(BL)Alpha Made
Chapter 49: Promises, promises

Chapter 49: Promises, promises

Maxwell froze, the tumbler half raised to his mouth. His eyes were wide, and he was staring at Andrew, stunned. Andrew, however, had gotten a second wind.

"That’s a great idea! We can put it against the wall, near the headboard! That way we can always make eye contact!" Andrew took a big sip from his tumbler, a happy grin on his face. Maxwell was still a bit shocked. "Oh, I can’t believe I came up with that idea." He chuckled to himself, before slowly realising that Maxwell hadn’t said anything. "Max? Is it okay?" He asked, growing more hesitant by the minute.

Maxwell eventually regained himself, clearing his throat with his ears bright pink.

"Um, well, I just never considered the idea. Before we went for a full installation, could we try a small one?" Andrew’s grin grew a little devious, and Maxwell had to swallow.

"Maxy, we don’t have to use the bed to test it out. The bathroom downstairs is large enough and the counters are made so that you could use them comfortably." Maxwell swallowed, clearly distracted and Andrew felt a pleased, tingling sensation fill him. He’d made him that distracted.

Bending forward, he pressed his lips against Maxwell’s. "I’m thinking tomorrow, when you’re done with work, I will take a break and plunge into you from behind in the bathroom while you hold onto the counter until you scream in climax. Does that sound like a fun time Maxy?" Maxwell gulped, before raising his slightly shaking hand holding the tumbler and swallowing the scotch. He lowered it slowly, glancing at Andrew.

"Andrew Knox, how dare you get me so worked up and then tell me tomorrow?" Maxwell’s whisper was hot, and when Andrew glanced down he could already tell he was hard. He laughed, pulling back but smiling at Maxwell.

"Well, you’re the one who said I had to read one of these brochures tonight, so my hands are tied." He teased, and Maxwell glared at him.

"I’d really like to put that damn smart mouth to work." Maxwell muttered, and a shiver ran down Andrew’s spine. He also would have liked that, but at the same time, he didn’t want to be a liar or break a promise. The fact that Maxwell wasn’t grabbing him and dragging him to the bathroom to live out what he’d suggested also proved that he was the same way.

The sigh that left Maxwell had Andrew chuckling, but Maxwell didn’t say anything for a moment. Instead, the two sat in silence, enjoying each other’s company without teasing or speaking to each other. Andrew settled deeper into the couch, glancing at the brochure he held in his other hand.

Placing it on his thigh, he opened the first page and was surprised when Maxwell shifted over until his thigh was touching his own, and he rested his head against Andrew’s shoulder. It felt oddly intense, considering Andrew had found out that Maxwell wasn’t much of a cuddler. The fact that Maxwell had done this on his own...Andrew’s heart was pounding in his chest. He swallowed as Maxwell settled in, still drinking from the tumbler as Andrew flipped through the brochure.

He had to hand it to Michael, he had made a very informative, but well written little booklet. It had all the information laid out in an easy to digest, almost fun way. Andrew may have grumbled a bit about it, but he did go through each page thoroughly. And it was helpful.

It explained to Andrew pheromones in more depth, and how to practise controlling them. It even gave a rough estimate for how long it could take to learn to control them, and what to expect in regards to how to manage the scent of them. Andrew glanced at Maxwell, curious if he could ask a question, but not wanting to ruin the moment. He liked feeling Maxwell pressed against him in any capacity, and didn’t want him to shift.

As if sensing his thoughts, Maxwell looked up at him.

"What’s up?" He asked softly, and Andrew flushed. This man was too pretty for him. Even like this, Andrew just wanted to cover him in kisses and cuddle him. Inhale his scent and relax with him in his arms. He was hopeless.

"Can I ask a question?" Maxwell turned his head slightly and pressed a kiss against his shoulder, and Andrew nearly choked. He was too stinking cute.

"Of course." Maxwell answered, and Andrew swallowed.

"Uh, I know that you’ve been releasing your pheromones, and I’m not complaining in the slightest, I’m just curious why I haven’t...smelt any of the others, like the guards." Maxwell nodded.

"Ah, reading this, of course you’d be curious. Well, part of that is because this is my house. My scent is going to basically infuse with everything here because it’s my home. It’s kind of like my way of making it a safe space unconsciously. That happens to everyone who has a secondary gender. It’s not something we can consciously control." Andrew nodded in agreement, understanding. "The other this is that they have been briefed on your condition. I have a feeling my father told them the full story, so the people who are working here are pros at controlling their pheromones. It might actually help you to ask for their help once you get a bit better at controlling your own since they might have some tidbits to help you out." Andrew nodded at Maxwell’s words.

"So...they aren’t the norm?" He asked and Maxwell laughed.

"No, not in the slightest. Most people are horrible at controlling themselves. It was one of the reasons I wanted to keep you inside for as long as possible. Not because I didn’t think you could handle it, but I think the world is going to become a lot stinkier to you now." Andrew snorted, before his shoulders shook and he laughed outright. Maxwell tilted his head up to watch him, his blue eyes soft.

"Oh, well, thank you for caring about my nose." Andrew teased, his eyes warm as he looked down at the omega who was used to a world he was only a beginner in. A world where Maxwell was oversensitive, and very aware of everyone else and their scent. A tenderness filled him as he thought about how much Maxwell was caring for him. "How bad is it?" He asked him gently, and Maxwell sighed.

"It can be overwhelming. It’s even worse when people aren’t taking care of themselves and are close to their heats or ruts. That’s what set you off today. I really, really hope you aren’t oversensitive like I am. I want you to have as normal of an experience as you can." Hesitating, Andrew moved his hand from the brochure to gently, softly, play with Maxwell’s hair. He didn’t move, nor did he leave. Andrew kept playing.

"I have a feeling you did some research into this." Andrew stated. Maxwell didn’t say anything, but did take a sip of the scotch in his glass. "Is it more common for people who manifest late to have a sensitivity?" He asked, and Maxwell stayed silent for a moment longer. Andrew didn’t mind. He was in no rush, not with Maxwell pressed against him.

"It is more common. The current theory is because your body isn’t infused with the scents at a young age like most manifestations, and instead you’ve been rejecting them for a longer time. Sometimes it goes away, but there aren’t enough studies for that yet." Andrew nodded.

"Well, we don’t know yet. I have a feeling my guards protected me from the worst of it when I was at the gym, and there were only a few people in the gym at the times I would go. Mostly betas too." Maxwell nodded, and Andrew slowly exhaled. "I know you’re worried about me, and you have a valid reason after today, but I’m going to do better. I don’t want to worry you like that anymore." Andrew murmured, and Maxwell leaned further into him. It felt like a reward.

"I don’t think I can stop it." Maxwell said quietly, and Andrew felt a smile touch his lips.

"Well then, if you can’t stop it, at least share them with me. If you do, I’m bound to do the same." Andrew told him, and when Maxwell looked up at him, his eyes were swimming pools of blue. His breath caught in his throat.

"You promise?" He asked softly, and Andrew would have given him anything.

"Promise." He confirmed, and Maxwell dropped his head to nuzzle into him again, partially draped over Andrew now.

"I’m going to hold you to that, Andrew. I...I haven’t had many relationships like this in my life, but I know that they are supposed to be full of communication and trust. I don’t want to have this worried feeling inside of me again. Worrying about you like this is taking years off of my life." Maxwell said, and Andrew wanted to comfort the smaller man.

He wrapped his arm around him, giving him a squeeze. He pressed a kiss against his forehead, watching Maxwell’s expression to see if it changed. It didn’t, and Andrew melted more.

"Angel, I can’t promise that you aren’t going to worry like that again. I have a feeling you might be a worry wort, but, if it ever gets like that again, you are more than welcome to punish me. Especially since you are worrying about me because I am getting up to something foolish." Andrew told him, and Maxwell blinked slowly.

"Punish?" He confirmed, and Andrew grinned, his eyes creasing in the corners as he stared at Maxwell’s plump, soft lips.

"Yes. Punish."