Qeya River But often it happens, you know

Briefly, he looked to her face, and not to her sides, and felt his heart warming. The Chieftan had chosen a beautiful wife, one with humour dancing in her eyes. He caught himself swooning momentarily, and dropped his gaze to her belly, where her gut swelled, skin pulled taught, parting the fur in place. But it was easy to look at her in this state, and still swoon. 

Healthy then, just like uh, just the way they should be, He said. He felt envious- not of Sun Eater, but of Star Eater; she would have children, soon. He wished he had the same certainty of Ice Diver’s state, but thus far, he was not sure.

But in spite of his envy, he felt excited too, and paused for a moment, tipping his ears forward eagerly, when he was invited to feel the children move.

What if Sun Eater walks in?!?

He had the thought as he practically crawled toward her, and stretched out his neck to place his cheekbone against her side, while keeping his body as far away from her as possible. 

Star Eater will keep me safe, He convinced himself, as he sidled a bit closer. 

He could hear gurgling, and he could hear the steady beat of her heart. And like rain falling on a hollow tree stump, he heard the pattering of little hearts, felt the movement of little paws. A smile came to his face as he listened, calm and still for once. He could have been there for hours, and he wouldn’t have noticed the passing of time until Star Eater’s voice roused him. 

He lifted his head and searched her expression momentarily. 

The March. 

It would be the caribou who decided how many children survived- a brutal truth that they had been told to accept. He reached out to boop his snout against her shoulder- knowing he would be completely incapable of touching her otherwise in a way that might seem too familiar, too suggestive of how his heart raced. 

You’ll have an army, He responded. He wanted to tell her he’d carry any stragglers on his shoulders if need be- though he knew it would not be allowed. He was feeling too much; he needed to break the heavy weight of worry. Besides- one of your kids just gave me a lickin’ He said, lifting a paw to rub his cheek. They’re strong. They’ll march.