Chapter Text
Jealous!
Chuck stormed down the Shatterdome corridor, to deep in thought to hear the panting as Max struggled to keep up. The old man didn't know what he was talking about, bloody jealous. Of that has-been? Un-bloody-likely. Clenching his fist Chuck felt his claws digging deep into his palm as the desire rose to punch Raleigh, again.
He considered heading for the gym but decided against it. As much as he'd love to punch the bag pretending it was that Americans face it would only lead to more frustration.
Stepping into the kwoon instead, Chuck made quick work removing his shoes and beloved leather jacket. Commanding Max to stay who immediately collapsed into a deep sleep brought a small smile to his face, but it was quickly wiped away as the memory of a few minutes ago came back to him.
Growling, Chuck walked to the centre of the mats taking a deep breath before dropping into the first kata. He let the familiar routine calm him as his mind drifted back to earlier.
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Chuck was furious.
He'd let emotions get the better of him and in turn gave the has-been the upper hand in their fight, a rookie mistake covered back in the first day at the Academy. Worse still, if he wasn't already humiliated enough from getting his ass kicked by a coward, the old man had to step in and take the assholes side. He'd never be seen as an equal in his fathers eyes, the ranger comment bitterly reminded him of that.
Why did Becket have to come back and fuck up his life, what little was left of it anyway. Chuck was no fool regardless what he said to Mako and Raleigh, he knew Pentecost's grand plan was a one way trip.
Mako. Chuck felt regret as what he'd said to her finally registered. He'd known her for years even considered her one of few people he'd call a true friend. He knew what being a Jaeger pilot meant to her and how much she doubted herself. Disgusted with himself, Chuck swore to make it right with her first chance he got.
"Chuck!"
Tensing, Chuck quickened his pace not ready to confront his father after what was said. He heard a growl before a hand grabbed his arm trying to stop him. Shrugging it off Chuck spun around glaring at his pack Alpha.
"What?!" He snapped.
Herc winched slightly at his tone but hid it so quickly if it were anyone but Chuck they wouldn't have caught it. A perk of copiloting together for so long, if you would call it that.
"You gotta stop this shit with Becket. Jealousy won't get you anywhere."
"Jealous!" Chuck yelled, lowering his voice when it drew attention from people around them. "I don't know what your on old man but I'm sure as shit not jealous of that has-been."
Herc just rolled his eyes. "You know damn well I don't mean him. It's not Miss Mori's fault she's drifting wit-"
"Don't you fuckin'-"
"- the Alpha your interested in. Your instincts maybe screaming threat but-"
"I swear to god old man-"
"-remember no one knows your not an Al-"
"ENOUGH!" Chuck yelled loud enough to cut him off this time. Herc looked at his son in shock causing Chuck to notice his teeth had sharpened into fangs and nails to claws. He knew his eyes had to have changed as well hinting at the start of a transformation. It was the closest Chuck had come to a transformation since his mothers death, the grief having closed that door forever. Or so he'd thought.
With a deep growl to warn his father not to follow Chuck spun back around stalking off.
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Breathing out slowly as he entered another pose, Chuck felt his claws slowly retract and heart rate return to normal. Finally the Omega let himself acknowledge the fact that his father was right, he was jealous.
A dormant part of himself had awoken when he'd first met Becket drawing an intense need so strong it had him scrambling to turn tail and run. But Chuck was to proud for that, so the Omega stood his ground instead throwing hostility at the man. Alpha, he reminded himself helpfully.
The Alpha drew an primal instinct from a part of himself he thought long buried. The need to bond with the Alpha, his MATE, was so strong it kept drawing him to the man. His Omega genes had never been a problem before now, not only had Chuck lost the ability to shift when his mother died but the instincts and heats with it. A fact that made it easier to pretend he was an Alpha and slip under the radar in the Academy. They didn't allow Omegas into the pilot program believing they were to emotional to hold a steady drift.
All he needed to do was cover his Omega scent, a feet achieved by his beloved jacket covered in his fathers strong pack Alpha scent.
Chuck wasn't sure what it was about Raleigh that made him so different from other Alphas. No one had ever made Chuck feel so weak and emotional. Chuck knew what people thought about him, unable to think before acting, reckless. A fact that couldn't be further from the truth, Chuck prided himself for his iron control. He pushed the asshole image so people would leave him alone to work and pilot Striker in peace.
If Chuck was honest with himself it was also to keep everyone at arms length. After his mother Chuck swore to never let another that close again, his heart couldn't take anymore loss. Sometimes though, sometimes he regretted being so good at pushing people away.
When nightmares force him to sit alone in the dark craving the protective touch of his pack Alpha. The memory of Herc curling around him in wolf form as a pup is something Chuck holds close and buries so deep within himself not even his father can see it in the drift.
How is it then with such finely honed control that Raleigh manages to get under his skin? And why after all these years of knowing each other was Mako suddenly considered a threat by the Omega within him? He'd never held any animosity towards her before, even when it became obvious she was getting preferential treatment from the Marshal allowing her to progress so far in the pilot program, Omega or not.
~She's drifting with your mate.~ An un helpful voice supplied causing Chuck to shake his head. Raleigh wasn't and never would be his mate, he could barely stand the guy! ~Liar.~
The sense he was no longer alone brought Chuck out of his thoughts, catching the bo on instinct. Glaring at the intruder, he watched as Raleigh stepped onto the mat. The Omega took in the muscles revealed now the ugly ass sweater was gone and Chuck had to take in a shaky breath as desire washed over him when he saw the circuit burns.
"Time to finish this once and for all, Hansen." Raleigh by some miracle didn't notice the effect he was having on Chuck, instead swinging the bo in his hands as he fell into a fighting stance.
Chuck considered his options before shrugging falling into his own stance. Time to show the has-been he didn't need him. Raleigh didn't wait, in one fluid strike resting his bo against Chuck's neck.
"Point." He growled, sending a shiver down Chuck's spin.
Frowning, Chuck narrowed his eyes forcing his emotions away so he could focus. Barely waiting for Raleigh to settle back in a stance before taking his own point aiming for his side.
"Point." He echoed.
Raleigh bowed his head slightly, silently acknowledging his skill. Returning the bow Chuck stepped back waiting for the fight to really begin. This time he was ready for the strike and brought his bo up to block it, returning with one of his own. The Alpha dodged, darting to his left evading three more of Chuck's strikes before connecting with his fourth. Raleigh came in close lunging for Chuck's body forcing him into a backwards flip to evade. Sticking close Raleigh followed almost catching Chuck as he came out of the flip but the Omega managed to step way feeling the air move against his cheek. The next seven strikes were traded back and forth neither gaining the upper hand until Raleigh landed a lucky kick sending Chuck stumbling back onto the mat. Rolling to a knee Chuck barely brought his bo up in time to block the next strike.
A crack was the only warning Chuck had before his bo gave breaking down the middle and he was forced into another roll. Raleigh took a step back breathing hard, giving Chuck the chance to grab another bo.
It was in that moment Chuck realised this wasn't about putting the has-been in his place anymore, probably never was. No, this was about proving himself to the Alpha, proving he was worthy of the Alphas attention. Showing Raleigh, he should be with him not Mako.
Gritting his teeth at the last thought Chuck fell into a double stick stance, foregoing a new bo. Raleigh raised an eyebrow in surprise but was ready when Chuck leapt forward striking hard and fast. He now had a big disadvantage, though double sticks were great for tiring an opponent and quick hits it didn't have the reach of a bo. He'd need to keep close and try to stay a move ahead.
Raleigh must have realised the same thing as he tried gaining some distance. Pushing his bo hard against the double sticks causing Chuck to stumble back enough to flip backwards out of striking range. It was a move Chuck should have seen coming.
~Mako would have.~
Growling Chuck pushed the thought away trying to consider his next strike. The moment of distraction cost him, barely leaping to the side in time to miss Raleigh's next attack. Landing on his stomach with an oof, the Omega scrambled to retrieve his sticks. Raleigh didn't give him a chance swinging again, forcing Chuck to roll away from his weapon.
On instinct Chuck stopped on his back waiting for Raleigh to strike before grabbing the Alpha's bo using it to yank Raleigh off his feet and onto him. While the Alpha was stunned Chuck rolled them positioning himself so he was straddling Raleigh, bring the bo to his neck.
Panting hard, Chuck took a moment to catch his breath as he looked down at the man beneath him. Instantly feeling it leave him again as it sunk in how close they were. His gaze locked with the Alpha's, rendering him powerless as the blue drew him in. Chuck found his eyes drawn to Raleigh's mouth, desire burning low in his belly.
A strange noise from the Alpha drew his eyes back up but found Raleigh wasn't looking at him anymore. Following his line of sight Chuck realised he was staring at his hand gripping the bo. His hands that had transformed into claws again.
Shit! Chuck looked back at Raleigh only to catch the Alpha sniffing the air between them with a frown. Panicking Chuck sprang to his feet rushing over to his jacket, shoving it on. Grabbing his shoes and whistling for Max to follow him, Chuck near sprinted out of the room not once looking back at Raleigh.
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