Chapter 5

The conclusion of the storytelling night came with an unexpected question—”Why don’t we have children?”

Greg furrowed his brow, looking at Mycroft, whose innocent face was peeking out from under the blanket. He opened his mouth several times but didn’t know how to respond. It’s no wonder he’s puzzled. Normally, an alpha’s instinct is to raise as many offspring as possible, so not having children after seven years of marriage was entirely unreasonable.

“Well… um… the reason is quite complicated…” Complicated my foot, you’re just feeling guilty! A voice in the inspector’s mind was screaming.

The boy, noticing the adult’s unnatural expression, furrowed his brows. “Is it because I’m not good to you?”

“How could that be!” Greg immediately refuted the child’s guess without hesitation. “I’ve told you, you are the best, never doubt that. It’s just that…” The inspector stammered while scratching his head, trying hard to recall how he explained it to the adult Mycroft back then—

“I’m afraid I won’t be a good dad. You know how busy my job is, I simply don’t have time to take care of a baby… I don’t want to quit my job for a child. You know how much I love my job. Although it’s rare for an omega to be in frontline service in law enforcement, I still want to be in the Major Crimes Unit. Maybe you’ll think I’m selfish—well, I know it’s selfish, and it sounds like I’m avoiding responsibility—but this is my dream. I don’t want to give it up just to focus time and energy on a child. So, I’m sorry…” 

—Uh, would this kind of reason be understandable for this little guy in front of me…

The inspector struggled with his thoughts, feeling increasingly uneasy under the boy’s anxious gaze. Unable to gather his thoughts, he blurted out, “I… I’m afraid of pain…”

Damn it, Greg, you’re pathetic! Now he’s going to think you’re a weirdo. An omega who’s afraid of pain and doesn’t want to have children, what an unreasonable reason! The voice in the inspector’s mind was roaring.

Mycroft blinked in surprise and then burst into laughter. Whether it was Greg’s illusion or not, he seemed to discern a hint of indulgence in the boy’s innocent smile. Those familiar blue eyes showed appreciation and fondness totally uncharacteristic of his age, even giving the inspector a sense of unreality.

The boy seemed oblivious to the adult’s abnormality and instead moved closer to Greg. With his soft little hands, he patted Greg’s shoulder as if to comfort him, his smiling eyes and raised eyebrows exuding the warmth of sunshine.

“It’s okay, Greg,” the boy said, his voice mixed with sweetness. He wanted to say that he knew Greg wasn’t really afraid of pain; he had seen the scars on Greg’s body when he changed clothes, and evidence left behind from his years in the police force. If he really was that afraid of pain, he wouldn’t have been able to continue with this job.

However, the boy chose to omit this part of consolation, only looking at his anxious omega and cheerfully saying, “Not having children is a good thing. I just want to spoil you alone.”

Greg stood there stunned, unable to express any emotions. He knew he should smile at the child, should say something to thank him for being so thoughtful, should make a few teasing remarks to make it clear that this child in front of him was the one who should be spoiled. But in the end, Greg couldn’t say a word. He only managed to open his arms to the boy before his eyes reddened.

The boy obediently followed the motion and melted into the embrace of the man, which emitted a sweet chocolatey scent. He pretended not to notice Greg’s breath, tinged with tears, and the damp pillow.

 

Greg couldn’t sleep; even with Mycroft nestled in his arms and asleep, tears still streamed down his face. Don’t mock him for this; he just suddenly realized a fact— he had been worrying that Mycroft couldn’t revert to his former self, or that even if his body recovered its memories, he might not return. Yet, just an hour ago, he suddenly realized there was no need to worry at all.

His Mycroft hadn’t disappeared. He was always there, whether as an adult or transformed into a child. Those essential things hadn’t changed, like his thoughtfulness, gentleness, and his thorough understanding and respect for his own omega.

Greg lowered his head, observing the child in his arms; the innocent and mature faces merged before his eyes. This was his Mycroft, and he wouldn’t change, no matter when.

Greg took a deep breath. His crying had congested his nose and made him a little dizzy, yet he couldn’t find any drowsiness. He carefully extracted his arm that Mycroft had been resting on, descended the stairs, and reached the liquor cabinet in the living room. He poured a glass of his favorite whisky, preferred by alphas. Honestly, compared to such strong liquor, Greg was more accustomed to clear beer and rich red wine. But he still liked to sip whisky slowly when he was in a bad mood because it reminded him of the first time Mycroft kissed him.

Thinking about it now was a bit embarrassing. Their first date, disrupted by the omega’s unexpected heat period; within the span of a meal, he found himself engulfed in a heat, his mind clouded, seeking refuge in the arms of an alpha. He remembered how Mycroft had kissed him then, starting cautiously with the taste of whisky on his lips, progressing to a dominating and possessive fervor, sweeter than any kiss he had experienced before.

Despite that, nothing more had happened between them, something no one would believe if told. He didn’t know how Mycroft endured it. Clearly aroused, the alpha had gritted his teeth, administered suppressants to both of them, and spent the entire night tending to the omega, who suffered from the side effects of suppressing the heat.

Afterward, Greg indirectly probed Mycroft about why he didn’t want to claim him—reluctant to admit he was worried about not being charming enough—and received an honest answer that left him at a loss: “I’m sorry… but I… cough, I really like you. I don’t want our first union to happen under these circumstances. At least, it should be voluntary and not driven by the physiological needs of a heat period.”

Recalling this, Greg chuckled. He still remembered the young alpha’s awkward and shy demeanor back then. Because of this, he made up his mind to have a long-term, stable relationship with Mycroft, not just fleeting dates and physical intimacy.

Greg took another sip of the drink, sitting cross-legged by the French window, letting his thoughts drift further into those sweet memories. When he lifted the glass, he caught sight of the ring on the ring finger of his left hand and couldn’t help but think these two rings had a tumultuous fate.

Just before Greg uttered those words about not wanting children to Mycroft, he had just pushed the jewelry box containing these two rings back to the alpha. He knew Mycroft was great, simply too good. He knew that once he missed this person, he would never again encounter such a perfect and deeply loving alpha. Hence, he always avoided this topic, always craved the tenderness of the alpha, and always fantasized about enjoying this happiness for just one more day. Until these two rings were presented before him, forcing him to honestly confess his intentions to the alpha, even though he always had a deep-seated fear that Mycroft would turn and leave in the next moment, and his world would collapse.

But his alpha didn’t leave; instead, he took his hand, firmly slid the ring engraved with his name onto the root of the ring finger, and planted an almost devout kiss. The smile at the corners of Mycroft’s eyes and lips made Greg feel that his world would never have shadows again.

“Not having children is a good thing; I only need to focus on taking care of just you.”

He never expected to hear this statement again, especially from an eight-year-old child.

Greg swore that at the time, he genuinely thought Mycroft was only trying to comfort him. After becoming a police officer, he had encountered too many alphas who were conflicted and had strong attitudes. He feared that maybe one day Mycroft would abandon him and join an omega willing to raise many children for him. But he witnessed Mycroft persuading his parents not to pressure the omega, meticulously planning their wedding, and even ensuring he took contraceptives before every heat period—Greg even worried about potential side effects from the omega’s contraceptives.

Tonight, it seemed as if he had rediscovered the same excitement they had declared in the hall at the beginning.

After finishing the drink and tasting the spicy liquor mixed with a bitter taste, Greg chuckled helplessly.  Sure enough, his Mycroft hadn’t changed whether he was eight, twenty-three, or thirty years old.

He was so indulged in those sweet memories that he didn’t even hear the “pat-pat-pat” of footsteps. When he finally reacted, he was draped in a blanket, enveloping his chilled body in the cold night.

Greg laughed helplessly, “Can’t you pretend not to know? It’s embarrassing for an adult.”

The boy’s chubby little hands covered his eyes as he walked towards Greg. “I didn’t see anything, I don’t know anything.”

Finally unable to hold back, Greg burst into laughter, placing the drink down and embracing the adorable little fellow who had touched his heart. He clasped the boy’s ice-cold little feet with his large hands. “If you forget your slippers again, I will spank you.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” The boy, unusually stubborn, nestled his face against Greg’s chest, believing that by keeping his eyes closed, he wouldn’t embarrass the adult.

Greg was speechless but unwilling to admit that the boy was right. He pinched the little cheek but couldn’t bring himself to do it too hard. The little one giggled, finally opened his eyes, and wiped away his tears with his sleeve, asking childishly, “Still can’t sleep? I can tell you a story.”

Greg chuckled softly, shook his head, took a long breath, and lifted the boy, “It’s alright now; go back and sleep.”

He had found his true love, so what else was there to keep him awake?

Although he hadn’t received enough sleep last night, it didn’t deter Chief Inspector Lestrade from waking up this morning with a delightful feeling as if he were floating on clouds. Driving to work and dropping off Mycroft at Baker Street, Greg hummed a cheerful tune. Even London’s gloomy weather seemed oddly pleasant to him.

As the car stopped at 221B, Mycroft grabbed the adult about to get out and hesitantly muttered, “I… can I ask you a question?”

Oh? What’s this? Haven’t they passed this stage already? Greg thought, pulling the boy’s face close and giving him a playful kiss. “Not just one, ask a hundred if you like.”

The child genuinely appeared nervous, holding onto the adult’s clothes tightly. “If… I’m just assuming, I mean… what if, what if I can’t change back, what would you… do?”

Oh dear? Seems like Greg wasn’t the only one troubled by this question. Smiling, the Inspector lovingly pulled the boy onto his lap. “Why worry? In another ten years, you’ll be an adult, and then you can mark me again.”

Hearing his reply, the boy froze for a couple of seconds. Then his eyes welled up, and he hugged the adult’s neck, burying himself in his embrace that smelled like sweet chocolate. With a solemn vow, he said, “I won’t make you wait for ten years, I promise.”

Greg tousled the boy’s hair in his arms, equally serious and resolute. “It’s alright, as long as it’s you, I’m willing to wait as long as it takes.”

 

“Mycroft Holmes!” Sherlock shouted furiously at the boy, “I’m warning you! Hand over the stuff!”

“If you’re capable, deduce where I’ve hidden it,” Mycroft calmly folded his arms, looking every bit like a miniature adult facing off against Sherlock. “In two days, it’s John’s birthday. Before then, you won’t find that gift if you can’t figure out the potion that’ll change me back.”

“You!” Sherlock was so frustrated he almost couldn’t articulate his words. “How did I ever find you somewhat endearing? You’re just an annoying pest!”

“Likewise, Sherly, I’ll consider this a prepayment for all the messes I’ll have to clean up for you when I’m grown up.” With an enigmatic smile, the boy added, “Your taste in choosing rings is good. Remember to wear your purple shirt when you propose. John will definitely approve.”

In response, a thrown pillow shaped like a flag landed swiftly in the air.