Lein could barely contain himself. He kept making errors and unnecessary mistakes; he got an order or two completely wrong, broke a cup and, when he finally burnt himself skimming milk. Mari had enough and she kicked him out.
This fiasco happened, all because Jason walked into the coffee shop. He wasn't alone but Caleb immediately took up a seat at the counter and begun to pick on Kim. What was really going on with those two?
"You got hurt?" Jason asked.
Lein hid the injured hand behind his back "I got scalded a little."
"You should take care of that first."
Just one look and anyone could tell that Lein was very reluctant to part with the customer.
"I won't leave." Jason said candidly.
"Really?"
"Really."
"Ten seconds..." He ran into the back room.
Jason stood and followed quietly behind, giving Mari a polite nod as he passed by. He gently took the first aid kit out of Lein's hands "You have to cool it first."
"There's a cooling pack inside."
Jason nodded, opened the box and pulled out the cooling pack "Hand."
Lein held out his hand. His whole body shivered at the other's touch, almost engulfed in the flames that were burning bright just for Jason.
"Rosalein "
"...yea?" he answered breathlessly.
"Your trip two weeks ago, what was it about?"
Those flames were immediately put out.
"Why did your family take Ethan as well?"
"That..." He stared at their hands.
"Is it still something you can't say to me?" He stroked the back of his hand with his thumb "Well, whatever it is..." He let go of his hand and pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket and tucked it into Lein's hands "...this is the result." He took a step back "The coffee was nice, as always." He walked out of the room.
When Lein read what was on the paper, he almost passed out on the spot. "Ma..." He ran out of the room "...when did you last talk to Ethan?".
It was midday when Alexei sped home with a similar piece of paper, crumpled up in his hand. His arrival sent some people fleeing, the air was too heavy. "Where is he?"
Irene drew back "In... In the kitchen. Sir-"
"Don't interfere." He barked as he walked over with wide steps. He still didn't know what was going on or how to deal with the situation, all he knew was he had to have a serious talk with his husband "Ethan..."
"A-Alex..." He checked his phone, there were no messages "...you didn't send a message that you would be coming home for lunch."
Alexei sighed, the knot in his chest eased a little. He took a deep breath "Ethan, what is going on?"
He frowned "What do you mean?"
Alexei took a few steps towards him "Baby...." He straightened the crumpled sheet with trembling hands "...how are you being forced to take out your gland?" He asked with a wry smile, as he displayed the paper.
Ethan scanned the article "This... I-I... N-nooo... It's not..."
Alexei grew impatient, heaving another sigh, he placed the article on the counter "Omega protection will come to take you away in an hour or so, I hope by then you'll have an explanation for what is going on..." He gestured to the paper "...that article, if you don't know, is an exposé about how Hanzel's president has been coercing his omega husband to get rid of his gland." He explained with a bitter smile.
"Le-let...m-me...ex-" he reached out a trembling hand to hold Alexei's sleeve.
Alexei snatched his arm away "How could you do this to me?"
In a brief moment of panic, Ethan did what both Olly and Mari had repeatedly asked... No... Begged him not to do.
He made a consultation at a different clinic about the possibilities of taking out his recovering gland. The doctor wasn't half as helpful as Olly had been, they weren't even interested in understanding his history, they just kept asking if he was being abused by his spouse and when the abuse started and if he needed help getting away. Ethan was quite frightened by the incident and quickly made a run for it.
It was brief, at most five minutes from the moment he sat with the doctor.
Unfortunately, for a consultation, one must register their details and every bit of Ethan in that country was now tied to his husband. The anxious, well-meaning doctor alerted Omega Protection Services, who in turn tracked him down. Hearing Alexei's name involved, they were whipped into a wild frenzy. This would not be the first time the institution would be having a run in with this particular alpha.
Wanting to be the first to break the news, an overly excited agent called his friend and so on, until some keyboard happy person cooked up an article based solely on the words of a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend of the agent to whom the doctor had reported.
In summary, it was a total shitshow.
Thank heavens for the ever astute Anis, who always had an ear to the ground, when the news got to her, she told her people not to even touch it and immediately contacted Dawson, but it was a little late as some other not so friendly parties had gotten word too and well...
Ethan clung to Irene "I-I d-don't want to g-goo..."
"You have to..." Irene explained helplessly "... it's the law, until the investigation is over, you can't stay here or be in contact with any of us."
He shook his head and clung tighter, weeping unabashedly.
The agents from OPS were equally helpless. The omega was extremely uncooperative. Sometimes, it was this way. Some omegas were extremely reluctant to part with their alpha counterparts. It made their work quite tasking.
"Sir, it's better if you come with us..." She spoke softly "...that way we can help you."
Ethan ignored her "Irene, c-call Alex... P-p-please...."
Irene shook her head to the request "He can't have any contact, direct or indirect, with you until after the investigation." She signaled to another staff, who stepped forward with a suitcase "I have packed your necessities. It will just be for a for a few days." She rubbed his head fondly.
"I DIDN'T CALL THEM!"
She nodded "I know it's just a misunderstanding..."
"So why... Why d-do I...have to leave?"
"Ethan!" a panicked Mari stormed into the room "Sweetheart, where is your phone? We've been calling you all day."
"AUUNTIEEE!" He changed his target, moving swiftly from Irene to Mari "STOOP TH-THEM!"
She wiped away his tears "We just heard about it, are you okay?" She looked to Irene, who gestured to the OPS agents on the side. "This is a misunderstanding." She explained tucking the wailing Ethan behind her.
"We will find out ourselves after the investigation."
There was no arguing with them. She faced Ethan giving his shoulders a firm squeeze "Rose will go with you. Don't be scared, okay?"
"I'm sorry, people related to his spouse can't-"
"We're not related to his spouse!" She fired back "I'm his aunt!"
"It was a misunderstanding that was blown out of proportion." The head of OPS had to make a formal apology and a statement, but the damage had already been done. There were already people camped out in front of Hanzel's headquarters protesting Alexei Rockwell's supposed brutish nature; demanding he pay for the harm he caused and freedom for this abused omega. Accusations about how he put on a show of happy marriage to manipulate the public were flying around. However, their investigation revealed that Alexei Rockwell was the victim of a marriage fraud at best. This was going to make them look so bad.
"And what exactly is the true story?" A reporter asked.
"I am not at liberty to say." Michealson responded.
"Why is that? Is the OPS being influenced in some way?"
"No, we are not being influenced in any way…" this sequence was starting to drain him "…it is because it is private information and divulging that would be an infringement of privacy but I will say that whatever story is out there has painted a picture that is far from the truth and the OPS will take legal action against anyone who uses its name to harass or attack any individuals."
"Wait!"
"Sir!"
"We still have some more questions!"
"Sir!"
Dawson hovered by the door "Sir, the head of OPS-"
"Omegas aren't allowed anywhere near this floor, you know that." He cut in without looking up from the compiled list of publicity strategies "Do I have to teach you the rules again?"
"No sir." Dawson slipped out and shut the door. This past week was a total mess, from protesters to the press to board meetings, there was no end to it. Now, OPS came knocking. He flashed a polite smile "I'm sorry but the President is not on seat."
Michealson eyed him with suspicion "And it has nothing to do with the fact that omegas can't go beyond a certain floor?"
Dawson almost laughed "Is that what you should be concerned about now?"
"Well, I'm just here to clarify that all those articles had nothing to do with us."
"Are you saying the news did start with people in your office?"
"I have a good handle on my affairs-"
"Do you?"
Alexei was... He wasn't sure what he was feeling. Sure, he was upset that his partner of over three years deceived him, but... who wouldn't?
No, that wasn't it. In fact, he was a little happy, maybe even proud, that someone like Ethan would go so far to be with him. Attempting to take out his gland? Spectacular, if he were there, he would have given his baby a standing ovation. The idea that Ethan was just as desperate as he was, he loved it.
But the reason he was upset... It was simple. The investigation had concluded, but his husband refused to return home.
There was a light knock on the door.
"Yes."
"Alexei..." Jason started as soon as he walked in "...are you okay?"
"....yup."
Jason regarded him with raised brows "Well, you look fine enough." He commented as he took a seat at the desk "I thought you would wailing and shit."
"Dude..." He sat up suddenly "...my husband loves me so much he was willing to make life-altering changes to stay with me. Why should I be sad?"
Jason scoffed, suddenly feeling annoyed "You're a fucking pervert, you know that."
"A very loved pervert." He lounged in his chair and let out a long sigh as the chair swiveled about "Why are you here? Worried about me? My little brother is so kind."
"Yul asked when you're ready to bring Ethan over. Apparently, there's a nice place prepared for him. Father is excited."
Alexei clicked his tongue "That man has been eyeing my husband since day one."
"What the fuck is wrong with you?"
"Well, it doesn't matter. Ethan doesn't want to come back home."
"Oh... Wasn't thinking you would just leave him be."
He shrugged "What can I say, marriage changes a man."
"Does it?"
"Why don't you get married and see for yourself, Prof's brat seems very willing."
"Don't be a dick. I already introduced him to someone else."
"Tch."
"I'll go move your treasured baby to the Glasshouse."
"...thank you." He said after a moment.
Jason sighed "Now, can you either stop coming in or do something about the atmosphere, no one has been able to work on this floor for days. Your vibe is scary as fuck…"
Ethan was not doing so well himself.
He wanted to go home but he wasn't sure if he could.
He felt bad for burdening Lein and his family with his troubles, but they wouldn't let him leave, unless he was going home.
Then there were the people that kept trying to question him about Alexei and their marriage. They somehow found their way to the café and were nothing but a nuisance to everyone.
And that made him feel worse because it was affecting their business and people were slandering Hanzel.
He just wanted to disappear.
"Ethan, you have to eat something."
"Au-"
"Hush, dear..." She put a finger on lips "...I know what you're going to say, so stop. Okay?"
He followed behind obediently.
"You have to eat something, all you've been doing lately is cry."
He tried, he really did but he felt sick to his stomach and just ended up picking at his food.
"Do you want to go to the cafe with me later?"
He shook his head.
"Hm..." She rubbed his back "...then I'll stay with you, I'm sure Rose can handle it on his own."
After the meal, the lifeless Ethan returned to his room... well, Lein's room and curled up under the covers. He spent the days away from home this way, crying until he completely exhausted himself and then, falling asleep.
"Sorry for showing up without informing you..." Jason stood at the entrance sans intention of stepping into their home "...please send him out." He gestured towards Irene behind him "Irene will help tidy up his things."
"Jay, don't act so..." Mari sighed and stepped aside, holding the door wider"...come in."
He showed a polite smile.
"Just, please..."
He nodded and stepped into the living room choosing to remain there while Irene was guided to retrieve Ethan and his belongings.
"Sir..." She returned later, looking despondent "... there's an issue."
He raised his brows.
"He isn't responding to us."
"Asleep?"
She shook her head "He's awake but it seems he doesn't really want to come out."
Jason stepped forward to give it a try "Ethan?" He called out as he knocked lightly on the door "Are you awake?"
The door was cracked open, just a smidge, barely enough to show his face.
Jason dropped to a knee "Ethan, why don't you want to come out?'
"Is-Is Alex angry?'
"No..." He smiled "... he's not angry, he's actually livid but it's probably not for the reason you think."
He started crying again.
"Do you want him to come?"
He nodded slowly.
"I'll call him, okay? Don't cry."
"Wai-wait, where...where am I-I go-going?"
"Hmm... The Glasshouse?"
"Whhhhy?"
"To get treated. Father is waiting for you too."
"Th-then Alex?"
"Look, I'm calling him, okay?" he showed Ethan the screen before he hit the dial button "Alexei, your baby isn't going with anyone except you." He spoke as soon as the call was answered pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Heh..."
"Dude, just get over here."
"I'm coming."
He turned his attention to the trembling person peeking at him "Ethan, let Irene help you pack."
This time the door was opened wide.
Alexei and Ethan were having one of their famous across-the-room staring matches with a few changes. For one thing, this was Lein's bedroom. Another, the playful sensual mood and tension usually associated with such matches were out the window, now replaced with quiet... well an almost quiet uncomfortable tension and finally, Ethan wasn't staring back. He was huddled in a corner, trembling and crying quietly as he tried to merge with the wall while Alexei stood at the doorway observing him.
They had been this way for minutes.
Watching him like this, Alexei couldn't even begin to be angry "Do you want to stay here?"
He shook his head.
"Do you not want to get admitted ?"
"...n-no."
He walked over to him and picked him up.
Ethan hung on to him like a sloth on tree branch "You...said...you...wouldn't...hate...me." he whispered.
"I don't but I'm very angry " he replied, walking out of the room, giving Mari a curt nod before walking out of the house. He tucked him into the back seat with practiced ease. He turned around to glance at Mari who watched them from the doorway.
Jason and Irene prepared to take their leave as well, but when he saw the pensive Mari, he just couldn't walk away without saying anything "Don't worry too much, Ethan will be fine."
"Jay, I... we just wanted to help him." She clenched he fists tightly and stilled her shaky voice.
He showed her a reassuring smile "I know."
The ride to the Glasshouse was harrowing. Alexei had not spoken a word to him. Their eyes would occasionally meet in the rearview mirror, only for Ethan to immediately look away. It was the same when he was being admitted.
"Are you sending me away?" He was completely cried out, all that was left was a tiny and very exhausted voice.
Alexei's gaze zeroed in on him "What exactly am I to you?"
"Alex-"
He sighed "This is so fucking stupid..." He muttered, running a hand through his hair "Fucking Rosalein?! You would rather turn to anyone else but me?! I was ready to do anything for you... To give you anything, all you had to do was ask so I can't... I don't..." He huffed "FUCK! Stop with the fucking waterworks, all you've done is cry, just how much water do you have in you?!"
He bit into his lower lip to stifle a sob.
"You won't say anything? You're just going to keep shut?! You even ran away from home, how should I interpret that?!"
Xavier who had been watching the exchange with Yul by his side stepped forward "Alexei, maybe you should calm down a-"
"NO!" he screamed, his eyes still fixed on his shaking shrinking husband "Noone gets to interfere anymore."
He held up his hand and stepped back. He exchanged a look with Yul and they both discretely made their exit.
He stared at the floor, wringing his shirt with both hands "I...I..."
"Stop.... Just stop. You'll start crying again and I don't want to see that."
"A-Alex, p-please d-don't… don't shout." He mumbled.
"I'll leave, so use this time to think very carefully about what you have to say to me. I hope by then you won't have any more tears left to cry."
Alexei had all but barged into his home.
Jason casually strutted out of his study to find Alexei pacing the floor of his living room frantically. "Something got you bothered? "
Alexei spun around sharply "JAY!"
"Hm." He walked passed him and to the liquor cabinet.
Alexei came up from behind and shoved him aside "Move it." He reached for a bottle and with no intention of bothering with a tumbler he unscrewed the cap and begun to down its contents.
"You're going to burn your throat."
He allowed himself another gulp before bringing the bottle away from his mouth "Am I that scary?" With tight grip on the bottle, he begun to pace the floor again "I don't get it. What part of me is so scary that he couldn't just tell me what was going on?"
Jason gave him a once over before retrieving another bottle and two tumblers "I don't think I'm in a position to comment about one's partner hiding things." He said as he led the way to the couch.
Alexei followed closely behind "We're married. We've been together for years."
"Yup..." He took a sit, decanted a generous amount into both glasses and held out one to him.
Alexei traded the bottle for the glass and dropped into the couch next to Jason "Anyone… everyone was a more acceptable option than me, why is that?"
"I couldn't say."
He downed the contents of the glass "Jay..." he slammed the empty tumbler onto the coffee table "Jason." He shuffled closer "Am I really that scary?"
Jason pressed the rim of his tumbler to his lower lip "Remember that one time you handed him a loaded gun?"
"Hey, that's not what I'm talking about."
"Then you aimed it at his identical twin and asked him to pull the trigger?"
"Context… remember the context and we worked past all that and have been happily in love since then."
"Yea..." He took a small sip "...maybe it wasn't over like you thought. You also kept going on about how you didn't like omegas."
"I stopped saying that after I met his family."
"Yea, you did but still..."
He reached for the bottle.
"Please use your tumbler."
Alexei did as he was told, a few glasses, three empty bottles and several refrains 'Am I really that scary' later, he had calmed somewhat "I'm still angry."
Jason glanced at him.
"Who do I take this out on? Ethan? OPS? The people who helped him?"
The last question earned him a not so friendly glance.
"Help me out here."
He placed his tumbler on the table "I've been thinking..." He started, sinking deeper into the couch "...we could get OPS to subsidize a line of products."
"I could get more satisfaction if I just sued them to hell and back."
"Put your anger aside and think about it."
He mulled over the suggestion before letting out a long, slow, strained sigh "Fine. But it can't be only one line."
"Mm… How about basic omega necessities?"
"Patches, suppressants, inhibitors, neutralizers…" he swirled the contents of his tumbler around "…hell, toss the birth control in there, everybody gets a piece. Full charge." Alexei perked up "You're speaking my language. Then we drop the prices so low, people are practically taking it off the shelves for free."
"Anyone that tries to keep up will be operating on a massive loss."
"And Hanzel, a public ally. I'll be the wounded man trying not to repeat a tragedy." He snorted, eyeing Jason "Damn, I knew you a bastard cut from the same cloth the moment I saw you."
Jason hummed "You know, the birth control is a nice touch."
Lein had been unable to get in contact with Jason since the whole thing blew over. It wasn't that he was blocked, Jason simply had no thoughts of answering his calls or even reading his messages. His parents couldn't get in touch with him either, which was... a little alarming. It was one thing for him to be ignored, but his parents? Jason would never do that.
So... He paid him a visit, when it was dark... and he was sure Jason would be home, it wouldn't do to be suspected of loitering, especially at this time that people were snooping around.
Jason wasn't surprised at all by his sudden visit "Ethan is fine. I've been swamped with work, when things are less busy I will try to arrange a visit."
"...oh, okay." Well, that was a good number of his concerns explained without prompt. "Then... What we did, was it really bad? We explained everything to OPS over and over again."
Jason leaned against the doorframe "It's fine." It wasn't really, their public image took a massive hit, even though OPS had stepped forward to clarify, some people kept insisting on one story. Soon there were demands to show Ethan to the public, obviously, such a thing was never going to happen. It was another reason Ethan was taken to the Glasshouse. "Anything else?"
"I wasn't... I didn't want to hide it from you. I wasn't trying to, I just-" he shuffled his weight from one foot to the other under the man's gaze.
"You were trying to be a good friend, I understand."
"Then you're not angry?"
"Is there really a reason for me to be? You were under no obligation to tell me."
"Jay..."
"Did you come here on your bike? I'll take you home."
Lein exhaled slowly through his mouth and counted down from five in in his mind "You..." He let out another long exhale "Jay, I... This is... Don't do that. I don't want that from you."
"Mm..."
"I'm no longer someone you need to constantly take care of."
"Mm."
"I'm trying, you know... I'm doing my best and I know it's hard but can you-"
He placed a hand over his mouth to muffle a laugh before speaking "Rosalein."
He was taken aback by Jason's sudden amusement "...yea...yea?"
He pushed himself off the frame "I'll get my keys."
"Oh... No, wait..." But Jason was gone. He kicked the air in frustration. It was a feeling that didn't ease anytime soon, as he grumbled all the way to the car.
Jason thought it was a very interesting sight. Even though he was clearly unhappy with the way things played out, he obediently got in the car "Rosalein."
"What?"
He suppressed another chuckle "I'm taking you back because I want to spend some more time with you, is that okay?" He had been thinking a lot about what Lein had said. Why not him? He didn't particularly enjoy the idea of Lein with someone else and Lein, clearly, had no such thoughts so... Why not? Besides, if Lein could put in the work so could he.
He also had a feeling that no matter how much he pushed Lein away, the person had no desire of backing down. Short of uprooting his life and moving to another country… nope, Lein would probably follow him.
Lein's eyes sparkled "Yea, totally." He gripped the seatbelt with both hands "It's cool... cool... cool." His ears burned when he heard Jason's laughter.