“Where’d Adrian go?” I asked, keeping my voice low.
Like all the times before, my hand found his hand, and gently running my fingers through the strands was like second nature.
“He went to take a nap.” Charlie leaned more into my touch.
I wasn’t surprised by the Omega needing a nap. From what Moore said, the boy had been up well before five o'clock this morning. He had been bouncing around nonstop since he woke up. Charlie probably could use one too.
“I know it’s not lunch time yet, but you said I could sit at your feet whenever I wanted and write.”
I did say that, but he hadn’t yet opened the notebook.
Before I could say anything, he went on. “I think I messed up, though. I was rude to Adrian and I shouldn’t have been.”
“Why were you rude?” I knew the answer, but was curious to hear what he said.
“I didn’t like the idea of him being here. I wanted it to just be the two of us. I wanted to sit right here, all day long, and serve you. But Adrian showed up, way too awake, and I didn’t get my time with you. I may have been grumpy about it and everything else.” His words were spoken almost too quickly, as if he didn’t speak them they weren’t going to be said.
“Did you make up?”
“Yeah. And he’s not mad. But he should be. I’mneverrude, Sir. I swear.” He turned enough to give me a sincere look.
“There’s been a lot of change for you recently.” I didn’t remove my hand from his hair.
“Adrian said the same thing.” He huffed, like it was against the rules for me to agree with another Omega.
“He’s a smart friend. I should have told you last night when I heard from Moore, so you could have been more prepared.”
“Then I’d have just spent the entire night mad at you instead.” Somehow, Charlie scooted even closer to me. “I was jealous.”
“Understandable. But no one can take your spot in this house. I like you too much to let that happen.”
“So you haven’t shared a bed with him?” He dropped his gaze to the floor.
“Absolutely not. You are the only one I’ll want that way, when the time comes. Adrian is a friend. Nothing more.” I paused, letting the words reach his mind. “I want you, Charlie. Not just in my bed, but as my partner. I can see us working great together, once we both find our footing. But next time, I’ll be sure to let you know of any changes sooner than the moment they show up, if I can.”
“I’m sorry I’m so….” He trailed off, not able to find whatever word he was searching for.
“You’reyou. I don’t want anything different. It’s okay that you aren’t a fan of quick changes. I can work with that.”
“You shouldn’t, Sir. I’m the Omega. It’s my job-“
I stopped him right there. I placed my hand on his cheek, letting my palm cup his face and thumb on his lips.
“First off, we are a team now. We will both have to make sacrifices. Me telling you the day or night before a change is something I can do, to make you feel safer here. I want this place to be your home. Now, I’m not saying that surprises won’t pop up, because they will. But things in my control will be shared with you beforehand. So don’t get that idea stuck in your mind that you’re just an Omega who is to cater to my needs and schedule alone. You’ve already made it clear that structure is a big part of your life, and I want to keep that for you.”
“Thank you, Sir.” Charlie’s eyes slowly filled with a tiny bit of hope and acceptance. It was better than anything I’d seen of him before. I hoped – no, I knew, that in time, that hope would grow. He would see that it’s okay to feel emotions and have thoughts.
Being an Omega didn’t define him any longer. Being Omega was just blood, nothing more than that. He was a human with a beating heart.
“Now,” I shifted, already knowing the answer that Charlie would give. “You were brave to share with me. What kind of reward would you like to have?”
Charlie opened and closed his mouth, not expecting that question. Finally, after a full minute, he answered.
“I really like holding you, Sir.” His eyes pinned to my crotch, like he couldn’t help himself.
“Go ahead, then.”
At my words, he inched closer and unzipped my slacks. I didn’t have to shuffle them down, the opening gave him more than enough space to wrap his warm mouth around me.
