“We’re home!” A loud little girl shouted, There were thuds of what sounded like rain boots and a small girl with pigtails ran into the kitchen. “What smells good?!” She asked before stopping at the door. Micha turned around and saw his mom and little sister standing there looking at Raine.

“Hi.” Raine greeted with a tiny wave, “Hi.” Micha’s little sister Millie greeted. “Hello.” Micha’s mom Molly greeted before looking at Micha. “Micha, who’s this?” She asked politely, “This is Raine. She’s my friend.” Micha said smiling, Raine sat her spoon down. “We’re friends?” She asked, sounding surprised. “Are you sure she’s not your girlfriend?!” Millie asked in typical little sister fashion.

Micha smiled rather than getting embarrassed, “She could be.” He glanced back at Raine who stared before looking at her food quietly. The tips of her ears were red. Micha looked back at his mom who had a soft smile. He was happy she thought Raine was as cute as he did. “Micha, can I talk to you in the other room?” Molly asked softly. “Yeah.” Micha got up leaving the room. Millie pulled out the chair next to Raine and started chattering with her.

“If you and Micha get married does that mean we’re sisters?” Millie asked loudly, Micha smiled empathically at Raine who looked like a deer in headlights. But he couldn’t help her right now. “I guess?” Raine answered meekly. 

Micha walked into the living room with his mom who smiled. “She seems nice.” Molly said softly, “She is.” Micha held his hands behind his back. “She walked me back from the bus station because I forgot my umbrella.” Micha explained, “That was really sweet of her.” Molly said before glancing in the kitchen. It seemed Millie had Raine make her a bowl of soup and a grilled cheese as well. 

“It’s probably best if she goes home soon.” Molly said Micha frowned hearing this, “There’s no one at home.” He spoke up, Molly paused, “What? She looks the same age as you.” She said, startled. “She is. She’s in my grade.” Micha replied, “Her parents are away for a trip.” He explained. “They didn’t take her with them?”

“Raine said they don’t like her,” Micha said softly, he looked away glancing over at Raine who seemed to have calmed down and was talking with Millie. He looked back and saw his mom’s eyes shaking. She looked concerned and disgusted. “She’s so quiet.” She said softly. “Alphas aren’t supposed to be so quiet.” She spoke mostly to herself. Micha’s father, an alpha, was loud and boisterous; he always took up a lot of space in a room... In comparison, Raine seemed like she was trying to be quiet and as small as possible.

Micha and Molly could only guess how Raine had been treated in order to cause this behavior. 

“The rain is supposed to get really bad, that’s why I recommended she go home.” Molly explained, “But knowing there’s no one there. It… It doesn’t feel right.” She said concerned. “She can sleep in my room, I’ll sleep on the couch,” Micha suggested. “No, we have a guest bedroom for a reason.” Molly shook her head, “I need to go call your father, and then we’ll go get some of Raine’s stuff later.” Molly explained before walking into the room with her phone in her hand. 

Micha then walked back into the kitchen to finish his food and hang out with Raine more. He walked in just to see Raine reach over and wipe Millie’s mouth with a paper towel. “This was really good!” Millie said grinning, “Thank you.” Raine said softly, Millie smiled.

“How’d you learn to cook? Doesn’t your mama make anything for you?” Millie asked cluelessly, Micha flinched and went to rush in but Raine seemed unbothered. “Not all mamas want to cook.” Raine said simply, “Oh.” Millie said quietly, she shifted a bit in her seat. “I’m sure my mama will want to cook for you if you ask nicely! Mama says that please is a magic word!” Millie exclaimed. “Please is a magic word.” Raine said nodding, “And thank you.” She said softly, “You’re welcome!” Millie said grinning. “Millie,” Micha said walking up, “Shouldn’t you be going to check on Pebbles?” He suggested. Pebbles was Millie’s pet fish that liked to pick up pebbles from the bottom of the tank and move them. Millie’s eyes widened, “yeah!” She exclaimed before jumping off the charge and scrambling off shouting about how she missed Pebbles so much. Once she was gone Micha took Millie’s seat beside Raine and sighed. “Sorry about her.” He apologized, “It’s okay.” Raine said nodding, “She’s very cute.” She remarked, Micha smiled. “Am I cute?” He asked, pointing to himself. He was just trying to play around but Raine stared at him, “You’re more pretty than cute. But you are cute.” She confessed honestly. Micha shifted in the chair and rested his head on the table. “Raine!” He exclaimed, “You’re going to kill me with how honest you are!” He said feeling happy, everything felt bubbly and light. Raine seemed to pick up on him not being serious and smiled, patting his head. Micha eyed her grinning, he was about to say something when his mom walked in. “Raine… Was it?” Molly asked, getting off the phone. Raine moved her hand away from Micha. “Yes?” Raine asked, folding her hands neatly together. “The weather is getting bad so I was thinking-.” Molly started to say but was cut off. Raine stood up, “Right. I should be leaving then.” She headed for the door but she was stopped by Molly. “Sweetheart no! The weather is much too bad for you to walk home! Or even go home!” Molly exclaimed, “My husband is having a hard enough time getting home himself.” “Oh,” Raine said glancing at the window, the rain came down in sheets. There was a constant dull thud from how hard it was hitting the roof. “I was thinking you should at least stay the night.” Molly said, getting her attention away from the window. Raine’s brows furrowed, “Are you okay with that?” She asked. “Of course, it doesn’t feel right sending you out into bad weather like this,” Molly said softly. “I even spoke with my husband. He insisted.” She added with a friendly smile. Raine was quiet for a moment before nodding, “I apologize for the inconvenience.” She said politely. “It’s not an inconvenience at all! The guest bedroom hardly ever gets used. It’ll be nice to put it to some use!” Molly exclaimed. “Glad to help then,” Raine said softly, she glanced back at Micha who smiled at her from the table. Raine helped with cleaning up in the kitchen after that matter was settled. She asked Molly if she needed help with anything else. But was shooed out of the kitchen. “Absolutely not! You two go watch television or whatever it is you kids do!” Molly exclaimed, pushing both Micha and Raine out of the kitchen. Micha looked to Raine to see the lost look on her face. “How about I show you the guest bedroom?” Micha suggested. “Okay,” Raine said, looking unsure of what to do with herself in someone else’s house. Micha led Raine upstairs to the guest bedroom. It was tidy and mostly empty save for some basic furniture. “My room is just down the hall on the same side.” Micha explained, “So if you get scared or lonely you’re welcome to visit.” Micha remarked, Raine looked around at the room before looking at him. “Okay.” She nodded.

Micha then showed Raine around upstairs showing her where the bathroom was and other things if she needed it. “Again this is my room,” Micha said opening the door to his room, it was a little untidy but not unpresentable. His nest needed to be redone. But other than that everything was in order.

“Okay,” Raine said seemingly unbothered by the fact that Micha just showed off his nest to her. Other alphas would’ve been startled or flustered. Maybe even think Micha was trying to seduce them. Which, maybe in some way he was to Raine. Though it was more of a ‘hey, I’m here… If something happens… It happens?’ Rather than a full attempt at seduction. 

Maybe Micha was being a little much too soon. But… He felt rushed for some reason. Raine always got this distant look on her face. He liked it better when she was more present with him. It was happening less and less. But it still happened and he didn’t like it. It scared him. 

Micha clutched her hand tightly despite her not going anywhere. He had just started to get to know her. He didn’t want whatever this was to stop so soon. Raine looked at him concerned but said nothing, Micha headed back down with her to the living room to watch television together. 

It was evening by the time Micha’s father showed up, Mike burst through the door as loudly and happily as he always did. “I’m home!” He bellowed, Molly and Millie popped out of the woodworks and hugged him. Micha even got up to hug him. It was a sort of family ritual. 

Mike pulled away from the hugs and saw Raine sitting on the couch. “Hi, there! I’m Mike, it’s good to meet you.” He said walking over, Raine stood up and shook his hand. “Hello, I’m Raine. I’m Micha’s friend.” She said politely, “So I’ve heard!” Mike said grinning. “Thanks for looking after Micha for us!” He said pleasantly. 

“I didn’t look after him, we kept each other company.” Raine politely disagreed, apparently not liking the inference in that statement. While Micha’s father was a good man, there were a few prejudices towards different dynamics. Nothing serious, he just really believed in an alpha’s responsibility to care for omegas. But Mike didn’t seem bothered by the difference in opinion. “Well whatever it was, thank you. My boy was able to get home dry and safe thanks to you being there.” Mike said, patting Raine on the shoulder.

Raine stared, “You’re welcome but it really wasn’t anything special.” She said softly. Mike grinned, “You’re a real polite one aren’t you?” He said laughing he pulled Raine into a headlock rubbing her hair slightly. Raine pulled away and straightened her hair up. “I’d like to think so.” She said firmly. She clearly didn’t like being touched like that. Mike didn’t seem to notice, but Molly picked up on Raine looking bristled from the interaction. She nudged Micha who seemed to have picked up on this as well.

Molly led Mike away asking him about work and Micha led Raine away as well. The two omegas silently agreed that while Raine and Mike seemed to get along fairly well. The two alpha’s personalities were like oil and water. 

Raine was led by Micha upstairs. Further and further away from Mike’s loud voice. “Sorry about my dad, he’s just naturally friendly.” Micha apologized, “It’s fine.” Raine sounded tired. Without even thinking Micha ended up bringing Raine into his room and shutting the door. “This isn’t the guest bedroom.” Raine remarked, “Oh.” Micha murmured. “Um… I thought we could… Watch some movies?” He said, spotting his television. It was a lame excuse but it was all he could think of.

Raine looked unsure but nodded. “Okay.” She said clearly weighing her options for a moment. Micha turned on his television and put a movie on. He then climbed into his nest. It was a pile of pillows and blankets surrounded by dangling Christmas lights. He then patted a spot next to him inviting Raine in. She stood there for a moment before slowly climbing in. 

Micha was beginning to wonder if Raine came from a beta family. She had no idea what getting into a nest meant. Or if she did, she was okay with it. Either way, Micha was just happy to have her there. Especially when she looked as distressed as she did. Raine shifted and leaned back on a large pillow. “This smells like you.” She said, yawning.

“Is that a good thing?” Micha asked curiously, “Yeah.” Raine said, glancing at him. She then asked, “Why are you being so nice to me?” She asked. Micha shifted slightly, “I… I want to get to know you.” He said honestly, “You’ve been so nice to me, I want to be nice to you.” He moved a bit closer putting a blanket over Raine and himself. “Is that okay?” He asked.

“Which one?” Raine asked for clarification, “Everything.” He replied, Raine was quiet before nodding. “Yeah.” She said with a small smile. “I want to get to know you too.” Micha smiled hearing this and moved closer. He had been itching to cuddle close to Raine all evening. But, couldn't do so in the living room. At least not without his mom or Millie saying something. He liked having her to himself like this. He rested his head on her shoulder feeling pleased that he could finally do that. Though he would like to cuddle closer if at all possible. But he didn't want to test his luck just yet.

A low gargled noise came from Micha for a moment. He went still, stopping the noise, feeling embarrassed. He had tried to purr without thinking. Raine glanced at him and then with red cheeks she softly chuffed. Micha heard about this happening. But very few alphas could actually do it. It was like folding your tongue in half or being double-jointed. Most alphas could croon but very few could chuff.

“I… I liked your purring.” Raine whispered. Micha felt that light bubbly feeling build up in him again. He liked this feeling. Before long Micha let out the strangled purring sounds again. Feeling less embarrassed now that he knew that Raine liked hearing it.

The two of them didn’t really watch the movie and ended up falling asleep. Micha clung to Raine tightly in his sleep. When Micha woke up, Raine was still next to him. He looked at the alarm clock on his desk and saw it was four in the morning. An unusual time to wake up, but, they did go to bed pretty early. Rain poured down heavily still outside. Micha was sure it had flooded in some places. Thankfully his house wasn't in a flooding zone so he didn't have to worry about that happening here.

Raine stirred from her sleep as if noticing the lack of warmth beside her. She sat up next to Micha and rubbed her eyes, her bottle cap glasses were sitting on Micha’s nightstand. She reached for them and tiredly put them on. “Micha.” She said as if just now remembering where she was. “Hi.” Micha greeted, “Oh, I fell asleep in here…” Raine remarked sounding nervous, Micha shifted closer to her. “It’s fine.” He grabbed her and hugged her tightly. He didn't want her to leave just yet.

He pushed her down and rested his head on top of her. He heard her heartbeat rapidly below him. “Raine.” He said softly, he reached over and moved the hair out of her face. “Do you want to go to the dance with me?” He asked, “Weren’t you going to ask Joshua?” Raine asked looking surprised, Micha, tilted his head and eyed her. “Do you want me to?” He asked, he wanted to be playful but it seemed to only hurt Raine’s feelings. She clenched her jaw tightly and winced. “No.” She said softly. 

He sat up, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I was trying to tease.” He apologized leaning over her. “I didn’t like it.” Raine replied, “I know, I’m sorry. I won't do that again.” Micha promised before leaning down and kissed her cheek as an apology. Micha and Raine flinched at the same time realizing what happened.

Micha opened his mouth to apologize, afraid that he may have accidentally upset Raine again. But rather than be upset, Raine grabbed his face and kissed him.