The sun was shining bright on the clear blue sky as the two McCallister's were holding hands while walking out of the hospital doors.
"It was our third time, but it still bloody awesome!" Dorian exclaimed, beaming like a kid on Christmas Eve, the black and white picture of his baby in his hand.
The bright blue eyes were sparkling by tears, and Finian smiled at his husband, caressing his cheek lovingly.
"Disappointed, it's not a girl?"
Dorian shook his head.
"Of course not Babe, but it's still my little ladybug," he said and winked, making Finian laugh.
He was happy that Dorian seemed to feel a little better today. It had been three days since Finian had met with Shiro and almost a week since Dorian first reacted to his fated person's pheromones.
Dorian still tried to pretend like everything was okay, but anyone could see that he was struggling. Finian woke up around three that night and heard Dorian in the bathroom, vomiting like his insides were coming out. Finian had tried to help his husband, but Dorian didn't let him. The blond alpha was still being unusually stubborn, and that scared Finian almost more than Dorians declining health. Dorian always listened to Finian, and they talked about everything. But now they both knew that they were hiding things from each other and that hurt both of them.
Finian found out that Dorian took benzodiazepines, he had found the tablets in the bathroom. But when he saw that it was Doctor Green that had prescribed the pills, Finian felt reassured that Dorian at least had the good sense to have contacted their Doctor. Still, it annoyed the heck out of Finian that Dorian refused to talk to him about it. And Finian was honestly still a bit irritated after their argument about him meeting Shiro. Finian knew that Dorian was up to something, his husband tried to hide it, but Dorian truly sucked at keeping secrets from Finian.
Well, Finian was keeping secrets as well, as he texted Shiro several times a day. Mostly Finian asked how Shiro was doing. Omegas felt the withdrawal symptoms stronger than alphas, and the poor omega wasn't doing so good.
"I won't be home late," Dorian said and looked at the slightly shorter man.
"I only have a lunch meeting at King's Cross in one hour. Then I work from home a bit. Do you want me to drive you home?" Dorian asked.
"No, Babe, that's alright. I'm gonna meet Joy at Goat for lunch, and afterward, I'm going home. But please call me if anything happens," Finian said, kissing his husband's cheek.
Dorian promised, and they parted after a long kiss goodbye. Dorian went to the underground car park, got in his black car while glancing at his phone before turning on the engine.
He had gotten a simple text from the dealer, telling him to meet up with him in the park at Camley Street in three hours, giving Dorian plenty of time with the meeting.
He arrived at the restaurant and saw his brother sitting beside a young brown-haired woman. The two were laughing at something, and when Dorian got close to the table, Lucas noticed him, and with a big smile on his lips, he got up and hugged his brother.
"Do you have a picture?" He asked immediately.
Dorian smiled and took out the little picture of his baby boy from the inside of his black jacket, giving it to Lucas.
The younger man's eyes were at the brim with tears. Lucas got a bit emotional at times, especially when babies were involved.
"Oh my, look at that beautiful little treasure. Is it a boy?"
Dorian nodded.
"Yeah, without any doubt," he said smirking.
Lucas gave the picture back to Dorian and turned to the younger woman.
"Charlie, this is my brother Dorian McCallister. Dorian, this is Charlie Hammett, she's the amazing singer I told you about."
The young woman, barely twenty years old, got up from her seat and reached out her hand towards the taller man. Her bright brown eyes filled with confidence, and Dorian instantly like her.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Mr. McCallister," the woman said with a cornish accent.
"Please, call me Dorian, and the pleasure is all mine, Miss Hammett," Dorian said.
The woman smiled brightly.
"Only if you call me Charlie then."
Dorian laughed a little and nodded.
"Very well. Have you ordered something?" He sat down, and the other two followed.
Lucas shook his head.
"No, only drinks."
"Splendid, let's order then. I'm famished," Dorian said, looking at the menu.
While ordering lunch and waiting for the food, the three had a good talk. Lucas had come across one of Charlie's videos on Youtube, where the girl was performing her song while playing on an acoustic guitar. She was amazingly talented, both at singing, playing several instruments, and writing her lyrics. Lucas had contacted her, and Charlie agreed in an instant to come to London to meet with him. Lucas had sent the videos to Dorian, who didn't have any doubt, he wanted her to sign with them. Confident that the young woman would become successful.
The meeting went well, the food was exquisite, and they came to an agreement to meet at the office the day after to sign the contract. When Dorian was about to take his leave, Charlie burst out.
"Wow, look, there's Shiro Nakamura."
Dorian froze up and slowly followed the girl's gaze towards the entrance. In through the door walked indeed the man Dorian had dreamed of every night for almost a week. And Dorian started to panic because with him came that pleasant scent that he craved for. It filled him up, and the alpha could feel his temperature rise.
"Dorian?" Lucas said with worry in his voice as he stood up beside his older brother.
Dorian shivered suddenly and pulled frustrated a hand through his thick blond hair.
"Get out of here!" Lucas whispered, almost commanding him.
Dorian nodded. Yes, he had to go at once.
"Excuse me. I have to leave," Dorian said, turning back to Charlie, who flinched surprised. The alpha looked desperate.
Dorian didn't wait for a response, confident that Lucas would take care of it all and walked straight towards the door, pressing his hands to his nose, trying to hold his breath. He was lucky that Shiro hadn't noticed him yet because then the omega probably would go into heat, and that would push Dorian over the edge. The alpha could feel himself slowly changing, and Dorian knew that he was starting to release pheromones. Still, Dorian was so strong he managed to control himself, to remain calm.
He just reached the door when Shiro finally noticed him, and that look, that surprised but happy look made Dorian stop. They just stared at each other, Dorian confused, and Shiro was looking so glad to see him. But when he saw Shiro slightly beginning to tremble, Dorian snapped out of it. He continued out the door, almost running.
He ran across the street, racing towards his car when he heard a voice calling for him. The sweetest sound he had ever heard and one part of Dorian wanted so desperately to stop; the other part knew he had to get out of there. He couldn't let himself be weak, not now. Not when he would in less than an hour finally maintain the drug that would end this nightmare.
Dorian threw himself in the car like his life depended on it and leaned back, trying to get his breathing under control. Feeling so fucking horny, he though his pants would burst.
Dorian didn't drive away. He really should have driven away, because suddenly the passenger door pulled open and a person with long black hair, who smelled so delicious, got into the passenger seat. Dorian's heart felt like it would stop, and slowly, with disbelief, he glanced over to his left. And what Dorian saw made him shiver with longing.
**********************************
Two hours earlier
Shiro finished his text, and after sending it to Finian, he put the phone away on the nightstand and leaned back against the many pillows.
Every morning, since meeting Finian, the older man had texted Shiro, asking him how he was feeling, and Shiro was always honest with him. Shiro felt like shit. He threw up several times a day, and even if Joy had given him medicine against nausea, it didn't help much. In Shiro's head, he thought he looked like a crackhead with his shaking, but Deion tried to assure him that no one even would notice the slight trembling in Shiro's hands.
Shiro took so many pills, and he hated it, but right now, it was the only thing that made him function. He still had to keep going, he had Ikumi back home that depended on him, and he had his career. In two days, Shiro would meet with Dorian, and even if that made him so nervous, the man felt like having a breakdown just by the mear thought of it. Shiro had no other choice. He had to sleep with Dorian McCallister, or else he would die. And Shiro didn't want to die.
Tomorrow Shiro had to go to the studio, but the only thing he had to do today was to have lunch with a real estate agent. The singer had concluded that it would be best if he bought an apartment in London.
As soon as the apartment was his, he would bring Ikumi over from Japan. He missed his little girl so much it hurt and having her in that house with his mother and Hayate made him ill with worry. Hayate had been sending him messages every day, wondering if he had bonded with the alpha yet. Shiro was sick and tired of his brother and just wanted to tell him to fuck off, but with Ikumi still with them, he didn't dare. Shiro didn't trust Hayate one bit.'
So with much effort, Shiro managed to take a shower, dress, and notify Deion that he was ready to leave. As always, Deion would accompany him, and that made Shiro feel safe. The singer had fantastic artistical talent, but he was lost when it came to money and business.
Riding the cab towards King's Cross, Shiro stared out the window, wondering if he really could manage to live in London. Sure it was a big city, but nothing in comparison to Tokyo, but Shiro thought that was one of the good things about moving to London.
The main reason Shiro knew he had to move to London was because of Dorian. Even if they never would bond, they still needed to see each other regularly for the rest of their life. Which meant Shiro was required to be close to the alpha.
A thought arose to Shiro as he watched Hyde Park pass them by outside the window. What if Shiro meet someone he could love again? How could Shiro explain that he had a fated person who he was not in a relationship with, but he needed to be physical with at least once a week? Who would ever consider being in a relationship with him? If he was bound to be alone for the rest of his life, then Kei breaking their bond was for nothing.
There in the black London cab, Shiro missed his husband so much his heart ached, and he felt like the loneliest person in the world.
The cab arrived at the restaurant, and Shiro followed close behind Deion, eyes on the ground. He heard Deion talk to somebody but didn't care to look up. Not until he heard someone rushing behind him, and he got a whiff of the comforting scent of sandalwood and cedar.
Shiro's head snapped up, and there he stood face to face with the blond alpha who haunted his thoughts almost every waking moment. He was breathtakingly sexy, even though he looks so confused. And Shiro couldn't help but smile.
Those sparkling blue eyes captured him, and it was as if he was drowning in them. Shiro wanted him to talk with him; he wanted Dorian to look at him like he looked at Finian. And that thought made him tremble.
But before Shiro could say anything, Dorian turned around and ran out the door. And perhaps it was the lure of the pheromones or Shiro's loneliness that caused him to react. Shiro found himself running after his alpha. Outside Shiro saw Dorian crossing the street, and he called after the running man. Still, Dorian didn't react, and Shiro followed after him, running the fastest he ever had before. The alpha threw himself in a parked car, and Shiro, without hesitation, followed. He got in the passenger seat and closed the door behind him.
He turned to Dorian, and the alpha stared directly at him, his eyes big with surprise.
Shiro panted slightly from the sprint to the car, and he noticed that the blue eyes focused on his mouth. Suddenly feeling self-aware, Shiro licked his lips and cleared his throat.
"Dorian, we really need to talk," Shiro said, pleading.
But the man shook his head, not adverting his eyes.
"There is nothing to talk about. Now get out of my car," Dorian's voice was dark, trembling slightly.
"Please, listen to me," Shiro's body started to react to the pheromones, and he could feel his temperature rising and his heart beating faster.
"I'm warning you! If you don't get out yourself, I will throw you out!" Dorian screamed and hit the steering wheel hard, making the shorter man jump with surprise.
Dorian glared at him, but Shiro wasn't scared. It was the opposite, Dorian's dominant side excited the omega, and he shuddered, releasing plenty of pheromones that hit Dorian and instantly clouded his mind.
"I don't want to die!" Shiro whispered tears in his eye, suddenly clinging to Dorian's black leatherjacket.
Dorian looked down at the slender man. So many confusing thoughts went through his mind, and he felt sorry for Shiro. He could see the desperation in the poor man's beautiful brown eyes, and all of Dorian's previous hesitation flew out the window.
Dorian, drunk on the omegas strong pheromones, grabbed Shiro by his slim shoulders and pulled them towards him. Only inches apart, they could feel each other's hot breath, could see how their lips both were trembling. Shiro's eyes were begging, and Dorian's surrendering.
"Please accept me," the omega whispered and suddenly pressed his lips to Dorian's.
Dorian flinched but didn't turn away from him. Shiro wrapped his arms around the bigger man's back, never stop kissing him. He tasted so good, like milk tea, and being so close to Dorian filled Shiro with a calm and security. And if Shiro thought Dorian tasted good, it was nothing against what Dorian felt when he felt his omega for the first time. Shiro tasted like a sweet dessert and sparkling vine, like sunshine through storm clouds. He tasted happiness.
The kiss got intense when Shiro pushed his tongue in Dorian's mouth, and the two tongues danced together, slowly caressing. It was the best kiss Dorian had ever experienced. It felt so damn right.
"Dad!"
A girl's scream echoed through the car and made Dorian flinched startled, pushing Shiro away from him, the younger man slammed into the door. Looking behind him, Dorian gasped when he saw his daughter, the car door open, and the girl glaring at him. In her hand, the red-haired girl held a little spray can, and she showered the two men with something.
It was if the grip the pheromones had on him in an instant faded away. And now the sober Dorian felt miserable when he saw the hurt in his precious daughter's eyes. Dorian panicked, got out of the car, and took a step towards Caoimhe, but the girl backstepped, tears running down her face.
"How could you, Dad. I believed in you!" She screamed, making people around them stop and stare.
There were so many things Dorian wanted to say to her. But he knew he had to get the girl inside the car at once. Dorian bent over, looked inside the car, and the sight made his chest hurt slightly.
Shiro sat leaning towards the door with tears running down his face, shaking his head.
"I'm so sorry," he cried, and Dorian could see in the man's face that he really meant it.
Dorian exhaled, trying to calm himself. He was still very much affected by the pheromones. But, because neither of them went into heat or rut, it was manageable.
"I have to take care of my daughter," Dorian said, and Shiro nodded, relieved that the older man didn't yell at him or sounded like he hated him.
"I leave you to it then," Shiro breathed, got out of the car and turned around, started to walk away.
"Thank you," Dorian said, not really knowing what he thanked the man for.
Still, Shiro stopped, did a little wave with his hand without turning around, and walked across the street towards Deion, who was waiting for him outside the restaurant.
Dorian followed the man with his gaze for a bit but turned around and looked at his daughter. The girl was no longer crying, but she glared at her father.
"Please, Caoimhe, get in the car. I need to be at a certain place in less than thirty minutes."
"To do what?" Caoimhe demanded to know.
"To get something that will fix this, so please, get in the damn car," Dorian raised his voice and gave the girl a looking, telling her she better not dare to defy him once again.
To Dorian's big surprise, Caoimhe got in the car without so much as an objection, and Dorian quickly followed. What Dorian didn't know was that Caoimhe knew about the drug Dorian would buy, and she was happy about it.
While driving, Dorian glimpsed at the red-haired girl.
"Why aren't you in school?"
"Had a half-day today," Caoimhe answered, not looking at her father.
"Oh yes, I think I heard about that. And why are you at King's Cross?"
"My friend Sarah lives here; we were about to go home to her. I already talked to Dadaí," Caoimhe answered quickly and now turned and stared directly at her father.
"Why were you with him?"
Dorian sighed, and if he hadn't been driving, he would have hit his head against the steering wheel in frustration.
"We accidentally ended up at the same restaurant."
"And why were you kissing?"
Dorian bit his bottom lip hard, not knowing what to say because, honestly, he didn't understand why he hadn't pushed Shiro away when the black-haired man kissed him. It wasn't like he was entirely under the control of the pheromones. So why did he kiss Shiro back?
"It was the pheromones," Dorian simply said.
Caoimhe looked relieved and nodded; she accepted the answer.
"I won't say anything about this to Dadaí," she said, staring straight forward.
Dorian flinched and looked at her.
This was awful. Caoimhe was only eleven years old, far to young to be in the middle of this. Dorian felt like the worst father in the world.
"Sorry, Caoimhe, for all of this, but I promise I will try to make everything better, Sweetheart."
Caoimhe glanced at her dad and nodded.
"You better."
"Yeah, I know, I know."
In silence, the two drove to the park. Caoimhe remained in the car while her father quickly walked into the park. After only a few minutes, he came walking back, got in the car, and drove away.
Caoimhe looked at her father, but he just shook his head.
"Don't ask, Luv."
"Yes, Dad."
"Good girl."
Dorian's puls were racing, and he felt really sick to his stomach. In his jack pocket were two syringes. And it felt like the heaviest things he had ever carried.