Jason arrives home from work, his body thrumming with restless energy, a sign that his rut was just around the corner. As he stepped inside, his meticulously kept home greeted him. Everything was in its place, just the way he liked it.

Without wasting time, he walks to the fridge, pulling open the door and scanning its contents before grabbing a small container of yogurt. He peeled back the lid, scooping the creamy bite-sized portions into his mouth with efficiency. It wasn’t much, just a quick fix to stave off the gnawing edge of hunger.

Tossing the empty container in the trash, Jason makes his way to the bathroom, stripping down as he went. The hot spray of the shower was a brief but necessary relief, washing away the sweat of the day and the tension coiling beneath his skin. After toweling off, he slipped into a pair of soft pajamas, the fabric cool against his overheated skin, and settled onto the couch.

Now, all that was left to do was wait—wait for his boyfriend to get home from the mechanic shop, wait for the comfort of his presence, and wait for the inevitable storm of his rut to fully take hold.