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Shoto rests his head on her shoulder, taking a deep breath. He holds it for several seconds, savoring the scent.
Ryumi glances his way. "Shoto... what are you doing?"
"You smell like rain." He answers without opening his eyes.
"A thunderstorm." She corrects him. It's a subtle difference, but it matters to her.
He hums his agreement. "It's calming."
Ryumi allows a slight frown to mark her face. "Shoto, I'm an alpha."
"I know."
"You're an alpha." She tries again.
"I know."
She sighs. It's not that she doesn't like him, but there's certain things that just...
"Does that bother you?" He asks, looking up at her with half lidded eyes.
She casts her gaze away, a pathetic effort to hide the color rising in her cheeks. His eyes are so beautiful. She's always thought that, but seeing them so close...
When she doesn't reply, he reluctantly pulls away. "Well, it doesn't bother me."
She presses her lips together as tightly as she can. She can feel the disappointment not only in his tone, but in the shift of the aura he's giving off. She has to say something.
"I... you know this will make things harder for us. It'll be... complicated." She risks a glance at him.
He shakes his head. "We'll find a way to make it work."
Now, it's Ryumi who takes a long, slow breath. He smells like cinnamon and sugar, or toasted marshmallow - something at once warm and sweet. It's more delicate than usual for an alpha, but then, so is hers.
She lunges for Shoto, drawing him into a tight hug, wrapping her wings protectively around his back. "Don't go changing your mind now... I am a dragon, you know."
He snuggles into her chest. His head feels light and clear surrounded by her scent. "I don't mind being your treasure."
He was never very good at being an alpha. Never had a true desire for an omega - but she was different. He needed to protect her. Seeing her in danger was the first time in his life he'd felt like a real alpha... But everything, everyone in his life told him that was wrong. He couldn't feel that way about another alpha.
And that wasn't even getting into how safe and protected he always felt with her. Was that okay? Could they protect and calm one another? Was that possible?
"My most precious treasure of all." She rumbles, her words trailing into a low, contented purr.
...Yeah, he'd find a way. He's never been so certain of anything in his life. Ryumi is his alpha. And he is hers.