(Trying to write on the couch with dogs be like... Also, slight content warning)

He just couldn't stop himself. As soon as he was sure that his brother would be fine with his guardian bear and their new uninvited guest, he'd booked it back over to Heian's house. Thankfully, the kids were playing outside in their shift forms, with Nia leading Toshi's little foal around by the halter that had been placed over his head.

It actually seemed like he could see a tiny bit in his horse form, but he definitely wasn't fighting the help she was offering. In fact, he was practically glued to her side.

I bet one of the first thing Heian's going to do as his father is take Toshi to an eye doctor. If there's any hope that he can see even a little bit as a horse, he'd definitely want to try and help him get his eyesight better.

His thoughts brought a big smile to his face as he hopped the nearby fence. Nia immediately took notice, drawing Toshi's little foal's attention in his direction, too, but it didn't seem like the boy could see him at all from where they stood.

"Just visiting again, sweetheart," he said, making her horse's ears twitch a little.

She seemed to be contemplating jump the fence and running over to him, but almost as fast as the thoughts welled up, she quelled them with one look down at her little half brother.

No running around with him quite yet. You're a good big sister already.

She snorted, as if hearing his praise and accepting it with gratitude.

"Enjoy yourselves but be careful with him, Nia," Ranger said with a smile and a nod before heading toward the house.

To his surprise, someone was waiting for him, standing just outside of the open front door. The moment he saw him Ranger's heart sped up in his chest, making his legs do the same. He easily covered the last bit of pasture before hopping the final fence. When he got to the over side, strong arms were already there, waiting to pull him into a suffocatingly-strong, yet warm hug.

Why does it feel so good to just be here with him?

Heian's arms loosened around him, but he could tell that the man wanted to do the exact opposite.

"We have an audience," Heian whispered against his ear, drawing Ranger's attention toward the fence.

Nia was watching them pointedly, but Toshi was clearly unable to see them at all and was simply sniffing at the wooden fence they were standing behind.

Inside?

The simple, one-worded question was an invitation Ranger couldn't refuse. He did hesitate for a moment, however, glancing back at the kids by the fence.

Nia is more than capable of watching out for him in her horse form, and she also is able to get my attention in seconds if anything should go wrong.

He had a point. The man was even wearing an extra alarm necklace, and after one final glance back at the kids, he noticed one looped around Toshi's little neck now.

I think he could seriously be in the running for worlds best dad.

Ranger's thoughts were blurred when he was suddenly pulled quickly toward the house, dispersing his previous musings as he focused on matching Heian's hurried pace.

"Everything okay?" he asked, a little confused at the man's sudden change of pace.

His question was answered the moment they got inside, however, because he was quickly shoved up against the wall right next to the door and kissed to the point of being breathless. In fact, by the time he'd managed to catch his breath and blink away the blurriness their abrupt activity had caused in his vision, he realized that he had slid down the wall at some point and was mysteriously missing his shirt.

There were also quite a few hickeys around his neck, upper torso, and even one near his belly button that hadn't been there previously.

This house has some very hungry mosquitoes...

Heian knelt between his spread legs, his hand nonchalantly settled beneath the waistband of Ranger's askew pants. The button was also undone, as well as the zipper.

"This mosquito doesn't want to share with any other ones, ever," Heian said before leaning back down and sealing his mouth back over Ranger's.

The man's hand worked relentlessly, making Ranger squirm and groan beneath him until he released for a second time in ten minutes.

So embarrassing...

Heian's arms suddenly tugged him into his lap and against his chest. The action took Ranger by surprise. Something quite large was also poking him, but he did his best to ignore it as Heian tilted his chin on for a soft, quick kiss.

"Ranger is a beautiful person and I love every single thing about him," he said, making Ranger's face burn.

He managed to keep his eyes on the guy for another couple of seconds before his nerves got the better of him and he looked down and away at the floor. Gods, his heart was going to beat out of his chest and Heian didn't even have his shirt off yet.

"Mm, yet?" Heian asked with a hint of mischief to his words that Ranger was getting used to hearing.

The guy was an absolute gentleman in public, but in private... he was more of a pervert than even he, himself, was.

"Only for the man I love," Heian said, making Ranger awkwardly glance back up at him, catching his lover's wide, happy smile.

Damn he's hot. How did I ever get someone like him?

He felt Heian chuckle slightly before easily standing, lifting him up with him. Ranger wiggled upward a little after wrapping his legs around Heian's waist, wary of being poked again.

They headed upstairs silently after nudging the door closed, which was probably a good idea since they'd nearly gotten down and very dirty right next to the open door. Granted, they'd have definitely heard two horses coming up onto the porch, but at the same time... they might not have.

"What's wrong, love? You seem nervous," Heian said as he gently let Ranger back down to his feet outside of his open bedroom door.

Feeling his mouth suddenly go dry, Ranger rubbed at the back of his neck and looked down at his socked feet.

Oh, I guess I kicked off my shoes while we were fooling around downstairs...

A warm hand sliding against his cheek drew his attention back up to the other man and made him blush hard.

Right, he asked a question...

His nerves began making him feel unusually cold as he tried to hide his worry with a fake, quiet laugh.

How do I tell him that I'm terrified of bottoming?

Another hand settled on the opposite side of his face, then soft lips covered his own for the briefest kiss before Heian leaned away again.

"Just like that. Why are you worried about such a thing, love? I will never force you to do something you don't want to," he said, making Ranger feel even worse.

He opened his mouth a few times to argue, but couldn't find words for several moments. When he did figure out something to say, he wasn't sure that it was the right thing.

"Things should be even. It's not fair that I keep topping you..." he mumbled, feeling incredibly awkward about the conversation.

Feeling Heian take his hand and tug him forward, Ranger let himself be lead over to the man's large bed. When Heian took a seat, he slowly sat down beside him. It took a tense minute before he was actually able to look back up at him, though.

"I do not believe those kinds of rules should make up our relationship," Heian said calmly, not hesitating to meet Ranger's worried gaze.

Blinking away some of his nerves, Ranger licked his dry lips and swallowed down some more hesitation.

"But I shouldn't be the only one doing it," he said awkwardly.

Heian was silent for several long moments before he scooted away the slightest amount, then lifted one leg up to rest on its side on the bed. The action made a certain raised portion much more obvious, drawing a renewed rush of red to Ranger's face as he tried to ignore it and keep his eyes higher. The guy was probably just trying to get more comfortable.

"I see no problem with you being the one doing it," Heian said honestly, his gaze never wavering... as Ranger's wanted to be anywhere but on the man's face, or crotch.

I'm so terrible at this kind of thing. This is so horrifyingly awkward. I shouldn't have come back today. I shouldn't have come back until I was ready to let him do i—Lips pressed against his forehead, effectively stopping his internal rant in its tracks.

"Love, You have done more than I could have ever hoped you would for me. You've come to love me enough to want to run to me when you're nervous, stressed, or just want to be loved. You also love my daughter as your own, and she loves you, too," Heian whispered against his forehead before leaning back a little.

"I love you for exactly who you are. I don't need to top you, or be dominant, or really control any aspect of our situation. I just want to make you happy so that you'll come back to me again, like you did today, every day."

This man wants me to be here everyday...

He hesitantly lifted his eyes back to Heian's.

They're so soft and open.

He could never understand how someone could literally wear their feelings on their sleeve, but after getting to know Heian, he could actually believe that statement. Because whenever he looked into the man's eyes, he saw so many different emotions. He hid absolutely nothing.

"H... how did you get used to me... doing it, to you?" he asked suddenly, forcing the words out before he could bite them back.

The question brought a bright smile to Heian's face, surprising Ranger into more embarrassment. His ears were probably even turning red by now.

"Honestly, I'd wanted to have you long before we actually met face to face that first time. I knew that you really liked sex... since I could already read your mind pretty well by then. So, I got some items that would help me get used to something inside of me since I never wanted to pressure you into letting me do it to you," Heian said, being completely honest with a straight face and warm smile.

This guy... how has he been single for so long?

Evidently, Heian found his little thought funny, because the guy chuckled a bit before reaching forward and mussing up some of Ranger's hair before his hand was swatted away... as a small smile found its way onto Ranger's face.

"You really are incredible, you know that, right?" Ranger said, making Heian's smile slip for a second before he actually saw a blush creep onto the man's cheeks.

Oh?

Grinning, Ranger leaned forward, putting his hands dangerously close to the rise in Heian's pants. He didn't mind it so much now, though, as he leaned closer to the man while Heian nervously leaned away.

"Do you know, Heian, that you are an amazing person, a damn good dad, and the sweetest man I've ever known?"

Seemingly not used to such open compliments directed at him, Heian's face burned even brighter but he only glanced away once for the shortest fraction of a second.

He's so strong. I want to build up even half of the strength he's shown me. I can be everything he needs, too... and I can give him what I want to give him, too... as long as I'm careful about it.

"You really don't have to, I—" Ranger silenced his words with a kiss before leaning away.

He began reaching behind his head to rub at his neck again but caught himself and lowered his hand to his lap, then leveled his gaze on Heian's.

"I understand that you don't expect it of me... but I want to try and let you have me that way," he said, his words quieting as he got to the end of his sentence.

He wanted to be able to give Heian everything... he just needed to get over his fear of being hurt. Heian had managed to train his body so that it wasn't bad.

"Wait a second," Ranger said abruptly, making Heian tilt his head and raise an eyebrow.

"Do you still have the stuff you used...? To get ready for when I would, um, do things to you there?" he asked, suddenly much more nervous now that he was actually talking about letting Heian do him. It was actually even worse, because he was asking him if he still had the sex toys he'd used to get ready for him!

I'm going to die of embarrassment.

Heian's soft dark eyes lit up with amusement as he slid from the bed onto his knees. Ranger slowly followed him, a bit surprised when the guy pulled out a long box from beneath it.

When Heian lifted the lid, Ranger felt as if he might pass out from all the blood in his body rushing to his burning face.

I... wonder what weighs more. Me, or that box of stuff.

Without skipping a beat, Heian replied with an excited smile.

"The box."