Chapter 2
It was after Javert's heat had finished that Valjean asked the question. He approached his lover as he ate a slice of bread and jam for breakfast, eyes staring blankly at the wood of the table as he mechanically chewed.
"What is the problem?" Direct, yes and perhaps a little harsh, but that was what Javert needed.
"What?" He lifted his eyes to look over, "What do you mean?"
"You are unhappy. Am I... Am I failing you, in some way?" He held still, dreading the answer. He watched Javert's eyes widen and then lower into a frown.
"No. I just... It's that..." Valjean had the odd experience of watching his mouth flap with no words emerging. "You are so good, in every way. You are kind and attentive and you... function correctly. However, I..."
"Javert, answer my question."
"I see you, when I am patrolling sometimes. You play with the children on the streets; you look so happy." There was a suspicious glisten in his eyes. Valjean stomach fell away. His omega was this upset?
"You... don't like me playing with the children? No, you don't actually have a problem with that, I know. They make even you smile sometimes."
Javert just frowned again, shifting quietly in his chair.
"Is it about your duty again? I thought we had figured that out."
"That's not it. I trust you not to change into someone else now." Valjean smiled, despite the serious topic. From Javert, it was a bold declaration of love.
He rose from his chair and moved around to kneel before his omega. "It is not your duty, or jealousy of my time and you do still love me. I do not understand where the problem is then."
Javert raised a large hand to cover his face, the other still gripping his cup on the table top. He took a shuddering breath, then another.
"The problem lies with me."
"What? No. How? Where? I have not seen it..."
"How... How long can you possibly be happy with me?" His hand still covered his face, and the other came to join it. Javert was curling in on himself. "I cannot give you what you want and what you need. I fail in my duty to you."
Valjean pulled the man off his chair and into his lap. In their small kitchen space, it was not comfortable, but they remained tangled together, Javert's face pressed into his neck and those large hands gripping tightly his back. Valjean dropped a kiss to his head.
"I want you; that is all. I want and need you, happy and beside me. What duty have you failed in that upsets you so?"
"You would... You would be father to all those gamin on the streets. It makes you happy. I have been with you for over a year now, and my body remains barren. I cannot give you what you want?"
"You want a child?" He frowned. It had not occurred to him that this was the problem. Javert had never seemed overly enthusiastic of children. He had assumed the man was taking powders and plants to avoid becoming impregnated.
"I... I do not mind them, but you love them. Your heart is so large it could encompass this whole town. How blessed a child would be to call youfather." His neck was definitely wet. He couldn't help rocking slightly and rubbing his love's back.
"What would I do," Javert continued, still holding him, "if you left me. What if the substances I have used for nearly two decades have left me unable to bear children? How could you be with me when I cannot give you what you truly love?"
"Oh, my dear inspector. You observe so much, and yet miss the blindingly obvious." He held Javert in strong arms. His body was starting to tingle uncomfortably, but he would not move until his omega was more settled. "You are what I truly love. Not some hypothetical child. That is not to say if God decided to give us one I would be resentful. Not at all because as you have said, I love children. But I would not leave you to acquire one. If I had a child, I would wish to raise it with you. Not alone and not with anyone else."
Javert had gone quiet. Now that his breathing had calmed, Valjean simply sat and held him. He hoped this was the end of this problem.
"You love... me, regardless?"
"Of course!" The question barely passed his lips, Valjean replied.
"You will remain with me, regardless?"
"I do love you. I know you love me. What more is there? If you want to continue trying, we can, but it will not cause me to abandon you."
"You would leave, not abandon me. I am not some charity case you picked up along the way."
"Of course." Valjean grinned. This particular attitude meant Javert had settled comfortably. He shifted the man out of his lap and stood up, giving a light groan as his back popped from its position. He held his hands out for Javert, who stood up without them.
"Just so you know," he said, stepping forwards and sliding his arms around Javert's waist, "I have no objections to the attempts we have at getting you pregnant."
His lover rolled his eyes and curled his arms around his alpha's shoulders. A chaste kiss was pressed to his lips.
"Later. I have to get into work."
"They will not be expecting you. Your heat is just over." He fastened his mouth to his neck, sucking on the warm flesh.
"I will just gather more work by staying here. I will be sure to finish on time for you though." He detached himself and pressed another kiss to his mouth. Valjean smiled happily and allowed his partner to get himself sorted and out to the station.
