Alexei poked his head into the room "I heard you got flowers." He said before letting himself in.
Jason glanced back at him casually before returning his focus to the note in his hand.
The two stood on either side of the bouquet of roses.
"I thought you broke up with him."
"I did."
"You told him to move on."
"I did."
"He sent you flowers."
"Yup… he did that." Jason nodded, reaching out to stroke one of the blooms.
Alexei whipped out his phone to take pictures "Gotta send this to Father."
Jason scoffed before reading the note again.
Alexei leaned over to sneak a peek "What does it say?"
"To drop by for coffee sometime." He answered with an involuntary smile.
"That's all?"
Jason folded it up "Don't you have a meeting or something to get to?"
"What's more important than my dearest brother being courted by his beloved omega?" He tried to snatch the note away "Let me see."
"No..." Jason dodged "...fuck off." He smacked his hand away.
"Tch." He waltzed over to a chair and flopped heavily against the leather "I want flowers too." He lamented.
"You're married."
"Does that mean I can't get flowers?"
Jason eyed him, choosing instead to ignore him.
"Jay..." He spoke somberly "...Ethan is acting weird."
He tucked the note into his pocket "You don't say."
"Seriously, he's jumpy and keeps trying to stay far away from me."
"That's cause you're a fucking pervert." He walked around his desk and dropped into his chair.
"Nah… that's not it. It has to be something else."
"Then ask him."
He craned his neck to scrutinize the person behind the desk before groaning loudly "I want flowers too!"
"It looks like a heat." Olly started candidly, staring at the results of the most recent blood analysis on the screen in bewilderment. Even with the inhibitors, Ethan's condition had clearly improved. He glanced at Ethan, who did not share the same enthusiasm, more like he was horrified "Did something happen between you and your husband?"
He rumpled the hem of his shirt into a tight ball "Take it out."
Mari patted his back hoping to comfort him.
"I want to remove the gland."
Olly and Mari stared back at him in shock.
"Ethan, I don't really recommend that course of action."
"Ethan..." She stroked the back of his head "... sweetheart, there are other options, right? Doctor?"
"Of course..." He nodded enthusiastically "...we can increase the dosage and-"
"NO!" He screamed "Alex will figure it out." He cried.
Mari hugged his quivering frame "How do you know that's a bad thing?"
"Auuntieee... H-he's g-going to hate m-me."
She stared helplessly at Olly, for whatever reason, the child was so afraid of being found out by Alexei. She may not know the man personally, but she knew, with unwavering certainty that he loved Ethan to death. "Ethan..." She cupped his cheek, brushing away a tear "... sweetheart, tell us what is going on."
"Alex... A-Alex, he hates omegas."
"Do you know why?" She asked softly.
He shook his head, wringing his shirt with both hands "H-he... hic... He n-never... hic..."
Olly got up and quickly got him a cup of water from the dispenser "It's okay, just take your time."
He accepted the cup with both hands. It was warm, he was grateful for that. After a few sips, the hiccups subsided but try as he may, the tears did not stop, even with Mari's comforting hand on his back "Anytime I try to bring it up, he completely evades the topic." He finally managed to say the sentence.
"But you have been together for so long, all this time he believed you're a beta?" She asked.
He nodded slowly.
"Sweetheart, why did you do that?"
The water in the cup spilled over as his hands shook "I didn't want him to hate me..." He explained how they met and how their relationship came to be "...Aunty, I know I was wrong but I-I d-didn't...think...I..." He choked on a sob "Why is this happening? I was... wasn't supposed to get better."
"Then... How about we increase the dosage while we figure out a more perma-" She glanced sideways at Olly "...a more suitable and safer option, is that okay?"
He nodded obediently.
"First, you need to do a gland assessment."
Ethan began to panic again.
Hank rubbed his temples with both hands, he didn't understand why the members of his household insisted on meddling with those Rockwell alphas. First, his only son was obsessed with one son and now his wife was obsessed with the brother's spouse. Which deity does he have to pray to, to ensure these alphas no longer invaded his home, someone please tell him, he would make an offering quickly.
"Hank..." Mari whined "...we have to help him."
"Help him do what? Deceive his husband? You've been doing that for a while now and a pretty good job too, what do you need me for?"
"But..."
"But nothing, woman." He shook her hand off his shoulder "You started this, you could have just acted like you never saw the pill."
"You know I can't do that."
"That's because you're a meddler, you can't sit still without getting involved in everyone's business."
She sighed and turned away from him "That's because Ethan is like the child I always wanted." She grumbled.
"Hey! Lady, don't even bring that up right now. Don't you dare! you were a meddler even before we got married."
"That is an unfair accusation."
"Is it?! Mari! Have you forgotten-"
"Jeez, fine." She snarled "I meddled but he was taking his drugs the wrong way I couldn't ignore it. Such a cute child would have gotten hurt."
"Is he your child? How is that your business?"
"Yes, he's my child. You never let me have another one, so I had to pick one off the streets. I'll take care of him myself. We don't need you."
"Oh... It's my fault you meddled?"
She stuck out her tongue at him.
This woman was just... She and her son are just... "Do what you want."
"Ma!" Lein knocked on the door "You're having another kid?"
Hank swung the door open "Did you eavesdrop?"
"No, you were loud." He let himself into the room and walked straight to his mother's side "Ma, where's the kid?"
"Rose dear, you shouldn't listen in when the adults are talking."
"Mari, he's almost thirty, he's as adult as they come."
She ignored Hank and rubbed Lein's head affectionately "What did you hear?"
"Dad said you were a meddler and there was a cute child you couldn't bear to ignore. Let's take care of them together." He said with bright eyes.
Hank scoffed at the exchange. Really, this pair... "Hey!" He snapped his fingers at Lein "You, out!"
"I think we should discuss this as a family, it involves Rose too."
"You think you'll have your way if he's on your side?"
She tilted her head, staring wide eyed at him "No, I'll have my way because you can't stand to see me struggle."
Lein turned away with a hand over his mouth to hide his smile.
Hank scoffed again. She was right but the audacity...
"Ma, what is happening?" He whispered.
She put a finger on his lip to silence him, while Hank paced the floor deep in thought.
"Have you seen the way his husband follows him around? There's no way the man will let you take his spouse away."
A smile of satisfaction formed on her face, she knew he had been thinking of a way to help since she brought it up. Her husband truly was the best.
"Ma..." Lein whispered tugging on her sleeves.
"We're trying to get Ethan away for a few days." She whispered back.
"Ethan? Why?"
"He has something to do." She pinched his lips "Now, shush."
"I'll call a friend." He narrowed his gaze "Don't do this next time."
Ethan stiffened when he felt Alexei's breath on his neck. He pulled away "Why do you keep doing that?"
"What?"
"You keep sniffing me!" He jumped off his legs "Stop that!"
"Baby, I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry, okay?"
"No!"
"Ethan..."
"You keep sniffing me and saying I smell nice! Stop it! I hate it!" He smacked Alexei's hand away when he reached out to hold him.
"Ethan..." He spoke softly "... I'm sorry. If you don't like it, I won't do it. Don't be upset." He held out a hand to him again "Okay?"
He timidly took his hand and allowed himself to be pulled back into his embrace.
Alexei hugged him tightly "Baby, I don't know what is going on but if you find that it gets too difficult you have to come to me, okay?"
He wrapped his arms, even tighter, around his waist.
"Baby?"
"Alex, you can't hate me. Please don't hate me."
He chuckled "That's absurd, I could never."
He wished he could be reassured but it was difficult. Not only was he the very thing his husband despised, he also deceived him. Alexei would definitely hate him.
After Lein posed the rather thought provoking question, Jason expected... Well, he expected something... A call, maybe some messages... Yea, the flowers were nice but given Lein's tenacity, there should be more, right?
Right?
He glanced at the roses that had begun to lose their freshness. Mind games? He shook the thought out of his head, that wasn't his style at all. Maybe it wasn't that Lein was messing with him deliberately, maybe he just changed his mind and decided to put him in the past, where he rightfully belonged.
The door flew open "Brother!"
The pen in Jason's hand snapped "Dude, WHAT. THE. FUCK?!"
"What? You on edge?"
"I'm not."
"Say that to your face." He caught a glimpse of the roses "Guess who just left my office?"
"I don't care." He grabbed another pen.
He plopped in a seat, pointing to the wilting flowers "Even if it is has to do with your beloved flower?"
His brows were raised slightly.
"No… he didn't come, but his father did."
"Why would he come to you?'
'Why indeed?"
Jason hummed and redirected his focus.
"Don't you want to know?"
"It doesn't matter, you'll tell me anyway."
"Heh." He tapped a finger against the arm rest in a slow measured rhythm, he became solemn "They're going on a trip out of the city and Ethan wants to go with them."
The corner of his lip rose "You said no, didn't you?"
"I said yes."
Jason broke out into a bout of laughter.
"I think Ethan is presenting as an omega." He said quietly.
The laughter ceased, Jason scrutinized him "What are you planning to do?"
Alexei shrugged "I don't know..." He sighed "... should I bring it up? How do I bring that up... not even sure if he knows." He leaned closer "Is presentation this late normal?"
"We can look into it. Maybe ask Yul?"
"Jay, he's probably really scared."
He snorted "I think you're the scared one."
He puffed out his cheeks and dropped his forehead on the tabled "My baby must be really nervous and scared, why won't he tell me about it?"
All Lein knew was they were going to a different city with Ethan, he wasn't sure why, but it was fine. At this point, Ethan might as well be adopted into his family, not that his husband would let it happen. He waited, anxiously, by Jason's car. Since their conversation on the park bench, all he had done was send some flowers and ask him to drop by for coffee sometime. Jason probably tossed the whole thing out. Besides that, there were no messages or calls between them. He wasn't sure how much would be too much.
Yes, this uncertainty of Lein's is why he is, right now, leaning against Jason's car staring distractedly at his phone. So buried deep in his thoughts, he was, that he didn't realize the owner had showed up.
"Rosalein."
He was jolted out of his reverie by that calm, shudder-inducing voice. "Jay... Hi."
Jason looked him up and down with an amused glint in his eyes "Hi?" He pointed in the direction of a camera "You crouch by my car a lot. The security was a few minutes from coming down himself."
Lein's gaze followed the finger "Oh... Sorry, I know I can't go all the way up to your office and Ethan isn't here today so..."
"So, you camped out next to my car?"
"Sorry."
"Rosa- "
He took a step forward "Did you get the flowers?"
"Yes. They were beautiful, thanks."
He grew more confident "Did you like them?"
"Sure."
"...and the note?" He leaned in, just close enough to get a whiff of the scent of him "Will you come?"
Jason pressed his lips together "If you keep this up, it'll be difficult for you to..." He looked away, the thought of Lein with someone else was one he found extremely unpleasant but no matter how much he despised it, that was what was best "...be with someone new."
"Can you not say that?"
"Is it about the sex? If..." He trailed off when he saw Lein's expression, he couldn't bring himself to keep going "…Ro=Rosalein..."
He dropped to a crouch, with his chin ticked into his chest and face buried between his knees. He let out a short forceful scream before jumping to his feet quickly.
The sequence of action stunned Jason.
"I know you don't trust me..." His lower lip quivered as he forced a smile "...and you probably want to be done with me for good but Jay, I don't think I want to let you go."
Even his beautiful eyes were shining, Jason could tell he was trying so hard not to cry "I'll come by for coffee..."
"Really?"
"Yea, it's good." There was a genuine smile now and his eyes were shining for a different reason, Jason was a little satisfied. "Then, is that it?"
He stared at the floor, honestly, he hadn't anticipated this outcome. Now that Jason had given in so easily, he was left at a loss of what to do next.
"Hm? Do you have something else to say?"
"…Isitokayifitextyou?"
Jason brought his ear close to his face "What'd you say?"
Lein held his breath, hoping his rampaging heart could be heard by only him.
"Hm?"
"Can I text you?" He said in a quiet voice.
He came even closer, placing his lips right next to his ear "Is it something you can't say now?" He asked in a husky whisper.
Lein was startled, so much so, that he simply ran off.
Jason watched him run away with amusement, when he saw Lein's sudden timidness, he couldn't help but tease him. Maybe he picked up a bad habit from Alexei. He snorted. Oh... He forgot to ask about the trip... He could just text him.
"Seriously, Joel, this is a big favour you're doing me." Hank couldn't say enough words of thanks to his old friend.
"It's fine, I figured if you're making a call to ask for a favour it was something important."
Well, Hank and Mari actually went back to their old city. Neither had ever imagined they would come back of their own volition, but it was where the military testing centre was, what could they do?
Mari squeezed Ethan's hand "It'll be fine."
"It hurt a lot last time..." He whined quietly.
She laughed "I'm here this time, don't be scared."
He nodded and tugged at the hem of the hospital gown. At least, he wasn't alone this time. He stole a glance at Lein, who had said nothing since he found out about his being an omega. He had said nothing at all. It made him a little sad.
Hank returned with Joel to take Ethan away.
"Ma, do you want to go see your folks?"
She eyed him "No."
"Why not?"
"Why should I go? Is someone dead?"
Lein couldn't help but laugh as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer "Ma, don't you miss them?"
"No. Why should I miss them? What have they done for us?" She grumbled. She was also worried about how they would react to Lein but that was not something to be brought up at the moment "You haven't said anything to Ethan since we got here."
His smile faded.
"Are you angry at him? Don't be..." She smacked his leg "...how can you be angry at such a cute child?"
"I'm not."
"Then what is it?"
"I was just thinking, if I were in his shoes, I might have done the exact same thing, probably worse..."
"You can't tell Jay." She said quickly.
"I won't." He was smiling again. Jason had texted to ask about the trip, he simply said they were going to see Hank's old friend and stop by their hometown. It technically wasn't a lie, and he didn't know about Ethan's omega designation at that time. Not that he intended to tell him about it anyway.
Mari pinched him "Why are you smiling?"
He shook his head.
"Don't move."
Even if he wanted to, he couldn't. Ethan could barely handle the weight of his own body. It felt like it was magma in his veins instead of blood. Somehow, it actually hurt a lot more than last time. He couldn't stop the tears. Why was this happening?
"It hurts, doesn't it." Lein stroked his back "Ma said you can't take painkillers yet, but I think you can asked to be put under if you can't handle it. That's what I did."
Ethan's body shook as he chuckled against himself, only to grunt in pain a second later "You went through this too?"
Lein nodded "I really thought I was going to die."
"You really asked to be sedated."
"Nope. Jason did."
The two remained silent.
Ethan wanted to sit up, but he could barely make any moves to get off his stomach.
Lein placed a firm hand on his back "Stay still."
"Are you angry?"
"No..." He pulled his chair closer to the bed "...maybe I was a little upset, but I thought about it and I totally get it."
"Really? You don't hate me?"
He placed his chin on the bed "Of course not."
"Really?"
"Really." He patted his back "Should I call the nurse?"
"…no."
"Should I tell you of my own harrowing experience? Will that make you feel better?"
He managed a feeble laugh.
"It was definitely a heat." Olly gave the final verdict "You're basically now a functional omega."
Ethan almost collapsed. He didn't want any of this "Please..." He begged.
"It's fine, while you were gone, I found something I believe would be suitable for you..." He glanced at Mari, who nodded at him "...Hanzel has a facility that-"
"NOOO!" Ethan howled.
Mari covered her face.
Olly was surprised "Is there a problem?"
At this point, Ethan had completely broken down.
"We can't go to Hanzel."
"The facility is good, they have-"
"We can't go to Hanzel, nor can we have any involvement with anyone from there." She said firmly "I hope you can understand where we're coming from."
He sighed inwardly, this patient was exhausting "I will prescribe a heat inhibitor and a pheromone suppressant for now and see what else I can do."
"It's been quite some time, no?"
Iris feigned calmness, it was fine. If Xavier wanted to get better he needed him alive. He straightened in the chair and crossed his legs "Why don't you kill me?" He asked with a knowing smile "You can't, can you?"
"Oh, we can't have that."
Iris's well practiced euphonious laugh echoed in the room "How sad, if you beg me, I might release some pheromones for your sake."
Xavier watched him with keen eyes as he nursed his drink.
"You still think you're too good to beg?"
"Release them. Try."
Normally, Xavier would have either flown into a fit of rage or been so relaxed by the pheromones that he'd basically be rendered useless, but this time nothing was happening. Iris's back began to shrink in his chair. His bravado began to crack. He felt it then, the almost unnoticeable sting on the base of his neck. Had he not focused it would have been very easy to ignore. Next came the heavy feeling of Xavier's pheromones. How could this happen? The man should have lost all sense of self and control over his pheromones at this point.
He chuckled "Don't get too anxious. It's just a little something from the lab. No harm."
"What did you do to me?!"
"Come on, Iris. I would not hurt you, we have such deep history between us."
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!" he shrilled.
He took a small sip "I wouldn't but I can't say the same for the kids. Kids these days, so creative. Alexei undergoes such a grueling process every time he has a rut so he can understand you better."
"What are you saying? I'm asking what you did to me?" He screeched as he flew out of the chair.
Xavier remained unmoved, leaning forward to place the now empty tumbler on the coffee table.
Iris flinched and drew back.
He watched with mirthless amusement "It's nothing serious, it's a gland suppressant made just for you." He explained calmly as he came to his feet, staring down at him.
Iris shrunk away from his reach "Don't you dare touch me."
"Oh heavens, I would never..." He held up his hand on the air, as a look of disgust crossed his face "I have a partner."
Iris sneered "You always act like you have some grand principle but you're not any different."
Xavier regarded him quizzically.
"I know you had another bastard while you were with me."
"Bastard?" A dark look crossed his face "You don't know who he is?"
"Why would I keep track of your spawn."
"Enjoy your stay... Well, for as long as you can. Out of courtesy for the father of my son and also, as the person who brought me my second son, I made sure you got a nice place."
"What are you talking about?"
He eyed him curiously "…interesting." He added with a smile before leaving.
His next visitor, however, was not so cordial.
Yul barged into the room, three people following behind her. "Hold him down." She instructed. No greetings, no words of explanation, just cold eyes and an even colder touch.
Two of her cohorts impatiently pinned him down, ignoring his struggles while the third unveiled a tray of needles, syringes and vacutainers. What followed next was... Well, it was Yul being Yul, with no wasted actions, the vials were filled with blood. If one of her companions hadn't stopped her, she would have extracted his pheromones on the spot.
"You eat what is given to you, when it is given to you. You need to be in good health when your gland is harvested...." She eyed him, a smug smile on her face "...plus, you're old now. We need you to be in your best possible condition."
"You!" Before he could say much there was a prick on his nape. Someone had injected something into his gland.
Yul waved the now empty syringe in his face "A precaution."