Mama Fox

<Zuri>

“I am honoured by your visit, Princess.” (L)

Waving the old woman down, Zuri took a seat opposite her.

A single thought instantly consuming him.

‘Has this place gotten worse?’

Masking his displeasure, Zuri took in the rather tragic view.

It was a true shame they couldn’t meet at the house.

Looking around, he was abruptly reminded why that would’ve been the superior choice. This shabby shack couldn’t be fit for working, much less living, yet the healer herbalist had stationed it for such a purpose. Managing to make do with it somehow. The crooked shelves neatly arranged with various bottles and the dustless room spoke of how well it was taken care of, but even those couldn’t hide the deep-set degradation.

This place was in serious need of repairs and renovations.

A few touch-ups to make it liveable.

… If Zuri still had his personal detail, such a thing would be a mere order away.

‘Ugh’

Luwn smiled brightly at Zuri, her voice adopting a soft tone of pride.

“I see you are in good health, Princess. That relaxed posture is a great sign of your speedy growth. Soon, you’ll be a tall, magnificent tree, standing free and strong.” (L)

Zuri cringed.

The heavy undertones pinning were quite unwelcome.

“It takes a tree more than a single day to grow.” (Z)

Rebuking the presumptuous words, he scowled at the healer.

Sure, he had come to terms with the pregnancy happening, but that didn’t mean he liked it even one bit.

“True, yet the growth the tree does experience in a day cannot be discounted… And from the looks of it, it has grown significantly and in more ways than one.” (L)

The eyes of the herbalist travelled down to Zuri’s stomach.

Instantly, his hands flew to cover it.

‘What is she looking at!’

There was absolutely nothing to see regarding his midsection!

It was still far too soon for anything to be showing. A meagre two months had passed since the proper confirmation. Zuri may have not paid attention when being taught about pregnancy and the like back home due to not caring, but he was certain of this fact. Kitsune were a people who lived relatively slow lives. A side effect caused by their long lifespans. There was no way the pregnancy term would be like that of a bloody hu—

Wait.

Wait, wait, wait.

An important detail had been overlooked.

They were half humans, weren’t they?

Could that affect the pregnancy?

‘Half-Kitsune…. Half-Human….’

Beyond that, since they were going to be half humans, what would they look like? Zuri hadn’t given it much thought, but thinking about it now, he really should have! Oh, damn. What if they turn out strange due to being half and half? Like having one human ear and one fox ear, or just having fox ears the size of humans. The longer Zuri thought about it, the worse he gradually felt. Would his family accept them? Would his own people accept them if they came out ‘wrong’ looking?

‘Of course they would!’

Interracial births were rare, not uncommon.

They wouldn’t ever be rejected because of something like that.

Yet…

That thought lingered in his mind.

That small, insignificant thought lingered.

And for some reason, Zuri found himself feeling so sad.

So terribly sad.

“Apologies for the poor joke, Princess. I was merely jesting.” (L)

A calming voice broke Zuri’s train of thought.

Standing next to him was the herbalist offering a towel.

“I hadn’t intended to upset you. Do not waste tears on me, please.” (L)

‘Tears?’

Reaching up and touching his face, Zuri felt the familiar cool of water as they ran down.

‘What the?’

Why the hell was he crying!?

Sure, he was a little upset at the thought early on, but he wasn’t that upset!

Zuri pulled at his robes and quickly wiped the tears.

Something didn’t feel right….

“Are you certain you are alright, Princess?” (L)

Taking a sip of the sweet, warm tea, Zuri took a moment to collect himself and nod.

…Hindsight really was something.

Logically speaking, he should’ve known the joke was complete nonsense. The robes he wore were not too dissimilar to the male form of hakama. Key difference being that his were much more loose compared to them. Unless Zuri’s stomach suddenly expanded three times overnight, you wouldn’t be able to tell anything was going on. Nothing would show in his current state.

Zuri felt his cheeks warm.

Despite knowing this, he let his thoughts spiral.

Falling for the obvious joke and shedding tears.

‘Damn it’

To cry about trivial things wasn’t like him.

“I have a matter of great importance to discuss.” (Z)

Pushing aside his embarrassment, Zuri soldiered on.

He didn’t come here with the sole goal of making a fool of himself after all.

“I understand, but I must ask….” (L)

Luwn sternly eyed Zuri.

“Is it related to pregnancy?” (L)

‘What does that matter?’

“No… not directly.” (Z)

Luwn abruptly got up and then pulled a couple of strange apparatus from her many shelves.

“Good. It can then wait.” (L)

“Wait?” (Z)

Zuri frowned.

“Yes, I believe a check-up takes greater priority.” (L)

“That won’t be necessary.” (Z)

It wasn’t like Zuri actually came here for a check-up. That was just a lame excuse he gave so Cleodora wouldn’t bother him. He, personally, knew he didn’t need a check-up. Sure, a few things might be a little off due to the pregnancy, but it wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle himself. Luwn's check-up would be a complete waste of precious time. Precious time that could be used to help solve his actual problems.

“This isn’t up for negotiation, Princess. You need this.” (L)

Three fingers were flashed in front of Zuri.

“It isn’t just for you.” (L)

Staring at the fingers for a moment, Zuri looked away.

… This was going to be such a waste of time.

“Be quick.” (Z)

“I’ll do my best.” (L)

“Done.” (L)

‘Finally…’

Reclined on the chair, Zuri let out a tired sigh.

The check-up had been a lot more demanding than he expected. From blood tests to weight measurements, the list of things she required him to do was exhausting. Often, they required him to get and give a sample or perform a surprisingly difficult action. If not for their low non-invasive nature, Zuri would’ve got up and left a long time ago.

“Everything is progressing smoothly.” (L)

At least some good news was given.

Forcing himself to sit up and shake off the drowsiness, Zuri eyed the herbalist.

She smiled at him.

“Three beautiful blessings will come in due tim—” (L)

“Enough, enough.” (Z)

Not in the mood to hear her sermons, Zuri waved her off.

Honestly speaking, he had lost some faith in her ability to treat him. After that little incident concerning her failed concoction, he started to question her ability. Realistically, there was no way she could be well versed in treating Kitsune. Kitsune rarely ever had children, and when they did, they often would journey back to the homeland to have them there. In all likelihood, Luwn was drawing from her other experiences with different species. Not inherently wrong, but flawed in the sense she couldn’t be one hundred per cent sure about anything. But, having literally no other choice, Zuri stayed.

A bad check-up was worse than none, right?

“Right, what was the matter of importance?” (L)

As the healer’s gaze settled on Zuri, he took a deep breath.

It was time to get into it.

It was finally time to explain.

“In short, I need something that will work on her. I need to calm her down and—” (Z)

“You want something to suppress her sexual desire?” (L)

Zuri blinked.

The sharp words of the healer were not wrong but a bit too crude.

She was quick on the uptake.

“…Firstly, that isn’t how you treat a person, let alone your husband.” (L)

Ignoring the impulse to correct ‘husband’, Zuri silently let her carry on.

“Secondly, it won’t work.” (L)

Zuri felt a pang of frustration. He had hoped that even if Cleodora was the Hero, she wasn’t invincible. Surely there was a sedative or herb strong enough to dampen her... enthusiasm.

“And, lastly, even if it did, it wouldn’t last long.” (L)

Luwn gestured towards the shelves.

“These ingredients are hard to source. Some bloom once a year, while others trade at exorbitant prices. What I have must sparingly be used and with the utmost care.” (L)

She sighed deeply before turning to Zuri and asking a pointed question.

“…Have you tried talking to her?” (L)

Talking to her?

If talking would’ve worked, Zuri would’ve done it a long time ago.

“I will take your silence as a no.” (L)

“I can’t talk to her when she gets like that.” (Z)

“Why not? Embarrassed?” (L)

Before Zuri could muster a response, she moved on.

“In any event, suppression hardly ever works in cases like these. Desire hardly ever disappears, especially for the ones you love dearest.” (L)

Luwn paused.

For a moment, she blankly stared at Zuri before asking in a cautious tone.

“Allow me to be bold, Princess.” (L)

“Go on.” (Z)

Intrigued by her arrogance, he gave the go-ahead.

“Help her.” (L)

The words hung in the air.

“A-Are you serious!?” (Z)

Zuri immediately thought back to the last time he had ‘helped’ her: he still hadn't mentally recovered from what Cleodora had done. He couldn't believe Luwn, of all people, would suggest such a thing after seeing the state he was in.

“Now I understand your reservations—” (L)

‘No, you don’t!’

“—but I would like to share a few words.” (L)

She cleared her throat.

“Marriage is a partnership. A partnership where each of you complements the other and strives to bring out the best in the other. Now often this requires some compromise and sacrifice from the both of you. If your partner is struggling and you are able to help them, then it’s your duty to do so.” (L)

“No way!” (Z)

Zuri stood up.

He refused to accept that. He had compromised enough! He had been forced to marry her, move here, and was now carrying her children against his will. He was the pregnant one. If anyone deserved a respite from ‘duty’ it was him.

Luwn did not argue.

“Merely a suggestion, Princess. One that would quickly solve your troubles…. You don’t have to do it, but in case you do, you should remember this.” (L)

She met his eyes.

“Penetration is not always required.” (L)

Zuri stared at her in disbelief.

“It was a mistake coming to you….” (Z)

Luwn flinched, albeit ever so slightly.

“Apologies if my advice was lacking, Princess. I… I just can’t help but draw from my own experience regarding this matter. My own husband was never the type for such, but we managed it together. It was a challenge, certainly, but together we conquered it.” (L)

She bowed her head.

“Please talk to her, Princess.” (L)

Zuri paused.

He then opened to leave.

Unless hell froze over, merely talking would never solve this.

“Ah, hello, Princess.”

Standing at the door was a familiar mother with her hand out in a grabbing motion.

Behind her, two more familiar mothers were standing.

The ladies from the restaurant.

Things just couldn’t get better, huh?