Ashen was finally settling into their new home. Having to make a huge adjustment such as this wasn’t easy on anyone but Venom believed this to be the change that the pack needed. If there was a next time, she wouldn’t be moving an entire pack while so heavily pregnant. Of course between Maverick and Plague worrying over her Venom hadn’t been allowed to work so hard, but more than that was the loss of her vision. After seeing Viper instead of her fallen father the light had all but left her.

At first the Empress had been distraught, but as always her faithful friend Poison was there to help and guide her home. Her eyes were unafflicted, but Venom could see nothing anymore. The adjustment might have been easier had they not been moving to a place that she didn’t know nearly as well as their island home, but her other senses compensated. Venom was always a creature of the night, so darkness was no stranger. She had refused to let anyone feel sorry for her, and beyond a little struggling with her movements there was no outward evidence that she was handicapped. Venom intended to keep it that way.

Her affliction coincided with the late stages of pregnancy, so her disappearance into her bedchambers wouldn’t be taken as much more than bedrest for the late stage of pregnancy. Nothing about her circumstance disappointed her like the thought of never being able to see the little ones within her rounded stomach.

That thought remained heavy on her mind as she stirred early in the afternoon. Being a night dweller, this was the equivalent of the middle of the night for her when the contractions woke her up. With everything going on she had lost track of time. Her due date was yesterday, so she should have been much better prepared than she was now. With a small groan she rolled over to try and alleviate the pain. This was only the beginning of the ordeal after all.

"Venom & Maverick"

The move had been completed, and Ashen had been relocated to its new home in the southwestern territories of Boreas. It had been a laborious task, but one that Maverick felt would be a good change for the pack. Ashen had begun to grow away from its heavily religious roots and back to the prominence of the Klein family once more, it only made sense for the pack to head back to its ancestral homelands. It was just unfortunate timing that Venom happened to be so heavily pregnant at the time of the move—not to mention entirely blind now. Maverick still didn't know what happened. Once moment, she was fine, and the next she couldn't see a thing. Her eyes were undamaged according to their healers, but that did little to reassure the worried prince-consort. Did that mean Venom would recover her eyesight eventually? Would she be blinded permanently? What did that mean for their coming family? Would their children also be afflicted? There were too many questions and not enough answers.

Between himself and his brother-in-law, Maverick and Plague had handled most of the business of organizing the pack's move. Maverick especially remained staunch and unwavering in his decision to isolate Venom until she had given birth and recovered her eyesight. None could know what had become of the powerful Ashen Empress. A show of weakness like that, coupled with newborn pups arriving, he feared that the Empire's enemies might see it as a golden opportunity to strike. So for now, none would see the Empress aside from himself, Plague, and her immediate family. They could deal with the circumstances of their future once the pups were born and they had a better idea of if Venom would ever be able to see again or not. For now, Mav's duties were to assure the protection of his fiancée and their unborn children, and he was not slacking in that regard.

Maverick didn't know what time it was when he was disturbed from his sleep. All he knew was that it was too early to be getting up, as the afternoon sun was still streaming into the old palace, and even with the heavy curtains put up around their royal bedchamber, he could see rays of golden sunlight sneaking in. The dire brute had adopted a much more nocturnal schedule since moving in with his beloved queen, so the sunlight was an unwelcome guest here. Grumbling to himself, Mav rubbed his tired eyes and stirred, looking about for his pregnant mate. He found her rolling over in bed, groaning quietly to herself. "Ven...?" he mumbled and sat upright, turning a furrowed gaze of concern toward her. "What's going on? Is everything all right?"

"Venom & Maverick"

Venom’s affliction was a well kept secret thus far, but as the days waned on she wasn’t so certain that her eyesight would be returned to her. Despite the lack of cause, she was doing her best to normalize her disability, it was adapt or die and she had no intention of the latter. While that process took place she heavily depended upon both Maverick and Plague. The both of them stepping up to shoulder the weight of the pack while she suffered through her affliction and grew the next generation of Klein warriors.

For now settling in was easier than expected, but the true test was this day and the arrival of Ashen’s newest puppies. She couldn’t help the odd thought of having her puppies in the same place that she was born. Of course, it didn’t linger as her abdomen rippled with another uncomfortable contraction, and her mumbling woke the man beside her. Maverick had been attentive to a fault as she progressed into the later stages of her pregnancy, and grew even more protective as she lost her sight. He rolled closer, whispering her name in gentle comfort as he sought for her ailment.

"I’m surprised you haven’t guessed yet.” She mumbled with a groan as she leaned back against him, gritting through the contraction. As it subsided she took a sharp breath and exhaled heavily. Leaning her head against the side of his neck with her eyes closed. "Today is their birthday.”

"Venom & Maverick"

Maverick was still in a half-dazed, groggy state when Venom answered his question. It took his sleepy brain a solid minute to process what she was saying, but the next groan that came with her contractions snapped him out of his fog and he realized what was happening. Today was the day; their puppies were being born! Blinking his eyes and shaking his head free of the sleep-induced haze, the dire brute brought all of his focus onto his mate. This was really happening! They were about to become parents! "Oh! O-Oh! Oh jeez, it's really happening now!" Maverick shifted and scurried to pull himself closer to Venom while she leaned back into his frame for comfort, offering his fiancée all his support as she went into labor. Okay, Mav. Okay, you got this. You're just about to become a dad, no big deal. It's not like it's the biggest moment of your life.

Although he had been present for all of Venom's checkups from Ashen's healers, he still felt woefully unprepared for what he would need to do in this situation. Was he supposed to call for the healers? Did Venom want anyone else here with them, or did the experienced mother have a handle on this? Lifting a giant forepaw, Mav carefully lowered it to rest on Venom's swollen side, moving slowly so she could feel his touch as it moved over her body so as not to startle her. Without her sight, he had become very deliberate in making sure he catered to her missing sense. Slowly he slid his foreleg around her, holding her close while their pups began to shift inside her womb, preparing to make their grand entrance into the world. "Do you want me to call one of the healers...?" he asked in hushed tones, watching her with a worried expression she wouldn't see, but could likely hear the concern in his voice. "Tell me what I can do for you, love."

"Venom & Maverick"

Maverick wasn’t anymore awake than she was as the birth of their children began its first stages. As the Empress spoke his brain caught up with the events, they both had weeks to prepare for this moment, but she could still hear the uncertainty within his voice. He moved his form so that he could better support her as she leaned into him. Venom could feel his uncertainty, but that was one aspect she could have easily predicted. His strong paw roved her rounded stomach, a comforting touch through the pain of her ordeal. Maverick worried for her, and while she was risking her life in childbirth, she had no worry at all. The pain combined with the comfort of his presence, chased any uncertainty from her.

He whispered in her ear, concerned as much as he asked for direction. She smiled, even if she couldn’t see his expression she could see it in her mind’s eye. His worried features as he held to her. "I’ll let you know if we need one,” she grit her teeth through the pain, her cat like claws scraping at the bed as she pushed back against Maverick once more. As it subsided she finished her thought. "I want this to be just you and I.” She closed her eyes, relaxing against his larger frame. "Just hold me. I only need your support.” Wolves had been giving birth since the beginning of time, she was fully capable of this.

She groaned lightly, "Not much longer now.” Even though she couldn’t see, the loss of her sight intensified her other senses. She could feel the warmth of him deeper, the sound of his voice was more clear, the scent of him filled her nose. All she needed was Maverick to get through this grand ordeal. She could feel the changes within her body and the progress of birth, a steady trail until the first of their puppies made their grand entrance. An intense pain filled her, and she struggled against it as her efforts to give birth had her squirming and moaning with pain. Every moment of effort and torture made the arrival of their first born worthy of the battle.

With a muffled cry Venom relaxed against Maverick once again, before all of her effort was put towards the tiny baby she brought forth. The pain was forgotten as she moved on instinct and touch as she cleaned it of birth and tucked him gently to her belly. The sound of his cries filled the warm den, and even if they were far from finished, the accomplishment renewed her energy and filled her heart with unconditional love.

"Venom & Maverick"

Despite his anxiousness, Maverick was kept calm by Venom's steadiness despite the tremendous pain she was currently going through. His mate's composure even while dealing with the most difficult process a fae could endure awed and amazed the rogue, and when she assured him that she would let him know if she needed a healer, he realized just why this incredible woman had been chosen to lead the Ashen Empire. Venom was a tour de force, an island steady amidst a hurricane. Nothing fazed her, nothing bowled her over. She remained calm and in control at all times. It served to reassure the nervous Maverick, and when she asked that it be just the two of them to share this incredible milestone together, he could only reach his paw up to take one of hers in his own. "Then we'll do this together—just us," he replied, nuzzling into the back of Venom's neck, deftly avoiding the prickly quills hidden in her scruff. "I've got your back, Ven." And he always would. Always.

While Venom went through periods of relaxation and writhing, Maverick would hold his fiancée safely to his larger body, letting her recline into him as she needed. He wasn't going anywhere; there was nowhere else he would dare to be right now. The wolf he loved the most was giving birth to his children—their family! He would be here and be present for every moment of it. Watching Venom work her way through the pain twisted Mav's heart for he hated to see her in agony, but he knew it was an unavoidable consequence of the love they had created. This was not new to the seasoned mother, nor was it an experience that didn't happen on a daily basis. But still, listening to Venom groan and cry out in pain made Mav wish he could bear some of the pain for her. Her cries came more frequently as her contractions quickened until finally with a muffled shout, Venom gave birth to their first child. Maverick felt Venom's body tense, ripple, then relax. Then the soft whining cries of their child could be heard.

The sound immediately short-circuited the dire brute's brain. In his mind he knew exactly what the sound was, but to know it and to experience it were two very different things. Emotions he'd never known existed surged forth, his heart swelling in his chest while he lifted his head to watch Venom retrieve and clean their eldest child. Teal eyes widened when he saw the little wolf pup nursing at Venom's stomach and tears rose to glisten in the corners of his eyes. That was his pup; his child that he had created with his beloved Empress. Maverick was a father. A breathless, incredulous chuckle escaped the stunned man's lips and a wide grin spread slowly over his features. He couldn't tell if the child was a boy or a girl yet, but it didn't matter. Only one thing truly mattered, and he voiced it with all the joy in his heart. "Ven... We're parents!" he exclaimed in a hushed yet ecstatic whisper. Mav's heart felt so full that he feared it might burst! But he couldn't allow himself to get too worked up just yet. Venom was clearly not done birthing their family, and more pups would be on their way soon.

"Venom & Maverick"

Venom struggled with the birth, the deep pain in her body made her mind go white. Maverick was right there with her though, his presence calmed and soothed her through the ordeal. Still, giving birth was no walk in the park and her pain was not hidden by any stretch of the imagination. He held her stead as she leaned against him, and worked hard to finally bring their children into the world. There was only one way through this, and no matter the pain and agony, starting a family with Maverick was worth it all.

Her only regret was that she could not see her newborns. She could smell them and feel them though, and the first of their sons already had her heart, and she knew that the inverse was true as she heard Maverick lose his breath. "We are, you’re a father.” Venom’s words were soft but said as she caught her breath. She lifted her head so She could nuzzle into Maverick’s cheek, as their puppy nursed for the first time. However much attention she wanted to give him, they were far from finished.

The Empress took another breath and the scene unfolded just the same three more times. Two more boys, and finally the youngest was a girl. Four healthy puppies would be lined up at her belly by the time she finally relaxed against Maverick’s side. Feeling exhausted but absolutely happy and content. Knowing the ordeal was over left a sense of satisfaction, and she let her eyes close as she lowered her head to Maverick’s paws. "Tell me what they look like.” She whispered to him with a grin on her face.

"Venom & Maverick"

As overjoyed as Maverick was to experience the birth of one pup, knowing that there were still several more to come kept the wolf's heart full and hanging on the edge of excitement. As hooked as he was on watching the first of his children simply existing, Venom's grunts and grimaces of pain as her labors returned his focus onto his mate. He held her close and secure in his strong forearms while the natural process continued for however many more times it would need to until their family had come to completion. It turned out that three more repeats were what was required, as it appeared Maverick had managed to sire four healthy and sizable pups with Venom. As each one was born, Maverick felt his heart swell with greater and greater love for the tiny wolf nuggets now nursing at their mother's belly. There had been three boys and a girl at final count—a trio of sons and a solitary daughter. Their family... Maverick's family. So overwhelmed with emotion was the brute that tears began to well in his eyes, falling silently down furred cheeks while he basked in the love and amazement of having his own real family again.

Venom was finally able to relax, and while the Empress laid her head down on his paws, Maverick began to gently groom her face and head, cleaning away the sweat of the ordeal and giving her wordless affections and praise for the pain she had endured for their family. "You did it, Ven. I'm so proud of you," he whispered into her closest ear, a huge grin plastered on his face. His beloved's words made his ears prick, and then a profound sadness deflated the joy in his heart. Venom's sight... In his excitement for this monumental moment, he had completely forgotten that Venom couldn't see their children. It was very possible that she might never see their children. The dawning of that realization quashed all of his mirth, and though he was still the happiest he had ever been in his entire life, there was a sobered sort of somberness to his response now.

Maverick looked down over the side of Venom's swollen belly to their nursing pups. "Uh... Well, they're all about the same-ish size. We have three boys and a girl. Our girl was the youngest." Bright eyes moved between the puppies, picking them out in the order they had been born. "Our oldest boy is very pale. Lots of white and like silvery-blue, with a dark stripe down his back. Our second is all navy and black, with white specks like stars all over. The third boy... he's, uh, brown for some reason? Really brown with some black. And our girl looks pretty much just like her dad, except she's got her mother's black legs at the back." Maverick breathed a soft sigh, ears folding to his head while he hoped he had done a good enough job describing their children for her. Nothing would ever be able to compare to a mother seeing their children for the first time, and it crushed him to know Venom would never get that special moment. "Their eyes are all still closed. I, uh, can't tell what color their eyes are yet..."

"Venom & Maverick"

Venom struggled through the birth of their children, this was not an easy task and it took its toll on the laboring she wolf. Like she had said though, as long as Maverick was there to support her they could do anything. Including bringing a healthy litter of four puppies into the world. When she finally relaxed Maverick was swift to affectionately groom her features. Freshening her outlook and soothing her tired soul. He whispered his pride into her ear, amazed at her performance. They were parents now. She smiled despite the solemn thought that she might not ever be able to see them.

There were other more important sensations and emotions though. The love that blossomed in her chest was the strongest of all, and completely unaffected by her lack of sight. She sighed heavily as she leaned into him, and listened as he described the little jelly beans at her side. Venom got a chuckle at his surprise at the brown fur of one of their sons. With her eyes closed she smiled in response. "His grandfather showing through.” Despite all of the turmoil she went through with her religion and her ancestors, knowing Archon still lingered with her in obscure ways gave her comfort.

"We’ll have about two weeks before their eyes will start to open.” She explained softly as the gentle bliss began to settle over her, making way for the exhaustion. "Do you have any names?” She asked him sleepily. Already Venom had been tumbling some ideas around in her mind, but did their father?


"Venom & Maverick"

Comforting and supporting Venom while she relaxed and recovered from the fortunately uneventful birth of their four wonderful and amazing children, Maverick couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming swell of pride and love growing in his chest. All his life, Maverick had spent his time living for the here and now, never giving any consideration to what came around the next corner or what the next page in the book of life would bring him. In many ways, life was simpler when he had been nothing more than a scruffy vagabond. Simpler—but empty. Maverick had not known what had been absent from his life until Venom came into his world. The love she showed him gave him a purpose, and the family he’d made with her gave him a reason to think of tomorrow. Looking down at the nursing pups at his fiancée’s stomach gave him a reason to be afraid. It was an exhilarating sensation of totality, a thrill of the emotions life had to offer that he never imagined were possible!

As he went about describing their children to her, Venom’s happiness radiated off of her in infectious waves, and the giddy brute wrapped around her was practically vibrating with glee. He held Venom to his chest with a protectiveness while he let her rest her tired body, her commentary about her father showing through in their brown son’s coat answering his confusion. Mav gave a soft “Ohhh” of understanding, briefly wondering about Venom’s sire who he’d never get to meet. Venom’s weary sigh and comment about naming their pups perked up Mav’s attention, and a fresh wave of panic hit him. Oh shit, they still had to name the little jellybeans!

"Uhhh… I’ve never named anything in my life," he admitted with a sheepish smile and mismatched ears folding to his head, gazing down at the four tiny wolf nuggets. In all his days, Mav had never been responsible for another living being up until he’d gotten his companions here in Ashen, and even then he hadn’t thought to name them. Nervous eyes moving from pup to pup, Maverick began to feel the stress creeping in on him. Curling a little bit tighter around Venom for the security she provided him, Mav carefully rested his giant head over the back of her neck, nuzzling into her scruff while deftly avoiding her scruff quills he’d long since memorized the locations of. "I don’t even know where to begin… How did you pick the names of your first litter?" Hopefully Venom could offer him some insight into the finer mechanics of being a parent.

"Venom & Maverick"

She felt safe, relieved, loved, and absolutely exhausted as Maverick held her tightly. His protective grasp and the euphoric chemicals racing through her system allowed her to fully relax there next to her soon to be husband, as they curled around her hard won litter of puppies. The birth was smooth, but even the easiest birth was a difficult experience and Venom wasn’t spared the exhaustion. She had Maverick there beside her, to keep her safe in the aftermath and support her through the challenges. They had many of those ahead, but right now they could bask in their accomplishment as they named the four new pups.

Maverick admitted that he hadn’t ever named anything in his life, which made Venom give a tired chuckle in response. He was so worried, and it was very endearing. Maverick curled tighter around her form, showing his uncertainty with hesitance. "Well, then you have nothing to worry about with beginner’s luck.” She teased him as he lowered his head and nuzzled into her soft fur, avoiding the quills in her scruff. His worry touched his voice as he sought her guidance, wondering where her eldest’s names were from.

"Hattori and I named them from his family.” Venom offered to his curiosity. "Should we name them after you? My Renegade Rogue.” She chuckled again with a lingering smile as she teased.

"Venom & Maverick"

Any nervousness or uncertainty he felt was always immediately dispelled by just how calm and confident Venom was in him. Her faith in him inspired Maverick to overcome those doubts that haunted his heart. When he was with her, he felt invincible. Her tired chuckle brought a little smile to his lips—gods, how he loved the sound of her laugh—and she reassured him that he'd have beginner's luck on his side when it came to naming their puppies. She did thankfully give him some pointers to start with though, explaining how her first litter had been named after her ex-husband's family. Mav's nose wrinkled up at the thought. He had cut all ties from his birth family, and he wasn't nearly conceited enough to want to honor his awful family in any way. Then she offered to name the pups after him and Maverick nearly balked at the idea, giving a sudden burst of laughter that he had to quickly silence with a paw over his muzzle so he didn't disturb the feeding pups.

"Sorry, I uh, wasn't really expecting that," he replied with a sheepish smile. But then Venom teased him by calling him "her renegade rogue" and a lightbulb went off in the ruffian's head. "Hey, those are pretty good, actually!" He leaned over Venom's swollen side to pick out their children in the order they had been born, finding the pale boy first and the dark navy one second. "Our eldest is Renegade, and our second born is Rogue." He thought to himself for a moment, trying out each name in his head as he looked between the two boys. His expression brightened up with glee. "Yeah, I think that can work!" That left the names for the other two then. He looked to the third boy, scratching at his head for a moment. What other words were synonymous with Maverick? "How about... Rebel for the boy? Hmm... nah, that's a bit too feminine when I say it out loud. Maybe Rebel for our daughter then? Since she's the only girl, she's the rebel out of the boys." Yeah, that made sense, right?

"Sooo... Ruffian for the third boy? Oh, but do I really wanna give up my favorite nickname to him? I dunno if that's really fair. He needs his own name." Again, Maverick tapped a paw to his chin, mulling it over. "Dang, I really don't know that many words," he lamented with a bashful chuckle. "How about Rampage? Because it's, like, you rush around in a rampage, and that's kinda how you met me, rushing all around your borders with no fucks given. Plus it also begins with R, so it's thematic." Maverick grinned, proud of the correlation he drew up between his suggestion and their dating history. At least he was until he realized what he'd just said and his expression fell. "Oh shit, I just cursed in front of the puppies. They can't understand me yet, right? I didn't just ruin them, did I?" Another beat, and then, "Damn, I just did it again!" Mav flinched, praying that their children's first words didn't turn out to be swears they heard from their idiot father.

"Venom & Maverick"

Despite how much work and effort giving birth to her puppies was, both parents were now relaxing and giggling together in the aftermath of welcoming their new family members. Venom was most happy about the eviction notice going through. Despite an easy pregnancy she had been very excited to get them out. They chuckled along together at the thought of naming the puppies all after him, but the more the idea settled in the more they both liked it. As Maverick would go on to proclaim. Their first born would be Renegade, followed by little Rogue.

"They’re perfect,” She mused, about both names and the puppies themselves. Using his beginners luck the proud father went on, mentioning Rebel for the next, but changed his mind as the name rolled off his tongue. No, that would be for their youngest pup and only daughter. His verbal train of thought made her giggle, and further endeared him to her. It seemed like every day, and every life changing event they experienced together, only made her love him more. "Our little Bel.” Venom said quietly, trying not to think of her own mother’s nickname.

Maverick was hesitant to name their last boy Ruffian, and Venom had to agree. She wanted to keep that one for the little troublemaker’s father. His thought process was laid open for her to hear, and despite the exhaustion settling over her, Venom continued to offer little giggles and chuckles as he worked his way through naming their pups. "Rampage over Ruffian, certainly.” She agreed as he caught himself cursing in front of them, over and over again. Venom didn’t chastise him, only continued to giggle. "You’re fine. You have maybe a week to get out of the habit before their little ears even really develop. Right now they don’t know much more than food and love.” She cooed as she nuzzled their soft little bodies while feeling another wave of tiredness pull at her.

"I’m so happy, Maverick.” She muttered sleepily as she lowered her head back over his paws, sighing softly as she let herself finally relax against him. She could sleep easy knowing that he was watching over her and their brand new babies.


"Venom & Maverick"