Chapter Text

Chapter 1

by

KotaKatastrophe

Gravel rattled under the truck bed as it flew down the secluded backroads, the sunlight bounced off the glittering antique hot rod red truck that Eijirou had restored with his Pops when he was only sixteen. 

He was finally going home. 

He almost couldn’t believe it. 

It had been over a decade since he had stepped foot in Wish and god…had time flown. He was no longer the tall beanpole of an alpha he once was. He was now a hulking alpha with muscle and mass. Gone was the inky black hair on his head and in its place bright red locks that he actually adored. His destructive and hateful attitude had dissipated and in its place was his new gentle and kind nature. His once plastered on frown had been replaced with a sheepish smile of someone who enjoyed his life. 

No one on the battlefield had time for Eijirou’s toxicity and spite. They needed his focus and his loyalty. He couldn’t scream that he hated them and hoped they were dead, just because they gave him shelter and love. 

No. 

Only his Mama had been blessed with that delightful sentence. If Eijirou could travel back in time he would, he so fucking would and he would deck his eighteen year old self in the face for evening spewing those words and drenching his mama in that hateful tone. 

“I hate you and this fucking town! I’m leaving and never coming back” 

The look of utter shock in those onyx eyes as he tossed that tattered duffel bag right into the bed of the truck his father had helped him fix with his bare hands was a little too much for his mama as he collapsed right on their front porch while his own father chased him to the truck and Eijirou…fuck he couldn’t leave well enough alone as he screamed and shouted right in his face. 

“You're not even my dad, leave me alone!” 

That sentence alone made him laugh, because it wasn’t like Eijirou even liked his biological father. 

He was a drunk. 

He was abusive.

And he killed his mama right while he stood there and watched. 

The redheaded alpha had watched that man’s fist slam into his mother’s face over and over and the screams turned to whimpers, to sobs, to gurgles, to silence. 

The room that was once filled with pleas to god, to his dad, to anyone for help, was swiftly replaced with that death-like silence. 

Silent like the grave was a metaphor for a reason, and Eijirou learned the meaning of those words that day, as he stood there bleeding, trembling, holding onto his arm that was clearly dislocated and covered in the dust of the drywall he had been thrown through. 

“I told her she should have listened!”

“She just doesn’t understand Alpha’s like us. ” 

”Eijirou! I fucking told you!” Don’t hurt him! Please! “He’s like this because of you, Kanna! You spoil the boy!” Please! Please! STOP!  

The redhead alpha could feel the saliva pooling in his mouth as he panted for breath. His eyes were wet under the black aviator sunglasses perched on the bridge of his nose. 

A rough sniffle echoed through the cab, and over the two bright white bench seats. As his hands white knuckle gripped the steering wheel. 

Sometimes the feelings were catastrophic and sometimes they were minimalistic. Thinking back on his childhood until the age of ten was never a truly brilliant idea, he was bitter, angry, stubborn. He bit the hand that fed one too many times he was certain. The foster care system was not a joke, and he could still clearly remember being a literal monster to some of those parents who were just trying to help him. 

And when he landed with his Mama and Pops. He had been a god damned demon. He had been someone he regretted being, the unfortunate reality was Eijirou had a pile of regrets that could make Mount Everest look like a molehill. 

And there wasn’t anything he could do about it.

It was a crystal clear picture rattling in his brain of him fighting his mama and dad at every turn even though they were just trying to help, ruining and maiming a little brother that hadn’t done something wrong, ripping and tearing at teachers that didn’t deserve his raging hell fire. 

He could still remember those conferences. 

”He’s just not worth the trouble”  

”How do you expect me to teach a Monster?!”

”Eijirou just can’t control his anger. Maybe it’s time you both let him go somewhere else”

The memories still made him clam up and freeze as he remembered his Mama and Pop’s words. 

”Of course he’s worth it. He’s a brilliant boy”

”He’s not a monster, and I ask you to refrain from calling my child that.” 

”He will learn with time. And No I think he should stay right here with us”

It had been mind boggling then, because that was when people normally gave up. But not his Mama and Pops, no not them. 

They took him, sat him down and they talked to him, it was a soft gentle conversation. About how worthy he was, how if he needed anything they were there for him, and that they truly truly cared about him. 

He had scoffed at them when they said that. 

But they just smiled and adopted him not long after. It was when they made it permanent that he truly tried to change. He tried not to snap, or fight, or snarl. He had tried so hard to not be jealous of Hitoshi or scare him. 

He had tried to be a good son for his mama and pops.

But of course he failed. He failed epically. 

It started with fights, bad grades, and then tiptoed the line of dangerous activities and alcohol poisoning. 

Tears dropped down Eijirou’s face as he recollected on the past that catapulted his future. All it took was one wrong move and Eijirou trapped himself into the abyss he jumped right into. 

”You don’t understand Mama! The beer helps!” 

But it didn’t help for fucking shit, all it did was cloud his judgement, all it did was sneer and laugh right in his face until he let it destroy him. 

Alcohol. 

The same fucking beverage that destroyed his first family and here Eijirou was opening the door and allowing the devil to step over the threshold. He had just laughed and swept his arm beckoning him right into his soul. 

All for some high he was chasing. That only came crashing down on his head. He was stupid. So fucking stupid. 

One night of fun right after graduation and him deciding he was God as he balanced beamed right across the train track bridge was enough to make him realize he was human. And he was not invincible. He could still feel the rattling under his feet, the blinding of the light, and the roaring of that train horn. With one misstep Eijirou was falling, down and down toward the pitch black abyss, until the frigid water welcomed him with its frozen embrace. 

He didn’t die. 

But it was fucking close, the beer bottle that was clutched in his hand had shattered and shredded his palm. The struggle to shore wasn’t lost on Eijirou as he pulled himself up onto that beach under the unforgiving stars. 

He had screeched and screamed to the Gods. Begged and Pleaded for a sign or anything.  For some sort of path for him to take, but it was just deathly still. The silence enveloped him like a toxic miasma, the alpha just shattered. 

He stormed home on unsteady feet as blood dripped from his palm leaving a trail for the silence to follow. Who needed bread crumbs when you could leave your own gore to follow? 

He swayed his way up those rickety porch steps slamming the front door and there was his mama clutching the cordless phone to his ear with tears drying on his cheeks. 

”Oh thank god, Taishiro he’s home. He’s home”  

Eijirou gasped for breath as those lingering memories poisoned his mind, he still remembered his mama’s trembling hands as they cupped his frigid cheeks. 

”Oh my little rose. You’re so cold, what happened?” 

And he had purged all of his misdeeds right there onto the well worn wooden floors, his mama’s onyx eyes overflowing once more as he admitted what he had done. 

How he had literally swan dived off the train bridge on the edge of town, how he learned a beer bottle shattered on impact once he hit the water, how he had drank and yet he didn’t even care. 

The horror written on his Mama’s face was enough for a lifetime, the grip on his biceps grew tighter as his Mama came to terms with what was Eijirou’s reality. 

And the moment his Pops walked through the door angry as a hornet, Eijirou was already on edge. He was a fraying thread ready to snap, and snap he did. 

”What were you thinking? I had the whole town looking for you?” 

”Tai, it’s…it’s just good he’s home”

The fight escalated as his Pops looked right down into his soul with those piercing citrine eyes. 

”Please tell me you weren’t out there drinking…Eijirou Kirishima. We talked about this son.”  

”I'm not your son.”

A desperate wheeze squeezed out of Eijirou’s lungs as the man struggled to hide the past from himself. It didn’t matter how inebriated he was…the sentences he spewed forth that night would haunt him until he was six feet under and had become feed for the bugs and the trees. 

”The moment you started living under my roof you became your mothers and my son” 

”You two aren’t my fucking parents! My parents are fucking dead! You two were just so fucking desperate to have children of your own you dragged that fucking purple haired bitch and me here. You think anyone can fucking stand it here? Huh? Because I sure as fuck can’t! It’s not my fault you can’t conceive!” 

He had waited for a slap or a punch for his disrespectful tone. But all that looked at him was decimated eyes filled to the brim with travesty. His mama was trembling, struggling to breathe and his Pops wasn’t much better, his large hands were shaking. As tears dripped right off their cheeks and onto the mahogany floor. 

”My courageous rose…you and our gentle lilac are the best things that have ever happened to us. I know it can sometimes be a lot for you.”

God the excuses set Eijirou’s skin ablaze as he tore through the rest of the house breaking down the door to his and Hitoshi’s bedroom as the purple haired omega laid in his nest groggily sitting up in confusion. 

”Eijirou? What’s wrong? Do you need anything?”

His brother was the smallest little thing he had ever met in his fucking life. So dainty…so delicate…the exact opposite of himself. It was so strikingly different that Eijirou still struggled to understand how they had come to be brothers.

And he still felt sick from his actions the moment Hitoshi rose to his feet stepping delicately out of the nest he shoved him, he shoved him back so hard the omega tripped his wrist cracking on impact. The omega had let out a piercing wail and of course their parents were running into a bloodbath as Eijirou threw all he could into the shitty duffel bag he had been given away with. 

”and where do you think you are going?”

”As far away from here as I fucking can!” 

And he had driven off into the night. It didn’t take long to realize that he couldn’t just live in his truck. It also wasn’t long before he realized anything that paid worth a shit he needed a fucking degree for. 

And there was no way he would ever survive like this. 

But there was nowhere for him to go back. Not a fucking thing to hold onto. 

It had been his hair-brained idea to join the Marines. He had found a recruiting office and it wasn’t much longer until the military owned his mind, his body, and his soul. 

He had walked into boot camp filled to the brim with piss and vinegar, anger lapping at his heart and feeding off his fury. As he acted like Mister Badass, and he continued to act like that until Drill Sergeant Kuugo Sakamata got right into his face and the mocha skin manned just blatantly asked him. 

”What’s got your balls in a twist, boy? Mommy didn’t pack your favorite snacks? Reality check quickly no one has time for your worthless fits, get your shit together or you’ll be polishing all of our fucking boots for the foreseeable future. This group, these people don’t need your ire, boy. No one deserves your bullshit.”

He remembered rolling his eyes, and that was a fucking mistake as he ran laps and polished boots until he fell asleep right there on the locker room floor. 

”Get up, boy! No time for sleeping on the job, your attitude changed? Or do you need another week of cardio hell?”

The truth was his attitude did slowly shift. It shifted drastically the more his Drill Sergeant called him out for bad behavior and punished him, the punishments were enough to make his fingers bleed and monotonous enough to keep his mind on track to all the mistakes he made and he remembered breaking down one night as he was polishing those boots. His chest ached as he thought about his family, the one he had basically abandoned and tried to take a crowbar too. 

It destroyed him so much that the only thing to do was rebuild, and the first thing he did was try harder. He tore through the physical portion and when he finally put his mind to it he realized there wasn’t much he couldn’t accomplish. 

But he still hadn’t been fixed yet. No matter how much Drill Sergeant Sakamata tore off his head and spat down his throat, Eijirou knew even all his hard work couldn’t stop the filth and shame that plagued him. 

He deserved to be alone and discarded like trash due to how he behaved. Truly. Who broke their brother's wrist in a fit drunk rage? Oh right pieces of shit. 

And that was what Eijirou had become…a drunk…belligerent…piece of shit. The alpha was slowly falling down the black hole his biological father had and he refused to be a part of that. 

He had to break the cycle and that started with showing his worth. It started with proving to his Mama and Pops that he was worthy of their love and their acceptance. 

At least that was what 18 year old him thought. 

Somehow miraculously he passed boot camp. He, of course, didn't invite his parents to the graduation ceremony; he had to prove to himself and to them that he was worthy of the forgiveness he was certain his parents had already handed over to him. 

So he graduated, and was deployed not long after that. He had to be honest it was hell. He was in a hot fucking desert every fucking day of the week, sweating his fucking balls off, trying his damndest to get along with the other soldiers in the barracks, trying so hard to let the wall down he had built around himself and his emotions. 

It was an eye opening experience trusting someone else with his life, trusting they would have his back, trusting that they would do everything within their power to at least make sure they got his body back home so his parent’s could bury him. 

His first tour they only lost one. Their leader said that it was a miracle it was only one of them. 

To be honest Eijirou thought one was too many…but that the end of it he was only nineteen, what the fuck did he know?

And instead of taking a recommended break, he signed right back up for another tour, he refused to let more time dwindle away like grains of sand between his fingers. But he did actually call his Mama before his second tour.

”Eijirou, my courageous rose, it's so wonderful to hear your voice”

”What do you mean another tour? No come home please”

”Eijirou, your mother and I are worried sick about you”  

And he knew that he was. His parents were over the moon that he actually contacted them, his mama had sobbed in his ear practically begging him to come home, to come see them. 

But he knew he wasn’t ready, he had not repented enough for his sins.  He had not paid enough to be allowed back. He knew his Pops deserved actions not empty words of change. He had to prove to himself and the world that he was ready, that he was a changed man. 

And so he broke himself over and over again being the best soldier he could, and once his family found out his location the care packages rolled in as often as the mail was picked up. He shared all those treats with his squad, because what would he do with a literal fuck ton of chocolate bars and BBQ chips? Nothing really.

So the pattern continued, the trauma piled up like dirty laundry in a hamper as people were shot, they were killed, mutilated, murdered, exploded. 

The alpha grew more and more into himself as he slowly ripped apart his own tattered soul to provide pieces to the soldiers dying before his very eyes, he offered his shoulder when others needed to wet it with tears, he shouldered the burden as he carried his mates out those dangerous and deadly situations, even the corpses that no longer housed their souls, but he knew it would bring comfort to their friends and families when it was shipped home in a pine box. 

The image before the mirror was ever shifting for Eijirou, his scrawny body filled out, he grew towering over plenty of others, his anger filled heart simmered out and in its place was gratitude that he somehow was allowed to wake up another day and breathe in that parched air. 

And it continued Eijirou would sit down, listening to assignments as faceless people in camo filled the spots that his squad had once been, it happened more and more as people died, were injured, or retired. 

They always joked that Eijirou would outlast them all. They would laugh while they sat around drinking shitty electrolyte drinks out of their MREs, but the alpha knew it was all in good fun. 

One had to make jokes to stay sane while their lives were on the line. 

Before his third tour Eijirou had taken a quick break to be the best man at his brother’s wedding, it was like a trip to see everyone so grown up. His Mama and Pops were in literal tears to see him and it was awkward. It was always awkward when feelings were thrown into the mix because after awhile Eijirou had learned to just tuck them away and hide them, because they had no place on the battlefield, it was kill or be killed out there and he would be damned if an emotion wrecked his chances of going home not in a pine box. 

After the wedding Eijirou grabbed the next flight out and back to base where he signed up for his 3rd and final tour, there was a lingering terror that rattled Eijirou’s rib cage as he got his assignment. He could still remember video calling his Mama with wet eyes and shaky breaths.

”Something just doesn’t feel right.”*

”I just want to come home”

”It’ll be okay, my courageous rose, it will”

That was the first time Eijirou could state that his Mama was wrong. 

He could still remember the frigid temperature of the cold desert on his skin, the shouting, the yelling, he could remember how concussed he was as he stumbled and shambled through the sandy dunes, his helmet slipping right off of his head and clattering into the harsh white sand. 

The flashing lights of bombs and grenades going off as sand flew and slammed into their skin, his eyes stinging as tears so desperately tried to wet his parched eyes. 

The bombardment of sheer noise was enough to cause his ears to bleed as he tripped and tumbled over blown up body parts and gore. The intrals littering the sand was enough to dye it scarlet as Eijirou struggled to find anyone…someone. 

God please anyone. 

Sharp gasps pulled Eijirou’s attention to the right where he swayed struggling to stay up right, his commander laying amongst the pieces of their squad, a large piece of shrapnel lodged in his chest. With shaking feet he made his way over and dropped to his knees as more bullets shrieked overhead. 

”There’s nothing you can do for me”

”Eijirou…listen to me get out of here”

With a crack of a smile he just laughed with a shake of his head.

”I’ve never been much of a listener, Sarg.”

The alpha struggled to his feet as he tripped through the sandy dunes, his arm was burning and not responding, and he couldn’t figure it out for the life of him. It wasn’t until much later that he learned he had his own piece of shrapnel stuck right in his shoulder, almost removing his entire right arm. 

Eijirou honestly could not tell anyone how they actually made it out of there. He couldn’t recall getting his commander to safety, or saving his life and the others in his squad that were not blown to smithereens. He couldn’t tell you much of anything, his therapist said it was most likely his brain protecting him, or the adrenaline of the whole situation just drawing it out. 

But he survived and got to keep his right arm, which he was honestly grateful for when the doctor showed him the piece of metal that they had removed from it in order to rebuild his whole shoulder. 

Later on he learned that they had triggered an IED and that was what had caused all the confusion and commotion. He had called his Mama from the VA hospital letting him know what had happened and he had sobbed. 

His career was over. The doctor has explicitly stated he would not be fit to go back into the field and honestly Eijirou wasn’t even upset. 

Truly. 

But he couldn’t reign the tears in as they rained from his eyes, it almost felt like the impurities that lingered in his mind were purging themselves, his tattered soul was mending and his heart was healing. 

For the first time as he sobbed on that video call with his Mama he didn’t feel like that hateful 10 year old boy, for the first time he actually felt like he was worth the air he was breathing, worth the water he was drinking. It was a marvelous occasion even though the incident leading up to it wasn’t all that grand, he was in the hospital for about a year, for physical therapy and rehabilitation. 

Once he was healed he was honorably discharged and awarded a silver star, for saving the people he had. The alpha would admit that it was bittersweet, there were people he couldn’t save, and those were the people lingering in his dreams at night when he closed his eyes. 

Those were the voices that haunted his every thought, but there was not anything he could do about it. 

They had been lost to the sand, just like plenty of others before. 

After his military career, Eijirou found himself in college, pursuing a degree in Education, he knew there were kids out there that were just like him, struggling to find a place where they belonged, struggling to feel safe in their own bag of flesh, struggling to find the security in their everyday, and he honestly felt like that could be a good path for him.

So he worked his ass off, Eijirou never half assed anything a day in his life and he sure as fuck wouldn’t start with the rest of his life. 

And it all led up to the now, of him flying down the backroads in an antique truck, under the unforgiving stars once more, though this time he was not screaming at them for answers, they had provided answers before and led him to the now, he was grateful to them. For being that neutral party that did not look at him with pity or disgust, just one of indifference. 

“At the next light turn right” Eijirou blinked as reality over took the reminiscing, as he stopped at the blinking red light, the large glaring sign of “Welcome to Wish” was staring him right in the face along with the hot pink neon sign blinking to his right. 

“I’m…home” He whispered with a swallow as he made that right turn easily enough, driving past the buildings that hadn’t changed much in his time gone, the homes were still the same and the pot holes were too, as he rattled down the street before turning onto yet another dirt road. 

It was not long before his childhood home came into view and he couldn’t even stop the tears. He tore into the drive, threw the car in park, as he practically jumped up to run and knock on the door. 

He didn’t care that the drive was twelve hours… he was home. He was home and he was gonna hug his mama and his pops, and meet his nephew for the first time…fuck he may even hug Hitoshi. 

He couldn’t stop his insistent knocking when he heard a muffled, “I’m coming! Hold on!” Eijirou’s heart was racing as that familiar creak echoed through the tears as his mama opened the door and the alpha couldn’t even stop himself as he wrapped him in a hug as harsh sobs escaped his throat. 

“Mama” He whimpered and he could hear his Mama’s own sniffle in his ear. 

“My rose” He whispered as those long fingers danced through Eijirou’s bright red locks. “Welcome home” Eijirou felt like he was vibrating out of his skin as he ducked through the literal doorway and into his home while he followed after his Mama who was delicately holding onto his hand.  “How does it feel to be back?” He questioned with a smile as he sat Eijirou at the dining room table.

“Surreal, honestly…I never thought I would end up back here…But I am happy to be here” He promised swiftly, not wanting to give his Mama the wrong impression. The raven haired omega sat down across from Eijirou pouring him a glass of water from the pitcher on the table, sliding it over to his awaiting hands.

“I was honestly surprised when you called, Eijirou, but so happy. It will be nice to see you everyday at work.” Eijirou gulped down the water and nodded his carmine eyes bright and filled to the brim with excitement as he shifted on the wooden chair, his camo pants blending slightly into the olive green cushion. 

“I know…I’m excited to see everyone…especially Akira. The pictures Hitoshi sent me of him…he’s so cute” He gushed slightly and Shouta nodded with a beaming smile as he took a sip of his own glass of water. “How is it being a grandma?” He teased, but all Shouta did was smile wider as he shifted with a nod.

“It’s surreal. Akira is growing so quickly and Hitoshi is already so pregnant with Tetsutetsu’s and His second, it's honestly adorable. I can’t wait to have a whole crew of grandkids Eijirou, those will include your future children as well” The expectant look made Eijirou chuckle as he nodded at his Mama.

“Let me get my feet on the ground first, Mama, and then maybe.” He felt himself taking a deep breath as he sighed, he felt so calm, happy, and relaxed, he could not remember a time he felt like that in the last fifteen years or so. “I still have to see if I’m even good at the job I slaved away at for four years in college to be allowed to do it. They let me shoot people for a lot less” He snorted, not even upset when his mom slapped his bicep, he was thankful it was the left side, with all the damage the right one had obtained. Sometimes lifting it was an impossible task.

“Eijirou Kirishima” His Mama’s tone was filled with disbelief as he tried to stop his own laugh,  “Jesus Kiddo, what are you trying to do to me?” He giggled and all Eijirou could do was smile. 

“I mean it's true, to teach I needed a whole ass degree, certifications, and do a year of student teaching! For the marines it was a lot lot lot less!” He smiled trying to calm his racing heart beat, but his Mama just reached forward, shoving his long red hair behind his ear.

“Yeah, but I think it's worth it, I'm also excited for you to teach kindergarten, I think you’ll be an incredible teacher, my little rose” Eijirou could feel the honesty in his Mama’s words, he just grinned shyly leaning forward. 

“I won’t lie I was surprised that there was an opening, I was worried I would have to find a job somewhere super far from home and I truly did not want to do that” He laughed before taking another drink of water as his Mama hummed.

“Yeah, Mrs. Chiyo finally retired, I was worried I would have to step back into the classroom there for a minute and then you called and I knew it was just supposed to happen like that.” Shouta shifted looking up at his son. “But I will say I am so happy you are home, where are you staying?” Shouta questioned softly and the redheaded alpha shrugged.

“I didn’t have anything lined up, so I was hoping I could crash here for a bit if that was alright, if that is okay with you and Pops of course!” he backpedaled, worried that maybe there was still some of that lingering animosity. Soft hands grasped his calloused ones as Shouta gave them a gentle squeeze.

Carmine met obsidian and he instantly swallowed, “Your father and I would love to have you here, whatever you are most comfortable with. We have your old room and a guest bedroom as your father and I merged our offices together once he became the Principal, and I, the counselor” He explained and Eijirou smiled shyly with a nod, he had no clue that his father had taken over as principal, but that was cool!

“That’s really cool, Mama,” He yawned, rubbing his eyes. Maybe driving for twelve hours straight was not the greatest idea, but he had just wanted to get home. His mama gave him the knowing look and Eijirou at least had the gull to look sheepish.

“Go grab your things and take a nap, I’ll let you Father know you’re here, I’m so happy you came home, Eijirou” Shouta rose to his feet wrapping his Mama once again in a tight hug, it didn’t take much longer for him to gather his things and make his way to his old room. 

When the door creaked open, Eijirou felt like he had walked into a time capsule. Hitoshi’s stuff was all gone, his half of the room was completely barren minus a few tacks and nails. Eijirou’s side however looked almost completely untouched, all the posters, the notebooks, and comics were left where they had been when he ran away, his bed still had the Crimson Riot bed set he had begged his Mama for and he had miraculously pulled it out of thin air one tuesday afternoon. His desk still had his work from highschool on it and he couldn’t help the tears that dripped down his cheeks. They really did love him. 

And what he said didn’t destroy the love they had for him as their son. He sniffled as he sat down, his hands running over the well loved pilled comforter, his eyes growing misty as he toed off his shoes, and pulled off his jacket revealing his scarred flesh and his marine tattoo right there on his left bicep. 

He smiled lethargically as he laid his head on the pillow and passed out surrounded by the familiar muted scents of his past. 

Eijirou jerked awake a few hours later, his body drenched in sweat as he struggled to catch his breath,  his carmine eyes searching the room he was in, letting them linger on the old comic hero posters. He hated when the nightmares felt a little too real, his right shoulder was aching and his fingers were twitching almost uselessly as he struggled to make a fist. Another reminder that the dream was another one about his own injury. 

He wiped the sweat from his brow as he sat there staring down at the pilled comforter trying his best to calm his own racing heart, he needed to get out of there, he needed to breathe. He swiftly changed his clothes struggling to tug on the cobalt blue athletic shirt as his right arm refused to cooperate, the man rolling his eyes in frustration as he finally finagled the clothing over his head, the shorts and running shoes were so much easier, as he quickly made his way out of his room and down the stairs, shouting out, “I’ll be back later” and took off, hoping the raging tornado of emotions would soon be replaced with a runner's high and burning lungs as he took panting breaths. 

_______________

“Mama!” Taeko grumped, as he crossed his arms sitting on the ledge of the large pastel pink bed his little feet dangling off the side as Shellman laid next to him dressed in his finest denim overalls and white t shirt, the exact same thing Taeko was wearing as he pouted at his Mama who was slowly cleaning up the dishes from lunch.

“Yes, Taeko?” Katsuki questioned as he laid the bowl in the dish rack, turning to look at his pup, “You seem to be extra grumpy, what can we do to turn that frown upside down?” He smiled softly as he washed his hands and hung up the dish towel over the handle of the oven.  

“Da park, Mama! We gots to find allllllllll of Shellman’s estended famiy!” He whined as he flopped back onto the bed, Shellman flopping right next to him falling once the solid mass he was leaning against was gone. 

“I’m pretty sure, handsome, that you know how to use your words and ask to go to the park?” Katsuki reminded softly as he traversed over the gaudy green carpet plopping himself softly next to his son and his turtle son. 

Taeko’s scarlet eyes snapped open as they flicked over toward his mama’s and his cheeks flushed as he shyly smiled up at him, “Can we go to da park Mama?” He batted his golden blond eyelashes and Katsuki just laughed softly with a nod.

“Yes we can, I am all done working for today, so I am all yours” He reached forward softly, booping the end of Taeko’s nose as the little boy shot up with a giggle.

“Mama! NOooo!” He giggled as he launched himself forward off the bed wrapping his tiny arms around his Mama’s neck, the little pup leaning forward until they were nose to nose as he nuzzled gently drenching Katsuki in that soft milky scent that wafted around his little alpha. 

Katsuki swallowed down the heavy emotions that lingered in his chest as he tried to stay in the present. He delicately wrapped his own arms around his pup as he hugged him close. “You ready to go?” He questioned softly as they stared into each other’s eyes, and Taeko pulled back, nodding quickly.

“Uh huh! Shellman is ready too, cause Turtles no wear shoes mama!” Taeko bounced and the white blond omega nodded as he softly pulled on his battered shoes as they headed out, the warm sun bearing down on them coating them in its warmth and its rays. The pup perched on his mama’s hop was commenting on the clouds and how much they looked like turtles and Katsuki just chuckled softly as he nodded.

“They do, don't they? I think that one looks like a chicken” Katsuki commented and Taeko’s red eyes lingered on the fluffy white cloud and then he shook his head.

“Is not mama, is a turtle dress as a icken! See da shell?!” The pup gasped pointing up at the sky with a laugh and Katsuki could not stop his own chuckle as he place Taeko down on the sidewalk allowing the pup to run into the park, the luscious green grass smelled sweet and freshly cut, Taeko was bouncing, chatting, his loyal companion Shellman was gently tucked under his little arm as he swore they were on an exploration to find more of Shellman’s family. 

The little pup veered off and into the grass as he softly followed after his pup. “Careful Taeko” He ordered softly as he followed a little slower allowing his little alpha the independence, he saw Taeko’s body disappear over the top of the hill and he wasn’t too nervous, it was a wednesday afternoon and he learned quickly that Wish ran on a 9-5 which was largely inconvenient, but with how small of a town it was it was not too much of a surprise. 

He was calmly climbing the hill until he heard a harsh sharp shrill, and that delicate milky scent of his pups had almost instantaneously turned rancid, his heart raced as he practically sprinted up the side of the hill, his red eyes quickly scanning the area until they landed on a massive alpha towering over his pup that was sprawled out on the ground his bottom lip was wobbling and his scarlet red eyes were overflowing with tears and terror. 

“Oh my gosh, little dude, I did not see you! are you…” Katsuki instantly moved, shoving himself between his pup and the man that was probably two of him tall. Adrenaline was slamming its way through his veins as blood rushed through his ears. “Oh shit!” the redheaded alpha stared up at him with wide carmine eyes. “Sorry…” He tried, but all Katsuki could do was snarl.

“Back up Alpha” He ordered, his breaths coming out in harsh pants as the alpha almost instantly shambled backwards. His posture was relaxed and his head was tilted to the side showing submission to him and Katsuki had no idea how to feel about that. 

“I promise, I had no intention of hurting him. He ran into me and I was caught off guard, so I hopped over him. I promise.” The deep timbre tickled his ears as the soft scent of freshly fallen rain surrounded the scent alone, smelled sympathetic and apologetic. But Katsuki was not fooled, he knew how manipulative alpha’s could be, but when he looked back at Taeko the little pup looked frightened more than anything. 

Maybe the man was telling the truth, Taeko rose to his feet clinging to the back of his Mama’s leggings. His whole body was shaking, or was that his own body Katsuki could not tell…”I ran’d into him mama” Taeko cried softly and the redhead waved his left hand quickly. 

“Oh it is no trouble, little dude! I am alright, are you?” Katsuki hissed in a warning and those carmine eyes were once again on him and Katsuki could practically see the cogs turning in the redhead’s head, as the new alpha tried to calculate his next move, but apparently Taeko was going to make the next move. 

“Uh huh…I…I sowwy I ran into you” He whimpered and Katsuki knew it was stupid, but he turned around putting his back to the stranger, allowing his own arms to wrap around Taeko as softly as he could lifting the little pup onto his hip once Taeko was settled with his face buried into Katsuki’s neck his scarlet eyes were scanning the running path with unease as Shellman was nowhere to be found. 

“Where’s Shellman, handsome?” He questioned quietly and before his very eyes the redhead appeared, the ragged turtle plush in his left hand’s grasp. 

“Is this Shellman?” The redhead questioned and Katsuki couldn’t stop the growl as he reached forward, ripping the turtle from the man’s left hand. The alpha once again backing up baring his neck.

“Stop!” Katsuki warned and that seemed to be enough as the man nodded, stepping back, as he handed Shellman over to his crying pup.

“I’m sorry again” The redhead promised as he took off down the path, quick as a whip and honestly Katsuki was just ready to go back inside.

He looked over to Taeko who was softly crying, “Are you okay baby?” He whispered gently, delicately rocking the little boy in his arms.

“Uh huh mama…jus scawy” He hiccuped and his heart cracked. He hated the fucking universe for making him so scared of alphas, just Keigo had been nothing but a fucking toxin that had slowly poisoned both Katsuki and his son. Katsuki honestly felt like he was going to pass out as the adrenaline slowly dissipated, it wasn’t even the fucking alpha’s fault, it was Keigos and honestly if the omega knew who that alpha was he would have probably written him an apology letter. 

All his brain could do was scream danger as the large alpha stood over his little boy and he had snapped, snarled, and growled at him and the alpha had just backed away baring his neck in submission to him…a mere omega…and he didn’t even look upset about it. 

His brain ached as his mind tried to find any explanation to the encounter, but in the end it came up with no answers, and that was enough to make him sick.

Was it all a trick?

Was that how they did it in Wish? Just manipulate and deceive until one was comfortable before pulling out the figurative rug?

Was that what Mina was doing? Hanta? Denki? Tenya? Tetsutetsu?

Was it all some disgusting trick?

Katsuki wheezed as he struggled to breathe and all he wanted to was hide. All he wanted was to curl up in his nest and lock all the doors and draw all the curtains.

“Mama…we go home?” Taeko questioned, and Katsuki started moving, keeping to himself…that they didn’t have a home. They were just pawns in a chess game from hell.