The next morning, the alpha woke up groggily. He rolled out of bed and sniffed in the cool air of the morning. He got up, and did his normal mundane things to get ready for work. He ate a small simple meal while standing in the kitchen.

He stared at the flowers from the king the entire time.

He watered the plants, opened the curtains some for them to get light. He read a few pages of a book, tidied up his stacks on the coffee table.

He pulled on his messenger bag, and clung to the thick strap as it went across his chest diagonally. “What a weird experience.” He mumbled to himself as he looked at the flowers once more on the kitchen counter in the cup too short for them. He checked the water level in the cup, and made sure to add a bit more.

He grabbed his keys and stepped outside into the light. After he finished locking the door, the turned around to do some morning breathing in the fresh air. Instead, he ended up yelping and slamming his back against his door.

Standing in front of him was the king and two knights, again dressed in “casual” clothes. This time the king wore a knitted hat that covered his ears, a thick scarf around his neck, and a pair of mittens, all in this mish-mash of colors that looked like minestrone soup.

“Uhhhh...” The alpha gaped. “G-good morning...”

The king's face brightened with a smile. “Good morning.”

“What... are you doing here, uhm, so early?” The alpha twisted his hands over the strap at his chest nervously.

“Well, simply put, I noticed there had been a discrepancy in our prior discussion.” The king explained easily enough.

The alpha stood there quiet for a few seconds. He could feel his face twisting in confusion. “Such... as?” He eyed his watch. “You'll uhm, have to be quick or I'll be late for work.”

The king frowned a bit, furrowing his brow. It hadn't really occurred to him that the alpha would prioritize work over him. “Oh, I see.”

“So?”

“I never got your name.” The king answered.

Now he knew his face was twisted into an ugly expression of surprise and disbelief. His shoulders slumped and his grip loosened on the strap. “My name?”

A burst of womanly laughter came from the side of them. Mrs. Kowalski had come out of her apartment and shuffled over to see what was going on. And upon hearing the “problem” couldn't contain herself and ended up laughing.

The king eyed her curiously. Then he looked back to the alpha. “Yes. I thought it most polite that I ask for it myself.” He straightened his posture, and folded his hands at his middle into a polite amiable posture.

The alpha raised a brow. “Surely you have it.” He crossed his arms. “On all of those papers you have about me.”

“Certainly. But. Well.” The king felt himself awkwardly fumbling over his words.

“So why do you want it? My name.” The alpha waved his arm out before clasping the strap at his chest. “There's no need for it, especially if you're going to go on and find a better alpha for you.”

“Oh, but, you see, I would much rather prefer you.”

The laughter from Mrs. Kowalski dropped and instead a cute sound came out of her. “Awwwww!”

The alpha eyed her stubbornly, then looked back to the king. “But why do you want to know my name?”

“Well, I... I cannot think of a good reason, but,” The king squeezed his own fingers through the mittens. “Is me not wanting to know it itself a good enough reason?” The alpha's testing expression softened. “Please. Won't you tell me your name?”

He loosed his grip to pull the strap of his bag straight out from his body. His posture still looked irate and prickly, and he had a glare as he looked up to the king's face. “Sure. My name's Cobalt.”

The king's posture relaxed immediately and his smile returned.

“Now,” the alpha, Cobalt, looked at his watch. “I'm going to work.” He straightened his back, turned on his heel and started down the sidewalk away from the group.

The king watched in stunned silence.

A knight cleared his throat, catching the king's attention. The knight waved his hand as if to say bye in the direction of the alpha.

“Oh!” The king turned and faced the alpha. “Good bye!” He called.

The alpha stopped, turned to look at the king with a quiet curiosity, then slowly turned again and started to walk away. But this time he waved. “Bye.”