Notes:

AO3 Tags: Orochimaru/Sakumo, Mutual Pining, Animalistic Traits, Smut, First Time, Loss of Virginity, Getting Together

This one is from Sakumo's POV. There's a little bit of chapter 1 overlap, but hopefully I've written it not to sound repetitive. Also, leaning more heavily into that 'Animalistic Traits' tag. Because why not, you know? Summons influences are an interesting concept.

WARNING: This is very smutty! There is explicit sex! Adult readers only!

Chapter 2: Sakumo

Sakumo had noticed Orochimaru before, of course. He was beautiful, and brilliant, and a powerful ninja – all things worth noticing. But what drew his attention most was the wild. That edge of otherness that only those closely contracted with animals could understand.

Orochimaru's was of a different flavour, serpentine, not canine – or perhaps draconic if the old legends held any truth – but there was something enthralling in the way he barely bothered wearing a mask. Not like Sakumo, who played tame wolf, or even the Inuzuka, who wore their wildness brazenly enough you didn't realise there was something more to see, something deadlier. Orochimaru kept the deadly parts on display, fangs sheathed only enough not to harm the pack—nest? Sakumo wasn't sure of serpentine terminology, but the point stood.

Orochimaru was dangerous – blatantly so – and Sakumo liked it.

It had been almost two years since that revelation. Two years since their first shared mission, the first time Sakumo got to really interact with Orochimaru and see him in action – to be in awe of the skill and ruthlessness with which he carved through their enemies.

Since then, Sakumo had been waging a subtle campaign to get closer to the other man.

He wasn't sure Orochimaru had noticed.

He probably thought Sakumo was just being friendly when he kept dragging him to after-mission dinners. And memorised Orochimaru's favourite foods so they always chose a restaurant with something he'd like. And drew the man into conversation, uncharacteristically caring not a whit for making sure everyone was comfortable and having fun when Orochimaru's topics verged towards the macabre.

Honestly, Orochimaru was a bit oblivious.

Admittedly, Sakumo's intentions at first had been platonic – Dan was great, but having a friend who understood the wild, having that kinship, was something Sakumo yearned for. However, by the time he'd progressed to paying for Orochimaru's meals – framing it as bribery to get him to come eat with them – and insisting on sitting beside him each time, glaring at anyone else who tried to take that prime spot…

Well, by then it should have clicked.

Sakumo had started to fear that Orochimaru just wasn't interested. Not in him, and maybe not in anyone. Which was fine. Disappointing, but fine. Friendship wasn't a consolation prize. And they had progressed to friends of a sort. He'd even gotten Orochimaru to start calling him 'Sakumo' rather than 'Hatake' – Dan, to the man's amused dejection, remained 'Katō' and barely merited a greeting, despite sharing half those missions and dinners.

So yes, friendship was fine. Was good, even. Sakumo could cherish that for what it was and not ruin things by pressing for more.

But then, one day, it all changed.

He'd been sitting in the jōnin standby station, quietly chatting to Dan in between shamelessly eavesdropping on Orochimaru's conversation with Tsunade. The pair were always highly entertaining – like siblings who adored each other but also bickered constantly out of general principle. Occasionally, Sakumo would feed a little titbit to Dan, who was barely participating in the conversation, too busy blatantly mooning over the object of his own affections.

When Tsunade started running fingers through her hair, Dan forgot how to speak mid-sentence. And when she threw her head back and laughed, he literally fumbled the kunai he was sharpening, almost impaling his foot. Sakumo couldn't help but roll his eyes at that. Really, he was a little embarrassed for Dan – he was a ninja, where was the dexterity? Amusement sparked into secret delight when Sakumo caught Orochimaru's gaze and they shared a moment of understanding – two men, each stuck with a best friend who was pining hopelessly and with not an ounce of subtlety.

Sakumo was sure his own pining was much more discreet.

It was shortly after that that the conversation took a life-changing turn:

"How, precisely, does one go about seducing an acquaintance?"

Orochimaru's words echoed in Sakumo's head – resounded like a gong. He barely paid any attention to the way Tsunade and Orochimaru started tussling like genin. His heart skipped a beat, then raced. Because it turned out Orochimaru could be interested in that way. At least in general. And maybe… maybe in Sakumo in particular, if he played his cards right?

He gave the man a speculative look. How could Sakumo express his extreme willingness to go to bed with Orochimaru without crossing any boundaries?

Wait. A thought suddenly occurred to him, causing his stomach to swoop. What if Orochimaru had a particular acquaintance in mind? What if he was already interested in someone? Would Sakumo have to live with the knowledge that someone else got to have that with Orochimaru.

Fuck. Okay, it was fine. He would accept it of course. It was all he could do. And he'd get over it. Of course he would. So he had a little crush. It wasn't like it was a big deal or anyth—

"Oh my," Orochimaru purred as Jiraiya fainted, tone gone velvety in delight, the sound practically a caress, and Sakumo choked. Never had he both blessed and cursed his sensitive hearing so much.

"I'm fine," Sakumo assured Dan when he tore his woebegone gaze away from the scene just long enough to ask if he was okay. Right, Sakumo realised. Dan was woebegone. Time to put his own issues aside and be a good friend. "It's fine, Dan. It's not what you think."

Dan sighed, clearly not believing him. To be fair, the way Tsunade had been so loudly thrilled with Orochimaru's desire to 'get laid' and then pinned him down and straddled him could have passed for soft core pornography.

Orochimaru had looked nice, all flushed and ruffled.

"Hey!" Jiraiya said, puffing up. "If anyone's a pathetic, untouched maiden here, Oro—"

Orochimaru went deadly still, expression tight. His jaw fell open slightly, and it was not an expression of shock, but of barely leashed threat – lips parted just enough to reveal descended fangs.

Part of Sakumo was reeling from the implication of Jiraiya's words – really, never? – but most of him was furious. Jiraiya wasn't malicious, he knew, but he could be careless with the feelings of others, especially Orochimaru. Sometimes, it made Sakumo want to tear a strip off of him.

He meant that literally.

It wasn't an urge he could indulge, however. Even ignoring the logical reasons, stronger instincts rebelled against it. Jiraiya was… not pack exactly, but… extended pack? Pack adjacent? Pack ally? He was Konoha. And all loyal Konoha people were his people and not to be harmed.

That didn't mean he wasn't tempted.

Really tempted.

Sakumo continued absently patting a dejected Dan's back, but didn't speak. His teeth were clenched and his lips pressed together so that he didn't bare fang and snarl like the wolf he was inside. It was only after Jiraiya had swept out of the room – with Amakuni of the questionable taste in tow – that Sakumo finally relaxed.

"So, who exactly are you hoping to hop into bed with?"

Sakumo looked over just in time to see Orochimaru, in response to Tsunade's question, glance toward them. He stilled. Wait, was he… Tsunade suddenly went quiet, voice laced with devastation as she tried to pretend she was okay with Orochimaru wanting Dan. But it wasn't Dan he'd looked at, Sakumo was fairly sure. Orochimaru was growing increasingly frustrated by the assumption, like—

"It's Sakumo," he hissed.

Excitement shot through Sakumo. Delight, elation, victory. He felt himself start to smile.

Orochimaru glanced over again, and away. Then swiftly back once more. Sakumo could see the confusion, the whirring thoughts, and his smile grew wider, wild, and just so fucking thrilled he wanted to howl.

"Oh no," Orochimaru breathed softly, but Sakumo heard it clear as day. He didn't look away, even as Tsunade prodded at her friend for an explanation. "The Hatake have canine summons."

And then Tsunade – merciless in her giddy delight and lingering relief that no, Orochimaru wasn't interested in Dan – jumped up and began dragging a protesting Orochimaru their way. Sakumo still didn't break their gaze, though his expression softened a little at Orochimaru's clear mortification, joy muted by the signs of discomfort.

Tsunade, however, continued to be without mercy.

"Well?" she demanded. "You up for popping my friend's cherry?"

Truly – utterly merciless.

Dan was so relieved Sakumo was surprised he didn't slide right off the lounge with that boneless slump. Orochimaru, on the other hand, went ominously still. He turned to his suddenly wary friend with eerie calm… and declared his earnest intention to kill her.

Tsunade, in a display of stunning self-preservation instincts, fled for her life.

"Please excuse me," Orochimaru said, perfectly polite, bowing with inhuman grace, and then he was gone.

There was a moment of silence.

"Okay, look," Dan said in a rush, "if you don't go after him after that, then—"

Sakumo was gone before he could finish the sentence.

Orochimaru's stride hitched as Sakumo fell into step beside him. Sakumo wouldn't have noticed if he wasn't paying such avid attention. He also noticed… was that a blush? Gone almost quicker than it appeared. Or had he imagined it?

"So," Sakumo said slowly, considering his approach with care, because cornering a predator was a stupid thing to do, and Orochimaru was every bit a predator. "You could go looking for Tsunade."

"And kill her."

Sakumo stifled a laugh, but the mirth came through in his tone when he agreed. "Or…" he added, and then carefully, gently, he reached out. Fingertips skimmed Orochimaru's elbow, making sure not to grab – an entreaty, not a restraint.

Promisingly, Orochimaru took a moment to gather his composure. "Or?" he asked, golden eyes gone sharp and wary. He wasn't lashing out, didn't even move to shake Sakumo's hand off, but he was… he was tense, a predator prepared to pounce or flee depending upon what happened next.

Sakumo very much wanted to be pounced upon.

"Or," Sakumo said, not missing how Orochimaru swallowed hard when he stepped closer, further into his space, near enough their clothes brushed. "Or – Tsunade's less than tactful delivery aside – if you are actually interested, I would love to take you to bed, Orochimaru." He put all his earnestness, all his want, into the words, and then waited for Orochimaru to make his choice.

After a long, breathless silence, Orochimaru breathed out an "Oh," that sounded almost relieved, as if – well, Sakumo supposed Orochimaru really had been oblivious to his interest. A shiver went down Sakumo's spine as golden eyes locked onto his, all but pinning him in place with their intensity. With utter confidence, Orochimaru said, "Yes."

Sakumo grinned, wild and thrilled.

And then he gripped Orochimaru's elbow more firmly, tugged him closer, and kissed him.

He was kissed back with just as much passion, if less finesse. Right, he reminded himself, inexperienced. But he had full faith Orochimaru would catch him up, if not exceed him in skill in short order. Orochimaru's brilliance was not a subtle thing, and he learned quickly in any subject he put his attention to. And he was really, really putting his attention to this, Sakumo thought, groaning as fingers buried into his hair, then scraped down his nape. The twitch of lips against his own, and the sound Orochimaru made, spoke of well-deserved smugness. It nearly distracted Sakumo from the sound of approaching footsteps.

Nearly, but not quite.

It was with deep reluctance that he drew back, glaring down the corridor. Orochimaru's eyes darted that way, understanding dawning quickly, and then he stepped back. Sakumo fought the urge to whine like a deprived pup. Elegant fingers smoothed out wrinkled fabric where Sakumo had been clutching Orochimaru's sleeve, and the other man managed to looked unaffected by the time the approaching jōnin rounded the corner. Sakumo took a deep breath to settle himself, but it was clear, by the confused look the jōnin threw him as they nodded politely in passing, that he'd been much less successful in his composure.

Once the jōnin entered the standby station and they were once more alone, Orochimaru turned an expectant look Sakumo's way. "Somewhere with more privacy, perhaps?" he suggested. Gratifyingly, while he appeared unaffected, his voice said otherwise, tone gone low and silky, and Sakumo…

His breath hitched. He hadn't even known he had a voice kink before today, when he heard Orochimaru's go all velvety with glee when Jiraiya fainted. Oh, he'd always had more definitive opinions than most on what sounds were pleasant and unpleasant, but nothing to this extent. He hadn't realised Orochimaru could make his knees go a little weak with words alone. Sakumo's head tilted automatically, the better to hear anything Orochimaru had to say.

Sharp golden eyes caught every tell, and one eyebrow rose. "Oh?" Orochimaru said, all speculative delight, and Sakumo knew he was in trouble, but by all the gods, he would not change a single thing. "Hmm, interesting."

Clearing his throat, Sakumo said, "Privacy. Right. We could…" He considered his options, what he really wanted – Orochimaru, in his space, his home and territory, his bed. It would make it harder on him if it turned out all Orochimaru wanted was something casual, and the sensible thing would be to clarify first, or play it smart and go elsewhere, but…

Fuck it, if this was happening, Sakumo would be reckless and greedy. He was going to take as much as Orochimaru would give him and deal with the fallout later.

"My place?" Sakumo said, and pretended it was an offhand offer. The way Orochimaru studied him said he might have failed in that, but the other man didn't question it, just hummed and nodded.

By some miracle, they didn't run anyone over while flickering lightning-fast across the rooftops, despite paying only half a mind to their surroundings – the other half, of course, was focussed on each other. They dropped down a short distance from the modest Hatake clan house, and reached the front door in a few quick strides. As he went to open it, Sakumo froze mid-motion as Orochimaru pressed up against his back.

"Well, are we going inside?" Orochimaru asked, chin resting on Sakumo's shoulder to murmur in his ear. "I believe the whole point was…" His tone lowered, "Privacy."

Sakumo whined, and felt lips curl in a smirk against his jaw. "You're doing that on purpose," he accused, but without much offence. Or any at all, really.

Orochimaru's laugh was a soft rasp of a thing. "What kind of ninja would I be if I did not use every weapon in my arsenal – and you have handed me such an… intriguing one," he purred.

Sakumo reached hastily for the door, eager to get inside and continue where they'd left off. At the same time, an arm wrapped around his waist, palm splaying low on his stomach, and in a stunning lack of grace, Sakumo fumbled with the door handle. Twice. He felt a sudden sympathy for Dan dropping that kunai – he had judged his friend too harshly.

Another laugh, and Orochimaru had mercy on him, lifting his hand away and to the door, opening it himself. Sakumo stumbled inside. The moment the door was closed, he crowded Orochimaru against it. Orochimaru hummed and leaned back, looking up at him.

"Well, you have me in your lair, wolf," he said, tone teasing, but thankfully for Sakumo's composure, not that velvety purr. "What next?" As he tilted his head to one side, questioning, his hair slid away to reveal his throat.

Composure was gone.

Sakumo, not even caring that he was handing Orochimaru another weapon for his arsenal, spent the next few minutes kissing every inch of Orochimaru's throat. When it became clear the other man would not object – merely tug him closer – he made sure to leave light bruises and the gentle impressions of teeth. One of his hands was occupied tugging Orochimaru's collar down. The other was buried in his hair, coaxing his head to just the right angle. He couldn't help carding through it, fingers slipping through the strands like silk.

"How is your hair so soft?" he drew back to murmur.

His own was coarse and dense – wolf rough. Not that Orochimaru seemed to mind, given how his hands kept wandering up to scratch through it… and down Sakumo's nape, eliciting a shiver each time. Another weakness that Orochimaru, in his perceptiveness, had been quick to make note of and exploit. And truly, he was going to have no defences against this man before too long.

Sakumo's own hair was a legacy of the canine contract, but Orochimaru's… "Snakes don't have hair." A thought occurred. "Dragons have manes."

"I suppose they do," Orochimaru said vaguely.

Sakumo took the non-answer for what it was and let the subject drop. The snake summons' possible connection to dragons was common speculation, but there had never been any proof. Orochimaru's clan must have kept it that way – either by cultivating false rumours, or suppressing the truth – and either way, it therefore fell under clan secrets better left alone.

Anyway, there were more interesting things to be focussing on. Like the way Orochimaru had apparently decided mere hands were not enough to draw Sakumo close, and wrapped a leg around him instead. He tugged Sakumo into him and arched up. Sakumo ground forward in reflexive response, and they both groaned.

"Bed?" Sakumo panted.

"Bed," Orochimaru agreed, gratifyingly breathless. Then he paused, gaze clearing – Sakumo resisted the urge to whine. "You have a child."

Sakumo's own head cleared a little at that. "Yes, Kakashi." The fondness and pride that tinged the name was automatic. His son was amazing and perfect. An overly precocious headache at times, admittedly, but still – amazing and perfect.

Orochimaru lifted his chin, breathing in deeply through his mouth. "He's not here."

Sakumo – who had been briefly distracted by a flicker of tongue –took a moment to remember Orochimaru's keen, taste-based sense of smell, which had been put to use on the occasional mission. "No, he's in the summons realm. Won't be back for a few days. You don't have to worry about him barging in on us."

Orochimaru tilted his head. "Isn't he… quite young for that?"

"My boy's a genius." The uncharacteristic lack of pride in his words was a dead giveaway, even to Orochimaru, who, he had learned, was not always the best at picking up emotional cues. Sakumo grimaced. "I am… uncomfortable, with the interest Elder Shimura has shown in him."

"Interest?" Orochimaru echoed, voice sharp.

Sakumo blinked. "Oh, no! Not like that. Just… Kakashi's a genius, but he's still so little," he said, helpless. "It's a hard enough balance to strike – not holding him back, but also not letting him rush ahead too fast – without people like Danzō Shimura butting in with their own agenda."

Orochimaru relaxed. "Out of sight, out of mind?"

"Or out of reach, at least." Sakumo shrugged. "My summons are great with him. They agreed to have him visit, and even a serious little genius like Kakashi can't resist giant floofy ninja wolves." His smile turned proud then. "None of us expected him to actually find a packmate of his own while there, not at his age, but he ran across a little pug puppy, and they've been inseparable ever since."

"Dog summoner, then."

Sakumo smiled sheepishly. "The wolves are a bit put out, but really, they're the ones who took him on a tour of all the other canine territories, so it's their own fault."

Orochimaru nodded, and then tilted his head to one side, brushing his hair back behind his shoulder as he did. It bared his throat again – absolutely on purpose this time, Sakumo was sure, but didn't care, was thrilled by it. He stepped closer without thought, gently cupping Orochimaru's neck.

"We will not be interrupted then," Orochimaru murmured, looking at him from beneath lowered lids.

Sakumo dragged his thumb down the pale throat in a covetous gesture. "No," he rumbled. "We won't."

"Then, with my concern alleviated…" Orochimaru's voice went low and velvety. "I believe I was promised a bed?"

Sakumo whined, and swayed forward, literally weak at the knees. He recovered at the last second, one hand planted on the door by Orochimaru's head, so close their breaths mingled. Orochimaru laughed, and there was really nothing to do but tilt his chin the last inch of distance and kiss the man breathless.

Jerking back, Sakumo muttered, "Bed, right," and tugged Orochimaru further into the house. They stumbled down the hall to the right room, and Orochimaru paused on the threshold, eyes thoughtful as he took it in. Suddenly self-conscious, Sakumo darted a quick look around. He was relieved to see that, yes, he had made the bed that morning, and no, there were no dirty clothes or other embarrassing messes lying about.

"Your bedroom?" Orochimaru asked, raising one eyebrow.

Sakumo flushed, but reassured himself that Orochimaru couldn't know the intimacy he was taking by bringing him into his den, the very heart of his territory… right? "The guest room isn't made up," he simply said. "Don't worry, I changed the sheets yesterday." He was relieved when Orochimaru just nodded and stepped forward. Sakumo closed the door behind them, hearing a soft thwump, and when he turned around…

Orochimaru's flak jacket was on the floor. He was striding towards the bed, stepping out of his shoes as he went. Another step, and he stripped off his shirt without pause, revealing pale, unmarred skin. Another step, and hands lowered to what could only be his pants fastenings.

Swallowing hard, Sakumo leaned back against the door. He watched Orochimaru reach the bed and turn, thumbs hooked in his waistband, pushing it down far enough to reveal the sharp jut of hipbones. Unfastened, the pants gaped open at the front, revealing a trail of dark hair that Sakumo's eyes helplessly traced downward. Golden eyes scanned Sakumo, assessing his reaction before thin lips curled in a self-satisfied smile – which Orochimaru was absolutely entitled to. With a should-be-illegal shimmy of hips, Orochimaru divested himself of the last of his clothes and lowered himself to the bed, sprawling gracefully in a half-recline.

"Well?" Orochimaru asked, expression equal part smug tease and impatient demand.

Sakumo didn't hesitate. His own clothes were stripped somewhat faster, and with less grace, he thought. But the way Orochimaru watched him move and all but stalk towards the bed – the way he licked his lips – said Sakumo was doing something right.

Sakumo fell into his arms, and they tangled together. Sakumo was fairly average in build – a little bulkier over the shoulders perhaps, but not dramatically. Orochimaru was built more for flexibility, and proved it with how he all but curled around Sakumo, in ways human bodies shouldn't be capable of, hands reaching everywhere. It should have felt overwhelming, constricting – and with anyone else, Sakumo thought, it probably would – but in this time and place, with this person?

The possessiveness of it just made him feel wanted. It let him pretend…

Sakumo pushed the thought away, refusing to let his hopeless pining stop him from enjoying this. He ran his own eager hands over Orochimaru's body. He was the sort of lean and lithe that could be mistaken for delicate, especially paired with his porcelain pale skin. But that fragility was an illusion. You only had to see the confidence with which he moved, the sharpness in his gaze, to know that he was anything but. That contrast – the potential illusion of weakness, purposefully and unapologetically denied in favour of honest, predatory strength – was an aphrodisiac all its own.

Orochimaru was also, it had to be said, very, very pretty, in a wild and eerie way that absolutely worked for Sakumo. He wanted to see every inch, to touch and taste and mark and—

"Can I get my mouth on you?" he all but begged, trailing a hand inward from Orochimaru's hip to make his meaning clear.

Orochimaru bucked into his hand once, exhaling a "yesss" that was more serpentine hiss than human syllables.

Sometime later – settled comfortably with Orochimaru's legs over his shoulders, his cock heavy in Sakumo's mouth – it became clear that that "yesss" had been the start of a pattern. At first, he was able to draw moans and the occasional groan from Orochimaru. But more and more, as he drove Orochimaru's pleasure higher, all that escaped his mouth was breathless hissing. Maybe another man would find that strange or off-putting. Sakumo loved it – loved that he'd reduced Orochimaru to nothing but instinctive sounds, made him forget human words even existed.

A sharp tug at his hair drew him up short. He glanced up, taking in the sight of hazy golden eyes above flushed cheeks. He waited for the colour to fade, as it had several times before – and with such swiftness that Sakumo couldn't help but realise that Orochimaru had developed a blush-suppressing jutsu of all things. It was equal parts amusing and hopelessly endearing. This time, the blush didn't fade, and he smugly realised Orochimaru either didn't have the control for it any longer, or was so caught up that he'd forgotten.

"Eh—" Orochimaru paused, and had to swallow. Sakumo's eyes snapped to the bob of his throat. Orochimaru swallowed again, and peripherally Sakumo noticed the curl of lips that said the second time was entirely on purpose. "Enough," Orochimaru said, a bit more clearly, if with a slightly breathless hiss overlaying his words. "I don't want this to end so soon."

Sakumo drew back, pausing to press a kiss to the soft skin of Orochimaru's inner thigh, pleased to see it made him shiver. When he sucked a bruise there, Orochimaru arched into it. Sakumo lowered the legs from his shoulders, and they fell around his waist. He stroked the inside of Orochimaru's thighs, and gold eyes lidded, giving a pleased hum. Not as good as a kiss or marking then, but still pleasant.

"How do you not have any scars?" Sakumo found himself wondering. And not just where his hands traced, but all over. He'd noted it briefly when Orochimaru first stripped, but been too distracted by sudden intense lust to pause and ask.

Orochimaru looked at him like he was stupid. "Why would I want scars? They're inconvenient identifiers, and the thicker ones can inhibit movement. Obviously, I don't keep them."

"Obviously," Sakumo repeated, bemused. "How?"

"I shed. Really, Sakumo, I know you've seen me use that jutsu on mission."

"To recover from injury." He traced a hand across Orochimaru's stomach, following the remembered line of a sword slice that had frozen Sakumo's heart – and, in doing so, had made him realise just how invested his heart had become in this fascinating man. "I suppose it makes sense – scars are just remnants of injuries."

"Exactly."

A thought occurred to him. "What about calluses? They're technically scar tissue." And very necessary for ninja, if they didn't want to form blisters on tender skin when running or wielding weapons.

"Difficult," Orochimaru admitted. "It took me several years fine-tuning the jutsu, but I retain them when I shed now."

He lifted a hand in proof, and Sakumo took it in his own. His eyes were more than sufficient to see the calluses. And if not his eyes, his thumb, swiping over a fingertip, could feel them. That didn't stop him from drawing a finger into his mouth, dragging his tongue over a callus, sucking gently before releasing with a gentle pop. Orochimaru's cheeks flushed pinker, and Sakumo grinned, probably more toothily than was human. This time, the swallow was entirely involuntary.

Sakumo leaned down, one elbow to hold him up, the other hand tracing Orochimaru's addam's apple as he whispered against his lips, "Can I fuck you?"

The legs around his waist tightened, and Orochimaru exhaled a breathless hiss before finding words. "You'd better." Not just consent, but a demand.

Sakumo kept a jar of oil in his bedside table. He retrieved it quickly, dipped his fingers in, and drew back just enough to trail them down, behind cock and balls, and slowly press two inside. Orochimaru tossed his head back, chest rising and falling, and after a moment nodded for Sakumo to continue. He worked two fingers in and out, finding the right angle to make Orochimaru squirm and hiss breathlessly. Two became three, became four.

"H-hurry up," Orochimaru panted, shifting restlessly beneath him.

"Maybe get used to four first?" Sakumo tried to suggest.

Orochimaru, patience at an end, was having none of it. Like a snake striking, he rose up faster than Sakumo could blink. Knelt astride his thighs now, Orochimaru dragged a slick hand over Sakumo's cock – groaning in shock, Sakumo had just enough clarity left to wonder when Orochimaru had grabbed the oil jar – and then tugged his fingers free, lining up and—

Sakumo's groan was more a snarl as Orochimaru seated himself on his cock. He didn't bite it back, as he sometimes did with casual lovers – afraid to unnerve or frighten them with the sound and bared teeth – because he doubted Orochimaru would care. Forehead pressed to Sakumo's and eyes clenched shut, the only sound Orochimaru was making was a long, inhumanly hissed exhale.

After a long moment, Orochimaru shifted slightly. Then a little more, rocking his hips and arching his back and—

The hiss stuttered and Orochimaru's eyes snapped open, locking intensely on Sakumo's own. Sakumo had just enough time to see that the slit pupils were blown so wide they looked almost round. In the next instant, Orochimaru was riding him without hesitation, a few awkward motions to start, but smoothing out rapidly – as Sakumo had guessed, Orochimaru was a quick learner in this, as in anything he put his mind to – and Sakumo was just along for the ride.

The air was filled with nothing but the slick sounds of Orochimaru sliding up and down Sakumo's cock, and their panting breaths, and snarls and hisses mingled with groans and moans, occasionally muffled by messy kisses that missed half the time, skating over cheek and jawline. As Orochimaru's hisses grew sharper, his tempo faltered, brows knitted in frustration.

Sakumo finally moved. He spread his knees a bit more for stability, grabbed Orochimaru's hips tight, lifted him just the right amount, and began to thrust upwards. Orochimaru wrapped arms around him and held on. His face was buried in the crook of Sakumo's neck, so Sakumo could clearly hear how his hisses took on a rasp. Orochimaru's head turned slightly, parted lips skating down his throat, and Sakumo's grip tightened – there would be bruises on Orochimaru's hips for sure. Orochimaru's hisses paused for a beat. Sakumo could almost feel the calculation as the man realised that this particular kink of Sakumo's went both ways, and the potential for that, and then—

Teeth dragged down Sakumo's jaw, his throat, and then bit down into the muscle where neck met shoulder. Sakumo whimpered, and picked up the pace, fucking up into Orochimaru frantically as the man undulated against him with no less desperation until—

They came all at once, together – Sakumo's head tossed back in a howl, Orochimaru biting down harder – and were left shuddering through the aftershocks.

They remained close as they recovered themselves. Sakumo didn't try to draw away. Couldn't, in fact. Not with how thoroughly Orochimaru was wrapped around him – once more defying human limitations – clinging tightly, mouth open at Sakumo's shoulder as he panted, with the very slightest prickle of something too sharp to be teeth. Fangs, he realised.

That… should probably concern him.

It didn't.

Orochimaru had definitely been biting with human-blunt teeth, after all. And while his fangs had descended now, they weren't piercing skin. Honestly, if Orochimaru wanted to try that, Sakumo probably wouldn't take much convincing, even if he'd have to build up a resistance to the man's venom first to be safe, and—

Okay, wow, he was so gone.

When Orochimaru finally moved, it was only enough to speak, temple resting against Sakumo's own as he said, "About Danzō…"

Sakumo gave a startled laugh. "Really? That's your idea of pillow talk?"

"We are upright." Orochimaru glared at him. Or, well, tried to. The look was deeply undermined by post-orgasmic contentment, Sakumo was pleased to see. "There are no pillows involved. Actually," he added, glancing around, "I think we ejected them from the bed entirely at some point."

He wasn't wrong – Sakumo spotted them against the far wall. Shaking his head, he settled. "So, Danzō?" he asked, because Orochimaru wasn't normal, he knew that, and he didn't actually care – rather the opposite. If this was the pillow talk he wanted, Sakumo would indulge him.

Orochimaru eyed him closely, judging his honesty, then relaxed. "Yes. Is it just his interest in Kakashi, or is there something more?" When Sakumo hesitated, he added, "He has approached me recently with an offer of research funding."

Sakumo tensed, and Orochimaru stilled. Breathing out slowly, Sakumo gathered his thoughts. "I'm not foolish enough to try and tell you what to do," he said carefully. "Just… be cautious, alright? Make sure you know exactly what you're getting – and what you'll be paying for it. Danzō Shimura," he said grimly, "is the kind of man whose offer would have hidden strings attached."

Orochimaru stared at him for a long moment. "You are not a man easily intimidated. But he genuinely concerns you."

"Yes."

A thoughtful "Hmm…" was the only reply. Orochimaru didn't expand on it, so Sakumo didn't push. He wasn't sure if he was welcome to yet, for all he wanted to be. He wanted the right to ask, to seek to know more of Orochimaru, even if the gift of answers would always be his choice, private as the man was. He wanted to be…

Well, he knew what he wanted to be – wanted them to be – but Sakumo was afraid to say too much, lest he scare Orochimaru off.

For such a powerful, fearless ninja, Orochimaru could be surprisingly skittish outside of that role. It had taken Sakumo several joint missions before he'd managed to convince him to attend those post-mission team dinners. It had been worth it though, first to get to know his peer – one of the handful of other ninja their age who was a step above everyone else – and to speak to another person whose clan shared a close bond with contracted summons, who understood what it was to have that wildness living under your skin, to be not entirely human.

Likewise, this had also been worth it – taking Orochimaru to bed, getting a glimpse of what he wanted but didn't have. Gods knew it would hurt when they returned to their usual platonic interactions, but Sakumo couldn't find it in himself to regret.

They finally untangled. The pang Sakumo felt was temporarily soothed when Orochimaru didn't hurry to dress and leave. And then he was amused – though wise enough not to show it – when Orochimaru shifted and made a strange expression which quickly shifted to distaste. Realising the problem, Sakumo rose. Orochimaru frowned at him, fingers plucking and smoothing at the sheets – uncertain, Sakumo realised. It surprised him. Orochimaru was rarely anything but confident.

"I'm just going to fetch us something to clean up with," he reassured, and the plucking fingers stilled with a nod.

He left briefly to fetch two damp washcloths. Afterwards, a much more content Orochimaru stretched out languidly on his stomach, making himself comfortable with his head resting on folded arms. Sakumo, grateful that he was willing to let the afterglow linger a little longer, sat next to him. Unable to resist touching, his fingers brushed over marks on otherwise flawless skin – bruises from gripping hands and greedy mouth – with a feeling of deep satisfaction. Giving a pleased sigh, he settled more comfortably, laying on his side. Chin propped on one elbow, he mindlessly traced his fingertips up and down the curve of Orochimaru's spine. Orochimaru, impossibly, managed to go more languid still, all but melting into the bedding. Sakumo couldn't stop his smile if he tried.

"Lovely," he whispered, helplessly smitten.

Orochimaru arched a little into his touch. "Not a common opinion," he murmured from the fold of his arms. "Most would rather say 'creepy' – I've heard it from Jiraiya often enough."

"Most people are idiots" He scowled. "Jiraiya is an idiot."

"That is true," Orochimaru agreed without hesitation – with, in fact, a sort of long-suffering irritation – before dismissing it. "I'm not fishing for compliments. I know I'm not without my own appeal – I am being trained for seduction for a reason – but that appeal is firmly in the eerie territory. Forbidden fruit. I can't say as anyone else has ever thought me… 'lovely'."

"Good," Sakumo said, all possessive idiocy, before he could think better of it. He didn't want anyone else to look at Orochimaru the way he did – to covet the way he did.

But he was reminded, as the man stilled beneath his fingers, that he had no right to think like that. The sex – being so close, knowing Orochimaru so intimately – had been amazing, but it was just casual. Or, no, casual was probably the wrong word. He didn't think Orochimaru had chosen him lightly, knowing full well how selective the man was with who he let in his personal space, even in platonic circumstances. But there were no promises made.

…Could that change, though? If he dared to ask?

Maybe the better question was, how could he not dare? How could he let this one chance slip through his fingers? Better to know for sure, than to always wonder 'what if?'.

And so, Sakumo was brave.

"Should I apologise? For the, well, possessive tone." He cleared his throat. "Or… is there any chance this could be… more?"

The silence seemed to stretch forever, for all that he knew it was mere seconds.

Head turning, one golden eye peered out from folded arms. It was gleaming, knowing and amused, as Orochimaru said, "You invited me into your home, wolf. To your bed."

Realisation crashed over Sakumo. He knows what that means. Mortified at having been so transparent, Sakumo blurted, "You did research. On Hatake. Of course you did." It was endearingly in character, even. Sakumo knew not everyone would see it that way – as endearing – but he did.

Orochimaru, naturally, was unrepentant. "I wasn't going into this blind if I could help it."

Sakumo's embarrassment faded swiftly as he realised something else. "You knew. And you came here anyway." Softly, daring to hope, he asked, "Does that mean you…"

Orochimaru moved snake-fast, quickly atop Sakumo, pinning him down by the wrists. "You will never get rid of me. I am a serpent." A coy glance. "Mayhap a dragon." Sakumo's breath hitched at this freely given hint towards a clan secret. Orochimaru's hands tightened, gold eyes burning. "I am greedy, and covetous, and I do not do attachment by halves – it is all, or nothing."

Sakumo just grinned, wide and feral and delighted. "I'm a wolf. I love wild and free, and my loyalty and devotion, once earned, is unbreakable."

Orochimaru paused. "I said nothing of love."

"Didn't you?" Sakumo asked quietly. Not in so many words, perhaps, but in the language of what they were, what their clan's spirit animals meant and how they influenced their view of things…

Orochimaru's smile went soft, sweet and lovely like he'd never seen it before, never dreamed to see. "Perhaps…" he murmured, but when he leaned down to kiss Sakumo, his lips said yes. And when he touched him, his hands said yes. And when Sakumo wrapped his legs around Orochimaru, reaching for the oil, and coaxed him inside, his thrusts said yes.

Most of all, when Orochimaru twined close in the afterglow, returning Sakumo's adoring "lovely" with "my wolf", they both knew the endearment meant yes.

TBC…

Notes:

I was actually super relieved to add this smutty chapter, just because of the rating. Turns out I'm deeply insecure as to my grasp on the General/Teen/Mature ratings, but I know when I've written Explicit. Because there's orgasms.

There will be a least one more chapter, a Tsunade POV. (It's been like 95% done since before I even got halfway through Sakumo's chapter. Because my writing brain does not believe in linear progression.) When it goes up depends entirely on whether the tentative Dan POV I'm writing fleshes out enough for its own chapter, or if I decide it's better to combine with Tsunade's. We'll see.

In the meantime, I hope you all enjoyed the steamy Orochimaru/Sakumo addition!