I Would Rather Be a Rogue [BL]
Chapter 79: Affordable or Not?

Chapter 79: Affordable or Not?

Felix never had thought that shopping for clothes could be such an exhausting experience. With just... what, an hour? spent at the store, he felt completely drained, both physically and mentally.

Perhaps he would have enjoyed it. Trying on different outfits, and seeing how good they looked on him. Because he did look quite good, even if his face was still puffy and his stomach stretched after giving birth. He was still pretty, and he wasn’t about to deny it just to fake humility. It was just that... He couldn’t focus on appreciating the clothes, when all of his attention was stolen by the price tags! Yes, he wasn’t the one paying for them, but it didn’t make him feel any better. Because even if Kade said that it was to ’compensate’ him for the destroyed jacket, and that Felix wouldn’t owe him anything for the clothes...

Who knew if he wouldn’t change his tune in the future? The bags they walked out of the shop with felt heavy (even though Felix wasn’t the one carrying them), like lead weights attached to his feet, that might drag him down to the bottom of the ocean one day.

Luckily, at least the baby store they went to next was a NORMAL one, with a selection of various goods, ranging from the cheaper options, to the more expensive ones, but with the prices dictated more by the quality and the features, rather than overblown by the brand tags.

"Hello, how can I help you?" one of the shop assistants, a short, middle-aged lady with short, curly hair and dimples in her cheeks, greeted them right from the entrance with a warm smile.

"Ah, hello. I am looking for a car seat... And I would like to take a look at the prams and the cots, if that’s alright," Felix answered.

"Of course. This way, please," the shop assistant led them to a different part of the shop. "Are you looking for yourself, or someone else?" She asked, politely looking between the three of them. It was a rather unusual occurrence, to see three men shopping for baby things together, especially since as a Beta human female, she wasn’t able to tell they were two Alphas and an Omega. Omega males were rare among humans, after all, so she didn’t want to make any assumptions.

Her curiosity wouldn’t be satisfied, as Felix only answered, "For myself."

That could mean two things: either he was the father, or an Omega parent... But looking at his flat stomach, the shop assistant assumed the first. Most of the expectant mothers, be it female or male Omegas that appeared occasionally, had visible baby bumps when coming to shop for the baby.

Either way, she didn’t inquire any further, and just politely asked, "First time parent?"

"Ah, yes..."

"How old is the baby?"

"Three days old."

"In this case, I would recommend this one," the woman grabbed one of the car seats from display, presenting it to Felix. "It is a comfortable car seat that also works as a carrier, suitable for the babies from birth up to twelve to fifteen months. It has multiple recline options, removable, washable cover, and..." she explained, presenting all the features.

And Felix listened, nodding his head... But his eyes were already on the price tag. "Uh... That sounds great, but... Do you have any more affordable options?"

"...Yes?" the shop assistant lifted her head, surprised. Judging by the clothes all three men wore (as Felix had left the previous store in his new clothes, due to Kade’s insistence), they were clearly well-off... Thus, he presented them with the best car seat available at their store. She assumed she wouldn’t be hesitant to spend on the baby, if it was something they could easily afford... But did she read them wrong?

Regardless... "Yes, of course," she answered. It wasn’t her place to question them about their financial situation. "From the cheaper options, I would recommend..."

"Wait, please," Kade spoke up, stepping in. He remained quiet and more withdrawn since they had entered the shop, as he didn’t want to intervene too much - it was one thing to choose clothes for the Omega to wear, and another to pick things for his pup. Felix would probably want to make those choices himself. But... "Wouldn’t you want to buy better things for your daughter?"

The shop assistant’s eyes lit up. Right! That’s exactly what she was thinking!

However, when it came to Felix... His brows furrowed in response. "Young Master Kade, not everyone has a bottomless wallet."

"You’re right," Kade nodded, "But I do."

"...So?"

"So pick whatever you want for Vivi. I will pay."

’Argh!’ Felix couldn’t help but scream internally, tugging on his hair. Also only internally, of course, as he didn’t want to cause a scene in public. He was so conflicted, because Kade’s offer was tempting, way too tempting... But it was an offer he couldn’t afford to take!

"I know you don’t want to accept expensive gifts... But I’m not buying it for you, but rather for your daughter!" Kade grinned, proud of himself for the argument he came up with.

As if buying it for Vivi made it any better! It would still end up being Felix’s debt!

"Ever since I was a child," Felix responded, trying to remain calm, "My mother taught me not to accept any gifts from strange Alphas. And I intend to teach my daughter the same."

"Eeeh? How am I strange?"

"In every way."

They stood facing each other, at a standstill, tension hanging heavily in the air... The poor shop assistant caught in the middle of their totally not domestic drama, not knowing what to do, just looking between them as she stood with the cheaper car seat she was about to present, still in her hands...

Until Fen finally stepped in, resolving the situation once again. "Your daughter’s comfort and well-being are the most important right now, right? If it weren’t for your financial situation, you would surely want to buy the best things available for her, right?" he smiled. "So, pick whatever you want, and I will pay for it!"

Fen would pay?

Felix eyed him suspiciously. "And how would that be any different?"

"Well, you would owe me instead of Kade. Because it’s not really about the money, is it? You’re reluctant to owe Kade because of what’s going on between the two of you," Fen said, getting the point perfectly. "But I don’t want anything from you. So, surely it wouldn’t be that bad to owe me... What do you think?"