Chapter Text
A strong wind blew through the trees of the forest, a storm front coming in soon. Through the tops of the trees, one man flew through the branches hurriedly, looking for his normal look out spot to watch the storm roll in. He was the usual watch for his clan, and any big storm that rolled in was a potential danger to the clan villages. It was his job to warn everyone.
At last he reached his watch post, landing on the edge of a large branch to watch. The dark clouds rumbled threateningly as they grew closer. It was going to be a strong storm.
The wind started to pick up. It blew Anakin back from his perch. He managed to catch himself before he fell to the ground, but the wind was growing too strong for him to warn the village. He had waited too long to watch the storm, and now he couldn't warn anyone. However, he wasn't too worried. The Forest Clan had re-enforced homes that were strong enough to withstand the storms they got on a normal basis. So with the storm rolling in, Anakin took shelter in the trees, crouching down to wait out the worst of the storm.
High above the forest, hidden in the swirling grey clouds, six winged figures flew in a tight formation.
"The wind's getting too strong! We need to find shelter!" the leader of the flock shouted over the wind.
"We're not over neutral territory." Another pointed out, "We can't land just anywhere!"
"Well what else are we supposed to do? We can't stay up here. We—YIKES!" another yelped as lightning arched across the clouds, nearly hitting them. "We need to just risk it! If we get caught, maybe they will be understanding considering this storm!"
It was rapidly getting darker, the winds strengthening to the point that the group's wings trembled unsteadily as they pressed on, arguing as to what was less dangerous for them to do.
"I don't want to risk bringing war to the Mountain Clan! We push forward as much as we can, and hopefully we'll reach neutral territory to seek shelter before we are forced to land!"
"We won't make it! This storm came out of nowhere and it's getting violent! We'll risk it and just hide in the treetops and leave as soon as the storm clears!"
"Don't argue, the final call is mine to make, I say we push forward as much as we can!"
Forced to press forward, the six grouped closer in a new formation to try and cut through the storm more quickly, but the wind was proving too strong, forcing the group to link hands.
The smallest, a male omega with bright red hair and stormy blue eyes reached out to take his companion's hand and join the chain when the wind kicked up yet again, catching his white wings, and he cried out as he found himself at it's mercy. Spinning through the air, he couldn't keep sight on his companions before he realized he was falling.
With a gasp, he tucked his wings around himself to prepare for the impact. Leaves and branches scraping him as he fell through them before he hit the ground, blacking out.
Anakin was nearby when the omega had come crashing down. It startled him as thunder cracked across the violent and angry sky. Curious, he looked up first, attempting to see where the sudden falling person had come from, but the wind was far too strong and the rain too heavy for him to see much of anything above. So he went down, jumping from branch to branch until he reached the forest floor.
Anakin knew it was safer where there was shelter, and at the base of the trees was safe to an extent. With how strong the wind was and how violent the lightning struck, he feared a tree would be struck and sent careening to the forest floor.
The blond looked quickly for the fallen man from the sky. Even at the base of the trees, rain still fell heavily and without letting up even for a moment. Luckily, the fallen man was easy to spot with his snow-white wings, albeit covered in mud, leaves, and sticks when Anakin found him. It was clear the man was a foreigner.
The lightning and thunder started to get closer and louder, and Anakin really couldn't leave the poor man alone to brave the storm unconscious. He crouched down, and carefully, he picked up the man with the white wings and began the process of taking him back to the nearest village. There was no other way the mysterious man would be safe all by himself, especially in the terrible weather that plagued the forest that day. True the man was a foreigner, but surely his clan would understand that in this weather, it was right to help anyone from any of the clans.
The lost omega gave a pained moan as he rolled over onto his side, grimacing when he shifted his wing, only to feel a burst of pain. What had happened? Last he remembered he was flying with a few other members of his village towards a sister village which extended their clan in another mountain range, then the weather had taken a turn and—oh.
He could remember falling. That explained all the pain he was in.
There were whispers around him, and then someone shushing them all and making the room go silent. One man spoke up, voice soft and calm.
"Don't move too much. Your wing is hurt. A stick went right through it when you fell from the sky."
"That explains the pain." He mumbled, letting himself fall back into relaxing before he finally cracked open his eyes to find himself in an unfamiliar room with all unfamiliar people. "…Where am I?"
"Our medical hut." The man who had spoken stepped a bit closer, his wings blocking out the light from a nearby candle. It was Anakin. "You know you're in Forest Clan territory, right?"
Alarm crossed the omega's soft features, "I swear I had no intention upon trespassing!"
"It's okay. The storm that blew through was a strong one. I'm sure you were surprised by it as much as we were."
"…Am I a prisoner?" he asked, trying to keep himself calm.
Anakin shook his head. "We're keeping you here until your wing heals enough for you to leave. Unfortunately, we may have to make you leave sooner. Several of the elders think you come in the name of war since you were unexpected."
"I haven't!" he insisted, "My clan-mates and I—we were traveling to another mountain clan village for a celebration—their chief's oldest will be taking over as chief in only a matter of days. The storm separated me from the others, that's all."
"I don't think you'd drop out of the sky during a storm for a declaration of war," Anakin said as the others left the hut. "And with an injured wing, you certainly aren't in a position to even think about war."
"I'd leave right now if I was able." He insisted, "Please, I'd just like to go home and forget this ever happened. The mountain clan just want to keep peace."
"I believe you. It's unfortunate the elders don't." Anakin sighed and pulled up a chair for him to sit in. His wings, which had been pulled tight to his body before, extended slightly and loosened just a little, falling to the floor as he sat down. He rolled his shoulders a little.
The omega closed his eyes as he let it all sink in, "I'll do whatever I can to prevent our clans from going to war…whatever your elders or chiefs, or whomever leads your clans…whatever they demand of me I'll do to prove this was not a declaration of war."
"Don't worry about that just yet. I can handle them for now. You just need to worry about healing up."
"…Are you the healer?"
Anakin shook his head. "I'm a scout. I watch the weather and guard the border."
"So now you're my guard? Make sure I don't get up to anything funny?"
"No, I'm the one who carried you back to the trees and to our village. Yes, I've been making sure you're alright. What alpha wouldn't protect an omega?"
The omega's cheeks heated slightly, "…I'm Obi-Wan." He offered up his name.
The blond smiled. "I'm Anakin."
"Thank you, Anakin, for not leaving me to the storm's mercy."
"I wouldn't leave anyone to brave a storm alone, especially one that strong. I was having trouble myself staying safe." Anakin shook his head to dismiss the topic. "So, can I get you anything? Food, water, warm clothes?"
"I find your forest to be plenty warm compared to the snowy mountains where I have grown up…but I could eat…"
"Do you have a specific diet? We have a mix of everything here, so anything you fancy, I'm sure we have some form of it."
"We eat mostly berries, but some meat when possible."
"I'll collect some of both then. Will you be fine on your own for a bit?"
"I'll have to be." He gave a small shrug.
Anakin chuckled. "If anyone comes in, it'll be the healer checking up on you. I'll be right back." The blond stood up and left the hut, leaving his chair in the place he sat it in.
Obi-Wan let out a breath, looking up at the ceiling. He sure landed himself in a bit of a mess. One that could be disastrous for his entire clan if the Forest Clan decided to take action based on it.
Before long Anakin returned with food for Obi-Wan, handing him a bowl with berries and cooked meat in it. "I tried to have the cooks make something that was close to what you're used to eating, since they know more about food in the different clans than I do."
"Thank you—would you mind helping to support my hurt wing while I sit up?"
"Not at all." With such gentle hands, Anakin helped Obi-Wan set his injured wing in a comfortable position while he sat up. The blond couldn't help but think that the redhead from one of the mountain villages was perhaps the most beautiful omega he had seen. Of course, he kept his thoughts to himself.
"Thank you." Obi-Wan said once he was sitting comfortably and was able to start eating.
"You're welcome." Anakin sat back down in his chair with a sigh. "So why did your clansmen decide to fly over our territory? Did they think that with the storm, they wouldn't get caught?"
"It's the only way to get to where we were going before the celebration's start. We would have camped out at the last neutral territory until after the storm passed if we had known it was coming."
Anakin nodded. "I'd like to think your friends would be waiting for you."
"…I just hope they don't do something stupid—namely my father who was traveling with us…"
"Oh... Your father was travelling with you? He's... Not an alpha is he?"
"Yeah…he is…I was the only one that wasn't an alpha in the group…"
"So they'd all be worried about you, then." Anakin sighed.
"Which is why I hope they don't do something stupid. They know I can handle myself, but alphas have a way of going overboard and forgetting to think when they think omega members of our clan may be threatened, hurt, or in danger."
"Alphas can be uncontrollable when they have their minds set to protect an omega, I'm sure you know that. It happens in every clan, not just yours." Anakin paused. "I know I can't help wanting to protect you even though I've just met you. It's a natural thing."
"I get the feeling that it's only because of my nature that I'm in the healer's care right now and not locked up in a cell with armed guards."
Anakin shrugged. "We protect omegas no matter what. Besides, your wing had a stick through it. It needed to be fixed."
"I appreciate that…and not being flat-out treated like an enemy despite the lack of trust your elders have."
"Any omega deserves to be pampered properly, even if they are from a different clan." Anakin smiled.
"…Are you flirting with me?" Obi-Wan asked, pushing a berry past his lips.
"What would you do if I said yes?"
"I'd inform you that I'm not mated, so you'd only have to worry about my alpha father and brothers if they found out."
"If anyone from either of our clans found out... Well, we both should just be cautious." Anakin shifted closer, taking in a deep breath to catch a whiff of Obi-Wan's scent.
Obi-Wan shivered, lowering the bowl of food into his lap as he looked up at the alpha with dark gold curls and sun kissed skin. The alpha was quite attractive—pretty, even. But he was also younger by a number of years. Adult, yes, but Obi-Wan wasn't the youngest omega around, and he was quite aware that he was beyond the age when omegas are at their most desirable to eligible alphas looking for a mate. It had been years since he'd last been genuinely approached by an interested alpha.
Anakin shifted in his chair slightly. "You know... I do think you're quite nice to look at. You smell nice too. Your wings are just stunning... Everything about you is so different than the others around here, yet I love every part."
"You aren't used to the white and grey wings of the Mountain Clans…I'm not used to the browns and tans of the Forests." He said, nodding at Anakin's strong dark wings.
"Most of us here have darker wings, so you stick out like a sore thumb." Anakin shrugged. "But your wings are probably the most beautiful pair I've ever seen. Even when they were caked in mud and leaves."
"My clan has white and grey so that we can blend into our snowy environment. It's great camouflage when hunting or hiding from predators. It's strange to think that they suddenly make me stand out."
"I'd be in the same position of I went to your clan. I'd easily be spotted by predators in the snow." Anakin sat back with a smile. "I've never seen anyone with white wings this close before. How often do you have to clean them?"
"Once a week, well, most clean theirs once a week. Being an omega who likes to look well-groomed I usually do so three times a week to keep my feathers at their whitest and softest."
"I like to clean mine once a week, so my flying doesn't get sluggish or sloppy. But they only get a good thorough cleaning once a month."
"I imagine the darker colors of your clans help with being able to do that. You don't have to worry about yellowing." Obi-Wan hummed, reaching forward to run his fingertips over the feathers of Anakin's wings in a bold move.
"Well, I am an alpha... I like to keep my scent strong..."
"Your scent is plenty strong."
"I would hope so. It's been about a month since my last thorough cleaning. I always wait until most of the clan's omegas get off their heats to wash."
"Trying to attract a mate during their heat?" Obi-Wan asked.
"If the right one comes along, maybe. But it's just for emotional support mostly." Anakin shrugged.
Obi-Wan shifted, his mind drifting to his own heat—which was coming up soon, and he wouldn't be with his clan-mates for the first time since he first presented. For the most part, the omegas of his clan would often go into heat around the same time each month, and those who didn't have a mate would all nest together for comfort and the feeling of safety. But now he'd likely be here with the Forest Clan. Did they have the same tradition for unmated omegas in heat? If they did, would they even allow him that comfort, or would they force him to nest alone in a strange place with strange alphas roaming about? Would he be protected from those alphas in his vulnerable state, or would his outsider status make him a free-for-all?
Anakin tilted his head. "You okay? You look worried."
"My own heat's coming soon…" he muttered.
"Oh…" Anakin cleared his throat. "I apologize. I wouldn't have flirted with you so much if I knew you were close to your heat."
"It's not that—It's the…uncertainty of my heat being here and not at home where I'll be in a familiar place with familiar people…"
"I would take you back to your home, but it's a long flight from here, and who knows how well your clan, or even your family, would react to me bringing you home."
"I doubt my wing would be healed in time for that. Alpha strength or not, I don't think you could carry me such a distance."
Anakin sighed. "Well, I suppose then I'm sorry in advance that you have to stay here through your heat."
"How do heats get handled in your clan?" he asked.
"Those who are mated stay with their mates obviously, and those who aren't have a hut to themselves where they can nest. There's an alpha guard standing just outside at all times. I usually get put there since I have one of the stronger alpha scents in the clan, so I stand outside the hut to let my scent stick with the unmated omegas. Some of them take an alpha as like a one-time-only sort of situation. But usually that only happens if one of them gets really desperate."
"In my clan, unmated omegas all nest together away from alphas. Our numbers keep us safe."
"The alphas keep them safe here. A lot of them all nest together, but there are a few who prefer to be alone and invite an alpha into their nest when they need it."
"Would I be permitted to nest with other omegas here who have heat at the same time as I…or will I have to be alone?"
"I don't know. I will talk with the elders about it. There's one who actually listens to me when the others yell and get upset. I'll try talking to him to see what he thinks."
Obi-Wan nodded, biting down on his lip.
"If they don't allow you to be with the others… you're welcome to move to my hut. I wouldn't mind, and besides, I wouldn't be in it much while I guard the other omegas."
"Thank you, but would that be…safe for me?
"I can make sure the hut is all locked up so no wandering alphas can come in, if that would make you feel safer."
Obi-Wan nodded. "In my clan…we mate for life—only once. If we lose our mate, then we live on as single the rest of our lives. So the idea of having the choice of choosing a mate taken from me because of a lack of protection in a strange place…" he raised his gaze up to meet Anakin's, "I may be a bit older an omega, but your clan allows one-time matings, and that difference in our traditions does worry me."
Anakin nodded. "I can mention that to the elders when I talk to them. And maybe… I can have someone else take up my position this month. That way I'm around in case any alphas come snooping."
"I'd appreciate the protection. Maybe when you speak with them, you can get them to grant me permission to send a letter to my clan so they know I'm alright? I know mail exchange is soon."
"Of course. In fact, you could probably do that now. We really don't have any regulations about mail. Most of the time it's other clans telling us they're passing through."
Obi-Wan nodded, "And it could help prevent my father from doing something stupid."
Anakin nodded as well. "I'll get you some paper and something to write with, and you can start on that letter. I'll take it to our mail carrier when you're done."
"Thank you." He nodded again.
To be continued…