Work Text:
Iwaizumi Hajime is the type who sets a specific ringtone for his special person.
So when his phone rings a different song than it does normally, just like right now, he doesn't need to peek at the flashing screen to know who's calling.
"Yes, yes, wait a bit, will you," he mumbles as he finishes buttoning the sleeves of his shirt. If Tooru is usually the one taking his sweet time getting ready, today Hajime too will make an effort and dress nicely. Not only because he is going to fly JAL's business class (one he'd love to take Tooru on)–or that he has to thank the associate company's executives for their cooperation in the series of meetings during his stay in Gwangmyeong. One of the reasons that really matters is that he wants to look his best, coming home to his beautiful mate. Hajime can't hide the giddy smile as he presses the green button on his ringing phone.
As soon as the call connects, the person on the other line doesn't spare any second for Hajime to even open his mouth. "He's not here yet. You said he's gonna be here at three o'clock," comes a very familiar whine that somehow still brings a smile to Hajime's lips. "Why is he not here yet?"
"Well, hi to you too, Tooru," he decides to humor this. I mean, how else would you respond, when your cranky wife doesn't greet you first thing with a warm hello on the day you're finally going home? Right, not yet home. He needs to endure a two-and-a-half hour flight and another 30-minute taxi ride home first before Iwaizumi Hajime can kiss the pout away from his mate's pretty face . "Oh, you mean Issei?" Hajime answers confidently, mentally tapping himself on the shoulder for getting this one correct without inviting Tooru's wrath. "He's probably still on his way, baby."
"No, but it's late! He's like eight–" He can imagine Tooru shooting a glare at a clock, that must've ticked a little quieter as if scared to anger the omega even more, "no, solid twelve minutes late and I'm still here all alone. Why the heck is he not here yet?"
Hajime can't help but chuckle. He put his phone on speaker mode so he can focus on tying his tie–his amazing, red necktie with Godzilla print on the bottom. He grins looking at his own reflection, he does feel twice as confident wearing what Tooru would classify as an eyesore.
"Look who's eager now. I certainly didn't remember a self-proclaimed independent omega wanting to do it all by himself earlier," he teasingly jokes. Over the call, Tooru huffs, definitely pouting oh-so adorably while explaining that of course he's changed his mind and actually waits for Issei because he ran out of flour for their donuts and has to count on their dear friend to stop by the supermarket.
Now it's Hajime's turn to frown.
"Tooru..," he warns, a little stern but still gentle. "I told you no exhausting work today. You don't need to cook anything, love. You'll hurt your back moving around too much like that." Those are three lines Hajime has been repeating since two days ago, at the night he video-called Tooru to announce that the business trip ends early for him. Tooru smiled so brightly, ecstatic that his husband will finally be home after two long weeks. He also promised his nagging Alpha that he won't overexert himself, won't tidy up too much, and that he'll overwork Hajime instead to clean the dust off their shelves now that he's too pregnant to reach the top.
Hajime should've seen it coming when his omega didn't mention cooking earlier. Tapping a quick text to Issei, he hopes the man isn't actually in trouble and just being fashionably late, for the lack of a better word.
"Shh, I am sitting down right now– " Over the call, he hears screeching noise, Tooru must've grabbed the nearest chair noisily to prove his claim, "hear that? Haah… you Alphas are such worrywarts." Then a pained whimper that actually worries Hajime appears, only for a split second luckily, because Tooru's lovely laugh follows quickly. "Ah, Napa agrees with me. He just kicked. "
Hajime clearly can't not laugh with him. "Napa, as in napa cabbage? Wasn't he just Cabbage last time I called?"
A dissatisfied click of tongue. "Last time you called was last week, Forgetful-jime."
Right. It's Monday and Hajime called Tooru yesterday night. He chuckles. Tooru, you drama queen.
"Aah, so our baby is entering his new week." Tooru has had this habit from day one to calling the growing life inside him with the fruit its size represents at the time. He even assembled a sort of special weekly calendar for that, one which he thoughtfully decorated with printed fruit pictures and hand-written week numbers. It's become their ongoing little tradition that Tooru always asks Hajime to rip off a new sheet at the end of every week, and that becomes their baby's nickname. "But, Tooru, I've seen normal cabbage bigger than napa. Remember last month's grocery?"
"Now that's why you have to actually come with me to the veggie section instead of just wandering around for free samples." Hajime has to disagree, free samples are one of human rights!
After hearing Tooru's explanation (more of an opinion, but Hajime just swallows it whole for the sake of today's peace) that the specific napa Hajime got them was a baby napa and the cabbage was a grandpa cabbage, Hajime decides that his mate is now in a better mood than the first minute of the call. He can't help but smile from ear to ear, happy that he's going to hear that sweet voice in person in just a few hours. All dressed up (complete with a neat suit) and luggage done, Hajime is more than ready to go home. "Alright, sure. Whatever you say, my darling, my love, my baby. I still love you and your absurd grandpa cabbage stuff."
Ding!
[From: Matsukawa Issei]
Right at your front door my bro
Sorry Hiro forgot his wallet so we had to turn around
Received 3:29 PM
Now Hajime is double confident to bring up the matter again. "Tooru, I need to get ready for the airport and check out of the hotel now." Tooru makes it hard to say goodbye with that sad little whine, but he needs to hurry if he wants home quicker, "Don't worry, baby. Issei should be outside by now." How glad Hajime is to hear their doorbell ring over the call and Tooru's defeated "fine". A smile blooms on Hajime's lips as he changes from the loudspeaker mode and brings the phone close to his ears instead. "Be good, yeah, love? I'll be home before you know it."
"Okay… Have a safe flight, Hajime."
"I will, baby. Love you so much. See you soon."
=====
"Okay, see you soon."
A click sound ends the call. Tooru heaves out a sigh, shoulders slump. He rests his back with a wince and reaches to rub his lower back. Carrying a big, healthy baby for eight months has now taken its toll on Tooru's poor back. If he had known Issei was going to take this long, he would've rested on their fluffy couch instead of an uncomfortable dining chair. But then again talking to Hajime is so relaxing he didn't even remember the reason he called in the first place.
Ah… Tooru misses his Alpha so much. Two weeks without his mate's scent is torturous.
"It's alright, Napa. Just hang on for a few more hours, yeah? Daddy will be home," he runs his hand over the bump, more to calm himself down than to his baby, not that he will admit it.
With another sigh, Tooru stares at his phone. The lock-screen shows a close-up selfie of him and Hajime smiling so brightly the day Tooru got his first ultrasound (Napa was Sweet Potato at that time!). He sadly smiles, tracing Hajime's face, mumbling, "Oh, I forgot to say it back to you… I love you too, Hajime."
"I love you three, Hajime."
Tooru yelps. He whips his head fast to find grinning Issei taking a bag of groceries to the table.
Dramatic, dramatic Tooru puts his hand over his heart as if he's that close to a heart attack. "Can you not scare me like that?!"
"What? You didn't hear me come in?" Issei's stupid smirk never fades as he leans over the table to gently poke Tooru's cheek, a clear attempt to distract him. "Ah, you were too busy making sad eyes."
Tooru decides it's the best time to not answer and interrogate him instead. "Well, what's your excuse? You're, like, an hour late!"
"More like thirty minutes late, you drama queen," Kudos to Issei's big balls to talk back to pouting Tooru like that. Oh, he comes prepared, that's why. Two packs of Tooru's most favorite brand of milk bread are served as an offering. "Here, your favorite diabetes."
The omega's eyes obviously light up and he takes one immediately. When Tooru realizes he smiles at the sight of the bribe, he puckers his lips dramatically again. "But what were you doing?"
The Alpha takes the chair beside Tooru and sits sideways, facing his pregnant packmate. "Taking Hiro to his interview." Tooru hums in affirmation, he remembers now the pink-haired male asking for a blessing last night. "Though we turned back midway because he forgot his ID card and I almost got a speeding ticket."
Tooru gasps with his mouth full of bread. "Did you?"
Issei wipes the cream off the corner of Tooru's mouth and eats it. "Nope. You know I'm the most responsible driver between the four of us." Tooru frowns, about to complain, and Issei cuts him before he can, "alright, Hajime's on par with me."
The omega makes another dissatisfied noise, claiming that what he was protesting about is that he is the best driver, to which Issei just snorts. "You barely even made it out alive each drive. Also-" Tooru whines when the Alpha pinches his cheek, "chew slower, bunny. Your milk bread isn't going anywhere."
"Shut up, I'm hungry and angry," Tooru grumpily says between chews.
Hajime has to deal with this on a daily basis? He is one strong man indeed.
Issei shakes his head affectionately and gets up to check on Tooru's daily intake of supplements on the shelf. "So, Hangry-Tooru, have you taken your vitamins?" Oh, good, today's pill case is already empty.
"Yes, I have, mooom." Issei shoots one of his ' I'm-so-tired-of-your-shit ' look and his only response is Tooru sticking out his tongue teasingly. "Gosh, you're so much like Iwa-chan!"
"Maybe because he sends me here exactly for that. To remind your stubborn ass to drink more water and less milk." In his third trimester, Tooru still experiences bloating and tummy aches. Hajime says that's mostly because Tooru downs every bite of food with milk, insisting that tasteless, odorless water makes him nauseous. But Tooru still needs a balanced amount of water and Hajime especially highlights that when he asks Issei to watch over the brunet.
The knight in shining armor: infused water.
And so Issei has prepared a special drink: mint leaves, strawberries (Tooru's personal favorite), and a few slices of sweet orange. He pours a glass for Tooru and places it in front of the omega. A small head gesture and Tooru knows he doesn't have any excuses not to take it.
Not without a pout of course.
"You know," he pauses, watching the omega slowly but persistently taking big gulps of the flavored water, "maybe there's an additional reason why he sent me here." A hand then settles on Tooru's hair, gently putting wild curls in place and stroking his hair. He was planning to tease the boy when he says, "I wonder if it's because a certain omega has become too lonely without his Alpha's scent?"
But Tooru looks up at him with his adorable doe eyes. As if those big brown orbs say the unspoken, "You'll scent me?". Which will really leave Issei no room for options. Tooru's signature puppy eyes are definitely irresistible and Tooru knows they are.
"But Hajime's and your scent are different though," Tooru says, yet still looks up at him.
Issei is in a losing game. He's wrapped around Tooru's fingers before he even realizes it.
"I know. But you tolerate mine." He helps the pregnant omega up, hands on his waist and lower part of his back, hoping to support a little of the weight while still being mindful of the bump.
He eyes him; Tooru is glowing.
The small distance between them helps Issei figure it all out. From Tooru's (perfectly threaded) eyebrows, sparkly eyes, rosy cheeks (thanks to his expensive skincare routine), his cute nose,… down to that pretty, pretty pair of lips. Plump, moist, adorable pinkish color. Issei wonders what flavor of lip balm he applies today.
Issei watches the omega smile cheekily, he must've noticed Issei staring hard. The Alpha shifts his attention back to his brown orbs. "Come closer, silly, let me hug you."
"Mnn…" Tooru happily rests his head on Issei's shoulder and nuzzles the younger male's neck. Taking a deep inhale, familiar mint forest with a tint of fresh citrus fills Tooru's lungs and he exhales a relieved sigh. "You know, I don't tolerate it. I like it."
He can feel the Alpha smiling against his head. "Yeah? You do?"
"Mmhm..."
A gentle whisper tickles Tooru's ears, "I like yours too." Issei kisses his cheek and hugs him a little tighter. Tooru laughs, complaining that it tickles and out of reflex tries to push the man away. Now that tickles Issei's Alpha instinct to chase the omega, to hold Tooru's face and pepper more kisses with the brunet's gleeful laugh rings sweet in the air while he tries to escape the kiss attack.
Playful pecks switch to careful tickles and back hugs, and when they come back to affectionate smooches, they decide to do it while relaxing on the couch. Tooru comfortably sits across Issei's lap with tons of pillows supporting his back and said Alpha is content caressing the pregnant omega's waist.
"Shave properly, Mattsun. You leave stubbles here, and here," the omega gently traces Issei's chin and jaw, "and here too. Ask Makki to help."
Ah, right. Maybe he should've asked Takahiro to do that for him. The Alpha lets out a small sigh at the mention of the pink-haired male. "They just grow, Tooru," is his only response. It's just easier for Issei than to explain he's in a bit of a prolonged argument with his own mate. He hesitates, doubts must've been obvious on his face if Tooru suddenly goes quiet, paying full attention to him as if he knows something is troubling Issei. Maybe he does. Maybe his omega senses Issei's anxious Alpha.
Well… it's okay to tell Tooru, right? They trust each other. The four of them do. So much.
Another hand then joins Tooru's slender fingers and Issei places a soft kiss on the knuckle. "About Takahiro… there's something." Nervous inhale from both of them, a silent one from Tooru, and another audible, shaken one from Issei. "God, he might kill me for telling you this–" a tense chuckle, "he's, uh… he's been feeling a little down lately."
Tooru stills. He listens closely. "Why?"
He feels Issei's arms tighten around him and Tooru instinctively secretes his omega's soothing scent. Issei shrugs. "I don't know. Baby fever, I guess."
Ah…
Tooru can understand. Between the four of them, only Tooru is born with the natural ability to carry a child, with Takahiro being a beta. At their age, it's so very normal to be thinking about the future of their little pack.
"I mean… I've told him countless times. I'm satisfied with being an uncle." Hand delicately caresses Tooru's huge bump, "he doesn't have to worry about that." The brunet only nods, letting the man continue the talk.
"We've talked about it a lot, either while joking or serious. I'm ready whenever he is. Adopting a kid sounds good; taking another kitten from a shelter is also great. I'll be happy however it is going to be, not or have a bigger family like you and Hajime." This is Issei's third sigh in a row. Tooru's face contorts, glassy eyes filled with emotion.
"But I think… I might have a feeling that–he has recently just realized that he wants it. He wants this." A hand stays where Napa decides to kick. Tooru whimpers a little, and Issei feels bad about it, thinking the baby doesn't like this talk but Tooru keeps his hand there.
"I don't know, man. It's almost like he's scared that he wants it. Even though there's nothing to be embarrassed about having that kind of longing. We're at that age already," he paused, evidently swallowing the lump in his throat and just letting Tooru squeeze his hand. "To tell you the truth, I do have that kind of longing too. Sometimes. The sound of the pitter-patter of tiny feet or dramatic wails like yours," he taps Tooru's red nose with a small smile, "But I know it's gonna be hard on him if I voice it out loud." Now Issei stays quiet and chooses to busy himself playing with Tooru's fingers.
"I'm sorry… I just–I don't know what to say…" Tooru's eyes water a little, overwhelmed by the growing emotion he feels for both of his best friends. The feeling of wanting something nature doesn't give you to have… Tooru feels sorry, empathy, and sadness all along, wishing he could do anything to help. He cradles Issei's cheeks and sniffles, "Oh, Issei… poor Hiro…"
Issei's heart clenches for more reasons than one: his poor beta mate, his tearful emotional pregnant packmate, himself…
"Oh, don't cry, bunny, please. God, why did I say that? I shouldn't have brought this up. I'm sorry." Issei wipes the tears that just decide to freefall nonstop, which rapidly and worryingly graduates into a series of hiccups borderline hyperventilation. "Hey, hey, it's okay. Tooru… shh, take a deep breath, it's okay. We're okay. We're gonna figure this out, yeah? I love him. I love Hiro. We're strong like that, right?" Issei kisses his cheek. "Good omega, you're a good omega."
The omega calms down after a few more minutes and soft sweet nothings, Issei's Alpha pheromone helps a lot. Relieved he's managed to ease Tooru's hiccups, Issei pulls him close into a cuddle.
Tooru rubs his eyes and swallows the sniffles. "Sorry."
"Don't worry. It's my fault too." Issei's small smile is reassuring, Tooru can't help not to return it, "We'll talk about this again later, yeah? With Hajime too. I'll need help and advice from both of you." Even though the Alpha isn't sure about himself, at least it doesn't burden their precious omega for now.
"Yeah… Okay," Tooru's response comes small, but his scent is sweeter now, slowly morphing back to its usual happy tone.
Tooru surely is gorgeous even with trails of tears on his cheek. Issei's fond smile grows. He and Hajime are going to have a beautiful baby.
Issei flicks the teasing mode back on, in hopes to lighten up the mood. "Wipe your snot, princess gorilla, don't eat it," he says as he wipes Tooru's face with his sleeves. Tooru's signature whining comes in an instant, and thank Heavens, it's not long before they fall into good old banter.
== ===
The atmosphere lightens. They're back to light chitchats and cuddling.
Until rustling noises are heard and they find a fat tabby cat on the dining table nosing the grocery bag.
"Mango-chan? What are you doing?" Tooru scolds over his shoulder from where he's sitting, which of course only gets a husky meow as a response. He turns to Issei, "Did you buy cat treats?"
"An offering for the other princess." Issei wiggles his eyebrows.
"Oh, gosh, she's found it." Tooru groans a little as he tries to get up, Issei supporting his back and all. Waddling to the dining space, he waves his arm to usher the cat away, "Mango-chan, get off the table. Come on, come on now. Mattsun, help me put away the groceries please."
"Alright. Come here, you fat pussy," he picks up the cat and nuzzles, kissing her squishy face, ignoring Tooru's complaints of "it's a kitty ". After squeezing out a packet of cat treats into Mango's bowl, Issei comes back to the dining table to sort things out. Tooru's snack, beer, his cigarette, Tooru's other snack, soda, flour…
"Oh, right, are we not gonna use this flour? What are we gonna cook again?"
Tooru whips his head so fast, eyes wide in horror, "Oh, no, the donuts!"
=====
"We still got plenty of time, relax."
"Plenty of time, your ass," Tooru grumbles, panicking while taking out his brand-new digital scale. "The dough needs, like, at least thirty minutes to proof and Hajime's flight lands in about one hour so it's like–one and a half four before he comes home."
Issei shrugs. "Plenty of time."
"Shh!" Tooru clamps Issei's lips in between his fingers. Huh, he can taste cream on them (Issei didn't even see when Tooru opened another packet of milk bread)–"You inexperienced little apprentice just needs to shut your beak up. Okay, where were we?"
"Uh..," Issei wipes the cream off his lips, "250 grams of flour, one egg, 25 grams of milk powder, uh… and about one-quarter tablespoon of salt and yeast. You say how much sugar?"
Tooru scrunches his nose, biting his nail to concentrate. "Um… is it 80 grams?" he mumbles more to himself, making a mental calculation, "gosh, the recipe is for half a kilo of flour... And it needs 160… right?"
Doubtful Issei interrupts. "I don't know. Should we find your recipe book first?"
"No time for that. Also, do you seriously doubt me like that?" Tooru points at him with his spatula, eyes narrowing suspiciously, and huffs, puffing his chest proudly. "I made this with my sister back at home tons of times."
Amused smirk. "And you still forgot the sugar."
Tooru turns away and raises his chin. "Hmph, haters gonna hate. Also, peel the potato properly!"
=====
"Um, how many minutes now?" Tooru's nervous tone doesn't match his confidence earlier. His face is centimeters away from their fresh batch of donuts dough, that somehow… don't rise well. Scratch that, they stay the same size. Tooru doesn't know what went wrong. The yeast is new and can't be expired. The egg, well, it's supposedly five whole eggs for each kilogram of flour, but–he can't be bothered to portion out a quarter of an egg, right? He doubts that's the issue.
"Thirty nine minutes. Look, Tooru, maybe don't stare at it too much. They don't rise under pervy eyes. Let's go sit down on the couch, it's comfortable there." Issei's bad attempt at joking doesn't earn him the response he wants. Perfect, dream response would be Tooru agreeing to lie down for at least ten minutes and then the dough will rise perfectly and they will eat great donuts and Tooru will be happy. The other option would be Tooru whining, telling Issei to shut up, and insist on glaring down at the tray and pressuring the dough into rising on cue.
What doesn't come to Issei's mind is Tooru breaking down and crying in front of his failed dough, after waiting close to an hour and the little round balls of–what are supposed to be donuts–stay little.
Does Hajime really have to deal with this every day?
Issei sighs, yet still affectionately puts an arm around Tooru's middle, asking him to sit instead of hunching over like that. "Tooru, don't cry. It's okay. Tiny donuts are cute too."
Tooru wails, "You don't understand. If– hic –if they don't rise, they're dense. And when they're dense… they're not fluffy donuts."
Of course Issei doesn't understand the technical difficulties in baking–Takahiro is the baker out of the two of them. He doubts hugging and kissing Tooru will calm him down in this matter.
"Uh… it's, uh, it'll be okay? You made those. They're still going to be tasty, Tooru."
"They're nooot…" Tooru cries louder, shiny heavy droplets of tears stream down his face, nose red, snot all over his beautiful face. Okay, Issei will take that back and agree with Hajime instead. Tooru is an ugly crier. Irresistibly adorable, but ugly.
"Oh, bunny, it's okay," Issei laughs a little, cradling the weeping omega into his arms. It's good that the brunet hugs him back, it makes Issei's pheromone embracing him easier. "Let's try frying one, yeah? I bet it'll taste amazing."
=====
It does not.
Bitch is tongue-numbing sweet, for non sweet tooth like Issei. Heavy dough, too.
If Tooru hadn't been looking at him with expectant eyes, he would've spat it right into the trash bin. Instead, good-mannered, good Alpha Issei swallowed it whole.
"Hmm… I think they're a bit sweet."
"Let me try."
Issei hesitates a little bit but then offers the fried little dough ball to Tooru.
When the omega winces and asks for water, Issei knows what's going to happen.
And he's right. It's waterworks all over again. But at least this time he manages to persuade Tooru to cry his heart out on the couch instead.
=====
When Hajime comes home to puffy-eyed Tooru curling up beside Issei, not a tint of aggressive pheromone flares up. Not because he doesn't care, of course. Issei knows Hajime is one of the most possessive and protective Alphas and it skyrockets as Tooru's pregnancy grows. But Hajime believes in him, he knows that Issei will keep his omega safe–that his packmate won't make Tooru cry (funny jabs don't really count, though, does it?).
But still he is glad he sent Hajime a heads-up through text that his mate's emotion is currently all over the place.
Snot must've clogged Tooru's nose enough for him not to smell the air, that he needs Issei to poke his cheeks gently to announce the other Alpha's arrival.
"Oh, wow, who's that giant baby in your arms, Issei?" Hajime's voice is soft and strong at the same time. Teasing, definitely, but Issei can hear adoration in each syllable. In an instant, Tooru's face lights up. But true to his spoiled little shit nature, Tooru fake-cries this time, knowing he'll get the full attention of two Alphas now. He's ready to get up and jump him (in one way or another his body allows) but his packmate holds him back, helping to reposition the omega to comfortably sit on his lap while Hajime puts his suit away and luggage to the side.
"The one who cries over donuts. Can you smell how wet the air is? Thought watching Inside Out would help," Issei chuckles, tapping Tooru's red nose, fresh from another sobbing session during Bing Bong.
"You know he cries at everything." Tooru whines. "But, man, I wish it was someone else being wet." Hajime grins playfully. The omega's cheeks flush pink, hitting Issei instead with a shy ' perverted Alphas' to which the man complains ' hey, it's not me', and the real culprit just laughs. "Come here, pretty. You troubled Issei a lot, didn't you?"
Issei helps Tooru get up and into Hajime's arms, letting the couple have their much-missed time with a fond smile. Not long until the strong pheromone of a loving Alpha and longing omega intertwine in melodious harmony, filling the living room with warmth.
"I'm sorry I can't give you the donuts, Hajime…" The genuine sad smile on Tooru's lips makes Hajime feel bad.
"Oh, no, baby. It's okay. Seeing you so pretty like this is enough of a welcome home gift for me. Besides, we can always try again, yeah?" Tooru nods. This time a familiar scent of strawberry sparkling water resurfaces, a sign of happy Tooru. "God, I missed you so much," Hajime's rough voice tickles Tooru's ears. Tooru laughs, as he willingly receives another shower of smooches.
"I missed you too," Tooru cups Hajime's cheeks, pausing his kiss attack, exchanging passionate gaze into each other's eyes, smiling as if they're falling in love at first sight again. "I missed you more, you silly Alpha."
Tooru is gorgeous. Hajime can't help but abruptly claim the omega's lips into a slow yet deep kiss. A careful one, minding the baby bump between them, but heavy with emotion, drenched in desire. It's been a while since he smells Tooru's lovely scent anyway.
Gentle open-mouthed kisses slowly turn a little bit too heated with Hajime's tongue prodding in, and Tooru's (for God's sake) sweet little moans come out when a hand gently squeezes his chest. Don't blame Issei for watching. Moreover when he catches a tinge of scent of Tooru's slick as Hajime gropes Tooru's bottom. Thank Heavens, the omega's little yelp snaps Issei back from his fantasy to this awkward reality.
"Uh, guys, I'm right here?"
The two mates seem to have come back to their senses and both are reacting well. Tooru laughs a bit shyly, cradling Hajime in a half headlock out of embarrassment, a small 'sorry' which Issei's sure he doesn't really mean to. Hajime's response, on the other hand, is a bit more interesting.
"As if you hadn't seen more," he grumbles, obviously pissed that he's being interrupted. But they all know this is just Hajime's grumpy puppy mode, absolutely tame.
Issei decides to joke, "I would love to be reminded, if you allow, Alpha."
That sort of dynamic is what spontaneously forms between them. Issei, born an Alpha, doesn't really care about his secondary gender. Naturally being less aggressive than other Alphas results in him acting more like a beta. What really gives it off is, of course, his pheromone and the knot. So he, too, listens well to Hajime, joking or not.
Hajime's inner Alpha is definitely pleased by that.
"Hmm, since you've been good to my omega… I guess we should reward you." Hajime grins, nosing Tooru's neck again, "What do you say, Tooru? Should we let Issei hold you?"
The man blinks, clearly not expecting that response. Especially because he sees a glint of mischief in Hajime's greenish orbs, one he's more familiar with seeing in Tooru's eyes before his shenanigans.
Then the shorter male pulls Issei and asks him to hug Tooru from the back while he playfully bites Tooru's shoulder strap dress. Issei has a choice this time but happily joins in, tickling the omega gently and kissing his neck. Tooru's laugh explodes, shrieking, "Nooo, we should wait for Makki!"
=====
For a split second, Takahiro doesn't know what to think. I mean, he's been hustling, ran a little from the bus stop to the Iwaizumi's Household. Why, you say? Issei's alarming texts.
[From: The Matsukawa To My Issei]
Babe Tooru cries
Donuts failed
Can you send me your recipe
Received 5:02 PM
Has he always been this ugly crying lol
[The Matsukawa To My Issei sent you a picture.]
Received 5:08 PM
Oh no he cries again
Received 6:03 PM
You should hurry come
Received 06:27 PM
Help
Received 06:28 PM
[To: The Matsukawa To My Issei]
hey srry just got out of the Inter Milan
*interview duck autofill
*FUCKKK
im turning this shit off
Sent 06:45 PM
im on my way
i bought the princess gorilla his diabetes too
[You sent a picture.]
Sent 06:46 PM
is everything ok
are you guys ok
Sent 06:51 PM
is tooru okay
no emergency right??
issei
why arent you answering
Sent 06:53 PM
It's two minutes past seven and Issei hasn't replied to his texts. Worried Takahiro hurries, only to be straight out confused when he opens the door and sees three adults tangled up while standing. All's good. No sudden fire, no robbery, no blood anywhere. But… it's already not safe having a wrestling session with all the furniture in the living room and delicacies on the coffee table full of paper bags of Korean snacks–not safe, even without a pregnant omega. But there they are, joking around with a pregnant omega in between them with so many hazards–
"Oh, Makki, hi!" Tooru's cheerful, unknowing voice cuts his thoughts.
Taking a deep breath won't really help hold back Takahiro's veins from popping.
=====
And so that is how an Alpha ends up sitting properly with his head low in front of a red-faced beta. Takahiro is mad, he really wishes Issei understands the trouble he went through rushing home, missing one of his Suica cards (the one he just topped up) because Issei's not being clear enough. Yes, those texts were only him making fun of Tooru crying every ten minutes.
"Sorry, babe."
Hajime innocently approaches and gently strokes Takahiro's waist in hopes to calm him down a bit. "It's okay, we're all good." The sharp glare he receives as if says 'You're no better, you rowdy, overexcited Alpha pup' , makes even Hajime take a step back with two hands up. Angry Takahiro is scary.
Fortunately, Tooru succeeds in melting the tension. He hugs Takahiro's arm and distracts him with his growing baby bump, insisting that it must be Napa play time inside. The hand on Tooru's belly feels the kick.
"Napa always knows when you're here," Tooru says, smiling at his best friend. Hands delicately open a new packet of milk bread (the exact same brand–Tooru's favorite–that Issei brought earlier) and Tooru offers the first bite to the pink-haired man.
Takahiro looks up at Tooru expectantly, eyes glistening. "He does?"
Tooru can understand Takahiro's behavior now. About why he's extra protective of Tooru's health and well-being during his pregnancy, including the (actually very gentle but) playful antics the three of them just had.
Takahiro must've thought of Napa as his own. And he's right. Napa is not only Hajime's and Tooru's baby. Napa is the pack's very first newborn, their bundle of joy and pride.
Tooru is deeply grateful for Hajime; that the Alpha responded very mildly, even though his instinct must've not liked it when someone else protected his pup from himself .
The brunet smiles proudly at his Alpha and then redirects his gaze at Takahiro. "Mmhm, can you feel it? He's happy to see you."
Only when Takahiro smiles do the three of them visibly relax. Tooru grinning victoriously, Issei gets up to grab a cold drink for his mate, and Hajime dares to approach them again.
The Alpha curls his arm around the beta's waist and this time places a gentle kiss on his cheek. Even though he's blind to Takahiro's current feelings, Hajime is just very happy to see growth in their pack, Takahiro being reliable and keeping all of them safe. He just grins when Takahiro stares back at him questioningly at first. But Hajime knows his gratitude is accepted when another small kiss on the top of pink hair is welcomed.
"Here you go, babe." Issei hands him a cold milk tea, definitely not sorry at all for taking Tooru's stash. He's sure Tooru doesn't mind either if it's for Takahiro. The tallest takes a seat beside Tooru, now the four of them are cramped on the sofa with Tooru taking most of the space–not that they complain. "So how's the interview?"
The man in question lets out a sigh and rests his head on Hajime's shoulder. "I don't know. I feel like I did my best but the woman didn't look impressed."
Tooru's response is fast, "oh, no, no, Hiro. They'll see you. You did good, we all know you did."
Issei hums, "Yeah. Even if they don't, it's okay, babe. You can always find something else." Tooru is about to complain but Hajime shakes his head, silencing Tooru, because Issei still continues, "I mean, that bitch made you wait for an hour and even canceled your last interview invitation." Issei steals a bite of Tooru's (Takahiro's) milk bread and chews as he mumbles, "Besides, a job interview isn't a one-way assessment. It's also time for us candidates to judge the company's value."
The more Tooru's brain processes, the more it makes sense. He's right. Sometimes Tooru too will stress himself out trying to be the best, trying to get people's approval of what he's doing. He sometimes forgets he holds the same exact evaluation card.
Tooru can't hide his smile. Sometimes Issei and Takahiro click beyond Tooru's understanding, like they figure each other out better with themselves. And today, too, proves that true love isn't exclusive to Alpha and omega only. It proves that Issei and Takahiro are fated mates.
Takahiro's teasing smirk is what assures Tooru of that; What Tooru thought first would dishearten Takahiro, instead has proven the opposite effect. "Yeah, right? She scores a bit low in my head."
"Doesn't she?"
The tension loosens. Hajime proudly shoots his "See, it's all good" look and Tooru laughs. It feels as if they're back to seventeen years old, enjoying whatever jokes the duo pranksters have up their sleeves. It always feels like home with them.
"Alright now," Takahiro says after taking a huge swig of his drink, "I need a detailed explanation. What happened to the poor donuts?"
=====
They huddle close, laid together comfortably in Tooru's sofa bed. All focused to crack the mystery, starting with: listing the suspects.
One, the yeast. Was it not fresh? Crossed this one out, it was brand new.
Two, was the dough not properly kneaded? Issei did it for them, he promised he did well.
Three, proofing time. Was it given enough time to rise? Yes! Tooru waited more than an hour until he cried and gave up.
"Hm, that's suspicious. Never in my entire life have my donuts not risen." Tooru squints his eyes, arms crossed just above his bump. Tooru splayed out half sitting in between piles of pillows and blankets around him, with his packmates around, really makes him look like a spoiled princess with his handmaidens in one of those Italian paintings Takahiro loves.
"I'll go look up on the internet for other possible causes." Issei fishes out his phone and makes himself comfortable resting his head on Takahiro's butt as said beta lays on his stomach beside Tooru. Tooru is sure he's just too lazy to get invested and just finding excuses to lie down.
"What about the recipe?" his Alpha, who's sitting behind Tooru providing cushion, finally opens his mouth. "Are you sure it's the right one?"
Tooru gasps as if that insults his whole family. "I can't believe you said that, Hajime!"
"No, but, we didn't use the recipe. It's a bother to find it, Tooru said. We used his brain," Witness Issei speaks up.
Another overly dramatic gasp from the offended omega and Hajime gently pinches Tooru's cheek. "So we're trusting this dumdum's memory?"
Three angry gasps later, Tooru challenges everyone. After spending twenty minutes looking for a ripped sheet of paper from the Oikawa family's recipe book, they finally found it on top of the fridge (how did it get there?) and managed to figure out the bug in the system.
"–Pour the beaten egg into the bowl and mix it well with 40 grams of sugar. And then–"
"Hold on. How many grams of sugar?" Issei cuts Hajime.
"Uh, 40."
It's Issei who first turns to Tooru, and then two more heads follow. "This dude put 80."
"Ah… too much sugar absorbs moisture and deactivates yeast, you know," Takahiro then adds.
"Oh..," Tooru mumbles quietly, big brown eyes suddenly finding his blanket pattern as the most interesting thing to look at. He's avoiding eye contact for sure.
"Yeah…" Well, nobody dares to put the blame on the currently-sensitive Tooru.
"But I still want donuts..," comes Tooru's signature whine. He looks up at the three of them, "Napa wants donuts." Three grown men are weak to Tooru's little pout, not when his hand rests over his round belly so theatrically dramatic.
"Want Krispy Kreme?" Issei's voice responds first.
Hajime is ready to get up. "I'll drive."
"Hold on, why don't you two cook Tooru's recipe. Properly this time," Takahiro says as he hands out the old paper to Hajime.
The omega perks up. "Oh, nice idea!~"
"What? Won't it be easier to just buy?"
Issei laughs and pats Hajime's shoulder. "Alright, dude, they want it. C'mon, let's do it."
The oldest sighs and loosens his tie. "Fine. The things we do for love, huh?"
"Yeah, things we do for love." Issei grins.
"Hajimeee… Why are you still wearing that ugly tie?"
"Hey, they're cool!"