When Worlds Collide (MxM)?

The last time he was marked, Kade wasn't so self-conscious about it. It was an emergency measure to ensure Nyx didn't get any ideas, and everyone understood.

But this time it was evident what the true intention was. Plus, he had two marks now.

Tiner's ears turned pink when she realized what had happened in her absence, and Eira demanded all the juicy details. The servant practically forced himself into Kade's room so they could talk.

His eyes lit up when Kade explained French kissing and left looking intent on using it somehow.

Days later, Kade was working on making additional bulbs, replicating Aino's genius design, when he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist.

Aino gently nuzzled the crook of his neck, letting out a low purr.

Ever since the confession, they'd been experimenting with contact, seeing how much they could get away with before Aino started losing control. It began with gentle touches at first: patting each other on the shoulder, holding hands, and now, hugging.

Aino was extremely awkward with all of it. Kade had to take the lead most of the time since the stoic man had trouble coming out of his shell. Aino also feared that such contact would be too much, and Kade would encourage him to try anyway.

"What did Toca have to say?" Kade set down his tools and reveled in the Terran's touch.

"Same as before. He insists we take time off." Aino sighed into his neck. "I told him that wouldn't be necessary yet."

"Yet?" Kade turned. "So when were you thinking?"

Aino raised his head. He had that wondrous expression, which started to devolve into hunger before he released the human and stepped away. "Not yet."

A pang of disappointment had Kade returning to his work.

Aino needed to take things slow, but it was growing difficult for Kade to do the same. Which was an odd feeling since he hadn't been this...Eager... since he first hit puberty.

According to the doctor, Aino's reluctance was causing some unusual symptoms. Normally when a second season hit, the afflicted Terran would be completely out of commission until they'd satisfied themselves with a mate. But Aino was too logical to give in to his animalistic nature for long.

Slowly the man was growing accustomed to touching Kade. Now they could fully embrace for a short while before Aino's little problem would arise.

But now Kade was left feeling frustrated. If they could just do the deed and get it over with, then Aino would get over his season faster.

"I'm going to get some air." Kade stood from his desk. Thoughts were buzzing in his head that he needed to get rid of.

Passing Tiner in the hall, he waved her off so she wouldn't follow, and headed for the garden.

The plants here were much more vibrant than in the Carnivore kingdom. And the air smelled better. The people were nicer, despite not knowing how to keep their hands to themselves, and he appreciated the slightly more advanced technology.

He'd been sneaking pieces of dried meat every few days when his cravings would hit and considered telling Aino about it. But then he feared that the man would stop looking at him like he was some fantastic creature. Losing that privilege felt like a stake to his heart.

Chatting caught his attention, and when he went around a purple hedge, Kade found Toca surrounded by a platitude of people.

He counted twelve in total, and each of them was dressed just as lavishly as the king. Some he thought looked like women, but others were rather androgynous. And they all had some key traits in common.