The rest of Jamie’s heat went like that. Killian and Randy would take turns knotting him until the three of them would pass out for a few hours. They ate and drank as much as they could in the quiet moments, feeding each other small bites.

There was half a day at the peak of Jamie’s heat where he wouldn’t settle, tears springing into his eyes silently every time Killian and Randy had to switch up. Still, they got through even that, sleeping for almost six hours afterwards.

By the end of the fourth day, when Jamie’s heat finally broke, Killian was tired beyond words, his whole body sore. He couldn’t even imagine how Jamie felt—this had been the most intense heat Killian had ever gone through, even with two Alphas there.

If Killian had been in his right mind, he would have left as soon as his duties were over, but as the sun sank into the horizon, his body just wouldn’t listen to him. The bed was a fucking mess, but it smelt like them, and as Jamie burrowed back into Killian, Randy draping an arm over each of them, Killian closed his eyes and fell unconscious for ten straight hours.

Waking from that was its own challenge, but something was moving on top of him, jostling him gently. He opened his eyes to see Jamie climbing over him, whispering to Randy.

“I’m fine. Love you, babe, but I’ve been fucked within an inch of my life and need a me-time shower. You take over cuddling Killian.”

Randy muttered something under his breath before saying more clearly, “Shout if you need anything.”

“Yeah, yeah, Papa Bear.”

To Killian’s surprise, Randy did as asked, moving closer until he was forehead-to-forehead with Killian. “You awake?”

Killian opened his eyes blearily. “I think so? My body feels like ground beef.” He grinned.

Randy laughed. “Yeah, same. You did—I mean, fuck. That was the best heat I’ve ever seen Jamie have, and we’ve been together six years, total. Just…thank you.”

Killian squirmed a little uncomfortably. “Yeah, man, of course. I’m happy I could help, honestly.”

Tentatively, Randy raised his hand, brushing it through Killian’s tangled hair. Killian watched his face, the soft look there. Randy was so much more affectionate than he’d seemed to be at the start, and it did something to Killian, knowing that there was no way he was like this with most people.

Following the wild impulse, Killian kissed Randy softly, opening his mouth easily when Randy responded, cradling Killian’s head in his hands.

The kiss meandered aimlessly, both of them shifting so Randy was half on top of him, tongue stroking Killian’s languidly, like they had all the time in the world. Like there was nowhere Randy would rather be.

They only broke apart when Jamie returned, a surprised noise leaving his throat. “Okay, you guys need to shower so I can change the sheets and get some of that kissing.”

Randy lifted his head, looking surprised. “I can change the sheets if you want. You should—”

“Baby, I feel fucking great after a heat for literally the first time in my life. I mean, sore as fuck, and I could sleep for another forty-eight hours, but…I can change the sheets. You two go shower.”

Randy gaped at him for a moment before scrambling out of bed. “You really feel good?” he asked, cupping Jamie’s face.

“I really feel good. Now go shower,” he ordered with a peck to Randy’s lips.

The shower, it turned out, was just big enough to fit both Killian and Randy. The spray of hot water was heaven liquified, beating down on his sore muscles.

Killian ignored the pull in his chest as Randy washed him carefully, massaging his scalp as he shampooed his hair. In the billowing steam, they looked at each other, lips inches away, and Killian felt like he was drowning.

By the time they got out and dried, the bed was made as promised, but Jamie called them into the kitchen where an assortment of food—fruit and meats and cereal and milk and juice—was waiting for them.

“RIP the entire contents of our fridge,” Jamie joked. “Let’s fucking eat.”

Randy watched in obvious amazement as Jamie proceeded to wolf down half the food in thirty minutes. Even Killian was impressed by the dedication to consume every last crumb.

Jamie eventually leaned back in his chair, hand rubbing his stomach as he groaned. “I think I’m done. Someone roll me to the bedroom.”

Killian laughed, pushing his plate away. “Me too. Thanks for the meal, guys.”

“You two are animals,” Randy said, grinning as he shook his head.

Killian scoffed incredulously. “Me? This one demolished half the country’s crops. Pretty sure he ate three whole cows.”

Jamie sniffed imperiously. “And they were delicious.”

Randy shook his head. “Remember that show we saw about the Jersey cows? You were—”

“Don’t bring up the Jersey cows, Randy! Don’t bring up those cows.”

Killian looked between them in confusion. “There are cows in New Jersey?”

“No,” Randy clarified. “Jersey as in the one in Britain. It’s an island.”

“Oh.”

“They have these really cute cows Jamie became obsessed with—”

“Obsessed is a strong word,” Jamie interrupted.

“Yeah, and also the correct one. You literally brought them up at every party we went to for a month. You had pictures of them on your phone. You—”

“Okay, I think Killian gets it.”

Killian bit his lip to try and stop himself from laughing. “No, please, I wanna know more.”

Jamie mock-glared at him. “It’s not like I’m eating Jersey cows. They’re used for milk. There’s no conflict of interest here.”

Randy chuckled. “Whatever you say.”

“At least I’m not obsessed with 90 Day Fiancé,” Jamie shot at Randy.

Killian perked up. “Oh, man, that show is so good, though. I watch it with my sister.”

Randy made a ‘see’ motion towards Randy. Jamie rolled his eyes. “You both have terrible taste.”

Randy turned to Killian, lowering his voice as if he were sharing a secret. “All Jamie watches are true crime shows.”

Killian wrinkled his nose. He hated that stuff. “Why?”

Jamie huffed. “Because it’s interesting, okay? Don’t murder-shame me.”

“Baby,” Randy assured, “you can murder all you want, and I’ll still love you.”

Killian nodded thoughtfully. “And I’ll report you to the police.”

Jamie gasped theatrically. “I can’t believe you! I thought you were ride-or-die, Killian.”

“I mean, I have my limits.”

“Disappointing,” Jamie joked, poking his tongue out at him.

For some strange reason, as Killian laughed, that was the moment he remembered why he was there—paid to get Jamie through his heat. That was it. Not to joke around and eat their food and feel like…

“Uhm…I guess I should go now,” Killian said before he could do anything stupid.

“What?” Jamie exclaimed. “No, come on, let’s cuddle.”

Killian gritted his teeth, resisting the pull to do what he actually wanted. “It, uhm…I was hired for four days and I, uh, I have a client tonight, so.”

A heavy, loaded silence fell over the table. For the first time in a long time, Killian felt shame crawl through him, sticky, sharp claws raking through him. And it wasn’t because he was being paid for sex work, but because he was being paid for all the moments in between—the kisses, and the hand-fed food, and the easy conversation between them.

Because it brought home that this wasn’t a real relationship they were developing, but a service Killian was providing.

“Oh,” Jamie said softly. “Right, yeah. Sorry, of course.”

Killian tried to ignore the unbearable fucking awkwardness as he got up from the table, putting his plate in the sink before gathering his things. It was deadly silent in the apartment, the easy feeling having been split cleanly in two.

“Uhm…okay, well. Uh. I’ll see you soon?” Killian said as Jamie and Randy walked him to the door.

The other two nodded silently, Jamie leaning into Randy like the couple they were.

Never had Killian had such a strong urge to touch a client after the job was over. Not even a kiss, but just a press of his fingers against their cheeks, a small comfort.

Instead, he curled his hands into fists and left.