Silver Creek Chestnuts roasting on an open fire [m]

The steps approached closer, and seemed to zero in on his den. He stopped eating and licked his chops, attempting to clean his face for company. He'd just stood to greet the other with a mixture of curiosity and concern, wondering why they'd come so close without announcing himself. That was when Spring's head entered. Ah, this made sense then. She was wondering why he was avoiding her. It took a moment before the full ramifications of what was happening dawned upon him.

She spoke, only her head within the den, saving him from some of her heat scent. It took only the time for her to speak for the scent to reach him though, stronger than it had ever been around the lands and undeniably pulling. He felt a great yearning rise in his chest, and he had to clear the huskiness from his voice before he spoke, attempting to hide his surprise. 

"Spring! What are you- is everything alright?" He swallowed, stumbling over his words. He needed to get out of the makeshift-den before she entered. Under the boughs her heat scent would be overpowering, but he'd have to pass her to get out now. As she was, she was still technically downwind of him. "I haven't seen you much lately I figured you were...staying away from everyone." Yes, make it look like he hadn't been directly avoiding her. He was pointedly referring to her heat, confused at why she'd have sought him out now rather than after it had ended. Unless...

His heart leapt into his throat and he stood a little straighter. Had she sought him out on purpose before her heat? This couldn't just be her heat talking, could it? If it was she'd have gone to the closest male, and not specifically him way out here, right? He thought so, but he still didn't know why she was out here. He shifted on his hind legs, mentally bouncing between whether he should as her to move so he could come out or if he should stay in the den.