Work Text:
“Aren’t they adorable?”
“Extremely”
Copia watched the glimmer in his girlfriend’s eyes as the two of them sat on the floor in front of the large rat cage. Inside, several of the little rodents scampered about, kicking up paper shreds and squeaking happily. Alena laughed, “…they really know how to entertain themselves, don’t they?”
“Oh, yes. They’re almost never quiet.”
“I can tell..”
“Mmhm. And, they’re very smart creatures.” The Cardinal reached forward and put his finger through the bars. One of the rats, a large solid white female, came over and sniffed at him. He chuckled. “-oh, that reminds me. I forgot to tell you.”
“Oh?”
“-Petunia. You see she is.. quite bigger than you last saw her? Yes?”
“Ohh.. now that you mention it, yeah.” Alena moved her head forward to get a better look. Copia smiled, scratching the rat under the chin while she cooed to it, “…aww, baby girl, is Copia feeding you too much?”
“Actually, it is not from food, Alena.” He turned his gaze to her, excitement in his features.
“..it’s not? Then what-“
“-Petunia is pregnant! ” He exclaimed happily, gazing between her and the rat, which was making happy chirping sounds. “…at least, I’m pretty sure she is.”
“Wait… she’s..!” Alena gasped, a smile spread on her face too. “..oh, Satan, that is perfect ! So that means-“
“-That’s right!” The Cardinal dropped his finger and scooted closer, taking Alena’s hands into his. “- baby rats! Isn’t that exciting?”
“Yes! Ahh!” She squeezed his hands, leaning forward to kiss him once on the cheek before turning back to the rat cage. Petunia sat inside, her little pink nose twitched. “ Awww , congratulations, sweet girl,” Alena giggled. “-rat babies are precious ”
“Tell me about it.” Copia laughed. He reached back over to scritch Petunia under the chin again.
“Do you know which one is the father?” She asked. He tilted his head.
“Uhm…m.. I would guess one of those two.” He motioned with his head towards two other large male rats on the opposite part of the cage. One of them was a nice white like Petunia, while the other a rusty brown. “..it will be easier to tell when they’re born, I’m sure.”
“Ahh. Right. How did you figure she was pregnant, by the way?” Alena wondered. She chuckled lightly, “..she just looked a bit thick to me until you mentioned it..”
“Well…” Copia pondered for a second. “-I think it is very safe to say, yes. Based on my ratio of male to female rats as well as her age and their mating cycles… it only makes sense, no? When she started gaining wait seemingly out of nowhere, I opted to check her a bit. She is thick around the middle.. but not really fat anywhere else. Makes sense?”
Alena nodded. Copia continued, “She is also making a nest, see? Right back there,” He pointed a gloved finger, the latex crinkled around his wrist, “I spotted it when I went to clean their cage the other day. N on è carino? She will need it when the time comes to bring her babies into the world. I gave her some extra bedding.”
“How long are rats pregnant for?”
His mustache scrunched along with his nose, in thought, “mm.. A little under a month, typically, 21, to 25 days, maybe? Around there?”
“Ohh, okay. Interesting,” Her cheeks were a bit pink, “...you’re so knowledgeable, Copia.”
“Heheh.. Yes, well. When you have been a rat papa for as long as I have, you pick up a few things,” Just then, he reached up to crack the cage door open , to allow one of the curious grey boys to poke his head out. His little rattie eyes boggled, “-Isn’t that right, tortellini?” In response , the small rodent sniffed his finger. “..Anyways. I apologize, I don’t mean to bore you with my rambling.”
“Ohh, no. Don’t be silly, Copia. Nothing makes my heart happier than listening to you talk.” She scooted closer to him.
“..Really?”
“Really. Come now, you know that.”
He blushed bashfully and glanced down, “Yes, well.. It just still surprises me to think you truly do feel that way.”
“Of course I do. Come here, you silly.”
With a chuckle, Copia leaned in just as Alena wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him close, tilting her head up to catch his lips in a firm kiss. Oh, how wonderful it felt. How much she loved him. Her thumb lightly brushed past his sideburn as she caressed his cheek before pulling away. There was bliss in his eyes that perfectly complemented the red on his face. They were quiet for a moment, before Alena chimed up again with another question.
“..So how many babies are in a litter?”
“It can vary a lot. Anywhere from 5, to maybe, 18 or 20 at the very highest.” He was leaning against her now, they were shoulder to shoulder as they sat on the floor, “Rat babies need extra special care , you know… they are born both blind and deaf. And it can take about two weeks for them to gain those senses. Usually, I like to take some extra precautions. Especially since this is Petunia's first litter.”
“How adorable…”
“Si..” He sighed, very contently. His eyes shifted from the cage, back over to the woman he was leaning against. Copia smiled at her. His eyes were half lidded, “You know. I could not ask for a better rat mama by my side.”
“Oh, Copia…”
“I mean it. They love you very much. Just as I do.” He leaned in until their noses were touching, “I love you.”
“Oh, dear. I love you too”
<3