[FROLO]

[Present Day]

The executive suite was deadly quiet after that. It was almost like nothing had happened.

Milan had long left, and Yaroslav was still standing there trying to grapple with what he had done.

It was the first time Sergei had hit him, and Yaroslav knew it wasn’t because of the cheating or the affair. He knew he had crossed a line with his father.

So instead of leaving like Milan had, instead of trying to do something that would appease his father, Yaroslav walked over to his father’s office, an apologetic, sincere look on his face.

"Father..." he trailed off, pushing the door open as he let himself in. He didn’t care that everyone could see him; after all, this was his father, was he not?

"What do you want, boy?" Sergei asked passively.

"I’m sorry," Yaroslav said, and Sergei lifted his head to look at his son. His dear boy, who had grown up to be a stupid brat. He loved him nonetheless.

"We have a meeting in five minutes," Sergei said flatly, like the mark he had left on his son’s face wasn’t already haunting him. He shouldn’t have lost his temper like that, not with his son. Not in front of so many people.

But he had.

And it wasn’t okay with him.

"I visit Papa every Monday and Friday morning before work, then Saturday afternoons," Yaroslavl said quietly, like he needed to let his father know that he hadn’t abandoned his papa.

Sergei just stared. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

What was she supposed to say to that?

"I didn’t mean to cross a line, father... I just... I miss him. He’d know what to say. What to do. I’d come to you for relationship advice, but you’re married to work," Yaroslav said, chuckling at the last bit.

And that had Sergei smiling for a moment there.

Oh, his son.

His son with Vitya...

"So, you’re using my terrible romantic life as an excuse?" Sergei asked flatly, but there was no venom in his voice.

"It’s been nearly thirty years, father. Papa would want you to be happy," Yaroslav suggested, and Sergei sighed before he opened the mini fridge a few feet from his desk. Then he grabbed an ice pack and handed it to his son.

"You look like you took a beating," Sergei sighed lightly.

"More like a recalibration in the morning. But it’s fine, I deserved it," Yaroslav laughed softly, and Sergei looked at him, wondering what he would do with his stupid son.

He couldn’t imagine a life without this idiot, and maybe that was why part of him had jumped at the punishment without thinking.

Because with Yaroslav close, Sergei wouldn’t have time to focus on Katya. He wouldn’t score his omega with just his presence. Maybe with Yaroslav close, the alpha would finally step back and learn to move on.

It was a simple thing to do, really, but Sergei knew better deep down. He knew it was not going to be that easy, because that omega belonged to him. Come hell or high water. Maybe he was keeping his son close to control the variables, but would that even matter at this point?

"We should visit him together sometimes. Maybe he will have an idea on how to keep your pants closed," Sergei said, like he was talking to someone else and not his son.

And Yaroslav, he laughed at the idea.

He was glad that the tension between him and his father was reducing slowly, and more than anything, he was happy that his father wasn’t mad at the cheating, but because of the circus outside earlier.

"I have Anya..." Sergei said, and Yaroslav snorted.

"Anya?"

"Yes. Anya," Sergei said, trying to be serious, but Yaroslav just burst out laughing, the sound a new layer to the chaos that had been before.

Outside, Rahim and Volkov relaxed as they watched the father and son be happy together. It was not a new sight, but here, with Katya close, they knew it was more than just a distraction.

"No offense father, but the woman would swat you with her walking stick if she heard you say that," Yaroslav laughed, oblivious to the reality on the executive floor.

But it was nice seeing him like that.

And Sergei’s heart settled peacefully into a comfortable quiet before he spoke again.

"Would you be okay with me being interested in someone, boy?"

Yaroslav looked at his father, seeing how serious he was, and the beta who was holding the ice pack on the side of his face, his father had smacked, reached out for his father’s hand with his free one.

"You won’t be working forever, father," Yaro began, and Sergei glared at him.

"Okay, let me rephrase that. You can’t work forever. You have to rest and retire someday. You’ll need someone to spend your days with, someone who understands you. Someone who loves you for who you are," Yaroslav said, and Sergei found himself looking on the other side of the glass separator between him and Katya.

Katya was already looking in his direction.

The alpha didn’t stop staring.

Until the omega turned back to work first.

"Even if the person is an omega male?" Sergei asked as he looked at his son.

"Of course. Gender doesn’t matter. Besides, I know you wouldn’t replace Papa’s place in your heart. You have a big heart. It’s enough to fit two people," Yaroslav said, and Sergei chuckled at his son.

"Like yours?" Sergei teased.

"No," Yaroslav said, not even thinking about the answer.

There was only one man in his heart.

Milan was just someone he needed to use for a while to get to the one he loved.

The one he was determined to win back.

The one who had already gotten up to head to the conference room for the meeting.

"I mean... You know what I mean, Father. Anyway, you need to put yourself out there. You have everything except the love of another," Yaroslav insisted, and Sergei sighed.

"I have your love," Sergei argued.

"Always... But you know the love I’m talking about," Yaroslav said before adding:

"I’m really sorry about what happened earlier, Father."

"That won’t get you out of your punishment," Sergei reminded, and Yaroslav chuckled at that.

"I know better than to bargain with that. I’ll do my time and prove to you that I can be better. I have to go clean up for the meeting. Please excuse me father," Yaroslav said, getting up.

And Sergei just nodded.

When his son reached the door, the alpha spoke again.

"Hey, kid."

Yaroslav turned, the ice pack still in his hand.

"Lunch is on me today."

"Do I get to order pistachio cake?" Yaroslav asked, pulling them both into what had been their usual once upon a time.

Back when Yaroslav was just a boy who loved pistachio cake, and Vitya would scold both him and Sergei for not taking care of themselves properly.

"Only if you don’t tell your papa. Wouldn’t want to sleep on the couch tonight. It’s too cold already," Sergei said, laughing lightly at the fond memories of a life they had lived.

"I won’t tell," Yaroslav whispered like a habit he was used to on that subject.

"That’s my boy. I know you wouldn’t."

"See you at lunch then, Father. It’s a date... Might as well help you dust off in the social life," Yaroslav teased before leaving Sergei smiling hard at the memories that had surfaced.

"Sir, they’re ready for you," Volkov spoke moments later, after Yaro left.