Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He was shaking. Or was he still and the world was shaking around him? That’s what it felt like at least, as though one second he was smoothly shifting through life, gears flowing one to another in his easy grip, and nothing could stop him from racing away from all his problems.

It wasn’t real. His gearbox ground to a sticky halt, stalling out his thoughts just how he’d been stuck on that couch. In that apartment he knew as well as his own. As hands he was so familiar with skidding over his clothes, over his skin, pressing into him, keeping him down.

A gentle hand was placed on his shoulder and Babe couldn’t hold back a flinch. Immediately the hand moved but returned a moment later to slowly pry apart his own hands.

Babe watched, detached from it all as his pale fingers slowly, softly worked to unclench his tightly gripped fingers. One by one his grasp was loosened enough for Charlie to slip his hand between Babe’s and entwine them together.

Nothing was said.

Just the sound of his heavy breathing to tell him that time was maybe passing, just flashes of light coming through the windows as they were driven away and away and away from that place. The feel of it. The fear of it.

No. He can’t think about that. Instead, he focused on the hand in his lap, the one that was trembling too. Or were they both trembling? Shaking apart together as the road slipped by.

It wasn’t calming him down, but then again, he wasn’t sure he could calm down. What comfort he usually drew from the man beside him was shaking out of him, spilling back on the road he was leaving behind. Shaking until there was nothing left of him to think about anything, he wanted all his thoughts to scatter into the dark and not be with him, making him think and feel and wonder why why why why why Way why?

The hand in his squeezes tightly then releases. Then again, and again. Babe tries to concentrate only on that, the feeling of Charlie’s hand in his and presses back. It’s soothing and after a minute Babe can breathe to the gentle rhythm of Charlie squeezing his hand. In and out and don’t think about it. Just in and out and don’t think about it.

His head dips forward and Babe curls in on himself until his forehead is pressed against their joined hands. Just in and out and don’t think about it. It’s better down here. The darkness was easier, it was less like the golden light from before, and he turned his nose into Charlie’s wrist and took in a shuddering breath. Mate. The cool, safe scent of his partner in racing, in life, in everything. Soft ocean breeze and a core of steel hidden beneath the waves.

He’d never loved a scent so much.

When he’d had his extra senses almost every alpha he met reeked of harsh desire, their scents burning his nose and leaving him gagging on their after lingering odor. Charlie wasn’t like that. From the moment they’d met everything about him was calm and refreshing, his scent so subtle that everyone assumed the younger racer was a beta. Babe could smell it on him though. At first he thought his new boy was splurging on expensive blockers, but as Charlie stayed around Babe knew that his new bedmate was just like that. Only holding a whisper of the ocean on him.

There was steel underneath that cool ocean breeze and Babe twisted their hands so he could press his nose right against Charlie's wrist, breathing in that cool strength his mate hid so well.

Babe stayed down there shaking, breathing, and not thinking.

Then the car stopped. Voices were speaking softly around him and Babe could smell fresh blood and the perfume of the fig trees surrounding the property. Distractedly Babe wondered when the old man was going to start replacing them with his omega’s favorites.

“Come on, Phi,” Charlie gently tugs his hand and wraps his free arm around the still trembling alpha. Babe allowed himself to be lead from the car and guided inside the house, head still down.

They followed Alan at a slower pace, the pack alpha walking steadily ahead with Sonic and North clucking around the omega in the alpha’s arms. Babe barely paied them any attention, only jumping slightly when the couple shouted suddenly at something Alan said.

“Ai’Charlie what is going on,” Sonic turned to the couple as the alpha pair continued inside. “Is P’Babe alright? What is happening?”

“Just leave it Sonic,” Charlie pulled Babe closer and lead them to the stairs.

The omega tried again, brushing aside North’s attempt to stop him, “No you all come back here looking more traumatized than I’ve ever seen you and are just marching away? Let us help.”

Sonic reached out tentatively but Babe flinched away and Charlie growled harshly, tucking a still silent Babe closer to himself. The omega twitched back, eyes wide in shock. No one had ever heard Charlie growl before, they’d rarely even heard the alpha raise his voice.

“Don’t touch him,” Charlie’s eyes glinted darkly and Sonic took another step back. Abruptly the alpha’s frightening demeanor dropped and his eyes softened, “Sorry P’Sonic. Can you please help Kim with Kenta? We will talk tomorrow alright?”

“Yeah,” Sonic said softly, “Take care of P’Babe, we’ll handle these guys.”

Charlie nodded his appreciation and pulled Babe close and upstairs.

Their room was tucked into the back corner of the house, as far from the road as possible and closer to the pond and forest behind the property. When Charlie had first been brough here he’d been shocked that the room was so different than Babe’s studio. Over there it was overtly masculine, cars, exposed brick, and a minimalist design that screamed of an unattached man. Here Charlie could understand how his loving Babe had been brought up. There was a large comfy bed dominating the main space, soft colors gave the place a cozy feel, but the main attraction was the wall of photos. Pictures from every moment of Babe’s life from the time he arrived at Alan’s garage to the last date he took Charlie on. All of them dominated the far wall of the room, only broken up by the trophy stand sitting proudly in front of his wall of memories. When Charlie had first seen it, first entered the sound dampened room, he hadn’t known it was possible to love someone this much and he wasn’t going to take for granted this entry into Babe’s heart.

Now the alpha quietly closed the door behind him and lead Babe to sit at the end of the bed.

“Phi?” Charlie spoke softly in the hushed silence of the room. “P’Babe? What do you need?”

The older alpha shrugs.

“Okay,” the younger racer tries again, “How about this? Why don’t I get us something to change into? I brought your favorites over here last time. Would that be alright?”

Babe’s eyes were still on their clenched hands, the racer had been unable to release his mate for the entire walk upstairs, but he nods and stiffly works his fingers free so Charlie can be free.

“Thank you, Phi. I’ll be right back, I’m just going to the closet,” Charlie slowly stands up, careful to not shake his hand out in front of Babe and hurries over to grab the comfortable clothes he was thinking of. He’d brought them over when they’d dropped Jeff off to pick up his own things, and Charlie had packed up more of their casual wear. The alpha was sure they’d be at the pack house for a while and knew Babe wouldn’t want to be away from his softest clothes for that long. Even though the alpha no longer had the same level of sensitivity it was still nice to bring everything along, plus it made it cozier for Charlie. Although the younger alpha would prefer no clothing, he gets that Babe likes to snuggle up even as he pretends he doesn’t.

Charlie pauses in the walk-in for a moment trying to remember where he unpacked everything. He sniffs carefully, trying to recall the scent of cashmere but follows his nose to where Babe’s subtle ozone and sage scent is strongest.

There was a muffled sound back in the bedroom, but everything was muffled in here. Charlie was grateful for that when he first took Babe’s powers, the room helps him a lot when he’s overwhelmed by Babe’s senses.

He’d just pulled the garments from a drawer when Charlie heard that muffled noise again with what sounded like little pings of metal.

“Phi,” Charlie asked as he rounded the corner out of the closet, “Did you hear that...P’Babe!”

The alpha rushed forward, throwing the clothes somewhere in his hurry to get to his mate. “Phi stop, stop! You’re hurting yourself.”

Babe was tearing at the picture wall. Pins and tacs were flying around the room, landing with near silent tinkling and scattering underfoot. Photos where half torn from the wall and Babe was ripping apart pictures while tears dripped down his face and onto the tarnished memories.

“Shhhh,” Charlie soothed, his arms coming around Babe’s chest and pulling him back from the destruction. “It’s alright, I’m here. Let it out, Phi,” the alpha crooned into Babe’s neck. The younger man could feel as the alpha in his arms trembled before the dam broke.

Babe sobbed, great heaving bouts wracked through him as Charlie held him up and tight against his chest.

“Why Way. Why did he do that why wouldn’t he stop,” Babe could hardly speak through the tears, his heart felt like it was being shredded like the pieces of photos in his hands. “I shouldn’t love anyone. Everyone betrays me. Everyone, everyone, everyone!”

“I’m here, P’Babe,” Charlie’s voice cracked as he held the alpha so close he knew it must hurt, “I’d never leave you. The pack would never leave you. We’re all here. I’m still here, P’Babe.”

“No, no, no, no, no,” Babe pressed his clenched fists to his eyes, ripped photos still in his hands, “It’s everyone I love they all betray me, they all use me. It's so easy for them. So easy to use me and leave me. Charlie you can’t, you can’t do that to me. Please not you Charlie.” The alpha’s hands fell from his face, paper fluttering onto the floor as Babe clutched at Charlie’s hands.

“I’d never,” Charlie vowed, “I love you. You’re my mate and I’m never leaving you, you’re everything to me Babe.”

The alpha’s sobs continue, cresting before Babe turns in Charlies arms and curling himself into the other alpha’s strong hold.

“You can’t, you can’t, you can’t go Charlie,” Babe cries into his neck.

“Never,” the younger alpha reassures, his hands stroking through Babe’s hair, “Never. How could I leave my mate, huh?”

Babe nods minutely. He’s tucked into Charlie’s right shoulder, the one that holds his mating bite and the alpha grazes his teeth over it, feeling the smooth ridges of the mark he made. The one that can’t be taken away, the one bitemark that will never fade. Babe feels Charlie sigh against him and tilt his neck so Babe can better enjoy the mark he made, the one that ties them together.

His breathing picks up again and Charlie holds the older man closer, but it’s not enough it’s not enough. Babe’s teeth scrape over the indention again and then he lines up and bites down as hard as he can.

Charlie gasps with the unexpected pain, twitching involuntarily as he feels Babe’s renewed claim pulse through him in an unexpected heat. He can taste the ozone of the racers scent, can feel the desperation of his mate, and knows that Babe needed this. They both needed this.

Babe slowly releases, lapping absently at the beads of blood along the refreshed bite when he suddenly jerks back.

“Charlie are you...I didn’t mean to...without asking and I just...” He’s rambling, pushing against Charlie’s solid chest and trying to break out of his hold. Why did he do that! He just bit his mate again without asking, just hurt him for his own selfish needs. He’s as bad as Way, just taking what he wants without care. He’s just as bad. Just as bad.

“Hey, woah! P’Babe it’s alright,” Charlie’s arms tighten like steel around the now frantic alpha, “P’Babe, look at me. Hey, it’s alright. It’s alright.” Babe stopped struggling as Charlie pulled him to be flush against the younger man once more. When the racer was secure in his arms Charlie took a deep breath, “I love you. I would mate with you a thousand more times to show it. Today, tomorrow, or ten years from now it doesn’t matter. You are mine, Babe, and I won’t leave you.”

Babe groaned and tipped his head to the side, showing off his own bite to the younger alpha. He needed it, he felt off kilter the whole night. From Way’s sudden turn, to being unable to center himself, to a lopsided refresh of their mating bites. He needed his mate.

Charlie could smell it, that ozone fever pitch of want and desire from Babe. The younger alpha threaded his fingers through Babe’s hair, making sure to not force but guide the older man to exposing more of his neck and the heady scar he’d placed there not so long ago. There was a surge of familiar possessiveness, of Babe being his, then Charlie settled his teeth in and bit down, hard.

“Ungh,” Babe shuddered in Charlie’s arms as a fresh wave of pain and mine mine mine from his mate raced through him. The bond felt like it had exploded between them, pushing back everything that wasn’t Charlie, wasn’t their scents, their love. He could breathe again.

The younger man held on as he felt his partner tense then relax into his embrace. The sharp ozone soothing away as hints of sage and contentedness filled the little space between them. Gingerly the alpha pulled back, kissing up around the fresh wound and holding gently as he nosed his way up Babe’s sharp jawline to press their foreheads together.

They stood in the shredded remains of Babe’s past and just breathed together.

When Charlie opened his eyes he couldn’t help smiling softly at the man in front of him. Babe was looking back through heavily hooded eyes, sweetly quiet, and clearly drained from the emotional outbursts. Charlie slid his hands back down around the racer’s slim waist and began guiding them back, careful to not step on any pins, until he could turn and plant Babe back on the end of the bed where he’d first started.

The older man went compliantly, watching as Charlie refused to let a hand leave him as he stretched out to pick up the clothes he’d thrown before. Tenderly the young alpha guided Babe to take off his jacket, then tank top, going to replace them with a soft shirt but Babe shook his head. Charlie accepted this with a nod and then repeated the process with his pants, careful to always keep one hand touching Babe. He appreciated it, the touch was grounding even as Charlie carefully guided him up to the top of the bed and tucked them in.

Charlie laid them down, Babe on his back and the younger alpha holding him. Curled together Charlie watched as Babe slowly settled down and the fear and stress of the day slowly fell away until Babe was asleep. The younger man let out his own shaky breath as his mate slept on. He felt restless. Like he should be doing something, or planning how to protect Babe more, or running over to take down Tony this instant. Charlie knew what he really wanted though, he wanted to go back and stop Tony from ever getting Babe in the first place. He wanted to protect his lover from Way assaulting him. He wanted his mate to feel safe for once in his lift, but he couldn’t do that alone.

Tears started to fall and Charlie pulled away as quietly as he could, hand slipping out from under Babe’s lax grip as he tried to hurry away. Afraid he would wake the alpha up Charlie scrambled into their unused clothes and out the door. When he stepped into the hall the muffled hush of their room vanished and he was once again bombarded with all the noise around the house.

He could hear a shower running and Alan’s deep voice saying something that he desperately tried to tune out. As he headed to the stairs, he passed the guest room where he could hear a groan of pain followed by a curse. That was probably Kim, or maybe Kenta? Charlie didn’t know their voices very well and while betas all used to smell the same to him he knew now that they all had very slight scents. Which he didn’t yet recognize either. The last rooms he passed were Sonic and North’s. Their room was the second most sound proof according to Babe as the duo were the loudest and it was actually for the sanity of the whole pack. Charlie wished now that it was more robust as he could smell Sonic’s bitter apple distress and North’s winter night scent try and sooth his mate.

The alpha hugged himself tightly and hurried downstairs. He needs to focus on something else, he need’s Babe’s scent but he’s crying so hard he’s worried he’ll wake up his mate and he can’t do that after how terrible this night has been. So he keeps going downstairs, almost stumbling into the dark kitchen but he needs different things to focus on while he calms down enough to return to Babe. He needs to get back before Babe wakes up; Charlie doesn’t want him to think he’s alone anymore.

The kitchen is cool and quiet when he finally pads into the room. Tile is cold under his bare feet and the hum of electronics is settling for once instead of itching at the back of his brain as he makes his way to the counter and shakily sits down.

His breathing is harsh in the echoey kitchen but each breath filled him with the scents of pack. Charlie sat there in the dark just breathing in the pack: Alan’s sturdy amber, Jeff’s fresh citrus, Sonic’s candy apple, North’s winter night, Babe’s sharp ozone, and his own ocean breeze. Slowly the tears quieted down as he secured himself in the pack, their scents, the sounds of them settling down for the night, and having them all secure at the pack house.

A door creaked open overhead and Charlie listened curiously as someone sedately through the upstairs hall and down the stairs. He blinked as Alan made his way into the kitchen.

“Hi, Phi,” Charlie said, his voice scratchy from so much crying.

“Oh, hi Charlie. Couldn’t sleep” Alan asked him kindly. The pack alpha grabbed a few water bottles from the fridge and set one in front of the younger alpha. Charlie stared at it, not really taking it in and just shrugging. He didn’t really try to sleep, he just needed to not wake up Babe.

“Want to talk about it?” Alan asked, “How is Babe doing?” The warm scent of Alan’s concern rolled over him and Charlie couldn’t help it as tears started up once more. Alan hummed deep in his chest and made his way around the counter to wrap an arm around the driver.

“Hey, it’ll be alright. You’re here for him, we’re all here for him,” the pack alpha hushed and soothed Charlie’s hair.

The young alpha brushed impatiently at his tears, “What about Jeff? I tried not to listen in, I don’t want him to lose any more privacy than he’d lost the past few days.” Charlie winced internally, but he couldn’t help it. With Alan so close to him Charlie could clearly tell how the omega’s scent was pressed into the pack alpha’s skin. He pushed his hands into his face, “Ugh and today when he had to tell us his power. I want to apologize for that too.” It was so unfair Jeff, everything being stripped away from him without his consent repeatedly.

Alan sighed and rubbed at the younger man’s arm, “He’s strong. I’ve already been scolded by him.”

Charlie chuckled wetly, “Jeff’s tough. I just wish Tony would leave us all alone. Hasn’t he done enough?”

“I wish so too. Right now, all we can do is continue on with our mission and be there for our lovers,” Alan sighed, looking back up at the stairs, his scent changing into a warmer whiskey that Charlie only scented when the pack alpha was with Jeff.

The driver sniffed delicately, “I’m happy for you both. I don’t mean to pry but I can’t help it.”

Alan slid a palm down his face and walked back over to the cupboards, picking up a protein bar before answering the younger man, “You’ve only had Babe’s powers for a few months, and he’s had his whole life to master it. You’ll get a hang of it.”

“Right,” Charlie said softly, “I better go back to him. P’Babe wanted to be alone for a bit but I don't think that’ll be good for him right now.” Well Charlie didn’t want to wake him with his own issues, but it could probably be true. He brushed away the last of his tears and stood up, he wanted to get back to Babe.

“Don’t let him out-stubborn you, nong,” Alan smiled, “He’s been a lot happier since you came into his life so help him remember that.”

Charlie smiled softly back, blushing at the pack alpha’s subtle approval, “Thanks, Lung. You go take care of Jeff tonight.” He didn’t even know he needed that, but Alan’s support warmed him through as he made his way back upstairs. Each room he passed was silent as the house was finally asleep.

Opening their door carefully Charlie made his way back inside, shedding his clothes and sliding into bed. As usual Babe hadn’t moved in his sleep and Charlie couldn’t help tracing a smooth finger down the side of Babe’s face. His love was stunning and Charlie trailed his hand down to their refreshed mating bite as affection swelled within him. The alpha curled into his mate and laid his hand over Babe’s chest just to feel him breathe and be with him. Eventually he was able to fall asleep knowing Pit Babe was safe in his arms.

Chapter Text

Kim’s knuckles were white on the steering wheel as he tensely guided the Hunter-X team back towards their pack house. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Jeff curled up in Alan’s lap in the front seat. The omega’s back was to him, but Kim could tell the younger man had pulled Alan’s head down to Jeff’s own where they were tucked in tightly together.

He tried not to let his thoughts linger on what he had learned just minutes ago. Kim was still reeling from learning just a few days ago about Tony’s real wealth and the children who were being raised to be sold. All this time he’d simply thought that the millionaire was helping orphans to expand his own empire, maybe searching through the disenfranchised to find the next brilliant business mind who he could claim as a son. Sure it was a little unethical, but he’d never expected the real truth. That most Tony kids had powers and were being sold for them. Most especially all the former Tony kids with Hunter-X had powers.

It was insane to think about but there was no denying it, not when he had the proof right in front of him. Not when another power had been revealed and confirmed that night.

Jeff could see the future.

That was tough to wrap his head around. Sure he’d been told Pit Babe and Charlie’s powers, but between them the only one he’d really know about was that Babe used to have extra senses and that Charlie now had them. Nothing too special there; Kim was a beta. A lot of the world had extra senses that he lacked. So extra-extra senses were just another thing he could live with.

This was different. When Jeff had declared his power and forced them to reroute to Way’s apartment, Kim didn’t truly believe him. He believed that Jeff might have overheard Tony planning something, or maybe it was a pack omega or alpha mate feeling. What sold it for him was Alan’s reaction and Jeff’s feigned-casual tone as he had claimed he could spoil the results of the next big race. No one in this world could be that nonchalant about racing.

Now Kim was doing his best to drive as fast as possible to get the Hunter-X team home after what was likely their worst night as a pack. Well, the Hunter-X team and apparently Tony’s right-hand man.

He glanced tensely at the men in the back seat. Pit Babe was hunched over Charlie’s lap while the alpha’s pale face was closed off and hard, but Charlie was still gently skimming his free hand down the racer’s back. Meanwhile, Kenta was huddled against the door on the other side of the SUV. The beta looked nervous and clammy; his eyes were flashing between the five other people in the car like he couldn’t quite process where he was.

Ugh, Kim wasn’t sure what they were going to do with the shifty beta but he hoped Alan had a plan. And he hoped the plan was to keep him safe from Tony. The older beta was looking a little worse for the wear, and that wasn’t even mentioning the bullet wound. Kenta also had what appeared to be a fresh black eye and who knew what else under those long sleeves. Kim was willing to bet the beta was more beat up than he’d like to admit. He was under no illusions that working under Tony was a cushy job anymore.

The last turn was up ahead, and Kim hit the button to open the gate, making sure to hit it again the second they were through. As soon as he parked Kim was out the door and already opening Kenta’s door to help the older man.

“Ah I’m fine,” Kenta tried to protest but Kim ignored the guard, hurriedly take over pressure on his would and guiding him to the house.

Up ahead Alan had already carried Jeff inside, Charlie and Babe close behind with the two who’d been left at the pack house already dancing worriedly around them. Kim tucked an arm around the older beta and lead him into the house, careful not to aggravate any hidden injuries as he did so. His own ribs throbbed dully at the exertion but Kim ignored it, a still bleeding bullet wound was more important than a little discomfort.

North clocked them the second Kim crossed the threshold, his eyes widening at the sight of Kenta being hurried inside the house. The alpha kept his eyes on Kim and Kenta as the racer moved the former guard into the living room. Kim settled him down on the chair he’d previously occupied after his own escape from Tony. Maybe they should start keeping a first aid kit under the seat, it seemed to get quite a lot of injured visitors.

“Um, P’Alan? Am I seeing things? Is that Tony’s man?” North asked in a strained voice, pulling Sonic farther back from the door.

The pack alpha glanced down at the betas from his spot on the stairs, his arms straining a little at the weight of the silent omega in his arms, “He helped Noo. So, he stays.” Alan marched a few more steps up before throwing a stony look over his shoulder at the gawking couple, “If you hear from Way let me know. He’s out of the pack for kidnapping Jeff and attacking Babe.”

“What?” Sonic and North yelled together. Kim hung his head at their reaction, he couldn’t imagine their shock at hearing this. He could hardly believe it and he’d witnessed the fear and aftermath.

“Don’t walk away, Phi. What the hell?” Sonic started forward but Kim was quick to place a hand on the omega’s shoulder as he walked by to grab the first aid kit.

“We can explain,” the beta said soberly as Alan carried Jeff away, “Let them be, the rescue was tough on everyone.” He didn’t know everything but at least Kim knew enough to hopefully give Pit Babe and Jeff a night of peace.

“But...” the omega trailed off frowning and reached out to Charlie as he was leading Babe by, “Ai’Charlie what is going on? Is P’Babe alright? What is happening?” The omega wasn’t about to drop it, not when the pack alpha’s explanation did nothing but make him more afraid.

“Just leave it Sonic,” Charlie pulled Babe closer and lead them to the stairs.

The omega tried again, brushing aside North’s attempt to stop him, “No. You all come back here looking more traumatized than I’ve ever seen you and are just marching away? Let us help.”

Kim grimaced as Sonic reached out trying to touch Babe, but jerked back when Charlie growled harshly. In the living room Kim could hear Kenta’s startled gasp at the alpha’s aggressive warning, clearly the former guard had never heard Charlie react so strongly either.

“Don’t touch him,” Charlie’s eyes glinted darkly and Sonic took another step back. Abruptly the alpha’s frightening demeanor dropped and his eyes softened, “Sorry P’Sonic. Can you please help Kim with Kenta? We will talk tomorrow alright?”

“Yeah,” Sonic said softly, curling his hands back towards his chest, “Take care of P’Babe, we’ll handle these guys.” North nodded beside him and they both turned to focus on Kim.

“What are you doing?” Sonic asked sharply and Kim jerked upright from where he’d been rummaging around for the first aid kit. The beta couldn’t help the wince at moving so suddenly and Sonic clearly clocked the movement.

“I was getting something to help Kenta’s bullet wound? From where he was shot over thirty minutes ago with no medical treatment?” Kim pressed a hand to his protesting ribs but reached back down to grab the kit. Kenta needed to be cleaned up and have proper bandages applied, possibly even stitched. He’d never given anyone stitches before but it wasn’t like they could bring the guard to a regular hospital. Tony would be on them in an instant and no one wanted to stage yet another escape from that psycho.

A hand came down and snatched the kit out of his hands. “I can see that,” Sonic scoffed, “I mean why are you making your own injuries worse! Go sit down! Go, go, go!” The omega gently pulled the beta up, ignoring Kim’s protests, and hurried him over to the other chair in the living room.

Kenta was frozen in his chair as Kim was ushered into the seat opposite him. The former guard’s color was still bad, and he was pressed so far back in his chair you’d think he was trying to melt into it. Kim nodded as reassuringly as he could while he was being fretted over by Sonic. The older beta just stared wide-eyed as the colorful couple quickly cared for the younger beta, pressing pain meds, water, and an ice pack into his hands.

“Thanks North,” Kim winced as he maneuvered the ice over his aching ribs. He was supposed to be on a regiment for the pain, but the rescue had taken longer than expected and the previous round of meds had faded a while ago. The only thing keeping the ache at bay had been the adrenalin of the night. Now that feeling was back with full force.

The alpha waved off his thanks and his eyes narrowed in on Kenta, “So you got yourself shot, huh?”

“Hey, be nice,” Kim frowned and straightened up. He didn’t want Kenta to feel like the group was rejecting him after he just threw away everything to help Jeff tonight.

“I’m being nice!” North insisted, hands raised in mock surrender, “I’m just checking sheesh!”

Kenta sat up, clearing his throat and meeting North’s eyes with his own flat stare, “Yes I was. The bullet grazed my left arm. There is no damage to any bones, I don’t think there is any major muscle damage, and the bleeding stopped roughly 20 minutes ago. The main concerns of this injury include infection, lack of mobility, and decreased strength. Return to full capacity in four to six weeks, effective return in two weeks.”

Sonic, North, and Kim blinked at the guard.

“Um, okay,” Sonic broke the silence first, “Thank you for that detail. It’s good it won’t take too long to heal.” The omega paused, his eyebrows crinkled in worry as he stared at the beta, “P’North why don’t you let me handle cleaning Kenta up while you grab them something to eat.”

The alpha frowned, glancing from the stiff beta to his omega, and only moving when Sonic raised a pointed eyebrow at the older man. Kim and Kenta watched as North sighed, handed over the med kit and headed to the kitchen.

“Right,” Sonic chirped brightly, “Let’s take a look at that arm. And your face I guess. Is there anywhere that needs to be patched up?” The omega’s eyes narrowed as they analyzed the stock-still beta.

“No sir um, khun Sonic,” Kenta wavered worriedly before focusing his gaze firmly on the coffee table.

There was a retching sound as Sonic waved his hands about. “Ew ew ew! None of that ‘khun’ stuff gross,” the omega gagged dramatically as he pulled what he needed out of the kit, “leave that respectful shit for the others. Now shirt off, let’s go.”

Kenta looked even more nervous but hesitantly obeyed, carefully pulling his shirt over his head and tensing up as the material stuck to his wound. He folded it up, movements slow as he tried not to aggravate his injuries, and placed the blood-soaked shirt gently on the floor.

“Oh shit,” Kim breathed out. The guard was a mess. Purple and green bruises were stark against his chest, finger shaped marks were layered around his throat in a way that suggested it was a regular injury, and his arm was coated in dried blood.

“P’North bring more ice bags please,” Sonic called over to the kitchen, his voice tense, “And some soapy water too.” The omega didn’t listen for a response, instead gentling his tone and addressing the tense beta, “I’m going to touch you alright? Stop me at any time you want. I’m going to start with some bruise and numbing creams while we wait for P’North, okay?”

Kenta nodded but didn’t say anything. Whenever he protested against something it was always ignored at Tony’s compound. He held still as the omega approached him slowly and began to care for his injuries. Part of Kenta wanted to tell the Hunter-X team member that they shouldn’t bother, his injuries rarely got treated and he’d learned to live with the pain a while ago. The other part of him, the part that had gotten louder and louder since Jeff had been captured, really wanted to feel cared for even if it was just for this night. Kenta was unsure how long this pack would allow him to stay, especially after everything he’d done to hurt them and their packmates, but he was just desperate enough to want it for the night. In the morning he would face the pack alpha’s verdict and tonight he would allow himself to pretend he was part of something as fanciful as a pack.

“This might sting a little, stop me if it gets to be too much alright?” Sonic said quietly as he moved on to the beta’s arm. “I don’t think you’re right about it not needing stitches, but we have some butterfly stitches I’ll use instead of a needle. If it starts to look too bad in the next day or two we’ll take you to a clinic nearby that deals with a lot of reckless accidents. They won’t even notice you in the mix.”

The beta blinked. The next day or two? Was the Hunter-X team not going to kick him out yet? Kenta nodded, a little unsure but unwilling to say anything that might get the omega to change his mind.

“Here,” North pressed an icepack against the darker bruising on his chest, “take these pain meds too with this. We don’t have any of the hard stuff but it’s better than nothing and that looks like it hurts.” Kenta obediently took the meds and cup noodle, swallowing them down and watching as North went to give Kim both as well. It was a little tricky to balance the cup when Sonic was still wrapping up his arm but ha managed. “Now what happened out there?”

Kim looked at Kenta and the racer frowned, “I, well I don’t know everything. Just what happened after Jeff and Kenta escaped. And, um…” Kim paused and took a bite of his own food, “There are some things I think Jeff should explain. He kinda had to out his power for us to go save P’Babe.”

Sonic jerked the bandage tightly around Kenta’s arm, “He what? Sorry Kenta, I’ll loosen it! Jeff what?”

Kim grimaced, “Yeah I think P’Alan already knew what it was because he tried to shush Jeff, but he was so freaked out he just came out at told all of us. I don’t think I should say anything else about it, I feel bad enough he was forced to tell everyone for us to believe that P’Babe was in danger,” The beta shifted his ice pack and glanced across to Kenta, “As for the rest of the night, I probably don’t have the best perspective either, I was just in the car the whole time.”

Everyone’s eyes shifted over to Kenta and the beta sat up a little straighter, swallowing quickly, “I can explain a few things, but I agree with Kim. Jeff’s powers are his own to discuss, he deserves to reveal his secrets only when he wants to.” The betas voice was firm as looked at the omega’s pack. Kenta might have been wrong about a lot of things, he might have hurt Jeff and other omegas before but no more. He could protect Jeff this time around, be a guardian more than a warden. It was the least he could do for the omega who encouraged him to escape, to seek something more than Tony’s tyranny.

“We’d never want to pressure him,” Sonic said kindly, he’d cleaned up the first aid kit and was standing uncertainly between the two betas. “I just want to know why we suddenly need to be warry of Way and, no offense to you,” Sonic nodded to Kenta, “why you suddenly decided to run away from your precious father.”

Kenta looked away from the omega in shame, Sonic’s tone wasn’t accusatory or anything but it was a fair question. Why now. He’d endured years at Tony’s hand. Suffered through beatings that felt so normal, lost a love he’d been raised to guard for the rest of his life, and facilitated every illegal thing Tony ever asked of him. And for what? A father who wasn’t really his father? For the only mentor in his life to constantly put him down like the dog he was? To watch as his former adoptees fled only to learn that they were living the lives they’d always dreamed of living? The ones he enjoyed discussing but never actually thought would come true for him? Kenta couldn’t explain why now was the moment he’d had to go, but it was the only option. Seeing Jeff locked back up in a cage once more after Kenta had seen the omega in a loving pack broke something final in him. And Kenta could not go back to his willful blindness and loyalty anymore.

“Kenta? Hey Kenta, are you alright?”

The soft call broke the beta out of his spiraling thoughts and he automatically sat up straight once more, “Apologies. I can report on the nights activities now.” He stared blankly ahead, vision blurring the room into white and gray smudges.

“No, Kenta you don’t need to treat this as a report,” Kim spoke softly again, “This isn’t…you don’t need to act like… ah shit it’s too early and too late to deal with this.” The beta stood up, pushing away his empty cup and fiddling with the ice pack in his hands, “Can we do this tomorrow? All we really know is that we got Jeff back, Way is an asshole, and that your team has a habit of picking up Tony refugees. Is that enough for you both?”

Sonic let out a strained giggle, “Are you sad you’re no longer the newest stray?”

“Devastated,” Kim said flatly, “Now can we all go to bed? It’s been an incredibly long night.”

North sighed and gathered up the finished noodles from the betas, “Fine, but I hope you both know you are leaving me to deal with a jittery Sonic all night and I will be blaming each of you for that.”

Kenta stiffened for a moment before Kim sighed exaggeratedly back at the alpha, “He’s your mate you signed up for it. And it’s probably only a few hours don’t be dramatic.” The beta stretched cautiously and ignored North’s offended look, “I’m going to bed, there will be a full team debrief tomorrow. Goodnight.”

“Wait,” Sonic caught the beta’s arm as he passed, “Can you grab your stuff? It might be better for you to move to the upstairs guest room tonight.”

Kim tilted his head, “Why?”

Sonic’s eyes slid to the still seated Kenta who tried not to stiffen under the omega’s gaze, there was some hidden sharpness in Sonic’s stare and it felt like Kenta was under a microscope when the omega looked at him like that. It was almost worse than Tony’s glare, at least he knew what the alpha would do to him, but with the omega Kenta was sure he didn’t want to find out what was on the others mind.

“This is no dig against our newest stray,” Sonic explained, “But I think the whole pack will feel a little safer if you were inside and Kenta stayed in the pool house tonight.”

Kim’s eyes narrowed a little but he nodded.

“Great!” Sonic beamed, “I’ll grab some sheets and P’North you can help P’Kim bring his stuff upstairs.”

Kim rolled his eyes, “I can carry my own stuff. Not like there is much there anyway.”

“No can do racer boy,” North threw a casual arm around Kim’s shoulders, “You’re the one who was silly enough to break your bones now you get to be babied.”

“I didn’t choose to break them,” Kim groaned as the alpha steered him to the glass doors. As North opened them Kim leaned around the taller man and beckoned to the guard, “Come on P’Kenta you’ll be out here.”

The beta stood carefully, partially to be careful of his injuries and partially because he was still a little in shock about being allowed to stay here. He followed slowly out of the house and around the corner where North was gently teasing Kim about calling Kenta Phi. The guard ignored that the best he could, it was getting a little overwhelming just being in the Hunter-X house, and stood quietly as Kim and North gathered the few positions Kim had scattered about the large room.

“We should probably take you shopping,” North hummed thoughtfully as Kim threw the last of his things into a bag. There was hardly anything, just some clothes, some toiletries, and his phone charger.

“Yeah well we’ve been busy since you guys saved me,” Kim smiled wryly, “Not much time to restock a wardrobe when you have to stage two rescue missions in a week.”

“Still, I’ll see what Sonic and I can get together for you,” North shrugged then looked over at Kenta still standing near the door, “For you both I mean.”

Kenta nodded in acknowledgement, unsure what else to do. None of his training covered the proper way to respond to staying at your former enemies house and them offering you food, medicine, and clothing. He’d have to figure out how to be useful to them or at least how to keep Jeff safe. Thankfully he was saved from replying as Sonic bounced inside with clean sheets and started stripping off the bed.

“Okay newbie,” Sonic chirped, “Breakfast is whenever you wake up, I have a toothbrush and everything for you here in this bundle, and if you need anything just come inside and wake someone up! I’ll change your bandage out in the morning but other than that I think we are good to go here!” He fluffed up the pillows and stood back to admire the quickly remade bed, “I hope it’s comfy enough, but Mr. Broken Ribs hasn’t complained so it can’t be all bad I guess. Oh and I grabbed some of North’s old stuff for you seeing as your clothes are covered in blood.” The omega turned and smiled and the frozen beta before bounding over and plucking at the small bag in North’s hands, “Huh we really need to get you more stuff, P’Kim.”

The racer sighed, “Yes we’ve been over this and thank you for all that. Now let’s go I want to lay down.” Kim held up a hand to stop North and Sonic from interrupting, “I know, I know. Propped up not laying down.”

Sonic laughed and looped his arm through the beta’s, “Now you’re learning racer boy!” He grabbed North’s hand and began dragging the two away while Kenta watched. At the door Kim shook himself loose and shooed away the energetic couple with a wave before turning to face Kenta.

The beta had backed away from the door and over to the little bundle of things Sonic had left. He’d felt a little awkward without a shirt on but the omega was right, his old clothes had a lot of blood on them. Kenta pulled the soft blue shirt over his head, wincing a little as his stitches pulled, and tried not to think about the fact that he and Kim were alone in a room for the first time since the racer had been taken by Tony. As he turned back to face the racer he tried not to picture the dim warehouse where Kim had been left tied up and beaten for no reason other than standing up to Tony. Kenta hadn’t seen anything like it before. Anyone who had tried to stand up to the alpha had quickly disappeared or had been harshly reeducated so to see the beta refuse to bend to the tycoon was…different. Especially when Kim had clearly been doing so with selfless motives.

“I’m sorry for…”

“I apologize, I should..”

They both paused and Kim’s lips ticked up into a tiny smile.

“You can go first,” the racer offered politely, but Kenta shook his head. “Alright,” Kim started again, “I’m sorry they all can be…a lot to say the least. I’ve only been here a week and I’m constantly overwhelmed, I can’t imagine how it is for you right now.”

Kenta blinked at the younger man in shock. Why was he apologizing to him? Kenta is the one who should be saying sorry, should be begging for forgiveness from everyone in this house, this pack. He’d been compliant or outright involved in the terrible things that had been happening to the Hunter-X team, and to Kim after he tried to stand up for them.

“No, please don’t do that,” Kenta’s voice was gruff and he swallowed thickly, “I should be the one begging forgiveness here. Especially after you were taken away. I did that. I should have stopped it.” The beta looked down at his shoes and grimaced at the blood spotting the leather. Yet another stain on him.

“Hey, no Phi,” Kim started forward and hesitated a second before placing a hand on Kenta’s shoulder, “I’m not going to say it’s alright, because you guys did kidnap me, but you did decide to leave and I think that should count for a lot here.”

Kenta was frozen. No one touched him. Not unless they were hurting him or training him to hurt others. The medical work Sonic had done earlier was the first time in a long time another person had cleaned up his wounds, but that touch was still clinical and only lasted as long as necessary. This was different. Kim had a hand on his shoulder for no other reason but comfort and Kenta didn’t know what to do with that. The last person to touch him gently was Pete and he didn’t allow himself to think about that. About him.

Stiffly, Kenta nodded but couldn’t find the words to speak. Kim didn’t seem to mind though, just squeezed his shoulder reassuringly and took a step back.

“It’s been a bit of an odd adjustment living here, but I think you’ll like it, Phi,” Kim said reassuringly, “They’re not what I expected when I first arrived, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a loving pack, even when one of their own was missing.”

Once again Kenta nodded and he blinked rapidly against the hot, prickling sensation in his eyes. Thankfully Kim didn’t try and make him talk, instead the younger beta took that as his cue and headed to the door. At the threshold Kim paused and looked back at the still beta, “Goodnight, P’Kenta.”

The guard stood alone in the quiet room, so different than the dorm he’d been assigned so many years ago, and finally lost the battle against his tears. They dripped traitorously hot down his cheeks as he shakily sat down on the edge of the bed. He didn’t know if it was relief, shock, or residual pain that caused tears to drip endlessly down his face but for once he didn’t try to stop them. Instead, he slowly reached up to press his hand where Kim’s had touched him and allowed himself to hope for more. To hope for pack.

Chapter Text

Babe pressed his ear against the locker room door as he bolted it shut. It still felt ridiculous having to strain just to listen a room away, even months after getting used to his lack of extra senses, but he couldn’t have anyone walking in on them. Not before this race.

The alpha rested his forehead against the cool metal for a brief moment before weaving between the rows to where they always got ready. Charlie needed him, and Babe needed his mate. Needed to feel him close before they went through with this stupid fucking plan. A plan everyone knew damn well that he didn’t approve of no matter how much Alan insisted he trusted Jeff’s powers.

Well excuse Babe for not trusting powers. He’d learned that the hard way months ago, years if he was being honest. There was nothing so special that Tony or the rest of this damn universe wouldn’t take away from you. Your family, your safety, your powers, and most of all your trust. All of it could be ripped away no matter what the future-seer said. Babe used to trust his senses implicitly, they were what kept him going after years of being groomed as Tony’s dog, what gave him the edge he needed to stand out amongst the masses, what drew his Charlie to him. And all it had proved was that his faith was misplaced. His senses were gone and he learned the toughest lesson of all; special powers don’t mean shit if it’s all you rely on. Pit Babe was better than that now. He had his pack. His family.

And Alan wanted him to watch as the most important piece of that family was purposely hurled over a cliff with nothing but faith in someone’s damn powers to keep Charlie safe.

He rounded the last corner straight to the familiar body leaned up against the mirrored counter. Part of his mind took in the lean figure of his mate, half dressed for the race, but the rest was focused on burying his nose in Charlie’s neck and breathing in his subtle scent.

“Phi?” Charlie asked softly, his neck automatically tilting so the older man could nose along the fill length of the alpha’s neck.

Babe shook his head and breathed in deeply. There was a hint of salty waves that was hidden behind the metallic tang of Charlie’s deep focus. Before he’d lost his extra senses Babe hadn’t appreciated how perfectly Charlie his mate’s scent was. This man was everything, his greatest rest and strongest will in an enticing yet unassuming package. Thinking back on how he’d tried to dismiss this gift over and over again until Charlie finally beat it into him that Charlie wasn’t going anywhere. That Babe could trust in Charlie above all else because he would never abandon Babe like others had.

That was all it took and Babe tumbled so far over the edge he could no longer see a world where his Charlie wasn’t right beside him. And that terrified him.

“Phi,” Charlie breathed his hand clenching tightly around Babe’s trembling grip, “I’m right here. We’re prepared for this.”

Babe shook his head, pulling his mate back against his chest, “I don’t like this. I don’t like the idea of you being hurt.”

The younger alpha sighed at the familiar argument. Babe had barely agreed to let this go through, and only because Babe knew that Charlie would be doing it with or without his approval. The racer would rather go back to Tony willingly than let Charlie go through this without his support, so he’d given in and done what he could to help. More practice, drills about drifting on grass or asphalt, extra checks on safety measures. Even sitting down with Jeff and Alan to plan the best spots to cause the crash. Logically Babe knew that his mate was in the best hands possible, but logically he also knew that racing was an extremely dangerous sport where sometimes safety checks weren’t always enough. Especially with the damn Red Team hovering around and wrecking all their shit.

Charlie squirmed a little in his arms, shifting until Babe let up enough for the younger man to turn around and face him. “Hey,” Charlie ran his fingers through Babe’s hair, “I’ll be fine, don’t you trust me?”

“It’s not you I don’t trust,” Babe grumbled, tucking his face back into Charlie’s shoulder. He could hardly scent the younger man now and he missed being able to easily breathe him in. Now pulling out Charlie’s subtle scent was like searching for a single drop of sweetness in an ocean. He’d never felt so blind before and was still struggling to adapt months later.

Gentle hands guided his head up and out of Charlie’s shoulder. The younger man smiled and tilted his head, “Then trust the skills you taught me. And you’ll be with me the whole time, right?”

Babe frowned, hands clenching tightly around the other alpha’s slim waist, “Like I’d be anywhere else.” It wasn’t even an option. He’d never let Charlie go at this alone. It was their fight and Charlie was doing this for him. To let Babe have more breathing room at the least or have Tony back off if they succeed. The stakes were a mile high and if everything worked out then they could be free and Babe would never stand between Charlie and freedom from Tony.

“Then I have nothing to worry about,” Charlie’s grin was sharp and he pulled Babe in for a kiss. The alpha immediately sunk into it, mouth opening easily under Charlie’s probing tongue, hands coming up to cup his mates jaw. Babe could feel the warmth seeping through the thin material of Charlie’s undershirt against his own, the slimmest barrier between them, as they stood pressed against each other. As his hands pressed tightly against his mate’s strong back Babe could feel how stiff the younger man was. He pulled back.

“Hey,” Babe swept his nose along Charlie’s bumping softly at his glasses, “Why so tense, Papa?”

Charlie’s eyes darked and Babe couldn’t suppress a shiver at the quick change in his lover’s demeanor. The younger man tilted his head down, “Maybe I was waiting for Mama to come help me focus before the race. Are you going to help me focus? We don’t have a lot of time left.”

Babe couldn’t stop the grin on his face and he reached up to set Charlie’s glasses aside. Not like the other alpha needed them. Hell, he could probably stop wearing them completely, but the younger man said he felt more comfortable in them. As Babe set them down he felt Charlie run his palms down the rippled muscles of his abs. He didn’t linger and swiftly pulled Babe’s shirt over his head, impatiently followed by his own, and pulled their bare chests together. Babe ducked back in for another kiss, hands cupping Charlie’s jaw and enjoying the taste of his mate.

Fuck he could never get enough of this man. The creature in his arms was nothing how he expected. Their first run together had satisfied him in ways he hadn’t thought possible if he was being honest. Never expecting the faux-shy puppy dog attitude to be concealing something far darker, something Babe craved. It always swept him up, each time as breathtaking as the first, but since Charlie had absorbed his senses there was something else about the alpha. Like Charlie had tasted Babe for the first time again and was more determined than ever to not let him go. And Babe loved it.

“Ah, Papa,” The words were pulled from him as Charlie pushed their jumpsuits down, kicking their legs free and shoving down Babe’s boxers with them. Charlie fixed his mouth on Babe’s neck, starting with the unmarked side and biting bruises that would barely be covered by the alpha’s racing suit. Babe didn’t care. He’d been against marks for the longest time, it defeated the point of all his hooking up. Why let someone think they could own you? He was just going to jump to another sweet-smelling alpha at the next race. No, it was better to keep everyone unattached. But like so many things, Charlie was different. He wanted people to see that they were together, that no one was going to take the younger man away from him.

Charlie didn’t seem to notice Babe’s words, just spun them so Babe’s back was pressed to the counter. The alpha licking down Babe’s chest, his hands grasping Babe’s arms with deceptive strength. Babe’s head dropped back as Charlie explored well-worn paths across his skin, planting little nips and kisses around the alpha’s chest. Teeth scraped along his hipbone and Babe knew where Charlie’s path was taking him, but he needed more. He needed more right now and he shifted restlessly, tugging urgently on Charlie’s hair until the racer pulled back. Babe’s breath hitched at Charlie’s searing gaze and he shivered as the alpha stood up to press Babe further against the counter.

“Come on, Papa,” Babe groaned breathlessly, fingers not quite gripping the last piece of clothing on Charlie. He knew Charlie could feel his own interest, they’d done this dance a hundred times after all, but something about fucking right before a race got his blood flowing hotter than anything else. His mate knew this and backed off, only after placing a quick kiss over his tattoo.

“Hmm you’re right,” Charlie’s heated stare held him in place while the younger man slid off his own boxers, “I should be faster. We’re helping each other focus today. I shouldn’t be so selfish with you.”

Babe couldn’t help the moan at that. This was their first race together and even though they had terrifying plans he was going to enjoy it. Every rushed minute of it.

Charlie smirked and drew Babe forward into another kiss, one hand keeping a firm hold on his jaw and the other sliding back and down. Slim fingers teasingly skimmed over one cheek before gripping down hard, the hand covering the thick muscle and tugging to the side. Babe felt as Charlie realized he’d already prepared himself, those long fingers sliding too easily into the alpha’s loosened hole.

“When did you have the time?” Charlie asked, head tilted to the side and looking far too adorable for someone who currently had their fingers up his ass.

“Is that really, aaah,” Babe tensed up as Charlie scissored him, testing how well he was stretched, “important.”

The younger racer pecked him a kiss, “Not really, but I’d like to watch next time.”

Babe couldn’t do anything but nod, his eyes already half closed as Charlie kissed him again, pressing into him with his tongue and fingers with equal skill. One strong hand wondered Babe’s chest while Charlie made sure he was ready, bombarding the alpha on all fronts with electric sensations.

Finally, after what felt like longer than they had to spare, Charlie pulled his fingers out and spun Babe around. The alpha turned willingly, letting his younger mate direct his hands to brace against the mirror. His eyes were only half open, but he forced himself to watch Charlie in the mirror as the alpha helpfully spread his legs apart and lined up. The push inside was everything. Hot, thick, and filling him up just right as Babe’s eyes helplessly closed against the deliciously familiar feeling of his mate inside him.

For a moment Charlie paused, letting Babe catch his breath, before the younger alpha slid his hands up and over Babe’s arms until they were braced against Babe’s own.

Slowly, always starting so slowly, Charlie rocked forward. The sensation sparked through Babe, stealing his breath again and reminding the racer of that heart stopping buzz of skidding around a corner just a tad too fast and not knowing if you were going to spin out or finally overtake your opponent. Charlie always felt like that to Babe. Like he was constantly pushing faster and faster, dizzy with adrenaline and his senses focused entirely on the ride. On Charlie. Babe’s head fell back onto Charlie’s shoulder as the younger man changed the angle, sparks now bursting through him, each thrust pushing him higher on his toes as Charlie held him down and made him take it. Take all of that hidden strength.

Charlie pressed hard on Babe’s hands, a warning to keep them on the mirror, and shifted his grip to Babe’s waist. The alpha’s eyes opened as one of Charlie’s hands shifted lower and lower until he locked his grip over Babe’s length.

Babe groaned, head coming up and eyes locking on the dark gaze of his mate through the mirror. He’d slept with more than his fair share of people, a few omegas early on before his preference towards alphas became clearer. He’d enjoyed the first time one of them had wrapped their thick hands around one of his arms. Babe could feel their power, the way they wanted him, the way he could focus all his senses on them just for a few moments. Charlie felt different from all of them. Every kiss, every touch burned through him. Babe could feel Charlie’s devotion, their love hot between them as he sped closer and closer to the edge.

“Come on Mama,” Charlie panted, hand coming up in front of Babe’s face until the racer got the memo and licked up Charlie’s palm. They did have lube somewhere around here, but neither was patient enough to go find it when they were already so close. Charlie hummed approvingly as he returned to stroking Babe off, this time with a slightly smoother glide.

The racer couldn’t think; his muffled senses were filled with the thick scent of sex, of Charlie’s steel over taking the cool sea breeze, his own ozone spiking in time and filling the room with their scents. He could hear the sharp slaps of Charlie’s hips as he drove deeper and deeper into Babe, the alpha hardly needed direction anymore to hit that electric spot over and over.

“Ah, Charlie,” Babe breathed out, eyes slipping closed as the sensations built up and up. “Just a little, ah just a little more.” His mate didn’t stop, hand moving faster in time with his hips, grinding deeply into Babe just how he liked it. The driver couldn’t wait to be on the track, racing over each bump and curve and feeling Charlie in him each time. He liked the sensation of it. Even more so after he’d met Charlie and was able to keep a reminder of who he is racing for, what he has to lose. Before Charlie it was just another thing to keep his focus, something he could ground his body to as the sounds and scents of the road threatened to overwhelm him. Now without the threat of overload he still loved it, but as a connection to the person who mattered most in the world.

Suddenly Charlie shifted, grip tightening around his length, driving up into Babe, and biting down sharply on his mark.

“Ah shiiiii,” Babe cried out, release rocketing through him as Charlie continued to pump his hand. His arms were shaking against the mirror and Babe squinted his eyes open in time to see as Charlie slowly licked around the red bite mark. The younger alpha had been…bitey the past week and now Babe’s shoulder was a mess of red marks and teeth-shaped bruises. He wasn’t complaining though, the constant reminder that he was loved and wanted was just what Babe had been needing. Probably what Charlie needed too if Babe was being honest.

For a long moment the only sound in the locker room was the soft panting between them. Babe slowly let his arms drop from the mirror, bracing instead on the counter as Charlie carefully pulled out.

“Ah sorry,” The younger racer apologized, “I always forget we need a condom here. Hold on.”

Babe just nodded to himself as his mate shuffled back into his underwear and jumpsuit before grabbing a nearby towel to clean up Babe. The alpha didn’t mind really, just another small thing to hold his focus at the race, but he was always happy to let Charlie fuss over him. Including letting the younger man help him back into his jumpsuit, tenderly pulling each piece up and around him until Babe was perfectly dressed for the race.

“Hey,” Babe caught Charlie’s fluttering arm, “You’ll be fine out there today.”

Charlie smiled brightly and Babe melted at his lover’s grin, “Of course I will. You’ll be there with me the whole time.”

“Hmm,” Babe pressed his forehead against Charlie’s, breathing in the still subtle scent of his mate, “Be safe please. I love you.”

“I love you too, P’Babe,” Charlie pressed a kiss to Babe’s nose, then tilted his head to the side again, “Ah I can hear the five-minute warning. You good to go?”

Babe huffed and rolled his eyes, “I should be asking you that, this is only your second race.”

“Oh yeah but,” Charlie hurried after Babe when the alpha took off toward the track, “I’ve been with you to a lot of races so it doesn’t feel that way, you know?”

“If you say so,” Babe said a little disbelievingly, but he held out his hand for his mate to grab as he led them to the Hunter-X pit. With each step he felt his pre-race calm seep into him. He could smell the oil and hot metal of the cars, hear engines roaring and people bustling about, he could feel the slight tremor of the cars as they revved. He could feel Charlie lingering inside him.

“There’s our speedy couple,” Sonic gushed as he bounced up to meet the pair. North was just over the omega’s shoulder, camera up and capturing Babe and Charlie’s approach to their cars.

Babe smirked, bringing his free hand up to skate through his sex-ruffled hair, “Alright alright, out of our way.” He waved lightly at the grinning couple and pulled Charlie along, the alpha just laughing as Babe planted the younger man next to his car.

“Hey,” Babe ducked his head down for a moment, squeezing Charlie’s hand tightly, “You come back to me.”

Charlie grinned brightly, bumping his head softly against Babe’s, “Of course, P’Babe. There’s no where else I’d rather be.”

The racers stepped apart, Babe heading to his car and Charlie ducking into his own. Babe pulled up his fire protection hood and his helmet on, catching the sickening sounds of Alan flirting with Jeff. He was more than fine with the couple, but that didn’t mean he needed both of them in his ears for the whole race. Babe much preferred Alan or Wa…he preferred Alan to be on his comms.

“Ugh I do not want you two being sappy in my ear the whole drive,” Babe groaned into the mic, adjusting the helmet straps to be snugger.

“Get in your car, P’Babe,” Jeff’s reply crackled through loud and clear. The driver sent an annoyed look towards the pits but he doubted the omega could see his face as he grumbled about bossy alpha-mates.

There was another fizz of static and Alan’s voice came through next, “Focus up everyone. No mistakes this race, we need to be prepared and ready to move. Charlie, you ready?” Babe settled into his car and looked over his shoulder at Charlie’s starting position.

“Ready, P’Alan,” came the alpha’s quiet reply. Babe couldn’t hear any hesitation in his mate, just the steel-laced determination that Charlie only brought out in the most serious moments. Steadily Babe went through his checks, fingers flying assuredly over the mirrors, gear shift, and gages.

“Everyone knows the plan. Let’s get this done and everyone back home by tonight safe and sound, alright?” Alan asked, his voice steady over the comms. Babe let the pack alpha’s steadiness ground him as he took a deep breath.

The one-minute buzzer sounded.

Babe shifted up in his seat, tensing up at the soreness he felt but loving the feeling all the same. He had two jobs today; protect Charlie and win the race. Babe was determined to do both.

The alpha’s jaw clenched as the timer hit thirty seconds. He glanced one last time at his mate’s car, they’d be in each others sight often enough during the race but just the quick sight of it reassured him. Alan ran through the last second checks, fuel, engine, feel, the plan. Babe’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel as the timer ticked lower and lower. Trust his pack, trust his family. Trust Charlie.

Three.

Two.

One.

Race.

Chapter Text

Kim kept his eyes on Kenta as the meeting wrapped up around them. It was deep into the night, the pack having stayed up late to plan their rescue until Charlie spared them all by nodding off onto Babe’s shoulder. Almost at once Alan had quickly declared the meeting finished for the night and walked Pete to the door.

He’d watched as the older beta had trailed behind Pete and Alan, afraid to break into their conversation, before the enigma had thanked Alan and turned his attention onto Kenta. Kim watched as Kenta subtly perked up at the taller man’s attention, so subtle that Kim might have thought he’d imagined it if Alan hadn’t wandered back to stand next to the racer.

“They’re even closer than I initially thought,” the pack alpha half-whispered into the quiet of the foyer. Kim turned to face him but kept an eye on where Pete and Kenta were speaking just outside the front door. The two hadn’t interacted much during the meeting, sitting on opposite sides of the living room and only interjecting when they corrected the pack on the exact layouts of the compound, or how they thought Tony would react to something. They weren’t in sync but something in their dynamic spoke to years of being comfortable around each other.

“They did grow up together,” Kim stated. He felt…weird? The whole night had been a little weird but now the beta felt freshly upset and he wasn’t sure why. He stuffed his hands into his pockets and glanced away from the pair and at the exhausted alpha in front of him. Alan’s eyes were also on Pete and Kenta, but Kim couldn’t tell what he was thinking. There was something shuttered about Alan at the moment, like the spark had been drained from him, only leaving a functioning skeleton of a man in its place.

Alan brushed the hair out of his face and rubbed tiredly at his eyes, “I’m just happy that Kenta has another friend. It’s not easy growing up under Tony and I’ve seen a few poorly-adjusted people come out of that hellscape.” The alpha let the hand fall from his face and looked to where Charlie and Babe had retreated as soon as the meeting was done. “Babe was all anger and mistrust when he first came to the garage. He’d had no one but himself when he left. It’s good that Kenta was able to find us, and find Pete again. Makes the changes easier with people who support you. I hope it'll help him feel less alone.”

Kim didn’t know what to say, opting to nod instead as the strange feeling continued. He turned his full attention back to Pete and Kenta, watching as Pete smoothed a hand down Kenta’s shoulder, the beta ducking his head slightly as he stared resolutely over the enigma’s shoulder.

“Hmm,” Alan hummed thoughtfully at the pair then clapped his own hand lightly on Kim’s back, “I’m going to try and get North to sleep. You should turn in soon too. We have a long few days ahead of us.”

“You make sure to do the same P’Alan,” Kim replied. The pack alpha just patted the beta on the shoulder again and headed upstairs, gently pulling North away from his computer as he did so. Kim watched as Pete made his goodbyes, touch lingering on Kenta's shoulder until the enigma was walking back to his car and heading out. The beta drifted up to the open door as Kenta followed the car out and locking the gate up behind the enigma. It might not hold a lot back, but Kim knew the beta would feel better if there was even a pseudo layer of extra security around the property.

Kenta cautiously made his way back to the house, looking around at the foliage and carefully trying the handles on the cars parked there. His face was stern and focused as Kim watched the beta comfort himself and the others in little safety checks before turning to reenter the pack house and startling a little at the sight of Kim leaning against the doorway.

"Oh, I didn't realize you were still up," Kenta said softly, his voice almost as quiet as the gentle breeze that ruffled through the beta's hair.

The racer cleared his throat and stood up straighter, "Well, someone needed to help you with your injuries."

Kenta blinked, "What injuries?"

Rolling his eyes Kim stepped forward and reached for Kenta's hands. The guard instinctively twitched away then allowed Kim to grab one of his hands and hold them up.

"These injuries," Kim turned Kenta's hand and traced a finger lightly along the scratches and scuffs the racer had been eyeing all day. The racer felt Kenta tremble a little as he skimmed along the center of the guard's palm and around the calluses on his fingers.

Kenta twitched his hand out of Kims and rubs his thumb harshly over the lines Kim just traced, "They're just scratches, Kim. I've had worse."

The beta's eyes narrow at Kenta's attempt to brush him off, "Just because you've had worse doesn't mean you shouldn't get treated for smaller injuries. You have people that care for you here, so let us care for you."

"Oh," Kenta looked over his shoulder and back to where Pete drove away just minutes ago, "I'm still getting used to it I guess. Alright then."

Kim smiled, "Good. Glad we have that sorted." The racer grabbed Kenta's hand again and pulled the older man inside, letting the guard carefully lock the door behind them, before leading Kenta up to the room Kim had been staying in since Kenta joined the Hunter-X team.

The room was more plain than the rest of the house, simple but still stylish black furniture including a large bed, a dresser and a desk. There was even an ensuite attached and with similar black-and-white stylings. Kim felt a flush rise in his cheeks as he pulled Kenta inside and directed him towards the bathroom and away from the huge bed in the middle of the room. He bracingly pushed down the thoughts of when the other beta accidentally fell asleep in his room a few nights ago. They'd stayed up talking about the Hunter-X pack and how it was so different from what they'd known.

Back in Korea Kim was a part of his family's pack, but that was more formal and only included his immediate family. His mother headed their house while his father and grandparents were content to follow her example without complaint. Kim had grown up in a rigid but kind household, he'd known his parents loved each other and loved him, but it was nothing like the open affection of the Hunter-X pack. The first time he witnessed North and Sonic play flirting in the garage he almost exploded from embarrassment. Open affection was not something he was used to, but in the few months Kim had lived with the Hunter-X pack he grew more used to it. It was even better when he and Kenta had been invited to sleep in their pack nest overnight. He hadn't experienced something like that since he was a child. And from the way Kenta had clung to the back of his shirt as they'd slept that night Kim was sure it was the very first time for Kenta.

"Here," Kim shoved a towel, a tank top, and shorts into Kenta's arms. "Shower and then I'll clean up your injuries. No need to do it twice."

Kenta furrowed his brows as his gaze flitted between the stuff in his arms and back to Kim again, "I could have done this in the guest house."

"Yes," Kim agreed, "but this way you can't escape being cared for. Now shower. I'll be outside." The beta grabbed the oft-used first aid kit and headed back out into his room.

Kim waited outside the bathroom door until he heard the shower running then went to sit on his bed, crisscrossing his legs while he sorted through what he'd need to clean up the guard. He didn't have long to wait, Kenta was always quick and utilitarian with his showers and was out in a handful of minutes.

The racer's head popped up as Kenta came back out into the room, town slung around his shoulders to catch the remaining water dripping from his hair. Kim patted the bed and tried not to stare as Kenta slowly made his way over and carefully sat down next to the other beta. His eyes lingered on the guard's exposed arms; the bullet wound was healing nicely and would soon be just another fading scar amongst the many on Kenta's arms.

Gingerly Kim reached out and, catching Kenta's eye first, he gently felt along the raised pink mark on Kenta's arm. His arm was cool, like the guard had takens a cold shower. It made the beta wonder if he'd been too impatient to wait for the water to warm or if he was just used to it.

"It's almost healed," Kim spoke softly, not wanting to startle the beta. "It shouldn't even scare that badly."

Kenta shrugged under Kim's hand, "Wouldn't matter if it did," the guard spoke quietly too, "I have so many of them you won't be able to tell which is which."

Kim frowned and turned Kenta's arm to slowly skim his fingers lightly down the beta's arm. Kenta was right. There were dozens of scars intersecting each other along the pale skin of the older man. Some were thin and clearly inflicted many years ago, too many years ago in Kim's mind. Others were thicker and jagged, like they'd been made by something harsher than Kenta's own blade or the katana Tony so loved to use. He wanted to know where each of them came from, but Kim also didn't want to know any more about the people who had hurt Kenta over and over again.

"Kim?" Kenta questioned, hesitantly reaching up to cover Kim's where it had stopped partially down his arm, "Are you tired? I can clean these up myself, it's no problem."

"No, no it's okay," Kim hurriedly slid his hands down to grasp Kenta's, turning the appendage this way and that so he could see the full extent of the scrapes. They were worse than Kim originally thought.

The scrapes started on Kenta's palm and trailed up to his elbow. Kim grabbed Kenta's other arm to see the same kind of damage on both. Thankfully the blood had been cleared off but the torn skin looked painful and would just be another scar added to Kenta's too-large collection. Kim frowned as he explored how high the scrapes rose then suddenly he remembered how Kenta had been dressed that morning and glanced down at the guards legs. Sure enough there were similar scrapes along Kenta's knees and down the side of his shins on his right leg.

"Oh Kenta," Kim sighed, "Why didn't you say anything? I could have helped you sooner."

Kenta's brows furrowed, "But they weren't affecting my movement or performance?"

Kim closed his eyes briefly. It wasn't Kenta's fault that he was used to ignoring any injury that wasn't immediately life threatening, but Kim was sure he'd ignore it then too. He'd broached this conversation before when Kenta had helped him to his room the first few nights after Dean's attack. The beta had been dizzy from the hit to his head and his ribs had been upset by the sudden movement. Kenta had been kind and gentle as he'd helped Kim up and into bed, but as Kim laid down he'd noticed that Kenta's arm was bleeding. It turned out that the guard had reopened his wound as he'd helped Kim, but since it was mostly healed that the beta didn't seem worried about it. It took Kim's fussing to allow the younger beta to rewrap the injury and putting his foot down on helping the racer until he was sure Kenta wouldn't reopen the wound each time he tried to help.

"I know that, you're too strong for anything to hold you back," Kim said patiently, "But I don't want you to be in pain any longer than you have to. They probably were stinging all morning long, we could have made you more comfortable while we just sat there and planned."

"Oh," Kenta looked down at Kim's hands on his own, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad about it."

Kim pulled out the antiseptic spray, bandages, and some unscented lotion. "You aren't making me feel bad, I just want you to feel comfortable coming to us with your injuries. No matter how small you can still come to any of us and we'll help you. I know it's a tough mindset to change but P'Alan was right earlier, you aren't alone anymore."

There was silence between them for a minute or two as Kenta watched Kim methodically clean up the scrapes on both arms, dabbing the cuts clean with the antiseptic, bandaging the deeper ones, and spreading the lotion around the dry patches on the wounds.

"When did he say that?" Kenta's voice was almost a whisper in the still air between them.

Kim blinked up from spreading lotion on the rough calluses of Kenta's hands. He thought back then blushed as he realized that he was about to confess to talking about him with the pack alpha.

"Um, well," Kim started and grimaced a little before directing Kenta to sit back against the headboard and prop his legs up in Kim's lap. "P'Alan was saying it's good for you to reconnect with Pete. He didn't want you to feel alone with us but if you did feel like that then it's good to have a positive light from your past with Pete. He didn't want you to feel alone anymore."

Kenta stiffened slightly in Kim's hold as the younger beta finished cleaning off the more injured leg. The racer focused on bandaging the deeper scrapes here before risking a glance up at the guard.

"I'm sorry for talking behind your back, but P'Alan is a really good pack alpha and he's done a great job making me feel comfortable here despite racing for the Red Team and I don't know if he's encouraged the pack to make friends with me but I still appreciate it and…" Kim trailed off as Kenta placed a warm hand over his fidgeting ones. His hand was soft from the lotion.

"I'm not mad," Kenta stated matter-of-factly, like it hadn't even occurred to him to be mad at Kim. "Pete and I," the beta hesitated a second before determinedly meeting Kim's stare, "We have a long history. I think I've known him longer than anyone except Fath…except Tony. Pete used to try to ask me to leave Tony each time I was sent out to speak to him, but I could never say yes. Seeing him now, when I've actually walked away from that man, it's a complicated feeling. I always thought I'd be leaving with him or at least to be near him. I've never spoken to him before like that. It made me happy I guess."

Kim was holding his breath, he'd rarely heard Kenta speak for so long and he didn't want to startle him away from speaking his mind. But he had to ask.

"Like what?" Kim asked breathlessly.

Kenta squeezed Kim's hand, "Like equals. Like a person."

"Kenta," Kim gasped out. He flipped the hand Kenta was holding to tangle their fingers together, his free hand lifting to brush through the damp strands of his hair. The guard shuddered under his gentle caresses and leaned forward, closing the thin space between them until all Kim could see was the rich brown of the beta's eyes until they slipped closed. Kim leaned forward until the beta's foreheads were gently resting against each other.

For a long minute they breathed together until Kenta reached up and hesitantly mirrored Kim, threading his fingers through Kim's short hair until his hand rested comfortably on the driver's neck. Kim kept his eyes closed, breathing with Kenta as they gently held themselves together. There was so much Kim wanted to say to the older man, reassurances, assertions, or even just a lot of praise at how good and kind Kenta was. How much the guard cared.

They breathed together again and Kim felt Kenta shift a little. And then.

Warm lips pressed to his and Kim blinked his eyes open in shock, meeting Kenta's wide stare as the guard pulled back.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have," Kenta started, his hand dropping from Kim's neck and yanking back from Kim's lap. "That was inappropriate, you are just trying to help me. I'll head back. I'm sorry."

"Woah wait," Kim scrambled up as Kenta swung his legs off the bed and started towards the door, "It's alright! P'Kenta it's fine I liked it. Wait please!" The beta grabbed Kenta's arm, careful with the newly cleaned scrapes and turned the older man back towards him. "P'Kenta don't run away, it's alright."

Kenta stood stiffly in Kim's grip, eyes still trained on the door and ready to flee, but he hadn't pulled away from Kim so the racer took that as a good sign.

"If I didn't want that I would have pushed you away or done something else, but I didn't and you know why?" Kim reached up slowly, so slowly and cupped Kenta's face until the guard was facing him. "Because I liked it. And I'd like to do it again if that's okay with you?"

Kim stood still, waiting as calmly as he could despite the racing of his heart as Kenta slowly melted in front of him. Wild eyes calmed down and lips were no longer pressed tightly together after a minute, but Kim didn't mind. Just waited until Kenta no longer felt like a statue in his arms, until the beta took a shuttering breath, until a hand came and held his own in place, until Kenta turned back towards Kim and the racer was able to carefully guide him back down.

Their second kiss was just as warm.

He could feel himself smiling, but Kim didn't care. All that mattered were the slow, gentle kisses from Kenta as the beta softly pulled Kim against him and they traded sweet kisses. A few shaky breaths later they parted, Kenta looking awed that Kim was still there and Kim smiling so widely it almost hurt.

"Stay here tonight," Kim whispered to Kenta, pressing a soft peck on to the guard's nose.

"I, um you want me to," Kenta stuttered, "I don't think I'm ready for… I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

The racer shook his head and pecked another kiss on Kenta's cheek, "Just to sleep. Just to be together. You don't have to, P'Kenta. You never have to."

Kim felt as Kenta slowly smiled, his body relaxing against the racer until their foreheads were once more resting softly against each other.

“I’d like that, Kim,” Kenta sighed, “Thank you. I’d like that.”

Kim stepped back towards the bed, pulling Kenta with him. “I’m glad,” Kim said simply as he pulled the older beta to sit back down. He prodded Kenta back into position and gently lifted the guard’s untreated leg back onto his lap. Carefully, dragging it out as much as he could, Kim cleaned up the last scrapes on Kenta. The driver took his time smoothing lotion out on the rough marks not deep enough to bleed before squeezing Kenta’s leg softly.

The older beta had been watching with drooping eyes as Kim finished up, moving at Kim’s guiding touches until the younger beta could stand up. Kenta blinked calmly as Kim packed up the kit and shuffled around the blankets until Kenta was settled underneath.

“Wait for me?” Kim asked nodding his head towards the ensuite. At Kenta’s hum of agreement Kim smiled and hurried into the bathroom. It hardly took him anytime at all, flying through his nighttime routine and not caring at how wide his grin was. Kenta was staying with him, and not because they just happened to fall asleep, but because they both chose it.

The beta scrubbed at his wet hair a bit harshly and pulled on a similar outfit to what he’d given Kenta before pausing at the bathroom door. He took a breath to compose himself a little but quickly gave up as his grin slipped back into place.

Kenta was right where he left him, gazing half asleep at the ensuite door and waiting for Kim.

“Hi,” Kim breathed out.

The guard smiled shyly, “Hi.”

Kim slowly circled the bed to climb into the side away from the door and slid under the covers. They were sweetly warmed by another body and Kim rolled onto his side to face Kenta. He hardly dared to breathe as Kenta copied him until they were facing each other.

Tentatively, Kenta reached out a hand into the thin space between them. Kim mirrored him, moving just as slowly.

Kenta curled his hand over Kim’s.

“Goodnight,” Kim whispered, and Kenta smiled