“I was thinking about your offer.” Having a conversation like this is a strange experience but Byakuya does not like to beat around the bush if he can avoid doing so. The conversation might be a difficult one for him, but what excuse could he possibly have? He’s sitting astride Renji’s lap with Renji’s knot firmly inside of him, wedding their bodies together.

Renji opens his eyes slowly. With his back propped against several pillows and Byakuya heavy in his lap, he must be exhausted. The week has been exhausting and they still have a couple of days to go based on the way Byakuya’s body has slowly been letting up on desperation and need and desire. This is more like what a typical heat should feel like, Byakuya thinks, and he doesn’t mind it so much, the dull ache in his stomach that is easily sated by Renji’s hands and mouth and attention. It doesn’t… Quite feel like betrayal as much as it did.

“What offer?” Renji asks, voice soft and throaty, slurred from sleep. Byakuya savors the sound. There’s pride to be found in being able to tire out his alpha so much.

“About taking you on as my heat partner.” As soon as the words leave Byakuya’s lips, Renji’s eyes widen comically, his mouth falling open. “I’ve been considering it since you mentioned it to me, as such a topic would require serious thought.”

Slowly, Renji closes his mouth and swallows so hard Byakuya can hear his throat click. “Yeah.” he finally agrees. “So, you finally come to a conclusion on that thought process?”

“I did.” Byakuya runs his fingers over one of the tattoos on Renji’s chest, tracing the dark ink with the tips of his fingers. “I’ve decided there is not an alpha more suited to the position.”

“Oh. Shit.” Renji rubs a hand over his jaw and Byakuya cocks his head at him, not quite sure he understands the meaning of the words. “I just, I mean— I didn’t think you’d say yes. I know I’m the one who brought it up so don’t look at me like that, but I just… Wow.”

Byakuya resists the urge to roll his eyes. Such a childish response is unbecoming even if it is immediate. “You have taken ample care of me during this time. I don’t see why not.”

“I’ll take care of you through all your heats. Doesn’t bother me.” Renji’s hands come to rest on Byakuya’s hips, thumbs brushing over the tops of them carefully. “Like I said, this doesn’t necessarily have to be a two-way street. Alphas during ruts can be hard to handle—”

Leaning forward, Byakuya rests the pads of his fingers on top of Renji’s lips to silence him. “I assure you that I am more than capable. So I would like to reciprocate this offer. Would you like me to be your partner during your ruts?”

From the way Renji’s mouth gapes open beneath Byakuya’s touch and the way his eyes continue to widen, Byakuya wonders if his brain might have short-circuited. It takes him a moment to collect himself, spluttering softly, and Byakuya can’t help the very small, very fond smile that touches the corners of his lips at the sight. Once, Yoruichi told him that he could have had an alpha eating out of the palm of his hand if he was so inclined, but Byakuya only responded she should be careful of testing his power as an alpha herself. No part of him ever truly believed he would end up in a position such as this one.

“Okay.” Renji wets his lips and nods, a quick and jerky motion that is very unlike him. “I mean, if you’re offering, and you are, then I’d, uh, be an idiot to turn you down, huh?”

“I would agree with such a statement.” Byakuya says demurely, shifting his hips when he feels Renji’s knot starting to go down. “It would start rumors among the pack, more so than this already has, but I don’t think I mind that much. I don’t foresee you trying to use this to challenge my position as alpha. You already would have the moment you had the chance.”

Renji rolls his eyes. “Like I’d ever pull that shit during something like this. But you’re sure? I mean, you can always change your mind. I’m not gonna hold you to it like an oath.”

“I’m certain in my decision.” Byakuya slowly lifts himself off of Renji’s cock when he has the chance, collapsing into the sheets next to him. The moment his chest touches the bed Renji is curling against his side, running a soothing hand up and down his back. “Thank you.”

“Well, if you’re sure. And you don’t have to thank me. Taking care of an omega in heat is just what an alpha is supposed to do.” Renji smirks at him, and Byakuya just sighs.

The week has been a better one than Byakuya would have expected, and maybe it’s been a relaxation he needs after everything he’s had to deal with recently in the pack. He pushes himself harder than he should to keep anything from piling up, but attending to all matters big and small immediately while keeping the pack balanced leaves him tired at the end of each day. Coming home to an empty room does not exactly make it easier, but such a matter… Is what is is. At least having a partner during his cycle will allow him to rest.

Renji curls his arm around Byakuya’s waist, pulling him closer, pressing their bodies together as he noses the side of his neck. “I wonder if the pack’s gone down in flames just yet.”

“I trust that Kyoraku and Ukitake could handle any small matters in my absence. At least, they better be able to.” Byakuya had left certain tasks in the hands of two of the only men he trusts with the implication they could come to him if anything important arose. Part of him is both soothed and curious about the fact nothing has come up worth his attention, but it’s probably for the best just the same. “It’s rare for us to have emergencies, anyway.”

“What was the last one? Aizen?” Renji’s nose wrinkles at the mention of the alpha’s name and Byakuya winces. His shoulder aches with phantom pain at the memory.

“It would have been him, yes. I trust the pack knows better than to try that.” he murmurs.

“You sure gave them enough of a warning on that.” Renji’s fingers find the scar on Byakuya’s shoulder. It’s only flesh-deep now. Byakuya could have suffered permanent damage from that, and he can only imagine how much hard are the fights for his position would be with that. “That was the most intense fight I’ve ever seen in my entire life. That’s the real reason I’m scared to fight you. You’d probably just rip my head off.”

Byakuya snorts and tilts his head, watching Renji’s fingers stroke over the jagged scar. Aizen was the strongest of all of Byakuya’s opponents and had given him the best fight of his life as a result, though Byakuya would never want to face him again. The sheer amount of agony he’d gone through when Aizen sank his teeth into Byakuya’s shoulder as hard as he could gave him more than enough experience to last a lifetime, especially when he’d given his head a rough shake and nearly ripped Byakuya’s shoulder out of socket.

“Are you going to exile yourself from the pack and never come back if I do?” Byakuya asks sweetly, smirking when Renji’s head swings in his direction.

He looks confused for a moment before he grins in return, running his nose along Byakuya’s cheek. “Maybe I will. I’d have to sneak back in to get you through your heats.”

“Oh, you would since you already promised to help me.” Byakuya tilts his head when Renji’s lips ghost against his jaw, shivering when Renji plants a kiss against the side of his neck. “They’d be able to smell you, though. You’d be all over my skin once it was over.”

“Good.” Renji’s teeth scrape over his skin and Byakuya moans softly. “I want them to know even a filthy traitor and a loser is more worthy of you than they are.”

The words make Byakuya’s head swim and he barely processes Renji rolling him over onto his back, blanketing Byakuya’s body with his own, one strong hand wrapped tight around Byakuya’s wrists to pin them over his head. His grip isn’t so tight that Byakuya couldn’t shake it if he wanted to but he lets Renji hold him down, a little thrill running down his spine at the thought of surrendering himself in such a way. A startled little moan leaves his lips when Renji’s other hand cups his mound, fingers pressing between his folds and into his entrance.

“You’re a mess, Byakuya.” Renji grins, showing his teeth. There’s something fiercely possessive in that expression and in his eyes which flicker gold for just a moment. “I can feel it.” He presses his fingers up and Byakuya’s hips jolt as he whimpers at the pleasure. “You’re so slick inside from where I knotted you and you still want more from me.”

Byakuya chokes at the lewd quality of the words but then Renji’s mouth is on his, saving him from having to come up with a response. As dirty as the words are, there’s no denying the way Byakuya drags his nails down Renji’s back, rocking down on the fingers inside of him, his hips finding the rhythm of Renji’s fingers for the most pleasure possible.

Renji bites down on his lower lip then runs his tongue over it, leaving Byakuya’s mouth wet and tingling when he starts dragging his teeth over Byakuya’s throat once more. He probably wants to bite, wants to properly mark so everyone knows he was here but he resists and Byakuya claws at his back when Renji’s tongue flicks over one of his nipples. Even as the burning need in his body has finally started to recede, his body’s sensitivity refuses to abide so that every brush of Renji’s mouth and hands, however faint, makes him fall apart.

His tongue is hot and wet and his teeth offer the slightest sting and Byakuya loves the combination, the fact Renji isn’t afraid to be just a little rough with him even if this heat is the first time they’ve ever been together. And when Renji kisses down his body to replace his fingers with his tongue, Byakuya’s hands are in his hair, holding his head in place. He’s so good with his mouth, pinning Byakuya’s hips down against the mattress so he can devour him at his own leisure. Even when Byakuya comes with a hoarse cry, Renji doesn’t stop.

The realization that Renji can taste his own semen between Byakuya’s legs only shoves him forcibly over the edge again so hard his entire body shakes with the force of it.

There are red lines down Renji’s back from Byakuya’s hands and there are bruises on Byakuya’s skin, blue and purple blooming from the force of Renji’s mouth on his skin, sucking visible marks into his skin. And when Renji looks up at him, his eyes burning gold as he sucks, Byakuya falls back against the mattress with a scream that echoes off of the walls.

Even exhausted from three orgasms, his legs fall open when Renji comes to kneel between them and he watches, panting, struggling to catch his breath, as Renji guides his cock inside of him once more. He’s been so careful that it still doesn’t ache the way it should, Byakuya’s body opening around him and welcoming him greedily. Renji groans like it’s the best feeling in the world and Byakuya wraps his legs around Renji’s waist to keep him inside, crossing his ankles demurely in the small of Renji’s back.

“Nothing feels as good as you do like this.” Renji kisses him and Byakuya shivers at the taste of both of their bodies on this mouth, hands fisting in his hair once more. “You want me to give you everything I’ve got? Tell me not to hold back, Byakuya. I won’t.”

Byakuya looks up at Renji like this, this tangled red hair framing his face wildly, his eyes still glowing gold, and he wonders what he did or what he said to trigger this. But he doesn’t care. He just digs his heels into Renji’s skin, gripping his shoulders for something to hold onto. “Don’t hold back.” he says, and Renji’s entire body shudders at the command. “Give me everything.”

Renji’s hips snap forward so hard it makes Byakuya’s entire body move on the mattress and he only manages a soundless little cry before Renji pins him down against the mattress and fucks him. Every thrust is faster and harder than any Byakuya has felt so far, the sound of flesh against flesh echoing in his ears as Renji flexes his physical strength. This close and his scent is intoxicating, the rich woody scent wrapped around Byakuya like that alone wants to hold him down. He can’t do anything but hold on tight and let Renji do as he pleases, the pleasure running white hot through his blood and over his skin.

When Renji kisses him, it’s rough and sloppy and wet and Byakuya opens his mouth to it, biting down on Renji’s lip almost hard enough to draw blood. Renji growls at him for the effort, the sound vibrating against Byakuya’s lips, and pumps into him that much harder.

The force of his fourth orgasm rips another scream from his throat and Renji’s hips press tight against his own, holding their bodies into position while his knot swells inside of Byakuya once more. It’s a miracle Byakuya hasn’t clawed him bloody yet.

“I didn’t expect it’d be that good.” Renji slurs, propped up above Byakuya on his forearms. His eyes are back to their normal dark brown, his face flushed. “Are you okay?”

Byakuya hums at him in acknowledgement, his head stuffed with cotton as he looks up at the alpha above him. Mine, he thinks lazily, running his fingers along the side of Renji’s face just because he can, because the two of them are close, their bodies tied together, Renji’s arms around him, Renji’s body on top of him, Renji’s scent heavy in his nose—

Mine? Is that what I just thought when I looked at him?

“You okay?” Renji repeats slowly, tapping Byakuya gently on the cheek.

“I’m fine.” His heart thuds against his ribs as he slows his breathing and he hopes it doesn’t show even though he’s certain Renji can hear it. “That was… Unexpected.”

Renji laughs softly and lowers himself carefully on top of Byakuya’s body, cautious not to jostle himself too roughly with how they’re still connected. “Sorry. I should’ve turned you over before knotting you but I just… Got wrapped up in it, I guess. Was it what you wanted?”

“It was.” Byakuya is glad when Renji nuzzles against the side of his neck, his eyes laser focused on the ceiling. Did I look at him and think of him as mine? Did I really do that?

“I’m glad. I don’t know where that came from. Thought I was done for the day.” Renji laughs against his skin and presses a kiss just under his jaw, Byakuya answers, curling his arms around Renji’s shoulders. “I was worried I might have hurt you, though. Didn’t I?”

Byakuya shakes his head slowly. “No, you didn’t hurt me. I’m fine. But if you’re tired, rest. I’m sated for now, and this isn’t uncomfortable.”

“You sure?” Renji noses against the scent gland in his throat and Byakuya whines softly at the contact. “If you want me to get off of you, I can hold myself up.”

“I’m certain.” Byakuya reassures him. “Rest, Renji. You’ve long overdue for it.”

Renji’s body slowly grows heavier on top of his but the weight is warm and pleasant, a comfort instead of a compress, and Byakuya could almost allow himself to lull into a short nap as well after that. Instead, his mind is wide awake, turning over the reality of what had come out of his own thoughts at a dizzying speed. What if he had said such a thing out loud? He wouldn’t even have the luxury of being able to think about it and he doesn’t want to know what Renji’s reaction to such a thing might have been.

I shouldn’t have thought such a thing. Renji agreed to assist me when I would have otherwise suffered without him. Byakuya frets at the implications, at the dull thud in his chest. He’s my beta and one of the only men I trust. This doesn’t have to mean anything.

Renji has been taking excellent care of him— But only because Renji is an alpha, and Byakuya is an omega in heat who needs him. Even the smaller touches, drawing his baths and brushing his hair and in general humoring his urges, have been because Renji is a good man and Byakuya was in a vulnerable position… Right?

He would have done this for anyone who needed him, not just Byakuya, but… Byakuya shakes his head, pressing his face into Renji’s hair to ground himself. Sex doesn’t have to mean anything between two people and Renji had grown up in a pack where it was normal to have intimate relationships with friends for the purposes of getting each other through heat and rut, and Byakuya is simply overthinking things because he’s tired and worn out, and because it’s been years since he’s found himself in such a predicament. That’s all.

Besides, he doesn’t want a mate. He doesn’t want a relationship. The pain and anguish he’d gone through the first time was more than enough to last him a lifetime, and he has to pour his effort into keeping his pack together.

Anything else would only slow him down.