Caution, Overweight Load Ahead
The man headed back into the plains, a rabbit clasped in his jaws. He walked slowly and close to the earth, in a sinking matter that was not usual for the alpha boy. But he couldn't help it, he had been very jumpy as of late. Wren had been calling on him almost every minute of the day, asking for food, cuddles, or something else. He had gone out for a walk, guilty he had come back home with a bit of food. He just needed a bit of a break, and he had gotten her fresh food after all. Hopefully that would save his face from bring chewed off by his hormonal wife. Taking a deep breath he slunk lower to the ground as he neared the den, his nostrils flaring in his fear. Yes. Fear. He was afraid of her taking off his toes an stringing him up a tree. Something like that. In every situation there was a part of him missing, at least. He didn't think that having pups would be this... brutal. And he couldn't even sympathize with his love, he had no idea -- and never would -- on what carrying pups was like. He was thankful that Wren and Motif had each other, they seemed to enjoy their little fests of complaining. He stayed away from those.
Peeking his head into the den, he looked around for his wife. He dropped his offering of rabbit, smiling into the dark den. His eyes had yet to adjust, so he didn't know where she was. "Wren? I brought you back a rabbit." He said softly, licking the blood off of his jaws. He hoped that he would not be losing a part of him in this conversation. Plus, it was exciting, was it not? Pups! They were going to be parents! How was that not something to be excited for?
Things had been especially stressful lately. She was completely recovered of her illness, but she was pregnant, and really moody. Constantly calling for Bass to comfort her when she felt like shit, yelling at him because he didn't bring her food, etc. And once she had the chance to think over how she acted toward him...it made her feel guilty. Although, he'd never know how it felt to be pregnant. She guessed he was just surprised she wasn't throwing herself her own little party because she was going to have puppies. Did he even know how it felt to be crawling around feeling like a time bomb all the time? No, of course not, he was male! Today, she'd take it easy. Bass was out for a little while, and with nothing else to do, she fell asleep. It was only when Bass had returned that she slowly awakened in a relatively better mood. "Wren? I brought you back a rabbit." His gentle voice instantly kissed her ears, and it forced a smile to quickly spread itself across her lips. But when she lifted her head and saw him practically hiding himself, with only his head peeking in, she frowned. Was she really that scary? Her ears flattened back against her head and she hardened her gaze onto her husband simply. "...What are you doing?" Wren cocked her head and frowned, sending the man a sad look. So much for waiting all day for Bass to come home and smother her in love. She grunted and crossed her legs in front of her, lowering her chin so that it rested upon her ankles. "Bass, I'm really sorry for acting like this. But do you really have to hide? It makes me feel like a monster." Wren shut her eyes and reached out for the rabbit, grabbing one of the ears and dragging it back to the end of the den with her. Then, she curled up and nudged it off to the side. She might eat it later, so Bass didn't have to go out and get yet another one. |
She lifted her head, a smile spreading, but it vanished as soon as it came. His ears pinned back against his head as well, a low puff of air leaving his maw. He didn't mean to slink around like a kicked puppy, but he himself had felt guilty. Once she called herself a monster he rushed forward, instantly nuzzling into her. "Oh darling, shh. You are not a monster. You have hungry little children growing in you, you are the opposite of a monster. I feel guilty for leaving, that's all." He said. It wasn't a lie, he had been feeling that way. Her emotions were very hard to guess, and he hadn't been sure if she was going to tear him a new one. Letting out a soft sigh, he lowered himself to his belly and scooted down to Wren's stomach, resting his head on the growing mound. "Hello little ones, how is it going in there? I can't wait to meet you all, and all of Abaven is excited to see you! You are going to have lots of little ones to play with, lucky you. And you also get two parents who love each other very much." He said softly, his golden eyes wandering up to Wren's gaze. He smiled softly, pressing a soft, delicate kiss on her growing womb.
Dragging himself up to his grumpy wife, he nuzzled her scruff, nipping it softly. "I think I would think I was a monster if I had tiny beings stealing all my food and energy." He teased, resting his head on her shoulder blades and looking at her pale tummy. He watched as it rose and fell in a steady motion, his gaze so full of love. "I don't know how you do it, my darling. How you are just... growing life within you. Its just so baffling to me." Bass whispered, mystified. This whole baby thing was just a miracle for him, he wasn't sure how it all worked in the first place. She was such an amazing creature to be able to do this...
The sweet affection he offered toward her was more than enough to brighten her, as he nuzzled into her gently and reassured her. "I feel guilty for leaving, that's all. Wren released a gentle giggle, shaking her head and finding some words to answer him. But he stopped her, as he suddenly scooted down to her growing stomach and rested his head upon it. She watched him with a bit of a confused look...until he began to speak. Whispering and talking into her stomach as if they could hear her...Bass seemed so calm and relaxed. He'd be an amazing father. But her...she still didn't know. Would she ever know? Would her children ever explain how good of a mother she was? Wren exhaled and let out another relaxed giggle, scooting into him and absorbing his warmth as he continued to speak to her. Telling her he'd also be grumpy if he were in her place, or that she was amazing for carrying little lives inside of her. Wren, herself, was amazed. Annoyed and irritated, but amazed that she had puppies growing inside her.
Maybe not as stunned as Bass was...but still amazed. Her smile grew, and she slowly turned to nuzzle her husband's face gently. "It's a beautiful thing." The dame hummed. She drew her tongue over the side of his face and planted a gentle kiss below his ear, before turning back to look at her abdomen. It was slowly growing...slowly. If only she could see through herself. Then could see her little babies...maybe she could be more excited about this whole thing. It'd help her take her mind off of being hungry or thirsty. "But I do wonder what they'll look like," She began quietly. "and how well we'll raise them." With that, she lowered her head close beside Bass, tail curling up close to her. "Or if I'll be safe while giving birth..." Worry after worry. She could clear them from her mind...
"Speech"
'thoughts'
"Italian"
As the man snuggled into his love, he felt his whole body relax. He hadn't realized that he was carrying such tension, but he always calmed down when she was around. She was one of the only people that made his troubles and worries melt away, like they didn't exist at all. A pleasant sigh left his lips as he cuddled into her frame, feeling her scooting closer to share the warmth. Winter was fast approaching, he would need to pack in more moss and ferns to try and keep them off of the cold stone that lay below them. Even more so for when the pups came, they couldn't have them resting on the stone. They would freeze a lot quicker than they would, and he would hate to see that. It would surly break his heart.
When Wren began to speak, he looked up at her sweet face, a smile spreading across his own. It truly was something to be amazing about, how life came to be. As she talked about how they would look, his smile grew. "Well, they have pretty attractive parents, so there's that." He teased, nuzzling her shoulder. But that joy soon faded as she spoke once more, a low growl coming out of his throat. "I know you will be safe, my flower. Nothing will harm you, and you will make it through it fine. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for, little bird. You are a bold woman who isn't going to let something like childbirth get to her. Do you hear me?" He said, his eyes searching her own. He would not tolerate talk of her not surviving, because there was no way in hell that he was ever going to let something like that happen. His face was set in grim determination, a stubborn gleam in his eyes.
"Speech"
'thoughts'
"Italian"
At first, Bass had been a little playful with her, agreeing that the development of pups within one's womb was beautiful. He also mentioned the appearance of both of them. But almost instantly afterward, that playful expression faded, and Wren saw it as clear as day. He growled. "I know you will be safe, my flower." She regret ever bringing up the safety of the birthing. Of course, she was as nervous as hell, but worrying Bass and causing the mood to slump downward wasn't helping one bit.
"Do you hear me?" It was after that he questioned her understanding to what he said, and Wren nodded almost immediately. So many things rapidly bounced back and forth within in her head, until she finally concluded to herself that she wanted to sleep. She didn't want to talk about the birthing anymore. Talking about the pups was fine.
Wren lowered her head and forced her eyes shut, calm breathes spilling from her lips. She shifted to the side by just slightly to get closer to her husband, before finally allowing words to process in her mind. "I'll be okay," She opened her eyes and turned them to her mate. "as long as you're there." It was all she would say about the birthing. No more being nervous, scared...she was better than that. Like Bass said, she was bold...who was she to let birth get to her? The dame turned her eyes away again and forced them shut, tail sweeping at the walls of the den silently. Whenever Bass was around, she was calm and relaxed. She found peace when she was close to him. Perhaps, if he was there for the birthing, everything would be a little easier? It'd be less likely for her to panic or lose consciousness maybe?
Eh, she really didn't know the first thing about giving birth. Not the pain, not how you are supposed to breathe or push...nothing. All she knew was that in the end, it'd be worth it. Worth the pain, worth the struggle, everything. The thought of it almost sounded silly.
Wren breathed out a soft laugh and opened her eyes again, a weak smile forming across her lips. She raised her head and adjusted it back so it was close to Bass and her unborn children. Then she began to hum for just a short while, the song in which both her and her husband sang together that one night. It was one of her favorite parts, but it was short, and it ended almost instantly. "I hope they like to sing." She stated in a whisper, her voice playful. Eventually, once they get older, she may teach them to sing. Unless they already know what it's like. Wren smirked and turned her teasing eyes to her husband. "Daddy should sing to them. Even if they aren't born, maybe they'll hear you." The sudden change of mood for her was relaxing. But by now, these mood swings, they were probably beginning to irritate Bass.
"Wren's Speech"
"Bass' Speech"
She cleared the air, conversation dropping as her eyes grew tired. He smiled softly at her, nuzzling into the softness of her neck. Perhaps he had been a bit too short, but he didn't want to hear thoughts like that. Nope, not at all. But she was right, she would be safe with him around. Bass would fight Death himself if he had to to keep her on this earth, because neither hell nor high water could take his love away. As he watched his wife grow more and more tired, he curled around her tighter, kissing that ever-growing belly of hers. As she started to hum the song that they once sang together, he joined in with his own low baritone. Yes, that song would never leave his memory. As Wren gazed at her belly, he did as well, wondering the same as her. Would they love to sing like both their parents did? Would they learn to love it, or would they share the joy them them? So many questions, and only time could bring answers to them. Bass' golden gaze turned to Wren as she asked him to sing, the smile on his face growing. He didn't mind her swing of moods, as long as he could keep her happy. Singing was always the key. But there was one thing that really caught his attention. Daddy. He was going to be a father. He sputtered out a laugh, his head slowly shaking back and forth. A father... Why that had not sunk in just yet he didn't know. Looking to Wren, he beamed. "Anything you say, Mommy." He whispered in wonderment. Parents... what a strange thing. Clearing his throat, he paused for a moment and tried to think of a song good enough for his children. Ah, he knew just the one. Gaze roamed from mother to babies in the belly, that look of wonder still plastered on his face. "Baby mine, don't you cry, baby mine dry your eyes. Rest your head, close to my heart, never to part, baby of mine." He started, curling his head around her stomach as he sang the sweet lullaby. "Little one when you play, pay no heed to what they say. Let your eyes, sparkle and shine, never a tear, baby of mine." He nuzzled into her fur, his baritone filling their den. "If they knew all about you, they'd end up loving you too. And all those, people who scold you, what they'd give just for the right too hold you. From your head, down to your toes," Bass bent down, nibbling softly on Wren's digits, "you're not much, goodness knows. But you're so precious to me, sweet as can be, baby of mine." |
His soft voice spilled into her ears flawlessly, her face beaming as he relaxed his head around her enlarged stomach. This man, her husband, was so gentle. She was so happy to have him as her mate...someone who really was excited for their pups. Who'd support her even through the roughest of times. She was so lucky. But as she allowed these thoughts to swarm her mind, she listened to the words of his gentle lullaby and tried to remember them the best she could, so some day she could sing the same song to her puppies when they were old enough. Or, at least when their eyes opened up, and they were able to walk around.
She was so overwhelmed, but at the same time she was so happy. Just being called, "Mommy," by her own husband made her heart thump quickly in her chest. Excited, but anxious. Happy, but overwhelmed by emotion. It was all buzzing around in her head like a large swarm of mosquitos. But she was pulled away from these hazy thoughts as Bass' lullaby came to an end. The words within it were beautiful. And when they were sung by her husband, it got even better. His voice was simply amazing. All the songs he's sang to her, from lullaby to their duet, was locked into her head and they always would be. Which led her to the realization that she hasn't sang in a long time. Probably because she had just been recovering a few weeks ago. And now, she was pregnant. A sigh left her inky black lips, before she leaned back to plant a gentle kiss onto her husbands face. "That was beautiful," She hummed softly, turning her head and stuffing her nose into her plump stomach. "Did my babies like Daddy's singing?" The girl spoke into her stomach as if the little pups in her stomach could really hear her. Even though she knew they definitely couldn't. After a few seconds, she burst out into weak little giggles, face continuing to beam with happiness. How silly she was acting! Wasn't she a bit pissed off just a few minutes ago?
Wren smiled and inched in even closer to her husband, eyes rolling shut. "I'm really excited! Maybe a little nervous, but excited! I bet they will be adorable!" Pups usually didn't seem too cute in her eyes...but those were the pups of strangers that she saw. Not the pups of her friends, and definitely not her own pups. She wondered, constantly, over and over again...what would her children be like? Would they be energetic? Would they refuse to go to sleep at night, no matter how many stories she told them or how many songs she sang? Or would they be shy, and have a very close connection to their parents? Either one was okay with her. As long as they were alive, and as long as they were appreciative of the hell she went through to bring them to the world.
"Speech"
'thoughts'