Chapter Text
A quirkless omega was a rare find, and highly valued. Their biology drove them to need to be bred, and they were perfect to breed the perfect quirk into. Once you got an omega and gave them a bite, their body wouldn't fight it. But omegas weren't exactly common, and to find one quirkless could get you quite a high price if you could speak to the right people.
And the right people were never the ones that you would suspect.
It had been drilled into your head since you presented. Stay safe, stay clever, stay close. Don't speak to people you didn't know. Your mother had loaded you up with all kinds of safety devices. There were whistles and sprays, alarms and keychains. Silly, you thought, even as you kept the items on your person. You said out loud that your mother was being over protective.
In your head, you knew that if an alpha was strong enough, and really wanted you, and had a quirk, there was nothing that could save you. Not unless there happened to be a hero around who could over take them, or at least give you a chance to run.
But even still, you hadn't been bothered too harshly. There were people in school, knotheads you tried to menace you, but that was quickly shut down. There were people who would protect you, the way that they would protect all omegas. It should have been written into an alphas DNA that they would want to keep you safe, especially being that you were quirkless.
Most of the time, you resented it. You didn't need help crossing the street, you didn't need to be fawned over, and you were perfectly capable of carrying all your books. It was normal, natural, expected that you would gravitate towards other omegas. You had loved that at school, hanging out with your friends, giggling, texting. It was nice to have other people that understood at least part of what you felt.
And then the acceptances had come in. So many going to UA, even just for their general studies. So many moving on to bigger and better things. It felt like you were all alone in the world. Your parents kept handing you brochures and pamphlets to omega centered schools, which you tossed down on the table with a sneer.
You knew better. There were some academic classes, sure. Certainly. Of course. There had to be. But most of it would be focused on being a good omega. These were finishing schools parading as academic institutions. Most of the people who went there were being groomed to be the perfect mate, and you didn't want that.
Well, perhaps the part of you that ached at night, alone in your pitiful nest did. The part of you that burning during your heat did. The part of you that wanted, needed, craved the smell and touch of an alpha. You wanted to build a nest for them, have them tell you how lovely it was. You wanted to preen an alpha, drown them in your scent, be drowning in their scent.
Lucky for you, that part of you was quiet enough to be tamped down most of the time. You would leave the house for your small school. You sat up front, listening to classes, ignoring those around you. You took notes, sat exams, asked questions, attended study groups. It did get on your nerves that so many of your peers would still simper around you, dropping snacks on your desk, asking if you were hot, or cold, or tired.
It happened often when an alpha was going into rut. You knew that their base instinct was to protect an omega, make sure omega was safe, ready for the time to come. If they were unmated, they would focus on the closest omega, which happened to be you most of the time.
You started wearing scent blocking patches, which at least kept you a little safer in public. You would wear a neutralizing perfume, hoping to hide your natural sweet scent that didn't have to mean you were omega, but might give someone a clue, even if that perfect pheromone that said 'omega' was blocked.
It was maybe not the perfect way to live, you thought. But it kept your freedom, and for you, that was enough. It would have to be. You were walking home from the shop, having grabbed the groceries that your mother had asked you to get. You had meant to be quick, as it was getting later, and sort of dark out. But you'd run into someone from junior high, and you got to talking and laughing, and well—the time just slipped away from you.
You tried to hurry without looking like you were rushing. Other omegas didn't often linger around in the dark, unless they were claimed or had a powerful quirk. But you were hoping to pass as a beta, and they didn't have to consider the things that you did, either. The sky was growing darker and darker. Normally, you loved this time of day. You loved the stillness that began to fall, the time of day that had everyone decent settling.
Hell, you even liked knowing that heroes were patrolling. Heroes would keep you safe from the people that would hurt you, you knew that. It had been drilled into you, and all your friends, from an early age that a hero was there to help. Should you find yourself in trouble, you shouldn't shy away from the costumes. Run towards them. They'd be heading towards the danger and were likely to meet you halfway.
You kept on your way home, burrowing yourself into your coat. The air was getting that crispness to it, fingers of cold that would brush by your cheeks and down the back of your neck. It breathed the meerest hint of winter and sent the barest of shivers down your spine.
Your hand gripped the pepper spray as you continued on your way, turning down one of the alleys that was poorly lit. Even though you knew the light was a little safer, would deter all by the very boldest of people, this would get you home quicker. Quicker would beat the long game. Just for tonight, you told yourself.
No one needed to worry about you tonight.
Besides, the alley was abandoned, as far as you could tell. You couldn't smell anyone, or hear anyone. You scratched at your neck a little, anxiety creeping up on you as it always did in situations like this. You tended to blame your parents. They were the ones that never let you try and experience a little danger on your own. Now when you had to, you weren't sure how to act.
“You're a pretty little thing.” a voice said behind you. You froze, turning on your heel. Retrospectively, you should have kept running forward. But no, you stopped and had to look. He was an alpha, stinking of dominance and need. You swallowed hard, reaching for your neck again. The patch had fallen of, because of course it had. You had known the adhesive on that brand wasn't the best, but your skin got so irritated and it promised to be gentle! Looked like this was the price you'd have to pay.
“What's a pretty thing like you doing all alone out here on a night like this?”
“The grocery store?” you held up the bags. “My Mom is waiting for me, so I really have to be going.” if he knew someone was waiting for you, and you knew you were bordering on taking Too Long, then maybe he'd lose interest. But his teeth, so sharp and yellowed, just kept gleaming. You took a step back.
“That's not a very nice way for an omega to greet an alpha, is it?” he tilted his head to the side, dirty hair falling into his eyes. Even though you struggled against it, you let out a whimper. It was supposed to Appease him, supposed to remind him that omegas were to be cared for. That wasn't going to work this time, you realized as he took another step forward. You took another wobbly step back.
“I don't have much money, but you can have it.” your hands shook as you reached for your purse. He shook his head.
“What I want is much more valuable than that.” he spat. His hand reached for you as you continued to back up. Running now wouldn't work, you knew that. You scrambled for the pepper spray, ready to spray it in his eyes.
“Please!” you tried. He shook his hand, his hand darting out to snatch at you. You screamed, one short, high pitched sound as you ducked back, dropping your purse and groceries. Oh, the tomatoes, you thought dully. They're going to be bruised now.
“Get back!” your hand was shaking so much, you dropped the spray with a cry of dismay.
“Be still!” the alpha snapped, just this side of an alpha command. You shook your head, trying to convince yourself not to fall victim. Don't be entranced, don't listen, don't LISTEN! But even still, your legs were frozen. The can of spray was rolling merrily away from you.
The alpha took a step towards you, cruelly crushing a tomato under his boot. You bit on your lower lip and drew in another breath, letting out another scream. He winced, the conflict in his eyes. With a growl, deep and dangerous, he reached out for your wrist. His grip was crushing. With a yank, you took stumbling steps towards him.
“Shut the fuck up,” he hissed. You didn't speak, but did whine when he gripped the back of your head.
“Hey,” another voice made the alpha freeze. “What's going on down here?”
“Oh!” the alpha smiled coyly. “You know how it gets. Can't wait to get home, duck down a dark alley.”
“Really?” the voice sounded amused, but calm and steady like an early morning lake. You keyed into that voice, even though the hand in the hair refused to let you move. If you could only make eye contact, if you could just let that person see. You inhaled deeply, nearly choking on the stink of this alpha, although another smell was creeping towards you. Something kinder, something fresher, the dew on an early summer morning. You really wanted to turn your head towards it.
“She doesn't look to be having a good time.”
“She's just shy. We're fine.”
“I heard an omega scream.” there was the scuffing of footsteps and a pause. “And the groceries and her purse...”
“You know how an omega gets when they're riled up!” the laughter sounded hollow even to you. “Everything's fine here. Thanks for checking on her.”
“Let go of the girl.” a strong alpha voice. The hand sank from your hair, and the arm around your waist released. You nearly collapsed before turning on shaking knees to the alpha who had come to your rescue. Your jaw dropped as you stared at the number two hero, with his wings tucked against his back. He was still wearing goggles as he frowned, arms crossed, glaring at the alpha.
“Now put all her stuff back in her purse.”
The alpha scowled, still bending to cram all your spilled items in. You hurried towards the hero, hating yourself for the pathetic display of trying to stand behind him. He flashed you a smile, and you felt your insides melting. He reached out and gently, so gently you had to question if it was really happening at all, cupped your face. One single thumb brushed away a tear.
“Someone as beautiful as you shouldn't cry,” he murmured. “Hey, put her things in nicely. She didn't break anything of yours. Don't break her stuff. I'm the one that wrecked your ego.” he glared at the other alpha.
The purse was held out to you. Your knees had stopped quaking, but before you reached out for the item, Hawks snatched it. The two alphas stared at one another for a moment.
“Get out of here.” he pointed towards the other end of the alley. The alpha turned and ran away, not even daring to glance back. The hero turned back to you, giving another soft smile.
“Sorry about that, dove. Are you okay?”
“Yes. No. I mean, thank you.” you shook your head, trying to clear your thoughts.
“You shouldn't walk through places like this alone at night. It isn't safe, even for alphas. You're lucky I was on patrol.” he glanced at the grocery bags. “Sorry I couldn't save your tomatoes.”
“It's fine.” you swallowed. “I'll just go home. My parents are probably really upset.”
“Oh?” he raised an eyebrow. “Why don't I go ahead and fly you home? It's the least I could do.” he offered a hand.
“Fly me?” you repeated. The thought was exhilarating. Without another thought, you took his hand. After all, your parents had always told you to run towards the heroes.