Bearclaw Valley if he fell in love

for @Towhee Jr

rumors traveled fast in bearclaw, and they hadn’t spared him. whispers of her condition had reached his ears, setting a fire of questions in his mind. yet she hadn’t told him. and so, he was here, determined to hear it from her lips—no, her paws.

he strode closer, his breath misting in the cool air, a warm chuff escaping his throat as he neared her. he kept his gaze pinned firmly to her face, careful not to let it wander—though it took every ounce of restraint he possessed.

when he was close enough, he leaned in without hesitation, his cold nose brushing hers before his tongue darted out for a brief, tender kiss. it was an affectionate gesture, uncharacteristic in its softness—he was putting his foot forth in being more direct with his affections. tvar didn’t wait to see how she might react, instead pulling back just enough to sign quickly with his paws, goodmorning, towhee.

his lips curved into a smile. without skipping a beat, he added, have you ate yet?

she took a few days to rest after visiting with her mother and brother ... because she needed it and because she had to sit a little longer on her revelation during it. the symptoms have not waned nor has there been any alarming change that might signal to her something was amiss.

which meant she was going to tell tvar. today. she was sure she was correct and that 'i think' no longer applied.

so, she sought him out; peering up at ghost as the falcon gives her a signal that someone was approaching. the scent told her it was tvar.

her heart gallops in her chest, both at the brush of his nose and tender kiss that follows but also with anticipation. how would he take the news? she presses a soft kiss to his cheek in return, hoping that what she had to share didn't end this. whatever it was. she was enjoying the plot twist she hadn't seen coming in her life.

-good morning, tvar,- she signs in return, giving her head a soft shake 'no'. her stomach was a gurgling mess of nerves. even if she wasn't dealing with morning sickness, she still couldn't eat. not until she got her news off her chest.

-you should know that i'm ...- her ptero falters for a moment. -i'm pregnant.-

the moment towhee’s paws move to sign the word, tvar knows. his heart leaps into his throat as the realization hits him fully—not just a suspicion, not just a gut feeling, but real.

before he can even think, he closes the space between them in a rush, his broad frame engulfing hers as he pulls her into a firm embrace. his laughter bubbles up, warm and unrestrained, vibrating against her as his muzzle buries into her neck fur. he inhales deeply, threading kisses through the dark strands with an almost desperate affection.

"towhee," he breathes, her name thick with awe and joy, though he knows she won't hear it. his paws are clumsy as he signs, his excitement making his movements swift and eager. i knew, he tells her, laughter still spilling from his chest. i had feeling, but to hear... his movements falter off as he looks at her. searching her face, her eyes.

he signs again, slower this time, trying to ensure she understands him fully. strong, towhee. family will be strong.

his paws falter briefly as he meets her gaze again, his voice softening as he signs once more, i won’t leave... your side! he wanted to sign, but couldn't quite figure it out.

if towhee could hear her heartbeat, it would drown out everything else. as it was, she could feel it, rapidly thrumming in her chest; her mouth dry as she watches tvar's reaction to the truth bomb she'd just dropped at his paws. but her anxiety evaporates as he rushes towards her, his laughter felt from his throat. her cheeks flush with hidden warmth as she feels the kisses he peppers along her neck.

the warmth from her cheeks blooms then in her chest, giving her a feeling of buoyancy. if not for his strong embrace, his presence towhee was sure she'd float away like one of ghost's feathers caught on the wind.

she is smiles naturally, so wide that her cheeks begun to ache.

but for a better reaction she could not've asked for!

she'd been steeling herself for raising them alone, would he have taken the news poorly.

but those worries had been all for nothing and then after the unbridled joy and warmth, relief eases the tension that had been held in her shoulders.

-i know they will be strong.- pride makes its home next in her chest; running towhee thru the gambit of emotions. strong and healthy. though admittedly and perhaps this was her maternal instincts already kicking in preparation: she would settle for healthy.

he trails off during his promise, though towhee can tell that it's not out of interest in finishing it but because he is still learning ptero ... even if she is impressed with how quick he caught on and how much he's retained ( and she is undeniably impressed ). -good,- she signs offering him a partially sly grin. -because i want to keep you.-

tvar’s chest swells at her words. eyes stay fixed on her paws as she signs, each one followed by the steady thrum of his heart. the pride in her chest mirrors his own, and when she finishes, the slyness of her grin draws a huffed chuckle from him. overwhelmed by affection for the woman, he gently pushes her onto her back; coming to lay beside her, pushing his front up to hover above her chest. his nose to hers.

there’s a warmth to his gaze, a quiet intensity; he is moved by the emotions swirling within him. tenatively, his own paws begin to move, raised by his head so that she can see. he signs: you and... his paws falter, hesitating as he tries to piece together the correct motions for their children. instead, he just presses his paw to her belly. them. he gestures. safe here. content to hold her, gaze into her eyes, and swathe her in tender kisses with his nose and mouth. he buries his nose to her throat and greedily drinks in her scent, eyes fluttering closed only briefly. opening to catch what she says last.

he leans in again, brushing his muzzle against her cheek before pulling back just enough to look her in the eye. be mine, he signs, head tilting as he looks for her reaction. he points to her with his paw, then to himself, and motions: mates.

when i tell you i was giggling and kicking my feet writing this. <3

towhee stares up at the clouds as she obliges, rolling onto her back — with the brief thought that soon she would not have such mobility ( at least until the children were born ) — only to feel a smile tugging at the edges of her lips as he steals her view. it was preferable view, much more handsome than the wispy clouds, for sure.

she sighs against his kisses and touches, amazed that instead of triggering her hostility the touch of his nose and mouth to her throat only fill her with warmth.

a sign of her affection for him, her trust.

-i know.- towhee signs confidently into the air with her paws as he pulls back some to read it.

towhee blinks slowly at him as she reads his ptero, her gaze assessing as she processes the words. his. his mate. his wife. hers. her mate. her husband. she had never imagined this life path for herself, but her initial life path had been born of her own selfishness. she is a mother-to-be, looking forward to sharing life with the babies growing in her womb ... and now she'd get to share it with tvar too.

it was no secret she was attracted to him and incredibly fond of him. she trusted him ... and she was carrying his children.

the golden tendrils of fate had weaved them together, irrevocably. in a way that she had never imagined during their first meeting.

-i will be yours and you will be mine, tvar.- she signs her acceptance of the proposal, tail beating against the earth.