132 Gabriel's tiredness

Gabriel was a patient person when it came to Theodore. Always watching him, paying attention to how he reacts to situations to be on his side and help him.

Only that didn't mean he wasn't also scared about being a father so young.

Seeing Theodore barely talk about the pregnancy as if to deny it had made it clear to Gabriel just how uncomfortable he was. Even their relationship had changed as the alpha was concerned with keeping his omega healthy which seemed to bother Theodore. Despite the terror that was being a father so young, Gabriel would not back down in any way.

He would not let himself be shaken as he would take responsibility for his every act.

That is why he had found a job for his winter holidays, saving the money for the life that would come three months from now. Even though it was tiring to attend the regionals and work at the same time, Gabriel did not dare complain. When he visited Theodore at night, he always showed his smile, hiding his tired face.

He needed to show the omega that he was not alone in his journey.

But there was one last problem to be solved.

The alpha's life had become hectic. When he had told his parents that he would be working, they began to question why. They wanted their son to focus on his studies and not sports, though Gabriel made it clear there was a reason. He barely stayed at home, with some days he slept over at Theodore's house to look after him. And when he had told his mother the reason, she had immediately been shocked in horror.

Not at the fact that Gabriel was with another boy, but that he had impregnated an omega.

It had been a long conversation resulting in the alpha venting to his mother for the second time. He had shown how tired he was with that crazy routine and that he had no idea what to do to cheer up his omega. It was probably the first time his mother had seen him so bad like that.

Usually Gabriel was in control of everything. Always doing his tasks with perfection and care, in no hurry to achieve the desired result. However, how could he do the same with a child? It was so strange and uncontrollable!

That afternoon, Gabriel tried his best to stay awake. He had a very bad night's sleep, and when he finally fell asleep the alarm clock went off. He had to hurry to get changed and go to the school where he would meet the team to go to the neighboring city to participate in the regionals.

He had been out of town all morning and part of the afternoon. As soon as they returned, Gabriel went to work where he stayed until the evening when there was more movement. His real challenge was to keep his cavalier smile for the customers and stay awake while waiting for someone to call him. He could not stand still at all, or he would sleep standing up.

When his workday was over, the alpha followed the streets with his backpack carrying a small bag in his hands. A gift he had won from Lilian when he saw her in the cafeteria. She said she wanted to give it to Theodore, but hadn't seen him at the gym earlier.

An omega like him in his condition would be better off avoiding places with lots of smells like a gym.

Walking down the pavement watching his own feet, the alpha followed the customary route that would lead to the home of the blond omega. Arriving near the weeping willow tree, he had seen Theodore waiting for him leaning against the trunk tucked into his sweaters. As soon as his presence was noticed by the omega, he opened a smile and waved to himself wishing him welcome.

― What's with that face, Gabriel? You don't even look like you won today.

― We won by a narrow margin. ― Laughed the alpha, placing a kiss on Theodore's cheek. ― And your day, how was it?

Frowning, the omega left his hands in his sweatshirt pocket.

― I took care of Lisa while my parents went to the market.

― Did you watch High School Musical again?

― No, this time it was Cheetah Girls or something like that. ― Laughed the omega noticing the small bag that the alpha was holding. ― Did you get a present?

Looking down at the bag, Gabriel held it out to the omega.

― Lilian asked me to give it to you.

Curious, Theodore had held the bag open and pulled out the present. Wrapped with children's gift paper, the omega had taken out a neutral-coloured baby outfit. A little cold-weather jumpsuit with a cute giraffe design.

Gabriel was surprised that the gift was for the baby. Raising his eyes to know Theodore's reaction, he could see the same look carefully evaluating the garment. He couldn't tell precisely what he thought of the gift, which didn't please the alpha.

― It's pretty, isn't it?

Theodore had looked at him and nodded, smiling slightly before tucking the garment back into the bag.

― Yes, it is. I'll thank Lilian later.

― Did you like it? ― The alpha asked a little more seriously than usual. As soon as he heard his own voice, Gabriel pressed his lips together, regretting that it had come out more abruptly than it should have.

The omega shook his head smiling slightly without looking bothered.

― It's the child who has to like it, not me. I don't know much about it.

― Theo, when your sister was born you were a big boy. Of course you know about children's things.

― I must not have paid much attention at the time. I don't know.

The alpha sighed loudly looking around trying to calm down. It wouldn't do to talk about it in the street, he had to understand that Theodore needed his time. However, Gabriel couldn't stand that kind of situation anymore.

― If you don't like the present, I can keep it with me at home. You don't have to force yourself to accept it.

― I just haven't got used to the idea, that's all.

― And when will you get used to it? ― The alpha said again in a thicker voice, mentally scolding himself immediately afterwards.

However, Theodore had noticed the anger in his voice. Staring at him somewhat surprised, he had cracked a nervous smile as he pointed at Gabriel.

― Why are you angry?

He didn't want to argue with the omega in any way. But he needed to get it out. He wanted to talk about it, show him that he was also dealing with an unwanted situation. If they didn't talk, how could they understand each other? It's not like they had a bite that mediated the relationship.

― Because I feel like I'm the only one who's happy to see a friend of yours gift our son.

― Of course I'm happy! ― The alpha arched his eyebrow passing on the message that he didn't believe those words. Probably not even Theodore believed them. Looking away, the omega sighed. ― You have no idea how strange this is. Maybe you think you're capable of taking care of a child, but I'm not!

― I don't think I'm capable, I'm just willing to learn to be. That's why I said we're in this together.

― I am the one who is going to feel pain when he is born. It's my body that's changing, Gabriel. You won't be able to feel what I feel because you're not the one carrying this child. It's very scary.

― So it's only your life that's changing? ― murmured the alpha, looking straight into the omega's eyes.

― I don't mean that, you know that. I'm just saying that my body is strange to me. Of course I'm going to be scared, Gabriel.

― And I'm not? Fuck, Theodore! I haven't even turned sixteen yet and I'm already getting a job taking care of a kid. I haven't even had a chance to tell my father that I'm dating another guy, and I already have to prepare myself to tell him that he's going to be a grandfather. ― Gabriel swallowed dryly, controlling his tone as he noticed the sadness covering Theodore's countenance ― I know you're sensitive, and it's scary to have a life being growing inside your body, but don't despise my effort to keep a smile on my face just to make you feel good.

― Just to make me feel good? Weren't you saying you were happy with the situation?

― I am! That's what motivates me to mature, because I want to be the best father this child will ever have. I won't give up, just like I didn't give up on you even though there were rumours at school.

Theodore was silent for a moment, lowering his eyes to the bag he was holding. Then he took a deep breath, returning his gaze to the alpha.

― All right, I don't think we understand each other.

― No, Theo, I understand you just fine. The difference is that you don't understand the other side of this coin. Because it's obvious you don't want this child, you're just forcing yourself to be a father for whatever reason. ― Running his hands through his hair, Gabriel felt his face catch fire when the icy breeze hit him head-on. Still, the cold was not enough to drive away the burning feeling. ― I don't mind if I'm the only one to take care of this child, but each one will follow your own path, being happy the way it wants.

The omega held the arm of the alpha preventing him from turning his back, trying to resume eye contact without hiding the nervousness that those words could mean.

― What do you mean? Everyone go their own way, are you... Are you saying we should break up?

― What is the point of us being together if you don't want to help me take care of the child? Does that make sense to you?

― We're soul mates, Gabriel!

― I'm tired, Theodore. ― sighed the alpha, resting his right hand on the omega's. - It is even more exhausting to do all this knowing that you are not happy. So, as your alpha I want your happiness. If that means taking the weight off your shoulders about raising a child, I'll do it myself. But I refuse to be a coward who runs away from problems.

Pulling Omega's hand away from his arm, Gabriel turned away, walking down the street feeling his head throbbing. He needed a rest, just a few hours to clear his head and think clearly.

He knew very well that he had said harsh words to Theodore. But it was impossible to go on like that any longer. Even if the decisions they would take were painful, Gabriel would bear the consequences.

He would show the world that he would not let himself be shaken.