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[dustjackets]

Technically speaking, the Arcadian Archive is an autonomous, neutral entity. It's existed in Wellish territory since before Wellin even existed, and will continue to exist well after Wellin is gone. The Librarian, archivists, and other staff come from all over the world. Any person or organization from any nation may submit a request to access the knowledge stored within, and the power to grant or deny such requests rests solely in the hands of the Librarian.

Practically speaking, the Archive depends a lot on the Wellish government. They need homes to live in. Gardens to grow food in. Markets to purchase the things they can't grow or make themselves. Freedom to travel to and from the Archive. A treaty with an old king of Wellin ensured them all of these things.

But the Archive will exist even when Wellin is gone, and Wellin is gone now.

It's not an immediate disaster. No one can access the Archive without explicit permission from Aspen or his designated proxies, and he's already confiscated and destroyed all the seals granting the staff proxy powers. The chaos that comes with annexing a foreign government has prevented anyone from Caria from immediately descending upon the Archive. The staff has enough stockpiled supplies to last them months.

But Aspen knows it's only a matter of time. He might be all-powerful within the Arcadian Archive, but he and his staff are just people. Humans. They have homes they need to return to, loved ones they want to see, illnesses that must be tended to. Weaknesses that can be exploited. Weaknesses that will be exploited, as soon as their new 'rulers' identify them.

Aspen's status as an omega—an unmarried, unmated omega, at that—will only complicate things. He wouldn't call the treatment of omegas in Wellin perfect, but he knows it's going to get much, much worse once once the laws and cultural norms of their conquerors take root. He needs a solution, and fast.

So he seals the Archive, engaging an old spell that allows anyone to exit, but prevents them from reentering until he deactives the spell. And then he leaves. He only brings Zachariah, an old alpha that's been guarding the Archive since the days of Aspen's master, with him for protection; he's a reliable and loyal man, and the only one Aspen trusts to not try to stop him. Together, they travel to Caria's capital and to the headquarters of the only group more dangerous than Caria's government.

The man Aspen talks to, whom he assumes is one of the higher ups in this syndicate, seems suspicious and wary at first. Aspen can't really blame him. But the explanation he offers ends up being simple:

"I'd rather criminals have more influence over me than your government. Don't you feel the same way?"

He does, especially when all Aspen asks for in return is that the syndicate ensures that the Archive receives the same protections from Caria that they did from Wellin.

Offer accepted, the man starts to immediately babble on about the importance of legitimacy, and how they'll have to do things properly if they want the Carian government to buy it. Aspen tenses. He knows what that means but... he'd been ready for that. So he agrees, and he's immediately whisked away to some small apartment deeper within the synidcate home. There he's invited (or, well, ordered) to make himself comfortable and wait.

And wait he does. Zachariah is allowed to stay nearby, at least, and there's several in the apartment's small sitting room. He's brought lunch and even afternoon tea (but beta servants, he notes, who seem puzzled and even put off by how frankly he directs and thanks them). Still, it makes for a long, slow, and tense period of waiting.

Then, as the sun is starting to set, the door finally opens. Whoever it is doesn't knock like the servants or Zachariah did, which tells Aspen all he needs to know. He takes a deep breath, then climbs to his feet and turns to face whoever has come to greet him.

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[dustjackets]

Aspen blinks when Milo offers out the necklace, and blinks again when he takes hold of it. He can feel the protective spell woven around the opal, the magic thrumming gently against his skin. Without being told he knows, immediately, that this is a very precious piece of jewelry. Protection spells are just expensive enough that even most nobles don't bother with them. Not unless they have an important heirloom to preserve.

This is too important to give away so easily. Aspen's instinct is to reject it. He almost does, in fact, before he reins himself in. Important or not, this is Aspen's ticket home for the time being.

"Thank you, Milo." For the first time this conversation, Aspen gives Milo a smile. A faint smile, but warm and genuine none the less. "I'll take good care of it."

His fixes the chain around his neck. His robes are a rich indigo color, and the gold of the chain and the fiery orange of the opal both stand out bright and clear against the fabric.

"I'll return as I originally planned, I think. In order to ensure nothing goes awry. But..." He lifts his gaze to Milo's, smile melting away into a serious, somber expression. "Before I do, I think you should scent mark me."

It's not an idea that Aspen exactly relishes, but he suspects it will make things easier on both of them if they take care of this first.

[totenklage]

It was the only piece of jewellery his mother owned, and one of the very few things Milo brought when he abandoned Venoth and joined the syndicate, it was indeed sentimental, and possibly the only family heirloom he actually owned. Then, he lost his eye, and he knew he needed something else besides nostalgia and good feelings to hold onto. The constant thrumming of protective magic against his skin, against the several scars on his chest made him feel safe in a very unpredictable environment. Letting it go... it made the panic rise up his chest, but he knew it was for a good cause. Maybe when they are mated, he can explain to Aspen its significance... and the older would give it back to him. When he looks at him as he puts him own, his anxiety settles a little. The necklace looks beautiful on him, the literal image of fire against water that the Caria's beliefs on alphas and omegas try to project.

Milo's heart skips a beat in his chest when he sees Aspen smile at him, that's the most comfortable he has seen the older look since they have started to talk, he hopes that, eventually, as they start to get to know each other, the moments where the older feels comfortable around him will keep increasing, so he finds himself smiling back. But then, his own smile falters at the mention of scenting. He knew it could happen, that it was was safer for Aspen if it happened, but still made him nervous. He knows that a superficial scenting on the wrists won't do, that he will have to do it on Aspen's scent gland, and the mere though of doing it makes his hands feel clammy.

Milo is not good around omegas, he doesn't flirt like other alphas, he doesn't go to whorehouses, he doesn't spend his ruts with different rut partners, he's rather omegashy, which was seen as shameful as an alpha. In his daily life, he has mastered to cover up his shyness and awkwardness with coldness and indifference, all valued alpha characteristics in the eyes of his fellow alphas. If he wasn't interested in omegas in general, it was because omegas were nothing to him, the lowest of the low, not even worthy for flirting or fucking; and within the syndicate, it worked. But it doesn't work when Aspen is literally centimetres away from him. "Y-Yeah. Of course, u-um, It's just, I don't have a very strong scent." Aspen has probably realised by now, but somehow, Milo feels he has the obligation of explaining himself. A fresh, oceanic and floral scent is not what would you expect from an alpha, but at least he has his necklace, and he will carry the scent of someone else, that will be enough for his protection until the ceremony. "C-Can you..." He asks, and leans forward until he's nosing the column of Aspen neck, he's feeling the thrumming of his heart against his chest like a voodoo drum, until he's brushing his own scent gland against Aspen. It's the quickest, most intense way he can think of scenting him without actually having to nibble on his skin, or kissing him. He doesn't think neither of them are ready to do that, so he just rubs his scent glad against the other and closes his eye.

After seconds that seem like hours, Milo moves away, looking down in slight shyness, the tips of his ears a flushed pink. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

[dustjackets]

At least neither of them seem happy about this.

Aspen tilts his head away when Milo leans in, and he reaches up to undo the buttons on his collar and pull the fabric aside. Up close Milo will be able to tell that (underneath the smell of paper, ink, and the soaps used at the Archive) Aspen's natural scent carries strong hints of lavender and sage. There's absolutely no indication that he's ever carried any smell other than his own. He hasn't been scented like this since Naomi's conception more than a decade ago. Despite that Aspen is still and calm when Milo rubs their scent glands together, only a faint shiver whispering through his frame, and he buttons his collar back up with perfect dignity when Milo pulls away.

"I don't think so." Aspen finally stands, only to immediately lower himself into a bow. "Thank you again, Milo. I'll see you soon."

Aspen elects to leave immediately. He and Zachariah don't encounter any trouble on the way out; which is perhaps suspicious, but Aspen is too tired to feel anything but relief. It's already a little too late for travel to be practical, but Zachariah and Aspen reach the Archive just after dawn all the same.

Naomi is, as Aspen predicted, in a horrendous mood when they return. She rages at him like a storm, berating him for leaving without telling anyone and attempting to extract demands that he never do it again. She's too young to have presented in earnest yet, but it's moments like these that make him absolutely certain she's an alpha in the making. It's only his years of experience as both a parent and as the Librarian that keeps him from wilting. Even then, Naomi only stops when she notices that he is starting to wilt. Hearing that he intends to go back sets off a new wave of anger, but the interruption makes it easier to manage. He explains that this isn't just about her, or just about him. It's about the entire Archive and everyone living in it, and the responsibilities he has towards them.

She finally, finally relents after that. She's not nearly tired enough to join him for a nap when he collapses into bed, but she stubbornly stands guard outside his door while he sleeps and trails after him while he works for the rest of the day.

The next couple of days are a flurry of activity. He has to deactivate the warding seal so that the staff can enter and exit freely. He has to remake and redistribute the proxy seals, so that said staff can allow any petitioners and government representatives in at least as far as the lobby. He has to arrange Naomi's schooling for the next several weeks. And in between all of that he has to find time to take care of his regular Librarian duties, feed and clean himself, tend to Naomi, and prepare for his upcoming departure. What few omegas he saw in Caria seemed to favor lighter, cooler colors—a marked contrast to the darker, richer, more earthy colors that made up the Archive's uniform in the fall and winter months. He packs his spring robes, which are mostly in shades of white and desaturated greens, though it's a bit silly when he needs to wear either his navy blue or slate gray winter cloak on top of them anyway.

As promised, Aspen and Zachariah return to the syndicate within just a few days, in the early afternoon.

Then they run into trouble. It starts with the guard refusing to let an unmated omega into the syndicate home, even in the company of another alpha. Zachariah is forced to enter the home alone in order to send someone to retrieve Milo. Once said 'unmated omega' is undefended, the guard loses any sense of decorum and immediately starts trying to press into Aspen's personal space. Aspen ignores him at first, then avoids him, then tells him no, but the guard only grows more entitled and more demanding with each rejection. He finally reaches out, grabbing hold of Aspen's wrist—

And Aspen responds with magic. A quick gesture and a few words has ribbons of earth springing from the ground and winding themselves around the guard, who loses his balance and topples to the ground with a shout and a string of curses. Immediately, Aspen knows he's made a mistake. He hasn't harmed the guard at all, but he's certainly humiliated him, and he thinks that must be even worse in Caria.

Ultimately both Milo and Uvo are called for, the former by the servant Zachariah sent and the latter by one of the guard's compatriots. Whoever arrives first will be greeted by a rather peculiar scene. One guard still on the ground, cursing and struggling against his earthen bonds. Two other guards, staring down Zachariah and Aspen with wary expressions and hands on their weapons. Zachariah, looking the very picture of an alpha as he acts as a wall between the guards and Aspen. And Aspen himself, who is at least staring at the ground, but also unable to make himself look anything but indignant and angry at the treatment.

It might even be funny, if the situation wasn't so dire.

[totenklage]

For a few days after Aspen has left, Milo can swear he gets swirls of lavender scent that reaches him, reminding him of Aspen, and calming his down. As he promised, he registered the mating petition and he asked Uvo to be his witness. He wanted both legitimacy and make the other the most involved in the situation as possible. Then, it was a matter of patience. Either, they wanted to stretch it to see how far they could go, or the petition would be solved as any other ceremony would. Like he told Aspen, he got the response and the date in a few weeks, and he informed him so he could move back with him at least three days before the ceremony. He has also tried to make some research about the cleanser ritual, ask around, but as an alpha, it was difficult to do so. His interest about the ritualçs was seen as bizarre, almost perverted, so Milo didn't try again. He didn't want to press it.

The news of his mating spread within the syndicate like wildfire, and the reactions were completely different. Some people didn't know if Milo was ready to handle an omega, thinking he's just too soft and not dominant enough for managing a mating. Some other people thought he was the perfect candidate for a deal, Milo was exactly what they wanted. Someone with a low profile, who could get their job done but who wasn't ego hungry, neither could go into an alpha frenzy. It was going to be extremely difficult to prove the both of them at the same time, and Uvo, while making sure he wasn't going to hurt Aspen neither do anything he didn't want to.

When Milo arrives and assets the situation, he's glad he's the first to arrive and not Uvo, that will give him maybe two minutes top to make some damage control and avoid any proper dangerous situations for Aspen, even though it's going to be extremely difficult. In a society in which omegas aren't supposed to speak unless spoken to, a yet unmated omega using magic is going to be extremely hard to explain. He's also going to be called out for not controlling his omega enough, and that won't be pretty in the end.

He sighs deeply, and moves to the omega first, moving close enough so he can talk to him without the others listening to him. "Aspen, please. Cancel out the magic." He whispers, not really an order, but almost a plea.

Then he moves so Aspen is standing behind of him, a typical protecting alpha stance. Shielding him from everyone else, his height actually helping to the feeling of authority, as he looks at the other two guards. "Lower the weapons. I'm his alpha." Technically. Almost. He's using his best alpha voice, deep, direct. An order. And the guards lower the weapons immediately, he knows these two aren't the problem, but the one Aspen used magic against.

He just wants to hurry before Uvo arrives.

"You're his alpha? If I was his alpha I would put it in a leash and a muzzle, after what he did!" He spats out, his eyes glistening in anger. "He shouldn't parade around like that, you shouldn't allow him, he was begging him to be molested."

Milo has to force a grown and a snarl but actually it's pretty intimidating, it makes the other falter. "Talk about my omega like that again and it's not magic that will push you to the floor, I promise you." His eyes are shinning so much they look like ice instead of sky blue, and in that exact moment Uvo has arrived, followed by another guard, but Milo doesn't react, his stance taut, violent and tense towards the falling guard.

He can impose himself like this, it's not the first time he has done it. It won't be the last. The problem is the aftermath, the waves of anxiety that brings him.

[dustjackets]

As Milo draws close it won't be hard for him to pick up on Aspen's scent. Unfortunately, Aspen is not nervous or frightened the way a Carian omega probably should be in this situation. He's angry, even indignant. He shoots Milo an incredulous look when the alpha asks him to cancel the spell. But he doesn't verbally protest, and after a moment he sighs and closes his eyes. A flick of his wrist and another murmured spell have the ribbons of earth crumbling away as the guard continues to struggle, and after a moment he's free. Covered in dirt, but free.

(Aspen could have withdrawn the spell in such a way as to leave the guard and his clothing pristine. Naturally, Aspen is not feel especially cooperative right now.)

While the spell fades and Milo moves to stand in front of Aspen, Zachariah steps aside. He's no longer between Aspen and the rest of the group, ceding that position to Milo. He is, however, still present, and serves as a steady enough wall to prevent the argument from immediately escalating into outright violence. By the time the newly freed guard escapes his bindings and springs to his feet there's no longer an easy route to Aspen. He visibly bristles at Milo's threat, but Uvo's arrival cuts short whatever counterpoint he may have made.

Instead, the guard whirls to face Uvo, one hand flung out to point in Aspen's direction.

"Uvo, sir! Milo's bitch is out here attacking people! I was just being friendly and he saw fit to turn his magic on me!"

Behind Milo Aspen bristles, but he has the sense to stay quiet. He does drift closer to Milo, however, almost but not quite touching the taller man. He has yet to feel any fear, but with multiple angry alphas in the area his instincts are telling him he should be.

[totenklage]

He tenses too, but he takes a deep, calming breath, and takes a step back, so they are almost touching, his fingertips brushing the outer robes Aspen is wearing.

He doesn't know how Uvo will react at his stance, but he knows this is still a test. He has failed to control his omega, but he can keep up his strong alpha charade and make himself believable as a decent mate for Aspen. "Careful how you talk about him, don't ever dare to call him a bitch in my presence ever again." His voice is not faltering, his scent is not wavering.

But the guard doesn't bulge, if anything, after being released by Aspen's magic, he's even more tense, angrier. He glances toward Uvo because he expects to be backed up by him. Milo hasn't really acknowledged his presence yet, he's buying time, maybe. He's still proving his point, showing his dominance, showing the other alphas who his omega belongs to.

It's a chuckle that shifts his attention to Uvo. It's humourless, dark, terrifying. "Oh Milo, Milo..." Uvo clicks his tongue, walking among the others, spreading his hands in a friendly stance, but Milo becomes as tense as ever. He offers a glance towards Aspen full of scorn and disdain, and then a sided grin to Milo. "A carian omega would know his place, wouldn't he." He asks, an eyebrow raised. "He wouldn't act like a bitchy spellcaster throwing a temper." He continues, brushing Milo's robes as he's brushing invisible dust. "You need to tighten your leash, don't you."

Milo uses all his willpower not to react, but he's not stupid not to see a threat when he sees one, his right eye, the lack of it, his scar, tightens and hurts at the tension. "Of course, but I am sure he wouldn't have reacted unless he was provoked." And he looks directly at the guard, growling at him.

"How touching..." Uvo says, pressing a hand on his chest, laughing. "Is he that good between his legs you're the one acting like a bitch towards him?" That comment makes the rest of the alphas laugh, and Milo can feel the anger licking up his spine like fire. "Let me be direct." He finally says, and this time, he's directly looking at Aspen. "If he steps out of line again, Milo, it won’t be just dirt he has to answer for. Or you. I don’t care how fucking sweet you are on him."

Milo remains tense, not bulging against Uvo's words, giving him a curtly nod. "Of course. I will answer for him."

[dustjackets]

Aspen is not afraid of Uvo. Wary, sure, but not afraid. Not the way Milo is. Still, that unpleasant chuckle is more than enough to make the hair of the back of Aspen's neck stand on end.

It's not enough to overpower his anger, but it does help to temper it. He stiffens when Uvo refers to his act of self defense as a tantrum, and tenses even further at the implication that he and Milo have already slept together, but he doesn't bristle or lash out the way he kind of wants to. When Uvo looks at him, he forgets to avoid eye contact at first, and only drops his gaze after a second of deliberate thought.

It's most likely best to Milo to handle this. Not only is he part of the syndicate, but Aspen doesn't know Carian traditions. Not enough to confidently insert himself into the middle of a social squabble like this one.

He knows power, though. He knows how to gain ir and how to lose it, and he knows what failing to assert himself now will cost him. Maybe adhering to a passive role is safer in the short term, but in the long term it could be a fatal mistake. Gaze still downcast, he steps out from behind Milo to face Uvo properly. Then he lowers himself into a bow, deep and reverent.

"My sincerest apologies," he says, and it's only through a monumental effort that he keeps the anger out of his voice. "It was my understanding that I had an obligation to protect your family's investment—"

The 'investment' being Aspen and his connection to the Arcadian Archive, of course.

"—and not give any indication that I might be easily swayed from my alpha's side by any parties inside or outside the syndicate. If that's not the case..."

He trails off, letting Uvo fill in the blanks. This is a huge gamble, and he knows it—but if he can remind Uvo of the danger that someone from the government might try to poach Aspen for himself, and frame his own behavior towards the guard as an attempt to discourage such schemes, and maybe even imply that not doing so would have made the syndicate look careless and weak...

Maybe he can buy both himself and Milo some leeway.

[totenklage]

Aspen was strong, and smart. He hasn't doubted it at all when he first met him, guided by his first impression of him, but he was surprised by how well he's dealing the entire situation, he doesn't seem or smell afraid, and he's standing his ground quite proudly for being surrounded by angry, aggressive and volatile alphas. It makes Milo admire him greatly.

Then he starts speaking, bowing and explaining his actions, and his admiration deepens. That's such a smart move, Uvo is going to hate it, and Milo has to hide a grin, remaining stoic and serious beside his omega.

Uvo chuckles again, and this time, it's really filled with humour. This omega bitch is fucking smart. He thinks, bitterly, and wonders how much of a good idea it's that he gave Milo to him. Could he control him? Or was he going to manipulate him? Will they be an eventual problem to the syndicate, create a bond no one is imagining right now? Was he in a position of too much power? He had to calculate his words carefully. "Of course, then, this might be just a misunderstanding." He looks at Milo again, his stance not as violent. "You just need to make sure you make Aspen understand the proper dynamics of the carian society so nothing like this happens again, right. So the investment is safe. No one needs to make drastic decisions."

Milo relaxes a little, but nods. "Of course, our mating is in three days, there's plenty of time." He then moves to Aspen, helping him move up, placing him once again behind him, one arm around his body. He looks at the guard, wondering if there's something else he wants to say. He looks tense, but he's smart enough.

Uvo would say something else, tug on the tension a little bit, but Aspen reply didn't give him with a good feeling. "You're all dismissed." He says, and the guards move after saying a curtly yessir under their breaths. He then smiles at the standing couple, moving way too close. "The mating ceremony, I am sure it will be lovely. I will be there to supervise everything goes according to plan." And then he leaves without saying anything else.

Milo waits a few seconds, before moving away from Aspen, nodding at the omega and his alpha companion. "Come." He just wants to come to his lodgings, away from the judging eyes from everyone. Milo's living quarters are austere, but clean, smaller than you would imagine from someone involved in a syndicate. His den was tucked away in a corner, the smallest room, a surprise for everyone. A place someone would use to hide away, remain invisible when the world becomes too hostile. A guest room big enough for being spacious and welcoming, hopefully Zachariah and Aspen would find it comfortable, a small but clean kitchen, a cosy living room, full of books and notebooks. A bathroom big enough that can keep a bathtub inside of it, a small cabinet and an even smaller mirror. "Please, make yourself at home." He has made an effort of organising and cleaning the entire space so Aspen doesn't arrive to a chaotic environment, that stank too much of an alpha, even with his mild scent. "You can use the first room at the right." He knows the moment he relaxes, his anxiety would spike up, and he doesn't want to give Aspen that kind of impression, not yet, so he's just keeping his stoic and firm façade for now.

[dustjackets]

Aspen doesn't dare let himself relax, but relief surges through him when Uvo seems to accept his excuse. He doesn't risk speaking again, but he nods in acknowledgement of Uvo's words.

He doesn't straighten up again until Milo grabs him, and he easily allows himself to be pulled behind the other man. While Aspen is very good at keeping himself calm in tense situations like this, his instincts are still screaming at him that he's not safe. Being this close to Milo, having the alpha loom over him like this, is actually doing a lot to help his mood. He doesn't even outwardly react to Uvo's promise to supervise the mating ceremony, though the reminder than Uvo will be watching them makes him want to squirm.

But the crowd finally disperses, and Milo steps away, and Aspen draws himself upright again. He gives a silent nod to Milo's order, and then he follows him into the house, though irritation is still rolling off of him as they walk. Zachariah trails behind them, of course, but he elects to post himself up outside Milo's quarters for the moment, leaving Aspen and Milo to enter alone.

Milo's living quarters are... not quite what Aspen was expecting, though that's been true of many things involving Milo. Aspen's absolutely certain his own apartment at the Archive is much larger, even if he doesn't count Naomi's share of things. Much more decorated, too, and it suddenly occurs to him that he should have brought Milo a gift as well. Something to correct the next time he returns to the archive.

Aspen nods when Milo indicates that he should take the other room for himself, but he doesn't enter it right away. Instead he gives Milo a polite nod, deep enough to almost be considered a bow.

"I'd like to apologize for the altercation outside," he says. "I'm sure it's going to cause problems for you. In the future I'll take care to be more discrete."