The warmth of Natalia's embrace lingered like sunlight through a window—gentle, grounding, and quietly overwhelming.
Arthur clung to her, arms wrapped tightly around her back, his cheek resting against her shoulder. He could feel the slow, steady rhythm of her breathing, and it soothed the restless flutter in his chest.
"Hey," Natalia murmured, her voice low and close. "Still with me?"
He nodded, not moving. "Y-Yeah… I...just don't wanna... let go yet."
She gave a soft laugh, her chest rising against his. He felt it more than heard it.
He couldn't believe he'd actually said that. But it wasn't wrong to feel a little greedy now, was it?
If he was hers, then she was his too. Right?
'God… when am I going to actually believe this is real? It still feels like a dream.'
"Then don't," Natalia said, resting her chin on his shoulder. "I like holding you."
Arthur flushed. "...You're lying."
"Nope," she replied, voice light but certain. "You're comfy. Like a warm, nervous, precious little plush toy."
Arthur let out a helpless, embarrassed noise. "Thanks… I guess?"
He sighed and leaned into her again, forehead brushing hers now, their breath syncing without them even realizing. The moment grounded him—quiet, heavy in all the right ways.
He felt her hand slip into his, fingers curling between his. She didn't say anything about it—just held on.
"So…" Natalia began softly. "Mom and Dad still didn't tell you when we're leaving for dinner, did they?"
"When are we leaving?"
"Around 6 p.m."
He glanced at the clock on the nearby shelf. "It's only 3:30…"
"Mm. We've still got time."
She gave his hand a light squeeze. "I also… wanted to ask something."
He didn't move, but he listened.
"Mom said you don't like going to gatherings?"
Arthur hesitated, shoulders tightening a bit. He stared at their joined hands.
"It's not just that I don't like them. I just… prefer my own company."
He didn't talk about the past. Not now. He just said what felt true.
And it was true. He liked being alone. He liked talking to himself, even. Maybe that made him weird.
But this was who he was.
Weird.
Still… if he was going to dinner with more people than just Kelly and Kevin, he'd have to remind himself not to inhale three servings of dessert like he usually did. Because… manners. Sort of.
Not that he wanted to be rude to Auntie and Uncle—but they didn't mind if he got a little greedy with ice cream or other sweets. Unless they specifically warned him not to.
Otherwise?
He devoured.
He hated having limits. Especially on dessert.
Especially on ice cream.
"So… you're working as a teacher in a high school?" Natalia asked, curiosity lighting her voice.
Arthur perked up slightly, glad for the change of subject.
And, she wanted to talk about him?
God. His heart actually fluttered.
"Yeah," he said, fidgeting a little.
"So what do you teach?"
"History."
"Ooh. How long have you been teaching there?"
"Like… a year now?"
"I see. So my dad always drove you there and back home, didn't he?"
"Yeah… Auntie doesn't like me going anywhere alone."
"I can understand," Natalia replied, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
There was a short silence.
Then, Arthur glanced up at her with a nervous flicker in his eyes. "…Um. When she calls you… does Auntie ever… talk about me?"
He'd always been curious. He often heard his name while Auntie was on the phone with Natalia. But he never knew exactly what was being said.
Natalia blinked, then broke into a smirk. "Oh, all the time."
Arthur looked up, instantly alert—and already regretting it. "Wait—really?"
Natalia leaned in a little, clearly enjoying herself. "Mmhmm. You're like, 50% of the conversation. Minimum."
Arthur made a quiet, strangled sound. "Oh no…"
"She gives me updates, Arthur. Literal updates. Like you're a very shy, very precious zoo animal she's in charge of monitoring."
His face burned. "P-please don't say it like that…"
Natalia chuckled.
"She told me about the time you burned your hand trying to toast bread directly over the stove."
Arthur turned to her, eyes wide in horror.
'No no…Oh my god… This is so embarrassing…'
He groaned, trying to sink into the couch they were sitting on now.
"I-I thought it would work faster..."
"She said you stood there for a full minute arguing with the spatula."
"I—okay, t-that was—mmph—it melted and I panicked…"
"Oh. And she also mentioned how you can eat an entire tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream if no one stops you."
Arthur covered his face with both hands, voice muffled. "She told you everything, didn't she?"
"She did. And there was even more."
Natalia already knew a lot about him.
But only now did she really care.
It felt wrong to admit that, even to herself, but it was the truth. Before, Arthur had just been… someone. Someone kind, someone soft-spoken, someone who helped take care of her parents. She was grateful, sure. But she didn't see him.
Not as an omega.
Not as adorable.
Not as special.
He was just someone.
'God… I've already lost all my self-control', Natalia thought. 'I told myself I didn't want to get involved again. No more omegas. No more heartaches. So how did he change my mind…? How did I fall so fast?'
She sighed inwardly and chuckled again when seeing Arthur.
Arthur peeked through his fingers, utterly mortified. "…W-why would you want to be around me after hearing all that?"
"Why wouldn't I want to?"
He blinked at her, unsure if she was being serious.
"Honestly," she added, brushing her thumb across the back of his hand, "you're kind of… endlessly lovable."
Arthur choked. "I—I'm w-what?"
Natalia smiled, smug and certain.
"Endlessly. Lovable."
"T-that… Mmhmm…" Arthur mumbled, face burning as he hid behind his hands again—shy and still hopelessly embarrassed.
Natalia just giggled and leaned her head against his.
He didn't pull away.
He didn't want to.
'God...I did say I was embarassed before but this feels nice...'