RAVEN

Today was finally Marlon and Miles's birthday. Since they woke up, Roxanne and I decided to surprise them by decorating the entire house and pampering them until the party. My family and the kids' friends were coming, so a few hours before, I helped Roxanne organize everything. I, of course, was nervous to see my sisters. I felt tense just thinking about them, but I did my best to keep a good expression for the day. Before we could finish, the doorbell startled me, and I went to open the door. 

“Hey, we came earlier to help.” Lilah said with a big smile, next to her was Erik. I greeted them and went to the backyard to continue the preparations with their help. It was going great until Lilah said. “Just so you know, the fam is also on the way here.”

I tensed and excused myself to go to the bathroom to wash my face. I took a deep breath and heard the doorbell again. It was probably my family, and I was nervous to see them. But I had to. I had to for Miles and Marlon. It was their day. After washing my face again, I went outside. Papa caught sight of me and greeted me with a hug.

“Raven, sweetie. Can you come with me?” He asked, and I nodded, following him to another room. There sat all my sisters and my Dad. Only missing were Roxanne, Loui, and Erik, who were busy preparing things for the guests. What even was this? An intervention? I didn’t know.

“What is this?” I asked with a frown. “I don’t want any drama at my nephew's birthday.”

“We don’t want that either. But we should talk, please.” Jean said, begging me to stay. I sighed and nodded so they could say what they had prepared.

“Raven, I know we have done you wrong for years.” Lana started, and I interrupted her.

“Now you think so?” I said.

“We were stupid and naive. Acting like children and taking our anger out on you. That was wrong on our part.” Josie said this time.

“Yeah, it sure was, Josie.” I said and continued to talk. I had to let it all out. Let them know how wrong they treated me. “Years of your hatred against me hurt. I am your brother, and I didn’t deserve to be treated that way. I just wanted to be with you guys. Bond with you. You are my family, and you treated me like I was trash every single day. I started to think that what Lesly said was right. Maybe if I left, you would all be happy at last. I was so tired of your bullshit, of the looks and everything.”

“Being excluded and growing up like everything was a competition, and as if I was the favorite one. Just so you know, I wasn’t. I was the only one different. You are all girls, and I am just a guy. Papa may have treated me differently because, as a male omega, I had to learn how to be with my body. How to care for it. Instead of helping me, you all treated me like the most disgusting being on earth. And it didn’t used to be like that. We were family, and then from nowhere, I was just an enemy to you.” I continued to say not letting anyone interrupt me. I didn’t deserve that treatment, I am your brother for fucks sake!”

I finished saying, and the room went silent. I was shaking with rage, but felt a heavy weight off me. I had let all of it out. My feelings, my anger. Everything. 

“You are right. We did, and we shouldn’t have. You are our baby brother, and we are sorry. Envy and immaturity got the best of us. We didn’t know you felt that way.” Jean was the first one to break the silence. “I guess we never asked you. We were foolish, stupid, and we are sorry. We really are Raven.”

“We don’t deserve your forgiveness. But we are sorry, Raven.” Lana said. I looked around, and the rest nodded, until my eyes focused on Lesly.

“Are you, Lesly?” I asked her. She stood up from where she sat and walked up to me. I tensed.

“Yes, I am sorry, Raven. I let my anger take over me and my envy. I was frustrated and took it out on you. I shouldn’t have said those things about you.” She said regretfully.  “And I know just saying sorry won’t solve anything, at least not now. You don’t have to forgive me if you don’t want to. What I did was wrong, but I expect that maybe with time, you will forgive me for being such a bitch. You are my family, my brother, and again, I’m sorry.”

“I just wanted you guys to love me…” Was all I could say before tears started to run down my face.

“Oh Rae…” Lesly said with tears coming from her eyes too. Next, she did something I hadn’t done with her in ages. She hugged me, and I hugged her back. 

“I’m sorry for what I said to you, Les.” I said between tears while hugging her tight.

“I’m sorry too. I’m so sorry, Rae…” She said, still holding me tight. 

Tears and sobs filled the room as everyone present began to cry. After I broke away from Lesly's hug, we continued talking and discussing our feelings. Papa and Dad listened attentively and apologized for not noticing their problems as well. We may seem like a perfect family to others, but we weren't. We Powells have our problems, too. We decided to attend family therapy together, and I agreed to return to living at the manor. 

After a group hug, we knew it was time to go outside. It was supposed to be a happy day to celebrate the lives of Miles and Marlon. One by one, everyone left the room, and after taking a deep breath, I did the same. Walking outside to the backyard where the party was taking place. Once I stepped outside, Miles was there and looked at me. 

“Uncle Rae, why are your eyes red?” He asked curious, but also concerned. He spoke loudly so the rest of the people present heard him. Heads turned to us, and I held my hand, telling everyone I was fine.

“Oh, they were just itchy, I scratched them too hard and became red.” I explained.

“You should never scratch your eyes that bad, Uncle Rae.” Miles scolded me, and I held back a chuckle. 

“I know, bud. Now go back to play.” I said with a smile, leaving a soft kiss on his cheek.

After I told Miles to go, I saw Erik approaching me with a worried look. As he got close, my chest fluttered and I tried my best to keep my composure. Erik had other plans because as soon as I was in reach, he cupped my face in his hands. His thumbs caressing my cheeks. I felt my face burning.

“Hey, what happened?” He asked, concerned and worried. “Your eyes are so red Raven. Why were you crying?”

“I had an intervention with my family.” I explained. Loving the feeling of his fingers on my cheeks.

“Oh…” He said, his worry grew, but his curiosity also showed. “How did that go?”

“We are going to therapy together, and apologies were said.” I said.

“Really? I’m glad. I knew it was bothering you.” He said with concern and a soft smile. I appreciated how much he cared about me.

“Yeah…I’m glad it's over.” I said, letting out a sigh and smiling softly at him. I felt a big burden off my chest and shoulders.

Erik caressed my cheeks with his thumbs as we looked into each other’s eyes. I hadn’t realized how close we were. His face was so close I could feel the warmth of his breath on my face. He was so close, and so were his lips. I couldn't help but look down at them. I wanted to kiss him. I looked back into his eyes and noticed his gaze was on my lips. Was he…Is he going to kiss me?

“Mooom! Uncle Rae and the prince are going to kiss!” Marlon screamed and startled us. I shoved Erik away, my cheeks burning, and I noticed a blush on his too. I turned, and all eyes were on us. Lilah gave me a knowing look. 

“No, we are not.” I said to my nephew, but he looked unsure about my answer. I recognized the curiosity in his eyes.

“Uncle Rae, is the prince your boyfriend?” Marlon asked, and I must be a tomato because my cheeks were beyond the point of burning.

“What? No, no. We are just friends.” I explained to the kid, but he was still unsure.

“Sure. Just friends.” Robin, my sister said, giving me a knowing look.

The party continued on, and more guests arrived, all friends of the twins, and I couldn’t help but distract myself, tending to the guests and being as far as I could from Erik. We had almost kissed. Almost. I could still feel the warmth of his breath on my face. I shook my head, and Lilah caught me in the kitchen, trapping me and not letting me run away.

“So? Erik almost kissed you.” Lilah said with a cheeky smile.

“Nope. I’m not talking about this with you.” I said showing her my hand, and continued to wash some dishes.

“Why not? Aren’t you happy?” She asked, and I nodded.

“I am, yes. But it didn’t happen, so it doesn’t mean anything.” I explained with a deep sigh.

“I think it does. I don’t think straight guys kiss their homies.” Lilah said, saying the last word in a male accent. 

“Ew, don’t use that word.” I cringed at it.

“Ha ha, see. You didn’t deny it. You think he has feelings for you?” She asked curiously, and I gave it a thought before answering. But even if I tried to come up with an answer, I was not sure.

“Yes. No. Maybe. I don’t know.” I said.

“I think he does. I should start thinking about what to wear.” She said with a smile and then put her hand on her chin in a thinking pose. 

“Wear to what?” I asked confused.

“Your wedding with Erik.” My sister said with a cheeky smile.

“Lilah!” I screamed at her, embarrassed and blushing. She laughed as she ran away from the kitchen before I could say anything else.

I continued to wash the dishes while thinking if maybe Lilah was right. Erik maybe had feelings for me. He was just not ready yet. Was I ready? Yes. Absolutely ready. Rion approved in my mind, and I sighed. Patience is my best friend.

“Everyone, gather around the table! It’s time for the birthday song!” I heard Loui say, and I took a deep breath before going back to join everyone.

If Erik needed time, I was going to give it to him.

ERIK

At the end of the night, I was satisfied with the day's events. Miles and Marlon's birthday had gone well, and the kids had a good time. Raven had also reconciled with his sisters. Although I knew it would take time to heal the wounds he had, I was still proud of him for talking about his feelings. The image of Raven’s lips came to my mind, and I remembered how I had almost touched them, kissed them. He had been right there, and I had been dying to do it. If only Marlon hadn’t cockblocked us, I would have kissed him right there, in front of his family. 

And speaking of family, my phone started to ring. I saw my mom’s name on the screen and hesitated to answer, but I wouldn’t hear the end of it if I didn’t. 

“Hello, mother.” I said, and I heard murmurs from the other side of the line. “Hello?”

“Erik, son. We know you found your fated mate.” Dad’s voice came through the line. 

“What? How?” I asked confused, and then remembered the uneasy feeling I felt the day of the festival. I know it meant something. I was being watched. “Wait…That was you? You hired someone to tail me?”

“We did, yes. We had to, Erik. You were being suspicious and didn’t report to us.” Mom said this time.

“You didn’t contact me either. Don’t act like I’m the one to blame.” I said with a frown.

“In any case, you need to reject that man, Erik.” Mom said in a serious tone.

“What? Why?” I asked confused.

“Because my son is no faggot. I knew it was a bad idea to send you there. I told you, Grace.“ Dad said, and anger started in my chest. I didn’t even know what to say.

“I never wanted him to go either.” Mom answered him. 

“What are you two even on about?” I said frowning and boiling with anger.

“You have to return home, Erik.” Dad said in a firm tone.

“After you reject that omega.” Mom specified. 

“What? No. I’m not rejecting Raven.” I said in a serious tone.

“Raven? Oh, honey. He is already brainwashed by those homos.” Mom said, almost mourning me as if they had lost me.

“Erik Bennet. I was not asking. It is an order. Reject that omega and come back home.” Dad said firmly.

“But—”. I tried to say, but got interrupted.

“But nothing. You are no disgusting homosexual. Your mom has a bunch of young ladies to pick from to mate with.” Dad said. His words made my blood boil. “So come back home. The sooner the better.”

“What? No. I don’t want any of them. I’m not going back home, and I am not rejecting Raven.” I said, hanging up the call before they could fight me back.

I had had enough of them and their homophobia. Rejecting Raven? I would never do that. Especially now that I knew I had feelings for him. And I had no intention of ignoring them.