Chapter 1

With his backpack sung over his shoulder, Dominic made his way through the large hallway of the building. Other students were unlocking and opening their lockers to get their necessary books for their next classes. Dominic was prepared already and was just making his way to his French class. Its wasn't necessary ,but it was on his schedule.

Once making it to Ms. Lara's classroom, he took a seat at the back of the classroom. Ever since he was in elementary, he grew accustomed to sitting in the back. Gerard and Frank were used to that too. They were just the type to be the outsiders of the school. It didn't mean anything bad ,they just weren't popular and they didn't yearn for the attention. Dominic placed his backpack on his desk and removed his textbook, notebook and pencil case. Students were pouring into the room while conversing amongst each other. Dominic rested his elbow on the desk with his chin in his palm while he left his eyes roam the classroom. His true friends he had happened to be older than him.

Pete Wentz, an old friend, and ex-boyfriend, was who Dominic was going to attend school with. They had and they still were. It was complicated like everything else in life, Dominic learned. Now ,he shared a dorm with some stranger that went out and partied all night . Dominic wasn't that type and neither had Pete. They clicked until Pete just said they didn't anymore.

The clacking of high heels was got louder. Ms. Stein entered the room. Okay class, we're going to be going through the instructions for a next assignment. It's going to be a primary text paper.

Dominic wasn't the only one who groaned. He gripped his pencil tightly ,muttering under his breath, fucking theses can go to hell. He glanced up to see Ms. Stein scrawling a bunch of instructions on the whiteboard. He started copying them down in his notebook. The only time he stopped was when he felt his cell vibrate in his pocket.

Worried that Ms. Stein would catch him and at the same time curious, Dominic dropped his pencil on the notebook and fished his phone out of his message. He saw it was a message from Gerard. There was still another hour before Dominic finished his classes for the day. His brother should also be working too right now, unless his schedule recently changed.

Too eager to wait until his class was over ,the omega opened the message to see hat his crazy brother needed to tell him.

(GEE: Hey Dominic, I was wondering if you would like to come over for dinner tomorrow night?)

Dominic looked down at the phone as if it had morphed into a disgusting centipede. He was bewildered with what Gerard was asking of him. Don't blame him, he loved his brother and brother-in-law both were good friends were of his. He was simply curious as to why Gerard was asking him through text message. It just seemed odd to him.

Frank and Gerard hadn't moved out of Belleville since it was both of their homes in which they had been born and raised in. Besides, their family and friends lived there too. Frank simply wanted to play and compose music which was why he started up his band Death Spells along with their mutual friend Matt. While Frank had his music, Gerard ended up going to art school to get a degree in it. Now his brother was drawing comic books and illustrating novels too.

It didn't take long for Dominic to decide on what he wanted to do with his life. Gerard and his life were influenced by smashing Pumpkins, Iron Maiden and The Misfits. Dominic knew he didn't have a yearning for singing. His interest ended up in composing songs and he found his love for the bass in high school. He even had his own which he got for his eighteenth birthday from Frank and Gerard.

The idea of playing in a band didn't sound bad at all. Frank promised him that he would have a spot open for him if he ever wanted. Dominic did know his heart was set on continuing a life with playing his silver sparling bass. Whenever he could, he was playing the musical instrument and and never stopping until he dropped to the floor. What could he say? The love for music was instilled in him from a young age.

Dominic simply replied to Gerard with a sure before putting his phone away. He cursed under his breath when he noticed Ms. Stein was nearly finished with the instructions. He scrawled what he was missing and paid attention to his teacher while she began explaining. It got boring, sad to say, but Dominic couldn't flunk any of his classes.

A part of him wanted to teach others to play the bass too. His parents thought it would be a good idea for him to pursue earning a degree with something he was interested in like Gerard had done. If he wanted, he could teach others to play the bass. It was an idea, but he hadn't gotten any further in the planning of it all.

The mousy omega pouted when his glasses tilted down. He groaned internally knowing he would have to get them adjusted. He hated his glasses and the idea of contacts made him cringe. There was no way in Hell he was going to place little pieced of plastic into his eyeballs. No ma'am!

Dominic considered Lasik. He wouldn't have to worry about his damn glasses ever again. It was costly though so it's not like he could afford it at the moment. For now ,he would just have to deal with his annoying glasses. A part of him remembered a time when he was bullied in elementary and high school for being four-eyed. Gerard and frank would have threatened the kids who did it, but Dominic thought it was best to just leave it alone.

While Ms. Stein did her talking on how to professionally write primary texts, Dominic found himself strolling down memory lane. Back in high school, he was already being picked on for being an omega, so his glasses made it ten times worse. Some girls would even pick on him because he wasn't even an attractive omega that boys were like. He was tall and lanky, he could see why they thought that . By that time, Frank and Gerard were in their senior year. Dominic had more time enduring the bullying.

The tall omega stuck it out like a champ. He knew it was normal for people to get bullied. He knew he didn't deserve the shit the bastards at school gave him. He didn't need to wallow in self- pity because he knew they were wrong about him. Dominic was aware that bullies had their own shitty lives and just wanted to pour on everyone's parade. Dominic just continued as if they meant nothing to him. At the end of the day, they didn't.

Once French was done, Dominic felt drained. Thank goodness today was Thursday and no classes tomorrow! He felt like he got a snippet of what Ms. Stein went over. He took the necessary notes he needed. He packed his bag and followed the others out of the class. His last class was Study Hall, which he spent his time finishing his homework from his previous classes. He even went over the French notes to make sure they made sense.

When he made it back to his dorm, he plopped onto his bed and just stayed there. His roommate would be out longer since he liked to talk to his popular friends. Never in a million year would the omega expect a popular beta to be his roommate. But, if he were being honest, Pete was supposed to be his roommate. Dominic cursed at himself for thinking about the alpha his heart once belonged to .

Today was just like any other day. Boring .Nothing exciting or different. He just added dinner with Frank and Gerard tomorrow, but that was it.

After minutes of lying on his stomach, he got up and grabbed his laptop before opening a document. French papers always took forever for him to do since he despised the class. He even procrastinated it a few times and thankfully ,he's realizes soon enough he needed to turn in his damn essays in before the deadline. He was an average student, but not failing which he thought was a plus.

Gerard had always been good in French. His brother preferred science, but he also knew how to tell a story. In stories, he could point out every detail. Dominic just enjoyed a good read out of the comics and books they read.

Should I persuade Gee to do my paper for me? Dominic thought for a moment before concluding that his brother wouldn't do that for him although they would die for each other. Goodies two shoes.

It was an hour when he received another text message. He peered over at his phone, debating whether to wait or answer it now. His curiosity got the better of him. It was a message from one of the mutual friends he had with Gerard and Frank: Joe Trohman. Joe and his boyfriend, Andy Hurley ,have know him since high school. Joe and Andy wanted to make music like Frank too.

(JOE: come and have some drinks with Andy and I. We're heading over to Simmer's tonight)

Dominic took a second to think of his friend's offer. Joe and Addy were occupied with their own lives trying to make music. Dominic has seen the similar experience Frank had. His schedule was flexible since he stayed in his room and binge-watch his favorite movies on his laptop. His fr friends weren't in school anymore and were actually trying to make a living.

The younger omega realized it was best to spend time with the ones he cared about when they had the time. He might have time, but that didn't mean they had. It was why it had been easy to say yes to Gerard's offer. There were so many things going on in their lives that he couldn't even imagine, Dominic believed. Dominic could think of one at the top of his head:; a family.

Gerard and frank both wanted to make a family together which Dominic thought was awesome. The pair admitted having tried two years ago when they believed they were at a good spot in their life where they could afford to start their family. Dominic was excited for them even though he hadn't heard any pregnancy news from his brother yet. The omega was keeping his fingers and toes crossed for the couple.

Dominic responds sure, text me the address, before continuing with his paper. It wouldn't be due until Monday so even if he didn't finish it today, he had three more days to finish it. He inspected his work enough for him now before he got ready to go out. By that time, Joe had sent the address and a smiley emoji.

He knew for a fact that his friends would attempt to persuade him to go talk with some guys. Gerard had done that too until Dominic asked him to stop. Brothers were different and Gerard respected his decision .Joe and Andy wouldn't mean any harm by encouraging him to talk to people. Dominic sighed while he headed to the community showers which was shared by all the boys in the building. Thankfully, only a few other boys were in there and could care less about who else was in there.

The ten-minute shower was finished as quick as it began and Dominic was making his way back to his dorm where he gathered his clothes. He picked out a star wars t-shirt with black skinny jeans. Just like back in high school, he was accustomed to wearing his dark beanies, so he picked out a black one with a misfits pin he got from hot Topic. After placing his glasses over his face, he felt this look was complete.

Before leaving he grabbed his phone and car keys. The car ride to the newly opened bar Simmer was full of Radiohead blasting through his stereo. He wondered if any of the kids from college would be there since it was a new place. Joe and Andy loved checking out new bars for gig opportunities. Dominic smiled at the thought.

When he arrived at the bar, he could see people were definitely there to check it out by the number of cars in the parking lot. Thank God he was able to find a spot to park his car or else the night would be partially ruined. There wasn't a line to get in, but people were already outside with shots and cigarettes clutched in their hands. Dominic shook his head before entering the bar.

The smashing Pumpkins "Ave Adore" boomed in the bar, Dominic grinned on spot. Instead of going through the sea of people to head to the bar, the omega tried searching for joe and Andy. When he caught a few stares from some alphas, he shuddered. Luckily, he didn't forget to take his daily suppressants. He would hate to just have his heat right then and there for all alphas to try to have a go at him.

Dominic way! The omega winced when he heard his name being called out. His haze eyes found his friends huddled in a booth, both clutching onto shot glasses. Joe, with his amazing fro, was flailing his free arm where he sat with Andy. Dominic would find it hard to not believe his friend was drunk.

Dominic got through the clumps of people, scents and alcohol filling his nostrils .Why did they decide on a new place that would obviously gain a ton of customers?

Hey Joe, Andy, the omega greeted his friends with a small wave, entering the booth to sit across from them.

Andy called out to one of the waitresses that came near and ordered something. Dominic knew it was for him, but he didn't have the energy to question what he was going to receive.

Joe was the first to begin a conversation. So, how's school?

Fine. Every class but music is boring. Dominic responded truthfully ,the two nodding in understandingly. Music was their reason for living so it made sense.

Get what you mean. It'll go by before you know it and then you'll be in the real world doing whatever the hell you want to. Joe reassured the younger omega before taking a swig from his beer. He set it down hardly right after, searching for a waitress to refill it.

Dominic shrugged. He supposed Joe wasn't wrong. All he had to do was do what he needed to do. As long as he kept those grades up. They didn't have to be perfect, but just enough to get him by.

Jack and Alex just moved in together. How long do you wanna bet they'll be engaged? I'm guessing it'll take at least three months. Joe randomly brought up.

Jack Barakat and Alex Gaskarth were also mutual friends, but they were mostly. Dominic wished he hung out with them more since they seemed fun to be around. He only heard about them from time to time, but not as much.

Andy chimed in. I'm guessing at least a year. The waitress came back, Andy taking the drink and handing it over to Dominic.

I drove here, Andy. Dominic mumbled loud enough, pushing the drink in the direction of joe.

There's a bunch of good-looking guys here. Maybe you can find one to take you home? Joe wiggled his eyebrows. Or back to their place, hmm? This was exactly that Dominic was expecting and it didn't surprise him one bit. He wasn't mad either. It was a normal thing for a friend to want their single friend to be with someone.

Joe and Andy were well- aware about the whole Pete situation. They were Pete's friends- he knew them first. The two of them still talked to Pete, Dominic knew. Their friendship probably wasn't the same because of what happened, but it was still there. Dominic didn't hold it against them. It wouldn't be fair of him.

They're probably interested in just sex. Dominic couldn't help skimming through the crowd, smelling the alphas in the crowd. It made him think of Pete. They used to head to bars too. It was fun while it lasted. Dominic would be lying if he said he didn't miss it.

Andy added to what his boyfriend was saying. sometimes you just got to think of your needs, Dominic. A good time wouldn't be so bad. Besides, are you looking to be in a relationship?

Dominic glanced up at the other wit a frown. He could see his friends point. He didn't even know if he was ready for anything real, but he wanted it .He wanted what Gerard and Frank had what they always had. Dominic thought he had that with Pete, especially with how long they had known each other. He imagined a future with his ex- boyfriend, but in the end it didn't matter. Pete didn't want it with him.

It took time for him to realize that if Pete and he were supposed to be together than they would be. He knew that now, but it still sucked.

Unpredictably, Joe's phone went off. The omega took it out and groaned when he saw who was calling him. He put it back in his pocket. Who was it? Andy inquired curiously, eyeing the phone in his boyfriend's pocket.

Fucking Pete. Joe answered without hesitation. Dominic tried paying attention to something else, but he knew he would be unable to. Andy cleared his throat, eyeing Dominic and then Joe. You know it would have been interesting to know what the hell he wanted , but you decided not to answer.

I doubt it's anything important. Joe argued, ignoring the vibrations coming from his pocket.

Andy asked with a sarcastic grin. What if he was dying? It's his curiosity getting the better of him. He was still friends with Pete even though he broke Dominic's heart.

Then he should get 911 on the phone because I don't know shit about saving someone. Joe answered, the conversation being ended right then and there.

Dominic sighed. He appreciated Joe for trying to be considerate, but it couldn't go on like this. It hasn't been long since they had broken up, by he would have to get used to not feeling weird when he heard Pete's name.

Got any plans tomorrow? Joe projected his voice since the music apparently got louder in the bar.

Dominic realized he needed to raise his voice too. He was getting annoyed by the loud voices of everyone else in the room. Dinner with Gee and Frank.

Hey, last we heard of the Iero's they were making Mini Iero! Andy exclaimed with a grin on his face. Dominic's face contorted to disgust at the thought of his brother and Frank doing it. He would like to keep those thoughts out of his head. How's it going by the way?

Joe looked insulted. Gee isn't hiding his pregnancy, is he? Dominic knew that Gerard and Frank would have announced it to everyone they knew if they were expecting. Neither of them would be able to keep the surprise sealed.

It I knew, you would've known by now, Dominic assured his betrayed friend who was happy again. They've been trying though.

Andy draped an arm around Joe, pulling him close. Gee will be pregnant sooner or later for certain, just you wait! He turned to his omega. You wanna bet when Gee will be expecting?

Hmm....Joe appeared like he was thinking along and hard for a moment. I'll say in a month! Who knows? Surprises come whenever the hell they decide to show up. How about you, babe?

Andy tilted his head. I would say....how about six months? They have been trying for...Joe was trying to think of the answer too. Andy gave up and eyed Dominic. How long have they been trying?

Two years. Dominic confirmed. The two were amazed by the answer.

Andy looked down at the table. Damn.

Gee must be hard to knock up. Joe commented. Dominic flipped off his friend, finding the thought gross. He didn't want to imagine anything sexual when it came to Gerard and Frank. One was his brother and the other his best friend.

Andy waved his hand dismissively. Don't worry about it. Sometimes it takes years before a couple expects a child. They'll be expecting in no time! Dominic agreed with Andy about that. He couldn't wait to hear Gerard was going to have his little niece or nephew.

Dominic noticed Andy was stopping Joe from taking his drink. Dominic didn't want to be unappreciative, so he took the glass and sipped from it. not long after, Joe and Andy headed with the crowd. He watched them with zero interest while he nursed his drink. The last time he was at a bar he was with Pete and their mutual friends. It was what they used to do. It was different going on his own with their friends.

The omega couldn't help watching Joe and Andy together. It wasn't rare for envy to sneak up on him- heck it did every time he was with Gerard and Frank. It was all different after Pete broke up with him. Although he would rather not think about it, he knew his thoughts about his ex were uncontrollable. He held his glass in his hands, his eyes resting on the table. He was beginning to get that out of place feeling meaning it was time for him to bail.

Dude, your shirt is awesome! Dominic glances up when he heard a voice. Across from him, there was an attractive man with a full messy afro and a bright smile that made Dominic wanted to smile too. The man's words repeated in his head. He was complimenting his shirt. Dominic looked down to stare at his shirt with some Stormtroopers. When his eyes met the other man, he noticed he was wearing a Darth Vader shirt. This guy was clearing just calling someone out for liking the same thing he liked. It wasn't the only think Dominic realized. The man before him was radiating with his alpha scent.

Dominic blushed from the thought that some random alpha decided to strike a conversation with him, however it was a small comment ,no real discussion. T-thanks. Yours too. It wasn't uncommon for him to make small responses when it came to people he didn't know. Some people liked to chat with everyone in the room, but it just wasn't for Dominic. He knew it probably wasn't ideal for him to just connect with the people he knew and loved, but it was how he lived his life. Besides, this alpha would probably ditch him after he realized the omega before him wasn't as interesting .Dominic had experience of that.

So, Jedi or Sith? The afro man sat in the booth, sitting across from the mousy omega, his warm brown eyes full of interest. Dominic hadn't expected the alpha to stay. He expected a small reply and then for him to just head into the crowd with everyone else. Dominic couldn't spot a drink in his hands. The omega guessed he had driven here too.

The pregnant silence caused Dominic to blink more than he should have in that second. The alpha was clearly waiting for a response. Dominic wasn't going to ignore him either since that would be a shitty thing to do.

Jedi. Dominic answered with a half smile. It felt weird that he was gaining this attention from some alpha. Most of the alphas he met that had any interest in him started off with flirting and stupid sex jokes no one found funny. It didn't take long for him to tell them he wasn't interested. However, this alpha had yet to make those attempts previous alphas have made before.

The alpha's eyes brightened from Dominic's response. Same! His brown eyes scanned the crowed of alphas, betas and omegas, their scents mixed alcohol and marijuana. No one else seems to want to talk about sci-fi here. Not a good place if you want to make good conversation. Dominic could agree with that by the sight of some people making out or draining their glasses. You wouldn't expect to find anyone who was actually down for making conversation that didn't involve anything sexual.

I'm Ray ,by the way, the alpha spoke up again, his right hand extended out for Dominic to take. The omega eyed the alpha's larger hand as if it would bite him. Obviously, Ray didn't seem to be the stereotypical alpha Dominic was used to.

Abruptly, Butterflies fluttered in his stomach after Dominic took Ray's hand. He assumed it was because someone had their attention on him without having to sound like a pervert. From what it seemed like. Dominic wasn't getting any pervert vibes from the alpha across him.

Dominic, the omega introduced himself. He didn't bother giving the other his surname since the alpha hadn't. Who knows? This could be the first and last time they ever see each other.

After getting each other's names, the conversation switched back to star wars. Dominic didn't mind since he loved the movies and from what it seemed so did Ray. In the past, Dominic has received attention from alphas who pretended they were interested in what he liked. If Ray was like those alphas, he was doing a far better job at fabricating his love for star wars.

It wasn't just Star Wars they talked about though. All that changed it was when Ray made a comment about the music playing. It was The Misfits "Die, Die My Darling" when Ray mentioned he played this once on his guitar. Then everything changed. The afro alpha was ten times more interested than Dominic already found him.

Ray played guitar and wrote songs in his spare time. After Dominic mentioned he played the bass and was going to school for a degree in music, both began listing off their favorite rock bands. Black Flag. The Misfits, of course. Iron Maiden.

Where has Ray been his whole life? The alpha was the friendliest and most optimistic person Dominic has ever met. Dominic could listen to Ray speak for hours. The alpha's joyful voice giving him energy that coffee would give you. Throughout the whole conversation, Dominic felt like Ray was someone he's known his whole life.

Do you have any siblings? It was a random question. Most of the time they talked about the entertainment they liked. They had even both went over video games too.

They weren't even in the booth anymore. There was a section in the bar where fancy leather couches were spread throughout the room which were their new seats. Dominic ignored the fact that Joe and Andy could be looking for him, but they knew he hadn't wanted to drink, and he could drive himself home. This unfortunately has changed since he knows he's drunken more than he should. He could still understand perfectly what Ray was saying and respond without sounding like he was speaking gibberish.

One older brother. Dominic answered. He thought about his Gerard and his tiny white teeth Frank loved to point out. How about you?

Ray's eyes were downcast when he shrugged. Two older brothers. We used to be close, but as time went by, we drifted.

Guilt gnawed at Dominic although he knew it shouldn't. Ray was the one who pulled out the family question. Still, Dominic didn't like the idea of no one wanting to spend time with the alpha. Granted, the omega in him also liked him being Ray's companion. Then again, Ray and he were just interested in him romantically. The only proof he had was that Ray chose to talk to him out of the many people in the bar.

You're such a moron, Dominic thought. Why would Ray be interested in him? He felt his stomach churn uncomfortably now that doubt filled him. What the freak was Ray doing to him?

Ray glanced up from the barely drunken glass. How close are you with your brother? Dominic had been thrown off when he felt those warm brown eyes on him.

His tongue felt glued due to the alpha's attention on him. Uh, we were inseparable when we were younger. I was his shadow. We were never a part. Even now, We're really close. "Dominic felt the urge to facepalm his face. Yeah, brag about how you have a better relationship with Gee than Ray and his brothers, Dominic stifled a groan.

There was no despair on Ray's face when he heard Dominic's response. He smiled happily as if he delighted that Dominic had an awesome bond with his brother. Was Ray too good for this world? Dominic wondered and believed it may be so. He couldn't help but smile back at the alpha, a pregnant silence surrounding them.

The alcohol must have decided to hit him right then and there since he was beginning to feel a bit lightheaded. Dominic was grateful he didn't just faint or vomit. It would be embarrassing and all he could think about now was Ray's big kissable lips. Dominic blinked for a second when he thought those lips were getting closer to him. How drunk was he?

Whether it not he had registered it, but Ray leaned close to the omega. All Dominic could do was keep his hazel eyes on Ray's face while the alpha didn't stop. He didn't know when but in seconds his eyes were shut, and he felt softness rest upon his lips. Dominic knew Ray was kissing him and he didn't plan on pulling away, drunk or not.

At first he didn't kiss back since he was still comprehending that the handsome alpha he met was kissing him. When Ray didn't pull away this time, he placed an arm around Dominic's waist to keep him there. The omega's arms wrapped around Ray's neck, Pulling him closer.

For a while it was all just a bunch of kissing. Someone nearby whistled at them but they didn't pay attention. All that mattered to keep was each other. although they were quite close it didn't feel like enough to either of them. At one point they did pull away for air, heavy pants from both. Ray rested his head on Dominic's keeping them close.

Dominic couldn't concentrate on anything but Ray. He didn't even want to get in bed with the alpha- it was the last thing on his mind. The kissing and touching was his favorite part. Just being close with the alpha made him feel warm inside. It was a warmth he felt like he was missing in his cold soul. Without thinking , he intertwined his hand with one of Ray's. He smiled when the alpha squeezed his hand. It almost felt like Ray was saying that he didn't want to let go of him either.

The omega felt Ray's lips on his cheek before he rose from the couch. Dominic felt sad believing that his alpha would leave. Their hands were still together though. The strong arm wrapped around his waist didn't leave but helped him up off the couch too seconds passed by and Dominic found himself being embraced by Ray as the alpha led them out of the bar.

Hopefully Joe and Andy don't think I was kidnapped or something. Dominic hoped when he stole one last glance at the center of the room with everyone.

The dizziness was making him tired to the point where he could only focus on the feeling. He didn't remember entering Ray's car or apartment. All he recalled was feeling the alpha's arm around his waist. It was comforting to him that he knew Ray wasn't going to leave him that he knew Ray wasn't going to leave him be for a single second. It reminded him of a beautiful dream he never wanted to wake up from. He felt those lips on his cheek one last time before he felt himself falling back. His eyes closed instantly once he fell on the comfortable surface.

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