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Jason wasn’t sure why or when he’d exactly ended up as the secret keeper for the Pack and beyond- but it had happened.
For some reason, since becoming the Pack Omega of the Wayne's, his packmates had been coming to him for wisdom he didn’t feel he had. What a load of stereotypical bullshit about Omega’s being wise and smart and the best people to confide in?
“I’m just scared, Jay. What if they think I’m weak or-”
“Timtam, they won’t care, haven’t you seen how they look at you, they fucking radiate heart eyes.” Jason scoffed as Tim sat across from him at the edge of his nest, clutching a tea. Jason had given him tea because his younger brother had eye bags that looked to want to claim Jason’s soul.
“B-But- They do?” Tim whispered, confused, face morphed into disbelief.
“'Course they do. And if they give you shit for lying about your dynamic out of fear then they ain’t worth your time, Baby Bird.” Jason continued, sipping from his own mug, lazily lounging in his nest that he’d invited Tim into when the younger had come with his troubles.
“S-Should I tell them first… th-that I’m actually an Omega? Before… Before I try to court them?” Tim asked, voice trembling because shit, the kid really was terrified, he’d grown up with two shit parents who’d brainwashed the poor boy to think Omega’s to be the lowest of the low… so when Tim had presented he’d lied that he was a Beta, buried his scent under patches and dosed himself on suppressants. He’d told Jason the truth after Jason had returned and become the Pack Omega… but as far as Jason knew, not a single soul elsewhere in the world knew.
“Tell ‘em that first, Timtam, they won’t react badly, I swear to you. They’re good Alpha’s, both of ‘em.” Jason hummed, because Tim had also come to him with his troubles in relationships, about how the Omega wanted to court Kon and Bart, two of his Alpha friends, but well.. Beta’s didn’t court. He’d need to reveal his true secondary gender and the consequence of that would be his friends knowing he’d lied to them for years… Tim’s doubts did have legitimate reasons but Jason was certain Kon and Bart would get over it. The two Alpha’s mooned over Tim. It would work out.
“Positive?”
“Course, Pup. You picked ‘em, so of course they’re good. I know you, you’ve got a good judge on people.” Jason smiled reassuringly, Tim reflected the gesture back, small but pleased.
“Let me know how it goes, yeah? I’m always ready for a shovel talk.” Jason snickered and Tim pouted.
“You said I was a good judge of character, surely they don’t need the shovel talk?” Tim argued back.
“Even so, I gotta do it. It’s my role as Pack Omega.” Jason boasted which Tim snorted at.
“I don’t think Shovel Talk’s are part of a Pack Omega’s list of requirements…” Tim laughed and Jason joined in. The moment was nice, carefree, allowing Tim to forget his worries if only for a few seconds before the anxiety of the situation had his body tense once more.
“Would you like me there when you tell them, Timbo?” Jason offered, Tim nodded shyly.
“Please Omega.” Tim begged, dipping his head in gratitude. Jason shot him a reassuring smile.
“No problem Timmy. I’ve got you, Pup.” Jason rumbled out, a pack call that Tim replied to, the bond between them strumming with happiness and trust. Tim was hardly a pup anymore, the kid was 20 and yet, Jason still thought of him as the scrappy 15 year old he’d tried to attack while in a combination of Pit and Heat Haze. Luckily Tim hadn’t been hurt too bad and the kid forgave him… Jason was honoured, he wasn’t sure what he’d have done had Tim not done so. He wasn’t sure how he’d survive without his pack now.
“What do you mean?” Jason frowned, Damian shrugged.
“I’m not an Alpha... I lied. Grandfather was so disappointed when I presented as a B-Beta, he tried lots of things to- to change my dynamic.” Damian shuddered as he spoke, memory drifting. Jason keened and tugged Damian forward, into his chest. Damian sagged at the contact, form shivering.
“S’okay Pup, you’re safe, you’re in Gotham now, not the League, never again.”
“Omega-” Damian sniffled, tears wetting Jason’s shoulder where he’d buried Damian’s head, one hand in the back of the kids hair, scratching little, soft reassuring shapes. Damian sobbed against him. “It- It hurt so much. He-” Damian let out another sob. It was so uncharacteristic for the youngest Pup in the clan to cry so freely. Jason wasn’t sure if it was his status as Pack Omega, and that apparently everyone expected him to keep their business a secret… or if it had simply finally been too much for the kid and the breakdown had been a long time coming.
“H-He tried so much- Omega. To- To make me an Alpha instead. I- I wish I’d just been an Alpha. I- I never would have had to-” Damian’s teeth chattered, shivers erupted on his arms and he shook so violently, breath coming out in panicked wheezed. Jason held him still.
“C’mon Pup, breath with me, you feel my breathing?” Jason asked, Damian still against his chest and clearly able to feel the exaggerated rise and fall of Jason’s chest. Damian weakly nodded as he continued to hack and wheeze out breaths.
“Breath, Habibi, in, hold it. Good boy. And exhale. There you go. Keep repeating.” Jason praised as Damian struggled to copy him.
“I-I-” Damian continued to try and talk despite the clear panic attack abusing his form.
“Shh, it’s okay Sweetheart, don’t talk, focus on breathing.” Jason cooed, scent washing over them both like a warm blanket. Damian let out a throaty whine at the feeling, so starved for an Omega’s touch, clearly. The Pup had obviously been neglected in his youth, denied an Omega’s care, denied any chances of nursing or bonding with a caregiver. Jason would vow to be that. Damian was his Pup, had been his Pup for nearly 5 years when the little scrappy, only just 10 year old Beta had been thrust into their family.
“Beta, Alpha or even Omega, I’d love you no matter what Damian. Don’t worry, nobody will mind if you’re an Omega, hell, Dickwing is a Beta too and Bruce doesn’t care does he? Dick is still strong isn’t he? He holds his own against all the craziest this city offers up.” Jason spoke, the vibrations of his words rumbling through his chest helped to sooth Damian who still shuddered in his arms but slowly got his breathing under control and the sobs turned silent, still tears down his cheeks but no loud sobs that had Jason’s heartbreak.
“Do you.. Do you think maybe you want to talk to someone about… about whatever Ra’s did?”
“L-Like therapy?” Damian asked, breathless, voice raw. Jason nodded only to be met with a furious head shake.
“N-No. I- I won’t. I won’t- I can’t- They won’t be able to help…” Damian shivered.
“Then me? Can I help?” Jason asked, Damian looked up, meeting his eyes before slowly nodding.
“Yes, Omega. I’ll- I’ll tell you…” Damian whispered and began his horrific tales.