"Who are you?" Amor stammered, scrambling back, his heart pounding.
The boy just threw his head back and laughed. Like, really laughed. Hard. Amor blinked, confused. "What was so funny?" This whole situation felt majorly weird.
"Ehh... My bad," the boy finally managed, wiping a tear from his eye. Still grinning, he stuck out a hand. "My Name's Obsessio. I kinda... live around these parts. Anyway,"
his gaze sharpened, becoming more assessing, "you're an Omega, right? Gotta be careful out here solo. This jungle's crawling with rogue Alphas who'd love to snatch someone like you." He tilted his head, genuinely curious.
"So, where you headed, anyway?"
Amor looked down, scuffing the dirt with his worn shoe. "I'm... kinda lost. Don't really have a place. My mom... she threw me out." The words tasted bitter even it's lied
Obsessio's smirk faded instantly. A flicker of something hard passed through his eyes – recognition? Sympathy? "Ah. Rough deal." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "Well... wanna crash at my place? My grandma's place, actually. Got tossed out by my family too." He shrugged, trying to sound casual. "Place is small, but it's safe."
Amor's head snapped up, sadness instantly replaced by a wave of desperate hope. Before Obsessio could react, Amor surged forward and threw his arms around him in a tight hug. "Really? Yes! Thank you!"
The sudden contact froze Obsessio. The sweet, potent scent of Omega flooded his senses – honeysuckle and something uniquely Amor. It hit him like a physical wave, intense and distracting. He stiffened, his breath catching slightly. Gently but firmly, he pushed Amor back, putting a clear foot of space between them. His voice was tight, controlled. "Hey. Listen. Don't... do that again, okay? Not so close. Your scent is... potent. Makes it hard to focus." He looked away, jaw clenched slightly.
Amor flushed, pulling back instantly. "Oh! S-sorry! Right. Distance. Got it." He nodded vigorously, embarrassment warring with understanding of the basic ABO rules he'd been taught from his maid, even in isolation.
Obsessio nodded, the tension easing slightly. "Alright. Follow me." He turned and started walking briskly into the trees. Amor trailed after him, keeping the promised distance, his mind a whirlwind of relief, lingering awkwardness, and the faint, lingering trace of Obsessio's own scent – rain-soaked earth and something wild. Their path led deeper into the woods, towards the promise of shelter: Obsessio's grandmother's wooden cottage.
—
They walked on, the forest path seeming endless. Amor's steps grew sluggish. "Are we... are we there yet?" he panted, his legs screaming in protest.
Obsessio glanced back, concern flickering in his eyes. "Still a ways off. Dead tired?"
"Don't worry about me!" Amor insisted, forcing a shaky smile. "Walking's totally fine. I'm good!" His voice betrayed the lie.
Obsessio stopped abruptly. "Yeah, right." He crouched down directly in front of Amor, presenting his back. "Hop on. You look wrecked."
"Eh? No, no, I couldn't..." Amor stammered, flushing.
"Quit being shy," Obsessio said, his tone leaving no room for argument. He patted his shoulders. "Just get on. Seriously."
Trapped between exhaustion and embarrassment, Amor finally gave in. Carefully, he climbed onto Obsessio's back, wrapping his arms loosely around the other boy's neck. Obsessio hooked his arms under Amor's knees and stood effortlessly, hoisting him up with surprising strength. "There we go," Obsessio grunted, adjusting his grip. "Much better."
They resumed their journey, Amor carried securely. The difference in their physical power was starkly evident with every easy stride Obsessio took. "Aren't... aren't you tired?" Amor asked, amazed. "You're crazy strong."
Obsessio chuckled, a hint of pride in his voice. "Eh, it's nothing. What? This is nothing! Comes with the territory – I am an Alpha, after all. You weigh less than my pack." A faint blush crept up his neck despite his confident words.
That's how it is, Amor thought, resting his chin lightly on Obsessio's shoulder.
The world isn't fair.
Alphas were inherently granted greater physical strength and resilience, a biological advantage over Betas and especially fragile Omegas. Yet, the trade-off often lay in perception. Omegas, their minds sharpened by necessity and empathy, frequently grasped subtle emotions and complex situations far quicker than Alphas, who could be notoriously oblivious unless an issue slammed directly into their own experience. Alphas were known for their intense focus, their obsessions, their sometimes-blinding ego. Omegas? They fought battles within, mastering their own turbulent feelings, often choosing understanding over self-interest. Amor sighed softly. Obsessio might defy some stereotypes, but the fundamental imbalance remained.
—
"What's up? We there yet?" Amor asked as Obsessio halted abruptly.
"Nah. Let's chill here for a bit. Starving—gonna hunt. Stay put, don't wander off," Obsessio ordered, his Alpha command lacing the words.
"'Kay."
While waiting, Amor absentmindedly gathered dry twigs and fallen leaves. "Why am I even doing this?" he wondered. An hour later, a small mountain of tinder lay at his feet.
"Where is he? Taking forever," he muttered, a knot of worry tightening in his chest.
As if summoned by his anxiety, Obsessio stumbled back—covered in gashes and dragging a massive wolf carcass.
Amor rushed over, hefting the heavy kill. "You're hurt! Lemme patch you up. Got a med kit for that trickling blood."
"Ehh... ah, right." Obsessio grunted.
Amor meticulously cleaned the wounds, applied antiseptic and ointment, then bandaged them to stop the bleeding.
"...Thanks." Obsessio's voice was rough.
That single word made Amor flush. Helping someone felt... good. Twelve years of helplessness—even toward himself—melted a little. "S'fine. Rest. I'll handle dinner."
"You can cook?" Obsessio raised a bloody eyebrow.
"Ya think I'm useless, huh? Tch... Typical." Amor huffed.
"Hahaha... My bad. Uh... Never got your name?" Obsessio looked away.
"Seriously? Thought I told you... Ah, right. My name's Amor. My grandma picked it."
"Beautiful name." The words slipped out, low and sincere.
"Huh...wha?" Amor's heart skipped.
"Nothin'."
"Ey! Spill it! What'd you say?" Amor nudged him, cheeks blazing.
"Nah... Pass." Obsessio smirked, a rare lightness in his eyes.
"Pfft—HAHAHA!" Their laughter burst into the twilight air, raw and free. Damn, what a day.