" Flipping a bird isn't anything hard or complicated , its easy - but it needs immense courage of not caring about the consequences and focusing on actions. Same as you showed while writing me, to help with King Konrad's army. You already have the courage , so half the hard work is done ..."

Kongpob fidgeted with the hem of his pillow, clawing the soft fabric " Sorry to interrupt you General Rojanapat... I do not have the courage. I wrote the letter to you, because there was no other way... to save our omegas."

" Same. " Arthit smiled " Think in your mind that there is no way you will undergo that command being given ... since you are a prince — representative  if all the omegas in your kingdom. They will follow your example, so you must set a right one.
Then" Arthit brought his hand forward, laying it in the empty space between them" close a fist like this and only raise the middle finger."

" I ..."

" Not helping ? " Arthit asked. Kongpob shook his head.

" Then think of it like this. If I were to be in your place, and you would be ordering me around. I would flip you a bird and tell my mind that it means - my eldest finger is on your side but all its siblings" Arthit wiggled his other fingers " don't want to see your face. So I have no way of complying with your order...because my hand is not co-operating with me to do your work. So you can go your merry way.  See ...easy"

Kong bit his lip " But it would be lying to myself. It is not the real meaning- "

" Ofcourse, its not the meaning that will be conveyed to other party . It's the one you have to think within your mind. "

" What meaning will be conveyed to the other party ? "

Arthit smirked " They will see it like you are saying ...Up yours."

Furrows appeared between Kongpob's eyebrows " Up my what ? "

" Oh my god ! " this innocent little kitten! Arthit dissolved in to fit of laughter... seeing Kongpob's eyes tearing up, Arthit wiped his own eyes of tears of laughter and explained " Not yours... up theirs. "

" What's up theirs ? " Kongpob asked , almost frustrated.

" A stick up their butt that they need to remove" Seeing Kong confused...Arthit took another way " Let me explain, give me your hand"

Kong obediently slid his hand through the gap between pillow partition towards Arthit. " close your hand in to fist like this " Arthit curled all of Kong's fingers inwards " now take your middle finger out..." he slowly unfurled Kongpob's middle finger...how does it look to you? "

"Like a fist except middle finger... "

" Does it not look like a body part you possess ? A long thing having two chubby companions who always perk up at slightest attention. "

" huh ? "

Arthit's gaze slid to Kongpob's lower half and he wiggled his eyebrows " Do you now get what it looks like, Prince Kongpob ?. "

" Oh my god..." Kong pulled his hand back, covering his mouth in shock  " I will basically call an alpha - a reciever ?"

Arthit started laughing... " Why do you think, alphas don't.... as you put it — recieve ? "

" They do ? " this was news to Kongpob. If any alpha in Panthara does it, he will be called spineless and amny other names. People will doubt if he is even an alpha.

" Some who are more adventurous..do. Do you know why omega's like to receive ? "

" To see pleasure on their alpha's face ? "

Arthit laughed " Sorry to break your bubble , darling prince," he smirked "  when a true orgasm hits, no one looks perfect picture of beauty. Teeth clenched, eyes blown - they look all taut like a bowstring and weird... and for a moment you opuld think they are getting possesed. "

" That doesn't sound beautiful at all... those books lied..."

" which books ? "

" The ones Princess Lena smuggled through " As he realised what he said, Kongpob coveted his mouth instantly " The anatomy book in the syllabus ."

Arthit raised an eyebrow "Kitten knows how to lie..."

Kong bristled indignant " I am not a cat but a panther. And it's not lying if you figured out the truth anyway..."

"See.." Arthit grinned " calling the cat family 'kitten' gets them every time. If it's making an 'upright prince' like you , talk back - I can assure it's a fool proof method. "

" Do you also have felines in your rank ? "

" Only one. Wad - he is a lion shifter , kidnapped from crib. He was found at a raid in black market, selling slaves. The King adopted him in his household. "

Wad being a slave perked up Kongpob's interest. " What is he like ? What does he do ? Is he an omega ? Would you permit me to befriend him ? Will he teach me all the rules of Rasina that a good slave should follow ? When can I meet him ? Would he - "

"First tell me which books were you talking about ? What do you like about them ? Do you have a favourite author ? "

" They are romance books. Forbidden kind. "

" What's a forbidden kind book ? You will have to tell me in a little detail , all I know about is forbidden poisons."

" The kind which is not appropriate for omegas to read. "

" And what kind is this ? "

Kong sighed, covering his face with both his hands to hide his falling cheeks " The kind where mating of the alpha and omega is described in great detail. "

" You mean erotica ? "

Kong nodded.

" You like erotica? " Arthit asked, filing the information in his mind

"I don't know, I have only ever read them beacuse that's what the princess likes. The first one felt weird, I skipped through the mating part....but I liked to know peculiarities of wolf shifters. Do you know that they mate for life and if one mate dies other follows soon ? "

Arthit shook his head and Kong continued " I liked to read because it talked of different world's, places that I would never get to see. It talked of shifter realms wolves and Lions, Leopards, tiger, vampires, witches. I get to know them all without ever going there. "

"Did you get to read Bear shifter romances too ? "

Kong nodded " Only three. "

" What do you know of bear shifters ? "

Kong hesitated, biting his lip as if afraid to share too much. But Arthit's warm smile and encouraging nod finally convinced him to speak up.

"Bear shifters were always described as strong, protective... they seem gruff on the outside but were actually soft-hearted. They're, um, loyal to their mates and care a lot about family. In one story, the alpha bear even built his omega mate a whole house out in the mountains just so they could live away from the chaos of their pack."

Arthit chuckled. "A whole house, huh? Was it really to avoid chaos of the pack, Prince Kongpob. I am a bear myself ...and I wouldn't build a whole house just to be away from nosey pack mates. I can always kick them out. "

"I...it was the reason mostly " Kong stuttered.

Arthit slid an inch closer , " What was the other major reason ? "

" He wanted to hear reactions of his mate " Kong swallowed " during mating, without everyone teasing the soul out of his poor mate the next day. "

" That's a good bear alpha. I as a bear, approve. Any more peculiarities ? "

"Yes," Kong continued, his cheeks slightly flushed. "And in another one, the bear alpha was incredibly patient. His omega had been hurt before and was scared of intimacy, but the alpha waited, did everything to make him feel safe . Even when the omega approached the alpha by his own wish, the alpha was very careful during umm...mating.

It was fascinating because Bears look so strong and aggressive..but in that book ... they don't rush things. They take their time, cherish their mates." Kong paused, letting out a small laugh, "I think... that's what made them fascinating to me. They're unlike other shifters, who can be impulsive."

Arthit tilted his head thoughtfully, his eyes fixed on Kong as if seeing him anew. "Interesting... So, you like the idea of someone who'd be slow, steady... patient with you?"

Kong's gaze dropped, and he fidgeted with the hem of his shirt. "I think everyone wants that, in a way. " He glanced up, shyly meeting Arthit's gaze. "Don't laugh at me, General. It's silly, I know."

"No, no, it's not silly at all." Arthit's voice was soft, unexpectedly tender. "It's natural to want someone who'll make you feel secure and cherished. Bear shifters just have a reputation for understanding that deeply."

" I have heard that. I wanted a book on courting behaviour among various bear shifter species . Princess Lena promised to gift it on my birthday . It has already arrived but she wouldn't give it to me until my birthday no matter how many times I pleaded her."

Arthit watched Kong thoughtfully, noticing the fascination in his eyes as he spoke about bear shifters. After a moment, he leaned back, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

" Well, you are now going to be living among Bears. You will see enough to write your own book. "

" I can write a book ? "

" If you want ...you can.. " A thought struck Arthit's mind " Why don't you start Journaling your experience?"

" I don't have anything to write on to.. "

" You can ask for them- " Arthit paused " Actually no...I will get them for you. "

" Why could I not ask for them ? " Kongpob asked curiously. " You said , I should be an independent person, being an omega doesn't bind my choices and free will."

" I am happy, you are learning fast, my prince" Arthit smiled "Until you get well versed in bear mannerisms, I think you should keep minimal direct contact. " Arthit began, amusement glinting in his eyes, "You need to learn to read their body language cues and reject any unwanted advances on your person."

" But, I am your slave - "

" That won't stop bear alphas from pursuing you. Mating with slave ain't a taboo in Rasina. "

" They can mate me without my consent ? "

Arthit's eyes turned yellow as he growled " No one would dare touch - " he paused seeing Kongpob flinching. " No, Prince Kong" Arthit replied tenderly ." They will not. Mating anyone without their consent is grave sin punishable by beheading in Rasina. But, it can lead to other disasters..."

" Other disasters? "Kong raised his brows, suddenly intrigued. "Like what?"

" Like alphas fighting to death for an omega..."

Kongpob's eyes widened in surprise. Arthit smiled " Bears have a way of marking their interest that's a bit more... subtle than other shifters. For example, if a bear shifter starts leaving small gifts in your space-maybe as inconspicuous thing as your favourite colured stones or pinecones, or even little trinkets-it's a sign they're showing interest."

Kong's eyes widened. "Gifts... like offerings?"

Arthit nodded. "Exactly. But don't mistake them for casual tokens; to a bear, these little things mean they're considering you as a mate. You'll want to be careful with how you respond. If you accept the gifts, even just collecting them to throw away, you're sending a signal that you're interested in return."

Kong blushed, imagining the scene. "So... just leaving them would be the polite thing?"

"Right," Arthit chuckled. "And if a bear gets especially close, tries to brush against you or starts sharing his scent-it's another way of saying he's courting you. Bears don't just go around sharing scents with anyone."

Kong glanced down, thoughtful. "I didn't realize bears were so... persistent."

"They are," Arthit agreed, smiling. "But if you need to gently discourage one, there's an approach. Bears tend to be reserved but respectful; if you stand firm, they'll usually take the hint. Avoid accepting any of their offerings directly, and if one does get too close, just respectfully step back. They're good at reading body language."

Kong's eyes were wide with fascination. "So... it's like a dance?"

"Precisely," Arthit nodded. "Though remember, bears don't rush things. They're patient. They're not likely to force anything; they'll take their time, and they expect their mate to do the same." He paused, watching Kong with a slight smirk. "So , it may happen that you would unknowingly accept multiple courting proposals and instigate the bear alphas to fight within them to eliminate competition."

" That's horrible. How do I avoid that?"

" Keep all that I told you in mind. And one last thing-don't stare too long into a bear's eyes. In our world, it can be seen as a challenge or, worse, a sign that you're accepting their interest."

Kong gulped, feeling a mix of curiosity and nervousness. "What do I do if a bear is persistent and not getting cues ? Can I come to you ? "

" Ofcourse... you can come to me. I will handle the bear for you. "

" Will you have to fight that bear ? "

Arthit shrugged " most likely..."

Kong frowned. Bears are aggressive fighters. The general can get hurt. He doesn't want the alpha to get wounded because of him.

" What if I flip him a bird ?"

" I will be proud. "

Kong waived Arthit's compliment away" Will he get the message without you having to fight him ? "

Arthit nodded " Most likely."

" Then, I will flip him..." Kong announced, feeling courageous.

" Noble thought, my prince " Arthit teased " ...but your arms may not be up to the task right now..." Arthit pointed out gently at Kongpob's stick thin appearance.

" I will flip him a bird.."

Arthit grinned, proudly" Show me how will you do that."

" Just like you taught me. I will close a fist , then point my middle finger out. "

"Words won't  cut ut. Do it, Prince Kongpob."

Arthit watched as Kongpob's eyes kept darting to his hands, glancing up shyly before looking away. There was an innocence there, a hesitation, as if he didn't quite understand what he'd agreed to. Finally, Arthit decided to help him along.
" Let's do it together" Arthit suggested.

Kongpob swallowed, eyes wide, and then, as if gathering all his courage, slowly raised his hand, mimicking Arthit's gesture. He did it so carefully, as though afraid of doing it wrong. His finger trembled slightly as he held it up, looking at Arthit for approval.

"Not bad." Arthit grinned, impressed with the attempt. "Now try saying something with it.

" Go away..." Kongpob whispered . His finger trembled slightly.His breath caught in his throat but he held the gesture there for a moment, staring at it, as if it were some kind of declaration.

" Right. Now put more conviction in your words and say ' I am Prince Kongpob of Panthara."

" I am Prince Kongpob of Panthara "

" I live by my own rules."

" But, I don't ..."

" You do, my prince. Did you or did you not pledge me to yourself despite all your conditioning and your king being against it ? "

Kongpob nodded. " I did."

" Then, repeat after me. From this moment, I will live by my own rules."

" From this moment, I will live by my own rules."

" I claim my power. "

" I claim my power."

" My life, my rules"

" My life, my rules."

" And I vow..."

Kongpob looked questioningly at Arthit but repeated " And I vow.."

" To give a crisp middle finger salute to the people who try to deter me from my path, take away my rights and my choice"

" And I vow to give a crisp middle finger salute to the people who try to deter me from my path, take away my rights and my choice."
Arthit raised his hand up , so did Kongpo b, with smile blooming on his lips and tears in his eyes.

"I... I did it," Kongpob said, his voice thick with a mixture of awe and disbelief. " I flipped a bird"

Arthit looked at him, his heart swelling. "You did," he said quietly, his smile warm and proud. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"

Kongpob lowered his hand slowly, his eyes flicking up to meet Arthit's. There was something raw in his gaze, something tender that hadn't been there before. "I feel... different," he admitted, a softness in his voice. "Like maybe, just maybe, I'm allowed to do something for myself."

Arthit reached over, brushing a lock of hair from Kongpob's forehead. "You are. Always."

Kongpob smiled then, a little shyly, but it was genuine. "Thank you," he whispered. "For showing me... how to be free."

Arthit's heart skipped a beat, and without thinking, he grabbed Kongpob's hand and placed a light kiss on the back of it. "You don't need to thank me," he murmured. "I just want you to be happy."

Kongpob's eyes fluttered closed at the touch, the weight of everything they'd shared settling into his chest. For the first time in a long while, he felt something other than the pressure of expectations. Something lighter. Something that felt like freedom.

Kongpob closed his fist again and pointed out his middle finger, since Arthit was laying beside him, it naturally pointed towards him.

" Right back at you prince" Arthit teased but Kong was gone.

Kongpob's mind was spinning. He flipped a bird and he liked to do it.  He intends to do it.

The rebelliousness of his own thoughts weighed heavily on him. He couldn't shake the image of raising his hand, flipping the bird, the way it seemed so defiant, so out of place for someone like him, someone raised to follow every rule to the letter. The simple act felt so foreign, so wrong, and yet... so freeing.

Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, and before he could stop them, they fell-quietly at first, then in torrents. His chest tightened, and his breathing grew erratic as his emotions overflowed, a dam finally breaking after so long.

Arthit noticed immediately. He had been watching Kongpob with a quiet intensity, aware of the change in his expression, the way his breathing had shifted. He didn't need to ask what was happening. He could feel it-the wave of emotions crashing down on Kongpob, the turmoil he had been hiding for so long.

Without a word, Arthit opened his arms, pulling Kongpob into his embrace. The omega didn't resist. The pillows laid for partition flew in all directions as Arthit but Kongpob cared in the least.
He let himself be enveloped by the warmth, the safety that bear general's scent exuded.
Kongpob buried his face into Arthit's chest, sobbing harder, the pain and confusion of years flooding out of him.

" It's okay prince..." Arthit caressed the back of omega's head and gently patted on omega's back to soothe him.

"It's not... proper," Kongpob gasped between his sobs, his voice trembling with the weight of his upbringing. "An omega... should not lie with an alpha before being mated... It's... it's wrong."

" I flip the bird to that rule, my prince. Do you? "
Kongpob sobbed harder, bunching Arthit's robes in his fisted claws. Arthit was sure to find ten holes in his robe in the morning, five on each side. But he doesn’t care.

Arthit didn't pull away or try to soothe him with empty words. Instead, he held Kongpob tighter, letting him cry it out, letting him feel all the things he needed to feel. He understood. He understood that Kongpob had been raised in a world where his very existence as an omega was defined by rules, by expectations. But Arthit had already seen a side of Kongpob that went beyond those boundaries.

"Is it proper for an alpha to lie with an omega before mating?" Arthit asked, his voice gentle but unwavering, urging Kongpob to look beyond the rules that had been drilled into him for so long.

Kongpob hesitated, his breaths shallow, his sobs quieting as he processed the question. Slowly, he nodded, his tears still falling freely, but now they were tinged with confusion and uncertainty. "No...it's not.. proper..." he whispered." But, no one punishes them for it"

Arthit sighed, brushing a hand gently through Kongpob's hair. "Then think of it like this," he murmured, his voice deep and soothing, "I'm lying here with you now... just the two of us... and it doesn't feel wrong, does it? No rules. Just us. And this moment."

Kongpob shook his head weakly, the conflict still rippling beneath the surface, but the warmth of Arthit's words seemed to melt some of the tension within him. He let out a choked laugh, though it was more sorrowful than anything. "I don't know... why I'm crying. It's just... it feels... like I've been transported back to a time... when my mother was still alive."

Arthit's brow furrowed slightly, his fingers stilling as Kongpob spoke. He knew about Kongpob's mother, the queen who had been a revolutionary in her own right. But hearing this-hearing the ache in Kongpob's voice as he spoke about her-it made Arthit's heart twist.

"She would have never allowed this," Kongpob continued, his voice thick with emotion. "If she were still here... the kingdom would be a paradise for omegas. A place where we could work, marry who we chose, live the lives we wanted... Not just what we were forced into."

The words hung in the air between them, the weight of Kongpob's memories and his longing for a time he could never have again. Arthit could feel the deep affection in Kongpob's words as he spoke of his mother. He understood that Kongpob wasn't just grieving her death-he was grieving the loss of a dream, a vision of what could have been.

Arthit didn't say anything for a long moment. He didn't have the words to comfort Kongpob, to erase the sadness in his voice. Instead, he just pulled him closer, pressing a kiss to the top of his head, his arms holding Kongpob protectively. He knew Kongpob wasn't looking for answers, just a presence, someone to sit with him in the pain, to let him speak without judgment.

"You loved her," Arthit said quietly, "and she loved you. I can see it, in everything you've said... everything you do. You carry her with you, Kongpob. And that's something no one can take away."

Kongpob nodded weakly, his body trembling in Arthit's arms as the sobs slowly faded, leaving him exhausted, spent. He didn't know why he had opened up like this, why he felt safe enough to let Arthit see him so vulnerable. Maybe it was because, for the first time in a long time, he didn't have to hide who he was.

"I miss her," Kongpob murmured softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "She would have made the kingdom a place safe for us, general. She would have made sure omegas like me could live without fear, without shame. She fought for us."

Arthit just held him, his chest rising and falling with each breath he took. He didn't have the words to make it better, but he had his arms around Kongpob, and that was all he could offer.

Kongpob eventually fell silent, his breathing steadying as exhaustion took over. His body seemed to relax into Arthit's arms, and soon, the soft rise and fall of his chest indicated he had drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Arthit smiled softly, brushing his fingers through Kongpob's hair one more time, feeling the warmth of his presence, the stillness that had settled between them. He didn't dare move, not wanting to disturb the quiet, sacred moment they were sharing.

His mind flicked to Lieutenant Knot, who was stationed outside the door, ever watchful, ever vigilant. Arthit mindlinked his lieutenant

"Knot, keep your eyes open. The King may try to ambush us or send assassin's."

" On it "

"  Also, Prince is sleeping, spread the word, if anyone knocks on the door before sunrise, I am personally going to deal with him. If you need me, mindlink..."

And for that moment, with Kongpob resting on his chest, the weight of the world seemed to ease. Arthit closed his eyes, the faint sound of Kongpob's steady breathing lulling him into a peaceful silence.