momma's always right

For a long few moments Venom was allowed to stew in her own thoughts. Kiyo had no idea that Hattori was the father of the life she’d seen from so far away. While Hattori had no idea of the secret she had hidden in her belly. Any day now the more perceptive members of the Empire would begin to pick up on the signs as well. The time of the pregnancy remaining a secret was swiftly coming to an end.

Her jumbled thoughts were interrupted as she waited for Kiyo to answer Hattori, but the healer was right. Not only was Venom… vulnerable now, the privacy of the palace was a comfort. Hattori seemed to think so as well, and he was quick to lead the gathering of wolves and dogs. The Empress shared the palace with Hattori from the beginning, this was as much his home as it was her own. They walked to the main hall, the big chamber a gathering place of sorts, and thanks to the fire always felt warm.

Venom made herself comfortable in her usual place and Hattori took his place close beside her. Venom leaned into him slightly and she wondered if Kiyo had picked up on the personal details of the relationship she shared with her son. Venom’s sunset gaze shifted to the antlered woman’s silvery gaze and remained quiet, debating if she wanted to tell Hattori the revelation now, or once they were alone.

"Speech"