Chapter Text
Aeroc Vindallin-Teiwind
Happiness is an overstatement, but it’s neither an understatement.
It would be happiness if he would eventually only be left of figments of his previous life.
In his first life, he lived a life of regret, torture, pain. All he felt was the fruit of his deadly sin. The deadly sin of meddling into the lives of two souls who loved each other. Aeroc remembered being brutally transformed into an omega, his dignity and pride stripped off by the man he claimed to ‘love’. He remembered being forcefully impregnated with children he was denied. He remembered dying in the arms of that monster, still yearning for his love.
In his second life, Aeroc knew better. He kept his distance and to be truthful, the more he thought of it, he was repulsed by that man.
‘How could I fall for him?’ Aeroc asked himself every time he was reminded of that life. ‘But I made him that way, didn’t I? I took Rapiel away from him. It only made sense… Did it?’ He asked himself once more.
‘It doesn’t matter. I’ll keep my distance.’ Aeroc told himself.
But alas, that monster made his way to him. But unlike the heartless monster he was, this ‘Kloff Bendyke’ was a passionate asshole. Still temperament, selfish, crude, forceful and ‘no’ isn’t an answer for him. But there Kloff Bendyke was; chasing after him.
It didn't matter the absurdity of the situation—how that monster profusely drilled into his head that all he did was for Rapiel’s vengeance, his beloved wife, constantly reminded Aeroc he was just a whore thirsting for Kloff Bendyke’s affection. ‘Why’d this man give up? Isn’t Rapiel his everything?’ Aeroc asked when he heard Kloff and Rapiel called things off, in behest of Viscount Westport’s order. And for that man to suddenly claim he never had such feelings for Rapiel? Nonsense! That’s preposterous. Rapiel Westport was and will always be Kloff's true love. Which was why Kloff did such barbaric things in the name of vengeance.
Didn’t he?
But Kloff was passionate towards him, and he wasn’t shy to show much he was willing to do for Aeroc. He was everything Aeroc wished that monster was in his past life. Still hard for Aeroc to comprehend to be honest. He only agreed just so he can have his children in his arms, and perhaps he was afraid of what this man might do had he said no.
Aeroc still had nightmares and remnants of the past, but slowly yet gradually, they all disappeared, becoming nothing, almost a figment of his own imagination, as if his past life was a mere nightmare from a deep sleep.
In his second life, Aeroc got to keep his title, pride, dignity, and children—well, only three of them, he hoped they were three of the six children he had. Some things never changed, though, for he still ended up an omega. Not that he minded, for he wouldn’t have his angels if not for the transformation.
And he found himself a, in lack of a better word, lover. It took years, but Aeroc finally got to love Kloff how he wished he did in his past life.
He is happy now, more happier than he’s ever been since his dear mother died and his father’s sanity deteriorated as each day passed. Aeroc has a lover, albeit his arrogant, rude and perverted nature, who loves, cherishes and protects him. He has three little angels who even at adulthood, never tires from calling him ‘Mama’. He has friends all around the capital who are always so delighted to have him around.
His nightmares have ceased to exist, and over time, he no longer found himself yearning for the life he could’ve had in his first life. Aeroc still found himself missing those six children, but why reach for something beyond grasp when he already have his little angels, born from seeds of love, not from pain nor torture?
Aeroc’s no longer in that hell, no longer in that monster’s grasp.
“Papa!” Aeroc looks at the lovely view. Lennoc, Eurea and Jester playing Blind Man’s Buff with their father, the man being ‘it’. There is something so heartwarming from a simple view, which reminds Aeroc that this life is heaven, where Kloff is no longer his tormentor while the six children he’s denied off are his punishments, but Kloff is his savior and the three angels he can kiss and hug all day long are his blessings.
“Are you done sketching? We ought to return to the villa, before they kill each other.” Kloff’s voice chimes into his thoughts.
His Kloff, his lover, his husband, his alpha. The Kloff Bendyke who loves, cherishes and protects him. The father of his dear little angels. Even at the ripe age nearing his 50s, he is still as handsome as ever, more youthful than how that monster looked in his 30s.
“All done.” Aeroc looks at his husband, then peek behind to see his three little angels; Lenoc, Eurea and Jester. There his two older children affectionately pick on their youngest brother, mocking his short height and carrying him around like a sack of grain. Aeroc smiles with contentment. “My babies are getting along well.”
“Getting along? Very much yes, if you count ganging up on your poor old father for the last piece of raspberry cake they initially fought over and decide the best way to settle it is through a game.” Kloff chuckles, taking a seat next to Aeroc beneath the oak tree. “What are you drawing anyway?” He looks into Aeroc’s sketchbook; there it is, a picture of their little family enjoying each other’s presence in the garden where the roses bloomed.
“Something I’ll cherish for all eternity.” Aeroc simply says, finally closing his sketchbook, then lies his head on Kloff’s broad shoulders, as Kloff gently lifts his head up and plants a soft kiss on his forehead. He watches Jester chasing Lenoc and Eurea with a cushion, playfully smacking them with it as his older siblings continuously taunt him with friendly insults and banters.
“They’ve been on it all day.” Aeroc exasperatedly says, but with a tone of affection. “You would think they stopped fighting after all that playing.”
“Well, they inherited their father’s stamina, I suppose- OUCH!” Kloff feels a strong pinch to his waist. “I meant it in the best way possible.” The man smirks, planting a kiss on Aeroc’s cheeks, which the omega gladly accepts.
“Mama!” Aeroc laughs when Jester approaches him, whining, making grabby hands and falls into his mother’s embrace. “Mama, Lenoc and Eurea are so mean.” He pouts, arms tightly wrapped around Aeroc’s shoulders.
Aeroc playfully glares at his older children, and they immediately rush to their father for protection from their mother’s ‘deathly’ stare.
“Now you lots are done fighting?” Kloff asks.
“Yes, and as the last person to be caught by Papa, the pie slice is mine!” Eurea proudly declares.
“When did we make that deal?” Jester says.
“It’s an unspoken rule, baby brother. That’s how these games work.” Eurea says. “Right, big brother?”
“Huh? I thought that rumbling determined who got the last slice. I was certain I won when I pinned you both on the grass.” Lennoc says.
“Ugh, not fair! You and Eurea are so big and strong against me.” Jester groans. “Papa, tell them that as older siblings, they need to give in to the youngest.” He says, reaching for his father’s sleeves.
“Oh? I thought we’re sharing the pie.” Kloff tries to tone the situation down, but Aeroc laughs.
“I’m afraid whatever prize for whatever competition it is, you need to find something else because I finished it while you were busy.” All four pairs of eyes bawl at Aeroc’s laxed claim, but remain silent.
‘Mama’s words, regardless what those words are, even if it’s as gibberish or incomprehensible as Lennoc’s and Eurea’s old handwriting, are the divine law,’ A proclamation, decreed by Viscount Kloff Bendyke.
“Well, not like Nanna won’t bake us another batch.” Jester says. “I bet she’s waiting for us to ask for another.”
“And Grandpa and us plucked baskets full of raspberries yesterday. There will be a whole load of raspberry pies. We can bring them home and serve them during the next soirée. Right, Mama?” Lennoc says. “They’ll surely love them. They’re so sweet and fresh, unlike the ones back in the Capital- Oh, maybe I should get Martha to teach me how to make one. I want to give one to Sioux.”
Aeroc smiles listening to his oldest’s proposal, and his sweet notion for his dear lover. “Yes, darling. I’m sure Sioux would appreciate the extra thought you put into his gift.” He remembers the time when Lennoc would panic and frown if he’s to be near Sioux (partly because of the boy’s fear of being involved with the Marquess Wolflake). Suddenly, Lennoc is head-over-heels for the sweet omega.
“Ugh, I refuse to believe such a sweet child could grow from a seed from that man. Just years ago I asked your mother if it’s possible for our family to sever ties with the Wolflake. Now, we’re bound for life.” Kloff frowns. “Who’d thought Wolflake would be such a doting father, though.”
“Says the temperamental madman who worships the ground his omega walks on and dotes on his children more than a mother goose does despite being a misser.” Eurea jabs, causing everyone to chuckle.
“And Sioux is Uncle Rapiel’s son too. They’re both lovely people.” Jester adds.
“Touché. But, my omega’s still the loveliest in the whole wide world.” Kloff gently cups Aeroc’s face, planting a soft kiss on his forehead, then on his eyes, on the tip of his nose and finally on his lips. “I love you, my beloved.”
Aeroc blushes as he fails to contain his giggles. “I love you too, my dear.” He replies, kissing Kloff’s lips once more, ignoring their children’s protest.
“Eww! Ma, Pa! Get a room!” Lennoc shoves his face on his hands, whilst Eurea shields Jester’s eyes with her palms as she looks away from their parents.
Kloff and Aeroc let go of each other, laughing at their children’s reaction. “Come here the three of you.” Kloff pulls all of them into a warm hug. A warm embrace that the family never get bored of, from which they can pour and feel the love flowing through their veins.
There is nothing more than Aeroc love than his family. The beautiful family that for so long he yearned for that can fill up the loneliness he felt in the depth of his heart as a young boy.
Aeroc has nothing else to cry over now, not anymore. He’s happy, so much happier than he’s ever been.
Kloff Bendyke
Regret is an understatement to how Kloff feels.
There from the window he always stood to keep an eye on his devil, did he see the devil’s perfect copy with their darling children sitting in the rose garden. Jester lies on his mother’s lap as he read a boom, whilst Aeroc—this Aeroc—helps Lennoc and Eurea with their English lesson, all the while giggling and joking around, with Aeroc from time-to-time lightly scolding the two for fighting with each other or attempting to pull a trick on their younger brother.
There is a pang of guilt striking through Kloff’s heart.
In his first life, had Kloff been more honest with his feelings from the very beginning, would this be the life he and his Aeroc would have? At the very least; if he never once mentally torments Aeroc with his marriage with Rapiel, would he still see Aeroc shining in his full-glory? If he’d treated his Aeroc better, would both of them live happily with their darling children?
In his first life, Kloff committed unspeakable sins, destroying the lives of many, merely because he refused to reconcile with his own desires. And for so long, Kloff convinced himself that Aeroc was a blue-blooded devil, a cold-hearted, arrogant aristocrat with no regards for others, when that was far from the truth.
Aeroc has always been a radiant star, at his highest and at his lowest. His ocean blue eyes perfectly reflect his dignity, which Kloff so often mistaken as arrogance, one that can never be destroyed regardless how hard he tried to. A gentle, nurturing soul who cherishes the people around him. But deep within the core of his soul, exists a naïve yet well-meaning child burdened by the expectations the very people he cherished put on him. A soul who yearned for a safe-place he could rely on, when no one thought the great Count of Teiwind needed a shoulder to lie on.
Kloff understood why he was always so drawn to Aeroc from the very beginning. ‘He was never a devil to begin with… Was he?’ Rapiel was merely an excuse for him to be away from something so beautiful, something so holy and ethereal that a common man like him doesn’t deserve to grasp.
Oh, how he wished he could undo the past.
Each time Kloff sees this Aeroc getting along so well with their children, Kloff wonders to himself; would my Aeroc be a mother as gentle yet strict as him? No, he’d be a bit more gentle. Would he love to be called ‘Mommy’, or to save his reputation he would still rather be called ‘Papa’? No, no. My Aeroc would love to be called ‘Mommy’, just as this Aeroc didn’t mind being called ‘Mommy’, ‘Mother’ or ‘Mama’.
There is so much going on in his mind as Kloff looks at the peaceful view. At times, during a normal day, Kloff would see his Aeroc with their six darling children. It doesn’t help that Lennoc, Eurea and Jester are undeniable copies, not just appearance, but overall nature as well, of Jester, Seth and Blaine—minus that Jester is an alpha and born very healthy, while Blaine is an omega and was sickly. He’d hoped that Ray, Yohn and Ivide would be reborn as well, but Kloff could no longer risk Aeroc’s health when Jester’s birth had been risky, and reminding himself of how Ray disowned him, he doubted the beautiful boy would want to be his son—the son of a murderer, a rapist, a destroyer—once more. If anything, he’ll want to join his mother on the other side.
Such a notion stings, but it’s painfully beautiful. One time, he dreamt of Aeroc and Ray playing in the rose garden, to which in Kloff’s opinion, was far more ethereal than what the garden usually looked like. Amongst the roses, there was Aeroc, as radiant as he’d always been, with his long, blonde hair all loose, as Ray adorned his mother’s hair with flowers and ivory wreaths he gathered, while the mother and son hummed a lullaby together. Then they noticed Kloff, and Aeroc called for Kloff to gather all their children so they can play together before lunchtime.
It was a lovely sight. A sight Kloff could only dream of. But there is no use of lingering on past regrets for so long. He did that once, and it destroyed the broken man whom he realised he loved too late and the innocent man he should’ve cared for the moment Kloff made him into a pawn. ‘In another world, Ray must’ve been with his mother.’ Kloff would think to soothe himself. Those beautiful dreams are punishment. A stark reminder of the life he could have had, had it not been for his foolishness and cruelty.
“Daddy!” Kloff looks down to his wife and children waving at him, urging him to join them for lunch in the garden. Kloff can see Aeroc mouthing ‘Quit being melancholic, and join us on this sunny day.’ as Lennoc, Eurea and Jester jump up and down, repeatedly calling for him. Kloff smiled, mouthing ‘I’m coming.’.
Kloff looks into the mirror, fastening his buttons so he looks all neat and tidy. It’s been a while, but it’s still too surreal to see his face with a massive scar, moreover only having two fingers on his left hand—which, thankfully, isn’t his dominant hand—and a partially functioning ear. ‘Curse Wolflake, for that, but this is nothing to what I did to Aeroc, isn’t it?’ Kloff thinks to himself and steps out.
“What were you doing standing by the window like a poet in love?” Aeroc jabs the moment Kloff joins them. “I thought we agreed that from this very moment, we’ll leave all of that melancholy to that painter of yours.”
“Hah. Very funny.” Kloff bluntly says, but doesn’t hesitate to smile as he sits next to Aeroc, peppering soft kisses on the omega’s face, causing the children to gag and groan.
“Mom, Dad, you two are being gross.” Lennoc says.
“Oh, quit talking like you weren’t ogling on Sioux the other day.” Lennoc blushes at Aeroc’s words. “Don’t lie, Lennoc. Mommy and Daddy can see how much you’re pining on him.”
Lennoc’s face turns redder, causing Eurea and Jester to laugh.
“Speaking of melancholy, did you know Lennoc composed a poem for Sioux, Mom?” Eurea says. “I’m pretty sure it was about how- HMM?!” Lennoc closes his younger sister’s mouth before she could even finish her sentence.
“Oh? My boy has become a romantic.” Kloff chuckles. “And here I thought you would court Sioux the same way I did to your mother, which I’m glad you didn’t.” There’s a pang of guilt in his words, and Kloff knows Aeroc can sense it. He wouldn’t be proud if any of his children repeat the same mistakes he did when he pursued their mother.
“Why, Daddy? How’d you and Mommy meet?” Jester asks.
Kloff’s smile unconsciously falters. He glances at Aeroc, who gives him a reassuring look, before telling the children that the story of how their parents met will be saved for another time.
Kloff doesn’t understand how this Aeroc could let go of that part of their past behind him, forgetting how within the period of whatever Kloff called as ‘courtship’, Aeroc had been through all sorts of emotions, all inflicted by Kloff. Joy, anger, sadness, hatred, humiliation and pain. Aeroc never brings up the moments Kloff insulted him, or assaulted him, or the one time he almost died in Kloff’s very own hands again. Moments when Kloff realised he’ll never be able to redeem himself and it’s much better to die and fall into eternal hell than to live in this paradise. But like an angel with wings as soft as silk and light that guide souls who wish to repent, Aeroc accepted him, becoming his lover and the mother of their darling children.
Kloff wonders; would his Aeroc forgive and forget this easily?
‘Will he forgive me, for all the pain I put him through?’
Kloff looks at Lennoc, Eurea and Jester. Lennoc—or in Kloff’s first life, Jester—may have been just a tiny version of himself, inheriting his temper and intelligence, but is still gentle and more compassionate than he is. What sets the two apart is a distinct birth mark on Lennoc’s forehead.
Kloff remembered how Jester was forced to rely on medical assistance after he deliberately injured him when Kloff attempted to destroy Aeroc’s tombstone. He could no longer speak properly without stuttering, and it was a sheer miracle he could still walk even with a cane. Kloff hated himself for what he did, all because he refused to admit his wrongdoings when his own son called his bullshit out. Frankly, Kloff had hurt all of his children. Their children.
Perhaps that was one of the few good things about not reuniting with his Aeroc; how disappointed the mother of his children will be had he known their father hurt them in the worst ways possible.
It was a sheer miracle Lennoc, Eurea and Jester were born. Perhaps because they inherited their mother’s gentle and forgiving nature.
‘Did they truly forgive me though? When I don’t even know if he will ever forgive me?’
“Love?” Aeroc calls for Kloff. “Are you okay?”
Aeroc’s voice underlies with concern. It stings Kloff that an angel care so much for a monster like him, so Kloff puts on his best smile, shaking his head, and says; “I am. I’m happy to be with you, my beloved mate and my dear children.” There are tears building up in his eyes, and before they could question, Kloff pull all of them into a hug.
Kloff still has regrets. He still wishes he could be reunited with his Aeroc; to profess his love, to plead forgiveness, to vow to cherish him as he should’ve years ago. But it won’t hurt to slowly let go of it, fully focusing on this family he has now. He’ll do better for his omega and children. They deserve to live in happiness, not dwindle on the pain destiny will forever subject him to.
Kloff will carry this pain, no matter how it’s slowly killing him inside. What matters is his wife and children are happy, and that is enough for him.