Adonis’s terror of being turned away without having the chance to hold on to Connor was momentarily placated. Connor regarded him calmly, giving him a chance to explain himself.
“I—” He bowed his head, fearing Connor’s reaction to his deception. “My body lacks the organs to carry children. That is why our joinings have not resulted in a pregnancy. I am sorry I didn’t tell you, even though you were trying so hard to get me pregnant.”
Connor was silent. Adonis couldn’t take the silence for long and peeked at Connor. He was staring at Adonis, incredulous.
“I wasn’t trying to get you pregnant,” Connor said. Adonis flinched in shock.
“You—but—” Pain seared Adonis’s heart. He crumbled. “You said we were mates, you said—”
“Whoa, whoa, Adonis, calm down.” Connor ducked in, captured Adonis’s face between his palms and pressed his cheek to Adonis’s. “We are mates.”
Confusion marred Adonis’s mind. “But—”
“I wasn’t trying to get you pregnant because I assumed you couldn’t get pregnant. Not because I don’t consider us mates. Okay? Please don’t make that expression; that’s not what I meant.” Connor pressed a dozen placating kisses to Adonis’s cheeks as his mind recovered from the awful shock.
Connor pulled back, studying Adonis’s expression. There was worry on his own face. “Mates,” he said, almost to himself. “Adonis… you know, we’re different species and the same gender.” Connor’s brow pulled down, and pain crept into his expression. “I don’t want to disappoint you, but I don’t think the chances of us being able to have a child, now or down the line, is very promising. And what you said just now about bringing a suitable womb for me to—” There was clear distaste in Connor’s voice as he cut off, and he took a deep breath before he continued. “I’m not having sex with anyone but you, Adonis. So if you mate to have children, then...” The pain in Connor’s voice, so clearly forced out of him, was bare and vulnerable. There was a tremble in his hand as he pet Adonis’s hair.
“I do not require progeny,” Adonis said with absolute determination.
“When we got together, I never thought we could have kids. I didn’t expect it. But if that’s something that you’re looking for…” Connor’s voice came out rough. His eyes were glossy as he blinked several times. “I might not be a suitable mate for you,” he finished.
Adonis grabbed Connor, wrapping his arms around him and hauling his body to his. “I don’t want anyone else,” he said, his body and mind reeling in horror at the thought of pursuing a mate other than Connor. He never could. He knew, deep down, that there would never be anyone for him other than Connor.
“I love you too, Adonis.”
“We shall make do with Laurence,” Adonis said with confidence.
Connor groaned. “Adonis, I have told you a dozen times. Laurence is not my child.”
Adonis grunted.
“Adonis.”
“Yes. I remember. He is step-child.”
“No, that’s—ugh, never mind.” Connor pulled back from Adonis, lying side-by-side on the bed with him. “Do you still want to be mates, even if it won’t lead to kids?”
Adonis nodded. He had never thought about whether it would be possible, only that he would do his duty by Connor and bring him someone suitable when he felt the need to have children. But Connor said he would refuse any that wasn’t him. That he had never expected children in the first place, and still wanted to be mates. That was enough to reassure Adonis of their bond.
“Yes, I wish to be mates still.” Adonis tucked in close to Connor’s body, resting his head on his chest.
Connor adjusted to the position to still run his fingers through Adonis’s hair.
An unnerving thought disrupted Adonis’s peace. “Does this mean… you will no longer try to impregnate me?” The disappointment in his voice was plain to hear.
Connor seemed to choke on the air for a moment. The choking morphed into a laugh. “I promise to try every chance I get,” Connor said, voice filled with amusement.
“Really?”
“Yes. Now, are there any other expectations you have for this partnership that I should know about?”
“We must be together forever,” Adonis said.
For some reason, that made Connor roll his eyes. “Obviously, genius.”
“Connor?” Laurence’s voice pipped up from outside.
“Duty calls… don’t make that face. We’re leaving in a few days, and then you’ll be wishing for company other than mine.” Connor leaned in, pressing a kiss to Adonis’s lips before getting up and changing. “Do you want to try surfing in that form?” Connor asked as Adonis stood up. He flashed him a smile. “You can see how hard it is for yourself, and then you won’t be able to laugh at Laurence anymore.”
