Paint Hope Part 22

XANDER'S P. O. V

"Are you sure you are fine?"

Noah continues to fuss over him as if his some fragile omega, he is an omega but this man did not know that. Noah leaned in for a kiss but Xander held up his hand to stop the kiss from connecting and he smiles up at him.

"Yesss. It does not hurt that bad anymore. Sorry for- you know for being rude to you earlier... You know the whole me being a raging bitch thing."

He forgot he lied about the excruciating pain, he just wanted aspirin and coke without questions. Let's not forget the amount of time he spent panicking, drank his doubled dosage of the pill and spent the rest of the morning packing before watching Tiktoks on the bed. The coke and aspirin in some cases can be used as an efficient morning after pill, drinking both was just to make sure his mistake does not haunt him in the future.

"I love you and everything that comes with you although next time can I get a heads up."

Noah teased him and he swears at that that moment he has never been interested in anyone or anything as he was this incredible man before him. Perhaps his bar of what makes a good alpha is low but common he cannot be tripping here. He is not tripping, right?

...

"Ah. Noah my handsome son. Xing! Noah is at the door. Oh my. This must be your guest?"

"Xander."

Noah introduced him and his mother stared at her son in confusion.

"You mean you are the Xander? Xander… Xander the medical student? Xander my sons date to the wedding? Xander my sons alleged fated?"

"Yes mam. It is a pleasure to meet you (he held out his hand), my name is Xander Green."

His mother held his hand acknowledging his greetings, bowing slightly she never broke curious contact. She said nothing although she did blankly stare at the duo dumbly. Xander awkwardly smiled wondering what this alpha told his mother about him, about them. They decided to wait silently for Noah's mothers as she processed everything. What eased his anxiety that was building was the reassuring hand that held on to his. The hands locked together did not go unnoticed because the face she pulled was kinda comical.

"Hey son. You have grown. It has been a minute. This house has been boring without you. Oh. Who is this young gentlemen?"

Before the two could answer, Noah's mother found her words and she interjected with her graceful smile. She leaned in to give Xander a hug but his fear forced him to flinch expecting her to slap him. She hugs him but Xander's flinch before did not go unnoticed under the rest of Noah's families' eye. Fuck. His first impression now, his a coward. He begged the earth to sallow him whole, at this point he wish he can just mentally kick himself or if only he could jump of a cliff. Thankfully his mother did not focus on his embarrassing first impression.

"This is our son's boyfriend, friend Xander. Xander this is my not so funny husband Xing and I am Prem but you can call me ma."

"Our sons what?"

His voice rose in question. His father seems to be very angry did not sound angry or maybe his just loud but just to make sure he stepped behind his alpha (Noah will be his shield). Perm slapped her husband's arm and she completely ignored his protest. She gently pushed her mate one side leaving him to stir in his confusion. She welcomed them into their incredibly large and magnificent house. Now he gets why Noah is the way he is, his parents...

"Mom-Mom what is the commotion about? You know some of us are trying to study. This is my final year in high school I need good grades to get into Moon University… Oh sorry, who is this? Good day."

A kid shorter than him walks in wearing glasses, a cape and adorable dinosaur in door shoes. Weird but cute. Even his hair was short but curled, his smile as perfect as that one dimple he has. He looks funny, not in a way a person would laugh at his appearance but as if he was a kid going to a costume party. This boy reminds him of himself before he was forced by life to grow up too fast, this boy is the weird geeky side of himself that he lost. That when he came in to the space bitching about studying, instead of being wary or annoyed he gave him a genuine smile.

"Ora. Where are your manners, huh?"

Perm scolds the adorable boy who bows his head in apology. He then he looks up at Xander as if asking him to forgive his rude behaviour. Cute. Xander smiles at the very cute boy and waved of his apology, the boy didn't know he was here so if you thinking about it he is the one intruding. Xander had this unexplainable need to squeeze his cheeks and protect this young boy as a brother would, as he was never.

"Pardon his rudeness, son. Sometimes I feel like we did not raise him right… This is my eldest daughter's son, Ora… Ora this is your uncles, uh boyfriend."

"Boyfriend?! You know loneliness could have been a better option than-"

Noah ran to muffle in nephews mouth with his hand and tasselled his hair stopping him from completing his sentence.

"Don't listen to this idiot."

"Idiot? I want to study education to educate you but I will most probably study one of my passions, culinary arts."

"Uhm… It is truly nice to meet you Ora. My name is Xander."

"Xander, that's a nice name. Quick question, what is your nature? What I meant say is you smell different. I am confused."

"Sorry Xander for my grandson's inquiry… As you noticed he just turned eighteen and he is yet to identify his nature. His a late bloomer, I am sure his just curious if it's normal and indeed it is normal.

She assured her grandson who looked up at him expecting and answer. Suddenly uncomfortable Xander looked at the cute boy then at Noah. He still couldn't do it, this secrete his last defence to independent control but this boy reminds him so much of himself that he said the first thing that came to mind.

"There is nothing wrong with you, they are studies worldwide that indicate that some genes are dormant although for how long is yet to be determined. One case lasted a life time, your wolf and your nature can be dormant for several reasons which I don't think you will understand as of yet. Give it time, knowing your nature is not always the best thing. Trust me, there is nothing wrong with you. For as long as you can, enjoy the freedom."

Xander smiles at the cute boy and pet his head. Honestly that was not as bad as he imagined. He didn't need to expose himself to help a child and for that he was truly grateful.

"Thank you… I'm sorry I don't feel comfortable calling you by your name. Since you Uncle Noah's 'boyfriend' although I thing you can do much better (Noah growl and the younger male shrinks)…"

"Noah."

Xander gave Noah a pointed glare to stop him from bullying the junior. Noah stopped and took a step back and the younger boy stared at him in bewilderment.

"Wow. You are amazing! Mom-mom, papa did you see that? Can I call you uncle Xander? Please…"

"Uncle Xander?"

He face Noah to explain why he cannot just use his name like everyone else.

"It is a form of respecting someone older than you, this pack has a strict leader in adequate behaviour." -Noah

"Hey. We wolves not animals." –Perm

Technically wolves are animals but he got their combined points and he looked down at the adorable wolf that held on to him.

"Call me whatever you feel comfortable calling me."

"Sonny, go put on appropriate clothes and come joins us."

Together Noah's parents are open, naturally friendly that their company made you feel at ease. Noah's nephew is opinionated, nerdy, childlike, and adorable a beautiful image of what was stolen from him. As a child Xander would spend countless nights hoping his father comes back, years passed he felt alone and the childhood wonder he wasted in that hell. Now he is here, in a new pack there is stability, love, security and a sense of loyalty. They are just the family that he has always wanted but was never blessed with one. Fighting back tears he went on to observing not knowing he is also being observed by concerned eyes.

"Noah dear. I prepared your bedroom, I did assume you would share with your guest but if there is a time you want your own room call me… Here is my phone number."

She winks at Xander and he smiles, liking the woman already.

"Mom. Don't give him ideas on how to leave me!"- Noah whines

"Aww... I am just teasing you, you overgrown child. Xander dear this one is a handful and I have got to say his more of a headache than that one over there."

"Mom."

"Mom-mom."

They cried simultaneously. One coming from the other direction wearing comfortable clothing. Xander sat back with a smile enjoying the moment, the bond in this family, especially the relationship between mother and son.

"Just go drop off your bags and come down when you ready. Then we can enjoy lunch as a family."

Family? Family. Family…

...

"Your parents are very nice."

"Come here."

Noah pulled him into his embrace, stroking his hair gently before planting a kiss on his forehead.

"They are friendly. Warning my mother has a way of getting into someone's head. Stay with me for a while. She is a psychiatrist, a good one. I love her to bits but she is like an unrelenting dog when she sees someone she wants to fix, in a sense. I do not want her to scare you off so please, promise not to leave my side."

Nodding. Not because he was terrified of opening up but because of the concern and love in his gaze.

"Ready?"

"No, but let us go downstairs."

.

Noah's family was way richer than he imagined, normal (far from dysfunctional), close and very lively. Now he gets why Noah is always happy or making stupid jokes, there is always someone that gets his way of thinking. Although he is future alpha he treated the help with respect. This family is so perfect that being here made him feel like an outsider looking in, perhaps he was and he has seen all that he needs to. So as promised he stuck close to Noah only eating what Noah peels for him and put on his plate.

"I am not a child. I can do this myself."

Xander whispered, these small acts were drawing attention and personally that is the last thing he wants.

"Yes you can but I want to do it for you."

His parents stared at the two in awe. Xander decided to let the whole, 'I want to take care of you' thing go because these small acts did assure him about them.

Noah's parents watched in amazement, their son finally grew up. They watched as Noah peel the shrimp, place his favourites on the other man's plate. Now his insisting Xander to take a bite and taste octopus for what seems to be for the first time.

"Call me crazy but this is not as bad as I imagined."

Xander took more from Noah's plate trying to understand the dish. It is not chewy but he has to bite, he dipped it in soy sauce and it transformed the taste. No way. This tastes weird but good, is not the best thing his ever eaten but is certainly not the worst. Xander was still deliberating the fish and his fated broke the silence.

"Mom. I love your cooking and I missed it so much... Although my Xander has stuffed me with his delicious meals, mom he makes the best fried rice."

'My.' Wait, did he say 'my'? His head shot up and he faced 'my' before giving his parents a embarrassed smile and he bowed his head to cover the embarrassment.

"Interesting. Xander can cook?"

"Yep. This way you do not need to worry about me when in gone. I have my own hubby now."

"It is my job to worry about you, it is an unpaid gig but I love it. Just kidding, Xander if you prepared to feed this large overgrown beast... Thank you so much. At least now I know you have your mate there by your side-"

Xander chocked. They have never spoken about the 'M' word out loud. He looked at Noah and the guy shrugged smiling. He stopped chocking to face Noah's mother and father whose eyebrow rose a question.

"Sorry."

Noah's father changed the topic. Thank whatever gods out there.

"Talking about hubby's, son. How long have you been-"

Never mind… this conversations made him so uncomfortable he started eating to avoid eye contact or direct questioning.

"Common Xing. Let the boys eat, besides it has been a long trip for them. Although I am afraid, your father's curiosity might get the best of him-"

His mom add also desiring an answer to ease her curiosity.

"I am not gay. I am not into other man or omegas. Xander is the only guy I am attracted too but if that makes me gay. (He shrugs)."

Ignoring his words the attention fell on him and he squeezed his hand, nervous. As far as coming out stories in packs went this was the most, something...

"How are your medicine studies going son?"

Perm asks her future son in law.

"Quite well. Uh. I am going for my PhD after these holidays."

"Forth year?"

"No fifth. Then I will have one year to be a certified doctor."

"Oh. That is very good son. Son where did you find this beautiful, smart, charming young man?"

Xander ducked his head not used to any type of praise, his hand still holding onto Noah's.

"Yeah. Uhm. Son, how did you convince such a mature well-spoken man to go out with you?"

"Dad, I possess a charm."

"More like I turned down his advances so many times in the end he grew on me."

"That more like it…" -Ora

Everyone laughed and Xander flushed in embarrassment, he did not mean to say all that out loud. He did not have to say it out loud due to the super hearing werewolves are blessed with.

"Noah. Before I forget I need help with the data collection loading operating system. Come upstairs to the office and help your old man out with this technology that keeps being innovated."

"Dad you not that pitiful in fact you started that business and showed us how every single data system operates and how to fix it."

"Noah's hubby, do you know what Noah does every time he comes to visit?"

Mr Xing continues.

"Dad. Don't go there."

His son warns but his warning is taken lightly.

"He always helps out with the family business and like an employee I give him a salary he the use as his allowance."

"Dad-"

Xander squeezed Noah's hand not hard enough to hurt but hard enough he stole his protest.

"It is fine. I will help Mrs Zheng clean up."

"Are you sure?"

Nodding his consent. Noah got up following his father.

"I am going to continue studying so that I can come live with Noah there in Moon."

Ora jumped up and ran to the direction that has to be his bed room. Now in the spacious room is a shy frame and the mother. Perhaps his boyfriends mother or whatever they are now (Noah and Xander).

"I will start cleaning."

Uncomfortable situations always made him anxious to do something (he has OCD).

"No relax they might take hours in that office, come let us talk."

"Haha, about what?"

"Just your friends, family and your relationship with my son."

"Uhm okay. His friend is dating one of my closest friends, I guess that's how we officially met. I admit I did not appreciate his attention at first and right now I am not sure about it. But Noah constantly tries to be there and talk to me, just to hear what I had to say. Your son supported me though all of the darkness, although I am still terrified I went through with last night-."

Shit now his over sharing. She is good... Although what if she is one of those moms that disapprove of everyone their son brings home?

"Mrs Zheng. I completely understand if I am not good enough to be with your son. But I cannot lose him, for as long as he wants me in his life I will be there."

He told her directly. She ignored him.

"Tell me about your family."

"My mother and I are not as close as we use to be. She has a new husband now, she is happy. I guess it is my turn to move on now."

"What do you mean by move on?"

Memories drifted in and out as the injustice repeated itself. Xander smiled up at the beautiful, kind, gentle soul and shook the memories to dust.

"Life is not fair. I accept, you cannot change the past. Noah told me you are a therapist. I do not know what you see in me but it is nothing I cannot find a way to handle."

Getting up he bowed and began clearing the dishes. It would be a shame if Noah's mother disapproved him but she would be right to. On paper his perfect but the reality of it his drowning, Noah is a lifeline. An alpha, who knew? Who knew that one day he would fall for an alpha, the class he swore to despise forever. Working on the table, then washing the dishes, then he organized the two places he cleaned. After some time he then realized there was nothing left to do. He bit his lower lip and turn to see Noah's mom still studying his every move, she finally got up.

"I like you Xander. Not because you make my son happy but because you are who you are. I was serious when I said you can call me ma or Perm, whichever one you comfortable with.... I have a special hobby, do you wish to join me?'

Nodding slowly she took him to what looks like and art room with original pieces, as well as canvas that belong to her.

"Wow this is all beautifully. Are we going to paint? No way you have paint that has already been blended? This room is perfect, I bet you spend most of your time here... You know Noah is always appreciative of a raft drawing, I think he got his love of art from you... Oh this is cool, how do you ever leave this room?"

"Haha. Son. Yes, today we will paint to our hearts content. I love the wonder you are so freely able to express."

"What should I paint? ... I have never had this much colours."

He asked with paint brush in hand and a smile far from nerves. She faced him with a smile on her face also enjoying the effect of this room.

"Paint hope."