{ Chapter Two }
The uninterrupted night-sky was equally as beautiful as when the sun was at its highest point during the day. Stars which had undoubtedly been explored, twinkled beautifully against the backdrop of the pitch black dead of space. They were so exposed, probably most visible from the small planet Caius currently stood on.
Off-World-Settlement number four, or #OWS4 was one of the five dwarf planets that sat directly in the middle of the two much larger home planets of Calix and Nova. Due to their sizes, the five planets which were owned by Nova, were only inhabited by a handful of families. All of which paid a handsome fee to Nova’s governing-body in order to live there. But there was an exception to this, which was of course Finian Xue. An Omega with substantial financial assets, who could easily afford the extortionate fees that the Omega Finishing School— Cora— had to offer.
He was no simple man, especially when he blatantly refused aid from Nova’s governing-body when they suggested remarriage. Although this may have been surprising at the time in the eyes of the general public, before eventually being forgotten, this was actually a sufficient slap in Nova’s face.
So they got to work repairing their image, and in doing so carefully dealt with the issue at hand. Offering Finian and his unborn child somewhere to call home, and more importantly where they would be completely out of sight. Which, for one side more than the other, was desirable. So for a fraction of the price, one of the limited spaces on #OWS4 became the elusive Omega’s new home.
There was a big difference between the five dwarf planets, but all Caius remembered off the top of his head was that the planet he stood on was considered the most remote. Where people came for the safety and protection of the highly-securitised outer-rim of the artificially-enhanced atmosphere. Which prevented anyone from entering or leaving without strict permission.
No one living on #OWS4 flaunted their wealth with over-excessive parties, everyone minded their own business, so much so that Caius hadn’t seen or met a single neighbour during his childhood. Which made his papa anxious that perhaps he wasn’t socialising enough, hence why he was then sent to groups outside of school. Which proved to be just as bad— where not only the students picked on him, but their parents joined in by sneering.
Caius suffered in silence, but now since his surprise rebirth, he had the ability to change his fate.
“There you are, Caius. I’ve been looking all over for you. Your bath is ready.” His temporary babysitter approached with a light sheen of sweat on her forehead. She had clearly feared the worst as she ran around the house looking for him. But even though she probably wanted to scold him for disappearing from the dinner table when she asked him to stay put, she didn’t. Instead she smiled and offered a hand.
Caius tore himself away from the large glass-panelled windows that gave an unobstructed view of the wonders outside, and took the hand of the woman who likely knew that before today, he was pampered enough to be still bathed by his papa. Even though Omegas developed much slower than the average child, meaning he was an abnormally small ten year old, it didn’t mean he would be able to turn a blind eye towards a stranger lathering him up with soap.
It certainly didn’t ease her worries when Caius closed the door and chose now of all times to bathe privately. The babysitter tried to busy herself while she waited, but every five seconds she found herself looking towards the closed door. Only hearing the sloshing of water every now and then. There were no giggles; as would be expected of a young child in a bath with their toys.
When Caius emerged, roughly rubbing his growing hair with a towel, she scurried to his side. She took over the job of drying it, lightly chastising him for using the towel too vigorously. Her view was that every element of an Omega was fragile, including even their hair and scalp.
Caius didn’t blame her. Even though she was human, she was programmed to think that way. On top of that, he and his papa were extremely close and protective of one another. So there was an expectation of her by Finian, and if she didn’t meet that then she shuddered to think where it would leave her.
But Caius was ignorant of her worries, seeing himself to bed following his relaxing bath and kindly refusing the babysitter’s offer of a bedtime story.
As soon as he softly shut the door, his eyes roamed around the spacious yet familiar room. There was nothing about it that screamed that it was a child’s bedroom, nothing that would irritate him as he relived his childhood years.
His papa made sure to give him everything he could want, without it coming across like he was spoiling him. Caius knew of his papa’s desire to grant his every wish, to be at his beck and call. But he also knew about his papa’s stacks of old books which were stored away in his office.
Not holographic books which could be found on their Communicator, nor the scriptures that could be directly fed into the brain through a neurological link. Actual physical books which, depending on their contents, could be sold for around the worth of a personal transporter.
Once when Caius asked his papa why he bought the archaic objects, instead of just purchasing them for far cheaper through the Communicator that sat on nearly every person’s wrist in the galaxy, his papa had been vague. But years down the line, with a lot of time to think of the past, Caius concluded that it had something to do with his other father.
Which is why he had looked so heartbroken when selling them in order to get money. To make matters worse, the people who bought them had no notion of what they were used for and refused to offer anything but the bare minimum.
But these books were treated with care, and some revolved almost entirely around the topic of raising children. Pages upon pages of notes were made in his papa’s handwriting, emphasising his brute determination when he decided that he truly wanted to go through it alone. He refused to have the robotic-aids deliver his beloved child, who would ultimately be the first to handle Caius. Nor would he allow to have his child taken from him to have bloods extracted for ‘further examination’.
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.
So his papa chose to learn what he needed from what was dubbed the old ways.
Ycf atlcu atja kjr beailcfv lc atf ybbxr kjr atf cfmfrrlas bo qgbnlvlcu sbeg mtliv klat atflg bkc rqjmf. Ds lwqifwfcalcu rlwqif uelvfilcfr obg atf mtliv ab ugbk klat. C weaeji ecvfgrajcvlcu yfakffc qjgfca jcv mtliv jcv wbra lwqbgajcais— vfnfibqlcu agera. Vbwfatlcu atf meggfca qjgfcar bo atf kbgiv kbeiv rcey obg yflcu atbeuta-eq ys qfbqif ktb tjv j iba bo alwf bc atflg tjcvr. Yg atja atfs kfgf abb qbbg ab qgbnlvf gbybalm jrrlrajcmf.
Finian himself had witnessed the horrors that were the children who were given everything they desired. He had been raised alongside them to a point where he could only end up isolating himself in fear of becoming one of them. He could never have imagined what his life would turn out like, but he knew for a fact how he would raise his child in the future. So when making a decision on Caius’ behalf, he always had a battle with himself:
By buying him this, am I spoiling him? What if he sees other children with too many toys and thinks I don’t love him enough?
Which proved inconsequential as, needless to say, Caius loved the little things.
But Finian treasured his books. And when Caius eventually found out how frantic his beloved papa had become in order to make sure everything was perfect for him, it filled him with the warmth many children were currently unfamiliar with.
Which is why, as Caius looked around his bedroom, there was nothing that screamed childish. Only some toys, which were neatly stored away in a basket in the corner of the room, could have given it away. But when it came to the layout of his room, he knew that since it was his papa’s masterpiece, it wasn’t going to be simple.
Decoratively dotted around were understated items that represented the different subjects that were primarily learnt at school. The reason they were considered understated, was because they were all in a simple pale colour-scheme like the rest of the room. No splashes of colour which would draw Caius’ eye and lure him over.
Instead Caius ventured over to the large window which he had found himself staring out of on more than one occasion since reverting back in his own timeline. His youthful and charming little face lifted up to stare at the night sky and at the streaks of light which followed the movements of those who could afford their own transport among the stars.
His wild imagination, which hadn’t changed throughout his life, wondered who those individuals were and what they could be doing out that late. And when lost on that tangent, it made Caius’ fingers twitch.
Soft blue eyes protected under a full fan of dark eyelashes, sought out the materials that he had left just to the side of the window-seat. An item his papa had strategically planned just as well as the small piano tucked away beside his wardrobe and the children’s books which were neatly stacked beside the bed. The sketch-pad was just as brand new as the small tin possessing pencils of primary colours.
His previous— or future— life’s obsession. Something that would never change, but perhaps now Caius had a chance of going further with it. But it was the same thoughts, the same pressure, that made him hesitant to touch them in the first place. As soon as he had found them earlier, he dashed to put pencil to paper— but froze.
From an early age, he found out that drawing was easier than talking. To anyone other than his papa, he felt tongue-tied and reluctant to speak. Something which usually came across to strangers as dismissive. This never changed throughout the years, and Caius found himself reaching for his sketchbook on several occasions. And when he lost his papa and thus discarded, just as the Governing-Body of Nova did to his papa with their current home, Caius had no reason not to become absorbed in his sketching.
Usually sketching until his fingers were covered in grey smudges and were numb to the touch. He was distraught when his papa was taken from him, but then he struggled to determine how he felt from there on after. He knew how to replicate the smile his papa always showed him, he knew how to determine people’s most obvious actions from right and wrong. But when it came to expressing his own, he wasn’t so confident.
So his obsession did the talking for him. When surrounded in his old life by the picturesque scenery of the fields growing artificially-enhanced fruits and vegetables, with such vivid colours that would strike anyone with inspiration, Caius instead used graphite and charcoal. A medium that became second-nature to him, and which is why he was now hesitant.
Caius could never not draw again. That was something he hadn’t even thought about. But what he was willing to change, was the way in which he did.
Only when the sharp nib of the pencil snapped against the paper, as Caius began to draw whatever came to mind, did the apprehension ease from his small body and leave him to calmly and peacefully doodle away. In the silence of the warm room, only a light scratching sound could be heard and it continued until the young Omega grew tired and reluctantly set the utensils to one side.
Time slipped away in peace. Lights still flashed across the sky, the never-ending stream of people living their busy lives at all sorts of hours. #OWS4 seemed to be completely untouched by this rat-race.
That’s to say before a repetitive buzzing sound came from the front door. It was nonstop for thirty seconds before stopping for ten and then starting all over again. It echoed down the intricately designed halls and reached doorways leading to rooms that currently went unused. It was intrusive enough to arouse Caius from his sleep.
After spending his last life in a location so rural even the farmers didn’t possess Communicators on their wrists, there was very little around in terms of sound pollution. So even if his current surroundings were to be deathly quiet, there was very little chance he would easily find sleep on his first night back in his past. Especially knowing his papa was out and about somewhere.
In the time it took for Caius to clamber out of his soft bed and slide on the slippers, which were perched just beside it, the buzzing persisted.
The nightwear he wore was warm and baggy, while his hair which had dried while he sketched, was fluffy and haphazard. He gently rubbed his eyes as he left his room and wandered down the hallway; where the buzzing sound got louder.
Oddly, the babysitter wasn’t around. After poking his head around the door leading to the main seating room, Caius spotted her fast sleep sat on the sofa. She didn’t even twitch when the irritating sound continued to blare out. But instead of waking her up, Caius closed the door.
When standing in front of the entrance, Caius stretched his arm up and accepted the incoming transmission. The dark screen panelling which was just to the side of the door, lit up and revealed a familiar face. Although it had technically been many years, Caius still remembered this man’s features with pinpoint accuracy. In the past, when at his worst while sketching, those features began to resurface without Caius’ intention.
Against the monochromatic background, Kalel’s features could be vaguely seen. But they reminded the little artist of the same pieces of artwork which Caius always chose to crumple-up and throw away. Now there was no avoiding the man, not for the time being anyway.
Kalel was handsome, but there was nothing remarkable about him. It was this element of normality that allowed him to slip under Finian’s radar. Acting like a true wolf in sheep’s clothing. But his recent complacency— his greed— would prove to be his demise.
Up until this point he’d never had to stand outside like a stray dog and whimper pathetically to be let inside. He felt humiliated as his suit was drenched and his intoxicated mind became increasingly blurry. Anger always came naturally to Alphas, but it was a reflection of their social standing by how well they controlled it. And this is what Kalel was struggling with. He grit his teeth together, his jaw aching from the pressure.
His access code had been denied. The gates, which normally stood open in a welcoming display, were firmly closed and as time went on, showed no sign of changing. Kalel continued to press the button whilst he tried to get Finian on the Communicator on his wrist. Both attempts were unsuccessful.
His gaze left the front entrance and drifted to the fence, which he deduced wouldn’t be easy to climb as the terrain wasn’t flat. He was ready to move when the unresponsive screen he had vented his anger on for some time, came to life.
The picture showed the beautifully-decorated insides of the Meadow House. There was a warm glow from the candles which had been lit instead of having main lights on. It’s the warmth Kalel craved while standing on the outside looking in.
Instead of seeing Finian, a young boy with disheveled white hair came on the screen. He rubbed his eyes softly and blinked quickly for a moment as he tried to focus his tired eyes. Everything about the youth screamed tenderness, and even someone as rotten as Kalel was unable to maintain his anger. It faded away as he addressed the Omega child.
“Caius, where’s your father?”
“Um.. papa’s out.”
Kalel was shocked to hear that, knowing how reclusive the older Omega had become since stepping back to look after his son. There was very rarely an occasion where Finian didn’t delegate duties for him to deal with. He worried that something had happened, and was now all the more determined to get in-doors so he could contact the necessary individuals.
“Hurry and let me in!”
But his urgency was met with the relaxed body-language of a ten year old child. Ordinarily, no matter if the child was Alpha, Beta or Omega, they would involuntarily react to an adult Alpha’s demands. But in that moment, Caius witnessed this supposedly intimidating figure drenched from head to toe. Clothes sticking to his skin. Completely helpless as he stood drunkenly, locked out of the place he had foolishly called his home.
Caius was not vindictive, but neither was he foolish enough to ignore the signs. The man had been refused entry by his papa, who had made an unusually late meeting with someone over the phone. His papa had terminated this Alpha’s rights effective immediately. Caius might struggle when it comes to communicating, but that was when he had to dedicate his entire fleeting attention to someone. But there really was very little that needed to be said to someone like Kalel.
“Strangers are not allowed in,” came the soft admittance.
Kalel was dumbfounded, but in a split second his expression twitched and then contorted into anger. He inhaled a deep breath and was prepared to sink his teeth into Caius— when the screen went black.
On the other side of that screen, within the warm embrace of his childhood home, Caius revealed a genuine smile. It pinched at his cheeks as a gentle giggle escaped his mouth; the same one his babysitter had been listening out for earlier.
Whatever happened to the man after that was not his problem. Just as long as he and his papa were left alone.
The large home returned to its comfortable silence, so Caius turned around and padded back up the stairs and back to bed. He remained completely oblivious to the constant bursts of colourful language which stemmed from the opposite side of the highly-securitised gate.
As Caius snuggled down in his thick duvet cover, a man outside slammed his expensive shoe into the ground. His anger was getting the better of him, and sloshing his foot into a puddle did nothing to quash that rage.
Kalel was left with no choice but to return to where his private transporter had dropped him off. Access was immediately granted for him to leave the planet, so he jumped on board. The luxurious insides were met by a seething Alpha who took his anger out on the furnishings. All of which was recorded.
It took a little under an hour to return to Nova.
After a curt message sent to one of his many connections, the room he usually frequented in one of the top hotels within the capital, became available. No one dared question why Kalel, who had only just left their bar not too long ago, returned with a face like thunder. He trudged to the lift and wasn’t seen again until the following morning, when a skittish employee approached him as he ate his breakfast in the restaurant close to the reception area.
“Excuse me, sir?”
“What?” Kalel didn’t even spare the man a look as he continued to eat his food and read from his Communicator.
The young man, who had debated calling in sick that day, truly regretted not listening to his own gut. Now he had to swallow nervously and clear his throat. “Your account with us has been suspended, sir.”
That had Kalel’s attention. The Alpha dropped is cutlery and turned to face the man whose heart pounded in his chest. He was a simple Beta who was lucky enough to work in such an established hotel, but he cursed the older members of staff who had knowingly thrown him to the wolves.
“What?”
“Your account with us—”
“I’m not slow, I heard you! What I mean is why? On whose authority?”
“Your bank’s, sir.”
Kalel’s mouth was open, ready to spew vicious words in retaliation, when he froze. His gaze drifted to the table as he mulled something over momentarily. His complexion gradually grew pale and the young Beta felt extremely uncomfortable. He wanted to retreat, but he had more to say.
“Even though your account was suspended, sir, there’s still an outstanding balance for last night and the breakfast you have just eaten.”
Kalel bared his teeth and jumped to his feet. “You’re no better than leeches. I can see that so-called guest loyalty amounts to shit.” He stormed over to the main desk and continued to argue with the more experienced individuals, who regarded the emotional Alpha with blank expressions. When they threatened the Alpha by calling the necessary authorities, he begrudgingly revealed his Communicator and paid the outstanding expenses by other means.
As soon as he left the hotel, he phoned his bank. An establishment that usually rolled out the red-carpet for him. But not this time, instead he was anxiously patched through from person to person. No one willing to speak to him.
Persisting, he eventually reached a man he had had dinner with only a few days ago to discuss business, who told him outright that he was no longer able to communicate with him. And the line went dead.
Kalel hadn’t gotten to where he was without being smart, so he naturally began to connect the dots. But it was that clarity that he feared the most. He suppressed his anxieties, willing for this all to be a dream. Completely oblivious to the knowledge that it was only a simple sentence by a ten year old Omega, who had commenced his undoing. Just like in all the great tragedies, it was the character who believed they were untouchable who suffered the greatest downfall.
Outside of the hotel, the world continued to move in the bustling capital that early morning. Kalel, whose time was usually invaluable, stood alone and conflicted. He, for the first time in many years, didn’t know what step to take. But fortunately for him, that was already decided. As his Communicator ‘pinged’ and a message came through from one of his close friends. One of his largest investors.
Gone was the familiarity of his words, instead replaced with only a location and a time. Conveniently, he stood around the corner from the same bank which had only just refused to talk with him.
Meanwhile, as this was going on, a young boy situated in the confines of a dwarf planet was once again scribbling in his sketchbook. But if one poked their heads over his shoulder, they would see that this drawing was of the outside world.
Of the meadow that thrived from the downpour the previous evening. But there was something different about the young boy’s sketch that morning. Instead of his usual dark shades, he opted for the warmth of the yellow coloured pencil.
{ To Be Continued }
Love that the dad took swift action. And omg, Caius is so precious, I want to wrap him in a fluffy blanket and protect him from everything bad ><
Thanks for the chapter! 🙂
wow. superman sure has fallen!
I’m so glad that from “You and Kalel are going alone” that the dad was able to hear “a loan” and was able to take swift action.
I’m so glad Caius is going to be okay, for the most part, with his beloved papa!
Thanks for the chapter <3
I’m so satisfied at Finian’s prompt action to stop the scum’s businesses. Now the alpha can go live under a bridge, as he should.
Thanks for the chapter!
Thanks for your hard work!
This chapter made me smile! Perfect reading first thing in the morning! 😆
Ohhhh I cant wait to read more!!!
I love it!!!
Can I put Caius on my pocket for sakekeeping lol
Wow, who said omega’s are weak? What a great face lap.. hmph! I wnat Kalel dead or may be torture him to death… 😾
Ur are sooooooooooooooon dooooown. Im glad Fin has so many connections willing to help him and see his worth as a person and not his gender, i can see it by the way Kalel was thrown to the trashbin by all those people. WIth luck, Fin will have a better judge of character with the Alphas around him… Wish his hubby was alive somehow, seems the love was very real… I mean i know he can find happiness in seeing Caius achieving a good future, but its still sad — so he needs a good son in law and tons of cute grandkids, and a full happy family
(人´∀｀)｡ﾟ+ yessss I’m so glad the trajectory has changed!! Ahhhh!! Kick that rotten man to the curb!!
🥺🥺🥺 Thank you so much for writing! I’m way too invested in this story now, it’s absolutely wonderful! 💖💖💖
ok, I’m honestly so glad that I found this story– it’s so entertaining!
hmm, I wonder if we will have to see Kalel’s appearance in the future…