You hummed as you glanced at the mechanical watch on your wrist, tapping your feet on the ground as you leaned against the wall of the Adler's dorm entrance gate, waiting for Burnedead to appear.
You discreetly listened as the whispers of other students reverberated as they passed by, smirking to yourself as they noted of your handsome, clean appearance. The alphas glowering as they scented your 'high-degree' pheromones, feeling attacked by your scent. While the omegas shivered, unconsciously taking steps closer towards you only to be pulled back by their alphas, making them blush in shame as those alphas glare at you.
You sighed, running a hand through your hair nonchalantly while ignoring all of the commotion. Feeling your ego rise as the 'inside' you danced around in your head gleefully.
You hear someone call out your name and you turn towards that voice, seeing Finn Ames who's looking at you with dread in his face. You nodded at him silently before looking past him and towards the person you're actually waiting for.
"Burnedead." You called out making him tilt his head questioningly. Your brows twitched in slight annoyance at his devil-may-care attitude. "...Don't tell me you've forgotten me already."
"Um..." Mash averted his eyes before Finn walked up to whisper something at him. His eyes glinted as he recalled his memories. "Oh. You're that guy..." He stared at you, warily. "Creampuff murderer..." He mumbled.
Finn twiddled his hands nervously. "A-Are you here to fight him again?" He asked you. Mash stared at you, flexing his hands. "Look. Please give up on her. Lemon's only interested with this guy..." He said, pointing at Mash.
You glowered at them silently, making Finn nervous and Mash to slowly take a fighting stance. Then you suddenly laughed, surprising them both.
You put a hand to your chest and grinned. "A correction. I've already given up on her." You palmed your right cheek, remembering the pain when he socked you clean yesterday.
Yes... You fell in love with the blond-haired omega, Lemon Irvine, back at the entrance examination, when she helped you at one of the trials. She held out a hand to you, her honey-colored eyes staring at you concern as you lay slumped on the ground.
It was love at first sight for you. You tried to look for her at the end of the exams but she has seemingly disappeared. It was a month later before you found her again, talking to a male student. You tried to approach her, wanting to show interest in courting her when she suddenly hugged the student with a fond smile.
Your eyes went red and before you knew it, you were challenging him into a fight. To which he proceeded to beat the crap out of you after snapping your wand in half, rendering your magic useless. You were then taken to the nurse's office by the same guy where you spent the rest of the night laying in bed in agony, thinking of your life choices and how you got there.
The following day, you've made your mind. That's why you are here, in front of House Adler's dorm and talking to the guy who just beat you yesterday.
Mash blinked, feeling weirded out by your sudden change of attitude compared to yesterday when you suddenly jumped at him, casting offensive spells at him without pause. In fact, the only reason he retaliated was because one of your spells hit him right in his chest where he hid his creampuffs.
When he checked up on the creampuffs, they have all turned into one big mushy mess. He felt his anger rise and before he know it, he was punching you in the face. He wanted to avenge his murdered creampuffs.
Seeing you laughing now... It's just weird. He know that he, himself, is weird, but you're definitely weirder just for the fact that you're laughing at the guy who punched you in your face.
"...Is he a masochist?" Mash mumbled to himself.
"T-Then, what do you need from him?" Finn sighed in relief, as your threatening aura went away as you grinned at them.
"Nothing. I just wanted to thank him for beating sense into me." You sighed. "As an alpha... to act like some uncultured animal just because of one omega is shameful and disgusting." You clicked your tongue, feeling the irritation return as you recalled your shameful behavior yesterday.
You bowed at Mash. "I would like to apologize, I lost myself and attacked you out of nowhere." You put a hand to your chest, showing your sophisticated side. "Is there a way for me to compensate you?"
Finn's jaw dropped while Mash blinked, feeling guilty as you smiled at him. But he heard the word 'compensation' and suddenly... "Then. Give me back all the creampuffs you ruined yesterday. All fifteen of them." He demanded.
"...Huh?" Your smile froze.
Mash nodded. "That was the reason I fought back in the first place." He rummaged through his cloak and brought out a creampuff, showing it to you. "You destroyed these with your spells. Compensate me for it."
Your smile dropped as you raised a trembling finger. "W-Wait... it wasn't because of Lemon Irvine? You beat me up because of those things...?"
Mash tilted his head in confusion. "What does she have to do with the creampuffs?"
Finn facepalmed as he stared at your crumbling expression. Feeling like another fight's bound to happen because of this misunderstanding.
"..." You stared at the sky, feeling lost, before you let out a snicker, which turned into a full on laugh. "What the hell? Haha! I got beat up over nothing!"
"Oh. Never mind... he's just as weird as Mash is." Finn said, shaking his head before tapping Mash on his shoulder. "I'm gonna go on ahead." He said before leaving with a wave when Mash nodded.
"So are you going to compensate me or what?" Mash asked you.
You raised a hand, clearing your throat. You tried to tamper down the laugh that still wants to get out of you as you rummaged around in your pocket. You pulled out some device which you brought to your mouth.
You pressed on the button and static noises echoed from it before the familiar voice of your butler answered. "Young master, do you need something?"
"Gerald, go look for the best bakery in town and tell them to make twenty batches of..." You covered the device with your hand before looking at Mash. "What was that thing again?" You asked him.
"...Creampuffs." Mash's eyes brightened at you, feeling the drool fall down as he imagined all of the creampuffs he's about to get.
"Right." You went back to talking to your butler. "...creampuffs and deliver it to House Adler's boys dormitory in thirty minutes. Price doesn't matter, just get it done. Thank you."
"...As you wish, young master." The butler answered, a hint of confusion in can be heard in his voice. The static noises appeared again before the call was cut off. You pocketed the device with a smile.
You tilted your head at him. "You up to skip classes?"
"Anything for creampuffs." Mash nodded determinedly.
And with that, the events from yesterday was all swept under the rug and the conflict between you two was resolved.
That's how Lemon Irvine found you two, in Mash's room, enjoying the creampuffs that were scattered all around the floor, some still in trays. You, seated on a chair with your legs crossed, holding on to a creampuff with three fingers like a donut, and eating it with small sophisticated bites. And Mash who's lost control of himself and is devouring creampuffs in just one bite.
Her eyes widened as you waved at her with a smile. "Y-You! Don't attack him!" She said at you, worriedly looking at Mash.
You sighed, clutching at your chest in fake-hurt. "Is that really am I to you? Just an alpha who attack others?"
Mash shook his head. "It's okay. We're friends now." He reassured Lemon with a thumbs up gesture before patting you on the shoulder comfortingly. You raised a brow, gently smacking the fingers that were stained with cream, away from your pristine and clean cloak.
"Watch the hands, Burnedead. My uniform's worth fifty times than you. No offense, of course."
"Oh 'kay." Mash replied nonchalantly, returning back to eating his creampuffs.
"H-How..." She stuttered.
"He's the creampuff overlord." , "I've finally found an alpha that I see eye to eye with." You both answered at the same time.
You snickered before smiling at her, shaking your head as she took a step back warily. "Don't worry. I've given up on you."
"Huh?" She froze. "J-Just like that?"
You raised a brow at her dissatisfied expression. "...You want two alphas to keep fighting over you? Hm... maybe you're not as innocent as I thought." You said, grinning when a blush appeared on her cheeks.
"T-That's not what I...!" She stuttered, covering her mouth as she stared worriedly at Mash but he wasn't paying attention at all, still focused on eating creampuffs. "I-I... I'll be back later...!" She shouted before running away, closing the door with a loud bang.
"Ah?" Mash stopped eating as the loud bang caught his attention, he looked around the room. "When did she leave?"
You hummed, eating the last piece of the creampuff before licking away the crumbs from your fingers. "Hmm... this pastry's not that bad. But the cakes made by our head chef back home's still better."
Mash narrowed his eyes. "Take that back. Creampuffs is the best of the best."
You raised a brow. "I don't want to listen to some creampuff-obsessed alpha about my pastry preferences."
"Says the alpha who falls in and out of love so easily." Mash snapped back.
Your mouth twitched. "Touche." You said, placing a hand on your chin as you stared at this man who was your love-rival for a day. "What did she find in you that I don't have?"
You sighed as he tilted his head at you. "In terms of looks, I honestly think I'm more handsome than you... Money? Nah. Attitude...? Hmm... doubt it."
Mash blinked as you keep listing out traits but dismissing them as you think you're better than him. Losing yourself in your thoughts, you didn't notice him stand up and take off his uniform and change into his iconic black spandex suit and white shorts.
"That's because you can't compare with my strength. Your core muscles are weak." Mash stated, flexing his muscles at you.
"...What the fuck." Your eyes widened as you stared at the bulging biceps and his prominent abdominal muscles. You clenched your teeth and looked away, biting your finger as you felt your alpha pride take a hit. "Damn you, Burnedead."
You shook your head before glaring at him. "Doesn't matter. Being an alpha is more than just strength." You waved your hand dismissively. "I mean, look at you. You already have an omega at your side and yet you're still single." You snickered.
"...But I'm not looking for an omega?" Mash responded, confused on how the conversation suddenly went.
"No way. My father said that an alpha's duty is to find an omega and build a family. There's no way an alpha isn't interested in omegas. " You narrowed your eyes at him. "At all."
"...I really don't." Mash blinked. "They're annoying, loud, and very demanding, except for Lemon. But she's just a friend."
"...I can't believe I lost to this guy." You sighed, massaging your forehead. "She'll be heartbroken if she hears this."
"Besides..." Mash bends down and grabs another creampuff, eyes softening as he eats it in one bite. "I already have Pops and my friends. They're my family. I don't need to go looking for a partner."
"...Fine. Who am I to tell you what to do, anyways." You ran a hand through your hair before glancing at his body, grumbling at his totally superior body compared to yours. "Can you put back on your uniform already?! It's annoying to look at your muscles!"
"Weakling." Mash crossed his arms, staring down at you proudly. "I'm the better alpha."
You flipped him off. "Not with your stunted emotional IQ, you're not!"
Finn gawked as you sat next to them with a smile at the cafeteria. It was lunch break and he and Mash came down here to try out the new menu. Actually it's only him who's going try it out, Mash's just going to eat creampuffs as usual.
"Am I bothering you two?" You asked, settling in your seat nonchalantly.
"Not really." Mash replied before side-eyeing you. "But I have a feeling you would've stayed even if I said yes."
Finn's eyes widened at his reply. "Mash!" He hissed. "Don't piss him off! He's one of the rich alphas. He can get you in trouble...!" He whispered to Mash, glancing warily as you smiled at them.
You snickered before pulling out your wand and waving it. Finn flinched, grabbing his own wand and raising it to defend the two of them from your attack.
"Wow. This is a buffet." Mash remarked as high-end restaurant meals appeared on their table, catching the attention of the other nearby students, instantly sparking whispers of envy as you nonchalantly grabbed a folded handkerchief and placed it on your lap. You waved your hand at the wine bottle and it's cork popped and wine spilled down your glass.
You took a sip with a sigh. "I can never understand students wanting to eat those cheap, unfulfilling meals. Obviously, this cafeteria doesn't really care much about the students."
Finn's eyes went cross-eyed as he stared at the cafeteria's tray he just placed down and towards yours. Feeling the disparity of the meals straight to his heart. "I... lost my appetite." He mumbled.
"Are those creampuffs?" Mash's eyes zeroed on a separate fancy plate that creampuffs on it. "...Can I?" He asked you, eyes pleading.
You smirked from behind the glass of wine. "Sure." You glanced at Finn. "Take some too if you want. I can't finish these all by myself anyways."
Finn's jaw dropped as Mash stood up and went around the table to where the creampuffs are, giving your shoulder a pat of appreciation on the way, to which you smacked his hand away, before grabbing the creampuffs and hiding it in his cloak.
Finn knew that Mash has a low sense of shame but...
You side-eyed Finn. "Don't feel ashamed. Your friend doesn't certainly have one. I'm going to throw this all away after anyways."
"HUH?!" Finn trembled at your words. "T-Throw all of these away after?!"
You raised a brow. "Otherwise? I'm not eating leftovers."
Finn's world was broken as he stared at you. "...So this is the difference between poverty and being rich."
You hummed, picking up your knife and fork and starting to eat for yourself. Content to stop talking anymore and let the two do whatever they want. Finn watched as you ate slowly and quietly, which was completely different compared to the rest of the chaotic students in the cafeteria. He trembled when you looked at him, gesturing towards your meal with a raised brow.
Finn clenched his teeth. "Sorry brother, but this is for my body's development." He mumbled to himself before bowing at you in thanks, shyly putting some of your food towards his tray.
Mash picks up your wine bottle curiously before taking a sniff of it. He choked as the smell caught up in his throat, immediately putting it back down. You smirked. "Never had wine before? I pity you."
Mash rubs his nose. "I'd rather not, it smells weird."
"Your loss." You shrugged, taking a sip of your glass of wine before freezing. "Wait. Is wine allowed in this school? Let me go ask Gerald..." You mumbled, putting down the utensils you were holding to take out the device, you once told Mash was called a portable telephone, and dialled your butler.
Finn's jaw dropped in surprise as your telephone does the usual static before Gerald's voice echoed. "I-Isn't this that portable telephone that's currently still in development...?" Finn asked towards Mash.
"Oh." Mash nodded, nibbling on a creampuff. "I think that's what he called it. Can't remember."
"Gerald, is wine included in the list of banned alcohol in school?" You asked quietly.
You heard him sigh. "Young master, yes it is. Please tell me you didn't bring your usual wine somewhere out in public."
"Umm..." Your lips twitched as you surveyed the hundreds of students around you, who were glancing at you as discreetly as they could. You brought out your wand and pointed it at your glass of wine and bottle and both disappeared from the table. "...Nope. Not at all."
"I can hear your lie over the loud chattering of the students. Are you in the cafeteria?"
"Oh dear." You laughed shakily. "Something came up, I'll have to cut this now. Goodbye, Gerald." You said before cutting the call, not waiting for his reply.
Mash stared at your sweating forehead. "I'm telling the headmaster."
"Y-You!" You glowered at him.
"For a low price of ten batches of creampuffs, Finn and I's silence is guaranteed."
"Huh?!" Finn squeaked. "D-Don't include me in your blackmail! I'm innocent."
"Fine." You sighed, glaring at Mash before looking at Finn, making him tremble. "How about you? It's rude to only buy him what he wants."
Finn's eyes glinted. "Well, I suppose if you're fine with it then... UMPH-" He choked when Mash suddenly covered his mouth with one hand, while still staring at you.
"He also wants creampuffs." Mash said seriously.
You stared at Finn who was shaking his head furiously and then at Mash who was staring back at you with a serious look in his eyes. "...If you say so."
Damn him. This shameless and opportunitistic alpha. His Pops will definitely hear about this!
"Look. I feel bad about how you're treating Lemon Irvine." You said, glowering at Mash who's currently lying in his bed, reading some book with pictures of ungodly half-naked men. "And what in God's name are you reading?! Have some shame! You dare read porn in front of a guest?!"
"This is a fitness book. Not porn. Get it right." Mash mumbled, flipping a page. "You should read one and get some gains for yourself."
"Over my dead body."
"...And what's with you saying about Lemon? I don't remember mistreating her?"
You sighed, leaning back on your chair. "Your continued dismissal of her feelings, that's what. Do you like her as a friend or just an omega?"
"...I thought you said you've given up on her?" Mash narrowed his eyes. Sitting back up on his bed and closing the fitness book.
"I do. But it's unbecoming of me as an alpha to ignore an omega in need. Especially when the one at fault is clueless about it."
"?"
You raised a hand and gestured towards his clueless face. "See. This is what I'm talking about. Have you ever told her that you only see her as a friend?"
Mash averted his eyes. "I think I did?"
You glared at him before standing up with a sigh. "Alright, that's it." You walked towards him, contemplating where to grab him, before finally grabbing the end of his necktie. "Stand up. We're fixing this issue right now." You said, tugging at his tie.
"Does it have to be now...?" Mash slumped as he stood up.
You let go of his necktie, crossing your arms. "Now, you spineless alpha. Tell her that you only see her as a friend and spare her from the continuous heartbreak."
Mash sighed. "Fine. But you're not allowed to go after her."
Your eyes twitched as you felt your irritation rise at his words. "Do I look like someone who goes back on his words. Are you looking for a fight, Burnedead?"
"But I don't want to beat you up again?"
"Mash Burnedead, you are a #$_&-+()/! "
You hummed, tapping your foot on the floor rhythmically, as you leant against the door of the class where Lemon Irvine's currently in. You have forcefully pushed Mash inside, telling him to say his feelings before waiting outside.
"He's been there for ten minutes." You grumbled impatiently. "I'm curious about what's happening but I want to give those two some privacy." You blinked as giggles and whispers cut through your thoughts and you remembered where you are.
You sighed, calming down and putting on your nonchalant expression. You tilted your head towards the whispering omegas and they giggled, pushing at each other.
You smiled at them. "Do you need something?"
At your gentle response, their confidence rose up and they walked up to you, twiddling with their fingers shyly.
You felt your ego rise up as they fawned over you. Yes, this is how it should've been.
It's just unfortunate that they don't have the qualities that you're looking for in your partner.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with indulging a little bit. It's not like you'll see them ever again as you rarely come by this side of the building anyways.
You grinned, running a hand through your hair when suddenly the door you're leaning against opened. You stumbled backwards, reaching out to the doorway to hold on to correct your balance when arms suddenly wrapped around your waist and you felt your back colliding with something hard.
The omegas gasped, taking a step back as they stared at whoever was behind you. "W-We're sorry! We didn't know that you swing that way! Sorry!" They apologized before running away.
"What?" Your jaw dropped at the sudden turn of events before you winced as the arms around you tightened. "Who the bloody hell...?!" You clutched at the arms around you and tried to break away. The man, definitely a man with how big his arms are, lets you go and you jumped away from the door, glowering at the man who just assaulted you.
Your eyes widened. "Burnedead, what the hell are you doing back there?! I thought some alpha wanted to fight me!"
He stared at you silently before looking away. "Can we leave now? I've talked to Lemon." He mumbled, touching the red slap mark on his cheek.
"...What did you do?" You asked, exasperated.
"Why do you assume it's my fault." Mash grumbled as the both of you left, with you not seeing the way Lemon glared at your back as she sniffed, wiping away the tears falling down her eyes.
Once you two are outside the building, you grabbed his arm and pulled him towards to the side where slammed him against the wall, gently of course.
You crossed your arms. "Alright. Tell me what happened."
Mash tilted his head. "I told her everything you told me to do. I said that I only see her as a friend and that will never change. And then she asked me if it this is how I truly feel."
"...and then?" You urged when he suddenly went quiet. He cleared his throat and averted his eyes.
"Then I said yes and that's what you told me to do. And then she slapped me."
"YOU WHAT?!" You fisted his collar and slammed him against the wall, not so gently this time, you glared at him. "ARE YOU DAFT? WHY WOULD YOU MENTION ME?!"
Mash glanced down towards your hands that are fisting his collar. Normally, you avoid touching him directly but it seems being angry makes you forget about that. "Was I not supposed to?"
You let out an incredulous noise at his question. "You just implied that you only told her your true feelings because I told you to do so!" You let go of him to facepalm. "That you didn't come out to her out of your own volition! You idiot! What is wrong with your emotional intelligence?!"
"Oh." Mash doesn't look bothered in the slightest.
"'Oh' he says." You mocked. "You need an education on how to be an alpha." You shook your head. "In fact, we should start on how you should be a normal person. Because clearly, you're lacking a few screws here and there."
You gripped his shoulders tightly, staring determinedly into his eyes. "I'll teach how it means to be an honest alpha."
Mash's pupils shook as he averted his eyes. "Please don't."
You clenched your teeth before jumping away from him. "Stop making it weird!" You hissed.
"You're the one making it weird."
"Says the one suddenly acting all meek?! You're making my skin crawl, A tall guy like you acting like a dainty omega!"
"It's because I felt that my free time in the future is about to be compromised."
"Oh?" You grinned wickedly. "Say goodbye to them. Cause you'll be spending the rest of your days reading all of the Alpha etiquette books I own."
"No!"
"Not even for thirty batches of creampuffs?" You smirked, bringing out your portable phone. Mash's eyes zeroed on it before he looked away with restraint.
"N-No... Not even for a h-hundred." He stuttered.
"Is that so..." You pressed a button on your phone. "And here I was planning to suggest the headmaster to hire pastry chefs for the school."
He swiveled his head towards you making you smirk. "Oh yes, it's quite tiring having to wait for freshly baked pastries from the city to be delivered here. So I thought of hiring the best pâtissiers from all over the country."
"...Rich people." Mash mumbled.
"But eh!" You cut off the call as soon as it connected. The headmaster was only able to say "Hello." before the call was disconnected. Making him stare at his telephone in confusion.
Mash's brows raised when he heard the unmistakable voice of the headmaster. "Y-You weren't bluffing?" He asked in surprise.
"Do you even breathe?" You smirked, waving around your phone. "Truly what a shame. Oh well, not a loss for me. I'm just helping a fellow alpha out of goodwill. If he doesn't want to take the opportunity then that's on him."
You turned around and poised as if you'll start walking away. "Imagine the creampuffs made by the best of the best though. I'm sure there are flavors that haven't been discovered." You sing-songed, as you started out listing random flavors to yourself.
Mash fists shook as he stared at your retreating form. The call of the creampuffs tempts him. But he really doesn't like reading books that isn't for fitness...
You looked back slightly. "Hey, which weights more in your heart. Your love for creampuffs or your hatred for books?"
Mash staggered to his knees, clutching at his heart. You smile triumphantly, knowing the answer for yourself. He looks up to you with blank eyes, but deep down you can see the pain in it as he's forced to sell his soul for pastries like the sucker he is.
"...You win. Please teach me how to become a true alpha." He said, defeated.
You laughed, as you called the headmaster once again. And this time the call went through. You placed a finger on your lips, shushing Mash as you started talking to the headmaster.
"What's with you, my boy?" The headmaster. "Up to another one of your whims again?"
You hummed, smiling to yourself. "Maybe so. Remember when I told you that I want to add some pâtissiers to your staff? Can we do that now, please?"
"Hmmm... well of course I could, but I don't have the time right now to personally look for your pâtissiers. You know that I can't just randomly pick people. I need to ensure the safety of the school first."
"Then let Gerald do it?*
The headmaster clicked his tongue. "No no no. You've bothered him more than enough already, my boy. If you want this, you'll have to personally do it yourself. From making a list, to interviewing them, and then picking which ones are qualified to join my staff."
You closed your eyes, suddenly regretting everything. But you've already bragged about it to Mash. You can't just eat your words!
You pumped your fist, encouraging yourself. "Deal! I'll do it! But uh... I can get help from my friends, right?"
The headmaster chuckled. "Very well." You sighed in relief, saying your goodbyes to him. "Say hello to Mash Burnedead for me, will you?" He said just as you disconnected from the call.
You froze, staring at your phone, sweating. "How did he..."
"...Wow." Mash said as he stood up. "You really are a rich kid. How are you related to the headmaster?"
You raised a brow at him. "You don't know? My last name's literally Wahlberg."
Doom filled Mash's face as he stared at you with trepidation. "I... I beat up the headmaster's son?"
"You just realized that? And it's grandson, by the way." You snickered. "Yeah. I could've gotten you expelled with a snap of my finger." You snapped your finger as an added effect. "Just like this."
Mash trembled. "...I'll do anything."
You snickered. "I don't need your anything you fool. Don't worry, I'm not that kind to take advantage of my obviously superior bloodline over others."
Mash stared at you with disbelief in his eyes. Your eye twitched. "What? You don't believe me?"
"...You love slapping our faces with the fact that you're rich and we're not."
"And you love stating the fact that you're strong and very muscular and we're not. Got a problem?" You harrumphed, crossing your arms. His mouth opened but a look from you made him back down, scratching his head.
You laughed. "Seriously! Stop worrying about it. If I wanted revenge, I would've already gotten it on the day you beat me up. There's no point in me wasting all this time just so I could have a petty revenge."
He sighed in relief. "Okay."
You clapped. "Now you've distracted me long enough. Tomorrow, we'll start as soon as class ends. I'll bring over the etiquette books and you'll read it all one. by. one." You pointed at him. "You got it?"
Mash slumped in defeat. "...Yes."
Mash slumped over his desk, dropping the book he was holding on to the floor. You glared at him, bending down to pick up the book and wiping away the dust before placing it on the desk. "Are you serious? We've only started for ten minutes and you're already giving up?"
"I can't... my head hurts." He grumbled.
You facepalmed before dragging a chair over to sit beside him. "Are you a child? Do I have to read it out loud for you?"
"...That would be better." He mumbled, massaging his aching forehead. You shook your head, flipping open your book and back to the page where he last read. You started reading the words out loud, precise and clear. You tried to dumb down the complicated words, and making sure that he's listening once in a while, and also to make sure his mind hasn't exploded yet from the overload of information.
"First, to be an alpha means to protect and care for those below you. Being stronger and smarter than others doesn't mean that you have the right to mistreat anyone."
"...okay."
"As the leader, you have to make sure that everyone under your care is satisfied and thriving under your guidance."
"...okay?"
"You have to balance between disciplining the unruly and rewarding the obedient. You have to ensure no one feels that they're receiving unfair judgement from you."
"Uh-huh..."
"First... you... Ah." Your eye twitched as you looked at Mash, who was still slumped over his desk. You discerned his breathing and irritation filled you as soon as you noticed that he has fallen asleep. You took a deep breath before shouting. "I'm burning down all of the creampuffs in your possession!"
He jumped up, arms raised in combat stance. "Don't touch them!" Mash said seriously, starting blankly at the air.
You snapped your fingers, catching his attention and his sleepiness was swept away as you glared at him. "Focus!" He sat back down with a guilty look on his face.
"Sorry." He mumbled.
"Fine. It's boring, I know." You sighed. "Let's start with the basic of basics then. How to be a good Alpha to your partner."
"But I'm not really looking for a partner."
You rolled your eyes. "Fool. Your friends could also benefit from this. I'm telling you how to be more empathetic."
"Oh."
"Here." You pulled out a list that you've inserted into the book, you've made it beforehand as a summary of everything you've learned from the book for yourself but Mash definitely needs it more than you. "You read it out loud." You demanded as he took it from you.
"Number 1. Be more aware of the people around you..." He looked at you. "But I'm always aware."
"Not physically." You shook your head. "I'm talking about being more emotionally aware. Like that day when you saw Lemon Irvine crying but you felt that it's none of your business. Isn't that right?"
"...But she said that it wasn't related to me?"
"And you believed her? Fool. Think of it this way, do you want to be seen as weak by the person you look up to?"
"...I guess not."
"Now try to recall the reason you cried, she was with you all day wasn't she?"
Mash looked down as he tried to recall that day. If he remembered it correctly it was a week after you first compensated him for the murdered creampuffs. And... that's it. He can't remember anything.
You facepalmed as he looked at you guiltily. "Some friend you are." You mumbled. "I heard it from Finn so I'm not sure either, but apparently your class was separated into groups for a project?"
"Uh... I think it was for making drought potions. We were tasked to make ten variants of drought potions." Mash's eyes glinted as the memories returned to him.
"And then?"
"...then I don't remember."
"For fuck's sake. Maybe we should cure your apparent short-term memory before anything else."
Mash closed his eyes, knocking his fist on his head as if actually hitting shaking his brain would make him remember. "I remember now. There were five of us and there were two random students that were grouped with us."
Your eyes narrowed. "Alphas?"
"...I think so."
You sighed. With just that little bit of information, you could probably guess what went down. Those alphas were probably hitting on her and she went to Mash for some kind of help and this doofus probably shut her down. Something along the lines of... "She's my friend." or "Why are you asking me if you want to court her?"
"I'm not blaming her, but she's a fool for falling for in love with a brick wall." You sighed.
"You don't have to make it sound like that." Mash grumbled.
"Whatever you did then, you'll have to apologize to her later." You waved dismissively. He opens his mouth to argue but you cut him off. "Shush, on to the next one in the list."
Mash's mouth twitched. "2. Connect with them daily... I do that." You contemplated before shrugging. He does talk to his friends every day if he's not busy eating creampuffs or doing his weird exercises. You gestured for him to continue. "3. Practice non-verbal communication... How?"
"You know... holding hands?" You blinked at him. "Hugs, close proximity... or just looking at them in the eyes? And don't you dare tell me you haven't done those. You're very touchy-feeling with me." You shuddered, remembering the feeling of his sturdy arms wrapped tightly against your waist to the point were you felt your bones crushing.
Mash looks away, pursing his lips as he went silent. "...Huh." He covered his face. "I just realized... I only do that to you..." He mumbled to himself making you tilt your head in confusion as you heard his mumble but not understand it. "I guess so." He told you in the end.
"...?"
Mash cleared his throat. "4. Build trust... 5. Offer validation-"
"That one. I think you need to work on that one especially." You cut off. "I get that you accomplish the impossible on a daily basis but telling your friends that they do a good job won't hurt you."
Mash tilts his head. "Am I not validating them enough...?"
You smiled. "I think that you mean well but you're just too desensitized with you doing literal world-breaking stuff everyday that you don't notice when your friends actually does something amazing too."
Mash nodded. "I see..."
You nodded in return. "So if you see Finn breaking out of his comfort zone to help you with something. You should show your appreciation to him and that you're grateful. Or if Lemon goes out of her way to see you after class, tell her that you appreciate her efforts as well."
He went silent as he stared at you, contemplating something.
"Then..." He leant closer to you. "I should also thank you for doing all of this." You froze, unconsciously leaning back as he stared you right in your eyes. "All of these things you do, without expecting anything in return... You're a really good guy."
You cleared your throat, raising your hand to discreetly hide the faint blush on your cheeks. "Y-You learn fast. That's good." You stuttered before gesturing at the list once again. "Continue on."
Mash narrows his eyes at you before slowly looking back down at the list. "6. Learn each other's love language... what is that?"
"It's... how you show your love and affection to the other person. With Lemon, she loves to touch while talking to you, isn't she? Finn... I think... he's more of a reserved person but he does show his affection with his words."
"Then what's my love language?" Mash asked, suddenly putting you on the spot.
"How would I know?!" You answered defensively. "We're both alphas. It's weird if we're to discuss each other's love language!"
"I think yours is through acts of service." Mash answered, ignoring your gob smacked expression. "You go out of your way to help Finn and Lemon even if it's in a roundabout, mean way. Insult them with your mouth while helping them with your hands."
"Y-You...!"
"Just like how you're doing to me. You call me a child but you'll read the book for me anyways." You stood up at the same time as him, backing away when he suddenly starts walking towards you.
"What's with you? Back it up, Burnedead!" You raised your wand defensively when he doesn't answer.
"7. Take initiative." Mash stated as you were backed into the wall, your wand pointed directly at his chest. "Hey." He calls out your name. "Can I show you my gratitude with a hug."
"ABSOLUTELY NOT."
"I wasn't asking." Mash's mouth quirks into a smile as he wrapped his arms around your shoulders, pulling you into a tight hug that forces you to drop your wand to the floor. You trembled, feeling your face heat up at the feeling of another person hugging you. It's been a long time since your parents hugged you, and you were too prideful to ask them to.
Your breath stuttered as he motioned your own arms to wrap around him and you complied, letting out a shaky laugh. "The news club's gonna have a field day if they found out about this. I could almost see the headlines, 'Two Alphas caught hugging alone in a room."
He hums in reply.
You two spent a full minute just holding on to each other before reality fell on you. You pushed him away with a red face. "W-We're ending the lessons for now. Keep the list on you and read the rest of it. I'll drop by later with more books...!" You said quickly as you ducked under his open arms, grabbing on your wand on the way, before running towards the door. You look back with a glare. "If you tell anyone what happened here, I will get you expelled." You hissed before running away, closing the door with a loud bang.
Mash blinks before glancing at the list at the desk. "8. Do something sweet for them every now and then." He glances at the door. "Well if the list says so... then who am I to not listen?"
You lied. It has been a week since you last saw Mash Burnedead. Well, since he last saw you.
Since every time you catch a glimpse of the familiar mushroom hair, you find yourself turning around and walking away from him. If you can't retreat, you'll look for the nearest furniture you can hide behind or crouch under. The nonchalant, elegant alpha persona you've cultivated has disintegrated into nothingness when students would find you crouching next to a marble statue, your pristine white cloak stained with dust as it drags along the tiles.
And if you find yourself without a furniture to hide behind to, you resorted to hiding behind other students. Good thing that your charm knows no boundaries that you can manage to convince the students that you are in fact not some creepy perverted alpha. But just an alpha hiding from someone.
And whoever can make an alpha like you hide is none of their business, of course. Although you can't stop them from speculating that you're hiding from an obsessed omega. Or maybe you messed with the wrong omega and now some Alpha is on the hunt for you.
Either way, they're just there for the fun of it. I mean isn't it amusing to see such a handsome alpha as you, looking like a gremlin as you hid behind omegas?
You're not sure when you'll appear in front of Mash again but right now... Every fibre of your being doesn't want to hear, see, or feel Mash Burnedead. You think your rut could be coming cause that's the only thing you can think of why you're suddenly so averse of him.
But a quick trip to the nurse's office proved you wrong. You're perfectly healthy, your rut still three weeks away, as per it's usual schedule. Maybe you're coming down with something but nope. Mentally and physically, you're completely fine.
This week of constant avoidance lasted up to two weeks, to which you have now noticed the obvious change of attitude in him. He's become more hot-headed and snappier to students who thinks just because he doesn't act like an alpha means that they can beat him. Normally, he doesn't respond to the provocations, but even just a slight sneer thrown his way was enough to set him off.
It was very unlike him. And you can see it with the way Finn and Lemon has become wary of him. You resisted the urge to walk up to him and knock sense into his tiny brain. He's scaring his friends away by letting his instinct go out of control!
All your efforts down the drain! What a fool!
But still, you can't muster up the 'courage' to appear in front of him, especially as time passes by and you've run out of excuses to pass along him from your classmates every time he visits your classroom.
You can see the darkness in his otherwise blank expression. He can't hide the way his fists clenched tightly every time your classmates say that you just left. And you feel guilty because somehow, you have a feeling that his sudden change of attitude might be because of you.
"N-Next week." You beat your fist against the wall. "I'll definitely show up next week."
Well apparently, you didn't need a week. All it takes was for Finn Ames to ambush you in front of the House Lang's boys dormitory, panicking and sweating heavily . When you spotted his unique yellow and black hair, you turned around and started walking away but you were too slow this time cause he spotted you.
"Wait!" You stopped in your tracks as he called out your name. "Please wait! Mash needs your help!"
You turned around. "What happened?"
"R-Rut! He's on his way to get inhibitors from the nurse's office when suddenly two omegas in heat escaped from their heat-proof rooms and swarmed him. He was able to lock himself inside the women's bathroom but now the others can't get inside cause his pheromones are too heavy." Finn rambled as quickly as he can, gasping for air once he was done.
"The other teachers are too busy helping the omegas cause their heats has sent the other alphas in the vicinity into a frenzy!"
"...Shit." You cursed before grabbing Finn's arm. "Let's go. Which bathroom is he in?"
"R-Right! This way!" Finn ran in front, leading you to a hallway that is full with incapacitated students; omegas in heat, writhing and crying on the floor, and agitated alphas who's being restrained by the teachers and betas. You took a quick step back and rummaged through your cloak, pulling out an inhibitor, you injected it straight into your arm.
Once you felt that the inhibitor has taken effect, you pulled out a mask and brought it over your nose and mouth. This mask was created solely to protect alphas from the pheromones of omegas in heat. You pointed at Finn. "You go on ahead to the nurse's office. I'll get him there. Just make sure the coast is clear."
"Got it!" Finn nodded before running away determinedly.
You weaved around the chaos, making sure not to touch the omegas else they send you straight into rut too, and entered the women's bathroom. And immediately fell to your knees, clutching at your throat as the strong scent of driftwood with a hint of honey, that is common to alpha ruts, invaded your nose.
You felt a growl escape your mouth as your instinct's went straight into overdrive, flooding your brain with commands to fight the other alpha. Luckily, you just had an inhibitor, which was high end compared to the usual ones that were given by the school for free, and you were able to shake it off.
"M-Mash...!" You wheezed. "Where the fuck... are you?!" You stood up slowly, closing the door behind you and immediately muffling the noises from the hallway. But it also means that Mash's scent is now circling around the room with no way to get out. You brought an arm to your face and looked towards the stalls.
You trudged towards the stalls and banged your fist against it one by one, until you reached the last stall. "Get out, you need to take your inhibitors." You hissed. You listened quietly as rough breathing echoed from the other side but no other movement. Your irritation spiked. "God damn it! Mash! Open the door! Your scent is fucking strong and I'm losing myself here! We need to leave now before I end up fighting you!" You growled, as you lost control for a second, kicking the door in agitation.
The door opened with a loud bang and suddenly you found yourself on your back, clutching at the hand wrapping around your throat. You hissed at Mash who growled back at you, looming over you as you clawed at his hand.
"Get off me!" You growled, trying to buck him off you but it seems that this is where the superiority of Mash's muscular body beats you as he sat there unmoving on top off you. You grit your teeth as the hand around your throat tightened. "Fuck, Mash... I'm losing my breath... you... fool." You quickly stop moving, letting go of his hand. Maybe if you appear to submit to him, he'll stop choking the life out of you.
Which proves right.
"..." He murmurs your name in shock and lets you go.
You gasped, clutching at your throat and coughing repeatedly as the room around you stops spinning, you were so close to losing your consciousness. Hands wrapped around your shoulder and you find yourself being lifted up, Mash's head pressed against your shoulder as he hugged you tightly. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." He apologized repeatedly.
You coughed, raising a hand to rub awkwardly against his trembling back. "I know... I understand. Just... take the inhibitor so we can go to the nurse's office..." Your other arm trembled as you brought out another inhibitor from your cloak and presenting it to him. He nodded and immediately injected it to his arm.
You let out a sigh of relief as the red rings around his pupils slowly disappeared until his eyes has returned to its usual yellow. The rut pheromones in the air has also slowly dissipated as both of your scents mingled together in the air. "Do you usually grab people by their throat during your ruts?" You grumbled, trying to act as nonchalantly as possible.
Mash shook his head. "I... spent my first rut locked in my house, exercising to get the volatile energy out, and since then I've always taken inhibitors. I didn't know that I..." His body trembled even more. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to hurt you like that."
What the hell do you mean, 'like that?'
You squint your eyes at him before letting out a groan. "Well whatever, help me up." You said, as you started to move. He immediately lets you go and helps you steady on your feet, flinging your arm around his neck and wrapping his arm around your waist to further help you balance yourself. You reach up to remove your mask and threw it on the garbage can.
"Damn it." You cursed, staring at the reflection of the both of you through the bathroom mirror. "Why does it look like I'm the one who's being rescued. This is very annoying. A hit to my pride."
"Sorry." Mash apologizes. Again. He leans down and plants his face against your neck, breathing in. Your brows lifted incredulously high at his actions.
"What in the world are you doing?"
"...I don't know. I had the urge to do it. So I did..." Mash mumbled, averting his eyes.
"You're very weird. Willingly breathing in another alpha's pheromones while you're in rut."
"...Like you're one to talk. You're the one who came in here while I was in my rut."
"Touche."
You two shuffled towards the door. Exchanging glances, Mash opens the door, surprising the other students that were still loitering around the hallway. The omegas has long been gone, taken back to their heat rooms, and the alphas that have been forcefully sent to a rut has been taken to the nurse's office.
The students glanced at the handprint mark on your neck and excited, giddy whispers echoed around as you two passed by, walking towards the nurse's office to get yourselves fixed up.
"I-Is this... the forbiddden alpha x alpha love?!"
"I never thought that it's possible!"
"Eeek! Who's the bottom, you think...?!"
"Dude. The other alpha literally has a choke mark on his neck. I think we know who's going to take the dic- URK I'M SORRY!"
"Oh my god. I'm so going to make a fanfic about this."
You clenched your teeth, raising a hand and grabbing Mash's necktie, you tugged hard until he started choking on air. "...I deserve it." He coughed.
"Hmph." You closed your eyes, feeling slightly better about yourself. Letting him take the lead as he knocked on the door of the nurse's office.
"What is it?! If you're not about to die then please turn back! We just had a heat/rut complication and everything's a mess right now!" A female voice shouted from inside.
"...Sorry, we're one of those affected alphas from the hallway. We need help." Mash replied.
A groan echoed before loud stomping followed, the door trembled before it was opened by a grumpy-looking nurse. She stared at you two with narrowed eyes when suddenly Finn popped out behind her.
"You two are safe! That's great...!" Finn smiled in relief before facing the nurse. "Miss, these are the friends I was talking about, We're terribly sorry for the trouble!"
"Oh!" The nurse's grumpy attitude turned around in an instant, smiling at you two. "Well, come on in! I've prepared beds for you two." You nodded, smiling gratefully at her.
"Thank you, miss nurse." You said before glancing at Finn. "To you as well Finn. You did great."
Finn's eyes widened at your praise. "U-Uh... Y-You're welcome." He blushed, smiling back at you.
You nudged Mash, gesturing with your eyes. He was clueless for a second before his eyes glinted in understanding. He faced Finn and nods at him. "You did amazing, Finn. I appreciate your help."
You smirked in approval as Finn's jaw dropped in surprise. "M-Mash.. you..." Finn doesn't know what to do. He can only stare as the nurse led you two away towards the bed where Mash first helps you lay down before sitting down on his own bed, staring at you.
Finn wipes his eyes, smiling happily before he sits down on one of the chairs at the side of the room. "You're welcome, Mash."
You ran your fingers on your throat, gulping as you tried to gauge on how much damage Mash did to your neck. Mash's eyes followed, zeroing on the obvious red mark left by his hand. Guilt overwhelmed him when his traitorous mind suddenly felt a flash of satisfaction echo inside him.
Has your masochism rubbed off on him? Has he... become a sadist...?
"What happened to you?" The nurse clicked her tongue, bringing out the ice packs and spreading it evenly on your throat. You winced at the coldness but welcomed the numbness it brings.
"Ask that one right there." You raised a hand, pointing at Mash who looked away in response.
"Oh. A fight between alphas, I see." She narrowed her eyes at Mash. "I trust that you've already taken your inhibitor?" Mash nodded in response. "Well, that's one thing off the list to worry about." She sighed.
"Well, you better stop talking now." She pats your shoulder. "You're going to start feeling it later. So don't panic if you start croaking like a frog."
"...What." Your brows raised in confusion. Well of course, you wouldn't understand. Throughout your whole life you only recall two instances where you got physically hurt.
Cause with your identity, no one really wants to mess with the grandson of Easton Academy's headmaster.
One, was when the headmaster punished you after you lost control and almost attacked an omega. Luckily, there were adults around and they managed to tie you down before anything serious could've happened.
And second, was when you were being a bratty child and was bothering a gardener working at your home. You kept on pushing over the stack of weeds he piled up in the corner, and the gardener lost his temper and proceeded to place you on his knee and smack the hell out of your ass.
That gardener was then promoted to become your personal butler, per your request of course. Yes, that was Gerald.
"Wait a damn second." Your eyes widened, fleeting over to Mash who was still staring at you.
And then this guy.
"What the..." You mumbled as realization hit you. "Am I... Do I flock towards the people who have put me in my place?! No fucking way." You bit your finger nervously. "I'm...not. Maybe I just prefer being treated like a normal person once in a while. It does get tiring being the perfect prince all the time..."
Mash's ear twitched. "...So you are a masochist?" His eyes glinted at this new piece of information.
"I'M NOT!" You shouted before coughing as your throat started hurting once again. You glared at him. "Don't even dare do anything, Burnedead. I can see your little cogs turning right now. I'll get you expelled if you try something."
"Okay. I promise that I won't not do anything to you."
"Finn!" Finn stood up straight as you called for him. "Help me."
"I..." Finn stuttered before proceeding to fall asleep. "ZzzzzzzzZzzz..."
You trembled as you glared at this traitor. Mash tilted his head before pulling out a list from his cloak. "I haven't finished reading this yet. Since we're already here..."
Horror filled your face as Mash smiled at you menacingly. "...Help me practice, okay?"
[AN: You know what? I'm in love with this dynamic. I just wanted to try out AxA and somehow it turned out pretty good. For me.]