Silent Night

It was a mostly silent night in the ashlands where the two carno couples resided, the volcanic rock and sand was just warm enough to keep the bald Abaddon warm, while the others had some feathers to keep their body heat up without any external influence. The only sound that could be heard currently was Agatha and her partner snoring lightly, as well as Abaddon and Drift’s small chicks chirping in their sleep. Drift looked at the three lite ones with a warm smile. She had never pictured herself as a mother, but she quite enjoyed it so far, especially with the help of her caring partner, who was snuggled up close by her side with a smile just as warm. Abaddon was both a good and patient father as well as a loving and caring partner, pretty much the perfect package. 

Being a parent was of course far from easy at times, and the lack of sleep was often testing their resilience, but they stood strong together, no matter the challenge. 

Drift let out a light sigh as she looked out over the horizon, reminiscing about that very first time her and Abaddon confessed their feelings for each other. She longed for another precious moment like that, just the two of them, no distractions or stress. Abaddon was of course quick to notice that she was thinking about something and nudged her scruffy cheek. 

“Are you doing okay?” he asked with a caring look on his face. “You can talk to me.”

“Yes, I am doing just fine. I just wish we had time to go on another date some day, just you and me, like back then..” Drift replied, her bio stripes giving away her heightened pulse as always. It was impossible to hide her feelings with her body automatically betraying her like this. 

“I will make it work, just wait for a moment.” Abaddon said with a confident, yet smug facial expression as he stood up. 

The mostly black carno walked over to Agatha and gently poked her with his right foot until she woke up. She looked up at him, slightly confused, but still happily greeted him. 

“Hey Ab, what's up?” she quietly mumbled, as to not wake her own partner up. 

“Would you mind keeping an eye on the little ones? Me and Drift would love to stretch our legs and relax without having to worry.” he kindly requested. “I can even bring back a treat or two as a thank you for your effort.”

“Oh no need to be silly, Auntie Agatha happily lends a hand without any compensation. You two go have a break. I will make sure they behave if they wake up while you are gone.” Agatha replied, assuring Abaddon that the chicks were in good hands, though he needed no convincing. He knew she cared for them as if they were her own, which was partially true, considering she was their godmother. 

“Thank you, Agatha. We will not be gone for too long.” Abaddon said as he walked back to Drift, Agatha waving her barely visible arm as a goodbye behind him. 

“She will keep an eye on them for us, may I suggest a walk under the stars?” the dark male said to his girlfriend, who could not help but chuckle. 

“No need to make it sound so formal.” she snorted. “I would happily come along even if you just made a weird caveman sound.”

This comment prompted Abaddon to make a bunch of random ape sounding sounds, as best as he could anyway, which caused Drift to snicker in amusement. It also did not help that he was bobbing his torso up and down while doing it, almost tripping multiple times. It was such an enhancement of the comedic effect that it was almost hard to believe that he did not do it on purpose. 

“You are so stupid.” Drift said, followed by a whole hearted laugh. “I do love that about you though, do not ever change.”

“I have no plans to do such a thing, my princess.” Abaddon said back with a smile. He knew being called princess was a weakness of hers, which her now quickly pulsating bio gave away. 

“Oh stop it, you..” Drift said shyly. She would be blushing from chin to ears if she had the ability to do so, but her quickly beating heart was proof enough of her being flustered. 

“Hey look.” Abaddon interrupted. “A falling star. Make a wish and the stars might make it come true.”

Drift just barely turned her head in time to see it before it vanished, she looked at Abaddon, who had closed his eyes, so she did the same. 

“I wish for another clutch of healthy chicks in the future.” Drift said before opening her eyes, her gaze going directly to Abaddon’s smiling face. 

“Well technically you are not supposed to tell anyone your wish or it might not come true but lucky for you, the stars can not stop me from fulfilling your wishes myself.” he chuckled. “I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you, Drift. I am sure we will raise many beautiful chicks together, and I am sure Agatha and Rowan will as well. We will all be a large, happy family. Together.”

“Together..” Drift repeated, once again flustered and all fluttery in her chest from Abaddon’s charm. He had such a way with words that tickled her just right. 

Abaddon laid down beside a large weeping willow tree by a small lake and parted the ground next to him with his tail, as an invite to Drift, who quickly plopped down right next to him and leaned against his scaly body, followed by affectionately nuzzling his cheek. This was yet another beautiful moment in their life that they would cherish dearly. The open, starlit sky was absolutely beautiful and the wind was rustling the leaves just the perfect amount for a romantic atmosphere.

“I love you so much, my sweet princess." Abaddon said as he stroked his face against Drift’s. 

“I love you too..” Drift replied as she moved herself even closer to Abaddon, snuggling up real good. She wanted to spend the whole night here, maybe more, but parental duties gave no such luxuries, so what she could do was at least to fully embrace this moment for as long as it lasted before they inevitably had to return to the others. 

“We should do stuff like this more often.” Drift said as she looked up at the rustling willow leaves. 

“We really should. I love spending some alone time with you.” Abaddon proceeded to reply as he laid his head over Drift’s withers and wrapped his own tail around hers to embrace her as best as he could with his lack of arms.