"You!" Alexei barged into Jason's office, ready to hurl accusations at his brother, only to be stopped by the other's chilling gaze "What..." He took an unconscious step back "...why are you looking at me like that?"
"Why?" He echoed with raised brows as he straightened in his chair.
He patted his chest "Your elder brother was just thinking about helping you..."
"Alexei, that was rather irresponsible. Don't you think?"
"I sent a suppressant and even called several times. You've passed your ruts with him, and nothing happened."
His defense was met by Jason's unimpressed gaze.
"Fine." He sighed in surrender "Ethan did the thing…" he waved his hands in the air helplessly "…that thing that makes me stop thinking." He took a cautious step forward "You know he's a bit of a demon, can't help it."
Jason sighed and leaned into his chair "You are such an idiot."
"Hey! I also did this for you, you know. The both of you were pining for each other so much, it was annoying to watch. I worked really hard to get him there and Father was expecting the two of you to make an appearance." He cautiously approached the desk and took a seat "So? How was it?"
The corner of his mouth lifted into a small, involuntary smile.
Alexei gasped "You slept with him?" He picked a paper from the table, crumpled it up and threw it at his head "You fucking dog! After the whole 'woe is me' bullshit."
He leaned his head to the side and let the projectile hit the chair before falling to the floor "I didn't."
"Huh? Why not? I'm sure he was raring to go. There's a baby fever going around."
"Baby fever?"
"Gavin brought his kid..." He quickly pulled out his phone to show off a picture "Look..." He pointed at the screen "...my baby's holding a baby. Isn't he cute?"
"It's a girl."
"I'm talking about Ethan."
He shook his head "You should give him a kid, then."
"If he wants it." He placed the phone on the table "So? Are you actually better now?"
Jason stared at the ceiling "I don't know..."
"He's fine though, the kid bounced back pretty strong. Even I, have to admit, I'm impressed. "
"I know he's impressive..." He stared at Alexei "...if it were Ethan, what would you do?"
"Ah?! Don't even bring that up, I freaked out and asked to check his phone. He locked himself in a room..." He patted his chest "...I thought I was going to die."
Jason snickered "He did?"
"Dude, it was fucking scary."
He swiveled the chair "So you understand how I felt every time Rosalein was unhappy, I don't want to go through that again."
"Jason..."
"What did Father want to talk about?"
Alexei sighed, sending a psychic apology to his husband, he had tried his best "He said he found Iris and Yul seems very confident."
"Mm."
Alexei gauged his reaction "That's it?"
"You hate him more than I do."
"Yeah, but your dad. Don't you…"
"I have only one Father."
"You don't care."
He shook his head "I don't."
Alexei's phone pinged, he looked at the message "Heh. By the way, what happened to your phone?"
"It broke."
"Get a new one."
"I did."
"So..." he waved the device in the air "…why can't I call you?"
He redirected his attention to the computer screen "I blocked you."
Alexei gasped "That hurts..."
"Professor Masha is coming in soon and the affair with Elaine did not work out well. Apparently, she was too focused on work to pay him any attention." He started suddenly, twirling the stylus between his fingers.
"I told you it wouldn't work out."
"...what's you plan?"
"Plan? Me?" He pointed to himself "I'm very married and very happy. You're the single one."
He scowled.
"You already tried to set him up with Elaine and it didn't work out."
"You're the one that said we could find him a suitable partner. It was your promise."
"And before me, sits a suitable alpha, what a coincidence." He rebutted smugly.
He slammed the pen into the table.
Alexei gasped "Violence brother, but why?"
He narrowed his gaze "You really want..."
There was a soft knock on the door.
"Yes."
Eugenia poked her head in "Sir, the President's husband is here with a guest for you."
Jason glanced at Alexei with a quizzical look. The other simply snickered and hopped to his feet. "Sure, let them in." He was by Ethan's side before Jason could figure out what was going on "Baby..." he took the bag in his hands "...I thought I was going to pass out while waiting for you." He said, wrapping his arms around his waist to lead him away.
"Sorry. Did you wait long?"
"Not at all. Jay and I were just having a discussion. Nothing important."
"We went to get the coffee mugs and..." He tugged lightly on his sleeve "...did... did you get my message? I know omegas can't come up here but..." he whispered glancing back at the door that had been shut behind them.
Alexei smiled fondly at him "It's fine. You can do whatever you want."
Back at Jason's office, the two were in a deadlock.
He held up the cup caddy "Coffee."
"Four cups?"
"You like coffee."
"Four is a bit much."
"You've got staff."
Jason snorted and glanced at the other bag.
"Lunch." He informed.
"You cooked?" He asked in amusement.
"A bit."
"Rosalein..."
"Ma said you should come over for lunch..." He was lying, Mari had never said such a thing, but he panicked and spoke without thinking "...You and the lawyers..." Hillary and Patrick basically had a lifetime free access at the cafe and the gym, thanks to his parents "...we can't do much to thank you except that." This part was true, his parents always felt it wasn't enough, but it was fine. Mari wouldn't mind hosting a feast. She would definitely support him.
"Oh... Okay." He began to clear the table "um… have a seat." He gestured to the conversation area.
"Sorry, I know omegas aren't really allowed up here, I was going to drop it off, but Ethan said..." He explained as he laid out the contents of the bag on to the coffee table "...I didn't mean to barge in."
"It's fine. Told you that rule isn't that serious." He explained as he walked over. Stopping when he saw the display on the table, it was a bit much for just lunch. He sighed "Rosalein, this... Sit. I can't eat all this alone."
"You can keep it for later."
Jason was... Isn't it normal to have lunch together in this situation?
"I know you have some things on your mind, and I don't want to bother you. I just wanted you see for a bit."
"Oh..."
"Please, unblock my number."
Jason knew, somehow, that if he didn't, Lein wouldn't leave his office, maybe it was the hot expectant gaze that was boring into him. So, he walked back to his desk to get his phone and unblocked his number before walking back.
Lein nodded in satisfaction "Try the coffee."
He glanced at the cups "All of them?"
He silently pointed to a cup.
He nodded, carefully picked it up and took a sip all under Lein's sharp gaze "It's good."
"Yea?" He broke into a sheepish grin.
"Yea, it's really good."
"Thanks." He averted his gaze, tugged on his ear "I'll leave. Um... En-enjoy the food. And... And tell me when you can make it for lunch."
"Mm."
They stared at each other for another hot minute before Lein, with great reluctance, picked up his feet to leave.
He glanced at the layout, let out a slow exhale before returning to his desk once more. He pressed the intercom "Eugenia, come in for a minute." This was going to be a problem, it would be difficult for Lein to be happy if he was still stuck on him.
He took another sip, it was really good coffee.
"Expecting someone?" Mari had noticed a little habit of Kim's, more like a cycle. Every time the door chimed to announce a customer, he would look towards it in anticipation only to make an expression of utter disappointment. Did he invite someone?
"Where's Caleb?" He spoke candidly "He just stopped showing up. It's been months."
"Oh..." She propped an elbow on the counter and cradled her cheek, it was true that the place was very lively when the troublemaker was around "...I guess his job is done." Her eyes flickered to Lein, who was tinkering with the espresso machine "...whatever it is he was here for anyway."
"He said he was fishing."
"Fishing, huh?" She glanced at Lein again "hmmm... When did you two get so close?"
"I just think it's weird that he disappeared like that. It's been a while."
"If you're close enough to be concerned, you should have gotten his number."
"…I did." And he was being ghosted but nobody needed to know about how his check-in messages were always unanswered.
"You want to meet him?"
He scoffed "It's better if he never comes back. Too loud."
She eyed him "Ooooh? If you say so." She beckoned to Lein "Rose?"
He hurried over "Yea?"
She gave him a knowing look "And when is this lunch I promised?"
He scratched the back of his neck. All he had done since gaining access to contact Jason was stare at the screen, hoping that the other would message him first. Alas, Jason was clearly not going to make the first move "I'll call... No, I'll message him now."
"Hmm... Ask if Caleb can come too, Kim is... curious." She flashed a sly smile at Kim "Right, you want to know if he's never coming back so you can rest easy, don't you?"
Lein huddled in the corner, staring at the number. He was at a complete loss about how to approach him. This wasn't an issue he could bulldoze his way through, he understood that but if he didn't do anything, he would lose Jason and he didn't want that. He took a deep breath and started typing a message.
Ethan has been feeling a little off lately, somewhat peculiar... He sometimes felt like he was nursing a slight fever, and often, found himself feeling parched... And itchy. The back of his neck was very itchy and so were his nethers. And he found he felt especially... itchy whenever Alexei was nearby. Then the dreams started, the details of which were enough to stun anyone into a shameful silence. He blamed his husband who had done everything in his power to turn him into a pervert, much like himself.
The shameless audacity of it all.
What was worse than the dreams? Surely there couldn't be anything else…
Simple.
What he did to his husband while he was asleep, the wantonness had somehow manifested outside his unconscious. He groped Alexei, rubbing against him and even moaning... all while he was asleep. Had Alexei not shown him a video of his actions, he would never have believed it.
What horror!
After being forced to confront his promiscuity, he was captured and thoroughly satisfied but that's not the point, the point was he was being weird and very shameful.
At least he didn't feel that way every day.
Alexei, on the other hand, absolutely loved this. Ethan could barely keep his hands off him, and the look... Oh the look! He never knew his husband could make such a lascivious expression, it was such a fervent gaze that it almost made him... no, it absolutely made him lose his mind. Whenever he saw that expression on his husband, he felt he had no choice but to respond in kind which would explain why they were currently going at it in his office...
Like every other day when he could, Ethan brought lunch to his office and much like every lunch they shared, today's was also filled with the usual flirtations and teasing. The problem is what came after, Alexei noticed Ethan's subtle squirming and rubbing against him. He had no intentions to put an end to it, so he quietly watched as this husband, who was nestled in his embrace like always, buried his face in his chest, sniffing him like his scent was some sort of aphrodisiac.
Ethan pressed his legs tightly together, hoping the friction would relieve him a little but it was not enough. He pouted and adjusted his position, it was only then that he felt something familiar pressing against him. He froze, noticing the other's shallow breathing he looked up to see the man's bright amused eyes fixed on him. He reached out and pulled him closer for a hungry kiss, honestly, what exactly did Alexei do to him?
The greater mystery was the fact that Alexei had not somehow managed to trick Ethan into messing around in his office all this time.
Ethan moved to straddle him, unwilling to bring an end to the budding passion.
"Bay... Bab... Baby." Alexei had to physically pull his enthusiastic husband off him, even then, Ethan was still reluctant to part "Baby, hold on."
Intent on having his way, rather than listen, his hands had already begun to impatiently undo the man's buttons.
Alexei watched in utter disbelief "Oh... Okay... Are we... Are we like doing this here? Like right now?"
Ethan simply stared at him.
It was that fervent gaze again and sure, there was absolutely nothing to be done when Ethan looked at him like that. Frankly, getting frisky with his husband in his office has been a personal mission of his for a while now, but he was met with a resounding no each time as well as, accusations of being the most shameless pervert alive and such. It felt a little unfair, but what could be done, if his husband wanted it, he wanted it. He took Ethan's hands and placed them flat on his chest "What are you stalling for, won't you explore this land?"
Ethan did not shy away from the challenge. Under Alexei's expectant eyes he undid the remaining buttons and fussed with his belt until the tool of his interest was in his hands.
Alexei stifled a laugh "Well? I know it's quite pretty, but will you just stare at it?"
Ethan bit his lower lip. Slowly, he placed both feet on the floor and came to his knees.
Alexei stiffened, when the other's intention registered on his mind "Baby, no." He pulled him back on to his legs "You don't have to do that." He swallowed whatever protests were on his husband's tongue as his hand made way past the band of his pants. "I'll make you feel good, hm?" He huffed as he buried his face deep in the crook of Ethan's neck to take a deep, long whiff.
There was something else Alexei had failed to tell Ethan... maybe not failed, more like withheld. It was about the scent coming off him. It was mind numbing. He missed it. Before they got married, it was subtle and soft, easy to miss but after their marriage it had completely disappeared. He checked all of Ethan's toiletries, true they all had a lavender fragrance, but it was nothing compared to the scent on Ethan's body. Recently, these last weeks, the scent returned even stronger, growing more intense every time they were together especially when things got physical. It was like Ethan was in heat...
Ethan gripped his wrist tightly with both hands "Aleeeeex..." He whined, craning his neck forward for a kiss.
Alexei's mind completely blanked out. His focus shifted to fulfilling his earlier promise of making Ethan feel good. He drew in another lungful of Ethan's scent, his lips curled into a satisfied smile "Baby, the desk or the inner room?"
Ethan's grip around his neck tightened.
"I guess we can use both."
Ethan, clad in Alexei's shirt, stirred in his sleep, he was definitely exhausted... but in a happy way. His body finally calmed, Alexei could tell by the way he burrowed deep into the blanket. The thought that had been cut off by Ethan's moans resurfaced.
Secondary gender for some could be confirmed during pregnancy, for others at birth. Really it was just a thing of genetics and almost everyone would present as such in puberty, this was the general rule but there were always cases out of the ordinary. Meeting Ethan's twin planted a seed of thought, but he refused to think much of it.
The curious emergence of lavender in his home raised another concern, but when he saw the toiletries he quickly dismissed it.
Unless he was being deliberately stupid, and he was, he couldn't keep acting like he couldn't tell his husband was an omega. Perhaps he was a late bloomer, or something interfered with his presentation. He didn't know and honestly, he cared even less. He glanced at the peaceful figure on the bed, reached out to stroke his cheek. Like he gave a shit what his husband secondary gender was...
Alexei wasn't the only one deep in thought, Ethan too had something on his mind and the thought persevered until the pair got home. The moment he had some time alone, he frantically flipped through the notes Mari had made for him. Sure enough, all he had been feeling lately were highlighted as signs of a coming heat, but it didn't make any sense. He was using modulators, how could he have a heat? With quivering fingers, he messaged Mari. He needed to see the doctor, soon.
"Baby." Alexei called out softly.
Ethan jerked around.
Alexei gave him a questioning look "Are you okay?"
"Ye-yes." He flipped his phone over.
"Let's go down for dinner."
"O-okay."
Neither made an actual move to leave. Alexei watched him fidget with his notebook for almost a minute "Ethan."
He jumped again "Ye-yes?"
"Is something the matter?"
"...no."
His gaze lingered on the notebook for a few seconds before travelling to the phone "Okay." He gave him another look over "Come down when you're ready." He blew him a playful kiss and walked away.
Ethan gripped his phone tightly with both hands as he watched Alexei walk away.
"Hey, shitty dragon, I heard you missed me." Caleb said with a smug smile.
Kim threw the rag at his face and walked away.
Lein succeeded in bringing the crew here "I didn't think you would..."
Jason's lips curved into a small smile "It was an invitation from your mother, I couldn't say no."
"You couldn't say no but you left me on read for four days..." He grumbled.
Jason leaned closer "Did you say something?"
"No...no." the scent of Jason is nothing short of a wicked enticement, but he needed to be patient, now was not the time to be swept off his feet "We're almost ready just have a seat."
The lunch table had a place for Hillary, Patrick, Caleb, Jason, Kim, Mari, Hank and Lein. It was quite the pleasant affair punctuated with Caleb and Kim's signature back and forth. It made everyone suspicious of what exactly had happened between the two while no one was paying attention. Mari made a mental note to investigate later.
However pleasant, the luncheon had to come to an end. While Kim and Caleb cleared the table, Mari and Lein saw the lawyers off and Jason maneuvered his way into speaking alone with Hank.
"I didn't contact him." He stated in his defense; throughout the lunch, he had felt Hank's probing gaze on him.
"Ah... That." He gave a knowing nod "I know. Honestly, I think you should just take him away."
Jason said nothing in response.
"Jay..." He turned to face him squarely "...what you did, what you've done, I find it hard to believe that you want nothing in return."
He straightened "I'm not trying to ingratiate your family to me."
"That's what makes me more uncomfortable." He eyed him "What is it you want?"
His brows furrowed at the thought "Nothing. I just want him to be safe and happy."
He clicked his tongue, it was getting harder to hide his annoyance. This was another issue he struggled with, Jason made it very difficult to righteously hate him. He would have argued it was calculated if Jason had not consistently kept his promises and stayed away from his child "He says he's happy with you."
Jason went silent again.
"For whatever reason, he insists it must be you..." Hank was resigned "...since your opinion is all he cares about, you deal with it. I'm tired."
"Sir-"
"Rose is a good kid, he just... He just fell into bad company. "
Jason scratched the edge of a brow "I... uh… That's a bit..."
"I see." Hank gave his shoulder a firm squeeze and walked away.
Jason was left alone, if Lein truly cared about him as deeply as Hank claimed he did, whether he takes him back or rejects him... It wouldn't matter, Lein would end up hurt either ways.
"Jay..." When Lein returned, he found the man alone, seemingly buried in his thoughts.
"Rosalein."
Lein shuddered "Yes?"
"Do you have some time..." He averted his gaze "...to talk?"
"Yea, sure." He eagerly led the contemplative Jason out of the house to a park bench.
They sat quietly for a minute or two, staring at the playground being explored by the neighborhood kids.
"How have you been?" Jason started suddenly, as he gestured to the back of Lein's neck.
"Oh... This is..." He unconsciously reached behind the scratch "It's fine... I'm fine."
"Mm." He nodded "I'm glad you're doing good."
"Yea... How about you?"
"I'm good too." He leaned back into the bench and stared up at sky "Actually, I'm not. Rosalein..." He turned to him "... I feel like shit. I keep thinking what the hell was I doing while all that was going on? If I had just talked to you or even looked at you properly, I could have..." He stopped and took a deep breath "I hurt you when I should have helped you and I did something absolutely unforgivable."
This again… "Jay, that's not true." He said in a small voice.
"Don't..."
"I went there myself...." He clenched his fists, burying his nails into the flesh of his palms "...I did all those things and I... I hurt you. I knew I was hurting you but I.." he froze when he felt Jason's hand on his back. Is this how it would be every time? He didn't want Jason to take on the permanent role of comforter like an adult with a child "I've changed, you know... I'm not the same person, you don't have to..." He moved further away from his reach "I don't need you constantly regulating me. It feels weird like I'm stuck in some fucked up loop with you."
"I didn't mean to." He stared at the hand hanging in the air, the finger tips tingling from the warmth that was Lein's. He rubbed his fingers together, absentmindedly soothing his itchy palm "You've done so much but I haven't..."
"Jay, you can't keep acting like everything was your fault. That is not fair to me."
He nodded "You hurt me."
Lein stiffened.
"I was hurt, Rosalein. Even if I understand..." He pinched the bridge of his nose "...I know that you were struggling... I know that, Rosalein but I can't... I was really hurt by everything and I'm exhausted. I was so exhausted. Every time you disappeared without a word, whenever we fought, I was constantly at a loss, and I kept going about it the wrong way. I-" he rubbed his temples "I don't want that again. I know you're different. I know things are… I don't want to go through that again."
A silence settled between them. It wasn't heavy, nor was it uncomfortable, it was simply a shared silence that existed between two people who had something to think about.
Having said all he intended to, Jason stood, ready to leave "I really am happy for you, really I am. I'm just not confident."
He looked up at him "Do you hate me?"
He frowned.
"If you say you hate me right now and that you never want to see me again then I swear I will disappear from your life."
Now that was just unfair.
He came to his feet "I will never contact you again, all you have to do is say it."
"Rosalein, don't be stubborn."
"I am very confident that things will be different."
"I know…" He said with a small smile "...you have always been very confident. It's beautiful and you're even more radiant now so I hope you meet someone who will see you as such and make you happy."
"Why can't that person be you?"
"Can-"
Thinking his words hadn't been heard he spoke louder "The person who sees me as such and can make me happy, why can't it be you?"
Lein didn't receive an answer that evening. Jason had said Lein should think about the practicality of their situation and walked off, but it was fine. He also didn't know how to get Jason back, but that too was fine. As long as Jason heard his question, it was fine.
Hank and Mari watched the entire exchange from the kitchen window.
"Is it over?" Mari asked.
Hank snorted "What do you think?"