Chapter Text
“This is literally the third one this week and it's Friday! Belle, you need to have less girls' nights. I live here too!”
“C'mon Wise, be reasonable. You're the one who insists on going out every time!”
“Because I wasn't born yesterday and I know you aren't planning haircut makeovers when you giggle about scissoring. God, Belle.” Wise ran a hand down his face dramatically. “You think I can't hear you? These thin walls? Whatever.”
“You definitely need to get some.” Belle’s giggle rustled in his eardrums as Wise sighed and went for his hoodie. At least Blazing Peppers would have taco happy hour this time of night. He would just avoid the bar and keep his head down. Their blistered sweet potato tacos were almost worth dealing with the ruckus anyway.
Wise found his mind wandering as he made his way around the corner of Sixth Street with a 141 Convenience. He tried not to think about what easy pickings a short, out of shape omega could be alone on the wrong dark street. New Eridu definitely had a crime problem, but the Janus Quarter wasn't that bad. Comparatively, at least. Regardless, he found himself breathing a sigh of relief as he scurried through the heavy door.
Wise liked his usual booth. He didn't like how much money he was spending on tacos lately, but the vibes were immaculate, especially as an escape from having to blast music through his headphones all night. Bossa Nova and bustle created a vibrant backbeat for the roasted yellows that defined the interior lighting. Red lava lamps and baskets of hibiscus added a tropical note to the wooden interior. But tonight, Wise’s gaze lingered at the bar.
A large, burly woman clad in leather and metal was telling jokes with animated spirits. Next to her laughing uproariously was a tall, hunky man in a biker jacket and sunglasses. Wise sighed. As Phaethon, Wise orbited all kinds of hunky agents, but he wasn’t peppy and pretty like Belle. Her humor and personality were infectious, and she had quite the list of female suitors that eventually evolved into the ‘girls’ night’ polycule that had taken over his apartment for the evening. Wise had stolen a few glances at some hunky agents here and there, but his twenty-seventh consecutive Valentine’s alone was coming up. He wasn’t a prize the way Belle was.
He honestly felt like he was insufferable. Belle could barely hide her boredom at her brother’s stuffy, pretentious taste and she was his sibling. As soon as he opened his mouth about Wong Kar-Wai, what little male attention he got ran for the hills. Not that a tubby, male omega was the hottest commodity in New Eridu’s dating scene to begin with, anyway. Wise watched as the broad woman braced her head against the hunk’s shoulder as she guffawed from deep in her belly. What a lucky woman. At least Wise could appreciate the flowers from afar.
Wise hadn’t really noticed how long he’d been eyeing the curves of the hunk’s wide back and how well it filled out his tight jacket until he was almost caught, just as he was admiring his shoulder to waist ratio. His hunk's companion stretched her arms excitedly over her head and almost fell off her stool, and Wise had to look away quickly. Not long after, his plate of tacos arrived and he found himself engrossed in neatly assembling his meal. Wise always started with a tortilla and a blistered sweet potato wedge smothered in smoky fresno sauce, and added corn and black beans along with slices of fresh serrano and punchy salsa verde. Wise topped it with crispy tortilla strips, scallion crema, and a drizzle of pineapple habanero sauce. Absolute perfection in every mouthful.
Wise’s happy wiggle attracted the attention of a certain broad man, now leaning against the bar. Caesar leaned over and grinned. “Haven't seen you look at an omega like that in a while.”
Lighter was definitely slurring his words a little when he responded. “I'm not lookin' at him like anything. Can't a man enjoy a cute little happy omega dance?”
Caesar chuckled. Lighter was almost as obvious as the omega himself had been. Her red scarf was good at fighting, but she had to watch out for all of the Sons of Calydon. Even drunk off her ass, she'd noticed the omega drooling. He wasn't nearly as slick as he thought he was.
“Aw, look at the way he assembles his tacos. Cuttin’ up the sweet potato wedges with a knife and fork and so careful with all those sauces. I've never seen anythin’ like it.” Lighter’s cheeks tinged pink as he watched the little omega construct his perfect mouthfuls carefully. “He's even closin’ his eyes before each bite!"
“He's been starin’ at ya all evening.” Caesar nudged his shoulder. Lighter waved his hand dismissively. Lighter would definitely need a nudge, in fact, knowing Lighter, he'd probably need a shove. A shove, a dare, and probably a few more drinks. Caesar knew that no matter how well her red scarf could handle punching, he was hopeless when it came to omegas. Lighter was too nervous about omegas to approach one himself, so that left him open to assertive omegas with nefarious intentions. That hadn't worked out well in the past, he'd been easily charmed and just as easily left in shambles.
Fortunately, it wasn't a coincidence Caesar had brought him all the way out to the Janus Quarter to drink tonight. Belle's girlfriend Burnice had let Caesar know that Belle's hopelessly single omega brother would be kicked out for girls’ night tonight. Caesar had heard that he was an artsy dreamer who was kind and sensitive, and most importantly, couldn't hurt a fly. For all the violence he was capable of, Lighter needed someone who'd treat his emotions delicately.
Even more fortunately, Lighter already seemed enamored. He just needed another hit of liquid courage and the right push. So right after sliding him a shot of tequila, Caesar made her move. “On my honor, he was drooling over you more than those damn tacos. I'll bet you the undefeated champion can get his knock knock. Unless you think the champion might lose to a nerdy omega?”
Lighter puffed out his chest, and threw the shot into his mouth with force, downing it in a single gulp. “You bet’r be buyin’ t’night when I get his knock knock and kiss on th’ cheek.” Caesar watched him sail off toward the booth under the fairy lights. She smiled as he went, and then tossed a wad of bills onto the counter. “Keep the change, and cut lover boy off for me.”