The odd duo

chapter 5: In the heat of the moment

It had been a peaceful few weeks since Max and Olive had found their new rhythm. The quiet mornings by the window, the careful games of birdwatching tag, and the warm picnics in the park had become their routine. Olive had grown more comfortable in Max's presence, and Max, though still bursting with energy, had become more attuned to Olive's needs.

But that afternoon, everything changed.

It started subtly, almost imperceptibly. Olive had been acting a little off—restless, more fidgety than usual, with a strange tension in the air. She'd been moving around the house, seemingly unable to settle, flicking her tail nervously as though something was bothering her. Max had noticed but thought little of it at first. She'd done this before, when she was a bit under the weather or when there was a change in the weather, but today, something felt different. He couldn't put his paw on it, but he knew she wasn't quite herself.

By mid-afternoon, Olive's behavior became more erratic. She snapped at him when he playfully nudged her. It wasn't like her at all. Her eyes were wide, pupils dilated, and there was a sharpness to her movements that made Max take a step back, confusion and concern beginning to knot in his stomach.

"Olive?" Max said gently, approaching her. "Are you okay?"

Olive's ears flattened against her head, and her tail swished behind her, agitated. "stop it, Max!" she hissed, her voice sharper than he had ever heard it.

Max recoiled, surprised by the venom in her tone. "What's wrong?"

But Olive didn't answer, only paced back and forth, her movements tight and strained. She looked around the room like she was searching for something, but there was nothing there. Max watched her, his heart sinking. He had never seen her like this before.

It wasn't until the evening, when the sun was dipping below the horizon and the world outside was wrapped in a soft twilight, that Max finally understood what was happening.

Olive's scent had changed. At first, he hadn't noticed, but now, it was unmistakable. The air was thick with it, and he could feel the stirrings of something instinctive deep inside him. His mind raced as the pieces clicked into place.

Olive was in heat.

Max's heart pounded as he realized what had been happening. The tension, the snapping, the restlessness—it all made sense now. He had heard about it before, but he never imagined he'd experience it firsthand with Olive. She was confused, stressed, and maybe even a little scared of the way her body was changing. He knew it wasn't her fault. It was nature, something she had no control over.

But she was pushing him away. Olive's discomfort was obvious now, and Max knew he had to be careful. She didn't want him close, and that hurt him deeply. He loved her, but right now, he had to be patient. Olive was in a state of emotional and physical upheaval, and he had to find a way to help her through it, without pushing her boundaries too far.

As the hours passed, Olive became more agitated. She couldn't sit still. Her fur was bristling at the edges, and her movements were jerky, like she was fighting against something inside her. Max sat by quietly, giving her space, but he couldn't help but feel the overwhelming urge to be close to her, to comfort her. He wanted to soothe her, to help her feel at ease, but he also knew that any sudden movement, any attempt to approach her too quickly, might send her into a panic.

Finally, Olive stopped pacing, her body trembling. Her tail was stiff, and her eyes were wide, almost lost. She seemed to be caught in a whirlwind of confusion and discomfort. Max could see she was fighting to regain control, to stay composed, but it was clear she was struggling.

Max knew he couldn't ignore this anymore. He had to approach it carefully.

"Olive," he said softly, his voice calm and steady, "I'm here for you. I know you're feeling strange right now, but I need you to trust me. I'll be patient. I'll be right here with you. I promise."

Olive's ears twitched, and she turned to face him. There was something in her eyes—vulnerability, shame, and confusion all mixed together.

"I... I don't know what's happening to me, Max," she whispered, her voice shaky. "I feel like I'm dying... I feel... stiff..."

Max gently approached her, keeping his movements slow and deliberate. "It's okay Olive. Your body's just going through something natural. I know it's uncomfortable. But you don't have to go through it alone."

Olive's eyes softened, just a little, as she looked at him. She wanted to retreat, to curl up by herself, but there was something about Max's steady presence that made her pause. She had always trusted him, even when she didn't fully understand her own emotions, and right now, she needed that more than ever.

Max lowered himself to the floor next to her, sitting at her side. He didn't try to touch her, but he made sure to stay close enough that she knew he was there, that she wasn't alone.

"Do you want to be alone?" he asked gently. "Or do you want me to stay?"

Olive hesitated for a moment, her eyes flicking to the door. The urge to escape was strong, but she couldn't deny the comfort she felt when Max was near. She swallowed hard.

"I don't know," she admitted quietly. "I just... don't like this feeling."

Max's heart ached for her. He could see how much she was struggling. The discomfort, the confusion—it was all too much for her to process. But Olive had never been one to ask for help, and this wasn't something she could figure out on her own.

"I'll help you," Max said softly, his voice soothing. "We'll take it slow. You can't fight this, Olive, but you don't have to do it alone. I'll be here for whatever you need. Just tell me."

Olive turned toward him, her body trembling slightly. For the first time in hours, she relaxed, just a little. She didn't know what she needed, but in that moment, she realized that Max's presence alone was enough to calm her. She didn't have to carry the weight of this alone.

Max lay down beside her, his body warm and steady against hers. He kept a respectful distance but stayed close enough that she could feel his reassurance. Slowly, Olive's breathing began to steady. She wasn't completely at ease, but the tension in her body slowly began to ease.

Max didn't pressure her. He simply stayed there, offering her the space she needed while still providing the comfort of his presence. He could tell she was still battling with the changes in her body, but he knew that in time, she would come to terms with it.

As the night wore on, Olive found herself curling into Max's side, just needing his steady warmth. She didn't fully understand what was happening, but for the first time that day, she felt like she could breathe again.

Max nuzzled her gently, his heart swelling with affection. He knew that this wasn't easy for Olive. It was a strange and uncomfortable time for both of them, but he was willing to be there, to help her through it, no matter what.

"I've got you, Olive," he whispered softly.

And in that moment, Olive realized something she hadn't fully understood before—Max wasn't just her friend. He was her partner. And no matter how difficult things got, she wasn't alone.

They didn't need to have all the answers. As long as they were together, they could face whatever came their way.