Page 37 of Purple Protector

Aaron had gone with him. Now that he knew that Birch wasn’t ill, he felt better, but still. He wanted to be close to him, just in case.

He glanced at Marlin. He was sprawled in one of the armchairs, like always, while Birch, Killian, and Tito were standing by the desk, talking. Marlin should probably be with them, but Aaron was glad he wasn’t. They could have a semi-private conversation without Birch hearing them.

Aaron leaned closer. “Can I talk to you about something?”

Marlin arched a brow and glanced at Birch. “I bet I can guess what you want to talk about.”

Aaron told himself not to be embarrassed. Marlin was Birch’s best friend, and he no doubt knew what was happening. If there was someone who knew what Birch wanted, it would be him.

“We talked to Palmer yesterday. He gave Birch birth control, but we still don’t want to risk it.”

Marlin slowly nodded. “If neither of you wants children right now, that’s wise.”

“We don’t. It’s too early in our relationship.” That and Birch wasn’t ready for children. He was focused on his job, and Aaron didn’t mind it. Now truly would be the worst time for them to have a child. “But Palmer also mentioned that, well, Birch would have certain needs until the end of his fertility window.”

Marlin grinned, exposing his fangs. “He’s horny.”

Aaron was going to combust. He just knew it. “I suppose you can say it like that.”

“You can say it like that because it’s true. He’s horny.”

“He hasn’t said anything about it, but I think so. I want to help him, but I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know anything about dragons and how to, well, please them, or how they work.”

“Which is why you came to me.”

“Yes. Please, can you tell me how to make it good for Birch?”

“Well, I don’t know what he likes because we’ve never been together like that, but we’re not that different from you, Aaron.”

“There’s a reason humans wear clothes. Our organs are on the outside rather than on the inside like they are for you.”

Marlin nodded. “So that’s why you wear pants. I’m curious, but I think Birch wouldn’t appreciate it if I asked you to show me.”

Aaron lightly slapped Marlin’s knee. “I wouldn’t show you even if you asked me. Can you be serious for a moment?” He glanced at the other three, but they were deep in conversation and didn’t seem to have noticed what was happening on the other side of the room. Aaron briefly wondered if Marlin should be with them, considering how serious the conversation seemed to be, but he knew better than Aaron what his job was supposed to be.

Marlin raised his hands. “Okay, sorry. You know I was just teasing, right? I would never ask you or any human to do that.”

“I know.”

“But really, it’s less complicated than you’re making it. Our organs are on the inside, but they don’t all stay there when we’re having sex. Once you and Birch get into bed, his cock will slide out. Since our reproductive organs are internal, we lubricate, so if you fuck him, you won’t have to worry about that. Well, if you fuck his cloaca. His ass is different.”

Aaron wanted the floor to open up and swallow him. “That’s how it is for humans,” he said, looking everywhere but at Marlin.

“If you want to be sure not to get him pregnant, you should avoid sticking your dick inside of him. He can stick his inside of you if you can’t get pregnant, though.”

“You already know that I can’t,” Aaron said with a scowl.

“Then I’m not sure what you’re asking me. You’re overthinking this, Aaron. Birch is the only one who can tell you what he likes or doesn’t like, and if you want to avoid pregnancy, you just have to avoid fucking his cloaca. It shouldn’t be that hard.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Maybe it will be. I hope so for you.”

“I don’t even know why I’m asking you this.”

“Because you care about Birch, and you want to take care of him. I appreciate you for that, Aaron. He deserves someone who loves him.”

Aaron wasn’t sure that was where his feelings were just yet, but what else could he call the way he felt about Birch? Their feelings for each other would deepen over time, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t already love.

That was all they needed, wasn’t it? To be there for each other and take care of each other. To communicate what they wanted and needed. Aaron should’ve had this conversation with Birch, not Marlin.

He might actually die of embarrassment when he did, but he’d do it anyway.

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