Chapter Text
The morning sun, still low on the horizon, cast long shadows across the dusty racetrack. It was another day, another racing day, and the air buzzed with a familiar mix of anticipation and the low rumble of engines. Ren, ever the observer, stood by the sidelines, his gaze fixed on the bustling scene. Alan, Jeff, and Dean, a well-oiled team, moved with practiced efficiency, their hands a blur as they helped Babe, Charlie, and North get their cars ready for the upcoming race. Tools clanged, wrenches spun, and the scent of oil and gasoline hung heavy in the air. Each vehicle, a gleaming beast of metal and speed, was meticulously checked and rechecked, every bolt tightened, every tire pressured. The tension was palpable, a silent hum beneath the cheerful banter.
Next to Ren, Sonic stood like a statue, his arms crossed tightly across his chest. His face, usually a mask of playful confidence, was etched with a deep-seated upset, a mixture of disbelief and quiet frustration. He watched the preparations unfold, his eyes narrowed, the unspoken weight of some grievance pressing down on him. The excitement of the day seemed to bypass him entirely, replaced by a quiet indignation that radiated from his very stance.
“Sonic, what is wrong with you? Why are you in a sour mood?” Ren asked the alpha. Sonic huffed as he looked at the omega. “I don’t trust Dean. He already betrayed us once, how would I know he won’t betray us again?” Sonic answered. Ren was surprised to hear Sonic’s reply.
“Well, Dean has proved himself that he won’t betray X-Hunter again. He has helped whenever I have nightmares and knows how to calm me down. Whenever I am near him, I feel safe, and I can tell he wouldn’t hurt me. He also knows what it is like to be used by Tony, so he is making sure I don’t fall for that rabbit hole again.” Ren told Sonic. The alpha sighed, but perked his head up to see the omega blushing.
“So, you have a crush on Dean?” Sonic asked Ren with a smirk on his face. The omega’s face became even redder, confirming what Sonic had asked. Ren was about to say anything, but Alan, Jeff, and Dean came back to the mechanics room to view the racers on a television, so they could guide the racers to they could win today’s race without getting hurt.
Dean stood next to Ren, confirming once again what Sonic suspected. The race began, and Babe had already taken the lead, followed by Willy. Ren knew that Willy was trying to win the race without playing dirty, but Babe thought otherwise.
“Babe, try to block Willy without giving up your spot,” Alan commanded. Babe sped up his car as he blocked Willy without giving up his spot. Charlie passed Willy as North was in Willy’s tail. But Willy got his place back, even passed Babe.
Ren held Dean’s hand unconsciously. Dean linked his fingers with Ren’s, squeezing the omega's hand. In the end, Babe won the race once again, with Willy taking second place. The racers parked their cars after crossing the finish line, as the mechanics approached their racers.
Ren noticed the tension between Babe and Charlie as they exited their cars. Willy got out of his car and saw Ren and Deam. He was about to approach them when Babe blocked them from Willy’s view.
“What the fuck you are doing trying to approach Ren?” Babe aggressively asked. Ren was in disbelief from Babe’s tone, and how he could see how Charlie went from smiling next to Babe, to losing the brightness in his eyes.
“I’m here to talk to Ren and Dean,” Willy answered as he smirked, playing his character so Tony wouldn’t suspect him. “To hell with you. I know you have powers as a special alpha. And let me remind you, I beat you today and in the last few races.”
“You should get your ego in check because it is going to bite you in the ass one day.” Alan and North were holding Babe back after hearing Willy’s statement. Ren looked at Willy as, “Let’s meet later,” to which he nodded his head.
“Babe, you need to calm down. Do not give Willy the satisfaction he is looking for.” Alan told Babe. The young alpha broke out of Alan and North’s grips and headed to his regular vehicle. Charlie followed Babe and stared at Ren for a little bit, like an apology for Babe’s behavior.
“What a day. Let’s head home, Ren. I could tell you are tired and want to go to sleep.” Dean said to Ren. The omega nodded as he tried to stay awake. Dean chuckled as he saw a pout on Ren’s face whenever he was sleepy. But he knew he wanted to rest before he had to meet Willy later that day.
—
The oppressive silence of the deep night pressed in on Ren, a heavy blanket woven from shadows and the absence of sound. He shivered, though not from the chill in the air, but from the raw anxiety gnawing at his gut. Every rustle of leaves, every distant hoot of an owl, sent a jolt through him, convinced it was Willy, or worse, someone else entirely. Time stretched and warped, each minute feeling like an hour as he stood vigil, his gaze fixed on the imposing, dark silhouette of the building from which Willy was to emerge. The streetlights cast long, distorted shadows that danced with the occasional breeze, turning familiar shapes into monstrous specters. His breath hitched in his throat, a silent prayer escaping his lips for Willy's safety, for the success of their desperate plan.
Ren observed a vehicle being parked adjacent to Dean’s automobile. Willy exited his car and approached Ren, glancing around in an attempt to ensure that Tony’s men were not nearby, possibly overhearing their conversation and reporting it to Tony.
“Thanks for meeting with me, Ren.” Willy thanked Ren. The omega hummed, fiddling with the hem of his shirt to calm his nerves down. Another figure showed up behind Willy and recognized him off the bat.
“Winner, what are you doing here? I thought you were still at Tony’s warehouse to find more evidence on what he was doing.” Ren shockingly asked.
“I needed to be here to give you more information about what Tony is doing. I also have information about Kenta.” Winner told Ren.
Ren listened to what Winner and Willy were about to say until someone else arrived. “What are you two doing with Ren?” A voice asked Winner and Willy.
“Charlie, what are you doing here?”
Ren asked Charlie. He was surprised the alpha followed him to where he was. Dean got out of his car to investigate what was happening. He saw Charlie, Willy, and Winner in the exact location.
“Charlie, Winner and Willy aren’t here to hurt me. They helped me escape from Tony when they discovered what he did to me.” Ren informed Charlie. He stared at Winner and Willy when the older alpha gave Charlie a folder of important information.
A cold dread settled over the group as Charlie, his hands trembling slightly, opened the innocuous folder. What lay within was not just disturbing, but utterly horrifying. Page after page revealed a sterile, almost clinical laboratory, bathed in the harsh glare of fluorescent lights. Within this nightmarish setting, human figures, their faces obscured or contorted in silent screams, were subjected to unimaginable torment. Needles, impossibly long and sharp, pierced flesh, while an array of cold, unfeeling machines whirred and hummed, their purpose horrifyingly clear.
The very air seemed to thicken with the weight of the images. Ren, his face paling to an ashen grey, stumbled backward, a guttural sound escaping his throat before he violently retched onto the cold floor. The others, a collective gasp tearing through the silence, recoiled in visceral disgust, their eyes wide with disbelief and horror. Each photograph was a fresh wound, a stark testament to unspeakable cruelty.
Amidst the collective shock and revulsion, Dean, ever the steady anchor, moved without a word. He knelt beside Ren, his hand gently resting on his heaving back, a silent promise of support. He remained there, unmoving, until Ren's ragged breathing began to even out, the worst of the nausea finally passing. The disturbing photographs, however, had left an indelible mark, their silent screams echoing in the stunned silence of the outdoors with a little breeze.
What they didn’t know was that Ren placed his hand over the abdomen, protecting the future baby of his. “Ren, are you ok?” Dean asked the omega. Ren nods, not trusting his voice after puking for a few seconds.
“Do you believe us now, Charlie?” Willy asked.
“Yeah, I believe you guys now. But why are you two after me?” Charlie asked Willy and Winner.
“Tony wants us to go after those close to you so we can bring you to him. He also knows something that we overheard.” Willy answered, and Charlie, Dean, and Ren were confused.
“Tony knows that Ren is pregnant with his baby.”
Ren started to sob in fear. Now Tony knows one of the biggest secrets that he and Pete knew. Now, Willy, Winner, Charlie, and Dean know that he is pregnant. “Shh, breathe with me, Ren. You don’t want to stress yourself out to hurt yourself and the baby.”
Dean was able to calm Ren down. Willy and Winner were impressive, with Dean calming Ren down and showing how the omega was safe around the beta. Charlie, on the other hand, smirked to see Ren and Dean close as he had noticed since the moment they met.
“Willy, we have to go. Tony is getting suspicious of our absences.” Winner informed Willy.
“Please keep Ren safe, and please do not tell anyone about Ren’s pregnancy until Tony is no longer a threat. Oh, and Charlie, tell Babe to control his ego or else it is going to hurt him in the future,” Willy told Dean and Charlie before he and Winner left.
Charlie and Dean helped Ren enter Dean’s car. Ren was silently crying as Dean held him in his arms, sitting in the back seat with the omega. Charlie drove the vehicle, hearing Dean was calming down Ren, wishing this were him and Babe.
Maybe Willy is right; he should tell Babe to get his ego checked before he hurts himself and others around him.