"Sorry, I'm late!" Jing Long exclaimed breathlessly as he slid onto the bench across from Hu Yetao at the table in the furthest corner of the library. "I had a few questions for Professor Hushuó about our assignment. What have I missed?"
Hu Yetao looked up from where his nose had been buried in his blue and silver Omega book. "What?"
"Never mind," Jing-Long said as he withdrew a stack of spare parchment and a quill from his bulging school bag. "All right, what have you found out so far?"
Hu Yetao glanced down at the book laid open in front of him as though it was about to jump up and bite him. "I've read through the first chapter on male Omega characteristics."
"And?" Jing Long replied, quill poised and ready, eager to learn everything he possibly could about male Omegas; to help his friend as well as to satisfy his endless thirst for knowledge.
"I am slowly turning into a sensitive and delicate flower."
Jing Long laughed before he could stop himself and quickly clapped a hand over her mouth as he darted an anxious glance towards Madam Gong Qiuxia behind her large mahogany desk at the far end of the large room. "What do you mean?" he asked in a whisper, trying his best not to giggle.
Hu Yetao glared at him before replying in an unhappy tone, "it says during their eighteenth year, the male Omega will begin to develop a more sensitive and nurturing side, that I will acquire what is generally considered female characteristics."
Jing Long swallowed his laughter and tried to school his features into a thoughtfully neutral expression. "And have you noticed any of these changes yet?"
Hu Yetao absently toyed with the edge of the page. "I dunno… maybe."
"Such as?" Jing Long asked with interest.
Hu Yetao sighed and tried to think back on the day he'd spent with Oscar in Hogsmeade. It was the only time he had felt… different, as though his thoughts were unlike anything he'd thought or felt before. "When I went to Hogsmeade with Oscar, I…" Hu Yetao could feel his cheeks heat as he spoke. "I wanted to be taken care of," he mumbled.
Jing Long's expression softened. "And you've only felt that way around him so far?" he asked quietly.
Hu Yetao nodded without looking up.
"But you've hardly turned into a delicate flower," he reasoned, seeing how distraught his friend was. "I mean, you still act like you as far as I can see. So what if you want to be in a relationship with someone who will take care of you? It's about time somebody took care of you Hu Yetao, instead of you always being the one to do it for everyone else." He smiled a little before turning back to the book. "So, what else is there?"
Hu Yetao flipped to the next chapter, grateful to be off the subject of his feelings. "Choosing a Mate," he read.
"Ooo let me see!" Jing Long replied eagerly, reaching for the book.
Hu Yetao gave her a look. "This isn't some romantic fairy-tale Jing-Long; this is my life we're talking about here."
Jing Long smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I'll try to… bear that in mind." He looked back to the page in front of him and read aloud. "A male Omega does not differ from a female Omega when it comes to choosing a mate. The male Omega will be drawn to one, or even several, unbonded Alphas during their search for a life partner. As Alphas are exclusively male, this means that a male Omega will always end up with another male as his mate." Jing Long paused to glance up at Hu Yetao. "Good thing you're gay Hu Yetao. Imagine being a homosexual Alpha and having to be with a female Omega because there's no other choice? That would be awful."
"Now you know why I want to keep it a secret," Hu Yetao muttered. "There would be hundreds of Alphas out there who wouldn't care about what I'm like so long as I have all the right bits."
Jing Long chewed his lip as he nodded in understanding. "I think it's a good idea - in theory," he replied slowly.
"In theory?"
"Well, I wouldn't want you to miss out on the perfect mate just because he doesn't know you're an Omega. It isn't a crime to want your children."
Hu Yetao's expression hardened. "If you're referring to Oscar-"
"I wasn't," Jing-Long interjected quickly, "but there would be others like him. He's an Alpha Hu Yetao; it's in their genetic make-up to want to start a family, to want to procreate with their mate."
"Luo Yan's an Alpha and he chose a Beta," Hu Yetao pointed out.
"I'm not saying it doesn't happen, I'm just saying it's uncommon."
"Well I'm not in a rush, I can wait until the right person comes along," Hu Yetao replied determinedly.
Jing Long smiled. "Is this part of your new delicate flower sensibilities?" he couldn't help asking. "Wanting love instead of just sex?"
"Fuck off," Hu Yetao replied with a reluctant smile.
Jing Long laughed as she flipped the page over and continued reading. "It says that you can keep several mates if you wish but that your Alpha, or Alphas, will only ever remain loyal to you and you alone once you're bonded."
Hu Yetao grimaced but kept his comment about wanting just the one partner to himself, as it would only encourage further disparaging remarks about his female sensibilities.
"Oh this is interesting," Jing-Long was saying as he pointed to a paragraph halfway down the page. "To become officially bonded, an Alpha will bite the male Omega somewhere on his body to the extent that it will leave a permanent scar, or claiming mark as it is generally referred to. The most common location is on the neck, as the site is visible to the general public and will demonstrate to anyone who cannot scent a claim that there is one in place."
Hu Yetao frowned. "That is not happening," he said firmly. "No one is fucking claiming me."
Jing Long glanced up. "It says that the Omega will crave this mark from his Alpha."
Hu Yetao shook his head, determined that he wasn't going to consent to such an archaic ritual.
"But Hu Yetao… how else will you bond with your Alpha?" Jing Long questioned worriedly. "If you don't officially bond with one then you will be forever chasing off Alphas who think you're still on the market. The claiming mark doesn't stop all of them - just as a wedding ring doesn't - but it helps. Plus it will ease your Alpha's insecurities about you being around other Alphas on your own."
Hu Yetao swept a hand through his dark hair with a sigh. "I dunno, I guess it's something I'll have to think about. And talk over with my… erm, mate, when I find one."
Jing Long nodded and decided to move on. "Do you want to skip the chapter on mating?" he asked.
"Er yeah, I think I know where all the bits are supposed to go," Hu Yetao replied, caught between amusement and embarrassment.
"All right, good," Jing-Long replied, looking relieved. "And if you do have any questions, I'm sure Zhang Xinyao can answer them." Jing Long flipped through the short chapter on mating and paused near the end, frowning at one of the definitions. "Do you know what knotting is Hu Yetao?"
Hu Yetao shook his head and leaned over to peer at the paragraph dedicated to 'The Act of Knotting.'
"It says that an Alpha's pen-" Jing-Long cut off and quickly pushed the book back to Hu Yetao. "I think perhaps you should read this on your own."
Hu Yetao leaned over and began to read as Jing-Long turned away to make some notes on his parchment, cheeks slightly pink. His eyes widened as he read that a bonded Alpha's penis will engorge at its base into a large mass, or knot, during ejaculation to keep the two wizards tethered together. This will ensure that the semen remains in the mate's body for a time to assist with conception. The length of time the knot remains in place will differ; anywhere from one or two minutes up to a full twenty minutes. The knot will dissolve quickly if danger is present or will last longer if the Omega is reluctant.
"Reluctant?" Hu Yetao repeated with a frown.
"What's that?" Jing Long said, looking up.
"It says that the knot will last longer if the Omega is reluctant. What's that supposed to mean?"
Jing Long bit his lip and fiddled with the quill in his hand. "Well, I guess it's referring to the fact that some Alphas will take an Omega against his or her will."
"You mean rape?" Hu Yetao replied furiously.
"Yes." Jing Long confirmed with a nod.
Hu Yetao frowned at the book, once again hating how much of his life felt completely out of his control. "When Kaz… started touching me in the bathroom, I… I wanted it." He looked back up at him, fury still burning in his eyes. "As soon as he had me, I just… submitted. I'm not attracted to him, never have been, but it was like my Omega side just took over."
Jing Long placed a hand over him, his brown eyes resolute as he met his gaze. "But you did stop it when he wanted to take it further and you can do it again Hu Yetao. You're not helpless, it's probably a little like fighting off Imperio - and you can do that easily."
Hu Yetao sighed, trying to push aside his anger. It was more important to learn everything he could now and think about the ramifications of it all later. "Yeah… I guess."
Jing Long squeezed his hand before releasing it. "Okay, what else do you want to know?" he asked, pulling the book back towards him.
Hu Yetao leaned his arms on the table and dropped his chin onto his forearms as he frowned at the scuffed tabletop. "I guess I should know about male pregnancies," he said.
"Is that something you're okay with?" Jing Long asked casually as he flipped to the relevant chapter.
"Yeah," Hu Yetao replied instantly, "I am. It's the one good thing about this whole bloody Omega mess. Not that I'm looking forward to the actual pregnancy part of it."
Jing Long smiled to himself as he turned the pages. "All right, male Omega pregnancies are very similar to any human female, whereas the Omega will gestate for nine months, can suffer morning sickness, food cravings, nesting behaviors, hot flashes, etc… the only two differences are that the baby must be born by cesarean and that the Omega's body will begin to form a womb during each cycle to accommodate the fetus." Jing Long paused to glance up. "That doesn't sound so bad," he observed encouragingly.
"Yeah, I could put up with all that," Hu Yetao replied as he pressed a tiny grin into the sleeve of his jumper.
Jing Long smiled as he thought about Hu Yetao having his children, it was something he wanted for him very much and knew he did as well. He had his suspicions about his Muggle relatives going beyond just not treating him well while raising him and had always wondered if that's where the strong desire for his own family had stemmed from. That and the fact that he had lost his parents at such a young age.
"Guess we should move on to the heat cycle," Hu Yetao proposed unenthusiastically.
Jing Long nodded and turned back to the chapter entitled 'The Male Omega Heat Cycle.' He smoothed the pages out and began to read: "the male Omega will go through one heat period per month-"
"Every month?" Hu Yetao repeated, eyes widening in shock and dismay.
Jing Long cleared his throat and continued. "A typical heat period lasts about two or three days. During this time, the Omega will emit heat pheromones which alert any nearby Alphas to the Omega's condition - regardless of whether the Omega is bonded or not. Most Omegas will spend their heat cycles at home and not leave until the cycle is complete. It can be slightly uncomfortable for an Omega to be in the heat without the assistance of an Alpha to alleviate the overwhelming sexual urges, but it can be done without too much distress with the aid of masturbation. The Omega's butt hole will self-lubricate during his cycle to assist in easy penetration and safeguard against injury, which could deter copulation during the cycle and delay conception; which is the ultimate goal of a heat cycle. A male Omega can only fall pregnant during his heat."
"Well, that's good to know," Hu Yetao interjected.
Jing Long nodded. "It also mentions that an Alpha can only ever form a knot with his bonded mate. An Alpha can impregnate any sexual partner at any time but their chances of conception significantly increase once bonded due to the formation of the knot."
Hu Yetao nodded thoughtfully, trying to work through all the information. This was why he had asked Jing-Long to read the book with him; he absorbed information much easier when it was read aloud and discussed rather than him simply reading it by himself.
"So… I can only fall pregnant during my heat, but any Alpha can impregnate me, it doesn't necessarily have to be my mate?"
"Yes, that's probably why Omegas hide out in their homes until they are finished their cycle."
Hu Yetao exhaled heavily. "So if an Alpha was to rape me during my cycle - even if I were already bonded - I could potentially become pregnant with his baby?"
"Yes," Jing-Long confirmed, "just as any female could."
"Okay." Hu Yetao nodded, absorbing this. "Does it say whether there are any signs for when a male Omega is about to go into heat?"
Jing Long hummed as he skimmed through the rest of the chapter, finger running across the page as he read. "No, not really," he surmised in disappointment. "But it does say that you will have your heat at the same time every month and can plan for it." He looked up with a slight smirk. "Just like a girl on her menstrual cycle."
Hu Yetao rolled his eyes. "You're supposed to make me feel better, not worse."
"Sorry," Jing-Long laughed.
Hu Yetao sat up and absently pushed his glasses back up his nose. "Okay, I think that's enough for today," he said, feeling a little overloaded with information. He looked up with a grateful smile. "Thanks for your help."
"Any time," Jing-Long replied, slipping his notes back into the bag at his feet.
They both stood and gathered their belongings, Hu Yetao hiding the Omega book deep within his leather book bag, before walking with Jing-Long towards the exit.
"So how are you feeling about everything now?" he asked quietly as they passed through the library doors and out into the corridor.
Hu Yetao shrugged noncommittedly. "I dunno, I'm glad I have more information and a better idea of what's happening to me but… I also dislike so many aspects of being a you-know-what." Hu Yetao paused and glanced around to ensure that they were alone before adding, "and the most frustrating part is that I still only want Oscar, who has no interest in me."
"Maybe we should take a trip into Diagon Alley next weekend to find you another Alpha to fixate on," he suggested with a sly grin.
Hu Yetao couldn't help but chuckle, eternally grateful for his friendship with such an understanding and intelligent wizard.