Another unintelligible noise.

Grayson’s arms tightened around him, and he rubbed his cheek against Neville’s neck in a gesture that was supposed to be sniffing his pheromones but felt more like a very large cat demanding attention.

"I have a knife at hand."

A grumble that might have been ’don’t care.’

"You’ll really get a cut if you don’t put your hands away."

A huff that definitely meant ’still don’t care.’

Neville sighed, accepting his fate. He carefully reached behind him to put the knife away and adjust the heat on the stove. Then resigned himself to being a human teddy bear for this lovable Grayson.

"You know," he said casually, "this wasn’t exactly in my job description."

Grayson pulled back just enough to look at him, those silver eyes finally showing some signs of waking up. He looked grumpy and utterly bewildered at my words.

He looked nothing like the cold, controlled expression he usually wore in the office, nor that teasing expression and needy expression he had during the heat of the moment.

This side of Grayson made Neville feel something in his chest go soft.

"You left," Grayson complained, his voice rough with sleep, and he sounded almost hurt.

Neville blinked innocently and explained, "I was hungry, and my stomach kept on growling in starvation; you can feel it vibrating."

Neville reached for Grayson’s hand to touch his stomach, only for Grayson to notice that he was wearing his shirt.

With a slight smile and darkened gaze, Grayson hid his expression from Neville with his disheveled hair. He slyly moved his hand downward, intentionally rubbing just above his underwear.

Neville slightly trembled in contact, thinking it was just unintentional, and turned his head away with a flustered expression. His face was already burning red, so it was useless even to hide it from Grayson.

Grayson took advantage of this and dipped into the corner of Neville’s neck for a kiss.

"You were supposed to stay." Grayson’s brow furrowed as he continued to complain.

Neville, who was slightly confused by the kiss, furrowed his brow too and turned to look at Grayson. He tried to move his head to look at Grayson, but Grayson didn’t move away from his neck. He continued to rest his head on his shoulders, giving light kisses on Neville’s neck.

"I will eat if I’m hungry," Neville countered with a slight stuttering as he resisted the tickling feeling of kisses and warm breath against the skin on his neck. "You can’t expect someone hungry to wait for someone to wake up, nor expect a hungry person to wake up someone to eat together, right?"

"Mmm." Grayson seemed to consider this argument and find it fairly acceptable.

But he still didn’t release Neville, but his grip loosened enough that Neville could probably escape if he really tried.

Yet, he did not even try.

Why? Because Grayson’s hand was already roaming around his lower body. If he gets distracted for one second, he would be able to eat a bite of any real food. He didn’t want to drink another nutrient solution, at least for today.

"How are you feeling?" Neville asked instead, tilting his head, trying to get a good look at Grayson’s face. "Any better than yesterday?"

Grayson seemed to actually consider answering this question, pulling his head away from his neck and softly looking at Neville. But Neville could clearly see his eyes darkening again, tainting with lust as his fresh water pheromones started spreading again.

"Better," he finally said with slight awkwardness. "Not... It’s not as intense."

Not as intense, huh? This is what you meant by ’not as intense’? I must be born a fool if I believe that.

But it was still good news. It meant that Grayson’s rut was probably nearing its end.

Just as Neville was starting to think about how he would return to normal life, he felt Grayson’s hand lifting the edge of his shirt. Grayson’s hand moved up, making his breath hitch. It moved further up and touched the edge of his underwear.

Neville could feel his body trembling in anticipation, and Grayson’s eyes were filled with satisfaction.

"G-good," he said, trying to distract Grayson’s attention, offering him a small smile. "That’s good. Now, are you going to let me finish cooking, or do you—!"

Grayson’s response was to lean in and shut his mouth with a kiss. Neville lifted his arms to push Grayson away.

It’s still early in the morning!

But Grayson’s lips were expertly moving, which was distracting Neville from anything. In the end, his arms looped around Grayson’s neck, feeling thirst and need for more.

Grayson’s hand trailed his thighs, groped his wet behind, and inserted it inside his underwear. The moment Neville gasped at the sensation, Grayson made the kiss even deeper than before. He could feel Grayson’s fingers teasing him down there.

This was a newly opened pair of underwear that he didn’t even own. He was sure that he wouldn’t even be able to give this shirt back in shame.

With a sigh that was perhaps more fond than exasperated, Neville freed himself of worries and resigned himself to enjoying the moment.

Grayson was about to take off Neville’s underwear when—

GROOOOOOWWLL

Neville froze in an instant, and his face burned bright red. He closed his eyes tight, pursing his lips in shame. The moment he opened his eyes, he was already glaring at Grayson.

Grayson properly straightened Neville’s clothes and underwear before giving an awkward apologetic smile.

Neville took a deep breath and angrily resigned himself to go back to cooking while half of Grayson’s weight was pressing on him.

Grayson had slumped against him, saying, "I’m sorry."

But Neville wasn’t budging anymore.

"You’re ridiculous," Neville said, complaining to him, reaching awkwardly for the knife he had set down. "You know that, right? Absolutely ridiculous."

Grayson only hummed in response.

And if Neville’s heart were any softer, he wouldn’t be able to bear getting angry at Grayson like this. He went back to cooking while Grayson’s arms were around his waist, becoming an oddly comfortable anchor for his still wobbly legs.