Chapter Text
Henry is an omega.
Henry had his second-gender designation yesterday, and he's an omega.
His boyfriend, Henry, is an omega.
And Alex still doesn't know what he's going to be, not until his 16th birthday.
His boyfriend turned 16 yesterday. It wasn't celebrated with people other than his family because it's the age where their second gender appears, and it's only shared with their parents.
Alex wanted to be there, but his mother stopped him. "Sugar, it's only with family, it's important that it be that way," she told him.
They knew this was coming. Alex is younger than Henry, so it was to be expected.
But Alex is worried. There's still a chance he's an omega too, or maybe a beta.
And he might not be completely compatible with Henry.
Could they be boyfriends even if Alex turns out to be a beta? Yes. But he wouldn't be able to completely satisfy his boyfriend, not in every way. But if that were the case, they could make it work somehow.
But what if Alex turns out to be an omega? He sighs and collapses onto his bed. Definitely, if that's the case, they couldn't be together anymore. Alphas with alphas or omegas with omegas shouldn't be together.
A moment ago, his boyfriend called him, breaking the news.
"I'm an omega," he said. "I mean, it doesn't surprise me. I think I knew I was going to be one."
Alex smiled, his sweet Henry. Yes, it was what was expected of him. He simply replied, "I love you."
"I love you too," Henry whispered lovingly.
His mind raced, thinking of future scenarios, and he prayed that next year, when it was his turn, he would be an alpha and completely compatible with Henry.
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The next day at school. The minute he saw Henry arrive; Alex ran to greet him.
Henry beams and goes into his arms. “Alex,” he whispers in his ear.
Alex sighed contentedly, happy to have him in his arms. "Henry."
Then he pulled away slightly and saw those beautiful blue eyes. He smiled softly. He knew they were standing right at the entrance to the school, but he didn't care, he kissed him, losing himself in the kiss for the seconds it lasted.
When they broke apart, Henry was smiling, his eyes still closed, "I missed you."
Alex kissed his forehead. "Me too, sweetheart."
Then grabing his hand they walk inside together.
"Henry!!!" Pez comes running up and grabs Henry's other arm.
His boyfriend chuckles, "Hello, Pez."
“Hello, my dear Hazza and my darling Alex" he smiles at both but then adds "Alex, are you ready for what awaits you?” says a smirking Pez.
Alex frowns, turning to look at him without stopping his pacing.
Henry nudges Percy with his elbow, who groans. Henry hisses, “Don’t start with that.”
“Aush! Hen,” Pez grumbles again. Then, Pez sees Alex’s face and apologetically says, “Don’t mind me. You know what I’m like. I talk all kinds of things,” and laughs awkwardly.
Alex notices Henry glare at Pez, so, intrigued, he asks, “No, tell me what you mean?”
Henry stops and looks him grabbing both of his hands. “Pez is being Pez, talking nonsense.” But Alex is still confused, so Henry sighs and says, “He means that now that I’m omega and the school knows about my status…” He doesn’t finish because Alex now understands what Pez means.
“Everyone will know about your second gender, including many alphas,” Alex finishes, realizing this, something he hadn’t thought about, busy thinking about what next year will be like.
Henry shakes his head and looks at him. “No, hey,” he smiles, trying to reassure him. “That doesn't matter. I'm with you, and—”
Alex cuts him off. “But I'm not an alpha.”
“Not yet, but you will be,” Percy says.
Henry adds, “It doesn't matter. You're my boyfriend. Me being an omega doesn't change anything. I'm yours.”
“And you're mine,” Alex whispers, but hesitantly.
Henry smiles, “That's right.” Then he moves his neck, and Alex notices he has a patch on his gland. “I'm using scent blocker. My scent will only be for you,” he promises.
A scent he can't perceive or smell yet, Alex thinks, frustrated. He hates being younger than Henry right now. It had never bothered him until now. If he were already an alpha, he could smell Henry. But he can't yet, while the other alphas could.
Alex can't help it and hugs him. "Please be careful," he says worriedly. He knows how things are for omegas at school. He's seen the changes in the older boys.
Henry, with his arms around Alex's waist, assures him, "I will. Don't worry."
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"Did you have to say that?" he says, a little annoyed, looking at his friend.
Pez, for his part, at least seems apologetic. "Sorry, I didn't think," then adds, "But, Hazza, this is big. You finally have your second gender," he says, smiling and jumping a little. This makes Henry smile, who rolls his eyes, and Pez says, "I'm not the only omega in this duo anymore."
Henry sighs. He's an omega now. It's not something he didn't expect, honestly. He knew that was going to be his designation. Almost everyone who knew him thought so. And well, they weren't wrong.
But it's one thing to know it, and another to be it.
He's an omega.
"Have you been to talk to the principal yet?"
He shakes his head. "I have to go now." He looks at his watch. "Oh, I'm late. See you later." He says goodbye and heads toward the office.
The principal is waiting for him. "Good morning, Henry. Come, have a seat."
“Thank you,” he says. Henry does so, a little fearfully. The new hormones in his body make him feel different, more cautious, more sensitive, but other than that, he still feels like himself.
“Very well,” Mr. Smith begins. “Your parents informed me about the change in your status.”
Henry nods. “Yes, sir.”
“As you know, this also means adjustments that must be made here at school, for your protection and that of others, of course.” He pauses. “From now on, you must always use scent blockers and notify us when your heat is approaching,” he explains.
Henry blushes a little at the last bit. It’s true, from now on he will have a heat.
“And since you’re an unbonded omega,” Mr. Smith continues.
Henry shakes his head, interrupting him. “No, sir, I have a boyfriend. Alex Claremont Diaz.”
The headmaster nods. “Yes, I’m aware of that.” He then looks at him and sighs, adjusting his glasses. “But kid, that’s not going to be of much use if, for some reason, your scent is perceived or an alpha takes a shine to you.”
Henry frowns and nervously begins to play with his ring.
Mr. Smith continues, "Alex Claremont Diaz is a year younger than you, so he doesn't have his designation until he turns 16. He's your boyfriend, yes, but he's not your Alpha. So to the other Alphas at this school, you're an omega without a bond."
Henry looks at his hands; he hadn't thought about that. I mean, he assumed something like that from what they're taught at school, but he never thought that the others wouldn't respect his relationship. Because for Henry, even though Alex isn't an Alpha, Henry still considers him one.
"Henry," he looks up, and Mr. Smith is looking at him kindly. "I'm not telling you this to worry you, but it's something you should take into consideration."
"My relationship with Alex is important," he emphasizes.
Mr. Smith nods. “I’m not saying that’s not the case, but as I repeat, the other Alphas won’t recognize that.” He pauses. “Therefore, first, you should never be alone with an Alpha without using scent blockers. Second, it’s important that you have support at school.” Henry doesn’t understand what he means, and it must be reflected in his face. Mr. Smith clarifies, “I mean, just as at home the Alpha of the family achieves balance in your emotions, the same should happen here. There must be someone to help you with that. Especially now that everything is new to you.”
Henry, a little annoyed by the suggestion, says, "I don't want another alpha. I have a boyfriend."
Mr. Smith smiles and raises his hands in surrender. "Relax, I'm not saying you should look for one like that. It could be an alpha friend. If you don't have one, the school can designate one."
Henry starts to think about who it could be, but he can't think of anyone. Percy is an omega like him, and yes, there are other alphas in his class, but because of his personality, many of them are just acquaintances, not friends. Fuck, he's lost.
"I take it from your silence that you don't have a friend like that. Am I right?" says Mr. Smith.
Henry nods, admitting this.
"Okay," he says, taking out a list and beginning to read. "Very well, one will be assigned to you. He'll contact you, and don't worry, he won't have to be with you all the time, he'll just be someone who provides support at certain times." He smiles.
Henry gives him a flat smile. He doesn't like the idea of a stranger around him. But these are the rules he now has to follow.
“Good, that being said, now moving on to the third part. From now on, you'll be using the beta and omega bathrooms and showers.”
Henry sighs. A lot of changes. He doesn't like all of this.
“That's all for now,” he smiles. “Now I'll let you go to your classes, everything else remains the same.”
“Thank you, sir.” He stands and leaves.
Outside the office, he lets out a long sigh. This is horrible, he thinks to himself.
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“Hey, what's your scent?”
Henry jumps in his seat when he hears the whisper on his neck. Frowning, he turns his face and sees Jeremy smirking, waiting for his answer. Henry, annoyed, shakes his head and returns his attention to the teacher.
In his class, Jeremy was one of the first to learn his designation, and as expected, he turned out to be an Alpha. He was already arrogant and bossy. When he returned after his 16th birthday with a big smile, proclaiming he was an Alpha, the suspicion was confirmed. From there, he always annoys all the omegas.
Trying to listen to the teacher, he feels a pen poking him on the shoulder. "Hey," it's Jeremy again.
Henry, losing his patience, turns around and mutters, "Would you stop doing that?"
“Gentlemen, please pay attention to the class,” the teacher says loudly.
Henry, blushing, turns around and says, "Sorry, Sir."
But he only hears a chuckle behind him. Stupid Alpha, he thinks.
Finishing class, he quickly packs his things and is about to leave the room, when Jeremy catches up with him outside the door. "You haven't answered me, omega."
Henry coldly replies, "My name is Henry, Jeremy, and you know it. Not omega."
Henry starts walking, but Jeremy stands in front of him. "Well, you're an omega now," he leans closer, causing Henry to take a step back. "Do I make you nervous, omega?" he smirks.
Henry snorts, "Do you make me nervous? Please," and wants to continue walking, but Jeremy insists and blocks his way. "Let me pass, back off."
Jeremy was about to speak but was interrupted. "Any problem?"
It's Alex. Henry sighs in relief at seeing his boyfriend. Alex stands next to him. "Jeremy," he says curtly, then kisses Henry on the cheek. "Hello, sweetheart."
Henry smiles and says, "Hello, love."
"Alex, hello. It's none of your business what I was saying to Henry," Jeremy interrupts.
Alex looks at him, and now Henry notices the annoyance on his boyfriend's face. "Yes, it's my business since you're bothering my boyfriend."
Jeremy snorts at that, making Alex even more bitter and Henry frown. It seems strange to him; Jeremy has never behaved like that with him or them before.
The idiot alpha says, "You're not his alpha, so he's free. I can talk to him if I want." He then looks Henry up and down.
Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, he leans closer to Alex, who places a protective hand on his waist.
Jeremy starts to lean closer.
Alex stops touching his waist and stands in front of him. "Back off, Jeremy."
But Jeremy, smirking, says, "Henry, come with me."
Henry freezes. No, it can't be, Jeremy has used his alpha voice. He knows what it is because he feels a discomfort throughout his body. His father had told him about it, what it feels like to be commanded by a strange alpha.
Alex is looking at him and, worried, says, "Henry?"
Jeremy laughs. "You really are an omega."
“Stop it,” someone says, and the three turn to see who's speaking.
Henry recognizes him as a senior, but he doesn't remember his name.
The stranger approaches Jeremy: he's taller than him and looks at him defiantly. “Jeremy, you've broken a school rule.”
Jeremy, now showing a bit of fear, looks at Alex and Henry and then answers, "Me? He's the...," he says hesitantly, then sighs in annoyance. "Henry's an omega. I just wanted to talk to him, and he wasn't listening to me, Spencer."
So that's the stranger's name. Spencer.
"You know it's forbidden to use your alpha voice here," Spencer tells him.
Jeremy scoffs, "I just told him to come with me so we can talk."
Spencer now looks at him, and Henry realizes he's an alpha. He asks, "Are you okay?"
Henry nods, back in Alex's arms. "Yes."
"He doesn't have an alpha. I can talk to him however I want," Jeremy says.
"I'm his boyfriend," Alex says,
At the same time Henry says, "Yes, I do. It's Alex."
Alex looks at him in surprise. Henry blushes. For him, Alex is his alpha. He's felt that way since he found out the day before that he's an omega. Even though Alex doesn't have his designation yet, he feels that way. But he still hadn't told Alex how he felt.
"He's not an alpha," Jeremy says, rolling his eyes.
Henry was about to defend him, but Spencer is the one speaking.
"I'm Henry's designated alpha, so you step back now, Jeremy."
Henry, astonished, looks at Spencer. So, he's the one Mr. Smith designated as the alpha for Henry's school.
"His alpha?" Alex whispers, frowning. Henry looks at his boyfriend upon hearing him say that. Shit, he hadn't had a chance to talk to Alex about it yet.
“Okay,” Jeremy scoffs, raising his hands in surrender. “I’m leaving.”
Henry is looking at Alex, grabbing his hand. “Alex,” he says again. Finally, his boyfriend is looking at him, but Henry doesn’t like the expression on his face. There’s a lot of hesitation and resignation in him.
“Hi Henry,” it’s Spencer. Henry looks at him and tries to smile, but he’s more worried about Alex’s reaction. Spencer continues, “My name is Spencer. As you heard, I’m your assigned alpha. Nice to meet you.” He extends his hand.
Henry greets him by shaking his hand. “Thanks for...” he says, trailing off.
Spencer smiles, shaking his head. “Don’t worry, it’s one of my duties.” Then Spencer looks at Alex. “Oh, excuse me. Hi, you must be Alex. Mr. Smith told me about you too.”
Alex accepts the handshake, but it’s quick; he just nods.
Henry strokes the hand he’s still holding. Alex gives him a weak smile.
“You,” Alex says, “are his assigned alpha.”
Spencer nods, but notices Alex’s expression and adds, “But don’t worry, yes, I am his alpha, but.....”
Henry is annoyed to hear him say that, so he says without hesitation, “Don’t say it like that.” Spencer frowns, and Henry adds, “You’re not my alpha.”
Spencer looks at them again and nods slowly, seemingly understanding. “No, I'm not your alpha. You're right.” Then, turning to Alex, he says, “I'm the alpha assigned to help Henry get through this transition at school smoothly, and for cases like the one that happened a moment ago. It's all platonic, Alex. You're Henry's boyfriend.”
“But it doesn't do him any good that I am, because I can't protect him,” Alex says in a murmur, looking at the floor.
It hurts Henry to see his boyfriend like that. “No, hey, look at me.” But Alex doesn't. Henry turns to look at Spencer. “Please, can you leave us alone?”
Spencer hesitates for a moment, “but...” Henry pleads with his eyes, and he nods. “Right, we'll talk later, Henry,” and leaves them alone.
Henry looks at Alex and pulls him to a place with fewer students.
“Alex, look at me, please.”
Alex does. “I'm fine,” he says, but his face reflects the opposite.
Henry shakes his head and grabs his face with both hands. "Alex, you're my boyfriend, the only one."
Alex smiles weakly. "But that doesn't guarantee you're safe." He shrugs. "You saw what happened. I'm not an alpha, and therefore, they don't respect what I say."
Henry frowns. "Yes, you are." Alex shakes his head. "You are to me. I wasn't lying when I said that."
"But I'm not. I'm not an alpha," he laughs sarcastically and looks to where Spencer has gone. "You already have one now."
Henry shakes his head. "No, he's not my alpha."
Alex looks at him for a few seconds and is about to speak. When the alarm for the next class rings, he lowers his head and sighs. Then he looks at him. "I have to go to class."
"Alex," Henry insists. "We're okay, right?"
Alex leans closer and kisses him on the forehead. "Yes." He smiles at him, but it's not his real smile, and he walks away with his head down.