I\'m a father?

Title: I’m a father?

Subtitle: Talons and claws

Author: Lady Snowblossom

Rating: PG-13

Pairs: Rei/Bryan, Kai/Tala, Spencer/Ian, Tyson/Max and various others.

Disclaimer: You’re joking, right?

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Grandpa Granger watched the group of boys gathered around the glider. Tala had his head between his knees, while Spencer plied an ice pack to the back of his neck. Kai lay back against the glider, his head resting on the pillow, Lee had slipped behind it. Ian was sitting on the brick rim of the porch, while Bryan leaned against it.

While the boys had tended to the wounded, he had quietly cleaned up the porch and then returned to hear how the news of Rei’s pregnancy would be broken to Bryan.

“What set Rei off?” Bryan’s quiet question caused everyone to jump. The icy blader frowned, when Spencer, Ian, and Lee refused to meet his gaze. Kai kept his eyes closed and Tala didn’t raise his head. “Well?”

Silence met his query, but Ian had a telltale flush on his cheeks, so Bryan focused his attention on the snake. “Ian.”

The shorter boy sighed, “Spencer, would you see that I’m buried under the big tree back behind the storage area at the Abbey. And I want you to remember that I love you.”

“Stop playing the martyr.” Kai growled as he slowly straightened and fixed a baleful eye on the nervous youth, “and tell us what you know.”

Ian pulled his hat off and began to play with the straps. “Rei threatened to kill me, if I didn’t tell him about Bryan and his activities since he left; and he specifically wanted to know about last night.”

“I suppose you told him.” Tala said. He sat up and ran a finger under his nose, it came back clean, so he waved Spencer away and sighed.

“I didn’t have a choice. He would either kill me; or the two of you would, either way I was dead. So, I told him.”

“And last night was what set Rei off.” Tala stated as he laid his head on Kai’s shoulder. Ian nodded.

“What about last night?” Lee asked, eyes widening in puzzlement, when the group of Russians either flushed or paled and refused to meet his eyes. “Kai? Tala?”

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Halfway to the hospital, Rei changed his mind and ordered the driver to take him to Central Park instead. He needed to go someplace where he could center himself before he went back home and strangled Kai and Tala!

He glared out the window of the cab, impatiently drumming his fingers on the seat, ignoring the myriad sights that whizzed, crawled or flashed past.

After what seemed like an eternity, the cab pulled up in front of the park and deposited the young neko-jin at the entrance. After paying his fare, Rei immediately began to jog down one of the paths heading deep into the park. Ten minutes later, he found a tree that suited his needs; limbs that were heavy with foliage and broad enough to take his weight and be comfortable to sit on. Scrambling up the trunk, he was soon hidden from sight.

Quietly, he settled down on the widest branch, leaned back against the trunk and removed Driger from his pocket. Using the blade to focus his center, he allowed the quiet of his hiding place to slowly permeate his being, as he began to take deep calming breaths; focusing his will to block everything but the reason for his flight.

His mate had been deliberately injured by someone they both called friend, and that friend’s mate. The ghost of the great cat that had begun his lineage rose up in his soul - roaring its rage. And it was that part of his heritage that he had satisfied with a fast and hard attack: leaving his prey battered and bleeding. For a brief moment, he savored the ‘taste’ of the victory, then he slowly let it go and with the release forced the mighty beast to fade; never quite gone, but there to call upon in the time of need.

As he sank deeper into the trance, the outside world slowly faded from his consciousness, leaving only his subconscious to stand guard.

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“I lied about last night, Lee.” Tala sighed, “Kai and I didn’t want to upset Rei anymore than he already was; so I lied about Bryan’s punishment.”

“All right, what the hell did you do that you are either ashamed of, or felt wasn’t any of my business.” Lee demanded angrily. He wasn’t prepared for the answer.

“Kai busted my ass with a hairbrush. Its’ nice to know they kept that quiet.”

Lee wheeled and stared open mouthed at Bryan, who glared back, before shrugging and continuing. “Don’t worry about it, Lion! I’ve had worst beatings. At least, they put me to bed in my nice warm bed; usually after a beating, we got to sleep on a nice cold concrete floor.”

Lee spun back around and glared at the pair on the glider. “You two are damn lucky Rei didn’t stick around to give you a lesson in what he can really do, when he’s angry. I guess some part of him remembers that he’s breeding.”

“What did you say?” Bryan said, not sure he had heard correctly.

“He said that Rei is pregnant.” Spencer said quietly from where he sat with Ian, whose eyes were bulging in shock.

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Sitting on the brick wall, Spencer put an arm around Ian and listened to the slightly heated four-way conversation between Lee, Bryan, Kai and Tala. The big blonde absently ran a hand up and down Ian’s back, as the shorter Russian trembled at the rising voices.

He wondered if he dare broach the subject of Rei’s pregnancy, when Lee took that decision out of his hands, as he angrily told Tala and Kai off and let slip that Rei was breeding. And Bryan’s confusion about what Lee had said was understandable, so he thought he’d help clarify things for him.

“He said that Rei is pregnant.”

While everyone swiveled to stare at Spencer, Grandpa Granger went to call the hospital.

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“Spencer!” Tala cried, “how long have you known?”

Seaborg’s companion sighed, “ the day we arrived, I was walking past the fence that surrounds the swimming pool, when you got to shouting at Kai about Bryan, so I paused and listened in.”

Ian stared at his boyfriend. “And you didn’t tell me!” He demanded. Spencer looked back at him and shook his head, “Little one, if I had told you, it wouldn’t have been five minutes before you would have been trying to cause trouble with the information. I may trust you with most things, but I know when to not tell you something.”

Ian punched him in the shoulder.

Ignoring them, Bryan snorted in disbelief. “What are you guys trying to pull? Rei is as male as I am, and I can assure you that there is no way in hell, I can get pregnant.”

“That’s right,” Lee agreed as he perched on the wall, “you CAN’T, but Rei can. Bryan, whatever our differences in the past have been, I’m telling you-Rei is pregnant and the kitten is yours.”

“Why should I believe you?” Bryan crossed his arms and glared at Lee. “You said it yourself, we have had differences in the past and . . .”

“Kuznetsov, you are one stubborn ass,” Kai began . . .

“Blam!”

Everyone looked up as Tyson’s grandfather stalked out of the house; a nervous looking Chief trailing behind him, clutching Dizzi like a shield.

“The way I see it, homies; is you aren’t gonna get the soon-to-be papa to believe anything until he hears it from the mama. So, while you were out here arguing, I called the hospital to have Rei come home, but . . .”

“But, what?” Lee asked a faint sense of unease touching him.

“Tyson says, Rei never made it to the hospital.” There was an immediate uproar.

“WHAT!?!”

Kai and Tala leapt to their feet, while Lee sprang to their side - his eyes wide and anxious. Bryan paled and grabbed the wall for support. Spencer and Ian also cried out in surprised horror.

“We need to find him!” Lee cried, “who knows what can happen!”

“Damn it! I told him to not go anywhere alone!” Kai snarled, “that little fool! When I get my hands on him!”

Grandpa Granger sighed, took a deep breath and shouted, “SHUT UP!” He fixed a stern eye on everyone. “If you ‘gentlemen’ can keep quiet for a moment and let me finish. I called the Cab Company and found out that instead of going to the hospital, Rei went to Central Park. I then contacted Mr. Dickenson, explained the situation to him and had him dispatch a bus. It should be here shortly and when it arrives, we will go and hunt for Rei.”

“No, you won’t. I’m going alone.” Bryan said calmly. “Rei is mine and I’ve had enough of everyone’s interference.”

“You’ll never find him.” Lee said as he moved to confront the pale Russian, who stared impassively at him with arms crossed. “Believe me, if Rei doesn’t want to be found, you’ll never find him. I, however can find him.”

“How?”

Lee smirked and tapped his nose. “If the wind is right, I’ll be able to smell him. We, neko-jin’s can see, smell and hear better than you poor humans. So, I’ll be able to track him a whole lot easier than any of you can. Besides,” Lee shrugged, “if the trees are close enough together, he made try to use them as a means of escape and I’m the only one who can chase him through the canopy.”

Bryan glared, but then reluctantly nodded, “all right, you can come, but no one else!” He growled, “I meant it, when I said I’m tired of everyone’s interference. And,” he said firmly, “once you’ve located Rei for me, I expect you to get lost!”

Lee nodded.

Tala looked at the old man and remarked, “you don’t seem to be surprised. Why?”

The old martial artist smiled, “because I knew the moment I saw Rei; he had that certain glow that pregnant women get. I saw it with my wife and with my daughter-in-law Yoshie, Tyson’s mom. There’s no mistaking that shine.”

“You never said anything.” Kai accused the older man.

The old man shook his head. “You weren’t listening. I’ve been talking. At the diner and at other times, when you tried to curtail Rei’s movements, I talked. And today, when you called Lee, I talked.” He pointed a long finger at Kai and growled, “there was a message in everything I told you, but you didn’t get it.”

He looked at the stubborn cast on Kai’s face and sighed. “And you still don’t, do you? The message was simple; let go.” He looked around at the faces surrounding him and noted the surprised looks. He refocused his attention on the bluenette. “Kai, you’re a smart boy. You wouldn’t be where you are, if you weren’t, but you could’ve handled this better.”

“And how would you have handled it.” Tala asked as he tightened his grip on his growling lover.

“Simple, I’d have kicked that one,” he jerked a thumb at Bryan, “in the rear and sent him after Rei.” The old man shook his head; “this whole mess could have been avoided with a simple apology.”

“You know the whole story, don’t you.” Kai said suddenly.

“No, just bits and pieces. But, I know enough to figure out that Rei and Bryan had a fight that sent Rei packing. And all of you have been working like mad to keep him and Bryan apart. What I don’t know is why?”

“Blame it on Hiwatari, since its’ his fault.” Bryan snarled, “I wanted to bring Rei home yesterday, but he wouldn’t let me.”

Kai spun and advanced on the other boy, growling low in his throat. Bryan sneered and crouched, ignoring the pain in his lower regions. “Bring it on, Hiwatari and I’ll kick your sorry ass all the way back to the Abbey!”

Tala grabbed Kai, while Lee leapt between the pair and put a hand on each of the youth’s chests. “Stop it! This is getting us nowhere!” Both boys bared their teeth at each other and nodded before giving each other a final glare.

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None of the combatants noticed the man hiding in the bushes across the street. The man patted his camera and grinned. “The boss is gonna love these!” And he wiggled out of the bushes and disappeared down an alley.

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Bryan paced as he waited for the bus. While he didn’t really believe their story about Rei being pregnant, he realized that he didn’t really know all that much about Rei’s race. So, he would just have to wait and see what Rei said.

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The sun was just beginning to set when Lee and Bryan set out to try and track Rei. They walked in silence for awhile, before Bryan said, “anything?”

“Not yet, the wind isn’t right.”

They continued moving; each lost in their thoughts. Finally, Lee broke the silence to ask the question that had been bothering him ever since he’d learned of Rei’s pregnancy and why he’d left Russia. “Bryan, why didn’t you ever come for Rei?”

Bryan took a few more steps before breaking into bitter laughter. “Because I don’t deserve him.”

Shocked, Lee stopped and stared at the pale Russian, who turned to face him. Molten silver blazed as the falcon’s face twisted with self-disgust. Lee stood stunned as he watched Falborg’s intensely closed off companion drop all barriers and showed him a bit of his soul.

“All my miserable life, I’ve been told that I had to be cold, merciless and that only perfection was acceptable! And I tried to be everything my trainers told me I had to be!” Bryan turned away from the Chinese and stared off into the gathering darkness. He took a deep breath and continued his story. “When Rei came into my life, I hated him! He stood in the way of my trainer’s goal and he had to be made an example of! So, when I was ordered to destroy him, I went to the stadium to do just that!”

Lee’s heart clenched with sympathy for the youth, whose voice revealed just how much he loathed what he’d been forced to do, and he had to stop himself from reaching out to grip the Russian’s shoulder in support. Bryan, unaware of Lee’s inner struggle kept talking, “I saw the look on Kai’s face, when Rei went to meet me, he was proud of him! And that made me want to crush Rei even more, how dare that traitor be proud of one of the people responsible for taking him away from us!”

“From where I was sitting, you were doing a pretty good job of tearing Rei to bits.” Lee whispered.

Bryan snorted. “Lion, if I had really wanted to kill him, Rei would have been dead, before Driger could have protected him. But, when I looked across the Beystadium at him, I saw a new me, someone who was happy and free, but I got a very clear feeling that Rei was the only path to that future. So, I held back, I made it look good, but I wasn’t really trying.”

Lee threw caution to the wind and reached out and gripped Bryan’s shoulder and squeezed, but the falcon ignored the contact. “Tala and I paid for our failures to win with the worst beatings of our lives the night Tala lost to Tyson.” Then Lee listened in amazement, as a sense of wonder filled Bryan’s voice, “you know, the weirdest thing happened that night. As I lay on the floor of the cell, I saw this light and Rei stepped out of it and knelt at my side. He lifted me and held me against his chest and told me to sleep, that in the morning everything would be all right.”

Bryan turned to face Lee, “And he was right, by morning the government had moved in and taken over. Tala and I were rushed to a military hospital, where we spent several days - recovering. The day we were released, Dickenson showed up with Spencer and Ian in tow and a fist full of papers that stated, ‘The BBA personified by Mr. Stanley A. Dickenson had been granted full custody of the four youths known as the ‘Demolition Boys’. And he would act as our guardian until such time as it was proven we no longer needed a guardian. He moved us into a house and gave us an allowance, provided technical support and talked first Kai, then later Rei into coming to live with us.”

“Anyway, I never told Rei about the cell part of my vision, only that I knew that in destroying him, I would be destroying myself. And I was right. I was never perfect, but I held perfection in my arms every time I took Rei into them, and I threw it all away, when I struck him in a jealous rage over a stupid picture!” Turning from the lion, he stared at a group of trees up ahead of them and frowned, was that a flash of white, he saw among the leaves?

Lee felt humbled that Bryan would confide so much in him and he tried to find the words to express how honored he was that the Russian would tell him so much, but before he could find the words; a familiar scent tickled his nose. Unnoticed by either youth, the wind had changed and was now blowing directly into their faces. Stepping to Bryan’s side, the dark skinned neko-jin said softly, “I smell Rei and he’s just up ahead of us.”

Bryan nodded, trying to pierce the near total darkness of the trees. “How far?”

“Not far. Come on.” Lee took off at a jog and Bryan trotted along behind, anxious to retrieve his wayward mate.

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Rei opened his eyes and grimaced. It had been a long time since he had mediated like that and now his back was killing him! Not to mention his bottom was a little sore as well. He sighed and began to climb down from the tree.

Halfway down the trunk, he yelped in surprise, when a pair of strong arms wrapped around his waist and pulled. Loosing his grip on the rough bark, he grunted as his back came in contact with a firm chest. He started to struggle, but froze when a familiar scent filled his lungs and a husky voice growled, “If I wasn’t so relieved that you’re all right, I’d strangle you.” Rei gulped nervously, as he was turned to face a glowering Bryan.

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Lee smiled as he heard Rei’s cry, now that Bryan had him in hand; he could go back to the bus and wait. “See you later, little brother.” He laughed and disappeared into the darkness.

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“B-Bryan? How did you find me?’ Rei asked as he stared at his mate.

“A certain lion sniffed you out.”

“Lee helped you, why?”

“Because he loves you and was worried when you didn’t arrive at the hospital. You frightened us all, kitten.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You should be. It isn’t right to worry the ones who love you.” Bryan said as he pulled Rei to his chest. He gently twined his fingers in Rei’s braid and buried his face in the top of Rei’s ebony head.

“I love you, kitten and I’m sorry that I struck you. Will you forgive me for that and for not coming to China for you, or sending for you to come home?” Bryan whispered as he breathed in the scent of his tiger: all sandalwood and cinnamon.

Rei was silent for so long, that Bryan began to lose hope and his eyes filled with tears. But, before he could give into despair, a sleek head began to slowly rise and love filled golden jewels blinded him. A slender creamy hand rose and a finger began to trace his lips, and his heart soared. Tenderly, he kissed the wandering digit and sighed, when he felt Rei tremble.

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Rei heard the desperate plea underlying his mate’s words. And he quietly raised his head to meet shimmering eyes full of unshed tears, slowly he raised a hand and traced Bryan’s lips with a finger. He trembled when those lips gently kissed the tip of his finger and he whispered, “I forgive you, but we need to talk.”

“Tomorrow, love.” Bryan whispered as he bent to claim Rei’s lips. “I’ll talk to you about anything your heart desires.”

Rei sighed and surrendered to his lover – for now.

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Lee smirked as the pair emerged under a street light, hand in hand. He grinned widely, as Bryan’s head kept constantly moving as he scanned for possible danger. “Not taking any chances, are you Kuznetsov.”

Rei groaned, when he entered the bus to find Lee smirking at him. “Oh, shut up!” He grumbled. Lee looked at him innocently. “I never said a word.”

“No, but you were thinking it.”

Bryan snorted, as Lee began laughing. Taking Rei by an elbow, he steered him onto a seat and sat down beside him. Once settled, he pulled Rei into a protective embrace and ignored the snickering lion all the way home.

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“They’re back!” Ian shouted as he rushed into the house. Rapidly, the house emptied as everyone raced outside to meet the returnees. Bryan pulled Rei out of the bus and began to march toward his house, ignoring the crowd that was gathered on the lawn.

Kai moved to block him, but a look from Rei stopped him in his tracks. Rei smiled, shook his head and mouthed, “it’s all right.” Kai nodded and stepped aside. Bryan glared at him, then announced to the air. “Rei and I are taking over the bedroom. SOMEONE needs to make other arrangements.” Then without another word, he led Rei up the stairs and inside.

Tala laughed and poked his lover. “I guess that means I’m sleeping in your room.”

“What’s wrong with your couch?” Kai shot back.

“Ohh, just see if you get any tonight.”

Everyone laughed, as Kai sputtered.

“Got you that time, Kai!” Lee hooted from the bus doors. “I’ll see you all later, I’m for the hotel and bed!” He waved as they called, “thanks and goodnight!” He disappeared back into the bus and within seconds, it was gone.

“Well, peeps! These old bones need their rest, so I’m for bed, as well.” Old man Granger said and he went inside, followed by Kenny.

The four Russians stood outside, then by unspoken consent; they went around the house and looked up at a certain bedroom window. They watched as two shadows came together for a brief moment on the shade before parting and one disappeared: leaving one still visible. Then that one too vanished and the light went out.

The four watchers quietly put an arm around their own partners, before whispering their best wishes for the reunited pair and smiling at each other; they took themselves off to bed.

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Bryan stood at the foot of the bed: his eager eyes drinking in the sight before him. Rei lay on the white sheets in nothing but his living cloak of hair and he clenched his fists in anticipation. As his eyes wandered down that glorious body, he noticed the slight curve of Rei’s normally flat stomach.

As eager as his mate, Rei crooked a finger at the falcon, beckoning him to bed. Bryan smirked and flowed to his side of the bed, he sat down on the mattress and turned off the light, before turning to his welcoming mate.

Gently, he slid into Rei’s arms and captured the eager mouth that opened without urging and dived in. For several minutes the only sounds in the room were ones of love and passion, then Bryan pulled back and panting, he whispered the question he had to have the answer too.

“Are you really going to have a kitten?”

Rei sighed and sat up. He reached out and took Bryan’s unresisting hand and put it firmly on his belly. “We’re still on the early side of things, but by the time Christmas comes, we’ll have a son or daughter to care for. That is, if you still want me.” He said sadly.

Bryan stared at him, then slowly leaned in and kissed the spot where his hand had been. When he raised his head, Rei saw the devotion shining in the moonlight depths. “I was right. You are perfect.” Bryan breathed gently caressing Rei’s stomach once again.

“No,” Rei corrected, sliding down till he was even with Bryan and pulling him close. “WE are perfect,” and he buried his fingers in Bryan’s hair and kissed him.

Aching to possess his kitten, Bryan broke the kiss and smirked at Rei’s mewl of disappointment. “Shh, kitten, I’ll make it up to you.” He rolled over, snatched the tube of lube off the bedside table and rolled back. Smiling, he handed the tube to Rei.

A look of desire glowed back at him from golden depths and Rei laid back and spread his legs. Bryan covered him with his larger frame and whispered, “don’t let me hurt you.”

“You won’t.” The trust in those words awed the cold Russian, as he lowered his head and placed a sucking kiss on Rei’s collarbone. Rei shivered under him and Bryan smirked as he nuzzled the Chinese’s throat.

Slowly, torturing them both, the lilac-haired youth took his time moving down his mate’s body. He covered Rei’s chest with kisses, before swirling his tongue around one of Rei’s dusky nipples.

“Oh gods, Bryan!” Rei moaned as he began to lose himself in sensations he hadn’t felt in far too long. As his lover suckled on the nipple he seemed determined to suck from his body, Rei buried his hands in Bryan’s hair, trying to urge his mate on.

Ignoring the tugs on his hair, Bryan continued his slow descent of Rei’s torso. Long lazy sweeps of his tongue sent shivers racing along the lines of that sweet body and Rei whimpered. Bryan couldn’t resist the hot look that Rei gave him and swooped back up for a steamy open-mouthed kiss, their tongues dueling for dominance. Bryan won and took control of the kiss reveling in the soft sounds his love made.

Leaving Rei’s kiss swollen lips, Bryan returned to tormenting his body. A quick dip in Rei’s navel made the cat-boy mewl. Another soft kiss was planted on the swell of their child, and then Bryan turned his attention to the upright proof of Rei’s desire.

“Bry! Oh, god!” Rei screamed as his mate swallowed his cock. Bryan licked, sucked and bit at the stiff flesh. Smirking, as Rei continued to moan and cry, he deep-throated the slick muscle and hummed. With a sharp cry, Rei bucked up against his lover’s mouth. Bryan grabbed Rei’s bucking hips and pinned the desperate boy to the mattress and began to swallow the creamy milk that exploded from his lover.

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Rei was lost. He couldn’t hold back his surrender to his demanding lover and when Bryan deep-throated him and hummed. A cry of surrender tore from his throat, while his fast shredding control flew out the window. A rainbow of colors painted the insides of his eyelids and he slumped back against his pillows, panting.

Bryan fumbled for the tube that had fallen from Rei’s hand and grabbing it, uncapped it and squeezed out a generous dollop. Flipping the lid closed, he tossed the tube aside and began to rub his hands together. He and Rei shared a smoldering look and the neko-jin spread his legs wider.

Rei sighed as a finger was introduced into his passage and he closed his eyes against the slight discomfort of the digit moving in and out of him. He moaned softly, as a second finger joined the first, the two moving in a scissoring motion. When a third finger, then finally a fourth was added, he felt tears gathering in the corners of his eyes, as he felt the ‘concern’ his mate was showing in preparing him for their joining.

Soft lips brushed away the tears that escaped him and a soft “Rei?” whispered in a loving tone made him open his eyes. Smiling up in his love’s worried eyes; Rei murmured, “take me home.” Fire flamed in silver eyes and with a delicate brush of his lips against Rei’s, Bryan wrapped the tiger’s long legs around his waist and took them both to paradise. He pressed passed the stretched ring of muscle, forcing himself to hold still until Rei was ready. When the slighter boy pushed back against him, he took that as his cue and began to move. Carefully, he stirred his hips, seeking that special spot that would make Rei howl and knew he found it, when Rei cried out and began to writhe against him.

Encouraged by Rei’s response, he speeded up his thrusts: as desire and instinct drove them both to new heights of pleasure.

“Bryan! Harder, please!” Rei cried, as he reached between them and began stroking himself. A hand joined his, as Bryan reached down and helped Rei find the extra friction he needed to reach completion a second time.

Rei screamed and climaxed, spraying his seed over his and Bryan’s joined hands and on his stomach. As his inner walls clamped down on Bryan, the falcon lost control and crying his lover’s name, spilled deep inside Rei’s hungry body, joining them for all time.

As Bryan collapsed, he managed at the last second to twist his body and land beside Rei. The pair of sated lovers lay quietly side by side for a long moment, then Bryan used the last of his strength to gather his limp lover in his arms and ignoring the sticky proof of their passion, cradled him against his chest and murmuring, “mine.” Fell asleep.

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Across the way, a soft sleepy voice mumbled, “remind me to tell him to close the window.” A quiet laugh answered him and a teasing voice chided, “what! You didn’t like the inspiration they provided?”

“You’re the only inspiration I need.”

“In that case, come here and kiss me.”

“I thought you wanted to sleep.”

“Shut up.”

A soft chuckle filled the room and Kai and Tala lost themselves in each other’s arms.