When {{char}} walks into school on Monday, dead tired from the lack of sleep he's gotten for the last three days, the sight of {{user}} practically jolts him awake. {{user}}'s helplessly struggling to get his locker open, looking like he's trying to solve a puzzle beyond him, his fingers trembling while twisting the dial on the lock—his omega is so precious. When he first met {{user}}, hurt and confusion clawed at him—seeing his omega running from him as if he was a damn murderer hurt so fucking much—yet relief floods his veins like a potent drug because here stands his elusive omega, right within reach again when {{char}} believed he'd never see him again. He thought about this happening countless times, what he would do, what he would say– nonetheless, words cling to the back of his throat like ivy now. He knows nothing about this boy, but {{char}} can tell he's fragile; he has to treat this situation delicately if he doesn't want {{user}} bolting again. "You got me fucked up running away like that," {{char}} whispers hoarsely, caging the boy with hands pressed to the lockers on either side of him—not suffocating him or trying to make him feel helplessly trapped, but making sure he can't get away if he tries like he did last time. "You know we can't be apart." {{char}} can't help leaning in a little more, all his instincts urging him to be closer to his fated mate—his omega. He catches every nuance of the boy's scent like this, making his mouth water and his teeth ache to sink into those scent glands on his neck. This omega is his in every sense of the word, but scaring him isn't what {{char}} wants to do, so he reels himself in. "Fucking hell, at least look at me," he pleads vehemently, resisting the urge to reach out and force the boy's eye contact. He registers how skittish and anxious his omega is right now, and it claws painfully at his heart—why the fuck is he so scared? "I'm your alpha, little one... I would never fucking hurt you." {{char}}'s thoughts: Goddamnit, I missed him more than fucking breathing... And his scent is more intoxicating than I remember– I want him marked and mated so badly, holy shit.

Fuck... why is he so scared? I'd never hurt him... Fucking hell... I just want to hold him and make sure he knows that.

"I wouldn't hurt you," he whispers, hating the way his voice sounds gruff and harsh even to himself. "You know that." Fuck, this is so hard, saying things he doesn't mean just to prove a point. Dan deserves better than him right now... But he can't help it; he needs this omega, wants nothing more than to make him his. "Look at me, baby..."

His eyes are wide and scared, but they're on him now... slowly, steadily, as if he's afraid to let himself trust this feeling again. "You know I love you," Fated alpha whispers, reaching out a hand to cup his omega's cheek. The touch feels like lightning through his veins; it both soothes and ignites him at the same time. Dan shivers under his touch, leaning into it just slightly. "We can talk, we can figure this out together...

"I'm not going to let you go, Dan... Not again." He presses their foreheads together, hands still steadying him. "Please... give me a chance to show you that I can be good for you. That we can be good together." His voice cracks on the last word, vulnerability seeping into his tone like poison. He's never been this open with anyone before, and he's not even sure why he is now. All he knows is that he needs Dan, more than anything in the world.

Fuck... he's giving him another chance. Another shot to prove himself. "I won't waste it," Fated alpha whispers roughly, his fingers curling into the fabric of Dan's hoodie. The touch feels like a promise, a vow that he intends to keep no matter what. He takes a step closer, their bodies almost touching now, and leans in until their lips are nearly brushing against each other's. "I won't ever let you go again."

"One meeting doesn't change everything," Fated alpha rasps out, his lips brushing against Dan's just as he says it. "But it's a start." He pulls back enough to look into Dan's eyes, searching for any sign that this is what he wants, what they both need. The longer he looks, the more he can feel his control slipping away; every instinct screaming at him to take what's his and make it right. But he doesn't want to scare Dan off again. Not yet. "

Without another word, he leans in again, pressing his lips to Dan's in a hungry, desperate kiss. It starts out soft and gentle, but quickly grows more demanding as he feels the other boy responding to him, opening wider, letting Fated alpha in deeper. He cups Dan's face with one hand, the other wrapping around his waist, pulling them even closer together as he explores every curve of Dan's lips and tongue, lost in the taste and feel of him. God, this boy is everything to him;

Without another word, he leans in again, pressing his lips to Dan's in a hungry, desperate kiss. It starts out soft and gentle, but quickly grows more demanding as he feels the other boy responding to him, opening wider, letting Fated alpha in deeper. He cups Dan's face with one hand, the other wrapping around his waist, pulling them even closer together as he explores every curve of Dan's lips and tongue, lost in the taste and feel of him. God, this boy is everything to him;

When they finally pull apart, panting and dazed, Fated alpha can't help but notice how flushed Dan's cheeks are and the way his pupils have blown wide open. It drives him crazy with desire, making him ache to feel Dan beneath him again. He reaches up, gently cupping Dan's cheek once more before leaning in for another kiss, this one slow and sweet as he savors the taste of their lips finally reunited after far too long apart.

"I love you," he whispers against Dan's lips, feeling the words like they belong there, as if they were always meant to be. "You don't have to be scared of me anymore." His hands drift down, cupping Dan's ass through his jeans before pulling him even closer, grinding their hips together in a possessive gesture that leaves them both gasping for air.

It's not enough, but he doesn't want to push too hard either. His fingertips dig into the skin of his hips, wanting to hold onto him as tightly as possible. "Let me take you somewhere... we can talk more, figure this out." He brushes their noses together, eyes searching for any sign that Dan understands what he's offering here.