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”What’s that, bro?”
Paul follows the route of Liam’s gaze, finding a wicker basket standing by their apartment door. He doesn’t smell anybody unfamiliar in the hallway, but that tells nothing. Paul knows everyone living in these apartments after all.
Curiosity piqued he crouches down, fingers going through the items in the basket.
There is a card. A cream-colored high quality rectangle in a pink envelope, and seeing the message makes him blush.
Paul doesn’t do blushing. Except when his long-time alpha fuck buddy is asking him to court.
”That’s a courting gift, I think, and I know it’s not from Isack.”
Liam hasn’t always been in sync with his omega either, and his tone is a lot more tender than usually. Isack stands by his omega’s side, never trying to take the upper hand in their shared relationship. In return Liam allows his alpha protecting him, when he is feeling a little overwhelmed.
Quietly Paul picks up the basket, holding it in his arms, and waiting for his omega friend to open the door.
”I didn’t know.” His lips are wobbling a little, and his voice is definitely weird. Paul takes some deep breaths, telling himself that it’s safe and okay. Everything might be changing, but it’s still safe and okay. He doesn’t need to take this route.
”What you didn’t know?” Liam’s nose is wrinkling, the other omega picking up his flow of different emotions in the air, but he is being a good bro, saying nothing.
”That he sees us like this.” That Franco takes him seriously as an omega.
He doesn’t do soft things, and hasn’t a built a nest even once in his lifetime. He is used to people being judgmental, but Franco had only approached calmly. Paul promised good times, and friendship, he didn’t promise submission, and Franco had never asked for it. Being friends with Liam had helped with all that because Liam has found harmony with his partner too, Isack never expecting Liam getting on his knees for him.
”Is it something you don’t want then?” Liam walks into their small bathroom while Paul takes the basket to the living room, and turns towards the kitchen, making them both sandwiches, and pouring some orange juice. Soon his roommate joins him.
Liam thanks him for the food, and puts one sandwich on a separate plate. They take the snack to the living room, and sit down, both staring at the gift basket.
”How do you feel?”
Paul feels like his heart is glowing with all his soft, scary emotions, and he kinda wants to walk to the first floor of the building, and kiss Franco silly.
”What did he bring you?”
It’s very appropriate. Paul takes out a bracelet made of smoothest, dark blue beads. Some packets of snacks, nuts and his favourite granola. A silky soft blue scarf smelling of apple pie, Franco’s scent. His favourite cologne, hand cream, some candles, and a selection of different teas. It’s a humble, but a sweet set, and not too overwhelming for a first courting gift. He likes the message, Franco reassuring him that it wouldn’t need to affect their friendship if he said no, best.
It’s his turn to make a move now. Franco would be giving him space.
”Do you want to go to talk to him now?” Paul would finish his food first even though it tastes of nothing in his mouth now. He isn't often nervous with people, but now it tingles. Taking this surprising path with Franco is new, and they'd need to have several mature discussions while figuring things out.
”Should I dress up or something?”
”No. Franco only wants you. Just go. And congratulations.”
Liam gives him a hug first, his lovely mixed scent of coconut and vanilla wrapping around Paul too.
He is a little clumsy on the stairs, stopping to breathe a little, and telling himself to take it easy. It's Franco who knows him like no other person does, and has never tried to change Paul.
Franco is opening the door himself, nervous, but delighted, when their eyes meet.
”Hey, you.”
Paul pulls him close, hugging the alpha like tomorrow wouldn’t come.
”I take it that you didn’t hate the gifts?” Franco is speaking in his ear, a little shy, but letting himself relax in Paul’s familiar grip.
”I’d love to court. I want you.” He wants to trust the alpha with his heart, and Franco makes a sound, like a teary chuckle.
”Thank you. I can't wait.”