Chapter Text
Eli stood in his room, a pop song playing on repeat as he set up his phone on a tripod. He was going to let himself go back to normal, at least a little bit. He was recording a dance now, something he liked to do but hadn’t done in a while. He’d been struggling even before the announcement of his apparent engagement and his sudden wedding.
Sometimes, Eli would just get the sudden urge to cry. To cry and let all his feelings he was feeling out. It didn’t all come out though, there was still a little left over. A little sadness, a little anxiety, a little anger. He didn’t know why he felt this way, his mind kept going back and forth on his marriage.
Daniel wasn’t unkind to him. And Eli knew that he was attracted to the alpha, so that made things easier. But he still could not deny how much it hurt him that he had never been given much of a choice about it. It was just something he was ‘supposed’ to do. He knew that if he said no, it would just put more stress on his family.
Eli was coming to terms with it. This was his life. He was married to Daniel Plainview, the owner of his home town. That made him some kind of small town royalty, he supposed. Eli went back to dancing, not wanting to think about it too much. He had a popular song on, something that had gone viral recently with a nice beat.
Eli had spent some time memorizing and working out the choreography until it was perfect. Dancing was one of the only things his disorder had not tainted, so he did his best to be perfect. He recorded the video over and over so he could get the best take with the best form.
He was so engrossed in his work that he had not noticed Daniel standing in the door frame, watching him until Eli had turned for just a second to stop his recording. Eli shrieked when he noticed the alpha. “Daniel! You can’t just sneak up on me like that. It’s scary.” He said, a little whine in his voice. Daniel smirked. “how long were you standing there?” Eli asked.
Daniel sighed, checked his phone. “Mm, about half an hour give or take.” He said.
“Why would you stand there for so long? You could have just said something.” Eli mumbled, suddenly feeling insecure.
“Well, I came here to talk, but you were so wrapped up… I didn’t want to interrupt. It seemed like you were really happy. And also, I like your dancing. Its beautiful. You’re very talented.” Daniel explained.
“It couldn’t have been that interesting to watch. I was just doing the same routine over and over.” Eli mumbled sourly. Eli could be a perfectionist. Especially about his art.
“Oh, I would disagree. You’re captivating to watch.” Daniel said.
Eli looked at Daniel oddly. “Really?” He asked. “H… how so?” His lower lip had started to warble. He felt emotional, all the time. He was just so sensitive, and sometimes he hated it. He wished he had a thicker skin.
“You put all of your feelings into it.” Daniel said simply. “Watching you, its easy to tell that your heart and soul is in it and isn’t that just beautiful?”
“I never thought of it like that.” Eli mumbled.
“You don’t see yourself the way others do. The way I do.” Daniel said. Daniel spoke emphatically. With a power behind his words that Eli could not deny the sincerity of. The alpha moved to sit on Eli’s bed. “Come here.” He ordered, quiet but firm in his approach.
Eli did as he was told, coming to sit on the bed next to the alpha. Daniel pulled Eli into his lap and pressed a kiss to Eli’s throat. “What’s the matter with you, hm?” Daniel muttered, letting out a soothing alpha purr that made Eli whimper. “You’ve been so cagey and sad lately. Don’t tell me I’m wrong, I can read you like a book my darling.” He said and then kissed Eli’s neck again. “So what’s the matter, hm?”
“I just…” Eli sighed. “Everything is moving so fast.” He whispered. “I don’t know…” And he was being truthful. He really didn’t know, at least he didn’t know how to explain it to Daniel. “Sometimes I just feel so trapped.” He could barely hear himself say it.
“So trapped…” Daniel repeated. “Is this about our marriage?” He asked.
Eli sighed. “I… kind of? It’s not. It’s not just that. It’s a lot of things. I always feel so trapped.” He explained, his voice a little wobbly and unsure.
“If you’re feeling unsure about everything, that’s okay.” Daniel assured him. Daniel’s hand ran through Eli’s hair, coming through his curls and twirling them gently. “It’s understandable. Everything came on so fast for you. It’s alright if you need time to adjust.” He said.
Eli was surprised at Daniel’s understanding of his situation. “You’re not mad?” Eli asked. He almost expected Daniel to punish him for it. To punish him for not immediately jumping on the opportunity to be Daniel’s pretty, happy wife.
“Why would I be mad?” Daniel asked. “You’re allowed to be overwhelmed. But I know you’ll learn to be happy and comfortable with me.” He said.
Eli huffed softly. “Do you really think so?” He asked. He wondered what that would be like. To be entirely comfortable in his relationship with Daniel. To be completely happy and secure with everything in his life. He doubted it would ever happen. Doubted that he would ever be anything but only slightly functioning – never good enough to live a normal life, but good enough that he could walk around with his head barely above water.
Daniel looked at him, his expression intense. He made Eli feel nervous so easily. Eli made a sound of surprise when Daniel kissed him, he easily overpowered all of Eli’s senses. Eli felt powerless in comparison to the alpha. Daniel kissed Eli like he wanted to devour him. Like he wanted to encompass him fully.
All Eli could do was open his mouth and invite the alpha to kiss him roughly. All he could do was submit as the two of them kissed and kissed. Daniel only let him go when Eli was out of breath, a trail of spit between their mouths from the messy kisses.
Eli looked at Daniel with a fearful expression on his face. He did not know what Daniel intended right then. But maybe it should have been obvious, when Daniel manhandled him onto his bed and started to strip him out of his leggings and leotard.
Eli let out a whimper as Daniel slotted himself between the omegas legs. “You’re mine.” Daniel said, his voice low. “My pretty omega.” He said. Eli shut his eyes for a moment and when he opened them Daniel’s cock was hard and stiff against Eli’s stomach.
“Daniel…” Eli said. He didn’t know exactly what to say. Daniel kissed him before he could think of anything that was right to say. Daniel kissed fiercely. He kissed with such a ferocity to him, like he was trying to devour Eli with his kisses. Eli let himself be devoured. He let himself be taken and kissed. Let Daniel manipulate his body so he was easier to kiss.
When Daniel pulled away, Eli had a dazed expression on his face. Daniel arranged Eli in such a way that he was laying his legs spread eagle. Eli’s hands shifted to his own chest and he dragged his nails over his breast. He didn’t know why he was so nervous. It was not the first time that Daniel had sex with him.
Daniel slid inside of him slowly, watching Eli’s expression as he did so. Eli felt overwhelmed by the grip Daniel had on him. He was bigger than Eli. Stronger than him, his hands rough from years of hard work. He thrust into Eli slow and deep. Every thrust emitted a little gasp out of Eli.
Daniel gripped Daniel’s breast, unthinking and animal in his desires. Eli found his hands crawling up to cup Daniel’s face. He watched him with fascination. This handsome alpha that had plucked him from obscurity, who had taken care of him for most of his life. It was hard not to lean into how grateful he felt, even as torn and twisted up as he felt about the marriage.
Daniel moved to touch and tease at Eli’s clit and Eli cried out. He had not expected Daniel to think of his pleasure at all. And it was easy to make Eli feel good. Like a lot of omegas, his body readily responded to an alpha. He was incredibly wet and his clit was erect and easy for Daniel to play with.
So it did not take Eli too long to cum, just from being touched and played with a little bit. Daniel groaned softly as Eli’s cunt bore down on him, getting incredibly tight as Eli rode out the wave of his orgasm. Daniel continued to thrust in and out of him, chasing his own pleasure now.
When Daniel came, his knot swelled and he filled the omega up. Daniel settled close to Eli, laying them down in a comfortable position. Eli let out a soft sigh, looking at Daniel with a longing sort of expression. “Is this how you solve every problem?” He asked. He was mostly joking, but there was a tiredness in his voice that made it sound semi-serious.
“Not every problem. But I quite like it as a solution. When its appropriate.” Daniel replied in a similar deadpan tone. “It made things easier, didn’t it? Not to think so hard for a little bit.” He said. Eli nodded. “Sometimes it helps to distract yourself from your worries, until you have a good mindset to face it.”
“I know.” Eli mumbled. He had learned about it in therapy. Though, there was a certain point where that kind of distraction became unhealthy itself. “I just never realized sex was a way to do that.” He felt embarrassed to say that. It reminded him of how inexperienced he was.
Sex with Daniel – with anyone in general – was such a new concept to him. He was still getting used to what it felt like to be penetrated, what it felt like to be held so fiercely. Eli felt like he was a possession when he was in Daniel’s arms and it wasn’t a bad feeling.
Daniel kissed him again, this time it was much less charged. A gentle press of his lips against Eli’s. “I feel a little better.” Eli mumbled. And he did, though he did not know if that was permanent yet. Or if he would be struggling with these feelings of helplessness and loss of control for some time longer…
…
A few days later, Eli found Daniel in the kitchen. He was sitting with his mother, speaking with her in hushed tones. Eli smiled nervously. “What’s going on?” He asked, suddenly feeling paranoid. What if they were talking about him, he wondered. What if he had done something wrong and he couldn’t even recall it because he could be so careless. So stupid.
Eva smiled at Eli. “Eli! Come sit. We were just talking about you.” She said.
Eli’s heart clenched in his chest and his expression immediately became worried. Eva looked surprised at Eli’s change of mood. “No, dear, no. Nothing bad!” She said and she glanced at Daniel nervously. “I… Daniel is having a party with the town council members and some of his business partners. I was suggesting that you perform for them, because you’re such a good dancer. Daniel wasn’t so sure…”
Daniel sighed and spoke up. “No that’s not- I wasn’t sure that you would be okay with it. I know you’ve been struggling a little.” He said. And then, “Come here.” He muttered. Daniel pulled Eli into his lap. He settled an arm around Eli’s waist with his hand planted flat on Eli’s stomach. Eli shivered at the feeling of Daniel’s wedding ring against the thin fabric of his top.
“Well I’m sure it’s not helping him how paternalistic you’re acting.” Eva said.
Daniel scoffed. “Paternalistic.” He muttered. “I am not being paternalistic. I just don’t want to overwhelm him.” He said. Eli pressed against Daniel closer, feeling comforted by the alphas warmth.
“I could do it.” Eli offered. “I like to dance. I could prepare something. When is it?” He asked. He had a handful of choreographed routines that he knew by heart. It wouldn’t be hard to do this for Daniel. He worried that the alpha did not want him to do it because he did not want to show him off. That he worried how they would be judged. Eli did not want to be a secret.
Daniel smiled. “You’re sure that you’re comfortable?” He asked. He was pleased, Eli noticed. Maybe he really was just worried about Eli’s mental health – which was a fair thing to be concerned about. Eli’s mental health was never in a good place, even in the best of times. But Eli liked to go about with as much normalcy as possible.
“I can do it.” Eli said again. “I’m really okay with it, Daniel. I’d like to.” He said.
Daniel had been pleased to hear this. “Good. Very good omega.” he purred. Eli shivered at the deepness in his voice. Daniel had such a domineering presence. It would be hard for Eli not to submit to him. So Eli did not even try, he just submitted without question. Daniel patted Eli’s ass fondly.
Eva smiled politely and stood up. “Well I suppose I will leave you two to it. When we go to the clubhouse for the party, I will help you with your makeup and costume. Wouldn’t that be nice?” She said.
Eli nodded. “Thank you.” He said softly. Then Eva was walking out and leaving them alone. Eli still wondered what type of person his mother in law was. She seemed so mysterious and she had not been around too much since the wedding. She seemed very different from his own mother – Anne Sunday was an open book, she was sweet and gentle and she loved her children just as much as she loved Jesus. He didn’t even know if his mother in law was a Christian. She might have been, but she had not talked about it much and he knew that Daniel wasn’t religious.
“Your mother is scary.” Eli said to Daniel after Eva had left the house. “She scares me very much.”
Daniel laughed. “Really? How so?” He asked.
“It’s just… I never know where I stand with her.” Eli mumbled.
“She likes you.” Daniel said, “She’s told me many times that I need to be sweet with you and not to show you my bad side. Because you’re such a good, precious little thing.” He said. “And I agree with her, you know. I would never want you to see that part of me.”
“How bad is that part of you that you don’t want me to see it?” Eli asked softly.
“I can be very hateful.” Daniel murmured. “With a lot of people… I see the worst in them. I know I do this. My associates, the understand this. Tolerate it. I can be quite savage. But I wouldn’t like you to see me when I’m like that. I only want you to see the best of me.”
Eli smiled. “I understand. Do you see the worst in me?” He asked. ‘Do you hate me’ he didn’t want to ask. He didn’t want to know.
“No. No I see the best in you.” Daniel muttered. “You make me want to be good. You’re just so pure.” His eyes roved down Eli’s body as he said it. Eli shivered at the implication in his eyes.
…
The party took place in a public amphitheater. It was outside but in a sheltered space and Eli was happy that the weather seemed to be pleasant. It wasn’t windy or loud outside. He could perform without issue. Daniel had introduced Eli as ‘his lovely wife’ before Eli had come on stage – dressed in a leotard and silk skirts that draped at his knee. He would perform a solo from the ballet, Giselle. It’s real difficulty was in the climax, where he had to do around twenty pirouettes across the stage in quick succession never letting himself rest for even a moment.
But Eli had performed successfully and when the number ended, people got up and started to applaud. Eli smiled nervously at the applause. He hadn’t done many recitals lately. He had forgotten how much he liked the attention, the applause that he got.
He backed out and went into a backstage area – a small trailer behind the amphitheater. Daniel’s mother was there. “You were really something there.” She complimented. “You’re very talented.” She said. Then her expression became more serious. “Now. We’ve got to get you ready for the party.” She said.
She led Eli to sit him down at a small vanity that had been set up. She cleaned Eli’s face of the theatrical makeup before she got to work. Eli was used to doing his own makeup, he was not at all used to someone else painting his face.
Eva did his makeup in a golden smoky eye that seemed very dramatic to Eli – most of the time, his makeup was very casual. All bright, pastel colors and lots of sparkle. This was so very dark and made him look older. His lips were painted a black cherry red and his face was contoured to make him look a little more structured compared to his round face. All of it to make him look more mature, he assumed.
She pulled Eli’s hair out of the bun he was wearing and styled his curls so they looked more defined and bouncy compared to the frizzy mess they usually were. “There you are.” She said. “Very pretty. Now you can go and make a good impression.” Eva pushed him along outside and back to where the party was happening.
Eli found himself clinging to Daniel when he finally found him. His alpha was there and he could protect Eli from all outside invaders. Daniel chuckled and pulled Eli close to him. “You were wonderful, darling.” He said in a low voice. Then he turned to the men that were with him, all alpha businessmen. “Wasn’t he wonderful? He’s so talented.”
“Yes. Very good.” A man said, eyeing Eli up and down. Eli didn’t feel like he ought to respond. It was like they weren’t talking to him but about him. Like he wasn’t even there. “Quite young isn’t he?”
Eli clung to Daniel tighter, feeling borderline unsafe. He just didn’t like the way that those men were looking at him. It made him feel like he was something to be displayed – not like a person. Thankfully, they ignored him after a moment. Daniel pulled him in closer and he let himself bask in the warmth of his alphas body.
Eventually they moved to sit at a table and Eli was still positioned with incredible closeness to Daniel. He watched as a server, a male omega with dark hair piled into a braid and freckles that Eli immediately felt jealous of, put down plates of food for them.
Eli looked down at his plate, which had a simple spread laid out on the plate – chicken salad and cucumber sandwhiches, salad and a piece of cake on the side. Daniel turned to Eli, who was blocking out the conversation that everyone was having. “Would you like a glass of wine, Eli or something else?” He asked, his tone gentle.
Eli would have usually preferred a diet coke over anything else, but he was feeling out of sorts enough to agree. “What kind do they have?” He asked, curious.
The server interjected. “We have a rose, which is a white sweeter wine. And a carbarnet sauvignon, which is like a dry red.” He explained.
Daniel smiled at Eli, before taking over. “He’ll have the rose. I’ll have a glass of brandy.” He said.
Eli fidgeted with his hands. “I’m a little nervous.” Eli whispered to him.
Daniel grabbed Eli’s hand and squeezed it. “I know. Just hang on, we’ll be done here soon.” He muttered. “Eat your lunch. Look pretty.” He ordered, with little force in his voice. Eli nodded. It was good advice. He didn’t need to be too present, he thought.
By the time that the party was over, Eli was relieved. He was a little drunk – he had had three glasses of the rose, which he found he liked quite a bit – and he clung to Daniel as they made their way to the car. “I hated this.” He mumbled sourly to Daniel as he moved into the passenger seat. “I don’t like those men. I didn’t like how they looked at me and I felt so out of sorts.” He said.
“I hated it too. I can’t stand those people. Those city council members make my skin crawl. But I’ve come to realize I can’t work around them. I have to cooperate in their political games.” Daniel explained. “I own the town, but the government has its claws in it. I still have to answer to them if I want anything done here.”
“Why did we have to spend time with them today?” Eli asked, a pathetic look in his eyes.
“I want to have a new park built.” Daniel said. “Some nice place where we could take our children some day.”
Eli shivered at the thought. Of course Daniel would want children, even if Eli didn’t think he was ready he didn’t know how to voice this. He didn’t know how to tell Daniel no. “Our children.” He said. And then. “Where is the park going to be.”
Daniel smiled at Eli with almost a viciousness in his eyes. “It’s very close to where I first saw you. Where the old church used to be.”