Chapter Text
“Adam, its Will. Haven’t seen or heard from you since Christmas. It’s been six months and I just would like to know if you are still alive. No pressure. I’m not mad, I just want to hear if you got on ok with your work transfer. We’re thinking about coming to stay with you for a week just to make sure you’ve got everything under control. So, yeah, please call me back when you get this. Love you.”
--
“Who the fuck is Will?”
“Is Will here?” Adam looked around the apartment. He’d come home to find Nigel cooking dinner.
“No. Who is Will?”
“He’s my cousin. How do you know him?”
“There was a message on your machine from someone who wasn’t me. I was concerned, so I might have listened to it.”
“Nigel, you can’t do that, my messages are private.”
“I’m the only one who ever leaves any, darling.”
“Clearly, that’s not true.”
Nigel huffed and went back to stirring the mac and cheese. Adam shuffled into the living room and put down his briefcase. Nigel wiped down his puppy print apron and watched Adam smile as he listened to his message.
“He’s coming to visit. He likes to know I’m alright. Since dad died he’s kind of the only person I have.”
“Sounds like a good guy, checking up on you like that.”
“Mmh.”
“Who’s we?”
“Pardon?”
“Who’s we? He said: we’re thinking about staying the week.”
“Will is married.”
“Oh. Wants to bring his wife?”
“Husband.”
“Oh.”
There is a silence. Adam knew it was an important one, so he stood and walked to the kitchen before he asked about it.
“Nigel?”
“Yeah?”
“Are you alright?”
“Wonderful, baby.”
“Are you angry that Will and his husband are coming to stay with me?”
“Nah.”
“Are you lying?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t you want to meet Will?” Adam would be upset if Nigel didn’t get along with his only living family.
“Will is an omega?”
“Yeah.” Adam nodded. “He’s bigger than me though. He doesn’t have Asperger’s. He eats whatever people make for him.”
“I don’t care about that.”
Adam thought about it while Nigel set out two plates on the laminate counter.
“Will you tell me why you’re angry?”
“I don’t want another alpha staying in this apartment.” Nigel huffed and scooped out two thick, sticky spoonfuls of mac and cheese into both bowls. He started to scoff down his own portion immediately.
“That’s unreasonable.”
“I know.”
“They are coming to stay here. You can go home when they arrive if you want to. I won’t make you stay.” Adam picked up his bowl and carried it, along with his fork, to the table. He opened his laptop, which was waiting for him next to his seat, and began to eat.
--
“Are you coming on the train again?”
Nigel sighed as Adam spoke into the phone. He sounded so pleased.
“Will Winston be ok?”
Nigel shifted and tried to focus back on the television.
“If someone is looking after them, they’ll be ok, right?” Adam wrapped the phone cord around his fingers as he spoke.
“Nigel is here. Do you want to speak to him?”
Nigel shook his head and waved his hand. He also mouthed a clear “no”.
“Ok, I’ll put him on.”
Adam waved the receiver in front of Nigel’s face until he took it.
“Hello?”
“Hey. You Nigel?”
“Yeah. You’re coming to stay?”
“Yeah, we are. You ok with that?”
“You and your husband know I’m an alpha, right?”
Adam tried to snatch the phone back but Nigel leaned over until he was out of reach.
“We don’t know anything about you. We’re not a threat, if that’s what you’re thinking. We’re coming for Adam’s sake, not yours.”
“I get that. I appreciate you and your alpha checking up on him.”
There was a silence on both ends of the line.
“I’ve told Hannibal not to challenge you. Adam has made his own space in the city and we don’t interfere with that. That includes anyone that Adam brings into that space.”
“Alright. So long as we’re clear.”
“Nigel, get off the phone.” Adam scrabbled for the receiver. “Will? What did you say to him?”
Nigel relaxed into the couch and let Adam speak to his cousin.
“Ok.” Adam seemed to relax as well. “Alright. I’m really looking forward to seeing you. Love you both. See you soon. Goodbye.”
Adam put the phone down.
“When are they getting here?”
“Next week.” Was Adam’s chipper reply.
“Mmh.”
“They want to meet you, Nigel. I think they are going to really like you.”
Nigel scratched at the tattoo on his neck and put his arm around Adam. He leaned into Adam’s space and squeezed him close, sniffing his curls and rumbling in his chest.
“I’m sure they’re gonna love me.”