129 You are the guy
The body of a teenager changed all the time.
The body of a pregnant person also changed.
And so, Theodore stared at himself in the mirror not knowing what to think about what he saw.
That person... Was it really him? How strange.
Another week had passed, and the omega's body had changed some more. The volume had grown a little more, making it more and more real what was going to happen to him in a few months. This that it was still in its second month.
Covering his belly with his sweatshirt, Theodore shook his head, getting ready for school again. He needed to comb his hair and even wear a less crumpled sweatshirt, however the omega would ignore the latter since he needed to have Gabriel's scent.
It was insane how abruptly his life had changed since the moment he had learned about that... Egg. Even though he didn't feel nauseous or have insane urges, Theodore needed to smell his alpha's scent all the time. The nest idea had worked, being the only thing capable of keeping his mind at peace.
If he tried to sleep in his bed as he had always done, he had insomnia. Worry took over, the fear of being unable to take care of a child haunted him... Or even worse, the fear that the life of that little human being would be lost because of his inability to take care of him. The fear was so big that Theodore had started sleeping around clothes with Gabriel's scent all the time, since the alpha couldn't sleep in his house every day.
To make up for his absence during the omega's rest period, during breaks Gabriel would drag Theodore to some corner of the school where they could be together. All the blond needed to do was hug him for a few minutes with the face hidden in his neck.
Thanks to this new stage of his life, Theodore had become more sleepy during classes. Some of them he even lay his head down and slept, hiding behind some book, because he couldn't stand the sleepiness. His hunger also grew, always calling for sweets.
Some friends of the first year even questioned what had changed in the omega, because he seemed more tired and distracted. Theodore denied saying that it was the period of the exams and the regionals, but only the closest ones would know the truth. And there was still room for improvement.
After what happened to Nicolas, the omegas of the Montreal school became the centre of attention. Whispers and whispers were already part of Theodore's routine, the difference was that there were more people becoming the target of the chatter. And to make things even more fervent, the result of the beauty contest would be given that day.
For that reason Theodore had to get ready, according to Lilian's instructions.
With his backpack on his back and a piece of bread and butter in his mouth, Theodore was leaving the house. As soon as he raised his head he found Gabriel standing under the weeping willow waiting for him as he had done every day since the discovery.
He still hadn't told his family about the news. Nor had Theodore told his father, though he would have to spend the weekend at the farm to talk about the suit he had bought. But now with the pregnancy, Theodore felt unable to stay away from Gabriel for too long. And there was no way he could take him along.
Ah... Things seemed to form a knot in his head.
― Good morning, Theo!
Opening a slight smile, Theodore walked over to the alpha and stood beside him.
― Good morning Gabriel.
― What's up? You look despondent. ― Gabriel looked at him curiously, looking as bright as the sun itself. Opening a weak smile, the omega shook his head.
― It must be sleep. Come on, if we're not going to be late.
Discouragement had increased as they made their way along. Not Gabriel's fault, in fact it was always good to see the alpha. But Theodore wanted to...
Run away.
When the boys arrived at the school they went straight inside the building to escape the icy late autumn wind. The corridors were decorated with banners with the volleyball team's crest. The students soon forgot the mess they had made the week before to focus on the quadrilha dance rehearsals and the preparation of some classes' presentations. After all, dancing was a grade.
They greeted the other first year students, chatted until the bell rang and each one went to their own room. Theodore lay with his head on his desk watching his best friend coming into the classroom and cursing Gabriel as usual.
Everything seemed so normal.
But things had changed.
Sighing the omega turned his head turning to look at the window.
How would he be five months from now? Could he walk the halls of the school without being the target of rumours? Would Gabriel still be interested in him, even if his body was no longer the same?
Would Theodore feel happy when he held the child in his arms?
A bitter taste had risen in his mouth.
How distressing. He didn't want to think like that.
With the classroom closed because of the cold, it had been warm enough for Theodore to sleep. He had missed two classes that way, but no teacher had dared to wake him since it was better to sleep than to have side conversations during class.
At the break, Theodore joined Nicolas and Miles who were inside a small, empty room that had been left open for a small dance group rehearsal. Sitting in the chair looking at the snack in his hands he felt no desire to eat at all. If he did, he would probably feel sick. In the end he packed his snack again and left it on his desk, paying attention to his friends' conversation.
― What do you intend to do then? Have you thought of anything?
― I wanted to get a job to help my mother-in-law, but Jake warned me to give up on that idea. ― Milles said, eating a peanut from a packet.
― Why did he do that? ― Gabriel asked curiously.
― My father said he was going to make things difficult for me. Probably by the time I say my last name no one will hire me.
Gabriel grimaced in astonishment.
― What do you mean, it's not like your family's in the Mafia?
― Don't ask me, I never had any interest in that subject. My cousin only said that for him it was the same thing, he had nothing to do but go to another city to settle down.
― I'm not moving from here, I warn you, ― Nicolas mumbled, turning the page of some Monica's comic book.
― You'll have to think of something, Miles graduates this year. ― Theodore shrugged in his sweatshirt ― If he goes to college you'll be separated anyway. And one of the teams keeping an eye on him is from another city.
Nicolas raised his tired eyes to his friend and snorted in response.
― I don't mind leaving school.
― You don't have to exaggerate either, little guy. ― replied Milles, popping a peanut into Nicolas' mouth. ― We'll think of something, it's not like we need to be stuck together.
― I like to keep my pole on a short leash.
Theodore and Gabriel looked at each other and then laughed. The closeness of those two narrowed between slaps and kisses. At least that was able to cheer up the blond omega.
The conversation between the four of them lasted a few more minutes until Milles and Nicolas left to go buy something to drink. Left behind, Gabriel looked at the omega noticing his attention slowly fading away, having that shadow occupying his eyes.
He compressed his lips as he looked around the room searching for any business he could have with Theodore. Anything that would bring out the silence and bring back the sparkle in his eyes. It was then that he found a guitar leaning in the corner.
He stood up to go to the instrument, Gabriel picked it up and sat down on a desk, placing the guitar on his lap. Immediately he had Theodore's attention, who leaned back in his chair and seemed to wake up from a nap.
― You play the guitar?
― I learned with some cousins on my father's side. They live in the capital and we always saw each other at family lunches.
― Ah...
While tuning the guitar, Gabriel had not looked at the omega. Still he had questioned.
― Are you scared? ― Theodore stared at him in surprise, remaining silent and not knowing what to say. Gabriel had interpreted it as a misunderstanding of his words. ― I mean, you haven't said much since you found out you were pregnant.
― What could I say? It feels like this body doesn't belong to me anymore. It's changing so fast and making me feel weird.
Gabriel had looked Theodore in the corner and smiled slightly. The omega was still smiling embarrassed, seeming afraid to talk to his boyfriend about it. He scratched the back of his neck, kept his gaze on the ground blushing slightly.
As it always was when he was embarrassed.
― You're still a good-looking guy, Theo.
― You're just saying that to cheer me up.
― It's still true. ― Playing a few chords, Gabriel smiled. ― To me you're the most beautiful person in the world.
― Gabriel...
The sound of the guitar slowly rang out, showing Gabriel's skill in playing it. Theodore straightened his chair and watched the alpha stand out before his eyes. Just like the time they had met in the library earlier in the year. Also the time he'd seen him play volleyball so focused on doing his best.
Sitting on a desk, with boxes and debris in the background, a curtain fluttering letting the glare of the sun reach his brown hair, Gabriel shone beautifully in front of him. And the chords of the guitar only served to increase that fascinating aura which emerged like the blossoming of a flower.
Accompanying the melody, a low, shy voice began to sing exclusively to Theodore.
"The confidence is flowing,
I like what I'm feeling
My smile doesn't disguise it,
When you want something you embrace it
I dive into free fall,
With you I create courage.
I'll take any challenge
And anything in my baggage".
The breeze through the windows swayed the brown hair to movie effect. Thanks to that timid voice that began to sing, Theodore had become incapable of blinking or looking away. All he did was keep up with that alpha looking at his mouth that sang so sweetly.
Ah he was smiling at you. The most beautiful smile Theodore had ever seen, sincere and directed straight to his heart. As they exchanged glances, Gabriel lost some of his shyness, continuing to sing the song to the blond.
"I trust you,
With eyes closed I can see
Honesty in a human being.
It's hard to find,
Nowadays just like you.
Consider yourself the most beautiful person in the world...
The most beautiful smile...
The most sincere look...
My safe haven...
The most beautiful person in the world."
Theodore's eyes began to sting as he teared up. He had needed to look away as the fervour had taken over his face. Laughing low covering part of his face, the omega was unable to look at Gabriel. Realizing this, the alpha stood up from his desk and walked slowly towards him without stopping singing.
"The confidence is flowing,
I like what I'm feeling
My smile doesn't disguise it,
When you want something you embrace it.
I dive into free fall,
With you I create courage.
I'll take any challenge
And anything in my baggage.
I trust you,
With eyes closed I can see,
Honesty in a human being,
It's hard to find,
These days like you.
Consider yourself the most beautiful person in the world...
the most beautiful smile...
The most sincere look...
My safe haven...
The most beautiful person in the world"
Little by little Gabriel left his shyness aside to sing confidently for Theodore. And when the omega returned his gaze, the alpha broadened his smile in an explosion of feelings. It was hard to try to escape that moment, as Theodore wanted to look at him more and more.
Only the shame was stamped on his face, he felt his cheeks burn and his eyes water endlessly. When he had lowered his head preventing Gabriel from seeing him anymore, tears were falling from his eyes. Theodore had pulled up the sleeve of his sweatshirt to wipe them away quickly, but the quantity had won out.
Besides, Gabriel had stopped in front of him kneeling still playing the guitar and looking directly at him recapturing his attention.
"You, you, you are the guy
You, you, you're the guy
You, you, you are the guy
The most beautiful person in the world
You, you, you're the guy
You, you, you are the guy
You, you, you are the guy
The most beautiful person in the world"
With the end of the tune, Gabriel leaned on the guitar extending his hand to wipe away the treacherous tears streaming down Theodore's face. The warmth of his hand was cozy for the omega, who held it, rubbing his cheeks against his palm.
― And now, how do you feel? ― The alpha had asked.
Grinning low, Theodore showed the little fangs in his smile that would surely be able to kill that alpha in the heart.
― I feel like the most beautiful person in the world.
