He was never far, not for long and not with her condition. He wasn’t a fool, he’s been through this once before and knew enough about the world to know that any day she was due. They both weren’t as young as they used to be though, Arkane didn’t really think about that when they decided to have some more children. They knew they could handle it, but he couldn’t say he didn’t worry. He had hoped a healer of some kind would show up to Iromar, but none had come. He knew Azariah was in charge of Diveen, and she surely could lend someone to them, but then again, he wasn’t sure if Diveen was what it used to be when they left. They might only have one healer left and if it was Meryl he surely had to be a crippled old man not capable of traveling that much anymore right? Healers were so hard to come by anymore… He wasn’t going to let anything happen to Avery though. He would drag a healer here by the nape of their neck if it meant making sure she would live. Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that.

Her bark had alerted him, that she was heading back to the den, and he was soon behind her. When he had arrived he went into the den watching her pace and glare at him as if it was all his fault! It was not his fault! Well not all his fault, took two to tango after all, but really, he hadn’t been here for all this last time… he had arrived at the end, only to awkwardly talk to her about their… situation only made more awkward when Malum tried to shove him out of the way and Aithne had also showed up making it painfully clear all the more. Ugh… his honor, everything shifted that day, he had been so… ashamed, felt a fool, but it was also one of the happiest days of his life. One thing was for sure, he knew he was in for the long haul this time, and it wouldn’t be plagued by any awkward second fathers appearing, and it wouldn’t be any less happy than when his first litter was born.

Arkane never would have called himself squeamish, but this was his first time watching anything give birth. He always knew it was a difficult and downright painful process, but to see Avery even huff, puff and dread all of this put a whole different perspective on it. He felt like he was going to be sick honestly, but he also couldn’t avert his eyes from the horror before him. ”I think I hate this part too.” He replied not sure if she even heard him over her shout as she pushed pushing out a red ball. It was then that she did something he never knew any mother had to do. ”Wait-Avery. What are you-? BLRRRGGG!” Arkane ran outside the den, only to puke. No. Just no. He thought pups just came out perfect and precious, but now he knew they very much weren’t. They were covered in... ughh… Why was this all so horrible? Wiping his maw on the ground he hoped she was done doing whatever it was she was doing.

Thankfully she was, he watched her as she nestled a now, thankfully clean, child next to her side. His pelt was black, just like hers, and just a bit of white. No real angel marks or anything touched him, but he agreed… he was beautiful. Not to mention it was a he. His first son. ”Raziel.” Ark replied, easily when she said that he should name their first born son. If he was given a chance to give his child an angel name Ark was going to do it, and he had thought a very long time about what he would like to name a son if he had one.

The peace was short lived, the moment she grunted and clinched her jaw he was ready to peace out again. He stayed despite his feelings, watching the train wreck and only just barely managed to stick around this time while she cleaned it and not puke all over the den. He had to close his eyes a few times, but they were very much open when she shot him a look of blame. He couldn’t see why yet, that was until he saw that bright white angel pelt. He beamed proudly, and even wiggled his brows a little, willing to accept all blame for this particular color. ”You have an interesting taste in girl names, but I love it, and her.” He remarked, he could see she was getting tired though, the worry started to set in, was she done? They were older, things worked a little slower than maybe they did eight years ago, but it wasn’t over.

A cry left her lips and he pressed his muzzle to the side of hers to ease her. He was concerned, greatly concerned. This was the woman who took entire beatings with a smile and a laugh after all and to see her whimper just hit him in all the wrong ways. God how did his mother do this so many times if it was so strenuous? Well… she always had his father for one he guessed. While he loathed to be close to whatever the pup was covered in when they came out he snuggled close to her for the prolonged duration, he felt a bit helpless, he didn’t know jack about healing which was suddenly seemingly like a huge flaw in this situation. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, another pup was born. She moved slower and while he couldn’t stand to look while she was doing the thing, when she was done and he peaked over her there was a very large all black pelted pup. Though he thought he saw hints of something in his fur, he didn’t want to look too hard, it might be bits of ick, but there was something else in his fur that wasn’t black. It reminded him of his father, and a bit of Ark cursed him for putting Avery through it, but over all… he was pleased. She looked proud she smiled, she seemed so happy despite it all and it was that that let him know she was okay.

He was beaming when she looked to him, what did she expect? He was perfection, obviously he only made the most perfect of creatures along with it right? He still got it, but after this and seeing the ick and what Avery was going through, he wasn’t sure about another encore. ”Whatever you wish, Avery. I’ll just call him what I want anyway.” He teased unable to help himself. He tried to remember she had her own culture, it wouldn’t make his son any less of an Angel, even with a demons name. As she rested he did two, he remembered last time how he sat outside the den waiting to be invited in, this time he rested his head over he side, watching the entrance and his children. ”That we did. Now rest, if you need I’ll set out for a healer, but just relax for now.” He said quietly, though really it seemed she was already out cold. He couldn’t blame her, she deserved it, it would probably be the only sleep they got in a while anyway.