Vexx had finally managed to get comfortable, curled up under the blanket, the silence of the room cradling him as sleep began to pull him under. His breathing had slowed, muscles finally at ease. Just a few more seconds and he’d be out—

But then he felt it.

A body pressing close. Warmth. The faint sound of purring, so soft, it almost blended into the quiet. His eyes fluttered open, confused.

“Hm...?” he whispered, voice groggy and uncertain. He turned slowly, and there you were—clinging to him, face flushed, pupils wide, breath shallow.

Vexx blinked, confusion quickly giving way to realization. His chest tightened.

“...oh.”

The scent. The heat coming off you. The way you trembled slightly, nuzzling in with a soft whine. It hit Vexx like a jolt to the spine.

You were in heat.

“N-No—oh no, not now...” Vexx sat up, his hands trembling as he pushed the blanket down, heart beginning to race. His gaze darted toward the door—as if he could just get up, go buy something, fix this—but... the stores were closed. It was way too late.

He looked down again. You were holding onto him like he was the only solid thing left in the world. The soft purring hadn’t stopped. Your breathing was erratic now, your body desperate for comfort. For contact. For him.

“I... I don’t know what to do...” Vexx whispered, voice cracking. He reached a hand out, hovering just above your hair, then slowly brushed it back, fingers shaking. “You’re burning up...”

He wanted to help. Desperately. But how?

“I c-can’t leave you like this,” he murmured, lip trembling. His other hand gripped the bedsheet tightly, knuckles white. “But I—I don’t know if I can—”

He stopped himself, sucking in a breath as you leaned up, eyes half-lidded, staring at him with raw, unspoken need.

Vexx’s heartbeat pounded in his ears. His thoughts blurred.

“Ah... fuck...” he whispered, barely audible now. “What am I supposed to do...?”