dearly beloved | scömìche

26; connie

trigger warning: panic attack

They slept for the majority of the flight. The flight attendants didn't have the heart to wake them up and make Mitch get off his Alpha's lap, so they didn't. They had never seen an Alpha hold their Omega like Scott did. They had never seen an Alpha hold their Omega like they were scared to let go.

Scott woke up when he felt the plane touch down on the ground. He winced at the pain in his neck from the awkward sleeping angle and rubbed it with one arm, using the other to hold Mitch against him. Mitch woke up with a soft whine, squinting against the bright light of the plane. "Alpha?" he whispered, and Scott absentmindedly kissed his forehead, running his fingers through Mitch's hair.

"I'm here, princess," he mumbled, closing his eyes again. Mitch relaxed and buried his face in Scott's neck again, his small hands clutching Scott's shirt.

Scott reluctantly stood up when it was time for them to get off the plane, and he managed to get their suitcase out from the overhead compartments without putting Mitch down. He exited the plane with Mitch on his hip.

"Okay, sweetheart. It's one o'clock right now. Are you hungry? We can get something to eat before we have to go to my parents' house," Scott murmured as he glanced at the clock on the wall.

Mitch forced his eyes open again and blinked sleepily up at him. "What food is there?" he asked, exhaustion evident in his voice.

Scott hummed and looked around. "There's McDonald's, Chick-Fil-A, Burger King..."

Mitch forced himself to look out at the airport, and he sleepily pointed to McDonald's. "There, please, Alpha."

Scott nodded and carried him over, lugging their suitcase behind them.

He ordered Mitch the six-piece chicken nugget meal with a Coke to wake him up, and they sat down at a booth to eat. Mitch sat down beside his beloved Alpha and rested his head on his shoulder, holding his arm as he tried to keep his eyes open. Scott gently helped him eat, a small smile on his lips. The workers watched, their hearts warming up; they couldn't believe how gentle Scott was being with his Omega.

Mitch perked up after he drank the a Coke, as Scott suspected, and he was happily skipping around the airport, pointing out every store. "Alpha! Alpha, look!" he squealed, and though Scott was smiling, he took Mitch's hand and gently pulled him back.

"Yes, honey, they're very cool, but you have to stay with me. I don't want you to get hurt," he said, kissing his head.

Mitch blushed and leaned into his side immediately. "Sorry, Alpha."

They picked up their rental car, and Mitch held Scott's hand while they drove. Now that he was awake, his nerves were returning. "Alpha?" he asked quietly, playing with Scott's fingers. Scott hummed in acknowledgement, absentmindedly running his thumb over his knuckles. Mitch hesitated before he spoke, and when he did, his voice was soft and scared. "What if they hate me?"

Scott didn't even pause before he answered. "Don't be ridiculous, angel. They're going to love you. My sisters are obsessed with male Omegas," he murmured, bringing Mitch's hand to his lips to kiss his fingertips.

Mitch nodded, but his breathing caught in his throat. "I- I just-... I don't h-have a family, a-and I- I don't know how to act or- or how to do anything. Wh-What if your dad asks me to read him something? I- I don't know how to read very well, Alpha. I- I'm scared that your family won't think I'm worthy of an Alpha like you. I'm scared that your family will want you to get an Omega that can do whatever you want them to without any help. And- And what if they ask about my sc-scars? Th-They're going to think I'm ugly," he whimpered, tears forming in his eyes. "I'm t-too ugly and stupid for you."

"Oh, princess, you are not ugly or stupid. You're the most beautiful Omega I've ever laid eyes on, and you are so, so intelligent. Please don't talk badly about yourself. I promise, my family is the sweetest, and if anyone is mean to you, I'll give them a piece of my mind. You'll be fine," Scott assured him gently. Mitch didn't believe him, but he decided to remain silent.

Mitch felt the panic rising in his chest when they pulled into a neighborhood, but he tried his best to breathe and keep Scott from finding out. However, Scott instantly sensed the change from his Omega, and he sensed the panic due to their connection. He stopped in the driveway of his house and turned to Mitch, taking his other hand. "Baby, what's wrong?"

Mitch whimpered quietly and shook his head, though his breathing picked up even more. "N-Nothing, Alpha. We c-can go ins-side," he whispered, his hands shaking in Scott's hold.

Scott shook his head and gently caressed his cheek, lovingly brushing his hair out of his eyes. "No, sweetheart. You're about to have a panic attack. Are you still worried about my family?" he asked softly, and Mitch shook his head much too quickly.

"N-No, Alpha. I'm f-fine," he choked out, struggling to breathe. "I- I don't want to keep your f-family waiting."

"Shh, princess. Breathe. My family will be fine. Please breathe."

"A-Alpha..."

"Shh." Scott ran his thumb over Mitch's knuckles, biting his lip. He hated seeing his beloved Omega like this. "Breathe."

Mitch whimpered and pressed himself against Scott's chest, his hands shaking as they clutched desperately onto his shirt. Scott breathed slowly and exaggeratedly for Mitch to copy, wrapping his arms around him and rocking them slowly. "It's okay. It'll all be over soon, I promise."

Slowly, Mitch calmed down, but his small body was still shaking horribly and he couldn't bring himself to leave Scott's embrace. Scott cooed a soft string of comforting words into his ear, playing with the hairs on the back of his neck.

When Mitch finally pulled away from him, he wasn't trembling as hard, and he brushed his hair out of his eyes without meeting Scott's. "I'm sorry, Alpha," he whispered ashamedly, but Scott just shook his head and kissed Mitch's nose.

"Don't apologize, sweet girl. Let's go inside, yeah?"

Mitch really didn't want to, but he let Scott open the door for him and he clutched his arm as they went inside.

Scott's mother was a petite woman. She had his eyes and his blonde hair, and her smile was warm as she pulled Scott into a tight hug. "Oh, my boy! I missed you so much," she said happily, burying her face in his shoulder.

Scott smiled and hugged her back, though he had to crouch to reach her. "Hi, Mom."

Mitch wrapped his arms around himself and dug his nails into his sides, standing awkwardly. He wanted to disappear.

Connie pulled away and smiled up at him. "You've grown! And you're so handsome. I bet the Omegas just eat you up," she teased, poking Scott's muscles, but suddenly she saw Mitch. Immediately, her entire face lit up and she hugged him too. "Oh, my goodness! You brought an Omega!"

Mitch tensed slightly at her touch, a barely audible whimper leaving his lips, but he forced himself to relax and hug her back. "H-Hi, ma'am," he whispered timidly, and she squealed as she pulled away.

"You're so cute! Just call me Connie, honey. What's your name?"

Mitch glanced at Scott nervously, wrapping his arms around himself; he was fighting the urge to hide behind him. "M-Mitch, ma— C-Connie."

Connie grinned and turned to Scott, nudging him gently. "You've got yourself a good one! Come on, your father and sisters are in the kitchen." Scott wrapped his arm around Mitch's waist as they followed her.