✨️𝚂𝚑𝚊𝚐𝚐𝚢 𝚠𝚘𝚕𝚏✨️

Leon bent down to pick up little Alice, and she clutched at his t-shirt with her fingers, burying her nose in it. She was barely two years old, and her world was crumbling around her, but the man's heart ached as he saw the tears streaming down his daughter's cheeks.

"Dad.." – Alice whimpered, clutching only more tiny fingers in Leon's t-shirt fabric.

Kennedy sighed softly and paced the living room slowly, holding his little one close and running his palm over her back to soothe her. He knew why Alice was so worried, because their biology was relentless: young children under the age of three were physically and emotionally attached to their omega. For them, the scent and presence of their omega was more than just comfort. It was a safety signal that reassured them that their little world would not fall apart.

When Luis was suddenly called to the lab, refusing to accept his refusal, it was a big stress for Alice. Her little nervous system literally demanded her dad's presence.

Alice's crying started as soon as the door closed behind the Spaniard, and Leon did everything he could to make her stop, but to no avail. At first, she didn't want to sit in his arms and refused to play with her favorite toys. After a moment, Alice calmed down while eating a slice of apple, and then she asked to be held by her father to remind him of her small "sorrow."

"Daddy will be back soon, little star," – Leon said, sitting down on the couch and resting his back against the cushions, holding the baby close to his chest. He tried to stay calm, which was also difficult for him. "Now, stop crying."

Kennedy leaned over and picked up a handkerchief from the table, using it to wipe the tears from Alice's cheeks as she began to cry again, her shoulders trembling slightly. She felt empty without the warm and comforting scent of Luis side.

"Shh, shh. I'm here for you," – the agent pulled her closer, allowing her to rest her nose against his neck, and released his pheromones. They wrapped around her like a cocoon, providing warmth and protection. While they might not be a substitute for Luis, they offered the support the alpha could provide. "Sleep, little flower. I'm here."

Leon lowered his eyes to his daughter when he heard her breathing become steady, and he found her asleep. Her tears had dried on her cheeks, and she continued to hold onto the edge of his t-shirt, sniffling softly. Leon was afraid to move, so he sat still, his thoughts returning to his husband. He imagined Luis, focused, in his white coat, with his hair slightly disheveled, as he always tended to it after work.

The spaniard's hair reached his shoulders and had a wavy texture, and Luis often pinned it back with a hairpin or tied it into a messy bun when he didn't have much time. The agent often watched his husband's hands with bated breath.

Leon smiled at his thoughts. He loved this impossible and vibrant man so much, loved every part of him, even remembering their first meeting. Their love had lasted for so many years and only grown stronger, and then their love had taken root and blossomed into the flower that was now in Kennedy's hands. Their little daughter.

The click of the lock in the hallway brought Leon back to reality, and he looked at the doorway as he heard the sound of shoes being kicked off. Then Luis appeared in the doorway, looking a little tired but still wearing a faint smile.

Omega silently approached the sofa and sat down next to Leon, and his clothes smelled of antiseptics and ozone. His gaze softened, and Luis nuzzled his husband's cheek, the scent instantly filling the living room – a mixture of citrus and honey. Leon wanted to bury his nose in his beloved omega's neck and breathe him in.

"Her cheeks are all red. ¿Lloró mucho?" – Luis whispered faintly and pushed his hair behind his ear, looking at Alice sleeping with sad eyes.

"It was hard to calm her down, she was really waiting for you and missed you," – Leon carefully handed Alice into Luis' arms and hugged him to himself. Alice did not wake up, but only blissfully smacked her lips in her sleep, completely relaxing when she smelled the scent of omega. "I've never seen her like this before.. Upset. Now I understand how hard it is when you can't calm your child down and don't know how to help her."

"Cariño, lo siento," – Luis looked down and wanted to pull away, but Leon wouldn't let him and buried his nose in his hair, squeezing his eyes shut, which surprised Serra and involuntarily smiled again. "My huney, what are you doing?"

"I love you so much, and.. Please don't you dare apologize. It's not your fault."

Luis relaxed in the strong arms and hugged Alice gently. I listened to husband's heartbeat and inhaled his scent, which helped him recover.

"I love you, my life. Both of you." – Luis bent his head and kissed Alice on the forehead with a soft kiss.

The dim light of the bedside lamp cut through the gloom of the bedroom. Leon sat on the edge of the bed, breathing a little heavily, trying not to wince at the dull ache in his right side. Every movement caused a new flare of pain. The wound wasn't fatal, just a sudden blow, but the blood soaking through Leon's shirt looked frightening in the dim light.

Luis fumbled around at the table, and the sound of the first-aid kit seemed deafening in the silence. They had been silent since Leon's return, and Luis's movements, usually impulsive and theatrical, were now eerily cautious, as his hands trembled slightly. He was deeply concerned for his husband.

— Sh, sh, mi amor. (my love) – Luis whispered as he heard a new painful moan from Leon, and he quickly returned to the bed. Even his voice trembled as he spoke to Kennedy, and his eyes expressed concern.

He knelt in front of Leon, so that he was at the same level as his wound. His long fingers picked up the scissors that were lying on the floor, and carefully cut Leon's shirt, exposing the wound to his eyes. Luis was barely breathing, and he reached out with a trembling hand to the bedside table, grabbing his glasses and putting them on.

— My dear, I can handle it. It's just a scratch, can't you see? There's no need to worry. – Leon forced a smile to lighten the mood and reassure his husband.

— It may be a scratch for you, but it's a reason for me to turn gray, – Luis interrupted gently, raising his brown eyes to the agent. Leon was involuntarily silent, noticing the tenderness mixed with anxiety in his eyes, and the grin immediately disappeared from his face. — I... I'm so afraid for you. Every time I see you off on a new mission, I have doubts about your safety. I don't doubt your abilities, but I'm still afraid that you won't return.

When Luis began to treat the wound, he froze, as if afraid to breathe in Kennedy's direction. Luis was careful to touch Leon's skin gently, as if he were made of porcelain rather than muscle and scars hardened by years of fighting.

— I'm sorry, Luis. I didn't want you to live in constant fear for my life. – Leon reached out to his husband and touched his shoulder with his palm, hissing loudly as he sucked in air through clenched teeth.

— Oh, favorito, (love) I know it hurts. I wish I could make it not hurt so much, – Luis exhaled as he felt Leon's hand in his hair, his fingers tangled in his curls, pulling him closer. — Vida mía, (My life) let's do it later. I need to finish.

Luis leaned forward and kissed Leon on the bare shoulder. The thin needle was carefully inserted into the agent's skin and then carefully removed, with almost impossible precision. Every time Kennedy tensed, Luis would immediately pause and use his free hand to stroke his husband's forearm, as if trying to take some of his pain into himself.

At some point, he finished and put the tools aside. Luis removed his glasses from his face and, rising from his knees, cupped Leon's face with his warm hands. His gentle fingers traced Leon's cheekbones, and his lips wiped away a drop of sweat from Leon's forehead as he kissed him on the forehead.

— You need to put a band-aid on it and tie it up now, don't move, – Luis whispered again, looking into Leon's blue eyes. He sighed softly. — No more heroics, my heart isn't made of steel.

Instead of answering, Leon closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to his husband's. The kiss was salty from sweat and soft from relief. He poured everything into the kiss: his gratitude for the care, and his love, which was their only anchor in this crazy world. Leon didn't want to let go of Luis's lips, but he had to when he ran out of air.

— I promise, sunshine, – Leon said softly against Luis's lips. — And thank you for taking care of me.