AT THE SAME TIME
XAVIER
It was late, really late, that kind of late where the streetlights flicker like they are questioning life choices, the rain beats against the windows in a rhythm that sounds suspiciously like judgment, and the old cafe seems to be conspiring against me. I was wiping down the counter for, what, the seventh time in an hour? My arm ached. My shoulder ached, my soul, well, my soul was definitely questioning why I thought owning a cafe library hybrid was a good idea. Then I noticed it, the back door.
I had walked past it a million times, ignored it, shoved cleaning supplies in front of it like an emotional barricade, but tonight, it looked different, darker, more menacing. It was wearing a top hat and smirking at me.
"No, the door had definitely changed."I blinked.
Curiosity, of course, laughed maniacally in my brain.
"Don't do it." I whispered to myself.
"Do it." Whispered the coffee machine in a low growl, or maybe that was just my imagination.
Either way, I knew what I had to do. Heart thumping, I crept forward, grabbed the handle, and slowly pushed the door open. And holy everything. It wasn't a closet, it wasn't a hallway, it wasn't even the emergency exit to the dumpster behind the building.
It was a street. A living, breathing, absolutely insane street that looked like someone had taken a fantasy RPG, shaken it violently, and added an entire marching band of weird creatures for good measure. Buildings glowed in colors I didn't even know existed. People, if you could call them that, walked past with wolf ears, tails, horns, glittering scales, and expressions that screamed, I am fabulous and also extremely dangerous. I blinked twice, thrice, and then I heard it. A voice, calm, smooth, and terrifyingly official.
"Congratulations, Xavier. You have successfully opened a door to the Omegaverse World."The voice said.
I nearly fell flat on my face.
"A system?" I croaked, clutching the doorframe like it was my only lifeline.
"Yes." Said the voice, as if that explained everything. "You are now recognized as a Gatekeeper of the Omegaverse. Your cafe has become a neutral meeting ground. Please prepare accordingly."
I staggered back a step and yelped.
"I, I didn't, this is literally just a building I bought!" I sputtered, my voice cracking. "I named it 'Dangerous in Lust!' That was that was supposed to be funny!"
"The system acknowledges that." It replied, tone unamused by humour. "Nonetheless, your actions have triggered the opening of the gateway. Congratulations."
I swallowed, my throat was dry, my heart was racing, and my brain was on fire.
Let me get this straight: I bought a dusty, collapsing library cafe, spent three days arguing with myself over espresso machines and menu design, named it something ridiculous, and somehow it is now a magical portal to a world full of alphas, omegas, hybrids, and probably someone who wants to murder me politely over table scents. I backed away, staring at the glowing, alien street like a deer caught in headlights. Then I heard a very dignified sniff just behind the door. I froze. From the Omegaverse side stepped a figure so tall he could probably strangle me with his aura. He sniffed the air, paused dramatically, and then dramatic pause included, he said one word.
"Omega."He said.
I blinked.
"I am not an omega." I squeaked.
"Hmm." The figure said thoughtfully, like he had just discovered I was wearing mismatched socks and it ruined his entire day. "Interesting, a neutral territory café. Managed by an omega."
"I AM NOT AN OMEGA." I repeated, this time waving my arms like a madman.
The figure didn't hear me, he was too busy stepping through the door. Behind him appeared three more. One with wolf ears, one with silver hair and glowing eyes, and one who looked like they had walked out of a cosplay shop and accidentally ended up in my building. All of them stared at me as I had just invented the concept of peaceful cafe management in a dangerous interdimensional zone.
"Do you serve calming tea?" Asked one wolf eared individual politely.
"Are there scent safe tables?" Asked the silver haired one.
"Do you give relationship advice?" Asked another, leaning over the counter like I personally owed them life counseling.
I opened my mouth, closed it, and opened it again. I looked at the espresso machine. It groaned. I looked at the bookshelves, and they groaned in warning. I looked back at the Omegaverse visitors.
"I, I just wanted to serve coffee and let people read." I whispered.
Somehow, they ignored me, they all ignored me.
"Congratulations, Xavier. You are now officially hosting the Omegaverse."The system spoke again.
I watched how all three men turned around and left while muttering something about 'cute omega running the cafe'. It was clear that they were planning to come back. I wanted to scream, I wanted to cry. Mostly, I wanted a cup of coffee. Instead, I had just become the accidental cafe barista guardian of the Omegaverse, and I knew it was only going to get worse from here.