𝐂𝐎𝐒𝐌𝐈𝐂 || 18+ 𝚢𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚜 𝚡 𝚑𝚞𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝙵𝙼𝙲

┉┈◈†𐐎𐌴𐍀†𐌸-Ⲋ𐌴ⱱ𐌴𐍀◈┈┉

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Charlie was in tears, embarrassed at having peed herself in the middle of the night.

Dekar tried to calm her. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about, my love. I've already cleaned you up like this many times when you were sick."

She cried harder.

After some more tea and a few helpings of breakfast, she was in better spirits. Elated, even, now that they were finally going to start their journey. It had been way too long, it was past time they rescued Stacy from her horrifying situation.

"Are you sure I can't help?" she asked again as she watched him pack while she lounged on the pillows as per his stern instructions.

Anxiety gnawed at her, knowing she wouldn't be satisfied unless she packed their supplies herself to make sure they had absolutely everything they could possibly need. Her hand absentmindedly stroked her heavy belly as she watched him like a hawk, unable to do anything else to make sure they were prepared for the journey.

"I'm sure, Charlie," he replied gruffly as he remained laser focused on his task. "You must rest and leave these things to me."

"But I really want to help," she insisted, nevermind that she didn't even know if she physically could help.

But he was adamant. "No. I am taking every precaution to ensure you don't regress back to your previous state. I am already worried as the mists have settled this morning, which puts you more at risk."

"How would a little mist put me more at risk?"

"It is not a little," he growled, carrying more items back to the bag in the center of the room. "These forests are watered by the heavy mists. It is hard to breathe in them and it will make your skin damp and cold. You could get sick."

"You'll be carrying me so I'll be nice and warm, won't I? And I'm sure I'll be fine enough breathing in it."

He huffed. "With your shortness of breath, I am very concerned."

"So far that's only happened from talking for an extended amount of time. Or trying to stand. I won't be walking, so there's no worry there. And I can keep my words to a minimum until the mist is gone." She was already a little out of breath from that explanation.

Dekar grumbled more worries under his breath, but didn't bring them up for discussion as he packed the last of the tea supplies with her clothes and their food rations—mostly dried meats, to her distaste.

He was pacing the room afterwards, double checking he'd gotten everything. If she had helped, there would be no question. The thought made her roll her eyes in exasperation.

Finally he stopped in front of her, pausing for a moment before crouching down. His hand came up to gently lift her chin before coaxing her head to tilt to the side, his eyes fixed to a spot on her neck.

"What are you doing?" Charlie asked, apprehension furrowing her brows.

His head dipped until his hot mouth settled over where the slope of her neck met her shoulder. She squirmed, but his grip on her chin tightened.

She grasped his forearm. "Dekar—"

"I need to mark you. In case we run into any Daki, I want them to know you're mine," he explained softly, his breaths on her skin sending a shiver through her body.

Her eyes widened and her heart rate spiked, remembering what she went through after the last time she'd been bitten. "No! Don't do that!"

"You won't experience the pain of heat again because you are already pregnant. Trust me, my love, it will only be a bite and nothing more."