A/N: Another A/O/B fic, cause I really like the idea that one can be any of the three genders, but not necessarily act accordingly. Also, Naruto in lingerie is my head canon, I bet he'd rock it. No flames if it's not your thing, don't like - don't read.

Warnings: A/O/B dynamics, pining, lingerie; self-betad.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and make no profit.

"Thanks, Sakura-chan, Hinata! You literally made my week," Naruto put his dark blue backpack on one shoulder, checking the right strap because he knew he stitched it loosely. His sewing skills were poor, as well as his budget. "Man, I could live off ramen alone."

"No problem, Naruto. Besides, you helped us a lot, you're so smart," the pink haired omega smiled at him warmly, and the lilac eyed beta at her side nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

"Hah, I wish I could get free ramen for good marks," Naruto sighed. Damn he was broke, and being a diligent biology student didn't help. He needed to find a new part time job, as he was suddenly sacked from the convenience store a couple of days ago. Oh well, the owner was a dirty pervert anyway.

"M-maybe we could meet up like this every week?" Hinata looked at Naruto hopefully, but as soon as their eyes met, blushed bright pink and hurried to avert her gaze.

"Yeah, what about it Naruto?" Sakura was always more forthcoming. "You couldn't possibly pass up this opportunity, and we would be forever thankful to you," and Sakura knew how to be convincing.

"Okay, I guess? Will that really be alright though, the place is quite costly, we could just work at the uni's library," the blond glanced behind his back at the flashy signs of Ichiraku's. The restaurant opened a week ago and Naruto never hoped to get there until he graduated or found a stable source of income, at least. It was located at the top floor of the Konoha City Mall, one of the latest in the Fire country and oriented mostly to the richer part of the citizens. It was basically a no go for the blond, but yesterday Sakura came up to him and asked if he would agree to explain some of the tricky parts in this week's material to her and Hinata, who missed a few classes due to family business. She said, "Why not do it at Ichiraku's? Our treat," and Naruto, as she put it, couldn't pass up the opportunity.

"Don't worry about such things, it's our pleasure, and you definitely deserve a reward for your help," it might have sounded a bit insulting, like they were hiring him for ramen, but Sakura's cheeky grin made it clear she was joking. She was just really blunt sometimes, but Naruto liked that about her. "It is set then?"

"Yeah, I don't mind," Hinata's face lit up at his words and the blond grinned at both girls in return. To be honest, though, he didn't understand why they needed his guidance through the material. His friends were bright medical students, Sakura studying to be a surgeon and Hinata an ophthalmologist, they just happened to have the same course of lectures this semester.

And Naruto wanted to be a biological scientist, like his dad, who passed away two years ago, leaving him and his mother alone, with the mortgage not paid off completely. Still, his mother insisted that he should finish his studies and took the strain of their financial difficulties upon herself. Right now she had three jobs and barely stayed home, which made Naruto's heart ache and clench in guilt every time he saw her exhausted face, especially because she always had a warm loving smile for him.

"Right, I better get going then, see you at the uni," Naruto waved and started going towards the escalators on his right that would take him to the western entrance, while the girls headed to the elevators to get to the underground parking, where Hinata left her sleek new car. Naruto's destination was the bus stop and his regular bus that came every twenty minutes.

"See you!" Sakura chirped, and turned to the beta as soon as the blond omega was out of earshot. "You should really tell him."

"I don't know, you think I'll be enough for him?" Hinata looked vulnerable and her pink haired friend couldn't take it.

"You're a wonderful person, so caring and kind! And you're smart and very pretty, I mean, what else is there to want!"

"You know what," the brunette looked bitterly at her tightly clasped hands.

"Yes, you're a beta, and so what! What's with this strictly alpha/omega nonsense anyway! Everybody deserves to be happy with someone they love," Sakura's voice trembled at the end. She thought of Ino, her best friend since childhood, and a lover now. Ino was an omega too, and they kept their relationship secret for the time being, knowing full well that their highly conservative families wouldn't take the news lightly. Sakura hated it, she had always been too feisty to be the obedient little omega her parents wanted her to be. But she wasn't going to act out and make Ino take the hit, when the blonde obviously wasn't ready for it.

"It's not that simple," being a beta in the Hyuuga main family, Hinata was not only constantly reminded of the fact, but shamed for it as well. Oh what would she give to be an alpha, like her cousin Neji. That would've made everything so much easier. And Naruto, perhaps, would already have been hers.

"It's still worth a try," Sakura insisted as they went into the elevator. Hinata only shrugged in response.

Meanwhile Naruto was at the bottom of the third escalator that brought him to the ground floor. He casually looked over the names of expensive stores and boutiques, coming one after another, each having so much to offer, if you had money of course. The omega sniffed and thought, 'What a treat for snobs.'

Then, when he was almost at the entrance, his eyes caught sight of something so delicate and stunning that he couldn't help halting in his steps. Naruto stood in front of a lingerie shop. It wasn't that he'd never seen exquisite underwear before, but this was the first time it actually made him look at it, hungrily drinking in all the small details of the ensembles on display.

The one that had most of the blond's attention was a dusty-pink lace perfection, sitting on a male mannequin that was twisted into a sensual pose. It consisted of a sheer lace top with multiple straps that criss-crossed in the front, making the look more daring but in an almost innocent way, an equally sheer Brazilian panty and an intricately made garter belt. The legs of the mannequin were clad in pink stockings held by a pair of matching garters. The nylon material was so light in shade it looked almost white, but not quite, just enough to go perfectly well with the rest of the ensemble.

Naruto realised he was staring and awkwardly stepped from one foot to another, straightening the backpack on his shoulders, just to look like he had some reason to stop so suddenly and linger on the spot for so long. The omega then resumed walking, but did it at a much slower pace, letting his eyes skim the inside of the boutique. There were two females and a male, no doubt an omega, as he had that special grace and elegance about him. The man was talking with a shop assistant, holding a black body out in front of him, tracing the lace flowers at the top. Naruto suddenly felt a hot wave of jealousy wash over him. If only he could stroll into the shop as casually as this lucky wealthy omega and buy whatever he pleased.

And the mere thought of him getting that ethereal ensemble sent small shivers down his spine. What would it be like to feel soft lace on his body, especially over his large puffy nipples, instead of the sporty plain tops and boxers shorts he usually wore. Naruto bet it would feel amazing. 'Maybe in another life,' the blond thought humourlessly, when the store finally disappeared from view.

When he went to the bus stop, trying his best not to shiver under the gusts of ice cold November wind, Naruto suddenly became aware that it was not only the wind that made him so uncomfortable. The blond couldn't be completely sure but he felt like he was being watched. He quickly brushed this crazy thought away though. Who on earth would be interested in such an unimportant omega, who obviously lacked polish and exceptionally good looks.

—

Next time Naruto was meeting up with Sakura and Hinata was Friday. In a week's time he managed to find a new job at the pet shop, where his former classmate Kiba worked and put in a word for him. The hours luckily didn't coincide with his studies, and the small animals for sale were really cute, so the blond was happy with his choice so far. As he was moving towards his building's main entrance together with a flow of students filing out after the classes, somebody violently pushed past him.

"Hey! Watch it!" Naruto exclaimed indignantly as the loose strap of his backpack, heavy with books and papers, finally gave up under the strain and, snapping, plummeted to the ground, spilling half of his belongings to be immediately trod on by the hurrying feet. 'Just my fucking luck.' The girl who brought this upon him didn't even look back and hurried outside.

When Naruto finally gathered his things and went out as well, he saw what all the fuss was about. Uchiha the Pompous Bastard Sasuke was about to leave, and his fan club gathered to see him off. The alpha was in economics and came from a rich and powerful family that, as rumour had it, had something to do with the mafia. Naruto didn't think it was true. The arrogant prick was too prim and proper to get his hands dirty literally or metaphorically, and he was too handsome to be some mafia boss. The omega thought the Uchiha would rather make his living modelling and whoring himself out to easy omegas and betas with loads of spare cash, than actually doing something himself. At least that was the vibe the blond was getting. Or maybe it was just prejudice and the bits of gossip he heard at the university canteen.

Because Sasuke was always a popular topic for hushed excited discussions. Anyway, he was totally out of Naruto's league, and not really in his taste (or so the blond kept telling himself). Sasuke bastard was always haughty and detached, looking at everyone down his nose. Naruto certainly wasn't fond of people like him, alpha, beta or omega. It's the personality that really mattered. Naruto didn't realise he was actually staring at the Uchiha, a deep frown on his face, until the brunet locked his dark grey eyes with his cornflower blue ones.

The first couple of seconds the omega thought it happened on accident and Sasuke would soon look away. But he didn't. If anything, his gaze suddenly acquired a certain intensity that made Naruto blush for some reason. It might be his imagination but Naruto thought he saw the Uchiha smirk a little before he finally turned to his shiny sports car, got into it and drove away, leaving a hoard of squealing admirers behind. Ugh, what a disgrace. He pointedly ignored the fact that he himself hardly reacted any different (at least on the inside). 'Whatever, he really is an eye candy.'

As his backpack was practically falling apart in his hands, Naruto decided to drop it off at home before meeting the girls. He took his dad's messenger bag, which was a bit shabby but still classy, being genuine leather and all. He also decided to put on his warmest sweater, the one Kushina gave him on his eighteenth birthday. It was baby blue and wonderfully brought out his eyes, as she said. The blond wished he could change the old winter jacket he had since high school, but couldn't afford it. Thankfully, it still looked presentable enough.

Naruto didn't know why, but it was important for him to look at least half as good as his wealthier friends, and the general public at the mall. Last time he felt he stood out like a sore thumb, and now checked his appearance in the mirror thrice before leaving. "This is pointless," the omega huffed out and scowled at his reflection.

He arrived at the mall some twenty minutes late only to find Hinata waiting for him at the small fountain on the ground floor, their agreed meeting spot, all alone.

"Hey, Hinata! Damn, sorry I'm so late, did Sakura-chan get mad at me and left already?" that wouldn't be the first time, Sakura could be really impatient.

"N-no, it's not that," Hinata's face flushed and she avoided Naruto's questioning gaze, looking sideways and down, fiddling with the hem of her deep burgundy cashmere cardigan put over a cream coloured silk blouse with fine floral print. Her look was completed by a black leather skirt that fit her perfectly, drawing attention to her shapely hips and long legs, a pair of black boots and a small black leather backpack. The beta was so beautiful Naruto felt completely inadequate next to her.

"What, is she running late herself?" the blond chuckled at the thought. Now was definitely not the time to get all self-conscious.

"No, y-you see, the thing is," Hinata paused uncertainly, then finally looked Naruto straight in the eye and explained, "She suddenly had to go help Ino at the shop and asked me to give her the notes later."

"So, today it's only the two of us?" that didn't bother the omega much, but he realised that going to Ichiraku's now was probably uncalled for. Who was he, after all, to ask Hinata pay most of the bill. Last time they split it into three (his part being the smallest, and he ordered two helpings). The brunette must have taken his crestfallen face for something else, as she hurried to say, stuttering even more than before, "I-, I understand if you d-don't want to, it to be, I mean, with me, o-only with me, w-we could c-cancel, really."

"No, it's fine, we could go to the coffee shop across the street, and study there instead of-"

"O-oh but I already b-booked us a table at Ichiraku's," the beta quickly interjected in a small voice. Naruto's eyes went wide. "I-I mean, if you still want to."

"Of course! It's just, I don't want to put a dent in your wallet," the blond rubbed the back of his head awkwardly and smiled like an idiot he probably was for going along with it.

"D-don't worry about it," Hinata reassured him and Naruto strangled his pride because he'd really been fantasising about his next meal at the restaurant for the whole week, picking out flavours and sidings he'd like to try. The beta said it was alright, why complicate things.

So they spent that day studying at Ichiraku's together. When it was time to part, Hinata looked like she was about to say something, but decided against it in the last moment. Naruto found it odd but didn't push.

As Naruto was heading for the west entrance a couple of minutes later, he passed by the lingerie shop again. Like last time, the omega couldn't help but stop and gaze at the mannequins right in front of him, the pink ensemble still the centre of his attention. He caught his reflection in the glass walls that made the boutique look like a beautiful aquarium, the customers inside it becoming gold fishes, swimming in luck and luxury. This time, however, Naruto realised that he himself didn't look too bad: jacket in hand, knit blue sweater and a leather messenger bag that could pass as retro. Maybe he could actually enter the shop and not look ridiculous.

Before the blond could stop himself he stepped inside. Up close the delicate lace looked even more stunning. Naruto wanted to run his fingers over the soft light material, tracing the flowers that bloomed on the sheer surface. He circled the podium to see the garments from the back. On the mannequin's lower back, stitched onto the Brazilian panty, were more straps, that matched the ones of the top at the front and made a sexy accent on the plastic rear. Naruto's face held a look of pure wonder, his mouth open slightly and eyes wide open, as they traced the seams holding together the lace. Those were almost invisible.

Then the omega caught himself abruptly and turned to the racks along the wall. More beautiful garments hang there, close enough to actually touch and examine, and the blond started doing just that, marvelling at the softness of the material and just how well made every single piece was, the stitches firm and sure to last long. Naruto was so engrossed in a pair of midnight coloured bikini panties, he almost jumped as a pleasant female voice said over his shoulder, "Would you like to try them on?"

"I can?" the stupid question slipped before the blond could register what he was saying. God, what to do. The shop assistant was unperturbed though, "Of course. It will go wonderfully with this elegant lace bralette, done in the same colour, and will be perfect either for a night out, paired with a blouse, for example, or for a night in, as a separate piece."

Just as Naruto was seriously considering her offer, because really, one try-on won't hurt (and maybe he'll even pluck the courage to ask for the gorgeous ensemble on display), the girl continued, guessing the reason for his hesitation completely wrong, "It may look simple but I assure you it will be able to excite even the most strong-willed alpha." The omega felt sick.

"Right," he choked out, then cleared his throat and hurried to excuse himself and leave, lips pressed in a firm line. As he rushed past the shops to the entrance, Naruto thought he caught sight of someone familiar, but didn't stop to make sure, he was just too angry and frustrated for a casual chat right now.

'Excite an alpha, huh,' the mere thought put him on edge. He didn't need an alpha, nor had time for any kind of relationship. Why does it always have to be about alphas and how to please them? If you asked him, it should be the other way round.

Still fuming, the blond reached the bus stop and got on the bus in five minutes. He was lucky enough to get a sit by the window, and as the vehicle was pulling into the road, Naruto spotted a tall redhead, watching him from beside the booth. This was strange, the omega didn't think he knew him, but he definitely saw him somewhere before. At the uni, perhaps? Not likely, the guy was definitely older than your average student. The bus was slowly getting further from the stop, yet the man never looked away. What the hell!

This will have three more chapters. Do you like it so far? Drop a line! ;)