Chapter 5: Cost

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"Miles." Robin says, voice betraying how panicked he is. Flashbacks of he and Jude's entire friendship play in his brain, making this situation so much worse and stressing him out immensely. "Miles. Please."

"Please what? Please don't tell Jude? You're gonna have to do better than that, Omega."

God, Robin's in so much trouble right now. Just the concept of losing Jude as a friend, of the guy leaving his life, is enough to give him a sinking feeling in his stomach. Now that it's an actual possibility? Robin doesn't know what to do. He's at a complete loss. He just wants this situation to be over. He wishes he could go back in time and not follow the series of events that lead him to this moment.

In hindsight, there are ways he could have gotten out of this. He could have said the medicine is for someone else and just hope Miles didn't see his name on it. He could have, as a last resort, told Miles that Jude already knows—though that's less likely to work. He curses himself for not thinking more, but panic takes over his body to the point where he couldn't rationalize if he wanted to.

"Don't tell Jude." Robin says, looking at Miles almost pleading. He feels a bit pathetic right now but whatever.

Miles just stares down at Robin, as the omega tries to stand up and straighten himself out. "Please don't tell Jude."

So, here's the thing about Miles: Robin can't think of a single time the guy looked at him with anything but pure hatred and detest on his face. Seriously, the dude can't stand him. This is why, when he sees the expression on Miles' face, he can't help but to feel slightly caught off guard. The guy doesn't look happy, or gentle or anything. However, he isn't looking at Robin like he usually does. His gaze is neutral, leaning toward the tolerable side.

This is weird.

Robin tries to figure out why the guy doesn't look as feral as usual. Then, he realizes something. He doesn't know how applicable it is to the situation, but it is an explanation. Alphas that aren't mated, by nature, are meant to protect and care for omegas. Historically, the male omegas that were treated like shit were mostly victim to betas and mated alphas. In recent years this has become less common, though. Male omegas being looked down upon has been so normalized that a lot of alphas can resist this instinct.

Alright, that's probably not it. Robin can't think of anything else, though.

"Okay," Miles says, and his tone isn't nearly as harsh as it usually is. "Okay, I won't. For now. But you better keep your alpha under control, because the second he crosses another line, I'm ruining your life."

Robin winces, avoiding eye contact. How does he get himself in these situations? He's also not sure how he feels about Miles referring to Jude as his alpha. They are not mated. They aren't interested in each other like that.

"Jude isn't my alpha," Robin replies, even though he's pretty sure Miles wasn't being serious. If Jude was his alpha, then that would mean he knew.

Miles raises an eyebrow at Robin's (most likely unnecessary) clarification. Also, probably the fact that Robin didn't acknowledge anything else he said.

"Right. Well, keep your friend under control. Honestly, your best bet would be to stay away from him entirely."

Ha! That's a joke. Robin couldn't stay away from Jude if he wanted to. They're just drawn to each other, it's almost magnetic. Whatever, he'll humor Miles.

"I... can try, but you have to stop hurting me or I doubt it will work."

Miles reaches out, and grabs Robin by the jaw. It surprises him, so he immediately tenses up. Miles tilts his head, getting way too close to Robin's face. "I'm gonna do what I want, and you're gonna listen to everything I say. Yeah?"

Robin frowns, not particularly fond of being told what to do like this. He feels a small urge to listen, due to the fact that Miles is an alpha, but it's nothing compared to how compliant and submissive Jude can get him. This, however, would be easy to resist if needed.

"Fine." Robin replies, resentment in his tone.

Miles seems pleased with himself, and Robin tries not to feel stressed as the guy lets go of him and backs away.

Well, this just got a whole lot worse.

-

That night, Robin just sits in his room, feeling defeated. How could he be so careless? What made him think it was a good idea to walk around all suspiciously like that, especially when he has Miles constantly wanting to make his life hell?

To be honest, Robin is a bit surprised at how things went today. Miles is usually much harsher with him, and he's shocked that the guy was even willing to come to an agreement at all. Typically Miles is the least reasonable person on the planet, especially when it comes to Robin. Not to mention, the conditions for keeping his secret weren't even that difficult.

He just has to keep Jude from having confrontations, basically. That shouldn't be too hard, right? Well, Robin is a bit messed up right now from the previous conflict with Miles. So, it'll be a bit difficult to talk Jude down from that. Robin wonders if, now that Miles knows he's an omega, the guy might go a bit easier on him. Robin isn't one to appreciate being viewed as weak, but he'll take what he can get.

He's not sure how he feels about Miles' recommendation to stay away from Jude, though. Robin's gonna be completely honest, that's impossible. He and Jude are borderline codependent, not to mention Jude keeps tabs on him like a hover mom.

Robin glances up at his phone buzzing, and it's then that he remembers he left it here all day. He gets up and walks over, picking it up to find a lot of texts and a few missed calls. All from Jude.

Hey you left your wallet in my car

Do you wanna come pick it up after class?

Nvm I'll bring it to you at work

Robin's heart beats faster at that. Oh no, Jude went by his aunt's?

Then there are the missed calls, and after that, only one more unread text.

I'm coming over

That text was sent about five minutes ago, and Robin barely has time to process it before he hears his window being tampered with. Why Jude refuses to use the front door is beyond Robin, though he has a sneaking suspicion it has something to do with the fact that his parents aren't exactly fond of the alpha.

His head shoots up to find Jude opening his window and sliding in expertly. He takes note that this guy does not look particularly happy with him.

Robin's eyes widen as Jude closes the window behind him. Oh fuck. This is not good.

"Jude?" Robin asks, slightly stressed. He already knows he's going to have to tell more lies to keep his story straight, which is beyond exhausting. He curses not being born an alpha for probably the 200th time during his 18 years. Seriously, none of these problems would exist if he weren't an omega.

"You," Jude says, walking towards him with an irritated look on his face, "are done leaving your phone at home."

Robin frowns as the alpha draws closer. He's getting about sick of being told what to do today.

Robin looks up at Jude once the guy reaches in front of him, arms crossed and staring down at him disapprovingly. Robin really is not in the mood to deal with this at 8:00 pm.

"I forgot it," Robin lies. "Sorry."

"Where were you?" Jude asks. "You weren't at work like you said, so why did you lie to me?"

Robin scrunches up his face, not thrilled about this accusation, no matter how true. "She told me not to come in today because they were slow."

Jude raises an eyebrow, visibly not believing Robin. Robin wonders why, considering that's a very plausible reason for not going to work when he was supposed to. Even though... he wasn't supposed to.

"There was a line out the door when I went by, so I really doubt that."

Being caught in a lie has Robin on the defensive, and he immediately begins backing away from Jude. "Oh my god. Why does it matter? Stop acting like you own me, Jude. I don't have to tell you everything."

Jude is absolutely not pleased with Robin for talking back to him and deflecting, but whatever. Robin is obviously avoiding eye contact, and as he does this, he notices something on his desk.

The bag. The bag full of omega medicine that he just bought from the drug store.

Yeah, Robin's not even going to play games with this. Absolutely not. He wastes no time, walking over to his desk, then to his bathroom. He turns on the light and starts putting it all away. Jude doesn't ask him what he's doing, and he starts to realize why once he finishes and turns around.

Yeah, Jude looks pissed. It takes Robin a moment to figure out why. To remember how Miles messed him up a bit earlier, and now that he turned on his bathroom light it's no longer dark in here. Jude can see the damage.

Jude stares at Robin for a moment, looking very upset. Then, he begins making his way to the window. It takes Robin a second, but he realizes that Jude isn't even going to question him. He's just leaving, presumably to confront Miles. No questions asked.

Oh shit, that's not good.

By the time Robin gets his body to move, Jude is already at the window, about to pull it open. He rushes over there as fast as he can, barely blocking Jude in time. He stands in between the alpha and the window, watching as Jude stares down at him. "Move."

"Why are you leaving? You just got here."

"You know why."

"You don't even know how it happened."

"Really?" Jude asks, staring at Robin like that was a dumb thing to say. "Bet I can guess."

Robin frowns, staring off to the side. He can't help how irritated he feels, and it's not just because Robin can't let Jude start fights with Miles right now. He doesn't understand why Jude acts like Robin can't take care of himself. He can. He's home right now with only a couple bruises and Jude doesn't know his secret. That's better than he thought it would go. He's fine. It's handled.

"Jude. Please don't go start fights right now." Robin says, tone almost pleading. He meets Jude's eyes, despite his aversion to eye contact. The guy is just staring down at him unhappily. Robin tries not to get frustrated.

"I'm not starting anything." Jude replies. "You can't keep letting him get away with this shit."

"The whole reason he does this to me is to get to you. So stop giving him what he wants." Robin tries to reason. Jude frowns, and Robin realizes he's actually thinking about what he just said. Yeah, Robin made a pretty good point there to be honest. Jude thankfully takes a step away from the window, before sitting in Robin's desk chair.

The guy stays there for a while, contemplating, and Robin goes to stand a couple feet in front of him. Jude is very deep in thought, before he finally speaks.

"I won't get physical, but I'm at least talking to him."

Robin sighs, rubbing his nose. He's so stressed.

"Fine." Robin responds, choosing to believe Jude even though he probably shouldn't. Considering the damage Jude did to Miles from just some neck bruising, there's no way the guy will let this go that easily.

He's also not sure if keep your alpha under control is supposed to apply to non physical confrontations. Honestly, the meaning of that phrase is so broad. Miles really wasn't all that specific. It's very likely that Robin will screw this up. "But for now please stop... doing this."

"Doing what?" Jude asks, raising an eyebrow. "I thought you agreed to let it go."

Jude has a point there, and it puts a bit of a hiccup in Robin's plans. Fuck it, whatever. He's allowed to change his mind. "Well I change my mind."

"What exactly do you want me to stop? Protecting you?"

"What makes you think I can't take care of myself?" Robin asks, watching as Jude's eyebrows furrow. He meets Robin's gaze, appearing impatient.

"It doesn't matter what I think, because either way you do not."

Robin sighs, he hates this. Arguing with Jude, especially over and over about the same goddamn thing. At least he basically got Jude to agree for now. That is, at least the guy won't go picking fights tonight.

Robin crosses his arms, breaking eye contact. "Whatever."

It's silent for a while, neither of them doing anything. When Robin looks back at Jude, he finds the guy already staring at him.

"What?" Robin asks, wondering how long this guy has just been looking at him—and for what reason.

"I really don't understand you sometimes."

Robin scrunches his eyebrows together, wondering how he should even take that. Jude doesn't understand him sometimes? Well he's got Robin beat, because Robin doesn't understand Jude ever. "What does that mean?"

"You have a secret that you've been keeping from me for at least a year, and I don't understand why you can't just tell me." Robin basically stops breathing. "Seems like it would ease your mind."

How in the world does Jude know that? Sure, Robin is aware that the guy is more than a little smart. However, being fully aware of Robin's secret? For who knows how long? Why didn't he say anything sooner?!

Robin can't help the panic he's feeling. What does he even say in this situation? Jude seems to be pretty sure of himself, so the chances of dissuading him are slim. Whatever, won't stop Robin from trying.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Robin lies, though his voice shakes so it's not particularly believable.

"Really?" Jude asks, raising an eyebrow. "How long are you planning on keeping this from me? Does it have something to do with Miles? Is it why you keep lying?"

Robin frowns, irritated at Jude's persistence. "What could I be keeping from you? What secrets could I possibly have?"

"I don't know, Robin, you tell me."

Robin does not like this conversation. At this rate, it's only a matter of time before Jude figures it out on his own. The guy already thinks that Robin 'acts like an omega' and he's just way too smart generally. He could figure it out.

Robin will do his best to keep that from happening.

"I'm going to bed," Robin says, not even trying to hide how unhappy he is with the situation. He walks over to his dresser and begins changing clothes, electing to ignore Jude.

"Seriously? You won't even talk bout this with me?"

Okay. So not ignoring Jude. "There's nothing to talk about."

There is a long pause, and after Robin finishes putting his shirt on—now fully clothed—he finds Jude standing only a foot away. It kind of startles Robin, so he backs up against his dresser. Jude has his arms crossed, and Robin knows the alpha is looking down at him. So, he stares at the floor.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Jude finally says, which makes Robin feel a bit better. He's not completely eased, though, considering the fact that Jude still knows he's hiding something. "If you're really this averse to telling me, I'm gonna assume you have a good reason."

It's a good reason to Robin, that's for sure. He and Jude's friendship? Uh, yeah, he'll do anything to keep that.

"Thank you." Robin mumbles, despite the unease and slight guilt he feels every time he's anything but truthful with Jude.

"But you should at least consider it."

Uh, no. Robin doesn't plan on ever telling Jude that he's an omega, unless he has absolutely no choice. He will pretend to be the first person in history without a secondary gender before he admits the truth.

He doesn't care what it costs him in the process, as long as he can keep Jude.

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