LITTLE STARSWEEPER ◇ birthing

[WINTERHYMNS P.]

Winterhymns had been laying within the bed sound asleep not bothering to get up from where he laid, he was rather restless the last few days but he figured it was mainly due to his excitement and the continual kicking from the kittens. They were rather impatient to say the least, a soft breath leaving him as his eyes opened slowly did he stretch out with a yawn. Winnie was due any day now so he didn't stray far from his shared home with Magnum, it did get rather boring in having to stay in one place instead being out on the beach with his groupmates. He knew that it was better this way and a lot easier for him if he began to have any contractions... He was nervous seeing as it had been a long time since he had any kittens but, he just hoped that everything went well. The Pendragon sat there on the bed thinking to himself as he wrapped a tail around his belly, he closed his eyes and gave a small nod "It's going to be very different this time... It'll be better," He reassured himself quietly, Win rose to his paws deciding that he'd hop off the bed and get something to eat and drink. He was feeling rather hungry.

A soft sigh leaving his maw, he made his way towards the kitchen to get a drink of water and his ears twitching lightly at the sound of birds chirping outside. Once he drank down a glass of water, he decided that he wasn't as he originally thought he was. Everything felt slow, he wished things would pick up the pace or that it would be another day. Less of a wait, he didn't expect the kittens to not be born until a few days later. Although, once he stepped into the bedroom did a sudden pain jolted through his body. Winnie wincing as he gritted his teeth, maybe it was just a cramp... That might have been it though the pain only got worse with each step, he noticed a few pieces of fabric and blankets at the side of the room that had probably been left by his lover. Usually, Win would get slightly irritated by the sight but today... It was a lot more different and he felt relieved that it was there.

He moved it around a bit until it was a proper nest of some sorts, he laid in it with a heavy breath leaving his maw. He flinched letting out a hiss of pain, Winnie began to wonder if the lupine was within the house. The Pendragon breathing slowly as he relaxed briefly, he would call out with a shaky voice "M-Magnum?" The contractions only seemed to get worse, Win silently cursing to himself at the fact he had essentially gotten his wish. He was nervous and afraid but Win knew that he would have to put all his strength into this if it meant his babies would come out to see the world. "O-oh heavens..." He mumbled not even thinking of calling out for his boyfriend again, his mind set on a single thing. His unborn children. "R-right... R-r-relaxed posture... Take a d-deep breath." He breathed out feeling a few tears beginning to form in his eyes, a shaky smile on his maw, Winter let out a low breath before digging his claws into the blanket.

◇◇◇

It had taken most of his time and energy yet he did not mind it in the slightest, they were here now and he loved them all so dearly. He was exhausted though he watched them all through half closed eyes, he let out a soft breath unable to feel anything but absolute happiness. Although, he did not expect for there to be so many kittens and it was much more than the two kittens he had in the past. Twelve kittens that were born to him and Magnum. Winnie lowered his head until it rested on his arm as he stared lovingly at the kittens, he spoke in a soft voice "They're absolutely gorgeous." A tired purr leaving him as he lapped at a few of their heads hearing them mewl softly brought him such joy.

Win nudged a few kittens closer to his belly, his half closed gaze eventually turning to Magnum as he spoke in a soft voice "They're truly a blessing." His smile was a warm one, if he was able to reach without moving the kittens he probably would've nuzzled the wolf though he couldn't so he chose to adjust his position a bit so the kittens would have a bit more room. Winnie slowly closed his eyes feeling exhausted from delivering all twelve kittens and had lost quite a bit of blood, it made him slightly dizzy but that's why he kept his head down so he could be somewhat stable. Reopening his eyes, he supposed that the kittens should be named before he ends up passing out.

Winnie's lavender gaze landing on a single kitten with white socks and a bit of white under their tail, the small tomkit being a darker coat of brown in comparison to his siblings. The feline took a moment to think it over before an idea had come to him, he recalled the name he had before becoming who he was now. A soft purr leaving his maw as he uttered the name "Rosekit." Feeling happy with his decision, he leaned over to gently lap at the newly named Rosekit's head. A name fitting for his beautiful son and he knew that the small kitten would do amazing things just as the rest of his siblings.

It wasn't long before the Pendragon moved to the next kitten and tilted his cranium slightly realizing that the kitten took after him quite a bit, Winnie took a moment to try and figure out a name for the little one. The swirly stripes on the kitten made him think of a maze... Suddenly, he perked up nudging the kitten closer to him "Mazekit," He decided unable to help but be amused by how vocal the kitten was in comparison to his other siblings. Although, Winterhymns didn't mind it much at all considering that meant that the tomkit had healthy lungs despite being the last kitten born. They all seemed healthy and he couldn't help but feel anything but happiness.

A golden tabby kitten caught his attention next with a shrill mewl as they toppled over some of their siblings, Win moving quick to nudge the small kitten close noticing how they had a similar coat color like Sophiea, his cousin, a soft chuckle leaving him. He could only hope that the kitten didn't pick up on Soph's standoffish demeanor, he wasn't sure how he would be able to handle that or Magnum for that matter. Sophiea didn't seem too pleased to find out that Win had gotten knocked up in such a short span of time and she especially didn't seem to like Magnum. Winnie always reassuring the wolf that she needed time, he breathed out quietly shoving those thoughts away so he can figure out a name for the child. His smile grew sad but he uttered the name without hesitance "Sirenkit..."

Shifting his gaze, he noticed a small kitten that looked a lot like Magnum though they had a lighter underbelly and dark stripe that went from their nose to their tail. With whiskers twitching momentarily, Win spoke deciding on a name that would be fitting of the tomkit "Ironkit." It wasn't long until a she kit would tumble on top of Ironkit causing the boy to mewl in protest, the small femme squirming for a moment only to fall asleep with her head bobbing gently. Slumber... Slumberpaw came to mind. He began to groom the pair of kittens with soft purrs leaving him, it wasn't long until he uttered another name "Sleepingkit."

Almost half of the kittens had names but Winnie decided that he would name a last one before letting Magnum name the other half. The dark coat, dark tabby swirls, and lighter underbelly reminded him of a magpie... He could recall someone who looked like that and it had been his name before changing it... "Chevalier." He decided with a small nod, he would let himself sink back being careful and watchful of all his kittens as they nestled to sleep or feed.

[SHIELDKIT.]

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WITH EVERY STORY COMES A STALEMATE

At one time, Shieldkit hadn't had to worry about anything. After all, when you were just an unborn kit, you really had nothing on your mind. Nothing besides being comfortable and growing, really, as you all waited for the faithful day when everything would change for you all. Of course, when that day finally did come, Shield wouldn't remember it as an overwhelmingly positive experience. One second he had been surrounded by warmth, huddled close with his siblings as he continued to grow - of course, it was hard not to be close to his siblings, considering how many of them there were. Unfortunately, everything had shifted so quickly, and suddenly the kit was being pulled from darkness and warmth, and instead being put on top of a bundle of blankets. A cry of protest left him, the young child curling in on himself as his senses were assaulted. His eyes were still sealed shut - it being far too early for any of their eyes to be open - and yet the sensation of light against his face was almost blinding, and he was eager to turn away from it all.

Frantic cries of protest left the child's mouth as he bumbled around, his small paws stretching out as he tried to find his way around without sight. He was still being guided by instinct, yes, but things weren't nearly as simple as they had once been. It took a couple of moments of shuffling before he bumped into something else solid, his muzzle once again opening in an annoyed half cry, half hiss. Unbeknownst to Eld, the creature he had hissed at was not some kind of massive, towering threat, but instead just one of his siblings, similarly trying to make their way around in this new and unfamiliar world. Still, the darkly colored Shieldkit already seemed to have a penchant for throwing his weight around, as he scrambled over said sibling with gusto, back legs kicking at a soft side as he stumbled over to Win. The draw of food was enough to drive the boy forward even through the confusing darkness around him, front paws eventually bumping up against something large and warm - his mother's stomach. Or rather, the stomach of one of his fathers, really.

Grateful to finally "be free" of the unfamiliar world around him, so to speak, Eld immediately nestled against Winterhymns's side, eyes still sealed shut as he began to suckle. He would no doubt look back on this day with a somewhat amused air about him, talking about just how annoying his siblings had been, and how he missed just being able to float around without a care in the world. For now, however, he was content, having made sure that he had a place to rest, and eat. And if any of his siblings thought they could get him to move from said position, he would make sure to make it clear that they couldn't, with a useful jab from tiny front paws.

SHIELDKIT PENDRAGON — PALM GLADES — PENNED BY STILLY

[sup]© tikki[/sup]

[SWORDSKIT.]

IF SOMETHING GOES A LITTLE WRONG
WELL YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND BRING IT ON

Things changed over time or that's what most people expected, the small kitten having been in the warmth of their mother and close to most of their siblings only to have it stripped away in mere moments. He arrived a lot sooner than his other siblings, he was the second born to both Winterhymns and Magnum. The moment he had landed within a bundle of blankets, a shrill mewl would pierce the silence and the air would begin to fill his lungs. It was all so new and strange... And cold. The feeling of a warm tongue brushing against him didn't seem to settle the child either, with small paws stretching out as if to get a grip of something yet his paws didn't seem to do that as he flailed for a few moments laying there continuing to mewl loudly. He was lost or at least, somewhat on why he was suddenly in the cold instead of being warm and huddled up with his siblings.

Suddenly, his stomach began to hurt with hunger. He tumbled onto his side for a moment which startled him to the point where he stopped crying but once he rolled onto his belly and felt a bigger tongue lap at him, the child let out a hiss of protest. The dark furred child beginning to stumble around with small sniffs, the scent of milk making him begin to crawl forward a lot faster. Swordskit having to climb over a few of his siblings whilst doing this task, he toppled forward on accident with his nose hitting the tummy of Winterhymns. Once more, the child was becoming vocal until he found a place to feed and began to suckle, a few muffled mewls leaving him before he fell completely silent. He was surrounded by his siblings and it was a bit warm... Now he had food. He supposed that it wasn't that bad being out in the world.

Just him, his eleven siblings, and their parents. Nothing more, nothing less.

— Reggan