It had been the best week of his life. He spent hours just simply staring at his children, studying their features until he could have rattled off every single minute detail in his sleep. Watching how they moved, how they interacted. Their personalities were coming out, even this early, while blind and deaf to the world around them. They were all perfect. Special. And his.
Of course, that meant it had been the most terrifying week of his life as well. Two boys, two girls. Just like his last litter. If he wasn't watching them like a hawk, he was hunting, giving Pema as much food as she could handle. This wouldn't end like last time. Come the fall, his mate and pups would be fat, happy, and perfectly healthy--alive and well. This wouldn't come to a tragic denouement--he would see to that if it killed him.
Shale lay half in, half out of the den, gazing lovingly at the homely scene before him. Wondering just how the gods had deemed him lucky enough to receive such a blessing.
She was content to simply bask in the warmth of her mother and drink as much milk as was possible for a week old pup. The world around her was unexplored seeing as how she didn’t know anything other than he small family.
Discovering that she needed a more comfortable position, she wiggled and kicked out her paws searching for a more desirable position. Flinging her foot out to her side she would have caught one of her brother square in the gut.
Using her front paws she accidentally pushed herself further from her mother than she had expected. Her langley legs proving more awkward to handle than originally anticipated. Suddenly to far for her own comfort, Padma let out an ugly cry, and wiggles some more.
*jumps in the air, hand raised* ME ME ME!!!!
He was full of milk and satisfied. Having drunk his fill not too long ago, he was rolledo ver on his side, mewing in his sleep. Till something hit him in the gut, and he mewed very, very loudly. It hurt, even if it was merely a strong tap. Now with his sister, he was crying too.
The long, lanky girl was a feisty one, and Shale couldn't resist a laugh as she clocked her smaller brother right in the stomach, though his brows did knit in concern for little Radcliffe. Then she was headed his way, and confusion hit her; Padma let out a wail, flailing. They both were crying, now, and it was only a matter of time until they woke the others as well.
"Shhhh, shhh," he whispered soothingly, leaning forward to draw his tongue along Padma's tiny body. He took her ever-so-gently in his mouth and placed her against Pema's belly again, giving her one parting lick before giving kisses to Radcliffe as well. "It's all right. Mama's here. Daddy's here."
His eyes must be full of stars, looking at them. He had no words to describe how overjoyed, how proud he was, of both Pema, for giving them this blessing, and of the quartet assembled. They would grow up well, a testament to their bloodline.
She had been sleeping soundly. Comforted by the presence and the feeling of her children. Until that was two loud squeals woke her up. She lifted her head quickly wondering what was wrong with her sacred darlings. Luckily the first thing she was saw Shale. Sweetly hushing their lovely pups. Which brought her some comfort.
She looked down at the four little bodies at her size and nuzzled them sweetly. "What's all the fuss about?" she said aloud though indirectly address at Shale.
A wet tongue soothed her frame, bringing her strong cry to a subtle whimper. Her ears had perked at the whaling of another. She hadn't meant to hurt anyone, especially not the small bundles that were constantly by her side. Being raised from the ground by a gentle jaw she let out a bleat not used to being off the ground. Rejoining her mothers side, Padma was able to relax as she nosed her way to a teat suddenly famished from her short adventure. Her deaf ears couldn't catch the conversation happening above her head. Nudging her body against the small frame of her brother, she tried to apologize in her own way.
Radcliffe hurt for only a few seconds, yet still he wailed. Till he felt a kiss on him that was calming and soothing him slowly, and soon he quietened. He felt something nudge him, and was still soothed, not crying out once more....Till he got hungry and then he started mewing outloud.
He smiled down at Pema, the very image of beauty incarnate, nestled into the den with their pups at her belly. "Just some pup wrestling," Shale assured her, his voice pitched just above a whisper. "Nothing they won't get over." Already they were beginning to settle, Padma latching onto a teat. Radcliffe had no such luck, and began to wail again.
With an inward sigh, Shale leaned over and nosed him closer to the cream belly of his mother. "C'mon, kid," he murmured, a chuckle in his voice. "Can't do everything for'ya." There, now they seemed to be more or less in an orderly line, and his eyes creased as he grinned, gazing upon them. He glanced back at Pema, head cocked in inquiry.
"How are you?" Shale asked, unable to keep the worried note from his tone. He'd been hunting nearly nonstop, but it didn't seem like enough; the pups were literally sucking the life from his mate, and it was his job to give that life back to her in spades, through prey.
He assured her that it was just a little bit of pup wrestling which further brought her mind to ease. It seemed like the littlest things in this world were enough to make these little ones scream like it was the end of the world. Of course, to them, it seemed that way. All they knew was this den, their siblings, and their parents. If any of that was out of wack so was their entire world.
Pema turned slightly allowing herself to rest on her forearms. She reached her head over to Padma and gave her a few licks and nudges of her own as she began to settle down for another meal. Radcliffe on the other hand, the poor little guy was beside himself. So close and yet, to him, so far. She giggled along with Shale. "You can bring a pup to his mother's teat, but you can't make him drink from it." she said twisting the old phrase about horses to water.
Pema nudged Radcliffe allowing him to recognize her presence and encourage him to eat along with his sister. She wanted her pups to be healthy and as plump as she could have them.
Shale was being his usual considerate self as he asked how she was doing. It made her smile and laugh alittle bit. She liked to think to herself that he was being considerate, but she knew very well deep down that a lot of it was due to his worry. "I'm great. Alittle tired and exhausted at times, but I'm assuming that's normal after giving birth and while I'm feeding so often." she stated though as somewhat of a question as she had never experienced this before. "What about you?" she asked."You've been working so hard bringing us food." she remarked.
The little girl was soothed further by her mothers tongue, distracted from her meal she pulled away to mew at the giant form of her mother. For only a moment, before returning whole heartedly to her meal, drinking deeply. Still pressed against her brother, Padma hoped he would be ok soon.
feel free to skip unless mentioned
Radcliffe was helped over, and he latched on to begin to get his own fill from his mother. He was drinking steadily from then on, till he was done and unlatched. He pulled back and sat down, letting out a very happy mewing sound. He was grateful now for having his fill.
He laughed at Pema's joke, nodding in agreement. His eyes softened as the pups settled, drinking then falling into the blissful, milk-filled stupor that marked every pup's initial existence in this world. Finally, it was just him and Pema again, alone, their voices the barest murmurs in the crowded den. At her question, his eyes creased with a smile, almost catlike.
"I've never been better," Shale whispered. He pointed his muzzle at the bundles at her belly. "Them. You. Us. It's perfect--all of it. I couldn't ask for more."
Was he tired? Sure. But this made it all worth it. He squeezed further into the den, curling up next to Pema, giving her a long lick on the cheek before resting his chin atop her head. "I love you," he breathed, chest heaving in a contented sigh. "Thank you. Thank you for everything you've given me. I'm more thankful for you than I could ever explain."