Phoenix Maplewood The Hazards of Love [M]

He examined the sapling for a time— his attention, however, wained with the introduction of a new stimulus. Reek could smell Tavi's approach long before she made herself known. Previously, the faint smell of pheromones dragged Reek in pursuit to the plains, but by now the strength of her natural perfume had amplified exponentially. The call was difficult to ignore. Playing into Reek's latent, yet somewhat innocent attraction to Tavi, an unsettlement wormed it's way into Reek's stomach; turbulent and churning.

Here though, in the Maplewood, Reek was forced to sweep his own instincts under the metaphorical rug. Too much was at stake. He forced himself to ignore his own desires and he did not pursue further, but he did not stop himself from letting Tavi come to him.  

Reek noticed her behind him, but finally turned his head around his back to see her when she spoke. Regarding her with a bright and happy smile, Reek the Bug-Muncher shot back a cheery, "Of course!" Perhaps it was a little late for breakfast, but Reek was always on the lookout for his next meal, wether it be second breakfast, lunch, snack-time, or dinner. "But, uh... I don't think this stick moves like the other one I found... so— I guess it doesn't feel right to eat it." His brow furrowed and shoulders settled into a shrug.

Motioning for Tavi to join him in examination of the sapling, Reek uttered a clipped, "'Mere. Check this out!" His scrutinizing gaze returned to the young tree that would one day tower over him and his future generations. Reek was absolutely fascinated by this natural process and simply assumed everyone else felt the same way, Tavi included. "What do you suppose it wants to be when it grows up?" he asked, chuckling as his tail wagged lax behind him.