Chapter Text
“Sorry, sir. We don't take male omega’s into our academy. Have you tried hospitals or nursing homes?” the female beta replied.
“No, I haven't because I was told you guys would be a little more accepting here in New York.” Buck can't help but bite out in annoyance.
“Sorry sir. It's just not something we allow with our fire departments.”
“It's 2024 for god sake. How can this country be so backward?” Buck growls out as he stomps out the door.
She didn't look all that sorry. Buck should have expected the disappointment, hell he should be used it by now but he can't help the sense of frustration.
Buck didn't have a place in the world, no apartment that his nest feels safe in, no job that he doesn't have to physically force himself to go to in the morning, no pack.
Nothing just Evan Buckley trying to find somewhere that wants him for him.
The hardest part about being an omega is often that you are at the bottom of the social ladder, so many places won't employ you and even if you do get employed the pay is normally shit. Most companies get away with it by claiming an omegas wage gets lowered to accommodate their need for five days off every twelve weeks, like heat leave is something every omega is privileged to be getting above the other secondary genders.
Buck can't help the little growl when he thinks of alpha’s getting their quarterly rut leave with no fuss and them being treated like studs over it.
This world sucks.
The only thing more difficult than being an omega is being a male omega. Buck has spent his life since his presentation being treated like a freak of nature.
Buck's parents hated what their son presented as, the shame of being the only omega in the family was something he was reminded of often. His father was so cold towards him when he came out of his room at fifteen years old, five days after he presented, smelling like candy apples, feeling sore all over and suddenly having different equipment in his pants.
Buck and his father's already fragile relationship broke beyond repair when he came out of his second heat with his milk in.
Buck could see the shame in his father's eyes every time he came home from school near to tears because the alpha’s at school had made comments about how they would use him or had asked him for a drink.
At the time, Buck had hated the small swell of his chest and the sensitivity of his nipples. It felt like nature's cruelest joke that by the time his milk production started to slow enough to dry his milk up, he would go into heat and bring it right back in again.
There is medication that can dry and omega's milk up temporarily, but like with any other medication that stops ‘the natural processes ’ of an omega’s body, like birth control or heat suppressants, your alpha needs to approve it. Before the age of twenty-one that's the omega's parents and Buck's parents refused point blank to every desperate plea, his father saw it as a punishment for daring to be an omega. After twenty-one they only allow it to mated omega’s who's alpha's give the consent to, not that many alpha’s will.
Buck hates that alpha and the powers that be have more say over his body then him.
It doesn't help that Buck isn't even what a typical male omega looks like.
Typically speaking male omegas are smaller, more slender and typically not very strong. Buck however is 6ft 2, broad shouldered, fairly muscular and can keep up in the gym with most alpha's.
Looking back now Buck realised that he has never hated being an omega, not really, he just hates the way he's treated because of his secondary gender.
Buck's dream since he was a small child was to do something really important with his life. He wanted to be a firefighter, to make a big difference day to day and help people. However finding an academy that will take him on is impossible. Buck had moved around near constantly trying to find a fire academy that would take him on or even help him get a foot in the door.
Buck had been a bartender, a serf shop worker in Virginia Beach then an odd job man before trying to lie about his secondary gender to gain a job as a Navy Seal. Pretending to be an alpha lasted all of three weeks before someone noticed he had his period and he was rejected and sent home.
Buck then moved on to Peru where he worked a ranch for a short time before becoming a bartender again, which led him out to be a sales assistant in New York following the lead that took him nowhere.
In short, Evan Buckley’s life was a mess. His parents hated him, he hated his job as a store clerk. Buck just wanted to belong somewhere.
The only real relationships he has in life is his beta sister Maddie, who's happily married and living in L.A with her mate and pup, Jee-Yun. They facetime weekly and she flies out to see him a few times a year and Buck loves her alpha Chim. Buck adores listening to his brother-in laws stories about his fire fighting crew.
The other lady in Buck's life is Carla, a beta.
Carla is the most wonderful human on earth. She was his guidance counsellor in high school back in Pennsylvania. She was amazing with him after he came back to school after his first heat and she always offered him a safe space.
Carla had left Pennsylvania for L.A just after Buck left highschool at eighteen but she made sure she left him with her contact information, always offering him encouragement with each new endeavour. The last seven years of his life Carla had been a constant support.
Buck gets called from his angry inner monologue by his phone ringing. Carla⭐ flashes up on his screen instantly making him smile.
“I was just thinking about you.” Buck says as a greeting.
“Is that so? How are you Buckaroo, how was the meeting?”
“Shit. Absolutely awful. I got to the question about my secondary gender before getting told they don't take on omega's.” Buck tries not to cry.
“Oh, Buck Baby. I'm so sorry. This world doesn't deserve you. Please don't be too hard on yourself.”
“I will try. Anyway, how's my best lady?” Buck tries to sound cheerful.
"Your best lady is worried about her favourite Omega. Evan. I hate the thought of you being out there all alone.”
Buck makes his feet move faster in a bid to get back to his apartment quickly, refusing to let his sadness be seen by the world. Buck just wanted to go home, take off his scent blockers (this close to heat, his glands are more sensitive and they kind of bother him) and watch some trash telly.
“I know you do, Carla. I promise, I just need to catch a break.” Buck bites the inside of his cheek to keep from crying. Two blocks to go and he can let it all out.
“Oh, baby. I want so badly to hug you. I have an idea, you can say no.” Carla’s tone is so soothing.
“Can I call you back, I'm just getting home.” Buck says, hoping to change the subject, he hates the idea of the older woman worrying about him.
“You have twenty minutes Evan, if you don't call me back you're in big trouble.”
Buck opens the door to his apartment and can't help the sense of disappointment that comes every time he comes through the door. It has no personal touches, he hasn't lived there long.
Buck never stays anywhere too long.
While he was younger his parents forbade him to have a nest in their house, so he never really learned how to nest properly but on one of her last visits Carla helped him build a very small nest. She had scented some items and encouraged him to ask Maddie to send scent markers from her, Chim and Jee.
Jee’s milky pup scent is definitely his favourite and it's the babygrow and blanket covered in her scent that brings Buck the most comfort on the tough days, it has pride of place in his small nest.
He had obviously spent too long wallowing in self pity because his phone broke through his musings with a shrill ring, before Buck could even say hello he was getting scolded by Carla.
“Evan Buckley, I know you didn't just try to avoid me.”
“No, my neighbour grabbed me on the way in.” Buck lied.
“Boy, don't tell me fairy tales. You are in your head and brooding. I don't blame you Buckaroo. Please can you just hear me out?”
“Sure, can I get a tea first though, it's been a crappy day.” Buck sighs. He goes through the motions of making his tea, enjoying listening to Carla talk through her day and about what she and her husband got up to over the weekend.
Finally Buck is crawling into his nest, pulling Jee’s blanket to his nose and sipping his tea, the awful day melts away as he takes in his niece's scent.
“Are you scenting Jee's blanket, baby?”
Buck just makes a noise of agreement followed by a small chirip.
“I'm so glad you are relaxing. Buck, I want you to come out here. Before you argue, you're not going to be any trouble. You can stay with me for a while until you get set up. I think and I can't promise anything, I might have a job for you.”
Buck perks up at that. “With a fire house?”
Carla sighs a little. “No Sweetie. I don't want to give you the details till it's definitely an offer but it would be good for you. I know that's not much to go on but could you come stay with me if nothing else. Give up that apartment and come here. If nothing else, you get to see Maddie and Jee.”
Bucks not sure. Seeing his main three ladies is so tempting and honestly nothing is holding him here, he can get a crappy store job anywhere.
“Can I think about it? I'm not saying no. If nothing else I need to spend my heat with Tommy, it's too late to try and arrange heat help out there.”
“Do you promise you're actually going to think about it and not just say you are.”
“Promise, Carla.” Buck sighs.
~~~~~~~~~~
“I'm just coming, Mijo.” Eddie calls out to try and calm his pup's cries, looking at his bedside table he can see it is three twenty am. Eddie tries not to groan, it's not his Son's fault he needs to be up at seven am for a twelve hour shift.
Life as a single father to a pup with cerebral palsy isn't always easy but Eddie wouldn't change it for the world. Eddie admires his son so very much. Six years old and facing challenges most grown adults never will.
Shannon, Christopher's mom, had died eighteen months ago and life was complicated enough before Shannon's passing.
Eddie and Shannon had made a temporary bond after a few casual hook ups and heat/rut help had led to Christopher being on the way. Eddie had tried to do the right thing by his little family but when Christopher was six months old he and Shannon had fallen apart completely.
It breaks Eddie a little to know that his pup has never known a traditional family home. Shannon and he had tried to co parent but by the time Christopher turned two, Shannon had left them completely claiming she needed to find herself. The only thing Shannon had done was arrange for her milk to be sent to the pup to help.
All pups need omega's milk during their younger years before presenting but Christopher needs it more than most, it is literally his lifeline. Christopher had gone without milk for a week or so after his mother passed away and the effects were nearly fatal.
All omegas milk has antibodies and various different vitamins and nutrients to help the pups of the pack. It's even fairly common for some omega’s to share their milk among close pack to help, especially if they are the only omega in the pack.
“Is everything ok, Christopher?” Eddie asks his whimpering son as he approaches the pups bed.
“Had that dream again.” Christopher replies, sounding miserable. “Oh, Mijo. It's just a bad dream. Nobody is taking me.”
Eddie scents the boy, letting him know he's there. With Christopher being a pup this doesn't have the same effect as it would to an adult but most pups still find it soothing being scented by their parents.
The specialist’s taking care of Christopher has warned Eddie that he may never present due to his condition but Eddie fully intends to go through life with Christopher treating him like nothing is impossible for him.
“I know Daddy, but the dream feels so real. Can I come back to your room?” The pup sniffles.
“Sure, come on, let's get some sleep. Carla will be here in a few hours to take you to school.” Eddie replies, planting a kiss in his son's curls as he carries him to his den.
********
Eddie's shift with the 118 was long. All he wanted was to get home to his pup, crawl into bed and enjoy his four days off. The day in itself hasn't been too difficult, nothing but small calls but the lack of sleep was slowly getting to him, he was so tired he barely remembers saying goodbye to Cap, Hen and Chim.
Christopher was having more bad nights then good, Eddie can't help but think a nest would help but with the only close omega In their life not being here anymore there's nobody to make one for them.
Carla was an absolute angel. She is an absolute godsend to them. Carla had come into their life's when Shannon died, Chris’s school had put them in touch and Carla had quickly become part of their pack, she looks after Chris while he's at work and even helps around the house.
Eddie walked through the front door and was greeted by the smell of food, his mouth instantly waters.
“Hey, I'm home. Do I have time to shower up?” Eddie asks as he plants a kiss on Carla's cheek.
“You have twenty. Me and Chris waited for you.”
“Oh, you angel. If you weren't already bonded, I'd be keeping you.” Eddie teased.
“Haha, you would never keep up with me, Eddie.” Carla let her infectious laugh ring out.
Eddie walked over to Christopher who accepted his father's affection before wrinkling his nose. “Ew dad. You stink of sweat.”
Carla laughed harder and Eddie pretended to be offended. “Sorry that me doing my job offends your nose, son.”
Putting Christopher to bed that night was easy, the pup always slept fairly well on the nights both he and Carla put him to bed.
“How's he been today?” Eddie asks as he sips his beer.
“He's been in a bit of pain in his legs but otherwise he's doing well. Eddie, can we talk.”
Oh god, this is it, Carla has finally had enough and is going to leave them like everyone eventually does.
“Boy, stop sitting over there looking all sullen and let me talk, I haven't even opened my mouth yet.” Carla scolds.
“Sorry, sorry. Just ignore me.”
“First of all I want to make it clear this isn't an attack or me being critical over your parenting.” Carla offers him a kind smile.
And ok Eddie's obviously not going to like what's about to be said but he reminds himself that Carla only wants what's best for him and Chris.
“I noticed you only have a small supply of milk left and I saw the letter that tells you the charity can only help for a little while longer with the amount Christopher requires.
Eddie doesn't really know what to say to Carla. The charity Carla put him in touch with had been amazing at helping them find a donation of omega’s milk since Shannon died. They had done more than they normally would for Christopher by keeping him on the donation list for the last eighteen months when normally it would be a year, Eddie was incredibly grateful for everything.
“I'm guessing you haven't been able to give him the full amount he requires.”
Eddie can't help but feel like a bad father. His whole body goes stiff.
“Hey, knock it off, Edmundo. I said I'm not trying to upset you or criticize you. I have an idea and you might not like it but I want you to promise to listen to me.” Carla gave him that look.
“Yeah, I promise. Sorry Carla.” Eddie mumbles feeling ashamed.
“I know it might be a bit of a scary prospect but what about hiring an omega nanny.” Carla asks tentatively.
“A what? Carla I couldn't just bring a new omega in. What if Chris gets attached and it doesn't work or they don't connect?” Eddie starts.
“I know there's always that risk, Ed's. But think about it. Really sit and think, you can interview the person. You don't have to move them in tomorrow, you can let them meet Chris, find someone you both like.” Carla reasons.
“Yeah I get that but how do I even advertise it? Hey come give up your life to be a live-in nanny slash wet nurse for my son.” Eddie can help the eye roll.
“There's no need for sarcasm, you may be a big alpha but I can still clip you around the ear.” Carla looks pissed off now.
“No, you do not say it like that, Eddie I'm not saying you need to take in some desperate little broken down omega that's only chance at survival is chaining themselves to your kitchen.”
Eddie sighs. “I know you didn't mean it like that. But is it not a bit old fashioned? Like I know pack omegas help out with this stuff but it feels, I don't know weird to hire one in.”
“I know. But Eddie, don't think of it like that. It really is still a common practice. And the omega helping provide milk will only be a small part of the job, plus they can still have a life. It's not like you are taking in a slave, just hiring help. I will still be here to help, I'm not going anywhere.” Carla soothes, like when she talks Christopher down.
They sit in silence for some time. Carla starts to clean up and Eddie thinks through the conversation. Honestly it's not the worst idea ever.
“I think I would be more comfortable if it's a male Omega. I don't want Chris to be confused by a woman. I don't want him to think I'm replacing his mom.”
“It's funny you should say that. Don't be mad.” Carla looks a bit worried.
“Carla, never. I know you want to help, what is it?” Eddie smiles, letting Carla know he wants her to continue.
“First of all I want to make it clear I haven't given the omega any details, just mentioned that i might know of a job.”
“Right. Ok yeah that's. Ok.” Eddie feels a bit unsure.
“So I have a friend, well more of a surrogate son. He's currently living in New York but I'm hoping he's going to agree to come and stay with me. I mentioned I might know of a job for him when I spoke to him the other day, it was after I read the letter the other day. I then happened to speak with him a few hours later on the phone. I kind of thought it might be perfect.” Carla smiles.
“So male omega. Would he be willing? How old is he?”
"Yep he's a male omega. Honestly I think he would just adore Christopher and he would be perfect for the job, he's done very similar things before so the nursing definitely wouldn't be an issue. He's twenty five, single and packless so there's nothing that will pull him back.”
“Oh, poor thing. Is he, like ok?”
“He will be, once I can fuss over him. He's looking for a job that makes him feel like he's making a difference, saving lives. Unfortunately for him, male omega's aren't given the same opportunities as alphas or betas.” Carla looks angry for the omega, honestly Eddie agrees.
He hates that the world still has such low opinions on omega's. Omega's are amazing, the situation Eddie is in proves that if omegas weren't around, many can't live.
“Offer him the job.” Eddie decides.
“Oh, Eddie. You amazing alpha. Can you write a job description so I can show him.” Carla smiles warmly.
Wanted. Live-in male Omega caregiver.
I am currently looking for a male omega live-in caregiver/nanny for my young son.
You will share a home with my son Christopher, aged six and myself, Eddie and alpha aged twenty eight. You will also have help from our family friend Carla.
You will be provided with a scent proof room that will be your own personal space, myself and Christopher will only enter with your express permission.
I have a salary in mind but this is negotiable.
We want you to be part of the family, not just a worker.
Days off for leisure will be negotiated to fit all our needs.
Heat leave: I will need as much advance notice as you can give me, but obviously I appreciate sometimes cycles mess up and incidents can't be helped. Heat leave will of course be paid leave.
I require help with the running of the house and Christopher's personal care.
Your duties will include
Childcare: Day to day including before and after school. I am a firefighter so I often have 24/48 hour shifts. Chris will need care during these times.
Cooking : For us all as a family. Your food will be included.
Cleaning: household chores and general homemaking.
Nest making: in the main den and Christopher’s room, as Christopher has cerebral palsy, he requires the comfort of a nest to aid healing and wellbeing (Again, your own personal nest will never be invaded by us.)
Scenting : As a young pup, Christopher will require scenting for comfort. I will go more into detail with this upon meeting. It will also be beneficial as a pack, that we scent each other regularly.
Wet nurse: This I would prefer to speak about face to
face.