Work Text:
Ash stares down at the door to the address Ibe slipped him and... hesitates. Eiji finally escaped all the shit Ash dragged him into and went home. Almost died all because of Ash. Eiji should hate him, loathe what Ash put him through. Maybe this was a mistake, maybe…
"Ash?" Eiji's accent is a bit thicker; Ash can tell just by Eiji saying his name. With this beautiful sound, Ash’s chest aches pleasantly. He clears his throat, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets to tug at lint in the corners.
"You were supposed to wait for me to knock." Ash smirks sheepishly.
Eiji throws his arms around Ash and pulls him close, tight. Indulgently, Ash presses his nose to the sweater Eiji has on. His senses fill with plum blossoms and the fresh, green scent of bamboo. The blonde squeezes him just as tight. The chilly winter wind nips at their ears, and Eiji is quick to invite him inside. Ash gets a formal introduction to Eiji's family.
"So, this is the boy you're so infatuated with?" Eiji's mother circles Ash a little before she sits. She’s watching him, studying Ash like he’s a test of some kind. Ash doesn’t let it bother him, part of him wishes his father had been like her: protective, ensuring the stranger in their house isn’t there to harm her pups. She goes out of her way to go around his side of the table versus Eiji's, undoubtedly trying to commit his scent to memory. Eiji nudges her side gently with a pout, and Ash watches her shoulders relax just a little. He snorts softly at the two of them.
That night, Eiji enthusiastically gives his bed over to Ash. His eyes are bright with the opportunity, gesturing at the piece of furniture like he’s presenting Ash with some offering.
"Nest however you want."
Ash... doesn't nest. When he presented at thirteen, Ash couldn’t bring himself to do much about it. His symptoms caused him to be too volatile to be near, Dino had to have him restrained to sell him out. There's always been too much going on, never a place that felt truly like home, that felt safe enough to put down a root. In fact, Ash hasn't had a heat since he presented, either. He went to a doctor privately in the past just to see if he was dying or something, but... it's mostly for the same reasons he doesn't nest. His environment was so high stress that his body has been in defense mode for as long as he can remember.
Eiji tilts his head at the lack of reaction from Ash. "Do you want me to get you some extra blankets? Pillows?”
Ash looks over at the bed, shrugging his shoulders. "Looks fine to me."
Eiji tilts his head. "But... don't you want to nest?"
"Not really. I wouldn't know how if I tried anyway." Ash stretches, popping here and there. "Come on, let's just get in, it'll be fine." Eiji’s eyes go all wide, and Ash can see the metaphorical puppy ears lowering after he says that. "Here, I'll set some at the end of the bed just in case." Ash just looks at him with a cocked brow but lets the alpha do as he pleases. Ash sleeps on the outside of the bed because he hates feeling trapped. Those blankets resting on top of their feet make him restless. Even after Eiji has fallen asleep.
Ash stares at the ceiling. Fed up with that itch, he finally reaches down to grab an extra pillow. Somewhat satisfied with the way it rests against his back, he pulls some of the blankets up, snuggling beneath them and making sure Eiji has some tucked under him as well. Something builds up in his chest, a tiny little rumble that grows just slightly louder after he finally settles down again. He's snug, but not trapped, and Eiji's body heat is keeping him so very toasty. Ash never knew Japan would be so cold!
When Eiji wakes up, Ash is just a ball of sunshine hair poking from beneath thick quilts. He smiles at the sight, crooning softly. The noise wakes his guest, who grouchily leans forward to thunk his head against Eiji's chest. Softly, Eiji pets his hair. "Did you sleep well, Ash?" Ash just nods silently, slowly starting to give into the temptation of going back to sleep. Eiji nuzzles the top of Ash's head gently, holding him close until his mother walks in. "Eiji! Breakfast!"
Eiji slowly rises from the bed with Ash, who grumpily meanders his way into the dining room. Eiji rubs his back gently, and Ash doesn't flinch at the initial touch for once. Around the afternoon, Eiji helps Ash take the single backpack he brought with him to Eiji's own apartment. Ash likes it almost immediately but stomps on the feeling. This place is not his, no place will ever be his. He doesn't have the privilege of having a place like that. Eiji takes his bag, smiling at Ash brightly. "This is where I stay! It’s not much, but it’s home."
"It's cozy. It smells nice, too." Ash notes, taking his time in looking around. Eiji isn’t a minimalist; Ash can see a few trinkets here and there. Particularly, he takes notes of Eiji’s awards that are off to the side in a small curio. He doesn’t bring them up but does smile a little fondly at the memory of getting watch Eiji vault that barb-wired brick wall. Moving along when Eiji nudges him a little, Ash follows him around as Eiji gives him a small tour. The kitchen is quaint, a little under-used by the looks of the stove. There’s a small balcony that Eiji has two hanging plants on, a little wilted. Eiji takes the opportunity to water them a little, cooing softly. Ash tries not to snicker too loudly at the fact Eiji bothers to talk to his plants.
Showing Ash the spare room, “You can sleep in here! Sorry if things are a little dusty, I don’t use this room for much more than storage.”
“Not with you?” Ash asks, feeling a bit dejected deep down. He doesn't blame Eiji, really. "You can stay with me if you want!" Eiji answers with stars in his eyes. "I figured you'd prefer sleeping alone." Ash shifts his weight a little. Usually, he's so confident about everything. But... being in a new country, Eiji's country, his home, it's... got him a little off kilter. Eiji is the one alpha, the one man who's never wanted anything from him. Not to mention that Ash dragged himself to a whole other country for him, Eiji's got the upper hand here and Ash knows it. Can't help but be aware of it. "Whatever works for you. I'm not picky." Eiji stares at him for a moment, face relaxing easily. "You can ask me for anything you want. You're my guest, Ash." Ash can feel the heat rising to the tips of his ears. "I'd like to stay with you."
Ash is there for a week, wrapped up in a steadily accumulating mass of blankets and pillows he buries himself and Eiji under. Like his body is making up for lost time with nesting, Ash even somehow manages to sneak in some of Eiji's clothes on his side of the bed. Surrounded by Eiji's scent, in Eiji's home, watching Eiji cook and taking care of each other— Eiji. Eiji. Eiji.
Ash wakes up more grumpy than usual, glaring at the sun that pokes through the curtains like an unwelcome alarm. He turns to Eiji, sleeping so peacefully beside him. Ash's mouth waters, and... god. Eiji is just so pretty when he sleeps. His lashes will flutter every so often in a way that makes Ash's chest ache. Eiji's nose twitches, and Ash moves closer to press his nose to Eiji's neck. He just smells so good, so sweet and comforting.
"Mmng... Ash...?" Eiji's arm hugs him close. "Y'smell funny..."
Ash can't be bothered to care, not when his thoughts are consumed by getting more and more of this scent into all of his senses. He draws his tongue across Eiji's neck slowly and— Eiji's hand presses against Ash's chest, and Ash suddenly feels overwhelmed by guilt. What the fuck was that? Why would he do that?
"Ash," Eiji can smell him starting to sour, can see the furrow to those blonde brows, "calm down... I'm not mad. You just startled me." Eiji leans in to nuzzle their foreheads together, quickly soothing the omega who whines at the contact.
“Eiji,” Eiji leans down to smell him, pupils blowing wide before he pulls back. Ash's scent makes his mouth water thickly and his fangs quickly grow—
Slapping a hand over his mouth and nose, Eiji pulls away. "Ash, are you...? When was your last heat?"
Ash struggles to think, breaths slowly getting more labored as his body feels so much hotter than before. "Uh... thir... thirteen? I think. Why?"
“I think you’re going into heat right now.” Eiji starts to get up quickly. “Here, I’ll call my sister, she can help you.”
“No, no, Eiji,” Ash pulls him back, face pressing against Eiji’s neck, “I want you. I’ve wanted you for so long.”
“Ash, I shouldn’t. You’re not in your right mind right now. I’m not going to touch you like this.” Eiji insists, pushing on Ash’s shoulders to lay him back down. Ash’s fingers dig into his wrists at the position, and Eiji quickly backs off. “Sorry, I’m sorry.”
Ash pants heavily, wrapping his arms around his lower abdomen as it cramps tightly. “Eiji, please. I’m perfectly capable of thinking like this. It’s not like I’m having a stroke or something.” Eiji continues hesitating, and Ash huffs in slight annoyance. He’s not made of glass, and he’s taken a hell of a lot more than a knot in his lifetime. “Eiji, look at me.”
Eiji meets his eyes easily, a frown set on his face as he reaches out to touch Ash’s warming forehead and cheeks. “I’m looking.”
“If you don’t want to touch me, can you just… help me to the guest room?” Ash doesn’t hold animosity about Eiji not wanting to touch him. The omega has been touched by so many people he doesn’t blame Eiji if he wants someone a bit purer than Ash is, if he even cares about that kind of thing. Whether or not he does, that sort of thing really matters to people for different reasons.
“That’s not it at all!” Eiji exclaims, leaning down so fast their foreheads bonk! together painfully. “I just… I don’t want to end up like those other men to you. I don’t want you to not have a choice in this.”
Ash stares up at him, eyes widening. The noise bubbles up quietly in his throat, a soft sob he turns into a laugh. “Eiji, come here.” Ash murmurs, fingers tangling in black hair gently to pull him close. Like a magnet, Eiji meets him. Their lips press together softly at first, before Eiji gets more insistent; eager to show Ash that he wants this too, despite being worried about Ash wanting it.
Ash meets him with the same energy. His hands shove under Eiji’s sweater, pushing and pushing until Eiji pulls back to slide it off. Like a man starved, he dives back down for Ash’s lips. He’s not the greatest, and his teeth pinch Ash’s lips. Ash huffs softly in amusement, grinning so wide it hurts his face. “Eiji,” he murmurs, and Eiji kisses the corners of his mouth, “Eiji, listen… slow down.”
The alpha pants slowly, pulling back to catch his breath and wipe spit from his lips. “Sorry, I… I’ve never done something like this before.”
“I know. Here, let me help you. You want me to touch you here?” Ash’s hand slides down slowly over the large tent in Eiji’s boxers. The man whimpers, nodding eagerly.
“Yes, yes, Ash, please.” Ash purrs softly at Eiji’s whines. His fingers dip under the waistband of Eiji’s boxers. Eiji is thick, Ash’s fingers struggle to fit around the girth of his cock, even being bigger than Eiji himself. He whistles softly, looking up at Eiji through blonde lashes.
“Eiji, talk to me. Does it feel good?” Ash asks, pulling Eiji out to stroke along his length. Ash’s mouth waters, because Eiji is… pretty. He’s never even considered a cock pretty before, but Eiji’s? Eiji’s cock is heavy, soft to the touch and leaking so much the slide of Ash’s palm is already slick enough to make lewd noises. “You’re pretty, Eiji.”
Eiji moans, a thick glob of precum dripping over the back of Ash’s hand as he drags it to the tip. “You like that? Do you like when I call you pretty, Eiji?”
“Y.. yeah, yeah I do.” Eiji answers with a whimper, watching Ash’s hand work up and down his length with practiced precision. Ash teases the glans under the head of Eiji’s cock on his upstrokes, giving small licks to the head on the downstrokes. “You don’t have to do that—”
“Eiji,” Ash looks up at him with dilating pupils, “let me do this. I want to do this.”
Eiji blinks down at him, nodding slowly. “Okay. Okay, yeah. Whatever you want.”
Ash laughs, “Whatever I want? How dangerous, Eiji.” He purrs, finally taking the head of Eiji’s cock in his mouth. Ash relishes in the noises he pulls from the alpha, the fingers that are tangling in his hair that tug and pull. Eiji whimpers, trying his best not to bust so quickly into Ash’s mouth. Ash doesn’t let up on him for any reason, however. He bobs his head slowly. Eiji’s hips rut and twitch, struggling not to chase the wet heat of Ash’s mouth. With his tongue flicking over the slit of Eiji’s cock, Ash squeezes his fingers in an ‘o’ shape around where Eiji’s knot forms.
“Ash!” Eiji mewls, cum spurting into Ash’s mouth suddenly. “I’m sorry, Ash, I didn’t mean to—” Eiji cuts himself off with a moan because Ash gives a firm suck to the head of his cock. He looks down quickly, another thick glob dripping onto Ash’s tongue at the sight of him. Ash’s mouth is open, showing off the sticky fluid coating his mouth. Closing his mouth slowly, Ash swallows down all that he’s milked from Eiji. Eiji’s pupils dilate slightly, Ash’s scent thickening in the room and filling his nose.
Firmly, Ash’s hand presses on Eiji’s chest to push him on his back. Leaning down, Ash’s tongue drags across the oils excreting from the alpha’s scent gland. With a whine, Ash licks and licks at Eiji’s gland. “You smell so good, Eiji. Do you know that? Drove me crazy back home, smelling you like this. You have no idea what you did to me.”
Eiji’s hands slowly slip under Ash’s sweater, crooning at how the omega arches into his touch. “You’ve always smelled so good to me. I love the way you smell, Ash.”
“What do I smell like to you, Eiji?” Ash purrs. He almost recoils at the memory of how Dino described him; like roses dripping with milk, ready and waiting for anyone to touch him. Sweet, like a flytrap, smoky like the muzzle of a gun. Ash smelled lethal.
“Sunflowers, and the ocean.” Eiji murmurs, and Ash pauses. Even in his heated state, steadily growing increasingly desperate for Eiji’s touch, Eiji’s answer stumps him. He smells like that to him? Like he’s looking towards the sun and as free as the waves? “Ash?”
Ash’s throat opens too much, and he tries to bite back another sob that builds up. “Ash?” Eiji sits up quickly, cradling Ash’s lower back and his head. “Are you okay?”
Ash presses his face against the side of Eiji’s head. “I’m okay. I’m… I’m okay.”
Eiji squeezes Ash tightly in a hug, nuzzling their faces together. “Do you want to stop? I can still get you some medicine and uh… a toy, I guess.” Poor thing’s ears turn pink at the idea of having to buy such a thing. He can do it though, just for Ash. He briefly wonders what Ash would like. Does he want something big? Smaller? With or without a knot? Either way, Eiji would find something perfect for Ash, it’s what he deserves.
“No, Eiji, I want to keep going.” Ash reaches down between them, and Eiji jolts a little at Ash fondling his softening cock again. “Want your knot.”
Eiji trembles in Ash’s touch, at his words. “Ash, I’ve… never done this before.”
“That’s okay. I’ll show you.” Ash murmurs, reaching down to peel his boxers off himself. Eiji’s mouth waters as Ash’s scent becomes far more potent, so thick that Eiji can taste it. His hands find Ash’s hips as he stares up at him, giving an uncertain little squeeze to the American’s small ass. “Good, Eiji, just like that.”
Eiji, envigored by the praise, slips his fingers over the slick slit of Ash. He prods a finger against it, sucking in a small breath when Ash presses back against it himself. “Another, Eiji. Come on.” Ash murmurs, leaning down to pepper kisses around Eiji’s soft face. Eiji can’t deny him, not when he’s so sweet. He presses in a second finger, and then a third. With how wet Ash is, it’s so easy. Easier than Eiji could’ve ever imagined, he presses them in deeper and deeper.
“Like this?”
“Yes, yes, Eiji. Move them in and out.” Ash rocks his hips slowly, planting his palms on Eiji’s chest to hold himself up. In the meantime, he drags his small cock against Eiji’s. Eiji’s fingers drag deliciously inside of him, stretching him with just the kind of burn Ash enjoys himself. Like Eiji knows his body, knows that Ash likes something like this. Eiji’s lips burn against Ash’s throat, and the omega feels as if he’s being engulfed in flames. Not so slowly, Ash begins to truly feel the effects of his heat affecting him. Slick drips down between he and Eiji, soaking the older man’s palm as he presses his fingers as deep as he can into Ash.
“Eiji!” Ash pants, pre dripping thickly onto the alpha’s cock below him. “I’m ready, I can take it.”
Eiji’s fingers brush over the swell of his prostate, and Ash crumbles on top of him with a whine. “I’m having fun, though. You’re so pretty like this.”
It’s something Ash has heard a million times before, but somehow this feels so different. Eiji’s voice in his ear fans the heat building in his belly, something deep in Ash’s mind preening in elation. Something long tucked away, hidden from all the bad he’s suffered in his lifetime, finally emerges. Ash’s fingers card through Eiji’s hair before gripping tightly and pulling his head back. The alpha’s resounding moan only stirs him on, and Ash leans in to press their lips together once more. Slipping his hand between them, Ash pulls back so he can start guiding Eiji’s cock to his entrance. “I need it, Eiji. Please?”
“Okay. I’m coming, Ash.” Eiji murmurs, mind clouded by Ash’s refreshing scent. He slips the head of his cock against Ash’s slick entrance a few times before they finally get the head to catch. Not willing to waste time, Ash sinks down onto the head slowly with a moan. Sinking downwards slowly, Ash trembles as Eiji’s thick cock slides past his swollen prostate. “Ash, Ash!”
“Not yet, Eiji. Hold it for me, okay? I’m not done with you yet.” Ash murmurs against his lips, licking Eiji’s fangs as his jaw hangs open. Chuckling softly at the feeling of Eiji’s hands trembling against his hips, Ash leans back to put his own on Eiji’s thighs. “You’re so good, Eiji. Just hold still, I can make you feel so good.”
With a low whine in his throat, Eiji nods desperately as Ash begins a slow up-and-down motion on his dick. The slick slide is immaculate, forcing Eiji’s toes to curl in the sheets. Calloused fingers grip the alpha’s trembling thighs tightly, holding his legs down while Ash rolls his hips in such a way that pulls a mewl from the omega. “Eiji, Eiji, it’s so good. You’re so good, Eiji.”
“Ash, I need to move, please. Let me try, please?” Panting, Eiji starts to meet every drop of Ash’s body with a thrust upwards. The action drags the most beautiful noises from Ash Eiji’s ever heard. Pure bliss fills his ears, spreads down his chest to his toes. As an alpha he’s doing as he’s meant to, pleasing his omega beyond comprehension. Ash is faltering on top of him, just moving his hips for Eiji’s sloppy thrusts to brush against his prostate. Precum leaks onto Eiji’s stomach, forming a messy pool right below his belly button that he’ll run his fingers through to lick up later. The thought itself is so lewd that he feels his face heat up from it.
Energized by the knowledge of Ash’s ecstasy, Eiji plants his feet firmly in the mattress and thrusts upwards. Ash is a little heavy because of all the muscle he’s regained after being away from Dino for so long, but Eiji puts his all into bouncing the omega on his cock. “Can I knot you, Ash? Please? You smell so good, feel so good. I want to knot you so bad.”
Ash briefly panics at the idea of being knotted, of being stuck. This is Eiji, however. The same Eiji that insisted on not hurting him, the same Eiji that was so hellbent on making sure Ash was in his right mind before doing something like this. Leaning forward, Ash’s lips brush Eiji’s cheekbones and his nose. The contact sets them both aflame, and Eiji tilts his head so he can capture Ash’s mouth in a kiss suited for some cheesy romance movie. Soft, wet presses of their bodies together. “Yes, Eiji. Knot me.”
With no other permission needed, Eiji doubles his efforts. Soft fingers dig into the slim meat of Ash’s thighs as Eiji holds him down. The omega is undoubtedly stronger than him, more than capable of getting out of such a grip. Honestly? Ash could kill him in the blink of an eye. Perhaps that’s what makes this act so arousing; the fact that Ash is letting him hold his body down like this. Ash is letting him fuck upwards into his slick, wet heat. Eiji’s knot begins to catch on Ash’s rim, slowly starting to expand with each frenzied thrust as the alpha rapidly approaches his orgasm. “Ash! Ash, I’m so!”
“Shh, it’s okay, Eiji.” Ash purrs, licking over Eiji’s fangs and drawing a growl from his throat. “Cum in me, please? I want your knot so bad.”
Such a simple, unabashed phrase. The words send Eiji over the edge, forcing his knot into Ash’s hole and pumping him with load after load of cum. Ash’s cock spurts wetly between them, a small whimper is all that gives it away. Eiji likes how quiet Ash can be. One day he wants to make him forget about being quiet, about needing to hide away. For now, though, he can do with whimpers.
Morning sun filters through the curtains right over Eiji’s eyes. Squinting, Eiji reaches up to close the gap a little more just to touch a smooth expanse of skin. The muscles jump under his fingertips but relax when Eiji presses his palm flat against them. “Ash… you’re up early.” He groans.
“Woke up because of your snoring.” Ash teases, closing the curtains but leaving the window open to let in the chilly air. Eiji whines, pulling up the blankets more.
“I don’t snore.”
“Sure, you don’t snore. You just suck in the walls a little when you sleep.” Ash slides down, settling close to Eiji. He stares into the dark molasses of Eiji’s eyes, reaching out to brush away equally dark hair. “Listen, about last night…”
Eiji’s face goes red. Tomato red, all the way up to his ears and down to his chest. “Oh! Uhm. Right, last night.”
“Listen, Eiji, if I made you do something you didn’t want to—”
Sitting bolt upright, Eiji stares down at Ash with wildfire behind his eyes. “You didn’t. You didn’t make me do anything. I liked it all, every second.”
With that, it’s Ash’s turn to flush. Continuing, “I was just worried I’d mess something up. I didn’t want to end up like everyone else to you. I didn’t… I don’t want just sex from you, ever. I just want to take care of you.”
Ash clicks his tongue, looking away with a little pout. “Leave it to you to be all sentimental, Eiji.”
“Are you not still feeling any symptoms?” Eiji asks, leaning over Ash a little to give his neck a sniff. Ash pushes on his face with a huff.
“I feel fine for now. I’m still all… itchy. My thighs are wet, too, and… Shit, yeah, Eiji, I guess I’m still feeling the symptoms.” Ash rubs a hand over his face with a laugh. Light, airy, music to Eiji’s ears. Enraptured by the symphony, Eiji leans over to swallow some notes for himself. Ash sings air into his lungs as easy as his laughter came. Fleeting, teasing, as if Ash is some kitten ready to play.
“Can I ask you to stay?” Eiji brushes his fingers through Ash’s hair gently, bringing their foreheads together like the way Ash had just a year ago in that prison. Ash reaches up, cupping the side of Eiji’s face. Turning to kiss the callouses across Ash’s palm, Eiji looks down at the omega from the corner of his eye.
“Yes, Eiji. I’ll stay. As long as you’re here, I’ll stay.”