A/N: slight sauce warning.

"We have to let him go."

Touya snorts out a sardonic laugh, wiping a hand over his face in exasperation. It takes an immense amount of effort not to yell at his mother---so much so that his hands are shaking. "Mom. I'm tryin' real hard to understand where you're comin' from, darlin', but I can't seem to make sense of why the fuck you'd say something like that. If he goes back to her, she'll kill him---if not today then it's only a matter of time. Somethin' in me knows that you know that." He tries to be as delicate with Enji as he can in this situation but at this point, his nerves are so frayed that he feels like he's going to lose his shit within a matter of moments.

Enji nervously holds his swollen tummy from where he sits, avoiding eye contact with both alphas. He doesn't feel good about what he's saying---what he's about to say---but he knows that if they try to hold Masaru here, it'll only end in the worst case scenario. He's undoubtedly positive that Masaru is talking to Mitsuki as they speak, explaining that they're holding him and trying to defend himself from her unpredictable anger. The longer they drag this out, the worse they'll make this for Masaru and the last thing Enji wants is for his friend to get hurt trying to climb from the second story window or for the police to get involved. If he calls them to tell them that he's being held hostage, it won't end well for anyone and Katsuki, most of all, shouldn't be here to witness it.

"Touya. My baby. I know that you want to help Masaru. I want to help him, too---so badly. But if he wants to leave then we can't keep him here. And the longer we drag this out, the uglier it's going to get. In the end, if they decide to get the police involved, they aren't going to care that we're doing this for his own good and we'll be forced to let him go or they'll take him by force and we'll probably be charged on Mitsuki's behalf. And that's just the best case scenario. It could end much uglier."

Touya doesn't like the implications of that.

Keigo, pacing the kitchen, curses loudly and punches the fridge so hard that it rattles. It startles Enji, having him turn to watch his husband tug and pull at his hair anxiously. Is there really nothing that he can do? Are these the only options that they have?

"So what? We just let her go and hope that she doesn't kill him? And what about baby boy? Katsuki doesn't deserve this---we can't just let his mother walk back into the arms of his abuser."

"Would you rather Katsuki be here to see his mother literally call the police on us or accidentally kill himself trying to climb from the window while we're all sleeping? I am thinking about what's best for Katsuki right now. If Katsuki has to see that Masaru would much rather do that than stay here with him, it'll hurt so much more than if we just let Masaru go right now. Please. Katsuki has been through enough." Enji tries to reason again.

His intuition tells him that Masaru isn't quite telling them everything that there is to know. Throughout their entire confrontation, he seemed terrified and it obviously wasn't of Touya and Keigo.

Touya wants to hit something. To punish someone---his entire body is shaking from the sheer force of his anger alone.

Enji is basically telling them to accept defeat and Touya is a sore fucking loser.

"This is fucking bullshit and you know it, ma."

"I'm so sorry, Touya, but fighting this would be pointless."

"So what am I supposed to say to my baby when he asks where his mother is and why I let him be taken back again? What the fuck am I supposed to say to him when he looks at me with tears in his eyes? Can you tell me that, then?!"

"Tell him the truth."

It's Masaru, standing at the foot of the stairs with his bag in his hand. He reaches up to take his glasses off, wiping at his puffy eyes with his hand as more tears fall. He seems to have spent his time alone attempting to find some resolve. Enji is unsure if he found what he was looking for. He reaches into his coat pocket for something, only to procure an envelope with Katsuki's name on it.

Without looking up, he hands it to Enji. He's much too ashamed to look Touya in the eyes.

"Or you can just give him this so you don't have to tell him anything. I wrote everything down." He says, voice weak and tentative. "Listen. I just want you all to know that these last few weeks have been some of the happiest in my life and that I'm so grateful to have met you all. I owe you so much and I know I'll never get to repay that---"

"Stop." Touya demands, voice cracking, but Masaru just keeps going.

"I love my Katsuki so much. I need him to know that his mommy never stopped loving him and even now, I'm only doing this because I love him. Please---please take care of my baby."

"Stop talking like you're fucking dying. Please. I can't---I can't handle this shit." Touya breathes, chest feeling painfully tight. He reaches out to wrap his arms around Masaru and squeeze him in a hug. "Promise me you're not walking out there to your death right now. Fucking promise me that Katsuki is going to see you again."

Masaru cries into his shoulder but even then, Touya can feel him smile against his shirt.

"We'll, of course. You're still coming to the ball after all, aren't you?"

Touya pulls away to look Masaru in the eyes, looking for any signs of dishonesty.

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not, honey. I promise. I plan to survive this through to the end. I have faith and trust in Mr. Yagi and Mr. Aizawa. I know they won't fail me. And I've already let him know that I'll be going back. If I'm ever in that much danger, enough that I think I might die? I'll run. I swear. I just want to do what's best for our family. For my baby."

Touya has no other choice but to trust him.

He releases Masaru and allows his mother to hug him next. Theirs is a much more tender embrace, Masaru taking a hand to gently pat Enji's belly as he pulls away with a smile. "You take it easy, okay? This little sweetheart is gonna need you happy and healthy."

"I should saying the same to you." Enji counters, resting his forehead against Masaru's own. "Promise me you'll stay in touch so I know you're okay?"

"Promise. Thank you for everything, love. You're one of the greatest friends I've ever had the pleasure to know."

Enji smiles. "You say that like this'll be the last that you see of me. Don't forget that our boys will be mated some day. You don't get to duck out of this family that easily." Masaru chuckles, carding his fingers through Enji's hair. "Of course. Wouldn't dream of it." His gaze flickers to where Keigo stands, purposely keeping his distance. He's visibly upset. Masaru can't find it in himself to hold that against him.

"Bye, Keigo. Thank you for looking after me."

"Yeah. You come back or I'm gonna come looking for you, you hear?"

A nod.

"I hear you." He affirms, reaching down to pick his bag up and head for the door. He doesn't turn back or say anything else, worried that even just one last glance at those eyes would make him reconsider.

He can see the car that Mitsuki had called waiting for him at the gate.

#

Shouto figured that Katsuki would be embarrassed upon entering the adult toy store, but he'd been more curious than anything else. His enthusiasm with learning more about hit biology seemed to overshadow his initial anxiety two to one and, honestly, Shouto couldn't have expected a better outcome.

The blonde had been very attentive as one of the store employees who specialized in the omega-oriented toys gave extremely detailed instructions on how to use certain items, even demonstrating on rubbery, latex dummies that remind Shouto of something they'd used in health classes when he'd been in highschool.

Overall, he'd like to think it had been quite a positive experience.

He'd been more than happy to buy whatever Katsuki needed, including a vibrator or two that he'd wanted to try for himself. He'd made sure to buy him plenty of condoms, a vibrating wand, and even a toy made from silicone that simulated an alpha's knot just in case he'd be going at his first heat on his own.

And, by Katsuki's request, he'd bought him a bottle of numbing spray for his, ah...

Well, the purpose was to numb his throat.

Shouto didn't even need to ask why he'd wanted it. He simply applauded him for being so ambitious and dumped it into his basket. Contrary to what most people would have Katsuki think, having a healthy sex drive isn't something that he should be ashamed of. The stigma surrounding omegas having sex out of wedlock is such bullshit and their value shouldn't be determined by whether or not they're virgins.

The only thing that matters to Shouto is making sure that if Katsuki's gonna have sex at all, that he's doing it safely.

"I'm gonna get you an appointment with my ob/gyn sometime soon so we can get you a check up and see about getting you some proper birth control but until then, please use those condoms. I'm certain Touya wouldn't give you any STDs but the last thing you want right now is to get pregnant." He says to Katsuki as they climb into Shouto's car to strap in. Katsuki nods along as he's talking to make sure that he knows that Katsuki is listening but he's a bit distracted, wondering what Touya was up to.

He's not used to going out like this without him and while Shouto assured Katsuki it was best that Touya not come along for this, Katsuki almost wishes that he could have just so he could see what reactions his lover would have.

He's so handsome when he's all flustered like that.

"Thank you for taking me to do this today, Sho-chan. I think going with your mother or Mrs. Inko would have been rather embarrassing. I do not think that this is a conversation I should have with my mother quite yet, either."

"Of course, honey. Anytime you need anything, you know that you can let me know. I'd like to think of myself as your big sister."

Katsuki pauses, head slanted curiously.

"Sho-chan is a sister?"

Shouto giggles.

"Sometimes. Sometimes I like being a girl more than I like being a boy, you know?"

Katsuki does know. He doesn't feel very much like a boy most times, either.

"Is it because we are omegas?"

"Mm. Maybe. I'm not sure."

"But it is normal?"

"Beats me, angel. Who cares about normal? Life's too short for that. Just focus on being happy."

Advice that Katsuki can get behind. He seems to be learning to live by this more and more with each passing day.

#

Touya can't bring himself to give the letter to Katsuki. Not yet. Not when his baby has been so happy lately. Why would Masaru make this so hard for him? He can't just rip away all of the progress that Katsuki's made by throwing him headfirst back into depression.

It's not right.

He knows it's not right.

But he's already made up his mind that he's going to have to lie to Katsuki to preserve his little omega's mental well-being. That's what he tells himself, at least, but some ugly part of him keeps accusing him of being a coward and not wanting to be the one to break Katsuki's heart.

It isn't wrong.

But in the end, it will be harmless. Won't it? He'll tell Katsuki that Masaru has had to go away on business and that he won't be back until the night of the ball when they'll see each other again. This way, Katsuki won't feel betrayed by Masaru or Touya. This is the only way.

He'd told his parents about the decision and they agreed, though not without extreme skepticism. Keigo takes the letter and assures his son that he'll put it away so that Katsuki doesn't come across it by chance. It's an unanimous decision to keep it on the hush.

Touya finds himself chain smoking on his balcony to calm his nerves, already on his third beer. He's not at all near tipsy like he'd hoped to be by now but at least he'd calmed down.

He sees the exact moment that Shouto's little blue sports car pulls into the driveway, taking a deep breath with the mental reminder that he's going to have to cheer the fuck up when he sees them.

He finds it's not a difficult thing to do upon seeing his lover's face.

He smiles down on them when he sees Katsuki waving at him from down there, standing on his toes as he carries a large black bag in his other hand.

"Hey, kitten." He calls, "Did you and Sho have fun on your trip that I apparently couldn't attend?" The question pulls a snort out of Shouto who rolls his eyes up at him. "Are you still sulking about that?"

"Maybe." He says, smile spreading wider. "Come on up and show me what you bought today, sweet thing."

Shouto and Katsuki share a look with one another that Touya could only describe as devious.

#

"Have you been smoking? You smell like cigarettes." Katsuki notes as he nuzzles against Touya's collarbone, leaning up to kiss him as he hears Touya kick the bedroom door shut. "You taste like cigarettes, too."

Touya pulls away, eyes narrowed down at Katsuki. "How do you know what cigs taste like?" But Katsuki merely shrugs and climbs up into bed. "I imagine they taste quite a lot like how they smell. To be frank, I enjoy your natural scent more than the smell of rancid smoke on you."

Touya can't help but laugh. "Is that your way of telling me that I stink?"

"Quite possibly."

"Fine, fine. I'm gonna go take another shower and brush my teeth. You get comfortable, baby, I'll be right back." He says as he grabs something else to wear and quickly hurries off to the bathroom. Katsuki takes his advice and strips himself of his stockings, putting them into the laundry hamper as he continues to undress himself down to his panties. He takes yet another t-shirt from Touya's drawer to wear, mutely thinking to himself that Touya would eventually have no shirts left for himself if Katsuki continued to hoard them all.

Maybe he'll give a couple of them back.

Maybe.

He's a little anxious about showing Touya all of the things that Shouto had gotten him today but the greater part of him, more than anything, wants to try them out.

He doesn't want to feel as though he's pressuring Touya into anything, but he's sure that Shouto had been onto something when he said that Katsuki's hypersexuality was due to his, um...late development .

Maybe he'll just show Touya and let him take the lead. He's eager to see what sort of cute reactions his alpha will make upon seeing his new toys.

"There, now I don't smell. Better?" He hears from behind him and startles a bit, turning to see Touya close the bedroom door behind him once more. He's in a pair of sleep shorts, seeming to have made the decision to forego a shirt altogether but Katsuki isn't one to complain.

Touya's body is a work of art. Katsuki admires it whenever he can.

He leans forward to sniff at Touya's collarbone again, pressing a kiss into inked skin when he finds that he's satisfied with the way that he smells.

"Yes. I have not known for you to smoke before. Please, do not start now. You are much too attractive to ruin it by yellowing your teeth and walking around smelling as if you spend your nights on street corners."

"To be fair, baby, I did. Before I met you. I told you, I don't exactly have the best track record for being the world's greatest guy." Touya defends himself, climbing in behind Katsuki and pressing himself flush against his back as he circles his arms around his tiny waist. He rests his head on top of Katsuki's, looking down at the black bag in his lap.

"You wanna model what you guys bought while you were out today? I'd love to see you in whatever pretty dresses you bought."

Katsuki bites into his lower lips, contemplating if he should just hand Touya the bag.

"Not dresses." He says and Touya's brow quirks curiously, letting go of Katsuki so that the blonde could turn to face him. He looks down at the bag and then back at Katsuki again.

"No? What'd you get then, baby?"

Oh, fuck it.

"T-Toys."

Touya's visible confusion increases.

"Toys? Why're you so embarrassed about toys, honey? I just bought you a cabbage patch doll three days ago."

Katsuki looks up at his boyfriend through his lashes and slides the bag into his lap. Touya takes it, ever more curious until he opens the bag up to peer inside.

He floods bright red from his chest up to his ears.

"Oh, you meant toys like these." He breathes out, unceremoniously dumping the bag onto the bed to see them better. He hisses, whistling as he picks up the want and rotates the package in his hand. "Figures Sho would wanna get you set for your heat." He adds, looking the box of condoms over with a fond shake of his head. At least he got the right size. Any smaller and his dick would've popped them before he even got it all the way in.

He picks up the numbing spray and snaps his head back up in Katsuki's direction.

"What's this?" He asks, turning the bottle for Katsuki to see as if the blonde hadn't known it was there. Katsuki snorts. "I know that you are capable of reading, Touya. You know what it is." He sasses.

"Yeah but...why?"

Katsuki shrugs, finally lifting his head to make direct eye contact. "I'd like to pleasure you with my mouth at some point as well. I know I would not be very good at it to start so I...figured that this would help me take you deeper than I could on my own."

Touya hisses again with a shudder, bagging the items back up as he feels himself becoming a bit hot and bothered.

"Fuck, baby, y-you're killin' me here."

Katsuki takes the bag and tosses it over the edge of the bed, climbing into Touya's lap instead. His fingers trace over the many colorful lines inked onto his arms and chest, lips ghosting over his collarbone. "Does the thought of having you inside of my throat arouse you?"

Touya's breath catches in his throat, hands gripping at Katsuki's panty clad backside. "You've no fuckin' idea, baby. Fuckin' pretty lips wrapped all tight around my dick. Such a cute little mouth." He rasps out, thumb brushing across Katsuki's bottom lip right before he dips in to capture it between his own. Katsuki is enthusiastic in returning his affections. "I-I...want to try these things with you." He finally admits aloud and Touya chuckles against his lips. "Yeah? I guess I didn't quite get to return the favor to you last time, did I? My poor baby. I've been neglecting you. Have you been horny for me like this for all this time?"

He gently guides Katsuki down onto his back, rolling to to hover him and prop himself up on his elbows. Katsuki's beautiful bourbon eyes are glazed over with lust, kiss-swollen lips parted and chest heaving as his breathing picks up excitedly. His legs are spread on either side of him, knees bent at Touya's waist as he'd made room for the alpha to fit between them. His lacy red panties are exposed, shirt riding up to his neck.

"Everytime I think I've seen the most beautiful parts of you, you seem to prove me wrong. God, baby, you are gorgeous." The alpha sighs, leaning down to bury his nose in Katsuki's scent gland. "We'll play with your new toys soon, I promise. Tonight, though, I'm just gonna take care of you and make you feel good. Nothing too heavy. I'll be gentle. You trust me?"

Katsuki nods dumbly, nearly drowning in Touya's scent as his and Katsuki's own dance together.

"W-Without question, darling."

Touya hums, suckling against Katsuki's scent gland. He shudders, fingers tangling in Touya's unruly hair until Touya pulls himself up with a smirk.

"Good boy. So then you'll let me play with these cute, perky little tits and worship your perfect pussy with my tongue?"

Katsuki responds with a gasping moan and, unbidden, feels slick rush from his opening and effectively soak his panties in his sticky fluids.

This time, however, he can't feel inclined to be so embarrassed about it.