Omg has it really been a month since I last posted?? Finals really kicked my ass so I've been hibernating I guess. Here's the final part in my series The Proposal with my characters Akoura and Kyo. We'll take a break from hardcore kink and sit in the soft aftercare and a little bit of character exposition. I really hope you enjoyed this little series and please please stick around because I've got more ideas in the chamber! Contains: food as aftercare, fluff, words of praise, stomach growling, belly rubs, just an overall feel good chapter!
The world had quieted to nothing but the slow, steady thud of Akoura’s heartbeat against Kyo’s ear. Golden sunlight poured through the vast windows, washing their bare bodies in a muted glow. Kyo lay boneless beneath Akoura, their skin still tacky with the remnants of passion, their breathing slow, synchronized, sated. The crimson ropes that had bound him so beautifully just hours ago lay discarded in a tangled heap on the floor, like an offering to the dawn.
Kyo’s muscles ached—a deep, soul-satisfying ache—his stomach a hollow cavern after days of torment, but he didn’t care. He felt… full in a way he had never known. His heart, usually so tightly coiled and defensive, was loose now, stretched wide and pounding in a different way. He let his eyes slip closed, burying himself in the warmth of Akoura’s embrace, letting the heavy, sleepy comfort of it drag him down into the sweetest kind of unconsciousness. It was the first time in years he had let himself fall asleep in someone’s arms.
But all good things had to end.
Kyo stirred faintly when he felt Akoura shift beside him, the low rumble of a sigh vibrating against his cheek. The comforting weight of Akoura’s arm slipped from around his waist, and the bed dipped as Akoura began to untangle himself. The loss of warmth hit Kyo like a blade to the gut. A tiny, involuntary whimper escaped his throat before he could stop it. He turned his face deeper into the cooling sheets, shoving the pathetic noise down with practiced ease. Of course. This was how it always ended.
No matter how good it felt, no matter how sweet the lies whispered in the heat of passion—he was always left like this eventually. Used. Shaken. Alone. Bodies wanted him. Hearts never stayed. He swallowed hard, schooling his face into something neutral, as if it didn’t kill him to feel Akoura slip away. "You’re leaving," he said, aiming for casual but hitting broken instead. His voice cracked anyway, a soft tremor he hated himself for. Akoura stilled mid-movement, twisting to look back at him. The expression on his face was almost comical—a mixture of horror, confusion, and something molten and furious, all crammed into one fierce glare.
"Leaving?" Akoura echoed, like Kyo had just suggested the most insane thing imaginable. His voice was low, rough with disbelief. "Baby, no. I'm getting you something to eat." Kyo blinked at him, sluggish, disoriented. His brows knit together in confusion. Eat? Sure, his stomach was gnawing at itself, and Akoura had played no small part in pushing him there, but… why would he care? This wasn’t part of the game. Akoura hadn’t said anything about aftercare being some kind of bonus round in this arrangement. Kyo’s mouth opened, ready to question, to deny, to deflect, but the look in Akoura’s eyes disarmed him completely. So full of love. So completely present.
Kyo’s throat closed up around the words he wanted to say. Instead, he watched, dumbfounded and breathless, as Akoura bent down and pressed a lingering kiss to his forehead before slipping away, leaving the room heavy with his scent and the low, humming promise that he would return. With a trembling sigh, Kyo sat up, dragging the sheets to his waist more out of instinct than modesty. His hands drifted to his wrists, ghosting over the raw red marks the ropes had left behind before his fingertips trailed lower, brushing over the bruises blossoming on his stomach. Purple, red, dark fingerprints blooming against skin. Marks he hadn’t even noticed being put there in the haze of pleasure. Akoura had done that to him. And he liked it.
Before the thought could spiral too far into dangerous territory, the door creaked open, and Kyo’s head snapped up. Akoura stepped in, barefoot, the loose hang of sweatpants riding low on his hips. In his hands, he carried a steaming bowl, the savory scent hitting Kyo’s nose and making his empty stomach groan loudly in protest. Akoura’s eyes softened at the pathetic noise Kyo’s stomach made. “Poor thing,” he murmured, the corners of his mouth tilting up in a gentle smile. “You’re starving.”
Kyo opened his mouth to protest, but Akoura was already sinking onto the bed beside him. He set the bowl on the nightstand just long enough to climb behind Kyo, guiding the man to settle between his thighs, back to chest. Kyo stiffened at first—the automatic reflex of someone not used to being cared for—but Akoura just hummed and pressed a kiss to the curve of his shoulder. “Good boy,” Akoura whispered, as he reached for the bowl again, balancing it easily in one hand while the other brushed Kyo’s wild hair back from his forehead.
Akoura spooned up a small amount of broth and rice, cooling it with a gentle puff of breath before bringing it to Kyo’s lips. “Open for me, sweetheart,” he coaxed. Kyo hesitated. It felt so stupid, so intimate, like letting himself be vulnerable in a way sex had never even touched. But Akoura’s voice was so soft, his body so solid behind him, and Kyo… he was so tired of doing everything himself. He parted his lips. Akoura made a pleased sound deep in his chest, slipping the spoon into Kyo’s mouth, tipping it carefully so the warm, salty broth flooded his tongue.
“That’s it,” Akoura whispered, nuzzling into the side of his neck. “You did so good for me. You’re perfect, Kyo. So perfect.” Kyo forced his breathing to slow, riding the waves of emotion as they crashed and receded, leaving him hollowed and raw but still here. Still held. Akoura fed him slowly, steadily, never rushing, never forcing. Just spoonful after spoonful of warm, savory broth until Kyo’s stomach, empty and neglected for so long, began to gurgle eagerly for more. The noise was soft, but in the thick silence between them, it sounded like thunder.
Akoura coaxed Kyo to hold the bowl so his free hand could slip down to splay over Kyo’s belly. He rubbed gentle circles, feeling the way Kyo’s stomach had softened under his care, the way it pressed outward slightly with the weight of the meal inside him. “So pretty,” Akoura murmured again, so soft Kyo barely caught it. Kyo melted, tension dripping from his shoulders like wax.
By the time Akoura spooned the last mouthful between his lips, Kyo was boneless against him, the battle in his chest quieting into something sleepy and unbearably sweet. Akoura set the empty bowl aside and immediately returned both hands to Kyo’s belly, rubbing slow, adoring circles. Kyo let out a tiny sigh, his lashes fluttering shut, his body pliant under Akoura’s touch. But when Akoura’s thumbs pressed a little too firmly into the tender swell of his stomach, Kyo whined without meaning to, a sharp little sound of discomfort. Akoura froze. Then his hands jerked back like he’d been burned. “Oh—shit—baby, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Akoura blurted, his voice suddenly unsteady, all his previous calm dominance shattering into nervous panic. “I didn’t mean to—I wasn’t thinking—fuck, are you okay?”
Kyo blinked, sluggish and dazed, confused more by the sudden absence of touch than the brief pain. His hands floated up, clumsy and lazy, to grab Akoura’s wrists and guide them back down. He pressed Akoura’s palms flat against his stomach again, nuzzling back against him like a sleepy cat. “You’re such an idiot,” he murmured. Akoura let out a breath that was half a laugh, half a broken noise of relief. His hands moved again, this time impossibly gentle, stroking over Kyo’s skin with the reverence of someone handling glass.
For a few minutes, there was only the steady rhythm of Akoura’s touch and the soft, satisfied sounds of Kyo’s digestion working away. Then Akoura's fingers slid up to Kyo’s tight, coiled muscles, feeling how stiff his body still was despite everything. "You’re wound up so tight," Akoura whispered, concern threading through his voice. "You need a bath." Kyo let out a low chuckle, raspy and amused. "Another bath?" he teased, cracking one eye open, a wicked little glint in the sleepy haze. "Gonna be like this morning?"
Akoura immediately flushed crimson, the tips of his ears burning as the memory hit him all at once. The way he had held Kyo against him, his hands relentless, teasing, stroking, his mouth against Kyo’s needy, gasping lips. "I—n-no," he stammered, already flustered. He cleared his throat and tried to recover some dignity. "I mean—yes—but no." Kyo tilted his head back lazily to look at him, smirking. Akoura buried his face in the crook of Kyo’s neck to hide his embarrassment. "This is gonna be different," he mumbled, voice muffled against Kyo’s skin. "I swear. No games. No teasing. Just taking care of you."
Kyo hummed low in his throat, skeptical but amused, threading his fingers lazily through Akoura’s hair. "And what if I want a little teasing?" he murmured. Akoura groaned. "You’re gonna kill me, I swear to God." But his arms tightened around Kyo, gathering him close, like he couldn’t stand even a few inches of space between them. After a few more moments of lazy affection, Akoura coaxed Kyo up carefully, guiding him towards the bathroom where warm water and gentler touches waited.
Akoura stood in front of Kyo for a moment, his hands still warm and solid on Kyo’s hips. The room smelled faintly of lavender, the steam from the tub rising in soft tendrils, curling around them like a soft embrace. Kyo stood unsteadily on shaky legs, his muscles protesting as they tried to hold his weight, whimpering slightly as his knees threatened to buckle. Akoura’s gaze softened as he looked at Kyo’s trembling form, his heart swelling with something both protective and tender. “Come on, baby,” Akoura murmured, slipping his arms around Kyo’s waist and helping him lower slowly into the water.
The heat engulfed Kyo’s body, and he let out a soft groan of relief as the soothing warmth kissed his aching skin. He let out a sigh, feeling the weight of exhaustion hit him all at once. His body was sore in places he didn’t even know could ache, but Akoura was there, grounding him in ways Kyo hadn’t realized he needed. Akoura kneeled beside the tub, his fingers grazing Kyo’s sides, massaging his sore ribs and tense muscles as he whispered soft praises to him. “Feel good?” he asked, his voice low and soft. Kyo nodded, leaning his arms on the lip of the tub, letting his head rest tiredly in the crook of his elbow.
Akoura’s fingertips ghosted over the red marks still faintly visible on Kyo’s wrists, the ropes having left their imprint on his skin. Without a word, he leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to each mark, his lips lingering there in silent apology. Kyo’s breath hitched at the touch, his stomach letting out a soft gurgle beneath the water. Akoura froze, a soft smile tugging at his lips. He looked down at Kyo’s stomach, then back up to his face, a tender, almost amused expression in his eyes. “I think your tummy is happy,” he said quietly.
Kyo turned his head slightly, a lazy smirk curling at the corners of his lips. “You must be disappointed. You really seemed to love it when my stomach was empty and aching,” he teased, his voice thick with exhaustion. Akoura’s fingers stilled against Kyo’s back for a moment, his gaze softening. Then, in one smooth motion, he leaned forward, cupping Kyo’s jaw and gently kissing him. “I like it even more when you’re full,” Akoura murmured against his lips, his voice low and intimate.
The warm water had become a distant memory as Akoura’s hands continued their tender exploration of Kyo’s body. Every stroke, every rub, was meant to soothe rather than provoke, to heal rather than tease. Kyo moaned softly at the touch, his body still sensitive from the days of hunger and restraint, the soreness in his belly finally being worked out by Akoura’s steady hands. His body began to grow heavy with exhaustion, his eyelids fluttering closed despite his best efforts to stay awake. But Akoura would not let him drift too far. He cupped Kyo’s face, his thumb brushing across the flushed skin of his cheek, coaxing him gently. “Kyo,” Akoura whispered softly, “Stay with me, love. Let me dry you off, okay?”
Akoura gently drained the tub, the warm water slipping away, leaving Kyo feeling just a little bit more exposed. He helped Kyo stand, careful not to let his shaky legs give out beneath him, as he guided him toward the plush towels waiting nearby. “My gorgeous boy,” Akoura murmured, his hands careful as he wrapped Kyo in a thick, soft towel. Kyo’s breath was soft as his head came to rest on Akoura’s shoulder, his lips slightly parted in a relaxed expression, but Akoura could feel the faint tremors still lingering in his lover’s body. He started rubbing Kyo down with slow, worshipful strokes, his hands moving over Kyo’s hips, the dips of his thighs, and the soft curve of his stomach, pressing kisses along the delicate skin.
Akoura helped Kyo sit on the edge of the tub, disappearing quickly into the bedroom before returning with a loose pair of sweatpants and a simple, black shirt. He knelt in front of Kyo, pulling the sweatpants over his legs with gentle precision, taking his time, kissing Kyo’s skin before it was covered. His lips lingered at Kyo’s calves, his mouth trailing up his legs until he reached the waistline of the sweatpants, where he kissed him again, a silent gesture of affection. Kyo watched him with soft, tired eyes, the intimacy of the moment overwhelming him. He’d never had anyone dress him before.
Kyo's eyelids barely stayed open as he stood up and swayed on unsteady legs. Akoura was there to catch him, his arms enveloping Kyo with the perfect balance of strength and tenderness. His heart swelled as he held Kyo close, letting himself fully appreciate the beauty of the man in his arms. The quiet intensity of the moment was overwhelming, and Akoura felt as though he could never look away from Kyo’s face, could never not be in awe of him. He always saw the man in pressed suits, in crisp lines and power. The impossibly poised CEO, a man who carried his father’s legacy, who commanded a room with a single glance. But now? Now he was soft. Now he looked his age.
His hair was slightly damp, strands clinging to his temples. The fabric of his clothes hung loosely on his frame, draping him in warmth. His features were relaxed, hazy with sleep. A lump rose in Akoura’s throat. Because for just a moment, just one fleeting, fragile moment, he let himself think about a life beyond this. A life where Kyo wasn’t bound to his father’s company. A life where Kyo wasn’t exhausted, overworked, starved for more than just food. A life where Kyo could be like this all the time.
Akoura gently coaxed Kyo to walk, guiding him step by step toward the living room. Kyo didn’t protest, his body relaxed in Akoura’s embrace, the warmth of his presence making him feel secure enough to allow himself to lean into it completely. Akoura helped Kyo settle onto the sprawling couch by the large windows. The sunlight, now fading into the depths of the night, cast a soft blue over Kyo’s tired features. Akoura pressed a gentle kiss to his lips, “You stay here. I’ll change the sheets, then we can go to bed together.”
But as Akoura turned toward the bedroom, Kyo’s hand lifted. Reaching for him. It wasn’t a demand. It wasn’t even fully conscious. It was instinct. Kyo was barely awake, his half-lidded gaze hazy with exhaustion, but still—he reached. Something in Akoura broke. Kyo didn’t want to be alone. He didn’t want to be left, not even for a moment. Akoura’s heart melted and he bent down to take Kyo’s hand in his, kissing the top of it with a tenderness that sent a shiver down Kyo’s spine. “I’m not leaving you, baby. I’m just going to change the sheets. I’ll be back in just a minute,” Akoura reassured him, his voice low and soothing. Kyo, half conscious but still clinging to the warmth Akoura provided, nodded softly. He couldn’t keep his eyes open for long, but he managed to squeeze Akoura’s hand, silently telling him that he would wait. Akoura smiled, giving Kyo’s hand one last gentle squeeze before he stood and walked toward the bedroom.
Kyo's eyes barely opened. His body still ached, the knots in his muscles tight with the remnants of the past few days, but there was something else, something new, unfurling inside him. It was a warmth that bloomed deep within his chest, spreading slowly but surely throughout his entire being. Kyo had never known this kind of warmth before. Not in the way his past lovers had touched him, desperate and demanding. Not in the way he was treated as a mere afterthought. It was as if Akoura was trying to memorize him, trying to show him that he was precious.
His stomach groaned softly, and instinctively, Kyo’s hand moved to rub over it. He could still feel Akoura’s loving touch, his fingers trailing over his belly, pressing into the tender spots where the ropes had left their mark. Kyo’s eyelids began to grow heavy again, the exhaustion creeping back into his limbs like a gentle wave. But even as his mind begged him to let go and sleep, another part of him fought it. He couldn’t fall asleep here, not like this. Not without knowing that Akoura would return. He didn’t want to wake up alone. He didn’t want to find himself abandoned, as he had so many times before. Kyo clenched his hand around the edge of the couch, holding on, trying to steady himself.
Then, like a dream materializing before him, Akoura returned. Kyo barely noticed the way Akoura pulled him from the couch, how effortlessly Akoura lifted him into his arms. It was as if Kyo was weightless, and for the first time in a long time, he didn’t feel the heavy burden of his own existence. The soft sheets on the bed wrapped around his tired body, the fresh fabric so cool and comforting against his skin. But it was Akoura’s warmth he craved the most. Akoura pulled him in close, tucking Kyo’s body against his, kissing his forehead gently, then his cheek, his nose, his lips—each kiss a soft affirmation of his presence.
Akoura’s voice, warm and hushed, whispered against his ear, “How do you feel, love?” Kyo could only hum in satisfaction, the sound low and tired. He didn’t have the energy to form words. The last few days, the ache in his stomach, the heavy ropes that had bound him—it had all led him here. And here, in Akoura’s arms, he felt safe. He felt cared for. He felt loved. Kyo’s heart gave a soft thud against his chest, and the only thing he could focus on now was the steady rhythm of Akoura’s heartbeat beneath his ear, the sensation of being held, cherished, and wanted.
His body gave way, surrendering to the softness of the moment. His hand, still resting against Akoura’s chest, slowly fell to the side, and his eyelids fluttered closed. The last thing Kyo heard before sleep claimed him was Akoura’s whisper, a promise he wasn’t sure he had ever heard before, but one he would remember forever: “I’m not going anywhere, Kyo. I’ll always be here.” And with that, Kyo drifted off into a sleep unlike any other he’d ever known, enveloped in warmth, love, and the undeniable feeling that he was no longer just a body to be used, but a soul to be cared for.
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