Had this in 2 parts on ao3, combining it here.
For Kawaii_Chibi_Kai1 who wanted more Omega Marco stories.
Marco's never been interested in finding a mate, never had the urge to give himself to someone, to let someone take him, mark him.
No scent had ever triggered anything out of him before.
So, how? How is this pup suddenly emitting such a beautiful aroma? And why is his body reacting?????
Nothing tagg/warn-worthy happens yet
He's living best life he can have. Every day he's surrounded by family, family that loves him, family that he loves. An old man to care for them all, and he happily takes care of him, and the rest of his children, in return. He's living a normal life... for his standards.
Marco the Phoenix. The famous moniker he had gotten for his mythical zoan devilfruit and well, his name. He's glad his name is still in there and it's not just 'Phoenix', he was still very much human thank you very much. But where does his normal life alter from the others?
Because he's a pirate? … that would have been a very good reason for civilians, but on this ship it's kind of the norm. Because he's handsome? Very much so. Okay no, serious. He's the first mate of the strongest man in the world. That alone would already put him in a special position.
Yet, there are 14 others in commanding positions, they don't put any real order on it on whose better than the other. He's just the first mate because he's been here the longest and grew into the role. So, this, also isn't anything worthwhile. But the that was ... was something he actually tried to ignore. His secondary gender.
When you're born you get assigned a sex, Male or female. Or well, there's also the option to show signs of both of them, then you'd be androgynous and …. this isn't where he's going. He's male, born as one and still happy as one. But then, there's also a gender you'll present as when you come of age, already decennia ago for him.
There are three main options, you can be an Alpha, Beta or Omega. There's some variations in it, special cases, not presenting at all, showing as one but actually being another, but that's all too complicated to get into.
The most common gender is Beta, followed by Alpha and lastly Omega. While it doesn't matter what sex you are and these secondary genders don't have an influence on it, many expect Alpha's to be Male, and Omega's to be female. This is complete bullshit.
Last time he checked, in their own respective gender, 56% of Alpha's were male thus 44% were female. For Omega's it's almost the other way around, 42% of Omega's are male, while 58% is female. So yes, yes, he must admit that indeed there's more Alpha males and more Omega females, BUT THEY'RE BOTH SO DAMN CLOSE TO BEING 50/50! In a pirate's life there are less Male Omega's, but still, with these numbers it shouldn't be a surprise to meet a female Alpha, or a male Omega, yet it's treated that way. And joined with a lot of 'oh you don't act like a …, are you sure you're not a ….'. As if you don't know your own gender!
He's getting lost, okay where was he? Explanation of the secondary genders, yes. There's also no real norm as to how you need to act. Beta's are normal people say, what's normal???? Alphas are strong and leaders while Omegas are soft and caring.
But, twins could be exactly the same in every sense. Same age (obviously), personality, style, wishes, same parents, upbringing,... Yet they could have a different secondary gender.
Though, there are some that are more influenced by their secondary gender than others, and especially when you're nearing your heat as an Omega or rut as an Alpha, you'll show some... more distinctive features.
Besides an Omega being able to bear children and produce slick, they often get more caring. They're more in tune to noticing people's feeling. Still, this doesn't mean they're always soft and caring people, they could be the most cruel ones out there, since like said before, you're still you and this gender doesn't just change that.
Alpha's... alphas can make balloons. Their dick grow a balloon. Who would want that. That's stupid. It sounds painful too. He doesn't want to picture his dick inflating, like what the hell is up with that evolution??? …... Alright, they grow knots... is the official term. A knot to connect them to their partner to ensure all their sperm gets in, and stays in their partner.
He's not jealous. Why would he be jealous. He can bear babies. That's almost a miracle in its own. Popping out a human who's so big it will probably rip your butt apa- okay no, no, no thoughts of babies, or pups as many call them. He wants a pup. A puppy that is. Like Stefan. He's cute. He doesn't mind looking after a herd of puppies.
So yes. As many already guessed, I, Marco the Phoenix, first mate of the Whitebeard Pirates, am an Omega. Does he hate it? No, why would he? It doesn't change who he is. And while the Whitebeard Pirates don't discriminate on second gender, everyone gets the same chances here, he still gets pitying looks when he goes into heat. Or even before that, when people are shocked that he's an Omega when they get to know him.
That. That's what frustrates him. He's learned to live with it through the years, but why, why are people surprised by a secondary gender when it doesn't even really influence your personality that much. He barely has a smell, so being guessed to be a beta would be most logical. But just because he's strong and in a leading position, he'll always be named an alpha. And when he denies, they're flabbergasted by the news, asking if he's joking or lying. It always takes him going into a heat to convince the newbies of in. Besides that, they also get like 'ooh it get it!' when they see him actin as 'a mother hen'... he just takes care of his brothers because he loves them, not because he's an omega!
That's also another thing. The pitying looks when he goes into heat. Why are those there? Yes, he'll go into heat and he'll separate himself from the rest, lock himself in his room after making a nest and prepping lots of food and drinks, it usually only lasts 3 days for him and he makes the best of it. He's got toys, lots and lots of toys. And with all those strange inventions lately, he's pretty comfy in his heat, has a good time if he says so himself. He's not begging to be taken, he's just very horny and is easily able to take care of it himself.
The looks, pitying looks, shock him because, just like he'll go into heat, the alpha's go into rut. They grow a stupid balloon... knot. And just like him, get horny as hell. The only differences would be that while he himself wants to be filled up, the Alpha's want to be the one to fill something else up. Oh and they need to buy lube, poor souls, as an omega he just makes his own free lube, slicks himself up. Alpha's still need to prep a lot, they should get pitying looks, the poor bastards. He wonders how they pee too... Does the knot stay? Isn't it uncomfortable? Anyway!!! Their ruts also last a few days, most will also separate themselves in case they can't control themselves and try to fill up an unwilling person... or object... he's seen things on this ship he wished he never saw.
Every single omega on this ship seems to be better in control than the alpha's... maybe he should give them a look of pity next time when one goes in to rut. Yea. He should try that. See how they react.
So, to him, he's living a normal life. A normal male Omega life, being a pirate, surrounded by family, most family who are Alphas. Just a coincidence. They're still with about 100 Omegas in their crew, so it's not like he's alone.
But what really differentiates him from the others is not only his lack of smell, but also... lack of interest? Even when young, he's never cared for having an Alpha, a mate. You get better at controlling the urge to have a partner in heat the older you get, he's heard the stories from others, that in the beginning they, if not having had the protection of parents,… would have done things they would regret. But he? He never had that. His heat for him was just... a horny week. A week when he produces slick and has a good time by himself, nothing more, nothing less.
He also hears others talk about how intense some smells are from the alphas onboard, especially the stronger ones, like pops and the commanders. They say they're overwhelming. Sometimes when they had gotten angry (not at them, mostly at enemies) or tried to be intimidating, that it had even triggered their heat or instilled fear into them to act submissive. But he never noticed. He smells them, yes, but they're not harsh smells to him. Never once has he felt overwhelmed or intimidated. Not when he was young, and not now. Recently, a new Omega recruit even fainted when he got close to pops, it had taken weeks for the person to get used to him, be close and look pops in the eyes, ... He however liked pop's smell, it was soothing, protective of him and the others. It was... weird to him how others described it as intimidating and overwhelming.
That... that may be the thing why he sometimes felt like the odd one out. He had told his old man, and was reassured it didn't matter. Everyone loved him, he loved him as his son just as he was. It was nothing bad, maybe even a good thing, since he didn't get overwhelmed. Yet... he kind of wanted to know what it was like... to smell someone as they are. To feel that attraction, to want someone as his mate... The stories he heard when finding your true mate... they sounded like fairy tales. He had long given up on that by now though, finding the one for him, even if not really interested, and he wouldn't start something just for fun and giggles. There, in the back of his mind, was the tiniest sprinkle of hope that he would find someone to maybe share his heat with. Someone he could scent. Someone that, for once, would care for him and treat him as a real equal without any pity.
This is were I split the story up originally.
"Pops..."
"Isn't he a cutie..."
"AM NOT! YOU FREAKING OLD GOAT!! I'LL MURDER YOU AND HANG YOU BY YOU OWN INTESTI-"
"I don't think he likes being called cute-yoi..."
His captain blatantly ignored him and continued to hold the back of a yellow shirt between two fingers, "Who's a cute pup? Who's a cute pup? You are! Guarra-Oh, he's a little biter! Guarrararra"
God, his captain was just... a sigh left him as he watched their newest addition to the crew... or well kidnapped addition, dangle on Pop's finger, having a sturdy hold on said appendages with his teeth. He had a mean, a very mean look on his face that was almost as scorching as his flames, glaring at the old man as he was cooing over the much smaller captain, doing the classic 'coochie coochie coo!' as he wiggled his finger in front of the raven.
The firehazard was, by his right, not amused. He really should put a stop to this. This was abuse of power, even if his old man didn't mean it the wrong way.
"Pops. Stop it-yoi."
"But look at him, son! He's adorable!"
"Yes..." and he actually is, those freckles were very cute and he may think himself he's handsome, has a good body, those grey eyes were also very mesmeri- ahem, "and while you think that, pops. Ace doesn't seem to like it very much. You're also treating him like a kid." even if he kind of is, still being a pup and not having presented, "you don't like it when I treat you like a kid, right?"
"... no..."
"Then, just let him go and let him try to assassinate you and he can go be on his way to lurk around wherever."
"OI! DON'T BE SO CASUAL OF ME KILLING YOUR CAPTAIN!"
"Shush p- Ace. I'm trying to get you down on the floor-yoi." He needs to be careful, why does everyone call pups pups!? It's throwing him off, everyone calls Ace a pup even if he's a captain of his own and strong at that too. He doesn't want to be called by his gender, as if it's the only thing he's worth, so he won't do it to others.
"But he's so squishy adora-"
"Pops."
The old man looked sadly at the still fighting teen in his hand and slowly let him down. His eldest was right, as always... He wouldn't convince the pup to join him if he coddled him too much like this. After he joined though...
He swore he heard the tiniest of a 'thank you', from the raven as he instantly ran into the depths of their ship when he could. But it had happened so fast, he wasn't sure. "Thank you, pops-yoi. Do you want some porridge now?"
"... Yea... with sugar."
Marco smiled softly as his old man as he turned around, "Alright-yoi, I'll get you some.".
The act was repeated a few more times, Marco always stepping in between to get Ace out of being babied by the giant. At some point on, Ace even came to hide with him. Behind him or in his room, just chilling as if he owned the place because he knew he wouldn't be bothered.
The raven even thanked him, very politely. So polite, he had to re-check he wasn't dreaming. But he had thanked him, for treating him as... as Ace. And not as a pup just trying to get attention.
It had broken his heart a little, you shouldn't get thanked for treating someone as a normal person, and not as their secondary (non-existent) gender. Which he had also told the teen, who had then hurriedly scurried out when his cheeks started turning pink.
Marco didn't say it out loud, but he was very adorable indeed.
Months later Ace joined them, really joined them and showed everyone by getting a big tattoo on his back. A huge party was thrown for him and for the first time he did let himself be coddled by the old man, even if Marco did eventually go to save him when he saw it was getting too much.
"Marco!"
"hmm? Hi Ace-yoi. You like your party?" Marco smiled as he saw Ace approaching, a drink in one hand and a big piece of meat in the other. He must have stolen the drink though, since everyone was keeping him away from alcohol, because he was a pup.
"ithsfs goef-" the raven swallowed before trying again, "It's good! Everyone is nice, though..."
"Though?" He quirked a brow, "if anyone is giving you troub-"
"no no no no!" he waved his arms around, "it's just" a deep sigh left thin lips, "Many still call me pup."
Aah, right yep... even if he joined, to most he's still a pup. Though, Thatch and some other commanders did call him Ace now, but still often referring to him as a pup.
"I know I'm a pup but... I'm Ace, you know? Not... not just a pup... Can I sit next to you?"
He just patted the spot next to him, having been sitting on deck and leaning on the railing. He spoke when Ace had sat down. "I know. I'm sorry about it, Ace. I'll speak to them again about it, they shouldn't keep doing it if you don't like it, especially not now you've really joined. And like you said, you're Ace. Screw that you are a pup, and whatever gender you will be, first and foremost you're Ace-yoi. Portgas D. Ace. Super rookie from the east blue. Captain of his own crew that sailed through the seas at a speed no one saw before."
"... Thank you, Marco. You're nice. Always been nice to me and treated me normal."
Marco felt Ace lean against him, and he didn't push him away, even threw an arm around him and onto his shoulder to allow him to be against him and hold him.
"That's nothing to thank me for, Ace... Why don't you rest a bit, you look tired." he had noticed the teen often falling asleep at different places. It was probably due to exhaustion, not eating enough and not sleeping comfortable. Hopefully, it will get better soon.
Putting down his drink and finishing his food, Ace nodded and rested his head on Marco's shoulder, for some reason immensely comforted by the act. "You're... this is nice... You... smell good." he murmured the last words without even knowing what he actually said, he just knows he meant it, hopefully it was something nice.
Now that, that made Marco freeze, stopping his hand from rubbing over Ace's shoulder. Smell? He smelled …. good? There were two very big things wrong with that.
1. He didn't smell. Everyone told him he didn't smell. And if someone did, it was so little they said they couldn't even really comprehend what he smelled like, just that there was something.
2. Ace shouldn't be able to smell anything yet, or even sense his pheromones. He's a pup. They can't do that. He shouldn't be able to smell him at all even if he somehow had an overwhelming scent.
He slowly started caressing Ace's shoulder again as his mind made somersaults, ignoring the dribble of drool on him, he would need to watch the freckled youngest. If he started to sense pheromones... his presenting could be coming soon.
It was another day, a few months past Ace's joining, and he hadn't presented yet. Maybe it had just been drunken talk, or he liked his sweat smell... strange... but well, better than thinking he smelled bad.
"Marcoooooooooooooooooooooo~, I'm boooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeddd!"
A sigh left his lips and he put his quill back in the ink pot before turning his chair to his bed, looking unamused at the raven kicking legs in his bed, shirt fully forgotten ever since he got his tattoo.
"Don't you have paperwork-yoi?"
"Don't wanne do that!"
Another sigh followed, "Why not-yoi."
"That's boring!" he blurted out, "I'm trying to be NOT bored Marco! Can't we go flying, pleeeeeaaaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee??"
He should not have taken Ace flying on his back that one time. He had just done it because the teen had looked a bit down.
"You're a commander now, Ace. The paperwork is a part of that. Do you need help with something?"
"..."
He saw Ace pondering, maybe he was really just stuck on something.
"No... I'll do it later... don't want to bother you."
"It's okay if you have questions-yoi. You've not been a commander for long, it's normal that it's all new."
This time a sigh came from Ace and he turned on his belly, burying his head into his pillow, "I understaaaand, it's just so aaaaaaah, why do we have paperwork! We're pirates!"
Okay, he could agree with that, he had pondered over that a lot of times.
"Well, w- !!!" he quickly covered his nose with his hand, what the hell is this!?
"Marco?" Ace looked up concerned and moved on his bed, starting to sit up as he looked into his eyes.
This- what? It was coming from Ace. A strong smell of leaves? Fresh leaves? Flowers? Dirt? Forest???? was suddenly coming of the teen. It's as if he was standing on land, in the middle of a luscious green forest, but they weren't even close to land, and his window was close. "A-Ace, you- scent-"
"Scent?" He watched as Ace sniffed his own armpits but looked up strangely, "there's nothing? Or well not bad I think."
Did he, did Ace not smell anything, it was so strong he was almost tearing up a- no- this couldn't be. His eyes started to widen and he had to force himself to not look down or move his hands to feel. He just had his heat some weeks ago, he shouldn't be having one for atleast another f-
"Marco? Are you okay? You're sweating?"
Shit! When had Ace gotten in front of him???? Marco jumped up from his chair and backed away until his back hit the wall. "Stay there-yoi!" he yelled and held out one arm, still covering his nose with the other.
He watched as Ace stood still where he had been sitting two seconds earlier. He was concerned for him... how did he know that? He smelled that Ace was concerned for him, how!? What's happening!?
"Marco? What's wrong?" Ace spoke softly, trying not to make whatever was going on worse.
Together with Ace's words another wave of that strong smell hit him, the back of his mind was trying to tell him what it was, but right now he was more focused on the feeling he had slowly gotten used to through the years boiling inside him, his heat. He was going into heat.
"Leave-yoi."
"What?"
"Please, Ace. I-" he barely bit back a moan as he felt his insides starting to grow hot, as he felt slick starting to produce inside him and it trying to push its way out. There was no stopping it once it started, and Ace looked on more and more worried, stirring something in his mind and body. "Just- p-please. T-tell P-pops I'll-I'll be w-working in my room for the n-next three days."
"But- what? Marco? Don't I need to call a doctor, you really don't look go-"
"Ace." he tried to act as strong as possible and even tried a smile, "I'm fine. I-I'll be fine. Just tell Pops, he'll know what's up-yoi. And... don't enter here until I come out.", he saw Ace wanted to fight him on it, but to his luck he seemed to accept, albeit reluctantly.
"... okay... I'll... I'll tell pops."
He nodded and watched Ace walk out and close the door. With trembling legs, he made his way over and turned the key in the lock. As soon as he didn't hear footsteps anymore, he let himself drop to the floor, a long drawn-out moan on his lips as he relaxed his muscles and let the first droplets of slick leave his body. He felt these three days were going to be his longest yet.
HAHA look at me, leaving the next chapters out when it's probably the thing most look forward too, so mean of me hahaha.
Building anticipation! ... nah, I just haven't written it yet.
Next chapter will be Marco's heat and Ace's first rut.
Last chapter, or combined in the previous one, still have to figure it out, will be them together.
Kawaii_Chibi_Kai1, you asked for smut with Marco as an omega, you'll get it! Just you wait!
Side note, none of my works are abandoned! Don't worry! I won't leave anything unfinished, even if it's been a while since some have updated!