THE OMEGA | ✓

Chapter 32 - Meeting The Parents

"Is this really your favourite food here?" Tay stares at the greasy crab stick they just bought from the stall with big '#1' signs written all over. He wonders why anybody would line up to buy this junk which doesn't even look appetizing to begin with. Looking back at his omega who seems to ignore him while enjoying his own with a blissful look, Tay takes a bite.

Nope. Meh. Number 1 his ass.

He doesn't know what has gotten into New, but the older one has been in a good mood ever since they got out of Bangkok. Right now, New is screaming along with the songs playing in the radio, annoying Tay once in a while by changing the lyrics to insult him. Nothing too severe, just the occasional "Te is an idiot" and "Te got no jams." God knows what the second one means. He wants to do the same to the omega but unfortunately, he doesn't know enough Thai songs playing on the radio to do so. Tay prefers English songs over his native ones since he grew up with it. The only Thai songs he knows are the old ones from his parent's collection, which he doubts will be playing unless they tune to the oldies. So now, Tay just accepts the playful joke his partner is doing to him. At least it keeps New entertained, and that is enough to make him feel good as well.

"Hey. Aren't you going to stop?" He pretends to be annoyed as New keeps headbanging along the rock song while repeating some stupid words over and over, just like the lyrics. Except, New is screaming 'slave'. Sometime Tay wonders whether his mate is actually a sadist.

"Aren't you supposed to love me? Aw, is the bond broken?"

Tay turns towards the man and tries to look at the scar from their bonding before feeling his head being pushed away. Pouting, Tay clicks his tongue while turning his attention back towards the road. He hears New laughing beside him and smiles to himself.

As long as New's having fun.

****

"Let's stop somewhere first…" Tay suggests as they finally reach New's hometown. The latter had calmed down since he first noticed the places he grew up in and started to point it out to his mate. And a few minutes before, New suddenly suggested they take a detour so he could guide Tay around town. Not failing to notice the change in his tone, Tay realizes that New is anxious, just like him, and he keeps dragging the time outside as a result. Unfortunately, they will have to go back sooner or later, and Tay prefers soon.

Parking the car near a shopping street, Tay pulls his mate towards the nearest restaurant. They aren't going to eat anything; they just need to relax and there are just no cafes in sight. Ordering their drinks, both the males sit down silently, each with his own thoughts.

New told Tay the reason why he wanted the alpha to come back with him, and it is not because he wants to officially introduce Tay as his mate. It is because his bond is still not broken, and he cannot face his parents alone. Though Tay is disappointed to learn about that, he realized that he is partially at fault. First, for claiming New, and second, for keeping the bond intact. Twice. Even though he didn't do it on purpose.

He is scared, oh he is. But he knows New is even more nervous than he is. He knows how much New loves his parents, and how weak he gets in front of them. When New told him that Inn had to be the one who spilled what happened that night in his place, Tay realized how much this visit meant for him. Which is why he couldn't refuse it despite his own fear.

Not saying a word, Tay feels a hand on his own, and puts his other one on New's. His mate's hands are really cold. He tugs on that hand a bit towards him, and reading his mind, New gets up and moves to sit beside him, allowing Tay to drape his arm around his shoulder. "It'll be alright."

★★★

New stands in front of the door, regretting his decision to come back. He still has his hands in his pockets, he cannot find the courage to twist the knob to get inside. And funnily, he even hides his scent, to his own family.