[ P ] Dandelion Dreams Once More

T

he blue sky was brilliant, without a trace of storm clouds to be seen in the distance. The sun shining on the brute’s fiery pelt felt wonderful, and Cian had a big smile spread across his large muzzle as he had gone about his business for the day – a very special and important day, he was already quite certain.

The family had traveled to Melrose for a specific reason – or, rather, a few specific reasons. For one, it was beautiful this time of year, with blossoms of every color blooming in the spring sunshine. Besides the sights and his family of flower lovers, there was one particular kind that Cian had an eye out for today.

This was not his first dandelion hunt, and he smiled to himself at the first time – the panic, the uncertainty. But everything had turned out for the best – even better than Cian could have dreamed of. Everything was so… perfect.

Now, as he collected the little yellow flowers and tiny green stalks with the greatest of care, he felt a new sense of excitement at what would be revealed soon. The children – though they seemed more grown-up each day – had been instructed to explore, pick flowers, anything they wanted… Just not here, where Clover and Cian stayed behind.

He made a careful pile of the plants in a wooded area, private and without any onlookers. Then, he turned to find Clover, feeling light on his paws with anticipation, hardly nervous because he was convinced in his heart that he already knew what was to come. ”Clove? Are you ready?”


@Clover

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

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ighthearted and lightheaded were the feelings that had begun to accompany Clover on a daily basis. She'd felt unusually faint, having to take several breaks when her family traveled. All she had to do was share a look with deep crimson eyes for them both to know what was likely to come next. After they were wed, Clover did her best to find time to steal her now husband away for a few more evenings of intimacy. This Spring had left her absolutely insatiable when it came to Cian and it was a wonder she was able to get him alone at all with their children hovering nearby. Clover was determined, however, and enjoyed those rare moments to the fullest when she could. As soon as the odd fluttering had begun in her abdomen, followed by these odd dizzy spells, there was no doubt, at least not in her mind, that she was pregnant.

Of course, the dandelions would tell them one way or the other. This was how they'd confirmed it for their first litter and so it seemed tradition to call upon the small yellow flowers again to know for sure. Once they finally got their children redirected elsewhere, Clover trotted up to Cian, nuzzling her face into the thick ember and cream fur about his cheeks. She closed her eyes and breathed him in, simply basking in his presence before withdrawing and smiling sweetly up at him. “I am." She nodded and then leaned up to touch noses with him playfully. “Are you?" With a swift lick to the tip of his nose she pranced into the wooded area, seeing the area that he had laid out for her and finding that her heart would never cease to overflow with love for the way he cared for her.

@Cian

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

T

he closeness of her cheek against his, accompanied by the sight of her loving smile, would never become tiresome or novel for Cian, who felt his heart flutter with admiration for his wife every time she met his gaze. He could still feel like that silly, awkward, stuttering youth he had once been in Clover’s presence, for his awe of the wolfess only grew like a fire with the passing time they spent together. ”Ready!” He offered with overt enthusiasm. As she disappeared from view, Cian waited with restless paws, pacing from one direction to the other, then back again. He looked over to the secret forest spot where Clover had vanished.

The idea of brand new pups was exciting to the brute who had enjoyed being a Papa for nearly a year. He wondered what they might be like — more gentle and shy like Journey, or would they have their paws full with another rambunctious Summit, or a fearless Fern? Or would they be completely different in personality?

The possibilities filled his imagination and his heart as he waited. For now, he forced himself to sit before Clover returned, his eyes alight with curiosity. There was still concern back in his mind that these pups would all be giants like Summit, thanks to Cian's giant genetic contribution to their offspring and that thought gave him some nagging anxiety. But they would be prepared this time, and have help nearby — or so they had planned, anyway.

Cian was certain his wife would return any second now, with a smiling expression on her beautiful face and good news to share that would affirm both of their parental instincts.



@Clover

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

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fter marking on the flowers, Clover hovered to watch for any change in coloration on the dandelions. Just as she had expected, color dabbled the yellow petals in darker spots and she almost emerged wit joyous laughter. She paused, however, a mischievous grin crossing her maw as she felt the wild hair of a compulsive reaction. She exhaled, trying to compose herself before she faced her eagerly awaiting husband.

When she did poke her head out of the underbrush, she kept her eyes trained down on the ground. A frown had formed on her face and she could feel her tail trying to wag, but had to keep it under control in order for this to work. “Cian...I know that...you were hoping for pups..." Clover paused for a long time to allow him to begin to react as she played such a naughty trick on him. Before he became too upset however, she would move to push the foliage aside to reveal the results on the dandelion, as the grin reappeared on her face. “So, Congratulations! You're going to be a Papa again!" She exclaimed before giving into excited giggling as she hopped over to him and covered his muzzle in a plethora of kisses.

@Cian

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

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he enormous wolf watched as Clover emerged from her place behind the brush. But her rose-colored sights were cast downward, and there was a frown on her muzzle. Cian’s expression fell, and his heart felt heavy in that moment… He had been so certain… Cian’s mouth opened to speak, ready to comfort his wife. After all, there would always be next season, they still had plenty of life left in them…

But before he could utter a word of condolence, Clover revealed the truth — those familiar specks on the dandelions that caused his fiery eyes to grow wide and his mouth to fall open in surprise. ”You’re going to be a Papa again.” His focus moved from the plants to his wife’s grinning expression, then back to the plants. He had seen those spots before. This time felt different — but it was still exciting and anxiety-provoking and wonderful.

”Clove!” He exclaimed as the wolfess approached, while kisses on his muzzle brought a familiar warmth to his core. His tail wagged behind him uncontrollably. ”And you’re gonna be a Mama, again. And the best one that has ever lived,” he said, very convinced of his words, and he nuzzled his mate’s cheek as he murmured gently in her ear, ”I had a good feeling.”



@Clover

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Words could simply not express the intensity of his adoration— for Clover, for their yearling pups, and the little ones yet to be born. Instead, he rested his cheek against hers, a happy tear sliding down his cheek.

C

lover's happiness was amplified by his compliment. “I had a good feeling. She leaned into his low murmur as though the very sound of his voice gave her life. “Me too! More than a good feeling. A lot of really, really great feelings." She still wore a cheeky grin, biting her lip as she briefly reminisced. bumping her head against his shoulder playfully as she lowered herself into a play bow. She stuck out her tongue then and giggled as she pawed up at him. “Sorry for the trick! I just couldn't resist! Hehe! It was worth it for the look on your face."

The fun was over and she gave into the loving nuzzling of her mate, humming softly. She pulled away to look up at him with adoration and it was then that she noticed the tear rolling down his cheek. “Oh, Cian! I didn't mean to make you cry..." Her ears flattened slightly as she looked him over with the concern of a mother before swiping her tongue against his cheek to wipe away his tears and hopefully whatever had caused them.


@Cian

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

C

ian was in paradise. To see his wife so excited, so joyful — she acted as playfully as she had when they first met, now two years ago. And he didn’t mind the trick; he knew Clover’s intentions were never malicious. The sweet scent of his love filled his senses once more, the softness of her fur and gentle caress; he would never grow tired of this, even if they lived to be 100 years old.

Clover pulled away and seemed surprised to see him swept up in his emotion’s. ”Oh, Cian! I didn't mean to make you cry..." Oh, was he crying? Cian laughed, shaking his head. ”No, no — it’s not like that—“ He sniffled along with his smiling. ”I’m happy, Clove. Really. Everything is so — just so perfect.” He wasn’t sure what he had done to be so fortunate. ”I hope they look just like you this time. Since last time…” He chuckled at the surprise of receiving two pups that looked very little like either parent!

He grinned, pressing his nose against his wife’s with a playful expression of his own. ”So how should we tell the children?”


@Clover

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

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he expectant mother was smiling again in no time, relieved to find the tears were brought on by the purest happiness. Her own melodic chuckle harmonized with his laughter as she leaned into Cian, hardly ever able to be close enough to him. “I hope they look like the both of us...though, I wouldn't mind a mini-me either." Her tail swished back and forth at a faster pace with the thought of a tinier partner in crime.

When he asked how they should tell their older children, Clover's eyes glimmered and without skipping a beat, she exclaimed, “Scavenger hunt!!" She clapped a paw over her mouth, hoping she wasn't loud enough for the little ones to have heard her. Smiling shyly at Cian she lowered her voice. “A scavenger hunt, with clues, and then the big reveal at the end. They would love that!" She could picture it all now, her mind starting to formulate the execution of this plan before her husband had even agreed to it.


@Cian

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

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he doting father gazed down at Clover’s belly, which didn’t look much different, not yet. It was a wonder, all of it – how any of them made it here in the first place, how there were family members waiting just inside her womb, waiting to greet their eager family. He didn’t know much about babies before they were born, but he spoke gently to them, all the same. ”Little ones, it doesn’t matter what you look like, but if just one of you could look like your Mama, please?” He continued, ”You’re going to have the greatest, most beautiful Mama and a big brother and sisters.” His focus returned to Clover’s rosy sights. ”My dearest wife, we seem to be quite good at this,” he teased.

Clover’s scavenger hunt idea was instantaneous and adorable, and Cian nodded, unable to resist the enthusiasm she so easily exudes. She seemed to demure, but the fiery male moved closer to nuzzle her cheek before offering a tender kiss. ”It’s a perfect idea. And it’ll be fun for us, as well.” He offered a suggestive wink at the end. He knew there was not enough time left for them to be intimate now… he always found her irresistible. But he gratefully accepted any closeness and moments of tenderness he could find with his understandably busy wife.

And soon, they would be even busier, but Cian was ready for whatever – or whoever was presently waiting to arrive into the Eithne Clan. For now, the yearlings were off doing whatever it was they felt like doing, now that they were big enough to find their own adventures. The newlyweds had a few more rare moments alone, and these times were going to soon be gone with the tiny cries and constant needs of newborn pups. Again.



@Clover

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck