((WARNING! SLIGHT FOREPLAY AND EXPLICIT LANGUAGE IS INCLUDED IN THIS CHAPTER.))

Four months post the last chapter.

Shōto's POV:

Katsuki was definitely up to something. I got home from the office to see two suitcases standing in the hallway.

Naturally, I freaked out thinking Katsuki would take Akatsuki and leave or something.

I stood there, just staring at the bags with my mind completely blank when Katsuki suddenly entered the hallway. He was carrying Akatsuki in his arms.

"Welcome home. Pack your bags; we're going on a trip the coming four days."

He without an explanation ordered me to pack my bags and get into the car. I was relieved to hear he wasn't breaking up with me though, so despite my confusion, I quickly packed the necessary stuff for a trip into a suitcase and made my way to the car as Katsuki had demanded once I was done.

He greeted me from the driver's seat as I entered the car, Akatsuki merrily gibbering in the backseat with an adorable little smile on her lips.

After an hour on the road, I tried asking Katsuki where he was taking us, but he simply sealed his lips by placing his index finger over them, refusing to give me any hints.

It took about two hours for me to figure out where we'd be spending the four days ahead as the traffic signs gave it away. It seemed as if we were heading towards Kyoto.

Akatsuki had fallen asleep with her most treasured plushie in her arms. The plushie unfortunately portrayed a seriously twisted villain called Overhaul from her (undoubtedly questionable...) favourite kids' show, The League of Villains. Katsuki and I had tried to stop her from watching that show and replace her Overhaul plushie plenty of times due to it's oddly immoral plot, but it was impossible. As soon as we refused to let her watch it, she just wouldn't stop crying no matter how many days passed by. She also rejected any plushie or stuffed animal that wasn't her Overhaul plushie. They were inseparable.

Eventually, the five hour drive to Kyoto came to an end as we pulled up on a parking lot outside a pretty fancy traditional inn called Hīragiya.

I stepped out of the car and went to wake Akatsuki up so that we could go and check in together.

"Aka-chan, honey. It's time to wake up." I said, making my voice sound as gentle as possible.

I unbuckled her seatbelt and picked her up, closing the door to the car after us, which Katsuki locked as soon as we were all outside.

Together, we made our way to the reception where we were politely greeted by the staff. I could tell by the way their eyes widened at the sight of me, that I was recognised even here in Kyoto. Katsuki proceeded to check in after clearing his throat to direct the receptionist's attention towards him.

A while later, the check-in was complete and we were free to enter the room we'd be staying in during our time in Kyoto.

• • •

Unpacking with a toddler was harder than expected, so Katsuki took on the mission of amusing her while I unpacked our things.

I peeked over at Katsuki and our beloved daughter as they played with the Overhaul plushie together, and I felt how my heart fluttered at the sight. They were so incredibly adorable!

Katsuki noticed me staring, and met my gaze.

"Look, Aka-chan; papa is slacking off! What a lazy bum!" He exclaimed, pointing at me with a playful grin.

Akatsuki giggled, mimicking her mama by also pointing her index finger at me.

"Papa-.. lashy bum!"

Katsuki applauded as Akatsuki more or less managed say "lazy bum".

"Well done, honey! What is your plushie's name?" He asked, wiggling the Overhaul plushie in front of her.

"Oofahal!" She proudly replied, attempting to snatch the plushie from Katsuki.

He didn't let her though.

"Nu-uh. What do you say when you want something?"

With a slightly displeased expression, she let go of the plushie.

"Pwease, mama.. Oofahal..." She begged, letting the puppy-eyes do their job.

Both Katsuki and I were terribly weak to those eyes. They were definitely going to be dangerous in the future.

Katsuki praised her and leaned down to kiss her forehead, handing her the plushie. Her displeased expression instantly turned back into a merry one once she'd accomplished her goal.

"She's already a pro at fucking us over..." Katsuki sighed.

Akatsuki met his gaze with an analytical glint in her eyes.

"Fa-.. Fakking!"

Both of us were gasping as we stared at Akatsuki who was waiting for us to praise her. I shifted my gaze to Katsuki, not knowing what to do. Should I praise her nevertheless for managing to say a new word? There was no way she'd understand if we told her off, and I was afraid she'd stop trying to speak if we did.

"Yes! Faking- faking! Good job!" Katsuki nervously said, trying to fix his mess.

Katsuki's POV:

After having changed into our yukatas and an amazing dinner, it was time to put Akatsuki to bed. She'd insisted on sleeping in our bed, so of course we let her.

Once she'd fallen asleep, Shōto gestured for me to follow him outside to the private veranda outside the room.

We quietly made our way out, carefully sneaking not to wake Akatsuki up.

Shōto closed the sliding door behind us and turned around to face me with a frown.

"You finally went and did it, Katsuki."

I knew he was implying to my fuck-up from earlier. My gaze fell to the wooden floor. I felt really ashamed about what I'd done.

"You seriously need to stop swearing around Akatsuki. You might've been able to fix your mistake today, but if you keep this up, she'll end up knowing how to swear before being able to name animals. You do realise it's not a habit a child should have, right?"

This was the first time he'd ever been mad at me. Honestly, it felt terrible. I hated it. I hated to be a disappointment to him, and I absolutely resented myself for having failed as a parent. Why was I like that? Why did I have to be so damn sharp-tongued and aggressive?

"I-... I'm sorry.. I'll make sure not to swear around her. She deserves better than a rude and disappointing mama. I know it's a habit of mine because I was raised by my mom who undoubtedly has a sharp tongue, and our relationship was all about tough love. That's not an excuse for me to do the same though. I'll do better to prevent Aka-chan from becoming like me and mom."

A relieved sigh escaped Shōto's lips as his frown was traded for a gentle smile.

"I believe in you. I know it'll be a challenge for you to get rid of that habit, but I know you can do it. You're extremely stubborn after all."

I was still mad at myself, but my goal now was to stop swearing in Akatsuki's company. She had turned one year old just the other week, and I'd already managed to mess up, so it was time for me to step up my parenting game. Time went by too quickly; I couldn't afford to waste the limited time I had with Akatsuki procrastinating. She'd be an adult before I knew it after all.

Shōto seemed to have noticed how deep in thought I was as he suddenly leaned in, letting our lips meet. It didn't take long before the kiss deepened, definitely involving some tongue.

I still wasn't completely used to his tongue piercing which had fully healed just a week and a half after he got it pierced. Alphas generally healed faster than betas and omegas, so that was to no surprise. However, I knew one thing for sure; I loved his piercing in more than one way. It was very attractive on him, it was an amazing addition to our sex life and it made me want to make out with him way more often than I'd like to admit.

After a while, we had to break the kiss to catch our breaths properly.

"What do we do about this steamy mood..? Akatsuki is sleeping in our bed.." I said, not knowing what to do with my sudden horniness.

Shōto thought for a brief moment before he pinned me to the wall with a smirk on his lips.

"Oh~ Nice going with the kabedon (wall-slam), babe. This is getting interesting. I guess we're just gonna fuck right here on the veranda then? Good thing the small private garden is surrounded by hedges."

Shōto nodded with a daring glint in his eyes before our lips reunited. This time the kiss was even greedier. I couldn't wait for him to fill me up.

I just had to make sure not to be too loud, right? No problem. Shōto was great at shutting me up after all.