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There was certainly something to be said about the hierarchy their world carried and the overall impact that had on people like them, especially as neither of them fulfilled the set standard for how their kind should be. It wasn't out of character for them to be mistaken for something else rather than what they actually were, to the point they rarely bothered to correct people on it anymore until it was actually an issue. Alex was much softer and more timid than most Alphas, not to mention the fact he had learned to mask most Alpha-based behaviors as he was more or less raised by a beta who taught him better than that. Slade, on the other hand, differed from that of Omega standards, but that was more so a choice he made on his own accord, as he knew gaining respect in his field would be a difficult thing to accomplish if people were aware of his status. He kept himself on a mix of medication and scent blocking patches that made him no different than any beta from an outside perspective. It was just the type of people they were, and despite not fitting into social standards, they were happy with the lives they chose to live.
However, despite their relationship not holding the traditional standards that most would expect from them, the relationship proved to be beneficial to them both, and they had become used to the occasional off questions and remarks being made in regards to their arrangement. It wasn't something that was unique to them, as many other nontraditional couples experienced the same backlash, but unlike them, they weren't pretending to be something that they weren't. It was never something the scientist addressed to the assassin directly when he expressed complaints about being treated differently for being a beta, knowing he actually wasn't, but it was one particular question that got to Slade the most, alongside the fact the person asking it was aware of his status and was a close friend of his. They had been discussing bits and pieces of their personal lives with each other, with Joseph being one of the few people who was aware of his actual status and chose to protect him because of it before Alex came into the picture. He was one of the very few people Slade felt truly comfortable with and could ramble on about Alex and how much he loved taking him and being taken by him and how they were building a nest together for his approaching heat. It was a normal discussion.
“I never really expected Alex to be the type of man you would go for, especially considering the fact that Alex outranks you. I know that used to bother you.” Joseph acknowledged, not taking into account the hypocrisy of what he was saying. “I know damn well you aren't submissive, and it made me wonder if Alex is really Alpha enough for you. I mean.. I wasn't even sure he was actually one when we met. He seems scared of his own damn shadow.”
There was no doubt that the assassin was surprised by this statement and the fact that the man had the audacity to say such a thing about the man he chose to have as his mate. There was no doubt how much he loved the scientist and the fact that he didn't fit the societal standards that had been set by his kind, as he knew he didn't either. He knew the scientist was capable of being dominant when he really wanted to be, but that wasn't very often. Alex was perfect in every way for him and even allowed him to provide a claiming bite of his own, despite it not being a thing omegas are supposed to do, nor did it actually do anything. It was something that made him feel better about the situation, and Alex had put his pride aside to allow it to happen. It only further proved to Slade that he made the right choice to go to Alex during that moment of weakness. He would be damned if he let someone talk poorly about the man who claimed him as his own.
“Have you ever considered that it might turn me on being able to dominate someone who outranks me? I'm not some dumb little whore that threw himself at the first person who was capable of taking care of the heat. I made a choice to go to him, and I made a choice to allow myself to be claimed. I could have killed him before he ever got the chance.” Slade responded rather callously, eying the other man as though he was daring him to say something else. “I don't think you've noticed, but I don't exactly fall into societal standards either, so why should he? I assure you, he fucks me good, and though he might end up taking on a more submissive role, the majority of the time I'm plenty satisfied with our arrangement.”
“You're saying that now, but what happens if you change your mind and start desiring someone who can give you more than he can? I think you might have rushed things a bit, and now you're bonded to him.” Joseph acknowledged, despite his better judgment, seeming to almost feel sorry for the beta wannabe. “Even you called him a piss-poor excuse for an Alpha when he flinched at you grabbing the back of his chair while he was working. I don't know how you went from that to rambling about nesting and mating.”
“Now we're being a fucking hypocrite, aren't we? Joseph, you're an Alpha who allows yourself to be a bottom for a Beta on the regular. I had to listen to you whine for an hour about how he doesn't believe in the act of claiming and won't give you a mock claiming bite.” Slade snapped abruptly, not realizing the scientist was listening in as he recognized the hypocrisy in what was being said. “I don't know what has gotten into you or if Ivo threw you out of his cell again for being too damn needy, but I'm not going to sit back and let you talk bad about who I love because of it. You should be grateful we have a good friendship; otherwise, I would have slit your throat already.”
This seemed to shut the conversation down pretty quickly with Joseph muttering some kind of apology to him. It only became apparent that they weren't alone when Alex quickly passed by them as he headed down to the lab looking like he wanted to cry. There was no doubt that if looks could kill, Joseph would have been a dead man, as Slade wasted no time following after him only to find Alex sitting at his desk looking absolutely heartbroken. It hurt the assassin to see his mate upset like this, and he didn't hesitate to crawl into his arms to make him feel better. It was one of the few submissive things he allowed himself to do when he felt it was warranted.
“Slade, am I really enough for you? I know you never actually intended to get yourself claimed by me and probably only came to me because you knew I wouldn't expose you.. not that anyone would believe me if I tried.. but I'm not sure anymore.” Alex admitted, seeming distraught over the conversation he had mistakenly overheard. “I know I'm not the Alpha most people would want, but I thought you liked that about me.. you always seemed happy to take me.”
“I had other people I could have gone to.. I had Betas I could have gone to who couldn't claim me even if they wanted to. I chose you.. I wanted you. I love you. I'm perfectly content in our arrangement, and while I might have said some things I didn't really mean before we were bonded, I mean it when I say you're the perfect Alpha for me.” Slade responded with a certain edge to his voice, taking notice of how close the scientist held him as he spoke. “I love everything about you, and other people's opinions won't change that. I give you complete permission to put me in my place if I ever start falling for that shit too. You're stuck with me, Alex.”
“I love you so much.” Alex responded, outright refusing to let go of him. “I just want you to be happy.”
There was something about that response that had the assassin absolutely melting and looking to please. Their relationship was far from conventional, and that was perfect for them both, as they were just as unconventional as their relationship was. He never wanted Alex to think he was unloved.
“I'm going to take you so good tonight.” Slade muttered, rubbing his scent all over the scientist in an affectionate manner. “I'm going to be so good.”