ⁱˡᵒᵐⁱˡᵒ

ᵃ ˡⁱᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵇˡᵘʳʳʸ

A/N: Thought I updated last night but I forgot to hit publish lmao, here's 5k. Oh, and I don't know Rei's maiden name so I made one up. Enjoy. Angst and trigger warning for mentions of domestic abuse and violence.

Endure. 

Sit still. Look down. Do as you're told. Be silent unless you are told to speak.

Kneel. 

Serve. 

Kneel. 

Submit. 

Kneel. 

Endure. 

That is how Enji survived twelve long and miserable years of marriage with Rei Fujiwara.

He wishes that he could say that it hasn't always been that way. He wishes that he could at least recall some sort memory of ever being happy before he'd met Keigo but even those brief moments of joy that he'd been able to experience---able to bask in the love and adoration of his younger children---had been tainted by the trauma that Rei had dragged him through. She stripped him of his self-assurance. Of his peace of mind. Of any love or value he'd held for himself. Of his trust. 

And before Fuyumi was born, she'd also robbed him of three precious pups. 

It had taken years for him to stop being afraid that she'd come back and take the rest of them from him---that she'd come back and try to drown his baby again. It took years for him to stop sleeping in the bathtub with his pups and barricading the door shut because he was afraid that she'd come back and start beating the absolute shit out of him again. It took years for him to stop ducking and flinching and crying whenever Keigo had made any sudden movements. 

He is damaged. 

But thanks to Keigo's love and patience...thanks to his own strength and his courage, Enji was able to be normal again. He was able to find happiness and while he was still anxious and worrisome mess, he had learned to feel safe in the presence of his lover. It's taken so long. He's come so far. 

But now, forced to share a table with the very alpha that shattered him into a million pieces every single chance she'd gotten? He's petrified. Why is she here? What does she want? And why now, of all times? It doesn't make any sense. 

He's scared. 

But Shouto looks so happy. 

He's seated right next to her, chatting away a mile a minute with such a beautiful smile on his face. Enji never wants to see that smile fade, endure whatever agony might come from it so long as his Shouto is happy. 

Even if it means he has to put up with a monster like her. 

"Touya. Your brother tells me that he's earning his degree in social work. That he wants to help people. What are you majoring in? What are your plans after graduation?" She asks casually, artfully ignoring the nasty glare that Touya casts from over the rim of his glass. 

"...Business." He answers curtly and she hums, head tilted curiously. 

"What about business?" 

"That you should mind yours." He counters, voice growing tight. Shouto glares at him with a hiss. "Touya! Stop it, don't be so rude! She's still our father, you know." He chides and Touya snorts with a roll of his eyes. "Nope. I've only got one annoying ass dad; I don't claim deadbeats." 

Rei actually laughs at that, seemingly startling Shouto a bit but the omega's smile returns ten fold upon seeing it. 

"That's alright, baby. I expected your brother to have quite the bone to pick with me. Allow him his frustrations. He's got every right. After all, I haven't seen him since he was a pup." She defends him, much to Enji's surprise. She hums, taking a sip from her own drink as her eyes flicker in Katsuki's direction.