Notes: This thing is starting to turn into a world-building/character piece and I thoroughly apologize. Also, each chapter is getting progressively longer. Wow. Anyway, schematics-wise; this story is kinda set maybe a year or two after Beast+, so Netto is like 14 and Enzan is 15/16. Also, there's no smut, I'm bad at it.


Netto hadn't expected the first person to approach him about his presentation to be Meijin-san. Really, he was more or less expecting his mother to sit him down and give a long, emotional talk. Or for his father to subtly corner him during down time in the SciLabs and start an awkward ramble about the human body and all that.

Expecting those parental moves to approach him, he'd been wary about spending more than ten minutes alone with either of his parents. He'd come up with any excuse to run out and about, going to Meiru's for homework help or sneaking into other lab rooms when his dad wasn't looking.

It was during one of his sneaking-off routines that he ended up in Meijin's office. He had quietly let himself in, telling the scientist he came to admire Meijin's collection of model toys again. Meijin had waved a hand and continued typing at whatever scientific mechanism he was programing. Netto was inspecting all the model cars on one of the shelves, wondering how Meijin kept all of them so dust-free; he must have to clean them everyday.

"How are you feeling after your Omega presentation, Netto-kun?" Meijin asks, not turning from the code he was typing into the open program on his screen.

Surprised at the sudden question, Netto stutters a little, coughing into his hand, "Um... it's fine. Y'know..."

"Just fine, hmm?"

Netto winces a little at the tone, feeling just a bit defensive. "Yeah? Everyone presents at some point, it's not a big deal."

Meijin turns this time, "Netto-kun, what do you really feel? Because it's clearly not happy."

"I'm not-" Netto starts, before his defensiveness wilts and he stops. He wasn't gonna take his frustrations out on Meijin, that wouldn't be right. He fixes his focus at the floor, feeling his hands grip tightly into the hem of his shorts.

"You wanted to be an Alpha." It wasn't really a question- but a statement, as Meijin stares at him. He nods slightly, not daring to look up. He feels frustrated tears tickle his eye lashes and he definitely did not want Meijin to see them.

Meijin rolls his chair over closer to Netto. "We all want to be an Alpha," he continues, "The world we live in has built that mentality into us. That Alphas are the superior ones, that they're stronger, that they're better. None of that's true you know."

"I know," Netto replies sullenly. He does. Papa tells him that all the time, that the secondary genders don't determine much more than fertility levels and muscle mass.

Meijin sighs, crossing his arms. "What? You think you'll all the sudden suck at battling and being a Net Savior 'cuz you are an Omega?" Netto takes a small inhale, blinking. It's like Meijin was reading his mind or something, because he kinda did. Omegas held the smallest percentage population-wise compared to the other secondary genders. No one's going to take him seriously now, they're gonna coo at him about how he'll need take better care of his body or behave better or be more docile- and he just really doesn't want any of that.

"Everyone's gonna want to me to act like an Omega. I don't want that," he whispers. This whole presentation has felt like a dead end to him.

"Since when does Hikari Netto let random people tell him what to do?"

Netto stares back at Meijin as he waits for a response. He opens his mouth, closes it, and then blinks.

He watches Meijin softly laugh at his reaction, "Am I right, Netto-kun?"

Because Meijin is. He's never just let people tell him what to do, why does he feel like he has to now? The mentality that's been worked into his mind, the preconceptions he's had about being an Omega were all pushing him to think that way. And he was about to just let them!

He throws his arms around Meijin, causing the older man to yelp in surprise. "Thanks Meijin-san!"

Meijin reaches down and musses his hair affectionately, "There's no need to thank me, and no need for formalities."


It has been about two weeks since he'd last seen Netto. Granted, the last time he had seen him, the younger boy was barely conscious enough to acknowledge him. He's not sure what to say to him. Enzan feels his brows furrow and he reaches up to physically stop himself from scowling. He's worked so well with Netto so far and he really doesn't want... this... to make their relationship awkward.

When he gets to the front desk, he barely nods at the receptionist as she was more than familiar with his Net Savior status and lets him by without a sound.

Today was his monthly health check up with the SciLabs, a requirement for the Cross Fusion Net Saviors to make sure the stress of combining with your Navi hadn't caused any unforeseen health issues. He knows Netto will be here today; as he was every other health check they've had. Enzan knows he shouldn't let Netto's new presentation affect him like this, but he can feel his equilibrium unsettled- knowing that Netto might be different now.

He reaches the Scanner Room during his musings and pauses briefly at the door handle before exhaling the breath he had been holding, turning it open.

"Ah! Enzan!" Netto has his bare back facing him, his hands reaching around futilely trying to tie the little strings at the base of his neck. "Can you help me with this?" he asks, turning his head slightly to nod at the string enclosures on the back of his hospital gown.

Enzan approaches, gently taking the strings and tying them into a loose bow. He looks down, unsure if he should tie the one at the base of the younger boy's spine but when Netto doesn't move away, he takes it as an affirmation. His fingers lightly skim the soft, warm skin of Netto's back when trying to string together the knot and he tries to not notice how the other shivers a little from his touch.

"Where's Dr. Hikari? He's usually here by now," Enzan comments, picking up his hospital gown from the chair beside the x-ray stations and moving towards the locker room door.

"Oh, Papa went to help Meijin-san with unloading some new tech equipment. He said he'd be back soon and to get ready."

"Is that so?"

He's in the changing room before he realizes he's been holding his breath again.

Blues' small hologram projection appears by his shoulder, and asks, "Should I wait in the scan computer Enzan-sama?"

He nods, "I'm sure Rockman is already there. I'll be out in a minute." Blues pixelates away to the SciLabs network, awaiting the scans the Navis were required to have as well.

Enzan promptly undresses, throwing his clothes in his locker, before noticing the familiar sweet scent clinging to the locker next to his and realizes that his body must have some sort of homing autopilot, because he had chosen the locker right next to Netto's. He sighs. It doesn't feel like Netto is treating him any differently but he just feels strangely hyperaware of Netto.

With his sterile teal hospital gown on, he steels himself, and leaves the locker room. He is greeted by a wave from Dr. Hikari by the computer monitors.

"Perfectly timed, Enzan-kun! We are just starting up. Please get in positions on the beds and we'll have this done in no time."

Enzan nods, feeling himself relax a little. This was routine. And he could do routine.


Netto watches as Enzan buckles up his customary green camo pants and begin reaching for his shirt in the locker. However, he stops, catching Netto's stare. He tilts his head questioningly, "What is it?"

Unwaveringly, Netto steps even closer, taking a small sniff of the air before stepping a half step back. "I just..." Netto mulls in head on how to ask his question without sounding totally offensive. "Your scent seems really faint unless I'm up close."

He's been trying to get used to unbelievably vast amount of scents out there in the world, now that his new Omega status seemed to how blessed his nose with the sensitivity of a blood hound. And, somehow, out of all scents, Papa's warm, woodsiness, Meijin's sharp, citrus scent- Enzan's seemed the hardest to pick up.

Enzan shrugs, going back to putting on his clothing. "I use scent dampeners. It makes it less noticeable, I guess."

"What? Why?" His confusion must not be what Enzan was expecting because he just sighs in return.

He slides his red jacket on before replying, "I'd just rather not be that Alpha trying to overpower everyone with their smell." The older boy says it in this tone, as if saying 'shouldn't it be obvious', making Netto squint.

"I think," the younger Net Savior starts, "your scent is fine." He crosses his arms, feeling himself become a little defensive in Enzan's honor. "And you wouldn't be like that anyway, with or without scent dampeners. You're not like them, Enzan."

Netto gazes at him stubbornly as Enzan blinks up at him, a little taken aback. He lets out a small cough under his fist, standing up from the locker benches. "Your faith in me is touching," Enzan replies teasingly, smirking a little behind his hand.

"Hey, I mean it!" Netto calls back. Enzan waves one hand, back turned, ready to leave the locker. Netto scurries to pull his shoes on. "Enzan! Wait up! What about our match from last time?! Ah geez, Enzan, wait!"