I love you

Clay woke up after a while. His head was splitting and his eyes were blurry. He sat up slowly and blinked a few times until his vision cleared completely. He began to look around, assessing the surroundings: this was clearly not their quarters, or even their ship. The place looked different. The room was unlit, but there was some light coming in through the curtains, so some details could be seen. The room was small, trimmed in red with gold inlays. There was only room for a bed, a nightstand, and maybe some small things. There was a small floor lamp in the corner and a bookcase to the side of the bed. Clay looked around the bed he was sitting on and saw Lance, who was sleeping peacefully, turned to face the blue knight. He had a bandage on his head and his hair was neatly trimmed, but it didn’t kill Lance’s style. Clay pulled the bandage off and placed it on the nightstand. His head hurt, but not enough to wear the bandage. He’d been injured worse. Battles with monsters don’t go without scars. But, what had really happened? Why did they abruptly end up in this strange place? The architecture doesn’t look anything like Knighton’s. Could this just be the same place Lance’s parents aspired to? He feels his boyfriend move next to him. Lance slowly sits up, moans quietly in pain, and looks around. “Lance, are you okay?” Clay asks quietly. “Clay?” Lance turns toward the voice. “Ah, I think I’m okay, but my head hurts.” He looks around again. “Where are we?” “I don’t know. It doesn’t look like we’re still in Knighton.” Clay’s sitting on the edge of the bed. “I’ll go find the others. Can you…” Clay was interrupted by the door opening suddenly. “There’s no need to look for anyone. They’re all safe, in the next rooms.” said the unknown man in a calm voice. “We found you and brought you to this place.” The stranger came closer. “Here you can recover.” “Who are you?” Clay put his back to Lance. “Why should we believe you? Maybe you want us to be eaten by some monster.” “There’s no logic to what you’re saying about a monster.” Only now Clay noticed that the stranger was holding a basin, which he placed on the bed, and a glass, which was placed on the nightstand. “It’s for your omega.” Stepped back a little as Clay growled. “There’s berry morsels in the glass to ease the symptoms of toxicity a little. It won’t make it go away early, but it’ll make the omega feel better. And it’s good for the baby.” Like a snap of the fingers, Lance threw up. It’s a good thing he had time to pull the basin to him. Clay was confused. He just didn’t know what to do in a situation like this. “Pat him on the back.” The stranger said, walking over to the window. He opened the curtains. Bright light flooded the room and now the stranger could be seen. He was a tall, blond-haired guy, wearing a white sweatshirt and beige pants. “As soon as this is over, give him a drink of morsel.” The stranger went to the door and opened it. “There’s a meeting in half an hour. I’ll come and get you. We have much to discuss.” The stranger said afterward and walked out the door. “Wait.” Clay shouted. “What’s your name?” “I’m Zane.” The stranger said shortly and closed the door, leaving Clay and Lance alone. After a minute, Lance straightened up, wiped his mouth with the towel he’d pulled out of the basin, leaned back against the headboard, and breathed deeply. Clay handed him a morsel, but took a sip to make sure there was no poison. He took it and took a small sip, to see how his stomach would react. When he didn’t feel nauseous again, he took a larger sip. “Better?” Clay asked, taking the glass back. “Yeah. At least I don’t feel like I’m turning inside out anymore.” Lance rested his head on Clay’s shoulder. “Are we coming home?” “I… Yes… Yes… We’re coming home.” Clay said, putting his arm around Lance. “If this man, Zane, can help us, then we should jump at every opportunity.” “I don’t know why, but I feel like I can trust him.” Lance said quietly, raising his eyes to Clay. “An omega premonition.” Clay looked questioningly at the omega. “He’s an omega too, isn’t he? And he has a pair too.” Clay hummed and looked back at the door. After a while, Lance got up to clean himself up, and he glanced in the mirror and called out to Clay. “What happened?” Clay asked, running up to Lance. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Lance points to his hair. “You were sick, I got confused.” Clay puts his hand on Lance’s stomach and gently strokes through his shirt. “'There are more important things to do right now than getting your hair done.” “You’re right.” Lance sighed. “I’m just not used to it yet.” He put his hand over Clay’s. “Our lives are about to be turned upside down.” Lance turned his head toward Clay. “You’re not happy about it?” “No, I’m glad we have a chance to start a family, but the fear-- I’ve told you about the fear of fatherhood, but what if it comes down to a choice between the baby’s life and mine?” Lance turned his full attention to Clay. “I know it’s too early to discuss this, but I want to talk about it in advance. Omega men rarely give birth without complications.” Lance lowered his head and sniffed. “If I have to choose, I’ll choose you.” Clay took Lance’s hands in his. “We’ll get through this together, and when we’re ready, we’ll try again.” Lance looked up at Clay. “I love you, and I don’t want to lose you.” He kissed Lance on the nose. “Our baby’s important, but it’s not our only baby. If we can’t have a baby, we can get one from an orphanage. There are plenty of options. My life was turned upside down when I met you and decided to start a relationship with you.” Clay kissed Lance gently. “I don’t regret my choice.” “I’m glad I met you and confessed my feelings. You’re the best alpha ever.” Lance returned the kiss, deepening it slightly. “And a couple years ago, you never would have agreed to this.” He put his arms around Clay’s neck and put his arm around Clay’s waist. They kissed one more time before they were interrupted by a knock at the door. “Are you guys ready?” came Zane’s voice. “Two minutes.” Clay shouted, stepping away from Lance. Exactly two minutes later, they walked out of the room. They looked around and saw Zane talking to some guy who was a little taller than him. He was a dark-haired guy in a gray sweatshirt and black pants. He was clearly flirting with the other guy, and Zane didn’t resist, but was embarrassed and chuckled. It was obvious that they were very close. When he saw Clay and Lance, Zane said something to the guy, and then he kissed him on the lips and left. “Who was that?” Clay asked, approaching the guy. “Oh, that was my alpha.” Zane said, stepping away from the wall. “Come on. Everyone’s downstairs except you.” Zane went somewhere, waving his hand to indicate “follow me.” Clay and Lance looked at each other and followed Zane, determined to keep up. Aaron, Macy, Axl, Monstrox, Cuthbert, Goldie, and Izzy were already sitting in the living room, waiting for everyone to arrive. When Clay and Lance walked in, everyone hugged each other except Goldie and Cuthbert. “Hey Lance, I like your new haircut.” says Aaron, stepping away from his friend. “Me too.” said Lance. “Whoever cut your hair obviously knows how to make it look good.” Macy mussed Lance’s hair a little. “How’s your head?” “It hurts, but it’s okay.” Lance fixed his hair. Clay quickly handed Macy and Lance each a note, which they read and nodded. Everyone separated and settled on the couch. Clay sat on the right side next to Lance, followed by Izzy, Monstrox, Macy, Aaron, Axl, and Goldie and Cuthbert sat on the left side, giving Lance a dismissive glance. At that moment the rest of the strangers came in. They sat down across from the knights. Zane sat on the right side, followed by his alpha, followed by a brown-haired alpha in a red sweatshirt and brown pants, followed by a blond omega in a green sweatshirt and gray pants, then a redheaded omega in a blue sweatshirt and blue pants. He had a 3-month-old baby in a sling. And on the left edge sat two alphas: a dark-haired girl in a red dress and an old man in a white kimono. “You all know me.” Zane began. “I am Zane, master of ice.” Zane clenched his hand into a fist and it quickly became covered in ice. “Cole’s omega.” “I am Cole, master of earth.” The dark-haired man demonstrated his powers. Several small pebbles hovered in the air above his hand before falling to the floor. “Zane’s alpha.” “I am Kai, master of fire.” The brown-haired man did the same, summoning a small flame in his hands. “Lloyd’s alpha and Nya’s older brother.” “I am Lloyd, master of energy.” The blond man’s hand turned green for a second before a small ball of green energy appeared. “Kai’s omega” “I am Jay, master of lightning.” Lightning flashed between the redhead’s fingers. “Nya’s omega. And that package you see in my arms is our son, Akira.” “I am Nya, master of water.” the girl made a ball of water appear, which she directed at her brother and doused him. He only bounced a little but he didn’t complain. “Jay’s alpha and Kai’s younger sister.” “And I’m Master Wu.” said the old man. “Master of the elemental masters and Lloyd’s uncle. Welcome to Ninjago.” said Wu. “And who are you wanderers?” “I am Clay Moorington a blue knight and hereditary mage.” After a short silence, the brown-haired man said. “Single alpha.” “I am Lance Richmond, white knight.” said the blond. “Macy’s omega.” He winked briefly at the strangers. “And Isabella’s older brother.” “I’m Isabella Richmond, or just Izzy, a freshman at the knight academy and Lance’s younger sister. Alpha.” “I’m Monstrox the former necromancer.” said the brunette. “Single alpha.” “I’m Macy Halbert, red knight and princess of Knighton the place we came from.” The red-haired one said. “Lance’s alpha.” “I am Aaron Fox, the green knight.” said the redhead. “A single omega.” “I’m Axl the yellow knight. Single alpha.” At that moment, the baby in Jay’s arms began to cry. “I’m so sorry.” Jay said, starting to rock the baby. “Apparently, the baby was hungry. Do you mind if I feed him?” “Uh, no, of course not.” said Macy. “Feed him if you have to.” Everyone else shook their heads, saying they didn’t mind. All but the most annoying people. Jay nodded, took off the sling, stretched his sweatshirt, pulled up his T-shirt, put the sling back on, adjusted the baby and guided him to his breast. The baby quickly found the nipple and took it into his mouth, beginning to drink the milk. Jay hissed softly, adjusting his hands a little. Lance noticed that his chest was not quite flat, but slightly swollen. He made a mental note to ask their new acquaintances about it. “How disgusting.” Cuthbert was indignant, rising from his seat. “That poor man needs to learn some manners.” He helped his wife up and then turned to the children. “Isabella, get up. We’re getting out of here. “ Izzy was quiet for about five seconds, and then she said: “No.” “What do you mean, no?” Goldie shrieked. “It means I want to stay with my brother and the other knights. “ “Ah.” Goldie said indignantly. “What that poor man is doing is disgusting and shouldn’t be done at all. “ “t may be disgusting to you, but to me it’s natural. “ There was a silence in which only Jay’s quiet sobs could be heard. This is the first time he’s ever gotten a reaction like this. All of his friends had never been against this kind of thing, and now, there were people who immediately lashed out at him for it. Nia, who was sitting next to his omega, immediately released her pheromones and hugged him, calming him down. Apparently, the child felt his father’s pain, so he immediately cried before he even finished eating. Wu got up from the couch and went to the kitchen. Everyone looked reproachfully at the older Richmonds and thought that no one would say anything and just let the two of them leave and go on with their business, but Cole would not tolerate such an attitude toward his friend. “You say we have no manners?” he walked up to Cuthbert and Goldie. “You don’t have any manners yourself. “ “Cole… Don’t…” Jay said quietly through his tears. “I’m sorry, Jay, but I can’t sit around and watch some pompous gods think the whole world revolves around them.” Cole jabbed his finger into Cuthbert’s chest. “We saved you, but we’re not going to play noble. If you don’t like the rules of this house, you can get the hell out of here, but if you want to live somewhere until we find a way to get you back to your world, you’ll shut your mouth and live by the rules. You’re not in your own home to be making accusations.” Cole growled. “If you insult my family again in any way, you’re out of this monastery like a cork.” Cuthbert snorted arrogantly, turned and walked away. Goldie followed him. “The two who’d just left, Cuthbert and Goldie Richmond, are alphas. Our parents” Izzy said, after a few seconds of silence. “They’re so arrogant, it’s annoying. “ Wu returned with a tray in his hands. “Okay.” He said briefly, approaching Nya. “This is for Jay, to calm him down.” He handed the mug to the alpha. “This.” He walked over to Cole. “You could use some calming down too.” Wu handed the cup to Cole. “Sorry for the outburst, Master.” “It’s all right, Cole. Don’t apologize.” Master Wu smiled. “And this.” He walked over to Lance. “For our guest. Also, for peace of mind. I noticed how tense you got when those two started to resent you.” “Thank you.” Lance said briefly, taking a sip. “The rest of the tea is for the others. It’s not special. Just if you want it.” Wu sat back down on the couch. “Jay, how are you? “ “Better now.” Jay sobbed, sipped some tea, and adjusted his shirt. “Thank you, Master. Only, now we have to calm the baby down.” The boy rocked the baby, but it wouldn’t settle. “I can do that, Jay.” Nya said, taking the baby in her arms. “Talk to our guests, calm down, have fun, and I’ll take Akira for a walk.” “Will you need a sling?” “No. I won’t go far from the monastery. I’ll stay in the courtyard.” “Okay.” Jay kissed Nya on the cheek. “Be careful.” “I will.” Nya walked out of the monastery. “I see that one of our guests wants to ask a question.” said the master. “Ah, well…” Lance became embarrassed. “I…” “Don’t be shy, young knight. We are ready to answer.” Wu continued. “Well, I have a rather odd question for omegas and alphas who are in a relationship.” Lance began. “How did you meet, realize you loved each other, and how was your pregnancy?” “Oh.” surprised Kai. “Well, who do we start with? Those who were the first to have a relationship or those who were the first to have children? “ “Let’s start with you, Kai.” said Cole. “Okay.” Kai thought for a second. “Lloyd and I met in the Jamanakai village.” “Uh-huh. I was trying to scare the people there into giving me candy.” Lloyd laughed. “That’s where it all started, actually.”