[PRP] Fears of Our Fathers [Cursed x Still]

[Chrystali]

He'd lost track of time, of just how long he'd been pacing at Cursed's place -- their place -- but it seemed like the sun had been gone for hours. Maybe it had. He wasn't quite in the right headspace to really say.

At least, he thought, the ground nearly undisturbed beneath his light hooves despite his pacing, they've been blessed. They're safe. Safe from what? From me. From...me being like...

A father he never knew.

The Acha shook his head hard, feeling his scaled back crawl with that constant confusion. He was born into The Mother's Club, a tribe to raise children and hold their upbringing as paramount - but he, a male, found that he did not know where his presence as a father was supposed to be. The more time that passed, the more the anger and loathing within him aimed at his gene donor was beginning to diminish. The more it seemed silly. Maybe this is the way of things. Maybe his tribe was an exception. Maybe he didn't have to spend his life in the shadow of his own convoluted thoughts.

Besides, he'd already been a father to a clutch. They weren't born by him but MotherFather knew, they were his and he'd tear out throats of anykin who'd think otherwise. Now, though, he understood Cursed's fear when his clutch had been born -- the fear of bloodline. The fear of passing on every dark nook and cranny within himself. The sickening swell of uncertainty of how he wanted to --

He heard a sound, and even knowing it was likely Cursed just making his presence known, Stillborn bristled, his tail bushy and held as a warning, ears flat, waiting for the darkness that was his mate to materialize.

Aric Val

 

[Aric Val]

And then a big dark shadow emerged from behind the bushes and thick trees, eyes glowing red and body large and intimidating -- yet the leaves beneath this creatures hooves cracked slowly, the steps gentle and languid. A stark contrast to the kin's huge form.

He could smell Stillborn's scent from afar, a scent he knew now more than his own territory, himself, the scent of home. The kiokote stepped out from under the dark shadows of the trees, a small smile on his muzzle as he could see his mate, large dark tail brushing against the air back and forth in excitement. But immediately he could see the other's mood wasn't exactly the same.

"Still..." He started, a deep rough voice as Cursed moved forward, immediately touching his dark nose to the acha's cheek. "?" His eyes looked at Still, brushing his tail against the other's back.

Chrystali

 

[Chrystali]

The Acha's ears lowered only slightly in acknowledgement before the Kiokote reached him, growling softly in wordless response but pressing his nose into Cursed's thick furred neck. He was agitated, but it wasn't at Cursed, and for some reason, he needed the other to know that.

But next time, a Legendary's voice echoed in his mind, bring your pride and your tongue with you.

Even she had seen he wasn't himself. Would he disappoint the giant Kiokote, too?

Stillborn growled sharply again before withdrawing, gently nipping at Cursed's front leg to indicate he wanted him to follow. He couldn't find his tongue yet and his pride felt like it was dangerously teetering on the non-existent, but he still had to communicate with this one. He had to let the Kiokote in on his thoughts, even if he didn't know why he felt so compelled. Swishing his lupine tail, Still looked over his shoulder with a dull sort of discontent before he turned and made his way into The Mother's Club territory.

And he lead in silence. He was small and fast but aware of his company's larger stature and gait, almost automatically taking the larger paths with less obstruction for him rather than the smaller, bush-heavy ones he was used to. It didn't take long to find the heart of the tribe, most sleeping, those that weren't paying him any mind (for they knew who he was and likely had a better idea of what Cursed was to the Acha than Still knew himself). Head low, he maneuvered around the mothers, the children, the firepit and the foodpit to a small area still within the clearing but more off to the side, if not a little secluded. It wasn't far from where Still had raised Cursed's clutch.

There was a large doe sleeping between the dark nook Still was circling near to and the firepit; he spared her a glance, even going so far as to quietly trot around her for a moment before leaving her be. Still's gait faltered and then stopped entirely, sitting down suddenly and staring at the small nest made in the darkness, gazing at it heavily with a tight jaw before looking sullenly to Cursed.

Four small forms were nearly unseen, save for one yawning and shifting in slumber. Babies. His children.

His ears flattened against his skull, brows furrowed tight. He wasn't happy...but he was trying to get Cursed to understand why. All four reasons, healthy and piled upon each other.

Aric Val

 

[Aric Val]

Cursed felt the agitation and knew it wasn't because of him, of course not, it was obvious something was on Still's mind. And oh he pressed his nose gentle against the acha as long as he could in comfort, not forming any words but wordless encouragement. He could tell what his mate wanted most times without any words, nodding his head in understanding when Still growled and nipped gently at his leg, making a deep sound and following quietly, closely. Their two forms, large and small, walking till they arrived where the acha wanted them to go.

The kiokote was familiar with this territory -- seeing his own children protected and taken cared of in this place -- a beautiful memory to him, even if it was a fleeting one. He was always a little bit cautious anyway despite the familiarity, knowing well, what he was, but he wouldn't have walked into the territory if he wasn't sure he was going to be 'not himself'.

His bright eyes wandered at the small ones, hardly the size of his head, blinking at how delicate and rather, wonderous they were. This place was the most he had been around others in his whole life. -- and then when the acha stopped, paid attention to a kimeti he hadn't seen before, he subtly raised a little brow. Sensing something, slowly putting together pieces ... "---" and about to say something but then he heard that gentle yawn in the darkness, a small silhouette moving in a little pile, sweet sleepy sounds hanging in the air. And then he looked over and the pieces were all put together with that look Still gave him.

His mouth was open in quiet wonder -- three of them had the colour of the fur he loved to press his nose against, the large kiokote looking up at Still and back to the children -- and back to his love.

"Still..." He smiled softly, he could understand already why the other felt conflicted, though he wouldn't say it out loud. Only smiling soft at the acha, and nodding his head, his large tail touching at Still's.

"They look so much like you."

Chrystali