The downpour was heavy. Micha stood under the shelter house at the bus station. Of all the days he would have forgotten his umbrella. It was today. He just wanted to look cute, it was an omega’s choice dance coming up at school. Just once he wanted to pluck up the courage and ask his crush. 

So he dressed as cute as he could. Even going as far as to put on makeup specifically advertised for omegas. It was supposed to make eyes look bigger and nose smaller and lips… More kissable. But of course, he’d be punished and there would be a flash flood warning just as he reached the bus station. 

Micha wanted to ask Joshua Stewarts to the dance… As much as a long shot that was going to be. But now it was even more impossible. Micha held his legs up on the bench as the rain poured down heavily. 

“Hello?” A soft voice greeted jerking him out of his thoughts. Micha looked up and saw Raine standing there. Ironic, that Raine would be out in the rain. But here they were. Raine was… Well, Raine was an alpha, a female one at that. She was tall and lanky, a bit awkward and quiet. But she was nice. Never hurting a fly and always watching clouds during free time. Her sense of fashion was dated, pullover sweaters with dress shirt collars sticking out were her trademark. Micha was sure she had those in every color possible.

“Raine?” Micha asked, surprised to see her here. “Micha?” Raine tilted her head, her bottle cap glasses shining slightly in the light. “I didn’t recognize you.” She said stepping under the roof of the bus stop. “You look very nice today.” She remarked, she closed her umbrella and shook the water off away from Micha. A small gesture but one he appreciated. “Thank you,” Micha mumbled scooting over. “It was for nothing though.” He admitted with a sigh.

Raine sat down beside him, “Why do you say that?” Raine asked, taking off her glasses and cleaning them. There was a stereotype about people looking better with glasses off. But honestly, it did little to change Raine’s appearance. “It’s flooding,” Micha said motioning to the downpour in front of them.

“Oh, I know.” Raine said nodding, “That’s why I’m here. I’m here to watch the rain. I like the noise that the bus stop makes when it storms.” Raine explained, “But why did you say you dressing nice was for nothing?” She changed the subject back to Micha. He didn’t even have time to process why Raine would be here just to watch water falling out of the sky. “I wanted to ask Joshua Stewarts to the Omega’s choice dance,” Micha admitted with a sigh.

“Oh, I’m so sorry then.” Raine apologized. “It’s not your fault,” Micha mumbled leaning against the other side of the small bus stop. “So why haven’t you gone home yet?” Raine asked after a couple of moments of silence. “I forgot my umbrella,” Micha replied as a couple of cars drove by. “You can use mine.” Raine offered. 

“What about you?” Micha asked, “I’ll be fine. I don’t like being home anyway. I’m always alone.” Raine confessed with a blank look on her face. “Where’s your family?” Micha asked startled, “On a trip.” Raine replied, “Without you?” Micha gawked, from what Micha knew, Rain was an only child. Raine was silent for a moment and then a frown appeared on her face.

“They don’t like me,” Raine said in a quiet voice, it was almost drowned out by the sound of the rain and passing cars. “Wh…What?” Micha could hardly believe his ears. “That can’t be tr-.” He tried to comfort her but Raine cut him off. “It’s okay, no one likes me. I know I’m weird. That can be a lot for people to deal with.” Raine looked sad, she usually had a far-off look on her face. But she didn’t this time. “So, I could either be alone at home or alone here. It makes no difference.” Raine said, turning to Micha. There were no tears in her eyes like Micha would’ve expected. She held the umbrella out to him. 

Micha eyed the umbrella before shoving it back to Raine. He felt anger wondering who put those words in Raine’s head about her being too much. People don’t typically think of themselves that way. Making a decision he spoke up, “I think… I’m going to sit here and watch the rain with you.” Micha said after a moment, “After all, I could be sitting here dressed nicely with you or at home. It makes no difference.” Micha said, Raine stared at him before smiling. “Pink is a good color on you.” She said turning back to watching the road.

Micha smiled, she changed the subject. It seemed she was okay with how the matter was settled. He had half expected her to fight him like everyone else. But Raine seemed to take Micha at his word no matter what he said.

“You think so?” Micha asked, “Yes. It makes you look really pretty.” Raine said softly, Micha smiled. He did love being called pretty. Any omega would. “Do you think I’m pretty?” He asked jokingly, Raine turned him. “You’re always pretty.” She said genuinely, there was a soft kind smile on her lips when she said this. Micha froze his heart skipping a beat hearing this. “Oh… Thank you, Raine… That was really sweet.” He stuttered out shifting a bit. He moved just a little closer to her. “I’m a sweet person.” Raine replied, Micha, laughed, “Yeah you are.” 

“So why do you like to watch the weather so much?” Micha asked, “I want to become a meteorologist.” Raine replied, “I already have the name, Raine. I thought I’d lean into it.” Micha laughed hearing the reasoning. “It’s as good of a reason as any.” He said grinning. “You’re really funny.” He remarked, “Really?” Raine asked, surprised. “Yeah.” Micha replied, “I wasn’t joking though.” Raine responded. “Oh.” Micha felt a little bad for laughing then. That was until he saw the grin on Raine’s face.

“I’m kidding.” She clarified, Micha relaxed, “Don’t scare me like that!” Micha said laughing, “Oh sorry.” Raine apologized, Micha moved closer and carefully put her hand in his. Raine looked down confused before grasping his hand. “You can just ask.” She called him out, Micha felt his face heat up. “I’m trying to be subtle!” He exclaimed. “You’re bad at it.” Raine deadpanned, “Sorry.” Micha rolled his eyes trying to move his hand out of her grip but Raine tightened hers.

“Hey.” He said just as Raine interlocked their fingers. He looked up and saw the small smile on Raine’s face. “If you’re going to hold my hand, do it right.” She said smugly. “You’re dangerous!” Micha exclaimed, feeling his face burn red. “Am I hurting you?” Raine asked, concerned, she loosened her grip. “No. That’s not what I meant!” Micha was exasperated. 

“I mean that you’re a big flirt,” Micha remarked, kicking his feet a little in front of him. “I… I didn’t know we were flirting.” Raine’s face was suddenly red as if she just understood the context of the situation. Micha softened at the expression, she looked cute. Raine tried to remove her hand from his but Micha wouldn’t let her. “I want to hold hands,” Micha announced, Raine looked at him and then their hands before groaning. “Okay.” She said quietly, she didn’t look displeased. She looked flustered and bewildered.

The two of them sat there red-faced watching cars go by while holding hands. 

“I’m not Joshua Stewarts.” Raine spoke up softly, “I know.” Micha replied, “I’m weird.” Raine added, looking at him. “I know.” “You might get made fun of.” She warned, Micha, tightened his grip. “I don’t care.” He said looking at her. Raine stared at him, her bottom lip quivering. Micha could tell she had a million other warnings and excuses on her lips but they all died there. She jerked her eyes away from him and looked down with a red face. She looked overwhelmed and unsure. But her grip was just as firm as Micha’s. 

Micha smiled, feeling the heat on his own face. This was unexpected but she was… So sweet. Micha had a bit of a sweet tooth and she reminded him of candy. He couldn’t help himself. Sure she wasn’t Joshua Stewarts, but she was Raine. Micha liked her more.

“You know… I’m not perfect either.” Micha spoke up, he noticed her shaking like a leaf. Raine glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. She looked like she didn’t believe him. “I’m really bad at math… I watch really bad reality shows that rot my brain.” Micha listed, “One of my legs is longer than the other,” he held his legs out in front of him. “I can’t sing!” He exclaimed, “I even have trouble purring!” He added, Raine sat up at this. “I also really suck at building nests.” He added grinning. 

“Aren’t omegas supposed to be good at that?” Raine asked, confused, “Yes. But I’m not. Everyone has stuff we’re not very good at. Or things that make us a little weird.” He said softly, “An alpha that stares at clouds all day and an omega that can’t build a nest doesn’t seem like such an odd pair now does it?” He asked, moving closer to her. Raine’s scent caught Micha's nose at this point. It was a soft smell, much lighter than other alpha’s. It was tree sap and honey with the smell of cedar. Sweet and natural just like her.

While Joshua Stewarts was the image of an omega’s ideal alpha. Raine seemed like Micha’s ideal alpha. She was sweet and gentle. She was also funny and was willing to sit out here in the rain so Micha could use her umbrella. To be honest, Micha had liked Joshua because everyone liked Joshua. But Micha was beginning to feel like he liked Raine. He wasn’t too sure yet, but he knew he liked being around her at least.

“Is it alright if I put my head on your shoulder?” Micha asked softly, “Um… Sure…” Raine seemed to relax at this point. Micha smiled and rested his head on her shoulder all the while holding her hand. The two of them sat there quietly, Micha closed his eyes and listened to the raindrops on the tin roof. It was a nice sound, it sounded like applause or drums. But it wasn’t so loud that it was unpleasant. 

Micha’s eyes opened when he felt Raine’s thumb rub across his, he looked down to see her watching the weather while doing this. He smiled, reaching his leg over and hooking their ankles together. It was a small thing, but he liked it. It made them feel a little closer. The two of them sat there until they couldn’t. 

“I can walk you home.” Raine offered, standing up. Both of them were hungry and cold at this point. She held a hand out to Micha who took it. “I’d like that.” He said smiling, maybe getting dressed as he did wasn't such a waste. After all, Raine said he looked pretty.

Raine opened her umbrella up and the two of them started walking together headed for Micha’s house hand in hand. The heavy rain still pouring down onto the vinyl of the umbrella with dull rapid thuds. 

Thankfully Micha’s house wasn’t too far from the bus station. Just a couple of blocks over. When they arrived at Micha’s doorstep it seemed that the rain wasn’t letting up. “Do you want to come in?” Micha asked softly, Raine looked at him surprised. “Your family won’t be mad will they?” She asked, “I know some people don’t like their omega kids hanging out with alphas.” She mumbled as if speaking mostly to herself. She paused as if remembering something and then came back into the present.

“They won’t get mad,” Micha reassured her, with a soft touch on her arm. Micha watched her gaze flicker down at his arm and smiled. Raine was different from other alphas in the way she thought or behaved. But it wasn't bad and he wasn't bothered by it. It was fun in a way figuring out how to communicate with Raine. Some of it made more sense. Like not holding eye contact, or lighter touches rather than firm grasps, or even just simply asking for things that you want.

It felt nice not to have to do guesswork. That was something Micha struggled with himself. Constantly having to guess what people were talking around. It was exhausting. Micha used his key to open the door, it seemed his parents were still at work and his little sister went with his mom to her work because they had in-house daycare there.

“My parents are still at work and my little sister went with my mom,” Micha explained, he was kind of happy to have Raine to himself for a little while. School was canceled so they had plenty of time. Raine put away her umbrella and took off her coat at the door. She was neat and careful not to make a mess. It was very different compared to how Micha and his sister were used to doing things. 

His mom would always say that a quiet and careful kid was never a good thing. He never understood it until now. Raine was so quiet and careful, it was like she was trying to erase tracks of her ever existing in the first place. As Raine slipped off her shoes. Micha grabbed her hand and led her to the kitchen. “Come on, I’ll make us some food!” He announced. 

Charged grill cheese sandwiches and a skillet in the sink later Micha groaned. It seemed he had gotten his ability to cook from his mom. He couldn’t. “I’m sorry.” He apologized. “It’s okay. I can make it.” Raine said, patting his back as he leaned over the sink. She then reached over him grabbing a new skill from the rack over the sink. Not realizing that she pressed up against Micha. 

As she pulled a skillet off the rack Micha turned around, “Raine.” He tried to get her to understand what she was doing. But Raine misread his pose. His hands rested on her shoulders and they stood close together. “Oh? Okay.” She said before hugging him. Micha let out a soft yelp but melted into the hug. She was so…! Micha didn’t want to let go. 

There was a soft pat on his back. “It’s alright.” Raine comforted, “You’re pretty so you don’t need to know how to cook.” She said kindly, Micha winced, “Raine!” He whined, feeling conflicted. Raine pulled back, “What?” She asked cluelessly. Micha sighed and shook his head. “Please make us some lunch.” He said softly. “Okay.” 

Within a matter of minutes, a picture-perfect grilled cheese with tomato soup was on the table for both of them. “Thank you!” Micha said smiling, “You’re welcome. Thank you for letting me use the kitchen.” Raine said politely before pulling out a chair for Micha. Micha looked confused, “Alphas are supposed to hold chairs out for omegas.” Raine explained as if it were obvious, “But I can do it myself.” He said, confused, “But you shouldn’t have to.” Raine replied.

Micha stared, before sighing softly. “Raine… You’re dangerous.” He remarked with a laugh. “Am I flirting again?” Raine asked startled, “A little. But I like it.” Micha said grinning, he even winked at her trying on some flirting himself. Unfortunately, that seemed to short-fuse Raine. “Pretty.” She mumbled fiddling with the apron. Micha grinned and rubbed his ankles together under the table. 

How was it for in just one afternoon, Raine had successfully stolen his heart? Micha was sure he never wanted it back either. Raine sat across from him at the table and Micha smiled, knocking their feet together a couple of times. The two of them sat there eating their food with red faces and smiles. 

After about twenty minutes the front door opened. “We’re home!” A loud little girl shouted, There were thuds of rain boots hitting the floor and a small girl with pigtails ran into the kitchen. “What smells good?"