Chapter Text
Kureto felt as if his mind short circuited for a second. What did Guren just say? Did he say Shouto could be his? He wasn’t sure if he had actually heard that right. Is that what he said? The way that Guren was looking at him told him a lot. Guren looked nervous. He couldn’t recall Guren saying when he died. It was almost like he had kept quiet about how long he had been with Tenri. Maybe, he didn’t know.
But he would have to if he was saying that.
“What did you just say?” Kureto whispered.
Guren looked away for a moment, shifting a bit more as he turned to face him. Bangs falling into his eyes as he quickly said, “If Shouto really is mine… he might be yours.”
Kureto dropped his mouth open for a second before he was closing it again. So, he did hear him right. That is what Guren had said. The Alpha exhaled sharply, leaning back a bit as he whispered out, “And you’re absolutely sure?”
Guren hummed in confirmation, finally looking up as he nodded. “June 3rd is the day that my baby was born… but also the day I turned into this.” Guren muttered. “I did the math in my head… if I was full term when I went into labor… I conceived around my birthday. When I was with you.”
Kureto quickly did the math in his own head. He could see why Guren withheld it. Guren went missing only a few short weeks after his birthday. He went missing in September. It was really close. The beginning of June would have put the conception of a child at around the forty-week mark. It wasn’t impossible that Guren could have gone into early labor if it was Tenri’s. Considering everything Guren had been saying and talking about, his body and mind were under enough stress that it easily could have caused premature birth.
Shouto looked like a healthy four-year-old. It was really hard to tell just by looking at him. The only confirmation that he had was the timeline of when Guren said that he got turned into a vampire and the boy’s name. It lined up almost too perfectly.
“So, it could be me or my father.” Kureto said back.
Guren nodded again, “When…” His voice trailed for a second. He had noticed that nervous tick again. That need that Guren needed to hide. It was like the Omega was subconsciously trying to distance himself again. Kureto did the first thing he could think of and reached out and placed his hand over Guren’s. It had the Omega stopping as his eyes moved back to Kureto. “When I was in labor, I refused to give birth.”
Kureto exhaled sharply.
The one moment of control that Guren could have had.
If he didn’t push, it could have killed them both. Guren had spoken about it already. He had seen how guilty Guren looked. Childbirth for him had been traumatizing. There was no other word to explain what happened to him that day. Even if Guren didn’t believe he deserved to be Shouto’s parent, it was a strange way of protection. If he never allowed Tenri to have his baby at all, then the Hiragi family couldn’t get their claws into him. It was, in all technicality, a twisted way of thinking but it was pure desperation.
“You said you tried to kill your baby then.” Kureto said, shaking his head, “But I don’t think it was you actively trying to do that.” Guren eyed him for a second. “You were vulnerable. Chained down, blindfolded, in labor and giving birth… after months of torture, it feels reasonable that you wouldn’t want your baby to meet the same fate.”
Guren growled softly for a second, reaching up and running his palms over his eyes. “He still got him.” Guren whispered, “The only reason I did go through with it… is because that bastard said you were the baby’s father.” Guren gritted his teeth, dropping his hands to show the frustration on his face, “I don’t know how he’d know that. How he would know for sure… He couldn’t have known who fathered my baby unless he knew before I did, but he was just as surprised as I was.” The Omega shook his head, looking away as he whispered, “Unless he did the math too and he believed I was at full term. I don’t know how’d he knew that either. I don’t know.”
Guren sounded so confused. Lost. Like he had no idea what to say anymore. It was like he was rambling, but Kureto had listened to every little thing.
It made Kureto’s stomach twist.
Shouto might be his.
There was a very good possibility that he was, and Tenri knew about it.
Which meant that Shouto was his son and Tenri’s grandson.
The only way to know for certain was to get his hands on Shouto. To test his DNA against his. To show him if he was a fraternal match or a paternal match. The only way he could figure it out. The problem was getting to him. That was going to be the tricky part. It could be possible that Tenri would set up every precaution to make sure no one got to Shouto.
Or… there was the other option Tenri might in mind.
Use him to get to Guren.
He wondered why Tenri would pick the boy’s name out to be something Guren would have wanted. Unless he had the thought in the back of his mind of using him in the future. Tenri probably genuinely thought Guren was dead. He couldn’t make sense of why Tenri would pick that name specifically. It could have been just so Tenri could mentally torture Shouto. Give him the knowledge that Guren gave him his name, but he would never meet him. That was something his father would absolutely do. Tenri was vindictive like that.
“He really might be mine.” Kureto murmured.
Guren nodded. “I’m sorry, Kureto.”
“Don’t apologize, Guren.” The Alpha stated, turning his attention back to Guren. “You didn’t cause any of this. He did this.” Kureto moved, reaching out and grabbing at Guren’s wrist. The Omega had followed. Guren could have easily pulled away from him. He did have the superior strength now. It would have been simple for him to get out of it. Kureto pulled him forward until Guren was leaning over him and he reached out to place his hand on the side of Guren’s face. “I will bring him to you. We will figure this out. I promise you that.”
Guren nodded, leaning his head forward until his forehead was leaning against Kureto’s. “If he really is my baby… I just want him to be safe.”
“I can do that.” Kureto whispered, bringing his other hand up to cup the other side of the Omega’s face. Carefully moving his thumbs across the former human’s face. Guren reached up, placing his hands over Kureto’s as he shuffled, slipping onto Kureto’s lap easily. “Even if he is my bastard of an old man’s, I won’t let him keep him. He’s yours. You have a right to have your baby.”
Guren’s fingers curled over his. A choking sound coming from him as he gritted his teeth. “Kureto… I don’t—’
“Don’t talk like that.” Kureto cut him off. “We both know you’d never purposefully harm your baby. No matter what you did, you were forced into that.”
“I never wanted it to be like this.” Guren whispered.
“We’ll figure this out.” The Alpha reassured him. “You just have to put your trust in me for a little bit longer.”
He wanted to know what was going on in Guren’s head. He only got glimpses of it. He didn’t know what he was thinking or planning to do. He couldn’t allow Guren to go into Shibuya right now. It would just end up with him getting killed or captured. He was alone.
He moved his arms, pulling the vampire to him as he ran his fingers through his hair. Guren was relaxing slowly against him. This was not anything that he had expected from this. He came here just to tell Guren that he couldn’t go in. He knew that if he confronted Guren in front of the others that he would just shut down or lash out. This was the best way to do it.
It seemed like he was at least getting through to him. The best that he could do that was. It was hard to tell now.
He would do whatever he could to make good on that promise.
He would rescue Shouto and bring him right to Guren.
Shouto had been wandering the streets for a while. He wasn’t actually sure how long he had been at it. He was in awe of everything around him. He had found that same cherry blossom tree from before. Standing under it mesmerized as he took in the scent. It was so comforting to him. He was too small to reach for a branch like he wanted to. He wished he could take some with him. Keep that scent around him.
He was still in search of Kureto, but he had no idea where to even look for him. He had managed to keep out of the sight of anyone. Ducking away before anyone would notice him. He had gotten really good at being quiet, which was working in his favor.
What was it about this scent that he liked to much?
It was quickly becoming his favorite aroma.
Shouto froze as he heard voices getting closer to him. There were a lot of them. He couldn’t tell how many as he turned his head. Spotting a group of five people. He had quickly ducked away, hiding behind one of the bushes. They were wearing the same uniforms – at least similar – to what Tenri wore. They must be soldiers too.
For a moment, he thought about asking them if they knew where Kureto was, but he didn’t want to accidentally alert anyone that he had left the house when he wasn’t supposed too. He didn’t have much time to do this as it was. It was going to be a long time before Tenri returned, he really didn’t want to risk being caught sneaking out. He had seen Tenri mad before, and it was something that he never wanted to experience again.
Shouto held his breath as they got closer, shrinking a bit more into the bush but keeping them in his line of sight. Silver hair. Blonde. Red hair. Black hair. Brunette. They were talking to each other. Talking quietly amongst each other now as they got closer to Shouto’s hiding spot.
The closer they got, the better that he could hear what they were saying.
“We’ll just have to figure it out.” It was the silver-haired one. “No matter what happens from here on out.”
“We can’t just… leave him like that.” It was the brunette woman.
“We have to help him.” The black-haired woman.
The others were also saying something, but Shouto had fixated in a bit on the silver-haired male. He was wearing red in his uniform. Like Tenri. He couldn’t remember it, but he thought Tenri said something about red being a special color among the Army. It was the same color scheme that Kureto had been wearing that day. Maybe they were close to the same rank in the Army? Higher ups like Tenri was?
“Major General Shinya,” The red-haired woman started, “We have to do something.”
The silver-haired male—Shinya smiled. “It’s alright, brother Kureto will handle it for now. Once he gives us the word, he can move in.”
Shouto froze.
Brother Kureto.
The little boy felt the air catch in his throat as he balled his fists. He knew Kureto. He called him brother. Shinya. He knew that name. The adopted son of the family. Tenri had spoken about him.
This was his chance. Shinya would know where Kureto was.
Shouto hesitated slightly as he came out of his hiding spot. Pushing himself up as he crept around the bush. They were moving on now. Walking a bit away from where he was. Shouto inhaled sharply as he ran it through his head. This was his chance. Shinya would know where Kureto was. Right? He could take him to him. He could trust him. Right?
Shouto looked around for a moment. A nervousness in him before he had quickly rushed forward. He had reached out, grabbing ahold of Shinya’s hand. He had watched the silver-haired man jump, turning to look at him with wide eyes. “Your name is Shinya?” Shouto questioned.
Shinya looked at him confused for a second, looking back at the others before back at him and nodded. “Yeah. I’m Major General Shinya Hiragi.” He stated, kneeling down in front of him. Shouto dropped his hand, straightening his back as he nodded. “What can I help you with?”
“I’m trying to find Kureto Hiragi.” Shouto stated, “Can you help me?”
Shinya looked at him even more confused, but he had kept a smile on his face. “You’re looking for Kureto?”
Shouto nodded quickly, “Yes. I need to talk to him.” The boy quickly said, “He knows me.”
“He knows you?” Shinya questioned further.
Shouto exhaled sharply, shifting his weight a bit. He was desperate. He wanted answers. He needed to speak to Kureto immediately. Before Tenri discovered he was gone. “Please.” He whispered.
“Um, sure,” Shinya murmured, “You know my name, but I don’t know yours. What’s your name, kiddo?”
Shouto smiled a bit and replied with, “Shouto Hiragi.”
Guren felt like he was being grounded back to reality. He was listening to everything that Kureto was saying. He believed him. He needed to trust him with this. No matter how much he wanted to go into Shibuya now. He was right. Guren did need to think this through. He wasn’t. He was running purely on a desperate desire to get what he wanted.
The way that Kureto was holding him wasn’t doing him much good when it came to his thirst. Kureto’s blood smelled so intoxicating and sweet to him. The desire churned in his chest. Twisting and begging him to sink his fangs back into the Alpha’s neck. He had to hold himself back before.
He pulled back a bit. Gritting his teeth as he whispered out, “If I keep laying like that… I’m going to bite you again, Kureto.”
The Alpha laughed, opening up his collar a bit more to reveal more of his neck. That definitely didn’t help by any means as it forced Guren to focus on the vein in his neck. It made his throat feel more parched than before. It hadn’t even been that long since he drank from Kureto the first time. Though, he was going into the first day. Most vampires fed every day. They definitely didn’t wait for three days. That was the stupidest thing they could do. It was when they were most likely to go crazy. If they didn’t feed after that, they were susceptible to turning into demons.
Guren had no idea what he was going to do. He would still do the same thing. He would refuse the blood of a child, but he didn’t think his distain for adult human blood would change. It was just going to find himself in the same predicament.
He technically could ask the others to help him.
Or even his allies among the vampires.
Drinking the blood of another vampire was technically taboo because it apparently granted immoral pleasure, but it was also sustainable. He felt like when it came to a completed vampire, it was that experience rather than just the properties of a sire to their kin. He had seen it happen before. It definitely wasn’t what he felt drinking his sire’s blood.
Kureto was being smug again. The Alpha wasn’t indestructible. He knew that Guren could easily kill him. Even more so now. He knew drinking the blood of another vampire among his kind was considered the most intimate act they could do. There was no way that Kureto would know that. It wasn’t something he learned until after his change into this.
“You know I could kill you easily.” Guren whispered.
“Shut up, Guren.” Kureto stated, tilting his head a bit, “Drink your fill.”
“You’re an idiot.” The Omega quickly said back.
“I know you’ve been holding yourself back.” The Alpha replied, sitting up a bit more, “You’re going to leave for Nagoya, and I have a feeling you’re going to be just as stubborn as you have been for the last four years.” Guren opened his mouth to say something, realized he had no words at all before he was closing it again. “You just proved my point.” Kureto chuckled a bit, a smirk on his face as his gloved fingers traced underneath his jaw as he added in a low whisper of, “Besides, you won’t kill me.” He realized what Kureto was doing again. He was leaning in closer. Almost placing himself close enough that all Guren had to do was turn his head.
Guren scowled at him for a second, “You’re an ass.”
But, in the end, he did comply as he leaned in. He reached up, moving his hand over the nape of the Alpha’s neck before curling it into his hair. Using his other to pull the fabric a bit further away from his neck. His nose twitched a bit more. The desire was even stronger now. Before he knew it, he had caved. Leaning in and letting his teeth sink into the soft skin underneath. It didn’t take but a few seconds before Kureto’s blood was seeping into his mouth.
Kureto’s hands had moved, starting at his waist before going up his back. He could feel the flush come back to his face. His stomach fluttering as he gave a soft sound as he pushed himself closer to the Alpha.
It felt even more intoxicating to him. Like a drug that he was going to quickly get addicted to. Kureto had a strong hold on him. Arms curled around him as Guren let his eyes flutter shut as he found himself getting lost in the pleasure of it.
It was so satisfying.
Kureto was whispering softly in his ear. Just muttering soft, sweet nothings to him.
It had taken almost everything in him to pull back. He was left panting as he could feel the heat on his face. The pink tint that covered his cheeks as he balanced himself by placing his hands on Kureto’s chest. He peeked through his hair, seeing that Kureto was looking at him. The Alpha lifted his hand, moving his bangs from his eyes.
Almost like he was admiring him.
A part of him was wondering if Kureto was secretly a masochist.
Guren lifted up his hand, wiping at his lips to make sure that any of the red tint that might be there was gone. The taste was still on the tip of his tongue. It was making his head spin. Giving him what felt like a euphoric feeling.
Guren found the soft smile twitching onto his lips as he leaned in, ghosting his lips over Kureto’s, “I love you.”
Kureto didn’t verbally reply, but he did close the distance. It was soft and sweet. Gentle even as their lips danced together. It didn’t last long before Guren was pulling back.
He needed to listen to Kureto on this one.
He couldn’t keep Kureto here.
Even though he didn’t want to see him go.
“We need too…” Guren started.
“Go our separate ways.” Kureto finished.
Guren nodded, getting back to his feet as he fixed his clothes one more time. Making sure that they were back in place. Showing no signs of their activities. Especially those that he didn’t expect to happen. Kureto had done the same as him. Fixing his clothes, hiding the fang marks on his neck underneath the collar of his jacket. Kureto soothed his messed-up hair back into place as his eyes fell back on Guren.
Once again, Kureto was giving him that look.
Guren shuffled on his feet for a second as he said, “I’ll be going to Nagoya then.” He placed a hand on the back of his neck, scratching at the back of it as he said, “Crowley lives in City Hall. That’s where I’ll be. I don’t actually have a territory. I’m going to go back to Sanguinem first before I head there. I need to check on Yuu and Mika.”
Kureto nodded at him, “Alright. Be sure to be in Nagoya. That’s where I’ll go as soon as I have him.”
Guren choked for a second, nodding again, “You can’t let anything happen to him.”
“I won’t.” Kureto whispered as he crossed the room, standing before Guren again. “You just get out of here. Let me take care of the rest.”
Guren had to trust him on this.
He had no idea what was going through Kureto’s head, but there was almost a fire that he could see in his eyes. Like he had ignited something in him.
Kureto could do this.
He had to trust him once again.
Guren surged forward, pressing a quick, desperate kiss into Kureto’s lips before he pulled away. He didn’t say anything else as he quickly went out the door that Kureto had brought them in. He jumped, getting to the top of the building as he looked back behind him at Shibuya.
As much as he wanted to go, Kureto was right.
He couldn’t.
He had to get out of here.
Guren turned his back away from the place before he was taking off.
Shinya was in shock. Did this little boy just say his name was Shouto? This couldn’t be possible. There was no way that this was Shouto. The same Shouto they had been talking about.
“For a boy… Shouto.”
The little boy had black, shaggy hair. It covered his forehead, falling into his eyes slightly. His eyes were the same color as the Hiragi family. He looked like he fit in perfectly with the Hiragi family. Though, his features didn’t necessarily scream Hiragi to him.
This really hadn’t been what he was expecting walking by here.
Why was he looking for Kureto?
How did he get away from Tenri?
“Your name is Shouto?” Shinya questioned; the disbelief was showing in his voice. He was sure of it.
The little boy nodded, “My name is Shouto.” He whispered. “I really need to talk to Kureto, please.”
Every alarm bell in his mind was going off. He couldn’t risk taking Shouto through all of Shibuya to get to Kureto’s office. They could risk running into him. It almost didn’t matter how Shouto got out. He couldn’t let him go back. Shinya had looked behind him, seeing the equally as stunned faces of his friends.
What a coincidence that they so happened to run into him right after finding out that he could possibly be Guren’s.
There was a huge possibility – and Shinya was almost positive about it – that this boy was Guren’s son.
Shinya looked back to him, giving him a smile again as he said, “Why don’t you come with me?” Shinya questioned, “I’ll get Kureto for you, but we need to get out of the street.”
The boy nodded as Shinya stood back to his full height. He reached out his hand and Shouto had taken it quickly. Shinya thanked everything that his house was only a block away. They could easily get inside. The others had surrounded them. Almost using themselves like a shield to try and mask the fact that Shouto was with them. They didn’t even have to say it.
Shouto had gotten out somehow. That’s all Shinya knew. Tenri probably never would risk him getting out if he was really Guren’s.
The boy seemed to trust him. He knew his name and Kureto’s, so most likely, Tenri told him about their names at some point. He trusted him. He needed to build on that trust.
They had moved as quickly as they could, and thankfully, no one came in their direction. He had passed his keys to Sayuri to allow her to unlock his house before they were slipping inside. Shinya did a double take outside before he was closing up the door behind him. His heart was pounding.
Was this boy really Guren’s?
He dropped Shouto’s hand whenever they got in, and he had caught the quick glimpse of the boy scratching at his eye with the back of his hand. It didn’t last long before he dropped it and was looking around. “What is this place?”
“My house.” Shinya replied, “I’m going to contact brother Kureto and get him here.” He guided the boy further in, going to his living room as the others had settled down. He motioned for Shouto to sit down on the couch as Shinya sat on his coffee table right in front of him. “Mind telling me why you’re looking for him?”
Shouto shuffled a bit, reaching into his sweatshirt pocket. “I want to ask him something.”
“Maybe I can help you with that?” Shinya said, motioning his hands a bit, “I’ll still get brother Kureto for you, so you can see him.” He needed to get Kureto. Kureto had spoken about wanting to find Shouto and take him to Guren. This was the best possible way that this could happen. They didn’t have to try and figure out how to bust him free of Tenri’s house without him realizing. Shouto did all the work for them already. They just had to keep him a secret in the meantime, and hope that Kureto came before Tenri realized he was missing.
Shouto went to speak, but he stopped as his gaze moved behind Shinya. The boy looked surprised for a second before looking back at Shinya. “I…” The boy started as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out what looked like a photograph from what Shinya could tell. “I want to know my Momma’s name. I need to know. I think… I think Kureto would know.”
Shinya’s face softened. The boy just wanted to know who his mother was. “Can I see the picture?” He said, pointing at the photograph.
Shouto looked nervous. He was practically clinging to it. Holding it to his chest as he used his other hand to scratch at his eyes again. “You have to be careful.”
“I promise.” Shinya said, keeping that same smile on his face. “I just need to look.”
Shouto hesitated. “He won’t tell me anything about Momma. I just want to know. He gets so mad if I ask.”
“What do you know?” Shinya questioned.
The others were staying quiet. Just listening to him. Shouto looked down to his lap. Tears forming in his eyes. He was talking about Tenri. If Tenri was being secretive to Shouto, that only strengthened Kureto’s theory that this boy could be Guren’s.
Shouto choked for a second, “Momma died.” Shinya sighed softly. So, that’s what Tenri said to him. “I just want to know who Momma is.”
“Let me help you.” Shinya coaxed, keeping his voice soft. “Maybe I know your Momma. Me and brother Kureto are pretty close in age and know many of the same people.”
The boy nodded, hesitating still before he was holding the picture out to him. Shinya muttered a thank you to him as he took it in his hand and flipped it over. His heart skipped a beat as he looked down at it.
Guren.
It was Guren in the photo.
“This is your Momma?” Shinya questioned.
“Mhm.” Shouto whispered, “That’s Momma. He… he doesn’t know I have it. He had a lot of pictures of Momma in his office. This was the only one I saw Momma’s eyes.”
His eyes.
That seemed odd to hyper fixate on considering Shouto’s eye color. Unless Tenri said Guren’s eye color.
It made Shinya’s stomach churn at Shouto’s words. Tenri had pictures. The bastard photographed him. Documented what he did. It made him sick to his stomach, but he didn’t dare show it on his face.
“Momma.” Shinya replied, giving a smile as he looked back down at the photo. Guren was clearly pregnant in it. He could see some injuries on his body. The defiant look in his eyes. It screamed Guren. “I know who this is. I know exactly who this is. He is my best friend.”
Shouto gasped, his face lighting up as he said, “You know Momma?!”
Shinya nodded. “We were incredibly close.” He said, handing the photo back. He looked over his shoulder, realizing what Shouto had focused on before. He had a photo of him and Guren on his mantle. There was also a picture of all of them as a squad. He stood up, crossing the room to grab it before he was walking back over and sitting back down. He turned the frame towards Shouto. “His name is… Guren Ichinose.” Shinya smiled as he watched Shouto’s face light up even more as he grabbed the photo that Shinya was holding. Almost like he was radiating in happiness. “Can you tell me how you know he’s your Momma?”
Shouto looked back to him, giving a quick nod with a smile. “We have the same eyes.”
Shinya’s eyebrow shut up in confusion.
Shouto put down the photo, reaching into his pocket again and pulling out a small case before he was tilting his head back and reaching for his eyes. Shinya blinked as he watched Shouto take out contacts. He popped them back into the case before blinking a few times and looking back towards Shinya.
With violet eyes.
Shouto had Guren’s eyes.
This boy was Guren’s.
Guren’s baby really was alive.
And he was right in front of Shinya.
Shinya needed to get ahold of Kureto and get him here now.
Kureto had made sure Guren had gone in the opposite direction before he headed back to Shibuya. Guren would be safer if he stayed away from Shibuya. He was certain that Tenri would come after him and he couldn’t allow that.
He would keep that promise.
He would bring Shouto to him.
It was still ringing in his mind.
Shouto could be his.
Shouto might be his son.
Kureto still would have taken Shouto to Guren even if Tenri was the father of his baby. Just because it was Guren. Guren didn’t ask for anything Tenri did to him.
It almost felt like it had ignited something in him.
Like a raging inferno was being sparked and it was quickly getting stronger by the moment.
Fueling him on even more to make sure that he got the boy safely out of Shibuya and away from the likes of his father.
There was something he really loved about the thought. He and Guren might have had a child together. Shouto already seemed like a sweet kid. He also knew that he was in danger with Tenri. It also made him understand more on why he felt the way he did when he had seen him. He had seen Guren in the boy.
And that boy might be his.
He would do anything to reunite Shouto with Guren.
Even if Guren didn’t feel like he deserved Shouto, he would put his son back into his arms. After the hell Guren had gone through, he deserved that much. He deserved to have the chance. Shouto had the right to know Guren.
Shouto didn’t belong with Tenri, he belonged with Guren.
There was a chance that Shouto was his, and he was determined to do what he had to.
Kureto was ready to put everything on the line.