Morning sunlight filtered through the pale curtains. The city outside buzzed like a distant hum, but inside Dimitri's house - everything was still.
Lev lay curled under the blanket in the guest room, his face flushed, body burning. Matev had gone off to preschool an hour ago with the housekeeper. Lev had kissed his forehead, whispered ''Be good,'' and sent him away with a shaky smile.
But now, he was trembling. His heat had come. He's felt it building since last night -- the ache, the waves of warmth, the dull need in his lower belly. He had tried to sleep it off. He had tried everything.
But now his scent was thick in the room, layered with confusion, pain, and something else - want. He buried his face in the pillow, biting his lip to muffle a sound.
Then the door cracked open.
Heavy footsteps. Calm, steady.
Dimitri.
Lev didn't look up. He knew that scent-----clean, sharp, powerful. Alpha. His Alpha. ''lev.....'' Dimitri's voice was low. Not rough. Not teasing. Just....aware. Lev's fingers clutched the blanket tighter. ''Please don't.''
Dimitri didn't move closer yet. ''You are burning,'' he said quietly. ''You're in full heat.''
Lev nodded, still hiding. ''I can manage,'' Lev whispered, even though his voice shook.
Dimitri exhaled through his house nose. Frustrated. Controlled. 'You're shaking.''
Silence.
Then lev felt the bed dip. He stiffened.
Dimitri had sat down beside him, palm resting gently on the blanket over Lev's back. ''I'm not going to touch you,'' Dimitri said softly. ''Not unless you ask.''
Lev closed his eyes. His throat ached. His body screamed for contact. ''I hate this,'' he whispered. ''I hate how I feel.''
''I know,'' Dimitri murmured. ''But you don't have to go through it alone.''
''I'm not yours,'' Lev said barely audible.
Dimitri didn't respond right away.
Then, he leaned in, his voice brushing against Lev's ear. ''But you were once.''
Lev turned his face slightly. Just enough to see him. Their eyes met.
And the pain in Lev's gaze cracked something in Dimitri's chest. ''Tell me to go,'' Dimitri whispered. ''And I will.''
Lev didn't speak. Instead.... he lifted the edge of the blanket, just a little.
An invitation. Not words. But it was enough.
Dimitri moved slowly, pulling off his shirt, then sliding in the under the covers beside him.
The heat between them was suffocating. Lev's body was trembling, overwhelmed. Dimitri didn't touch him at first --- he just laid there, breathing with him, grounding him.
Then---------------
A hand on Lev's waist. Gentle. Strong. ''You need this,'' Dimitri said. ''And I need you.''
Lev didn't protest. Didn't pull away. He leaned in.
Dimitri rolled him slowly onto his back, watching every flinch, every breath. ''Tell me to stop, and I swear I will.''
Lev's lips parted. A soft breath.
''.....Don't stop.''