Chapter Text
Daiki Shimada held tightly to Hanzo’s hand as the four-year-old threatened to run off to chase a butterfly he had spotted. Genji was fast asleep against his chest, his tiny little fist curled near his mouth. The front-facing baby-carrier was still something Daiki was getting used to, but it was worth it if Genji felt safe enough to sleep.
“Oto, why’s their hair a funny colour?” Hanzo suddenly asked.
Daiki looked where his eldest son was pointing and tilted his head. There was a father and a son sitting outside the ramen shop with two bowls of ramen sitting in front of them. They were struggling to eat with their chopsticks, but the son seemed to be having more fun laughing at his father. A smile tugged at Daiki’s mouth as he watched the carefree child tease his father each time his food fell from his chopsticks.
“They are white, Hanzo,” he said gently. “Sometimes, they are born with blond hair.”
“It’s pretty,” Hanzo murmured before he pulled on Daiki’s hand. “Can we get some ramen and say hi, Oto?”
Daiki was sometimes very surprised by how social Hanzo was. Daiki was a very reserved man that kept his affections strictly to his family. Sayaka had been quiet and shy, preferring to keep out of the public eye as her health deteriorated. Hanzo was curious and happily spoke to everyone that he met. Daiki wasn’t sure where his son had picked that up from, but he was grateful for his joy and eagerness to meet new people. He was worried about his son, however.
How long would it be before the elders tried to break him of that joy? How long until Hanzo was molded into the perfect heir to be tugged by the strings wherever the elders desired? How long until his curious little boy was nothing but a shell?
“We should ask if they want us to sit with them first, my little wolf,” Daiki smiled.
“Okay!” Hanzo grinned before he ran off.
“Hanzo! Wait for me,” Daiki called after him.
He hurried after his son, shaking his head in amusement as he ran fearlessly up to the stranger and tugged on his sleeve. The blond man looked down and smiled at Hanzo, greeting him in English.
“Can me and my Oto sit with you?” Hanzo asked excitedly.
The man blinked down at Hanzo before nervously running his hand through his hair. “I don’t speak Japanese, kiddo,” he murmured.
“My apologies,” Daiki chuckled as he stooped down to grab Hanzo’s hand, squeezing just enough to let his son know that he wasn’t happy that he had run off. “He asked if it is alright if we sit with you. You seem to be having a hard time with your chopsticks.”
“Oh,” the man smiled.
Daiki’s heart slammed painfully against his ribcage as he stared into the man’s twinkling blue eyes behind a pair of wire-rim glasses. The man was beautiful, if not thoroughly exhausted. His cheeks were gaunt and large black bags were under his eyes. His smile, while brilliantly bright, was tired and sad, like he hadn’t had a chance to relax and sleep properly in a very long time. His golden hair was trimmed close to his head, but spiked in just the right way to hide the gray growing around his temples.
“Well, I won’t turn down help,” the man chuckled as he held out a hand. “John Morrison.”
“I’m Jack!” the man’s son chirped happily as he stood up on his chair to lean over his father’s shoulders. “You’re pretty!”
“Jack,” John scolded gently. “We sit on chairs, not stand. On your butt, come on.”
Jack dropped down with a giggle, grinning up at Daiki with a wide, gap-toothed grin. He was missing two baby teeth on his bottom jaw and his left front tooth. He whistled a little as he talked, but it didn’t seem to bother the boy. He looked like a younger, better fed version of his father right down to the golden blond hair and brilliant blue eyes.
“I am Daiki Shimada,” Daiki inclined his head before tentatively shaking John’s hand.
The grip was amazing; not too tight to threaten but not limp to insult him; and he hoped his palms weren’t sweaty from staring at John for so long. His mouth felt dry as John’s rough palm scraped against his; this was a man used to working for a living. He would never have any desire for a pampered man like Daiki; best to stomp those troublesome feelings down before he got attached.
“This is my son, Hanzo,” he rested a hand on Hanzo’s head as his son grinned up at John, “and Genji.”
He touched Genji’s head and smiled fondly down at his child. Genji didn’t stir, his hand still held close to his mouth as he dreamed against Daiki’s chest. John smiled at Genji before looking at Hanzo.
“It’s nice to meet you, Hanzo. Sorry I don’t know the right words in Japanese.”
“Hanzo, say hello,” Daiki instructed. “Try to use your English.”
“Hello, Morrison-sama!” Hanzo chirped and bowed.
John chuckled. “Hello, Hanzo. Jack?”
“Hi, Hanzo!” Jack waved across the table.
Hanzo giggled happily before he tugged on Daiki’s sleeve. “Oto, can I go order our ramen?”
“Of course,” Daiki smiled before he tapped Hanzo’s nose. “No sweets.”
“Aw,” Hanzo pouted before standing on tip-toe to try to kiss Daiki’s cheek. “Okay, Oto.”
He hurried off into the ramen shop and Daiki sat down beside John to wait for his son to return. John shifted and nodded his head after Hanzo.
“You aren’t worried about him?” he asked softly.
“Hanamura is a very safe village; I have no fear about Hanzo going into a store alone while I am outside,” Daiki smiled.
No one would be foolish enough to touch the son of Daiki Shimada in any case. Shimada was a name to be feared and respected. The citizens of Hanamura knew better than to take their frustrations out on a child. He had no reason to worry about his child’s safety.
“I wouldn’t feel safe regardless of where I lived,” John admitted as he placed a hand on Jack’s head and gently ruffled it.
“You worry greatly for your son’s safety,” Daiki inclined his head. “Do you live in a dangerous neighbourhood?”
“Well, we live out in the middle of nowhere,” John chuckled. “Nothing but cornfields for miles around us with the occasional soy plantation intermixed. Everything blends together to a seven-year-old and I’m scared of losing him out there. Throw in the damn coyotes and it’s a nightmare for a single parent.”
Daiki hummed softly in agreement as Hanzo came running out of the shop with his arms full of sweets. Daiki frowned as Hanzo hopped onto a chair and dumped his haul onto the table.
“Hanzo, I told you no sweets,” he said.
“They’re to share!” Hanzo grinned as he pushed the candies towards Jack. “The lady behind the counter said I was adorable.”
Daiki chuckled as Genji started to stir. Genji started fussing, squirming unhappily in his carrier. Daiki excused himself and told Hanzo not to move from his chair as he went to go change Genji. One quick diaper change later, Daiki let Genji waddle out of the ramen shop ahead of him. Hanzo slipped out of his chair as soon as he saw Genji, grinning as he hugged his little brother tightly. They waddled over to the table and Genji lifted his hands at John, grinning and showing off his budding teeth.
“Hello, little one,” John chuckled as he picked Genji up with ease. “Hmm, you have your daddy’s eyes.”
Daiki did his best not to turn bright red at the very notion that John had paid that much attention to his eyes. He sat down in his seat and folded his hands in his lap after he rested the baby-carrier against his knee. Genji was babbling, reaching up to play with John’s hair in fascination. John was smiling at Genji, nodding along to the babbling as Jack stuffed a piece of pink chocolate in his mouth.
“Dad! Dad, it tastes like strawberries!” Jack gasped and waved the other piece of Kit Kat at him. “You have to try this!”
“You eat that, Jack,” John said gently. “I’ll try it another time, okay?”
Daiki saw the disappointment in Jack’s eyes as he popped the treat into his mouth with a sad nod of his head. How often did John refuse food to make sure that Jack got to eat? The thought sent a stab of anger into his gut; no one should have to live like that.
He was prevented from following the thought any further by two bowls of ramen being placed on the table. The server bowed and hurried back inside, never making eye contact. John lifted an eyebrow at the server’s back, but looked down as Daiki held his hand out to show him how to hold his chopsticks properly.
They ate in companionable silence, smiling at their children as they excitedly babbled at each other in a mix of English and Japanese. Jack seemed to pick up on the language quickly, mimicking everything Hanzo said with an almost perfect accent. John praised his son warmly every time, his blue eyes crinkling into a smile as Jack grinned widely up at him.
Daiki fed Genji small pieces of chopped leek and chicken, smiling as his son eagerly chewed and swallowed each bite. He was on his best behaviour, not even throwing noodles at his brother as Hanzo wolfed his food down with a happy purr.
“You raised some good boys,” John murmured as Daiki bounced Genji on his knee. “Their mother must be proud.”
“I’m sure she is,” Daiki nodded. “Wherever it is that spirits lie.”
“Ah, sorry,” John winced. “How long’s it been?”
“A few months,” Daiki sighed. “The boys miss her, but they are young and are better at coping.”
“My wife’s passed on a few years ago,” John sighed as Jack popped another strawberry flavoured Kit Kat in his mouth. “Been doing my best to keep Jack fed and happy. Not easy, but we’re managing.”
“Jack is a very healthy young man,” Daiki murmured. “You have done a very good job, John.”
John’s smile was tired and kind. “Thank you, Daiki.”
“Dad, can we meet up with them again tomorrow?” Jack asked excitedly. “I want to learn more Japanese from Hanzo!”
“We’ll see, Jack,” John chuckled. “I’m sure Mr. Shimada has places he has to be. Not everyone is on vacation like us, kiddo.”
“Okay,” Jack smiled as he pulled a portion of the sweets towards him. “I will see you soon, Hanzo-san!”
“I look forward to it, Jack-san!” Hanzo giggled.
The two families went their separate ways. Hanzo and Jack were still waving excitedly at each other until the American family turned the corner on the street. Hanzo skipped along beside Daiki, grinning at Genji as he waddled along happily a half-step behind Daiki.
“I hope we see them again, Oto,” Hanzo said. “I like Jack!”
“He is a charming young man,” Daiki agreed as he nodded to the guards standing outside the Castle. “Genji, up?”
“Up!” Genji nodded his head excitedly.
Daiki scooped his youngest up and balanced him on his hip as they crossed the grounds to the house. A woman was waiting for them in the doorway, her shirt unbuttoned at the top so that the nose of her dragon was in sight.
“Cousin!” Hanzo squealed as he ran forward.
“Hello, little one,” Miyu smiled as she scooped Hanzo up with ease. “How’s my favourite little wolf?”
“Good! We had ramen,” Hanzo giggled happily as he hugged his older cousin tightly.
“You stopped for ramen?” Miyu shot Daiki an amused smirk before she set Hanzo down. “Why don’t you go play with Genji in the garden, little wolf? I need to speak with you Oto-san.”
“Okay,” Hanzo nodded and held his hands out for Genji.
Daiki handed Genji over to his brother and smiled as the two hurried off towards the garden to play. He took a deep breath before Miyu looped her arm across his shoulders and cocked her head curiously to the side.
“So, the great head of the Shimada Clan stopped at the modest little noodle shop for a bowl of ramen?” she asked.
“There was a tourist struggling with his chopsticks; Hanzo wanted to say hello,” Daiki replied as he headed into the house.
“Hmm,” Miyu teased as she followed him. “Was he handsome?”
“Miyu,” Daiki gave her a playful glare.
“I’m just asking, cousin,” she laughed.
“He was...striking,” Daiki admitted as he sat down at the kitchen table. “Hanzo took to his son very quickly. To be that young and eager to make friends again….”
“Mmm,” Miyu agreed as she settled down beside him. “I’m sure this man would be responsive to any attempt at friendship with you, Iki.”
“He is poor, Miyu; he will not have connections to want a friendship with me,” Daiki shook his head.
Miyu flopped dramatically across his shoulders with a groan. “I’m not talking about work friendships, you toad,” she teased. “I mean an honest friendship with another man who has a child and is a single dad.”
“He is a tourist, Miyu,” he shook his head. “He will be gone in a few….”
“Iki! It’s called a cellphone,” Miyu whined and slapped his head playfully. “Honestly, I know the elders are all about tradition, but you don’t have to pretend to be technologically inept. I know there’s a computer in your room; use it for something other than business.”
“You make it sound so simple,” Daiki grimaced. “As if I am capable of being friends with someone.”
“Iki,” Miyu clucked her tongue. “We’ve been friends since I was big enough to push you over. I know better than anyone else what you’re like when the eyes of the world aren’t on you. You’re infatuated with the man, aren’t you?”
The speed at which Miyu switched from Japanese to English startled him. It took him a whole minute to figure out what she said and when he did, he looked away.
“Miyu,” he started to say before she tapped his nose.
“Iki, I am the last person that will ever judge you,” she said. “I knew you liked boys before you did. You have two healthy young boys; you’ve done your duty to the clan. Don’t let happiness slip through your fingers.”
Daiki shook his head at his cousin. “If I see him again, I will ask for his number,” he relented. “Do not get your hopes up.”
Miyu clicked her tongue before she kissed his cheek. “You’re so stubborn; I hope Hanzo grows up to be like you,” she teased.
Daiki shook his head before he rested his weight on his cousin’s shoulder. She was the sister he had never been blessed with having. He didn’t know what he would do without her steadfast determination. The elders had tried to beat her into submission, but she just stood up with a bloody smile and spat in their tea. She was indomitable like the reeds in the wind that bowed rather than bent, ready to stand straight as soon as the storm passed. Nothing could ever hold her back, not the elders, not society; Miyu would always find some way to do as she pleased.
He wished he was that brave.
***
John’s teeth grazed over Daiki’s collarbone and he let out a sharp gasp of pleasure. He reached up, running his fingers through John’s amazing golden blond hair. He was so beautiful and those blue eyes were twinkling with mirth as he loomed over Daiki.
“Mmm, so the mighty dragon wants to try the farmboy out,” John teased. “Can’t say I saw that one coming.”
Daiki shivered at the tone, squirming happily as John ran his big hands down Daiki’s body. His thumbs caressed his hipbones, teasing the soft flesh to either side of his groin. It felt good, amazingly good, and stars were starting to dance in front of his eyes.
“John,” he groaned out as he arched into those wonderful hands. “John, please.”
“Well, since you asked so nicely, Daiki,” John grinned playfully down at him.
John’s rough hands gripped his thighs as he pulled Daiki’s legs apart and hoisted them up towards his shoulders. His hot mouth closed over Daiki’s keeping him from crying out as something very big slid inside of him. His insides rippled around the length, stretching and squeezing around the invading heat. John growled against his lips, hissing as he slowly pulled his hips away.
He snapped them forward sharply, drawing a startled gasp from Daiki. He whimpered, staring up into John’s eyes as the man drew out slowly. He snapped forward sharply again, setting a slow rhythm that made Daiki’s insides ache with desire. He dropped his head back to the pillow, moaning as John filled him to bursting with pleasure. He whimpered, arching his hips up so that John could push deeper.
“John,” he whimpered. “John, I’m so close.”
“Mmm, open your eyes, gorgeous,” John purred in his ear. “I want to see those pretty eyes when you come.”
Daiki obeyed without hesitation, opening his eyes to stare up into John’s face. He was wearing that kind, tired smile as he continued his slow but passionate pace. Daiki reached up towards him and wrapped his arms around John’s broad shoulders. His breathing hitched and he arched his back as he climaxed. John growled in his ear as he pushed in as deep as he could go and followed Daiki over, holding himself still as he painted Daiki’s insides with heat.
He thrust slowly into Daiki’s shuddering insides before carefully pulling out. Daiki shivered at the emptiness, whining a little as John laid down beside him.
“Someone’s a needy dragon,” John teased as he ran his fingers through Daiki’s hair. “Hmm, whatever am I going to do with you, Daiki?”
“Love me?” Daiki asked softly as he rolled over to look at John.
John smiled and tipped Daiki’s chin up. “I can do that, Daiki,” he purred.
His lips pressed hot over Daiki’s and Daiki woke covered in sweat. Daiki was scared to move; he could feel the mess in his pants and shame burned across his face. What sort of sick individual was he to have a wet dream about a man he barely knew?
“Disgusting,” he whispered to himself as he forced himself to get to his feet.
He shuffled to the en-suite bathroom and stripped out of his pajama pants. He grimaced at the sticky mess and immediately stuck them under the faucet to start scrubbing them clean. Disgusting, absolutely disgusting. How could he even think of such unclean things with a man he didn’t know who probably wasn’t interested in him in the slightest?
“Fool,” he hissed at himself. “Weak-minded fool.”
He threw the pajama bottoms over the side of the shower and cleaned himself up with a warm, damp cloth. He walked out of his room and pulled on a new pair of pajama pants just in time for the baby monitor to let him know that Genji was awake and not happy. He let out a soft sigh as he went to go check on his son. At least that should help clear his mind.