Chapter 24: The Beta

Yuki and Ryohei sluggishly entered their house. It was quiet - too quiet to the point Ryohei wanted to shout his lung out. He hated the fact that he has expected really good news from Yamato this morning, however the result was grim. He could not even fake a smile as Yuki tried cheering him up.

~

"Don't get discouraged, Ryohei," Yamato patted his shoulder. "You love Yuki, right? Yuki loves you too."

Ryohei fell onto his knees, stunned and speechless. Yuki seemed petrified, but he got his sense back soon after.

"This is still under research, right? It isn't confirmed yet, right? Please tell us." Yuki pleaded at Yamato. His hands gestured aimlessly on the air.

Yamato saw that. He stared at the sobbing Yuki. Yuki could not fetch the kneeling Ryohei.

"You- Are you blind?" Yamato asked without hesitance.

Yamato assisted Yuki to get Ryohei into his embrace. Yuki immediately cuddled the fiance and hushed him. Yamato was engrossed watching them - the blind was coaxing his lover. It was definitely a rare view.

"Ryohei was the only lover I have in my life, doctor." Yuki rubbed Ryohei's back as he talked to Yamato, "He's the only one who accepts me just the way I am, despite the trouble I may cause him due to my blindness in the future. He knows my dark past, but still he loves me dearly," he seized Ryohei close to his chest, "I won't find other man to love me. I just need Ryohei."

~

"Yuki."

Ryohei called the frozen Yuki on the couch. They sat opposite to each other. Yuki startled a little, then faced towards the direction where he heard Ryohei from. "Yes, Ryohei?"

Ryohei ducked his head. The entire incident at Yamato's place kept on playing in his mind. Yamato even redid the test on both samples, however the result never altered. Based on the previous respondents, none of them mated with a Beta, therefore it was still unknown on what it might be between a Beta and an Omega.

Thus, Yamato came up with an idea.

"Why did you accept Yamato's suggestion, Yuki?" In spite of the overflowing tears, Ryohei gently asked. "Didn't he say having sex with a Beta doesn't give enough satisfaction?"

From the intonation, Yuki felt bad. He was the one agreeing to the offer without discussing with Ryohei. Ryohei must feel isolated and ignored by Yuki's deed. Yuki slowly paced to the sobbing Ryohei and grazed over his face.

"I'm sorry for being selfish," Yuki pulled Ryohei, again, into his embrace. "I just thought that it won't separate us. I mean, why should I find other man as my Alpha if I already have you?"

Yuki's soft kiss on the forehead soothed Ryohei a little.

"Sex is not all I need to be loved. I love you because it's you. Like how you love me wholeheartedly."

"But you may not be bonded with me," Ryohei hiccupped, "Even if we are married, you can still get bonded with other man."

"My dear," Yuki pecked on Ryohei's lips, "There is still a possibility. Do you remember my scent? The man who harassed me at the rest house couldn't smell me, right?"

Ryohei lifted up his head. He remembered that, furthermore the incident was the main purpose they went to Yamato's house. It was ridiculous, but Yamato was the only one they could rely on. Apart of Ryohei had massive doubt on Yamato's theories and hypotheses, yet Yamato was the first and the only doctor who has mentioned about secondary genders. Even the doctor who checked up on Yuki in interval never stated about those Alpha-Omega-Beta things.

The percentage of Yamato deceiving them was obviously high, however Ryohei has acknowledged him for being a very islanded resident among the neighbours there. It added by the messiness in Yamato's house for studying and researching.

"Even if it sounds impossible, we still can get married and register our small family legally. The public hasn't discovered what these second genders are all about, so it may be safe for us."

"But, Yuki, I'm afraid I'm not your Alpha."

"It's okay. You are still you, and I'm still being myself. You don't have to be an Alpha to get married, and the same goes to me," Yuki grasped Ryohei's hands, "I'm an intersex, yes, but I don't have to be an Omega to be your lover, right?"

Ryohei gazed at Yuki's faked cheerfulness. He was pretending, yet Ryohei could detect the effort Yuki implied to inspirit him. Yuki was not doing it to lie to him - he was just being considerable and tolerable. Living under the same roof with Ryohei taught him a lot about perseverance and prosperity, therefore he would not let go of Ryohei.

"I- I don't want to be a Beta-"

"Ryohei. Enough."

The strict tone Yuki implied stunned Ryohei. Ryohei blinked at the blind in perplex.

"I'm sorry, my dear," Yuki pursed his trembling lips, "I dislike it when you feel down just because you were disclosed as a Beta, whereas it was just Yamato's investigation material. Like you said, we've never come across second genders all these while, so Yamato might be pranking on us - no one knows. Nevertheless, I want you to know. No matter what gender you are, I will still love you, and I hope you'll love me like before. Being an Alpha or a Beta doesn't determine our chemistry. What matters is the heart."

Yuki squeezed Ryohei's hands, lending him some warmth, "I chose to accept Yamato's offer because I don't want to get separated from you. Even if the experiment failed, as long as I could be with you, it doesn't matter. But if it produces good results, it's a bonus to all of us. Yamato gets new conclusion for his research, and we- we will stay as happiest lover in the world."

Ryohei held his breath as his tears threatened to drip. Yuki bumped his forehead to Ryohei's. "I only need you in my life, my dear. Please don't leave me. I'm begging you."

A passionate kiss collided with Yuki's lips. Ryohei hugged him tightly. His emotion has stabilized yet he still tended to weep.

"How could I dump my fiancee just because of illogical frustration? If I were reincarnated, I would hope to love you again and again," then he kissed Yuki again, "I'm sorry for my silliness, my honey. Somehow, thank you very much for keep on lifting my mood up. I love you so much," it would be their third time kissing in those two minutes, "It may be sudden. But will you marry me?"