Omega's Joy: An MPREG Romance

by Oliver Crowley

  He felt himself blush profusely and nodded quickly, “Yes, yes.”

  “Can you stand?”

  “I believe so,” Reginald added but accepted the proffered hand regardless and let the older man pull him up. He tried to move forward on the leg and was relieved to find he could, even if it stung slightly.

  Sully looked back at the house, which they had made some ground away from and sighed, “It is a decent distance back.”

  “I can manage,” Reginald said but as he tried to walk forwards he winced, “If we stay slow.”

  Sully looked caught between agreeing to what Reginald had said or trying to get some help but he was an able bodied man and certainly did not need to get carried into his house. “It is only a slight strain, I am sure,” Reginald reiterated and the other man nodded, keeping note to walk slowly by his side.

  With Reginald focusing on his ankle he struggled to try and make conversation but Sully seemed to have no inclination to do so either, only occasionally inquiring after how he was fairing. About half way back the pain was growing and he signaled for them to divert to a tree nearby, “Can we rest there a short while?”

  Sully obliged and helped him lower himself before taking a seat close by, thighs touching, “I think I ought fetch assistance.” Elias said looking down at Reginald’s ankle.

  “No need,” the injured man insisted.

  “Then please let me take a look, I insist.” He had no idea what help that would do, but the man seemed determined and so he assented and leant back as Sully shifted position and gently took hold of his leg, lifting it slightly. Reginald bit his lower lip to prevent himself from muttering out a curse as the other man removed his shoe, Sully looked up at him clearly about to say something before he stopped mouth hanging open before he hastily returned to what he was doing. He carefully peeled back his sock and rolled up the trouser.

  He was biting down so hard he tasted blood as the other carefully touched the swollen skin. Reginald let out a low sigh of relief when his leg was once again lowered to the ground, “My apologies if that caused you any discomfort.”

  “It’s quite alright, Sully,” Reginald said as the other slowly replaced his shoe and sock.

  “Elias,” he corrected, “I do believe you are correct although it is quite swollen, it would be better if you stayed off of it for the rest of the day.”

  Reginald looked at the remaining distance and let out a laugh, “Never have I been so willing to trade it all for a smaller garden.”

  The man before him rolled his eyes but offered him a hand to stand, “I suggest you lean on me.”

  “Thank you, Elias,” He said the other man pulled his arm around his neck and wrapped his own around Reginald’s waist and he felt alive at all the parts their bodies were touching, once again feeling a subtle blush cross his features.

  It was slow going getting back to the house but as soon as he did, Felton was there, “What happened, sir?”

  “I fell,” he said as Elias helped him shuffle into the room.

  “Shall I call the doctor?”

  “No, that’s really quite alright.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” he turned to the man holding him, “Elias, would you be so kind as to help me into the library?”

  “Of course,” he said moving immediately but Felton was still hovering, worried look on his face.

  “Is there anything I can do, sir? Perhaps contact Miss Marise?”

  “God no!” Reginald exclaimed a tad too quickly and he felt the surprise emanating from Elias along with a hint of amusement, “I really am quite alright, I appreciate your concern.”

  “But, sir.”

  “He has a quite swollen leg, if you could perhaps get a damp cloth that might be helpful,” Elias interjected. Felton nodded quickly and disappeared, as soon as they were behind the doors of the library he let out a low chuckle, “Well, your servant certainly like you.”

  He was lowered slightly into an arm chair before Elias darted off and fetched a stool to rest his foot against, all the while Reginald felt a perfect fool. A moment later Felton came in holding the damp cloth, which Elias stood to accept before dismissing him and as he came back, Reginald looked at it, “There really is no need.”

  Elias was already removing his shoe and sock gently once more, “Perhaps not, but it will reduce the swelling and save the poor boy having a panic attack.”

  He had to concede that and smile, “Thank you for taking such good care of me, my vigilant hero,” he said as Elias lowered the cool cloth down.

  The other man shook his head but the amused smile was there. When he’d finished wrapping it around his ankle he sat up, pulling his chair slightly closer to Reginald and slumped into it, “A most invigorating walk, Reginald.”

  “Ah yes,” Reginald smiled, “I like to think it was pleasant, injury notwithstanding.”

  “Please do not mistake me and assume that I thought there was anything pleasant about your circumstance.”

  He waved him off, “I know.”

  Elias’ eyes briefly scanned the room before he noticed the chess set and Reginald quickly noted the line of site, “Do you play?” the taller man asked.

  “Perhaps not as much as one would hope,” he smiled, “But I do indeed, and yourself?”

  “My father taught me whilst I was young.”

  “Would you care for a game?”

  Elias answered by going and collecting the set and laying it down carefully between them,after moving the small table and rearranging his chair, “Black or white?”

  “You are my guest, and considering I have been a rather bad host thus far, I would give you the choice.”

  Elias smiled at him warmly, the more time he was spending in this man’s company the more he noted he was becoming more openly friendly, “Black.”

  They settled quickly into the game, Reginald at first going easy, before Elias’ level of skill became obvious and by the end he was internally reprimanding himself for giving Elias a head start. When only a handful of players remained on the board, Elias using a castle and a bishop to corner him whilst Reginald used his queen to defend and it became obvious he was doomed as the other man positioned his knight against her and so he tipped his king over.

  “Well played.”

  “You were the one who gave the game away at the start.”

  Reginald went to defend himself but quickly gave in, “You caught me. I’m afraid I am too accustomed to playing Marise.”

  The other man chuckled, “How about a rematch then? Without holding back.”

  The injured man beamed back, “It would be my pleasure.”

  The games stretched on well into the evening, Felton bringing in sandwiches for them in the afternoon, as they continued to go backwards and forwards. Elias’ strategy unnerved Reginald; he never reacted the same way twice and he was overtly an aggressive player whereas the injured man prided himself on his ability to adapt to the situation and coveted his queen. The latter was something the other found quickly and Reginald had lost a handful of games as he exploited that issue.

  The conversation flowed nicely, once again debating society, politics, religion, science and Reginald found the other well informed on all topics. Their opinions often clashed but they would laugh off the differences with a clink of glass and a change in conversation. They were so engrossed in the game that once more the dinner gong sounded before either of them had noticed the time.

  Reginald frowned, hand still hovering on a piece he was collecting as they had just started resetting for a new game. He contemplated the arduous task of getting dressed and believed Elias to be like minded in this matter from previous discussions, “I profess, I cannot bring myself to want to face the stairs in my current state, would you be offended if we chose not to dress for dinner?”

  “I would gladly oblige,” the other man said, “Speaking of which, may I check your ankle?”

  Reginald nodded and watched as the taller man shifted, taking away
the cloth, “Would you mind?”

  “Not at all,” Reginald responded lowering a hand for him to place the cloth in as he once more lightly traced the smaller man’s ankle with his fingertips. The touch was feather light but it sent a small chill up to his spine. He found himself watching the other man intently as he worked, Elias looked up and held his gaze whilst he leant out to collect the cloth, but he didn’t remove his hand straight away. He blinked and made to look down but the other man was already pulling away.

  His heart felt as though it was about to explode in his chest, did he imagine the affection he saw in his eyes? Did the moment feel longer than it actually was?

  “Reginald,” Elias asked and he realized he must have been staring intently at the floor and quickly turned to meet his eyes.

  “Yes?”

  “Do you remember when I asked you earlier if you’d travelled?”

  Reginald thought back to this morning and remembered when the conversation had become derailed, “Of course, you know now I haven’t, I assume you have?”

  The other man nodded, “Before my parents’ death, when I had first reached maturity, I took a few years travelling around Europe. I mention it in relation to our earlier conversation regarding what society deems acceptable.”

  “Please, go on,” Reginald said using the discussion as an opportunity to watch the other’s face most avidly.

  “Other countries are more liberal on most things, did you know?”

  “I had heard rumors,” he thought back to a recent conversation with Ambrose who had just returned from the continent, “I believe there are still constraints around the higher members of society but it is not uncommon for mistresses to live amongst the wives and children of the master.”

  “That is so.”

  “I cannot find it within myself to condone that particular kind of situation, I believe us all equal in what we think and do in matters regarding the heart; however such an arrangement I find most odd and unfair to those involved.”

  “I agree wholeheartedly, however that was not the point we I was trying to make. Consider that each society has different stipulations regarding who should marry whom and so forth, how do we know which society is the correct one?”

  Reginald paused, a Frenchman may consider English values absurd and the same could be said in reverse but how do you tell one society they are wrong? Who can make that judgment without being bias in some way? “I suppose it would vary according to individual tastes.”

  “Precisely,” Elias said with a relieved expression, “therefore would you agree that if the two individuals involved agree and are happy, they should be allowed to live peacefully without outside interference?”

  “Providing theyareboth consenting and are of an age to understand what it means, yes I agree. Society, however, does not.”

  “It seems so ridiculous that people may have to displace their desires for society.”

  “There are ways around it,” Reginald thought, “Almost always with consequences but I understand why people may take the risk if they are in love.”

  Something in Elias’ eye sparkled as if Reginald had said the exact thing he was hoping for. A moment later the gong sounded and the taller man stood and offered a hand to the injured man who had only just managed to lower his leg to the floor. He leant heavily on Elias on the way to dinner, apologizing profusely as he did so for the inconvenience but the taller man assured him there was none. Felton fussed as soon as they arrived, pulling back a chair for him and rearranging the surrounding chairs so he could keep it elevated. He really didn’t understand what all the fuss was about but obliged them enduring the awkwardness involved with sitting one way and trying to eat his dinner and converse with someone seated on his other side.

  Elias laughed at him a few times when he contorted himself in a ridiculous manner and the meal proceeded far slower than usual as a result. They took drinks at the table, Reginald sighing after his back had started to hurt and swung his leg off the chair and placed it under the table so he could actually face the man before him.

  The taller man eyed him skeptically before turning in his chair slightly and moving over so that there was a gap on the chair before bending down, scooping Reginald’s foot up gently and placing it on his chair, “There’s really no need,” Reginald protested but the man before him rolled his eyes.

  “There is no need to stand to attention around me, Lord Rowe,” he said pointedly, “I am more than comfortable being informal with a friend.”

  Reginald smiled, “Well it does feel a touch better elevated.”

  “I feel it easy to be candid within your company,” The taller man said, “I find it refreshing.”

  Thinking to how he behaved with Marise when they were alone, gossiping like children at times, he realized he too preferred that to the falsehood necessitated by society and wondered what it must be like for someone to have no one they can truly be themselves with, “I must agree.”

  An easy smile spread across the others face, “It is a shame I have to return tomorrow, I fear I shall miss your company.”

  “And I yours,” Reginald replied honestly, “There are some disadvantages of having only Marise for company. She is wonderful and I love her, do not mistake me, but she will not debate science or society with me unless she is trying to convince me the merits of a party.”

  “Perhaps you ought oblige her,” Elias said eyes fixated on Reginald as if he were the most fascinating person in the room, “It may provide for an enjoyable affair.”

  “I would be more inclined if I was assured certain companies absence,” Reginald admitted, “The last event turned into a three day affair in which they refused to leave to the latest possible moment.”

  “To be sure,” Elias concurred, “However, I have it on good authority that they are going to be away in Bath for the entirety of next month.”

  “Indeed, perhaps my sister will get her chance then after all. But you must promise me not to stalk away into the library, if you are so inclined for me to have a party, I would prefer not to bear its troubles on my own.”

  A smile grew on the others face, “I would not be so inclined to stalk away, Reginald, I assure you.”

  ***

  When the mantle struck half eleven and Reginald could sense the servants eager to finish up the room they stood and Elias slowly helped the other man to his room. The stairs were a particularly draining task and he couldn’t help but feel in debt to the man for having the patience to deal with this.

  He made his opinions known as they reached the top step and Elias shook his head, “Do not be ridiculous, Reginald.”

  “My only consolation then shall be that if roles were reversed I know I would gladly take the same role you have this evening.”

  Elias looked at him with something akin to wonder and it made his heart constrict at how easy his company was and how much he relished it. They walked in silence the stretches of corridors until matching Reginald’s door.

  He opened it with Elias still holding onto him and was happy the other man felt it essential to escort him fully onto his bed, “Thank you, my friend,” he huffed as he settled onto the bed.

  The taller man nodded and turned to leave, “If you require any assistance, I will gladly come if called.”

  “Goodnight, Elias.”

  “Goodnight, my friend.”

  ***

  Elias woke in the morning feeling quiet refreshed even though he hadn’t gotten to sleep straight away, whenever he closed his eyes he saw images of Reginald, the way he would stare out randomly when he was clearly deep in thought, the way he would smile enthusiastically whenever they got into a more vigorous debate and his favorite of all the way he bit his lip and scrunched his face lightly when Elias had been holding his ankle. It was a peculiar notion surrounding the latter image as he knew he was causing him pain but the way he bit his lip shot through his system and he was eager to see it again although preferably through similar methods. The very thought of caus
ing pain to Reginald seemed abhorrent to him and he realized he had become a little more attached than he had realized from their random rendezvous at parties. That was in actuality why he had accepted Colton’s invitation to the party on the off chance he had a chance to converse with the man and his spirit had lifted infinitely when he had heard the door open and shut.

  He had been considering writing to the man after their conversation the time before that but had ended up not doing so, Reginald always seemed please when Elias was there or joined him but he was unsure of his friendship with the man. When the smaller man had then proceeded to invite Elias to his abode for a short stay he had been delighted.

  Now he was here and they had spent more time together he was convinced the pull towards the other would not abate and it was not the pull of mere friendship. He knew Reginald was fairly forward thinking in his views but he was not sure if that would stretch quite as far as Elias hoped and he found himself taking more and more chances. Thus far he had not been rebuked which gave him courage; Elias had always been one to go for what he wanted. It was tempting to just act, if Reginald did refuse him he highly doubted that the other man would expose him, but their short weekend together was not long enough to gauge his opinion of him. Although he loathed the social necessities when at a party if he could see how Reginald reacted to others and responded to them he felt he could determine how to act from there.

  He pulled himself out of bed and quickly dressed and he had to admit that he was happy the man thought so highly of him to place him in a family room. As he walked down the corridor he paused at Reginald door, hesitant to see if the other was yet ready and so knocked lightly.

  “Come in,” he heard the smooth voice command.

  “I hope I’m not disturbing you,” he said immediately upon entry but the other was simply standing in front of a mirror trying to sort out his bow.

  “Oh, Elias,” The other said turning and smiling brightly, “No, not at all. It seems I am at war with my clothing today.”

  “May I?” He said before he had thought it through but Reginald’s smile didn’t falter he just lowered his arms and walked towards him.