Break my heart

Iroh had a noticeable bounce in his step wherever he went these days. It hadn’t been so long ago that Elise told him that she was pregnant and his whole world changed. This evening or tomorrow he was going to tell Eligos and Zagan the big news. It was possible they already realized from the change in Elise’s scent but it wasn’t so noticeable yet. He didn’t mean to keep secrets but he enjoyed reveling with Elise, like they shared the most wonderful secret in the world. He wore a huge grin as he took his patrol and was slow in returning to the den as he searched for a gift to bring his lovely woman. She deserved to be showered in his affections everyday but he had taken extra time to make this journey extra special.

He was on his way back to the ravine den, autumn flowers filling his mouth, that bouncing in his step, and his tail wagging high over his hips. He grinned through the flowers, feeling a high that really couldn’t be replicated. He was living one of his life’s dreams. He headed down the trail towards the cozy den and his blood went cold at the sounds of Elise calling for him. Everything stopped. Iroh dropped the flowers and his tail fell as he leapt from the wall of the ravine to the floor and scrambled into their home.

The scent of blood hit him like a train and Iroh nearly stumbled back as he made a beeline for Elise’s form. He tried to ignore the staining of her thighs as he took his place behind her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder as he held her tight. There was no one to call. Even if Riva was here what could she do that Sarabi could not? The primate said nothing as she was right behind Iroh in making her return. With one glance at Elise she began to work and prepare what she could for the almost mother. There wasn’t anything to be done about the situation save to help the process be a little easier on Elise and her body.

Iroh could see in Sarabi’s expression that the sudden heartache that overwhelmed him was not misplaced. He held more tightly to Elise, pulling her to his chest and joining her in mourning their loss. Iroh surrounded her, wishing that he could do something to stave off this terrible pain and loss. He was helpless to change the course of events, and the both of them would suffer through this sudden loss. Iroh felt numb even though tears streamed down his cheeks. The real pain hadn’t hit yet, but he knew what was coming.

”Elise,” he said her name softly as he nuzzled against her ear and squeezed lightly, still unable to truly process the tragedy befalling them. ”I love you, I'm sorry. I’m so so sorry.” He didn’t know what happened, he didn’t know what could have possibly been done differently. But he had never expected this turn of events and the way it broke his heart was slowly revealing just how painful this would be.

Iroh Abraxas