Royce was not someone that frequented Reddit for advice that wasn’t about Legos. He never commented, never made any sort of posts, just lurked through the replies to get whatever answer he was looking for.

This time, though, he’d braced himself to ask advice. Anonymously, of course. He hated the idea of someone knowing he didn’t understand something in the real world.

‘AITA for thinking anniversaries aren’t a big deal? I (alpha, 30) have never been in a relationship before, this is my first. My partner (omega) is the best thing to happen to me. We go on frequent dates, I spend a lot of my time with them, but recently my coworker asked what we’d be doing for our one year. I said nothing and my coworker gave me a weird look. Should I plan something? I don’t expect my partner to do anything for me. Are presents expected on anniversaries?’

Royce had anxiously waited on the responses. It didn’t take long for comment after comment to come in. Yes, he was definitely in the wrong. A lot of the comments said he was better off single, or that he didn’t deserve the omega he was dating, but there were a few with actual advice. Royce saved those ones.

Presently he was driving you back to his place, gripping the steering wheel a bit too tight. “The weather is nice,” he commented in hopes of calming himself. He liked how the sky looked when it had just rained.

Neither of you had said anything about today being your one year anniversary. Royce thought that you were waiting for him to mention it, but he wanted you to bring it up first. Then he’d swoop in with the present he’d stuffed into the back of his Tesla. It was full of anything and everything you’d ever mentioned liking. Royce remembered it all. He loved watching you talk, could sit and listen for hours as you rambled about whatever.

“Today is a good day,” he continued, hoping you’d catch his hints. Was he being subtle? “A really great day.”

He glanced at you like he was waiting for you to understand.

The first time Royce hired you to pretend to be his date to a wedding, he hadn’t expected to get along with you. Relationships, friendships, none of that had mattered much to him. He got along with his coworkers, and he never minded going out with them, but he didn’t want someone in his life everyday. Except you. Royce liked seeing you in the mornings, laid out shirts and sweaters in hopes you’d wear them. Apparently omegas nested when they were comfortable in their alphas’ bed, so Royce had started one in hopes you’d finish it.

He liked you a lot.

So much that he’d continued to hire you for dates. How else was he supposed to see you? Even now, he did just that. Royce hadn’t bothered to clarify he wanted to actually date you, because you must realize it by now.