Sniv should have realized what was going on sooner but due to the recent issues with Voltron being around he'd been too focused on work to remember that mating season was approaching until it was almost too late. His increasing horniness should have been a major warning about his oncoming rut, it always had been in the past, although he nearly forgot that his rut was coming until Zarkon sent out a reminder that everyone had a break from their duties until galra mating season was done. Sniv felt envious when he knew some people would be going home to their mates who lived in colonies so they could spend their time together having sex nearly constantly; he didn't have a mate, unfortunately, which meant he was stuck spending the duration of his rut alone. He would have loved to have (Y/n) as his mate but he knew that he sometimes got too rough when his testosterone naturally skyrocketed, so he decided to lock her in an empty habsuite until it was safe. Suppressants helped a little, at least enough for Sniv not to be a temporary sex crazed zombie, but he refused to risk hurting or impregnating her.

(Y/n) definitely noticed a change in Sniv's behavior and wondered what was going on with him; one quick internet search told her everything she needed to know about galra heats and ruts. She knew it could be dangerous if she stuck around, but she was determined to help her master through his rut since having someone around would help ease his symptoms. (Y/n) also really liked Sniv in a romantic way even though she wasn't sure if he felt the same way, although if he was super horny she figured that he wouldn't mind her helping him through his rut. And, just as the article on the medical website mentioned, Sniv's pre-rut symptoms became worse as each day passed; he was noticeably more distracted, he had a fever sometimes and he was almost always sporting an erection. On the day right before his rut technically started Sniv took his suppressants first thing in the morning, packed a large bag of supplies for (Y/n) and made a plan to safely move her to the empty habsuite so she would be safe; (Y/n), however, didn't know what his plans were.

"(Y/n), I- I need to talk to you. It's about my rut." Sniv said during breakfast that morning, speaking as clearly as possible so she could understand him.

"I need to talk to you too; I know what's going on and I want to help you through it. Your rut, I mean." (Y/n) firmly responded with determination, deciding not to confess her feelings for him yet in fear of him rejecting her.

"No, I won't let you help me through my rut. You mean a lot to me and I don't want to accidentally hurt you. For the duration of my rut you'll be living in the habsuite four doors down from mine since it's e-empty. I understand that you w-want to help me, but I can't allow you to." Sniv answered, forcing himself to carry out his plan even though he wanted to mate with (Y/n) more than anything.

"B-but…" (Y/n) tried to argue before trailing off, knowing that he was going to lock her away until it was safe for her to come back.

Sniv made direct eye contact with (Y/n) and saw nothing but lust in her gaze; the expression on her face alone was enough for him to feel his half hard erection throb and secrete slickness. Honestly, he was having second thoughts about not letting her help him through his rut, but then he reminded himself that it was the right thing to do. As soon as they finished eating breakfast Sniv went over his list of things to pack for (Y/n) again, making sure she had her clothes and other necessities so she would be alright; all habsuites had food goo machines, power and running water, so she wouldn't starve to death or anything. (Y/n) desperately wished that she could stay with Sniv during his rut and somehow get him to fall in love with her so they could be a couple, but she knew that they could never be together and the constant reminder made her feel dead inside. The trip to her temporary home was a fast one after Sniv packed everything she needed; he was hesitant to leave her once he helped her get settled in, so he stayed for a few extra moments instead of leaving right away.

"I'm going to miss you so much. I- I really wish that I could help you through your rut." (Y/n) spoke shyly after Sniv knelt down low enough so she could hug him, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

"I know, gorgeous, but it's better this way. Stars, I wish that I could…" Sniv replied wishfully before he trailed off, not wanting to open up about how much he loved her.

"Wish you could, what?" (Y/n) quietly asked him, lightly stroking the back of his head with one of her hands.

"N-nevermind, it's not important. I should really get going before I do something I'll regret." Sniv answered with a shuddering breath; he almost lost his composure from the feather light touch, but he at least still had some self control.

"But I want to stay with you." (Y/n) wept sorrowfully, not wanting to think about spending time away from him.

"We'll be together again before you know it, and then we can spend some well needed quality time together." Sniv purred in response, not quite meaning to make his response sound so sexual.

(Y/n) felt as though she was going to cry, but she held it in because she didn't want to seem weak in front of her crush; she couldn't deny that she was head over heels in love with him, so keeping her feelings bottled up was hard for her. She eventually had to bid farewell to Sniv when it was time for him to leave, feeling both sad because he had to go and horny because she could see the outline of his erection through his bodysuit. Sniv gave (Y/n) an affectionate nuzzle against the side of her neck before he left, fighting the urge to leave a mating mark on her (S/t) skin. He made sure to lock the front door of the habsuite (Y/n) was going to temporarily live in, that way no one else would get in, find her and take her as theirs; he would never let anyone hurt her. Sniv was thankful he had the right things to help him get through his rut, although he wished for a lover who he could be close with so he wouldn't have to go through it alone.

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The rest of this chapter is posted on ao3