Bluebird: Chapter 13

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"I haven’t had much chicken mizutaki before, but this one is really delicious. It’s light yet packed with umami," Kawachi said, looking across the table at Inukai in their private room at a specialty chicken hotpot restaurant. He smiled softly, the warmth of the meal reflected in his expression as he savored the perfectly cooked chicken.

"It really is," Inukai agreed. "An employee recommended this place to me—he used to work sales for a local textile company. He told me that knowing the best places to eat is part of the job. Apparently, he once took a client to a fancy-looking restaurant that turned out to have terrible food, and the deal fell through immediately."

Kawachi chuckled gently at the anecdote, the sound soft and pleasant. "Hakata really is a town of food," he said, carefully adding a generous helping of vegetables and chicken to his small plate. Tonight, Kawachi’s appetite was particularly strong. He always embraced the motto "work hard, eat well," but this evening it seemed more pronounced—likely because he was three months pregnant and both he and the baby were craving energy.

"It’s no wonder this place is so popular. The food is amazing. If you hadn’t made a reservation, we probably wouldn’t have gotten in. There were people waiting outside too," Kawachi said, eating enthusiastically. His chopsticks paused suddenly mid-air, and his expression shifted.

"When it’s just the two of us eating something this good, I start feeling guilty for Yuu and Kouta," he said, his voice carrying a hint of unease.

Yuu and Kouta were still mostly reliant on breast milk, so Inukai doubted they’d be upset about missing out on hotpot. Even so, he nodded and replied with a casual, "Yeah, I guess so," acknowledging Kawachi’s feelings.

"It feels like I’m enjoying myself while they’re missing out," Kawachi added with a touch of guilt. "I know I shouldn’t feel that way, but…" His words trailed off, and Inukai felt his unease. Kawachi was always too serious, not just about work, but about parenting as well. I’m glad we hired Sawako as a housekeeper, Inukai thought. It really helped Kawachi get back to work, and it gave him the space to step back from the kids for a while.

"This situation was unavoidable," Inukai said, trying to comfort him. "We didn’t want to leave the kids alone, but with everything piling up, we didn’t have a choice."

Just then, Inukai’s phone buzzed with a message notification from Sawako. It was a photo of Yuu and Kouta sleeping, with a short message: They’re both asleep now.

"Sawako just messaged—Yuu and Kouta are asleep," Inukai said, holding the phone out to Kawachi.

Kawachi leaned forward from his seat to get a closer look. "Oh," he said with a pleased expression, his eyes narrowing as he smiled at the photo. He glanced at the clock. "They went to sleep early today. Yuu’s usually hard to settle down. Even when I try to put him to sleep, he’s fussy for about an hour."

Inukai couldn’t help but add, "Sawako is a pro at this sort of thing. I think Yuu’s trouble falling asleep is just because he’s extra attached to you, Kawachi."

Kawachi turned his gaze toward him, and Inukai hurried to clarify, "I don’t mean that being attached is a bad thing. Not at all."

"At Yuu’s age, kids are supposed to want to cling to their parents. It’s just that... I hope it doesn’t tire you out too much, Kawachi."

Kawachi seemed to hesitate for a moment, perhaps slightly irritated with Inukai’s words, but after a beat, he shifted his position in the chair, looking thoughtful. "Maybe you’re right," he finally said with a small sigh, his body relaxing again.

It was mid-February, the coldest part of winter, when Inukai and Kawachi had come to Fukuoka for a two-week business trip. The medical equipment manufacturer they worked for, Kawai, was opening a new branch in Fukuoka, and several employees, including Inukai and Kawachi, had been tasked with training the local staff. Inukai was in charge of passing on the sales expertise, while Kawachi was handling the administrative training.

Inukai had known the trip was related to the new branch, but when he had been told the duration was two weeks, he had been a bit surprised. Two weeks is a long time, he thought. Even for overseas trips, the longest I’ve been away was a week.

At the same time, Kawachi had also been asked to go on a business trip for the administrative side, for the same period. Despite having Sawako, the super housekeeper, it didn’t feel right to leave the kids at home for two weeks while both of them were away. After discussing it, they had agreed that Kawachi would decline the trip. At that point, Kawachi was two months pregnant. Even though the male Omega in his condition was generally healthy, Inukai knew that being exposed to an unfamiliar environment would make Kawachi anxious, and so he was relieved when Kawachi decided to stay home.

That should have been the end of the matter, but a problem arose a week before the business trip. A male employee who was supposed to go on the same trip had an accident while returning to his hometown. Thankfully, it wasn’t life-threatening, but he would need to stay in the hospital for about a month.

They looked for a replacement, but all the mid-level employees who could handle the training were busy and couldn’t adjust their schedules. Once again, the situation was handed back to Kawachi. When Kawachi declined, the department head was supposed to go in his place, but that could affect the operations of the department itself.

The thing was, only Kawachi’s female colleagues knew about his pregnancy, so it no longer felt like he could turn down the trip. Inukai considered offering to cancel his own trip and let Kawachi go instead, but with only five days left before departure, no one else was available.

Kawachi, deeply troubled, even thought to himself, Maybe I should just quit my job. But then Sawako, who had been listening to their conversation, made an offer that felt almost divine: "I can take care of everything for two weeks. I can stay at your place and look after the kids."

Inukai had wondered if it would be too much for Sawako, considering her husband would be away fishing for most of the time. But Sawako had laughed and said, "My husband is often out fishing, and he can cook for himself. It’s just like when I worked in the mansion."

"The kids are easy to take care of," Sawako added. "I can look after them for two weeks, three weeks, or even a month if necessary. Why don’t you two take a short honeymoon while you’re at it?"

Though she was likely joking about the honeymoon, Sawako’s offer felt like a great relief. Even after deciding to rely on her, Kawachi still seemed unsure. "Are you sure it’ll be okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

Sawako, sensing his unease, frequently posted updates on their social media, along with photos of Yuu and Kouta, which seemed to put Kawachi at ease.

Kawai’s policy was to give everyone a weekend off, so even during the business trip, Inukai and Kawachi had Saturday and Sunday free. Kawachi had planned to return to Tokyo during the weekend, but the weather in the Kanto region was heavy with snow, causing significant delays and cancellations for the bullet trains and flights. The schedule was in chaos, and even if Kawachi tried to return, he would only be caught in the crowds. He had intended to go home, but when he saw how difficult it would be, he quickly gave up. "I guess it’s impossible to go back this weekend," he said, unexpectedly accepting the situation without much resistance.

While Inukai and Kawachi were in Fukuoka, the employees sent from headquarters to supervise were assigned a room in the newly built dormitory. Although it was a dorm, the room itself had a private bathroom, toilet, and kitchenette. The other furniture consisted of just a table, a trash can, and a single set of bedding. It had the feel of a business hotel without much in the way of amenities. Washing machines, TVs, refrigerators, and vacuum cleaners were available for use in a shared space near the entrance. Other employees from different departments grumbled, saying, "Cutting costs by slashing expenses like this doesn’t sit right," but Inukai didn’t mind. After all, it’s just a place to sleep, he thought. And, truthfully, the bed was incredibly comfortable—Kawai had bought bedding from a health equipment manufacturer they had acquired, and the futon was particularly luxurious, with a high-end down comforter.

On the first night of the trip, after having dinner in Nakasu with Kawachi, they returned to the dorm and entered their respective rooms. Kawachi had been assigned a room at the far end of the hallway, while Inukai’s room was two doors away. The room between them was vacant. The rooms had been allocated with gaps between them to reduce noise, spreading the business trip attendees across different floors.

After taking a shower, Inukai lay down on his futon and began browsing his smartphone when he heard the door of the nearby room open with a soft click. He wondered if Kawachi had gone out to the convenience store, but then a knock came at the door. When Inukai opened it, sure enough, it was Kawachi, dressed in the same sweatpants and sweatshirt he usually wore at home.

“What should we do about breakfast tomorrow morning?” Kawachi asked.

They discussed it briefly, and while they were talking, Kawachi sneezed. Inukai quickly pulled him inside and closed the door behind him.

Inside, Kawachi looked around the room. “It’s as plain as mine. Oh, wait, there’s one less window,” he remarked, pacing restlessly like a cat unable to settle.

They decided that breakfast would be at a national chain coffee shop near the station, and agreed to leave the dorm at a set time. However, despite having made the decision, Kawachi showed no sign of heading back to his room.

They could have just arranged the morning plans via text messages—there was no need for Kawachi to come all the way to Inukai's room. Maybe he’s lonely? At home, there was always the noise of Yuu or Kouta, but here, in a quieter part of the city away from the center, everything felt still and empty.

“Do you want to stay here until you’re ready to sleep?” Inukai asked.

Kawachi’s expression brightened instantly. “But don’t you have stuff to do?”

“I didn’t bring any work with me, so I’m fine,” Inukai replied.

The floor was hard, so he invited Kawachi to sit on his futon. Soon, Inukai joined him, and the two relaxed, watching videos of their kids and streaming dramas together. Around 11 p.m., without prompting, Kawachi sighed and said, “I guess I should head back to my room.”

His expression looked so forlorn that Inukai found himself suggesting, “Why don’t we just sleep together?”

Kawachi’s eyes widened in surprise. “But it’ll be too cramped,” he said, pointing to the single futon.

“You could bring your futon here from your room. If we’re together, we can talk a bit more,” Inukai offered.

In the end, Inukai moved his futon into Kawachi’s room at the far end of the hallway. There were two other people staying on the opposite side of the floor, arranged in a similar way to Inukai and Kawachi. Since the rooms were still quite separate, Inukai reasoned that the corner room would be quieter. He spread the two futons side by side, and they chatted about work, their children, and everything in between. As they talked, Kawachi gradually fell silent, and soon Inukai could hear the soft rhythm of his breathing.

It was the same sleeping face he always saw, but this time, the absence of Yuu and Kouta between them felt strange.

Since the camping trip with the Mizuguchi family, their relationship had been remarkably smooth. Though heat-cycle sex didn’t guarantee pregnancy, their time at the campsite had resulted in Kawachi conceiving their third child. Both of them were genuinely happy about the pregnancy.

Thinking this might be a good moment, Inukai gazed at Kawachi's sleeping face. The steady rhythm of his breathing suggested he was in a deep sleep. Maybe I should wait until morning, Inukai thought, hesitant to disturb him. Yet the thought of touching Kawachi’s stomach—the place where their child grew—filled him with an ache of longing.

As if sensing his gaze, Kawachi stirred faintly. His eyelids fluttered open, and he blinked a few times before focusing on Inukai. "What is it?" he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

Inukai hesitated, caught off guard. "Can I... touch your belly?" he finally asked, his voice hesitant.

Kawachi blinked again, this time more alert, and then nodded lightly. "Go ahead," he said, his tone unguarded and matter-of-fact, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

When Inukai had first felt Kawachi’s stomach, he’d been overwhelmed by emotion, tears streaming down his face. Kawachi had said, "Half of it is made by you, so touch it as much as you like." Even now, though, Inukai couldn’t bring himself to touch Kawachi without asking first. Yet he’d made progress—he could now openly say he wanted to.

They were having another child now, and Kawachi smiled gently at him, and though he was happy, part of him still wanted more. I feel so lucky to have this—Kawachi, the children, everything—but it’s strange how that desire still lingers.

Since the camping trip, they hadn’t been intimate. With the baby so young, Inukai had been careful, waiting for the right time. But then, Kawachi's pregnancy had been confirmed. After a discreet consultation with Kawachi’s doctor, Inukai learned that for male Omegas, the position of the fetus was deep within the abdomen, unlike females, so sex during pregnancy was not an issue. Of course, once the due date approached, the pressure would increase and sex was not recommended, but it was not forbidden either.

When it was decided that both of them would go on the business trip together, Inukai thought to himself, This might be a chance to be with him, regardless of his heat cycle. He had, in a way, lowered his expectations, though, knowing that even with the doctor's approval, he hesitated to initiate anything with Kawachi while he was pregnant. He had a feeling that if he were to ask, he might say "Yes." But that "Yes" might be out of consideration for him, not truly his feelings. Kawachi had always told him that he wasn’t attracted to men, and sexual relations with them were painful for him. Now, after they had finally accepted each other, after becoming lovers and family in the true sense, Inukai didn’t want to make him do anything he didn’t feel comfortable with, especially if it made him feel uneasy. Above all, he didn’t want to make him resent him.

The ideal scenario would be Kawachi initiating, but Inukai wasn’t sure if that would ever happen—let alone outside of a heat cycle. He knew Kawachi cared for him. He could feel it in the way Kawachi relied on him and occasionally let his guard down. Yet, there was still a gap, a difference in intensity between their feelings.

He gazed at the man lying beside him, his beloved. The gentle curve of his slightly flattened nose, the soft line of his mouth... It was a kind, familiar face. He loved this face. Leaning in, Inukai inhaled the sweet scent at the back of Kawachi's neck. The sweetness was intoxicating. Wanting more, he drew even closer, and the tip of his nose brushed against Kawachi's chin.

“…Mmm.”

At the quiet moan, Inukai quickly pulled back. Kawachi tightly shut his eyes, then opened them slightly, his gaze unfocused, staring at Inukai.

“You’re still awake?” he muttered, his voice thick with sleep.

“I couldn’t sleep,” Inukai replied softly.

“Turn off the light and sleep. Tomorrow’s going to be another chaotic day.”

Following his words, Inukai turned off the light and crawled back into the futon. I definitely won’t be able to sleep like this, he thought, but just then, a light tap came from above the blanket, as if Kawachi had reached over to pat him.

"Some people find it hard to sleep in a different place," Kawachi said lightly.

The tenderness in his voice made Inukai’s chest tighten. He couldn’t bring himself to admit the truth, so he gave the answer Kawachi was likely expecting. "Yes."

For the next four nights, they lay their futons side by side and slept together. Even though they were so close, it was just like being at home—no hand-holding, no kissing, not even the smallest hint of intimacy.

…Before they knew it, the pot of chicken hot pot had been emptied, and Kawachi had ordered some porridge. Fully satisfied and warm down to his fingertips, Inukai stepped out of the restaurant, and a cold wind immediately hit his cheeks. Amid the gusts, he noticed a flurry of white in the air. Snow.

"I didn't think it would snow even here in the south," Inukai remarked.

Kawachi raised the collar of his coat. The breath he exhaled was white.

"Well, even in Kyushu, Hakata is in the northern part," he replied.

Kawachi's bare fingers rubbed together, and on his ring finger, Inukai’s gift—a ring—sparkled. He always took it off during work, but he seemed to carry it with him, wearing it whenever they ate together or when they were at home. That thoughtfulness made Inukai happy.

"Weren't you wearing gloves this morning?" Inukai asked.

"I forgot them at the office," Kawachi answered.

Inukai took off his own gloves and offered them to Kawachi.

"Take mine."

Kawachi hesitated. "It's fine. You must be cold."

"...The baby’s saying it's cold," Inukai said with a playful tone.

Kawachi looked at him, clearly amused, with a slightly exasperated expression. "What’s that supposed to mean?" he asked, though he eventually relented and took one of the gloves. "Fine, I’ll borrow this." He slipped his bare hand into his pocket for warmth, leaving Inukai to put on the other glove. There was something deeply satisfying about sharing such small things, about feeling that, in some way, they were together.

They boarded the train and returned to the dorm. Passing by his own room, Inukai followed Kawachi into his. At some point, the act of only going to Kawachi’s room at bedtime began to feel lonely. By the next day, Inukai had moved all his belongings into Kawachi’s room. Kawachi hadn’t objected—in fact, he’d said, "Sure, that’s fine." Sharing the same space and routine, they continued living like family, even while on this business trip.

Perhaps eager to relax after their long day, Kawachi began changing out of his suit into his usual sweats. "Ow," he muttered softly, wincing.

"What happened?" Inukai asked, turning to see Kawachi now in just a T-shirt. A damp spot spread across the chest area.

"My chest’s been feeling tight since yesterday," Kawachi explained. "I’ve been letting some out little by little, but it’s starting to build up again."

Before leaving for the trip, Kawachi had pumped and frozen a supply of milk for the children. Although they drank formula as well, Kawachi had insisted, "At least this much," and had diligently prepared it all.

"It feels wasteful to just dump it, but there’s no way to send it back home," Kawachi added, pulling off his T-shirt. His chest, faintly swollen, revealed reddened nipples. It was an ordinary sight during breastfeeding, but the intimacy of being alone together made it different. I can’t look away. A strange, restless warmth stirred in Inukai’s stomach as his gaze lingered on Kawachi’s chest.

"You go ahead and use the bathroom first," Kawachi said. "I’ll need some time in there to deal with this."

He’s planning to handle it himself, to pump and discard the milk, Inukai realized. Slowly, deliberately, he stepped closer to Kawachi.

“What is it?” Kawachi asked, tilting his head slightly.

“Well, uh…” Inukai hesitated, unable to put his desire into words.

“What’s wrong? Just say it clearly.”

If he says no, I’ll back off immediately, Inukai told himself, gathering his courage.

“…Could I… help you with that?” he finally asked.

Kawachi’s cheeks flushed slightly as he seemed to realize where Inukai’s gaze was fixed.

“I can do it myself,” Kawachi said curtly.

“I know you can. But…” Inukai’s words hung in the air, and the silence stretched uncomfortably long. He felt like he was being strung along, half-killed by indecision. If it’s a no, just say no outright. Unable to bear it any longer, Inukai started to say, “If this makes you uncomfortable—”

“…Fine,” Kawachi interrupted.

At first, Inukai thought he had imagined it, that it was just his wishful thinking.

“Really?” he asked cautiously.

“Yeah.”

“Are you sure?”

Kawachi’s voice turned sharp. “I said it’s fine, didn’t I?”

“If you’re really not okay with it—”

“Quit overthinking it, or I’ll change my mind.”

Inukai snapped his mouth shut immediately. He spread out the futon on the floor and helped Kawachi settle onto it.

“We’re not doing this in the bathroom?” Kawachi asked.

“Do you prefer the bathroom?”

“It’d be easier to clean up. But whatever, do it how you want. Do you need a towel?”

Kawachi clearly thought Inukai intended to use his hands. Inukai realized he needed to clarify.

“Uh… would it be alright if I… used my mouth?”

Kawachi went silent, scratching the back of his head before letting out a sigh. “So that’s what you meant.”

“You did say I could do it however I wanted,” Inukai reminded him carefully.

“Yeah, I did,” Kawachi said, sighing again. “It’s fine.”

Though he had been given permission, Inukai couldn’t shake the feeling that Kawachi might still be uncomfortable. Yet, he couldn’t resist the desire, so he gently laid Kawachi down on the futon.

Kawachi’s nipples were a soft red, reminiscent of ripe red berries, and they appeared slightly swollen. Inukai could see a faint trickle of milk seeping from the pointed tips, and the sight was too enticing to resist. Gently, he brought his lips to one.

The texture of the nipple was firm, with a subtle, pleasant roughness. Even with the lightest pressure from his lips, a mild, sweet flavor filled his mouth, spreading warmth through him. Entranced, he drank it down, the taste sparking a hunger for more. He pressed his lips firmly against the nipple, drawing out the precious liquid with deeper, eager pulls.

During the times they’d had sex while Kawachi was in heat, Inukai had suckled on his nipples a few times, but those moments had always been a blur of overwhelming passion. Now, unaffected by heat or frenzy, he was able to savor the milk—this delicious gift that Kawachi’s body was producing. The sheer joy of tasting it, of taking it into himself, stirred an undeniable tightness in his groin.

"Nggh…"

A soft, sweet voice reached his ears, prompting Inukai to lift his head. His gaze met Kawachi's, whose eyes were moist and slightly hazy.

"…You, uh, suck pretty hard."

"I'm sorry. Does it hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt. I was just thinking… it’s different from a child’s." Kawachi’s voice was steady but carried a hint of vulnerability. "I think you were sucking during heat too, but maybe because there’s no pheromones involved this time, the sensation feels… raw."

Raw? Inukai’s mind turned over the word, the weight of it settling somewhere deep within him.

Kawachi didn’t seem to dislike being sucked. Encouraged, Inukai noticed that the right breast had softened slightly, so he shifted his attention and began to suck on the left nipple in the same manner.

As he alternated between the two, the flow of milk gradually slowed. Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to stop. This moment—this intimacy they shared with Kawachi’s quiet consent—felt too precious to let go.

Gently, he kneaded the area around the chest, coaxing it tenderly. Even when no more milk would come, he lingered, reluctant to part. His tongue traced the nipples with a persistence born of longing, savoring every lingering taste.

Conscious of not putting too much weight on Kawachi, Inukai was careful with his movements. However, as he shifted slightly to adjust his position, his hand brushed against something firm.

No way…

His eyes instinctively darted downward, and sure enough, the front of Kawachi’s slacks was unnaturally raised.

He’s not in heat… could he really have felt that just from having his nipples sucked?

Curious, Inukai reached out hesitantly, placing his hand gently over the swollen area. The moment he made contact, Kawachi’s body gave a sharp, involuntary shudder.

There was no doubt about it. He was hard.

“What are you doing?”

Kawachi’s irritated voice cut through the air, but Inukai couldn’t bring himself to move his hand away. Before he could respond, Kawachi suddenly grabbed at the noticeable bulge in Inukai’s pants, his grip firm and unrelenting.

“Ah—!” The unexpected touch forced a startled sound from Inukai’s lips.

“Consider it payback.”

Kawachi shot him a light glare, his expression somewhere between annoyance and defiance.

Inukai responded by trailing his hand cautiously over Kawachi’s groin, the fabric of his slacks adding a thin barrier between them. For someone bold enough to grab him just moments ago, Kawachi quickly pulled back, flustered and retreating from the touch.

He leaned over his partner and pressed their lips together. Words like "I love you," "I want you," and raw, unfiltered desire swirled together, turning the kiss into something intense, almost desperate. If Kawachi didn’t want it, he would have turned his face away. But tonight, even faced with such raw emotion, he didn’t pull back or try to escape.

When Kawachi let out a small, strained gasp, Inukai finally broke the kiss, though it took effort.

He gazed at the man beneath him, whose chest rose and fell with shallow breaths, and whispered, “I love you.” The words were clumsy, his voice trembling and uneven, lacking any composure or charm.

"I want us to share a deeper love."

Kawachi’s gaze shifted awkwardly, avoiding his eyes.

"...If you don’t want to, please say no."

"I don’t."

The answer came immediately. Kawachi had seemed to respond to the caresses earlier, and he had kissed him back. That had made Inukai hopeful that they might take this further. But if Kawachi truly didn’t want this, he couldn’t push any more.

He started to pull back, trying to put some distance between them. But before he could, Kawachi’s hand shot out and grabbed his arm.

"If we don’t… are you just going to leave me?"

As much as Inukai wanted to argue that being aroused and left hanging was unbearable, he said nothing. Instead, he sat up and hugged Kawachi tightly from behind. Even though the desire was driving him mad, it wasn’t as overwhelming as it would have been during Kawachi’s heat. I can control this. Inukai’s mind might be full of images of taking Kawachi, pushing into him relentlessly, but in reality, all he could do was hold him close, clinging to the warmth of his body..

The raw edge of desire dulled as time passed, and Inukai found himself noticing the little details around him again. Kawachi had a sturdy build, but his neck was unexpectedly slender. There, at the nape, was the faint mark Inukai had left when he’d forcibly bonded them as mates. Normally, Kawachi’s dress shirts covered it. He probably hates having it there, hates the idea of anyone knowing. Inukai had bitten lower to keep it hidden, suppressing his urge to mark Kawachi more visibly, to declare to the world that he was his.

Even without heat, Kawachi had a sweet scent that was uniquely his own. A scent that always seemed to draw Inukai in.

“We don’t usually just stay close like this, do we?” Kawachi said, lightly tapping the hands Inukai had clasped over his chest. The sound of their matching rings clicking together was faint but audible.

"Yeah, that's true."

"Why do you think that is?"

Inukai couldn't help but smile at the question. Noticing his expression, Kawachi, perhaps feeling suspicious, asked, "What are you smiling for?"

“I’m scared to touch you,” Inukai admitted. “I’m afraid you’ll hate it. Without your permission, I can’t bring myself to do anything.”

“But during my heat, you’re all over me,” Kawachi shot back.

“That’s… different. It’s about survival. Your life’s on the line.”

It was then that the weight of Kawachi's body pressed down on him, as if he were applying all of his weight.

"There are times when I don't quite understand how you feel," Inukai said, his voice steady. "But no matter what, I’ll always welcome any kind of physical affection from you."

“What was that about?” Kawachi tilted his head, confused.

"I want to accept all of you. So please, lean on me whenever you want. Two hours, three hours—I’ll hold you as long as you need."

Kawachi was quiet for a moment.

"You’re patient, aren’t you?" he finally said. "When Yuu's crying, you’ll comfort him for hours if you have to."

"Yuu’s cute even when he's crying."

It was a conversation without much direction. Yet, the sporadic rhythm of their words felt surprisingly comfortable, like a steady, soothing pulse between them.

"You know," Kawachi began, his voice steady, "after the camping trip, you said you wanted to do it even when I’m not in heat."

Inukai couldn’t help but recall just moments ago, when he'd expressed that very desire and had been rejected.

"I've been thinking about it a lot," Kawachi continued, as if lost in his own thoughts. "I even consulted with my doctor. Turns out, it's fine for male Omegas to do it even when they're pregnant."

Inukai blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected Kawachi to take the matter so seriously, to have discussed it with his doctor.

"Did you know that?" Kawachi asked.

Unable to lie, Inukai simply nodded. "Yes."

Kawachi seemed to hesitate for a moment. "I know it's possible, but... how should I put this? I just can't imagine doing it when I’m not in heat. We’re not the type to be all clingy with each other, you know? Even so, if I get stimulated, I'm still a man, so of course I'll get hard. But to go from that straight into it feels off somehow. But... like now, when we're just close and lying around like this, I like that."

"Then, how about we just sleep like this, holding each other?" Inukai suggested, his tone light.

Kawachi chuckled. "Two men in one blanket? It’d be too hot."

The sound of his laughter reached Inukai, carried through the arms that held him and the back he was touching. Kawachi, it seemed, was always slipping away, pulling him closer with words, then pushing him back with others. He was a maze of contradictions, full of meaning and yet elusive.

"I only know sex during heat," Kawachi said, his voice low. "So, I wonder how I usually am when I’m not in heat."

Inukai hesitated. "What do you like?"

How would I know that? Kawachi thought, mentally frowning. He felt the question was impossible to answer.

"I've never been with anyone else," he admitted. "So, honestly, I’m a little scared."

Those words were unguarded, raw, and sincere. There was no pretense in them.

"I want to be gentle with you," Inukai said, his voice soft. "I want to be so gentle that you'll beg me to stop, that you'll say it's enough, that it's too much."

Kawachi fell silent for a moment. Then, he reached down and took hold of Inukai's arm, the one that had been draped beneath his chest. Inukai thought that perhaps Kawachi would pull away, but instead, his grip tightened, holding on firmly.

"...If I said I couldn't do it, would you really stop immediately?"

If you said stop, I'd stop, Inukai thought with absolute certainty. No matter what, I'd stop. I swear it.

With that resolve in his heart, Inukai answered firmly, "Yes," and in that moment, he silently made a vow to the mark on Kawachi's neck—his own, the symbol of their bond.

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