"Why are you here again?"

"Well, you're set to marry my brother, so I'm here to support him!"

"Sure, you're doing one hell of a job with that."

"Do you not appreciate my help, Kuro-pup?"

Kurogane's eyebrow twitched as he looked at the papers, once neatly stacked and sorted on his desk, scattered on the floor, "I wouldn't need your damn help if you hadn't knocked them over in the first place!"

Fai feigned offense, "It was an accident! Besides, I was only dodging your fist. So really let's just blame your temper."

Kurogane pinched the bridge of his nose and groaned, tail flicking with irritation. The last month had been the worst of his life. Fai being a big part of that, or so he liked to think.

Suwa was a kind country under his parent's rule. The warriors were strong, which helped keep the peace, and not many dared to try and break the wards his mother wove. It was a well-protected land, and a very fertile one. That is, it was all these things.

Kurogane's mother had grown sick a year before and her decline was steep. Her passing left Suwa without wards, and left his family without joy. Being the great leader he was, Kurogane's father was quick to save his country with a temporary alliance with the kingdom of Celes.

Celes was a war-torn land fill with nothing but ice and snow. They had ample magic, more than enough to create new wards for Suwa, but needed food for their people. So, a trade of sorts began and the princes of Celes, Yuui and Fai, began living in the Suwa Estate.

What started as a temporary fix soon became more permanent. The omega princes both needed a sturdy alpha by their side. The kings of both nations decided it was for the best for one to marry Kurogane. He felt himself lucky that Yuui was chosen to be his bride, as Fai was far more versed in battle and more useful to his country.

This is why Kurogane asked Fai daily why he stuck around. At this point he was damn sure it simply amused Fai to torture him day in and day out.

"I only went to punch you because you snuck up behind me a groped me!"

"I love tapped you Kurogane. It's a completely platonic pat to the ass. I'm sure you do that to your men all the time, right?" Fai laughed and his yellow cat ears stood tall on his head.

Kurogane looked at him with a loss of words, "You… what the hell kind of army do you run?!"

"A close knit one, obviously," he just kept laughing, ignoring the papers that he was supposed to be helping with, "You really are just too easy, Kuro-woof. I mean, really, your ears twitch at every nickname I give you. You need to lighten up a bit.

Kurogane growled, "My country is on the verge of invasion, I have an arranged marriage in a week, and you keep blocking me from working. How will 'lightening up' help anything?"

Fai crouched in front of him and pushed his finger between Kurogane's eyebrows, "It'll certainly help the scowl wrinkles, won't it?" He smirked and nimbly dodged out of the way of another strike.

"Slippery bastard. How will you ever be a king if you act like that!"

"Well, I was meant to be head of the guard, so naturally becoming a king is new to me. Besides, my husband will be king for far longer than I ever will."

"Hmph," Kurogane turned back to gathering papers, "Wouldn't be a good guard either. I bet it's easy to slip past someone as careless as you are."

"Oh~" Fai took the comment as a challenge, "You think so? Then it should be easy for one such as you to sneak up on me, right? Want to make a bet?"

"No," he replied firmly, "I've had enough of your games for today and it's barely halfway over. Go bother your brother or Tomoyo. They actually enjoy your idiocy."

"Booo," he pouted once more, "You were much more fun as a kid."

"You didn't know me as a kid. We barely met a few years back, dumbass."

"Well, 17 is kid enough. You smiled back then."

"You saw me for two seconds."

"It was enough," Fai's face turned solemn and his ears and tail fell flat for just a moment, "You smiled at me and I waved." He lit up in an instant, "You know, I think I will go and see Tomoyo. She mentioned she wanted me to try on some new clothes. Have fun cleaning your office!"

Fai slipped away and heard what he assumed to be a book slam against the wall where he was standing. He wasted no time heading for Tomoyo's workspace. She was Kurogane's cousin and was allowed ample room in the estate. She had a passion and talent for sewing, creating wondrous robes for any who asked. Currently, she was in charge of making Yuui's marriage robes, being fitted on Fai so it would be a surprise for Yuui. In return, she was also making beautiful clothes for Fai, both for the wedding and for when he returned home.

"Hello there Tomoyo! I came for the next fitting! What have you got for me today?"

Tomoyo looked up from her station and grinned and held up a painted design for Fai to see, "I'm just finishing this. I got the idea last night and couldn't sleep. Isn't it gorgeous?"

Fai nodded cheerfully, "It is, and very intricate. I do wonder how you manage to sew so fast, but you really should get a full night's rest… Were you dreaming?"

Tomoyo stopped her hands and set the fabric down, "Yes, nothing I can say, though."

Tomoyo's dreams often kept her from peaceful nights. She couldn't even sleep for the week leading up to her aunt's death. The doctors diagnosed her with insomnia and she kept her power a secret from most everyone. Looking into the future was considered taboo in most of the world, and she couldn't change the future regardless so speaking about it was moot.

Fai and Yuui both managed to sense her ability as soon as they met her and became fast friends. Kurogane was ignorant to her situation, but knew something was up between the three of them. It was more or less another way Fai could get under his skin, so he enjoyed it.

"Then, I won't worry about it. Tell me if you need a tonic, I'm more than happy to make one for you. In the meantime, let's see that dress!" Fai smiled and stood on a viewing platform.

Tomoyo stood and helped Fai wrap and tie the foreign clothes. She adjusted and pinned as needed while he spun to see himself in the mirror from all angles, "It's absolutely wonderful! It flows so perfectly." He hugged her tightly, "You are a great friend to me, Tomo-chan! Thank you for making these for me."

Tomoyo returned his embrace, "I love to do it, but if you want to make it up to me there is a way."

"Oh yeah? What does the princess want from me?" he laid his head on her shoulder.

"I want you to go after what you want. Whatever that may be."

Fai pulled away, "Tomoyo… now I'm really curious what you dreamt," he sighed, "I don't know if I can comply with that request."

"Even though it's a request from your closest friend, and after I made such beautiful kimono for you?"

"Tomoyo, you do not make life easy."

She laughed into her sleeve, "I know a certain wolf who tells me the same, so I'll take that as a compliment. Now go do your duties. I'm sure Yuui wants to talk with you, and Kurogane must be positively seething from your absence by now." Despite her words, her glossy tail wagged in excitement.

"You truly are mischievous, Tomo-chan. I'll send him your regards. Don't forget to take care of yourself!" Fai waved goodbye and walked towards the gardens.

Tomoyo waved in return and sat back at her desk. "I hope you take care of yourself too," she whispered to herself.

Yuui was out by the sakura trees sunning himself. He found much more enjoyment in the sun than the cold back home, but he couldn't say he found a place in Suwa. He liked it well enough, but it was not home. Perhaps this was just how everyone felt before their wedding, but perhaps it was because he knew more about his brother than anyone else.

A shadow passed over his closed eyes and he sniffed the air, "Brother, I'm trying to nap."

"You've been napping all day long, Brother! It's time to stand and enjoy the real world," Fai pulled his brother into a sitting position.

Yuui rolled his neck, "I much prefer the world of dreams. Nothing bad happens there."

"That's not true, nightmares can happen," Fai corrected.

"That's still better than being here," he shot back, avoiding Fai's eyes, "How long are you going to keep this up? Watching you spiral lower is the worst thing I can think of. You've been going into heat for many years and you don't even have the courage to tell anyone that the person who caused it was-"

Fai pounced and covered Yuui's mouth. "Not another word!" he hissed, eyes yellow with aggression, "We were born this way and must complete our duties. To that end, no one can know. I caught the scent of a random noble, remember? No more to it."

Yuui struggled out of his grip and flipped them over, "This is wrong and you know it! You should have admitted it in the first place, you might have even been married by now." He spat at the ground by Fai's face, "Look at yourself, you can't even fight back. Coward! Celes breeds no cowards." Yuui gave Fai a finally shove into the ground and stood, "Figure yourself out, Fai. I'm not going to pity you anymore. Grow up or be miserable, I don't care anymore." Yuui stormed out in frustration. Fai nearly lacked the ability to think of himself, and this farce had gone on long enough. Yuui had been there for five years now, doing what he could to ease Fai's lonely heats. Fai had refused to tell Yasha or Ashura who had triggered them. Although their parents tried hard, nothing could quite save him. Now his mate was marrying Yuui, and Fai still could not bring himself to set the record straight.

Yuui stopped his walking and leaned against the railing. He sighed and calmed his mind. If any good came from all those nights, it was the cycle. Yuui knew when his brother would fall into heat. He came up with a plan, although a cruel one. He had just said he didn't care, but here he was plotting against his betrothed. Well, Fai had always been kinder than Yuui anyway. Maybe it would be better this way.

Fai stayed under the sakura trees, hiding from everyone, until the sun was falling past the horizon. Shirking his duties was nothing new to Fai, but he and Yuui rarely fought. Even more rare over something big. He sighed when he felt the tinges of his heat come over him. Brushing himself off, he stood and made his way to his room and quickly as he could without looking suspicious.

In their world, heats were triggered by compatible mates once an omega began adulthood. Many alphas could be compatible, and sex would trigger them in the case of arranged marriage or the heart disobeying instincts. Fai fell into neither of those courts. He caught Kurogane's scent as soon as he matured and has never been held by the damn alpha who caused him such pain. Heats were supposed to be a good time for omegas, supposed to be a fun precursor to a loving life full of little kittens.

Fai mused about how much of a lie that seemed to be. Sure, one day he would marry, might even have a litter or two, but his fate is to rule over the Frozen Nation. He closed his door and pulled out the freshly cleaned futon.

Fai spread himself naked over the blankets and pulled a large, plain robe close. It was embarrassing, but he stole it earlier from Kurogane. It still smelled like him, bitter and heady mixed the smells of this country. This unbearably beautiful country and this unbearably beautiful alpha.

Fai mewled into the robe and curled himself around it. He inhaled deeply and reached down to stroke himself. He tried to control himself, but soon his instincts took over and his movements became erratic. He mewled and purred uncontrollably, but found little comfort from just the robe.

This was usual for him, for a day or so nothing could sate him. Then it would wear off and he would be mostly fine. On top of that, he had been sniffing Kurogane for a long time. Being so close made his discomfort heighten. If he could think, he would be trying to focus on how much better he would feel when he was in Celes again.

Fai caught particularly strong scent and moved his fingers to his ass. He scissored them and rubbed his insides, purring out a, "K-kuro~"

In his haze, he heard Kurogane call his name back. "Hnnn Kuro!" he moaned in response to his imaginations.

Or so he thought. He heard the door slide open and rolled his head over lazily. He froze when he saw his dream alpha actually standing before him, "Kuro…"

"Fai?" Kurogane took in the scene and tenses when the wall of erotic smells hit him. He stepped forward, closed the door, but kept tight control over himself, "How long?"

Fai pulled his fingers away with a whimper and sat up, still clinging to the stolen robe, "I- um…. A-awhile."

Kurogane felt a small wave of anger, "Fai. You are my natural mate and you were going to just let someone else marry me?!" He reached out and cupped Fai's cheek despite himself, "Why would you do such a stupid thing?"

Fai leaned into the hand and started crying before he could pull himself together, "It was decided so-"

"I don't care what 'was decided.' Do you honestly believe that anyone would blame you for this? Besides, you're a prince of Celes too. The alliance still stands."

Fai shook his head and clawed into the clothe in his hands, "But you hate me! How could I tell you to take care of me when all you ever wanted was for me to leave this country for good!" His tail went limp and his shoulders shuddered violently. Still, his heat was hurting him and he leaned into Kurogane's chest.

Kurogane held him tightly and spoke as gently as he could in his state, "Idiot. If I really wanted you gone you would be by now. You're the most annoying dumbass I have ever come across… but, even though I never said it, it was… a good distraction from life. You got in the way of literally everything and, in moments, made me forget that my mother was gone."

"K-kuro, please… if it's not true-"

"It is true! I never would have admitted it before but now it's important for you to know. It wouldn't be the end of the world for me to take you instead, and it would be awful for you to be left like this. Let me take care of you, Fai," Kurogane ran his finger through Fai's soft hair.

Fai was weak in his touch. He hooked his arms around Kurogane's neck and kissed his mate with all the lust he had kept bottled. Kurogane laid them both down and stripped hastily. It only took a moment for Kurogane to scan the small body below him. The pale skin had a strong flush to it, every inch was begging to be touched. Especially the dripping shaft and twitching hole. Kurogane groaned and kissed Fai's neck. He heard the quick thrumming of his heartbeat and suck at the area to leave his mark.

Fai instantly held his head close and arched his body into his lover's. He had waited so many years for this closeness. The last fleeting thought he had was a small prayer that this wasn't just a dream. Then, his mind was gone. Lost to Kurogane's lips trailing done his collar and chest, "May I?"

Fai looked at him for a moment before the words registered, "Don't ask, hurry."

Kurogane rolled Fai over, ass high for him. He kissed one cheek, then the other, before rolling his tongue over and in the welcoming hole. He probed around and bathed in the chorus of moans coming from Fai. He could tell how long Fai had played with himself. It turned him on more, the thought of his mate touching himself, wanting him more than life.

Kurogane pulled away and kissed up his spine. The only warning of his entering was the tip touching Fai just before Kurogane pushed in all the way to his growing knot. Fai purred happily and tore the futon below him. Like a sweet release, his ass relaxed around Kurogane's cock. He didn't need a moment to gather himself, he just needed more.

Kurogane knew instinctually and wasted no time thrusting smoothly inside Fai. He leaned over Fai's back and laced their hands together. "Fai," he whispered, "Do you feel me?"

With Kurogane's knot popping in and out, Fai could only moan in response. He tightened his ass as he came closer to cumming. He didn't want this end, but he was technically a virgin before this, and his body was yearning for this for so long.

Kurogane grunted when he tightened. He nibbled on Fai's ear and buried his nose in his hair. He moved faster and stretched Fai out with each thrust that pushed his knot in. Fai purred and mewled for Kurogane to do him faster and harder. Kurogane complied with every movement.

When he came, he called out Fai's name a locked himself inside. Fai came along-side him over the futon and cried out. His body was shuddering as Kurogane made them both fall onto their sides. He moved only slightly while his knot was engorged. Just enough to send shivers down Fai's spine.

"Kuro-rin," he mewled and gripped Kurogane's hands.

"Fai… You smell sweet."

He chuckled, "You hate sweets."

"Not right now…"

There was silence as they basked in their mixed scents. Kurogane held Fai close even as he pulled out.

Fai sighed and snuggled close, "What are we going to do now?"

Kurogane shrugged, "Take it a day at a time? This might cause an uproar, but I know your parent's. They are kind and good."

Fai agreed, "They are." He smiled and rubbed the arms holding him tightly. Then it hit him, "Why were you passing by? This is far from where your room and work is."

Kurogane's breath hitched, "Uh… yeah, it is. Yuui talked with me after dinner. Said you had something important to talk about."

Fai blushed, "Yuui did?!"

"Yes… So, I'm guessing he planned this then."

"I guess so… We had a fight earlier but…" Fai sighed, "He knows when my heats are."

"And he knew about me?"

"I had to tell someone. We always tell each other our secrets."

Kurogane nodded, "Well. I'm glad he told me. You would have been miserable otherwise. And I'm sure Yuui wouldn't be able to handle knowing that." He waited for Fai to respond. When he didn't Kurogane pulled the blankets over them, "Let's sleep. Everything else can wait until morning."

"Kurogane?" he whispered, "Thank you."