to have and to hold

She felt that she had only just gained her freedom back from having suffered from her broken leg. Venom wasn’t liping any longer, but she had a more pressing reason to be in the palace much of her time. The young Empress was coming to terms with the pregnancy developing within her. She refused to be made to sit still at all hours of the day, she remained active but to appease those closest to her she spent more time lingering. Venom refused to admit the fact that she was sleeping more, and was quite surprised at how tiring pregnancy was.

Venom might not have usually been asleep during this time, but she was dreaming lightly when the sound of claws on stone woke her. Hattori didn’t often knock, in fact it seemed like most days his prime concern was to not disturb her sleep. The pair of them now mostly shared her sleeping quarters. Venom felt more complete now that their lives were entwining. She felt safe and comfortable wrapped in his arms at night, and he brought her the most peaceful sleep she’d ever experienced. Though he didn’t keep her company every night, his knock that moment made her aware of the serious nature of his appearance.

She blinked back the sleep and hid a yawn as she invited him in. ”Hattori? Come in.” Venom drew herself up, however much elegance was hard to achieve when you were wrapped and bundled in thick furs.