Capítulo 9: Memory lane.
If you were to ask Ran when he fell in love with Touma, he would laugh and launch into a full detailed story about a snowy night of December with flying-candles and silver butterflies. He would go into a rant about how perfect the moment had been and how his revelation had been shared by his younger brother, Shun, both being captivated by Touma's smile.
He would be lying.
Ran had fallen in love at first sight.
Roughly twelve years ago, when he and Shun were chilling inside the box while Shun's broken arm healed. Bored and irritated, they had been sitting at a table in the backyard of the jail as recreation time passed.
Left alone by the rest of teenagers thanks to a strength demonstration on their first day here; twelve boys with dislocated shoulders and legs, broken noses and fingers out of their place. More than enough to be feared and respected by the bunch of outside-born pussies that were trapped inside the rather crude building.
"Ran. Look."
Upon hearing his brother's voice, Ran stopped daydreaming. Blinking, he frowned slightly as he followed Shun's finger.
"Oh."
In the middle of the yard was a boy, no older than fifteen, fighting like a beast.
Slender, shorter than Ran but taller than Shun, empty violet eyes and a feral smile that sent shivers down Ran's spine. The yard had become silent as more and more caught sight of the beat down that was happening, leaving only the sound of flesh meeting flesh to echo as the mob contained his breath.
"He's from the slums." Shun notices, sounding a little breathy.
Ran glances at his brother and a smirk reaches his lips at the red that's expanding on Shun's cheeks.
'Aw, little brother's first crush.' So cute.
"Seems like." Ran agrees. "A little excessive for an introduction, though."
"Perhaps it's not an introduction."
"A simple relief of stress?"
"Could be. He doesn't seem to be letting them go once they're down."
"Good point."
The boy's face didn't show anger or satisfaction but the rage on his movements was difficult to miss. The blood splattered across his face made his ethereal beauty pop and Ran's traitorous heart skipped a beat.
Ran disregarded the feeling like the mature adult he was and focused his energy on teasing his little brother.
"Wanna fight him one to one?"
Shun sputtered. "Wha— Ran!"
"What? He's impressive. It wouldn't be strange if you were interested, you know?"
Shun made a keening sound and swatted at his shoulder, face totally red. Ran's chest filled with delight at the big reaction, it was hard to get Shun show his cuter side nowadays, even when they were alone. Ayia. A consequence of growing up, Ran suspected.
Ran opened his mouth to continue teasing him but was interrupted by the guards yelling.
They had taken their sweet time. Not that it came as a surprise, most of the adults here were all sour and nasty-smelling. Ran was sure that they enjoyed the introductions of new meat way more than the interns did.
The boy stopped.
One hand still holding the shirt of an unconscious, bigger teenager. The smile on his face dimmed but never disappeared. Raising his chin in a silent dare as the guards approached him.
Ran frowned.
"Is he…?" Shun's voice took on a concerned undertone.
One of the guards, Slizer, was also from the slums. One of the few adults that Ran had seen since the slums burned. One of the worst kind, too. So maybe not so surprising he had survived the fire when it was highly possible he had not been allowed inside in years.
Slizer's scent was like incense, heavy and intense. Intrusive.
It was a smell that fit the man; Slizer was one of the few things inside the box that sent all of Ran's inner alarms flaring. An instinctive reaction to another predator in the area. He was also an Alfa and showcased the fact that he thought of the box as his territory.
Slizer took out his gun.
Ran inhaled sharply, Shun half-stood up. The only thing keeping the youngest from doing something stupid was Ran's nails leaving small bloody moons on his uninjured arm. Both of their scent soured and they bared their teeth practically at the same moment; said moment being the moment the boy winced, taking a step back and allowing his grip to falter.
Slizer's grin grew bigger and his finger closed around the trigger a second time. This time the albino fell with a heavy thud.
'That fucker.' Ran growled.
"What was that for?!" One of the guards yelled at Slizer.
Slizer scoffs and rolls his eyes. "Oh, come on. Don't be a pussy. The boy's from the slums, he wasn't gonna back down without a fight."
"What you did is an abuse of authority!"
"It's not. What I did is keep the peace around here. Not my fault you're all so soft about these delinquents."
"You—"
Slizer pulls his gun back into it's holster and turns away, ignoring the angry yelling of his coworkers.
"Bitchspit." Shun growls as he passes them.
Slizer barks in their direction, half-amused and half-mad, and Ran knows he is going to have his eyes open tonight.
Slizer seems to be the kind of trash that preys on pups and while he and Shun may not be considered children anymore (Ran at seventeen and Shun at fourteen) that doesn't change the fact that they're way too young for someone in his forties.
You see the Ishmal only have a few rules, keeping them is important.
Not poaching under your own cycle is one at the top of the list. And yet, the one that people laugh and scoff at the most. Trash all of them.
"Ran…"
"He's gonna be in solitary after this. That means he'll be safe tonight." Ran tries to soothe his little brother, tugging his fake-blond hair softly. Eyes fixated on the guard that bends to pick the boy in his arms.
"Would you go to see him?"
"Tomorrow."
"Not tonight?"
"Having a stranger waiting for you to wake up is creepy, little brother. I don't think he would appreciate it."
Shun huffs, not looking very convinced.
Ran sighs, knowing it is entirely his fault Shun has little notion of what 'normal' is. Ishmal, even 'acceptable' is a spectrum between them. Ugh. He does not want to have this conversation. Not at all.
And so he doesn't.
Because he's the older brother and if he says the pigs fly, then the pigs fly.
…
"Who are you?"
The question is snarled right in front of Ran's face.
And Ran's an idiot, a hormonal idiot, because he finds it very hot instead of threatening. Oh, don't get him wrong, he's shitting his pants 'cause he's sure this kid would open his throat with his bare teeth if he needed to but... Hot.
"Ah- Uh. Kyden?"
Violet eyes narrow but the boy releases him, backing off slowly until he's crouched down against a wall. There's not really enough distance between them to be safe but it's the best they got in this cell.
"You're from the slums. Why are you here?"
"Why are you here?"
Ran throws the question back, rubbing his sore throat.
"I have nowhere else to go."
And, ouch. Well, that does answer some of the questions Ran had. So, unaffiliated and unpresented. Sheesh.
"Do you have a name?" Ran tries for a smile but it feels flat.
The boy huffs. "Touma."
Ran nods, he moves back until he's against the metal door.
"My brother and I are here until his arm heals." He shares because fair is fair.
"You don't have a house?" Touma frowns.
"Not since the slums burned."
At that, Touma grimaces. "Right, I forgot about that."
Ran arches an eyebrow.
"You forgot?"
"I wasn't there when it happened."
Oh. Well, fuck.
"Did your pack—?"
"No. They're— No. I was purged."
It's Ran's turn to frown. Being purged is rare, most packs don't do it at all. Especially ones formed in childhood, those bonds tend to last. So this means one of two things: a) This boy was a backstabber Or b) his pack was full of shit.
He has a feeling it's the second option, though.
(Ishmal, he wants it so hard to be the second option.)
"Anyway. Are you going to stare at me for the rest of the day?" Touma arches an eyebrow.
"Nah. I just wanna make sure you were ok." Ran shrugs. "That's all."
"Why?"
"I liked your show." Ran smirks. "Now, are you gonna deck me again? Or can I go now?"
"You keep your hands to yourself and I'll do the same."
"Deal."
Getting out is a little more difficult than getting in, especially considering he's limited on the space when Touma is sitting on the floor and being as unhelpful as he can, even doing a step forward and doing a very good impression of a starfish.
Ishmal help him, Ran finds the entire thing endearing.
"You're such a little shit."
Touma sneers at him but his scent turns slightly sweeter. Oh. He smells like chocolate. Huh. That's— Wow.
Ran blinks and decides to leave before he does something embarrassing/creepy like sniff the kid. Ishmal, that would be awful.
It's ridiculous how easy it is to leave the confinement cell. Really, all of these outside-born are just so stupid. They left a lid on the roof and everything! It's almost too easy. Well, for people who actually have talent.
Almost as easy to force open the doors in the normal cells.
"How did it go?" Shun asks before Ran can sit, which gains him a long-suffering sigh.
"He's fine. Or at least good enough to have me on my ass in two seconds." Ran shares with a smile. "Nasty little fucker."
Shun's eyes brightened up, he lets out a dreamy sigh. "He's good, then."
Ran rolls his eyes, reaching to mess with Shun's hair.
"We already knew that, though."
"Yeah but… outsider-born are one thing. You're different. And he got you!"
"Yeah." Ran agrees, allowing himself to feel pleased. "He's unaffiliated, you know."
"Yes! Wait— How do you know that?"
"I'm just that good, little brother." Ran laughs. "I also know his name."
"Well, what are you waiting for? Tell me. Tell me. Tell me—"
"Alright, alright. So his name is…"
...
Truth is that leaving Touma behind had broken both of their hearts. It had been one of the most difficult decisions the siblings had made in their lives. But it was a necessary one. They couldn't spend their entire life in the box with just the hopes of a happy ending.
Ran understood, he really did.
Beaten, forgotten, alone. Touma had little interest in what was outside the box, holding the memory of happier times close and keeping himself alive just to honor the memory of the brother that had given up his life to save his.
Ran understood, if Shun had died…
He wasn't sure he would be strong enough to not join him in hell.
But that same understanding was what made him take the decision of leaving; Shun needed to come first. He always had. Always would. And Ran was sure Shun would forgive him a broken heart in time.
Ran wasn't sure if he would forgive him in years to come if they stayed trapped, caged, little more than animals. Especially when Ran wouldn't be able to play his age for much longer, he was already in his twenties, he would be moved to a real prison soon.
Ran would not stand to be separated from Shun.
So they left.
Years passed, they grew up. Were recruited and found solace in their jobs as Leo's executives, having a soft spot for the omega. Less so for the rest of the executives.
And then, eight years later Touma found them again.
He was different, another person entirely.
"Hello, Jin."
"Butterfly." Ran had gasped in surprise, heart beating hard against his ribs. "You're out."
"I've been out for almost a year. Went back to my pack."
Oh.
That. Ran grimaced, maybe he should have expected it but— It hurt.
"Where's Shun? I hadn't expected to see you alone."
"He's busy."
"Is that so?" Touma hummed, leaning forward with a flirtatious smile. "Shame. I missed him. Both of you, actually."
Something about it rang false, though.
And Ran had never been a fool, so he smiled back and kept the conversation vague enough until Touma tired and went for the metaphorical point. He wanted help to find a person, one that he had no way to know Ran knew but the moment the Boss' name left his lips, Ran knew that this was a trap.
The only thing that kept him from killing Touma there and then was that Leo had ordered a 'Not touching' politic when it came to the late members of Strays.
Touma kept returning, every few weeks, always charming and full of shit. Every time made it more difficult for Ran to keep in mind where his loyalties were, every time Shun offered Touma a place at their side.
And fuck, Ran understood. Devils, he understood too well. 'Cause no matter what game Touma was playing, it was evident that he was not happy. He was thin and usually looked tired, his scent always frozen and he avoided touch as if he feared it.
Touma had changed but that didn't stop Ran from loving him.
And when the pain and desperation were visible on his skin, Ran couldn't stop himself and gave in. He disobeyed his Boss, giving Touma leads to find him. A big chunk of Ran hoped he did, Leo needed something the executives couldn't give him and he hoped Touma and Leo would be able to help each other.
But alas, the Ishmal had other plans.
Leo died.
Touma wanted Vengeance on the man that dared to try to attack his shop, the shop he shared with his supposed mate; An omega who wore no mating-bite on his neck. An omega who had what Ran and Shun wanted the most between his fingers and instead refused to do anything but to play with Touma's heart.
(Ran hated him.)
And Ran, being the fool in love that he was, offered to help.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
DJ21
DJ21 Creation is hard, cheer me up by comenting!
Also, don't forget to cheeck my tiktok @lonelywritingjourney as I post a lot of things about this verse in there; things like how the character's look, info about them, sketches, and side-stories that will make it to omakes after the main story is finished.
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