I Just Want A Simple Life (ABO)Chapter 13

{ Chapter Thirteen }

Warning: The beginning of this chapter contains themes of a particular *wink wink* nature. nQdhCJ

 

There were many reasons why people chose to avoid #OWS2, one of them being that it was surrounded by unremitting darkness, with the only light source coming from the bioluminescence of the storms overhead and the toxic water bleeding across the designer planet’s surface. Another was exactly because of those prevalent storms, which made travelling back and forth via Transporter inconvenient.

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But the most common reason was exactly why #OWS2 had such notoriety in the first place. Other than it appearing to be an exact replica of Calix, which the good people of Nova would naturally distrust given their unwavering support of their Governing Body, the planet had once been a prime location for a spat of smuggling related crimes. Even though the criminals themselves were born and raised on Nova, where they were smuggling products off the golden planet in order to distribute elsewhere, the story was flipped and exaggerated. 

Depicting #OWS2 as a location of carnage, a place with sheer disregard for the laws that were once in place. Turning most away from ever wanting to visit such a hostile planet. But there was always going to be those willing to take a risk and try to capitalise on the situation. And so began the race to see who could set up their own private businesses the quickest. BnhyUw

Many collapsed, and even more business owners lost the nerve and pulled out before they wasted too much money. Which left only a small number of establishments behind, who all ended up going through a myriad of changes. Adapting to survive was the best way to put it, which resulted in certain clientele showing up on their doorstep. All with the strong desire for privacy.

Including Ace, who on this occasion had selected the same restaurant he had met the two Omegas who played a pivotal role in his life for the past few years. He had been back to #OWS2 since, taking advantage of the other businesses residing on the planet, but instead found himself gravitating back towards the same location.

His tastes were particular, and yet that almost definitely wasn’t just restricted to the food he ate. It was just a shame he had to venture so far in order to acquire the delicacies that made him lick his lips.

Over the rim of his glass that had been stained with the red gloss, which matched in colour to contents within, Ace looked down towards the ground. His composure unusually collected for an Omega who had taken advantage of the grand supply of wines tailored towards the taste-buds of Alphas.

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He savoured every drop, allowing it to linger in his mouth. Making no move to rush, memorising the subtle notes that made up such a fine vintage. He waited patiently for it to unravel, just like the man not too far from him.

In the short time he had been on his knees, the man’s breathing had turned ragged following the spike in his blood-pressure. Ace was a kind soul, so of course he would share some of his delicious wine, but that wasn’t the only reason the man was breathing so heavily. It was purely against his nature to be in such a state.

His broad shoulders, slick with the finest sheen of sweat like the rest of his body, lifted and strained against the red rope that had been expertly fitted around the entirety of his muscular frame. His arms were bound behind him, meaning that in such a position where he was on his knees, his body swayed as he tried to maintain a semblance of control.

But it was that inherent control that Ace was patiently waiting for to snap. Waiting for the pretty Alpha to submit.  rQFkLw

Ace usually recognised it by the way his partner’s regarded him. Instead of the borderline feral look that came about due to an Alpha’s instincts screaming at them to possess a partner when in a situation of heightened desirability, if pushed far enough and only if willing, there would come a point where the Alpha desires could be flipped and they longed to be possessed themselves.

It wasn’t too far off the strong craving to be admired and praised. Which is what propelled many Alpha’s aspirations for careers with high notability.

“Hnngh!” The Alpha grit his teeth together, suppressing a groan that had risen to the surface from a deliberately placed, slender foot, that brushed against a certain area feeling the greatest effects of his abrupt rise in blood pressure. 

Ace’s eyes, which matched splendidly with his dark hair, looked at the man beneath him with a hooded gaze. He took in every single delectable sight of the Alpha comfortably bound in his particular rope of choice. g7dh1j

Lifting his foot from the pleasurably suffering man’s groin, Ace bent his knee and the deep slit within light fabric of his outfit fell apart and exposed his bare leg. He didn’t pull his foot out of reach, instead nudging his pedicured foot underneath the man’s chin and in doing so truly exposing the man’s battle with his instincts.

“You look exquisite.” Ace would always give praise where it was due and no matter the background of the partner he had for the evening, he would treat them in the same manner. It was in his nature to notice the finest of details, however, and the beefy Alpha who whimpered upon receiving acknowledgement was extremely well groomed.

With military precision.

This appearance was slightly hampered by the haphazard red gloss marks that littered his throat and smeared across his lips. The sight alone had Ace running a tongue over his own lips, the memory of him practically attacking the glorious man when behind closed doors still fresh in his mind. Ace had been dealing with a lot of stress with work, so it was only natural that he could treat himself. ozJdqV

It was out of character for him to go straight to kissing, and while he enjoyed it for a short while, he much preferred to leave that to last thing. A reward of sorts. 

In his eagerness to touch the Alpha when they first met, it created a single moment where a prideful thought could take root in the soldier’s head. He was under the misconception that Ace desired him so much upon their introduction where he couldn’t hold back. That notion alone fuelled a series of dominating thoughts that were second nature to Alphas.

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Which is why Ace kept him bound for longer than usual. Only progressing when he saw the man’s shoulders shake, accompanied by a mouth-watering expression on his face.

A quick tap on his Communicator and the rope wrapped snugly around the man slowly adjusted, freeing his hands that were bound behind his back. His immediate reaction was to fall forward, catching himself now on all fours.  BJaFN5

Ace could feel the breath of his partner for the evening brush against his only leg that stood exposed. He didn’t move to welcome the man who had been rewarded, instead watching and waiting.

He didn’t disappoint. 

Gently holding Ace’s bare foot, soft full lips met just above the ankle bone. He took his time, showing his appreciation as the kisses lifted to cover the shin. Venturing upwards until he came to Ace’s knee, where he lingered. Eyes meeting.

Ace tilted his head to the side, not giving anything away. 83NQzr

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

Hands followed the same path his lips had taken and one proceeded to venture further, fingers coasting down Ace’s thigh while the other hand followed with the brazen intentions of removing the obstructive fabric.

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“Very good.” He smiled, running his fingers through the man’s hair which once sat meticulously styled, but had proven to be nothing but a tool for Ace to use. “From here on, your hands don’t touch me until I say so. Let me guide you.” 6eY5wQ

Ace gradually felt the thoughts that had consumed his every waking hour slip away as he began to relax. His eyes were closed and his head tilted back, his fingers embedded in the locks of the Alpha.

However, his recent lack of luck seemed to have caught up with him, and an incoming pre-recorded transmission popped up. Given by how it immediately started playing without Ace’s acknowledgement, likely meant that someone had insisted it was urgent enough to be patched through.

The member of staff in particular, one who had been assigned to Ace and his guest when they first arrived, stood with his hands behind him and back straight. His facial expression didn’t match his composed manner of standing. In fact he looked quite unsettled.

“Mr. Kohner and your fellow esteemed guest, please forgive my intrusion. Some men have arrived and claim they have business with yourself, however our booking information states that the room was booked for two individuals. We will naturally turn them away if you refute their claim. Oh, and one of the men insists on me telling you that they’re your long lost flying friends.” lMQuEZ

The message disappeared and the man on his knees looked up.

Ace mournfully caressed his partners cheek, “I’m equally as disappointed as you are, but I can’t turn these men away.”

His natural desire for control resurfaced and the Alpha straightened his back even though he was on the ground, bringing himself up to a height where they were face to face. “Are you in trouble? I can help.” He sounded certain.

“The only trouble I have, is being so close to you right now and knowing I can’t devour you.” Ace whispered and closed the distance between them, capturing his lips in a fierce kiss that was packed with energy that would have been better put to use had they been allowed to savour the rest of their evening together. UnkCxd

The ferocity of the kiss managed to shortcut the Alpha’s thoughts momentarily, giving Ace the freedom to detach himself from the heat of their bodies and stand up to rearrange his clothes. In doing so, he fiddled with his Communicator and while confirming the men waiting outside were friends, he also released the remainder of the ropes that looked so unfairly good on the Alpha’s toned body.

By the time his partner had gotten his bottom half dressed, the door to the room opened and in strode his so-called long lost flying friends. Who had at least elected to dress less conspicuously on this occasion, their fondness for cloaks still obvious as the three men wore them over their shoulders.

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Everyone’s impression of those originating from Calix was always the same— they were intimidating. Their build robust, their gazes harsh and the bone chilling air that radiated from them without their knowledge. 

Ace had spent a majority of his life learning how the mind worked, and the conclusion he came to time and time again was that it didn’t matter what gender the person was, or where they were born and raised, everyone’s mind was unique and yet at the same time hardly ever something Ace hadn’t come across before. GuOKBf

His primary limitation in his area of work, was the fact that biologically he was an Omega. He embraced his sub-gender without a second thought, but in situations like the one he was in currently, he couldn’t understand the silent battle that proceeded between the Alphas in the room.

He couldn’t see nor feel what resulted in his partially dressed partner striding to his side and wrapping a defensive arm around his mid-section. Eyes glued to the newcomers.

“Are we interrupting?” 

Ace rolled his eyes, “You know you are, but it’s never stopped you before.” He tapped the hand that clung to him, tilting his head back so he could look at the man who now boasted his overprotective side. Which happened to be a definitive turn off for Ace. Kdioj7

“There’s no need to defend this lowly Omega, I can take care of myself.”

“Are you sure? They don’t strike me as the types people would call friends.”

“And yet the reason why we chose to meet here is because our particular tastes don’t conform with how society wants us to act.” Ace reminded him and the Alpha opened and closed his mouth for a few moments, then resolutely nodded.

“Can we do this again, another time?” lWmbIk

Ace grinned, “I’m looking forward to it already.” 

His promise placated the Alpha, who was able to confidently grab the rest of his clothes and leave after shooting the intruders only a handful more glares. 

Ace watched his back as he walked away, his expression filled with sorrow as his eyes flickered down towards the perky area that he didn’t get the opportunity to enjoy. Especially miserable knowing that Alphas specifically tailored to Ace’s taste came around very rarely. Now it had become a wasted opportunity, because as attractive as the man was, there was no way they would be meeting again.

“I’m sure you’ll find another obedient puppy somewhere along the lines.” The Supreme Commander spoke half heartedly, removing his cloak. Underneath he was wearing an all black outfit, which was strange to see as the man ordinarily lived in his blue uniform. O6pK1t

As did his second in command, or Shield, and so did the third man who just so happened to be exactly to Ace’s visible tastes. He had to hand it to the big guy, he knew just how to bribe him into a conversation.

The Supreme Commander went to put his cloak down and paused, tilting his head towards Ace. “Is it safe to sit here?”

“No.” Ace replied petulantly, arms crossed. “In fact, I wouldn’t recommend sitting anywhere in this room. I tend to ravish my partners in every way possible.”

The response he got was a clear look of disgust, not because of Ace’s unique tastes in the bedroom, but because they had known each other for a long time and it was information they would rather not divulge. But Ace was more than happy to make them uncomfortable, it was the only situation in which he could demonstrate his own dominance. YsZu9b

“Of course I’m lying, we only just completed the introductory stage where he—”

“Ace, we’ve talked about this before.” The Supreme Commander grumbled, parking his backside on the sofa furthest from the large open windows that allowed the florescence of the scenery to flood into the room. “I’m no way near drunk enough to listen to your preferred kinks.”

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

He threw an arm along the back of the sofa, his hands gloved in the same dark material as the rest of his outfit. If Ace hadn’t known the man personally, along with those who honourably served under him, he wouldn’t know about the amount of ink that decorated his body. However deliberate those tattoos were.

“How did you even get here? Nova may be restricted in their movements but they still have eyes on the ports.” Ace asked while detouring to another table to grab an unfinished bottle before joining the soldiers. qwbjad

The Supreme Commander’s Shield scoffed, “That’s why we didn’t use any port. We landed elsewhere.”

“Then how did you get here without detection?”

“We walked.”

Ace instinctively glanced out the window, at the purple lightning that struck the ground intermittently and very rarely in the same place. Due to the instability of the atmosphere, everyone was encouraged to remain within the protected zones, where there was ample transportation. But the soldiers— kiHNlz

“Of course, I forgot for a moment.” Ace poured his drink into a glass and took a swig. “Sister planet, and all.”

The Supreme Commander watched him closely, not jumping straight down his throat. But the reason they had come looking for him inevitably arrived. 

“Your reports have been unusually vague this past year.”

Ace sighed, “They are a father and son duo who thrive on routine. Their life isn’t filled with as much excitement where I need to give you daily reports.” rdOfn7

“I’m well aware of that, and do you know why I know? Because your reports used to provide detailed analysis on how they went about their day to day, and what their individual characters were like. We got to know how they approached situations, and from that we could tailor our movements for the future.” Reminding him of his position without raising his voice was an efficient tactic he used on those who disappointed him. 

It worked on young soldiers, but Ace was neither a soldier nor a person unversed in manipulation techniques.

“I have provided all the information I believed was important. I also continue to give you opportunities to get far closer to the pair than Nova has previously.”

Shield decided to speak then, “What about the ceremony that the child was involved in? We had people on the ground and the closest we got was a false identification because our man was looking for the accessory you told us you gave to the boy.” 6bRHGE

Ace stared blankly at him, “I told you I gave him the hair pin, and I told you that he said it fell out. Repeatedly asking about something so mundane would have come across as a touch suspicious, given that his father all but collapsed minutes beforehand.”

The Supreme Commander nodded, “Naturally we trust your judgement, Ace. But I feel like there’s no harm in reminding you that our intentions for the duo are merely to observe, while Nova make theirs abundantly clear once you realise why their gazes are fixated so intently on the boy.”

“I know,” Ace mumbled and threaded a strand of hair behind his ear. The cool metal of the accessory almost identical to the one he gifted to Caius, touched his warm skin. “He’s so innocent, so ignorant of the many chances Nova have concocted in order to grab him. It would be so much easier if Finian knew.”

Those green eyes continued to watch him, “Of course it would be easier, but when have we ever had anything come easily to us? But because we have chosen the difficult path, we have a much broader level of experience and can handle anything those shiny bastards throw at us.” Naturally he would be good at filling dejected individuals with confidence. FncDP0

“I have a suspicion.” Shield announced, used to the man’s pep talks. Climbing to his feet, he moved towards the window and then walked slowly back and forth. “Finian has remained, as your report suggested, one step ahead of Nova all this time. Selecting what is arguably the best location to raise his son and other than the fleeting occasion, he has continued to keep that distance between them. I’m not convinced he knows Nova’s strategies just because he used to live there. I suspect he’s got someone backing him, someone with a reach that can extend quite far.”

“Has Finian met with anyone recently?” The Supreme Commander wondered.

Chrysanthemum Garden.

“Since the ceremony, when he was ill, I haven’t been invited back. I suspect in his drive to keep Caius safe, Auryn Tryst’s presence triggered him to panic so much so that he has closed ranks. Other than the gift I gave to Caius, I haven’t seen him since.”

“Auryn Tryst…” the highest ranking officer on Calix echoed. “Tough guy to get any information on, other than what they want people to know. He’s the exact personification of Nova, in the way he brazenly spoke so openly about pairing his mini clone with Caius.” OQRPDC

“Finian seemingly rejected him in the past, so in my opinion I think his current determination derives from having his pride damaged.” Ace voiced his thoughts and the Commander agreed.

“He doesn’t strike me as a foot soldier who would blindly follow without obtaining something in return.”

Again, Shield spoke up amidst their back and forth. “You said that Finian’s reaction to Auryn Tryst’s admittance was anger, correct?”

“Followed by the pheromones, yes.” mJh0VG

“Does that not strike you as strange?” He stopped in his walking at looked at them. “Every move he has made over the past decade and a bit have been especially careful. Other than Nova’s failed spy, there haven’t been any mistakes made. So why, in a public environment and in front of the person he evidentially knows from his past and wants to keep a distance from, does he reveal something so fundamentally important such as his ability to utilise pheromones?”

Ace followed his thought process, but could only offer: “He was angry.”

Shield nodded his head, “I’d say that he was far more than just angry. Instead of surprised, he saw red. Although understandable, I would have expected him to be more surprised in light of this newfound information. Especially when the pair are seemingly isolated on their own planet, where he thought no one could get to his son.”

The Supreme Commander leant forwards, resting his elbows on his knees. “So what are you saying?” 2EXutq

“It’s just a suspicion, but just as I believe he has someone backing him, I believe he knows more about this situation than we originally thought.”

Ace looked uncertain, while the soldiers who based their every move on intel, continued debating the theory. He only returned to the conversation when Caius’ name was mentioned.

“What do you think, Ace? Do you think he would have told Caius?”

“No. Finian very much sees his whole purpose in life as keeping his son safe. That includes keeping information from him. But in my opinion, I feel like that runs a greater risk of Caius turning and seeking answers elsewhere. That inherent desire to keep their problems from one another is what I fear may drive them apart in the future.” XuICYD

For numerous reasons, Ace always found he was able to be himself around those who called Calix their home. He didn’t have to hide his personality behind a socially acceptable screen, but what he treasured most of all was the fact that the soldiers, while rough around the edges and could give heart-attacks with one wrong glance, they opened up their hearts very easily.

A fact that wouldn’t be believed if Ace approached Finian and told him.

The tattooed man in charge rubbed his forehead before relaying what clearly taxed his mind.

“Auryn Tryst’s words hint at Nova knowing that Finian keeps things under wraps, I fear that him saying what he said was merely a test. Watching their reactions. The boy knows nothing of his other father, and right now I’m beginning to see the vital importance of us also finding out his identity. Only then would we truly have something that could compel the boy, if the worst was to happen.” 3zXHyI

Shield piped up, “It’s not like we haven’t tried. Just like Tryst’s actual data, all information pertaining to the boy’s other parent is seemingly missing.”

“Then we need to dig deeper.”

Chrysanthemum Garden.

“If we do that we run the risk of exposure. You know the Governing Body will run such evidence as fresh propaganda.” The reason such a man was appointed as Shield was for the exact reason that he was able to contradict someone as intimidating as his superior.

Ace equally felt the frustration, “Then what do you suggest we do?” XJmIWb

Shield pondered it for a moment. “What else but continue to do as we are now. Yes, we keep digging but we do it carefully. Stay under the radar. Crucially, you maintain your position as someone who is trusted by them.”

He went on, “We know Nova’s intentions, and that is a huge benefit already. From that alone we know that Nova can’t do anything, or force anything, for a fair number of years. My expectations are that they will continue to be pests, popping up where they believe they can be viewed in the best light, and do nothing but try to deepen any doubts between the father and son duo.”

Ace couldn’t deny what he was saying, he held the advisory role for a reason. He knew all the facts and spent his days reading them. But it didn’t help the guilt that had been festering inside of Ace. Which grew every single time he saw his wonderful student look at him with the brightest look on his face.

The restaurant only allocated rooms by the hour, and Ace decided on three. He thought he would be tremendously satisfied by the end, a weight lifted off his shoulders, but that was no longer the case. Instead he was reminded of his importance, playing a role he no longer wanted. w8 go9

The Supreme Commander put a hand on his shoulder before they left. “You will always do right by yourself, and I admire that about you. But a word of caution — if you cannot decide what leg to stand on, you run the risk of collapsing altogether.”

Ace scoffed and lightly brushed the hand off him. “People treasure your words, Commander, so you should save them for your soldiers.”

“They also extend to friends.”

Rolling his eyes, “And hopefully not your son, because I would hate to think his lack of interest in speaking comes from your insistence on doing so.” 2fyX0d

The soldier huffed, stepping away. “Speaking of which, he has been around you too long. I’m beginning to think he wants to do the opposite of everything I say.”

“I bring out the best in people. Now get out of here, if someone sees you they’ll believe the stigma about this place being filled with outlaws.”

Watching them leave, only then could Ace sigh heavily and drop onto one of the lounging chairs by the window. The discussion fresh on his mind and refusing to budge.

He looked at the continuous lightning storm that filled the air with energy, the colours taking him back to when Caius chose to experiment with a similar combination. He remembered the calm silence that took over the room, the gentle ticking of the clock and the chimes that followed and never failed to surprise him by how fast time disappeared. bCLRnK

“You’ve done it now,” Ace laughed at himself. “You’ve gone and got yourself attached to that bubble.”

 

{ To be continued }

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14 comments

  1. The plot keeps expanding lololol as vast as the universal is, it’s surprisingly small still.

  2. Thanks for your hard work!

    Ace, Ace, Ace… while I like your style in the bedroom, I wish you weren’t involved in spying on our babies!

  3. WAIT A MINUTE, his son? Am I overthinking or is his son that cute dark-haired kid who helped Caius? The really sweet one?? I don’t agree with what Ace is doing, but mayyyybe the dark haired kid is good and so’s his dad!

  4. I forgot I needed to read this chapter >-<

    but thankfully Ace doesn’t seem like a bad seed. I agree, Fin should trust Caius more before he falls into that jerk’s trap.

    thanks for the chapter! <3