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Illuga could not remember a time when The Wild Hunt wasn't a threat. Long before he was even born, this faction of the Abyss wreaked havoc and caused the deaths of not only the Lightkeepers, but to the citizens of Nod-Krai as well.
With each death came more grief and guilt. Grief that they were gone. Guilt that he as squad leader could not keep them alive or safe and could not cleanse the land of this filth with his light. It weighed heavy on not only his mind but on his heart. It was a constant ache and burden that he had tried to carry alone, as he felt it was right as squad leader. As much as he wanted to save everyone, he knew in his heart it was impossible to not suffer any losses.
Before he became squad leader, the natural biology of presenting as an alpha, omega or simply remaining a beta wasn't a priority to him. He had convinced himself that he would be fine no matter what his outcome was. He was just going to be a normal lightkeeper, following orders, and fighting to protect. He didn't know when exactly he would present either as he was a late bloomer.
It didn't take long for that conviction to change. Not only did he finally present as an omega, but Nikita decided to make him squad leader some time after. Illuga questioned the choice, and many doubts filled his mind.
Would the other lightkeepers look at him as someone weaker than them? There were plenty of capable alphas like Nikita who could lead. But an omega giving orders? Leading investigations? Would the enemy, monster or human also see him as weak? Why him?
He had expressed his concerns to Nikita but was reminded of what was at stake here. He knew Illuga could lead and he knew the other lightkeepers trusted him to do so. As long as he held up his lantern in one hand, his polearm in the other, and was determined to fight, his status did not matter. The enemy's opinion did not matter either. With this threat in the way and believing in Nikita's word that he had their trust, it only strengthened his resolve to not let his status get in his way. He had people to guide and his light would be the one to show them the way. Nikita was right, as this resolve made the others respect him as a captain and he was never seen as different. At this rate, they couldn't afford to. They would do whatever it took to protect the land they call home.
With his status now out to everyone though, there were occasional questions directed at him during down time. Was he interested in finding a mate? Was there anyone that he had his eyes on? Did he want children? Many Ratniki had mates and pups, so it wasn't wrong for Illuga to not have either.
At the time, Illuga gave clear answers. No, no and no. Being a leader meant that finding a mate or having pups wasn't really a concern for him. He'd rather focus his time and energy on ridding the abyss so that they could not perish and live happy lives with their families. It was a selfless act that he felt needed to be done.
Over time, a certain someone did pop up into his mind, but he shook it off. Defeat the enemy first. Once they were completely gone and everyone was safe, maybe then he could think about a mate and having a family of his own. But would this certain someone want to be his mate? He didn't know.
Regardless, thanks to the Traveler and the lightkeepers help, they were able to rid the Evil Eye from Kipumaki Cliff, but that did not mean the danger was over. Lingering remnants of what was once there could cause further damage if not eliminated right away. As such, another group of investigators were sent out, led by Illuga himself. While this time they didn't lose anyone, there were several injuries amongst the group. Priority injuries were taken care of at Cliffwatch Cliff before they all returned to Piramida.
Illuga had been giving the rundown to Nikita at the center of Piramida when he caught the scent of someone approaching him as soon as Nikita left. A heightened sense of smell was something he had to get used to when he presented, but it became very helpful when needing to know where the enemy was.
But out of all the scents he's picked up on over time, this one was the one he had learned to recognize the fastest. A gentle fire that burned with each step and an earthy smell of old books, mixed in with a subtle, floral scent of Frostlamp Flowers. Illuga looked over and it was none other than Flins. Whether he had always smelled that way, Illuga didn't know, but he knew the scent was calming and sweet whenever he was around him.
“Mr. Flins,” Illuga greeted.
Flins walked closer to him and looked down to greet him with a warm smile. “Master Illuga. I see you're back from your investigation. I trust it went well?”
Illuga nodded. “It did. We cleared out whatever remaining monsters we could. There were a few injuries but they were all taken care of at Cliffwatch Cliff.”
Flins took a careful look at Illuga. For as long as he's known him, Illuga had a habit of prioritizing others instead of himself. The one scar on his neck that grazed some of his scent gland was the only visible one among the hidden ones. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing but it wasn't entirely a good thing either. Pushing yourself to your limit without care was a reckless move if all else came to fail.
And to prove his point right, Flins did find exactly what he was looking for. It wasn't hard to find, being that as an alpha, he could smell it clear as day.
“All of them, you say? I think you may be forgetting one,” he said, gesturing to the small blood spot on Illuga's turtleneck. It was near the lower left side of his stomach and hidden by his open coat. The turtleneck itself had small rips already near the right bottom, and so this one joined the rest.
Illuga looked down, his voice remaining ever so casual. “Oh this? It's just a scratch. I patched it up myself. I just have to change my shirt.”
“I take it you will be heading home to do so? Might I walk you over if you don't mind?” Flins asked.
Illuga thought about it. His house was only a short walk away. But he could see Flins staring at the injury, as if feeling protective towards Illuga in that moment. Walking him home was probably the least he could do for not being around, which reminded Illuga of what he wanted to tell him.
“Sure,” he replied and the two started walking together. “You know, we could have used your help today.”
“Me? But you fared just fine with The Traveler and with the other Ratniki. With a squad leader as capable as yourself, was my presence necessary or just wanted?”
There was a particular suggestiveness in Flins's tone when he asked that question and it made Illuga think about it for a moment. He didn't need Flins. But want? In what way? It would have been a practical want. Flins was a gentle yet strong alpha. They probably would have had less injuries if he showed up. He decided to go with that answer.
“A practical want. Your strength surpasses a lot of other alphas.”
“Is that so? Have you been focusing on my strength a bit more then?,” Flins teased.
Illuga felt his ears suddenly redden and rubbed the back of his neck as they walked. “That's not what I meant and you know it.” Flins simply chuckled in response.
It didn't take long for them to reach Illuga's house. The usual young duo that stood around his house, Paivio and Dragana greeted them with smiles.
“Master Illuga, before I let you go, there is something I would like to discuss with you. Might we step over here for a bit?” Flins asked, gesturing straight towards the edge where the rest of Teyvat could be overlooked.
“Oh? Sure,” Illuga said and they continued their walk straight.
Usually, the Rankik Wyzebor stood here a lot to take in the view but he seemed to be elsewhere today. No matter. They continued until they made a left and stopped at the center. Here, no one would be able to see or hear them, so whatever Flins had to say could be said without any eavesdroppers.
But before Flins could speak, Illuga took in the view himself. From up here, he could see Snezhnaya, Fontaine and some of the large and vast Sumeru desert. The cloudy skies added a bit of gloom to the atmosphere but it was still nice. He took a deep breath.
“It's not often I step over here to take in the view. It's beautiful,” he admitted.
Flins looked overhead too. Being that his place of residence at the Final Night Cemetery was ground level, it wasn't often he got to see this view either unless he came to Piramida.
“I agree.”
Illuga eventually turned to face him now. “What was it that you had to talk to me about?”
Flins looked back down at him. “To be quite honest, I don't have much to say. I actually wanted to see your wound.”
“My wound?,” Illuga questioned. “But I'm fine. I told you I patched it up myself.”
“I know. I don't doubt that you did, but I might be able to help it heal faster. May I?”
Illuga felt a bit unsure about this “healing ability” Flins was suggesting but he had come to his own conclusion long ago that Flins wasn't an ordinary human. Flins never answered him when he asked about it but Illuga knew it wasn't just strength alone that made him surpass other alphas. Maybe he could heal his wound completely.
Flins held his hand out to the wall and Illuga walked over, stepping up on the long stone there and leaning back. When Flins got closer, there was no doubt that there was still a dramatic height difference between the two. But to Illuga, this was too close. He felt his body react before his mind could as his breath hitched, trying to create distance even though he could no longer step back. Flins noticed instantly but didn't do anything to change the distance. If anything, he made it worse by getting on one knee in front of him. From this angle, it looked completely wrong and if Wyzebor showed up, it would definitely look like something more was going on back here. He quietly hoped Flins would get on with it fast and that no one would walk through.
Flins lifted Illuga's shirt a bit, to which Illuga moved his open coat to the side and held the shirt up. Flins took a silent, mental note of Iluga's tummy. Lean due to training but soft if he were to trail it over with an ungloved finger. There were also other old marks from past injuries that have healed over time. He carefully began to unpeel the medical tape and gauge Illuga placed there until it was removed. From here, he could see the scratch better. It wasn't a deep scratch that needed stitches but it wasn't a light one either. It was about the width of Illuga's hand and covered in dried blood, despite being cleaned.
Illuga had no idea what Flins was going to do next but maybe it would be something to do with his hidden powers. Maybe it was a wave of his hand or a touch of his finger. Maybe he had a potion or oil on his person that he could dabble on the spot. The last thing he expected was for Flins to lick his wound in one clean stripe, making Illuga's stomach flutter inwards from the sudden, wet sensation.
“W-What are you doing!?” Illuga asked with wide eyes, forgetting to whisper in the moment. He immediately let go of his shirt and planted his gloved palms on Flins’s shoulders to push him away and held him there. His scent, usually of pine amber with a woodsy undertone, flared up as a panicked omega instead.
Flins did not take offense to the shove. He simply looked up at Illuga with genuineness written on his face, which almost made it worse.
“I am healing your wound. It is said that saliva has incredible healing properties. Animals do it to each other all the time. Do you not like this?”
“I-I,” Illuga stammered, before continuing to talk in a harsh whisper. “I didn't expect you to lick me! It feels really intimate, like something mates do!”
“Oh?” Flins asked, tilting his head like a confused puppy but now smirking. “Shall we become mates then?”
“What?!” Illuga harshly whispered again. Flins couldn't have been serious. He always teased Illuga to no end with flattery, but this was pushing it. He looked away from Flins and closed his eyes as he felt his face get red. “You can't just say that.”
“It's the truth, is it not? Were we to become mates, I'd imagine licking your wounds would be the least of your concerns.”
Flins felt Illuga grip his shoulders and watched as he attempted to close his eyes more than they already were, as if denying himself of the truth. But Flins knew better. He wasn't oblivious to how Illuga felt about him, but whether Illuga would admit it or not was another story.
“Mate or not, allow me to heal you, Master Illuga,” Flins asked, gently placing his hand on Illuga's wrist to let him go.
Illuga flattened his lips together, almost still refusing to let himself look or to let Flins go but eventually he did. Flins took it upon himself to place his hands on both sides of Illuga's waist to lift his shirt and keep him in place. He then leaned in close and licked his wound again.
A breath escaped Illuga as he finally opened his eyes and looked down. What a mistake that was. Flins was looking directly at him with tired, yet hungry eyes, flicking his tongue back and forth over the wound. Illuga found himself needing to grip Flins again as he continued.
While Illuga didn't know that Flins didn't consume food, the taste of his blood wasn't all that bad and it was a very little amount anyway. Flins had made sure to get every last dried speck until it was a clean wound.
But it didn't stop there. He licked him again and planted a kiss against his stomach. Illuga softly whimpered at the sight but covered his mouth as soon as he realized he was making noise. He knew he had feelings for Flins, but for this to be their first intimate encounter? He never imagined it this way. He was in total disbelief and his heart began to race each passing second.
Flins could smell the shift in Illuga's scent as he continued licking and leaving soft kisses against his stomach. The pine amber was slowly amplifying to a more floral scent. Not as bad as a heat but there. Illuga was becoming more aroused with every second that Flins was on him, until finally Flins pulled away.
“Careful, Master Illuga. You wouldn't want the others to smell your scent now.”
Illuga instinctively covered his scent glands on his neck with his hands, though it was already covered by his turtleneck.
Flins chuckled. “I didn't mean there.”
Illuga's eyes widened again and he closed his legs, realizing what Flins was suggesting. In an attempt to save himself some sanity, he moved Flins off of him, lowered his shirt and covered himself with his coat before rushing off to his house, leaving Flins alone.
Flins stood there on his knees still for a moment before standing up and noticing that he too was aroused. It was a feeling he had to endure alone when a rut came around but never with another person. A foreign concept but it interested him more than anything. As for Illuga, Flins imagined it was the first time he felt aroused by another alpha, given his reaction. Flins chuckled at the thought. Simply adorable, he thought.
Thank goodness his house was right there. He quickly made his way past the duo that lingered in front of his home, ignoring their looks in his direction or when they called out his name. Illuga made haste to open his door and shut it with a lock. The coat he was wearing was suddenly too hot and he took it off, tossed it on a nearby chair and walked further inside his house.
That was insane!! What was he thinking??
That was the only thing he could think of to describe that exact situation. From just chatting with a colleague…well close friend…to having him lick his stomach wound?? And it wasn’t just licking. He left kisses on his stomach too! What did that mean? Did Flins like him? Like, really like him? Or was he just teasing him to get him riled up as always? But he wouldn’t have looked at him with those eyes, usually a dull yellow now filled with desire. He had smelled that Flins was getting aroused too.
The more he tried to make sense of it, the more he found himself pacing in his own home. Then came the guilt. If Flins did like him, should he have pushed him off and left him there?
“Oh no…”
Illuga eventually leaned against a wall and covered his face with his hands at the realization. But he couldn’t have just let Flins continue doing that in public. Who knows how that could have transpired had that continued. Flins was way too close, especially to where his scent was leaking the most.
Illuga uncovered his face and looked down at himself, feeling the throbbing sensation between his legs. He bit his lip. It wasn’t often he did this but he couldn’t ignore it. He took his right glove off and lowered his hand into his pants. He could feel the heat radiating off of him as well as the slick that had begun to pool there. Gathering a good amount in his fingers, he brought it back up and out of his pants to examine it himself. The sticky mess clung to his fingers even as he separated them and they dripped downwards towards his hand. He couldn’t deny his feelings even if he tried.
There was no doubt that Flins was attractive but ever since Illuga presented, something drew him closer to Flins like a moth to a flame. He had tried to keep their relationship friendly, always looking out for Flins’s well being and in return Flins would look out for him, but there was nothing friendly about this anymore. He wanted Flins badly and after this encounter, he was sure Flins wanted him in return. However, the thought of admitting that frightened him. When facing monsters or other enemies, that was clear. That was a fear he could see and face head on. But his feelings towards Flins? The feeling was so new and internal that he couldn’t make sense of it.
But at least he wasn’t facing him now. He was home alone, away from the alpha’s gaze and scent and could handle this by himself. He let the back of his head hit the wall and he put his hand down his pants, humming in pleasure when he applied gentle pressure and rubbed his clit in circles. This felt good. He thought back to the recent memory of Flins on his knees in front of him. What if Flins had kissed him lower? What if Flins had pulled his pants down to taste him instead?
Illuga found himself shoving his fingers down more until he curled them inside himself. The angle was a bit awkward and he couldn’t go as deep as he wanted, so he closed his eyes and bent a bit forward to push his fingers further in. If it were another person, he knew his fingers could reach deep inside. He kept on, thrusting his fingers in and out of himself over and over again, letting soft moans escape him as well as a name.
“Flins…”
It had been some time since their last encounter. Of course they still saw each other since they were in the same line of work but as for what happened last time? There was no repeat of that. In fact, Flins never brought it up again as if it never happened and honestly? Illuga was torn between feeling grateful and feeling worried. Grateful that he didn’t bring it up to tease and embarrass him but worried that by him running off, it gave off the impression that he didn’t want Flins. Flins didn’t seem like he was mad at him for it but it still bothered Illuga all the same. Should he say sorry? Should he make a move now? He couldn’t use the excuse of being too wrapped up in work. The Wild Hunt had mostly dissipated by now, save for a few stragglers that the other lightkeepers took care of, so mostly everyone had free time. He could have spoken to Flins if he wanted to and apologized, came clean about his feelings and if Flins felt the same, maybe they could be mates. He had imagined mating with Flins ever since that day.
He had decided that he was going to apologize first for suddenly leaving him like that, as well as confess his feelings to him. He was going to go down to the docks, get on a boat and make his way over to the Final Night Cemetery and give the honest truth. He admitted that he was a nervous wreck though. He had gone over his lines over and over again in his home, practicing how it was going to go and imagining how Flins would react. He needed this to be right, and so he was well prepared.
The next few days passed. He made his way towards the docks and he was on a boat, but for an entirely different reason.
Sweat covered his face and neck and his fever that was rapidly climbing had made his entire body feel like he was burning from the inside out. He had tried to keep his walk steady to not alarm anyone and he held his coat closed, especially around his neck to try and keep his scent in check. Although one of his scent glands was grazed and it weakened the scent a bit on that side, he still had another side that was fully functioning. It was no surprise that an unclaimed omega walking around in heat didn’t go unnoticed. At the very least, making solo trips to Paha Isle wasn’t out of the ordinary for him, so no one gave him a hassle when he took one of the smaller boats by himself.
As soon as he was in the water and the fog shielded him from anyone at the dock, he let all of his restraint go. He immediately yanked off his coat and let it fall to the back of his feet, the scent from his heat coating his entire body as well as the boat. He had hoped that the sea breeze would help, but it did little to cool his skin from his overwhelming heat. Still, something was better than nothing. Illuga’s breath came out harshly as he tried to keep the boat steady and on its course towards the Final Night Cemetery. He forced himself to stay upright as best as he could, though his legs felt like they would give out soon. Freeing one of his hands from steering, he used it to rub himself hard outside his pants for friction. A whine left his lips the more he rubbed, searching for that relief he so desperately craved.
He had dealt with heats before. They were about the same in intensity each time and he had to keep himself cooped up in his house, relying on masturbating multiple times to get through it. But now that he had an alpha in mind who he wanted to mate with, it was as if his body was calling out to him and now it was in overdrive. He needed to go see Flins. He was beyond desperate at this point.
He looked up towards the lighthouse at the cemetery and could see its light, guiding the way. He was almost there. He just had to keep going and he would make it.
“Come on…”
After what seemed like forever, the boat finally came to a stop as it touched the sand. Illuga grabbed his coat but made no attempt to put it on as he got off. He whimpered in pain as it effort but at least he was finally on land again.
He forcefully dragged his feet and coat up the small hill towards one of the small roads that led to the lighthouse. Although the atmosphere of the cemetery was cold and he could smell the scent of Frostlamp Flowers growing out of the ground, he could still make out the scent of a gentle flame. Flins was here, by the lighthouse. Illuga just had to make it the rest of the way.
The more he walked, the more exhausted he became and his vision was starting to get spotty. His body ached badly. His heart was beating fast in his chest from the intense arousal he felt. Slick pooled between his legs way more than that last encounter, so much that he could feel it leaking through his clothes. He wanted to tear everything off. His throat was beyond dry and he could use water but he didn’t have any on him. Even still, water wouldn’t solve the ache he felt. Mating with Flins was the only thing that could solve this. He wasn’t even thinking about the apology and all those lines he rehearsed. He kept walking until he made a left, looking up at the lighthouse above.
Flins had been near his table, observing the gemstones he had collected when he had begun to smell an omega approaching. He had actually smelled it as soon as they touched the small island. This wasn’t any ordinary omega but one he knew. The only difference was that their scent was very powerful. The scent of Pine Amber was there but now it was extremely sweet. This could only mean one thing.
He turned away from his table and walked towards the stairs to see who was approaching him. He quickly caught the sight of Illuga dragging his coat along the ground and walking towards him, though he looked like he was about to hit the ground himself.
With his vision worsening and his breathing becoming more shallow with each step, Illuga had barely made out that Flins was looking at him from above. All he could do was hold a hand out before his whole world turned black and he collapsed on the ground.
When Illuga slowly began to wake, the first thing his eyes landed on was the ceiling. With his mind foggy with exhaustion and confusion, his brows furrowed as he tried to figure out where he was. He remembered he had been outside but now he was indoors. That didn’t seem right. However, wherever he was, he could smell Flins’s scent heavily here. Warm, earthy and floral and old books.
That’s when he felt that he was laying on a soft bed with soft pillows. While the bed itself was comfortable, his body was not. It didn’t take long for it to catch up with the rest of his senses and he felt hot. Not as hot as he was earlier though, so that was strange. He was also extremely thirsty. Illuga decided to tilt his head downwards and that’s when he noticed that his clothes were actually gone except for his panties.
What the -?
He didn’t remember removing his clothes. That’s when he actively titled his head up to look around and spotted Flins sitting at a desk. At the same time, a rag that had been on his forehead had fallen lower onto his face and he picked it up with his hands. His gloves were gone too.
“Mr. Flins…?,” he called out.
Flins turned around from his desk. “Ah, you’re awake now.”
He got up and reached for something before approaching Illuga. Illuga had noticed that Flins wasn’t wearing his overcoat, but now that he thought about it, he had no memory of ever seeing him with it off. He sat on the bed, a cup of water visible in his hand and extended it towards Illuga. “You should drink.”
Illuga rushed to sit up despite his body still aching him and practically snatched the cup from Flins to chug it all down in one go. The cold water felt amazing and helped relieve his very dry throat.
“Easy now,” Flins warned. “Drinking too quickly can upset your stomach. Would you like some more?”
Illuga wiped his mouth from where some water had dripped down his chin from drinking so fast and nodded, giving Flins back the cup. Flins got up from the bed to go get some more water, before returning back to Illuga’s side and handed it to him. He drank the water slowly this time, savoring it and feeling a bit refreshed at least.
“Why don’t I have any clothes on?” Illuga asked timidly, handing the cup back to Flins and laying back down, his head hitting the pillow with a soft thud. Flins sensed that Illuga was flustered at being undressed in front of him.
“You fainted on your way to see me. You were overheating and so I took the liberty of undressing you. I can assure you I did not do anything else to you while you were resting.”
That made sense. Illuga remembered landing on the island, but after that it started getting fuzzy for him. He just knew he had to keep walking towards Flins. He was grateful that although he was hot, at least he wasn’t hot with clothes on.
“Would you like to be covered?” Flins asked, gesturing towards a thin sheet. He figured it would save Illuga from being embarrassed.
”No…please no,” Illuga pleaded. While he did feel flustered, the last thing he needed or wanted was to be covered. That would have been the same as putting his clothes back on.
“Very well. You should rest now. Heats can be quite intense. I will give you more water when you wake. Allow me to damp this rag for you.”
Flins took the cloth from Illuga and went to wet it, squeezing out the excess water before returning to him and placing the folded rag on his forehead. He was going to turn to walk away when Illuga unexpectedly raised his hand to gently grab a hold of Flins’s wrists and brought it close to his face, before Flins could pull away. Illuga found himself nuzzling against his hand, needing the alpha’s comfort, even if his glove was in the way. To not completely reject his advances and knowing full well of his needs, Flins brushed his gloved thumb against his cheek.
Illuga knew that Flins was right. He should rest and stay hydrated when he can. But the overwhelming ache he felt between his legs couldn’t be ignored. He had so much to say. He knew that in this state it wasn’t going to come out in the way he intended it to but he needed to say sorry. He needed to confess to Flins. His body desired to mate with him.
“Flins, I’m sorry. I -”
“Hush now, Young Master,” Flins interrupted gently, rubbing his gloved thumb against his cheek again. “You have nothing to apologize for. Get some rest. We shall talk more when you wake.”
With that, he removed his hand from Illuga’s hold and began to walk away to leave the room. Illuga didn’t realize he let out a soft whine in complaint at Flins leaving his side but there was nothing else he could do. He looked back at the ceiling, exhaustion still present in his body. All he could do was close his eyes until sleep took him once more.
Illuga had woken up twice after that. Each time, Flins had brought him water to drink and ordered him to rest more. By the third time he woke up, he wasn’t as calm as he was earlier. He had grown upset and extremely sexually frustrated. His heat had intensified more, being in the presence of an alpha and his home with no relief. His legs shuffled against the sheets, desperate for some relief from feeling hot but finding none. He looked around to see if Flins was in the room but he wasn’t. Illuga could feel himself throbbing even more in between his legs now and didn’t care about the indecency anymore. His hand once again found itself between his legs and he began rubbing himself in circles and fingering himself desperately. His scent leaked out, trying to call out to Flins without necessarily shouting out his name. The more he kept on, the more frustrated he became. He could have finished himself off like he had many times but this time, he wanted Flins to do it. However, Flins wasn’t around, so he had no choice to continue.
With a low, frustrated grunt he moved his hands away from him and shuffled down his panties in an uncoordinated motion, before tossing them off the bed with his feet. Now that he was fully nude, he spread his legs wide and continued to rub himself again. He had tried different positions. He laid on his side to finger himself deeper, got on all fours as best as he could to try and ride his fingers. Eventually he found himself flat on his back again, rubbing himself. The room was filled with the sound of his loud pants and moans as he felt himself getting close. An intense feeling built up in his body, like a rush of fire coursing through his veins. He kept on until he was right there, feeling his back arch and a louder moan escape his lips as he finally came. His entire body shook and his muscles contracted with the force of it. As it passed, he let his land fall limp and tried to calm his fast breath. But just because he got off once didn’t mean that his heat was over. Once the aftershocks of his release subsided, he would be ready to go back at it again.
Just as he was turning to his side, Flins decided to walk into the room at the same time. Flins took in the sight before him. A very sweaty, flushed and nude Illuga, along with his white panties on the floor. Illuga’s scent was fully overpowering now from getting off and Flins took a subtle, steady breath to keep himself calm. He had learned to master self control and he wasn't about to lose it now. He walked over calmly to get a cup of water before turning to Illuga's direction and picked up the panties from the floor. He settled for placing them at the end of the bed and extended the cup of water to Illuga.
Unfortunately, Illuga did not take the water this time. Instead, with his left hand he brought it back and forward again, smacking the water out of Flins’s hand with an angry, omega growl. The cup hit the floor, spilling the water everywhere.
“I DON’T WANT WATER!”
Flins did not flinch at this sudden reaction. Instead, he remained calm, keeping his focus on Illuga instead of the mess. “You are angry with me. Why?”
Illuga panted hard, feeling an adrenaline spike from his anger. “You…you keep rejecting me! Why!?”
Flins took the liberty of sitting down on his bed, taking a closer look at Illuga's flushed face. “Is that what you think I'm doing?”
Illuga gripped the sheets and a low growl left his throat again. He looked at Flins with an angry expression written fiercely on his face, yet he had tears in his eyes. “You are! I came here for you…and yet all I'm getting…is water! And sleep! I don’t want to sleep! I want you!”
Flins shook his head. “Your care is of most importance to me. Wanting me is a response to your heat.”
“No it isn't!” Illuga shouted, his voice strained. “Ever since that day you teased me…licked me! I've wanted you! But I panicked…I left…and you never mentioned anything ever again! I know you want me too! I can smell it on you! So why…why reject me!?”
Flins took a moment of silence until he removed the glove from his right hand and brought his hand up to brush a hair strand out of Illuga's eye, as well as a tear. As mad as Illuga was, he couldn't resist whining and submitting instantly, nuzzling his face against Flins. He was finally getting the skin to skin contact he craved. Flins also let some of his alpha scent leak out, calming Illuga down. Illuga practically melted against him.
“I am not rejecting you, Illuga, nor am I oblivious to your feelings towards me.”
Illuga looked at Flins, realizing he never really really heard him call him by his name without throwing the word “master” in front of it. With how gentle he said it too, it gave a sense of closeness, like they were more than just friends or colleagues.
“Really?” Illuga asked, his voice calming down from his explosive anger.
Flins took another moment of silence before continuing. “You’ve come to know for some time that I am not human, correct?”
Illuga paused from nuzzling on Flins’s hand to look at him with curious eyes. It is true that he had always wondered about Flins’s true nature. There was no way a mere human could survive all the dangerous situations Flins had been in and the stories he would tell him were so old from the days of the Tsar. Yet at the same time, Flins had always refused to answer him. He didn’t reject the question flat out, he just always brushed it off with another question or humor. But this time he was actually going to tell him, so Illuga nodded.
“I am a Snowland Fae. As such, I have bore witness to many historical events in my long life. Among those historical events, human emotion was always present. Happiness, sadness and grief, anger…love.”
Illuga listened attentively, despite his ache. He kept his legs pressed together to try and suppress it.
“When we Fae choose our mates, we become very possessive with what is ours, compared to humans who despite being mates, are prone to separate. We mate for life. Our perception of time greatly differs from yours, so what seems like a long time to you is actually a short time for us.”
“How long are we talking…”
“Centuries,” Flins admitted honestly.
Illuga took in this new information and had begun to put the pieces together. “So…if we were to mate, and I died…”
“I would be without my mate for the rest of my life.”
Illuga’s face fell and his gaze dropped from Flins’s eyes. The ache he felt now seemed like nothing compared to the ache in his heart. Illuga was in his 20’s. If he was lucky to live to be in his 80’s, 90’s or even 100, he would not live any longer than that. To ask Flins to mate with him, watch him die and then keep on living for centuries without him? It seemed selfish in a way. It’s not that Flins didn’t want to mate with him. Rather…
“Are you afraid to mate with me?”
Flins rubbed Illuga’s cheek. He thought back to the devastating loss he experienced in the cataclysm 500 years ago that filled him with immense grief, so much so that he chose an eternal slumber before he was awoken. To lose Illuga so soon, assuming that he lived to grow old, would devastate him all the same.
“Yes,” he answered truthfully, but continued before Illuga’s face could falter any further. “But…I've given it considerable thought since our last encounter. If there’s anything I’ve come to learn in all I have witnessed and experienced, it is that it is better to love than to not love at all. I desire to be with you.”
Illuga looked up at Flins, feeling stunned at the confession. He had prepared to do it first, but here Flins was beating him to it. He had no idea Flins loved him. He thought he enjoyed teasing him just for the fun of it. The whole time he didn't bring it up again, he was just figuring out his feelings.
“I love you, my dearest Illuga. I always have and I always will. If you wish to mate with me, I need you to be absolutely certain. It is a commitment we take very seriously. If you choose otherwise, then I will still care for you until your heat is over. Perhaps a human mate would suit you better in the long run.”
Illuga scoffed and shook his head. “You don’t get to decide what is better for me, Flins.” He paused before continuing. “I want you to be my mate. And before you say again that it’s just my heat talking, it’s not.
Flins searched Illuga's eyes for any uncertainty but didn’t find any. All he found was the raw desire to mate with him right here and right now.
“Very well, my love. Though you must forgive me if my performance isn't up to your standards, for I have never been with anyone.”
“I don't care,” Illuga said desperately and reached to grab Flins by his shirt and pulled him without hesitation in for a deep, first kiss.
Flins made a muffled “mmph” sound as their lips connected clumsily, and he had to brace his hands on the bed and Illuga for balance, but he melted right into it. Illuga didn't want to talk anymore. Not when Flins admitted that he loved him and Illuga felt the same way. Not when his body was screaming for Flins to take what was his. Mating mark or not, Illuga's entire being belonged to Flins at this moment and vice versa.
Flins recovered quickly and cupped Illuga's face to continue what turned into making out. It was sloppy, hungry but filled with raw passion. There was a mess of saliva on their mouths but they didn't care to wipe it away. Here, Flins could fulfill Illuga's wishes with no restrictions, while at the same time no longer denying his own needs. He felt himself throb in his pants each time he tasted more and more of him.
Flins had tried to pull away to get more comfortable, only for Illuga to let out a breathy whine and pull him back in to keep kissing. Flins laughed against Illuga's mouth, trying to situate his body between Illuga's legs while still kissing him anyway. Only when Illuga needed air did he finally pull away with a gasp.
“Be patient, my dear Illuga. I am not going anywhere,” he teased, looking into his eyes.
“You…kept me waiting long enough,” Illuga huffed.
Rather than kissing his lips again, Flins took a look at Illuga's upper body and moved onto there instead, starting with Illuga's scent gland on his neck. He gave a gentle lick right on it, just above where his scar was and the reaction was enough to make Illuga stiffen, gasp and cling onto Flins for dear life from the sensitivity. Flins chuckled against his skin again, moving downwards towards Illuga's nipples to lick and suck on them. Illuga couldn't hold back his whines and moans, and his legs wouldn't stop shuffling on the bed. Eventually he let go and kept moving further down, using Illuga's scars as markers on where to kiss his tummy. The most recent scar from when he was scratched was kissed again. As Flins predicted, it did heal pretty well.
But Illuga knew Flins. He knew he was toying with him, and Illuga's desperation grew. The heat from in between his legs was at its full intensity and yet Flins was taking his time. Illuga's hand found its way to Flins's head, needing something to hold onto while also pushing his head down.
“Flins-! Stop teasing me!,” he begged, tears filling his eyes again.
Flins finally looked up. “Teasing? My my, I'm just savoring the moment. One shouldn't rush.” Illuga only responded with a whine.
“Patience,” Flins reminded again. “I will give you what you want.
Realizing that he was still wearing clothes, Flins leaned up off of him and removed his other glove and began unbuttoning his shirt. Illuga couldn't keep still to help himself and his limbs kept moving, searching for relief. His breath came in soft pants as he watched Flins remove his shirt. Once it was gone, Illuga couldn't help but stare at his physique.
“Enjoying yourself? Dear me, I haven't even finished undressing myself.” Flins teased.
Illuga could only nod as if saying “get on with it.”
Flins somehow heard him as loud as day and removed his boots, pants and underwear. Flins heard Illuga softly gasp again, and only then did Illuga take a really good look in admiration.
Tonight was going to be a lot of firsts. Seeing Flins without any of his layered clothing on was one of the firsts. His clothing did much to hide his incredible physique but that was to be expected as a capable ratniki such as himself. For Flins to trust him enough to reveal himself to Illuga like this felt like the highest honor and he didn't take it for granted.
Of course Illuga did not miss Flins's hardened length and only felt himself swallow, as that was going inside him very soon.
Getting back on the bed, Flins situated himself between Illuga's legs and held his knees but rather than to spread them himself, he decided to try something new. He let go of Illuga's legs and took in a breath to get ready.
“παρών”
Illuga's entire body jolted at the sudden language, not from fear but recognizing the simple command as an alpha tone. His was entirely different though. Flins sounded distorted in a way, almost like an echo bouncing off the walls. It matched his enigmatic self.
Illuga had heard others use alpha tones before, but being that he wasn't their mate it had no effect on him. While Flins wasn't officially his mate without the bite, he still felt compelled to listen. The language barrier wasn't an issue either. Illuga didn't understand why but his body knew what Flins was asking for. He was asking him to present.
Had Illuga been in his normal state he would have been incredibly shy. But with the way he was now, he couldn't afford to be. He spread his legs wide for Flins to see him unguarded.
Flins marveled at the sight. The short, silver tufts of hair did little to hide how red he was from how hard and fast he had rubbed himself earlier. He was an absolute mess of slick, enough that it stuck to his thighs and leaked onto the bed.
He thought back to earlier when Illuga had taken the liberty of pleasuring himself. Flins had heard it all. He was right outside the door, hearing every moan and whine and smelling Illuga's scent call out to him in a plea. It had affected Flins very much. Had been an alpha with no type of self restraint or in a rut, he would have gone inside and ravaged him right there. But that's not who he was. He would rather suffer the ache of hearing an omega's call than make a decision he couldn't come back from. However, now that they were submitting to each other, Flins was able to have him as intended.
Illuga felt Flins staring hard and only then did some embarrassment threaten to show. Flins didn't allow it.
“Absolutely beautiful,” he remarked. Illuga blushed madly.
Flins leaned down, adjusting himself on the bed. He could practically feel the heat radiating off of Illuga the closer his face got to him. Illuga gripped the bed in anticipation of what was about to transpire.
From this angle, Flins looked confident. His yellow eyes peeked from his bangs, looking at Illuga with a steady gaze. However, Flins was far from it. He had absolutely no idea how he was going to do what he wanted to do.
Flins knew about sex. After living for so long, how could he not. He knew mates pleasured their partners orally, aside from basic mating, but he had never partook in it himself. Illuga knew this now of course, but to Flins, he was quite uncertain what would feel good to Illuga. How much pressure should he apply? Would it be too little or too much? Should he lick or suck or do both? Would it overstimulate Illuga? Flins would have liked that very much actually and the thought humored him.
But still, he wanted this to be right. And so he tested the waters by licking him in one clean stripe. Illuga had a full body shudder, and gripped on the sheets at the new feeling. Flins tried it again, getting the same reaction. He figured that with how far gone Illuga was in his heat, anything he did would have felt good, so he moved his tongue around. Up and down, side by side, lapping up all of Illuga's slick.
It's not that Illuga didn't taste good. Flins's taste buds perceived anything as dull except for alcohol such as Firewater. But Illuga's sounds of pleasure? The way he moaned Flins’s name and gripped onto his hair? That's what got Flins going. And so he kept on, eventually switching to sucking.
This incited more of a reaction from Illuga. Flins used his reliance on auditory and visuals to study and learn how to pleasure his mate. It seemed that he learned pretty quickly, because soon he landed on a sensitive spot.
“Oh G-” Illuga tried to say but the words choked off into a loud gasp and he arched off the bed.
Flins hummed in response and kept on right on that spot.
Illuga was becoming a mess above him and his mind couldn't formulate a proper thought. All he could focus on was the warm tongue sucking on him repeatedly. He didn't know if he should grab Flins, the bed, or himself. This was even better than he had imagined. That day, if Flins had continued kissing him lower and pleasuring him orally like this, there was no way he was going to be able to keep himself quiet outside. At the very least, it was just them two on this island. The perfect privacy anyone could ever ask for.
Flins only pulled away slightly to adjust and to pick up some of Illuga's slick with his fingers. He gathered a good amount as Illuga lifted his head to watch him. When he gathered a good amount, he inserted one finger just to start, Illuga's head immediately fell back and his mouth fell open.
“Flins!”
Flins hummed against him. “Εἰπὲ πάλιν τὸ ὄνομά μου”
The command practically vibrated through Illuga's body and once again he somehow understood. He kept on crying out Flins's name over and over again, even as Flins inserted a second finger, thrusting in and out to drag his pleasure.
Flins was absolutely enamored by Illuga's voice and the way his name sounded falling from his lips. This, along with the sound of his slick on his fingers made his arousal grow and he throbbed painfully, but he focused on his omega. The only thing he didn't restrict himself on was coating Illuga in his alpha scent.
Although Illuga was absolutely drenched in slick, Flins still wanted to ensure he was fully prepped, and so he began spreading his fingers apart. Then, in a beautiful coincidence, Flins curved his fingers upwards, making Illuga jolt and he gasped loudly.
“T-There!”
“Here?,” Flins asked, curving his finger at the spot again.
“Yes!”
Flins kept on right there, thrusting in a curved motion right at where Illuga told him to.
Unknown to him, not only was this putting pressure against a sensitive spot inside but it was pressing on his bladder. All the water that Flins had given him earlier had built up over time and now that the pressure was consistently there, he wasn't sure how long he was able to keep himself contained.
Flins held his knee open as attempted to close it from the stimulation. Figuring out that this motion was good, Flins went back to sucking on him again.
“Ahh-!”
Illuga couldn't keep it together. The sensation was entirely too much. His hands grabbed at Flins's hair to shove him away but Flins did not let up.
“F-Flins! I can't! I'm gonna-!”
Only then did Flins lift his face up but he did not stop thrusting.
“ἔλθε μοι”
Illuga's back arched again and his head tilted back as he saw white. He came hard with a shout, but not only did he do that but he made an even bigger mess by squirting all over Flins. Flins was taken aback for a moment having some of it land on his face but something told him to not stop, even as Illuga grabbed his wrist hard to try to slow him down. He kept going and more of it kept spilling out of Illuga, completely drenching the sheets. If Flins thought he was already enamored, this overruled that completely.
Only when it got entirely too much did Illuga beg for him to stop, and Flins stopped thrusting his fingers and gently pulled them out of him.
“Are you alright?,” Flins asked to check in.
Illuga's arm fell flat as he panted hard and he felt like his ears were ringing. His legs could not stop shaking even if he tried to keep them under control. The feeling of someone else's fingers pleasuring him instead of the times he had to do them himself was infinitely better. It didn't even begin to touch the orgasm he gave himself earlier.
“Illuga,” Flins tried again a little more seriously, leaning up and in close to make sure he really was alright.
Illuga lifted a hand to try and grab Flins but it only brushed against his long hair that was falling over him.
“I'm…fine…”. He then dropped his arm again.
Flins laughed. “Goodness me, did I break you?”
“I think so,” Illuga responded, meeting his eyes. He couldn't help but let out a small laugh himself, which made Flins smile.
Illuga then weakly attempted to look down but it was of no use. “I’m sorry…about the mess. I didn't know…I could do that. The water…”
Flins shook his head. “Think little of it. Sheets can always be washed and changed. Though…”. He wiped some of the mess from his face and looked at it in his hand with a smirk. “I'll keep in mind to keep bringing you water for the near future.”
“Ugh,” Illuga groaned in embarrassment and tried to look away, getting a good laugh out of Flins.
The two were quiet for a moment, save for the sound of their breaths until he realized Flins's length was resting against his folds. Illuga attempted to look down again and hold his gaze there. Flins was still painfully hard. As to why he hadn't complained by now was beyond him, being that he couldn't bear his own heat. Flins wasn't in a rut, that much was true but his self control really was impressive. Illuga felt that now he was ready for the real thing.
“I want more,” he finally said. “Please.”
Flins leaned down to kiss Illuga on his beauty mark under his eye. “I would never deny you. What is mine will forever be yours.”
Illuga blushed at the sappiness, though he knew Flins was being sincere.
Flins adjusted himself and pushed Illuga's legs apart. He then reached in between him and used the omega's slick to coat himself. The feeling made Illuga jolt slightly from having just climaxed, but it still felt really good.
Now was the moment they've both been waiting for a long time. The moment when they would finally give into each other fully, with nothing to hold them back. Both of their hearts were beating loudly in their chest from anticipation.
Flins began pushing inside of him and Illuga held onto his arms as they both watched it happen. Illuga gasped softly and Flins couldn't help but let out a low groan of his own. Although the slick aided his movement, Illuga was still tight since he had never been intimate with anyone before. Flins moved ever so carefully, inching in more and more and still watching as Illuga took him in until he finally bottomed out completely. He let out another groan and found himself leaning down into the crook of Illuga's neck, breathing in his pine amber scent deeply and feeling immense pleasure in his warmth. Illuga attempted to wrap his shaky ankles over Flins's lower back and his arms found their way around his neck, burying himself in his alpha scent as well.
Flins remembered spending countless nights in the solitude of his humble abode. He had never been uncomfortable with being in his own company, finding comfort in watching over his fellow Ratniki from the grave. But then Illuga came into his life. He never took for granted how much Illuga would visit him to check on his well being. They would go on many walks together and Flins would share countless stories from his life. Perhaps that was one of the ways that Illuga became curious about his true nature, since no human of the present era could possibly know those stories. In the beginning, he enjoyed teasing him, finding humor in this torturous little game. His enjoyment of it only grew the more his love for him grew. Him licking Illuga's wound was a test of his own boldness and hoping that Illuga shared the same feelings he did. Running off never offended him. He knew Illuga had just gotten really timid. But now Illuga was open for him, in a rawness that went beyond sex. He let Flins see all of him, completely unguarded. And that was more priceless than any gemstone.
But just as it hit him emotionally, it overwhelmed him physically in the best way. To spend centuries denying himself of this pleasure, dealing with his ruts alone, to now indulging in the act with a mate. He hadn't even moved and yet he could feel himself pulsing inside Illuga, and he was sure the omega felt it too.
“Move…please…” Illuga begged impatiently, attempting to jerk his hips up.
Flins adjusted himself to meet Illuga's gaze again, seeing the desperation and love in his eyes. There was no more need for words. His lips came crashing down onto Illuga's as he made love to him in earnest. Illuga could taste himself in Flins's mouth from where he wet him earlier but he didn't care. Their tongues lapped around each other, swallowing the noises they made. Flins thrusted back and forth into Illuga, attempting to keep a steady pace but his alpha instincts wouldn't let him anymore. Each thrust became harder and harder and Illuga leaked more slick which helped him move.
Illuga could no longer keep the form of his ankles crossed against the alpha’s lower back but Flins did not let them fall. He broke the kiss only for a moment to hook Illuga’s legs under his arms to keep them up and pressed against him. With this new, folded angle, Flins was able to thrust deeper and it amplified their pleasure tenfold. Illuga practically felt him in his stomach. Their mouths hung open against each other, unable to resume their kiss due to Illuga’s cries and moans ripping out of him and Flins’s raspy breaths meeting him in return. Illuga held onto Flins’s hair for dear life with one hand and his nails dug into his shoulder with the other since the sweat on their bodies made them slippery. The bed creaked loudly and the pillows behind Iluga were slowly falling off but neither of them attempted to fix it. Their love was messy and loud and devoid of shame.
The heat coursing through Flins’s body only reminded him of his true form. Each sound from Illuga and the way he sucked him in with each thrust quickly became an addiction Flins wanted to indulge in forever. To be the only one to see, hear and feel him like this. He needed to remind Illuga of their commitment.
“You are mine,” Flins said against his lips with a raspy breath, looking into his eyes. “No one…is allowed to have you…do you understand?”
”Yes! Only yours! Forever yours!,” Illuga managed to cry out in return.
”You will only bear…my children…” Flins continued, still thrusting him with fervor.
“I want to! Please! Please knot me! Claim me!” Illuga didn’t care for what he was saying or how he was saying it. He just knew he really wanted Flins. He was desperate for that fullness that could satisfy his heat. Without needing to be asked or waiting for a command, Illuga turned his head to the side, giving Flins full access to his neck and spilling out more of his scent.
The control Flins prided himself in earlier was out the window. The pleas and cries, the submissiveness and trust, the sweet scent of Illuga’s neck mixing in with his that suffocated the room, and his knot that he could feel starting to swell. It was all so overwhelming. His instincts made him lean down into Illuga’s neck where his scar was, breathing all of him in. His mouth quickly began salivating and he bared his teeth against the scent gland. His instincts screamed at him to bite and claim. After this, there was no going back.
Being unable to hold on any longer, Flins thrusted a few more times before he lodged his fully swollen knot inside of Illuga with a growl and bit into his scent gland. At the same time, a flash of blue light released from his eyes and upper back but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. Illuga had only caught a glimpse of his back since he too had reached orgasm and his eyes rolled back with a scream, clawing hard at his skin. His entire body shook and he clamped down tightly around Flins, feeling him throb as he continued to spill inside of him. Illuga couldn't hold it in and wet the bed again with his release. The immense pleasure collided with the sting and pain of being bitten but Illuga felt such satisfaction at getting what he craved so badly. Finally they were mated.
When the heat of the moment subsided, Illuga found himself lying on top of Flins, still connected via the knot. Flins had rolled them over to give Illuga’s legs a well deserved rest and to not put his full weight on top of him. He did not mind the bed being wet either. For now they just stayed like this. Flins’s long hair was carefully moved out of the way and draped off of the bed. His hands rubbed up and down Illuga’s back gently to soothe him. He even heard and felt the soft vibrations of Illuga purring against him, which he enjoyed very much.
Illuga looked at the mess of water on the floor from earlier. Now that he was calmer, he had regretted smacking the water out of Flins's hand. Flins was only trying to help him, but his sexual frustration clouded his judgement. Not only that, but he also regretted it because he was very thirsty.
“That water would have been good right now…,” Illuga murmured. He was speaking to himself more than anything, but he knew Flins heard him.
“Shall I get you some more?” Flins asked.
“I don't think you can,” Illuga responded. “Your knot.”
Flins hummed, but before he could suggest anything, Illuga spoke again. “Wait, let me try.”
Illuga leaned up slowly and braced his hands against the alpha's chest. He then looked in between his legs and tried to lift his hips upwards but it was of no use. The knot was swollen and deeply lodged inside of him, so it didn't budge an inch. Illuga shuttered against him as the movement itself felt very sensitive but that was to be expected. Flins was still hard inside of him, pressing against his pleasure spot. He relaxed his lower body and remained sitting there.
“I guess that answers that. Do you know when your knot will go down..?” Illuga asked.
Flins shook his head. “Unfortunately, no. I apologize for that. I can pick you up to go get some water. Would you like that?”
It was either that or turn into his true nature of a flame, which would separate them. However, Illuga had not yet seen this form and didn't want to impose it on him so suddenly. He also wasn't so keen on separating just yet.
Illuga shook his head. “No, no, it's okay. I just need to relax…also I'm the one who should be saying sorry for smacking the cup out of your hand earlier. That wasn't right. I’m sorry.”
“There is no need -”
“Yes there is,” Illuga interrupted. “That was rude of me, heat or not.”
Flins nodded, knowing that once Illuga set his mind to something, there was little that could be done to change it. “Very well then, if you insist. All is forgiven.”
“Okay,” Illuga whispered, accepting this response.
He then brushed his fingers against the new mate mark he had on his neck. He could feel saliva and what probably was a bit of blood still on the mark but it seems Flins had taken care of cleaning most of it off. Still, it felt…different in a way. He had never been bitten before, so he had nothing to compare it to, but the feeling persisted.
“Is something the matter?”
“Um…well not exactly but…this mark…it just feels weird…” He then corrected himself when he figured out that it sounded wrong. “N-Not bad weird. Just uh…different. I don't know how to describe it to you. It's like…pulsing? A bit warm too.”
Flins hummed. “It's quite alright. You bear a fae mark. It will look and feel quite different from other alpha bites.”
“A fae mark?”
“Yes.”
“Oh. Wouldn't that give away to other people what you are? I assume you still want to keep that hidden.”
“The secrecy of my true nature is to live normally amongst humans. I trust that you would treat me the same as you have before.”
“I will.”
“Then you should be just fine. Your clothing covers it but I do not expect you to keep it covered all the time. Just like how you figured out I am not human, I’m sure others will come to their own conclusions.”
“So you’ll play guessing games with them like you did to me?”
Flins lifted an eyebrow. “Is that what you refer to it as?”
Illuga scoffed slightly. “Yes. Definitely yes.”
Flins chuckled. “Then I shall play those guessing games with whoever asks.”
Illuga could only shake his head but he still rubbed at the mark. He was still thinking. Of course it didn’t go unnoticed.
“Something else on your mind?”
Illuga took a breath. “Why this spot? I have a better functioning scent gland on the other side. This one is…damaged.”
“Damaged? That’s a rather cruel word to use. What is your definition of damaged?”
Illuga thought about it for a moment. “Weaker.”
“Weaker does not mean damaged. From what I see, the gland is only grazed. I can still smell you just fine. As for why I chose that spot, consider it me reclaiming your scar. Now you don’t have to look at it and remember the traumatic events that transpired against you but to see that something beautiful came out of it too.”
Illuga hummed in response. “That feels…oddly comforting.”
Flins caressed his thigh with his thumbs. “There is nothing odd about comfort. Comforting you is my intention.”
Illuga couldn’t help the small smile that formed on his lips, but he soon found himself looking at the alpha’s neck now, completely unmarked. Flins kept a curious eye on Illuga, as if trying to read his thoughts but remained quiet to give the omega room to speak if he wanted to.
Illuga's eyes looked back towards Flins. He felt unsure of speaking but spoke anyway. “Would it be alright if I…bit you back? It's not really the norm here but I've heard of some mates doing it. I mean of course you can say no, it's just -”
“Illuga, my love. Why would I say no to you?” Flins interrupted with a smile. “Did I not say what is mine is yours?”
“You did. I just…I want something for you to remember me by.”
Flins was taken aback by the statement. “Goodness me. We've only just mated and you're thinking about your death already?”
“No, not like that! Ugh.” Illuga's head lowered onto the alpha's chest in complete embarrassment, but Flins could only laugh.
“It's alright, I understand. Go on ahead,” Flins said. “Whatever side you want.”
Illuga leaned back up timidly but looked at the alpha's neck. He decided to go for the left to resemble the same spot Flins chose for him.
This was new territory. He didn't know how hard to bite but at least he knew where. As if sensing his uncertainty, Flins gently caressed him.
“It's alright. You cannot hurt me.”
Illuga nodded, getting ready. He leaned down, taking in the scent he would get to smell for the rest of his days and bared his teeth, before sinking them down onto his skin. Flins didn't flinch, nor complain of the pain. Like Illuga, he had heard and seen mates do this same ritual and now he understood why they did it. To him, there was a sense of official completion at being marked back and there was no other person he'd rather have marking him.
When Illuga felt like it was time to let go, he did, but when he realized Flins was bleeding, he quickly made work to lap up what was leaking out. It was clumsy but he made it work. As a human, he could taste the iron in his blood but oddly enough it did not bother him. He finished cleaning him up with a few gentle licks before looking back up and analyzing his work. He cleaned what little remained on his mouth with the back of his hand. To him, the ritual felt completed too.
“You missed a spot,” Flins said gently and swiped a speck of blood from the corner of Illuga's mouth with his thumb but he lingered on his lips. Illuga took it upon himself to take his thumb into his mouth and lick it off gently. He blushed madly at the act but it was a further sign of their trust in each other.
“Are you satisfied now?” Flins asked.
Illuga released the thumb from his mouth. “Being mated or my heat?”
“Both.”
Illuga thought about it. “Mated, yes. But my heat…this will last a few days for me.”
“Then I will continue to take care of your needs,” Flins replied, lowering his hand. It was agreed upon.
It didn’t take long for another thought to appear in Illuga’s head. Although he was in heat, it seemed that this little window of satisfaction allowed many thoughts into his head whereas earlier it was clouded with lust.
“Did you mean what you said earlier?”
“That’s quite vague, my dear. I said many things earlier.”
Illuga felt himself blush just thinking about saying it out loud. “You said I would bear your children…”
Flins hummed. “You will.”
Illuga found himself looking down at his stomach and tracing a finger on it. “Do you think I would be a good parent?”
Flins studied him carefully. The tone of Illuga’s voice seemed so low, so uncertain. To think he would be a bad parent was such a silly thought but he understood that it was a real feeling. He would do anything to clear away those negative thoughts. He lifted his hands up and cradled his lower stomach with both hands, as if he was holding a baby bump already.
“I have seen the countless times you selflessly put others' needs over your own. How you protect your fellow Ratniki and keep their spirits up as best as you can. That alone is a testament to how wonderful of a parent you would be.”
“You really think so?” Illuga asked, looking up at Flins.
“I know so. In fact, wondering if you would be a good parent already makes you a good parent. Someone who didn’t wonder about that cares little for it.”
Illuga’s hands rested on top of the alpha's hands, where it rested on his stomach. Flins was right. Before, he had never given parenthood much of a thought but now that they were mated, he was.
“Would it happen now? Being pregnant I mean. You’re not in rut.”
“Who knows? It could happen now or when I am in rut. Only time will tell.”
Illuga felt content with that answer for now. He let him go and laid back down on him to relax together and to wait for the swelling of his knot to go down. Between them, there was no rush. Rather than focusing on his thirst or the feeling of his own heat, or the million other questions in his head, Illuga focused on the warmth of his alphas skin and on their mixed scent. He traced a finger along Flins’s shoulder and arm, almost as if comforting him as well. Then to his surprise, he began to feel a vibration coming from Flins. Illuga furrowed his brows, focusing on the sound.
“Are you…purring?”
“Yes, I am,” Flins replied, opening his eyes that he had closed. “Does this surprise you?”
“Yes. I’ve never heard an alpha purr before.”
Flins smiled. “Do you like it?”
Illuga nuzzled more into his neck. “Yes. Very much.”
Rather than give a verbal response, Flins closed his eyes and resumed purring against him. Anything his omega wanted, he would get.
A little more time passed before Illuga felt the knot wasn’t swollen anymore. There was nothing pressed up against him inside and now he felt like he could move freely. He sat back up to give it a go.
“I think we can separate now.”
Without giving it much thought, he braced his hands on his chest and lifted his lower half upwards. As suspected, Flins was indeed flaccid now and he slid out with a wet pop. What Illuga didn’t account for was the absolute mess that spilled out of him. Cum, mixed with slick was not a good combination of fluids. It leaked all over Flins and the bed.
“Oh, I didn’t think that through, now did I?,” he said with a laugh in disbelief.
Flins looked down at the mess and couldn’t help but laugh at the reaction. “I will clean us up. Do not worry.”
It took careful maneuvering to shift Illuga to the side and slide out from under him. A mess on the floor could not be avoided as Flins stood and Illuga could really see how messy and sticky everything was. Still, Flins took care of it like he said he would. He cleaned himself and then got some water for Illuga to drink while he cleaned him. The coolness of the water felt great, and this time the rag on his skin was warm. Flins made careful work to clean everything gently, never feeling grossed out by it all. To him it was natural and Illuga was his mate. The only time Illuga jolted slightly was when the rag brushed up against where he was the most sensitive, but the warmth of the rag settled him again.
“Thank you for taking care of me,” Illuga said as Flins passed another wipe on his inner thigh.
“No need to thank me,” Flins responded. “For you, I will care for you with my life.”