Christian (bxb) (Part three for Arlo)

Seeking guidance

(Christian)

I took a deep breath while I was pacing in my parent's room. I was still rattled by my conversation with Greyson.

I hadn’t meant for things to turn out like this, but here I was, hurting them, hurting myself—because of the one thing I couldn’t change: fear.

“Pop? Dad?” I called, finally coming to a halt.

I’d come here looking for their guidance, hoping they could help me understand what to do. I’d made a mess of things, and I didn’t know how to fix it.

Pop was the first to appear, his gaze softening when he saw my face.

“Christian, honey, what’s wrong?” He asked, reaching out to rest a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“I messed up,” I admitted, my voice strained.

“I… I pushed Greyson, Mason, and Jaxon away because I was scared. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Pop's expression softened, and he gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“Why are you so scared, sweetheart?” He asked, his tone patient as he studied me.

Dad had just walked into the room, catching the tail end of my confession.

I hesitated, running a hand through my hair as I tried to put my fears into words.

“I think… it mostly has to do with not having my wolf yet. I’m eighteen, and I still haven’t shifted. How am I supposed to be with them, to keep up with them, if I’m not… if I’m not like them?” Pop’s brows knitted together in understanding, and he reached over to cup my face, his voice gentle but calm.

“Christian, listen to me. You don’t have anything to worry about, okay? Greyson, Mason, and Jaxon love you for who you are, not just because you’re supposed to be some strong wolf. The bond isn’t about that. It’s about you.” I nodded, trying to absorb his words, but doubt still gnawed at me.

“I know that Pop, I do… but they’re Alpha kings. They’re possessive and protective. They’re powerful, kind of like Jacob…” I trailed off, not sure I wanted to finish that thought.

Pop and Dad exchanged a look, and Dad’s expression darkened slightly.

He set a plate down in front of me, some warm toast and scrambled eggs that smelled comforting.

“You’re not Jacob’s mate, Christian,” he said, his voice firm yet gentle.

“And Greyson, Mason, and Jaxon aren’t like him. They’re not going to treat you the way Jacob treated Arlo. You know that.” I looked down, picking at the edge of the toast.

“But what if… what if they do? What if they decide they don’t want me because I can’t measure up? And what if giving them a chance is just setting myself up to get hurt?” Dad sighed, coming over to sit next to me.

“Then that’s a risk you take, but it’s a risk worth taking. And, honestly, Christian, if you wanted to, you could reject them. It wouldn’t destroy them. They’d be hurt, sure, but they’d survive. It’s your choice whether to give this a chance.” I shook my head.

“I’m not going to reject them, Dad… I don’t want to. I just… I’m scared.” Pop and Dad watched me with patient eyes, encouraging me to go on.

I took a breath, trying to calm myself down before I admitted the real source of my fears.

“I’m scared because… because I’d be at the bottom with three Alphas in a relationship. And I’m not even sure if I’m… you know… if I’m gay.” I could see Pop blush, his cheeks tinged pink as he looked away, embarrassed.

“Christian… there’s no need to feel ashamed of that,” He said softly, his voice a bit flustered. He ran a hand through his curly hair before looking at me again.

“If it helps… think of it this way: you’d get three times the love, three times the care, and, yes… three times the pleasure.” I managed a weak smile, and pop gently wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

“All you have to do, sweetheart, is give it a try. No one is asking you to figure everything out right this second. Your dads are here for you, always.” He kissed the top of my head softly, as he did when I was little, and I felt a familiar warmth settle over me, easing some of the tension inside.

My vision blurred, tears welling up as I leaned into Pop's embrace.

“I don’t want to mess this up, Pop,” I choked out, the weight of everything finally spilling over.

“I just… I don’t want to lose them.” Pop’s hand moved to the back of my head, his fingers combing gently through my curls, soothing me the way he always had.

“You’re not going to lose them, Christian. They’re waiting for you because they care about you, just like we do. It’s okay to be afraid, but don’t let that fear stop you from being happy.” I felt Dad’s hand on my shoulder, comforting me as he leaned in, his voice calm.

“It’s going to be okay, kid,” He murmured, his tone soothing.

“Just take it one step at a time. No one’s rushing you.” I let myself cry, the overwhelming mess of emotions pouring out as Pop held me close, rubbing my back in gentle circles.

Dad stayed right there, his presence so comforting as he kept his hand on my shoulder, an anchor in the storm.

After a while, I took a shaky breath, looking up at both of them.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice still thick with emotion.

“For listening, for… for being here.” Pop smiled, his eyes warm as he brushed a stray tear from my cheek.

“Always, sweetheart. That’s what family’s for.” Dad squeezed my shoulder, a quiet reassurance that I knew I could rely on.

“You’re not alone, Christian. You’ve got us. And… if you decide to give those three a chance, I think you might find they’ll be just as understanding as we are. But remember—it’s up to you. Whatever you choose, we’re here for you.” I nodded, feeling hope begin to fill me, slowly replacing the doubt that had held me back for so long.