Takigawa's brown pinched as he stirred and tried to blink the blur from his eyes. He was tucked in his futon, lying on his back and staring up at the ceiling. I feel so heavy. His eyes widened as he picked up a familiar scent. The room was saturated with a light fog of paprika. He bolted upright, eyes darting around the room and falling upon the large alpha, who stood at his small kitchenette wearing nothing more than a pair of tight boxers.

"Morning! Just wait right there. I'm almost done," Iwakawa instructed in an almost jovial tone. Takigawa blanched as he stared at him, stomach churning. He felt terrible. His gaze dropped to the thick duvet, which had been tucked around him with care. He remembered being on top of the covers when he'd finally passed out. He'd lost count of the times Iwakawa had worked him to orgasm. Pink coloured his cheeks at the vivid memories that were creeping back. His hips ached from all the positions he'd been twisted into. His thigh and arm muscles burned from holding his weight, trying to keep balance through each hard thrust and rock. Paprika still lingered in the stale air, barely masking the sin they'd shared. "Here...Relax," Iwakawa soothed as he returned with a cup of tea and some toast on a tray.

"Uh, thanks..." Takigawa stiffened as the tray was set on his lap, feeling awkward. "I-I'm sorry..." He wasn't sure what more he should say. It feels like I've done something wrong, but...did I? Ayako didn't seem bothered by it, and we're both technically single. There was also the fact that Iwakawa's scent had encouraged him. He hesitated to call it domination. That wasn't quite right when they'd both wanted it; and what else had he called him for in the first place? His conversation with Ayako had upset him, and he'd wanted comfort. Comfort Iwakawa had willingly provided. That doesn't make this any less awkward now!

"About last night? Why? I'm not," Iwakawa replied with a hint of smugness, not even bothering to hide his smirk. Takigawa blushed as he felt the alpha's eyes rove over his bare chest with a hungry air. Paprika wrapped around him, caressing him affectionately. It was almost comforting. "Don't worry...I knew when I arrived last night. Something happened, and you needed someone." That he was so understanding almost made it worse. Iwakawa sank onto the futon beside him with his own cup, watching him calmly as he sipped the bitter liquid. Takigawa ran a hand through his tangled locks, cheeks heating once more as he remembered exactly why they were so tangled. He could still taste it in his throat. He raised his cup quickly, almost burning his lips.

Iwakawa really wasn't one to hold back. The hand in his hair had been rough, gripping firmly as he'd worked him back and forth on his cock. Soft eyes had watched him, telling him he good he was as the cock slid down his throat to press his gag reflex again and again. He'd almost seemed to enjoy the sight of him choking, slowly edging further to fit it all inside. He was bigger than Ayako, and thicker. There was a lingering roughness in the back of his throat that was almost an ache. Takigawa dropped his eyes as he remembered how Iwakawa had dragged him in and held him there as he spilled, making him choke and swallow around his cock until he couldn't breathe. The tender praise afterwards, gentle fingers caressing his cheeks as his tongue cleaned his lips.

"I shouldn't have brought you into this...It isn't fair," Takigawa said finally as he nibbled his toast. His heat would come up soon. Great, just what I wanted to think about. His chest tightened as he thought of Ayako. Does this mean we're through? He bit his lip worriedly. Even though this encounter wasn't cheating, it felt like it. But then...she didn't object to it...His eyes widened as a large hand laced in his hair. A small sound of surprise slipped out as he found his lips sealed by the large alpha at his side. It didn't last long. Iwakawa drew back with a small smile.

"You know, you look much better when you smile," he murmured as he stroked his hair affectionately. Takigawa stammered a response, feeling awkward about the whole thing. He was attracted to him. Iwakawa was charming, funny, kind, and attentive, but he still yearned for Ayako. "I have to head into the hospital soon. Are you going to be alright?" Iwakawa asked as he got to his feet. Takigawa nodded wordlessly, the awkwardness lingering as Iwakawa prepared to leave. He hadn't showered, but since he only lived down the street, he'd probably stop home first. It was also a fact that alphas liked to carry their omega's scent as a sign to others that they were desirable. It grabbed the attention of other alphas like a silent brag while signalling to omegas that they were strong and virile.

"Thanks for, uh..." It seemed weird to thank him. What was he thanking him for? For coming when he called? For offering comfort? Thoroughly pounding him into every available surface in every possible position? Cleaning him up afterwards? Making breakfast? Iwakawa offered an understanding smile as they lingered in the open doorway. "S-sorry-I-uh-" Apologising almost seemed worse. Should he apologise for calling? That suggested he regretted last night. In a way, perhaps he did. He was now battling guilt over how this would affect Ayako if she found out. When she finds out...He had to tell her. How could he not? Part of him wondered if he should. Unless Iwakawa told her, she wouldn't find out. Takigawa quashed the thought instantly. That would be dishonest, and suggested he had something to apologise for.

"Any time..." The words hung between them as a sincere and meaningful promise. That made Takigawa feel a little awkward. He'd always felt that Ayako was his mate, the one he was always meant to be with. If that's the case, then how did I end up here? Maybe they really weren't meant to be. Maybe he could have something just as meaningful with Iwakawa. He'd certainly left his mark. Takigawa didn't think he'd been fucked that thoroughly outside his heat for months, maybe even years. Paprika wrapped around him once more as Iwakawa sensed his turbulent emotions. Guilt, confusion, lust, vulnerability, sadness, tenderness, and hurt swelled and mingled in his chest, warring for dominance. It made his apple scent bitter, though the sweetness of the sultana lingered underneath.

The doorstep put them at exactly the right height for Iwakawa to lean in and seal his lips. Takigawa's eyes fluttered shut at the sensation, especially as Iwakawa reached up to cup his cheek. He was barely given the chance to take a breath as his lips parted, quickly finding them sealed again as Iwakawa's tongue crossed the threshold. Takigawa gripped his shoulders as Iwakawa pulled him closer and wrapped his free arm around his waist, leaving him stunned and breathless as he drew back. He stiffened a little as creeping lips moved along his jaw and down his neck to rest against his bonding site. Dread and anticipation battled as he felt sharp teeth caress the area, however after a caress of lips, Iwakawa drew back, leaving him unmarked.

"If you need me again..." The invitation was left unsaid and Takigawa nodded. That at least solved the problem of what to do if he and Ayako parted ways. At least he wouldn't be alone for his heat. With a final press of lips, Iwakawa left. Takigawa watched until he crossed the street and closed the door, finally alone with his thoughts and vulnerability. Despite the creeping physical fatigue from being up most of the night, his mind was too tired to sleep. Instead, he dragged himself to the closet to change his clothes. He would have showered, only Iwakawa's lingering scent was comforting, and he wasn't ready to wash it away. Pulling on fresh pants and jeans, he grabbed his top from the day before and pulled it on to bury his nose in the collar.

His next mission was to wash the soiled sheets and air his futon. Opening the balcony door, he tossed the heavy mattress over the edge and swatted it a few times. His apartment was on the ground floor, so he wasn't really worried about it falling. It was a fine, breezy day, so it would air nicely. Stripping the sheets, he gave the duvet a similar treatment and hung it on the high bamboo poles above his head. Once the machine had started, he headed inside to clear up their breakfast things. His eyes lingered on Iwakawa's cup. It was rare for him to have guests in his home like this. He'd done it before meeting Ayako, hiring in assistants during his heats, but it was rare for him to have company outside of that. Since she had a nicer place, he usually spent his heat in Ayako's house.

He washed the cup and set it with the rest, giving the drying rack a lingering gaze. Two cups. Two plates. His chest warmed somewhat at the sight, and as he breathed, he could still smell the faint hint of paprika that said someone else had been there. Shaking his head, he threw the balcony door and front window open, airing out the apartment. Comforting as it was, it wouldn't clear his head to have a second scent lingering to distract him. He had some serious thinking to do. What was it he wanted exactly? Given the choice, he'd choose Ayako in a heartbeat. Even now, the feeling remained. She was his alpha. Does she feel the same though? Her messages suggested not.

His chest fell at the thought as he flopped down on the sofa and stretched out, staring up at the ceiling for a while before closing his eyes. He probably wouldn't fall asleep, but feeling the light breeze and closing his eyes at least helped him relax a little. Thoughts of the night before returned. The sinful sound that fled his lips as Iwakawa lifted his thigh and sank in, filling his ass and hitting so deep he thought he'd burst. How the muscles of his pecs had stretched as Iwakawa pulled his wrists back, pounding his ass as he balanced on his knees, cock dripping on the sheets. Those hands had gripped his ankles too, holding him spread open on his back and pounding him from below. Fingers pinching his nipples and a hand fisting his cock as he held himself against the wall, whining with each hard thrust and begging for release. Iwakawa gripping his hips as he straddled his hips, encouraging him to bounce and grind on his cock. Lips caressing his jaw, sucking his neck, teeth nipping his sensitive nubs and teasing his bonding site. Gasping, he opened his eyes and sat up, disoriented as he listened to the shrieking ring of his phone. Ignoring the solid bulge in his pants, he grabbed it, blinking at the unexpected caller ID.

"Mr Matsuzaki?"