They both sat across from one another, now in a very spacious and comfortable suite room. It was a massive upgrade from their previous room, the bathroom had an actual bath in it, the balcony was a terrace with a table and chairs, there was even a separate room for the bedroom.
Currently, they were facing one another on the couch in the lounging room.
Kand-Lei cleared his throat, "So. We should probably talk… about all this." He gestured vaguely between them, where an invisible thread bound them together.
Darcy nodded. "How… do we start?"
Kand-Lei scratched his head. He was also a bit lost. "…definitions?"
Darcy pressed his lips together, Kand-Lei was so cute and nerdy. He nodded slightly, "Sure, why not?"
Kand-Lei pulled out his phone, quickly brining up some definitions.
"Ok… 'fated mate; a mysterious bond between an alpha and an omega meaning they are destined to be together for life. Usually accompanied by a matching mark of some kind and an intense desire to be near the other party'." Kand-Lei rubbed his cheek thoughtfully. "Guess they need to update this definition to include, 'two omegas'."
Darcy smiled. "Yeah. They really do." He picked at a loose thread on the couch, "Wasn't there some mandate that all fated pairs must register with the government?"
Kand-Lei shook his head, "The law only mentions alpha and omega pairs. Technically we aren't doing anything illegal if we don't self report."
"…you know the laws?"
Kand-Lei nodded. "Before I… well, I was studying to become an international lawyer... before I had to quit school. I kept up with the laws of Zhong Kui as well."
Darcy sat silently, a little in awe of his highly intelligent mate. He unconsciously reached out to grab Kand-Lei's hand, sending a little shock through both of them.
"That... that never happened before." He mumbled, turning around Kand-Lei's slightly smaller hand so he had access to trace patterns on his palm.
"...yeah. It didn't." Kand-Lei considered for a moment. "We should keep track of all the things that have changed, and the things that change." He briefly got up to fetch his notebook. "We can write it in here, I'd rather not have it as a digital record."
He began scribbling away. "Did your mark also get itchy when you were in the shower and I was in the bedroom and vice versa?"
Darcy nodded, "Yep."
"On a scale of one to ten, one being barely noticeable, ten being so unbearable that you want to rip your skin off, how itchy?"
"Uhhh, like, a two or three?"
Kand-Lei kept scribbling, looking like a determined little scientist. "And do you get a little shock every time we touch?" He reached out his hand to tap Darcy, several times, on the leg. He flinched each time, even through his clothes.
"Yes." Darcy watched him continue writing, admiring his neat handwriting and long, slender fingers. He desperately wanted to place a kiss on each slightly pink knuckle. "Are you always so... thorough?" He asked, neither reproachful nor annoyed.
Kand-Lei nodded absently. "The only difference between science and messing around is writing things down." A brief pause as he studied the note he had written, "And I think it's partly in an aspiring lawyer's nature to be meticulous." He glanced up briefly and caught the look in Darcy's eyes. The pen he had been absently rubbing across his lips stilled. "...mm?"
Darcy blinked a few times, startled. "Huh?"
"You looked like you wanted to say something."
"... say is not the word."
Kand-Lei swallowed, eyes flickering around a bit, trying not to dwell on the barely concealed meaning of those words. "...oh! Actually that's another thing. Even before we awakened the bond, I felt this strange compulsion to remain near you and I felt very relaxed in your presence. It only got stronger."
Darcy nodded. "Yeah, that's pretty much what I felt too. There was almost a physical tug to follow whenever you walked away a bit. And I've been feeling... quite.. mm... protective?"
Kand-Lei nodded, still writing, "Me as well. I think that might be what helped me snap out of whatever fear trance we were in when facing down your... eh.. ex arranged marriage partner?"
Darcy snickered a little. "Just call him crazy stalker guy."
Kand-Lei smiled. "Apt."
He tapped his pen on the notebook. "This researching stuff, this is my way of processing and understanding this new thing that has happened to us. What's yours?"
Darcy seemed momentarily caught off guard by the sudden question. "Oh... I'm not entirely sure. Maybe just like... talking. Letting things work themselves out. And being clear, I absolutely hate misunderstandings."
Kand-Lei nodded. "So, how do- well, how do you feel about all of this?"
Darcy smiled. "I think it's quite exciting actually. I always wondered if I would have a fated mate. And here you are." He fidgeted with his fingers, picking at his nails. "I've never really been attracted to alphas. Betas somewhat, but all my major crushes have been on omegas." He scratched the back of his neck. "It's just that not many of them even think about starting something with another omega. I was never even an option on their radar." He smiled up at Kand-Lei, "I told myself to stop falling for what I can't have. But I couldn't help falling for you still." He chuckled. "Now im glad I did."
"So am I." Kand-Lei whispered, reaching out to lace his fingers with Darcy's. "I don't think... I don't think I can be with.. an alpha." He swallowed roughly. "Not after... that alpha."
Darcy's hand squeezed his lightly. "Well. You don't have to." He averted his eyes for a moment before looking back with an open expression, vulnerability shining through his eyes. "And you? Do you... want a fated mate?" Do you want me? Were the words he didn't say, yet which shined through his eyes anyway.
Kand-Lei's thumb rubbed gently over the back of Darcy's hand. "I like it. It feels as if... as if the universe hasn't given up on me yet. That something still cares enough to make sure I'm not lonely. That... I'm allowed to care about someone... and be cared about."
Darcy leaned forward until their foreheads touched. "I promise to always be good to you." He murmured sincerely. "I'll keep you safe from things that scare you, and we can explore this new thing slowly, together." He smiled. "I really really really like you already, so I'll try my best not to mess things up."
Kand-Lei felt the warmth of the forehead that rested against his own, it was such a simple yet intimate gesture. He could sense tears pricking at the corners of his eyes as the warmth of Darcy's words and touch soothed some deep ache within him.
He wondered if this gentle care and touch was the love that everyone had gushed about? If these were the soft words that made knees weak and butterflies appear in one's stomach?
He wasn't sure about all the cliche stuff, but he was sure that it made him feel warm. Deep within, in his heart, in his bones, expanding with every breath and every heartbeat.
Then a small flicker of something like irritation or defiance broke through. "... you're not trying to... 'be the alpha' in this relationship are you?" Kand-Lei asked sceptically.
Darcy looked momentarily embarrassed. "Wha'd'you mean?" He mumbled, closing his eyes to avoid the intense gaze of the omega in front of him.
"I mean, you're acting like you will do all the protecting and providing while I am left to do nothing." He pulled away a bit to give Darcy a stern look. "We will start this as equals, and we will continue as equals. You protect me when I need it, and I'll protect you when you need it." He huffed a little. "Objections?"
Darcy raised a hand tentatively, like a student before a raging professor.
"Mm?"
"...fair enough about being equals, I'm definitely not disagreeing with you there... but um..." he hesitated further, a blush creeping onto his face which looked very soft and adorable at that moment.
"What is it?" Kand-Lei was a touch less intense than before, swayed by the flustered look on Darcy's face.