Chapter Text
For once Eggsy had no regrets about his decision. The warehouse Rose had led him to was the oddest building he’d ever been in. The floor was filled with shelves and racks that were covered in neatly organised boxes as well as bikes, skateboards, motorbikes and even a car. It wasn’t like Eggsy had never seen a car before but he’d never known someone who owned one, having a car in London was just impractical for most people, especially when there were buses and the tube and bikes and such. He’d only been in a car once - the one his Ma had rented to drive them out of the city for Da’s funeral.
In the middle of it all was a tight helical staircase that led to the second floor, the first thing you saw was the living area, a jumble of mismatched sofas and armchairs around a large table that had obviously seen its share of wear and tear as well as a kitchen wedged into the corner. Then it was the corridor. Two doors on the left, one at the end and one on the right. One of the doors on the left was a large bathroom with shower cubicles lining one wall and toilet cubicles with a a sink as well lining the other, the last door on the left was a small bedroom with two bunk beds wedged together in an L shape and four metal lockers. The door at the end was another toilet and shower cubicle and the only door on the right led to the biggest room upstairs; it had six bunk beds crammed together and twelve metal lockers making a small corridor of lockers in the corner. The biggest room; as Rose had explained, was for Alpha’s, Beta’s and the unpresented - the smallest room being for omegas but there was also a pair of unpresented siblings in the smaller room as well, as the bigger room had run out of space.
Eggsy had been nervous at the start - fourteen people you don’t know dropping all previous conversation to stare at you usually did that but he quickly found his place in the group. He got on best with a lanky alpha called Arden and Rose, who he’d been shocked to learn was actually in charge. You didn’t see many omegas in charge of much. Eggsy soon had another fourteen lines etched across his shoulder blades, he had an inkling his soul mark was a bird of some sort as he had lots of very obvious feathers scattered across his shoulder blades and the back of his arms, though he still didn't have any of the body yet.
The group was made up of kids like Eggsy, all of them had nowhere to go and had been on the streets before Rose had found them and brought them in. Him and Rose were the only omegas there, she had been the one who sat with him as he had his first and only heat. It had started the night he arrived, Arden had been the one to notice first.
Eggsy had been so caught up in meeting everyone and figuring out where he fit in with them whilst they ate pizza he’d ignored how warm it was getting, everyone else had seemed fine and he was so happy he’d found a place where he might be able to fit in, where he could really call a home and he hadn’t wanted anyone to think he was some whiny omega.
Arden wrinkled his nose, sniffing slightly “You smell weird.” he’d said confusion on his face. Eggsy blushed profusely, he had no idea what to say to that, especially when other people started sniffing at him as well.
“Yeah,” Another kid chimed in, a beta he’d later learn was called Theo “Why do you smell so weird?”
Eggsy shrugged, his eyes darting around the room as he watched everyone scent the air, Rose’s eyes widened and he shunk in on himself and braced for the bad news that was surely about to come. He’d only been here half an hour and he was already getting kicked out.
Rose stood from her seat, the room going quiet as everyone gave her their full attention, “Eggsy come with me please.”
Eggsy followed her as she walked into a small room with two bunk beds crammed in, his eyes fixed on his shoes the whole time, blinking furiously to try and stop the tears falling. Rose sat on one of the bottom bunks and patted the spot next to her, “Eggsy, how long ago exactly did you present?” Her voice was soft and when Eggsy risked a glance at her face it seemed concerned but he knew how deceiving looks could be.
“A few hours ago.” He sniffled, there was no point in lying when he didn't know what answer she wanted, better to just take the punishment for the truth than risk making it worse.
“Eggsy,” Rose moved off the bed to crouch in front of him, “How much do you know about presenting?”
Eggsy looked at her, confused he replied “Just what they said in school?”
“Eggsy, you’re going into your first heat.” Her voice was gentle. “Do you know what that means?”
He nodded and spoke in a small voice, “It means I’ll smell different and that I can have a baby.”
Rose nodded, “Yeah that’s right but your body is too small to carry a baby properly now so you’ll have to wait until you’re all grown up to do that.” She smiled and nudged his knee as if she was making a joke so Eggsy smiled weakly back at her, he was sweating now, the heat becoming almost unbearable.
“You’re having your heat Eggsy,” Rose explained gently, “I won't lie to you, it’s not great. I was way too hot the whole time and it was super uncomfortable but you’ll be fine I promise.”