Dr. Phayu Soikham was close, this close to blowing his top. He had expected a lot of things to have changed after his return from the States; and he was happy to see it had, but the most important thing had not. That damned infernal question, that every single person asked, from fellow doctors, to nurses, from family and friends, to his patients.. "How is an Alpha a gynaecologist?" The surprise in their tone was grating on his nerves. Initially, he didn't really blame them; after all, it was unheard of in their universe. Omegas were the kind and soft ones, matronly, motherly. So obviously, they would be better as gynaecologists. And he studied at Harvard Medical, where such questions were never asked, the western world being far more open about this and no clear line of demarcation. When Phayu chose gynaecology, no one even blinked.

But what Phayu had failed to remember was that he had to eventually come back home. Home to Bangkok, where since his return 6 months ago, he must have been asked this question at least ten thousand times. He had no idea; he had stopped counting after the first 50. At first, it had been amusing, but now, he was ready to pack his bags and go back to the States. He was done with this narrow minded bullshit! The only people who never asked him anything about his choice of specialisation were his parents and his twin brother, and thankfully, his mate. Because he would have hated to shout at his brother's omega, who was (no surprise there) doing his specialisation in gynaecology.

He came from a long line of physicians and doctors, his great-great (he didn't know how many greats) grandfather having brough ancient Chinese medicine to the then Siam. And somehow, except for his aunt, his father's brother's wife, who was a teacher, every single person ended up being in the medical field one way or the other. His father was a cardio-thoracic surgeon, his mother a pulmonologist, his brother was in Sports Medicine, and he, the sore thumb, the black sheep (sigh!) was in gynaecology. Thankfully, he was down to his last patient of the day. Then he could go home and have a couple of drinks, and crib to his brother about how people were annoying jackasses, and how he was done with the whole lot of them.

However Phayu was alerted that something was seriously wrong when the room was filled with the acrid smell of fear and distress instead of the normal soothing scents of a happy omega ready to embrace parenthood. His head snapped up in fury, wondering why an omega would be in distress and was met with a sight that curled his toes. The boy in front of him, and he was definitely not older than 20 or 21, probably a bit undernourished, pale and shaking, was the epitome of beauty, if there was such a thing in the world. He had so many omegas come through, several who even flirted with him, or even made appointments just to ogle at him. But it was the first time he was shaken by the sight of an omega. Longish blonde hair, making his already fair skin paler, lilac coloured eyes (he didn't even know that was possible!), pouty, luscious lips that seemed soft and inviting, especially since he was worrying them with his cute teeth, and an undeniable aura of peace and tranquillity hidden under his current unhappiness.

"Please, sit," Phayu said gently, not wanting to alarm the boy further, since he already seemed ready to bolt. "So, how can I help you?" he asked. The boy fidgeted. "Would you like an omega to consult with? I know as an Alpha, I could feel intimidating..," Phayu trailed off when the boy shook his head vehemently. "I.. I.. I am okay," he whispered. Phayu nodded, trying to stay calm as the boy's pheromones became even more severely agitated. So Phayu did the only thing he could; released his own to calm the boy. The boy felt the gentle touch and he stared at Phayu with wide-eyed surprise, almost as if no one had ever soothed him before.

"Can you tell me the problem?" Phayu asked, glad that this boy was the last patient he had today. Any thoughts of going home had long disappeared into ether and his entire focus could be on him. "Let's start with your name, yeah?" Phayu asked, when the boy hesitated. "Varain, Rain," the boy said. "Okay Nong Rain, I am Phayu," he said, smiling gently. "I.. I.. I think I may be pregnant," Rain blurted out. "You think? Why do you think that?" Phayu asked. "I haven't had a heat in three months, and.. and..," Rain trailed off. He took in a deep breath. "I must be sounding so idiotic to you right now. I am not usually like that," he said apologetically. "Nong, you are nervous, worried. It's understandable. Why don't we take it step by step?" Phayu asked. Rain nodded.

"Okay, so you are Rain, age?" Phayu asked. "I am just going to be 21," he said. So Phayu had been right about the age. "Are you studying?" Phayu asked. Rain nodded. "I am from the Department of Computer Sciences at Chula," he said. "That sounds wonderful. What do you want to do with your degree Nong?" Phayu asked, not only to put the boy at ease, but also really interested. "I want to do coding and hacking," Rain replied. "Wow! Should I be worried about my devices?" Phayu asked, trying to put the boy at ease. Rain smiled gently. "I want to be a white hat hacker, not to steal data, but to ensure safe systems for users," Rain replied. Phayu was impressed despite himself. The shy, timid boy who had walked in was clearly smart and motivated.

"So, now, can we talk about why you think you are pregnant?" Phayu asked, after he had asked a few other questions and ensured that Rain was at ease. "I had my last heat almost 3 months ago. I am generally very regular, and had normal pre-heats, but I was also busy preparing for an international coding competition with my group. It was only when one of my friends pointed it out that I even thought about it. So now..," Rain trailed off, not knowing how to continue. "Okay Rain, first and foremost, let us confirm whether you are really pregnant, or you are just facing delayed heats due to stress, okay?" Phayu asked, waiting until Rain nodded. He rang the nurses' station, asking for P'Nat, and when she came, he gestured towards his patient. "P'Nat, could you please help Nong Rain here with a pregnancy test? We will continue with our check up once we make sure," he said. "Of course Maw," she said, understanding without words why he had asked for her.

Phayu looked at his watch, seeing that it was already a bit later than he usually left, so he quickly shot off a message to his brother, knowing Fah would inform the family. If he messaged his mom, he would have to answer 10000 questions, and he was in no mood to do so. Plus, since it was Friday night, he had no intention of going to his parents' house, knowing she would have another family 'friend' waiting for an introduction. Phayu looked up as the door opened again, and Rain came in with P'Nat, holding the pregnancy test, and looking absolutely devastated. "Nong, are you alright?" he asked gently, indicating to P'Nat not to leave the room. She nodded and stood to the side. "I am okay Maw. Just.. it is all too hard to process," Rain said, his eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "Nong, it would be good if your Alpha would come," P'Nat said.

"I don't have an Alpha anymore Phi," Rain said, a bittersweet smile on his face. Phayu's heart broke for the boy. "Any family or friends we can call for you," P'Nat asked briskly, so that Rain would not wallow. Phayu was grateful for her presence. "Sky please," Rain said. "Who is Sky nong?" Phayu asked, just as P'Nat took away Rain's phone to make the call. "He is my best friend Phi," Rain said, a more genuine smile on his face. Phayu wondered where his parents were, and why he didn't have an Alpha, but he wisely kept his mouth shut. He just asked pertinent questions related to his heat, his health, noting that Rain was a little underweight, and about what he needed to do from now on. Phayu prescribed the medicines he would need, and just as he was about to let Rain go, the door opened and P'Nat came in with another boy, also an Omega for sure.

'Rain? Are you okay baby?" he came and sat next to Rain and hugged him from the side. He then looked at Phayu. "Sorry Maw. I am Sky. Is Rainy okay?" he asked. "Rain is almost 12 weeks pregnant," Phayu said, a small smile on his face. "So Ple was right?" Sky asked, looking at Rain. He nodded, a twisted smile on his face. "Are you okay Rainy? And do you want to keep it?" Sky asked, making Phayu's ears perk up. What did the boy mean? "It's not the baby's fault na Sky?" Rain asked. Sky nodded. "Sig, Por and Ple are waiting for us. I ran out without even saying anything when they said you were in the hospital. We will go home and talk, okay?" Sky said. Rain acquiesced. Phayu noted the exchange with great interest, but chose to keep silent. There were things there which were probably best left unsaid. But there was one thing he needed to tell the boys. "Nong, there is something I must let you know. If you are thinking about abortion, then it must be soon. We will not be able to take a risk once the 12 weeks are up. If however, you wish to continue with the pregnancy, you need to come back for an ultrasound three days from now. I hope that is okay?" Phayu said. "We will be here Phi," Sky said, as he held Rain's hand, took his file and the two boys waiied and left.

Phayu couldn't stop thinking about the Omega who had been his last patient. There had been something so wonderful about him, and Phayu could feel his heart going out to him. He was sure there was more to the boy than met the eye, but for now, he would just sit back and watch what happened. He wondered if the boy would keep the baby or do for an abortion. Something told him that Rain would keep the baby, because he had seen a light behind the devastation, a simple joy that came from being a parent. He sighed as he entered the home he shared with his brother until the one he wanted would get ready. "Hello P'Phayu, hope you had a good day," Rak, Saifah's Omega waiied to him. "I did Rak," Phayu said, waiing back. He really liked the sweet boy, and it was always surprised him that Rak was 26, almost 27. He looked as young as Rain most of the time.

He sighed. There he went, thinking about Rain again. "You okay Phi Chaai," Saifah said, as he came out from the kitchen. "I am okay I guess," Phayu said, and Saifah stopped and turned around. "Care to share?" he asked, his twin senses tingling. Something was definitely wrong. "Nothing much. a patient got to me," Phayu said. "P'Fah, why don't you both have a drink? I will finish up in the kitchen," Rak said, seeing the worry on his Alpha's face, knowing intuitively that something was wrong with his brother in-law. Saifah nodded gratefully and led Phayu to the couch. "Sit Phi Chaai, and tell me all about it," Saifah said. Phayu laid his head back on the couch and sighed. Then he recounted everything that had happened, not leaving anything out, especially about Rain.