"How does it look?"
Natalia turned to face Arthur, her fingers brushing over the necklace now resting around her neck.
They stood together in the quiet of the room, the moment still thick with unspoken emotion. Arthur couldn't stop staring—utterly entranced.
"B-Beautiful…" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, eyes wide and glassy.
Natalia smiled and stepped closer. She already knew what he was going to say, but hearing it—from him—sent a ripple of warmth through her chest.
"The necklace?" she teased, lightly squeezing his hand.
Arthur swallowed. "E-Everything," he said, cheeks glowing red.
Natalia couldn't help herself. She slid one arm around his waist, pulling him close. He came to her easily—like a paper kite drawn to steady wind.
"You're talented, Arthur," she whispered. "The necklace is beautiful… So let me give you something in return."
Before he could react, she raised his chin and placed a soft kiss on his left cheek.
Arthur stiffened, lips parting in surprise.
Then she kissed his right cheek, just as softly—just as warmly.
She felt it—the frantic beat of his heart against her, his body trembling as he tried to remember how to breathe.
Finally, she stepped back, a little smirk on her lips.
"Starting tomorrow," Natalia said casually, "I'll be driving you to work."
Arthur, still dazed, blinked at her. "W-What?"
"You heard me." She gestured to the chair. "And I'll pick you up too."
He sank into the chair like his knees had given out. "You're going to… drive me?"
Natalia chuckled as she sat across from him. "Yes. Every morning."
"But… what about Uncle Kevin?" Arthur asked, fingers twitching anxiously.
"Don't worry about him. He'll be fine. And even if he isn't—I'll deal with it."
Arthur's expression turned to panic. "W-What if he suspects something?"
"Suspects what?" Natalia raised a brow. "It's not like we're doing anything wrong. An alpha and an omega spending time together? That's not a crime."
Arthur looked down, teeth finding his nails again. "B-but…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
Natalia's eyes softened. She got up, walked over to him, knelt at his feet, and gently pulled his hand away from his mouth. Her thumb stroked his knuckles.
"Arthur," she said softly. "What's really bothering you?"
He opened his mouth—then shut it again.
The words piled up behind his lips. He wanted to tell her. But something still held him back. Maybe shame. Maybe fear. Maybe both.
"Nothing," he whispered. "It's nothing."
Natalia's expression changed—just a little. Not anger. But something firmer. Unyielding.
"Arthur," she said in a quiet, serious voice. "I don't like lies."
Arthur's gaze shot up, guilt flooding his face like a wave.
"I'm not angry," Natalia said again, gently cupping his cheek. "But if something's eating you up inside, I want to help. I want to know."
Arthur hesitated.
His thoughts spiraled.
'I wish I could just not worry about such a thing when I should be feeling so happy...'
But...Arthur in the end decided to talk.
They have to solve this.
Alas, he is going to be feeling stressed more and more as days pass if this goes on...
"I…" His voice trembled. "Am I good enough for you?"
Natalia's breath caught.
It was unexpected at this time.
"I'm just—an omega. Someone who was abandoned and taken in by your family. If we ever… become something, do you think your parents would be okay with it?"
His voice cracked. "I feel like I'm betraying them. Like… I'm disrespecting what they did for me."
Natalia listened quietly, her eyes never leaving his.
"Arthur," she finally said. "How long have you been around my parents? You really don't know the answer to that?"
"I do," he whispered. "I know they're kind. That they love me. That they treat me like family. That's exactly why I'm scared."
He bit his lip. "Auntie Kelly always says she has the best children. And when she says it… it sounds like she's talking about us. Like I'm—her son too."
Natalia tilted her head, finally understanding the root of his fear.
"Oh," she said softly. "So you're scared they'll think of us as siblings? And… that us being together would be wrong?"
Arthur nodded, a little ashamed.
But also relieves.
Finally, she now knows his worry.
But then—Natalia chuckled.
"W-Why are you laughing?" Arthur blinked, flustered.
In response, she gave him a playful smirk. "Arthur. Don't you think my mom's been acting kind of weird lately?"
"Weird?" he echoed.
Now that she mentioned it… yeah.
Auntie Kelly had been unusually cheerful. Encouraging. Winking a lot. Almost… scheming.
Arthur's eyes widened slightly.
"She's been acting like a character in one of those old romantic dramas," Natalia teased. "You really think she'd be surprised if we ended up together?"
Arthur blinked. "You mean…"
"She's not trying to keep us apart, Arthur. If anything…" She gave him a knowing nod. "I think she's rooting for us."
His mouth dropped open.
Natalia's tone softened again. "Neither of my parents think of you as my sibling. You're someone important to them—but that doesn't mean they'd object to us dating. I know they wouldn't. In fact… I think they'd be thrilled. Both of them."
Arthur stared at her, cheeks heating up. The word dating swirled around his head, dizzying.
"You just have to trust me on this," Natalia said. "You don't need to be afraid."
Arthur watched her, finally thinking deep, not negative anymore.
'Auntie... wants us together? She only started acting like this since Natalia came back, too. T-this makes sense. Maybe Natalia is right!'
Arthur's eyes brightened, the thought of his worries fading making him feel lighter—relieved.
If Auntie Kelly would support them, then there was no need to worry about Uncle Kevin. He would follow her lead. He always did.
Natalia watched the omega in front of her suddenly perk up, a smile tugging at his lips, his eyes finally meeting hers with something close to joy.
"I... I'll trust you about this, then," Arthur said quietly.
Natalia reached out and ruffled his hair affectionately, watching him shrink a little under her hand and giggle.
Wasn't he just the cutest thing?
From sulking in shadows to glowing with shy delight—he was such a bundle of joy when he let himself be.
"Arthur, can I hug you?" she asked, her voice low but warm—laced with a certain firmness that said you can say no, but I hope you won't.
He blinked, cheeks turning pink again, but nodded.
Natalia didn't hesitate. She pulled him up gently by the hands, and then into her arms.
Arthur melted against her, soft and pliant, like all the tension had been scooped right out of him.
They stayed like that for a while—no rush, no pressure. Just warmth and quiet.
Then Natalia spoke, still holding him close.
"So... another thing. It's your choice. Are we going to keep it a secret that we're dating?"
Arthur hesitated, his fingers lightly gripping the fabric of her shirt. "...Can we keep it a secret from Auntie and Uncle? Just for now... until..."
"Until we can't anymore?" She finished for him, calm and steady.
He gave a small, bashful nod. "Y-Yeah... I'm sorry."
"No need to be sorry, Arthur," Natalia said immediately, pulling back just enough to look at him. "Like I said—I'll do whatever makes you feel safe. If you want to keep this low for now, we will. And when you're ready... we'll tell them together. Alright?"
Arthur looked up at her, his eyes a little glassy again—but this time, from gratitude.
"Yeah... thank you," he whispered.
"Remeber...You don't have to be perfect," Natalia continued, "You just have to be honest with me. Always."
Arthur nodded, the weight in his chest lightening a little.
'So...We are now a couple, right? Damn...So quick.'
But Arthur wouldn't complain.
'I hope everything will be as joyful as now in the future too...'