(I did research for birth control, and I was pleasantly surprised to find things that would work for heat-season :D Also there seems to be shots for STD prevention, which is awesome. Also, thank you for all the reviews thus far, I really appreciate them.)


Moving in with Gabriel wasn't much more than packing the convertible with clothes, his laptop, and a few other personal effects that he would need for three months at a time. He was done with school by then and he begrudgingly started looking through birth control pamphlets. It wasn't really practical to use condoms every time heat rolled around. That usually happened with poor planning. So Sam started looking into it late August, after his things were put away in a corner of Gabriel's room. Gabriel obviously had had partners there before. It left him both a little jealous and nervous because it was his only his second heat, and his first time with someone there with him.

"Find anything fun?" Gabriel leaned over the back of the couch, a mug in hand. Sam moved the pamphlet so he could see him. He had ended up laying on the couch and Max was curled up half on his belly, getting the occasional scratching behind the ear as Sam read the information. He was honestly tired of looking through them because he worried that he'd mess something up and get pregnant before he was ready.

"Only if you think researching birth control maintenance and effectiveness is fun," Sam said. Gabriel shook his head and lowered the mug, gesturing for Sam to take it. Sam sat up a bit and Max huffed because his comfy spot had been disturbed. Sam took a sip of the warm coffee, letting it clear his head. Gabriel had memorized how he took his coffee within the first week so it seemed to be his way of tending to a troubled mate.

"I think fun should include good music and food." Gabriel leaned heavily on the back of the couch and leaned down to pat Max's head.

"Well, I can't really get a IUD unless I want to go a clinic during heat season," Sam said. IUDs were inserted into the uterus, and while women had theirs like that all the time, Sam's vagina wouldn't be there until his body was completely transformed in the middle of the first month.

"Yeah, no," Gabriel said flatly. Sam nodded, agreeing. For one, his body would still be too sensitive for a doctor to put it in and it couldn't be put in while he was in heat. Gabriel also was his alpha and he wouldn't be letting anyone near Sam's vagina in heat-season.

"There are shots, patches, rings, and an implant," Sam summed up. He wanted the implant, but it was pretty expensive, even if it did last three years. The shot would keep him virtually protected for the entire length of heat-season. The ring and patch would need to be applied right after his heat started to last the entire heat. But if he was too caught up in his own hormones, he worried something might fall or slide out of place and he'd end up pregnant. "I guess the shot is the best option. Less worrying about it." Gabriel nodded.

"I think Raphael does that." Gabriel hopped over the back of the couch, taking up where Sam's head had been. Sam wedged himself against the couch and Gabriel, using the alpha as a backrest without a complaint from him. "She hasn't had any kids yet." Sam nodded.

"That's good," he said, relaxing a bit. "I guess I should go to the clinic and get checked out."

"Not today though," Gabriel said.

Sam smiled and agreed, "Not today, but soon." He paused a moment, fiddling with the mug in his hands, half of its liquid drained. "You've been with others..."

"I get my own health shots in two weeks." Gabriel assured him. "The whole shtick for herpes, HIV, and the other STD oogies." Sam chuckled and turned to kiss Gabriel's cheek. Neither of them were excited about shots, but Sam was very pleased they were doing it right. Gabriel smiled and wrapped his arm around Sam's middle. He placed a kiss on Sam's nape and Sam leaned into it, sighing happily.

"It's kind of odd, knowing I don't have to go back to high school," Sam mentioned.

Gabriel's fingers walked down one of Sam's thighs. "I guess it is. Hey, you know what we haven't done?" Gabriel's fingers got almost to his knee before they dragged back up Sam's jean clad leg.

"What's that?" Sam's hand laid over Gabriel's, knitting their fingers together.

"We haven't properly celebrated your birthday or your graduation." Gabriel grinned.

There had been a graduation party, and Sam had a nice birthday at Trick n' Treat. Gabriel had gotten him a book, on blackjack no less. He'd even tried a few hands with Gabriel and luckily they were only playing for candy, which Sam didn't mind losing. Sam was still getting used to the rules and he tried count cards, but couldn't quite keep track as fast as Gabriel; who kept distracting him by talking to him. Sam was much better at poker and Gabriel was fond of strip poker once he found out Sam was good at it.

Sam blinked curiously at Gabriel. "We haven't?"

"No, we haven't," Gabriel confirmed. He started lavishing Sam's shoulder with kisses and Sam relaxed into it. Sam looked forward to their entwined limbs and Gabriel's marks on his skin. Being marked by his mate made him feel secure, even though it usually escalated to something more sexual, such as a hand job or grinding against each other until their needs were satisfied. Gabriel's kisses lead up his neck and he whispered into his ear, "I want to take you before heat-season." Sam blinked curiously, pulled from his lustful haze.

It wasn't an outlandish request because the summer was quickly ending and it wasn't like Sam hadn't thought about sex. It was why their relationship was arranged; they were going to have sex in heat-season. Sex outside of that leaned more towards free-loving; a recreational activity.

"Um... that would be..." The thought made him a bit nervous, more than he expected to be. Sure he'd had sex with Jess once before heat season, and that had been nerve wracking as well. "I'm not sure."

"What aren't you sure about?" Gabriel asked.

"Well if we..." Sam wet his lips, trying to find the right words. "My vagina isn't even functional right now." Women's vaginas were functional all year round, but Sam's had tightened to something as functional as a belly button between his balls and anus. It was how male omega's were built. He assumed Gabriel wouldn't want anything penetrative between heats.

Gabriel raised a brow. "Yeah, I know. That's why they have that thing called anal." Sam looked quietly at the mug in his hands, swirling it gently like a mini whirl pool. "Not something you're into?" Sam's shoulders shrugged and he tried not to feel like he was disappointing his alpha. Sure he'd heard of it; it sounded rather painful and he didn't know why people would do it. Accept maybe male betas that liked male betas; those who didn't have heats but were attracted to each other. He never looked into it. He guessed he was raised very conservative in that sense. He'd accepted that he loved Jess for a time, and everything would be okay if he was an alpha. But he wasn't. So as an omega, logically, he would have the required equipment to have sex with Gabriel in a couple months.

"I don't know. I mean, heat is only two more months away," Sam said.

"Two whole months," Gabriel almost whined and he pet Sam's spine. "It's a long wait, and we pretty much only have one month before prep time. And you know there's not going to be any hanky-panky then." Sam's shoulders scrunched up uncomfortably.

"Yeah, but at least I'll have all the right equipment then." Sam rubbed Max's head, earning a content sound from the pooch. Gabriel mumbled a mild complaint into his back when the alpha pressed his head against his shoulder blades. "I mean, being an omega is one thing... but anal has always sounded painful."

"It's only painful if people do it wrong." Gabriel muttered and then paused and he lifted his head, alerted to a thought. "Or is it because you don't think it can feel good?" Sam shrugged. He couldn't help it. All throughout high school he'd heard girls saying they'd never do anal and then guys saying coarse things like tearing a girl's ass in two. It left him wanting to stay far away from the subject.

"I don't think it would feel good," Sam admitted. "I think it might feel good for who ever is topping, but I can't see why it would feel good for the person receiving." He presumed the one bottoming would be himself because he was the omega, and honestly he couldn't deny that he had little desire to top his alpha.

Gabriel shifted around so that his arms slid over Sam's shoulders and he knelt in the cushions, but acted as Sam's back rest with his chest against Sam's back. "I can prove you so very wrong if you'll let me." Gabriel leaned his head into Sam's, giving him a soft nuzzle that warmed Sam a little. But Gabriel thrusting into his ass was still an intimidating prospect.

"I don't know." Sam squirmed uncomfortably at the thought.

"Hear me out." Gabriel's hands moved to Sam's shoulders and he gently started massaging them. Sam let out a soft sigh as Gabriel's palms rubbed away some of the stress near his neck. "I want to make you feel good. Sure we can fool around with strip poker and marking you is one of my favorite past times." He kissed the back of Sam's head. "But I want to have you outside of heat as well. Heat is fun and all, but it's hard to really enjoy another person in the throws of lust." Sam pursed his lips. Trust Gabriel to make the notion of anal sex sound romantic. "And it's not like we have to plow right into it." Gabriel kissed the back of his neck, giving Sam very pleasant goosebumps up his spine. "Easiest way to see if you like it would be one finger." Sam glanced at his own hands. He knew his were bigger than Gabriel's, and his fingers didn't look as intimidating as Gabriel's cock did.

"Just one?" Sam asked curiously. "And if I don't like it, you'll stop?"

Gabriel nodded against his head. "Yup. That's as far as I'll go for the day. Promise. Cross my heart and hope to pie."

"It's 'hope to die'," Sam corrected him and he debated a pinky-swear but he was more mature than that.

"I don't know why anyone would hope to die. Hoping to pie is much better, and much more delicious," Gabriel said. Sam took a deep breath. He decided he might as well let Gabriel show him what the big deal was. Gabriel was his alpha and Sam didn't think his alpha would do anything to harm him.

"I guess... we can try it," Sam relented. He felt a grin in the kiss Gabriel pressed to the side of his head.

"Great." Gabriel got up and Sam sat up more, disturbing Max's comfortable spot with a huff from him. "Let's get comfy."

They moved to the bedroom; the coffee mug left behind and the door shut so Max didn't follow them in. Gabriel gathered a few items before Sam was comfortable enough to sit on the bed. They had been sharing the bed without a thought. Sam was comfortable snuggled up close to Gabriel. Gabriel snored a little sometimes, but telling him to roll over usually solved that problem.

"Why are you all tense, kiddo?" Gabriel asked when he stood in front of Sam to get his attention.

"I just... am," Sam said quietly. Gabriel leaned his hands on his knees, eye level with him.

"Do you trust me?" Gabriel asked, quite genuinely. Sam slowly nodded. He trusted Gabriel to not hurt him. Sure Gabriel was a prankster, but he had never done anything to really scar him.

"I trust you," Sam said. Gabriel smiled and gave him a peck on the lips.

It started much like they did when Gabriel wanted to leave his marks over Sam's skin. In fact, Gabriel started refreshing the faded mouth shaped bruises on his neck. Their shirts were removed and Sam found himself on his back, shoulders scrunching pleasurably as Gabriel's lips roamed his throat and his hands held him to the bed. His collar lay on the bedside table, out of the way to give Gabriel full access. Sam relaxed easily, feeling a sense of security under Gabriel. It was strangely primal. There was very little talking or even verbal noises unless it turned sexual. Normally it was just refreshing to have his alpha pampering his body with kisses and touches. It usually ended with something sexual for one of them. Sam's finger tips gently raked down Gabriel's shoulder and chest, legs spreading naturally for the alpha to kneel between them.

What differed that night was instead of working his way back up to Sam's lips for a nice make out session, his hands traveled down and pulled open Sam's pants. Sam took a deep breath, remembering what he'd agreed to. His body was warm from attention so he didn't resist as Gabriel shucked his pants and underwear. It was the first time he was completely bare before Gabriel so it was a little nerve wracking to watch Gabriel's golden eyes lazily drink him in.

"Good I hope," Sam said.

"Mm, always." Gabriel kissed his stomach, above Sam's semi-aroused cock.

"I'm just... really skinny," Sam said. He knew he didn't have the softer curves omegas had. But even when he found out he was an omega he didn't want to give up running or eating healthy. He still had his masculine build and he did hope Gabriel didn't mind that.

"You look damn good." Gabriel pushed off his own pants, equaling out their nakedness. Gabriel wasn't exactly a stereotypical muscular alpha. Sam never minded the extra padding when they were snuggled up close. Gabriel didn't seem to give it any thought as he kissed Sam's hip and his hand gently squeezed Sam's open thighs. Gabriel then picked up the bottle of lubrication that was next to the bed, along with a towel that he spread out under Sam's butt. Sam's hands dug into the sheets, watching Gabriel's fingers get slathered with lube. "Just relax," Gabriel told him before his wet digits trailed up the valley between his butt cheeks. They smoothed over the sensitive skin and Sam shivered. Then they slid over his anus and over the navel sized indent where in months, his body would be completely different.

Gabriel fondled his balls and then stroked him with the wet fingers. Sam gave a soft sound, relaxing as his cock was pet. The other hand smoothed down between Sam's legs, also wet from lube as it rubbed over Sam's ass. Sam's eyes fluttered closed, keenly aware of every spot Gabriel touched. A finger circled the hole, sending unexpected shivers of pleasure up his spine, fueling his ridged cock in Gabriel's hand. They teased him, petting the entrance and squeezing his cock. Sam let out a soft moan and squeezed his outer thighs. He didn't think it could feel good, but Gabriel was proving him very wrong and he wasn't even inside him yet.

Gabriel broke the line between petting and inserting without a warning. The tip of his finger slid in so easily Sam almost missed it. It wasn't painful. He sort of expected it to be immediately painful, but there wasn't any. It felt odd; having pressure inside his body. very different from using a toy during heat. For one thing, he wasn't in control of it. Gabriel worked his slick finger in and out. He eventually worked it in to the knuckle with his middle finger and Sam felt his skin flush. He wasn't sure what it was at first, but there was an area Gabriel's finger would slide against; it would make his belly tingle and his toes curl. Sam found himself dragging his own hands up and down his chest and he forced himself to stop. He peeked and saw Gabriel watching him instead of watching his own hands.

Gabriel gave him a smirk. "Don't mind me, I'm enjoying the show." Sam let out a shaky breath of nervousness and arousal. He was unwinding from the finger petting whether he was trying to or not. Gabriel's hand was firmly holding his cock and the pressure was becoming a pleasant throbbing ache the more Gabriel's finger moved. His hips lifted as Gabriel's finger curled inside. Sam let out a breathy sound with a wave of goose flesh that washed over his skin.

"Oh god..." Sam breathed. His hips twitched in a bucking motion as Gabriel decided to rub the wall inside him that felt best. Sam's head was a buzz, focusing solely on the pleasures and a huge crash of sudden desire not unlike heat suddenly washed over him. He gripped his cock over Gabriel's hand, feeling the need to stroke himself furiously because Gabriel was being so relaxed about it. His other hand dug nails into Gabriel's arm, a swell of need driving him.

Gabriel locked his eyes with Sam. "Hands down." Sam obeyed, fingers sinking into the sheets before he could even think to protest.

Gabriel had never used his alpha stare on him before. It was a very different sensation when in the middle of a lust heavy moment. Sam wasn't even in heat but his head fell back and he whined. He wasn't scared by the stare, but he was more than compelled to obey because he knew in his core Gabriel was going to help him release all the built up tension; like he knew Gabriel would in heat-season. He'd heard of omegas going into a faux-heat before heat-season. The urge to have sex became so strong that it was the only thing the omega thought of while in the state. A highly sexual moment in summer could easily lead to one of those lust-spells.

In heat, the lust that over took his mind scared Sam a bit. He thought of nothing else but the final explosion of pleasure. He'd never had it outside of heat-season before, but he was definitely in one then. Gabriel could easily break his promise, go all the way, and Sam wouldn't say stop. But he didn't. It was good to have someone to tell his body to stay still, almost soothing if he wasn't so wound up. Sam opened his mouth to take in sharp, panting breaths and Gabriel's fingers stopped being so lazy, thrusting deep into him.

"Don't worry, Sam. I'll take care of you," Gabriel told him. He had to recognize the change because it was no longer the easy pace that left Sam in warm tingles but hot coils started to wind up in Sam's belly as Gabriel's hand jerked him off and thrust knuckle deep into him. Sam panted, eyes closing tight. He was wound tighter, pressure inside threatening to make him cry out. He swallowed it down, refusing to start caterwauling outside of his heat. He still had some control while out of heat-season, proving it wasn't a full heat.

Sam was consumed for several moments, feeling Gabriel's hands sync up enough that Sam lost any control on his body as he came. He yelled sharply as his orgasm hit harder and faster than he was ready for. He came to his senses, panting and trembling from his release. His fingers were still deep in the sheets, threatening to pull them off the mattress.

"Easy there." Gabriel leaned over him and placed a kiss on his lips. Sam's hands came up to bury themselves in Gabriel's hair, pulling him back down for a lazier, post orgasm kisses. He was breathless but he didn't care, he felt so good, and he couldn't yet gather words to tell his mate that he loved everything Gabriel did to him. Gabriel chuckled, indulging him in several deep kisses. Once Sam laid back and his breathing evened out, Gabriel asked, "Did you really just have a lust spell?"

"I think so," Sam felt the towel get laid over his belly and Sam used it to mop himself up halfheartedly. He then grew sheepish, realizing he'd just gone into a primal sex frenzy while his mate was fingering him. "I didn't... I've never done that outside of heat season."

"Well..." Gabriel raised his brows, thinking a moment. "It could have been because you haven't tried it before." He then lifted his arm, where Sam barely remembered gripping it so tightly. There was a neat row of crescent shaped wounds that were glistening with blood. "Looks like you did a little of your own marking on me." Sam covered his mouth with his hand, guilt rushing through him.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry," Sam gasped. That's why Gabriel had used the alpha stare. He hadn't realized he had gripped him that hard. He'd been so focused on cumming that he didn't even think about what he'd been doing. Gabriel still gave him an easy smile, waving off the worry because the wounds were shallow.

"It's okay. I'm just going to go clean up and bandage it." Gabriel gave him a kiss on the head because Sam's mouth was covered by his hands and he slid out of bed. What ever erection Gabriel had before his lust spell had gone and that only made Sam more guilty.

Sam cleaned up while Gabriel was in the bathroom. He tossed the towel in the laundry hamper, put on some sweats to sleep in and curled up in bed. A heavy rock settled in his gut as he waited and listened for Gabriel to be done. The wait was the worst part. He never wanted to hurt his mate like that.

Finally, Gabriel came out and put on a pair of red boxers. Sam watched silently, wondering if Gabriel would be mad at him. He was the omega, he shouldn't be hurting his alpha. Finally Gabriel came over and leaned over the bed. The middle of his forearm was wrapped in white bandages. Sam must have looked pathetic because Gabriel was giving him a sympathetic look.

"What's that look for, Kiddo?" Gabriel asked.

Sam's eyes welled up with tears as he said, "I didn't want to hurt you."

"Hey, hey, no tears, come on now." Gabriel climbed into bed and wrapped Sam up in a warm hug. Sam took deep breaths, trying to calm himself; but trying to stop made him hiccup and the tears welled up more, spilling down his face. He buried his nose in Gabriel's chest and wrapped his arms around his waist. "Shh, Sam, baby, it's okay. It wasn't that bad." It didn't help that Gabriel smelled of sterile bandages and neosporin.

"I'm sorry," Sam said when he felt he could speak without his gummed up throat making him sob. He sounded like a wreck anyway, which he hated.

Gabriel hugged Sam around the shoulders, basically pinning Sam between himself and the bed. "It's okay," Gabriel assured him and ran his hand through Sam's hair. He soothed Sam's hot cheek with a kiss, snuggling him and it, ironically, made Sam feel safer. He tucked his head under Gabriel's chin, taking deep breaths until he calmed down. "I hope you know I'm not mad," Gabriel said after a while, his cheek resting on Sam's forehead.

"You should be," Sam muttered. "I hurt you. And I killed the mood." He had been feeling wonderful until he came back to his senses. He felt greedy, even ungrateful for Gabriel helping him feel so good. "I'm a selfish bitch."

"You're too hard on yourself." Gabriel kissed his head. He laughed lightly. "You should see how torn up I was after my first heat with my ex. Now she had claws. I'm just glad you have a nail biting habit or something." Sam didn't feel like mentioning that he did not bite his nails; he clipped them every week. Gabriel smiled, leaning down and kissing Sam's lips gently. "I wasn't expecting a finger would send you into a spell."

"I didn't know it was going to feel like that," Sam said in his defense.

Gabriel was smirking. "Felt good then?"

Sam sighed but gave a short nod. "It felt very good. I'm sorry I couldn't return the favor."

"Mm, later." Gabriel pressed their cheeks together in a soft nuzzle. Sam relaxed and kissed Gabriel's cheek