"You liked it?" Breathless. Wide-eyed, shocked but gratified. He's petting Burr's sides, reaching around to spread fingers wide over his soft belly. Imagining that he was seeding him this whole time, planting a child safe in his womb. "I can't wait until you're in heat."

He rests his weight on Burr again. "Go back to sleep," he mumbles. "Want to fuck you like that, when you're so soft and safe."

These are things he never would admit, if he weren't half-addled with the knotting, the way Burr smells, the claiming.