Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

4 Years Ago:

Yamaguchi POV:

"I don't know why you called me." His voice is quiet but it sounds so loud. So incredibly loud in the otherwise terribly quiet car. Other than Tsukki's voice, the only sound that can be heard is the raindrops tapping on the windshield. That and the sound of his own heartbeat echoing in his ears.

He manage to gain enough composure to glance at his best friend. Can he even call him that anymore? Everything had been fine a few weeks ago, at least that's what he thought. They had been inseparable in the same way they had always been ever since they had met in elementary school.

When they had presented in middle school, he had been worried. Tsukishima has presented as the ideal alpha, tall, strong, and dominant. He could only hope to follow his path, or at least present as a beta. That was not the case.

The day he presented was one of the worst days of his life. His heats are long and painful and his first was no exception. He had called out to his mother when he had woken up in a pool of his own sweat, slick running down his thighs, feeling as though he was burning up from the inside. She had not come to his aid as he expected, instead she glared down at him with a sneer.

"Filthy omega." Was all she said before slamming the door shut behind her. He was left alone. For five days he couldn't leave his bed, struggling to make it to the bathroom on his own, much less getting to the kitchen for food. He'd learned then that no family wants an omega son. He'd learned then that he was a burden.

The thought of returning to school to face Tsukishima was terrifying. He had already accepted his feelings for his best friend by then but had no idea how he would react to him being an omega. He hadn't wanted things to change between them, he was happy how they were.

Tsukishima didn't seem to mind all that much. He certainly became more closed off towards Yamaguchi after he presented but never made a move to end their friendship. He was happy enough with that. They remained like that throughout high school. He'd learned there that being an omega was harder than he had thought. The halls were crawling with unmarked, horny alphas who had no self control and faced zero consequences if they got too handsy with the omegas, whether given permission or not. Even in schools alphas could get away with anything.

It had been a long four years. He had struggled to make any friends and the alphas liked to pick on him any chance they got, yelling obscenities and grabbing at him as he would pass them. Tsukki was all he had, his only friend and the only thing that could keep the alphas at bay. When he walked next to him, none of them would dare try to grab at him. As graduation approached, he could tell that with every passing week, Tsukki would drift further away from him. He would try to make conversation on their walks home but would be lucky to receive even a grunt in reply. He'd simply stopped caring. But Yamaguchi stayed. He had no one else. And he couldn't stop loving him if he tried.

The night of graduation had finally come and he decided he would confess. He would tell him that he loved him, and he could only hope he wouldn't laugh at him in response.

He knew it was a risk going to the graduation party, some popular jock was throwing it at his house and he knew it would be packed with alphas. He also knew that Tsukki would be there.

When he arrived, the party was already in full swing. Each room was packed with alphas and betas alike. He could pick out a few omegas but they were all partnered up with alphas of their own who all had their arms wrapped protectively around them in some way or another. He recognized a few people from his classes but he was only looking for one face in particular. He made his way through the crowded house, sticking close to the wall in hopes of avoiding being noticed. It worked well enough until he reached a dark, less crowded hallway and felt a large hand clamp painfully around his wrist and yank him backwards. His back was slammed against the wall and he winced as a tall, muscular alpha leaned over him with a smirk.

"Well, well." He whispers in his ear. He reeks of alcohol and Yams tried to push himself off the wall. He was unsuccessful. He has both of his large hands now gripping his own two wrists so tight he is sure they will bruise. He slams him back into the wall and this time he whines in pain. "Looks like this ones up for grabs." He almost gag at the smell of his breath before he leans down to press wet kisses down his neck and to his collarbone.

He is frozen in fear, all the horror stories he had heard of omegas taken against their will flash through his head. He had been in enough uncomfortable situations before but none this drastic.

He could feel his clammy hands starting to make their way up under his shirt and that gets him to start squirming again. This only causes him to growl and bite harshly at his neck. He let out a sharp cry of pain and his movement ceases once again. He moves both his wrists to one hand and forces them up above his head. His free hand starting to yank his shirt up, obviously intending to take it off. Before he can even get close, however, he is thrown off of him suddenly and he falls to the floor. He looks up and sees a certain tall blonde alpha standing over his attacker, bearing his teeth in a vicious warning. A threatening growl arising from low in his throat.

"Tsukki." He gasps in relief. He doesn't take his eyes off the other alpha as he starts to cower and back away. Tilting his head to expose his neck to Tsukishima, a sign of submission. He glares until the other alphas is up an running away before he turns back to Yams. His pupils are dialated and his eyes practically glow. He roughly pulls him against his chest but he doesn't feel unsafe at all. He leans his head up towards his neck to take in his smoky pine sent that he had always loved so much. He can smell the underlying scent of liquor beneath it but pays no mind as he clings to him desperately.

"Are you okay?" His tone is so soft. Softer than Yams had ever heard him speak in the years he had known him. He presses his nose into Yam's hair and inhales his scent as they huddle on the hardwood floor. Yams nods against Tsukki's chest, though his hands have not stopped their shaking. Tsukki sighs and scoops Yams' legs up with one arms and supports his back with the other before he carries him right out of the party house and straight to his car.

The drive is silent save for Yamaguchi's occasional sniffling. Tsukki's knuckles turn white from his tight grip on the wheel. Yams is surprised when they pull into the driveway in front of Tsukki's house. They exit the car and before he can even take two steps towards the house he is scooped up into the alpha's arms again, wrapping his arms around his neck with a yelp of surprise. He hurries them inside, taking the stairs two at a time to his bedroom before sitting on the edge of his bed and pulling the omega closer.

It had been a while since Yams had been in this room, a few months maybe as they started growing apart. He missed being surrounded by the comforting scent and allowed himself to push closer to the scent glands on Tsukki's neck. He could feel a deep rumble in his chest and if he hadn't known any better he would have thought the alpha was purring. Tsukki released a calming scent and tightened his hold around Yams' waist. The omega chanced a glance up at him and his eyes were met with molten gold ones. For a moment time froze and he decided it was now or never. He took a deep breath.

"Tsukki I-" He is interrupted by Tsukki's warm lips crashing against his own. Yamaguchi stiffens at first but soon relaxed into the kiss. It was everything. It was fast and desperate and he felt like he would be consumed. He didn't mind it one bit. He pulled back to catch his breath, pressing his hand to the alpha's chest and looking up into his shining eyes once again. The fire in them sends a shiver down his spine.

"Mine." Tsukki pushes him back against the mattress and climbs over him before attacking his neck with harsh kisses. When he sucks on the soft spot between his neck and collar bone the omega responds with a soft moan that seems to set the alpha off. He begins to remove their clothing and Yams is in no rush to stop him. The alpha he had been in love with since middle school, the one he had fantasized about countless times during his heats, the one who he could only hope would one day become his mate and would shield him from all the bad in the world. He was above him kissing every inch of his body. He wanted Yamaguchi.

***

The next morning Yamaguchi wakes up face to face with the most beautiful boy in the world. But when Tsukki woke up he was cold and distant. He couldn't even manage to look Yams in the eye. He scrambled out of bed and started to dress.

"You should go." He says. Yamaguchi's heart sinks. He grips the sheets tighter. Why is he acting like this?

"Tsukki-"

"Leave." He snaps. The omega flinches when he hears the low, rumbling growl laced with the word. His dominant scent is like a punch to the face, so very different than the protective, calming one he had projected last night. Yams lowers his gaze and tilts his chin to the side, exposing his neck to the alpha. Submitting. For a moment, something flashes in Tsukki's eyes but it's gone too fast for him to decipher what it was. Hurt? Anger? He decides not to wait and find out. Tsukki's scent had invaded his every sense, making him lightheaded. His every instinct tells me him run.

So he does.

He scrambles out of the bed, tripping on sheets and struggling to stay on his feet. Tsukki turns to face the wall, away from him. He dresses quickly and heads for the door, pausing briefly, opening his mouth to say something, anything. He decide against it and leaves.

It's only a few blocks to walk home but he doesn't make it even half way before the tears start to fall. There was a moment, a couple of hours between last night and this morning that he had thought everything he had ever wanted was within reach. His best friend, the boy he loved. He thought that maybe he could have felt the same. That he wanted him. He had almost forgotten how much of a burden he was. It had been the first time since he presented that he had felt so.. happy. But it was ripped away as soon as it had happened.

He didn't want to think about what the future held for him. He knows his parents would allow him to live with them up to a few months after graduation but once they were over he'd be out. No one would purposefully keep an omega around. Especially not him.

He had to find a job. He cringes at the thought. Society was built against omegas, so few people are willing to hire an unmarked omega. He had to find a place to live. His tears fall faster as he thinks about how he has no friends to live with, no pack. It's a dangerous world for omegas, especially ones who are all alone. Ones like him.

***

Two months pass and he hears nothing from Tsukki. Complete silence. He tries to reach out to him, the first month he texts him nearly everyday. He apologizes for what happened countless times, he reached out to him to meet up. Nothing. He even tries calling him a few times but was always met with a voicemail. Tsukki was simply done with him.

He finally gave up after two months. He hadn't been feeling well, he would wake up feeling extremely nauseous almost everyday and would empty the contents of his stomach into the toilet. He figured the stress of losing his best friend was taking it's toll on him. It wasn't until the sickness continued and he realized that his heat was late that he realized what might be wrong.

His heart sank to his stomach, filling him with dread. No. It couldn't be true. He snuck out later that night to the 24 hour drug store a few blocks from his house. Keeping to the shadows to avoid being noticed. Thankfully there were no run ins with alphas and he made it home safely with the plastic bag in hand.

His hands shook as he waited for the fifth test to show results. Even though he knew what it would say. Part of him was still in denial. When his timer went off and he saw the little display showing the pink positive sign, only then did he let himself cry. This couldn't be happening.

He rushed to his mother, still in tears, to tell her what had happened. He didn't know what he expected. For her to suddenly care about her son? For her to calmly hug him and tell him everything would be okay? He knew she wouldn't do either of those things but there was still a part of him that was just a boy wanting to be loved by his mother, seeking comfort from her. Instead he was met with a shaking inhale.

"Get out." She said. It was so soft but the anger and power behind it made him cringe.

"Mom?" He whimpered. Her scent was poisoned with anger, and although she was only a beta it still made him take a cautionary step back.

"I said get out of my house!" This time she screamed. His tears fell faster now. "You filthy slut!" She hollered as he ran back to his room as fast as he could. He grabbed his old school bag and stuffed it with as many clothes as he could fit. His vision being so blurry made it a difficult task. He went through the drawer in his desk to pocket all of the cash he had saved from summer jobs the past few years, which wasn't much. With that, he dashed out of his childhood home and didn't look back. He had nothing now. And there was only one person he could think to call.

***

"So?" He can hear the slight frustration in Tsukki's voice. "You gonna tell me why you called me at 3 in the morning?" Yamaguchi's heart clenched at his tone. He redirect his gaze back to the window, watching the city lights pass by.

"My parents kicked me out." His voice is barely above a whisper. Tsukki finally turns to look at him for a moment before redirecting his gaze back to the road.

"Oh." The tone he uses is bordering on indifference and Yams tells himself not to start crying again. Not in front of Tsukki. This wasn't the person he knew. His best friend may have been cold and aloof but he had always known deep down that he cared for him. He guesses he doesn't know that anymore. Another few minutes of complete silence pass. "Look, Yamaguchi." Yams cringes at the name. Not Yams like he had called him in elementary school. Not 'Dashi like he had in middle and high school. "I can give you a ride to wherever you need to go but that's all u can do for you okay?"

"Okay." He says softly. He knows he can't manage much else without breaking down. Even Tsukki wanted nothing to do with him.

"It's late. How about I stop at the hotel down the street from here?" He just nods in response. Does he tell him? He presses his palm against his stomach and imagines a small child. Part Tsukki, part him. The thought would have brought him comfort had it not been for the cold shoulder he was being given. He realizes he can't possibly tell him. Tsukki's already done with him. He can't drop the news and force him to spend the rest of his life with him because of the baby, he's burdened him enough.

It's all too soon before they pull up in front of the small motel. This is it. Now or never. What else does he have to lose?

"Tsukki, I'm in love with you." He says. The silence is deafening.

"Why are you telling me this." His voice sounds strained.

"I needed you to know. I've loved you for years." Now there are tears escaping as he confesses to his ex best friend.

"Stop." Is all he says.

"That's it?" His voice is shaking. "You have nothing else to say?"

"What do you want me to say, Yamaguchi?" He's raising his voice now. His scent a mixture of anger, frustration, and.. is that fear? Yams knows his own scent must be just as distressed. "I've never wanted or needed a mate. I don't want an omega. Have I ever given you the impression that I did?" The anger is much more prevalent now.

"No, Tsukki. You didn't but that didn't stop me from falling for you, did it?" His own frustration is overpowering my sadness now.

"Well it's not going to happen." He snaps. "Forget about it. And would you stop it with that stupid nickname?"

"This is what I've always called you!" He states.

"I've never wanted you to call me that okay? In fact, I don't know how you were oblivious enough to not catch on but I never wanted you either, Yamaguchi." The words feel like a knife stabbed straight into Yamaguchi's heart. He froze. It seems so much quieter now that they aren't yelling. He sighs and opens the car door and step out into the cold night air, shoulders heavy with the realization that he’d only ever been a burden to Tsukishima as well. It's still drizzling and he shivers as the wind starts to pick up. He wraps his zip-up hoodie tighter around him, his instincts telling him to protect the pup from the cold. His pup. He turns back to look at Tsukishima. His best friend. His first-possibly only- love. Tsukki keeps his eyes fixated ahead.

"I'm sorry, Tsukishima."

The words taste like acid on his tongue.

Chapter Text

Present Time:

Yamaguchi POV:

The man above Yamaguchi ruts into him mercilessly. His low grunts and growls filling the quiet room along with the slapping of skin. Yams lays face down, ass up in the bed of one of the many back rooms in the club where he works. The alpha's hand is on the back of his head, shoving his face into the pillow. At least he doesn't have to school his face into an expression of enjoyment. He does let out a few moans every once in a while to give the man the satisfaction of thinking he's making him feel good. Like he would ever try or care.

The man's hips start to stutter as he approaches orgasm. Yamaguchi squeezes his eyes shut against the pain of how rough he is being. When he is finally finished, he pulls out and Yams slumps in relief and exhaustion. The alpha stands and starts to pull his pants on. He says nothing as he throws the roll of cash onto the mattress beside the omega before grabbing his jaw roughly and kissing him sloppily one last time. Then he is gone. And Yamaguchi can breathe.

He stays on the bed until he can get his shaking under control. Then he dresses himself as fast as he can, snatching the cash from the bed before hurrying out of the room. Sato-San is waiting in the hall, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. His smirk makes Yams feel sick.

Sato is the owner of the club. Tadashi's boss. He controls his hours, his pay, and the customers he sees. He's an old, fat alpha with thinning hair. His face is always red and covered in sweat. His hands are clammy and they always find their way around Yamaguchi's waist or on his ass. He sees him as nothing more than an object, it's how he views the others who work here too. He is loud and rude and he takes at least 70% of their earnings on a good day. Tadashi didn't dare speak out about it, though. He had all the power to give him to all of the rough customers, or deal out a punishment of his own, both options make the omega shudder.

"What'd you bring me, doll?" He smirks, wrapping his arm around to grab Tadashi's ass and pulling him closer. He presses their bodies flush against each other and Yams tries to subtly lean away from his horrendous breath. He holds out the hand that is currently not occupied with feeling him up and the omega places the roll in his hand. He unrolls it and starts to count it out. $450 total. That's how much Yamaguchi costs. He stares down at the money in disgust, ignoring the stinging behind his eyes. Sato-San counts out $100 and hands it back to him with a toothy smile.

"I'll be seeing you tomorrow, then." He whispers, mouth pressed against the omega's ear before lightly nibbling at it. He cringes before Sato pulls away, disappearing through the doors leading back out to the floor. The music from the stage gets louder when they open before it is muffled by the doors once again. He takes a deep breath. He needs a shower.

He heads to the dressing rooms reserved for the omega staff. He practically rips off his dirty clothes before using the small key in his locker to unlock the black collar from his neck, a handy tool to ensure that he wasn't marked by any alphas while conveniently showing anyone and everyone that he belongs to the club. He is Sato-San's property. He finally heads for the showers and scrubs the now smudged makeup off of his face before reaching behind himself to clean out the leftover semen that has yet to run down his thighs. Once he's satisfied that he is cleaned out, he scrubs his skin until it's red before quickly washing his hair. He wraps the towel around himself before making his way to the locker room to get dressed.

Just as he pulls his pants on he hears the doors burst open and seconds later, Suga emerges from around the corner. Still in his dancing attire, which tonight includes a black corset top, tight booty shorts, and a pair of black thigh high boots. His collar was red tonight. As soon as he sees Tadashi he rushes over, fussing over him in his usual motherly way.

He's been like this since they'd met on Yams' first night as he cried while curled up into a ball after his first private session. It had been rough and painful and he had felt used, disgusting. Suga had found him and helped him stand, whispering soft words of comfort in his ear while releasing his comforting vanilla scent. He had helped him clean up and taught him all of the tricks to a less painful experience. Although he was only two years older, he was much more experienced.

"Are you okay?" Suga asks softly, gently pushing Tadashi's hair away from his forehead. He simply nods his head. "They weren't too rough tonight?" His brows are furrowed in concern. He shakes his head.

"Nothing I can't handle." Suga looks at him with that sad look for a few long moments before nodding and sitting on a bench with a groan.

"My feet are killing me." He whines. "Help me take off these damn heels." Tadashi smirks at his exaggerated tone and moves to help him. Suga was lucky tonight, he was only scheduled to be on the floor tonight, sparing him a night in the back rooms where Yamaguchi had just been. He had performed earlier in the evening before seeing three different clients and was exhausted, physically and mentally.

He helps Suga pull off the boots-an entire workout in itself- before starting to put his belongings back into his bag. He stuffs his dirty clothes into the duffel bag along with his wallet with tonight's earnings.

"Have you seen Akaashi tonight?" He ask Suga who frowns, shaking his head.

"Heard he was booked solid tonight." This makes him sigh. Akaashi was always quite popular with alphas because he was so pretty, but now he was even more popular due to.. other circumstances. These being that he was now 6 months pregnant. Yams had learned early on that alphas tend to enjoy sleeping with pregnant omegas, a preference he has yet to make sense of.

When he had found this place 4 years ago, he had asked Sato-San if his pregnancy would be a problem. He had laughed and told him that it would be the opposite of a problem. Pregnant omegas bring in more money. According to him, the alphas like to know that the omegas they're fucking are fertile, the temporary breasts are also a plus. Luckily enough for Sato, pregnancies are quite common in the club. He provides the omegas with no birth control and many of them don't have the funds to pay for it themselves, much less the ability to convince and alpha to use it if they did.

Yamaguchi had gone through two pregnancies here, and they were rough, he does not envy Akaashi. Akaashi had been pregnant once before, giving birth to a little boy, Akihiko, who was just a few months older than Tadashi's oldest. Suga had just returned from his short leave after giving birth to his daughter, Keiko. He's only just recovered, the reason for him being solely on dance duty for the time being. He still has the slight swell of his chest in order to feed Keiko so he is more popular than usual on the floor. Considering he has been here a year longer than Tadashi, it's a miracle in itself that he has only become pregnant once. Tadadhi glances at the time. 2:00 AM. He sighs.

"I should leave, Suga." He tells him and earns a groan in response.

"I need to get back out there. Two hours left in my shift." He explains, sifting through a box full of shoes he has pulled from under his vanity. "But I'll be damned if I put those boots back on tonight." Yams smiles fondly at him as he puts on his new shoes before standing to place a soft kiss on the other omegas forehead. "Give the boys my love. Get home safe." He says.

"You too." He replies before they go their separate ways, Suga returning to the floor and Yamaguchi retreating to the back exit. As soon as he steps outside he inhales the air of the alleyway. It may smell slightly like trash but it's better than the constant smell of alcohol, sweat, and sex in the club. The chill catches up to him quickly and he hurries to get to the station where he boards the train and puts his ear buds in, playing calming music for the 20 minute ride.

When he gets off and exits the station, he clutches his pepper spray tighter. Something he keeps with him at all times after one too many run ins with alphas in the streets. It was worse in the city compared to his smaller hometown, but he knew he couldn't stay there at risk of his past catching up to him. Despite the walk being only a few short blocks, the neighborhood his apartment is in is not the safest. All the more reason for him to hurry back. His children are home alone, as they are most nights. He despises leaving them but he has absolutely no other place for them to go and none of his neighbors can be trusted with his babies. The only friends he has  also work at the club so he can't ask them. Every time he leaves them his heart cracks a bit more.

When he finally makes it to the apartment, he fumbles with his keys to unlock the door. His hands shake slightly. He had always been anxious but getting home each day, praying that his babies were okay, it was a whole new level of worry. When he finally gets the door open and steps in, he is met with silence. The  apartment is very dim, lit only by a lamp on the table. The apartment is small, the largest room being the common area, where the kitchen is combined with the living room. Furniture is very sparse consisting of only a kitchen table, the chairs set up around it, a couch, and a small coffee table. The only other rooms are a single bedroom and a small bathroom.

Through the dim light he can see where his oldest, Aito, is sitting at the kitchen table with his coloring book, filling in a picture with his crayons held in his tiny hand. No three year old should be up at this time of night but Yams knows he can't sleep when he's away. He's adopted Tadashi's sleep schedule, sleeping to the late hours of the morning and awake late into the night. A new wave of guilt washes over him.

When he hears Tadashi approach, he jumps, eyes wide and scared before he recognizes him and smiles. His heart breaks all over again.

Aito drops his crayons before sliding carefully off of his chair and running to his mother. Yamaguchi kneels down to catch him in his arms, pressing kisses to the top of his head as the small boy burrows his face into his neck, seeking out his scent. Once he is satisfied, Yamaguchi pulls back and take his little face into his hands.

Even at three years old, he looks so much like his father, a man Tadashi tries his best not to think about but it's near impossible with a mini version of him running around. He's inherited his father's fine, blonde hair and his gold eyes, though their shape is rounder than his, taking more after Yamaguchi in that department. He also inherited his smattering of freckles, a trait he had hoped his son wouldn't be stuck with since he had always hated his own, but how could he ask for anything different when he was just so cute?

"I missed you." He says as he pulls him in for another hug, he can hear the toddler begin to purr as he nuzzles closer, scenting him carefully. "My baby." He whispers into his hair and place another kiss on his head, taking in his soft honey scent. Then he pulls away so the boy can see his hands as he signs to him as he speaks. "How's Eiji?"

Sleeping. He signed back. At three years old, one would expect Aito to be talking the ears off of anyone who would listen, but even as his mother, Yams has never heard him utter a word. He couldn't afford a therapist or a doctors visit so he is unsure as to why his son cannot bring himself to speak. They have been learning sign language together since he figured out that he was unable to start speaking so he always make sure to sign to him when they speak, so they can both can learn.

He ruffles the blonde hair as he stands up and makes his way to their small bedroom and over to the bassinet that holds the other light of his life. His little Eiji. He looks very different from his brother, with his black hair and dark blue eyes. Tadashi is unsure who he gets these traits from as he is the product of one of his one hour sessions with a client, but he was his. At 10 months old he has already spoken more than Aito. Not in actual words, per say, but he babbles all day long when he is awake. Yams smiles fondly as he watches his baby boy sleep peacefully on his back, his little hands clenched in tiny fists by his head. He reaches out to stroke his soft hair and press a kiss to his head.

He had put him to sleep before leaving for work but Aito knows how to open the little gate of the bassinet should he start to cry. Not that the toddler could do much to fix it, but sometimes he can calm his brother by simply lying with him and stroking his hair. When Yamaguchi returns from the bedroom, Aito has returned to his spot with his colors, focusing intently on the image of and elephant holding a balloon with its trunk. He squats down next to him.

"Do you want your milk before bed?" He speaks and signs at the same time. He nods at him and he smiles. It's their little routine. Aito was quite small for his age so he gives him a special formula milk before bed each night. He liked to drink it on the couch while cuddled up to Tadashi and it always helps him sleep better. "I will get it for you in one moment, mommy needs to use the bathroom." He nodded again before going back to his colors.

When he enters the bathroom he looks at himself in the mirror. Cursing softly when he sees the yellowish bruise that is still under under his jaw. Evidence of Jun's last visit. He had covered it with makeup this evening but forgot to reapply after his shower.

He had met Jun a few months after Aito was born. He had taken a liking to Yamaguchi when he saw him at the club and had lured him in with practiced flirting and fake kindness. But Yamaguchi was younger then, more naive. All he had wanted was to be loved, so a handsome alpha coming in and showing him a small bit of happiness seemed like the ideal scenario. Once they had gotten closer and started dating, Jun had changed. His temper was out of control. The smallest things would set him off and he would have rage fits, screaming at Yamaguchi and Aito and beating Yams senseless. He never touched Aito and Yams thanked god for that every day.

Jun is still technically his boyfriend but he wouldn't classify what they have as a relationship. Jun comes home maybe once a month from his 'business trips' and that's the only time they see him. Which he can't bring himself to be upset about because their interactions with each other consist of mostly sex and beatings. Despite what he does Tadashi can't bring myself to leave him, too scared of what he will do to him or the boys and his fear keeps him trapped.

He looks at himself in the mirror, the hatred so clear in his own eyes. He knows he's a horrible mother. All he wants is what's best for his children but he can't seem to do anything right. He leaves them alone each night to whore himself out to complete strangers, leaving his toddler to look after his baby brother because he can't afford childcare, no child should have to be responsible like that. His own son can't even get a proper nights rest because he keeps him awake all night worrying. He can barely afford to put food on the table since most of the money he makes goes to rent. And on top of it all he subjects them to the wrath of Jun. He is still not convinced that his episodes aren't the cause of his little Aito not being able to talk, his baby boy is so terrified to do anything because of the consequences. He's forced to think about what could happen to him or his mother if he were to make a wrong move. Too scared to do anything because his own mother is too much of a coward to leave his abuser.

At this point he is sobbing. He'd turned the faucet on so that Aito wouldn't hear his sniffling and get worried. He needs to pull myself together, for his children. He splashes his face with cold water and dries it off with a towel just as he hears the tiniest of knocks on the bathroom door.

"I'm coming, baby." He says as he checks himself once more in the mirror. His eyes are still slightly red but he has pulled himself together enough for it not to be too obvious. Aito stands outside, he's dressed himself in his Dino pajamas, his Dino plushie tucked under one arm and Tadashi nearly tears up at the sight. Just like his father. He looks up at him with his big eyes and holds his hands out, his way of requesting to be held. He picks him up easily and the boy rests his head on his mother's shoulder. He clings to him as he opens the fridge and takes out one of the small bottles of milk just for Aito. Eiji is still only drinking his regular formula along with the baby food.

Tadashi pours half of the small bottle into Aito's special sippy cup that features iron man in the front, his favorite super hero. He's also managed to stick some dinosaur stickers onto the cup, ensuring that there is no doubt who's cup it is.

He hands him the cup and he takes it with both hands, bringing it to his mouth and starts to drink. As he does so, Yamaguchi make his way over to the couch and sits down, sinking into the cushions and finally, finally relaxing. Aito snuggles in closer and he tightens his grip on the small boy. He sighs contentedly. Yams smiles softly at that. It's not too long before he's finished and let's the sippy cup start to slip from his grasp as his eyelids start to droop. He's always so adorable when he's sleepy.

"You ready for bed, baby?" This time he doesn't sign, unwilling to let go of the precious boy in his arms. He nods, yawning. He stands up from the couch and takes him to the queen size bed they share. He tucks him in on his side and when he goes to stand up Aito grips his shirt and whines. "Mommy just needs to put his pajamas on." He tells him. "I'll be right back." He let's go of the shirt, eyes still wide and Yamaguchi makes his way to his dresser, quickly changing into a pair of sweats and a big t shirt before crawling into bed with his son. He instantly snuggles into him, ready for sleep now that he is sure of his mother's presence. Yamaguchi feels his breaths even out as sleep overtakes him and soon enough, following soon after.

Chapter Text

Yamaguchi POV:

Yamaguchi wakes up in the morning to Eiji fussing quietly. His little warning before he starts to cry. He sits up in bed and looks over to the bassinet where his baby is sitting up and looking over at him, pacifier still in his mouth and gripping his little blanket covered in giraffes. He is very patient in the mornings when he wakes up, usually finding something to entertain himself for a while before he starts to fuss to be let out. Usually because he needs a diaper change.

"Good morning my sweet boy." Tadashi says quietly, moving out from under the covers slowly so as not to wake Aito. He picks Eiji up into his arms and kisses him on the cheek as he makes happy noises. He then retrieves the changing pad from the diaper bag and lays it out on the floor, gently setting him down so he can change him. Once he has a clean diaper, Yams gets him ready for the day, dressing him in a soft yellow onesie with a duckling on the front and a pair of tiny little sweatpants.

He makes little faces at him throughout the process as the child giggles and smiles up at him. Erupting in a fit of laughter when He blows raspberries on his little tummy. He packs everything back up and throws away the dirty diaper before making his way into the kitchen and washing his hands.

He starts to boil some water for his tea before starting to prepare Eiji's bottle. He had only been able to nurse both Aito and Eiji for about the first 4 months after they were born, that's usually how it is with male omegas as their bodies return to how they were before pregnancy. So now he just gives Eiji his formula 3 times a day. He gives the small boy the bottle and he sits quietly on his hip while he moves around the kitchen to start preparing breakfast. He gets out eggs and bread then turns to where the teapot is whistling on the stove, preparing his tea and taking a small sip, relishing the hot feeling of it and it's sweet taste. He also starts the rice in the cooker.

When Eiji is done with his bottle, he sets him down on a blanket that is spread out by the couch small coffee table in front of the couch, scattered with all of Eiji's toys to keep him entertained. Almost immediately he moves to the table and uses is to stand himself up. Tadashi smiles down at him proudly. He had taken his first steps a few days ago and was still wobbly on his legs but he knew he was getting there. As he babbles happily Yams returns to the task at hand.

He scrambles the eggs and toasts the bread, spreading on Aitos favorite strawberry jam. He's only made enough eggs for Aito, just eating a piece of toast and some rice himself. He needs to save their food, so he saves the eggs for the child. He also pours the second half of milk from the bottle from last night, screwing on the top of Aito's iron man cup just as the small boy emerges from the bedroom. He sleepily makes his way to his chair and climbs up to sit at the table, getting comfortable as he rubs his eyes and yawns.

Yams clears off the coloring book and crayons from the table and sets the plate down in their place. He comes back with Aito's milk and sets it next to the plate, he goes for that first. He sips on it while he wakes up, kicking his little feet off the side of his chair. Tadashi sits down across from him with his tea, watching as his beautiful boy eats. Aito has his little routine that he never strays from. He drinks the first half of his milk before even touching his food before alternating between taking bites and sips until it's all gone or he's too full to finish.

As he continues to eat, Tadashi returns to the fridge and pulls out a container of strawberries. He cuts them up into small pieces before retrieving Eiji who has migrated off the blanket and closer to the kitchen table, now standing on wobbly legs as he looks at his brother. Yams sits on the ground and holds his arms out to him.

"Eiji can you come to mommy?" He asks excitedly. Eiji seems to feed off of his mother's energy as he giggles and takes a wobbly step forward.

"mamamamama" He babbles. Tadashi smiles and nods.

"That's right, baby." He takes two more steps, starting to close the distance between them. Yamaguchi scoots back slightly, wanting to see how far he can go. When Eiji sees him move back he scrunches his eyebrows in confusion and Yams has to hold back a chuckle at his little pout. He makes it over to his mother eventually, having fallen once but got back up and waddled right into waiting arms.

Yams cheers and stands up, pressing kisses onto his baby's cheek as he brings him to his highchair. When he straps him in, Eiji slaps his little hands on to the tray attachment in front of him and bounces in his seat. He grabs the cutting board with the strawberries and pushes some off on to the tray. Eiji immediately shoves a piece into his mouth and hums happily. Yams pops a piece into his own mouth before sliding the rest off on to Aitos almost clean plate.

The older boy had started out with his fork, his still developing motor skills made it somewhat difficult to stab the food, so he would pick up a piece of egg with his fingers and shove it onto the prongs of the fork before bringing it to his mouth. Once the strawberries appeared, the fork was discarded and he just used his hands. It was quiet for some time, just Eiji's occasional hums to fill the silence.

Once they finish, Tadashi wipes Eiji's face and hands before lifting him out of his chair, setting him down on his feet, hoping he can get some more walking practice. He wipes down the tray attached to the chair as Aito slides off his own chair and takes his plate to the sink, standing on his tip toes to place it on the counter. Yams makes his way over to him and lifts him up to help him wash his hands before rinsing his plate and leaving it in the sink to wash later.

He looks over at the clock on the oven. 8:30. He had made plans to meet Suga and Akaashi at the park at 9:00 so he heads to the bedroom, picking out an outfit for Aito that consisted of a red iron man shirt and a pair of sweats to match his brother. Aito is pretty good with dressing himself but Yams is always there to fix a backwards shirt or pants that were put on inside out.

"Aito, come get dressed." He calls out, taking off his own clothes to get dressed for the day. When he's finished he packs up the diaper bag and fills Aito's iron man backpack with a few toys and snacks. Aito grabs his arm as he's about to put Dino in and instead takes him from his hand and squeezes him to his chest. "Alright." He chuckles. "You can hold him, just don't drop him." He nods firefly in response.

He helps the blonde put his puffy winter coat and backpack on and smiles at how excited he looks. They go to the door and he helps both of his boys put their shoes on before making sure they were each bundled up properly to fight off the chill. It was getting colder out and although it was still warm enough during the day for their trips to the park, they would only be able to go for another week or so. He puts Eiji in his stroller, straping him in and they were on their way.

The park is about a 10 minute walk from the apartment, not too bad considering the size of the city. Yamaguchi pushes Eiji's stroller along as he continues cooing and humming happily. Aito walks by the stroller, one hand holding on at all times, while the other holds Dino. They arrive at the park just in time and he spot Akaashi on a bench near the playground, hand rested on his baby bump as he watches Akihiko climb on the jungle gym.

"Gaashi!" Eiji shouts when he sees him. Kicking his feet excitedly. He has always loved Akaashi. Akaashi looks over to them and he smiles his soft, pretty smile.

"Eiji!" He laughs as he stands to greet them. He looks down to Aito. "Good morning, Aito. How are you?" He signs this as well. Akaashi and Suga had also taken it upon themselves to start learning to sign as they both wanted to be able to communicate with Aito. Akaashi had been able to pick it up faster than Tadashi of course, which only made him a little jealous.

Good is all Aito signs back, still half hidden behind his leg. Akaashi pays no mind to the short answer, he knows how shy Aito can be and even though he sees him and Suga regularly, it can take a bit for him to warm up each time.

"Tadashi. How are you doing?" He asks. The sincerity of his question and the worried look on his face nearly bring tears to his eyes.

"I'm doing okay." He tells him. "If anything I should be asking you." He brushes off the question with a wave of his hand.

"I'm fine, Yams." He laughs but Yamaguchi can hear the strain in it. He'll have to push him for more later. Akihiko interrupts them when he runs over.

"Aito! Aito!" He yells excitedly. He is only a few months older than Aito and makes up for his shyness with his own confidence. He looks just like a little version of his mother but that's about as far as the similarities go. It is quite the sight, outgoing, loud Aki and his introverted, quiet mother. "I'm digging hole down to bottom of the world!" He grabs Aito by the hand and pulls him to the playground.

"Always finding a way to get dirty." Akaashi laughs and shakes his head. Tadashi starts to lay out the blanket he had brought for Eiji.

"I'm just glad Aito has someone to play with." He tells Akaashi. "Sometimes I worry about him." He sits down next to him on the bench after settling Eiji with his toys. He leans his head on to his shoulder and breathes in his eucalyptus scent.

"He's a good kid." Akaashi reaches up to pull his fingers through Tadashi's hair. "He's gonna be ok." They sit in silence and watch the children play. Eventually Akaashi shifts uncomfortably, hand once again finding his stomach.

"Are you feeling okay?" Yams asks in concern. He nods quickly.

"I'm fine, yeah. He's just active today." Yams look down at the bump.

"He?" He asks excitedly.

"Well, I don't know for sure. But I have a good feeling." Like Yamaguchi, Akaashi couldn't afford the doctors visits so he wouldn't know the gender until the baby was born. "It's a boy." He says, sounding like he's never been more sure of anything in his life.

"Well in that case, do you have a name picked out?" He nods, smiling down at his bump lovingly.

"Haruki." Yams smiles and reaches a hand out towards the other man's belly.

"May I?" He nods and he place his hand across his stomach, feeling the slight flutter as the pup kicks almost immediately. "Hello, Haruki." He can feel the warmth the pup gives off, the happiness of the attention he is being given. "Wow." He whisper. "He's so responsive." Akaashi nods.

"He's a needy little thing." Most pups require a lot of affection, even in the womb. It is important for pups to bond with the people close to them and it starts early on in a pregnancy. Ideally, alphas would be involved in this process because of the feeling of safety and strength they project.

"Eiji was the same way." Yamaguchi laughs. "He'd always kick and demand more attention." The kicking starts to get softer the longer his hand rests over Akaashi's bump and soon all is calm again.

"He must really like you." Akaashi tells him.

"Of course he does. I'm his favorite uncle."

"You take that back right now." They both turn to see Suga approaching, Keiko strapped to his chest with a sling wrap, fast asleep. He comes to sit on the other side of Akaashi.

"And where were you?" Tadashi asks teasingly. "I'd say being late doesn't exactly make you favorite uncle material." He huffs in annoyance.

"I'm sorry, okay? I swear I left the house on time, I just had a bit of a run in with an alpha on my way here." The other two both sit up straight at that.

"What happened?"

"Are you okay?" They ask in unison.

He waved his hands out in front of him, shaking his head.

"No, no! It wasn't like that at all. I'm fine! He was-" He pauses, seemingly trying to come up with the right word. "He was different."

"Oh?" Akaashi sounds skeptical. Suga swats him on the shoulder.

"He was! He ran into me on the sidewalk and Keiko woke up and she started crying. He was so polite and I could tell how bad he felt and he kept asking if we were okay. I've just.." He pauses for a moment. "I've never seen an alpha act like that. Ever."

"Just because they seem nice at first doesn't mean they're a good alpha." Yamaguchi says quietly, the bruise on his jaw starts to ache. They look at him sadly. They both already know about the Jun situation. Of course they do, he tells them everything.

"I know, Tadashi. I know." He says reassuringly. "It's not like I threw myself at him." Tasashi chuckles at that. "But that wasn't all." He continues. "I was so nervous about the whole situation, I was freaking out and I think Keiko could feel it because I couldn't get her to calm down." He contemplates his next words as Yams and Akaashi practically lean forward in anticipation. "He started releasing this calming pheromones. I calmed down almost instantly." We stare at him with wide eyes. "And that's not even all. Keiko stopped crying and she was back asleep in minutes. I never thought an alpha would be able to calm me like that."

It is quiet for a long moment as they all sit and contemplate what he had just told them. It is strange. It is quiet uncommon, especially in this environment for an alpha to provoke any feeling in an omega that wasn't fear or submission, safety least of all. In Tadashi's entire life there had only been one alpha that made him feel comfortable and safe, happy even. But he avoids thinking about him nowadays.

"Well." Akaashi finally breaks the silence and they both look at him, waiting for any sort of reaction. "Was he hot?" Suga gasps, offended.

"What do you take me for? What, I'm just some omega who will fall for any alpha who shows any sort of kindness?" He turns his nose up and looks away from them. They watch him for a few second before he slumps, leaning his forehead on Akaashi's shoulder with a whine. "He was so hot. Smelled good too." Akaashi and Yams smirked at each other.

"Care to elaborate?" He asks him. He sighs.

"He was tall. He had dark hair, kind eyes. This stupid boyish smile." He blushes as he continues. "Broad shoulders. He was wearing a stupid tight muscle shirt that showed of his huge arms. He had this beautiful crow tattoo on his bicep and I-" He cuts off suddenly when he sees the way that they're smirking at him. "Shut up." He huffs, once again pouting.

The day passes calmly, the boys playing in the park while the adults just sit and talk, enjoying the presence of other omegas. Eiji toddles over eventually and Akaashi lifts him up on to his lap so he can get a better look at the baby. He stares at her curiously as she wakes up from her nap and blinks up at him, eyes wide. Eiji grips Akaashi's shirt tightly and starts to bounce like he does when he's excited.

"You have to be careful, baby." Tadashi tells him, gently putting his hand on the boy's shoulder to make him stop. "There's another baby in there." He points to Akaashi's stomach. Eiji stares at it for a long while before looking over to Keiko with a confused expression then back at Tadashi. He nods. Eiji shifts himself so he is facing Akaashi before wrapping his little arms as far around the bump as they will go and pressing his ear against it.

"Baby?"

"Yes." Akaashi laughs. "That's Haruki." Eiji snuggles closer and soon dozes off on Akaashi.

"I've been meaning to talk to you guys." Suga says, shifting so that his body faces the other two. "About maybe moving in together, forming a pack den. It would be safer and probably cheaper, you know? And we could care for each other. We could do our cuddle puddles every night instead of once a week. Akaashi, I know how touch starved you can get. I think it would be better for us all."

What he was proposing makes sense. It makes so much sense and Tadashi knows how much he wants that. Having the support of his friends anytime? Having them to help him with the boys and with his panic attacks? And he's right, Akaashi does get touch starved easily, though he'd never admit it, and it happens to both Tadashi and Suga often enough. You'd think it would be impossible in their line of work but getting paid to let someone fuck you does not have the same effect as personal, affectionate attention and platonic scenting. Sometimes omegas just need omegas. Which is why this would be such a good idea. It would eliminate so many of their problems. But he knows that he can't. Jun would never let it happen.

"He'd never allow it." He says quietly. Akaashi grabs his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"You could leave him." He says. "Just pack up and go without saying a thing, it would be nearly impossible for him to find you." He squeezes his eyes shut. He wanted so badly to leave, to do exactly as Akaashi said and rid himself ab his children of Jun permanently. But he was so scared of him.

"I'll think about it." He says.

"That's all we ask." Suga responds. With that, the boys return from they're playing, having worn themselves out. They decide it's best for them all to head home to get some rest before work tonight, something they all dread. He returns Eiji, who is still knocked out, to his stroller and says goodbye to his friends before they head home. He uses the walk to mentally prepare himself for the long night ahead.

Chapter Text

A Few Hours Ago

Daichi POV:

Daichi hurries down the busy streets of the city. He is fuming. His intel guys have brought it to his attention that another gang has been encroaching in his territory, they've only set up one club but apparently it had been here for years, he clenches his jaw in frustration that this hasn't been brough to his attention sooner. The fact that another gang leader has the audacity to think he can come and take his city? He doesn't think so.

He inherited the gang from his father when he turned 18, making him the youngest gang leader in the country, a title he still holds at 24. They practically own this city, something that him and his father and his father's father before him worked very hard for. Even the cops turn a blind eye as long as there is no unnecessary violence and we keep sex trafficking rings out of the city, a term he gladly agree to. He's not giving it all up for some asshole who doesn't understand how boundaries work.

Kenma has reported he believes it to be Lions, a gang that runs the city a few towns over. Daichi had decided it's best to do some more digging before jumping to conclusion, though Kenma is very rarely wrong. They'll just have to catch them red handed.

He'd decided it would be best to scope out one of the clubs where the reports have come from, which is where he's headed now. Despite his rage he is alert as ever, constantly scanning the street for threats, checking behind me to assure He's not being followed. He knows Bokuto is near, mixed into the crowd somewhere. This time when he look behind himself he sees the same man as he had two blocks ago. His instincts kick in instantly but he reigns them in. The man could just be heading in the same direction, He will have to add a few extra turns into his route just to be sure. When he risks a glance back one more time he feels himself collide with something. No, someone. They stumble backwards and almost fall but his reflexes don't allow it. He reaches out, grabbing their arms to steady them.

"I'm so sorry." The man says quickly, taking a step back, arms wrapped around the small bundle wrapped to his chest. A baby, Daichi realizes, who has now begun to wail pitifully. Guilt floods him instantly, she couldn't have been more than a few weeks old.

"No, no, that was completely my fault, I'm so sorry." He speaks quickly but softly. He can smell the twinge of distress the omega is giving off and his eyes look apologetic and fearful. Daichi tries to ignore the way his heart picks up speed, telling himself that it's due to adrenaline and not how beautiful this stranger is. His eyes instinctually dart to the shorter male's neck, searching for a bond mark but finding none. He kicks himself mentally, he doesn't even know this omega but he is already in awe, he has beautiful silver hair and soft features. His eyes are hazel and there is a beauty mark just under the left one. Daichi nearly melts.

"I-it's okay." The other man says quietly. He starts to rock the child gently in an attempt to comfort her but to no avail. Daichi assumes the child can smell her mother's distress. Before he knows it, he is releasing his calming scent to relax the mother and his child.

"Is she alright?" He ask him with the best calming voice he can muster, not one he typically uses in his line of work. The other man nods at him and he knows by his scent that he is calming down. He can smell the vanilla scent flowing off him in waves. Once again his instincts decide to be nosy without his permission and he inhales the scent, searching for any traces of an alpha. The mix of scents confuses him slightly, he can pick up on several alphas which makes him stiffen unconsciously. He also picks up on two more prominent scents, omegas. One smelling of eucalyptus and the other... is that? He sniffs again focusing on one scent in particular. Lilac? He'll have to file that away for later.

"She's okay." He replies, looking down at his daughter softly before turning his big eyes up to look at Daichi.

"And you?" He forces his body not to take a step closer like it wants to. "Are you okay? I didn't mean to bowl into you like that." The silver haired man lets out a small laugh and Daichi feels his face heat up.

"I'm alright. Thank you." The baby has now stopped crying completely and he relaxes his scent quickly. He scratches the back of his neck and laughs awkwardly. He needs to focus.

"I.. I should get going. I'm sorry, again." He says as he starts to move past him. He spares once last glance and nearly trips when he sees the small smirk the omega gives him as he passes by. Damn.

He forces himself to continue and focus at the task at hand. He arrives at his destination soon after. The process of scouting out the exterior of the club takes a couple of minutes. He mentally takes note of the windows and doors on all sides, it is necessary to now all of the possible exits before going in. Once he is sure he knows all the entrances by heart he starts on his way back to the pack house.

***
5 Hours Later

He sits in one of the meeting rooms they have in the house, though it was more of mansion. Only his closest, most trusted members live in the house with him and he looks around the table where they all sit, waiting for him to give his orders.

Bokuto was on his right, his large arms crossed over his chest, bicolored hair spiked up with gel. Next to him was Kuroo, in his lap sat one of the omega members, Kenma. He was staring down at his game as he usually is but Daichi knew he would process all the information being given regardless. Next was Iwaizumi, face set in his usual scowl, he was followed by Asahi, despite his looks his personality was as far from what you'd expect in a gang but he was reliable. Tendou sat beside him, the only other omega besides Kenma who was in his small circle, there were many others in the gang but none that Daichi trusted as much as these two. Lastly, to his left, was Tsukishima, who stared blankly ahead, looking bored.

Tsukishima's father was a good friend of Daichi's dad. He had met him when they were still very young children and they had been raised knowing that this was their future. He's always known that he would be here beside him through this and he had never once let him down.

"Okay. Listen up." He uses his leader voice, projecting his dominant scent ever so slightly to get their attention. "We're scouting the inside of the club tonight, I want the layout of anything and everything. I want to know how many people they've got there, if they're planning on spreading to more parts of the city." They each listen intently.

"Kuroo, I want you looking into staff, if they're all gang members, get me numbers and if you can dig deep enough I'd like some insight on the hierarchy. Try to ask around, get as much information as you can." Kuroo was sneaky, he was a good liar and even better at getting information from people.

"Tsukishima, I want you to watch, bring me anything and everything that might be suspicious." Tsukishima had always been great at taking in his surroundings, despite coming off as bored and uncaring, he could take in and remember the smallest of details at any time. Tendou was the same but Daichi felt uncomfortable sending him into a situation that would most likely put him in danger as an omega.

"Bokuto, you stay at the bar. I need you there in case things go bad so keep and eye on Kuroo and Tsukishima, okay?" Bokuto salutes me with a determined look on his face. He was nowhere near as subtle as the others but was always useful in a tough situation, mainly if things got physical.

"I'm going to try to find a way to the back, see if they have any storages, hidden rooms, drugs, guns, anything so we'll know what we're dealing with." He knows it can be risky for him as the leader to put himself into the situation but it had never stopped him before. If he's sending his men out in to danger, then he's making sure their leader is beside them.

"Why go through all the trouble?" Tsukishima rolls his eyes. "When we can just go in there and make them pay, get it over with."

"Like I said, we don't know what we're dealing with here. We can't just go in guns blazing and expect the best. We also need to handle this on the down low, or do you forget our agreement with the police? Besides, there are probably innocent people in there that we wouldn't want to hurt." Tsukishima rolls his eyes once again but Daichi knows him well enough to know he agrees.

"Well, somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed." Kuroo laughs. "Still haven't found your boy yet?" Tsukishima responds with a growl, causing Kenma to lean back into Kuroo, slightly cowering at the sign of alpha aggression is thrown in his general direction. Kuroo raises in hand up in surrender as his other arm wraps itself around Kenma's waist to comfort him. "Sorry. Didn't mean to strike a nerve." It's Daichi's turn to roll his eyes. Leave it to Kuroo to cause drama without even trying.

"That's all for right now. Bokuto, Kuroo, Tsukishima, be ready at 11:00." They nod before everyone stands to leave. "Tsukishima." He stops on his way out the door and turns back to Daichi. "We need to talk." He comes back to his seat.

"Look, you don't have to worry, I'm not gonna blow the place up."

"It's not about that." He raises a questioning eyebrow. "This boy that you've been looking for." He instantly sits up, waiting for what Daichi about to say. "You said he smelled like lilacs, right?" He nods almost frantically.

"I did. Did you find him? Is he in the city? Was he okay?" He starts bombarding Dachi with questions and he raises his hands up.

"I don't know. I didn't actually find him but I ran into an omega today. He had a bunch of different scents on him and one of them was lilac. I don't know if it was him and I'm not sure how I would possibly find that omega again but I thought I'd let you know. I know you've been searching for a long time." Tsukishima's eyes are full of emotion, something he's not used to seeing. He nods before standing and moving to the door.

"Thank you for telling me." He says it so quietly I barely hear him before he leaves.

***

Tsukishima POV:

"I'm sorry, Tsukishima."

Those words had plagued his nightmares for years now. The last words he had heard from the freckled boy before he had disappeared completely from his life. That hadn't been what he wanted, not really. He'd wanted to keep the boy safe. He knew what his future looked like and he knew that it was no place for someone as kind and gentle as Yamaguchi Tadashi. He hadn't wanted him to get hurt.

He was young and stupid. He'd believed that the omega would be better off without him, instead leaving him on his own with practically nothing. It was his first year of high school when he realized his feelings for the younger boy, but he knew immediately that if he truly cared for him he would have to create distance between them. So he did. He just had to apply the same cold exterior to Yamaguchi as he does to anyone else.

It was a simple concept, but it was not easy. Practically ignoring his best friend that he just happened to have feelings for took a toll on him. He stopped reaching out, no longer texting or calling Tadashi first, no longer initiating plans to hang out. When Tadashi would initiate contact he would respond with dry, short answers, saying he was busy. On their walks home he would have to remain aloof and uncaring as the smaller boy rambled about his day, or about the book he had just finished, the plants he was growing, the cat he'd seen on his way to school that morning. Tsukishima struggled to keep up his wall as every sentence that left the boy's mouth caused him to fall harder for him.

He got better as it as the years went on, but that didn't stop him from admiring him from a distance. He never gave up on walking with him though. He'd seen the way the other alphas looked at Tadashi and he wasn't about to let them have the chance to swoop in and take him.

The truth was, Tsukishima hated himself. He knew Tadashi was lonely. He knew he was confused as to why his only friend had suddenly pulled back. While Tsukishima had been able to make a few friends in order to distract himself, Tadashi was alone the majority of the time. Tsukishima hated it, but he couldn't give in.

The night of graduation had been a mistake. He had had quite a bit to drink and was in the midst of a loud conversation between a group of alphas when he froze. There were so many scents filling the large house, permeating the air, but he had always been able to pick out that lilac scent anywhere. Without a second thought, he follows the scent, his brain fuzzy from the alcohol he'd consumed. When he found the source of the scent, what he saw had consumed him with rage.

That alpha was on 'Dashi, and he looked terrified. Before he knew it, the alpha was in the floor cowering and retreating. He turned to Tadashi who was also on the floor, shaking. Tsukishima went to him immediately and pulled him to his chest, tears were streaming down the constellations on his cheeks. He scooped him up and took him home. To Tsukishima's own home. He was running completely on instinct and he needed the omega safe, he needed to know that nothing could reach him. he hadn't meant to sleep with him that night, especially since he knew they couldn't be together. But he was a mess of alcohol, hormones, and emotions. He couldn't control himself.

When he woke up that morning he was consumed with self hatred. He couldn't let this go on anymore. He forced himself to project those feelings on to the sweet, innocent boy that he couldn't help but feel he had just taken advantage of. When he saw the smaller boy cowering on the bed because of him his heart ripped completely in two. Once he was gone he knew that was it. He couldn't contact him anymore. It would only get worse.

That night two months later he had been on a call with Daichi when his phone beeped with another call. He looked down to see who was calling, confused. Tadashi?

He had tried so hard to ignore it, to hang up and continue his conversation with Daichi, but he couldn't. Why would the boy be calling him so late at night? He could be hurt. He sighed and answered the call, trying to ignore the butterflies in his stomach as well as the ache in his heart as he heard the boy's voice for the first time in two months.

The car ride had been the most painful half hour of his life. Tadashi had looked so scared and upset and Tsukishima wanted nothing more than to take him into his arms and tell him everything would be okay. When Tadashi had told him that his parents had kicked him out, he gripped the wheel so hard his fingers started to hurt. No, he couldn't take him home with him. He was leaving for the city in a matter of days to join a dangerous gang, he wouldn't drag 'Dashi into it.

When he pulled up to the hotel it had been a disaster. Tadashi had told him he loved him. Tsukishima couldn't handle this. Why did he have to make this so much harder. Tsukishima put his defenses up. He'd said some things that he knew had hurt the younger boy, that he knew he couldn't take back.

He'd watched as the omega grabbed the backpack and got out of the car, pausing for a moment.

"I'm sorry, Tsukishima." Don't apologize to me 'Dashi. You deserve so much better. Yamaguchi closed the door and turned to face the hotel. Tsukishima couldn't stay any longer, he'd driven away instantly. As soon as he'd pulled into the driveway of his house he had let the tears fall. It was very rare that Tsukishima cries, but if breaking his own heart wasn't enough, breaking the heart of the boy he loved sure did the trick.

It wasn't until the next morning that he'd learned of his mistake.

"Where has Yamaguchi been these days?" His mother had asked him as she helped him pack his belongings. She'd always liked the young omega, he'd always been so sweet and polite.

"We don't talk anymore." He said plainly, in an attempt to end the conversation. She looks at him, confused. "Long story."

"Won't you want to say goodbye to him?" She pushes her hand through his hair, tilting his head back to look up at her. "We can stop by and see the Yamaguchis on our way out of town?" His parents were driving down to help him move his stuff into the city before returning to their lives here. Tsukishima shakes his head.

"He doesn't live there anymore."

"What do you mean?" She looks concerned.

"His parents kicked him out." He explains.

"And who is he staying with?" She sounds almost frantic, catching Kei's attention.

"He's not staying with anyone, I dropped him off at a hotel."

"You-" She stood up so quickly, eyes wide. "You dropped him off at a hotel?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Kei, do you you have any idea what it's like for omegas to be out there by themselves?" The truth was he didn't. The only omegas he knew personally other than Tadashi were his mother and grandmother, both of whom had always seemed perfectly fine. "It's dangerous, Kei. It's so dangerous, you can't leave him there." She sounds so afraid and it's starting to scare him.

"No I- I wanted to protect him from us. From our lifestyle." His mother knew very well what this life could be like, she had stayed by his fathers side while he was in the gang, had witnessed many of the horrible things that come with it.

"I know, I know Honey." She strokes his cheek gently. "But the world outside of ours can be just as cruel. Worse if he doesn't have you to be with him, to protect him."

"I don't want him to get hurt because of me." A tear make it's way down his face. She wiped it away with her thumb.

"Then be the reason he doesn't get hurt." It all hit him then. If he wanted Tadashi safe, who could he better trust to protect him than himself?

"Shit." He bolts up from where he had been sitting on the edge of his bed. "Shit. I have to go get him." She opens the door for him and waves him out. He rushes to the car and speeds down the street.

He couldn't believe how stupid he had been, pushing Tadashi away for months when he should have been right there by his side.

It's not until he talks to the woman at the front desk that he realizes Tadashi had never even entered the hotel in the first place. He must've gone somewhere else, thought Tsukishima had absolutely no idea where that may be.

He had lost him.

***

Tsukishima sits at the table of the large, modern style kitchen, consumed by his memories of the beautiful omega. He sees the boy everywhere, even now. Images of him reading one of his books, surrounded by the flowers in the garden behind the pack house, lounging on top of the covers of Tsukki's bed when the evening sun hits them just right, his freckles caught in the soft light, baking in the kitchen, humming along to his favorite music.

He's snapped out is his thoughts by a hand on his shoulder. He jumps, wrapping his own hand around the wrist tightly and turning to see who had grabbed him.

"Jesus, Daichi. I almost broke your arm." He sighs. Daichi laughs and holds his arms up in surrender.

"I'm sorry, Tsukishima. I didn't mean to startle you." Tsukishima takes off his glasses, rubbing his eyes.

"It's alright, I was just distracted."

"Well," Daichi claps his hands together. "Let's pull it together, it's time to go."

Chapter Text

Yamaguchi POV:

Tadashi moved quickly around the kitchen, trying to prepare Aito's dinner as quickly as possible. The rice was already cooking and he just had to prep the chicken before he could cook that as well. The boys were on the couch, huddled together and watching Madagascar on his phone that he had allowed them to use. It wasn't often that they got to watch movies and this was Eiji's favorite to watch. He liked the giraffe and always giggled happily when he was on screen.

As he finished up cooking, he called Aito over so he could lift him up to the sink to wash his hands. When the small boy was seated at the table, he brought him the chicken teriyaki he had prepared and the boy immediately started to clumsily shovel the food into his mouth. Tadashi had fed Eiji his soft baby food about an hour ago but now was time for his bottle. Just like Aito, Eiji liked to be held while he drank his milk, holding the bottle with his two tiny hands and gulping it down while looking up at his mother with his big blue eyes that were beginning to droop.

Once he was finished, Tadashi took him into their bedroom and change his diaper before laying him down, giving him his pacifier and his giraffe blanket, along with the little giraffe toy that he loved so much. Tadashi gave him a kiss on the head before touching his forehead to the child's.

"Goodnight, my baby. I love you. Mommy will see you in the morning." And with that he left the bedroom, turning off the lights and closing the door softly behind him. Aito was putting his plate by the sink again, his little responsible boy. When he turned and saw that Tadashi was getting ready to leave he ran to his mother, wrapping his arms around his leg and pressing his face against his thigh. Tadashi bent over to pick up his son.

"I'll miss you too." He giggled. He presses his nose to Aito's cheek. "I love you so much, my sweet boy." He brings him to the couch and sets him down gently, wrapping the throw blanket around him and placing Dino beside him. "Try to get some sleep for me?" Aito nodded, as he always did and Tadashi knew it was useless. "I'll be back in a few hours. Take care of your brother." He places one last kiss atop the boy's head before hurrying towards the door before his son could see the tears in his eyes.

***

In the locker room of the club, Tadashi changed into his performance clothes. Tonight he was wearing a tight, white pair of booty shorts with thigh high socks to match. He also wears a cropped, baby pink top with a matching lacy bralette under it. Although he no longer had his pregnancy breasts, many alphas liked the feminine touch it gave, it also left more to the imagination and many of the male omegas wore them while working. Tonight, he wore a white collar instead of black. The light colors he chose along with his freckles gave him the innocent look that Sato-San always told him 'brought in the big bucks.' Innocence. Tadashi almost laughed. This was no place for innocence.

He slammed his locker shut and moved to sit at one of the vanities lining the opposite wall where he would put on the first of many faces of makeup for the night. At some point, while he was doing his eyeliner, Akaashi came and sat beside him to work on his face as well. Since he wouldn't be dancing, Akaashi's outfit was rather plain, he wouldn't be wearing clothes for most of the night anyway. Tadashi cringes at that thought. The steely eyed omega was dressed in a soft bodycon dress that hugged his form snuggly, showing off his 6 month bump. A pang of sympathy overwhelms Tadashi, Akaashi was surely in for another long night.

Tadashi keeps the look simple, winged eyeliner, mascara, and blush, finishing it off with a swipe of lip gloss that gives his lips a pink sheen. He looks at the time. He has to go on in 5 minutes. He lets out a heavy sigh before turning to Akaashi.

"Be careful tonight." It was something they always told each other, it allowed them to stay in their little fantasy bubble where they actually had control over whether or not something bad would happen to them tonight.

"You too." Akaashi said with a small smile that didn't quite hide the dread in his eyes.

With that, Yamaguchi headed out to the wings of the large stage, displayed front and center in the main stage of the bar. He had danced on the smaller stages on either side of the large one as well as in the cages that were further back, placed sparsely throughout the tables. If he had to choose, he liked the cages best, there was always less attention than on the big stage and the bars prevented unwanted touching.

He shook his head of the thoughts. He was on the main stage tonight, nothing he could do about it. He should be thankful, he'd be able to collect a lot more money this way, but that didn't stop the sick feeling in his stomach that he always had before performing.

The omega that had performed before him leaves the stage, passing Tadashi and giving him a short nod of acknowledgment that he returns before turning his attention back to the stage, eyes not leaving the pole in front of him. He takes a deep breath and dons his practiced smirk as the music begins.

***

Tsukishima POV:

The club is an obnoxious place, almost pitch black save for the neon lights that shoot around the entirety of the dance floor. The smell of sweat and arousal all but attacks his senses and he can practically feel the music in his bones due to the sheer volume. Thankfully, he had been instructed to sit in the less obnoxious part of the club, closer to the bar.

He orders a drink first, without sparing a glance at Bokuto, who had taken it upon himself to start flirting with the bartender right off the bat. She seems to take a liking to him, however, and Tsukishima wonders if Bokuto might come out of the club tonight with some useful information. Impressed, he walks back to an empty both and begins to seriously take in his surroundings.

The club is quite busy tonight, packed to the brim with alphas as well as the occasional beta. Some were in groups and others alone, but they were all in search of entertainment in one form or another. Pushed against the walls throughout the seating area were cages that held barely clothed omega dancers, each one surrounded by a small crowd that was either holding out bills or stuffing them through the bars.

He stayed where he was for about 10 minutes, busy people watching. He kept his eyes open for anyone who looked important or seemed suspicious. He's about to get up to grab another drink when two alphas pass by his table. 

"-wants to try to take the current ruling gang of the city? That's just ballsy." Instantly perking up, Tsukishima waits for them to get to a reasonable distance before standing to follow loosely. He can't follow close enough to hear the continuation of the conversation without risk of looking suspicious. Then men join the crowd in front of the stage. Easy enough, he can stand close enough under the guise of watching the show, though he takes no interest in the omega strutting on the stage.

Unfortunately, the alphas do take an interest and their conversation ceases. Tsukishima rolls his eyes as the song ends. But when the next one starts up his breath catches in his throat. The new dancer's appearance feels like a punch to the gut, a familiarity that forces the breath from his lungs. It's not until he sees the galaxies on the boys cheeks that he knows.

"'Dashi." He whispers the name as he stares at the young man, eyes wide. He looks so different from the last time he saw him, yet exactly the same.

Tsukishima clenches his fists as the reality of the situation hits him full force. Tadashi is dressed in the tiniest shorts Tsukishima has ever seen, along with a crop top and thigh high socks. A pink collar is wrapped around his throat, the name of the club written in cursive letters, letting the crowd know where he belongs. He walks seductively to the stripper pole at the center of the stage with a small smirk. Even after years without seeing him, Tsukishima could tell that the smile didn't reach his eyes.

Tadashi spins once around the pole gracefully, arching his back beautifully to show off his lithe form. The crowd cheers as he drags his hand slowly down his body, moving his hips sensually. Tsukishima feels his nails break the skin on his palms as the omega slowly pulls his shirt up and over his head, revealing a lacy bralette underneath. He returns to the pole and bends backwards, grabbing it over his head.

Tsukishima watches in both horror and amazement as Tadashi slowly raises his body of the floor, long legs moving higher and higher until he is upside down, still holding himself up with just his arms. His legs fall into a split as the audience erupts into cheers again, alphas throwing more cash on to the stage that is already littered with bills. He holds the position for a few seconds before proceeding to wrap his legs around the pole, gracefully sliding down to the floor. Once in an upright position, he kneels, leaning back and pushing his hips forward as he undoes the top button of his shorts. The crowd grows louder at this and Tsukishima cringes.

"God, he looks so innocent." One of the alphas he had been following says to his companion. "I'd love to show him what a real good time looks like." Tsukishima has to hold himself back from pulling out the gun concealed in his waistband and shooting the man in the head.

Luckily, Tadashi stops before he takes his shorts off completely, flashing a teasing smile before he starts to crawl slowly, on all fours  towards the crowd. When he gets to the edge of the stage, he kneels once again, leaning back on his hands and allowing the viewers in the front of the crowd to slide their hands up his thighs and slip bundled up cash into the waistband of his shorts as well as the hem of his thigh-highs. Tsukishima feels sick.

He sighs in relief when Tadashi stands up again and walks back to the pole, swaying his hips and earning hoots and whistles from crowd. When he gets back, he grabs the pole with one hand and bends back, head leaning back to show off his collared neck, he lifts one of his legs at an angle and the lights flicker out, save for the backdrop that is still lit up, leaving just his silhouette for a few moments before the song ends and the stage is consumed in complete darkness. The crowd erupts into cheers once more and Tsukishima returns to the bar. He needs another drink.

He spends the next 10 minutes at the bar, downing several shots. Bokuto, who had thus far done a fine job of acting like he doesn't have a clue who Tsukishima is, eyes him suspiciously. Raising a questioning brow when Tsukishima looks up at him. Tsukishima stands from the bar. Fuck it. This was the man he'd been searching for for 4 years, he wasn't going to lose him now.

He walks away, a man on a mission, ignoring the confused look of Bokuto following him. He nearly regrets finding him when he lays eyes on the omega. Tadashi's shorts are finally buttoned back up but the crop top he had been wearing earlier was nowhere to be seen. He straddles the waist of the alpha from earlier, who has one hands placed on the omega's thigh, the other holding a blunt. He holds the joint up to Tadashi, who leans forward to take a hit. He puts his face back into the crook of the alphas neck before blowing the smoke out against his skin, the alpha leans his head back and groans softly as he grinds against him. Tsukishima can feel the beginnings of a growl deep in his chest.

It's then that Tadashi's eyes snap up to meet his own. The omega freezes, stunned, eyes widening in surprise. Tsukishima can't find it in himself to move, he's too stunned. Looking into those beautiful eyes for the first time in years. The pain and the fear within them causes Tsukishima's heart to squeeze sympathetically.

Before he can pull himself together, the alpha grabs Yams by the chin and turns him back to look at him. He says something before Tadashi leans in, mouth grazing the alpha's ear and whispers something to him. The alpha seems to perk up at his words and they both stand. Tsukishima's stomach ties itself into knots as he watches the omega leads the large man by the hand to the back of the club, where there is more than likely private rooms. Before they disappear down the hall, Tadashi looks over his shoulder at Tsukishima one last time.

***

Yamaguchi POV:

Yamaguchi found himself in a similar position as he had the night before. The alpha had wanted him to present himself in a similar way as his last client last night. However, this time the alpha had wanted his arms tied behind his back. This alpha was also much more rough than the other one, Tadashi hadn't thought it possible, yet here he lay as the large man rammed into him, crying out in pain with every thrust.

"Fuck, you’re so good. Such a good little girl for me." The alpha grunts out from behind clenched teeth.

"Just for you, Daddy. Make me feel so good." Tadashi forces away the cringe that emerges as the words leave his mouth. This was at the request of the alpha and he'd like a decent pay for the trouble he is going through. The alpha groans.

"I knew it was all an act, pretending to be all innocent when really you're just a whore who will spread his legs at the first sign of dick." His hips stutter and Tadashi squeezes his eyes shut with a whimper. It'll all be over soon. And it was.

The alpha pulls out and stands, grabbing a fistful of Tadashi's hair and yanking his head up to look at him. His eyeliner has smudged with the few tears that had managed to escape and his lipgloss was smeared around his mouth.

"What a pretty little mess you make." The alpha sneers before getting dressed and roughly undoing the knots keeping Tadashi's arms behind his back. He fishes the money from his pocket and presses it against Tadashi's chest, leaning in to whisper in his ear. "I'll be back again."

Tadashi shivers and moves his hand up to take the money before the alpha turns and struts out of the room. It was only then that Tadashi allowed himself to be able to process what had just happened. He had seen Tsukki. Even worse, Tsukki had seen him. Seen him draped across a random alpha in some random club, flirting shamelessly. The look in his eyes had been more than Yamaguchi could bear. He had grown even taller since high school, Tadashi hadn't thought it possible, and his shoulders were broader, arms thicker, hair slightly longer but just as soft as it had been years ago. His arms were now covered with black ink, the tattoos complementing the slight curves of his muscles. He had looked good. And he had seen Tadashi like this.

"Oh god." He grasps at his chest as he tries to fill his lungs, failing miserably as he starts to hyperventilate. His heart rate has increased significantly and his hands begin shaking uncontrollably. He holds he face in his hands as he sinks further into a panic attack. He's experienced countless in the past four years and has been able to adjust and deal with them on his own. But it seems he can no longer remember how to do so when the same man who used to help him through them was right outside, on the floor of the club. And he probably never wanted to see Tadashi ever again.

He forced his mind to be rational and eventually started his counting method, picking out five things he could see. The rumpled bedsheets, the carpeted floor, the red door, the tinted window, and the maroon drapes surrounding it. Then he found four things to feel. The soft pillowcase, the smooth, wooden bed frame, the bumpy wall, and his sweaty hair.

Three is when things started to go downhill. What could he hear? The sounds of moaning from the rooms on either side of his, the muted thumping of the music from the floor, the yelling of a fighting couple in the alleyway outside the window. Two things he could smell? Sweat and alpha pheromones. What could he taste, still the musty taste from when the alpha had shoved his dick into Tadashi's mouth and fucked his throat raw. So much for calming down.

Tadashi's breathing only got worse. How had he gotten here? Ten years ago, if you'd asked young Tadashi where he saw himself in the future, this would not have been the answer. Hell, it wouldn't have been the answer 5 years ago. Just 5 years ago he had been just a regular high schooler, sure he wasn't the happiest but he went to school, he lived with his family, he had a best friend. And now he was here.

He couldn't be here. He had to be anywhere but here for just a few moments to get control of himself. He quickly threw his clothes back on, even the thigh highs in he weak attempt to maintain appearances. He struggled with opening the door for a few moments before throwing it open and rushing out. He yelps when a hand wraps around his wrist and stops him in his tracks.

"Now what's happening here?" Sato-San speaks in a sickly sweet voice but his face conveys a hint of anger.

"I need a break." Tadashi forces the words out of his mouth. "Just a few minutes."

"I think we're forgetting something, doll." He holds his hand out. Tadashi all but throws the money at Sato-San and rushes out to the back door as soon as he is released. The cold November air hits him like a ton of bricks and he gasps at the cold. He walks over to lean against the wall of the club before sliding to the filthy ground and pulling his legs to his chest, burying his face into his knees as his attack continues.

Chapter Text

Tsukishima POV:

An hour passes and Tsukishima had all but forgotten his assignment. He doesn't care about the intel, he doesn't care about the intrusion on their territory, he doesn't care about the fucking gang. All he cares about is the man that just disappeared into that dim hallway with another alpha an hour ago. He hasn't focused on anything other than the darkness beyond it since.

When the large alpha emerges, Tsukishima practically shoots out of his seat and approaches the hallway. As he passes the alpha he walks straight into the other man's shoulder, causing him to stumble back. He may have been large but Tsukishima had a good few inches on him and was fueled by the anger from smelling Tadashi on the alpha. The alpha responds with nothing more than a growl and a grumbled 'watch it' before he continues on his way out of the club. Tsukishima doesn't stray from his path walking right through the dim hallway until it split into two separate corridors.

He could hear through some of the doors, moans and grunts of pleasure. He didn't need to guess what went on back here. He peered down each corridor, one was empty and there was an old, chubby man standing in the other. Tsukishima takes a step back, ensuring the man can't see him as he peers around the corner. It's hard to tell if he works here or if he's another patron awaiting a turn. Tsukishima doesn't get to think too long about it before one of the doors slams open and a young man rushes out. He doesn't need to see his face to know it's Tadashi. He rushes past the older alpha but his small wrist is suddenly snatched and he is yanked back against the man. Tsukishima nearly begins to charge him. How dare he grab Tadashi like that. No one should be thrown around in such a way.

"Now what's happening here?" The man says with a rough voice. He can't hear what the response is but it comes out quietly, rushed and broken up by ragged breaths. Tsukishima knows the signs immediately. A panic attack. "Aren't we forgetting something, doll." The man's voice is suggestive and disturbing, it send chills down Tsukishima's spine. Tadashi throws what looks to be a roll of bills at the man, who releases him to catch it before the younger darts away. Tsukishima doesn't hesitate before following him.

He follows the omega to the left as he heads further back into what seems to be a labyrinth of rooms, passing what looks to be a changing room of sorts before heading out the exit at the very back of the building. Tsukishima stops for a moment before exiting. Was this really a good idea? He had abandoned the omega years ago and had a job to be doing inside. Fuck that, Tadashi is out there, panicking and alone and he needs to put an end to it.

He pushes the door open and is met with frigid winter air. The dark alleyway seems empty at first glance but the labored breaths and sniffling say otherwise. He looks to the left where he spots Tadashi curled in on himself, in tears and struggling to breathe. He looks so small and broken and it feels like a stab to the heart. Tsukishima approaches the sobbing boy and crouches down next to him.

"'Dashi." The omega's head snaps up at the name and he comes face to face with the alpha. Another stab to the heart when he sees the smeared eyeliner and lip gloss all over the omega's face. His shoulders and collar bone are littered with dark bruises and hickeys and there is a whole bite mark on his left shoulder. A bite mark! He guesses that's another use for the collar, thank god that alpha hadn't been able to reach Tadashi's neck. Tsukishima snarls quietly. That was a worry for later, what Tadashi needed right now was to calm down.

Tsukishima reaches out for him and is surprised when he practically falls into his embrace. He recovers nearly instantly, pulling the smaller man close to his chest and bringing his face up to his neck so he can inhale his scent, it always used to calm him. Thankfully, it still seems to be the case, as Tadashi's muscles relax.

"Breathe with me, 'Dashi." He inhales deeply, knowing Tadashi can feel each of his breaths. He grabs the omega's wrist but lets go immediately when he winces. Upon further inspection, he finds the wrist to be a dark purple/blue color and he feels another pang of anger. More gently this time, he grabs the omega's hand and presses it to his chest, right above his heart so he can feel it's steady beat. Another technique that was almost always successful back in their school days. Once again, this seemed to help Tadashi greatly.

As the omega calmed down, Tsukishima leaned back against the wall and reveled in the feeling of having his 'Dashi in his arms again after four years of searching.

After about 10 minutes, the tears had stopped and his breathing had evened out even though he still trembled. It was then that he seemed to realize where he was. He gasped loudly, pushing away from Tsukishima and standing up.

"'Dashi wait-"

"Stop." The way the omega had said it was cold and sharp, causing the alpha to stop in his tracks. "Just don't. Please." He starts heading back towards the back door and Tsukishima scrambles to his feet.

"'Dashi, please. Wait. I-"

"No. Tsukishima. I'm not waiting for you."

"Please just let me explain." The omega turns on him, eyes watery.

"There's nothing to explain. We're strangers. I have my own life and you have yours, go back to it. I have work to do." Tsukishima can only stand in silence and watch him disappear back into the club.

"I'm sorry."

***

Daichi POV:

Daichi weaved through the thick crowd of the club, subtly making his way around the perimeter of the large area, he wasn't up for any surprises tonight, though he doubted they'd be raising any suspicion. He could see Bokuto sitting at the bar, chatting away with the bartender, and Tsukishima had just sat down with a drink. He couldn't see Kuroo but that's what Kuroo does, he dissapears and comes back with valuable information.

There seems to be no secluded parts closed off in the building save for a hallway that leads somewhere unknown. Daichi knows that this is where he needs to be. He sits at and empty table, setting his beer down. It will be best to just observe for now, he needs to find away to get through there, he surely can't just walk right in.

As the night progresses, he notices alphas disappearing into the hallway, led by the dancers who had plucked them from the crowd. So that's what's back there. He finds himself doubting that that's the extent of it. He startled slightly when a loud laugh comes from behind him, a hand slapping his back.

"They're quite nice to look at aren't they? You interested in some company tonight, young man?" An older alpha stands behind him, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. He looks like he had once been a strong, fit alphas but has let himself go since then. He now displays a large beer belly and thinning hair. Daichi leans back in his chair, feigning interest.

"You know, I just might be." He says smoothly. Taking a long sip from his beer. The alpha pats him harshly on the back again, nearly making him choke.

"Well, we seem to be a bit short staffed tonight, but for an alpha as.." He looks Daichi up and down, taking in his expensive suit and gold necklace. "Affluent as you, we might be able to make an exception."

"You know what?" He chugs down the rest of his beer. "That would be kindly appreciated." He reaches his hand out to the man. "Nakamura Haruo.” The man grips his in a firm handshake.

"A pleasure, Nakamura-San." The title sounds only slightly forced. Daichi can tell he is a man not fond of honorifics, one who only likes to be addressed with them. But he knows the man will address him as such anyway if it means making money from a wealthy customer. "The name's Sato."

"Ah, Sato-San." The man puffs his chest out slightly. "And are you the owner of this establishment?” He looks around, face contorted into one of awe, feigning astonishment. Sato waves a hand.

"Nah, not the owner. But I basically run the place." He rolls his eyes before clapping his hands together. "Let's get you into one of our rooms and I'll pull some strings to bring you a nice beauty to fulfill some of your needs tonight." He winks, pulling Daichi from his chair and the taller alpha almost cringes. He pushes it down, this is his way back there, he's gonna take it.

He is led down the dim hallway and to the left, they pass several doors, from which emerge some particularly obscene noises that make the alpha pick up the pace. He is led to one of the many doors and Sato opens it, gesturing for him to step inside.

"I will be right back with your company." And with that, he is gone. As much as Daichi itches to leave the room as soon as the man's footsteps retreat down the hallway he knows he can't. The older alpha would be back in a matter of minutes and it would be extremely suspicious if he came back to an empty room. Better to wait until he has more time.

While he waits he moves to the window, peering out to gage where in the building he is. Trying to make use of the incomplete map in his head from the walk here. Where could they be hiding weapons? He knows they have to have some stashed somewhere, it would take an idiot to come into another packs territory without the proper weaponry. He just needs to know how much of it they have.

Before he can think about it any further, he hears footsteps from down the hall. They come with a soft voice that speaks quickly, almost desperately.

"Sato-San, please. I can't take private customers yet."

"You can and you will. You're perfectly experienced and you know how to do it. Suck it up."

"But I haven't fully healed yet, I don't know what will happen if-" A sharp smack interrupts the pleading and Daichi stiffens.

"I've told you what to do. You're job is to do it like the obedient little bitch that you are. Is that clear." Dachi wants so badly to kick down the door and break the man's nose. He knows he can't.

"Yes, sir." If Daichi hadn't been blessed with phenomenal hearing, he wouldn't have caught the words that were spoken so quietly.

"Good. Now get in there and do your job. I'm taking another 20% of the pay for this behavior."

"Yes, sir." One pair of footsteps retreats and there's a few moments of silence before the door creaks open. Daichi is shocked when the silver haired omega from the earlier today stands before him.

He is just as beautiful as he had been earlier today, reassuring Daichi that he hadn't just made the angelic man up in his head. However, he was dressed quite differently than he had been before. He now wears a black lace-up top that shows off his small breasts as well as a short black skirt that barely covers his ass. He also wears a pair of fishnet stockings under his skirt.

The omega seems to recognize him as well and his eyes widen in surprise. Daichi's heart sinks as he realizes those eyes are also filled with tears. The omega also seems to be trembling a great deal and his distressed scent fills the small room.

"G-good evening, Sir." He bows his head, avoiding eye contact of any sort. Daichi can't imagine what he must think of him right now. Something deep within him is telling him to comfort the smaller man, to be closer. He unwillingly takes a step forward and kicks himself when the other flinches slightly and takes a step back, holding his hands up. "Look, y-you can use my mouth a-and my hands and you can fuck my thighs but please-" a small sob escapes his throat. "I-I don't think I can take a knot. You can cut the pay as you see fit but I just had a baby three weeks ago and I-I'm still healing." He finally meets my eyes with a pleading look. "Please." Daichi frantically shakes his head.

"Oh no! No I'm not going to touch you! I know how this looks and it's bad but I swear I'm not here for that okay? You're okay, I promise." The omega sniffles and looks up at him with red eyes, confused.

"Then what are you here for?" Daichi pauses. Does he tell him? It's nearly impossible that this omega be a part of the gang running the club, it's very rare that gangs let omegas join at all. Along with the fact that the omega looked about as innocent as you could get, for somebody dressed in stripper attire, that is.

"Uhhh. Business stuff?" He nearly face palmed. Here he was, the leader of one of the most feared gangs in the country, struggling to tell a simple lie because of the beauty in front of him. The omega cocked a brow, still weary.

"Business?"

"W-well, it's actually not really something I can talk about." Did he just stutter? "But if you could maybe show me around the place? I know you probably now it a lot better than I would and it would help me out a lot." He knew it was stupid, asking just anyone to help him snoop around the place, but for some reason he couldn't help but trust that the omega wouldn't eat him out. "And I can still pay!" He added on. "For your help and your discretion." The omega hesitated for a long moment, eyeing Daichi suspiciously before seeming to come to a conclusion and nodding.

"What do you need?" Daichi let out a breath of relief.

"Thank you- uh."

"Suga." The young man finally made eye contact, his small smile nearly knocking the breath out of Daichi. Suga.

"Daichi." He holds his hand out to the omega. Suga. The smaller man shakes it gently. His hand is so delicate and soft and Daichi almost hesitates to let go. "So do you know if there are any rooms back here other than the the ones you use for-" He clears his throat. "Clients? Ones you maybe haven't been in or that they keep locked?" Suga contemplates the question for a few moments.

"Well, there's a basement. But I've never been down there before and it's always locked."

"A basement? That's perfect. Who would have a key. That prick who runs this place?" Suga nodded.

"He has one, I've seen him come from there a few times. There's another man as well, one I've only seen a few times, I think he may be the owner. Those are the only two people I've ever seen go in or out."

Owner? Could it be the man behind all of this? Daichi knew he had to find out more about this man.

"The owner. What did he look like? Did he ever bring anyone else with him." Suga shook his head.

"I never saw anyone else. I don't know exactly what he looks like I've only seen him a couple of times in passing. I guess he dressed really nice? His clothing was always expensive." Daichi contemplated this for a few moments. He would need more than that.

"Did he ever request any.. services from anyone while he was here?" The omega nods almost immediately.

"He took a liking to one of my friends actually. Akaashi. Sees him every time he's here."

"Is your friend here tonight? Could we maybe talk to him?" Suga bites his lip nervously and shakes his head.

"He's very popular these days. He's busy tonight." The sadness in the omega's voice feels almost like a slap to the face and it takes everything in Daichi not to simply snatch him up and take him and his friends away from this place. He can't just kidnap a man he's just met.

"Is there any way I may be able to speak with him another time? It's quite important." Suga squints slightly, eyeing the alpha with a hint of suspicion.

"I don't know..."

"I promise, we aren't trying to hurt him, either of you. We simply need more information about the owners of this club and if you can help us out, I promise you we can keep you and your families safe."

"I don't know, Daichi-San. He works nights and he spends the days with his son. And he's not very fond of new people, especially alphas."

"Well, you can come with him! He won't have to be alone. And I have some close omega friends, I can have one of them present if it makes you more comfortable." Suga laughs lightly.

"I have my own child to take care of, Daichi-San, and I can't very well leave her with my old neighbor any more than I already do, I already ask too much of her."

"Well, you can bring the kids. We won't take long at all. And I promise, the pack house is the safest place you'll get. I'd really appreciate the help." Suga looks at him for a long while.

"I'll need to think about it and talk to Akaashi." Daichi sighs in relief.

"That's all I ask."

"Is there anything else I can do for you, Daichi-San?" Daichi hesitates, not sure if it is something he is willing to ask the omega for. He hates the mere idea of it but it could be the only way to access the basement.

"Well, maybe one thing. Do you think there may be a way for you to get that key from Sato?" Suga seems to pull back for a moment, seemingly considering the task, he cringes slightly and his slight trembling returns. Surprisingly enough, he nods.

"I-I can do that." Daichi doesn't like the look on the omega's face. "I'll need at least a few days though, he needs to be in a good mood and I need to heal a bit more but-" Daichi cuts him off abruptly.

"No, no, never mind. I'll think of another way. You don't need to do that."

"Oh, alright." With that, Daichi pulls a small slip of paper and a pen out of his suit pocket and jots down his number.

"Here." He hands it over to the omega. "Let me know if your friend is comfortable with meeting, it'd be a big help." Suga nods and tucks the paper into the neckline of his low cut shirt. Daichi tries not to stare. Tries being the keyword. Suga looks over at the clock by the door and smiles shyly.

"There's still 40 minutes left in your time." Daichi follows his gaze to the clock and sighs.

"I guess so." He leans against the wall facing the bed and slides down to the floor, stretching his long legs out in front of him.

"Oh, you don't want to sit there, they barely clean these rooms other than the sheets. Your suit looks rather expensive it might be ruined."
Daichi just waved his hand with a laugh.

"It can be cleaned, and I can always just get a new one if it comes down to it."  Suga nods and sits on the edge of the bed, wrapping his arms around himself. They sit in a semi-awkward silence for a while as Daichi tries to think of something to say, anything. Before he can get to it, Suga speaks first.

"Are you in a gang?" The words sound rushed almost. Dachi looks up and he holds his hands out in front of him. "Not that I would tell anyone if you were, I-I wouldn't do that." Daichi chuckles. He guesses it's only fair to let the omega know who he is getting involved with. He examines him carefully for a moment, although they have only just met, Suga seems like a trustworthy sort of person. Daichi had always been good at reading people.

"I am." He says simply. Suga nods again, chewing on his lip nervously. "You don't have to worry though, I'm not going to hurt you or your friend. We're not those kinds of people."

"Then what kind of people are you?” Suga tilts his head curiously. Adorable. “What is it, exactly, that you do?”

"Well besides the standard illegal activities," at Suga's curious look he elaborates. "Supplying drugs, extortion, the like." The omega's eye widen slightly. "But we mostly keep smaller gangs in check, make sure crime rates don't get out of hand."

"You have control over that?" Daichi nods in response.

"We're the biggest one in the city, we kind of run the place." He tries not to sound like a pretentious asshole when he says it.

"And the cops have never caught you?"

"Like I said, we keep others in line. We have a bit of a deal with the precinct, we help with unnecessary crime and keep human traffickers off our streets. That and a small bribe on the side and we're good to go. I guess for many it's not the ideal career path but, hey, pays pretty well." Suga leans his elbow onto his crossed legs, resting his chin in the palm of his hand.

"Hey, I'm not exactly one to judge your career choice." Daichi wasn't quite sure how to respond. He looked Suga over again, the skimpy outfit, the intense eye makeup, the collar protecting his neck and staking claim upon him.

"If you don't mind me asking, how did you end up here?"

"Same as anyone else here I guess. My parents kicked me out at 18. No one wants an omega around for longer than necessary. I got out of there and came to the city to look for a job, no one was willing to hire an unmarked omega. Too risky, I guess, they don't want any problems if an alpha were to get out of hand." He shrugged his shoulders and Daichi felt a pain in his chest at how casually he was talking about it.

"Eventually I found this place. It was a bit of an act of desperation but I needed food, needed a roof over my head, and they wanted me. It's not exactly what I dreamed of doing but, hey, I'm not homeless, right?" He was looking down at his hands, fiddling nervously with his fingers.

"And what had you dreamed of doing?" Daichi asked. Suga snapped his head up to look at him.

"Hm?"

"What was it that you dreamed of doing? Before coming here." Suga shook his head, pulling his legs up onto the bed and hugging his knees to his chest.

"It doesn't matter anymore. I work here now, I should have known it was never going to happen anyway."

"But I'd like to know. If you feel comfortable, of course. Regardless if it may happen or not, I'd like to know." Daichi couldn't help himself, he wanted to know more about the beautiful omega in front of him. Suga laughs almost shyly.

"A bakery." He all but whispers. When Daichi leans forward and raises his eyebrows, he giggles. "I wanted to own a bakery. God, it sounds so stupid now. But I always loved baking and I just wanted to do it every day."

"I don't think it sounds stupid at all. Why don't you pursue it?” Suga laughs bitterly at that.

"What world have you been living in? I couldn't be hired in a bakery, much less own one myself. It's impossible." Daichi doesn't know why he feels the need to push, maybe it's because deep down he hates that the omega is stuck here, hates that he's constantly surrounded by horny alphas who are just left to put their hands all over him.

"That's not true. If you worked hard, you could do it. It would be a hell of a lot better than staying in a place like this." He says it so much more aggressively than he means to. There is a long silence after that. Suga’s face contorts into a combination of hurt, anger, and disappointment.

"I have worked hard every single day of my life. Don't you tell me I need to work harder when everyone around me sees me as a body regardless of how hard I work." The omega stands, his voice shaking with anger and hurt. "I don't need some rich alpha boy to come tell me to follow my dreams and leave behind my livelihood. This may not be up to your standards," He gestures almost frantically around the room. "but I have rent to pay and a daughter to care for and I will do it by any means necessary. Not all of us get to run around and throw away our money ruining our perfectly good suits and replacing them at the drop of a hat. Don’t think I didn’t notice that. You may live in a world where everything you want gets handed right to you but some of us have to work our asses off in ‘places like this’ just to survive and I will not be judged for it.”

"I didn't mean to-"

"Your hour is up." Suga walks towards the door and pulls it open, holding it so the alpha may exit first. Daichi curses under his breath. He hadn't meant to offend the omega. There goes his lead. What's worse is now this beautiful man thinks he's a dick, and has good reason for it. He sighs and walks towards the door, fishing out $600 from his pocket and handing it to Suga, who takes it from him gently before closing the door behind them.

Sato waits for them at the end of the hall. The stout alpha extends his arm and Daichi's shoulders tense slightly as Suga walks right into his embrace, allowing the balding man to wrap his arm around his thin waist.

"Was your company agreeable enough, Nakamura-San?" The old man smiles slyly at Daichi as Suga hands over the money to him. Suga leans further in, avoiding meeting Daichi’s gaze. Daichi forces a satisfied smile onto his face and settles for clenching his fist tightly behind his back as the alpha hands back what can't be more than 10% of the money to Suga.

"Very. Thank you for your hospitality, Sato-San. It's is greatly appreciated." He says with a bow. Suga turns to head deeper into the maze of rooms, but not before receiving a slap on the ass from his boss, who chuckles as he watches the retreating omega with hungry eyes. Daichi's jaw starts to ache from clenching his teeth.

"Well." Sato claps his hands together loudly. "Will that be all you require tonight, sir?"

"Yes, that will be all. Thank you." He throws in another quick bow before rushing back to the club floor to retrieve his men. It was time to go, and all he could leave with was a rough map in his head and a lead that he had screwed up horribly.

Shit.

Chapter Text

Sugawara POV:

"You want me to do what?" Akaashi sat across from Suga at his tiny kitchen table, long fingers curled tightly around the steaming mug of tea that he was slowly sipping on. Suga knew that this reaction was coming, had expected it.

"Come with me to tell him about that client who we suspect is the owner!" Suga says, exasperated. He had gone through the whole thing twice already, telling Akaashi about the strange alpha that he had run into again.

"Go with you." Suga nods. "To an unknown packhouse." He nods again, this time with slightly less confidence. "A pack that you have confirmed is part of one of the most feared gangs on the country."

"Yes?" He smiles hopefully at his friend, clutching Keiko slightly closer to his chest where she sleeps peacefully. Akaashi only observes him suspiciously.

"Why are you so invested in this? Just a convenient way for you to see your handsome alpha again? Didn't he diss your lifestyle last time he saw you?"

"He didn't mean to." Suga pouted. "It's not a crime to want to help, is it? Besides, don't you want to know more about that guy? He comes in almost every month, looking all important and secretive, sneaking off to their secret basement before coming back to have his way with you?" Akaashi only glares back. "I'm just saying, these guys might actually be able to give us some answers, and I'm curious!"

"And you want us to just march right in to an alpha den, children in tow and expect them to be gentlemanly?" Akaashi sounds angry on the surface, but to someone who has known him like Suga, he sounds afraid.

"There are omegas living there too. He said one of them could be present if it makes you more comfortable." Akaashi huffs but Suga can tell he is taking in the information. "And, I do trust him. I don't know how or why but I do. I'll be with you the entire time." Akaashi had a difficult past, one he rarely liked to talk about. One that gave him understandable reasons to be cautious of unknown packs, especially alpha dominated ones.

"So say they can be trusted." He crosses his arms. "Surely they have enough enemies that would be willing to harm us should we help them?"

"They're one of the most feared gangs in the area, it's not likely that many others would want to go against them. And Daich has promised us their protection should we need it."

"I don't know." Akaashi was still skeptical, but he hadn't refused right away and Suga saw this as a good sign.

"Just think about it, okay?" Akaashi nods.

"I will." He says softly. "Just for you." Suga giggles. Just then, Aki practically skips into the small kitchen, stuffed owl held high over his head.

"Caw! Caw!" He screams. Akaashi runs his hands over his face, failing to hide to small smile that creeps onto his face.

"It's hoo, Aki. Owls don't caw." Brushing aside his mother's comment, Akihiko peers over the edge of the table at Suga who smiles back at him.

"Baby sleepin?" Suga tilts the bundle in his arms towards the small child.

"She is." Aki looks down at the small girl, reaching his little hand out to stroke her soft hair. He then goes to stand by Akaashi, placing his hands on his mother's baby bump.

"Mama have baby too." Akaashi brushes the small boy's raven hair off his forehead before pressing a kiss to it.

"That's right, Aki." The toddler purrs at the positive attention from Akaashi before jumping up and down, nearly knocking him in the nose.

"Can I has juice?" He looks up at his mother with his big eyes. Those eyes could melt even the coldest of hearts.

"You can have juice." Akaashi nods. Aki rushes off to the fridge to grab one of his juice boxes before bringing it back so that Akaashi can stick the straw in for him, a feat he had yet to master himself. When the juice is handed back to him, he scampers off to where he had come from, returning briefly to retrieve his owl from the table where he'd left it.

"Well, I think I should get going." Suga stands, careful not to jostle his little girl. "I think I need a long nap before work tonight." Akaashi let's out an unconvincing laugh.

"You wouldn't be the only one." Suga leans over the other omega, nuzzling him softly.

"I think you need a good cuddle puddle. I'll let Tadashi know not to make plans tomorrow, we'll get some good scenting in, okay?" Akaashi nods with a small smile. Suga presses a kiss to the top of his head. "I'll see you tonight." And with that he sees himself out to return home for some much needed rest.

***

Yamaguchi POV:

Yamaguchi is in front of his locker when Suga comes up behind him.

"Clear your schedule for tomorrow. Pack nesting at mine. I think we could all use it." Yamaguchi only nods in response, he could use a good cuddle puddle after recent events.

"Not like I had anything better to do anyways. Eiji will be excited." Eiji had always adored nesting with the pack, always ready to soak in the warmth and love that comes with it.

"Perfect." Suga ruffles Tadashi's hair before taking a seat at a vanity. Tadashi retrieves one of his collars from the locker, a red one today to match his outfit, black booty shorts with fishnet stockings and a black mesh top that shows off the red bralette underneath. Once the collar is secured around his neck, he makes his way to the side stage where he will be performing tonight.

When the song starts to blast throughout the club, he makes his way to the pole. He is barely half way there when he catches a familiar face in the crowd and nearly trips over himself. What the hell is he doing here again?

Tsukishima stands towards the back of the crowd, arms crossed over his chest and eyebrows pinched together as if he’s in pain. Tadashi had to force himself not to clam up, pushing all thoughts of the handsome ghost from his past to the back of his mind. Right now, his job will get done and he will worry about nothing else. After performing his routine, he quickly makes his way off the stage and onto the floor.

As per usual, there is a swarm of alphas awaiting him, each waiting impatiently to snatch him up like hungry wolves. He feels his usual dread like a stone in his stomach. He had been so focused on Tsukishima being there that he had not taken his chance to scope out the crowd. He usually picked out the alphas that seemed to be the easiest to handle and would do his best to secure them as his first customer of the night. He tries his best to scan the small crowd as he approaches but doesn’t get very far before a certain tall blonde cuts him off.

“‘Dashi, please. Can we talk.” He leans in close to Tadashi’s ear, speaking lowly. His comforting pine scent wafted over the omega, who begs his body not to respond to the pheromones. Hurt and anger seizes him and he fixes a defiant look on the alpha.

“What do you want from me, huh?” Despite the front he attempts to put up, his voice cracks. “I’m trying to work.” Tsukishima looks back at the crowded alphas with disgust.

“I can see that.”

“Then why don’t you step out of my way?”

“I just need a moment. I-“

“Hey!” A short, stocky alpha interrupts Tsukishima, approaching the pair. “You taking him or not?” Tsukishima fixes a harsh glare at the alpha and Yamaguchi rolls his eyes before turning to the shorter male and batting his eyes.

“He’s not doing anything.” He says, stepping away from his childhood best friend. He contorts his face into a small pout and runs his fingers gently along the man’s arm. “Maybe you could keep me company?”

This was so embarrassing. He wanted to feel angry but he could only feel ashamed. Ashamed that this was his life now, and ashamed that Tsukishima was now here to witness it all.

The alpha immediately agreed to his offer, wrapping his thick arm around Tadashi’s waist and leading him towards the private rooms. Tadashi had to refrain from glancing back at Tsukishima one last time.

***

The night had finally ended and Yamaguchi was exhausted. He had only seen Tsukishima once more in between his second and third customer of the night. When the alpha had started towards him, he’d panicked and grabbed the nearest customer he could reach, all but dragging him to the back.

After his last customer of the night, he hurried to shower and get changed. He had not seen either Akaashi nor Suga on his way out, he would just have to wait for tomorrow.

When he finally got home, Aito was sitting on the floor by the couch, working on a wooden puzzle with different animals, spinning pieces until he could get them to fit into their respective spots. Tadashi approaches him and kisses him on the head before immediately going to prepare his milk, they were starting to run low so he made a mental note that he would need to go shopping this week.

As he was screwing the top onto the sippy cup, Aito comes to stand beside him, wooden puzzle lifted up above his head to show Yamaguchi his finished work. Yamaguchi gasps animatedly.

“Did you finish that all by yourself?” Aito cracks his little smile and nods excitedly. “Good job, baby!” Yams lifts him up onto his hip as Aito giggles happily. He scent marks him thoroughly as he sets the puzzle on the counter and replaces it in Aito’s small hands with his cup.

He went about his night as usual. Sitting with Aito in the couch until he got sleepy, changing into pajamas and helping the small boy brush his teeth before tucking him into bed and crawling in beside him. It took him a long time to drift to sleep as it did most nights. But tonight, he was kept up by the anxiety forming in his chest.

What was Tsukishima doing here? What did he want from him? At this point he was just trying to get through his life without having to think about his ex best friend but how was that possible when he shows up after almost 4 years out of the blue. He could only hope the alpha had given up after tonight. This was bad. His sons father had found him. What would he do if he found out that Yamaguchi had kept him from his own child? Would he even want anything to do with the small boy?

Yamaguchi knew that he had fucked up, counting on nothing to protect the fragile living he had created other than the very slim chance that he would ever run into Tsukishima ever again. Now it would all fall apart. Tsukishima would be furious that Tadashi had lied to him. Would he be able to protect Aito? He snapped out of that thought real quick, Tsukishima may not have been the same boy he used to be, but if Yams had ever known anything about the man then he would never do anything to harm Aito.

Yamaguchi could only hope that the same could be said for himself. He had never felt unsafe around Tsukishima and never had any reason to believe he would lash out, but if the past few years had taught him anything, it was that even the nicest of alphas can end up hurting you.

His only reprieve from his swirling thoughts was a small sigh from his left. He turned onto his side to look at his sleeping son. He smiles at how peaceful his small boy looks, his soft blond hair slightly mussed from tossing and turning, his long lashes fanning over his chubby cheeks that are squished into the pillow. Yamaguchi smiles before wrapping his pup in his arms and pulling him closer. Aito remains asleep but unconsciously snuggles closer as he recognizes the scent of his mother.

With the knowledge that his boys are both safe with him, Tadashi is finally able to drift off.

***

The next morning is slow and calm. Tadashi is woken up by Aito nuzzling into his neck. He wakes up slowly before getting the boys out of bed and going to prepare their breakfast. He doesn’t bother to change them out of their pajamas since it’s a nesting day, a fact that makes Eiji squeal with delight when he finds out. Tadashi also stays in his sweatpants and large sleep shirt, too lazy to change into anything else.

As he sets Aito’s plate down in front of him, a sudden wave of nausea hits him like a punch to the gut. He rushes into the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet before emptying his stomach of its contents. He worried that he may be sick but after standing and brushing his teeth for the second time that day, the feeling had completely passed. He decides it must have been something he ate the previous night and returns to the kitchen.

Once the boys are finished eating and Yamaguchi has had his tea, he prepares two extra bottles for Eiji, packing them into the diaper bag along with their other necessities. He helps the boys put there shoes on and puts Eiji into his stroller, making sure he’s got his giraffe blanket. Once Aito had secured Dino under his arm, they are ready to go.

Half way to Suga’s house, Tadashi decided to just carry Aito instead of making him walk, seeing as the toddler was still half asleep and could barely keep up. Within a few minutes, he was dead asleep on his mother’s shoulder. Tadashi suppressed a smile at how cute the boy was.

When they made it to Suga’s apartment building, Eiji was kicking his little feet excitedly, babbling and giggling loudly. They took the elevator to the second floor and made their way to Suga’s apartment. He knocked on the door and seconds later was face to face with a glowing Suga. Much like Eiji, Suga adored their nesting days. Eiji squealed happily when he saw Suga.

“Come in! Come in!” Suga waves them in excitedly. Once they were inside and Yamaguchi was taking off his shoes, Suga moves to free Eiji from his stroller and hold him close, rubbing his nose on the baby’s cheek and scenting him lightly. Eiji giggles and wraps his tiny hand around the man’s silver hair. He had never been a hair puller but he’d always loved Suga’s hair and liked to play with it softly any chance he got.

Aito woke up when Yamaguchi tugged his shoes off, placing them next to his own. He put the toddler down and his pup scampered off to Suga’s room, knowing that’s where Keiko would be. He liked to look at the baby and stroke her hair softly as she slept, the same way he had always done with Eiji. Yamaguchi smiles at how sweet his little boy was.

Suga’s apartment was smaller than Yamaguchi’s, if it was possible, only consisting of a kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. The kitchen was larger than his own, however. It currently was full of the smell of fresh baked cookies. There was a small kitchen table that was covered in cooling racks consisting of dozens of shortbread cookies, ones that both Eiji and Akihiko adored.

“It smells amazing in here.” Yamaguchi says with a smile, accepting the hug and nuzzling that Suga greeted him with.

“I thought I’d do something for the boys, I know how much they love them.” Suga says as he pulls away.

“I know Aito will be very excited as soon as he’s done greeting Keiko.” The oven beeps and Yamaguchi takes Eiji from Suga so he can retrieve the last batch of cookies before turning the oven off. He just gets them into a drying rack when there’s another knock on the door. Yamaguchi goes to open it and they are greeted with a hyperactive Akihiko moments later. He dashes around the kitchen, practically bouncing of the walls. An exhausted looking Akaashi follows soon after.

Suga pulls one of the seats out and guides him over to sit down. His pale complexion and slightly distressed scent makes Yamaguchi all the more grateful that Suga had decided they would be doing this today. Akaashi had never been one to ask for help when it came to his touch starvation, similar to Tadashi himself in the way that he hated to inconvenience people, even when it came to his own health. Especially with the pregnancy, being a single omega was rough, the absence of an alpha could take its toll on a person. That’s why these days were so important.

“Why don’t I put some of these on a plate and we can head over and start on the nest?” Suga places a glass of water in front of Akaashi while simultaneously ruffling Akihiko’s hair as he peers over the edge of the table at the cookies. Akaashi accepts the water gratefully and takes a few swallows. Once he has composed himself, they head into the bedroom, Akihiko leading them all as he runs ahead to practically tackle Aito in a hug.

“Aito! Aito!” He says excitedly. Aito flashes one of his shy smiles at the attention.

“Aki, be quiet, the baby is still sleeping.” Akaashi scolds softly. Akihiko pouts slightly but immediately recovers when offered a cookie from Suga.

With that, they start to build their nest. Despite the smaller size of Suga’s apartment, the bed it came with was a great deal larger than the ones at both Akaashi’s or Yamaguchi’s. They used any extra blankets and pillows they could find, placing them just so before climbing in and snuggling up together. They made sure to put Akaashi right in the middle, Suga and Yamaguchi on either side of him. Akihiko situated himself between Akaashi and Suga, purring immediately when Suga scratches behind his ear just like he likes.

Eiji decides he wants to cuddle up on Suga’s chest while Aito sticks closer to his mother to start. This is how the blond child usually starts nesting days, before he warms up to the others and migrates to someone else. Yamaguchi leans into Akaashi’s collarbone to scent him and Suga places his hand gently over the swell of Akaashi’s belly. Only 20 minutes later, Akaashi looks much better, soft purrs rumbling from his chest, getting louder when Aito scoots closer to him and places his little hand on Akaashi’s stomach right beside Suga’s.

‘Baby?’ He signs, looking up at Akaashi with those big eyes. Akaashi nods with a soft smile that Aito returns before resting his head on Akaashi’s chest and promptly falling asleep.

Eventually, Keiko starts to fuss from her crib and Suga stands, transferring a dozing Eiji from his arms to Yamaguchi’s before moving to his child. Picking her up gently and cooing softly as he quickly changes her diaper before returning to the bed, unbuttoning his shirt and holding her to his chest so she can eat. The room is quiet again, save for the soft coos and suckling that comes from Keiko.

Yamaguchi allows himself to relax, basking in the scents of his family. His pack. Sure it was small and broken, but it was his. He glanced at each of them, all snuggled into a single bed, content scents flooding the bedroom as they all relax happily in their safe space.

***

Suga POV:

Suga spent the next several hours in complete bliss, his baby girl asleep once again on his chest, his best friends by his side, and their beautiful little boys dozing quietly. He wishes he could stay like this forever. However, the world has other plans and time moves on. Around 5:00 Akaashi and Yamaguchi decide its time for them to head home and prepare for work tonight.

The drastic switch from his elated state to being reminded of what awaited him at the club nearly made him nauseous. He’d have to suck it up and just do it, however, if he wanted to keep this roof over his head. He walked them to the entryway and while Yamaguchi put his shoes on and got his pups together, Akaashi turned to Suga.

“I’ll do it.” He says quietly. Suga doesn’t need to ask what he is speaking about.

“Really?” He doesn’t know why he’s so excited about Akaashi’s answer. He tells himself it’s because he will finally get to know more about the people he is working under rather than being able to see a certain handsome alpha. He’d also been surprised at how easily he had found himself forgiving the alpha, considering he absolutely hated it when people dissed his situation. He guesses it’s because he truly believes that there had been absolutely no malice in what Daichi had said to him, he just seemed to be concerned more than anything else. Besides, many alphas were ignorant to what life was like for omegas because their struggles are normally swept under a rug and ignored. Suga hoped that his words had opened Daichi’s eyes to what omegas put up with.

“Thank you, Akaashi. I’ll let him know.” Akaashi looked suddenly nervous.

“Y-you’ll come with me?” He asks, seeking reassurance that his pack mate will be there for him.

“Of course! I told you I would and I’ll never go back on that.” Akaashi nods with a small, hesitant smile before moving to get his and Akihiko’s shoes on. When he stands, they all say their goodbyes before the two other omegas leave with their children and it is once again just him and Keiko.

He takes the time before work to shower and feed Keiko one last time before heading over to his next door neighbor’s. His neighbor was a small beta woman who’s husband had passed earlier in the year. She was always glad to watch Keiko for him, saying she always got lonely and the baby made great company. Suga knew that most of it was for the sake of him not feeling bad about leaving Keiko with her every night. Her efforts were useless, he always felt bad.

As he left his building to head to work, he pulled his cell phone out of his jacket pocket and clicked on Daichi’s number, he had saved it when the alpha had given it to him in hopes that he would be able to use it. He sent a quick message before entering the train station and heading to another night at the club.

***

Daichi POV:

Daichi was in his office, going through the security tapes of the boutique across from the club, looking for signs of the man Suga had mentioned but to no avail. He leaned back in his chair with a sigh, rubbing at his temples to relieve the ache, when his phone buzzed. He was not in the habit of ignoring his phone, it could be something important that needs immediate attention. He freezes when he reads the text on the screen.

Unknown:
Hi Daichi-San, it’s Suga.

From the club.

Daichi chuckles to himself at that. Like he could forget.

Suga:
I spoke to Akaashi. He says he’s willing to speak with you.

He perks up at that. So maybe he hadn’t lost his lead after all. Thank god, this will make everything so much easier. He quickly typed out a reply.

Daichi:
Sounds good! Thank you so much.

I wasn’t sure you’d want to help out after the way I acted.

I’m really sorry. I was a dick.

Suga:
Hey, I said I would help. So help I will.

And it’s okay. I know you didn’t mean it.

Daichi:
But that doesn’t excuse it.

Thank you for calling me out on it.

Suga:
No, it’s okay, really.

I’m sorry I yelled at you like that.

Daichi:
No, no . I deserved it. I was ignorant.

I didn’t recognize how hard you work and I realize now how hard it is. I was out of line.

I really am sorry.

Suga:
All is forgiven, Daichi-San.

Daichi:
Thank you. Seriously.

Suga:
Of course.

Daichi:
So, how does tomorrow morning sound?

Suga:
Sounds good. I’ll let Akaashi know.

Daichi:
Great! Thanks again, Suga.

I’ll see you tomorrow.

Suga:
See you tomorrow, Daichi-San.

With that Daichi set his phone back on his desk and sighed. Looks like he got his lead back. Thanks to a certain gorgeous omega. He shakes his head, ridding himself of the thought. What the hell was that?

He stands from his desk and makes his way into the hallway before making his way downstairs to the largest kitchen in the house. They had several but they only really ever use this one. Thankfully, everybody seemed to be gathered there, the smell of curry permeating the air. Most of his pack were seated around the large dining table while Tendou and Iwaizumi moved around the kitchen, preparing food for everyone and Tsukishima leaned against the door frame, arms crossed and face schooled into his usual scowl. The warm room was filled with conversation and laughter, making Daichi smile at the calm atmosphere.

“Alright, I hate to interrupt.” He claps his hands together and projects his dominant scent, the room goes quiet. “I’m following up on a lead tomorrow and I’m having a few guests over. However, in case you haven’t noticed, we are an alpha dominated pack. Both of the people I need to speak to are omegas and I’m worried having so many alphas around could make them nervous.” The others around him nodded in understanding. “So basically I need most of you to make yourself scarce for tomorrow. Can everyone manage that?” He was met with agreement from the pack.

“Except for you, Tendou. Can I ask you to stay? I think you’re presence will be comforting.” Tendou nods in understanding. “And Bokuto, stick around. I don’t want the house completely empty, should anything happen. At least be in the area.” Bokuto salutes him with a determined look.

“Yessir!” With that, they go back to their conversation, Daichi sits at his usual spot at the table and joins in easily. Soon enough, Iwaizumi and Tendou are serving bowls and it slowly grows more and more quiet as everyone starts to eat. Before even getting a bowl, Tsukishima checks his watch and pushes off the wall, heading towards the front door.

“You’re not eating, Tsukishima?” Iwaizumi calls out after him. The younger alpha doesn’t even look back.

“I got places to be.”

Chapter Text

Yamaguchi POV:

Tadashi isn't even surprised at this point when he spots Tsukishima in the middle of his performance, but that doesn't do anything to curb the dread that he feels when he sees the alpha. He's so caught up in wondering what's going to come out of this that he nearly falls of the pole at two different points. Shit. There go half of his tips.

When he returns to the floor from backstage, he's relieved that the group of waiting alphas hasn't decreased by too much. Maybe his slip up on stage won't hurt him too much tonight. However, before he could make his way to the alpha he had chosen to be his first tonight, he was once again blocked by Tsukishima. Now he was getting frustrated.

"What do you want, Tsukishima?" The frustration makes his voice shake.

"Would you please just talk to me?" Granted, to most people he would sound indifferent. But this was the most desperate that Yamaguchi had ever seen his ex best friend.

"I'm busy right now, I'm sure you have better things to do. Leave me be."

Tsukishima looks between him and the waiting alphas, his scent turns sour instantly, twinged with worry, desperation and- is that protectiveness. The sudden intensity is enough to make Tadashi stagger, nearly falling to the floor as the strong scent makes his head go fuzzy. A pair of thick arms wrap around him to steady him and his body instinctively relaxes into the embrace, recognizing the familiar scent. He almost doesn't notice the nose gently nuzzling at his jaw, right above the collar. When he is steady, the arms loosen around him and Tsukishima leans close to his ear.

"We'll talk later." He says quietly before releasing Yamaguchi entirely and disappearing into the crowd once again. Yamaguchi is dazed for a moment before once again realizing where he is and what his job is. Before he can get to it however, he realizes that the group that had been waiting for him had gone down significantly and the smell of Tsukishima still lingered in the air. Lingered on him, he realized suddenly. Had Tsukishima scent marked him?

Shit. The only alphas left were large and rough looking. This was going to be a hard night. Since his original plan was done for, he selected the alpha who looked like he had the most money, a tall, broad man with a shaved head and a scar through his right eyebrow. He sauntered over to the alpha, swinging his hips seductively. When he reached the man, he placed his palm to the man's buff chest and slid it up to come to rest in his shoulder. He leans in, lips brushing the mans ear.

"You look like you know how to take care of an omega." The alpha smirks at him and the look sends a chill down Tadashi's spine.

"I have a few tricks up my sleeve." Yamaguchi hums in his ear as though he is satisfied with this answer. "Lead the way." The alpha's hand makes his way down to rest on Tadashi's ass as the omega starts towards the back rooms.

As soon as they enter the private room, Tadashi is spun around and slammed against the door. He helps in surprise and the alpha leans in to sniff at his jaw.

"You smell like alpha." He chuckles darkly. "Is this your way of teasing me?" His grip on Tadashi tightens, the smell of another alpha on the object of his desire fueling his aggression and want. "I can take care of that." He spins them around and practically throws Tadashi onto the bed before climbing over him. He growls slightly when he encounters the collar, blocking him from any part of the omegas neck, settling for ridding Tadashi of his shirt and leaving marks across his chest.

"You wanna be a tease? Walk around smelling like the last person who used you? I'll have to fuck it out of you then." He flips Tadashi over and yanks his shorts off roughly. Tadashi is once again relieved that he learned to prep himself at the beginning of the night early on when he started at the club, the alpha taking no time to prepare him before thrusting into him at a bruising pace.

Tadashi retreated into his mind as he usually does during his private sessions. Imagining he was anywhere but here. Imagining that he was home, with his family. Imagining that he worked a normal job and could pay for daycare, and at the end of the day he could pick his children up and bring them to a home that wasn't an old apartment that was falling apart. Imagining that he had an alpha by his side and that he was no longer alone, that they could be a happy family. He imagined a faceless alpha, one who was kind and gentle, who could make Tadashi laugh and care for him, respect him. One who loved his boys like they were his own and would protect them with his life. One who wanted them.

Tonight his subconscious took over a little more than he usually allowed and he noticed that the alpha in his mind was no longer faceless. Instead he had soft blonde hair that felt like heaven to run fingers through, a pair of glasses that seemed to only add to his dazzling looks, a stern face that only softened for Tadashi, and a pair of strong arms that never failed to make him feel protected. He snapped out of that daydream real quick.

Some things were just too good to be true.

***

The Next Morning:

Daichi POV:

Daichi awoke to a loud crash from downstairs. Launching himself out of bed, he has his handgun from his bedside table in his hand in no time.

"Bo, you son of a bitch!" Kuroo's voice carries from a few floors down and Daichi allows himself to relax. Bokuto. Of course. He sighs, rubbing his eyes. He's awake now, might as well start the day. He throws on a pair of basketball shorts and a black t-shirt for now, he'd change later. Obviously he couldn't meet with Suga and Akaashi looking like this.

"Oh god." He says under his breath. Since when was he so concerned about how he looked to meet people? He pushes the concern from his head as he exits his bedroom, heading down the large staircase and into the kitchen. He is met with the usual morning chaos that takes place daily in the pack house.

Tendou is standing at the stove, stirring a pot of something as he sings to himself, bopping his head to the beat only he can hear. The table is practically full, Iwaizumi quickly eating from his plate of food, Kuroo softly scolding Kenma for how late the omega had stayed up last night, Kenma ignoring Kuroo as he stares at the handheld device in his hand, Asahi eating quietly, peaceful as ever, and of course, Tsukishima, sitting at the end of the table, hot coffee in hand and headphones over his ears, probably blasting music to drown out the chaos.

A glance into the sitting room reveals Bokuto kneeling on the ground, dustpan in hand, sweeping shards of what used to be a decorative vase off the floor. He looks up when he smells Daichi and smiles sheepishly.

"Sorry?" Daichi rolls his eyes and brushes it off, moving to the coffee maker to get a cup for himself. He leans against the counter, taking a sip and releasing a breath before pushing off and heading down the hallway and to the basement. He makes his way past the surveillance room, past the armory, past the gym until he reaches a small closet at the end of the hallway labeled 'Bokuto Closet.' He swings the door open and walks past shelves full of several lamps, picture frames, dishes, and mirrors until he reaches the lamp shelf.

Dozens of lamps, identical to the one now in pieces on the sitting room floor, line the shelf and Daichi grabs the one closest to him before heading back upstairs to replace the vase. By the time he is back upstairs, Bokuto had migrated to the now empty kitchen, trying to sneak a taste of what Tendou has in the pan, only to get his hand smacked away. He returns to the table, pouting.

Bokuto's mood flips immediately when Tendou places a plate of steaming hot food in front of him. Daichi also accepts an offered plate and Tendous on joins him. The rest of the pack has made good on their agreement to make themselves scarce. Kuroo had decided it was a perfect opportunity to take Kenma out on a date while Asahi and Iwaizumi headed down to one of their warehouses for a routine inspection. Now, it was just the three of them left in the large house. The kitchen remained relatively quiet, save for the clinging of silverware on plates and Tendou's continued humming.

Tendou had a habit of constantly humming. He was an interesting man, many people would call him strange but Daichi would trust him with his life in a heartbeat. He was resilient in his own way and had come a long way since Daichi had first met him, he was an invaluable member of his gang and he'd brought so much to the table. Despite what others may have to say, Tendou belonged in his pack and each and every one of them protect him fiercely.

"They should be arriving soon." Daichi says with a glance to his watch. "Bokuto, I don't need you around all day, just close by." Daichi never liked to leave the packhouse unattended, even with the high end security, he believed one could never be too careful. Bokuto nods, standing with his plate and bringing it to the sink.

"I'll probably go for a quick jog, but I'll be around the rest of the day."

"Sounds good." Daichi clears his dishes before returning to his own room to brush his teeth and change. He puts on a pair of fitting, black dress pants along with a white button up shirt that tucks in, rolling the sleeves up to his elbows. He steps into his en-suite bathroom to check his appearance in the mirror, running his hands through his hair until he looks presentable enough. He checks his watch, 9:58. They'd agreed on meeting at 10:00 so he made his way back downstairs to help Tendou with the dishes while he waited.

They were almost finished 10 minutes later when the doorbell rang. It took everything in Daichi not to drop the plate he had been holding and run straight to the door. Instead, he finishes drying the plate and sets it gently on to the pile of clean plates before walking, only slightly faster than normal, to the front door.

He swings the door open to reveal a shyly smiling Suga, his daughter once again secured to his chest in a wrap sling. Behind him stands another omega, only slightly taller than Suga. The raven haired man clutched the hand of a small boy who stood at his side, looking up at Daichi in what could only be described as genuine curiosity. Daichi was careful to hide his slight surprise when his eyes land on the omega's protruding stomach.

Hadn't Suga said he was still working at the club? Hadn't he said that the other omega was booked solid with clients? Daichi's heart sank practically to his stomach. Oh.

"Hi Suga, welcome. Come on in." He steps aside to let them inside before reaching his hand out to the second omega. "You must be Akaashi." The omega hesitates for a moment before reaching out to shake Daichi's hand and nodding hesitantly. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Daichi."

"Thank you for having us in your home, Daichi-San." The omega lowers his gaze, not meeting the alpha's eyes in a sign of respect. Daichi could see the truth in Suga's words when he had said Akaashi wasn't fond of alphas.

"Please, just Daichi is fine. And I should be the one thanking you. I really appreciate you doing this." Akaashi produces what Daichi assumes is the closest he will be getting to a genuine smile today. Tendou enters from the kitchen then, practically skipping into the entrance with his endearing smile. Daichi notices Akaashi physically relax at the realization that there is another omega present. He's glad he made sure Tendou was here today.

"Tendou Satori." He shakes both Akaashi's and Suga's hands before crouching to face the small boy. "And who is this little man." The boy clutches his owl plushie to his side and giggles.

"I'm Akihiko!" He all but yells. Daichi smiles at the excitable personality, so different from his reserved mother despite being basically a carbon copy of the omega. The toddler purrs when Tendou pats his head in greeting before approaching Daichi. "Are you alpha?" Daichi squats down to eye level with the small child.

"I am! How'd you know?" The child smiles proudly.

"You smell different than mommy and Suga." Daichi chuckles at that. It was true that you could smell the difference between alphas, betas, and omegas, but you couldn't smell the difference until a child presents in middle school. It was all in the underlying pheromones that came with presenting. Children and babies could feel the difference due to their instincts but they could rarely put a name to it this early on. Akihiko was certainly a bright toddler.

"Well you certainly have a good nose!" Akihiko nodded excitedly. "Do you wanna come check out our tv room while I talk to your mom?" Akihiko cheers at the offer and Daichi leads them to the small sitting room with a large flatscreen TV at the front of the room. Akihiko tugs on his mother's pants and points excitedly at the TV. Tendou pats a spot on the couch and Akihiko doesn't hesitate to jump up and make himself comfortable. The redhead omega helps him get Netflix up and browse the kids shows, eventually they decide on some show about a talking octopus.

"Tendou, you good here?" Tendou nods, settling down on the couch as well. "Great!" He turns to Suga and Akaashi. "Then we can talk in the sitting room?" He receives two nods before leading them into the large sitting room. "Please, make yourselves comfortable." They sit next to each other on the couch, Akaashi looking anything but comfortable. He looks slightly pale again and his hands tremble as his eyes dart around the room.

"Akaashi, would you like me to bring Tendou back in here? I want you to feel comfortable." Akaashi shakes his head.

"No, no, I'm okay. Just a little nervous." He tries to laugh but it's not very convincing.

"Can I get you guys anything to drink?" Akaashi shakes his head but Suga swats him lightly on the shoulder and murmurs something in his ear.

"Actually, can he get a water with ice please?"

"And anything for you, Suga?" Suga just shakes his head.

"I'm fine, thank you." Daichi nods before going into the kitchen and getting a glass of ice water and returning to place it on the coffee table in front of Akaashi. He sits on the other couch facing the two omegas. Akaashi takes a long sip from the water before taking a deep breath. Suga leans in, nuzzling Akaashi's neck softly to relax him. Daichi nearly swoons at the caring nature displayed by the silver haired man, his support of his friend along with the way he gently cradled his baby to his chest. Had he always been this beautiful? Daichi already knew the answer to that. Yes. Yes, he had.

"Alright." Daichi says, ridding the thoughts from his head. "You ready then?" Akaashi takes another sip of water and nods. "Great. Let's get started then."

***

Akaashi POV:

Akaashi sat on the soft couch in a living room almost twice the size of his entire apartment. He was surprisingly relaxed now, with Suga by his side, the cold glass of water in his hand, and the sound of Akihiko's laughter drifting in from the other room. He had been nearly on the verge of panic upon entering the huge mansion that Daichi called home. The smell of alpha was everywhere and it nearly overpowered the lavender smell of the red headed omega that they'd met.

He was slowly able to relax once he saw how comfortable Akihiko was. Sitting down next to Suga and sipping on the ice cold water had also been a big help. Now he was sat here, facing the mysterious alpha that Suga had met a few days ago. He seemed quite nice, actually. Unlike other alphas that Akaashi had met in his life.

"Okay so I'd just like to ask you a few questions about one of your clients." Akaashi nodded.

"Suga explained to me."

"Alright then. So this man, he visits you often?"

"Not too often. Every time he's in town, maybe once every two months?"

"Were you ever able to get his name." Akaashi looks at the ground.

"No, he didn't want me to call him by his name."

"Did he ever say where he was from? Akaashi shook his head, his grip on the glass tightening.

"He didn't exactly make much conversation." Daichi's eyes flash with a mix of regret and pity.

"Right, sorry. Do you think you could tell me what he was like?" Akaashi feels as though if he were to grip the glass any tighter, it would shatter in his hand. He notices he is trembling again and sets the glass carefully back on to the table, Suga quickly replaces it with his own hand, the softness grounding Akaashi.

"Well, he's a very harsh man. He's kind of angry all the time, not exactly what I would call 'gentle' at all. He doesn't talk very much at all. Except sometimes he gets phone calls in the middle of a session. They seem important, he'd always answer right away and would always be yelling at whoever he was talking to. Sometimes he'll leave in the middle of-" He pauses, unsure of how to finish that sentence, slumping slightly in relief when Daichi nods in understanding. He didn't like talking about this client specifically. He had several scars, both mental and physical, from his sessions with the alpha and would prefer to forget him entirely.

"And how long has he been coming to you?"

"Since I was hired."

"Right, and were you hired right when the club started up?" Akaashi shook his head.

"It had been around for a while when I started working. Suga was there before me." Daichi's attention shifted to Suga and Akaashi could see his eyes soften when he looked at the omega.

"I've been there almost a year longer than Akaashi. I think the club opened a few months before that."

"And had you seen him the first few months you were there?" Suga shrugged.

"Only once or twice, I guess. I don't really remember." He shrinks into himself slightly.

"That's okay." Daichi is quick to reassure him, smiling kindly. Again, Akaashi could see that look in the alpha's eyes. Oh. He looks to Suga and represses a smile when he sees a look not unlike the alpha's in his eyes.

Oh.

He recovers quickly when Daichi's attention turns back to him.

"Okay. Do you think you could tell me what he looks like?" Akaashi nods.

"He's short, a few inches shorter than me, but he's very broad. He has dark brown hair that's shaved really close to his head and tan skin. His back, arms and neck are covered in tattoos an-"

"Tattoos? Do you think you could describe some of them to me?" Akaashi pauses.

"I-I guess. I don't know if I can really remember a lot of them." Daichi leans forward. "His arms were mostly covered in symbols that I didn't understand and some kind of vines or-or leaves. He has a skull on one shoulder a-and a dragon head on the other. He had a really big one on his back, a lion."

"A lion?" The energy in the room changes dramatically. Daichi had become eerily quiet, staring into space, eyebrows furrowed, deep in thought. "A lion."

"Daichi?" Suga leans forward slightly. Akaashi notices that Keiko has woken up and is staring at her mother with her large eyes. Daichi seems to snap out of his trance and looks at Suga.

"I think I know who you're talking about." He leans back rubbing his temples and groaning. "Shit." Just as he says it, the sound of a door slamming open makes both omegas jump. Akaashi inhales and is met with the scent of spring rain. He'd always loved the smell of rain. He could tell by the scent that another alpha had entered the house, though Akaashi couldn't seem to pick up on anything aggressive in it.

"Bo?" Daichi called out and was answered by a call from the other room.

"'Sup." The owner of the voice soon emerged from the hallway leading from the kitchen. Akaashi's breath caught in his throat. The alpha was extremely tall, he wore a pair of basketball shorts and a sleeveless hoodie that showed off his thick arms. He was almost exactly the type of alpha Akaashi was afraid of.

Much to Akaashi's surprise, he didn't immediately shut down. Sure, he tensed slightly and and tightened his grip on Suga's hand, but something about the scent of this alpha wouldn't allow him to go into panic mode. It may have also had something to do with his handsome face and his strangely endearing hair that was styled with what Akaashi could only assume was a great deal of hair gel. It also probably had something to do with the way the alpha was smiling like he'd just been gifted the sun.

"Bo, this is Suga and Akaashi. Guys, this is Bokuto Koutaro, he's one of my pack." The alpha turns his bright smile on them.

"A pleasure." He says with a polite nod. Akaashi can practically feel the restless energy rolling off the man in waves, despite the light sheen of sweat on his skin that hinted to him just coming back from a run. Akaashi's attention is pulled away from Bokuto's arms when the small pitter patter of a child's footsteps approaches the room.

"Mommy!" An excited Aki makes a mad dash towards him, Tendou entering the room close behind. "We watched all of the-" He stops half way across the room from Akaashi and instead focuses his attention on staring up at Bokuto with wide eyes. The large alpha chuckles.

"What's up little man? I'm Bokuto."

"My names Aki! You look like my owl." Akaashi freezes. Oh god, they had almost made it through this whole thing and now his son has gone and offended an alpha. He rises to his feet to go and grab Akihiko but freezes when the alpha practically cackles, throwing his head back in a way that had Akaashi's eye catching on his defined jawline. Bokuto leans down, hands on his knees.

"Your owl?" He says it with a childlike wonder that Akaashi can't help but find endearing.

"Uh-huh! His names Mr. Hoo!"

"Mr. Hoo, huh? Do you have Mr. Hoo with you?" Akihiko nods frantically before dashing back from where he had appeared, coming back seconds later, completely winded.

"Mr. Hoo! This Bokudo."

"Wow! He really does look like me." Bokuto said in wonder. Daichi slaps him on the back.

"You could be twins, Bo. Now come on, I need you to do something for me." Akaashi wondered briefly what task Daichi had for Bokuto, he can't imagine doing anything for a gang leader would be a walk in the park.

"Right. Right. I'll see ya later, Aki, Mr. Hoo." He saluted both the boy and the owl before standing up to his full height. And Akaashi had thought Daichi was tall. "Suga." He directs a small nod towards Suga before making direct eye contact with Akaashi. "Akaashi."

He feels a deep blush flood his face before he can stop it. Those golden eyes seem to bore into his very being, the bright smile looks like it could melt away all of his problems. God, did his name always sound like that when spoken by strangers? No. He had never reacted this way to anyone just saying his name.

Akaashi falls back to reality rather quickly. This man is an alpha, he has to be cautious. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to admire from a distance, but he couldn't risk anything else. He's a prostitute with a three year old son and another on the way, he didn't really deserve to even be in the presence of this alpha.

"Bye, Bokudo!" Akihiko waves as they head towards the hallway. Daichi and Bokuto disappear for a moment before Daichi returns.

"Really, Akaashi. I can't thank you enough for this. You've really helped us out. And Suga Thanks for setting this up." Suga waves his hand.

"It really was no problem."

"Well, if you ever need anything- anything at all. You know where to reach me." He fixes Suga with a lasting look and Akaashi nearly rolls his eyes.

"We goin', mama?" Aki has moved to Akaashi's side and now holds on to a fistful of his shirt. Akaashi stroke so his hair softly.

"Yes, Aki. It's time for us to go home now." They head back to the front of the gigantic house and all start to put their shoes on. Daichi thanks them once again just before they leave and a blushing Suga assures him it was okay. Once they are off and walking back to the train station, Akaashi feels like he can finally breathe.

***

Bokuto POV:

When he had returned from his run, Bokuto was the pleasantly surprised to find the house smelling like a garden. The smell of lavender and mint permeated the air, but the particular smell of eucalyptus stood out against everything.

"Bo?" He heard Daichi call from the sitting room.

"'Sup?" He yelled as he took his shoes off and headed towards the voice. When he got there he immediately noticed the two omegas sitting on the couch. One was a pretty silver haired man with a baby held against his chest, it must have been the omega Daichi had told him about. He paused when his eyes found the second omega. He was just- well, he was beautiful. He had soft, raven hair and steely eyes, and beautiful sharp features. He also smelled amazing. Looks like he’d found the source of the powerful eucalyptus scent, and it did not disappoint.

His eyes drifted down to where the omega’s hand rested on a baby bump. This gave Bokuto pause for a moment. He could see that the omega’s neck was unmarked but that didn’t necessarily mean anything. Could he already have a family?

Daichi introduced the omegas to him. Suga, he had already assumed but this other omega. Akaashi. Bokuto smiled, greeting the omega’s with a nod.

“Mommy!” Bokuto startles slightly as a small boy dashes into the room. He stops to stare at Bokuto and there is no question that this boy is Akaashi’s son, very obviously the source of the mint scent he had picked up on when he entered. He converses with the small boy, while sneaking glances at his mother, who has stood up and is watching their encounter nervously. Soon enough, Daichi starts to pull him out of the room. He bids farewell to the child and the omega’s, sparing one less glance at Akaashi before exiting.

“What is it Daichi!” He asks once they are out of earshot.

“What weren’t done ogling Akaashi?”

“I wasn’t ogling-“ Daichi raised his eyebrows. “What do you want?” At the question, Daichi returns to being serious. His face grim.

“This is more serious than I thought. We need to contact Ushijima.”

Chapter Text

Yamaguchi POV:

Yamaguchi pushed his shopping cart through the rows of the grocery store, Eiji sat in the baby seat by the handlebar while Aito sat in the main compartment of the cart, flipping through his touch and feel book that he had brought along. He wasn’t able to read yet but he loves to touch the different textures that the book provides.

Tadashi leans most of his weight on to the cart. He had woken up feeling ill and it hadn’t gone away entirely. He should have stayed in bed but he knew they were low on food and he couldn’t put off shopping any longer than he already had.

His mind was preoccupied with thoughts of last night. His shift had been long. Tsukishima had shown up yet again, this time he had not approached Tadashi but sat a distance away from him, glaring daggers at the alphas that approached him. He’d actually manage to scare a few off, much to Yamaguchi’s dismay. He decides to focus on the task at hand, trying to figure out what Tsukishima wants would surely wear him out more than necessary.

He had already gotten most of their necessities and as he put the eggs into the cart he ran through his mental checklist one more time. All he needed now was baby formula, baby food, and Aito’s milk. He made his way to the baby food section and picked out enough food for the next week as well as the formula. He pauses when he gets to the pediatric milk. They had raised the price.

No. No. No. No. He’d just paid his rent yesterday and had no extra cash. He leans his elbows on the cart, burying his face into his hands to hide the tears trying to escape from his eyes. Is this it? Is this rock bottom? He was officially at the point where he could no longer provide for his child. Is this his life now? He looks over to Aito who is completely enraptured by the soft texture of his book, completely oblivious to the fact that his own mother had officially failed him.

“Shit.” He says softly, voice weak.

“Mommy.” He looks up at Eiji who gazes back at him curiously. “Wha doin’?”

“Nothing, baby.” He looks at the milk one last time, there were still a few bottles left back home but it wouldn’t last long at all. Tadashi runs a hand through his hair and pushes the cart back down the aisle. On his way to the checkout, Aito reaches out from the cart and grabs a small package of strawberry thumbprint cookies, similar to ones Suga had made for him in the past. He stands up in the cart and puts them into Tadashi’s hand. The hopeful look he gives him shatters his heart.

“I’m sorry honey, we don’t have enough for these right now. Maybe next time, okay?” Aito nods but a child so young can’t hide disappointment and the sadness in the small boy’s eyes is obvious. His eyes stay on the cookies until they are out of sight. “Alright.” Tadashi says, a feeble attempt to lighten the mood. “Time to go home.”

He went to check out, paying for the items in cash and receiving a grand total of $2.49 in change back. He’d managed to pack the groceries into three paper bags that he transfers to the stroller that he’d parked in the convenient stroller area by the door. He can fit two bags into the underside basket of the stroller and he carries the other in one arm while pushing the stroller with his other. It was a system he had worked out a long time ago.

He made his way home in a hurry, the biting winter breeze making him shiver. He’d bundled the boys up to his best ability but he could still see Aito shivering as he walks beside him, his worn coat not doing much to keep out the chill.

When they finally make it back, he sits the boys on the couch and bundles them up together in blankets to warm them up. He gives them his phone so they can watch a movie while he puts the groceries away before he goes to take a long shower. He turns the heat up until the water is scalding. The temperature so hot that he can barely feel the tears running down his face.

***

On his way into the club, all he feels is numb. He has to do better tonight. He has to be better. He sluggishly makes his way into the changing room and to his locker. He changes into a lacy top and the shortest mini skirt he has along with Suga’s pair of thigh high boots that he’d borrowed. He also went a bit heavier with his makeup than he normally did. He really had to step it up.

Just as he secures his collar around his neck, Sato-San appears behind him in the mirror. He rests his hands on Tadashi’s shoulders and leans down with his face close to the omega’s neck, inhaling noisily. Tadashi can only stare blankly into the mirror.

“I think you know why I’m here, Doll.” Of course he knew.

“Yes, Sato-San.” He lowers his eyes, unwilling to meet the older man’s gaze in the mirror.

“You’ve been lacking a bit in your services. Bringing in less customers.” He grips Tadashi jaw tightly and forces himself to look at him through the mirror. “Less money.” The venom in his voice nearly burns.

“I’m sorry.” Tadashi whispers the words, too afraid that if he tried to speak out loud his voice would fail him. Sato shushes him softly, stroking his hair with his pudgy fingers, making Yams tense up.

“Don’t apologize to me, Doll. I simply want to see improvement.” He holds his hand out in front of Tadashi, a small white pill lies in the center of his palm. “You know what you have to do.” The omega’s eyes well up with tears as he nods, reaching out to take the pill from Sato. He knew exactly what it was. A heat replicator. It was meant to cause side effects imitating a heat, minus the unbearable pain and need that comes with it. It stimulates the scent glands, making an omega smell nearly irresistible to any alpha within range, no alpha could resist an omega in heat. It was common for Sato to use these imitators on his staff, and Tadashi had used them on several occasions, but he tried to avoid it like his life depended on it. He hated how fuzzy it made his brain. Tadashi places the pill in the back of his mouth before swallowing it dry, opening his mouth to show that he’d swallowed.

“That’s a good boy.” He turns Yamaguchi’s head towards him before pressing an aggressive kiss to his mouth. “Make me some money tonight.”

“Yes, sir.”

He has to reapply his lipstick after that encounter. After composing himself he exits the changing room to make his way past the main stage, where Suga has just finished performing. They nod at each other as they pass, exchanging a grim look. Tonight would be Suga’s first night back with private clients and Tadashi could see the dread in his eyes.

Tonight Yamaguchi would be in a dance cage on the floor. A small relief due to the fact that he would be performing for longer tonight than he would be on stage. By the time he arrives, he can already feel the imitator kicking in, his body has heated up significantly, his face feels flushed, and he can already feel slick escaping.

As soon as he steps up into the cage, he catches the attention of several alphas in the vicinity and it’s not long until he has a decent crowd cheering him on and throwing cash his way. The music blasting from the speakers was slow and suggestive and Tadashi ignored the heat taking over his body, swaying his hips sensually and gazing at the alpha’s with his best bedroom eyes.

The scent of a dozen alphas flooded his senses, pushing him further into his hazy state. The only thing his foggy brain could focus on was the familiar scent of pine. He was so out of it that he couldn’t recall where he had smelled it before, much less pinpoint the source of the scent. He liked it, though, and he inhaled more as he grabbed onto the bars surrounding him, grinding onto the cage to the beat of the music. He could faintly hear the whoops and hollers of his audience.

The time seems to pass faster than ever, and before he knows it, his performance time is up. When he makes his way back to the floor, he is overwhelmed by the pine scent he’d been smelling, he also notices that most of his audience has dispersed. He turns to scan the area but stumbles at the dizzying movement. He’s caught by strong arms around his waist and the pine scent becomes all the more powerful.

“Tadashi.” The voice sounds muffled and far away. It feels as though his head is full of cotton. He runs on muscle memory, gripping a thick arm from his waist and pulling them towards a private room. When he shuts the door behind them, he immediately presses himself up against the muscular body, tilting his head up to press kisses up the man’s neck.

“Tadashi, stop.” He doesn’t process the words, only briefly considering how his client could possibly know his name since he never gave out personal information. It was a brief thought and was soon brushed off as he started undoing the top buttons of the alpha’s shirt. He’d only undone a few when hands on his waist pushed him away gently. “‘Dashi, look at me. Look at me please.”

His eyes slowly focus on the molten gold eyes in front of him. He knows those eyes. Oh. The realization seems to snap him out of his daze and he snaps his hands away from the alpha’s chest, taking a step back.

“What are you doing here?” He presses the palms of his hands to his eyes and leans forward. “Oh my god, Tsukishima.” He can’t afford this right now, he needs to snap out of it and get back to work. He shakes his head, trying to rid himself of the rest of the haze. Without another word, he exits the private room, slamming the door behind him. He isn’t even able to take two steps before he collides with another person.

“S-Sato-San.” The old alpha glares at him, fury plain on his face. His hand locks around Tadashi’s forearm in a bruising grip.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” He spits the words out through gritted teeth. Dragging the omega towards his office. Tadashi stumbles after him, fear already clawing at his chest.

(Begin TW)
Sato swings his office door open and practically throws Tadashi inside. He’s barely recovered from being swung around before a fist connects with his cheek bone, sending him sprawling onto the floor. He gasps from where he landed on the hardwood and presses a shaky hand to his aching face.

“Sato-“ He’s interrupted when Sato’s hand connects with his face once again.

“You fucking bitch! What do you not understand about doing your job?” He receives several more blows to the face before he’s dragged to his feet by the front of his shirt and forcibly bent over the large mahogany desk that sits at the center of the office. “You want to cost me hundreds of dollars worth of profit? I’ll teach you a lesson you fucking whore.”

“Sato-San, I-I’m sorry.” His voice is shaking, almost unintelligible. “Please.” A loud smack causes him to yelp in pain.

“Shut up.” Sato’s dominant scent was suffocating. He flips Yamaguchi’s skirt up over his hips and panic swells in the omega’s chest. He tries to push himself off the desk but a hand between his shoulder blades slams him back on to the wooden surface. “Stay there.” He demands, voice dripping with ferocity.

“D-don’t. I’ll do better. I-I promise I’ll be better.”

“Oh.” The alpha chuckles darkly and Tadashi could hear him undoing his belt. “You will be.”

(End TW)

***

Tsukishima POV:

Tsukishima paced up and down the alleyway behind the bar. What the hell had just happened? He’d come back to the bar yet again in hopes of finally convincing Tadashi to talk to him. When he’d entered the club, it had taken him all but 3 seconds to pinpoint where the omega was, his scent was so strong. Tsukishima’s senses had always been strong and he’d never struggled to pick out Tadashi’s scent but this was different, his scent had never been this powerful.

His instincts had gone insane when he’d found the omega, barely clothed and grinding up on the bars of a cage that he was enclosed in, surrounded by a crowd of horny alphas. Tsukishima could tell that something was wrong but he couldn’t figure out exactly what it was. The freckled man’s lilac scent was twinged with arousal and he’d looked seconds away from passing out as he leaned heavily on the bars of the cage. The alpha’s ogling him seemed to be into his delirious state, however, as they remained completely entranced.

He hadn’t been able to control himself, releasing his threatening pheromones. Protectiveness and possessiveness rolled off him in waves and most of the alphas that had gathered to watch the show seemed to take notice and the majority of them were scared off by the dominant alpha in their presence, not willing to be in his way. He had stood there for what had felt like hours, seething at the spectacle before him.

When Yamaguchi had returned to the floor, he had looked unsteady, like he might collapse at any moment. When he spun around as if looking for something, he nearly went down. Tsukishima was there in an instant, wrapping his arms around Tadashi to hold him up.

“Woah, Tadashi. You okay?” The omega showed no sign of having heard him, looking up at him with a blank stare. “Tadashi.” He was panicking now, what was wrong with him. Before he could think to do anything, his arm was grabbed and he was being pulled to the back of the club. Yamaguchi led him down a dark hallway and to an unmarked door that he herded the alpha into.

Before he could process what was happening, he was pressed between a wall and a delirious omega who was starting to press kisses against his neck. Tsukishima shivered but snapped back to reality quickly.

“Tadashi, stop.” He went ignored as the shorter man started to unbutton his shirt. “Tadashi, look at me. Look at me please!” He was getting desperate now. He relaxes fractionally when Yamaguchi’s eyes come into focus.

“What are you doing here? Oh my god, Tsukishima.” The omega proceeded to freak out slightly before storming out of the room. Tsukishima had stayed where he was pressed against the wall, trying to catch his breath. This had not gone as he’d planned. When he’d snapped out of it, he’d immediately rushed out of the room but Tadashi was gone. He’d gone back to the main floor to search for him but there was no trace of the star speckled boy. Damn it.

He’d left out the front but there was something telling him that Yams was still in the building. He went around to wait for him out back by the staff entrance. The wait was nerve wracking and he couldn’t stop pacing. He’d been there for about an hour and a half when the door creaked open and Tadashi stepped out, head slumped and eyes focused on the ground. He’d changed out of his barely there outfit and into a pair of black sweatpants and a gray hoodie.

“‘Dashi.” The omega’s head snapped up, startled, and Tsukishima froze at the sight of Tadashi’s face. He had a large, purple bruise on his cheekbone, a split lip, and a cut on his left eyebrow. He could barely smell the others’ lilac scent over the strong smell of alpha “What. Happened?” He had never felt this kind of fury before in his life. When their eyes meet he’s startled by the angry look in those dark eyes. They well up with tears that immediately start to fall down those freckled cheeks.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” His voice is shaking. “What the fuck do you want from me, huh? I don’t understand.” He tries to talk through his sobs, sentences broken up by gasping breaths. When Tsukishima takes a step closer, Yamaguchi does the same, using his momentum to shove him in the chest. The alpha hardly budged but it hurt nonetheless.“Just leave me be. Please! You can’t keep coming here, I need this job. This is all I have. Please, I need this!” Tsukishima feels his heart shatter, tears welling up in his own eyes.

“‘Dashi, I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry. I just wanted to talk to you, I didn’t know how else to get your attention.”

“Just- You-“ He can’t get the words out through his ragged, panicked breathing. “Why- I don’t-“ The omega was now full on hyperventilating.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay.” He reached for the trembling hand that was nervously pulling on the hoodie strings. When he doesn’t pull away, Tsukishima takes the chance to pull him closer. Tadashi is hesitant but eventually finds it in himself to relax, resting his forehead against his chest. “I’m sorry. You’re okay.” He strokes the soft greenish hair gently before easing them on to the ground, pulling the smaller man onto his lap. “I’ve got you.”

It took close to an hour for the omega to calm down. Now, his breathing had evened out and his tears had stopped. This time he hadn’t pulled away the instant he’d calmed down, instead his face stayed buried into the crook of the alpha’s neck. His hands clutched his shirt, shaking, but more due to the chill than anything else. The alleyway was quiet, the only sounds coming from the streets of the city.

“Can you tell me what happened?” He brushed a strand of green hair of the young man’s forehead. Tadashi sniffled one last time, fiddling nervously with the buttons on Tsukishima’s shirt. Eventually he nods slightly.

“I haven’t been bringing in as much money as I normally do. My boss wasn’t exactly happy with me.” Tsukishima tensed.

“This was- oh my god, Dashi. This happened because of me.” Tadashi shook his head.

“It’s my fault, I just haven’t been on it like I usually am.” Classic Yamaguchi, sitting there with a tear stained, bruised face and lying so Tsukishima wouldn’t feel guilty. It’s too late, Tsukishima knows this was his fault. Add that to the list of things he will never forgive himself for.

“God, Tadashi. I’m so sorry.” He tightens his arms around the smaller’s waist, pulling him closer. They sit in silence for a couple more minutes before Tsukishima speaks.

“I’ve been looking for you.” He’d spent hours worrying about how to explain himself to Tadashi, deciding it was best to just tell him outright. Yamaguchi looked up at him with those big eyes. “I made a horrible mistake that day, and I realized it the next morning but you were gone.” His voice wavers slightly with emotion. “And I didn’t know where you were. I couldn’t find you. I left you all alone and I’ve regretted it every day since. Please, please forgive me, ‘Dashi.” He hides his tear stained face in the omega’s shoulder.

“I understand if you can’t. I know you probably hate me and you have every right.” He inhales shakily. “I hate myself too. I hate that I pushed you away and I hate that I said those horrible things to you that night. I hate that I left you all alone and that now you have to be here just to make a living. I’m sorry, ‘Dashi. I’m so so sorry. I just wanted you to be safe and I was younger and stupid. I didn’t realize that you would be safest with me.” Everything poured out of him in a shaky, long-winded rant.

He was glad that he had enough composure to not confess his love for the omega. He couldn’t just show up after years and throw that at him. His messy thoughts are interrupted by a soft hand on his cheek. He looks up into those beautiful, round eyes.

“I could never stay mad at you, Tsukki.” He releases his breath all at once. Relief flooding his entire being as he pulls the other man closer.

“Thank you.” He whispers, closing his eyes and resting his forehead on top of Yamaguchi’s head. “Thank you, Dashi.” An almost violent shiver overtakes Tadashi and Tsukishima realizes how long they have been sitting in the freezing alleyway. “We need to get you home.” The omega snaps his head up to look at him, nearly hitting him in the nose. His eyes were wide, nearly frantic. He scrambles to his feet, adjusting his clothing.

“No, no I’ll be okay. I’ll get home fine. Actually, I really should get going.” He turns and starts to walk away and Tsukishima doesn’t fail to notice the slight limp. His anger from earlier returns full force but he forces it back down for fear of scaring Tadashi.

“No, definitely not. It’s late and you’re hurt. Hurt because of me.” The omega freezes in place, shoulders tensing. “I’m taking you home.”

Chapter Text

Yamaguchi POV:

Yamaguchi's heart is in his stomach. He feels as though he could throw up. Here he was, walking down a city street with none other than Tsukishima Kei, who has insisted on accompanying him home. As in he was going home and bringing Tsukishima Kei with him. Tsukishima Kei was coming to his home. He was so screwed.

"Right here." Tsukishima gestures to a sleek, black sports car. Tadashi pauses. This car must have cost more than the house he grew up in. The car beeps as Tsukishima unlocks it and Tadashi hesitantly pulls the door open. He can't help but feel like he isn't worthy enough to even sit in the leather seat. The alpha leans forward in his seat to look at him and he realizes he's frozen outside the car like an idiot. As soon as he is seated in the car, memories come rushing back from that night 4 years ago.

The drive is quiet, the radio playing some random station quietly. Yamaguchi occasionally speaks up to direct Tsukishima where to go. Once they pass into the shadier part of the city, he can feel the embarrassment swallowing him up. Tsukishima didn't say anything, though, just kept on driving.

When they pull up to his apartment building, Tadashi feels like he might be sick. Now Tsukishima was seeing how he was living, in an old building that is practically crumbling apart.

"Thanks for the ride, I can manage from here." He opens the door as soon as the car is put in park.

"Now, hold on." Tsukishima quickly exits the car and follows closely behind. "I don't want to leave you alone after what just happened. You're hurt and you've barely just come down from a panic attack, let me help you."

"I really don't need any help. I'm fine." He tries to sound as truthful as possible while his legs threaten to give out beneath him.

"You're obviously not fine, Dashi." Damn it. The years since high school surely didn't seem to affect his ability to read Tadashi like an open book. When they make it to the stairs, a strong arm makes its way around his waist, taking a substantial amount of weight off his legs. With the help, he's able to struggle up the stairs with little trouble. When he reaches the top, he heads down the hallway and stops at his door before turning to Tsukishima.

"I can handle the rest on my own." He's getting desperate at this point. He's just gotten back into good terms with his childhood best friend and he doesn't want it all to collapse just like that. What would he think if he found out? He would think Tadashi was a liar. He would hate him. He would hate Aito. Tadashi couldn't handle that.

"Dashi calm down. Please let me help you, your face is bleeding and you look like you're about to have another anxiety attack." The look in his eyes was so sincere, and Tadashi could tell he wasn't going anywhere. He stares back at Tsukki for a long moment. This would probably be the last time the alpha would look at him with kindness in those eyes. He wanted to experience it for just a moment longer.

"Fine." He takes out his key before turning it and twisting the doorknob. He looks back at Tsukki one more time, feeling a tear escape his eye. "I'm sorry, Tsukki."

***

Tsukishima POV:

The quiet car ride to Tadashi's house had been painful. The omega had still been shivering, causing Tsukishima to crank up the heating and turn on his seat warmer. The few times the smaller man had talked to give directions, his voice was raw from crying so hard. The longer the drive went on, the deeper they got into the more dangerous side of town. Tsukishima knew he would never judge Tadashi for his situation but he couldn't help but feel protective knowing that a lot of gang activity happened in these neighborhoods.

When they had pulled up to Tadashi's building, the alpha looked it over curiously. The large cement bricks that it was made out of seemed to be falling apart and the coloring was off due to years of exposure to weather. This was not a place worthy of Yamaguchi Tadashi. When Yamaguchi had tried to go the rest of the way himself, Tsukishima had objected. He was not about to let him try to limp his way up a staircase by himself.

Tadashi had ended up needing help on the staircase, help that the alpha was more than happy to provide. When they'd made it to the omega's apartment he had turned to Tsukishima, telling him that he could handle it from there. Tsukishima had a hard time believing that, and his instincts were screaming at him to help and comfort the omega. When he insisted on staying the omega seemed to fall back into his nervous state, shaking renewed for reasons Tsukishima couldn't come up with. Tadashi twisted the key to unlock his apartment before he turned to Tsukishima.

"I'm sorry, Tsukki." The alpha was startled to see that the omega was once again crying. What could he be crying about? He doesn't have time to consider as Tadashi steps into his dim apartment, quickly wiping the tear from his freckled cheek. He startles the alpha when he calls out softly.

"I'm home." Immediately his senses kick in, searching for signs, smells, anything that pointed to the presence of an alpha. He tensed as his body became more alert to his surroundings. It for sure didn't smell like alpha. It smelled like Tadashi, along with a few other scents that he couldn't quite pick out. Everything seemed to go in slow motion when he heard the tapping of little feet running towards them.

He looked down to see a tiny, blonde toddler dashing towards Yamaguchi and attaching himself to the omega's leg.

What. The. Fuck?

The boy looks up at Tsukishima with Yamaguchi's round eyes. He also has the same freckles as the omega that even in his dazed state, the alpha has to recognize how adorable that is. But the child has a few more familiar features that don't come from Tadashi. His eyes are the same color Kei sees every morning in the mirror and he has the same messy blonde hair that he's seen in the family photo albums his mother keeps around.

"Tadashi." He doesn't know what to think. Is he making this up in his head? Maybe he's just projecting. No. No, this child was almost like a miniature copy of him with little bits of Tadashi thrown in. He looks up at the omega, who has an apologetic and fearful look on his face. He has started to cry again and his hand finds the little boy's head, stroking his hair comfortingly. "Is he-"

Tadashi nods, squeezing his eyes shut as if he's afraid of Tsukishima's reaction, more tears escape and roll down his face. It's a few moments before he finally manages to look Tsukishima in the eye.

"I'm so sorry." He mouths silently so the child doesn't hear, his eyes welling with more tears. Tsukishima is frozen. That... That means that this child is his. He has a son. He has a son with Tadashi. Oh god.

He stands there, frozen, for an unknown amount of time, gaze switching between Tadashi and the boy. His son. His son who he realizes is cowering behind his mother's leg as he begins to tremble at the smell of his mother's distress. The sight of the scared pup causes something to snap in Tsukishima. Instincts going into overdrive, his inner alpha hating the sight of the distressed omega and pup. His reaction is a bit delayed due to the shock of the recent revelation, but he soon projects his calming scent towards them.

The pup seems to physically relax instantly, though he still peers out from behind his mother who had also stopped his trembling, though still remains tense. Tsukishima crouches on the ground, situating himself so he is at eye level with the child.

"Hey, buddy." His voice shakes but he can feel a genuine smile turning up the corners of his mouth. The boys turns and hides his face in Tadashi's pant leg at the direct attention.

"He's just not used to alphas." Tadashi explains, still nervous. He moves to kneel down on the floor as well, looking at the young boy. "It's okay baby, this is my friend Tsukishima. He's very nice." Tadashi signs to the boy as he speaks, though the child barely watches his hands.

"Can he hear?" Tsukishima asks, looking up from the child to the omega. Tadashi nods.

"He hasn't started speaking yet." He says it quietly, thought the boy doesn't seem to be paying attention to him anyway, eyes still locked on Tsukishima. "Tsukishima, this is Aito."

Tsukishima's chest floods with immediate affection. Aito. He truly was a beautiful child. The alpha was surprised that he wasn't more freaked out than he felt. He was surprised, sure, but he wasn't angry or terrified like he would have thought.

"Hi, Aito." He can feel tears welling up in his eyes, he wants nothing more than to get to know this child.

"Can you say hi, baby?" Tadashi says softly. The omega's gentleness with the boy makes his chest feel warm. Aito gives the tiniest of waves before shyly hiding his face in his mother's neck. Tadashi chuckles softly, stroking the blonde hair and receiving a small purr in response. Tsukishima can't find it in himself to look away from the affectionate scene. "He can be shy with new people." The omega explains. Tsukishima nods in understanding, trying to ignore the pang in his chest at the fact that he is a stranger to his own son. His son. He'd never thought he'd even think those words. When the pup lets out a small whine, Tadashi nuzzles him softly.

"Do you want your milk?" Aito nods and raises his arms up to make grabby hands at his mother. Yamaguchi stands and picks the toddler up. He gestures his head further into the house. "Come on in, Tsukki." God, he'd missed that nickname. They finally step out of the entryway and Tsukishima takes in the small apartment. It's dimly lit and scarcely furnished, A few worn toys are scattered on the floor along with a blanket that was spread out by the couch.

Another wave of guilt washes over him. He'd been spending the past four years living in a luxurious mansion while Tadashi and his child lived in a tiny apartment that was practically decaying. He follows the omega into the kitchen where he sits Aito down on the counter and opens the fridge. Tsukishima's eyes stay glued to the tiny pup, as he kicks his little legs and waits patiently while his mother moves around the kitchen, eventually coming back and handing him a sippy cup covered in stickers before picking him up once again.

He gestures for Tsukishima to follow him and moves to the couch. He sits down with Aito in his lap, patting the cushion beside him for Tsukishima to sit. He watches as the two sit in silence, Tadashi rocking back and forth while softly nuzzling the pup as he drinks from his sippy cup. They sit in silence for a while but it's not uncomfortable. In fact, Tsukishima feels as though he could watch the omega smile down at his pup like this forever.

Eventually, Tadashi looks up from the child and meets Tsukishima's gaze. He opens his mouth to say something when there's a cry from the other room. The sound makes Tsukishima sit up, alert. Tadashi's eyes go wide. He swears under his breath as he stands, settling Aito back on the couch, the pup whimpers before receiving a comforting nuzzle, promptly returning his attention back to drinking his milk.

Tadashi disappears into what Tsukishima assumes is the bedroom and emerges holding another child, this one much smaller than the toddler sitting next to him. Tsukishima freezes once again. Another one? Tadashi had been alone this whole time with not one but two children. The raven haired baby sniffles in Tadashi's arms, big eyes full of tears.

"I'm so sorry." Tadashi says, frazzled. "He wouldn't drink his bottle earlier and now he's probably hungry." He returns to the kitchen and comes back, holding the bottle for the baby and rocking him gently.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't realize you had another..." His sentence trails off, he's unsure what to say to yet another surprising development. Yams offers a small, unsure smile, nodding.

"This is Eiji." He says. Tsukishima stands and approaches him. Looking down at the baby who gazes back at him with sleepy eyes, continuing to drink from his bottle.

"He's so cute." He had never been one to fawn over children, but it seems Tadashi had a gift in making them exceptionally cute. There was only a slight twinge of possessiveness that came with knowing that Tadashi had a pup with another alpha, but Tsukishima knew he had absolutely no right to feel that way.

They both eventually migrated back to the couch, where Aito once again snuggled up to his mother. Tsukishima could hardly believe it. Tadashi had two children. And one of them was his. This was not how he'd expected this night to go at all. He tried to sort through his thoughts as he watched the tiny family cuddled closely together on the couch. When Eiji's bottle was finished, Tadashi stood up, slightly slowed down by Aito trying to hang on to him.

"I should try to put him back to sleep." He says softly. "Will you be alright for a few moments?" Tsukishima nods, pretending the thought of being alone with his son wasn't the most terrifying thing he'd experienced to date. What was he supposed to do? The small boy’s eyes shift to him and he offers a timid smile. He must look ridiculous. He freezes when he feels a small hand come to rest on his leg, the other still holding the sippy cup to the boy’s mouth. He looks down at the tiny hand then back up at the child’s face. Aito’s attention had drifted to something across the room, he stared into the distance while still drinking, but his hand hadn’t moved from the alpha’s leg. Tsukishima nearly lost it right then.

When Tadashi returns from the bedroom he pauses when he sees Aito with Tsukishima. A sad smile makes its way on to his face and his eyes well up with tears once again. Thankfully, Aito doesn’t seem to notice as he finishes off the milk and slides off of the couch, going to hand his empty cup to his mother, who takes it and sets it down on the table before picking him up.

“Alright, bedtime for you, mister.” The toddler rests his head on the omega’s shoulder, eyes drooping. “I’ll be right back.” Tsukishima nods as he watches them disappear. While he waits he looks around the apartment again. He had to get them out of this place. They deserved so much better than this shitty apartment. He could take them home with him. He knew he was already getting ahead of himself but once the thought popped into his head he couldn’t stop it. The pack wouldn’t mind, the house was huge and they all knew how long he’d been searching for Yamaguchi. Hell, they’d probably be happy about it. The proximity to the omega would definitely be a plus.

He stands when he sees a couple of framed photos sitting on a shelf attached to the wall. Upon closer inspection, the first photo seems to be a picture that was taken in a hospital, Tadashi lies in a hospital bed with a newborn Eiji on his chest, a slightly younger Aito sits next to him, looking curiously at the tiny baby. Tadashi smiles down at Eiji, he looked exhausted and his face was wet with tears but he looked absolutely beautiful in that photo. Tsukishima couldn’t help but smile.

The smile slowly faded, however, when his eyes found the second photo. Yamaguchi was seated on the very same couch that still sat in the living room, cradling Aito who couldn’t be more than a few months old. The pup was absolutely adorable but what had caught Tsukishima’s attention was the larger man who had his arm around Tadashi’s shoulders. He was leaned towards the omega and seemed to be speaking to him, the look on Tadashi’s face made it seem as though the man had just told him the secrets of the universe.

Tsukishima’s heart sinks. If this was what he thought it was then he could forget about taking the omega from this place. If he was happy with another man, Tsukishima couldn’t get in the way of that. He’d put the omega through enough already as it was, he couldn’t take away his happiness.

“Alright, both of them are asleep.” Yamaguchi returns from the bedroom, stoping beside Tsukishima. The alpha gestures to the photos.

“You look so happy.” Tadashi’s gaze shifts from the photos to the floor then back up to look at Tsukishima.

“Yeah.” He says softly, leaving it that. Tsukishima points to the second photo.

“Who’s that?” He asks, hoping he’s not coming off as pushy as he thinks he is.

“Oh th-that’s Jun.” Tadashi doesn’t look at the photo. “He’s my boyfriend.” And just like that, Tsukishima feels his heart crack.

“Oh! Well you make a beautiful family.” Does his smile look as forced as it feels? He can’t quite read the look in Tadashi’s eyes. “Where is he?” The omega looks at the floor.

“He’s out of town. Business. He’s gone most of the time.” He doesn’t elaborate any more than that.

“Is he.. Is he Eiji’s father?”

“I’m not sure.” Yamaguchi looks down in shame. “I-I don’t exactly know who his father is. I don’t think it’s Jun. I believe it was a client.” He still won’t look up at Tsukishima.

“Well. As long as you’re happy, right?” Tadashi only nods. Tsukishima stares at him for a long time. “Look, I was wondering if I could maybe come back. I’d really like to get to know Aito more.” Please say yes. Please say yes.

“Of course! I don’t want to keep you away from him, Tsukishima. I just- I didn’t think you’d want to be a part of his life and I thought that you’d be mad at me and-and I didn’t want you to be mad at me.” He’s crying again.

“No, Dashi. I’m not mad. I understand, really. I pushed you away. It was my fault.”

“I should have told you.”

“You were confused and scared, Dashi. I don’t blame you.” Tadashi looks at him with teary eyes, seeming to hear the truth in those words. Tsukishima’s attention returns to the bruise and bloody cuts on the omega’s face. “Let me clean you up.” The omega agrees and Tsukishima retrieves ice from the freezer for the bruise before leading the smaller man into the bathroom.

He has Yamaguchi sit on the counter before asking him where the rags are. Tadashi points to the cupboard and Tsukishima takes out a clean cloth, running it under water before dabbing the blood off of the omega’s face. They fell into silence, Tsukishima taking the time to wrap his mind around the shit ton of information that had just been thrown at him. He still couldn’t believe it. He has a son. A son who doesn’t know who he is.

“I think he liked you.” Tadashi says quietly, snapping Tsukishima out of his spiraling thoughts. He laughs lightly.

“How could you even tell? He barely looked at me.” Tadashi shook his head gently.

“I could tell. He can get very scared when he meets new people, he warmed up to you faster than I’ve ever seen him warm up to anybody. He expresses affection through touch, he wouldn’t have touched you like that if he hadn’t felt comfortable with you.” He’s dropped the ice into his lap now, just looking at Tsukishima. The alpha finishes cleaning the cut above his eyebrow as well as the one on his lip before taking the ice and holding it onto Tadashi’s face himself.

“That was probably just my scent. Of course he’d naturally relax around me, deep deep down he recognizes something familiar in it. It doesn’t have anything to do with me as a person.” Tadashi just smiles at him, but there is something so much deeper in his eyes, Tsukishima can’t put a name to it.

“You haven’t changed, Tsukki.” The way he says it give Tsukishima butterflies. Butterflies! What is happening to him? “Except for these!” He gently brushes his fingers against Tsukishima’s ear, making him shiver. He’d had his ears pierced in several places since the last time he’d seen Tadashi. He looks at the freckled man and his breath hitches at their intimate position. He’s standing between the omega’s legs as he holds the ice to his cheek, and the omega has moved his face in closer to inspect the piercings. He was overwhelmed with the smell of lilacs.

“And these.” Tadashi pulls back and grabs the forearm not currently icing his face, pushing the sleeve up more to reveal the tattoos scattering his arm. “They’re beautiful, Tsukki.” He whispers. His fingers graze over the crow that’s been tattooed at the center of his forearm. “A crow.” He chuckles quietly. “Suga was telling me about an alpha he met who had a crow tattoo as well. Small world.”

Tsukishima’s brows furrowed slightly. Had Tadashi’s friend run into one of the crows? He wonders briefly who it might have been but Tadashi seems to have moved on from the topic, tracing his fingers over the other tattoos on his arm. He lets him continue in silence as he mulls over his next words, debating how to go about the question. He decides to ask it outright, hoping he won’t hit a nerve.

“So..” Tadashi looks up at him curiously. “About Aito.” Tadashi nods for him to continue. “Do you know why he’s...” Shit, how is he supposed to ask?

“Mute?” Tadashi questions. Tsukishima nods, relieved. “I don’t.” Tadashi seems to pull away slightly. “I can’t exactly afford a therapist for him right now.”

“Could you ask his doctor about it?” Tadashi cringes and drops Tsukishima’s arm from his hold.

“I-I can’t afford a doctor either.” Shit. Shit. He’s tearing up again. Tsukishima puts the ice down and rubs Tadashi’s arms comfortingly. Shushing him quietly.

“It’s okay, Dashi. It’s okay, just breathe.” He felt absolutely terrible. He could have assumed that with just the money he makes from the club he wouldn’t be able to pay for a doctor but he’d thought that with the boyfriend to help him out he would. “Listen to me, Dashi. I can help you, okay? I’ll help you with this.”

“I can’t ask you to-“

“Don’t finish that sentence.” Tadashi pauses. “He’s my son. It’s literally my responsibility, and besides, I want to help you. I want to help him. I can take care of the doctor and the therapist.” Tadashi slumps against him and he wraps the omega up in his arms. “I can pay for Eiji’s too.” The smaller man pushes away instantly, looking up at Tsukishima with wide eyes.

“Tsukki you can’t-“

“I can.” He interrupts the omega, stroking his hair gently. “It’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal? Tsukki, do you know how expensive that is?”

“It’s not a problem, Dashi.”

“Tsukki.” He shakes his head, tears flowing freely.

“Stop, Dashi. It’s okay. I want to help, but I don’t want to overstep. If it makes you uncomfortable I can step back, but I just want what’s best for the boys, both of them.”

“Tsukki, I can’t burden you like that! That’s a lot of money.”

“It’s not a burden. I swear to you it’s not too much.” Tadashi is silent for a long time, considering. Tsukishima waits anxiously for him to come to a conclusion. He needed this, he’d already been absent from his son’s life for almost four years and now this opportunity for him to actually help is right in front of him? God, please say yes, Dashi. Eventually, the omega nodded and Tsukishima couldn’t help but pull him into a tight embrace. “Thank you, Dashi, thank you so much.” He held the omega for a few long moments before the omega yawned, leaning more weight onto Tsukishima.

“Alright. I think it’s your bedtime now.” The alpha chuckles, brushing the dark green hair back affectionally. Tadashi just mumbles something that he doesn’t quite catch. He pushes himself off of the counter but gasps in pain as his knees buckle. Tsukishima is quick to stop him from falling to the floor, holding him up by his waist. “I got you.” He says before bending down to swipe the omega’s legs of the floor and adjusting him into a princess carry.

He holds him gently as the omega sleepily leans his head onto the alpha’s shoulder. Tsukishima wishes he could stay like this forever. He knows he can’t think like that anymore. The omega wasn’t his. He can’t hold back the rumbling growl at that fact. Tadashi whimpers softly in his half asleep state, causing Tsukishima to cut the growling off immediately.

He walks to the bedroom and glances around once he makes it inside. It’s not much different from the rest of the apartment, the wallpaper peeling of the walls and the ugly carpeting. There is a bassinet pushed up against on wall, Eiji sleeping peacefully inside, and a bed took up most of the leftover space. Aito was cuddled under the covers, wearing dinosaur themed pajamas with a green dinosaur plushie tucked under one arm. Tsukishima’s heart almost stops. He really was his son.

He makes his way over to the bed, laying Tadashi down gently and pulling the blankets over him. The omega was now soundly asleep, his face finally relaxed and peaceful. Aito seems to sense his mother’s presence and pulls himself closer to Tadashi, nuzzling into his mother’s chest, letting out soft purrs. Tadashi rolls over to his side, wrapping his arms around the pup.

Tsukishima can’t help but watch them sadly, letting years of regret hit him all at once. Not only had he left Tadashi alone, but a child as well. The omega had probably been so afraid and confused, and Tsukishima hadn't been there for him, to help him through what was probably the scariest time of his life. It wouldn't have even had to be so scary, if Tsukishima hadn't been such an idiot.

He should have just been there for the boy he loved, instead he’d pushed him into this life, pushed him into the arms of another man. Now any bit of hope he’d had when he’d first found the omega was smashed into about a million little pieces. Tadashi wasn’t his. Never would be. But hell if he wasn’t going to be here for the omega and his family.

It’s obvious that they need help, and Tsukishima is in a position to help them. He will do anything to keep them happy. He reaches out to stroke Aito’s soft blond hair.

“I already love you.” He whispers softly. Taking another moment to admire the small boy’s features before turning to Tadashi. He presses a kiss to the top of the omega’s head. His beautiful, star speckled boy. “And I’ve always loved you.”

With that he stands, silently exiting the bedroom and heading to retrieve his shoes. Once he’s put them on, he turns the main light off and steps out of the apartment, shutting the door quietly behind him.

Chapter Text

Daichi POV:

Daichi had called a pack meeting first thing in the morning. They had a lot to discuss. Everyone had finally gathered at their meeting table. Kenma looked rather put off about Kuroo having dragged him out of bed so early, his hair was like a birds nest that one could compare to his mate's usual bed head. Kuroo sits next to him, looking rather proud of himself albeit panting heavily. Asahi looks put together, as he usually does in the mornings, sipping from a cup of tea patiently. Bokuto was face down on the table, still half asleep. Iwaizumi leans back in his chair, clad only in his plaid pajama pants as he sips his coffee.

Tendou is writing on a scrap of paper frantically, probably one of his random little stories that he leaves around the house for others to find. They usually didn't make all that much sense but were entertaining nonetheless. Daichi isn't sure if the omega had even gotten any sleep last night. He usually only writes those stories when he's anxious. He'd have to speak with the omega later.

Tsukishima sits in his usual chair beside Daichi. There is something different about the young alpha that Daichi can't quite put his finger on, he'd been out very late last night and had been acting strange since.

"Sorry for calling a meeting so early, everyone. Just figured it'd be better sooner rather than later." He takes a deep breath before continuing, unsure about how his pack would react to his news. "I was able to speak to a staff member from the club and get some information on the owner of the establishment. Based on what we were told, I'm almost certain it's Fukuda Minori." Everyone stopped to look at him.

"Fukuda." Bokuto whispers to himself. "Fukuda." He says louder. "Sounds familiar." Kenma facepalms from across the table.

"Fukuda Minori as in the leader of the Lions. God, Bokuto, the man shot you in the shoulder two years ago." Bokutos eyes unfocus for a moment as he remembers.

"Ohh, that Fukuda." He smiles like he'd just solved a difficult math problem. Everyone watches him with blank expressions. "Oh wait. That's really not good."

"Thank you for the intel, Bokuto. As always, you are a valued member of the team." Tsukishima rolls his eyes while Bokuto beams once again.

"Anyways. As you all know, if it's the Lions we're dealing with we're gonna have more than a few problems." Daichi doesn't need to explain to them how big of a deal this was. The Lions were a gang from a few cities over, they rivaled his crows in both size and reputation. Though they were known to be much more ruthless. They'd managed to avoid contact with the gang for the most part, save for a minor scuffle over a drug trade that ended with Bokuto in the hospital. "And it's more than likely we're gonna need some backup. So I've contacted Ushijima Wakatoshi." Once again there is a tense silence.

"You mean the leader of the eagle gang?" Kuroo speaks up, wrapping his arm around Kenma's shoulders and pulling him into his chest. "Didn't they used to be our enemy?" Daichi nodded, he'd expect this question to come up.

"They were. For a long time there was a lot of tension between us and them. But mine and Ushijima's grandfathers resolved it a long time ago. And yes, we haven't exactly been in contact since then but they could really be a big help if we're going to get into it with the lions. It could get messy and it's not exactly like we have anyone else to turn to."

"So you mean to say that the eagles are coming here?" Daichi nods again.

"Yes, and I need you all to make sure we are extra careful around these people, we know almost nothing about them. Especially Ushijima, it's amazing he even agreed to help us out with this but I'm not sure about his feeling towards us. Tendou and Kenma, it might be best that you aren't around for the first meeting, we don't know what he thinks about having omega's so involved in the gang." Both Tendou and Kenma nod in understanding.

Daichi wasn't willing to risk the safety of the omega's in his pack. If Ushijima had a problem with omegas, he would simply keep him away from them until they figured the situation out and then simply never contact him again.

"We're meeting with them tonight at The Rook, just Ushijima and his inner circle. So clear your schedules because this is a priority."

"Hold on. We're not leaving Kenma and Tendou here alone, are we?" Kuroo does not look happy at the sound of it and pulls Kenma closer. The small omega rolls his eyes at his alpha's behavior.

"I can have Tanaka come stay here with them but you do realize this house is about as secure as you can get, right?" Kuroo pouts, pulling Kenma into his lap.

"I know, man. I just hate leaving him. I get protective. Maybe if anyone else here could bother to get a mate, they would understand." He shoots a pointed look at each person around the table. Kenma remains indifferent, attention focused on his handheld game, betrayed only by the soft purrs that he releases at the attention from his alpha. Daichi can't help but feel a pang of jealousy at the sight. He'd never really thought he wanted something like that until recently.

"Well I guess you're just going to have to trust Tanaka." Daichi says. A loud laugh pulls his attention to Tendou, who's pulled his gun from his waistband and now twirls it gracefully on one hand.

"Why are we acting like Tanaka is needed here at all?" He tilts his head curiously, shooting a look at Kuroo. "Are we not to be trusted with our own safety?"

"You know that's not what I meant, Tendou." The readheaded omega leans his elbows on the table flicking his gaze between the gun and Kuroo. The look in his eyes is intense and the room falls silent.

"Yeah, I do." The omega laughs as Kuroo rolls his eyes, everyone else slumps in relief.

“And on that note,” Daichi claps his hands together. “Be prepared for anything tonight. We leave at 10:00.”

***

It was currently 9:30 and Daichi was trying to round up his pack so they could get a move one. It would look bad of hey showed up late after they were the ones who initiated contact.

Currently, Kuroo was trying to gain Kenma’s attention from where he was sat on the couch, trying to earn a compliment on how handsome he looks in his crisp suit. Asahi was trying to help Bokuto clean up shards of glass from the stack of plates he’d dropped. Tsukishima was staring down at his phone with his usual scowl. Iwaizumi stood in the entryway, straightening his tie and fixing his hair.

“At least somebody’s ready to go.” Daichi says, exasperated. Tendou huffs from where he’s is splayed out on the floor in front of the couch, pouting.

“I’m always ready on time.” He rolls onto his stomach, looking up at Daichi with his puppy dog eyes. “Can’t I go, Daichi?”

“I’m sorry, Tendou but I need you guys to sit this one out, at least until we know more about these people.” There’s a knock on the door. “Besides, look who’s here to keep you company.” Daichi opens it to reveal Tanaka who is smiling brightly, holding a takeout bag and a six pack of beer. Tendou cheers up immediately, catapulting from the floor straight to Tanaka. He hugs the beta and relieves him of his hold on the six pack. He turns to head back to the couch but not before sending a look over his shoulder.

“You better be here for our Mario Kart rematch.” Kenma perks up at the mention of the video game, finally lifting his gaze from his phone. Kuroo throws his hands up in exasperation.

“Alright, let’s head out.” Daichi raises his voice so it reaches all of the distracted alphas. Eventually, they all file out of the door and are on their way.

It’s only about a twenty minute drive to The Rook and they make good time, arriving a few minutes ahead of the agreed time he had set with one of Ushijima’s men.

When they enter through the side door they make their way directly to the private room at the back of the bar, it was always open for them to do business, considering Daichi owned the place. He nods at one of the waitstaff as he enters and she nods back, a silent promise to keep an eye out for their guests. With that confirmation he follows the others inside.

The meeting room is a large, lavish room. A meeting table sits in the center, much larger than the one on the packhouse, designed for more than just one group of people. The wallpaper is a bit flashy but still tasteful and the expensive curtains on the windows tied the whole room together. It was mostly meant to impress potential partners or clients. Daichi didn’t much care for it.

They got comfortable as they waited, each taking their usual seats at the table and talking amongst themselves. Daichi wasn’t usually one to get nervous but he could certainly feel the tension from the others and it put him a bit on edge. This was a very important meeting and also a very risky one. Daichi looks up when the door opens, the waitress popping her head in.

“Your guests are here, Mr. Sawamura.”

“Thank you. Send them in, please.” She nods before stepping aside. A tall, broad man takes her place. He has brown hair and olive green eyes. Although they had never met in person, Daichi recognizes him instantly. Ushijima Wakatoshi. He stands to greet the large alpha, offering his hand in greeting.

“Ushijima-San, thank you for agreeing to meet with me.” Ushijima accepts his offered hand and nods politely.

“Of course, Daichi-San. It sounded quite urgent.” Despite his stern face that would probably come off as intimidating to most, Daichi sensed no threat beneath it. He was used to Tsukishima’s stern glare anyways.

“Please, have a seat.” He gestures to the table. “We have a lot to discuss.” As Ushijima greets the rest of his pack, Daichi takes a moment to observe the others that had entered behind him. His gaze lands first on a tall, pretty brunette who, Daichi can tell instantly due to the very faint scent coming off of him, is an omega. Well, that answers that question. He observes that this omega has no mark and he hadn’t seen one on Ushijima so he can assume he is here as a gang member and not a mate.

“Oikawa Tooru.” The omega says, holding out his delicate hand and offering what can only be described as a flirtatious smirk.

“Daichi Sawamura” He introduces himself., shaking the tall man’s hand.

“A pleasure.” The omega winks before sauntering over to greet the rest of his pack as well. The omega seems surprisingly comfortable in a room full of alphas but Daichi is unable to pick up on his scent well enough to know whether it is an act or not, he must be wearing scent suppressors.

Next, Daichi meets a set of practically identical twins, save for their hair color and their smell. Osamu was just a bit taller and had the distinct smell of alpha, while Atsumu had the sweeter smell of an omega. Atsumu also did not seem phased by the number of alphas in the room, but that may be due to the presence of the taller, black haired alpha who introduced himself as Kiyoomi. Daichi noticed the two shared a bond mark an could smell the alpha all over Atsumu. The last one to enter was a short, excitable omega called Noya, who reminded him of a tiny Bokuto.

Once he had met everyone, they sat down at the table and began discussing the situation. Daichi was surprised at how understanding Ushijima was and how willing he was to help out. Apparently, he had his own issues with the Lions. The discussion was mostly done just between him and Ushijima while the others spoke amongst themselves.

Asahi and Kuroo seemed to be having an engaging situation with Kiyoomi while Tsukishima watched the twins bicker quietly between themselves with an amused smirk on his face. Bokuto had warmed up to Noya and Oikawa quickly and the three were laughing together, seemingly at the expense of a put out Iwaizumi who rolls his eyes at the taller omega’s flirtyness. This only seems to encourage the brunette more as he starts to push the alpha’s further. The spiky haired man simply downs the rest of his rum and holds the empty glass up to a passing waiter who takes it to be refilled, smiling gratefully.

Tendou will be disappointed that he had to stay home for nothing, but Daichi is still confident in his decision to keep them home. It was engrained in Daichi’s instincts to protect the omega’s in his pack, and he never would have forgiven himself if he put them in danger.

A couple of hours later, they’d concluded their discussion. Ushijima had agreed to help them with their problem, surprising Daichi when he hadn’t asked for anything in return. He’d invited Ushijima and his pack to stay with them in the mansion and he’d have his other gang members put up in one of his hotels, though a good number of them would remain in the neighboring city unless needed.

Since they’d all been packed for a few days anyway, Daichi insisted they spend tonight at the packhouse. It would be much more comfortable than a hotel and he figures it’s the least he can do in return for this favor.

Once they’re on their way he feels himself start to relax. That had gone better than he had imagined it. Ushijima was a very similar leader to Daichi and was just as invested on forming a good relationship between their gangs as he was. He can’t believe he hadn’t reached out to him before now. This would be an extremely beneficial relationship.

When they pull up to the packhouse along with the several following cars, Oikawa finally speaks up.

“Please tell me you people have omega’s in your pack.” He whines, dragging his feet like a child.

“Don’t worry, Oikawa-San. We just weren’t sure on how they would be accepted if you weren’t so open to omega’s.” Daichi explains. Oikawa pauses and looks up at Ushijima with a pouty face.

“And you just didn’t think of that? Do we mean so little to you?” He pulls a startled Atsumu against his chest.

“Like either of you would have agreed to sit this one out.” Ushijima states, his face remaining stoic. Oikawa contemplates this for a moment before giving in as they step up to the front door.

“Our guest rooms have already been prepared for you. I’ll have you shown to them so you can get settled.” As he opens the door the sound of yelling immediately puts him in high alert. As he steps further in, he sees Tendou on Tanakas back, yelling obscenities and repeatedly accusing him of cheating. Ryu struggles to throw the omega off of his back as Kenma sits back and observes, taking a sip from his can of soda.

“Wow.” Oikawa says upon taking in the scene. “I like it here!” When Tendou notices their audience, he immediately drops from Tanaka’s back, face flushing.

“Daichi.” He says, approaching them. “I didn’t realize you were bringing back company.” He says through his teeth, shooting the alpha a look.

“And I didn’t realize you were hosting a wrestling match in my living room.” Daichi shoots back before gesturing to the group. “Tendou, this is Ushijima and his pack, Oikawa, Osamu, Atsumu, and Kiyoomi.” Tendou blushes slightly and bows politely.

“Tendou Satori.” He introduces himself before smiling shyly at Ushijima for a few moments before the sound of the countdown starts from the TV. This snaps his attention away from the alpha as he bolts back to join Tanaka and Kenma, chastising them for starting without him.

“Alright, well, that’s Kenma.” He gestures to the small omega curled up on the couch, focusing intently on the screen. “He’s not exactly the most social so don’t expect a lot out of him.” Kuroo walks over to kneel in front of his omega, wrapping his large arms around the smaller mans waist and nuzzling into his neck. Kenma leans into the affection but his eyes stay trained on the game.

“We’ll get you to your rooms now so you can get comfortable.” Daichi looks to Iwaizumi. “Iwaizumi will you show Oikawa to his room please.” The alpha groans as the omega leans in closer to him.

“I’m sure you’ll have no issue with helping me get comfortable, Iwa-Chan.” He teases. The alpha rolls his eyes before snatching Oikawa’s bag from him and turning to head up the stairs.

“I told you not to call me that.” He grumbles as they disappear.

“Asahi, can you take Noya, Osamu, and Atsumu and Kiyoomi? They’re all right next to eachother. The alpha nods and gestures the others to follow him. “Ushijima, you can follow me.” The stoic alpha nodded before Daichi led him through the kitchen and down another hallway and then up a separate staircase. On the second floor he leads him down another corridor before stopping in front of one of the larger guest rooms they had.

“You’ll be in here.” He pushes the door open and lets Ushijima step inside. “Tendou is right across the hall there and Bokuto is a few doors down on the left. You can go to there if you need anything at all. Oikawa is in the west wing, third floor and the rest of your pack are downstairs to the right a ways.” He explains, knowing the alpha would be comforted knowing where his pack was located. “I made sure Oikawa, Atsumu, and Noya know where the others are in case they need an omega and Oikawa is close to Kenma is it’s an emergency.”

“Thank you, Daichi-San. I appreciate you looking out for them.”

“Of course. And please, just Daichi is fine.” Ushijima nods. “I’ll leave you to settle in then.”

“Thank you.” The alpha says again before Daichi closes the door and heads back down to the living room. Kuroo has pulled Kenma into his lap and Tanaka and Tendou have finally calmed down. Tsukishima is seated in a leather chair, looking down at his phone, he’d been distracted all night. When Asahi and Bokuto return they all settle in to watch a movie and Daichi soaks in the presence of his pack. They’d never had a second pack staying with them in the house. This was going to be interesting.

Chapter Text

(Same day as the meeting)

Yamaguchi POV:

Yamaguchi walks down the street with Suga. Keiko had been fussing and going on walks always calmed her. Akaashi had been too tired to join them and was back at Suga's place with the kids. Yams hadn't felt like pushing the stroller or carrying Eiji and Aito had been too tired for a walk. They'd offered to take Akihiko but he insisted on staying behind with the sleepy Aito.

"He just showed up at the club one day?" Suga asks, surprised.

"Yes!" Tadashi groans.

"How did he know where to find you?"

"I don't know. I think it may have been sheer coincidence." Suga scrunches his eyebrows together.

"He just happened to be in an omega strip club?" Tadashi rolls his eyes.

"It wasn't like that."

"And you know that how, exactly?"

"Because Tsukki is not like that, okay? He'd never willingly go to a loud, busy place in his free time." Suga just raises his hands up in surrender before returning them to rest on Keiko's small back. She coos softly, still coming down from her crying fit. "Enough about my issues. What about your mystery alpha? Didn't he tell you you could call him?" Suga scoffs but fails to hide his blush.

"If I ever needed anything! That doesn't mean I can just call him for no reason." Tadashi pouts at the silver haired mother.

"But you spoke so highly of him. You can't just not see him again."

"He's a busy man, Tadashi. Me reaching out to him would simply be an inconvenience for him."

"Oh please, he probably wants you to call." Tadashi rolls his eyes at his friend's clueless behavior. Suga simply shakes his head and they leave it at that, walking peacefully for a few minutes. That is until they pass a fish stand where a short man is calling out for pedestrians to stop and buy his fresh catch. Tadashi immediately recoils from the smell of fish but can't get away fast enough before he starts to feel bile rising in his throat. He rushes to a trash can off to the side of the sidewalk and empties his stomach of today's breakfast.

"Are you alright?" Suga is next to him in an instant, stroking his back softly as he continues to throw up. He can sense people staring but can't do much about it as he continues to faceplate into the garbage. When he is finally finished he wipes his mouth with the tissue Suga hands him and throws that into the garbage as well. "Tadashi, have you been feeling sick recently?" Suga asks, his tone hesitant and concerned. Tadashi shakes his head.

"No I'm fine, I think I just ate something bad." Suga decides not to push him and they continue on their way back to the apartment. When they arrive, Akaashi has made lunch and sits on the couch as Aito and Aki devour their food. Eiji is holding himself up on the coffee table as he speaks incoherently at the raven haired omega. He turns when he hears Suga and Tadashi enter.

"I made curry. It's on the stove if you'd like. I tried to get Eiji to eat but he wasn't having it. He keeps 'no ma'aming' me." Tadashi has to chuckle at that. It was Eiji's new favorite frase. Tadashi picked up a jar of the soft baby food and holds it up for his youngest to see.

"Eiji, don't you want to eat some lunch?" Eiji looks up at him, eyeing the baby food suspiciously. When Tadashi takes a step closer he shakes his head.

"No ma'am." He says with as much authority as a baby could have. Yams doesn't even know where he learned to say it but he'd been saying it nonstop to anyone and everyone, regardless of their gender.

"Fine. But you'll just be hungry later."

"No ma'am."

"Alright, Alright." He sets the baby food down before taking some curry for himself instead, settling into the chair beside Aito to eat. The curry is absolutely amazing, yet another one of Akaashi's many skills that he picked up at the drop of a hat. "This is great, Akaashi! Aren't you going to have any?" He looks to where Akaashi is resting. Akaashi lazily lifts his hand to wave him off.

"I'm fine." Is all he says before returning to his half asleep state. He must not be sleeping very well again. Tadashi scarfs down his food at the realization, practically mirroring the hungry toddlers beside him, then makes his way to the couch to cuddle Akaashi. Akaashi starts to purr when he feels Yams nuzzling into him and a small smile appears on his face. Eiji toddles his way over at the sight of his mother loving up on someone else and babbles until he is picked up and placed in between them.

“Ah, is this an impromptu nest I see?” Suga meanders in after finishing his own lunch and quickly goes to throw a large, fluffy blanket over the small cuddle pile before crawling under it himself and basking in his pack’s scent. Akihiko follows soon after, taking a flying leap at Suga who catches him before breaking out into a fit of giggles. Aito, who had followed Aki from the kitchen, analyses the snuggling mess with his own eyes before deciding he would sit by the free standing baby swing instead, stroking Keiko’s soft silver hair as she sleeps, finally worn out by their outing.

They stay in their own little world for about an hour before Akaashi declares that he has to get groceries before work and starts getting ready to leave. Yamaguchi also decides it would be best for him to go as well, maybe he can have some quality time with his boys before dinner. They all get ready to go before taking off.

They walk with Akaashi and Akihiko for a few blocks until they have to split of in separate directions. Waving goodbye to eachother as Aki gives Aito one last bear hug. The rest of the walk is fairly quiet, just the sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling to accompany them, even Eiji was being rather quiet. When they finally make it to the apartment and up the elevator, Tadashi freezes in front of his door.

His nerves have suddenly skyrocketed and he feels suddenly tense. He tries to shake it off as he unlocks the door but his efforts are all for not as he opens the door and the smell of whiskey floods his senses. Aito is immediately pressed up closer against his leg, small hands gripping his jeans tightly.

“Where’ve you been?” The husky voice calls from the couch. “I’ve been here for hours.”

“Jun.” Tadashi is frozen in place as the alpha stands and approaches them where they still stand in the entryway. He hadn’t known Jun would be back today, which he guesses isn’t that surprising because he never knows. The large man’s gaze drifts briefly over Eiji and Aito, no hint of emotion in his eyes as they pass the boys over. When he looks back to Tadashi they are expecting.

“Is that the greeting I get?” He holds his hands to his sides, one already holding an open beer. Tadashi moves hesitantly closer to the alpha until he is close enough that Jun grabs him around the waist and pulls him in for a long, aggressive kiss. When Jun’s hands start to make their way up his shirt, Tadashi has to push his arms down and pull away.

“The boys.” Is all he says and Jun rolls his eyes.

“You haven’t seen me in weeks and that’s your concern?” Yams tries to contain an eye roll as he starts to unbuckle Eiji from the stroller, the boys will always be his concern. Aito has stayed partially hidden behind the stroller, peering out at Jun with wide eyes.

“You got something to say to me, boy?” Jun snaps and just like that, Aito disappears completely behind the stroller, nothing but a small whimper escaping his lips. “That’s what I thought.” He says, shaking his head. He turns back to Yamaguchi. “He’s too soft Tadashi.” It’s the same thing he’s been saying for months. “How do you expect him to be able to do anything if you keep letting him act like this?” Yams sighs.

“This is just who he is, Jun. I’m not gonna make him change.” Tadashi picks up Eiji who looks at Jun.

“Ba!” Eiji all but shouts and giggles as he tries to fit a fist in his mouth. Jun turns away and heads back to the couch. This is how it usually was, Jun always voicing his disappointment in Aito while never paying any mind to Eiji whatsoever.

“Can I expect dinner to be done anytime soon?” The air of annoyance around the alpha sets Tadashi into action immediately.

“Of course.” He says as he makes his way into the kitchen. He sits Eiji down on the counter and hands him one of his crinkly sensory toys. Aito is close by, constantly on Tadashi’s heels. The omega takes out his phone and quickly texts Tsukishima.

Tadashi:
It’s probably better you don’t come tonight, Aito’s come down with something and is asleep already.

Tsukishima is quick to respond.

Tsukki:
Alright, I got caught up in some business anyways. Tomorrow night okay?

Tadashi:
Sounds good! :)

He knows full well he may have to come up with another excuse the next night. Next, he opens his chat with Akaashi and Suga.

Tadashi:
Hey, could you please cover for me at work tonight? Jun’s home.

Suga:
Of course. Are you gonna be alright?

Tadashi:
I’ll be fine.

Akaashi:
Let us know if you need anything.

Tadashi:
I will. Thank you.

Jun had no idea what he did to earn his money, he’d probably have an absolute rage for if he found out about Tadashi servicing other alphas. He very well couldn’t go off to whore himself out and come home smelling like a dozen different alphas.

He pockets his phone before opening the fridge to grab some ingredients for a stir fry. He won’t be able to make much but he could always just skip dinner. He’d be fine.

He makes his way around the kitchen, chopping vegetables and throwing them in the wok. It’s a little difficult with Aito clinging to him and getting in his way. He huffs in annoyance but doesn’t say anything to the small boy. He knows the toddler just wants to be close to him.

Soon enough, the food is done. Tadashi plates it on one ceramic plate and one small plastic one before bringing them to the table.

“Dinner’s done.” He calls out before lifting Aito into his chair and strapping Eiji into his. As Jun sits down, he goes to get Eiji’s food from the fridge before sitting back down to feed the younger boy. The kitchen is silent as Tadashi feeds Eiji and the other two eat.

“J-Jun.” He starts hesitantly when he finally works up enough courage to speak. Jun looks at him for a long moment.

“Spit it out.” He snaps when Yams doesn’t speak right away.

“I-I was just wondering if you could maybe help out with the groceries this week? I came up a bit short last time a-and I just thought that since I... Since I usually pay the rent i-it would be helpful if you-“

“You think I just got cash laying around? I ain’t made of money and I’m not gonna throw it at you like some damn whore. Maybe if you worked a little harder you’d be able to support your children.” Tadashi looks at the floor.

“S-sorry.”

“Is this why you’re not eating?” Jun asks. “You should be careful, don’t want to go losing those curves of yours, do you?”

“No, I-I picked something up on my way back from Suga’s.” Jun rolls his eyes at the mention of the silver haired omega. Aito pushes a sliced carrot onto his fork before holding it out to Tadashi.

“I’m okay, baby. You can have your carrot.” He puts down Eiji’s spoon to sign.

“You really should stop doing that for him. How will he ever start speaking if you coddle him all the time?”

“We just have to be patient, Jun. It’s hard for him, and while he’s not talking I want him to be able to communicate.” When he goes to sign something else, Jun’s hand snaps across the table to grab his wrist in a vice like grip. Tadashi winces from the bruising force of his fingers.

“I said stop.” Jun hisses through his teeth. The threat clear in his eyes. He turns his attention to Aito, not releasing Tadashi’s arm. “And you. You need to grow the fuck up! Only stupid people can’t speak. Are you stupid? Huh?” Aito slides down to partially hide under the table. “Are you stupid?” He’s full on yelling now, the neighbors can probably hear. Aito shakes his head frantically, tears streaming down his face.

“Jun, please!” Tadashi pleads desperately. He pulls Aito into his lap as soon as his wrist is released, his poor child cowers into his embrace, trembling almost violently. “You’re scaring him.” Jun just rolls his eyes.

“Whatever.” He pushes his empty plate away from him before standing up, chair scraping on the floor noisily. “Clean this shit up.” As he walks away, Tadashi presses countless kisses to Aito’s head.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry baby.” He says to the shaking child. He wants so much to comfort his child but fears that if he doesn’t clear the table now, Jun will only get worse. He sits Aito on the couch, placing his brother to sit in front of him between his legs, then wraps the blanket around them, hoping that Eiji will be able to calm his older brother. He then returns to clear of the table, wiping it down before washing the dishes.

When he returns to the small living room, Eiji’s bassinet has been pushed out of his room and now sits beside the couch. On the couch, Aito’s blanket and pillow sit on the side not currently occupied by the small children, Dino thrown haphazardly on top of them.

Eiji has started to cry and tries to struggle his way out of the blanket. Yams coos at him and frees him from his fluffy prison and holds him close. Eiji continues to cry, however, so he assumes he needs a diaper change.

“Will you shut that thing up?” Jun yells from the bedroom as Tadashi lays Eiji down on the changing mat.

“Sorry.” He calls back, hoping the alpha wouldn’t be pushed further to anger. Once Eiji has a clean diaper and is changed into his soft onesie, Yams leaves hims to roll around on the floor with his toys and goes to prepare his nighttime bottle, getting Aito’s milk while he’s at it since it will be an early night for the older boy.

He pulls both boys close to him and they sit in silence. He tries to convince himself that it’s just like any other night, that Jun isn’t just in the other room waiting for him. Both of his pups cling tighter to him tonight and he feels absolutely horrible at the environment he subjects them to.

He knows it’s so out of hand at this point, Jun had literally stopped him from communicating with his son and had scared the poor thing half to death. Tadashi can only hope he hasn’t scared him from signing in the future. The thought truly terrifies him, that his son may simply not communicate with him at all. He pulls them closer at the thought. He sits with them long after they’ve both finished their milk, not wanting to leave them even for a moment. Their fragile little bubble is popped when Jun leans up against the doorway to the bedroom.

“I think it’s bedtime.” He says with a condescending smile. Tadashi nods and stands to put a sleepy Eiji into his bassinet, making sure he has his giraffe blanket and his pacifier. He then arranges Aito’s pillow and blanket on the couch. The blond pup looks to see that Jun has disappeared back into the bedroom before he signs to his mother.

‘Don’t wanna sleep on couch. Wanna sleep with mommy.’ Tadashi feels guilt overtake him.

“Not tonight, baby. Maybe tomorrow night.” Aito pouts and Yams scent marks him thoroughly, hoping it will help his pup sleep through the night without him by his side. “I love you, sweet boy.” He reaches over and turns the lamp off, kissing his son on the head once more as he starts to doze off.

(Start TW)

With that, Yams stands and heads back towards the bedroom, closing the door behind him as he enters. Jun is on him in seconds, roughly pushing him up against the wall and feeling him up, lips attached to his neck.

“Missed you so much.” He says between kisses, yanking Tadashi’s shirt up over his head before grabbing his jaw roughly. “Gonna be a good omega for me?” Yams nods hesitantly before he is roughly released. “Strip. On the bed.” He rushes to do as he’s told, pulling off his pants and briefs before crawling onto the bed, presenting himself just like he knows Jun likes. He trembles slightly as he feels the alpha circle him, examining him.

“Looks like you’ve already lost a bit of weight, haven’t you?” His hand lands on Tadashi’s ass with a loud smack. The omega whimpers slightly at the sting. “You should watch yourself. I don’t want these curves going anywhere.” He runs his hand along Yamaguchi’s body as he says it, before crawling onto the bed in front of the omega, kneeling in front of his face.

“Let’s see if that mouth of yours has changed at all.” With that he roughly grabs Tadashi’s hair, yanking his face up and shoving his dick down his throat. Tadashi gags at the sudden intrusion and tries to gain his bearings as the alpha ruts roughly into his mouth. The action lasts for what feels like hours before the alpha releases down his throat, hand on the back of his head to keep him from pulling off. He splutters and gags for several seconds, pushing at the alpha’s hips to no avail. When he finally pulls out, Yams continues to gag and cough as semen escapes from his mouth and onto the sheets of the bed.

A harsh blow snaps his head to the side. He grunts in pain as Jun’s hand connects with his already formed bruise that’s been hidden under concealer.

“What did I tell you about swallowing?” Jun seethes. He roughly grabs his face again and pulls him so they are centimeters apart. “You. Don’t. Waste. A. Drop.”

“I’m sorry.” Is all he says in response.

“Flip over.” He does as he’s told, rolling onto his back do Jun can climb over him. “That’s a good little bitch. So obedient for me.” He hovers over Tadashi as he roughly inserts two fingers, making the omega cry out. “Such a cock hungry slut, aren’t you.” He thrusts his fingers a few times before adding a third. “You ready for me, omega?” Tadashi nods. As much as he hates the rough nature of Jun, his body still reacts to what he’s doing, instincts taking over, craving and alpha. “Good boy.”

He thrusts into him mercilessly, causing Tadashi to cry out yet again. His brutal pace causes a mix of both pleasure and pain as he wraps his large hand around the omega’s neck, squeezing tight enough to make him feel lightheaded. Just as Tadashi’s vision is starting to blur, his back arches and he sees white as he comes across his own stomach, Jun following soon after before collapsing on top of him, breathing heavily.

(End TW)

A few minutes later, when Jun finally rolls off of him, Tadashi finds himself to exhausted and sore to get out of bed to clean himself off. Instead, he takes mercy on himself and lets his mind slip into the blank void of sleep.

***

Akaashi POV:

Akaashi had just finished with his third client of the night and is stepping out of his quick shower, clad only in a thin towel, when Jun approaches him with his sneaky smile on his face.

“I hope you’ve saved up your energy tonight. Your loyal customer is here.” Akaashi feels the dread start to form in his stomach at that. He’d already hated meeting with the man before he’d gone to meet with Daichi-San but was even more apprehensive now that he knew that he was much more dangerous than Akaashi had first believed. And that was saying something.

His night was about to get much harder.

“Yes, Sato-San. I will be ready in a few minutes.” And he was. After quickly dressing into a skimpy outfit and applying a seductive makeup look on to his face, Akaashi was ready to see his most frequent visitor. He sat in their usual private room on the bed, long legs folded neatly in front of him, trying to get his shaking under control. There wasn’t a single meeting with this man that he didn’t dread every second of. Eventually, much to Akaashi’s dismay, the doorknob turned and a large, stern looking man stepped in.

“Akaashi.” He says with a satisfied smile. “It’s been to long. Has my puppy missed me?”Akaashi sinks to the floor and crawls towards the man like he knows he likes before kneeling in front of him and looking up with big eyes.

“Missed you so much, Sir.” The man laughs as he strokes Akaashi’s dark hair.

“Of course you did.” He pulls him up and sits him on the bed before resting his hand on his stomach. Akaashi recoils.

“And how’s our little pup doing?”

Chapter Text

Akaashi POV:

The past two and a half hours had been absolute hell for Akaashi. The alpha had given him zero breaks and his entire body hurts all over. He is bleeding from scratches along his arms and thighs and is pretty sure he has a sizable bump on the back of his head from being thrown around. He'd been crying for at least the past hour but the alpha offered no relief.

"Such a pretty puppy." The alpha grunts between thrusts. Akaashi has squeezed his eyes against the pain. "Like being full of my pups? Gonna take you home with me. Can have all my pups." Akaashi resists the urge to cover his ears, he couldn't think of anything more terrifying than that idea.

He doesn't know where the alpha had gotten it into his head that the pup was his. Akaashi couldn't even be sure himself. Regardless of what was true or not, the alpha had been practically obsessed with the baby ever since he found out about the pregnancy and in turn, was becoming obsessed with Akaashi.

As the alpha releases inside him for the last time, he bites into the flesh of Akaashi's shoulder, causing the omega to sob in pain. He feels like he might throw up due to the combined exhaustion and pain he was currently in. He is disoriented as the alpha pulls him close to smell him one last time before leaving him on the bed to get dressed. When he's ready to go, the alpha leans down over Akaashi to press one last sloppy kiss to his lips.

"I'll be back for you. Then I can take you with me for good." The omega's blood turns to ice in his veins at that comment. Instead of freezing on the spot, he laughs flirtatiously.

"Stop it. It surely wouldn't be good for business if I ran off with a client." Internally, he was panicking. What was he supposed to do?

"Aw, you don't have to worry about that, puppy." Akaashi nearly slumps in relief. "I've already offered a pretty sum for you. Sato would be insane not to take it." Akaashi's heart stops. Had he heard that correctly? "I should get back. Business to take care of." The alpha says before pushing himself up from hovering over the omega and heading for the door. "Until next time." He winks before closing the door behind himself.

"What the fuck?" Akaashi speaks into the silent room. "Ooh, what the fuck?" He buries his head in his hands and pull his hair until his scalp burns. This had to be a bad dream. "What the fuck? What the fuck?" He looks down at his shaking hands, trying to ground himself. He flexes his fingers several times before looking around the room. What was he supposed to do? He'd never meant for it to go this far. Was this his fault? He didn't have anymore time to sort through his thoughts before there was a harsh knock on the door.

"The hell are you doing in there?" Sato-San's voice sounded from beyond the door. "We need this room for other customers.

"Sorry, Sato-San. I'll be right out." His voice sounded strained as he could barely fill his lungs with enough air to form a sentence.

"Make it fast." He could hear the alpha's footsteps disappear down the hallway. He used his momentary distraction from his panic to get himself out of the bed and throw his clothes on. He doesn't let himself think as he rushes through his post-work routine, showering and changing into a pair of joggers and a loose t-shirt. He throws his small duffel bag over his shoulder before rushing to the exit and bursting out into the alleyway. He can barely walk in a straight line as he shoves his hand through his damp hair yet again.

"Akaashi?" A deep voice scares the living daylights out of him and he gasps, clutching the strap of his bag tightly. A tall figure in a dark hoodie practically materializes from the shadows. The man pulls his hood off to reveal a head of black and white colored hair that Akaashi recognizes instantly. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you like that. I guess I just got a bit excited." Bokuto looks almost sheepish.

"It's alright, Bokuto-Sam. You just startled me. I didn't see you there." Akaashi hopes his laugh doesn't sound too forced.

"Yeah that's kinda the point." The alpha gestures to his all black outfit. "Just doing some recon, ya know?" His smile is awfully innocent for a gang member. Akaashi feels himself blush ever so slightly, whatever he was feeling at this moment was so drastically different than what he had been feeling just moments ago. Bokuto seems to look him over before furrowing his eyebrows.

“Hey, are you alright?” The alpha goes to approach him and his breath catches in his throat as he stumbles back, shoulders slamming against the wall. Bokuto stops immediately and retreats. Akaashi slides down against the wall, once again trembling.

“I... I’m okay.” He says as he tries to catch his breath. Bokuto nods slowly, despite the doubt clearly displayed on his face. He makes his way to the same wall, making sure to give Akaashi his space, and sits, leaning his back against the wall a few feet away from the omega. There is a long, almost peaceful silence in the alleyway. Akaashi forces his breathing to be normal as he stares at the wall opposite from him.

“He was here tonight, wasn’t he?” Akaashi looks at him, pulling his knees to his chest. Something in his eyes must have answered the question because Bokuto nods. “I assumed when I saw the luxury car out in the back. Tinted windows. I guess I just missed him.” The alpha cracks his knuckles as he says it. He snaps his gaze back to Akaashi. “Did he hurt you?” Akaashi folds his arms into his chest.

“Nothing I can’t handle.” What was he even saying? He was in way over his head. The physical pain was nothing compared to the thought of being taken away from Suga and Tadashi. Away from his pack. Away from his Akihiko. Bokuto stands and unzips his hoodie before taking it off. He approaches Akaashi ever so slowly, as if he were a frightened animal, and drapes the hoodie over his shoulders.

“You shouldn’t have to handle that.” He says softly. Akaashi doesn’t know if it’s the warmth and welcoming scent of rain that clings to the hoodie or the kindness in the alpha’s voice that pushes him over the edge. He starts to sob uncontrollably, hiding his face in his hands.

“Bokuto-San,” he can barely choke the words out. “I think I need help.”

***

Bokuto POV:

‘Anything.’ Is his first thought. ‘I’ll help you with anything.’ He still doesn’t know what it was about this omega but he does know that seeing him look so broken and scared, covered in scratch marks with a still bleeding bite mark on his exposed shoulder had filled him with a different kind of rage than he had ever felt before.

“What do you need?” He asks simply, trying to not sound aggressive for fear of scaring the omega more. The smaller man is still sobbing uncontrollably and it takes a few minutes before he is able to speak through his sobs.

“I don’t want to go with him.” He cries. Bokuto freezes. Go with him? Did Fukuda want to take Akaashi?

“Why would you go with him? Isn’t he just your customer?” Akaashi nods, tears still trailing down his cheeks.

“He thinks the pup is his.” Another gasping breath. “He said that he offered Sato-San money for me. That he would bring me with him. I-I can’t go with him. I can’t leave Aki alone, he needs me. I can’t raise my pup with that man.”

“He’s trying to buy you?” He can’t hide the shock and anger in his voice. “That’s insane! He can’t do that.”

“I don’t know what to do.” He wipes his tears with his trembling hands.

“Hey hey hey, we can help you, alright?” He reaches slowly towards Akaashi’s hands, giving the omega plenty of time to pull away. When he doesn’t, the alpha envelops the delicate hands into his larger ones and looks directly into those steely blue eyes. “You’re not going with him.” Akaashi relaxes ever so slightly at the reassurance. “I’m gonna talk to Daichi, alright? He’s gonna know what to do. But first I’m gonna take you home, okay?”

When Akaashi nods, Bokuto stands then reaches down to help the omega up. He sways slightly and Bokuto steadies him by his hips, careful to avoid his protruding stomach. As little as he knows about omegan pregnancy, he does know that they can be extremely protective if an unknown person gets too close to their stomach. He doesn’t need an excuse to make Akaashi snap at him.

“Did you take the train here?” He asks, assuming the omega doesn’t own a car. At the affirmative response he nods. “Ok, I’ll drive you home alright?”

“You don’t have to do that, Bokuto-San.”

“I want to. And please, just Bokuto is fine.” He smiles before gesturing for Akaashi to follow him. They exit the alley and head to the end of the block where Bokuto has parked. It wasn’t his own car, of course, it was a ‘burrowed’ one so as to not be recognized, he would return it to a warehouse later where the plates would be swapped out with different ones for its next use. It wasn’t quite as nice as his own car but it was nice enough.

He is sure to open the door for Akaashi, helping the pregnant omega sit down before closing the door and making his way to the drivers side. When he sits down himself, he glances over to make sure the smaller man is comfortable, he smiles a bit at the sight. Akaashi is almost drowning in Bokuto’s own sweatshirt, fiddling his fingers in his lap while gazing around the car at anything but Bokuto.

“I’m on the west side.” He says quietly. West side? That was probably one of the most dangerous parts of the city. Bokuto used to spend a lot of time down there, overseeing drug deliveries and the occasional border confrontation and basic enforcement. It wasn’t a fun place. He starts towards the west side and when they get closer, Akaashi directs him towards his apartment. About 15 minutes later, he pulls up in front of a tall brick building. Akaashi turns to him, avoiding meeting his eyes.

“Thank you for the ride, Bokuto-San.”

“Of course, Akaashi.” He smiles at the omega. “Oh, wait.” He pulls out a scrap of paper and a pen from the armrest console and scribbles his number onto it. “Just shoot me a text so I’ll have your number and I’ll call when we’ve figured this out, alright?” Akaashi nods and takes the slip from his hand. “And feel free to call me if you need anything.”

“Thank you, Bokuto-San. Have a good night.” He steps out of the car before whirling around once again. “Oh!” He begins to remove the sweatshirt but Bokuto waves his hand.

“It’s fine. It’s fine. You keep it.”

“No, I couldn’t possibly-“

“You’re still shivering, Akaashi. I don’t need it anymore anyways. Please.” The omega nods reluctantly and pulls it back around him.

“Thank you, Bokuto-San.”

“It’s no problem at all, Akaashi. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” And with that he closes the door. Bokuto watches as he walks to the building, making sure he is in safely before pulling out and continuing down the street.

***

Yamaguchi POV:

When Yamaguchi wakes up, the sun is just barely coming up from beyond the horizon. He turns to find the other side of the bed empty and sits up. There’s a small slip of paper folded on the nightstand and he leans over to reach it, flipping the lamp on to read the words taht have been written on it.

‘Got called back for business. Behave.’

He can’t help but slump in relief at that. Jun is gone. He wouldn’t have to see him for about another month. He doesn’t even let himself wonder why this visit had been so short, only looking on the bright side. It was just him and the boys again.

When he stands from the bed, his nausea hits him full force once again. He races to the bathroom to heave into the toilet, the only things coming out being bile and semen from last night. He looked to the drawer where he kept a couple of pregnancy tests at all times. No. This wasn’t that. It simply wasn’t. This was just an effect of him working himself too hard and being stressed out. He flushes the toilet, washes his hands, and brushes his teeth before exiting the bathroom.

He goes back to the bedroom and changes out his sheets, throwing the dirtied ones into the laundry hamper before replacing them with his other pair of clean sheets.

His two boys are still fast asleep when he enters the sitting room. He moves to the couch and gently lifts Aito up into his arms, careful to not wake the small boy as he transfers him back into the bed, pulling the blankets up to cover him. Once he’s sure his pup is comfortable, he goes to the kitchen to make a cup of tea, which he sips on until Eiji starts to wake up, cooing and rolling around before standing himself up to peer over the wall of the bassinet.

“Good morning, little Eiji.”

“Da!” Is all he says in return. Yams goes to pick him up, he’d prepared his formula a couple of minutes ago so he just had to change him before he can give him his bottle. The raven haired baby is content to sit on his blanket and drink while Tadashi scrambles some eggs for breakfast and slides about 70% onto Aito’s plate and the rest onto Eiji’s. He then cuts up some strawberries before doing the same with those. Lastly, he goes to get Aito’s milk, pausing when he realizes this is the last of it.

He pours what remains in the small bottle into the sippy cup and twists the cap on. He sets Aito’s place at the table before popping a piece of toast into the toaster for himself. While he waits, he heads over to the bedroom to see if the toddler was awake yet. Sure enough, Aito was up and standing by the closet arms tangled in a shirt that he tries to pull over his head. Tadashi chuckles.

“Need some help, buddy?” The blinded pup spins towards his mother’s voice, nearly tumbling over and making Yams cover his mouth so the small boy doesn’t think he’s being laughed at. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.” He steps forward to straighten the shirt and pull it over the small boys head. “There we go!” He cheers when he can see his child’s face again, he rubs their noses together gently. “There’s my beautiful boy.” Aito purrs at the attention. “Want some breakfast?”

When his pup nods, he leads him back into the kitchen where he helps hims wash his hands before he goes to sit in his chair and begin eating. Eiji’s bottle had been tossed aside long ago and he was ready to eat some real food, so Yams sits him into his high chair and scrapes some of the food from the plate onto his tray. As the boys eat, he goes to get the toast from the toaster and eats it while sitting next to Eiji, making sure he isn’t putting too much food in his mouth at once.

When they are finished eating, Yams takes Eiji to change him for the day. He has a handmedown shirt from when Aito was a baby with a little dinosaur on the front and a pair of tiny little twill pants. One boop on the nose and he was ready for the day.

“Do you want to go to the park with mommy today?” He asks. Both boys nod with a smile.

They spend the first half of the day at the park. Although it’s chilly out, Yams knows it’s better to get the boys outside than keeping them cooped up in that tiny apartment. He loved watching Eiji try to run after Aito, already clumsy on his little legs not to mention when he’s bundled up as much he is. Luckily, his puffy jacket provided padding for the many times he goes down.

When they finally return home, Tadashi makes the boys a lunch of dino nuggets, a favorite of theirs. They then spend the rest of the day playing with the toys until dinner time. He makes some miso soup for Aito and gives Eiji some puffs cereal. When they’ve finished eating, he sits them on the couch and plays a movie on his phone while he goes into the bathroom to prep for his night at work.

When he comes out of the bathroom, hair still damp, he picks up a sleepy Eiji to give him his bedtime bottle before putting him down for bed, back in the bedroom this time. He then wraps Aito up in his blanket and gives him Dino.

“Try to sleep?” Aito nods. Their same routine as every other night. “I love you, sweet boy.”

‘Love you.’ He signs back. He ruffles Aito’s hair before grabbing his bag and leaving.

***

By the time he limps back into the apartment, Aito has migrated to the kitchen table. He stands on his usual chair holding a crayon in his hand, paper spread out in front of him. He has put Dino into Eiji’s high chair and has one of Eiji’s bottles placed on the attached tray.

“Hey, bud.” Tadashi says, kneeling down to accept his usual hug. He brushes back the blond hair when the pup looks up at him with his little smile. “You feeding Dino?” Aito nods excitedly, standing on his tiptoes to grab the bottle off the high chair tray and holding it up to show Yams. “Is that his bottle?” Another nod. Tadashi chuckles and joins the small boy and dinosaur at the table. He watches his son play quietly, smiling as the boy alternates between coloring with his crayons and signing to the plushie and feeding it with the bottle.

Soon enough, Aito seems to decide its bedtime for Dino, bringing him to the couch and tucking him in with the throw blanket before running back to Tadashi, resting his chin on his mother’s lap and looking up at him. Tadashi’s heart clenches when he recognizes that this usually means Aito is ready for his milk. And he has none to give him.

He stays still, he doesn’t know how to explain to his child that he couldn’t afford his milk? Before he can figure it out, Aito makes his way over to the fridge, grabbing the handle with his small hands and using every bit if his weight to pull the door open. He scans the scarcely stocked fridge, slumping slightly when he doesn’t find what he’s looking for. Tadashi buries his face into his hands, he can feel his eyes getting teary. He’s a failure.

He feels something on his knee and looks up at Aito, holding his empty sippy cup up to his mother. He must have gotten it from the counter where Tadashi had put it to dry this morning. His pup stands on his tiptoes again to reach his cup up further in hopes that his mom would finally figure out what he wanted. Tadashi finally lets his tears fall.

“We don’t have anymore, baby. I’m sorry.” Aito drops down from his toes and scrunches his eyebrows together. He holds the cup up to Tadashi again, more insistently this time. “No, Aito. No milk.” His voice wavers as he tries to explain to his obviously confused child. Aito is getting frustrated now and starts to cry as well, pushing his cup into Tadashi’s arm.

Tadashi gently takes the cup from his hands gently and places it on the table, he cries harder at that. He pulls the toddler into his lap and rests his forehead against the boy’s head.

“I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry. I’m gonna get you some as soon as I can okay?” The issue was he didn’t know when that would be. He’d already been short on money, and then he’d had to miss last night because of Jun’s surprise arrival. Who knows when he’d be able to get back in track again? Aito’s just about run out of tears when there’s a soft knock on the door. Tadashi stands with Aito on his hip to walk to the door. He goes quiet and stops directly in front of it, sniffing to see if it’s a familiar scent. He relaxes at the distinct scent of pine and opens the door to reveal Tsukishima.

“Tsukki.” He says, trying to smile as he frantically wipes the tears from his cheeks. He steps aside so Tsukki can come in. As he does he looks between Tadashi and his pup, seeming to take note of both their states of unhappiness.

“Dashi, what happened?” His brow furrowed with worry. Tadashi waves his hand in the air like it’s no big deal, even though he feels like this could be the end of the world.

“We just ran out of milk is all, couldn’t help but be a bit upset.” He laughs like any part of this could ever be funny before leading Tsukki further inside, bouncing the still upset boy on his hip to calm him. He grabs a tissue from the box on the counter and wipes Aito’s face before holding it to his nose and instructing him to blow. As he throws the tissue away he notices Tsukki is holding a plastic bag in his hand. He can also smell something that makes his mouth water.

“What’s that?” Tsukki looks down at the bag in his hand before placing it on the table.

“Dinner. I assumed you haven’t eaten yet so I picked something up on my way here. Nothing too fancy, though.” Tadashi’s heart feels warm. He smiles.

“You didn’t have to do that, Tsukki.” The alpha laughs.

“I know. I wanted to. Hope you still like Thai.” Yams smiles and nods as Tsukki starts to unpack the food. “Oh, and I did make one extra stop.” He pulls out another box from the bag, this one clearly have coming from a different restaurant. He opens it to reveal the most mouthwatering thing Tadashi has seen in months. Perfect, golden, soft french fries.

“Tsukki!” Tadashi exclaims. Tsukishima laughs at his excitement.

“I know you like them soggy, for some reason, so that’s how I ordered them.” Yams could cry again.

“I don’t know what to say, Tsukki. Thank you so much.”

“Of course.” He turns to look at Aito. “What do you say, buddy? Maybe we can get your mom to share some of those fries with you.” Aito seems to forget about the milk as he peers into the box of fries, sniffing their delicious, salty smell.

“You want some fries, baby? We can eat them on the couch before bedtime?” Aito finishes his examination of the fries and nods. Tadashi smiles. The three of them get situated on the couch, Aito snuggling up to his mother as usual. Yamaguchi can’t help but feel relieved that the boy isn’t mad at him. He picks up a small fry and hands it to the child. He hadn’t ever really been able to buy food from restaurants so this would be Aito’s first time trying a real french fry and not the cheap frozen ones. When he puts the fry in his mouth he starts to bounce happily at the salty taste.

“Is that yummy?” Aito nods in response and leans forward to grab another one. The two adults chuckle at his excitement.

“Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Tsukki says looking up from Aito and into Tadashi’s eyes. The omega freezes, time seems to go slower as he sits on his old, cheap couch with Tsukishima and their son. Their son. Aito was happily eating fries and Tsukki was looking at him like... well, like that. He wishes his entire life could have felt like this moment does. He snaps out of it quickly. His mind had been drifting just a bit too far.

He distracts himself by popping a french fry into his mouth. Perfectly salted and perfectly soft. He sighs at how amazing it tastes. God, he had missed this.

“Seriously, Tsukki. Thank you.” He says. He’d forgotten what it felt like to be treated so kindly outside of his own pack. The only unfortunate thing about this was how many feelings were suddenly resurfacing at full force, feelings that he knows had never truly gone away but would never truly amount to anything. Tsukki didn’t see him like that, never had, never would. Besides, he couldn’t run off with another man anyways, Jun would kill him. He tries to pull himself out of the dark thoughts and focus on this moment, here and now.

Tsukki had once again been here for him in a time of need and had managed to cheer their son up in the blink of an eye. Speaking of Aito, he could now see that the pup was getting sleepy, rubbing at his eyes and yawning.

“Aito, why don’t you go change into your pajamas and then mommy can help you brush your teeth?” Aito nods, practically falling asleep on the spot, before crawling off the couch and disappearing into the bedroom. It is quiet for a while after he’s left before Tsukki speaks up.

“So.. about earlier.” Tadashi slumps, hiding his face in his hands once again at the reminder. Now he has to explain to his son’s father that he can’t afford to take care of his child properly.

“It’s this special milk I’ve been getting for him for a while now. It’s supposed to help him grow so he can catch up to other kids his age. But they just raised the price a few days ago and I didn’t have enough.” His tears return again. It seems he could go more than 10 minutes without crying in front of the alpha. “Every night I give him his milk and he sits with me on the couch before bed time, that’s how it’s always been. But tonight we couldn’t and he was so sad and-and confused and it broke my heart.” He pauses for a while and the room is quiet, save for his pathetic sniffling. “I know that I failed him. He relies on me and he’s-“ A trembling breath. “He’s just so small.” A strong arm wraps around his shoulders.

“You haven’t failed him.” It’s all he says for a while before the omega calms down. He leans in closer. “You’ve done so amazing Dashi. You’ve raised two wonderful boys practically on your own and they love you so much. How could you ever fail them?”

Oh, he could list a few ways. Staying with a man who constantly yells at them and scares them? Leaving them at home alone for hours at night in a dangerous neighborhood? Being unable to provide them with anything more than the most basic needs for survival? And he couldn’t even do that at this point. Instead he just nods, not ready for Tsukki to realize that he doesn’t deserve his children. He knows it’s so selfish but he couldn’t bear it if his children were taken away from him. They’re his life and he’d never recover if he was separated from them.

Soon enough, Aito comes back, dragging his feet sleepily. His pajama shirt is put on backwards and his hair is already ruffled making Tadashi wonder if he’d taken a power nap between putting his pants and shirt on.

“Come here, sleepy boy.” He opens the door to the bathroom for the child and prepares his toothbrush for him. He makes sure his teeth are brushed properly before carrying him back into the sitting room. “Can you say goodnight to Tsukki, baby?” He turns him so he can sign to the alpha.

“Goodnight.” Tsukki mimics the boys signing as he says it. That makes both Aito and Tadashi smile. It was so rare that people outside of their pack signed back to the pup, even something as simple as that and Yams knew how much that mattered to Aito, how it made him feel more validated. On that note, he took the smiling boy and tucked him in to bed. It wasn’t until Aito tried to sit back up that he realized he’d left Dino outside.

“I’ll get-“ He’s interrupted by a quiet knock on the door. A shy looking Tsukishima stands in the doorway, Dino held in his hand. Tadashi gasps and looks to Aito. “Look what Tsukki brought you!” He whispers quietly. Tsukishima still looks unsure so Tadashi waves him closer. He holds the plushie out to Aito who gleefully takes it into his arms, nuzzling it softly.

“What do we say, baby?” Aito signs a slightly bashful ‘thank you’ before burying his face into the toy once again. Tadashi nuzzles the small boy softly before pressing a kiss to his forehead. “Goodnight, my love.” He looks up to Tsukki who’s watching them with a small smile on his face, a rare sight from the salty alpha.

In this moment, he knows one thing is for sure. In all his time with Jun. he had never felt this close to having a family.

Chapter Text

Daichi POV:

Daichi makes his way quickly down the wide hallways of the packhouse, taking several turns with the confidence of someone who's walked these halls for years. Many of his own pack still get a bit turned around in the large house and Daichi probably would have too had he not grown up in these halls. He makes his way towards his destination, stopping in front of one of the many doors, knocking on the dark oak. It takes only a few moments before the door swings open to reveal Ushijima in a pair of sweats, holding a t shirt in his hand.

"Sorry to bother you so early." Daichi says. Ushijima just waves him off and lifts his arms to pull his shirt over his head. Daichi spins around when there's a thud from behind him to see Tendou, hair falling onto his forehead instead of standing up like usual, catching the vase from the decorative side table he'd just walked into.

"Shit, sorry. Who put that there?" He stumbles over himself to head back towards his room, muttering quietly to himself. Daichi stares after him for a second. That table has been there since before the omega had moved in.

"Tendou." Daichi calls out before he can disappear behind his door. When the redhead turns around his face is flushed. "Pack meeting. Downstairs in 5, okay?" The omega nods before rushing away. "Which is actually what I need to speak to you about." Daichi turns back to Ushijima. "This is something I think everyone should be here for and I didn't want to overstep and call your pack. Do you think you could get them downstairs in a few minutes?" Ushijima nods.

"Of course."

"Thank you. I'll see you down in the meeting room." With that he makes his way downstairs. He'd been calling a lot of pack meetings recently but if what Bokuto had told him was true, this was quite urgent. Daichi gets himself a cup of coffee before taking a seat at the meeting table to wait for people to file in. Tendou skips in first, hair styled back to usual, plopping down in his chair. He shrinks into himself when Daichi raises a brow at him.

"What?" He asks, already defensive. Daichi sips his coffee.

"Anymore tables giving you trouble on your way down?" Tendou rolls his eyes. "Or shirtless alphas?" The omega scoffs at that, though his blush betrays him.

"Please, like there's any shortage of those around here. I'm used to it."

"Not ones that have you damaging furniture all over the place." Daichi looks at him pointedly.

"Shut up." The omega pouts crossing his arms. There's only silence for a moment before he presses his hands over his mouth. "Oh god." He slides his hands up into his hair. "Is it that obvious? Oh my god." He grips his hair tightly before he brings one hand back to his mouth, biting his nail as he starts to rock back and forth. He looks like he may burst into tears at any moment.

"Hey. Hey." Daichi says softly. He'd only been teasing. He hadn't meant to work the omega into a panic. He grabs a notepad and pen from the table and approaches the omega. He releases his comforting scent, hoping to overpower the distressed one that the omega was giving off. He places the note pad on the table directly in front of Tendou.

"Are you mad? Oh my god, you're mad. I'm sorry! Do you think he's mad? Fuck. Fuck. I'm sorry." This wasn't the first time something like this has happened. Daichi knew the omega had had quite the past and tended to think people were angry at him over the smallest of things and was fearful when he got even the slightest idea that someone was upset.

"I'm not angry. Nobody is angry." Daichi reassures. He gently grabs Tendou's hand, pulling it away from his mouth and settling the pen in his hand. "You've done absolutely nothing wrong. You're okay." Tendou grips the pen and nods, letting out a shaky breath. He leans over the notepad and starts to scratch random designs into the paper with a shaky hand.

Daichi continues to rub his back as he starts to calm down. Thank god he'd curbed his panic before it became a full on attack, more often than not it took a few hours to pull him out of one and having two packs worth of people walking in on that would not have been helpful.

"What happened?" Daichi looks up to see Ushijima in the doorway. "Is he okay?" Daichi looks back at Tendou, who is now quietly scribbling at the notepad, looking like he hadn't just been on the verge of a meltdown. In fact, this wasn't out of the ordinary for the omega, he looked quite normal. He turns back to the other pack leader, seeing his nostrils flare ever so slightly. Had Ushijima smelled Tendou's distress? That would be pretty difficult since Daichi had basically drenched the room in his own scent. Only one of his own pack members would be able to pick out and recognize the redhead's distress and probably only the omegas at that. Maybe the stoic man had been paying more attention to the omega than Daichi had originally thought.

"Nothing. We're all good here now." Tendou doesn't look up from the paper. Ushijima simply nods before he sits across from him. Nothing else is said as more people start to file in. Kenma breaks away from Kuroo as they enter and quickly takes one of the seats beside Tendou, scooting closer tot he taller omega and leaning his head on his shoulder. Tendou's demeanor doesn't change much except for slightly relaxing his muscles. Kuroo sits at Kenma's other side.

Iwaizumi speeds into the room, followed by a giggling Oikawa. The alpha did not look overly happy about his new shadow. Bokuto pulls his seat up next to Daichi, fidgeting almost nervously. Once everybody was seated, he began.

"Right, I'm sorry for yet another meeting but this was quite urgent. Bokuto has brought to my attention that one of our sources from the night club is in more danger than we first believed and we promised him our protection when he agreed to help us out. Therefore, we want to ask him to move into the packhouse with us, and he already has a pack that we obviously can't separate him from so we may be taking in quite a few more people. We could pay to put them up in a hotel but they wouldn't be as secure or comfortable as they'd be here.

"You all live here so I can't bring in new people if it makes any of you uncomfortable but he needs help. Actually, I'd assume they all do. Before any of you answer you should know it's a relatively small pack but they do have a few pups, it'd be a big change around here but it's their safest bet." He looks up at the faces around the table. Iwaizumi speaks up first.

"If they need help then I don't see why we shouldn't have them here." Kenma nods in agreement. The rest of the table voices their agreement and Daichi turns to look at Ushijima. The alpha nods.

"This is your packhouse, I don't need to tell you what you can and can't do. I think you should help them." Daichi nods, checking once more for any objections. He notices Tsukishima who seems deep in thought.

"Tsukishima?" The blonde looks up at him. "I care about your opinion too." Tsukishima nods.

"Obviously we should help them." Daichi nods with a smile. He really does love his pack. He was happy to be able to help Akaashi and his family, especially with how worried Bokuto had been. It was also a plus that he'd get to see Suga again. Hell, he'd get to see Suga a lot more.

"Then it's settled. I suppose this goes without saying but once they are here they are to be welcomed as part of the pack. I'm sure they've all been through a lot and we are going to help them in any way possible." He is met with nods all around.

Looks like his pack was just getting bigger.

***

Yamaguchi POV:

Yamaguchi was currently reheating Aito's uneaten dinner after a long night at work. The pup hadn't eaten earlier and had just decided he was now hungry. Tonight had left Tadashi with new bruising around his neck and on his biceps, they ached as he moved sluggishly around the kitchen. As he put the food in the microwave his phone started to ring. The screen lit up with a picture of Suga cradling a newly born Keiko, smiling against the baby's cheek.

"Suga?" Tadashi answers right away.

"Hey, Yams. How you doing? You're night wasn't too rough, was it?"

"No, no, it was fine." He answers right away, Suga has his own problems to worry about.

"Right." The silver haired man doesn't sound convinced. "Well, I wanted to call and say that Akaashi wants to speak with us about something tomorrow, if you're free."

"Yeah, of course. Did he say what it was about?"

"No, just that it was important."

"Right." He says as he removes the steaming plate from the microwave. "Well, I'll be there. Got nothing better to-" The strong smell of the garlic chicken he'd prepared earlier washes over him, he slaps his hand over his nose and mouth, cutting himself off mid-sentence. He barely makes it to the toilet before emptying the contents of his stomach.

"-adashi? Tadashi!" He doesn't realize he's still on the phone with Suga until we'll after he's finished throwing up. "Tadashi are you throwing up again?" Yams nods before realizing that Suga can't see him.

"Yeah. But I'm fine, it's nothing."

"Tadashi, stop this." This time he ignores the fact that he can't be seen, continuously shaking his head. "I know that you know that this isn't a bug."

"No."

"You need to take a test."

"No, Suga." He cries softly.

"I know. I know, Yams. But you have to."

"I'm scared."

"Regardless of what happens, you're gonna be alright. Me and Akaashi are always here." Tadashi continues to cry as he opens the drawer pulling out one of the tests he keeps there. "Do you want me to stay on the call, Tadashi?”

"No, no, I'll be fine."

"Okay." Suga sounds hesitant, like he doesn't want to hang up. "I love you."

"I love you too, Suga." With that he hangs up the phone, staring down at the pregnancy test in his shaking hands.

When his timer beeps 5 minutes later, he lets out a shaky breath. He grabs the plastic stick and flips it over, like ripping off a bandaid. The small positive sign facing up at him forces the air from his lungs. He falls to his knees, trying to fill his lungs again but his breaths don't come easy. This couldn't be happening. He huddles alone on his bathroom floor and cries.

"No no no no no." He chants quietly to himself. He couldn't handle another child. He loves the two that he had with everything in him and of course he wants to love this one but this is impossible. He can't support the two he has now. The only hope he'd had was for when both boys were finally old enough to start school so he could start working during the day as well. Then he'd have the money to keep their heads above water. There was no hope anymore.

What was he supposed to tell Tsukki? He already had so much to be disappointed in him for, he couldn't just throw this at him. He can't be any more of a burden to the alpha then he already was. There was no way he could tell him. What was he supposed to do now?

***

Tsukishima POV:

Tsukishima slams the trunk of his car closed before retrieving the paper bags he'd deposited on the ground. It was freezing outside so he hurried towards the front door of the apartment building. The interior hallways of the building are just barely warmer than the winter freeze outside and Tsukishima sniffs at the chill.

He stops in his tracks, halfway up the stairs, when he picks up on a sour scent. A familiar one. One that has an underlying scent of wilting lilacs. He sprints up the stairs and rushes to the familiar apartment door. The scent is much stronger now and he starts to panic, he drops the bags carelessly and knocks on the door.

"Dashi?" He calls out. When there's no response he knocks louder. "Dashi, it's me." When there is still no response he starts pounding on the door almost frantically. "Tadashi, let me in, please."

His imagination was spiraling. Was the omega hurt? We're the pups okay? What was happening? His instincts were screaming at him to get to the omega as he sunk further into a panic. He only thinks to calm himself when he picks up on a subtle, scared honey scent. Aito. He stops banging on the door immediately.

"Aito? Are you in there buddy?" He crouched down, as if the boy could see him eye to eye. "It's Tsukishima. Can you let me in please?" When nothing happens after a few long moments he speaks again. "I know you're scared but you're mommy needs help, doesn't he? Do you think you can let me in so I can help him? Please?" A few long seconds pass, the alpha's heart beating wildly, before the doorknob turns and the door clicks open. He comes face to face with his son.

"Hey, buddy." Aito looks at him with large eyes. "Where's your mom?" The small pup clutches his dinosaur plushie closer and points towards the bathroom. "Thank you." He ruffles the pup's soft hair before he goes to the bathroom door. The distressed scent is much stronger now. If he had to guess, he'd say something had triggered the omega into a panic attack and he'd locked himself inside to prevent Aito from seeing.

"Dashi." He says softly, knocking on the door and releasing his calming scent. "It's me. Can you let me in?" He can hear the panicked breathing on the other side. "Dashi, please." The distressed scent fades slightly but it's still there. There is still no answer.

Tsukishima startles slightly when Aito appears by his side. He hadn't heard him approach. He's even more surprised when the tiny boy leans his weight against his shoulder and nuzzles his head under his jaw, taking comfort in the older's scent. Tsukishima sighs at the contact from his son. His inner alpha bursting with satisfaction that the pup had come to seek comfort from him in a time of confusion.

"It's okay." He holds the small boy close. "He's gonna be alright." He is pulled from his thoughts by a cry from the bedroom. Oh shit. "Your brother." He says quietly. He'd probably been woken up by the confusing smells permeating the apartment.

Tsukishima makes his way hesitantly towards the bedroom. He steps inside and approaches the crib where the dark haired baby is lying on his back, wailing loudly and kicking his little legs furiously. Tsukishima looks at the child for a long moment, he'd never held a baby before, and he definitely didn't know how to comfort one. He'd only ever spent the few hours he'd been in this apartment with Aito, he hadn't seen the younger boy since the first night.

"Hey, Eiji." He said, trying to keep his tone light as to not encourage the boy's distraught cries. He reaches down, tucking his hands under the boys arms and lifting him out of the crib. He holds him at his side and grabs the pacifier that he'd left behind, holding it towards the child. Eiji takes it in his tiny little hand and puts it back into his mouth. He'd stopped wailing and now just whimpers softly. He takes him into the living room, bouncing him lightly, trying to calm him further.

Aito climbs up onto the couch and stands on the armrest, head still not reaching Tsukishima's shoulder. He leans one arm on the alpha to support himself and uses his other hand to gently stroke Eiji's soft, dark hair. Eiji whips his head around to look at his brother with watery eyes, whimpering only softly now.

"Alright, you boys sit on the couch and I'm gonna get your mommy, okay?" He carefully sets Eiji down next to his brother and glances over the two briefly, making sure they're okay before returning to the bathroom door. "Dashi, please come out? We'd all like to see you." Eventually, the door swings open to reveal a blotchy faced Tadashi, large tears rolling down his face. He collapses into Tsukishima almost immediately and continues sobbing.

"I can't do it, Tsukki. I can't." He sobs into the alpha's chest.

"What can't you do, Dashi?" The smaller man simply continues to cry, shaking his head. Tsukishima decides not to push him and instead rubs his back and guides the omega's face closer to his scent glands. "You're gonna be okay." He says gently.

When the omega only responds by crying harder, he decides to shut up, instead he purrs gently. It was quite rare for alphas to purr, a much quieter, deeper version of what omega's and pups can do. Most alphas only do it when their mate or pups are in distress and even though Tsukki logically knows that the omega is not his mate, he will do anything to calm the young man down. The purring seems to make all the difference and Tadashi quiets, if not just to hear the deep rumble coming from Tsukishima's chest better. With that keeping his focus, he seems to relax enough to be guided to the couch where his children sit. He wraps his arms around them when he sees them.

"I'm sorry, my babies. Mommy didn't mean to scare you." The boys just purr and bask in their mother's attention. Tsukishima smiles at the sweet moment, keeping his distance so the stressed mother could find comfort in his pups. Aito's stomach growls and Tadashi sits up. "Oh my god, you're dinner. I'm so sorry, honey." He nuzzles the blond head apologetically. "I need to warm it up again."

He stands and walks quickly to the kitchen, grabbing a plate from the counter and putting it in the microwave. It only needs a few seconds, so Tsukishima assumes he'd warmed it up not too long ago. The omega scrapes the food from the ceramic, microwave-friendly plate onto a smaller plastic one before he makes his way to the table and sets it in front of a chair, pulling it out for the small boy. Aito climbs up onto the chair and digs into his late dinner. Eiji babbles happily at nothing in particular.

"You hungry, baby?" Tadashi holds up an empty bottle for the boy to see. Eiji eyes the bottle for a moment before he shakes his head aggressively.

"No ma'am!" Tsukishima chuckles at the young child. He is awfully cute.

“Alright, then.” Tadashi returns to the kitchen to start putting everything away.

“Oh, I nearly forgot.” Tsukishima stands an returns to the door where he’d dropped the paper bags he’d carried in. “I picked up a few things on my way here.” He carries the bags back with him into the kitchen and sets them down by the counter. “Not to overstep. I just thought I could help out a bit.” Tadashi glances into one of the bags and looks up with watery eyes.

“Thank you, Tsukki.” He wraps his arms around the taller man. “Thank you.” They stand there for a long few moments, Tsukishima’s arms wrapped around the omega’s waist. He’ll never grow tired of the feeling of holding the smaller man, though he knows he shouldn’t get used to it either. Tadashi grabs a small bottle from one of the bags with a smile. “Aito. Look what Tsukki brought you.”

The pup looks up from his nearly empty plate and sees the plastic bottle in his mother’s hand. He abandons his unfinished dinner in favor of rushing up to his mother and grabbing a hold of his leg, looking up at him with his big eyes.

“I’ll get you some right now.” Tadashi chuckles, ruffling the boy’s hair. While he turns to get Aito’s sippy cup, the young boy peers curiously into another one of the bags, disregarding the fruits and vegetables that had been packed inside, his small hand reaches in an pulls out a pink paper package. They were shortbread thumbprint cookies with strawberry jam, one of Tsukki’s favorites, he didn’t think Eiji could eat them yet but thought Tadashi and Aito would appreciate them. The blond boy holds the package up to the alpha as a request for it to be opened. Tsukishima looks to Tadashi for permission and the omega nods.

“A man after my own heart, I see.” He laughs as he opens the package and hands one of the strawberry sweets to the smiling boy. “Couldn’t resist them when I saw them in the store.” Aito gnaws on the cookie happily, big eyes fixed on Tsukishima as he devours the treat. Tsukishima adores those eyes. The boy was finished with astonishing speed, just in time for Yamaguchi to lead him over to the couch for milk. Aito’s small hand latches around two of Tsukishima’s fingers and he pulls the alpha along with them.

Eiji is sitting on a play mat surrounded by his toys giggling happily like he hadn’t been pulled out of sleep only an hour ago. Aito and Tadashi settle on the couch and the pup takes his sippy cup from his mother’s hand. He stares at Tsukishima expectantly as he sips. Tadashi laughs.

“I think he wants you to sit, Tsukki.” God, he is so beautiful. The alpha clears his throat somewhat awkwardly and nods, sitting on the couch about a foot away from the two. Tadashi laughs yet again. “You can sit closer, you know. We don’t bite.”

“Right.” Tsukishima scoots closer to his son, close enough that they are almost touching, but not quite. Aito looks up at him again and before he knows it, that little hand is on his leg again. He thinks back to what Yamaguchi had said about touch being his way to show affection and his heart swells with a bittersweet kind of joy. His eyes start to sting just a bit. He looks up at the omega admiring the freckles splattered across his cheeks and nose, one side still covered by a bruise.

“That hasn’t healed yet?” He reaches up run his thumb across the younger’s cheek. Tadashi flinches slightly when he touches the bruise. “It still hurts?”

“It’s just taking a bit to heal. They get worse before they get better, right?” Tsukishima Can only look at him. While that was true with bruises, it had been long enough that it shouldn’t be as purple as it is, shouldn’t still hurt as much as it does. In his line of work he’d seen a lot of bruises, had a lot of experiences with injuries slid all kind, this wasn’t a bruise from a week ago, this was recent.

“Who did this, Yams?” The freckled man stiffens.

“I told you, Tsukki. Sato-San was angry that I-“

“No. This wasn’t him. Tell me the truth, please.” Tadashi started to play with his fingers in his lap, he doesn’t seem to want to look at him, he looks almost ashamed.

“My-my clients can be kind of rough sometimes.” He whispers. Tsukishima stiffens. Sure, he’d seen the hickeys that littered the omega’s body but he’d never seen bruises like this one.

“One of them punched you?” It comes out a bit louder than he’d meant it to and Aito snatches his hand back from Tsukki’s leg and turns to hide under Yamaguchi’s arm. The omega doesn’t fare much better with the loud voice and instinctually pulls Aito across his lap to his other side, cowering but shielding the small boy. Instant regret floods through the alpha. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say it like that, I’m not mad at you, I swear. I’m sorry.”

Tadashi recovers quickly, brushing it off with a laugh and claiming he was just a bit startled. Tsukishima didn’t believe that for a single second. That wasn’t the reaction of someone who was only startled. The alpha wasn’t convinced that Tadashi was telling the truth. There was something else happening here and if Yams feels as though he can’t tell him then he promises to himself, and to Tadashi and the boys, that he was going to figure it out himself.

Chapter Text

Yamaguchi POV:

Yamaguchi pants as he makes his way up the apartment steps, Eiji sat on his hip, weighing him down. Aito is tired out too, having to practically climb the staircase with his little legs. He hadn't brought the stroller today, Eiji had insisted that he didn't, nearly throwing a fit because he wanted to walk. Half an hour later, they had barely made it to the end of the block and the boy wanted to be carried. He really shouldn't give into the pups so easily.

When they'd arrived to Akaashi's building, the elevator donned an 'Out Of Order' sign. Just his luck. Three flights of stairs later, he nearly collapses at the top, exhausted. He guesses it was a good thing he'd forgotten the stroller as he would have had to leave it downstairs. When he knocks on the door, Akaashi answers almost immediately. Tadashi sets Eiji down before moving to the nearest chair and collapsing.

"That's enough exercise for me for the next year." He sighs before glancing around the apartment. There are two duffel bags sitting on the floor between the front door and refrigerator, next to them were a couple of cardboard boxes that had been taped shut, along with an open box that sits in front of the kitchen table right next to Tadashi. "What's all this?" He asks hesitantly, peering into the open box, it was mainly filled with some of Akihiko toys, along with two blankets and several pairs of toddler sized shoes.

"That's actually what I wanted to speak to you guys about." Akaashi seems stressed, a little frazzled, as well as nervous. "When Suga gets here I'll-" Punctual as ever, there is a knock on the door moments before Suga lets himself in.

"Damn elevator." He mutters under his breath as he slips his shoes off. He notices the boxes much faster than Tadashi had and looks at Akaashi with a combination of confusion and worry. "Are you packing for something?" He questions.

"I am actually. And I need to speak to both of you about it so if you could please sit and hear me out about this." Suga is ushered to a chair next to Yams and they both look up at Akaashi, waiting. "Okay, you have to listen to me before you make a decision on this, so don't interrupt." They both nod. Akaashi pauses, looking at them for a long moment before continuing

"That man, you know the one who comes to see me regularly?" He continues when they nod. "He's trying to buy me." There is a long moment of silence, neither Tadashi or Suga knowing how to respond. "I didn't know what to do and I was terrified, I don't want to leave you guys or Akihiko, and I ran into Bokuto on my way out. He helped calm me down and..." A deep breath. "And I asked him for help." I recognized the name, one of the men they had gone to speak with a few days ago, and alpha.

"And?" Suga leans forward, his hand behind Keiko's head to support her.

"And he called me yesterday afternoon. He said that his pack had agreed to take us in. All of us." Yams and Suga both stare in shock. "And, well, I've agreed." He gestures to the boxes in explanation. "I don't really have another option and I hope you guys will agree too. It would be best for all of us. They have a lot of money, and Bokuto said they could support us so we don't have to work at the club. I know that neither of you will probably even consider that but I- I can't really keep working there. I'm going back to pick up the rest of what I'm owed tonight and then I'm never going back there again, it's not safe for me anymore, and frankly, it never was. I hope you will do the same. I'm going to start looking for a real job, which I know sounds impossible, but I know that there are other omega's out there working 9 to 5 jobs and going home to their families at night. That's what I'm gonna do, no matter how long it takes."

"Akaashi." Suga says hesitantly. "This is a very alpha dominated pack. Are you sure you can-"

"I'm not sure of anything Suga, but I know that I don't have any better options. And... I guess-well." He pauses for a moment. "I'm not sure why but I trust Bokuto, and Daichi never showed any violent tendencies when we met with him. Besides, there are other omegas there, apparently they've invited another pack to stay with them and they have omegas too, Bokuto assured me that they were trustworthy. And I figured, you know, if you guys would come with me, then everything would be fine." They were quiet for a long time.

"Wow. This is a lot." Suga says. Tadashi could understand the hesitance. He was surprised how willingly Akaashi had agreed to this situation. Before he'd met the other omega, he'd been a part of a different pack, he'd been the only omega in the packhouse. He'd never been able to tell Suga and Tadashi the exact reason that he'd had to leave, but they could assume based on how wary he was around more than one alpha. "But I mean, I guess we were discussing moving in together anyways." Akaashi's face lights up.

"So you'll come with me?" The raven haired omega wasn't usually one to show so much enthusiasm.

"Of course! I can't just leave you to your own devices, can I?"

"Oh, I kind of forgot to mention..." He says sheepishly. They wait for him to continue. "They kind of only have one empty bedroom right now. Like I said they have a bunch of guests right now using their guest rooms. They're trying to move some stuff around to make room but at least for a while we'd just be in one room. But if the size of the house is anything to go by, it's probably bigger than any of our apartments." Suga laughs.

"All I'm hearing is a cuddle puddle every night." He perks up even more with a gasp. "We can finally have a permanent nest!" God, that sounds nice.

"Tadashi?" Akaashi looks at him with a hopeful expression.

He wanted this more than anything. To take his pups out of that horrendous apartment, give them a home that wasn't falling apart. Get them away from Jun. He could be away from Jun. What would that feel like? Would it feel like freedom and security? Or would it be looking over his shoulder at every turn, waiting for his past mistakes to catch up to him? Would Jun just let them go and forget about them? Or would he come back? Would he hurt Tadashi, or worse, his children? The thought of him coming for them made the omega's nerves go haywire. He could throw up.

He looks over to where Aito sits with Akihiko, pointing at a page of a picture book, listening while Aki goes on and on about what kind of owl was depicted there. Eiji sat a few feet away, pacifier in his mouth, tugging at the shoelaces of his own tiny shoe. Hadn't he put them through enough? He'd cowered in fear for much too long, worried that the outcome of him packing up and leaving would be worse than the reality they were living, but maybe that wouldn't have to be true. This pack was protecting Akaashi, maybe they could protect his boys too.

He thinks about the pup in his stomach. He was terrified of it, it threw a wrench into his already extremely fragile life and shaken him to his core.

But so had Aito. So had Eiji.

And there was nothing he loved more than the two small boys who sat just one room away. He knows that he will love this one just as much as he does his first two, no matter how unexpected. If he was going to love this pup then he had to do better. He had to do what he should have done for Aito and for Eiji.

He nods. He's going to leave Jun.

"I'm in too." He can feel the surprise from both of his pack mates. "We need this." He places a hand on his still flat stomach. "All of us." He can tell that both Suga and Akaashi understand immediately as they both kneel in front of him and hug him around the waist with teary eyes.

"I guess we're gonna have another pack member." Suga smiles, pressing his face against Tadashi's stomach. "Hello, little one. It's uncle Suga." Akaashi and Yams both laugh gently at his excitement. They spend another long moment in silence, basking in each other's presence. It went unspoken, though they all knew, Tadashi and Suga couldn't just quit working at the club. Neither of them wanted to be fully reliant on an unknown pack. "When do we move in?" Suga finally breaks the silence.

"How soon can you get packed?" Akaashi let's out a watery laugh. "Bokuto's coming to pick up me and Aki as soon as I get home tonight. He said they can send someone to get you guys as soon as you're ready."

"That shouldn't be a problem." Suga stands. "Not like we have much to pack anyway." Tadashi nods in agreement.

"But I should probably go now if I want to get packed before work tonight." He helps Akaashi up as he stands and the older man smiles at him happily, giving him one last hug.

"Then I'll see you tonight." Tadashi nods before he goes to gather the boys, saying one last goodbye before he starts to make his way home. He carries Eiji the whole way, they need to be quick if he was gonna be done in time. He couldn't believe he was doing this. As he entered the apartment, he set Eiji down.

"Okay, mommy has a very important job for both of you." The boys looked up at him curiously. "I want you both to go get your toys and your clothes, okay? We're gonna put them in our bags." Aito tugs on his shirt so he looks down at him.

'Why?' The pup signs to him. He kneels down and brushes his fingers gently through that soft hair.

"Because we're gonna leave this place tonight."

***

Iwaizumi POV:

Iwaizumi stands over the frying pan, watching the eggs and bacon sizzle loudly. The regular morning chaos perused around him, it had gotten significantly worse with the addition of the new pack. Their omega's were quite... interesting. Their little one with the blonde streak was loud and energetic while the taller blonde one was quite the talkative comedian. And then there was the other one. Oikawa.

The tall omega is annoying and flirtatious with a holier than thou mindframe. He has taken to following Iwaizumi around the house and making witty comments on almost every little thing. And that annoying nickname. Iwa-chan this and Iwa-chan that. It usually takes about 10 seconds for him to get on the alpha's nerves. He'd been absent so far this morning and Iwaizumi basked in the peaceful quiet without him.

"Are you done yet?" Tendou peeked over his shoulder to look at the food. It was the fifth time the omega had asked but Iwaizumi just chuckled and slid some of the food onto a plate for the hungry redhead. He wasn't sure how it had happened, but when Tendou had joined the pack a couple of years back, he and the omega had become fast friends. They were so very different in personality but something just worked between them.

"I made enough for seconds." He informs him, knowing the omega had quite the appetite. He gets a plate for himself before sitting down across from him. "You coming to the drop off with me?" He asks, still chewing his first bite.

"I think I'm gonna stay behind, gonna get the guest room ready." Iwaizumi knew that Tendou wanted everything to be perfect for the incoming omegas, he'd been clearing out the room that had initially been used to store a good number of their guns. The omega had quadruple checked to make sure nothing was left behind, claiming that the pups wouldn't be getting hurt on his watch. Iwaizumi slumped, he also wanted the incoming arrivals to be comfortable, but now who was he supposed to bring with him to the drop off.

"You could bring Bokuto?" Tendou offers, as if reading his mind. Iwaizumi just shakes his head. He'd only brought the excitable alpha on one of these trips and he didn't have the patience to sit through and inspect the weaponry, he just kept running off.

"I'd prefer someone who knew what they were doing." There's a snicker from behind him and he turns to see Atsumu, pouring two mugs of coffee. "Well you know who Ushijima always sends for arms drop offs?" The amused smirk on the his face gave Iwaizumi a pretty good idea.

"No." He says simply.

"Well, then I guess you can just go alone." Tendou laughs. "Atsumu and Sakusa are helping me prepare for our guests and everyone else is out on their own tasks."

Shit. It would be a massive pain to go alone. It would take him so much longer to go through and check every single gun that will be dropped off, he talking hours. If it's three hours with the obnoxious omega versus six hours by himself, he'd rather be home sooner.

"God damn it." He says under his breath as he pushes away from the table and stands up.

"Hey." Atsumu grabs his arm before he makes his way out of the kitchen, looking at him seriously. "I suggest this because he needs to get out today. But you need to be gentle with him." Iwaizumi nearly laughs. What is he? Sensitive? Of all the words he can think of to describe the omega, sensitive was not one of them.

Annoying? Yes. Talkative? Yes. Careless? Yes. Bothersome? Yes. Difficult? Yes. Exasperating? Yes. Beautiful?

Maybe.

But sensitive? Not a fucking chance in hell.

"Right." He salutes Atsumu before surpassing him to make his way upstairs. It takes him a smidge longer than necessary to find Oikawa's room due to the unnecessarily confusing halls. He reaches the door soon enough and could smell the faint jasmine scent. It was amazing Oikawa wasn't even out and about yet as he usually got an early start on annoying Iwaizumi. He takes a deep breath, only trying slightly to inhale more of that scent before pounding on the door loudly.

"Shittykawa!" He yells, pounding on the door again when there is a few long moments without a response. Still nothing. "I'm coming in there if you don't let me in in 10 seconds." He waits, counting in his head. He turns the door knob and pushes the door open when he reaches 10.

The intense scent feels like a slap to the face. He's only been around Oikawa with scent patches on, as the omega usually prefers to wear them when he was out. But now he can smell it in all it's glory, but the usual faint lavender was consumed by sadness and longing. Iwaizumi has never seen the omega as anything but overly cheerful so it was bizarre.

He isn't sure what he'd expected to see upon entering the room, but this was not it. The omega was still in bed, covers pulled up over his shoulders. He lays on his side, staring at the wall blankly, his eyes rimmed with red like he'd been crying. Why would he be crying?

"Shittykawa. It's go time." He nudged the other man's leg with his foot. "You're coming to the arms drop off with me." Still no response. The omega's eyes remain trained on the wall. "Oikawa." Nothing. "Jesus Christ." He mutters under his breath. He waves his hand in front of Oikawa's face only to be ignored.

Perfect. He looks around the room briefly. There weren't many personal belongings, mainly an occasional article of clothing on the floor as well as the impressive collection of knives and guns on the desk pushed up against the wall. He looks back at the omega, only slightly worried. And only because he didn't want to do all that work by himself, yeah, that was it. One of Oikawa's arms has been shoved beneath the pillow that he rests his head on while the other is in front of him, gripping something tightly.

Iwaizumi tries to lean in closer to get a look at what it is but Oikawa's hand is clenched around it too tightly. It looks like a piece of paper. A folded piece of crumpled, old paper. He wonders if it is something of importance to the omega and reaches towards it. As soon as the tips of his fingers come in contact with the other's hand, Oikawa seems to snap out of whatever strange trance he is in. He yanks his hand away and sits up adruptly.

"What the fuck do you want?" He hisses, scent now taking on a tone of aggression. He grips the paper close to his chest protectively. Iwaizumi raises his hands in a non-threatening way and takes a step back. Oikawa presses his back against the bed frame and eyes the alpha suspiciously. "What are you doing in here?" The aggression has worn off slightly, now replaced with a twinge of fear.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to frighten you."

"What are you doing here?" The omega asks again, more demanding this time.

"Atsumu said you might help me check the guns that are being shipped today? I'd appreciate the help." This was probably the most civil he'd been with the omega, and with the other's obviously vulnerable state he can't help but feel a path of regret for how he's treated him. Of course, he'd basically been asking for it all of the other times and never seemed all to hurt by it, even returning a few biting comebacks most of the time.

"Fine." Is all the omega says. He doesn't make a move to stand however, still looking at Iwaizumi who simply stares back. "Would you let me change first?" He snaps eventually. Oh. The alpha just now notices the omega's attire or lack thereof. He was simply wearing a t shirt with a pair of black boxers that Iwaizumi could just barely see from under the covers. He blushes immediately.

"Right. Sorry." He makes a beeline for the door. Still flushing furiously. He decides to change out of his own sleeping clothes first. He returns to his room to change out of the t shirt and sweatpants and into one of his many dress shirts. He chooses a dark blue one today and matches it with a pair of fitting dress pants, not too fancy but nice enough to give the air of authority he usually presents himself with around other gang members, excluding his own pack.

He decides it would be best by wait by the door, he already feels bad enough that he'd upset Oikawa so much so early in the morning. He fetches his jacket while he waits. When the omega meets him by the door, he can't help but give him a once over. He's recovered significantly from his disheveled state from this morning. Wearing a black mock neck shirt, black dress pants, and a beige trench coat. His hair has been styled as flawlessly as usual and Iwaizumi can't control a slight eye roll when he runs his hand through it with a smirk. God, he was cocky.

"After you." He opens the door and holds his arm out, gesturing the omega forward. As he passes, the alpha can't help but notice the piece of paper still clenched tightly in his hand. His curiosity still eats away at him. The drive is long and silent, Oikawa seems to have gone back into his dejected mood, staring out the window sadly, Iwaizumi finds himself consistently side eying the omega to see if his mood has changed. The weather was horrid, a bad mix of rain and snow that made it seem like slush was falling from the sky.

The drive was about an hour and a half long. When they'd finally made it, Iwaizumi had led the way wordlessly. He'd imagined this trip would have a whole lot more talking from Oikawa and couldn't believe that he felt maybe slightly disappointed that there was none. They’d manage to check the supplies quite quickly, it had only taken them about two hours. Oikawa really did know what he was doing. Iwaizumi had watched him as he loaded and unloaded the guns, his long fingers working skillfully as he checked each weapon.

The omega still seemed rather down when it was time for them to leave, silence settles around them once again as they start the drive home. He could hardly bare it anymore, listening to nothing but the crinkling of paper as Oikawa fiddled with it in his lap.

“What’s with you today?” Nice one. He’d never been great at discussing feelings.

“I’m not sure what you mean.” He says it with his usual haughty tone, but the look in his eyes didn’t match his feigned arrogance.

“Not talking about it?” Silence. “Fine, we’re not talking about it.” He pulls off of the Highway, ignoring the confused look the omega shoots him. He turns onto a small town road and into a parking lot of a small bakery. Oikawa scrunches his eyebrows together and turns to look at Iwaizumi. He nods towards the small building before exiting the vehicle. Not turning to check to see if the omega had followed. A small bell rings when the enters through the front door.

“Ah, Iwaizumi-San!” A small old omegan woman smiles when she sees him.

“Please, Ikeda-San. Just call me Iwaizumi.” The older woman just laughs and brushes him off. He’d told her this countless times and she has yet to relent. He likes to come by quite often, as it wasn’t too far from the packhouse as well as a perfect stop on the way to and from the warehouse.

“What can I do for you today?” The older woman asks with her sweets smile.

“Could we please get two loaves of milk bread?” She nods and moves to the case full of freshly baked goods.

“Anything else, dear?” She says, gently placing the soft bread into a paper bag.

“Yeah, I’ll take a hot coffee, black. Also an earl grey tea, please.” She places the bag on the counter and goes to get the requested drinks. He turns his back to the counter as he waits, watching as Oikawa walks around the small sitting area, looking at the art and old pictures that hang on the wall. He stops at one picture of a family, a mom and dad and little girl, reaching up to gently straighten it from where it hung lopsidedly. He smiles at how gentle he was while no one was watching him, or at least when he thought no one was. Iwaizumi spins when someone clears their throat behind me.

“Finally found someone to settle down with?” Ikeda smirks up at him.

“Not nearly.” He laughs. Ikeda places the drinks on the counter along with the small paper bag and pushes them towards Iwaizumi.

“Whatever you say.” She winks as he pays for the food and leaves a generous tip, this was one of the very few omega owned businesses in the city, and he likes to make sure it is staying in business, even though there was certainly no shortage of customers.

“A pleasure, as always.” He bows politely before heading back towards the door, they’d eat on the way back.

“Oí, Shittykawa! Let’s get a move on!” Oikawa spins towards him, face flush and he looks as though he’s about to respond, Iwaizumi’s hopes rise a little before the omega’s mouth snaps shut again and he follows him to the car. He hands over the tea before they go to sit back in the car.

“Oh, thank you.” Oikawa looks taken aback. “How’d you know I drink tea?” The alpha just shrugs. The omega sniffs loudly before his eyes light up. “And what, may I ask, is in the bag?”

“Why don’t you look and find out?” He can’t help but smile, knowing this was the his one weakness. In the several days the omega has been living in the packhouse, Iwaizumi has seen him snacking on milk bread at least once a day, it was as if he couldn’t go without it. Oikawa gasps when he looks inside.

“Iwa-chan!” He practically yells in the alpha’s ear. He can’t help but slump in relief at the annoying nickname. The omega still definitely wasn’t his favorite person to be around, far from it, actually. But at least he wouldn’t have to deal with him sulking around anymore. He was now quiet, as he had a mouthful of milk bread and a hot tea in his hand, peacefully watching the scenery roll by. This he could live with.

***

Akaashi POV:

Akaashi made his way down the dark alleyway for what was hopefully the last time ever. He was slightly earlier than usual, hoping to miss the rush of customers. He would just get in, get his pay, and get out. Simple.

His first stop was his locker, he emptied it of his belongings and filled his duffel bag. It felt bizarre to take all of his things out of the locker. This was the first time he’d ever stood in this spot and felt anything other than a trapped sense of dread. But this time he was leaving. And he didn’t plan on coming back.

Next, he made his way to the large office at the end of the hall. How many times has he entered this office and come out of it in more pain than he’d been in before. Not today. Today he was going to walk out with his head up, he was going to go home, he was going to take his son and get out of this hellhole. With his newfound confidence he knocked harshly on the office door. There was faint grumbling that he could barely hear, something about stupid interruptions.

“Come in.” Sato-San’s voice rang out. He pushed the door open and stepped inside, freezing in my place. “Ah, Akaashi. Just in time.” It was that fake pleasant voice that he’d always put on for a show. The omega feels panic clawing at his stomach when he sees that Sato has a visitor. The last person that he’d ever want to see in the world turns to smile slyly at him.

“I told you I’d come back for you.”

Chapter Text

Suga POV:

Suga zipped up the last of his bags, sighing heavily as he glanced around his tiny apartment one last time. That was it. He'd managed to fit everything of importance into two backpacks, his duffel bag, the diaper bag, and four boxes. This is what he has. No, not quite true. He walks over to where he'd laid Keiko down on her mat, picking her up gently and unbuttoning his shirt so she could eat before he brought her over to his neighbor. He smiles at her cooing as she latches on to his small breast and starts suckling.

"You're all I need, my love." He says gently stroking her soft hair. "We're gonna get out of this place." He couldn't lie, he was excited to live somewhere else. He was excited to be around Akaashi and Yamaguchi constantly. He was excited that they had possibly found a group of people to trust in this cruel world. He wasn't normally one to get his hopes up about things like this, but if they were associated with Daichi, then it was almost hard not to want to trust them.

Of course, he'd only really known Daichi for just over a week. He'd met him only three times in person, he really shouldn't trust the alpha as much as he does at this point. But, there is still this undeniable hope within him that maybe Daichi will be the one to come and pick them up tonight, just so he can see the alpha, and be with him when he meets the rest of the pack. He was nervous to meet the others, especially the alphas. he knows he can't make assumptions on them based on their sub gender, he understands that as well as anyone, but alphas had kind of been an issue for him his entire life. It would be quite the experience living in a house full of them.

Keiko huffs, letting him know she is finished. He carefully maneuvers her to his shoulder, readjusting his bralette and buttoning his shirt back into place before burping her. Once he's finished, he cradled her gently as he pulls the strap of the diaper bag onto his shoulder and leaves his own apartment, heading next door to his neighbor's. He knocks on the door gently. Within a few moments, it swings open, revealing an old omegan woman who smiles sweetly up at him.

"Good evening, Sugawara dear." She says. "It seems you've brought me my company for the night." She hobbles closer and smiles down at Keiko who blinks up at her sleepily.

"Thank you so much for taking her again." Suga says, scenting his child heavily before handing her over. It never gets easier to do.

"Oh, sweetheart. You know I don't mind. We get along so well." She boops Keiko's nose gently.

"Of course. Well, you know this might be that last time you'll have to do this for me for a while, we're moving out. Tonight, actually. So I'll have to come by and pick up her bassinet later when I come get her if that's alright."

"Well yes, of course, hun. I hope everything is alright." She says with a note of concern.

"It's fine! I think things might be getting better, actually." He laughs. Knock on wood.

"I'm happy to hear it. Now run along! We'll be just fine her until you come back." She grabs the diaper bag before waving him out the door. "Can't have you being late now, can we?" She shoos him off as he takes one last glimpse of his daughter before the door is closed and he's left a lone standing in the hallway.

"I'll be back for you." He whispers. He checks his watch. It was time for him to go. He sighs heavily before making quick stop back at his apartment to grab his things before heading out.

By the time he arrives at the club, people were already filing in. He weaves through the crowd of people waiting to get in through the front as he makes his way to the side entrance, trying not to think about how many of these people he will be servicing later tonight. He pushes into the club and makes his way to the changing room. He carefully picks out the nights outfit before checking the time again. He has time for a shower, at least.

There are only a few other people in the large showering room, he goes to the corner, furthest away from the others. He turns the water on as hot as it will go, basking in the sting of it against his skin. He uses a sweet smelling shampoo and body wash that compliments his scent, ones that make hims smell more enticing. When he's rinsed of the soapy residuo off he glances once more at the other people in the showers. A few had left, leaving only a couple of them behind. He never liked having to do this here, with other people around, but as usual, he decided it was better than the alternative.

He reaches behind himself and reaches down with his fingers to prod at his entrance, gasping slightly and resting his forehead against the cool tile wall as he pushes one inside of himself. He tries his best to shut out his surroundings, trying to ignore the presence of the others, though who are they to judge when they're in the same boat as him? He already hated his job, there was no reason it had to be that much more painful for him.

At least his own hands were better than the rough, uncaring ones of his customers. What would it be like to be with someone gentle? He wouldn't know, he has very little experience in that department. For a moment, he can't help but imagine. Soft hands and strong arms, holding him gently, kind words whispered lovingly in his ear. He slips deeper into his fantasy as he slips another finger inside as he pants heavily. A caring alpha who makes love to him instead of simply using him. A strong but kind alpha.

He doesn't usually let himself imagine having an alpha of his own, no matter how lonely he got or how much he may want it deep down. But today, he lets himself slip into his imagination. He continues to imagine a strong body pressed against his own, strong hands handling him with care. At this point he has worked in a third finger and has to surprise a moan as he imagines those tattooed arms and boyish smile. He gasps as he climaxes onto the tile wall.

He rushes to clean the wall off, blushing furiously as he glances around to see if anyone had noticed, luckily nobody pays him any mind. He can't believe that just happened. He'd never brought himself to completion while prepping himself before work. Hell, he'd rarely even finished while sleeping with his clients, and now he was getting off on imagining the one alpha that had ever been nice to him? This was getting way to out of hand. Where had that even come from? He quickly makes his way back to his locker to get changed as fast as possible.

Clad in his white bralette and matching shorts, he makes his way towards the main stage before he catches an intense whiff of something familiar, something that makes him stop in his tracks. Akaashi? He wasn't supposed to be here  still, he'd planned to pick up his pay and leave, there was no reason for it to take this long.

Suga followed the smell down the familiar hallway, picking up on more and more distress as he gets closer to Sato-san's office. Why was he in there? He can smell Sato as well along with somebody else, it was a somewhat familiar scent but he couldn't put his finger on it. He came to a conclusion instantly.

"Shit." He sprints back to the locker room, entering his code with shaking hands and digging through his things to get to his phone. He swipes through his contacts before finally finding the right one. He presses it and holds the phone to his ear. "Please. Please. Please."

"Hello?"

"Daichi."

"Suga? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Daichi. It's Akaashi. He was supposed to leave early today but he's still here. He's still here! And he's in Sato-san's office with somebody else and I-I think he's scared you-you have to help him please please Daichi you have to help him." He's sobbing now because he's just so scared.

"Hey, hey. It's gonna be okay." He can hear him yell something on the other side. "We're gonna be there really soon, okay? Can you do me a favor, please?"

"Anything. I'll do anything just help him, please!"

"We will. We will but I need you to make sure that they don't go anywhere, alright? If they leave it's gonna be very hard for us to find them." Suga nods, not even comprehending that Daichi can't see him. He hangs up before he can say anything else and wipes his face and eyes carefully, keeping his makeup in tact, before hurrying back out into the hall and towards Sato-san's office. He can hear them speaking lowly now.

"I will just go organize a car for you, Fukuda-San! You may wait here in the meantime. I'll come fetch you when it's ready. I'm sure you can find.. some way to entertain yourself." He chuckles as he says it. Soon enough the door is opening and he steps through, looking down and typing something on his phone. Suga fluffs up his hair and begins strutting down the hallway, swinging his hips seductively. Please work. Please work. Sato-San turns as he walks by, trying to keep his eyes looking forward. "Ah, Suga." He catches him around the waist and spins hims so that they are face to face. Good to know he can always count on his boss to be a perv. "You're smelling mighty fine this evening." He presses his nose up agaainst his neck, just under his jaw.

"Thank you, Sato-San." He looks away shyly while simultaneously batting his lashes. He couldn't lay it on too hard or he'd be suspicious. The old alpha hums appreciatively as he looks hims up and down again.

"I think I can afford to take a bit of a detour, Fukuda can wait, don't you think?" He pulls Suga into one of the premium private rooms and the door clicks shut ominously behind them. The omega takes a deep breath, anything for Akaashi. Anything. And now, the real work begins.

***

Akaashi POV:

Akaashi is sat atop of Sato-san's desk, Fukuda-San stands between his legs, sloppily kissing his neck, groaning and rubbing their crotches together. It's almost humorous, Akaashi had only just learned this man's name, and he'd been sleeping with him for years. But now, he belongs to the alpha. God, he was so scared, he didn't want to be here. He could do nothing but sit, trembling, on the mahogany desk and let the alpha go at him.

"I always knew I'd make you mine." The large man chuckles. "And now it's finally true. My omega." He growls. "My omega."

Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop.

Sato-San had left nearly 10 minutes ago. Why wasn't he back yet? He never thought he'd want his boss to walk through that door as much as he did now. Except, he wasn't his boss anymore. No. Now he belonged to this man right here. A tear rolls down his cheek. He just wants to be home. He wants to go to his son. He'd been so close to getting away. So close. He wants to be away from here. In this moment, he does something he's never done before. He presses his shaking hands against the alpha's chest and pushes him back.

"What's wrong with you?" Fukuda snarls, stumbling back.

"I-I want to go home." God, he sounds like a child. He feels like one at this point. The alpha chuckles.

"Don't you worry, puppy. We're gonna go home real soon."

"No. No, I want to go to my own home. Not with you. You-you can't buy people. I d-don't belong to you-" He is cut off abruptly by a large hand pressing tightly over his mouth, nearly covering half of his face. His is grip is so tight, Akaashi's jaw starts to ache.

"Oh, I think you do. You" He leans closely into the omega's ear and presses his hand over his baby bump. "and this. Belong to me." He turns back to the door. "I'm sick of waiting for that bastard. We're leaving." He pulls Akaashi off of the desk, spinning him so his back is pressed up against the larger man's chest, huge hand still smothering him.

Fukuda practically drags him down the long hallway and to the back entrance. Akaashi scratches at the thick arm, trying to remove the hand from his face. It's no use as the alpha pushes him through the door and into the frigid night air. They both freeze when they are met with almost a dozen men standing in the alleyway, guns trained on them. There's a limousine to their left but besides that, they're surrounded.

"Step away from him, Fukuda." A large man steps forward and it takes a moment for Akaashi to recognize him as his eyes adjust to the dark. Daichi. And behind him to his left, was a head of white and black hair. The bright gold eyes snap to his and he can see the worry in them from here.

"You really think you have the upper hand here boy?" He tightens his grip, pulling Akaashi closer. "I suppose you could be at an advantage." Akaashi can feel Fukuda other arm moving behind him. "It just depends how many sacrifices you're willing to make." The arm wraps around his middle, pressing the barrel of a gun directly against his stomach. He can't control the loud whimper that escapes.

"Let him go, you bastard!" Bokuto steps up beside Daichi, his voice shaking with something akin to rage but his body remains perfectly still, gun trained on the large man. The gun is shoved into his stomach harder and he whimpers again. His instincts were screaming in his head. Get away. Protect the pup. Return to Akihiko. But he was a bit stuck at the moment.

“I would be careful if I were you.” Fukuda says lowly. From both ends of the alleyway came another dozen or so men, all armed with guns of their own, trained on Daichi and his pack. “I’d prefer it if you’d put those guns down on the ground so that I may allow my puppy here to keep our pup. It’d be a shame to lose it before it even makes its way into the world, wouldn’t it? And let’s not even think about losing my dear Akaashi.” Akaashi’s face is wet with tears now. He doesn’t want to lose his pup. He doesn’t want to leave Aki alone in this world.

“Okay. Okay.” Daichi raises his hands, the gun no longer pointing at Fukuda. He kneels slowly on the ground and sets the gun on the pavement. The others follow, Bokuto seeming much more hesitant. Fukuda leans close.

“Get in the fucking car or I will shoot you right here, right now.” He whispers. He lets him go roughly and the omega stumbles as he pushes him towards the car. He braces himself against the vehicle so that he doesn’t fall. When he’s stable, his hands immediately move to his stomach protectively. He hesitates for a moment. He really doesn’t want to go with Fukuda. He’s terrified to get into the car, afraid that he’d never come back. It seems he doesn’t have much of an option if he wants to live to meet his second child.

He steps up and wraps his fingers around the door handle. Just before he can pull the door open, there is a gunshot. He feels his heart lodge in his throat as Fukuda falls back onto the ground. Then there is only chaos. Daichi’s crew drops to the ground, grabbing their guns to shoot at Fukuda’s men who had begun shooting at them. Before Akaashi can process anything, a large body collides with his back, holding him with large arms as he is pushed to the ground.

“Stay down. Stay down. It’s okay, we’re gonna get you out.”

“Bokuto-“

“Shh shh. You’re okay.” His body shields Akaashi, nearly covering him completely. The gunfire was so loud. So loud. He wants to cover his ears but can’t bring himself to remove his arms from around his stomach. He shakes violently from a combination of the freezing air and pure terror. A large hand comes to rest atop his own on his stomach.

“You’re both going to be okay.” And against everything, the gunshots, the shouting, and the near death experience, Akaashi believes him.

“Aki… Akihiko.” He breathes shakily.

“We’ll go to Akihiko.” He assures “I’m gonna take you to him and then I’m gonna take you both to the packhouse. We’re gonna meet the rest of you’re pack there, and you’re all going to be safe. I’m gonna keep you safe.” The gunshots stop then and it is quiet for a long moment. Akaashi freezes.

“Bo.” He slumps in relief when he recognizes Daichi’s voice. Thank god. Bokuto carefully pushes himself off of Akaashi before helping him up carefully.

“You okay?” The omega nods.

“I-I think so. Is everyone else okay?” He’d hate to find out that anyone had gotten hurt for him, or worse.

“Actually everyone is fine. They got Fukuda out though, Oikawa only got him in the shoulder.” Akaashi directs his attention to the top of the tall building down the alleyway and across the street. There, he could see two figures standing on the roof. So that’s where the first shot had come from. He jumps when the side entrance door bursts open and a frazzled Suga rushes out. His hair is a mess, he pink lipstick smudged, and the zipper of his fly is only half zipped.

“Akaashi!” He sobs, throwing himself at the raven haired man. His arms wrap tightly around his shoulders as he cries into the other omega’s neck. “You’re okay. God, you’re okay.”

“I’m okay, Suga. We both are.” The silver haired man’s hands drop to rest on his stomach.

“I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do. I-I called Daichi but I didn’t know-“

“You saved me, Suga.” Akaashi pulls him into another hug, pressing a kiss to the side of his head. “Thank you.” They stand there embracing for a long while, crying quietly.

“I hate to interrupt.” Daichi says hesitantly. “But it would probably be best if we cleared out. We’ve drawn far too much attention already. Akaashi, Bokuto can take you back to your place to get Aki and your things. And Suga I-“ He pauses to look over the omega before shrugging his jacket off and draping it over his shoulders. “I can take you.” Suga smiles up at the alpha, blushing like a schoolgirl and pulling the jacket around him as he shivers. “I’ll send Asahi over to get your third packmate, I’d say we could take him now but we can’t exactly go in there and look for him with the stunt we just pulled out here.” They both nod in understanding.

“You ready, then?” Bokuto tilts his head in question and Akaashi nods anxiously, he was ready to go see his baby. Though he supposes thinking you’ll never see your child again will do that to a person.

“Let’s go.”

***

Yamaguchi POV:

Yamaguchi’s last customer of the day leaves him sore and dazed. He’d been extremely rough and had a tendency to cut off his airways with his large hand as he mercilessly rutted into him. The omega had passed out at least twice from the lack of airflow and now he can’t shake the lightheaded feeling as he stumbles out of the room.

He quickly rinses off in the shower, too exhausted to use his body wash, before he changes into a big long sleeved shirt and a pair of sweatpants. On his way out, he stops by Sato-San’s office, that alarmingly smells a lot like Akaashi, to drop off his earnings, less than half of which he will get back tomorrow. On his way out he types out a quick text to Akaashi to check if he was alright. He hadn’t seen him nor Suga all night, which wasn’t really out of the ordinary.

His commute home feels like it takes hours. He moves sluggishly the whole way and the train was running late. He nearly falls asleep on the decaying bench of the station and again while sitting in the empty train car. It isn’t until he steps out of the second station that he feels energized. The cold wind seems to wake him up, along with the realization that he will be picked up in about an hour, he will be taken somewhere far from the cramped apartment on the dark street with his boys. He makes record time getting home from the station. He races up the dark, narrow staircase, excited nerves buzzing in his stomach.

His good mood is completely shattered when he reaches the top of the stairs and can smell the overwhelming scent of distress. Sour honey and rotten lemons. His pups. Along with the gut wrenching smell of whiskey.

There is no second thought as he dashes to the apartment door, shaking hands shoving the key into the lock before he throws the door open. The scent of an angry alpha nearly makes him cower instantly, but the need to protect his pups is much stronger. His senses are dialed up as he quickly takes in the scene.

Eiji cowers in the far corner of the room while Aito has crawled under the table and rolled into a little ball with his hands pressed against his ears. Jun is angrily pacing in the middle of the room, a continuous growl erupting from his throat. There is broken glass and furniture scattered on the floor. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Jun had just left a couple of days ago, he wasn’t supposed to be back already. When Jun senses his presence, he whips around to face the omega. Tadashi knows instantly where his anger must be stemming from. He glances briefly at the packed boxes and bags sitting by the door. Jun’s growling gets louder and he bares his teeth.

“Planning a trip, are we?”

Chapter Text

Daichi POV:

As Daichi and Suga sit in the car, they pull the doors closed simultaneously. There's a moment of quiet where they just sit there, not saying anything at all. Daichi glances at Suga out of the corner of his eye. The omega is attempting to rub what was left of his lipstick from his mouth with his hand, sighing and dropping the hand into his lap when he's satisfied. He shivers and Daichi immediately cranks the heat up. Save for the alpha's own jacket, he wasn't dressed for the cold winter weather. He was hardly wearing anything and Daichi tries not to stare.

He had been on edge when the omega had emerged from the club, smelling of that Sato bastard. He'd been able to relax slightly when the scent from his jacket was able to dampen the strong alpha pheromones.

"You alright?" He asks, fully turning towards him now. Suga nods and sends him a small smile.

"I'm alright." Daichi nods and pulls out of the parking spot. "Can I?" The omega asks, reaching for the radio.

"Go ahead." Suga presses the on button and a random talk show starts playing, Daichi had never been one to really listen to the radio while driving. The omega hums and switches stations, landing on a hard rock station. He furrows his brows and switches it again. Daichi chuckles quietly as he flips through a dozen different stations, none that seem to catch his attention.

When he finally stops flipping through channels, it's on a slow, melodic song. The silver haired man rests his head back against the headrest and looks out the window, visibly relaxing. After a few moments, he starts to hum quietly along with the music, a genuine smile gracing his features. Daichi finds himself relaxing as well. Suga's voice was quite soothing, the alpha decides he could listen to it forever.

They drive like that for a while, Suga only stops his soft singing to give directions. Soon enough, they've arrived at the apartment building. The omega leads him up a flight of stairs and leads him to the apartment, Daichi tries not to stare at the dreadful, peeling wallpaper of the hallway. Suga takes his key out and slides it into the lock.

"I can wait to get Keiko until we've moved the stuff, it'll be easier that way." They step inside and Daichi looks over the packed belongings. This was it? This was everything that the omega wanted to bring with him? Hell, he could get this is packed in to the car in two trips.

"You go to her. I can take care of this." He says, stopping to pick up a bag and sling it over his shoulder. Suga turns to look at him.

"No, I can't ask you to-"

"Go. This will take me a couple of minutes tops. I'll come get you when I'm done." He says reassuringly, stacking two boxes before picking them up off the floor. Suga smiles appreciatively.

"Thanks, Dai." He almost bounces out of the room to retrieve his daughter and Daichi smiles after him, flushing when he realizes what the omega had called him. Cute.

As expected, it takes him a total of 5 minutes to load everything into his car before he is able to return upstairs. The neighboring door to Suga's apartment is open and he can hear the omega's voice from inside so he knocks lightly as he looks inside. Sure enough, Suga is sitting at the small kitchen table, cradling his daughter, across from a sweet looking old woman.

"Oh, here he is." The younger man nods towards Daichi.

"Ah, what a handsome young man." The woman stands and looks up at him. "You look just like my husband when he was young." She sighs. "A perfect alpha for a pretty single omega, one would say." She throws a glance over her shoulder at Suga who rolls his eyes and blushes simultaneously, shaking his head.

"Don't listen to her, Dai. She's old and doesn't know what she's talking about." His neighbor gasps like she can't believe what has just been said.

"Well, excuse me! I was just trying to help you out. I don't see you making any effort." She sticks her nose up in the air. Suga laughs and stands to face her.

"And what a help you've been. Really, I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me and Keiko." She waves him off.

"Oh, of course, hun. You come back and visit me anytime!" She wraps the younger omega into a hug and looks down at Keiko. "Be good, sweet Princess. I'll miss you." With that, the two omega's separate and Suga grabs the diaper bag and takes Keiko to the door. Daichi grabs the bassinet crib and they return to the hallway. Suga turns to look at him.

"Hey, do you mind if I take a quick shower before we leave? I need to feed her and I'd rather not smell like..." He doesn't finish his sentence and he trains his eyes on the floor.

"Oh, yeah. Of course." Suga relaxes as he leads him back into his own apartment and smiles up at him.

"Thank you!" Then to Daichi's mix of surprise and horror, he holds the baby out to him. "Would you hold her for me?"

"W-wait, me? Oh, I-I don't know if that's a good idea. She looks pretty sleepy a-and I wouldn't want to upset her." Suga smirks at him, still holding the tiny child towards him.

"What's this? The big strong alpha can't handle a little baby?" Daichi's gaze flickers between the mother and child, brow furrowed nervously. "Dai. She's not going to hurt you" he laughs. He reaches out and bends Daichi's arms into the right position before easing the baby gently into his arms. He freezes. He's never held a baby before, and she feels so fragile in his arms. "Just keep supporting her head just like that and you're golden." Suga pushes him down to sit on the old sofa before disappearing into the bathroom.

Daichi doesn't move. He stares down at Keiko and she looks up at him with her sleepy eyes. She lets out a small yawn and he can't help but smile, she was awfully cute. She had shiny silver hair just like her mother and an adorable tiny little nose.

"Hi, Keiko." He whispers. "I'm Daichi. I don't know if I have to introduce myself because, you know, you're a baby." What the hell was he doing? "You might remember me from when I nearly knocked you and your mother to the ground when I ran into you." She stares up at him. "Sorry about that." She makes a small cooing noise and he laughs. He sits quietly with her for another 10 minutes or so before she whines quietly, kicking her legs.

"Hey hey hey.” Jesus, he sounds like Bokuto. “You’re alright. Shhh.” She whines louder before it turns into a wail. He stands up and bounces her gently in an attempt to comfort her. "Don't cry. Please don't cry." Keiko pays him no mind as she cries louder. In the years that he had been leading the most dangerous gangn the city, he had never felt a panic quite like this. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He doesn't know what he did wrong. He spins around when the bathroom door opens and Suga emerges in a clean outfit and wet hair. "I-I don't know what I did, she just started crying and I-"

"Hey, calm down. Calm down." Suga says in a calming voice. He quickly approaches the distressed alpha. "Give her here." He gently removes the child from Daichi's arms and her cries quite, though they don't stop. "You haven't done anything. She's hungry, and a baby. She's gonna cry, it's okay." The light sweatshirt he had put on has a barely visible opening at the side that he pulls around to his front. Daichi redirects his gaze as the omega unsnaps the strap of his bra, not wanting to be rude. The wailing child quiets immediately. Daichi turns his attention back to the omega now that he wasn't so... exposed.

"There we go." Suga smiles. "See? She was just hungry."

"Sorry I freaked out. I'm just not really used to babies, I guess."

"That's okay! You kept her content right until the end. Color me impressed." They stay there while Keiko finishes eating before they exit the apartment for the last time.

“Well, I hope you two are ready to see you’re new home.”

***

Akaashi POV:

Akaashi leads Bokuto into his apartment, trying his best not to feel self conscious with the alpha standing in his dim, cramped home. It’s even more of an eyesore now that most of his stuff is packed up to take with him. They walk further into the living room where he’s put his belongings, he notices that one of the bags has been opened and an array of toys and child sized clothing is scattered on the floor.

“I’m sorry. I-I’ll pick this up. I swear it was all packed and ready, Aki must have taken it out. I apologize, I don’t mean to take up your time.” He’d promised the alpha that they’d be in and out fast, not wanting to frustrate him. So far, Bokuto had been nothing but kind to him and he didn’t want to do anything to ruin that.

“Oh, no that’s alright.” The alpha brushes it off. Akaashi hurriedly shoves the items back into the bag before zipping it up.

“I’ll just go wake Akihiko and we can go.” Bokuto nods and Akaashi enters his bedroom where his little pup is curled up with his owl tucked under his arm. Ah, he must have packed Mr. Hoo in with the other stuff. He rubs the small boy’s back. “Aki. Wake up, baby.” The pup’s blue eyes blink open and he rubs the sleep from them.

“Mommy?” He says sleepily.

“It’s me, baby. Remember I told you we’re going to live in a new place?” All at once Akihiko shoots out of bed and dashes outside. Akaashi can hear his pounding little footsteps followed by a gleeful shout.

“Mr. Bokudo!”

“Hey hey hey, little man! Wow! Are those owl pajamas?” Akaashi arrives in time to see the excitable pup nod enthusiastically.

“Mommy got dem for my birdday.”

“So cool!” Bokuto doesn’t say it in the fake way that most adults normally do to placate children. He says it with a genuine interest as he admires the owl pattern on the soft clothing. Akaashi smiles.

“We movin’, Mr. Bokudo!”

“I know! You’re gonna come live with me and my pack!”

“You’re pack?” He questions with wide eyes.

“Yep! Then you can meet the rest of my friends!” Akihiko jumps excitedly.

“Mommy! Mommy! New Bokudo friends!”

“Yes, Aki. Very exciting.” He tries to hide how nervous he is about meeting these new friends. “Now, we need to put our stuff in the car, don’t we?”

“I help!” The pup grabs the strap of a bigger duffel bag and starts to drag it, inch by inch, towards the front door. He has to stop after about two feet to catch his breath.

“How about I take that one, big guy?” Bokuto swings the strap easily over his shoulder. “You wanna help me with this one?” He picks up a much smaller, lighter bag and holds it out to Aki who nods and takes it from him, excited to be helpful. Bokuto grabs two more boxes before following the child out of the apartment. Akaashi follows after slinging his backpack over his shoulder and grabbing another box. Once they’d put those into the car, they returned for the last two boxes, both of which Bokuto insists on taking, despite Akaashi’s protests. “That everything?”

“I guess so.” Akaashi takes on last glance around the apartment. It was the only place he’d had since escaping from his previous packhouse, though he didn’t think he’d miss it one bit.

“Mr. Hoo!” Aki exclaims before running back into the he bedroom to retrieve his owl.

“If only someone had packed him sooner.” Akaashi grumbles, making Bokuto laugh. When the toddler finds his way back they finally head out.

“Bye ‘parment.” Akihiko waves at the closing door. Only then does Akaashi feel a slight pang of nostalgia. This apartment was all that Aki had ever known. He’d been brought home from the hospital here, said his first words, and taken his first steps here. But now it was time for them to move on.

“Bye apartment.” He echoes his child under his breath.

The drive to the packhouse takes about half an hour and Akihiko had managed to fall asleep in Akaashi’s lap. When they pulled up outside the house, he’s careful to lift the small boy without waking him up.

“Here we are!” Bokuto says excitedly, hands on his hips and chest puffed out proudly. When he turns and sees Akaashi’s nervous state he is quick to reassure him. “Suga’s already inside and the pack is either in their rooms or still out, so you can just focus on getting settled in tonight and meet them tomorrow. Sound okay?” Akaashi nods.

Bokuto goes to grab some of the boxes before leading Akaashi inside. He leads him up a large staircase that is just by the front door and down a very long and wide hallway, they make a few turns before he stops at one of the doors and knocks.

“Come in.” Akaashi smiles at Suga’s soft voice coming from inside. Bokuto opens the door and Akaashi can see that he’d been right about the size of the room. It was nearly as big as his own apartment. There’s a huge bed that almost made him gape at the sheer size. Suga was already kneeling on the mattress, arranging blankets and pillows while releasing his own scent. He had always taken nesting very seriously.

“Akaashi.” The silver haired omega smiles and pats a spot on the bed for him to set the sleeping pup. “Look at all of this room!” He whispers when he gets close enough.

“I know, it’s great.” He glances over the room again. There is a big desk on one side and Suga has set up Keiko’s bassinet on the other, with plenty of room for Tadashi to set up Eiji’s crib there’s also what seems to be a walk in closet that he will have to explore later.

“Can you watch Aki for me while I get the rest of my stuff?” Suga nods and he heads back to the car with Bokuto. Once they’ve moved all his belongings in, setting them in the walk in closet so he can organize everything tomorrow, Bokuto excuses himself to let them settle in. Akaashi joins Suga in the half made nest and scents one of the many blankets heavily before draping over Akihiko. The pup purrs in his sleep at the new warmth and smell of his mother.

“It’s almost perfect.” Suga says, placing one last pillow perfectly. “Just missing a few scents.”

“Well, I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”

***

Yamaguchi POV:

“Planning a trip, are we?”

Tadashi ignores the alpha's question, instead moving to walk past him towards the corner where Eiji cowers as he can smell the faintest scent of blood coming from that direction. The alpha's hand shoots out and grabs hold of him before he even makes it two steps.

"Where the fuck did you think you were going?"

"Let me go." He can't bring himself to look at he alpha, too afraid that if he does he will break into a million little pieces. Jun tightens his bone crushing grip and swings Tadashi by his arm, slamming his shoulder into the wall with a loud thud and letting him drop to the ground with a gasp of pain.

"ANSWER ME!" He bellows, Tadashi can't help but cower at the overwhelming presence of the angry man.

Aito crawls out from under the table at the sight of his mother on the ground and dashes towards him, a feeble attempt to find comfort in his terrified state. Jun catches him by the arm before he can reach Tadashi and the pup yelps pitifully at the large man's iron grip.

"Don't touch him!" Tadashi growls, a tremendous amount of fierceness in his voice to combat the complete and utter terror that consumes him. He moves to stand in order to charge Jun but the alpha is faster, backhanding him in the face so hard that his ears ring. He is once again sprawled out on the ground as Jun throws his pup on to the floor as Aito screams.

Tadashi scrambles to stand up and go to his injured child but Jun bends over him and lands a few solid punches to the omega's face. With the smaller man slumped on the floor, the alpha pulls his limb back and aims a kick at his stomach. The omega moves faster than he ever had in his life and catches the foot right before it connects with his stomach. Hell no. That wasn't going to happen. He'd promised himself that he'd do better for this baby and that is exactly what he intends to do. He isn't going to let that be taken from him.

Jun lifts his foot and slams it back down on Tadashi's wrist, forcing a pained whine from his throat, before landing a kick higher up to his ribs. Yamaguchi ignores the pain and keeps his arms firmly wrapped around his middle. Not his pup. He can’t lose his child. He cries as the alpha lands another kick in the same spot before dragging him by the shirt and pinning him against the wall, hand wrapped tightly around his throat.

"Think you can just leave me, huh? Thought that I wouldn't notice you packed all your shit? Or that it smells like another alpha in here? You been cheating on me?" A venomous laugh. "I can smell them all on you. Should have known you were a fucking slut." He's pulled forward slightly before being slammed up against the wall again, his toes just barely grazing the floor as he is held by his neck. "Took care of you, let you have your fucking pups. This is the thanks I get? I'll just have to return the favor." He pulls his fist back and Tadashi can't do much more than watch as he goes to throw another punch. The world fades in and out of focus and all he can hear is ringing, and off in the distance, the sound of his pups crying. He'd failed them. Maybe he deserved this.

Suddenly, he is on the floor instead of hanging from the large arm. He can hear a loud racket to his right but is too dazed to seek out where it is coming from. The next thing he knows, another alpha kneels over him. The man's features fade in and out of focus but he can make out long brown hair that’s been pulled into a loose bun.

"Yamaguchi? Hey, can you hear me?" His voice is gentle, worried. He says something else but he can't understand. The deep voice gets further and further away as he slips out of consciousness, letting darkness consume him.

***

Tsukishima POV:

Tsukishima pulls into a parking spot directly in front of the old apartment building. He's been waiting all day to visit, looking forward to seeing Tadashi and the pups just like he had been for the past week. As soon as he steps out of the vehicle he feels as though something is off. His instincts nag at him, telling him something is wrong.

Suddenly the front door burst open, prompting him to reach for the gun in his waistband instinctively. He lets go of the handle when the other man doesn't seem to notice him. The man is obviously an alpha, his face is badly bruised and swollen and he spits a glob of red tinged spit on to the ground. Looks like the guy got his ass handed to him, Tsukishima tries not to be amused. When the man disappears down the block, Tsukishima returns to making his way towards Tadashi's apartment.

The smell hits him before he even starts to climb the stairs. The same smell as he'd picked up the previous night only this was much stronger and filled Tsukishima with a sense of inexplicable fear. He sprints up the stairs, taking them two at a time, when he turns down the hallway, his heart drops down to his stomach when he sees that the door is wide open. That's not right.

"Dashi?" He shouts as his legs propel him down the hall as fast as they'll go. He skids to a stop in the doorway and takes in the scene, glass and wood splinters litter the floor. It only takes a moment for his eyes to find the limp body sprawled on the floor and

"Asahi?" The other alpha looks up from where he is kneeling over Tadashi. Rationally, Tsukishima can see that the alpha is holding a cloth to the bleeding head of the omega, trying to help him. But his inner alpha can't help but feel protective. A growl rumbles in his chest before he can stop it and his body moves on its own accord rushing to kneel at Tadashi's side and pulling him away from Asahi. This was his omega. His!

"What the hell happened?" He cradles Tadashi's head carefully. The omega's face was horribly bruised, his lip was split and he was bleeding from a cut on his forehead.

"I was- I was supposed to pick him up." Leave it to Asahi to be the only gang member in ten world who could have a nervous breakdown under pressure. "I was gonna bring him to the packhouse but when I got here some alpha had him pinned against the wall. I got him off but he was already so out of it by the time I got here." Tsukishima's couldn't take his eyes off of his childhood best friend.

"Dashi, wake up. Open your eyes for me, please." He strokes his freckled cheeks softly, his vision blurring with tears.

"We need to take him to the hospital." Tsukishima growls again, pulling Tadashi in closer to his chest.

"Mine." Asahi looks only a bit taken aback.

"He needs help, Tsukishima. Look at him." Oh god, look at him. How could he have let this happen? Looking back, the man fleeing from the building had looked just like the man in the picture with Tadashi and Aito. Obviously, he had done this. How could he not have seen this sooner. The bruise on Tadashi's cheek, him and the pups' jumpiness. Shit. The pups.

"Asahi. I need you to take him." He digs his nails into the palms of his hands. Everything inside him screams at him not to hand his omega over. But he needs to find the pups. "Listen to me! You better be careful with him." He carefully hands the smaller man over. "I'll get the pups." Asahi nods and takes Tadashi into his arms before disappearing into the hallway. Tsukishima watches until they are out of sight.

When they are gone he glances around the apartment, he doesn't have to think too hard to figure out where to look as there are only two other rooms to check and only one of them has whimpers and cries coming from within. He enters the bedroom cautiously, trying not to be too aggressively fast despite the panic that the pained whines give him. He finds Eiji hidden behind the door. Eyes big and watery as he looks up at Tsukishima. He lets out a little sob that practically breaks the alpha's heart. There's a large cut on his arm that he can assume came from flying glass.

"Hey, Eiji. I got you, buddy." He picks up the crying child and carries him to the bed, setting him on the mattress and kneeling to peer under the bed frame where the loud whines are coming from. Aito is pressed up against the wall, curled up into a little ball and cradling his arm to his chest. "Aito." The pup whimpers louder and presses closer against the wall. This fills Tsukishima with a new feeling of rage. This was his pup! And some alpha had the audacity to hurt him? He’s unsure of a lot of things right now but he knows one thing, he’s going to make the bastard pay.

He releases his scent, trying to comfort the shaking child. The pup manages to look up at him hesitantly.

"Hey, hey little guy. Do you think you can come out?" Aito shakes his head before hiding his face again and muffling his sobs. Tsukishima had never seen his son cry. Sure, he'd seen the teary aftermath of the missing milk incident but nothing like this. This was heart wrenching, terrified, pained sobbing. He wishes that he'd never witnessed this. He didn't know how to deal with this. How do you comfort your son that you didn't know existed for almost four years? If only he knew.

He takes a deep breath and lets his instincts take over. There was one thing that he felt compelled to do. He crawls under the bed, dragging himself closer to the small boy, being careful not to hit his head on the underside of the bed. When he reaches Aito, he reaches slowly towards him. The pup eyes him hesitantly but makes no move to pull away so he strokes the soft hair gently. When he leans in to Tsukishima's touch, the alpha lets himself wrap his arms around the child and rolls onto his back so the child is laid atop his chest. He is careful not to jostle Aito's arm as he guides his head closer to his neck so he can scent him. The boys seems to have relaxed slightly but still whimpers continuously.

"Alright, bud. I need to take us out of here, alright?" The pup whines in response. "I know but I'm gonna take you to a place where they can look at your arm, and they're gonna make you feel all better okay? And then we're gonna find your mommy, right? You wanna see him don't you?" He doesn't know if he's doing the right thing, he doesn't know if the boys can see Tadashi, doesn't know what state the omega is in at the moment. When the pup nods, he begins the awkward and surprisingly tiring process of sliding them out from under the bed. When he is able to stand up, he carefully maneuvers the pup so he is held at his hip and leans down to carefully grab Eiji as well.

Neither one of the pups is particularly heavy so it's no problem getting them down the stairs and outside. He quickly runs into another problem when he realizes he doesn't have car seats for small children. He doesn't exactly have time to figure it out so he settles both boys into the passenger seat and drives ever so carefully with one hand as he uses his other arm as a makeshift seatbelt to hold them both against the seat. Neither one of them has ceased crying and he tries to comfort them as best he can but there is only so much he can do when they’re in pain and have absolutely no idea where their mother is.

When he finally makes it to the hospital, he parks carelessly and quickly retrieves both boys from the passenger seat. He rushes them into the main lobby of the emergency room where he quickly explains the situation to a slightly bored looking nurse. She has the boys taken into different rooms and Tsukishima has to refrain from following right after them as he was not allowed inside with them. He paces impatiently in the waiting room before he gives up and goes to look for Asahi. He has to know how Tadashi is doing. He finds the other alpha in a separate waiting room.

"How is he? Where did they take him? Did he wake up?" Asahi shakes his head.

"He was still unconscious when I got here. They didn't tell me anything, just took him away." Tsukishima can feel another growl try to make its way out before he forces it back down.

All he can do is wait.

Chapter Text

Tsukishima POV:

Tsukishima sat in the uncomfortable chair of the waiting room, his legs bouncing in an attempt to vent his unkept, anxious energy. It has been about an hour and there is still no word. Asahi had gotten up to call Daichi and fill him in and now returns with two cups of coffee. He hands one to Tsukishima and sits down beside him. They sit in silence for a moment before the bearded man clears his throat.

"So... You know Yamaguchi-San then?" Tsukishima nods.

"I've known him since elementary school. We were close for a very long time, up until the end of high school."

"What happened?"

"I ruined a good thing. I was too much of a coward to be honest with myself and with him. I chased him away."

"So you..." He pauses, unsure of how to continue. "Did you love him?" A long beat of silence.

"Yes." Still does. He doesn't need to say that out loud. Just then, a nurse in purple scrubs walks out.

"Are you here for Yamaguchi Tadashi?" Tsukishima stands immediately.

"Yes. Is he okay? Is he awake? Will he be alright?" The nurse smiles kindly at him.

"He will be alright. He is not yet awake, but he should come around in a few hours. We ran a few tests, it seems he has a minor concussion as well as a sprained wrist. He also has two cracked ribs on his right side and I assume you already know of the bruising." Tsukishima clenches his shaking hands into fists and hides them behind his back, nodding in response. "And I'm sure you'll be happy to know that the baby is doing just fine."

He freezes.

"W-what?" The what now?

"It's quite a miracle, actually, with the bruising around his torso, he must've fought hard to protect the child." She smiles at him. "You've got a resilient one there."

He remains frozen. He doesn't know how to respond, doesn't know what to do. Baby? As in Tadashi is pregnant? That's gonna take a moment.

"Would you like to see him?"

"Please." She turns to lead him through the swinging doors and he follows anxiously. He wasn't sure how to react. Tadashi was okay, and he was so relieved, happy. Tadashi was pregnant, he feels protective. Who even is the father? He feels frustrated. Tadashi is his! The primitive instincts in him rage that the omega should only bear his pups and no one else's. He shakes the thoughts from his head. He has absolutely no claim over the omega, no matter how protective he may get. Tadashi didn't belong to him.

Does Tadashi even know? Something clicks in his head. Tadashi's panic attack. 'I can't do it, Tsukki.' Of course he knew. And Tsukishima knew he had no right to feel hurt that Tadashi hadn't told him. Obviously he hadn't told him, what with how he acted the last time the omega had wanted to tell him about a pregnancy. God, everything was his fault.

"Here we are." The nurse pushes open a door to one of the rooms. And there he is. Tsukishima exhales all at once and rushes to Tadashi's side. He grabs the omega's limp hand and holds it tightly in his own.

"Dashi. Oh god, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." He presses his forehead to the delicate hand as the tears start to fall. "Please forgive me. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. God, I'm so stupid. I should have seen what you were going through. I saw scared you were, how hesitant. And Jesus, that fucking bruise. I could tell you were lying when you told me it was a client but I didn't think- I'm a dumbass. I should have known, I should have helped you. But I'm gonna take care of you from now on. You and the boys. And the baby. Nothing bad is ever going to happen to you again, any of you. Just wake up, please." He finally brings himself to look at the omega's face. He'd look as if he was sleeping peacefully if it wasn't for the bruises scattering his face and bandage on his forehead.

Tsukishima hated seeing him like this. His other arm sports a wrist brace and the alpha doesn’t need to see Tadashi's torso to know that the bruising would be bad. Never again. Never ever again.

He sits in a miserable silence, holding on to Yamaguchi's hand, stroking his thumb gently over his knuckles. The only noise in the room is the steady beeping of the heart monitor and the distant conversations of nurses. After a few long, self-hatred filled minutes, a different nurse appears in the doorway with a knock on the door. Tsukishima looks up and wipes the tear from his cheeks hurriedly. He's not used to crying in front of other people.

This nurse is quite different from the one before, a stern facial expression rusts her facial features and she looks as though she'd rather be anywhere else.

"The children are all finished up, somebody needs to come claim them." She practically glares at Tsukishima as she says it. He looks to the still unconscious omega before turning back to her.

"I-I'm not sure if I can? I'm not a legal guardian- I mean, I am Aitos biological father-but he doesn't even know it and I'm not sure if I-" He rants nervously before he is cut off by the nurse.

"Well, you can at least come get one of them then. We'll keep the other one here." Tsukishima cringes at that. "Unless you claim that one too?" He looks between Yamaguchi and the nurse.

"I-I'll claim him." The nurse nods tersely before marching out the door, leaving Tsukishima to follow after her, he wasn't too fond of this woman, though he can't be picky as this wasn't an omegan hospital, which would have been ideal. Omegan hospitals aren’t too common but they are usually better for omega's and pups, usually with a much more understanding staff who assure that they are comfortable and happy. This hospital was obviously directed more towards betas and alphas.

The cold nurse led him to yet another hospital room, this one with just an exam table and two plastic chairs. On each of the chairs sits a teary eyed pup. They both perk up when they recognized Tsukishima. Eiji has a white bandage wrapped around his upper arm where the cut was while Aito has a bright green cast that ends just below his elbow.

"The little one didn't need stitches but it was quite a deep cut so you will have to check regularity for infections and make sure to keep it clean and the other has a broken arm. It was a clean break so it should take a few weeks to heal, you should take him in to get it looked at in about three weeks." He takes in the information as he picks up Eiji who's been making grabby hands since he got into the room.

"Alright, thank you. I'll be sure he has a check up. You ready Aito?" The older boy slides off his chair and grabs the hem of Tsukishima's hoodie in his little fist. "Let's go see your mama." Both boys nod anxiously before Tsukishima leads them back to Tadashi's room. "Ok you guys have to be quiet because mommy is sleeping and we don't want to wake him up, alright?" It was the only excuse he could think of so as to not terrify the children. When both the children nod, he opens the door and steps inside, Aito lets go of his hoodie and runs over to the side of the bed, reaching up to his mother with small whimpers.

"Ah, these must be the kids!" The friendly nurse is standing by the monitors, clipboard and pen in hand. "Hello!" She waves at Aito with a friendly smile. He turns towards her but keeps the sheets of the bed clutched in his hands. "Well, aren't you just the cutest? What do you say I put on a movie so you two can relax while we wait for your mom to wake up?” Aito nods hesitantly and Eiji kicks his little legs, prompting Tsukishima to put him down. "What movie do you want?" She pulls out a box from behind the tv filled with DVDs.

"dascar! dascar!" Eiji says from where he's plopped himself down to sit on the floor, kicking his feet. The nurse looks at him, slightly confused as she flips through the movies. Aito comes to her rescue as he steps up beside her to look into the box before pointing out a movie.

"Ah, Madagascar! A good choice!" She pops the disc into the player and Eiji laughs in delight as the movie starts to play, clapping his hands together. Aito goes back to pulling on the bedsheets and looks up at Tsukishima with big pleading eyes.

"Okay, okay. But you can't sit on him okay? Mommy's tummy hurts." Aito nods in understanding and Tsukishima lifts him up and sits him down next to Tadashi before returning to his previous seat. The small boy leans back, sitting up against the pillow and buries his face in the crook of the omega's neck. He places his small hand on Tadashi's chest, right over his heart. The alpha watches the sight sadly. Aito probably just wants comfort from his mother but Tadashi is unable to give any at the moment.

He's distracted by a small foot stepping on his own, Eiji stands on wobbly legs, reaching out to put most of his weight onto Tsukishima's thighs. Those big eyes look up at him as the pup slaps his hands on his legs.

"Alright." He lifts the small boy and seats him on his lap, a startling amount of affection fills his chest when the small boy leans back against his chest and lets out a huff of air, seemingly content in his new spot.

Eventually, Asahi joins them, bringing another coffee for Tsukishima and a couple of juice boxes from the vending machine for the boys. Eiji squealed with excitement when it was handed it to him, kicking his little feet. He tries to detach the straw from the packaging with his little fingers unsuccessfully before holding it up to Tsukishima, nearly hitting him in the face. The alpha takes the juice box from the child and stabs the straw into the hole at the top and holds it to the boys mouth, making sure he was careful so as to not choke.

Asahi puts Aito's straw in for him and gives it to him before settling on the floor with his legs crossed, already invested in the movie. Tsukishima chuckles at the intimidating alpha enjoying the children's movie. They sit and watch the movie for a long while. Eiji bounces in his lap excitedly every time the giraffe speaks, pointing and looking up at the alpha to make sure he's watching. Tsukishima nods every time, smiling at the baby in his lap.

The movie seems to distract the boys well enough, though Tsukishima keeps stealing glances in Tadashi's direction, hoping that the omega will just open his eyes. He's left hoping, as there is no change in the omega's condition. Just as the movie is coming to an end, the door burst open, making everyone jump. A silver haired man flies into the room at an amazing speed and dashes towards Tadashi. He is followed by another slightly taller man who smells extremely distressed and wrings his hands together nervously.

"Tadashi! Oh my god." The silver haired omega buries his face into the crook of the unconscious man's neck, tears running down his cheeks. "When will he be awake? What happened? Is he alright?" He looks up and sees Aito staring at him with wide eyes. He whines loudly when his eyes fall to the green cast. "Oh my poor baby!" He cries harder, dragging Aito towards him and scenting him heavily. "You're okay, sweet boy. Everything's gonna be alright." Aito looks quite confused but doesn't seem to mind the attention, probably happy with the comfort of a conscious omega.

"Gaashi!" Eiji reaches for the other omega. The man seems as though he wants to grab the child but hesitates when he sees Tsukishima, eyeing him cautiously. The alpha gets the hint and sets the boy down so he can toddle over to him. The raven haired man lifts him up and nuzzles the small boy's cheek with his nose.

"Are you alright?" He asks quietly, voice shaking. Eiji nods.

"dascar!" He says, pointing at the tv where the credits are now rolling. The omega just laughs and returns to nuzzling the baby. Another child runs in to the room then, looking excitable yet sleepy at the same time. He runs over to Aito and points at the bright green cast, saying something he doesn't quite catch. Bokuto follows soon after, looking unsure as to what to do. Daichi also enters and Tsukishima almost laughs out loud at the sight of the pack alpha, head of the Crows, holding a small baby gently, looking quite nervous, almost scared of the tiny human. It was safe to say none of the alpha's had ever been around so many children in their lives.

The heavy scent of distress permeates the air and only goes down when Asashi assures them that Tadashi is going to be okay. The silver haired man, who's name he learns is Suga, still doesn't move from beside Tadashi and continues to clutch Aito closely to his chest. Akaashi soon joins them with Eiji and it's quite amazing how they all manage to fit on the small hospital bed. The alpha's give them their space, not wanting to intrude on their makeshift nest. After a good 10 minutes, Suga was able to pull himself away from the others with a sigh.

"We should take the kids home. It's not good for them to be out so late and this is no place for them to stay."

"But what about Tadashi? What if he wakes up and he's all alone? What if he's afraid and no one is here?" Suga seems almost startled by his presence, as if he's only just realized he was here. He looks at him for a long while before glancing towards Aito, then back at him again. "Tsukishima?" It's less of question and more of a statement.

"Y-yeah." He doesn't know how to react to the intense gaze of the omega.

"Hmm." The omega's eyes narrow ever so slightly and he spins around to retrieve the baby, who Tsukishima know is Suga's daughter. "I know it's hard to leave Yams, I don't want to either. But we both know Tadashi wants what's best for the boys and sleeping on an uncomfortable hospital chair is not it. You know, because he cares for the people close to him."

Tsukishima is a bit taken aback by the venomous comment and the alpha's from his pack glance at him, confused. Suga only continues to glare at him before Akaashi nervously pulls him back, seemingly very uncomfortable with the tension that has been created. He whispers something to Suga quietly, hands shaking.

"Fine, fine. We should head out. Rest up so we can be here for Tadashi tomorrow." He goes back to Yamaguchi, brushing his hair lovingly before pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "Tsukishima." He spins on the alpha again and Tsukishima can't help but feel a tad bit intimidated of the smaller man. "I'm sure we can trust you with the boys? And that you won't be leaving anyone alone in the cold dark night to fend for themselves?" He swallows, safe to say Tadashi had told them about their past. The omega's attempt at guilting him was quite successful as it reminded him of all the ways he'd failed Tadashi.

"I can take them." He states, determined. Suga huffs and turns to say goodbye to the boys before storming out of the hospital room. Akaashi is quick to follow, grabbing Akihiko's hand and rushing after the other. Bokuto goes with them and Asahi follows, leaving Tsukishima alone with Daichi.

"I think I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that this is the omega you've been searching for?" Tsukishima scoffs.

"That obvious?" He rolls his eyes. Daichi looks over to where Aito is preoccupied with snuggling his mother.

"Tsukishima. Is he..." His sentence fades off.

"Yeah. He is. I only just found out myself." He collapses back into the chair, face buried in his hands. "How could I have let him down like this?"

"Hey, hey. That's in the past now, right? And he's here now, he's safe. And now you have the chance to do better for him and for the kids. And we can start by taking them home and getting them a good nights rest!" Tsukishima only nods, taking an extra moment to pout before standing.

"Alright, boys. Let's go home and get some rest, we'll come right back and see mommy tomorrow when he's all rested up? Okay?" Eiji waddles over and wraps his arms around the alpha's leg until he leans down to pick him up. Aito clutches Tadashi tighter and whimpers. "I know, bud. I'll miss him too but we'll come back first thing in the morning, alright?" Aito nods hesitantly and Tsukishima lifts him into his other arm.

"We'll be back, Dashi. I promise." He says, taking one last look at the omega before taking the boys out, back towards the emergency room entrance where they'd come in. He stops at the door when he sees the snow falling heavily outside, he looks down at the boys, only dressed in their pajamas. Jesus Christ, it was freezing outside, he couldn't bring them out there like this. He sighs.

"Okay, pit stop." He kneels in the ground and sets the boys down, shrugging his jacket off and pulling off his hoodie so he's left in his form fitting t-shirt. He pulls the hoodie over Aito's head, helping him find the hole at the top to put his head through. The large sweatshirt dwarfs the small boy, pooling on the ground at his feet, arms dropping at his sides. He then wraps Eiji up in his coat before taking them both into his arms again. They make their way to the car, Tsukishima clenching his teeth against the chill. He puts the boys in the front seat as he had earlier and proceeds to drive, extremely slowly, back to the packhouse.

He arrives only a few minutes after the others, finding that the children had already been put to bed and everyone else getting ready for sleep themselves. He brings the boys up to the omegas’ room and knocks on the door. Suga is the one to open the door. He smiles at the boys and shoots a quick glare up at Tsukishima.

“Hi babies!” He takes Eiji from the alpha. The raven haired baby yawns and leans his head onto the omega’s shoulder. “Awe, are we sleepy? Well that’s perfect because we’ve got a big comfy bed that’s ready for you!”

He nuzzles the small child as he talks, bringing him over to the bed and placing him down in the mattress, unwrapping him from Tsukishima’s coat and tucking him in so he is nice and comfy. Tsukishima stays in the doorway with Aito still in his arms, he knows better than to enter a den without permission. Once Suga is sure Eiji is on his way to sleep, he returns to retrieve Aito, trading him for the jacket. With the sleepy toddler in his arms he looks back up to Tsukishima.

“I still don’t like you.” He can only nod in understanding. “But thank you. For helping them.”

“Of course. I’ll do anything for them. I know how much I fucked up. But I’m trying to fix it.” Suga fixes him with a look, not quite angry but not quite happy either. Something akin to understanding.

“Aito, do you want to give him his sweatshirt back?” The pup whines and rubs his face into the fabric of the hoodie.

“It’s alright, he can stay in it.” He chuckles. The pup was too cute.

“Goodnight, Tsukishima.”

“Goodnight.” He nods to Suga and signs for Aito, not missing the surprised smile from the omega as he closes the door.

With that, the alpha makes his way back to his own room. Knowing sleep is out of the question, he settles in to his bed, intently studying the sign language book he had picked up a few days ago, occasionally mimicking the hand motions. He can only focus for so long, however. His mind keeps drifting off to Tadashi, how he was doing. He just wanted the omega to wake up and come home with him, to be with his children. He just wanted him to be safe and comfortable. With that thought, he gets out of bed, making his way to his closet and grabbing a new hoodie, throwing his jacket on over it, and heading back to the front door.

Chapter Text

Oikawa POV:

Oikawa wakes up to the bright light shining into his room. He hadn't closed the curtains on his windows last night and now the sun reflecting off of the freshly fallen snow burns his eyes. He rolls out of bed with a groan and walks into his en suite. He doesn't bother to change just yet, staying in his short sleep shorts and baggy shirt, instead he fixes his hair, brushes his teeth, and makes sure he has his scent patch on before heading downstairs, he half jumps down the stairs, skipping one at a time before he saunters into the kitchen. He smirks when he sees that only Iwaizumi is left in the kitchen, though he can hear several voices from the large dining room. The alpha grabs something from the fridge before moving to the counter.

"Morning, Iwa-Chan!" He sits himself on the counter next to where Iwa is pouring coffee into a mug, swinging his legs back and forth. The alpha rolls his eyes at his presence, which only stings just a little. He'd initially planned on seducing the alpha as he'd caught the omega's eye immediately when they'd been introduced to the other pack. But the alpha seems to be immune to his charms, that's a first. Besides, he's decided he likes the other man too much, not to mention Ushijima would probably lecture him if he were to sleep with one of the alphas, going on and on about how he is just vulnerable and how his hypersexuality is a coping mechanism and shouldn't he give therapy another try? Whatever. He isn't coping, he just likes to have fun.

"Shittykawa." Iwaizumi sounds none too pleased to see him.

"So mean, Iwa-Chan!" He pouts.

"If I get a nickname, you get a nickname." He sips the coffee before turning to head into the dining room. He follows him. Obviously. 

"But the one I gave you is cute! And mine is jus-" he cuts off when he sees the new people at the table. There are three small children seated at the table, two that look older, sitting on regular chairs, and one younger that has been seated in a high chair. There is also a new omega seated at the table, twisting a napkin in his hands nervously. Oikawa has to gape at him for a moment because this omega is gorgeous.

He's got dark, wavy hair that looks like it would be soft to the touch and a gorgeous face with soft, almost delicate facial features. Intense blue eyes that dart around the room at a mile a minute, high cheekbones, a sharp jaw, and a cute little nose that many would kill for. His body type is quite similar to that of Oikawa's, long and somewhat lanky except he has just about the cutest baby bump he'd ever seen.

The first thing he feels is a slight twinge of jealousy but it is quickly replaced by an instinctual affection that he has towards most other omegas. The poor thing looks terrified. Of course, he probably wasn't used to being around so many alphas at once and his companions don't seem to be around at the moment. Oikawa pulls out the chair next to the omega on the side that isn't occupied by a mini version of the man. The ravenette eyes him cautiously.

"Oikawa Tooru." He holds out his hand with a smile. The other man hesitates for a moment before reaching out his own to shake Oikawa's.

"Akaashi Keiji." He says softly.

"Finally some more omegas up in here! We were outnumbered!" He laughs. Akaashi only looks down and continues to twist the napkin in his hands.

"Still outnumbered." He mutters so quietly Oikawa barely catches it.

"And who's this?" He gestures to the child, thinking it best to change the subject.

"I'm Aki!!" The mini Akaashi speaks up, mouth full of cereal. "And that's Aito and that's Eiji!" He points to the others.

"Ah, well it's is very nice to meet you, Aki!" He looks back at Akaashi. "They all yours?" The ravenette shakes his head.

"Only Aki. The other two are Yamaguchi's."

"Yamaguchi."

"He’s another omega from my pack. He's in the hospital right now." Oikawa glances over the bandaged pups. The hesitant looks on their faces as they eye each passing alpha.

"Ah, well I hope he's alright." Akaashi nods solemnly.

"Me too." Just then, the wail of a baby snaps Oikawa's attention to the entrance of the kitchen. It sounds as though it came from down the hall. As if in a trance he stands from the table, following the sound down the hallway and to a closed door. He stops in front of it, just listens to the cries, and tries to ignore the how the folded piece of paper seems to burn his skin from where it is tucked into the waistband of his shorts. He slowly raises a fist, pausing briefly, before knocking gently on the door.

"Yes?" A slightly frazzled voice answers and he pushes the door open. Inside is the silver haired omega, Sugawara, cradling a wailing baby to his chest, bouncing her up and down slightly. The room looks like it's a little library, three of the walls are covered with bookshelves, the fourth was made up almost entirely of glass, letting in the gentle morning sunlight. There are also dozens of plants throughout the room, almost creating the illusion of a forest. Suga must have come in here to calm the child.

"Sorry, I just heard crying and wanted to make sure everything was alright, I guess." The other man smiles tiredly at him.

"We're all good here. She's just a bit fussy."

"It's a girl?" He takes a step closer to the pair. Starting slowly to give Suga time to back away. When he doesn't, Oikawa looks down at the child, who is now fussing softly.

"Yes. Her name is Keiko."

"Keiko." He whispers. He smiles down at her, not noticing the tear that rolls down his cheek. "She's beautiful."

"Would you like to hold her?" The slightly shorter omega looks up at him. The kindness in his eyes makes Oikawa feel warm inside. This man would trust him with his pup? It was an honor not bestowed upon many to hold an omega's pup, especially one so young, and especially to a stranger.

"Oh, no! I-I couldn't." Suga just looks up at him. "Could I?" He smiles and holds her out gently to Tooru, who accepts her just as carefully. His breath catches in his lungs as he holds the small child. She's stopped fussing completely now and looks up at him with wide eyes, scrunching her tiny little eyebrows together at the unfamiliar face.

He looks down at her for a long time, her soft silver hair, her tiny nose and chubby cheeks, small hands that she clenches and unclenches. She's so small, so vulnerable, dependent. Just needs to be taken care of. To be loved. This time he can feel the tears on his face, just as well as he can feel the burning of his lungs as they fail to take in air.

"Can you take her back?"

"Sure." When Suga doesn't move quite fast enough Oikawa panics

"Take her. Take her." He chokes the words out desperately through a sob. Keiko is lifted from his arms and he stumbles back, back slamming against against one of the shelves.

"Are you alright?" Suga looks concerned, hugging Keiko close to his chest.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry."

"It's okay. You're alright." He puts a gentle hand on Oikawa's shoulder. He rubs his back gently, shushing and comforting him just as he'd been doing for Keiko minutes before. He's able to calm down in a matter of minutes, embarrassment soon overcoming him.

"I'm sorry." He says, softer now.

"You don't have to apologize."

"I just... haven't held a baby for a long time. I guess it brought back a lot." Suga nods, understanding.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He shakes his head, face twisting with sadness.

"I don't know if I can." He sobs.

"You don't have to. It's okay." His words are soft, comforting. "You can always come to me if you find that you're ready." He pulls Oikawa's head down to rest on his shoulder to let him take in his comforting vanilla scent. They are both quiet for a few long moments while he catches his breath.

"I fear I've made a horrible first impression." They both laugh at that.

"You could never." Suga responds. Oikawa closes his eyes and breathes in deeply, the mixed scents of Suga's vanilla and Keiko's lemongrass calming him further.

"Thank you." Suga only nods in response, stroking Tooru's darker hair. A few minutes later, they stand to return to the real world, Suga once again assuring that he is okay. He still feels a bit dreadful, energy zapped from the sudden onslaught of emotions and the lingering sadness that nags at him. But it is quickly pushed aside when they enter the living room where most of the packs have moved to. A smile blooms on his face, attention pulled towards the man sitting on the couch on the far left side of the room.

"Iwa-Chan!"

***

Tsukishima POV:

Tsukishima had gotten about an hour of sleep last night. He'd spent most of the night preparing for Tadashi to come home and worrying endlessly about the omega, waiting anxiously for the time when he'll be able to go back to the hospital to see him.

As soon as the sun is up, he's out of bed, pacing as he waits for the others to wake. He eventually finds himself outside the omegas’ room, sitting against the wall, facing the door. He can smell the pups from within and decides he will wait for them to wake. He waits for about an hour, not surprising considering what time he woke up. Eventually, however, the door is cracked open to reveal a small head of blond hair.

Aito pauses in the doorway when he sees Tsukishima waiting. He looks up behind the door, which swings open further to reveal a tired looking Suga, dressed in a large t shirt and sweats, who rubs his eyes with a yawn. He too pauses when he sees Tsukishima seated in the hallway. He huffs with a shake of his head and and an eye roll before looking down at the child who’s eyes are still locked on him.

“He needs the bathroom.” The omega says. “Would you be so kind as to escort us?” He decides to ignore the bite behind the words and nods, leading them just down the hall and to the bathroom. The omega and the pup go in together and he doesn’t know what to do but wait outside. A few minutes later, they emerge once again and Suga nudges the shy boy towards Tsukishima.

“Will you watch him? I need to check on Keiko.” He agrees immediately. “Just get him some breakfast, he’ll be fine.” He disappears back into the room, leaving Tsukishima with the pup who tilts his head almost all the way back to look up at him.

“Alright, then.” He claps his hands together, cringing when the pup jumps at the sound. “Sorry.” He says, trying not to raise his speak too loud. “You hungry?” Aito nods shyly. “Perfect! We can have whatever you want!” He starts leading him downstairs, waiting at all the landings as the boy takes each step one at a time. When they get to the kitchen, he opens the fridge and squats down to the side, leaving room for Aito to step forward.

“Anything you want.” He says gently. Aito gazes at the full fridge in awe, wide eyes taking only seconds to land on the small blue bottles that Tsukki had gotten from Tadashi’s apartment last night. He reaches his uninjured hand out to grab one of them, looking up at his father with questioning eyes. He nods reassuringly and takes the plastic bottle into his own hand. The child then reaches out for the plastic container full of ripe strawberries, gripping uselessly, fingers not strong enough to lift the package. Tsukishima takes that out too.

“Anything else?” Aito looks for a long moment, seemingly overwhelmed by the options. Tsukishima decides right then that the child will never be lacking options in anything from now on, food especially. The pup eventually finds the eggs and points to them. “Eggs it is.” He grabs the carton and sets it on the counter, retrieving other various ingredients to prepare them with. Before he starts to cook the eggs, he pours some of the milk into Aito’s cup, another item he had retrieved last night. He’d remembers Tadashi using half of the bottle so he does just that, placing it on the kitchen table and lifting his son into a chair.

He simply scrambles the eggs. He’s never been the most amazing cook, but he can hold his own in the kitchen, he can’t help but feel a swell of satisfaction from the simple task of preparing food for his pup, every one of his instincts demand that he cares for the child and it feels so domestic. He only wishes Tadashi were here. And Eiji. Though he doesn’t want to wake the child.

He assumes it isn’t exactly natural for his instincts to extend to the raven haired pup, but they have. He doesn’t know if it’s due to the fact that he knows the baby shares blood with Tadashi- and how could anyone that came from the omega not be lovable?- or just at how adorable the baby is, but he’d felt attached to him almost instantly.

When he’s finished with the eggs, he slides them on to a plate and begins cutting up the strawberries. He isn’t sure he has to but better safe than sorry, he would hate to have the pup choke because of him. Once the strawberries are on the plate as well, he sets it in front of Aito, along with a fork. He’s made some for himself as well but merely pushes it around on the plate as he watches his son.

The small blonde takes his time drinking his milk first, sucking on the sippy cup as his eyes roam around the kitchen, sighing occasionally. God, he was cute. They sit quietly and eat in the empty kitchen. It was a miracle in itself that nobody else seemed to be awake and around yet, but it is still somewhat early. Just as Tsukishima finishes what’s on his plate, his phone starts to ring in his pocket, he checks the screen to see that’s it’s the hospital.

“I’ll be right back, buddy.” He says before practically darting out of the room. “Hello?”

“Yes, hello. Is this Tsukishima Kei?”

“It is.”

“Wonderful, this is the city hospital. You left us your number and requested a status update on Yamaguchi Tadashi, correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Perfect. Well, the doctors have just taken him off of the medication, so we suspect he will be awaking within a few hours or so, would you like me to call should his condition change.”

“Please.”

“Very well, that is all for now then, have a nice day.”

“Thank you! You as well.” He can’t help the burst of excitement that comes from knowing he will see his omega again soon. The elation is short lived when there is a crash from the kitchen. His head snaps up in the direction of the noise and he rubs back. “Aito?” His heart starts to beat faster, he could be hurt. Please don’t let him have gotten hurt again on the alpha’s own account. He rushes into an empty kitchen, no sign of the child. The plate is shattered on the floor just in front of the sink. He should have known to give him a plastic plate. Damn it.

“Aito?” He calls out again when there is still no sign of the child. His shoulders stiffen at the thought of the child being hurt from the glass shards. There is no response to his calls. He tries to pick up on the small boy’s scent but can’t seem to find it over the stronger scents of the many alpha’s that live in the house. He decides it’s best to just walk through and look for him.

He passes through the dining room and finds nothing, moving into the hallway past the stairs and opening each door as he passes to peak in. Coat closet? No. Tea room? Nothing. Library? He walks through the lines of shelves and looks behind plants to no avail. He slowly makes his way deeper and deeper into the house. When he opens the door to their home movie theater, he finally is able to pick up on the sweet scent of honey, though it has turned slightly sour.

There are several rows of movie theater style chairs, all facing the large screen that takes up the majority of the wall. He looks between each of the rows as he makes his way to the back of the dark room where the scent is stronger.

“Aito?” A small whimper pulls his attention to the far corner. He approaches slowly, not wanting to startle the pup. Aito is wedged between the furthest seat and the wall, curled up into a ball with his face hidden in his knees. “What’s wrong?” Aito’s head shoots up when he hears how close the alpha has gotten. He whimpers again and tries to scoot back, but is wedged to tightly to move.

“Hey. Hey, buddy, I’m not mad! Is this about the plate?” The pup nods as tears fill his big eyes, making Tsukishima’s heart clench. “No, bud. That was my fault. I should have given you your regular plate. You were just cleaning up like you know how. I couldn’t possibly be mad at you.” He sniffs and looks up at the alpha. “Did you get hurt when you dropped it?” He tries to keep his voice soft and quiet like Tadashi always does when he speaks to the children. Sweet, caring, motherly Tadashi. Aito shakes his head in response.

“Good. Now, can I help you out from there?” The pup looks hesitant, trying to scoot further into his corner. How was he supposed to get him out from there? He sits back and sighs. “I’m going to go get Suga.” He mutters before standing up. He makes his way quickly to the omegas’ room and knocks on the door. Instead of Suga, it is Akaashi who answers the door, a sleepy Eiji held in his arms and and even sleepier Akihiko leaning against his leg.

“Tsukishima-San?” He looks up at the alpha with a mix of confusion and hesitance.

“Akaashi. I-I need help. Aito’s hidden himself in the theater and he’s stuck himself in a tight space and won’t let me help him out. I can’t leave him there and I can’t just drag him out. I don’t know what to do.” His voice is strained and he’s surprised himself when his eyes start to feel hot. Here he is asking someone he barely knows to help him with his own son. His own son who doesn’t trust him a smidge.

“He’s scared of me. I don’t know what to do.” He doesn’t know how to help his own pup. Akaashi smiles comfortingly, understanding, though still hesitant.

“He’s probably just scared. Misses Tadashi. He’s just a pup, and he’s not used to being away from his mother for so long. Pups are usually comforted by darker, warm spaces, that’s probably why he doesn’t want to come out. Just try a blanket, be gentle and patient. I know you may have doubts and it’s hard right now but he does have some trust in you. It’s progress, alright?” The alpha nods with a sigh. The omega turns back and soon re-emerges with a soft blanket. “We slept with this last night. It will smell familiar to him.” Tsukishima takes it.

“Thank you.” The omega only nods in response before the alpha turns back. He makes a quick stop at his room to grab one more thing before he goes back to the theater. He can tell by the smell that the pup hasn’t moved. “I’m back, bud.” He says softly. “I brought you something.” The pup looks back up at him, eyes widening when the sees the stuffed dinosaur that he holds. His eyes then drift to the blanket and he sniffs, recognizing the scents.

“That’s right. It’s nice and warm too.” He moves his legs to try and wiggle out but is wedged too tight to make any sort of progress. He makes a frustrated noise in the back of his throat and Tsukishima chuckles. “Can I help you?” Aito pauses to think before he nods. The alpha reaches in and pulls the child out gently before wrapping him in the blanket. The pup pulls his dino into the folds of the blanket and nuzzles his face into the warmth. The alpha could watch him all day.

“What do you say we go and find your brother, get him some breakfast and then we can go visit mommy?” Aito peeks out of the blanket at the mention of Yams, nodding eagerly. Tsukishima chuckles. “That’s what I thought.” He adjusts the small child so he can hold him comfortably in one arm as he makes his way back towards the kitchen.

Only another hour or so. Then he can get back to Tadashi.

***

Tadashi POV:

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Tadashi comes to slowly, scrunching his face against the bright light and the obnoxious sound. His eyes soon snap open in a panic. This isn’t right. Nothing smells familiar. Everything is wrong. Where are his pups? Where is his pack? Why is he alone? He sits up with a gasp, groaning in pain as he does so. His head throbs and there is a stabbing pain in his side. He looks down at his hands. One of them is wrapped in a black brace. He tries to move his fingers but even that makes his wrist throb. Just then, a nurse dressed in soft purple scrubs walks in through the door.

“Ah, glad to see you’re awake!” She smiles sweetly.

“Where-“ His voice is rough and dry. He tries to clear his throat. “Where are my pups?”

“Worry not, Yamaguchi-San. They are in good hands with your pack. I’m sure they will be by very soon to see you.” Tadashi slumps in relief, flinching again at the throb in his ribs. He gasps and presses his hand against them, before moving it lower to his stomach.

“A-and my…” He hesitates, though he doesn’t know why. The nurse looks down at his hand that rests gently against his stomach.

“The baby is alright.” The tension leaves his shoulders almost completely. Thank God.

“Well, I will just go to get you some water then.” He nods at the nurse as she makes her way out. He leans back against the pillows and tries to remember the events of the past night. He only remembers coming home to crying pups and an angry alpha. He remembers getting the beating of a lifetime. Hearing Aito scream. And then nothing. His anxiety rises as he thinks about his pups. It is short lived, however when the door opens. He looks up expecting to see the nurse from before, but startled when he is met with golden brown eyes, framed by black glasses.

“Tsukki?” He practically whimpers. The alpha smiles, seemingly relieved.

“Dashi.”

Chapter Text

Tadashi POV:

"Dashi." The sound of that deep, soothing voice calling him that old nickname brings tears to his eyes instantly. He swings his legs off the side of the bed and pushes himself up onto his feet. He goes to make his way to the alpha. He'd woken up in a strange place without a single ounce of familiarity, hurting all over, confused, scared. Now he just wants any comfort he can find. And right now, the tall, blonde, pine scented alpha in front of him seems like a pretty damn good place to start.

As soon as his weight is completely on his own two legs, pain shoots up his spine and his knees buckle, causing him to cry out. He doesn't hit the ground, however. Instead he is surrounded by warm arms that hold him close and lift him easily back on to the hospital bed.

"You have to be careful, Dashi. You're hurt." Tsukki scolds lightly as he moves to pull away. The omega's arms quickly encircle the taller man's neck.

"Stay." The alpha pauses, arms held out to his sides a bit awkwardly, unsure of what to do. Tadashi let's himself swallow his pride just this once, not caring if he may come to regret it later, just knowing what he needs now, in this moment.

"Hold me." He whimpers pitifully. "Jus-Just hold me, please." He grips the alpha tighter, pressing his nose into the older man's collar bone. His inner omega demands to be close to the safe, strong alpha. As he takes in more and more of the comforting scent, feels those strong arms wrap around him and hold him close, he drifts deeper into a daze, his primal instincts surfacing on their own. Soon enough, his whimpers turn to purring. "Alpha. Safe." He whispers. "My alpha."

He faintly recognizes the sound of the room door opening, he tenses, just barely processing the vibrations of a growl in his alpha's chest as he is pulled closer. He hears another voice, the nurse, speaking with her calm tone, but he can't make out her words. Then the door clicks closed again and he relaxes when the only presence he can feel is his alpha once again. Soon enough, a plastic cup full of water is held in front of his face.

"You need to drink, Dashi. Can you do that?"He shakes his head, burrowing further into his alpha's chest. "Please?" He whimpers again. "Can you do it for me?" That makes him look up. For alpha? He looks at the cup held in front of him and up at the concerned golden eyes above him. He could do it for his alpha. He'd already done so much for Tadashi, he could do this much at least.

He raises a shaky hand up to grab hold of the cup. He is too week to take it on his own, so Tsukki keeps hold of it, holding its weight, while Tadashi simply guides it to his lips in order to take a few swallows. It's difficult and his throat burns, but he manages. Tsukki takes the cup when he's finished and sets it on the bedside table, nuzzling him softly and whispering soft praises. He starts his purring again, burying his face back into the alpha's hard chest. Inhaling deeply. Fresh pine, smoke, and... and... honey? He sniffs again. Definitely honey and the faintest bit of lemon.

"m' pups." He mutters softly, barely shaking the daze from his head. The scents of his pups seems to pull him from his relaxed state. "The pups." He sits up from where he'd been leaning on the alpha. Fresh tears already sting his eyes and his breathing is shorter. "Where are my babies?" Tsukki grabs his shaky hands, holding them in his own steady ones.

"They're outside with Suga. They're waiting to see you. I wanted to make sure you were alright before bringing them in."

"Please, please Tsukki, I need to see them." He begs, gripping the front of the alpha's shirt in his weak fingers.

"Of course, Dashi. Of course." He stands from the bed and Tadashi whines, still holding on. The alpha's chuckles softly, raising a hand to run gently through his soft locks. "I need to let them in, Dashi." The omega hesitantly lets go, the need to see his pups overpowering the need for comfort from the alpha. The blonde makes his way back to the door and steps out for only a few moments before it is pushed open again, this time by a much smaller blonde with freckled cheeks.

Aito looks up at him and rushes over to the bed when he sees his mother awake. He pulls at the sheets with one of his small hands, the other of which is wrapped in a bright green cast. The sight of his injured pup makes his heart clench painfully. He slides out of bed again, not minding when he falls to the cold floor.

When he is eye level with his son, he grabs the boys face in his hands, pressing their foreheads together. He pulls the pup's small body close to his own, scenting him heavily.

"My sweet boy. I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I'm so sorry, baby." He pulls back to look at his son again with teary eyes. Tsukki enters once again, this time with Eiji held in his arms. He eyes the scene on the ground.

"What did I tell you about being careful?" He sighs. Tadashi only lets out another sob at the sight of his younger son. Tsukki sets the raven haired child on the bed before kneeling besides Tadashi, who still clutches the older boy to his chest. The alpha slides his arms beneath the omega and lifts him, along with the child, and sets him back into the bed. His inner omega purrs at the show of strength from the alpha. He purrs audibly at the fact that he is now sat in a bed with his two boys. His two boys that are safe.

He pulls Eiji into his lap and begins the process of scenting him thoroughly, still holding Aito close. Soon enough, both children start purring loudly at their mother's attention, causing Tadashi to do the same. He presses countless kisses into their hair and on their cheeks, relishing the feeling of holding his children after he'd feared he never would again.

"I love you, my babies. Mommy loves you so much." He pulls both of them closer to his scent glands, tears run down his cheeks as they press in closer. He finally looks up at the alpha, mouthing a quick but meaningful thank you. The taller man nods sincerely, keeping his distance to allow Yamaguchi his time with the boys. With that, Tadashi returns his attention to the pups, crooning softly as his pups start to settle down. He rocks his boys gently as they both start to slowly drift off, most likely exhausted from last nights events and sleepy with the familiar warmth and comfort of their mother after time away.

Soon, the room is quiet, filled only with the purrs of the reunited family as well as the occasional small snore from Eiji. He can't begin to explain the sense relief that comes with having his babies in his arms again, knowing that they didn't have to go back to Jun, knowing they wouldn't be hurt by him again. The feeling, of course, comes with the overpowering guilt of knowing he'd let them be hurt in the first place.

It doesn't matter that they are out now, it was his fault they were ever put in that position. He hadn't even been the one to get them out. He'd tried. God knows he'd tried but he just couldn't. He was too weak. In the end, it had been Tsukki and the other tall alpha that had truly saved his pups. Who knows what would have happened if they hadn't come. It was his fault. He is a horrible mother.

He looks up at the blonde alpha, still standing by the door. He'd done more in a few days than Tadashi had been able to do in 4 years. Maybe if he'd been brave enough to go back to the alpha those few years ago, none of this would have happened.

He imagines what it would be like to be a family. A real family. Him, Tsukki, the pups. Imagines what it would be like to have an alpha to hold him in the night. To comfort him when the nightmares were too much. To eat dinner with them, and watch movies, and help him get the boys ready for bed.

He pushes those thoughts away, locking them into the dark, cold place in the back of his mind  to never be touched again. That would never happen. Tsukki doesn't want him like that. And if he did, he surely wouldn't after he finds out about the new pup on the way. Oh God, how was he supposed to tell the alpha? He couldn't bare to see Tsukki's reaction when he finds out. In fact, nobody but his nestmates knew of the baby. The alpha's welcoming them into their home didn't know. Would he even be able to stay?

He tries to take a few deep breaths, stroking his pups' soft hair with his trembling hands as his anxiety starts to get the better of him. His scent must have soured because Aito whines pitifully in his sleep. He shushes the small boy, cooing softly to comfort him.

He'll just have to start saving up. Beg Akaashi and Suga to watch his pups for a few extra hours so he can pick up some extra shifts, maybe look for a second job during the day. Hopefully then, when it's time for the baby to come he can find a new place, where he won't be a burden anymore. Of course he can't go too far, Tsukki seems to be pretty invested in becoming a part of Aito's life. Which Yamaguchi wants, obviously. It's much easier for a pup to grow up with a strong protective presence that comes from an alpha, especially a pup as anxious as Aito. He only feels upset that he can't give Eiji the same thing, nor his pup on the way.

He's suddenly hit with a strong, comforting pine scent. Tsukki must have sensed his anxiety, the alpha has also moved closer to the trio in the hospital bed. He reaches up slowly, giving the omega time to pull away, to brush a stray strand of hair from his forehead.

"What's wrong, Dashi?" He asks. His voice is soft, so soft. His eyebrows are furrowed slightly with worry and he leans his forehead against Tadashi's temple. It feels so intimate. The omega finds himself wishing he could stay here forever.

"Nothing." He says, trying to rein in his scent. "Just a bit overwhelmed." Tsukki nods in understanding.

"Well. Let's get you home then." He nods eagerly, not sure if he can truly call it home, but thankful to get out of the hospital regardless.

Tsukki goes with the nurse to sort out paperwork and Suga is let in to see Tadashi. Immediately switching to mother hen mode and fussing over the freckled man, making sure to scent him aggressively. He is still pressing dozens of kisses to the top of Tadashi's head when Tsukishima returns, this time with a small black duffel bag that he is informed contains clothing for him to change into.

He moves slowly and carefully so as not to wake the sleeping pups, and is helped out of bed with Tsukki's arm around his waist, taking most of his weight. Embarrassingly enough, it takes both Tsukki's and Suga's help to get him out of the hospital gown and into the sweatpants and loose t-shirt that had been packed. Tsukki is careful to avert his eyes as he holds Yamaguchi up so Suga can dress him properly.

He can't help but feel just a bit hurt at the alpha's refusal to look at him. He's been used to alphas trying to get a look any chance they got. Did Tsukki not find him appealing? He looks down at himself. He's too skinny, hardly a trace of the omegan curves he's supposed to have, rarely eating will do that to a person. His skin is pale, paler than it used to be. He isn't sure when that happened. His skin is littered with large, dark bruises. Deep blues and purples litter his body, reminding him of a painting he'd made in grade school.

He'd painted a dark night sky, using only the darkest shades of blues and purples. The only light in the painting came from the moon, hanging bright in the sky, standing out distinctly among the dark hues. When he'd shown his mother she'd laughed. Told him the painting was hideous. His body resembles the painting now. The contrast of his pale skin and the dark bruises.

Hideous.

He couldn't blame Tsukki for not wanting to look at him. He wouldn't either.

He's pulled from his self depreciating thoughts when he is offered a large black hoodie that smells strongly of the alpha. He feels a sudden warmth in his chest when Tsukki turns slightly red.

"I noticed you didn't have any packed with your things. A-and it's so cold I thought you might want it." It was true. He didn't have a hoodie packed. He'd had to throw out his last one when he noticed how worn it had gotten. He gently takes the large article of clothing from the blonde with a reserved smile.

"Thank you, Tsukki. Really."

"O-of course! It's really nothing."

"No. I appreciate it. A lot." The alpha just nods with a shy smile. Tadashi slips into the hoodie, inhaling deeply to take in the pine scent. He feels his entire body relax as he's covered in warmth and familiarity. The hoodie goes down to his mid thigh, sleeves falling past his fingertips, but it still feels like it fits like a glove. When he is dressed, he is sat back on to the edge of the bed while the nurse fetches a wheelchair since he is still quite unsteady on his own feet. While they wait, he rouses the pups out of their slumber and tells them it is time to go. Aito sleepily crawls over to him, eyelids still heavy, and lifts the edge of the sweatshirt, seeking out warmth and familiar smells as he crawls into the hoodie, snuggling in to Yamaguchi's chest from under the fabric.

The omega chuckles at his cute pup. He must like the smell of the alpha as much as his mother.

"Ready?" The nurse reappears with a friendly smile, pushing a wheelchair in front of her. Tadashi nods and Tsukishima carefully helps him into the wheelchair, the task made much more difficult with the already snoozing pup burrowed under the sweatshirt, clinging to Yamaguchi like a little koala. Once he is seated, Suga grabs the still sleepy Eiji and Tsukishima moves behind him to push the wheelchair.

They make their way down several halls before they reach the automatic doors. They slide open as people make their way in and out, blasting him with the chilly, crisp air. He hugs the hidden pup closer, taking advantage of the warmth the small boy is giving off, enjoying the small vibrations of his soft purrs against his chest. He cringes back from the cold when they make it outside, immensely grateful for the hoodie the Tsukki had thought to bring him. He looks up at the alpha behind him who shoots him a small smile. He smiles back, albeit hesitantly. At least for now, everything would be okay.

Tsukishima POV:

Tsukishima finally felt as though he could take a breath. Pushing Tadashi through the parking lot towards his car, he can finally take him home. His inner alpha has to purr at that. Satisfied that the omega and pups would be in his own defendable territory, with him.

When he'd heard that Tadashi was awake he had been ecstatic, getting the boys ready as fast as he could and speeding his way to the hospital, Suga and the boys in tow. If he'd thought hearing the news was good, it was nothing compared to seeing the freckled man awake in person. When he'd seen him try to get out of bed, it had been second nature to catch him before he'd fallen. His heart had quite nearly stopped when the omega had held on to him and begged him to stay, to hold him.

But then Tadashi had called him his alpha. HIS alpha. And his instincts had nearly taken over completely. He'd growled at the poor nurse when she'd come in with water, not wanting anyone else near the vulnerable Tadashi. She'd brushed it off and chuckled at Tadashi's clinginess, saying he'd been pretty shaken up when he'd woken up and would probably lose control of his instincts for some time. Tsukishima had simply nodded in understanding. Though he couldn't help but wish Tadashi would call him that even when he was in control. He'd liked holding the omega, comforting him. Though he had no right, he found himself hoping that maybe someday in the future, it could always be like this.

Now, he shoved those thoughts from his head as he carefully maneuvered Yamaguchi into the backseat of his car. Aito had completely buried himself into his hoodie and he smiled, knowing their pup probably liked having the combined scent of his parents. Once Tadashi and Aito were secure in the back, he made his way up to the drivers side, Suga had situated himself and Eiji into the passenger seat.

"Everyone good?" He asks. At the affirmative responses, he starts the engine and pulls out of the parking lot. It only takes about 5 minutes for the freckled omega to doze off in the back. Tsukishima catches a glimpse of his peaceful sleeping face in the mirror and cracks a smile.

"He's going to be overwhelmed when we get back to the house." Suga speaks softly, allowing  the now wide awake Eiji to chew on the zipper of his jacket. "It'd be best for you to take them up to your own room for the night. Allow him to nest with limited scents floating around. He needs it to be calm. Can you do that?"

"Of course." He doesn't hesitate to respond. Suga just nods, quietly turning to look out the window.

"Ba!" Eiji squeals before going in for another mouthful of Suga's jacket. Tsukishima smiles. They spend the last 10 minutes of the car ride in near silence, Eiji cooing softly all the while. When they finally pull up into the large driveway, Suga gets out first.

"I'll help you with Eiji. Can you handle Tadashi?"

"Yeah. I got him." He opens the back door, rousing the sleeping omega. "Hey, Dashi. I'm gonna bring you up to my room, okay?" Tadashi only nods and Tsukishima isn't convinced he full understood what he'd said. He leans into the car and picks the omega up in a Princess carry, careful to make sure Aito doesn't fall out from the hoodie. When he's sure that they are both secure in his arms, he makes his way inside, removing his shoes before leading Suga up to his bedroom.

When they arrive, he sets the now awake Tadashi and Aito into his bed, Suga sets Eiji down beside them before standing up straight and looking to Tsukishima.

"Do you have any extra pillows? Blankets?" He nods before heading to one of his closets, opening the door and retrieving a few folded throw blankets that he keeps stored there. He grabs a couple of pillows as well and returns to set them on the bed as well. Suga nods in approval. "I'll leave you then."

He leans in close to Yamaguchi, nuzzles the side of his face softly and whispers a few words into his ear before placing one last kiss to the top of his head and retreating from the bedroom. He throws one warning look over his shoulder at Tsukishima before closing the door behind him.

When the alpha turns back, Tadashi has already started to arrange the pile of blankets across the bed. Placing them just so while releasing his scent. He grabs a small, dark green blanket and sniffs it carefully before pulling it against him to scent it. When he is satisfied, he pulls Eiji closer and bundles him up, practically swaddling him in the green fabric. He purrs and places a gentle kiss to his son's cheek before setting him against a small pile of pillows he had created moments before.

He moves to sort through the pile of clothes again, discarding one onto the floor when he doesn't like the texture. He grabs a soft yellow blanket, one Tsukishima often uses and sniffs at at it like he had the other. He doesn't scent this blanket however, instead, he bundles Aito up just as he'd done Eiji, placing a kiss on his cheek as well. He places a couple more blankets and adjusts the pillows before he lays the swaddled Aito down against the pile of pillows and puts Eiji right beside him. He then climbs under the duvet himself and cuddles close to his boys, purring loudly, before pulling the heavy blanket up over all of their heads.

Tsukishima can only watch. He’s never seen an omega actively nesting before and was fascinated by the entire process. Of course, it was also adorable watching Tadashi fuss over every detail. Now he only feels the pull to crawl in beside the omega and hold him close. He doesn’t dare do that, knowing how protective they can get over their nests. He’ll simply have to keep his distance for now. He returns to his closet and gets a futon mattress out, laying it on the floor, close enough to the bed that he can smell each of their scents clearly. He grabs the discarded blanket from the floor as well as a pillow that the omega had deemed unworthy of the nest. This will have to do for the night. But the alpha didn’t mind one bit so long as they were comfortable and happy. And safe. They were finally safe. He couldn’t begin to describe the relief of knowing exactly where they were at this moment. Safe and content. And he knows that for the rest of his life, he will do anything to keep it that way.

Chapter Text

Tendou POV:

Tendou lounges in the living room, back resting on the hardwood floor and legs thrown up on the couch, scribbling on a sticky note and humming along to the cartoon Akihiko has been watching since early this morning. The young pup is still dressed in his jammies and hops around on the couch excitedly as he reiterates every plot point back to Tendou. The omega hums in response to all of his obvious statements. He rather enjoys the company of the mini Akaashi. He is certainly more entertaining than half of the people in this house.

The big Akaashi is occupied with a whimpering Keiko. Rocking her back and forth as he paces the main downstairs hallway, shushing her softly.

"Tendou." He hears it from down the hallway, Daichi calling him. He turns his head to look at the door but doesn't say anything, the alpha will find him eventually. He can hear his footsteps from down the hall. "Tendou?" Then a muttered 'Jesus Christ.' More footsteps and a slamming door. "Ten-" The alpha emerges from the doorway and freezes when he sees the omega smiling up at him innocently.

"Oh, Daichi! Did you say something?" Daichi rolls his eyes, smirking.

"Not a thing. But, hey, since I just so happened to run into you... you up for a quick mission?"

Tendou immediately perks up at this, swinging his legs off of the couch and sitting up.

"You know I am! Where are we going."

"I want to keep an eye on the club. We can't afford to miss out on any information." He pauses, looking at Tendou cautiously. "But I'm afraid it won't be me going with you." Tendou slumps ever so slightly at that before peeking up once again.

"Iwaizumi, then?" A shake of the head. He pauses. "Bokuto?" Another shake.

"We kind of blew our cover yesterday, ya know? We can't go back there again without some serious planning first."

"Well, then who the he-" He catches himself, glancing at the small, impressionable child who's wide eyes stare up at him. "Heck am I supposed to go with?" Before Daichi can respond, movement by the front door catches Tendou's eye. Ushijima pulls a suit jacket up over his broad shoulders to cover a shoulder gun holster. Tendou whips back to look at Daichi. The alpha smiles apologetically.

"What, you're just gonna send me off with some alpha from a strange pack now?" He tries to brush it off like a joke but his voice sounds strained, worried.

"Tendou." Daichi looks at him apologetically, understanding.

"Did..." He swallows. "Did I do something wrong?"

Sometimes he can realize, in the very back of his head, he can realize when he is being irrational. He can recognize when he is beginning one of his self depreciating, irrational spirals. That, however, does not mean that he can stop it. Was Daichi trying to get rid of him? Handing him off so he wasn't his problem anymore? Suddenly it's harder to breathe, tears sting his eyes.

"I-I'm sorry." He whimpers. "I'm sorry. I'll do better. I can be better. I'm sorry. I want to stay here. P-please just let me stay. I’ll be good. I promise, I’ll be good. I want to stay.” He couldn’t leave. He couldn’t lose the one place he had ever thought of as home. Moving throughout his entire childhood, lost and alone, he had never once felt as safe as he did here. He couldn’t lose this.

"Hey. Look at me. Tendou, look at me." The omega meets his gaze finally, tilting his head back to expose his neck slightly in submission. "You're not going anywhere. This is your home too, remember?" He releases his relaxing scent. "We all want you here. I'm never gonna send you away."

The omega focuses to calm his breathing, gripping the hem of his shirt tightly in his hands in hopes of covering up their shakiness. He blinks and a tear escapes from his watery eyes.

"Please don't." He whispers. Daichi opens his arms in invitation and Tendou gladly accepts, stepping in to the alpha's embrace and taking deep breaths.

"Never." He says again. Tendou nods thankfully. Alpha's weren't known to show physical affection. Not to each other and not to omega's that weren't their own. But omega's required that affection, needed it. Kenma was a rare case, he wasn't a big fan of physical touch to show emotion besides with his mate so he rarely nested with Tendou. With his only omega counterpart in the house out of the question, many of the alpha's in the house had been able to adjust to providing that touch. Of course none of them wanted him to fall into a drop due to touch starvation.

When he steps back from the alpha's embrace, he startled when he feels small arms wrap around his thigh. He looks down and meets the steel blue eyes of Akihiko looking up at him.

"Is okay." The pup says, obviously trying to comfort the distressed man. He chuckles and ruffles the dark hair.

"Thank you, Aki." He finally looks back at the alpha now that he's calmed down.

"You know I wouldn't send you with him if I didn't trust him." He nods. "He's a good man. He'll keep you safe."

"Ah, don't you worry now." The fiery haired omega giggles, flipping his switchblade between his long fingers. "I can handle that just fine." Daichi smirks.

"I know you can. You gonna be okay?"

"I'm always okay." He says it so confidently, like he hadn't just been reduced to a blubbering, insecure mess only a few moments ago. He stops spinning the knife immediately as Aki reaches for the shiny object. "Aki, no!" He all but screeches. The pup retracts his hand in a flash, putting it in his lap and giggling bashfully up at him. "I could have taken your finger off!" He says, astounded that the child seems to have no concept of danger.

"He's just a kid, Tendou." Daichi chuckles. "He doesn't understand." The omega turns back to look at the small boy, reassessing the pup in front of him.

"Huh." Up until this point he'd just treated him as a tiny person, no different than he would any of his pack mates. It had only just now occurred to him that this was, in fact, a child and that children do, in fact, reach for sharp, spinning blades on a whim. Aki was a child that reaches for things with no regard for how dangerous they may be. He continues to stare at the raven haired boy, subtly sliding his knife back into his pocket, setting the child off into another fit of giggles. He continues to laugh as he grabs onto Tendou's pants, reaching for the pocket.

"Nononono." He spins around, trying to keep out of the child's reach. The boy just spins with him, laughing harder as they turn in circles.

"Akihiko!" A soft yet stern voice comes from the doorway where Akaashi stands, arms empty with the absence of the probably sleeping Keiko. "We don't hold on to people like that!" He scolds. "When somebody tells you no, it means no. You have to listen! Apologize now." He seems to be quite harsh on the boy, Tendou thinks. He just thought they were playing, after all. Though Tendou assumes his severe tone may have something to do with the distressed scent he seems to be giving out.

"Sowwy." The pup puts his hands behind his back, looking thoroughly ashamed after being scolded. The steely eyed omega picks his son up, holding on to him tightly, his demeanor seeming to switch from irritated to protective in a matter of moments as he brings his hand to rest on the back of the boy's head.

"I'm very sorry for this inconvenience, Tendou-San." He bows towards the other omega. "Daichi-San." He bows to the alpha as well, this time, bearing his neck slightly in submission. Daichi chuckles kindly and waves his hands out in front of him.

"Oh, it's really no trouble at all, we were just having some fun. Weren't we, Aki?" The pup nods sincerely and looks up at his mother with his sweet little smile. Akaashi's face softens when he looks at his pup.

"Well, thank you for keeping him company, but it's nap time now." Akihiko huffs and tries to wiggle out of his mother's arms. Akaashi just laughs and nuzzles the pup lovingly, still retaining his hold. "There's no escaping now, mister. Nobody wants a cranky Aki rampaging through the house."

"Aki's not cranky!" The tiny Akaashi demands.

"Oh, I beg to differ." The omega laughs. He bows to Tendou and Daichi once more before taking Akihiko out of the room, their light banter drifting off as they go. Daichi turns to Tendou.

"And I believe you have somewhere to be as well." He smirks. The omega gives him a small salute before running upstairs to get ready. Usually when he goes out on missions he simply wears a pair of dark jeans and a dark jacket, but seeing as this is a special case and he doesn't really know what to expect, he decides to play up his... 'omeganess.'

He wears a fitting pair of dark cargo pants, both stylish and a convenient place for his many knives. He then goes for a fitting red crop top that matches his hair nicely and shows off the curve of his waist, he'd always quite like his gentle omegan curves. He also goes so far as to put a shining silver dangle earring into his left ear and applying some subtle eyeliner and mascara. Now he looks fit for a club. He quickly slides several knives and a small handgun into the pockets of the pants before fixing his hair in the mirror once more.

When he seems to have gotten himself ready, he goes to make his way back downstairs, slipping on his shoes before he steps out side the door. Ushijima stands with his back to the front of the house, hands tucked into his pants pockets. Tendou's takes a brief moment to admire how the fabric fits snuggly over his broad shoulders that lead down to a tapered waist. Damn, okay. He clears his throat as he approaches and the stoic man turns to look at him. He gives Tendou a once over, his face not betraying a single thought or emotion. Ouch.

"We ready to go?" He says, an attempt to shake off his newfound insecurity. Did he look bad? Was this all wrong? Maybe they wouldn't even let him into the club looking like this. Shit. They hadn't even left and he'd already failed. He sure knew how to fuck things up, didn't he?

"Ready." The large alpha nods tersely before leading him to his car. It's a sleek, black vehicle, very elegant, almost intimidating, just like the alpha himself. Tendou sits stiffly in the passenger seat. The interior of the car carries the strong coffee scent of the alpha and it nearly makes him dizzy.

The alpha hardly even glances at him throughout the drive and he feels himself start to get giddy. He hadn't been out in too long and now was his chance to finally do something. It wasn't long before they had pulled up, parking in the front of the club. It was still early so the line was relatively short and they didn’t have to wait too long before they found themselves approaching the large alpha standing guard at the door. As they get closer, Tendou feels a large arm wrap around his waist slowly, carefully. He can’t find it in himself to be startled when it feels like such a comforting gesture. The strong arm pulls him into a warm, hard body and he feels his face heat up.

When they stop in front of the large man, he looks them up and down, taking his sweet time as his eyes graze over Tendou’s body. He nods approvingly before gesturing them inside. Tendou’s sighs in relief, one obstacle down. The arm stays around his waist. He’d been prepared for this, he’s gone out many times with the alphas of his pack, acting as a couple. So then why did this feel so different?

They go straight to the bar first, deciding it is the best vantage point to see the rest of the club. They each order a drink, something to sip on as they survey the area. Tendou takes his time sipping on the fruity drink he’d ordered, eyes seeking out anyone who may look to be of any importance. Business is quite slow at the moment and he finds himself sitting for just under an hour before Ushijima nudges him with his elbow, nodding towards a short, stout man that matches Daichi’s description.

Tendou nods in confirmation and the alpha stands, straightening his fitting suit jacket in a way that makes Tendou avert his gaze lest he blush.

They had a plan, Ushijima is to approach this man by the name of Sato, the manager, and speak to him about reserving the club for a business meeting. He is to fish for any information he may get from the encounter without being too obvious. Likely, they would come back empty handed on information, but with an in. This would be a slow process after all. Tendou, meanwhile, is meant to simply observe, it is what he’s good at, after all.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for him to become distracted. Distracted by the two female betas who had quite literally attached themselves to Ushijima in the few minutes he had been conversing with Sato. The omega can’t seem to find an explanation as to why he feels the urge to rip those girls off and show them his pretty knife collection. The thing that makes him feel worse is how comfortable the alpha looks between the two, not having made one move to distance himself from them. He had to admit it to himself, the girls were gorgeous. He order another drink.

He continues to watch the scene in front of him for the next 10 minutes. Eventually, Sato leaves and Satori perks up, thinking maybe this means the alpha will return to him and they can go home. But he doesn’t. He stays right where he is, now conversing with the two women, who swoon at every word. He’s said more to these girls in 10 minutes than he had said to Satori the past two hours. The omega finishes another drink.

He finds his eyes locked in the alpha. His not so subtle thoughts reaching out to the other man. Look at me. See me. Notice me. The person you came with. Of course, he remains unnoticed.

Maybe this drink is stronger than he thought it was. He goes to set the glass down, realizing there are now at least four other empty glasses already accumulated. Oh. He chuckles to himself briefly. He’s definitely feeling the effects. He gestures to the bartender for another before turning his attention back to his alpha. The one that he came with, that is- not his. Never his.

All too late he feels a presence behind him, startling slightly but unable to make a move fast enough when and arm wraps around him, pinning his arms to his sides. The other hand comes up to hold his throat tightly, limiting his air supply. The scent of asphalt overwhelms his senses and he places it quickly.

“It’s been a while, my little dove.” A deep sinister voice growls into his ear.

“Masashi.” He gasps, arms attempting to move up and grip at the large hand squeezing his throat, only to remain locked by his sides. His eyes, however stay locked on Ushijima, still invested in his pretty admirers. Help.

“You look absolutely divine, my dear Satori.” The bulky alpha licks a slow stripe up the omegas neck up to his jawline. He shivers with fear. “Oh, what? Didn’t you miss me?” He stays silent, unsure if he could speak even if he wanted to. “Ohoho is that a no? That stings, Satori!” His arm releases it’s grip on Tendou’s waist, though he finds himself unable to move his arms despite the lack of restraint. “But I know you’ve been missing something else then.”

The omega stiffens, eyes welling with tears when he hears the crinkling of plastic. The alpha’s hand comes up to brush the tiny clear bag full of white powder softly against Tendou’s cheek. His lips brush against the redhead’s ear.

“I know you need it. I know you need me.” He chuckles darkly. Before Tendou can even begin to think about holding himself back, his hand is reaching for the small bag. The alpha snatches it away. “Ah ah ah. I think you know how this works.”

He doesn’t know why. Maybe it’s the alcohol in his system, making him stupid. Maybe it’s the way those betas soak up the attention from Ushijima, attention Tendou could never dream of. Maybe it’s the voices in the back of his head, screaming, calling him a monster. Maybe there really is no reason at all. Regardless, he wraps his hand carefully around the one with a hold on his throat. Slowly, gently prying it off and using it to lead the alpha to the back. There has to be a back entrance somewhere.

He finds it easily enough, leading Masashi outside into the cold, dark alleyway. A bleak environment for some, but to the omega it was nearly nostalgic. As soon as the door slams behind them, the back of his neck is grabbed and his head is pulled harshly forward by the alpha, who slams his lips against the omega’s. He stiffens but allows it to happen, simply opening his mouth to allow the larger man access. When the alpha pulls away, he drops down to his knees, Masashi starts to pull at the hair on the back of his head as he undoes his belt buckle.

As soon as his pants and boxers are worked down, he immediately shoved into the omegas mouth, groaning loudly as the smaller man chokes in surprise at the sudden intrusion. He adjust rather quickly, despite not having done this in a while. He’s unsure if the tears running down his face are from the intrusion or simply his own self hatred at how quickly he has returned to being the one person he swore to never become again. The monster. This had been the life he was trying to escape from.

“That’s it Satori! Take it!” The alpha growls as his thrusts pick up pace. Tendou squeezes his eyes shut, willing this to be over soon. And it was. Masashi pulls out suddenly, ejaculating across the omegas face just how he used to. He roughly grabs Tendou’s jaw, forcing him to look up, he uses a thick finger to smear the sticky semen further across his cheek. “My pretty little coke whore.” He chuckles.

He stands up straight, tossing the small baggie at the other man kneeling on the ground, and begins to fasten his belt once again. The omega immediately fumbles to open the bag with shaky hands, not bothering to wipe his face. He pulls his credit card out of his wallet when he’s managed to wrestle it open. Masashi throws a tightly rolled up bill onto the ground in front of him and he takes it without a word, expertly depositing the snowlike substance onto his card, careful not to lose any, and forming a perfect line with his finger. Unceremoniously, he uses the dollar bill to quickly sniff the powder off of the card. Letting his head fall back as he feels the instant changes the drug creates in his system. A hand ruffles his hair.

“Good boy, Satori.” He catches the hand before it can pull away and looks up into those cold, dark eyes. Those same eyes that had haunted him since they’d come into his life at the ripe age of 16. Those eyes that had seen him at rock bottom, that belonged to the man who worked so hard to keep him there.

Before the alpha can react, the omega pulls with full force on the arm he has a hold of, forcing Masashi to the ground in surprise. With just a glint of light hitting metal, one of his larger knives is out of his pocket and has been stabbed clean through the middle of the large man’s hand, he yells out in agony as Satori then jams it into his thigh. With one arm immobilized, he maneuvers quickly to kneel on the other, pressing his other knee into the alpha’s neck, successfully pinning him to the cold ground.

He pulls another, much smaller knife out of his pocket and presses it just against Masashi’s jugular.

“You’re a prick.” He growls, baring his teeth at the man under him. “I should kill you.” He casually checks his watch. “But I have somewhere I need to be, so I guess I’ll have to settle for marking you up a bit.” He flips the knife quickly between his fingers leaving a perfectly straight cut through Masashi’s left eye. The man screams again.

“I know. I know.” Satori pouts. Another slash across the alpha’s cheek, deep enough to scar. He soon moves his attention to the man’s right arm, the one he’s pinned under his own weight. He leans over it, digging the sharp tip of the blade into his skin, slowly, precisely. He sticks his tongue out slightly in concentration. Humming a little tune to keep his focus as the man under him writhes in pain. He sits up when he’s finished, smiling down at the jagged letters with satisfaction.

Monster.

The word faces up at him and he stares at it for a good long while, watching with fascination as the blood starts to drip slowly from his hard work. This time it is him who grips the larger man’s face with bruising force, looking him directly in the eyes.

“Now we’re both monsters.” He says with a small giggle, reaching into the inner pocket of Masashi’s coat and pulling out a good handful of powder filled bags. He slips them into his own pocket before standing up off the ground and making his way down the alley, deciding to just wait for Ushijima there. After all-he looks down at his blood soaked hands, can feel a combination of blood and semen drip down his temple-he hardly looks presentable anymore.

Chapter Text

Ushijima POV:

He'd been trapped for a good half hour at this point. In the time he'd be talking with Sato, he'd somehow found himself stuck between two beta women who'd practically been clinging to him since. They yammered on endlessly about who knows what, physically he was with them, paying attention, listening. On the inside he was looking for any way out of this situation that didn't involve shoving them off and it only took another two minutes before he does so when one of them tries to nuzzle into his scent gland.

He pulls away harshly, ignoring how the betas stumble slightly from his sudden disappearance. He still manages to turn to them and bow politely.

"I must be going, ladies. There is actually someone waiting-" He drifts off when he turns back to the bar to find Tendou's previous seat empty. He feels himself stiffen as he scans the rest of the bar in search of the omega to no avail. Shit.

Where has he gone? The alpha strides quickly through the loud crowd, the club having filled up quickly as it got later, frantically searching for a glimpse of that dark red hair. He should have been watching him more closely. Why hadn't he been watching him?  He makes his way to the back of the club, getting more restless as he gets further without a single sign of the omega. Using his scent is out of the question with so many different ones in the club, he'd never be able to pick it out.

When he gets to the edge of the crowd, he realizes the omega is no longer inside. Shit. Shit. Shit. His gaze finds the back exit at the end of a more secluded hallway and he decides it would be best to check around the building before really starting to panic. That plan doesn't last long when he steps into the alleyway to the smell of blood and alpha arousal, only the slightest twinge of Tendou's lavender scent.

His instincts spike as he surveys the area for an aggressive alpha, a hurt omega, anything, but finds only a puddle of blood. He has no idea what happened here but his only concern right now is finding Tendou. The omega that he was supposed to watch over. He sprints towards the front of the building, hoping beyond hope that the omega had gotten away unharmed and simply gone to wait by the car.

When he makes it to the car, he nearly slumps in relief when he sees the redhead sitting with his back against the car, long legs spread out in front of him. The relief is immediately put on pause when he takes in the state of the omega. His face is nearly coated with red blood, along with white streaks that Ushijima can tell is the product of that aroused alpha smell from earlier based on smell alone. His hands don't fare much better, thickly coated with the same dark red that is on his face. He's intently focused on wiping the blood from his finger on to the ground, muttering softly to himself.

There is something off about his scent, his usual subtle smell is now almost too strong, too sweet. The alpha can't begin to imagine what may have caused that to happen. A deep sense of regret and shame overcome him. He let this happen. He wasn't supposed to let this happen. Daichi will be furious. His entire pack will. And they should be. Hell, he is absolutely livid with himself. But there is no time to dwell on that, obviously the omega needs help. He approaches slowly, carefully.

"Tendou?" He tries. The omega gives no indication of having heard him. He continues to mutter unintelligibly to himself. As Ushijima gets closer he realizes that the redhead seems to be writing something on the cement with the blood still coating his hand. Unable to read it, he tries another step forward. "Satori." He tries. This gets the other man's attention. He looks up at Ushijima. Something seems off. Tendou looks pale, his eyes wide, and pupils dilated. He simply gazes up at the alpha, saying nothing, his hand still moving to write on the sidewalk. The alpha takes the closer proximity as an opportunity to look at the messy writing. What he sees is as puzzling as it is off putting. A mess of scattered red marks the pavement with the same word written a dozen times over. Monster.

"Satori. Are you hurt?" The words sound cold even to his own ears, as though he is asking if the omega is alright is simply out of pure obligation. Of course he cared about the redhead, he'd just never been good with expressing emotions. Much less when they were as confusing as the ones he seems to have towards the omega.

Tendou peers up at him through his long eyelashes, giving him a sly smile. The look is as flirtatious as it is off putting, considering the blood speckled across his face. He giggles.

"Hurt?" He stops his writing on the ground and instead goes to examine the thick, shiny substance that still covers his hand. "No, Wa-kun." His eyes find Wakatoshi's once again. "I'm amazing." The alpha looks down at him for a long moment.

"Well, good, then." What is he supposed do? Obviously the omega wasn't doing 'amazing.' "Why don't we get you in the car?" He slowly approaches the smaller man, trying to gauge his reaction to the closer proximity. When there is hardly any reaction, he scoops his arm under the omega's back and legs. And lifts him off the ground, opening the passenger side door with little difficulty, and setting Tendou down carefully inside, making sure his seatbelt is fastened. He then makes his way around to the driver's seat and starts the car, pulling out onto the road quickly, the sooner he gets Tendou home, the better.

The drive is quiet, save for soft humming coming from the redhead. Ushijima speeds down the road but it still feels like hours before he pulls onto the familiar street. When Tendou takes notice of where they are, he stiffens, turning to Ushijima with a frantic look in his eyes.

"Where are we going?" Ushijima glances at him, brows furrowed.

"We're going back to the packhouse." He says, confused. The omega shakes his head.

"No- no. I-I can't go back there. I can-" His breaths speed up slightly.

"Why can't you go back? It's your home."

"Dai-Daichi. He'll smell me. He can smell me I can't go in there. I can't go back." 

"Tendou, he can always smell you. Why is this bad?" He asks the question as he pulls in to the private road leading down to the large mansion, the lights from the house shimmer in the distance.

"No. N-no. Don't take me back. You can't take me back!" He takes a moment to struggle with the door lever before pushing it open as the car still moves.

"Satori!" Ushijima slams on the breaks as the omega steps out of the vehicle and starts to run. The alpha doesn't hesitate to unbuckle himself and run right after him. The redhead is fast, but Ushijima can keep up with him well enough. He runs back towards the main road and down a dark alleyway where he collapses against a brick building, what he assumes is and apartment. "Satori." He says it softly this time. The omega groans and holds his head in his hands, fingers fisting into his hair and pulling at it.

"Get the f- Get the fuck away from me!" He yells. Ushijima worries he will be heard by any residing in the apartments. "Get away!" He holds a hand out as though to stop the alpha's approach. "I didn't do anything." He sobs, bringing his hand back to fist his hair once again. "I didn't do anything. I didn't." Sobs wrack his body as tears stream down his face. "I'll be better. I-I'll be good. I will I will I-" His hands are shaking uncontrollably and the alpha doesn't know what to do. The omega has become a disoriented, hyperventilating mess and he has absolutely zero knowledge on how to fix it.

He had such little experience with omegas. Of course there was Oikawa, but he always internalized his pain, never let anyone see him as weak, so he'd never been put in a position to comfort him. Then there was Atsumu, but he'd been mated to Kiyoomi for nearly as long as Ushijima had known him so he hadn't needed him either. He knew sometimes, the just needed attention, physical touch, a nest. But this.

What the fuck is this?

He stands there stiffly, like a useless telephone pole, as the omega spends all of his energy on having a breakdown. He doesn't approach. Doesn't say anything. Merely watches from a distance. The minutes pass slowly, until it has been nearly a half hour when Tendou slumps against the wall, his sudden outburst having sapped the rest of the energy from him.

Wakatoshi takes this as his sign to finally approach the other man, kneeling beside him and examining his face closely. He'd look so peaceful if it weren't for all the bodily fluids that were now drying on his face. He is tempted to wipe them off with his sleeve, but does not want to wake the smaller. Best just to let him sleep.

"Let's get you back, Satori." He may not know much, and he has no clue what that outburst was about, but one thing he is sure of is that after this, the omega won't want to be waking up anywhere except for his own nest, in his own packhouse, surrounded by his own pack. He gently lifts the omega up into a bridal carry, letting his head fall gently on to his shoulder. He is careful not to jostle him too much, lest he wake up.

He carries him back across the street and past his own car, figuring he'd rather carry him the whole way rather than move him more than necessary by putting him back in the car. The private road is none too short, so it takes a few minutes for him to reach the large house. When he reaches the front door, he rings the doorbell with the side of his arm, hoping he won't be waking anyone. It only takes a few moments for the door to swing open to reveal Daichi. He looks down at the omega in his arms and his jaw drops.

"What the hell happened?" He asks, worried, as he steps aside for Ushijima to come in.

"I'm not sure. I only left him for a moment, but when I looked for him again he was gone, I found him in the back alley. I'm not sure exactly what's wrong." He then bows as lowly as physically possible while holding another man in his arms. "I am very sorry, Daichi-San. This was all my fault. You trusted me with your packmate and I failed to protect him as I said I would." Daichi just shakes his head.

"You couldn't have known this would have happened. It's not your fault." He leans in to check for injuries but pauses when he gets closer to Tendou's face. He furrows his brows, sniffing. "What-" This time he leans in to the omegas neck, nose nearly brushing against his scent glands, Ushijima nearly pulls him away but refrains. The pack alpha takes a long sniff before finally pulling back.

"God damn it!" He curses, hands flying up to run through his hair. "Shit!" The frustration is his voice is nearly as obvious as his distressed scent that now permeates the air. "God damn it, Tendou." The alpha's eyes were now slightly red and Ushijima found himself surprised. It was extremely rare for an alpha to show any kind of weakness around another and here Daichi was, nearly on the verge of tears.

"What is it?" He asks, concern growing.

"He's fucking done it again." Daichi started ruffling through the pockets of Tendou's pants. "Where'd he even get it from?" The head alpha's voice was shaking ever so slightly. Ushijima was equal parts confused and concerned.

"Done what?" Daichi doesn't answer. Instead, he swears under his breath as he pulls out two plastic baggies from one of the pockets. Inside is a fine, white powder.

"Is that-" He cuts himself off right away. Of course he knows what it is. You don't lead a gang and not recognize what cocaine looks like. He knew Daichi and Tendou would have had their fair share of exposure to the drug as well but he never thought... "Shit." Daichi presses his palms harshly against his eyes.

"Fuck!"

"How long?" Ushijima asks, holding the omega tighter, as though he could protect him from the tiny plastic bag.

"He hasn't- oh, god damn it. He hasn't relapsed in a couple of years." His threats threaten to overflow. "I-I thought he was doing better. Where the hell did he even get this?" It's at this moment that the front door opens and Oikawa saunters in, a sly smile on his face and a skip in his step. Ushijima rolls his eyes when he catches a whiff of some random alpha or another mixed in with the jasmine scent.

"And what's going on here?" The omega practically sings. Stopping in his tracks when he sees Tendou in Ushijima's arms. "What the fuck?" He says under his breath. He approaches the omega swiftly, and Ushijima nearly growls, wanting to hide Tendou away from the rest of the world. But he trusts Oikawa. The brunette softly brushes some hair off of the other omega's forehead, leaning in to sniff him. "Oh, you poor thing."

He gently leans in to nuzzle his face against the other's neck, releasing a comforting scent. Tendou groans softly and his eyes blink open, he whimpers quietly before leaning in closer to Oikawa's scent. He seems to realize then where he is, tries to stand up. Daichi quickly pockets the bags. Ushijima hesitantly let's him down, though continues to keep a hold of him so as not to let him fall.

"Give him here." Oikawa softly demands, he holds his hands out to the redhead who collapses into his embrace almost immediately. "Let's get you cleaned up, then." He coos softly to Tendou who relaxes in his arms. "There we go." He praises gently, beginning to lead him slowly up the stairs. Daichi and Ushijima watch them go, both with pained expression adorning their faces. When they've finally made it to the top of the stairs and out of sight, Daichi turns to him.

"Thank you for getting him home." He says. "I'll have to be more careful. I need to watch him." He runs his hands through his hair. "I can't believe I let this happen."

"If anyone let this happen, it was me." Ushijima says. "Again, I'm sorry, I failed the most important part of the mission. I didn't keep him safe."

"I guess we'll both have to do better. For him." Ushijima nods. For Satori.

Akaashi POV:

Akaashi sits on the couch, legs pulled up towards his body, slowly flipping through the pages of his book as he immerses himself into the story. It was getting quite late and Suga had just left for the club. Yamaguchi was still recovering and was upstairs with his pups. Keiji had successfully put Aki to bed upstairs and was now just looking after Keiko.

He was unsure of the whereabouts of everyone else, but the house was quiet, the only sounds reaching his ears was a ticking clock and Keiko's occasional coos. He'd always enjoyed the quiet, though he was unaccustomed to it now, due to his rambunctious mini-me. The clock has just reached 9:00 when the front door opens. He can hear the door click shut and the sounds of somebody shuffling around, most likely removing their coat and shoes. He turns his attention back to his book.

"Hey he- Akaashi!" The distress in Bokuto's voice catches his attention instantly, his head shoots up in surprise. "Wha- why is the baby on the floor?!" He questions in pure horror, looking down at Keiko where she lays on her mat. "Y-you just left her here, she-she- she can't be on the floor!" The raven haired omega chuckles.

"Bokuto-San, she can be on the floor." The alpha looks up at him, confused. "It's good for her neck muscles, she need to learn to lift her head on her own, so a few minutes like this is actually good for her. She's just fine, I promise you."

"Oh." The large man says it quietly. Looking down at the small baby. After a moment of contemplation, he steps carefully around her before practically charging the couch and flopping down next to Akaashi. "Whatcha reading Kaashi?"

"A book." The omega says quietly, though blunt. Bokuto doesn't seem to mind the short clipped answer, instead leaning over to peer over his shoulder to look at the tiny words that line the page. It's quiet for a total of 40 seconds before the alpha groans and leans back.

"Akaaashii." He groans. "How do you read that? There's no pictures or anything."

"The pictures are in my head, Bokuto-san." The alpha lifts his head from where it'd been thrown back against the couch.

"You can see it in your head?" He asks in astonishment.

"Don't you picture things when you read?"

"Oh, no." He shakes his head. "I don't really read much, just can't sit still enough, I guess. I've tried though." He shrugs almost sheepishly. Even now, Akaashi looks down at his bouncing legs, pent up energy trying to release itself. "But I guess I picture things when people talk to me. I can see them, you know, in my head." He points at his temple as if for reference. With that, he turns his attention to pick at the fraying edges of one of the blankets that had been thrown over the couch, legs still bouncing. Akaashi watches him for a few long moments.

"Would-" He cuts himself off, nearly abandoning the idea completely before regaining his courage. "Would you like me to read to you, Bokuto-san?" The alpha looks up at him in surprise before nodding eagerly.

"Would you really, Akaashi?!"

"Of course, I'm reading anyway. I'm only a couple of chapters in, I can start at the beginning."

"Oh, you don't have to do that, I-I can just start from wherever you are."

"It's no problem at all, really."

"O-okay."

"Okay." He smiles and flips to the beginning of his book. "Ready?" The alpha nods enthusiastically, nearly leaning in with anticipation. And with that, Keiji begins reading out loud, his soft voice relaying the story to Bokuto, who begins to migrate around the room just a few pages in. Folding an unfolding blankets, organizing the stacks of movies by color, messing with the blinds that cover the windows. Despite his constant activeness, Akaashi can tell he is listening to the story intently, facial expressions changing with the mood changes, occasionally asking questions that make the omega giggle.

Soon enough, Keiji finds himself completely immersed in the story, captivated by the plot line and each character, he is only brought out of his intense focus when a small "mommy?" pulls his attention towards the door. Akihiko stands just outside the living room, rubbing his eyes and dragging a much too big blanket behind him, Mr. Hoo dangling by his wing that was fisted in the small hand.

"What's wrong baby?" Akaashi sits up when he notices the tears in his sons eyes. Bokuto also sits up from where he was laying on the hardwood floor next to Keiko. When had he gotten down there.

"Mommy." His little boy says again, this time it comes out as a small sob. Akaashi sets the book down and opens his arms to his son, who runs to him instantly, embracing him with small arms around his waist, crying against his stomach. "Bad. Bad." He whimpers.

"Did you have a nightmare?" The small child nods and burrows in closer to his mother. Akaashi pulls him up further and scents him gently. "You're okay now, Aki. Nothing bad is gonna happen to you. Mommy won't let it." Akihiko's cries turn to soft sniffles eventually and he is able to lift his face from where it had been hidden against his mother's baby bump. It is at that moment when he sees Bokuto, sat on the floor with his long legs sprawled out in front of him.

"Bokudo!!" Past fear forgotten, he throws himself off the couch and scampers over to Bokuto, still dragging his large blanket behind him.

"What's up, little man?" The alpha smiles down at the child. Akihiko seems to become shy then, bashfully looking down at the floor with his big eyes.

"Mr. Bokudo? Do you get nightmares?" Bokuto doesn't miss a beat.

"Of course I do! I get them all the time!"

"You do?!" Aki looks up with wide eyes, astounded that this big, strong alpha.

“I sure do, except I have to go to Daichi when I’m scared because my mom lives very far away.” Aki giggles at that but then turns serious.

“You’re mommy can’t comfort you?”

“Only because i don’t see her too often, I get by just fine, though.” The alpha reassures.

“My mommy always helps me with my nightmares! Maybe he can help you too! Mommy gives the bestest hugs and then I’m not scared anymore!”

“Those hugs must be something else!”

“Uh-huh.” Aki nods again. He plops down next to the alpha. Keiji only then realizes where the alpha is seated.

“Why are you on the floor?” The alpha looks between Akaashi and Keiko, his face turning slightly red.

“I didn’t want her to get lonely.” He states. Akaashi nearly swoons.

“Bokuto! Why are you still awake?!” Daichi appears in the doorway and looks down at Bokuto in horror.

“Bro. It’s like 11:00!” Bokuto holds his arms out. Akihiko, meanwhile settles himself between the alpha’s legs and leans his back against his chest, snuggling in under his blanket. Bokuto looks like he may cry.

“You have training in 5 hours! You can’t f-“ A glance at Aki. “You can’t mess this up. We have a crap ton of money riding on this.

“Hey, have I ever let you down?” Daichi doesn’t respond.

“Exactly! It’ll be fine. Besides, I can’t exactly move now, can I?” He gestures to the content pup in his lap.

“Whatever. But we can’t afford to lose this, alright?” Bokuto salutes in response.

“Aye aye.” Daichi stalks away and the alpha promptly turns his attention back to Akaashi.

“Training?” He nods.

“Underground fighting.” He says almost bashfully. “Not very sophisticated but hey, makes us a lot.” He shrugs. An underground fighter? Oh, what has he gotten himself in to. “Anyways, enough about that. Finish this chapter?” The omega nods and turns his attention back to the book. It only takes about a few minutes to finish, and by the end, he can feel himself about ready to drift off. Akihiko as dozed off snuggled up to Bokuto.

“I need to put her to sleep.” Akaashi yawns, pushing himself off of the couch and retrieving Keiko from where he’d placed her for tummy time. She gives him a small yawn and he smiles down at her while he makes his way towards the staircase.

“Do you want me to take him?” The alpha nods down at the small boy who is still asleep on him.

“Oh, you don’t have to.”

“No, no, I want to help.” He gently lifts Aki up and holds hims so that his head rests on his shoulder. Miraculously, the young boy remains asleep. Akaashi leads them up the stairs and to the nest room, pushing the door open gently and instantly relaxing at the strong mix of scents from his pack. He lays Keiko down on a small mat and changes her quickly as Bokuto lays Akihiko down on the bed. He dresses her in her sleep sack then stands and rocks her gently until her eyes flutter close and her breathing evens out.

With that, he settles her into her crib and goes to snuggle in with his son. Bokuto waits by the door, watching him settle in. When he’s gotten comfortable, the alpha speaks.

“Thank you, Akaashi, for reading to me.”

“Of course. Shall we finish another time.” The older man nods with a brilliant smile.

“I’d like that a lot.”

“So would I.” He finds himself smiling back. “Goodnight Bokuto-San.”

“Goodnight Kaashi.” And with that, the alpha switches off the light and closes the door softly behind him.

Chapter Text

Akaashi POV:

Akaashi wakes with a jolt to the sound of Keiko wailing. He gives it a few moments for it to stop but forces his eyes open when she continues on and he feels no shift in the blankets beside him.  The bed is empty. He can hear birds chirping and the soft glow of early sun is shining through the window and the bed is empty. And Keiko is crying. Akaashi sits up instantly. The bed is cold. He can assume Aki has already awoken and is already downstairs wreaking havoc but that doesn't explain the lack of Suga in the bed. His scent isn't even fresh.

Had the omega not come home last night? He frantically rushes to check his phone. Nothing. Shit. Shit.

It wasn't uncommon for them to see a customer through the night, they just always made a point to let each other know when it was happening.

"Oh, your phone better be dead." He says into the empty room. He throws the blankets off of himself before going to comfort Keiko. Her cries quiet when he picks her up but she continues to whimper at the lack of presence from her mother.

"It's okay, sweet girl. Mommy's gonna be back soon." I hope. The baby whines again. "Are you hungry? Let's get you some breakfast, hmm?" He doesn't bother to take her out of her sleep sack, nor does he bother to change out of his sweats and baggy shirt. He brings her downstairs to the kitchen where Akihiko stands on a chair, leaning over the table and talking excitedly as a tired looking Osamu tiredly sips on a mug of coffee, nodding at Aki as though he were in a business meeting.

"Good morning, Miya-San." Akaashi bows his head. The grey haired alpha raises his hand.

"Please, Osamu is fine." The omega nods and turns to start preparing a bottle for Keiko. She'd had a bottle only a few times in her life and he was nervous that she wouldn't want to take it, being used to nursing from her mother. After he warms it to the right temperature, he lifts it to her mouth.

"Here you go, pretty girl." He coos as she latches on to the bottle. She takes a few gulps before releasing it and letting out a wail. "No no no, Princess, you have to eat. Please? Just a little bit." He tries a few more times to no avail before Daichi enters, looking like he hadn't slept a wink last night. He looks at Akaashi, then down at Keiko, then at the bottle in his hand.

"Where's Suga?" He asks, looking suddenly less tired.

"I..." He hesitates. "I am not sure. It seems he didn't come home last night."

"What?!" When Akaashi flinches and drops the bottle he immediately corrects himself, speaking much softer. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have raised my voice like that."

"I-It's okay." Daichi squats down to pick up the bottle and hands it to Akaashi, who thanks him shyly. "It isn't too out of the ordinary for one of us to be out all night, sometimes a customer will pay double for a full night." He only manages to mumble out the words, it's quite hard to explain the details of his profession when it is not one he is all too proud of.

"But he would tell us, wouldn't he?" The alpha says in disbelief. Akaashi simply shrugs.

"His phone probably died. I'm sure he'll be back soon enough." He sounds calm, almost nonchalant, but it takes everything in him to reign in his scent so as not to give away to his true panic. What he'd said was true, Koushi probably spent the night with a customer and simply couldn't contact Akaashi to let him know. But there would always be that tightening in his chest when one of his pack was out there. Alone. He can smell Daichi's emotions heading in the same direction as his own.

The alpha growls something unintelligible under his breath before storming out of the kitchen. His upset scent is soon replaced with a much more upbeat one. One that smells of a fresh rainy morning.

"Hey hey hey, Akaashi!" The large mass of energy that is Bokuto practically barrels into the kitchen. He is dressed in a black hoodie and black shorts, hair done up in it's usually owl-like style. He's obviously just returned from a run. Akaashi nods politely.

"Good morning, Bokuto-San."

"Ah, 'Kaashi. I thought we were past the formalities." He steps closer to coo softly down at Keiko. Akaashi inhales more of the comforting scent. Keiko stops her fussing for a long moment to look up at the alpha, seemingly amused by his spiky bicolored hair.

"Bokudo!" Akihiko leans forward on his hands placed on the table, his chin covered in syrup from the pancakes he has been munching on. Who had made them for the pup, Keiji does not know. "G'mornfm." He says, mouth full.

"Good morning little man." He grabs a napkin from the table. "Let me get that for ya." He wipes the sticky substance carefully from the small boy's face as Aki smiles up at him. Akaashi nearly swoons. "There we go!" The alpha declares, satisfied.

"Bo!" The call comes from the stairwell and soon enough, Kuroo makes his way into the kitchen, also dressed in workout clothes similar to Bokuto. "We doing this or what?"

"Yeah yeah, let me just get some water!" He fills a glass from the sink before chugging it down in a few gulps, Akaashi can't stop his eyes from watching the alpha's Adam's apple bob as he drinks. He quickly averts his gaze until the alpha turns to look directly at him once again. "See you later, 'Kaashi?" He nods.

"See you later, Bokuto-San." He watches as the excitable man turns to follow Kuroo down to the gym located in the basement. It takes a few moments for him to realize that's he's been smiling after the alpha, and he soon forces his attention back to Keiko. He doesn't know how or why, but in the past few days, he's come to feel more relaxed in Bokuto's company. He rarely flinches at the other man's loud exclamations and has felt more comfortable, laughing more. He finds that he'd like to spend more time with Bokuto.

His thoughts are interrupted by a small whine from bellow. He looks down to find a pouting Aki, seemingly upset that his mother is giving Keiko all of his attention. He makes grabby hands above his head while looking at Keiji with those big eyes.

"Not now, Aki. Can't you see I'm a bit preoccupied? Did you finish your food?" He tries once more to feed Keiko, finally giving up when she wails again. Akihiko just huffs and reaches up again, wanting to be held. "Aki, what did I say? I can't lift you right now." The pup let's out a tiny growl and Akaashi responds with his own, soft yet scolding. The pup turns to go sit back in his seat with a frown.

"God, you better be back soon, Suga."

Daichi POV:

Daichi hadn't moved from the porch steps for an hour. He's stood there, hands in his pockets, shoulders tense, scowling at nothing in particular for much longer than what is considered to be sane. But he doesn't plan on leaving. No. He doesn't plan on moving a single muscle until Suga is back and he sees for himself that the omega is alright.

He knows he should calm himself, the stress and anxiety seem to fuel his anger at being left out of the loop when Suga was returning to that... that place. It doesn't help that he'd already been trapped in a self depreciating spiral at the fact that Tendou had relapsed, he thought he'd been doing better. He couldn't help but blame himself. This was just the cherry on top of the stressful cake. Suga could have at least given him a heads up. Is that so much to ask?

Another 20 minutes pass ever so slow before a lone figure rounds the corner on to the block. The silvery hair reflecting the morning sun helps Daichi immediately recognize them as Suga. Before he can comprehend anything else, he practically leaps from the porch stairs and takes off in a dead sprint towards the omega.

The younger man is dressed in tiny, tight shorts with fishnets and a lacy corset top. He holds a pair of heels in his hand as he stumbles along the sidewalk with a slight limp. Daichi's vision goes red when he takes in his disheveled demeanor. Small bite marks are scattered along the column of his throat and there is a hand shaped bruise wrapped around his bicep.

The alpha stops in front of the omega, mere centimeters away, towering over him. Suga tilts his head back to look up at him.

"Where the hell were you?" He growls. The silver haired man steps back.

"I don't like your tone." Is all he says. He moves to step around the alpha but Daichi steps in front of him once again.

"You we're out all night. Nobody knew where you were! Not even a text? What the hell is that about?" He doesn't know why he feels so angry, but he does. He can't stand the fact that he had no idea of the omega's whereabouts for an entire night.

"I was with a client. My phone died. I'm fine." He states curtly.

"We didn't know that! I was worried sick. Akaashi was worried."

"You don't need to worry about me." Suga pushes past him and makes his way towards the house.

"Of course I'm going to worry! You're-" He growls and storms after the omega. "You can't just keep us in the dark like that!"

"That's how it's always been, Daichi. I don't need to tell you everything." They make it into the house and Suga pauses only briefly to check in on his daughter before rushing up the stairs.

"We're not done talking about this!" His voice has become quite loud now, he is nearing full alpha mode but there isn't much he can do at this point to stop it. Suga ignores him and rushes into the bathroom, turning to slam the door. He is unsuccessful as Daichi catches it before it can click closed, forcing it further open. "Would you listen to me?" The angry, teary eyes that look up into his give him pause.

"No, you listen to me!" Now it is Suga who is yelling. "I've just come back from a taxing night of work and I'm exhausted. I need a break. I need to take care of myself and debrief or else I'm never going to recover from this. You know what I do every night. Do you think that's something I'm proud of? Is that what you want me to say before I walk out the door. 'Hey Daichi, I'm heading off to get get fucked by a dozen alphas or so, I may be back tonight or I may not depending on how much they pay for me.' Is that what you want? You want me to have to say it out loud like it isn't humiliating enough?" Tears stream down his face steadily now.

"I had to walk home like this, Dai." He gestures to his outfit frantically. "People saw me. Do you know what that feels like? Do you know how they were looking at me? Like I was filthy. And I am. I'm so filthy that I can't even go to see my daughter right when I get home because she won't recognize my scent under all of this alpha. And you think I want to come tell you the dirty details about where I've been? You want me to tell you if I'm okay? I'm not okay, Daichi. I'm exhausted. And I'm sick of this. But I need to support my daughter, and I won't be a charity case. I'll do anything for her but when I get home I just want to shower and see my baby after a shitty night and I really don't need you interrogating me as soon as I get back. I know you were worried. I understand. But you need to reign whatever this is in because I don't think I can handle this."

Daichi stands still for a long moment. Suga is right. He's been acting way out of line. It's almost impossible to stop, though, when he thinks of everything the omega goes through and how he isn't there to stop it. To protect him. To kill every single one of those disgusting alphas that try to lay their hands on Suga. He doesn't realize he's been growling until his hand is taken by two smaller ones.

"Listen to me." The omega says gently. He brings Daichi's hand up to his chest, resting it right over his heart where he can feel the steady beat. "I'm okay. Do you feel that? I'm alive and you don't have to worry about me. I'm sorry that I scared you, I am. And I will try to be better about letting someone know when I'm out but you need to understand that I can't always do that. Understand that I can handle myself. You need to trust me." Daichi squeezes his eyes shut, trying to shake off his lingering instincts that demand him to hide the omega away from the rest of the world.

"I... I'm so sorry, Suga. I shouldn't have acted like that. I freaked out, you shouldn't be the one comforting me after the night you've had. I'm sorry."

"It's alright, Dai." He guides Daichi's hand back to the space between them, his hands lingering a second too long before finally releasing his hold in the alpha. He flashes a small smile. "Now let me shower, would you?" Daichi finally snaps back to his senses and blushes a furious red.

"R-right, of course! Sorry." He backs out of the bathroom in a hurry, shoulder smacking the door frame in his way out, making him hiss in pain. He blushes once again at the giggle that sounds from inside the bathroom. The door clicks shut and he finds himself standing outside for a few long moments. Now what? He could go downstairs but part of him demands that he does not leave the omega alone. He debates his options carefully but in the end, instinct prevails and he lowers himself to the floor in front of the door, making himself comfortable while he waits for Suga to finish.

When had this happened? He's acting like a clingy puppy who can't stand to be alone. But he can't help it that every fiber of his being demands that he stay near the other man. He wants to make up for his earlier behavior but he doesn't know how. Hell, sitting outside the bathroom as the omega showers probably isn't the best way to go.

He's deep in contemplation when the floorboards creak down the hall and he snaps his head up in the direction of the sound. Akaashi stands there, still cradling the pouting child to his chest. The omega continues his approach until he stands in front of the alpha gazing down at him, less fearful than he'd ever been.

"You want to gain his trust?" It is more a statement than a question.

"Yes." More than anything.

"Stand up." It is hardly like any command that would come from an alpha, but it is a command nonetheless, stern and motherly and sure. Daichi does. He is slightly surprised to find that Akaashi is nearly eye level with him, quite tall for an omega, certainly taller than Suga and Yamaguchi. His eyes are intense, and they practically burn holes into Daichi. "Suga needs somebody to care for him. Not control."

He lets the words sink in, and so does Daichi.

"If you try to control him. He will never truly trust you." Daichi furrows his brows. Akaashi raises his pointedly. He holds Keiko out for Daichi to take and he does so wordlessly. "Come with me." The alpha only hesitates a moment, glancing back towards the bathroom before he follows the raven haired man.

Akaashi leads him downstairs and in to the kitchen where he fills a kettle with water and sets it on the stove. He lights the oven and walks right out of the kitchen, Daichi follows. Akaashi heads into the main sitting room and grabs two of the blankets from the large pile beside the couch. He sniffs them carefully, seeming to decide that they were good enough.

He then leads Daichi further down the hall and around a few corners, right to a smaller sitting room, this one with a large fire place and several bookshelves. It wasn't nearly as big as the other sitting rooms, though it was much cozier. Akaashi lays the blankets carefully on the cushiony loveseat before going to turn on the fireplace. He pulls the heavy maroon curtains closed so the room becomes dim.

"The water should be ready." He says as he goes back to adjusting the blankets. "He likes chamomile." Daichi nods and starts to leave the room, but pauses when he remembers the child in his arms. He'd gotten better at holding the baby but was most definitely comfortable making a hot beverage with the delicate thing in his arms. Akaashi chuckles and moves to take Keiko from his arms. "I'll bring Suga here. You bring him the tea." The alpha nods and leaves to fulfill his duty.

He makes his way into the kitchen and opens the cupboard where they keep the mugs. Most everyone in the packhouse has their own mug that they tend to use so he goes to the next shelf where they keep the extras. He scans the spare mugs, eyes landing on a pale yellow one with tiny delicate flowers carved into the side. He smiles to himself, if there were ever a mug that would fit Suga, this was it. He pours the hot water into the mug and grabs a chamomile tea bag, steeping it in the water.

He gathers the mug into his hands and makes his way back to the small sitting room. He passes Akaashi on the way, the omega giving him a small nod. He stops once he reaches the closed door, unsure how to approach the omega after the way he'd acted earlier. Will he even want to see him? He stands up straight, taking a deep breath, and knocks gently on the door.

"Come in." Suga says from the other side. He pushes the door open slowly and peeks inside, waiting to see Suga's reaction at seeing him. "Dai." He says with an airy laugh that nearly makes Daichi drop the warm mug in his hand. It's a miracle he doesn't though, the omega looks absolutely breathtaking. The glow of the fire illuminated his soft facial features and lights up those hazel eyes. His hair, still slightly damp, falls onto his face, framing it perfectly. His gentle smile accelerates the alpha's heartbeat instantly. He looks relaxed and content, holding his daughter close ever so gently. He's wrapped up in the blankets Akaashi had laid out, bundled up in the corner of the love seat, legs tucked under him.

"Hey." Daichi steps into the room but stops a few feet away from the small couch. "I-I brought this for you." He holds up the mug. Suga's smile widens slightly and he pats the spot next to him. Daichi sits, albeit a bit hesitantly. The couch is quite small and leaves little room for him not to be touching the omega in some fashion. The omega, however, doesn't seem to mind a bit as he takes the offered tea.

"Thank you." He says quietly.

"Of course. Akaashi told me you like chamomile." Suga takes a sip and smiles.

"He was definitely right." God, he was beautiful.

"Suga." He can practically feel the pained expression in his face. "I'm so sorry about the way I treated you this morning. That was incredibly unfair of me. I was on edge and I was overprotective and I came off as a dick and I'm so so sorry." He how's his head in shame. Suga's smile doesn't leave his face.

"It's okay, Dai. I understand. Your instincts got the better of you and I kept you out of the loop, it must have been nerve wracking. I know you're used to protecting everyone." The both chuckle. "Mr. head alpha." He's gorgeous when he laughs. "But remember, I've been doing this for a long time." Daichi suppresses a growl at that. "I've taken care of myself for this long and I plan to continue to do so. I don't like what I do. It's hard. And I don't really like to discuss it outside in the rest of my life. That's why I freaked out at you. And I apologize for that." Daichi shook his head.

"You don't need to apologize for that. You should never have to apologize for sticking you your boundaries. It was completely on me for pushing them."

“I appreciate your apology.” He laughs to himself. “You guys are certainly different than most alphas.” Daichi chuckles.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Suga nods, his smile wavering ever so slightly. Daichi’s eye catches on the dark marks on the omegas neck.

“Definitely a compliment.” The mood isn’t allowed to plummet any further as Keiko starts to whine. Kicking her little legs unhappily. Suga tuts down at her. “Somebody’s hungry.” He sets his tea down on the coffee table and moves to unbutton the snaps located at the shoulder of his shirt. Daichi moves to stand.

“I’ll give you some privacy.” He stops when he feels a hand gently grab his arm. He looks to Suga, surprised. The omega looks at him, eyes almost hopeful.

“Stay?” Daichi’s heart nearly leaps in his chest. “Your scent. I… Can you stay? U-unless that makes you uncomfortable! I-I understand if-“

“Not at all.” Daichi shakes his head. “I just thought you’d prefer privacy.”

“I don’t mind. If it’s you.” The smaller man says quietly, eyes downcast. Daichi sits back down on the couch.

“Then of course I can stay.” Suga smiles softly.

“Thank you.” He whispers. He then turns his attention back to unsnapping his shirt and bra. Of course, Daichi averts his gaze. He doesn’t want to come off as a creep, after all. When the soft sounds of Keiko’s suckling can be heard, he turns his attention back towards the omega. He could stare at him all day.

And finally, for the first time in 48 hours, Daichi can feel himself start to relax.

Chapter Text

Tsukishima POV:

Tsukishima wakes to the sun shining on his face. He squints into the light as he sits up from the fouton he had laid on the floor. His gaze immediately falls on his bed where the small family is still curled up, fast asleep. He can't help but smile at the puddle of limbs and blankets they had created. Eiji's arm had made its way out of his blanket cocoon that Tadashi had so carefully created, now thrown up over his head. Aito had freed himself completely of his own blanket and instead had burrowed himself under Tadashi's hoodie once again, all that could be seen of him was a little sock-clad foot sticking out of the bottom.

And then there was Tadashi. How could anyone describe Tadashi? He was on his side, one leg having worked its way on top of the covers and bent up towards his chest. He had a firm hold on Eiji even in his sleep. His head rested on the pillow, dark hair sleep rumpled and splayed out around his head. The soft sun shone down on his face making his freckles pop even more than usual. His face looks so serene, Tsukishima can't help but to reach out and stroke his cheek gently.

Tadashi shifts in response to the soft touch and Tsukishima cringes away. Those big eyes flutter open to look right at him, squinting slightly to adjust to the light.

"Tsukki." He says sleepily, a soft smile graces his features. The alpha thinks he may have never seen anything so beautiful.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." He says almost sheepishly. Yamaguchi only shakes his head with a small laugh.

"It's alright. I should make the boys' breakfast before they wake up." He starts to maneuver himself into a position where he can remove Aito from his clothing, wincing all the while at his own movement.

"No no no. You stay right there." Tsukishima gently pushes his shoulders back to lay him down again. "I'll bring you all breakfast. You just rest."

"Tsukki n-" A stern look from the alpha is enough to cut off his protests.

"Let me take care of you, Dashi." Yams finally gives in and Tsukishima makes his way out of the bedroom with a satisfied smirk. He yawns as he makes his way downstairs, he pauses briefly as he sees Daichi out the front window, standing stiffly on the front porch stairs, staring down the street with a glare. He shrugs to himself, not wanting to get into that right now.

He makes his way into the kitchen, which is now busy with everyone waking around the same time. Asahi is going about his usual routine, preparing oatmeal and tea for himself, the Miya twins are sat at the kitchen table, bickering not too quietly about whatever, Osamu rolling his eyes at his twin who speaks with his mouth full of a piece of toast. Kiyoomi sits beside the blonde twin, his hand discreetly resting on the omega's thigh under the table.

Ushijima also sits at the table, though seemingly unaware of his surroundings as he glares down at his untouched coffee with a contemplative look on his face. Though that doesn't seem to be too out of the ordinary for the stoic alpha.

Tsukishima opens the fridge and grabs everything he will need to prepare a good breakfast for Tadashi and his children, spreading them all out on the counter. He decides on making French toast, an easy recipe as well as delicious and filling. He makes several pieces, definitely more than the small family could probably eat but he figures too much is much better than them being hungry after the meal.

He makes sure to cut up some strawberries for the side, placing some on the top as well. He prepares a cup of tea for Tadashi as well as one for himself that he sips on while he gets Aitos milk. He pauses when it comes to Eiji's. Unlike Aito's, this was actual formula. He'd never made a bottle in his life. He reads the instructions on the container carefully at least three times before getting warm water from the sink and scooping some formula into the bottle. He shakes it thoroughly before he's satisfied. He retrieves a tray from the back of one of the lower cabinets, one big enough to fit the plates, tea, and milk. He also gets a glass of water and grabs Tadashi's painkillers that the hospital had given them. When he's piled everything carefully so he knows it won't fall, he begins to make his way back up to his bedroom.

When he arrives, Tadashi is knelt on the floor, changing Eiji's diaper. Or at least attempting to while the boy squirms around unhappily. Aito is sitting up in the bed, hair a mess, blinking sleepily at Tsukishima, who has to repress a laugh at the state of the blonde pup.

"I brought breakfast." He says as he kicks the door closed with his foot. Tadashi gasps animatedly.

"What's that, Eiji? Don't you want breakfast? It was so nice of Tsukki to bring it for us. Now just hold still for one second." Eiji seems to comply well enough, allowing Tadashi to finally wrestle him into a clean diaper and a new outfit. "There we go. What a sweet boy!" He praises the child as he lifts him up to peck him on the cheek. Eiji purrs happily at the praise. Tsukishima sets the tray on the bedside table. Tadashi carries Eiji back to the bed and sets him next to his brother.

"Would you watch them while I wash my hands quick?"

"Of course." Tadashi smiles at him before making his way to the en suite bathroom. While he's away Tsukishima hands the still dazed Aito his milk and catches Eiji from rolling right off the bed twice, the raven haired baby babbling happily all the while. When the omega returns, Tsukishima helps him lower himself down on to the bed, cringing whenever he winces or hisses in pain.

"You okay?" Yamaguchi nods. "I brought your painkillers. Don't take them on an empty stomach." He pushes the tray towards Tadashi as he says it. The omega looks up at him with watering eyes when he sees the plates piled with food.

"Tsukki, you didn't have to do all this."

"I wanted to. Now please, eat." Tadashi accepts one of the plates from him, beginning to cut the toast up into small pieces, when he doesn't start eating Tsukishima realizes he's cutting it for Aito. He reaches for the plate.

"Let me. You eat." He uses his other hand to give the omega the other plate before continuing Yamaguchi's work in cutting up the food. Aito seems to pick up on what he's doing as he scoots closer to the alpha, eyeing the food on the plate. Tsukishima hasn't even finished cutting by the time the little blonde grabs onto his arm and opens his mouth wide. The alpha chuckles and stabs a bite, holding it up to Aito's mouth, figuring it would be easier to avoid getting the small boy's hands all sticky. The pup accepts the bite of food and chews it contentedly.

Tsukki smiles down at his son. So does Tadashi. The omega leans down to nuzzle the pup softly, purring lovingly and releasing his scent. Aito giggles and the sound fills the alpha's chest with warmth.

"Mamamamama." Eiji chants, wanting some of the same love. Tadashi laughs and pulls the smaller pup into his lap, showering him with kisses and giving him his bottle. The baby takes it in both hands, drinking hungrily as he looks up at his mother with those big eyes.

Tsukki continues to feed Aito while also watching to make sure Yams is eating properly. He feels an undeniable satisfaction whilst caring for the three people in front of him. He finds himself hoping he can do it for the rest of his life.

Tadashi has eaten almost half of his second piece of toast when he freezes, drawing Tsukishima's attention instantly. The omega stares at his plate with wide eyes.

"Dashi?" The nickname barely leaves his mouth before Tadashi pushes Eiji into Tsukishima's lap and makes a mad sprint to the bathroom, where the sounds of coughing and gagging soon follow. Tsukishima gently sets Eiji back down on the mattress, making sure to prop him against a pillow lest he tumble off the bed again.

"Dashi?" He asks again, knocking gently on the door.

"I'm fine." Is all he manages to get out before he coughs again. When a particularly violent gag comes from inside the alpha bristles.

"I'm coming in."

"N-no." He ignores the omega and steps inside. Tadashi kneels on the tile floor, face in the toilet, emptying his stomach of his breakfast.

Morning sickness.

He doesn't hesitate to kneel next to the smaller man, rubbing his back soothingly and whispering comforting words.

"I'm sorry-" He's cut off as he retches into the toilet bowl once again.

"Don't apologize. It's okay. You're okay." Tadashi's body can't seem to decide whether to put more energy into crying or throwing up and Tsukishima knows he must be exhausted. Not to mention the pain he is surely still in. The omega sobs again, one arm propping himself against the toilet, the other moving to wrap around his stomach.

"I'm so tired, Tsukki." He states once he seems to be finished. The tears continue to stream steadily down his face, breaking Tsukishima's heart. The brokenness of his voice makes it difficult for the alpha not to pull him in close, shield him from the cold world, and kiss his tears away.

"I know, Dashi." The freckled man leans back into Tsukishima's shoulder, the alpha gladly supporting his weight for him, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "I know." Tadashi reaches up to run a shaky hand through the blonde's hair.

"I missed you, Tsukki." Tsukishima buries his face into the omegas neck, eyes stinging with tears. Tadashi's hand remains on the back of his head.

"I'm so sorry, Dashi. This is all my fault." He can feel Tadashi shaking his head. "You must hate me. I'm so sorry."

"No." His hand moves down to cup Tsukishima's cheek, moving his head to face him. "I've never hated you. I could never." He says it with such a fierceness that Tsukishima couldn't think he was lying if he wanted to. Not that it makes him feel better. Tadashi should hate him. He's horrible. But how could he wish for that when the omega looks at him like this. He looks into those beautiful eyes for a few seconds too long to consider normal before a wail from the bedroom causes both adults to snap their attention towards the door.

Tadashi is the first one to spring off the floor. Moving nearly at the speed of light towards the sound of his distressed pup. Tsukishima follows closely behind. They rush in to see the two boys still on the bed but Eiji has continued to roll around and has found himself directly on top of Aito's casted arm. The older pup cries pitifully, trying to pull the injured arm from under his brother though only succeeding on putting himself in more pain.

Tadashi immediately lifts Eiji from his older brother's arm and places him back down on the bed before inspecting Aito's arm carefully. The blonde continues to cry as he reaches up for his mother to hold him.

"It's okay, my sweet boy. You're okay." Yams nuzzles the boy softly, purring to comfort the small pup. Eiji seems to sense that he'd done something very wrong and he too starts to tear up as he grabs on to Yamaguchi's shirt and pulls himself up to stand on wobbly little legs. The omega leans down to take the other boy into his arms as well, grunting in pain at the weight he has taken on from both pups. As much as Tsukishima would like to help, he knows better than to interrupt.

"It's okay, baby. You didn't mean to hurt Aito. I know, my love." Aito doesn't seem to like the sight of his crying brother and leans over to wrap his own arms around the raven haired baby. Tsukishima smiles at that. Even at three years old, the boy reflects so much of his mother's kindness, comforting his brother with a face still wet from his own tears. When the boys have calmed down, Yamaguchi sighs. He turns to the alpha and speaks softly. "Is there a shower we can use?"

"Of course, you can use mine." He gestures towards his bathroom.

"Thank you!" The smaller man bows his head. He sets the boys down, nearly collapsing had Tsukishima not been there to stabilize him. He speaks softly to them before going to retrieving their stuff from a bag. The boys watch him quietly, Eiji plopping down onto his bottom when he gets tired of standing. Tsukishima tries to tone down the worry of the hurt omega in the slippery shower with two pups to care of.

"Dashi, are you sure-" Tadashi cuts him off quickly.

"I'm capable of taking a shower Tsukki." His words are sure but not unkind. The alpha doesn't argue further, nodding his head and stepping to the side. Tadashi retrieves Eiji from the floor, holding him in one arm and the towels and shampoo in the other, Aito following close behind. When the door clicks closed behind the omega and pups, he turns his attention towards cleaning up the dishes from breakfast.

He loads the tray up and takes it back down to the kitchen where he washes and dries them before putting them away. Just as he closes the last cupboard, Bokuto sulks into the kitchen, hair deflated and familiar pout on his face. He's obviously exhausted, still dressed in his workout attire and skin shining with sweat, a new bruise adorning his jaw. He sighs loudly as he slumps into a chair.

"And what's with you?" The tall blonde turns to lean back against the counter to look at the depressed man. Bokuto doesn't have a chance to answer before Kuroo struts into the kitchen, catlike smirk plastered on his face despite his obvious exhaustion.

"Oh that? He's just upset I bested him before his big match." The bedheaded man says, looking awful proud of himself. It wasn’t often Bokuto could be beat in a fight. Tsukishima rolls his eyes, pulling Kuroo closer by his arm.

"You idiot! You really think that was a good idea? You're going to have to cheer him up or he doesn't stand a chance tonight." They both look back at the dejected alpha, who has face planted onto the table. He could never fight when he was in his dejected mode. And they have a lot of money riding on this fight. Kuroo looks at the pouting man for a long moment before cursing under his breath. He turns back to Tsukishima but the alpha is already walking away. "Deal with it yourself."

With that, he makes his way back upstairs to his own room. As he arrives, Tadashi is just stepping out of the bathroom, followed by a cloud of steam. Tsukishima freezes a few feet into the room as he takes the omega in. Tadashi has dressed himself in an oversized t-shirt and a pair of dangerously short shorts. He swallows thickly. The omegas green hair is damp, a few pieces sticking to his forehead, his cheeks flushed from the warmth of the bathroom.

The alpha almost smiles before his eyes catch on the dark purple bruises that mark the omegas thighs. His good mood immediately plummets with the sudden reminder of what he had put the omega through over the past four years.

Tadashi holds a wiggling Eiji in his arms, wrapped in a towel and babbling away. Aito stands in the middle of the room, bundled up in a towel of his own, this one with a little hood that makes him look like a little dinosaur. His injured arm wrapped carefully in a plastic bag to avoid greeting his cast wet. Tsukishima smiles.

"It's cute, right?" Yams steps closer to the pup and the alpha, resting a gentle hand on the boy's head. "I couldn't resist it when I saw it in the store." He smiles sadly to himself. "It reminded me of you." The words hit him like a shard of ice to his heart.

"It's adorable." So are you. He keeps that one to himself as he looks at the beautiful man in front of him. Tadashi blushes at the intense gaze and Eiji drops his head heavily onto his mother's shoulder, burying his face into the crook of his neck.

"I-I should get the boys dressed." He says, still flushed. He rushes over to the diaper bag and begins his long process of getting a squirming Eiji to cooperate. Aito takes it upon himself to get his own clothes and makes his way over to one of the suitcases that is still packed, digging around until he pulls out some of his own items. Tsukishima is quite impressed that the young pup can dress himself so well, only getting tangled up in his shirt when he tries to get his head through the hole.

"Could you help him, Tsukki?" Tadashi asks over his shoulder from where he is still trying to get Eiji's arm into a onesie sleeve.

"Yeah. I got it." He approaches the struggling pup slowly. "Hey bud, you need some help there?" He's only answered with a frustrated whine. He grabs the shirt in his hands and maneuvers it around as gently as possible so the pup can put his head through, looking up at him gratefully. When Tadashi is finished dressing Eiji, he stands with a muted groan of pain while taking on the extra weight of a pup.

"Okay, I think it's time for you to go back to resting." Tsukishima says with a worried look on his face.

"I can't just lay in bed all day, Tsukki." The omega pouts so adorably that the alpha nearly gives in.

"Well you certainly won't be straining yourself." He stops for a moment to think. "How about the couch downstairs? We can put on a movie, relax. The pups will like it." Tadashi considers for only a moment before nodding.

"That could work." Tsukishima slumps with relief at the agreement.

"Alright then." A pause. "Let me take him down the stairs for you Dashi." He gestures to the pup clutched securely to the omega's chest. The smaller man pouts for a moment before handing the baby over. The alpha holds him ever so gently, terrified that the child may burst into tears at any moment. The pup, however, looks at his mom. Curious but not upset at being handed off to the blonde.

They make their way to the stairs where Tadashi can hold the railing now that his hands are free, slowly making his way down the stairs. Painfully, but successfully. Aito doesn’t move much faster, sidestepping carefully down the too big steps. Tsukishima waits for them at the bottom, fully prepared for either one of them to take a tumble, knowing he’d be there in an instant and they’d never get the chance to hit the ground. Eiji babbles all the while, grabbing clumsily at Tsukishima’s glasses.

When both Tadashi and Aito make it to the bottom, the alpha nearly slumps in relief. He leads them to the living room where he waits for Tadashi to settle on the couch before returning the younger pup to him. He helps Aito crawl up beside his mother and gets a blanket to hand to the omega, who drapes it over himself and the pups with a quiet thank you.

The alpha then goes to turn on the tv and retrieves the remote before sitting himself down a safe distance away from the others on the couch. He is surprised when the omega throws part of the blanket over his legs, he looks up in question and Tadashi just smiles, taking his pups into his arms and scooting closer to lean against the alpha. And if Tsukishima blushed, nobody needs to know.

Chapter Text

Akaashi POV:

Akaashi wipes his mouth and flushes the toilet before going to splash water onto his face. When he's cooled of a bit he looks up at himself in the mirror. In his seventh month of pregnancy, he knows he shouldn't be experiencing morning sickness, that hasn't been an issue since month 3. Maybe he just ate something bad.

After Suga had returned home, Akaashi had made sure he was alright and gotten him set up in a cozy sitting room with Keiko and a blanket. And an alpha. So basically anything the other omega could ever need, right? As soon as he'd made sure that Daichi did his job right and Suga was okay, he'd gone straight back to bed and taken a long nap. He hasn't felt this tired in a long while, and just as he was adjusting to a proper sleep schedule too. How frustrating.

Akihiko had tried to rope him into playing as he'd gone up the stairs but the omega had told him to go see if Aito was awake, though he was fairly certain the pup was still holed up in Tsukishima's room with his mother.

He'd slept for nearly two hours and woken up in a daze. His head felt fuzzy and he had absolutely no idea what time it was. He makes his way down the stairs where he sees Aito and Aki sitting at the coffee table, coloring. Eiji sits with them, though he's more focused on alternating between banging the markers on the table and putting them in his mouth. Aki runs over to him when he spots him and shows him his coloring sheet proudly.

"See I made, mama?" He holds up a messily colored owl proudly.

"Very good, baby!" He says with a tired smile, ruffling the pup's dark hair before continuing on to the kitchen table. Slumping into a seat by the table a resting a hand on his stomach, feeling a small kick from the baby. Aki follows him and crawls up into the chair beside him, showing his coloring to his mother again, babbling about owls excitedly.

The omega lays his head down onto his arms folded on the table. He wishes he could pay more attention to his son, who is so obviously asking for it, but he's just so exhausted and his son almost sounds muffled. Everything does, actually. The only noise that gets through to his muddled brain is the sound of a glass being set down on the wooden table. He looks up to see Kuroo smirking down at him.

"Rough morning?"

"You could call it that." He says, nodding gratefully and taking a few gulps of water. Kenma appears at Kuroo's side and leans into the alpha with a purr. Kuroo chuckles and wraps the small man into his arms. Kenma looks at Akaashi and sniffs before leaning into his alpha's ear and speaking softly. The alpha then looks down at him for a moment as well.

"Hey, are you feeling okay Akaashi? You smell a bit... off." He's tiptoeing around the subject, Akaashi can tell, not wanting to offend the omega.

"I'm fine." He says softly. "Just like you said, rough morning."

"Alright." The alpha seems to pause, unsure. "Well, if you need anything you'll let any of us know, right?" Keiji nods in response. "Great. Well I've got to go rub my victory in Bo's face again." He says with an excited giggle. Kenma rolls his eyes as the alpha scampers off in another direction. The pudding haired omega stands there for a long moment, looking unsure of what to do. He finally settles on sitting across from the other and there is a long beat of silence, the result of the two most obviously introverted people in the house sitting alone together.

Eventually, Akihiko gets sick of the quiet and starts to explain his coloring to Kenma instead who tries to follow along as well as best he can. It is quite obvious the other omega is not used to children and Keiji almost wants to laugh. When the pup is finally done with his rant, he toddles back to Aito and his colors, talking about coloring another owl so his doesn't get lonely. Kenma watches him go.

"He's very cute." He says shyly. Akaashi laughs softly.

"And doesn't he know it. Be careful around him, he'll use it against you." This prompts a laugh from the smaller man. Suddenly he turns serious and leans closer to Akaashi.

"Akaashi-San. Pardon me for being forward, but are you touched starved?" Oh. Of course. How had he not realized sooner. He looks down at his hands, which he now realizes are shaking. He's so stupid. He knows he's prone to this, experienced it before. God, he's an idiot. "It's just. I-I know pregnant omegas are more prone to it and your smell..." He trails off. "I don't mean to pry, I just-"

"No, it's okay, Kenma-San. I appreciate your concern. That may actually be the case, what with Tadashi being hurt and Suga's so busy I haven't really had much time for any scenting or anything. I'll make sure to amend that." He assures. Kenma nods, a sneaky smile creeps on to his face.

"I'm sure you could always ask Bo, you know. I'm sure it would cheer him up." He stands and heads towards the doorway.

"Cheer him up?" Keiji asks, concerned.

"Oh yeah. Kuroo seemed to have gotten lucky today while sparring with Bokuto." An offended squawk from the living room.

"Lucky?! I worked hard for that." Kuroo yells from the other room. Then quieter. "My own omega holds me in such low regard." Kenma shakes his head with a soft laugh. Akaashi finds himself smiling as well.

"I hope you feel better, Akaashi-San." Kenma says with a small bow. Keiji thanks him as he leaves. There's a small pang one his heart at the news that Bokuto is feeling down but he doesn't feel like he can stand, let alone check up on the alpha, he wouldn't know how to comfort him anyways. He sits in the kitchen for a long while, finishing the water. Soon, he feels well enough to make his way down the hall until he finds an empty sitting room, there's so many in this castle of a house that the task wasn't too hard. He then collapses on to this couch and proceeds to take another long nap.

When he wakes, there is a new weight on him and he opens his eyes to find Akihiko sound asleep on his legs, his head using his mother's baby bump as a pillow. Akaashi smiles. The toddler still clutches his coloring sheets in his small hand. He must've come to show Keiji his new work. Sweet boy.

The omega sits up and adjust his son bro a better position so that he may carry him, standing extra carefully so as not to hurt himself or the baby. He still for a moment to make sure he hasn't woken the pup up. When he is sure Aki is still sleeping he heads out into the hallway.

He must've been sleeping for a long while because when he looks out the windows, he can see the sun has already set. Well, at least he feels better. As he nears the kitchen, he can hear voices coming from the living room.

"-gonna cost us a shit ton of money."

"Maybe he'll pull it together last minute." He knows he shouldn't be nosy but he can't halo but take interest in their conversation.

"When have you ever known Bokuto to pull it together last minute?"

"Shit, you're right. Out of all the days for Kuroo to finally pull through and beat him. Damn."

"Well, we need to find a solution. And fast."

"We could make Yakiniku? That might cheer him up?"

"Maybe, but it's not a guarantee and he'll eat too much, he'll get sick if he goes on after that."

"Well, we'll come up with something."

"We'd better, or it's about to be an expensive mistake. And Bo will be in an even worse mood. Talk about months of confidence down the drain. I just hope he doesn't go an get himself hurt." Akaashi squeezes his pup tighter. The sound of footsteps startled him from his thoughts and soon he is face to face with Daichi. Tanaka stands behind him and laughs, leaning against the wall.

"Now there's a solution if I've ever seen one." Daichi also has the same knowing grin on his face and Akaashi takes a step back, wary.

"Akaashi." Daichi speaks as though he's talking to a jumpy cat. "I don't suppose your busy tonight?" He sounds so hopeful. Keiji looks down at the sleeping boy in his arms. He's got to watch over Keiko as well, for Suga.

"The pups." He mutters quietly, once again holding his small boy closer to his body.

"What would you say if we could get someone to watch the pups- they'd be in the best of care, of course- and you come see a real underground fight?" The alpha speaks as if it's the best experience one could have. Why would Akaashi want to go to an underground fight. Where it's dark, and noisy, crowded, and violent.

"I-I don't know if t-that's such a good idea, Daichi-San."

"Well, what if I told you Kuroo would be by your side the whole time, make sure your comfortable and safe?"

"W-why would I go to a street fight?"

"Because a certain bird brained alpha decided to go all dejected on us which means he can't fight for shit and we lose the couple millions of dollars we bet on him tonight, and the only thing that even has us hoping that he can pull through would be the support of a certain bright-eyed omega who he's been gushing over for the past week?" Tanaka states bluntly. Akaashi feels himself blush.

"I don't know if I'd truly make a difference." He shakes his head.

"Trust me." Daichi looks at him sincerely. "You will." The omega is silent for a long moment, thinking to himself.

"Well I... I wouldn't want Bokuto-San to get hurt." A smile creeps on to the alphas' faces. "I'll go."

"Thank you, Akaashi. We owe you big time." He manages a shy smile before he goes to bring Akihiko up to the bed. "Be ready at 11." The alpha shouts after him and he agrees.

With the few hours he has before he need to leave, he makes dinner for himself, Tadashi had told him that Aki had been fed already. He then goes to cuddle with his pup and eventually  Keiko when Suga has to leave for work. When Tadashi hears he is going out tonight, he jumps at the opportunity to watch the pups, saying Akaashi deserves a nice night out, Keiji isn't sure a night in an underground fight club really classified as such.

He takes a shower and dresses in a pair of nice, black dress pants and a cream colored sweater. He throws a black pea coat over his ensemble and adds just a touch of makeup. He smiles at himself in the mirror, happy for the opportunity to look nice on his own accord.

He heads downstairs at exactly 11:00 and Kuroo is waiting by the door. He smiles at Akaashi and the omega finds himself smiling back easily. He's been much better about trusting the alpha's of the packhouse recently and finds himself relieved that Kuroo will be with him during the fight.

When he's out his shoes on and is ready to go, the alpha leads him to a flashy sports car. He smiles to himself. These alphas and their sports cars. When they are situated in the car, the omega begins to relax as the heat finally kicks in and Kuroo pulls out of the driveway.

The drive takes about 45 minutes and Keiji finds himself fiddling nervously with the buttons on his jacket the closer they get. When they pull into the parking lot of an abandoned building, he's shaking again. Kuroo seems to take notice.

"Hey, you'll be fine. We're just gonna be in and out. Go see Bo, watch the fight, and we're done. I'm gonna be there the whole time, so just stick close to me and you'll be okay." Akaashi nods and takes a deep breath. With that, they get out of the car and make their way towards the more than slightly sketchy building.

It's dark and covered in graffiti, over half of the windows have been smashed and all of the doors seem to be chained shut. This seems... illegal. The omega tries not to think about it. He's here for Bokuto.

"This way." Kuroo leads him to the back of the building. Despite his fear of tetanus and various other diseases, he is anxious to get inside and out of the cold. When they reach a back doorway Keiji pauses when he sees there is still a lock around the handles. Kuroo simply pulls the padlock open and undoes the chains. "Fake lock." He explains. "Keeps cops off our trail." Keiji only nods. How did he end up here?

He lets Kuroo lead him inside, trying not to look around too much. The wall paper was peeling and the floor was covered in dirt and glass, the occasional piece of heavy machinery covered in a sheet is scattered around the large room. Akaashi folds his arms over his stomach. He'd never liked being in unfamiliar places.

Kuroo crosses across the large room, glass crunching under his shoes. Keiji follows, watching his steps carefully. The silence is immediately gone when the alpha opens a steel door that leads to a dark staircase. It looks abandoned but the sounds of hundreds of people talking and shouting says otherwise.

"And here we are." Akaashi hesitates at the top of the stairs and Kuroo stops to look up at him. "You good, Akaashi?" At his further hesitance, the alpha takes a few more steps back up. "Look, if your not comfortable with this, we can turn around right now. We don't want to force you into anything." The omega shakes his head.

"No. No, I'm here for Bokuto. I can do this." Kuroo smiles at him before offering his hand to help him down the stairs. It doesn't get any easier when they reach the bottom. Akaashi could think of a number of places he'd rather be. Anywhere. He would rather be literally anywhere.

The basement is dark and damp and it smells horrible. It's stuffed full of people, all standing pressed up against each other. The only empty space in the room is the very middle, that is surrounded by steel crowd control barriers to keep people out. Where the fights are held, he assumes.

"Over here." Kuroo points to one side of the basement and heads to start making his way through the crowd. Akaashi swallows and goes to follow him. They make their way slowly through the crowd, Akaashi protecting his stomach with his arms and Kuroo using his own body to shield the omega from the large alphas that have gathered for the fight. When they finally make it to a secluded hallway, the omega sighs when he breaks through the crowd.

"Just down this way." Kuroo says and leads him down the dark hall. It's still damp and stinky but at least he can breath now, away from the suffocating crowd and alpha pheromones. He leads him to a door way around the end of the hall where he can hear some familiar voices.

"It's almost time, we good to go?"

"What's even the point."

"It'll be fine. You know what your doing."

"Do I, Daichi? Do I really? That obviously wasn't the case this morning with Kuroo." The alpha beside him smirks triumphantly. "I'm a failure."

"You're not a failure Bo. Not when you're the most feared fighter in the underground."

"But that doesn't-" He cuts off suddenly.

"What?" The second voice sounds suddenly wary.

"Is that...?" The door suddenly swings open at full speed, startling the omega. And then he is face to face with Bokuto. "Akaashi!" The large man's eyes light up like the sun. "Wha- you- you're here!" The alpha is so excited he can barely speak, words coming out only in small bursts.

"Hi, Bokuto-San." Daichi and Kuroo share a pleased look.

"Me and Akaashi thought we'd come catch your fight, ya know? Thought I'd show him the best fighter in the underground in action." Bokuto's cheeks turn pink and he scratches the back of his head and laughs almost shyly.

"W-well, I wouldn't go so far as to say the best."

"So modest, Bo!" Daichi slaps him on the back. "Now, let's get you ready. Fight's gonna start soon."

"No, no. I'm good to go. Besides, Akaashi's here, it would be rude to leave him with this sneaky cat all night."Daichi looks shocked.

"What about your routine? You do it before every match!"

"I-I don't want to distract you from your match, Bokuto-San. I don't want to interfere with your routine. I-It sounds very important and I wouldn't want to be the reason you're not prepared."

"Nonsense, if you're here, I can do anything, 'kaashi!" The alpha is practically vibrating with excitement and Keiji blushes.

"Well, you're on in 10, Bo. Do what you will with that time. I'm gonna catch the next fight." Daichi slaps his back again and nods to Akaashi before taking off down the hallway. Kuroo follows with a salute and a wink in their direction. And then they're alone. They're alone and Akaashi is standing there blushing like a schoolgirl and Bokuto is smiling down at him and this is going to be the longest 10 minutes of his life.

"Come in, come in." The alpha steps aside and waves him inside. The interior of the room is much more welcoming than the rest of the building. The wallpaper is still dull and peeling but there is a small lamp and the corner, casting the room in a warm glow. There's an old, chipped dresser large enough to take up on of the walls. Attached is a large, cracked mirror, covered in a thin layer of dust. There's an odd collection of furniture, including a couch pushed up against the opposite wall as the dresser and a few chairs.

There's a large collage of magazine clippings on the wall. Most seem to be from car and boxing magazines. There are also a few old articles from the newspaper, most about busted underground fight rings. The irony makes the omega smile. He rests and hand over his bump when he feels the pup kick.

"Oh god, I'm so rude, here." Bokuto offers a chair and Akaashi sits, grateful to have the weight off his feet.

"Thank you, Bokuto." He smiles. The alpha nods and turns back to the dresser littered with wraps and bandaids, as well as a good deal of trash from a fast food restaurant.

"I can't believe you're here Akaashi." The alpha beams as he starts to wrap his hands.

"Well, I thought I'd come support you. And Kuroo was kind enough to let me tag along with him."

"Well, I really appreciate it. It means a lot. I've  been kind of off today but I feel a lot better now with you here."

"Glad I could help." He studies the alpha as he wraps his hands. He's dressed in a pair of black joggers and a grey hoodie, there's little change from what he usually wears around the house but Akaashi can't help but notice, he looks good. And he makes himself blush once again.

He stand to examine the contents on the dresser, a meager attempt to distract himself from his runaway thoughts. He must've stood to fast because suddenly he gets a head rush and has to hold himself up with a hand in the dresser. Bokuto is by his side in an instant.

"Are you okay, 'Kaashi?" He squeezes his eyes shut and nods. "Let's sit back down, okay?" He gently takes Akaashi by the forearms and helps him to sit down again. "I'll get you some water." He turns and comes back with a plastic cup filled with cool water. He crouches down and hands it to the omega.

"Thank you." He sighs, taking a sip.

"Are you sure you're alright? You look a bit pale. Look, if you're not up for this, it's okay. Just you being here in the first place means a lot. You can go home, come again another time."

"N..." he takes a deep breath. "No, I'm fine. I came here to watch you fight and that's exactly what I'm going to do."

"If you're sure." The alpha sounds unsure. "But if it gets to be too much, you tell Kuroo right away, alright?"

"Yes."

"Okay. And I want you to stay close to him at all times, okay? Don't go getting split up. Daichi's gonna be on the fence, with me. I don't want you up there, the crowd can get kind of wild and I didn't want you to get pushed against the fence." His eyes flick down to the baby bump. "Just stay with Kuroo, he's gonna take care of you." Akaashi laughs.

"You're about to go into a fight and you're worried about me."

"Of course I'm worried. I just want you to be okay." Keiji finds himself leaning in ever so slightly.

"You're one to talk." The alpha leans in as well. "You'll be careful won't you?" Closer. Closer.

"I guess I can try." He says with a smirk. His smile slowly slips away as they continue to lean in. The omega's eyes slip closed, heart beating wildly in his chest. Just as he feels the alpha's breath graze his lips, there's a loud pounding on the door.

"Bo! It's time!" And just like that, his eyes snap open and he pulls away, blushing wildly. Had he really almost kissed Bokuto? An alpha?

"I guess it's go time." The alpha stands, not making eye contact with Keiji, his face a deep red. "I'll see you after, alright." All the omega can do is nod. He pulls his hood up and then he’s gone, following Daichi into the bustling crowd.

“Well, let’s go find a good spot.” Kuroo says. And then they too are immersed in the crowd, surrounded by loud, rowdy people. Kuroo pushes through and Akaashi follows behind in the space he makes. A few times, the alpha has to growl at someone getting too close to the omega. And Keiji feels safe. Soon enough they stop halfway in, a spot with fewer people but still with a good view of the arena. “This’ll do.” Kuroo says.

For the next two minutes, Akaashi waits in anticipation. He was already intimidated by most of the onlookers, he can’t imagine who Bokuto would be up against.

Before he can think too hard about it, a scrawny man who looks like he could use a shave and a shower steps up to announce the next match. He introduces the opponent as Daishou. The man sheds his robe with a smirk and Akaashi can’t help but think he looks like a snake.

“And now, let’s give a warm welcome to our undefeated champ. Bokuto!!” The crowd goes wild with cheers and boos alike, but Akaashi just focuses Im his attention solely on Bokuto. The tall man steps through the barriers and into the arena, unzipping his hoodie and shrugging it off to reveal his bare torso. Akaashi nearly drools. The alpha looks razor focused, burning gold eyes analyzing his opponent.

When the announcer starts to count down to the start of the match, Akaashi feels his heart leap into his throat. 3. He brings one hand up to his mouth, biting on his thumb nail nervously. 2. He brings his other hand to wrap around his bump, a nervous habit he’s picked up since he’d found out he was pregnant. 1. A soundless gasp leaves his mouth as both Bokuto and Daishou lunge for one another, Bokuto’s fist colliding hard with Daishou’s jaw.

Akaashi had seen small squirmishes between angry alphas before. Never had he ever seen two alphas in a full on fight. It was terrifying. Both men were merciless, both of their faces were covered in blood but neither seemed to notice. Bokuto snarls, probably the scariest thing the alpha has ever done and Akaashi does not envy Daishou. The snakelike man is looking tired, obviously having taken the harder beating over the two.

The crowd is starting to get worked up as the fight nears its end. The space that Akaashi and Kuroo had once had was now nothing as people pushed against them from all directions. The omega was starting to feel quite uncomfortable. When Bokuto’s fist collided with Daishou’s temple with a crack, the crowd surges forward and Akaashi stumbles. This is too much. He can hardly breathe. His breathing comes only in short gasps and Kuroo turns towards him.

“Akaashi.” His voice sounds muffled. He leans closer to say something else but the omega can’t hear him over the sound of his blood rushing through his ears. He can only see the alpha’s mouth moving. He can’t move. The last time his movement had been restrained was not a pleasant memory and yet it was all he could think about. He’s scared.

He can feel Kuroo’s hands on his shoulders and can put together that the alpha is trying to maneuver him out of the crowd but he can barely walk. Just then, the crowd surges forward again and he falls forward towards Kuroo. The alpha is just as startled as him and his hands catch him around the waist. Around the baby bump.

White hot pain shoots through the omega’s torso. The baby. He has to protect his baby. He couldn’t let any alpha try to take his pup again. Before he can comprehend what is happening, a feral growl rips from his throat and his hand lashes out, catching Kuroo across the face, leaving four small gashes right under his eye.

His mind clears briefly. No. No, he shouldn’t have done that. Kuroo looks back at him but he can’t seem to find the anger there, just concern. Then the dizziness hits him and he clings to consciousness before only a moment before the darkness closes in on him.

Iwaizumi POV:

Iwaizumi sighs as he steps through the front door, exhausted after a long day. He kicks his shoes off haphazardly, nobody would be awake at this hour anyway. Or they would at least be in their rooms. He shuffles into the kitchen, blinking in surprise when he finds the lights still on.

Oikawa stands with one leg bent up on the counter to prop himself up close enough to reach the highest shelf. Iwaizumi find his eyes scanning the omega's lithe form appreciatively. He quickly recovers from that one, however. When Oikawa finally reaches the silver tin of hot chocolate mix, he relaxes with a sigh, both feet coming back to the floor.

"What are you doing?" The omega yelps and spins around, banging his head on the open cupboard door.

"Ow! Iwa-Chan!" He whines, pressing his palm on his temple. "Don't scare me like that!"

"Oi, how many times do I have to tell you not to tell me that, Shittykawa?" The omega huffs in annoyance at the name.

"Well if you must know, Iwa-Chan," This time he emphasizes the childish nickname, the alpha rolls his eyes. "I was just hungry so I came down to find myself a snack, and then I thought to myself, why not make a hot chocolate? I haven't had hot chocolate in such a long time, who doesn't like hot chocolate? Do you like it Iwa-Chan?" Okay, at this point he was throwing the name in the alpha's face.

"I did." The omega smirks up at him from where he's leaned onto the counter. "When I was seven." Oikawa gasps, as if offended.

"That can't be right! When was the last time you had it?" Iwaizumi looks up, as if contemplating.

"Let's see, when I was seven."

"Well, there's your problem then! That's it, I'm going to make you the best hot chocolate you've ever had and you'll have no choice but to agree with me." The alpha shakes his head, exasperated, but sits down at the kitchen table nonetheless.

He watches as Oikawa makes his way around the kitchen, pouring warm milk into mugs and adding the chocolate, stirring carefully, humming all the while. Iwaizumi eyes follow him throughout. He smirks at the omega's cheery smile as he adds whip cream and marshmallows as a final touch. Soon enough, he places the mugs on the table and pushes one towards Iwaizumi, big brown eyes watching him excitedly. He sighs in resignation before taking the offered mug and taking a small sip, surprised at the pleasantly sweet taste that spreads warmly across his tongue.

"Aaaand I told you so." The omega says before he has the chance to do much as speak.

"I didn't even say anything."

"I can see it in your eyes, Iwa-Chan." He says with a sly smile and a glint in his eyes. Cute. "I was right."

"Whatever, Shittykawa." He goes for a second sip anyway. The omega giggles before taking a sip from his own mug, pulling away with a little whip cream mustache on his upper lip. A wave of frustration comes right after the temptation of kissing it off.

"What?" He asks when he notices the alpha's stare. He clears his throat awkwardly and gestures to his own mouth. The omega quickly wipes it off with a blush. Fucking adorable. Hajime sighs.

"So where were you at this hour?" Oikawa leans forward with a mischievous look in his face. "Off to visit a secret lover?" The alpha just glares. "Ah, Iwa-Chan isn't the romance type?"

And he's not. Never had been. He'd never had the time nor the interest for romantic relationships. He'd always been more of a one night stand type, with the occasional semi-consistent sexual partner, but never further than that. Most definitely not the romance type. It wasn't until recently that he wondered if maybe he could be. And it most definitely was not because of the loud, infuriatingly bratty omega sitting across from him.

"I'll take that as a no, then." Oikawa says before finishing the last of his drink. "Big surprise there." He chides.

"Because I'm sure you're just a charmer yourself." He rolls his eyes, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Well I have my moments."

"Oh sure, coming home smelling like a different alpha every night really screams romance." He is almost surprised at the bitterness in his own voice as he says it, having not quite realized how bitter he'd been about smelling those unfamiliar scents on the omega. Oikawa sticks his nose up in the air.

"At least I know how to have fun."

"Fun? You may as well be working for that Sato pig for free if you consider that fun." Oikawa glares and stands, leaning in to get real close to the alpha's face.

"You listen to me. I will never be caught in a dump like that, you hear me? Never! I sleep with who I want to when I want to because I can. That's my decision and it will always be my decision. I won't have some boneheaded alpha shaming me for it." He pushes himself away from the table with a sigh of frustration. "Now you've upset me." He pulls his phone out and starts typing. "And I was in such a good mood too. His phone dings seconds after he sends his message and he smiles grimly down at the screen, making his way out of the kitchen. "I'll see you tomorrow, then. Or not, I couldn't give a shit either way." And then he's gone.

The alpha doesn't know why he didn't that. He certainly wasn't one to talk when he'd done his fare share of sleeping around. God, he was an idiot. Just when they had been getting along too. And the omega had been smiling at him like that. He'd never pegged himself as the jealous type but it seemed he let this newly discovered side of him win, and just like that, he'd upset the one person he doesn't truly want to hurt. He hadn't expected to get so angry about the omega's 'activities' with other alphas. He wasn't his.

He looks up and towards the doorway when the sound of someone coming down the stairs reaches his ears. He sees Oikawa by the front door slipping his shoes on. The omega had change out of his baggy shirt and sweatpants and into a pair of skinny black jeans that accentuated his long legs and a cropped turtleneck sweater. The outfit gives off some semblance of warmth for the November chill while also being horribly sexy on the tall man.

When the omega looks up and makes eyes contact with him, he can see that he's applied some makeup and his hair has been effortlessly styled, perfectly fluffy and soft. Tempting.

He's going somewhere. At 3 AM.

Iwaizumi's hand tightens around his mug.

Oikawa flashes that irritating smirk and throws a wink his way before grabbing a light coat and stepping out into the night. When the door clicks shut behind him, the alpha glares at the door. The ceramic in his hand shatters to pieces in his grip and he looks down at the mess he's created. Shards of the mug and what was left of the hot chocolate spread across the table. A small gash forms on his hand from where a sharp edge had gotten him.

Fuck.

Chapter Text

Akaashi POV:

The only thing he can process when he wakes is the beeping of a heart monitor. His eyelids feel heavy and he can only force his eyes open enough to process the bright light around him, and only for a second before they fall closed again. He can feel the presence of people making their way in and out but doesn't understand who they are or where they are going.

He drifts in and out of consciousness for what feels like hours, only waking for moments at a time an attempting to open his eyes, to no avail.

When he finally manages to keep them open, there is a young woman standing beside his bed, clipboard in hand. She jots down information from the monitors he is currently attached to and only realizes he is awake when she finishes and looks up at him.

"Oh!" She seems almost startled. "You're- ah. You're awake. I should call-"

"No need. I'm right here." An older woman dressed in a white coat steps into the room. "You may go. I can take it from here." The younger nurse, probably an intern, nods and rushes out of the room. "You'll have to forgive her, she's new." The doctor says before smiling at him.

"Now, we have some things to discuss, don't we?"

"My pup?" It sounds more like a demand then a question and if he hadn't been so worried, he would feel bad about snapping at the woman.

"Is alright. You were very lucky your friends got you here as quickly as they did. You started to drop and if you had dropped fully, there is very little chance the baby would have survived." He looks down at his still shaking hands in shame, guilt flooding every part of him. He'd been careless, and his pup could have suffered the consequences.

"I thought-" He can't even finish the sentence out loud. He'd thought he'd lost him. Before he'd passed out there was such a sharp pain. He'd thought that was it.

"But you didn't. However, you need to be very careful in these next few months. You are very weak right now, Akaashi-San. Your records say you are prone to touch starvation?" He nods. "Well, you are also much more susceptible while pregnant." He nods again. He knew this. How could he have been so stupid?

"I'm going to be honest with you, Akaashi-San. We aren't out of the woods yet. Your body is still currently going through a drop. Usually, it would be enough to have your close omegan friends scent you but your body has been pushed past that point and your pup may be alive but they are weak."

"So there's nothing to be done?" Panic swells in his chest. His baby was still in danger and he couldn't do anything about it?

"Well, I wouldn't quite say that. I see that you are unmated." She gestures towards his unmarked scent glands. "Akaashi-San," She pauses a moment and looks at him with an unreadable expression. "Are there any alphas in your life?" Keiji just gapes at her.

"A-alphas?"

"Please hear me out, Akaashi-San. Right now, your body is so starved of touch that your biology is taking over. Your subconscious, the most primal part of your brain, it demands that you have a pack or, even more ideally, a mate to take care of you while your body is at its most vulnerable. Scenting and nesting with your loved ones is what allows it to feel safe. Without that, your omega side begins to shut down. Your body begins to shut down. I don't think I need to emphasize what will happen to your pup if this happens.

"I'm not saying you have to bond with someone now. But you do need an alpha, to scent mark you as well as to bond with the child. Your omega needs to know that you as well as your baby is protected and cared for. I know it doesn't quite match up with our more modern beliefs. But it is in our DNA. I urge you to choose wisely because once they establish that bond with your pup, the baby will recognize the alpha's scent when they are born. I apologize that you have to rush this, but it is imperative that you get started as soon as possible, for your health as well as the baby's."

"H-how long do I have before..." Before my body gives up and I lose my pup forever? He can't bear to say it out loud. The doctors face turns grim.

"We can't truly know for sure, but it may be a matter of hours, Akaashi-San." He pales instantly. He'd never had the best experiences with alphas in his life. No, scratch that, the only thing alphas had ever brought him was pain. And now he was being told to put every single ounce of trust he had into one. Who could he even turn to? He hadn't had any alphas in his life until a couple of weeks ago. He'd only been starting to feel comfortable around them in the past few days! And there was only one that stood out from the others. But he couldn't ask that of him. They haven't even known each other for a month.

He couldn't force the alpha into that. The commitment of forming a bond with a pup? A pup that isn't even his own? No alpha in their right mind would ever even consider it. He doesn't even know if he can trust the alpha. Allowing the man to be so close to him, to share that kind of intimacy with him? He shudders just thinking of letting an alpha be that close. But then again, just a few hours ago he had leaned toward him. Willingly. If they hadn't been interrupted...

"May I be blunt, Akaashi-San?" The doctor pulls hims from his spiraling thoughts. "It seems to me like you have quite the history with alphas. Maybe your drop wasn't due to just touch starvation but also a trauma response?" He blinks at her.

"I um-" She clears her throat. "You told me you felt a sharp pain in your torso, and when I changed you into your gown... well I noticed..." She doesn't seem to know how to continue and Akaashi shrinks in on himself. "Well maybe it was a physical response to a bad experience you've had in the past. What I'm trying to get at is that I can sense your hesitation, and I realize that this may be very difficult and scary for you, but you have to choose now what risks you are willing to take. For you and for the baby."

He understand what she is telling him, even as she beats around the bush. He has to choose now between his comfort and his health. More importantly, the life of his child. That was a no brainer. He would do anything for the life inside him, no matter how much of his sanity he'd have to give up.

"Now, is there anyone you would like me to call?" Keiji takes a deep breath.

"I-I guess there is someone. I don't know why he would agree, though."

"Couldn't hurt to ask, could it?" He thinks that it definitely could. Nevertheless, he pulls out his phone and goes to tap Bokuto's contact.

"Not to be too forward, but in hopes of saving some time, I must ask. This wouldn't happen to be the crazy haired young man who has been sitting outside your door for the past five hours, would it?" Akaashi can only look at her in shock and she laughs. "I'll go let him in then." She turns back once more before opening the door. "And a bit of advice, it would be best for you to lay everything out on the table before any decisions are made, this is a big step and secrets can only hurt you later." She give him a pointed look.

"Your friends brought you some clothes." She gestures to a small duffel bag that has been set on one of the chairs. "I'll give you some time to change before I send him in." When the door clicks shut behind her, the omega stand on shaky legs to go to the bag. He smiles when he opens it to find a pair of Yamaguchi's sweats and one of Suga's oversized shirts, their comforting scents are like heaven to the shaken man. He dresses quickly before he goes to sit back on the bed, one hand coming to rest on his stomach as tears fill his eyes. He sighs shakily just as there is a knock on the door.

"Come in." His voice cracks and he cringes internally. Soon enough, the door swings open to reveal an almost timid look Bokuto who stands awkwardly in the doorway. "You can come all the way in, Bokuto-San." He'd laugh if he wasn't so terrified, so instead he manages a forced smile. The alpha steps inside and approaches the omega, the concern in his eyes is distinct and if Keiji didn't know any better he'd say it looked as though the large man wanted to reach out to him.

"Are you alright, 'kaashi? The doctor said you had to speak with me." Was that guilt he was sensing? "I-I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have made you stay for my fight. I could see that you didn't feel well but I let this happen. I didn't know you would-"

"This isn't your fault, Bokuto-San. This is no ones fault but my own. I let myself get to this point." A tear finally escapes, rolling down his cheek. "I put my pup at risk. Not you."

"Will he be okay?" God, he sounds so worried. Like he genuinely cares. But the omega knows that it can't possibly be enough for him to agree to what he is about to ask of the alpha. A few more tears slide down his cheeks.

"I don't know." His voice wavers so much he can't help but think he sounds like a scratched record. The alpha takes another step closer. The omega can smell the twinge of fear in his scent.

"What do you mean? What's wrong with him?"

"That's what I need to speak to you about." Another shaky breath. "But I don't know where to begin." He wipes his face as the alpha hands him the cup of water from the table. He takes a long sip before pausing to catch his breath again.

"Why don't you start with telling me what happened last night?" Akaashi cringes. "Kuroo's worried about you, you know."

"He's not mad?" Bokuto laughs.

"No, 'Kaashi. You scared the shit out of him for sure. Left some pretty good marks, too. But he's not mad. He just wants you to be okay." The omega covers his face with his hands.

"I'm terrible."

"Please, Kenma's been doting on him since he saw his face. If anything, you did him a favor." When Keiji looks up at him he rushes to continue. "Kenma's not mad either, of course." This makes him relax ever so slightly. They stay in silence for a while before Bokuto speaks again. "So... did you still want to speak with me? No rush, of course! When you're comfortable, I'll be ready."

"That's the thing. I can't really wait until I'm comfortable, this has to happen now whether I'm ready or not. I'm sorry, Bokuto-San. It's really unfair of me to dump all of this on you or to ask what I'm about to ask of you."

"I'll do anything for you, Akaashi. I want to know who you are. I really care about you. I'll listen to whatever you wish to tell me."

"It's not a happy story."

"Like I said, anything to help you."

"Okay. Can't say I didn't warn you." The alpha sits down beside him as he grounds himself, leaving a respectful distance between them.

"I haven't really had the best luck with alphas in my life." He says it like a confession even though the alpha must have assumed this by now. "See, I've been prone to touch starvation my whole life, and my parents... well I guess you could say they weren't the most affectionate. So I relied a lot on my school friends and extended family but that wasn't really enough. I kind of lived the first 17 years of my life on the cusp of a drop

"I didn't have the best relationship with my parents so I moved out right after graduation. I found a cheap place, a house that I shared with four alphas. I lived with them for almost a year and it was fine. I was always careful with my suppressants, I used scent blockers, everything." He swallows hard before continuing.

"One day, I came home and one of them had gone into rut. A-and instead of locking himself in his room like usual, he waited for me." He sniffle and wipes at the constant stream of tears running down his face. "The others too. They were all waiting for me. They jumped me as soon as I was through the door. I didn't stand a chance against them. His rut triggered my heat and they- they all took turns with me."

The hand he hadn't realized he'd been holding tightens it's grip on him and the alpha growls low in his chest. He'd normally be afraid of such a sound but he can tell it's not geared towards him.

"It lasted all week. I-I couldn't get away. I tried to- I tried so hard but I couldn't." He's sobbing again and before he knows it, a strong arm wraps around his shoulders and pulls him into a hard chest. Then he is surrounded by a comforting scent that he has to refrain from leaning into. He takes a few moments to compose himself, catching his breath, before he is sure he can speak again.

"That's when I became pregnant with Aki. I don't know which one of them is the father, and I don't plan on ever finding out. I moved out as soon as I found out, I didn't want them to have anything to do with him."

"You're so brave, Akaashi." And he actually hears the truth in the words, prompting the smallest of smiles. It doesn't last long before he must continue.

"I haven't really been able to trust alphas since. They were like my pack, but they hurt me. I didn't want to go through that again. I still don't... Anyways, that's when I found the club, it was the only place I could find work as an expecting omega and I'd already decided that I would do anything for Aki.

"Fukuda took a liking to me almost instantly, he'd always come back to see me. Would always talk to me about making me his. I always thought it was just in the heat of he moment. I hated being with him. He payed a lot but he was rough, and violent." He stares off into the distance as he speaks, taken back to the past. "I didn't mean to hurt Kuroo last night, I was just scared. It wasn't his fault, he was just trying to help me and-and he didn't know." This was always the hardest thing for him to talk about. He can't believe he is telling the alpha. "The crowd pushed me forward and he tried to catch me but he... he touched my stomach, omegas are always protective when they are pregnant but..."

He takes another big deep breath and steels himself against the nausea rising up within him. His shaking hands find the hem of his loose shirt and slowly pull it up over his bump. Bokuto inhales sharply and the sight of the large, jagged scar that runs up the left side of the stomach. Akaashi can't bring himself to look at the alpha.

"One night, while I was spending his rut with him- I-I'm not sure what happened exactly but it was like he was overcome with this need to... well, his need to impregnate me. B-ut I was already months into my pregnancy." His breathing comes in short bursts now. "But he didn't want to wait. So he tried- he tried to- he-he-" He can't get the words out no matter how he tries. He feels a large hand on the back of his head, fingers lacing through his hair and pulling him back down to lean on that strong chest. A calming voice telling him to breathe.

It takes a long while before he is quiet again, refusing to lift his head from its spot or to look up at the alpha.

"You don't have to keep going." The larger man says softly. "I know this is hard for you. Don't push yourself too hard. I don't want you to drop again. We can take a break." The omega shakes his head.

"No, no I need to finish. If I stop now I'll never start again." Bokuto jut nods and goes back to listening intently. Keiji takes another breath to stabilize himself. "He took a knife, I'm not even sure where he got it from." A long pause. "He tried to cut Aki from right out of my stomach." Stunned silence. The alpha tightens his grip even more. "It's a miracle he wasn't successful. I'm not sure how it's even possible but he didn't manage to cut all the way through. Thank god, because Aki wouldn't be..." He couldn't even think about that.

"When Kuroo touched my stomach I was surprised. And scared. It's like I could feel the knife all over again and I guess I flipped. I need to apologize to him soon. And that's that, I guess."

"Keiji." The alpha says , a mixture of disbelief and pain. It's the first time he's heard him say his given name and something flutters in his stomach. "I'm so sorry. You don't deserve any of that." The omega just shrugs, unsure of how to respond.

"Bokuto, I need..." He pushes away to look at the alpha. "I need to ask you something. Something unfair to ask of you but I will beg for it anyway I can't lose my pup." The alpha leans in, both concerned and curious.

"What is it?"

"My body is still dropping. And it will continue to do so if I am not scented, specifically by an alpha."

"Oh, we'll of course I'll-"

"No, Bokuto-San. There's more to it then that. I need an alpha who will form a bond with the pup." He quickly jumps into a rant. "And I understand that it is unfair to ask this of you and we haven't even known each other for that long and what alpha would want anything to do with a baby that isn't their own anyway? But you are the only alpha I could even imagine asking this of even though I fully expect you to say no and I understand but if I didn't try then I couldn't live with myself knowing my baby died because of me." A hand on his own stops his rambling.

"Akaashi, you're asking me to form a bond with your pup?"

"I- I know I'm being absolutely ridiculous. I'm so sorry. I just had to try-"

"He'll die without an alpha?" Keiji let's out another sob as he nods. His hands are shaking uncontrollably. "Akaashi. Of course I'll do this for you. For him too." The omega just looks at him in shock.

"W-what?"

"I'll do it. If it means you and the baby are alright, I'll do anything."

"Bokuto, you understand that-"

"Yes, I understand. I understand fully. I don't care, I'll do it and I'll help you with anything you ever need. I'll love him like he's my own. I'll take care of all three of you."

"But what about when you find a mate? Do you know how difficult it will be when they find out you have a pup with another omega?" Bokuto looks at him for a long time, studying him with that intense gaze. There is something unreadable in those gold eyes, but Akaashi can't quite decipher it.

"I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there."

"Are you sure? This is a big deal, Bokuto. You can take some time to think about it."

"No. I'm positive. We don't need to waste time, I don't want to risk either of your guys' health any longer."

"O-okay." He can't believe it. He cannot believe the alpha had actually agreed. He'd thought he would have to say goodbye to his pup but the alpha was willing to help him.

"You ready?" Bokuto asks, wary. Akaashi nods assuredly.

"I... I trust you." It was hard to say but at this point he has to put his full trust in this alpha and pray to god that he'd made the right choice.

Bokuto moves onto the bed, propping himself up with the pillows and spreading his legs slightly. Akaashi follows him, situating himself between the alpha's legs, back to the alpha's chest.

"Tell me if you get uncomfortable." The alpha tells him. He nods. The larger man pulls his own shirt off in one swift movement, tossing it onto one of the chairs. He then gently takes the hem of Akaashi's shirt in his fingers and tugs ever so slightly. "May I?" A shuddering breath and a nod.

Bokuto is much slower to take off the omega's shirt, giving him enough time to stop him. When it has been slipped off over his head, he throws it to the same spot as his own. He puts one hand on Keiji's shoulder and gently pulls him back so they are back to chest. The omega allows himself to relax, if only slightly.

He is surprised at how comfortable he is in such an intimate position, and with an alpha no less. Then Bokuto's arms come around and he tenses, the alpha's large hands hover over his stomach.

"Are you alright?" He asks, tone serious. Keiji nods.

"Do it." He says quickly before he can change his mind. And then, the alpha places his hands on his stomach. It's not what he expects at all. Where he thought there would be the white hot pain like when Kuroo had touched him, there was only warmth.

"I'm going to scent you now." The alpha warns and when there is no protest, he leans his face down to nuzzle his scent glands with his nose. Akaashi shivers at the feeling of his breath on the crook of his neck.

The omega gasps when he can feel a rush of emotions from his pup. Ones of happiness and love. More warmth spreads through his stomach, just like when Yama or Suga touch his bump. The baby starts to move and soon enough, Keiji can feel him kicking restlessly.

He inhales sharply at a particularly harsh kick, tensing slightly at the dull pain. And then Bokuto growls. Not threatening or angry. A soft growl, gentle. One of possession. Keiji falls limp in the alpha's arms and the baby stills. The emotions turning calm and serene.

"Mine." He says softly, chest still rumbling lowly. The warmth from his belly seems to spread to his entire body and he feels undeniably... Safe. He doesn't know the last time he'd ever felt like this. Or if he ever had. He'd always felt comfortable around his omega friends and he loved them dearly but he had never felt like this around them.

He doesn't know when he'd started purring but he takes note briefly that he has. He's so warm and comfy and he knows that the pup growing inside him feels the same and he feels a smile tug at the corners of his lips. Soon enough, his eyelids are heavy again and he sinks into his first blissful sleep in years.

Chapter Text

Akaashi POV:

"Akaashi." He wakes to a soft whisper in his ear. "Kaashi." A large, gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Mmh." He hums and turns his face back into the hard, warm chest he leans on.

"You still with me?" He pries his eyes open and squints against the bright light of the hospital room. This time a small groan erupts from his chest. "There you are." He can hear the smile behind the words. "Sorry to wake you, but the nurse said it was okay to get you home, would you like that Kaashi?" The omega nods sleepily. He does want to go home.

The alpha behind him sits them both up and carefully slips off the bed towards their shirts. Suddenly aware of his current state of undress, Akaashi pulls the sheet up to his chest, only hidden by the comfy bralette he'd chosen earlier today.

The alpha grabs his shirt first and hands it to him before heading over to grab his own, pulling it over his head, giving the smaller man a perfect opportunity to sneak a glimpse at his rippling stomach muscles. He quickly turns away with a blush when Bokuto re-emerges and looks at him with that smile of his.

"Ready?" The omega nods and stands slowly from the bed, still slightly fatigued and dizzy. "She said you'd still feel a bit rough for a while, and that constant contact is good."

"Thank you, Bokuto."

"Ah, it's no biggie Kaashi, that's just what she said a few minutes ago while you were still sleeping."

"No." He moves closer to the large man and takes one of his hand into two of his own. He looks into those startled gold eyes. "I mean, thank you." The sincerity and gratitude behind the words doesn't go unnoticed.

"You don't need to thank me." The alpha steps in as well, the space between them gets smaller once again. He speaks so softly. "I swore to myself a long time ago that I'd do anything for you."

Akaashi didn't know how to reply to that other than an intense blush and lacing his fingers with the alpha's. For his health. Of course. Bokuto take this as a sign that he's ready and pushes the door open. He's met with the sight of Kuroo and Kenma, seated next to the vending machine in the hallway. The small omega is seated on the bed headed man's lap, cradled closely as he cranes his neck up to kiss his jaw.

Kuroo practically glows with the rare, outward affection from his mate. His cheek is now adorned with small white butterfly closure bandaids and Akaashi feels another pang of intense guilt. He halts before he reaches the mated pair. Noticing their presence, Kuroo pulls Kenma closer as his head snaps up. When he recognizes the newcomers he relaxes and smiles.

"Feeling better?" Kenma looks up when his alpha speaks and stands when he sees Akaashi, he approaches quickly and the taller omega lowers his gaze to the floor.

"I am." He says quietly. Kenma pauses in front of him, arms outstretched towards his midsection, omega instincts demanding to check on the safety of the pup. "It's okay." He says softly. With that, the small man closes the distance between them, laying his hands over his stomach so very gently. When the pup kicks they both start to purr, catching each others eye with humorous smiles.

"I'm glad." Kenma moves in close to nose at Akaashi's neck and Akaashi allows it happily. Kuroo comes to stand next to Bokuto, smiling at the sight. After a few moments, Akaashi turns to the raven haired alpha, bowing deeply.

"I'm very sorry about your face, Kuroo-San." When he looks up the alpha only chuckles, dismissing the apology with a wave of his hand and using the other to pull Kenma back to his side.

"There's no need to apologize. I should apologize. I'm sorry for startling you, I will be more careful from now on." Akaashi shakes his head.

"No, no. You were just trying to help. I... I appreciate it. Thank you." He averts his gaze awkwardly to the floor, Bokuto's hand finds his own and gives it a reassuring squeeze. Kenma looks up at his alpha with a soft smile and stand on his toes to give him a sweet kiss on the cheek. The alpha turns red almost immediately despite the years he'd been with the omega.

"Should we head out then?" Bokuto looks down at Akaashi and those bright eyes make his heart skip a beat. Kuroo and Kenma hum in agreement and Keiji nods, holding on to Bokuto tighter as they make their way down to hallway to the main part of the hospital. He gravitates closer to Bokuto as they move through the lobby, everything seems to be dialed up. The light's too bright, the people speak too loud. He just wants to be in his warm, dark, quiet nest.

He sighs in relief when they step out into the cold afternoon air, sharp wind blows against his face but the larger space is much quieter than the cramped halls. Kuroo hadn't parked too far away from the entrance so they make their way quickly, climbing in and waiting for the heat to kick in.

The short drive feels like hours to Akaashi. Bokuto sits only in the seat beside him but the space in the middle makes him feel so far. And he feels so tired. He just wants to rest his head on those broad shoulders and sleep. He wants so badly to shake this daze from his head but can't seem to get a grip. When they finally pull up in front of the house he grips the door handle weakly, willing his wrist to bend to pull it open. But once again, his limbs feel like jelly and his hand sits uselessly on the handle. It is only a few seconds before it is pulled open for him.

"Let's get you inside Kaashi." The alpha holds a hand out for him and he takes it with a sweet-if somewhat forced- smile. Bokuto holds his hand ever so gently and guides him out of the car. His legs feel numb and he wills himself not to fall as they make their way up towards the mansion, Bokuto never letting go of his hand. The environment inside the house would usually be considered as welcoming, warm and softly lit, filled with friendly chatter coming from several different rooms. But to Akaashi, it's still too much. He needs to lay down.

"Mama! Mama!" The pounding footsteps of his toddler can be heard from rooms away. The pup must have smelled him. The small boy clings onto his leg when he reaches him and looks up with those bright eyes. The omega tries to ignore the pounding of his head and ringing in his ears.

"Hi baby." He ruffles the pups hair gently.

"Look 'dis, mama." He reaches up to show Akaashi the matchbox car clutched in his little hand. "Look 'dis!" He squeals, stomping his feet in place excitedly. He reaches up for his mom to lift him up but Akaashi is too exhausted to make a move to pick him up. The pup looks confused for a moment and puts his hands back down.

"You want up, little man?" Bokuto reaches his own arms out and Akihiko huffs out an excited breath and reaches up, lifted easily into the large man's arms. "What did you wanna show your mama?" He moves closer so Aki can be eye level with Akaashi.

"Look 'dis, mama." This time the boy speaks softly, almost in a whisper and holds the car out, inches away from the omega's face.

"What's that, Aki?"

"Is a car! Asahi-San got it just for me! Aito got one too but his red and Eiji got a giraffe cus he's a baby."

"Asahi-San brought that back for you?" The pup nods excitedly. "That was very nice of him. Did you say thank you?"

"Uh-huh." He nods again.

"Mmm." The omega hums tiredly. "That's good." He strokes the boy's cheek gently. "Maybe you can draw him a picture as a thank you." The pup purrs and leans in towards his hand. "Mommy's really tired, so I'm gonna go upstairs for a bit, okay baby?" The child frowns.

"Wanna play?"

"Not right now, Aki. Later." He's hit with a wave of lightheadedness and grips Bokuto's bicep to steel himself. The alpha takes notice of this immediately.

"Okay, buddy. I'm gonna set you down now so I can help your mommy get to bed, alright?" The pup nods again, though still frowning.

"Bokudo play?"

"In a little bit, bud. Your mommy and the baby are very tired so I need to take care of them. We can play later, okay?"

"Okay." Aki says as he is placed back on the ground.

"You got it Kaashi?" The omega nods and starts forward, heading up the stairs by himself, only slightly unsteady. Bokuto follows closely behind. Akihiko stays on the first floor, watching as they disappear up the stairs, face still contorted into a confused frown as he clutches his car in his hands.

When they make it to the nest room, Akaashi is about ready to collapse. Bokuto knocks softly on the door and there is a response from inside, though Akaashi doesn't process it over the ringing of his ears. Bokuto pushes the door open to reveal Suga sitting on the edge of the bed, fidgeting nervously. Keiko is asleep in her crib. The silver haired man rushes to Akaashi's side.

"Are you alright? Let's lay you down here. You're okay. Everything is okay." His voice almost seems to fade in and out and Akaashi can barely hear the omega thanking Bokuto for everything as he settles into the blankets, happy to be surrounded by the familiar scents. When he hears Suga saying goodbye to the alpha he nearly whimpers. He doesn't want Bokuto to go. He wants him to stay. But he knows he can't just invite an alpha into his pack's nest. The emptiness doesn't go away, however, as he falls into a fitful sleep just after feeling Suga curl up warmly against his back.

***

He awakes late into the night, the night like a black abyss outside the window. The warm presence of Suga is still behind him and Akihiko has curled up against his chest. He can hear him breathing softly. Haruki kicks harshly and he winces, inhaling sharply. He places his hand over his stomach, hoping to calm the baby, but to no avail. His body aches everywhere and his head is still pounding painfully. He shifts to try and find a comfortable position but is unsuccessful. The pup continues to kick ferociously. The omega knows what the child wants. Can't help but admit it's the very same thing that he wants too.

He gets up carefully, making sure not to jostle Suga or Akihiko. He pulls a throw blanket with him as he quietly opens the door and slips out silently. He's not completely sure where Bokuto's room is but it can't be too far. He steps carefully down the hall, sniffing at each door he passes, searching for that rainy scent. He rounds a corner and heads up one staircase, passing three doors before he finds it. The smell is so distinct and he can't help but inhale it deeply. Like a cool summer day. His muscles relax immediately.

There is no way in hell he would even consider to disturb the alpha at this hour. Not when he is just behind that door, probably sleeping soundly. So he settles on the wall right next to the bedroom door, blanket wrapped around his shoulders securely. He rests his head back against the wall and shuts his eyes, basking in the comforting scent of alpha.

He guesses only about a minute had passed when the door creaks open. He cracks his eyes open and peers up at the alpha standing over him, dressed only in a pair of light gray sweats. Bokuto crouches down in front of him.

"I thought I smelled you out here. Are you okay?" His eyebrows are scrunched together in a worried expression. Akaashi only nods tiredly, wanting so badly to reach out and touch the other man. "Do you want to sleep with me?" The omega chuckles sleepily and the alpha turns a bright shade of red when he realizes what he's said. "I- I don't mean- well- not- I didn't- not like that. Oh god. I don't mean to sound like I creep. I just- you know the doctor said how you might-"

"I know, Bokuto-San." He smiles up at him. "I know." With that, he reaches up towards the alpha, ignoring how he may look like a child asking to be picked up. Bokuto smiles and hooks one arm under his legs and the other around his back, lifting him off the ground. He goes back to enter his room but stops in the doorway.

"You know you can drop the San, right?" It's different from all of the other times he has said it, this time seems almost though he is asking Akaashi to do so. The omega leans his head on Bokuto's chest shyly.

"I know, Bokuto." The alpha smiles and enters his room without another word. Akaashi closes his eyes once again, not bothered by the fact that he is now alone with an alpha in an unfamiliar place. Not when he was with Bokuto. He is set down on soft sheets that are infused with the strong scent of Bokuto and he practically tries to bury himself in the comforting smell.

The feeling is made even better when Bokuto slips under the covers on the other side of the bed, his warmth seeping through Akaashi's sleep clothes almost instantly. Akaashi starts to purr and doesn't so much as startle when Bokuto slowly lays a hand over his large baby bump. The alpha scoots a bit closer and leans in to speak softly in his ear.

"Is this okay?" Akaashi rests his hand over Bokuto's larger one and nods, already drifting off. This is perfect.

***

He awakes to the sun morning light, a glance out the window tells him there is a blizzard outside, but in here it's warm. Bokuto breathes deeply beside him, letting him knows he's still fast asleep. Sometime during the night, the alpha had wrapped himself around the smaller man, though his hand had never strayed from his stomach. He feels that same warmth spreading throughout his abdomen and he knows his pup is happy. Unfortunately, his bladder is not and he has to untangle himself from the warmth of the alpha's bed.

Bokuto's room has its own bathroom but it doesn't feel right to use it without asking first so instead, he goes to use the shared restroom that he usually uses. He doesn't even take a step out into the hallway as he is blocked by a small puddle of blankets right outside the door. Upon further inspection, he finds a sleeping Akihiko curled up on the floor.

A wave of guilt crashes into him as he realizes the pup must have woken up and noticed his absence and curled up right outside the room where his smell was the strongest. He kneels down on the floor and pulls the pile of blankets into his lap, pressing soft kisses to the top of Aki's head. The pup shifts and looks up at him with those big blue eyes.

"Mommy." He whines out tiredly.

"I'm here now baby. I'm here." He nuzzles the boys cheek softly.

"Where you went, mommy?"

"Mommy had to go take of baby Haruki, I'm sorry if I scared you."

"Baby sad?"

"No, honey. He just needed attention. He's just like his big brother." Akaashi chides as he starts to tickle his sons stomach. The pup screeches and starts to kick his little legs, sliding off of Akaashi's lap and managing to pull his shirt up over his tummy in the process, giving his mother more access for tickles.

"Now what's happening out here?" Bokuto appears in the doorway, rubbing his eye tiredly with a smile on his face.

"Bokudo!" Akihiko screeches between fits of laughter. "Help me, Bokudo! The tickle monster!"

"The tickle monster?" Bokuto's eyes grow wide. Then he crosses his arms and leans against the doorframe. "Are you sure Aki?"

"Yes! Yes help me!" The boy continues to giggle.

"Well, you gotta be careful." The alpha sighs and lifts the small boy out of Akaashi's arms.

"Careful?" The boy looks up at him with wide eyes. Bokuto nods solemnly.

"You never know who you can really trust." And with that he flips the boy upside down and begins to tickle him.

"No no!" Aki erupts into a fit of laughter once again. Bokuto dodges his kicking feet and continues to tickle the child. Akaashi smiles up at the two, watching as Bokuto gently tosses the pup onto the bed. Akihiko immediately burrows under the sheets, becoming a small, giggling lump on the bed.

"Ah, now where did he go?" Bokuto groans dramatically, prompting another snicker from the toddler in hiding. He kneels down to look under the bed. "He's not under the bed? Agh." He flips a few pillows over. "He's not under the pillows." Akihiko patience seems to run out after that because he pokes his head out from the covers and throws his arms in the air.

"I'm right here!" He shouts.

"Now, how could I have missed that?" Bokuto scratches his head and the pup laughs happily.

"I'm good at hidin' Bokudo!"

"You sure are, little man! I could never hide that well." The alpha lifts the toddler and holds him against his chest, the small boy wraps his arms around his neck like it's the most natural thing in the world, donning that bright smile that never fails to make Akaashi's day that much better. "You hungry, buddy? I'm starving!"

"I'm 'tarvin' too!"

"Well, let's get you some breakfast." The pup nods and Bokuto turns to Akaashi. "Kaashi? Breakfast?" The omega nods and accepts the alpha's outstretched hand and is pulled up off the floor. He lays a hand on his baby bump and smiles.

"Breakfast sounds amazing." But first, he still has to pee.

Tendou POV:

It's quiet and it's dark and it's warm. Tendou sits on the floor of his closet, wrapped in a blanket and wearing the noise canceling headphones that Tsukishima had given him.

He'd woken up feeling anxious, a common occurrence, but today it had gotten worse quickly, even after he'd taken his meds first thing. So he came here. It is like a special nest, one just for him where he can get away from the overwhelming stimulus of the outside world.

He'd probably been here for a couple of hours but he had no idea, really. He'd calmed down relatively well but will have to take it easy a bit longer judging on the way his hands still shook slightly.

A slip of paper sliding under the closet door grabs his attention and he stares at it curiously for a long moment before unfolding it carefully to see Daichi's clear writing.

"Going to be out today. Made your favorite. Call if you need anything. Love you. -Daichi"

As he reads the note, the sweet scent of maple syrup reaches his nose. He slowly pushes the closet door open, peeking out into his empty bedroom to find a steaming plate of blueberry pancakes, topped with syrup and whipped cream, just how he likes. He drags the plate inside and grabs the utensils beside it before pulling the door closed again.

He looks down at the beautiful breakfast with teary eyes, scooping some whipped cream up with his finger and tasting it. He smiles sadly. He doesn't deserve Daichi.

Ever since he'd found Tendou he'd treated him like a brother. He'd helped him get out of his previous life, given him a place to stay, helped him through his withdrawals and to eventually beat his addiction. And how was he repaying him? By falling right back down that hole. And Daichi still insisted on taking care of him.

"I'm sorry." He whispers, allowing the tears to escape and roll down his face. He leans his head back and it bumps against the wall. He impact causes a sharp pain and he winces. But isn't that what he deserves after all the pain he's caused others? He lifts his head back up and let's it fall back again. Then again. Several times. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

He finally stops, not wanting to disturb anyone in the house any more than he already has. But he allows himself to cry quietly. Pulling the sleeve of his oversized sweater over his hand and pressing it to his mouth to muffle his sobs.

But no, he has to pull himself together. He takes a deep breath and wipes the last tears from his cheeks. When his breathing returns to normal, he manages to eat the delicious he pancakes Daichi had made for him.

Daichi’s cooking must have been magical because as soon as he’s finished he’s already feeling better. Better enough that he feels perfectly capable of taking his dishes down to the kitchen. Maybe he’d even go to sit in the living room for a bit, just to get out of his room. He smiles to himself as he finally steps out of his closet. He could do that.

He makes his way downstairs to the kitchen where Ushijima is seated at the table with a cup of coffee and today’s newspaper. For a crime boss, it’s such a domestic look, one would almost have to laugh. Tendou, however, pauses in the doorway when he sees the alpha. Good god, could he have any worse luck? Of course he would be here, sitting calmly, practically glowing in the morning sun that shines through the large kitchen window. Tendou’s eyes follow the way his arm flexes as he lifts the mug to his lips.

God, he was practically drooling and here he was, dressed in his baggy pajamas, hair a ruffled mess, and red runner eyes. He shakes it off. What’s done is already done. He’s already made a fool of himself to the alpha, it really can’t get much worse.

He makes his way straight over to the sink to rinse of his plate before placing it in the dishwater. Ushijima doesn’t do much as look up at him. He rubs at his eye as he makes his way to grab a cup that he fills with grapefruit juice. Then sits opposite the alpha at the table, pulling his legs up to his chest, content to just sip on his juice and look out the window. When he sniffs, the alpha finally speaks.

“Are you okay?” Tendou’s head whips around to look at him, surprised. He is stunned to find the alpha watching him intensely, not focusing on the paper at all. Tendou rests his chin on his knee.

“Been better.” He tries to smile but from the way the alpha frowns it must have not been all too convincing.

“I’m sorry.” He cuts him off with a shake of his head.

“You don’t have to apologize. This is all on me.” He pulls his sweater sleeves back down again and bites his thumb nail nervously.

“No.” The alpha sets the paper down and shakes his head. “No. I should have stayed with you. You never would have been put in that situation if I had just stayed with you. And for that, I’m sorry.”

“There was nothing to be done.” My past would have caught up to me anyway. But he doesn’t need to get all dark on the alpha who is just trying to be polite.

“Well,” The alpha suddenly looks sheepish. “If there’s ever anything I can do, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you, Ushijima-San. I really appreciate that.” The alpha nods and holds the paper back up to cover his reddening face. Tendou chuckles but his eye is soon caught on an advertisement on the back of the paper. One for the large winter fair that’s been going on just outside the city. A lightbulb goes off almost instantly.

“Well, I may be able to think of something.” He shifts his weight so he is kneeling on the chair, leaning across the table to pull the paper down slightly to make eye contact with the alpha. He smiles slyly. “Have you ever been to a fair, Ushijima-San?”

Chapter Text

Yamaguchi POV:

Tadashi jolts awake when there is a loud pounding at the door. He sits up, still clutching a startled Eiji to his chest, and glances to the floor where Tsukishima is already standing from his mess of sheets to make his way to the door, grumbling under his breath. He opens the door to reveal a excited looking Tendou.

At first glance the omega looks pretty rough, messy hair and large bags under red eyes. But his body language says otherwise. He's smiling and practically vibrating with what has to be happiness. His eyes have a glint in them that seems to cancel out the rest of his appearance.

"Get dressed! We're going to the fair!" He practically squeals before dashing off towards his own room. Aito perks up beside him at that. Looking up at him with wide eyes.

The winter fair had always been a topic of interest in his small family. There were always advertisements plastered across the city and Aito had always wanted to go but as per usual, that was another happy experience he couldn't provide for the child.

He looks over at Tsukishima who is already looking at him. The alpha shrugs. He turns to look at his pup.

"What do you think, Aito? Do you want to go to the fair?" The pup stands up on the mattress and nods. Grabbing Tadashi's arm as if to convey how much he wants to go. Tadashi chuckles. "Okay baby, okay." He turns back to the alpha. "Looks like we're going to the fair." The alpha retrieves his glasses from the dresser and puts them on.

"Looks like it." He smiles down at the pups and Tadashi has to marvel at how the usually stoic Tsukishima is nowhere to be found in the presence of the children. "Though maybe we should all get dressed, yeah?" The omega looks down at his pajamas and nods with a chuckle.

"That would be a good idea, wouldn't it?" He moves to get out of the bed, taking a wiggling Eiji with him. "Does somebody need a change?" He lays the baby down on his mat and changes him quickly before dressing him for the day. While he's working on the giggling boy, Tsukishima helps Aito, taking him to brush his teeth and helping him dress.

Tadashi can't help but watch. The alpha is so gentle with his baby and Aito looks more comfortable than the omega has ever seen him around an alpha.

He leaves Eiji to crawl around on the floor happily while he goes to the suitcase that he has left by the door, not wanting to take up too much of the alpha's space. He pulls out a pair of high waisted jeans and a dark green knit sweater to change into before doing so in the bathroom.

When he strips out of his sleep shirt, he pauses when he gets a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He turns to his side and looks down at the small bump that protrudes slightly from his stomach. He moves both hands to rest on the bump, turning again to look from a different angle.

"There you are." He whispers into the mirror in complete awe. He looks for another long minute before he is able to snap himself out of his trance like state and is able to dress himself.

When he comes back out, Eiji is toddling around on wobbly legs, following Tsukishima around as the alpha gets ready for the day, babbling happily, reaching for every thing the older man grabs.

Tsukishima for the most part goes about his routine. But it's hard for the omega to miss the small smile that makes its way on to the tall man's face as he quickly runs a comb through his hair. Once again, Eiji reaches up towards the object held in Tsukishima's hand. The alpha hands it to him and within seconds it makes his way into the raven haired pup's mouth. The alpha laughs and pulls it out, replacing it swiftly with his pacifier, which Eiji accepts happily.

"That's for your hair, bud, not your mouth." He ruffles the soft hair and sets the comb aside. "You hungry, or something? Want some breakfast?" The pup perks up at that, always up for food. Tsukishima looks up to where Aito sits back on the bed, fully ready for the day and hugging Dino tightly. "Aito? Breakfast?" He signs the word as he says it and the pup nods with a small smile, hopping off the bed and shyly approaching Tsukishima and his brother.

Eiji leans in to Tsukishima's leg and he picks the pup up, resting him on his hip. Aito follows his brother with his eyes and Tsukishima holds his free arm out in invitation. Aito hesitates for a long moment before reaching up in return and allowing the alpha to lift him up alongside his brother. Tsukishima notices him then.

"Hungry, Dashi?" His breath catches in his throat at the sight. The blonde alpha standing there smiling at him, holding his two boys in his arms, who both look like they couldn't possibly think of a better place to be. They look almost like a family. He puts a smile on his face as he nods.

"I could eat." Tsukishima smiles and nods towards the door in invitation. Tadashi smiles and heads into the hallway, towards the stairs.

"Are you okay to get down on your own? How you feeling?" Tadashi nods.

"Yeah. I.. I feel a lot better today." Tsukishima heads down first and waits at the bottom, arms still full of Eiji and Aito, watching as Tadashi descends much more swiftly than before but not without a tight grip on the rail. When he gets down to the bottom he looks up at the alpha triumphantly. "See?"

"Graceful." There's the sarcasm. Tadashi swats him on the arm before making his way towards the kitchen with the alpha close behind. He is greeted with the heavenly smell of blueberry muffins and nearly starts drooling on the spot. A few more steps into the kitchen reveals a humming Suga, dressed in a pair of light wash jeans and a pastel yellow crew neck. He takes a muffin pan out of the oven, placing it on the stove to cool before replacing it with another pan of unbaked batter.

Tadashi giggles at the sight of the silver haired man who sports a dusting of flour on his right cheek as he goes back to stirring a large bowl of batter. Suga looks up at the sound and smiles when he sees Yamaguchi.

"Good morning!" He says brightly.

"Well somebody is in a good mood today." Tadashi looks around the mess of a kitchen before his eyes land on the table. Bokuto, Akaashi, Ushijima, Tendou, Asahi, and Noya all sit around the table, most of whom are eating muffins that Suga had prepared. They are also joined by Akihiko and Daichi who holds a wide eyed Keiko who sucks on her pacifier. The head alpha looks much more comfortable holding the child than the last time Tadashi had seen him do so. Now he smiles down at the little girl as she reaches up to touch his face.

"Well, it's a beautiful day, so I thought I'd make breakfast for everyone."

"It smells wonderful." Tadashi says as he reaches to take Aito into his arms, who has become slightly uncomfortable around so many people and reached out for his mother.

"Well, there's enough to feed an army." The older omega lifts a plate of still warm muffins. Tadashi accepts one with a smile and removes the paper wrapping, holding it up for Aito to take a bite, not wanting to get his cast dirty. The pup turns his head away from the approaching muffin and Tadashi frowns.

"Oh. Right." Suga turns to the counter and grabs one of Eiji's bottles and Aito's sippy cup. "I already got them all prepared." He hands Aito his milk and the pup smiles at him. As Suga approaches Eiji with his bottle, the little boy leans forward and opens his mouth, letting his pacifier fall straight to the floor without a care. Tsukishima sighs, staring down at the pacifier and Suga laughs.

"Is somebody hungry?" The pup makes grabby hands and Suga hands over the desired bottle. "There you go, sweet boy. There you go." He presses a kiss to the crown of his head before kneeling to grab the discarded pacifier and handing it to Tsukishima with a small smile. Tadashi smiles as well, Suga had been doing his best to warm up to the blonde alpha and Yams was incredibly thankful for it.

"Should I wash this?" The alpha asks. Suga waves him off with a good natured laugh.

"He'll live." Tadashi watches with a smile. He's been noticing that Tsukki learning to care for his boys is rather adorable, and he'd been trying so hard to do so. He takes a bite of the muffin in his hand to distract himself before his feelings can get out of hand. He lets out a groan of satisfaction at the taste.

"Suga, these are amazing!" Suga looks up from the bowl to smile at him, brushing the back of his hand across his cheek, only managing to smear the flour over his cheekbone.

"Thanks." He looks back down, almost bashful.

"Do you want to try, Aito?" He offers now that the blonde boy has had his milk. Aito accepts, opening his mouth and allowing his mom to feed him a bite of the muffin. "Is it yummy?" He nods his head enthusiastically. "Suga, are you coming to the fair today?" Suga shakes his head.

"I think I'm staying in to rest today. The fair just seems like kind of a lot and I have work tonight." Tadashi nods solemnly. The silver haired man finishes emptying the bowl into the last muffin tin and sets it aside before he goes to look over Daichi's shoulder at his daughter. "Besides, I can't freeze my little girl, can I?" He reaches around Daichi's torso to gently grab her onesie-clad foot, earning an amused coo from the baby.

Daichi looks up at him and his features soften, a small smile makes its way onto his face and lights up his eyes. Tadashi may have only known Daichi for a month or so, but he'd rarely seen that expression on the alpha. Not unless he was with Suga. He watches as Suga looks up to meet the other man's gaze, still leaning partially over his shoulder. The dark haired alpha's smile slowly melts into a different look. A look that Tadashi certainly hasn't ever seen on him.

Daichi reaches up and gently brushes his thumb over Suga's cheekbone, right over where the flour was smudged. Suga doesn't move an inch, gaze locked on Daichi. The kitchen has fallen silent. Everyone watches them with a mix of amusement and shock. Daichi seems to pick up on the change of energy as he drops his hand and clears his throat.

"There was uh- flour." Suga stands straight again. Face turning nearly as red as a tomato as he realizes people are staring.

"Uh, right." He is saved by the oven going off and rushes to switch out the muffin pans. Tadashi had to keep in another giggle when he makes eye contact with Akaashi who raises an eyebrow.

"All done, mommy!" Akihiko interrupts the quietness of the kitchen, oblivious to the stunned energy around him. He lifts his plate up with both arms to show his mother how empty it is, spilling a few crumbs onto the table.

"Careful, Aki. I can see that you've finished." Akaashi says exasperatedly, sweeping up the fallen crumbs from the table as the pup stands up on his chair.

"We can go?"

"We have to wait for Aito to be ready, he's still eating. You don't want to go to the fair without him, do you?" Akaashi takes Aki's plate along with his own and stands with a small grunt. Bokuto is up and by his side immediately, one hand resting on the omega's back, the other gently taking the plates from Akaashi's hands into his own.

"I got these, Kaashi." He says softly. Yamaguchi finds that his eyes are now locked on these two. Exactly how much has he missed in the week he's been holed up in Tsukishima's room?

***

When they'd finished breakfast, Tendou excitedly declares that it is time to go, dragging a startled Ushijima towards the front door. Akihiko shouts in agreement and dashes past them to put his shoes on. Bokuto perks up as well, grabbing Akaashi's hand and pulling him along. Tsukishima rolls his eyes.

"This'll be fun." His words are twinged with sarcasm.

"Yes! Yes it will." Tadashi says with a smile, nuzzling Aito's cheek lovingly. Then he places the sippy cup and bottle by the sink and goes to follow the others. By the front door, he puts on his shoes and Aito puts on his own. Upon his request, Tsukishima sets Eiji down so Tadashi may help him with his boots. He then moves on to bundle the boys up.

Kuroo and Kenma had been kind enough to go out and buy new coats for the boys, along with other winter essentials such as boots, hats, and gloves. Yamaguchi and Akaashi would be eternally grateful to them. He smiles at his adorable babies, Aito with his little dinosaur hat-who knows how Kuroo was able to find it- and Eiji in a blue snowsuit that was so puffy he couldn't even put his arms all the way down by his sides. Tadashi had to laugh at how silly he looked waddling around like a little marshmallow.

Once everyone was bundled up and ready to go, they made their way outside. Tendou practically skipped out in front of them, just as excited as the pups for today's activities. Tadashi was happy to see him so lively when he'd been so distant the past week or so.

They'd decided to take three cars, the alpha's would each drive their own. Yams follows Tsukishima to the familiar, sleek, black car and is more than surprised when the alpha opens the back door to show two car seats, already strapped in.

"When did you-" He trails off, reaching out to touch the closest car seat.

"Me and Bokuto went out a couple of days ago, I think you were napping. Suga told us what to look for, of course. There's one for Akihiko in Bo's car. One for his baby as well, whenever he decides to show up." Tadashi laughs but his eyes are nearly overflowing with tears.

"Tsukki, this is- thank you. Thank you so much."

"It's really no problem, we need a way to get them around safely. My arm isn't exactly the most effective seatbelt."

They make quick work of buckling the boys in between the two of them before they go to sit in the front, Tsukishima at the wheel. They were to follow Ushijima' scar to the fair grounds and Bokuto would follow behind them.

"Ready?"

"So ready."

***

Tadashi couldn't believe that this whole thing was so close to where he used to live. The fair took up a huge open area of land just outside the city that resides just beside a small lake, which has frozen over. There are tents and shacks set up, bonfires lit almost ever 20 feet or so, and several hundred people milling around, enjoying the beautiful day and the games and activities of the festival.

Tendou was absolutely beaming when they arrived, grabbing Ushijima by the sleeve of his coat and practically dragging the larger man around. Akihiko seemed to take the same approach with Aito, having to be reprimanded by Akaashi several times as it was hard for the blonde to keep up, especially in the snow and with boots that were heavier than what he was used to. Eiji also toddled on excitedly, behind the older boys but slightly ahead of Tadashi, who was there to pick him up every time he face planted into the snow.

The omega smiles as he watched the boys having fun, running around and playing carnival games that had all been winter themed. A band that was set up on a stage played cheery music that heightened his already good mood. He was amazed at all of the activities the fair had to offer. There would be dogsled races tomorrow so they wouldn't be able to watch today but they had an area set up where you could pet some of the huskies that would be racing, a personal favorite of Tadashi's.

They got hot chocolate and walked along a path that led them through a huge exhibit of ice sculptures ranging from a ballerina to a polar bear with a fish in its mouth. Yamaguchi has to laugh when Aito and Tsukki both look at the giant T-Rex for much longer than any of the other sculptures. Akihiko seems to have no patience for the exhibits and is instead fully engaged in a snowball fight with Bokuto while Eiji had been imprisoned in Tadashi's arms after eating one handful too much of snow after being repeatedly told not to.

Luckily enough, they went to the lake afterward, where they were renting out skates. This was definitely more up Akihiko's alley and he was immediately begging to go. Akaashi, of course agreed.

"Okay but Bokuto has to take you, it's not safe for mommy to be on the ice right now." Akihiko deflates slightly at the news that his mother will not be joining him but his excitement returns when Bokuto offers to help him go get some skates on.

"Do you want to skate, Aito?" He kneels down so he is face to face with the blonde, putting Eiji down so he can sign. Aito looks hesitant, looking out at all of the people gliding along on the ice. "Why don't you give it a try? It'll be fun!" The small boy nods hesitantly and Tadashi takes him up to the counter to get a pair of skates that will fit him. Before their turn in line, Aito tugs on his sleeve and signs up at him.

'You come?' Tadashi pauses, unsure of how to respond. He knows Aito would like it if he came along but ice skating was on a long list of things not to do while pregnant. But he didn't have another excuse. It's not exactly like he can play the pregnancy card with Tsukishima.

"Maybe it's best if your mommy stays off of skates." Tsukishima comes to stand beside him, addressing Aito. "He's awfully clumsy, after all, isn't he?" Aito giggles at that and nods. The omega fakes an offended gasp but relief floods him at the way out.

Tsukishima insists on paying the fee for the skates, waving Yamaguchi off when he insists he can at least pay for that much, after the alpha had payed for admission and hot chocolate.

They get the boys into their skates and Bokuto puts on a pair as well, he gets on the ice before Aito and Aki to show them that it isn’t so bad. Aki excitedly jumps on, falling near immediately but giggling and trying to stand up instantly. Aito takes a step back, barely standing on regular ground on the skates.

Bokuto grabs both of Aki's hands and helps him skate ever so slowly. Aito doesn't get on the ice until Tsukki offers to hold onto him, walking backwards on the ice slowly and pulling him forward. Tadashi smiles.

Eiji insist that he be on the ice as well and Tadashi figures there can't be harm in just walking on ice if he's careful. So he takes Eiji out as well, staying close and allowing him to try and walk on his own. Luckily, the puffy snowsuit provides enough padding that the pup can get back up no problem each time he falls, which is nearly every two seconds. He giggles each time and spends more time on the ground than he does walking.

When Eiji's had his fill of the ice, Tadashi brings him over to where Akaashi has found a bench to sit on and seats himself beside the taller man. He watches the other omega smile to where Bokuto skates backwards, switching between pulling Aki and Aito along with him.

"You seem happy." He says, the dark haired man looks back at him.

"Yeah?" Tadashi nods.

"It's a really good look on you." The taller omega looks down at his hands in his lap with a small smile. "Bokuto's sweet. The kids love him." He giggles. "And I have a feeling they’re not the only ones." Akaashi blushes heavily and doesn't say a single thing. They sit in peaceful silence for a few moments before he speaks up.

"How are you feeling? Has the bruising gone down?"

"A bit, it still looks pretty bad but feels a lot better."

"I'm glad. How much longer will you have the brace?" He nods towards Tadashi's wrist.

"Another week or so. Have to play it by ear."

"Right." Akaashi leans his head down to rest on Yamaguchi's shoulder. "I'm so glad you're okay." He whispers. He reaches between Yams and Eiji to rest his hand in the barely there bump. "Both of you." Tadashi rests his hand over Akaashi's. "And I miss you. The nest isn't the same without you. But I'm glad to see Tsukishima taking care of you."

"I miss you too." Though he only admits silently to himself that he too has been enjoying having Tsukki around him constantly. He's getting too attached. "Maybe I'll start sleeping in the nest soon. I know Eiji misses the cuddle puddles." Right on cue, Eiji crawls over him to sit on Akaashi's lap, leaning over his belly to lean his head on his chest.

Akaashi laughs and scratches behind his ear, a familiar show of affection that he typically displays with Akihiko. Eiji purrs and closes his eyes. Tadashi watches him closely. Maybe it really is time to move back to the nest. Eiji has always loved being with the pack, with Akaashi and Suga, why should he take that away from him.

But then he looks back out to the ice where Tsukishima is picking Aito up off of the ice and setting him back on his feet. He watches as the pup keeps hold of one of the alpha's hands like his life depends on it. He was starting to warm up to his father, finally able to have that presence in his life that he's never known. Could Tadashi really get in the way of that? He has a lot of decisions to make very soon.

Bokuto and the boys continue to skate for a long while. Eventually, Tendou and Ushijima rejoin them and decide to get on the ice as well, though Tadashi had no clue as to how the red haired omega had convinced the stoic alpha to even put the skates on.

After another hour or so of skating, the boys seem to have worn themselves out, so they come back and change into their regular shoes. The sun has slowly begun to set they decide to go warm up by one of the bonfires as the temperature starts to drop.

They manage to find one with nobody around it that they can have to themselves and all gather around the warmth, holding their hands close to the flames. Bokuto disappears for a moment before coming back with a tray of ingredients to make s'mores that he had bought from a booth not so far away.

They spend the rest of the evening roasting marshmallows and talking and laughing. Tadashi can't remember the last time he had felt so relaxed around so many people. The same goes for Aito, who is messily enjoying his s'more from his place on Tsukishima's hip.  He'd already managed to get marshmallow all over his face, as well as on Tsukishima's jacket, though the alpha doesn't seem to mind. Eiji doesn't look much better, Tadashi had given him a piece of chocolate and would bet that more ended up on his son's face than in his mouth.

He loved nothing more than seeing his babies so content.

Just as it truly became dark, they decided it was time to head back, wiping the faces and hands of the tired children as best as they could before leaving the fair grounds and returning to their cars. He loads the boys into the car before getting into the passengers seat, shivering as he waits for the heat to kick in.

As Tsukishima starts to drive, he admires the scenery out the window with a content smile on his face. He was glad Tendou had dragged them all here today. He couldn't have asked for a better way to spend the day.

As expected, when he looks back, both his boys are knocked out, rocked to sleep by the car after an exhausting day. He smiles at them for a moment longer before turning back to face forward, leaning his head back against the headrest, and promptly falling asleep himself.

***

Tendou POV:

When he had excitedly suggested they go to the fair, he hadn't actually expected the alpha to agree. He'd been ecstatic that morning, running around to get ready and make sure Tadashi and Akaashi were bringing their boys because what child wants to miss out in a winter fair? What person would want to miss it, for that matter?

He'd been so excited, getting into the car with Ushijima, practically bouncing with happiness. He'd spent the drive up looking at the website, rambling on and on about all of the things he wanted to do. And Ushijima had listened. Listened and agreed.

And the fair had been perfect. They had gone everywhere. They had looked at the sculptures, they had watched the band, they had ice skated, they had eaten food. So much food. And Ushijima had insisted on paying for everything despite the omega's protests, continuously stating that it was his treat.

It was the happiest Tendou had been in weeks.

But as he knows, highs are always followed by lows. At least in his experience.

It had started as they left the bonfire. It was starting to get late, and most families with young children were leaving. He couldn't help but look around at all of the parents with their children, some talking in loud, excited voices, some laughing together with their children, they even passed a mother comforting her crying son, sushing him gently and kissing the top of his head. 

His head starts to go into overdrive. The overthinking, the anxiety, the sadness, the fear. It all rushes back in that moment as he looks around at all of these families and sees what he has never had. A family to laugh with. A mother to dry his tears, to comfort him, to love him. No, his life had been one long trial of abandonment and rejection and sometimes his brain has to remind him at the worst of times. Remind him that everybody who was supposed to love him left him. And eventually, everybody he loves now will leave him too.

As his mind starts to swallow him whole, he slows and starts to fall further and further behind the group. It doesn't take long for Ushijima to notice and soon, he stops to wait for the omega to catch up.

"Are you alright?" The redhead nods.

"Just tired. Wanna go home."

"I'll get you home." The alpha reassures him with that deep, comforting voice. If he hadn't been so deep in his head by now, he would have found comfort in that. Instead he just follows silently, weighed down by his own thoughts.

This time, the drive back is silent and Tendou has to fight the urge to curl in on himself and never get up. Instead, he finds himself disassociating until the car drives up the familiar long driveway and towards the mansion.

The air is tense and he feels horribly guilty for causing this mood shift after everything the alpha had done for him today. He tries to make himself feel even an ounce of the happiness he had felt earlier but is unsuccessful in doing so. Instead, when Ushijima puts the car into park, he says a rushed thank you and stumbles out of the car immediately. Beelining towards the house and heading straight upstairs to his room.

It isn't until his door is shut behind him and locked that his mind fully consumes him. He can hear himself breathing raggedly and can feel his entire body going numb. A familiar dizziness overtakes him and he practically keeps over, hands burying themselves into his hair and pulling hard in an attempt to snap himself out of it.

When he manages to somewhat get his bearings, he stumbles over to his dresser, and reaches up where he keeps his shoes, hands shaking violently, and grabs the pair he had worn to the club that night with Ushijima.

He reaches inside, all the way to the toe, until his fingers graze something smooth. He removes a small baggie and looks down at it for a long moment, falling to his knees.

He’d known Daichi would no what was up. He’d known the man would want to protect him, would check him for anything he had on him. So he made sure to hurriedly stuff a couple of them into his shoe, knowing Daichi would never be that thorough.

He doesn’t notice the tears running down his face until they are dripping down to land on his hand.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” He whispers to the emptiness of his room. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to feel this way. I want it to stop, just for a little bit. Just for a little bit.” He sobs. “I’m sorry.” He pushes himself up onto shaky legs and makes his way to the bathroom, closing the door tightly behind him.

Chapter Text

Daichi POV:

Daichi returns to the house in the late morning, exhausted. He'd been out all night taking care of business, overseeing weapons deals and the usual rounds to keep people in line. Not the most fun work, but it had to be done. He drags himself into the kitchen and perks up at the pleasant smell that greets him.

He'd expected Suga to still be in bed this early in the morning, and yet here he is, kneeling in front of the oven to check on its contents with his brow furrowed in concentration. He'd been baking all types of treats and pastries for the past few days and it was obvious that the pack was enjoying it. Though Daichi could say confidently that none of them enjoyed the omega's presence in the packhouse quite as much as he did.

"Smells great in here." He says as he sets his keys on the table, looking over to where Keiko is asleep in the car seat carrier they'd gotten for her, never too far away from her mother. Suga stands from the oven with the pan in his hands, shutting it with his foot and holding it up for Daichi to see.

"Scones." He says bashfully.

"They look delicious, Suga. I hope they weren't too much trouble, I'm afraid nearly everybody has been sent out today." It was true, it was a busy day for the gang and everybody had a job today, and Tsukishima had taken Akaashi and Tadashi to doctors appointments he had been able to set up for their pups. He'd managed to get one for Keiko too, but it would take place in a few days.

"Oh, I know. I just thought you might appreciate something to eat when you got back." He plates one of the scones, putting an assortment of berries on the side and fills Daichi's mug with freshly brewed coffee. He places them down at a seat at the table and looks back up at the alpha.

Daichi stares down at the plate of food for a long while. The warm smell makes his mouth water. Suga had made this for him? The omega seems to become slightly uncomfortable with the silence.

"But i-if you're not hungry that's fine. If you already ate. I wasn't sure so I just thought I'd- I mean, I guess I just assumed. Here, I can-" He reaches for the plate again but Daichi stops him.

"No, no. It looks great! I'm starving actually. I was just surprised, I guess. This is really kind of you, Suga." The omega blushes once again and fidgets nervously. Daichi takes a seat. "Would you join me?"

"Hm?" The omega snaps his eyes back up from the floor. "Oh, uh. Yeah, sure." He turns back to get a plate for himself and grabs his half drunk mug of tea. Daichi smiles when he notices he's using the same one the alpha had picked out for him. The omega sits across from him, close enough so that he can get a whiff of that vanilla scent, even better than the scones if you asked Daichi.

The alpha takes a bite of the scone and sighs. God, he could get used to this, it's warm and buttery, and are those cranberries?

"Suga, this is amazing." The omega blushes as he chews.

"It's really nothing."

"This is nothing? I can barely make toast without burning the kitchen down. Seriously, you're talented."

"Thank you, Daichi. That's very kind." They continue to eat, making comfortable small talk before Daichi interrupts himself with a yawn. "Long night?"

"Unbelievably long. But not worth discussing." He brushes it off, Suga doesn't need to be concerned with the inner workings of crime in the city. "What about you? It's pretty early, you must be tired." The omega laughs.

"Always." Keiko sneezes from her car seat and Suga leans over in his chair to take her out. Pressing a gentle kiss to her tiny cheek. "I have my own personal alarm clock right here." Keiko continues to make humming noises as the omega rubs his nose against her cheek. He looks at her with so much love in his eyes but it's hard to ignore how tired he looks.

"You know, Suga. If you ever need any help, you can come to me. I know Akaashi and Yamaguchi have been a bit preoccupied and it can't be easy working all night and caring for Keiko all day. It must be exhausting. I could always watch her for a bit, so you could get a few hours of sleep, or do anything really. Have some time for yourself. I know it's hard to trust an alpha with your pup, and if you're not comfortable, I understand. I just want you to know that I'm here." When he finally brings himself to meet Suga's eyes, the omega is smiling.

"I really appreciate that, Daichi. It means a lot." He relaxes at the reassurance that he hadn't overstepped. "However, I'm not sure when the last time you looked in a mirror was because you, sir, look absolutely exhausted." He laughs at that.

"Yeah, I guess all nighters will do that for you." He offers to take Suga's empty plate and washes it with his own in the sink before leaving them on the drying rack. Suga stands, bouncing Keiko gently.

"Do you mind if I put something on the TV in there?" He nods towards the living room.

"Of course, go ahead. You don't have to ask, this is your home now too."

"Thank you." He turns to leave the kitchen but the alpha can't stand watching him go.

"Hey," The omega turns back around. "Do you mind if I join you? There's some reports I have to get through and I could use the background noise." And the relaxing smell of a certain silver haired omega.

"Of course." He smiles, hazel eyes lighting up. Suga heads in to the living room and Daichi goes to his office to quickly grab some of the documents he needs to read over.

When he comes in to the living room, Suga is sat on the couch, practically curled up in a ball with his knees pulled up to his chest. Keiko is laying on her tummy on a mat on the floor, and a volleyball game is playing on the tv.

"You like volleyball?" He asks as he makes himself comfortable on the couch, close enough that his thigh brushes against the omega. He smiles when the omega leans into him.

"Yeah. I always loved playing with my friends in elementary school. Now I just like to watch."

"Really? I was on a team in high school! Most of the guys were, actually."

"That's so cool! I wish I could have played."

"Well, we should all play some time. It would be fun."

"I would like that." The omega says, then he yawns. "I would really like that." He leans his head on Daichi's shoulder and they fall into a happy silence, Suga watching the game and Daichi switching between going over his reports and sneaking glances at the beautiful man beside him.

***

About half an hour later, the omega is asleep. His head still resting on Daichi's shoulder and his breathing had evened out. Daichi smiles down at him. He'd turned the sound down on the tv but the game still played in the background. He'd finished the first report and decided that he deserves a little break to admire the silver haired omega.

His borderline creepy staring is interrupted by a small cough from the floor. He looks over to where Keiko is still on the floor, she turns her head so her eyes meet his. He smiles at her and she lets out a small huff before she coughs again.

"You okay, sunshine?" He asks, sitting up slightly, careful not to jostle Suga too much. The omega falls back against the back of the couch, continuing to sleep. When Keiko whimpers and lets out another two coughs back to back, Daichi gets up and picks her up from the floor. "What's wrong?" He asks her softly.

When he'd held her before, she was always warm, he'd just assumed that's how babies were. But right now, she feels like a little burning ball of fire in his arms. Why was she so hot? She continues to cough several more times before letting out a pitiful wail. Suga nearly bolts upright from where he was sleeping.

"What's up?" He asks, standing when he sees Daichi holding his child.

"She's started coughing and she feels really warm." Suga approaches quickly and takes the baby into his arms. She coughs again and begins to sob.

"Oh princess, what's wrong?" He says the words softly but Daichi can feel the shift in the atmosphere as Suga naturally falls into worried mom mode. The baby simply continues to cry and kick her feet unhappily. "I think she's coming down with something. Would you get me a cool rag please?" Daichi doesn't hesitate to do as he asks.

When he returns, the omega gratefully accepts the rag and presses it gently to Keiko's forehead. The baby starts to kick and wail again at the cold.

"I'm sorry, princess. I know, I know, sweetheart." Daichi approaches him to get a closer look at the child, her face looks awfully red as Suga switches between holding the cloth to her forehead and cheeks.

"Is there anything else I can do?" He asks.

"Could you please got get one of the lighter onesies from our room? They're in the dresser by the closet, top drawer with my shirts."

"Of course." He turns to leave the room and runs up the stairs to the room where the omega's have been staying. He knocks on the door, knowing full well nobody is there but not willing to walk in without doing so. He opens the door and is hit with a wave of scents, mostly Akaashi's and Suga's but he can make out Aki's as well, maybe a little bit of Eiji too.

He hurries over to the dresser Suga had mentioned, not wanting to be in the omegas' space for longer than necessary. He opens the drawer to find a combination of shirts that smell strongly of Suga and a bunch of tiny, colorful onesies. He shifts through them carefully. Most of them were made of a soft, thick material but he eventually finds a pastel pink one that seems to be made of a thinner cotton material. He grabs it and quickly heads back to Suga and Keiko.

"Is this one alright?" He holds it up for the omega to see.

"That's great, thank you." He takes the onesie and lays Keiko down to unzip the one she's wearing. "I just want to try to cool her down." The baby continues to cry as she is changed into her new outfit.

"Let me take this again." Daichi grabs the rag to run it under some cool water again. When he brings it back Suga thanks him and places it back on the baby's head.

"You're okay princess." He coos softly.

It takes nearly two hours of Suga humming and rocking her back and forth before Keiko is able to fall into a fitful sleep. Suga doesn't seem to relax at all, however. He refuses to put her down and mutters continuously to her under his breath. The entire house is beginning to smell like a worried omega as Suga continuously releases a stressed scent.

The front door bursts open and Yamaguchi hurries in, Akaashi close behind and Tsukishima with the children after. When his eyes land on Suga he is by his side in an instant.

"What happened? What's wrong? I could smell you from outside. Are you alright?"

"Keiko's sick." Daichi tells him when he senses Suga may not want to respond when he doesn't look up from the child. "She's been coughing and sneezing and she's really warm." Suga whimpers at the words said out loud.

Both omega's go to comfort him, whispering to him and nuzzling him softly. He relaxes slightly but when Yamaguchi offers to take Keiko so that he may rest, he tenses again, a small growl rumbling in his chest. Yamaguchi takes a step back.

"Okay, alright. You keep her." He speaks softly to the distressed man. Eventually, he steps away from Akaashi as well, turning away from the small crowd to shield the baby in his arms.

Almost as if on que for the worst timing in the world, Bokuto returns with Iwaizumi and Tanaka, who's probably here to raid the kitchen. Suga backs himself into a corner at the sudden arrival of several alphas.

"Daichi? Maybe it would be best if he could be somewhere less crowded?" Yamaguchi looks to him.

"Y-you- You want me to take him?" The small man nods.

"Could you?"

"Y-yeah, of course." He looks between Yamaguchi and the cowering Suga who's chest still rumbles with a continuous growl  Keiko still sleeps fitfully in his arms. "Okay." He whispers more to himself than anyone else, trying to build the confidence one would need to approach a partially feral omega.

He takes a deep breath before stepping forward. Suga eyes him wearily and turns slightly away from him.

"I'm not gonna take her, Suga." The omega's eyes stay locked on him. He tries another step and this time Suga stays put. He takes another, then another before he's close enough to gently lay a hand on Suga's shoulder. "Let's go upstairs, yeah?" The omega looks around carefully at everyone in the room and nods.

“I’ll call in sick for you tonight, okay?” Tadashi asks. Suga nods.

"Okay. Let's go." He leads him back out of the living room, past the front door, and up the stairs.

"We can go to my room, is that okay?" Suga looks at him, eyes seeming to have cleared a bit.

"Yeah. Yeah that's fine."

"Okay it's just up here and to the left." He directs the omega towards his room and opens the door for him. He flips the light on as they step inside. "Here we are." He leads the omega to where he can sit on the couch that's pushed up to one wall.

"Can I get you anything? Water?" Suga shakes his head, not looking up from Keiko. "Right." Daichi sighs and sits down on the couch beside Suga.

***

He wakes up what must be a couple of hours later. It's dark outside, he must have knocked out as soon as he sat down. He is snapped out of his sleepy state instantly when there's a whine beside him. He looks over to see the omega rocking back and forth, tears running down his face, breathing erratically.

"Suga."

"She's not breathing right. Daichi, she's not breathing right. Oh my god." He's alert immediately. He leans over to look at Keiko who's whining as well, her breaths are short and shallow and come out more like wheezes. She coughs. "What do I do? What do I do?"

"Hey, it's gonna be fine. I'm gonna find out what to do, okay?" He pulls out his phone and clicks on a number he has saved. It rings once. Twice.

"Daichi? Jesus Christ, what time is it?" Ukai sounds groggy.

"I need to speak with Takeda-San. Is he with you?"

"Yes he's right here. What's wrong? Who's hurt?"

"Just put him on!" He knows he sounds frantic but now wasn't the time. Takes a was a doctor that worked with them frequently, mostly for gunshot and stab wounds. He could only pray the man knew what to do in situations such as these.

"Daichi?" Takeda sounds exhausted as well. "Is everything okay?"

"What do you know about babies?"

"Daichi what-"

"Just tell me, please! My friend’s child is sick and she doesn't seem to be breathing properly. Can you help? You're the only doctor I know and I thought this would be faster than the hospital. I- we need your help. Please."

"Can you explain what's wrong?"

"She was coughing earlier today and had a bit of a fever but then she slept for a few hours and seemed better but now she doesn't seem to be breathing properly. She's kind of wheezing."

"Well I might know what the issue is, here’s what you need to do..."

After the phone call, Daichi rushes into the bathroom, he turns on the shower as hot as it will go and does the same with the sink. He shuts the door and approaches Suga who's now standing and alternating between patting and rubbing Keiko back, still crying.

"Give her here." He says, reaching to take the baby out of Suga's shaking hands.

"Why?" The omega questions but doesn't stop him.

"I called a doctor. He thinks she's congested. Said it would help if we gave her a steam bath." He lays her down on the bed and carefully takes her out of her onesie, leaving her in just her diaper. He shrugs his own shirt off as well before picking her up. "I can take care of this, just sit down for me? You look exhausted and you need to try and calm down, alright? I'll keep you updated." Suga nods but follows him right to the bathroom door.

"Hey, we're gonna be right on the other side of this door. I don't want you in there, you're exhausted and on the verge of dropping and I don't want you passing out on me. Just sit down and rest. Please." With that, he closes the door and lays a towel down to cover the gap between the door and the floor.

By now the room had filled with a considerable amount of steam and Keiko was writhing uncomfortably, whether it be from the steam, her congestion, or the lack of presence from her mother, the alpha had no idea.

"I know, sunshine. I know. I'm sorry. You're gonna feel better soon."

He sits on the side of the tub and rocks the small child back and forth. Sushing her cries gently.

"Please let this work."

Suga POV:

Suga sits on the floor outside the bathroom, knees hugged against his chest and rocking gently. The only thing keeping him from knocking the door down is the sounds Keiko continues to make and Daichi's calm, quiet voice speaking to her softly.

"I'm sorry, baby. I'm sorry." He whispers gently. He knows Keiko can't hear him but he can't help it. How could he have let it get this far. He'd thought it was just a little cough and now she couldn't even breathe properly. At that reminder, his brain goes fuzzy again. He needs to calm down. He won't be much help to his daughter if he drops. This doesn't stop him from letting out a distressed whine, however. There's a cry from the bathroom soon after.

"It's okay, sunshine. Mommy's okay. You're okay." Daichi's deep, quiet voice is so soothing, even from the other room. "Suga?" The alphas voice is louder now, but still just as soft. "Suga. She's just fine. Take a few deep breaths for me, okay? If you calm down a bit, you can come in with us, alright?"

"Okay. Okay." He pushes his bangs back of his forehead and took a few deep breaths. He can calm down. He can calm down for his daughter. He takes a couple of moments to himself, brushing the tears off his cheeks. "I'm calm." He says with as much confidence as he can muster.

"Okay. I'm gonna open the door, come in quickly."

"Yeah." The door opens and he steps in before it is shut behind him again. He looks down at his daughter and reaches for her.

"Hey. Hey, baby." The tears fall again but these are tears of relief at seeing her again.

"I think she's starting to do better." Daichi says as he hands her over. And she does seem to be, Suga realizes with a rush of hope. She looks to be breathing much easier than before and her whining has quieted considerably.

"There's my beautiful girl." He presses gentle kisses all over her little face. He slides down to sit with his back against the door. God, it's hot in here. He distracts himself by watching Keiko carefully, watches her eyelids become heavy and her eyes fall closed, watches her chest rise and fall as she breathes. He tears up again. She's okay. She's okay.

"You should probably feed her soon. "Takeda-San said it's important to make sure she stays hydrated." Glistening eyes turn up to look at the alpha.

"Thank you." He sobs. "Thank you, Daichi."

“Of course.” He can feel the alpha’s eyes on him for a long moment. “You feed her. I’ll get you some water.” He gently helps Suga up and leads him back to sit on the couch. Suga nods.

The alpha disappears and he’s left alone with his daughter. He takes another moment to watch her breathing. It seems to come much easier for her now. Finally, finally satisfied, he pulls his now wet shirt up over his head, having opted for a regular t-shirt today, and unsnaps his bralette.

Daichi returns a few minutes later and holds out a glass to him. He accepts gratefully, careful not to jostle Keiko.

“I brought her car seat too. If you want to put her down.” He shakes his head.

“Not yet.” He presses forehead to the side of her head and breathes in her scent. Daichi sits down on the other side of the couch, giving the mother and daughter space. He drinks from his own glass of water, still trying to cool off.

Suga holds her until she’s done eating. He holds her for a while after, until she falls asleep, and until he is sure that her breathing is still normal and will stay that way. Only then does he finally place her in her seat so she may sleep peacefully. He sighs as he looks down at her.

When he finally turns back and looks at the alpha, his breath catches in his throat. The man is still shirtless, skin glistening and hair still wet from the steam. Oh.

“Well, it’s late. You two can sleep here. You can take the bed. I can take the couch or sleep in a guest room if you’re more comfortable with that-“ He cuts off abruptly when Suga steps forward, grabs him by the back of his neck, stand on his toes and presses his lips to the alpha’s.

The larger man tenses and pulls back to give him a confused look. He freezes, gaping up at the alpha.

“I’m- oh my god. Daichi, I’m so sorry.” He can’t believe he’d done that, lost control like that. But how could he not have? When the alpha was standing there looking like that, the alpha who had taken him and his friends in, who has protected them and been more kind than Suga ever thought and alpha could be. The alpha who had just stayed up all night with his sick daughter, who had taken such good care of both of them. “That was- I shouldn’t have done that-“ He shuts himself up when Daichi’s large hand comes to rest ever so gently on his cheek, holding his face as though he were something precious.

“You don’t need to apologize.” His thumb gently strokes Suga’s cheekbone. His eyes flicker down to glance at his lips before back up to meet his eyes. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for a while now.” The omega’s heart rate picks up at the whispered words. “Just… Not like this.” The omega looks down at the floor.

“I-I don’t understand.” He doesn’t want this? The first alpha that he’d really been interested in ever doesn’t want him? He was used to being wanted, never had a problem with someone not wanting to touch him. But the first man he wants to touch him doesn’t want to? Maybe it’s because of how many others have touched him. Is he saying that he’d kiss him back if Suga wasn’t so used?

He steps back, arms wrapped around himself. He hadn’t put his shirt back on yet. He can feel tears pricking at his eyes. He grabs his shirt from where he’d discarded it on the couch. It was still wet but had gone cold from sitting out. He starts to put his arms through the sleeves but Daichi stops him with a hand on the shirt.

“Suga.” The alpha’s eyes are full of intensity and the omega freezes. “You’re shivering. Your shirt is soaked, let me get you a dry one.” He lets the alpha take the shirt from him and watches as he goes to the closet and grabs one of his own. He holds it out to him and he accepts, pulling it over his head and appreciating the warmth of the dry fabric combined with the scent of the alpha.

“I’m sorry.” He sniffs. Willing his tears not to fall. “I should go.” He turns back to walk towards Keiko.

“Suga. I’m sorry.” He stops. “I don’t mean to make you feel unwanted. Because it not true.” He turns Suga to face him with a hand on his shoulder. “Stay. We can talk later. You’re exhausted and tonight was an emotional roller coaster for you. I just want you thinking clearly, okay?” The omega nods as a yawn creeps up on him. He really is exhausted. “Here. Lay down.” Daichi lifts the covers for him and guides him under before pulling them back over. He turns to leave but Suga grabs his wrist.

“Stay.” The alpha considers for a long moment before nodding and coming around to lay down on the other side of the bed. He pulls the covers up over to his shoulders and snuggles closer to the alpha’s warmth.

Finally, with his baby’s soft breathing from her carrier and with the strong presence of Daichi beside him. He feels himself relax and drift off to sleep.

Chapter Text

Iwaizumi POV:

Iwaizumi is in a shit mood. He'd barely slept all week, in and out of the house on jobs that went on into the early morning. Otherwise, he was busy with hookups, dead set on getting over his stupid crush on a certain omega. The few spare moments when he was at home, he was dealing with an obnoxious Oikawa. When had the omega become so irritating? Strutting around the house talking loudly and leaking that sweet scent of his, despite his scent glands usually being covered by scent patches.

The worst was when he would show up smelling like other alphas, which was constantly. Iwaizumi would physically cringe away from him whenever he gets a whiff of the strong smells, prompting Oikawa to roll his eyes. It all seems to come to a peak one morning when Iwaizumi has just returned from a long night of supervising drug deals and Oikawa walks through the front door seconds later, just after the alpha finishes slipping his shoes off.

He freezes when he smells the scent of not one, but two alpha scents combined with that subtle jasmine scent of Oikawa. He scrunches his nose and spins towards the omega, who stands straight up from removing his own shoes to looks the alpha in the eye.

"Can I help you, Iwa-Chan?" He shoots him a cocky look and the alpha's anger spikes higher.

"Why do you smell like that?"

"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean." He brushes a hand through his soft hair and heads towards the kitchen. Iwaizumi growls and follows after him.

"If you insist on throwing yourself at alphas every night, you could at least have the decency to wash their scents off before dragging it into our packhouse like this. It's disgusting." Oikawa turns back to face him.

"So I'm disgusting, now? Thank you Iwaizumi, you're a real gentleman."

"Oh, don't get all defensive at me now." He can't help but push. The pent up anger and aggression are coming out. His frustration and pent up emotions exploding like a volcano as he faces the source of his emotional confusion.

"You're such a hypocrite! Bringing omega's home every night and judging me for how I choose to spend my nights. And I don't hear you complaining when Suga comes back smelling like an alpha."

"That's because it's his job, dumbass. I'm sure he's not all to excited to go sleep around like some people seem to be." He settled a pointed look in the other man.

"So what if I am? At least I'm not a sad alpha with nothing better to do than pick on any omega who's comfortable in their sexuality."

"Well you don't need to shove all of our faces in it. And I'll have you know I have many other things to do, you know, like my job? What have you even been doing around here? I sure don't see you helping around. I thought you were supposed to be Ushijima's right hand. Yet here you stay, doing nothing."

"I'll have you know that I have been helping. I'm the one holding the omegas in this house together and you don't see me asking for anything. There are things happening that none of you clueless alphas will ever understand and this place would fall apart without me here." The omega has returned to that stupid, beautiful smirk that only seems to make Iwaizumi's blood boil. "Unless, of course you want to give babysitting a try for a change, Iwa-Chan." He emphasizes that stupid nickname. "You wouldn't last seconds."

This is when he looses it. Who is this omega to come crashing into his life and change everything while simultaneously questioning his ability to care for his pack and the people under his care. He had been far too confused for far too long about his feeling for the omega, but right now, all that is there is white hot anger. He wants to wipe that stupid smirk right off of his face.

"Please, those children shouldn't be anywhere near a sociopath like you in the first place. All you'll manage to do is fuck them up. Thank god you don't have any children. You would be a horrible mother." It was a low blow, possibly the lowest to insult an omega's maternal instincts. To tell them that they're baseline instinctual drive was off. The alpha realizes this just a second too late.

The sound of Oikawa's hand making contact with his cheek echoes through the room loudly. And then it is silent for a split second, but it feels like an eternity. The sting on his face hits hims a second later as he registers what had just happened. Oikawa is looking at him, eyes ablaze with pure fury.

"How dare you?" The omega is livid. "You know nothing about me." The words are said with such force, he almost feels them just as he had felt the slap. The omega stands there, shaking with rage for a few long moments. The room is completely silent and all Iwaizumi can do is stand there silently, stunned. He's never seen Oikawa this upset. Hell, he's never seen anybody this upset. The omega's eyes are nearly overflowing with tears but his body language still shows pure rage.

Then, the omega simply turns and storms from the kitchen, rushing to the stairs before making his way up and out of sight.

Iwaizumi is still. Watching after the omega for a long time. The only sound in the kitchen is the ticking of the clock mounted on the wall.

Shit. He'd finally come down from his anger to be hit with the realization that's he'd fucked up. He'd fucked up big time. Someone clears his throat behind him and he spins around, startled. Ushijima leans against the second entryway into the kitchen.

"I'm going to assume you have an excuse for upsetting one of my pack members?" Ushijima is usually brooding and stoic, very rarely showing much emotion or anything else for that matter. But right now the alpha is downright intimidating, arms crossed over his chest with a protective scowl on his face.

"I-" His shoulders slump and he moves to sit down at the table, burying his face in his hands. "I don't know what that was. I'm sorry."

"I think I would be correct in saying it's not me you owe an apology to."

"I know." He sighs and leans back. "You're right. I just- ugh. I don't know, I just got so angry. I shouldn't have said that but I couldn't- I don't know how to-" He trails of. Ushijima pulls out a chair and sits down.

"Look, I don't know what's up with you right now, and I respect you as an alpha and as a man. I'm sure you understand what you've done." He leans forward onto his elbows in the table. "But let me be clear. I will not having you running about and insulting my pack. Especially with matters you know nothing about." The alphas tone is low, almost threatening. But, wait. What had he said?

"I'm sorry. Am I missing something here?" Ushijima looks at him for a long while.

"You are interested in Oikawa." He says it so flippantly. Not a single change of facial expression. Iwaizumi on the other hand, turns red and starts sputtering.

"What? Yeah, right. I would hardly say-"

"It makes you angry. You're confused. You're instincts tell you one thing while your brain is telling you another." Iwaizumi snaps his mouth shut. "But you can’t take it out on him. Not like this."

Iwaizumi says nothing. Doesn't know what to say.

"Oikawa is..." Ushijima pauses as if to think about what he is going to say. "Not what you'd expect from somebody as..."

"Obnoxious?" Iwaizumi offers. Ushijima shoots him a look and he raises his hands in surrender.

"I was going to say upbeat."

"Of course."

"Look, what I'm trying to say is that Oikawa's had it pretty tough for, well, basically his entire life before he ended up with me. It's hard for him and there is a lot you don't know about him, that anybody doesn't know because he keeps it to himself. And I'm telling you this because he seems to like you. And I need you to fix this. He needs you to fix this and I imagine you would like to as well."

Iwaizumi nods.

"I met Oikawa about 5 years ago. He was alone, had nobody. Was living on the streets." Iwaizumi didn't know what to say. He hadn't expected someone like Oikawa to have gone through something like that. He hides it so well. "It's quite obvious how different we are." He chuckles. "Anyone can see that. But we got along eventually. It was hard for him to trust me, all things considered. But we both needed help."

"What kind of help?" Iwaizumi couldn't help but be curious. Despite the amount of time he'd spent with the omega, he still knew nothing about him.

"I needed information that he was able to provide." When Iwaizumi gives him a look to go in he continues. "A trafficking ring." He freezes.

"Trafficking?" Ushijima nods solemnly. Taking a deep breath before continuing.

"He'd been in an omega house up until days before I'd found him. He had been there for years. Somehow managed to escape. I thought I'd never be able to gain his trust but he needed something from me as well. And I think the thought of shutting down the ring that had imprisoned him for so long was motivation enough." Iwaizumi is stunned.

"An omega house?" Omega houses were horrible places. Prisons where they kept omega's against their will to serve anyone and everyone who comes their way. Usually it is alphas in rut that visit omega houses, where they can have a pick of any omega they want and they are helpless you stop it. The idea of Oikawa being stuck in that kind of hell sets off alarms in the alpha's head.

"He helped me shut the place down and I gave him a place to stay, a pack to love him. And I agreed to help him as best I can. He only continued to impress me with his intelligence and bravery and that is how he ended up in the position he is in today. He earned it himself. There's been a heck of a lot of bumps in the road but he's become someone I would trust my life with." Iwaizumi is silent. Taking in all the information that had just been dumped on him.

"That's why he wears the scent patches?" Ushijima nods.

"He may not show it. But he can be quite uncomfortable around alphas he doesn't know. Doesn't like when they can smell him or immediately identify him as an omega."

"Then what of the alpha's he always leaves to see?" He says it without bitterness, solely out of pure curiosity. "Is he not afraid of them?" Ushijima thinks hard for a long while.

"I think- and this is merely from my own observations and theories- but I think he likes the control. Control over himself, over his body, maybe even over the alpha's he spends the night with. He'd had so little of it and now he does." Iwaizumi nods and then it is quite again. A few minutes pass as Ushijima waits for him to process.

"What did he need help with?" Ushijima looks back at him.

"What?"

"You said you both needed help with something. You explained what it was you needed. What did he need from you?"

"I don't thi-" He is interrupted by a crash from upstairs. The alphas share a look before standing to check out what had caused the noise. A continued streak of loud noises leads them to none other than Oikawa's room and Ushijima swears under his breath. He steps forward to knock on the door and there is an immediate snarl from the other side.

"Oikawa, it's me. I'm going to open the door now." When there is no response, the alpha pushes the door open to reveal a disaster of a bedroom, blankets, pillows and clothing thrown about every which way. The room reeks of Oikawa's distressed scent, extremely powerful despite the scent patches he still wears on his neck.

The omega is kneeling beside his bed in a foot tall pile of clothing, digging through it frantically. His head snaps up when he hears them enter. Iwaizumi decides then that he has seen too many feral omega's in the past few days for his own liking. Of course, that feeling is trumped by the guilt at his knowing that he'd most likely been the cause of this. Oikawa must be nearing a drop if his snarl and blown pupils mean anything.

"Where is she?" Oikawa sounds both infuriated and frantic at the same time. His eyes look up at the alphas in desperation as his hands sift through the material that was most likely once his nest. Iwaizumi looks over to Ushijima in confusion. The othe man does not seem to be caught of guard.

"Oikawa." He says gently. The omega looks at him distractedly.

"Wh-where? She was- where?" He doesn't stop shifting his blankets around.

"Oikawa." Ushijima says again, this time Oikawa doesn't even look up at him, merely whimpers and starts to throw the covers off his bed.

"Omega." Ushijima uses his alpha voice this time and Oikawa freezes. After a long pause he turns to face them completely. He whimpers.

"Alpha." Iwaizumi tenses. He knows it is common for unbonded omegas to refer to their pack leader as their alpha but he'd never heard Oikawa do so. And something deep inside of him didn't like it.

"I know." Ushijima says. There a distinct look of pain in his eyes and Iwaizumi is caught off guard, only used to seeing the stoic side of the alpha. Oikawa throws himself into the other man's arms and sobs, painful ugly sobs that shake his whole body. "We're trying, remember?" Oikawa nods but his cries continue as he buries his face into the alpha's shirt.

"Would you like me to go get Atsumu?" The omega seems to contemplate this for a moment before he nods. "Will you be okay here with Iwaizumi? I think he'd like to talk to you." Oikawa eyes the other alpha cautiously before nodding again. "Okay." Ushijima gently guides him to sit on his bed, leaning over to grab a pillow that Oikawa immediately hugs to his chest. When he's settled, the alpha turns back to face Iwaizumi with a small warning growl. "Don't push." He can only nod.

When the other man has left, closing the door behind him, Iwaizumi slowly makes his way towards the omega who still shook where he sat. He gestures to the spot beside him.

"May I?" The omega looks down at the mattress then back up at him before nodding. The alpha lowers himself gently onto the bed. They sit in a moment of silence before he finally gains the courage to speak. "What I said.." He pauses to take a breath. "What I said to you was completely out of line. I was angry and I know it isn't true but I just said what I thought would make you stop and I know it hurt you. I'm not asking you to forgive me now, I know I was wrong. And I'm sorry."

The omega stays quiet for a long time. His chin rests on the pillow hugged to his chest and his eyes are glued to the floor. When he doesn't speak, Iwaizumi moves to stand and leave the room to give him some space.

"It's alright." The omega's voice stops him in his tracks. The brunette hugs the pillow tighter to him. "I know I can be a lot. I tend to frustrate people."

"No. That's not an excuse for me to say things like that. I knew it would hurt you but I said it anyway. It's not alright."

Oikawa just nods at that, but Iwaizumi isn't convinced he's really listening.

"I'm sorry you had to see me like that. I'm usually more... contained." He hides his face in the pillow, embarrassed. "I just... Sometimes I lose it.”

Iwaizumi wants to interrupt, to tell the omega that he doesn't need to be contained. He shouldn't have to worry about things like that at all. But he stays quiet. He knows he should let the other man continue.

It takes a long while. Oikawa seems to consider how he should go on. Thinking hard. Iwaizumi starts to feel almost anxious. Eventually, the smaller man sighs and reaches into the pocket of his pants and holds the rumpled paper in his hands. Iwaizumi had seen it before, clenched in the omega's hand protectively. Now, Oikawa holds it gently, fiddling with the edges with his long fingers.

"Did Ushijima tell you how we met?" Iwaizumi nods hesitantly. Oikawa gulps but nods nonetheless.

"Don't you think I'm disgusting?"

"No!" He doesn't hesitate to respond. He reaches up to gently brush the omega's hair from his forehead before saying softly. "How could I ever think that?"

"Have you ever been inside of an omega house?" Iwaizumi shakes his head. Oikawa gets a faraway look in his eyes. "They're horrible. The one where I spent most of my time was a big warehouse, it was dirty and dark, the only light came from these tiny windows way up by the ceiling. It was full of hundreds of beds, all right out in the open, right next to each other. All with an omega chained to the frame, sometimes two if they didn't have much space." Iwaizumi finds himself getting nauseous at the images described to him.

"They left us naked, never bothered to cover us. We were lucky if they'd let us use the bathroom once a day. We ate twice a week. Customers were never ending." The omega couldn't bring himself to look the alpha in the eye. "I was there for four years." Iwaizumi swallows the bile rising in his throat. He wants to reach out to comfort the omega but knows enough to give him space.

"For four years I was completely helpless. Used as nothing but a hole to fuck. A pretty body to abuse. And I swore to myself that if I got out, I would never allow myself to be used like that again. And I haven't." His voice wavers but he sounds so strong. So determined.

"How-" He cuts of as his voice cracks from the intensity of the conversation. "How did you get out?" The omega looks down at the folded paper and breathes in shakily. Then, almost inaudibly, he whispers.

"I got pregnant." And Iwaizumi's stomach drops. Perhaps due to a combination of the pain in the omega's voice, the lack of presence from any pup since the omega has been here, and the realization of what the words he'd said really meant to the omega. Oikawa sniffs and wipes away a tear.

"When omega's get pregnant they tend to draw more attention from the alpha’s who visit. Those were the worst 9 months of my life." The tears start flowing faster now. "All I wanted to do was die. I didn't even have the will to keep living for my child." A soft sob escapes. "When I went in to labor, they took me into the back where they had a doctor and nurses on hand, since it's such a common occurrence, you know?" His hands have started shaking violently, still gripping the paper tightly.

"One of the nurses. She took pity on me. She told me she was gonna get me out of there. I didn't believe her of course, and I was a bit preoccupied with pushing a baby out. So when it was all over and they'd left me alone, she brought the baby back so I could see her. So that I could see my daughter. " He takes a break to cry, letting out choked sobs and shaky breaths. Iwaizumi places his hand on the omega's back gently.

"I was lucky. Most omegas' in those types of places have their child taken immediately so they can be returned to the floor. I was lucky. But when I held her." A gasping breath. "All I could feel was hate." He covers his eyes with the long sleeves of his shirt that he'd pulled down over his fingers. "None of the feelings I knew were supposed to be there were there. It was like my instincts were broken. I couldn't even look at her. All I could see was the past four years of my life and the past nine months that had been absolute hell for me. Because of her.

"So when the nurse unchained me and smuggled me out in her van. The first thing- the first thing I did when I was free was find the first church I could. And I- I left her there on the doorstep and never looked back." The room is silent except for the soft cries and whines coming from the distressed omega.

"Oikawa-"

"I'm horrible!" He shouts, startling the alpha. "I’m a horrible mother. A horrible omega."

"Stop that!" Iwaizumi demands as he reaches to pull the omega's hands away from where they pull at his hair. Okaiwa jerks away and stands before whirling around to face the alpha.

"She needed me!" He tells. "And I left her. She needed me more than anyone else in the world and I abandoned her there!" He falls to his knees, face hidden as he hunches over his legs and cries quietly, seemingly tired after his outburst. He rocks himself quietly for a handful of minutes before he calms, a determined look on his face.

"But I'm going to find her. I've been looking since I realized what I'd done days later. Ushijima is helping me and we're getting closer every day and I'm going to find her. I'm going to get my baby back." He takes the paper in his hands and goes to unfold it gently, Iwaizumi moves to kneel beside him.

Once unfolded, the paper reveals organized print and a picture pinned in the top left corner. A picture of a small, newborn baby. Oikawa's baby. At the top of the page is a name. Oikawa Kasumi. Below is the date of birth and the baby's measurements. So small. Iwaizumi gazed at the photo for a long time.

"Let me help you." He finally says. And Oikawa's head snaps up to look at him.

"Y-you want to help?" He nods.

"If you'll let me." Fresh tears start to slide down the omega's cheeks as he nods, then throws himself at the alpha, wrapping his arms around the larger man's shoulders.

"Thank you." He whispers into his neck.

It is then that there is a knock at the door before it slowly opens, revealing a concerned Atsumu. He analyzes the situation, eyeing the pair on the ground before coming over to fuss over Oikawa.

"Look at you, on the floor. You're a mess." He chastises, but there is only love in his voice. "Let's get you cleaned up. I'd say it's bed time." Oikawa nods hesitantly as he untangles himself from the alpha. Atsumu coos encouragingly. As he helps the brunette of the floor, his eyes meets Iwaizumi's and he gives a small nod.

Iwaizumi takes his leave, throwing one more look over his shoulder to the exhausted omega and his pack mate before shutting the door behind him. He takes his phone out instantly.

From: Iwaizumi

Kenma. You awake?

From: Kenma

What do you want?

From: Iwaizumi

Meet me in the southeast meeting room. I need your help with something.

Chapter Text

Tsukishima POV:

Tsukishima returns from a day of work in the late evening. He makes his way to his room quietly so as not to disturb the other residents of the house and goes to open the bedroom door as silently as possible. He finds the light on, however, and his eyes land on an awake Tadashi, rocking a fussing Eiji. Aito is wrapped in a blanket on the bed, drinking from his sippy cup.

Tsukishima's stress washes off of him as he enters the domestic scene. The omega's dressed in the alpha's blue plaid pajama pants that were too long and had to be tied around his waist as well as his oversized t shirt that nearly hangs off one shoulder. His alpha growls in satisfaction at seeing the omega in his clothing, tending to his children gently.

"Welcome back, Tsukki." The alpha could get used to this. Tadashi leans down to place the now calm child into a mini nest of blankets where he will be secure until the omega decides to join him in the bed.

"Hey." He smiles at the omega and kneels down besides Aito, holding out his hand palm facing upwards. The pup gently rests his own tiny hand on the alpha's much larger one and looks up into his eyes. This has become a thing between the two for the past couple of weeks. Tsukishima knows Aito was still quite hesitant around him but still wanted to have a way to greet his son and show him affection. This works for the both of them.

"So.." He stands to look up at Tadashi, who wrings his hands together nervously. "Will you be alright with the boys tonight? I can have them sleep with Akaashi if that's better." Tsukishima stills.

"What do you mean?" Tadashi pauses and looks at him, mouth slightly agape in surprise, looking like the cutest little fish.

"W-well, I wasn't sure if you're comfortable with-"

"Where are you going to be?" Tadashi shrinks in on himself and scratches his arm nervously.

"I'm going back to work tonight." Tsukishima drops the shirt he'd been about to change into.

"What?" His voice is eerily calm, even to his own ears. Tadashi hesitates, eyes locked on the floor. Tsukishima doesn't realize his fists are clenched.

"I have to go back to work."

"That's bullshit, Tadashi. You know you don't!" The calm is gone, replaced now by a sudden spike of anger and panic.

"Tsukki, I.. I do. I have pups to care for, I can't just stop."

"Of course you can! You're here now, we'll help you!"

"I can't be a charity case, Tsukki."

"I don't mind caring for you, Dashi, nobody here minds, why the fuck would you even consider going back?"

"I can take care of myself! And my children! God knows I've been doing it on my own for four years already!"

"We're really gonna do this Tadashi?" His voice is low, a warning. The omega only glares defiantly, not willing to back down. And Tsukishima is angry.

He knows deep down, understands why Tadashi had done what he did. But there is still that small part of him that resents the fact that he'd had a son all this time and didn't know. He'd missed out on three years of Aito's life. And that cold, dark part of him is still angry at Yamaguchi for it.

"Fine, we'll do this, then. Maybe if you'd let a guy know he was a father, I could have helped you out? If you were struggling so much, it wouldn't have hurt to ask for a bit of help before resorting to selling yourself on the street! Or is that just the natural reaction for you?"

"Don't you dare try to blame this on me. Not when you acted how you did."

"God, I know that was wrong, Tadashi. I'm sorry but I was a kid! I thought that was what would be best." There's a flash of anger in the omega's tear filled eyes.

"I told you that I loved you!" It is silent for a long moment. "I told you that I loved you and you left me on the street. Alone. My parents kicked me out and I turned to the only person I thought might be on my side and you left me there." A sad laugh escapes him. "You know, I spent so much of my life trying so hard not to be a burden. But that's all I ever was. And I refuse to be put in that position again. I'm sorry, Tsukishima." Ouch. "But you can't blame me for being hesitant to become reliant on you." Double ouch.

"Do you even realize how much you hurt me?" At the alpha's silence he continues. "We used to be so close. I felt safe with you. You made me happy. The rest of my life was a mess but somehow it never seemed so bad when I was with you. And then I presented. Everything changed then, didn't it?"

"Tadashi."

"You pushed me away. We spent less time together. You made other alpha friends. You went out and occupied yourself with them and I had nothing. Don't you get that?" His voice starts to rise again. "I had nothing. And you left me. And when I finally went to find you at that party? God, that stupid party! I thought you felt the same. And I gave you everything. Only to be thrown out like nothing the next day."

"Tadashi." He says it firmer this time.

"And then I found out. I found out I was pregnant and was thrown out of my own home. So I turned to the one person I'd ever truly felt safe with. And he left me alone, homeless and scared on a street corner. He only confirmed what I'd been afraid of my entire life."

"Tadashi!" Damn it, he sounded so much angrier than he wanted.

"That I was nothing but a useless burden that wasn't even above the trash on the street."

"No-"

"And you know what?" The omega continues on. "I took care of myself. I found a job and I found a place where I could raise my child by myself. And you don't get to tell me to stop." He's speaking so loud and Tsukishima just wants him to stop. To stop saying all of these things. Confirming what the alpha already known and ripping all of the old wounds open again.

"Damn it, Tadashi. Would you just shut up and listen to me?" His voice is loud and deep, the question comes out more of a command. The omega finally falls quiet. "I'm sorry, okay? I was an idiot. I was a dumb teenager who thought he was protecting you by pushing you away and it was horrible, I understand.

"But I came back for you! I came back for you the next morning, I went right back where I left you and you were gone. Didn't tell me where you went, never reached out. I looked for you the whole time we were apart. It's not like you thought to call and tell me you were having my child. But no, instead, I found you on a random Friday night in some godforsaken club selling yourself to any alpha in the vicinity." The reminder of what Tadashi had been doing for the past four years makes the alpha sick. He feels too warm, almost lightheaded from pure rage. His vision is red at the mere thought of any alpha laying a single hand on the omega again.

"And now you're telling me you want to go back to that? You're being offered a house, you have people to care for you, not a thing to worry about and you want to go back! What could possibly make you want that? God, Tadashi, it's not that difficult to stop for a single moment and think and stop acting like a god damn idiot!" His fist connects with the wall in his blind rage, denting the smooth surface and more than likely bruising his knuckles.

When the omega's breath catches, and he realizes what he's done. He'd been using his alpha voice. Not only that, but he'd also somehow backed the smaller man into a corner. As he comes further out of his blind rage, he comes to notice that his fists are clenched, his sharp teeth bared. He stumbles back, taken aback by his own behavior. Terrified at the tears running down the omega's face. Tears that were there because of him.

And possibly worst of all, was the small blonde child, cowering behind his mother, trembling in utter terror of the big scary alpha. When had he even come over here? The room fills with the mixed scents of sour lilacs and honey. Aito let's out a petrified sob and holds onto the hem of Tadashi's shirt tightly in his good hand, burying his face into his mother's side.

"No I-" He says quietly, remorseful. "I didn't mean- Tadashi-"

"Don't." The finality in the omega's tone stops him short. "Just... Leave us alone." He wipes away a tear with the palm of his hand and stoops to pick Aito up. The pup whimpers at being raised to closer proximity to the alpha and tries to hide himself in Tadashi's shoulder with a whine, unconsciously shielding his small casted hand . Yamaguchi hugs the boy tighter, avoiding looking the alpha in the eye. He rushes over to the bed, where Eiji whines and kicks unhappily, scooping the baby up in his free arm and heading towards the door.

Tsukishima can only follow behind, stunned. He follows the omega up a flight of stairs and down a hallway like a lost puppy.

"Dashi, I'm sorry. Please don't..." The shorter man knocks on the door and it is opened seconds later by a tired Akaashi.

"Tadashi?" The tall omega rubs his eyes, confused. The smaller man just shakes his head, another stray tear streaking down his face. He slips past Akaashi and into the room, pups still clutched close to his chest, disappearing without a word. The other omega turns back to look at Tsukishima, contemplating him for a moment, before shutting the door in his face.

He walks backwards until his back collides with the wall and slides down to sit on the floor, burying his face in his hands.

"Fuck. I'm sorry. I keep fucking up. I'm sorry" how was he supposed to fix this? God, what was he thinking? Being aggressive towards an omega who'd just come out of an abusive relationship? Not just that, but Tadashi. HIS Tadashi.

"Damn it." His head falls back against the wall and he squeezes his eyes shut, digging his nails into the palms of his hands, he deserves the pain.

***

Hours later the door creaks open and the alpha lifts his head from his half asleep state, hoping Tadashi had decided to come out. Instead, he is met with a much smaller person. A tuft of black  hair peeking around the door. When he meets Eiji's eyes the child giggles and disappears behind the door again, only to pop back out moments later and let out another giggle. The corners of the alpha's mouth turn up slightly.

The small boy waddles over, nearly tripping over the giraffe blanket he drags on the floor. When he reaches Tsukishima, a small hand immediately shoots out to grab at his glasses. He catches it gently and guides the hand away.

"Wha doin'?"

"What am I doing? I am waiting here hoping your mom won't ignore me for the rest of my life."

"Why?" He sighs, letting the silence stretch on but those big eyes continue to stare into his soul. Who knew a two year old could be so pushy? He'd never seen the fluffy-haired boy so focused on anything.

"Because we've spent more than enough of our lives apart due to my stupidity, and I'm sick of it. But I keep messing up." Eiji doesn't say anything. It is quiet for a moment before he snatches the glasses off the alpha's face with a giggle, plopping onto the floor with a satisfied grin and shoving them into his mouth. Tsukishima chuckles.

"Sneaky boy." Eiji just giggles again, slobbering all over the glasses.

"Alright, gimme those." He twists the glasses out of the boys hand, wiping them on his shirt, not minding the drool as much as he would have thought a matter of months ago. "Let's get you some real food, yeah?" He stands, brushing his pants off and smiles as the baby reaches up to be lifted, not releasing his blanket.

At least one of them could stand to be around him.

***

Tendou POV:

Tendou awakes drenched in his own sweat. His head pounding. His body feels alight with fire as he's wracked with tremors.

"Fuck." He takes several shaky deep breaths and drags himself out of bed, collapsing on to the floor. He desperately grabs for the garbage can before emptying the few contents of his stomach.

He'd tried. He'd really tried. He'd made it almost made it 12 hours but he couldn't do it anymore. He crawls over to his dresser, opening the bottoms drawer and lifting the false bottom where he keeps his knives, a small gun, several IDs with different names, and, of course, his stash.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He whispers. He doesn't know who he's apologizing to. Just knows he's sorry.

Chapter Text

Bokuto POV:

Bokuto wakes to the sound of his bedroom door creaking open, a sliver of light illuminating his room. A few weeks ago, he would have shot out of bed, adrenaline pumping and the handgun he kept at his bedside aimed and ready.

He does not jump up in alarm. And said handgun is now stored away in a drawer, still close to his bed but now out of sight. Instead, he sits up slowly and smiles at Akaashi, who pokes his head into the room timidly. He pulls the covers back, an invitation.

This was Bokuto's new favorite part of his routine. Akaashi has become much more clingy as he nears the end of his pregnancy, claiming the baby wanted to be near the alpha. Bokuto, doesn't mind the addition of Akaashi's presence either. He knows the omega is quite embarrassed about his newfound neediness.

The omega approaches the bed and crawls in, immediately reaching out towards the warm alpha who chuckles and pulls him closer. Their faces are mere inches apart and he has to hold himself back from getting closer.

"Hi 'Kaashi." He says with a small smile. The omega smiles back, a small, shy, sleepy, absolutely exquisite smile.

"Hi Bokudo." He slurs his words sleepily and Bokuto has to swallow a squeal that tries to escape at the cuteness. He sounds just like Aki. He reaches up to stroke the silky dark hair.

"Get some sleep 'kaash." Akaashi doesn't respond, already sleeping soundly. Bokuto smiles, resting his large hand on the omega's stomach, feeling a small movement from the baby. He smiles. "You too, pup."

Akaashi POV:

"Mommy. Mommy." Akaashi wakes slowly, furrowing his eyebrows against the disturbance of his sleep. He'd tossed and turned all night, and it had only gotten worse since Bokuto had been called out around 2 AM on urgent business, the omega didn't even want to think about what that entailed. "Mommy!" His eyes snap open to meet their identical duplicates.

"Aki." His son leans over him, babbling loudly, much to fast for his mother to catch a single word of what he's saying, he holds a half eaten cracker in his hand, which he waves around dramatically as he speaks. The omega sighs at the crumbs that fall onto the hardwood floor.

The sound of the shower running in the bathroom tells him that the alpha has returned. The toddler moves to climb up beside him on the bed.

"No no no, Aki." He gently pushes the pup back, careful not to get any crumbs on the sheets. The pup whines and looks up at him with a pout.

"Sit with mama!" He demands.

"Not with food, Aki. We can't get crumbs on Bokuto-San's bed." The pup glances down at the offending cracker before he drops it on the floor. "Aki!" The boy raises his hands up to be lifted up, his fingers still covered in spit and crumbs. The omega sighs. "Your hands are still dirty. No." The toddler slumps and the bathroom door opens to reveal a shirtless, freshly showered alpha with wet hair and a pair of gray sweats. His hair falls over his forehead in the most adorable way and Akaashi spends all too long eyeing the alpha's bare torso appreciatively.

"Morning, 'Kaashi. Hey little man!" He smiles at the child who has begun another attempt at getting on the bed. Akaashi looks over and notices the crumbs on the bedspread. His restlessness and frustration come to a head.

"Akihiko, I said no!" He yells along with a growl. He rarely raises his voice towards his son in such a way but he can't seem to stop himself. "What did I say about the sheets? You need to listen to me! Off now!"

The pup drops off the bed with stunned wide eyes and a whimper. He steps backwards and the abandoned cracker crunches under his foot, making yet a bigger mess.

"Stop! Just stop. Go outside." He points to the doorway too blinded by his inexplicable anger to feel the pang of regret at the sight of the cowering pup. "Outside." He says again and Akihiko dashes back out into the hallway.

The omega buries his face in his hands with a frustrated sigh. Only now realizing that his hands are shaking.

"I- I'm sorry, Bokuto-San. I will clean this up right away."

"Hey hey, don't worry about it. I've done a lot worse than a few crumbs. It's really no big deal." The alpha says it softly, reassuring. The room remains eerily quite. Bokuto slowly makes his way to sit beside Akaashi. "Do you want to tell me what that was about?" He doesn't say it in an accusing way but the guilt still hits him like a truck.

"I-" His words are cut of by a shuddering inhale. "I don't know why I did that. I shouldn't have yelled at him like that. I just..." The alpha waits patiently for him to continue until the silence stretches on for too long.

"You just?"

"I'm just so tired." He sniffles, trying his best to hold back the sob that's stuck in his throat. "I haven't slept right in weeks and I know Aki misses me, I know it but every time he wants to spend time with me I feel like shit, or I'm already half asleep. I don't want him to think I don't love him because I do. God, I love him more than anything, but I'm just so god damn tired." For a moment they sit in the quiet of the room, the alpha just letting the omega cry it out before he puts a warm, gentle hand on his back.

"It's okay to be tired, Akaashi. I'm sure it's hard with a toddler and dealing with everything life throws at you. And I'm sorry you haven't been sleeping well, is there's anything I can do to help?" Akaashi smiles.

"You've done enough by just being here. I can't thank you enough for what you've done for us."

"Of course, Akaashi." The alpha shoots him a blinding smile before they are interrupted by the buzz of a phone. Bokuto looks down at the massage before cursing. "Uh, I actually have to go. There's an emergency over on the north side. I'm sorry, I'll be back soon, okay?" The omega nods and the alpha hurriedly gets dressed before rushing out of the room. Akaashi looks after him and sighs before looking over the small mess.

He should clean up and go find his son. He goes to do just that, grabbing a broom from a closet as well as a dustpan. When he returns, his heart clenches. Akihiko squats on the floor, scooping up crumbs with his fingers, tear streaks on his cheeks.

"Baby." The boy's head shoots up to look at him.

"I clean it." He sniffs. "Sorry mama." Akaashi drops the broom and dustpan on the floor and rushes over to his son.

"Oh, my baby." He pulls the pup into his lap and nuzzles his cheek with his nose to scent him. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. You didn't do anything wrong, okay? Mommy's just really tired and I shouldn't have taken it out on you. I shouldn't have yelled. Can you forgive me?" Aki nods his head furiously before nuzzling into the crook of his mother's neck. Akaashi strokes his soft hair.

"How about I clean this up and then we go to the park, just mommy and Aki?" Akihiko looks up at him, eyes still shiny with tears. He smiles happily and nods his head again. "Ok, do you think you can go get dressed for mommy?" He smiles when he receives another nod and kisses the small boy on the head. "I love you."

"I love you too, mommy."

Ushijima POV:

The time on his computer reads 3:47 AM. He'll give himself 20 more minutes before he calls it. He stares at the screen, depicting security footage of one of his warehouses where one of his supervisors had reported suspicious activity, though so far he's come up empty handed. His eyes hurt and his four cups of coffee had worn off long ago.

He's about to shut the laptop when there are footsteps on the stairs and he looks up to see Tendou, dressed in an oversized hoodie and looking like death itself.

"Your awake." The omega croaks, sounding like he hadn't used his voice in a week.

"Yeah, just wrapping up some work." He closes the laptop. "Are you okay?" He internally cringes at his monotone way of speaking. He'd never been good at sounding empathetic or expressing emotions, something he'd been told
time and time again would be necessary to find an omega. But it wasn't something he could control.

Tendou just nods, gripping his forehead and wincing as he does so, before making his way to sit down on the couch beside the alpha. He doesn't say anything and they sit in a long silence. Ushijima shifts uncomfortably.

"Do you ever feel broken?" The question is soft but sudden and he turns to look at the redhead, surprised. The omega glances at him but redirects his gaze immediately to avoid eye contact. "Like you're past the point of being fixed but people keep trying to fix you and you wish they could but they just can't and now all you do is make it worse for them and you wish they would just stop because they're only going to get hurt?" He wipes away a few tears with a shaky hand.

Ushijima looks at him. He looks at this beautiful, kind, sad omega and he wishes with everything he has that he could help the man next to him. Make him feel worthy and loved. He doesn't know how to convey any of this, however. So he sits and he looks at Tendou with the blank expression that seems to be etched on his face more often than not.

"No." Is all he says. Tendou let's out a wet, breathy laugh.

"Too specific?" Ushijima nods seriously and Tendou let's out another small laugh. "I guess I should have seen that coming, huh?"

"You're not broken." The alpha says suddenly, determined. Tendou looks surprised.

"Wha-"

"You're not broken. You just need help. And that's okay." The omega stays silent, nervously picking at the fuzzy blanket on the couch. "You want to get better don't you?" He nods. "That's a good thing. That's the first step, Satori. You recognize what is wrong and you want to fix it. And you have people that want to help you."

"I guess I'm lucky like that, huh?"

"You don't have to suffer through this alone. You just have to let your friends back in. Let yourself lean on somebody else." He leaves it at that, hoping he hadn't said anything wrong.

He gets his answer in the form of an armful of an omega. Tendou wraps his arms around his neck, burying his face into the larger man's chest. Ushijima's surprise doesn't stop him from wrapping his arms around the omega's small waist.

They stay like that for a long time. Ushijima decides he likes the feeling of having Tendou in his arms. He wants so badly for the omega to be okay. The redhead pulls back slowly after a long while. He looks at the alpha for a long moment, eyes filling with tears as he reaches in to the pocket of his sweats. Ushijima's breathing stops when he produces three small baggies from the pocket.

They both stare down at the drugs in his hand in silence before he moves ever so slowly, placing them in the palm of the alpha's hand, gently guiding his fingers to close around the packets. Ushijima watches him closely as he takes a deep breath, holding the alpha's hand in the two of his own. His shaking hasn't subsided. He finally looks up to meet his eyes.

"Help me?"

And that's when he knows beyond any reasonable doubt. That there is nothing he won't do for Tendou Satori.

Kenma POV:

“Kitten.” The sound of his alpha’s whining reaches him from the other side of the door of his office/gaming room.

“What do you want?” He doesn’t take his eyes away from the screen of his computer. He’s just too close.

“Is it a crime for me to want to spend time with my mate?”

“It is when I’m busy.” A muted groan.

“Please kitten? Please.” He smiles. Since when did his mate start acting like an abandoned puppy?

“Come in.” He rolls his eyes, though he is thankful that his mate has never come into his space without expressed permission, despite there being no lock on the door. The alpha comes in and places a plate with a sandwich and cut apples and a glass of water on his desk. He then lifts the omega up with his hands under his armpits in a way that makes him feel like a cat, sitting in the spot previously occupied by him and placing the small man in his lap. He scoots the chair back in and wraps his arms around his waist.

“How’s it coming along?”

“It’s difficult.” He sighs, taking a sip of the water and leaning back into his mate’s warm chest. “But I think I’m closing in.”

“Of course you are.” He can hear the smirk in his voice. “My baby’s unstoppable.” He presses a kiss to the side of his head. Kenma can’t help but smile at that. He reaches for an apple slice and takes a bite, leaning his head on the broad shoulder. They sit in peace for a few minutes before Kuroo sighs.

“Hey, so uh, I’ve been thinking.”

“Well that’s never a good thing.” They both chuckle at that and a kiss is pressed behind his ear.

“I know we said we’d talk about it later. And well, it-it’s been almost a year and you know, with all of the pups being around it’s got me thinking…” The alpha’s hand resting on his stomach suddenly feels unbelievably heavy. “…of maybe starting our own family?”

He feels frozen in place, his eyes are locked in the computer screen, not seeing. His breath feels like it’s stuck in his chest.

“I-I’m busy, Tetsurou. Now’s not the time for this.”

“Well, when will be the time? I jus-“

“Not now, Tetsurou!” He snaps, pushing himself out of the strong hold of his alpha and taking several steps back, back colliding with the wall. The alpha stands as well.

“I’m sorry, Ken. I don’t mean to push. But when are we going to talk about this?”

“Not now. Not now.” He presses himself firmly against the wall and gasps his words out. He shakes his head. “Not now!”

“Hey, hey. Okay. We don’t have to talk about it now. Come here.” Usually the alpha is the only thing that can calm him from a building attack but right here, right now, as his mate gets closer it only becomes harder to breathe.

“No. No. I need to be alone. Leave me alone. Please. Please. I’m sorry.”

“Kenma. I’m sorry. Please let me help you.” He sounds nearly as desperate as Kenma. No doubt worried beyond belief. He reaches for the omega who shakes his head frantically and presses harder against the wall. The alpha raises his hands in the air. “Alright. Okay. I’m sorry.” Kenma can see the pain in his mate’s eyes, he’s never pushed him away like this. His heart clenches as the alpha leaves the room.

He slides down the wall to sit on the floor and catch his breath. It didn’t take too long to calm down since he hadn’t fallen into a full attack, thankfully. Otherwise he has no idea how he’d calm down without Kuroo.

He’d have to talk to his mate eventually. He can’t run away forever. But he doesn’t know how to.

He doesn’t know how to tell his mate, his mate who’s always been so excited about having a family, that he can’t give him one.

Chapter Text

Yamaguchi POV:

Yamaguchi wakes up in a large bed with Suga snuggled happily against him, purring softly, Eiji between them. He turns his head to see Aito sitting on the floor, wrapping Dino in a blanket before going back to playing with his matchbox car quietly.

Akaashi is nowhere to be seen, as is normal the past week, probably with Bokuto, and Aki seems to have followed.

Keiko coos from her bassinet and Tadashi can see her kicking her legs. He carefully extracts himself from Suga and Eiji to retrieve her, rocking her gently.

"Hello princess. Are you hungry?" The baby whines in response and he chuckles. "Did your mommy leave some milk in the fridge? I bet he did." He kisses the top of her head. "Shall we go find it, love? Should we find you some breakfast and let mommy sleep?" He spares one last glance at the bed where Suga and Eiji are both sprawled out asleep and smiles. He takes Aito's hand in his own and takes the two children down to the kitchen.

Thankfully he manages to avoid a certain tall, blonde alpha. It had been several days since he had spoken to the other man, he was still upset at the alpha for losing his temper around the pups. Aito was also seemingly determined to avoid Tsukishima as well, though that fact did make the omega feel a tad guilty. But he would die before forcing his son to do something he didn't want to do.

Eiji, on the other hand, seems to have absolutely to problem being around the alpha. The small child had toddled around, following the man nearly everywhere he went. In fact, the first time he sees his son is an hour later, already in the arms of the blonde alpha, drinking from his bottle. Little traitor. Though he can't help but smile when his baby squeaks happily and smiles at him.

"Good morning, love." He reaches his hand out to let Eiji hold on to two of his fingers with his little hand. Then his eyes make contact with those honey colored orbs he knows so well. "Tsukishima."

"Morning, 'Dashi."

"Hmm." He only hums in acknowledgment before turning back to finish making his and Suga's tea.

"When can we talk about this? I know I was wrong. Just, please, give me a chance to apologize. At least let me speak with Aito. Please. I- I need to fix this." And Tadashi can hear the truth in those words, how badly the alpha wants to talk to the pup.

"He's gonna need time, Tsukki. We both are." The alpha nods in a sad but understanding way. "But I'll talk to him." The blonde is stunned for a moment before he speaks.

"Thank you. Thank you so much, Dashi!" He nods in acknowledgment, unsure of what to say. Thankfully, the awkward silence doesn't continue for much longer.

"Tsukishima." Kuroo yells as he comes down the stairs. "Warehouse 8. 10 minutes. Get your ass in the car unless you're driving yourself."

"Well I.. should probably go." Tadashi nods again as he takes Eiji from the alpha's arms. "I guess, I'll see you around?

"Bye Tsukki." The alpha turns to leave and the child sighs as he watches him go. "Oh, what? Is mommy not enough for you anymore?" He gasps dramatically, causing Eiji to burst out in giggles, dropping his pacifier out of his mouth and into the omega's waiting hand. "Yeah yeah. You just keep sucking up to those alpha's." He goes to find Aito as Eiji takes the pacifier from his mother's hand and puts it back in his mouth.

The older pup sits on the floor of the living room, playing with his car while a cartoon plays on the television. Akihiko isn't far away, completely focused on the screen.

Yams carefully sits on the floor and moves Eiji to his knee before scooping Aito up to place him on his other, burying his nose in the soft blonde hair. Aito leans into him with a soft purr.

"Are you ready to speak to Tsukki yet, baby?" The boy replies with a whine as he nuzzles further into the safety of his mother, gripping his shirt tightly in small fists. "Okay, okay. You don't have to yet, hun. I won't make you." He pauses for a moment to think of how to proceed.

He knows Aito has reason to be scared, he'd learned to fear any kind of raised voice over the few years he'd been alive and Tsukishima had practically freaked out in his presence, the child was bound to be shaken.

But there was still that voice in the back of his head, telling him that it's his fault that the alpha wasn't in his own son's life to begin with. Of course he wouldn't know how to act around the pup, he barely knows him. How did he allow all of this to happen? Tsukki not knowing his own child? He knows that he was in the right in his own regard as the alpha had been cruel to him, although it was for different reasons than he had first believed, but there was still that ache in his heart from knowing that his child had already gone this long without a father.

How many firsts had the alpha missed? First breath. First steps. First laugh. How would Tadashi feel had he missed all of those important moments?

He doesn't want to be the reason that he misses anymore.

"You know, Tsukki isn't all that scary." The pup looks up at him with his big eyes. And signs to him timidly.

'He yelled at mommy.'

"I know, sweetheart. And that wasn't nice but he just got frustrated, that's all."

'Jun always yells at mommy.' His heart hurts.

"Yes. That's true baby. But Tsukki isn't anything like Jun. he would never hurt mommy and he would never ever hurt you. He cares for you very much. Jun is... not a very nice man. But not everybody is like that. And sometimes when people get frustrated or angry, they yell very loud, but that doesn't mean they will hurt you.

"What Jun did was very wrong and I should have been able to protect you better. But not everybody is like that. It's okay to be scared sometimes but we need to remember that there are nice people too. Like uncle Suga and Keiji, right? They're not mean to Aito." The blonde pup nods.

'Even when Suga-San yelled because he broke a plate on the floor.'

"Exactly. It was okay for him to be angry and he yelled to express that, but he didn't hurt you or anyone else, did he?" The boy shook his head. "And I think... I think Tsukki is just scared, he wants to take care of us and sometimes mommy doesn't make that very easy for him. He doesn't want us to get hurt or be sad." He can't help but think maybe he should listen to his own advise. "He wants to help us. So if you're still not ready to speak with him, that's okay. But it's okay to let yourself feel safe. Especially around Tsukki." Aito nods slowly and Tadashi decides to leave it at that. He presses a kiss to the top of his head. "I love you."

'I love you.' He ruffles the boys hair lovingly as he lets himself start to believe in his own words. Maybe they'd be okay.

Tendou POV:

Tendou stands outside of a rundown looking community center. The only decoration being a decomposing playground placed off to the side. There were no children there. And for a moment, the omega wonders if he could just sit on the swing set. Just swing and forget this whole thing. That would be nice.

"Will you be alright on your own? I can walk you in. Or I can just wait out here, if you'd like." Ushijima stands just in front of his car. Daichi had already had this place lined up and was nearly ecstatic when Tendou- with the help of Ushijima- had approached him to ask for his support. Ushijima had been very helpful in helping him gain the courage to actuallyshow up and now here he is. Tendou shakes his head.

"I can do it. I've got this." He ignore the slight shake in his hands. He can do this! He spares in last glance towards the alpha who nods encouragingly before he steps inside.

The entrance area was only slightly depressing.  An empty front desk and a bunch of worn furniture, dim lighting from fluorescents that probably hadn't been cleaned in years, the occasional poster advertising childcare or town hall meetings. He takes a deep breath and walks further into the building, walking down a hallway towards the only room that seems to be occupied.

Inside he finds a medium size meeting room, in the middle is a circle of chairs and there's a table pushed against a wall with a sad looking tray of cookies and pitchers full of water and lemonade. The lighting is better, at least, though it is a cold, bright fluorescent light that makes all of the occupants look pale.

There are 12 others in the room, some make quiet conversation while others sit in chairs quietly. He decides to take a seat himself, not feeling up for small talk. He glances nervously around the room taking a moment to observe the people inside. It's mostly older men, probably in their fifties, and they form a group in the back corner, talking like old friends. Besides them there are a few middle aged women, sipping quietly on cups of tea. And last, there was a young man- no, a boy, sitting with his legs folded up on his chair, a beat up backpack leans against the leg of the chair. He snacks on a cookie and cautiously scans his surroundings.

What was he doing here? He couldn't have been over 14. Tendou watches him for much longer than the others.

"Good evening everyone." A man walks through the door and everyone falls silent. He's tall, probably in his early 30s and has a friendly smile. "Welcome to our meeting, please help yourself to any refreshments and have a seat." He sits down next to the boy. "Good to see you again, Goshiki." Tendou can hear him say to him over the sound of everyone shifting into their own seats. "I'm glad you made it today."

The boy says something in response but Tendou can't hear it. Not that he should be listening in on somebody else's conversation, he reprimands himself.

"I'm glad to see some returning faces and some new ones, why don't we start off with some introductions?" And they do. The man starts off with himself, introducing himself as Takeda Ittetsu. They went around introducing themselves, though Tendou forgot most of the others' names. Except for the boy. That was Goshiki Tsutomu. Tendou remembers that.

He was there for nearly two hours, listening to people tell their stories. How they became addicted to whatever it is they're addicted to, how they've tried to deal with it, how it's going. He listens closely to every story, finding some similarities with his own.

He doesn't share. He just isn't ready. Doesn't know if he ever will be. But he's glad he came. It feels like a step in the right direction. Goshiki didn't share either, and Tendou is left wondering about the boy. When Takeda dismissed them, he decided to stay seated for a few minutes as the group filed out, not wanting to get caught up in the crowd. He looks at the old posters on the walls, observes the flickering lights, and watches as Takeda and Goshiki stay behind, the older man wrapping up the leftover cookies from the table and handing them to the boy, speaking to him softly. The younger nods, slinging his backpack over his shoulder and they leave the room together.

The omega takes his leave then, deciding he's safe from the rush. As he crosses the parking lot to Ushijima's car, he sees Goshiki and Takeda disappear into the older man's car. He wonders briefly if they're related but that doesn't seem likely, they hadn't really acted like they were. He shrugs off his questions as he sees Ushijima round the vehicle and open the passenger door for him. He smiles thankfully and sits.

"How did it go?"

"It was interesting." He says. He leaves it at that. The alpha nods before he turns to fix a surprisingly intense look on the omega.

"I know that must have been difficult to do. I’m proud of you.” He just nods in response, not trusting his voice to speak as the emotions well up in his throat. No one has ever told him that before. “Ready?"

"Yeah. I think I need a nice long nap." He yawns, feeling exhausted physically and mentally.

He nearly dozed off on the ride home, despite it being less than 10 minutes long. He just couldn't help it. He pulls his jacket closer around him as he gets out of the car, shivering against the cold. He rushes up the porch steps and opens the door to the warm, familiar smelling packhouse, he sighs in relief.

He rushes to take off his boots and jacket so he may go bask in the warmth of his closet nest, but he is given pause when he sees the group of people in the living room.

Atsumu sits on the couch, along with Noya, Akaashi, Suga, and Tadashi, most with a lap full of pups. Oikawa and Kenma sit on a floor covered in blankets and lean against the legs of the other Omegas. They have a movie on in the background and snacks piled on the coffee table. When they spot him, they all greet him with kind smiles and sweet hellos. He stays frozen where he is.

He'd spent the past couple of days huddled up in his nest and avoiding basically everyone in the house. He'd decided that it would be better to tell everyone about his addiction and that he was getting help and he hadn't stuck around to see their reactions, simply returned to his room and buried himself under a pile of blankets.

"Hi?" He drops his jacket on the floor in a confused daze.

"Welcome back, 'Tori. Come sit." He pats the spot between him and Suga.

"Sit?" He wonders aloud.

"Yes, silly. Plop your cute little butt down right this instant." He hesitates another moment. He had never spent much time around other omega's, had never really had the chance to before arriving here. And once he had, the only other omega that was around was Kenma, who rarely willingly initiated contact with anyone besides Kuroo, and that had been fine. He didn't need it. A stern look from Atsumu told him otherwise.

He hesitantly made his way towards the couch, unsure of how to approach the situation. Was he really being welcomed into a nest right now? He slowly settles himself between Atsumu and Suga, sitting stiffly. He relaxes soon enough when Suga pulls a blanket over his lap and leans his head on his shoulder. Suddenly, he is enveloped in warmth. When Atsumu mirrors Suga on his other side, his body practically turns to jelly.

The omega's on either side of him begin to purr and the others soon follow. Oikawa wraps his arm around Satoris leg from where he sits on the floor and Kenma slowly rests his head on his thigh, eyes fixed on the switch in his hand.

Soon enough, the omega is surprised to hear purrs coming from his own chest. What kind of witchcraft is this? A soft coo pulls hims from his confused daze and he looks down to where Keiko is held snuggly in Suga’s arms. Before he can even think, his hand is reaching up to stroke the back of her head.

“So soft.” He doesn’t realize he’s said it out loud until Suga chuckles. He blushes.

“Isn’t she?” The mother strokes the cheek of the sleeping baby lovingly. The baby coos again and her nose scrunches briefly before she settles again. So cute.

“We saved these for you!” Atsumu leans forward to grab a bowl filled to the brim with chocolates. “Help yourself to anything else too, of course. We heard these were your favorite, though.” He takes the bowl, surprised.

He pops one of the chocolates in his mouth and sighs. It had been a taxing, nerve-racking day but now he found himself surrounded by the warmth of other omegas, a warm blanket in his lap, and delicious candy in his hands. He’d never been so relaxed by a combination of smells before. Is this what nesting feels like? Is this what he’d been missing out on? He’d never been invited into a nest before.

It was nice. It was really nice.

There’s a part of him that hurts for his younger self. Who’d never been offered a comfort such as this before. The thought makes his eyes wet.

As if noticing his distress, Suga presses even closer, purrs even louder, and forces his body into relaxation.

He could get used to this.

He settles further into the couch, allowing himself to turn his attention to the movie on the tv.

He feels warm. He feels accepted. He feels loved.

He wants to get used to this.

Chapter Text

Daichi POV:

Daichi stands on the dock next to the transport boat. He'd left his pack mates up by the warehouse on shore, on guard. It's a stormy night, the downpour drenching him, but he doesn't flinch against the cold. He will get this over with and he will go home. The warm packhouse, where there is food, and where the omegas are.

He waits for the quick flashes from deck to signal him that the crew on board is ready to unload. When he sees the flashes of light from above he pounds on the side of the boat four times in quick succession, giving them the all clear, for now, that is.

He makes his way back up the dock to wait on land. He wouldn't usually concern himself with being at a shipment. But he'd recently received intel that a gang from a neighboring city had made a habit of intercepting his men and causing issues. So naturally, it has to come to an end.

When he enters the warehouse, he is met by Kuroo, Bokuto, and Tsukishima, each armed to teeth and wearing a bullet proof vest that blends with their all black clothing.

"Anything?" Tsukkishima asks fingering at the semiautomatic gun strapped to his chest while somehow still looking bored.

"Not yet. But stay aware. They're coming tonight." If his instincts are right, which they very rarely let him down, they'd be seeing some action before morning.

As if on queue, the sound of gunshots from outside snap them all into action. Daichi and Bokuto head out the front while Kuroo heads for the roof and Tsukishima heads for the back to circle around.

The first thing they do outside is head for cover. Using a conveniently placed stack of boxes to avoid flying bullets. The lack of light makes it hard to distinguish where anybody is. He hears Kuroo over his earpiece.

"I've got two on the roof."

"Don't have a count yet." He replies. "Can't get eyes on any of them." He turns to look over the top of the boxes he crouched behind and Bokuto looks around the side. He can make out at least six silhouettes scattered among the docks, four on the ship. "I have 10."

Bokuto ducks back behind the boxes, barely missing a bullet to the head.

"I count 12, can't see the ship, though."

"Tsukishima, we're looking at approximately 16 men on dock and ship."

"Copy that. Heading towards you now." As another loud round of shots fill the air, the two alpha's stand and fire their own weapons, taking down as many hostiles as they can. When most of the have fallen, they are approached by the tall blonde.

"Clear." He says, pocketing a large knife an swiping a small splatter of blood off his cheek. Daichi nods.

"Fuck." Kuroo gasps from over the earpiece. "There's four more of them. I need back up. Like now!" Bokuto takes off in a dead sprint instantly. Making for the fire escape ladder. Daichi goes to follow.

"I'll check the cargo." Tsukishima calls as he takes off in the opposite direction. Daichi squints against the rain. He shouldn't let him go alone. But he can't leave Kuroo and Bokuto outnumbered. He decides that Tsukishima is in no immediate danger and takes off after Bokuto. The other alpha is nearly halfway up the ladder when he starts climbing himself.

He's only a few feet off the ground when there's a round of gunshots. He pulls his gun from it holster to shoot back as Bokuto groans and curses from above him.

There's a man several yards away, the source of the bullets and Daichi takes him out without so much as a blink.

"You good?" He is only answered with another pained groan. "Talk to me, Bo." He says, this time with a touch of desperation.

"Fine. I'm fine. Agh- Just my leg. Fuck!" He swears, but continues to climb. When they make it to the roof, he can see that there was in fact several men in the roof, all firing in the same direction. A vent behind which Kuroo must be.

He once again unholsters his gun and he and Bokuto jump into the fray. They make scarily quick work of the men that Kuroo had yet to take care of, he and his pack had always been efficient. Kuroo shows himself from behind the vent. He sighs dramatically.

"Whew. That was a close one. Got here just in time to save my sorry ass." He slaps Bokuto on the shoulder but the large man only grunts. "Well what's with- Shit, Bo!" He says when he sees the blood seeping into the larger man's pant leg.

"Yeah yeah, I noticed." He removes a long, thin bandage and wraps it several times around his upper thigh, pulling it tight with a muted groan and tying it off.

"Alright, we've had enough trouble for tonight. I'll finish up with Tsukishima. Kuroo help him get to Takeda." The rooster-headed man nods and they go back to descend down the ladder. Bokuto goes down after Daichi and before Kuroo, waving them off each time they try to help. He steadies the other alpha as he stumbles on the last step, already looking awfully pale.

"Okay. You need medical attention. Right now."

"We'll leave immediately." Kuroo says sternly, grabbing Bokuto 's arm in a firm grip. Just then, the owlish man's phone goes of in his pocket. And, as though he's not profusely bleeding, he presses to his ear and responds.

He doesn't seem to like what the person on the other line says as his face falls and he takes off in a full sprint towards the cans that had come in.

"Bokuto!" He yells but there is no response from he alpha.

"I've got him." Kuroo says as he, too, takes off.

"God, we can't ever just get in and out." He mutters to himself before he turns to go search for Tsukishima.

Tadashi POV:

Tadashi had finally settled into bed for the night, despite it being just into the early hours of the morning, if you wanted to be technical. He snuggles up to the pups and Akaashi, who was finally back in the nest since the alpha's had gonna out on some kind of gang business.

Though, the other omega did not seem to be sleeping well, constantly tossing and turning, releasing an occasional whimper. In return, Akihiko also seemed to be quite fitful, face scrunched up and whining softly.

When there is an especially loud whimper from the raven, Tadashi sits up and looks at him worriedly. Is he sick? Having a nightmare? It's times like these that he wishes Suga were here.

He is about to reach over and rest his hand on the other man's forehead when he suddenly jolts awake with a gasp, hand coming down to rest on his bump. He breathes heavily.

"Are you okay?" Akaashi nods.

"Fine." A deep breath. "I'm fine. He's just kicking the living shit out of me right now." He says with a pained laugh.

"Would you like me to make you some tea? It might calm him down."

"That would be much appreciated." He nods. "Thank you."

"Of course." He gently pushes himself out of bed, careful not to wake the pups.

"Wait." He turns at the other omega's call. "Help me up. He's doing a number on my bladder too.” He helps the other up with a chuckle before he goes down to start some tea. When he reaches the kitchen, he can hear the sound of the tv from the living room. Someone is always awake in this house, it seems. He can't find it in him to complain, taking comfort in the fact that there is always someone there to keep the packhouse safe.

It only takes a few minutes for the tea to boil and he pours a cup for Akaashi as well as one for himself, hoping it will help get them both to sleep. He turns to go back upstairs, ready to finally get some rest. However, his tired steps soon turn into a run when he picks up on Akaashi's distressed scent from the nest room.

When he reaches the room, all of the pups are looking around groggily, seemingly having been woken up by the chaos. Tadashi drops the hot mugs at his feet when he sees Akaashi on the floor in the doorway.

He ignores the shattering ceramic as he rushes to his friend who is doubled over in pain, clutching his stomach.

"Akaashi! Akaashi, tell me what's wrong."

"I-I don't know- hurts." He groans in pain. Tadashi places a hand on his back.

"Are you in labor?" He asks, worry clutching at his heart. The other man frantically shakes his head.

"Too early. It's too early. It didn't feel like this before." He gasps. And he's right, the omega is still around two months away from his due date, it would be awfully early to be in labor.

"Okay. Okay. What do we do? Should I take you to the bed?" Akaashi sucks in a shaky breath and nods. He gently helps the taller man up and freezes once he's standing. "A-Akaashi." His voice shakes almost uncontrollably, his eyes locked on the floor of the hallway where the other omega had just been, where there is a small pool of blood. Akaashi turns and sees what he has been looking at and all color drains from his face.

"Mommy?" Akihiko calls from the bed, worried at his mother's distress. He remains unanswered as the two adults stand in the doorway, dazed and afraid.

"We-we need to take you to the hospital." The ravenette opens his mouth before snapping it shut again. Nodding solemnly, eyes wide and afraid. "It's gonna be okay. We're gonna get you checked out, okay?" Akaashi doesn't even reply this time.

Yams tries to run through his head as to who is still home tonight but his thoughts are so frantic he can't come up with anyone he knows is here for sure.

"Hey!" He calls out, hopefully loud enough for someone to hear. "W-we need some help in here." He tries to sound calm, but the obvious shake in his voice gives him away. When he doesn't hear anything he become more desperate. "Help! Somebody, please!" He calls out.

This time he is met with the sound of footsteps quickly making their way towards their room. Soon enough, Osamu appears in the hallway, alert.

"What's going on-" He freezes when he sees them standing over a pool of blood. "Oh my god, is that- Wha- What happened- are you- wh- wh-" Akaashi buries his face into the crook of Tadashi's neck as his hands begin to shake. Soon enough, Osamu is shoved to the side, nearly colliding with the wall of the hallway as Oikawa surveys the scene. Understanding immediately, he takes hold of Akaashi's other arm and speaks calmly.

"Osamu, please go start the car, would you? We should bring Akaashi to get looked at." Though his voice is gentle, he shoots a glare at the grey haired alpha that leaves no room for argument. Then he turns and presses his nose to Akaashi's pale cheek. "Can you walk, love?" His voice is soothing. As scared as Akaashi is, he manages a nod.

"I think I-I need help."

"Okay. Okay, we're gonna help you. And you're gonna be okay."

"Okay."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." With that they slowly help him make his way towards the steps, and even slower down them. When they reach the end Tadashi looks towards Oikawa.

"Can you get him to the car?" At the nod he receives he turns back to go upstairs. "Okay, babies. We have to go somewhere for a little bit, why don't we grab a blanket and anything you want for the night?" He tells them as he grabs a dozing Keiko from her crib, rousing her slightly.

"Where's my mama?" Akihiko asks him, gripping the omega's pajama pants in his little fist and looking up at him.

"He's in the car, now let's grab our things, yes?" Akihiko nods and runs to grab his owl and one of the blankets from their nest. Aito does the same, grabbing the yellow blanket from Tsukki’s room (that Tadashi may or may not have taken to put on his side of the nest) and Dino.

Eiji stands on the mattress, arm wrapped around his giraffe and giraffe blanket while reaching up for Tadashi to hold him. Tadashi takes him into the arm that doesn’t hold Keiko.

“Let’s go.” He leads the children downstairs as fast as they can go. When they exit the packhouse, Oikawa runs to them and scoops up the other two, bringing them to the backseat and sliding in after. Akaashi also occupies the back so Yamaguchi sits in the passenger seat, holding the children securely to him.

Osamu backs out of the driveway and speeds in the direction of the hospital. The drive is relatively quiet, save for Akaashi’s harsh breaths and sniffling.

“Mommy okay?” Akihiko leans forward to look at his mother. Akaashi doesn’t reply, just stares straight out the window blankly.

“He will be.” Oikawa ruffles his hair gently. Akihiko looks unsure but says nothing else.

The drive feels so much longer than it takes and when they arrive, Osamu pulls into the emergency pull up area. Oikawa is out in seconds, helping Akaashi out and towards the door as Yamaguchi herds the children and Osamu pulls away to park. They are met by two nurses.

“What’s seems to be the problem?” One of them asks as she moves to Akaashi’s other side to help.

“He’s pregnant and started bleeding almost 20 minutes ago.”

“How far along?”

“Oh- um… uh.”

“Just over 8 months.” Yamaguchi fills in, fear gripping this heart.

“We’ll get him into a room and tend to him immediately.” She says as the second nurse retrieves a wheelchair and helps Akaashi into it. They wheel him away and Tadashi feels tears prick at his eyes.

“Mama!” Akihiko drops his owl and blanket into the snow on the sidewalk and reaches for his mom, making to run after them. He is intercepted by Oikawa, who grabs his arm to hold him back. Tears streak down the child’s face as he watches the nurses disappear with his mom. “Mommy.” He cries softly.

“We’ll see him soon.” Oikawa lifts him and sets him on his hip. “He’ll be okay.” He retreats to pick up the discarded owl and blanket and hands them to the boy. “And we’ll be waiting for him.” With that, they enter the hospital and make their way to the waiting room and settle in as best they can.

Osamu finds them after a few minutes and sits next to Oikawa as Tadashi finishes tucking the boys into the hard hospital chairs with their blankets, trying his best to make them comfortable and quiet the still crying Akihiko.

“I’m gonna call Bo.” The alpha says and takes out his phone. Tadashi nods, Akaashi finds comfort in the alpha, as surprising as that was to him and Suga. When Osamu is done with the call they all sit in silence, and Tadashi finds the time to lose himself in his thoughts.

Would Akaashi be okay? Is he going to lose the baby? He doesn’t even want to think about that, but it could’ve a very real possibility at this point. He had been bleeding a lot.

His hand comes to rest over his own, very small, bump at the thought. No, that couldn’t happen. He’d just have to believe that they would be alright. They both would.

He adjusts Keiko in his arms and she makes a tiny snore sound that in any other case would make him smile, but he can’t find it in himself to do so at the moment.

He must have been lost in thought for longer than he thought because soon enough, the doors to the waiting room burst open and a horribly roughed up, soaking wet Bokuto limps his way towards them.

“Where is he? What happened?” Tadashi doesn’t answer right away, he’s too stunned to speak as he takes in the alpha. Dressed in a pair of black cargo pants, a black t shirt, and what seems to be a bullet proof vest over top of it. The thigh of his right pant leg seems to be soaked through with blood.

What the hell had happened?

“Yamaguchi!” He says frantically. Oh right.

“I-I don’t know, they took him away as soon as we got in. He… he was bleeding, Bokuto.” He watches as utter terror takes over the large man’s facial features. He doesn’t say anything else before he rushes over to the reception desk to plead with the man who sits behind it.

He can’t make out much of the conversation, but when the frantic alpha is led out of the room, he figures he can relax, if only a little. At least Akaashi won’t be alone now. Bokuto will take care of him. Soon enough, Oikawa appears in front of him.

“Give her here.” He says, reaching his arms out for the baby. Tadashi hands her over. “Try to rest. You look exhausted.” Yams only nods before he slumps into his chair and his exhaustion finally beats his worry as he slips into a restless sleep.

His sleep doesn’t last long as another commotion wakes him further. He blinks his eyes open to find Daichi and Tsukishima standing in front of them, dressed in a similar attire to Bokuto, looking as though they had just gotten there. He blocks out the voice in the back of his head that screams at how good the alpha looks in his attire. He focuses more on how out of it the tall man seems to be.

The alpha’s seem to be discussing with Osamu and Oikawa, voices lowered to mind the sleeping children.

“How long have I been out?” He asks Oikawa, rubbing his eyes and sitting up.

“About half an hour.”

“Oh. Any news yet?” The omega only shakes his head.

Then Tsukishima is in front of him, looking down with an unreadable expression. Looking oddly pale.

“Are you okay?” His hand reaches up to softly caress the omega’s cheek. Why is he acting so.. out of character? Tadashi only nods, too stunned to speak. “Good.” He smiles and it’s almost soft. “I’m glad.” The alpha sways and Tadashi snaps out of his confusion.

“Tsukki?” His worried voice seems to get the attention of the others just in time for the blonde to stumble back, just barely caught by Daichi.

“Tsukishima.” One look at the alpha’s face, covered with a thin layer of sweat, and a look of concern over takes him. He unbuckles the left side of the alpha’s vest and curses as his hand comes away covered with blood. “Dammit, why didn’t you fucking say something, you idiot?” He turns to look behind him. “We need a nurse over here!”

Tadashi stands, a hand pressed over his mouth. What is happening? Why is his alpha on the floor? Why is he bleeding? Why do his eyes look so far away?

“Tsukki.” It comes out more of a whimper than anything else. He drops to his knees. “Tsukki!” A sob this time. “Look at me, please. Please don’t do this. Look at me.” He holds the alpha’s clammy face in his hand.

“Dashi.” He says weakly, a hand comes up to hold onto the wrist of the hand that is cupping his face.

“I’m here. I’m here.” He speaks through his tears.

“We need to take him.” He hadn’t noticed the doctor until she spoke from right in front of him.

“No. No.”

“I’m sorry, sir. But he needs to be treated as soon as possible.”

“Please.”

He goes unheard. He sobs again as the alpha release his grip on his wrist, the last bit of warmth that the omega had. Gone. He just watches from the floor as the alpha’s eyes fall shut as several nurses help the doctor take him away.

Chapter Text

Bokuto POV:

Bokuto follows the nurse down the hallway of the emergency room. They walk at a brisk pace, yet he wishes she would walk faster. Akaashi's in trouble. He needs to see his omega.

"He's just through here." The nurse tells him as she pushes the door open. He doesn't hesitate to step through, but when he gets inside, he freezes. Akaashi is propped up on the bed, writhing in pain. He's surrounded by nurses taking his vitals and a doctor seems to be examining between his legs.

When the omega let's out a pained whine, the alpha rushes to his side in an instant.

"Akaashi. Hey, I'm here. You're okay, yeah?" Akaashi's eyes go wide when he sees him.

"A-alpha." He sobs, reaching towards the larger man.

"I'm here, 'Kaashi. I'm here." He takes hold of a delicate hand in one of his own and uses his other to push the sweat slicked hair off his forehead.

"Ha-Haru-" He cuts himself off with a cry of pain, making the alpha flinch. "Haruki?" Several large tears escape his blue eyes and slide down his face.

A moment of stunned confusion passes over him before his heart seizes at the realization that he means the pup. Haruki. He didn't know the omega had already chosen a name.

Haruki. Haruki.

It was perfect.

But was he okay?

"What's happening?" Bokuto turns on the doctor. "Will he be alright? Is something wrong with the baby?"

"It looks like a placental abruption, he’s been bleeding steadily since he's been taken in. We don't yet know the condition of the child, but we will do everything we can."

"Wh-what does that mean? Is he at risk?"

"Sir, please try to calm down. I will explain. It means that Akaashi-San's placenta has detached from the womb. Unfortunately this is a quite serious matter and can put both mother and child at risk."

"What kind of risk?"

"Well it can deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients and can lead to blood loss for the mother."

"Wh- Well, stop it! Can't you stop it? Why isn't he getting better? Can't you see he's in pain? You have to do something!" He'd never heard himself sound so desperate, so broken.

"We are doing our best, sir. But we must check the condition of the child before we proceed with anything. It will just be a moment." With that he turns right back to Akaashi.

"Please. Please." He whimpers, eyes large and full of pained tears.

"It's alright, Kaashi. They're gonna help you. Take some deep breaths for me."

"Can't. Hurts."

"You can. You can. For me?"

"Want my baby." He sobs. Bokuto feels his heart rip clean in two.

"I know. I know." He throws a desperate look over his shoulder at the doctor, who is removing her latex gloves to replace them with another. She catches his eye and sighs.

"We've found a heartbeat, though it is faint. Our best option is to induce labor right away, though there is still a risk for both of them. We can't guarantee what condition the baby will be in. There is a fairly high chance that he may be born sleeping."

Bokuto freezes at that. What? Please no.

"You hear that, Keiji?" The omega nods with a determined look and a shaky breath.

"Do it." The doctor nods and calls out to the nurses who all jump into action. The hand holding his own tightens. "Stay. Please."

"Of course." He presses a kiss to Akaashi's forehead. "Of course I'll stay."

"Okay. Bokuto-San, why don't you take a seat behind Akaashi-San and we'll get started here?" He nods and carefully lifts Akaashi's back off the mattress and slides between him and the stacked pillows before letting the omega lean back against his chest.

"Alright Akaashi-San. Take deep breaths for me now." A nurse comes to fiddle with the machinery up by Akaashi's head. She pauses when she sees Bokuto's leg. "Sir, you should get this looked at immediately."

"I won't leave him." He growls. He hadn't meant to sound so harsh.

"Well, at least let us treat it here." He merely nods. His leg is the least of his concerns right now. Not when Akaashi is in danger. In pain.

A different nurse comes and begin to cut his pant leg, preparing to remove the bullet and stitch up his wound. He merely nods in thanks before he turns his full attention back to Akaashi, nosing at his scent glands and resting his hands gently on his bump. It had grown quite a bit in the past month. But it was nowhere near as big as it should be for them to be here.

Even Bokuto knows this.

Akaashi let's out another pitiful wail and his head falls back against the alpha's shoulder.

"You're okay. You're alright."

"'m scared." He whines.

"I know. I know." Me too, is what he doesn't say. "I know you can do this. You're so strong, 'Kaashi." Another pained cry sounds in the tense atmosphere of the room.

They sit like that for almost an hour. Akaashi crying out in pain and Bokuto being able to do nothing but hold him.

"Alright, Akaashi-San. It's time to start pushing. Remember deep breaths." Akaashi nods and immediately sucks in a deep breath.

"You're ready, Akaashi. I know you can do this. Let's meet our son, yes?" At that, the omega gives a determined nod. Bokuto can only hope his forced confidence will pay off.

He truly doesn't know if it will really be okay.

"Alright, push." The nurse instructs. Akaashi tenses under the alpha's arms and he screams. The alpha simply lets him grip the life out of his fingers and mutters encouraging words into his ear. How he believes in him. How he's the strongest person the alpha has ever known. How he knows he can do this.

How he loves him.

Akaashi POV:

The past two hours had been the longest, most excruciating two hours of his life. Everything had basically gone black after the nurse told him to push, almost as though his brain had shut down from the pure agony he was feeling.

The only thing he was aware of was the burning pain consuming his body and the sound of Bokuto muttering to him. Telling him he loves him.

He wants so badly to repeat the words back to the alpha but his body won't let him do anything. It feels as though he is shutting down. He's about ready to give up.

"Give us one more push." The voice of the nurse breaks through the haze and then he hears Bokuto.

"One more, Akaashi. You can do one more." With the encouraging words from the alpha, he finally finds the strength to put everything he has into the last push.

"There he is." The nurse says, Akaashi can see her gently handling something, but he can't see the child.

"Why isn't he crying?" He can barely enunciate the words through his breathless crying. He grips the shoulder strap of Bokuto's vest. "Why isn't he crying?" The alpha doesn't respond, only tightens his hold on his waist. "Alpha." He cries. "Alpha. Why isn't he crying?"

"Akaashi-" His name is whispered, he sounds terrified.

"No no no. Please no." His heart feels like it has stopped beating altogether. His chest hurts. It hurts so bad. He hasn't even seen his baby but he can't hear him. He's surrounded by several nurses, each speaking frantically to eachother. "God, no." He tries to sit up but the alpha holds him back.

"Keiji-" Bokuto is interrupted by a shrill cry from within the group of nurses and both of their heads shoot up.

"There we go!" The nurse says, happiness just a bit forced to cover her relief. She holds up the tiniest baby Akaashi had seen in his entire life, who kicks and wails unhappily from the cold air. Akaashi can only cry out in utter relief, reaching his arms out towards the child. The nurse approaches him.

"There doesn't seem to be any serious concerns, he was just cut off from oxygen for a bit longer than liking, we'll run some tests later to make sure his brain activity is normal. His breathing isn't ideal but it's nothing horribly serious, and we'll run a few more tests later. For now, I assume you'd like to hold him?" Akaashi sniffles and nods. "Alright, Bokuto-San, can help untie your gown and we'll get you some skin on skin.”

He feels Bokuto gently undo the ties of his hospital gown but he pays no mind as he is carefully exposed to everyone in the room, he only continues to reach out towards the baby.

"Bokuto-San, it would be best if you help him hold the child. He might feel a bit weak, he's lost a bit of blood." She says as she carefully lays the baby on his bare chest. Bokuto's arms come around to act as a support for Akaashi's own. When the small, warm weight is on him, he bursts into tears. The child on the other hand, slowly quiets his cries when he smells his mother.

"Hi, baby." He gives a teary smile and strokes the baby's soft head. "Haruki." He whispers and kisses the soft hairs on his head. He leans down to nose at the pups neck, smelling him. He smiles at the scent and of maple. “Alpha. Look. Look." He looks over his shoulder to the alpha, proudly presenting the pup. Bokuto smiles down at the tiny being.

"He's perfect, Keiji." He presses a kiss to the omega's temple. "You both are."  Akaashi goes back to nuzzling the pup, covering him in his scent.

"I love you." He whispers against the pup's cheek. "I love you."  The baby nuzzles his face into his chest with a tiny sigh. Keiji nearly combusts.

They are left alone for a couple of minutes, allowing them time alone with the new baby, before the nurse comes back in.

"Alright, are we ready to run a few more tests?" Akaashi merely holds his child closer with a whimper, sparking a low warning growl from Bokuto. The nurse doesn't seem phased.  "I understand that it is difficult, but I promise you I will bring him right back to you in a couple of minutes, but it is important that we make sure everything is alright."

Akaashi looks up at his alpha, almost as if asking permission. The other man still looks a bit hesitant but eventually nods. Akaashi hesitantly let's the nurse remove the baby from his arms.

When she's out of the room, Akaashi collapses back against the alpha with a sigh, exhausted. Bokuto sweeps his hair off of his sweaty forehead.

"I'm so proud of you, Keiji. Get some rest now. You deserve it." Keiji hums and turns to bury his face in the alpha's neck, inhaling his scent and allowing it to soothe him to sleep.

In maybe half an hour later that he is woken back up. He finds that Bokuto has gotten up from behind him and removed his vest. The alpha stands with two steaming tongo cups in his hands.

"I got you some tea, 'Kaashi." He places the cups down on the bedside, putting Akaashi's within reach. Just then the nurse returns with their son, he squirms and wails the whole way, obviously upset about the lack of proximity to his mother. Akaashi immediately reaches for him and he is placed back in his arms and is calm in a matter of seconds. He's been thouroughly cleaned now and is bundled tightly in a soft yellow blanket, he also now dons a tiny little hat to keep him warm. The omega is surprised they even had one so small.

"There are a few things I need to discuss with you." The nurse says. Akaashi looks at her worriedly, then back down at his son to examine him for any issues.

"Is there something wrong? What is it? Is he alright?" The nurse gives a small nod.

"He did pretty well. The doctor would like to have him on a ventilator for the next couple of nights, just to make breathing a bit easier, but there is no need to be alarmed." Akaashi nods, brows still pinched in slight worry. "And, well, for the most part he is perfectly healthy. We will keep a close eye on him for the next week or so, but there is something you should now."

"What is it?" Bokuto stands with his shoulders tensed.

"It would seem he failed the vision test." A moment of silence. "These aren't always the most effective during the first few days but from the tests we ran, there is very little evidence that he can see, at all."

Akaashi takes a long moment for that to sink in.

“It’s relatively common in premature babies to experience damage to their vision or hearing. But his hearing is perfectly fine.”

"He's... blind." The nurse nods solemnly.

"Mostly, if not completely."

"Oh." The word sounds so soft.

"I'll give you guys some time with the little guy." She says with a kind smile before she exits the room.

Akaashi doesn't take his eyes off of his son. The news was quite upsetting, knowing that his son will never be able to see him. To see his brother. Or his father. He wouldn't be able to see the sky, or the ocean. He won't know colors, or lights. It broke his heart.

But deep down, he knows it won’t change a thing. He still loves his son with all his heart and nothing could ever change that. It's then that Haruki decides to open his eyes. The omega gasps. It is quite obvious that the child is looking through him and not at him, but the omega can't take his gaze off of those eyes. One, a striking blue just like his own. The other, a deep, enchanting green. The contrast so unique, so beautiful.

How could blindness ever dampen the love he feels for the tiny creature in his arms?

At least, he thinks, it changes nothing for him. He can feel the commanding presence of the alpha just a few feet away. He had yet to say anything since the nurse had left.

Akaashi had absolutely no clue what to expect now. It wasn't uncommon for alpha's to reject a pup who is born with complications, not to mention a pup that isn’t even theirs biologically? He curses mentally. If this had happened even two months later, it would be okay, it would still be difficult, but it would be okay. But now? The pup is so tiny, so weak. He needs an alpha. Akaashi needs an alpha. He doesn't know if they can get through this without one.

He turns his body slightly away from Bokuto, shielding Haruki from the alpha. He hears the large man approach quietly and his breath catches when he leans over his shoulder to look at the boy, look at his eyes that stare off into the distance, looking nowhere.

"Can I hold him, 'Kaashi?" The words prompt him to look up at the other, who stares down at the child in awe, Akaashi might say it is something similar to total adoration. It’s a look that drives all doubt straight out of the omega’s mind. He nods.

“The nurse said skin on skin contact is good. Probably more so if he can’t see.” The alpha nods in quiet agreement before slipping off his shirt. Akaashi ignores the blush that overtakes his face. “Make sure to support his head.” With that, he carefully holds the fragile pup, one of his two most prized possessions in the world, towards the alpha he trusts more than any other.

The baby let’s out a small cry when the scent of his mother gets further away, wiggling around fearfully. Bokuto scoops him up into his strong arms, never faltering, and holds the pup close to his chest. Instead of continuing to cry, Haruki seems to consider the new scent he has been presented with and seemingly decides he enjoys it as he coos softly, cheek pressed to the alpha’s toned chest.

Bokuto slowly moves to sit in one of the chairs, eyes never leaving Haruki’s face. His eyes start to shine as he gazes down at him.

Akaashi feels as though his heart will burst, watching as the alpha looks at his son so lovingly. The sight is certainly one that will remain engraved in his memories forever. Bokuto sitting there looking as though he’s just been gifted the world, and Haruki, contentedly falling asleep in his chest.

The pup is absolutely dwarfed by the big alpha, barely even the size of one of his biceps. But Bokuto handles him so delicately. It truly is a sight to behold.

It’s not long before the alpha begins to scent him as well, making sure the child smells like the perfect combination of his parents. When he’s satisfied he pulls back to look down at the baby again.

“We’re gonna get along just fine, little man.” Akaashi watches for the next few minutes as the alpha speaks softly to the baby, cooing over how cute he is and complimenting his little hat. The omega can’t help but chuckle, he’d never seen an alpha act so soft. After another few minutes, Haruki seems to get cranky, huffing and whining softly.

“He’s probably hungry.” Akaashi says. “Bring him here.” The alpha does as told and Akaashi takes back the baby, guiding him to his breast and helping him to latch on. Bokuto watches him with a scalding intensity, and Akaashi would have thought he’d be uncomfortable but he doesn’t find that he is. He’s completely comfortable with the alpha’s gaze on him.

When both he and Haruki settle comfortably, the alpha goes to update everyone who has been waiting outside and to let them know they can come see them soon. When they’re alone in the quiet of the hospital room, he sighs. It had been a taxing, terrifying night. But as the sun begins to rise, he sits in this bed, holding his baby to his chest, and he can finally breathe. Akaashi presses the softest kiss to Harukis head.

“I love you.”

Chapter Text

Tadashi POV:

Tadashi sits on a hard plastic chair that has been pushed up against the hallway wall right outside the room they had taken Tsukki into. He stares at the closed door in a daze as he chews his thumb nail nervously.

He doesn't know what's happening behind that door. All he knows is that it has been almost three hours since it closed and since then, the alpha-his alpha, has flatlined twice. From what the omega could tell, they had brought him back both times. But that did nothing to quell the utter terror he felt in his heart.

He'd long ago run out of tears. Now just let out shuddering breaths. Suga had sat with him for the most part, holding him as he wailed when the alpha's heart had stopped.

When it had been quiet long enough that Tadashi was able to calm down, Suga had taken the opportunity to check on Akaashi's condition, but not before making sure Tadashi was alright.

Yamaguchi didn't think he was in any condition to go see how Akaashi was doing. What if it was just more bad news? He couldn't handle the thought. He had been given quite the scare when he'd seen Akaashi in such pain. But now his worry for the baby had been joined by his worry for Tsukki. He couldn't catch a break, could he?

He lifts his head from where he has his face buried in his hands when he feels eyes on him. He looks up and sees a small blonde pup with a dinosaur tucked under his arm watching his mother cautiously. The small boy looks troubled and Tadashi's heart clenches. His baby must be so confused.

"Come here, my love." Aito makes his way over to his mother and is swiftly lifted up into his lap. "I'm so sorry." He buries his face in the blonde hair. "I'm sorry I haven't told you anything."

'What happened, mommy?' The pup signs, his face giving away how worried he truly is.

"Well... Tsukki got really hurt, and now the nurses and doctors are trying very hard to help him."

'Will they make him okay again?' And Tadashi realizes he does have a few more tears left in him as they start to trail down his face once again.

"I don't know, baby. I don't know." They sit in a long silence as the boy seems to think hard about his response.

'I want him to be okay.' This sparks another choked sob from his mother.

"Me too. I want that too." They fall back into silence. The only noise coming from the shuffling from behind the closed door accompanied by hushed voices. Tadashi holds his son close to his chest and he thinks. He thinks long and hard.

He thinks that he may have been unfair to Tsukki.

He knows that what the alpha had done back then was wrong. Of course he knows that. But he also knows that he was just a scared, young boy just like Tadashi had been. And he'd just been trying to protect him in his own stupid, Tsukki way.

And hadn't he said he'd been looking for him ever since? He obviously regretted what he'd done and he'd set out to fix it.

And then he'd found him. He'd found him and Aito and he'd shown them nothing but love and isn't that all Tadashi could ever ask for? The alpha had accepted the child that had been kept secret from him for years. Sure, there'd been a few bumps along the way but damn it if he hadn't tried.

And here sat his child. Completely unaware that the man inside that room was his father.

That wasn't fair to either of them was it?

Here Aito had the chance to have a father who loves and protects him and his own mother was the one keeping that away from him? No. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't.

This is how he makes one of the hardest decisions of his life. One in which he decides that even though he's not even sure whether the alpha will even survive, his son deserves to know. Before he loses him forever.

"Aito, my love." The pup looks up at him, still hugging his dinosaur close. "Do you remember when you asked me where your papa was?" Aito nods.

'You said he was gone.'

"I did, yes." He holds eye contact with his son for a long moment. "But what if I said that he came back? What would you think about that?" Aito seems to consider this for an excruciatingly long moment.

'Could I meet him? If he came back? Would he want to meet me?' He looks down and starts to pick at Dino's bead eyeball.

"Of course. Of course he would. But what if-"
He steels himself with a deep breath. "What if you've already met him?" Aito's gaze snaps back up to his. After a moment, he catches the pup glancing towards the hospital room.

Of course his intelligent boy would figure it out.

'Does he like me?' He signs shyly. His face half hidden by his stuffie.

"Of course he does, baby! He loves you so much!" Aito glances towards the door again.

'Mommy, is Tsukishima-San my papa?' His boy was so intelligent. The omega feels another tear run down his cheek and he strokes Aito's face gently. He nods with teary eyes.

"He is." The pup looks at the closed door once again. He looks on the verge of tears himself. "I'm so sorry, pup. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. It's alright if you're mad. You have every right to be." The pup simply rests his head against the his mother's arm and the action is enough to let him release a breath of relief.

He'd been so scared that his child would hate him for what he'd done. But it looks like forgiving was just another one of the wonderful traits his son somehow possesses.

"I love you so much." He kisses the soft blonde hair.

Just then the door opens and the doctor emerges. Tadashi shoots to his feet, nearly toppling Aito over.

"Is-is he-"

"He pulled through." The doctor assured him. Tadashi collapses to the floor in relief. Sucking in shuddering breaths like he'd forgotten to breathe this whole time. Aito is by his side then, with a small hand on his shoulder, putting Dino in his lap in attempt to comfort his mother. Tadashi instead pulls the child into his lap and holds him close. The doctor gives them a moment before he speaks again.

"The bullet pierced his lung and we hit a number of complications but he's been stabilized. We've put him in a medically induced coma for now to ensure he remains stable, which will last about 24 hours. After that, it's up to him when he wakes up." Aito looks up at him as if to gauge his reaction.

"He'll be okay?"

"Well, he's not out of the woods quite yet, we're going to have to keep a very close eye on him, but he's strong. He's got a good chance of pulling through." Tadashi squeezes Aito closer to him.

"Thank you. Thank you so much." The man nods with a kind smile.

"We'll be moving him to an observation room and getting him set up, you'll be able to visit him in an hour or two."

"You hear that, baby? We can visit soon." Aito nods with a happy, though slightly nervous smile.

The doctor leaves them alone and Tadashi takes a long moment to steady himself and finally breathe. He's going to be okay. He'll pull through.

Ushijima POV:

Wakatoshi paces the hallway of the emergency wing of the hospital. It had been a stressful night for everybody, and even the stoic alpha wasn't immune to it. He could feel his fingers starting to twitch as an anxious itch makes it's way up his neck. He flexes his fingers a few times and shakes out his hands as he lets out a deep breath.

Calm Wakatoshi. Calm.

When he manages to get himself somewhat under control, he goes to make his way back towards the waiting room. It is mostly empty at this time of night.

Tendou sits in a chair in the corner, legs pulled up against his chest. He's dressed in light gray sweatpants and a darker gray hoodie with its hood pulled up over his head.

The omega looks horrible. He's pale and his fiery red hair falls down on to his forehead. His shaking hands holds one of the drawstrings of the hoodie to his mouth where he chews on it nervously.

Ushijima heart leaps into his chest. He goes to sit in the chair across from the other man.

Tendou doesn't look at him. Just continues to stare blankly at the floor, continuing to gnaw on the drawstring.

Wakatoshi says nothing, allowing them to sit in the offputting silence of the waiting room. After nearly half an hour of silence, Tendou speaks up.

"They'll be alright, right, Toshi?" His voice quakes almost as much as his hands.

"I suppose they could be." He says, taking into account all factors. "Though Tsukishima-san's injury did look pretty serious. That much blood loss is enough cause for concern. It could mean an important organ was damaged. As for Akaashi-San, the baby came quite early which could easily lead to some serious complications. And it isn't normal for him to be bleeding, which could mean it's quite a serious issue. So I wou-" He cuts off as he sees the omegas face, impossibly paler than before, his mouth hanging open and eyes quickly filling with tears.

Shit. He should have just shut up. He knows people always tell him he's insensitive but he'd never wanted to be that way with Tendou.

"I didn't mean to-" He cuts off once again as the omegas head dips forward, almost as though he's passed out, before he snaps out of it and looks back at the alpha. "Are.. Are you okay, Satori?" He leans forward, concerned beyond belief as the omegas starts shivering even more and his teeth start to chatter. He nods. Ushijima now notices just how dilated his pupils are.

"Sa-" He doesn't even get the name out this time before the omega jumps up from his chair and makes a beeline for the bathroom. Ushijima just watches him disappear behind the door, the lock clicking into place soon after.

He sits there for a long while, simply staring at the door. When and uncomfortably long time has passed he goes to knock on the door.

"Satori?" He waits but there is no response. He knocks again. "Satori, are you alright?" Still nothing. This time he pounds on the door. "Satori. Answer me. Please." There is is again. That itch making its way back up his spine. He jerks his head to the side in an attempt to get rid of it. Again, to no avail. His fingers start to twitch again.

This time, he grips the doorknob and twists it fast and hard, busting the lock and swinging the door open.

Satori is in a heap on the ground, hunched over the toilet as he vomits into it. Ushijima closes the door behind him, blocking anyone else from seeing the omega in this vulnerable state.

He quickly goes to kneel beside the redhead, a large hand placed on the small of his back. The omegas entire body is shaking violently and the alpha can feel sweat even through the sweatshirt.

"Satori. What's happening?" The omega gags dryly one last time before he slumps backward, Ushijima catches him easily, holding him tightly to his chest as violent tremors start to wrack his body. "I should call a nurse." He says, sitting up to do something, anything.

He's so scared right now.

A cold hand wraps tightly around his forearm, freezing him.

"Don't." Tendou speaks through his teeth, jaw clenched in what has to be a painful way as his body continues to seize. "Please no, Toshi." His words are slurred slightly and the alpha tries to force down his panic. "No doctor."

"Satori, you-" He's cut off by a tight squeeze around his wrist.

"No!"

"Okay. Okay." He wraps his arms tighter around slim shoulders as they jerk violently. The sound of labored breathing fills the bathroom as Satori suffers through the episode.

Ushijima just stays. He sits on the cold tile floor, says nothing, and holds on to the omega like his life depends on it. He stays for nearly half an hour until the shaking slows to a moderate tremble and the smaller man can calm his breathing.

Eventually, on his own, the omega sits up, running a hand over his face and through his hair and taking a deep breath.

"That was intense, huh?" He looks over his shoulder and attempts a smile, but he only manages to look exhausted, his eyes full of a serious sort of anxiety.

"Satori."

"Please, Ushijima. Can we not?" The alpha just levels him with a serious look. "I'm fine! This isn't anything I haven't dealt with before. Can we move on please?" He curls in to himself and hides his face in his knees, almost as if he's hiding from Wakatoshi.

That's the last thing the alphas wants him to do.

He places a gentle hand on Tendou's shoulder.

"What can I do?" Tendou shrugs.

"Nothing, really. Not much you can do. I'm just going to feel like shit for a while." Wakatoshi watches him for a long moment.

"Well, maybe you feel well enough to help me pick out a get well gift for Akaashi and Tsukishima?" The omega perks up at that.

"Gifts?" He nods. "We'll, I suppose I could do that." The alpha doesn't miss the return of the sparkle in his eyes that had been absent before.

"Can you stand?" Tendou all but scrambles to his feet. Swaying slightly. Wakatoshi catches him, of course. "We'll get you some water first."

At the omegas agreement, they go to the water cooler and Ushijima watches as the smaller man downs two cups before he's satisfied.

Just as the redhead is throwing away his cup, the doors open and a rumpled looking alpha limps out into the waiting room. All eyes snap to him and Suga stands from the chair he'd appeared in only minutes ago.

They all make their way towards him, meeting him in the middle of the room.

"They pulled through." The alpha says with a sigh, instantly the group relaxes. "They're taking the baby to make sure everything is alright. 'Kaashi's resting." The man's eyes sparkle. "He's so tiny I can't believe it. You should have seen him. He's got this little nose and tiny fingers. And he's already got hair! It's so dark, just like 'Kaashi's."

"Well, we're excited to meet him." Daichi says with a relieved smile. Bokuto freezes, seeming to come down to earth. He crosses his arms over his broad chest and squints suspiciously.

"Well, maybe not just yet." It seems he's already on a protective streak. "He's... He's... shy."

"The baby is shy?" Daichi asks with an amused smile.

"Wha- well of course! He's only been in this strange world for a few hours! We can't just throw people at him, how would you feel, huh?" He rants defensively before spinning on his heel to go back to Akaashi's room. "Unbelievable." He mutters under his breath. The group watches after him, each heaving a sigh of relief when he's past the doors. Akaashi and the baby are fine.

Ushijima turns to Tendou.

“Well then, shall we pick out a gift for your newest pack member?” Tendou nods vigorously. The alpha places a steadying hand on the small of his back and leads him off into the direction of the gift shop.

When they arrive in the small shop, Satori is not deterred by the hundreds of cards and balloons, he heads straight for the section full of stuffed animals, browsing for the perfect one.

Meanwhile, the alpha spots a small section that seems to be dedicated to premature babies. He heads on that direction, thinking Akaashi might appreciate something a little more practical to go with whatever Satori picks out.

His eyes land on a display of dozens of hats with different designs. He approaches to get a closer look. This would be good, a hat to keep the baby warm, and specially designed to fit the head of an early baby. He nearly breaks out into a smile when he sees a soft gray one with a small cartoonish owl on the front. An easy buy, even for the stoic alpha.

He goes to find Tendou once again before his eyes catch on a smaller display with hats that look to be hand knit. He reads the sign about how they had been handmade my some of the older patients in the hospital. He grabs a baby blue one and feels the softness. He decides two new hats wouldn’t hurt.

When he finds Tendou again the man is holding a small stuffed rabbit, running his fingers along the floppy, velvety ears.

“Do you think the baby would like this, Wa-kun?” He looks up at the alpha hopefully.

Ushijima first pushes down the arising feelings that come up with the nickname and then pushes down the thought that he wouldn’t know what the baby would like as the child has not yet had the chance to form likes or dislikes.

Instead he nods.

“I think he’ll love it.” He knows this is the correct response when Tendou bounces with excitement, clutching the rabbit to his chest. “Shall we look for something for Tsukishima-San now?” Tendou once again nods excitedly.

They eventually make their way from the store with two baby hats, a stuffed rabbit, a get well card with a cartoon dinosaur, and- much to the alpha’s confusion- a packet of dinosaur stickers. He figures the omega bows better than him what the alpha likes so he has no qualms with buying the item.

He watches now how the omega walks with a skip in his step, arms full of their new purchases and humming a cheery tune. When they sit back in the waiting room, the redhead slowly slides closer. The alpha stiffens for a moment but relaxes his muscles when the smaller man slowly leans his head to rest on a broad shoulder.

“Thank you.” Satori says softly, a small smile playing on his lips. The alpha decides he would do anything to keep it there.

Chapter Text

Bokuto POV:

Bokuto makes another stop at the coffee machine in the hallway, purchasing another coffe for himself and a tea for Akaashi. With the warm drinks acquired, he makes his way back to the hospital room. He's glad to have relieved the concerns of his pack but can't wait to get back to the omega and pup that wait for him just at the end of the hallway.

He couldn't wait to see the small baby again, even though it had been only a couple of minutes since he'd last seen him. He wanted to hold him, feel the warm little body in his arms again, to know he was safe and okay. He almost felt bad for snapping at Daichi for mentioning a visit from the pack but he was still feeling protective. So what, he wanted to keep the pup and omega to himself for just a bit longer, sue him. He could also admit that deep down, his protective side was concerned for what the pack alpha would think of the blind pup.

When he steps into the small hospital room, he breathes in the warm scent of maple and refreshing scent of eucalyptus and he takes in the vision that is Akaashi Keiji, holding his dozing son close. He could smell it all day. He could watch them all day.

"More tea, 'Kaashi?" The younger man's eyes don't move from the child for an instant.

"Bokuto-San. Bokuto-San, come." He says with a sense of urgency. The alpha has half a mind to drop the drinks on the floor, but catches himself at the last moment, setting the steaming liquid on a table before rushing to Akaashi's side in an instant.

"What is it? What's wrong? Is he alright?" He asks desperately. Akaashi only tilts the tiny baby towards him so Bokuto can get a clear look at him. Haruki gives the smallest sniff known to man before opening and closing his fist, eyes still shut.

"He can smell you, Bokuto-San." Something ignites in Bokuto's chest and he gasps. Haruki let's out the smallest of coos and his head tilts ever so slightly in the direction of the alpha.

"Can I take him, 'Kaashi? Please, can I?" The omega nods with the softest of smiles and Bokuto quickly scoops the baby out of his arms. He hardly weighs a thing so he easily lifts him to hold him against his chest. "Hi little bean." The baby let's out a contented sigh, his soft cheek nuzzled against the alphas soft shirt. "I'm back."

Akaashi smiles softly at them. He winces as he sits up and reaches for the hot tea, removing the lid and blowing on the steaming liquid. The omega has dark bags under his eyes and his hair sticks up at odd angles, completely matted in the back. He looks like an angel. Bokuto finds it difficult to decide between staring at the omega or the tiny pup in his arms. He decides to alternate between the two.

When a nurse come to check up on both mother and child she brings along a tray of food as well, adjusting the bedside table so it sits over Akaashi's lap.

"Everything is looking good. I'll be back in a couple of hours to help put him to bed." She nods towards the now wide awake baby in the alphas arms. "For now we've got some dinner for you from the cafeteria. And I'll leave you to it." She gives a sweet smile before making her way back out of the room.

Bokuto approaches the bed again and Haruki gurgles at the approaching scent of his mother. Akaashi lifts the lid off the tray and Bokuto sees the so called 'food' from the cafeteria.

"No. No. Absolutely not." He pushes the tray away from Akaashi. The food resembles mush more than it resembles anything edible. His omega isn't eating that. "We're getting takeout."

"Bokuto-San, it's okay, really."

"No, no, you're not gonna eat that. No." He pulls up menus from several restaurants and shoves the phone towards Keiji. "Pick whatever you want. Whatever Aki likes too, I'm sure he's hungry. I'll call right away and then you can take a nice shower, then you can cuddle up with this one here and have a nice meal. One that doesn't look like it could kill you."

"You're too kind, Bokuto-San."

"Now what did I say about the formalities? And seriously Keiji, I'm not the one who just pushed a whole human being out into the world." He lifts the burrito-wrapped baby to show Keiji, as if the omega had yet to see the child. The baby sneezes. Keiji giggles. Bokuto positively beams. "Now just let me know what you want and I'll take care of it."

After a few minutes, they have an order settled out and the alpha calls it in before leading Akaashi to the shower and leaving him to have his privacy.

Haruki whines from where he's been placed in the hospital bassinet, hooked up to a ventilator to ease his breathing.

"Oh no! An abandoned baby?" He gasps. "Well that just won't do." He carefully lifts the pup just how the nurse showed him, careful of the ventilator. "Who could be so heartless to leave you with no one to cuddle?" The whines immediately quiet down as the baby is held once again. "There we go, all better."

He nuzzles and coos at the baby for as long as it takes Akaashi to shower, and soon enough, the omega is back in bed, hair freshly cleaned and in a new set of clothes. Bokuto wheels the ventilator over and leans down to pass the pup over to the outstretched arms of the omega.

"Food should be here soon."

"Thank you." He looks down at the child, running a delicate finger over a soft cheek. Bokuto wraps an arm around the raven haired man, who leans into him, and looks down at the baby. "What a perfect baby. Are you my sweetest boy?" A small growl snaps both alpha and omega's attention to the end of the bed. Where a snarling, raven haired pup stands, tiny teeth bared. "Aki."

"No!" The small boy screams at his mother, causing Haruki to let out a wail. Akihiko kicks the bottom of the hospital bed, having no affect whatsoever on the furniture. His mother, however looks quite surprised.

"Akihiko. Calm down, now. Look, your brother has arrived. Would you like to meet him?"

"Nooo!" He's louder this time, stomping repeatedly on the floor as his small face turns red. "I don't like him!" Bokuto stands.

"Aki, why don't we-"

"I don't want him!" He yells, interrupting Bokuto. "Take him back! Don't want him!"

"That's not how that works, Aki. He's part of the family now."

"Then I don't wanna be!" He throws the discarded cafeteria food off the side table and it splatters to the ground. "I hate you!" Surely the entire hospital can hear with how loud the boy says it. But his extreme volume is followed by a deafening silence.

Keiji gapes at his son, tears threatening to overflow from his eyes. Akihiko pays him no more attention as he runs out of the room.

"Aki!" Akaashi shouts desperately after him. Moving to get out of bed without jostling the now wailing baby too much. Bokuto pushes him gently back down.

"Hey, hey, you stay right here. I'll get him. It'll be just fine."

"Bo-"

"I've got him, I've got him, Akaashi. Don't worry, it'll be fine." Akaashi nods and the alpha turns and dashes after the small boy.

The hallway is empty when he steps out and he heads for the direction he saw the boy go. There is no trace of him and after nearly 10 minutes of searching, panic starts to set deep in his chest.

Just as he's about to call for security to report a missing child, he turns into a dim, empty hallway. The hall is quiet save for the small sobs coming from the small pup curled into a ball on the floor, half hidden by the waiting chairs.

Bokuto approaches him quietly and leans against the wall, sliding down to sit by the boy. He didn't want to say anything that might set him off again. Those had been some very big emotions, and Bokuto would not be surprised if the kid grows up to be an alpha. The pup is just like he'd been when he was young.

"Hey, buddy." The small boy buries his face deeper into his arms. "Wanna talk about it?"

It is silent for a long time. So long that Bokuto doesn't believe that anything will be said. That is, before Akihiko says in the smallest of voices.

"I don't want another baby." He sniffles.

"And why's that, bud?" The pup only whines. "It's okay, you can tell me. I'm not gonna be mad."

"I don't want a new baby because I want mommy to love me." He whimpers and a fresh round of tears stream down his face.

"Now where would you get a silly idea like that? Your momma's always gonna love you. No matter what. The new baby's not going to change that." After a few more sobs and a shuddering breath the boy speaks again.

"Mama always said that I was the sweetest in the whole world. But now he doesn't. He doesn't think Aki's the sweetest and he doesn't sleep with Aki or play anymore. And mommy doesn't love me." The sobbing is renewed as the child bares all of his concerns to the older alpha. Just when Bokuto thinks he's done he continues. "A-and..." another heart wrenching sob. "And the baby gets to have a papa but I-I don't have a papa. Mommy says don't have one so why does the baby get one and Aki no?" The sentence is ended with another wail and the pup wipes at his tear stricken face with his sleeve.

"Oh, Aki." The alpha lifts the pup into his lap and holds him close, producing a packet of tissues and beginning to clean up the boy's face. “I’m sorry you haven’t been getting much attention lately. The last few weeks have been real hard on your mama. But he loves you so so much. Nothing is ever going to change that. Not even this new baby. Your his first baby, you’re always gonna be special. And he doesn’t think you’re any less sweet now that Haruki is here.” Akihiko sniffs, having finally stopped crying, and looks up at him.

“The new baby isn’t here to take any love away from you, he’s gonna bring even more. You’re a big brother now and that little bean in there is gonna know just how cool you are and he’s gonna look up to you. He’s gonna love you.” The pup seems to think about this for a long moment.

“Will I love him?” Bokuto chuckles.

“Well you gotta meet him first don’t ya? But I have a feeling you’ll like him enough.” Aki nods and there is a moment of silence between the two. The alpha thinks long and hard before he speaks again.

“And I know your father isn’t around, and that’s for the best for you and your mommy. But I’m here for you now, not just for your mom and the baby. I care about Akihiko.” He ruffles the soft raven hair. “And you get to come to me for anything you ever need, just like Haruki.”

“Really?” Akihiko looks at him with those big blue eyes.

“Really.” The pups small head falls against his chest and his shirt is held in a tight, small fist. He hugs the boy right and kisses the top of his head.

“Now I know you were looking forward to finally meeting this brother of your. What do you say we go pick up a treat and then go say hello?” Aki rubs his eye with a small fist and nods.

“Can you carry me, Bokudo-San?”

“Of course, buddy.” And he doesn’t mind at all, the child barely weighs a thing and it’s comforting to hold him close and feel his head drop onto his shoulder.

When they get to the small hospital store, he sets the boy down.

“Why don’t you chose something for yourself and then we can see if there’s anything the baby would like?” Aki nods enthusiastically. And charges off for who knows what. Bokuto follows much slower, taking in all that the store has to offer.

Soon enough, Akihiko returns with a soft, yellow, knitted blanket.

“This for the baby?” The pup asks. He holds it up proudly. The alpha squats down to admire the blanket, it really is soft.

“I think he’ll love it.” Aki smiles proudly. Then he looks over to the flower section.

“Maybe can I get some flowers for mommy instead of something for Aki?” He asks bashfully, flushing the cutest shade of pink.

“Hmm, I’d say we can get something for Aki and for mommy, how does that sound?”

“Yay!” And he’s off again to find the perfect arrangement for Akaashi, picking one with the lightest blue and pink flowers, filled in with baby’s breath. How fitting.

“These are beautiful, little man!” He ruffles the pup’s hair. “You’ve got a good eye.”

A couple of minutes later, they are leaving the store with a blanket, flowers, and a chocolate bar that Aki picked out. The blanket and chocolate are in a paper bag held by Bokuto and Akihiko walks ahead with the flowers, following Bokuto’s directions back to the room diligently.

When they make it back to the familiar hospital room, Aki stops just outside.

“What’s up, little man?” He turns and looks up at the alpha, eyes big and watery once again.

“I said some really mean things to mommy.” He sniffs. Bokuto doesn’t want to see him cry again.

“Yeah, but we all sometimes say things we don’t mean when we’re upset. He’ll forgive you. Promise.”

With that, he pushes the door open to reveal a worried Akaashi right where he left him. The omega quickly wipes a stray tear off his cheek as they enter, and stands from the bed. Bokuto takes the baby from his arms and Keiji drops to his knees in front of his son, grabbing him by the shoulders and pressing their foreheads together.

“My baby. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel unloved. I’ve been so selfish. I spent so much time on my own problems and no energy into the brightest part of my life. I wasn’t fair to you, you didn’t deserve any of that. I’m a horrible mother. I love you so much and I’m going to make it up to you, okay? I won’t ever let you feel this way again.” In response to his mother’s words, Aki starts to cry once again.

“I didn’t mean what I said mommy. Aki doesn’t hate you at all. I’m sorry.” He falls against Akaashi’s chest, who pulls him close and showers him with kisses.

“I could never be mad at you over this, my love. This is on me. But I’m going to fix it.” Aki pulls away, wiping his tears with his sleeve and holding up the only-slightly-crushed flowers.

“We got these for you, mommy. To say sorry and thank you for the baby.” Keiji laughs wetly and pulls the boy in for another hug.

“My sweet boy. Thank you, I love them.” Aki smiles. They spend another few minutes curled up on the floor together before a small coo draws their attention to the baby.

“Would you like to meet your brother?” The mother asks, to which Aki nods. Bokuto kneels and carefully settles the baby into Akaashi’s arms before speaking softly to the omega.

“I’ll give you all a moment. The food should be here soon. I’ll go wait.” He nods and smiles gratefully, mouthing a meaningful thank you to the alpha. With that he turns to head downstairs and wait for their food delivery.

Akihiko POV:

When the baby is settled into Akaashi’s lap, Aki takes his chance to peak over and get a glimpse of the strange new person that has decided to make an entrance into his life.

He doesn’t really know what to expect. He’s seen a baby before, Keiko was still just a baby. And he knows that his mommy had told him that he’d once been a baby too, but he’s not so sure he believes that. How could he have ever been as small as this.

He lets out a small gasp when he sees the small child. This is his brother. Man, he is really small. How is he so small? His eyes look quite big though. And they’re two different colors! Aki thinks that’s pretty cool.

Wait, if he’d once been this small, does that mean that this tiny thing here would one day be as big as him? That couldn’t be. There’s no way something so small could grow that much.

But according to his mother, he had. Does that mean he could eventually play with him? It doesn’t look like he’d be much fun to play with right now. Look at him, he can hardly do anything!

That’s okay, he supposed. He’ll just have to show the baby how to do everything. Like how to use a fork like a big boy, or how to play games in the sandbox in the park. He’ll also have to teach him how to say words. Oh brother, this was going to be a whole lot of work! Why would somebody want to do so much work?

Well, he is pretty cute. And he is his brother. So Aki supposes he doesn’t mind. He’s going to help his little brother do everything. And he will keep him happy and safe and be the bestest big brother in the whole wide world.

Yeah, that doesn’t sound too bad.

Akaashi POV:

The setting sun casts a warm glow across the quiet room. Akaashi sits on the floor with his newborn pup in his lap. At his side, his brave little boy leans against him and looks down at the baby.

“You can go ahead and smell him, baby.” He knew Aki had been waiting for this, the young pup was always very attune to scents and liked to assign smells to things, much like most of the population but he’d always excelled at figuring scents out even in his young age.

Akihiko leans down and sniffs the baby. “He smells warm.” He says. “Like pancakes!” Akaashi laughs at that.

“Doesn’t he?”

“He’s really small.”

“He is. He came a bit early so we have to be very careful with him. He’s gonna need a lot of help from us.” The boy nods and reaches to stroke the baby’s head. “Aki.” He continues. “Because Haruki came so early he’s not able to see very well. So it will be harder for him than it is for us. But we are going to love him very much and help him, alright?”

“I’ll help him, mama.”

“I know you will. You’re my brave, strong, little boy. I love you so much.”

“I love you, mama. And Haruki too!”

And so he sits there. On the floor of the hospital room, in the rays of sunlight, holding his babies close. He closes his eyes and get takes a deep breath. Smelling the scent of his boys and the strong, lingering scent of the alpha he may or may not most definitely be falling for.

And he is excited for what is to come next. He has this happy, free feeling that he can’t remember ever feeling.

Akaashi Keiji is simply excited for the rest of his life.

Chapter Text

Tadashi POV:

Tadashi stands before the closed door, staring at the marble wood. Aito's small hand clenched in his own. Deep breaths. Deep breaths.

Suga's soft hand takes his other hand. He'd offered to visit Tsukki with them. For support. He could never express how grateful he is for the older omega.

The door opens and they step inside. From Suga's free arm, Eiji yips in delight and claps his hands together when he sees Tsukki. Two year old mind disregarding the state of the man. Suga shushes him gently.

Tadashi feels his heart squeeze. His Tsukki lies unmoving in the hospital bed, torso wrapped in bandages. He's so pale. Even in his unconscious state, his brow seems to be scrunched in pain.

Tadashi let's out a shaky breath and lifts Aito up onto his hip. The pup utters a tiny whine when he sees the lifeless alpha.

"It's okay, baby. He's alright." He slowly reaches a shaky hand to hold onto the alphas cold, larger one. "See?" His voice shakes. He lifts the limp hand up off the bed. "He's still here."

Aito reaches his tiny hand out hesitantly, placing it gently over top of Kei's. Near instantly, the alphas brow smooths out, relaxing. Tadashi kisses his son's head.

"Do you want to sit with him?" Aito nods and is placed on the hospital bed next to Tsukki. "Suga, could you watch him? I'd like to speak to the doctor."

"Of course, Tadashi. We'll be right here."

"Thank you." He leaves the room to go search for the doctor that had treated the alpha. Luckily enough, he finds the man just down the hall, looking over some pages on a clip board.

"A- erm- E-excuse me." He says from a small distance away from the man, twisting his fingers nervously. The man turns to look at him curiously.

"Yes. May I help you?"

"Oh, uhm- yes. I was just wondering if you had an update on Tsukishima Kei? I was wondering if he'd maybe be awake soon?"

"Ah, yes well, here, let's have a seat." The older alpha gestures to the waiting chairs along the wall of the hallway. When they are seated he starts again.

"Tsukishima-sans body has taken on a of trauma. Right now it has to put a lot of energy into healing itself so it is not using energy on keeping him awake. It's like it is in survivor mode." Tadashi nods, fresh tears threatening to spill at the reminder of the alphas injuries.

"He's stable enough that he may be able to wake in the next week or so, but that's really up to him. All we can do is wait on him. It's good that your here. Spend time with him, talk to him. Let him know you're here. He'll pull through, and it's always easier with a good support system." Tadashi nods, wiping a stray tear off his cheek.

"Thank you, doctor. We really appreciate it." They stand.

"Of course. Please, let me know if you need anything."

"We will. Thank you." With a nod, the doctor walks away and Tadashi returns to the hospital room.

Aito still sits beside Tsukishima. Holding his hand in two of his own, each hand gripping one of the alpha's fingers.

Eiji leans over from Sugawara hold to make grabby hands for the alpha's glasses that are sat on the bedside table. His sweet, innocent little boy.

"So now what?" Suga asks him. He steps forward to the alphas side, opposite side from Aito. With one hand, he brushes the pups hair and with the other, he takes hold of the large hand on the bed.

"We wait for him."

Tendou POV:

Tendou hums along softly to the radio playing quietly in Wakatoshi's car. His fingers tap on his legs as he looks out the window at the sky, a soft orange color from the setting sun.

It had been Wakatoshi who reminded him that he had group tonight. And the alpha had offered to drive him. Was he supposed to say no to an attractive, considerate alpha offering to drive him around? Hell no.

So now he finds himself back in the passenger seat of the fancy sports car, wiggling his toes inside his shoes and staring out the window at the passing scenery.

When they pull up to the community center, he hesitantly gets out, looking back at the alpha.

"I'll be here." The stoic, monotone voices again got be somehow so reassuring. He nods gratefully and closes the door before making his way to the entrance.

When he steps into the meeting room he is met with the same bleak atmosphere as the last time. He recognizes some faces, namely those of Takeda, the leader, and the small omega boy curled up in the chair next to him. Goshiki.

The boy munches on a cookie, as he had at the last meeting, legs tucked up under his chin and backpack tucked closely beside his chair.

Tendou grabs a cup of hot apple cider from the table before taking the seat beside the younger boy, blowing on the scalding liquid.

Once a few more people settle into their seats, Takeda claps his hands together.

"Alright. Shall we get started?"

And so the meeting begins. They introduce themselves as they had last time and they have a guest speaker who tells them her success story of recovering from her addiction. She now owns and runs her own business.

After a couple others of their group share their progress and give updates, Takeda give his closing encouragement speech and everyone stands to get ready to go.

Satori pauses on his way out to help Takeda clean up the table. Goshiki stays behind as well.

"Thank you boys for the help." He says when they've finished. When his phone starts to ring loudly, he quickly fishes it out of his pocket. "Sorry, that's urgent business." He looks at the shorter boy apologetically. "I won't be able to drive you tonight. Will you be alright?"

Goshiki nods and the man smiles down at him, handing him the box of leftover cookies and ruffling his hair. The way the boy looks up at him makes Tendou's heart melt. How precious. Then Takeda rushes out of the room with a rushed goodbye. Goshiki turns to leave then.

"Hey wait." He jogs after the boy. Goshiki stops and looks at him cautiously. "It's okay, i swear I'm not sketchy!" He giggles. The boy holds the cookies closer to his chest. "I just couldn't help but overhear. Did you need a ride somewhere? My-" He pauses for a moment. "I have a car outside. I would be happy to take you wherever you need to go."

"Oh, that- that's okay." The boy stammers, surprised. "I'm used to walking I wouldn't want to inconvenience you."

"Oh no, no. You wouldn't be."

"I'm fine, really. I'll walk."

"Well. Would you like some company?" He didn't want to be too pushy. But really, a young omega shouldn't be walking the streets alone this late. The younger boy pauses to think.

"O-okay."

"Great!" He claps. "Let's get going then." He bounces towards the exit happily. The small omega trailing behind him. When they step out of the building, Satori gestures to Wakatoshi who nods in understanding and gets into his car. "So, where to then?"

"Well, I usually go to the event center."

"Oh, well.. Okay. That a few blocks this way, yeah?" He gestures in the direction he believes it to be. Goshiki nods and they begin their walk.

It is quiet for a couple of minutes. Tendou knows Ushijima must be trailing them, and is impressed that he manages to stay out of sight.

"So..." He shoves his hands into his pockets. "Goshiki right?" The boy nods.

"And you're Tendou."

"I am!" He bounces excitedly. "So I've noticed you know Takeda-San pretty well?" The boy shrugs.

"I guess. I met him through this. He drives me sometimes." He looks down at his hands. "He's really nice."

"Yeah. Yeah, he's great." There's a short silence once again.

"I'm not addicted to anything." The boy blurts. Tendou looks to him, startled. "I know you're wondering."

"Oh I-"

"It's okay. I get it. Most addict groups don't usually include a 13 year old." He keeps his eyes on the ground. "My uncle was my legal guardian for a couple of years. Ran a drug ring." Well that is quite the statement to say so casually. "He had me make deliveries sometimes. A-and he would inject me with the product sometimes. So that I couldn't go to the police, b-because I would get in trouble. But I got caught anyway and a judge said that I had to come here."

"Oh." To say he was stunned would be an understatement. This poor child.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to- It's just kind of nice to talk about it. The group makes me a little nervous." He tightens his hold in his backpack.

"Oh, I understand. I'm glad you opened up to me." That coaxes a small smile from the boy.

Soon enough they walk up to the event center.

"Well, here we are." He claps his hands together. "Event center." The boy nods. They approached the building before they come up to an A-frame board sign.

'Soup Kitchen Closed Today. Open Again Tomorrow.' Is written in scrawly writing. Goshiki pauses when he sees it. He stares for a long time before looking around.

"Is it closed?" The younger asks. Tendou hopes his heartbreak isn't clearly evident on his face when he nods.

"Oh."

"Well hey, why don't we go out for some dinner? My treat!"

"Oh, no that's okay. You don't hav-"

"Oh hush." He takes the boy by the hand. "Come along." Goshiki stumbles after him, still mumbling protests. "What are we feeling? Thai? American? I know a great pizza place just a few blocks from here! You like pizza?" The boy nods, startled. "Perfect. Come along!" He continues to pull the boy along down the street.

"Do you mind if my friend joins us? He's kind of my ride." Goshiki nods, mouth still slightly agape in surprise. "Perfect! Well, I'll just wave him down. He's probably been trailing us this whole time. Silly alpha." He waves down the black car that just so happens to be coming up along side them.

The car pulls over and out comes Wakatoshi, adjusting his jacket and looking like utter perfection. As he approaches Goshiki takes a minuscule step behind Tendou, peeking around his shoulder at the towering man.

"Don't mind the scowl, Tustomu-Kun. He's really just a big softie. WA-KUN!" He yells far too loud for the small distance between them and waves dramatically. "This is Tsutomu-Kun, isn't he just precious?" He pulls Tsutomu into his side and smiles up at the alpha.

Wakatoshi approaches and bows deeply to the young teen with a polite hello. Tsutomu peers further out from behind Satori, wether from curiosity or awe is unclear.

"Hello, Tustomu. It is nice to meet you."

"He doesn't always sound like a robot." Tendou whispers even as he realizes that it's a lie. With that, he perks up and claps his hands. "Shall we get some food then?" His companions simply nod and he takes that as his cue to skip away, trusting they will follow.

Oikawa POV:

Tooru sprawls out on the sofa, lazily clicking through channels. He's found it hard to be productive the past couple of days and has spent most of his time in this exact spot.

He's about to settle for a trashy reality tv show when the sound of fast footfalls coming down the stairs. As the footsteps approach the front door, he glances to see who is causing the ruckus and catches Iwaizumi's eye. The alpha pauses on his way out.

“Shittykawa.” The omega rolls
His eyes at the nickname. “Join me.” Tooru stares at him.

“What? Where?”

“Quick errand. Come on.”

“No.” He crosses his arms like a petulant child. This time it’s Iwaizumi who rolls his eyes.

“Let’s go.” Something in his voice. Something about the way he looks at the omega, who shifts in his spot slightly.

Whatever. He has nothing better to do anyway. He sighs loudly and pushes himself off the couch, shutting the TV off. He slips his shoes on and throws on his jacket. He drags his feet as he follows the alpha out the door.

He mumbles about shitty, no good, pushy alphas as he sits in the passenger seat of the black jeep. The alpha only smiles a smile so bright and genuine that it almost shuts him up. Almost.

His complaints and questioning last only 5 minutes into the drive. The alpha simply continues to drive in silence. The small smile on his face never wavering. It was off putting to say the least.

The omega decides it’s best to conserve his energy and redirects his attention to the window, watching the scenery go by. He watches. And watches. And watches.

“And just how far are we going, Iwa-Chan?” He blurts after nearly an hour has gone by. “Are you kidnapping me? In broad daylight?” He crosses his arms over his chest once again. “Wakatoshi wouldn’t be too happy about that.” He huffs, shoving his nose up into the air.

“We’re almost there.” Is all the alpha says in response.

It seems the alpha had spoken the truth, as not 10 minutes later, they pulled up in front of an old, dreary brick building. There’s no sign up front to identify where they are, no other buildings within sight.

Oikawa simply stares at the other man. At a complete loss. What were they doing here? This building wasn’t even under Daichi’s command, most definitely not anywhere near Ushijima’s territory. What business could they possibly have here?

“Beautiful day, no?” Iwaizumi asks, still boasting that sneaky smirk. Oikawa wants to slap it right off his face. “Why don’t you just wait out here for a few minutes, enjoy the weather? I won’t be long.” He unbuckles himself and gets out of the vehicle. Oikawa follows his lead, slamming the door as he gets out.

“What, so you drag me all the way…” He looks again to the sad looking building. “Here. And then just leave me to wait for you? Why am I here?” The frustration is obvious in his voice, even to himself.

Hajime laughs, and Oikawa considers punching him for the nth time today.

“I’ll be right back.” He starts towards the door. “Just wait for me, okay?” He doesn’t wait for an answer before he starts towards the building and disappears behind those doors.

The omega rolls his eyes and pulls his phone out of his pocket, willing the reception to work faster so he can scroll mindlessly through his social media platforms. He was definitely making Iwa buy him coffee and milk bread to make up for this inconvenience.

He stands outside, leaning against the car for nearly half an hour. At least the weather was nice as Iwa-Chan had said. Stupid Iwa-Chan.

Just as he’s about to call it quits and hotwire the alphas jeep and abandon him. The large doors open again and Iwaizumi steps out.

Well, thank god.

He’s about to tell at the alpha, tell him off for being so impolite as to drag him out here for absolutely no reason, when the other man turns around to look back behind the doors. He says something over his shoulder that the omega doesn’t catch and then holds his hand slightly out from his body, below his waist.

“Hey.” Oikawa finally gets out. “What the-“ He cuts off when a small hand reaches out from the door and wraps around a couple of the alphas. “What?” This time a whisper to himself.

Iwaizumi takes another step out, lightly tugging the small hand forward until a small girl appears. Tiny, dirty red shoes, a pair of black overalls, a pastel green shirt, and chestnut brown hair pulled into two tiny pigtails.

When big brown eyes meet his own, he stops breathing.

The small girl grips onto the hand of the alpha who leads her to the omega who is completely frozen in place, eyes wide and mouth gaping. She stays a stride or two behind the alpha and looks up at Oikawa shyly.

And when she comes to a stop in front of him, after an encouraging nudge from Iwaizumi, when the little girl looks into his eyes, this time from just a few feet in front of him, Oikawa falls to his knees, hot tears already streaming down his face.

“Kasumi?”
.
.
.

Chapter Text

Oikawa POV:

Oikawa hasn't moved from the ground since he'd wrapped his arms around his little girl. His little girl.

His.

Baby.

When he feels her take a shuddering breath, he pulls away enough to hold her round face in his hands. His thumbs gently wipe away her falling tears.

"Mommy?" Her voice. Her sweet sweet voice.

"Yes. Yes, my baby, I'm here. I'm here now. I won't ever leave you again. I'm so sorry, my love. So sorry. Forgive me." He doesn't let go of his girl for one second, not even to wipe the tears or snot from his own face.

Little arms wrap around his neck tight. A small face, tucks into his neck to take in his scent.

"Mommy." She says again through a small sob. "I missed you." Another big shuddering breath. Tooru pulls her down into his lap as he switches to sitting crisscross on the ground.

"I missed you too, my beautiful girl. I've been searching for you. I'm so sorry I didn't come sooner. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"It's okay." She unburies her face from his chest, leaving several wet spots. She wipes at her eyes with a small fist. "I knew you would come back." He lets out a watery laugh.

"Yeah? You did huh?" She gives him a confident nod, pigtails bouncing. "Smart girl." He once again wipes her remaining tears gently from her face. "And so pretty too." The girl giggle at this, her rosy cheeks becoming a new shade of red. Oikawa pulls her in again, burying his nose into her hair and taking in that rosemary scent. One he hadn't forgotten for one moment. With his face still pressed to his daughter's head, he takes the first full deep breath he has in years. When he releases it, his shoulders slump from the tensed position he's carried them in since he last laid eyes on his pup.

When he finally manages to drag his gaze from his beautiful treasure, he meets Iwaizumi's soft gaze. He stands, easily bringing Kasumi with him, held tightly to his chest. He approaches the alpha, stepping close enough that he can brush his nose gently along the sharp jawline, letting the alpha smell his gratitude. The larger man tenses, sucking in a surprised breath.

"Thank you." Oikawa breathes. His voice reflecting every inch of relief he is feeling. "Thank you." The alpha remains stunned, a large hand coming to rest on the omega's waist, almost as if to keep him close.

"I-it wasn't just me." The omega steps back to look at him with a confused look. This is when he catches sight of the smaller omega standing shyly just a few feet behind the alpha, tugging on his fingers nervously and looking to the ground.

"Kenma?" The small man meets his eye for a split second before returning his gaze to his feet. "You did this? You found her?" A small nod.

"It wasn't that hard." He mumbles. As if Oikawa could give a single flying fuck. He bypasses Iwaizumi, Kasumi muttering a small "'Zumi" as they pass by. He goes to stand face to face with the other omega. He bends to nuzzle at the shorter man's cheek, trilling happily in thanks. Kenma's face flushes a deep shade of red and his small fists clench the hem of his oversized sweatshirt, most certainly Kuroo's.

"I will never be able to thank you enough. You have returned my world to me. I am forever in your debt." Kenma lets out a small scoff, mumbling something unintelligible, face turning just a few shades darker.

Kasumi seems to want to give her thanks as well, as she leans out towards Kenma, nearly toppling out of her mother's arms, and wraps her arms around the small man's neck with a giggle. This seems to stun him for a moment, before he gives a small, reluctant smile and returns the affection, scratching the back of her head lightly and eliciting a small purr from the delighted pup.

Soon enough, Iwaizumi comes to break apart the small love fest.

"We should probably start heading back, it's been an exciting morning, I'd say." Oikawa nods and gathers his daughter back in his arms, running his long fingers through her hair lovingly.

"Ready to go home, my love?"

"Home." The young pup says as if testing the word. She nods her head and grips her mother's shirt in a small fist. "Home." She leans her head between his jaw and shoulder. He looks over at Iwaizumi with eyes sparkling with tears. He nods once more and they start back towards the car.

"We'll see you back at the den, Kenma." The alpha says, turning back to wave at the small omega. "Thank you, again. I am in your debt." The omega waves him off and watches as he and Oikawa retreat to the car. He smiles as Kasumi gives him an excited wave as they pull out, returning a small wave of his own.

Oikawa looks into the backseat, turning his whole body so he can watch his little girl as she watches the scenery passing by, kicking her feet happily as she is taken to her home.

He doesn't turn away for the rest of the ride.

***

Kenma POV:

Kenma watches as Iwaizumi's car pulls out and starts the drive back to the den. He stares after them for a few long moments. Basking in the cool breeze and listening to the birds chirping. When he's collected his thoughts he spins on his heel and heads back towards the front door of the run down building.

He pushes his way inside and stops at the abandoned front desk.

He takes a deep, shaky breath. Just like Kuroo taught him. 'Take a deep breath, Ken. One breath can go a long way. I know you get nervous. You can manage a breath, my love.'

His hand shakes as he reaches to ring the large bell that sits on the desk. The ring resonates and echos through the dark, empty halls. Soon enough, he can hear the sound of heels clicking their way towards him.

He takes one more deep breath before a short, robust woman rounds a corner and approaches him, giving him a good once over as she does so.

"Can I help you, sir?"

"Yes. U-um.." He clears his throat. "I was just recently looking into your records. Trying to reconnect my friend with his daughter." He gestures to the door as if to reference the pair that had just left. The woman says nothing, instead raising a thin brow at him. He clears his throat once more and speaks more clearly.

"I came across your only other current residents. A pair of twins? I'd like to meet them. Please."

The woman gives him one more look over before grabbing a clipboard and pen, sliding them over towards him.

"Information here." He grabs the pen and looks over the form. "Then you can follow me on back."

***

Yamaguchi POV:

Tadashi sits on the cold, hard plastic of the hospital chair. Head buried in his hands, cheeks damp with tears. He'd had to leave Tsukki's room, unable to bear another moment of staring at the lifeless alpha. What he would give to just see those golden eyes open.

Instead, he had given into weakness and left to wallow alone in his own misery.

When two small hands grab a hold of his knee he looks up into the face of his oldest son, looking at him with wide eyes full of worry.

"Hello, my baby." He ruffles that soft blonde hair. "Don't worry. Mommy's okay. I'm okay." He smooths his thumb across the baby soft skin of the freckled cheek. His son's content purr was interrupted by a woman's voice from down the hall.

"Kei?" Both mother and son look up to find a blonde, willowy woman staring at them with a stunned look. Her right hand, clutching a tissue, is pressed to her chest. She's beautiful, her blonde hair falls to just above her shoulders, graying slightly. She has slight smile lines but it is clear that she has aged beautifully. Her eyes, thought wet with tears hold the energy and life of someone much younger.

Her gaze remains fixed on Aito for several long moments. Her mouth agape. It is clear that the small boy becomes uncomfortable under her attention when he leans into his mother with a small whine. This is what brings her attention over to the older man.

Her eyes grow impossibly wider.

"Tadashi?"

"Tsukishima-San." He stands from his chair, surprised.

"Tadashi." The woman smiles, her eyes crinkling and causing more tears to fall. She rushes over and grabs his face in her hands. They're soft. The hands of a mother. "Oh, Tadashi. Look at you. You've grown. And how beautifully!" He grabs hold of the hand in his face as his cheeks flush with heat. "Oh, my boy. I've missed you." She pulls his face down into her own neck and he inhales her gingerbread scent. "We've been searching for you. I've been so worried. My Kei must reallly be leaving me out of the loop, huh?"

She pulls away and holds him by the shoulders to examine him once again. When she seems satisfied, she looks back down at the pup now clutching onto his mother's pants and looking up at her reluctantly.

"Oh." She sighs out. She kneels down so that she is face to face with the boy and he shyly buries his face into Tadashi's leg. "You look just like my Kei." She looks up at Yamaguchi with a gentle, knowing smile. "All those years ago." He nods down at her. She stands and takes both his hands into her own.

"I am so sorry, Tadashi." She looks into the omegas eyes with a loving softness, tinged with regret and sympathy. "We should have been there for you. To help and support you." She grips his hands tighter and lets out a wet laugh. "That son of mine sure can be dense." A sniff. "I know it's a lot to ask, but I hope you can find it within you to give him another chance. I know he cares about you deeply. He's been working tirelessly to get you back, I've been worried about him. I know it's selfish of me. But I fear you may be the only thing that can bring him back to me."

Tadashi grips her hands back as if to reassure her.

"We're working on it. I may need some time, but I'm not too keen on letting him go." The older Tsukishima smiles and lifts a hand up to brush through his hair.

"I always knew you were a resilient one." Then she takes a step back and looks between him and Aito. "If it is alright with you, I would really like to officially meet my grandson. Maybe when all this is passed and there is a bit less stress on us all?" Tadashi rests a hand on his son's head.

"I would really like that, Tsukishima-San."

"Oh please. Call me Aio. We’re basically family.” She waves him off. “Now if you‘ll excuse me.” Her mood switches once more towards somber. “I need to go see my son.”

“Oh course.” His mood also drops as he’s reminded of why they are standing in the hallway of a hospital.

“Don’t worry love. I know it’s scary. But my boys are always getting themselves into trouble. But they’re strong. He’s going to come out of this just fine and looking for the next fastest path he can find to wind up right back here.” Her exasperated tone pulls a giggle out of him.

“I would expect no less.” With one last gentle stroke to his cheek. The older omega disappears into Tsukki’s hospital room.

This is when he notices the tall alpha that has been lingering a few feet away. Kei’s father is a large intimidating man, but he’d always shown kindness to Tadashi.

Right now he looks at a loss for words, eyes darting in a panic between the omega and the door where his wife had just disappeared.

Eventually he gives a stiff bow and mumbles something incoherent before rushing into the hospital room himself. Tadashi can’t help but give a small smile.

It had always been clear from where Kei had gotten his emotional intelligence.

Chapter Text

Yamaguchi POV:

Tadashi sits in the dim hospital room, stroking his fingers repeatedly through Tsukishima's hair. Looking at the man's face, it's almost as if he's just sleeping. So relaxed. So peaceful.

The hospital was quiet, the hallway lights also seemed to be dimmed as well. A glance at the clock showed a blinking 2:30 AM. Mr. And Mrs. Tsukishima had left when visiting hours had ended, vouching for Tadashi with the nurse so he would be allowed to stay with Kei overnight.

The rest of the pack had also left as visiting hours ended, sent off with sympathetic looks towards Tadashi and receiving promises of meeting the baby tomorrow from Bokuto.

Eiji had been sent home with Suga to get a good nights rest on his bed. He'd also tried to send Aito with the pack but he had wailed and insisted to stay with his mother. It never took much for Tadashi to give in to those big eyes.

The small boy was now sitting beside his father where he had been for the past couple of hours, ovbviously not having readjusted to a normal sleep schedule, he was as wide awake as Yamaguchi.

The pup was lazily watching the television that was playing some random channel, snuggled up to the alpha beside him.

Tadashi turned his own attention over to the television. Dropping his hands down to hold onto one of the alphas, unwilling to not be in contact with him in some way. The late night program was doin a program on what looked to be styles of dances across the world. Aito seemed to be entranced so Tadashi didn't have the heart to change the channel.

As the setting changes from hip hop dancers dressed in brightly colored clothes on a boardwalk to a large, extravagant concert hall, the omega settles more, relaxing against the bed and resting his cheek on the alphas hand still gripped in his own.

He watches in peace as a ballerina dressed in a gorgeous sparkling tutu moves gracefully around the stage. He jumps and spins, almost gliding through the air. Mesmerizing. Yamaguchi only barely registers the excited breath being exhaled from the other side of the bed.

He continues to watch as another man joins the first on stage. The couple dances together, though it is quite obvious who is the star as every movement of the second man is made as if to carefully emphasize the ballerina, framing him and lifting him into the air.

As the music swells, the ballerina begins to spin. He spins and spins, leg extended gracefully and arms cutting through the air. It's beautiful.

"Ah." The omega's head shoots up, startled by the soft sounds that had just come from.. his son?  The pup points at the TV and looks over to his mother for a split second before turning his attention right back to the dancers. "Mmm." He kicks his feet in excitement. "Ama." He looks between his mother and the TV as of checking that he's seeing this.

Tadashi is stunned. Never before today had he ever heard his son even attempt to speak. And here he was vocalizing his excitement, his voice rough with disuse. Was this really happening?

"Yeah, baby? What's that?" He looks at the boy with wide eyes. The boy points again to the screen.

"Ah dat, ma." Almost immediately, tears spring into his eyes.

"You like that? The dancer?"

"Mmm." His son nods, eyes fixed on the twirling ballerina. Without much thought, he drops the alphas hand and instead reaches over to pull the boy into his arms. He presses multiple kisses along the top of the boy's head.

"Oh my baby." He's pumping out pheromones in hopes of providing some positive reinforcement. "I love you. I love you."

And as if one miracle wasn't enough. That is the exact moment he registers the amused exhale of breath from the hospital bed. His eyes immediately come into contact with the golden ones of the alpha.

"Kei. Oh my god, Kei!" He reaches over to press the call button on the side of the bed. "Y-you're awake." The alpha grunts in response.

"How long was I out?"

"Only a day." The omega touches his cheek, unsure if he was hallucinating. "Th-they weren't sure you were going to wake up at all, Kei." He sniffs. "How?" The alpha stares off into the distance.

"I... I don't know. Honestly the last thing I remember was walking into the hospital and after that I… I’m not sure. I could kind of hear everything that was happening around me but I was just stuck, in this in between? Like I wasn't here but I wasn't ‘not here’ either. And then.. then I heard..." He looks to their son, held in his mother's arms, and a dazzling smile makes its way to his face. Never had he ever seen the alpha smile like that. He reaches out and grabs the pups foot, giving it a little wiggle. "Well I heard you, didn't I?"

The boy gives a bashful smile and leans his head shyly onto his mother's shoulder. This is when the doctor hurriedly walks into the room with a look of shock on his face.

"Tsukishima-San. How lovely to see you awake. I'm just going to run some tests and ask some questions, if that's alright?" The blonde nods and the doctor begins to ask routine questions while shining a small flashlight into his eyes.

Tadashi steps aside and sits in a chair pushed against the wall, out of the doctor's way. He sits Aito in his lap and purrs lowly, scenting him once again.

"I'm so proud of you, my baby. I love you."

By the time the doctor has finished his assessment and parted with a polite goodbye, Aito is dozing off on his mother's lap.

Tadashi stands and makes his way back to the alpha. He looks exhausted despite being unconscious for the past day. The omega rests his hand on the sheets of the bed and the alphas hands immediately gravitate to hold it.

"I was worried sick." He whispers.

"I'm sorry 'Dashi." The nickname rips a sob from deep within his chest and he collapses into the alphas arms.

"I thought I lost you. Don't you ever ever do that again." He sobs. "I can't lose you again." Tsukki wraps his arms around his shoulders, pulling him up onto the too-small hospital bed.

"You won't. Never again, 'Dashi. I'm not leaving your side. Ever." The reassurance proves to work as the omega goes lax against him.

"Stupid Tsukki." He whines. The alpha laughs and runs long fingers through dark hair.

"The stupidest." The omega huffs against him. "I'm gonna make up for this. For everything. You're going to stay with me. You and Aito. And Eiji. And the baby." He lowers his voice almost as though that will aid in not spooking the smaller man. He feels him tense but he remains still, refusing to look up at the alpha. "Stay with me." He whispers.

Tadashi finally meets his eyes, his own glossed over with tears.

"H-how did you know?" He sniffs. The alpha presses a reassuring kiss to his head.

"The doctor said something when we brought you here. When you-" He cuts off like he doesn't want to reiterate what had happened to the omega.

"A-aren't you angry?" He sits up to look down at the taller man. "How could you possibly still want me? A baby is so much work a-and it's not even yours. It's just too much. You shouldn't-"

"Shut up, Yamaguchi." The endearing, playful tone takes him right back to middle school. "You and your family will never be too much. I consider myself privileged to even have the chance to be around you. Please, please give me one more chance. And I will prove to you that I am deserving."

"I've always known you were." He whispers so softly. "I was just waiting for you to get your head out of your ass." The alpha laughs at that. Holding the omega closer.

"Thank you for being so patient with me."

Tadashi sighs and lays his head down onto his shoulders and they fall into a long, comfortable silence.

"I think I'm going to quit." Tsukki raises a brow.

“Being patient with me?” The omega shoved him in the shoulder and he winced slightly.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He blabbers, covering his mouth with two freckled hands. Tsukki grabs both of them into one hand to remove them from his face.

“It’s okay. I’m sure I deserve a lot worse.”

“I meant my job. I’m going to quit my job. I don’t want to do it anymore.”

“Tadashi. You don’t have to… I shouldn’t force you to do things.”

“You’re not. This is what I want. I don’t want to be hurt anymore. I don’t want to risk my life. Or the baby’s. I want to work a normal job. And be a better role model for my children. God knows I haven’t been.”

“That’s not true. You’ve given everything to those boys.”

“It still isn’t enough. I want to do better. For them. And for me too.” Tsukki doesn’t seem to bother fighting the grin that overtakes his face.

“Well then I’d be happy to help you look. I know it’s hard and that not many businesses like to hire omegas. I think I may know just where to look.”

“Thanks, Tsukki.”

“C’mere.” He opens his arms. The omega wipes a stray tear from his cheeks before snuggling as close as physically possible to the alpha. Smothering their son between them. Being in such close proximity to the alphas scent after such stress must have had a strong effect as he almost immediately starts to doze off against the warm alpha.

“Don’t leave me, Alpha.”

“Never.”

***

Bokuto POV:

Bokuto finishes up a text and sends it off to Daichi just as Haruki finishes up eating. Keiji coos at him as he re-buttons his shirt.

Bokuto shoots to his feet and is immediately by the bedside, peering down at the baby. The omega chuckles and holds the baby out towards him. He snatches the bundle excitedly and holds Haruki to his shoulder, patting his back gently to burp him.

“Gotta get those bubbles out before you pop!” He tells the small boy. Keiji snorts.

“Stop telling the baby he’s going to pop.” He shakes his head. Haruki lets out a tiny burp and the alpha holds him out to look at his little face. He sighs. “Yeah. You’ll be just fine.”

“Daichi just texted. Tsukishima is awake. They’re gonna come down to check up on him and maybe meet our newest member.” He says, keeping the uncertainty out of his voice as best he can, not wanting to tip off the omega.

“Sounds good. I think it’s time he meets everybody. Don’t you think?” Keiji looks at the baby with a fond smile. Bokuto remains silent, holding Haruki against his chest. He is saved by the bell as a tall beta nurse walks into the room, carrying a new IV bag.

“Time for a switch out. Gotta keep your fluids up.” She says as she unhooks the current IV. Akaashi hisses as she pulls the tube out from the connector roughly and Bokuto instinctively takes a step forward. “Sorry about that.” She smiles down at him.

“It’s okay.” He mumbles, face flushed. Once the new IV is connected she swiftly makes her way out of the room.

“Hey. I’ve got to make some calls.” Business never waits, unfortunately. He settles Haruki into his little cart and arranges the respirator. “I’ll be back, alright? Get some rest.” Akaashi nods with that beautiful smile of his.

“Go. We’ll be fine.” The alpha hesitates one last moment to take in the omega in the hospital bed. Beautiful.

He turns away and makes his way down the hall and up a floor where there are quiet offices and sitting rooms, finding an empty one where he can make his calls to check up on his people. Arms deals. Drug deals. His insiders in the police force. He even schedules his next couple of fights, deciding it’s about time to get back in the ring.

He is occupied for nearly two hours and by the time he hangs up the last call he is itching to get back to the omega and pup. He makes his way back down to the lower level where he’d left Akaashi and Haruki and finally renters the room, ready to make arrangements for dinner, to see the omega asleep on the bed.

He decides to let the other man sleep and instead turns to check on Haruki in his bassinet. He freezes several feet from it when he realizes that it is empty. He sighs. Where was he?

He goes over to the bedside and gently caresses. Akaashi’s arm to rouse him from his slumber, feeling a bit guilty to interrupt his rest, but his determination to know where the baby was overrode the guilt.

“‘Kaashi.” He whispers. Surely Haruki had simply been taken for a couple more tests. This time he runs his fingers through midnight black hair. “Keiji.” He says in his normal voice. The omega doesn’t so much as stir. “Keiji?” This time he tries a gentle shake. Nothing.

Immediately he pounds the call button.

“‘Kaashi. Wake up.” His eyes flick over to the heart monitor that continues to beep steadily. Why wasn’t he waking up? He presses the call button several more times in quick succession just before a nurse makes his way into the hospital room.

“What can I do for you, sir?”

“Where is Haruki?” He can’t find it in himself to feel bad about his harsh tone.

“E-excuse me?” The nurse looks taken aback.

“The baby? Haruki. The baby that was in that bassinet.” He points an accusatory finger at the now empty bassinet. “Where has he been taken?” The nurse’s eyebrows scrunch ever so slightly as he checks his clipboard.

“He shouldn’t- Sir, he hasn’t been taken anywhere, at least his chart doesn’t say anything about any tests. I will page a doctor right now and we’ll figure this out. I am sure it’s just a mix up.” Bokuto can only let out a snarl towards the beta.

He shakes Akaashi’s shoulder, a bit harsher than he would have truly liked to admit.

“Akaashi. Wake up now. You need to wake up.” He growls and looks back towards the empty bassinet, then to the nurse standing in the middle of the room. His ears start ringing.

“Why isn’t he waking up? He’s not- He’s- WHERE is the baby?”

“Sir, the doctor is on his way. We-“

“Get him here NOW!” At this point the entire floor must have been able to hear him. He didn’t care. Where is Haruki? Why is Akaashi not responding to him? He can feel his fangs dropping, feels the familiar urge to sink them into the nearest threat.

The doctor hurries in and seems taken aback at the aggressive scent in the room.

“What seems to be the issue here?”

“Sir. It seems the baby was taken to an appointment but the parents were not notified and there is nothing on the chart indicating where he has been taken.” The doctor snatches the clipboard from the nurse.

“Well there shouldn’t be. I haven’t made any appointments for him. We’ve already run all of his tests and he is simply being monitored. He should not have been taken from this room unless there was an emergency. Did you see who came to grab him?” He looks to Bokuto.

“No. I was out. I left him here with- with Akaashi and he won’t. He’s not responding to me. What is-“ The ringing gets louder and his vision seems to narrow, darkness closing in to give him tunnel vision. “Why isn’t he waking up?” He speaks around the building growl in his throat.

The doctor is as Akaashi’s side in an instant. Checking his vitals.

“He seems to be in perfect condition. There is no reason he should..” His gaze lands on the IV drip. “Daisuke, did you switch out Mr. Akaashi’s IV in the past couple of hours?”

“No sir. I was to change it at 7:00 tonight.” The doctor immediately rips the tube from the omegas arm. “I want you to find out who the hell did then. Take this down to the lab. Tell them I wanted it tested immediately. I want you to call into the security office. Have them lock down the building immediately, no one in or out without being checked.” As he speaks he whips out a cellphone and quickly dials before holding it up to his ear.

“Yes. This is Dr. Takahashi from Valley National Hospital. I need to report a kidnapping.”

Those are the last words Bokuto Koutaro processes before the world seems to fall silent and his vision turns to red.