Mates of a Human

Part Four. Chapter Six. Alex

Author's note; 18+

The conversation, which was a long time coming, finally happened when we didn't have much time to talk about it; as we were packing to go on vacation.

Yes, I know, I really should have had the conversation with my mates earlier, but whenever I resolved to, something would happen and that resolve would turn to dust. The first time I planned to tell them, I had delayed it until after we ate. I used the excuses, the food was too good, why spoil anyone's appetite later on but really, I had been repeating opening sentences in my head over and over and when I had finally felt enough courage to open my mouth...

Michael's phone had began to ring. "I just need to take this," he had said, leaving the table for a moment and coming back the next to inform us that he had been asked to come in and help with a supernatural patient. He had kissed us both on the lips and then had just left, suggesting that we don't wait up; he did not know how long he would be. In the end, it had turned out to be nothing urgent.

And then, that weekend, Eric had been summoned back to his pride for a couple of days.

Following that was an outbreak of viral gastroenteritis in the hospital, thought to have been brought in by a visiting child or adult. Several wards had to be placed on lockdown, so it didn't spread, meaning certain operations were cancelled and other incoming patients had to be sent to another hospital. But what was more problematic was that several hospital workers, caught unawares before the alarm was sounded, had come down with it meaning extra shifts for those who remained healthy. Both Michael and I had found ourselves running ragged, him with many double shifts and me with a larger floor plan to cover and overtime. We stayed at my apartment as it was nearer during the time. Eric was our feline angel, feeding our exhausted bodies before all or some of us fell into bed asleep.

The hospital's response was fairly quick and the matter was brought under control swiftly, but it left its mark... especially on me; that discussion was delayed even longer.

During that time, I also had my first... bleed? Period? Visit from Mother Nature? That was the moment I realised that this was real. I really did have the necessary body parts to carry a child. Maybe it was due to our exhaustion, but Michael had only noticed once that I smelled different, similar to blood, he called it.

Before I could say anything, Eric had spoken up; "Alex dropped a glass earlier and caught his finger on the sharp edge when picking it up. It wasn't too bad a cut, I helped him deal with it, but that's likely what you can smell." Michael had just nodded and had gone and taken a shower. And that was the end of that opening.

Okay, I agree, I could have bitten the bullet and just told Eric or just told Michael instead of insisting to myself that I had to tell them together. But the longer I held onto this secret, the harder it became to tell them. Which is why it only was revealed as we packed, the day before we went away.

"Razors, shower gel, toothbrushes, toothpaste," I was mumbling a list in the bathroom to myself as I packed some grooming necessities. I also had sorted out a medical kit. I picked up the unscented oil that my mates kept in the cabinet and began to blush. Then I froze, thinking of something else that we would need. "Hey, guys," I tried to keep my voice steady. "Do we like have... condoms." I probably said the last word far to quietly as I felt my skin turn brick red.

"Sorry, what did you say?" Michael asked, poking his head around the bathroom door. Eric opened it fully and handed me an unopened bottle of shampoo.

"Condoms, he asked for condoms," Eric said for me and grinned broadly. "We don't usually use them, but we can get them if it makes you feel more comfortable."