Ash didn’t have a good feeling as Stephen closed the door behind him, but he can’t say he ever felt good around alphas - Jaxon being the only and a brand new exception. “What took so long?” Stephen asked in a nonchalant voice as he looked around the house, his eyes inspecting for additional signs of life. Satisfied it was just the two of them, Stephen again returned his attention to the small omega in front of him. Ash had always been beautiful, but something about him was glowing today - his cheeks were defined, his eyes sparkling, and silky smooth hair was down for a change. Ash hadn’t realized it, but while he was frantically grasping at his wrists he had pulled his hair from its usual bun and his rather long bangs were framing his face almost demurely. “Sorry,” Ash said quietly, looking down and holding his wrist in one hand. “I was upstairs and I didn’t hear you.” It wasn’t entirely a lie, and honestly Ash wasn’t too concerned about what Stephen thought of him anyway. “That’s alright,” Stephen said, quickly taking a step forward to run his hand through Ash’s hair. “You’re here now.” As his hand touched the tips of Ash’s sandy hair he caught the first whiff of smoke and quickly pulled back covering his nose. “Is something on fire?” Stephen asked, covering his face in disgust. Ash looked up at him curiously before shaking his head, “No. You know I can barely cook.” Ash replied, unsure what Stephen had been doing with his hand so close to his face to begin with. “Are you sure?” Stephen asked before walking past Ash into the kitchen to double check. Just as Ash said, no appliances were on and the stove top and oven were cool when he placed the back of his hands to them. Ash followed suit slowly, unsure what to make of this strange behavior. The smell of smoke increased and it was then Stephen realized the source of the smell. “What are you wearing?” He all but demanded of Ash, his eyes glinting something dangerous as he took two large strides before towering over the smaller man. Stephen knew immediately that the smell of smoke wasn’t just from a fire - it must be someone’s pheromones to be so strong. The thought of anyone else touching his property pissed Stephen off royally, but he knew he needed to keep his composure. Instead of yelling, a small growl rippled from his throat as he looked at the offending clothing. Ash didn’t mean to, but he involuntarily cowered, looking down and turning his head to the side in obedience. That pose was something his parents drilled into him as a child. Whenever he was threatened or when he was being addressed by a beta or alpha, Ash was to look down and present his nape since it was the universal sign of submission. That was the only way to ensure Ash would not offend anyone and naturally that was of grave importance to his parents. When Stephen stepped even closer and began to sniff Ash’s neck and shoulders, Ash couldn't help the tremble that went through him. To him, this was extremely intimate and uncomfortable and felt violating. He knew the pheromones Jaxon left on him were strong, but he didn’t understand why Stephen was reacting so angrily. Ash didn’t want him this close, but he wasn’t sure what to do because he didn’t want to offend him so he endured. Of course, when Stephen saw his small shiver, he thought it was one of pleasure and continued on oblivious to Ash’s clear discomfort. “It’s the raggedy old sweater,” Stephen finally said. “Go change - I’ll wait for you down here.” The way he said it didn’t give Ash much of a choice, but still Ash didn’t want to remove Jaxon’s sweater. It brought him comfort and he especially didn’t want to give Stephen the wrong idea that he liked him. Plus, even without the sweater Ash would smell like Jaxon and he didn’t think Stephen would take kindly to that considering how he was acting now. 

Rather than comply, Ash said quietly, “How about we just go outside? That way you don’t have to smell it as much. I really like this sweater and my other clothes are dirty.” Another lie, but harmless in Ash’s eyes. He looked up at Stephen with hope in his eyes that this would be an acceptable compromise. He could tell Stephen wasn’t happy, but he acquiesced. “Fine,” he mumbled quietly. What he wasn’t expecting was the absolutely dazzling smile Ash let out afterwards, the sight leaving Stephen slack-jawed, not realizing the effect this man’s smile could have on him. “Get a grip of yourself,” Stephen told himself, “You aren’t here for fun.” Regaining his composure, Stephen bent at the waist slightly waving the way towards the door as if Ash didn’t know his own house. Ash quietly took the hint and went to the front closet to grab some gloves. He was perpetually cold, yes, but something in him said not to let Stephen touch him - it wasn’t okay. The prickling feeling in the back of his neck picked up while he was pulling on the gloves, but when he looked up all he saw was Stephen staring at him. “Maybe I’m still a little anxious,” he thought to himself. “Stephen is my friend - there’s no need to be afraid of him.” Letting Stephen walk out first before locking the door after him, Ash steadied himself for what was going to be a long awkward night before slipping the house keys into his pocket, right next to the razor blade. This was the longest he had gone without cutting himself in years and he knew meeting Jaxon wasn’t a coincidence. The sound of Stephen’s engine starting shook Ash from his thoughts as he quickly got into the passenger seat and buckled in. He could feel Stephen’s eyes on him the whole time. “Your hair looks nice like that,” he finally said. “You should leave it down more often.” Ash wasn’t sure what to say so he just nodded and hummed, while Stephen put the car into gear and began to back out of the driveway. Ash wasn’t sure where they were headed, but he hoped it was somewhere quiet. Stephen knew he didn’t like crowds, but unfortunately that’s exactly what Stephen was banking on. What better way to get a small helpless omega to cling to you desperately? Take him somewhere terrifying. So, when the sign for the haunted carnival came into view Stephen couldn’t help but smirk when he saw the horror in Ash’s eyes. “Bingo,” he thought to himself. 

Ash was all but trembling by the time they found a parking spot. He knew Stephen liked to push the boundaries, but this was too much. When Stephen told him to try out for cross country since he loved running, Ash went ahead even though he knew he couldn’t compete with betas and alphas. When Stephen suggested they skip class, Ash went along because there was a substitute that day and he had already finished his assignments for the week. At one point Stephen suggested they co camping by the lake, but he could never get Ash to explain the absolute refusal to join. So now, when Stephen walked Ash up to the front of a very crowded haunted house, Ash wasn’t too surprised. That didn’t mean he was any less terrified though. Ash was so distraught he didn’t even realize when Stephen bought his ticket and draped his arm over Ash’s shoulder to steer him inside. “Ready?” Stephen asked with a smirk. He was ecstatic at this response. He could already predict Ash would be so terrified he would spend the rest of the night tucked tightly into Stephen’s arms while he “protected” him. “Too easy,” he thought to himself as they walked through the first door. Ash’s mind was going a million miles a minute. It was dark and loud and crowded - all things that made his skin crawl. “What was Stephen thinking? There’s no way this could be fun for him, unless we’re just here so he can laugh at my reactions. He knows how much I hate scary things,” Ash couldn’t slow his mind down. They rounded the first corner and entered a room filled with dolls. “FML,” was all Ash could think before one of the dolls came to life and turned its head around, laughing over and over while saying “come play with me” in the most inhuman voice Ash had ever heard. Needless to say, Ash was terrified, but instead of running to Stephen’s arm for comfort he shut down. Stephen didn’t know it, but Ash wasn’t the fight or flight kind of guy. He froze. Like eyes close, legs turn into jello, and his brain shuts down. So instead of having this incredibly (forced) romantic moment of Ash running into his arms, Ash collapsed and the only reason he didn’t hit the ground hard was because Stephen was holding onto his shoulders already. “Shit,” Stephen said out loud while the doll actress ran out of the room to get on the onsite medic. People collapsing was uncommon, but the city had an ordinance that there was always to be an onsite medic if adverse health effects were possible. Sighing, Stephen picked Ash up and carried him out the door they just entered, figuring it would be easier than finding the emergency exit. Onlookers gawked, now worried how frightening the haunted house must really be for someone to pass out. One little girl who had been excited to enter moments ago, was now crying telling her parents please not to make her go. 

Stephen let the medic take Ash to look over while he sat down on the nearby chair opening his phone to see if he missed anything. There were two messages from his parents. “Son,” the first one from his father began, “good luck with the omega boy. Remember, ensuring our future is essential and as an alpha it is your duty to create healthy and strong heirs. Get home safe.” “Typical,” Stephen scoffed to himself. All his father ever spoke about was their future bloodline and the supposed offspring that Stephen had a duty to create. His father never even asked if Stephen was gay. When he found out the neighbors had an unmated omega that came from a good bloodline that was the end of it. Stephen’s mate had been chosen, and if he wasn’t happy about it, his father had very… creative ways of persuading him. The last time Stephen had spoken against his father’s wishes, he spent almost a week in intensive care. Since then, he had been a diligent and obedient young man and ideal alpha. As far as his father was concerned though, Stephen was a failure until he had an alpha of his own. It didn’t matter that he was on the dean’s list or excelling at sport. The second message was from his mother. “Hi sweetie,” it began. “I’m sure your father texted you something about making sure to woo Ash and make lots of babies, but remember that you have a choice too. Just get to know the boy and if you find you love him, I’m sure he will fall for the sweet caring boy I know and love. Bye sweetie <3.” Stephen knew his mom meant well, but when he ended up in the hospital in high school his father told her it had been a fist fight that Stephen instigated over losing some sports game. Stephen wasn’t sure if his father ever hurt his mother, but he certainly had threatened it to him on multiple occasions. He had never directly asked his mother if they were in love, but based on the cordial way they spoke to each other he always thought their marriage had been arranged. Stephen loved his parents, and he knew they wanted what was best for him, he just hated how he had no say in his own life. He sighed deeply, running his fingers through his hair unsure what to do. Just then the medic opened the door to the tent. “Uh, sir. Your… friend just woke up. Do you want to see him?” The young medic was sure he just walked into something awkward, and to top it off he could smell the other alpha on the young omega he had been checking on. Stephen sighed again, before standing up. “Thanks,” he said looking at the medic’s name tag, “Max. I’ll see him now.” Stephen walked into the makeshift tent before closing the door behind him. On a small cot, propped up with some pillows sat Ash. He looked embarrassed, but seemed fine otherwise. What Stephen didn’t know was that Ash had been awake for a while now, and that Max the paramedic had seen his bandaged arms.