Gabriel laughed, sharp and low, fingers sliding into Damian's hair to tug him back just enough that brown eyes met gold. "So all those vows about waiting until the Empire was ready, until I was ready… lies?"
Damian hummed, smug and unrepentant. "I'm not going to answer that."
The knot eased, and with a slow drag the alpha slid out, leaving Gabriel shuddering at the mix of ache and heat still curled deep inside. Damian's hand lingered at his hip, steadying, but Gabriel swatted it away and bent for his trousers, breath still uneven.
"Don't," he muttered. He pulled his shirt back on, buttons fastened perfectly, collar tugged high to hide the bond mark that still throbbed against his skin. His shoes followed, though his legs trembled with each movement.
Damian didn't rush. He stood at the desk, bare to the waist, golden eyes fixed on Gabriel with the same composure he brought to war councils, predatory and satisfied, sweat glinting faintly against his skin.
