Omega was not happy.
He angrily scrubbed at the illusion field generator, snarling and nearly breaking the equipment in the rough cleaning. What money they had, Omega had pilfered from patrols and travelers, and had no intention of using it unless he couldn’t steal or bully what they needed. Yet when Zero discovered the money, he had declared--declared! The brat didn’t even ask—he was going to check out the shopping area of the settlement.
It pissed Omega off Zero was so forward, and yet, that wasn’t what made him so angry. No, it wasn’t the fact Zero apparently grew balls last night to just say he was going to do something, and then he actually does it. What pissed Omega off so royally was he let him do it!
“Stupid…” Omega hissed as he angry threw the generator back into the bag. “You’re getting soft, Omega, and in more ways than one!”
Omega drew back his first, ready to strike the mirror he glanced at when his entire body froze. He choked, eyes widening for several tense seconds before he let out a deep breath and lowered his fist. He was getting worked up, nearly short-circuiting himself, for no damn reason.
No, he had a very good reason to be angry. Zero was pretending to be mature, trying to prove a point to Omega that could result in him getting hurt. He took Omega’s words, screwed them up somehow, and was now being an idiot. Worse yet, Zero was driving a wedge between them, and Omega hated barriers with a burning passion. Worse yet, this wasn’t the type he could find the generator and smash it to bits… this one he had to wait out or risk losing the thing he wanted.
And Omega never loses.
Thusly calmed, Omega snatched the other illusion field generator and cleaned it in a less abusive manner, his mind drifting to what the hell Zero would purchase, if anything.
An hour after Omega finished packing their things, Zero returned to the hotel room looking like a chastised child as he pulled down his cloak’s hood. When Omega stared at him, eyebrow raised, Zero dutifully dropped the bag of money in Omega’s hand. By the weight of it, he didn’t spend any of it.
“What did you do?” Omega asked, throwing the pouch into the bag.
“Walked around,” Zero mumbled. “They didn’t have much, and they tried to charge me extra because I’m a foreigner.”
“That’s to be expected. What were you trying to buy?”
Zero sighed. “A portable cleaner, so we don’t have to stop at settlements a lot.”
“Don’t like hotels, eh?”
Zero shook his head, adjusting his gloves nervously. Omega ignored the gesture, and decided to ignore Zero fully as well as he pretended to still be packing, checking drawers and the bathroom. Zero fidgeted in the silence, and Omega had to not smirk; the distance growing between them obviously bothered the smaller blond as well, and Omega fancied himself more patient than Zero about remedying it.
That’s it. It hit Omega like a thunderclap, and he froze in mid-step from exiting the bathroom, Zero giving him an odd look. That’s it! Make him miss you, don’t let him make you miss him!
He couldn’t help the smirk on his face then, which he hurried wiped off his face. Omega picked the bag off the floor and brushed past Zero, who hugged himself and turned to look at Omega.
Omega stopped at the door frame, not even looking over his shoulder. “Well? Let’s go, we need to make up time.”
He didn’t want for Zero to reply before moving, but he heard him scurry after him. If Omega knew anything about Zero, he wouldn’t last very long without Omega’s affection. He’ll get over himself soon if he wants it.
Omega did put on his own cloak before checking out, and when he stepped outside, even he had to appreciate the clean smell of the morning after a heavy rain. The human stink was pretty bad yesterday, now he felt a little more pleasant. Zero stood near him, his hood back up and clutched his cloak around his as if cold, but Omega didn’t try to hold his hand or put an arm around him, even as Zero moved a little closer to him. Omega wasn’t some emotional support beam Zero could use when he needed—he was his keeper and his alpha, not his shrink.
Luckily Omega was a much tougher customer, and with half of their money, managed to buy a banged up jeep to travel with. It only had half a tank filled, and it sputtered a lot, but it would put more distance between them and Neo Arcadia, and the next settlement Omega was sure he could get Zero to pull a sob story and garner enough pity to get the thing fixed. Who could resist these teary puppy eyes?
Omega, of course, as he was immune to all of Zero’s adorable, irresistible charms…
Zero apparently thought the jeep was the most amazing device ever created, having never ridden in a vehicle before to his memory. Despite his desire to ignore the brat, Omega couldn’t resist slamming his foot on the gas just to watch Zero nearly shriek in delight and throw his hands up, his hair whipping wildly behind him as they sped down a sand dune. They nearly plowed straight down into the sand below, but with Omega’s sudden new driving skills, they managed to pull up and the jeep bounced so much, Zero was jumbled up a few feet into the air and ended up landing in Omega’s lap.
Zero seemed rather content with that, and Omega didn’t bother with moving him either.
~*~
The jeep didn’t make it to the next settlement, but it got them out of the desert and into Dysis Forest, a half natural, half mechanical forest. Despite the fact it belonged to Neo Arcadia, the ruins some sort of natural prison, Omega figured them safe enough to ditch the jeep completely and continue traveling on foot. He did, however, disassemble the vehicle and kept as many of the valuable parts as possible—the next settlement might have better cars he could barter for.
He resumed his act of ignoring Zero, not initiating any affection unless Zero asked for it, verbally or with his body language, and Omega only indulged him sometimes. He had to learn not to look Zero in the eye when he refused, for all the time he spent with him, Omega disliked Zero’s tears. But until the boy finally realized the extent of his stupid distancing, Omega wasn’t going to reward him.
They did, however, set up camp early every day and began Zero’s training. Omega decided to start with the pistol to improve Zero’s general aim, especially as they came in contact with the bee-like sentries of the forest. The first hundred or so Zero missed and ended up stung, and Omega had to handle them himself, but his puppy wasn’t worthless in that he didn’t learn from his mistakes. Eventually Zero was becoming quite the sharpshooter, even finding the stupid bees before Omega did; some respect blossomed from Omega toward Zero, but he made sure to keep it to a minimum. After all, Zero was just a puppy.
When it was apparent Zero was mastering the pistol, Omega dreaded starting him on saber techniques. He did not want to risk Zero remembering… not now, not this far into the game, not when Omega wanted to keep him so badly. Zero was his, and those memories would take him away. Omega would lose him, and Omega never loses, especially not his puppy.
His tactic of ignoring Zero most of the time apparently was working. Zero seemed to spend those hours by himself thinking and re-evaluating his attitude, and has started to try and get Omega’s attention and affection more often now. He even stopped freaking out when Omega ‘surprised’ him with a random pet or kiss.
It began to rain in the forest during their sixth day in it, and Omega managed to construct a tent out of massive leaves and salvaged metal poles. Although neither Reploid could become sick from being drenched, the general discomfort of muddy ground was something Omega didn’t mind avoiding. However, he wasn’t a camping type, and by midnight Omega jerked awake to Zero’s wail of despair as he accidently flopped into a puddle that appeared in the middle of their makeshift tent, and shortly thereafter, the thing flooded. By morning, both blonds were caked in mud, in foul moods, and their extra clothing useless in the soaked bag.
Zero hated the unclean feeling as he trudged after Omega, his hands constantly brushing off patches of dried mud and he could feel twigs in the tail of his hair. He had noticed Omega’s lack of affection, and after his initial shock and hurt over it, realized he should have known it would happen. Zero fancied himself as knowing Omega pretty well, and as time went on, his theory was proven: Omega was waiting for him to get over his depression, but wasn’t going to help much. The boy couldn’t blame him, for (as hindsight was always 20/20) Zero recalled treating him badly. How could he do that to his keeper?
He wasn’t exactly over the feeling of being disgusting or ‘spoiled goods’ yet, but Zero saw how his training brought smiles to Omega’s face, and it gave him hope that even with his spoiled body, Omega still cared and, just maybe, would love him back. That bit of hope helped him shove back the fear of touch or closer intimacy, especially when he reminded himself Omega never harmed him in such a way, and never would. Zero was Omega’s puppy, his pet, his favorite and his only; so long as he kept that in mind, Zero’s spirits rose each day, as did his courage.
“Omega,” Zero whined, wincing slightly when his keeper growled but otherwise looked at him. “I can hear water running a few miles to the east… can we go in that direction? Please?”
“Why?”
“I feel filthy. A-and I can’t stand it.” Zero rubbed his upper arms as if cold, and Omega glanced toward the east.
“Filthy, eh?” Omega seemed to sneer. Zero winced again, and he felt like crying. Was Omega mocking him?
No. Don’t cry. He had to be strong in Omega’s eyes and earn his respect. Zero looked at Omega in the eye, although respectfully, and nodded. “Yeah… really gross. Can we?”
He must have done something right, as Omega looked right at him with a small smile before heading to the east. Elation made Zero’s steps light as he followed, his own smile growing. He will fix the distance he forced between them, and they’ll be back to normal again. He owed Omega that much.
~*~
Night had fallen by the time they found the spring Zero claimed to have heard, an almost perfectly round pool of water fed by a waterfall cascading down a cliff several feet high. The pool itself was surrounded by various night-blooming flowers, glistening platinum with water spray in the moonlight. The water itself was pure and clean, crystal-clear, and Zero was completely awestruck. It wasn’t completely natural, but not completely man-made either.
“Looks big enough,” Omega huffed behind Zero, who whirled around to face him. Omega gave him a long stern stare, hands on his hips. “Or are you going to demand and cry we bathe separately?”
Zero flushed, grasping his hands behind him. Other than the few times Omega demanded nudity while sleeping close to each other, he had not seen his keeper in the flesh in a long time. Truth be told, deep down, he missed their intimate moments…
“W-we can… together.” Zero murmured, blushing. Omega had to admire the brilliance of his skin in the moonlight, the blush almost fluorescent.
Omega lost his gruffness, smiling at Zero the way he used to, and Zero never felt lighter before. When Omega stepped forward to him, Zero covered the rest of the distance himself and embraced his keeper, pressing his cheek to Omega’s chest despite the muddy grime all over his vest. The moment suddenly felt so much more alive, some sort of veil being flung off and Zero could only breathe, his eyes closing as Omega’s arms finally encircled around him.
When Omega pushed Zero away slightly, the smaller blond whined, but he ceased the sound at the smile Omega gave him. It was gentle, softened further by the darkness and velvety moonlight, and it made Zero temporarily forget how to breathe. Why was he looking at him like that, that serene look, almost loving, almost…
Omega’s fingertips brushed along Zero’s forehead, brushing aside his hair before his lips descended, placing soft, careful kisses on the shorter blond’s forehead. The affection made Zero’s blush burn brighter, especially as Omega’s fingers gently trailed down the side of his face to his collar and the zipper of his vest. When he began to drag it down, Omega began purring in such a way that put Zero at ease instantly, his knees shaking, and Omega had barely touched him. While his keeper was never frighteningly rough, he had never been this careful, this seductively gentle before, and it made Zero melt, all of his fears washing out of him as the zipper came to its end and his vest fell open.
Omega’s purring became more of a deeper, more dangerous-sounding rumble, yet the danger only spiked Zero’s muddled mind and made him gasp, eyes wide as Omega pushed the vest off of him. Omega’s lips fell to his neck, kissing the collar before nuzzling the still protected flesh, making Zero tilt his head and begin to pant in anticipation, an eagerness he hadn’t felt in so long and missed. How he missed Omega’s touch…
Omega withdrew with a knowing smirk, his red eyes glittering like jewels in the light. His fingertips again brushed along Zero’s cheek, wiping off some of the day’s dirt. “Let’s get in the pool,” he murmured, his voice so low Zero had to strain to hear it.
“B-but Omega…”
“Shh,” Omega’s lips were suddenly brushing against Zero’s, and the smaller blond nearly fell to his knees at the contact. He had been kissing Omega for days, yet this touch made his knees nearly give out. “You said you felt filthy… and I know you meant in more ways than one.”
Zero averted his eyes in shame. Omega knew he wasn’t completely over it. “I… I…”
“Strip yourself, puppy. I’m going to clean you up, wash away the filth, and you won’t ever feel that way again.”
Zero’s breath caught in his throat and he stared at Omega with wide, trembling eyes. Despite the dark color, they were like shining gems in the moonlight, reflecting the light so beautifully that Omega nearly lost his self-control. But he meant what he said, and he stepped away from Zero and began to remove his own clothes nonchalantly.
Zero swallowed hard as he followed suit. Could he let Omega touch him like that again, without bursting into tears or feeling self-hatred? Could he even stand the thought?
Yes, you can. Zero thought as he caught sight of his keeper completely nude, embraced only in the night air and outlined in the moonlight. He’s going to keep you, claim you all over again, rejoice!
When both were naked, Omega jerked his chin toward the pool, and Zero turned around to face it, his entire body trembling. Despite the joy he felt deep down, that fear, that irrational terror began to gnaw at him as he stepped carefully into the spring. It came up to his waist, and when he sat on a cut stone step it came up to his shoulders. Omega followed after him, sitting on the same step behind him.
Zero tensed more as Omega’s hands dipped into the water then came up to dump a large scoop of water over his back and hair. He closed his eyes tightly, battling that stupid fear as his keeper’s gentle fingers began to wipe away the mud and grime from his back, picking out twigs from his hair, kneaded his muscles in an inviting manner. Slowly Zero relaxed, tilting his head back so Omega could wash the top of his head.
As his keeper did that, Zero washed off his arms and chest and legs, the mud filtering out of the pool over the edge to the larger lake below. When Zero was clean, he faced Omega, his hands clasped and under his chin, his arms tucked close.
Omega waded into the deeper section of the pool, letting Zero watch him wash himself. The droplets of spring water cascading down Omega’s lean, muscled chest glittered in the light, shining with an almost unearthly glow that accented Omega’s natural beauty. When he washed his hair and tossed his head back, diamonds were tossed into the air, and Zero was completely and utterly mesmerized.
By the time he realized Omega had approached him, he was being kissed, and Zero gasped against Omega’s lips. Omega’s strong arms embraced him again and when the kiss broke, Zero was left panting, his hands pressed against Omega’s slick chest.
“O-Omega, I…” Zero swallowed, eyes wide as he stared up at his keeper, his cheeks heavily red. “I… I don’t know, I just…”
“Listen to me,” Omega murmured, his lips dropping to Zero’s ear as he cradled the smaller blond close. Zero closed his eyes, clinging to him with a gentle moan as Omega’s voice washed over him, his breath tantalizing him.
“I know I haven’t been doing a good job keeping you safe, puppy. You don’t have to rub that in my face with this depression and fear of yours.” Omega’s hands ran up and down Zero’s back, soft splashes and softer touch making Zero tremble irresistibly against him. “But I won’t ever let you suffer like that again. No one will ever hit you again, ever violate you again. I won’t ever do those things to you, Zero, and you know that. Trust me.”
Omega kissed Zero’s ear, the tip of his tongue sneaking out to trace the edges of it. Zero’s breath hitched and he clung closer to Omega, the water’s buoyancy making his hips glide against Omega’s under the water.
“I swear I’ll protect you,” Omega’s whispering resumed, his voice husky and possessive, his hands slipping down to Zero’s waist and grasping his hips. He rubbed himself against Zero again, and the smaller blond moaned heatedly. “I’ll shelter you, provide for you, care for you… all you have to do is be mine forever, and I’ll give you everything… Zero.”
Zero gasped at the way Omega intoned his name, whispering it like that as he was held so close, touched so intimately. He gasped, his hands grasping Omega’s shoulders as his keeper’s hands cupped his bottom under the water, lifting him up slightly and Zero wrapped his legs around Omega’s waist, clinging to him as their hips pressed against each other’s.
“Omega,” Zero moaned, squeezing his eyes shut and tossing his head back as their hips grinded against each other. It felt so incredible. “Omega…! I…”
“Tell me you’re mine,” his keeper whispered, leaning Zero against the edge of the pool, using it as support. “Tell me you belong to me… and that you ache to be mine.”
“I love you,” Zero whispered, bringing his head back to press their foreheads together. “I love you…”
“Tell me, Zero.”
“I’m yours,” the smaller blond gasped, tears falling from his eyes and dripping into the spring water, the plink sound they made seemed to accent Zero’s words. “I belong to you… always you, forever you…” Zero sobbed and he kissed Omega desperately, his fear all but gone, replaced by desire and love. “Make me yours again, Omega, please.”
Omega hoisted Zero up higher against the edge of the pool and he kissed him in such a way Zero felt as if he were being devoured. Omega enveloped him completely and utterly, enfolding him into his being as he pushed forward and entered Zero’s body.
Sharp pain made Zero whine in protest into the kiss, yet his fear never flared up. Omega knew, was gentle and caring, and soon Zero did not even feel like there was a distinction between them. It was as if they were one being, and Zero never felt so wonderfully lost, his head whirling in a torrent of emotions.
The kiss broke and Omega moved, gently, eyes locked on Zero’s. He withheld his bestial desire to pound Zero into the wall, and held him close, foreheads together, their eyes unable to look away or close. Zero panted as the look he saw in those ruby depths, so possessive and dangerous, yet explicitly soft, caring. He didn’t have to say anymore, for Zero saw it all laid out before him as plain as the moonlight that shimmered off their moving, glistening wet bodies. Omega never was a man of words, but one of action and expression and motion.
A gliding thrust reached deep inside of him and Zero finally broke the eye contact and tilt his head back with a heavy, desire-laden moan. Omega’s lips pressed against under Zero’s chin, open-mouthed kisses along his neck and down to his chest as Zero arched his back, his hips pushing forward into another gentle, deep thrust that made the smaller blond see stars at the explosion of pleasure. He cried out as Omega hit that spot again, his lips and tongue teasing his left nipple, coaxing it to hardness before moving to the other, and Zero’s hands dove into Omega’s hair.
The water sloshed around them, the lapping sounds drowned out by Zero’s loud moans and cries along with Omega’s rumbling purrs and groans. His tongue ran all along Zero’s chest, licking up the droplets of water as he increased his speed, the water churning faster and noisier, splashing up onto the heated pair of bodies.
Zero’s wordless moans were broken with pants of Omega’s name, desperate declarations of his love and his mounting desire for more. He begged Omega, pleaded with him, tossed his head side to side as he all but melted against his keeper and offered himself to Omega again. Omega whispered soothing sweet gibberish, his body rocking against Zero’s and claiming him all over again, marking him physically and emotionally as his teeth gently latched onto Zero’s throat.
Zero’s hands clutched Omega’s hair as tension tightened his abdomen, an incredible and agonizing sensation he hadn’t felt in such a long time. Each thrust into him, each hit of that spot into him, each touch of Omega’s mouth against his skin made the tension grow more and more taunt, his body aching for release.
“Omega…” Zero whined loudly, gasping as Omega’s teeth again came down on his slightly but lovingly abused neck. “Omega, I’m… I’m…!”
“Not yet,” Omega groaned, lifting his head and kissing up to Zero’s ear. “Not yet… hold it. Come with me…”
Such a simple request nearly made Zero want to scream from his rapture, but he gritted his teeth and fought off the impeding release, clamping his muscles down on Omega and making his keeper let out loud moans of pleasure, causing him to thrust in harder. Zero was nearly mindless from the sensation, from the devouring craving for that tension to snap, but he withheld it and clung to Omega, crying out his name as tears streaked silvery trails down his glowing cheeks.
Finally Omega panted once, twice, then slammed into Zero’s trembling, inviting body with a roar of ecstasy. The moment Zero felt Omega’s warm essence fill him he screamed, burying his face in Omega’s hair as he let the tension shatter and his mind along with it, the astonishing feeling washing over him and robbing him of all senses except for the feel of Omega, the smell of him, the panting sounds of him. Their bodies held, tense against each other, Zero quivering as Omega cradled him close. Soon their muscles relaxed and they slipped further into the water until only their heads were above the water line.
When they could finally focus, their eyes locked, and neither could resist smiling. Happy tears spilled from Zero’s shining eyes and he threw his arms around Omega’s neck, whispering something hoarsely before their lips meshed together, Omega’s hold on him tightening and their eyes closing. Zero felt possessed, utterly and completely, and he would have it no other way. He belonged to Omega, always had, always will.
They slipped beneath the water, enraptured in the kiss and each other, forgetting the world above the water for now. Zero needed Omega’s strength, his possessive touch, and Omega craved Zero’s innocence and self. Under the water, away from even the moon’s all touching light, they embraced without a care, Zero offering himself and Omega taking as he desired. This was as it should have been all along, and neither would have it any other way.
<--- Previous Chapter Next Chapter --->
He angrily scrubbed at the illusion field generator, snarling and nearly breaking the equipment in the rough cleaning. What money they had, Omega had pilfered from patrols and travelers, and had no intention of using it unless he couldn’t steal or bully what they needed. Yet when Zero discovered the money, he had declared--declared! The brat didn’t even ask—he was going to check out the shopping area of the settlement.
It pissed Omega off Zero was so forward, and yet, that wasn’t what made him so angry. No, it wasn’t the fact Zero apparently grew balls last night to just say he was going to do something, and then he actually does it. What pissed Omega off so royally was he let him do it!
“Stupid…” Omega hissed as he angry threw the generator back into the bag. “You’re getting soft, Omega, and in more ways than one!”
Omega drew back his first, ready to strike the mirror he glanced at when his entire body froze. He choked, eyes widening for several tense seconds before he let out a deep breath and lowered his fist. He was getting worked up, nearly short-circuiting himself, for no damn reason.
No, he had a very good reason to be angry. Zero was pretending to be mature, trying to prove a point to Omega that could result in him getting hurt. He took Omega’s words, screwed them up somehow, and was now being an idiot. Worse yet, Zero was driving a wedge between them, and Omega hated barriers with a burning passion. Worse yet, this wasn’t the type he could find the generator and smash it to bits… this one he had to wait out or risk losing the thing he wanted.
And Omega never loses.
Thusly calmed, Omega snatched the other illusion field generator and cleaned it in a less abusive manner, his mind drifting to what the hell Zero would purchase, if anything.
An hour after Omega finished packing their things, Zero returned to the hotel room looking like a chastised child as he pulled down his cloak’s hood. When Omega stared at him, eyebrow raised, Zero dutifully dropped the bag of money in Omega’s hand. By the weight of it, he didn’t spend any of it.
“What did you do?” Omega asked, throwing the pouch into the bag.
“Walked around,” Zero mumbled. “They didn’t have much, and they tried to charge me extra because I’m a foreigner.”
“That’s to be expected. What were you trying to buy?”
Zero sighed. “A portable cleaner, so we don’t have to stop at settlements a lot.”
“Don’t like hotels, eh?”
Zero shook his head, adjusting his gloves nervously. Omega ignored the gesture, and decided to ignore Zero fully as well as he pretended to still be packing, checking drawers and the bathroom. Zero fidgeted in the silence, and Omega had to not smirk; the distance growing between them obviously bothered the smaller blond as well, and Omega fancied himself more patient than Zero about remedying it.
That’s it. It hit Omega like a thunderclap, and he froze in mid-step from exiting the bathroom, Zero giving him an odd look. That’s it! Make him miss you, don’t let him make you miss him!
He couldn’t help the smirk on his face then, which he hurried wiped off his face. Omega picked the bag off the floor and brushed past Zero, who hugged himself and turned to look at Omega.
Omega stopped at the door frame, not even looking over his shoulder. “Well? Let’s go, we need to make up time.”
He didn’t want for Zero to reply before moving, but he heard him scurry after him. If Omega knew anything about Zero, he wouldn’t last very long without Omega’s affection. He’ll get over himself soon if he wants it.
Omega did put on his own cloak before checking out, and when he stepped outside, even he had to appreciate the clean smell of the morning after a heavy rain. The human stink was pretty bad yesterday, now he felt a little more pleasant. Zero stood near him, his hood back up and clutched his cloak around his as if cold, but Omega didn’t try to hold his hand or put an arm around him, even as Zero moved a little closer to him. Omega wasn’t some emotional support beam Zero could use when he needed—he was his keeper and his alpha, not his shrink.
Luckily Omega was a much tougher customer, and with half of their money, managed to buy a banged up jeep to travel with. It only had half a tank filled, and it sputtered a lot, but it would put more distance between them and Neo Arcadia, and the next settlement Omega was sure he could get Zero to pull a sob story and garner enough pity to get the thing fixed. Who could resist these teary puppy eyes?
Omega, of course, as he was immune to all of Zero’s adorable, irresistible charms…
Zero apparently thought the jeep was the most amazing device ever created, having never ridden in a vehicle before to his memory. Despite his desire to ignore the brat, Omega couldn’t resist slamming his foot on the gas just to watch Zero nearly shriek in delight and throw his hands up, his hair whipping wildly behind him as they sped down a sand dune. They nearly plowed straight down into the sand below, but with Omega’s sudden new driving skills, they managed to pull up and the jeep bounced so much, Zero was jumbled up a few feet into the air and ended up landing in Omega’s lap.
Zero seemed rather content with that, and Omega didn’t bother with moving him either.
~*~
The jeep didn’t make it to the next settlement, but it got them out of the desert and into Dysis Forest, a half natural, half mechanical forest. Despite the fact it belonged to Neo Arcadia, the ruins some sort of natural prison, Omega figured them safe enough to ditch the jeep completely and continue traveling on foot. He did, however, disassemble the vehicle and kept as many of the valuable parts as possible—the next settlement might have better cars he could barter for.
He resumed his act of ignoring Zero, not initiating any affection unless Zero asked for it, verbally or with his body language, and Omega only indulged him sometimes. He had to learn not to look Zero in the eye when he refused, for all the time he spent with him, Omega disliked Zero’s tears. But until the boy finally realized the extent of his stupid distancing, Omega wasn’t going to reward him.
They did, however, set up camp early every day and began Zero’s training. Omega decided to start with the pistol to improve Zero’s general aim, especially as they came in contact with the bee-like sentries of the forest. The first hundred or so Zero missed and ended up stung, and Omega had to handle them himself, but his puppy wasn’t worthless in that he didn’t learn from his mistakes. Eventually Zero was becoming quite the sharpshooter, even finding the stupid bees before Omega did; some respect blossomed from Omega toward Zero, but he made sure to keep it to a minimum. After all, Zero was just a puppy.
When it was apparent Zero was mastering the pistol, Omega dreaded starting him on saber techniques. He did not want to risk Zero remembering… not now, not this far into the game, not when Omega wanted to keep him so badly. Zero was his, and those memories would take him away. Omega would lose him, and Omega never loses, especially not his puppy.
His tactic of ignoring Zero most of the time apparently was working. Zero seemed to spend those hours by himself thinking and re-evaluating his attitude, and has started to try and get Omega’s attention and affection more often now. He even stopped freaking out when Omega ‘surprised’ him with a random pet or kiss.
It began to rain in the forest during their sixth day in it, and Omega managed to construct a tent out of massive leaves and salvaged metal poles. Although neither Reploid could become sick from being drenched, the general discomfort of muddy ground was something Omega didn’t mind avoiding. However, he wasn’t a camping type, and by midnight Omega jerked awake to Zero’s wail of despair as he accidently flopped into a puddle that appeared in the middle of their makeshift tent, and shortly thereafter, the thing flooded. By morning, both blonds were caked in mud, in foul moods, and their extra clothing useless in the soaked bag.
Zero hated the unclean feeling as he trudged after Omega, his hands constantly brushing off patches of dried mud and he could feel twigs in the tail of his hair. He had noticed Omega’s lack of affection, and after his initial shock and hurt over it, realized he should have known it would happen. Zero fancied himself as knowing Omega pretty well, and as time went on, his theory was proven: Omega was waiting for him to get over his depression, but wasn’t going to help much. The boy couldn’t blame him, for (as hindsight was always 20/20) Zero recalled treating him badly. How could he do that to his keeper?
He wasn’t exactly over the feeling of being disgusting or ‘spoiled goods’ yet, but Zero saw how his training brought smiles to Omega’s face, and it gave him hope that even with his spoiled body, Omega still cared and, just maybe, would love him back. That bit of hope helped him shove back the fear of touch or closer intimacy, especially when he reminded himself Omega never harmed him in such a way, and never would. Zero was Omega’s puppy, his pet, his favorite and his only; so long as he kept that in mind, Zero’s spirits rose each day, as did his courage.
“Omega,” Zero whined, wincing slightly when his keeper growled but otherwise looked at him. “I can hear water running a few miles to the east… can we go in that direction? Please?”
“Why?”
“I feel filthy. A-and I can’t stand it.” Zero rubbed his upper arms as if cold, and Omega glanced toward the east.
“Filthy, eh?” Omega seemed to sneer. Zero winced again, and he felt like crying. Was Omega mocking him?
No. Don’t cry. He had to be strong in Omega’s eyes and earn his respect. Zero looked at Omega in the eye, although respectfully, and nodded. “Yeah… really gross. Can we?”
He must have done something right, as Omega looked right at him with a small smile before heading to the east. Elation made Zero’s steps light as he followed, his own smile growing. He will fix the distance he forced between them, and they’ll be back to normal again. He owed Omega that much.
~*~
Night had fallen by the time they found the spring Zero claimed to have heard, an almost perfectly round pool of water fed by a waterfall cascading down a cliff several feet high. The pool itself was surrounded by various night-blooming flowers, glistening platinum with water spray in the moonlight. The water itself was pure and clean, crystal-clear, and Zero was completely awestruck. It wasn’t completely natural, but not completely man-made either.
“Looks big enough,” Omega huffed behind Zero, who whirled around to face him. Omega gave him a long stern stare, hands on his hips. “Or are you going to demand and cry we bathe separately?”
Zero flushed, grasping his hands behind him. Other than the few times Omega demanded nudity while sleeping close to each other, he had not seen his keeper in the flesh in a long time. Truth be told, deep down, he missed their intimate moments…
“W-we can… together.” Zero murmured, blushing. Omega had to admire the brilliance of his skin in the moonlight, the blush almost fluorescent.
Omega lost his gruffness, smiling at Zero the way he used to, and Zero never felt lighter before. When Omega stepped forward to him, Zero covered the rest of the distance himself and embraced his keeper, pressing his cheek to Omega’s chest despite the muddy grime all over his vest. The moment suddenly felt so much more alive, some sort of veil being flung off and Zero could only breathe, his eyes closing as Omega’s arms finally encircled around him.
When Omega pushed Zero away slightly, the smaller blond whined, but he ceased the sound at the smile Omega gave him. It was gentle, softened further by the darkness and velvety moonlight, and it made Zero temporarily forget how to breathe. Why was he looking at him like that, that serene look, almost loving, almost…
Omega’s fingertips brushed along Zero’s forehead, brushing aside his hair before his lips descended, placing soft, careful kisses on the shorter blond’s forehead. The affection made Zero’s blush burn brighter, especially as Omega’s fingers gently trailed down the side of his face to his collar and the zipper of his vest. When he began to drag it down, Omega began purring in such a way that put Zero at ease instantly, his knees shaking, and Omega had barely touched him. While his keeper was never frighteningly rough, he had never been this careful, this seductively gentle before, and it made Zero melt, all of his fears washing out of him as the zipper came to its end and his vest fell open.
Omega’s purring became more of a deeper, more dangerous-sounding rumble, yet the danger only spiked Zero’s muddled mind and made him gasp, eyes wide as Omega pushed the vest off of him. Omega’s lips fell to his neck, kissing the collar before nuzzling the still protected flesh, making Zero tilt his head and begin to pant in anticipation, an eagerness he hadn’t felt in so long and missed. How he missed Omega’s touch…
Omega withdrew with a knowing smirk, his red eyes glittering like jewels in the light. His fingertips again brushed along Zero’s cheek, wiping off some of the day’s dirt. “Let’s get in the pool,” he murmured, his voice so low Zero had to strain to hear it.
“B-but Omega…”
“Shh,” Omega’s lips were suddenly brushing against Zero’s, and the smaller blond nearly fell to his knees at the contact. He had been kissing Omega for days, yet this touch made his knees nearly give out. “You said you felt filthy… and I know you meant in more ways than one.”
Zero averted his eyes in shame. Omega knew he wasn’t completely over it. “I… I…”
“Strip yourself, puppy. I’m going to clean you up, wash away the filth, and you won’t ever feel that way again.”
Zero’s breath caught in his throat and he stared at Omega with wide, trembling eyes. Despite the dark color, they were like shining gems in the moonlight, reflecting the light so beautifully that Omega nearly lost his self-control. But he meant what he said, and he stepped away from Zero and began to remove his own clothes nonchalantly.
Zero swallowed hard as he followed suit. Could he let Omega touch him like that again, without bursting into tears or feeling self-hatred? Could he even stand the thought?
Yes, you can. Zero thought as he caught sight of his keeper completely nude, embraced only in the night air and outlined in the moonlight. He’s going to keep you, claim you all over again, rejoice!
When both were naked, Omega jerked his chin toward the pool, and Zero turned around to face it, his entire body trembling. Despite the joy he felt deep down, that fear, that irrational terror began to gnaw at him as he stepped carefully into the spring. It came up to his waist, and when he sat on a cut stone step it came up to his shoulders. Omega followed after him, sitting on the same step behind him.
Zero tensed more as Omega’s hands dipped into the water then came up to dump a large scoop of water over his back and hair. He closed his eyes tightly, battling that stupid fear as his keeper’s gentle fingers began to wipe away the mud and grime from his back, picking out twigs from his hair, kneaded his muscles in an inviting manner. Slowly Zero relaxed, tilting his head back so Omega could wash the top of his head.
As his keeper did that, Zero washed off his arms and chest and legs, the mud filtering out of the pool over the edge to the larger lake below. When Zero was clean, he faced Omega, his hands clasped and under his chin, his arms tucked close.
Omega waded into the deeper section of the pool, letting Zero watch him wash himself. The droplets of spring water cascading down Omega’s lean, muscled chest glittered in the light, shining with an almost unearthly glow that accented Omega’s natural beauty. When he washed his hair and tossed his head back, diamonds were tossed into the air, and Zero was completely and utterly mesmerized.
By the time he realized Omega had approached him, he was being kissed, and Zero gasped against Omega’s lips. Omega’s strong arms embraced him again and when the kiss broke, Zero was left panting, his hands pressed against Omega’s slick chest.
“O-Omega, I…” Zero swallowed, eyes wide as he stared up at his keeper, his cheeks heavily red. “I… I don’t know, I just…”
“Listen to me,” Omega murmured, his lips dropping to Zero’s ear as he cradled the smaller blond close. Zero closed his eyes, clinging to him with a gentle moan as Omega’s voice washed over him, his breath tantalizing him.
“I know I haven’t been doing a good job keeping you safe, puppy. You don’t have to rub that in my face with this depression and fear of yours.” Omega’s hands ran up and down Zero’s back, soft splashes and softer touch making Zero tremble irresistibly against him. “But I won’t ever let you suffer like that again. No one will ever hit you again, ever violate you again. I won’t ever do those things to you, Zero, and you know that. Trust me.”
Omega kissed Zero’s ear, the tip of his tongue sneaking out to trace the edges of it. Zero’s breath hitched and he clung closer to Omega, the water’s buoyancy making his hips glide against Omega’s under the water.
“I swear I’ll protect you,” Omega’s whispering resumed, his voice husky and possessive, his hands slipping down to Zero’s waist and grasping his hips. He rubbed himself against Zero again, and the smaller blond moaned heatedly. “I’ll shelter you, provide for you, care for you… all you have to do is be mine forever, and I’ll give you everything… Zero.”
Zero gasped at the way Omega intoned his name, whispering it like that as he was held so close, touched so intimately. He gasped, his hands grasping Omega’s shoulders as his keeper’s hands cupped his bottom under the water, lifting him up slightly and Zero wrapped his legs around Omega’s waist, clinging to him as their hips pressed against each other’s.
“Omega,” Zero moaned, squeezing his eyes shut and tossing his head back as their hips grinded against each other. It felt so incredible. “Omega…! I…”
“Tell me you’re mine,” his keeper whispered, leaning Zero against the edge of the pool, using it as support. “Tell me you belong to me… and that you ache to be mine.”
“I love you,” Zero whispered, bringing his head back to press their foreheads together. “I love you…”
“Tell me, Zero.”
“I’m yours,” the smaller blond gasped, tears falling from his eyes and dripping into the spring water, the plink sound they made seemed to accent Zero’s words. “I belong to you… always you, forever you…” Zero sobbed and he kissed Omega desperately, his fear all but gone, replaced by desire and love. “Make me yours again, Omega, please.”
Omega hoisted Zero up higher against the edge of the pool and he kissed him in such a way Zero felt as if he were being devoured. Omega enveloped him completely and utterly, enfolding him into his being as he pushed forward and entered Zero’s body.
Sharp pain made Zero whine in protest into the kiss, yet his fear never flared up. Omega knew, was gentle and caring, and soon Zero did not even feel like there was a distinction between them. It was as if they were one being, and Zero never felt so wonderfully lost, his head whirling in a torrent of emotions.
The kiss broke and Omega moved, gently, eyes locked on Zero’s. He withheld his bestial desire to pound Zero into the wall, and held him close, foreheads together, their eyes unable to look away or close. Zero panted as the look he saw in those ruby depths, so possessive and dangerous, yet explicitly soft, caring. He didn’t have to say anymore, for Zero saw it all laid out before him as plain as the moonlight that shimmered off their moving, glistening wet bodies. Omega never was a man of words, but one of action and expression and motion.
A gliding thrust reached deep inside of him and Zero finally broke the eye contact and tilt his head back with a heavy, desire-laden moan. Omega’s lips pressed against under Zero’s chin, open-mouthed kisses along his neck and down to his chest as Zero arched his back, his hips pushing forward into another gentle, deep thrust that made the smaller blond see stars at the explosion of pleasure. He cried out as Omega hit that spot again, his lips and tongue teasing his left nipple, coaxing it to hardness before moving to the other, and Zero’s hands dove into Omega’s hair.
The water sloshed around them, the lapping sounds drowned out by Zero’s loud moans and cries along with Omega’s rumbling purrs and groans. His tongue ran all along Zero’s chest, licking up the droplets of water as he increased his speed, the water churning faster and noisier, splashing up onto the heated pair of bodies.
Zero’s wordless moans were broken with pants of Omega’s name, desperate declarations of his love and his mounting desire for more. He begged Omega, pleaded with him, tossed his head side to side as he all but melted against his keeper and offered himself to Omega again. Omega whispered soothing sweet gibberish, his body rocking against Zero’s and claiming him all over again, marking him physically and emotionally as his teeth gently latched onto Zero’s throat.
Zero’s hands clutched Omega’s hair as tension tightened his abdomen, an incredible and agonizing sensation he hadn’t felt in such a long time. Each thrust into him, each hit of that spot into him, each touch of Omega’s mouth against his skin made the tension grow more and more taunt, his body aching for release.
“Omega…” Zero whined loudly, gasping as Omega’s teeth again came down on his slightly but lovingly abused neck. “Omega, I’m… I’m…!”
“Not yet,” Omega groaned, lifting his head and kissing up to Zero’s ear. “Not yet… hold it. Come with me…”
Such a simple request nearly made Zero want to scream from his rapture, but he gritted his teeth and fought off the impeding release, clamping his muscles down on Omega and making his keeper let out loud moans of pleasure, causing him to thrust in harder. Zero was nearly mindless from the sensation, from the devouring craving for that tension to snap, but he withheld it and clung to Omega, crying out his name as tears streaked silvery trails down his glowing cheeks.
Finally Omega panted once, twice, then slammed into Zero’s trembling, inviting body with a roar of ecstasy. The moment Zero felt Omega’s warm essence fill him he screamed, burying his face in Omega’s hair as he let the tension shatter and his mind along with it, the astonishing feeling washing over him and robbing him of all senses except for the feel of Omega, the smell of him, the panting sounds of him. Their bodies held, tense against each other, Zero quivering as Omega cradled him close. Soon their muscles relaxed and they slipped further into the water until only their heads were above the water line.
When they could finally focus, their eyes locked, and neither could resist smiling. Happy tears spilled from Zero’s shining eyes and he threw his arms around Omega’s neck, whispering something hoarsely before their lips meshed together, Omega’s hold on him tightening and their eyes closing. Zero felt possessed, utterly and completely, and he would have it no other way. He belonged to Omega, always had, always will.
They slipped beneath the water, enraptured in the kiss and each other, forgetting the world above the water for now. Zero needed Omega’s strength, his possessive touch, and Omega craved Zero’s innocence and self. Under the water, away from even the moon’s all touching light, they embraced without a care, Zero offering himself and Omega taking as he desired. This was as it should have been all along, and neither would have it any other way.
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