It was just my cousin. The title of the story Theodore had chosen to read on the Orkut web fake novel community had an interesting plot despite being badly written. And to his surprise, the main character went through the same situation as him by getting pregnant as a teenager, although there was the aggravating factor that the father of the child was her cousin.
Stories like that didn't usually catch Omega's attention, but for some reason that one was popular with readers and seemed to call him to be read.
And since he needed something to take his mind off the argument he had with Gabriel, the story had gained his attention.
To his surprise he had not burst into tears after he had entered the house. Gabriel's words remained intact in his memory, like a thousand-piece puzzle about to be solved. If they had argued like that, it was a sign that Theodore had let something slip that displeased his boyfriend.
And it had come as no surprise that the issue of the day was said pregnancy. As it had been ever since its discovery.
Reading the story, Theodore had found some comfort. He probably wouldn't be the only one to go completely mad at the idea of being a father so young. The protagonist's boyfriend, the one cousin, was very reminiscent of Gabriel who always caressed her belly and seemed eager to see the baby. As if he was not minding the fact of being a father in his sixteen.
Well... Gabriel had shown earlier that this was not the case. Yes, he was scared, but he wasn't making a mountain out of a molehill. He bravely faced it. For heaven's sake, he had a lot to learn from that alpha. Theodore hugged his pillow feeling pathetic. Maybe cowardly too, and even stupid for always coming back to that insecurity thing like a broken record.
Like the protagonist of the story, the omega got up from the chair going to the mirror raising the sweatshirt showing the big belly. The character had said she didn't have the courage to put her hand on her belly... Well, what could happen if he did?
Fearful, Theodore rested his palm on his own belly feeling the gelidity of his hand contrasting with the warmth of his abdomen. The second month of his pregnancy was already making his belly evident, though the omega still didn't feel much movement coming from the baby. Still, just knowing he was there was funny.
― You picked a lousy father. Not saying about Gabriel, but about me. ― Whispered the omega staring at his reflection in the mirror. ― A fucking cowardly father.
Sliding his fingers over his belly, the omega had felt something. He couldn't tell precisely what it was, only that a strange movement had been possible to feel in the palm of his hand. Blinking a few times Theodore had lowered his eyes to his belly, continuing to stroke it feeling the movement again.
― Whoa, what's that? ― The boy was surprised and immediately pulled his hand away. ― It's... You? Wait, are you kicking me?
Resting his hand again on his stomach, Theodore felt the movement again. Very faint, almost imperceptible. Maybe it was his instincts being completely connected to the baby, so much so that he knew the slightest movement, maybe it was his imagination wanting to fantasize.
No matter what it was, Theodore was smiling anyway.
― You're agreeing that I'm a coward, aren't you? It would be nice if you were born with Gabriel's personality, he's quite brave I even admire it.
A shiver made Theodore realise what he was doing, and, overcome by shame, he immediately pulled down his blouse. The cold of the night was soon present, the omega returned to the chair hugging the pillow continuing to read the story.
Unlike himself, that character had accepted the fact that she was pregnant even though she was afraid of her family's reactions. When he had read about her going to the baby shop, the omega had looked at the little bag on the computer table. Pulling out his overalls, the boy watched the details of the animated giraffe smiling at how cute she looked.
― It's very cute indeed. ― Smiled the omega, bringing the outfit closer to his nose sniffing it smelling the new clothes. ― It's nice fabric, very soft and it feels warm...
Children grow very fast, because of that it was common for them not to wear all the clothes their parents get or buy. Would that child be able to wear Lilian's present? Looking at the calendar hanging on the wall, Theodore did the math.
― You'll be born in the spring probably. It will still be cold here. ― Leaning back in his chair, Theodore sighed lowly smiling slightly as he stared at the calendar. ― The team will probably be in the final rounds of regionals, your dad and Uncle Nico will be busting their asses on the court, and Uncle Milles will be putting himself through college. Your grandfather will be getting remarried too. And me...
Lowering his eyes to the clothes in hand, Theodore wondered what he might be doing. While it was frightening to imagine that his life would revolve around a child, the omega had managed to visualize him holding a baby. In that mere image he could see himself smiling next to the little one, bringing a warm, welcoming feeling. Of course he had also imagined Gabriel being there, hugging the child and smiling the way he loved so much.
It was a beautiful sight. Sighing, Theodore cracked a shy smile.
― And I will be watching over you, my son.
As those words left his mouth, Theodore had covered his lips quickly feeling his cheeks heat up. He looked from side to side to see if anyone had heard, and then let out a low chuckle.
Those words didn't sound as strange as he thought they would.
Theodore read a few more chapters of the story on Orkut and then went to bed. The next day he would get up early to meet Gabriel at home and talk a bit. He had to apologize for leaving the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, and just imagining what it would be like to get back together with him made him nervous.
I mean, when it came to Gabriel everything would make Theodore nervous. He wanted to know his reactions, what words would come out of those thin lips. That had been the biggest argument they'd ever had, which hadn't let the omega rest very well.
The sun seemed to take a long time to rise, like some punishment from heaven. If he could he would call Gabriel and they would talk on the phone. But the alpha seemed tired, just as he had said. And that matter needed to be solved face to face.
He needed to show him that he was determined too. That he didn't want to run away.
He finally fell asleep and woke up around ten o'clock that Sunday morning. Theodore had jumped out of bed and gone to take a shower and bundle up before heading euphorically downstairs.
― Hey, hey, no running down the stairs, young man! ― argued his mother from the kitchen. ―Where do you think you're going in such a hurry?
― I'm going to see Gabriel. I try to come back for lunch, okay?
― Anything you need to call me, and see if you can eat something there! ― Shouted Aline watching her son run out of the house ― I better warn Gabriel that he's going, bratty kid.
Putting the mobile phone in his trousers pocket, the omega walked up the pavement towards the alpha's house. His hands were cold with anxiety, the pockets of his blouse weren't even enough to warm them. Every now and then Theodore would run to get to the alpha's house as soon as possible.
The omega didn't take long to go to the gate and press the bell. All he had to do was apologize, admit he was wrong in not valuing Gabriel's feelings. He had to show him. He needed to.
Rethinking every word that would need to be said when he found his alpha, Theodore hadn't noticed when someone appeared at the gate opening it. It was only when he heard a huff that the omega raised his eyes to find a brown haired woman staring at him curiously.
― Excuse me, but who are you?
― Ah, I'm Theodore. I've come to see Gabriel, is he in?
The woman had looked the omega up and down and gave the boy a motherly smile.
― Of course, come in. ― She had made space for Theodore to pass through the gate, receiving a shy thank you. ― I finally got to meet you, Theodore. My son has told me so much about you.
― Really? ― said Theodore a little more excited than expected, stealing a chuckle from the woman. ― I'm sorry. I should have introduced myself to you earlier, but things have been a little hectic lately.
― I can imagine, I've never seen Gabriel as busy as he's been. Although I am quite proud that he wants to be independent.
Theodore smiled nervously not sure how much Gabriel's mother would know. I mean, that they were dating he probably already knew, the alpha had commented, now about the pregnancy....
Gabriel's mother had led him into the house and pointed to the stairs.
― He's in his room, honey. Make yourself at home.
―Thank you very much, and I apologize for the intrusion.
Climbing the stairs, Theodore went straight to the room where months ago he had spent his rut with his boyfriend. He had left a few knocks on the door already feeling the smell of the alpha surround him, increasing his anxiety to see him.
When the bedroom door had been opened, Theodore had swallowed when he saw Gabriel with only a towel wrapped around his waist. With wet hair dripping onto his whitened skin, the heat he could feel emanating from his skin.
― Theo? What are you doing here?
― Uh... For talking, of course.
Gabriel cracked a subtle smile as he noticed the target of the omega's watchful gaze. Theodore barely blinked, let alone stared him directly in the eye.
― You're starting to drool.
Theodore didn't answer, just ran the sleeve of his blouse over his lips without looking away. He could smell the alpha mixed with the soap, creating a perfume so seductive it gave him goose bumps. He wanted to touch his skin just to feel the heat he emanated. That abdomen...
― Boys you're going to want...
As soon as the woman's voice was heard, Theodore pushed Gabriel into the room and closed the door, feeling his face burn with shame. Pressing his lips together, the omega held his breath wishing he could dig himself a hole to crawl into.
― ...Eat something. Did something happen?
Turning to Gabriel's mother, the omega covered his mouth with the sleeve of his sweatshirt denying with his head.
― N-No ma'am. It just looked like he got out of the shower, so I... I mean, he... It's cold and everything...
The woman had shaken her head suppressing laughter at seeing that omega so bewildered in front of her. Approaching the door, the lady had left a few knocks on the door.
― Gabriel, better be quick before your father returns from the market. ― Turning to Theodore, she smiled gently. ― I'll bring you some yoghurt to drink, all right? Make sure Gabriel is warmed up please.
― Yes ma'am.
The door had been opened, this time Gabriel was properly dressed despite his hair still being wet and dripping. Making space for the omega to enter, he closed the door afterwards.
― Your mother just called me to let me know you were coming. I'm sorry, I guess I overslept today.
― It's your day off, isn't it? Then you really need to rest. ― Theodore said, feeling again the same nervousness as before. ― I just came here to apologize for yesterday, I had no idea you would be so tired.
Gabriel sat on the bed, pulling the towel to dry his hair, but without taking his eyes off the omega.
― I ended up taking my frustration out on you, Theo. I apologize for that too.
Theodore sat down beside the alpha holding his hand.
― I know you didn't mean to be rude, because you've been so patient with me lately. This worry I have is not going to disappear overnight, but I said I would have this child so I will. I want to be as brave as you are being, Gabriel.
Returning the handshake, Gabriel intertwined his fingers with those of the omega depositing a kiss on. Having those clear eyes upon his, it seemed as if an angel had visited him that morning dispelling the agony he had felt all night.
― I'm not brave as you think, Theo.
― Maybe it's more than you think.
― Look, I don't want to pressure you or anything. Just make the decision that makes you comfortable.
― I know. ― Laughed Theodore, stroking his alpha's hand. ― But I've already made my decision and I'm sticking with it until the end. Even though I'm afraid.
The two men looked at each other, exchanging silly smiles. With his free hand Gabriel caressed the omega's cheek.
― Who is the brave one now?
Narrowing the distance between them, Gabriel kissed Theodore serenely. The room was soon filled with the natural scent of that alpha, stealing sighs from his omega. Feeling that aroma was relaxing to Theodore, as was feeling lips on his in a soft, slow waltz.
The best thing that had happened in his life was meeting Gabriel and falling in love with him. Living moments like those brought pleasurable and fantastic sensations that he could never imagine feeling with anyone. Maybe they belonged to his dreams and fantasies, but without ever coming true.
Well, now they were real.
Having Gabriel guide him to deepen the kiss leaving Theodore at his mercy, the two boys were surprised when the bedroom door had suddenly been opened by Gabriel's father.