Lost in Time

Prologue: Dreams or Visions

The whirring of machines, the scent of oil and sweat mingling in the air—the garage was Alan's sanctuary, his haven where time seemed to slow down, and the world made sense. It was where he had spent countless hours tinkering with engines, fine-tuning every nut and bolt, and revving up his beloved race car, the "Hallows Racer" but now, as he lay down in the bed, with Jeff sleeping in his arms, his mind wandered to a time when his life was different, simpler. A time before the arrival of his kids, before the endless cycle of diapers and sleepless nights had consumed his every waking moment.

Alan sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair as he stole a glance at the cribs of a trio nestled in the corner of their room, then back at Jeff. His heart swelled with love at the sight of his children, their tiny faces peaceful in slumber but beneath the love, there lingered a yearning for the days of adrenaline-fueled races and victory laps.

He couldn't help but reminisce about the track, the roar of the crowd, and the rush of adrenaline as he pushed his car to its limits. In those moments, he was invincible, the "King of the Hallows," celebrated and adored by fans far and wide.

Lost in his thoughts, Alan didn't notice his eyes getting heavier until he dozed off to sleep.

Suddenly, he found himself standing on the familiar asphalt of the racetrack, the scent of burnt rubber and exhaust filling his nostrils. A grin spread across his face as he drank in the familiar sights and sounds. The track stretched out before him, beckoning him to unleash the full power of his racing prowess once more.

For a blissful moment, a dream, he was transported back to his prime, the thrill of the race coursing through his veins like electricity. He pushed the pedal to the floor, the engine roaring to life beneath him as he sped around the track, each turn and curve a testament to his skill behind the wheel but as he rounded a corner, his eyes fell upon a figure standing in the shadows, watching him with a mixture of longing and sorrow. Alan's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the face of that person.

It was Jeff, who looked like a different version of him.

Memories flooded back with painful clarity, the guilt and regret washing over him like a tidal wave. Jeff, the young omega who had suffered at the hands of their mutual enemy, the treacherous man whose name sent shivers down Alan's spine.

He had promised to protect Jeff, to shield him from harm, but why did it feel like he had failed? And now, as he saw his lover, a different version anyway, he couldn't help but feel the weight of his failure bearing down on him. He stopped the car and ran towards where he saw Jeff but before he could find him and utter a word, Jeff vanished into thin air, leaving Alan alone on the track, grappling with unknown guilt and despair.

When he finally woke up, reality crashed down around him like a ton of bricks, Alan knew that it was just a dream but it felt like it was real. He sighed as he stabilized his breathing, just a dream. He misses his prime days but when he saw Jeff, his insecurities and worries came back to his mind. He still regretted not being able to save Jeff as early as he could. Although now he could protect his husband and also his children, he vowed to.

As he gazed upon the sleeping forms of his children and his husband, his resolve hardened. He may have longed for the glory days of his racing career, but his true purpose lay here, with his family and as he drifted off to sleep again, cradled in the warmth of his family's love, he knew that this was his home. In the end, it wasn't the thrill of the race or the roar of the crowd that defined him, but the strength of his heart and the depth of his love for those who mattered most, especially Jeff and their children.