Omega was watching him when Zero’s eyes slid open, dark and lifeless, but open all the same. He had taken a break behind a forgotten pile of scrap, holding Zero close again when at last his puppy woke up, two days after being healed.
He half expected Zero to start screaming, to start sobbing or freaking out; instead, when light and life came to Zero’s black eyes and he focused them on Omega’s face, registered himself being held close, Zero smiled.
“Omega,” Zero half-whispered, half-whined. “Did I… did I die?”
“If you did, you wouldn’t be seeing me, puppy, considering nothing can kill me.”
“A dream?”
“Reality too hard for you?”
Tears filled Zero’s eyes, as expected, but Omega still felt that strange sensation of almost… surprise? The boy clung to him, his body shivering despite the heat of the day, and his sobs grew as he realized he was indeed alive, out of hell and back in Omega’s arms where he so rightly belonged.
“I’m so sorry,” Zero sobbed into Omega’s chest. “I’m sorry! I… I got caught and I… oh god, I’m disgusting!” Zero jerked himself away, sitting up and staring down at himself, still in the robe, in horror. “They… they…!”
“I know,” Omega growled, the video returning to the forefront of his memory. “They gloated about it to me.”
“You know…” Zero whispered, then covered his face with his palms, his sobs increasing and his shoulders shuddering heavily. “Oh god I… I couldn’t do anything…” suddenly he wailed out loud, dropping his hands from his face and rubbing at his thighs through the robe, rubbing his arms, his chest. “I can still…! Omega, I-I…!”
Omega grabbed Zero’s wrists, growling deeply and making Zero cringe away from him slightly. “Stop that. You’re with me now and they’re dead; if they aren’t they will be soon.”
“Kill me,” Zero pleaded, and Omega actually recoiled at the pathetic begging voice. “I’m disgusting… not worth keeping anymore. Just kill me! I’m so… so…”
There was a time Omega loved to hear Zero beg, loved the vulnerable pathetic young boy he was. Yet this request flung guilt and rage into overdrive, and when Omega grabbed Zero by his forearms, Zero’s scream was one of fear and sharp pain.
“You want me to kill you?” Omega raged. He threw Zero to the ground and he stood, towering over him. Zero scrambled backwards, his body quaking at the angry look on Omega’s face. “If I wanted you dead I’d have left you there! If I wanted you dead I would have killed you months ago! If I wanted you dead I wouldn’t be on the fucking run with you, for you!”
He couldn’t help it—Omega ended his rant with a wordless scream of fury and whirled around, slamming his fist into the scrap heap and detonating it. Zero cried out, covering his face with his arms as the heap exploded. When the light and noise stopped, Omega was snarling back at him.
“No, I won’t fucking kill you,” Omega growled. “I got you out of there, I got you healed up, so I can keep you. And if I catch you trying to do something stupid like suicide, I swear to whatever higher power there is, Zero, I’ll fucking beat you within an inch of your life!”
“O-Ome—”
“Don’t talk to me like that! I don’t want to hear it… you’ve seriously just pissed me off! Get… get over there,” Omega pointed to another scrap pile, twenty feet or so away, “Stay there, hide yourself until I calm down. If you come near me when I don’t call for you, so help me Mother Elf, I’ll hit you.”
Zero whimpered but scrambled away, nearly tripping in his rush to get away from Omega, who turned his fury onto the junk. Zero dove behind the heap, pulling his knees up to his chest and clamping his hands over his ears as Omega’s enraged screams only further drove the point he was nothing but a burden to his beloved keeper. Rivers of tears streaked down Zero’s face as he buried it into his knees, trying to keep his sobs as quiet as possible. For once ever since waking up from his century-long sleep, he did not want Omega’s attention.
Omega spent over an hour destroying anything he got his hands on, even one of Zero’s extra helmets found its end between Omega’s palms, crushed to an irreparable state. By the time he felt remotely calm, the area around him was littered with broken trash and craters from releases of destructive energy, the only pile of scrap left untouched was the one Zero cowered behind.
Omega glanced over there, seeing Zero still crying and trembling. Once more guilt gnawed at him… after all Zero went through, was he really all that surprised at the boy’s request? Yet somehow Zero always brought out Omega’s rage, all of his hatred—yes, in that moment of anger, Omega hated Zero—but now, he was starting to think he went too far.
If you weren’t incompetent, we wouldn’t be in this situation. Omega’s mind scolded.
Shut the fuck up.
“Zero!”
Zero jumped, lifting his head and glancing at Omega with wide eyes. The taller blond motioned to him, and Zero took his time rising to his feet and scuffling over. Once within reach, Omega stepped forward and wrapped his arms very carefully, very gently, around Zero and pressed Zero’s face against his chest.
“I didn’t mean it,” Omega rumbled. “About hitting you. I never hit you before; I got no reason to start now.”
“I…”
“You’re not disgusting, Zero. You just got hurt. We all eventually do. So quit thinking that, quit crying. We’re together now, and I don’t have to follow rules now, so I’ll do whatever I can to make sure that… incident doesn’t happen again.” Omega tilted Zero’s head up to look at him. “Do you still trust me, puppy?”
Zero swallowed, yet despite the fear, he did. “Yes.”
“… still love me?”
Zero’s heart skipped. “Y-yes. I love you, I…”
“Then quit being scared. I’ll take care of you, like I always have. But let’s move,” Omega let him go, stepping toward the bag carrying their few belongings.
“Omega!” Zero’s voice made him turn, and Zero stepped toward him, black eyes glistening. “Omega, please, could you… could you kiss me? Please, I…”
When Omega smiled, Zero felt as if his threats earlier never happened. When Omega pulled him close and kissed him, that same searing, sweet hot taste filling Zero’s senses, it was as if he never was raped. Omega made it all better… Omega would protect him.
When Omega pulled back, his eyes widened as Zero surged forward, kissing him again, clinging to him. Omega felt Zero’s emotional needy state, felt a bit annoyed by it, but he let his puppy kiss him as needed. If it kept Zero sane, kept Zero alive, then whatever.
Zero finally pulled away, whispering, “Thank you.”
Omega turned, picking up the bag. He put an arm around Zero’s shoulders. “Let’s go, puppy.”
~*~
Despite Omega’s words, Zero still felt incredibly defiled each time he tried to go to sleep. Even curling up to Omega at night, secure in his arms, Zero still felt apprehension and barely got any rest. He expected unwanted hands to yank him up, rip his clothing off and violate him at any minute. He hated the feeling, the fear, the weakness, and tried so hard to purge it from himself. He tried not to think about it, tried to focus solely on Omega, on what he said. Zero noticed Omega was a lot touchier, always having a hand on him whenever possible, and Zero tried to focus on the wonderful sensations of such contact. Yet when Omega would touch him without Zero noticing his hand moving, he’d jump, cringe away… once he had to bite his tongue to avoid screaming. He knew Omega wouldn’t hurt him, but it was just so…
He knew it upset him, but Zero refused to have sex with Omega. Each time his keeper purred into his ear when they laid down, each seductive look was deflected, and Zero begged not to do it. The young blond was ever grateful he was blessed with a strict, but caring keeper, and Omega might huff or seem offended, but he never forced Zero into sex. He would, at times, demand they be naked at least while cuddling, and although it made Zero incredibly uncomfortable, he compromised. Omega also suffered from this incident, and as one of the ways he used to try and get over it, Zero reminded himself of that fact many times; Omega wanted him still, wanted him alive, and Zero’s depression was hurting him. He had to get over it… somehow, soon.
Zero saw Omega’s hand move, and so he was relaxed when it lightly stroked his arm, up to his shoulder before petting his hair as they idly sat in the sunlight. They had come across a completely natural forest, something that brought shock and awe to both Reploids. Omega had seen what looked like a settlement a few miles ahead, but he knew better than to waltz in. He would hide Zero, wait until night, and scout it out. If it was safe enough, he would bring his puppy and they would spend the night in a somewhat decent place for once. Zero’s robe had long been replaced by his armor, the cloth too dirty and smelly to wear anymore, and their equipment was becoming clogged. They needed a clean place to recuperate before moving on.
Moving on to where, though, was the ultimate question. Omega idly petted Zero’s head, eventually lulling the boy to rest his head on Omega’s shoulder. He had no idea where the hell they were going, if there even was a destination at all; it was almost Omega’s nature to roam wherever he wanted, however far he wanted, but he knew it wasn’t exactly in Zero to do so. The boy needed a home until he was a little more mature, and as his keeper, Omega was supposed to provide that home.
Omega frowned to himself as Zero eventually fell asleep against him, one arm around the smaller blond as the other rested in his lap. Somehow he went from being Zero’s world and fuck buddy to provider and complete care-taker. Granted, Omega always viewed himself as a sort of care-taker for Zero since taking him in, but he never thought it would blow up to this proportion, where he saw it as his duty to provide. But he and Zero were now a little pack of two, with Omega as the alpha head, and the leader always provided for those below him, if he planned to keep his pack functioning.
That mentality of his only pissed Omega off each time Zero still feared his touch, cringing away from him like a skittish kicked pup. It wasn’t Omega who raped Zero with several others, who punched and kicked him while ripping him apart from the inside, why the hell did Omega had to put up with the attitude? Why did he have to deal with it? If he wanted something from Zero, he had the right to take it!
Which makes you no better than those men.
So help me Mother Elf, SHUT UP!
Omega jerked his hand from Zero’s hair before balling it into a shaking fist. It wasn’t Zero’s fault he was like this, it was Weil’s. Weil and all the others who sought to take Zero from him. Whose business was it, really, what they did? They can have their stupid war, their fucked up ideals… all Omega wanted was his freedom and his puppy, and Zero only wanted Omega. It seemed everyone was opposed to that.
Too damn bad.
It makes sense why they’d be opposed to it. Two of the most powerful Reploids frolicking around without chains around their necks? His mind sneered. Besides, he’s no longer giving you what you want. So why do you keep him?
He’s mine.
And you can find a replacement easily. You no longer have a house for him to care for, and he isn’t spreading his legs for you, yet you’re not willing to make him do it. So why bother?
Omega drew a blank, his inner voice, for once, silencing him. He looked down at Zero, sleeping so peacefully against him, his pretty little face serene. Zero was powerful, yes, but he had no idea how to use that power… Omega would dominate him easily, take what he wanted, drag Zero everywhere he wanted, and do what he wanted.
No. Omega uncurled his fist and resumed petting Zero’s hair, leaning his cheek against Zero’s forehead. He didn’t know why, but a part of him was disgusted at the mere idea of handling Zero like that. If it was anyone else, he’d have no second thought… he was the God of Destruction, after all. Who was the little boy, with his pretty little face, to tame him?
No, not tamed. Simply made to care, and Omega had no idea why, especially considering this brat had exiled him a hundred years ago.
That Zero is dead; this is my Zero.
Simple logic was the best kind in Omega’s mind as he closed his eyes. He was over thinking things, and meaning was being lost in the process. He just needed to rest for a little while.
When Omega opened his eyes, the sun was setting, and Zero himself was stirring awake. The taller blond glanced around quickly before gently pushing Zero off of him and standing, Zero glancing up at him in that adorable, tired way of his.
“I’m going to scout that settlement…” Omega crossed his arms over his chest. He shouldn’t do it, but… “You need to stay here.”
That snapped Zero to full alertness. “N-no, Omega…!”
“Ten minutes, puppy. I’m just making sure they aren’t a Neo Arcadian outpost.”
“B-but… but Omega…” Zero whined, reaching for him.
Omega turned out of Zero’s reach. Hurt or not, Zero could not get it in his head he could cling to Omega every time he was upset—even puppies had to mature into proper wolves eventually. “I’m going. I’ll come get you later.”
“Don’t leave me alone, Omega, please!” Zero reached again, grabbing Omega’s wrist.
Omega shook him off. “Don’t cling to me only when it’s your convenience, Zero. I understand why you’re scared, but you know, you have to help me out too. This isn’t home, where I can do all the work and you can fuck around. We’re out in the world where no one gives two shits about us, and I can’t be the only one doing shit! Stand up, Zero; I want to keep you, but I need a reason to. Prove to me you’re worth bothering with anymore.”
Zero cringed away from Omega, releasing him as if he were slapped. Omega did not regret his words, however, and he turned away to begin the trek to the settlement. It would take longer than ten minutes to get there, scout, and get back, even while dashing. Omega hoped Zero would think rationally over what he said… and not do something completely, utterly fucking stupid.
Zero watched Omega dash away toward the settlement, and he bit his lower lip to stop the tears that wanted to well up. Omega’s words, ringing true, had sliced right to Zero’s heart, and he wasn’t sure if it’ll stop bleeding any time soon.
“Prove to me you’re worth bothering with anymore.”
The small blond pressed his hands against his chest, finding it hard to breathe suddenly. He was becoming useless, he was becoming a burden! Omega had stated it plainly to him… Zero wasn’t just thinking depressing things, it was all true!
A soft sob left Zero’s lips, but still he withheld the tears as his hands gripped his vest. Prove he was worth it? How could he do that? He couldn’t fight off the Resistance… he couldn’t fight off the soldiers… Was really all he good for was a quick screw? Was he that useless?
Was this Omega’s way of telling him to start sleeping with him again? Is that all he was to his keeper, to the man Zero loved more than anything? No, that couldn’t be it, Omega was gorgeous enough to get whoever he wanted, and Zero wasn’t worth saving once, let alone twice. Omega had to care… but he couldn’t drag around dead weight, which is what exactly Zero was now.
Zero always had to hide, had to wait for Omega. If he could just defend himself… if he was stronger…
Maybe he should ask Omega to train him? Perhaps Omega was waiting for Zero to gather the courage and will to ask, to go through with it? Omega could be patient, but Zero could see, especially now, having a defenseless brat follow him around could cost more than just a house…
Zero swallowed. He’d get stronger. Prove himself to Omega… prove he was worth having around. Worth keeping.
And maybe worth loving.
~*~
Omega was alarmed when he returned to the place he left Zero to find the tree branches slashed and burned on the ground. The large tree they were leaning against bore heavy scars of saber slashes and scorched impact marks of pistol shots, and Omega nearly dropped the pilfered clothes and cloaks. Fear, guilt, anxiety, all the feelings Omega hated with a passion burst in his chest and left him out of breath.
I was gone maybe three hours! He raged as he looked around, seeking a sign to where Zero was. Were we followed? Were they waiting for me to leave? Goddammit!
The ringing slash of a beam saber echoed through the woods, and Omega dropped his items and dashed toward the source. Whoever touched his puppy was going to pay in blood…
Omega skidded to a stop and drew his saber, deflecting the attack that came at him as he broke the line of bushes. Shocked and terrified black eyes met his flashing red ones, and Omega barely held back his combat programming when he realized the attacker was none other than Zero.
“O-Omega!” Zero immediately deactivated the saber, lowering it. “I’m sorry, you scared me!”
“For the love of all that’s fucking holy…” Omega breathed. “I thought you got abducted!”
Zero had the audacity to pout. “You left me with weapons that I know how to use. I can fend for myself!”
Omega quirked an eyebrow. “That so?”
Zero lowered his eyes, a blush coloring his cheeks. “F-for the most part…” Zero blinked, and then glanced up back hurriedly, as if he just remembered something. “Hey, O-Omega… I have a combat program, but without real knowledge of how to use it, it’s useless but… but since we’re on the move constantly anyway, maybe you could… train me?”
Omega was about to make a sarcastic retort, which he intended to follow up with a ‘fine’ when a thought hit his mind. Zero lived for fighting. He’ll remember if he fights.
“I don’t—”
“Please!” Zero stepped forward, pressing his right hand against his chest. “I can’t just stand on the sidelines and let you protect me all the time! I obviously used to be very strong, and it’s probably because of you! Train me again, Omega, let me fight next to you instead of cowering! I… I don’t ever want to be raped again…” his hand gripped his vest, and he unknowingly released tears as he thought of those terrifying hours in the hands of those soldiers. “And… and I know I can’t always expect you to save me… I have… I have to be able to fight. So I won’t ever suffer like that again!”
“You won’t,” Omega growled. “I won’t let it ever happen again.”
“O-Omega…”
“I’ll think about it.” Omega turned, crossing his arms over his chest. “… but I’m glad you’re finally thinking on your own, at least.” With those words, Omega began to move back toward the large tree they had camped up against to grab their things. “C’mon, the settlement’s a mixed place; I already got us a room booked.”
Zero holstered the saber in the sheath on his thigh, jogging after Omega. Simply asking him made Zero feel better, and he fervently hoped he would say yes.
~*~
Zero wasn’t sure if he should be heartbroken or touched when he entered the hotel room and saw the two beds. Omega carelessly flung their belongings onto the floor between the beds, sitting ungracefully on the one closest to the door and began to remove his boots. Zero moved over to the other one, following suit, and Omega did not reprimand him; he had purposely picked a room with twin beds, as opposed to one.
Zero picked up the new set of night clothes Omega had given him, trying not to grimace. He loved Omega and his endearments, but Zero never expected Omega would get him a set of pajamas with actual puppy designs on it. He stared at the pale blue clothes for several seconds before grabbing them and dashing to the bathroom, closing the door with an embarrassed slam.
Omega stripped out of his armor, taking it to the automated cleaner in the corner of the room. After a moment’s thought, he grabbed a pair of boxers and pulled them on, mentally growling at himself. He kept himself ‘decent’, got this room and extra clothes just for Zero’s comfort.
Why did he care? Zero belonged to him, willingly or not, and anything Zero could offer was Omega’s for the taking. Yet each time he thought that, of simply pinning Zero to the nearest wall and taking his pleasure, a shot of revulsion at himself would spear him. He knew, with time and patience, Zero would willingly come to him again… but did Omega really want to bother with the wait?
Was Zero really worth that effort of keeping his rage, his desire, in check? Something told him yes. Something told him no.
Omega opted to do nothing. Seemed like the sanest choice; don’t get angry, don’t touch him. Right now finding a place to call home was top priority, and making sure Zero didn’t stab himself on purpose.
Aren’t you going to help him with his problem?
It’s his problem to get over. Not mine.
Omega cared for the Zero’s sanity, but this was something the boy had to face himself. If he was serious about learning to be stronger, he had to do it in all aspects, not just in terms of fighting.
Bah. I sound like a parent.
Or a very concerned mate.
Shut up.
Zero emerged from the bathroom, his arms full of his dirtied armor. His black eyes scanned the room, pausing on Omega’s nearly naked form and lightly blushing before locating the cleaner and hurrying to it. He put his armor in and flicked the machine on, then peeked out the nearby window.
“Wow,” he muttered. “It’s raining pretty heavily.”
Omega tilted his head, only now hearing the heavy downpour. He was so absorbed in his thoughts he hadn’t noticed… and that was dangerous. “Good thing we found this place.”
“Yeah,”
The conversation died, and Omega flopped onto his bed, folding his arms under his head and resting a leg on his propped up knee. Zero continued to stare out the window; although it was too dark to see the rain, and there was no thunder or lightning, there was something about the sound of the downpour that was just… soothing.
Eventually Zero heard the deep, rumbling breathing that indicated Omega had fallen asleep, and he glanced at his keeper forlornly. He had ended up on his side, slightly curled up, as if trying to curl around something…
A frown came to the smaller blond when he realized he probably could fit perfectly against Omega’s front, and he was depraving Omega of a simple comfort just because he was selfish. Yet no matter how much Zero beat himself up over it, his heart would quicken, his breathing would become painful and he felt like sobbing each time he felt Omega’s arousal against his backside, and he couldn’t rightly blame Omega for getting excited.
You’re so pathetic. Zero told himself as he quietly moved away from the window to his bed, miserable. He climbed into the bed, under the covers, and yet he felt cold and alone not in Omega’s arms.
Pick one or the other!
Indecision and desperation made a small sob escape Zero’s throat, and he held his breath and buried his face into his pillow. Omega’s deep breathing went on uninterrupted, and Zero slowly exhaled.
He really was pathetic.
~*~
When morning came, Omega was the first one awake, his eyes flying open as the sun rose and gently filled the room with its light. His arms flexed, and his eyes slowly traveled to the other bed. Zero remained in it, curled up in a tight ball and looking miserable, and yet he stayed over there out of Omega’s arms.
Something about the scene made Omega frown, and he sat up, glaring at the still sleeping boy. What was his problem? Couldn’t he tell the difference between friend and foe, or was he so damn pathetic and short-sighted he clumped everyone under one category just because he got hurt?
You’re just upset he rejected you.
Omega snarled, but he also knew it was true. He did not like being apart from Zero, in any sense. Yet at the rate it was going, Zero was going to drive himself away if Omega didn’t do something.
But what was he supposed to do? Coddle Zero? Repeatedly tell him it was okay? Omega did not coddle anyone, and it certainly wasn’t okay to be the way he was! It would be so much easier if the brat just let Omega show him affection again… but Omega couldn’t bring himself, damn his mind, to force it!
Omega did not like this feeling of separation, of losing something. He didn’t like the idea Zero would eventually either just leave him completely, or his depression will drive him over the side of the nearest cliff. Omega wanted him, wanted to keep him, practically…
No. That’s not right.
Of course not.
Omega glared at Zero, yet he still let out a low whine. He wanted his puppy back, normal and bubbly as always, was that so bloody much to ask?
Weil will pay for this. I swear it.
<--- Previous Chapter Next Chapter --->
He half expected Zero to start screaming, to start sobbing or freaking out; instead, when light and life came to Zero’s black eyes and he focused them on Omega’s face, registered himself being held close, Zero smiled.
“Omega,” Zero half-whispered, half-whined. “Did I… did I die?”
“If you did, you wouldn’t be seeing me, puppy, considering nothing can kill me.”
“A dream?”
“Reality too hard for you?”
Tears filled Zero’s eyes, as expected, but Omega still felt that strange sensation of almost… surprise? The boy clung to him, his body shivering despite the heat of the day, and his sobs grew as he realized he was indeed alive, out of hell and back in Omega’s arms where he so rightly belonged.
“I’m so sorry,” Zero sobbed into Omega’s chest. “I’m sorry! I… I got caught and I… oh god, I’m disgusting!” Zero jerked himself away, sitting up and staring down at himself, still in the robe, in horror. “They… they…!”
“I know,” Omega growled, the video returning to the forefront of his memory. “They gloated about it to me.”
“You know…” Zero whispered, then covered his face with his palms, his sobs increasing and his shoulders shuddering heavily. “Oh god I… I couldn’t do anything…” suddenly he wailed out loud, dropping his hands from his face and rubbing at his thighs through the robe, rubbing his arms, his chest. “I can still…! Omega, I-I…!”
Omega grabbed Zero’s wrists, growling deeply and making Zero cringe away from him slightly. “Stop that. You’re with me now and they’re dead; if they aren’t they will be soon.”
“Kill me,” Zero pleaded, and Omega actually recoiled at the pathetic begging voice. “I’m disgusting… not worth keeping anymore. Just kill me! I’m so… so…”
There was a time Omega loved to hear Zero beg, loved the vulnerable pathetic young boy he was. Yet this request flung guilt and rage into overdrive, and when Omega grabbed Zero by his forearms, Zero’s scream was one of fear and sharp pain.
“You want me to kill you?” Omega raged. He threw Zero to the ground and he stood, towering over him. Zero scrambled backwards, his body quaking at the angry look on Omega’s face. “If I wanted you dead I’d have left you there! If I wanted you dead I would have killed you months ago! If I wanted you dead I wouldn’t be on the fucking run with you, for you!”
He couldn’t help it—Omega ended his rant with a wordless scream of fury and whirled around, slamming his fist into the scrap heap and detonating it. Zero cried out, covering his face with his arms as the heap exploded. When the light and noise stopped, Omega was snarling back at him.
“No, I won’t fucking kill you,” Omega growled. “I got you out of there, I got you healed up, so I can keep you. And if I catch you trying to do something stupid like suicide, I swear to whatever higher power there is, Zero, I’ll fucking beat you within an inch of your life!”
“O-Ome—”
“Don’t talk to me like that! I don’t want to hear it… you’ve seriously just pissed me off! Get… get over there,” Omega pointed to another scrap pile, twenty feet or so away, “Stay there, hide yourself until I calm down. If you come near me when I don’t call for you, so help me Mother Elf, I’ll hit you.”
Zero whimpered but scrambled away, nearly tripping in his rush to get away from Omega, who turned his fury onto the junk. Zero dove behind the heap, pulling his knees up to his chest and clamping his hands over his ears as Omega’s enraged screams only further drove the point he was nothing but a burden to his beloved keeper. Rivers of tears streaked down Zero’s face as he buried it into his knees, trying to keep his sobs as quiet as possible. For once ever since waking up from his century-long sleep, he did not want Omega’s attention.
Omega spent over an hour destroying anything he got his hands on, even one of Zero’s extra helmets found its end between Omega’s palms, crushed to an irreparable state. By the time he felt remotely calm, the area around him was littered with broken trash and craters from releases of destructive energy, the only pile of scrap left untouched was the one Zero cowered behind.
Omega glanced over there, seeing Zero still crying and trembling. Once more guilt gnawed at him… after all Zero went through, was he really all that surprised at the boy’s request? Yet somehow Zero always brought out Omega’s rage, all of his hatred—yes, in that moment of anger, Omega hated Zero—but now, he was starting to think he went too far.
If you weren’t incompetent, we wouldn’t be in this situation. Omega’s mind scolded.
Shut the fuck up.
“Zero!”
Zero jumped, lifting his head and glancing at Omega with wide eyes. The taller blond motioned to him, and Zero took his time rising to his feet and scuffling over. Once within reach, Omega stepped forward and wrapped his arms very carefully, very gently, around Zero and pressed Zero’s face against his chest.
“I didn’t mean it,” Omega rumbled. “About hitting you. I never hit you before; I got no reason to start now.”
“I…”
“You’re not disgusting, Zero. You just got hurt. We all eventually do. So quit thinking that, quit crying. We’re together now, and I don’t have to follow rules now, so I’ll do whatever I can to make sure that… incident doesn’t happen again.” Omega tilted Zero’s head up to look at him. “Do you still trust me, puppy?”
Zero swallowed, yet despite the fear, he did. “Yes.”
“… still love me?”
Zero’s heart skipped. “Y-yes. I love you, I…”
“Then quit being scared. I’ll take care of you, like I always have. But let’s move,” Omega let him go, stepping toward the bag carrying their few belongings.
“Omega!” Zero’s voice made him turn, and Zero stepped toward him, black eyes glistening. “Omega, please, could you… could you kiss me? Please, I…”
When Omega smiled, Zero felt as if his threats earlier never happened. When Omega pulled him close and kissed him, that same searing, sweet hot taste filling Zero’s senses, it was as if he never was raped. Omega made it all better… Omega would protect him.
When Omega pulled back, his eyes widened as Zero surged forward, kissing him again, clinging to him. Omega felt Zero’s emotional needy state, felt a bit annoyed by it, but he let his puppy kiss him as needed. If it kept Zero sane, kept Zero alive, then whatever.
Zero finally pulled away, whispering, “Thank you.”
Omega turned, picking up the bag. He put an arm around Zero’s shoulders. “Let’s go, puppy.”
~*~
Despite Omega’s words, Zero still felt incredibly defiled each time he tried to go to sleep. Even curling up to Omega at night, secure in his arms, Zero still felt apprehension and barely got any rest. He expected unwanted hands to yank him up, rip his clothing off and violate him at any minute. He hated the feeling, the fear, the weakness, and tried so hard to purge it from himself. He tried not to think about it, tried to focus solely on Omega, on what he said. Zero noticed Omega was a lot touchier, always having a hand on him whenever possible, and Zero tried to focus on the wonderful sensations of such contact. Yet when Omega would touch him without Zero noticing his hand moving, he’d jump, cringe away… once he had to bite his tongue to avoid screaming. He knew Omega wouldn’t hurt him, but it was just so…
He knew it upset him, but Zero refused to have sex with Omega. Each time his keeper purred into his ear when they laid down, each seductive look was deflected, and Zero begged not to do it. The young blond was ever grateful he was blessed with a strict, but caring keeper, and Omega might huff or seem offended, but he never forced Zero into sex. He would, at times, demand they be naked at least while cuddling, and although it made Zero incredibly uncomfortable, he compromised. Omega also suffered from this incident, and as one of the ways he used to try and get over it, Zero reminded himself of that fact many times; Omega wanted him still, wanted him alive, and Zero’s depression was hurting him. He had to get over it… somehow, soon.
Zero saw Omega’s hand move, and so he was relaxed when it lightly stroked his arm, up to his shoulder before petting his hair as they idly sat in the sunlight. They had come across a completely natural forest, something that brought shock and awe to both Reploids. Omega had seen what looked like a settlement a few miles ahead, but he knew better than to waltz in. He would hide Zero, wait until night, and scout it out. If it was safe enough, he would bring his puppy and they would spend the night in a somewhat decent place for once. Zero’s robe had long been replaced by his armor, the cloth too dirty and smelly to wear anymore, and their equipment was becoming clogged. They needed a clean place to recuperate before moving on.
Moving on to where, though, was the ultimate question. Omega idly petted Zero’s head, eventually lulling the boy to rest his head on Omega’s shoulder. He had no idea where the hell they were going, if there even was a destination at all; it was almost Omega’s nature to roam wherever he wanted, however far he wanted, but he knew it wasn’t exactly in Zero to do so. The boy needed a home until he was a little more mature, and as his keeper, Omega was supposed to provide that home.
Omega frowned to himself as Zero eventually fell asleep against him, one arm around the smaller blond as the other rested in his lap. Somehow he went from being Zero’s world and fuck buddy to provider and complete care-taker. Granted, Omega always viewed himself as a sort of care-taker for Zero since taking him in, but he never thought it would blow up to this proportion, where he saw it as his duty to provide. But he and Zero were now a little pack of two, with Omega as the alpha head, and the leader always provided for those below him, if he planned to keep his pack functioning.
That mentality of his only pissed Omega off each time Zero still feared his touch, cringing away from him like a skittish kicked pup. It wasn’t Omega who raped Zero with several others, who punched and kicked him while ripping him apart from the inside, why the hell did Omega had to put up with the attitude? Why did he have to deal with it? If he wanted something from Zero, he had the right to take it!
Which makes you no better than those men.
So help me Mother Elf, SHUT UP!
Omega jerked his hand from Zero’s hair before balling it into a shaking fist. It wasn’t Zero’s fault he was like this, it was Weil’s. Weil and all the others who sought to take Zero from him. Whose business was it, really, what they did? They can have their stupid war, their fucked up ideals… all Omega wanted was his freedom and his puppy, and Zero only wanted Omega. It seemed everyone was opposed to that.
Too damn bad.
It makes sense why they’d be opposed to it. Two of the most powerful Reploids frolicking around without chains around their necks? His mind sneered. Besides, he’s no longer giving you what you want. So why do you keep him?
He’s mine.
And you can find a replacement easily. You no longer have a house for him to care for, and he isn’t spreading his legs for you, yet you’re not willing to make him do it. So why bother?
Omega drew a blank, his inner voice, for once, silencing him. He looked down at Zero, sleeping so peacefully against him, his pretty little face serene. Zero was powerful, yes, but he had no idea how to use that power… Omega would dominate him easily, take what he wanted, drag Zero everywhere he wanted, and do what he wanted.
No. Omega uncurled his fist and resumed petting Zero’s hair, leaning his cheek against Zero’s forehead. He didn’t know why, but a part of him was disgusted at the mere idea of handling Zero like that. If it was anyone else, he’d have no second thought… he was the God of Destruction, after all. Who was the little boy, with his pretty little face, to tame him?
No, not tamed. Simply made to care, and Omega had no idea why, especially considering this brat had exiled him a hundred years ago.
That Zero is dead; this is my Zero.
Simple logic was the best kind in Omega’s mind as he closed his eyes. He was over thinking things, and meaning was being lost in the process. He just needed to rest for a little while.
When Omega opened his eyes, the sun was setting, and Zero himself was stirring awake. The taller blond glanced around quickly before gently pushing Zero off of him and standing, Zero glancing up at him in that adorable, tired way of his.
“I’m going to scout that settlement…” Omega crossed his arms over his chest. He shouldn’t do it, but… “You need to stay here.”
That snapped Zero to full alertness. “N-no, Omega…!”
“Ten minutes, puppy. I’m just making sure they aren’t a Neo Arcadian outpost.”
“B-but… but Omega…” Zero whined, reaching for him.
Omega turned out of Zero’s reach. Hurt or not, Zero could not get it in his head he could cling to Omega every time he was upset—even puppies had to mature into proper wolves eventually. “I’m going. I’ll come get you later.”
“Don’t leave me alone, Omega, please!” Zero reached again, grabbing Omega’s wrist.
Omega shook him off. “Don’t cling to me only when it’s your convenience, Zero. I understand why you’re scared, but you know, you have to help me out too. This isn’t home, where I can do all the work and you can fuck around. We’re out in the world where no one gives two shits about us, and I can’t be the only one doing shit! Stand up, Zero; I want to keep you, but I need a reason to. Prove to me you’re worth bothering with anymore.”
Zero cringed away from Omega, releasing him as if he were slapped. Omega did not regret his words, however, and he turned away to begin the trek to the settlement. It would take longer than ten minutes to get there, scout, and get back, even while dashing. Omega hoped Zero would think rationally over what he said… and not do something completely, utterly fucking stupid.
Zero watched Omega dash away toward the settlement, and he bit his lower lip to stop the tears that wanted to well up. Omega’s words, ringing true, had sliced right to Zero’s heart, and he wasn’t sure if it’ll stop bleeding any time soon.
“Prove to me you’re worth bothering with anymore.”
The small blond pressed his hands against his chest, finding it hard to breathe suddenly. He was becoming useless, he was becoming a burden! Omega had stated it plainly to him… Zero wasn’t just thinking depressing things, it was all true!
A soft sob left Zero’s lips, but still he withheld the tears as his hands gripped his vest. Prove he was worth it? How could he do that? He couldn’t fight off the Resistance… he couldn’t fight off the soldiers… Was really all he good for was a quick screw? Was he that useless?
Was this Omega’s way of telling him to start sleeping with him again? Is that all he was to his keeper, to the man Zero loved more than anything? No, that couldn’t be it, Omega was gorgeous enough to get whoever he wanted, and Zero wasn’t worth saving once, let alone twice. Omega had to care… but he couldn’t drag around dead weight, which is what exactly Zero was now.
Zero always had to hide, had to wait for Omega. If he could just defend himself… if he was stronger…
Maybe he should ask Omega to train him? Perhaps Omega was waiting for Zero to gather the courage and will to ask, to go through with it? Omega could be patient, but Zero could see, especially now, having a defenseless brat follow him around could cost more than just a house…
Zero swallowed. He’d get stronger. Prove himself to Omega… prove he was worth having around. Worth keeping.
And maybe worth loving.
~*~
Omega was alarmed when he returned to the place he left Zero to find the tree branches slashed and burned on the ground. The large tree they were leaning against bore heavy scars of saber slashes and scorched impact marks of pistol shots, and Omega nearly dropped the pilfered clothes and cloaks. Fear, guilt, anxiety, all the feelings Omega hated with a passion burst in his chest and left him out of breath.
I was gone maybe three hours! He raged as he looked around, seeking a sign to where Zero was. Were we followed? Were they waiting for me to leave? Goddammit!
The ringing slash of a beam saber echoed through the woods, and Omega dropped his items and dashed toward the source. Whoever touched his puppy was going to pay in blood…
Omega skidded to a stop and drew his saber, deflecting the attack that came at him as he broke the line of bushes. Shocked and terrified black eyes met his flashing red ones, and Omega barely held back his combat programming when he realized the attacker was none other than Zero.
“O-Omega!” Zero immediately deactivated the saber, lowering it. “I’m sorry, you scared me!”
“For the love of all that’s fucking holy…” Omega breathed. “I thought you got abducted!”
Zero had the audacity to pout. “You left me with weapons that I know how to use. I can fend for myself!”
Omega quirked an eyebrow. “That so?”
Zero lowered his eyes, a blush coloring his cheeks. “F-for the most part…” Zero blinked, and then glanced up back hurriedly, as if he just remembered something. “Hey, O-Omega… I have a combat program, but without real knowledge of how to use it, it’s useless but… but since we’re on the move constantly anyway, maybe you could… train me?”
Omega was about to make a sarcastic retort, which he intended to follow up with a ‘fine’ when a thought hit his mind. Zero lived for fighting. He’ll remember if he fights.
“I don’t—”
“Please!” Zero stepped forward, pressing his right hand against his chest. “I can’t just stand on the sidelines and let you protect me all the time! I obviously used to be very strong, and it’s probably because of you! Train me again, Omega, let me fight next to you instead of cowering! I… I don’t ever want to be raped again…” his hand gripped his vest, and he unknowingly released tears as he thought of those terrifying hours in the hands of those soldiers. “And… and I know I can’t always expect you to save me… I have… I have to be able to fight. So I won’t ever suffer like that again!”
“You won’t,” Omega growled. “I won’t let it ever happen again.”
“O-Omega…”
“I’ll think about it.” Omega turned, crossing his arms over his chest. “… but I’m glad you’re finally thinking on your own, at least.” With those words, Omega began to move back toward the large tree they had camped up against to grab their things. “C’mon, the settlement’s a mixed place; I already got us a room booked.”
Zero holstered the saber in the sheath on his thigh, jogging after Omega. Simply asking him made Zero feel better, and he fervently hoped he would say yes.
~*~
Zero wasn’t sure if he should be heartbroken or touched when he entered the hotel room and saw the two beds. Omega carelessly flung their belongings onto the floor between the beds, sitting ungracefully on the one closest to the door and began to remove his boots. Zero moved over to the other one, following suit, and Omega did not reprimand him; he had purposely picked a room with twin beds, as opposed to one.
Zero picked up the new set of night clothes Omega had given him, trying not to grimace. He loved Omega and his endearments, but Zero never expected Omega would get him a set of pajamas with actual puppy designs on it. He stared at the pale blue clothes for several seconds before grabbing them and dashing to the bathroom, closing the door with an embarrassed slam.
Omega stripped out of his armor, taking it to the automated cleaner in the corner of the room. After a moment’s thought, he grabbed a pair of boxers and pulled them on, mentally growling at himself. He kept himself ‘decent’, got this room and extra clothes just for Zero’s comfort.
Why did he care? Zero belonged to him, willingly or not, and anything Zero could offer was Omega’s for the taking. Yet each time he thought that, of simply pinning Zero to the nearest wall and taking his pleasure, a shot of revulsion at himself would spear him. He knew, with time and patience, Zero would willingly come to him again… but did Omega really want to bother with the wait?
Was Zero really worth that effort of keeping his rage, his desire, in check? Something told him yes. Something told him no.
Omega opted to do nothing. Seemed like the sanest choice; don’t get angry, don’t touch him. Right now finding a place to call home was top priority, and making sure Zero didn’t stab himself on purpose.
Aren’t you going to help him with his problem?
It’s his problem to get over. Not mine.
Omega cared for the Zero’s sanity, but this was something the boy had to face himself. If he was serious about learning to be stronger, he had to do it in all aspects, not just in terms of fighting.
Bah. I sound like a parent.
Or a very concerned mate.
Shut up.
Zero emerged from the bathroom, his arms full of his dirtied armor. His black eyes scanned the room, pausing on Omega’s nearly naked form and lightly blushing before locating the cleaner and hurrying to it. He put his armor in and flicked the machine on, then peeked out the nearby window.
“Wow,” he muttered. “It’s raining pretty heavily.”
Omega tilted his head, only now hearing the heavy downpour. He was so absorbed in his thoughts he hadn’t noticed… and that was dangerous. “Good thing we found this place.”
“Yeah,”
The conversation died, and Omega flopped onto his bed, folding his arms under his head and resting a leg on his propped up knee. Zero continued to stare out the window; although it was too dark to see the rain, and there was no thunder or lightning, there was something about the sound of the downpour that was just… soothing.
Eventually Zero heard the deep, rumbling breathing that indicated Omega had fallen asleep, and he glanced at his keeper forlornly. He had ended up on his side, slightly curled up, as if trying to curl around something…
A frown came to the smaller blond when he realized he probably could fit perfectly against Omega’s front, and he was depraving Omega of a simple comfort just because he was selfish. Yet no matter how much Zero beat himself up over it, his heart would quicken, his breathing would become painful and he felt like sobbing each time he felt Omega’s arousal against his backside, and he couldn’t rightly blame Omega for getting excited.
You’re so pathetic. Zero told himself as he quietly moved away from the window to his bed, miserable. He climbed into the bed, under the covers, and yet he felt cold and alone not in Omega’s arms.
Pick one or the other!
Indecision and desperation made a small sob escape Zero’s throat, and he held his breath and buried his face into his pillow. Omega’s deep breathing went on uninterrupted, and Zero slowly exhaled.
He really was pathetic.
~*~
When morning came, Omega was the first one awake, his eyes flying open as the sun rose and gently filled the room with its light. His arms flexed, and his eyes slowly traveled to the other bed. Zero remained in it, curled up in a tight ball and looking miserable, and yet he stayed over there out of Omega’s arms.
Something about the scene made Omega frown, and he sat up, glaring at the still sleeping boy. What was his problem? Couldn’t he tell the difference between friend and foe, or was he so damn pathetic and short-sighted he clumped everyone under one category just because he got hurt?
You’re just upset he rejected you.
Omega snarled, but he also knew it was true. He did not like being apart from Zero, in any sense. Yet at the rate it was going, Zero was going to drive himself away if Omega didn’t do something.
But what was he supposed to do? Coddle Zero? Repeatedly tell him it was okay? Omega did not coddle anyone, and it certainly wasn’t okay to be the way he was! It would be so much easier if the brat just let Omega show him affection again… but Omega couldn’t bring himself, damn his mind, to force it!
Omega did not like this feeling of separation, of losing something. He didn’t like the idea Zero would eventually either just leave him completely, or his depression will drive him over the side of the nearest cliff. Omega wanted him, wanted to keep him, practically…
No. That’s not right.
Of course not.
Omega glared at Zero, yet he still let out a low whine. He wanted his puppy back, normal and bubbly as always, was that so bloody much to ask?
Weil will pay for this. I swear it.
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