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Sejanus had been planning a normal Monday, working the counter at the small family bakery he is the proud owner of. He was supposed to make a batch of his famous breakfast muffins, and sell them with different cool drinks, not to be rushed to the palace, where one alpha was crying, another one was being loaded into an ambulance, and Coriolanus’ secretary stared at him like the potential savior of the country.
”You are aware of the crown prince’s status?” Sejanus doesn’t know how generally known fact Coriolanus’ omega status is, but yes, he is aware. The royal bakery position has been theirs for three generations now, and Coriolanus is also a childhood friend. They aren’t as close as they used to be – the royal duties had whisked the omega away, but his alpha whines at the idea of Coriolanus alone, and in pain.
Sejanus had always been keeping the little flame alive.
”Yes, I know about that.”
”Omegas need to be close to an alpha. It has been a while since he has allowed an alpha in his personal space, but it’s a necessity to any omega. We have made three attempts. The first one lost a finger. The second one was almost thrown out of the window. The last one came out in hysterics. We were running out of alphas, but my assistant remembered you being one too.”
Coriolanus is sharp, aware of his own biology, but Sejanus can’t imagine him being happy at random alphas barging into his private rooms at the palace.
”Does it need to be sex?” His voice is too blunt and awkward in the corridor, and the secretary is giving a dry smile.
”Absolutely not, and in his agitated state he could do anything if something like that was mentioned. He needs the touch and the presence of an alpha, a connection.”
Sejanus should have kept his mouth shut, but the beta secretary wants to throw him into the lion’s den, not to give a moral talk.
”It’s better to try to run if he gets violent. It’s your best shot. His royal highness fights dirty and wants to hurt. I’d rather not to call another ambulance today. Good luck.”
Familiar silvery blue eyes find his figure at the doorway. The royal secretary doesn’t wait for any words from Sejanus, just pushes him properly inside, and closes the door before the sounds and scents overwhelm Coriolanus.
”You don’t smell bad.”
”How do I smell?”
”Like caramel. And clean laundry. Much better than those other alphas. They made everything stink.”
”Then you got a little angry.”
”That I did.” Coriolanus is sounding cheerful. Not everyone appreciates a fierce omega, but Sejanus has always found his fire attractive, secretly thinking how well it could combine with his own calm nature.
”Do you think I could come a little closer?” He’d like to sit on the bed, or in the arm chair, but Coriolanus is faster than him, showing that the well-meaning advice from the secretary had been useless. If the omega wanted to draw Sejanus’ blood, he’d do that. Sejanus only blinks, and finds himself in Coriolanus’ steely grip. The omega pulls him to the bed, telling him to lie down with a nod.
”Where have you been?” He is clearly more lucid now, eyes bright, and omega silver pushed down, when he raises his head, a possessive arm thrown over Sejanus’ chest.
”At the bakery just like on almost every day of the year. I went to Torquay for a week in June.”
Coriolanus’ eyes are even prettier blue than the sea in Torquay.
”Such old man routines.” He is not going to take an offense. Not now, when the scent of cocoa and vanilla is so sweet, like stuffed cookies in his nose, and Coriolanus is looking at him like no other omega has ever looked Sejanus. He wasn't expecting anything like this, but Sejanus wouldn't resist.
”What are you going to do to that?”
”As a royal husband you’d have way more interesting things to do.” His heart leaps at the comment, and the omega pressing a kiss on his chin.
”I have missed you. Can you stay?”
"For now, yes.”
”You are going away?”
”I have to do things at the bakery, but I’ll come back if you have me.”
”I’d really like that. You want to make me happy, don’t you?”
He has always tried to control exactly that desire.
Coriolanus cuddles him determinedly, pulling and pushing until he is snuggled between Sejanus and a massive wall of different pillows.
He wouldn’t move until he had to use the bathroom, but luckily a pile of novels stands on the nightstand. Sejanus takes one, beginning to read while Coriolanus lets his exhausted body to rest.
A quiet vibration from his phone breaks the silence in the room. Sejanus unpockets his iPhone, seeing a text from a number he doesn’t recognize. Are you still alive? How’s the prince?
We are fine. The prince is sleeping. He silences the phone and puts it away, leaning down to kiss the pale strands of hair.
In the morning Coriolanus is clearly back from his omega episode, but doesn’t even think about being embarrassed. He stands very close to Sejanus, and only needs a nod from the alpha before nuzzling his neck.
”Don’t you think I wouldn’t have meant what I said last night. I have always thought about you. The only alpha whose scent doesn’t make me gag. I’m sorry I left you waiting.”
Sejanus just has to hug him, feel the solid warmth of the omega who could be his everything.
”Go save people’s day with your baking, but I expect you to come back tomorrow. I’ll arrange a dinner, and we can go to see the new puppies at the stables.”
”I’d love to. Can I have a kiss before I go?” Not everyone would dare to push the boundary with the omega prince, but Coriolanus just smiles against his skin.
”You sweet, sweet alpha. Take your kiss, and go, so you can come back.”