Alright guys~ I'm kinda excited for this fic
I've been wanting to write a USxUK fic for a long time, and I knew it had to be an Omegaverse.
I was finally was able to put my thoughts into writing in the form of this fic, so let me know what you think in the comments~!
I'm not sure how many parts this story will end up having, but if I get enough interest in it, I may extend it to include other couples as well~ *cough* GerIta *cough*
So without further ado~
Xxxx -USxUK- xxxX
How to Take Care of Your Pregnant Omega: Chapter 1 - Food Cravings
Overview
If you haven't noticed already, you'll be sure to notice soon that your Omega mate may have some strange changes in dietary behavior over the course of their pregnancy. Situations such as increase in appetite, sudden change in food preference, or desire to consume food more often are all examples that are completely normal, and should be expected.
Once your mate reaches around the mid-point of their pregnancy term, you may experience another shift in their dietary behavior and needs. At this point, your Omega mate will most likely start to crave- meaning that any and all preferences and behaviors that they previously displayed with food are no longer applicable. Symptoms you should expect to see may include, but are not limited to; wanting to eat only one type of food (i.e; fish, or fruit), desiring to eat random foods, usually in combination (i.e; peanut butter and pickles), or, even only being able to stomach certain types of food due to nausea (morning sickness).
In some more extreme cases you may even expect to see changes with the time that your Omega wants to eat at. Suddenly needing to eat completely random times (usually sometime between Midnight and 5:00 AM), or waking up at around these times with a strong craving for certain foods is again, something that could be expected. Subsequently, there may be cases that you experience where your Omega may feel like they won't able to go to sleep (or back to sleep), until they've consumed a sufficient amount of a craved food.
In this chapter you'll learn some tricks to help normalize your Omega's eating pattern and habits as much as possible, but always remember this; If your partner is craving a certain food, it's usually for a reason. Providing that it isn't something that they shouldn't have (alcohol, allergens, etc.), it's usually best if you try to satisfy that craving to the best of your ability. To quote one of my favorite sayings;
"Hell hath no fury like a pregnant Omega denied their cravings."
Well, we can't all be perfect, but it's your job as Alpha to treat your Omega mate right and try to make their pregnancy term go as smoothly as possible! So do your best, and good luck!
Xxxx -USxUK- xxxX
"...lfred~?"
"...Alfred~"
"..Al?"
"...mm..."
"Alfred!!"
"..!!!...Huh? Wha'...'m up I'm up..!"
Alfred suddenly bolted upright in bed at the sound of his name being called repeatedly.
Well...more like he heard his name, but didn't feel like getting up...until somebody decided to slam a pillow over his face. He glanced around dazedly until his eyes settled on the figure in bed next to him.
"I've been calling your name for 15 bloody minutes you wanker!" Arthur seethed, reaching for another nearby pillow and slamming it into Alfred's face again.
Ah yes, his lovely Omega~
" 'm sorry Artie...are ya alright? Whad'ya need?" Alfred asked through a large yawn, stretching his arms over his head sleepily. What time was it anyways?
"Oh, you're asking that now?" Arthur asked haughtily, green eyes shining with anger. "What about 15 minutes ago when I was trying to wake you up then, hmm? You bloody prat! What if the baby was coming?! You're supposed to be here for me when I need you, but you prioritize sleep over me!" Arthur's face was red with anger, but his angry rampage of words died down suddenly as large tears welled up in his big eyes.
Oh no...
"So that's it, it is? You don't love me anymore you bloody tosser?! You'd rather stay in dreamland where you can ride flying hamburgers instead of waking up when I need you?!" The Brit bawled as unending streams of tears suddenly fell from his eyes and cascaded down his cheeks like waterfalls.
Alfred's heart cinched in excruciating pain at seeing his Omega cry.
"Artie, baby no you know that's not- "
"It is too true!" Arthur sobbed uncontrollably, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hands. "I tried to wake you up...but you said 'Leave me alone, I'm having a great dream about a flying hamburger right now'. Well I hope you're satisfied in your dream you wanker!"
Arthur sobbed a few more times before struggling to kick off the covers and push himself towards the edge of the bed. His extremely pregnant form made it excruciating to do simple things like getting out of bed, but he was too upset to be in the same area as his Alpha mate at the moment.
"Arthur, what're you- ?"
"Leave me alone! I'm leaving, you bloody prig!" The blonde cursed angrily, tears still shimmering in his eyes. He finally heaved himself off of the bed at landed on unsteady feet, hissing in discomfort at the stress his joints were put under. With one hand guiding himself along the wall, and the other wrapped protectively around his large stomach- Arthur did his best to waddle out of the bedroom- paying no head to the calls from his mate behind him.
"Artie? Arthur come back here!" Alfred called desperately, quickly jumping out of bed to follow the pregnant Omega into the kitchen.
"Arthur, look at me!"
Alfred finally caught up to his mate and placed a gentle hand on his arm- spinning him around. Arthur glanced up at the Alpha with big, green eyes- tears leaking from the corners as his lip quivered uncontrollably.
"Hey, now- everything's gonna be just fine baby~" Alfred cooed, gently pulling the sobbing Omega into loving hug.
Arthur tried to struggle against his mate's hold, but Alfred's grip was too strong and he soon found himself clinging to the American's sweatshirt and letting his back be rubbed as a sweet smell filled his nostrils and a calm washed over his body- allowing his breath to even out and his sobs to slowly die down.
Ah... If it was one thing that made Alfred thankful that he was an Alpha for, it was for being able to have pheromones that could soothe his mate down when he became scared or over-emotional...Which happened to occur quite often with Arthur's pregnancy mood swings...
After a few more moments of back rubbing and whispering soothing words into his mate's ears, the Omega had finally calmed down enough to stop crying. Alfred placed a final loving kiss onto the mop of blonde leaning against his chest, then reached down to scoop up Arthur's legs- carrying him bridal style back to the bedroom.
"Are you alright now?" Alfred asked gently after he had gotten his pregnant mate back and situated into their king sized bed. Arthur slowly nodded his head, rubbing at his red-tinged eyes and nose.
"Artie...I'm sorry for making you think that you weren't my first priority.." The Alpha apologized sincerely, taking one of the Brit's hands into his own and kissing the back tenderly. "You are, and forever will be, my number one and only priority."
Alfred leaned down and placed a lingering kiss onto Arthur's swollen sweater-clad stomach.
"Now what was it that you needed love? Ask anything and I'll get it~"
Arthur looked skeptical for a moment before placing his hands on top of his stomach and rubbing. "The baby was hungry...It kept kicking me, and when I finally woke up, I was craving really bad..."
Alfred's mouth made an 'o' in understanding and he leaned forward to nuzzle cheeks with his mate. "I'm so sorry love, so that's why you were trying to wake me up...you want something to eat, right?"
The Omega looked down in embarrassment and nodded.
"No problem! So what're you craving for? I stocked up on most of your favorites when I went to the store the other day~"
Arthur tilted his head to the side in consideration, rubbing his stomach gently. "...Icecream..." He finally decided with a nod.
"Ah..Alright, easy-peasy~" The Alpha replied with a smile, chuckling on the inside.
Artie always gets the weirdest pregnancy cravings...he normally doesn't even like sweets that much...but he usually always wants them when his cravings kick in~...
"Lucky for you, being the hero I am, I have foreseen your desire for icecream and bought 12 containers yesterday!" Alfred exclaimed triumphantly, mentally patting himself on the back for thinking to buy some extra cravings food for his mate. "So what'll it be? Rocky Road? Mint Chip? I know you love chocolate, so I bought Brownie Xtreme~ How about that~?"
"Strawberry."
"Huh?"
"Strawberry icecream..." Arthur replied methodically.
"Alright. Nothing else? Cause I can get you something els- "
"...with pickles..."
Alfred grimaced slightly but kept his smile up and nodded brightly.
"Course Artie~ Anything else?"
"Mmm...some anchovies too?"
"An-Anchovies...?" Alfred question hesitantly.
Arthur remained unperturbed and merely nodded. "The baby likes them..."
"Of course...the baby does~..." Alfred feigned agreement, internally cringing. "So some strawberry icecream...with pickles and...an...chovies...? That sound right...?"
The pregnant Omega nodded contentedly and snuggled against his pillow as his mate stood up and made to leave the bedroom.
"Alright, it'll be just a minute Artie~"
Alfred strolled back into their kitchen, finally glancing at the digital clock on their microwave. 2:30 AM.
He sighed slightly at the prospect of not being able to return to dreamland anytime soon. (He had learned from experience throughout the earlier stages of Arthur's pregnancy that these midnight wake up calls usually lasted the course of several hours- and the Omega wouldn't even think of returning to sleep until he was completely satisfied.)
Still- Alfred wanted nothing more than to make sure that Arthur was healthy, happy, and well taken care of, so he quickly made his way to the freezer- scanning through the numerous cartons of icecream there until he found the one labeled 'Sweet Strawberry'.
"Alright, there you are~"
Icecream carton in hand, the Alpha rummaged though the fridge until he found a jar of pickles, then grabbed Arthur's favorite bowl and began assembling his mate's hormone-induced cravings sundae.
"Ah right, almost forgot the anchovies..." The American cringed at the name, but began searching for them regardless. "That's weird...I don't think we have any more..."
Alfred furrowed his brow and searched one more time, but still couldn't find a trace of any anchovies in their kitchen. "Ah...well...maybe it'll be fine without them..?"
The Alpha picked up the sundae bowl, along with a spoon from their silverware drawer, and headed back into the bedroom.
"I have your icecream here Artie~" Alfred announced upon re-entering their master suite. The Omega in question popped his head up above the covers further to see what his mate had brought him.
"Ah, sorry- I was gonna tell you but then you left..." Arthur started, and Alfred stopped.
"Oh, not hungry anymore?"
"No, not that." The Omega replied with a shake of his head. "Clotted cream...I was gonna ask you to put some on the icecream..."
Alfred blinked several times, trying not to wrinkle his nose at the request. "Ah, 'course Artie! Just give me a sec!"
Arthur watched his mate disappear momentarily before reappearing, sundae bowl still in hand.
"Alrighty, here ya go~" Alfred surrendered the sundae and spoon over to his waiting Omega and walked over to crawl onto his side of the bed as Arthur started munching on the icecream.
"Mmm."
"Ya like it Artie~?"
Arthur nodded happily, lips already sticky with a pinkish gloss. "Thanks."
Alfred smiled and watched his mate devour the rest of the sundae, thankfully not mentioning the lack of anchovies.
"Do you want anything else?" The Alpha asked with a smile as Arthur licked the last of the remaining pink icecream off of his spoon, then licked his lips.
"Hmmm...scones...sound so good right now..." The Omega mumbled offhandedly, his eyes glazing over slightly like he was recalling a good memory. "I haven't had them in so long..."
Alfred paled slightly. Scones? They definitely didn't have any scones handy- the only time they ever would was when Arthur made them...But he hadn't been allowed in the kitchen since he became pregnant...Which would mean...
"You...want me to make scones...?" He couldn't help the slightly incredulous tone that came out of his mouth at the prospect.
Arthur snapped out of his trance at his mate's words. "Hm? Oh! No, no...I was just speaking hypothetically..."
Alfred didn't miss the slightly crestfallen look that had come over Arthur's face even as he declared that.
"I...can manager that much!" He protested automatically. His whole life's purpose was to make his Omega happy...even if it meant trying to make scones from scratch at 3 o'clock in the blessed morning.
The Brit's eyes widened instinctively. "You...don't have to go that far..." He shook his head with a sad smile. "I was just thinking about my mum...she made the best scones when I was younger..." Arthur's eyes clouded over sadly and a fresh wave of tears threatened to spill from the corners.
"Ah, no no! Artie, please don't cry baby~" Alfred soothed, scooting over on the bed to pull the teary Omega into his arms.
"Ah...I..I'm...s-sorry..." Arthur shook his head at scrubbed at his eyes. "I'm sorry...for being so e-emotional..."
"Don't be, it's not your fault~" The Alpha continued to coo, rubbing at his mate's back soothingly. After a moment of cuddling, Alfred had his mind made up- gently detangling himself from the Omega and crawling out of bed.
"Hmm, where are you going Al?"
Arthur struggled to prop his pregnant figure up against the frame of the bed as he watched Alfred climb out of bed and don his Superman slippers.
"I told ya, didn't I Artie?" Alfred grinned and grabbed a nearby sweatshirt to throw on for warmth. "I'm gonna make you the best scones you've ever tasted! Haha!"
The Brit quirked an eyebrow at the Alpha's unusual motivation. "Do you...even know how to make scones...?"
"Of course!" Alfred smiled confidently.
Not he secretly added in his head.
"You just stay here in bed- do you wanna watch the TV?"
"Mmm, I suppose..." Arthur responded with a nod, adjusting his position to lay on his side.
The American turned on the television and turned the remote over to his mate before walking to the bedroom door. "Just holler if you need anything, ok~?"
Arthur actually cracked a small smile in return. "Alright, thanks..."
Alfred offered a grin of his own and bounded out of the bedroom, stopping once he had reached the kitchen.
"Fuck." He muttered quietly, scratching the back of his head.
How the heck am I supposed to actually make these scones? Think, think, think...
The Alpha groaned quietly and whipped out his cellphone.
"Let's see...under the circumstances- " He scrolled through his contacts until he found the name he was looking for. "Alright~ And call..."
...Ring...Ring...Ring...
"C'mon...pickup pickup..."
...Ri-
"...Bonjour, Francis parlant~" A silky smooth voice suddenly answered the phone.
The American replied with a breath of relief. "Uh, Francis? It's me, Al!"
"Oh~? Alfred, to what do I owe ze pleasure~? It's quite early your time, non?"
"Oh..weeeell, long story short- Arthur is craving scones really badly but I have no clue how to make them! I need some help quick so he doesn't go on an emotional hormone rampage!"
A barrage of laughter quickly filled the other side of the phone.
"Francis."
"Aha, sorry mon amie...I was just picturing that pompous clod going around and throwing a tantrum with how his large belly must be now."
"Yeah, well..he only has another month or two to go- but save that for later! Can you help me or not?"
"Hmm~ But why did you seek my assistance?"
"Cause you're a gourmet, Francis. I figured you'd be better to ask than anybody about food."
"Oui, this is true~ But big brother only cooks good food, I would never stoop so low as to make some of that absolute garbage English food, non!"
Alfred let out a groan of frustration, to which Francis lightly chuckled.
"Have you actually tried making them yet? I don't think they're much different from your American biscuits."
"Well, no I haven't exactly tried to make them yet...but I really don't want to screw them up! Arthur was talking about how his mom used to make them for him, and well, he sounded really homesick- so I'd hate to ruin his feelings on scones by making horrible ones!" Alfred stressed, holding his head in his hand.
Apparently that was enough to trigger some sympathy from the blonde.
"I'll tell you what, I have a friend that likes to dabble in international food, and I know he's been baking some British pâtisseries lately. He owes me a favor so I can call him up and ask him to make some for you~? I can special deliver them and have them there in...mmmm...an hour? Just distract Arthur until then, oui?"
"Wait Francis- an hour?! How are you gonna- "
"Just put your faith in big brother, mon cher~ Au revoir~"
"Francis! Hey, wai-" 'Click'
Alfred stared down at his cellphone in disbelief.
Francis is gonna send scones over?! How?! I thought he was in France right now- there's no way he can get scones made and sent over here in that short of time- special delivery or not!
The American groaned and paced small circles in the kitchen.
On another note, what am I supposed to tell Artie? I've only been out here for about 10 minutes- will he even buy it if I say that the scones are already done and they're in the oven? Mmmmmmmm...
Left with ultimately no choice, Alfred decided that he might as well give it a shot and head back to the bedroom.
Upon re-entering the bedroom, the Alpha was met with the sight of his beautiful, pregnant Omega mate curled up on his side in the bed- stroking his large stomach softly as he watched the television.
"Ah, Al you're back! Come and watch with me~" Arthur crooned, reaching a hand out towards the Alpha and doing grabby hands.
Alfred was used to the extreme and sudden moods swings that Arthur displayed over the course of his pregnancy, but it had been a while since he had seen the Omega in a more cheerful state. The best he usually got these days were a neutral calm, basically just getting by without crying or yelling.
He was thrilled, to say the least, and quickly made his way over to his side of the bed and laid down- glancing up at the TV screen with a grin.
"The Lion King, eh?"
Arthur grinned back, squirming closer to the American to rest against his chest. "I felt like watching something childish."
Alfred made no comment other than wrapping an arm around the Brit's shoulders.
He seems to be doing quite a lot of reminiscing these days...Is it just nostalgia because of the pregnancy? Oh, speaking of that...
"Ah, the scones are in the oven~ They should be done and cooled in about an hour. Sorry, I know it's a while, but..."
"Don't worry, I know that scones take time to make, that's why I said you didn't have to make them...But- " Arthur closed his eyes and snuggled into his mate's chest- beaming ear to ear. "I'm sort of glad to you were willing to go so far for me~"
The American gulped and closed his eyes guiltily. "O-of course Artie, you know that I'd do anything for you!" I'm gonna be so dead if he finds out...
"Mmhmm, I do~" The Brit opened his eyes and glanced up to meet Alfred's. "So I'm sure you made them with looots of love, right?"
"Y-yep! They were definitely made with tons of love!" Shiiiiiiiiitttt
Alfred closed his eyes again and prayed that by some sort of miracle Francis would pull through and get the scones delivered on time.
To be continued...