Swiftcurrent Creek the road that led us here

he hadn't taken into consideration her lack of history, no frame of reference to which she could compare it. he also didn't consider the fact that she would let him feel them within her; he had all but given up hope of that. his golden eyes widened very slightly, lips parting infinitesimally. yes, he said, after a beat or two of silence. yes, i would.

aditya came close, slowly, like a bomb squad going into the line of duty. very gingerly, he placed a paw upon her distended belly—and felt movement, like fish beneath the surface of water, rippling, pulsing. every so often, a sharper kick!, but more just rolling, tumbling, enjoying their life before this world.

he turned his face to dawn's; his countenance was suffused with wonder. oh, he murmured, a dazed smile coming over his face. subhanallah. he didn't know why he said it, why it came out—he remembered one of his friends long ago would utter the phrase in moments of great beauty, of great joy. it seemed right, in this particular scene. it seemed the only word to express what he felt.

they'll be perfect, adi whispered, removing his paw but not yet placing it on the ground, as if that would spoil the touch of before. they already are, dawn.