Chapter Text
Sometimes, during the particularly monotonous stretches of time in their limbo, he remembers the things he used to do in college.
Elliot played a pretty big role in that, he'd say. Half of the time he spent— more than that, actually, now that he thought of it— through those years was dedicated to trashing the place. The same face Elliot always made with teary eyes and knitted brows was permanently seared and branded into 007n7’s mind. He'd never forget how he looked at him when he pulled out the c00lgui.
He can't remember everything he's done there, but he does remember how much he liked that small part of it. A little too much to be deemed normal. He felt an odd sense of satisfaction seeing Elliot wear that face. It was like he was the only one who could draw it out so easily, that no one else was allowed to see but him. Who else could see Elliot scared? Distressed? Definitely not some random customer. Maybe not even his family.
So he never entertains the thought that he was just an obnoxious, wild college student. He didn't have the pride anymore to try and fool himself.
No. The roots ran much deeper than that. It makes him wonder if omegas just have a sixth sense, because Elliot seemed to anticipate his infatuation with him long before he even did. He must've sensed that 007n7’s intentions were never as shallow as just occasionally exploiting his pizzeria. No, he didn't deserve the argument of saying he was purely reckless when he was young. Everything he did was intentional.
Because one day he kissed him. Unprompted, solely driven by need and something he couldn't decipher.
It was a little after the customers had cleared out. Dark had fallen outside the restaurant and Elliot was humming to himself as usual while he packed everything up for the night. He remembers how Elliot responded. He saw that look of shock at first, his eyes blazing with something he could've only interpreted as confusion and instinctive anxiety, but for some reason it fizzled into nothing as he almost went limp in his hold. But the old him didn't complain. While Elliot trembled with a body stiff as stone, he didn't push him away. He didn't fight. And to him, that surrender was good enough.
007n7 left the restaurant that day with the omega’s scent lingering on his lips and hands. He didn't go further than that. Of course, he didn't have the guts to, despite how much he could've done. He's grateful now he never made that choice. Grateful he was a coward.
It's obvious to him now that in that moment Elliot was scared. And the memory haunts him because of that. The short time he had to touch him, that sent blissful euphoria through his body, never made up for the blank stare Elliot wore on his face when he pulled away. He wore the calming honey scent he exuded, but it was tinged with the distress he was breathing as well without him realizing it.
He wanted him, wanted something nobody else was permitted to see but him. He got what he wanted, mostly. Felt his body like no one else has before. But for what?
And each time he entered the pizzeria and inhaled that aroma of honey and sugar he fell a little deeper into that fascination. He never really moved on.
That's the same memory that flashes through his mind like a gunshot when he breathes in that same scent, but potent— overwhelming his senses ‘till his face flushed red.
Elliot's nowhere to be seen, but he knows damn well it's him. He'd never forget that smell. He looks around the lobby. Everyone stares at each other, confusion evident in their eyes as they contemplate whether to bring it up or not.
It makes sense to him now. This round, Elliot missed throws, and disappeared out of sight for almost half the time they'd survived. When he briefly spotted him he had a face dripping with sweat, jaw slack and panting nonstop. When also considering his scent, you'd have to be stupid not to know that he'd started his heat. And he didn't know how to feel about that.
Frankly, he hated it. He didn't like that face anymore, the same one he used to obsess over when he'd exploit the pizzeria. Guilt just weighed down on his shoulders, a crushing, soul wrenching sensation that wouldn't shake off each time he saw it. Elliot obviously tried to hide it, but every time he asked for a pizza he'd still shoot that same poorly disguised look in his expression.
That's why he never tries to get closer to him. God knows how he'd react if he tried to relieve his heat. And now the same feeling of unwanted desire was coiling in his gut again.
But he wasn't the same man who twisted his own desires into a fake ‘permission’. He'd never touch Elliot again.
His thoughts are interrupted slightly when someone finally breaks the silence. His head turns to the voice, reluctantly pausing whatever he was trying to string together in his mind.
“Uh… Did you smell that?” Chance says with a nervous chuckle playing at his words. He slides his thumbs into his pockets. “Ah, makes sense.” The room falls into silence again for a moment. It lingers.
007n7 grimaces slightly at his tone. Maybe he was hiding something, too, because he clearly seemed apprehensive about Elliot's heat just like he was. Well— not very much apprehension. Just… secretive, oddly enough. Though maybe that was his own problem, and needed to stop reading into things.
“I apologize if I'm maybe speaking out of line, but I say we should talk to Elliot this time,” Says a breathier voice, a bit shaky. Two Time clasps their hands together. “He always behaves this way during his heat. It must feel stressful being the only omega here, but I don't want him to feel uncomfortable around us.”
“I agree,” Guest says, crossing his arms. 007n7 says nothing, just sits on the couch in front of the pool. “Besides his own discomfort, he keeps hiding during the rounds. It weighs us down as well when it starts to kill us off faster.”
A clap rings through the air and 007n7 spots Taph waving his hands so the attention is fixed onto him.
‘We can't all talk to him. That'd suffocate him,’ He signs with his hands. ‘Only one person. Preferably…’ He trails off, and 007n7 listens closer, intrigued only by the fact that they're talking about Elliot like he's a dangerous animal. It made him feel uneasy.
Briefly, he wonders if he could do it. He shuts down the thought immediately before it has the chance to fester. He's walking on thin ice around Elliot already— how would it feel for him if the person he hates most asks about his sex hormones?
But he still felt bad. He's only recently reunited with Elliot in this place, and this is the first heat he's really witnessed him go though, but he aches more than he'd like to admit. It was that same feeling of protectiveness. And enhanced by the strong scent in the air or not, it gave him an urge to look after an omega. The omega.
Taph scans the room for a moment before his eyes seemingly land on Chance, who has been keeping a close eye on this conversation.
‘What about you, Chance?’ He signs to him, head tilted to the side curiously.
He's quiet for a moment, thumbs still hooked into his jeans pockets like they were holding the weight of his words he wouldn't spill. “...I… I would be the best option,” He says hesitantly, and, to 007n7’s slight confusion, throws a glance at him. He was acting like 007n7’s presence was preventing him from speaking.
“You would,” Guest says gently, nodding at his response. “But, haven't you already, before? I feel like you should have—”
“Ahh— yeah, a little,” He's quick to interrupt, and 007n7 frowns slightly before he can mask it. He was acting weird and he didn't like it. “I will though, alright? You don't have to worry,” He tries to assure with a weak smile.
“Pardon, again, but did he not take it well? What did you say?” Two Time suddenly cuts in again, not accusatorial, just prodding to understand. They seemed caring, despite 007n7 finding them creepy. “Perhaps you need a new approach? Or maybe…”
“Don't worry,” Chance repeats again, firmer, a little too eager to end this talk. “I just talked about it at a bad time. He.. was a little too into things to think much.”
Chance definitely seems more off than he should be. 007n7 takes keen note of that. Maybe it was just the pheromones talking, but he didn't like how he was talking about Elliot. Was he implying what he thought he was? If so— an uncomfortable feeling tightens in his chest. He felt repulsed, somehow betrayed even though he was entitled to nothing yet. He listens closer, his stomach churning.
Chance throws another glance to 007n7 again. He catches it, gaze hardened, unlike himself much like Chance was unlike his own. He was starting to lean more into believing it was still the honey scent messing with him, but he felt strangely threatened.
He didn't like Chance. He could tell there was something different about him, dangerous in some way.
Chance sighs before speaking again. “I'll talk to him this round. He's usually still pretty conscious on the first day of his heats. He might listen this time.”
007n7 can't stop the envy from coiling in his chest. He still felt ‘deserving’ of Elliot whether he liked it or not. It irritated him to hear someone talk about him like that, when they've undoubtedly never seen Elliot's emotions like he has. Never seen his thoughts torn open and fanned out like a deck of cards for him to witness and worship. How could he understand him better than 007n7 could?
But what could he say about it? Elliot wasn't one to gossip, he knew that much, but he must've given everyone a quick overview as to what he's done when he first got here. Nobody would listen if he spoke up or offered to help as well.
Everyone nods, though, seemingly a little less troubled by Chance’s explanation than he was. They looked oddly understanding, calm, like this was typical and something they expected. Like they knew something only he didn't. And he hated it.
“I hope it goes over well, this time,” Guest says, smiling as his arms stay firmly crossed over his chest. The others follow in suit.
“Mhm! I-I just hope Elliot stops beating himself up over this…”
“The Spawn praises you for your help, Chance, with Elliot's natural cycle,” Two Time praises.
‘Thank you, Chance,’ Even Taph signs.
With that, everyone sags slightly in relief as the situation is more or less settled for now. The round would start soon. Shedletsky and Noob would have to get off their asses after being left out of them for an hour or two.
007n7 looks up at the clock, his chest heavy and eyes hooded.
10 seconds.
Maybe he'd get to Elliot before Chance could. It wasn't the best idea, but he couldn't stand the thought of someone else doing it. For some reason, it was almost unbearable.
And a burning ache in his body craved to be near an omega. He still refused to touch Elliot, but he needed to be close to him. Protect him even if he couldn't with his abilities.
5 seconds.
He just didn't want that stranger to earn more than he deserved, more than what 007n7 believed he was inherent in.
In his eyes, now, having seen more of Elliot than anyone else has means he's entered and charted farther territory than someone like Chance is allowed to. That look of terror in his eyes, even if he hated it, was still his. The tears. The hatred. It all belonged to him.
The round starts and he takes a deep breath as he's transported, closing his eyes before the world around him has the chance to go black.
When he opens his eyes again the first thing he's hit with is the overwhelming scent of sweet honey and the faint sound of heavy breathing.