[ P ] Across The Universe

W

hat was once a meadow full of the floral delights of spring was now laden with a crystalized surface that sparkled in the sun. The snow the meadow appear to be an open sea of stark white. It was a vast expanse open expanse that enticed a gasp of awe from Clover where they stood at one edge of the open field. As she exhaled, her breath formed a cloud just past her lips in the frigid air.

Pink orbs gazed upon Cian there next to her, nothing but pure adoration dancing in her eyes as she looked at him. Is it far from here, Cian? The College? Clover was exhausted, though she didn't want to truly admit it out loud. She had certainly been more sluggish as of late, though she didn't want to become a burden as she progressed in her pregnancy. Hopefully, the healers at this college he told her about were close by and she'd have a chance to finally rest after their travels.

@Cian

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

THREAD TITLE MUSE

T

he air was cold and biting, though it was still midday. Winter was progressing quickly, which meant that spring was soon to follow, only weeks away. And spring meant big, big changes in the lives of Cian and Clover. It had been his idea to move to the Lowlands, at least for a short time, and his reasoning had been two-fold: so that they would be close to healers and the like who had knowledge of herbs, and to get away from the fae of the forest. He appreciated the magical beings for their contribution to Clover’s life, but he did not want them to keep her pups when the arrived in the spring.

The night had been difficult, though, filled with anxious dreams about an uncertain future mingling with a past he hoped to avoid. But the commitment he had broken by leaving the army barracks all those weeks ago still lingered in the back of his mind, and those thoughts had manifested in a frightening dreamscape – one of being chased by shadows, of feeling unsafe, and of loss. In his nightmare, he had been taken away from Clover and their family, and put in a deep, dark place. Memories of this vivid dream had kept him distracted as he walked beside Clover.

It was her voice that pulled him away from those nervous ideas, and he flashed a lopsided smile. The dreams were, after all, only that, and if he could only be careful, surely things would work out for the best. So far, they had. ”I think it’s close to here.” He had been there before, but only once, and under the context of his old army duties. ”But if you’re tired, we can rest right here. Are you hungry? Thirsty?” He regarded Clover with some caution, protective of the she-wolf and her ever-growing belly.


Nothing's gonna change my world.



@Clover

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

C

lover nodded, steeling her resolve as best she could as she took another breath and stared ahead of them. Pink orbs scanned the open plain, the silence of the winter making everything seem far more open than before. She'd never been as hesitant before, but she was thinking back to her father's stories. There was one she recalled one where a lone hare had sought the freedom of an open meadow, but had not stopped to think about the fox that was watching and waiting for her to come out into the open so that he could snatch her up.

She swallowed, feeling the nervousness propel her forward, continuing to move her legs as she turned around to look at Cian. "If it's close I...I think I can make et 'till we get there." If they kept moving, the chances of danger would be lesser than if they stopped only because she wanted to rest her feet for a few moments. Clover was starting to realize that the instinct to protect her family the best way she could were newer...it must have come with the growing pups she carried.

The mother-to-be trotted along, trying to distract herself with the satisfying crunch of the snow as she stepped through the snow. There was still a dull ache in her swollen feet, but it was easy enough to overlook so long as she kept her mind off of it. They were a few strides past the middle of the open space when she felt a pressure in her abdomen. Clover halted immediately, her stance staggered for a moment as she gained her bearings, glancing over her belly as she took a couple of deep breaths. It happened again, but this time it felt like something turning around and pressing out against and across her skin. "Cian...Cian, come here."

@Cian

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

”I

f it's close I...I think I can make et 'till we get there." Cian sighed softly. Clover was a strong wolfess, but still, he worried. And what could he do to make it easier? If only there was a way. Instead, it was difficult to feel so powerless to help in these sorts of situations. All he could do was stay by her side and try to anticipate any needs. The walk from the fae forest had taken a long time, though, and while he hoped it would be worth the traveling, he was about to suggest that they stop to rest anyway, because it had to be hard for Clover –

Suddenly, Clover stopped in her tracks, and Cian paused in place as he looked at his love, concern written across his flame-kissed features as he examined what the problem could be. She called to him, and he could feel his heart beat faster. It couldn’t be… ”What – what’s wrong? Is it time?” His eyes were wide with worry. The youth had spoken to Clover’s mother to get a better idea of what was to come, and from her estimation, it would still be a couple of weeks until the pups arrived.

Unless, of course, it was happening early, which was what Cian instantly assumed. His mind began to race -- should he run ahead and find help? Or would that only make it more challenging for Clover? Was this normal? Was it safe? How early was too early?



@Clover

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

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hen she turned her head to look at him, she could see the concern plainly written across his features as he was quick to move in and examine her. She blinked at him, her own expression taking on more of a focused look before she shook her head. "No, no, I dun think think it's time or anythin' like that." She hummed thoughtfully and as if on cue, she felt the pressing on one side and she leaned over to nude Cian to get his attention.

"There et is! Here, come closer and feel this!" Clover urged him, even lowering herself to the ground and rolling into her side slightly. "There, right there! Feel!" Clover gestured to a specific spot of her belly, now needing the validation that she wasn't the only one who was able to feel such a prominent sensation in her abdomen.

@Cian

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

A

deep breath parted the youth’s lips, a sigh of relief. It was not the time, not yet, though that time would soon be here. Cian had been reassured for mere seconds when Clover’s expression changed again, and his eyebrows knit with concern.

Clover invited him closer, to experience the odd sensation that she felt inside of her where their offspring were growing. Cian watched her side for a lingering moment, studying the exact point that Clover had indicated, as if waiting for something to pop out – though he was now well aware that that’s not where pups came from. He inched closer and sat beside his companion, gingerly placing the side of his head against her abdomen. It took only a second before he felt something, too – it felt like a tiny flicker, just the hint of movement, but he was certain of it.

Wide-eyed and in awe, he remained there to see if it would happen again. This time, it came a little stronger, like a faint kick. It occurred to him then that this was most likely the case – a kick from one of the little lives they had created, together, just waiting to be born. ”Wow.” Those little movements, barely discernible, were real. Those pups were real. It was as if the reality had washed over him anew. ”How many – how many do you think are in there?”



@Clover

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

V

ibrant pink orbs did not leave his face until she watched the recognition pass over his face and awe settled over him. "You do feel it, then?" There was the briefest form of relief, instantly replaced by a burst of excitement, her tail starting to wag back and forth wildly. Cian's deep tenor vibrated against her form as he spoke and it was as though he had initiated a dance from within her. "Ohhoho, oh, oof..." Though she was smiling, she did have to adjust herself where she was laying to avoid the discomfort from the shifting and moving from her womb.

"My, my...they do love the sound of their Papa." Clover chuckled gently and leaned her head closer to Cian's as she could, moving to touch her nose to his. She added a swift lick and hummed as she closed her eyes, feeling nothing but love for him and for the little lives that grew with each passing day. "How many? Hm..." She draws away only to look down at her swollen middle and tilts her head before she gasps and smiles at him mischievously. "What if there were ten of 'em in there?"

@Cian

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

”M

y, my...they do love the sound of their Papa." His eyes drifted closed as Clover offered her sweetness. Cian felt as if he were the luckiest wolf in the world. And part of that good luck was the unborn pups. A surprise, but in the best way. He could feel it now, already protective of them, whether there was one or…

”Ten!” His eyes opened quickly and looked at Clover with a bewildered look – he knew it was not possible, since he had discussed all of the details with Clover’s mother, and he had been informed that litters were usually less than five pups. Even that seemed like a whole lot. They would be outnumbered! With fiery eyes still wide with surprise, he glanced between Clover’s grinning face and her growing belly. ”I – don’t think that could be.” His imagination conjured up what it might be like – chasing little versions of Clover and himself all about, losing them, undoubtedly, because there were only two of them… versus how many rambunctious children? ”Which is probably a good thing.”

He sat back, finally, still in wonder of it all. Like a story has come to life. What would they be like? Would they be full of energy like their mother? A litter of rosy-eyed pups with bright smiles? Or would they be more like him? Would there be boys, girls? Only time would tell. With a dreamy expression, he leaned closer to nuzzle Clover’s cheek gently. ”I hope they all look like you. We can call them…” He paused for a moment to consider, before offering with a silly grin, ”Clover Junior. Or, Clover the Second?”



@Clover

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

T

he mother-to-be burst into a fit of melodic laughter at Cian's reaction to her predicted quantity of pups. She was rather sure there were not going to be ten pups, no where close, but seeing the look of surprised confusion on her lover's face was absolutely priceless. "You should...see your face...right now!" Clover was practically in tears as she did her best to catch her breath, having to purse her lips to suck any back into her lungs at all.

She finally exhaled a long sigh and looked up at Cian as he gazed upon her with an expression that she knew so well now. There was no doubt in her mind that this young man, the reason for the beating of her heart, her entire world, and the father of their children to be was completely in love with her as much as she was with him.

She returned his nuzzling, warmth spreading across her cheeks and throughout her being as she glowed in the light of his adoration. "No fair...I was hoping they would look like you." As he attempted to name their children she giggled, feeling the movement in her belly again. "Hm, perhaps, we wait to name them until we meet them?"

@Cian

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

”Y

ou should...see your face...right now!" Clover’s laughter inspired him to join along, and their amusement echoed through the wintry forest. In that moment, it felt as if they were the only wolves around, and everything else seemed far away but their own personal reality. The possibilities of their future felt endless – still daunting, but exciting.

The young femme countered Cian’s comments, stating, "No fair...I was hoping they would look like you." Clover giggled – a sound like music to his senses, and one of the countless things he loved about her. Cian’s smile was insuppressible, spread wide across his pale muzzle as his partner spoke again: "Hm, perhaps, we wait to name them until we meet them?” The youth nodded eagerly. ”Yes. That is a good idea. See what they look like first. All we can do is wait.”

They could look just like Clover – or they could look like Cian’s Highlander roots, with his flame-kissed pelt inherited from his mother’s heritage. Maybe they would have his mother’s emerald eyes. Or… They could look like his father, that stoic man lost to the grave, who looked every bit a Mainlander in countenance and coat. This thought threatened to diminish Cian’s enthusiasm, but he shook his head, trying to dismiss the idea that his children would somehow look like their grandfather.

No, he wanted to see little sandstone-colored pups running around, with maybe a hint of Highlander flame. ”Wait for them, find the healers first." Those same worries began to resurface. "How do you feel now?”



@Clover

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck