Chapter 398: Completely Normal

Chapter 398: Chapter 398: Completely Normal

"Your Majesty..."

The physician looked at Arik with the weary comprehension of a man who had finally accepted that Liam was not, in fact, the dramatic one in the imperial marriage.

"Do your job," Arik said.

He stood close enough to the examination couch that his thigh touched its edge, one hand resting against Liam’s shoulder while faint threads of gold and red ether moved around him in agitated curls. He had been like that since they entered the medical suite twenty minutes earlier, despite Liam repeatedly explaining that nothing was wrong.

"Arik," Liam said, turning his head to look up at him. "You are making the doctor uncomfortable. I’m not pregnant. You can stop looming."

"We do not know that yet."

"I am on contraception."

"Yes."

"Contraception that the same physician told us remained effective through heat."

"Yes."

"And it has been less than two days."

Arik’s expression did not change.

Liam sighed and returned his attention to the ceiling.

The imperial medical suite was quiet at this hour, morning light spilling through the high windows onto pale flooring and the curved diagnostic console beside him. Liam wore loose black trousers and a cream sweater because Arik had apparently decided fitted clothing constituted an unnecessary burden after heat, although Liam had drawn the line when his husband suggested the bunny-eared sweatshirt again.

There were limits.

The physician adjusted the scanner over Liam’s abdomen.

"For the record, His Majesty is correct about one point."

Arik immediately looked vindicated.

Liam narrowed his eyes.

"Choose the next sentence carefully."

The physician smiled despite himself.

"We cannot confirm a pregnancy this early through ordinary screening."

Arik’s satisfaction disappeared.

"But," the physician continued before either of them could speak, "we can confirm that your contraceptive implant is active, your hormonal markers remain consistent with effective suppression of conception, and there is currently no medical reason to suspect failure."

Liam turned toward Arik.

"There."

Arik looked at the projection rather than him.

"Currently."

"Yes, currently. Because apparently pregnancy does not announce itself the following morning out of respect for imperial anxiety."

The physician coughed.

Arik looked down at Liam.

"You were the one who booked the appointment."

"To make sure everything was functioning normally after stopping the heat suppressant."

"And because you were worried."

"I was being responsible."

"That is what I am doing."

Liam stared at him.

Arik’s mouth moved slightly.

The physician wisely returned to the diagnostic panel.

The truth was that Liam had wanted the reassurance.

He knew that wanting Arik and wanting a child were still two completely separate things, and Liam was not ready for anyone, including his own biology, to merge them without permission.

The physician removed the scanner and pulled his stool closer.

"Your contraception is functioning properly. I would still recommend the routine follow-up screening in two weeks, only because this was your first natural heat after prolonged suppression, and I want a complete hormone profile once the cycle has settled."

"That is fine," Liam said.

Arik nodded.

The physician looked between them.

"There is something else you asked about."

Liam shifted on the examination couch.

"Yes."

Arik’s hand moved automatically to the back of his neck.

Liam glanced at him.

"The intensity."

The physician nodded.

"You described the physical sensations as significantly stronger than you remembered."

"That is putting it mildly."

Arik smiled.

Liam elbowed him lightly in the ribs.

"Behave."

"I am."

The physician continued, "That is not unexpected. Your previous experiences were during suppressed states, when the suppressants were influencing your baseline sensitivity."

Liam frowned.

"My suppressants affected sensation?"

"To a degree. Not enough that you would necessarily notice during ordinary life."

The physician brought up Liam’s medication history.

"Heat suppressants work partly by reducing the hormonal amplification associated with omega reproductive cycles. In your case, continuous use also dulled several secondary responses—pheromonal sensitivity, glandular reactivity, and some sensory processing connected to mating."

Arik became far too interested.

Liam noticed immediately.

"Do not look pleased."

"I am listening to the physician."

"You are listening very enthusiastically."

"I value medical knowledge."

Liam gave him a flat look.

The physician continued before the argument could expand.

"Now that the suppressant has cleared your system, those responses are no longer being dampened. You are essentially experiencing your natural baseline for the first time as a fully bonded adult omega."

Liam considered that.

"So nothing was actually wrong."

"No."

"And the fact that everything felt..."

He paused.

Arik’s smile returned.

Liam ignored him.

"Excessive."

"That would be a reasonable description."

The physician nodded.

"Your sensory pathways were responding without pharmaceutical suppression, your bond was fully active, and you had only recently completed a heat cycle. Taken together, stronger physical perception is expected."

Arik’s thumb moved slowly against Liam’s neck.

"Will it stay that way?"

The physician looked at him.

"Some of the heightened sensitivity will settle as Lord—" He stopped himself. "As the Empress Consort’s hormonal cycle stabilizes. But yes, his normal unsuppressed baseline may remain more sensitive than what either of you became accustomed to."

Arik’s expression became almost offensive.

Liam pointed at him.

"No."

"I said nothing."

"You are thinking very loudly."

The physician looked down at his tablet.

Liam rubbed one hand across his face.

At least that explained why his body had reacted as though Arik had rediscovered entirely new anatomy.

It had not been imagination. Or simply nearly ten years of suppression.

Well.

Technically it had been exactly that.

The physician finished recording the results.

"There are no signs of injury, no abnormal glandular swelling, and no indication that the heat caused complications. Continue your contraception on schedule, maintain hydration for another few days, and contact me if you develop unusual pain, fever, or another pheromonal spike."

Liam slid off the examination couch.

"So I am healthy."

"Yes."

"Not unexpectedly pregnant."

"There is no reason currently to believe you are."

"And I can return to normal activity."

The physician hesitated.

Arik noticed.

Liam noticed Arik noticing.

"What?"

"Normal activity, yes. I would simply advise moderation for another day or two."

Arik smiled.

Liam closed his eyes.

"I hate this office."

"No, you don’t," Arik said.

The physician stood.

"You wanted an honest medical answer."

"I did. I simply underestimated how much my husband would enjoy it."

Arik helped him into his coat despite Liam being perfectly capable of doing it himself, smoothing the collar once it was settled around his shoulders.

Then he bent close enough that only Liam heard him.

"So."

Liam narrowed his eyes.

"So what?"

"More sensitive."

"Do not."

Arik laughed.

Liam caught the front of his coat and pulled him closer before he could retreat.

"I am still not pregnant."

"I know."

"And we are keeping it that way."

Arik’s expression softened immediately.

"Exactly."

Arik kissed his forehead.

Then, because he apparently had no sense of self-preservation, he murmured, "The increased sensitivity, however—"

Liam shoved him toward the door.

"Out."

Arik went willingly, laughing all the way into the corridor.