I have been waiting to use this chapter title for MONTHS! Anywho, I did a poll a few weeks ago on if this story should have mpreg or not - It ended up being a tie. But since I'm self-indulgent, I've decided that after I finish the main plot, I'll add two (easily skippable) bonus mpreg chapters. Now please enjoy the chapter that got so out of hand that I had to entirely move nesting to the next chapter!

Also, please go check out beautiful art that secretly-a-wuss did for the fic! Honestly, it's PERFECT! Thank you so much for it, Wuss! It melted my icy heart! 3 I can't wait to bring it into words in the next chapter. ;) (Link: /SecretlyWussy/status/1196047810530988032?s=20 )

By the time two days had passed, Ciel's fever had broken. Though dredges of drowsiness remained, his cough had faded alongside his sore throat. The persistent wolf remained beside him the entire time, bathing his face with cool cloths and keeping him festooned in warm furs while he rested and healed. Though he was reluctant to admit it, he'd grown fond of Sebastian's company. He exuded a warmth that he himself lacked and kept his mind sharp with witty banter, rubbing his back as he fought to stay conscious rather than succumbing to the sweet oblivion calling him. He wanted to repay him in some way or another, but at the moment, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong inside his own body. He was no longer ill, but he felt sluggish; His form shrouded in a thick fog of malaise that had him hunkering down deeper into his nest.

It was beginning to fall apart, the soft dirts and mosses it was hewn from crumbling and sinking into the ground and walls of his den. It made him uneasy, leaving him with the consuming desire to scrap it and replace it entirely. It required new materials and fresh soil to rest upon. Feathers would be a good start, and he needed to start collecting them soon if he wished to keep warm at night, but he couldn't bring himself to move. He would wait until his visitor left to avoid spiking alarm or waking him while trying to clean his burrow out, a feat that would be impossible with the wolf still laying on the edge of it.

The man attempting to court him still slumbered peacefully beside him, snuffling calmly into the cushion the fox's own head rested upon in search of his familiar aroma. The omega supposed it was instinctive-He did seem rather enthralled with his scent... He didn't bother rousing the alpha from his rest or berate him for it as he would have before; He'd been awake all night caring for him and deserved a chance to regain lost sleep. Instead, Ciel turned on his side with his back to the alpha, and peered out at what little scenery could be spotted from his den's tiny entrance. It was snowing again. It came as no surprise to him, but it would definitely make rebuilding his nest harder. He was itching to get it done as soon as possible, and he knew exactly what that meant. The strange, queasy sensation in his stomach, the soreness and fatigue of his muscles, the fogginess in his mind, they were all signs of his impending heat. Just perfect... He didn't have much time left to think on the wolf's proposal that they mate. He had to decide soon if he was ready to bond or give up this stubborn creature forever.

Two weeks ago and he would have laughed outright at the idea of sharing his heat, but now... The prospect didn't sound so bad. Funny how fast things can change; How a single man would obliterate not only his poor opinion on wolves, but his sour thoughts on mates as well. Sebastian didn't think himself superior because he was an alpha, he saw them as equals. He wasn't afraid to challenge or taunt him either, and as infuriating as that could be at times, it was more entertaining that way than if he did nothing but treat him sweetly. The alpha nursed him back to health without any ulterior motive behind his honest eyes of sanguine, that in and of itself was enough to soften his gaze. It wasn't time to say so yet, but he had a feeling that his decision had already been subconsciously made.

Sebastian's tail coiled ticklishly against Ciel's calf and he could only squeak quietly at the ticklish sensation radiating throughout the patch of skin. The sound, while faint, had said man's eyes fluttering open gently. A sleepy smile stretched across his lips the second he came to face large eyes of lapis and moonstone, the dusting of strawberry from cheek to cheek drawing a deep chuckle from his throat. What a pleasant sight to wake to. He was relieved to see Ciel fully awake, mind free from the fog of illness for the first time in days, despite the fact that he stared at him like a moth peering into a campfire flame. He wondered what the intense glare of pink across the bridge of his nose was caused by until he realized that his sable tail, twitching in contentment, had slid from its perch beneath his knee to the delicate flesh of his thighs where it gathered a faintly oily substance on its tip. Oh. Unintentionally, he was toying with the omega's highly-reactive scent glands. "Ah, sorry about that, vixen," Sebastian apologized as he flicked his tail back onto the ground behind himself, though the cheeky grin bearing his fangs was anything but convincing of his true sentiments. He was far from sorry. In fact, he was pleased. How could he possibly forget that omega's have scent glands in their thighs?

"Wipe that smile off your face and I may just believe you, dog," Ciel snarled, words lacking any true ill meaning. His ears swiveled back in mostly faux annoyance and he pressed his thighs together tightly, masking his pungent scent to the best of his ability. It was strengthening hastily and before long, nothing would be capable of hiding it. That didn't mean he missed Sebastian inhaling more deeply, however, greedily memorizing the natural perfume he wished to taste. "Are you planning to laze about in my den all day or are we going to hunt at some point? I find that I'm famished now that my fever is gone." He still had time to ready his burrow for his season, it would just have to wait until they were both well-fed and Sebastian was on his way back to his own portion of the woods. Nesting was a matter of personal preparation as much as it was to welcome a new mate. The wolf could surely smell the change on him already, those damn pheromones freely giving away the information he wasn't yet ready to share, but he couldn't permit him to permanently join him in his territory yet. Not until the den was fully equipped with everything they needed for comfort.

"Of course not, I was simply waiting to see if his prickly little lordship was feeling well enough to go out for the evening," Sebastian jeered, looking all too pleased with himself for annoying the smaller male the second he opened his eyes. 'Bloody typical. Why would I even consider taking this man as an alpha?' Ciel thought sourly. Though if spoken unironically and without such heavy layers of sarcasm, he wouldn't pretend that he didn't thoroughly enjoy the title at least a fraction.

"Prickly, I may be, but at least I have some class and don't sniff everything around me with the slightest trace of a scent as if I were a bloodhound searching for meat... I do feel much better though. You do well as a caretaker, I will give you that."

In spite of the boy's retaliation, the compliment brought a prideful glow to the alpha's moonkissed skin as he stretched with a quiet yawn, ears pointing forward in calm focus as he openly eyed his prey for any lingering signs of illness or discomfort. He was satisfied to find none. An enthralling whiff of honeysuckle, aloe, and vanilla did invade his senses, however, causing him to unintentionally purr in delight at the natural sweetness emitting from the omega's weeping scent glands. He was closer to estrus than he initially assumed. Oh, how he hoped the little vulpine would consent to mating. He would make him whine and keen so beautifully if he allowed him to breed him... They would make a splendid bonded pair: Catching the most filling prey, molding the perfect den, possessing the strongest defences, and raising such precious pups... There would never be a dull moment with this enigma by his side. And speaking of which, his courting gift still resided within the small pouch tied to the obsidian cloak coiled warmly around the tod. "You flatter me. I thank you for that, but I am merely glad to see you back on your feet. Now, before we go out in search of breakfast, I have a small request. Could you kindly open that satchel tied to the strings of my cloak?"

"This?" Ciel questioned, tugging the tiny bag free once he was given a nod of approval. He pulled the edges of the thick leather to unfurl the opening before tipping the bag over his hand, brows furrowing inquisitively as something smooth met his awaiting palm, narrowly missing the tip of one of his sable claws. He raised it nearer to his left eye, inspecting the stunning, ivory charm carefully. He took note of its delicate details, from the painstakingly fine points of the Japanese Maple leaf, to the subtle lining of the leaf's veins. It must have taken him an entire day to make. "This is breathtaking," The omega murmured, tracing the bestowal's shape with a ginger brush of his right forefinger. "It is positively exquisite... You made this?"

"Indeed. I had hoped you'd like it. It is from the elk we killed on our first hunt," Sebastian elaborated, smiling jovially. The omega seemed to genuinely appreciate his creation and that was far more than he could have ever wished for. He expected him to see the practicality in it before its appearance, but as it was, it seemed the opposite. He chuckled at the dainty way the reynard fondled the charm, as if it would shatter despite its tough formation. He shook his head when Ciel offered it to him. "It's for you, vixen. A clasp for your cloak. I noticed it was constantly slipping off of your shoulders the last time you wore it and thought that this could solve the issue. Consider it a token of appreciation for putting up with me and not clawing my eyes out when I invaded your territory upon our first meeting."

Ciel snorted at the memory, but accepted the gift with grace. He removed the heavier fur of the wolf's clothing from atop his own and draped his more elegantly around his back, using the new ivory to keep it in place. It performed its job well, his pelt barely shifting when he sat up. "Thank you, Sebastian. Really. It truly is lovely." An indecisive light sparked in the boy's eyes, one that Sebastian couldn't quite untangle the meaning of.

Twin fangs gnawed at his damp, holly lips, massaging them precariously beneath the dangerous points while deep in thought. He ceased to nip at reddened flesh whenever the reluctance he emanated dispersed like a cloud of smoke hit by a gust of wind. Sebastian almost questioned him, when instead he was struck into silence by the ghosting of petal-soft lips against his warm cheek. Did Ciel just... Kiss him? A peach glow rose to his cheeks, blending beautifully with the wide, rosewood eyes that stared in wonder at the equally flustered omega.

Rubbing the back of his neck in a gesture uncharacteristically nervous for himself, the canine offered a bright grin. He forced back the urge to pull the fox in for another kiss, this time on the mouth, and gently brushed the back of his knuckles over Ciel's jaw with a gratuitous croon. His tail inadvertently thumped against the ground excitedly, the wagging motion stirring the dried out grasses of the nest he sat at the edge of. He stopped the second he realized what was happening, but he was too late, as told by the derisive snort from the boy opposite of him.

"I suppose I know who to talk to if I need my den swept out," Ciel simpered coyly, watching Sebastian don his own cloak with an unamused grunt. He stroked the leaf adorning the front of his own fur covering fondly, fluffy slate tail flicking softly at the thought put into the sweet gift. He exited his den for the first time in days, taking a deep breath that was filled to the brim with the heady aroma of pine and damp soil. Winter held its own unique scent, crisp and musky with a spice not possessed by the other seasons, and despite the bitter chill, Ciel found its fragrance to be his favourite. With a relieved moan, he gave an exaggerated stretch with his arms in the air and his back arched, bones popping quietly and stiff muscles relaxing as Sebastian followed him out.

Sebastian shivered at the suggestive sound the reynard's stretch elicited, groaning at the thoughts beginning to swarm inside his head. He shifted his cloak to wind halfway across his chest, fully covering one leg as well as hiding the erection that wanted to join the party. What horrible timing that was... Did the delectable little omega have to make such erotic sounds? The alpha cleared his throat to regain Ciel's attention, pleased to see the lovely pair of jewel eyes return to his face rather than the winter wonderland surrounding them. At least his gaze didn't trail lower... Yet. "I'm sure you're tired of hares and berries by now. What do you think about going ice fishing? I would say that we could hunt another elk, but by now, I doubt there are any left in the vicinity."

Ciel pursed his lips, pondering the suggestion. He didn't want to be too far from his den at the moment, the alpha's continued presence seemed to be exacerbating his oncoming pre-heat and making the timing of its likely spike unpredictable, but the lake was close enough for them to get there and back in an hour's time. That, at the very least, was manageable before he would be struck by the compelling force driving him to hole himself up in his den for the rest of the week. What a nuisance this all was. "That sounds suitable, but I'm staying in this form. I refuse to nearly freeze my nose off again catching a fish just because someone wanted to show off how his fangs can pierce scales." An unamused quirk of his eyebrows had Sebastian grinning, not in apology, but in smugness.

"I only thought you would appreciate a bit of a show. You seemed rather enthralled with the way it seeped from the elk so I thought perhaps the sentiments would remain when it dripped from my teeth." The bland look Sebastian received only made him beam brighter. It was too easy to agitate this creature, and just as fun. But that didn't mean he'd forgotten the way the vulpine's eyes had dilated lustfully as the warm sanguine trickled down his chin and throat, eyes following its languid trail down his chest. The memory had him rumbling in excitement, Ciel's following blush exhibiting the fact that his thoughts were as equally focused on said event as Sebastian's were. "Come now, vixen. The sky is darkening and I have no desire to be stuck in a blizzard." He was sure Ciel didn't wish to hunt in a snowstorm either, especially given his diminutive stature as compared to that of the freshly fallen snow he would have no choice but to trudge through. He stood aside to let Ciel take the lead, the boy's sightless eye becoming guarded by his bangs with the first step he took over a sizeable broken tree limb. He said nothing to the affirmative hum, but followed closely behind, as if he were a second shadow. He halted whenever the omega spoke.

"And Sebastian?"

"Yes?"

"Your pelt shifted. You might want to fix it, lest you freeze things you don't want frozen."

The wolf burned amaranth from ear to ear at that, smirk crumbling into one of mortification. This was not going his way.

When they reached the lake, Ciel was all but panting from exhaustion. On a good day, he could run for hours without breaking a sweat, but god forbid he try to walkfor longer than ten minutes when his season was near… He could feel Sebastian peering at him from the shore when he slumped against a tree, grasping at the bark for support as he regained his breath. His ears tipped back in displeasure and his tail came to curl around his left thigh as he glared at his company, silently daring him to make a comment on his current state. The alpha, wisely, chose to keep his mouth shut. Once he'd regathered his bearings, Ciel stepped forward to join the taller hybrid near the solid surface of what became an oasis in the summer months. "You seem to do this more than I do. Where is the best place to penetrate the ice without scaring away all of the fish?"

"More towards the left edge. Though I don't know why, they seem to favor a particular spot near the largest pine. Besides, it is easiest to break the ice by hand there. Just be careful not to step on any rotten ice, it breaks easily and I doubt falling in would be very comfortable." That was a bit of an understatement, but Sebastian supposed it got the point across as well as if he said, 'Don't fall into the lake unless you want hypothermia.' Reaching out, he delicately captured Ciel's left wrist and began guiding him passed the icy foliage decorating the frozen water's edge when he was met with no residence. He couldn't help but feel that this is the way it should be; The two of them working together, the omega's skin brushing softly against his. He only hoped Ciel would come to the same conclusion… The thought sparked an odd question in his mind, however. Though prickly and a loner, the tod didn't seem to be directly aggressive, so how was he not already mated? He was young and succulent, small yet fiery. He was cunning and witty, talented and utterly irresistible. Had no one else attempted to court him in the past, or had he turned all suitors away in favor of solitude? He wouldn't be surprised by the latter, Ciel was more inclined to independence than he himself was, though that could be chalked up to the fact that by nature he was instinctively inclined towards pack life despite his lack of partnership at present. But regardless of species, surely Ciel could understand the same loneliness he felt, the yearning for a companion in his desolate corner of the woods? He'd found others of his kind before, lone wolves wandering in search of someone to build a pack with, but none of them had ever caught his attention. But Ciel was different. The fox had drawn the alpha to him like a moth to a flame at first scent, and imprisoned his heart the first time the smaller creature growled at him, eyes filled with such profound rage and beauty. Sebastian was infatuated and unable to hide it. His sable ears flicked serenely as he brought the boy to a stop beneath the protection of a gargantuan pine, releasing his arm before kneeling.

"I am well aware of the dangers of prancing across a lake in the winter," Ciel chided with lips curled downwards, taking a knee beside Sebastian when said man gestured to the vague shadows of twirling fins beneath the crystalized liquid. Honestly, did Sebastian take him for a fool? He studied him closely as Sebastian's deadly claws scraped over the ice's expanse with sharp precision, tapping at its center with a thoughtful noise. He unhurriedly traced an 'X' and offered the smaller male a smile. The curl of the lips was admittedly adorable. Wolves were meant to be vicious and bloodthirsty, yet here Sebastian was, grinning at him as if he were the light of his life. It was endearing in a way. For as flirtatious and predatory as the alpha tried to act, he was as light-hearted and quite frankly, as pathetically docile with him as they come. He was Ciel's polar opposite, but the boy found that he didn't mind all that much anymore. If nothing else, his banter and unrelenting persistence lifted his spirits. He observed as a small dagger was procured from the leather strap attached to the inside of the man's cloak and plunged into the mark his claws had scratched, easily driving through the ice with the brute force the wolf subjected it to.

"That was rather easy this time, the ice must have thinned because of the roots growing into it. Now we must find a way to bring them close enough to catch…" Garnet eyes carefully mapped out their surroundings, finding nothing but shriveled leaves, mounds of white, thin pine needles, and barren tree branches that had fallen ever so gracefully. No other creatures were in sight, not even the crickets that often scampered along broken logs and dead flowers. That was a problem… He felt regret tug at his mind. He'd coerced Ciel into walking all this way and now they couldn't even catch a fish! "Last time we had insects to use as bait to bring them closer, but this time, I cannot find anything even remotely close to attracting a salmon. They will never go near our hook without incentive to do so." Sebastian growled in frustration, glaring at the vine used as a makeshift line for the wood-carved hook. He looked to Ciel, expected to see a face of disappointment, but instead he appeared almost… Fond?

Tapping his chin while catching the miasma of irritation rolling off Sebastian in waves, Ciel was quick to come up with a fitting solution, though he was unsure if it would actually be successful or not. "That's unfortunate, but I do have an idea. I haven't tried it on fish before, but it works on younger rabbits. Hand me a piece of moss over there." A gesture to the once-green Earth-matter was all it took for the alpha to retrieve the desired substance with his brow furrowed in confusion. That didn't shock him, nor did the following query.

"Moss? Is there some strangely appetizing quality about this to fish that I'm unaware of?"

"Just shut up and watch, you'll see."

With a chuckle reverberating in his chest, Sebastian did just that, sitting back on his heels to stare in intrigue as Ciel set to work. With the moss secured betwixt his thumb and forefinger, the tod laid the fragile plant across his right wrist, covering it with his left one before rubbing them together gingerly. The saccharine scent of bergamot, amber, and blackberry spread onto the flora and into the air around them, waltzing through the wind and tainting it with the sickly sweet musk emanating strongly from his scent glands. The wolf found himself shifting uncomfortably as the pungent aroma twirled and philandered with his senses, nose flaring in response to the tantalizing scent. He withheld a growl, his tail quivering all the way to its base at the great effort extended to avoid spooking or distracting the petite being with the amorous roar determined to part his lips. His tongue slid across his lips briefly, chasing after a taste he knew wouldn't meet his palate from scent alone. He raised his own wrist to his nose, inhaling his scent deeply to diffuse the profound effects of Ciel's. Though it didn't erase its traces entirely, it calmed him enough to focus as Ciel laced the heavily omega scented moss around the hook. The fishing line was then passed back to him. "What was that for?" He questioned, lowering it into the knife-made hole with amazement shining clear in his eyes when fish began to bob closer to the hook, fighting for dominance as they nipped at the swaying greenery. In mere seconds, one had taken the emerald offering at the cost of its life. "How on Earth…?"

"Don't think you know all of the tricks, Sebastian. I have a few of my own as well. You may think omega scents are merely for seducing a mate or calming pups and loved ones, but they have far more practical uses as well. For example, seamlessly luring in certain prey. I had never tried it on fish before, but it works well enough on rabbits and squirrels. Now, hold the fish while I prepare more moss." With a proud upwards turn of the lips, Ciel ventured several feet away to gather more of the uniquely effective bait, smirk growing when he felt Sebastian's eyes following him as he left. He was almost positive that the mutt was staring at his ass whenever his cloak was momentarily pushed to the side whenever it caught on a rock, but he couldn't bring himself to turn and scold him for his gaze. Not only was he was thrilled to leave the alpha in stunned silence, but he was also ravenous after days of consuming very little food, and the sooner they caught another fish, the sooner they could return to his territory. There was much work to be done this evening, and he needed a full belly to accomplish it. Especially considering that getting Sebastian to leave would likely be a chore on its own.

Within an hour's time, they were back near the small handmade fire pit outside of Ciel's den. Spit-roasted salmon rested in the hands of the wolf and the fox alike, both picking the flavourful chunks of meat from their kills' bones with pleased sighs and greedy licks along their piercing fangs. Ciel's was laid aside with a mere half of the fish eaten, but the wolf kept quiet about it, suspecting that he may not feel completely back to normal yet. "I haven't had fish that good in years," Sebastian groaned jovially, tossing the dry bones of the once-scaled animal into the fire alongside where Ciel had already discarded the remains of his own meal-They would begin to disintegrate soon enough. "Thank you for baiting them, vixen. That was quite a tactic to use. I do believe these were the largest fish in the lake," He praised, huffing a pleased breath when the omega practically preened at the compliment. "How did you learn about that trick of yours?"

"Yes, they were rather large," Ciel said, pushing down the purr starting to rumble in his chest with a short growl. Doubting the wolf would protest or tease him for the action, he leaned against the more muscular form with a quiet sigh. He closed his eyes tiredly when a hesitant arm came to wrap around his shoulders. It felt nice to be held this way. He'd never experienced a touch like the alpha's before, and while he was never desperate for physical contact aside from when he was trapped in the throes of heat, he preferred this to the bitter winds bringing in fresh specks of snow. He looked up at the patient man when he spoke again, tucking his hands into the warmth of his sandy cloak. "I learned about my scent's secondary use by accident. I am not sure how it is with ruts, but hunting isn't very easy during heats. I was still rather young when I had my first season, and since I wasn't expecting it, I didn't have time to hunt or prepare for it. Since energy is burned through in mere hours with high fevers, it didn't take long for me to need more food. I couldn't move more than a few feet from my nest, but it seemed that smaller animals were drawn to my smell the second I left the burrow. It was mostly mice and small rabbits along with the occasional bird that would wander my way, but it was more than enough to last me until I was on my feet again. I tested it a few days later and found that if I forced enough of my scent to exude, it would have the same effect. It comes in handy when prey is scarce."

"How intriguing! It sounds like a wonderful skill to possess in times of need. You're quite clever." Sebastian smiled, more than happy to let Ciel huddle up to him for extra warmth. His clawed hand smoothed over the thin shoulder it cupped, revelling in its softness despite the chill it bore. It must have been hard for him to go through that alone… Though ruts weren't entirely the same as heats, it was difficult for him to present even with his sister by his side to make him feel safe. He remembered being afraid, of feeling so pent up with aggression and sexual-frustration that it caused him a deep-seated anxiety that was remedied only by his caretaker's howl as he tried to rest. But Ciel was entirely alone when he presented. Perhaps that's why he was so independent and steel minded, he had no choice but to be. He was strong. Sebastian's heart skipped a beat at the thought and he was overcome by the desire to hold him tighter. He did just that, purring deeply when the boy's thin chest pressed against his side. He wanted to keep him safe and prove to him that he was… Loved? Is that what this strange feeling was in his chest? The one begging for him to kiss and coddle the little creature he held so securely in his arms? He gasped at the revelation, eyes sparkling more brightly than they had in years. Love. He was in love with Ciel.

Sebastian's words, while kind, fell on deaf ears. The rumbling from the wolf's purr ricocheted off of Ciel's abdomen and spread throughout his body, and with the reverberating sound of it echoing throughout his mind, the omega felt warmth pooling betwixt his thighs. Thankfully, it wasn't slick. Instead, it was the first weak wave of untamed need. Fuck. He squirmed, pressing his legs together to stifle the miasma of arousal before it could permeate the the regions outside of his pelt. He bit the inside of his cheek, ignoring the taste of copper flowing across his tongue. It did nothing to abate the raging erection he was now sporting. Is this how the alpha felt this morning? He was fine all day, but suddenly, it was all too much. Sebastian's warmth seeping into his bones, his beautifully sculpted chest flush against his own, his honeyed words and dulcet tongue… They made him feel strange. He was burning with a want he didn't know how to fulfill. It wasn't just the instinct driven need to bond and breed, it went far deeper than that. He wanted to feel the alpha's lips upon his own, their bodies colliding, his breath ghosting his ear with sweet whispers. He didn't want to give him up. He wanted him as his mate. With the new information flooding his senses, Ciel slumped forward with unexpected asthenia. It was cold and he was confused. He was home and yet homesick all the same. He was in his territory and near his den, but it wasn't enough. He was struck with the urge to flee to his nest and get out of the open setting, but he didn't wish to release Sebastian to begin rebuilding it. He sulked silently, fatigue and indecision weighing down his limbs and soul.

He knew it was time to tell the alpha his jury and request that he stay, but the words were caught in his throat like an unchewed rabbit bone. He tried to force them from the lips that betrayed him by remaining sealed shut, but it was to no avail. Why was it so hard to say? Could it be the final dredges of distrust marring his judgement, something buried low inside that pleaded with him to not fall into the arms of a creature that was a natural predator to his kind? No, that couldn't be it. As much he hated to admit it, he trusted Sebastian more than he trusted himself. By some miracle or lapse of mind, the stubborn creature had weaseled his way into his heart. He was persistent in his courting, annoyingly so at times, but he was never unkind. He proved that he could take the tod's sometimes disagreeable disposition without a hitch, and was well-versed in snarky banter and the welcome challenges often proposed in joint hunts. It wasn't necessarily his potential mate putting him off, but rather the undeniable fact that his life would be forever changed by this decision. He would be giving up the life of solitude he'd become accustomed to and opening himself up to the possibility of hurt. Having a mate would make him vulnerable in a way he hadn't been since his mother's death. Fondness was a tricky thing in a place where it could be so easily torn away. Life was far easier before the wolf so rudely barged his way into his den… But it was too late to go back now. He did care now and sending Sebastian away wouldn't fix that. He needed to give in just this once, and take the offer of happiness laid out before him.

Sebastian noticed the reynard shift beneath the pelt swathing his back, silky slate tail curling under his right thigh while the fur covering was pulled taut around his willowy frame. A delightfully lychee-esque pink lit the boy's cheeks and Sebastian found his expression lacking its usual smugness or petulance. He took notice of Ciel's hands beginning to rake the snow and stray pine needles around his legs. He didn't seem to realize he was doing it, but the wolf recognized it as an early form of nesting. How precious... It was quickly brought to his attention when Ciel began to twitch, however. Mismatched eyes darted to his den every few minutes and his pupils began to gain a far-away glaze as his scent spiked in discomfort. Oh. Oh. Sebastian's eyes widened when a faint whine left the omega's throat, and he immediately understood, guilt rising in his chest. He should have seen this sooner and not kept Ciel out by the fire for so long. He clearly wanted to be back in his den, but didn't wish to own up to his need. Not outright anyways.

He wouldn't say the omega's reluctance to show inner yearning for natural comforts confused him, because it didn't. Aside from Ciel's pridefulness and refusal to reveal his feelings, nesting was a very personal act and was rarely shared between pairs not already mated; That the fox wanted to keep quiet about it was understandable. As much as his alpha instinct screamed at him to stay close, and protect and provide for the little vulpine in his marginally weakened state, he knew it was best to give him some space. With the increasingly ambrosian scent filling the perimeter, his rational thought was dissipating as quickly as the light of day. Ciel smelt divine. He wanted to touch, to taste, to claim. His mind was filled with thoughts of breeding, and it was getting harder to shake the thoughts of that enchanting little omega splayed across the ground beneath him with his legs spread wide and a moan on the tip of his tongue, begging for his knot with vocalizations unlike that of his own species. The thought of mounting that supple flesh almost had him whining himself. He needed to leave before his control began to slip and he did anything rash. The omega hadn't given his approval and he couldn't bring himself to make assumptions in this situation. "Now that you are well again and it's starting to get dark, I believe it's time I bid you farewell for the night."

Ciel's head snapped up at that, ears popping forward from their relaxed set and taking on an alert point. "You're leaving?" After Sebastian's words whenever they first met, he thought for sure nothing would pry the alpha away from him when his scent started to change. But now he was planning to leave just like that? He found it utterly baffling after he'd been following him like a loyal shadow all day. Then again, the man appeared to have softened over the weeks. He didn't boast of how well he could fill him or how strong their pups would be anymore aside from the times when he wanted to injudiciously envoke his wrath, being the masochist that he was. Instead, he spoke of how he preferred hunting alongside him and how they could explore the furthest reaches of the woods together. The alpha was still a walking mass of unrepentant self-satisfaction and the very epitome of unrepressed horniness, but not so much in the blatantly animalistic way he was before. He considered Ciel's feelings now in a way he hadn't in the beginning.

Sebastian gently disentangled the omega from his being, shedding his obsidian cloak only to wrap it around the bewildered fox. He was left with nothing but the small pelt shrouding his lap to protect him from the chill, but that was alright. He was naturally attuned to the cold, even more so with his increased warmth as an alpha. If needed, he could simply shift into his full form until he was back to his den. He then captured one of the boy's small hands in his larger one, planting a kiss upon the creamy skin. "I think it best. Your temperature is rising and I don't think it's wise for me to be near you during this time. Besides, I don't wish to intrude on your rituals, so I shall leave you be. If you'd like, you could seek me out after your season is over and I could show you around my territory. But until then, should you require anything, you need only call. My den isn't too far away and I could easily hear you." With a ginger caress of Ciel's flushed cheeks, Sebastian rose from his place beside the smaller hybrid. He only made it a single step before his wrist was caught by slender fingers.

"Wait!" Ciel yelped, loosening his grip to avoid injuring the other. He was unsure of how tight his hold was, but the initial wince from Sebastian made him think that it may have been stronger than he assumed.

"Yes, Ciel?"

"You could stay here for the night if you'd like to? And if not… You could return in the morning."

A beacon of hopefulness flickered to life amid siam eyes and Sebastian could feel his breath catch in his throat. Ciel was requesting that he stay? "But aren't you soon to be in heat?"

A miniscule smile tugged at the corners of the boy's rosy lips, slyness and exasperated fondness making itself known in his sigh. "Yes, I am." He released the canine's wrist whenever he knelt in front of him, immediately leaning into the palm that cupped his jaw.

Petting Ciel's face affectionately, Sebastian's eyes refused to part from the pair of azurite and moonstone ones: They bore nothing but honesty. "Vixen, you know I won't be able to stop myself from claiming you if I stay with you during your heat, right?" He knew he couldn't be misreading the omega's invitation. Ciel clearly knew what it meant to invite an alpha to spend his heat with him, but Sebastian wanted to be sure.

"Of course I know that, I'm not an idiot! Why else would I be asking you to stay?" The fox snapped, making Sebastian chuckle at his quick temper. Why on Earth would he ask him, the alpha who shamelessly sniffed his cloak and practically moaned over his scent on their first hunt, to stay during his heat if not for the purpose of mating?

The alpha leaned forward to peck Ciel's forehead, punctuating his words with a string of kisses along Ciel's cheeks. The proposal that he stay left him love-drunk. After just one brush of his lips upon the fox's hand, he couldn't bring himself to not smother the little thing in kisses. This wasn't instinct, however, it was adoration for the boy who'd bewitched him. The darkening blush he received urged him to continue. A wagging of the vulpine's white-tipped tail drew his attention and he could only beam brightly. Ciel looked bemused by his own action, but that didn't stop the rapid swishing of the furry appendage. So much for saying Sebastian was the one sweeping the ground. "In that case… I would love to stay here with you. Do you mind if I gather my things from my den and then return to you? You may find some of it useful." It was true, he had mounds of pelts to gift to the omega, his omega, for his nest. His brief absence would also give said boy some peace and quiet to begin crafting his nest without his interruption.

Ciel thrummed his approval, hastily swatting Sebastian away when he made to kiss his most ticklish spot beneath his jaw. The wolf already knew of the pressure point causing forced shifting, he hardly needed to know another weak spot! "Yes, yes, that's fine. Now stop doing that, I've had enough of your nonsense for the evening!" His narrowed orbs and half-hearted glare did nothing to deter the wolf, if anything, his coo only proved that he found his huffing and useless flailing cute. The omega shivered at the thought and backed away from the pestering alpha. Why was he doing this again? "Stop fawning over me and go get your things, dog. I can't see well enough in the dark to help you bring things in the den, so if you wait too long, you have to do it yourself."

Sebastian sighed, amused at Ciel's reaction, though his comment answered a question he'd been harboring for awhile now. Many foxes in the area were nocturnal, and while he assumed Ciel's position as a hybrid could have influenced his waking hours, he was almost positive now that he had no other choice but to rise and fall with the sun. His sight was poor at night due to his partial blindness. "Very well… I won't be gone for long." Stealing a final peck on the cheek, earning a groan from Ciel, Sebastian left the fox's territory with a spring in his step and his ears flicking joyously. He couldn't wait for Ciel to be his.