Phoenix Maplewood All you need is some self-control

AW!

All was peaceful in the early hours of the evening; the chirping birds (indicating the gradual arrival of spring as they grew in tenacity) had slowly vanished as the sun began to slip below the horizon. The sky was fair, and a few bright stars had already begun to settle among the dim blues and grays of the early evening light -- and from out of nowhere, a pile of dirt went flinging between a pair of leaning trees. They seemed to be rooted in place, but the boughs separated like a set of uneven chopsticks; and at their base was Tavi. Her body was covered in wet mud, dry soil, pine needles, and maple leaves. She was an absolute travesty. The white of her legs had been thoroughly browned, with streaks of gold and all manner of tangles to the fur of her extremities. But with a big bellowing sigh, she collapsed on to her belly -- face first in the dirt, mind you -- and gave a satisfied yawn in to the pit she had just excavated. Behind her, the girl's tail was lifted high and triumphant. She was quite the sight.

I told myself I'd hold off on new threads until I figure out whatever the hell is going on, but whatever. Fluid timelines and stuff.

He hadn't seen his wife around, but Reek had yet to worry. With every passing day her pregnancy became more clear to the patchwork patriarch of the maplewood, but he still allowed her her freedom. She was an outrider by trade and Reek felt it somewhat unfair to deprive her of something so close to her heart, despite his misgivings. She would return soon, he felt sure of it. He simply chalked it up to her going to the emberwood again to check for any more unwelcome squatters.

Reek spent most of the day on the borders, refreshing the markers with fresh reek of Reek. His compulsion to work didn't necissarily stem from necessity, but it kept his mind occupied, and thankfully, closed off from worry as to not allow it to fester.  

The sun began to set and the maplewood was overtaken with a bright orange glow. He pulled away from the borders and concluded his patrol with a tired sigh. Through the territory he went— towards his den to get a good evening's rest, but he was sidetracked by the sound of commotion. Digging. His ears turned to the source of the noise and Reek set out to invesigate.

He approached from behind, stopping just a few meters away. Not yet did he announce his presence. His eyes locked on Tavi; tail in the air— victorious and covered with dirt. Not without the pang of guilt did Reek's eyes linger for a moment on his subordinate's backside, her rump in particular. There was something primal about her appearance; something about the dirt that clung to her and the dischevled nature of her fur that he found attractive. Reek raised a brow, and for a moment, he allowed himself to stare.

Ignorant to present company, Tavi was quite content to sit there in the loam like a hen come home to roost. It didn't bother her so much that her butt was in the air, or that she had somehow excavated a descending path in to the fresh den, which only brought more attention to her rump, which was effectively sitting on a pedestal. Had she been more aware, perhaps she would have noticed the shift in the light as the sun continued to set; a shaft of light found its way through the branches of the trees, alighting her rear splendidly.

She was so content to be sprawling like a fool, and so tired from all the work the den-digging had taken, that she was more or less a zombie. Another yawn pulled its way out of Tavi's system, pooling in her gut for a second or two before cascading with a wave of tense muscles - and some stretching - out of her muzzle. Listening to her ears pop for the final time, Tavi decided it was a good moment to get up and shake off -- but after some flipping and flopping around in the trench she had just finished working on, she was turned around, enabling her to spot the dark figure of a wolf.

When her head popped up, gopher-like and bespattered with muck, her eyes lit up with surprise. Hey Reek! Come to check out my new digs? No pun intended.

Dear God... the thing was practically illuminated in a natural spotlight. If Reek had been a man of any faith, he would have taken it as some sort of divine sign. A magnificent ass— a holy ass (pun also intended). His eyes remained transfixed; his attraction mounting by the moment. Tavi had never been one to spur this reaction from Reek, a happly married man, but in this light, the thin patina of dirt that adorned her coat painted an entirely different picture. He was fully engrossed.

Despite loving his mate whole heartedly and his deep desire to begin his family with her, Reek was still a man of worldly desires. The desires of the flesh, to be intimate, called to him. Attraction was a powerful force. He felt a growing sensitivity in his loins and 'captain happy,' as he so affectionatley called his special friend between his legs, decided to play peek-a-boo.

She turned, and Reek was immediately flustered. Had she caught him staring? He wondered. Had she seen anything else? "Uhhh," he managed to sputter before his mind snapped back into place. He quickly dropped to the floor as to hide the kibble and bits that dangled between his legs.  Reek bit his lip. "Sure... I, uh— I'd love to." However, he did not inch forward and let himself be exposed.

If Tavi had noticed anything, she didn't appear phased by it. In actuality, the girl was more exhausted than she expected - and just having an audience after so many hours pummeling dirt was enough to lift her spirits, but also keep her distracted. She was pleased to see Reek, but she probably would've been happy to see anyone (even, god help us, that useless boy Esaro). Reek's verbal response was somewhat lacking as well. It didn't bother Tavi though, who hastily rose up from the dirt like some kind of summoned corpse, and climbed her way out of the wolf-sized trough so that she could be face-to-face with the alpha. The incline was only big enough for a wolf as wide as she was (which explained why her sides were so crusty and brown).

I spent all day on this damn thing! And, well, she was proud of it. Tavi came up close to Reek, almost pressing her clod-covered side in to his, and looked down at the giant gaping hole as if it were a portal to Eden or some such nonsense. This was her's, she was thinking, Ukko didn't even help this time! A large grin spread across her face as she looked upon her work, and then just as quickly, she turned and said to Reek, So? You wanna test it out? It was a great honor, being the first to cross the threshold.

She drew close and Reek could now see just how filthy she actually was. Dirt, grime, twigs, and whatever else she could pick up from the forest floor had been drawn to her as if she were a mess magnet. Curiously, Reek liked it... lots. For some strange reason, the messier he realized her to be, the more he wanted to give in to his most primal desires. The saluting captain still stood steadfast in attention, but Reek still remained firmly rooted to the ground; hardpressed to move.

She came close, so very close, to letting her filthy gaurd hairs intermingle with Reek's. Confusion gripped him and a slight pang of guilt wormed it's way into Reek's heart, making him visibly grimace.  But, the strength of Reek's desire saw these feelings pushed away to where they were sure to eventually resurface once he had regained his wits.

She spoke with pride of her creation and Reek felt slightly guilty for not springing up with enthusiam to check out her new home. He hesitated, but eventually conceded, saying, "Uh, yeah. Ok." Once again, Reek bit his lip and rose to his feet, bearing all beneath him. Whatever, it wasn't like she hadn't seen a dong before.

Shamelessly, Reek pushed himself through the entrance to Tavi's small den and settled inside. It was humble, much like the one he had shared with Wynter in Redtail Rise. He turned and poked his head out of the den's mouth. "'Mere," he said.

It took him a second (which Tavi mentally told herself was because it was just so pretty to look at), but then he was up and more-or-less charging down the embankment and in to the den. Reek was a reedy thing, and she could watch as his sides barely touched the mounds of dirt on either side; and then he was in the den itself, and Tavi waited with bated breath for his response. No doubt he would be impressed! The last den she'd used had been bigger, sure, but she had been sharing it. To think that she had a den to herself -- it was a first, and something that would take some getting used to.

When Reek poked his head out, Tavi's ears pivoted forward and she looked expectant, holding back the urge to wag her tail just at the sight of his face. When bid to come closer, the girl was more than happy to oblige him. It wasn't like he needed a tour, but what the hell, right? She sauntered down the slope, feeling her sides hit the dirt as she walked (which served to coat her in a new layer of fine dust and dirt). And when Tavi reached the den, she happily scooted in beside Reek -- it was a tight fit. 

I could make it bigger, but its not like I need that much space, right? Or maybe I do. I could stash shit in here -- she bumped her shoulder against his hip as she turned, and the other shoulder dragged against the den's wall. Her attention was directed to the floor, and she seemed adamant on making immediate improvements. -- like bones, or birds, since I've been hunting so many, with a bit more flailing and wiggling, she turned around so that they were standing side-by-side, her gray (and temporarily brown) pelt squishing against his black coat. What d'you think? Like it?

Immediatly after Reek uttered his invitation for Tavi to enter her own home, he pulled himself away from the entrance to allow her adequate room. Crouched and careful not to allow tender bits scrape across the crude dirt floor, Reek settled against one of the walls to lie in wait for his companion to join him. He needn't wait long, and soon she had settled in beside him, body against body.

She was insistent on giving him the grand tour. Reek couldn't blame her; a den of her own was an accomplishment. His gaze drifted along the barren walls of her freshly dug den. Surely, he would be on the lookout for a housewarming gift soon— something cool to break the monotony of dirt, dirt, and more dirt. He tried to listen and found himself nodding along to her suggestions on what to do with the space, but Reek also found it difficult to focus. The contact they shared almost became too dificult to ignore.

Reek gave in. He turned his head and allowed his teeth to lightly graze the crux between her neck and shoulder before mumbling, "It's nice," with a mouthful of fur. "Little small though." Of course, Reek wasn't complaining. He fancied tight places. There they were protected from not only the elements, but from prying eye (not that Reek had thought that far).

Maybe it was the fact that Tavi was more comfortable around guys than gals - but Reek's proximity did not phase her at all. They were friends, or so she believed, and when given the opportunity to be chummy Tavi was pleased. Reek dragged his teeth through her fur, notching his head against her shoulder. You're right, she confirmed, her words catching for a second in her throat. His attention was.. Nice. It was different from the way Ukko had interacted with her, but maybe that was because Reek was an Alpha -- he was confident, on the top of the totem pole, and had nothing to fear from small acts of kindness. Tavi wasn't really that vapid in her understanding of the world; she knew there was something off about this situation but her mind refused to see it fully. She was tired. And the comfort of having a friend -- after being abandoned by her sole ally in the pack -- was immensely satisfying. 

After the briefest of pauses, she continued her thought: I could keep digging. Expand it back, since there's... I dunno, roots and stuff to keep it stable, as she spoke, her tone drifted from the lilting exuberance of moments prior and seemed to go stale, uncertain. A tongue flick showcased this; she tasted the soil on her lips and was immediately reminded of how tired she was, and she leaned with a bit more pressure against Reek. The warmth between them spread throughout the small den quickly, and she had to fight back a contented yawn.

It felt as if he were eating sand, but Reek's ministrations continued. Trailing away from the juncture between shoulder and neck, Reek traced upward, allowing his teeth to gently pull at the hair on her neck in his ascent. He trailed his muzzle up to Tavi's ear, where it rested against the back of her head. There, he lingered and nibbled lightly. No sound passed Reek's lips.

Reek's mind was adrift with thoughts of infidelity. To this, he was no stranger. His first marriage had crumbled and circumstance had turned Reek into a cheater. It was an act born of anger and spite. He hadn't intended on repeating his actions, but a deep, subconsious part of Reek felt a distinct parallel between the two instances. He failed to admit it, but he harbored a fair amount of resentment toward Saena for constantly taking off alone. Was he not enough for her? Could the comforts of home not satisfy her troubled soul? Could Reek not satisfy her in other aspects? All these thoughts had plagued Reek as of late, and he couldn't help but feel them play into his own insecurities. He was imperfect, and while he strived to be the best husband he could be, there was only so much he could do; only so much he could deny.

His denmate spoke and leaned closer into him. Warmth overtook Reek and he found himself in a state of settled relaxation. "I could help you sometime if you want," he offered, taking a quick break from his preening. "I mean, you don't have to get messy alone." He shot her a friendly smile before resting his head against her side.

Every tiny touch made Tavi's skin feel warm and weird. She thought it was just her body relaxing after so many hours of work, but the feeling hit her belly and she felt it twist with a brief uncertainty. The wolves of the Maplewood weren't known for being touchy-feely creatures as far as she knew them; this change was pleasant, and the girl was especially thankful to have a friend again. Had she known what was going through Reek's mind -- and a more mature, experienced woman would have probably recognized the signs -- who knows what could be happening right now. This situation wasn't the worst she'd ever been in, but it did threaten her position in the pack -- say, if the two of them were caught together by someone with nosey intentions. Tavi thought of this in the barest sense, and was a little confused by herself. There was no reason to worry because nothing bad was happening. Reek was just being nice to her. Perhaps a part of Tavi didn't want to forfeit his affections; Ukko's abandonment must have played a more vital role in this.

I could help you sometime if you want, Reek's voice slipped around her like a blanket, and she drifted out of her curious thoughts to be present with him. The offer was a kind one, and again Tavi felt the pleasant waves of dopamine in her system. As Reek rested his head against her, she -- mindlessly perhaps -- nibbled at the nearest patch of his fur. If he could be physical, she could too. That'd be nice. I wanted to get it all done in one go, but, maybe a rest is -- her words distorted as a real yawn caught in her throat, and when it was gone she licked at her lips, inadvertently catching some flyaway darkness from Reek, the muscles in her neck and shoulders tensing for a brief few moments. -- ahhn, hm. Sleep now, dig later.

Allowing his head to rest against his storm-grey companion, Reek shimmied even closer with an awkward shuffle. Within the cramped confines of Tavi's den, Reek had adjusted his position to allow even more contact between them, and gently laid his body against her. His ministrations may have ceased, but he enjoyed the closeness— the intimacy, that they shared as they lie together. The warmth of the den lulled him into a waxing state of relaxation. His eyes, once wide with yearning and want, began to droop with quiet contentment.

Reek was an imperfect man who craved validation above all else. He wanted to feel wanted. He needed to feel needed. As Tavi began to reciprocate physically -- as he felt her teeth against his flesh -- Reek's insecurities brought on by Saena's stubbern nature and his own self doubt were lost in the haze of intimacy. A pleased groan passed Reek's lips, content to feel the wanting touch of another against him.

"We can worry about it tomorrow," he replied, stretching his forelimbs in front of him in response to Tavi's tired yawn. Perhaps it was a good thing that their exploration with each other, quashed by Tavi's tiredness, never reached it's full potential, thus sheilding him from the guilt that was sure to insue after. As of yet, he had done nothing wrong, but deep down, Reek knew he would not be able to deny his attraction to her in the future. It was a confusing affair.

"Sleep away Sleepyhead," spoke Reek as he curled his lanky forelegs inward, making himself comfortable. Unlike Tavi, Reek was not tired enough to sleep, but he was hardpressed to leave her embrace and the warmth of the den.

This turned out to be really cute omg. Archive? Or did you want to close it off? 

Unlike Reek, Tavi had no connections to anyone in the pack beyond casual acquaintances; she felt no closeness to any individuals now that Ukko was gone, and had even contemplated abandoning the maplewood like her swarthy friend. Prior to living among these wolves, she had been seeking her siblings -- but Ukko had inadvertently ended that search. She cared little about the opinions of the others in this place, and only really followed the rules because she was at an impasse, and hadn't figured out what to do next with herself. Digging this den had been a step towards settling for good, and she was mightily proud of it. But still, nothing really kept her here.

The girl was having a hard time keeping her attention focused on Reek, but as he jostled about for a more comfortable position, she was briefly roused. His words made sense, earning a low hum of agreement from her, and when Reek stretched out with his limbs she mimicked him. As soon as this happened, her head began to droop and dip, until finally her chin rested on her leg -- or rather, half on her leg, half on Reek's. He pulled away in the next instance like a snail recoiling for its shell -- but Tavi didn't notice really. She didn't mind the light thump of her chin against the floor.

She was well on her way to a proper slumber. Tavi heard Reek's final comment, but in her drifting state, her response seemed to be for a different time and place: Mm, goodnight, Ukko..

I'll go ahead and archive! This certainly turned out to be an interesting turn of events.

Ukko. Even the utterance of his name caused Reek to wince with spiteful disgust. However, he held his tongue and withheld from airing his thoughts within the den, because truthfully, Reek could understand why Tavi had said said his name. It was a rare moment of empathy. In an all too similar way, Reek himself couldn't help but pretend it was Saena's body that pressed up against him, making him feel wanted, in place of Tavi. While not outright heartbroken like Tavi, Reek couldn't help but feel undervalued, and to think that this interlude would heal his troubled soul was naive at best.

He allowed her her moment, and in turn, Reek had one of his own. It was a strange thing: settled precariously on the line between pretend and reality, but he didn't dwell on it for long, because in this moment, Reek was happy. It was the fleeting sort of happiness that was doomed to fade, but the raggedy alpha took all that he could get.

Lying against him, Tavi soon fell into the grip of sleep. Reek remained perfectly still, as to not disturb her slumber, but he did not knock on the doors of sleepytown for several more confusing hours. Once his conciousness finally faded, it was a shallow sleep. He awoke after a few more hours, before the sun rise .

He looked to see Tavi still afixed in slumber. Carefully, Reek pulled himself from the den and ventured out into the earliest hours of the morning. Head and gut awash with multiple confusing emotions, Reek left Tavi to wake alone and he headed for the border.