Kia stayed still for a long moment, breathing in the warm scent pressed against his throat. Ryan's purrs had softened now, turning into tiny, sleepy hums. His bunny's fingers slowly loosened in Kia's hair, and the tension in his body eased like the heat was mellowing into something gentler.
Kia lifted his head slightly, brushing a soft kiss to Ryan's forehead.
"Bunny…," he whispered, voice rough but calm. "You're coming down."
Ryan blinked slowly, lashes heavy, pupils no longer blown wide with heat. He looked dazed, flushed, and utterly beautiful. His fingers slid down Kia's chest, resting there like he didn't want to let go.
Kia's heart twisted painfully.
He knew this version of Ryan — vulnerable, warm, open — would disappear the moment he fully snapped out of his heat haze. And despite how much he loved this closeness… he didn't want his bunny to wake up tomorrow and hate himself for it.
So he moved slowly, carefully, guiding Ryan down from straddling his lap and settling him gently beside him on the bed.
Ryan made a soft noise of protest — a little whine, soft and needy — his hand clutching Kia's shirt.
Kia froze.
His wolf froze.
"Don't go…" Ryan whispered, eyes still hazy.
Kia felt something in his chest crack wide open.
"I'm not leaving," he murmured, pressing a kiss to Ryan's knuckles. "I just want you to rest, bunny."
Ryan's fingers loosened a little, but he didn't let go completely. He curled closer, resting his cheek against Kia's chest, breathing him in. And Kia couldn't resist — he wrapped an arm around him again, pulling him close, but kept his body still, controlled, grounded.
Ryan's breathing grew slower… softer… steadier.
Kia exhaled shakily, brushing his thumb along Ryan's jaw.
"Sleep. I'm right here."
Minutes passed. Ryan's purrs faded into quiet breaths, his body relaxing fully for the first time all evening. His heat hadn't vanished — Kia could still feel the warmth of it — but it had softened into a gentle glow instead of that overwhelming rush.
Kia watched him.
His bunny.
The one he lost.
The one he searched five years for.
The one he finally found again — only to realize just how broken he had been in the years apart.
His chest tightened.
He traced a soft line down Ryan's back, memorizing the shape of him, the quiet breathing, the way he held on even half-asleep.
"You have no idea," Kia whispered into Ryan's hair, "how much I've missed you."
He swallowed.
"And I promise… I won't lose you again."
Ryan shifted slightly in his sleep, nuzzling closer. Kia felt his wolf hum, content but deeply protective.
He stayed awake long after Ryan drifted off, holding him, guarding him, listening to every breath like it was the only sound that mattered.
Because for tonight…
his bunny was in his arms again.
And Kia wouldn't trade that for anything.