Yuji hadn't expected to enjoy luxury, but somehow, it had started to grow on him. Not because he loved money or comfort (well, maybe the massage chair a little), but because for once in his life, he didn't have to hustle every second just to stay afloat.
Still, he was too self-aware to fall completely into the role of a pampered omega. He cooked his own meals sometimes, insisted on doing his own laundry (even if the washing machine had more buttons than a spaceship), and still kept up with his daily comic sketching, even if there was no actual deadline.
He had sent a few updates to his editor—well, his ex-editor now, since technically he hadn't submitted anything official in weeks. The guy had texted him once.
Editor Jun: "Still alive?"
Yuji had replied: "Define 'alive'."
It had been radio silence ever since.
He hadn't left the penthouse much after the mall trip. The thought of seeing more people—more alphas—made his skin crawl a bit. Not that he had been harassed, but the sheer attention he got from just existing in public while scented like an omega? It was exhausting.
Still, the space between him and Nikolai was oddly… peaceful.
They barely crossed paths. Yuji wasn't even sure if Nikolai slept here most nights. The man came and went like a cold breeze—sometimes in a suit, sometimes in gym gear, once in a tactical vest Yuji definitely pretended not to stare at for too long.
It was a weird arrangement, but Yuji wasn't complaining.
Until the call came.
It was late—well past midnight. Yuji was curled up on the couch with a blanket, bingeing old anime on full volume while eating cereal with chocolate milk. The screen on the wall lit up with an incoming call request.
"Private Line: Nikolai D."
He blinked. "He calls now?"
Yuji reluctantly hit accept.
Nikolai's face appeared—sleek, sharp, and way too calm for this hour.
"You're awake," Nikolai said simply.
Yuji crunched loudly. "Not anymore. What do you want, Nico?"
The corners of Nikolai's mouth twitched, but he didn't smile.
"Get dressed. You're coming with me."
Yuji stared. "Now? Where?"
"Dress warm. I'll be outside in ten minutes."
The screen went black.
Yuji lowered his spoon slowly. "...Is this a kidnapping date orrrr...?"
Fridge-chan offered no answers.
___
Exactly ten minutes later, Yuji stepped outside the building, hoodie zipped up, thermal leggings under his jeans, and a beanie squashed over his head. He looked like a discount tourist.
A sleek black vehicle waited at the curb, humming quietly. The back window rolled down.
Nikolai was inside, legs crossed, wearing gloves and a tailored winter coat. He didn't say anything as Yuji climbed in.
Yuji glanced around. "So... am I being sold? Or is this a mafia outing?"
Nikolai closed his tablet. "Neither."
The car pulled into motion, sliding through the late-night city like a ghost.
"I just thought it was time you saw something outside your cage."
Yuji blinked. "Cage? That your new pet name for the penthouse?"
Nikolai didn't answer.
The city lights flickered past, and Yuji, despite his sarcasm, found his curiosity starting to itch.
Where was this man taking him?
___
They drove in silence for nearly twenty minutes. Yuji kept stealing glances at the city outside—tall towers, quiet streets, a few late-night food stalls that tempted his inner snacker.
Finally, the car pulled up to an enormous structure surrounded by sleek fencing and armed guards. Yuji blinked at the sign lit up above the gate: Dragunov BioTech Complex.
"This is one of your facilities," Yuji said slowly.
Nikolai nodded. "My most secure one."
Yuji turned in his seat. "And why, pray tell, are you dragging me here at one in the morning?"
Nikolai simply opened the door and stepped out. "Come."
With a groan, Yuji followed.
The guards didn't even blink at his presence, which made Yuji more nervous somehow. They entered a private elevator that descended—not ascended—several floors underground.
"Okay, I've definitely seen this movie before," Yuji muttered. "Spoiler alert: I die first."
Nikolai ignored him.
When the doors opened, it revealed a clean, temperature-controlled lab. Glass panels. Fluorescent lighting. Very sci-fi villain lair aesthetic.
Yuji folded his arms. "So what is this? Your evil lair? Underground omega breeding dungeon?"
Nikolai shot him a look. "It's a fertility diagnostics wing."
Yuji blinked. "Oh. That's worse."
"You agreed to try during your next heat," Nikolai reminded him coolly. "We need to be sure you're biologically compatible to carry."
"And this couldn't have waited till breakfast?!"
"It's already been scheduled."
A woman in a pristine white coat appeared, holding a tablet. She bowed politely to Nikolai, then looked at Yuji with a professional smile.
"We'll need a few baseline samples from you, Mr. Yuji."
Yuji leaned toward Nikolai and whispered, "She's gonna steal my eggs."
"They're not stealing anything. You produce omega ovum. That's all."
"Still stealing."
___
By the end of the visit, Yuji had been poked, scanned, and forced to lie still in a very cold room while being asked a lot of very personal questions.
He walked out looking pale.
Nikolai, of course, looked exactly the same.
"You could've just told me this was a hospital visit," Yuji grumbled as they walked back to the car.
"You wouldn't have come."
"Exactly."
Nikolai glanced at him briefly. "You handled it better than expected."
"Thanks. I try not to cry until I'm alone."
The car pulled away from the facility, the city once again swallowing them in neon and shadows. Yuji leaned his head against the window.
Just before they exited the lab, however, Nikolai had handed something to the attending technician. A few moments later, she returned and gently placed a small, sleek black box in Yuji's hand.
"From Mr. Dragunov," she said, before disappearing behind the doors again.
Yuji opened the box cautiously.
Inside was a collar—simple, black leather with a silver accent and a tiny embedded chip. Elegant. Discreet. Cold.
He stared at it. "What the hell is this?"
"An omega collar," Nikolai replied evenly. "Custom-made. It's already encoded with your ID."
Yuji's fingers hovered over it. "You're tagging me like a stray cat."
"It's for your safety. If anyone tries to scent you or claim you, this will signal you're already under protection."
Yuji huffed. "Well, Nico, nothing screams romance like state-of-the-art surveillance jewelry."
"You don't have to wear it at home," Nikolai said, eyes on the road. "But wear it outside. Just in case."
Yuji muttered something under his breath and clicked the box shut, slipping it into his pocket. He didn't say he'd wear it. But he also didn't say he wouldn't.
"Just so we're clear," he mumbled, eyes half-lidded. "Next time you want to surprise me, bring snacks."
"Noted."
Yuji almost smiled.