She shrugged, waving her hand vaguely. "It's already passed; it was first thing. I found out something I think you'll be wanting to know, though."
"Should I be w-worried?"
"Oh aye, very. I'm pregnant again, so you'll be dealing with a right terror for a wife, soon."
Len clapped a hand to his mouth, his eyes glazing with tears. Drokas shrieked, making Len’s ears twitch as he winced, but he scooted closer to her and took her hand again. He closed his eyes, a little crease of concentration appearing between his brows that she desperately wanted to lick, of all things. He was quiet and still for a moment, then he opened his eyes and used his grip on her hand to pull her into a one-armed hug.
"Sweet Delenaa, Daega this is w-wonderful. I'm—I'm sohappy."
Daega began tearing up too, despite herself, her chest feeling overfull and tight with emotion. "I love you so much, Len."
"I love you too, D-Dae."
"Waaaait," Drokas interjected, worming his way between them and looking at each of them in turn. "Does this mean you're going to have a babby?"
"Aye, sweet boy," she chuckled, ruffling the short black curls nestled between his horns. "You'll be a big brother in a couple of months."
"Oh. So then you did the fucking? Nuntie Tesse said that's how babbies are made."
Len choked and went bright red, and Daega prayed for patience for her cunt of a sibling. "It is, but that term is a rude one. You shouldn't use it, dove. 'Having sex' is better."
Drokas looked confused. "But why would Nuntie Tesse tell it to me if it was rude?"
Daega sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. "You know how when you get too much energy you like to spook people and talk loudly? Doing things like teaching children rude words is what Tesse does when they feel the same. I promise you though, it's bad for you to say."
Drokas only shrugged. "Your siblings are all weird."
Daega laughed—that wasn't even the half of it. Tesse'd be getting an unwelcome visit later for doing this.
"Will my sibling be weird like yours?" her son asked, leaning his head on Len's shoulder and nearly nicking Len's face with his horn.
"They might be. Will you still love them?"
"Hmm…" Drokas gave it real consideration, his huge paw-like feet swinging so that his high ankles kicked at Len's shins. "I suppose I still would. It's more important that they're nice, and I'll teach themallabout that."
Len wrapped Drokas in a tight hug, kissing his forehead. "That's right, darling. Kindness is everything. M-my clever boy."
Drokas beamed. "Will you come with me and Mum and Grandda hunting this afternoon, Da?"
"I have a meeting, but I-I might be able to convince them t-to reschedule for tomorrow." Len wouldn't have a hand in any of the actual hunting, but he liked spending time with them, she knew, and getting fresh air was a nice bonus.
Daega admired her boys, the two pieces of her heart and soul living outside her body, and smiled softly. Her hand went to her flat belly, wishing she could sense something of the life just starting to grow inside her. It felt impossible, that she'd be gifted so much love just from doing her duty, but there was no denying that it was there, and it was the most beautiful thing in all Cillure.
