They should be up with the sun but soon it's clear to the group that their omega isn't going anywhere. As Allistor rests a hand on Alfred's forehead he's tempted to say I told you so but he doesn't say a word as he looks into his mate's eyes. "Well?" He hears behind him.
Carefully the Fox tucks in the Omega before answering. "He'll be fine by tomorrow morning."
"Something he ate isn't it?" Gilbert asks seeing the younger curl up into a tight ball on the bed. He knew the moment he saw Alfred stuff his face the night before that not all of it would stay down.
While he tries to hide his face Alfred mutters out in defense. "The baby was hungry…"
"The baby is just as sick as you are."
"Shh!" Allistor gives the Albino a warning look. "Don't tell him that, he's sick yeah but don't go scaring him."
Crossing his arms Gilbert sighs. "Fine but what do we do now? We're going to waste a day and a few more coins for nothing."
As he sees the Omega try to curl tighter Abel speaks up. "I'm getting my axes sharpened and we could pick up some last minute things." He squeezes Alfred's shoulder for a moment as he stands. "That will give him enough time to sleep it off."
"Hmm I could use more tobacco."
"You could lay off the tobacco." Gilbert knows by the look that he's on his last warning so he gives Allistor a smile. "But maybe a beer is in order…"
"Then that's what we'll do." Allistor turns back to their mate. "Do you want anything?" Alfred keeps his head buried in the blankets as he shakes his head no. "Alright just rest and we'll be back by noon." Again he nods but doesn't say anything as the three leave. Once they're down the hall Allistor turns back to the Wolf. "He's upset yah know."
"Yeah," Gilbert says rubbing the back of his neck. "But you'd think he would have realized that, that shit would-"
"He learned a lesson. I mean come on Gil we've all done it." Abel sighs thinking back. "Last time I checked we still aren't allowed in that one bar in Indigo for a reason."
"Just that one bar?"
Gil sighs. "Alright I get it. I'll make it up to him." As he says it something dawns on him. "We got supplies…but did he get anything?" He thinks back to the previous night knowing that while they have plenty of food, water and herbal medicines they failed to get the expectant Omega anything he'll need in the upcoming months. "Shit how did we forget and why didn't he tell us?"
"It's his first…we keep forgetting the lad's young. I remember when my brother Tristan's mate was first pregnant. The boy didn't have the first clue about what to do. Actually neither of them did really…" A soft smile grows on his face. "My Mum had ta step in and explain even the basics to them which was good since they loved whiskey…" The memory feels bittersweet to him now. "Well we should make a list of things ta get him."
"And the kid…shit do we even know what to get it?" Abel asks as he pulls out his coin bag.
"Him," Allistor corrects as he starts to think. "He'll want a few new shirts since he's very self-conscious about himself."
"That I don't understand."
"Won't be the only thing you don't understand."
Abel sticks out his tongue at the wolf. "I'm being serious. Most Omegas love nothing more but to show off their bodies to their mates."
"Well he ain't most Omegas." Allistor says picking up a shirt and examining it. "So if he wants to be self-conscious about his body we just don't point it out." He tosses it to Abel as he pays for it and one more.
As Abel slings it over his shoulder he spots a stuffed dog sitting among a small array of other stuffed animals. "Hmm…"
"What?" Gilbert follows his gaze and without another word goes over and buys it. "Here," He starts trying to hand it over to the Neko.
Abel refuses. "Nope, you bought it so you give it to him. And it'll probably make him feel better."
After giving him a sigh Gilbert slides it under his arm. "Fine." Out of the corner of his eyes he sees Allistor turn down a side alley.
"Where's he going?"
"My guess he's looking for tobacco but…"
Abel takes a step towards the alley. "But?"
"But let's get back to Alfred."
As the two make their way back to the hotel room Allistor makes a beeline towards the palace. He doesn't go up to the gate but slips into a crack in the wall before disappearing among the bushes in the garden. He's here for answers though he knows it's a long shot that Antonio will give them to him.
He finds the Avian sitting alone in his study with a guitar in his lap. Antonio is playing a light hearted melody as his foot taps against the bottom of the desk. "Hard at work ain't yah?"
After a moment Antonio stops playing and looks up at the new visitor. "I'd thought you'd be long gone by now my friend."
"Plans change," Allistor answers as he walks in and sits across from the Prince. He pulls out the last of his cigarettes. "Mind if I smoke?"
"Never have before." Antonio answers watching the red haired man light it. "I know you didn't come here to just say hello and listen to me play."
"You're music ain't half bad, never gonna get me to dance but," He inhales the rich smoke. "Tristan is dead. I know they killed off the Alphas but what happened ta Arthur?"
Picking up his guitar Antonio starts to play again this time a haunting melody. "You won't like what I have to say."
"Give me a name."
"How do you know I have one to give?"
In a flash Allistor reaches across the table, his hand grabbing the neck of the guitar. "Because the moment you saw me yesterday I saw it in your eyes." He stares at the Prince never once breaking his gaze. "Like I see it right now."
"You said you weren't looking for them anymore."
"I say a lot of things."
"Then think this through at least." Antonio pulls the guitar out of the Fox's grip. "They won't just kill you Allistor but that mate of yours as well." He stands siting the guitar by the window still. "If you want to kill yourself that's your business but you won't drag that Omega into this."
"How big is this?" Allistor asks but the Avian doesn't answer. "Tony what the fuck is going on?"
He doesn't want to answer, it would be easy for him to throw the Fox out but he knows Allistor will be right back. Truth be told he'd do the same thing if it was his brother that was taken, he'd do anything to get him back but…"Once the child is born I'll tell you everything I know."
"You're stalling for time."
"I know I am." Antonio says turning back to him. "They already have the Coyotes on the run, dissolved the Bats and if we don't play nice we'll be next."
"Who are they? Wolves? Lions?"
"You don't know how close you are my friend…" He says walking up to the now standing Fox. "Be careful where ever you go and trust no one…not even your own kind."
"Good thing I haven't trusted 'my kind' for a long time."
"It saddens me that I'm happy about that." Antonio says as he pulls out a wooden box and hands it to him. "I don't want to see anything happen to you."
The fox doesn't have to open the box to know what it is. "So you've forgiven me about the turtle?"
"Oh no she was my favorite but that doesn't mean I hate you." He offers a warm smile as he squeezes Allistor's shoulder. "Good luck, you'll need it."
Allistor returns the gesture. "Thank you…before I go could you play it for me one more time?"
He picks up the guitar again as he says, "Only for you my friend…"
Meanwhile Alfred replays the morning in this head as he lies alone. "It's not like I set out to fuck us over…" He says out loud curling up into the blankets that still have his mates' lingering scents hugging his stomach carefully. "It's one day."
"Yet one day will turn into two then three and by the time you know it your life has gone by and you'll never see your brother again."
"Go fuck yourself." Alfred says slamming his eyes shut trying to focus on the flutter of moments below his hands. "Because it's not like you care anyway."
"Boy how many times do I have to tell you I'm a figment of your imagination?" The voice says sounding annoyed.
"Exactly, you don't care, now go away."
This time he hears a slight chuckle from the voice he's grown to hate. "I'm not the only one that doesn't care. In the end,"
"Alfred?"
The voice fades as quickly as it came but still he doesn't look up at the new man that said it. "You awake?" He hears said with a gentle kindness he's never heard before from the man.
"If he isn't you just woke him up." Abel says quietly touching his shoulder.
"Oh says the guy that's touching him." He starts as Alfred pokes his head out from under the covers. "How are you feeling?"
"Better." Alfred says wanting nothing more than to hide again until he sees a brown animal under the Wolf's arm. "What's that?"
"Oh…" His face turns a light shade of pink as he holds out the dog. "It's for you and the kid…mostly you really." As Alfred takes it Gilbert looks away. "I'm sorry for what I said earlier it wasn't really that awesome and it wasn't all your fault."
"You were pissed. I get it." He hugs the gift to his chest as he sits up. "Thanks its cool dude."
"Yeah you're welcome." Slowly the Wolf leans down and kisses the top of his head. "You hungry?"
"Not really I don't want a repeat of last night." As he says it Abel sits with him on the bed purring lightly. "But um…" He lays back into Abel's chest feeling his back start to vibrate softly.
"But what?" Gilbert asks as Abel wraps an arm around the Omega.
He inhales slowly taking Abel's hand into his before motioning for Gilbert's. "But um can I…can I just have your hand please?" Up until then he's kept the moment a secret, something that was only for him and Allistor to feel though he knows they must be aware of it. So when Gilbert offers his hand he's unsure how both Alphas will take it but, he can't turn back now so as he rests back on Abel he guides their hands to where he hopes his son will kick.
Both Alphas watch in silence as Alfred looks down with a look of determination. "Come on little guy, please? You don't have to be shy now."
"It's alright Kid." Abel starts as Alfred keeps a firm grip on his hand. "He's not use to strangers hanging out on his Mom's stomach."
"But you're not strangers, uh Gil could you howl a little?"
"What no purring?"
Alfred looks back with a smile. "You haven't stopped purring and really he's probably use to that. So please Gil?"
While he wants to say no he can't seeing his mate's wide innocent eyes. So he clears his throat before letting out a soft howl. After a moment he lowers his head when he feels a strong kick below his palm that brings a proud smile to his face. "My awesome little son."
"He is pretty amazing." Abel says warmly though deep down he feels a pang of sadness. He had hoped the child would be his but he's sure there will be more chances to come for a family. So as the door opens he tries again to remove his hand. "Oh look the Fox has returned."
With a roll of his eyes Allistor closes the door. "Yeah and it looks like I missed quite a bit."
"My son kicked and it was awesome."
"Oh your son?" Allistor says crossing his arms with a knowing smile. "How do you know it ain't mine?"
"Simple you can't howl and he knows his father's howl." Gilbert says in a matter of fact way. "Therefore he is a wolf and will be an awesome one at that."
He wants to snort but he'll let the new father have his moment. "Alright fair enough and when I can use my magic ta check I'm sure you'll be right."
"Damn right I'm right." Gilbert says proudly as he hugs his mate.
Alfred returns his hug before turning back to the Fox. "Where were you?"
"Ain't important." He answers pulling out a cigarette hoping that one of his pack will say it.
Like he figured Gilbert does. "Bought more tobacco."
"Yeah," He says lighting it. "Like I said ain't important." He presses his hand to the Omega's stomach to feel a kick for himself. "He'll be strong like his Mum." With that he walks towards his bag and slides the box into it thankful that he wasn't missed.
While he thinks he's gotten away with his little side trip Gilbert's sharp eyes spot a symbol on the box. "Yeah," He starts letting it slide for now. "Yeah he will be."
