gumai | [ open post ]

[ Date might be going into rut.

That's what he thinks, at least, as he arrives at ABIS and everyone's scent is just a little too prominent than usual. He wasn't really expecting it though and finds himself wondering if he should beg off work and go lock himself in a hotel room for the next few days until it passes but he's also not really keen to leave just yet either. Boss looks at him a little strangely when he enters her office, but she doesn't say anything — just sends him off to find Ryuki and go train with him.

Which soothes him, in a way. Something about finding that sweet smelling rabbit of his and burning off some energy together is a good thing. He just needs to get his head a little clearer and then he can go leave work and be responsible about his upcoming rut. It shouldn't even be here for the next day or two, he has plenty of time to get things in order.

So, when he finds Ryuki in the break room, he'll give a wave and wander over, tail wagging lightly as Ryuki's pleasant scent hits his nose. ]

Ryuki, Boss wants us to spar. Come to the training room with me?

[ This is going to be great. ]

[ the thing about rabbits is — they're always in heat.

he's learned to deal with it, over the years. a mix of medication, self-control (however slipping) and general lack of interest in exploring the urges helped tremendously into getting him through high school and then university and then into work. by the time he joins ABIS, he's convinced he's got it all under control — and that nothing could possibly falter his resolve to not give into base instinct.

and then he meets kaname date.

generally, a herbivore should just — stay away from a carnivore, right? but date's in his space, quickly and without any thought, and after he develops substantial adoration for his irresponsible senior, he can no longer deny how that makes him feel. date smells nice — always does, but especially around his ruts, and, after a whole life of denying himself everything on account of fulfilling his brother's wish, it becomes harder and harder to ignore.

but still. there's a pretense of professionalism to be kept, here, and he can smell the incoming rut on the older man as soon as he comes into the building, nose wrinkling. it's going to be a long day... ]

Mr. Date! [ he turns away from messing with the coffee machine, long ear perking up, and waves to his senior Absolutely Ignoring The Scent He Brings In With Him. ] Does she? I thought she wanted me to fix the express...

[ well. whatever. maybe it's better to help date burn off some excess of energy. he's clearly worked up, even if he, himself, doesn't really realize it yet, and ryuki would do anything for his dear superior, so — ]

Okay, sure. [ his mind suggests it's a terrible idea, but. who cares. he drops everything he was holding, meeting date halfway, and smiles. ] No paperwork today?

[ Date absolutely does not realize he's worked up. He does not realize Boss could tell from a mile away that he was going into rut and sent him to Ryuki to relieve himself a little before she kicked him out for the next few days. Date thinks he's being subtle, that his scent hasn't changed at all, and that no one knows what's going on with him. Date is an idiot.

But he likes Ryuki. Likes him as his junior, his little rookie, his darling rabbit, and he likes to tease and sniff him and just generally be in his space. There's a bit of a possessive streak to the way he treats Ryuki, seeing him as "pack" in his own way. It's fine! So, as Ryuki approaches him and leaves the coffee machine alone, Date just loops an arm around Ryuki's shoulder and drags him in close, nuzzling his face in his hair, the space between his long ears and giving a slight canine-like huff. ]

No paperwork! Maybe. I actually have some reports I need you to fill out later but that's later.

[ And Date should, technically, be the one filling them out but. Whatever. Either way, off he drags Ryuki, heading out the break room and towards the lockers so they can change for their spar. As he does, he sniffs him again, behind the ear with little personal space between them. ]

Mm, you smell good today, Ryuki.

[ more than likely, the entire department already knows date's going into rut. unlike ryuki, who has to manage his constant state of being mid-heat, most people of different species don't care until the actual time arrives. it's always easy to tell, too, even ahead of time — their scent changes, their demeanor changes, and though ryuki's fairly sure date can tell when it happens to other people, it's also obvious he doesn't really care if others can tell it about him. stupid...

and now that he's been dragged all the way to the lockers, the whole place knows he's being thrown to date as a piece of meat to play around with before he gets exiled out of the building, too. great!

... well, his career aside, and the way boss sees him aside, too, he's not actually complaining, or anything. this is a privilege, at the end of the day — as is working alongside date, or just existing in date's space. that he makes it so, so difficult to remain professional and keep personal and work-related interests separate is a whole different story altogether. luckily, ABIS is small, contained, and most of the people working here have a degree of personal investment in each other, platonic or otherwise. it's not entirely unheard of... right?

maybe there's no need to overthink it. maybe it's fine like this.

(he will always overthink it, anyway.) ]

That's... [ he jumps, a little, when date shoves his nose behind his ear. it twitches, responsive, all while ryuki feels himself grow hot under the collar. ] I haven't done anything special. Mr. Date's just near his rut, isn't he?

[ might as well say it, as they enter the changing room and are now away from any prying eyes. or ears. not that it's a secret. ]

[ One day, Date will care about Ryuki's career and his personal reputation at work! Maybe! For now, he doesn't think much of it, slouching his entire body weight onto Ryuki as he drags him along and rubbing his face against his ears and hair in a way that's far too affectionate and probably a result of his rut. Oh well! But Ryuki is right that ABIS is, at least, small and contained so there's not really many people who know what's going on, this deep underground.

When they get to the lockers, Date is a little reluctant to part so even as they stand there just inside the room, Date keeps rubbing his face up against Ryuki and even nips at the base of his ear a little, playful. Date is always kind of handsy with Ryuki, just a result of his wolfish nature, but he's always a bit more clingy when he's near his rut. ]

Well — yeah. But that doesn't mean anything, does it? You still smell good even when I'm not near my rut.

[ Date, stop clinging to Ryuki and go get changed. Things Aiba is frantically yelling at him in his head while he ignores her right now. ]

[ he notes, to himself, just how sharp date's teeth are, when the other nips at his ear. that alone makes him jump again — a small, surprised gasp slipping past his lips. sure, physical contact isn't new, but dealing with a wolf so close to a rut is basically asking to be bit — it's something all the rabbit moms warn their children about. if they're alive. unfortunately, ryuki's wasn't. ]

I mean... yeah, but... should you even be at work, Mr. Date? [ he chokes out, a little high-pitched, glancing up at the other.

even now, it's kind of obvious date doesn't want to let go. and, something inside of ryuki doesn't want him to let go, either. his thoughts keep spiraling — around the sharp teeth, around the scent of him, around his warmth; if they spar, and he gets all sweaty, it'll be even worse, right?

... it's fine. this is fine. they both have excellent self-control and nothing will happen. yeah! ]

Oh. Um. I need... to change... [ gently reminding him to let go... ]

🐰🐺

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