"Why do you insist on annoying me like this, Kai?"
"I'm sorry mom, I'm sorry. It just really hurts this time, please, I'll pay you back. I just need some medicine, please!"
"Who are you to talk back to me like this? Get out of my sight. If I hear another sound out of you today there's no telling what I will do."
I am so alone. I wish someone, anyone, could take me away from here. It's obvious that I don't make mother happy, that I am a defective son. I just want to free us both from this pain.
"Stop your crying! I told you not to make another sound, dammit! You're a fucking recessive anyway, so what's the purpose of you even having a rut? Just shut up and deal with it. It's not like it's going to kill you."
I woke up startled and panting trying to catch my breath. Another dream, that's all it was. Dreaming of my childhood is par for the course, but this one was a rather unpleasant memory I'd like to forget. Being locked away at home during my rut without any access to medication, well let's just say it was excruciating.
As I calmed down and started getting out of bed, I realized that I was drenched in sweat. Shoving the sheet and blanket off me I walked to my closet to grab a pair of joggers and a plain T-shirt. After getting changed I put up what hair I could manage into a small ponytail.
Well, this is annoying. My hair isn't quite long enough to be able to put up, but it's long enough to get in the way. I'll have to go get a haircut soon, I guess. After clumsily putting up my hair I slid on my sneakers, grabbed my phone, and went out for a light run to cool my head. I ran about four miles, just past the new Stardust Café, then turned around and ran back home.
I glanced at the time after walking through the front door. It was 5:30pm, and since I left home around 3:45pm it only took me about an hour and forty-five minutes to run the eight miles. I usually don't go that far, but the run did help me cool down and I made decent time. I hopped in the shower and got changed for work. Heading over to the kitchen I scrambled a few eggs, cooked some bacon, and toasted a few pieces of bread.
Seeing as it was already 6:10pm by the time I sat down to eat, I ate quickly so that I could get to work on time. I didn't need to be in until 6:30pm to help cover for one of my bartenders who had to take the night off, and the bar is just about a mile away, but I enjoy taking my time walking to work and would rather not be rushed. After about five minutes I slid my shoes on and started on my way to work. The bar is right on the edge of downtown, so there aren't many people on the way to or from work, but it's at the right location to still receive a steady stream of customers.
"Kai! Hey guys, Kai is here! Thank goodness, our angel is here to save us!"
"Micah, stop your theatrics man. It's just me and you here tonight, who are you even talking to?"
"My point exactly! If you hadn't shown up to cover this shift I would have been left alone and bombarded by the customers who are only here for my handsome face. Buuuuut since you're here some of them will flock your way, and it won't be that bad."
Well, he's definitely a character but he is hard working that's for sure.
"Michah I'm a recessive alpha, so can't help you there. Good luck, stay strong, and remember it's only for eight hours."
"Don't be like that man! Dominant or recessive, that shit doesn't matter. Look at you, you're taller than me, and I'm like 6'4", plus you are handsome as hell. Plus, it doesn't matter once you meet the right person. You know… Same type relationships are more common nowadays, what do you say? We're both single and I don't think I'd get tired of looking at you."
Micah was cleaning up some dishes when he said this, so I walked behind him and smacked him on the back of the head.
"First, I am not interested. Second, I am your boss. Third, you're lucky there is no HR department here or I'd report you."
"Ow ow ow, it was a joke, Kai! Jeez you didn't need to smack me so hard! Plus, you are the HR department."
"Exactly."
We both busted out laughing and finished getting everything ready to open, and soon 7pm rolled around and we unlocked the bar. People don't start coming in until around 8:30pm, so Micah and I sat at the bar and talked until the first customers came in.
"Seriously though, you're twenty-four and good looking, but you devote your life to this bar. When do you have time to meet anyone? Why don't you date?"
Micah seems to have built a habit out of asking me this almost every time we work together. "Like I've said before, it's just complicated."
"C'mon, you always say that. Just give me a real answer for once, huh?"
"I'm defective. There, happy? Everyone I love gets hurt eventually, so it would be better off if I just stay alone."
"That's… Depressing."
"You're the one who asked."
"What if I introduce you to my brother?! He is super cute, and I am not just saying that because I adore him. He just turned nineteen a few months ago, so you might think he is too young for you, but he has big dreams, and he is a beautiful artist! He's on the taller side for omegas, around 5'10", but he is petite! He has beautiful long blonde hair and bright blue eyes and-"
"That's enough Micah, I just told you that I'm defective and you try to set me up with your brother? Plus, I am not interested. I prefer being alone."
"Whatever man, I am just trying to look out for you."
Aside from the usual meddling from Micah the rest of the shift went by smoothly. I set aside the tips I earned from this shift to give to Sarah, the employee I was covering for. It was around $300, but I had no need for it myself. Since she took the day off to care for her father who was recently discharged from the hospital, I figured it was the least I could do.
After putting it in an envelope and sliding it in her work locker I locked up my office and went out to help Micah with closing.
"Hey man… I really am sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to overstep like that. You do so much for us, and you're such a nice guy. I just don't want to see you avoid relationships because you feel like you aren't good enough."
Sigh, I know Micah is coming from a good place, but the less he tries to meddle the better. "I know you were coming from a good place, but lets just leave it alone, okay?"
"…Alright."