the Omega's choice

4

Nunew couldn't stop thinking about the conversation he had with Zee at the café. It had been days since they sat there, sipping coffee and sharing pieces of themselves that were usually kept hidden from others. The connection he felt with Zee had grown deeper, more profound, and it both thrilled and terrified him. For the first time in a long while, Nunew was allowing someone to see beyond the carefully constructed exterior he had built. But that also meant letting down his guard, and that was something Nunew wasn't entirely sure he was ready for.

As the sun dipped below the horizon on a warm evening, Nunew decided to clear his mind by taking a walk through the city. The streets were bustling with people finishing their day's work, heading home, or making plans to meet friends for dinner. The energy of the city usually invigorated him, but tonight, it felt like a background hum to the thoughts swirling in his head.

Nunew's steps led him to a quiet park on the edge of the city, a place he often visited when he needed time to think. The park was a sanctuary from the noise and chaos of the city, a small oasis of greenery where he could escape for a while. He found his usual bench under a large oak tree and sat down, watching as the last rays of sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

He tried to sort through his emotions, to make sense of the growing feelings he had for Zee. But every time he thought he had a handle on them, something new would surface, leaving him more confused than before. There was no denying that Zee had become important to him, but Nunew wasn't sure how to navigate that newfound significance. He had always been fiercely independent, priding himself on his ability to stand alone. But now, he found himself wanting to reach out, to lean on someone else for the first time in a long while.

Nunew was so lost in thought that he didn't hear the soft footsteps approaching until Zee's voice broke through his reverie.

"Mind if I join you?"

Nunew looked up, startled to see Zee standing there, a gentle smile on his lips. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of him, and he found himself nodding before he even processed the question.

"Of course," Nunew replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "I didn't expect to see you here."

Zee sat down beside him, close enough that Nunew could feel the warmth radiating from his body, but not so close that it felt intrusive. "I could say the same about you," Zee said with a chuckle. "But I'm glad I did. You looked like you were deep in thought. Anything you want to talk about?"

Nunew hesitated, unsure of how much he wanted to share. But then he remembered how easily he had opened up to Zee before, how safe he had felt in his presence. Maybe it was time to trust him again.

"I've just been thinking about... everything," Nunew admitted, his voice quiet. "About us."

Zee's expression softened, and he turned to face Nunew more fully, giving him his undivided attention. "What about us?" he asked gently.

Nunew took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I've spent so long building walls around myself, keeping people at a distance. It's just... easier that way. Safer. But with you, it's different. I feel like those walls are starting to crumble, and that scares me."

Zee was silent for a moment, his gaze steady and thoughtful. "I understand," he said finally, his voice low and sincere. "Letting someone in isn't easy, especially when you've been hurt before or when you're used to being on your own. But I want you to know that I'm not here to tear down those walls. I'm just here, on the other side, hoping you'll let me in when you're ready."

Nunew felt a lump form in his throat at Zee's words, the sincerity in his voice resonating deep within him. He wasn't used to this kind of honesty, this kind of patience. Most Alphas he had met were all about control, about claiming what they wanted without regard for how he felt. But Zee was different. He was offering something Nunew had never experienced before-respect, understanding, and a willingness to wait.