The manager herded Scott out of the break room and up to the office. The incident paperwork was over with fairly quickly, consisting of an account of what happened and a signature. He also gave Scott a small store gift card, "For all the trouble," as he worded it. Scott secretly wondered how much concern this guy truly felt for his employee.
"That's not necessary but- ah, thanks I guess? I really do recommend calling that guy's emergency contact. Heats aren't things to be taken lightly."
"Don't worry about him. I've had omegas working under me before. I'll make sure he gets home safe."
While Scott didn't quite believe the man there was little he could do, as he was effectively being pushed out of the tiny office space. The manager was then immediately called over to a register to satisfy a customer complaint.
Scott wondered if the guy would even go back to check on him. He didn't feel right leaving things like this. Maybe he just slip back there and check on him to ease his conscience. Then, he could buy his coffee and leave... Scott made his way back to the store's break room and peeked inside.
"Sir, you're not allowed to be back here," reprimanded a female employee, the room's only occupant.
"Oh, sorry. I was just looking for Rayan. Have you seen him recently?"
"Rayan? You know that guy? Here I thought he didn't have a life outside of work." She looked around briefly, "Well, his stuff's still here, so I guess he's here somewhere. If I see him I'll tell him he's got a visitor."
"No need, I'm sure I can find him."
"Suit yourself."
Okay, so the guy was still here, but wasn't in the break room. Maybe he went to the bathroom?
Should he check the bathroom? That just feels weird. This Rayan did just get a massive dose of hormones, maybe he couldn't get his erection to go down. If Scott found him like that it wouldn't help this awkward situation at all. But- what if he was suffering side effects from the medicine? Otoforin may be the most common emergency suppressant, but many users still had some kind of negative reaction to it.
Why was he so concerned about this guy? He didn't even know the him. He's not a patient at his clinic. He's out of danger for now, he should just get his coffee beans and leave. Was he affected by Rayan's pheromones after all?
It's not like Dr. Scott Kranston hasn't been around omegas in heat before. He induced heats medically all the time for work. That's why he was on such strong suppressants himself, for the safety of his patients. What if his body was becoming used to them and they weren't working as well? That's a troubling thought. What if he was releasing his own pheromones and was the one who caused the guy to go into heat?
No, Scott couldn't leave yet. He need to check on him. If there's even the tiniest chance this was his fault he wouldn't be able to forgive himself.
With that thought in mind, he pushed open the restroom door. The sound of gagging and splashing was unmistakable.
"Rayan? It's Dr. Kranston. Is that you in there? Did the medicine upset your stomach?" Scott moved to stand near the stall where a heavily worn pair of shoes were sticking out under the door.
"I'll be okay. This happens every time. Don't worry about me." His voice was harsh.
"If Otoforin irritates your stomach you could always try a different prescription. If you come by my clinic we could run a blood test to see which would work better-"
"Please leave-!"
"I just want to help."
Rayan vomited again. "I can handle this," he panted, "just- just leave me alone."
"Alright." Much as he hated it, if the other person doesn't want help there is nothing he can do, and Rayan was very clearly refusing assistance. "I'm going to leave my business card on the sink. If you change your mind, feel free to drop in. I'll work you in to my schedule."
Rayan said nothing. The sound of the door closing echoed through the restroom. Why was that guy so damn persistent? Don't alphas have better things to do besides harass omegas?
But normally, all the alphas he's met seemed to have a big "tough guy on campus" attitude, like they expected the world to bow at their feet. What was this doctor guy's deal?
He must really have nothing better to do. How aggravating! Still, it would have been worse had he not had that injection on him. They aren't exactly cheap either. Dammit, like hell he was going to take it as a freebie. He wasn't going to owe that guy anything. As soon as this heat was over he was going to march himself in to that clinic and insist on paying for it. If he was quick, he could probably get in and out without having to see that guy again.
That's as good a plan as it was going to get.
Now empty, his stomach was starting to settle. It sucked, it’s not like he could afford to waste any food. He thought to himself that might as well get moving, and the sooner he was home the better. He levered himself upright, the worse of his light-headedness gone. When he went to wash his hands and rinse his mouth, sure enough that doctor's card was waiting there on the sink. Rayan took it and put it in his pants pocket. If he could help it, he wasn't going to owe any alpha anything.
When he went to go clock out, the manager was waiting for him.
"I already clocked you out." The guys tone was dull, betraying his annoyance.
"Oh, thanks... Sorry..." Rayan bowed his head and set to collecting his things.
"How many times do I have to tell you omegas, if you even think your heat's coming I don't want you here? I swear you're more trouble than you're worth, what with how often you call out in the first place."
"Yessir, I'm sorry. It's my fault." He kept his head down and took the lecture. He didn't feel good. He just wanted to go home.
"I swear, if the government didn't give such great tax breaks to employers for hiring you people..." He sighed frustratedly, "Go on, get out of here. I expect you're unavailable for the next few days?"
"Ye... Yessir..." Rayan slipped out of the room and made his way through the busy store. His head hurt, his stomach was still a little queasy, and he found himself overcome with apathy.
The four blocks to his apartment complex seemed to take longer than usual. He felt jumpy, and even if his erection had gone down, his ass still felt slick. It didn't make for a comfortable walk, and he kicked himself for forgetting to clean up a little while he was still at work.
His apartment building was a somewhat expensive place, but not because it was spacious or upgraded. It was an omega only building and had a full time front desk with security. Non-tenants couldn't enter without permission. It was safe. It also took over half his monthly income.
His room was on the second floor, furthest from the elevator. The emergency stairwell was at the other end of the hall. Even with people above and below him having to share only one wall was nice. And his neighbor was quiet enough anyway. He input his access code and dropped his things by the door.
Finally home.
It was a small unit. The bathroom wasn't much bigger than a closet. No tub, just a small shower. And the closet was well, tiny. The kitchen took up one wall and had all of three cabinets, a small sink and two stove eyes. The farthest wall had a big window with a view of the street below. Some of the rooms on the higher floors had balconies, but they cost a hell of a lot more too. There was only one room, studio style, big enough for his twin mattress and dining set. Dining set was being generous though. It was a folding card table with chairs he had inherited from his grandparents. There was a small gash on the surface, but it worked. And it gave him somewhere to put the TV. The building also had a laundry mat in the basement. What more could a single omega want?
"Ah, my head hurts," he said to no one in particular. He was the only one here anyway. He had sent the heat absence notices to his managers on the way home. The only thing left to do was prep and ride it out.
He poured a glass of tap water and downed it. First rule: stay hydrated. Second: shower. Heats get messy and for some reason he always felt it wasn't as bad if he started out clean. He noticed he had a bruise where he received the Otoforin injection. Third rule: heat clothes. The equivalent of period panties since well, they may as well be. He had a few pairs of heat underwear, since they tended to get slimy fairly quickly. Finally, an absorbent mat for his bed, because again, heats were messy, doubly so since he was a guy. He could wear pads, it would cost about the same, but that would require tighter bottoms and well... he liked the room. He always washed his bedding afterward, but it helped prevent stains and he could always change it when it got too dirty.
He was wearing a white t-shirt and loose novelty boxers, both of them old and thread-worn, but easy to move in, and both offered easy access for when his urges became too much. His hair was still slightly damp, kept out of his face by a cotton headband. On the folding TV tray he used as a night stand he had a full glass of water, a sleeve of crackers, his phone, and the TV remote. He sat on the edge of the bed, the plastic of the mat crinkling under him, and turned on the television. Nothing to do now but binge Netflix and wait.
He forgot the coffee. He went out for one thing- Scott leaned heavily on his apartment door. The mid-afternoon sun was shining brightly through the curtains of his spacious unit. He ran his fingers through his hair. Did that guy make it home okay? WAIT DID HE FORGET HIS SUPPRESSANT THIS MORNING?He hurried to his kitchen, where the package was laying on the counter, same spot as always. Let's see, today is... Crap. This could totally be his fault. Today's pill sat in its little blister pack. Scott popped it dry and slumped against his cabinets, burying his face in his hands.No Omega in their right mind would be out in public, much less working, with their heat so close. But, if they were just close enough and an alpha happened to come by... "Well, shit," Scott whispered to himself. He certainly didn't want to leave things as is. But, Rayan had to have made it home by now, right? Should he run back to the supermarket and check? His han
"So about/I'm really sorry-" they both began at once. Scott chuckled and motioned for Rayan to go first."I'm, I'm really sorry about the other day. It's just, I know I should go home immediately if I feel my heat starting, but you see, I thought I could finish my shift out. I'm sorry for causing you inconvenience on your day off. I'd like to pay for the medicine you gave me.""You have nothing to apologize for." Scott assured, "Once I got home I realized I had missed my suppressant dose that morning. If anything it was ME who put YOU in that situation.""Huh?""And don't worry about the Otoforin. I always keep a dose on me for exactly those occasions.""But, they're kinda expensive... You carry them around just in case someone ELSE needs it?""It makes sense to as an alpha. Even if I don't go in to heat I should at least be able to protect those around me. T
Scott stirred his cup absentmindedly. "So, you're in customer service, I'm sure you've got an oddball story or two?""Well, nothing as crazy as a potato plug, but one of my coworkers at the grocery store had a guy who was trying to be an extreme couponer." Rayan sipped from his mug."Yeah?""Yeah, he came through the line with a bunch of glass jars of spaghetti sauce. He had one manufacturers coupon, and a stack of black and white copies of the same coupon. Of course, we couldn't accept the photocopies and when my coworker told the guy this he dead ass flipped his cart and walked out without a word.""Wow. Really?""Yep. Took over an hour to clean up all the glass and sauce. We had to throw away all the candy near the register, and it smelled like an Italian alleyway for a week. Complete carnage.""Oh no," Scott chuckled, "not the candy!"
"Made it here in one piece!" Scott announced as he strode into the foyer of his parents’ house. Even after moving out, Sunday was always reserved for family dinners."Ah, good!" his mother called from the kitchen, "Come in here and help me set the table! Dinner's almost ready!""Smells good!" He made his way to the kitchen. His childhood home was a nice two-story place in the suburbs, complete with solid wood floors and a beautifully manicured lawn. His father and sister were busy with the last bit of dinner prep. "Sorry I'm late." He took the stack of plates from his mother and gave her a peck on the cheek."Not late, just in time!" His father said, pulling a roast out of the oven."Scotty," his little sister chided, "you're always late just so you can get out; of cooking.""Aw, come on now, Liz. If you want me to cook for you, all you have to do is say so."
By the time the shift was over, the sun was up. Rayan was grimy, and sweaty, and tired. He was storing his safety gear in his locker when Michael literally swung his way into the room."Hey Rayan, come to the salon with me, dude! I need my expert color-picker!""I can't, I've got just enough time to get cleaned up before I have to be at Dean's for the opening shift.""Fuddy-duddy. You should get your hair cut for tonight."Jack came in then, not saying a word, as usual. He began putting his gear away.Rayan sighed in exasperation. "I don't want to cut my hair. Besides, if I suddenly show up with short hair it'll look like I'm trying too hard.""If I was dating a doctor, I would do everything in my power to lock that down."Jack loudly finished putting away his things, slammed his locker door, and stalked out."Oh, Jac
Rayan paused when he returned with his full plate of food to see Scott sitting down with a small bowl of ice cream and a stack of cookies. Didn’t getting dessert usually mean someone was ready to go? Would Scott be irritated by him getting a second helping and therefore making him obligated to stay longer? It was a buffet, its not like he could just go put the food back and say he changed his mind… And he was still hungry…"Don't be shy, if you're hungry then eat!" Scott insisted, seemingly reading Rayan’s dilemma with a glance. "I’ve got no problem staying until you eat your fill.”
Of course he was late. Rayan practically jogged from the bus stop to the salon where Michael always had his hair done. It was in a somewhat quiet part of the city, where small shops occupied the bottom floor of buildings with housing above. The bright pink "Omega Safe" sticker was proudly displayed on the door, right under the "Service Animals Welcome" sticker. It meant that the shop stocked both emergency suppressants for omegas and tranquilizers for alphas, just in case anyone went into rut or heat. It also meant that omegas were safe to remove their collars while partaking of the salon's services. Rayan paused a moment to catch his breath before entering."Finally! You're here!" Michael exclaimed from his seat in front of the salon's generous window. The chime of the bells hanging from the door signaled his friends arrival. He had a stylist book in one hand, and his phone open to Pinterest on the other. His clothing was vibrant as usual, though since he was o
Either way, Michael got the hint and they sat talking of common place things as the Michael's dye set. Rayan had put his collar back on. With summer nearing full swing, work at the shipping company was sure to slow down a bit. Rayan was hoping his hours wouldn't get cut too much since he only worked two nights a week. Michael was almost full-time, not enough to earn benefits, but he was hoping for some down time to work on some projects he had. Michael was always working on something, and kept up a fairly healthy Instagram account. Seeing what his friend was up to was the only reason Rayan used Instagram.At long last, it was time for the foils to come out. Michael and Rayan both "Oooed" at the very wet preview of Michael's new look. While Michael was getting the excess dye washed out, the next appointment for Rayan's chair came in, so he had to go back to the waiting area."Mick! I'll be waiting on you up front!" Rayan called.