PLEASE READ THIS NOTE BEFORE YOU START!
I have recently re-vamped this fic. Some chapters have been split to make it more consistent, and a little content has been altered to fit better with my take on the omegaverse. I really hope you enjoy it!
I have read through this story multiple times, so if you notice any typos or extra words that shouldn't be there then please-please let me know. I try to keep things as perfect as possible and I may actually print this one at some point to keep, so that would be a great help to me. Just comment the chapter and line that looks hinky and I'll take a look.
Reviews are always most welcome. Thank you for reading, much love!
Nines stalked into the observation room with clicking steps, doing a good job of hiding his displeasure. Reed didn't have to wonder if his partner had turned off his facial muscles. He knew. Nines' pale skin was completely relaxed and neutral as he stepped into the room, bringing with him the deep scent of sawn metal and gunpowder. Reed huffed out a breath, trying not to let his omega hormones rise to it. It wasn't Nines' fault he was frustrated, and hormones were harder to control than physical muscles. He was an alpha, and he was furious. His alpha was furious. The scent wrapped and twisted around Reed's senses, flooding the space with heat. He closed his eyes, pushing down the shudder churning through his stomach as his omega writhed in discontent.
"What now?" Miller asked with a tired sigh as he leaned back in his chair, unbothered by the pressing scents. Nines was the most intimidating alpha they had. If he couldn't make the alpha in there crack, then they were sunk. Well, they would be without their secret weapon, Reed thought with a hint of smugness. He twisted his seat towards Miller, leaning back with a cocky air as he uncrossed his legs. He could sense Nines' frustration as his tall figure stalked across to the wall silently, sharp silvery blue eyes glaring at him. He almost seemed resentful as Reed quirked his lips.
"What do you think?" Reed retorted as he got to his feet and shrugged out of his jacket, leaving the brown leather tossed carelessly over the back of his chair. He felt tingles of anticipation running up and down his arms as his skin cooled. He wasn't close to his heat, but his scent was still alluring to alphas at the best of times, and he'd spent a long fucking time learning to use it to his advantage. His omega perked up as he coaxed and released his scent. Miller didn't even register the almost sickly sweet scent of cinnamon and coffee, nor did he pay any particular attention as Reed stripped off his long-sleeved navy top. He was a beta. He could smell Reed's omega hormones, but they had no effect on him. Nines, on the other hand…Reed could feel his sharp silvery eyes on him, glaring as they traced his soft pale flesh.
"Using a little omega persuasion?" Miller asked cheekily, his tone suggesting he was unsurprised and somewhat impressed. This was an alpha's job, through and through. The best officers were alphas. The highest ranking officers were alphas. All except for Detective Reed. Around fifteen years ago, Reed had been the first omega in the DPD. He'd gotten threats. He'd been dominated. He'd been used, but he'd also worked hard and proven he was an excellent officer, despite the setback of being an omega. He took shit and gave it back so well that even the most dominant alpha officers had given in to his charm and wiles.
"Gotta use what you got, right?" Reed shot back with a click of his tongue and a poor excuse for a wink. Miller chuckled his agreement as he returned his gaze to the room. He almost felt sorry for the alpha inside. He didn't know what was about to hit him. Reed looked damned good for an omega. He was stronger than most, forcing his body to its limits to keep up with the alpha officers. His muscles were toned and defined beneath his tight, black tank top. It rested a little higher on his hips than usual, revealing the pink flesh of his abs and the V of his pelvis by about an inch. Without the material layer over his arms and shoulders, his scent was even stronger. Nines shifted against the wall in agitation, still glaring at Reed as he tried to ignore the cinnamon and coffee that teased his senses. His LED was spinning yellow in annoyance, and his alpha was prowling restlessly in his chest.
Reed took a deep breath, trying not to seem nervous. He knew it wouldn't fool Nines. He was an alpha. He could smell the nerves. Even if he turned off his alpha programming, he'd still be able to use his android abilities to scan and read his vitals. He wasn't sure if he was trying to fool Miller or himself as he tugged his jeans just a little lower on his waistline and headed out. He closed the observation room door and rested his hand on the handle leading to their suspect.
"Phck my life," Reed sighed before gripping the handle and pushing the door open. The smell hit him straight away. Two alphas. The lawyer was one he knew all too well. His lips spread into a sultry grin of greeting as he crossed to the table and leaned down to let both men eye his sculpted chest. "Mr Taylor, it's been far too long," he almost purred, letting Taylor's deep, earthy scent wrap around him in greeting. Taylor sighed in frustration. There was no law against an omega using their pheromones to loosen tongues, and Reed had done this more than once.
"Fuck, really Reed?" he huffed in annoyance, knowing his case just got a whole lot harder. Reed smirked as he edged onto the desk, right beside the large alpha that was cuffed to the table. This man's scent would have been nice, if not for the chemical undertone of red ice lurking beneath. It was a scent that reminded Reed of his father's old workshop. Burned wood and hot machinery. Reed shifted his attention to Taylor's clean-cut, attractive body for an instant, giving him a poorly attempted wink as he leaned over.
"I'll make it up to you later," he promised with a slight purr in his throat, letting his dirty green eyes drag over the crisp suit he knew would be ruined by the time Taylor left. He let his omega reach out to nuzzle Taylor's sleek alpha with a brush of sweet cinnamon. Reed bit his lip at the thought of what was to come, knowing exactly how much force Taylor would use to slam him into the wall. An alpha had to put an omega in their place. Hot brown eyes met his own. Taylor did well to bite down on a hungry growl. He winced at his alpha's instincts, glaring at the omega that dared to sit there and take part in an alpha's world. It was unnatural. It was brave. It was downright dangerous. He loved every second.
"They send you in to rough me up, pretty boy?" the suspect mocked, grinning as he looked Reed up and down. He certainly seemed to enjoy the view, not that Reed had expected any less. Reed returned the look with a smile of his own, leaching out his omega's scent like a stream to wrap and curl around the alpha. He noticed right away how the man's strong muscles slowly unravelled and his pupils dilated lustfully. His omega purred and dragged a trail of cinnamon by the alpha with a flick of its tail. So phcking predictable. Reed leaned a little closer, almost hearing a responding purr in the alpha's throat.
"I'm just here to ask a few questions…" Reed trailed off in a gentle tone, inwardly cringing at himself. The tone worked. Alphas always responded well to a gentle omega. Something in their biology. "Won't you please answer me?" he added in a needier tone, letting his voice pitch so that it sounded like a plea. Alpha's loved submissive omegas, and if they were begging, then it was even better. He watched the alpha relax, holding his gaze for a few beats before the large man finally nodded. Reed pushed the photo across, tilting his head the way Connor always did when giving puppy dog eyes.
"I can't believe that actually works!" Miller exclaimed, impressed as he looked across at Nines, who was currently clenching his jaw and boring holes into Reed's skull with sharp silver eyes. Miller could smell the revulsion rolling off him in waves of gunpowder. He understood to an extent. Nines was new. He'd only been activated four months ago, and he'd been working with Reed at the DPD for three. He was the first android to be built with the secondary gender module already installed, and although he knew the basics of alphas, omegas, and betas, he didn't really get it. He also didn't get the nuances of each breed.
Nines was disgusted. His partner was an omega. He'd been forced into the role of babysitting a housewife. A housewife who mostly shifted between acting like a slut and a brat. Omegas didn't belong on the force. He couldn't understand why Fowler had employed Reed in the first place, let alone allowed him to rise to the esteemed rank of detective. He winced at his own harsh prejudice. In his logical android mind, he knew he wasn't being fair to Reed. He had looked through Reed's records himself after he'd been assigned to him as a partner. On paper, Reed was an excellent officer, with an above average arrest rate. Unfortunately, this made his alpha chafe and rise on its hackles. Omegas were supposed to be protected and cared for. Allowing Reed to work in such a dangerous environment was unacceptable, and almost unheard of.
Omegas were supposed to submit to alphas, but somewhere along the line Reed had turned it around. Nines had seen it. The way he curled his omega's scent around suspects and colleagues, pitching his tone to get what he wanted. The way he'd tease and lead the alphas in the department in a dance of lust and wit. On some level, he supposed it was admirable. Reed had taken his unwanted omega nature in stride and forced it to work for him. Not the other way around.
Nines clenched his jaw as he watched Reed work. He was glad he couldn't smell it right now. The sweet, soothing scent of cinnamon and coffee that wrapped and coiled around his victims. Reed was sitting on the edge of the metal table, one leg resting right beside the alpha's chained wrists teasingly. He knew the alpha couldn't lay a finger on him. He let the alpha close to the thigh of his tight jeans, his position giving him a view of his crotch and the barely visible V of his pelvis. He held up a photo and dangled it by his pecs, deliberately drawing the suspect's eye.
His voice was a honeyed tone that Nines never even knew he was capable of. He rarely remained to watch Reed work. He often stormed out to blow off steam in the gym with Captain Allen or any other SWAT members who happened to be close by. Alphas being alphas. He felt a new shiver run down his spine as he listened to Reed's voice pitch and soften. He closed his eyes. It was the sound of an omega. The way it should be. He'd never imagined Reed could actually do it. Their partnership had been built on sharp words and brash actions.
"Thank you so much for your cooperation," Reed purred finally as he drew back, the gentle look morphing into a smug smirk as he grabbed the file and left the room. Of course, the suspect flipped out once he realised he'd been played, and of course, Reed flipped him off before the door closed. Nines and Miller headed out to meet him, and Nines was almost surprised to see him taking a somewhat shaky breath before he gave Miller a tired grin.
"That. Was. Masterful!" Miller praised as he accepted the file from Reed and laid a hand on his shoulder. It was a supportive and comforting gesture, one that Reed would allow with beta officers and a fair few alphas. It was a sign of trust, sometimes even affection. He would allow himself to be vulnerable around a few chosen companions. Nines was not one of those companions. Reed straightened as he realised he was watching, meeting his gaze with a defiant scowl. He couldn't afford to let himself be seen as weak. Not by Nines.
"Thanks, Chris," Reed sighed, lips quirking as he shifted his gaze away from Nines. The door behind them opened and Taylor stepped out, prompting Miller to head inside to get their suspect returned to the cells. Taylor barely registered the beta, as expected of an alpha. Reed's eyes closed, and he suppressed a shudder as the earthiness crashed over him, dominating him. He breathed deeply and leaned against the wall, accepting the alpha's displeasure and letting it wash through him. He'd been a very bad omega. He bit his lip as his omega preened and rolled in submission. Anticipation welled in the pit of his stomach as Taylor rested a hand on the wall beside his head and lifted his chin with one finger.
"I believe you owe me something…" he purred, straining his muscles to keep from pinning Reed right there in the middle of the corridor. Reed's eyes opened, pupils dilated as he looked up at him. As an alpha, Taylor was larger and taller. He could pick him up and toss him around like he was nothing. Reed reached up and smoothed down Taylor's tie, feeling the silk slip through his fingers and wondering if it would soon be around his wrists. It was a game Taylor liked to play on occasion. If he was lucky. Taylor almost growled as cinnamon and coffee seeped into his senses, tempting him closer, encouraging his alpha.
"Phck-yeah, I do," Reed purred needily, shooting a glare to his right as Nines clicked his tongue in distaste before stalking off towards their desks in a cloud of gunpowder. Reed ignored the interruption, keeping a teasing grip on Taylor's tie as he led him to the heat room down the hall. It was a room that belonged exclusively to Reed, and only three people could unlock that door. Tina, Fowler, and him. No one else. He grinned as he pushed the door open and dragged Taylor inside, hands and lips already at work.
Nines slumped down at his desk with a frustrated huff, trying to push the unwanted rage from his system. It was enough to make him want to turn his alpha subroutine off, but that would leave numbness. His emotional subroutines were fully integrated with his secondary gender. That meant if he turned off his secondary gender, he turned off his feelings altogether. It was almost worth it as he thought back to the way Reed had allowed that other alpha to trap him against the wall. It was disgusting. Reed would bend over for anyone. Anyone but him, he'd noticed. It wasn't like Nines had shown any interest in fucking his omega partner, but it stung his alpha pride to be so firmly rejected.
"Nines…Can I talk to you for a minute?" Connor's voice interrupted hesitantly. Nines held back from glaring at his self-appointed older brother. The brother who'd gotten him into this mess in the first place. The brother who'd activated and deviated him all those months ago. He sighed. It wasn't Connor's fault he'd been forced to work with the slutty omega. Someone has to take responsibility and keep him out of trouble. Connor had always had honest intentions, and frankly, he was a good brother. Attentive, supportive, kind. The least Nines could do was pay attention when he was asked for help.
"Of course, Connor. What do you need?" Nines asked in a level tone, watching patiently as he pulled his chair over. Connor had the desk directly to Nines' right across a small walkway, allowing him to scoot his smaller form across to Nines' desk. Connor hadn't changed much in the six months since the peaceful revolution. He, like Nines, had kept his LED. It stuttered between yellow and blue in anticipation of their conversation. He was wearing his usual dark grey jeans, white shirt, and textured silver tie. The only difference was that his jacket, which was no longer the Cyberlife standard, was hooked over the back of his chair. It was a plain greyish blue, in a style that almost matched his old look. Nines couldn't fault him for that. He too, had kept more or less to his original look. He wore a soft high necked black turtleneck, and a high collared white jacket with black shoulders.
"As you know, secondary gender modifications have been approved for all androids now…I have my procedure booked, and I was wondering…Well, I'm not sure which gender to choose," Connor confessed with a hint of uncertainty, which greatly surprised Nines. There was only one acceptable choice. Connor was an RK800. The second most advanced android ever made, and he worked in a predominantly alpha workplace. To be anything less than an alpha would be laughable.
"You'll be an alpha, of course," Nines replied, as if it didn't even merit discussion.
"I am thinking about it, but I don't know exactly what that entails…What is it like to be an alpha?" Connor asked curiously, giving him that adorable head tilt that made him look so much like Sumo. His warm hazel eyes were wide and curious, like a child. Looking at Connor, it was hard to believe that he could soon be an alpha. If he wasn't on the police force, and wasn't such an advanced model, Nines would likely suggest he become a beta. Betas were softer than alphas, without the downside of being pathetic in the way omegas were.
"It will make you stronger…more dominant. You will experience an increase in the more hostile emotions, but the physical benefits far outweigh the negatives," Nines explained in a clinical tone, watching Connor's eyes pinch a little. Right now, without a secondary gender, Connor was much softer and more pliant. He leaned into his more sympathetic emotions, which made him very effective during both interrogations and negotiations. "This is an alpha dominated work environment. It would be logical to conform to that standard," Nines added helpfully, watching as Connor nodded slowly. He couldn't argue with Nines' reasoning on that front.
"Perhaps…I will continue to ask around. Thank you, Nines," he said cheerfully as he got to his feet, squeezing Nines' slightly larger shoulder in thanks. Nines nodded distractedly as his gaze fell upon Reed, who was walking the alpha lawyer to the door. The alpha was slightly ruffled, his once slick hair now hastily brushed back into place, his crisp suit covered in wrinkles. Reed was smiling lazily, wearing a clearly fucked out expression of contentment on his face as he tugged the alpha's tie one last time. His tank top was resting a little higher on his waist than before. Nines held back a growl as the alpha's hands caressed that bare skin one last time. He closed his silver eyes and took a slow breath as his own alpha rose on its hackles. It didn't like being rejected, especially not for such an inferior alpha. Reed and the alpha exchanged a few more words before Reed headed into the break room, a loud chuckle breaking free as the alpha swatted his tight ass and left. Reed flipped him off teasingly before disappearing into the break room. Nines' jaw tightened as he picked up the scent of sweet cinnamon tainted by fresh earth. Disgusting.