RIVALS | MxM MPreg

Chapter 19: Part 1

A/N: This was supposed to be a short 1500-word count with Landon and Wade's conversation regarding the whole ordeal. But I got carried away. By the way, this is a necessary chapter to complete Landon's decision-making. Also, it involves more dialogue than usual. Enjoy!

Sometimes Landon made California seem like a distant hellscape, but truth be told, it wasn't all that terrible. Sure, he couldn't walk past Skid Roe unless he wanted to get mugged or stabbed for simply looking put-together. Or the godawful traffic whenever he wanted to go to Southern Cali-and let's not forget about the shitty air quality when compared to Texas, and the yearly danger of wildfire threatening to destroy his property. Other than that, Cali was his second home, and there were quite a few places he enjoyed spending his free time at. One of those places was the Pacific Park from where Route 66 End of the Trail started, down to the Santa Monica Pier itself, by the ledge overlooking the ocean.

Having the afternoon breeze combed through his hair and dissolved into his face, while listening to the ocean waves-even if it came from a distance-always calmed him down in ways he couldn't explain. It was peaceful there, calm and refreshing. It was why he decided to bring Wade there instead of taking them both to another restaurant, where the atmosphere had always been tight and quiet. Here he could talk his worries away, and no one would even bother to look in his direction. He had an amazing view, too, and a warm sun beating down on his face and back-what more could he ask for?

Not much, Landon reckoned as he took a last bite at the bacon sandwich he had bought from a cart vendor on the pier, before greedily drinking down his lemonade; his focus never leaving the ocean, where bright blue water breached the sand. "It's nice out here, ain't it?" he said a moment later when he felt Wade's eyes on him.

The older man stood next to him, where they were both leaning by the ledge of the pier. Wade shrugged. "I reckon," he answered, biting into the last of five tocos Landon had bought him.

Landon's fingers went to the paper towel he had tucked away to wipe his oily hands, only to realize it was missing before he gave up and wiped his palms on his khaki shorts. When done, his attention went back to the ocean, and he smiled, enjoying the feel of the cool ocean breeze mingled with the warm afternoon sun; unfortunately, Texas could never. He closed his eyes and said, "I dunno know why I don't come here more often. It's peaceful."

When Wade finally finished, his attention followed Landon's, and he gazed out into the ocean. A minute later, he replied, "Well, if you ignore them loud mouths behind us, I reckon it is peaceful."

There were a lot of people on the pier, mostly visitors from elsewhere. They spoke loudly, but Landon had grown accustomed to it.

Wade twisted to look at him; he eyed Landon for a good minute-studying his facial expression before he said, "Now tell me... why you drag me 'way from home for? There's somethin' on your mind... and am guessin' you need to talk 'bout it?"

There it was; the big question.

Landon sighed and leaned against the ledge, his eyes went to Wade but his thoughts wandered elsewhere, back to what happened with himself and Jackson, back to the realization that he, an Alpha-a traditional one at that-was walking around with a child in his stomach.

It had been a hot week since his discovery of the strangeness growing inside of him, and since he had beaten the living daylight out of his supposed blackmailer-turned-boyfriend after said boyfriend hid that he was a bloody Enigma instead of an Alpha, turning both of their lives into a one-eighty with little options. He was so darn angry at Jackson that he contemplated if would've just killed him back then if it would've been a justified killing when he gets sent to jail for manslaughter. Jackson lied to him, and although the youngster seemed to have had a valid reason for his lie-it was still a lie, and Landon didn't know how to feel about liars.