Chapter Text
Duncan groaned as he ducked under the crime scene tape a uniform held up for him. “Thanks, Jones,” he said as he walked over to the dead body in the alley. “Hey, Trace.”
“Welcome back, partner. How was your weekend?”
“It would have been better had I not got a call at six in the morning about a homicide,” Duncan said as he came up to the body. “What do we got?” he asked as he put on gloves.
“At the moment we got a John Doe,” Tracy said. “Gunshot wound to the back of the head.”
“Execution style,” Duncan said. “What time did he die, Doc?” he asked Dr. Kynes.
“Rigor has fully set in, detective. He was killed some time last night. I'll know more when I get him back,” she said. “I will say this though, he was not killed in this alley.”
“No, he wasn't,” Duncan said as he looked around. There was no pool of blood to indicate he had been laying there after he was killed. “Body dump,” he said.
“Correct, detective,” Kynes said. “Would you help me roll him over?” she asked. Together her and Duncan got the victim to roll over onto his back.
“Holy shit,” Tracy said.
“Do you know him, detective?” Kynes asked her.
“Yeah, she does and so do I,” Duncan said as he stood up. “This is the guy who tried to break into my house early Saturday morning while I was in the Hamptons with Paul,” he said and she let out a sigh.
“Maybe the person who hired him didn't like that he was almost caught,” Tracy said.
“He tried to break into your house? It's like a fortress,” Kynes said.
“Well, I didn't say he was very smart,” Duncan said. “That computer of his give you anything to identify him?”
“Techs were still working on it.”
“All right, let's have unis canvas the area and see if anyone saw or hear anything last night. This was a body dump, so maybe someone saw a car or van or something,” he said and Tracey nodded.
Duncan looked up from his desk when Tracy came in with their victim's computer. “Piter de Vries, he's a private investigator out of Seattle.”
“Seattle?” Duncan asked.
“Isn't that where Paul's from?” she asked and he nodded. “Something the techs noticed about the pictures. He was getting ready to send them in an email,” she said.
“To who?”
“That's easy and I don't even have to look,” Tracy said. “It's obvious, Duncan.”
“What?” he asked.
“This guy was hired to follow you and Paul around. Mostly Paul because most of the pictures are of him from the past several weeks before you guys went to Quogue,” she said. “This guy, Piter, was hired by Rabban, and you know it,” she said and Duncan let out a sigh.
“I do,” he said.
“So, Rabban in New York. You gotta put that mate of yours into protective custody.”
“Yeah, no shit,” Duncan said.
“No, you have to go now and make sure he's safe,” Tracy said. “I'll work on trying to find the primary crime scene,” she said.
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Go and protect your husband,” she said before sitting at her desk.
“All right,” Duncan said before putting his gun on his hip and heading out. He knew how to drive in New York. His years as a patrolman taught him to navigate traffic in New York. It was better not to own a car and just use the public transportation. He took one of the detective cars and headed to NYU where he knew Paul would be finishing up with his morning class before heading to the library to work on his dissertation. He could totally sit across from his husband and watch him read books and take notes. Parking in visitor parking, Duncan headed to the library. Several students recognized him and pointed him in the direction of his husband.
Duncan rounded the corner of bookshelves and stopped seeing Paul at a table. He had books laid out, opened to certain parts while his laptop was open. He was read something from a book and then type diligently on his computer. He just leaned on a book shelf with a smile, waiting to see how long Paul would take to realize he was being watched. It didn't take long. “Hey, what are you...?”
“I need an excuse to see my husband?” Duncan asked as he came up to the table.
“Well, you've seen me all weekend and you're supposed to be working,” Paul said and Duncan chuckled as he turned a chair around and sat down on it. “What's up?”
“I need to talk to you about something,” he said.
“Okay, uh, let me save my work,” Paul said before saving what he had just finished typing and then closed his computer. “You have my undivided attention,” he said.
“Caught a case this morning,” Duncan said.
“On your first day back from being away the whole weekend? Shocker,” Paul stated and he chuckled.
“Uh, we kind of know the victim,” he said.
“Really?”
“Remember I told you the mook who tried to break into the house?” Duncan asked and Paul gasped out.
“Seriously?” he asked and Duncan nodded. “Well, I know it's early, but do you have any leads?”
“Well, apparently this guy was indeed hired to follow us. Specifically you,” Duncan said and Paul let out a sigh. “I'm a hundred percent sure that the person who hired him is Rabban.”
“How can you be sure?” Paul asked.
“This guy, Piter, he's from Seattle,” Duncan said and Paul let out a groan.
“Oh, my God, this is a nightmare. Am I in danger? Is that why you're here?”
“I'm just being an overprotective husband,” Duncan said.
“Rabban killed his private investigator?” Paul asked and his husband let out a sigh.
“It would seem he did, probably to keep me busy,” Duncan said. “I'm a homicide detective and I think Piter was killed somewhere else and then dumped in my precinct's jurisdiction so that I would catch the case.”
“So, you're here to protect me?”
“Just until I get you to the safety of the 1PP medical examiner crime lab. You will be so safe in that place, it's ridiculous,” he said.
“Well, we can go now,” Paul said as he packed up his computer. “I was just going to grab something from the cafe on campus before heading over there.” Paul stacked the books he had used on the table, leaving them for the librarian to put back and smiled seeing Duncan holding out his coat. He let his husband coddle him, taking his bag.
“Wait, something I want to do first,” Duncan said. Paul looked up when his mate gently took hold of his chin and leaned down to softly kiss him. “Hmm, I love how soft your lips are,” he whispered and Paul giggled with a smile.
“Keep buying me that candy cane chap stick and I'll keep kissing you,” he said before kissing Duncan again. “I'm hungry.”
“All right. Campus cafe and then 1PP,” he stated before putting an arm around Paul's waist.
Coffees and sandwiches consisted of their lunch. “You know, we haven't gone to Panera Bread for a while,” Paul said as Duncan drove through the streets.
“No, we haven't,” Duncan said before glancing back in the rear-view mirror. There was a dark gray sedan following them since they left the university. He was pretty sure it was Rabban, or at least someone who worked for him. A new private investigator, probably. “Did your dad say what Rabban was doing now, since his uncle's company went under?”
“He started his own security company,” Paul said, not knowing that they were being followed. Duncan watched behind them, then turned right. The gray sedan followed them. Rabban probably had a whole team of people working for him. Ex-military people.
“I think I'll feel a lot better if I get you some extra security,” Duncan said. “I can't be with you 24/7,” he said.
“I do,” Paul said. He reached into his bag and smiled as he found the pepper spray.
“I'm serious, baby. A couple of patrolmen from my precinct, in plain clothes to take you around the city, to school, work and then home. It'll make me feel better and I'm sure it'll make you feel better too.”
“What about when I'm home alone?” Paul asked.
“Baby, our house is a fortress. We have a state-of-the-art security system and the panic room.” Paul let out a sigh as took a bite of his sandwich. “Don't pout,” Duncan said. “We'll find him.”
“In a city with millions of people?” Paul asked as they came up to the 1PP station. Duncan checked the mirror and didn't see the gray sedan behind them anymore. He pulled into the parking garage and walked Paul to his office. “You're so sweet for walking me to work.”
“I'm going to hand pick your security team and send you their pictures so you know who they are when they come pick you up from work,” he said.
“Okay,” Paul said before standing up on his toes to kiss Duncan. “I love you.”
“I love you more,” he said before kissing him again before leaving the office. Paul let out a sigh as he sat at his desk. He thought back to his first kiss ever with Duncan, who was a little shocked that Paul hadn't been kissed yet.
<><><><><><><><><><> Flashback <><><><><><><><><><><>
“Seriously?” Duncan asked Paul. It was their fifth date at one of Paul's favorite restaurants. Well, it was becoming one of his favorites.
“I've never had a relationship. I've never been kissed in a romantic way,” he said with a smirk.
“I'm honored that you're saving that for me. That's a big weight on my shoulders to make you enjoy your first kiss.”
“Who said I'll let you?” Paul teased and Duncan snarled at him, causing him to chuckle.
“Watch it, or I may do it right here in front of everyone,” he said and Paul giggled. “I know a great make out spot.”
“I bet you do,” Paul said. Most date nights, Paul would kiss Duncan on the cheek or he would turn his head for Duncan to kiss on his cheek. They've never actually had a real kiss yet.
After dinner, Duncan took Paul to a retro movie theater. “Wow, this place is cool,” Paul said. “We've already seen this movie though,” he said.
“We're not coming for the movie, baby,” Duncan said. “We're going to sit in a corner and make out,” he said and Paul chuckled.
“This is your make out spot?”
“All the kids come here,” Duncan argued before pulling his official boyfriend into the theater. Paul let out a sigh as Duncan didn't even stop for popcorn and just dragged him into the theater.
“You're not wasting any time, are you?” Paul asked as they found seats in the back of the theater.
“The trick is to find a place where we won't be bothered,” Duncan said as Paul sat down. There were very few other movie goers in the theater with them. A few kids up front. Some people a few rows over. “Once it gets dark enough in here, we are making out.”
“What if I want to watch the movie?” Paul asked in a teasing manner.
“We've seen this one already. Twice.” Paul let out a sigh as the lights went down and the previews started playing. “I wish I could think of a more romantic place, but your dorm doesn't allow Alphas into the building and my place is a total train wreck right now.”
“Oh, that's right. How are the renovations going?”
“Slow. I have to find a part for my sink in the kitchen,” Duncan said. They had to take the tone of their voices down, so then they started to whisper. “It's coming along nicely though.”
“That's good,” Paul said. “I've been hearing about this chef's kitchen for five dates. It better be something,” he said and Duncan chuckled. He looked at Paul before directing his eyes to his boyfriend's lips. “What?”
“Your lips look so soft,” he said and he smiled.
“I discovered this chap stick that's candy cane flavor. I love it,” Paul said as he reached into his pocket and got it out. “It's like I'm sucking on a candy cane,” he said before putting some on. “And I don't even like candy canes,” he said. Duncan leaned in close and softly pecked his boyfriend's lips.
“Wow, that's nice,” he commented before kissing him again, this time deepening the kiss. Paul moaned softly, feeling Duncan's tongue running along his lips. He opened his mouth and his tongue met Duncan's before the Alpha kissed him hard. He pulled away with a gasp. “Sorry, was that too much?”
“For a movie theater, yeah,” he chuckled. “We should go.”
“Where?” Duncan asked.
“I'm sneaking you into my dorm,” he stated before standing up.
“Wait, you are?”
Paul checked the lobby of his building before swiping his key and grabbing Duncan's hand. He quickly pulled him along into the building and toward the stairs. “Why not use the elevator?” Duncan whispered, not realizing that he was whispering.
“Because everyone uses the elevator,” Paul stated before heading up two flights. At the second floor, Paul stopped to check the hall. His room was down the hall about three rooms in on the left. It was past ten and nobody should be wandering the halls. “Come on.” He grabbed Duncan's hand and the quickly went down the hall in a fit of giggles before making it to Paul's room. Just as he swiped the key, Paul heard a door open and he shoved Duncan into his room.
“Hey, Paul,” Ellie said as she came out. It looked like she was going to go down to the ice machine in the lobby.
“Hey.”
“Have a nice time with the boyfriend?” she asked.
“I did,” he said. “Thanks for asking. Have a nice night.”
“You, too,” she said before Paul went into his room.
“Holy shit,” Paul gasped out as he closed the door behind him and locked it. Both stood there staring at each other before bursting into a fit of giggles.
“What are your plans for getting me out of the building?” Duncan asked.
“I haven't figured that part out yet,” he said with a giggle. Duncan looked around the room that his boyfriend was staying in while going to school here. He had his own bathroom, a kitchenette, work space and his bed which was a loft space bedroom. They sat down on the small futon that Paul had bought at an IKEA his first week in the city.
“So, where were we?” Duncan asked before Paul leaned in and kissed him.
<><><><><><><><><> End of Flashback <><><><><><><><><>
Paul chuckled at the distant memory. He couldn't believe he snuck Duncan into his Omega only dorm building just to make out with him. They ended up making out for over an hour and Paul ended up on his lap most of the time. Paul had his first orgasm that night, Duncan slowly stroking his cock as he peppered kisses onto his neck. The Alpha ended up staying the night and in the wee hours of the morning, Paul walked him out before the day resident arrived at the check in desk.
It wasn't the last time Paul brought Duncan back to his room. Of course, that stopped when Duncan got the bedroom floor of his house done. Then Paul would just go home with Duncan, especially after the night his took Paul's virginity. Duncan made him feel safe and he wasn't going to let a past catching up to him worry him. Rabban Harkonnen could try to take Paul, but he was going to get an unbelievable fight if he tried.
His phone went off a few hours and he picked it up. Instead of a message with a picture, it was a text from Duncan. 'Your dad sent Gurney to New York when I called him about Rabban.' There was a knock on his office door and he looked up to see his childhood protector standing in his doorway. “Gurney,” he exclaimed before getting up and hugging his former bodyguard.
“Oh, kid, what are we going to do with you?” he asked and Paul chuckled.
“Thanks for coming,” he said.
“Didn't have much a choice. Your husband called your father about Rabban being in New York this morning. Next thing I know, I am on the next flight to this wonderful city.”
“How long are you here?”
“Until Rabban is dealt with,” he said and Paul chuckled. “I will be staying at your place at your mother's insistence,” he stated and he groaned. “Don't worry. I have noise canceling headphones,” he added and Paul sighed out, grabbing his lab coat. “What? I saw you and that husband of yours while eating with your parents. You are totally in love with each other,” Gurney said and Paul chuckled.
“I am in love with my husband,” Paul stated. “I think I fell in love with him after our fifth date to be honest,” he said and Gurney chuckled.
“I am by your side until Rabban is dealt with.”
“Any idea on when that will happen?”
“No, but if I have any indication at how good your husband is, I'm sure it won't be very long,” Gurney said.
“You don't even know my husband,” Paul said.
“I hope to get to know him over the next few days,” Gurney said. “I am also to teach you basic self-defense,” he said and Paul groaned.
“I'm carrying the pepper spray. Isn't that enough for him?”
“No, because he apparently wants you to certify to carry as well.”
“He wants me to carry a gun?” Paul asked. That was the first he was hearing of this. “I don't want to carry a gun,” he said. “Just sign me up for self-defense classes.”
“Duncan...” Gurney said.
“I'll deal with my husband, Gurney. I am not carrying a gun. I may want to shoot one on occasion, but I will not carry one,” he said before heading to start his work. Gurney chuckled as he made himself comfortable to watch Paul work.
Rabban Harkonnen didn't like that Gurney, the head of the Atreides security, was in town. Most likely sent by Leto himself at the Omega's insistent mother. He bought real estate in New York for his team to work. A townhouse behind the Omega's house with his husband was perfect. It was sheer luck that it came on the market. Rabban didn't care how much is cost. The third floor looked directly into the bedroom. “I want everything in this room. Infrared camera, sound, the whole works.”
“Yes, sir,” a worker said.
“I want to see everything,” Rabban said. “Get a wireless camera facing the front of the house as well. I want to know when they get home. I have to get a bead on their routine. I want 24 hour surveillance on them and they are to be followed at all times,” he said. “There has to be a perfect time for when I can take the Omega.”
“To what extent? He belongs to another Alpha.”
“To lure the Alpha out so I can kill him. Then claim his Omega as mine. That is the law,” he said. He employees were all thinking the same thing. He was nuts.
“He's nuts,” Krage said.
“Yeah, no kidding,” Oveni said. “We should do something,” he added.
“What? He's, our boss.”
“Even if the law states that he can claim the Omega by killing his Alpha, have you seen the Alpha?” he asked. “He's a cop with the NYPD. The whole force will come down on us,” Krage said.
“So, we call them?”
“Yeah, we call them,” Oveni said.
Duncan sat across the table from one of Rabban's henchmen. “I didn't sign up for this. Kidnapping an Omega to kill an Alpha just to claim him. What's worse is that the boss thinks he's untouchable.”
“Untouchable?” Duncan asked. “How?”
“He thinks he can kill you under some law and claim your husband,” the guy said.
“A law? There's no law that says he can kill me and claim my Omega,” Duncan said. “It was ruled out of the constitution years ago.”
“He's crazy,” he said. “He thinks because he nearly claimed him when he presented, they were made for each other,” he said and Duncan chuckled.
“How does he actually plan to do this?” he asked.
“Kidnap your Omega to lure you out. When you come for him, he'll kill you and then take the Omega back to Seattle,” he said.
“My Omega, I'm married and mated to him. I bit him. Your boss is behind in the law.”
“Yeah, he's old school and really obsessed with this Omega.”
“Stop calling him Omega. His name is Paul,” Duncan snapped, causing the guy to jump. “I want to know every detail of this plan of your boss',” he said.
“Okay,” the guy said, cowering from the tall Alpha standing over him.
“Starting with this plan to kidnap my husband,” Duncan said and he nodded.
Several days later....
“I don't like this,” Paul said as he walked home with Gurney. “Really don't like it,” he stated. “What if you get hurt?” he asked.
“I'm wearing a vest,” Gurney said.
“What if he shoots you in the head?” Paul asked.
“Then I die protecting you,” Gurney said and Paul let out a sigh. “It'll be my redemption for almost failing you that night.”
“Hey, you can't blame yourself.” Paul felt a shiver down his back as the night of his presenting came back to him. “At least you stopped him,” he stated.
“You shouldn't have run from him. That was what set him off.”
“I was new to the whole Omega thing, okay? How was I supposed to know that an Omega in heat running from an Alpha would trigger a rut?”
“Didn't you learn that in biology class?”
“I didn't have time to take those classes,” Paul argued and Gurney chuckled as the cellphone rang. Paul looked down at his guardian's side. That was the start of the sting. “I can't do this,” he stated.
“Yes, you can. Just keep walking. The house is just there,” Gurney said as he reached for his cellphone and stopped to answer, letting some distance get between him and his charge. Paul was two houses away from safety when he answered the phone.
“Just keep walking and keep him in your sights,” Duncan said over the phone. “We spotted Rabban coming up the sidewalk on the other side.”
“Perfect. And if he does shoot me in the head?”
“We'll try not to let it get to that,” Duncan said.
“That's very reassuring,” he said as he kept walking toward Paul to keep up appearances.
Paul gasped out hearing a shout. He turned to see Rabban charging Gurney from across the street. “Omega!” Paul's fight or flight response kicked in and he took off toward the house.
“Shit!” Duncan shouted from inside the van as he saw Rabban take after Paul. “Move in! Everyone move in!” he shouted into the radio.
Paul got into the house and turned to close the door, but was knocked down by Rabban getting in. “You are mine,” he said as Paul got to his feet.
“I was never yours to begin with,” Paul said defiantly. Rabban growled as he lunged for Paul who got out of the way and started running up the stairs.
“You're mine!” the Alpha shouted as he ran after him.
“Duncan!!” Paul cried out.
“Your Alpha can't save you! Not from me!” Rabban stated. He caught Paul in the middle of the stairs. Paul cried out feeling himself getting pulled up against the large Alpha.
“Let me go!”
“Oh, no, you and me are going for a ride,” Rabban said as he pulled Paul down the stairs and was about to head outside to his car, but he froze. Standing at the bottom of the stairs was Duncan, his weapon trained on the Alpha threatening his husband.
“Let him go, Harkonnen,” he commanded. Paul grunted feeling Rabban's hand around his throat. HE brought their heads close together to make a head shot impossible.
“No way. He's mine,” Rabban said, sniffing Paul's hair. “He smells good, Idaho. Been keeping him warm for me?”
“I'm not asking again. Let him go,” Duncan said, keeping his gun trained on Rabban's head. If he got a clear shot, he was going to take it. Paul looked scared as Rabban brought them right up against the wall.
“I'm walking out of here,” he said. “I'm taking him with me, and you are going to come after us. Then I'll kill you and take him back to Seattle where he belongs.”
“That law was written out of our constitution years ago, Rabban. You are behind in what is allowed now.”
“Semantics,” Rabban stated.
“The place is surrounded, Rabban. You're not getting out of here,” Duncan said. “So, you have two choices. You leave here in cuffs or a body bag,” he said and Rabban chuckled.
“You don't have a shot,” he stated. “You won't risk hurting your precious little Omega.”
“He knows I won't miss,” Duncan said. “You willing to take that chance,” he said.
“Just kill him already, babe,” Paul said and Rabban growled. Paul whimpered when Rabban grasped his neck tighter.
“Shut...” Rabban didn't have time to finish. A shot ran out and Paul shriek feeling the bullet whiz passed his head and into his captor's. Rabban's limp body fell down the few stairs, leaving Paul dazed and unharmed.
“Duncan,” he cried. Duncan motioned for his husband to come down and he did, right into his arms.
“It's okay, baby. I got ya,” he said, circling his arms around him. “It's over,” he stated and Paul started crying into his shoulder.
“Duncan!” Tracy shouted, as she came in with SWAT.
“It's okay. We're okay,” he said. “Call the ME though.” She looked to see blood on the wall and a dead Alpha at the bottom of the stairs.
“Okay,” she said. “Cap, we're good,” she said into the radio. The captain replied as she walked over to her partner and his husband. “He hurt?”
“Just scared out of his mind,” Duncan said. “Gurney, okay?”
“Just a concussion and dislocated shoulder,” she said. “He's fine,” she added.
“Here, take this,” he said, handing her his gun and he gently got his husband over to the couch of their formal living room. “Baby, sit down so I can have a look at ya,” he said. He got Paul to sit down on the couch and brought him out at arm's length. He gently looked him over, making sure there weren't any injuries. “Are you hurt?” he asked, gently cupping his face and Paul shook his head. Duncan seethed seeing a red mark of a hand on his husband's neck. “Are you okay?”
“You promised he wouldn't lay a hand on me or a finger,” his Omega cried and he chuckled. “It's not funny,” Paul cried.
“I know, I'm sorry, baby. He's dead now, okay? He can't hurt you anymore,” he stated and Paul nodded before wrapping himself in his Alpha again.
“I don't want to stay here tonight,” he said.
“I know. I got a hotel for us tonight and maybe tomorrow night as well, okay?”
“Okay,” Paul said before letting his Alpha rock him back and forth slowly.
“We're going to go to the hospital first, okay? Just to get you checked over.”
“Fine,” Paul said, sounded dejected. “Whatever to make you satisfied that I'm okay,” he said.
Several weeks later.......
The day after Thanksgiving, Paul and Duncan were at the doctor's office after she was able to squeeze him in. He had been feeling off and more tired lately and Duncan being the overprotective husband he was, wanted him checked out. “Maybe your suppressants aren't working,” Duncan said.
“I'm having a heat?” Paul asked. “Great,” he said leaning back on the exam table.
“Look, she took your blood and your urine sample. Let's just see what she says, okay,” Duncan said as Paul let out a sigh.
“It could be anything,” he said. “I threw up a lot last night,” he said.
“There's that stomach bug going around at work,” Duncan said.
“I fainted this morning,” Paul said. “And that wasn't from sex,” he stated and his husband chuckled.
“It could be a number of things, okay. Let's just wait and see what Dr. Karr says.” Just then the door opened and in walked Paul's doctor.
“Hey, Paul, how are you feeling?”
“Well, better than last night and this morning,” Paul said as he sat up and she smiled, placing her lap top on the stool and looked at her favorite patient. “So, what's wrong with me?” he asked and she chuckled.
“You're pregnant,” she said and it shocked the both of them into silence. They looked at each other before looking back at her. “Yeah, both the urine test and blood test confirmed it. Paul, you're pregnant. Congratulations,” she said with a smile. “I love telling Omegas they're expecting.”
“Pregnant? How?” Paul asked and Duncan chuckled. “Duncan, not now. I've been on suppressants and I haven't had heats,” he said.
“It's different for male Omegas, Paul. New studies are showing that they don't need to have heats to get pregnant,” she said. “Sometimes all it takes is lots of sex,” she added.
“And we have been doing that,” Duncan said. “Baby, it isn't the end of the world. You can still get your doctorate while pregnant,” he said.
“How far along am I?” Paul asked.
“That we will need to figure out with a sonogram.” Paul laid back on the exam table as Dr. Karr got the machine out. His gown was lifted and his belly exposed for her to put some jelly on his stomach and then she put the wand down on it. An image came onto the screen and Paul chuckled. He couldn't believe he was pregnant. Through the whole ordeal with Rabban, the baby survived. A fluttering sound echoed through the room causing Dr. Karr to smile. “What is that?”
“That's your baby's heartbeat, Paul.”
“I'm that far along already?” he asked and he felt lips on his temple. Duncan wrapped his hand around Paul's as Dr. Karr moved the wand around to try to determine the length of their baby.
“Judging from the length of your fetus, I would say you're about fifteen weeks, maybe sixteen,” she said and Duncan chuckled.
“Our wedding night,” he said causing Paul to blush.
“Wedding night involve the mating bite?” Dr. Karr asked and Duncan nodded.
“He passed out,” he stated very proudly and Paul smacked his husband.
“Would you stop telling people I passed out,” he said. “It's embarrassing.”
“That's just good sex, Paul,” Dr. Karr said. “And apparently it was good enough to produce a baby. Means you two are compatible out the wazoo,” she said with a smile.
“Oh, God, I've been drinking,” Paul said with worry. “And I've been drinking coffee like it's water,” he stated.
“That will have to stop immediately,” she said and Paul groaned.
“Going to be even more difficult to live with now,” Duncan said. “You like hot chocolate,” he said.
“It's not coffee,” Paul argued before his husband kissed him. “What about my suppressants?”
“We'll have to take you off them since you're pregnant. I don't think you're at risk for a heat while pregnant. We'll also have to get you on some prenatal vitamins.”
“I can't believe I went this whole time without knowing I was pregnant,” Paul said. “I feel so stupid.”
“Well, things are differently for male Omegas. It could be that your body didn't know you were pregnant either.” She printed out some pictures for them and worked on his prescriptions. “No drinking coffee. No stress.”
“I'll handle that, doc,” Duncan said.
“You better not drink coffee in front of me, buster,” Paul warned. Duncan chuckled as he kissed Paul on the mouth.
“As your pregnancy progresses, I'll be the judge of caffeine intake. Perhaps when you're in your final trimester, you can have one cup of day. That will be based on the baby's growth in ya,” Dr. Karr said. “I'll get the check out papers and your prescriptions so you can get out of here. Congratulations, again, you two.” Once she left, Duncan grabbed Paul's face and passionately kissed him. Paul moaned into the kiss before he pulled away.
“We're going to be parents, babe,” he said with a giggle and Duncan smiled.
Paul let out a happy sigh as he rested his head on Duncan's shoulder. They were riding in the back of a taxi on the way home. Duncan turned his head to kiss his husband's curls. “I wonder if it'll have my head of hair,” Paul wondered and Duncan chuckled.
“I hope she does,” he said and Paul smiled. “A little girl with your hair and my devilish good looks,” he said and Paul chuckled.
“The boys won't know what to do with her,” he said and Duncan chuckled. “Mum's going to flip out,” he said and Duncan chuckled. He couldn't stop staring at the sonogram picture. “We should wait and tell them at Christmas when they get here,” he said and Duncan chuckled. “I gotta look for something on Etsy to tell them they're going to be grandparents,” he said and his mate kissed him softly.
They got back to the house, having taken a sick day for Paul. Their wall no longer bared the remnants of Rabban Harkonnen's brain matter and blood. All evidence of the Alpha was cleaned and painted over. Rabban's uncle wanted to file a wrongful death suit, but his lawyers talked him out of it. Rabban was killed in a police standoff with a hostage and there was video proof of it. They wouldn't have even made it to court. The walls were now covered with family pictures and paintings. “So, you want to tell me what really happened when you presented?” Duncan asked and Paul let out a sigh.
“Okay,” he said softly.
<><><><><><><><><> Flashback <><><><><><><><><>
Paul was in a corner of the room by himself when he felt it. A sharp pain in his abdomen. “Oh, God,” he groaned, putting an arm around his stomach. It had to have been something he ate. Maybe? He stood up and started walking toward the doors. He better go lay down. He slowly made his way through the room, to the doors to head upstairs. He caught eyes with his mother who got worried seeing her son. He bumped into someone, made an apology before heading toward the doors.
“Omega?” He turned to see he had bumped into Rabban 'Beast' Harkonnen. Did he just call him Omega?
“What?” he chuckled before starting to walk away from him.
“Hey!” Beast shouted and it caused everyone to stop. Gurney motioned to the security around the room to move in on Rabban as he set his sights into Paul.
“I said I was sorry, okay?” Paul said. “It was an accident,” he said, still holding his abdomen. He groaned when another sharp pain causing him to curl in on himself.
“Paul,” his motehr said coming over to him. “Paul, you're presenting. We have to get you upstairs.”
“No, he's mine,” Rabban said. Ten feet away from him, he knew he wouldn't make it even close to Paul, the only child of his uncle's rival and future business partner. He lunged for him anyway. Five security men tackled him to the ground. “No! He's mine! He belongs to me!”
“Mum, what's going on?” Paul asked in a scared tone.
“You're presenting as an Omega. We need to get you out of here,” she said as Leto came over to help her move their son out of the room.
“Get him out of here,” Leto said to Gurney, motioning to Rabban. The Alpha being detained on the floor was not having it. He got up and Paul gasped out as he shook off the five security guards. He did what the only thing came to mind. He ran.
“Paul!!” his mother shouted. He made it to the stairs, but found himself being pursued by an angry Alpha who wanted only one thing. Him.
“Don't run from me!” Rabban said. He grabbed Paul at the legs to trip him up and Paul let out a cry. He kicked with his legs and found his foot had connected with the Alpha's nose. Beast fell down the stairs, having been knocked out. Jessica came out of the ball room with Chani and the two of them got him up and into his room.
<><><><><><><><> End of Flashback <><><><><><><>
“You ran from an Alpha while you were presenting?” Duncan asked.
“I have a flight or fight response, okay? That night it was flight first and then fight,” Paul argued and Duncan chuckled. “I only run from you because you like it,” he said. “I kicked him in the face, broke his nose and I gave him a concussion because his head hit the floor, too.”
“Wow, no wonder he was so obsessed with you. You put up a fight that night,” Duncan said.
“Yeah, and the weirdo liked it,” Paul said. “His uncle wanted to use that as an business opportunity with my dad. That was the start of the whole arranged marriage talk. Even after the doctors warned that I could die while in heat,” he said.
“You hungry? We could order take out,” he said.
“Something healthy, for the baby,” Paul said and Duncan smiled before kissing his husband.
“A baby. Who'd of thunk it?” he asked and Paul chuckled.
“Certainly not me,” he said. He placed a hand on his stomach, knowing there was a little human being inside of him. “I'm not giving birth.”
“Well, honey, you can. You don't have the means of anatomy for that. Dr. Karr said we'll have to set up a c section for ya,” he said.
“I don't want to feel anything,” Paul said. “You know my threshold for pain is low,” he stated and Duncan nodded.
“Except for when my cock is easing into you.”
“Hey, there is a child in the room,” Paul said, pointing to his stomach and Duncan chuckled.
“Oh, I love you so much,” he said before kissing Paul.
“I love you more,” Paul said.
“That's my line,” Duncan said before kissing him again.
Paul smiled in the kiss. The past was behind them. All there was to look forward to was the future.