a hint of horror.
The bottle in Liam’s hand looked seconds away from tumbling onto the floor and Zayn had somehow slid further into their shitty couch, nearly getting completely swallowed up by the cushions. Silence ensued until Zayn finally broke it, “Are you fucking serious.”

“Absolutely.” Harry said, feeling angsty. He had thought through the plan over and over again since ending his conversation with Tyler, but had yet to actually say it out loud. It made it feel more real, more doable.

“You’ve fucking lost it, mate.” Liam’s voice was barely above a whisper, looking Harry over like he was a ghost.

“No, I haven’t.” Harry insisted. He crowded in closer to the two. “This is divine intervention right here.”

“You don’t believe in God.” Zayn snorted.

“Well, I might start believing now.”

“Too late.” The omega persisted, shaking his head. “Cause if you are serious about this you’re going straight to hell, I’ll tell you that.”

“Jesus, don’t be morbid. I’m proposing we help some rich omega through his heat, not murder him.”

“Do you hear yourself?” Liam blurted out, waving his bottle around. “That’s illegal.”

“And morally fucked up.” Zayn added.

“And crazy!” Liam flung the empty bottle at Harry. More exactly, at his head, which he barely dodged in time.

“Do you have any clue why there are trained, certified businesses that deal with this kind of shit?” Zayn asked, perplexed. His fingers were tightly wrapped around both of his exposed forearms, both heavily tatted up in swirling lines of black ink.

“Yes.” Harry said, sounding more confident than he felt. “It’s a cash grab. I don’t see why we can’t get in on the fun.”

“Oh my God.” Liam breathed out, falling back onto the couch like he was about to lose it.

“Think about it,” Harry started, “we didn’t always have the medication and science-y stuff we do today. Heats used to just be a part of an omega’s life, and you know what happened when an omega went into a heat? An alpha helped them through it. Boom. No fancy licenses or training required.”

“Yes, but this omega has gone out of his way to seek professionals. Meaning he wants people who for sure knows what they are doing.” Zayn said, gesturing to the group. “Which none of us are.”

Harry tried not to stiffen at that. “What you don’t know can’t hurt you?”

“Have you ever even helped an omega through a heat?” Liam asked, still glued to their couch.

“Well, yeah.” Yeah, like seven years ago, but still. “Haven’t you?”

“No.” Liam said, earnestly. “I’ve never even met an omega who has gone through one past their presenting who isn’t, like, mated.”

Liam’s eyes foolishly wandered over to Zayn. The omega didn’t hesitate to give him a swift slap on the back of his head before returning to Harry, ignoring Liam’s moans of pain. “Harry, listen to me carefully. You’re not doing this--”

“But I am--”

“But you’re not.” Zayn reiterated, standing up from the couch. “And I’m not going to help you with it.”

Zayn was one of the few omegas that Harry had in his life. He was a tattoo artist and found himself in alpha heavy spaces more often than not. He worked at a record shop with Liam as well as a small parlor next to Mal’s and the three of them all had a mutual acquaintance with one another. Harry wouldn’t go as far as to call them friends, but that was more due to the omega liking to keep to himself.

He was stubborn, as well. Harry had known this but he’d been able to convince Zayn to help him in the past, he could do it again.

“Come on,” Harry followed him around the apartment as Zayn gathered up his ‘things’. His ‘things’ being one of Liam’s sweatshirts, a bracelet of Harry’s, as well as a couple of beers Harry had used to lure him into coming in the first place. “Get off your high horse. You’ve made fake shit for us before.”

“I’ve made flyers for your fake maintenance company so you could go fix people’s toilet.” Zayn pointed out, side stepping Harry at every turn. “I’ve made business cards for your fake little scenter’s business so you could go cuddle omegas.” Zayn was nearly at their front door before he whipped around, scowling. “But I draw the fucking line at making fake documentation saying you guys are qualified to assist an omega through a heat. Good day.”

Harry spewed off the long serious of numbers Tyler had told him earlier that day and the energy in the room shifted.

Zayn paused, slowly turning back around. “What?”

“That’s how much we’d get.” Harry breathed out, hands open at his sides. “We give him a couple of pieces of paper saying were official, help him out for a week, and then we get paid. That’s it.”

The room was stone silent, none of them daring to move. It was Harry who broke the spell. “Zayn, I know you’ve been saving up for your own shop--”

“Stop it.” Zayn snapped, but kept his eyes trained on Harry nonetheless.

“Liam,” he turned towards the alpha, “no more graveyards shifts. No more stressing about rent. Fuck, we could actually start saving money instead of living paycheck to paycheck.”

Liam’s eyes widened as he continued, his mouth dropping open in a gape. Harry continued on, “And most importantly, we can get Mal the money she needs for the bar. Li, we could save her home.” Harry turned back towards the omega, now standing at the doorway limply. “And Zayn, you wouldn’t have to walk to the other side of town for a beer, yeah?”

“Fuck off. You know I don’t go in there.” Zayn mumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.

“This is a good idea.” Harry said to them, and to himself. It had to be. “We help him out, he helps us out, and no one gets hurt. I promise that’s all this is gonna be.”
They eyed one another, all saying something without using words.

Zayn eventually groaned, using his fingers to grip the bridge of his nose. “Fuck it.”

Liam was up off the couch too. “Agreed. Let’s fucking do it.”

Chapter Text

“So,” Zayn was leaning up against their settee, freshly clean and back at Harry and Liam’s apartment the next day. The neck of Liam’s sweater hung loosely over his shoulder and Harry’s beanie sat on top of his head, “which one of you is gonna do it?”

They both stopped, knowing exactly what Zayn was referring to. Liam dropped the boots in his hands and Harry barely held onto the bowl of chips tucked in the crook of his arm. Without looking, both of them quickly put a finger on their nose, hollering in unison, “Not it!”

Zayn rolled his eyes and pushed himself to full standing. “What are you guys, four?” When he and Liam just stared each other down, Zayn bristled, “Hate to break it to you both, but I don’t really think it can be me, so fucking decide.”

“It should be you.” Liam jumped in first after only a beat of silence. “This was your brilliant plan, genius.”

“You started it,” Harry argued right back, setting down their snacks before facing Liam again, “you told Tyler we do heat services.”

“Did not--”

“That’s not what he fucking told me. You are the reason this plan even formulated in my head, asshole.”

“You--You’ve done this before.” Liam pointed out, shucking off his jacket and flinging it on the couch, obviously becoming overwhelmed. He flashed a look Zayn’s way, most likely trying to sway the omega in his favor. “That means you know what you’re doing and--and should do it. Yeah.”

“That was like ten years ago.”

“Ten?” Liam asked, slightly horrified. “You were seventeen?”

“More like seven.”

Liam’s eyes became wide saucers. “You were seven?”

“Years ago! Seven years ago, dumbass. I don’t know. An old girlfriend of mine thought it’d be kinky or whatever.” Harry bit out, unconsciously straightening up. “What is this really about, huh? Are you afraid you wouldn’t be able to get it up or something?”

Liam huffed at that. “That’s not the issue.”

“Sounds like it to me. Never helped an omega through a heat. Next you’re gonna tell me you haven’t even popped a knot.”

“At least I fucking have one.” Liam seethed. “And use it. Thank you very much. When was the last time you even took someone home?”

“Kinda hard to do that with all your shit lying around. Sticking up the place--”

“Oh please, I clean ten times more than you and you know it--”

“Enough.” Zayn’s shrill voice cut into the argument like a knife. “As much as I’d love to sit here and watch you two posture and brag about your dicks and cleaning habits, I actually have a life and wouldn’t like to waste it listening to you guys fight like knot-headed idiots.”

Liam and he took each other in at Zayn’s words, noticing how they both had straightened up and puffed out their chests, fighting for control. Definitely acting like knotheads.

They both deflated on cue, giving each other sheepish looks and mumbling out apologies. Zayn stepped in front of Harry, jabbing him in the chest with a pointed finger, “You’re doing it.”

“What? Why me?” 

“You said it yourself,” The omega smiled up at him, not at all kind, “Liam started this mess and you’re gonna finish it. Seems fair, yeah?”

“But--”

“No buts,” Zayn insisted, walking over to the small kitchen table, “you’re doing it and that’s it. If I hear one more word about it from either of you, I’m out.”

Liam looked all too smug as they both nodded. Harry barely dipped his chin but Zayn still got the message. He couldn’t help the frustration that bubbled up inside of him as he uttered, “Why does this omega even need to go through a heat? How does that happen?”

He was mostly just venting--he was about to cash out big on this, after all--but Zayn piped in, “Cause this omega apparently thinks he’s god or something and can fight off biology.”

When the two alphas just stared blankly back at him, Zayn groaned, “Do they teach nothing to you alphas in sex-ed? Jesus christ, listen up cause I’m only explaining this once.” He eyed Harry, brows furrowing. “Especially you curly, you’re supposed to be a so-called expert on this shit by next week.”

Harry bit the side of his lip but nodded for Zayn to continue.

“Omegas need alphas is the dumbed down answer.” Zayn started, sinking into the chair closest to the kitchen. 

“... I thought most omegas hated us.” Liam whispered to Harry under his breath.

“Hating and needing are not mutually exclusive.” Zayn said, sharply. Sighing, he continued, “It’s all biology bullshit. Yes, science has progressed enough that there are ways to suppress our heats and make it more manageable to function in today’s society, but it’s all fake at the end of the day. Omegas need a real alpha’s touch and pheromones to function, even when on blockers. Hence the reason I even hang out with you two and steal your clothes.”

“Hey,” Liam whined, somehow just realizing that Zayn was wearing his sweatshirt, “clothes are expensive, I’ll have you know. You can borrow them, but I want them back.”

“Yeah, sure.” Zayn rolled his eyes. Liam ripped off Harry’s beanie from atop the omega’s head, tossing it aside with a huff.

“I know all that, Zayn.” Harry said, sitting down across from him. “So what? This guy just went cold turkey then?”

“Don’t know but I can’t think of another reason he’d have to go through a heat so suddenly. Usually omegas plan for this shit months in advance and it’s by choice, not by medical intervention.” The omega replied, making grabby hands towards the bowl of chips Liam had brought back from the living room. He munched loudly, not bothering to close his mouth. “Sounds like one proud motherfucker. He must be pissed right now, I would be.”

And you have to spend an entire week with him, Harry’s brain unhelpfully supplied, along with a multitude of horror stories he had heard about the omega from Tyler.

“Pissed or not it’s gonna have to happen, right?” Liam asked and Harry nodded. “So why hasn’t this guy called us? I feel like we are working ourselves up when we haven’t even talked to… what’s his name again?”

Harry shrugged. “Tyler refers to him as the devil’s consort sometimes .”

“It’s fine. It’s honestly better the less we know.” Zayn reasoned, grabbing another handful of chips. “It’ll make it more believable that he’s just a ‘new client’ we have no information on. These chips are stale, by the way.”

“You’re the only one eating them.” Harry pointed out as Zayn motioned Liam over.

“You, get your phone out.” Zayn said. “It’s your number I put on the card so you’ll be doing the talking.”

“Wha-- No. I can’t.” Liam reasoned, shaking his head vigorously. “I’ve had a lot of odd jobs, but I am no receptionist.” With darting eyes, Liam whispered. “You know I have phone anxiety.”

“Tough.” Zayn said, flinging a single chip his way. “We all have to be a part of this in some way and you haven’t produced shit yet. I’m gonna be doing the documentation, Harry’s gonna be doing the client--” Harry felt his cheeks flush a frightening shade of red at that, “--and you aren’t getting away with sitting on your ass while still expecting a portion of the dough.”

“Zayn--”

“Hey, nothing is set in stone yet. Wanna switch roles with Harry? Be my guest.”

Harry held onto hope for all of three seconds that Liam would cave before the alpha begrudgingly pulled out his phone, laying it in the middle of the table like it was a bomb about to go off.

“Well?” Liam said, crossing his arms. “What now?”

“Now,” Zayn swallowed heavily, the bowl of chips nearly gone, “we wait.”

***

The phone ringing for the third fucking time in the past ten minutes finally set Louis off.

Pounding his fist down on his desk--his calculator, actually, his now shattered calculator--the omega sent a fiery look his assistant’s way. “Well? Fucking answer it.”

Anderson opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water. He certainly looked it, like a little guppy Louis could obliterate. “It’s still--It’s still Mr. Lorenzo, Mr. Tomlinson.”

“Yes,” Louis said, faux-pleasantly, “and tell him exactly what I told you to. It’s that fucking simple.”

If that bastard was calling there was only one reason why and Louis refused to deal with it. The last thing he needed was for that greedy asshole to try and plead his case and ask for more funding, not when Louis’ skin felt so sensitive he could barely stand sitting in his chair for longer than an hour.

“O-Of course.” Anderson replied, picking up the phone dutifully. Louis let his eyes fall closed as the alpha recited the message Louis had instructed him to relay. He was in a business meeting that didn’t have a scheduled time to end. So please call back later--

Louis’ eyes shot open as he heard commotion on the other side of the phone. Lorenzo was yelling, no doubt angered that he was so blatantly being ignored. He took solace in the thought for only a moment before his jaw dropped as he watched the alpha quickly set the phone back down on the receiver.

Silence filled the room, but it didn’t last long. Louis’ nostrils flared, “Did you just do what I think you did, Mr. Anderson.”

“I--uh,” The alpha stammered, sweat building on his brow. “There is no excuse, Mr. Tomlinson. He--He was just saying some inappropriate remarks and I--”

“You fucking hung up on one of our clients.” Louis could hardly take it, the burning behind his eyes returning in full force as he slapped his hands over his face. Taking a minute to steel himself he lowered them, only a cool look of disinterest was left in its wake. A look Louis had perfected over the years. “I’ve had enough. You’re fired.”

“Mr. Tomlinson…?”

“You’re incompetent and can’t take simple instructions.” Louis seethed, rising up from his desk. “I can’t stand your stuttering and meek demeanor, always so confused about what is going on. It’s unprofessional and honestly I cannot go a step further. The board may have recommended you, but I see nothing redeemable or of value.” Louis grit his teeth, but he couldn’t hold back, “For God’s sake you’re nearly a foot taller than me and I feel like I’d barely have to raise my heel to squish you like a bug.”

Anderson didn’t say anything. Nothing but glossy eyes stared back at him and Louis couldn’t stand it.

Rearing around his desk he hissed, “You’re weak. And I can’t stand have someone like you around.”

At that, Louis left the office without another word, dashing down the hallway with people quick to get out of his way. His last words to his then-assistant trilled around in his head, sounding all too familiar. Louis was surprised he remembered his father’s words down to the exact phrasing, even after all these years.

Louis found himself stumbling out the back door, his breathes coming out short and shallow. He was just upset--upset and in pain, the usual. He just needed some fresh air, that was all. It was only a little past lunch and he couldn’t leave work. It didn’t matter that he felt seconds away from burning away inside. He wouldn’t give in--

“Louis?”

The familiar voice sounded concerned but Louis couldn’t tilt his chin up, his eyes glued to the crude cement beneath him.

“Louis.” Niall sounded more persistent now, smelling of smoke and crowding around him too close. “Are you alright?”

Louis couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t think, his head wasn’t even pounding anymore but instead felt numb. The rest of his body felt like one tingling nerve being struck over and over again, sending jolts of pain from the top of his skull to his toes. 

“Louis, do you hear me?” Niall put his hands over his shoulders and it was like an electrical fuse had been snapped.

Louis wretched away, his back roughly meeting a hard, unforgiving wall. “D-Don’t,” he stuttered out, his vision going foggy. Nothing but spots littered the corners of his eyes. His voice was raspy and could barely be heard between choked off gasps, “don’t… I--”

Louis wished he had passed out before hitting the pavement, but his legs gave out before his mind. He felt his head and side slap against the cold ground before everything went black.

***

The infamous CEO never called. The three crime enthusiasts waited and waited but nothing ever came. They busied themselves with boardgames, beer, and more planning but when ten o’clock rolled around Zayn had called it quits, claiming it was probably for the best. Liam hadn’t seemed much better, the same mixture a relief and irritation floated around his eyes that the omega was sporting as he bid them goodnight.

The bossman never called, until he did.

Harry had been fast asleep, fully taking advantage of his morning off when two rough hands gripped his bare shoulders, shaking him violently. 

“Harry,” Liam shook him a couple more times, likely giving him some fucked up form of whiplash, “it’s happening.”

“Wha…” Harry hastily pushed Liam off of him, ready to chew him out only to look down and immediately regret the decision. Gaping, he slapped a hand over his poor eyes. “What the--Why the fuck are you naked?”

He heard the sound of his various blankets being rustled around, “I sleep in the nude and panicked.”

“Jesus,” Harry peeled back his hand, not happy that Liam was covering his lower half with his sheets but more grateful that he didn’t have to see anything. “The fuck are you doing?”

“Your boy called.” Liam breathed out, holding his phone in front of Harry’s face. Harry squinted only to see that the call was ongoing. Before panic could overtake him, the alpha realized Liam had the mute button activated.

If seeing Liam’s fucking dick didn’t wake him up this new development surely did the job. Righting himself up, Harry said, “What did you say?”

“I-I panicked.” Liam reiterated. “I put him on hold and came to you.”

“Fuck.” 

Of course Zayn wasn’t here for this. There was a reason Harry had pulled him into this scheme and it was not only for the falsifying of documents. Zayn was a natural bullshitter and could coax anyone into doing anything. The omega was the reason he had a fucking moth tattooed in the middle of his chest, for crying out loud. He could push a shitty idea onto any unsuspecting victim.

But Zayn wasn’t here, and they were running out of time. Forget the fact that Liam thought it was a good idea to pummel into Harry’s room with nothing on , he still had no idea how long the omega would remain on hold.

Snatching the phone out of Liam’s grasp, Harry shot him a glare. “Tell me everything you’ve said so far. Quickly.”

“Almost nothing.” Liam said, running his hands through his short hair. “When I saw the unknown number I assumed the worst and answered it like, uh,” Harry grimaced as he had to be witness to Liam’s abysmal customer service voice, ‘Greetings, thank you for calling Scenters and Stuff. How may I assist you?’”

“Greetings?” They were fucked.

“How many times do I have to tell you I panicked?” Liam said, eyes going to the ceiling. “His name is Niall and he wants to book a medically induced heat so I’d say there is a 99.9% chance that this is fucking him.”

No shit, Harry thought, staring at the phone. He gave Liam one last careful look, not allowing himself to think too much about what this conversation was going to entail, “Don’t say a fucking word. Got it?”

“Gladly.”

Harry took a second to let his breathing even out. He channeled his days working in a hut on a small beach, auctioning off the twenty weird flavors they had and hoped the experience was enough to make him convincing. With a shaky finger, he hit the unmute button as well as speaker phone.

There was silence so deafening Harry felt like he was back in elementary school, standing on a large stage with his mouth wide open and solo completely forgotten.

“Uh… Hello?” A voice sounded from Liam’s phone making them both jump.

Harry grit his teeth. He imagined himself laying on a bed of money and forced his mouth to move, “Hello, I apologize for the long delay. My--My name is Doctor…” And fuck why could Harry only come up with horror movie doctors in that moment, “... Frank. How…”

Harry shook his head, ignoring Liam’s silent motions for him to continue. “...How are you doing today?”

“Um,” the voice-- Niall-- sounded through the phone, sounding a bit unsure. Not at all like the confident, pompous boss Tyler had described. “I’m fine. Thank you. How… How are you?”

Oh God what the fuck was happening. Liam was biting his lip and gesturing towards the phone so Harry had no choice but to soldier on, “I’m great . Thanks for asking.”

More silence, long awkward silence. Harry was just about to speak when Niall broke the beat. “I need to schedule a heat service. In the next couple days, if possible. I know it’s super last minute but this is urgent.”

“O-Of course.” Harry stammered out. “Can I get a name for your… file.”

Liam sent him a thumbs up and Harry refrained from swinging at him.

“Well, yes. Niall Horan is my name.” The omega spoke, still sounding a little frazzled. “But, if I’m being honest, and I don’t know if this is allowed, I’m scheduling this service for a, um… friend of mine.”

Oh. Harry shot Liam a look which the alpha only responded with a shrug.

“I know it’s a bit unorthodox.” Niall continued. “But the omega friend I’m scheduling this for is indisposed at the moment.”

Liam gave him a weird look, mouthing the word ‘indisposed’ with a puzzled expression. Harry ignored him.

“Yes, I… that is a bit unorthodox.” Harry was certain he had never used the word unorthodox in his entire life and was proud that it slid off his tongue with relative ease. “But if this is a medical emergency than we are all too willing to accommodate.”

Liam grinned his way, fist bumping the air and nearly exposing his junk all over again.

“It is.” Niall said, relief in his tone at Harry’s response. “I can give you all the information you need and whatever payment is necessary at the end of all this. Again, I know this is very, very last minute---”

At the words payment Harry was sold. “Of course, Mr. Horan. We at Scenters and Stuff take into account all situations, dire or not. We’d be more than happy to assist…”

“Tomlinson.” Nial said, quickly. “Louis. Louis Tomlinson is the full name. He’d, oh jeez, he’d probably kill me for telling you this right now but I think it’s important.”

Niall went on about Louis’ medical history, or what he knew of it. He expressed that Louis needed to be put into a medically induced heat and that it needed to happen sooner than later, following along with details of his various fainting spells at work. The latest one seemed to be the worst and the omega found himself hospitalized and then bed ridden with a nasty bump on the side of his head. Harry’s alpha winced at the image and from the corner of his eye he could see Liam wasn’t fairing much better with the information.

“I see, Mr. Horan.” Harry spoke when Niall had finished. “This sounds like dire circumstances indeed. We’d be more than happy to help.”

“Oh thank god.” Niall breathed out. “You have no idea how many agencies I have called while Louis’ been out. He hadn’t properly chosen one before his accident and, well, each agency I could get in contact with said they needed at least a two week advance for something like a heat service. Thank you. Thank you.”

Harry sent Liam a slightly concerned look. Maybe he had been a bit too accommodating?

It was too late to take anything back now. Remembering the words he had told Tyler, he said, “Our goal and overall mission is to help omegas. In any way we can.”

A slapping sound made Harry’s eyes dart up, catching the tail end of Liam trying to conceal his laughter with the palm of his hand. Harry narrowed his eyes, “Mr. Horan, if you wouldn’t mind being put on a brief hold once again while I transfer you back to our receptionist that’d be deeply appreciated.”

Liam’s smile quickly faded at that. Harry smirked. “You can give him some more information and he’ll get back to you as soon as possible with anything additional he may need.”

Niall thanked him again before Harry hit the mute button, tossing the phone against Liam’s chest. “You asked for that.”

“Fuck you.” Liam huffed, but there was no heat to it. “What am I supposed to do?”

“Firstly, get off my bed and cover your cock.” Harry said, pointedly. “Secondly--I don’t know. Ask him for his contact info and shit? Tell him you’ll send off an email where there’ll be a spreadsheet that this omega can fill out. Where he wants this to happen, emergency contact, stuff like that. I’ll call up Zayn and he’ll pull something together to send him.”

Liam hopped off his bed, but not before Harry tightly closed his eyes. “You sound like Zayn right now.” Harry heard the squeak of his door open. “I hate when you have ideas, you know that?”

Harry only flashed his teeth, not even bothering to open to his eyes when the door finally shut. It was his morning off, after all.

***

Zayn bursted into their apartment hours later, a prominent scowl etched onto his face like he drew it there himself.

“Where is he?” Zayn nearly shouted, making Harry drop his fork into the sink. He was just about to duck and hide when the omega stormed into the kitchen, ripping the plate out of his hands.

“What are you doing?” Harry asked, nearly choking before forcing his food down his throat.

“This is no time for pancakes, you absolute asshole. ” Zayn hissed, chucking what was left of his food into the wet sink. 

“When is there not a time for pancakes?” Harry argued, eyeing his now soggy creation forlornly. “And why am I an asshole?”

Zayn crossed his arms. “For getting me stuck in the midst of your illegal activities.”

“Zayn,” Liam whined from the living room, “we fucking have neighbors, you know.”

“Have a better place we can talk about this shit?”

“Uh… your place?”

Zayn chucked Harry’s forgotten fork his way, missing by at least a foot, but the sentiment was still there. Corralling both alphas around the table, Zayn whipped open his laptop. “I’ve been talking to our guys’ friend all afternoon because Liam is incompetent--”

“Hey.”

“--but my ability to bullshit can only go so far and we need to act fast.”

That was news to Harry. “What did he say?”

“Our omega’s been discharged and is back at his house.” Zayn started, looking out of breath while clicking away on his laptop. “While at the hospital his omega specialist was notified and brought in, ordering him to cease all use of his medication.”

When Zayn didn’t continue, Harry piped in, “Meaning…?”

Zayn have him a thunderous look. “ Meaning rest up, fucker cause your services are gonna be needed sooner than we were anticipating.”

Harry felt all the air leave his lungs. Swaying slightly on his feet, he managed, “How long?”

“However long it takes for you to get tested cause that’s all we need. I already finished up all the documentation and even virtually signed the contract for you.” Zayn explained. “Go have someone swab your dick or whatever and then it's on.”

“Swab his dick?” Liam asked, genuinely sounding curious. “Is that how they--”

“I thought we had a week.” Harry urged, thumbing the front of his shirt roughly. A nervous tik he could never fully break. “W-What changed? His friend on the phone said he’d hit his head but…”

Zayn seemed to hesitate at that, sucking his bottom lip into his mouth. “The guy’s in bad shape, alright? Remember when I told you this was fucked up?” Sighing heavily through his nose, Zayn continued. “It took some probing, but I found out he doesn’t just have an absence of alphas in his life, but he’s on a fuckton of medication. Not only is he on blockers, but also neutralizers, touch depri, and more. You ever heard of those fake alpha stimulants that some omegas use to recreate the presence of pheromones?”

Liam and Harry both nodded.

“Well, he’s been on those too. For like, years. I-I can’t even imagine.” Zayn said, shaking his head. “I’ve never tried them myself, but they’re essentially meth in a capsule from what I’ve heard. All of these meds are seriously fucking with his levels and he is on the brink of dropping, you guys.”

Harry’s arms suddenly felt numb and tingly, tiny pin prints slowly creeping up and around him at Zayn’s words. Dread pooled in his stomach and the idea of formulating a response seemed miles away.

“Remember when I said this was fucked up.” Zayn nearly growled. “Just wanted to remind everyone of that. Again.”

Luckily, Liam spoke up first. “Oh my God,” he breathed shallowly, fisting his hair, “a--a drop is bad, but--but not like lethal, yeah?”

Zayn’s silence spoke for itself. 

“Holy fuck,” Liam reiterrated, “you guys, maybe this is a bad idea.”

Not shit, Harry thought, still frozen.

Zayn seemed to have regained his composure. “It’s too late for that. We’re locked in, completely.”

“Are we though?” Liam asked, exasperated. “We didn’t know this guy was that sick. Harry could fucking kill him with one wrong move of his dick!”

That did the trick in shaking Harry out of his stupor, “Ignoring Liam’s idiocy, I think he may be right, Z.”

“No,” Zayn shook his head, firmly, “we all in one way or another stuck our noses into this shit and now we gotta follow through with it. And I’m not just talking about this heat stuff, I’m going back to when we all got involved in creating this fake scenter’s business. It was wrong then, and it’s wrong now, and it’s exactly what led us down this path to begin with.”

“Zayn,” Harry tried again, “we got in over our heads-- I got in over my head. I’ll take full responsibility, but this sounds fucking serious, dude.”

“Cause it is and we’re going through with it.” Zayn said, a steely look in his eyes. “We may or may not have inadvertently distracted this omega from getting real help, Harry. We can’t turn our back on him now.”

They all stood around the table staring at one another, various looks of horror and unease surrounding them. 

This was bad. Harry really needed to stop having ideas.

“Okay,” Harry finally croaked, turning towards Zayn, “what else do I gotta do besides ‘swab my dick.’”

“Study up.” Zayn said, turning his laptop. “Watch videos, read testimonies, just--just fucking absorb it all.”

Right. Harry settled down and fought the urge to fist his hands through his curls. 

“Are we really still going through with this?” Liam asked, quietly.

Harry breathed out a long sigh, “Zayn’s right. We’re locked in.”

Chapter Text

We’re locked in was all that pushed Harry forward even though his feet felt like they weighed twenty pounds each. Liam’s old pickup had broken down months ago and was sitting in their apartment’s parking lot semi-legally so Harry had to rely on the shitty bus route to take him across town to the omega’s apartment.

“Louis,” Harry whispered under his breath. He needed to stop referring to this guy as the omega, for fuck’s sake. He hopped off the bus when his stop finally, blissfully, came, “Name is Louis. Hello… Louis. Wait, Lewis. ” 

To his right an older omega shot him a concerned, weary look. Harry shot her what he hoped came off as a kind smile before quickly dashing away, “ Fuck.”

Hurrying his steps, Harry pulled out his phone and called Zayn.

“Why are you calling me?” Zayn didn’t bother with pleasantries, his tone clipped. “Did he already kick you out or sumthin?”

“It’s Lewis, right?” Harry asked, getting right the chase.

“Louis. Oh my God, this is never gonna work if you keep acting like a stupid knothead.”

“I’m trying.” Harry grit out, readjusting the strap of his duffel bag across his shoulder. It was only then that he took a good look at his surroundings. He was on the other side of town--a spot he unsurprisingly never found himself in the center of--and everything from the buildings to the cars were neutral colors and in pristine condition. All of the plant life he could see was flourishing and there wasn’t a single crumpled up can that Harry could kick down the pavement.

There was another thing too. “Speaking of knotheads,” Harry let his eyes wander over the people around him, all of them inches shorter. “I think I’m the only one in a fifty mile radius.”

“Sounds like heaven.” Zayn said, faux-sweetly. “Don’t call me again unless you have a real emergency, yeah? Don’t wanna look suspicious.”

“Right.”

“And Harry,” Zayn said before he could hang up, his voice coming out a little softer, “treat him right.”

Harry blinked, “Of course I will, Zayn.”

“Good.”

Zayn hung up on him, leaving nothing but a dial tone ringing in his ear and what felt like a piece of lead hanging in his stomach. Harry had gotten off at the spot closest to the building, but he still had quite a bit of a walk. He ignored the curious looks and downright blocked out the stares full of disdain. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been surrounded by so many omegas. Long enough to forget how weary they were around him, that’s for sure.

Soon-- too soon-- Harry stood outside of a massive building, all white with panels and panels of windows that reached far up into the sky. It was intimidating to say that least and Harry tried to keep his shoulders straight as he was buzzed in and crowded into an elevator.

He was able to extract himself from the huddle of omegas inside when they reached one of the top floors. He sent the bellhop a smile that was not returned as the door closed in front of him.

Harry cursed him under his breath before continuing on, following the numbers on the doors until he found himself in front of the one. The one.

“You can do this.” Harry said to himself, not remembering a day where he had talked to himself more, but he needed it right now. “One week… maybe not even that. Help the omega--get the money--save Mal’s bar.” He let all the air escape his lungs, eyelids heavy as they closed. “All there is to it.”

He stood for another minute before finally hyping himself up enough to knock. His raps echoed in the empty hallway and he carefully took a step back, both hands going to grip the strap of his bag as he waited.

Forty two seconds passed by-- not that Harry was counting-- before the door was pushed open almost violently. Harry took another step back and almost lost his footing. 

The omega before him wasn’t anything like Harry expected. The image Harry had conjured up based on what he knew was someone frail, ghost-white, and on their last limb due to their illness. And maybe someone older too. Harry didn’t know anything about corporate businesses, but he doubted they handed such high positions to anyone in their twenties, maybe even their thirties. 

Those descriptors didn’t match the man before him though. He was short, even shorter than the average male omega with brown, soft hair. Despite being in his own home, he was dressed semi-formally with a black button up shirt and matching slacks and slick dress shoes. Harry suddenly felt extremely underdressed in his green graphic t-shirt and loose fitting joggers. 

Blue, striking eyes narrowed on him immediately. Harry couldn’t help but gulp, the sound almost audible. Devil’s consort, huh? 

“Um, hi.” Harry forced out. “I’m--”

“I’ll need to see all your licensing forms before I allow you entry.” The omega said, pointedly. Smacking his lips together, he added, “That will include your ID and your test results.”

“Ah,” Harry was left slack jawed for a moment before nodding. “Course.”

Letting his bag fall off his shoulder, he unzipped his bag and revealed a small binder Zayn had assembled for him. The omega had warned him on how important it was to look over it in detail and Harry had… but he also had never been a very diligent reader in school. Skimming over things was much more his style, but Harry trusted Zayn to get everything correct. He was a perfectionist like that.

He presented the binder and the ome-- Louis took it out of his hands quickly. Harry stood awkwardly as he watched him thumb through each laminated page, looking as though he was scanning over each word, every letter.

Harry had never been good at being quiet, and as two minutes turned to five he was downright itching to say something. “You know,” he settled on, rocking back on his heels, “your friend was given all these documents as well and looked over them with--”

“Yes,” Louis snapped, not lifting his eyes up to meet his, “my friend did look over them. And now I am. Do you have a problem with that?”

Harry tensed. Bad move then. “Nope. Not at all.”

Another torturous minute went by before Louis snapped the binder closed, making Harry jump. The binder was held back his way and Harry took it carefully. Louis’ outstretched hand remained in place though, “Your ID?”

Harry choked down a belated sigh because seriously? Harry didn’t even bother to ID people at Mal’s anymore, but he wasn’t about to fight the omega and cause more strife. “Yes, just one moment.”

Once Louis had his card he stared down at it with the same intensity, eyes going back and forth. Something must’ve caught his eye because he frowned, “You’re twenty seven?”

 “Uh, bout to be twenty eight? Got a birthday coming up soon.”

Louis glowered at the card like it had personally wronged him. “Your birthday is in February.”

“Yeah?”

“It’s July.”

Harry bit his tongue, willing his smile to tamper down. “Oop, my bad. Meant half birthday.” Louis gave him nothing but a blank look. “I get them mixed up.”

Louis made an exasperated noise and Harry couldn’t lie and say it didn’t thrill him. One of his favorite past times was making Zayn irritated and he could see that same reaction he so often forced out of Zayn in this omega. Maybe he had a problem, no one should take this much joy in annoying omegas.

“Think you’re some type of comedian, huh, Harold.” Louis said, shoving the alpha’s ID back his way.

“Oh no, not at all.” Harry said earnestly, tucking the card back in his wallet. “I will warn you ahead of time though to use my full Christian name sparingly. Nothing else gets me going like memories of my mum properly scolding me. Don’t even think about throwing my middle name in there or I really won’t be able to contain myself.”

Louis balked at him, eyes wide with surprise more than anything else. Harry flashed his teeth, holding out his hand, “Harry, will do.”

Snapping his mouth closed, Louis resumed his glower, “Louis, then.”

They shook hands, all awkward and fumbling before he let Harry cross the threshold. 

Harry was secure enough to admit when he was absolutely floored by something. No one would blame him for being gobsmacked by Louis’ ethereal flat, if you could even call it that. For starters, the living room itself was about as big as Harry and Liam’s rooms combined with expensive-looking furniture and decor. The two alpha’s idea of ‘decor’ was a dilapidated stop sign that one of their bar patrons had kicked down in a drunken rage. The walls and floor were beige and a deep chocolate color and looked as if they had been installed the night before. Harry couldn’t even remember the last time he or Liam had vacuumed. There was a large, full couch in front of a wide plasma screen TV hanging off the wall and jutting out. Harry couldn’t even wrap his head around that technology. Their TV sat on the floor and had to be kicked twice for the monitor to stop flashing.

Everything was pristine, not a speck of dirt to be seen and nothing felt out of place, like Harry had just stepped into a fucking catalog. A stark difference to everything he surrounded himself with on a daily basis.

“Close your mouth,” Louis pulled him out of his trance, his voice sharp, “you look like some mindless baboon.”

Harry could count on one hand how many times he’d been compared to a baboon in his life. 

One time.

Deciding to ignore the comment for both of their sakes, Harry said, “You got a nice place, dude.”

“It’s Louis.” The omega bit out, heels clacking as he made his way down a hallway. “Not buddy, not bro,” his voice grew sharper the more he went on, “not your sweetheart, not your baby , and not your dude. I don’t dabble in nicknames or pet names.”

Harry sighed. “Understood. I’ll try and refrain from calling you puddin’, but that is part of my daily vocabulary, I’ll have you know.”

Louis didn’t deem him with a response to that. Not really knowing what else to do, he followed Louis down the narrow corridor before the omega abruptly stopped in front of one of the doors. Harry had to throw his arms out slightly in front of him to stop a potential collision.

Harry hadn’t known Louis long, but he was fairly certain the ramifications of that happening would have been horrendous.

“This will be your room for the duration of your time here.” Louis said, pushing the door open to reveal an unsuspecting guest bedroom. “Feel free to unpack as you deem fit. There is a wardrobe you're free to use as well as a bathroom. You can do whatever you want in here, but don’t go snooping around the rest of the flat. I’ll give you a proper tour after dinner where we will discuss things further.”

Louis took back off down the hallway, but not before passing in front of Harry. The alpha couldn’t help the flaring of his nose as subtle notes of vanilla and cinnamon hit him, making him blink rapidly in a sudden haze. The omega’s voice echoed the further away he got, “Dinner will be at six thirty. Don’t be late.”

When the omega disappeared from his view, Harry allowed himself to mutter, “Nice to meet you too.”

With nothing else around him, he entered the room and shut the door, fighting the urge to slide down into a heep on the floor. His eyes trained on the clock perched on a nightstand reading that it was barely past noon.

He really shouldn’t have joked about the name thing, because in that moment he felt properly scolded. Scolded and sent to his room for a very long time out.

***

With the alpha out of his sight, Louis hightailed it to his bedroom, slamming the door so hard there was no way his unwanted occupant wouldn’t hear it even though they were on opposite sides of the flat.

Good, Louis thought, the more space the better. He undressed himself quickly, feeling foolish for even bothering to look semi-put together when the alpha waltzed into his place looking like a slob, tongue hanging out as he took in Louis’ space. And worst of all was his thick, uncensored, woodsy scent seeping into every crack and crevice.

Louis, unsurprisingly, had little to no contact with alphas in his daily life, besides Anderson, but he hardly counted that. Anderson was about as intimidating as a baby rabbit and wore top-grade neutralisers per Louis’ demands, but this alpha? It was like he had never tried to hide or conceal any part of his biology. His scent flowed freely around him, strong and potent, and he didn’t even try to appear demure when Louis eventually let him inside, just squared his shoulders in fake bravado macho-alpha confidence.

This was why omegas were meant to be in charge and Louis was grateful he lived in a time in history where people finally understood that. Although being leaders and taking up space came naturally to alphas, that didn’t mean it was in any way earned. Louis had earned his dominance and entitlement. Had perfected his craft and sculpted himself from the inside out to become what he needed to be.

None of that mattered though, and he’d take waking up in a stuffy hospital room again with Niall and Dr. Lawrence at his side explaining to him that they set up his own heat week rather than where he found himself. He felt on high alert, like his flat-- his haven-- was no longer his and he didn’t know what to do with that fact. The one constant in his life was being striped away, making him feel like he was about to spiral and the alpha hadn’t even been there for twenty minutes.

Why had Louis been so drawn to the fact that this company provided heat services at one’s home? Certainly he must’ve been unconsciously stalling the process because this was not what Tyler had described as ‘comfortable.’ At least the one silver lining was that he had his room, a place to escape.

He busied himself by taking a long, hot shower. Being forced to not have his usual medication meant that his touch depri was at its worst and Louis let the scalding water over his shoulders distract him from the fact that he felt like he was being ripped open at the seems. The shower would wash away his makeup, but he’d have time to reapply. Maybe Louis shouldn’t have even bothered in the first place. The alpha was bound to see them at one point or another.

Louis slid down the tiled wall, tremors ripping through him despite the heated mist clouding around his head. Fear, anxiety, everything he kept buried down under his hard exterior burst forth, flooding the bathroom with the smell of his distressed scent. It was acidic even to his nose and he let his eyes fall shut in defeat.

***

After his short breakdown, Louis decided he wouldn’t allow himself to show any more weakness.

It took well over two hours and by that point that water had gone cold, but maybe that was a good thing. The fiery burn turning into an ice shower felt like he had successfully reset himself. He managed to get up by some sort of miracle and went to get ready.

He would be making dinner. Normally Louis would either just order in or shove some frozen dinner in the microwave, but he felt like he had something to prove. This alpha had undoubtedly seen his long list of medical problems and the last thing Louis wanted was pity, to be babied because he was oh so sick.

Giving himself plenty of time Louis stalked towards the kitchen and refused to glance down the adjacent hallway to the guest bedroom. He wore a fluffy white jumper, soft but thin pajama pants, and ankle sock—his idea of what people would wear when they set out to cook, sans an apron.

He had pulled a couple of recipes off the internet and they had looked simple enough. Basic, but not juvenile. Louis had dove in just like he did with anything else in his life, head first and forceful. Forceful may not be the best adjective to use when describing someone attempting to cook and forty minutes in Louis already felt like he was way in over his head.

The pan on the stove sizzled loudly, the chicken he had defrosted earlier that day still looking far too pink even after the many minutes Louis had let it sit. He found himself constantly removing and replacing the lid, always expecting some sort of development to happen that never came. 

His dismal looking chicken mixed with his poorly cut tomatoes made Louis want to throw in the towel and call his favorite Chinese place down the road. Steeling himself, he automatically went to lift the lid off his pan once again only to forget to use a towel.

The burn wasn’t terrible, it was hardly anything, but mixed with Louis’ ongoing frustration the pain hit him ten times worse. He headed towards the sink, cursing profusely under his breath only to stop short.

His entire body froze, air exiting his lungs immediately. “What are you doing here?” 

The alpha was leaning against the opening to the kitchen, his eyes darting between Louis and the stove. He had on a large sweatshirt now, but still seemed to be adorning the same rumpled pants. His curls were more defined and wet on the ends like he had just stepped out of the shower not too long ago.

“Got bored.” He shrugged, uncrossing his arms and stepping forward. “Something also smelled really good. Thought I’d come investigate.”

“I told you I was making dinner.” His eyes glanced at the clock above his fridge. “I still have thirty minutes.”

“Hey, this isn’t a cooking competition. Take as long as you need.”

“I don’t need more time--”

“Maybe some help?” He-- Harry--or whatever-- once again let his eyes linger over the mixed up array of ingredients, pots, and pans spewed along the countertops. “I’m not bad in the kitchen, or so I’ve been told.”

Louis tensed up, every synapse in his brain screamed a resounding no . “That won’t be necessary. Go… go wait in the living room or something and I’ll call when it’s ready.”

“Ah, you see, I don’t think that’s a very good idea.” Harry said, sucking in a breath through clenched teeth and a frown before tutting, “If left to my own devices I might be tempted to partake in some, well… snooping activities.” Pulling out a chair around the little dinner table, the alpha let himself take a seat. He flashed a smile Louis’ way. Easy and disgustingly charming. “Probably best to stay in your line of sight till I’m cleared as a potential threat.”

Louis grit his teeth so hard he was sure he would have jaw pain in the morning. He opened his mouth to--

“Also,” Harry butt in, rapping his fingers gently along the wooden table. Louis’ eyes landed on an obscene amount of rings that he hadn’t noticed before, “best to run burns under cool or lukewarm water. Freezing cold water or ice can stop the blood flow and hinder the healing process. A fun, little trivia fact.”

His burn. Right.

The shock of seeing the alpha parade around his kitchen, judge his cooking, and everything else had distracted Louis from the now pulsing skin on his hand. He switched on the tap, ignoring the amused little huff he heard behind his back when he turned the handle more towards the middle.

“Listen,” Louis said, shutting off the tap after a minute of horrible silence, all while feeling the alpha’s eyes boring into his back. Leveling Harry with a cold glare he channeled his inner CEO, someone who gave orders and didn’t let anyone walk over him, “we are going to discuss some ground rules tonight.”

“I figured.” Harry replied, deadpan.

“ Rules that are not to be broken or crossed no matter what.”

“Sounds like great fun. Do you wanna check on your chicken?”

The alpha said it so carelessly and in tandem that it took Louis a couple of seconds to process his words. Eyes widening, Louis whipped around and went to lift the lid off--

“Towel.” Harry said behind him, all calm and relaxed.

Louis scowled, “Fucking-- I know .”

Using the damn towel Louis lifted up the lid only to be met with a charred, burnt piece of white meat. He let himself stare at it for a moment, just to really, really take it all in before hastily turning off the stove top and dropping the searing lid into his sink, reveling in the loud banging sound it made when it clashed with the rest of his failed dishes.

“You know, I’ve always been a blackened chicken breast kinda guy myself.” Harry piped in behind him, amusement laced in his tone that he wasn’t even trying to hide.

“This is your fault.” Lous bit out, holding himself up by sheer force by gripping the edge of the sink, head tilted downwards. “It’s ruined and it’s all your fault.”

“Guilty.” Louis heard the rustling sound of the alpha pulling himself back up to full height. “That chicken gave us it’s life and I soiled it. I take full responsibility.”

“As you should.” Louis said, heat pooling in his veins and anger evident in his sharp scent. “Hope you enjoyed yourself--making your little quips or whatever--because that was it. I didn’t necessarily have a backup plan. Unless you want to dine on diced fucking tomatoes.”

“Hmm. A better word I’d use to describe what happened to those guys would be aggressively minced, but that’s just me.”

Louis sighed heavily, eyeing the alpha briefly before letting his chin dip back down. “That was two words.” 

“I’m sorry.” Harry said, not at all sounding necessarily sorry. “It’s one of my lesser qualities, but I’ve been told I do excel at distracting people at the worst of times.”

And Louis had had enough. A strange alpha was in his home effecting his tasks, culinary or not. He pushed himself up and off the sink, ready to give this alpha the verbal beatdown he deserved when a surprised, soft gasp left his mouth. Harry was suddenly in front of him, towering over him with his hands pushed into his pockets like he hadn’t a care in the world. Louis found himself assaulted by his rich scent, the potency of it nearly choking him. He felt sweat gather at his forehead and his hands go clammy at his sides.

Before Louis could dart away though, Harry was talking, “We’ll cook some other night. After all, we do have a whole week.” Louis swallowed at that, his throat tightening painfully. The alpha, obliviously to his inner turmoil or just choosing to ignore it, grinned down at him. “I’ll show you how to cook properly. Food Network worthy even.”

“Lesson one,” The alpha was moving closer, invading his space more and more by the second, and Louis was powerless to it. He could do nothing but stare into green, amused eyes. Those same eyes dragged down for only a second, fixating on Louis’ abdomen before coming back up, “white isn’t really the best color to wear in the kitchen.”

Just as soon as Harry was there, he was suddenly gone. He pulled away from Louis, his mouth running at a mile a minute as he exited the kitchen, “Good old fashioned take out is always the best way to bond when making new acquaintanceships anyway, don’t you think? Let me grab my phone really quick-- oh, and the binder. Can’t forget my trusty binder. We can peruse our local food options before getting into the nitty gritty of things, yeah? I know this great pizza place that has been around for like fifty, sixty years or something. I think the same guy who opened the thing is still slinging dough in the…”

Louis hadn’t moved an inch, completely dumbfounded as the alpha raised his voice louder and louder the farther away he got, almost like he wasn’t willing to give Louis even a second to himself to recover. 

When he glanced down at himself he was met with a large, red stain square in the middle of his hoodie, crusting at the sides like it had been there for awhile . Making chicken parmesan had been one of his earliest failures that he had quickly scrapped when he’d burnt the marinara sauce he had been carelessly stirring around.

Louis was not going to survive this week.

***

Louis was quote-un-quote lounging on his couch, a new sweater on and a couple bites of pizza within him. 

Over the course of forty five minutes as they waited for the pizza to arrive, Louis had learned far more about Harry than he had ever wished to know. 

He felt as if he had no choice but to just sit and take it as the alpha droned on and on about nothing and everything. Harry lived with his alpha roommate on the other side of town. He had gone into detail about how they met, what their day to day relationship was like, and more. Each new point he made came with an offhanded story.

“It was like, how was I supposed to know he was allergic to cashews? I know nut allergies are common but still. So, anyway, Liam ended up spending his twenty third in the ER…”

And then when the pizza was delivered the barrage didn’t stop.

Harry had a beta sister that lived in the states that he spoke to only semi-regularly due to her being busy with her job and two kids. Lila and Janie, they are my world but can be little devils when they wanna be. Harry had gotten into a motorcycle accident when he was nineteen, resulting in a nasty scar still visible on his shin. He didn’t hesitate to ruck up his sweats and show Louis—the same Louis who at no point during Harry’s tale showed any interest in seeing it. Harry liked the ocean, but wasn’t the best swimmer. I nearly drowned once in six inches of water, but that was more the alcohol’s fault than my lack of aquatic skills. Harry had once owned a spotted gecko but one day it escaped from it’s cage and he still wondered to that day if Jeff was still slithering around their apartment, stealthily stealing their food. It’s been three years and I still feel like he watches me sleep sometimes.

When Harry took an extremely large bite of his pizza, Louis couldn’t risk losing his opening. “Do you… always talk this much?”

Louis was used to being the one to address a room, everyone else around him obediently quiet as he barked off orders. The flip in dynamics made him unsure of how to carry himself. 

Harry seemed to pause at the question. Mouth still full of cheese, he swallowed carefully, “Was I talking a lot?”

Louis only gave him a wide-eyed stare in response. 

Smiling, Harry just took another bite of his pizza, sauce littering the corners of his mouth, “My bad, then.”

“Chew with your mouth closed.” Louis said, but there was no real heat behind the statement.

“You go on now. I’ll shut up.” Harry urged, tucking his legs up and onto the couch to sit criss cross. The action brought them a little closer and Louis didn’t even try to be subtle as he scooted further away.

Louis rolled his eyes. “I don’t have any scars. Or roomates or pets.”

“Doesn’t have to be anything specific.” Harry shrugged, flinging his crust back onto his plate to join the three others he had dropped there. Louis eyed the display with a grimace. “Whatever you wanna talk about I’ll listen to. That seems only fair, right?”

It did seem fair. Louis had just been subjected to nearly an hour of torture via the alpha, but still. “I don’t want to talk about anything.”

To Louis’ dismay, the alpha didn’t back down and wasn’t easily deterred. Keeping himself open and seemingly at ease, he chided, “Come on, don’t be like that. What’s on your mind?”

That I would rather be anywhere but here, Louis thought, helplessly. That I want you and your big mouth, stupid scar, and weird stories about reptiles far away. That I would give anything to wake up from this nightmare.

Louis couldn’t necessarily say all that though without adding fuel to their already precarious situation. “I’m thinking this might be the greasiest pizza I’ve ever been subjected to.”

If Louis thought the alpha would take offense to that he thought wrong. Harry nearly beamed his way, saying, “I know. Isn’t it great?”

“Unhealthy, more like.”

“Well, no worries. You just gotta…” Harry’s voice trailed off as his eyes wandered around the couch. Grabbing a wad of napkins he reached over, invading Louis’ space and gently dabbing the wad on top of his slice. When he eventually pulled back, he was smiling. Like he had done something wonderful. “There.”

Louis couldn’t even speak he was so floored, so utterly lost on how to handle any of this. He settled for shrinking into himself, but not before pushing the plate onto the small table in front of them, a little more aggressive than necessary. “That’s fucking disgusting.”

“Worth a try.” Harry said with a shrug, following suit and leaning back heavily against the cushions. Silence flowed between them and Louis would be damned if he was going to be the one to break it. Luckily, that chance never came as the alpha spoke softly, “Hey, I’m sorry. I got carried away and should’ve asked what you wanted to eat. Next time we order something the decision is all yours, promise.”

Louis felt an uncomfortable twitch in his throat. Clearing it, he said, “You’ve done a lot of apologizing since you got here.”

“Yeah? I guess I have a lot of experience in fucking up and owning up to your shit is usually a sure fire-way out of unfavorable situations.”

“I’m… I’m not used to it.” Louis didn’t know where the words had suddenly come from, but there they were. Out in the open for this alpha to scrutinize. The air around them seemed to buzz, like the tension could be broken and send them plunging back down into the abyss with one wrong move.

Harry sent him a puzzled look. “Why’s that?”

Cause no one ever cares enough to.

Covering the top of his cold hands with his sweater, he said, “Because anyone who fucks up around me doesn’t get the chance to say sorry.”

There was a long, held out beat. A beat that was quickly ruined by Harry chuckling under his breath. Louis sent him a scathing look, but Harry just kept going, dimples popping out from either side of his cheeks.

“Jesus, what is your line of work again? A mob boss, perhaps? Ordering hits out on those who enjoy greasy pizzas, huh?”

“I didn’t mean it like that.” Louis spat, cheeks heating despite himself. “I fire them.” When Harry just kept laughing like some floundering moron, he snapped, low and unkind, “I could fire you too, you know.”

“You could,” Harry said, finally seeming to simmer down, “but I don’t think that’d be a very ideal situation for either of us at this point.”

A look of confusion washed over Louis’ face because the fuck did that mean. Sure, it would cause certain harm to Louis, but Harry? He could just book another omega to fuck. 

“Speaking of,” Harry continued, stretching out on the couch to reach a small end table. The action made his jumper pull up, revealing a flash of skin too close to his hipbone. Louis pointedly wasn’t looking at the alpha anymore when Harry settled back down, binder in hand, “do you think we’re ready to go through this?”

Louis eyed the white binder like it was a worm-infested apple abandoned on the side of the street. Letting himself release a long sigh, he said through clenched teeth. “Fine.”

***

Harry’s voice was monotonous, if not a little strained, as he read through the binder. The same damn binder that was going to make Louis pull his hair out and wail.

“... knotting can happen multiple times throughout an omega’s heat. Even when using contraception, the sexual act of knotting will awaken an alpha’s natural urge to procreate and an omega’s impulse to carry and bear said alpha’s offspring. When knotting…”

He couldn’t do it anymore, couldn’t stand one more second of listening to the filth that he’d have to endure that week. The touching, the scenting, the knotting… all of it was sending Louis into a spiral of panic and denial and he couldn’t let that happen. Not when Harry was right in front of him reading away like he had probably done hundreds of other times.

It was one thing for Louis to know what his heat week would entail, but it was another to hear it out loud. It made it real.

“Stop.”

Harry immediately looked up from his binder, looking almost relieved but also worried at Louis’ sudden outburst. 

“Just fucking-- stop.” Louis breathed out, pushing himself up and off the couch. They were barely halfway through the damn thing and Louis felt like he was on fire. He told himself the heat on his face and in between his legs were solely caused by second hand embarrassment and disgust.

“I’m only doing--”

“I know what you’re doing. I know.” Louis pattered back and forth across his carpet. “I can’t listen to another second of that medical jargon bullshit before I seriously lose my mind. Flip to the end and I’ll sign off on it.”

“Louis,” Harry said, carefully. Like he was some delicate fucking flower, “I know it can be uncomfortable, but I think it’s important you know exactly what’s going to happen when… when it starts.”

“It’ll happen when it happens. I don’t care about any of it. I’ll just deal with it when it comes--”

“I’m going to have to disagree with you there.” Harry said, looking over Louis like he was an injured puppy. “We have to do this.”

Louis glared at him, hating the prickling feeling that he was being talked down to because no one dared talk down to him. “It’s going to happen, it has to. That’s beyond debatable. Whether I want it to or not doesn’t change anything. I’m not some fucking moron, I--I think I’m knowledgable enough to know the gist of…”

He trailed off and shut his eyes, willing his rising headache to cease. When he opened them again Harry was still there, sitting on his couch with an uneasy expression. Louis breathed out, “I don’t need the full rundown. I’ve had a goddam heat before.”

“When you were barely sixteen.” Harry added, more under his breath than out in the open.

And Louis--Louis felt every muscle in his body tense at that, waves of anger and resentment flooded over him like a tsunami. How dare he. How fucking dare this fucking alpha undermine him. Borderline humiliate him to his own face. Treat him like some stupid omega who didn’t know any better.

It had been a long time since Louis allowed someone to make him feel that way, and he refused to let anyone have that power over him. Never again.

 Louis put his arms firmly down at his sides, leveling the alpha with a steely glare, “We’re going to talk about my rules now.”

Harry blinked, obviously caught off guard by the sudden subject change, “Oh, uh… course. Of course. We’ll get back to--”

“No, we won’t.”

Louis willed his brain not to think too hard about the tirade he was about to go on. He switched back into office mode where he was giving a briefing to the entire company, nothing more. 

“This is my house and my bloody heat and whether I like it or not you have to be here too,” Louis said to Harry and to himself. He ignored the twitch in the alpha’s face and continued, “That being said, despite the fact that you’re a professional in this… field or whatever, at the end of the day what I say goes. We’ll start by you listening to me and letting me sign off on this. After that, I never want to see that binder again.”

Not uttering a word, Harry flipped to the page where Louis consented that he had listened to and understood all the ramifications of what this heat would entail. It was signed and tossed aside in about three seconds flat.

“There.” Louis seethed, flinging the pen back on the table and raising himself back to full height. It was better like that, with Louis standing tall and the alpha sitting down like a curled up, dumb thing before him. “Was that really that hard?”

Harry didn’t say anything and Louis took it as his note to continue, “This is how things are going to go from here on out. I’m going to call my doctor tomorrow morning to get the clearance to inject myself.” He swallowed heavily at the thought. “Have you dealt with medically induced heats before?”

Harry’s mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water before Louis rolled his eyes, “You don’t have to lie just to sound like you’re not shit at your job. I’ve been made aware it’s uncommon.”

“I haven’t.” Harry breathed out, like a weight had been lifted off his chest. “But I’ve done research and--”

“Good.” Louis cut him off, barreling on, “From what I’ve been told it shouldn’t be too different from a normal heat. The injection will take a couple of hours to take effect and during that time I want to be alone. Like you so graciously pointed out it’s been quite a long time since I’ve had to do one of these and I’d appreciate the time to process that fact.”

Harry tensed like he was about to interject, but thought better of it at the last second.

“After that, just do whatever you normally do in these situations. Under no circumstances though are you permitted to do anything to me without consent first. Everything you do you will need to ask me first and if I say no it’s not happening. I don’t care if I’m half out of my mind, you ask. Anything involving touch or other,” Louis held back a sound of disgust and powered through the searing in his chest, “ intimacies will be done in your room when I say and how I say it. If I had another spare room I’d allocate it there, but that’s not an option, so you’ll have to deal with it.”

The alpha’s back was ramrod straight against the couch, looking like he was seconds away from fleeing and Louis relished at the thought. It really did feel like he was back at the office.

“I understand that these types of acts will cause a certain amount of—of…” Louis briefly lost track of his control, mind swirling and making him dizzy. “I’ll—I’ll provide you with however many sheets and bedding you need to—“

A flash of something akin to hunger flashed across Harry’s face, but just as quickly as it was there, it was gone. Louis decided to move on. 

“After we do whatever we have to do to get this shit done--” touch, scent, fuck , played back in his brain once again, “--I’ll retire back to my own room. You are never allowed in there, so don’t even ask. In fact, if you so much as step within five feet of my door I’m calling this off, medical advisement be damned. There will be no discussion of anything once we’re done with what we have to do unless I initiate it. I understand that there will be more than one… copulation , but the rules will remain and be followed till it’s over.”

Louis was breathing heavily by the time he finished, chest rising up and down almost painfully. He took one last deep breath before asking, “Any questions?”

His briefing was over and the debrief was about to begin before the task had even been completed.

Harry didn’t respond right away, still looking taken aback and winded. It took a handful of seconds before the alpha was running greasy fingers through his hair and saying, “I have two. If that’s okay.”

Louis nodded, motioning for him to go on.

“One… am I still in time out?”

“Huh?” Louis asked, all the power he felt after his rant draining from him at the stupid sound spluttering from his mouth.

Harry cleared his throat, sitting up more properly, “My room. Am I still bound to it or have I been cleared from doing any… in your words … snoops?”

Louis shot him a truly murderous look, all hopes that he had squashed this alpha down to Anderson’s level quickly diminishing. “When I am in my room, you may.”

“TV access and everything?” Harry had a slight lilt in his tone as he spoke. “Microwave privileges?”

Scowling, Louis bit out. “Fine.”

“Cool, cool.” The alpha replied, ringing his hands together. When he looked at Louis again his face was a bit more passive, “And the second question… this one is a little more important.”

Louis shouldn’t let his guard down, but something about the alpha’s open expression made his shoulders sag slightly. “Go on.”

Biting his lower lip, Harry asked. “How do you feel about pancakes?”

“What.”

“Pancakes.” He reiterated, finally letting a smile seep onto his face, eyes crinkling with it. “I can make them tomorrow morning. You give me chocolate chip vibes as opposed to blueberries, but I guess I could be wrong.”

Louis could only stare in what he could only describe as shock. He couldn’t even feel anger anymore. A sort of numbness overtook him as he slowly turned around and started the walk back to his room.

“I’m going to bed.” His voice sounded hollow even to his own ears.

“Yeah, okay, that’s good and all, but what about my promised tour?”

Gripping his doorknob, Louis used all of his remaining strength to wickedly bite out, “Figure it out yourself.” Ripping the door open, he hollered behind him. “If you’re too loud I’ll make you sleep outside until I need you.”

The sound of his door slamming behind him rattled his already wrecked brain. Being alone with no other distractions brought him back to his reality, his pained reality and every joint in his body felt sore and on fire. He longed for his stims as he made his way towards his bed.

Settling down on the edge of his bed, realization pooled in his gut as he remembered his exact words.

Until I need you. I need you.

He didn’t bother showering, didn’t even bother taking off his makeup or clothes. Louis could think of no other way to cope with that undeniable fact besides resigning himself to his nest for the rest of the night.

Chapter Text

Steam swirled above Harry’s head, bathing him in the sweet scent of the cinnamon and sugar he had sprinkled upon the pancakes on a whim. Navigating around Louis’ kitchen had been a struggle, but once he had found all the tools he needed he felt prepared to win the omega over. At least a little.

After all, he was only just starting day two and was unflinching aware that Louis could hardly stand him. So, not the best start to their little whatever.

“A what?”

“A bidet.” 

“The fuck is that?”

“The thing fancy people have on their toilets. It, like, shoots water into your ass after your done.”

“And you want that?”

“And a gym. ” Harry solderied on into his phone, tucked between his ear and shoulder as he struggled to flip the half-formed pancake in the pan. “He has a fucking gym, Li. In his apartment.”

“Like, a YMCA?” The alpha’s voice sounded skeptical ever over the phone.

“ What? No, you idiot, but he has all the basics.” Harry moved to plop another finished pancake onto a large platter he had dug out from the confines of Louis’ cabinets. “Imagine a room twice the size of your’s with a treadmill, machines, and weights just there. At the ready any time for your disposal. Do you even remember the last time we had a membership?”

“Fuck no.” 

“And don’t even get me started on the view.” Harry looked out the small window above the sink, the early morning sun just starting to rise into the soft blanket of clouds. “I feel like I’m staying at a five star hotel. Fucking bonkers.”

Liam, finally catching on, let out a low whistle. “This omega really is loaded.”

“Yeah, loaded. Loaded and angry. He fucking hates me, mate.” Harry added, drizzling more batter into the pan, “Pretty sure if I dropped dead right now he’d actually crack a smile for the first time in his life. Maybe even laugh.”

“I mean, I get it. You’re tolerable at times, but can be an utter shithead when you wanna be.” Harry couldn’t really argue with that. He hadn’t exactly tried to hold himself back from pushing Louis’ buttons during their few interactions. “I understand the sentiment, but what did you do? I mean, it couldn’t have been that bad. You’re making the guy breakfast, for fuck’s sake.”

He thanked whatever God above that Liam couldn’t see his blotchy, red face at that particular comment. He wasn’t making breakfast for Louis , he was making breakfast cause he enjoyed cooking and after last night’s confrontation he had struggled to conjure up an idea to break the tension between them. Louis wanted to be stubborn and not let Harry finish his awkward, tortuous reading from the binder about what they were about to go through? Fine. But Harry would be damned if he didn’t follow through on what he promised after the fact.

“I have to try something.” Harry argued, fisting the handle of the pan and leaning back to glance at Louis’ door, still closed with no sound emitting from it. “The guy doesn’t trust me as far as he could throw me and he kinda needs to for this to work.”

“No shit.” Liam said. “Just tell him hate fucking can be great, but maybe save it for a another time? You know, when he’s not about to go through a heat.”

Harry stiffened at that, halting his pancake-making ministrations. “Don’t say it like that. Look, he’s completely delusional about how these things normally go.”

“Oh, and how are these things supposed to go? Everyone’s different.”

Liam wasn’t wrong, but Harry’s mind drifted back to all of the forums he had read over, all the guidelines he’d been able to find. None of it sounded even remotely close to what Louis had all but demanded that they do.

“I’m not gonna pretend I’m an expert or anything--”

“That’s exactly what you’re doing.”

“ Not helpful, Li. Listen, Zayn made me look up enough shit to know that the plan this guy has laid out is crazy and extremely unconventional.” Harry said, turning back to his cooking, making sure the chocolate chips looked nice and melted before turning the pancake over. “It’s not how heats work. It’s--It’s more than just fucking around you…”

“Please do tell me all of the intricacies of a heat.” Liam drawled when Harry didn’t continue. “Because to me what he proposed isn’t all that strange. You guys do the do when he needs it and that’s that. Why’re you getting all worked up over this?”

Because I’m responsible for him, Harry thought, because if something goes wrong and Louis ends up hurt it’ll be because of me.

Harry pushed away his lingering thoughts. Of course Louis’ plan seemed safe and sound to someone who hadn’t done heat research like a mad man twenty four hours before being forced to partake in one. Harry couldn’t reason with Louis or Liam, and he wasn’t going to try. 

“You’re right.” Harry said, shuffling his scrambled eggs around in an adjacent pan. “Maybe… maybe I’m thinking too hard about it.”

Maybe Louis would be different during his heat. He prayed he would be different.

“Well, I’m done here.” Harry said, throwing the towel slung across his shoulder onto the counter before staring at his large stack of perfectly cooked cakes. While he had been out earlier at the store collecting ingredients, he had also bought some fruit to dice up. Not knowing what kind of juice Louis preferred, Harry had panicked and bought about six different kinds.

“What sounds more appetizing to you?” Harry asked, glancing at all the cartons he had stuffed in Louis’ previously barren fridge. “Cran-apple? Cran-peach? Or cran-- ”

“Why all the crans?”

Harry paused at that. “ Fuck. What if he doesn’t like cranberries?”

“Jesus. You really are losing it being all cooped up and left to your own devices, yeah?”

His normal days were filled with loud noises and even louder people. Everything from his odd jobs usually working with machinery to Mal’s bar often involved open communication and teamwork. Even when his work day was over he and Liam’s apartment always seemed to be buzzing with sound from the two of them talking or their shitty TV humming in the background.

Being stuck in Louis’ large, eerily quiet flat set him on edge. After he busied himself with looking over all of Louis’ amenities, he realized he didn’t know what to do with himself. All the things he could conjure up seemed too risky, like Louis would hold true on his threat and send him flying out on his ass.

Harry let the fridge swing closed. “Yes.”

“You got this.” Liam said and Harry almost believed him. “Now I gotta go. I’m covering nearly half your shifts back here in the real world and I’m up to my ears with work. Go wake up your omega and feed him breakfast.”

Harry winced. Your omega. His omega.

Shaking his head, Harry said, “There may be a small problem with that,” his eyes drifted towards Louis’ door, “I’m not even sure how I’m supposed to.”

“What? Is he really that scary? Grow a fucking pair and go get ‘im.”

Harry sighed. “He threatened to throw me out if I go within five feet of his door.”

The alpha should’ve expected it when his roommate burst into unbridled laughter on the other side of the phone. Even Harry couldn’t help but crack a smirk. It all really was fucking ridiculous.

“Gotta get creative then, dude.” Liam said, still chuckling.

***

Harry may be a brute alpha who spent his work days usually digging or lugging shit around, but he could chanel his creative side when he wanted to.

Figuring out how to work the surround sound system in Louis’ apartment was a challenge, but once his phone was properly connected Harry was effectively convinced that his idea was a good one. Scrolling through his playlist he set about finding the right song. A familiar title caught his eye and he smiled as he queued it up.

In hindsight, this little stunt was probably just going to make Louis’ disdain for him grow, but as it stood the alpha really didn’t have any other choice. His skillfully crafted breakfast was getting colder and colder by the minute, after all. Making his way back to the kitchen, Harry set about putting out the proper plates and utensils for their meal, but not before hitting the play button.

The song was quiet at first, slow and lulling. The artist's voice was sultry and could barely be heard, but Harry knew what was to come and turned up the volume. Twenty seconds passed, then thirty, forty…

Harry closed his eyes and grit his teeth as the orchestral sounds of the song dropped, hard, immediately filling the apartment with blaring saxophones and trumpets. When the song became tame once again, Harry just cranked the volume more, fully aware he was digging his own grave at that point.

He knew Louis’ reaction would be inevitable but not immediate, so he let himself drift around the kitchen, swaying his shoulders to the music and humming along. Most likely looking like an uncoordinated idiot, Harry set down his plate of pancakes in the middle of the table right as Louis’ door swung open.

Harry didn’t dare look up, just shouted over the noise, “Rise and shine, sleepy head!”

He heard footsteps quickly approaching, but busied himself with tilting a plate that didn’t need titling and fixing a fork that was not crooked. Louis’ voice came out loud and unforgiving, seething, “What in the ever loving fuck are you doing?”

He stood up straight then, forcing a smile onto his face as he took the omega in, “Well, good morning to you too.”

Louis looked very much the same. He was still wearing yesterday’s clothes, but now appeared more sleep-addled. His hair still looked clean and soft, but was now sticking up in some directions around his forehead. It was adorable in more ways than one and Harry couldn’t help but let his eyes linger for a beat or two longer than necessary.

What? Despite Louis being one of the most unpleasant people he had ever met, at the end of the day Harry was still an alpha. An alpha that couldn’t help but appreciate an attractive omega when he saw one. It was instinctual. Sue him.

Louis’ cheeks went red, quite literally boiling inside with anger no doubt, before he marched over to the counter. Grabbing a little remote Harry hadn’t noticed, Louis hit a few buttons and then the music was gone, leaving nothing but Louis’ harsh pants.

“Sooo,” Harry broke the silence, twiddling with the rings of his fingers. “I take it you’re not feeling good about Michael Buble?” 

“Who gave you permission to connect to the sound system?” Louis hissed. Harry certainly didn’t think he looked like an angered, feral little kitten in that moment, absolutely not.

“You did.” Harry said. At Louis’ perplexed look, he elaborated. “You see, and I don’t know if you’ve caught onto this, but I’m a big, stupid knothead about many things. When you gave me microwave and TV privileges my weakened brain translated that as permission to enjoy all electrical devices in your home.”

Louis narrowed his eyes. “I also told you to be quiet.”

“My bad. How was your slumber, sleeping beauty?” Harry asked, trying to sound as innocent as he could.

“No pet names.”

“Not a pet name.” Harry shrugged, smile tugging at the corner of his lip. “Just a comparison. You do realize it’s almost noon, right?”

“Were you not listening to me last night, you oaf?” Louis grit out, looking Harry up and down like he was true scum. “I thought I made my rules clear, but obviously something isn’t clicking in your head.”

“Hence, the big, stupid knothead comment.”

“You are one.” Louis spit out, the remote in his hand shaking with his fury. “Don’t use my sound system if you can’t control your volume levels.

“My finger slipped.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Harry smiled, he was definitely catching on. “Look, I didn’t know what else to do. I spent all morning slaving away, but I didn’t know how to get past your door rule so--”

“ So you decided to give me a heart attack instead?” Louis asked, incredulously.

Harry put his hands up in surrender. “My purpose here is only to help medical aliments, not cause them.” Pulling out a chair, he gestured to the omega. “Now, as I promised… pancakes.”

“Wha…” Louis’ eyes drifted to the table, like he hadn’t even noticed or smelled the assortment of food Harry had prepared. The omega blinked, anger slowly melting into confusion. “Where did you get all this?”

Harry shrugged. Sharing a bit of honesty in his current deceit couldn’t hurt. “Couldn’t get back to sleep after I woke up so I thought I’d busy myself with a couple of tasks. One look inside your kitchen and I knew I had my work cut out for me.” At Louis’ puzzled look, Harry continued, “I just popped out for a bit and got some stuff, nothing crazy. I promise I wasn’t putting my nose up and around all your stuff, but you really don’t keep your kitchen stocked with much to work with--”

“You left.” Louis said, voice oddly empty.

Harry shot him a cheeky smile. “Oh, do I need permission to leave my room and this apartment now--”

Suddenly--violently--Harry felt like a brick had just been thrown square at his chest, halting his words and his mind as his nostrils flared instinctually. Louis’ voice in that moment had been quiet and hesitant, but it was only a beat later that his scent hit him. Harry’s alpha immediately zeroed in on it, something acidic and gut-wrenching invading his senses. Distress.

Louis’ shoulders had hunched in on himself, making him look even smaller than he was. It was surprising even to Harry how quickly he reacted to the sight. Something strong came over him, making him stand up straighter with his eyes boring into Louis’. Comfort, a powerful thing within him sounded, reassure. Fix. The urge to reach out and placate the omega with his touch nearly won, but he held himself back, knowing it wouldn’t be welcomed. 

Harry had no idea what had caused the sudden shift, but his alpha wasn’t about to stand down until he knew Louis was okay.

His voice was deeper and quieter than he intended when he finally spoke, “Hey , I just got some food for us. Uh, food for you, really. You’ll need it during this week and I… Well, it--,” Harry chose his words carefully, his tongue feeling dry as he continued, slowly, “-- it didn't feel right to-- to me, at least, not seeing a lot of food in your kitchen. I wanted to make sure you were…”

Motherfucker, Harry thought. He had no idea where he was going. All he knew was that when he had woken up that morning and had seen the omega’s fridge damn near empty something stirred within him. Something bone deep that made him run towards the nearest store and buy everything and anything he could think of, his poor wallet be damned.

Louis stood silent before him, his face giving away nothing. Cursing himself inwardly, Harry was sure he had overstepped. Attempting to rectify the situation, he stuttered out, “You don’t have to eat anything I got. It’s all random shit anyway.” It wasn’t, but Harry wasn’t going to say that. “Tell me where you shop and what you like and I’ll make it happen. I can go wherever and get other things. I’ll go right now and--”

Harry was cut off by an even deeper, stale scent that overtook the omega before him. It was so strong, and so pained that Harry almost lost track of what he was talking about in the first place. Opting not to tackle the omega until he could figure out what was wrong, Harry struggled to formulate words.

“Louis,” he breathed out, almost desperate, “what’s wrong?”

Harry was beginning to border on panicking as the omega in front of him didn’t move or say anything. Nothing he was doing was helping and the scent Louis was emitting was only growing stronger. It was starting to become more than just concerning, but Harry still pushed on, desperate to receive anything, even if it was only anger, “I-I promise I nabbed more than just stuff in the breakfast category. I was able to get my hands on some chicken so that we can--”

“I need to call my doctor.”

The statement came out rushed, like Louis couldn’t bear him going on any longer. Harry was almost grateful for the cut off, but he was more focused on the fact that the omega was talking again.

Swallowing, Harry forced an easy smile back onto his face, trying to appear calm and collected, “Right. Do you want to eat first though? Only if you want to, while it’s still--”

“I need to call right now.” He snapped and Harry’s smile was gone. Louis stood frozen. Like a torrential storm couldn’t move him. The only point of him that moved were his fingers, slowly clenching and unclenching. “Go wait in the living room. ”

And Harry didn’t know how to reason with that, didn’t even have the energy to as he said, “Okay.” 

Once Harry flopped onto the couch he was fishing his phone out. He sent one quick text to Liam. Pancake attempt with a skull emoji next to it. 

Harry tried not to listen in out of respect. He played games on his phone and counted his rings but the absence of Louis’ voice was starting to put him on edge. Notes of the omega’s distressed scent still lingered in his nose, making his alpha tense and on high alert. It was fucking crazy to think that not only twenty minutes ago Louis had been chiding and scolding him about music and pet names. Now, he didn’t know how much longer he could just sit and wait before barrelling into the kitchen and demanding answers.

Luckily he didn’t have to wait much longer. “Harry?”

He was on his feet in a flash, moving towards the kitchen before forcing himself to stop. He shut his eyes tightly. “Yes?”

Louis’ voice was nothing but a wobble as he called out, “I need… I need you to come help me.”

Harry was crossing the threshold of the kitchen as soon as Louis finished speaking.

And the sight before him almost made him hurl.

Louis was standing where Harry had left him, but now there was a syringe in his shaking hand. Even more distressing, was the large needle dangling dangerously close to his exposed forearm.

Louis didn’t meet his eyes, but Harry could see tear marks staining his cheeks as he mumbled, “Help me.”

If Harry could see red in that moment he knew his vision would be crimson.

He was snatching the syringe out of Louis’ limp hand in less than an instant, throwing it far away behind him onto the carpeted living room floor. His hands couldn’t leave Louis after that, coming up and gripping his shoulders tightly as he steered him towards a kitchen chair. Louis followed him in almost a trance without saying a word and that was good, for the moment. Seeing Louis in a potentially dangerous position had sparked something, brought his alpha to the forefront and he wasn’t sure if he had the capacity to listen to Louis’ protests even if he wanted to.

“What the fuck were you thinking?” Harry was kneeling and running hands up and down Louis’ arm, titling it this way and that. He twitched and tensed with every pass of his hands but Harry needed to know he was alright. When he was satisfied the omega hadn’t stabbed himself, he stiffly pulled down the sleeve of his jumper. “Louis--”

“Now.” Louis whispered, breathing coming out uneven and choked off, gasping. “Do it now.”

Harry wasn’t an idiot, he had seen the syringe in the fridge and knew what it was for earlier that morning but had ignored it. He had foolishly figured that Louis would know when to use it and how to do it safely and had thought nothing more of it.

That was until he saw Louis attempting to inject himself in the middle of the fucking kitchen.

“What are you--? Why? ” Harry bit out, hands on either side of him. 

“Do it now.” The omega choked out, shoulders rising up and down frantically, like he was trying to catch his breath. “You have to, Harry, please.”

“Not until you tell me what’s wrong. Fuck, what happened?” He felt like a broken record rattling off the same chord, yet Louis didn’t change. His breathing just came out more ragged as tears sprung from his wide, unseeing eyes. Harry scented the air like an uncivilized beast, but couldn’t get anything besides unbridled panic. Physically nothing was wrong, but that was all Harry could pick up and it sent him spiraling. 

Gripping his arms tighter, Harry begged, “Talk to me.”

Louis reached up to his throat with a shaky hand, air escaping and getting into him in little quiffs, never enough to be a proper breath. A sickening thought came to his mind, that Louis could be experiencing something worse than a panic attack. He could be on the brink of a drop.

At a complete loss of what to do, Harry let his alpha take over. Rearing back slightly, Harry let his hand snake back to the nape of Louis’ neck, maneuvering his head so they were eye to eye. “Omega,” when Louis’ unfocused eyes zeroed in on his, all wide and frenzied, he continued, his voice deep and authoritative, “Breathe.”

The command had Louis gasping loudly like a weight had been lifted off his chest before a series of coughs and wheezes erupted from his mouth. Harry just held him through it, allowing his pheromones to emit what he hoped was a calming scent amidst the turmoil stirring within him. 

It took several minutes before Louis’ breathing returned to normal. In that time Harry didn’t move a muscle and the omega’s hands had traveled up to grip the front of his shirt like a vice. To Harry’s relief, the stale scents of panic and distress slowly started to fade, but never fully went away.

Harry froze when Louis’ grip on him loosened. Louis cleared his throat before speaking. “We--We have to do it now.”

Gritting his teeth, Harry forced himself not to scream. “Okay. We’ll do whatever you want… but first, do you mind explaining to me what just happened. I’m not letting you near that needle until we talk about this.”

Louis glared his way, but it was weak compared to the other looks the omega had thrown at him before. His hands disentangled from his shirt and came up to bat at Harry’s grip around his neck. While it went against everything his alpha demanded, he let go.

Huffing, Louis strangled out, “I’m about two fucking seconds away from bailing on this, okay? I--I can’t do that but I also can’t do this and I--” clamping his eyes shut and biting his lip Louis said, quietly, a single tear falling down to stain his sweatshirt, “I don’t want something bad to happen to me.”

Dread pooled in Harry’s gut at the omega’s words. “Nothing bad is going to happen to you, Louis. I would never--”

“Not--Not that.” Louis said, suddenly sounding tired enough to drift to sleep. “If I don’t do this.”

The memory of Liam asking if an omega drop could be fatal and Zayn’s answering silence came back to Harry with so much force he was certain he was going to be sick. 

Louis had to go through with this, Harry thought, numbly. Louis could… if he didn’t he could…

The rush of emotions to protect and hold took hold of Harry like a chain wrapped around his neck, cutting off his airway and not allowing him to focus on anything else. He needed to fix this, mend it so thoroughly Louis would never be able to worry about it again. “Would doing it now help?”

Louis closed and opened his mouth a few times, processing Harry’s question. “If I stand up I’m kicking you out and you’ll never be allowed back in.”

Harry nodded, swallowing, “And you don’t want that?”

Louis took a long time to answer, eyes darting back and forth along the kitchen floor and jaw so clenched Harry was sure he was damaging his teeth. “No.”

“Okay.” Harry said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Then we’ll do it. Right now.”

***

Right now turned out not to really be an option though. Harry was five minutes into his phone call with Louis’ specialist, listening intently and asking questions. Every so often though, he glanced at the omega. Louis never moved. Just sat slumped and silent.

“Do you need further instructions on how to give the dose?” The doctor asked.

“Uh,” Harry dragged his eyes away from Louis, glancing down at the syringe in his hand. “It’s just like, you’re standard shot, right?”

“Correct.”

“No, I should be fine then.”

“Great.” The doctor said, sounding almost giddy. Meanwhile, Harry was standing in the middle of a nightmare. “Let me give you my phone number in case you need anything throughout the duration of this heat.”

“That’s okay.” Harry said. There was a sticky note with the doctor’s number on Louis’ fridge. “I got it.”

“My personal phone number, Mr. Styles. I don’t want to alarm you--I’m sure you’ve worked cases like this before,” Oh boy, “but Mr. Tomlinson is a rather sensitive one and it would make me feel better to know you’re able to get in contact with me even when the office is closed.”

It made Harry feel better too and he scribbled down the doctor’s number onto the same sticky note. They said their goodbyes and now it was back to just them. Harry standing above Louis looking ill, and the omega in turn looking half-dead in his seat.

Leaning down, Harry set a gentle hand on Louis’ knee. The omega flinched but didn’t protest. “Doc gave me the run down. He sounded pretty level-headed. Very calm.” He paused for dramatic effect. “He must have a lot of patients.”

Louis blinked once, and then twice. The following glare shouldn’t have been as comforting as it was, but Harry would take whatever he was given at that point. 

“Um,” Harry started again, “Enough jokes, okay? He, uh, he said we’re all good to go… that is, if you--”

“You’ll have to do it.” Louis interrupted, finally sounding a little bit more like himself but still jittery. He bat Harry’s hand away, not unkindly, but more like he was overstimulated by it all. “It would already be done if I didn’t fucking hate needles.”

Harry tampered down a growl at the thought. “You can’t just plunge a needle into your arm. We’ll need to prep your skin and the syringe first.” Louis scoffed like he was the one being ridiculous and the scowl on Harry’s face deepened. “That’s the only way I’m doing this, Louis. Take it or leave it.”

A beat. “Fine.”

Nodding, Harry stood up, “Do you have any rubbing alcohol? Cotton swabs? Gauze?”

Harry got nothing from Louis except silence. Bristling, Harry’s brain started to formulate what he’d need to do. “Well, we need most of-- no, all of those things in order to do this. That bloody doctor’s office should’ve provided you with it.” Harry simmered with irritation, but continued on, “I think I saw a pharmacy just a couple blocks down. I’ll go get them and then we--”

“Stop,” Louis’ voice came out as only a whisper, but Harry zeroed in on him nonetheless, “ stop saying you’re going to leave.”

The cursed scent was back. Filling Harry’s senses until his alpha was practically clawing at his chest to hold Louis’ down and erase any trace of it with his own. It was only then that the mixture of Louis’ distress and the sight of the omega curling into himself that Harry finally put two and two together.

This, all of this bullshit, was because of him. Because he had left.

“Fuck,” Harry said, empathetically. “Louis, I--I had no idea. I should’ve asked before--”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Louis breathed out, palming his face in his hands. The image made his chest seize and head pound.

An hour ago I was making pancakes, Harry, for some godforsaken reason, reminded himself.

“Nothing is wrong with you.” Harry said, firmly. He went to reach out, but thought better of it at the last second. Biting his lip, he added, “You’re stressed and have an alpha you don’t know in your house messing with all your stuff. I don’t think anyone would be handling this situation any better.”

Louis’ made a sound into his palms that could be a chuckle, could be a sob, but the hold on Harry’s lungs released when the omega looked up and didn’t look distraught. “I guess you’re right.”

“Course I am.” Harry said, once again taking out his phone. “Now, lucky for us I have more than my fair share of delivery apps and I’m sure at least one of them won’t mind bringing us some some medical stuff… and maybe some ice cream?”

“Ice cream?”

“Why not?” Harry responded as smoothly as he could. Ice cream was his go to when Liam had had a particular bad or stressful day.

Louis huffed, letting his hands go limp at his sides. “Only if it’s mint chip.”

The words were music to his ears, and Harry let himself smile, if only slightly, “Mint chip and medical supplies coming up.”

Harry did end up getting everything he needed. Rubbing alcohol, too much mint ice cream, and well, just plain old alcohol along with some other ingredients and tools. He could only thank whatever god there was that the delivery person wasn’t an alpha. Harry wasn’t sure what he would’ve done in that situation. Opening up to door to some strange alpha to leer in and sniff Louis’ scent? Even the thought made Harry want to growl like some possessive knothead that he certainly wasn’t. 

Harry made his way back to the kitchen with a wry smile on his face. He held up the bag like it was some consultation prize. “Ta-da. Technology really is amazing, no?”

Louis gave him a dead pan look. “Hurry up with it then.”

Without needing to be told twice, Harry set out to work. Maybe it was the adrenaline still pumping through him, but he found himself going through the motions. He hadn’t held medical equipment in years, but he still found himself moving on autopilot--washing his hands, disinfecting the needle, settling out the various wipes and bandages.

“Do you harvest organs for the deep web in your spare time or something?”

Harry looked up, almost done setting up. He did the best he could to hide his small sigh of relief that Louis was back to using sentences and ridiculing him. The morning really had been strange. “I thought we had decided you were the one with ties to the underworld. Mob Boss.”

Louis rolled his eyes. “It’s just a shot, you’re not carving out my kidney.”

“It is just a shot.” Harry said, making his way in front of the omega. “And this is what you do when administering a shot.” Louis gave him a skeptical look and Harry coughed. “Dr. Lawrence walked me through it on the phone.”

“Fine.” Louis sighed, eyes blinking slowly. “What’s next then?”

“I have to clean your arm. Which… which one do you want to do this with?” Harry asked. “As long as you don’t tense up the soreness shouldn’t last long.”

“I don’t care. Whatever.”

Harry tampered down the frustration growing inside of him. “Okay then,” hesitantly, he asked, “Can I touch you now?”

“You already put your grubby paws all over me.” Louis said sounding flippant, but there was a slight tremor there as well. When Harry just stared, the omega nodded, stiffly.

Carefully, Harry reached out, his fingers curling into the wrist of Louis’ jumper. Tugging gently, Harry willed the fabric higher up on his arm. It was only when the stretch of the fabric wouldn’t give anymore that he knew they had a problem.

“Uh…”

“What?” Louis said through clenched teeth, his eyes dutifully trained in the opposite direction. “Why’d you stop?”

“Um,” Harry blubbered out again, “well. I need to get to the skin higher up on your arm and… “

The omega groaned as he caught on to where Harry was going. Whacking Harry’s hands away, Louis tugged at his sleeve roughly, forcing it upwards.

“Stop it.” Harry grabbed Louis’ wrist, halting him. “It shouldn’t be tight when I give you the injection.”

“The fuck do you propose then?” Louis asked, eyes nearly wild.

“I…” Harry racked his brain for an answer. Louis had stated he wouldn’t be able to stand up and he knew the omega would rather lay down and die than allow him access to his room to grab something like a t-shirt. 

That left them with only one option, one that Harry was not too keen to propose.

Swallowing heavily, Harry said, “You--You could take it off?” At Louis’ murderous gaze, he quickly clarified, “I’ll--I’ll turn around. Just get your arm out and then cover the rest of--of yourself with--”

“Jesus fucking christ.” Louis growled, fisting his hair. He looked nearly deranged, angry and volatile. Harry took a hesitant step back. “What the… What the fuck are we even doing?”

Harry didn’t have time to interject, could only gape as Louis whipped the jumper off, tossing it onto the floor with a huff. “Fucking-- there.”

He was bare underneath, all pale skin and smooth lines. His collarbones were pronounced and his nipples were slightly pebbled, perky and pink. Harry zeroed in on each one, feeling his eyelids droop as he unashamedly stared. Taking in Louis’ chest, stomach, and slender shoulders like a man who was just presented a feast.

It was rude in any context, but extremely inappropriate considering their current predicament. 

It must’ve been their situation, Harry told himself, his eyes still wide and locked on the soft planes of Louis’ stomach, subtle and ready to be bit. Harry was here to service him through his heat and something within his alpha must’ve been able to sense that fact. There was no other reason as to why he was having such a strong reaction.

“On your own time, please.” Louis snapped, gripping the sides of his chair and shaking Harry out of his fixation.

“Sorry.” Harry muttered before carefully taking Louis’ arm and applying the cotton swab filled with rubbing alcohol in smooth, slow circles on his upper arm. The omega’s skin was soft and warm underneath Harry’s ministrations. 

The omega breathed shallowly, but his scent never spiked so Harry took that as permission to keep going. “Dr. Lawrence asked me to relay this information to you. After the injection, the effects won’t go into--”

“I was in the damn office when he told me all of this.” Louis said, sharply. “I don’t need another spiel, just--” he let out a long, heaving sigh, “--just do it.”

The time for stalling was over and Louis was in front of him, half naked and needing him. The smell of fear still lingered around the omega like a rain cloud, but the steely look in his eyes told Harry that he was ready. As ready as he could be. 

Louis’ arm in one hand and the syringe in the other, Harry said softly, “It’s okay. I’m right here. Just a little prick and then it’s over.”

Louis let out a bitter, choked off sound at that. “More like the beginning.”

And yeah, Harry really couldn’t argue with that.

Louis was trembling now and Harry could hardly stand the way the frail omega looked like he could collapse at any moment. He bit his lip roughly, “You know, the pancakes are probably cold by now.”

“What?” Louis breathed, eyes firmly shut.

“Yeah, even covered up I don’t think they could’ve survive this long in the elements.”

“What elements?—shut up about pancakes.”

“Okay,” Harry said, forcing his voice to stay light and easy as he slowly sunk the needle into Louis’ skin, pressing down and allowing the liquid to escape, “let’s talk about how you feel about drinks then.”

“Drinks?”

“Well, let’s put aside the fact that I bought about half a dozen different types of juice, most of which contain cranberries, so I hope that’s okay.” Harry watched as the syringe slowly became empty. “ But, amongst medical supplies I also bought a few ingredients for some alcoholic beverages.”

“You want me drunk?” 

“I can also make drinks of the non-alcoholic variety.” Harry reassured, pushing the syringe the last few inches. “I bartend and can make you whatever drink you’d like.”

“You bartend?” Louis asked. “I thought you were a professional… worker.”

Harry cleared his throat, “Um, I only bartend on the weekends. Occasionally.” Not wanting Louis too ask him more questions, Harry spurred on, “So, can I make you a drink? I got tequila and--”

“It’s noon.”

“And we have nothing to do and nowhere to be.” He pulled the needle out of Louis’ skin with quick efficiency. “Margaritas and tacos for lunch sound good to you?”

“Cliche.” Louis muttered.

“But doable?” Harry put the needle down, setting it down gently on the table before reaching for the gauze. “Good enough for your delicate pallet, that is?”

“Who said my pallet was fucking delicate?” Louis ground out.

“Come on, you’re too good for pizza. I’m trying to get a read on you here.”

 Finally caving and opening his eyes to give him a proper glare, Louis said, “Enough. Just fucking do it--”

“All done.” Harry said, firmly wrapping Louis up and pulling his hands away. He did a little jazz hand before letting his hands plop into his lap. “You did great , by the way.”

Louis blinked for a moment before resuming his normal scowl. 

“No, seriously,” Harry sent him a little smile, feeling like he had finally done something right that morning, “best I’ve ever seen. You’re a true pro.”

“Stop praising me like I’m an infant.” Harry handed Louis his jumper and definitely didn’t let his eyes linger when Louis had to stretch his arms up to get it back on.

With the jumper securely back on and the the fluid in the syringe depleted, the two had no choice but to just sit with themselves, relief flowing that this disaster was done and over with while also gearing up for the inevitable.

Harry spoke first, breaking the ice, “Seriously though, I need to know your feelings on the juices because besides water that’s gonna be about it for the rest of the week.”

Rolling his eyes, the omega said, “Doesn’t take much for you to get right back into your cheeky, stupid schtick, huh?”

Harry smiled. “Could say the same about you. All broody and fierce with no filter.”

A breath escaped past Louis’ slightly quirked lips and Harry could’ve beamed at that, but they weren’t out of the woods yet. Properly getting back onto his feet, Harry offered a hand to Louis, “You can say no.”

“No.” Louis said and Harry was about to pull away when the omega’s hand slid into his own. 

Harry’s eyebrows were raised and mouth open as he helped the omega to his feet. A grin tugged at his still gaping mouth when he said, “And here you are calling me cheeky, you little faker.”

Louis didn’t full on smile at that, but there was mirth behind his eyes as he said. “Can’t let you steal all of the thunder. Not in my own house.”

“Right.” Harry said, not even willing to fight that. They both seemed to realize at the same second that their hands were still together and immediately disentangled from one another. Harry cleared his throat, brushing off the sudden awkwardness, “So, I was thinking we--”

“I’m going to go to my room. For a bit.” Louis cut in. He did look exhausted, eyes still rimmed red. “I had a--a moment and I think I need to… you’re not here to deal with me shriveling up like some--”

“Louis, I’m here to help.” Harry couldn’t help but cut it. He couldn’t.  “I’m here to help . With anything and everything.”

Harry was surprised by the conviction in his voice and even more startled when he realized he meant it. Fully and completely. Louis stared at him, all wide and unbelieving before finally titling his head to the side. Clamping his mouth shut, he uttered. “Any drink I want, yeah?”

Harry deflated in relief at that, smile prominent on his lips. “Anything.”

Chapter Text

The supplies Harry had bought were unfamiliar and foreign compared to the ones he usually used at Mal’s bar, but he would be damned if he let that affect his ability to make Louis the best spicy margarita he’d ever had.

“You’re lucky I got jalapenos.” Harry said, the shaker in his hand echoing throughout the living room as he roughly jostled it back and forth near the side of his head. “I hesitated, I’m not gonna lie, you seem more sweet than spicy most times.”

Louis waved his spoon back and forth on his spot on the couch like he was readying himself to chuck it Harry’s way at a moment’s notice. Most likely at his head. Harry found himself laughing at the action before putting the shaker down and grabbing one of the many clear glasses he could find amongst Louis’ cabinets.

Harry had found an ironing board in the closet near the front door and had set it up behind the TV in the living room. Louis had mumbled his protests about the alpha spilling on his carpet, but there was no real venom behind his words as he watched Harry set up with a tub of ice cream in his lap.

He just finished pouring the drink, flicking softly at the overly salted rim, before meeting Louis’ eyes. “Voila. You’re margarita is ready, senor.”

Louis rolled his eyes but took the offered beverage from Harry’s hands. “Mint chip ice cream and a jalapeno margarita. I can’t wait.”

“And tacos?” Harry asked for what felt like the hundredth time, but Louis just shook his head no once again. “You gotta eat something eventually.”

“Again,” Louis said, carefully, “not a child. I didn’t fucking hire a babysitter. I’m nearly four years older than you, you know.”

Harry nearly dropped his shaker. “You’re joking.”

“What’s there to joke about?”

“You’re thirty one?” Harry asked, eyebrows raising. He took in Louis’ soft, delicate features. The only thing that gave away his aging were the slight frown lines and wrinkles between his eyebrows.

“Thirty.” Louis insisted, titling his chin up. “I said nearly four years, twat.”

Harry grinned. “Well, pardon me. You look fresh out of uni. I almost ID’d you before giving you that drink.”

Louis flicked some salt his way, making Harry laugh. The omega settled more into the couch, gripping the drink with both hands after setting the ice cream down. “I’d thank my omega genes for my youthfulness, but right now I don’t feel like giving out much gratitude.”

Harry stilled at that, the shaker suddenly burning his hand it felt so cold. He put it down carefully. He had been tip-toeing around the reality of their situation ever since he had stuck the needle into Louis’ arm. They had started a chain reaction and there was no going back.

Harry debated whether or not to bring it up again, but decided against it when he noticed the omega hadn’t even tried his drink yet. “Go on. Tell me what you think. I want an honest critique.”

Louis’ raised a single eyebrow but took a sip nonetheless. His lips pulled downward. 

Harry fisted the sides of the ironing board. “Yeah? Best drink you’ve even had?”

“It’s passable.” There was a slight quirk to his lips.

“Passable.” Harry snorted, moving around the board to flop back onto the couch. “I told you to be honest, not brutal.”

“Honesty is brutal sometimes.” Louis said, but he was taking another sip.

“Uh-huh.” Harry nodded, watching Louis. “Saying you’re being honest though when you’re obviously lying shows a lack of good character.”

“Oh, now you’re insulting my character.” Louis eyed him, those same blue eyes boring into him with heat. “You know nothing about me.”

“I know you’re shite at cooking.”

Louis glared at him, tugging up his legs like he was preparing himself for battle. “And I know you are a self-absorbed bastard with no respect.”

“No respect?” Harry questioned. He followed Louis’ wandering eyes to his legs set upon a small table before them. Harry hadn’t even realized he’d done it, force of habit. He quickly put his socked feet down onto the floor, unintentionally drawing himself closer to Louis. “Name one bad thing I’ve said about you since I’ve arrived.”

“Seriously? You just insulted my cooking.”

“Insulted is a strong word. I was just merely pointing out a fact.” Harry said, shoulders shrugging.

“You and your facts--”

 “The fact being burnt to a crisp or not I still would’ve scarfed down your chicken like a gentleman.”

Louis scoffed loudly at that, his eyes going towards the ceiling. “Now you’re being a hypocrite, scolding me for honesty. If you had sat there and eaten whatever muck I put on a plate even though it was distasteful, you would be the one being dishonest when you inevitably would’ve raved about it being the best thing to graze your tongue.”

“Sometimes you have to make some sacrifices to save face. To be polite. Even heard of that?”

Harry was pushing too far and he knew it, but he couldn’t stop. Something about the usual fire behind Louis’ eyes was different though, like he was enjoying their semi-heated exchange just as much as Harry was, both pulling the other in different directions in order to get the upper hand. 

Zayn had always told Harry he’d only go for the mouthy ones, and Harry had rolled his eyes at him every time. Maybe Zayn had been onto something.

Louis didn’t hesitate, just bit back. “When it is earned I’m civil.”

Harry slung his arm over the back of the couch, still a sizeable distance away from Louis. “And what exactly do I have to do for you to stop calling me an oaf and comparing me to monkeys?”

“When you stop acting like one.” 

Harry chuckled, head titling back slightly against the back of the couch. “I’ll try to fight my primal urges to swing amongst your rafters and eat all the bananas. At least I haven’t shit on the floor yet.”

Louis blanched at the statement and Harry grinned, bright and wide. The omega pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing, “You’re uncivilized. And rash. In the worst way. It pisses me off that you won’t just… “ Louis broke off, his hand returning to the other side of his glass. “Forget it.”

“Won’t just what?” Harry asked, genuinely intrigued. “Would you prefer me to move around like a lifeless robot? There’s an option for that in our brochure.”

“What brochure? You lot don’t even have a website. How you have any business is beyond me.”

Harry swallowed at that. Changing the subject, he said, “I’m gonna order us tacos.”

“I said--”

“The non-greasy kind.” Harry assured, shuffling on the couch to grab his phone. The action made him tip slightly towards Louis, but there was no other way to get into his back jean pocket. 

“I’m not hungry. And I don’t want tacos.”

“There’s this great place and a buddy of mine is always working there. He’ll give us a discount even.” Harry leaned farther up, his phone just out of his reach. “They have this corn stuff that they, like, season the hell out of… uh, aloty? Elo… elote! You’ll be thanking--”

Harry was cut off by a swift finger flicking roughly against his forehead. He held back a wince and looked up, eyes widening. Louis was closer than he had been before, now up on his knees and glaring daggers his way. His hand was still up like a weapon, ready to swat Harry again.

“That.” Louis spit out.

“What?”

“That.” Louis reiterated, flicking him again and this time Harry couldn’t hold back a pained noise, but for whatever reason also couldn’t retreat. “You won’t just listen to me. I say don’t leave your room--you ambush me in the kitchen. I say be quiet--you blare music in here like you’re at your fucking pub. I say I’m not hungry--” Another flick, Harry is definitely going to have a small bruise, “--it means I’m not hungry. From here on out when I say something,” Louis reared up, their faces hovering closer than they had ever been, “you say--”

“What?” Harry said, his voice not even holding a fraction of the intensity Louis’ had, but it effectively cuts him off all the same. His eyes leave Louis’ only for a moment, just enough time to skim over his red, slightly salty lips, before returning. “What do you want me to do?”

Harry meant to ask it genuinely, but even to his own ears his voice had dropped significantly and he was sure that both he and Louis knew they weren’t talking about tacos anymore.

“I…” No other sound left the omega’s lips though as a scent Harry could only describe as heaven flooded his nose. It was like he was standing in the middle of a vanilla plant, the scent filling him to the core. It was something Harry would never be able to forget, never be able to get out of his mind. He knew it the second the smell registered in his brain that it would be locked away forever. When the undertones of cinnamon hit him Harry was sure his nostrils flared rudely as his eyelids fluttered shut. It was warm, enticing, and Harry had smelled an omega in heat before, years ago, but nothing came close to what he was smelling now.

Louis’ heat.

Shooting his eyes open, he was met with Louis’ wide, blue gaze. His mouth was slightly agape now, pink, soft tongue just behind his teeth. Ready to be coaxed out, to be sucked on until the only sounds he could make were cut off mewls. And Harry could make that happen, could do that and more--

“What do you want me to do.” Harry didn’t recognize his voice and was shell shocked he was able to even formulate the sentence. 

Louis’ breath hitched, his cheeks flushing slightly. The smell only intensified from there, causing the alpha within Harry to rumble . He heard it echoing in his own chest and Louis answered with a barely there whine, high in the back of his throat. The vanilla and cinnamon mixed together with the omega’s undeniable want and it took everything within himself not to pounce on him right there, mix their scents together until there was no distinction between them.

Harry had already felt Louis’ skin, clean and unblemished. Ready for him to mark up in any way he could, with bruises, bites, and hues of pink and red. Harry had already seen the omega’s chest, tacky from sweat and small enough that he was sure he would nearly be able to touch the tips of his fingers when he wove his hands around the tiniest part of him. Be able to pull and push him where Louis needed, craved it. Harry could smell it and he would give it to him. All of it.

Harry didn’t realize his hand had been moving from it’s once laid back spot on the back of the couch. It was only when the tips of his fingers grazed the back of Louis’ neck that the moment shattered.

In more than one way. Louis’ drink tumbled from his hands, spilling all over their laps and eventually hitting the edge of the table and causing glass to explode around them. 

They both hissed, skirting away from one another. Harry had never appreciated a few ice cubes falling into his lap more than in that moment.

“Don’t move.” Harry said, voice shaken, but firm. “Where do you keep your--”

“My couch.” Louis seethed, wiping away the chunks of ice. He was still breathing hard, eyes blinking rapidly, like he was slowly coming out of a trance. “I--I told you this would happen.”

“I know, I know.” Harry said, pulling himself up carefully. Louis’ scent was still swarming in the air, making concentrating on anything near impossible. “I’ll clean it up.”

Louis was lowering a leg onto the ground and Harry’s alpha was too close to the surface for him to control. His hand was rearing towards him before he could fight it, circling Louis’ ankle before it could make contact with the carpet in a vice-like grip.

A single touch was all it took for Louis to gasp, toes curling before Harry’s eyes. The alpha could only watch in amazement and slight horror as the omega slowly came undone. Leaning back on the couch and baring his neck like Harry had burned him.

Harry felt half feral in that moment, sucking in lungfuls of Louis’ scent as his thumb came up to caress the tender skin on his shin, reveling in the fact that it elicited a choked of whine from the nearly riving omega beneath him. The scent grew thicker, sharper, and all encompassing. Harry was sure his own scent was responding in kind.

One more soft swipe of his finger and suddenly his whole body went flying, a dull ache already forming in the middle of his chest. He landed hard on his backside, far away from the glass but pain still washed over him. Sitting up slightly, Harry took in the omega before him. Louis had reared up, the leg that had sent him spiraling still outstretched. He looked utterly debauched, hair tousled and cheeks nearly crimson as he huffed out breath and breath.

He looked edible. And Harry wasn’t sure what would keep him away. If there was a power that could.

As it was, he couldn’t even open his mouth before Louis spat, “Don’t touch me.”

Halling himself up, Louis stumbled towards his door. Harry let some of the tension seep from his shoulders when he managed not to tread on any glass shards.

“Don’t--Don’t come in here.” Louis voice wobbled, but Harry didn’t protest as he heard the door slam shut.

Seconds turned into minutes and Harry made no move to extract himself. He should probably pull himself up and get about cleaning, but his body wouldn’t move. Instead, he found himself flopped back onto the carpet, his body and mind humming with the need to chase. To go after his omega and hold him close. Hold him down. Everywhere. Till he felt nothing but Harry on top of him.

“Fuck.” Harry said, banging his head once on the floor, urging himself to get a fucking grip. 

Harry had been so focused on how all of this would effect Louis. He had read dozens of entries on omegas in heat--what they’d need, how they’d respond, and so on.

He had stupidly forgotten his own biology and how he would react. 

Hitting his head once more, Harry resigned himself to the fact that he was not going to survive this week.

***

Louis showered, dried off, lied in his bed, and ended up in his nest. When he mustered up the strength to get up, he found himself wandering aimlessly to the shower, where he eventually had to dry off, attempted to get comfortable in his bed, before inevitably ending up in his nest once again.

This vicious cycle went on for hours, but it was the only thing keeping Louis sane. Like he had a new routine of sorts that he could not differentiate from. It was the same method he had enacted at work. It kept him busy and with a full schedule that he couldn’t waver from if he wanted his day to eventually end and that was what it felt like he was doing, going through the motions until exhaustion overtook him and he had no choice but to succumb to sleep. To reach an end to all this.

Louis was sure this plan would work if it wasn’t for the steadily growing heat thrumming within him. After each round Louis could feel himself getting sweatier, more flushed. It was bearable though and Louis tried his best to ignore how every time he clambered into the shower he turned it colder and colder.

Under the continuous spray was the only time Louis allowed his mind to wander. Something about the loud water rushing around him in such a small space made him feel like he was truly alone and no one could hear his thoughts. His thoughts which were impure and disgusting.

Harry asking him what he wanted him to do. His steady hands on his arm when giving him the injection. The slide of his finger moving up Louis’ shin. His amused, green eyes trailing down to the stain on his shirt. His scent that smelled of pine and mint. Harry using his voice, calling him omega.

Louis clenched his chattering teeth, hating the low stir of want swimming low in his belly. It was just the heat and he knew that, but the humiliation of being a slave to his own biology burned deep. A feeling of powerlessness washed over him as he went to go dry off for the eighth time.

It was around the third hour when Louis finally noticed it. He was breathing shallowly, fighting off waves of random pain in his abdomen by digging his nails into his arms, when he felt it. Sitting up quickly, Louis blinked wearily into the dark of his closet before experimentally shifting his hips back and force. He felt bile rise in his throat at the wet feeling coating the inside of his briefs.

Slick. 

Suppressing a full body shudder, Louis drug himself out of his nest and towards the shower to start over his relentless cycle.

In the shower, Louis cleaned himself off from head to toe. He knew his skin was becoming ragged and raw, making the contrast of his fading bruises stand out, but he didn’t care. Panic spurred him on as his poor loofa once again met every corner and crevice of his body.

Louis had never gotten slick without feeling arousal before. Even during his first heat he didn’t remember it being so bad, practically dripping down his thighs before he could turn on the shower head. It made his stomach lurch uncomfortably at the knowledge that he truly was beginning to loose all functions of his body. He never thought he’d miss the darkness when he would just pass out. He wished he could pass out now, to escape this new. daunting reality.

Louis was just drying off when there was a tentative knock on his door. He froze, wrapping the towel around himself despite the door handle not moving an inch. “What?”

“It’s me.” And Louis rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, I got that. What do you want. I’m fine.”

“Good, good.” Harry sounded hesitant, but eventually went on. “I, um, I made spaghetti and meatballs.”

“Congratulations.” Louis said blankly, turning his back to the door.  

“I made it for you. You have to eat, Lou.”

Lou. Lou. Louis forced himself to sneer, his voice coming out like venom. “I’m not hungry.”

“Okay.” Harry said, surprisingly calm. It was like the multiple other times he had tried to shove food down Louis’ throat never happened. “Totally understand. I just wanted to let you know that I may or may not accidentally leave a plate in front of your door--”

“Don’t--”

“--and then I’m going to be in my room for the next hour straight. Got some light reading to catch up on. Won’t leave even if there’s a fire. Just letting you know.”

And like that, he could hear Harry’s footsteps fade until they were gone. He was alone once again.

Louis laid in his bed for nearly twenty minutes before he finally caved. He hadn’t realized he really had had nothing to eat since Harry’s arrival, and maybe it would quell the thrums of discomfort ringing through his abdomen.

The plate was in his room in a flash before the door was slamming shut once again. It was still hot under his touch, but not enough to burn. The dish looked like it had been pulled out of a cook book and smelled even better, despite this, Louis could only stare as a feeling of dread sunk into his gut. The feeling was quickly squashed though as a new wave hit him in the stomach. Hunger.

Louis’ room held no other furniture besides his bed and a dresser so, not wanting to risk staining his sheets, he ate on the ground practically butt ass naked, too tired to care what he looked like. He had tried to be civil at first, taking careful bites, but soon hunger consumed him and the plate was gone in minutes flat.

 Louis was wiping the the last bit of red sauce off the corner of his lips when something swelled in his chest.

He made this for you. Provided for you even when you’re shutting him out. Forcing him away.

Bad omega.

Letting out a choked off sigh, Louis shuffled to his feet, a pull in his chest that he deftly ignored. He left the plate on his dresser. Normally. Louis detested dishes being left out unwashed, but although the alpha had promised he wouldn’t be out and about for an hour, Louis wasn’t willing to take the risk.

Feeling full for the first time in over twenty four hours, Louis allowed himself to fall onto his bed, his towel tumbling off his hips in the process. The thought of burrowing under his duvet when his body temperature was steadily rising seemed like a bad idea so he just resigned himself to his current position. Face down against his pillow and body humming, like it was gearing itself up for war.

He forced his eyes closed. You still have time, he told his panicking mind. You can fight this. For as long as you need because you aren’t ready. Not yet. Not…

Louis wasn’t able to finish his last, lingering thought before sleep overcame him.

***

Louis wasn’t sure what woke him first. The insistant knocking from the other side of his door. Or the blistering, all-consuming burning radiating from his core and traveling all the way down to his toes.

Gasping violently, Louis flopped onto his back, his chest rising and falling as he gasped for air. His room was an inferno, stacked to the brim with his overwhelming scent and smoldering him from the inside out. Everything was too hot, too cloying, and Louis struggled to take in a single breath.

Before he could even gather what was happening, a pain so mind-numbing he was sure his eyes rolled back into his head punched him in his gut. His whole body tensed so hard that not even a single sound of pain could escape past his open mouth. The only thing he could do was arch his back and take it as every muscle in his body seized.

He was dying. This was it. That was the only explanation for what was happening to him. Everything from his mind to his body screamed as sweat and fluid trailed down his skin. Another wave of pain crashed over him so hard that this time Louis couldn’t help but let out a hoarse shout, rearing over and curling into himself.

That was when the door flew open with such intensity Louis was surprised it didn’t crack. Louis’ room was pitch black, but the figure on the other side of the threshold was still as recognizable as ever. He buried his face into his duvet to cover a loud whine as the alpha’s scent hit him, frenzied and strong.

“Louis.” The alpha said, nearly as breathless as he was. “Fuck, I—“

“G-Go away.” He said through clenched teeth. Tears were gathering at the corners of his eyes and he wouldn’t allow Harry to see him cry. Not again. “I’m… I’m… not dressed.”

There was a small beat, nothing but the two of them breathing together, “Louis.”

Another wave, another choked off gasp of pain. Louis’ fingers were holding his duvet like a lifeline, “I’m fine.”

“You don’t smell fine.” And Harry didn’t say it as an insult, or like he was teasing him. 

Now in the fetal position, Louis forced himself to bite out. “I--I just need a shower. I’m…”

Dripping. Wet. Covered in my own fucking slick and sweat. Scared.

Louis buried his face away further. Shame, humiliation, and distress rolling off of him in tandem. 

“Louis.” Harry said again, softer, and this time Louis heard what he’d been trying to say the entire time. It didn’t matter that Louis was undressed, they were both bound to be at some point. It didn’t matter that Louis was the slickest he’d ever been in his entire life, that was what heat entailed. And it didn’t matter that Louis wasn’t ready, because it was time.

Louis shivered even though he was anything but cold. Harry hadn’t moved from his spot, and he realized that the alpha was waiting for him to tell him what to do. That had been a part of his rules, afterall.

What if I don’t know what to do.

“Fine.” Louis snapped, his arms tightening around his knees. “Fine. Your room.”

“Can I…” Harry started, but trailed off only seconds later. He was crossing towards the bed and in front of him too quickly, his scent filling Louis’ burning lungs like a bucket of cold water.

“Gonna… gonna get you to my room now, yeah?” Harry’s voice was soothing, but underneath it all Louis could hear how on edge he was. Seconds away from snapping.

“My robe.” Louis nearly squeaked. He couldn’t let Harry see him, not yet, not like this. Not when he was already curled up like some half-dead, pathetic thing in front of the alpha.

Harry didn’t protest and seemed to locate Louis’ robe with quick efficiency. By the time he was back from the bathroom, Louis had managed to outstretch a single hand. Once the familiar, fluffy material was in his grasp, he said, “Turn around.”

Louis heard nothing, but when he opened his eyes he only saw the alpha’s exposed back, detailed and defined. Quickly shuffling up to a sitting position, he threw on the robe and tied it with nothing but muscle memory. He made a sound in the back of his throat that he hoped conveyed that Harry was safe to turn back around.

“Ready?” Harry asked when he faced him again, in nothing but a tight pair of briefs Louis hadn’t noticed upon his arrival. His hair was rumpled like he had been lying down, but his wide eyes told Louis he hadn’t been sleeping. He asked again, voice softer, “... ready?”

No. Louis’ brain screamed. No, no, no, n--

Somehow Louis still managed to nod before taking one step off his bed, only for his leg to immediately crumble underneath him. Before he could hit the floor, strong arms were around his middle, gripping him tightly and heaving him into a strong chest. His reaction was near immediate and beyond his control, whimpering loudly as his hands slid across the planes of Harry’s front and whatever part of his back he could reach. Touching Harry was like being dipped in an ice bath, cooling him of the impending heat still bubbling inside of him.

“It’s okay.” Harry said, gruffly, his voice far from the light teasing notes Louis had come to know. “It’s okay, I’ve got you. I got you.”

Louis lost all control of his limbs at that and he couldn’t even protest when Harry lifted him up into his arms like he was nothing. It was an awkward hold, what with Louis’ limbs having a mind of their own and scattering all about Harry’s body even as they exited his bedroom.

Being away from his overwhelming scent seemed to bring some sense back to him. He gripped Harry’s shoulders harshly, nails and all, as his shins barely kept ahold around the alpha’s lower back . “Don’t drop me.”

Harry huffed at that, “You weigh nothing compared to the usual stuff I lug around.”

The words replayed in Louis’ mind, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. Harry did this for a living. And occasionally bartended. What could he… oh. 

“Very professional.” Louis drawled. He didn’t know if his voice sounded more drunk or more half-asleep or a mixture of both. It didn’t matter. Somehow the resentment he had towards alphas, had always had towards them came out in full force. “Referring to your clients as stuff. What a fucking charmer, you are. ”

Harry stopped, nearly halfway to his room. He glanced down at Louis, furrowing his brows. “What are you--” He paused before his eyes went wide, “ That is not what I was talking about, Louis. I would never say something like that about an omega--”

“Tell us how you really feel.” Louis said, voice rising as another twinge of pained echoed within him. “All you alphas think the same. All of you. You…you’re all…”

When Louis didn’t continue, he heard Harry hiss under his breath, “ Jesus fucking--” before continuing his way towards his room, slamming the door behind them for some semblance of ‘privacy.’

As soon as the door was shut, Louis was being deposited back down onto somewhat sturdy legs, his shoulderblades hitting the wall. Harry’s room smelt heavily of him, but was overshadowed by the scent the alpha was currently emitting--agitated, pissed, on edge. Louis refused to shrink in on himself.

“What are you doing? What are you getting at here? Harry asked, green eyes boring down on him. “I’m here to help.”

“Fuck off.” Was what Louis’ scrambled brain decided to respond with.

The alpha in front of him bristled, but also looked as though he was keeping his composure together by force. “You know I can’t do that.”

“What? Can’t leave your stuff to--”

“Louis,” Harry grabbed him by his shoulders, shaking him slightly. Louis fought the urge to bear his neck, to say how sorry he was. To beg for forgiveness at the sight of an angered alpha. 

Harry looked at him like he was desperately searching for something. “Is this--Is this really how you wanna do this?” 

Dread pooled in his lungs and he let it all out, everything in one fierce yell. “I don’t want to do this!” 

A stabbing pain hit him in his gut, causing him to wretch over, forehead hitting Harry’s chest seconds before the alpha steadied him. He heard another swear before he was hauled into the alpha’s arms once again. Harry laid him on his back and immediately Louis inhaled breath after breath of the alpha’s scent dousing the sheets beneath him. It was like a drug he had been suddenly exposed to against his will, and he was instantly hooked.

“Ah.” Louis gasped, hands coming up to cover his throat and chest, nails marring his exposed skin. The feeling of getting a long gulp of water when you were on the verge of dehydration hit him. It wasn’t unwelcomed, but it was far from enough. 

“Oh God.” Louis writhed against the sheets, each pore littering his body inflamed. Everything was alight and angry, sending rippling shockwaves through him like electricity. He didn’t know if his eyes were closed or wide open, if he was choking or dry heaving.

It was unbearable. Torture. He needed a moment of relief. Anything. He’d do anything—

“Harry,” Louis sobbed into clenched hands against his eyes that refused to loosen. He swore if he dug his nails into his palms anymore they’d bleed. “Please. It—It hurts.”

Louis expected to be ravaged then. And maybe that was what he needed. It was certainly what all the alphas he encountered in the past thought he’d needed. 

Instead, Harry got on top of him slowly, his knees gingerly brushing against his thighs as he straddled him, “I know,” Soft fingers traced Louis’ clenched forearms reverently, almost like he was savoring the feel, “gonna make it go away. Take care of you.” His scent was no longer tinged with agitation, but something calm and soothing. Louis’ felt like he was being lulled into another nap that would only end in even more disaster when he eventually woke up.

Shaking his head, he grit out, “Just do it.” Pushing the heels of his hands harder against his eyes, fear nearly strangling him, he grit out, “Fuck me.”

To Louis’ shock, Harry only answered with a soft rumbling of his chest, the noise inadvertently making Louis relax, if only slightly. After a minute of only light touches against his arms, Harry gently went to move Louis’ hands away from his face. When he held firm, Harry only shushed him, “Let me see you.”

Louis’ couldn’t though. Not when they were so close to the window that illuminated moonlight. “N-No.”

Harry’s soft rumbling grew louder, but not in a threatening way, “Why not?”

“I… “ Harry waited patiently for him to answer, still dousing him in his pheromones, making Louis feel like he was on a cloud. “I--I have bruises. I’m—”

“Okay.” Harry cut him off, not unkindly. “You don’t have to move. You don’t have to do anything. I’m here.”

Harry’s nose made contact with the side of his neck. He threw his head back without a thought, a strangled noise leaving his throat as the alpha continued to trail the tip of his nose and mouth across the underside of his jaw, never once stopping the barrage of pheromones that infiltrated Louis’ senses.

Harry’s hands trailed down his clothed sides, pressing down hard but not enough to cause any discomfort. His scent was everywhere, invading Louis’ insides and making his breathing come out not as ragged. A low noise from deep within Harry’s chest rose as his tongue found Louis’ shoulder, wet and dragging upwards towards the juncture of his throat, making the omega’s mouth fall open in a silent yelp. Harry’s unruly hair tickled his cheeks as Louis took in greedy lungfuls through his sniveling nose. He was so distracted by it all that he didn’t even register that Harry was now fully on top of him, weighing him down and making it impossible to move. Louis keened high in his throat, surprising himself that he relished in the contact.

A few minutes went by and Harry never stopped. Bringing a hand up the side of his neck, he ran his thumb incessantly over Louis’ scent gland, voice gentle and sad, “Never been properly scented before, have you?”

Louis’ couldn’t answer, just pushed into Harry’s thumb with abandon. It was only when the finger was replaced with searing lips that Louis’ hands went flying down to the sheets. His neck was titled so far back he was afraid it would snap as Harry sucked against his taunt skin, the edges of his teeth ensuring that the inevitable bruise would be around for days.

“God,” Louis found himself mumbling, hands now coming up to hold Harry in place, fingers tangling into his messy curls. “Please, Harry. Don’t stop.”

The soft grumbling disappeared as Harry growled into his skin. His hands on Louis’ hips trailed down to the exposed underside of his thighs, hiking them up around his waist and grinding down.

Louis gasped so hard it turned into a hoarse shout. He was sure if he pulled his hands back at that moment, he would find strands of yanked out hair between his fingers, but he didn’t care. His hips were bucking up, desperate for something to brush up against him again, push him down and hold him in place.

His heels somehow found purchase on Harry’s lower back, and he used all the leverage he could to bring them back together. “Please,” his voice sounded like nothing but a slurred mess, discombobulated and filled with groans and gasps, “do.. I, ah. . I need it. I--” Need you, Louis’ brain screamed. Need it now. Now. Anything to quell the burning. Anything--  

“Alpha, please--”

Harry kissed him roughly, lips not aligning quite right until he gripped the back of Louis’ head, turning him where he wanted him and Louis saw stars. The alpha was unrelenting, pulling at his bottom lip with his teeth, forcing him to open wide before sucking his tongue nearly out of his mouth. Harry explored every corner of his mouth, quick and ravaged for the first time and Louis’ body hummed with pleasure at the blatant display of dominance. 

Louis didn’t notice it before it was too late, too distracted by Harry’s skillful mouth. A single finger entered him with ease causing him to rear back and moan, head nearly hitting the headboard before Harry steered him away.

“Easy.” Harry ordered, adding a second finger before beginning to move in and out of him, slow and steady. The alpha’s voice came out wrecked. “So wet for-- fuck.”

The hold on the back of his neck grew as Harry descended upon him, this time going for his neck once again, littering the column of his throat with hard kisses before making his way up behind his ear. He sucked a bruise into the soft, tight skin there and Louis’ eyes fluttered shut in ecstasy.

“Doing so good.” Harry said, peppering his cheeks with kisses and rubbing soothing circles into the nape of his neck. “So good for me.”

“Fuck,” Louis moaned, body going lax as he took it all in. Harry’s scent, his mouth, his body. He needed more, he needed--

“Can I take this off, Lou?” Harry asked like he was reading his mind, voice hoarse and fingers unrelenting as another entered him, crooking occasionally and making his vision go blank. Louis nodded helplessly as Harry worked fast to disrobe him with one hand. 

And then Harry was truly everywhere. His hand worked up Louis’ bare stomach, wide and open, while his lips latched onto one of Louis’ nipples, sucking like he was starved for it. All the while his fingers in Louis’ hole never stopped, pumping deeper and deeper until the familiar heat that Louis had almost forgotten about began to burn once again.

“Could lick every inch of you, you know. Make you even more wet and messy than you already are.” Harry slurred, lips never quite leaving his skin. He bit down roughly just below his navel and Louis’ eyes rolled back into his head. “Beautiful.”

Pain and pleasure simmered through his poor body, each sensation fighting to take control. Louis was sure he was letting out sounds that would wake his poor elderly neighbor across the hall, but he didn’t care. He had thrown it all to the wind and was consumed by his own biology. 

Harry’s skilled fingers brushed up against a spot deep within him and Louis was coming onto his stomach in seconds flat, a wicked shout leaving him and coating both him and the alpha. 

Harry stopped his ministrations and Louis feared he had done something wrong, had shown the alpha his lack of sexual contact over the past years by coming from just a few fingers and a mouth, but even through the darkness Louis could see the hungry, wanting gaze of the alpha before him. It was like the final string Harry’d been holding onto had finally snapped and now he was just as gone as he was.

Harry’s hand gripped his soft, spent dick and Louis mewled, feeling like he was about to black out from the overstimulation. Garbled sounds escaped him, but it was nothing compared to the noises that left his mouth when after only a few strokes Harry took his prick into his mouth, swallowing him whole. Louis nearly screamed , rearing himself up to chase the all encompassing heat now surrounding him. His shoulders left the bed against his will, but he was quickly pushed back down. Harry’s hand wrapped around the base of his neck, and even through everything else he was doing to Louis’ body, his grip remained solid, inescapable. Louis could still breath but the alpha’s grip was tight, grounding him, keeping him where he wanted him. 

“Stay omega.” Harry ordered before descending on him once again. Louis’ omega preened at the command, his body humming as he obeyed.

Fingers pumped in and out of him in tandem with Harry’s bobbing head. Louis didn’t know what to grab, but settled on the alpha’s head, his feet scrambling helplessly as he felt another wave threatening to crash over him. He knew multiple orgasms during a heat was normal, but never before had he been able to recover so quickly, was fully hard almost as soon as Harry’s tongue moved along the underside of his dick.

“I…” Louis squealed out, head tossed back and eyes clamped shut as the hand around his neck tightened. “Can’t. I need--”

Harry popped off his dick for only a second, long enough to say, “Can. One more, for me.”

And then Harry was back and Louis came apart once again, a strangled sound leaving his lips as the alpha swallowed everything he released. Harry was licking his twice spent dick clean as Louis breathed shallowly above him, body completely drained of anything except the low burning fire in his stomach. The alpha hummed, so low it was almost unrecognizable, “Taste so sweet. Could suck you dry.”

Louis didn’t know how to respond to that. He was sure his cheeks flushed, but he was quickly distracted by his own embarrassment when the alpha pulled his fingers out of him. The omega within him cried out, hating the utter feeling of emptiness. 

“In.” Louis demanded, gripping Harry’s wrist still around the front of his neck. “In… so empty. Alpha.”

The alpha shushed him, moving up and nuzzling his cheek alongside his own. The feel of his slight stubble rubbing against him was almost enough for Louis for give up on the fight. Almost. “Gonna get you turned around, easier to--”

Louis wouldn’t hear him though, the burn and ache of being left so open and exposed causing him to whine and fling his legs. “I need it now!”

Even through half-lidded eyes, Louis could see the conflicted look littering the alpha’s features, his nostrils flaring. “Louis…”

Louis didn’t comprehend his own words, didn’t hear his own voice. “Need you now.” His hands came up to grip Harry’s neck, his hair, anything he could reach to pull him down. “So empty. I need--I need your knot, I--”

Harry shucked off his briefs at lightning speed before diving back in, kissing Louis’ breathless and gripping his hips so tightly they’d bruise, his rock hard dick rubbing against the inside of Louis’ thigh. It was good, it was more than good, but still not enough. Not what Louis needed. Not what would quench the burning heat--

Harry lifted Louis’ hips up with both hands, and he gasped as he felt the alpha use his fingers to pull apart his slicked cheeks. The alpha groaned, pulling away from Louis’ lips and instead burying his head into his shoulder, mouthing slightly at the sweat that had gathered there. “You smell so good, baby. So ready for me.”

Louis keened, legs wrapping around Harry’s hips. “Please.”

Harry righted himself, looking down at Louis with fierce, wide eyes. “Anything.”

His words didn’t make sense, not really, but nevertheless Harry was reaching down and lining himself up. The feel of the alpha slowly entering him made Louis jolt before going boneless, body opening up for him immediately and without resistance despite the burn. His body finally getting what it had been crying out for.

The display didn’t go unnoticed by Harry, who growled loudly before attaching his lips to Louis’ neck, determined to create another biting bruise. Louis could only take it, and didn't want to do anything besides that as he laid bare beneath the alpha. Harry bottomed out with a soft grunt and Louis' body hummed in pleasure. 

“So good. So good for me, baby. ” The alpha grumbled into his ear. He shifted his hips, making Louis squeak. Harry’s chest rumbled as he ran his lips along his own, pheromones seeping into Louis’ skin and making him feel drunk, “I’ll wait, love. However long you need. Took me so well, perfect.”

Louis’ squirmed after only a handful of seconds to adjust to Harry’s length, desperate for more. Harry was pulling out and quickly slamming back inside causing Louis to let out a strangled sound, legs tightening around the alpha’s hips as he jutted upwards.

Harry began a steady pace, pushing in and out of him like the omega craved. He had never felt so full, the alpha so deep within him that he swore he could feel him in his stomach. He savored every overwhelming slide and slap as Harry bored into him, making a space for himself inside of Louis over and over again until he was nothing but a gasping, sweating mess.

One of Louis’ legs slipped off the alpha’s hips at their erratic movements, but Harry was quick to catch him by the back of his knee. Readjusting, Harry sat up, pulling the omega’s leg up and over his shoulder as he fiercely entered him once again. Louis could only cry out at the change in angle, hands flying to Harry’s shoulders as the alpha bent him in half, rutting into him like he was racing towards a finish line.

“Fuck, baby,” The alpha drawled, mouthing at Louis’ jaw before involving his teeth, nipping at his skin, “feel so good. So good--”

A particular thrust had Louis keening so high he was sure Harry wouldn’t hear it, but the alpha was centered in on him like he was the focal point of his new universe, tracking Louis’ every movement like a wolf. Harry gripped his other leg, hauling it over his shoulder before pummeling his hole and hitting the same spot over and over, relentlessly. Louis felt tears running down his temples as pleasure curled in and around him at every hard drag.

When Louis could no longer hold his grip around the alpha’s neck, he let his arms dangle loosely at his sides, twitching and taunt. Harry was quick to extract one of his searing hands off of Louis’ hips and instead took both of his wrists into his own, slamming them above his head without his thrusts faltering for even a second. Louis’ back arched up into the alpha, the display so carnal that it sent wave after wave of arousal punching through his chest and gut.

“Like that, pup?” Harry breathed into his ear, making Louis’ body shiver. Harry squeezed his abused wrists. “Like being held down, don’t you? Couldn’t get away if you wanted--”

Louis came in between them with a loud mewl, eyes rolling back into his skull. Recovering from his release took longer that time, his body still thrumming with ecstasy as he panted shallowly. When he opened his eyes it was still to Harry barrelling down on him, sweat dripping down his temples and hairline. His legs had somehow made their way back around Harry’s waist again.

“Plea…” the word couldn’t even slide off his tongue, his whole mouth bone dry. With what remaining strength he had, Louis ground his heels into Harry’s back, pleading for what he couldn’t articulate.

“Got you.” Harry ground out, hand letting go of his wrists and instead traveling down and hauling Louis’ hips up and off the bed, his thrusts becoming shorter, more grinding than slamming. “Take me so good. Taking me--”

Louis cut him off with his once pliant arms snapping up, circling themselves around Harry’s neck as an immense pressure built up within him. It was too much and not enough all at once. Louis couldn’t make any more sounds, just let his jaw drop as the alpha’s knot quickly began to fill him, each drag becoming more painful than the last.

“Alpha--” Louis managed to gasp out, overwhelmed and overstimulated as Harry just held him close.

“Almost there, baby.” Harry gathered his hips up more into the cradle of his lap, easing him onto his knot inch by inch. “Doing so well,” his voice sounded like liquid then, slow and steady, coaxing him into a cool ravine, “taking me proper.”

And with Louis growing more relaxed at his words, Harry thrust into him once more, the sound echoing in his sensitive ears as his knot finally, finally locked them together. Satisfaction and satiation overflowed every synapse of Louis’ once pulsing, quivering body as he felt the alpha release in him. The omega part of him preened, knowing that everything, every last drop, would stay inside of him. Filling him full and keeping him pliant, weighed down by more than just the body on top of him.

For a long time nothing could be heard but their heaving, rasping breathes. Louis was only pulled out of his trance by the alpha’s soft mouth gliding about his neck, trailing down to whatever parts of his chest he could reach. With Louis’ legs no longer suspended, Harry wasted no time trailing his fingers down his thighs, squeezing the meatiest parts and pulling out choked-off whines from him.

“Did so well.” Harry slurred, lips attaching to Louis’ collarbone almost unforgivingly. “One more.”

Harry lifted his head, looking down at him with such reverence Louis was almost pulled out of his blissed out state and shot back into reality. But as it was, he was still in la la land and could only nod at his alpha’s request.

Harry’s hand circled the back of his neck, squeezing delicately as he began to move within him. With them still locked, it was nothing more than shallow pumps, but each one hit his spot with immense pressure and it was enough to get Louis going once again. Heavy pants were leaving him too quickly, a dull heat compared to what he had just experienced building up within him.

His dick was being gripped once again, an expert thumb flicking over the tip at every uptick. Harry’s mouth found its way around both of his nipples, alternating between licking and biting. Louis felt like he was on fire once again, but this time it was welcomed.

Harry kissed him, tongue deep within the omega’s mouth, and Louis thought that would be enough to do him in, send him back into the abyss, but Harry pulled back just at the right second, commanding, “Come for me, omega.” 

Louis came, weak and helplessly, his dick releasing almost nothing before all of his extremities became useless, legs and arms dangling. Harry was there though, pushing back his fringe with gentle hands and littering his neck, face, and lips with kisses. He held every part of him close as his mouth never stopped moving, uttering praise after praise, but Louis was too far gone to retain any of it.

When his eyelids finally closed, Harry was sliding his hands around his back, holding him and flopping his boneless form on top of him as he rolled them over. Harry shushed him when he whined in protest, placating him with his scent and hands moving down his back reverently.

Harry smoothed a hand down his shoulder blades, slow and firm, before muttering, “Sleep. I’m here.”

And just like that, Louis was gone. Plunged into slumber.

It was the first time in too long that he remembered being taken under without an ounce of pain wrecking his body or mind. He felt reborn, awakened. Good.

Chapter Text

A strong ray of sunlight made Louis’ eyes flutter open. Followed by him languidly stretching his sore, but pleasantly thrumming arms above his head, his toes curling shortly after.

Louis couldn’t remember the last time he had woken up naturally. Usually it was due to his ringing alarm that hadn’t changed over the course of nine years, or more recently, a blaring Michael Buble song.

The thought made him startle upright, fisting the unfamiliar sheets and taking in his surroundings because it hadn’t been a dream, nor a heat-induced mirage. It couldn’t have been because the omega was still very much in Harry’s room with nothing on, laying on his bed with the sheets carefully tucked around him. The alpha in question though was nowhere in sight.

One deep breath in could’ve confirmed to anyone with a nose what had happened. The room smelt of them, but not overwhelmingly so. Like at least a handful of hours had passed since their… activities.

Memories flashed before Louis’ eyes back to back. Harry on top of him, unrelentingly and nearly feral, kissing into his agape mouth before sucking bruise after bruise into his pale skin. His voice calling out to him-- baby, pup, omega.

Flushing, Louis quickly went to untangle himself. Ignoring the ache in his back, he headed towards the bathroom on instinct and quickly took stock of himself. Tracing his fingers down his chest and then, more embarrassingly, around his inner thighs before he noticed that he felt clean. Looking back, the covers on top of the bed were pristine and tucked in. Besides the small Louis-shaped hole on the right hand side it was like the bed had never been touched.

“What the fuck.” Louis mumbled, continuing on to the bathroom and gaping at his reflection. Seeing bruises and bumps along his skin was nothing new to Louis, hadn’t been for awhile, but they usually only appeared on the sides of his head, his arms, wherever Louis’ traitorous body decided to dump him when a fainting spell happened.

But bruises along his neck? His chest? And--Louis’ skimmed his hand over the crevice of space between his thigh and stomach where a blossoming red bite burned-- when did that even happen?

Louis allowed himself to poke and prod at himself, testing the sensitivity of each new mark before he willed himself to stop. He wasn’t some bumbling, heat-raddled mess anymore, not right then anyway. As soon as he pulled himself together he was going to rip the alpha a new one for being so careless.

Careless … Louis thought back to Harry’s soft touches against his arms, his nose trailing down his neck as he scent marked him for who knows how long, pulling him out of his panicked state instead of just taking him. 

Well, careless might not be the most accurate word to describe what transpired.

Louis decided the best course of action was to go through his usual motions, but quickly that idea shattered when he stepped into the shower. He’d always had a guest room, but never used it himself and couldn’t remember a single time he had ever had an actual guest to inhibit it. It was foreign and made his skin itch at the idea of washing himself off without his usual loofa and various body scrubs. 

Forgoing the idea, Louis stepped back into the bedroom, eyeing the empty sack that Harry had brought in that first fateful day near the bottom of the bed. His eyes drifted between the door and the empty space before him with annoyance. Certainly he couldn’t just waltz outside and make the quick trip to his room. Sure, the alpha had seen more of him than Louis had allowed anyone to in years, but the principle still stood.

He was feeling normal again, well, if normal meant not feeling like the seven rings of hell were being housed within you. A glimmer of something sparked in his chest that maybe it could all be done and over with then, but the idea diminished almost immediately. Louis was never one to cling onto hope, especially when the doctor had reiterated to him time and time again how crucial it was for him to go through days of heat. Days, being the key word.

A brief lapse of self-awareness, Louis told himself with a frown as he busied himself with ripping open drawer after drawer of the dresser next to the bathroom. 

He wasn’t prodding, not really. What had Harry expected him to do? Lay in bed all day until the next wave overtook him? 

Scowling at the thought, Louis rifled through the alpha’s clothes, trying his best to breath only through his mouth. Everything was too big, but more importantly, it was too gaudy. Leave it to Harry to not have one goddam shirt that didn’t have some sort of stupid logo or crude image on it.

Louis was just tossing away a shirt with some cowgirl-looking stripper on it when a gray shirt caught his eye. It was a vintage t-shirt of the band Nena. The garment was worn down and had obviously been through the wash too many times, some of the print coming off in patches around the edges. Louis’ eyebrows furrowed, but he slipped it on before putting on the smallest pair of joggers he could find and tying the waistband tightly.

Bracing himself, Louis didn’t allow himself to hesitate. He was thirsty and hungry and was not about to be a prisoner in his own home. He pulled the door open slowly, poking his head out only to hear the alpha’s voice filtering in from the living room.

Taking careful steps, Louis listened in. Harry’s voice sounded the same as ever, all slow and deep, but there was a hint of desperation there at the same time, “-- not what I’m saying, mate.”

“Sounds like it.” an unfamiliar, static voice sounded back. He was on speaker phone then. 

“I’m just--he’s been sleeping for a long fucking time, alright?”

“Mmmhmm. And? You’re checking on him right?”

“Course, Z.” The back of Harry’s head came into view, his bare arms spread along the back of the couch, “He’s still out like a light.”

“That’s good.”

“This long?” Harry’s arm moved up towards his face, a humming noise sounded before he pulled back, smoke billowing above his head.

As Louis got closer and closer the unfamiliar scent of lemon and raspberry hit him. He paused, blinking, before his eyes drifted to the large vape in the alpha’s hand.

“I wish he’d just wake up already and break my head in.” Harry continued, taking another crude inhale from the device.

Oh, that can be arranged. Louis’ nose scrunched up in disgust, his feet moving quicker towards the back of the couch. When Harry inevitably pulled back his arm, Louis was there, snatching the vape out of the alpha’s hand.

Harry was coughing immediately, smoke billowing out in between hoarse coughs. He doubled over, nearly losing his grip on his phone. Good.

“Harry?” The voice on the other end of the line spoke, slightly alarmed.

“I--” Harry coughed again before forcing out, “gotta go.”

He ended the call, tossing his phone away before continuing his fit. When Harry seemed to compose himself he turned around, giving Louis a tight lipped smile he croaked, “You’re awake.”

He looked tired, Louis noted. There were slight bags under his eyes and his cheeks seemed more pallor than usual. 

“How observant.” Louis said, deadpan. He moved the device around in his hand, frowning at the garish pink and orange design. “This is a disgusting habit.”

“I…I didn’t…” Harry looked like a deer caught in the headlights. He opened his mouth once again only for his gaze to drift down to Louis’ attire before coming back up and stopping at his neck. He blinked, heavily, “... yeah.” he replied, dumbly.

Scoffing, Louis tossed the vape back his way. “If you’re gonna indulge in my house, at least be respectful. Oaf.”

“Yes, sir.” Harry said, eyes finally meeting Louis’, a hint of mirth in his tone.

Louis had had every intention of going back to his room. A part of his brain even scolded himself for making his presence known, but there was no going back. Instead, he walked towards the terrace with an air about him that demanded he be followed. Respected. It was the same gant he used day in and day out in the office and Harry seemed to realize that as he trailed behind him. 

Once they were outside, they both seemed to relish in the clear skies and the slight gust of wind that surrounded them. Louis didn’t spend much time out there, but had had the presence of mind to set up a quaint, cozy little couch for the rare times he felt he deserved to relax. He let himself sit upon the edge of it, reaching back into the cushions and digging out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

Harry wisely didn’t say anything as Louis lit one up, taking a long drag before allowing himself to sink back into the firm cushions. He could feel the alpha’s gaze on him, steady and focused, and his brows furrow in annoyance. 

He let his eyes fall shut. “Whatever it is, just say it. If you needed my explicit permission, there you go.” 

“I did.” Harry answered, surprisingly honest. Louis heard him shuffle around a bit as he sat a safe distance away from him. “Didn’t want to, uh, impose.”

Louis opened his eyes and gave him a dark look at that. “Impose? Take a look at my neck, you animal.”

Harry’s shoulders tightened at that. Louis could see it even through his thick sweatshirt he must’ve thrown on before he became relaxed once again. In the blink of an eye. “I was more caught off guard by your shirt. I figured out fairly quickly that you aren't a jazz fan, but Deutschland is where you acquire your musical tastes, huh?”

“It’s your shirt.” Louis grumbled out, taking another drag.

“That it is.” Harry replied, almost serendipitously. Smoke billowed around his face and nose as he took another drag from his vape, his loose curls rustling against the wind. Louis caught a whiff of his scent, pine and mint invading his scenes.

We had sex, Louis thought, suddenly, cigarette dangling loosely in between his fingers. We had sex. He took you, made you come again and again until you passed out. Sucked you off, fingered you. Knotted you and filled you--

Louis coughed, turning his head away. “It’s not like you gave me any other options.”

“Hey, I vowed that I’d do no snoops while here. Going through your drawers, even for clothes, seemed like something you wouldn’t necessarily welcome. ”

Well, that was good at least. Besides the fleeting moment last night, Louis did not want the alpha in his room. Under no circumstances. Harry continued, “Otherwise I would’ve brought you something. Although,” He watched as Harry eyed his shirt once again, “I guess the sentiment I showed you doesn’t go both ways.”

Louis decided to ignore him, as well as the heat building up in his cheeks. Purging forward, he said, stiffly, “At least you can follow some rules. Why didn’t you just leave my robe?”

Harry stilled at that, titling his head away and rubbing the back of his head. “Well. Uh. Your robe may or may not have gotten stuck a bit underneath you during, uh,” Louis found himself flushing, could feel the heat building up in his neck and pooling out onto his cheeks, “it needed a wash.”

“A wash?” Louis asked, his tone shrill.

“Yeah, your machine might be broken by the way. No matter how many times I run it through the dryer--”

“The dryer?” He seethed. At Harry’s startled look, Louis ground out, “It’s wool, you idiot!”

“Okay…”

Louis groaned, throwing his head back. At least he had a distraction from wherever their previous conversation had been turning to. “You don’t put wool in the washer or dryer. You hand wash it.”

“Oh, shit.” Harry muttered.

“Were you raised by imbeciles? Jesus--”

“No.” He said, breathing in another puff and letting the smoke swirl around both of their heads. “I suppose I just came from a wool-less family.”

“Forget about it.” Louis snapped, effectively ending their conversation.

They sat in silence for a couple of beats. The only sounds around them came from the bustling streets below and the occasionally twitter from a bird.

“So,” Harry started again, sounding a bit hesitant, “Besides the wool debacle, which I’m going to fix, by the way.” Louis rolled his eyes, but let the alpha go on, “How’re feeling?”

Louis gave him a look.

“I mean it,” Harry said, “I couldn’t wake you up for the longest time, but I’m guessing that’s more cause you uh, needed it?” They both squirmed at his words, but Harry continued, voice taking on a lighter tone, “You missed out on breakfast this morning. I made John Wayne casserole. You know who John Wayne is? He--”

“How long was I out?” Louis asked, not willing to entertain one of Harry’s rants.

“Uh, maybe… maybe eight hours?”

Louis’ eyes widened at that. At the most he thought he’d been out for three, maybe four, but eight?

Louis had been asleep before his heat had truly kicked in the night before. Leaving out the time they had sex, he had been asleep for probably over twelve hours, at least. Louis was sure he hadn't slept that long since he was a baby. Asking the question hurt his ego, but he couldn’t help but curl into himself in worry at the prospect that something else could be wrong with him. He didn’t know if his mind could take it if that was the truth. 

“Is that… normal?”

“Of course,” Harry rushed out, “Perfectly normal after--after a… first round.”

Louis cringed. For a so-called ‘professional’ Harry really was shit at talking him through these things. “Why do I feel so clear-headed now then? Shouldn’t I be all?” Louis made a gesture that he hoped Harry could interpret. 

Harry paused at that, taking his lower lip in between his teeth. Louis found himself unable to stop his wandering eyes from tracking the movement. “Everyone is… different. When it happens again I’ll… I’ll be here. I’ll be there for you.”

Louis stiffened, “Okay. Well, while I’m still here I suppose we should, uh…” Pull it together, Louis. He let out a ragged sigh, shaking himself slightly, “Go over some things.”

“Thought you didn’t want to bring it up again.” Harry pointed out, rather unhelpfully. His lips were slightly quirked and probably just as red as his own. All in all, they both looked like a mess. “May I remind you of the binder situation.”

“Shut up.” He hissed before letting out a huge sigh. “Well, I want to talk about it now.”

“Alright.” Harry said easily. “Lay it on me.”

Lay it on me. Lay on me. Lay down and--

Deftly clearing his throat, Louis said, “Did you… wash me? Afterwards?”

“Nope.” Harry said, popping his lips at the end. 

Louis glared. “Liar. Tell the truth. You--You bathed me or something?”

Harry furrowed his brow, “Well, sort of? I didn’t soak you in the tub if that’s what you’re asking--”

“Don’t. Don’t do it again.” His skin prickled at the thought of Harry scrubbing him down, his hands gliding over his sweaty shoulders, coming up to wipe off what was left between his thighs and--

“Huh?” Harry asked, genuinely confused, pulling Louis out of his trance. He titled his head to the side. Louis did not stare at the cord of muscles contracting there.  “Who likes to sleep with--”

“Just wake me up next--”

“--jizz and slick and whatever else all over their--”

“Stop.” Lous snapped. He felt like the ends of his hair were standing up he was so on edge. Running a hand down his forearm, he dug his nails into his wrist. “From now on, wake me up afterwards. Understood?”

Harry shot him an unimpressed look. He hiked his leg up on top of the other, shin resting upon of his knee. “Even if I have to whack you on the back of the head for a fourth time? Whatever you say, boss.”

Louis’ eye twitched. “You hit me?”

Harry’s face remained impassive for too long, long enough that Louis was able to formulate a degrading rant in his head. Before he could open his mouth though, the alpha just smiled . Louis waited patiently for him to explain himself, but when all he was left with was Harry’s annoying grin, he gave up. He turned his head away and took another long drag of his cig. Smoke fogged around him, “If you aren’t going to take this seriously I don’t even know why we are talking right now.”

“I am being serious, you’re just not listening. I couldn’t wake you up.” Harry said. “I tried all the usual bits--nothing violent, of course--but you sleep like a log. Living up to your inner-Aurora, princess.”

“No pet names--”

“Just a comparison I’ve made once before.” Harry corrected him, his hands up in the air when Louis shot him a scathing look. “Aurora is sleeping beauty. Sleeping beauty is a princess. I think it’s only fair that I address you by your full title when you perfectly embody such an iconic character.”

Not the first time Louis realized he had never, ever in his entire life spoken to someone like Harry. Whilst in the middle of his mid-life crisis the alpha was just able to joke here, and poke fun at him there. It left Louis feeling open and defenseless in a territory he had never been predisposed to. He had tried everything to break Harry’s spirit--calling him names, insulting his livelihood, imposing strict rules upon him--but nothing seemed to stick. The alpha remained as vigilant as ever. 

Louis felt like a soldier stuck in the middle of a battlefield—defenseless with the real enemy being his body, and only Harry was there to rescue him all the while holding a gun to his head, gearing up for his next barrage of sarcasm and humor.

Seeming to notice Louis’ plight, for once, the alpha said, softly, “Hey, just creating some banter. Didn’t mean to… I was just trying to make things more relaxed.”

Harry said the last word like a question and Louis shot him in incredulous look. “Relaxed?” He was gone now—semblance of peace be damned—emotions out and drifting into the wind around them. “I haven’t been relaxed since the first moment you put your dirty shoe on my carpet.”

Harry blinked, but that was about all the emotion he was willing to show. “Noted.”

It filled Louis then. Something wild and unhinged. Hot and uncomfortable. He felt it pulse within him as he spoke, “You’ve overstepped the boundaries I’ve made. You’ve done it multiple times.”

Harry only shrugged, adding to Louis’ rage.

“You’re pompous and take up too much space.” He continued, almost already out of breathe despite just starting his rant. “So very alpha of you, by the way. Walking around like you’re--you’re knot is on your forehead or something! Sauntering about my house like you own the damn place without a care in the world.”

Harry’s eyes widened, if only slightly. Looking down at his lap, the alpha mumbled, “Never heard that one before.” And, after a beat of only Louis’ labored breathing filling the space, “On the forehead. ”

When Louis glared his way for several passing seconds, Harry smirked, “I must say, it’s not very proper of you to use such language. Princess.”

Louis was frozen. Everytime he felt like he was steadily gaining the upper hand this alpha would just throw a careless smile his way and that would be the end of it. He decided when things ended. He decided how Harry would act and behave. Why was this so hard to convey? To get this fucking alpha to understand?

“You,” he started, a little louder than necessary. He was frustrated, incredibly so. It made his brain unable to work properly and he ended up blurting out the first grievance that came to mind, “Do you really have to ravage me like some wild beast every time?” He pointed at his neck, eyebrows raised. When he didn’t immediately respond, Louis felt a slight swell of satisfaction, finally pushing the alpha up and away from his own game, “Huh? No funny quip to that?”

Harry carefully blinked, long and hard, before saying, “Won’t happen again, boss.”

It wasn’t what he expected. Not what he needed to hear. He had no idea what it was he needed, but it wasn’t that.

He wanted anger, annoyance. Something from the alpha that matched the emotions growing within him. 

“That’s… not what I meant.” Heat slowly creeping up his throat, he said, “I… if it’s necessary… if--if it’ll make this whole mess go by faster, then I suppose you can keep—”

Louis was cut off by the sudden knowing look from the alpha, all smug and mischievous, like he could see right through something even Louis wasn’t aware of. Hackles rising, he bit out, “Stop it. You look bloody idiotic.”

“Course, boss.”

“And stop calling me that too.” The once welcomed breeze was suddenly not starting to feel like enough, damning warmth slowly and steadily starting to curl up in his stomach. 

Harry gave him an innocent look that Louis didn’t believe for one second. “Why? Thought you liked being in charge.” The alpha’s eyes trailed down on him, stopping at his shoulder, his shirt, his cigarette, tracing every part of him without any decency. He shrugged one shoulder, “For the most part.”

The steady heat within him burst forth tenfold under the alpha’ gaze. Louis couldn’t hold back the small intake of breath, his eyes staring back at Harry like two wide saucers. At some point the cigarette must’ve slipped out of his hand, tumbling onto the terrace floor. Harry made a show of stubbing it out with his heel, his gaze never breaking from Louis as his nostrils flared, eyes darkening despite the sunlight beating down on them. 

“That’s disgusting.” Louis breathed out, voice high and breathless as he spared Harry’s socked foot a single glance before he was drawn back in, and in, and in. 

And then they were kissing.

Louis didn’t know how it happened. One minute he was glaring at Harry’s ashened heel and then the next the alpha’s tongue was running across his lower lip, forcing his mouth open and devouring him. Harry’s hands were everywhere, sliding up and down his sides, coming up to tilt his chin this way and that, and eventually underneath him.

Louis let out an embarrassing squeak as he was hauled off the couch, his legs instinctively circling around the alpha’s waist as he stood up. He let Harry suck his tongue and squeeze his ass for a minute longer before he pulled back, gasping like he had just surged out of a body of water. “ You and your mandhandl-- ah!”

Harry licked a long broad swipe up his neck, from shoulder to jawbone, and Louis couldn’t suppress the shiver the ran through him, toes curling against Harry’s lower back. He did it again and again, the rumbling in his chest growing stronger with each stroke of his tongue. His voice was soft and low against Louis’ ear. “Smell so good.”

Louis whined as teeth gently dug into the juncture of his shoulder. His hands became buried in Harry’s hair, tugging him down and closer as Louis bared his neck. Harry growled at the action, attacking his neck with his mouth and teeth and leaving Louis a gasping mess.

He must’ve had some sense left in him though, thankfully. “Inside.” He exhaled, his grip tightening as Harry mouthed at the underside of his jaw. 

When Harry’s hand skimmed over the waistband of his sweats, fingers making their way down to the cleft of his ass, Louis yelped. He pressed himself closer to the alphas chest and away from his wandering hand. “ Inside the house. Jesus.”

Harry let out an amused puff of air against his neck, but eventually complied. Louis was whisked inside like a ragdoll before the alpha had him up against a wall. Harry’s hands gripped his hips tightly, fingers moving along the back of his thighs and ass as he kissed him deeply, his lips wickedly moving Louis’ own apart to grant him more access.

It was only when Louis was released from the assault that he was able to speak, head hitting the back of the wall roughly, “You’re insatiable. Thought I was the one in heat.”

Harry’s grip around him tightened, almost punishingly, “You are.” Hauling him up closer, Harry pressed his straining erection directly against him, causing Louis to moan, wantonly. “And I’m only responding accordingly.”

“You brainless, arrogant-- ” Lous broke off as Harry thrust up against him. It felt good, so good he didn’t know what to do with himself besides let out loud, pitiful sounds. It was around the the time Harry decided to start ravishing his neck again that Louis came to a conclusion.

No more bullshitting. What had happened, happened. And what was done was done. No more smoke and mirrors would fog his reality. 

“Fuck me.”

Harry stilled. His mouth was still very much against Louis’ throat but the alpha didn’t move.

Louis’ legs twitched, curling around the alpha with renewed force, “Do I always have to repeat myself?”

Being yanked away from the wall violently sent Louis’ head spinning. Sooner than he could comprehend they were back where they were yesterday. In the alpha’s bedroom with Louis on his back and Harry looming over him.

The energy was different though, like they had finally crossed the threshold and there was no going back to their original dynamic. Harry was holding him like he was afraid Louis would slip away and disappear if his grip faltered for even a moment. His tongue assaulted Louis’ mouth, drawing moan after moan from the omega like he was starved for it. Louis in turn could only hold on, hands back up in the alpha’s hair as he arched into every touch, every caress.

Louis’ wasn’t sure what suddenly pulled him out of their actions and sent him spiraling back into the real word, probably his own pride. Nevertheless, he was suddenly using whatever strength he had to tug Harry’s curls away instead of closer. Harry made a disapproving sound against his neck, but eventually pulled up long enough to look Louis’ in the eye, “Ouch.”

“I--”

“If you like it rough you have to warn me. Safety first and all.” Harry said.

Louis glared, chest still heaving. “This isn’t going to be like the last time.”

“Oh?” Harry asked, hands moving slowly down his sides, fisting the edges of his shirt. “We switching positions this time, or sumthin?”

Louis balked and the alpha took advantage of his gaping mouth, shoving his tongue back in and momentarily making him lose his footing. His omega wouldn’t let Louis pull away, not immediately, but eventually what was left of his rational mind won over. He gave Harry’s curls another yank. “ You did whatever you wanted to last time--”

“Seemed to do the trick.”

“This time,” Louis said, eyes boring into Harry’s and grip tightening in his hair, “it’s going to be on my terms.”

Harry quirked a single brow at that. “You want to lead then?”

“Yes.” Louis answered.

Harry shifted onto his elbows, still bracketing him in, but no longer touching, far enough away that Louis couldn’t help but trace the lines jutting out from his neck. “Alright.”

In a flash Harry was suddenly off of him, leaving Louis suddenly cold and squirmy. Sitting upright, he eyed the alpha now casually laying beside him, hands tucked up underneath his head, smitten and unbothered. Only a handful of seconds passed before the alpha was sighing, his lips trilling in what sounded like boredom. Louis watched in disbelief and anger as Harry casually reached into his pocket and tugged out his phone. Louis could see him pulling up some cooking game app.

He watched Harry play the stupid game for all of thirty seconds before snapping, “The fuck are you doing?”

“This is my twenty sixth restaurant.” Harry said, conversationally, fingers moving quick over his screen with skilled accuracy. Tapping away on steaks, sauces, drinks--Louis could hardly believe his eyes. “You can open a new one after winning thirty levels. There are three stages in each level, by the way. I’m always top ten on the leader board and it’s the only app I’ve spent actually money on--not a lot, of course. Sometimes the developers rig shit where that is the only way to clear a dinner shift. My ranking though is solely due to my skill and--”

“Harry.” Louis snarled, half due to annoyance and half due to the once quiet hum of heat within him steadily growing into something more. He refused to curl up though, not when the alpha was so nonchalantly laying besides him, looking like he hadn’t a care in the world.

“Yes, boss?”

Traces of their intermingled scents hit Louis’ noise as he rustled against the sheets, making his mind foggy. “Enough calling me that.” 

Harry threw a smirk his way. “My bad. What do you want me to do?”

“What?” His limbs were beginning to lose their strength, hanging loose and thrumming with anticipation.

“This is your round.” Harry said, simply. Looking back down at his phone, he continued, “I took charge of the last time, okay, I’ll give you that.” He shot the omega a meaningful look, “And now you’ve insisted it’s your turn.”

“Stop,” Louis drew in a sharp breath, sweat pooling along his temples, “smiling.”

“Can’t help it.” Harry said, eyes widening as they moved down Louis’ body. “I’m excited.”

Louis grit his teeth. The realization of the predicament he had just put himself in washed over him. Not only had he put himself in a position where he’d have to verbally tell Harry what he needed--something he was sure even in the throes of heat he wouldn't be able to article--but worse he had inadvertently let Harry off of the single leash he had on him. Help him through his heat. That was Harry’s one job in being here and Louis had essentially told him to hold off until his say so.

He couldn’t go back of his words now. To admit that was to admit defeat and he had already shown too much of his weaknesses to this alpha. Ignoring the twitching in his fingers, Louis pulled himself up into a proper sitting position. He laid back against the hard headboard, breathing shallowly through his nose.

“Want a pillow?” Harry asked, not even glancing his way. His eyes were glued to his phone, tap tapping away.

“No.” Louis said, voice harsh and sharp.

Harry gave him a meaningful look before his eyes softened. “Louis, I was just messing around. Let me help--”

“No.” Louis repeated. “This is what I want and I don’t go back on my word.” He had broken the seal. He felt the familiar pain and warmth rising in him, but nothing like the first time. He could fight this. And he would. “I don’t want anything.”

A fire sparked behind the alpha’s eyes before he smiled, if only slightly, before turning back to his phone. “Roger that.”

***

“I’m was thinking take out for lunch. Any requests?”

Louis couldn’t speak. Only twenty minutes had passed and the small flame had blossomed into a forest fire within his abdomen. He had slowly drifted down from his spot against the headboard, now laying prone against the mattress with his eyes glued to the ceiling.

You won’t break. Louis told himself over and over and--

“I was thinking maybe Thai? There’s this place that I’ve been wanting to try--”

“Don’t—,” Louis gasped, pushing his head back further into the pillow, throat bared, “Stop talking about food.”

There was silence for a moment. Louis had been taking in deep breathes from his mouth, trying to salve the earlier accident of taking in he and Harry’s scents, when he spoke, “What do you want me to talk about then?”

“Nothing.” Louis grit, automatic. He felt slick gathering in joggers that weren’t his. Sweat and heat building up against every meaty part of his body. 

He heard the mirth in Harry’s voice, but there was also a tremor there as he mumbled, “Define nothing? Cause I think you and I both know I can talk a lot of nonsense.”

“Is that a fucking real statement?” Louis would’ve rolled his eyes if he could. “You talk and share your life details like you’re getting paid for it.”

“Getting paid to talk? If that was the case, I’d be a--”

“Fucking billionaire.” Louis bit out before gasping, hands curling up in pain. Nails digging into his skin. Toes curling and teeth clenching,

“Maybe,” Harry said, voice sounding on edge. Louis noticed his fingers had stopped moving against the screen of his phone, “maybe you could give me my second order?”

“What?” Louis asked, half-dazed.

Harry suddenly turned his way, “This is your turn and you have to tell me what to do. That’s what you said you wanted. And I’m here to give you what you want.”

The seriousness of his tone caught Louis off-guard. He swallowed, fighting spirit all too persistent,  “Like you know what I want.”

“I can smell it, darling.” Harry spoke, shoulders half shrugging against the bed. “Smelt it the second we went on to the terrace.”

Louis stilled. The knowledge that the alpha could anticipate when Louis was about to lose it before his own body knew was nerve wracking. Still, he kept himself as calm as he could manage. “You think you’re the only one with a nose? Smell you too, alpha, and this ‘don’t give a shit’ facade you’ve got going on right now isn’t fooling me.”

Feeling brave, Louis allowed himself to lay a hand on the alpha’s clothed chest, fingertips brushing his collarbone, “I can smell how much you want it too.”

And Louis could. The alpha’s scent had grown stronger, practically coating his throat. It was overwhelming, but strangely not unwelcome. 

Harry looked stunned and that was all it took for Louis to gain some control, some semblance of victory. Hauling himself up, Louis didn’t allow himself to think twice before throwing a leg over the alpha’s waist, straddling him. He gulped as he felt the hard outline of Harry’s cock against the own, but forced himself to sit down, put pressure on him, make Harry feel as helpless as he was. Put them in the same boat.

Harry’s hands went to circle around his hips, but Louis had anticipated the movement. Flicking them away, Louis balanced himself with two trembling hands against the alpha’s abdomen. “Don’t move unless I tell you to.”

Hunger flashed behind Harry’s eyes, a smile slowly appearing on his lips. “Whatever you say.”

Louis hadn’t meant to start rolling his hips, but once he began it was like something he couldn’t control. Harry was big and firm even through their layers of clothes and Louis found himself chasing the feeling everytime the alpha’s cock brushed against him, fitting itself into the curve of his ass. Small moans and gasps were trickling past his lips, his eyes fluttering closed as he moved again and again.

“Fuck.” He heard Harry mumble beneath him. The alpha’s body had gone rigid, allowing Louis to take what he needed without an ounce of pushback. “You’re fucking gorgeous.”

“No talking.” Louis ground out. Hands on Harry’s shirt turned into elbows as the omega couldn’t hold himself up anymore. The new angle allowed for their dicks to line up better, press harder against one another. Louis was gasping loudly with each renewed grind of their hips. He was relentless, barreling down onto Harry’s cock probably too hard to be enjoyable for the alpha, but his omega screamed for it. For more pressure, more of Harry’s maddening scent, everything.

Choked whimpers left his gaping mouth, blinding heat searing up in his hips and settling in his abdomen. He was so close to his sweet release, but his rocking was becoming sloppy, body betraying him when he needed it the most. His moans of pleasure soon turned into whines of frustration as he desperately, weakly shifted back and forth. He was sure by that point he was close to tearing Harry’s shirt in half with how hard his bumbling hands were gripping and yanking it, but he didn’t care.

Pushing his cheek desperately against Harry’s chest, he mewled, high and needy. “I… fuck, I can’t. I--I--” It was humiliating. Louis could feel the sting of tears burn around the edges of his eyes as release seemed so close but also eons away at the same time.

The still and quiet alpha below him finally spoke when Louis’ hips stopped moving, only twitching weakly. “Would you like me to fulfill your first request now?”

Louis couldn’t respond, could only grunt as a stabbing heat rippled through his body. Harry lifted his chin up, his fingers soft and cool against his sweltering skin. “Louis, open your eyes.”

“No.” Opening his eyes would make this real. It would literally put him face to face with what he was being reduced to. A fumbling, heat-raddled mess of an omega dry-humping an alpha and crying when he couldn’t get himself off.

“Omega,” Harry said, voice steady and soft and commanding all at once, “look at me.”

And Louis couldn’t defy him, not with that tone and not with Harry addressing him that way. He let his eyes slowly peel open, everything was blurry before Louis’ eyes adjusted. Harry’s eyes looked black, his jaw twitching as he clenched down. 

“Do you remember the first thing you asked me to do? When we came back inside.” 

“No.” Louis answered, honestly. His voice nothing but a small, pitiful sound.

Harry gave him a slight smirk. “Thought you didn’t like to repeat yourself.”

Even though Louis was well into his second throng of heat, he was somehow still able to remember what the alpha was talking about. He had been up against the wall, his body humming and gearing itself up as he let everything go to the wind. 

“Fuck me.” Louis, ironically, repeated. And everything started finally moving.

Harry wasn’t as gentle with him as he was the first time, but that was to be expected after Louis had used him like some sort of sex doll for the past ten minutes, allowing the tension within the alpha to grow. The joggers Louis had stolen were ripped off of him, followed quickly by Harry tossing off his own shirt and pants. He left his shirt on him, even going as far to slap Louis’ hands away when the omega went to remove it himself. He was on top of Louis in an instant, pushing his shoulders down near the end of the bed and making the omega arch up into him, fighting back but not at all wanting to win.

“Poor baby,” Harry was mumbling into his neck. His hands were trailing Louis’ sides, grip bruising, almost like he was punishing Louis for making him wait, “all slicked up and sweaty with nothing in you.”

Louis whined, tossing his head back. Shaky hands were running along Harry’s bare shoulders, nails imbedding themselves into tanned, soft skin. 

Harry was back on him, growling into his neck as his mouth moved over his previous works, sucking and biting like he never wanted them to fade. His hands traveled farther down, squeezing Louis’ ass so tightly that he made a noise that sounded like something between a moan and a shout. Harry’s hands dipped lower, one parting his slick soaked cheek and the other entering him quickly with three, long digits.

Harry shushed him when garbled noises tumbled out of his lips, “Got you. Gonna fuck you, yeah? Just what you need, baby.”

“Please.” Louis whined, shifting his legs so they were hooked around the back of the alpha’s thighs, pulling him closer everytime Harry’s fingers crooked inside of him. He was stretched in no time, slick pooling from him like he had never experienced before. His scent permeated the air, making him doozy and disoriented. All he could mumble was a string of pleas, urging the alpha on and on until he suddenly found himself flipped over and on his stomach.

Harry was still in him, on top of him, but now he was pulling Louis’ lower half up until he was on his knees like he weighed nothing. The omega part of him preened at the way the alpha moved him around, getting him into the position he needed to get fucked, to be knotted. Louis could only arch his back, his words no longer making sense as he mewled into the bedspread.

“ Fuck baby. You’re so—“” Whatever control Harry had been holding onto vanished the moment his cock abruptly entered him down to the hilt, punching a scream out of Louis. Harry’s arms circled around his middle, his nose inching towards Louis’ ear, breathing in his scent greedily. He didn’t move right away, letting Louis take his time to get used to the stretch and pressure. “Okay?”

Louis nodded and that was all Harry needed to begin a brutal pace, pulling back and slamming into him with resolve. He was sure he was making noise, but everything within him was focused on taking Harry deeper, feeling him enter him and fill his gaping hole to the brim. Louis let his knees fall open wider, his back arch obscenely, anything to make it so the alpha wouldn’t stop.

“Jesus,” Harry grit out, teeth clamping over his shoulder, hard. The rest of the alpha’s body covered every inch of him, ensuring that not a single part of them weren’t touching. Louis felt completely immobilized, powerless to do anything but take whatever the alpha was thrusting upon him and into him.

Louis could feel Harry’s teeth nearly breaking his skin, pushing down harder and harder. The mixture of everything made Louis’ eye snap closed as he came, untouched, spilling out onto the bed. As soon as they were there, the teeth were gone and the omega whined pitifully at the suddenness of it, the beloved pressure leaving him far too quickly.

“I know, baby.” He grunted into his hair, hips snapping so violently that if it weren’t for Harry pining him down, Louis was sure he’d be thrusted off the bed by now. “Gonna give it to you.”

“Wan’ it.” Louis slurred. His muscles ached, but they ached beautifully. Pressure was building up in him once again, his dick coming back to life as he felt the telltale signs of Harry’s knot once again forcing it’s way inside of him. The once brutal thrusts became shallower, no less intense though as Harry grounded into him, punching obscene sounds out of Louis with each lurch forward.

And then Harry was sitting up. Before Louis could protest the lack of skin on skin, Harry was wrapping his hands around his waist, the smallest part of him, the tips of his fingers almost connecting, and dragging him back with every thrust forward. Louis wailed, fingers digging into the covers. 

“Like that, baby?” Harry rasped out. “Fucking yourself onto my cock. Will take it for however long I want, yeah? Greediest hole I’ve ever had.”

Everything felt like it was on fire--Louis’ body, the air around them, everything. Louis had become nothing but one nerve only able to feel pleasure and ecstasy. 

“Harry,” The omega gasped when Harry shoved his knees in between his own, forcing them somehow even farther apart as he tore into him. “Now.”

Harry’s lips were back near his ear, and Louis could feel the smile in his voice when he said, “Of course princess.”

The knot locked within Louis after Harry slammed into him one final time, unable to pull out even an inch. The omega was sure he came again, but everything felt far off and distant as he fell into a blissful, calming daydream. His body was twitching with pleasure, with being completely and utterly satiated. He couldn’t help the long, happy sigh that left him as he sagged against the bed.

Harry kissed the side of his forehead, right along the fading bruises that littered his temple, before hoisting them both onto their sides, cradling Louis like he was something special.

He had never felt special. Wanted.

“Comfortable?” Harry asked when he successfully managed to move Louis’s back against his chest. One of the alpha’s arms stayed tight around his ribcage while the other laid out behind his head like a pillow. Louis couldn’t help but turn his nose into the alpha’s flushed skin, breathing in gulps of pine and mint.

When Louis hummed, Harry asked another question, “How’d you like your turn then?”

Louis scraped his teeth roughly against the alpha’s forearm, making his chest rumble in laughter behind him.

“I’m very impressed.”

“Shut up.” Louis grumbled. He shifted his hips slightly, testing to see how far he could actually go only to realize he didn’t want to go anywhere. Not in the slightest.

Harry was talking behind him because of course he was, but Louis couldn’t keep track of his words. All of them mixing together and turning into mangled noises within his head. 

When Louis’ eyes closed and refused to open he knew he was seconds away from falling asleep, tucked closely against the most annoying alpha he had ever met who had just whispered the most disgusting filth he had ever heard into his ear while fucking him with an intensity he had never experienced before. 

I’m not going to survive this week, was Louis’ last thought.

Chapter Text

Harry had had a lot of odd jobs in his life. This particular one easily took the ranking of first, of course. But over the years he had found himself more often than not working his way around machinery during his random gigs. Alpha’s were generally more built and equipped to handle such equipment, or at least that was what society decided upon.

He had learned how to use a crane, ride a boat , fuck, Harry even knew about the inner workings of an escalator from when he worked at a local mall.

This machine though. Harry had never encountered another one like it.

“On.” Harry repeated, pushing the button again and again to no avail. The washing machine before him still refused to move or make a sound, “What the fuck else would an on button be for?”

He toggled around with the machine for a few minutes more before throwing in the towel, fighting off the urge to kick the expensive looking contraption. The last thing he wanted to do was damage the machine and give Louis more reasons to despise him. 

Harry knew he was just wound up and frustrated. Mainly with his lack of control. Every emotion and urge he had had in the last twenty four hours was still blooming in his chest, running up and down under his skin. He felt out of sorts, not like himself one bit. The constant, primal need to provide, protect, provide, protect, beat against his head in a steady mantra that he couldn’t shake.

Even though the omega was fast asleep and prone on the couch while he fixed up the bed he couldn’t pull his eyes away from him for more than a few minutes, the need to constantly check on him too strong to fight off. Louis was still wearing his shirt, just long enough on him that Harry didn’t deem it necessary to cover him up with anything else. 

And because you like seeing him wear it. Wear it while he sleeps. While you fuck him. Cloaked in your scent and your scent alone--

Harry snapped his eyes shut, willing himself to breath shallowly through his mouth. This had happened the last time Harry had knotted him too. He couldn’t brush off the weird fluxes of thoughts flowing through his head, all of them possessive and ideas he had never had before even after the most mind blowing sexual escapades. It was just Harry’s alpha reacting to the omega’s heat, and that was all.

He had debated calling Liam about it, but quickly abandoned that premise. Calling Zayn earlier had been no help and had almost gotten him caught. The omega had just scoffed at him over the phone when Harry had brought up his concern of Louis sleeping so much.

 “So what? You’re afraid you fucked him too good or something? You need to watch that ego of yours, Styles, seriously.”

The timer on his phone went off and Harry walked into the kitchen. It wasn’t the most elegant meal Harry could create, and the alpha within him rumbled in agreement, but Louis hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch and it was already well past noon. He reached into the oven and took out the tray of lasagna. He was glad he had the idea to thaw it out from its packaging earlier that morning, anticipating maybe a similar situation would occur like the one the night prior.

Being prepared for something was one thing, but actually being able to execute it was another. Harry stood over the sleeping omega, watching his chest rise and fall gently. Louis’ mouth was slightly open, his lips red and bitten and his neck didn’t fair much better. Harry hadn’t really felt great about that, especially when other parts of Louis were splattered with fading bruises most likely from his fainting spells. He couldn’t help it though, not in the moment, not when his alpha had been demanding that he mark what was his, boldly and unashamedly for the world to see. It didn’t matter that they were going to be the only two people to witness Louis in his current state.

Louis had been unshakable from his slumber after the last time they had gone at it. Harry had tried everything. Yelling, snapping his fingers around his ears, nudging him this way and that. Despite telling the omega he had not been physical with him, there was a point Harry may have gripped the omega by the shoulders and shook him back and forth like a ragdoll, but still got no response.

How he was going to pull Louis out of his trance now was a mystery, but he had to try. Who knew what state he would be in when he eventually woke up again and, more importantly, he needed to eat before another wave of heat crashed over him . Harry needed to see him eat for his own sanity. Everything he had read online had stressed the importance of properly nourishing an omega during their heat. The energy it took to go through something so intense demanded water and proper sustenance to power them through it. Harry was still cursing himself for not making Louis at least drink something while they were out on the terrace, choosing instead to indulge in their usual banter until it was too late.

“Louis,” Harry said, squatting down to his level. Their faces were only inches apart and Harry willed himself to focus. To not get lost in the sweet cinnamon scent now clouding around him, “Louis. Wake up.”

As expected, the omega didn’t stir. Huffing, Harry inched himself closer, “Louis, you need to eat. Wake up or I’ll really have to smack you over the head and I really don’t want to do that.”

It was true. Maybe a small part of himself completely detached from his alpha wouldn’t mind it. Louis could be a real asshole to him at times, throwing nothing but glares and sneers his way while calling him an oaf.

There were no traces of those looks now though, nothing but soft features and pliant limbs. His cheeks were slightly rosy and his eyelashes were so long they nearly skimmed the tops of them. His hair was slightly matted and could probably use a wash, but Harry liked it, all sex-muddled and messy. Dipping his gaze lower, Harry’s eyes couldn’t help but skim whatever parts of his collarbone that were visible, bitten and pronounced and beautiful.

Harry reared back, his nostrils flaring at the memories of them. He put all the times Louis had told him to shut up and had shot looks of disgust his way into the forefront of his mind as he tried again, “Louis,” he said, louder. The prone figure before him twitched, and that’s when Harry got an idea. A bad one. His ideas were usually bad ones, but this one had worked in the past and he was somehow still alive so…

Biting down roughly on his bottom lip, Harry resigned himself. Reaching out was both difficult and easy as his hand cradled the side of the omega’s neck, thumb brushing against his scent glad. Clearing his throat, he muttered, “Omega,” a small gasp escaped Louis, his body going sightly rigid, “open your eyes.”

It was downright shocking when Louis’ eyes suddenly fluttered open. He looked dazed, eyes not focusing and all over the place. Harry reinforced his grip around his neck, “You back with me, princess?”

Harry hadn’t meant to give Louis a nickname. Hell, that was one of the first things he was told not to do. But everything about Louis screamed regal. Everything from his perfect posture and confident steps to his snapping orders screamed power and demanded complacency. All things which Harry had slowly come to realize he didn’t mind. It was the way Louis carried himself that drew Harry in, making him want to sit back and watch the omega attack, eager to see what he’d demand next.

Yeah, Harry surprisingly didn’t mind that side of Louis at all. Zayn had always teased him for liking the ones who pushed back, the ‘bratty’ ones. 

Even now as the omega blinked the sleep away from his eyes, Harry was reminded of watching the film Snow White for the first time with his sister. The girl slowly batting her eyes open before coming back to the real world resembled Louis so much it was uncanny. 

Still, Harry was ready for the barrage of insults and disdain for having drawn Louis from his slumber in such a--for lack of better words-- intimate way. Louis hammering down on him happened more often than not even when he didn’t deserve it, and especially when he did deserve it. He gulped, going to pull his hand away--

A growl ripped out of the omega’s throat. “Don’t.” 

Louis’ hand snapped up around his wrist, holding the alpha there and letting out a deep sigh when he remained. He slumped back into the couch, nuzzling the top of Harry’s had against the underside of his chin. His eyes fell closed once again as the guttural sound in his chest turned into something soft, content. Purring.

Harry could only sit and gape because… well… he had never heard an omega growl. The omegas in his life consisted of Zayn and the random hookups he had had over the years, so he could just be ignorant, but this was Louis he was dealing with. The same Louis who had showed nothing but resentment and animosity towards him. The same Louis who would’ve growled at Harry a hundred times over for the shit he had pulled whilst in his home if he wanted to.

To do it now though? Just because Harry was drawing away to give him space? And then, when Harry didn’t draw away, to immediately switch to purring? The sound was so soft and deep in Louis’ throat that Harry almost melted at the sound ot it.

“Talk to me.” Harry said, feeling his voice once again drop into a low timbre. A voice he was unused to using in his day to day life but had grown accustomed to throughout his stay. “What do you need?”

Surely Louis wouldn’t be acting like this if he wasn’t geared up and ready to go again. Harry was exhausted but he would do it. Do anything Louis needed him to--

“Hn’rgy.” Louis mumbled, without opening his eyes.

Harry deflated at that, relief washing through him. “Yeah? That’s good. That’s really good, uh, I’ll get you--”

“Don’t go.”

“Not going.” He reiterated, feeling gobsmacked as he carefully extracted him hand. “Just getting you food. I’ll be right back. I promise.”

He could hear Louis’ chest rumble in displeasure, but when the sounds eventually died down he stood up. Hurrying into the kitchen, Harry plated a piece of lasagna and got a glass of water before rushing back into the living room. Louis was unsurprisingly still laying there, looking like he was drugged out and half asleep. He found himself carefully scenting the area, relieved not to find any traces of distress or pain in the omega’s scent. But--Harry took another whiff--there was also the absence of any heat pheromones. No slick, no fever, nothing like when he was deep in the throes of it and needed Harry.

He put the glass and plate down. Settling next to the omega, Harry gently laid his hands on his shoulders, “Gonna help you up now.”

Louis moved like his body was made out of jello, eventually having to lean up against his side to stay upright. Harry coughed as the omega’s pungent scent hit him. Louis may not be ready for another round, but that didn’t mean that his scent wasn’t any less intoxicating.

“Smell goo…” Louis tipped his nose into Harry’s shoulder, breathing in deeply and making the hairs on the back of the alpha’s neck stand upright. 

The alpha gaped at him before quickly snapping his jaw closed. He deftly told himself Louis was talking about the food. “Okay.” Harry barked out, reaching for the plate and loading up a forkful. “Careful, it’s still a little hot--”

Harry had been aiming to hand the fork over, but didn’t even come close before Louis was sealing his lips around the utensil, his cheeks hollowing slightly as he pulled every last bit into his mouth. Chewing slowly, Louis moaned and hummed, swallowing the mouthful before opening his mouth once again. Harry could only stare as the omega’s tongue dipped forward, tracing the inside of his bottom lip, silently asking for more. 

Harry tried to say something, but his teeth just ended up clacking together as he rapidly opened and closed his mouth. He got another large scoop, not allowing himself to take stock of the situation he found himself in. Louis needed food and if the way to get that done was this, then so be it.

He was getting Louis’ fifth bite ready when he felt like he was about to crumble. Feeding someone lasagna should not be getting to Harry like this. He was a grown man, for fuck’s sake. But the way Louis wrapped his lips around the fork and the sounds he made as he swallowed were making his already out of control mind go to places he really shouldn’t.

“Last bite.” Harry said through clenched teeth. When he returned with the fork though, Louis’ mouth was closed, his eyes hazy and half-lidded. “Lou--?”

Louis smacked the fork out of Harry’ hand and was straddling his lap before he could even move a muscle. The omega buried his face into his neck and drew himself closer, hands weaving around his neck fiercely. As dumbfounded and caught off guard as he was, Harry reacted instinctually. His hands found Louis’ hips, dragging him closer. He couldn’t help feeling utterly content while also cursing himself for not giving Louis anything to wear but his shirt.

“Louis,” He tried again, “what do you need?”

“Just… just…” He trailed off, his nose landing right up against Harry’s neck as he eagerly breathed in his scent. 

As Louis’ fingers deeply embedded themselves into Harry’s hair and his small, soft prick rubbed against his stomach, Harry realized he didn’t have a choice in what he was going to do next. Louis’ omega was practically screaming at him to act and he found himself powerless to the pull he felt deep within his chest.

Slowly running his hands up Louis’ back, he breathed, “Wan’ me to scent you, baby?”

Not moving his nose away from his neck, Louis whined. That was all the confirmation Harry needed to let his scent spike, flooding the space around him, Louis, and practically soaking the coach beneath them. Louis let out a pleased sigh before Harry’s tongue found his ear, circling it momentarily before biting down gently against the lobe.

Louis’s grip tightened, urging Harry on. He left gentle kisses along the side of his neck, going down farther and pulling his shirt aside, “Smell good too,” his tongue laved over the omega’s collarbone, earning him a small keen. 

It only took a couple more minutes of Harry scenting him before Louis seemed to come back. Harry was nuzzling his cheek underneath Louis’ chin, a deep rumble sounding from his own chest, when the omega pushed him back, not roughly but firmly. He was breathing hard when Harry properly looked at him, all flushed and pretty. “That’s enough.”

Harry hummed in agreement, even as he was diving back in, anxious to let his scent sink into the omega’s skin. Louis stopped him with a flat palm on his forehead.

“You’re giving me beard burn.” Louis rasped out, voice sounding like he had just woken up from a two year nap. “It hurts.”

“Looks good.” He commented without thinking. 

Louis withdrew his hand with an eye roll. “A fucking rash looks good to you?” Louis settled back onto his lap, still not entirely pulling away. “You alphas are so fucking weird. Covering me in your--spit.” The omega swiped at his neck with the tips of his fingers.

Louis may have looked properly pissed in front of him, but his scent was conveying nothing but contentment. Peace and solidarity. “Missed you too. Welcome back.” Harry said, smirking. “Didn’t know what I was going to do with myself without your constant beratement, you know.”

“Ha. Ha.” Louis said, dryly. His cheeks were flushed though, which Harry took as a win. “You need it, trust me. I don’t know what circles you normally run in, but your ego needs to seriously be checked.”

Hmm, Harry thought. He remembered another omega giving him a similar critique. Did he actually have a problem?

Problem or not, Harry was willing to tackle whatever Louis was insinuating. Running his hands along Louis’ hips, Harry said, “Please elaborate.”

“I already have. Multiple times. ” Louis bit out, even as he was relacing his fingers around Harry’s neck. His body language and facial expression told two different stories. One presented itself as ready to be jumped and taken while the other looked as though it was about to tear Harry in two. The combination shouldn’t have been making Harry so intrigued, so turned on and focused. “Always doing what you want, taking whatever you deem yours.”

“I don’t know what you want me to say.” Harry said, honestly. “I’m alpha. Been this way since the moment I was born, same as you. The only difference is you turned out to be omega.”

“We’re not slaves to our biology.” Louis said, harshly.

“Of course not.” Harry said, slightly offended by Louis’ accusatory tone. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Then,” Louis breathed out, settling himself closer unconsciously, “why do you say it like that? So plainly. Like it’s that simple and there are no exceptions or nuisances.”

“Ignoring biology doesn’t make it go away.” Harry tensed up when the omega once again pushed against him. He grit his teeth. “There’s ways around it, sure, but it's deep-rooted within us. Brushing it aside is like dismissing an integral part of who we are.”

Louis’ fists tightened in Harry’s hair. “I disagree.”

“That’s you’re prerogative.” 

He didn't know where this conversation was coming from, but Harry could be blatantly honest when he wanted he be. Wanted to be, being the key word in their situation. Harry was about to tell Louis’ about the lasagna filled fork somewhere on his precious carpet when he was interrupted.

“You know how fucking easy that is for you to say?” Louis asked, loudly. Harry’s eyes widened, but the omega barreled on, “You were born with every trait you’d ever need to accomplish anything. You exude confidence wherever you go, no matter the situation. Always so calm and in control. You have the--the voice and...”

Harry blinked, heavily. “And…? What’s your point?” When Louis only glared at him Harry couldn’t help but shrink back, “You just… you’re saying all this like any of it matters.” 

Harry knew firsthand that all of the things Louis had just mentioned meant nothing. Confidence could only get you so far as an alpha and using his voice? He shuddered at the idea of what turmoil that would bring him in a public setting. Jailtime or worse, no doubt.

Despite this, Louis seemed to double down, scowl prominent and eyes guarded. “Alphas always know what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. Say what you want about the hierarchy of the system we live in but--but at the end of the day alphas are never questioned or doubted or--or hurt.” Louis’ eyes met his, glazed and wide and angry . “Do you realize that? How much I've fought to have what you’ve been born with naturally.”

Harry could only stare at Louis in disbelief. Realization struck him that no. Louis was not back. Not back to their current reality, at least. Not back to their world where being an alpha meant you could only dream of being something more than what society thought of you.

He found himself gobsmacked by it all. How wrong the omega was. “Louis, you can’t be ser--”

“So yeah,” Louis cut him off. He whipped his head around like he coldn’t bare to meet Harry’s eye any longer. “Go on and on about integral part this and can’t fight it that. Cause why would you? When everything you’ve been given benefits instead of hinders.”

Harry frowned, feeling rightfully insulted that Louis would say such things to his face. He tried to calm himself down, remind himself that this omega was in heat and not in his right mind. He tried to make himself neutral and unbothered, but even to his own ears he sounded sarcastic and on edge, “Oh, I do apologize that things have turned out so terribly for you, Mister CEO.” Louis flinched but Harry was far from done. “Next time I’m lavishing in all these so-called benefits the world has just, you know, given me. Just for having a knot, I’ll be sure to think of you.”

“Fuck you,” Louis’ bore down on him, tone unforgiving and harsh. “You don’t know anything.” He hissed, grip tightening around Harry’s hair so much it stung. “I’m successful. Respected. I don’t let being an omega dictate how my life is.”

“Please,” Harry said, earnestly, “do you really think you’d--” He stopped talking before he could say something he couldn’t take back.

Harry was getting tired. Tired and agitated. He was trying to argue with an omega in heat and was still finding it irritating that he was losing. He removed his hands from Louis’ hips, more than ready to put some much needed space between then, but Louis seemed to have other ideas.

He pushed his elbows into Harry’s chest, hands curling around the base of his neck. Their faces were inches apart when he whispered, clipped and seething, “What? You don’t think I’d have the position I do now if I wasn’t an O, huh?”

“Huh?” Harry parroted back like an idiot only to be rewarded with Louis’ elbows digging in deeper. “I don’t know what I was saying! Jesus, Louis just relax--”

“No!” Louis shouted. His scent spiked, all acidic and angry as he pushed forward. “I want to hear you say it.”

“I didn’t say anything.” Harry replied as calmly as he could. He thought briefly about letting his scent slowly drift around them, hopefully lulling the omega back into a sense of calm, but thought better of it at the last second. The sentiment may only cause Louis to grow more frustrated, fight back harder to win a fight Harry had no idea how they had become ensnared in.

  “I’ve earned everything I have.” Louis paused, his words coming out like a growing flame, quiet and slow and all-consuming, “Can’t say the same for you. You didn’t even have to try to make yourself into more, you just needed your status. Being born an alpha was enough.”

Harry tensed, so utterly confused and irritated by Louis’ biting words, “What--”

 “Your very profession shows just how much you think your superior biology adds to this world.”

Sighing heavily, Harry went to grip Louis’ wrist. “I didn’t say anything about --”

“But you were going to.” Louis spit out, ripping his arms away. It caused him to sit back on Harry’s lap and sway slightly. “You were going to even though you don’t know fucking shit about me, asshole.”

“I don’t.” Harry actually agreed. “I fucking don’t and that’s--that’s not what I was going to say. Not exactly I…” Word vomit began to collect in Harry’s throat, desperate to get out just to hear what Louis had to say in response. It was stupid, unprofessional, dangerous, but he couldn’t help it as he said, “You actually think that an alpha would ever be given a chance at the position you have? Would I? Answer me honestly.”

“You couldn’t handle it.” Louis said. With an air of finality that made Harry simmer.

Harry exhaled loudly, frowning. They had discussed Louis’ job very briefly, but he still couldn’t believe the words coming out of his mouth as he said, “Wow. I’m so hurt you think I don’t have the mental capacity to direct around a bunch of models.”

Wrong thing to say. Louis’ face tightened, his shoulders hunched in so far they were nearly up to his ears, “How fucking dare you--you--you don’t know shit--” 

“I just admitted to not knowing anything about you.” Harry said, holding up his hands in surrender. “But don’t go thinking it doesn’t go both ways, sweetheart.”

“I know enough.” Louis continued, flippantly. “About you.”

“Jesus,” Harry sighed, leaning back against the couch. In trying to claw his way out of their argument he felt himself getting sucked in deeper and deeper. He rubbed his hands up and down his face before muttering, “I’m down arguing about your fancy fucking job. Alright? You’re abysmally better than me. Happy?”

“You brought it up and I’m defending myself.”

“No, you’re not.” Harry said. He let his hands fall down at his sides limply. “You’re using it as an excuse to attack me for some reason. It’s not my fault we were born this way, Louis. And, more importantly, I can’t change how society sees us. In literally any capacity. I’m just one guy.”

“And you think it’s wrong.” Louis said and Harry could cry with frustration.

“I don’t know. It’s just the way it is.”

“But you wish it was different. Or maybe like it used to be, huh?” Louis probed, actually going as far to flick him in the chest when Harry attempted to tilt his head away. “A society that let alphas do whatever the fuck they pleased--” Harry flinched. He couldn’t control it. Couldn’t help the anger it ignited in him, “--and you’re upset that people finally had the sense of mind to put them in their place.”

“And what place is that?” Harry shot back. His hands were clenched at his sides and his poor jaw wasn’t fairing much better. “At the bottom? Second class citizens? What a fantastic world we live in. ”

Louis narrowed his eyes, teeth barred and flashing his way. “Do you hear yourself? You make it sound like there was no rhyme or reason things had to change. Like you are all so innocent. If--If it wasn’t like this, things would have never changed or been better for anyone. Alphas would just beat us down into submission like they had always done. Like they still do--”

“I was born into the same fucking world you were, Louis.” Harry said, barely holding the low growl that threatened to escape. He refused to lose his cool. To stoop down to exactly what Louis was insinuating about him. “A world where from the second I presented I was labeled as bad. As a threat. Just because of some shit alphas did hundreds of years ago that had nothing to do with me. Don’t you get that--?”

“Even if it was a long time ago, we can’t change what we know alphas are capable of.” Louis said, voice cold and immovable. Firm. “Or do you want to take back your last statement? That you can’t ignore your own biology. The very essence of an alpha’s natural instincts are to take, control, and dominate. Safety measures have to be in place for what has happened in the--”

Harry didn’t speak, not right away. But something in his face must have made Louis pause, mouth caught open and slack. Ice spread through Harry’s veins and he felt like he was a child once again being told he couldn’t be friends with his next door neighbor anymore. Because he had presented as an alpha. Because it could be dangerous. Because he could lose control. Because there were no…

“... safety measures?”  

Harry felt himself begin to tremble with anger and… something else. Something that had always festered inside of him every time an mother would hold their close child when he was near. Every warm smile melting away at his approach. People shifting away from him on the bus. Worried glances like he could snap at any moment. It was a feeling that he knew all too well and felt powerless to change.

Seeing it in the face of nearly every omega he encountered was one thing, but actually hearing it out loud was another. Louis’ words cut deep and Harry, stubborn as ever, refused to let it get to him. To eat away at him until he was a husk of himself. He had been down that road before and he knew better than anyone that it led nowhere.

Rearing up from the couch, he was now above Louis. And he used every inch to his advantage. If Louis wanted to see him in this light, so be it. “My biology,” he spoke lowly, quietly, “ has nothing to do with being a safety hazard.”

Louis’ eyes didn’t lose their glow, but their was a hint of something close to sadness in his gaze. He opened and closed his mouth a few times before speaking softly, “I’m sorry, Harry. But that just isn’t true.”

Harry could hear his ears begin to ring at Louis’ daunting words. 

This isn’t heat. He really believes the words he’s saying, Harry thought, him and so many others.

You’ll never be enough for them. Never.

“Fine.” Harry felt the words leaving his lips, but could barely hear them. “Fine. Think whatever the hell you want.” 

Harry would never describe himself as a cruel person. He’s had his fair share of spats with all genders, but always tried to keep himself grounded. Sensible. He convinced himself that he was being something good, something that the rest of the world wouldn’t judge him for just because of his gender. He could be ‘one of the good ones.’ 

Being on his best, most respective behavior had been instilled in him early on by his parents--more so then his beta sister, more so than his omega and beta cousins--all behind the guise of shielding him from the reality of what his life would inevitably become. He had grown used to letting the snide glances and worried whispers of passing omegas and betas slip by him for years, always telling himself that he just had to do better. 

But now-- now. Harry couldn’t hold back. Didn’t even try to.

“But I’m not ashamed of what I am.” Harry said, curt and quick. “And I’m not going to apologize because something within you is displeased that I accept that part of me, and you can’t. I won’t stop being me and I never have. I’m proud of it. ”

Before the startled omega could retort, Harry continued, “But please, enlighten me,” he spoke, faux-sweetly before letting his voice turn ice old, “how ignoring your biology omega, has worked out for you.”

They were both breathing heavily, angry and agitated scents mixing together and developing something that smelt sour and wrong. Neither one of them backed down as they glared, eyes boring into one another with nothing but hostility. Harry had spoken his peace though and had nothing else to add. Not about this.

Louis’ jaw fell open, and right when Harry was positive he was about to beat him down once again, all he heard was a small whine escape from deep within the back of the omega’s throat, his face going lax and open, the hard lines of his sneer falling away in seconds.

Louis’ heat pheromones suddenly tumbled out, hard. More aggressive and sudden than Harry had ever experienced. It assaulted his nose, throat, and mind immediately, making his alpha rise to the surface from where he had pushed it down to the depths . Harry was flipping them both down and onto the couch, looming over Louis as he took in lungfuls of the intoxicating scent directly from the omega’s throat like he was starved for it.

He couldn’t control it. Every action he took was automatic and forced upon him. Like he had been thrust under an unbreakable spell.

And judging by the sounds now tumbling out of Louis he was in the same boat, pulling Harry down by his shoulders and arching his back until their chests were flushed.

“Fuck,” Harry bit out, pulling back slightly only to tear off his shirt and shove down his pants. He even yanked his own shirt off Louis, the omega’s skin looking flushed and irritated, “this is what does it for you,” he barely bit out, tugging Louis’ ass up into the cradle of his own hips, his dick already hard and pressing between the omega’s cheeks, unable to contain himself, “arguing with me? Making me out to be some--some kind of--”

Louis gasped, the sound echoing around the room as he wrapped his legs around the alpha’s waist. “Can’t,” he sounded strangled, like someone had a hand around his throat, “help it. I-- Ah--!”

Harry moved forward, coating his dick in slick. The slide between Louis’ cheeks was so good-- too good --and he couldn’t get enough of it, was sure he’d never be able to compare it to anything else even when this heat became nothing but a distant memory. 

He groaned in both pain and unbridled pleasure, his body at war with itself. The need to pull away and push forward too overwhelming with Louis’ terrible words and now his intoxicating smell swirling around his mind. His head dipped forward and landed square in the middle of Louis’ chest. He spoke on an exhale, “You’re driving me crazy.”

“Need you.” Louis moaned, weak and pitiful. Gazing up at Harry with watery, pleading eyes and--

--and Harry, despite everything, was helpless to resist.

Things escalated quickly from there. Harry had three fingers pumping in and out of Louis regardless of the fact that he barely needed any additional prep, still so wet and open. Lining himself up felt instinctual, and pushing himself to the hilt within the omega felt right. Louis’ insides were tight and all encompassing and so fucking good . Shushing the omega’s impatient whines with soft bites to his lips, Harry began giving him what he needed. He started off slow, allowing the squirming body underneath him to feel every last inch as he exited him before slamming back in, forcing him up the couch. 

As his pace grew more ragged and desperate, Harry knew he wouldn’t last much longer. Not when the omega was releasing such deadly pheromones, and not when Louis’ hole was squeezing him like he never wanted to let him go. Louis screamed and Harry knew he had found that spot inside of him, the one that made the omega’s whole body arch like he was possessed. He chased it with such intensity that he feared it might be too much, but Louis’ scent gave no hint to anything of the sort, just held onto him tighter. Shuffling forward on his knees, Harry hefted the omega’s lower back up, allowing his knot to lodge itself within him.

Louis came with a hoarse cry, unshed tears brimming his eyes. Harry watched as the omega slumped back into the cushions, arms going boneless next to his head where he had been fisting his own hair. Overwhelming pleasure worked its way through Harry’s body as he released inside him before letting out a resounding moan and nearly collapsing on top of Louis. 

Harry’s breathing wasn’t doing any better than the omega’s, haggard and rough as he struggled to catch his breath and keep himself upright. He moved his hands up Louis’ back, hauling his lifeless form to his chest before flipping them.

He landed with a huff, arms steadying the whining omega now laying on top of him. Harry couldn’t help but take in his now soft features, eyelashes skimming the top of his flushed cheeks and pretty lips open and bitten. He really, really needed to stop knotting Louis in this position. It was too close, and didn’t bode well when they found themselves in situations like these.

Despite his alpha screaming at him to hold his omega as he came within him, Harry let his arms fall away and drift to his sides, unbridled anger still blooming in his chest at Louis’ careless words. Harry could handle being berated, being glared at, and all the other things he had been subjected to, but Louis had crossed a line, one that Harry didn’t know how he could overcome. How he was going to get through the rest of this when Louis’ heat was only starting, he really didn’t know.

Louis wheezed against his chest, eyes barely open as he dazedly looked around. His scent was sweet, satiated. Calm. It rolled between them in waves causing Harry’s mind to momentarily spin. They smelled good together-- too good-- and it was not helping Harry keep a grip. 

 Louis’ hands were trapped between him and Harry, but he managed to pull them out with difficulty. Harry watched him stiffly, willing himself not to move a muscle. The omega’s fingers reached up and grazed the sides of his sweaty neck, light and yearning. He only flinched away when his nostrils flared, undoubtedly taking in Harry’s resentful, hurt scent. 

Louis whined, a sound that tore through Harry like a knife. He buried his pained face between the alpha’s pecs, scent going sour. Forcing his eyes closed, Harry refused to do anything, telling himself to feel the pain of Louis’ low opinions of him and nothing else until they could separate. 

His sentiment quickly changed though when he heard a continuous, strange scraping sound followed quickly by the omega’s pained scent. Snapping his eyes open, Harry couldn’t do anything but balk in horror at the sight directly above his eyes.

Louis was dragging his nails down the inside of his own forearm, leaving behind multiple tracks of reddened, irritated skin, some marks looking close to breaking through his flesh he was pressing so hard. Harry could feel himself begin to tremble, completely floored by this new horrendous development. The omega was gearing himself up to presumably mar himself once again when his alpha reacted quicker than his own mind.

“Stop that.” Harry hissed, seizing both of Louis’ wrists and pulling them as far apart as he could manage. The omega’s hands were pliant in his grip for only a moment before he was digging his fingernails into both of his palms, squeezing so hard they shook in Harry’s grasp.

Harry growled, voice and all, “Louis. Stop.” He forced the omega’s hands to unclench, ripping his nails away from his flesh and wincing at the biting marks they left behind. Studying his shaky palms closer, Harry discovered that there were imprints, old and new, littering his delicate skin. Sickness and utter distress surged over him at the image of the omega doing this, willingly hurting himself time and time again.

Harry was yanked out of his nightmare by Louis whimpering, face having never left his chest. The alpha could feel his skin growing damp, and it only took one sniff to identify that it wasn’t sweat, but rather tears.

Harry felt something break within him.

He gathered Louis up in his arms fiercely, burying his nose in his hair and scenting him like a mad man. He managed to shove both of Louis’ arms back between them, knowing that he couldn’t stomach seeing the omega injure himself. Not again. Momentarily lifting his legs up, he settled them both over Louis’ shins, completely immobilizing him and keeping him safe. 

Even if it was from himself.

“Sorry.” Harry murmured into his hair, anguish pooling up inside of him despite keeping his scent as neutral as possible for the omega’s sake. His hand cupped the back of his nape, gripping him hard and keeping him close. 

Harry may have come here for selfish and deceitful reasons, but he never once thought of neglecting the omega. He had come here with the intention of helping Louis and he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was utterly and completely failing him. The omega before him had eaten next to nothing since his arrival--one serving of spaghetti and bites of greasy pizza and frozen lasagna. Harry couldn’t even remember the last time he had him drink water. Running his fingers through Louis’ hair, he determined he neglected to even properly washed him, not once. Only running a wet, soapy rag over him after they had finished. And now-- now, when Louis needed him most he decided to a pick fight. Even going as far as to childishly pull away from him after they were done as some cruel form of punishment against someone at their most vulnerable, someone he was still fucking tied to. 

“I’m sorry.” Harry reiterated, close to tears of frustration and anger towards himself at how much he was fucking this up, at his utter carelessness. “So sorry, Lou. I’m sorry.”

When it happens again I’ll… I’ll be here. I’ll be there for you.

Harry was a fake, a phony, and a terrible alpha. Louis deserved better.

Louis had terrible opinions of alphas--horrible, wrong, and downright dehumanizing opinions. The sickening thought of can I even blame him? now sounded off in Harry’s fogged mind.

Louis fell asleep shortly after that, but Harry’s strong grip on him never wavered.

Chapter Text

“Hi.”

Tilting his phone away from his head to protect his hearing, he expected the incredulous reply he received, “Fucking--hi?”

Harry had heard his phone ringing multiple times throughout the past couple of hours, but his mind wouldn’t let him give up on his tasks until they were done. 

“Sorry.” He said. “Didn’t mean to go MIA there on ya, mate.”

“That’s your response. Mate.” Liam seethed, his static voice as scathing as ever.

Harry shrugged despite the fact he knew the alpha couldn’t see him, the movement took much more effort than it probably should have. “Don’t know what to tell you.”

“Tell me,” Liam started, “what the fuck your last text was about.”

Oh yeah. Harry thought, spreading his legs out more along the now spotless couch. The text.

“I had a real meltdown, didn’t I?” Harry chuckled, his voice sounding far off. He had the TV on, had had it on for awhile, but he couldn’t say what he was watching for the life of him.

“What?” Liam’s voice was shrill. “Explain yourself.”

“I dished it out to you, didn’t I?” Harry hadn’t known why he had felt the need to dump all of the newfound information he had discovered about himself onto Liam through a simple text, but it had felt right at the time. Someone should know. Warn others about him and all.

“What are you on about? This shit about how you’re a failure as an alpha? Not a good provider?” Liam’s voice hitched up with every question, making Harry’s head pound. “You sound mad.”

“Yeah.” Was all Harry could muster. “Guess I am. Yeah.”

Several silent seconds passed by before Harry heard Zayn’s voice, uncharacteristically soft and calm, “Harry? You still there?”

No, Harry thought, but cleared his throat, “Yeah.”

 “Okay,” The omega said, all slow like, “I need you to listen to me, okay?”

Harry nodded and somehow Zayn was able to hear him.

“I’m guessing Louis isn’t there right now.”

Louis. Harry’s eyes squeezed shut, pain licking into his abdomen at the thought of him lying in his bed, alone. “Yeah. He’s sleepin’.”

“Something happened.” Zayn didn’t ask, and Harry crumbled.

He told Zayn everything, let it all filter out of him like he was bleeding out. He and Zayn had never been close, but somehow he didn’t feel strange about dumping everything onto him. It was unfair and yet the omega said nothing as Harry started from the very beginning, all the way to their fight, to Harry realizing how poorly he had been treating Louis, and even more. He went into detail about how he had foolishly tried to fix everything. He had cooked until Louis’ fridge was full of prepped meals to feed six men instead of two for the remainder of the week. He had scrubbed the couch clean of any of their biddings, including the fresh stain of lasagna on the floor. He had washed Louis’ prone body with every soap and scrub he could find, rinsing his matted hair out at least three times, only stopping when the omega had finally started to rouse. He had sat by Louis’ side for hours, hovering over him and taking every chance he could get to gently coax the sleeping omega into taking even a sip of water or a bite of food. He had dressed Louis in clothes that only smelt of him, positive that he’d not want to wake up smelling like Harry--like Harry. The same alpha who was failing him, who was borderline torturing him, who wasn’t there for him--protecting him--keeping him safe and--and--

“Harry,” Zayn was firm, cutting him off. Harry still found himself breathing shallowly, panic threatening to seize his throat, “Breathe.”

And he did, somehow. He gasped as he flopped back onto the couch, not even realizing he had begun pacing. He let out a shuddery exhale of air, “I--I don’t know what’s happening to me.”

“I told you to listen to me, didn’t I?” Zayn said. “And then you went on a ten minute rant that I didn’t ask for. I let you talk, now you’re going to let me.”

His voice left no room for argument and Harry was too tired and weak to fight him. 

“I’m not here to boost your ego or whatever.” Harry scoffed at that, apparently that was the last thing he needed. “I’m not your mother here to tell you that whatever you do is great and fine and dandy, alright?”

“Alright.” Harry croaked.

“You’re dealing with a very, very sick omega.” He said. “But you knew that going in.”

“He’s not sick.” Harry found himself saying. “He just… needs to go through a heat.”

“That’s not normal, Harry.”

Everything that made Harry an alpha bled forth, forcing him to protect an omega he thought was his. “If he’s sick than so am I.” 

Flashes of Louis’ sad face looking down at him and essentially telling him that he was a hazard scored Harry’s mind. 

Zayn started  “Harry, you can’t--”

Harry, you can’t attend practices anymore unless Lillian or Jared is available. We’ve discussed this with your mothers, but a handful of parents expressed that at least two beta coaches should be present when you’re playing on a team with newly presented omegas--

The voices inside his mind were cut off by even more gruesome thoughts. Thoughts that involved Louis’ raking his nails down his skin like he deserved to be punished--like he wasn’t--

--good enough. Seriously? What kinda alpha fucking cries over this shit?

Harry retched himself out of memory after memory he hadn’t thought about in years. He grit his teeth as he responded, “This--this whole thing is brining up stuff within me that I--I don’t know how to handle. I thought I did, Z. I thought I--”

“Harry,” Zayn didn’t speak normally, his voice had dawned something soothing, relaxing. Something Harry had never heard from the omega in their fleeting moments throughout the years. “It’s okay.”

He was comforting Harry, he realized with a start. Even through the phone.

When his breathing returned to normal, Zayn began again, “Look, we all agreed to this mess. A mess that I’m definitely not going to tell you we shouldn’t have done.” Harry stuttered out a grunt because, well, Zayn definitely had ever right to say I told you so. “We all did, but ultimately you are responsible for him and you have to take care of him, Harry.”

Harry squeezed his eyes shut, nodding and blurting out a splurted, “I know.”

“But,” The omega’s voice went soft again, “you also need to take care of yourself. You are no use to him if you aren’t in the right state of mind.”

“I.. yeah,” Harry found himself saying. Louis was all that mattered now. He would be fine. He’d take whatever Louis threw at him, he’s stay awake for days if it meant--

“Harry,” Zayn pulled him out of his thoughts, “you are no use to him or yourself if your aren’t in the right state of mind.”

Hearing Zayn say it again made Harry hear it more properly because he was right. Harry had to be present and ready for any situation. Zayn was always right.

“I’m sorry.” Harry choked out. “I’m so sorry, guys.”

“Stop apologizing and pull yourself together.” Zayn chided. “Jesus, maybe I should have been the one to help the guy. Being another omega or not just-- fuck-- just imagine if Liam was in your shoes right now?”

Harry couldn’t help but laugh at that. He could hear Liam’s indignant voice farther off in the background. Harry smiled. It had only been a couple days but he missed them both to death.

“Now, here is what you are going to do.” Zayn said, authoritative but also strangely comforting. “You are going to shower. I’m sure your ass stinks and you don’t even realize it. And then, you’re going to go to sleep. No alarm, no worrying about anything else. Louis is far enough into his heat that you have to trust that he’ll either seek you out or your own instincts will let you know if anything needs to be done.”
Harry grimaced, “I can’t--”

“I can hear the bags under your eyes, Styles.” The omega said. “Go to sleep.”

Sighing, Harry dragged himself up onto shaky legs. He held the phone close to his ear, willing his voice not to shake. “Thank you guys. I--I’m gonna make this right.”

“Oh, stop. You both need to make this right.”

Harry blinked. “Huh?”

“What? You think cause he is sick and in heat he gets a free pass? He sounds like he’s been nothing but a complete fucking asshole. I told you I wasn’t about to praise you for being the best alpha, but he isn’t really being the best omega, is he? Yeah, yeah heat, I know, but my point still stands. If he wants to go and pick these fights about biology this and gender that than he has to take what he’s throwing out. The very outdated and fucked up things he throwing out, might I add.”

Harry slumped. “What he said… alphas hurt people, hurt omegas--”

“Yes,” Zayn cut in, “they very much do. I know.” the trembling in Zayn’s voice didn’t help soothe Harry at all, but the omega continued before he could reply, “But I also know that as an omega I have privileges, despite the lifestyle I choose. Prejudice against alphas happens everyday and I see it when places like Mal’s are getting closed down because of the patrons that go there.”

Harry didn’t know what to say to that. He had figured Mal’s bar was just a blip in Zayn’s memory, not something that he actually thought mattered.

“I don’t blame you for what you said.” Zayn said after a sigh. “In fact, I think he needed to hear it.”

Harry deflated at that, but still felt a pang in his stomach at the whole conversation. “Thanks. I--that means a lot. Everything.”

“Don’t let it go to your head.” 

Harry laughed, finally starting to sound like himself. “I won’t.”

“Talk to him.” Zayn ended with, but not before reiterating, “But first, sleep.”

“Right.”

“No, wait.” Liam’s voice cut back in. “It was shower, then sleep.”

“I got it.” Harry rolled his eyes as he made his way into his bedroom.

Zayn said one last thing before ending the call, “You said it before, H. Back in the day when an omega went into heat, an alpha helped them out, end of story. Trust your instincts.”

***

“Harry.”

Harry. He could hear the omega breathing his name, all flushed and pink from his cheeks down to his chest. He could feel him now--soft and wanton, limp and ready and needing--

“Harry.”

He needed him now, voice all high-pitched and choked. Head thrown back with abandon and trust. Harry ran his hands down the omega’s bare chest, teasing his nipples as he went. Right as he was about to reach the divot in his hips and circle his fist around his tiny cock--

‘Knothead. Wake up.”

Something hit his head and he jolted forward, eyes snapping open. Immediately pulling himself out from his dream wasn’t hard, but it was utterly unwelcome all the same. His room was dark now, signaling that he must’ve gotten at least a couple hours of sleep. A pain surged near the front of his head and an even greater throbbing pulsed between his thighs as he rubbed a hand down his face, urging both feelings to lessen.

“Jesus,” Harry’s head snapped towards the door, “and you said I was hard to wake up..”

Louis was standing in his doorway, one slipper in his hand with the other presumably somewhere around Harry. He had on the same clothes Harry had dressed him in earlier, hair mused but clean. He was gripping the doorknob, his shoulders clenched up despite his casualness of his tone. 

“What are--” Harry properly pushed himself up, muscles groaning and cracking at the sudden action, “What do you need? Do you need--”

Harry inhaled deeply through his nose and Louis huffed. “Stop sniffing around like some blood hound. I--It’s not that.”

“Okay.” He said, carefully. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, Harry was able to see more of the omega. His chin was wobbling slightly and his hand fisting the doorknob trembled. His legs didn’t look any better, shivering through the thin, long pants he wore. 

Everything within Harry told him to leap up and fix. Shove his nose into the omega’s neck and flood him with his scent. Make him shake for a whole other reason.

He bit the inside of his cheek, willing his voice to stay calm. “Lou, what do you need?”

“I need--” Louis began strong, but quickly faltered. He breathed out raggedly, like he was annoyed. “I don’t need-- that. I--I don’t think so, not right now… I--I know you don’t--don’t want me here, but…”

Harry watched Louis ramble and stumble with wide eyes, unused to the omega sounding so unsure. His scent was growing more and more distressed as he went on and Harry’s alpha was going rabid inside his chest.

“I don’t know what I’m saying.” Louis choked out, shoulders hunching in on himself. “I don’t know. I--I--need. But I don’t--”

Zayn had told him to trust his instincts, and right now everything was telling him that the omega before him needed to be told what to do. It went against everything Louis had instructed him to do, but Harry felt almost as hopeless as Louis looked. He took one small, steadying breath.

“Omega,” Harry said, calm and confident, making Louis go silent and still. He moved his duvet aside, motioning with a small dip of his head for Louis to enter, “come here,” he kept his voice low, non-threatening and open, “let me help you.”

The whine sounded like it had been ripped from Louis as he fell towards him. A part of Harry thought the omega would resist like he so often did, but a larger part of him knew that he would listen. Louis might’ve been the one in heat, but they both undoubtedly could feel the pull drawing them together. It was what happened between alphas and omegas sharing a heat or rut together. Add Louis’ touch depi into the mix and it was a miracle both of them had held off for so long. 

He stumbled towards the side of the bed, shaking and with wide, scared eyes. As soon as Louis’ back hit the mattress, Harry was on him.

He made sure to be gentle though. Hands gripped his sides and ran through his hair, pulling him closer without yanking. Louis sighed under his touch, eyes slipping closed as the his rigid body relaxed. Once they were close enough to be chest to chest, Harry let his scent flood between them, letting it slowly trail around and filter throughout the room. Louis’ head seemed to find its way under his chin and Harry’s hand found purchase on the back of his neck, holding him close. His other arm slipped underneath him, landing on the lower back. Harry took the initiative on weaving their legs together, making sure Louis’ were mostly on top.

They laid like that for a long while, nothing but the soft sounds of their breathing echoing through the room. Their scents intermingled beautifully, making Harry’s eyes drift shut as he took in long drags through his nose. It was hardly the first time he had held an omega in his arms, but something felt different. Like he was settling something raging within himself instead of just solely comforting Louis. He basked in the slight relief of it. Harry had always been a big cuddler, and he was glad for the experience. At least he had succeeded in making Louis’ scent calm and happy without heat sex once during his stay here.

Right before Harry felt the tell tale signs of sleep threatening to overtake him, he heard Louis’ voice, soft and almost non-existent. “You’re still being so nice to me.” Harry’s eyes fluttered open, but before he could speak, “I’m sorry.”

“What?” Harry asked, maybe a little too loudly. 

Louis flinched, but didn’t pull away. “Don’t make me say it again.”

“Why are you apologizing?” He asked, incredulously.

“You know why.” Louis said, voice sounding small. “Just--accept it and we’ll move on.”

“Louis,” Harry said. It was strange to be having this conversation all wrapped up in one another, no heat pheromones controlling them, but he soldiered on, “you have nothing to apologize for.”

“I do though.” Louis said. “That was some awful shit I said to you.”

Harry stilled at that, completely caught off guard by the honesty in the omega’s voice. He cleared his throat. “Nothing worse than what I said to you.”

Louis snorted. “Don’t be fucking modest. I took it too far.”

“And I could’ve easily shut it down, but I didn’t.”

“I started it.”

“And you’re in heat.” Harry pointed out, thumbing Louis’ neck absent-mindedly. 

“So?” Louis snapped, voice finally rising past a whisper. “Does that mean I can be cruel and small-minded?”

Almost down to the exact phrasing, Harry thought. He and Zayn could never meet. They’d be an unstoppable duo.

“You’re in heat.” Harry reiterated, determined to get the upper hand on the conversation, stop it in it’s tracks before it could spiral out of control. “And I’m here to help you, not to make things worse. I can’t let my emotions overcome me when I’m here to make sure you’re safe. You… you come first.”

Louis paused at that, turning his nose into Harry’s neck. “What you said hurt, but was also extremely accurate. But, I think it also helped as well.” Before Harry could interject, he continued, “Made you seem more, I don’t know, human. Not just some guy here to fuck me.”

Harry’s eyes widened. “...I--

“And make me want to hit you over the head in frustration.” Louis added, voice sounding oddly lighter.

Harry swallowed. “I’m… Louis. The point still stands. I’m sorry and I’m the only one who should be apologizing right now. I haven’t…” Harry could feel his throat restrict, shame bubbling up inside of him once again. “I haven’t been doing right by you. Letting our personal differences intermingle with--”

“I saw all that food you cooked up in the fridge.” Louis said. “And I woke up clean, hydrated, and somehow full. I don’t even want to ask how you managed that by the way.”

A surprise huff escaped Harry. Getting a dazed out, half asleep Louis to eat a full plate of eggplant parmesan hadn’t been a simple task, after all.

“I know I’m not any easy case. For more reasons than one.” Louis’s voice drifted, forlorn and far off.

Neither am I. Harry’s stomach churned at once again being reminded that Louis thought he was a professional. That he was working with an agency--

Harry gulped, arms tightening around the lithe body beside him. He didn’t know how to respond and he felt Louis exhale a small sigh when the omega realized he wouldn’t get one.

“I know how you alphas can get.” Louis laid his hands flat against Harry’s bare chest, fingers digging into his skin almost absent-mindedly. “You must’ve lost your mind, huh?” 

“A little.” Harry admitted. A lick of confusion trickled into his tone, but he didn’t dare pry.

“Pushing away a poor omega in heat,” Louis snuggled up closer, not sounding the least bit irritated, but rather almost resigned. Harry could only blink in surprise as he continued, “alphas don’t do that. Can’t do that or at least… I--I don’t want you to do something cause of… I  don’t even know what I’m saying anymore.”

Harry’s jaw clenched, but he forced out, “You don’t have to--”

“I do.” Louis said, like he was confessing to a crime. 

Harry waited. For a long time. He could feel the steady thrum of Louis’ heartbeat and knew the omega hadn’t fallen asleep, hadn’t finished what he wanted to say. So, he waited.

Louis began after a soft sigh. “When I was little my… my dad used to make meatloaf everytime we had an argument. It was a peace offering of sorts to whatever we were squabbling about. It always ended anything we were disagreeing about, no more conversation needed. I… I used to love it. I hated conflict, especially back then.” Louis said, uncharacteristically slow. “It was my favorite meal growing up. My dad wasn’t much of a cook because he insisted on being a traditional alpha and all, but he always tried to indulge in areas he knew he shouldn't. It made my mum happy and he liked to make her happy, despite the stigma our community had about what roles alphas and omegas were to uphold. I think my parents always teetered on that point, whether they realized it or not. They labeled themselves as alpha/omega traditionalists, but then dad would give mum foot massages after a long day of taking care of us kids instead of the other way around. It was… sweet. They blurred the lines for a while until I had my first heat.”

Louis tensed and Harry could feel it against his skin as he continued, “Things changed when I presented. My parents had my siblings-- many children --pushing more traditional values on us. We moved into a bigger house with stricter rules , and--” Louis faltered slightly, his eyes barely open.

It hit Harry like a ton of bricks. Louis’ parents weren’t just traditional. They were so-called purists. 

Alpha, Male. Omega, Female.

The thought made Harry almost growl in indignation. In utter resentment to anyone who thought biology was a choice.

 “--and I had completely forgotten about his infamous meatloaf as the years went by. It was only after our first fight in the new house--something so stupid and mundane that I can’t even remember what it was--that suddenly my father seemed to remember our little pact. That evening--in our new, luxurious house that he couldn’t afford but a community that upheld our values --we had meatloaf and I wanted to believe he didn’t mean it, not like that. I even wanted to be touched by it…that he would remember something so silly after so long, but--” something contorted in Louis’ face, a prominent frown that couldn’t be shaken, “--it felt like I had somehow been reverted back to a child in his mind, more so than my actual toddler siblings at the time. Someone who could just be placated and shut up. Shut down from any semblance of opinion just from a meal provided by an alpha.”

Harry’s throat constricted painfully, but he still managed, “Lou--”

“And he was right.” His voice sounded empty, far away. “I sat and ate and didn’t say another goddam thing. Cause he knew. He knew deep down that I wasn’t an idiot and that I was the reason they had to move in the first place. That I was the problem.”

Harry felt himself floored even as he lied on the soft bed. He didn’t know much, hadn;t done any research out of even curiosity, but he knew that in some communities male omegas and alpha females were banned from integrating, or from even existing in such civilizations .

  It was uncommon, in Harry’s mind, utterly fucking stupid, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t as widespread as he once thought. The thought made his stomach churn.

“I realized something that night. I wasn’t his son anymore.” Louis said, quietly, solemnly. “I wasn’t his son who he could just have normal arguments or disagreements with because I was an omega, first and foremost, who needed to be taken care of, put in my place. Coddled. No matter how mad he got at me for not acting right the alpha in him couldn’t stop itself from trying to comfort me afterwards. Even after all the stress I had put him under with having to move from a community that he loved. He usually just used food. It was-- humiliating. Patronizing. Like I was some poor, helpless thing that couldn’t take a few harsh words without completely falling apart.”

Louis sniffed, eyes clouded with anger. “It never felt comforting though. It felt like judgment, resentment. He couldn’t understand why I didn’t just act like an omega after presenting. Not like my mom, not like…a stereotype. Even after we left.”

“It was like I was a stranger to him.” Louis said, mouth pulling down. “Like I had become some beast sent to haunt him. Like I had chose this--like… like I was something he couldn’t even look at anymore.”
Harry’s jaw hung open at the story, but he made sure to keep his breathing as even as possible. The disgust in Louis’ tone radiated, but he willed himself to stay as neutral and calm for the omega as he possibly could.

Louis continued, voice clipped and raw, “Like it--it fucking disgusted him to be in the same room as me. To make meals for me? To soothe me with fucking food after we fought?” A loud, humorless laugh left Louis before he simmered down.

“ A… a fucking guy. My dad had never known a male ome--” He buried his head in his hands, rubbing his palms back and forth, back and forth. Harry remained silent, unable to formulate words, before Louis was looking up, voice sharp, “It was as humiliating for me as it was for him cause he made it that way.”

Harry finally could connect the dots as to why Louis had always been so weird about food provided or made by him. Alpha makes me food equals I did something wrong. His chest clenched in discomfort at the mere thought.

“What I’m saying is,” Louis ground out, “I must’ve really struck a nerve earlier. No, more than that and--and I know you’re upset with me, and you have every right to be. And I know you can’t help but be nice to me because it’s ingrained in you to do so.”, 

He said it so flippantly, like he hadn’t  just handed Harry a small stream of information that he had to go on. The fact that Louis thought he could dismiss all of what he just said suddenly ignited Harry.

Shuffling slightly, Harry breathed out, deeply, “Louis, an alpha wanting to protect and provide for an omega isn’t shameful. Or at least, it shouldn’t be. What is shameful is an alpha who uses their privileges to hurt, control, and… abuse those they supposedly love and cherish. I’m… I’m sorry your father did that to you.” Harry swallowed thickly. “Earlier you claimed that alphas have to take and be dominate, and while I can’t speak for everyone, I’ve never seen it that way. Or felt that way about it.”

“How do you feel about it then?” Louis asked quietly, the words mostly getting stuck in the back of his throat.

He sighed heavily. Running his fingers down Louis’ back, he said, “I want to take care of you, always. Make sure you are fed and warm and comfortable.” His fingers trailed softly up the omega’s nape, brushing against his scent gland. “It’s not about taking control or being in charge, it’s about protecting you--”

“Who says I need protection?” 

“Don’t we all sometimes?” Harry shrugged. It was still too dark to make out Louis’ expression, even harder when the omega buried his face into his throat. 

“Wouldn’t know.” Louis voice came out as a wobble, choked off and stilted. “No one has bothered.”

Sadness curled in Harry’s stomach so hard at Louis’ words that he blurted out, “My parents are both betas.” Harry said. Suddenly. Without any thought and without opening his clenched eyes. Word vomit.

A beat passed before Louis responded, “Oh.”

“Yeah.” It was uncommon. He had known that his entire life. Beta couples had beta children, most of the time. His sister was a testament to that as well as many of his cousins, aunts, uncles, even his grandparents. Of course there were a few outliers in his lineage, here and there, but as far as his immediate family went-- he was the outlier. All of his distant, distant relatives who were omega or alpha had alpha/omega parents. He was, and had always been, the ‘odd man out.’

Squeezing Louis’ shoulder lightly, he put on a goofy voice, “I’m an enigma.”

To his surprise and relief at cutting the tension, he heard a small chuckle leave the omega. “I had already figured that out.”

“You catch on fast.” Harry said. “But, uh, yeah. Weird family situations kind of always run within our kinds, huh?”

“Seems like it.” Louis said, fully laying his head down on his chest. “Tell me about it. An eye for and eye.”

Harry couldn’t argue with that. He had more questions for Louis, but this was his doing at the end of the day. Clearing his throat, he started, “Well, there’s not much to tell, really. My mums are beautiful, wonderful parents that raised me and my sister to be good-hearted people. They love us both to bits.”

It must have been some weird, hyper awareness within Louis that made him see right through him. He even lifted his head to give him a look. “And?”

Harry deflated at that. He allowed himself to sink further into the mattress, never once loosening his grip on Louis. “Here’s the whole mundane truth of it all. My mums are female betas--can’t reproduce naturally together, right? One of them gets a donor’s sample and conceives the treasure that is my beautiful sister. They decide to go for another. Used the same donor--a beta, mind you--and ended up with an alpha.”

Harry always laughed at the end of his family spiel whenever he had to tell it, and this time was no different. He remembered Liam’s incredulous look at his tale and Zayn’s heavy blinking when he first told them. 

“I know, I know.” Harry said, instinctively. Automatically. Every time he introduced his family to his primarily alpha patrons at Mal’s he found himself uttering the same rant over and over once they were gone. “My mums would’ve been better off just hiring an omega surrogate. They’d have gotten a guaranteed beta or maybe, if they were lucky, an omega.”

The words had stopped feeling sour on Harry’s tongue years ago and always earned him a series of cackles and laughs. Louis didn’t laugh though. In fact, his face was stoic as he said, “I don’t think you’re mums would ever want to hear you say that, Harry.”

The strained, practiced smile on his face vanished immediately. He stared down at Louis’ with furrowed brows, “What? I--” gathering himself quickly, he let out a loud huff, “I got my sense of humor from them, Louis. Two betas having an alpha is absurd and they even went through the painstaking donor process to make sure it didn’t happen.” He remembered finding the papers of the donor, buried under stacks of stuff in the attic of his family home to ensure there was little to no alpha lineage in his history. 

He was an enigma.

Harry smiled, nonetheless, “My sister and I cost a pretty penny, you know.” He sent a wink the omega’s way, but it didn't seem to phase him. Sighing, Harry said, “They get the irony of it all.”

“I don’t. While it isn’t common, beta pairs have alpha and omega children just as much as alpha and omega pairs have betas.” Louis shrugged against him, eyes suddenly much more wide and clear as he stared. “You said your mums love you. All of you, every part. Doesn’t that imply they wouldn’t want you any other way than how you are now?”

His mums did love him. Never made him feel different or strange for as long as they could. They educated him diligently--warning him. Letting him know about the prejudices he’d face when he was older. They didn’t allow in family who who look down or berate him . While it hurt, and he was sure it hurt them to lose such a person within their kin, at the end of the day he had that support--he had his family--while Louis--

They wouldn’t want you any other way than how you are now

Saying Harry was floored would be an understatement. Here was an omega who not even a couple of hours ago was berating him for his status. Basically saying he was a threat. Now, he searched the omega’s face, desperate to find something that wasn’t open and earnest, but rather deceitful and cutting like before. He found nothing of the sort. He let his lips part, a small breath of air escaping him, “Guess so.”

Louis’ nostrils flared and he blinked, rapidly. “See?” His voice came out a little high-pitched, eyes darting down, “I’m always right. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you this entire time.”

Harry stared. Louis was looking away from him now, but even with the minimal lighting Harry could still see the tints of red gathering along his cheeks, contrasting with the fading blues and purple around his temples. Even with the bruises Harry couldn’t help but ogle, to take in Louis’ smooth skin, the same skin he had sucked, bitten, and kissed. The body that he had twisted, stretched, and ground against in earnest--the best and most vulnerable bouts sex he had ever had. 

Each time Harry tried to convince himself that it was just Louis’ heat coming into play and messing with his instincts. But with every round of blissful, savage sex he lost more and more confidence in that notion. The unbridled need to provide, protect, and fuck Louis--even when he didn’t need any of those things in the moment-- consumed Harry. 

And now they were doing this--opening up to one another about things Harry hadn’t even discussed with Liam. It added a layer onto Harry’s already rapid loss of control. The more he touched Louis, the more he talked to him--the more he wanted to know. Harry wanted to dissect Louis, inside and out, and fix and mend anything and everything he could, take away all of his pain. It was shocking, but he knew it was true and couldn’t deny it any longer.

Harry felt as though he and Louis had been drifting in their own separate boats in the vast, expansive ocean. And now, through a series of coincidental events, they had found one another. Two people with flaws, trauma, preconceived notions, and who were utterly misunderstood. Not just by society, but between one another.

 Louis was breathing unevenly, but Harry smelt no panic or distress. Just wide, blue eyes that almost sparkled in the moonlit room.

Harry must’ve taken too long to respond, because the omega eventually snapped. “What? You don’t think I’m right?”

Harry shook himself and tried to respond as smoothly as possible. “Course you are. I was just busy processing the fact that you finally said something nice to me. Albeit in a roundabout sort of way.”

Louis scowled. A look that a couple of days ago would’ve sent Harry on edge now made him sport an award-winning smile. “I can be nice.”

“Mmhmm.” He hummed, hands coming up to play with the soft hairs on the back of Louis’ head.

“I can.” Louis insisted, moving closer. “I choose not to.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“I’m trying to be nice right now.” He sighed roughly, “I’m sorry. Okay? I’m not taking it back and you can’t make me change my mind. I know we don’t know each other well, but forcing me to go back on what I’ve said is virtually impossible so don’t even try it.”

Despite what their conversation had inevitably turned to, Harry was never one to deny the impossible, “Forcing you to do something? I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“You couldn’t do it.”

“You’re right.” Harry said, letting his head drift upward, nustling completely into Louis’ hair, taking in that sweet cinnamon scent. “And I send my best wishes to anyone who tries to do so.”

He felt Louis tense up and was afraid he had spoken out of turn, had finally crossed a line that wasn’t to be crossed. Eventually though, Louis sagged against him once again, making Harry feel lighter.

Silence lingered between them for so long he was positive Louis had fallen asleep, his chest rising and deflating slowly. It was only when Harry let himself relax that the omega’s sleepy voice sounded out, “I don’t hate alphas, you know.”

“Okay.” Harry said, muffled against the pillow, unsure of how else to respond.

“I convince myself that I do.” Louis continued, sounding so slurred and sleepy Harry could barely understand him. “The things I said to you… I tell myself that I believe them cause I think it will make things easier. Will… will make me feel better about myself.”

“Do they?” Harry asked, voice barely audible.

Louis was silent for a long beat. “Trying to force myself to believe untrue bullshit turns out to be one of the few things I don’t excel at.” Another long, drawn out silence. “Harry?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know.”

“I don’t think those things. About you. About anyone. I’m sorry.”

Louis’ voice cracked at the end and Harry’s hold on his increased tenfold. “I know. I forgive you. And, I’m sorry too.”

“Okay.”

Harry laid on his back for a long while, clutching the omega now half on top of him. Louis’ fingertips had found their way up along his jaw, running against his stubble in uncoordinated strokes before stopping. His hand eventually rested against the top of his head, a handful of hair still in his grasp.

“We’re more than just our biology. I’m human.” Harry eventually settled on, unsure if Louis was still even awake. “Just like you.”

“And I don’t hate you.” Louis murmured, lips grazing his chest before going limp, the hold on his hair suddenly disappearing.

In the darkness and with just his own thoughts and voice to be heard, Harry let his mind go. Instead of dwelling on the insults and disdain thrown his way, he remembered the littering of bruises amongst the omega’s frail form, the tears that treaded down his face followed by the scent of fear, and the nails raking down his precious skin. 

The few chances he had gotten to see Louis smile.

Harry said, “Don’t hate you either.”

Chapter Text

Louis’ hands were over his eyes. Sweat was pooling down his forehead, rivulets gathering along his temples and staining his hair. Everything was too hot and too overwhelming, fucking lust fueled, but the stronger feeling of embarrassment overtook any other emotion he could possibly muster in that moment because what the fuck.

“You’re a fucking beast.” Louis cursed. His legs were growing tired from their precarious position and he was pretty sure he was about to slide off the tiny bench, his shoulder hanging off of it at an awkward angle.

“Oh, is that what you think when you see my dick, huh?” Harry asked from above him, shirtless and out of breath. The bastard still had enough energy to spare Louis that horrible smirk. “Some monstrous, hulked out creature, hmm?”

“Shut up.”

“I’m flattered.” Harry said, readjusting Louis’ hips against his own and making him gasp in surprise and pleasure, knot pushing directly against his prostate. His nails scored against the alpha’s shoulders, dragging down slightly in exhaustion.

They were in Louis’ private gym. His gym. His gym where no alpha had ever been, let alone fucked and knotted him on one of his workout benches. Louis groaned in frustration. “This is your fault.”

“My fault? Who was the one who came in here and straddled me mid-workout?” Harry raised an eyebrow.

And… well. Louis could come up with an argument for that.

“I’m in heat, you dunce.” Louis said, toes starting to go numb from their elevated position along Harry’s lower back. He wiggled them weakly. “Meanwhile you’re in here fucking around with my machinery without a care in the world. Why were you working out anyway?”

Images of Harry when Louis had first entered the gym flashed in his mind. Harry had been the one lying down on the bench at the time, muscles rippling and stretching as he raised the bar up and eventually back down towards the center of his chest. At the time Louis couldn’t help but let his mind wander back to when those same hands gripping the bar were around him, holding him down, pulling him apart and off. Louis could only stare and watch rep and rep for so long, his skin flushed and wanting before Harry’s nose picked up on his scent. Strong, thick, and undeniably and incredibly turned on. They only had to stare at each other for a handful of seconds before the alpha was placing the heavy bar back on it’s shelf and Louis was seated upon him. 

Harry had wasted no time flipping them around and, well, now they found themselves in a situation.

“Am I not allowed to work out now?” Harry asked. “Are you worried I’ll use up all my energy?” He grinned, flashing his teeth and diving closer. “Won’t have enough left in me to--”

“Stop.” Louis seethed, already knowing where the smarmy alpha was going. He always got like this after sex, like whatever little amount of a filter he had completely turned off.

Harry only smirked. “I’m not worried. I think I proved I have plenty of stamina after this last round, yeah?”

He shook his head, “You’re so full of it.”

“No, darling, I think it’s the other way around.” Harry pushed his hips up once again to prove his point. Louis’ hands scrambled against his back, digging his nails deeper into the alpha’s skin in retaliation.

“How long does it take to… to go away.” Louis asked, cheeks flushing. Every other time Harry had knotted him it didn’t take more than a handful of seconds before he’d pass out. So… he didn’t have any concept of how long they’d be stuck like this. He almost craved the abrupt darkness that usually consumed him.

“Not long. Two hours max and we’ll be free of each other.”

Louis balked at him, but quickly took in the lift at the corner of Harry’s lip. That amusement. He smacked him on his chest, still sweaty and hot. “Be serious.”

“Shouldn’t be more than ten minutes now. Then you are free to take your usual four hour nap while I clean everything up.” Harry said, voice light and teasing. 

“I--I don’t think I’ll need to.” Louis blinked a couple of times, realizing that he not longer felt the overwhelming exhaustion that usually came after they had sex. “Huh.”

Louis found himself pulling his arms away and crossing them. It felt awkward but he couldn’t see another option. “Well, what do we do until then?”

It was the wrong question to ask. Harry’s eyes narrowed, skimming over Louis’ body shamelessly. “I have a couple of ideas.”

“Harry,” Louis said warningly, but ultimately did nothing when Harry began to rub circles into his hips. His scent was everywhere, all over Louis and overflowing within the gym. All pine and mint and intoxicating. It made his defenses weak and he couldn’t help but moan as Harry sunk down, layering his neck with sweet, light kisses. Titling his head back, Louis bit out, “you’ll pay for this later.”
Harry only hummed, latching his lips around his pulse point. Louis couldn’t help but let his eyes close and mouth fall open as a pleased rush of air escaped him. He never would’ve expected it, but Harry’s mouth was better for more things than just spewing out stupid shit.

At least that was what he thought until Harry pulled back, his warm breath ghosting over Louis’ skin. “Punish me, daddy.”

Louis’ eyes flew open and whatever semblance of arousal he was feeling flew out the window. His palm was pushing back against Harry’s forehead, shoving him far, far away as the alpha just giggled like a fucking six year old.

“You’re disgusting.” Louis exclaimed with feeling. Still, even as something akin to embarrassment flowed through him, he couldn’t deny that he felt his own lips quirking upwards at Harry’s antics. He slapped his hands over his eyes when he deemed that alpha far enough away from him. “I can’t even look at you right now, I swear. Shameless fucking--”

“Then don’t look.” Harry said, laughter dying down. Louis felt the alpha’s large hands moving upwards, slow and steady, until the pads of his fingers brushed over his pebbled nipples. Harry’s voice had dipped again, low and sultry. “Just let me make you feel good.”

Feel good. Louis’ brain went haywire at the statement. Heat wasn’t about making someone necessarily… feel good. That came with the purely instinctually aspect of cycles. The websites of heat services he had scoured mentioned nothing of the sort--nothing of pleasure . Only providing safe and natural outlets with no other ties. Only what was necessary. 

His other sexual escapades were all… quick. Meaningless. A need for touch and release and nothing more.

This though. With Harry’s hands moving about him like that, with his eyes looking down at him like he was edible.

“Not after that.” Louis insisted, even as his back was arching slightly into his touch. “And not with a one hundred pound weight dangling above my head.”

“You think I can only lift--”

“Not with a heavy ass bar above my head that could crush my windpipe.” Louis scrambled, moving his hands back and away from his face. He shot Harry an incredulous look. “What kind of alpha are you, huh? That could’ve gotten knocked off and hurt me. Idiot. ”

Harry quirked a brow at him before looking up at the bar. “You want it gone?”

“What--?” It struck Louis what Harry was about to do as he watched the alpha eye the bar with a small smile. He gulped. “ Harry. No--”

“Anything for you, my liege.”

“Don’t--”

But Harry was already reaching over Louis’ head, gripping the bar and pulling it off its rack in quick, practiced movements. Louis let out a pathetic little squeal that made Harry grin so hard his dimples popped. Once it was obvious Harry was having no problem holding the weight curled up towards his shoulders, he let himself relax, if only slightly. The tension completely drained from him and was replaced by annoyance when the alpha started lifting the bar up and down, whistling while he did so.

“Oh my god,” Louis drawled. Rolling his eyes he struggled to find the words to describe the idiot alpha in front of him. “You’re so…”

“Attractive?” Harry asked, seizing his movements and grinning. “Strong? Powerful? Amazing.”

Louis wouldn’t say any of those words popped into his mind. But, for whatever reason, he decided to indulge Harry. He said, deadpan. “Yes. All of those. Completely.”

Harry laughed, tossing the weight to the side and making Louis tense up once again when it hit the padded floor with a thud. He was back on him in seconds, hand splayed over his collar bones and chest. His touch felt electrifying, all hot and close. “You kind of liked it though.”

“Did not.” Louis argued even as he could feel a flush blooming across his neck. What? Harry was a young, fit alpha--an annoying one at that--but his heat induced brain allowed him to push aside that important detail and instead forced him to focus on Harry’s lean body pressed up tightly against him.

“Did too.” Harry countered, eyes drifting downwards. “Got all pink and pretty again, didn’t you.”

Louis couldn’t speak. His throat had constricted as Harry’s touch grew more demanding, more invading and all consuming. His thumbs moved over Louis’ hard nipples as he ducked down to place an open mouth kiss right along the bruise he had been steadily marking over and over against his neck after their first time together. Darkening it with every chance he got. Louis could only blame his current situation for allowing it, relishing in it sometimes.

“Such an alpha.” He managed to breath out, eyes fluttering open and closed against his will as heat steadily entered his stomach once again. “Marking me up like some shameless brute.”

Harry hummed, grazing his teeth along the bruise before pulling away. “Can’t help it.” He ran his tongue from the base of his neck to the underside of his chin and Louis couldn’t help but shake. The alpha looked him in his eyes when he said it this time, his words striking deep, “Look so pretty.”

Pretty. Louis squeezed his eyes shut. It wasn’t the first time Harry had called him that and it probably wouldn’t be the last. Despite Louis’ insistence of this being merely a transactional thing, and Harry completely ignoring that request with his stupid pet names and drawn out foreplay, he couldn’t deny he was starting to get used to the alpha’s unending stream of praise and compliments. His body hungered for a knot and an alpha’s touch and scent, but his omega longed for Harry’s praise. Telling him how good he was, how beautiful, how perfect. They were words that he knew less than a week ago he would’ve rolled his eyes and cringed at, but now… now…

Things had changed. He hated to admit it--to admit it felt like defeat--but it was undeniable. They had fought--a terrible fight Louis wished he could take back if it had not ultimately led to what transpired between them afterwards. Louis had opened up to Harry the previous night for some reason or another, one he himself couldn’t really explain, and Harry had in turn done the same. It had felt like Louis’ carefully built up barrier had somehow been broken by his own fruition. He had allowed the alpha to see a part of himself he rarely even let himself think about and now Harry had that part of him. 

And Louis had a part of Harry as well. No matter how small, it was there. 

It gave him something to step on when before he felt like he was floating in mid air and just along for a ride he couldn’t control. It gave him enough confidence to secure his legs around Harry’s middle, reach his hands up along the alpha’s jaw and say, “Make me come.”

Harry didn’t say anything. Didn’t smirk or laugh or offer him a quirky comment. Just stared down at him like he was in a trance, like Louis had just given him a command he couldn’t ignore. Didn’t want to ignore.

Harry’s hand gripped the back of Louis’ hair and reared his neck to the side, eliciting a moan from Louis before descending. His lips were soft and wet, gliding and unrelenting against Louis’ already bruised skin. His other hand remained on his chest, pinching his sore nipples and making Louis whimper in pain and pleasure. It was only when Harry started grinding into him, pressing his knot against his insides that Louis couldn’t hold back the sounds coming out of his mouth, pornographic and obscene.

“Mouthy little omega.” Harry murmured against his skin. “Bossing me around. Think you’re in charge, huh?”

It was a dumb question to ask. It didn’t matter that Louis had already come three times while Harry knotted him, both of their stomachs covered in his spunk. At the end of the day, Louis was the one calling the shots. And what he wanted was to lose himself once again in a mind-blowing orgasm.

And dammit Harry was going to do just that. Whether he knew it or not.

“Always.” Louis breathed out, fingers tightening around the base of Harry’s neck, drawing him closer. “You’re beneath me.”

“Yeah?” Harry asked, sounding amused. He thrusted forward roughly, arm snaking up Louis’ back and gripping his shoulder, pulling him down. Louis barely held back a scream as the alpha’s knot pressed against his prostate almost punishingly. He felt his feet spasm against Harry’s back like he had been shocked. Harry’s grin was prominent against his neck as he said, “Whose beneath who?”

“You’re lower than my shoe.” Louis insisted, nails moving to mar down Harry’s back, as far as he could reach. 

“Is that so?”

“Yes.” Louis said. 

Harry’s grinds were getting shallower, dirtier and shorter. It shouldn’t have felt as good as it did, but Louis was close to seeing stars. Louis lifted up his hand, tracing Harry’s swollen bottom lip with one delicate finger. “You’re the one who keeps comparing me to royalty, right?”

Harry captured Louis’ finger in between his teeth, not bitting, just holding before letting his tongue trace the pad of it. “Correct.”

“Then, if we’re using your logic, you’re nothing but a peasant in this scenario.” Louis said, flashing his teeth even through his choked off gasps. 

Harry’s elbows crashed down next to Louis’ sides, trapping him underneath him. His face was inches away, warm breath fanning over his cheek. “What do you command of me then, princess?”

And Louis must’ve really lost it. He was void of any rational thought as he uttered, “Suck me off. Peasant.”

Harry’s eyes flashed, something wide and exciting. “As you wish.”

Harry went down, down until he was face to face with Louis’ prick, small and hard and needing release. He wasted no time in swallowing Louis’ dick whole, all the way down to the hilt. Louis, for lack of better words, screamed. He expected Harry to tease him, like he so often did, make him twitch and nearly beg, but that wasn’t the case. Not now.

Harry sucked him off like he was parched, lapping and hungry for it. Louis could only take it, hands back in the alpha’s hair as he bobbed up and down, his hands pinning Louis from moving even an inch.

“Harry.” Louis moaned, head hitting the padded foam of the bench as he squirmed. Harry’s mouth was like furnace, tight and incredibly, delightful warm. He felt his orgasm approaching, quickly, “ Harry, I--”

The alpha made a low humming noise in the back of his throat, sending vibrations through his cock. Harry had touched him there before, had had his mouth consuming him before, but never had Louis experienced something like what he was feeling. Not from anyone. Hell, he could count on his hands the number of times his partners had even touched his prick. Mouth or hand. 

It was euphoric was what it was. And Louis could only let out a choked off sob as he came down Harry’s throat, the alpha swallowing every drop of it like it was a treat. Licking him clean afterwards despite Louis’ whimpers.

Quickly, too quickly, Harry was back over his prone body, gripping his chin and bringing his mouth up to his fiercely. He lips pried open Louis’, his tongue laving over his own as Louis whimpered in surprise, completely caught off guard by the onslaught after such a mind blowing release.

Harry pulled back, breathless and smelling like sex and Louis’ spunk. “Taste yourself, princess. How lovely you are for me.”

Louis’ eyes widened as an undeniable sweetness he had never tasted before exploded in his mouth. “Fuck--” 

And then Harry was back in his mouth, snogging him. Louis gave back as good as he could, tongue matching Harry’s movements and legs cramping as he pulled them closer together.

It was only after minutes of Harry’s mouth assaulting him, running over his teeth, biting his lip brutally, that Louis realized. His head slammed back down onto the bench leaving him and Harry staring at one another, both gasping with red lips.

“You’re… out of me.” He said, glancing down for some stupid reason even though he could feel it. They were no longer connected. He brought his eyes back up, scowling. “When did that happen?” 

Harry offered him a small shrug, both arms still caging him in. “Who could say?” He left a soft kiss along the corner of Louis’ mouth, making him gape. “I was a little distracted.”

Louis should’ve been pissed. Fooled yet again by this big, pompous alpha. But in reality, all he felt was a fluttering in his chest and a small smile growing on his lips as he reached up to bat at Harry’s shoulder. “Get the fuck off of me. You stink.”

Harry's face contorted like he was trying to hold back a laugh, but dutifully stood up. “Of course, princess.”

“Enough of that.” Louis snapped, but there was no fierceness in his tone. He sat up, head feeing woozy and legs feeling sore. Harry must’ve been able to see his shakiness because the next thing he knew he was being scooped up and off the bench, tucked up against the alpha’s chest with arms underneath his legs and back.

“Why are you like this?” Louis demanded, slapping a hand against the side of Harry’s head as the alpha strolled out of the gym. 

“I cannot answer that, my liege. I’m only a peasant after all. A lowly commoner.” Harry said. “Tell me when you want this roleplaying fantasy of yours to end, by the way.”

Louis’ jaw dropped in indignation as he took another smack Harry’s way. The alpha laughed, catching his hand and planting a loud, obnoxious kiss in the center of his palm. Louis quickly extracted it, ignoring the blush creeping up on his face, he busied himself with tugging on Harry’s hair.

 He felt his face flush deeper as his mind played back the crazy things he had uttered just minutes before. “That was all your fault.”

“And yet you played along.” Harry pointed out. His hands were strong and steady underneath him, making Louis’ skin prickle and spark. He forced himself not to lean into the hold. “Very well, actually. Put my acting skills to shame.”

“You’re ridiculous.” 

“And you’re cheeks are red.” Harry said, leaning in close and brushing his lips along Louis’ cheekbones. “So cute.”

Louis could feel it now, his cheeks flaring wildly and his stomach tightening. “Don’t call me cute. I’ll cut off your head.”

“Oh, so we are still pretending we’re in medieval times.” Harry said, exiting the gym and walking down the hallway. “Which head would you like to cut off? You can only choose one.”

Louis wrapped his fingers tightly around Harry’s neck. He could feel the alpha’s adams apple bob as they came to a sudden halt. They were both naked, flushed, and pressed too closely together. Heat and scents and pheromones exploding off of both of them. Louis couldn’t help but stare into Harry’s wide, green eyes as he muttered, “Loose this one.” His hands traveled up further, closing around the underside of Harry’s jaw. He smirked, blinking innocently. “The other one has proven itself much more useful.”

Harry broke out in a smile. Before Louis could blink, he was being twisted around, legs dropped and stomach flat against Harry’s shoulder in a fireman’s carry. He found himself face to face with the alpha’s lower back as he continued his long strides down the hallway.

“Harry!” Louis screamed, thumping his back with his fist even as spurts of giggles escaped him. “Let me go! You oaf!”

“No can do, princess.” Harry said, steps becoming quicker and quicker as he hauled Louis through his own apartment, hand secured around his ass and his arm around the back of his knees. “Even royals need to be put in their place sometimes.”

Louis’ laughs echoed through the chambers of his once always quite halls. It was strange, foreign, but not something unwelcome.

It was a new feeling sprouting somewhere deep within his chest that he didn’t even know he possessed. It felt… right.

New and right didn’t mix in Louis’ world.

He didn’t allow himself to dwell on it, just took it in the moment as he allowed Harry to whisk him away.

***

Louis was toweling off his damp hair, alone in his master bathroom, when he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror.

Looking in the mirror had never been something Louis indulged in. The only times he forced himself to was whilst putting on his makeup every morning before work, carefully covering every bruise and sullen eye. On the weekends though, he avoided his reflection like one glance could curse him, remind him of what hours and hours of work and sudden fainting spells had done to his complexion.

Now though.

Louis still had bruises, but those were solely due to the alpha ravaging him over and over again along his neck, collarbones, and… other places. The normal bruises along his cheekbones, his temples, even his forearms and sides were nearly gone. Nothing more than a splash of light purple that he could barely see through the haze of his overhead fluorescent light. That wasn’t all though.

Louis leaned in, his chest nearly brushing the top of his faucet as his fingers skimmed over the bottom of his eyes. Of course, the shower he had just taken made his skin tacky and red. Louis had been filthy and he had to smack Harry at least a dozen times over the head with a couch pillow before the alpha relinquished him, begrudgingly letting him go wash away their combined scents. His skin was freshly cleaned from the shower, but Louis more so took in the absence of any dark bags that usually hung low under his waterline. 

It was as though the last five years of his life had been swept under a rug. Mirroring his outward appearance, Louis found that he felt okay. Maybe even more than that. Mentally and physically. He was energized and well rested like he hadn’t been in what felt like ages. No more were there black clouds under his eyes, nor a itchiness under his skin that he could never successfully scratch, no matter how many times he had raked his nails up and down his forearms and thighs. 

Harry hadn’t asked about that particular incident yet. And Louis, in turn, hadn’t asked about the bandages he had been adorning after their fight.

He glanced at his closed medicine cabinet and was struck by the fact that he felt no overwhelming need to take as much touch depri medication as he was feasibly allowed. It was a feeling that was foreign.

New things scared Louis, made him feel out of control. 

New and right didn’t mix in Louis’ world.

So, Louis did the one thing he could think of, and that was to put himself back in control. And at his work he was always in control.

Wrapping a robe around himself, Louis quickly entered his dark bedroom. He flicked on a lamp and ripped his phone out of his bedside drawer in the first time in days. He didn’t bother checking the dozens of emails and phone calls and texts that awaited him, instead he pulled up a contact and hit ‘call.’

It was only two rings later that Niall’s sleepy voice sounded, “‘lo?”

“Hi… Hello.” Louis stuttered out awkwardly. 

“Louis.” Niall sounded much more awake then, his tone raspy, but alert. “Yes, yes, I--I’m here. What’s up?”

“I…” He trailed off. This once great idea was slowly turning into a bust. He steeled himself, “I apologize for the sudden call. I’m… honestly I didn’t check the clock before calling you.”

He and Harry had found themselves on their own weird, new time system due to
Louis’ heat. It didn’t matter if it was well past midnight—if Louis was hungry Harry would cook for him. It didn’t matter if it was six in the morning and Louis was thrashing against the sheets and wanting—Harry would… well, help him.

“No, no you’re fine.” Niall reassured him. “The missus and I turned in early is all. It’s not even nine o’clock.”

“Oh. Good.”

“Yeah… is everything, uh, alright?”

“What?” Louis blinked, readjusting his hold on his phone. He was calling someone from work. He had expected Niall to instantly give him updates about the company, what he had missed, new proposals that had--

“You know,” Niall said, “with your heat? And… everything?”

The mental image of Harry fucking him within an inch of his life over the back of the couch only a few hours ago pooled into Louis’ mind. The alpha whispering the most perverted and dirtiest things he had ever heard into his ear before making him come hard again and again against the upholstery while tears littered his cheeks.

He flushed.

 “I… I was actually calling to ask how things are going. In my, uh, absence.”

Redirecting. Louis had become incredibly skilled at changing the subject away from things he didn’t wish to discuss.

“Oh. Well, things are going. Um, Chandler Polsey is renegotiating her contract with us, which is a bit of a set back, but her agent is at least giving us a…”

Louis let Niall drown on and on without saying a word. His mind was sharp and always on the move, thinking of the next thing, making plans for where the company needed to be headed, where it could go. But as the minutes ticked by Louis slowly found himself sagging against the cushions of his bed, his head thrumming like it hadn’t in days.

“Louis? You still there?”

He blinked, shooting upright too quickly and almost losing his grip on the phone. “Of course. Yes, of course. I--thank you for the update, Mr. Horan.”

“Right. Mr. Tomlinson.” Louis gaped into his phone as he heard Niall’s all too familiar laughter ring in his ear. “Fine, fine, we’ll keep it professional at work if you’d like. Last names only. But could I request that we forgo that rule outside of the office? I--I don’t mean to presume but… I’d like to think maybe we’re a little past that?”

Louis’ mouth hung open as he thought of it.

Niall had been the one to call the ambulance when Louis had collapsed outside of the building. Niall had been the one to set up his heat services while Louis was unconscious in the hospital, steps away from a drop. Niall had introduced him to the omega that gave him the business card that--

--that ultimately led to the alpha sitting outside at that very moment, laughing at some stupid television show in his living room.

“Yeah.” Louis found himself replying, eyes fixed on his closed door. “That--That seems reasonable. Niall.”

“Good.” He said, voice sounding relieved but overall happy. “Now, I’ll ask again cause me and Tyler--mostly Tyler, by the way, the bloke won’t leave me alone--want to know. How is it going? Okay, I hope?”

Louis’ gaze didn’t waver from his door. Harry was laughing again, bright and effortlessly. The sound should’ve made him want to duck under his covers and escape from the unneeded noise, but instead he found his chest constricting and a small smile curving onto his lips. The smell of short smoked salmon crept through the underside of his door, making his mouth water. 

It was his favorite. A little detail Louis let slip when Harry had tried to order them chicken wings from some sketchy sounding business earlier. 

He bit his lip, turning his head away quickly like he had been staring into the sun. “It’s… It’s going good.”

Chapter Text

“Don’t take this the wrong way.”

Harry let his eyes drift downwards, but could only see the top of the omega’s head, his hair all soft and pushed back. “Shoot.”

“This,” Louis said, tucking his socked toes more securely underneath Harry’s thigh, leaning in underneath his arm a little closer, “may be the dumbest show I have ever seen.”

Harry couldn’t argue with that, but he still let out a small chuckle at Louis’ bluntness. How Harry had convinced him to watch the UK’s first season of Love is Blind he’ll never know. But now they were deep into episode three and there was no turning back.

“Obviously you’ve never taken up Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”

“Obviously.” Louis agreed. He let his jaw hang open and Harry popped another green grape into his mouth, just barely holding himself back from tracing the pad of his finger along Louis’ bottom lip.

He couldn’t say how they ended up where they were, all tangled on the couch with minimal clothing and Harry feeding Louis like he really was royalty. But Louis wasn’t pushing him away or objecting, and Harry had never felt more comfortable with the sweet-smelling omega tucked firmly against him and the couch, all warm and pliant.

It was because of Louis’ heat, Harry reminded himself sternly. And his touch depri. Nothing more, nothing less. Still… that didn’t mean Harry couldn’t let himself relish in the contact while it lasted, let his alpha preen within him as he watched Louis’ eat from his hand like he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Louis’ hands absentmindedly played with the rings adorning the Harry’s fingers when he spoke. “These people are absolutely insane.”

“That’s why the viewers love it.” Harry said, simply. “Nothing sells better than the concept of love and crazy.” He felt a smirk grow on his lips. “I think you’d fit right in amongst the cast.”

Louis huffed, elbowing Harry’s ribs so lightly he barely even felt it. “Uh-huh. And what about me is giving off crazy?”

Louis titled his hand back and Harry should really give himself an award for keeping his face completely impassive and blank. The omega elbowed him again, harder this time, and Harry’s facade broke as a laugh escaped him. 

Louis retorted. “Or lovely?”

What about Louis was lovely? It was too easy for Harry to pass up. One swift reach down and Harry was palming Louis’ ass and making the omega go rigid beside him. It took only a second of fondling before Louis was pulling out of his grasp, bum now flush against the back of the L-shaped sofa and completely out of Harry’s reach. Harry frowned, comically overexaggerating the downturn of his lips. 

“Hands to yourself.” He mumbled with a slight lilt. Harry’s arm only tightened around the omega’s shoulder. He let the easy, small smile resume on his face when he felt no resistance.

“It’s a social experiment.” Harry explained. “Wouldn’t you like to be apart of making history?”

Louis snorted, a crude sound he had never heard escape the omega. “Making history? More like dooming any credibility I’ve gained in my profession. Or with anyone else I’d want to be with after this experiment inevitably fails.”

“They’d see you as a progressive hero.” Harry insisted, looking up at the screen. “You’d be like our Natalie here who is in no way disappointed that Maxwell ended up being a beta.”

Natalie was--and Harry hated to use such terminology but--a stereotypical omega. Her petite frame and short stature made her status undeniable to anyone who took just one glance at her. She had gone on and on to the camera crew about finding the right alpha, like so many omegas expressed wanting. Despite alphas being at the bottom of the totem pole in society, the connection between the two genders was always there and prominent, and, more often than not, an omega and alpha would end up together, unable to resist the biological pull.

Still, Harry was tired of the rhetoric. To an omega finding the quote-unquote “right” alpha meant finding one that had somehow managed to pull themselves up from the drudges of society. To somehow rise above the system they were born into. It was almost an impossible feat for most.

“She’s an idiot.” Louis replied, scowling as he watched Natalie hug her soon-to-be fiance with a tight-lipped smile. “She entered a reality show where the whole premise is not knowing what someone looks like. That includes one’s secondary gender. What did she expect?”

“Said she had a feeling.” Harry said, popping a grape into his mouth. “She could sense his alphaness through the scent-proof wall.”

“Idiot.” Louis reiterated. And Harry smiled.

“I mean--he’s a fucking lawyer. That should’ve given it away the beginning. Who is going to want an alpha to represent them? Her radar is far fucking off, to say the least.” 

Louis opened his mouth for another grape and Harry was all too happy to oblige. The omega’s brow furrowed as he chewed and Harry was helpless to do anything but watch him, “He looks enamored by her, like he couldn’t care less what she… and….”

When Louis didn’t continue, Harry peeked down his way a little farther. The omega sighed, his head dipping against Harry’s collarbone. “I… I know an omega and beta couple.”

“Yeah?” Harry’s eyebrows jumped, but he kept his voice as neutral as possible.

“Yeah,” Louis said, shifting slightly. “They’ve been together five years or so. They’re perfectly happy and content.” For the fourth time Louis said, with feeling. “She’s an idiot, doesn’t even look like she’s going to give him a chance.”

“Hmm.” Harry mused, completely detached from the show and now zoned in on Louis. “I think this show tries to be progressive, but it ends up attracting a lot of fake ass people in the making.”

“No kidding.”

Fake people. Why had he used that specific wording? Harry clenched his jaw. “I know an omega couple.” 

“Huh?” 

“Both omegas.” Harry splayed two fingers in front of Louis’ face before crossing them, imagining one as Tyler and the other, Garret. “Together. Just the two of them.”

“Damn.” Louis nodded, his hair tickling the underside of Harry’s chin. “Do you know these people personally?”

“...yeah? How else would--”

Louis’ voice had lowered considerably when he said, “Or just through your computer screen on some crude website you pay for?”

Harry chose the wrong moment to eat another grape. He spluttered, having to sit up a bit and beat his chest as he coughed. The action made Louis sink deeper down into the crevice of the couch, a sardonic grin on his face that Harry immediately took as a challenge.

Composing himself, Harry made no effort to readjust them. Instead, he pushed the omega farther down, throwing his own leg over him in the process. “Are you implying what I think you are?”
“Not implying anything.” Louis said, far too innocently. “Whatever you are thinking is conjured up in your own mind by you and you alone.”

Harry knew that was a lie. Louis knew exactly what imagery he had put into his mind and he wanted to hear him say it. “That’s what you think gets me going, huh?”

Louis swallowed and Harry tracked the movement, watching intently as the omega’s throat bobbed. “What? Two omegas fumblings around? It’s possible. You alphas are all pigs, afterall.”

Louis smelled amazing, too good for Harry to be ruffling his feathers. He should instead be undressing him, making him whine his name as he laved his tongue over his throat and chest, but he held back. Just enough. 

“You think I’d have to pay to watch something like that? Throw out cash to get what I want?” Harry trailed his fingers softly underneath Louis’ shirt, barely grazing his skin.

“Where else are you going to find a couple omegas willing to touch each other for your benefit?” Louis shot back, ever mouthy and indignant. His voice came out breathless though, inhales and exhales uneven as he let Harry touch him.

And touch him Harry did. Moving his hand farther up the heated planes of Louis’ stomach, feeling him twitch and stutter was a new thing Harry quickly found himself addicted to. Putting his hands on Louis and turning him into a puddle of squirming nerves was something Harry found he excelled at. Couldn’t get enough of.

Just as Harry was about to give up on their seudo-bickering, intent on getting his mouth on the omega’s skin, Louis’ voice rang out like a church bell, “I’ve fooled around with an omega before.”

Harry’s entire body went still at the statement, eye widening and mouth quickly garnering saliva. 

Louis relaxed in his hold, making himself loose and pliable. It was a trick, Harry’s brain told himself, but his alpha wouldn’t let him pull away as Louis uttered, eyes blinking and innocent, “Want me to tell you about it?”

Louis could be lying, of course--the omega had proven himself to be far more conniving than Harry had first anticipated--but there was something about his tone, soft and heated, that made Harry believe him. Made him want to believe him. It was almost like Louis was playing the memory in his head when he spoke. All tangled up with another wet omega as they plunged their too small digits into each other. 

Harry was losing it. Had gone completely mental.

The thought didn’t stop him from gripping the omega, thumbs tracing his waist before circling his hipbones. All the while Louis sported a coy smile. Harry’s voice was deep as he demanded, just a breathe away from meeting his lips, “Tell me.”

To his dismay, Louis only chuckled. “Tell me about a similar experience you’ve had and I’ll spill.” Harry brows furrowed in confusion, and Louis’ eyes brightened, giddy. “Have you fucked around with an alpha, Harry?”

Harry didn’t realize how ridiculously his face must’ve dropped until Louis began cackling underneath him, bringing a hand up to his mouth as his eyes crinkled in delight. “Oh my god.”

Harry pulled back slightly, shaking his head and smiling even as annoyance curled through him. He had been tricked. And the worst part was, he didn’t care. Not one bit. 

Harry pinched his side it retaliation. “You’re a menace.”

“Me?” Louis said through little giggles as Harry continued his poking and prodding, making the omega squirm beautifully. Harry couldn’t pull his eyes away from the way Louis’ lips widened into a bright smile as he chided him, “Here you are trying to shame me for not wanting to go on some so-called progressive show about gender, yet you looked like you wanted to roll over and die just from the mere thought of laying in bed with another one of your kind.”

Harry huffed. “Don’t be dramatic.”

“So you’ve never…?”

“Never.” Harry answered blatantly, earnestly. The memory of Liam kneeling on his bed with his dick out appeared in Harry’s poor mind, making him frown.

What? Everyone has their tastes and Harry’s was far more open than most alphas. He’d been with woman, men, betas, omegas, and… not alphas. Being an alpha wasn’t about having control at all times, but in bed? Harry couldn’t even imagine himself trying to figure out that conundrum underneath the sheets.

The omega’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts. “You’re being honest?” 

“About what?” 

“Not being with another alpha.” The omega arched up into him, ever so slightly, but Harry still felt it, revelled in it. “You’re telling the one hundred percent truth?” Louis asked, his teeth nabbing his lower lip and making Harry go crazy.

“Yes. Fuck-- call me old fashioned or whatever, but I don’t need another knot in the room besides my own--”

“Hmm,” Louis hummed, sounding all too pleased with himself as he stared up at Harry beneath his eyelashes, faux-innocent and conniving. “So was I.”

So was I. Being honest. Telling the truth about…

And Harry was just a man, okay? A man with the sweetest smelling omega he had ever known lying beneath him open and ready. It came to no surprise to either of them when Harry descended, mouth hot and ruthless against his neck and jaw.

“Tell me.” He repeated, letting a little bit of his alpha timbre come out. Louis’ answering laugh was quickly snubbed out by Harry’s tongue down his throat. Louis didn’t protest the intrusion, instead moaned and wrapped his arms around Harry’s shoulders, drawing him ever so closer.

It was only after Harry was knotted deep within him, his sweaty front plastered to the omega’s sleeping back, that he realized he never got to hear what Louis had been alluding to. Not even a single detail.

“You won that round.” Harry muttered against his hair, arms curling around his stomach possessively, running little circles along his skin.

He only had enough strength to turn off the garish yelling emitting from the TV--Natalie and Maxwell weren’t doing too hot--and make sure the glass of water was still full on the table next to them before allowing himself to drift off as well. He rubbed his lips, chin, and cheek along the back of Louis’ neck, thriving in the way their scents mixed amongst one another before dozing off, his soft breathing matching the omega’s.

***

“You know, I’m trying to tell a story here.”

Harry made an affirmative noise against Louis’ skin, but didn’t respond beyond that. He was too busy scratching his chin along the base of the omega’s neck. Pulling back every so often was hard, but it was worth it to see the red, taunt skin he left in his wake. 

“And, I don’t think you’re taking in a goddam word.” Louis said, voice on edge for two different reasons. One was leading more towards annoyance and the other sounded pressed, like Harry’s ministrations were pushing him towards the edge of another round. 

Harry would never say no to another round.

“M’ listening.” He insisted, even as his focus centered on the juncture of Louis’ neck. He wasted no time leaning down, mouthing at the skin there. He could feel Louis’ body arch against him as his arms tightened around the omega’s stomach, holding him and keeping him in place.

It had been Louis’ idea to go sit out on the terrace after they had eaten dinner and properly cleaned up. There was a slight breeze that cooled their warm bodies as they sat on the small couch, Louis tucked up in between Harry’s legs and lounging back against his chest like he belonged there. It was quiet and serene and Harry couldn’t help but bask in the calmness of it all. 

“Uh-huh.” Louis mumbled back, not sounding even a little bit convinced. “Pretty sure the only thing running through that dull head of yours is how else you can mark me up. Make me somehow reek even more of you than I already do.”

If Louis thought Harry would be offended at his words he was dead wrong. Harry grumbled happily, pulling Louis impossibly closer. “You see right through me.”

“Didn’t you hear me? I said you reek.”

“Then you reek too.” Harry said, eyes half lidded and dopey. 

“I’m aware.” Louis said and although Harry couldn’t see him he could hear his eye roll, nonetheless. “If you try to make me smell like you anymore people won’t be able to tell us apart.”

Harry smiled, teeth catching the side of the omega’s neck. “Good.”

Harry was able to make the omega stop talking then. While that hadn’t necessarily been the goal, it did make it easier to wrap his fingers around Louis’ jaw, tilt him back and lick into his mouth with abandon. Harry held onto every sound that he pulled past his lips, chasing each whimper and whine like they belonged to him and him alone.

Somewhere… somewhere, deep, deep inside his subconscious Harry was reminded that it was all too much. The intimacy they had fallen into over the last couple of days after their fight and ultimate make up was unneeded in the grand scheme of things, and would become nothing but fleeting memories once Louis’ heat subsided. Even now Louis didn’t smell like he needed Harry to take him, so there was no reason for them to be so intertwined with each other, right?

Wrong, Harry thought, sucking on Louis’ bottom lip so hard the omega keened. Louis may not not have been emitting heat pheromones, but that didn’t mean he didn’t smell like he wasn’t willing to give himself to Harry. In any way Harry wanted. 

So, that’s what he did. End of story. He’d worry about the rest later.

Harry snogged him for a couple more minutes before finally drawing back, a trail of spit the only thing connecting their mouths together. Louis’ eyes looked dazed and sleepy, but the pleased, euphoric look on his face was what Harry took note of. Peppering his cheeks with light kisses, he said, “Go on.”

“Huh?” Louis asked even as he titled his head back, allowing Harry to continue down his jaw.

“Your story. I want to hear it.”

Louis breathed out, “Can’t even remember where I left off.”

“Oh?”

“Oh?” Louis mimicked him, voice all deep and slow. Harry laughed and Louis drew back, fixing him with a proper glare. “And whose fault is that?”

Harry smiled. He leaned in and kissed the top of Louis’ flushed nose. “Guilty. You were going on about that assistant of yours.”

Louis blinked, his chin dipping slightly. “Right. Oh my goodness. He’s probably a wreck right now without me there to hold his hand through everything.”

“Yeah? A week away from your badgering and degradation would make anyone go mad.”

Louis moved, flinging his legs over one of Harry’s thighs before flicking his bare chest. His hand didn’t draw away afterwards though, laying flat and prone against his pec. “Don’t be smart. I do what I have to do to get things done.”

Harry quirked a brow. “Be a tyrant?”

“If that’s what it takes.” Louis sniffles. “Trust me, the people underneath me need a little extra motivation otherwise we would all be out of a job and nothing would get done. Especially my assistant. The guy can’t even properly do up his tie right most mornings. I’m at the point where I feel like I need to call him and remind him to put on underwear, for christ’s sake.” Harry bit his lip to hold back a smile, but a huff of laughter still escaped him. “I’ll check in with him later. He probably has a million questions…”

Harry sat up a little when Louis drifted off. Afraid he had done something to put the omega off, he said, “Hey, still here. Just taking it in.”

“I know.” Louis responded, looking out over his balcony, a small furrow in between his brows. “I know I… I just forgot.”

“Forgot?”

“I fired him.” He said, voice sounding a little small. “Right before… yeah.”

Louis didn’t necessarily sound upset, but his tone came out flat and almost despondent. It made Harry’s hackles rise as he rubbed the inside of Louis’ wrist, slow and steady.

“It’s fine.” He said after a beat, pulling away from Harry. “It’s just been a… a long week.”

Harry nodded. “Yeah. You’ve been through it.”

“No shit.” Louis huffed, readjusting himself so he leaned back more firmly against him, the back of his head resting against Harry’s shoulder. “It’s probably for the best.”

“That you’ve had a crazy week?”

“That I let him go. Anderson.” Louis clarified. “I tolerated him bumbling around at first, but I was at my wits end. The guy could never look anyone in the eye, get through a sentence without stuttering, it was-- ugh, it got old.”

“Maybe he was just nervous.” The words came out of Harry against his will and he immediately wished he could take them back. Harry had no right to weigh in on Louis’ personal life. He was already overstepping leaps and bounds just from being with the omega in the state he was in.

Luckily, Louis didn’t seemed turned off by his comment. Not entirely. “I’m not that scary. I didn’t bash him over the head every time he messed up or something.”
“No, that’s…maybe he just…” Harry sucked his lower lip into his mouth, contemplating. “I don’t know.”

“What?” Louis asked, stirring against him. “What were you gonna say?”

“Nothing.”

“No, continue.” He said, crossing his arms over his chest and huddling down his his thin, gray sweatshirt. Harry could smell the tell tale notes of irritation emitting from him. “Tell me how I should’ve coddled this adult man because I made him nervous.”

“That’s not what I--I shouldn’t have said anything.” Harry tried again. “I don’t know anything about your life besides the snippets here and there you’ve told me. Not nearly enough to throw my opinion into the mix. That’s my bad. I’m serious, Lou.”

The conversation halted for a beat too long. All Harry could do was sit in what was once welcoming silence and wait. Eventually, he heard Louis take in a breath, “Tell me what you were going to say.”

He shut his eyes. “Louis--”

“Please,” He said, small and quiet, “it’ll make me feel better to just hear it. Otherwise I’m just going to sit here wondering what you really think of me.”

And Harry couldn’t stand by, couldn’t just keep his mouth shut and let Louis think those awful notions. Not knowing if it was a good move or not, Harry allowed his scent to pulse ever so slightly, hoping that it would soothe the omega as he said, “I don’t think any less of you for what you have to do for your job.” Louis snorted, but let him continue. “Also, it wasn’t just you I was zeroing out when I brought up the fact that maybe he’s just nervous. You mentioned he’s an alpha, right?”

“So? Shouldn’t that make him not so…? I don’t know. Meek?”

“Not necessarily.” Harry answered, keeping his voice steady. “From what you’ve told me he’s one of the few alphas working amongst a bunch of powerful, successful omegas in an omega-dominated field. If I was in his position, I would do everything in my power to never make any of my coworkers even have an inkling that I thought of myself as more or better just because I was an alpha.”

“Oh.” 

“Getting hired for a position like that as an alpha that’s,” Harry let his head drift back, looking up at the orange and yellow sunset, “that’s pretty rare. The last thing I’d want to do is fuck up that opportunity by flaunting my gender around. I’d do everything I could to hide that part of me away.”

Harry could imagine it now, being constantly surrounding by omegas day in and day out. Probably being thrown looks of unfavor left and right as he was just trying to do his fancy corporate job.

It sounded like a nightmare.

Louis remained silent and Harry swallowed. “But… but that’s just me. My, uh, perspective? I--I don’t know this guy and you do.”

“I don’t think I do either.” Louis responded blankly. Harry was about to dive in again, double down on the fact that he shouldn’t have butt in, but Louis beat him to it. “I never thought of it like that before. I guess I thought it was all an act, him being all squeamish and trying to make himself small. It infuriated me that no matter how many times I pushed he’d never just let the facade drop.”

“Some of it probably was just an act.” Harry clarified, shifting his arm slightly where it felt like it was going numb underneath Louis. “I’ve gotten pretty good at it over the years.”

Louis let out a snorting noise. “You are the most alpha alpha I have ever met in my whole life.”
“That’s because of the situation we are in. I said I’ve gotten good at holding back my instincts. But I’m not perfect.” That was all too true. An undeniable fact Harry had known for a long time.

“And why would you have to perfectly hide away that fact, huh?” Louis asked, and Harry would be happy that it sounded like the omega was beginning to relax again if it wasn’t for the knot slowly beginning to grow in his own chest. “Seems to work hand in hand with your profession.”

“Not every profession.” Harry said. Quiet, but too raw to go unnoticed.

It took a couple of beats, but eventually Louis was turning around in Harry’s arms, bringing them face to face. His hands were flat against the inside of Harry’s forearms, his face beautiful and open as he asked, “What other profession, then?”

Harry had really gone out and done it, hadn’t he? Broken the damn that he hadn’t let weaken in years. He smiled ruthfully, “Doing these kinds of jobs--” bowling alley maintenance, shoveling pig shit, anything he could do to scrape by-- “wasn’t necessarily the dream I had for myself as a kid.”

“I figured.” Louis said, softly tracing the veins along Harry’s wrists. “I’d be a little concerned if it was.”

Harry sniggered at that, if only a little. He resigned himself then as he looked back at Louis, the omega’s eyes wide and blue. “Don’t laugh at me, okay.”

“Do I look amused right now?”

He didn’t. He looked stunning and soft and biteable, but not amused. “You’re going to be.”

Louis’ titled in closer and Harry could catch every sweet note of his scent, vanilla and cinnamon mixing together in tandem. “Try me.”

“I wanted to be a doctor.” Harry whispered, not willing to meet the omega’s eyes. Even to his own ears his voice sounded forlorn and pathetic. “Started going to school for pediatric medicine ages ago, but dropped out before I could even complete my second semester. I… I liked working with kids and thought… yeah,” He lifted up his head, forcing a small smile onto his face, “it was dumb.”

To his surprise, Louis’ face remained impassive, no hint of judgment could be found. “Why’d you stop?”

“Money,” Harry responded, automatic. But Louis saw right through him, his eyes narrowing slightly. “It’s the truth, partially. I… I was young and shouldn’t have been there in the first place.”

“Why?”

“Why?” Harry shot back, a little incredulously. He huffed, “Because alphas aren’t doctors, Louis.”

“Says who?” Louis snapped back, nose scrunching up. 

“Says the world.” 

“Bullshit.” He shook his head, scowling. “That’s ridiculous, Harry.”

“It was--why are we talking about this?” Harry spluttered. This wasn’t a conversation he wanted to dive into. Not with his mothers after he had quit the program all those years ago and certainly not with Louis. Raising the omega’s hands up to his mouth, he kissed his knuckles. “We’re missing the sunset, yeah?”

“Why did you quit?” Louis demanded, not at all deterred whatsoever. 

Harry dropped Louis’ hands. “Why does it matter?”

“Because…” He faltered for a moment, eyes drifting back and forth. “Because it’s not fair.”

Harry refrained from rolling his eyes, “Life isn’t fair. You know what is fair though? Family Feud. You either know the right answer or you don’t. None of that Deal or No Deal bullshit where it’s all left up to luck. I saw that a marathon was gonna play tonight, let’s head in and--”

“Stop deflecting.”  Louis insisted, voice going a little high pitched. 

“I’m not--”

“You are.”

“Well, maybe--maybe I don’t feel the need to spell it out for you?” Harry snapped. “You don’t actually get to wave your hand at me and make me talk. I think you can connect the dots in your brain just fine without me walking you through it.”

“I can’t.” Louis’ fingers circled around his wrists, squeezing and keeping him trapped. “You’re the one who was beating it into my head to not be ashamed of my gender, and now you’re telling me this? That you let your own biology get in the way of something you dreamed about? I don’t understand.”

“I also told you that you can’t fight your instincts, not completely. It’s what makes you you and people will always see that. No amount of blockers or scent neutralizers is ever going to change that .” Harry seethed. The tightness in his chest was overbearing, making his breathing come out ragged and torn. 

He grit his teeth. “I’m an alpha and I can’t change that. I can’t change that children-- omega children-- would cry and scream when I tried to examine them, got too close to them.” He felt like he had just been plunged back into his residency, all of his classmates throwing him dirty, disbelieving looks as he panicked on the floor of the hospital, curled into himself and shaking. “I--I wanted to help people Louis, not make them uncomfortable or scared, but--but I can’t. Even now I don’t want people to be afraid of me. But I don’t know how I’m-- I’m--”

“Harry.”

Small, soft hands were suddenly framing his head, fingers brushing lightly over his heated cheeks. Right as Harry was about to pull away, a familiar aroma infiltrated his nose. Cinnamon and vanilla rushed him, making his shoulders sag and his heart rate slow until he could breath easy once again. Closing his eyes, he let himself take in the intoxicating scent, breath after breath. 

The omega’s hands never stopped moving--over his jawline, into his hair. At one point, he even felt the pads of Louis’ thumbs smoothing back his eyebrows. He cocked one eye open, “Are you,” he took in the state of his body, all slumped and relaxed. The panic once bubbling up inside of him was nearly gone, “... scenting me?”

Louis’ mouth parted, “I--it just felt like the right thing to do. Are you feeling okay now?”

He sighed heavily through his nose. “Yes. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me.” Louis said, a look of uncertainty crossing his face before he surrendered. He huddled close to him, tucking the top of his head under Harry’s chin before settling Harry’s arms about and around him. “I pushed too far. I’m sorry.”

“I didn’t have to bring it up.” He squeezed Louis and felt whatever tension he had left within his body drain. “It’s always been a sore subject.”

“Dr. Lawrence didn’t tell you how to give me my injection, did he?”

Of all the things Louis could’ve said, that was by far the last thing Harry’s mind could’ve imagined. “What?”

“And the thing about the water temperature when I got burned.” Louis continued on. “That wasn’t just some random trivia fact. And my wrists… you bandaged them up after I…”

Harry didn’t know why he felt like he was being called out, like Louis had seen through some trick he had been playing up. “Anyone can pick up on those types of things.”

“Anyone can.” Louis agreed. “But it takes a special person to care enough about others-- let’s say, for example, a stranger whose in heat, and still decides that that person needs help. Whether they deserve it or not.”

Louis’ voice was quiet against his throat, “You’re helping me right now. And I think you could help others too, if you still wanted to. In more ways than you could think of you… you’re a kind person, Harry.” He felt Louis swallow against him, shaky and breathless. “So don’t sell yourself short just because of what society has imposed on us. I won’t stand for it, not a second longer. Not coming out of your mouth. Not after you… you’ve been so good to me.”

Harry was left speechless, completely and utterly. Louis’ words raced through his head like a flowing river, rough and demanding. Never before had he heard the omega sound so soft and honest. He could smell it in his scent and hear it in his tone that he meant every word.

It was beyond comforting, or at least it should’ve been if it didn’t send Harry back into reality. A reality where he shouldn’t be where he was, holding the omega while he brought him back down to earth.

Harry shouldn’t be here. Louis deserved better, deserved honesty.

Harry certainly was not a good person.

Louis’ voice yanked him out of his thoughts. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes.” Harry said, because there was no other option. “You’ve been good to me too, Lou.”

Louis never failed to surprise him and he was being blown away by the omega more and more as he reached up, pushing his thumb against the corner of Harry’s mouth and smirking. “Oh, I’m sure. Very good to you.”

Harry felt himself sink back under. Where he could hide from the rest of the world and live only in the space he and Louis resided in.

He smirked against the finger. Louis saw right through him though and was able to pull away seconds before Harry had the digit in his mouth. “Very good. Too good for me.”

“Well, that’s already been established as a given. Oaf. ”

Their conversation drifted from there to things more light and pleasant. For awhile, at least. Instead, Harry talked about Mal’s bar, shooting off story after story of his and Liam’s antics over the years. In turn, Louis inadvertently brought up his love of the band Nena, which Harry teased him about whilst sporting a terrible German accent. Louis had become so annoyed with the act that Harry gave him permission to keep the shirt he had plucked from his dresser days ago.

Harry talked about his passion for bad Netflix rom-coms. Louis brought up his work, how he loved working on the business side of things but had always wished he could’ve been apart of the technical, beauty aspect of the models he managed. A makeup artist. Harry divulged in stories about his childhood and how daunting it was being one of the only alphas around.

Louis talked about how he never hated alphas, not at first. In fact, he had seen presenting as an omega as an opportunity to give back to the heavy, traditional alpha community he lived in. 

“It felt like I had been given a voice. An alpha couldn’t be a politician advocating for alpha’s rights, but an omega…”

The idea had backfired on Louis so hard that his father’s once pleasant side completely deteriorated. Meatloaf couldn’t fix their problems, not anymore.

“It was like he thought I was trying to undermine him. Like I thought he had no rights and I had them all, when in reality I wanted to use my privilege to help his sorry ass.”

When Louis started high school, that’s when everything really started to change.

“You don’t have to tell me anymore.” Harry whispered into his hair. The omega was trembling and all Harry could do was hold him through it. 

“There’s nothing more to tell, really.” Louis said, empty. “I was the mouthy, little omega around town who wouldn’t submit, not even to my father … I was an easy target for rampant, random sexual endeavors.”

Harry could feel the growling growing in his chest, but was quickly shushed by Louis. “I was never… it was always consensual , okay? I became the town slut.” Harry blinked and the omega threw him a tiny shrug. “Anything to make daddy mad. Hate me more and more until he finally snapped, throwing me out. That’s when I finally got freedom.”

Harry and Louis hadn’t known each other long, but somehow they were both in tuned enough to sense when the whole truth wasn’t being told. He was just about to open his mouth and pry when he took in the tired features of the omega lounging against him, shoulders and eyelids drooping.

Another time then.

“You gave yourself freedom.” Harry had to say though, couldn’t hold his tongue. “Not anyone else.”

Louis quirked his lips at him, his eyes boring into his own. “Right.”

“Right. Time for bed then, highness?”

“Only if you carry me.”

And, well, Harry was only a lowly peasant, after all. How could he refuse?

Chapter Text

Harry was sure Louis’ heat was beginning to dwindle. While they continued to stay at the hip--touches and kisses coming easily and without thought--there was an undeniable lack of heat pheromones surrounding the omega. It made Harry glad overall, especially when Louis would grin his way or chuckle at a joke he made. Everything felt lighter and easier, but it was also a sign that things were coming to a close and… and Harry wouldn’t be needed anymore.

It was fine, Harry convinced himself. This had always been the plan and he was about to finish said plan. Help the omega, get the money, save Mal’s bar. That’s what all of this was about.

On the morning of the fifth day though, Harry was proved wrong. Gravely wrong.

 Harry had been humming in the shower, occasionally swaying to whatever tune was stuck in his head as water cascaded from above him, when the curtain was pulled back quickly, almost frantically. Harry couldn’t help the garbled shriek that escaped him as he plastered himself against the tiled walls.

His eyes widened as he took in Louis. The omega was nearly beat red, color burning along his throat and cheeks as he panted heavily. His usually vibrant, blue eyes were vacant as if he were half asleep and in a daze. He was barely able to open his mouth before Louis was dropping to his knees--his clothed knees--within Harry’s shower, dosing himself in the spray. 

“Louis--” Harry was quickly cut off by the omega reaching up to circle his soft dick. Warm, red lips were parting and enveloping his cock by the time Louis’ scent hit his nose, causing him to throw his head back roughly against the wall, moaning loudly.

Heat. Sweet and unmistakably strong. Cinamon. Sugar. Vanilla. It was--

Louis’ tongue caressed the underside of him and Harry’s mouth parted, eyes slipping shut against his will. His whole body rippled as the omega mouthed the very tip of his dick and then sucked, cheeks hallowing around him like a vacuum.

“Lou… ” Harry wheezed, hands placed firmly at his sides because he was afraid of what he would do if they weren’t. 

He had to stop this. He knew if he let it go on for a second more he would get lost in it. Lost in the feeling of Louis’ hot mouth wrapped around him. Visions of him grasping the omega’s hair, caressing his bulging cheek, pressing him down further onto--

Harry groaned, accidentally inhaling the tantalizing heat scent as Louis sunk down further, moaning and humming as he went. A skillful hand came out to cup his balls, squeezing lightly and making color flash wildly against the back of Harry’s eyes. Harry was hard in seconds flat due to Louis’ ministrations and his scent-- his scent--

They were in for a big one. Harry could tell the moment he smelt the omega and his alpha knew too, rising within his chest and demanding he take control. At the end of the day though, Harry was only a man and couldn’t resist letting Louis take him for another couple of wonderful, agonizing minutes. He bit the knuckles of his hand in order to keep himself in place, forcing his body not to thrust forward every time he felt his dick reach the back of Louis’ throat.

“Fuck.” Harry seethed, titling his head up towards the ceiling and deftly keeping his eyes shut.

Louis hummed in response below him before disappearing. Harry barely held himself back from guiding the omega back onto him, encouraging his little mouth to continue taking him as much as he could muster when he heard a pitiful whine followed by the most perfect words, “Alpha. Please.”

Harry had officially been spurred into motion. Halling Louis’ small frame up by his armpits was easy enough, but keeping his body away from his own proved impossible. Harry had no choice but to begin stripping the omega within the shower, unable to wait a second longer.

Louis was loose in his arms, pretty and receptive to every touch, and Harry’s chest growled with it. “Poor little omega. How long have you been waiting for me, baby?”

He whined, falling into Harry’s arms once he’d been properly undressed. Keeping one arm around his waist, Harry used his other hand to reach around and seek out Louis’ hole. The omega keened when Harry was able to thrust two fingers within him without so much as an ounce of resistance. 

A loud grumble erupted within him as he pumped his fingers, in, in, in. “Loosened yourself up for me, huh?” Harry turned them around, letting the water splash onto his back and shielding the trembling omega. 

Harry looked down only to quickly match the frown on Louis’ face. Cupping his cheek, Harry whispered, “What’s wrong?”

Louis shook his head, wrapping his arms around Harry’s neck and attempting to hide his face beneath his collar bone. “D-Didn’t. Woke up and… and felt… weird.”

“Oh.” Harry said. Louis hadn’t prepped himself and he was sure that it had been at least a good twelve hours since they had done anything besides snog. A pin-prickle of worry sounded in the back of Harry’s mind, but he quickly pushed it to the side when through the smell of soap in the shower, he detected the stale scent of worry.

“M’sorry.” Louis lulled, body shaking and hot. Too hot underneath Harry’s hands.

“Don’t be sorry, baby.” Harry reassured, reaching behind him briefly and turning the shower to a colder temperature. “Love being in you, any part I can.” He scissored his fingers to prove his point and Louis’ gasped, hands tightening on the back of Harry’s curls.

Harry licked into his mouth, Louis’ lips moving slow and uncoordinated against his own. He ducked down, breath ghosting over the shell of the omega’s ear. “Any part of me I can get inside of you is worth it, love. Taste so good. Feel so good, always.”

Louis was open and gaping underneath his hand in seconds, slick pouring down Harry’s wrist and flooding the small stall with his intoxicating scent. Harry withdrew from him quickly, expecting it when the omega mewled in protest. He turned him around, Louis’ body feeling like puddy in his hands, before helping the omega place his hands against the wall, push his hips out and present.

The sight made Harry nearly feral, but he held it together because he needed to. Louis needed him and he had to give him everything, everything and more. Harry stroked his spit-soaked dick and lined himself up, hissing when his sensitive tip made it past Louis’ hot pucker. He sheathed himself inside hastily, probably faster than he should’ve, but Louis answering moan sounded nothing more than grateful at the sudden intrusion.

“Alpha.” Louis slurred, and Harry was torn. A part of him, a large part of him, if he was being honest, preened at the word. Wanted Louis to call him nothing else as he drove into him over and over again, dominating him and taking him how he wanted. 

Another part though--the rational side of him--grew a little pensive. Louis had only called Harry by his status when his heat had finally hit him, by far the strongest wave they had had in Harry’s whole time within the flat. For Louis to be calling him that now whilst needing no prep, and with with his skin inflamed the way it was…

It was just Louis’ heat fluctuating. Yes, that was all. Maybe this was the last big hurrah before it was finally over and done with. At the end of the day, it was nothing Harry couldn’t deal with.

Harry fucked him up against the tile with vigor, punching moan after gasp after mewl until Louis was sobbing into every thrust. His hips shuffled up until they were flush against the wall and Harry was aware that his hands around Louis’ stomach were the only the reasons that he was even upright. Louis’ tip toes were barely touching the ground and something in the back of Harry’s mind told him that the position couldn’t be that comfortable for the omega, his face pushed against the tile and his dick trapped painfully against his stomach.

Harry pulled out, shushing the omega when he limply reached back in a futile attempt to get Harry back on him. “Trust me,” he cooed, rubbing his cheek along the back of Louis’ neck, “gonna make you feel good. Get even deeper in you.”

Shower sex wasn’t something Harry had dabbled in often, but he had enough experience to know it was better to get it done over and quickly before things started to get too wet and uncomfortable. As much as he would’ve liked to tease Louis’ hard nipples, play with his hole, and mouth over the bruises on his neck, he knew now wasn’t the time for foreplay. Especially with Louis smelling the way he did.

Harry maneuvered Louis back around and found purchase underneath his shaking thighs. Louis gasped as the new position left him more open, spreading out his hole and making Harry go crazy with the new onslaught of his slick.  Gritting his teeth, Harry choked out, “Arms round me, princess.”

Louis’ throat bobbed as he whimpered, but did as he was told. Once Louis’ back was against the wall and his hands were laced behind his neck, Harry positioned himself up against his entrance once again. Lowering his arms, Harry moved Louis down onto his cock, slow and careful, not wanting to hurt or startle the omega as he adjusted to the new position.

It was Louis though who cork screwed his hips, using whatever little strength he had to shove himself down entirely. A feeble bleat sounded from Louis and Harry answered with a hiss-filled curse of his own. He repositioned Louis in his arms, circling his back and supporting his ass as they both breathed each other’s air.

Water was still punching Harry’s back, ice cold by now, but that was probably a good thing. Along with an obscene amount of slick, the smell of Louis’ sweat could also be detected in the air, running down his temples and chest in rivulets. Big heat, Harry thought again as he started to move once again. 

“Yes,” Louis cried out, arms and legs tightening and pulling Harry impossibly close, “please, please, give it to me. Need it. Please. ”

Harry cursed again, pulling Louis down with every stroke. 

“Fuck!” The omega garbled, smacking his head back gasping. “Take me whenever. M--my alpha…”

“What?” Harry breathed out, hips faltering slightly as he desperately rutted up into the omega. His eyes locked on Louis’ face, but couldn’t catch his eye. 

Louis looked as though he was in a different world, mouth pliant and open. “Take me-- ah-- anywhere. Whenever you want, please. Alpha, I’m yours.”

Yours. I’m yours.

Your omega. 

His omega.

Harry didn’t recognize his voice, nor himself, as he growled back. Gripping the meaty flesh of Louis’ ass and snaking his other hand up towards his nape, Harry fucked up into Louis with renewned force. “Can’t--”  He grunted as Louis’ heat induced words circled in his head, forcing him to thrust deeper, grip the omega harder. “Say that kinda stuff to me, baby.”

Louis teeth were clamped shut, but sounds and mewls still pooled out of his mouth. 

“Yours. Alpha. Mine.”

“Shit.” Harry grumbled into the omega’s neck. Louis was never the one to be super vocal during sex, that task was usually left up to Harry. 

Now though, Harry knew that Louis should never be the one to do the talking, even if everything that made him alpha craved it . His words were dangerous, making Harry move further and further towards the carefully placed edge he was tittering on.

A particularly hard grind caused Louis to scream, high and loud in the back of his throat. “Knot me, alpha. Please, need it.”

“Giving. It. To you.” Harry ground out, arms and legs tingling with the effort it took to hold Louis up, to pull him down, to take him.

“Fill me up.” Louis gasped, fingers tangling in Harry’s hair. “Want… want--

“Know what you want, pup.” Harry answered. His knot was seconds away from locking, every drag getting him closer and closer.

 Louis cried, tears and all that Harry could smell. He shook and sobbed, burying his sweaty face against Harry’s as he whispered, “Breed me. ”

Harry’s knot locked and his vision temporarily left him. His senses left him as his alpha responded to Louis’ words, his pleas. 

He was coming into him harder than he ever had--with Louis or with anyone. A strangled groan ripped itself out of him before he sealed his teeth over Louis’ shoulder. Not enough to break skin--not enough to be dangerous--but harder than he should. Harder than he had ever bitten an omega.

His jaw wouldn’t unhinge until Louis’ cries subsided and the omega’s cum littered both of their fronts. It was terrifying and new, but also, at the same time, strangely cathartic. Harry’s alpha within him thrummed in power as it finally gave Harry the sense of mind to let go, to carefully detach himself as the omega slumped into him. 

Harry was breathing heavily as he ran his tongue over the his teeth, overcome with relief when no copper taste of blood was there. Louis was passed out in his arms, but he could still see the large, red indents of his teeth littering the omega’s bare shoulder. Even through the dizzying haze of Louis’ heat and his pulsing dick, Harry knew he’d have to clean it. The part of him that made him alpha rumbled in dismay at the thought, but he knew it had to be done.

Before that though, Harry had to process. Because--well because-- what the fuck. He longed to run a hand down his face in bewilderment, but couldn’t quite seem to let either hand move away from the swell of Louis’ ass. Harry prayed Louis would never recall what had just transpired. He could see the rage and flaming red cheeks of indignation on the omega now.

There was no way he’d remember , Harry reassured himself as he reached up to run smooth, gentle fingers along the omega’s back and neck. 

No, it would just be Harry’s. A memory that would undoubtedly play over and over again in his most dirty, wildest dreams. 

In that moment, brain frazzled and overwhelmed, he couldn’t find himself to be mad about that undeniable fact.

Reaching behind him, he managed to turn off the shower before pulling Louis away from the wall. He pulled back to look down for any sign of consciousness, but was unsurprisingly only met with a brown, wet mop of hair tucked up under his chin. Sighing, Harry went to step out of the shower, firmly gripping Louis as he muttered, “Big heat.”

***

Big heat indeed. And after round one it proved itself to be far from over. Harry almost pitied the man he was that morning, thinking audacious thoughts about it “almost being over.”

He had been wiping Louis’ body down with a soft towel when the omega’s scent turned deep and strong before his eyes could even open. Louis was springing up and off Harry’s bed and into his arms before Harry could blink, writhing and moaning at just the skin to skin contact.

“Again.” Louis groaned, mouthing at his neck, pushing his small, hard prick against Harry’s stomach, leaving tacks of precum in his wake.

Harry was helpless to do anything but comply.

The closer Harry got to washing Louis off, putting him in soft clothes, and carrying him to his bedroom the more it dawned on him that it was always going to be a lost cause. The third round had been up against the wall next to Harry’s room, followed shortly by the fourth round with Louis on his back on the rug in his living room, urging Harry on through strangled cries and whimpers. 

Louis’ eyes had fallen shut just as Harry’s knot deflated, allowing him a second to breath. His limbs ached from doing nearly all the work while his mind spun with the omega’s garbled words.

Breed me, knot me, alpha. Alpha. Mine. Yours. Alpha.

To say Harry was on the brink of losing his mind was an understatement. 

He barely had the strength nor the sense of mind to peel himself away from Louis and go and gather supplies. Retching open the fridge, he grabbed as many water bottles and other substances he could get his hands on, as well as some granola bars and other non-perishables.

Harry felt like he was stocking up for the apocalypse as he unceremoniously dumped everything in a hap-hazardous pile on the floor of his room. Being in his room did nothing to make his mind any sharper, still stinking to high heaven of both of them and Louis. Mostly Louis. His intoxicating, all consuming heat scent that sank into Harry to the bone.

It was good. It was more than good and that was the problem. Harry could feel his senses slipping, his mind going into a mode he wasn’t sure he could be rational in. His mind trickled back to the large bite he had left on Louis’ shoulder and he shuddered.

He debated calling Liam--he highly doubted Zayn would want to hear about any of this--but decided against it at the last moment. Whatever was happening was between him and his omega.

  Louis. Not his--not his--

“Fuck.” Harry mumbled, tumbling against the side of the door as he slid down the frame. “Fuck.”

His nostrils flared as the sweet scent spiked once again from the living room, followed shortly by Louis’ small whimpers. 

Omega needs you. Harry’s brain thrummed as he stood up. Needs you. Needs you. Needs--

Harry was rushing into the living room and hauling Louis’ small frame up into his arms in seconds, his mind devoid of anything except take, fuck, breed. His lips never left the omega’s mouth and he carried him off to his room, slamming the door behind them.

Chapter Text

I know this probably isn't what everyone was hoping for, but bear with me. I know I haven't been posting for the past few weeks and just wanted to clear the air that this fic will be finished. I have the ending clear in my mind and am working towards it. In saying that, I am actively trying to finish this fic and haven't been able to post any chapters as things change and develop while I'm writing. I'm proud of what I put out so far but as I continue writing I feel myself going back and fixing and tweaking things. Hence the reason I have been so hesitant to post anything new. I don't want to put something out there that feels unfinished or that I will inevitably change as I near the end of this fic. I hope you all understand that I just want to put my best work out there for me and especially for all of you.

I will be posting a chapter next Tuesday and every other Tuesday after that (I still have no idea how many more chapters I'll need to finish this. Yikes) As always, thank you all for your continued support. It means the world to me and every comment and kudos pushes me to keep writing. Thank you thank you <3

Chapter Text

The acidic stink of plastic filled his nose once again and Louis grumbled in displeasure.

“Ge’ awa…” He tried to tilt his body away but could only move so far. The sheets beneath him felt rough, like they had been yanked on and pulled at the seams, no longer pulled snuggly over the corners of the mattress.

The smell only became more powerful when the object touched his enflamed lips. He felt burned and scorched by it. Acting on instinct, he slapped the unwanted thing away. Distantly, he felt water splash across his tacky chest followed by the sound of something smashing against a wall.

“Lou,” the voice above him sounded winded, agitated, “you have to drink something. Water. ” On cue, the plastic was back near Louis’ face and he nearly cried.

It was too much, too overwhelming. And he was so hot. Too hot. Flames lapped up from the pit of his stomach and burned at the base of his throat. He didn’t need water. He needed to be touched, held down, smothered by this petulant alpha who wouldn’t listen to him.

The situation he was in made everything more painful. An alpha was here. Had been ready to take him and give him his knot over and over again. Louis had felt whole, at peace with the alpha thrusting into him with abandon until, suddenly, it had all stopped. Abruptly and without warning. Now, foul smelling food and water were being foisted onto him when he had made it clear that all he needed was the alpha to be in him. His body was ready for it, more than ready. If he could just convince this alpha that he was more than prepared, that he could provide this alpha with whatever he wanted, be a good mate--

“Drink.”

“No,” Louis suddenly shouted, gearing up and away only to feel the world fall out from beneath him. 

Hitting the hard carpet below made him feel better and much worse. Better, in the fact that it distracted him from his inflamed skin, and worse because of the searing pain now radiating in his shoulder. Hands were on him immediately, turning him onto his back while a shouting voice sounded off in his ears. 

Deciphering what the voice was trying to say wasn’t a priority though. No, not when this alpha was finally, finally touching him again. The hands on his shoulders felt like liquid ice, cooling the ever growing sparks and embers within him. 

“Alpha, please.” He slurred, head titling to his side in submission. Completely baring himself in hopes that it would achieve something, anything. “Please.”

Louis felt his head being titled back down, the grip around his neck shaky and unstable. “Don’t do that to me, baby.”

“Need it…” Louis tried to open his eyes, but his eyelids remained closed like he was sleeping. In the middle of a nightmare.

“I know.” The voice sounded wrecked. “I know. But we are taking a break, yeah?”

“No--”

“Omega,” The alpha’s voice--his voice-- shook him to the core and made his body tense, “we are taking a break. I won’t fuck you, not now. You need rest. ”

“No,” Louis moaned, full of agony. Nothing else consumed him besides the fact that he wasn’t about to be filled. The ache and fire would continue and he had no idea what he had done wrong. Hiccupping sobs viciously escaped him, sudden and loud as he said, “Empty.”

Louis’ cries were halted by rough lips covering his own, licking deeper into his mouth until he was momentarily distracted. He wasn’t so out of it though to not feel the probing of fingers around his hole, light and careful and not what Louis needed.

“More,” Louis groaned, head falling back on the carpet. Despite his pleas, the fingers still left him, pulling away and leaving him dripping and gaping.

He felt the press of the back of a hand against his forehead, fingers trailing down his chest and neck, almost experimentally. When they eventually drew back, Louis was sure he would succumb to the flames, alone and burning in his own slick and pain. The thought made shots of terror and fear spark within him, caused him to tremble. 

“D-Don’t.” Louis grit out as another cramp raked through him, causing his eyes to finally shoot open. He gasped out, spit soaking his lips as he coughed. 

The alpha was standing over him now, hunched with a heaving chest. “I’ll be right back, Lou. I… I have to go.”

The alpha’s words faded into oblivion at the confession. I have to go. The reality of the situation that Louis could comprehend struck him in the chest as he watched the retreating form of the alpha. The same alpha that had been inside of him so many times, had filled him to the brim with their future pups, had touched and bitten him too many times to count. 

He had done something. Something wrong. Bad omega. Like he always did. Like he had always done.

Louis was splayed on the carpet, alone with his hands next to his head. His fingers were barely able to graze his cheekbones and temples, move up to skirt under his eyes that were undoubtedly littered with heavy bags.

Aren’t all omegas at least supposed to be pretty?

Louis’ fingers didn’t move from underneath his eyes and were soon covered in a thick stream of tears. The sudden rush from his eyes didn't stop until the tears flowed down the sides of his cheeks, dripping down his chin. Louis had felt numb many times in his life, but never with a raging inferno growing within him. The parallel was uncanny.

His skin felt clammy as his nails raked down the sides of his face. The pressure was almost, almost enough to distract him from the turmoil brewing inside of him.

When the alpha returned Louis barely spared him a second glance. He knew how this went, had know for years. No one likes a clingy omega. No one likes a bad, broken omega. He just had to endure it, wait it out until--

Knees dropped to the floor and Louis’ legs were being hauled up and over sturdy shoulders. Despite his confusion, he groaned as he was finally-- finally going to get what he needed. This alpha may not want him, but was still merciful enough to fill him one last time before disappearing. 

Louis expected the alpha to enter him roughly, fast and quick and all too ready to leave him behind once he ultimately finished. Just enough, he thought, just enough and I’ll deal with whatever is left of me afterwards.

The alpha’s tongue laved over his abused entrance and Louis’ head slammed back against the carpet, a strangled groan erupting from him. 

“Stay still.” The alpha grumbled beneath him. Hands pried Louis’ weak thighs apart. “Still and good for me.”

“Yes,” Louis sobbed as the alpha licked into him, spearing him open. The pressure wasn’t what he needed, but it was enough pleasure to make Louis press into it, demand more.

The alpha ate him out like he was starved for it, lapping up every trail of slick that left him. A stuttering, possessive growl rumbled in the alpha’s chest as he savored the taste of both of them, directly from the source of all of their multiple copulations. Louis quickly found his heels locking along the alpha’s back, his thighs bruising the sides of his head to kept him in place. 

Louis gasped and whimpered at every lick, every punishing push forward of the alpha’s tongue. His hands scrambled along the carpet as he tried to find something to hold onto to as waves of pleasure wracked their way through his body. A long, broad swipe over his hole had him crying out into the open, head rearing back in agony and ecstasy. “Alpha. Yes. More… please!”

The alpha groaned as he reached a hand up to Louis’ neglected dick. He ran his fingers up and down, teasing the tip every time. Louis could only arch into the touch, his legs trapping the alpha’s head in a vice-like grip as pressure built up in his stomach. Louis found himself unable to make a sound as the feeling grew and grew and eventually spilt over onto the alpha’s hand, coating them both in his cum.

Everything seemed to move in slow motion as Louis came back down. The alpha had withdrawn once again and his omega whimpered in disapproval, but somewhere in his mind Louis knew that it would happen eventually. 

Everyone leaves, nothing is forever, and no one is guaranteed. Not in his life.

Burning and withering away felt like being lifted up into the air. It felt like being hurriedly rushed away and smelt like lavender and rosemary. It sounded like the alpha whispering into his ear that he was sorry and that he’d make things better.

Dying felt like suddenly being thrust into ice cold water.

Louis gasped out, his once useless limbs springing back to life as he clawed forward. He was suddenly submerged in water up to his shoulders that the alpha pushed him back into every time he reared forward. Like he was being punished. Like he deserved this new form of burning. He felt like he was one fire once again, but one of a completely different kind. Every nerve in his body screamed for escape as he clambered about, hitting hard walls and meeting the alpha’s stern pushes.

“Louis, its okay. It’s okay.” The alpha said, gripping his thrashing arms and tampering down his kicking legs. Water splashed everywhere as Louis struggled, desperate to get away from it all. No real sounds or words left his mouth, only gasps and whimpers of pain and fear, but Louis was never one to give up a fight.

He screamed, the sound felt like it was being ripped from him by force, violently, as he thrashed. One wild kick sent him plunging under the water, head completely submerged. The sudden cold made his skin feel like he was being attacked by pins and needles at all sides. Unable to breath and panicked, he ended up gulping in the liquid before the alpha hauled him up to the surface. He gaped and gasped for air, never once stopping the fight to escape.

“You’re okay. Everything’s okay.” The alpha’s words did little to soothe him, not when he himself sounded frantic.

. The alpha was suddenly sitting behind Louis, hissing against the cold as he trapped him in tight hug against his chest. Louis continued to struggle, panting and coughing as the alpha just held him through it. 

“So good.” Louis heard whispers into his ear, all low and sultry. “Doing so well for me, baby. You know that, right? Perfect for me. Never let you go. Just gonna cool you down, yeah. It’ll feel good soon. Promise.”

Louis’ strangled breathing started to falter as his omega could do nothing but respond to the words. His kicks and thrashing became few and far between as his weakened body became lax against the alpha. The whole time the praise never stopped, the arms around him never loosened, and the alpha’s scent--pine and mint--overpowered any other scents Louis’ had in his bathroom.

His bathroom. His apartment. He was in his apartment with..

Pine and mint…

Several long minutes passed with Louis’ head resting against the alpha’s shoulder before it all clicked.

“H--Harry?” Louis mumbled.

Harry didn’t reply immediately, just let out a long, relieved sigh. “ Yes. It’s me.”

“I… we’re in my bathtub.” He stuttered out, finally he felt lucid enough to take in his surrounding. “In my room.”

“I’m sorry. You were-- fuck, you were on fire, Lou. I didn’t think a shower would be enough to cool you down.”

“Cool me…” Louis let his hand float on top of the water. After being in the tub for so long his fingers were pruny and the water no longer felt like ice against his tender flesh. 

“Are you…” Harry trailed off. The arms around Louis seemed to loosen, if only a bit. “A--Are you feeling okay?”

Louis could hear a slight clacking noise behind him. A part of his brain registered that it was Harry’s teeth chattering, but he was too overcome with another feeling to care.

Harry was here. He hadn’t left. Louis wasn’t alone and the burning of his skin felt like a distant memory.

Swallowing thickly, he asked, “Have I… have I been good?”

“Lou?”

“You’re not leaving, are you?”

The question hurt him but he needed to know. Lying around and waiting in the dark would do nothing for him, only add to the anxiety of inevitably being left alone again. 

Flashes of him entering his childhood home played before his eyes. The house had been left barren and devoid of his family. Not even a note had been left telling him that he would never see any of them again.

He had grown to be that much of a disappointment in their eyes. His father, brothers, sisters… his mum.

Before the tears could fall, Harry’s arms reaffirmed themselves around his shoulders and midsection. His nose was buried in his the crook of his neck as he whispered, “Never. Be here always.”

Louis let himself cry, didn’t even try to fight it for the first time in what felt like decades. Harry’s grip on him never wavered as he held him through it, rocking them back and forth slowly as he cooed praise after praise into his ear that he didn’t deserve.

***

He hadn’t meant for it to become a thing. But one random romp with an alpha became two and then just as easily three, and by the time he had slept with a dozen he had stopped bothering to count.

Some of them were okay. They would dabble in at least a little bit of foreplay before ultimately sticking it to him. Others weren’t as kind, but Louis had managed. The sex wasn’t the end goal for him, after all. 

He knew what it was but never truly had the courage to say it out loud. Omegas needed an alpha’s touch and with his sibling’s and father’s building resentment towards him him, well. Louis had to become resourceful and found it in different ways. The only way. The only thing alphas seemed to want from him.

When his family had left him though, his family home big and barren with just him occupying it, the touch of other alpha’s began to sting instead of soothe. It was a reminder of what he had lost, of what he would never be able to gain back because he couldn’t just fall in line. Couldn’t just be a good little omega who would be content with being a housewife. A servant.

He had started to avoid alphas like they were the plague. Their scents made him nauseous and their touch sent him into full on panic. He didn’t need them. He didn’t need anyone. Not alphas and not his family and that was how it had been. He could manage alone in his own little bubble where no one could enter. 

If he didn’t let anyone in, no one could leave.

A lot of the alpha’s in town couldn’t accept Louis’ new stance. They would reach out to him on the street, corner him in stores. They were relentless and Louis would spend some nights lying awake, keenly aware of every bump and creak in his empty home.

Louis had left less than a year after his family disappeared. Leaving physically did nothing to change his new mentality though. In all other aspects besides location he was exactly the same. Guarded, sheltered, and with a rough exterior that no one could break.

And that was how he would stay. Life would go by and Louis would plunge himself into his work because that was all he had. All that he was good for. All that he needed.

Louis would be fine.

***

Harry was abruptly awoken by a sharp, aching slap on the side of his head, quickly followed by s slap and kick to his chest and then his abdomen.

The room was too dark to see anything, but it didn’t take Harry long to realize that Louis was attacking him. Punching and kicking like his life depended on it while filling the room with his frenzied, terrified scent. It was so pungent it stung Harry’s nose and he couldn’t believe it had been the physical violence that awoke him first.

Harry could do nothing but reach out and try to deflect blow and blow, still sluggish from being awoken so viciously. Louis’ movements were too erratic to be trackable or predicted, but eventually he managed to grab hold of the omega’s thin wrist, but only after Louis scratched down his pec. Confused and dazed, Harry managed a strangled, “Lou--!”

As his eyes adjusted, Harry took in the omega’s panicked and fear-stricken face. His eyes were wide and filled with tears, but more importantly, completely glossed over. Like he was stuck in a nightmare and wasn’t in the room at all. Couldn’t feel or see Harry at all.

Harry grunted as Louis’ foot connected with his side, sending them both lying sideways along the bed. He couldn’t help but bristle at being attacked, his alpha still too close to the surface for him to think rationally. It caused him to reach out and grab Louis’ flailing body wherever he could, squeezing probably harder than he should’ve as he pinned him down onto the bed forcefully. 

“No,” Louis moaned, kicking out even as Harry lowered his body on top of his. At one point their heads knocked together, sending Harry’s mind spiraling, “no, no, no, no… stop.”

“Louis,” Harry rasped, voice shot and exhausted. They had just come out of their little predicament in the bathtub and Harry had thought that he’d done it, had finally helped the omega past the last stages of his heat where he could finally have peace. He had been too tired to do anything else other than dry them off and tumble into the omega’s large, king sized bed. He knew it was ‘against the rules’, but after what they had been through he figured most of those rules were void.

Now though, maybe he should’ve listened to them. Harry could deal with Louis picking fights with him, begging for sex and his knot. But this? Louis didn’t smell like heat, nor did he smell agitated or even remotely turned on. He smelt like fear, pulsing and strong and Harry’s alpha demanded that he eliminate the threat by any means possible.

Louis was attacking him though. In his eyes, Harry was the threat.

Swallowing hard, Harry tried once more. He longed to run his fingers through the omega’s hair, maybe even run his nose along his neck until he found that one spot where he knew Louis was ticklish. Where only a day ago he had to bat Harry away with flailing arms and eyes crinkled due to his blinding laugh.

Harry suddenly felt an immense loss. A loss to a side of Louis he had been slowing cracking, finally able to push through the omega’s hard exterior and see him. The unguarded Louis. The Louis who wasn’t afraid to reach out, to hold him close, to smile.

Anything Harry could come up with, all of those options could potentially exacerbate the situation. Gritting his teeth, he pleaded, “Lou, please. It’s me.” 

Harry’s heart ached as the words didn’t even seem to remotely register within the omega. The thrashing continued, his limbs all tangled up in Harry’s tense grip as his breathing grew faster and shallower. Tears sprung from his eyes as he stared up at the ceiling like he was face to face with a demon. The look was similar enough to when Harry had been forced to stop him from scratching his arms days ago, and he was certain that if he wasn’t holding the omega down now he’d be utterly marring himself until whatever was ailing him went away. Even if it meant at the cost of his own wellbeing.

The thought made Harry nauseous and desperate. It clouded his mind with the same panic stirring within Louis. He ultimately welcomed it when his alpha took over in the midst of it all. Harry had been holding back for days, desperately grasping onto his sanity to keep himself in control, but he was out of ideas. He had been releasing his pheromones as soon as he was conscious enough to take in the situation and it was doing nothing to calm Louis down. He couldn’t fuck him, not in this state, and that wasn’t what it smelt like Louis needed. He was out of options and totally, utterly hopeless.

He watched Louis plunge himself deeper and deeper into a void, and Harry knew, if only subconsciously, what was happening. Looking deep into Louis’ clouded eyes he could almost see that the omega had come to the same conclusion as well. Louis was going to drop and Harry couldn’t let that happen. He knew he would lose his mind if Louis succumbed and he wasn’t able to pull him back. Even if someone else would be able to, Harry would never forgive himself.

He couldn’t lose him. He was here to help . He was here for the omega. 

Something in Harry’s brain snapped and something deep within him angrily corrected his previous thought. He rumbled the words out as he slowly lowered himself. “ My omega.”

Louis’ body immediately went still as Harry titled his head to the side and sunk his teeth deep into his neck. Deeper than he had in all of their biddings. Deeper than he should’ve, but he couldn’t prevent the action until it was too late. He was powerless to the hold the idea suddenly had on him. Harry was all alpha as he softly rumbled into the omega’s skin, biting down harder and causing Louis’ to gasp loudly out into the large, dark room. 

He felt powerful and in control for the first time since Louis’ heat spiked. Harry had fucked and knotted him too many times too count, but it had never felt like he was truly giving Louis what he needed. It struck Harry in the chest as they lay together, almost still with nothing but Harry’s teeth grounding Louis.

This was what Louis needed, but it was also what he had needed. They both needed.

Louis eventually sunk against him in submission and Harry’s grip on his hips tightened in approval. The acidic, terrified scent slowly faded as warmth and contentment washed over the both of them. Harry had been tied to Louis multiple, multiple times throughout the past week, but he had never felt closer to the omega than right then. 

It wasn’t a mating bite, but it was close. Close enough to quell both Harry’s alpha and soothe Louis’ trembling omega. It felt like the final piece of the puzzle despite neither of them knowing it until the piece had already been placed, something they couldn’t take back. 

As Harry pulled back and laved his tongue over the fresh bite, he realized he didn’t want to take it back. And from the feel of Louis’ limp hands carding through his hair and running down his cheeks, urging him on, he didn’t either. 

Harry could feel it like there was a fine thread intertwining them, letting them feel each other’s emotions, if only briefly. Harry was smart enough to know that is was all smoke and mirrors, but it felt so utterly real and comforting in the moment. Peace and safety was all Harry could pick up on and he hoped he was sending back similar feelings as he pressed down on Louis’ body, covering him head to toe. His alpha was telling him his omega needed the pressure, the reassurance, his touch. To never let him go.

Louis purred against his chest and Harry was sure he had never heard anything more beautiful. He longed to bottle up the noise and savor it forever because it was his. Was meant for his ears only. 

In that moment, Louis was completely his and no one else’s. The possessive alpha side of him that he always tried to tamper down felt alight at the thought, rejuvenated and satiated at last.

He pressed a soft kiss along Louis’ collarbone, the fresh mark, and the side of his temple before sleep overtook them both. 

Louis was going to be fine. They were going to be fine. Everything was fine.

Chapter Text

In the morning, everything was definitely not fine.

Harry had woken up feeling nothing but a bone deep contentment and a familiar warmth surrounding his front. He let his body react and curled into the pleasant heat, wrapping his arms more securely around and digging his face into his omega’s neck. It didn't taken him long to find what he was looking for. His nose brushed over the fresh bite before he allowed his lips to seal over it, sucking gently and biting along the edges. His chest rumbled as his omega pushed back into his ministrations, all while titling his neck further to give him more access.

It was bliss was what it was, and Harry longed to keep it going. To make his omega smell somehow sweeter than he already did.

Harry moved the tip of his tongue from the bottom to the top of the reddened mark. The stimulation was enough to pull a small sigh out of his omega and that was what he was looking for. He renewed his efforts when the gentle, sleepy scent around them slowly turned thicker, hinting towards the edge of something more.

They had gone at it so many times but Harry was certain his omega would need more, would always need him to take care of him, hold him close, keep him filled with his cock for as long as he could. Louis must’ve been sore--it had been one of the only reasons the other day as to why Harry insisted that they had to take a break--but it was a new day now. Louis would be ready for him. Louis would be--

Louis. His brain stuttered at the name and his body stiffened. Louis. The omega who he was assisting through his heat. The omega who he was lying to. Who had almost fucking dropped last night. Who he had bit--

The bite. 

Harry couldn’t look down at it as he carefully detached his lips. It would make the consequences of his actions too real. Instead, he quietly shuffled to a sitting position. He blinked blearily around the room, finally being able to see it now that the morning sunlight was streaming through the curtains. They had somehow made it back under the covers after last night and Harry foolishly pulled the covers up to his abdomen, shielding his nudity for some insane reason.

“Fuck,” Harry muttered to the quiet room.

“Not yet.”

He stilled at the muffled voice below him. Louis must’ve still been half asleep or hadn’t noticed the tense set of Harry’s shoulders because he seemed to have absolutely no problem rolling over and placing his head on his thigh, snuggling down into him like a pillow.

“M’ sore.” Louis said. “Don’t go getting any funny ideas when I’m not even fully awake.”

“I--I wasn’t.” Harry stammered. His hands were caught at his sides as he carefully cleared his throat. “I didn’t even know you were awake.”

“Going to make me food?”

“I… do you want me to?”

Louis hummed. He shuffled down once again, his hands coming up to wrap around Harry’s knee under the covers. “Maybe later.”

Harry stared. Was Louis still gone? Either in the throes of heat or whatever terrible episode he found himself in last night? Had Louis not remembered what happened last night? Maybe that was a good thing. He would undoubtedly tie Harry up by his balls if he did because, well, he had fucking bit him. Harry had sunk his teeth into Louis before--on the inside of his thighs, his shoulder--but on his neck. 

That was different. That was taking things too far, surely.

Harry swallowed. He was going to be killed. Brutally.

“You know,” Louis said, carefully, “that may or may not have been an invitation for you to lie back down.”

Louis’ fingers squeezed around Harry’s knee and the alpha couldn’t help but jolt, if only a little. 

“Jumpy?” Louis huffed, sounding a little amused. A beat passed and his voice sombered a bit. “Is everything alright?”

I don’t know, Harry thought honestly.

“I was going to ask you that.” Harry answered. He might’ve been shooting himself in the foot, but he had to know. “Do you remember what happened last night, Lou?”

Louis deflated a bit, his hand loosening against Harry’s leg. “Yes, but in my defense, I warned you about coming into my room.”

“I know.”

Louis’ voice came out so quiet Harry had to strain to hear. “I’ve been told, in the past at least, I’m not the best at sharing my space with others. Especially my bed.”

“Oh.” He mumbled, not allowing himself to think about who else Louis may have had in his bed. Not with his alpha still so close and Louis smelling so much like him their scents were very near indiscernible. “I overstepped. I’m sorry.”

“Again with your apologizing.” The omega slurred. His skin was warm against Harry’s, warm but finally not burning. It was a small glimmer of good news in the fuckery that Harry had started. “You’re the one that had to take a couple of kicks and punches.”

Harry cleared his throat. “It was nothing.”

Louis snorted. “Trying to be all macho, huh alpha?”

“Louis,” Harry started, but had no idea how to finish. 

Louis’ shoulder raised slightly and it made Harry’s hackles rise at his nonchalance. “I get nightmares. Sometimes. Usually I just tire myself out until I fall back asleep. It’s fine.”

Harry was used to having to pull at string after string to try and get Louis to talk about these types of things. Having this version of Louis, all open and honest, left him at odds with what to do with the situation. He settled for placing his hand on the curve of Louis’ shoulderblade.

“That’s… that’s dangerous.” Dangerous, certainly not fine. How many times had something like that happened? Harry didn’t have to ask to know that Louis would’ve been alone. The thought made his head hurt and his chest tighten.

“I know.” He grumbled, like he had heard it a million times. 

“You could drop.” Harry said, more firmly so that he would understand. “Last night, you could’ve dropped, Louis.”

“Yep.”

Harry’s nostrils flared in unbridled anger. He didn’t understand why he was getting so worked up. Louis was an adult. If he wanted to test the odds and risk his own safety instead of reaching out for help it should be none of Harry’s concern. At least, that is how Harry should feel, but the idea still left an overflow of knots gathering in his stomach.

“Yeah,” Louis repeated. He inched closer, his fine hair brushing against Harry’s skin, “but you were here.”

Harry’s whole body stilled at that before his alpha made him relax. It was strange to suddenly be so controlled by his baser instincts. Harry had always thought he was one of the few alphas who could keep himself in check while also not denying his inner biology. This whole week with Louis changed everything he thought he knew.

Louis’ words caused his chest to warm. He wasn’t sure if it was him or his alpha that made him duck down and press the softest of kisses to Louis’ cheek. His hands skittered through his hair and down the back of him neck as he whispered, “Of course I was here.”

Louis chuckled softly, but when his eyes finally met Harry’s there was something close to sincerity in them. He fully turned over onto his back, the sheets slipping away from his shoulder. “Took a beating for it too.”

“Would take another if it meant keeping you here with…” Harry clicked his tongue and hid his stutter behind a cough. “With us. That’s what I’m here for. To help you through this. To look after you.”

“Don’t need a babysitter.” Louis reminded him once again.

“Never said that. Even though your so-called ‘punches’ were similar to that of a small toddler.”

Louis whacked his chest at that. Just as Harry was beginning to settle back down, the omega dropped another bombshell on him. With quirked lips he said, “You took a punch in the face. I took a bite to the neck. Seems fair enough.”

Harry’s face sombered at that. Louis didn’t look mad, far from it even, but he still had to be sure of where they both stood. He settled with saying, “I’m… I’m sorry about that.”

“Sorry?” Louis asked, sounding a little exasperated. 

“Yes?”

“Why? It--It felt,” Louis’ eyes wandered across the ceiling, the blueness of his eyes popping out amongst the stream of sun steadily pooling in. His breath caught in his throat, like he was trying hard to determine what to say, before the word seemingly tumbled past his lips like he couldn’t hold it in any longer, “ amazing.”

Harry clenched his teeth to keep his jaw from dropping. He managed to sutter out, “Yeah?”

Louis rolled his eyes, his cheeks heating slightly, but ultimately replied, “Yes. I--I no one’s ever…”

Harry gulped. “Uh huh.”

“I didn’t even know you guys did that sort of thing.” Louis blinked up at Harry a few times. “Agencies, I mean. I’ve seriously undermined your job.”

Agency. Job. Lies.

Harry wasn’t sure what held him together in that moment. The truth threatened to pass through him stronger than he had ever felt before. The only reason he held his tongue was because of the lovely, almost serene look on Louis’ face. 

Looking at Louis once so hard and battered when he had first arrived and seeing him now was like night and day. He looked fully awake and truly rested with slightly flushed but clean skin. No more were there bags littering underneath his eyes and as the days progressed the bruises along his temples and arms dampened more and more. His scent was light and free, no notes of resentment or fear skittering around it.

It made Harry feel things. Things he shouldn’t. Things that he should bury down and hide forever. 

Harry was no stranger to hiding things he loved. This should be no different.

It should’ve been no different, but as Harry stared at Louis longer those rational thoughts seemed to flood away. The world only consisted of them in that moment. Louis was his omega in heat and Harry was his alpha who would go to the ends of the Earth to ensure he got through it unscathed. Protected. Held. Cherished.

Louis inhaled slightly and spoke on his exhale, “Thank you, Harry.”

Those words were all Harry needed to let go of whatever moral reservation he had been desperately grasping onto. He slinked back down underneath the covers, eyes never leaving the omega’s, before deftly wrapping his arms around him. His body hummed with satisfaction as Louis’ body went lax, letting him move him where he wanted him.

Louis’ head was tucked up underneath his chin, his hands caught between both of their bodies as they both breathed in each other's scents. Harry couldn’t say whether it took a couple of minutes or hours before they both eventually trailed off into sleep once again, but either way, he felt like he was in a dream. A perfect, all-encompassing dream of having his omega tucked neatly at his side, smelling only of him and fulfillment.

***

Louis stepped out of his shower to the sound of a familiar tune.

It wasn’t as loud as the last time he had heard it ringing through his flat, but he recognized it all the same. He made quick work to dry himself off before hastily making his way into his bedroom.

His bedroom. His bedroom that had smelled of him and nothing else since the moment he had moved in now held strong tones of pine and mint. He breathed it in shakily at first and tried not to let his mind go haywire when the scent didn’t immediately send him spiraling. It did the opposite, in fact. The after chills of stepping out of the shower left him almost immediately as his shoulders sagged, all of the tension draining out of his body.

The song persisted outside of his door and Louis could barely hold himself back from rolling his eyes. How Harry had figured out how to break into his sound system again he didn’t know, but the alpha was going to pay for it all the same.

Louis wandered over to his dresser on instinct but was halted by a flash of yellow towards the end of his bed. Colors in general were rarely a part of Louis’ everyday attire. His wardrobe consisted of work which meant shades of gray, black, and white. Perhaps the occasional dark blue or green here or there, but those were far and few between.

Louis’ snatched up the garment and felt his lips twitch at the emoji-looking taco logo with a winking face that met him. The name of the restaurant was unfamiliar, but he had no doubt that at some point that week Harry had tried to convince him that they should order in from the establishment.

Just as Louis was about to set the sweatshirt back down an idea raced through his mind. A bad one, at that. But once he had set his mind to something there really was no way he could be talked out of it. Not even he himself could manage such a feat.

Without allowing himself to think too much on it, Louis shrugged on the sweatshirt and went over the examine himself in the full length mirror on the other side of his room. The garish yellow was a shade Louis would never be caught dead wearing, but the material was surprisingly soft and added a weight to his shoulders he found comforting. Harry’s scent also permeated off of it, cloaking Louis in that minty pine scent he had become to used to. The sweatshirt was too big and ended right at his mid-thigh, just enough to cover himself but still looking far too lewd.

“You’re fucking insane.” Louis mumbled to himself moments later when he stood in front of his door, hand dangling over the knob. 

Hadn’t he already been subjected to too many unthinkably embarrassing moments up until that point? Why was he potentially thrusting himself into another memory that would haunt him for life?

This whole experience would haunt him for life. Louis was secure enough in himself now to admit that. But things were about to end and this heat and everything it entailed would be over. A rough chapter closed in the book that was his life. The nightmare he had been dreading since that day he stepped into the doctor’s office would end.

 Might as well go out with a bang, Louis thought as he opened the door and made his way across the empty living room. The song he had been woken up with days ago and that had nearly sent him into cardiac arrest still blasted through the speakers, trumpets and horns blaring too loudly within the small flat.

Louis felt a bead of sweat roll down the back of his neck as he peeked his head into the kitchen. The smell of fresh toast, eggs, and various spices wafted around him all while the sounds of sizzling pans and music echoed in his ears. Harry’s back was facing him and that was good. Louis was never one for spontaneity and didn’t make it a habit to get himself into situations where he didn’t know how himself or other parties would react.

Yet there he was. Standing in the threshold of his own kitchen wearing an alpha’s sweatshirt and nothing else while bacon sizzled only a few feet away from him. 

Harry stilled for only a moment, his head cocked slightly to the side before continuing his task along the counter. “Good morrow , princess.”

Louis’ eyes flashed to his clock. It was well past noon, but time had been a fading thing for the both of them. “I’m going to need to go over what privileges you have in my flat again, aren’t I?”

“No, no, I thought we already cleared that up.” Harry said, voice barely traveling over the music. “I get to use the TV, the gym--”

“Not my sound system.” Louis said. He could see the remote lying on the small kitchen table but made no move towards it. Instead, he found himself leaning against the entryway, bare toes running over one another and traveling up the sides of his ankles. “You are a difficult one to break, you know that?”

“Just realizing that?”

“No,” Louis insisted, “you haven’t followed a single rule in days. Oaf.”

“What can I say?” Harry’s voice came out exasperated, but Louis didn’t need to see his face to picture the smile on his lips. “Your monarchal tyranny can only run for so long before I feel the need to push back. Just a little.”

 Harry’s hair was pulled back in a ridiculously small pony tail on the top of his head that flopped around with each of his movements. Louis’ eyes tracked it as his stomach flooded with something close to fondness. 

“What have you made me then?”

Harry set down a small knife on the counter before moving away a small bowl filled with what looked to be veggies. He began to turn around and everything suddenly felt like it was moving in slow motion. “Well, your highness, today we have--” 

Harry turned and the coy look on his face dropped. Louis felt the urge to laugh at the sudden change in the alpha’s demeanor but found himself breathless. Another sliver a sweat trickled down his spine, cold and hot all at once. 

Louis could feel Harry’s eyes tracking him, from his face all the way down to his bare feet. The look was one alphas had used on him before, all hungry and invasive, and should send him reeling back in disgust and discomfort. Instead, all he felt was a warm pull in chest and a shiver run up and down his back. Like he had been electrocuted.

The feeling was new but ultimately not unwelcome, for once. It forced him to move, unable to stand Harry’s wide eyed stare any longer without turing an obnoxious shade of red. He stepped slowly across the kitchen, letting him feet drag slightly.

“No coffee?” Louis asked. He sounded breathless, but couldn’t help the note of innocence from creeping through as well. Like he was oblivious to Harry’s suddenly stiff shoulders and flaring nostrils.

“I… coffee?” Harry coughed. His lids were low, like they were seconds away from closing. Louis could almost feel the alpha’s eyes trailing over his thighs, watching the fabric move over his bare skin.

He was affecting the alpha and Louis knew it. Could feel it through his hot gaze and see it through his tightened posture. All of the times Louis had tried to beat Harry into submission with his usual tactics--beratement, anger, yelling-- all seemed like a huge waste now. Harry was still a good couple feet from him, but he already felt like putty within Louis’ hands. The idea sent a shrill of excitement through him as he stopped in front of the counter.

“I guess I’ll have to make it.” Louis said with a sigh, shrugging a shoulder. He gripped the counter behind him, letting his neck tilt from side to side. Before he could watch Harry’s eyes darken, he turned his back to the alpha. 

“I can make it.” Harry said, rushed. Rough.

“No, no. I got it.” He reached up, knowing full well what he was exposing as he opened the cupboard above him. The song still boomed around them just as loud as the first time Harry played it, but now instead of making Louis tense up in irritation, it guided his movements. Made them seem more slow and natural against the heavy sounds of the instruments. 

He geared up on his tiptoes and wrapped his fingers around the handle of a mug. “Gotta help myself sometimes.” He rolled back onto his heels before turning around. It wasn’t a shock to see that Harry had crept closer, and Louis allowed a small smile to grace his face. 

“Let me.” Harry said, voice dropping an octave. The sound punched a small gasp of air out of him. 

Louis titled his neck up, meeting Harry’s glimmering eyes in challenge. “No one is stopping you.”

Harry’s hands settled on his hips, drawing him closer. Louis didn’t even try to fight it, not with the sweat slowly building between his shoulderblades, neck, and temple. He ducked down so quickly Louis almost floundered backwards, but the counter and Harry’s grip on him made moving away impossible. The alpha’s lips grazed the side of his neck, right along the almost raised bruise where Harry had bitten him so hard he’d seen stars.

“Look so good, baby.” Harry slurred, his mouth attaching to Louis’ neck so gently he couldn’t help but gasp.

“I always look good.”

Harry hummed. “Even better with my clothes on, smelling like me,” his tongue traced along the indents in his neck, and Louis couldn’t help but preen at the reaction he was drawing from the alpha, “wearing my mark--”

“Harry.” Louis choked out, gripping the front of his t-shirt. “Please, don’t tease.”

“I’m not the one teasing, princess.” Harry trailed his fingers up and underneath the bottom of the sweatshirt, grazing Louis’ upper thighs feather-light. “You knew what you were doing as soon as you walked out here, love.”

“So, what are you gonna do about it?” Louis breathed.