The spring air is fragrant with the scent of flowering cherry blossom trees.

Renji has an armful of the blossoms when he walks back into the bathroom, careful not to disturb the path of pale petals leading toward the basin itself. With a careful touch, he sets each cherry blossoms on the surface of the water, nudging them outward so they dot the surface of the still, perfumed water. Every choice was carefully made to compliment Byakuya’s sweet natural scent, made all the more floral by this time of year. The entire house smelled of cherry blossoms, of a happy pack alpha during his favorite time of year.

Though today, Byakuya is absent from the house. Per Renji’s request, Yoruichi had come to gather him from the house earning this morning, dragging him off into the trees and to the lake now that the heavy ice on its surface has melted and the water has returned to its pleasantly cool temperature. If Byakuya suspected anything, it had not shone in his eyes as he gave Renji a goodbye kiss and told him he would be back soon.

The house carries a new scent, a different floral scent, an echoing note against Byakuya’s own, a different scent that never failed to catch Renji’s own. The pups. Pregnant omegas never failed to turn up the truth in their scents, and though Renji can smell it now, Yoruichi suggested she was able to pick it up far earlier, that werecats had far sharper noses. He has no way of knowing, but he pauses in the hallway, inhaling deeply just the same. Byakuya’s cherry blossom, and plum blossom beneath. The perfect duality.

His heart thuds a little harder against his ribs, swelling, and he thinks briefly that there will be a few rooms for it soon. That the space behind his ribs is simply not large enough.

When he steps out onto the front porch, he shifts into wolf form and bounds across the grass and into the trees, following the familiar path into the woods and to the lake. He can hear laughter, can see some of the pack splashing about in the water, but he stops short when he sees Byakuya sitting on the bank with Yoruichi kneeling at his back. Her hands are tied up in his hair, and Renji can see pale pink blossoms tucked into his hair.

He tilts his head at the precise moment that Renji shifts back and stands, walking up to him in his human shape. As per the usual, Byakuya is the most beautiful man Renji has ever seen. The cherry blossoms tucked into the heavy black satin fall of his fair mirror the soft rosy glow in his cheeks, his grey eyes showing up more lavender against the soft florals. Even his chosen clothing for the day— a pale pink kimono lush with flowers— makes him look soft and warm and Renji wants to sink to his knees and kiss him.

Why debate about it, though? Renji takes a knee in the grass and cups Byakuya’s cheek, not missing the way his omega leans into his touch, his eyes softening impossibly. “Sorry to keep you waiting, Taicho. I had a few things to finish up back at home.”

“So you said when I left this morning.” Byakuya murmurs. “What have you been up to?”

“Something I could show you. It’s ready now.” As if on cue, Yoruichi drifts away from Byakuya, scooting up against Urahara instead and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “That is, if you’re ready to go back. I know it’s a nice day out.”

Byakuya turns his back on the lake and looks up at Renji, his gaze direct. “I am ready.”

“If you say so.” Renji leans close to him, his nose brushing against Byakuya’s for a brief moment before he kisses him, sealing their mouths together.

There was no hesitation or timidity in the way Byakuya returned the kiss, his hand curling around the back of Renji’s neck to keep him close. He curls closer, fitting the soft curves of his body against the harsher angles of Renji’s own. And it lets Renji feel the press of his abdomen, finally swelling noticeably with the life of their pups inside of him. Renji smoothes a hand over it while he kisses Byakuya, pride warming his gut. When Byakuya sighs softly against his lips, he tries to ignore the phantom sensation of his tail wagging.

“You’re full of yourself.” Byakuya tells him, but he hardly seems to mind, lacing his fingers together with Renji’s, their hands protecting that visible bump of flesh. “Let’s go now.”

Renji helps him to his feet and wraps an arm around his waist, guiding Byakuya along the path, his nose twitching with the double scent of cherry blossoms, the sweeter notes of Byakuya’s natural scent and the flowers, whose petals flutter softly in the spring breeze. And beneath that, the softer plum blossom of their pups. Renji couldn’t wait to meet them, to hold each of them in his arms and nuzzle into their hair, learning their scents and imprinting them onto his memories so he would never be able to forget.

When they reach the edge of the clearing, Renji sweeps Byakuya off of his feet, ignoring his omega’s protests. “No, I’m carrying you. I did something special for you.”

“I can walk.” Byakuya reminds him, but Renji only smiles and Byakuya subsides, leaning into his embrace. “Are you going to be this ridiculous the entire time I’m pregnant?”

“I dunno.” Renji muses, “But once you’re heavier, you’re going to want me to carry you around. Retsu said your ankles are gonna swell up so much from the strain of carrying more weight that you’re gonna want to stay off of them as much as possible.”

Byakuya is quiet, thoughtful. “I suppose that’s true. You should prepare to carry me, then.”

Renji kisses the top of his head, hiding his smile in Byakuya’s soft, dark hair.

He sets Byakuya down just inside of the doorway where the trail of petals begins, and Byakuya studies it for a moment before turning soft, understanding eyes to Renji. Instead of asking, he merely follows the trail, and Renji stays a few steps behind, watching each step Byakuya takes. When he reaches the bathroom doorway, Renji can hear his soft gasp.

“I know you told me not to do it again.” Renji murmurs, pressing his back against Byakuya’s chest, nuzzling into the side of his neck, “But today… Is a perfect day, and I don’t want to wait any longer to let everyone in our pack know that you’re my mate.”

When Byakuya turns his head, Renji can’t quite pick apart the complex tangle of emotions in those soft grey eyes. “I take back what I said. You can do this as much as you want.”

“Good. I will.” Renji catches Byakuya’s jaw in his hand, presses a kiss to his lips. “I want to pamper you and spoil you as much as you’re going to let me. If you’re carrying our pups, then you should let me take care of you. It’s not weakness. It’s just my gratitude.”

His hands brush over Byakuya’s obi gently and there is no argument as he undresses Byakuya, careful with the delicate kimono and Byakuya’s smooth, bare skin. He lets Renji gather him up in his arms again, and naked, there is no hiding the curve of Byakuya’s stomach, the visible evidence of the growth of their pups. Without hesitation, Renji sinks to his knees, presses soft and tender kisses to Byakuya’s stomach. One for each of his pups and one for Byakuya himself, the epitome of perfection Renji so desperately clawed for. The one omega he was certain would never be his own.

Carefully, he holds Byakuya’s hand while Byakuya steps into the bathtub, lowering himself into the perfumed warmth of the water. Instead of joining him, Renji kneels on the floor behind him, hands settling on the pale curves of his shoulders, fingers kneading the muscles there until they soften beneath his touch, the tension draining from them. Byakuya sighs and his head tilts forward, and when Renji sweeps the curtain of his hair over one shoulder, he can see the pale, untouched flesh of Byakuya’s throat.

“You don’t have to do all of this for me.” Byakuya tells him, and Renji laughs, because he’s wanted to do this, and more, for longer than he cares to remember. “Thank you, though.”

“Of course.” Renji kisses him on the shoulder and Byakuya purrs softly. “Just relax and enjoy the bath. I want you to be as calm and relaxed as possible today.”

He has to pluck the blossoms from Byakuya’s hair in order to wash it, sending them floating across the surface of the water while he works his fingers through the silky weight of Byakuya’s long black hair. The sunlight streaming in through the window, bathing the entire room in a warm yellow glow, shows up the violet highlights hidden in his hair, and Renji is once again bowled over at just how beautiful Byakuya is, how perfect. And Byakuya is his.

Skilled hands take their time rinsing the shampoo from Byakuya’s hair, and the conditioner after until his hair is smooth and shiny. It takes some leaning to wash his actual body but Byakuya is happy to assist him, giggling when Renji, of course, ends up splashing himself with water. When his hand skitters over Byakuya’s stomach, Byakuya seizes his wrist and holds it there for just a moment before letting him go.

He stays resolutely away from the space between Byakuya’s thighs. Not in here. Not yet.

“You smell like an entire garden of flowers.” Renji admits, helping Byakuya out of the tub, moving to wrap him up in soft and fluffy towels. “I just want to lie down and roll in it.”

Snorting at him, Byakuya shakes his head. “How like an alpha.”

“You’ve never rolled in any flower beds in your time, huh?” Renji teases, and he enjoys the way Byakuya flushes even as he lifts his chin, ever the defiant one. “I hope that was good for you. I wanted to make sure it was nice and warm for you.”

“It was wonderful.” When Renji guides Byakuya to sit down on a chair in the room, though, he frowns. “What are we doing now though? I thought we—”

“We will.” Renji picks up the bottle of oil Yoruichi had given him, guaranteed to relax any omega. “But I’m not done pampering you just yet, you know.”

To his surprise, Byakuya falls quiet, and Renji focuses on massaging the oil into his muscles, wishing he could erode the years of tension and stress and pain Byakuya has gone through. But he can’t, so he settles for working steadily but slowly, massaging his back and each of his limbs and his shoulder until Byakuya mewls softly, his eyes drifting shut, lashes casting pretty dark shadows on the highest points of his cheekbones.

When Byakuya is relaxed and limp with pleasure, only then does Renji move, picking him up and carrying him down the hall to the bedroom. The bedding is fresh and new and soft, and Byakuya makes a small content noise when Renji lies him down on the futon. He rolls on his side, scrubbing his cheek against the pillow under his head while Renji shrugs out of his clothing, some of it damp and all of it in his immediate way.

“Come here.” Byakuya stretches a hand out to him and Renji takes it, lets Byakuya draw him down into the safety and warmth of the next.

“I’m glad you like it.” Renji loops an arm around his waist and nuzzles into his hair, still soft and damp and heavy with the scent of flowers. “Kept watching the way you made your nests so that I’d know how to make a nice one for you.”

Byakuya croons softly and Renji shivers all over at the sound. “You did a wonderful job.”

“Anything for you.” Renji whispers. He hopes Byakuya knows he means it.

“I know.” Byakuya shifts closer to him, pressing the lengths of their bodies together, and nudges his nose against Renji’s cheek. It’s a gentle touch, almost shy. “You have always been willing to do anything for me. Even helping me through my heat when I was nothing but stubborn and cold to you. I fought you so much even though I wanted it.”

The memory makes Renji’s heart ache in old but fresh ways. He’d wanted to take care of Byakuya so badly, almost broken over how foreign so much of it seemed to him. How many times has he sworn to himself to be everything Byakuya wants and needs, to teach him that he should be able to have everything at his fingertips?

One more time will hardly kill him.

“You were scared, I think. It was overwhelming for you, having to cede so much control.” Renji strokes a hand down his side, over the soft swell of his hip. “You’ve opened up a lot since then. Even Rukia thinks so. We’re all so proud of you.”

Byakuya’s hand comes to rest on top of his chest, over his heart. “Because you refused to give up on me, Renji. I… Thank you. You’ve been a loyal pack beta, a dear friend, and a wonderful lover and partner. You are going to make an incredible father.”

“So are you.” Renji covers Byakuya’s hand with his own. “Let me make love to you.”

“How could I ever say no?” Byakuya closes the distance between their lips.

Renji lies there just kissing him for a moment, enjoying the sweet taste of his lips, the gentle pressure of them against his own. He’s distracted enough not to notice when Byakuya’s hand wraps around his neck, fingers stroking along the length of it, teasing the vein pulsing along the underside. When Byakuya chuckles against his lips, Renji licks the sound out of his mouth, rutting himself up into Byakuya’s tight grip.

“Eager.” Byakuya murmurs, but the pink flush in his cheeks and the breathless tone of his voice said it all. He was eager, too. “Let me, Renji. You always take care of me.”

“I like taking care of you.” Renji reminds him. “You don’t owe me anything.”

This time, Byakuya’s smile is dark with promise. “I know that. I want to do it.”

Arguing with him would be pointless and besides, why? Renji merely nods and Byakuya pushes him onto his back, sliding down the length of his body to settle between his legs. When he tosses his legs over Renji’s thigh, Renji grins wickedly, recognizing the position from the first time they’d had sex together. Byakuya only flashes him the tiniest little grin before wrapping his lips around the head of Renji’s cock, tongue soft and warm.

The inside of Byakuya’s mouth is velvety soft and wet, his tongue wicked as it strokes over Renji’s cock. With practiced motions, he takes Renji into the base of his throat and when he’s taken him all, Renji stretches a hand down, stroking along the plush flesh of one soft thigh before his fingers slip between them. He can feel the slight stutter of Byakuya’s tongue when he rubs his fingers over the slick pink of his folds, parting them around his fingers, unsurprised to find Byakuya already wet for him.

“If I’d known you enjoyed it this much, I’d have let you suck me off more often.” Renji muses, chuckling softly when Byakuya looks at him with reproachful eyes.

But it doesn’t slow his progress, so it must not be so bad. Renji almost just wants to lean back into the sheets, let Byakuya service him with those plush, soft lips and the sweet wetness of his tongue. Every bob of his head sends a lick of pleasure up Renji’s spine, every suck drawing a low noise from his throat. It would be heaven to bask in it— But Renji doesn’t, stroking his fingers over Byakuya’s clit until he whines and squirms slightly.

Renji knows Byakuya’s body almost as well as he knows his own, knows how to touch him and where. Keeps his strokes light and easy until he slips a finger back, gliding over the slickness and curling into the source. The soft moan vibrates along his shaft and he swears softly, curling his finger against where Byakuya is most sensitive, watching his feet kick out weakly at the pressure. So Renji adds a second finger and massages that one little spot, thumb stroking irregular little circles over Byakuya’s clit.

To his credit, not driven by his heat, Byakuya manages to hold out far longer. Holds out long enough that Renji has to gather all that soft black hair up in one hand, pulling Byakuya’s mouth away from his cock. “You gotta stop, I can’t last much longer.”

“Is that so?” Byakuya gives his shaft one last kittenish lick and Renji can feel the slick muscle wrapped around his fingers squeeze tight. “I suppose you need to learn control.”

“Maybe so.” Renji smirks down at him and Byakuya shifts his thighs wider apart, letting Renji’s fingers sink deeper into him. “Let me return the favor now.”

“You won’t let me do anything for you, will you?” Byakuya asks, and the question sends a bolt of warmth through Renji’s chest. So Byakuya is thinking about their first time having sex together, too. “I suppose I can allow that. Make sure that I do not regret it.”

They switch places, Byakuya bending his knees and spreading his thighs, an opening offering that has Renji kissing down his body faster than he intends. His mouth still lingers over Byakuya’s stomach for just a moment before a firm hand on his head pushes him down the rest of the way, his tongue sliding over Byakuya’s folds and drawing a soft moan from his lips. Already teased by Renji’s fingers, he’s flushed a pretty pink and slick, the sunlight giving his skin a soft sheen. Renji still takes his time, spreading him open with his fingers, parting his labia to lick at the soft, sensitive flesh they cover.

The pressure of Byakuya’s thighs against his head, keeping him trapped in place, has him smirking against Byakuya’s slick cunt. He looks up at him, making eye contact and licking a wet, lewd stripe from his perineum up over his clit, drinking in the way Byakuya throws his head back on a moan. It’s the most beautiful sound Renji has ever heard.

“You taste just as good as the first time,” Renji tells him, working a finger into his tight entrance, stroking along the slick channel, feeling the walls clamping down tight around him with need and want. “I’ll spend hours here after I’ve marked you.”

“Gods, yes.” Byakuya rolls his hips down and Renji gives him another finger to work with, opening him up slowly and carefully even though he knows Byakuya can take him hard and fast. It isn’t about what he can take, it’s about what Renji is going to give him. “I’ll let you this time. I’ll just lie here and let you do whatever you want to me.”

“Now there’s a thought.” Renji could keep him sated in bed all day long, could eat him out until his tongue was numb and his head ached and his jaw was sore.

His tongue returns, mapping out the soft pink flesh while he eases in another finger, and a fourth, listening to the slick, lewd wet noises every time he flexes his wrist. It’s enough to have Byakuya’s hands submerged in his hair, pulling hard enough that Renji might lose some of it, not that he minds. All it is is proof that he can pleasure his omega, give him everything he needs and wants and more, keep him submerged in it.

Just the same, his hand is shaking slightly when he finally shifts back up onto his knees, wrapping his slick hand around his cock because it’s really all he needs. He looks down for just a moment at Byakuya, flush spreading down to his chest, legs open for him, wet and ready and stretched. The round of his belly, their pups curled up together inside safe and warm. Kuchiki Byakuya is everything Renji has ever wanted in a mate, and more.

If he could change anything, he could have been warmer when they heard the news. Would have given Byakuya the praise and attention he deserves. Other than that, Renji regrets nothing and is happy to finally be here, having Byakuya looking at him with such loving eyes.

“I love you,” he says, and the words drip from his lips like honey. “I’ve always loved you, but I just… I want you to know, that I love you and I’ll never stop.”

Byakuya’s hand is soft on his cheek, fingers brushing along his jaw. “I love you, too. I thought… Renji, I would have spent the rest of my days alone if you hadn’t come into my life. You took care of me when I was vulnerable. You stood at my side. There is no man better suited to becoming my mate than you.”

“If there was, he’d have to kill me to get to you,” Renji mutters, and Byakuya laughs at him, a sound that bubbles up out of his chest and warms Renji to his core.

He leans down, needing to taste Byakuya’s lips against his own as he guides the head of his cock inside, Byakuya’s legs already folding neatly around his waist. He’s tight and wet and perfect, heat seeming to fit the length of Renji’s cock as if they were made to be together. When Renji’s hips bump against his, Byakuya arches up against him, legs tightening, keeping Renji right where he is inside of him.

His weight settles down against Byakuya’s body carefully, aware of the fragile life between them both, soft skin curving up against his abs with how close they are. Byakuya whimpers and nuzzles against his legs, thighs shifting against his hips nervously, a silent plea for more , for Renji to move. And who is he to deny Byakuya anything and everything?

Every movement is slow and fluid, Renji bracing his weight on his forearms, keeping his body above Byakuya’s so as not to crush him. Their bodies are pressed close together just the same, Byakuya’s heels digging into the small of his back, body jolting with each thrust. He feels perfect, so tight, walls rippling around Renji’s cock so that the sensation is just a little different each time, driving him crazy. Byakuya is the only partner to ever make him feel this good just with his body, without even having to try.

He looks down into those eyes— as pale a grey as the dawn, ink-black lashes— and kisses Byakuya again. He has to. He can’t possibly get enough of him like this.

“Renji.” Byakuya’s voice is low, husky with desire, fingers spreading across Renji’s shoulder blades as he clings to him. “It feels so good, I’m— Please, I need—”

“Easy, baby.” Renji licks a wet stripe up the side of his throat and Byakuya whines and arches it for him, presenting it. Asking Renji silently to mark him. “Tell me what you need, Byakuya. I want to hear you say it with that pretty mouth of yours.”

To his surprise, Byakuya’s fingers dig into his shoulders. “Let me on top.”

“What position?” Renji asks, though he thinks he knows in the back of his mind.

“Like the first time,” Byakuya says, and Renji’s heart careens into his ribs. “When I was in your lap and you were holding me. I want it to be like that. Please, alpha.”

“Yes, omega.” Absolutely. As if Renji would ever argue with him about this.

He doesn’t pull out. Rather, he just slides his arms under Byakuya’s back and picks him up, careful not to jostle him too much as he sits back and lets Byakuya settle down on his lap. The shift in position has Byakuya keening, impossibly full, but he doesn’t try to squirm away from it. Instead he bears it, head thrown back, body shining with sweat, and Renji presses his nose into Byakuya’s throat as he helps him adjust. Is still gasping when Byakuya’s hands come down hard on his shoulders, holding him in place while he rides him.

Renji doesn’t have to knot him this time, not with him already pregnant, so he lets Byakuya ride him, slides his hands over Byakuya’s thighs and helps guide him. Watching him is hypnotic, lidded eyes and swollen lips and gasping and panting and moaning, squeezing tight around Renji’s cock with every slick slide of their bodies together. And he can feel Byakuya’s stomach, pressed this close to him. It’s too much and everything all at once.

He’s pretty sure he’s never going to know what it’s like to love someone like this ever again.

The moment Byakuya is close, Renji eyes his throat before sweeping all of that long black hair back behind Byakuya’s shoulders, pulling him close and helping him, grinding up into him until Byakuya’s entire body seizes and he screams, clamping down tight, gushing hot and wet and Renji’s eyes roll because it’s enough, he’s been on the edge since he had Byakuya’s mouth on him. And this time, he doesn’t have to be careful.

He drags his tongue over Byakuya’s throat and bites, and Byakuya screams again.

Soft skin gives way to his teeth and breaks, and Renji can taste the coppery tang of blood on his tongue even as he presses his teeth in deeper. He knows the science of it to an extent, that it intensifies the orgasm for an omega, letting them feel nothing but pleasure. When Byakuya shudders softly in his arms, he backs off and licks, lapping away the blood and soothing the pain. An alpha’s saliva can help stop the bleeding, can soothe the wound.

Byakuya shivers in his arms and Renji holds him, nuzzles and licks the wound until the blood clots, until Byakuya wants to shift off of him. He’s as careful as he can be, helping Byakuya up and lying him down in the nest, curling up against him and around him. His eyes are softer than Renji has ever seen them and they flutter shut when he turns to soothing the wound. It’s deep, and the scar will be prominent. Everyone will know Byakuya is bonded.

“Thank you.” Byakuya’s fingers cup the back of his neck, keeping him close. “For this. For everything. For loving me even when I couldn’t have returned your feelings.”

Renji huffs softly against the side of his neck. “When have you ever needed to thank me?”

“I feel the need to. I was spiralling and I don’t think anyone else could have stopped it.” Byakuya’s fingers comb through the hair at the nape of his neck. “Thank you for loving me, and for giving me the pups I never knew I wanted until I had them.”

To his credit, Renji tries not to whine at the words even though he wants to.

He draws the blanket up over their bodies and Byakuya curls up against him, safe and warm and soft in his arms, and Renji kisses him again and again because how can he help himself? He runs his fingers through Byakuya’s silky soft hair, spreading it out across the pillow, and he wants to brush it, but he doubts Byakuya will let him leave the nest any time soon. So be it; there are worse things in the world than having a clingy mate who wants affection and attention, to be pampered and spoiled and—

Mate. Kuchiki Byakuya is his mate now. His and no one else’s.

“Alpha,” Byakuya whines, the sound sweet and heavenly to Renji’s ears. He moves automatically, pulling Byakuya as close to him as he can, rubbing his hands over Byakuya’s bare back until his omega quiets against him, nuzzling into his chest.

Carefully, he touches the edge of the mark with his fingers, and Byakuya only makes a low noise in the back of his throat and otherwise does not move. He looks at Renji with exhausted eyes and Renji smiles and kisses him again, tasting the sweetness of his mouth, coaxing him to kiss back until Byakuya’s hands are knotted in his hair.

He could spend the rest of the day just like this and be content with it.

The sunlight makes the room warm and cozy, the nest slightly rumpled but still comfortable and warm, still so thoroughly scented with Byakuya’s sweet cherry blossoms that Renji feels at ease here. He strokes a hand down Byakuya’s side to his hip, palming the swell of it, letting his hand rest there as he nuzzles into Byakuya’s hair.

“Kuchiki Renji does have a nice ring to it,” Byakuya finally breathes, tilting his head back to look up at Renji. “It’s my way of showing the entire pack who you belong to now.”

Renji snorts. “I don’t think there was ever any doubt about that, Bya. They all know.”

“I like that nickname. You’re the only one who calls me that.” Byakuya preens and Renji’s heart does a somersault at the sight. Will he ever get used to this? Probably not. “You’re the only one allowed to use it, I’ve just decided. Pack alpha’s word.”

“Guess the others are just gonna have to deal.” And Renji grins despite himself, pressing a loud, smacking kiss against Byakuya’s forehead. When Byakuya giggles, he wheezes softly.

They fall asleep like that, limbs tangled together, the pups sandwiched between their bodies, Byakuya breathing soft and warm against his shoulder while Renji keeps his face tucked into Byakuya’s hair and the sweet, floral perfume of his mate and children.

Their world, for a moment, narrowed to one perfect moment. Renji would never forget it.