Chapter Text
When Keegan wakes up, he’s on his back, sprawled over the bed and breath caught in a moan. Cracks an eye open to see Roach leaning over him, one hand slowly stroking his cock.
“ Fuck- Good morning Mate.” Keegan leans up, melting into a slow and lazy kiss. Barely any effort on his part.
Roach looks like he’s discovered something new and interesting. Green eyes sharp and calculating.
Keegan whines at him. “C’mon I’m awake- let me.”
Roach shakes his head, swinging over and sitting on Keegan’s lap. He has enough brainpower to process naked Omega and the scent of slick. Keegan moans again, hands coming up to rest on Roach’s hips.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, wanna take pictures of you, keep ‘em forever. Show you how perfect you are.”
Roach grinds down on him, and Keegan is going to beg. “Please? I love you- be so good for you, fill you up like I always do. Wanna see it- the way you look when you’re fucking yourself on my cock like a pretty little Mate should.”
-
Roach wakes first, eager and more than a little horny. He tests his legs, finds that they’re fucking sore but- he wants.
Slowly, so he doesn’t wake his sleeping Mate, he strips out of his clothes, pulling his boxers down and off and setting a hand on himself for just a second. He’s already hard, just thinking about this, and quickly he refocuses on Keegan.
He keeps his touches light, dragging over Keegan’s cock and delighting in the way he grows in his hand. Can smell his own slick in the air, leans in closer to Keegan’s face and increases pressure on his strokes. Gets a front row seat to when Keegan wakes, leaning down to kiss him for finally getting with the program.
Roach loves it, the way the kiss is still all sleepy soft, even as Keegan’s hips shift up into the touch. “Morning,” he offers. Keegan whines, actually whines at him, and Roach feels something a little possessive, a little feral, rise in his chest. Shakes his head, Keegan can stay right where he is.
When he swings his leg over to straddle Keegan, he sees the confused look until his Mate scents the air. Smells him. Moans, light and still deep with sleep, hands moving up to hold him. Touch still light, like his limbs aren’t quite caught up to the fact that he’s awake. Keegan starts to talk, drawl deep and Roach teases, dragging himself back and forth, letting Keegan feel the slick that’s building.
The idea of pictures has him interested. Distracted for a moment. He almost loses the plot when Keegan begs him, calling him pretty, offering to fill him up like only Keegan can.
“Not yet,” Roach tells him, dragging a little harder, shuddering when Keegan’s eyes flutter at the sensation. “I’ll put on a show, but that means you can’t touch.” Keegan tilts his head, confused, and Roach pulls the hands off of his hips and shifts them up, until they’re on the bed above Keegan’s head. “I’ll be pretty for you, take you so well, fuck myself on your cock, but you can’t touch.” Keegan’s entire body shudders, breath hitching. “Think you can do that, be my good boy?”
He answers with a nod, like he can’t speak and Roach smirks, sits up just enough, and sinks down onto Keegan’s cock. Roach didn’t prep, so it’s a tight fit, burning in just the right way. Keegan moans again, hands clenching into fists, and Roach finds his voice. “God you’re so fucking big, never know how you fit,” slides down another inch and feels like the air is being punched out of him. “Take you so well, don’t I? Go on baby, you can’t touch but I wanna hear you talk. You know what your voice does to me.”
-
When Johnny wakes, the first thing he does is study a sleeping Simon’s tattoo. It’s beautiful, detailed and clean. It’s a work of art. Suddenly, Johnny wants Simon to tattoo him as well. Waits for those eyes to flutter open and then jumps. “Do you want to tattoo me, I remember you offering to carve your name into me. That offer still stand?”
Simon wakes up and can feel the eyes on him, knows it’s Johnny and grumbles at him. Trying to open his eyes and process all of those words.
“Yeah- big old ‘property of Simon’ right over your ass. But if you let me wake up- I drew some things for you already. Show you.” Yawning and rolling, pinning Johnny to the bed with his body weight, just barely setting his teeth to his claiming marks. They haven’t started to fade yet, haven’t gotten the chance and Simon doesn’t want them too.
“Could do these. Would hurt, way out of regs. But we could do them somewhere else. Bite you anywhere you want, and make it permanent. My teeth, my hands holding the needle, mark you as mine.” It’s a little flare up of the possessive intent, but not aimed at anyone. He’s not saying it because he wants to scare people away from Johnny, he’s saying it because he wants to show he’s owned.
It’s not a huge difference, but it’s there. Simon leans back and kisses Johnny’s nose, watching him go a little cross eyed.
“Also- I can feel you watching me sleep. You’re the only person in the world that gets away with it. You get away with a lot. I like your idea- sharing hour. And I have something in mind. You call your family today, talk to them, make sure Callum took his ass home or I’m hitting him again. And I’ll tell you why meeting him freaked me out. Besides the whole, realization that I hadn’t bothered to ask about your family thing. Deal?”
-
Keegan twists his wrists, so his palms are facing the sheets and he won’t be tempted to reach out. He can do this. Let Roach use him and play with him. Has had this fantasy before. Roach flips the roles on him, calling Keegan a good boy and it scrambles his already sleep addled brain. Can’t do anything but nod and shake, light tremors up and down his body. Watching as Roach leans up, and sinks back down.
His eyes roll back in his head. It’s so good. Like he’s been teased for minutes and minutes, even though he’s only been awake for a few. The tight wet heat, and the total lack of control. Manages to find words when Roach bottoms out.
“Pretty little blush, like you didn’t just work yourself back on my cock like you owned it. You do. It’s yours. S’fucking hot. You just taking what you want like I’m your little toy. You’d like that wouldn’t you. Maybe next time you should tie me up.” Keegan flexes his fingers, his arms, throwing muscles into sharp relief.
“Do anything you want- fuck you’re so tight. Perfect little Omega, my Mate. Show me. You can do it. Wanna see you ride me, touch yourself. Stroke that perfect cock, play with your tits. Anything you want pretty baby.”
-
Johnny smiles when Simon jokes and then rolls over to set teeth to his neck. It’s not as possessive as before, so he lets himself enjoy it instead of trying to prove anything.
Then Simon offers to tattoo his teeth on Johnny’s neck and he goes a little dizzy with it. Doesn’t give a flying fuck about regs- since when do those even really apply to them? It’s not like he’s going to go to a different unit. The 141 is it for him, and he highly doubts Price gives a shit. Thinks about where he’d want it instead, if not on his neck, over his gland.
His collarbone, maybe, low enough to cover but high enough to be understood. It would be painful, right on the bone, but he wouldn’t care. Not at all. Maybe his thigh, private for them, so everytime Simon’s got Johnny’s cock in his mouth then can both see it, right there on display. Gets torn out of that thought by the possessive intent rising in the air. It’s got a different undertone, less desperate and more loving. It’s a huge step in the right direction for them.
“I like watching you sleep,” he admits. “Seeing you asleep, safe and happy, does something to me I can’t even begin to explain. Makes my Alpha go all gooey and soft.” Emphasizes that with a kiss, and rolls so he’s sitting up and holding onto Simon, cradling him almost in his lap.
“Deal, shower, chow and then I’ll make my phone call? They’re on the same time as us so I don’t want to interrupt the pup’s breakfast or anything.” Simon agrees and Johnny drags him into the shower. They go back and forth on who is taking care of who and it makes Johnny feel soft and boneless, falling back into something so familiar when their world has been torn apart and barely put back together.
-
Roach is trying so hard to stay in control here, almost regrets letting Keegan talk. His voice, little tendrils of Alpha running through it mixing with that deep country accent, set him on fire. It makes him want to get on his knees and beg instead of the other way around. Can’t do anything but grind down onto Keegan’s lap, emphasizing just how deep Keegan is inside of him as Keegan lights him up with praise and encouragement, dirty and filthy things slipping in between.
Keegan offers to be tied up the next time, flexing his arms to show off, and Roach can almost see the ropes there, pressing red lines into unmarked skin. It makes him want to bite , leaving his imprints on Keegan just like his Mate has on his neck.
He would fight the instructions to touch himself, and maybe he will next time, but seeing Keegan like this- at his mercy, is already so much. As he lifts himself up, relishing the slow drag, he also slides his hand up to his chest, rolling them over his nipples and smirking when Keegan’s gaze snaps to them like he’s been drug in by a magnet.
Roach teases himself with little movements, rolling the buds in his fingers until he’s almost all the way off, then he slams back down. Keegan’s hands clench so hard they turn white and his eyes roll back into his head for just a second. Roach moans, still playing with himself, and then does it again. Keegan’s eyes peek open to watch, and he feels so on display, stretched out for his Alpha in the best way. Repeats his movements. Slow on the rise, hard and fast on the fall. Does that until Keegan’s hips are rolling, ever so slightly into him, desperately seeking out friction.
“Aw, Alpha, what’s wrong. Pretty little thing like me feels too good? Can’t stop yourself from trying to get more?” Keegan actually whimpers, like Roach is killing him with his words. Roach picks up his pace, giving up the slow and fast for a medium speed, keeping it steady. Moves his hands from his chest to his cock, stroking himself in time with the movement of his legs. They’re burning, a reminder of the miles he ran, but it’s still good. He’ll draw out this teasing until his Alpha cracks- until it’s too much and he just takes or his legs give out.
Roach wants to see just how much control Keegan actually has.
-
Simon gets it. He watches Johnny sleep for the same reason. The shower feels like the first step into being normal. It’s soft and loving, both of them taking turns being cared for. After they’re out and dried off, Simon pulls his jeans on and steals one of Johnny’s hoodies. It’s old, soft, and warm. Well loved, and even freshly washed Simon can smell Johnny on it, and hints of their bond. He can feel how soft that makes Johnny feel in the bond and smirks.
“Keep it in your pants, I want breakfast.”
Johnny complains the whole way to chow about Simon being a thief of clothes, and bullying him. Simon’s laughing out loud when they walk in. It’s still early, the chow hall’s mostly empty except for the cooks. And Price. Simon sends his Mate through the food line and goes to sit right next to Price, dragging his wrist over the captain’s shoulder.
“Don’t make it weird. I shouldn’t have tried to blame you- for any of it. And I know you probably kept Keegan and Johnny from turning each other into roadkill.”
Price nods, and leans his shoulder into Simon’s a little. It helps Simon relax even more. Captain, Pack Alpha, both roles critical to the team and the Pack. Simon had felt a little guilty, about undermining Price’s authority, and opening the door to the challenges. But- they’re okay.
When they’re done eating, Simon taps his boot into Johnny’s. “Want me with you? Or I can go help Price with his paperwork.”
-
Keegan can feel the eyes on his neck, the intent way Roach stares for a second. Tips his chin up. Not a submission, but an invitation. Any mark Roach wants to leave on his skin is welcome and wanted.
He tries, he really does, to just lay back and let Roach take him. But the drowsiness is burning off under the fire of how fucking good it feels. Can’t stop the little movement of his hips, thrusting up just to meet the slam of Roach’s hips.
“You feel like fucking heaven. Always want more. Could spend hours like this- days with you on top of me and I’d want more. You feel it too, don’t you. Like puzzle pieces fitting together.” Keegan snaps his hips up a little sharper, dragging a moan out of both of their mouths.
“I was made for you. Keep you so fucking full you won’t ever remember what it’s like without me.” Digging his hands further into the pillow behind his head, waiting until the right moment- there. Roach slamming down, whimpering, hand stroking his cock just like Keegan told him too. Keegan grins at him, can feel how near feral it is, and pushes up. As deep as he can be in his Mate, holding it there. Roach’s free hand lands on his chest, nails scraping against skin.
“I won’t touch, but don’t think I won’t fuck you. The second you get tired, start to slow down, I’ll be there, and I won’t stop until you come so hard you forget your name.”
-
Falling back into normal , Johnny teases Simon on the way to the chow hall for stealing his clothes. They’re both pointedly ignoring the fact that Johnny loves when Simon wears his things, the way that sometimes they’re too small and cling to Simon in the best way. Not these though, these hang like soft blankets over his skin, comfortable and warm. His Omega is safe surrounded by Johnny’s scent.
Simon makes a beeline for Price and Johnny fills his role by going to get his Mate food. The line isn’t long but by the time he’s showing up Price and Simon are swirling with Pack scent and the Pack Alpha no longer looks like he’s being gutted every time he looks at Simon. He eats and makes sure that Simon does, too, eyes lingering on the spot where he knows there’s a fresh tattoo hidden behind clothes.
“You’re good to go, Gaz and I are supposed to get into some explosives today. Figured we could round that out- maybe give you some time with Keegan?” Johnny knows they have a lot to talk about and he’s being very calm about it. He and Keegan connected, but there’s still a lingering feel of protection in his brain when he thinks of Simon away from him. He knows it’s the echoes of the fresh re-bonding, claiming instincts still wanting to keep his Omega all to himself, but he’s trying to do better than he did the first time.
-
Roach can’t help but shudder out a moan when Keegan fucks up into him, following the rules by not touching, but proving that he can still make Roach feel good. Keegan’s practically feral under Roach, teeth on display and scent pushing like a physical force. He drowns in the smell of desire and intent, the rolling pleasure off of his Alpha.
“I can feel it,” Roach admits, because he can. Every thrust of Keegan up into him is another layer of them settling in his bones, his instincts, his very soul. He picks up the pace, meeting that heightened energy, feeling his legs burn with the effort. “Was made for you, to take you like this. It’s never been this good- never been this fucking full.”
He hiccups out a whine when Keegan leverages himself harder, really fucking up into Roach now, stealing some of his willpower to keep this role reversal going. Keegan would make it so good, would roll him over, press his face into the pillow, and fuck him so hard he forget anything except the press of his cock and knot. But- he doesn’t want to give up this power yet.
So he leans down, changing the angle and slipping his hand up. Roach curls it around Keegan’s jaw so it doesn’t bump his face as he leans down. Then, before Keegan can say anything, Roach sinks his teeth into the offered skin of Keegan’s throat, right over his scent gland.
Ghost had told him once, what it felt like to return the claim, the white hot bolt of possession that racketing his instincts and his entire body. Roach didn’t understand then. He does now.
For one moment, Roach feels like an Alpha, something dark and hot and feral shooting through his body, fast like an airstrike but deep like a nuclear bomb. He’s barely got his teeth in before the closest thing to a growl rips out of his chest, muffled by Keegan’s skin in his mouth. Pulls back and snarls, “ mine .” Presses his closed teeth back into the spot and feels the mark there.
Hands land on his hips, and the next thing Roach knows he’s flipped over, staring up at Keegan, eyes drowned by the pupil and his own teeth open in show. Keegan’s still buried as deep as he can go in Roach, never letting his Mate feel empty for a second and Roach smirks up at him, feeling alive . “Good Alpha, gonna take me now? Fill me up, give me your knot, breed me ?”
Roach only has a second to register the way Keegan’s scent changes at that, sharpening like a knife, before his Alpha rearranges his entire world.
-
Simon raises an eyebrow. If Johnny’s determined to be fine about it then- he should probably talk to Keegan. Stands up and taps his knuckles on the table in front of his Mate. “Phone. Don’t blow yourself up. Don’t blow Gaz up. I’ll take the old man here to the gym, before he starts disintegrating in front of our eyes. If the idiot shows up I’ll talk to him.”
Weighs his options and remembers they’re being honest. “Probably throw him around the room a little, for old time’s sake. He makes a horrible squeaky toy noise when he gets the wind knocked out of him. Makes me laugh.”
Price jabs his fingers into the back of Simon’s knee and Simon swears at him. Nearly starting a sparring match right here when Gaz appears, dropping down into the table like it personally offended him and yawning massively.
Quick goodbyes, and the two officers actually manage to make it to the gym. Starting a circuit workout. Simon shoots Roach a text of where they are, and an offer to bring Keegan. Correcting Prices form just to be a dick.
“That’s why your joints hurt-”
“-if I wanted to be sassed by my subordinates I’d have brought Gaz-”
The bickering and the workout do wonders for Simon’s overall mood. Endorphin rush and a good burn in his muscles. Looking up when the door opens and Roach bounds through it. Keegan’s a second behind and Simon nods at him. Welcoming him into the space.
Once they’re done here, Simon will give him an opening. They’re the only ones left that have anything to lay down and go over. As far as he knows at least. There might be some lingering issues between Roach and Johnny, and the situation they were forced into. Simon shakes that thought away, and loads the squat bar with enough weight to make Price swear at him.
-
About half of Keegan’s brain clocks the fuck out when Roach claims him. Keegan’s entire being focuses on it for a split second. The rasping growl, and mine echoing in his brain. Imbedding themselves so deep in his memory it feels like part of his core personality is shifting to match.
The second bite flips a switch. Keegan rolls them, hands firm to make sure he doesn’t slide out even a millimeter. Can feel the way he’s throwing Alpha intent into the room and the bond. And his perfect Mate just fucking smirks.
“Good Alpha.” Keegan preens for a second, but Roach keeps talking. Of course he’s gonna fill him up, the knot’s a fucking given, he-
Breed. Things go a bit hazy. Keegan leans down, putting another claiming bite on his Mate’s neck, opposite of the bond mark, and growls. Low, promising. Shifting just enough to set his teeth to Roach’s shoulder, and pulling back. Slamming his hips forward. Hard. A ragged pleading whine rips into the air and Keegan smirks. Leaning up and sliding one hand into soft curls. Repeats that same slow pull out, hard thrust in. Each time he gets to hear that same begging whine, going a little out of his mind with it. His voice is gravelly and fucked out, Alpha tone loud in his own ears.
“Of course I am Omega. Get you good and bred, you’re mine. ” That does it. Roach going so tight around his swelling knot they come in almost the same second. The growl that rips out of Keegan as he fills his Mate up is something he’s never heard from himself. Their eyes stay locked, green meeting gray. As soon as he can think coherently Keegan kisses him.
“Fuck darlin. Good morning to you too.”
-
Johnny leaves the chow hall and calls his parents. There’s a flurry of Scottish noises on the other end, loud from his mother, more subdued from his father. When it’s settled down, he tells them everything.
How the Alpha he told them about wasn’t actually one, and how the man is now his Mate. Lets that roll around with them for a long moment. Explains just enough, not about the lack of suppressors, or the bond break, but about Simon and their newly formed Pack. About the family he’s made for himself here. His mother is overjoyed, already jumping to pups and wedding bells and will he take the MacTavish name ?
Johnny answers honestly, that he doesn’t know, that they haven’t really discussed anything. That they’re both still Soldiers with dangerous lives and that pups aren’t in the plan- yet. His father speaks, a sentence of support and love, and then his gran threatens him, with her cane in unsavory places, if he doesn’t bring his Omega around.
Afterwards, he calls his sister. The pups are done with breakfast and she spends a good long moment yelling at him for not calling more often. Then explains that Callum told her a little, that he had to help on something outside his wheelhouse to help Johnny, yells at him for dragging Callum into something dangerous and then, very softly, asks if he’s okay. Johnny cries a little, tells her more than his parents. About how without Callum it’s likely his Mate would be dead. Apologizes for any bruising he might have, explains that his Mate is strong and determined and didn’t much like how Callum had to save him, even if he was grateful for it.
By the end they’re both crying a little, and she congratulates him on his bonding, expresses that she, too, would like to meet the man who stole her bother’s heart. He promises to try, to visit between missions, but reminds her that he doesn’t have much of a choice.
The training with Gaz is mostly a blur, he does his job but he’s stuck on longing, loneliness for how much he misses his family. They return back and find everyone in the training room, mostly just talking, whatever happened made the Pack bond scent in the air thicken and Johnny relaxes with it. Looks at Simon and tilts his head. He’s emotionally drained, and is ready for Simon to hold up his end of the deal, to talk about why Callum made him so antsy and maybe see about picking out what tattoo he wants to put on Johnny’s skin.
-
Roach whines when Keegan layers his own claiming bite onto his neck, the bond implodes, sparking out that possessive intent and love, strong and hot. Fire in his veins. After that, Roach falls into Keegan. Every brush of teeth and lips, the hard thrusts followed by the dragging pull, over and over again. Roach is so close he can taste it, grinding down on his teeth as each snap of Keegan’s hips pulls a whine out from him.
Keegan’s knot is expanding out and it’s another sensation on top of all the other, he’s almost there- right on the fucking edge and then- gonna get you good and bred, you’re mine. Roach wails as he comes, orgasm ripping out of him, clenching down around Keegan’s knot as it fully expands, locking them in. He can feel his Mate filling him, determined to drown him in it, honor his claim. He never takes his eyes off of his Alpha’s watches the way they flutter with every spurt, every fresh wave filling him more and more.
It feels like forever before he comes back into himself, leaning up to kiss Keegan back with the full force of everything he has in him. Smiles at the fucked out way Keegan greets him.
“Fuck, wish we could start every morning like that.” Roach shifts his hips, moaning when it twists Keegan’s knot inside him, feels another pulse of release. “Shit- how do you have anything left ?”
Keegan flushes dark red and nips at his nose, chastizing him. “That determined to pup me, huh Alpha?” It’s meant to tease, but he feels the staticky way the bond goes sharp with intent. “Oh fuck- you- you really want that don’t you?”
-
Keegan can’t help the growl there. “Of course I do. Fuck. Wanna see if gray eyes go with freckles, or your curls and my color.” Lowers his tone, they’re still locked together, he’s half out of an orgasm, but makes it filthy anyways.
“Wanna see you with a little bump, and know I put it there. Filled you so good we made something together. Feel you all soft and warm.” Drags his hand down, resting lightly on the skin, where he’s still inside of his Mate. “Right here. There’d be so many new things, in your scent, how sensitive you’d get. Darlin- you opened this door and now I’m never letting it go.”
Makes his next kiss soft and sweet. “And we’ll get that. I promise. After we handle things here, we’re fucking off. Buy a big old house with the other two, with room for the whole Pack. See if I can learn how to make pancakes without burning the kitchen down. We’re gonna have that.”
The mention of pancakes gets Roach’s attention further, both of them aware that they just woke up and spent a lot of energy already. Keegan laughs. “Okay. Let my knot go down, we’ll go shower, and find chow-”
Roach’s phone chimes and Keegan glares at it for a second. It’s like- just barely seven am.
-
Roach can smell the want in the air, overpowering the scent of slick and come, rising higher than even the possessiveness that they both just threw out. He flushes red as Keegan talks, can’t help but follow along with the mental images. Him, with Keegan’s pups , raising a family together. Gray eyes and curly hair, green ones with dark fringe.
It’s a different kind of claim, of possession, and Roach’s mind spins with it. Keegan presses down on Roach’s stomach where his cock is still buried deep and he goes a little out of his mind with it. “I want that, too. Pups and a house, and Pack .” Now that the idea is there he’s never letting it go.
But the promise of food is strong, and his phone is chiming from the table, pulling them out of those fantasies. No, not fantasies. Those promises.
He manages to get his phone and sighs. “It’s Ghost, we’re being asked to come to the training room,” he whines when Keegan pulls out. Empty. Keegan lifts him up and tosses the phone on the bed, dragging Roach to the bathroom. Roach lets him, eyes landing on the cut of teeth on Keegan’s neck as he’s dutifully washed like normal, can’t help but press his fingers to it when they’re dressed and ready to leave. “Mine,” he whispers, smiling when Keegan repeats it back to him.
Breakfast is quick, too many pancakes as usual, and before he knows it he’s walking hand in hand into the training room with Keegan. Coming face to face with their fearless Captain face first in the mats, held there by Ghost.
“Damn, what did we miss?”
-
Simon had really planned on just lifting weights but there was a comment from Price about him not sparring lately, must be going soft and he proceeds to throw the captain into every mat in the place.
He’s holding a pin, about to start lecturing on being careful what you wish for, you old fuck, when Roach and Keegan walk in. Simon shakes his head. “Teaching an old dog new tricks. You wanna try?”
Roach lights up like he’s been handed a shiny wrapped present and Price threatens all sorts of paperwork. Simon ignores them both, sliding out of the hold and getting out of the way as Roach comes flying in.
Simon gestures at a free sparring area and Keegan nods, visibly bracing himself.
“Warm up Keegs. I’ll wait.”
Keegan snorts. “Warmed up before I got here.”
Simon side eyes him, notices the claiming bites on his neck. “Gross. I didn’t ask for details. ”
Keegan rolls his eyes, and throws the first punch. Simon falls into the rhythm automatically. Sparring with Keegan is easy. They move the same, hits don’t even land, counter blows meet air. Like it used to, it devolves into play.
Simon breaks the silence first. “I’m sorry. I’ve apologized to Roach, but not to you. You knew what you were getting into, better than anyone else could have, when you made me fight. But after- I took a lot of it out on your Mate, and then you had to sit there and put us all back together, and go fight it out with Soap.”
A nod, acknowledgement, and a flashy kick from Keegan. They fall back into the easy game of almost hitting each other before Keegan speaks. “I used you as a weapon. I thought Soap was dead and was fully prepared to bury him our way. But I needed you, to get Roach. I know I’m not the first, and I’m sorry for it.”
Simon considers it, he’d been fucking mad about it too- but. It worked out. Might not have if Keegan had made any other choice there. If he’d let Simon lay down and die, let the bond shock take him, Johnny wouldn’t have been far behind. None of the Pack would have been able to give him a reason to keep going, and Simon both loves and hates that.
He dives over a leg sweep, and turns it into a full front flip just because he can. Because he knows Keegan won’t strike his unprotected back.
“Fucking show off.”
“Some of us aren’t boring.”
That comment makes it devolve further, until they’re not even pretending to hit each other, just pulling out the nonsense moves soldiers think about in their off time. Trading apologies and forgiveness in the pauses between. They end up dropped on their backs, both out of breath, but finally back to friends. In a low voice Simon tells Keegan that he’d noticed, even dead asleep, the Pack bond trying to grab him, prepared to apologize if it hurt to have and lose in the same second.
Keegan’s voice goes a little shaky, and awed that it even happened. That it’s still possible. Simon’s heart breaks, they’d fucked up this entire process, waiting too long to tell Keegan he could join them, and now, no one bothered to mention that he’d get to stay. Simon, slow and careful, rolls his wrist, and brushes it against Keegan’s. Holding it there. It’ll fade with time, without the Pack bond actually pulling Keegan in, but it’s a temporary mark.
Roach lands on them both, scent happy and laughing. Simon digs his Pack Omega’s elbow out of his ribs and offers Price a half apologetic shrug. Price glares, a little, and then throws his scent. Pack Alpha, claiming a member. Keegan goes all sorts of soft and misty eyed at that.
By the time Johnny and Gaz walk into the training room the Pack scent is so thick Simon couldn’t smell his way through a paper bag. Offers his Mate a smile, and nods at the door. He can feel how much that phone call had drained his Mate, the aching homesick feeling Simon only knows when Johnny leaves the room.
“Alright heathens. We’ll see you all for breakfast tomorrow.” Gets to his feet and starts making his way to Johnny. Lowers his voice. “Lets grab food, go back to our room.”
-
While Keegan and Ghost show off like only two people of their skill level and sass can, Roach distracts himself with picking up where Ghost left off with Price. It’s easy, to fall back into training, getting back into the motions of repetitive movements and simple moves. Price and him aren’t trying to show off like the other two. Roach is content with that, leaning into instinct.
Then, when Price is nice and complacent, he strikes. Lashing out quick and fast, he drags Price into a headlock, spinning him around and solidifying the hold. Price sputters something indignant and goes to fight. Roach keeps himself level and refuses to budge an inch until Price is tapping out.
Roach cackles out a bit of laughter and then prepares for something real Price comes at him like he knew he would, all bravado and macho Alpha. Returning fire. Roach sidesteps it, using his smaller stature to rip out of the hold and fly across the mat. It’s a move Ghost taught him, that had been used against him before, and it works perfectly.
“Jesus son, should call you fucking cheetah and not roach.”
“Well, hurry up then, old man. Move any slower and I’ll have to help you fill out your retirement packet.”
Price crosses his arms, mustache quivering. “What is with everyone giving me shit today?I am not old .”
Roach laughs again, feeling light and free. “Older than us, Sir. Gonna start researching retirement homes at the first gray hair.”
That earns him a true tackle from the Captain and Roach rolls with it, letting the Alpha pin him. “There he is, now we can go for real.”
They go back and forth until Roach peeks over and sees his Alpha and Ghost laying on the ground, breathing hard. There’s a little bit of sadness in the bond, but it’s overshadowed by awe and family so Roach knows it isn’t anything serious.
He launches himself at Ghost and Keegan, determined to break the tension, smells Pack on Keegan’s skin and knows Ghost scented him. Then Price sends out his own claiming scent, as Pack Alpha it’s stronger, longer lasting. Keegan looks like he might cry and Roach leans down to brush a kiss across his cheek. When Gaz and Soap show, they break apart and Roach drags Keegan back to their room. Throws his arms around him as soon as the door is closed and holds him tight.
“I told you that you were still welcome. Maybe next time listen to your Mate yeah?” There’s some hitching of Keegan’s breath and Roach holds him tighter. “Cry it out, if you need to. Whatever you need to do. But I am so happy for you, and I’m here to support you however I can. Okay?”
-
Johnny laces his fingers in Simon’s and dutifully follows him to the chow hall They both grab to-go trays and it’s a true testament to how out of it Johnny is when he lets Simon make his own tray. He feels like he’s watching himself from an outside point of view, just floating wherever Simon guides him.
He feels a little more settled in his skin when they cross the threshold of the den. The nest is still made and Johnny falls face first into it, food abandoned. He rubs his face into the sheets that smell like bond and Mate. He stays there, pressed into the sheets until a soft hand slides across his shoulders. Johnny turns to see Simon. “Sorry, I’m just- not quite in my head right now.”
Simon makes a face like he understands and then sits on the bed. “If you’re hungry, eat, please. I just- need some time to- just exist. Then we can talk, okay?”
-
Keegan slowly slides down, pulling Roach with him, until he is on his ass, curled around his Mate. His Mate. Clears his throat and tries to speak.
“I didn’t think I’d ever get this. I used to dream about you- dream about going to sleep with someone in my arms, and wake up with them still there. Every time something happened, part of me would always say, ‘can’t wait to tell my Mate about this’. Got thrown off a camels back, and was still spitting sand when I knew I wanted to tell you that story. But I didn’t know if I’d ever find you. And then- the Ghosts came so close to being a Pack. Just didn’t have the balance. Two Betas, brothers. Alpha captain, me, and Riley. Ajax was the only Omega, and then he died. And Riley said no. Figured that was it. No Mate, no Pack. Just be fucking useful for as long as I could.”
Keegan still has his face buried in Roach’s neck, tears soaking his shirt. “Then I met you. Looked at you before I even noticed the Lt. behind me. As much as it yanked us around, I’m so fucking grateful for the imprint. Never would have been so bold with you if it hadn’t been there shoving my stupid nose in it. I get you. And you- fuck. You let me be. I don’t feel like I’m less of an Alpha for keeping my instincts down, but at the same time, don’t feel like I have to as much. And the Pack- I’ve never had a family before. Figures Riley would be the one to start it but Price-”
Keegan’s throat feels like its swelling shut. His dad had been awful. Bad enough that when he talked about him, Riley had gone ice cold and offered stories of his own. Price’s claiming scent, felt like a chance to look up to another Alpha without being afraid. Keegan tries to fight it, tries to stay strong, but Roach’s hand sliding up the back of his head, petting through his hair- he breaks. Sobbing, quiet, because that’s how he’d had to cry as a kid.
-
Simon knows Johnny’s not really with him. So he guides them through the chow line with purpose. Sandwiches, fruit cups, chips. Fuck all for nutritional value, but things that will hold until his Alpha is ready for them.
Knows he made the right choice when Johnny drops into the nest like he’s going to live there for the rest of his life. Sets their trays off to the side and leans over him, rubbing soothing circles into his back. Hums softly when Johnny asks for a minute. And sits down. The Ghost in his brain is telling him to sit between his sergeant and the door. The Omega slaps it down. Simon slides into the nest, letting Johnny have the door side. And talks. Low and soft. Tells him how he met Price, the whole story. How he’d fought it, not wanting another team, not wanting more people to lose.
Circles back, tells him about Hesh, Logan, Merrick, and Ajax. Ajax’s name burns. But he tells Johnny about him anyways. How much Roach reminds him of Ajax. The same quick wit, and sass. The differences. Ajax wasn’t scared of Alphas ever. Would go toe to toe with them for fun. How funny it was, to see Ajax scream down Keegan, or Merrick. Two Alphas with the strongest instincts.
How eventually Simon had broken down, explained his secret, the reasons why. Ajax’s fierce fucking protection. And that not even a full day after that, he’d died. The almost Pack falling to pieces.
He’d promised to tell Johnny about Callum, the bond shock and the pup issue. And he will, once Johnny’s aware enough to hear it. But Simon can offer more. By the time he’s done talking, his throat is dry, voice soft and raspy. Simon reaches for a water on the bedside table, and drains half of it, offering the rest to Johnny.
-
Roach follows Keegan to the floor, tucking himself into his arms in almost a mirror image of the way they folded into each other that day in the training room. Braced as close as possible, only Keegan isn’t hesitant this time, instead he’s holding onto Roach like he’ll float away if he lets go. Roach just presses closer and listens.
He knows exactly what Keegan means, the awful feeling of not good enough, of never finding somewhere or someone to call home. Wishes, that they had met sooner. For selfish reasons of course, less people would have hurt him if he had met Keegan before, but also for Keegan. Wishes he could have given him this taste of home earlier.
Roach…never let himself hope, always assumed that pain and loss and hurt would be his forever. The little scraps of good he got felt like all his would ever have. So to get someone like Keegan, soft and gentle, perfect and sweet, feels like a dream come true. Doesn’t know most of the names that Keegan offers up, knows they’re important, Keegan’s almost Pack, but doesn’t have anything concrete to rely on.
Feels his heart break when Keegan describes the loss. Remembers what Keegan had told him, that he was just the man who filled roles, who stepped into the places where he needed to be. Hopes that that isn’t true for him anymore, that he understand his place here, next to Roach, but also soon- in the Pack.
Once more, he’s happy to hear Keegan speak so positively about their Imprint, lingering fear that this isn’t what he wanted never really going away as much as Roach tried to make it. Feels his heart soar when he talks about Roach giving him the opportunity to express his own instincts. That was something else he mentioned, the first time he saw Roach’s nest, that he was happy that Roach was so in tune with his instincts, that he was jealous of that and wanted someone who would let him let his own out. He’s thrilled that he’s been able to be that person for Keeegan.
Keegan starts to sob when he talks about Pack and Roach throws his scent, filling it with love and comfort and safety, trying to imitate the emotions that Keegan had thrown out the first time they were in this position. His hand slides up into Keegan’s hair, petting softly and trying to offer more comfort and sweetness. Pushes his neck into Keegan and concentrates hard. For a moment nothing happens, and then- just like before, the stuttering car engine purr starts up in his chest.
If anything, Keegan cries harder, fingers twisting in Roach shirt, but the bond is nothing but love and relief. A feeling of home rolling between them. Roach plans on holding himself there until Keegan decides he doesn’t want to be there anymore, purring as steady as he can in this intimate moment.
-
Johnny is so fucking thanful that Simon seems to know what he needs. He doesn’t push or try to pull Johnny out of it, doesn’t make him feel small or dumb. Instead, perfect fucking Mate that he is, talks to him.
It’s the first time he’s hearing any of this. Listens as best he can as Simon describes how he met Price, the wariness, the distrust. The way he pushed and pushed and pushed, and the way the Captain just kept pulling him back in every time he tried to get away. A lot like the way Simon was with him, pushing himself away just to have Johnny pull him back in.
Focuses a little harder when Simon mentions his old team. The Ghosts. More pieces of the past, names that get filled in with stories he’s half heard. Tall tales that aren’t so tall afterall. He wants to meet these people, the almost-Pack that he knew. Hesh, Logan, Merrick, Ajax, all people that his Mate spent so much time with. Family before Simon was ready to have that again. Simon tells him more about Ajax than any other the others. Relates him to Roach. It sounds like there was a Pack Omega thing going on even though they weren’t Pack. Simon tells him how Ajax was the first person since he started his fake presenting to know his secret, his true identity. How the first person he really trusted since he was broken down to nothing was taken from him less than a day later.
How that was the moment the option of Pack really slipped away for them. With no Omegas, there’s no Pack, no base, no foundation.
Just angry Alphas and scent blind Betas.
By the time Simon’s voice is coming out raw, he feels more like he can think, like he’s a person and not just a walking corpse. He slides up the bed, tucking his face into Simon’s neck. “Thank you, for telling me all that. Sorry- I don’t know why I’m so- blegh. But I’m here now, back in my own head.” He presses a soft kiss to Simon’s neck. “Are you ready to keep going, or- are you out of words for the night?”
-
Keegan’s almost got it under control, trying to bottle all of that back up. When Roach purrs. It sends him right back down into that overwhelmed place of homeMatelovesafehome. Keegan cries until his throat aches, and his eyes burn. Knows they’ve been there a while by the numb feeling in his legs, and automatically shifts his Mate in his arms to make sure he’s off the goddamn floor and comfortable.
His voice is awful when he talks. “Thank you- needed to do that. Probably for a while now. I love you.” Keegan clears his throat, and groans when that doesn’t help. Slowly shifts, so they’re looking at each other. There’s still a faint rumble of a purr in the room, softer now that Keegan’s not trying to shove his entire face into Roach’s neck. Keegan leans in, planting a gentle kiss on Roach’s lips.
“I need to get you off the floor. And shower- I’m all gross from trying to one up the Lt.” Now that he’s done with the crying, everything in his brain is telling him to comfort, preen, protect. It’s not his most graceful move, but he gets them to their feet. Roach mostly still in his arms. It’s a slow shuffle to the bathroom, and out of their clothes. But the hot water helps. He’s not super talkative during the process. Quieter than normal. Roach is soft and pliant with it, letting Keegan linger on his hair, and doesn’t even make his usual joke when Keegan kneels to wash his skin.
Guiding them back to the nest, drying off quickly. Offering Roach his hoodie, the one with all of the past he’d just spilled on the floor connected to it. Keegan shoves his legs into the first pair of boxers he grabs and collapses into the nest. Not- sleepy. Just done.
-
Simon’s still gentle, but he bops Johnny on the nose. “Because- it was too much. You called your family today. And instead of just your sister, or just your parents. You probably called them all, and unloaded a years worth of stuff all at once. Because sometimes love, you’re a little bit like me.”
Tucking him a little tighter to his neck, letting the roles reverse for a minute. Johnny, curled up and pressed to his scent gland. Some corner of Simon’s brain preens that it’s the one with the bonding mark. Simon informs his brain that it’s not time to be horny.
“I felt you die. Now I know what it feels like. I- feel it sometimes. For a second. Blink too long, and it’s there. Like an echo. And then Callum walks into the room- and I know why now but- he layered so many Commands into my brain I wasn’t even walking with my own permission. And you hugged him. Like I said. I know why. But I didn’t then. Got hit with a whole lot of-” Simon wants to make some edits to that just a bit. “Bad. Omega screaming that you-” fuck there’s really no way around it.
“Felt like you didn’t want to fight for me. You’d seen how fucked up I was about it and then you hugged him. Which wasn’t great- and then I found out why. The second you said ‘pregnant Mate’ I got hit with an echo. Because I know what it feels like when you die, and we didn’t get to have that.”
Simon presses a kiss to Johnny’s hair, dragging his nose through it where it’s growing long. Focuses on that for a little bit. “S’probably why the second you left me alone for longer than five minutes I picked up the tattoo gun.”
-
Roach wants to tell Keegan not to thank him, recognizes that it isn’t the time. That Keegan just needs to get it out. So he lets him, holds him while he cries, allows Keegan to lift him up and move him wherever he wants, still offering up his purr as best he can. Even as it starts to fade. Keegan’s face is red and splotchy from the crying and Roach wants to wipe away the streak of tears on his face. Doesn’t. Knows that sometimes someone calling attention to it makes it worse. Kisses his cheek in a middle ground.
The shower is subdued, quiet, but not uneasy. The weight of everything has slid off of Keegan’s shoulders but in it’s place is a bone deep tiredness. Still, Keegan washes his hair, taking care of him like a good Alpha, his perfect Mate. Makes sure that he’s dry and dressed in clean clothes, soft and comfortable. Gets Roach into his nest and then collapses into it. Keegan’s eye are still open, not droopy with sleep, so Roach pulls him in, so they’re face to face, foreheads touching.
“I love you,” he offers up into the soft space between them. “Forever.”
He stays there, in that comfort and safety, until he can’t keep his eyes open any longer.
-
Keegan whispers it back. “Love you forever darlin.”
Waits until Roach slips into sleep, green eyes disappearing. And pulls him closer. Tangling their limbs together, one of Keegan’s knees between Roach’s. Buries his nose in curly hair and lets sleep take him.
-
Johnny scrunches his nose when Simon boops him, settling a bit when Simon tells him what he already knows. That he bottles it up, lets it out fast and hard, leaving him worn and torn. He’s trying to be better, but it’s hard to stop something he’s done his entire life. Settles into Simon’s embrace, not caring that his Omega is taking care of him, enjoying the comfort that that brings him. His Omega is strong, this is okay.
The echo of the bond drop is something he’s felt, but it’s muted. Buried under the knowledge that it wasn’t a true break. Johnny always knew that Simon was still alive. Hates himself that he never thought Simon would feel it, too.
Hates himself a little more when he sees his interaction with Callum through his Mate’s eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he speaks the words into Simon’s neck. “I never- never know when I’m hurting you. Accidentally or not. And all I can do is say sorry. Reassure you that I’d fight for you, no matter what. If there really was a threat, I’d do anything for you.” Presses in even harder, breathing in their bonding scent, imagines it with a sweeter undertone. “All I can do is promise you- that I’m here and that- future is still ours. I want that, with you.”
He slides his hands over Simon’s stomach, pressing across it. “Pups, with your hair and my eyes. A family , Simon. Our family.” Simon starts to shake and Johnny pulls back, sitting up to look at him. “I’m sorry- I- I’m making it worse aren’t I?”
-
Simon laughs, tears in his eyes. “You- no. You’re not making it worse. But you never stopped to consider if you don’t notice things because I don’t want you to. You didn’t notice, while Callum was there because I didn’t want you to. Don’t feel bad because I’m good at hiding. Spent most of my life hiding. I don’t- always mean to. Sometimes sure. I’ll bury something before it even touches the bond. Sometimes it just happens.”
Turns his head to kiss Johnny’s hair again, grounding himself in the bonding scent and the hand still laying on his stomach like a promise. “I have spent my entire life in my own head. I don’t know everything that’s going to hurt me. Didn’t expect that. Probably won’t expect the next one. But it- I hate when it upsets you. I know you’re sorry. Knew if you caught even a little bit of it, you’d turn and focus on me. Could see- once you stopped being mad at him, how happy you were to see him.”
Simon takes a deep breath. “I
want
that with you. Wanna see if that sunshine personality is genetic, or if a tiny pup can copy my little nose scrunch. Terrified of it. Family thing didn’t go well the first time, Ghost team fell apart, our
bond
got taken, this Pack nearly got torn to shreds over it. I want to go, meet your family. I’m scared out of my mind that it’s contagious.”
Simon pulls back just enough to drag his hands over his face. “God I am rambling. Stop me. Please.”
-
Johnny leans into every touch Simon gives him. “I don’t want to stop you. I want to know everything.” He pushes up to press a kiss to his mouth. “We- skipped a lot of steps. I bonded you right away. You were my Lt., a fucking Alpha, I wasn’t even sure you liked me at first.” He shifts them, rolling so Simon is on top of him. “I don’t even know your favorite color.”
Simon opens his mouth to tell him just that and Johnny shushes him. “Tell me in a minute, okay? You’re it for me, forever, but this whole thing moved faster than either one of us thought it would. And I’m okay with that, wouldn’t change a fucking thing about it. But- it means we missed the ‘getting to know you’ stuff. The first date questions, the awkward moments that lead to stories about pasts. Meeting the parents.”
He reaches up and cups Simon’s face. “I want to have those moments with you, a little bit backwards but does it matter? I want to know every piece of you, the things you’re willing to give me. Good and bad, pretty and ugly, things that make me laugh and make me cry. I want to know Simon, I want to know Riley, I want to know Ghost, and someday- I want to know everything. And in turn, I want to give you that back.”
-
Simon turns his head slightly, pressing a kiss into Johnny’s hand. Dropping his head back down to rest on his Mate’s chest. “My favorite color is blue. I like laying here cause I can hear your heartbeat. We can take share hour, and make it date night. Get takeout trays from the mess, and go somewhere else on base. There’s a sniper range I’m fond of, and I know you favor one grenade range over the other. We do that. Everything’s moving fast because of who we are and what we do. But we can make it work. Our way. Pretend to be surprised- but I didn’t exactly do a lot of dating.”
Johnny’s chest shakes with a poorly suppressed laugh and Simon bites him for it. Gently. “It’s easier for me if you just ask. Give me a place to start, and I’ll tell you more than you expect. But you have to meet me. I’ve got a lot of bad shit, and if you just take I’ll shut down. I can’t give you everything. Meeting my parents involves a lot of one sided conversation.”
Simon yawns, surprised by it. Grumbles when Johnny shifts them and actually gets a blanket over them. “It was faster for you. I loved you in a shitty truck on a back road in Mexico. Liked you right away. Figured either you were insane, or a gift from god when you ran up to me and touched me like it wasn’t a big deal. But I’m tired, and you feel tired. So. We’ve got the rest of our lives. We don’t have to get into it all right now.”
There’s a soft noise, the bedside light turning off. And a soft hand on his hair. Simon drifts off to sleep easily.
-
Over the next few weeks the team goes through their paces, working with the new dynamics of Keegan and Roach’s bond, along with recovering from various injuries. All the while, Laswell’s team works night and day hunting down intel leads and parsing through everything they found in that fucked up hospital.
Their patience, or lack thereof, pays off.
They’re back in the briefing room. Every member of the team has been cleared by medical. Soap and Ghost back stable in their bond, Keegan and Roach in theirs. It’s time. Kate clears her throat, puts a slide up on the big screen and gets right into it.
“We’ve located Shepard.”