Chapter Text
Shanks awoke to the feeling of being gently shaken by small hands. He opened his eyes to see his youngest standing over him, Hawk’s eyes filled with childish concern.
“What’s up bud?” Shanks asked, his voice still heavy with sleep.
“Papa, Una sick.” The three-year-old helpfully informed him. Shanks felt worry spike through him. ‘Una’ was what Hawk called his sister Uta. Shanks’s youngest daughter hardly ever got sick, if it was bad enough that Hawk noticed it must be bad. Shanks sighed, getting up from his nest while being careful not to disturb his mate. Mihawk was normally a light sleeper, but the omega was entering his pre-heat and was thus a lot more tired than normal.
Shanks picked up Hawk, resting the boy on his hip as the man walked down the hall to his daughter’s room. He peered through the door to his eldest daughter’s room on the way, seeing Perona curled up in her own nest, surrounded by her stuffed animals and various clothing items she had stolen from the family over the years.
‘Huh,’ Shanks thought. If Perona was nesting, she must also be starting her heat soon. It wasn’t uncommon for omegas to sync up, so it wasn’t all that surprising that Perona was going into heat at the same time as her mother. Young, unbonded omega’s like Perona didn’t have traditional heats, they just got clingier to their pack/family. Perona, who was already a very affectionate girl, tended to spend her heats curled with whatever family member was available, napping in either her own or Mihawk’s nest. Similarly, Omega’s with young pups like Mihawk tended to just get very clingy and protective during their heats.
He took Hawk back to the nursery room first, kissing his baby’s head and promising he would take care of his sister, encouraging the toddler to get back to sleep. With Hawk settled, Shanks walked into Uta’s room.
“Songbird?” Shanks questioned quietly. Uta was tossing and turning in her bed, sweat beading on her forehead. Her lemon honey scent was filled with distress and something else that he instantly recognized as heat.
“Damnit,” Shanks mumbled, he and Mihawk had thought they still had another year or so until Uta would present. His poor baby girl had entered her first heat without a nest or anyone with her.
“It’s ok Songbird,” He muttered, releasing a comforting scent as he carefully lifted her up, leaning her on his hip not unlike he had held Hawk. She curled into herself, her arms around her abdomen, shaking from the pain of the cramps. He quickly carried her back to his room, setting her down in Mihawk’s nest. Shanks shook his mate gently; another omega was what Uta needed right then. Mihawk blinked up at him owlishly, before his mate caught the Uta’s distressed scent and moved to tend to his daughter.
“Uta? Can you hear me?” Mihawk said, sitting up and pulling the girl into his lap. Mihawk released a wave of comforting scent as he gently rubbed a hand over Uta’s back. Shanks walked quickly to the master bathroom, pulling some pain meds from the medicine cabinet. He poured Uta a glass of water before returning to the nest.
Mihawk had laid Uta down in the nest, curling himself around her. The scent of his comforting pheromones filled the room. Shanks slid into the nest next to her, gently rubbing her back to get her attention.
“Uta honey, take these, they’ll help with the pain,” Shanks said gently, releasing some comforting pheromones of his own.
The girl groaned pitifully; her face filled with discomfort as the pain from her cramps assaulted her. Her skin was pale and clammy, and her small form trembled in Mihawk's arms. Shanks's heart ached to see his normally vibrant daughter looking so miserable, and he prayed that the painkillers would kick in soon. He gently coaxed Uta to sit up, supporting her as she took the medication, and then lay back down in Mihawk's arms, curled up tightly against the omega's chest. Mihawk stroked her hair gently, crooning quietly to her, trying to offer what comfort he could.
Uta’s breathing eventually calmed down, and when she next opened her eyes they were more focused. She looked up at her parents, her cheeks stained with tear tracks.
“Mama…” She whined, nuzzling into Mihawk in a way she hadn’t since she was much younger. Shanks moved his hand over her back in a comforting gesture, his heart breaking from his daughter’s pain. When Perona had presented, he and Mihawk had been significantly more prepared. People tended to present at around 14-15, but Uta was only barely 13.
"Oh sweetheart," Mihawk murmured, running his fingers through Uta's hair, trying to soothe her. He was still releasing calming pheromones, even as he tried not to cry himself at seeing his little girl in so much pain. Shanks's hand continued its soothing motion on her back, his expression filled with worry. They had both known she was too young for her presentation, but they had still hoped they had more time.
“What’s wrong?” Zoro mumbled from the doorway of the room, rubbing sleep from his eyes as he looked worried at his parents and sister. Zoro was hyper-protective of his family; despite not presenting yet, it was clear he’d be an alpha. Shanks looked up from Uta, smiling fondly at his elder son and the boy’s uncanny ability to sense when one of his siblings was in distress.
Shanks smiled weakly at Zoro, touched by his son's protective instincts. Mihawk chuckled softly, his eyes still fixed on Uta.
"It's Uta. She's presented a little earlier than we expected." Mihawk explained, gesturing for Zoro to join them in the nest.
Zoro padded over to the nest, sliding in beside Shanks. Uta’s crying had stopped by now, the pain meds taking effect and allowing the girl to fall into a peaceful sleep.
“Will she be ok?” Zoro asked, his voice sounding younger than 13 due to his concern. Shanks ruffed his son’s hair as he said. “Of course bud, once she gets used to it she’ll be able to handle it just like your mom or Perona. She just wasn’t prepared that’s all, none of us were expecting this so soon.”
Zoro nodded, still looking concerned but reassured by his father's words.
Mihawk shifted, carefully adjusting Uta's head so it rested on his chest. His expression was worried, but he kept his scent neutral to avoid distressing his children.
"We'll just have to take extra care of her until her heat is over," Mihawk said, his voice still soft as he looked down at his sleeping daughter.
“Get some rest bud, I promise she’s ok,” Shanks said as he gently pushed Zoro down, encouraging the boy to lay down with Mihawk and Uta. Zoro obeyed, his expression softening as he breathed in the comforting maternal pheromones Mihawk was producing. Zoro’s breaths eventually evened out to sleep, with Mihawk following soon after.
Shanks heard movement, and his head snapped towards the door before he realized that it was just Perona, holding a sleeping Hawk. He gestured her over to the nest, taking Hawk from his eldest child as Perona curled up in the nest beside Zoro, resting her head on her little brother's shoulder. Perona’s scent indicated that the omega girl had started her own heat, no wonder she was seeking out her family. Shanks carefully set Hawk next to Mihawk on the side not claimed by Uta, his mate instinctively moving to hold their youngest pup to his chest.
Shanks stayed sitting up, leaning on the edge of the nest. He looked down over his sleeping family, his alpha instincts telling him to keep his mate and pups safe.
Shanks stayed awake a while longer, keeping watch over his family. The scent of his mate's heat and the pheromones of his pups were strong, and it made the alpha urge to protect stronger. He kept a close eye on the four sleeping forms in the nest, his heart clenching at the sight of Mihawk curled protectively around the pups. It was so rare that they all slept in the nest together like this, but Shanks was grateful that the situation had brought his family together.
Hours passed, and the sky outside started to grow lighter as the sun rose. Mihawk stirred a little in his sleep, his eyes blinking open. He looked down at the children in the nest, then up at Shanks who was perched on the edge. He let out a low croon to the alpha, who returned an alpha hum in response.
Shanks gently reached out to run his fingers through Mihawk's hair, his touch gentle so as not to wake the children.
Mihawk leaned into Shanks's touch, his eyes closing in contentment. "You should sleep, love," Mihawk said softly, his voice thick with sleep. Shanks chuckled, his hand still gently carding through his mate's hair.
"Can't. Someone's gotta keep watch, you know that."
"You need to rest too, idiot." Mihawk retorted, but there was no real heat in his voice. He knew the alpha well enough by now to know that Shanks wouldn’t sleep if his family was vulnerable, it was an instinct as old as time. Still, the fact still remained that Mihawk didn't like it. Shanks was just as important as the rest of them, and the omega didn't like that the alpha sacrificed his own well-being so often.
Shanks chuckled again, a small smile on his face. "I'll sleep when I can, don't worry about me." He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Mihawk's forehead, his touch loving. Mihawk grumbled in response, but he couldn't stay mad at his mate. The alpha's pheromones were making him sleepy, and the scent of his family surrounding him in the nest was soothing.
Shanks sat back up, his hand still gently stroking Mihawk's hair. The omega's eyes started to droop again, his body relaxing into the nest. He was fighting off sleep, but it was a losing battle. Shanks watched him, a fond smile on his face. He knew Mihawk would keep grumbling about him not sleeping, but he also knew the omega wouldn't stay awake for much longer.
Sure enough, Mihawk's eyes soon shut fully, and his breathing evened out as he fell back to sleep. Shanks chuckled quietly, his hand pausing in its motion on Mihawk's hair. He looked down at the nest once more, his gaze shifting to each of the children, making sure they were all safe and still sleeping peacefully.
He watched Uta, her face now at ease instead of twisted in pain. Perona was curled up next to Zoro; the other omega's scent was a calming presence for her. Zoro was pressed up against his older sister, his normally tense features slack with contentment. And Hawk, the little white-haired pup was sleeping soundly in Mihawk's arms, his tiny hand still clutching the omega's shirt.
Shanks sighed, his heart full of love for his family. He knew he should try and sleep, but his alpha instincts were still on high alert. It was hard to rest when his mate and children were so vulnerable, but he also knew he needed to take care of himself as well. Reluctantly, he shifted his position on the edge of the nest, trying to get comfortable enough to close his eyes.
It took a while, but eventually, Shanks' eyelids started getting heavy, and he found himself slipping into a light doze. His instincts were still nagging at him, but the combined scent of his mate, children, and the comfortable nest were enough to lull him to sleep.
Hours passed, and Shanks was still asleep when a noise woke him up. He tensed, his alpha instincts instantly going on high alert as he sat up and looked around the room. The source of the noise soon became clear, as Uta, still laying in Mihawk's arms, let out a soft noise.
Mihawk stirred in his sleep, instinctively moving to pull Uta closer to himself. The younger omega whimpered in pain, shifting in Mihawk's grip as her heat cramps flared up again.
The sounds of Uta waking spired Shanks into movement, grabbing pain meds for the omegas. Since it was Uta’s first heat, her cramps were more intense, but Perona and Mihawk both got cramps with their heat. While Shanks was up, he slipped down into the kitchen, grabbing some fruit he could cut for his mate and pups for breakfast. Shanks’s alpha instincts preened at the idea of providing food and protection for them. Uta was still asleep, but whining quietly when he returned to the master bedroom.
Mihawk was awake by the time Shanks returned, his eyes half-lidded, and he was stroking the younger omega's forehead, trying to soothe her through her pain.
Perona and Zoro were also rousing from their sleep, both still slightly disoriented from the sleep. Zoro was in the process of waking up fully, while Perona still looked as if she was going to fall back to sleep. Hawk was also awake, the little pup already making grabby motions, eager to be picked up.
Shanks felt his heart swell at the sight of his family. He handed Mihawk the pain meds and water bottle. Mihawk helped Uta to take the meds, next gently waking Perona to make her take some before she went back to sleep. As Mihawk himself took some of the meds, Shanks began to cut fruit for a quietly babbling Hawk. The toddler was a boy of very few words, only speaking from time to time. Zoro’s face held all the grumpiness typical of a preteen, but he leaned on Shanks's shoulder and accepted the orange wedge his father offered him.
Mihawk watched as Shanks fed Hawk, his expression affectionate. He took comfort in the domesticity of the moment after the hectic time they'd all had the day prior. He leaned against the alpha, drawing a soft hum from Shanks.
Perona took the medication with a mumbled thanks, her eyes already half-closed again. As she leaned back down, she drew closer to Uta, her omega scent seeking out her smaller sister. The two omegas ended up cuddling together, and Mihawk's heart warmed at the sight of his children.
Zoro grunted in acknowledgment as he took the orange wedge, his expression still grumpy. However, he leaned into his father's side, accepting the affection, even if he would never admit he enjoyed it. Mihawk chuckled quietly at the sight, well aware that no matter how much Zoro tried to act all tough and alpha-like, he was still a child at heart.
Hawk, meanwhile, devoured the fruit that Shanks gave him, his tiny chubby cheeks stuffed with it.
“Hawk, mind your manners,” Mihawk gently reprimanded his youngest. Hawk stared at his mother with his large golden eyes, shoving more fruit in his mouth as Shanks laughed.
Zoro chuckled as well, his bad mood lifted a bit by his younger brother's antics. Hawk didn’t seem to care about Mihawk's scolding, his attention fixated on the food, and he giggled around a mouthful of fruit, little bits of it falling out of his mouth.
Shanks couldn't help but laugh, his chest feeling light at the playful scene. He gently wiped some of the fruit off of Hawk's face, the little pup grabbing onto his father's fingers and babbling happily.
“Gimme some of the strawberries,” Perona mumbled as she sat up, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Uta was still curled against her older sister, worn out from her stressful night.
Mihawk chuckled at Perona's demand, but he still passed her the strawberries. The omega's appetite for sweets was always a force to be reckoned with, and her heats only made it stronger. She happily started eating the fruit, popping one of the strawberries into her mouth.
Uta opened her eyes, blinking tiredly. She still wasn't feeling great, the pain of her cramps had lessened some with the meds, but she was still miserable.
“Mama… is it gonna suck this much for every heat?” Uta whined as she sat up. Hawk crawled over to her instantly, attempting to shove some half-chewed fruit into his sister’s mouth.
Mihawk chuckled at Hawk's antics, gently scooping the toddler into his lap and taking the fruit out of his tiny hands. He then turned his attention to Uta and her question.
The omega's heart clenched a little at the question. He knew that Uta was in for many uncomfortable heats to come, but he wanted to make them as bearable for her as possible.
"It'll get easier," Mihawk's voice was soft, "Your body will get used to it and they won't be as painful as the first. "
“It had better,” Uta huffed. Shanks smiled sympathetically, happy that Uta was feeling well enough to act more like her usual self.
Shanks chuckled at her snarky response, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. It was good to see Uta back to normal, even if she was still uncomfortable. He reached over to ruffle her hair, a gesture that always earned him an annoyed huff from the young omega.
Mihawk couldn’t help but smile at the interaction, his heart feeling warm. His omega instincts were soothed by the fact that all of his children were safe and together in the nest.
Zoro watched quietly, a small smile on his face. He was usually quiet, but seeing his sister back to her normal self was a relief.
Hawk, who was still sitting in Mihawk's lap, reached out of Uta, his tiny hands grasping onto the air as he babbled, obviously wanting to be held by his older sister.
“Aww Hawky,” Uta crooned, pulling her baby brother into her lap. As the youngest pup, Hawk was absolutely spoiled rotten by his older siblings. Even the normally stoic Zoro was always happy to indulge his baby brother in play. Hawk had been a complete surprise to his parents, Mihawk had always been told he wouldn’t have pups; Perona, Uta, and Zoro were all adopted. Shanks had been worried that his elder children wouldn’t take well to a sibling 10 years younger than them, but the way all his older children had instantly loved Hawk made Shanks's alpha instincts hum with pride.
Mihawk watched as Uta cooed over Hawk, a warm smile on his face. The sight of the two siblings together was heartwarming, and Mihawk couldn't help the rush of love he had for them.
Hawk immediately snuggled into Uta's arms; his tiny face pressed into her chest. He babbled happily, clearly enjoying the attention he was getting from his older sister.
Perona let out a melodramatic groan, throwing her arm over her forehead. "It's not fair that he is that cute," she grumbled.
Shanks would tend to agree, Hawk had his tan skin and freckles, but the rest of the toddler was all Mihawk. Hawk’s white hair was a carry over from Mihawks own father. Perona gently pinched at Hawk’s cheek, giggling with Perona. Shanks offered Mihawk some mango he had cut, Shanks's alpha instincts flaring happily as Mihawk simply took the fruit from the alpha’s hand with his mouth. Mihawk leaned against his mate, the omega’s heat hormones of honey and whiskey seeping into Shanks's nostrils.
Mihawk took the mango from Shanks, his lips barely brushing against the alpha's fingers as he did so. The simple gesture sent a thrill through the omega's veins, his heat hormones making him more receptive to Shanks's touch.
Hawk squealed in protest as Perona pinched his cheek, reaching up to swat at her, a pout settling on the toddler's face. Uta chuckled at Hawk's reaction, gently smacking her sister on the arm.
Perona stuck out her tongue at Utа in response, a teasing glint in her eye.
Shanks's alpha instincts went into overdrive as Mihawk took the mango from his hand, a jolt of satisfied energy thrumming through his body. He wrapped an arm around Mihawk’s shoulders, pulled the omega’s body against his own, and buried his face into Mihawk's hair, breathing in his scent deeply. Mihawk's heat scent was making his alpha instincts go haywire, and he had to fight the urge to bury his face in the omega's neck and mark the smooth skin with love bites.
Zoro gave a fake gag, his nose wrinkling at the sight of his parents' PDA. "You two are gross," he grumbled, his face twisted into a grimace.
Mihawk chuckled at Zoro's reaction, not bothering to pull away from Shanks's hold. He was too comfortable in his mate's embrace to care about their son's disgust.
”You'll understand when you're older,” Mihawk teased, his voice slightly muffled by Shanks's shirt.
Uta and Perona laughed at Zoro's expression, both finding humor in their brother's discomfort. Hawk babbled happily, not understanding the conversation but picking up on the playful atmosphere.
"Yeah right like I'll ever have a mate like that," Zoro retorted, his voice dripping with skepticism
Perona rolled her eyes at her brother's words. "You say that now, but I bet you'll be a complete simp when you meet the right person." Shanks couldn’t help but chuckle at Perona's words, knowing all too well how accurate they were.
Hawk let out a high-pitched giggle, his little face lit up with joy as he watched his siblings banter.
"Not gonna happen," Zoro retorted, trying to maintain a serious expression but failing as a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. The idea of being all sappy and romantic was still a little repulsive to him, but the part of him that was an alpha was quietly preening at the thought of finding his mate.
Shanks ruffled Zoro's hair, amused by his son's denial. "You never know, kiddo. Love has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it."
“Hell, the first time I met your mom he kicked my ass in a bar fight!” Shanks laughed, his eyes glazing over slightly at the fond memory. Mihawk was a professional martial artist, and the omega’s strength was one of the things Shanks loved most about his husband.
Zoro and the girls chuckled at Shanks's nostalgic tone. They had all heard the story before, but it never failed to amuse them.
Uta leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "And then what happened?" she asked, despite already knowing the answer.
Mihawk rolled his eyes, a small smile on his face as he remembered that fateful meeting.
“After I had beaten him, he hopped right back up and begged to let him buy me drink.” Mihawk rolled his eyes, but the effect was slightly lost by the way he nuzzled closer to Shanks's shoulder.
Shanks's arm tightened around Mihawk's waist, pulling the omega closer to him. A proud smirk tugged at the corners of the alpha's lips at the memory.
"I knew I had to win him over somehow," he said, his voice filled with fondness.
Perona and Uta chuckled, both of them secretly loving their parents' love story. Zoro gagged again, his facial expression exaggerated in mock disgust.
"You're gonna give yourself wrinkles if you keep doing that," Mihawk teased, reaching out to pinch Zoro's cheek in an affectionate gesture.
Zoro made a grumpy sound, swatting at Mihawk's hand. "Stop it," he mumbled, his face betraying a slight hint of embarrassment.
Hawk giggled at Zoro's reaction, reaching out to his older brother with pudgy arms. "Zowo!" the toddler babbled, wanting the teen to pay attention to him
Zoro’s grumpy act broke as he smiled at his brother, holding out his and letting the toddler tug at his fingers.
Hawk babbled happily as he grabbed onto Zoro's fingers, his little hands holding tightly to his older brother.
Perona and Uta both "awwed" at the sight, their hearts melting at the cute display. Mihawk chuckled at the scene, his omega instincts purring with satisfaction at seeing his children so happy and close.
Shanks also smiled lovingly down at the two brothers, his arm still wrapped around Mihawk's waist.
Shanks shifted, pulling Mihawk closer against his side. The alpha's alpha instincts were still in overdrive due to Mihawk's heat hormones, and he had to remind himself to keep his hands to himself in front of the children.
Hawk was still playing with Zoro's hands, the toddler giggling happily as he tugged on his brother's fingers.
Perona and Uta were chatting amongst themselves, occasionally throwing teases in Zoro's direction, which made the teen scowl at them.
"You two are asking for a fight," Zoro threatened, his voice gruff as he glared at Perona and Uta. The girls just giggled in response, completely unphased by the teen's threats.
Hawk reached up to Zoro again, his tiny hands grabbing at his brother's shirt sleeve. "Zowo!" he babbled, his little face lit up with a smile.
Shanks chuckled at the sight, his alpha instincts still humming happily at the sight of his family together.
The day past sickeningly domestically. Mihawk, Perona, and Uta spent most of the day sleeping, their heats making them tired. Hawk alternated between curling up with his mom and sisters and playing with Zoro. Zoro’s instincts told him to protect his omega family members, but Shanks kept reassuring him that they were safe and that it wasn’t Zoro’s responsibility regardless. Shanks watched over his mate and daughters, bringing them food and medicine as needed. It was luckily a weekend, so none of them had anywhere they needed to be.
After dinner, Shanks and Zoro re-joined the others in the nest. Shanks curled up against Mihawk’s back. Mihawk Held Uta to his chest, Perona cuddled close to her sister. Zoro lay on Perona’s other side, and Hawk lay across his sisters, with his head pressed to Zoro’s chest.
Mihawk purred deep in his chest, a sound only omegas could make. It was meant to comfort pack members or pups. Perona joined with a, albeit quieter, purr of her own. Uta’s barely there purring of her own joining.
Shanks's alpha instincts hummed at the sound of Mihawk and his daughters purring. He pulled the omega closer to his chest, his arm holding the dark-haired man close.
Zoro, who was lying next to Perona, let out a small sigh as the purring filled the air. Despite his normally grumpy demeanor, he found the sound of the omega's purring to be soothing, and it helped to calm his alpha instincts.
Hawk was snuggled up between Zoro and the girls, his tiny body completely relaxed as he slept peacefully.
The purring continued to fill the air, and the room was filled with a sense of cozy comfort. Shanks's arms tightened around Mihawk, his nose buried into the omega's hair as he breathed in his mate's scent.
Perona and Uta had both dozed off, their purring petering off as they fell into a slumber. Even Zoro's eyes were starting to flutter closed, his body relaxing as the purring of the omegas surrounding him soothed his alpha instincts.
Shanks could feel his own eyelids growing heavy as the purring filled his ears. The alpha's instincts were content, and his muscles were relaxed as he held Mihawk in his arms.
Mihawk could feel Shanks's breath on the back of his neck, the warm puffs of air sending a shiver down the omega's spine. The omega's instincts were also soothed, and he happily cuddled against his mate, feeling safe and loved.
The room was quiet except for the sound of soft breathing and the occasional faint purr that still came from Perona. Hawk was sleeping peacefully, his soft snores muffled by Zoro's chest.
Shanks's eyes were closed, his body completely relaxed as he held Mihawk close. The alpha's arms were tight around his mate, as if even in his sleep he was still trying to keep Mihawk safe. Shanks's arm was thrown protectively over Mihawk, the mates cuddled close. The family slept soundly, a feeling of love and safety surrounding them.