Just Love

Tino Vainamainen paced the small room impatiently. He bit his lip and wrung his hands together as he waited. The silence was killing him.

He was waiting for his future mate. Chosen by his parents for him. Omegas didn't get to choose who they were bound to for the rest of their life. The parents were given a list of all the available alphas close to the age of their child omega. At around the age of fourteen, the omega was already betrothed to an alpha. They were not allowed to meet, however, until they came of age. Tino was a little different than other omegas though. His heats had come late and were unstable. He had to wait until they evened out before he was to meet his alpha. Thankfully, the other understood and had waited the three extra years for Tino. It made him feel a little better about the whole situation. So here Tino was, twenty-one, and meeting the supposed love of his life for the first time.

Tino thought it was rather unfair that he couldn't find his own love. Why force him on to someone he doesn't even know? But his parents did eventually fall in love, so it can't be all bad. Tino sighed as he turned around the started the trek across the room over again.

Finally, his mother entered the room with a huge grin. "Are you ready?" She asked, moving in the room and closing the door.

"What if he doesn't accept me? What if I'm not good enough? Oh Mother what if he is disgusting and beats me or I'm a terrible omega and he leaves me?" Tino let his heart spill out as his omega mother fixed his dirty blond hair and periwinkle vest.

"You'll be fine. Your father and I have already talked to him. He is very handsome. A little hard to understand and somewhat cold, but I'm sure you'll be able to warm him up." His mother grinned. "I noticed he was shaking his leg and twisting his hands."

So his future alpha was just as nervous as Tino was. The omega took a breath and helped his mother smooth down the collar to his plain white button down shirt he wore under the vest.

"Oh I wish we had a mirror." His mother whispered, tears suddenly in her eyes. "You're perfect. There's no way he won't love you."

Tino felt his cheeks heat up and he smiled, hugging his mother tightly. "Thank you."

With a squeeze and a kiss, Tino's mother released him. "Alright. Let's go before you get cold feet."

Too late. Tino wanted to vomit.

Nevertheless, he followed his mother down the hallway of the Meeting Center. It was a building built with many rooms with couches and chairs for omegas and alphas to meet.

They came to a door and his mother fiddled with his clothes and hair.

"Mother." Tino said, smiling. "I'm sure I look fine."

She huffed. "Alright. Ready?"

Tino huffed back. "Ready as I'll ever be."

With a nod, she opened the door. Tino straightened his back like he had been taught and with his hands behind him, he moved into the room. He saw his father first, facing him. A wingback chair sat in front of him, the occupant of the chair facing his father.

"Ah, here they are." Tino's father stood and gestured for Tino to come closer.

Tino locked his eyes on his father as he moved around the chair. He wasn't ready to face his -his! - alpha. However, when he reached his father's side, he was forced to turn. He heard the alpha stand as he made the move.

"This is Berwald Oxenstierna, Tino." His father said.

Smiling, Tino inclined his head. His eyes tracked over Berwald. The alpha was tall with messy blond hair. Dancing eyes were hidden behind glasses and set upon an emotionless face. "Hello." Tino said timidly.

"'Hello." Berwald said, his own eyes taking Tino in.

Tino's father sat. His mother had somehow appeared beside him. That left the two new mates standing, staring at each other.

Berwald glanced at Tino's parents. Tino kept his smile on his face, though he felt it slipping from nerves. Berwald's hard gaze was freaking him out.

"Oh! Right. Dear, let's have them talk." Tino's mother said, standing and wrapping her arm around her husband's. "We'll be back in an hour." She said, following Tino's father from the room.

"Shall we sit?" Berwald asked, waving his hand at the seat.

"Sure. Oh, I mean, yes." Manners, manners, manners. Tino sat as gracefully as he could, though he felt like a baby giraffe.

Berwald seated himself and leaned his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped together. "Tino..." He breathed.

The omega leaned forward. "Hm?" He tilted his head.

"Nothing. Just saying it." Berwald murmured, his eyes fixed on Tino's.

"Oh." Tino cleared his throat. It was suddenly warm in the room. "Y-your accent. You aren't from around here are you?"

"No. Moved here couple years ago." The alpha answered.

"Oh." Tino said again.

They went silent for a few moments until Tino spoke up. "What do you do?" He asked.

"Hm?" Berwald looked slightly confused.

Tino bit his lip. "I mean, what do you like to do?"

Berwald gazed at Tino before answering. "I'm a mechanic."

"Really?" Tino grinned and leaned closer to the alpha. "I've always thought that working on machines was interesting. Like trying to figure things out to help a bigger thing work. It's very...oh. I'm sorry." Tino snapped his mouth close.

Berwald was watching Tino talk with a small smile. "Sorry? For what?"

"Well, I just kept talking and I'm sure you don't want to listen to me blabber. Not to mention the more nervous I get the more I talk and the way you're looking at me makes my heart want to beat out of my chest especially now that I've admitted that." Tino held his breath as his face heated up.

Berwald chuckled. Tino blinked. The alpha didn't seem like the type to chuckle. "I think it's nice. Don't worry about talking. Someone in this relationship should."

Tino giggled sheepishly. "What else do you do?"

After a moment, Berwald shrugged and spread his hands. "How about you tell me about you?"

Tino suddenly felt his cheeks flush. Why would Berwald be interested in what Tino did all day? It's not like anything would be the same, everything would change once Tino moved in with Berwald.

"I enjoy cooking." Tino started, chewing his lip.

Berwald leaned forward and motioned for him to continue.

With a grin, Tino begins to ramble about his everyday activities. Berwald comments frequently, making the omega feel all fluttery inside. Before either of them know it, the hour is up and Tino's parents were in the room

"Well, have we made a decision?" Tino's mother asked. If the alpha did not like the omega upon meeting, he had every right to reject them. Though it made it harder for both to find a mate, it was at times better for both parties.

Tino held his breath as Berwald stood. The alpha reachedhis hand out to him. Quickly grabbing it, Tino sprung to his feet.

"Yes." Berwald said. Tino let out his breath.

"Wonderful! We will begin the wedding preparations!" It is the omega's parent's job to take care of the wedding details. Tino's mother hugged her son tightly before kissing Berwald on the cheek.

Patting his son's shoulder, Tino's father lead his mother out of the room.

Berwald reached out to touch Tino but hesitated. Tino blushed and smiled before grabbing Berwald's hand. "Where do we live?"

Tino didn't think Berwald could smile any wider.

\\/

"And this will be your room." Berwald swung open the door, revealing pale blue walls and a bed far too large for one.

Tino walked in the room and gazed at the silk sheets and leather couch that was positioned in front of a fireplace. Now who would put a fireplace so far away from the bed? Tino would surely freeze at night. Omegas were made to be warm only for their alphas, while alphas were made deliciously warm for the omegas. It was just another mating mechanism.

"It's..." Tino spun on his heel and smiled at Berwald.

"You don't like it. Do you?" Berwald said.

Tino looked at his shoes and folded his hands. "It's big."

Berwald nodded like he understood. "I'll show you my room." He turned and left the room.

Scrambling to catch up, Tino felt his heart race increase. He was going to see Berwald's room? So soon? He chewed his lip as he followed the alpha down the hall.

"In here." Berwald entered his room.

Tino followed timidly and looked around. The room was dark and cozy. A giant bed sat in the corner with a desk and computer across from it. A black couch was in front of a tv. Tino blinked at the mini fridge he found in the corner.

"I usually work from my room. It's like my office." Berwald said.

Tino blinked once again. He didn't know Berwald already worked worked. He knew that the alpha was a mechanic, but he also worked? Alphas usually find a job once they have an omega.

"But I thought you were a mechanic." Tino said, tilting his head.

"It's a hobby for extra money." Berwald stated.

"Oh, so what else do you do?" Tino asked, moving closer to the couch, hoping Berwald would get the idea he would want to sit down. The stress of the day and meeting his mate - his mate! - had made him tired.

Berwald seemed to get the hint for he sat gracefully on the sofa. Tino suddenly realized that there were only two seats. With a small gulp, he placed himself beside his alpha, their shoulders brushing.

"I write." Berwald said, turning slightly to face Tino. Instead of shoulders, their knees were pressed together.

"Oh!" Tino moved sideways on the couch, increasing their contact slightly. "That's amazing! What do you write?"

With a small smirk, Berwald answered. "Horror novels."

Tino grinned. "That's amazing! I love to read. Especially that one with the clown in the sewer and that one part where the kid got his arm-!" Tino suddenly realized the more excited he got, the louder he became and he had begun to stand. He quickly dropped himself back on the couch to blush and twirl his fingers.

"Go on." Berwald said softly. Tino felt a tingle in his belly. Berwald cared about what he thought about.

"I-I just-" the omega found it hard to continue after his sudden outburst. "It was very well written and it's one of my favorites." He finished lamely, smiling at Berwald.

"Your favorite." Berwald mumbled as if storing it in a special cabinet in his mind.

After a moment of silence, Tino risked speaking again. "I'll be meeting your parents tomorrow?"

"Yes. You can cook well?" Berwald asked.

Tino smiled shyly. "My mother says I'm really good. But I cannot make cheesecake for the life of me."

A small smile graced Berwald's face. "It's okay. My parents don't like that. Can you make pie?"

"I make the best banana cream pie!" Tino gushed. "My mother is always bragging about it at our parties and I get so many compliments on it-" Tino paused in his excitement. He had forgotten that omegas do not brag about themselves. They only speak of their alpha in that way and vice versa.

"Go on." Berwald said softly.

Tino felt a flutter in his stomach. He had completely lost his train of thought. "I-I'm just very good at it." he finished lamely.

"Hm."

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Tino twisted his hands in his lap until Berwald's cold hand covered his feverish ones. Tino froze in place, though his fawn eyes darted up to Berwald's blues. "Yes?"

"It's our first night together, what do you want to do?" Berwald asked.

Tino felt a flutter in his stomach. He really had no idea. He hadn't been with an alpha since he was a child, and now he was supposed to decide what he and his future husband were supposed to do tonight?

He stared at Berwald for a few moments, his mouth trying to work something out. Finally he was able to squeak, "Dinner?"

Berwald's hand never left Tino's. "Want to go out or make something'?"

"What kind of food do you like?" Tino asked.

"Your cooking tomorrow, you can choose tonight." Berwald said.

Tino stared dumbly at his future mate. He wasn't sure what to choose. He never got to with his parents, it was always his father really. A few occasions his mother chose. Tino was at a blank, but then a thought came to mind. "Blowfish."

Berwald hesitated, confusion swimming in his blue eyes. "What?"

"I've never had blowfish. I would like to try it." Tino explained.

A small smile tugged at Berwald's cheeks. "Me neither."

"Then I guess it will be an adventure for the both of us." Tino said. He did and brushed off invisible dust of his pants. "Do you know of any places that have blowfish?"

Berwald raised an eyebrow at Tino's request, but quickly pulled out his phone to find the nearest restaurant with blowfish.

\\/

Tino squealed with laughter as Berwald sucked the gooey fish into his mouth. "That gives me the creeps!"

"You're turn." Berwald said after swallowing. It didn't really taste that bad but it was different.

"I don't think I can do it, Berwald!" Tino said while poking at is share of blowfish.

"Yes you can. It's not that bad." Berwald said, nudging the bowl toward Tino.

The omega grinned nervously as he scooped his piece of blowfish into his spoon. "Okay..."

Berwald watched with patience as Tino slurped the blowfish. After a moment, Tino swallowed and made a face.

"Let's not do that again." he shuddered.

A small smile tugged at Berwald's lips. Tino was just so cute.

\\/

Tino stared at the bed. He wrung his pajama shirt between his hands. There was plenty of room for both of them, if they were touching. Not that he would mind, it was just a little, strange. He wasn't sure if he was ready to sleep with Berwald yet, even though sleeping was the only thing that would be involved.

"I can sleep on the couch, if you would like." Berwald said, emerging from the bathroom, fresh out of the shower.

"No! I couldn't do that to you!" Tino held up his hands. "You sleep here, I'll just go to my room."

"I thought it was too big for yourself." Berwald said.

"I'll be okay!" Tino smiles brightly and moved to the door. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Good night." Berwald replied. He walked closer to Tino. "Sleep well." a kiss was pressed gently to Tino's temple.

A blush erupted on Tino's face. "Good night." he managed to stamper out before slipping from Berwald's warm room.

Tino grinned widely at his barefeet. He couldn't believe he was engaged. It felt like yesterday he went through his first heat at the age of fifteen, which was there years later than his friends, now here he was waiting to get married so all of his training will be put to use.

As he walked to bed, Tino ran through the recipes he would need for the meal with Berwald's parents tomorrow. Berwald didn't seem like the type of guy to have many ingredients, but he could always check in the morning.

Tino laid on bed and stared at the ceiling. It was chilly in his room. Not the nice chilly like in the summertime, but cold and uncomfortable. He rolled over and tucked his blanket under his chin. He forced his eyes closed and began counting. He might have to take Berwald up on his offer and sleep in his bed tomorrow.

\\/

Tino resisted the urge to slam the cupboard door shut. One, Berwald was still sleeping, and two, he couldn't afford a new cupboard if he broke it. He sometimes didn't know how own strength.

He couldn't find anything to cook for Berwald's parents that night. He had to make a good impression or they could declare Tino unworthy and then Tino would become an unwanted omega and he would be cast out of society and-

"Tino? What are you doing?"

Tino spun on his heel to find Berwald standing in the doorway, his clothes and hair ruffled and his glasses haphazardly shoved on his nose. He looked so cute and confused. Tino felt his face flush.

"I was looking for stuff to cook for dinner, but I couldn't find anything." Tino breathed.

"We can go grocery shopping." Berwald said. He padded in barefeet over to the omega, a calm smile on his face.

"Oh, thank Moomin. You are seriously a bachelor. How do you survive with hardly any food here?" Tino felt some of the huge weight lift off his shoulders.

"There's soup and cereal and milk. What else do I need?" Berwald teased, though Tino didn't seem to catch it.

"That is no way to live! You need fresh fruits and vegetables. And protein! No way I can ever bear children without-" Tino blushed and clamped his mouth shut.

Berwald perked up at what Tino was saying though. "You think we'll have children?"

"Well, yes." Tino said timidly.

The alpha said nothing. He just strode to Tino and enveloped him in a hug. Tino didn't know how to react, other than wrap his arms around Berwald's broad back. Maybe this arranged marriage thing wouldn't be so bad.