Chapter Text
Mona is 24
Mikey’s 23
Leo’s 19
Donnie’s 16
Raphael’s 15
In the Hamato Kingdom, Mona Lisa was sitting at the banquet table with her husband, Prince Leonardo and his parents, King Hoshi and Queen Laiko. Prince Leo and his parents were talking animatedly about the Omega selection ceremony the next day. It took place annually and the king chose one to be his concubine. He currently had four wives and nineteen concubines.
“I can’t wait for the ceremony,” sixty-four-year-old King Hoshi said. “The choices seem to be lovelier every year. Choosing one is tough. Maybe I’ll choose two this year to be different. What about you, son? Will you take an Omega this year?”
“No. I’m happy with Mona and the others, Dad. They're more than enough for me and I love them.”
“Mona is still not with child. You need to consider taking an Omega. You can always pass off the child as yours and Mona’s. No one would know.”
“We would know and I find that idea revolting,” Leo said as he took Mona’s hand. “A child will happen when the Good Being wishes so, Dad.”
“You’ve been married three years, Leonardo and there is still no child. People are starting to talk and wondering if she is barren.”
“Mona isn’t barren. It’ll happen. Excuse us. We have a meeting we need to attend. We’ll see you later,” Leo said as he got up and then offered his hand to Mona.
Mona had been fighting back tears as she listened to the conversation that had occurred since she and Leo had married three years earlier. She desperately wanted to give Leo a child. His other two wives had each given him a daughter, but the girls were not allowed to rule. Only a male could. Mona wished she could provide Leo with a son. Leo’s other wives also could not bear any more children, as both their pregnancies had been high risk and it was deemed life threatening for them to have more. If Leo didn't have any sons, he might have to abdicate when his father died, so his cousin, who had three sons, could reign.
Mona stood, took Leo’s hand and they headed to their appointment to receive the results of their tests.
XXXX
“What’s the verdict?” Leo asked as he gently squeezed an anxious Mona’s hand.
“Your Highness,” Dr. Matsu, their OB/GYN, who was dark haired and brown eyed said as he adjusted his glasses, which had slipped down his nose. “It’s not good. The chances of you having children are slim at best. Adoption and IVF are your best options.”
“I knew it! I can’t give him a child,” Mona wailed as tears rolled down her cheeks.
“It’s going to be okay, my love,” Leo said. “We will have a child. There are…”
“We can’t adopt, because only blood children can be heirs and IV isn’t a guarantee! I can’t deal with this!”
“Mona, please. Let’s try, my love. Some couples have been lucky. That could happen to us. Please.”
“I don’t know…”
“All is not lost, Your Highness,” Dr. Matsu said. “I know many couples who battled to conceive and they went the IV route. They’re now proud parents.”
“I’m willing to try,” Mona said. “I really want to be a mother. All my friends are and I feel like the odd one out, you know.”
“Great. Let me tell you all about what it’ll entail.” He did so and then said, "It’s a lengthy process, but it really is your best shot at parenthood.”
“I’m on board,” Leo said.
“I am too,” Mona said. “Do we start now?”
“Uh huh,” Dr. Matsu said. “I recommend you use an ovulation predictor kit. I have one here and I’ll explain what needs to be done. He did so and added, “In order for it to be effective, you’ll need to have sex every day.” He handed the kit to Mona. “Come see me when you’re ovulating and we’ll take the next step.”
“I’ll do it,” Mona said. “I hope it works. I know some couples go through multiple cycles and still don’t have a kid. It’s so stressful that it tears couples apart. I don’t want that to happen to my husband and me.”
“Our love is rock solid, love. You don’t have to worry,” Leo said as he squeezed her hand. “Nothing will break us apart.”
Mona smiled lovingly at Leo and said, “Thank you, Doctor. We’ll see you soon.”
“If you think of any further questions, Your Highnesses,” Dr. Matsu said as he stood and extended a hand. “Please call me or come see me.”
“We will. Thank you, Doctor,” Leo said as he stood and then shook Dr. Matsu’s hand.
Mona stood, shook Dr. Matsu’s hand and she and Leo left the room.
Leo and Mona then left the building, climbed into their black stretch limousine and Leo told their driver to take them home.
Mona thought about the IVF procedure.
I hope it's a success. Even though Leo says he loves me and that our love is rock solid, I fear that my inability to provide him with a son will make him either take a new wife or a concubin. Whatever he does, he'll blame me for not having a son and we will end. It sounds silly, but that's happened to other marriages. I don't want it to happen to us. Oh, please let me fall pregnant. I know I would be an amazing mother.
XXXX
A frustrated Agaki Aito cursed when he checked his online bank account and saw that he was deep in overdraft and debt. He didn’t know how he'd recover from it, because his construction business wasn’t doing well. His wife and his youngest son, Raphael were totally reliant on him. Thankfully, he didn’t have to worry about his eldest son, Michelangelo, who had a thriving gardening business and could take care of himself. Maybe he could ask him for money to…
No. I can’t ask him. He and Kiwa will soon be parents and need all the money for their child. I’ll find another solution.
Mei, Aito’s wife entered the room and seeing how downcast he was said, “What’s wrong, love?”
“We’re in debt and overdraft,” Aito said. “I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
“I have a solution. King Hoshi has a ceremony each year when he chooses an Omega to be his concubine. If Raphael is chosen, we’re financially set for life and Raphael will never have to worry about a thing. All his needs will be taken care of.”
“So, you’re suggesting offering our son to that lecherous old man? That’s repulsive,” Aito said angrily.
“It is, but being an Omega, Raphael doesn’t have many prospects with the new laws that were passed. He can’t work, go to university or even drive a car. Only Alphas can. As his mother and an Omega, it hurts me greatly and I do not like the idea of him being with that old man either, but it honestly is the best solution, Aito. The ceremony is tomorrow night.”
“Raphael will refuse.”
“He has no choice. We will tell him when he returns from school.”
“I don’t like it, but I guess you’re right. It’s sad, because he’s such a bright boy and deserves way better. I hope the law changes and Raphael will have the freedom to do what he wants.”
XXXX
Just turned fifteen-year-old emerald eyed and kelly green skinned Raphael was eating ice cream at his favorite café with Donnie, who was also an Omega. In the Hamato Kingdom, Omegas were forbidden to be with one another, but no one knew that he and Don were an item, because they’d kept it a secret and had managed to do so for six months by discreetly meeting at places no one who knew them would frequent.
“So, what do you wanna do tomorrow?” Raphael asked.
Sixteen-year-old Daigo Donnie set down his spoon and said, “There’s no easy way to tell you this, Raph. I’ve…”
“You’ve what?”
Donnie sucked in a deep breath and said, “I’m moving and I’m getting married. The deal’s done and I leave tomorrow. I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner.”
Feeling like his world had crumbled and his heart had shattered, Raphael placed a hand over his heart and said in a broken voice, “How long have you known?”
“Two weeks. I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t know how. I’m sorry. I love you and I’ll always treasure the moments we shared and hold you in my heart.”
“Empty words,” Raphael snapped. “If you loved me, you'd have said no, told me sooner and we could have run away and…”
“Running away’s pointless, as we would have been found. Both us of have bleak futures with our Omega statuses, so when this extremely wealthy guy asked my parents if I'd consent to being his spouse, my parents thought that was a great idea. I agreed when I met him. I’ll be taken care of and I can still do my lab experiments. I can have children. You and I wouldn’t have been able to. He’s a really nice guy. If things were different and one of us was an Alpha… I don’t want to hurt you, but I have to think of my future, Raph. You need to do the same. Find a cool guy to settle down with, have a family and be taken care of…”
Raphael had heard enough. Hurt, fury and grief flashed on his face as he picked up the table next to him and threw it. It narrowly missed a passing waiter and crashed into a wall.
The laws might have changed again and we could have been together publicly, but Donnie didn't love me enough to wait. He accepted the first proposal he got and dumped me. Fucking jerk. I really loved him. I feel like I can't breathe. It hurts so much. Love isn't supposed to.
Security approached Raphael and tried to grab him, but he shoved them away and said, “No need. I’m going. I loved you, Donnie, but I guess you never loved me, as you accepted the first proposal you got and never fought for our love. I’m not gonna offer myself as a bedmate, so my needs can be taken care of. I’m not that desperate or pathetic. I can take care of myself. Goodbye, Donnie. Have a nice life,” Raphael yelled and stomped out of the café.
A shocked and heartbroken Donnie looked down at his coffee.
I'm sorry, Raph. I didn't want to do this, but our kind has no real prospects and I have to think of the bigger picture. We would never have had a future together the way we wanted. I hope you find someone who'll make you happy and give you all the love you deserve. I'll always miss you and I hope as time passes that you won't hate me anymore.
XXXX
A devastated Raphael arrived home. All he wanted to do was curl up on his bed, be left alone and sleep for a thousand years. Nothing mattered now that he and Donnie had broken up and the void Donnie had left would never be filled.
My precious Donnie's gone. We were so good together and inseparable. How am I gonna cope without him? I thought we'd be together forever. Yeah, we couldn't have kids, but we thought that maybe we could adopt and... How could Donnie do this to me? How could he offer himself to someone he doesn't love? Yeah, he'll be taken care of, but isn't love more important? I could never do that. I know I'm an Omega and I don't have many prospects, but I could never sell myself like that and my parents would never make me either. They love me too much.
Mei had had heard the front door open and close and said as she entered the living room, “Hey, honey. How was your day?”
“Fine,” Raphael said.
“How did your history test go?”
“Don’t know.”
“And your math test?”
“Got an A+,” Raphael said as he withdrew the test paper from his shoulder bag and handed it to his mom.
“Well done, my angel,” Mei said and kissed his cheek. “I’m incredibly proud of you. I’ll make your favorite meal to celebrate. You’re such a smart boy.”
“It’s just a test…” Raphael said dismissively.
“It isn’t. Let’s show your dad,” Mei said and led a protesting Raphael to the kitchen.
XXXX
“Look what our boy achieved,” Mei said as she handed Aito the test paper.
“An A+. That’s fabulous, son,” Aito said. “I’m so proud of you.” Aito rarely praised his children, so his words meant the world to them.
Raphael puffed out his plastron with pride and his eyes shone with happiness as he said, “Thanks, Dad. Can I go now? I got….”
“No. Your mom and I need to discuss something with you. Please take a seat.”
“You aren’t sick, are you?” Raphael said anxiously as he plonked down onto a seat.
“No, honey,” Mei said as she sat down. “None of us are. It’s to do with your future.”
“What about it?” Raphael asked.
“We’re getting older and we... We’re in overdraft and debt, Raphael, and your dad’s business isn’t doing well, but our main concern is your future. It’s bleak at best. Surely, you know that.”
“So, one day the laws will change and I’ll be able to get a job. In the meantime…” Raphael said, having a sinking feeling about what they were going to say next.
“The laws won't change anytime soon, son,” Aito said. “And I really hate to say this, but your best prospect is to find someone wealthy who can care for you. I wish you could go to university and could pursue your dreams, but that isn’t allowed.”
“Right. My future is what you care about,” Raphael said heatedly as his eyes blazed. “Let’s be honest here. You’ll get money for life from that person for giving me to him. That’s what matters, not me. You don’t care that I’m being treated like a mere business deal. What about my happiness and what I want? Doesn’t that matter? Next, you’ll tell me that you already promised me to someone.”
“Your happiness matters, son, but we have to be practical and realistic. You have zero prospects. Do you frigging understand?”
“You’re selling me like I’m a piece of meat. I won’t do it!” Raphael raged and stood up.
“So, you don’t care that we’re drowning in debt? You’re being selfish, Raphael!”
“I’m selfish? You’re basically selling your kid for money! Don’t you get that? Why can’t you ask Mikey for help?”
“He’s got a lot on his plate. Raphael, look, it won’t be so bad. You'll...”
“Won’t be so bad? Right. I won’t do it!” Raphael roared.
“You’ll do it. Our word is law! You owe us for all we’ve done for you. Come on, son. Help your parents. This is the only way.”
“I hate you!” Raphael snarled as his green eyes flashed. “I thought you loved me, but you wanna give me away, so you can be financially stable. It’s got nothing to do with my future. How'd you feel if your parents sprang this on you?”
“Raphael,” Mei said as she placed a hand on his arm. “Please. We’ve never asked you for anything before. It might not be forever. Your dad and I could…”
“Save it,” Raphael hissed as he folded his arms. “You have no idea what you’re asking me. My freedom, so you can be financially stable and… It makes me sick that you could do this to me, your son, whom you’re supposed to love. That being said and despite how furious and disgusted I am with you two, I don’t want you to be in debt and I still love you. I’ll do it. Who is the geezer you wanna marry me off to?”
“The king,” Aito said. “The Omega choosing ceremony is tomorrow night. Catch his eye and he might choose you.”
“That old, creepy, lecherous, disgusting man?” Raphael yelled. “Really? I’m gonna barf.”
“He is all those things, but he is wealthy and would provide you with all you need.”
“I’d rather his son if I had to choose. He’s also horrid, but at least he isn’t ancient.”
“His son isn’t on the cards. Tomorrow, you’ll wear your finest kimono to the ceremony.”
“How does this ceremony work?”
“You’re all paraded in front of the king. He only chooses one, so you have to look fetching and alluring to stand a real chance. Then there’s a binding ceremony when he gives jewelry to his Omega. Later that night, the deal is really sealed when…”
Raphael felt bile rise in his throat at the thought of mating with the ancient gruesome-looking king and vomited on the floor.
I'm gonna lose my virginity to that vile man, be his concubine and have his kids. That isn't what I had planned. No. I wanted to travel and then to settle down, be a farmer and get married to the person of my choice and someone I loved. I don't wanna do this, but if I don't, my parents will still be in debt. They can't ask Mikey. He's dealing with a lot and doesn't need the extra pressure. I'll do it, but I'll hate every second and I'll never love that old bastard. Maybe I'll get lucky and he'll die before we've mated. Then I'll get his son. That would be more preferable, but I won't love him either. My heart belongs to Donnie, even though he has hurt me and I could never love anyone else.
“Raph,” Mei said, concern in her eyes. “Are you okay?”
“No. I’m not,” Raphael replied testily. “But who cares, right? You’ll get money for life if I’m chosen and I get to be that despicable man’s bedmate. A win for us all, huh? Not. On that gross note, I’m going to bed. I don’t want dinner. Don’t bother!”
Raphael stalked out of the room and went to his room.
XXXX
Raphael turned on his laptop and did a search on the Royal Family. He soon found his possible future mate and wrinkled his nose in revulsion as he studied him.
Look at him. He's super old, has warts on his face, is short and fat and he's known for being cruel to his wives and concubines. How can my parents be okay with me being with him? His son at least isn't hideous and he's smiling. He has stunning blue eyes too. I don't want this. I wish there was another way to help my parents or at least to marry me off to someone less grotesque and who's closer to my age. Oh, Donnie, I miss you. I wish you'd come back and the two of us could run away and make a life elsewhere in a kingdom where two Omegas can be together. Tears rolled down his face as he reflected on the wonderful times he and Donnie had shared. I love you, Donnie. I always will and no one else will ever have my heart.