Chapter Text
Kento felt the exact moment Sukuna fell. He had been watching from the window as the intruders stormed the castle. When Sukuna fell, something in Kento sang - relief maybe, despair probably, fear definitely. One thing was for sure, Kento felt their bond break. The shackle at his neck snapped and Kento sagged forward in relief. He was free. Already, the bite was healing.
Kento recognized the alpha who had slain Sukuna. Satoru Gojo, the most powerful alpha alive. The fear rumbled under his skin. This alpha wasn’t known for his mercy. He rushed to Yuuji’s crib and hurriedly grabbed his pup. His body protested in pain, but he ignored it.
Yuuji stayed asleep and Kento sighed in relief, for once hoping Yuuji wouldn’t make noise. He made a run for it to Choso’s room as he heard the front door be busted down. He saw the servants running around in a panic too. He felt a pang in his chest, but he couldn't do anything about them.
His heart stopped when he couldn’t find Choso anywhere in his room. He had been sent to his room immediately once they saw the Gojo Clan approaching their land. Sukuna had gone out to fight along with whatever men he had on hand. Kento was to wait for him to come back.
Don’t tell him Choso went out to play in these conditions. It wasn’t like him to disobey his father - he knew better. They both did. “Choso,” he whispered. He could hear running outside of the bedroom. He knew it was only a matter of time before they were found, but Kento didn’t care. He wanted one last happy moment with his children. “Choso, please come out. Mama is worried.” Faint shuffling was heard before his little alpha was climbing out from under his bed. Kento’s body sagged in relief.
“Mama,” a soft voice whispered.
Kento tried to keep the worry off his face. Choso was already scared. He didn’t need to know Kento was scared too. “Yes, sweetheart, come here. We’re going to play hide-and-seek.”
Choso perked up instantly. “Hide-and-seek,” he asked louder than Kento would have liked. He made sure the grimace didn’t show on his face, though. Hopefully the commotion outside masked it. “Shh, sweetheart. Remember, we don’t want to get found.”
Choso nodded, smiling. Kento smiled back. “Good, come here.” The pup ran to him. He hurriedly led them to Choso’s closet. It would have to be enough. He moved clothes around and made a little circle for them to hide in. He hoped the clothes would be enough to hide them. Choso’s pup scent would need to be enough to hide them. Choso crouched down and Kento made sure his body hid his pup’s for when the invaders did find them.
Because they would. Deep down, he knew they would.
He placed Yuuji in a makeshift cradle made of Choso’s clothes. Choso always looked in awe of Yuuji. He was a good big brother. His youngest pup stayed asleep. Kento tried to rein in his scent. He didn’t want it to overpower Choso’s. On the bright side, Kento was still breastfeeding, so he mostly smelled of milk, too, perfectly blending in with a pup’s scent. He could hear grunts and groans and screams of pain outside. Who knew how many of the servants were dead.
Kento felt bad. They were also victims of Sukuna. They couldn’t have helped him, even if they had wanted to. Crouching now, Kento felt the pain flair up between his legs and lower back. He moved to get more comfortable, but it didn’t help. He let out a low hiss. “Mama, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, darling. I promise,” Kento lied.
Sukuna was never gentle. His body was a testament to that. Last night was no different. It had actually been worse. It felt like Sukuna had done his utmost best to cause the most amount of damage and pain. Maybe he knew deep down it would be the last time he would ever get to hurt Kento.
The fighting outside began to quiet down. Kento didn’t need to be psychic to know who won. He could only hope the Gojo alpha killed him first so he wouldn’t have to see his children’s dead bodies. He could hear the slamming of opening and closing doors. He felt Choso flinch behind him. He placed a comforting hand on his back. “It’s okay. We just have to stay quiet.” Yuuji miraculously stayed asleep. Probably not that much of a surprise since he had to learn to sleep through Sukuna’s shouting and Kento’s noises of pain.
After what felt like forever, all of the noises stopped. No more shouted commands, no more slamming of doors, no more furniture breaking. Kento felt his body begin to relax. Then Choso’s bedroom door opened.
A voice he’d never heard spoke, “A pup’s room?”
Another voice, “Looks like it.” Footsteps. “Let’s go. There’s no one here.”
“Where is Sukuna’s omega? And his pups? No one else can find them, and none of the servants said anything.” Kento’s heart beat rapidly in his chest. The servants didn’t rat him out. Oh, god. He hoped they were all okay.
“Maybe they made a run for it,” clothes rustling, drawers being opened, things being thrown around. Kento’s heart broke for Choso. This was his room. Those were his things.
“With a newborn?”
“Omegas are known to do whatever they can to protect their pups. Now, let’s go for real. There’s noth -” Whoever was talking cut himself off. Kento smelled him before his men acknowledged him. Ozone filled every crevice of this room. Choso covered his nose and mouth. Wide, scared eyes stared up at Kento. He willed himself to stay calm. “Head Alpha.” Fear, respect, intimidation. Even Gojo’s men were scared of him.
“There’s no one here, Head Alpha,” the other one spoke up, subdued, scared, nervous.
“Oh, but there is,” an entirely too jolly voice said. Kento’s blood ran cold. He heard footsteps. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. Head Alpha Gojo was looking for them. Kento saw the shadows of shoes form under the crack of the door. The door opened slowly. Blood rushed through Kento’s ears. Piercing blue eyes cut through the darkness. It was as though those eyes could actually see through the dark. As though those eyes were already looking at him.
“What do we have here,” his voice sang. Behind Kento, Choso let out a whimper. Kento’s heart stopped. “Sukuna’s omega and pups,” he beamed, maniacal. He didn’t look away from their spot. “Grab them.” Gojo’s men rushed forward, knocking down the small clothes fort, grabbing Kento and Choso.
“Mama,” Choso’s voice shouted out in fear, reaching out for him from the arms of the man holding him.
Kento wanted to cry. “Choso, Choso, stay calm,” he struggled to get to his pup as the other alpha held him back. “This-This is part of the game.”
“Mama,” Choso sniffled. Kento’s heart broke. When he turned to look around, Head Alpha Gojo himself was holding Yuuji. Kento’s heart lodged in his throat. Time froze. Kento couldn’t get his mouth or body to move. He wanted to scream, to cry, to beg, to die. The alpha was crooning at his pup before he finally met Kento’s eyes. He smiled at him - a predator meeting his prey. He stepped forward. Kento was held still.
Head Alpha Gojo didn’t stop until he was right in front of Kento. Kento didn’t look at him, though. He kept his eyes on Yuuji. Yuuji was awake and smiling. Kento’s breath stuttered. He tried to stay calm for his pup. Easier said than done when he felt the alpha lean forward into his scent gland. The one that was still healing, the place where only your alpha could go, the place where Kento’s scent was the strongest. Kento heard him take a deep inhale and his pulse stuttered.
The alpha pulled back and beamed at Kento, the wild look in his bright - inhumanely bright, impossibly blue, unnatural, unnerving - eyes gone. “Yes, you’ll do nicely.” He didn’t have a chance to even think about what that meant because suddenly everything went dark.
He sat up in bed, panting. He looked around. This wasn’t his home. Where were his pups? He shoved the covers off, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He stood and promptly collapsed. The damage Sukuna had done to his body caught up to him. Any other day, he would have been on bed rest to heal. That hadn’t happened because he had been running on adrenaline trying to keep his pups safe. Where were they?
Kento tried to stand himself up. He used the bed for support. He managed to sit up, but standing still proved to be too difficult. His head snapped up when he heard a door opening. The same fear as before clogged his throat. There he was again. Head Alpha Gojo towering before him. “You’re awake.” In his arms, Yuuji laid happily. Cooing and looking at everything with wide curious eyes.
“Where’s Choso?”
The alpha smiled. “He’s downstairs playing.” Playing? What was this?
Kento couldn’t look away from Yuuji, unaware of the danger he was in. “What do you want?”
“You.”
Kento dropped. Not again. He couldn’t do this again. He didn’t need to be thrown into another prison where an alpha will just use him for his sick pleasure. He could already picture his new hell. The Gojo Clan was notorious for its mistreatment of omegas. Kento would be just another hole to be filled.
“Don’t cry. You’re going to scare the pup,” the alpha said. Kento looked up from his broken form on the ground. He hadn’t even realized he started crying. Yuuji looked close to crying himself and the alpha held him out. Kento took him with shaking arms. He opened his shirt and waited for Yuuji to latch. He jumped when he felt a hand stroke his cheek.
“I’m not going to hurt you.” The snort he let out was involuntary, and Kento immediately moved to apologize, but paused. The alpha was grinning, amused. “Yeah, I wouldn’t trust me either. But I’m not lying.” The alpha stood up at his full height again. “I have a son. Three years old. He needs a mother.”
Kento let the dots click. “You want me to raise him?”
“Yes. You love your sons, surprisingly, knowing the conception. You would be fair to mine.”
Kento wasn’t convinced. “Is that it?”
Gojo’s grinned flat-lined. “No. There is one more thing. You will be my omega. In word only. I will mark you. But I don’t need to fuck you to do that, unless you want me to.”
Kento's lips set into a straight line, “I don’t get a say.”
“Right. Well, I won't fuck you. You will need to sleep next to me, I fear.”
Kento frowned. “Why?”
The alpha sighed and sat down across from him. Yuuji’s soft suckling noises were the only thing heard. “I had an omega. He’s dead now.”
Kento’s eyes widened. He understood now.
Alphas who lost their omegas tended to go crazy - more violent, more reactive, more angry. The only thing that could calm them down would be their omega. Gojo said his was dead. He needed a new one. Kento. That’s why the mark was necessary, and why his scent would be prudent too. “This has to be a trap.”
“It’s not. You will be my omega. I will be a father to your children. You will be a mother to mine. We will share a bed, and nothing more. You will have access to all my resources. You will be more free than you’ve ever been.”
“I want to see Choso first.”
“Very well.” The alpha stood. Kento moved to stand, too. He couldn’t. “I’ll carry you. I had my physician take a look at you. She said Sukuna really did a number on you.” Kento didn’t deny it. But the alpha picked him up in his arms and began to carry him downstairs. He couldn’t relax until he saw his eldest. And he did see him. He was quietly playing with another child. This other child looked about three years old. He had dark black hair, and deep blue eyes. Not as bright as his father’s, but bright nonetheless.
Both pups were playing with blocks, building some kind of house. Choso was smiling softly, handing blocks to the other little boy. Kento’s shoulders unclenched. His sweet little boy. Then his pup noticed him, he put his blocks down and ran to him, “Mama!” Kento turned to look at the alpha, who set him down on unsteady legs, but kept his arms around him to hold him up. Choso hugged Kento’s legs.
“Choso,” he breathed.
“Mama, Gojo-san gave me so much yummy food and let me play with Yuuta. Yuuta shared his toys with me.”
Kento swallowed. “I - see. They - were they nice?” Choso nodded enthusiastically.
He took a breath. Choso was okay. Yuuji was okay. "I'll do it." Although he knew, in his bones, he didn't really have a choice. He didn't look at the alpha next to him. Kento wasn't particularly enthused about this. He didn't want to be with another alpha - in fact, he never wanted to see another alpha again.
"Okay." The alpha didn't sound particularly enthused either. "We'll wait for your mark to heal." Kento nodded. The alpha then carried him to the couch where he could watch the children play and hold Yuuji calmly.
"Yuuta, come here, sweetheart," the alpha spoke again. The toddler - the one Choso had been playing with - toddled to his dad. He lifted his arms, asking to be picked up. The alpha didn't hesitate. It was the first real smile Kento saw on his face.
"Yuuta, this is Kento." Kento didn't recall telling the alpha his name. "He will be your new mother." Yuuta got quiet, but he waved shyly. Kento sent him a smile.
"Hello, there."
"Hi," the little one responded.
"Yuuta," the pup turned to face his dad. "Mama will take care of you while papa is away." Kento's eyes widened. That was a terrible way to drop information on a child. "You're going to have so much fun. Mama is so nice."
The alpha left them alone and Kento was left alone with a pup who didn't even know him. But the pup didn't seem upset.
"Hello," Kento greeted.
The pup stared up at him with dark blue eyes, what a beautiful pup he was, "Hi."
"My name is Kento, but you can call me whatever you'd like."
"Can I call you 'mama'?"
Kento blinked in shock. The alpha wasn't kidding. But Kento couldn't find it in himself to mind. "If you want to, I don't mind."
The pup moved forward and hugged Kento's knee, smiling brightly, "Hi, mama!"
Kento's heart grew in size, "Hello, honey."
On the other end, Satoru was making his way to Yaga's office. He walked in like he always did without knocking because it was Yaga. Yaga knew what he was signing up for when he decided to adopt Satoru.
"Satoru," he greeted without looking up from his knitting. "I'm assuming the Ryomen family is dead."
"His pups and mate are here."
Yaga did put his knitting down. He stared at Satoru, "What?"
Satoru sat opposite him, grinning crookedly, "They're here."
"You're not normally the bleeding heart type."
Satoru snorted, "We both know I'm not."
"So, why spare them?"
Satoru leaned back and sighed, staring at the ceiling, "He smells like Suguru."
A deep inhale, "I see." Satoru hummed. Kento smelled like Suguru. It was what immediately pulled him towards finding the omega. He had smelled it faintly when he entered the Ryomen estate. He was surprised he had even smelled it, the estate had been overrun with Sukuna's rose scent, but Satoru had been so attuned with Suguru's scent once upon a time. He would always recognize it.
"How's your alpha sickness?"
Satoru felt the tension leave his shoulders, "It's been the best it's been since his death."
~
Kento was settling in alright enough. The first week, he had spent asking permission to do basic things, but everyone had yet to tell him no to anything. He had been introduced to the main staff according to the alpha, which consisted of the head of staff Ijichi, Yaga who was Satoru's main advisor, and Wasuke, the main cook who Satoru trusted implicitly. Kento had frozen in shock the first time he had seen the older beta.
He was graying, but he still had so much pink hair, and he looked so much like - like him. Kento had almost burst into tears, but the elder had been understanding. He apologized for whatever he had done and took his leave.
Kento had turned to the alpha in fear, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend him. He just -"
The alpha waved him off, "Don't worry about it. Wasuke understands. So do I. It's not a problem."
Still, Kento felt bad. The beta had done nothing wrong. Kento had gone to the kitchen when all the pups were napping.
"Excuse me," he called softly.
The beta stopped what he was doing, "Head Omega."
Kento shook his head, "Please, call me Kento."
The cook set his knife down, "What can I do for you?"
"I wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day. I didn't mean to offend."
The cook shook his head dismissively, "I was not offended, I assure you."
Kento bowed, "I thank you for understanding."
"No need. If it's preferable to you, I can just stay in the kitchen."
Kento looked horrified, "No, no. Of course not. That won't be necessary. It was just the shock of the moment, I swear."
The beta chuckled, "Alright, then. I look forward to serving you."
Kento bit his lip this time, "Would it be alright if I came and helped you cook some time? I quite enjoyed it when I was a child."
You still are, Wasuke wanted to argue. But Kento hadn't been one in a long time.
"I don't see why not, but maybe you'd have to ask your alpha."
"Of course. Thank you."
Kento took his leave and sighed.
He was still tense around the alpha, but on the bright side, the alpha wasn't around often. He was constantly running around leaving and returning to the estate. Kento was alone more often than not. Which led to now.
"Kento, this is Haibara Yuu. He will be your guard for whenever I am gone."
Kento tried not to grimace. Another alpha to worry about. He must not have done a good job of hiding his displeasure because the alpha was speaking again, "Don't worry," he looked at Kento. "He knows better than to try anything."
Kento nodded. He adjusted Yuuji in his arms. Choso clung to his skirt. Yuuta was being held by the alpha.
"Very well."
"I'll leave you to get acquainted," Satoru said, letting Yuuta down who ran to hide behind Kento, and also grasped onto his skirt. Satoru left and Kento could only watch in shock. Did he really just leave them with a strange alpha without properly introducing them?
"It's nice to meet you," the new alpha spoke.
Kento turned back to face him, right, "It's nice to meet you as well. I'm sorry I can't properly greet you." An omega was always supposed to bow before an alpha, but Kento was surrounded by three pups.
"Oh, goodness. Please don't worry about it." The alpha bowed and Kento blinked in shock. Alphas weren't supposed to bow before omegas. He stood straight once more, "I look forward to working with you."
Kento wasn't sure what to say to that. He wasn't working, the alpha was. "Boys, it's time to introduce ourselves," he decided on instead. His eldest pups just hid further behind him. Kento sighed. "Please forgive them. These two are my eldest sons, Choso and Yuuta. And this little one is Yuuji."
The alpha smiled. "It's alright. I'm a stranger. It's only natural." He crouched down to the pup's level. "Choso, Yuuta, hello. I'm Yuu. I hope we can be friends."
Yuuta came out from behind Kento a little bit, "Friends?"
Haibara nodded, his smile widened, "Yes!"
Yuuta smiled shyly, tucking his face into Kento's skirt before looking up at the omega, for guidance, "Can I, mama?"
Kento smiled at the little pup who attached himself so quickly to him, "If you want to, honey."
He turned back to the alpha, "Let's be friends!"
Yuuta toddled forward and handed Haibara one of his toys.
"Thank you!"
Yuuta beamed. Kento smiled at his sweet pup. Then he looked at his eldest whose grip was tightening on his skirt. Kento knelt down to meet his pup's eyes, "What's wrong, sweetheart?"
The pup was gnawing on his bottom lip and Kento ran a comforting finger on Choso's scar.
"I don't want him to hurt you."
Kento's heart broke. He pulled his pup close, kissing his forehead, "Don't worry, he won't." Kento really had no way of knowing that was true, but he wanted Choso to be a kid. Who knew the horrors he had seen from him. "You can go play with him and Yuuta." Choso still appeared hesitant. Kento stood up again.
"Or you can join me on the couch." Choso nodded at that, smiling softly.
So, that's what they did. For a bit, Kento and Choso sat on the couch while Yuuta played with Haibara. Kento was grateful the other alpha didn't push the issue. Choso was watching longingly as the alpha and Yuuta completed a puzzle.
"You can go play with them if you want, Choso."
Choso looked shocked at being caught. Kento laughed softly, "It's okay. I'll be right here."
Choso hesitated but climbed off the couch and padded over to the pair. Yuuta brightened at seeing his big brother, and Haibara sent him a welcoming smile. Kento watched as his pups began to play. Then Yuuji started fussing. Kento smiled down at his pup, bringing him closer and rubbing their noses together.
Yuuji's little hands moved up and cupped Kento's cheeks clumsily. Kento smiled. Guess it was Yuuji's turn to play as well. He grabbed the quilt off the couch and laid it on the floor off to the side before laying Yuuji down on it. He began to do the baby stretches with Yuuji who started giggling like the happy baby he was.
Satoru knew that the pups and Kento were in the living room relaxing while he was stuck doing paperwork. He ran a hand through his hair as he looked over all the letters. Many clans were sending him messages of forming alliances, of mending relationships, of whatever other bullshit they could spout out.
Seemed the word got out that he finished off Sukuna and his clan before integrating the survivors to his own clan.
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He would have Mei Mei send the appropriate responses on his behalf - it's what he paid her for.
When he could no longer stomach the fake well wishes, he closed the papers and left his office. He could feel the murderous anger bubbling underneath his skin. He needed to find Kento before he went on a killing spree. He left his office and began to look around the estate to find them. It was nice out, maybe they were playing in the garden. When he went to check, he didn't find them there.
He checked the kitchen and their bedrooms, but he would eventually find them in the living room on the second floor. It was the smaller one, but still big enough for all of them.
He stayed in the shadows and just watched everyone.
Yuuta and Choso were playing a game together while Kento watched as he breastfed Yuuji. Content omega was emitting from Kento's scent mingling with the scent of happy pups. Satoru felt himself relaxing. The stress of the day left his body as he watched the scene before him.
Kento was fine, all things considered. He was a beautiful omega - kind, rational, great with kids. But he wasn’t Suguru. He would never be Suguru. Satoru only decided to accept him because he didn't have Suguru anymore. He needed an omega to calm him down - that’s why he made Kento share his room… and to stick it to Sukuna, may his soul burn in hell.
The kids themselves were fine - he’d always liked kids, and Yuuta needed siblings. Satoru was fine with this cohabitation thing they had going on - and he didn’t want to do anything with Kento. God knows what Sukuna put him through. And he remembered what Kento looked like when they first met. The only thing keeping him standing had been adrenaline.
No, if Satoru needed to get his dick wet, he could get it from someone more willing.
He saw Haibara standing behind Kento, having a conversation with him. He remained respectful and Kento seemed calm. Satoru had always liked the younger male. He’d been there for Satoru through a lot; including assassination attempts. He trusted him with his life, his mate’s, and his kids’.
He watched Kento finish feeding Yuuji and pull his shirt down. Haibara grabbed him a burp rag without prompting. Who knew? Maybe Kento could fall for him. Satoru would give Kento to Haibara if Kento wanted, he’d just need to find a different omega.
He made his presence known and stepped into the living room. Haibara nodded at him and left. Kento looked pensive. The kids didn’t notice anything remiss, but Yuuta did run up to him, shouting, “Papa.” Satoru smiled and picked him up, scenting him, covering the pup’s own milky scent. He could also smell Kento on him. He put the pup down to let him continue playing. He watched him run back to Choso, who Satoru smiled at. The little one sent a tentative one back.
He made his way over to Kento, who was eyeing him wearily. “May I hold him,” he asked. Kento’s eyes widened. Satoru just waited patiently. Kento eventually nodded, handing over the baby. Satoru scented the baby as well. He was adorable, it really was a shame he was Sukuna’s carbon copy.
“Hi, Yuuji,” he cooed. The baby just giggled, tapping Satoru’s face gently with his short, chubby fingers. He may look like Sukuna, but his personality was not there at all. Satoru really liked Yuuji. It didn’t surprise him one bit that both Sukuna’s pups were born alphas, but even now, he saw a difference in the dead alpha and his pups. The first, both kids worshiped the ground Kento walked on. It wasn’t hard to guess why. Choso’s scar was all too jarring.
Sukuna was a bastard, and Satoru was happy he was dead. He was even happier to have been the one to kill him.
He took a seat on a different couch. He knew Kento wasn’t comfortable around him. He held Yuuji close, letting his scent waft over him. Milky, soft, and innocent. Yuuji was gnawing on Satoru’s shoulder. Satoru had to laugh. Yuuji was so interesting to watch.
He hadn't been around much for Yuuta's early life, losing his mind with grief and aggression, missing his baby stage. There weren't many pictures either. Yuuji was a blessing in that sense, something of a do-over for Satoru. Satoru had always wanted a family, a baby, a mate. He’d specifically wanted it with Suguru, but…
This wasn't half bad.
Later that night, Kento couldn't sleep.
The alpha kept to his word and didn't force him into anything the first night or any night since, but Kento still couldn't relax. The alpha's scent surrounded him, and the alpha had his nose buried in Kento's scent gland. His old mark still hadn't fully healed, so the alpha hasn't been able to mark him yet.
The sun came up, and Kento hadn't slept a wink.
He tried not to let his exhaustion show, but Choso was looking at him worriedly. He would get used to it, eventually, surely. Things would get better.
They didn't.
Being around the alpha sent him his blood pressure skyrocketing. The alpha didn't even do anything besides hold him close, and still Kento was so scared. He knew why. They all knew why. Things like what he went through didn't just go away.
The alpha's doctor friend did check him over. Kento winced when he saw how scarred and bruised his own skin was. The doctor, Ieiri, luckily didn't react. Kento didn't know how she didn't. He didn't like looking at his own body - couldn't stomach it. He didn't like remembering what his body had gone through.
Right now, it was hard to ignore - the aching and soreness wouldn't leave him alone. Ieiri gave him some pain medication. Still, the wounds were visible. But… Kento could ignore his own suffering if it meant his children would be alright. And… they were.
Choso got along well with Yuuta, who immediately attached himself to Kento. He was a sweetheart, soft spoken and gentle. Kento would do his best to keep that instilled in the little alpha - as his new maternal figure. Yuuji, too, was smiling and laughing more. He was a happy baby before, but whenever Sukuna had been around, he would get fussy and cry often.
He barely cried now. Choso was smiling more.
The alpha was kind to all of the children. Kento would often find him cradling all three kids. None of them appeared to mind. Kento was losing his mind.
It had only been about two weeks, but things were going well. The doctor had come by once again to examine him. The alpha stood off to the side as Ieiri asked him to undress. He did so.
She gave him a light robe to change into before stepping closer and checking the bruises on his body. She hummed to herself mostly with the odd, "This is healing well," or, "We'll keep an eye on this one."
Kento couldn't remember the last time his body didn't hurt. But the aches were slowly going away. There weren't any new bruises to replace the old ones. His wounds were actually healing.
Ieiri moved to his scent gland and her lips settled into a thin line. "Your mating bite is taking longer than I would like to heal. Can you tell me about it?"
"What would you like to know?"
"The day he did it."
Kento swallowed, "I actually don't remember much of it. I was in heat. But when I awoke after it had been done, I was missing a lot of skin. He-He almost bit my scent gland off."
"That explains the scar tissue around here." She sighed. "Your body isn't just healing your scent gland, it's also healing a literal gaping wound. Has been for years. Now that you're no longer there, it's finally making progress, but it is slow." Kento nodded.
"May I check between your legs?"
Kento nodded and laid back where she told him to. She scooted closer and Kento thought back to his pups. He hoped they weren't giving Yaga too much trouble. The burly alpha didn't appear to be one with much patience. Satoru swore by him, though. Claimed the alpha basically raised him.
Yaga never complained about watching the pups. Yuuta really liked him. Choso was still weary of alphas, but he was a good pup. He wouldn't cause trouble. He would also protect his brothers should anything happen, but Kento wished he'd let himself have fun. His pup was much too serious.
"And we're done," Ieiri announced, bringing Kento back from the recesses of his mind. "You're healing nicely here, too. No sexual intercourse for another month, at the least, though." Kento turned nauseous at the implication. "But you're making good progress, Head Omega."
Wide doe eyes stared up at her and Ieiri sent the omega smile, "You're healing."
She removed her gloves, "I'll leave you to get dressed. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask."
Kento nodded, "I will."
She nodded in return and left the room. The alpha followed after her and Kento began to get dressed.
"How long until I can bite him?"
"Did you not hear him? Sukuna bit a chunk of his flesh out of him. We're lucky he never grew an infection. His mating gland is going to take much longer to heal."
Satoru growled, "How much longer?"
She sighed, "We're looking at at least two months."
"Two months," he shouted.
"Yes." She glared up at him. "I'm serious. If you try to bite him before that, there's no telling what that could do to him. Let his mating gland heal, then you can bite him."
Satoru growled low, but stopped once Kento stepped out of the room. He bowed to Ieiri, "Thank you for your care."
"Of course," she bowed back. "Satoru," she nodded her head. Then she was on her way.
Kento still spent most of the time avoiding the alpha. The alpha still didn't make it difficult. He spent most of his day out of the estate. Kento only really saw him at night when they shared a bed.
Kento still couldn't sleep. He was surrounded by the alpha, wide awake and aware, but he still ended up jolting in shock when he heard the bedroom door open. He turned over and looked over the alpha's body to see who it was.
Choso had never been allowed in Kento and Sukuna's room. Mostly Sukuna's rule, but Kento agreed. As much as he wished he could have been a source of comfort for Choso at any time, he couldn't risk allowing Choso in the room. Kento never wanted him to see what Sukuna would do to him.
This alpha never stated whether or not the pups were allowed in.
A quiet sniffle, "Mama." It was Yuuta.
The little one stood at the doorway, small and trembling.
"Yuuta," he whispered back. "What's wrong, honey?" Yuuta waddled over to him, fat tears streaming down his face, falling from his big, blue eyes. The alpha's arm slid down his body as he sat up.
"Mama," Yuuta kept babbling, just repeating that word. He reached his bed side and Kento scooped him up. Yuuta cried into his chest.
"Sh. It's okay," he soothed him. "Mama's here." He sat up some more and leaned against the headboard. He adjusted the pup in his lap and began to run a comforting hand down the three year old's back. "You're okay, you're okay."
The little one eventually calmed down. Kento placed a kiss on his forehead, "Ready to sleep?" A nod against his chest. "Do you want to sleep here?" Another nod. "Okay, honey." Kento laid the pup down next to him. He would have liked to place him between himself and the alpha as some kind of barrier, but the alpha stuck to him like glue.
Kento turned on his side and curled around Yuuta. "You're safe - go to sleep. Mama's got you." Yuuta clutched at his shirt until he fell asleep. Kento smiled. Children were innocent in a world full of so much evil - Kento wanted to protect them. He hated the thought, but he was so relieved his sons - all three - were alphas.
It wasn't easy being an omega.
He fell asleep. For the first time, he felt comfortable enough to relax and fall asleep.
Unbeknownst to him, though, the alpha had woken up the moment Yuuta opened the door. He saw and heard how Kento treated Yuuta. A pup that wasn't his, the pup of yet another alpha who was also keeping him prisoner. And yet, he was kind to Yuuta, and answered his call for a mother.
Satoru curled around him, acting almost like a human shield, protecting Kento.
God, omegas were incredible.
Kento wasn't his first choice for an omega. Satoru had one already, but Kento certainly wasn't a bad one. It did something to him to see Kento accept Yuuta with open arms.
It hadn't been that long since Kento and his pups moved in, but already the house felt lighter. There was laughter and smiles and hugs and kisses. Even with Suguru, the estate had never had that.
Satoru knew he had had to kill him, but it still hurt. He wondered if it was somewhat similar to what Kento felt. His abuser was dead and gone, but his two sons carried his face. Yuuji, especially, even at his young age.
He looked at Kento. This was the first time Satoru saw him sleeping. He knew Kento wasn't ugly. But he was always on edge, tense, on the brink of collapse. Scared for his life…
This was the first time he'd ever seen him relaxed. Jaw unclenched. Long, blonde lashes caressing his cheeks. Speaking of, those were getting fuller. He was gaining weight - a stark difference to the skeleton he was when Satoru met him. His pretty pink mouth was opened partly, and he let out heavy even breaths.
Kento was beautiful.
Even when scared and frightened, Satoru knew, but there was something to be said about his beauty when he was at peace. It was something else.
~
Kento greeted Ijichi as he walked into the garden with the boys. They were getting angsty from being cooped up inside all day. It was getting chilly, but not cold enough yet where it would be unbearable to be outside. He dressed them in extra layers. "Please be careful, I'll be right here," he gestured to the bench.
The boys nodded and took off running. Kento took a seat with Haibara standing behind him. The weather wasn't too cold. Kento was comfortable. He watched the boys play as he narrated to Yuuji what they were doing. His baby listened, enraptured, "One day, you'll be running around with them. But they're good brothers, they would wait for you."
Yuuji babbled in response. Kento shook his head, "I will not be running, no."
He laughed to himself. He closed his eyes and took a deep inhale, smelling the flowers. He leaned his head back and let the sun hit his face. He missed being outside.
"You like being outside?" Kento snapped his head behind him. He hadn't sensed him. The flowers must have overpowered his scent.
"I - yes."
The alpha circled the bench and sat down next to him, being mindful to leave a gap between them. "I'm not sure if I explained the rules here, but bottom line, there aren't any. You can go anywhere and do anything here at the estate. I know it may feel like it, but you're not a prisoner here."
"I just can't leave."
The alpha swallowed, "No."
Sounds exactly like being a prisoner, but Kento didn't say that. He could see the alpha was trying to be kind. Which, so far, he had been. So he would be kind in turn, "Thank you. I will take advantage of that."
"I also wanted to tell you, there's now a nesting room for you and the pups, and one for all of us." Kento blinked in shock. Omega nesting rooms were just that, nesting rooms for omegas and, if they had any, pups. No alphas were allowed. It was supposed to be a reprieve for them.
Family nesting rooms were there to include alphas. It helped the pups bond to both parents. Kento hadn't had either since he was married. "Thank you," he said, breathlessly. He meant it. Omegas were made for physical touch. He didn't have any family or friends here, but he could bond with his pups there.
"I can show you once we're done here."
"You don't have to. I can ask Ijichi," Kento was quick to deny. He knew the alpha was busy.
"It's no trouble. We could start scenting the family room together." Kento nodded.
"I look forward to it."
They stayed outside for a while longer before heading inside. The pups were also excited to be part of a nesting room. They went to the family one first. The alpha began to explain to them how to scent things, and eventually, the room was overrun with the scent of milk. Kento smiled and started scenting the room as well.
His minty scent mingled with milk before ozone started filling the room. The pups chirped in happiness and Kento felt himself get drowsy. He laid Yuuji on the pillows and blankets scattering the floor. The pup was yawning, the scents making him feel warm and safe, lulling him to sleep. Kento smiled at his youngest before laying Yuuta and Choso next to him. He scented them, purring slightly. Ozone encompassed all of them, but right now, it was okay.
He laid down next to them and fell asleep.
He awoke to the alpha opposite him with the pups between them. The alpha was sleeping. Kento stared in awe. The alpha always looked tense, always on the cusp, always keeping his anger at bay. Now, he looked relaxed. Maybe he wouldn't need to bite Kento after all. If just his scent was needed to calm down, maybe the bite wouldn't be necessary.
If the alpha continued to be decent, Kento could stay freely. He didn't want to get bit again. He would stay to curb the alpha's sickness. He could go without the bite. Maybe he could talk to Satoru about it.
Slowly, everyone awoke, and the boys ran off to find something to eat from Wasuke. It was past lunchtime. They slept a long time. The alpha stayed beside him as he gathered Yuuji to change his diaper.
"I also wanted to tell you. I'm going away for a meeting in Kyoto."
"I understand. How long will you be gone?"
"A week."
"When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow morning."
"We'll see you off then."
They did. Everyone stood at the front door, bidding the alpha goodbye. The alpha scented each and every one of them, lingering on Kento. "Remember, if you need anything, tell Yaga." Kento nodded. The alpha took one more inhale of his scent before climbing onto his horse.
It would be fine.
~
It most certainly was not fine.
Satoru couldn't wait to get home. He needed Kento. All those old-head geezers did nothing but piss him off. Stupid Zenin clan. Luckily, he didn't need to interact with them often. It was usually just the rare meet-up to discuss trading and politics. Normally, he could bring his omega to the meetings - he had done it a few times with Suguru - but he didn't want to subjugate Kento to that.
He already had enough to deal with, with the elders of the Gojo Clan. Not to worry, though, he was working on getting rid of them, but he didn't have anyone to replace them yet. But the way they kept insulting Kento, they kept dropping like flies. Yaga's letters kept him going. Yaga informed how everyone was doing, and that Kento asked to be able to cook in the kitchen when he liked.
Satoru didn't really care what Kento did so long as he didn't leave the estate. He doubted Kento would even ask for anything outrageous. He could cook if he wanted. Who was Satoru to stop him?
Still, his alpha sickness was getting worse. He killed a random low-level council member of the Zenin Clan in his anger. Luckily, he had been low-level, and two, Naobito was a sadistic son of a bitch who found it hilarious that Satoru was suffering from alpha sickness. He had also punched Naoya in his anger, and that made Naobito just laugh harder.
It was getting out of hand. He was worried he would piss off the wrong person one day due to his sickness. He sighed.
It was late when he arrived home. Ijichi was the only servant to greet him, but that was to be expected.
He made his way upstairs, already sensing his omega. Already, the haze was leaving. He needed to bite Kento, and soon. Fucking Sukuna and his sadistic tendencies; Kento's mark was taking ages to fade. Shoko said it'd be too dangerous to mark while it healed, so he held off. He had had another check up with Shoko while Satoru was in Kyoto, but she left a report on Kento's healing for him to read.
He would do it tomorrow morning. Right now, he needed Kento.
He checked the pups' rooms and found Choso, Yuuta, and Yuuji sleeping in their respective rooms comfortably. The anger continued to leave his body. He crept into his bedroom quietly and paused.
Kento laid there. He was wearing his silk sleep robes. His features were lax. He looked more relaxed than Satoru had ever seen him. He never looked this calm when Satoru was around. Satoru frowned when, even now, Kento started to twitch.
He crept deeper into the room and started disrobing. He dressed himself for sleep and began to crawl into bed. He watched Kento closely for any signs that he might wake. There weren't any, but Kento's nose scrunched. Luckily, that was it. Satoru crept closer and pulled Kento into his arms, burying his face in Kento's neck.
The tension of the day faded.
Kento's scent was minty, as was Suguru's, but while Suguru's carried on an undercurrent of pepper, Kento's was just pure mint. But it was close enough… for now. He let that thought lull him to sleep.
When Satoru woke up, Kento was gone. He tended to be every morning. Satoru stood and called for the servants to prepare his bath. He bathed and climbed out of the tub, getting dressed with the servants' help before going downstairs to find Kento and the pups.
He found them in the kitchen. Yuuji was strapped to Kento's back as he prepared breakfast while Choso and Yuuta watched from the kitchen island.
"Good morning," he greeted, causing everyone to jump in surprise. Like always, only Yuuta and Yuuji were the ones to greet him happily. Granted, Yuuji's was just happy babbling, but Satoru would count it.
"Good morning," Kento's soft voice was heard. He walked closer and leaned in, sniffing his neck. The omega went tense under him, but didn't fight back or push him away. Satoru pulled back and crouched down to meet Yuuta. His pup ran into his arms, circling his little arms around his neck.
Yuuta was very forgiving of Satoru's failures as a father. When he pulled back, he waved at Choso. He wanted to tug the little one into a hug, but Choso was still wary of alphas. Satoru would just have to show him he was safe.
He stood back up and moved slowly behind Kento. He stole Yuuji from the sling. Kento only tensed more. But Yuuji was giggling and squealing. Satoru moved to be within Kento's line of sight. Kento didn't look relaxed, but he turned back to the wood-burning stove and continued cooking.
Satoru had never had a family to cook for him before Kento. As a child, it had just been servants cooking for him. And Suguru just never did it. Not that Satoru expected him to. It had never been expected, but now that he had it, it was nice.
According to Yaga's letter, Kento had asked Yaga if it was alright. Yaga hadn't seen a reason to refuse, so now Kento cooked when he liked, but they kept the chef on hand if ever Kento didn't or couldn't. It was clear as day that the pups enjoyed the food. Yuuta looked so happy that eased Satoru's worry. Yuuta had never had a big appetite, and Satoru worried it had been because of him. However, he ate Kento's food happily.
Choso, too, never looked more at ease than when he was eating. The little alpha was always so tense. Far too tense for a child of only five years old, but he looked his age when he was eating.
Satoru felt validated in his choice of bringing Kento into his home. Already, four lives were changing for the better. He left his family to their own devices as he went to read Shoko's report.
Satoru,
Kento's mating gland is healing well. We still have a long way to go, but it is healing.
His physical injuries are healing nicely. The bruises are all but gone. He's gaining weight as well, which is good. He continues to produce enough milk for Yuuji. He still doesn't seem to show any long lasting physical effects from Sukuna's abuse.
If you have any other questions, you can ask.
-Shoko Ieiri
Satoru was glad that Kento was healing, he was. But he growled in frustration at having to wait to mark him. He willed himself to calm down. Kento hadn't been there at the meeting, so there had been nothing to use to curb his anger. Kento was here now. Already, he was helping Satoru. He just needed to be patient.
He joined his family in the living room and sat close to Kento. He played with Yuuji while Kento chose to read a book. That had been a surprise. He hadn't thought Sukuna would allow his omega to be well-read, but he was. Satoru didn't mind either way.
He turned back to Yuuji. He held up a few of the toy blocks. "This one is blue and this one is green," he shook the blocks in front of the baby who laughed happily. He had no clue what was going on. He was just happy.
Satoru felt they were falling into a nice rhythm. They were coming up on about a month of living together. Choso was less weary of him, but still tried not to bother him. Satoru wasn't sure how to make the pup know that nothing he did could bother him. He was a pup, he was learning, he was exploring, he was growing.
"Kento," he asked the omega as he got ready to give Yuuta a bath.
"Yes," Kento asked, helping Choso pick out what clothes he wanted to wear to sleep.
"I need to preface this by saying I am not expecting anything, but when is your next heat? We need to plan accordingly."
Kento dropped his hands to his sides, "I'm not sure. I haven't had a heat since Yuuji was born." He wrung his hands together. Satoru paused as well. Yuuji was six months old. Omegas went through heats once every two months for about four days. Kento hadn't experienced at least two heats.
"We can ask Shoko about it at your next appointment. And we can also check on your mating gland."
Kento nodded, bit his lip, but he went back to helping his pup pick out his clothes. When he did, the alpha and he carried their boys to the bath the maid had prepared and bathed them. Kento watched over while holding Yuuji as the alpha bathed Choso and Yuuta. Both pups were laughing and splashing water on the alpha who instead of getting angry, splashed water back at them.
Kento smiled at how happy his pups were. He placed Yuuji in his sling before grabbing Choso and Yuuta's towels. He handed them to the alpha who wrapped one at a time before carrying both of them into the room. Kento began dressing Yuuta while the alpha helped Choso get dressed. Mostly, just making sure Choso was dressing himself correctly.
Kento and the alpha put the pups to bed. The alpha read Choso a story while Kento read one to Yuuta before putting Yuuji to sleep. They crept into their own room and quickly got ready for bed.
"Could I ask a question," Kento spoke into the darkness.
"What is it," the alpha asked from his position of completely covering Kento.
"When is your rut?"
"Alphas who lost their mate don't get ruts anymore. Not unless they get a new one."
Kento knew the alpha didn't expect anything physical from him, but would that change if he went into rut? Kento didn't dare voice out that question. He was too scared to know the answer. Like always, Satoru buried his face in Kento's scent gland and let himself be lulled to sleep by his minty scent.
He groaned softly at having been woken up. Next to him, Kento laid asleep. He squinted his eyes at the window. It was still dark out. He pulled away from Kento, checking to make sure he stayed asleep before sitting up and rubbing his eyes. Why was he awake?
He sniffed the air and didn't notice anything remiss. No new scents meant no invaders. Everyone who lived in the estate was accounted for. He sighed. No point in waiting around. He stood up and exited the room quietly. Then it hit him. Spoiled milk.
Choso stood at the end of the hall, looking like he was caught with his hands caught in the cookie jar with how he was looking at Satoru. Satoru was about to ask him what was wrong when the poor thing burst into tears. The sleep left Satoru's body completely. He rushed to the pup's side and knelt down in front of him.
"Hey, hey. What's wrong?"
"I-I'm sorry," the little one hiccuped. Satoru brushed the hair from his little face.
"Why are you sorry? What's wrong?"
"Da-Daddy said I'm not supposed to wake him and mama. I didn't mean to."
Satoru slowly pulled the pup into his arms. "It's okay," he whispered into his hair. "You can always wake me and your mother. Your father isn't here. We won't get angry." Choso shuddered into his neck, trying hard to muffle his cries. Probably something else Sukuna demanded of him.
"Choso, honey, why are you awake?"
The pup pulled back, rubbing the tears from his eyes, "I had a bad dream."
"Why didn't you come to our bedroom?"
The pup paused, "I-I can?"
Satoru clenched his jaw. He needed to bring Sukuna back to life just to kill him. But he couldn't focus on that right now.
"Of course you can, Choso. You can always come into our bedroom."
"Promise?"
Satoru smiled at the pup and held out his pinky, "Pinky promise." Choso giggled and entwined their fingers together. Satoru picked him up and began walking to his bedroom. "Come on, you can sleep with us tonight." Choso rested his head on Satoru's shoulder and Satoru couldn't help himself.
He kissed the scar on his nose. Choso scrunched his nose but smiled. "Mama always does that to me, too," he giggled softly. Satoru's heart constricted in his chest. He opened the door quietly, but Kento must have sensed Choso. A soft groan was heard from the bed and some rustling.
"Satoru," he asked, drowsy.
"Sh. Go back to sleep. Choso had a bad dream."
Satoru reached the bed and placed Choso down. Kento immediately hugged him close, not even opening his eyes. Satoru climbed into bed as well and pulled both of them close. He watched them go back to sleep before succumbing to it himself.
Kento awoke the next morning to Choso snuggled up close to the alpha. Choso who had once been so fearful of the man. But he was snuggled up close to him now, he was allowing himself to be held by him. Kento's heart twisted. Could they really be okay here?
He crawled out of bed, leaving the pair to continue sleeping. Yuuta was still sleeping when he went to check on him, but Yuuji was awake in his crib. He was chewing on his fist and Kento cooed at his baby, "Good morning, Yuuji."
He picked up his baby and unfastened his robes to give the pup better access. Yuuji fed happily. Once he was done, Kento changed his diaper and clothes. Then he made his way downstairs to the kitchen. He found Wasuke there. He paused. "Good morning."
"Good morning, lad," the elder greeted.
Kento bounced on the heels of his feet, "Could I help you?"
Wasuke seemed surprised but nodded, "Of course. Start whisking the eggs." Kento smiled and nodded. Kento followed his instructions as they prepared breakfast together. Eventually, everyone started coming down. First it was Yaga, who greeted all of them, even Yuuji, and took a seat at the table where Kento served him. The elder alpha sent him a small smile of gratitude.
"I can hold him," Yaga spoke, "if you'd like, while you eat."
Kento blinked a couple of times, but ended up nodding. "Thank you," he smiled. Another trusted guard came down, Kusakabe with Haibara, and Kento served them both breakfast. Satoru eventually came down with both Yuuta and Choso in his arms. He placed them in their chairs and Kento served them their breakfast.
He was about to go back to the kitchen when Satoru grabbed him and pulled him close. Kento tensed, but the alpha didn't do anything else but breathe in his scent. They stayed like that for a few minutes while Kento was dying of mortification. However, no one else batted an eye. The other three alphas kept eating their breakfast calmly.
Finally the alpha pulled away and Kento scuttled off to the kitchen, but not before depositing Yuuji in Yaga's lap. Wasuke didn't bat an eye at Kento's new scent. You couldn't live in the estate and not run into Satoru scenting Kento at any given opportunity.
"Can I eat in here today?"
"Sure."
Kento liked Wasuke. He didn't really ask questions. "Can you also serve Satoru?"
Wasuke smirked a little, "Okay." He left with a plate and came back like nothing happened. Maybe Kento was the one blowing things out of proportion.
"Wasuke, may I ask you a question?"
The beta was serving Kento's breakfast when he answered, "What is it?"
"Did you ever have any children?"
The elder hummed, "Yes, I had two sons."
Kento shrank, "Where are they?"
The beta sighed, "Dead. Both of them."
"I'm sorry."
The elder waved him off, but Kento could see the tense line of his shoulders, "Don't be. One was a fool, and the other a monster. The world is better off without them." He placed the plate in front of Kento.
"Wasuke, where are you from?"
The elder beta paused, "I'm from the… Ryomen Clan," he finished quietly.
Kento swallowed, "How did you end up here?"
"I was kicked out. Head Alpha Gojo took me in as a cook. He trusted me quickly when he found out I was also against Head Alpha Ryomen."
Kento snapped his head up. "Did you know him?"
Wasuke grimaced, "A long time ago. God forgive me, but it's a good thing he's dead." Kento ate quietly. "What about you? Where are you from?"
Kento knew Wasuke was trying to lift the mood, but that just served to worsen it, "I'm not sure actually. I remember my family wasn't anyone important, but I don't recall what clan we belonged to before I was married off."
"What a sad pair we make, huh."
Kento actually laughed.
Kento washed the dishes once everyone was done eating while Haibara and Satoru kept the boys occupied. Wasuke left to the market with Kusakabe while Yaga went to deal with the Gojo Clan council members. Kento didn't envy the man.
He walked passed the library to find the boys looking for books to read with the alpha. "Kento," the alpha called when he spotted him. "I was thinking of getting a teacher for Choso to start his studies."
Kento's mouth opened to form an o, "You'll get him a tutor?"
"Of course. Is that alright?"
Kento snapped out of it, "Yes," he smiled. "Yes, of course."
Satoru nodded, "I'll send word out."
Which is how Iori Utahime came to work for the estate. She was a no nonsense kind of woman who openly glared at the alpha but was kind to the boys. She would come by three times a week for a couple of hours a day to teach Choso. "She's a childhood friend," the alpha admitted.
"She's a good teacher. Choso is safe in her hands," he promised. Kento nodded. For some reason, he found himself trusting the alpha. She would also be watching Yuuta here and there for them as well, starting his journey to an education.
"Oh, and Shoko is stopping by tomorrow to check you over."
"Around what time?"
"Early in the morning, she said, around 9:00."
"Very well."
"I hope your mating gland heals soon."
Kento tensed, feeling nauseous. He still hadn't brought up the notion to the alpha of not biting him. If he needed his scent, he could partake in it whenever he wanted. He already did, actually. Nothing needed to change. He needed to open his mouth and say it. Just say it. The alpha would listen. He already proved he would.
Kento didn't. He didn't do it that night. Or tomorrow morning when Ieiri was checking him over. Not when she said it still wasn't healed. Not when she said it would take maybe one more month. Not when she told him that his heats not coming were mental - his body didn't feel safe enough to get that vulnerable. No, he didn't say anything, but maybe the alpha would come to the same conclusion as him.
He wasn't allowed to deny the alpha anything. He prayed the alpha would decide not to bite him in the end.
Winter was fast approaching, so more of the fireplaces were being lit around the estate.
There were many times where Kento would sit by the fire with the pups and read to them. Yuuji was enamored by the flames. He watched them crack and move. Choso and Yuuta would watch him as he read.
Kento loved his pups.
Even if it had only been a few weeks, he already loved Yuuta like his own.
He couldn't leave him behind. He wouldn't have the heart to do so. He'd only end up breaking his own heart.
He knew he couldn't leave, but now, he didn't see reason to. He was okay staying with his pups here. The alpha just didn't need to bite and it would all be… perfect? Better than he would have thought?
He knew they weren't in love with each other - probably never would be, the alpha still loved his dead mate and Kento, well, it just didn't seem likely to happen - but they could get along. They could become friends who raised pups together.
It could work.
The pups fell asleep around him and just as he was about to figure out a way to move them, Satoru walked by. He laughed under his breath at what he saw.
"Looks like you're stuck."
Kento looked up, "I am."
Satoru lifted Choso into his arms and carried him to his room, tucking him into bed before climbing back down to do the same to Yuuta. Kento followed silently after him as he put their last pup to bed.
Satoru got a good look at him. His cheeks were fuller, with more color making him look as young as he actually was, he didn't appear to have the same haunted look in his eyes from before. He smiled and laughed freely now, having befriended most of the people who lived in the estate.
He didn't flinch away from Satoru anymore.
Satoru liked how happy the omega looked now.
Things were going well. Better than he could have imagined. All three pups were thriving under his and Kento's parenting. Yuuta, too, his shy pup took to him like a duck to water. He attached himself to the newcomers and now he had a mother and two brothers.
All he needed to do was bite Kento, and it would all be perfect, and with how close he and the omega were becoming, surely it wouldn't be a problem.
It was all he could think about the next day, and the following day, and the day after that. The day he could mark Kento would come soon. He couldn't wait.
Only about two weeks left to go.
"How are things going with Kento," Yaga asked when Satoru sat across from him for afternoon tea.
Satoru smiled, "Good! Better than I could have hoped."
"He seems to be settling in well, after all," Yaga mused, taking a sip of his tea. Satoru hummed, adding more sugar to the tea that was placed in front of him. Wasuke never got it sweet enough, but Satoru was sure the beta was doing it on purpose. He just couldn't prove it.
Yaga grimaced when he saw Satoru sip his sugar flavored tea.
"Yuuta took to him well, Ijichi and Haibara both like him. Kusakabe hasn't said a bad word about him. And Yuuji and Choso are both good pups. Things are - things are good," he was surprised at just how happy that actually made him. He was breathless with how giddy he felt.
"Your alpha sickness?"
Satoru bit into the cake, "Almost manageable. It only gets worse when I have to go away and don't have Kento near."
Yaga nodded, "Aside from bringing him here against his will, you did a good thing. Kento's a good kid." Because to all of them who were in their thirties or well past them, a twenty-two year old was just so young.
"He is," Satoru agreed, going soft. Yaga watched with a raised eyebrow at how the alpha before him lowered his gaze bashfully. This alpha that Yaga watched grow from a kid into a man, watched him fall deeply in love and overcome the betrayal of that lover, watched ascend to Clan Head and rule justly and fairly. Yaga was incredibly proud of that alpha before him, but that look made him nervous.
He hadn't seen that look in years, not since Suguru.
"Satoru, do you - are you falling for Kento?"
Satoru's eyebrows shot up, "No! Not at all. What brought that on?"
Yaga wasn't convinced, but he let it go. "Never mind, then."
Satoru shook his head, "I don't think I could fall in love again. I like Kento fine, I think we're even becoming friends, but love?" He shook his head again.
"Okay, then."
The rest of the afternoon tea was spent in silence until Yaga invited Satoru to take a stroll around the garden. The flowers were all dead by now, but fresh air was never remiss.
"Do you still plan on mating Kento, then?"
Satoru looked up at the sky, "Yes. The sickness is manageable with him around, but I'm tired of being a slave to my impulses when he's not around. Once I mate him, I'm free of this madness."
Yaga nodded, "And he's agreed to this?"
"He did when he first moved in," Satoru revealed.
"You haven't talked about it since?"
Satoru shrugged, "Why should I?"
Yaga moved to answer, but a little interrupted him, "Papa!" Satoru froze. Yaga froze, too. That wasn't Yuuta, and Yuuji was still too young to speak.
There was no way.
But Choso ran up to them and hugged Satoru around his legs, beaming up at him, "Papa! Mama told me to tell you that he wants to take a nap with Yuuji!" So he wanted Satoru to watch over their two eldest.
Satoru smiled down at the pup and ruffled his hair, "Tell him I'll be right there." Choso ran off and Yaga watched the fond smile on Satoru's face.
"You really love him."
"Of course," Satoru agreed. "He's my son."
Yaga raised an eyebrow, "Even if he's not your biological son?"
Satoru sent him a crooked smile, "Blood doesn't make a family, Yaga." He moved to go towards where Choso ran off to, but not before he turned back and looked Yaga in the eyes, "You taught me that."
Yaga covered up his embarrassment with a cough. He ignored the love blooming in his heart at just how proud he felt of Satoru. Satoru's smug chuckle followed him all the way to his office.
Satoru caught up to Choso in no time. Choso took his hand, "Mama," he blurted, bursting into the family nesting room. "I brought papa!"
Kento looked up in shock. His mouth dropped subtly. Papa. Choso called the alpha papa. Choso picked him.
They were never leaving.
Not based on the alpha's sappy look.
Kento schooled his features, "Thank you, sweetheart." To the alpha, "The boys wanted to build a fort, could you help them? I need to put Yuuji down for his nap, and I wanted to join him?"
Satoru saluted him, "You got it."
Kento nodded and stood. He carried Yuuji up the stairs to his bedroom where he began to lull him to sleep.
Downstairs, Satoru was helping the little alphas build their fort. He was mostly following orders. Yuuta was still too young to really have a true vision of what the fort could realistically end up looking like, so he was following Choso's lead. Choso was taking it seriously, too.
Satoru watched the five year old.
He was far too serious for a child of that age, but he was incredibly kind. He took his big brother duties seriously. Helping Kento with Yuuji, and being patient with Yuuta who just wanted to follow his big brother around. Satoru never had to worry about Choso being mean or bullying Yuuta. Maybe that would change as they got older, but right now, they were turning out to be the best of friends.
Their blended family was, well, blending.
"Papa?"
"Yes, Choso?"
"Thank you for helping us," he said once the fort was done. It was bigger than Satoru thought it would be. Satoru pulled him into his lap.
"Of course!"
The little one opened his mouth and then closed it again, furrowing his eyebrows. Satoru looked over at Yuuta who was bringing his stuffed animals to one corner of the fort, lost in his own world. He turned back to Choso, "What is it?"
"I know I called you papa, but is it okay for me to do it?"
Satoru smiled and pressed a kiss to his scar, causing Choso to giggle, "Of course it is. You're my son."
"Even when I have another daddy?"
Satoru hummed, "Even then."
"Is it bad I like you more than him?"
Satoru sent him a sad smile, "No, honey. Your dad was mean. I didn't like him either."
"He hurt mama a lot," the little one's bottom lip trembled.
"He did, but your mama is safe now."
Choso leaned into his neck, "You've never hurt mama."
Satoru hugged him close, "And I don't plan to."
Kento found the three of them snuggled together. His pulse drummed under his skin, and he did something he never thought he would do.
Choso was happy and healthy, and now viewed the alpha as his father. Yuuji was a happy, bouncing baby who would never know pain thanks to the alpha. Kento took a breath and released. He decided then.
He let his guard down.
He shouldn't have.