The pill bottle sets beside the mug of tea in front of him. Kuchiki Byakuya stares down at it, his hands tented in front of his mouth as he considers his options. After Hisana's death, the heat suppressants had been a regular part of his life. Mourning kept his body from responding for months but when he realized his body would return to the cycle once more, he put a stop to such a thing through his own choice. Retrieving the suppressants meant speaking to a doctor, allowing his body to be examined in order to ensure he had the right suppressants. Though his medical check-up had been fine and he was given no physical reason to avoid taking his heat suppressants during this cycle, the words from the doctor circle through his mind just the same. Your body has suffered no permanent damage as a result of taking heat suppressants, and I know you have no desire to carry children of your own, but with no break in this medication you might not have the option to make a choice for yourself anymore.

Having a child has never interested Byakuya as much as it had others he knew, and so when he married Hisana, they had a conversation about how he never wanted a family. The concept hardly appealed to him, and Hisana never seemed against the idea of it being just the two of them, though after her passing Byakuya almost wished... But she was gone, and she was the last person Byakuya might have been able to care about the way he should have been able to.

Heat suppressants kept his body from ever entering a heat cycle, and therefore it kept Byakuya from ever having to think about having children or taking time out of his busy schedule in order to make time to curl up in his room and rest. When he had first spoken to a doctor about the possibility, there was no argument. Omegas fresh off of loss tended to want time to grieve and having your body actively wanting a partner nearby could make that difficult. Byakuya knew the risks then. Long term use of suppressants had to be moderated because the science was not exact and some omegas had suffered infertility as a result.

The thought unsettled him. Byakuya has no desire for a family and doubts his mind would ever change on such a subject, but having the choice taken out of his hands was not something he wanted. If he wants to make sure that would never happen, he would have to take a break on his heat suppressants— something that would ensure he would lose a week of his life to his body's biology. Before Hisana, he spent his heat cycles mostly on his own, able to take care of himself and his needs, but heat suppressants taken over years meant his cycle might be stronger, and it might last longer. A few days might last a week or more, twice as intense as he remembers.

Without a partner to see him through any of it.

"You getting ready to medicate for the cycle?" The voice catches Byakuya off-guard and he doesn't turn around fast enough before a familiar hand darts out in front of him, picking up the bottle off of the table. "This is a strong dosage for an omega, isn't it?"

"It's necessary, Yoruichi. It's been a long time." Byakuya makes a token effort to take the pill bottle back, but Yoruichi darts out of his reach before dropping down on the other side of the table, rattling the pills around with an interested expression.

She finally sets the bottle back on the table. "Well, don't let me interrupt. I was just curious about what prescription you had. Most omegas I know take them sometimes."

"I'm thinking about skipping suppressants this cycle actually." Byakuya sighs, tracing a finger around the edge of the mug he still hasn't touched. "It's been long enough and I don't think I want to lose the option to have children."

"Oh, the great ice prince Kuchiki Byakuya finally thinks about settling down and having children of his own." Yoruichi smirks at him, then steals a sip of his tea.

Byakuya's lips twist at the words. "No." he says firmly, "I don't want children. I'm just uncomfortable with not having the option available to me if I change my mind. Though I won't."

"It's about control. Understandable, given it's you." Yoruichi's smirk slowly fades when Byakuya only stares at her, then pushes his tea back to him. "Okay, so you're taking a break from the suppressants. Why are you thinking so hard about it?"

"It's been years since I first started taking them. I don't know if I'm suitably prepared to handle a heat that overwhelms me in such a way." Byakuya keeps his eyes firmly mixed on his tea, no longer interested in it, but looking at the bottle is more difficult.

Yoruichi hums thoughtfully, hands coming to rest on top of the table. "Then pick an alpha to spend your heat with. No one would think less of you for doing that. You are the alpha."

When Byakuya was a child, an omega being the alpha of their pack was unheard of. He'd risen to the position through his own hard work and had more than earned the respect due to him. There was the occasional alpha who tried to infringe on his personal territory and space, more interested in challenging him on a personal level than taking over the leadership of the pack. Very few alphas respected omegas in leadership positions and the one Byakuya had was the most prized. Of course people were going to think he didn't deserve it.

The alphas he knew toed the line because bringing down his wrath was more severe than they were willing to deal with, but none of them were suitable bed partners in his eyes. Even for a temporary period of time, there was no one Byakuya thought he would be comfortable with in such a vulnerable position— Except for Yoruichi, but she was mated and not available.

"My options are... limited, to say the least." Byakuya sighs, carding his fingers through his hair. "The unmated alphas are not up to any sort of standard I could have."

Yoruichi snorts at him, then taps her chin with a finger. "Then what about Renji?"

The mention of Byakuya's second-in-command gives him pause. He hadn't even considered Renji even though their relationship should have put him firmly in the center of Byakuya's thoughts. Though he initially gave Byakuya the worst impression possible— he was hot-headed and obnoxious but just as brutal as any alpha when challenged— once he'd worked his way up to Byakuya's side, he seemed content to stay there.

He obeyed Byakuya in a way the others seemed unwilling to do, and though there were more than a fair share of smart remarks to handle, none of them possessed the bite Byakuya would have expected from someone in Renji's position or with his personality.

"It would make the relationship awkward." He finally says, shaking his head.

"Do you have any other options?" Yoruichi leans across the table, raising an eyebrow at him, and before Byakuya can answer, she snorts. "Of course you don't. It makes sense, you know. He's your second-in-command. You can pass it off as a show of solidarity."

"I didn't realize there were people who might need such a thing from us in the pack. Though, I'm not surprised that they don't trust our relationship is fine." Byakuya can only imagine what's been said behind his back at this point. Behind their backs.

Yoruichi smiles softly at him, and stretches out a hand to touch the back of his own, her soothing scent enveloping him in a soft cloud. "It's not that you've done anything to earn such comments, you know, your relationship is fine in public. But the dynamic earned remarks just the same."

"Because an omega leading an alpha around always would, I suppose. I'm sure they must think I nag him, or they talk about how he's wrapped around my finger. I can fill in the blanks." It's sickening to think about in more ways than one, that their own pack would assume they could never have a natural friendship, or even just a general bond.

"You've gotten the gist of it. Show them you're even more united than before, and maybe they'll shut up." Yoruichi shrugs, the beginnings of a smirk reappearing on her face. "Or maybe they'll just make comments about when you're going to let him properly mate you. Who knows? But Renji is a good man. I don't think that you'd have to worry about him hurting you."

The chances of someone hurting Byakuya physically were low. He's confident in his abilities even in a vulnerable state and knows he can defend himself if need be, but he doubts Yoruichi is talking about his physical safety. "He has no prospects? I would not step in if he did."

Faster than Byakuya can process, a slew of emotions flash through Yoruichi's eyes. She leans back and rolls her shoulders, but there is something dishonest in the gesture. "Not that I know of. You could ask, of course. He's in the courtyard. You should talk to him now because once your heat rolls around, you won't be in the mood to talk at all."

Byakuya presses his lips together. "Thank you for the advice. I shall do that shortly."

The walk to the courtyard is long enough to let Byakuya think things over. The prospect of engaging in any sexual act with Abarai Renji is not precisely a new topic for him. He would never admit it out loud, though he had thought of it once, briefly, when Renji chanced flirting with him just once and quickly learned Byakuya was uninterested in him and his advances. In a private moment, Byakuya considered the novelty of it, of choosing Renji as his mate and the life they might share if he did such a thing, but it was a moment of weakness and nothing more. Even Byakuya occasionally had moments of abject loneliness that were hard to tolerate.

Still, no one would ever touch his heart the same way Hisana did, and he would never love someone as much as he loved her. Renji is a good alpha and a good man, and one day he would make an excellent mate for someone given that person could tolerate his personality and soften his edges, but Byakuya was not that someone. He never would be, for anyone, ever again. It did not make him blind to the merits of Renji as a person, though.

Most of the time, Renji never senses him coming, but this time, Renji's body turns toward his just before Byakuya steps out of the shadows and into the sunlight washing the courtyard in a warm golden hue. Training for Renji meant the top half of his body was nude, the sunlight throwing his tattoos into sharp relief, and the day was already warm enough that his skin was wet with sweat, the ends of his hair sticking to his skin. Exercise meant his scent was heavy in the air, enough that a single inhale meant it coated the insides of Byakuya's throat.

Like an excitable puppy, Renji crosses the courtyard quickly to reach him, bowing properly. "Taicho, I didn't expect to see you this morning. You said you wanted time to yourself."

"I had the time to myself I needed. I also need to speak to you about a private matter." Byakuya surveys the courtyard quietly, reassuring himself there is no one who might overhear their conversation— not that it matters. If Renji agreed, word would eventually spread when neither of them could be reached for pack matters.

"Oh? What about?" Renji sheaths his sword in one fluid motion, arms crossed over his chest. "Something to do with the pack? Or is this about Rukia?"

The mention of his younger sister has Byakuya sighing softly as he shakes his head. "There's nothing I can do about Rukia at the moment. Even if I wanted to go out and look for her, the timing is off. The timing is what I wanted to talk to you about."

"The timing." Renji echoes slowly. "What about it? Something going on I don't know about?"

"Not yet." Byakuya knows he should get to the point, to ask Renji outright to be his heat partner, but the prospect is difficult and his mouth refuses to form the correct words. "Are you... preoccupied in the next week or so? Perhaps with a prospective partner?"

"Am I... What?" Renji furrows his brows. "What are you asking, Taicho?"

Byakuya barely barely resists the urge to sigh once more. "Are you involved with anyone?"

"Oh. No. I'm not even thinking about that right now. Courting is a pain in the ass— A bother, I mean." Renji shrugs, and Byakuya watches a droplet of sweat roll over one of his tattoos. "There's no one, so I'm not busy this week. Why are you asking?"

Perhaps Byakuya had read Yoruichi wrong, then, when he thought she was lying to him about Renji having an interest in someone. "If I asked you to do something that would take a week or so, do you have any standing plans that would conflict with such a thing?"

"No. If there's something you need me to do, Taicho, all you need to do is ask." Renji cocks his head. "But you have to tell me what it is you need me to do."

"You shouldn't so readily agree to something if I haven't specified the terms or the request yet." Byakuya bites his tongue. The last thing he should be doing is chastising the man he came here to ask for help. "You may be aware that I take heat suppressants."

Renji is quiet, dragging his teeth over his lower lip before nodding once. "I'd guessed as much when you never took off any time for yourself. I didn't smell anything different on you. It was either that or you just didn't go into heat at all. Anyway, you going off of them for a while and want me to keep an eye on the pack? I can do that for you."

"Not quite, though you have the spirit of the idea." This conversation is taking too long, and it's entirely Byakuya's fault. "It's been years since I've started taking them, and this will be the first time I've stopped. As a result, I need a companion for the duration."

"Are you asking for recommendations? I can't think of— Oh. Oh, you're not." Renji swallows so hard his throat clicks. Byakuya can see his Adam's apple bob hard with the movement.

Byakuya frowns. "If you aren't interested in accompanying me during this time, there would be no punishment for such a thing. I merely thought to ask you."

"Aren't interested? Taicho, you can't be serious— Of course you're serious. You wouldn't think to make that joke." Renji drags a hand over his face, wiping sweat off of his skin as he goes. "I didn't think that you of all people would ask me to be your heat partner."

The exact meaning of his words is hard to detect, so Byakuya does not stress over it. Best to be blunt and honest. "You are the only alpha worthy of such a task. However, you can say no."

Renji whips his head up so fast that Byakuya's neck twinges in sympathy. "You don't need to."

"Are you accepting, then?" Byakuya asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, I am. I just, I didn't expect you to ask me." Renji's hands move of their own accord, adjusting the tie in his hair. "But if you are asking me to do this for you, I will. It would be an honor to spend your heat with you, Taicho. Just tell me when and I'm there."

Relief washes over Byakuya, hardening his resolve. This situation might not be ideal, but he knows he can trust Renji where he might not be able to trust others. "The date has been constant for the last dozen years, so it should begin in two days."

"You're cutting it close, then, huh?" Renji smiles, and it feels natural, good-natured, more him than his earlier behavior. "No worries. I can be ready by then. All I have to do is show up and take care of you. Ah, you should probably make a list of whatever it is you think you might want to eat. We can always adjust, I just know some omegas prefer certain foods."

Byakuya blinks. "Take care of... No. You'll simply accompany me for the intimate part of the encounter. I don't expect you to do anything else for me outside of that. I shouldn't need it."

"You say that like you really do believe it's true." Renji muses.

The words have Byakuya frowning hard. "What is that supposed to mean exactly?"

"You haven't had a single heat cycle in twelve years and you really think all you'll need me around for is sex?" The bluntness of the statement has Byakuya scowling but Renji plows on, ignoring him. "You're going to be exhausted. You think a week in a heat cycle is going to be fine for you, that you'll just shake it off? You'll be tired enough you won't even want to get out of bed, much less try to make yourself something to eat. If all alphas were needed for was sex, we'd have been factored entirely out of the equation a long time ago."

"I think you've forgotten that I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I'm far from helpless and I would never need someone else to take care of me." Byakuya reminds him.

Renji holds his hands up in front of him, palms out, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "All right. We'll see when we get there if you decide you want me for more or not."

"Two days. I'll be making certain preparations so that I can afford to be absent during that time. You'll come to my quarters. Ordinarily, I wouldn't mind either room, I don't think, but this is the first time in years and the comfort might be necessary." Most omegas nest in their own bedrooms anyway, the most secure location they can feel vulnerable. "I would like to err on the side of caution so this goes as smoothly as possible."

"You think I'll argue with you on that? This is your heat." Renji tells him.

Well, at least they appear to be on the same page about one aspect of this. "Come early in the morning just to be safe. Bring whatever clothing you think will be necessary—"

"You really haven't done this in years. Clothing? You won't want me to wear it." There's a cocksure quality to Renji's voice but something sincere in his eyes stays Byakuya's hand when his fingers twitch with the desire to scruff the incorrigible man in front of him. "I'll bring what might be necessary but you need to trust that I know what I'm talking about."

Letting someone else take the lead does not sit right with Byakuya. He knows better, that Renji would never truly attempt such a thing, that Renji is trying to put Byakuya before his own foolish notions. Erring on the side of caution, just as Byakuya had said a moment ago, because Renji may be foolish and loud and arrogant, but he's treated Byakuya with nothing less than sincerity and he wouldn't take advantage of a situation like this one. It may be the singular part of this situation that Byakuya can say he has confidence in.

Allowing someone into his private quarters when he may be as his most vulnerable physically requires trust, and Byakuya knows that better than most. Letting Hisana in had been difficult enough, and he knew he could trust her in all ways. They had been married, after all. If he distrusts Renji with any of the smaller details, then the larger picture itself is not something he should be able to handle at all. He knows that, though it may be hard to put into practice.

Renji takes a step forward, one hand carefully extended, his expression guarded. "Taicho, I know it's a big deal for you. I understand that, I do. I'm not trying to make this difficult, but maybe I should be a little more serious about this conversation."

"You're being honest. I can value that much." Byakuya considers his hand, wonders if Renji thinks he needs the touch right now. It's a valuable thing, touch, for creatures like them. Physical contact is soothing, though Byakuya hardly indulges with anyone outside of Yoruichi, and she has the benefit of being his friend long before he ever came to be who he is today. "Do I seem particularly distressed to you? You're attempting to touch me."

"You're misreading almost everything I say as something negative. It's just... reassurance." Renji shrugs, his hand floating in the air between them, hovering uncertainty.

Byakuya takes pity on him, seizing him by the wrist and drawing his hand closer, his hold loosening so Renji can choose which part of Byakuya he wants to touch. It still takes his breath away just a little when Renji's fingers slide over his cheek, the rough calluses on his fingers an interesting texture against Byakuya's skin. There's something intimate about just this, Renji cupping Byakuya's cheek, thumb brushing along the high line of his cheekbone.

"There. See? Not so bad." Renji's smiles softly, and Byakuya lets go of his wrist, letting himself lean into the touch just the smallest bit. "I'll be a good heat partner for you. I swear that."

"You better. I don't particularly want to choose a different partner." Byakuya wonders how long it must have been since someone last truly touched him that this is a little overwhelming.

Renji's palm is warm against his cheek and Byakuya wants to nuzzle against it but stops himself. He thinks Renji can read it on his face, though. "I won't make you do that. I'll be whatever you need me to be and do what you need me to do. You know you can trust me. I'm your second, right? Your pack beta. I wouldn't betray you when you need me."

"Good. I'm trusting you with this." Byakuya takes a deep breath and regretfully takes a step back, needing to put distance between them. "I have arrangements to make, as I said. Preparations to ensure I can step away as needed. If you have any to make, I suggest you do the same. I won't be able to put my heat off once it arrives."

Renji nods once. "Of course, Taicho. Ah, but one thing? Feel free to say no."

Byakuya stills. "What is it, Renji?"

"A kiss. Just one." Renji's lips twitch before he smoothes out his expression and Byakuya inhales slowly. "Consider it a taste of what's to come. Something I can use to suitably prepare myself for what's to come."

"Fine." Byakuya nods once; this isn't a difficult request, and Renji is willing to do something so paramount for him. "One kiss is acceptable."

Occasionally, he forgets how quickly Renji moves. A flash of crimson and Renji is in front of him, hands carefully cradling Byakuya's face while Renji lays a soft and gentle kiss on his lips. It isn't what Byakuya expects, nothing rough or passionate, nothing bruising. There's no teeth, no growling, nothing that he would have expected from someone like Renji. Instead, Renji kisses him slowly and carefully, his hands so light on Byakuya's face, his body radiating warmth. His scent clouds Byakuya's senses for a moment, threatening to bring him under.

"Thank you." Renji takes a step back, gives him a familiar grin. "Two days, Taicho."

"Two days." Byakuya echoes, bowing his head. "Thank you for your assistance, Renji."

He better not make Byakuya regret this choice.