--SYMPTOMS--

Father. He was going to be a father. Marvel didn't even know the meaning of the word. He'd never known his father - which is partly why he'd turned out the way he had. The man had no examples of a fatherly figure, and knew nothing about his part in this whole situation. The notion that she'd been with others was quickly shot down by the sol, and Marvel allowed his eyes to drift downward to the blank space between his front paws. She didn't expect anything? What was that supposed to mean? Were there expectations he didn't know about? "I'll be damned if these children don't know their father," came surprisingly forceful lyrics. He might not be the ideal choice for a paternal figure, but he would be present. He'd hated his own father for far too long for not being around. His children might still hate him when it was over with, but gosh darn it, Marvel was going to be there.

She seemed worried about something else entirely, and Marvel's sterling optics would glance up once more. She was talking about Aria, the beta, and something about challengers. Was this her upmost worry? Being challenged in her pregnancy? He supposed it was logical, but surely birthing children was a frightening enough prospect without adding on challenges and the like. "If anyone challenges you in while my children grow in your womb, I will do what I can for Ludicael. I'm afraid my skills aren't in fighting, but if I have to - I'll learn." The Celeste was dead serious. "I love Ludicael, and I'll fight for her whenever you can't." Feeling surprisingly patriotic, Marvel would sidle forward in attempt to offer the Sol a gentle caress on the top of her head.

"Speech"