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A lot can change in a month. The babies got bigger day by day. It only seemed to increase their lung capacity and ability to shout. What once was helpless wiggles now was determined grips. Couldn’t do more than that. They’ve been working on tummy time for the rest. It was hard to imagine one day the girls would be crawling, much less walking. But they were still different from before.
As was Johnny. That thick fog that seemed to follow him day to day wasn’t so heavy anymore. Some days he might even be optimistic enough to say it’s not there at all.
Talking with his old coworkers helped. Getting outside helped.
And of course his mate helped most of all.
“You’re staring. Are you in love with me or something?” Gyro teases, eyes flicking off the road for only a moment.
“Or something,” Johnny drawls as he leans over and kisses Gyro’s cheek. Gyro hums in response, letting one of his hands slip off the steering wheel to nestle against Johnny’s thigh instead. He grips a hunk of Johnny’s leg. His hand was always warm. Soft. Even with all of their time together. So much changed. But the way he could trust Gyro never did.
“Your ears.” Gyro taps Johnny’s leg as he rubs up and down. Scenting him with his wrist.
Johnny frowns. “It’s one thing to do it inside. In a store?”
“There are a lot of complaining babies in any store. This one is meant for the little whiners.”
“There will be a lot of people too. I can handle it.”
Gyro’s grip tightens. “Amore.”
Johnny puts his hand over Gyro’s and squeezes back. “I mean it. ‘Sides, I got my handsome alpha to help me, right?”
Gyro’s golden grin gleams against the light filtering through the windshield. That gleam is disturbed when he leans over, pressing his lips to Johnny’s.
Johnny only lets himself indulge for a moment before he pushes Gyro off. “Eyes on the road.”
Gyro’s lips linger before he presses off. He flips his hand to entwine his fingers with Johnny’s instead. Wrist to wrist. Gland over gland.
Johnny leans back in his seat, glancing at the rearview mirror until he can barely see the back of the babys’ car seats.
A lot of things changed but the need for supplies was seemingly endless.
The car was necessary, not just for transporting them all, but also for their mission of the day. After the kid’s latest doctor’s appointment they both realized they had no real way to check on the kids while driving. Most they could do was listen out for an odd cry or upset grunt. Didn’t feel good for Johnny or for Gyro.
So now they were on their way to the mall to get a mirror they could attack to the back of the seat. Or one of those interior dashcams. Or maybe both. They wouldn’t really know until they got there. Sure they could just order it online but Johnny always preferred buying things in person.
Perhaps it was some omegan instinct. Needing to actually feel and smell what he was passing to his kids before he could be satisfied. Or maybe he was old fashioned.
Either way, they found themselves inside the store surrounded by couples just like them. Mainly alpha and omega pairings. Made the baby store a garden of sweet and spicy scents mingling together nearly indistinguishable. Something Gyro must notice too as he leans down enough to rub his wrist to Johnny’s cheek. The cinnamon cuts through the fog for the moment.
The girls stretch out their fat hands, waving into the air until they were met with Johnny’s hand.
“They must be smelling it all too.”
“They have to be. Our noses develop far before our sight.”
“Okay, smartass,” Johnny grumbles. Even though it’s quiet, he still gets a few passing glares of concern from other parents. As if their babies in a stroller could even understand him.
Gyro gasps, pointing wildly at a collection of clothing. Soft and pastel. “Jana would look perfect in this.”
Johnny plucks it away from the pile and holds it against her body. She’s more determined to chew it until he moves it off. “Maybe as a snack.”
“It’s got cupcakes all over it. Looks like a snack.”
“What happened to their noses being better than their eyes?”
Gyro waves a hand of dismissal. Sore loser. “We should get it.”
“They’ve got plenty at home.”
“They don’t have this.” Gyro plucks off another from the pile. This one had teddy bears on it. Just like the collection of bears Gyro has waiting at home high up on shelves the kids couldn’t reach yet. “Or this.”
“Thought we were here for a mirror.”
“We can do both. Come on. You’re going to be going back to work soon. They’ll be at a daycare and we need them to outshine the other kids.”
Johnny huffs in amusement. “They’re our gals. They already do.”
“So the extra doesn't hurt.” Gyro tosses the onesies to Johnny’s lap.
Johnny runs a thumb over the soft fabrics. “Yeah. Don’t hurt.”
Gyro beams and makes his way quickly over to another rack of clothes on display. They end up modeling the babies more. Johnny even takes out Bibi for a while since she’s the best at sitting on Johnny’s lap without squirming. And the small pile on Johnny grows until Gyro suddenly leans over and takes the bundle in his arms.
“I’m going to get us a basket.”
“We still need the mirrors. Might as well get a cart.”
“You’re right. See you’re smart. This is why I bonded you.”
“Thought it was cause I’m hot.”
“That’s a bonus.” Gyro leans down, heading off after a quick kiss.
Might as well take the opportunity now to get out of the clothing section before they went home with half of the store.
“Ya might be little but you still take up closet space,” Johnny tuts to the girls who only grunt and snuffle in response. Just as argumentative as their apa.
It doesn’t take long for Gyro to come back with a cart as promised, but much odder was the expression he came back with. A massive smile that had his golden grin gleaming in the soft store lights.
“What’d you find?”
The smile drops to a blink and gasp of wonder. “How’d you know?”
“We’re mates. Got a psychic connection.” Johnny taps his head.
Gyro mimes the same motion. “It’s not here. Outside. In the rest of the mall. They’ve got the ice cream place. The fake German one.”
“Y’kno’ I only ever see those places in malls. It’s like dipping dots at fairs.”
“I’m going to get us shakes.” Gyro starts pushing the cart towards the travel section. Passing by familiar car seats they had marveled at before.
“Seperate shakes? Thought you liked to share straws.”
“I never said seperate.” Gyro huffs. “Ones for now. Other is for the car ride back home.”
“Now that makes sense.”
Gyro lets go of the cart, letting it roll until it slowly taps a shelf. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Right right. Just don’t run out for milk too.”
“Milk? No. Milkshake.”
“No. I mean. Like you know how betas abandon their pack with—nevermind—just go. Go go.” Johnny pushes Gyro's arms until he finally moves away. He shakes his head. This many years here and Gyro still didn't understand proper conversation.
Gyro blows a kiss before scurrying off yet again. Their small collection was still in the cart but it wouldn’t hurt for Johnny to at least go down the aisle. This was a baby store anyhow. Who was gonna steal a cart?
“Which one’s speaking to you?” Johnny glances at the assortment of toys. Some attached to buckles. Others hung from the car seat handles. A few that also worked as blankets.
Jana continues to stare up at him.
Oh.
She can’t even see anything like this. Johnny slows the strollers to a stop and picks her up, nestling her in his arms.
“You like?” he drawls, tilting her closer. Her little nose twitches before she snuggles into Johnny’s chest.
“No better toy than oma, huh?”
Johnny jolts at the unfamiliar voice. Looking from side to side until his vision is obscured by someone stepping into view.
“Sorry to sneak up on ya,” the man says, opening a palm to Johnny. Vague hints of pepper catch Johnny’s attention. An alpha?
“‘S’Okay.” Johnny readjusts Jana in his arms. She takes the opportunity to mouth at his shirt. Too high up from her actual target.
“Someone’s hungry. They’re yours?” The alpha gestures to Jana and Bibi. He’s close enough to the stroller that Bibi can stare up at him with glossy eyes.
“Sure are.”
“Wow. Adorable. They must get it from their oma, huh?” The man grins wide, flashing double canines. An alpha after all.
“Maybe. What about you?” Johnny looks around. The mans got a basket he’s carrying with something in it. But that’s all that he can see.
No kids.
Not even a mate.
Was this alpha alone? There was no tattoo on his neck. No ring on his finger. And his scent was too muddled with everyone else's to even tell if he was bonded.
“No no. I haven’t been blessed like that yet.”
“What’s all that for?”
“Shower. Got a pack member who’s expecting.” The alpha leans back, chest puffed.
“Ah. Congratulations.” Johnny leans down, putting Jana back in the stroller and buckling her back in.
“They look young. When’d you have them?”
“Three months about.”
“Whew. And you look like this? What a recovery.”
“Excuse me?” Johnny stiffens, hands tight on the stroller.
“My packmember, bless her, she's just been a mess pregnant and she’s not even in the third trimester. And look at you. You’re out and about so fast.”
Oh. For a second it sounded like… maybe Johnny was being paranoid. “I was a mess too. Pregnancy’s messy.”
“Pretty good mess then.” The alpha hums his words. Almost like a purr as his eyes rake up and down Johnny. “You’re stunning. I noticed you a whole aisle away.”
“Thanks…” Johnny starts to push himself. “Well. I’ve got—“
“You wearing contacts?”
“Huh? Uh. No.”
“So your eyes are really like that? Shame none of your kids got it. That sparkling blue. It’s like something out of a movie. You do movies? You look like you should be on screen.”
“Thanks.” Johnny grits his teeth. He liked that the gals got Gyro’s eyes. It helped when they were staring too long and he started to get that itching feeling again. He would just remind himself of his mate’s loving gaze.
“I’ve done movies. Sort of. Stunt work mainly.” The alpha pats his bicep. “Got some scars but it’s kept me in shape at least.”
“That’s nice.” Johnny glances to the side. Oh. There were mirrors. He turns towards it. “Good luck with—“
“This for the kids?”
Johnny frowns. Looking down the aisle. It was really just the two of them here. A couple of other couples passing around but no one lingering here. Gyro was taking a while…
But then again. Isn’t this why Johnny came out? Even HP had said it to him in their chats. Socializing is what was in their biology. He was going stir crazy without a pack close by. Maybe this alpha was too. It was just conversation.
Johnny takes in a sharp steadying breath. “Sure is. Can’t see ‘em on the road.”
The alpha’s shoulders lower, gleaming with a double canine smile again. “Never thought of that. Maybe I should get some for my pack member too. Guess there’s some things you can only learn through experience. Though you seem pretty young.”
Johnny shrugs. “Still in my 20s but plenty of folk consider that an old hag nowadays.”
“Maybe little kids.”
“I deal with little kids a lot at my job.”
“Wow. No wonder you’re such a natural oma.” The alpha leans in closer, his peppered scent even stronger. “Got the smarts and the looks too.”
“Hm.” Johnny grabs a mirror. It’s decorated to look like a flower with fabric petals around the mirror. Makes Bibi’s face look like a little bee nestled on top of it. Something she must be amused by too as she starts to coo and wiggle her arms up.
“Looks like a winner to me,” the alpha chuckles.
Johnny can agree there. Bibi’s got it in her grasp now. Chewing on some of the fabric but that was to be expected.
“Might as well get another matching one, right?” The alpha plucks another mirror and flashes it Johnny’s way so Johnny can see his own reflection.
“I don’t need to see any of that.” Johnny waves a hand and holds it out to take it. The alpha leans in even more as he passes it over, his finger tips brushing into Johnny’s hand. Johnny’s stomach churns.
“Hey. Don’t be upset. You look good.” The man makes a swooping motion to outline the curve of Johnny’s body. “Especially for pregnancy. Always heard people say kids bring out the best in you. Didn't realize how true that was.”
Johnny grimaces. This felt a little too personal for friendly conversation. “Right. Well. I’m done.”
“Me too. Lemme walk you to the cashier.”
“You go. I have to wait.”
“For what? Feeding the little ones? Hey. There’s no shame in doing it in public. Don’t listen to the betas.”
“No. Go on ahead.” Johnny grips the ends of the stroller tighter.
Bibi starts to fuss and kick Johnny’s hand.
“Aw they were happier up in your arms. You should hold little, uh, oh gosh I just realized I never got your name. Or theirs.”
“Bianca.” Johnny lets go. Which only causes her to whine louder and kick more. Shit. Maybe she does want out now that Johnny’s disturbed her. Why now? Where’s Gyro? Johnny’s heart pounds harder and harder as her whines ebb just on the verge of cries.
He unbuckles and plucks her out, holding her to his chest. Her cries thankfully die down but she’s not the only one who gets close. The alpha does too. His hand resting on the back of Johnny’s chair.
“Must be so hard to be an oma alone out here. You know. I’ve always wanted kids myself. Don’t mind starting off with some already.”
Johnny’s grip tightens on Bianca, jolting to elbow the hand off. He knew it. “I’m not interested.”
“Woah. What’s with the attitude?” The alpha raises his palms. “It’s just a little conversation. I mean. Come on. There’s no way you want to be alone.”
Bianca starts to cry. Beating a fist into Johnny.
“I’m not. I have a mate. Go away.” Johnny bares his teeth.
“Hey hey.” The alpha looks up and down the aisle. Johnny’s not stupid enough to follow the look and drop his guard now. “Don’t make a scene. You were acting all sweet before. We don’t gotta rush anything. Plenty of time.”
Janara whines from her position, uselessly wiggling her limbs with big glossy eyes of forming tears while she stares at Johnny.
“I said go away.”
“Shh.” The alpha pats his hands to the air. “Relax. I’m not doing anything. We’re just talking. You don’t gotta lie and get all fussy.”
“I’m not lying.”
“Really? You expect me to believe you’ve got an alpha waiting around. No one would be dumb enough to leave someone like you all alone.” The alpha leans in again. Hand hovering close to Bianca. He’s gonna touch her. Grab her. Or grab him. Or something awful. And Johnny was alone. Stuck and cornered.
He screams.
Except it doesn’t come out quite like a scream. It’s instinct. A piercing keen that suddenly has the large alpha crumbling to the ground in front of him.
And he’s not the only one as several other alphas suddenly shout and collapse against their partners or to the floor. Johnny didn’t even realize a crowd was starting to form until he sees so much of it affected by him. His keen naturally dies out but it’s now replaced by an even worse screech. The wails of his disturbed children. Those cries only hurt him rather than the alphas he sees still reeling on the ground.
“Shh. Shh. We’re okay now.” Johnny stammers, heart pounding up to his throat. The girls fuss, only quieting when they’re both clutched in Johnny’s grasp.
Out of the corner of his eye Johnny spots the alpha again. Another keen starts to bubble in his throat until he realizes the alpha is trying to slink away.
“Johnny!” a familiar shout comes through the reeling crowd. Gyro comes dashing down the aisle not with two drinks as expected but instead a bag that he subsequently drops on the ground before holding Johnny close.
The strong amounts of cinnamon and nutmeg settle Johnny's remaining nerves. Even the babies no longer fuss or squirm. Johnny's eyes water. Gyro came back.
“You bastard.” Gyro growls deep enough for Johnny to feel the rumble. Yet he doesn't even shiver. He can tell it has nothing to do with him though he still gasps when Gyro lets go.
Just as suddenly as Gyro was here he was gone again but not very far. Instead he runs to the alpha, ignoring the rest of the crowd as he tackles down the alpha. The crowd erupts into similar amounts of confusion and dismay, almost drowning out Gyro's thick curses of Italian and the alphas nonsensical ramblings of excuses.
“Gyro!” Johnny starts to shove the kids back into the stroller. He rushes but he’s not quite fast enough as the crowd parts. Betas in security vests approach, forcing Gyro and the alpha apart as Gyro continues to spit curses.
“Wait wait wait. I’m his mate,” Johnny calls out. The girls start to whine in similar distress.
“What is going on here?” One of the betas snap as the cowering alpha stammers out, “I did nothing.”
There’s shouts from both sides that become a jumble of words that are actually assisted by shouts from the crowd. Alphas still clutching their heads as they claim to have seen Johnny be backed into the shelf. Other omegas who talk about the crying babies. Even though the betas don’t necessarily look happy with Gyro, they’re forced with no other option but to take away the alpha who weakly still tries to plead his case as he’s dragged out of the store.
Gyro kneels down, head in Johnny’s hair. Only Johnny can feel the small tremble in Gyro’s body.
Johnny naturally rubs his face up, scenting Gyro. He can still vaguely hear murmurs of the crowd that starts to disperse.
It feels like an age before Gyro finally detaches with a sigh. “We should go home.”
“...Yeah.”
Maybe shopping online wasn’t so bad after all.
--
The car ride was quiet. The scene replayed endlessly in the back of Johnny’s head. He knew something was wrong. Why didn’t he do something to stop it? Why did he let it go so far? If he was just a little closer. If he couldn't keen? What would have happened?
The girls doze away in the back seat like nothing happened. Gyro doesn’t say much either. Only occasionally reaches out with a strong grip on Johnny’s leg.
It’s not until they’re parked that Johnny instinctively reaches for the bag by his feet and remembers that Gyro came over with it. He opens it to find a clear box with an assortment of goods inside. Face masks. Some lotions. Bath salts. Johnny’s seen this before. It’s those at home spa day things.
“Ah. That was supposed to be a surprise,” Gyro tsks.
“Oh.” Johnny looks over at the open door where Gyro was now, crouched to Johnny’s space.
“It was supposed to be a little present. You know. For how good you’ve been doing. Figured we could have a nice day of some pampering together.” Gyro rubs the back of his neck. “Stupid now. Shouldn’t have left.”
Johnny frowns. “Ain’t your fault what happened. I knew there was something off with the guy.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’m your mate. The only creep harassing you should be me.”
Johnny huffs in amusement. “Ain’t really harassment if I like it.”
“Like it? Not love it? I’m wounded.”
“You tease me too long for me to love it.” Johnny holds his hands out.
Gyro naturally leans into it, letting Johnny grab his face before he leans in to softly kiss Johnny. “But you’re so cute when you’re whining.”
Johnny kisses him back, looping hair between his fingers. “Say. Weren’t you supposed to be getting us ice cream? How the hell did you even find this?”
“I was gonna get us that but there was y’kno one of those people nearby. With the coupons. And there were talking about the perfect gifts for your mate.”
“So you got scammed?”
“It’s not a scam. We’re gonna use it. Besides, we’ve got better ice cream at home.” Gyro grabs Johnny pulling him onto his wheelchair before he gets the girls out. They snuffle but remain asleep as they all stride to the front door.
Johnny enjoyed his day trips but man. It was nice to be back home.