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Neuvillette was sleeping on the sofa again.
Wriothesley’s gaze softened as it lingered on Neuvillette’s slumbering form, and he took care to keep silent as he approached him. Neuvillette had his head propped on a hand while an opened book lay forgotten on his lap. His pregnant belly rose and fell with each breath he took. Allowing himself a few precious moments to admire the peaceful expression on Neuvillette’s delicate features, Wriothesley then took off his coat, and placed it on Neuvillette. His mate, ever the light sleeper, stirred, and blinked open his eyes. He squinted at Wriothesley.
“You’re back…” Joy illuminated Neuvillette’s face.
Wriothesley smiled. “You’ll catch a cold if you sleep here.”
“A cold…?” Neuvillette covered his mouth as he yawned, and snuggled beneath Wriothesley’s coat. His eyelids briefly fell close as he sank his face into the fur collar. “It’s summer.”
“Late summer. Almost autumn.”
“The weather’s still warm, though it is taking a turn for the pleasant. It’s harder to keep awake these days,” Neuvillette admitted.
“You didn’t have to wait for me,” Wriothesley said, offering his hand. “A nap upstairs would have been more comfortable. Come, I’ll take the coat.”
“I wanted to.” Neuvillette slipped his fingers into Wriothesley’s waiting hand, though he continued clinging onto Wriothesley’s coat like a comfort pillow. With Wriothesley’s help, he got to his feet. He cupped his enlarged abdomen, and moved slowly as they scaled the stairs, catching his breath when they reached the top.
Entering the bedchamber, Wriothesley propped up pillows before guiding Neuvillette to the bed. He sat on the edge once Neuvillette was settled in. Neuvillette eschewed the blanket in favour of the coat, swaddling himself in it. He beamed a contented smile at Wriothesley.
“See? Isn’t it nicer to wait here?” Wriothesley said.
“It is, but I would like to be the first to welcome you home. The sofa’s not as uncomfortable as you insist it to be.”
“What do I do with you.” Wriothesley shook his head, caressing the back of his fingers against Neuvillette’s cheekbone, and tucking a lock of hair behind his ear. As Neuvillette shut his eyes, and leaned in, Wriothesley brushed a chaste kiss to Neuvillette’s mouth before shifting down to press his lips to the curve of Neuvillette’s belly.
According to Sigewinne and the physician they had hired, Neuvillette’s pregnancy was proceeding smoothly, and they could look forward to welcoming their pup in the late summer or early autumn. As he stroked Neuvillette’s belly, Wriothesley wondered not for the first time if they might have made a mistake. Neuvillette was so large Wriothesley was convinced he was due to give birth any day. He paused as he felt the pup’s movements beneath his palm, smiling as he rubbed gentle circles on Neuvillette.
“They're delighted, too, that you’re home.” Neuvillette placed his hand over Wriothesley’s.
“So am I.” Wriothesley gave him a tender smile. “How do you feel?”
“Drowsy.” Neuvillette sighed. “I spend most of my waking time now fighting the temptation of sleep. For a mercy, our pup has granted me some respite by moving their very active legs away from my ribs.”
“Good pup. No false contractions?”
Neuvillette pondered his question before shaking his head. “I had prepared myself for it on Head Nurse Sigewinne and Dr. Krile’s advice, but haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary.”
Relaxing with a nod, Wriothesley kissed Neuvillette’s belly again. He rested his ear on it, closing his eyes as he concentrated on their unborn pup’s heartbeat. Every moment he spent with Neuvillette was a blessing and a deeply cherished highlight of his day, and he couldn’t be more grateful for the fact that things at work were stable, affording him more time to devote to Neuvillette and their pup.
“...they’re kicking me in the face,” Wriothesley chuckled, running his hand along one side of Neuvillette’s abdomen. “I’m making you a soft toy, pup. I hope it’ll be to your liking.”
“You’re making a soft toy?” Neuvillette sat up. “May I see it?”
Wriothesley beamed up at Neuvillette. “It’s in the basement. I’ll bring it up later. My initial plan was to make a dragon, but that proved to be too ambitious. After many rounds of revision, my dragon toy has shrunk into a fish.” He grinned at the sound of Neuvillette’s laughter. “Marette had these beautiful navy blue fabrics lying around. They’re covered in star patterns. She stored them well, so they’re as good as new. Thought I’d put them to good use. Pup’s getting a starfish.”
Neuvillette reached out to stroke Wriothesley’s wolf ear with a thumb. “A starfish is shaped like a star, though…?”
“Why…you’re right.” Wriothesley felt the smile on his face broaden into an amused grin. “Starfish are real animals, aren’t they? Slipped my mind for a while there.”
“Our pup will have a starfish that’s one of its kind,” Neuvillette said, rubbing his abdomen before lightly pressing on one side. The pup stirred in response, their movements growing more noticeable.
“I still want to make that dragon toy a reality, eventually.” Wriothesley nuzzled the spot where the pup was reacting to his touches. “If a soft toy doesn’t work out, then I might carve it out of wood, perhaps mechanise it. A gift for when they’re older.”
“Using mecha to make a toy? You’re going to spoil them,” Neuvillette teased as he stroked Wriothesley’s hair.
“It’s merely one toy.” Wriothesley shrugged, grinning. “Besides, you and pup are the two most important persons in my life. You can’t blame me for wanting to give all my love to the both of you.”
Neuvillette’s expression eased into an affectionate smile as he ran his fingers through Wriothesley’s hair. He lowered himself, receiving a kiss from Wriothesley. “We know, dear Wriothesley.”
“I’ll never stop reminding you.” Wriothesley kissed him again. “Do you still feel sleepy? Shall I leave you to your nap?”
“Won’t you keep me company for a while longer…?”
One glance at Neuvillette’s hopeful face was all it took to melt Wriothesley’s heart into a puddle. Conceding to his mate, he got into bed, and held Neuvillette’s back flush against his chest. Neuvillette relaxed in his embrace as he took one of Wriothesley’s hands and placed it over his belly. Wriothesley nosed at Neuvillette’s neck, and touched his lips to Neuvillette’s earlobe. His tail flopped languidly against the bed. As they stayed together in quietude, he indulged himself in Neuvillette’s scent and warmth as he listened to his breathing.
“...it still feels like a dream, sometimes,” Wriothesley murmured.
“What does?”
“You being here,” Wriothesley said, “and being mine.”
Neuvillette turned the slightest bit so that their eyes met. He traced Wriothesley’s chin with his fingertips, before bringing him close for a kiss.
“Your warmth is real,” he hummed, holding Wriothesley’s hand against his abdomen, “and so is our child inside me.”
“Neuvillette…?”
“My love for you is as certain as the stars above us. I'll keep reminding you as many times as you need.”
Neuvillette need not have said a word, for his gaze had conveyed everything to Wriothesley. As a swell of emotions rose up within his chest, Wriothesley drew the other half of his heart and soul into his arms, and held him and their pup close.
“Thank you.” He breathed.
I love you, his heart whispered.