A short chapter, but it does up the rating to M.

~*O*~

It is not fair. His time is up but, Alfred had not realized that his father would do this. The shock and disbelief of hearing there is not going to be a celebration for his thirteenth name day shows in not only himself, but many others. Arthur leaves no room for argument, demanding that the heir to the sixth realm begin his mandatory training that day instead. That alone has Alfred cursing his father quietly under his breath, the worst part however, is the fact that the instruction with his father will be during his hour after lunch. Vera's training is also shortened an hour so the current head of the sixth realm gets at least an hour and a half with his successor.

An unpleasant air seems to have consumed Alfred for almost an entire month after his uncelebrated name day, only dissipating after finally having seen Matthew again. It's two hours after his bedtime when he goes to see him and unfortunately wakes Matthew from much needed sleep. He assures the alpha its fine to have interrupted his dreams, which were not very good anyway, Matthew is just happy to be able to see his knight.

Once Alfred is convinced and settled, the boys catch each other up on the last month.

For Alfred it only takes a moment to explain his father's actions and that his education with the strict beta is boring and surely useless. For Matthew however, the month is long, lonely, and full of scoldings from Mari-Ann for being so absent minded. A small cut on the omegas cheek is also visible, but never mentioned.

That meeting is the start of a long, unwanted cycle: little to no visits, which are at late hours of the night and Alfred sitting by reluctantly, unable to say a word while Mari-Ann abuses Matthew for his distracted thoughts caused by Alfred's own absence.

At first he pesters Lovino into extra exercises to distract himself from the growing predicaments. With the blonds help Lovino does improve, not only physically but mentally as well. With a more heightened sense of awareness he takes notice of the odd behaviour Alfred - who a part of the beta considers him a friend – has been displaying. Bringing up the matter seems out of the question, what with the agitated, hostile cloud hanging over Alfred, Lovino is afraid he might end up black and blue again. This also makes the brunet refuse to admit that friendship is possible with the blond, but frankly friends are not what his goal is anyway.

Anyone can tell Alfred's irritable mood lightens while he's being physically active. Lovino finds that to be the best time to speak with the boy, that's what he tells Vera who is justified in her concern for her student. After telling her the beta does not say much else, focusing only on improving so he can leave for his real Hunter training.

The calming effect physical exercise has on Alfred eventually stops having much impact at all, causing Vera and Simon to finally voice concern, first to Arthur who says it's only a phase, then to Alfred himself.

Afraid that telling the truth can potentially put Matthew in danger, Alfred feigns ignorance about his abnormal behaviour. Both adults are very much aware that the alpha is lying; never once does he look them in the eye. Even with the constant reassurance from both Angels that they won't be angry with the reason or inform his father, Alfred refuses. And as the months continue on, Alfred's odd, frustrated demeanor worsens.

~*O*~

With Alfred's fourteenth name day quickly creeping up on them, many Angels, mostly the servants, find that the reason for the event constantly makes himself scarce. In retaliation for Arthur's unjustified cancellation of his son's thirteenth celebration, Alice demands her son have the whole week leading up to his name day free of all his tasks. Arthur is not truly given a choice. When staff and family do spot the alpha he'll be with his little brother or friends, but no one has a clue where he can be running off to. They say nothing in fear of Alice reprimanding them for not letting her son do as he pleases. Matthew, however, knows exactly where he is.

Seeing each other has been ridiculously difficult and drove Alfred to take more risks in order to see his hybrid friend. Loneliness and deprivation of Alfred's company causes Matthew to overlook these risks because he just wants to see Alfred. It's selfish and foolish but it is how the omega feels and with his reading improving the concepts of an omegas body, needs, and instincts are starting to make sense to him.

With a better vocabulary and knowledge, the old book about dynamics has started to help him understand what he might be feeling. The process of heat does not seem so foreign and confusing though the thought of its purpose and the idea that he'll actually be experiencing it scares the young boy. Mating, the action done while in heat also frightens him. The book does not answer all the omegas questions and Mari-Ann gets irritated, proclaiming he'll never have to mate so he does not need to understand. That does not stop him from being curious, he thinks about asking Alfred but the topic is too embarrassing to bring up with the alpha. And a part of him, a primal instinct buried deep inside prefers that Alfred show him. Show him the dominance of an alpha, show him the feeling of being wanted; show him how to create strong offspring. These unfamiliar thoughts turn Matthew into a blushing, stuttering mess and tries to forget about ever having such vulgar thoughts.

His reading, however, continues and Matthew discovers something very interesting. Unbeknown to Mari-Ann she accidentally leaves her own personal novel behind that the young bookworm cannot help but pick up and read. A red blush heats up the hybrids cheeks about half way through the text. Matthew has no idea where his care-taker got her hands on this type of writing, but he finds himself caught between being thankful and disgusted. Thanks to this book, mating is not truly a mystery, though he feels foul for having read the same explicit passage as Mari-Ann.

As mating and heat become common knowledge for Matthew, it does not make him any less apprehensive and nervous, but he's not scared of the idea much anymore. If it's natural then he should not be afraid. Understanding these natural actions also assist him in comprehending that the pain he feels when he's around Alfred is not caused by sickness or hunger, but rather the way his heart feels about the alpha. A feeling that is hard to confirm because of the boys sporadic visits.

Tight squeezing in his stomach, quick flutters in his chest, it's quite possible Matthew likes Alfred. Not the "I want to be your best friend" way but in the way that is the same as his story. The Angel gives up everything because he likes the Human so much it is not considered a crush or obsession, but love. Perhaps his heart squeezes for Alfred, it could possibly be love and Matthew does not mind.

Matthew likes Alfred.

I like him.

Does he like me?

Should I say?

Questions and realizations come and go from Matthew's mind for days and he has no clue what to do. Telling his feelings to the Angel boy can possibly terminate their friendship but can also cause it to flourish into something more.

'Something more'. What is 'something more'? Romantic novels classify something more as excessive touching, mating, or even children between normally an alpha and female omega. Does that imply that any other romance is false? No, that cannot be, the Human and Angel love each other. Books are also not like real life. So Matthew attempts to elaborate on what he believes is something more. With baby steps of course, 'something more', which is something important, must be expanded with baby steps.

During one of Alfred visits Matthew joins the alpha in the nest of his own volition. The pain is present but it is dull in the close proximity. Alfred also seems shocked but giddy to have the omega leaning on his shoulder. To say the evening was enjoyable would be an understatement.

'Something more' is not broadened with baby steps. Far from it. It has never truly occurred until now that Alfred left such a dominant, alluring sent, albeit faint it proves to be potent.

So because of that scent Matthew finds himself sprawled out in his nest confused yet aroused, with one hand roaming his chest, the other clumsily working between his legs. He cannot remember exactly how he gets to this point but his face his buried in his pillow inhaling the aroma of an alpha. Dare he say, his alpha?

When his chest is no longer a focus point of pleasure, Matthew shifts himself off his uncomfortably stiff wings caught under the weight of his body and onto his knees, lifting his backside into the air. The curve of his spine aches but he does not move so that his nose stays absorbed in Alfred's overwhelming scent.

Hand stroking him, fingers wet with slick in him, they are not his. Alfred is here with him. Always with Matthew. All the hybrid's problems seem to vanish in his self-inflicted moment of passion. He does not think about the book that taught him about pleasure from touch, and deducted that he can do it without a second party. He does not think about whether or not he's even doing it right. Only of Alfred.

Mewls and groans fill the stone room. Black feathered wings snap out, twitch and spasm in the air as Matthew strains to reach behind himself. The small left hand wrapped around himself becomes tired and sore, so he lets it drop to the ground and pulls his slick soaked fingers out of himself to finish off.

Matthew collapses onto the nest, breathing heavily, hands and legs sore. The smile on his face indicates the hybrid does not regret the impure act he has committed and honestly doesn't care.

Matthew likes, no, it may be more, maybe this is love he feels for Alfred.

~*O*~

Sorry the chapter is so short and long overdue. I got a job, acceptance to university and a dog so things have been very busy. I'll be writing again very soon and the next chapter will technically be part 2 of this chapter but look forward to it, I know I am.