I, Omega

Chapter 8: Safety and Wellness

 It was more than difficult to acknowledge Satoru Gojo as an individual after the night Yuji shared with him. There would have been less animosity—if that was the correct word—in a world where Fushiguro hadn't come along. However, that didn't matter in Yuji's current situation.

He traced the molding around the ceiling, avoiding eye contact with the tall blond man standing in front of him. Gojo, on the other hand, chatted away idly, as if he couldn't feel the murderous aura leaking from the omega named Kento Nanami. Yuji had only agreed to meet after running the concept past Fushiguro, who said, "Why would I care if you're not sleeping with Gojo?"

Nothing Fushiguro said inspired much confidence in their future. The man probably spent more time spiking his inky hair than he did considering what Yuji thought. They were supposed to be partners in whatever they were doing. There was supposed to be a line of communication between them. But somehow, Yuji found himself in a care center with a strange half-Japanese man with skin like milk and eyes that could kill a lesser person.

"What am I doing here exactly?" Nanami spoke with a deep, guttural growl.

If Yuji hadn't caught Nanami's strong omega scent, he would have mistaken the scowling man for an alpha. It was no lie that the majority of omegas were built slim and struggled to hold muscle mass. That was not an issue Nanami seemed to have.

Gojo's ashen hair wagged across his porcelain face as he said, "Nanami! Were you not listening? I want you to mentor Itadori a little on what it means to not be a traditional omega."

Nanami grunted. "Is that a compliment? It sounds more like you're insulting me."

"Come on. You know me, I wouldn't do that to you of all people. We go too far back. You're one of the best guys I know. Itadori is going down a hard path. Ya feel me?" Gojo's words dropped from his mouth with a casually seductive tone.

"Itadori," Nanami's face darkened.

Yuji felt the need to respond with a salute. "Yes sir?"

"Tell me, in your own words, why you would agree to a plan like this."

"Oh, well. I mentioned that I wasn't sure if I wanted to go through with pheromone therapy or not. It won't change my body much, maybe a little muscle loss. But I don't know what it's like to be an omega other than what the internet says," Yuji smiled, proud of the answer he gave.

"Let me be direct. I left the traditional ideals of being an omega in the past where they belong. I tried my hardest to be a strong and independent man. I wanted to be seen as an equal to my alpha co-workers when I was in finance. What I learned is being an omega sucks," Nanami spat each word as if it were a disgusting memory.

"Aww, Nanami, don't scare him off!" Gojo pleaded.

"That's why I tried to be an alpha," Nanami said.

Yuji asked in an almost confused voice, "And that was better?"

"No, it also sucked. That's why I made my own path. I can be an omega and be me at the same time. Being one doesn't have to determine the other," Nanami said.

"Sir, to be frank, I want to be like that. I want to be strong too," Yuji said.

Yuji thought he spotted a smile creasing Nanami's lips. Or rather, he hoped that he had. Instead, the blond exhaled between his gritted teeth. That wasn't the correct answer—Yuji didn't need to be a genius to see the active disdain in the man's narrow hazel eyes. His features weren't all Japanese, but the slant in his brow was.

"Strength? That'll be fine," Nanami blinked, and his expression softened.

"See! I told you. Itadori here wants to be in public safety too. I figured, as my student, he needed to meet you. Likewise, you, as my friend, would welcome him with open arms," Gojo's grin grew more dubious as he spoke.