Matthew worked quietly on getting the blood out of the furs, a slightly annoyed frown on his face as he did so. Ivan was finished after a few more moments. "Are you done?"

Matthew finished a little later. "Yeah."

"Good, now let's take it inside and lay them out." He picked up his furs and headed back inside.

"Okay." Matthew picked up his and followed Ivan back inside.

He laid his out in the main room and waited for Matthew to copy. "So is there something you want to do after this? I will have a lot of work to catch up on."

"I don't know." He says with a small shrug. "I'd like to help out if I can."

Ivan shook his head. "I wouldn't be able to carry you with these wounds on patrol."

"I could walk?"

"It would take to long."

"I could run then?"

"For thirty miles?"

"... Well not the whole time. But it's not like you could do it without hurting yourself more either." He says with a slight pout.

"The job needs to be done regardless of my condition."

"It would still get done. Just not as quickly."

"If it is not done quickly someone will get cocky and come across an unguarded territory."

"Like that bear?"

"Yes, like that bear. He does not always listen to our markings and stay on his side." He growled and looked to the floor.

"Oh... do you often end up fighting him?" He frowns slightly.

"Mostly. Me and a group of wolves are the only ones that can deal with him if he causes trouble."

"Does "dealing" with him often include almost dying?" The boy asks, arching an eyebrow. "Or was that because you fought with him without any help?"

"... That depends on what you find "almost dying"."

"Those injuries you got certainly qualify." He replies tersely after several moments of incredulous silence.

Ivan too waited for a while before answering. "Would you like to know what I define almost dying?"

"...Sure?"

The tiger walked right up to him and pulled open the robe to expose his chest. "You see this?" He pointed to an ugly, rough looking scar that stretched from his left collarbone to the end of his ribs and one hands width wide. Whatever this scar looked like as a wound could not have been an easy sight to look upon. "This is what I define almost dying."

Matthew's eyes widen, one hand reaching out to touch it but stopping and pulling his hand back before he could touch it. "...How did you get that?"

Ivan looked him over a bit unsure if he would want to tell him. "I don't think it is a story you would want to hear."

"...Oh, okay..." He frowns softly at the scar, a slightly sad look on his face.

"Why do you look at it like that? I'm still here and it's been healed for years." He was confused.

"It must have hurt a lot..."

"It did and still hurts a bit from time to time, but I think that's just memories." He says kind of monotone and pulls the robes back over the scar.

"They must be strong memories if it still hurts every now and then." The boy says, still frowning. He was curious about how Ivan had gotten the scar but he wasn't going to ask if Ivan didn't want to tell him about it.

"Yes and sometimes I fear that I will forget them." He then turns away to replenish the loss of furs from their room. There was extra in the spare room, they just weren't the type Ivan preferred.

Matthew blinks in surprise then follows after him, a confused look on his face. "But if they hurt, shouldn't you want to forget them...?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"... It's hard to understand." Ivan started to place the furs down to remake their bed.

"I can try to understand." He helped Ivan with the furs.

"It lets me know that I am not dreaming." Ivan paused and placed a hand over the scars for a moment. "When it happened... it had felt like years had gone by while I floated silently in my own blood. Listening, watching, but I didn't feel anything- Just like dreaming. It wasn't until when the pain came flooding back to me did I realize that I wasn't dreaming." He became silent, re-living the moment in his mind. Matthew had paused and listened while Ivan spoke. "I sometimes think that I'm still laying there. Thinking, dreaming about everything that I could have done, how my life would have been. Years going by while I just lay there dying slowly."

When Ivan had finished talking, Matthew moved over to him and lightly placed his hand over Ivan's. "Well…. I can't say that I fully understand." He says slowly. "But I'm pretty sure you aren't dreaming right now."

Ivan winced as a familiar sharp pain came from the beating organ and nodded with a small smile. "Yes, my heart agrees."

He pulled his hand back and smiled back softly before helping place the rest of the furs down. "If anyone is dreaming I'd say it's me but I know I'm not dreaming either."

"Well, maybe someday you will wake up and find yourself home." He said quietly.

Matthew looked back at him and tilted his head a bit, a slight smile on his face. "Maybe... probably not though."

"And why is that?"

"Because I know I'm not dreaming." He says with a smile. "Also it's hard to wake up and find myself home when I have two different places I consider home, oui?"

"You... consider this home?"

"A second home, but home nonetheless yes." He says, nodding.

"You confuse me." Ivan looked away.

Matthew blinked and tilted his head with a confused look. "How?"

"You just- do." He started to look angry.

"I'm sorry...?"

Ivan sighed heavily and left the room. He needed some help right now, he couldn't deal with this- this change anymore. The tiger wanted answers and a solution.

Matthew followed him out and went over to sit next to the napping Jiro in the main room, a confused and slightly hurt look on his face. "I'm not trying to confuse you on purpose…" He says quietly, petting Jiro and looking down at the cub while he spoke. He was sulking a little, unsure what he did to make Ivan angry.

"I'm going to see Mogens, are you coming?" Ivan walked to the front door. He didn't want to leave Matthew alone, but was having a hard time keeping his distance. Every time Matthew got close his fur stood on end and his muscles would tense up like he was aiming to pounce.

"Sure." Matthew picked up the still sleeping Jiro and walked over to Ivan. He made sure to keep a few steps away from Matthew as they left.

)*(

The tiger man entered Mogens den and looked about for the male wolf. Matthew entered after Ivan, looking around as well and wondering what they were there for. {Mogens...?}

Mogens came out of his room with an odd look on his face. "You're in your moon form but yet you're speaking like that?"

{I have my reasons.} The tiger mumbled as Matthew waved at Mogens in greeting.

"Hello Matthew." Mogens smiled at him and then returned focus on the larger man {Hiding something from Matthew are you?} Mogens questioned and sat in the main room, Ivan sitting down near him and Matthew joining a moment after. {So, what is it you need to talk about?}

{I think I might have some infected wounds.} Ivan started.

Mogens was now even more confused. "And... you're talking in secret because? It's hardly anything to keep from any one. It happens."

{I wasn't finished.} Ivan growled and Mogens held up his hand apologetically. {I think it is affecting my sense of smell and touch.}

{Such as...?}

{My body keeps tensing up when I get close to someone, like I'm getting ready to attack.}

{Someone pissed you off today?} Mogens was guessing that he had only awoken today, seeing as he hadn't seen the tiger wandering the village.

{No, I've only seen you, Natalia, and Matthew.}

{Oh so your sister was irritating you again or something?}

{... Actually no. I barely paid any attention to her when she stopped by.} Ivan looked a little surprised as he realized this.

{So... it's only with Matthew around?} This wasn't making any sense. This seemed hardly anything to keep a secret from the moonchild.

{I suppose so, it started happening around the time of the bear attack.} Ivan frowned slightly in annoyance and maybe a bit of sadness. {The more I think about it the more I worry that I'll end up hurting Matthew. I nearly sank my teeth into the back of his neck already. I don't want to unintentionally kill him.}

{Wait. The bear attack? Ivan did you have wounds on you before that?}

{No...} The tiger now looked confused. {Why?}

{Then this has nothing to do with your wounds.}

{So you're saying I'm ill?}

{I'm not sure. Tell me more about what happens when you're around Matthew.}

Ivan glanced to the boy as he thought about it. {I already told you that my body tenses up... I've noticed that my fur stands on end and that I get the odd time where my head is suddenly spinning. If he gets too close I find I want to be closer, but I know my body makes him uncomfortable so I've been trying to keep my distance-} Ivan looked back at Mogens to see the male wolf looking utterly shocked. {What's with you?} The wolf leaned over at him and started to sniff him. {Are you even listening anymore? And knock it off!}

Matthew watched them talk quietly, watching their expressions and trying to guess what this was all about. As Ivan glanced at him and then Mogens, he figured it had something to do with him but he didn't know what.

{You said that you bit the back of his neck and that your head started spinning, do you feel like doing that every time he gets close or like pinning him down?}

{What!? No-!} He shook his head. {Maybe...? I-I don't know! What the hell is with the odd questions!?} Ivan snarled in defense.

The wolf's eyes widened. {Holy sh- Ivan, is the first time you've gone into heat!?} Ivan just stared at him bewildered by his conclusion.

"No way... B-but I guess that makes sense. You've never found one of your own so you've never experienced this."

Irunya came out of the room with a shocked face as well, having heard every word. "I-is this true?"

Matthew looked back and forth between Irunya, Ivan, and Mogens, a confused look on his face. They were talking normally again now but he still had no idea what was going on at all though apparently it was really shocking to Mogens and Irunya. He pets Jiro quietly, just listening and observing while they continued talking.

Ivan growled, but Mogens kept talking. "It must be, Matthew did get pounced on by another male. Ivan's scent on him must have started to fade."

Irunya's hands came down over her mouth, she had given Matthew the fruit. That must be why Ivan was reacting only now. Matthew must be in heat as well then.

Matthew kept looking back and forth between the three of them while he pet Jiro, a puzzled look on his face. He could definitely tell that it had something to do with him now but he still had no idea what the big deal was. "Um... does anyone want to let me know what's going on or is it supposed to be a secret or something?"

"Ivan is-"

"Shut your mouth Mogens before I tear it off!" Ivan hissed and dropped his ears back.

Matthew started in surprise, looking back and forth between the two of them with a mildly shocked expression. "Ah, secret then... Okay, sorry. Just curious. I'll be quiet now..." He says softly after a moment, lowering his gaze down to the cub in his lap, looking a bit sorry that he'd even asked as he resumed petting Jiro quietly.

"I-Ivan... There's no need to be mad or embarrassed." Irunya timidly spoke up.

"I am not!"

"Then there shouldn't be a problem. But the longer you wait, the harder it is. Believe me, I know." Mogens said calmly but was not comfortable with being growled at.

Ivan got up and left angrily. "I-Ivan! Wait-!" Irunya called out but Ivan slammed the door, making Matthew flinch.

"He's been moody like that for most of the time he's been awake." Matthew says with a sigh, keeping his gaze down on Jiro but talking to Mogens and Irunya.

Mogens sighed as well. "Don't take it personally, Ivan just doesn't know how to control this new feeling."

"Oh, um okay." He says with a slight nod though he still looked confused as to what exactly was going on.

"Do you want to know?"

"Mogens!"

"What, he deserves to know, it's not like he can smell it."

Matthew paused in thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I'll wait for Ivan to tell me when he wants to say anything about it." He says quietly.

"Suit yourself. But I don't know how long it will be before Ivan will snap." He got up. "I've got some work to do, see you later Irunya." Mogens nuzzled her cheek.

"I'll keep that in mind." Matthew says with a slight nod.

"I wish you luck, the two of you." The male wolf smiled and then left the den.

Matt nods a bit, though still confused as he looked over at Irunya. "So, how are you?" He asks, changing the subject.

She giggled. "Good. How are you?"

He smiled a bit. "A bit confused but fine."

"It's understandable. How's your body?"

"Um, also fine?" He says, looking a bit puzzled at the question.

"Ah that's good, though... I don't know how long it will last with you. You and Ivan might want to decide soon. Or it will be at least another year before there will be another time." She smiled shyly; she didn't meant to stick her nose in their business. But it would be another year before the fruit would be ripe again for Matthew. And she had given him the last one, since the other was given to Feliks.

"Decide what?" He tilts his head.

"T-to have pups this season." It was the gentlest way to say it.

"Oh…" Matthew looked a bit like he was sorry he'd asked. He understood that… that was the main reason he was here in the first place, but he didn't feel comfortable with the idea at all. Though here it was "normal" for males to have kids, it was still a very foreign concept to Matthew and not one he was really eager to try out anytime soon.

"I-I'm sorry..."

He blinked in surprise and looked more confused. "Why are you apologizing?"

"I'm sticking my nose where it doesn't belong."

"Ah- no, um... It's fine... really." He says, attempting to give her a reassuring smile.

"R-really? You don't find me annoying?"

He smiled softly and shook his head. "No. I think you're really nice and easy to talk to."

She smiled. "Thank you."

Matthew spent the rest of the night just kind of hanging out with Irunya and playing with Jiro. After his and Jiro's dinner, he took the sleepy cub and bid Irunya goodbye before heading back home for the night. Irunya bid him good night as well; she hoped that he had a safe travel home. Lone males would take any opportunity they could.

Matthew hurried home as quickly as possible, not wanting to have to deal with another situation like the one that had happened several days ago. Ivan should have been waiting outside or something for him, was the tiger that upset from what happened to have forgotten?

Ivan was inside den, sitting in the main room when Matthew got inside and shut the door; glad he had made it back without any troubles. Currently, Ivan was trying to deal with this new problem at hand. Some things had changed since the first night.

"I'm glad you made it back okay, I would have come and got you but... I had some things to deal with." He glanced up at him and then back at floor.

Matthew nodded. "It's fine. I didn't have any troubles getting back…" He hovered for a moment, unsure if he wanted to leave Ivan be or come sit with him. After a few moments he settled for sitting near Ivan but not right next to him, setting Jiro down beside him and petting the sleeping cub quietly. Ivan shifted uncomfortably as his muscles tensed. Was it just him or did Matthew's scent grow stronger in one night?

Matthew sat quietly, leaning up against the wall of the main room and giving Ivan space to think about whatever had been going on earlier. But Ivan couldn't keep quiet. "I-is there something you need?"

Matthew looked over at him, a bit surprised by the stutter. "Um, no. Sorry, would you like me to go into another room or something instead?"

"You can if you want... I'll be sleeping in another room while I rest and recover."

"Oh... okay." He nods and stands up with Jiro in his arms after a moment. "Um, good night then..." He says a bit awkwardly before going into their room.

"Good night Matthew." Ivan sighed softly as his muscles relaxed. He would go to bed in a bit.

Matthew set Jiro down and lay down next to the cub. He stayed up for a while, just kind of letting his mind wander, trying not to dwell to much on any one thought before eventually falling asleep.

Ivan eventually went to bed and curled up in the nest of furs in the spare room. He hoped this wasn't going to get any harder.

)*(

The next day around noon Matthew woke up to a hungry cub crawling on top of him to get attention. He yawned and relocated Jiro to the floor before getting up and wandering out of the room to ready himself to leave. Jiro scurried after him energetically and Matthew smiled a bit as he got his boots on, a bit amused by Jiro's energy so early in the afternoon.

Ivan awoke a few hours later and limped out of the den to find Matthew and watch over him. He hated when he woke up all sore from wounds. It took a moment for Ivan to realize that the moonchild was no longer in the den and found Matthew was currently outside, playing with Jiro to burn some of the cub's excess energy after they had both eaten. They were both tumbling about in the snow and seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Ivan sat a good ways away and watched over them with a relaxed expression. Matthew and Jiro played for quite a while; stopping to take breaks, the young man unable to keep up with the cub's seemingly endless energy. He watched the cub tumble around him in the snow during one of his breaks, glancing over at Ivan and giving a slight wave and a smile before returning his attention to Jiro. He'd noticed Ivan much earlier on but was giving the tiger his space.

Ivan twitched his ears in response to the wave. Keeping a vivid lookout for any other males; if Matthew's scent was getting stronger, then they will be becoming more aggressive. He had seen it happen with watching over his sisters. But he wasn't this badly injured during that time.

Matthew continued wrestling and tumbling around in the snow with Jiro after a while. Though at first glance it seemed like they were tumbling all over the place, he was actually trying and somewhat succeeding in keeping their playing to an area close to home.

Just when nothing seemed to be happening today, a male pack member started walking towards Matthew. Ivan was quick to sending a warning growl and glare towards him. The male stopped in his tracks looking uneasy by the tiger glaring at him like that, even if it was from afar.

Matthew heard the growl and tumbled to a halt. He glanced around to see what had earned the growl. Noticing the male, Matthew did another quick glance around to gauge the distance between where the male was and where he was. After a moment he continued playing with Jiro though clearly not as into it as before, glancing up a bit uneasily every so often to keep track of where the male was.

This one decided to turn around and leave, it wasn't worth his hide to chance the tiger. For now. And with the wolf gone, Matthew relaxed.

As the day went on, more males took notice of Matthew outside and came to "take a look". For the most part Ivan's glares were enough to send them off. But he was starting to worry it wouldn't be enough. Though his biggest concern was the word of Matthew's state reaching Alpha. Ivan hadn't had the time or the chance to mark Matthew again and the Alpha would certainly give word for the pack to do as they wished.

By the time it had gotten to sunset, Matthew had grown tired with the males that kept showing up. He was hungry now though after using up all that energy and Jiro was clearly hungry as well. He got up and brushed the snow off of himself and walked over to Ivan, Jiro following along close behind. "I'm going to take Jiro over to Irunya's. Do you want to come with us?"

Ivan stood and nodded his head. His guess was right though. The boy's scent had gotten stronger over one night. Matthew scooped up Jiro and started walking to Irunya's. He had no problem with letting the cub walk on his own, but given the number of males that had appeared so far, he preferred the quicker method of just carrying him so they could reach their destination faster. The tiger followed behind him but still kept his distance, he was starting to feel a little light headed.

When they reached Irunya's, Matthew stopped in front of the door and turned back to Ivan. "I'm a bit hungry too. Could you go get me some meat please?" He asks with a slight smile. "I'll stay inside Irunya's until you get back."

{I can do that, be back shortly} He turned to go get the boy something to eat. Maybe he could still find him some fruit before the season was out.

"Thanks." Matthew went inside and shut the door behind him. "Irunya?" He calls out, setting Jiro down. Irunya gave him a light bark for a greeting before wiggling her way out of her room.

Matthew smiled and waved a bit at her. "Hi, Jiro's hungry." He says as he watches Jiro scamper over to Irunya and greet her as well. "Also I hope you don't mind but I'm staying in here until Ivan gets back with something for me to eat."

She wagged her tail and gave the cub a lick. {Not at all. You are free to stay as long as you need.}

"Thanks." Matthew smiled a bit and sat down near her, waiting while Jiro nursed and Ivan was off getting him food. Irunya happily talked to the boy as they waited, though he couldn't understand her. She just wanted him to feel at home and Matthew smiled, listening though he didn't understand; glad he didn't have to sit in silence.

Ivan came stumbling though the door in his moon form with a hand full of berries in hand and a good-sized piece of meat in his jaws. Matthew looked up from where he was. "Welcome back." He says, standing up and going over to him.

Ivan took a step back at the smaller man's approached and held out the fruit to him. This was going to be harder than he thought. Matthew blinked and took the fruit with a nod of thanks before retreating back to where he had been sitting earlier to give Ivan space. He leaned up against the wall of the den while he ate the berries quietly.

Ivan sat near the door and waited until Matthew would want his meat. Though this whole charade was becoming ridiculous for the both of them. Something would need to be done about it and soon. When Matthew was done with the berries, he walked back over to get the meat before going outside and starting up a fire.

Ivan shivered as the boy left, in a moment he would join him outside to make sure he would be okay.

{I don't understand why you're doing this to yourself brother, but you've already mated with Matthew before. Why is it so different now? Isn't this something you've wanted...?} His sister asked softly.

He was silent for a moment before stepping outside as well. {Matthew's not ready. I respect his wishes. But I do not believe he would even want pups...}

)*(

Matthew was eating his meat by the fire quietly. His back was to Irunya's so he could watch for anyone who might approach him. He had his knife on his lap and was using it to cut the meat every so often though it was also making him feel a little better knowing he had it and the fire for at least some form of defense on his own.

Ivan walked around him so he was facing the den and Matthew, but still kept a little distance from him. Luckily the fire was, for once, in his favor and masked some of Matthew's scent.

Matthew watched him, looking back down to his meat after a few moments and cooking and eating the rest of it in silence. When he was done, he cleaned off his hands, face and knife and put the knife back in his pocket. He kept the fire going, hugging his knees to his chest and staring into the fire quietly in thought. He wondered what it was that Ivan was dealing with that kept making him distance himself from Matthew. He also thought a bit about what Irunya had said to him the other day.

"Is everything alright? Are you still hungry Matthew?"

It took Matthew a moment to resurface from his thoughts, blinking and looking up when he did. "Hm? Oh, no. I'm fine, just thinking."

"About?"

"Something Irunya said to me the other day among others things..." He says vaguely, looking back down into the fire in thought. It was true though, he was thinking about what she had mentioned yesterday. He was also thinking about a few things Ivan had said a while ago when they had the first trip to the hot spring.

"Would you like to talk about it? We can wait until we reach the den if you like."

Matthew bit his lip in thought for a moment. "Um, I don't know… Maybe." He says with a slight shrug.

"I'll get Jiro." Ivan got up and went back inside.

"Okay." Matthew nodded put the fire out before standing up.

It only took a moment to retrieve the cub and rejoin Matthew outside. Matthew then held his hands out for the sleepy cub. It was fine by Ivan. The cub had Matthew's scent all over him, but less potent.

The silence was unsettling as they walked back to the den, but he put up with it. When they got back, Matthew slipped off his boots and laid Jiro down in their room to sleep before coming back out and sitting in the main room, hugging his knees to his chest and trying to decide if he wanted to talk with Ivan about what he'd been thinking about or not.

Ivan frowned a little at the sight of Matthew. He seemed so troubled. "Matthew...?"

Matthew glanced up at him. "Hm?"

"Are you alright? You seem... different all of a sudden."

"I'm- fine." He says after a moment, lowering his gaze back down. "Just still thinking about something Irunya said to me yesterday."

"What did she tell you?" He sat down near by but kept his distance.

"Nothing really. She just suggested that we might want to decide soon." He says, looking at the floor for a moment before quietly adding to it. "Whether or not to have pups this season I mean..."

"Oh..." He tensed a little as he looked away. "Well that has already been decided."

Matthew blinked and glanced up a bit in surprise. "Hm?"

"There will be no pups." He said calmly.

Matthew blinked and nodded. "Ah, okay." He was quiet for a moment before tilting his head curiously. "May I ask why? I thought you wanted that."

"I do not know anymore. I did at the start but now- I am not so sure." He said quietly as he kept his eyes to the floor.

Matthew looked at him with a puzzled look. "What changed your mind?" He was kind of relieved but he was also confused, didn't Ivan want his race to continue?

"I don't know all of it, but I know a part of it is because of you... The time we have spent together has made me think things over."

Matthew blinked in surprise. "Because of me? How?"

"Do you still want to go home?" He asked changing the subject.

"A little." He says after a moments thought. "I don't think that's something that will change though. No matter how long I stay here, I'll always want to go home a little." He smiles a bit. "But that didn't answer my question, how did I change your mind?"

He sighed heavily, but remained calm in his voice. "Because it is not something you want- and don't bother trying to lie. I sensed your ease when I told you that there would be no pups."

"Oh…" Matthew blinked in surprise and looked down, biting his lip. "Um… It's not that I don't want to help…" He mumbles softly, fidgeting a bit. "I just- don't understand any of it and it just um…"

"Just what...?"

"… Scares me." He looked away, cheeks slightly pink in embarrassment.

"Scares you? What scares you, I don't understand." Ivan looked a bit worried at the turn out of this conversation.

"Just- I don't know, all of it I suppose." Matthew sighs and hugs his knees to his chest tightly. "I know males having offspring here is common, but it never happens where I'm from so I have no idea how that works and that's kind of frightening to begin with…" He trails off for a moment, he had more to say but he wanted to see if Ivan had anything to say to that first before he continued.

Ivan frowned a little at him. "It's not as common as you think. I have never met a male that has given birth nor heard stories about it happening personally. I don't think it has ever happened to anyone in the north. We get to hear about it vaguely when we travel to the south. It's in the south that it mostly happens, but even then it's still very rare to happen I believe. I guess it is just something that is widely accepted... With all that being said, I have no idea how it works either." Though he had a good guess Irunya did, she was the most educated of the litter.

"Oh." He gave a slight nod. "The other thing is um... just-" He paused and sighed, fidgeting uncomfortably. "Well, you all have another form and I don't and- well Irunya's pups are still… pups and there's a lot of them." He says awkwardly, not quite sure how to articulate what he was trying to say.

"It's alright that you do not have another form Matthew." He moved a little closer. "And why does Irunya's pups bother you?"

"They don't, it's that- to have that many seems overwhelming and um, when my kind have children they're born looking like... well people, not anything else and the thought of that is just… odd and frightening to me." He sighs and rests his head on his knees, his hair falling forward to hide his face. When he speaks again, his voice is softer and much more… vulnerable sounding. "It's not that I don't want to help. I want to help. I'm just confused and- Really… scared."

Ivan felt everything drop heavily inside. He approached Matthew carefully; he sat closely in front of the boy and leaned over him with one arm against Matthew's back. It was almost like a hug. Ivan breathed out softly and nuzzled the top of his head. This was why, why he didn't want pups anymore. "Don't be Matthew... I'm here to protect you, that is all. So please don't be scared. There is not going to be any pups, alright?"

Matthew uncurled from how he was sitting and moved closer, practically sitting in Ivan's lap to cling to him in a hug, face buried in Ivan's chest. He really just needed a hug right now. Ivan blinked in surprise and curled around him more. The boy's scent was making his head spin, but he kept himself in check.

"Sorry… I'm being selfish." He murmurs, nuzzling into Ivan's neck a little in apology. "I do want to help, I'm just scared."

He forced back a shiver. "No you're not. You're not. No one is going to make you go though with it, I'll make sure of that. There is not going to be any pups."

"I do want to help." He murmurs, nuzzling Ivan's neck more. Ivan smelled nice; it was making his mind a little fuzzy but in a nice way. "I'm just a bit scared too though."

"Well if you're scared you should trust your instincts." He shivered a little, unable to keep it back this time.

"My instincts?" He lifted his head and nuzzled Ivan's cheek. "Hmm..." It was a little hard to think about anything other than Ivan smelled really nice, he wondered how he'd never noticed before. "I think they want me to help anyway even though 'm scared."

Ivan pulled his head back. "Matthew..."

"Hm?" He looked up at Ivan curiously; cheeks slightly flush though it was hardly noticeable.

"There are reasons why we are scared. It's our instincts telling us to be careful or to avoid something."

"I know. That something isn't always bad though, sometimes it's just different enough to make us scared, oui?" He leaned forward to nuzzle Ivan again. His mind was hazy and he would've described it like being drunk, but it seemed a bit silly to think that. There wasn't even any alcohol here, how could he be drunk?

"Matthew, don't do that." Ivan moved his head away again. This was going to get dangerous if this continued.

"Why not?" He asks, looking up at Ivan, tilting his head curiously.

"Because I'm in heat and I do not know how well I can keep to myself if you continue to do that."

Matthew blinked up at him for a moment, looking as if he'd heard but not understood. A slightly dazed and flushed look on his face as he leaned closer and connected their lips together in a kiss suddenly. Ivan flinched and a shiver ran down his spine as his fur stood on end. He pulled back, looking at him in shock. "Wha-what was that?"

Matthew blinked up at him, tilting his head curiously. "It's called a kiss." He says, leaning up and kissing him again.

"Kiss...?" Ivan swallowed and tried to get away. Matthew had just told him how scared he was about having pups. He didn't want to make Matthew feel unsafe or scared of him. Whatever was making him act like this, Ivan needed to try and reason with him. "Matthew, I'm in heat do you know what that means? Do you understand what could happen if I'm not careful?" He was shaking a bit in restraint.

"I know what it means." He says, hands coming up to rest on Ivan's shoulders. "And yes, this is what I call a kiss." He leaned up and connected their lips again, a little more persistent, trying to coax Ivan into the kiss a little.

The tiger's muscles tensed as he fought with his instincts. His mind was beyond hazy at this point; it was amazing he could still stay somewhat rational. Ivan copied the boy and returned this so called "kiss". Kissing was done with the nose not the lips; the Moon's world was a strange one.

Matthew smiled a bit and deepened the kiss. His mind was fuzzy but currently couldn't see anything wrong with this. Though Ivan didn't seem to know what this kind of kiss was it didn't seem to matter, he was figuring it out quickly enough.

Ivan then growled softly and flicked his tail, Matthew smiled at this reaction. This form of kissing was different to Ivan, but it felt nice and made his heart pound. Matthew said he knew what it meant to be in heat so was that the okay for them to finally mate and bond?

The kiss kept going until they needed to breathe. Matthew pulled back a little but not much, looking at Ivan for his reaction to the kiss. Ivan was licking his lips and then leaning towards him to kiss him back. Originally Ivan had only meant it to be for a moment, but the moonchild deepening connection and making it a bit more sensual, made the tiger want to stay.

Ivan did his best to copy him as they continued to kiss each other more and more, and make this more enjoyable for Matthew as well. If this was common courting in Matthew's world for mates to bond, he would do his best to partake and make Matthew more comfortable before moving on to mating.