Chamomile Tea

"Ah, well." Axel averted his gaze, rubbing his neck, his cheeks lightly flushed. Caught staring, he felt so bashful all of a sudden, that he wasn't able to meet Elias' eyes. Even though he wasn't doing anything wrong, just looking at his son interact with someone…

"Papa!" Ollie's cheerful voice dispelled the awkward atmosphere. The boy waved at the man from where he sat by the table, his short fingers all covered up in pink cream, as he made a mess of himself trying to eat the cream puff.

"Hmm?" Elias glanced between Axel and Ollie. "Papa? Oh, so you're his father?"

"Hahah, yes. I'm sorry, I hope he didn't cause you much trouble?" For some reason, Axel's cheeks flushed pink once again.

"Oh, not at all! He's an absolute angel! Aren't you, Ollie?" Elias smiled warmly at Ollie, leaving Axel completely stunned.

The Beta looked so beautiful with just his regular smile, but with the way he smiled at Ollie… It momentarily took Axel's breath away. So much so that he barely registered Ollie nodding lightly in response, all while sneaking glances at Elias from underneath his long lashes.

"Would you like me to serve you anything to drink?" Elias turned back to Axel, the warmth in his smile dissipating, returning to his usual politeness.

It was a bit sad, really. Axel kind of wished he could be Ollie. It'd be nice to be looked at with such warmth…

All of a sudden, Axel paused, his eyes widening. What did he just think? Was he… jealous of his own son?

"Ah, no need, thank you," he quickly answered, as Elias was still staring at him, waiting. "I'll just wait for Ollie to finish…"

"Alright. Let me know if you change your mind."

Elias was about to walk away… But once again, Ollie caught the edge of his apron, holding it tightly and not wanting to let go.

"Ollie! You can't do that! I'm so sorry about it…" Axel apologized, but… In truth, he found it funny, confusing, and heartwarming at the same time. It wasn't at all how Ollie typically behaved with people he had only just met…

"I don't mind, really," shaking his head with a smile, Elias let out a soft chuckle. "He's adorable."

"Then… If you don't mind, would you like to join us for a little longer? Ollie seems to like you very much."

Something flickered through Elias' face, something quite difficult to describe. It was gone as soon as it appeared though, and Elias' voice was almost normal (although a bit strained, for some reason?) as he said, "Of course. I'm not too busy right now."

"Great." Axel smiled, and he took a seat, Elias sliding in right next to him - that was the only spot left at the table, so he had no choice.

Now that there was a new addition to the group, the atmosphere became a tad more awkward again. Wanting to find anything to do, Axel took Ollie's cup, about to take a sip…

When the scent drifted to his nose, however, he couldn't help but pause. "Chamomile…?"

"Yes, it's a chamomile tea. I suggested it because it has relaxing properties, and I thought it would be good for a kid… Is there something wrong?" Elias tilted his head. "Do you perhaps dislike it?"

"Ah, no… I like it very much."

Despite what he said - or, well, muttered would be a better term - Axel didn't take so much as a sip. He was too absorbed in inhaling the scent, it seemed.

Chamomile… was a very nostalgic scent for him. The scent of one hot summer night, when he lost his virginity. When Ollie was made.

Sighing heavily, he put the cup down. Those memories didn't spark much of an emotional response in him anymore. The initial excitement, later woe and heartbreak, and then quiet melancholy and sadness, were all gone, washed away with time. Now only regretful weariness remained.

Preoccupied with his thoughts, Axel didn't even realize that Elias had been throwing him constant glances, watching his reaction. While it wasn't his intention when serving Ollie the tea… He was glad that he could make at least a tiny jab at Axel. If that wretched Alpha had even a tiny bit of conscience left - although, to be fair, Elias wasn't too hopeful about that - then he'd have to feel at least some unease, being reminded about the Omega he had wronged!

By the time Axel recovered from his nostalgia though, Elias' attention was once again fully on Ollie. After all, why would he waste so much time on Axel, when he should be spending time with his son?

The boy was already done with the cream puff, and even licked his fingers clean off the cream - Mrs. Chandler would scold him for that, but luckily, she wasn't here. There was still a bit of pink cream stuck on Ollie's cheek…

Axel smiled as he noticed it, and opened his mouth to say something…

But Elias was faster. "You have some cream on your cheek," he smiled, his face dripping in affectionate indulgence. And, as if it was the most natural thing to do, he lifted his hand, and wiped it gently with a tissue.

Only once it was done did he reflect upon his action. "Ah, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to…" He glanced nervously at Axel.

Axel, however, just shook his head. "It's fine, it's fine. Ollie seems comfortable with you, so… Right, Ollie?"

Ollie nodded his head, his cheeks flushed.

"Ah, that's good then," Elias exhaled with relief. "I just did it without thinking… I really like kids, and Ollie is so adorable that I couldn't help myself…"

'Oho?' 

Something in Axel suddenly clicked.

Someone who didn't know who Axel really was.

A Beta man, who wouldn't be able to have biological kids with Axel.

Likes kids, and finds Ollie adorable.

And someone Ollie seemed to like, despite having only just met.

'River' seemed to meet all the criteria. And on top of that, he was cute, and made a very good impression on Axel. That thing Wynn had mentioned… Trying to date someone? Perhaps Axel should really give it a shot?

It was at least worth considering.

…Later, though. For now, Axel had his upcoming rut and grandmother's party to worry about… Besides, even if it was JUST dating, it still wasn't a decision that should be made on the spot.

If he was still feeling like it once it was all over though, then maybe he'd try asking River out on a date. It might be… a nice experience.