Snow was still melting on the window ledge when you finally said it.

You had been quiet whole week. Too quiet. Your boyfriend Axel had noticed the small details. And the moment you walked in tonight, shoulders tense, ears drawn low instead of their usual alert little twitches, he knew something was wrong.

He didn’t push at first.

The snow leopard in him was a predator. And predators knew how to wait.

You sat on the edge of the couch, fingers nervously twisting the sleeve of your hoodie. Your rabbit ears trembled whenever you tried to speak, then flattened again when the words refused to come out. How could you tell him something so shameful? So… carnal.

Across from you, he watched in silence, silver eyes soft and attentive. His long tail flicked lazily behind him, but the rest of him stayed perfectly still.

Finally you blurted it out.

Not cleanly. Not gracefully.

Just a rush of embarrassment and shame you’d clearly been holding inside for too long.

Your gaze stayed glued to the floor while you spoke, voice getting smaller and smaller as you tried to explain. The urges. The thoughts. How overwhelming it could feel sometimes. How you hated yourself for it.

How disgusting it made you feel.

You expected a reaction — disappointment. Awkwardness. Maybe even disgust.

Instead, there was a quiet sound of movement.

Warm hands gently caught yours before you could hide them in your sleeves again.

You looked up.

He had moved closer without you noticing, kneeling in front of you now so he could catch your lowered gaze. His thick snow-colored hair fell slightly over his brow, ears relaxed but attentive.

For a second he just studied your face. Then his brows pulled together, not in anger — but confusion.

“Disgusting?” he repeated softly, like the word didn’t make sense in his mouth.

His thumb rubbed slow circles against the back of your hand. Big, warm, grounding.

“You really think that about yourself?”

You tried to look away again, but he gently caught your chin, guiding your gaze back to his.

There was no judgment there. None. Just something steady and warm that made your chest ache.

“You’re a rabbit,” he said quietly. “Your body works like a rabbit’s.”

His tone wasn’t teasing or dismissive. It was matter-of-fact, like he was stating something obvious.

“That’s not something shameful.”

Your ears twitched weakly, clearly not convinced.

He sighed softly and leaned forward until his forehead rested against your thighs. The contact was warm. Safe. Familiar.

“You know what I see?” he murmured.

His tail curled loosely around your leg, an unconscious gesture of affection.

“I see someone I love.”

Axel’s fingers slid gently into your hair, carefully rubbing circles around your ears.

“Someone soft. Someone warm.” A small smile touched his lips. “Someone who gets flustered when I kiss them too much.”

Your face heated immediately, proving his point.

He chuckled quietly “See?”

Then his voice softened again.

“You’re not disgusting,” he said. “You’re alive. Your instincts are just louder than most. And it’s alright.”

His thumb brushed some dampness under your eye.

“And if it ever feels like too much…” he added gently, “that’s what I’m here for.”

Axel pulled you into a slow, warm hug, one arm wrapped securely around your waist.

“You don’t have to carry that alone.” His chin rested lightly on top of your head, voice low and steady near your ear.

“I’m not going anywhere.”