OMI 8

I Want To Be Your Place Of Belonging

　

The days I spent with Éclair made me feel reborn.

I watched his every move and made sure he was as comfortable as possible.

Thanks to Language Unification Medicine, I was able to learn more about Éclair.

From his words, it was clear that the treatment of Omegas was quite different in his country.

It’s almost unheard of for Omegas to work in the sex business in this or any other country where the law works properly. It is more accurate to say that such places do not exist. 

There are places like red-light districts that support the free and uninhibited love of Betas, but they are often highly regulated.

I couldn’t dig too deep because we hadn’t established enough trust, but it was hard to believe that he had been in an environment where he had to use drugs.

The most shocking thing was that he had been sold by his parents. And it wasn’t even unusual.

The children’s perception was very different.

There’s another thing that worries me. Éclair rarely speaks his mind.

It was the same when we went shopping. He showed no interest in anything other than what I recommended.

He always chose from the options given to him. I told him several times that he could pick whatever he wanted, but he’d just say he’d let me know if he saw something, and in the end he never picked anything himself.

After observing for a while, I realized that he probably never had an environment where he could develop or assert his own tastes and preferences.

I hope that in our future life together he can find things he likes.

He seems to have a hardworking personality and makes an effort to learn the language every day.

By the end of the first week, he was able to carry on simple daily conversations without the Language Unification Medicine.

It was a joy to see his conversations, which were a bit hesitant at first, gradually become more confident.

Leaving him at home to go to work was a regret I couldn’t shake.

I could afford to take a year off, but giving up my current projects felt too irresponsible.

I had informed the facility of my return to work, and then I received a message that a staff member who knew him well was coming.

The main purpose was probably to make sure we were getting along fine, although they would also be there to help.

Just because they’ve found a guardian doesn’t mean they’re completely out of the Omega’s care.

They will continue to observe the situation closely.

Ende was the staff member who explained things to me.

She had been observing Éclair for about two months. She would be able to tell if he felt trapped in this house.

When I got home, I asked her what they had done that day. Of course I enjoyed hearing from Éclair, but I also wanted to get an objective view of his condition.

Éclair enjoyed cooking and cleaning together. He said he wanted to expand what he could do.

He seemed to be good with his hands and could do detailed work.

He also read a lot, but it seemed more to learn the language than to enjoy it.

Even when he was with me, he didn’t seem to have much time to himself. He always seemed to be looking for something to do, often looking at me for cues.

“It may be that he feels uncomfortable if he doesn’t help. This is often seen in children who have been in care.”

Ende’s government agency focuses on protecting and supporting Omegas, but they also occasionally care for children who have lost their parents or been involved in crime.

Children placed in a new environment often try to help around the house to fit in.

“So it will take a while before he feels at home here?”

“Still, Éclair seems a bit happier. At least his expression has softened compared to when he was confined in the room.”

“Really? That’s a relief. Now that we can communicate and I understand his situation, I want him to feel comfortable here.”

“It will take time. Values are shaped by the environment you grow up in. Éclair seems to have an inferiority complex about being an Omega. It’s the first time I’ve seen someone envy being a Beta.”

In the course of teaching general social norms, they also discussed gender differences and how Omegas are more likely to be involved in crime.

◇

Éclair’s condition has stabilized, but as an Omega he is still somewhat unstable,” said the doctor who examines Éclair weekly.

“He has a sweet, pleasant scent, but are his pheromone levels still low?”

“I’m an Alpha too, but I can’t detect his scent at all. It must be because he is directing it at you. His immaturity for his age is probably due to the long-term drugs has been taking.

“I heard he had side effects when he was taken into care.”

Yes, the drugs seem to have cleared from his system and he has stabilized over the past few months. However… Lumière, do you wish to be bonded with Éclair?”

The doctor asked with a serious look on his face.

“Of course, if that’s what he wants.”

“We have no idea when Éclair’s normal heat cycle will return, if ever. It may never come. In that case, a formal union and having children would be difficult.”

I had prepared myself for this, but hearing it from the doctor still shook me a bit.

“Still, I want to stay by his side. I decided that the moment I saw him.”

Hearing my answer, the doctor nodded deeply.

“I’m glad to hear that. In just one month with you, Éclair’s numbers have improved. There are many wondrous precedents set by destined couples. If you stay together, a better future is certainly possible.”

I could have been tested to see if I was fit to take care of him.

“Is there anything I can do for him?”

Make sure he eats nutritious food to build up his energy. Moderate exposure to alpha pheromones doesn’t hurt either. Does he dislike the contact when using the Language Unification Medicine?

“I don’t think he dislikes it. He has never refused.”

“Do you still limit physical contact?”

“He said he hated his previous job, so I keep contact to a minimum.”

“That’s understandable. It’s a delicate matter. But if he wants it, more contact could be beneficial, as long as it doesn’t become a burden.”

I had thought that more contact might not be good, so the doctor’s words worried me even more.

If I know I can touch him, I will want to touch him more from here.

But no, I can’t. He’s just starting to get used to this world.

Adding new stimuli wouldn’t be right.

He said that he hated his previous job.

Even if it brought back bad memories, Éclair probably wouldn’t refuse if I pushed. That felt too selfish.

◇

Ever since we returned from my parents’ house, Éclair’s behavior has been strange. No, he seemed to lose energy halfway through.

Was talking to new people too much for him?

Or was it premature to introduce him to my parents, given his distant relationship with the family?

Unusually, he asked me to use the Language of Unification Medicine, and then he kissed me passionately.

I wanted to respond, to devour those lips, but I held myself back with reason.

(What’s wrong? You wanted to tell me something, didn’t you?)

(Me and you are compatible as an Alpha and an Omega, right?)

The doctor must have told Éclair that, too.

(I’m sure of it.)

(That’s what they call being destined in this world, right?)

(Yeah, I hope so.)

(Then let’s check it out, physical compatibility is good for destiny partners, right?)

His hands were trembling as he said that and seductively invited me.

The possibility of him making a sexual advance on me out of frustration vanished at that moment. 

Is he in a hurry? Am I making him anxious?

I hate that I’m putting this pressure on him.

(When was the last time? Are you a little nervous?)

After a few kisses, when he finally asked me that, I realized there was no point in denying it any longer.

(You may laugh, but I’m a dreamer up to this age. I only wanted to kiss someone I thought was the one, so you’re the first person I kissed.)

Seeking my one and only, I remained chaste. Many Alphas and Omegas do the same. I just one of them.

(I was actually pretty nervous the first time we used the drug).

My first time lacked any charm, but if it led to a real conversation with Éclair, it wasn’t so bad.

(No kidding, right?)

Éclair’s eyes widened in surprise.

I know I wasn’t his first. I understand that. It’s something I have to accept.

But it’s still not amusing.

If possible, I hope to be the only one to touch him deeply in the future.

(Shall we go to bed? Or do you want to continue here?)

He was very charming when he said that to stir me up.

Without pausing to answer, I carried him to my bed.

When I laid him down and looked at him, his eyes were shaking.

(Éclair, can I really…)

Can we continue like this? I wanted to ask, but my words were cut short by his lips.

I couldn’t resist, I wanted to touch everything about him.

My destiny is now in my arms.

How many times have I dreamed of this? How many times have I wanted to hold him like this?

Even though my technique was probably clumsy, he was very disheveled, so I think he must have felt good.

I hope that’s the case.

If he thought I was bad at it, I wouldn’t be able to recover.

Éclair’s reactions were so cute that I got carried away and wanted to hear him moan over and over again.

When I saw him lose consciousness after climaxing, I somehow managed to regain my composure.

I wanted to take all of him, but I knew that was impossible, so I desperately held back. 

I took care of the excess heat myself.

I took a tightly wrung towel and gently cleaned Éclair’s body.

Every part of him was much smaller and thinner than mine.

The scars and bruises from his previous work seemed to have faded considerably. I hoped they would disappear completely.

I would never let him get hurt like that again.

“I thought you wouldn’t wake up until morning. It’s a little late, but can you eat some soup?” 

I was relieved when he woke up at the end of the night.

(I’m sorry we didn’t do it to the end. Even though I was the one who invited you).

The medicine was still in effect. Eclair looked as if he was waiting to be scolded.

(Don’t apologize, both you and I were overwhelmed by the pheromones. You seem particularly sensitive, so it was probably too much for you). 

What is there to apologize for? I was the one who didn’t stop until he got to that point.

Even though I was the one who put the burden on him, I didn’t like the fact that he seemed so apologetic.

(Let me make one thing clear. Éclair, I like you. I want to spend my life loving you.)

I should have told him sooner.

I felt that if I pushed him too hard, he would run away, so it was not a good idea to keep him by my side without explaining the process as it unfolded.

(We just met. Besides, I can’t do anything and I don’t have any special qualities. I’m just an Omega.)

I wanted him to look up at me as he turned his head down, looking uncertain.

(This may be hard for you to accept, but I instinctively felt that you were the only one. No other Omega would do. The day I met you, I was sure. You are my one and only.)

His cheeks flushed at my words. He seemed confused, but I thought I saw a glimmer of joy that made me happy.

(I wanted to take my time telling you this. But it seems that I have worried you. Even if you don’t let me in physically or respond to my feelings, I won’t abandon you. And if you let me, I’ll always be by your side.)

He may not believe me. Still, I hope that even a fragment of my feelings reaches him.

(I don’t know if I like you. I’m sorry. I lived in an environment where I couldn’t have those feelings.)

Éclair’s answer was, “I don’t know”.

Still, I was happy. He was confused and hesitant, but I could see that he was really trying to think it through.

It was much better than him just going along with the moment and saying he liked me.

My words seemed to get through to him enough to give him something to think about.

(Were you really not uncomfortable? At first your body seemed tense.)

(At first, right? But after a while, I was so out of it, I was a mess. Maybe our physical compatibility isn’t that bad.)

Then he laughs like a naughty boy. Goddess, he’s really cute.

(Don’t say things like that carelessly. It makes me want to touch you again.)

I patted his head like a child, and Éclair seemed somewhat happy.

I wonder if he knows how much willpower it took for me to hold back.

(Hey, I want some soup.)

 He laughed as he said that, his shoulders seeming to relax a bit.

Then, while drinking soup, he slowly began to talk about himself.

He had no memory of his mother and at first, he thought he was a Beta.

During a career assessment, he found out he was an Omega and was sold to a shop by his father. Since then, his life as an Omega had never been good, which made him resent being an Omega.

He also confided that he was confused by how different the environment for Omegas in this country was from his own.

Being able to hear his story, which I hadn’t been able to before, made me feel like we had closed the distance between us just a little bit.