just you and me

The softest brush of the early morning sun against her cheeks was enough to wake Nephele from her slumber. She rolled over to find the space next to her still warm, but empty. She guessed that her wife had let her sleep in and headed off to tend to their garden. Her shoulders shuddered as she released a big yawn, bottom lip trembling as her jaws parted. There were still things she needed to check on, patients that might call in later, but she figured it wouldn’t hurt to take the morning off to spend time with her son. It felt wonderful being able to call their pups daughters and sons. Little lives that depended on her for guidance and care. She was nervous that she might not be enough for them, that her own lack of mothering would leave her children wanting. The pups though were perfect even when they weren’t. Nephele was completely smitten with her children and so was Kylar.

"Luca?" her soft voice called out for her son, nose twitching and head tilted as she tried to gain a sense of where he was. She was still adjusting to making out the different pawsteps of her children, but they each had their own unique gaits. She decided that she would not pressure him to come along with her if he preferred to play with his sisters instead, but she was excited to spend the morning with him.

"speech"

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luca fritz

He hadn't been doing much that morning. He was tucked neatly between his sisters, fur brushing up against fur to create warmth between the three of them. Luca's head rose and a large yawn escaped his jowls- his maw opening wide as he surveyed the scene. Too early for his sisters to rise, though his brief movement had begun to rouse them. He debating plucking at their ears to get them moving faster so they could all play.

However, his attention turned to the cottage's entrance as his mother called to him. "Luca?" Her voice spoke softly. It was even more surprising that the three of them managed to out sleep their mother's, but not entirely rare. His ears perked and he rushed over hurriedly, as he always had when either of his mothers called. He danced around his sisters, making sure not to wake the two of them, then left the cottage and greeted the warm sunlight.

"Yes, ma?" His nose ran low and his ears back as he wondered if he were in trouble at all, even though he hadn't done anything he could remember that would warrant scolding. He did play tricks, and despite his sweet looks- he was mischievous. Was there something he was forgetting?

Fur brushed against fur as he caught up to her, letting her know how close he was now and preparing to help guide her. He'd gain the habit of it after awhile- the same he had with Anthe so she'd know he wasn't sneaking up on her. Though it was difficult to always remember his mother couldn't see. Sometimes she walked as though unhindered by her disability. He was always in such awe of it.



"We are all young and naive still."

Her black ears twitched at the sound of sleepy paws lumbering to greet her. She hadn’t expected Luca to be sleeping and felt a prick of guilt that she had plucked him from his dreams for the idle fancy of quality time together. He was a growing boy and he needed his sleep, Nephele chided herself. Her features were soft and tender, a look that was so utterly maternal and completely devoted. The gentle touch of his fur against hers and the feel of his still-growing yet large frame alongside her very small self was a reminder that her pups were getting big. It hadn’t taken Luca long to stand taller than his diminutive mother, but was he as tall as Kylar yet? Nephele hoped not. She selfishly wanted him to be her little boy for as long as possible.

“Do you want to go for a walk? We could bring back some flowers for mom,” she suggested, paws vibrating with and toes twitching with barely withheld excitement. She was always looking for excuses to spoil Kylar and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to show her how special she was to them. Luca would be the perfect assistant while they window shopped. He would be able to describe the flowers to her and hopefully he would enjoy being around them as much as she did.

Flowers were one of the few passions she had discovered with Kylar’s help. They were one of her favourite things next to swimming of course. Her legs longed to take a dip in the ocean when the weather was right.

"speech"

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