With so many tears running down his face, it took a while for Nathaniel to calm down. Being in Jake's arms, the omega fell asleep being nursed by his boyfriend, who lay his head on his chest and kissed the top of his head.
— Here, dear — Arabella handed a glass of water to Jake, who accepted and thanked with a smile. The woman's swollen eyes descended to Nathaniel and she stroked his hair — Finally he demonstrated his sadness. How hard it must have been for him to stand all this time.
— I was surprised to see him like this. Even when he talked about Ares, I thought he had already moved on.
Arabella denied while she sat on the couch on Nathaniel's other side, looking at him with such tenderness that it was enviable to be such maternal affection.
— Not even after hearing the news about his father's death he cried. He was quiet and staring at the wall for a while, but did not have such a reaction... Explosive. It was like he...
— Like he never accepted that his father died all this time.
The woman agreed with her head, and Jake had a slight impression of what was happening. Now it made sense for Nathaniel to react when Bianca mentioned about Ares at that time. How furious the omega got and how he was always careful to mention what happened in the accident.
If Nathaniel had never met Jake, would he ever have exposed the truth?
Jake remembered his boyfriend's words, saying he was doing it because he wanted to help the alpha.
Had he taken a step higher than the leg?
Did Jake go too far in making his omega make the decision to tell the world the truth?
— Take him to the room, please — Arabella asked, not failing to smile — Ah, and if you need anything, please let me know.
— Sure, thank you.
Jake got up from the couch and picked Nathaniel up. He carefully took him to the omega's room, and laid him on his bed. While watching him sleep, Jake had the impression that he saw Nathaniel so vulnerable.
Sliding his fingers over his face, Jake hoped that his boyfriend could rest well. He also needed to sleep, was all day anxious because of the documentary and the possible repercussions it would have. He was feeling exhausted, but for some reason it was relaxing to sit on the edge of the bed and watch Nathaniel sleep.
It would be a good idea to pamper Nathaniel the next day. Let him rest well, give him some sweets, and keep the omega in his arms.
Jake felt an immense desire to embrace his omega.
Taking off his shoes and lying in bed, Jake hugged Nathaniel lying on his chest. Kissing his forehead, the alpha whispered.
— You did good, dear. Don't worry, you're not alone in this.
And so the two slept side by side.
The next day, at about ten o'clock in the morning, Nathaniel opened his eyes feeling his body all grief and his eyes were swollen. As he raised his head and sleepy eyes, he came across a glow so intense and cheerful that he just moaned low.
— Good morning, dear — Jake whispered with a smile on his face.
The alpha squeezed Nathaniel's waist and kissed his forehead, hearing the omega sigh again. He looked tired yet, as Jake had imagined the night before.
— Good morning, Jake — Nathaniel whispered back, looking away.
— Are you feeling well? I have the impression that you are exhausted.
— I'm fine... — The answer was automatic and Jake raised his bright eyes to the omega, who noticed his habit. Then he blushed slightly and lowered his eyes embarrassed — I have a little headache.
Smiling satisfied with the truest answer, Jake leaned down kissing his boyfriend's cheek and took him in her arms.
— It was probably a lot of emotions last night, and now you're tired. It's okay if you sleep a little bit more.
Remembering that he had cried so much last night made Nathaniel's ears turn red. Only it would do him little good to hide it. Especially after he bit Jake and created a bond with him. There was no way to hide anything from him.
— I don't want to sleep anymore. I just... I'm ashamed.
Jake slipped his fingers on Nathaniel's back, both still lying facing each other. As close as if they were stuck in a world that belongs only to them two.
— Thank you, Nath.
— Hm? Why are you thanking me?
— You let me see your most fragile and vulnerable side. You let me comfort you when I felt the burden on your shoulders relieved... — Jake whispered, saying every word looking directly into his eyes knowing that it would make Nathaniel understand the purity and sincerity of his feelings — For a moment I felt I was forcing you to do something that went beyond your limit, At the same time I feel so happy to be on your side and can comfort you that way.
Nathaniel blinked slowly. His heart was racing against Jake's chest.
Finally, the omega relaxed his shoulders and wrapped the arms around the alpha's waist.
— I should be the one to thank for helping me move on. Honestly, after the accident I thought my life was over. Looking at me in the mirror was torturing, no one could like someone like me... Someone with such a hideous appearance and also with so many misunderstandings in the back.
The omega opened such a tender smile, that Jake even blushed at the sight he had right in front of him. Like a painting of a dream, where everything is as tender and bright as the sunrise. Nathaniel's natural beauty was highlighted by his smile, leaving Jake stunned and unresponsive.
— You make me feel the most beautiful person in the world. It gives me strength to continue even if it is very difficult. Sometimes I think everything is just a dream, and I'm afraid to wake up alone again, but open my eyes and see you on my side, still treating me as the most special person in your life fills my heart with joy.
Feeling the tip of his nose tingling and his eyes swollen, Jake hugged Nathaniel and hid his face in the boyfriend's neck.
— It's not fair you tell me that, Nath.
Nathaniel chuckled and stroked the dark hair of the alpha, knowing that their feelings were in sync, as well as the beating of their hearts.
— Don't you think it's fair? You usually leave me like this and like to see me all dull.
— But it's because you're beautiful all embarrassed, now I...
Nathaniel raised Jake's face and looked into his smiling eyes.
— I love you.
With that statement, Jake practically passed out in Nathaniel's arms. It seems your omega has learned to leave him completely unarmed and catch Jake off guard.
After enjoying some time together in the room, hunger came for the two boys and they went down to the kitchen where the family was gathered. To the surprise of the couple, Matheus was also there hugging Guilherme's waist.
— What's up couple, you took long to get down.
Nathaniel gave a pinch in the hand of Matheus, making him release from his brother.
— I haven't given you permission to date my brother yet.
— Come on! Even my father-in-law accepted me, don't be like that, brother.
— Are you okay, brother? — Guilherme asked, covering the mouth of Matheus.
— I'm fine — He answered the omega and to notice the intense look of his family, he sighed low — I am feeling relieved, has nothing to worry about.
Although he seems sincere, Loreto and Arabella raised their eyes to Jake in a sincere request to validate the answer they received. The alpha agreed with his head and hugged Nathaniel from behind.
— If you feel tired or want to talk, I'm here, my son — Arabella said — Things can get more intense throughout this week.
— They are already intense — Matheus warned still caressing his hand — Since Cassandra started the magazine's sale, containing the interview and that sold like water. The crowd not only wants to know more details of Ares' life, but also want to see the blacklist.
— Blacklist? — Guilherme asked curious.
— The list of people and companies that are being sued by Nathaniel for defamation.
— So it will be difficult to go to college for now — Loreto murmured then looked at Nathaniel — If you have already finished the testing period, do not want to spend the holidays in the farm? It can be good until the dust settles.
Nathaniel crossed his arms and thought for a while. It would be good to take some time after all this stress. Besides that now Jake and Matheus were helping him with these business processes.
— Hm. I think it would be good.
— Yay! So let's go — Jake smiled excited — And yes, I'm inviting myself to go.
— Well, there's no reason to leave my alpha behind, right?
Then the house got noisy while Jake and Loreto made plans for winter vacation. Arabella also talked with Matheus and Guilherme and all this generated a comforting atmosphere for Nathaniel.
It gave the impression that nothing had changed, but at the same time there was something different.
Nathaniel looked at the bookshelf in the room where he had pictures of him and Ares together.
Maybe he was seeing things with a different eye.
Ares was right. Nathaniel met people who made his world colorful again.
Touching his belly, the omega sighed low.
— Let a new adventure come.