A Patient Love 15

[kokoro2]

Title: A Patient Love
Pairing: UKUS
Rating: T
Warnings: Omegaverse, age-gap, Mpreg, and slight historical inaccuracies.
Summary: Prince Arthur has finally been granted a male Omega by his brother, the king. Alfred is soon to learn the treacherous ways of royalty and that adulthood in this world is not at all kind.

A/N: Slight molestation in this chapter.

Running
The end of January saw Arthur announcing to the kingdom that Alfred was once more pregnant. The people rejoiced again, praying for another Alpha. Alfred was eager for another baby, hoping this would be a boy. He loved his daughters more than anything, but it would do well to round out the family a little bit more.

"Another fall baby, hm?" Arthur asked, rubbing Alfred's stomach tenderly. "I hope this child brings us as much joy as our other precious daughters have."

Alfred made to forget about Ireland until it neared Easter.

He was relaxing in bed when Arthur came to him. Even when pregnant, Arthur was drawn to Alfred. He loved to touch his growing stomach, licking his nipples, and sucking on his hips until marks were left behind. Sometimes, if Alfred asked nice enough, Arthur would even massage his back or shoulders before he spread his legs for his Alpha.

Tonight, though, Arthur was exhausted and felt the company of Alfred's arms was more important than fornicating. Alfred didn't protest. He ran his fingers through Arthur's hair as he finished up the rest of his book. When he closed it and moved to put it on the nightstand, his eyes caught the Irish cross. Franҫoise's words echoed in his head, and he knew that tonight would be a good time to talk. Enough time had elapsed between when he got the gift, and Arthur was exceptionally relaxed tonight. There was a slim chance of him growing angry.

"Arthur?" Alfred murmured. He blew out the candle and settled in beside his mate for the remainder of the evening. The Alpha already had his eyes closed. "Why did you go to Ireland?"

"Hm?"

"I know you went… The cross. It's Irish." Alfred ran a hand through Arthur's hair again, just in case. "Why did you go?"

Arthur was silent for a time, and Alfred feared he had slipped into sleep. Either that or he was faking sleep to avoid the question. Then, "My sister had just died… I went to tie up loose ends… There were matters that needed to be tended to."

"Things that involved…the government?" Alfred bit his lip, hoping Arthur's mood stayed as loose as his body was.

"Mmm," Arthur purred. He smiled into his pillow and rested his hand on Alfred's stomach. "I needed to get some things that my sister had, things her mate couldn't bring along, and ensure that the peace was stabilized before the envoys arrived. As I was closer than them, and the winter made for bad travel, I felt it my duty to go and see to these issues."

"And you left our King…?"

"Yes. He was not fit for travel." Arthur moved to pull Alfred into his chest. He put a hand on the back of Alfred's head, pressing the Omega's mouth to his neck. He rested his chin atop Alfred's head. "Now hush. My sweet pet needs his sleep. Remember, you are living for two once more."

Alfred never brought up Ireland after that.

Shortly after Easter Alfred was enjoying his dinner in his antechamber with his friends and some Omegas-in-waiting that he'd known for years. Franҫoise would join often, but tonight she had declined saying she was suffering from headaches. Everyone was in a joyous mood, talking about children and silly things their mates did. Alfred loved to spew amusing stories of the few times Arthur tried to cook.

"He actually tried to cook for you?" an Omega female, Elise Worthington, asked, slightly in awe of the odd situation. "Why?"

Alfred took a sip of his wine. "I had just finished my first heat. He thought it sweet."

"It is sweet!" the Omega giggled as she took a sip of her wine.

"Until he nearly set our manor on fire!" Alfred laughed.

The Omegas belted out in laughter. Elise laughed until she began to cough. The Omegas near her pat her on the back, still laughing and thinking she was merely dry in her throat from laughing too hard. Elise's face turned an ugly shade of red, and her eyes bugged. Her coughs turned to strangled gasps as she clutched at her throat. Then, she vomited.

The Omegas shrieked in alarm, and Alfred stood up. He called for a guard as he rushed to Elise's side. She was crying now, but still continued to heave and grab at her throat. Alfred thought she might be choking, but she shook her head at his pleas to help her.

Suddenly, she fell down to the ground. Her body was limp. Alfred was on his knees, trying to help her, but she was dead.

Arthur ran to Alfred's side as soon as he heard the news. Alfred was shivering in his chambers, clutching himself and staring at the same spot where Elise had died. The other Omegas had been sent away, and Alfred's servants were called to be questioned. Upon seeing his Omega so shaken up, Arthur pulled Alfred into his inner chamber to be alone with him.

"Alfred, it was horrible!" Alfred cried, clinging to him and sobbing. "She was alive one minute and dead the next! What happened?!"

"Poison," Arthur replied flatly. His heart pounded against Alfred's ear as he held his Omega to his chest protectively. "She was poisoned…"

"B-but w-why?! Elise was…s-so sweet!" Alfred cried harder, and Arthur didn't reply.

Arthur stayed with Alfred the remainder of the night, and called his children to sleep in the same bed as them. He demanded that a guard be placed at their door, and to protect the King and even his mother. The entire court was on edge after the sudden attack. The perpetrator was never found.

Only two days afterward, Alfred was told he was to be sent away again. He immediately called for his mate and paced his chambers angrily. It was surely some mistake, or he had misunderstood. He wasn't going away, but he was going on a vacation with his family. The incident with the poisoning had stressed everyone out. Maybe they were getting away to recuperate. It wasn't good for the children or the baby.

But when Arthur arrived, he was adamant in his resolve, again.

"You must understand that the poisoning was meant for you!" Arthur stressed. "It was only by sheer luck that Lady Worthington drank it first."

Alfred's eyes widened. "Sheer luck?! Tell that to Elise's mate and her family!"

"Would you rather it was you?!" Arthur snapped. Alfred sat at the ferocity of his tone. Arthur sighed, frustrated. "My pet, please, just this once, do as I ask?"

"You're not asking. You're demanding."

"And, as your Alpha, I have every right." Arthur left the room leaving Alfred no more room to argue.

Alfred was packed, but he wasn't ready to go. He stood in his room, refusing to leave or speak with anyone unless it was Arthur. The servants thought it atrocious of an Omega to be demanding anything from their Alpha, and the Alphas were angered at Alfred's disrespectful actions. Alfred continued to wait.

Finally, Arthur arrived with a red face and furrowed eyebrows so low on his brow that they nearly met in the middle. He slammed Alfred's antechambers' doors closed and shouted for the servants and Omegas-in-waiting to leave. Once they were gone, the couple stared at each other, both seething and refusing to meet each other in the eye.

"Why can't you be a good Omega for once you ungrateful little thing?!" Arthur shouted, finally. He flung his hands in the air, but didn't move otherwise. "I shower you in gifts and treat you kindly, and this is how I'm to be treated?!"

"Did you even think to ask me how I feel about this?!" Alfred spit back.

Arthur tensed until his shoulders bunched up just under his ears. "I don't care how you feel because I know you'll just complain until you get your way! Well you won't this time! Isn't it enough that I'm trying to protect you?! When will you understand that?! You're such a dense idiot!"

Tears stung at Alfred's eyes, but he refused to be seen as weak in Arthur's presence. "You're the one who mated me, so who's the idiot here?"

It was childish, and Alfred hated how it sounded even in his head, and yet he still said it. He wasn't sure if it was to truly spite Arthur in hopes of riling him up, or if it was for his own release at getting out some poison, not put there by food or drink, but by this frustrating argument that had been heating up for months. Even a trip around the kingdom did nothing to help alleviate the situation; it had simply been swept under a rug.

Quickly, Arthur charged Alfred. The Omega was startled by the vicious look in Arthur's eyes. Alfred stumbled back until his knees hit the back of a chair. He fell into the chair, and then Arthur grabbed him violently by the arms. He shook Alfred slightly as he growled out his words in a low voice.

"Would you prefer I be more like the other Alphas? Would you prefer I dictate everything you do, or lock you away and only fuck you when it's to my choosing?" He grabbed Alfred's crotch in emphasis, ignoring Alfred's uncomfortable cry. "Is that how you want it? Because I can very easily become like that. I have been kind and understanding of your needs and wants. Other Alphas would not even think twice that their Omegas were being targeted by their enemies. If their Omega died, they'd just get another one! I don't want another one!"

Alfred let those tears that had teetered on his eyelids slip out. Arthur released Alfred's crotch immediately. He fell to one knee and pressed his face into Alfred's stomach. His hands, still grasping Alfred's arms, began to shake.

"I don't… I don't want to lose you… I can't… The thought of someone hurting you or the children just…"

"Please don't send me away," Alfred whispered so quietly his voice cracked.

"Alfred…What kind of Alpha would that make me? If I let you do whatever you wish, people would think I'm too soft of an Alpha, not strong enough to say no to his mate, and certainly not strong enough to handle a kingdom. And what kind of Omega would that make you? One who is teaching his children to be soft Alphas that bend to their Omegas? That is not how the world works, my pet…"

Arthur lifted his head to look at Alfred in the eyes. There were tears of his own sliding down his flushed cheeks. Alfred reached to wipe at them, but his vision blurred and he missed.

"I ju-just don't want to leave!" Alfred cried. Sliding out of the chair, he collapsed into Arthur's arms.

Arthur moved to pulled Alfred into his lap and rubbed his back. He kissed his head, releasing a soft sigh. "I don't want you to leave either. I hate that there must be distance between us, but I have already told you to leave… And if I take it back now, how will that make our family seen?"

Alfred nodded, but still he cried. Arthur continued to hold him.

"I'm sorry I touched you when it was unwanted…," Arthur murmured. He kissed Alfred's head again. "And for scaring you… I don't want to be like those other Alphas…"

"You're not." Alfred lifted his head, ashamed at how messy his face looked. He grabbed at Arthur's face to stare into those green eyes. They were no longer scary and angry, but now distraught and watery with tears. "You're not like them… You don't treat me like nothing… I'm s-sorry too. I just…"

"I know, I know." Arthur kissed at Alfred's tears, feeling his hot cheeks on his lips. "You don't have to apologize to me. You have nothing to apologize for… I don't want this mess to happen again… You can stay if you really want to… I don't want to stress you out. You have to care for the child inside you, as well."

"I'll go…"

Arthur sighed, but gripped onto Alfred tighter. His eyes flickered with an unreadable emotion, and he had to look away. "Now that I said you can stay…I was actually looking forward to it… But…"

Alfred nudged his nose under Arthur's chin. Arthur lifted his head, and Alfred pushed his face into Arthur's neck. He inhaled long and slow. Arthur's scent calmed him somewhat.

"Do you always have to think like that?" Alfred asked quietly against Arthur's skin.

"Always thinking of our image?" Alfred nodded. Arthur was silent for a moment. "Yes… and the long picture… I always put you and the girls first and foremost… You are my family. I never…had much of a family. It was more of an image to the people both home and abroad. My father was never one to show much emotion to me or my siblings… My mother, though… She was a kind woman who showed me love… Because of her, I remember you and our children…"

"I didn't know…" Alfred kissed Arthur's collarbone softly. "Are you always so worked up?"

"Not as much as I used to be… Things have settled… But this matter with the poisoning…"

Alfred lifted his head and wiped at his face. He could feel Arthur's eyes on him. "Why do you think they were after me?"

"Because the kingdom adores you. You saw it on the campaign. They see in you a fresh new start. You bring a good image to the court; something that has been needed since Scott became King and then died. Charles is still young, and the people like him, but it's me they really need to like until he comes of age. And they see you with me as being a wonderful thing."

Arthur released Alfred and then stood. He looked around at the room, and then moved to open the door into Alfred's inner chambers. Alfred followed after. Arthur sat on the edge of Alfred's bed, beckoning Alfred to sit beside him.

"Do the people not see your Court as respectable?" Alfred asked as he slowly sunk into the bed beside Arthur. He watched as Arthur lay him onto his back. When Arthur's cold fingers slipped under Alfred's doublet, the Omega squirmed only slightly.

"They do because I'm so loyal to you."

Alfred's breath hitched. "And you are, right?"

Arthur's piercing green eyes flicked up to him. His mouth was set firmly straight. "Of course I am. You are the Omega I have waited for. Only a fool would even think to look at another Omega."

Alfred opened his mouth to say something, but only a soft moan came out. Arthur's previous unwanted groping Alfred flashed in his mind. He sat up suddenly and shook his head. Arthur didn't press for more. He simply leaned in and pecked Alfred on his cheek.

"Arthur…if I'm to go, may I please bring our daughters with me?"

The Alpha was silent for a time. He was looking across the chambers. Alfred noticed that his jaw wasn't as tightly clenched as before. His eyes were softer, but distant.

"Not Amelia. She has to stay with me. She's older and needs more of my guidance." Arthur smiled kindly at Alfred. "But you may take Rose. I know how fond you are of her."

"I'm fond of you too," Alfred murmured. He put his hand on Arthur's. "I…I love you."

The kind smile from before flittered, and Alfred caught a quick flash in Arthur's eyes. This moment was intimate, more so than any time before when they were flush against each other and panting each other's names, or even when they stole flirtatious glances at each other during supper. Right now, Arthur was hiding a secret that he couldn't express out loud, and yet, Alfred saw it. He was allowed that rare moment when Arthur wasn't an Alpha and he wasn't an Omega, and they were just two beings experiencing the same precious moments together. Alfred reached out to touch Arthur, hoping to capture that feeling in his hands, as if such a thing were tangible.

"What?" Arthur whispered, as if he too felt it. Alfred watched the way his lower lip trembled in anticipation, and how Arthur's eyes fluttered across his face. He watched as that moment stayed within Arthur's eyes and behind that smile at the corner of his lips and cheeks. "Why do you look at me so?"

"I love you," Alfred whispered.

That flash burned brighter, and Alfred smiled widely.
Rose cried when she parted from her sister in the nursery, but she was on better behavior once in the public's eye. While she had not yet been Natured, Rose was taking after her sister in numerous ways. As her closest companion, Rose looked up to Amelia; she spoke like her (or what little speech she had), walked like her, and would throw a fit like her. Of course, Alfred liked to pretend she was really his little Omega and she would take after him.

As much as he loved Amelia and knew she'd be a strong Alpha one day, just like her father, he wished for an Omega to shape like Arthur was with Amelia. Amelia would soon be following in her father's steps as his appointed heir. If Rose was an Alpha too, then she would be around Alfred less and less in order to get a more Alpha appropriate education. It saddened Alfred to think that he wasn't fit to raise his children just because of his Nature, but he knew this was the way the world worked.

If he had it his way, everyone would be free to do as they wish. Alfred could sit in on Parliament and during important political meetings, beside his mate, because he was allowed; he wasn't seen as someone weaker because of his Nature. His daughters could stay with him longer and understand the other Nature without people worrying it would somehow affect them. He could have power. He could have someone listen to him without them brushing him aside because he was a "little" Omega.

Such thoughts helped keep him occupied during his days in Sussex. He wrote of them often in a fanciful journal he kept to himself and hid in the wooden box Arthur had given him years ago. There, he also had stored all of Arthur's letters from when he was away at war. Sometimes, when the yearning and distance was too much, Alfred pulled out the letters and reread them.

It was so different now.

Only a few weeks into Alfred's new situation, Matthew had shown up at the manor. The brothers embraced and walked around the gardens together. The February winds were light and breezy today, and the rain from the night had covered the gardens in a lush scent of fresh flowers and grass.

"Arthur has placed you under my protection," Matthew explained upon his arrival. "The Queen Mother has seen fit to knight me."

"That's great!" Alfred exclaimed. He touched his brother in earnest sincerity. "I trust you with my life."

Matthew smiled softly. "Thank you, Alfred… That means a lot to me."

"But!" Alfred turned away to continue walking. "I don't need protection. I'm fine here with Rose and our servants."

Matthew trailed along, his hands behind his back and his head bent down. Matthew, like Arthur, was not like most Alphas, but in a different way. Sometimes Matthew spoke too quietly or kept his thoughts to himself. Alfred was used to it, so he never thought it strange. Instead, it was a welcome difference as it allowed him to speak about otherwise unspoken topics.

"I know Arthur is still worried about the poison, but honestly, I'm fine. I only have trusted friends visit, and no one is given food without it being tasted."

Matthew bit his lower lip. "I see…"

Alfred ignored that worried look on his brother's face that told of something more. He didn't want to hear any bad news. It was bad enough that Arthur still hadn't seen him when he promised he would come a week after Alfred left. It was worse still that Arthur's letters were growing less frequent. But, Alfred tried to remain positive, and remind himself of the stress Arthur had to deal with back in London.

During the afternoon of a March day, Matthew came to Alfred. The Omega was writing in his journal. He quickly hid it away into his box and pretended to have been reading instead. He knew that if Matthew ever knew the taboo things Alfred often daydreamed about, even his soft-hearted and easy-going brother would become enraged; an Omega Queen! Honestly! Had they not already learned their lesson with Queen Matilda?

"Matt!" Alfred chirped in excitement. "Are we to play some games? Oh, I have a good one we can play today!"

"No, I'm sorry, brother." Matthew sat down in the plush chair across from Alfred. He waved at a servant to leave, waiting until the servant closed the doors to speak again. "Al… as your brother and protector I don't think I can hide this anymore."

"Hide what?"

With a heavy sigh and a slight hesitation, Matthew said, "There is a rumor that has been circling all of London and has now spread out to the towns… A rumor that Arthur has…a new mate. A Robert Downe."

Alfred's lips twitched in a smile. "That's impossible. Arthur said I'm his only mate and that he doesn't want anyone else."

"Alphas say a lot of things," Matthew replied tersely. "I'm serious, Al."

"So am I!" Alfred rose quickly from his chair, but didn't move. Matthew stayed seated. "Arthur has no reason to find a new mate! He loves me!"

Matthew frowned. "Did he say he does?"

"No, but I see it in his eyes."

With a loud sigh, Matthew shook his head. Alfred's eye twitched as he clenched his fists. "Again with your fairytale dreams? Real Alphas do not love."

"S-so you do not love me, brother?"

Matthew leapt up in alarm. "A brother's love is different! You know I will always love you. But don't think that Arthur loves you! Alphas can say they love their Omegas, just to appease them! Arthur is that type of Alpha!"

"You don't know Arthur!"

"Yes I do! He fools you in the bedroom, saying what you want to hear, but outside he is ruthless! Arthur is greedy and selfish! He takes whatever he wants, and if he wants a new Omega, then he will have it!"

Alfred nearly punched Matthew, but refrained himself by slinging his arm out across his desk. The items, including his precious box, toppled off and clattered to the ground. Papers, Arthur's old letters, and books that had been sent by Arthur to Alfred scattered on the ground between Alfred and Matthew. Matthew wasn't surprised to see such a reaction from his brother; the Omega had done it quite often when they were younger. He knew Alfred wasn't a violent man, but there were times when he would come close and threaten or lash out.

"Brother," Matthew started with a soft voice. "It is only a rumor…"

"Don't say that after you've told me all these things about Arthur," Alfred spat. "You don't think I don't know the type of Alpha Arthur is when I am not near? I know he is greedy and vicious and is called the Gentleman Pirate in the Court. You don't think I don't hear gossip?!"

"But then…"

"No one understands, and I don't want them to understand!" Alfred turned to gather up the letters from Alfred. He held them to his chest. "I'm selfish too… Arthur is all mine…"

Tears splattered onto the old letters. Alfred wiped at his face. He felt Matthew's hand on his back and shook him off. Matthew lingered a moment later, and then finally left.

The letters fell from Alfred's arms as he stood. He walked into his inner chambers and closed the doors. Locking it was tempting, but he knew that his brother would break the doors down if he thought Alfred were truly in danger. The bed that sat squarely in Alfred's chambers suddenly seemed too large and uncomfortable. Despite the bright sun outside, the bed was dark.

An image of Arthur naked and thrusting into an Omega vividly conjured itself in front of Alfred's eyes. He didn't know what this Robert Downe looked like. His imagination filled in the images of this mysterious Omega as being small with brown hair and fair skin; a perfect Omega. One that Arthur would have no trouble dealing with. One that Arthur would love to keep around with him at all times.

Alfred slinked away from the bed towards a chair. But even there he imagined Arthur knotting with this new Omega. He looked to the floor and found a spot in the corner. Curling up on the hard ground, Alfred clutched at his knees. His belly was just starting to show, and it bumped his arms as a reminder that Arthur's baby was in him.

Everywhere Alfred looked, he imagined Arthur calling that Omega's name, whispering in his ear, pressing in close and smiling until his eyes lit up in affection. He imagined those delicate hands gripping at that Omega's legs, pulling them apart, as he thrust deeply into him. He imagined Arthur and that Omega strolling down to the gardens on a lovely day and enjoying the brisk late winter air. He imagined that Omega telling a story and Arthur chuckling to himself.

He imagined Arthur and that Omega sharing that special moment like he and Arthur had all those months ago.

The next thing he imagined was an unbearable pain and hot tears and blood.
Hoshiko2's cents: Queen Matilda was a real Queen of England, and she was not liked.

Also, yes, Robert Downe(y Jr). Hur.