"Hey." Hu Yetao stopped and turned to face him before they reached the closed double doors. "Is that why the Room of Requirement was a cave? Because of your… heritage?"
Oscar looked slightly discomfited as he looked at the floor. "Yes, it… it's a comforting place for me."
Hu Yetao smiled, a daft part of him feeling a tug of affection whenever Oscar was outwardly self-conscious. Something about it was utterly endearing. "Damp and bitterly cold? Oh yeah, very cozy."
Oscar glanced up with a half-hearted glare. "Shut up Taotao."
Hu Yetao bit his lip to keep from laughing out loud. Before he could protest, Oscar had turned and pushed open the doors.
Oh fuck, I'm not ready for this, flitted through Hu Yetao's head just before Oscar's hand reached back for his and pulled him through into the large sitting room beyond.
Hu Yetao blinked as his eyes adjusted to the bright light after the dimly lit corridors. There was a warm, orange glow from a crackling fire in the large grate to his left and quite a few flickering gas lamps on the walls, making the room warm and inviting - in sharp contrast to the occupants themselves.
Hu Yetao swallowed as he forced himself to meet two pairs of critical pale eyes.
"Good evening father, mother," Oscar greeted with a nod of the head. "I'd like to introduce-"
"We are aware of who that is Oscar," Xiaochen interrupted with controlled impatience. "What we do not know, is why Hu Yetao is standing in our parlor"
Hu Yetao refused to look away when Xiaochen's dismissive gaze flicked to him briefly.
Shui Xian cleared her throat lightly. "Oscar, when Níao informed us of your arrival with Mr. Yetao, we thought she must be mistaken," she said serenely.
"Níao told you?" Oscar replied, the trace of disappointment in his voice reassuring Hu Yetao that the Alpha was not only not nervous, but also not about to cower to his parents.
"Surprise," Hu Yetao said under his breath and Oscar glanced at him with a smirk.
"Yes, she informed us the moment you arrived - which was some time ago," Xiaochen added pointedly.
Hu Yetao felt his cheeks flush but Oscar quickly gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.
"Yes, we were in my room," Oscar replied unconcerned. "I required some time alone with Hu Yetao to tell him the truth about our family. I could hardly do that at Hogwarts now could I father?"
Both of Oscar's parents seemed to pale; Shui Xian's lips parted in shock and Xiaochen froze, body tense.
Hu Yetao knew a challenge when he heard one and he winced, preparing for certain backlash.
Xiaochen's pale eyes flared with controlled rage as he gathered himself to respond. "Mr. Yetao, would you be so kind as to leave us?" he asked through gritted teeth. "I need to have a word with my recalcitrant son."
Oscar rolled his eyes. "I've already told him everything so there's no need to send him away. Hu Yetao is my mate and, as a part of this family, he can hear whatever it is you feel the need to say to me."
Xiaochen opened his mouth to retort and Shui Xian quickly placed a calming hand on his arm. She turned to Hu Yetao with a delicate smile. "Forgive my husband Mr. Yetao, won't you please sit down? I am certain we can discuss this in a civilized manner."
Hu Yetao glanced to Oscar for what to do next and followed his lead when he stepped forward to seat himself in the pretty two-seater sofa across from his parents in their stiff-backed armchairs.
"Thank you," Hu Yetao replied to Mrs. Wang, smiling tentatively as he took a seat across from her. He was relieved when Oscar kept ahold of his hand, laying their joined hands on his thigh, eyes on his father.
Shui Xian glanced at Xiaochen and Hu Yetao saw the minute pressure she put on his arm before turning to him. "Now Mr. Yetao, my son may have explained certain… aspects of our family to you, but I would be remiss not to mention the fact that under no circumstance shall he encumber himself with a Beta as a life partner. I'm sure you understand."
"Oscar, how could you be so foolish?" Xiaochen hissed angrily, clearly unable to hold back any longer.
Oscar leaned back in his seat and calmly crossed his ankle over one knee. "Hu Yetao isn't a Beta."
"Not a…" Shui Xian trailed off, a slight crease between delicate pale brows. "What do you mean darling?"
"I'm an Omega," Hu Yetao spoke up, gazing steadily at Mrs. Wang when she turned to him with a soft gasp. "I came into my inheritance over the summer and I've been drawn to Oscar ever since."
"You're lying," Xiaochen instantly accused.
"Scent him for yourself," Oscar countered sharply.
Hu Yetao turned alarmed dark eyes towards Oscar but remained silent.
Xiaochen appeared as averse to the idea as Hu Yetao but he eventually pushed himself to his feet, straightened his deep blue formal robes with a sharp tug, and strode over to stand next to Hu Yetao's chair.
The urge to jerk back and away from Wang Xiaochen was strong and Hu Yetao had to clench his hand on the armrest to keep himself in place, his other hand safely anchored in Oscar's.
Xiaochen leaned in towards Hu Yetao's neck and inhaled. His eyes immediately widened and he straightened up, stunned. "It… It's not possible," he surmised faintly.
"Of course it's possible," Oscar said, narrowing his eyes as his father leaned in and sniffed at Hu Yetao again.
"Xiaochen, come away from the boy, you're making Oscar uncomfortable," Shui Xian commanded gently.
Xiaochen's gaze swiveled to the possessive expression on Oscar's face. He stared at him a moment before eventually moving back to his vacated seat beside his wife.
Nobody seemed to know what to say and Hu Yetao licked his lips as the awkward silence stretched on a little too long to be comfortable. He firmly gathered his courage and forced himself to look at Xiaochen.
"I know you're concerned about me knowing something so… er, incriminating," he said, "but I can assure you that your secret is safe with me. Hu Yetao's eyes sharpened when Xiaochen made a dismissive sound. "I know we have a colorful history that would prevent you from trusting me, but one thing you must know is that I always protect my own - no matter what. And you may think that this came about rather fast but I have been around other Alphas and none of them have made me feel the way Oscar has. I want to be with him, I want Oscar as my mate, and if this means accepting you as my family as well, then I will, regardless of how you feel about me in return. You must know that I would never do anything to endanger Oscar's life or the lives of any children we may have."
Hu Yetao stopped and held his breath. Oscar squeezed his hand as he watched Wang Senior inhale and share a private look with his wife.
Xiaochen visibly swallowed and Hu Yetao didn't think he'd ever seen the man so wrong-footed.
"I cannot help but think that this… relationship will be ruinous to what we have worked so hard to protect," he finally said, and though the words were severe his tone was remarkably mild. "I do not know what my impulsive son may have divulged to you about our kind Mr. Yetao, but there is a reason that the Ministry felt it best to force our race to die out. The acts of violence Nundu have committed throughout history are not for the faint of heart. With that knowledge, I cannot see you allowing our secret to continue, and therefore I cannot in good conscience condone your bonding."
Hu Yetao ignored the impulse to be instantly defensive and tried to see the situation from Xiaochen's viewpoint; from a man who has made tough decisions throughout his life to protect his family. And while Xiaochen may have known Hu Yetao for years, he didn't know Hu Yetao. Yet.
"Oscar has told me about your Board members which govern Nundu and, as you have not been found out, I assume they do their job well," Hu Yetao replied evenly, knowing that he could hide behind his Alpha and allow Oscar to do all the talking, but he knew it was important for Oscar's parents to hear him speak if he was ever going to be taken seriously. "I am not new to keeping vital secrets Mr. Wang, having had to keep fairly significant ones since the age of eleven. You should also know that one of the wizards I looked up to most was a werewolf and I would've done anything for him, regardless of what he was capable of in his werewolf form. The Ministry enjoys using me as their poster boy but I have no respect for that organization. I consider myself a friend of Jin Síli and that's it - which could be in your favor if any of you ever were found out."
Hu Yetao felt slightly out of breath as he came to a stop. He glanced uncertainly at Oscar and was warmed by the admiration shining in brown eyes. He gave him a soft smile which was instantly returned.
"I know you are a good person, Mr. Yetao."
Hu Yetao turned to look at Shui Xian, pale eyes gazing back, appraising.
"I do not doubt your strength of character, I have seen it for myself," she continued in the same effortlessly elegant tone. "We are merely acting out of love for our only son who has surprised us by initiating the bonding process a little out of the proper order. Instantly telling you the truth should not have been Step One for him." She paused and darted a pointed look towards Oscar. "We had a suitable candidate already selected for him as a matter of course."
"Zheng Naixin?" Hu Yetao interjected, unable to stop the slight scowl at the name.
"Yes, she is of a respectable family who was already aware of the truth," she replied prudently.
"But she may not even turn out to be an Omega," Oscar countered. "She still has a full year until her eighteenth. Plus, I would not have been satisfied nor happy with her. I know it sometimes escapes your notice, but I'm gay, I want to be with a man, and I want to be with Hu Yetao. Certainly, you can see how this is the perfect solution? The first male Omega in decades and he wants me in return?"
Hu Yetao's stomach swooped with delight at Oscar's words. The fact that the Alpha seemed to acknowledge and value the fact that Hu Yetao wanted him was utterly heartening. He was confident that their relationship would be about equality and not dominance - regardless of how other bonded Alpha/Omega couples acted.
"I must agree with my husband," Shui Xian was speaking again, "that this is not a preferable mateship, however," she stressed when both Hu Yetao and Oscar opened their mouths to argue, "as Mr. Yetao has already been apprised of the truth, I do not know that it would be sensible to refuse their wishes at this time."
Hu Yetao felt a flicker of hope at her words, too happy to be offended by the reluctance in her tone. "What is the proper order of things?" he asked, wondering just how much Oscar had broken protocol.
Xiaochen cleared his throat and Hu Yetao had almost forgotten the man was there.
"The proper order of things would have been for Oscar to inform us of his attraction before speaking to you or promising anything. It is the right of the Alpha's parents to approve their son's choice in a mate before bonding," he explained derisively.
"And if I'd asked your permission in advance you both would have refused," Oscar retorted scornfully.
Xiaochen's stare hardened on his son. "Of course we would have. You have deliberately disobeyed us to secure your selfish desires," he seethed in a deadly whisper. Shui Xian's hand immediately tightened on his arm.
"Selfish?" Oscar countered incredulously. "Who is being selfish?"
"We have your best interests at heart Oscar-" Shui Xian spoke up soothingly.
"No, you don't," Oscar replied tersely. "If you did, then you would accept the fact that I want to be with Hu Yetao. I'm not a child-"
"As much as you loathe it, you are a part of the Nundu clan Oscar," Xiaochen snapped, "and as such, you have a responsibility to us, and one of those responsibilities is to keep your clan safe. How long do you think it will be before someone realizes the truth? How many bloody Prophet reporters follow you around every day, Mr. Yetao? Did you think about your children when they're too young to fully comprehend the gravity of the situation and transform into their feline forms without a thought to where they are or who they're with? How long before Hu Yetao's illegal offspring are splashed across every newspaper in the country?"
Hu Yetao chewed his lip; the man did have a point.
"Hu Yetao."
The warning in Oscar's voice had Hu Yetao turning towards him.
"Don't listen to him," the blond said firmly, angling his body sideways to speak to him, ignoring his parents. "My father has been under intense scrutiny ever since the Dark Lord's return, including his trial and subsequent house arrest, and still they never uncovered the truth. If we have to move to the other side of the planet while our children are young to protect them and everyone else, then we will alright?"
Hu Yetao felt the tension gripping his body lessen a little at Oscar's calm logic. "Of course," he said with a nod, holding his gaze. "Of course we will." He took a deep breath and turned to Xiaochen. "What can I do? As Mrs. Wang pointed out, I already know the truth, so what can I do to earn your approval?"
"You will never-"
Shui Xian turned to her husband with a quelling look and, amazingly, he fell silent. She clasped pale hands in her lap over the top of her silky rose-colored dress robes and turned her piercing pale eyes on Hu Yetao. "You could make an Unbreakable Vow."
Oscar sighed. "Must you be so dramatic, mother? Hu Yetao, you don't have to do that."
But Hu Yetao's interest was seized. "Why didn't I think of that? Yes of course I can."
"Hu Yetao-"
Hu Yetao turned to Oscar with earnest eyes. "I would need to approve the wording before I did it of course, but why not?"
"Because no other Nundu has ever had to make such a vow," Oscar said, directing a glare at his parents, voice rising with annoyance. "I trust Hu Yetao and you will just have to trust him as well - without the threat of death hanging over his head."
Shui Xian seemed to sag a little in her chair and shared a look with her husband.
Xiaochen also appeared slightly defeated and weary. "We could Obliviate him," he finally suggested aside to his wife, causing reserved Shui Xian to smirk a little in amusement.
Hu Yetao was shocked by the demonstration of what could only be described as humor from Wang Senior. He suddenly saw a bit of Oscar in both of his parents and found this discovery oddly reassuring.
Oscar snorted and rolled his eyes. "If you have quite finished with your interrogation for tonight… I think Hu Yetao and I shall be getting back to school."
"If you don't mind darling, I'd like to have a word with Mr. Yetao alone," Shui Xian said calmly.
"Whatever for?" Oscar replied with a long-suffering sigh.
"It's alright, I don't mind," Hu Yetao interjected with a reassuring smile at Oscar before turning back to Shui Xian, back straight and chin lifted self-assuredly.
"I'll be right outside," Oscar finally relented, squeezing Hu Yetao's knee before rising and exiting the room, Xiaochen not far behind after leveling a look at Hu Yetao that he couldn't quite decipher.
Shui Xian rose from her chair and Hu Yetao watched in surprise as the elegant woman walked over to perch in Oscar's vacated seat beside him on the small sofa, bringing a waft of pleasant floral perfume that swirled about her silky dress robes and long pale hair.
"I still believe your relationship with my son is irrational and impractical - but I can see that you are as stubborn as he is when it comes to the things you want," she began evenly. "And I can see that my son cares a great deal for you already. I can only hope that you can return those feelings, despite your shared history."
Hu Yetao relaxed once he saw that she wasn't here to dissuade him from bonding with Oscar. "I can assure you Mrs. Wang that I do care for Oscar, more than I thought possible after such a short amount of time."
Shui Xian's lips pulled into a gentle smile and she nodded her head in satisfaction. "Being with an Alpha Nundu is not an easy task Mr. Yetao," she continued in a conspiratorial tone. "They are prone to allowing their emotions to get the better of them, as well as being completely and exasperatingly protective."
A cautious smile bloomed across Hu Yetao's face, an amiable feeling of camaraderie sweeping over him as he realized that Mrs. Wang was in the same position as him and could advise him and share what lessons she may have learned along the way; not only in dealing with an Alpha Nundu but how to do deal with an Oscar as well.
"Do you desire children Mr. Yetao?"
"Yeah, I do. Very much."
Shui Xian's pale eyes warmed to show her obvious pleasure and Hu Yetao instantly knew he could win her over in time. She rose gracefully and Hu Yetao quickly stumbled to his feet to follow her.
She turned to him just before the doors, one hand resting on the burnished gold handle. "Do not concern yourself about Xiaochen, he cares very much for his son, and being an overprotective Nundu Alpha with so much to worry about is not easy for him. He will adjust to this news in time - as will I," she said with another tiny flicker of a smile.
"Thank you," Hu Yetao replied and meant it.
Oscar gave him a searching look when he joined him in the entrance hall, a touch of anxiety in his brown eyes. Xiaochen was nowhere to be seen.
Hu Yetao smiled and slipped a hand into his, silently reassuring. "I'm ready."