Chapter 5
Chapter Five
The relief hit them both together, and Avery slumped against Ozen’s chest, giving himself a few moments to just let the adrenaline run its course. Ozen let out his own breath, hugging Avery a little tighter.
“I’ll be having words with your father. He’s experienced breeding frenzies himself. It’s wrong that he never explained them to his own children,” Sylix snapped.
“That might have been my fault,” Ozen interrupted with a sigh. “I left the moment I became of age. I stayed with Taron for half a century while getting the company off the ground. It was easier to stay with my friend than argue constantly with my family.”
“Argue about what?” Avery couldn’t help but ask. He’d only ever spent time with Sylix and his mates, and while Ozen had mentioned here and there that he didn't see eye to eye with his family, he’d never specifically told him what drove them apart.
“My grandson is one of the few incubi who didn’t argue against limitations on our true form,” Sylix explained, his head tipped as he studied Ozen. “You’ve always been careful. It’s been a point of contention between you and the rest of the family since you were very young.”
Ozen nodded, giving his attention back to Avery.
“There was a vote once, I told you about that, right? Most of my family went to protest. I refused. I still believe using our true forms in public removes consent. It’s why I prefer to live outside of this realm.
You have to be in specific buildings to use your true forms in our city.
If anyone goes inside it, they know what to expect and are agreeing to feel that way. ”
That would be hard to find common ground with an argument like that. Avery understood both sides, but he agreed with Ozen that consent freely given was more important than anything else.
“Now that everyone understands what’s happening, I think we can return to the party,” Sylix said suddenly.
At Ozen’s concerned frown, he explained, “As long as no one touches Avery, you’ll be fine.
Stick together, and enjoy the holiday. Your instincts should be focused on caring for him right now and keeping him happy. ”
“And I always have a few teleportation spells on me, just in case,” Connor offered. “I’ll get the two of you home in a snap if you really feel like you can’t handle sticking around.”
“Thank you,” Ozen told them, hugging Avery a little tighter. “I appreciate everything you do for us.”
They stayed for the party, and Ozen eventually apologized to Korath.
Once he explained what was happening, Korath understood immediately and apologized for not considering that option.
He still got reamed by Sylix for not informing his son about that possibility, but Ozen reassured him that they were both at fault for the trouble.
His promise to visit more often was apology enough for Korath, who showed them a private room he would keep empty just for them if they visited and things turned…
amorous, so they wouldn’t feel the need to leave.
Ozen was still on edge, despite the reassurances from his family that they understood and would keep away from Avery while the frenzy was still an issue, so they only stayed until dinner was over before heading home.
Avery suggested a redo once the frenzy passed, and Korath was pleased with the suggestion, offering to come to them if it made them more comfortable.
He tried, and with some coaxing from Avery, Ozen agreed to try harder as well to have a better relationship with his father.
He doubted anything would change with the rest of his family, most of them still held a grudge for his way of thinking and wanted nothing to do with him, but there were a few who deserved his effort, Korath included. As long as he was wearing pants.
When they arrived home and Ozen saw the tree framed in the front window, he found himself smiling, his body finally relaxing after an afternoon of tension. He found himself drawn to that room with the tree, sitting on the couch and taking it in as the strain slowly drifted away.
Avery plopped onto the couch next to him, letting out a sigh and leaning against his side. “We can postpone the rest of the holiday celebrations until the frenzy is over, if you want,” he offered.
Ozen frowned, putting his arm around his mate. “What? No. I don't want to do that. I love all the suggestions you had. Besides, they all could be done at home with just the two of us. I don’t think we’ll have a problem when I get to spend a few uninterrupted days with just you.”
“Just me?”
The way he asked made Ozen curious, head tilted in question. “What else did you have in mind?”
“Well… I mean, I always wanted kids. I figured it’d be a later in life thing, I couldn’t afford to even consider it when I worked as a temp, but… I wouldn’t say no to discussing it, at the very least. If you want.”
Ozen’s breath left him in a rush and he stared wide eyed at his mate. “You want to have children?”
Avery shrugged, his cheeks a light shade of pink when he admitted, “I think you’d be a great dad. Though we’d need to make some changes to our schedules to be able to do it right. We’re both busy people, and I don’t want them to feel neglected– oomph!”
Ozen tackled his mate onto the couch, kissing him senseless.
He’d never considered the idea of having children until his grandfather explained what was happening.
The thought was a little terrifying, if he were being honest with himself.
He didn't have the greatest role model for good parenting.
But having children with Avery? The thought made his stomach flip and excitement to fill his chest. He wanted that.
He wanted little versions of Avery running around the house, baking cookies for someone named Santa while he snuck in later to eat them as part of the game.
He wanted to watch movies together as a family, cuddled on the couch.
To listen to his mate reading them stories he made up on the spot.
It was a dream he never knew he had until Avery offered the idea to him.
Unlike before, where he was in a hurry to rip off Avery’s clothes and get inside him, his mate being on board with having children seemed to settle the worst of the wild frenzy boiling in his blood.
He took his time stripping his mate, kissing him in all the places he loved and nipping at his hip bone just to make him gasp.
He thought about taking Avery on the couch, but his gaze flicked to the tree and an idea ran through his head. “Come with me, firefly.”
Avery, too wrapped up in the intimacy, didn’t argue or question him. He let Ozen scoop him off the couch, distracting him with sweet kisses until Ozen laid him down on the carpet beneath the tree.
“Pretty sure this isn’t what’s supposed to go under the tree,” Avery gasped, arching into Ozen’s touch.
Ozen chuckled, magically slicking his fingers while kissing his way down Avery’s body. “Oh, I don’t know about that. I’ve always considered you my greatest gift. I think you’re right where you belong.”
“Ozen…” Avery whined. “You promised not to say cute things when I couldn’t write them down!”
The last of his tension disappeared, and he laughed, teasing Avery’s hole with his fingers while pressing hot kisses to the insides of his thighs.
“Apologies, my love. Let me see if I can make it up to you.”
He took his time stretching Avery’s channel, laving his tongue along his length in teasing licks.
Avery’s sounds filled the room, little whimpers and moans the perfect symphony to Ozen’s ears.
He sucked Avery’s cock into his mouth, enjoying the way Avery’s head lashed side to side as he fought his orgasm.
“O-Ozen! Please!” Avery whimpered.
Ozen hummed, surprised when Avery’s release filled his mouth so soon. He swallowed down the sweet taste of his mate greedily, feeding him just enough of his magic to keep Avery erect. He’d be annoyed if Ozen did all that prep and didn’t fill him. He said he felt empty when that happened.
Not willing to disappoint his mate, he crawled back up his body, peppering kisses along the way. He could tangle his tongue with Avery’s, drinking in his moans as Ozen shared the taste of his release.
He settled his weight between Avery’s thighs, truly taking the time to appreciate the way it felt to be wrapped around his mate. And when he finally pushed inside him, he savored every second of it.
He might have been going a little too slow, because Avery surprised him by tightening his thighs on Ozen’s hips and flipping them so Ozen landed on his back with a grunt that melted into a moan as Avery shoved his hips down, taking his cock fully in one swift motion.
It was Avery’s turn to be in a hurry, hands resting on Ozen’s chest as he rode him hard.
“Ungh, Avery, yes!” Ozen shouted, body shaking as he fought the urge to take control. He demanded enough from Avery this week already. It was Avery’s turn to make his demands.
His release barreled down on him with Avery’s frenzied movements, and Ozen could only bask in it. His beautiful mate, framed by the glowing light of the tree, the scent of sex and evergreen in the air, mixed with the intoxicating scent of his Avery. It was all perfect.
Avery’s body tightened around him, and he knew his mate was getting close.
Wanting to fall into ecstasy together, Ozen took hold of Avery’s hips, adjusting his thrusts just slightly so the next downward thrust caused Ozen’s cock to hit his prostate dead on.
Avery’s cries turned to a wail as he clamped down on Ozen’s cock, screaming his name as he came apart in Ozen’s arms.“Ozen!”
Ozen roared as his release overtook him, hips bucking as he rode out the waves of pleasure until Avery collapsed on top of him, and they both went limp.
It still stunned him that his mate could make him come like that.
Sex had become a chore to feed him, a necessity he begrudgingly accepted.
Avery brought back the joy of sharing his body with his partner, the pleasure of sharing in the moment together.
It was never just about Avery’s needs, like he’d attempted with the contract.
Avery got pleasure from giving pleasure.
And he wouldn’t be satisfied if Ozen didn’t share in the experience with him.
He sincerely hoped his mate would never stop surprising him.
“Merry Christmas, Ozen,” Avery whispered against his chest.
Ozen smiled, kissing the top of his mate’s head. “Merry Christmas to you, my love. And thank you.”
“For what?”
“For giving me the greatest gift I could ask for.”
Avery hummed, nuzzling his chest, a yawn escaping him as he asked, “You mean the adoption thing?”
“No. I mean being mine.”
He was pretty sure Avery had fallen asleep before hearing his answer, but he didn’t mind. He was just happy to cuddle. It wasn’t until Avery groaned and poked his side that he realized he was wrong. He jumped, surprised.
“Ozen! You promised!”
He barked out a laugh. He got the feeling Christmas was going to become his favorite holiday.