Vincent waited a moment before speaking. “He gets scared by himself sometimes, so when Moore has long shifts, Adrian hangs out here. If it's a problem, I can call Moore and he’ll find someone to take over the shift.”
“No, it’s okay. Adrian can stay.” It was too early, but it was okay.
“Glad to hear it. You are welcome to do almost anything. Watch TV, talk, and spend time outside. You are not to be at my feet, unless you are unsettled or bothered by something. Also, remember those colors if you need to use them.”
“Yes, Sir.” I stuffed a bite of egg in my mouth to keep thoughts from spilling out. I hated not being able to be at Vincent’s feet. It wasmyplace.
“No one will take your spot, Charlie. Adrian will never serve me. I’m a friend of his. Nothing more, nothing less. So don’t let those thoughts that swam through your mind take effect.”
“Sorry, Sir.” How he could read me so well was almost scary.
“I will make sure you get your time. But it’s also good to spend time with a friend. He can shed some light on how the world works outside of tall fences.”
I nodded once, the eggs sitting like a rock in my stomach.
I didn’t want my time to be spent with an Omega. I wanted it to just be Vincent and me, where I could sit at his feet and serve him.
“You are not to serve me until lunch.” That was an order, and although I hated those words spoken, I nodded once.
“Go find your friend. I have work to do. If either of you needs food or water, help yourself to it.” With that, Vincent left me in the kitchen. Alone.
I couldn’t remember the last time I ever wanted to cry because of my emotions. I was always able to keep my feelings under control, no matter how much someone hurt me. I was used to being hurt. Ether physically or with words.
So why did Vincent’s words make me feel so small and left out?
I sniffed once, then shoved every thought into the black box I kept buried deep, locked tight, sealed shut. Feeling nothing was safer than feeling everything. Omegas weren’t supposed to be emotional. That led to punishment. That led to beingnoticed.
I stayed exactly where Vincent had left me. Not a step out of place.
Adrian found me seconds later. Of course he did. I didn’t look at him. Just blinked myself out of the haze and turned toward the mess on the counter.
Breakfast cleanup. Easy. Familiar.
He stepped beside me like it was normal. I washed. He loaded the dishwasher.
Repeat.
We moved like muscle memory, efficient, silent, mechanical. Not a crumb was left.
But the tension between us? That stayed. Thick. Unspoken.
And I didn’t dare name it.
“Wanna go outside?” Adrian asked, all chipper and happy like he wasn’t intruding.
“Sure.”No.I dried my hands, then followed the Omega to the back porch. It felt like I was breaking every single rule by stepping over that threshold. My chest felt heavy as I closed the sliding door behind me.
Adrian was already sitting on a step, gazing out over the yard. Although I wanted to go back inside, I sat beside him.
“The view’s nice,” Adrian said.
“I guess,” I muttered, arms wrapping tight around my stomach. My fingers pressed into my sides enough to feel it, not enough to bruise.
“You don’t like it?” he asked, turning to face me, leaning back against the banister like he belonged there. “You used to talk about wanting a yard. Flowers everywhere.”
I nearly said something sharp. Something I’d never let myself say before. But I swallowed it down and took a breath.
I kept my eyes on the tree line, where the wind moved through the leaves like it didn’t care who was watching.
