Chapter Text
In the 21st century, the rights of Omegas have advanced greatly from where they were even just a century ago. Many Omegas chose to work, remain unmated, take birth control, and have equal standing in both personal and professional relationships.
So when people laid eyes on the social recluse criminal forensics teacher, they questioned why he chose to live how he did. Unlike most Omegas, he wore a collar. Collars have been considered out of date and even unfair for at least a few decades. So, the sight of an Omega wearing a collar sparked many questions.
This Omega's name was Will Graham. He was known for being a blunt and asocial professor who never talked to others outside of required instances. Everyone knew that he must be mated, due to being collared, but despite this, no one has ever met or even heard of his Alpha.
Jack wasn't sure what to expect when he entered Professor Graham's classroom. He had heard that the professor held a special gift that allowed him to insert himself in the mindset of others, particularly killers. The last thing he expected to see what a scruffy man who held himself in a closed-off manner, with a collar on full display.
It was well-made, likely costing a fortune. Graham didn't look remotely ashamed of showing it off either. Jack didn't know that Professor Graham was an Omega, but that hardly mattered. He was competent enough to teach at the FBI Academy.
"Good afternoon, Professor Graham," Jack greeted, approaching the Omega as he packed up, and offered out a hand, "I'm Agent Jack Crawford, Head of the Behavioral Science Unit. I would like to have you consult on a case, if you'd be amendable to that."
He tried to remain formal in his offer. Although he initially was going to try a casual approach, he did know that more traditional Omegas ought to be spoken to formally, at least until their Alpha says otherwise. And from the collar, it seemed that Graham was one of such rare traditional Omegas in the modern day.
Said Omega didn't meet Jack's eye, ignoring his outstretched hand in favor of shoving his things into his bag, continuing to pack up for the day as if the other wasn't there.
Just as he looked like he was about to leave, however, he paused and adjusted his glasses.
"If you would like me to work for you, Agent Crawford, you will have to ask my mate."
With that, Graham turns and walks briskly out of the classroom, not looking back.
Jack stood there for a moment before sighing and nodding to himself. That wasn't exactly what he was expecting. Though, maybe he should have seen it coming. Most Omegas these days didn't discuss their personal or career decisions with their mate, but that wasn't the case years ago. From what Jack has seen, from the collar, purposefully minimized interaction with others, and immediate deferral to his mate, it seems that Graham and his mate lived in a more traditional manner.
It was strange, though. One would think that an Omega who lived traditionally would stay at home rather than work at all, yet here Graham was.
Brushing off his thoughts, Jack left the classroom, making his way to his office.
It was vital that Professor Graham consult on this case. There have been no break throughs, and it was getting more urgent by the day. Yet, clearly it wouldn't happen without his mate's permission.
He sat at his desk where his laptop laid, slid it open, and quickly navigated to Graham's official documents. If anywhere would have information on his mate, his documents would.
[William B. Lecter Graham. Mated Omega. Male. 38 Years Old.
Mate: Hannibal Lecter (Work email: [email protected])
Legal Status: Primary Legal Authority Assigned to Mate]
Well, at least it has a way to contact his mate.
Staring at the last line in that section of the document was strange, though. Almost no mated Omegas since the 1990s had their primary legal authority assigned to their mate. Usually, they were their own legal authority.
Jack sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Of course, the one he needed for this case lived in the most archaic Omegan lifestyle one could live (minus working a job).
Opening his emails, he started drafting his formal inquiry to Professor Graham's mate, Hannibal Lecter.