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The races were always a big deal in the pack but Taro didn’t really care about them unless his Appa was racing (which was usually). There were many races to not like the races, the track was super loud, it was always busy, he needed to keep an eye on both Buddy and Martin because there were a lot of things that could hurt tinier pups (there was also the ever present threat that something could happen to Appa on the track but Taro tried not to think about that).
The races also had good things too. Especially when Appa raced and he and Buddy could cheer from the sidelines in their matching X-Hunter shirts. Appa’s name was on the back, something the other racers in the pack whined about, but they were there for Appa only.
It was a special race this week, Uncle North and Uncle Dean accompanying Appa on the track. Taro liked cheering from his spot when Appa went rocketing by. Uncle Sonic was practically vibrating as he filmed everything that happened, probably in part because he got to film his mate and because it was hard not to get excited. Winner was also there, Taro still didn’t know what to think of him. He tended to stay to the side of the pack unless Uncle Dean was around and he didn’t appear as mean as he used to be, but Taro still remembered the way that Grandpa would turn to Winner with tasks. Tasks that often led to Daddy being hurt or punished. Today Winner was also wearing his X-Hunter shirt as he watched the race, cheering along when Dean’s car went by.
“P’ Kenta, can you come here for a second so I can get some shots,” Uncle Sonic begged.
Dad looked down at him, he was really strict about both him and Buddy not appearing on team social media. They’d compromised a few times with edited photos that didn’t have their faces on it, but generally taro was fine not being hounded by his chaotic uncles.
“I’m going to stand by the wall.” Taro helpfully said, missing the way his dad’s face twitched.
“The kid will be fine,” he heard Uncle Sonic say, “there’s like a million of us watching the pups today. It’ll only take a couple minutes.”
Unfortunately as soon as Dad had walked away Taro realised he had to go to the washroom. He didn’t want to disturb Dad when he’d already promised that he’d be fine, but he doesn’t think he can wait too long.
Looking around the garage the only person not busy with one of the hundred things that seemed to happen during race day was Uncle Way, who was keeping a close eye on Martin and Buddy.
He tugged on Uncle Way’s sleeve, making the enigma blink when he turned his attention. “Taro?”
“I need to go to the washroom. Can you tell Daddy if he’s looking for me?”
Uncle Way frowned, “You shouldn’t go alone.” The washrooms were just down the hall and Taro could probably be there and back before anyone noticed but Appa had made him promise a million times that he wouldn’t just go anywhere without telling at least one person from the pack.
“I’ll be fine.” He was eleven which was plenty old enough.
“It’s not that…” Sometimes Uncle Way reminded Taro of Dad. It was always fleeting but always there. He wondered if it was because of Grandpa.
“Kid can come with me to the washroom.” Taro turned to see Winner behind him, “I’m heading there anyway.”
Uncle Way narrowed his eyes, “You can’t be serious.”
“Seriously,” Winner huffed, “the kid needs to pee, I’m going to the washroom anyway. What’s the big deal?”
“You want me to entrust one of the pups to you?”
Winner scoffed, “Apparently no offence taken. If I wanted to do anything do you think I’d do it to the pup of the guy who would disembowel me. Not to mention Kim would run me over with hesitation.”
“That was a big word for you.”
“Okay screw this!” Winner threw his hands in the air, before turning to Taro, “I’m going to the washroom, you can either come with or wait for Kenta.”
Taro didn’t want to go with Winner but he did really need to pee and he still wasn’t sure how long Daddy was going to be. Sighing he decided to just follow Winner, Uncle Way knew where he was and the washroom wasn’t that far. If something were to happen, everyone would be able to hear him.
He’s quick in the washroom as Winner grumbled the whole time, but he did wait as Taro washed his hands.
Just as they turned to head back a voice made Winner stop with his hand on the door.
“...or the beta. Seriously at least the omega is mated so we know how he got his spot. That beta must have been a good lay in order to get his spot.”
There’s a deep laugh that made Taro shrink away, “Have you seen his lips? They’d look good stretched wide. I’m telling you there’s no way he doesn’t get absolutely rail-”
Taro doesn’t even register Winner moving, only the bang of the washroom door as he shoved it open. There’s a shout and then Taro is pushing out the door to see Winner has someone wearing one of the opposing teams’ colours shoved up against the wall.
Both the guy Winner pinned and the other one have their hands up, eyes wide.
“Don’t you fucking talk about Dean like that.” He snarled.
The guy pinned went from surprised to something like a mean-angry, “What’s it to you, anyone can see that guy doesn’t have any talent and has to be sleep-”
Winner punched him in the face. Blood burst from the guy’s nose, a red river running down his face. Taro shoved himself against the wall, not knowing what to do as a fight was clearly gearing up. He didn’t want to fight, Daddy and Appa had both promised he didn’t need to fight anymore.
“Hey,” Uncle Way came rushing down the hall, “what’s going on!”
“Your fucking pack mate punched me!” The guy shouted pointing at Winner. He must have noticed all of them wearing their matching X-Hunter shirts.
“Yeah,” the other guy quickly agreed, “he just came out of nowhere. Fucking assaulted him, is this how your pack operates?”
Uncle Way turned a suspicious look to Winner and Winner…didn’t protest what the men said.
Taro waited another second and when all Winner did was twitch, anticipating…something (a hit, scolding, another form of attack) Taro spoke up, “They were saying something about Uncle Dean.” All eyes turned to him, and he attempted to remain calm even though he wanted to run and find his parents. “Something about his lips.” he lamely finished, not totally understanding what had been implied.
Uncle Way cut his gaze to Winner, who was steadfast not looking at anyone but his peppery scent smelled sour even to Taro. “Both of them?” he asked.
Winner looked uncertain, but nodded, his jaw tight.
In a flash Uncle Way grabbed both men by their shoulders, “You’re going to leave and forget about this whole interaction.” Both men went limp, eyes clouding over, “and you won’t talk about X-Hunter like that again.” He let them go. The fog didn’t clear but both men did walk away without complaint. Taro knew that Uncle’s Way power had been useful for Grandpa but he’d never seen it in action. Uncle Way wiped at his nose and then rubbed his jeans, a red ring around his nostril.
Uncle Way huffed, “Come on, before we’re missed.” He scrunched his nose when he got near Winner, “clear your scent or else you’ll upset Dean.”
Winner rolled his eyes but turned back to the washroom. Throughout it all Taro just stood there, unsure of what just happened. Only when Uncle Way started walking back did he jolt back to his body, racing after him.
They slide back in just as the announcer shouted, “Minsu Kim takes first!”
Cheers erupt through the garage. Buddy came running up to him.
“Appa won!” Buddy shouted, grabbing onto Taro’s arm as he jumped up and down in excitement. Taro can’t stop his own excitement, seeing Daddy as they cheered. Daddy doesn’t shout at the races, but he is smiling and it makes Taro really happy to see because Daddy never used to look happy when Grandpa was around.
“Appa won!’ He cheered running over to Daddy, pulling Buddy with him because there are still a lot of dangerous things.
“Yes, he did.” Daddy pulled him close, pressing a kiss to his crown, “you’ll need to congratulate him once he comes out.”
Taro rolled his eyes, of course they’d congratulate him. And then they’d go out for a celebratory dinner. Apparently the pack used to do other stuff after successful races but no one will tell Taro exactly what, Uncle Alan told him they prefer their new tradition anyway.
As the racers came up, Taro spotted Winner creep back in. He’s sticking to the edges of the garage as everyone cheers. He couldn't think on it long as Appa came into view. His face is flushed with exertion with a huge smile.
“Appa!” Buddy darted between the bodies to get scooped up by Appa.
“Buddy!” Appa looked around, “Where’s Kenta and Taro?”
“We’re here,” Taro followed Dad over. Once in range he can’t help it, “Appa won!” he cheered though nowhere near as loud as the rest of the pack was being.
“Yes I did!” He grabbed Taro into a crushing hug, “and it was all thanks to my good luck charms.”
Buddy laughed, “We’re people not charms.”
“Yes,” Appa pecked Buddy on the cheek, “but you can still be my good luck charm.”
“Appa silly.”
“Only for you three.”
Around them the pack is cheering for each other, laughs and cheers hitting the cement and echoing back. Taro doesn’t mind too much since he’s squished between his parents. As he looked around he spotted Winner again. He’s not with Uncle Dean, still clinging to the wall, as he watched. It takes a moment but Taro recognized the expression on Winner’s face.
Scared.
Winner looked scared, and for the life of him Taro couldn’t figure out why.
***
Dinner celebrations were starting to wind down, they’d opted for a familiar restaurant to give Alan the relief of not having to cook after such a busy day, and that the pups were comfortable with. It did mean that the entire pack ended up smushed together in the back, though Kim preferred it over going out to the bar. Sometimes he missed his early career where he could go out at all hours, but nothing could top a warm bed filled with his mate and pups. He couldn't stop that smile as Buddy had already passed out in Kenta’s arms and Taro was beginning to nod off.
He nudged Taro into Kenta's side. “I’ll be right back,” he whispered to his mate, “washroom.”
Kenta nodded, turning back to whatever he and Pete were talking about. Beside Pete, Way was starting to drop off with Martin in his arms. Kim suspected they’d be the first to call it for the night, but it always became a challenge to see who could last the longest, all of them stupidly stubborn. Even with pups passed out in their laps.
“Hey,” Dean grabbed his arm as he made his way past, “could you just check to see if Win is out there, he’s been gone kind of long.”
Kim did not like talking to his former team member turned pseudo pack mate, but he liked Dean well enough that he nodded. He didn’t know how long Winner had been missing from the table but all Dean had asked was basically to make sure Winner was still breathing, he didn’t need to actually interact with him.
Winner wasn’t in the washroom but when Kim left he noticed that the back door to the restaurant was open and a suspicious scent of pepper was hanging in the air. Sighing, he pushed the door open.
Winner jumped, looking caught even though he was just standing there staring into the parking lot.
Kim frowned, “Dean’s looking for you.”
“Oh,” Winner turned back to his staring, “I’ll be back in a second.”
Kim should have just nodded and turned away, but that wasn’t really him. He let the door swing shut as he stepped outside. “What are you doing out here? Don’t you want to celebrate with Dean?”
Winner waved vaguely at his neck in the way that symbolized scent problems. Outside he could smell that sourness to it that Kim had thought was just a part of the beta’s scent. It hadn’t been till after Tony that Kim learned Winner’s scent was actually more of a cracked pepper scent that complimented Dean’s well. He didn’t know what to think about why Winner used to always smell sour.
Kim crossed his arms, “Upset that Dean got fourth?” North had got fifth but it had still been an intensely tight race.
“No, he did good.” he absently replied.
Kim raised a brow, “Okay…then what’s going on?”
Winner scoffed, “Don’t pretend like you care.”
“I’m not.”
“Right I forgot, you just don’t know how to stay out of other people’s business.”
Fair, but if Kim had stayed in his lane he’d never have got Kenta or the pups. In his defense not staying in his lane actually yielded better results.
Winner tried again, “It’s nothing. You can go back inside.”
Kim wasn’t inclined to believe that because Winner had just been standing there. He knew the beta wasn’t inclined for stillness, he was made of excess energy that needed to be used up. He’d seen Winner still once since he’d joined the pack and he’d smelled so strongly of Dean that he'd almost felt concerned.
Kim raked his brain trying to figure out the issue, “Did something happen at the race?”
Winner flinched and that confused the hell out of Kim. Everything had been fine at the race. If anything had happened someone would have told him. Weirder the only person that made Winner show any emotions was Dean and Dean had been on the track with him. Unless they had fought on the way to the restaurant, but Dean hadn't seemed upset-
“Did your kid say something?”
Kim could feel his mind skip, “Taro?” It had to be Taro because Buddy would have told them immediately if something had happened. “What happened with Taro?” Winner turned away and Kim was not having that, he grabbed Winner’s jacket, “What the hell happened?”
“Nothing!” Winner knocked him off, “The kid’s fine, he just-”
“Just what?”
“It's nothing.”
Kim desperately tried to get a hold of his anger, “Winner I swear if something happened to my kid and you're not telling me-”
“He overheard some assholes at the race talking trash.” Winner deflated as soon as the words left his mouth, slumping against the wall, “they were saying things about Dean.”
“Saying what?” Knowing Winner it could be as something simple as mentioning what place Dean had got, Winner wasn’t the most level headed person.
“It was-” Winner looked down at his hands, fingers twitching against each other, “They weren’t-” He sighed, “They basically said that Dean fucked his way onto the team and he’d look good-” Winner fumbled his hands, “They were just being gross.”
“Wow,” Kim stood there a bit stunned, “this coming from the guy who made Babe bet Charlie on a race.”
Winner’s gaze was sharp as a razor, “Do you think I’d actually make Charlie do anything? Babe was being an ass and I knew it would get under his skin. I would have just thrown him back at Babe after I won. I’m not Singh.”
“Who?”
Winner shook his head, “No one.”
“Well the fact that you even mentioned him tells me he isn't no one.”
“I'm surprised Kenta never mentioned him. He was one of Tony’s guards.”
Kim felt even more confused, “Why would Kenta mention a specific guard?”
“Because Singh was vile as fuck, he was,” Winner searched for the words, “He saw this picture of Dean-”
“Your home screen?”
Winner blushed, Winner had his lock screen just a black screen but Kim had seen the photo. It had been taken in some kind of club, Dean mid laugh with his head thrown back, the light bouncing off of sweat. Clearly Winner liked that picture, though Kim didn’t know why he didn’t just put it as his home screen. Kim’s was a picture of Kenta and the pups in matching X-Hunter shirts, and he knew Kenta had one of him asleep with both pups cuddled up on him. Hell most of the pack had their mates as their home-screens.
“Yeah, that picture.” Winner rubbed his hands against his pants, “He saw that and started making comments about Dean.”
“Like?” Kim didn't know why he was prying now, but he'd already dug himself in.
“Dean should try being with a proper alpha, that he needed something real to properly pleasure him.” Winner turned his gaze on him, “that he’d happily drag Dean into his room to show him what real alpha tastes like.”
“Holy shit.” Kim felt a bit sick, “what the fuck?”
“Singh was like that. Every omega in the area he’d make passes at. It didn’t matter to him what they thought of it. He’d grab at them, stand over them while they worked, he used to say-” Now Winner looked ill, “he said when they struggled it made it better.” Winner leaned forward like he was preparing to throw up, “Dean and I can get rough in bed, but I’d never- Fuck I never forced him.” Hysteria was bleeding into Winner’s voice, “And Singh he fucking believed that shit about dynamics and he wouldn’t leave me alone and wanted to meet Dean and I knew that if he did he’d do something and I wouldn’t-”
“Hey, hey, Winner breath. Take a deep breath.” Kim had never seen the beta like this; beyond panicked and total loss of composure. “Winner, he's not here. He’s not going to touch Dean.”
“He’s dead.” Winner took a sucking breath, “during the escape I killed him after he insulted Dean again.”
Kim didn’t want to send Winner into another spiral but he needed to know, “Singh, did he do anything to Kenta?”
Winner shrugged, “Do anything? Probably not. Say things, definitely. Singh and the other guards, they had no filter. I’m sure the kids heard things.”
“Fuck,” Kim slumped onto the wall beside Winner, “just when I thought Tony couldn’t get worse.”
Winner gave a pathetic chuckle, “Yeah, I didn’t pick that one well.”
“No you really didn’t,” he glanced over, “but you did get Dean in the end.”
Winner smiled and it was painfully soft in a way Kim hadn’t known Winner was capable of. But he was because even someone as arrogant as Winner still had a heart and clearly had his own morals. “Yeah I did.” He let his head knock backwards, “please don’t tell Dean any of this, okay? He knows part of it but I tried to keep the worst from him.”
Dean was not stupid, Kim wouldn’t put it past the beta to know what had been said. But he understands where Winner was coming from, so he silently nodded his head. They stood there in mutual silence, Winner’s scent finally starting to mellow out (as much as it could), when the back door opened to reveal Alan.
“There you two are, what are you doing out here? We were getting worried.”
“And by two you mean Kim.” joked Winner.
“No I meant two,” Alan clarified, “as in the both of you. Way and Pete are about to head out, get back in here.”
Kim didn’t miss the way that Winner went slack jawed. He wasn’t sure why the other looked like that, they all knew Alan had flipped when Pete had offhandedly mentioned not being officially a part of the pack. Winner was with Dean, therefore Winner was pack, end of the story, no debates allowed.
He nudged Winner, forcing him into action. A red tinge coloured the top of Winner's cheeks, almost cute if it wasn't Winner. Kim wondered when the last time he'd been the member of a pack. Sure as hell wasn't when he was with Red Racing or Tony. This was probably just as new to Winner as it was to all the other new additions.
He didn't comment, simply followed Alan back into the restaurant.
It wasn't just Pete and Way heading out, it looked like everyone was ready to pack it in. Martin was completely zonked out on Way’s shoulder, gripping on for dear life as if Way were about to disappear. Babe was also standing with his jacket on, clearly ready to head out.
Kim slipped around the pack to his little family unit, Buddy was down for the count. The four year old had too much excitement for his little system and had found comfort in his father's shoulder. Taro was slumped into Kenta's side, somehow also passed out. Kim knew Taro would have fought to stay awake but with the whole pack around, their scents and sounds masquerading the unfamiliar environment, he'd eventually fallen asleep.
“Here,” he made a move to pick up Taro, “I think it's time for us to head out.” Kenta gave a grateful nod, no matter how much his mate acclimated to the pack, he was still just Kenta.
As Kim situated Taro in his hold, having to soothe the pup back down, Winner slipped into the room.
From his spot he could hear Dean when Winner joined him, “There you are, I was getting worried. Everything okay?”
Winner shrugged, “Yeah, just needed a smoke.”
That was a bold face lie, especially considering Winner didn't even smell like smoke. Dean made a face, but Kim could see that he didn't actually believe Winner. He also didn't mention the possessive arm thrown around Dean's shoulders as they all packed up.
After saying their goodbyes, he and Kenta crossed the parking lot. Even though they were going the same way as Alan and Jeff, Kim preferred to drive there on their own.
Buddy mumbled something in his sleep, Kenta soothing the pup down with practiced ease.
“Kenta?” Kenta looked over, “when you were still under Tony did-” He cut himself off, torn between wanting to know and wanting to let sleeping dogs lie. But Kenta was looking at him and Kim knew he wouldn't be able to hold it in forever, “The other guards, did they ever do anything to you or the pups?”
Kenta stiffened his hold on Buddy, tightening enough that it upset the pup even in sleep. He's quick to loosen and they both wait to see if Buddy will wake up, but he doesn't.
“Why do you ask?”
“Winner,” he truthfully replied, “he said a lot of the guards could…” he struggled for the right word.
Kenta sighed, clearly knowing where this conversation was going, “They said things, would threaten to do things, but I was still Tony's property. They wouldn't risk their career over something like that.”
Kim closed his eyes against the pain of that statement. That for once something about Tony actually helped Kenta but only because Kenta was his property, and not because Kenta was a living person. He couldn't help but wonder if Tony would have even done something if one of those guards had tried something, or would he have seen it as some form of punishment.
“Kim,” he opened his eyes when Kenta's fingers cupped his jaw, “I'm okay, I know,” he paused, taking that breath he'd sometimes take before having to say hard things, “I know they can't get me anymore. I know my pups are safe and they won't be raised in that environment.” He traced a thumb over Kim's cheekbone, “and I have you.”
Kim had just said something similar to Winner not even fifteen minutes ago, but it was true. No matter the horrors they went through, it had led them to each other. Keeping hold of Taro, he leaned in for a quick kiss, surprising his mate.
“Promise you're okay?”
Kenta's smile was sweet, “I promise, I honestly don't even think about what they said all that much.”
“Okay,” Kim took a relieved breath, “that's good.”
Maybe Kenta was hiding the worst of it from him, but he chose to believe his mate. His life under Tony had been horrible, this didn't really change that fact, but it did make Kim more committed to making sure both Kenta and the boys never experienced anything like that ever again.
A task he took on with open arms.