Dr. Beck was very impressed with Ethan's progress… very. He had brightened up considerably, especially after the return from his trip. He watched fondly, as Ethan spoke animatedly about his new friend… maybe friend was not the right word, idol was more appropriate. This omega called Lein was all he could talk about. He chirped endlessly about this person, pulled up his profile to show him off, liked anything the other posted, how exhilarating it was to be given a ride on his bike. Honestly, it was a little fascinating. Beck would have thought he was in love with Lein or something if well… if he clearly wasn't head over heels for that Alex fellow.
"How about Alex? Have you told him about your plans?" Beck asked, when Ethan took a moment to breathe.
He stiffened, his face growing dimmer as an uncertainty crept in "N-no." I poked the corner of the couch "I don't know if it'll be ok." A look of guilt crossed his face "I haven't told him I'm an omega yet." He whispered, as if afraid someone would hear.
"Ethan, you know trust is very important in relationships. This is not something you can hide forever."
"I don't… I don't want him to hate me."
"You're here!" Ethan squealed full of delight as he flung himself at Alexei.
Alexei laughed as he caught him "You're so glad to see me."
"Yes!" Be beamed gleefully.
For the last two months since his return, Alexei had been making a trip to XX country every other weekend, when he could, to see him. It was the highlight of Ethan's months.
"You missed me that much, huh?" He asked, leaning down to kiss the person in his arms "Ethan must like me quite a bit."
At this point, Ethan had developed some immunity to a certain level of teasing "You're here, so that means you like me too."
Alexei laughed and kissed him again before lightly patting his butt.
The weekend started like every other weekend the two spent together, they talked. Ethan cooked, they shared hearty meals, they made out, they slept and repeat… that is until Ethan started hovering around him, starting to say something only to hesitate and back out. And like always, Alexei didn't push him to speak. He just enjoyed watching Ethan gather the courage to speak his mind so he waited, knowing Ethan would share his thoughts. He always did.
"A-Alex..."
He felt the person cradled in his arms stiffen.
"I-I got a new job..."
"Oh?" that was it? A new job?
"...in-in A City." He added with a small voice.
He looked down at him in surprise "What?"
"Ye-yes. It comes with a place to stay.
Alexei knitted his brows slightly "Why?"
"It's..."
"You want to live your life behind? Have you thought about this properly?"
Ethan faced him now, searching his face, taking notes of even the slightest changes in his expression "Alex, I moved to this city when I was 20. I just have my job."
"Eth-"
"I won't take the job then." He pressed his lips together and pushed himself away from the man "If you feel it's too much of a burden on you." He added, prying himself free from Alexei's arms.
"I never said that."
He wasn't listening anymore, walking to his bedroom. It hurt.
"Ethan, baby..." Alexei trailed behind "...wait, it's not what you think. Let me explain." He was ignored so he simply swept him up in his arms "Listen to me carefully, okay?" He dropped a kiss on his temples "I would love nothing more than to have you by my side every single day but moving to another country is a big step."
"I know, I just..."
"Shhhh... I'm not done." He said plopping their bodies on to the bed "It's a big step and it's scary. Aren't you scared?"
"I am. It's very scary."
"But you're doing it anyway. I think Ethan is amazing. Really." He nudged his cheek with his nose "You always amaze me, doing things that scare you. I'm so jealous, I want to be fearless and cool like Ethan."
He slapped his chest lightly "Can you please be serious?"
"I am though." He leaned forward to kiss him "And I'm glad that even though you're scared, you're doing all this to be with me."
He pouted "I never said I was moving to be with you."
He feigned shock "You're not? Then who are you going to be with?" He asked, rolling over so Ethan laid on his chest "Lein? Lein's boyfriend is a scary psycho."
Ethan smacked his chest again "That's your brother."
"Doesn't make him any less of a psycho." He argued, holding his hand to place it flat on his chest.
Ethan giggled. He relaxed placing his chin on the other's chest "I really thought you were going to say I shouldn't come over "
"Why would I say that?" He traced a finger up and down his spine "If you wanted to move, why didn't you tell me? It would have been much easier."
He shook his head "I wanted to do it by myself."
"Hmmm... You'll live with me though."
He nodded obediently before reaching forward to kiss him.
Ethan had another issue on his mind; they had been together for a while but still Alexei seemed to have no intention of sleeping with him, which is why such an instance below arises:
Lying side by side, they were making out, passionately. The advancement of their relationship was like fuel to their fire. Alexei's hands explored his body, teasing his nipples, caressing his butt while his mouth took occasional breaks from ravaging Ethan's lips, mostly to give him a chance to breathe, to bite, tug and lick his neck, his ears, his nipples.
Ethan, pliable as ever, moaned and whimpered and squirmed under the man's direction. Not knowing what to do with his hands, he tried to return the touches he received, caressing Alexei's firm body cautiously. He caressed his back, his torso, even reaching out to timidly grab his butt but when he touched the hem of Alexei's pants, the other pulled him on to his body, sat up swiftly and parted his legs so he was straddling him.
"Baby, why are you so eager? Eh? Is something interesting down there?" He asked he circled Ethan neck to pull his head down for a kiss.
"I want to make you feel good, too."
"Eh, Ethan is such an enthusiastic participant." He teased, cupping his butt "So? What does Ethan want to do? An inspection? Does Ethan want to inspect the goods again?"
It was always like this with Alexei, whenever Ethan even tried to touch him below the waist, he would do everything in his lower to divert his attention. He even suspected that maybe Alexei was lacking in some way, but that theory was quickly debunked when he peeped on him while he was in the shower, he got caught though. It led to another round of teasing.
He swallowed nervously when he thought of the object below "Yes."
Alexei chuckled as he placed one of Ethan's fingers in his mouth, biting down lightly "And then what? You'll touch it like how I touch you?" he asked before sucking on one finger.
"Yes. Le-let me try."
"Hmm..." What was one finger turned to two and then three until his tongue was exploring the length of each finger, tracing along the curves and lines on his palm wetting it as it went by.
It was an oddly stimulating experience for Ethan.
"Then won't you show me how you'll touch it?"
It took a moment for Ethan's mind to process his statement. His eyes widened "Wh-what?"
Alexei's eyes trailed down to Ethan's now raging hard-on before he leaned closer to whisper huskily in his ear "Show me how you'll touch it." He slowly led Ethan's wet hand down to his crotch, while he placed the other one his shoulder "Hm baby, make it exciting."
Obediently, he loosened his pants and begun to stroke himself.
"No, baby, you have to look at me." He held up his head by the chin when Ethan tried to hide "I thought you liked my face, isn't that why you like to come on it?"
He was flushed with embarrassment but still did as he was told, biting his lower lip to stop any sound from escaping his mouth.
Alexei tugged the lip free with his teeth sucking on it as if trying to console it, while his hand parted the other's butt cheeks, tracing a finger down the cleft before sliding it inside him. He kissed his way down to his nipples teasing it with his tongue before biting on it. "Do you like it?" He asked when he felt Ethan's fingers dig into his shoulder.
He whimpered and nodded.
"Then you should say it." He trailed his tongue to the other nipple to tease it "You have to say it."
"I… I like it" he whimpered as he felt another finger enter him.
"Hm? What do you like?"
"When you touch me."
His added another finger and begun to explore him tenderly, while his free hand reached out to cover the hand on his cock.
Ethan let him take over, choosing to hang onto his neck. He raised his chest to the man's face.
Feigning ignorance, Alexei asked "Is there something you want, baby?"
"…yes."
"What might that be? How would I know what my baby wants if he doesn't say it, hm?"
At this point, Ethan gave up on his sense of reservation "Suck it. My nipples. I. Like. When. You. Touch them."
Alexei chuckled and generously gave what was demanded of him.
It was in this manner that Ethan spurted all over his chest and what was said after?
"Wow... Ethan's territory is expanding."
Once more, Ethan truly wished he could disappear.
Novice: A beginner; one who is not very familiar or experienced in a particular subject.
In matters of heart, relationship and love, Lein was as novice as could be.
An example, once they were out for dinner, he stepped away for a moment to wash in the bathroom only to return to see Jason speaking familiarly with someone, who was introduced as a business contact. Normally, that wouldn't bother Lein but lately, he found himself unexplainably agitated and moody. The rest of the dinner was a mess and the night ended in an argument. There was nothing to fight about but Lein could not just let it go.
"I just wanted to take you out for a nice meal, what the fuck has got you so upset?" Jason spat out immediately they crossed the threshold into their home.
"FUCK!" He screamed and flung his phone at Jason. He didn't mean to, he just felt suffocated, like there was a literal force in his chest just stopping his lungs from expanding. It felt like shit.
It hit him, right on the cheek. Jason was stunned; his whole frame shook as his hand felt for the bruise that had begun to form on his face.
Lein panicked and rushed to his side "J-jay, I didn't mean that. I swear I didn't mean it."
He said nothing, just picked his keys and left the house with the goal of calming himself down before he did something he would regret only to return home to a frenzied Lein who pulled out a kitchen knife on him, threatening to kill them both if Jason said he didn't want him, just to break down in tears shortly after.
"I'm sorry, please… please don't leave me." Quivering, he begged as he sunk to the floor, knife still in hand "I don't know what's happening to me, I'm so scared Jay. Please don't leave me. I'll die. I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm so scared. I don't know what to do, please don't leave me." The rest of his words devolved into unintelligible sobs.
Jason was also at a loss "I'm not… I won't leave you." Lein seemed so fragile at this moment, like his whole world was spiraling out of control. It made his heart break. He sat next to his sobbing mess of a boyfriend, wrapped him in his arms and begun to soothe him. First with his pheromones and then, with his words. "It's okay. I know you didn't mean it. Here, I'm not hurt." He took away the weapon and brought his hand to his cheek "See, it doesn't hurt at all. I'm fine. It's fine." He hugged him tighter "I'm here. I'm not leaving."
Lein sobbed harder when he heard this. He wrapped his arms tightly around Jason, wishing he could merge into the man's body. No matter how many minutes passed, his hold did not loosen.
The night was passed on the kitchen floor, with the pair wrapped tightly around each other.
Anyway, there were a few notable incidents of Lein absolutely losing his shit over nothing but they somehow managed to maneuver through it, mostly through Jason's effort. But Lein did put in some effort on his part, he bashfully took Jason to meet with his parents, who were quite frankly very surprised but also extremely happy, they even had plans to have dinner soon. After some convincing on Jason side, he agreed to take a job as a gym instructor in his father's omega-only gym.
His heart, like always was filled to the brim with affection ready to spew out at any moment. So why is it that the person, who made him feel like his heart was bursting at the seams, had someone else pinned against the wall and a hand clasped around his neck while the stranger was masturbating furiously while panting "Babe, do it harder."
His vision blurred. The helmet in his hand dropped to the ground. He turned around and ran.
Jason inspected the flashdrive Three brought over. He normally wouldn't have anyone come to his place, but this was a bit urgent "Thanks."
Three made no moves to leave.
"Is there something else?"
Three looked passed his shoulder into the apartment "Is your boyfriend home?"
Jason scoffed and took a step back, ready to shut the door.
Three wedged himself between the door and the frame.
"What are you trying to do right now?"
"Come on babe, why so cold?"
Jason grabbed his shoulder and pushed him out "You did your job." He stepped out of the apartment and shut the door behind him, stopping the other from getting any ideas "Now leave."
And much like every meeting between the two, Three begun to plead with Jason "Please..." He begged clawing at his pants "...just a little."
Jason was exhausted with the whole affair, and also Lein, he didn't even have the energy to hit him, which was Three's aim for trying to reach into his pants, so he did nothing.
Three sensed his lack of 'enthusiasm' and fell silent.
Jason crossed his arms across his chest, smirking "I thought so." He turned around to leave, and he would have if not for what Three's next words.
"I saw your boyfriend."
Jason paused.
"He carries the same stench I do."
That was it, in the next second, Jason had Three pinned against the wall the by the neck, ready to crush it with just a little more pressure "Listen to me, you little shit..."
He was ecstatic, his hand reached into his pants to grab his hard-on "Fuck babe, you're the best." He mumbled while gasping for air "Harder. Do it harder."
The sound of something hitting the ground drew his attention, he turned around to see someone run off. He frowned "Rosalein?" But he wasn't supposed to be back so soon. It wasn't until he caught sight of the helmet that he knew. "Rosalein!" He called out, releasing Three to chase him down.
Lein had gone down the stairwell, vision blurred, running down as fast as his legs could take him. Maybe it was because of his blurred vision, but Jason caught up with him before he got far.
"Rosalein!" He grabbed him by the waist and pulled him back before he could go further "Please wait."
Lein struggled in vain to free himself, but the air felt thick and heavy, it was suffocating.
"Please breathe, Rosalein, breathe."
He was choking now, on his own saliva, sobbing.
He turned Lein's quaking body to face him "Please breathe."
"Stop." He managed to force a word out.
Jason stiffened. No matter what was done to Lein, he had never once said that word. It was their designated safe word.
"It hurts."
Jason began to panic "Where... Where does it hurt?"
Lein beat his chest "Here!" He cried "It hurts here. It's killing me."
"Let's go up and talk about it, okay?"
Three had long made an exit, which was smart of him. Jason never felt so powerless. Lein was seated on couch, hugging his knees into his chest as he sobbed.
Kneeling next to the couch, he asked softly "Rosalein, what am I doing that's hurting you so much? Tell me so I can do something about it."
Lein wiped his tears away with the back of his hands "Do you have someone else?" His voice was tiny and full of uncertainty. He continued before Jason could answer "Are you already tired of me?"
"No, no... You have to believe me, it's not what you think."
"Then what is it?"
"I'm not tired of you, Rosalein and there's nobody else..." He explained desperately "...since we met there has only been you. Please believe me."
"Then..."
He held Lein's hands and gave them a reassuring squeeze "I would never trade in anyone for you so don't be hurt, please. When you're sad like this and I can't do anything to make your pain go away, it eats at me. I'll tell you everything. I'll tell you anything so please don't be sad again."
He nodded sombrely.
"Then, do you want to eat something?"
He nodded again.
"I'll cook for you, okay." He dropped kisses on his forehead and eyes before heading to the kitchen.
Lein followed behind, watching Jason's back for a moment before walking over to cling to him. He stood on his toes to kiss his gland causing the scent of the sea to grow stronger.
Jason laughed.
"I'm sorry. I've become such a wreck." He said with his face buried deep in his back "I'll try harder."
He patted the hand wrapped around his waist in comfort "We're doing fine, Rosalein. We'll get there."
They remained like that in silence until Lein asked "Why was he calling you babe?"
Jason turned down the fire, faced Lein and directed him to sit on the kitchen island. Standing between his legs he began to explain "I guess you can say he was my first and longest partner, we were not really exclusive..." He circled his arms around Lein's waist and interlock his fingers "…but since we met, I haven't met up with him. I promise." He added quickly.
"O..okay."
"It was at the time I hadn't really learned much about myself and I had no sense about control. It was a very irresponsible period for me."
Lein laughed weakly "That's kind of hard to imagine."
"Really. It's true, I got into a lot of trouble, it was a mess and Alexei almost killed me a few times." He placed his forehead on Lein's shoulder "At the time, I felt Three was the only one that understood me and I didn't hold back. I was too reckless then but Three has always been a bit of… a pervert. There were no real feelings involved, we were just taking what we wanted from each other. I already had plans to end it with him, really. That's why I was at the bar we met, I was going to end it."
"Then outside..."
"He works for us and we have to come into contact once in a while. He can't help himself."
Lein licked his lips to moisten them "Then you don't like him?"
He chuckled "No. I have you, I don't need anyone else."
"Really? Even... Even when I'm being weird?"
Jason laughed again "I love everything about you." He leaned closer for a kiss "I'll never touch him again, I promise."
He pondered on the new information for a moment "Is he the reason you refused to hit me or use pheromone suppression?"
He cradled his cheek "First of all, that is extremely dangerous when emotions are charged, it's easy for things to spiral out of control. Secondly, yes but also because that's not really to my taste."
Lein tugged on his shirt "I'm really sorry."
"It's fine."
A feeling that Lein had been suppressing deep down was suddenly amplified.
It was his guilt.