Chapter Text
Joe ran his finger over the edge of the cup because he didn't dare look at the door in case Nicky didn't show up as agreed.
"Hi," Nicky said. It made Joe look up. "Can I sit?"
"Of course, you can," Joe replied as he got up. "Let me."
Joe pulled out the chair for Nicky, who sat down.
"Are you hungry?" Joe asked. "Or do you want something to drink?"
"Tea would be nice," Nicky replied. "It is cold outside."
"You're right about that," Joe replied. "Be back in a moment."
Joe smiled before he walked up to the counter to order tea.
"I know how much you like fruit tea, so I got you apple tea with a hint of cinnamon," Joe said when he placed the cup in front of Nicky. "Is that okay?"
"It's yes," Nicky replied. "It smells divine."
Nicky took a sip of the tea while Joe sat down again. They sat in silence for a bit.
"Joe?" Nicky asked. "Why did you lie to me?"
"I wasn't lying to you. It is the last thing I wanted," Joe replied. "I was waiting for the right moment to tell you everything."
Joe drank some water.
"Something Leonard has ruined," Joe said. "Have I told you I don't like the way he looks at you?"
Nicky crossed his arms while looking angry at Joe in a way only an Omega could do. It made Joe feel guilty.
"You are doing it again. Acting like we are dating or are about to mate, something we aren't," Nicky said. "If you can't remember that, I will leave and never speak to you again."
"Sorry, I will remember that. And I know it will break my heart if you don't speak with me because..." Joe replied before he bit his tongue. He so wanted to tell Nicky about the poems he had written. "Could I ask you to tell me what Leonard told you about my family?"
"That you're out of a royal family," Nicky replied. "And that your Father was forced to abdicate the throne because he dishonoured his family by mating with an Omega from a lower class."
"Well, Leonard got one thing right: I'm out of a royal family, but the rest he got wrong: it wasn't my Father who abdicated - it was my Grandfather. And he gave everything up for love," Joe replied. "Do you want to hear the story? It will also explain why I don't run around using my royal title, because it doesn't matter to me. All that matters to me is you, Nicky."
Nicky nodded.
"Only if you remember that we aren't dating or mating," Nicky replied. "I haven't made my mind up about who should be my mate yet, something you also have to remember or else I will leave."
"I promise," Joe replied. "It's a long story, so do you want something to eat or more to drink?"
"Maybe some juice," Nicky replied. "And one of their cookies."
"I will get it for you," Joe replied. "Be right back."
While Joe was ordering the food, he hoped that by telling Nicky his family story, it would give him a chance to court Nicky, because that was all Joe really wanted, and maybe one day, mate and start a family with Nicky. It was all Joe dreamt about.