Try Me and See 2/2
Title: Try Me and See
Pairings: USUK
Rating: M
Warnings: Sex, Omegaverse, Alpha!Alfred/Omega!Arthur
Summary: King Alfred wants to be more than the stereotype.
It started when Arthur woke up the day his heat ended. He was met with an empty room and a cold bed. Without even looking around, the Queen knew he was alone, and that the King had lied to him. Sighing, he deflated into the pillow and buried his face in hopes of hiding the shame that he had fallen for all of it. All of those talks and promises between their insatiable cravings while they waited for Alfred's knot to subside had meant something to Arthur. He tried so hard to not let it be anything, but it had been. It became everything to him so quickly. A chance at happiness and real love was now-
"Good morning!" Arthur snapped his head up in surprise. Alfred was coming in the room with a tray full of eggs, toast, and bacon. "I made breakfast!"
"Y-you're still here?"
Alfred sat on the edge of the bed and frowned. "Of course I am."
"And..." Arthur's eyes flickered to the food. "…you made me breakfast?"
"I'm a bit rusty, but at least nothing burned!" Alfred smiled proudly, oblivious to Arthur's internal dilemma. He handed the tray over to Arthur who started picking at the food with his fork. "I hope you like it."
Arthur mumbled a messy "thank you", and then took the food. Alfred looked different now. He seemed brighter, taller, and stronger. Arthur thought it might have been because he was now wearing clothes, and then he realized that he had only seen the King in his clothes two days compared to the week they had just spent fully nude.
"Um…," Alfred started nervously. Arthur looked at him. "You can have your own room if you'd like… o-or you can stay in my chambers."
Arthur stopped chewing his eggs to consider this. Alfred was being genuinely sincere with him again, and it was horrifyingly real. Arthur slipped into that gullible, naïve guise of believing, wanting nothing more than for it to be real. However, he asked himself if it could be.
"Look, I know it's impossible to believe me after just a week, especially since most of it was us mating, but…" Alfred smiled at Arthur as if he were a shy child. Arthur gulped down his eggs. "If you'd like we could start somewhere right now. The gardens are nice and we should get out some after being inside for so long. Would you like to go on a walk with me?"
Arthur cleared his throat. "That's nice, but…"
"Oh no, you probably want to be alone, huh?" Alfred got up from the bed with panic clearly on his face. "A week with me constantly- what was I thinking? I'm sorry."
Alfred began to skitter away, but Arthur placed a hand on his to stop him.
"I was thinking perhaps we should shower first?" Arthur suggested. The smile Alfred gave him was what cemented it for the Queen.
Arthur took to his own chambers at first. The kingdom noticed this change, but surprisingly, did not protest. Jack Yao Wang was pleased to finally meet Arthur having had little time to do so in the two days before his heat. While he was a Beta and was generally unaffected by Arthur's scent, he thought it best they not see each other before the Queen was claimed by the King, just in case there was any doubt. Arthur found he got along pleasantly with the Jack. His coronation ceremony had been arranged during the week he was away thanks to Yao, and shortly after that he was officially crowned the Queen of Spades.
The royals stayed true to their promises they had made while in heat. Alfred took Arthur out on walks and visited him often in the library where he spent most of his time. The Queen had no political importance, therefore giving the man too much free time on his hands. He was restless. His and Alfred's time together quickly became the highlight of his day.
At first, Arthur was terrified to be himself. He had been teased constantly by his brothers for being too emotional, too angry, and not like an Omega at all. He was feisty and loved having pride, showing it off whenever he could. Living with three older Alphas had hardened him into being a man who would not give in to his "position" and rather worked to show off his true strength. Most Alphas were turned off by this, resulting in their abuse of the Omega. So Arthur sealed himself away. And yet, somehow, Alfred barreled right through that wall Arthur had constructed to keep him out. He learned everything he could, seeing that angry side, that scared side, and that romantic side of Arthur all without even trying.
Maybe it was just Arthur had given in too easily. Alfred was his mate and they had no choice in the matter, but Arthur figured that if he really did have an issue with Alfred being his mate he could tell the King and the man would probably find a solution where they no longer had to interact unless it was to mate. He was just that kind of a guy. And it made Arthur's heart clench in his chest.
It was a month later that Arthur became secluded. The servants expressed their concern to the King. Alfred went to see Arthur, but he was barred from seeing his mate. He resorted to talking to Arthur through the locked door.
"Arthur, please. Tell me what's wrong," Alfred pleaded gently. A small gathering of servants huddled down the hallway, watching eagerly. "Are you sick? Are you hurt? Do you need anything?"
"Please, stop," Arthur said finally, his voice faint and emotional. "I am not a suitable Omega for you or the kingdom."
"You are for me. You are mine and I won't abandon you." Alfred leaned his body against the door if only to be that much closer to Arthur. "Do you still not believe me?"
"I…I did not deliver," Arthur said weakly.
"Huh? Deliver what?"
Alfred turned to the servants for an answer. They looked solemnly at him, unable to explain. Then, one woman put a hand on her belly and rubbed it.
Alfred gasped, realizing the meaning. "Open the door," he said slowly, gently.
"I cannot."
"Yes you can. My Omega needs me."
"You… you still want me?"
Alfred laughed lightly. Arthur heard a click that wasn't audible to anyone but him- his heart. Slowly, Arthur opened the door and looked out at Alfred. The King was smiling broadly at him. There was no hesitation in his choice to mate with Arthur, and no anger that he hadn't been able to get pregnant.
Then, Alfred inhaled sharply and said, "I love you.""I'm much smaller than most Omegas," Arthur said. "It'll be hard to impregnate me."
"That's not my goal," Alfred replied. His smile and golden hair was illuminated by the sun behind him. He toyed with Arthur's bangs while they waited for the knotting to finish. "My goal is for us to be happy together, me caring for you and this kingdom, and for you to feel like you can trust me."
Arthur ducked his head to hide his eyes as emotions overcame him. The King never let him look away for long, though. He put a finger under his chin and made the Queen look up at him.
"You only say that as the King…," Arthur murmured, reminding himself to not fall for it. He couldn't.
"No, I say this as Alfred to Arthur." He kissed his forehead in an earnest promise.
Arthur loved the rose gardens. He tended to them, brushing aside the royal gardeners, finding a sense of purpose in taking care of plants to pass the time away. His life had quickly become split between when he was alone and when he was with Alfred, and during the time in which Alfred was away with work, Arthur felt himself slowly losing his mind out of boredom. How he wished he had gotten pregnant if only so he could start preparing for his child, but even that had been out of his reach.
It wasn't long before Alfred joined him outside and even took tea with him on the grass surrounded by the trees and roses. He wasn't a huge fanatic of the outdoors, but it was obvious he was a fan of Arthur. The Omega Queen learned he was fighting a losing battle with himself and with Alfred. The King had never reacted like all the other Kings and was honest in his love for Arthur.
It had been five months into their "relationship" when Alfred appeared at Arthur's door with a gift; the first he had given the Queen. It was a wooden doll of Arthur. It looked handmade and a bit rushed, but when Alfred smiled until his teeth showed, Arthur knew the King had poured his heart into it. In return, Arthur came to Alfred with his own handmade gift; a sweater he had knitted. This was the start of Alfred showering Arthur in gifts.
The Jack had become such a good voice of reason for Arthur when he felt his heart was about to jump out of his body and walk away from all of the stress he put on it. With Alfred's constant gifts, Arthur felt he was reaching his limit. He didn't want to turn them away as he cared for each one, but he felt it was ridiculous. Two weeks and he was overwhelmed with flowers and pictures and expensive clothes and books.
"What does that mean?!" Arthur asked after quickly explaining the situation to Jack Yao.
The Asian man simply chuckled. He fanned himself as they lounged outside on the balcony in the afternoon sun. "It's an Alpha trying to lay claim."
Arthur flushed. "B-but he has already…"
"No he hasn't," Yao said. "Well, he has physically, but not emotionally. Believe it or not, Arthur, Alphas can fall in love with their Omegas and they want to woo their beloved."
"I know that," he snapped. The Jack didn't seem nonplused. "I just… He's the King and we all know it's just his duty…"
"And he has, technically, done his duty. He has mated with his Queen. Now, what does that leave him with for the rest of his life? It's human nature to want to be happy, and it seems he's happiest when he is with you. He has already stated his affections for you."
"Yes, but…"
"You still don't believe him?" Yao asked slowly. Arthur shook his head. "Well then, that is why he is trying to lay claim. He wants your heart more than your body."
Arthur sat there long after the Jack had left, contemplating his words. He felt conflicted. If Yao was right, then Alfred was willing and waiting to hand over his entire body and soul to Arthur. However, they were young. Were they really capable of making such a huge choice?
Just then, Alfred appeared. He seemed nervous as he sat on the lounge chair across from Arthur. He kept rubbing the back of his neck and looking at the floor. Arthur watched him silently until he realized Alfred wasn't holding a gift.
"Alfred…? You came empty handed today?" It was meant more as a tease, but the horrified look Alfred game him made Arthur think that perhaps the King didn't think it was funny.
"Do you want one?! Yao stopped me before I came in and told me that I need to tone it down." Alfred leaned forward. "Am I bothering you? I'm sorry."
"Sorry?"
"With all of the gifts. They were irritating you, weren't they?"
And that was when Arthur heard an explosion in his chest and he felt himself opening up in a way he didn't know how to comprehend. It all came rushing to his head, to his limbs and surged up his neck to his brain, silencing it until all he heard was his heart pounding, forcing him to do as it said and to stop fighting. It was a beautiful surrender.
They sat by the fire one evening and Alfred had requested their meals be served in his chambers so that they could dine alone together. Arthur was quiet and still, preferring the physical conversation of Alfred instead; a light touch here, an "accidental" brush there, and fond smiles every so often. Then, Alfred learned over and pressed his face into Arthur's neck.
"Can you hold me?" he asked.
Arthur chuckled. "Hardly the position for an Omega to do with his Alpha."
Still, he put a hand on Alfred's head and ran his fingers through his hair. Alfred sighed against him, leaning more of his weight against his Queen.
"I don't care," he mumbled. "I want you to hold me."
He turned into Arthur. The Queen chuckled softly and wrapped his arms around Alfred's shoulders, adjusting for their size difference, and somehow they settled into an awkward embrace. It was that night exactly that Arthur felt a strange thing begin to happen to his body, although he wouldn't call it love. No, not that.
What was foolish to believe when they were entwined together in the passion of an Omega heat had stayed a burning flame that was kept alive due to Alfred. He brought gifts and showed affection in ways Arthur thought was surely a joke, a ruse to get a rise out of him. He was a King, and Kings should not act so sweet towards anyone lower than them; mainly his Queen.
"Alfred, I…" Arthur moved to sit down beside Alfred on his lounge chair. The King was watching him with wide, curious eyes. "Are you always like this…? So kind and…"
Alfred snorted. "No. I'm pretty tough in meetings. You know how Yao and I sometimes won't even talk to each other? It's because we fight over fiscal responsibility of the government and my dad got the kingdom into a pretty bad debt and blah blah. But I don't like being so serious all the time. I feel I can goof off and relax with you."
Arthur had begun running his fingers through Alfred's hair by now. It was a reassuring gesture. Alfred closed his eyes and smiled.
"I hope you can feel the same with me," he murmured. "I want you to be yourself."
"That is…all I have been since my heat died…" Arthur's tone was low and sounded different than Alfred had ever heard before. He opened his eyes to stare at his Queen. "Alfred… my King…"
Alfred sat up, his eyes never leaving Arthur's. "Arthur… Are you… feeling all right?"
"Quite fine," Arthur replied. He leaned in and kissed Alfred's cheek. "You're trying to woo me…"
Alfred audibly gulped at this. Arthur reveled in watching his Adam's apple bounce up and down. "W-well, I dunno about wooing, but I wanted you to like me back, you know…? Know that I'm not lying."
"That is wooing, dearest," Arthur whispered. "And you have wooed well."
"Yo-you mean it?!" Alfred sounded far too excited for Arthur, but he let it slide. "So, um, can we go on a date, like a real one some time? Ya know, I can take you around the town and such."
Arthur sat back, amazed by Alfred's innocent words. Here he thought the King was just trying to get into his pants, and truth be told, the Queen was willing to just let him. He even fancied the idea of shagging right here on the balcony. However, as much as he wanted to be upset that this meant he wasn't going to become intimate with the King, he wasn't. It was truly for the best given how nervous he had been up until that point. A quick decision would not help ease his anxiety towards commitment, and after it was all done, he would probably feel worse.
"I'd like that very much, I believe," Arthur said.
Arthur's second heat was quickly approaching. He busied himself with arranging the nest in the Queen's Chambers, secretly bringing all of the gifts Alfred had given him, and took to staying as close to Alfred as possible. They went on their "real" dates, and Arthur realized how long it had been since he had left the castle's grounds. Ever since his coronation, he had only gone into the town once or twice, and that was to quickly buy some supplies for the sweater he eventually made Alfred. Before he was Queen, Arthur was constantly outside. He loved the wind on his face and the sun on his body, even if it never tanned his pale skin.
"My mom would take me out for strolls all the time," Alfred remarked. He was holding Arthur's hand as they walked down the main road in town.
The shouts of the citizens around them begging for their attention in hopes they'd buy something all melted away. It was just the two of them.
Arthur stopped at a florist's stand and bought a single rose. He presented it to Alfred who took it eagerly and placed it in his hair. He grinned down at his Queen, and then took his hand, twining their fingers together. The people talked about it for many days and enjoyed the change of pace in the royalty.
Arthur waited for Alfred after his meeting one day. He could overhear loud voices, but Alfred's seemed to boom over everyone else's the most. The Queen fidgeted on the spot, anxiously watching the door and the knights who watched him curiously. The knights were Alphas. They could smell Arthur's heat; he had just started. It made them watch him very carefully.
"Y-Your Majesty," one knight started. It made the Queen jump in alarm, but he hardened himself. These men had sworn their lives to protecting the royal family. There was no way they would do anything to put Arthur's sex in danger. "S-hall we call on the King for you? He can meet you in the Queen's Chamber."
"No, that's all right. I want to tell him myself."
A knight near the door edged it open with his toe. The shouting grew louder, and then abruptly stopped. With the door open, Alfred could fully smell Arthur now.
"Excuse me gentleman, but I believe I have important matters to deal with elsewhere. While I am gone, Jack Yao shall be in charge of the kingdom. I will be back in a week."
The door burst open then, surprising Arthur back against the wall. Alfred stared at him with wide eyes and nostrils flared. "Why are you here?!"
"I…I wanted to tell you that I am ready for you."
Arthur woke up in his bed then. He knew he'd never say such a thing, but a man could dream, couldn't he? And the closer it got to his heat, the more frequent these dreams appeared. He looked under his sheets and wasn't surprised to see he had spilled himself. He would just tell his servants to clean it later, even if it brought him a small sense of shame.
There was a small worry in the back of Arthur's mind. What if this heat didn't produce an heir either? Would he be rejected as the Queen? He had no doubt that Alfred would want him to stay somehow, but what about the people? No one in the government seemed to be pushing them, but that could all change so easily. Politics were fickle.
Arthur wandered the grounds until he found Alfred. The King was sitting outside with a cup of coffee, reading. For a moment Arthur almost didn't disturb him. He looked so peaceful. Normally, Alfred was quite loud and obnoxious and preferring noise to silence, but right now, he seemed so different. No, not different, Arthur decided. It was just another side to him.
Clearing his throat to garner Alfred's attention, Arthur waltzed up to his side. "Alfred… Might I ask something of you?"
"Sure."
They met later on that afternoon in the privacy of Arthur's chambers. He had waited there seemingly all day, hardly leaving his room for fear of running into Alfred. If he saw him after inviting him to his room, Arthur might lose his nerve.
The King entered and smiled widely. He'd only been in Arthur's chambers a few times. Arthur realized how marvelous Alfred looked, and he was proud to know his oncoming heat wasn't affecting his thoughts as much as he feared they would.
"A-Alfred… Won't you join me?" Arthur sat on his bed. Alfred looked at him curiously, but took a seat nonetheless. "Um… Alfred… I know as of late you have… become so enthralled in your work. I, um, was hoping we could spend some time together."
Alfred beamed. "I thought you'd never ask! I missed you a lot and-"
Arthur cut him off by kissing him. He put a hand on Alfred's collar and felt his heartbeat. It spiked, and then took on a faster pace. Arthur smiled into the kiss as he opened his mouth and pushed against Alfred's. It was so strange to be an Omega who initiated anything, but Arthur found he liked it. And when Alfred returned the kiss just as eagerly with his tongue, it was clear he enjoyed it too.
What was hot and fast and never enough during heat was slow and loveable and wonderful and everything now. Arthur lay on his back, watching as Alfred stripped him bare and looked at his body so tenderly. He touched him gently, as if Arthur's body were precious to him. He knew he truly was to a man like Alfred.
Alfred had been so domineering during heat, and told Arthur how to hold himself and thrusting so deep Arthur cried out with tears in his eyes. But it had never felt like it was enough. They held back. They were scared. They had known each other two days. Arthur wasn't even giving off his true pheromone scent.
Now, it was all different. They were so open. Arthur spread his legs willingly and let Alfred smell the real him; heavy and thick with sex. Alfred seemed to revel in this newfound glory that was Arthur's body. And Alfred wasn't so tense, so careful and hesitant. He touched Arthur where he liked, and where he knew the man enjoyed it most.
Alfred didn't turn Arthur onto his stomach to mount him. He kept him on his back so he could see his eyes. He didn't sit up and pound into him. He hovered over Arthur, clinging to his hips and moving with Arthur. And Arthur kept him close by clenching down on his skin with his nails. It left marks. They both claimed one another.
This continued for far longer than their mating normally did. With heat it was a quick release and then a long waiting period. With sex, it wasn't. It was longer, built up until there was a breaking point and Arthur thought he'd snap under the emotions and pleasure and all of Alfred, and then it was all released.
When it was over, Alfred continued to hold Arthur close. He didn't spoon him and he didn't hold him like an Alpha would an Omega, but like a lover would to their beloved. Arthur had never known such peace and safety before.
He kissed Alfred's skin, enjoying the taste of the salty sweat and knowing Alfred was happy too.
In four weeks, Arthur announced to Alfred that he was expecting. Their second heat had produced exactly what they wanted. And now, Arthur knew he could raise his child with an adoring King and mate and lover by his side. There was no fear of rejection after the birth or being reduced to an item to be used. He was Alfred's and Alfred's was his.
All he had to do was try love and see what happened.
Hoshiko2's cents: So incredibly sorry for the long wait. This was far overdue and I just. Yes, so sorry. The main reason was because I had originally intended for another sex scene. As you can see, I toned it down. A lot. The previous chapter was a challenge and a test for me to see if I could handle smut scenes. Many of you enjoyed it, and I felt okay with the result, but some of you expressed you sheer dislike of this. Knowing how hard it was for me to do the first sex scene, I figured the second time around would produce worse results.
The other reason was because I was struggling with a third chapter. Originally it was to show that Arthur's birth of their son did NOT go well and he almost died from it. As a result, Alfred became distant for Arthur's third heat. It almost resulted in another Alpha mating him as the Queen's scent just overtook everyone in the castle. In the end, Alfred came to his senses, mated with Arthur, and the Queen eventually gave birth to a daughter in a much less painful and dangerous way.
But… I couldn't bring myself to write it (especially since there was a near rape scene and I am NEVER okay writing and/or reading those), and from there I lost motivation.
All of that aside, I still hope this lived up to everyone's expectations. I received so many asks expressing a concern as to whether or not I'd continue to the second chapter. Well, here it is. Thank you everyone!
Pairings: USUK
Rating: M
Warnings: Sex, Omegaverse, Alpha!Alfred/Omega!Arthur
Summary: King Alfred wants to be more than the stereotype.
It started when Arthur woke up the day his heat ended. He was met with an empty room and a cold bed. Without even looking around, the Queen knew he was alone, and that the King had lied to him. Sighing, he deflated into the pillow and buried his face in hopes of hiding the shame that he had fallen for all of it. All of those talks and promises between their insatiable cravings while they waited for Alfred's knot to subside had meant something to Arthur. He tried so hard to not let it be anything, but it had been. It became everything to him so quickly. A chance at happiness and real love was now-
"Good morning!" Arthur snapped his head up in surprise. Alfred was coming in the room with a tray full of eggs, toast, and bacon. "I made breakfast!"
"Y-you're still here?"
Alfred sat on the edge of the bed and frowned. "Of course I am."
"And..." Arthur's eyes flickered to the food. "…you made me breakfast?"
"I'm a bit rusty, but at least nothing burned!" Alfred smiled proudly, oblivious to Arthur's internal dilemma. He handed the tray over to Arthur who started picking at the food with his fork. "I hope you like it."
Arthur mumbled a messy "thank you", and then took the food. Alfred looked different now. He seemed brighter, taller, and stronger. Arthur thought it might have been because he was now wearing clothes, and then he realized that he had only seen the King in his clothes two days compared to the week they had just spent fully nude.
"Um…," Alfred started nervously. Arthur looked at him. "You can have your own room if you'd like… o-or you can stay in my chambers."
Arthur stopped chewing his eggs to consider this. Alfred was being genuinely sincere with him again, and it was horrifyingly real. Arthur slipped into that gullible, naïve guise of believing, wanting nothing more than for it to be real. However, he asked himself if it could be.
"Look, I know it's impossible to believe me after just a week, especially since most of it was us mating, but…" Alfred smiled at Arthur as if he were a shy child. Arthur gulped down his eggs. "If you'd like we could start somewhere right now. The gardens are nice and we should get out some after being inside for so long. Would you like to go on a walk with me?"
Arthur cleared his throat. "That's nice, but…"
"Oh no, you probably want to be alone, huh?" Alfred got up from the bed with panic clearly on his face. "A week with me constantly- what was I thinking? I'm sorry."
Alfred began to skitter away, but Arthur placed a hand on his to stop him.
"I was thinking perhaps we should shower first?" Arthur suggested. The smile Alfred gave him was what cemented it for the Queen.
Arthur took to his own chambers at first. The kingdom noticed this change, but surprisingly, did not protest. Jack Yao Wang was pleased to finally meet Arthur having had little time to do so in the two days before his heat. While he was a Beta and was generally unaffected by Arthur's scent, he thought it best they not see each other before the Queen was claimed by the King, just in case there was any doubt. Arthur found he got along pleasantly with the Jack. His coronation ceremony had been arranged during the week he was away thanks to Yao, and shortly after that he was officially crowned the Queen of Spades.
The royals stayed true to their promises they had made while in heat. Alfred took Arthur out on walks and visited him often in the library where he spent most of his time. The Queen had no political importance, therefore giving the man too much free time on his hands. He was restless. His and Alfred's time together quickly became the highlight of his day.
At first, Arthur was terrified to be himself. He had been teased constantly by his brothers for being too emotional, too angry, and not like an Omega at all. He was feisty and loved having pride, showing it off whenever he could. Living with three older Alphas had hardened him into being a man who would not give in to his "position" and rather worked to show off his true strength. Most Alphas were turned off by this, resulting in their abuse of the Omega. So Arthur sealed himself away. And yet, somehow, Alfred barreled right through that wall Arthur had constructed to keep him out. He learned everything he could, seeing that angry side, that scared side, and that romantic side of Arthur all without even trying.
Maybe it was just Arthur had given in too easily. Alfred was his mate and they had no choice in the matter, but Arthur figured that if he really did have an issue with Alfred being his mate he could tell the King and the man would probably find a solution where they no longer had to interact unless it was to mate. He was just that kind of a guy. And it made Arthur's heart clench in his chest.
It was a month later that Arthur became secluded. The servants expressed their concern to the King. Alfred went to see Arthur, but he was barred from seeing his mate. He resorted to talking to Arthur through the locked door.
"Arthur, please. Tell me what's wrong," Alfred pleaded gently. A small gathering of servants huddled down the hallway, watching eagerly. "Are you sick? Are you hurt? Do you need anything?"
"Please, stop," Arthur said finally, his voice faint and emotional. "I am not a suitable Omega for you or the kingdom."
"You are for me. You are mine and I won't abandon you." Alfred leaned his body against the door if only to be that much closer to Arthur. "Do you still not believe me?"
"I…I did not deliver," Arthur said weakly.
"Huh? Deliver what?"
Alfred turned to the servants for an answer. They looked solemnly at him, unable to explain. Then, one woman put a hand on her belly and rubbed it.
Alfred gasped, realizing the meaning. "Open the door," he said slowly, gently.
"I cannot."
"Yes you can. My Omega needs me."
"You… you still want me?"
Alfred laughed lightly. Arthur heard a click that wasn't audible to anyone but him- his heart. Slowly, Arthur opened the door and looked out at Alfred. The King was smiling broadly at him. There was no hesitation in his choice to mate with Arthur, and no anger that he hadn't been able to get pregnant.
Then, Alfred inhaled sharply and said, "I love you.""I'm much smaller than most Omegas," Arthur said. "It'll be hard to impregnate me."
"That's not my goal," Alfred replied. His smile and golden hair was illuminated by the sun behind him. He toyed with Arthur's bangs while they waited for the knotting to finish. "My goal is for us to be happy together, me caring for you and this kingdom, and for you to feel like you can trust me."
Arthur ducked his head to hide his eyes as emotions overcame him. The King never let him look away for long, though. He put a finger under his chin and made the Queen look up at him.
"You only say that as the King…," Arthur murmured, reminding himself to not fall for it. He couldn't.
"No, I say this as Alfred to Arthur." He kissed his forehead in an earnest promise.
Arthur loved the rose gardens. He tended to them, brushing aside the royal gardeners, finding a sense of purpose in taking care of plants to pass the time away. His life had quickly become split between when he was alone and when he was with Alfred, and during the time in which Alfred was away with work, Arthur felt himself slowly losing his mind out of boredom. How he wished he had gotten pregnant if only so he could start preparing for his child, but even that had been out of his reach.
It wasn't long before Alfred joined him outside and even took tea with him on the grass surrounded by the trees and roses. He wasn't a huge fanatic of the outdoors, but it was obvious he was a fan of Arthur. The Omega Queen learned he was fighting a losing battle with himself and with Alfred. The King had never reacted like all the other Kings and was honest in his love for Arthur.
It had been five months into their "relationship" when Alfred appeared at Arthur's door with a gift; the first he had given the Queen. It was a wooden doll of Arthur. It looked handmade and a bit rushed, but when Alfred smiled until his teeth showed, Arthur knew the King had poured his heart into it. In return, Arthur came to Alfred with his own handmade gift; a sweater he had knitted. This was the start of Alfred showering Arthur in gifts.
The Jack had become such a good voice of reason for Arthur when he felt his heart was about to jump out of his body and walk away from all of the stress he put on it. With Alfred's constant gifts, Arthur felt he was reaching his limit. He didn't want to turn them away as he cared for each one, but he felt it was ridiculous. Two weeks and he was overwhelmed with flowers and pictures and expensive clothes and books.
"What does that mean?!" Arthur asked after quickly explaining the situation to Jack Yao.
The Asian man simply chuckled. He fanned himself as they lounged outside on the balcony in the afternoon sun. "It's an Alpha trying to lay claim."
Arthur flushed. "B-but he has already…"
"No he hasn't," Yao said. "Well, he has physically, but not emotionally. Believe it or not, Arthur, Alphas can fall in love with their Omegas and they want to woo their beloved."
"I know that," he snapped. The Jack didn't seem nonplused. "I just… He's the King and we all know it's just his duty…"
"And he has, technically, done his duty. He has mated with his Queen. Now, what does that leave him with for the rest of his life? It's human nature to want to be happy, and it seems he's happiest when he is with you. He has already stated his affections for you."
"Yes, but…"
"You still don't believe him?" Yao asked slowly. Arthur shook his head. "Well then, that is why he is trying to lay claim. He wants your heart more than your body."
Arthur sat there long after the Jack had left, contemplating his words. He felt conflicted. If Yao was right, then Alfred was willing and waiting to hand over his entire body and soul to Arthur. However, they were young. Were they really capable of making such a huge choice?
Just then, Alfred appeared. He seemed nervous as he sat on the lounge chair across from Arthur. He kept rubbing the back of his neck and looking at the floor. Arthur watched him silently until he realized Alfred wasn't holding a gift.
"Alfred…? You came empty handed today?" It was meant more as a tease, but the horrified look Alfred game him made Arthur think that perhaps the King didn't think it was funny.
"Do you want one?! Yao stopped me before I came in and told me that I need to tone it down." Alfred leaned forward. "Am I bothering you? I'm sorry."
"Sorry?"
"With all of the gifts. They were irritating you, weren't they?"
And that was when Arthur heard an explosion in his chest and he felt himself opening up in a way he didn't know how to comprehend. It all came rushing to his head, to his limbs and surged up his neck to his brain, silencing it until all he heard was his heart pounding, forcing him to do as it said and to stop fighting. It was a beautiful surrender.
They sat by the fire one evening and Alfred had requested their meals be served in his chambers so that they could dine alone together. Arthur was quiet and still, preferring the physical conversation of Alfred instead; a light touch here, an "accidental" brush there, and fond smiles every so often. Then, Alfred learned over and pressed his face into Arthur's neck.
"Can you hold me?" he asked.
Arthur chuckled. "Hardly the position for an Omega to do with his Alpha."
Still, he put a hand on Alfred's head and ran his fingers through his hair. Alfred sighed against him, leaning more of his weight against his Queen.
"I don't care," he mumbled. "I want you to hold me."
He turned into Arthur. The Queen chuckled softly and wrapped his arms around Alfred's shoulders, adjusting for their size difference, and somehow they settled into an awkward embrace. It was that night exactly that Arthur felt a strange thing begin to happen to his body, although he wouldn't call it love. No, not that.
What was foolish to believe when they were entwined together in the passion of an Omega heat had stayed a burning flame that was kept alive due to Alfred. He brought gifts and showed affection in ways Arthur thought was surely a joke, a ruse to get a rise out of him. He was a King, and Kings should not act so sweet towards anyone lower than them; mainly his Queen.
"Alfred, I…" Arthur moved to sit down beside Alfred on his lounge chair. The King was watching him with wide, curious eyes. "Are you always like this…? So kind and…"
Alfred snorted. "No. I'm pretty tough in meetings. You know how Yao and I sometimes won't even talk to each other? It's because we fight over fiscal responsibility of the government and my dad got the kingdom into a pretty bad debt and blah blah. But I don't like being so serious all the time. I feel I can goof off and relax with you."
Arthur had begun running his fingers through Alfred's hair by now. It was a reassuring gesture. Alfred closed his eyes and smiled.
"I hope you can feel the same with me," he murmured. "I want you to be yourself."
"That is…all I have been since my heat died…" Arthur's tone was low and sounded different than Alfred had ever heard before. He opened his eyes to stare at his Queen. "Alfred… my King…"
Alfred sat up, his eyes never leaving Arthur's. "Arthur… Are you… feeling all right?"
"Quite fine," Arthur replied. He leaned in and kissed Alfred's cheek. "You're trying to woo me…"
Alfred audibly gulped at this. Arthur reveled in watching his Adam's apple bounce up and down. "W-well, I dunno about wooing, but I wanted you to like me back, you know…? Know that I'm not lying."
"That is wooing, dearest," Arthur whispered. "And you have wooed well."
"Yo-you mean it?!" Alfred sounded far too excited for Arthur, but he let it slide. "So, um, can we go on a date, like a real one some time? Ya know, I can take you around the town and such."
Arthur sat back, amazed by Alfred's innocent words. Here he thought the King was just trying to get into his pants, and truth be told, the Queen was willing to just let him. He even fancied the idea of shagging right here on the balcony. However, as much as he wanted to be upset that this meant he wasn't going to become intimate with the King, he wasn't. It was truly for the best given how nervous he had been up until that point. A quick decision would not help ease his anxiety towards commitment, and after it was all done, he would probably feel worse.
"I'd like that very much, I believe," Arthur said.
Arthur's second heat was quickly approaching. He busied himself with arranging the nest in the Queen's Chambers, secretly bringing all of the gifts Alfred had given him, and took to staying as close to Alfred as possible. They went on their "real" dates, and Arthur realized how long it had been since he had left the castle's grounds. Ever since his coronation, he had only gone into the town once or twice, and that was to quickly buy some supplies for the sweater he eventually made Alfred. Before he was Queen, Arthur was constantly outside. He loved the wind on his face and the sun on his body, even if it never tanned his pale skin.
"My mom would take me out for strolls all the time," Alfred remarked. He was holding Arthur's hand as they walked down the main road in town.
The shouts of the citizens around them begging for their attention in hopes they'd buy something all melted away. It was just the two of them.
Arthur stopped at a florist's stand and bought a single rose. He presented it to Alfred who took it eagerly and placed it in his hair. He grinned down at his Queen, and then took his hand, twining their fingers together. The people talked about it for many days and enjoyed the change of pace in the royalty.
Arthur waited for Alfred after his meeting one day. He could overhear loud voices, but Alfred's seemed to boom over everyone else's the most. The Queen fidgeted on the spot, anxiously watching the door and the knights who watched him curiously. The knights were Alphas. They could smell Arthur's heat; he had just started. It made them watch him very carefully.
"Y-Your Majesty," one knight started. It made the Queen jump in alarm, but he hardened himself. These men had sworn their lives to protecting the royal family. There was no way they would do anything to put Arthur's sex in danger. "S-hall we call on the King for you? He can meet you in the Queen's Chamber."
"No, that's all right. I want to tell him myself."
A knight near the door edged it open with his toe. The shouting grew louder, and then abruptly stopped. With the door open, Alfred could fully smell Arthur now.
"Excuse me gentleman, but I believe I have important matters to deal with elsewhere. While I am gone, Jack Yao shall be in charge of the kingdom. I will be back in a week."
The door burst open then, surprising Arthur back against the wall. Alfred stared at him with wide eyes and nostrils flared. "Why are you here?!"
"I…I wanted to tell you that I am ready for you."
Arthur woke up in his bed then. He knew he'd never say such a thing, but a man could dream, couldn't he? And the closer it got to his heat, the more frequent these dreams appeared. He looked under his sheets and wasn't surprised to see he had spilled himself. He would just tell his servants to clean it later, even if it brought him a small sense of shame.
There was a small worry in the back of Arthur's mind. What if this heat didn't produce an heir either? Would he be rejected as the Queen? He had no doubt that Alfred would want him to stay somehow, but what about the people? No one in the government seemed to be pushing them, but that could all change so easily. Politics were fickle.
Arthur wandered the grounds until he found Alfred. The King was sitting outside with a cup of coffee, reading. For a moment Arthur almost didn't disturb him. He looked so peaceful. Normally, Alfred was quite loud and obnoxious and preferring noise to silence, but right now, he seemed so different. No, not different, Arthur decided. It was just another side to him.
Clearing his throat to garner Alfred's attention, Arthur waltzed up to his side. "Alfred… Might I ask something of you?"
"Sure."
They met later on that afternoon in the privacy of Arthur's chambers. He had waited there seemingly all day, hardly leaving his room for fear of running into Alfred. If he saw him after inviting him to his room, Arthur might lose his nerve.
The King entered and smiled widely. He'd only been in Arthur's chambers a few times. Arthur realized how marvelous Alfred looked, and he was proud to know his oncoming heat wasn't affecting his thoughts as much as he feared they would.
"A-Alfred… Won't you join me?" Arthur sat on his bed. Alfred looked at him curiously, but took a seat nonetheless. "Um… Alfred… I know as of late you have… become so enthralled in your work. I, um, was hoping we could spend some time together."
Alfred beamed. "I thought you'd never ask! I missed you a lot and-"
Arthur cut him off by kissing him. He put a hand on Alfred's collar and felt his heartbeat. It spiked, and then took on a faster pace. Arthur smiled into the kiss as he opened his mouth and pushed against Alfred's. It was so strange to be an Omega who initiated anything, but Arthur found he liked it. And when Alfred returned the kiss just as eagerly with his tongue, it was clear he enjoyed it too.
What was hot and fast and never enough during heat was slow and loveable and wonderful and everything now. Arthur lay on his back, watching as Alfred stripped him bare and looked at his body so tenderly. He touched him gently, as if Arthur's body were precious to him. He knew he truly was to a man like Alfred.
Alfred had been so domineering during heat, and told Arthur how to hold himself and thrusting so deep Arthur cried out with tears in his eyes. But it had never felt like it was enough. They held back. They were scared. They had known each other two days. Arthur wasn't even giving off his true pheromone scent.
Now, it was all different. They were so open. Arthur spread his legs willingly and let Alfred smell the real him; heavy and thick with sex. Alfred seemed to revel in this newfound glory that was Arthur's body. And Alfred wasn't so tense, so careful and hesitant. He touched Arthur where he liked, and where he knew the man enjoyed it most.
Alfred didn't turn Arthur onto his stomach to mount him. He kept him on his back so he could see his eyes. He didn't sit up and pound into him. He hovered over Arthur, clinging to his hips and moving with Arthur. And Arthur kept him close by clenching down on his skin with his nails. It left marks. They both claimed one another.
This continued for far longer than their mating normally did. With heat it was a quick release and then a long waiting period. With sex, it wasn't. It was longer, built up until there was a breaking point and Arthur thought he'd snap under the emotions and pleasure and all of Alfred, and then it was all released.
When it was over, Alfred continued to hold Arthur close. He didn't spoon him and he didn't hold him like an Alpha would an Omega, but like a lover would to their beloved. Arthur had never known such peace and safety before.
He kissed Alfred's skin, enjoying the taste of the salty sweat and knowing Alfred was happy too.
In four weeks, Arthur announced to Alfred that he was expecting. Their second heat had produced exactly what they wanted. And now, Arthur knew he could raise his child with an adoring King and mate and lover by his side. There was no fear of rejection after the birth or being reduced to an item to be used. He was Alfred's and Alfred's was his.
All he had to do was try love and see what happened.
Hoshiko2's cents: So incredibly sorry for the long wait. This was far overdue and I just. Yes, so sorry. The main reason was because I had originally intended for another sex scene. As you can see, I toned it down. A lot. The previous chapter was a challenge and a test for me to see if I could handle smut scenes. Many of you enjoyed it, and I felt okay with the result, but some of you expressed you sheer dislike of this. Knowing how hard it was for me to do the first sex scene, I figured the second time around would produce worse results.
The other reason was because I was struggling with a third chapter. Originally it was to show that Arthur's birth of their son did NOT go well and he almost died from it. As a result, Alfred became distant for Arthur's third heat. It almost resulted in another Alpha mating him as the Queen's scent just overtook everyone in the castle. In the end, Alfred came to his senses, mated with Arthur, and the Queen eventually gave birth to a daughter in a much less painful and dangerous way.
But… I couldn't bring myself to write it (especially since there was a near rape scene and I am NEVER okay writing and/or reading those), and from there I lost motivation.
All of that aside, I still hope this lived up to everyone's expectations. I received so many asks expressing a concern as to whether or not I'd continue to the second chapter. Well, here it is. Thank you everyone!