Sitting at Starbucks, while writing a college paper, always seemed to help Alfred concentrate. Despite the noise, it brought a sense of hypnosis that zoned him into full concentration. Leaning back in his chair, his blue eyes skimmed the latest addition to the paper he has been working on while sipping on his venti size, extra cream extra sugar, coffee.
The chime of the bell announced the entrance door opening and his concentration was suddenly broken by the sweetest smell he's ever encountered. Looking around he spotted the newest patron walking up to the order counter. A man with messy blond hair wearing a green pea jacket briskly made his way to the counter. Judging by the sweetness of his scent he was clearly an Omega, and an unmated one. Interest peaked Alfred continued to observe the newcomer's back while he placed his order.
"Ello, I would like a medium English Breakfast tea with milk, please." A very British accent came from the shorter blond making Alfred's heart jump a little. Accents, especially British accents, always stirred his interest and a good smelling one was even better.
"Oh you mean a grande ice tea?" The server corrected.
The Brit huffed. "No, I mean a regular hot tea in a medium cup."
Clearly annoyed the blond paid and stepped aside watching as his drink was being prepared. Meanwhile Alfred was admiring the Omega's slim legs covers in dress pants, while trying to inhale more of that sweet smell. Debating how to approach this unmated Omega he took a sip of his coffee and nearly spilled it all over himself when the man grabbed his drink and turned around to head for the exit.
In that split second Alfred's heart nearly stopped as he noticed the forest green eyes which would gloss over with tears, delectable lips set in a small frown but could fit a decent size length, and those definitely recognizable eyebrows which became a signature of sorts on a certain site the young Alpha liked to visit.
The Brit was out of the door and Alfred was still frozen in shock that the man who was the star in many of his late night fantasies suddenly appeared before him. Jolting himself out of the shock, he hurriedly showed his papers and laptop into his backpack and ran for the door; coffee all but forgotten. Outside, the chilly weather hit his senses making him slightly disoriented but quickly picking up the sweet trail he all but ran after.
Arthur was briskly walking down the busy street of New York. His day already began sour, as most of his days were. The highlight was an awkward monthly phone conversation he has with his aunt back in England, but those were expected and manageable. It's the little things that upset the Omega the most.
The little house plant he tried to keep in his apartment that was constantly in a state between life and death, the upstairs neighbours who felt the need to walk with that extra heavy bounce in their step, or the fact that he has to correct the sods at the coffee shop about his tea preferences each and every time. Maybe he should have stayed in England…no wait forget that anywhere is better than there even if he does miss the green hills and the rain…just a little.
Thinking of what else there was left on his agenda for the day, he almost fell face first on the ground as a bigger body collided into his. If it wasn't for the hand that grabbed his wrist he would have definitely been sporting a broken nose and some bruises.
"Bloody hell!"
"Oh shit sorry!"
Whirling around Arthur was face to face with a handsome blue eyed man with honey blond hair. The stranger was out of breath, cheeks red and puffs of breath formed in the cold autumn day. His hand tightly wrapped around Arthur's wrist, which he didn't let go of, send a spark of alarm through his system. An Alpha.
Green eyes narrowed as he tried to free his arm by bringing it closer to his chest.
"Whoa there, take it easy, I didn't mean to scare or run into ya," the Alpha quickly stated once smelling the change of the Omega's pheromones from sweet to bitter.
"Yes, well, you should watch where you are going, you could have flattened me." Came a grumpy and defensive response.
"Sorry, sorry, jeez, I caught ya, didn't I?" The American finally released his wrist and stepped slightly back. However, he just kept staring at the shorter male as if he couldn't believe he was there, which slightly put Arthur on edge.
"Well, you should be more careful next time. Good day." Turning around to be on his way he was once again jerked back to face the strange Alpha.
"Hey wait! I still wanna talk to ya. I'm Alfred, by the way. Wow your eyebrows are even bigger in real life!" The young Alpha seems to bounce and radiate eagerness as he talked which slightly intrigued and frightened Arthur, but that last comment caused him to freeze.
"W-what?" He knew his defense mechanism kicked in when the Alpha stopped bouncing, and once again put some distance between them, but he was still smiling slightly at the Omega.
"Umm, your eyebrows? I've seen them at…umm…" here he faltered and looked down. "At Starbucks! When you came in I was sitting in the back but even from back there I could tell they were really cute." Came his quick recovery and Alfred grinned wider.
"Ah..well…thank you?" Feeling disoriented and confused Arthur didn't know what to do. This young Alpha seems to throw him off balance one word at a time and it seems like he was just getting started.
"Great! So ah…do you want to have lunch with me?"
"What?" Arthur was immediately back on defensive "Do you realize what you just asked? Didn't your parents teach you better?"
"Yes, yes, I know…proper social conduct and all, but seriously that's just stupid! I don't even know your name so how the hell am I supposed to hunt down you parents and ask them to take you out? Besides I never was one for traditions." The younger stepped closer again peering into the defensive green eyes.
He could see the uncertainty, fear, and…hope? After a moment the Omega gave a small smile, "Yes, I suppose you would have a bit of a challenge with that."
Then after a moment of hesitation, "I'm Arthur."
A wide grin appeared on Alfred's face. "Awesome! Does this mean you will go out to lunch with me? Oh, shit it's too late! How 'bout dinner tonight or maybe tomorrow? We could totally-"
The younger continued to blabber as Arthur tried to conceal his growing grin. Never had an Alpha showed such genuine interest in him. He was excited and, dare he say it, slightly happy and pleased?
"Dinner tonight is fine." Was his reply.
"Great! Okay! I know a small place around here. Did you want to meet there? Or I could pick you up? If you want that is," the younger quickly amended. "You can even bring a chaperone if you want to, since you know, tradition and all."
Arthur actually smiled at that. "I thought you were not one to keep with traditions, but I'll consider it. Where did you want to meet?"
After exchanging phone information and getting the address of the restaurant the two parted ways. Arthur proceeded with his daily routine which consisted of going back to work, and calling one of his only friends for advice while preparing for a late dinner date with the Alpha.
Alfred on the other hand couldn't focus at all. His thoughts kept driven back to the green eyed Omega and the one in a million chances that he actually met him. His paper never got finished that night, but at that moment it was the least of his concerns.