Stone Circle Have you any dreams you'd like to sell?

He understands. He understands before the emotion fills his chest. That makes it a little easier, because there's something solid to put the feet of his mind on when the dashing of his hopes hits so much harder than he could have imagined.

His smile strains, but he stubbornly keeps it on his face, even when she's looked away and there's no chance of her seeing his courage.

Louis isn't jealous. His mind has always been filled with possibilities, though, and he wants to know how serious it is, how certain she is: if it can only be them or if there's room for another - the way Louis' parents found love. Would she reconsider? Does she have doubts?

Exploiting her isn't his intention; he just can't help but wonder if the path is really as closed as it seems to be.

She's pregnant, though. She might not be sure, but now he is. And he knows that the stability of a pack is better for pups and mothers alike than a road where tomorrow is far less certain.

If it had only been the 'someone', he might have asked if she was sure.

If it had only the life in her belly, he might have made grand promises about providing for them.

And she wants adventure, he knows she does. So even if it had only been these two things, the part of him that can never settle might have been bold enough to question. 

But it's both, and on top of it all she looks healthy here, happy. So the silence catches in his throat and he only nods, before looking back up at the sky. He's not sure if she sees that, either.

--

Quiet can't be allowed to last too long. At a certain point, careful consideration becomes reluctance and rudeness. Even a stumbling reply is more graceful than no reply at all.

"I understand." A slow inhale, and he tries to focus on the positive. "I'm glad you're happy. That's what matters."