[BL] Between an Alpha and Omega

A: Responsibilities

AN: To my patient and devoted readers, thank you for waiting. I had a bit of trouble with this chapter due to writer's block.

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Jun Yibai took his drink from Li Suren, offering to cover the breakfast.

"My sweetie is so nice~" Li Suren cooed, linking arms with his beloved. He took comfort in the fact that Jun Yibai had used the omega's body wash today. It made his inner omega purr with satisfaction.

"Chen Guiren can't join us so I should at least pay you back for making the trip." He explained, not fighting the omega's grip.

"Oh?"

Jun Yibai explained what had happened at the apartment, unsure how to proceed since the woman was a stranger to him.

The two fell silent, walking side by side as they both had their own thoughts. While it was a seemingly small matter, it brought forth the chasm-deep divide between the trio.

Over the last few weeks, Li Suren had come up with a million ways to ease things between them and Jun Yibai. Excuses that would sway the heart of even the most jaded man. Rationalizations that made him out to be the real victim in the situation. He'd even considered just straight-up confessing to the beta as a means to get him back.

Yet when the time came, he couldn't make himself do it.

With other people, it was easy to do. To manipulate his opponent into siding with him despite the faults. To lead his prey to the watering hole he wanted them to.

But Jun Yibai wasn't his opponent. He wasn't a stranger he felt no remorse over.

He was his sweetie. The man who'd made his heart race before he even knew what that truly meant. The only person to break through the haze of boredom and restriction he'd lived through.

The man who made him want to go against his grandfather's expectations for once.

Li Suren, the beloved prince of the Li clan, could lead on his clients, lie to his friends, and even manipulate his family.

He could not, however, bear to lie to his sweetie.

"I was wrong." He confessed, staring at the ground.

Jun Yibai said nothing, standing still and letting the cool air brush their hair back. The sting felt good to Li Suren, making his words come out somewhat easier.

"The engagement between Chen Guiren and I was a temporary solution but now it's become a major issue. I can't even say I forgot about it." He admitted, feeling a bit queasy.

This was scary.

He was trying to get everything out but all his polished excuses couldn't be used to make things better. He couldn't even bring himself to look at Jun Yibai, scared that his words would clog his throat if he saw his expression.

So he pushed on.

"I thought it was a good idea! I thought it'd be better since he and I wanted to be with you anyway. Moreover, it'd make it impossible for either of us to be paired up with anyone else."

Damn it, he was making excuses again.

"I'm sorry for lying to you for so long." He tried again, taking a shuddering breath. "I hadn't thought about how you'd after finding out the truth. I was just so happy you were willing to get close to us again. Still, I put you in such a position."

"You did."

"We made you the bad guy even though you were the one wronged."

"Yes."