Forget Me, Not Chapter 8

Offroad POV

Offroad awoke to a dark room, his body sore but relaxed. The scents in the air were confusing to him. He blinked a few times trying to let his eyes adjust, his son was lying next to him curled up with his dino plushie, cuddled up against Daou’s chest who had his arms wrapped around him. Offroad’s breath hitched in his throat the last thing remembered was passing out on Daou’s couch, his knot locking them together. Offroad silently groaned to himself, he had thrown sense and responsibility out the window today. He chuckled, once again he was reckless because of Daou. He sat up wincing at the pain in his lower back and ass, he needed to get to the bathroom, which Offroad could see from the bed. Daou must have left the light on for him. He drew back the sheets finally noticing the pajama pants he had on thanking the lord for them. He shuffled to the bathroom holding onto whatever he could as it felt like his legs were going to collapse at any second. Upon entering the bathroom he noticed 2 things. The boxes of emergency contraceptives alongside his normal birth control prescription and secondly his and Chance’s toothbrushes were inside a cup holder alongside Daous. ‘Poon‘ Offroad thought. His best friend was a lifesaver. He shut the door to the bathroom as he relieved himself he noticed the bathroom not only had a huge walk-in shower but also had a huge jacuzzi tub. Offroad contemplated using it as he flushed the toilet walking back over to the sink popping the pills out of their containers and filling a glass of water to down them with. Offroad shoved down the rising feelings coming from his omega that it was wrong to take them. Offroad was leaning on the sink just trying to collect himself, when he felt arms wrap around his waist and a familiar scent fill the room.

“Hey,” Daou whispered to him, burying his face into Offroads neck and placing light kisses there.

“How long have I been out?” Offroad asked leaning back into Daou for support.

“Almost 12 hours,”

“And Chance?”

“I had Poon bring him, he played in the pool, ate chicken nuggets, and went down about 4 hours ago.” Offroad laughed at the way Daou said chicken nuggets. His son was going through a phase where everything he ate even if he knew it was something else was chicken nuggets, besides ice cream. Offroad hoped it was something they could fix before he started primary school next year. “Sore?” Daou asked, looking at Offroad through the mirror.

“Just a bit,” Offroad chuckled nervously. Almost every sexual encounter he had never involved and after so this was all new territory for him.

“Here,” Daou said, stepping away from him for a moment, and going outside the door before bringing in towels and placing them on the counter. He walked over to the tub and turned on the water testing it with his hand before coming back over to Offroad and pulling him to the tub. Daou pulled the shirt he was wearing over his head with one arm before shoving his pajama pants down and stepping into the tub. Offroad faces grew red as he couldn’t help but stare at Daou’s naked body. The definition of his muscles looks like it came from statues. Daou reached for Offroad’s pajamas this time pushing them down allowing Offroad to hold onto him as he stepped out of them, and into the tub before Daou lowered them both down into the water.

“What about Chance?” Offroad asked, hissing at the sting of the water against his backside.

“It’s okay,” Daou said, adjusting Offroad until he was lying comfortably in between his legs, his back resting against his chest. “If he wakes up we can hear him,” Daou said pointing to the open door to the bathroom, which the light illuminated the bedroom just enough to make up a tiny hump in the rather huge bed.

“Thank you,” Offroad sighed, the exhaustion setting back into his body. Daou hummed in acknowledgment as he began to pour the warm water across Offroad’s body with his hands. Offroad closing his eyes as he allowed his body to relax as Daou alternated between dripping water on him and massaging random parts of his body.

“Can you tell me about it?” Daou whispered into Offroad’s ear. He opened his groggy eyes to see what Daou was talking about, only to see his one hand was running back and forth across his scar. Offroad had forgotten it was there most days. “Poon said there were complication in the pregnancy and the birth?” ‘Fucking Poon‘

“There were,” Offroad sighed, joining his hands with Daous. “Omegas are sensitive to alpha pheromones, and pregnancy makes it 100x worse. Omega’s only care to be around the alphas who impregnated them.” Offroad could feel the awkwardness beginning to form in the air. “I had to keep attending classes and be on campus so I was nauseous a lot. I couldn’t stomach anything half the time and was losing weight when I was supposed to be gaining it.”

“And the birth?” Daou asked both hands now on Offroad stomach.

“I wasn’t going into labor, they did everything they could to speed it up. Chance’s heart rate was rising and falling abnormally. After 25 hours I had no more choice,” Offroad words trailed off as he remembered that day. “After they removed Chance, I started losing a lot of blood, the doctors couldn’t figure out why. It was touch and go for a short bit there.”

“Who was with you?”

“My mom,” Offroad smiled, his mother had been his rock through birth.

“That was it?” Daou asked in a confused tone.

“It was just me and my mom in Hat Yai before Poon moved down, but he didn’t move down until Chance was about 6 months old,” Offroad informed him.

“Oh,” Daou said, cutting off the flowing water with his foot. “So is it dangerous for you to have any more kids?”

“I don’t know,” Offroad shrugged. “I have been extremely careful to not end up pregnant again, but no, a doctor has never told me it would be.”

“So you never planned kids with anyone you were in a relationship with?” Daou asked bending his head to look at Offroad,

“What relationships?” Offroad laughed looking up at him. “It has just been Poon, Chance and I for the last 4 and half years.”

“Okay, but you have to go out on dates?”

“Not ones that went anywhere,” Offroad laughed, recalling the first dates he had been on. “I am used goods, OUCH-!” Offroad shouted as Daou slapped his thigh.

“Never say that again,” Daou growled, pulling Offroad closer to his chest. “I’m sorry you went through all of that.” Daou sighed.

“Kind of brought it upon myself, ya know” Offroad was the one sighing this time. “I’m sorry for taking away your choice and not telling you. I think once I decided to keep the baby, I became overly fearful it was going to be taken away.”

“Why on earth would you think that?” Daou asked, laughing.

“I don’t know, blame it on the pregnancy hormones,” Offroad scoffed.

“What was your weirdest pregnancy craving?” Daou asked. “My mom when she was pregnant with me wanted to eat soap.”

“What?” Offroad laughed, turning to look at Daou. “I think my weirdest one was maybe coffee grounds. I wanted to crunch on them.” Offroad felt something shift in the air, He noticed Daou had snuggled closer into his neck and grew silent. “Wanna tell me what you are thinking about?”

“Nothing,” Daou sighed. “What is done is done, we can only keep moving forward. Speaking of which, what is this?” Daou asked the million-dollar question that had also been on Offroads’ mind as well. “Just a week ago now we were at each other’s throats in a courthouse.”

“I was never planning on keeping Chance from you after you found out.” Offroad sighed. “I just wanted to go home. I will admit I was scared and was running but, the odds were kind of stacked against me if you went for full custody.”

“Explain,” Daou instructed Offroad.

“You have a better job, More money, a better home, cars, you have a better family. Hell, you have a family that you can speak about. It wasn’t until my baby shower Poon, who had been my friend since elementary school, found out who my biological father was. I’m an illegitimate child to a powerful family and a middle-class mother. If you went for full custody they would have taken Chance from me.”

“Hey look at me,” Daou said, grabbing Offroads’ chin and forcing the boy to look at him. “No matter if our relationship continues the way it is going or if we end up no longer being able to be in the same room as each other, I will never do that okay?”

“Pinky promise,” Offroad said brokenly as he was overwhelmed with emotions. Daou leaned down and kissed Offroad.

“I pinky promise,” Daou whispered against his lips. Offroad turned so that his chest was now against Daou’s as he deepened the kiss. “Tell me I have you all to myself,” Daou said, breaking the kiss and resting his forehead against Offroads. “Tell me we will work this out.”

“One condition,” Offroad whispered. “It stays between us until we are sure, not a word is uttered to Chance. I think he is still coming to terms with all of this and I don’t want to push over the edge.”

“Done,” Daou agreed quickly, pushing his lips against Offroads. A cry from the bedroom had them breaking apart. “I’ll get him, stay and relax,” Daou said as he stood up from the tub and wrapped a towel around his waist before grabbing a robe off the back of the door and walking towards the bedroom attempting to dry his head with a smaller towel. Offroad rested his head and arms on the side of the tub watching as Daou crawled into the bed attempting to soothe their son. “Daddy is right there,” He heard Daou whispered quietly. Offroad could faintly make Daou pointing into the bathroom as Offroad waved to his son from the tub. He heard a few more whispers that he couldn’t quite make out. When Offroad could no longer hear anymore crying he sank down into the tub. Offroad was ready to stop running from all of this, running from Daou.

—-

Daou POV

“Absolutely not,” Daou whispered into Offroad’s ear as he walked past him listening to the owner of the small home go into grave details on how sometimes the sewer backed up into the shower, and there was no bathtub. Offroad gave him a warning stare, as he ventured further into the house. This was the 10th or 11th rental they had been to in the past week. Offroad and Chance ended up spending the rest of the weekend at his condo where Daou had walked them down to the condo a few floors down that he had purchased for them. Offroad asked how much the rent was and when Daou informed him that he now in fact owned the condo, he had gathered their son and quickly left, refusing to see it anymore. Daou had let it go in the moment, but the options they had seen so far, he was not about to let his omega let alone his son live in.

“Is this for the both of you?” The owner asked. He was an alpha from what Daou could smell under the body odor the man had smelled like he bathed in. He was average height for a man but the way he walked and the sharpness of his nose reminded Daou of a rat.

“Oh, no just for me and my son,” Offroad said, looking around the kitchen. “It’s only temporary, is that going to be a problem?” Daou rolled his eyes, ‘Temporary my ass,’ if Daou had anything to do with it it would definitely be cause Offroad would be moving into his condo. Daou was prepared to purchase a home in the countryside if that would make Offroad happy.

“It shouldn’t be a problem, how old is the little guy?” The rat-faced landlord asked leaning against the entrance to the kitchen and watching as Offroad stretched to look in the upper cabinets.

“Our son is 5,” Daou growled, not liking the man’s eyes on Offroad.

“Oh getting a divorce eh? Just went through one of those myself.” The man said still not taking his eyes off of Offroad.

“Point your beady little eyes in another direction before I rip your throat out with my teeth,” Daou growled in the man’s ear releasing his pheromones quickly asserting his dominance.

“Ou!” Offroad screamed from the kitchen. Daou walked into the kitchen and grabbed Offroad by the hand and dragged him out the front door. Offroad had yet to get used to his pheromones and this was the 5th place with scummy landlords who wanted to Offroad more than a discount on rent.

“We’re finished here,” Daou said as he dragged Offroad to his car.

“Stop dragging me,” Offroad said, annoyed. Daou knew he was annoyed with him but he was overly annoyed at this entire situation. “You can’t go releasing your pheromones and threatening people whenever you feel intimidated.”

“INTIMIDATED?” Daou repeated scoffing as he stopped in his tracks. “I’m sorry, please let me know which creepy landlord you felt I was intimidated by.”

“You know what I meant,” Offroad sighed, jerking his wrist out of Daous hand. “Just take me home,” Daou watched as he walked himself the rest of the way to the car. This entire process was making Daou want to rip his hair out. Daou took a deep breath before finally joining Offroad in the car.

Offroad was busy on his phone obviously ignoring him so Daou decided to keep the peace and remained quiet as he backed out of the driveway. He had been on edge since Offroad was no longer coming to the office. He was no longer needed so almost every day he was going to look at places to rent. Daou offered for him to move in with him, but no he wasn’t ready for that. Daou bought the condo for him to move into, but no he didn’t want a handout. Daou offered to pay child support and Offroad lost his shit the other day when he suggested that. He felt that everything he was doing was wrong and all he wanted to do was help. He wanted to take care of them and Offroad wouldn’t even let him and it was frustrating. Daou felt something touch his hand he looked down to see Offroads hand next to his palm up waiting. Daou looked at him, his nose still buried in his phone. Daou sighed, grabbing the boy’s hand and pulling it over so both of their hands rested on his lap.

Daou rubbed his thumb over the boy’s hand, calming himself from the war that was raging in his mind at the moment. They agreed to try and make this work, to be partners but Daou was impatient and needy. Offroad was unlike anyone he had ever met. He was so stubborn but like in the cutest ways possible half the time and the most annoying was the other half.

“This Friday is dinner,” Daou informed Offroad. He had told his mother under no circumstances would he be bringing Offroad over to their home with his father there let alone Chance. She sighed but understood she knew her husband more than anyone else. So the day his father is leaving town she wanted them to come over so she could finally have a chance to meet them both.

“Dinner?” Offroad asked, finally looking up from his phone.

“With my mom.”

“Oh, you’re taking Chance, right okay,” Offroad said, turning his attention back to his phone.

“And you,” Daou said, informing him the invite included him as well.

“What why?” Offroad said, turning to look at Daou once more, making a confused face.

“Cause my mother would like to meet you both,” Daou laughed quickly, glancing at Offroad.

“Why?”

“What do you mean why?”

“I mean like why does she want to meet me?” Offroad asked. Daou could feel his palm growing damp with nervousness. Daou brought Offroads hand up to his mouth kissing the back of his hand.

“Cause she wants to and I want her too,” Daou said, squeezing his hand tightly. “Don’t worry she is absolutely nothing like my father.”

“He won’t be there right?” Offroad asked. Daou felt like shit that his father and Offroad were already on bad terms. He hoped to someday fix that but he knew it was pointless, at least until his father learned manners.

“No, he will be out of town,” Daou informed Offroad who let out a breath of air and nodded his head in agreement.

They made it to Poon’s building in less time than Daou thought.

“Thank you for driving me around today,” Offroad said as he unbuckled his seat belt. “Same time tomorrow?” He asked. Daou had volunteered to drive him around once his work was complete for the day, arriving at the office hours before anyone else had guaranteed he’d be done around lunchtime. Daou nodded.

“Can I come up to say hi?” Daou asked Offroad who paused in gathering his belongings.

“You don’t have to ask that.” Offroad looked at him with a sincere look on his face. Daou didn’t want to overstep so he made a habit of asking. He undid his own seat belt, powered down the car, and exited the car to run around to Offroad’s side and open the door for him. Holding his hand as they walked into the condo building. One thing that still blew Daou’s mind was that he got to hold Offroads hand whenever he wanted to for the most part. They stepped into the elevator and as the doors closed on them Daou pulled Offroad to him lightly kissing his lips. He also got to kiss him whenever he wanted. Offroad smiled at him and leaned into his arms resting his head on his chest and Daou circled his arms around him holding him tightly. They got Poon’s door and enter into the apartment.

“Daddy!” Daou heard Chance scream somewhere in the apartment before he heard the sound of little feet running towards them. Daou couldn’t help but feel a bit sad and jealous whenever he heard his son call out ‘daddy’ and knew he only meant it for one specific person. While Chance was definitely comfortable around him now, the boy still didn’t know what to call him and it showed. Chance rounded the corner from wherever he was coming from and paused upon seeing Daou. His heart melted when he saw the smile on the boy’s face grow as the boy ran straight to him.

“Hey buddy,” Daou whispered, leaning down to catch his son.

“Are you spending the night?” Chance asked as soon as he collided with him, his little arms wrapping around his neck.

“No, I’m just here to drop your daddy off and to see you before going home,” Daou informed his son, rubbing his back.

“Can I come with you?” Chance asked. Causing both Daou and Offroad to freeze. Daou glanced up at Offroad who smiled and nodded giving him the okay.

“It’ll just be me and you, you okay with that?” Daou wanted to make sure his son knew that his other father wouldn’t be coming with them.

“And the kitties?” Chance asked. Daou threw his head back laughing.

“Yes and the kitties.”

“Okay wait here I’ll go get my stuff.” Chance said before turning quickly on his heels and running back the way he came.

“I’ll go make sure he brings clothes along with his toys,” Poon said, clearing his throat following his son. Daou had realized he had entered the room.

“This is okay right?” Daou asked as stood looking at Offroad.

“Of course,” Offroad smiled at him. “Just make sure you feed him. When he is hungry it is not for the weak.” Offroad laughed.

“I’m ready!” Chance screamed barreling his way back to them with two Dino plushies under his arms with his Dino backpack.

“His car seat is in my car,” Poon said, handing Offroad keys.

“Thank you,” Daou said, smiling at Poon, who nodded at him. Daou and Poon were ever super close but he knew just how much he had done and sacrificed for Offroad and his son and that was something he would be eternally grateful for. They walked down to the parking garage retrieving his car seat from Poon’s car. Daou got it installed in his back seat making a mental note to order one once he got home.

“Be good and listen,” Offroad said kneeling in front of his son. “Be gentle with the kittens.”

“Yes Daddy,” Chance said, giving Offroad a hug, bye.

“Ready buddy?” Daou asked as Chance happily bounced over to his car, climbing in and buckling himself up with only minor assistance from Daou. Daou smiled at his son before shutting the back door. “Any chance I can convince you to also spend the night?” Daou asked smirking at Offroad grabbing him by the hips and pulling him to him.

“And give up a night free of being kicked?” Offroad laughed. “Not in your life,” he finished as he wrapped his arms around his neck, his hand smoothing over his short hair. “You got this, I’m only a phone call away if you need me,” Offroad said, reassuring him. Daou nodded, giving him a quick kiss on the lips before willing himself to pull away from him. He watched as Offroad waved bye to them from his rearview mirror. Daou took a deep breath, he had this.