Treat (HAE AU)
Warnings: fluff, tears, fem bodied reader, gender neutral pronouns used for reader, pregnancy, pregnancy cravings, strange food combinations/cravings, yandere x reader,
~~~~
Malleus:
"(Y/n), my Treasure, why are you crying?"
"I want red meat and there isn't any!"
You were sitting on the stone floors of the Black-Scale Castle kitchens bawling your eyes out after scouring the entirety of the spacious pantry in search of any meat- dried or not. Just thinking about the intense and flavorful taste was appealing to your heavily pregnant stomach and the taunting reality of no red meat in the Castle only made you cry harder.
Malleus had no clue as to why you were sobbing so heavily for something he could literally go hunting to get for you, but your emotions had been much more drastic over the past few months. At least it wasn't so bad that you tried to wander away from the Castle in search of your craving. He knew well enough to tread carefully and be more supportive than judgmental after a rather explosive angry reaction from you when he last decided to question your cravings.
"I can get you some meat, my love. Just give me a moment to find where-"
"No! I want it right now! RIGHT NOW!"
Your sobbing only became louder as you held your swollen stomach and whimpered as if you were a kicked puppy. You could feel the smooth surfaces of the eggs inside of you through the stretched skin of your stomach and you could distinctly feel how much your entire being CRAVED the red meat you had been in search of. Just the taunting reminder that there wasn't any readily present sent you spiraling all over again.
"... Right now it is."
Before you could really respond to Malleus, you heard a sharp cracking sound and turned to look at him in teary-eyed surprise. The Dragon was missing but soon blinked back into existence, surrounded by the dancing green light of fireflies. Laying limply in his arms was what appeared to be the leg of one of the wild deer that roamed around Briar Valley.
"Why did you take it's leg? Now there is a deer roaming around and suffering without a leg!"
"There are no legless deer roaming Briar Valley. I simply... borrowed it... from the butcher's shop down on the main thoroughfare. I did leave some coin to pay for it, but that was the nearest place I could think of to get you some meat."
".... So-" you sniffled, "so there isn't a deer without a leg?"
"No. There is no wounded deer."
The Dragon didn't wait to begin quickly cooking the meat with his flames, part of the outside charring due to the high intensity of heat from his fire. The smell of that meat roasting and crackling made your mouth water and new tears begin to well up in your eyes the longer you had to wait. What was- realistically- only a minute or two felt like days to you as your stomach loudly grumbled in hunger.
"Here. Be careful, it is still hot."
Malleus took care to peel away the blackened pieces of the leg, revealing the meat beneath that was surprisingly tender and fairly well cooked despite the sudden influx of flames. Just the steam coming off of it had you reaching out for the tantalizing meal that your entire body craved. You didn't even wait for Malleus to take a piece off for you, you just bit straight into the exposed meal.
Flavors danced on your tongue as the meat seemed to melt in your mouth, leaving you practically moaning out from the satisfaction. No meal prior could possibly match the sheer satisfaction of tasting that meat as you happily- and near savagely- dug into your meal. Malleus could do little more than stand and stare in surprise as you practically devoured the leg in such a short amount of time.
The Dragon figured he should make a mental note of this intense craving of yours and ensure there was an assortment of fresh ingredients nearby to satisfy your... intense... cravings.
~+~
(*extra tw for blood consumption)
Lilia:
"(Y/n), be careful!"
Lilia fussed as he realized you had begun attempting to climb the nearby tree for the succulent fruit that hung just out of reach, your hands straining to hold you in place while you reached out desperately.
"Just... a little... more!"
The bark you had been clinging to gave way from the tree and sent you plummeting towards the ground only to land gently on top of your adoring Bat Fae lover. Lilia had barely managed to get himself beneath you before you fell and sighed in relief once you were back on the ground safely. He had thought a quick trip to the nearby forests of Briar Valley would be good for you, as you had been less than agreeable with being relegated to the Castle grounds.
The General was almost regretting bringing you out seeing as you seemed to have very little regard for the potential danger around you while you sought out the nearby fruit. It wasn't even ripe yet.
"Are you okay?"
He fussed over you gently while you continued to stare up into the tree, eyes locked on the fruit hanging out of reach. Your round stomach somewhat moved as the winged infant inside of you stirred in response to your hunger, the intense craving no doubt having come from the infant. You didn't respond to the older Bat Fae, only wanting the fruit that you had failed to grab.
"Lilia..."
Your whining tone was needy and had a hint of sorrow to it, like a pleading tone that the Fae found hard to ignore. Despite the rather intense hungers you had been experiencing, Lilia had been quite helpful in getting you whatever it was that you wanted. From fruits, to meats, and even the odd instance of wanting to gnaw on a bone, Lilia usually got whatever you wanted rather promptly.
"(Y/n), it's not ripe."
"Lilia..!"
"You won't like it, it will be sour."
"Lilia!"
"..."
The Bat sighed as he settled you safely on the ground, following your longing gaze up to the fruit that only seemed to taunt you. With a quick spread of his wings, the Bat Fae easily reached the fruit hanging above you, bringing it back down to you. You were happily wiggling in place as you held your hand out excitedly for the fruit. Once it was in your grasp, you sunk your teeth into the skin of the fruit excitedly.
It was NOT ripe.
With a cry of disgust, you hurled the fruit away from you as tears began rolling down your cheeks. You wanted ripe fruit, not whatever the hell this was.
Lilia held back his exasperation as the inevitable tears poured down your cheeks. He figured this would happen because it had happened several times before. You wanted something, he got it for you despite warning you it was likely not going to satisfy you, you threw it away from you when it wasn't satisfying. This was certainly not the first time your cravings made you behave this way, it would not be the last time either.
"Lilia..!"
You whined again as the Bat held you in his arms and let you cry it out. Odds are, none of the trees would have the ripe fruit you wanted as it was still early in the season.
While you cried, another craving slowly came over you. Conveniently, the most readily available source of that craving was sitting holding you in his arms. You weren't really in control of yourself as you gripped the Fae's arm, sinking your teeth into the meat of his arm as he winced in surprise and pain. You didn't care.
"... If you wanted my blood, you only had to ask."
Lilia chided gently, petting your hair while you nuzzled into his arm, the infant within you excitedly stirring in response to the satisfied craving. Naturally a Vampire Bat pup would want blood, so Lilia wasn't surprised by your actions. Where he was not the most nutritious source of blood for you or the infant, he wasn't going to risk your tears by making you wait until he found a more suitable source.
"Take your fill, then we will go back to the Castle, love."
~+~
Silver:
"Is this... normal?"
Silver looked towards Lilia in concern while you put down an entire feast of fruits and vegetables. The cracking and sharp sound of you crunching through raw carrots sounding all the louder while you hungrily ate it down. The Cervitaur had been the one to collect this veritable bounty of food for you, hoping it would be enough to tide over the worst of your cravings. What he didn't expect was for you to immediately begin chowing on the feast in front of you as if you were starved.
Where the Cervitaur had been happy to gather whatever it was you were craving at any given time, he had been run more than a little ragged. You were far enough along into the pregnancy with the Cervitaur's calf that walking was near impossible for you due to your stomach weighing so heavily on your frame. Though the calf was smaller than expected the last time you had a check up, that didn't mean it was any less taxing on you physically than a regular sized calf would be.
"Shh!"
Lilia was quick to shush his adoptive son, making sure you hadn't heard the silver haired Cervitaur's question. Where Silver certainly meant it as a genuine inquiry, odds are your hormonal mind would take it as an insult due to the amount you were consuming. When Lilia confirmed you had not heard Silver, he pulled the Cervitaur to the side where you couldn't hear him as easily.
"Never question how much (Y/n) is eating right now, not unless you are going to be the one to hold them while they cry."
"But... I just asked if it was normal?"
"I know, but their hormones are far too volatile to ask something like that, Silver. Yes, it is normal for someone who is pregnant to eat far more than they usually do. It is especially normal for someone who is pregnant with a much larger infant than their body would typically need to carry."
"... Should I... Should I go find more?"
"That would be a good idea, yes."
You noticed neither the typical Bat nor Cervitaur were standing nearby when you looked up from your feast. Their lack of presence made you frown and begin to search, wondering where the pair had snuck off to. You didn't need to look for long as you saw Silver was now trotting his way back to your side, a gentle and patient smile on his lips.
"Are you happy with what I brought you?"
"Yes! Could you go find some more? Especially of the fruit. Oh, and while you are at it, could you find some celery? I really just want something to crunch on."
"... Did you already have the stalks I brought you?"
Silver realized his mistake too late as tears began to form in your eyes and Lilia sighed, placing his palm over his face. The Cervitaur would have to learn eventually why it was a bad idea to question your cravings.
~+~
Sebek:
You frowned as you turned away from the plate of meat in front of you. Though you had almost desperately wanted the meat not even a few minutes prior, it now made your stomach churn as you pushed it away from you. The pout pulling at your lips was more than obvious as you crossed your arms and turned away from the meal, nose in the air.
Sebek just couldn't believe it.
He had been trying since that morning to appease your sudden cravings, but nothing he brought you seemed to satisfy your desires. No matter how complex or odd the meal, he ensured to give you exactly what you wanted when you mentioned wanting it yet you refused almost everything by the time he gave it to you. Where his own parents had warned him about the potentially difficult mood swings you could have while pregnant with his pups, he just couldn't seem to do right by your cravings.
"Nah."
"What's wrong with this one?"
"I just don't really want it anymore. It doesn't smell right."
Sebek frowned, picking up the plate to give it a sniff. Smelled like any meat you cooked usually would. Granted, Sebek was not as well versed in the kitchen as you were- seeing as most species didn't need to cook their food before eating it- but he had been improving. Or so he thought.
"It smells fine to me?"
"No, it doesn't."
"(Y/n), is it the smell that is bothering you or-?"
"Everything! Everything about it isn't appetizing! It's smells wrong, it looks wrong, it is wrong! I don't want it."
The Raiju sighed, running his fingers through his fringe scales as he moved the plate away from you, not sure what he was supposed to give you now. You didn't want the fruit he cut up for you, you didn't want the vegetables he steamed for you, and you certainly didn't want the slab of meat he had just cooked for you. It seems there was no satisfying you at the moment.
"Where are those apples?"
"... You said you didn't want them?"
"I want them now."
"... I gave them to Silver because you didn't want them."
"... you gave them away?"
The crestfallen expression you had made Sebek panic as he began to scramble to get you the exact same kind of apples and cut them the exact same way, hoping beyond hope that you would want them this time. He would do anything in his power to keep you from crying, even if it meant he would have to go find the fruit growing on a branch just to bring it to you. As he got the fruit plated and in front of you, he couldn't help but feel his stomach drop when your lip curled in displeasure with the offering.
"... Do you still have that steak?"
~~~~
Idia:
"With cheese, please!"
"Of course."
You were happily bouncing after the long strides of the much taller Shinigami, looking up excitedly at the elder of the group who was patiently cooking up your most recent craving. Idia was hovering close by and was careful to help maneuver you away from the path of the elder. Despite his efforts, you were keen to follow at the heels of the Shinigami as he cooked.
Idia couldn't really complain, his Ancestor had been the primary cook for your many different cravings and desires at all hours of the day or night. Where Idia had created most of the tools used, it was Papa Hades who still did the lion's share of the cooking. On the off times Idia had made food for you, he usually burned it or undercooked it so it never seemed to meet your standards for a meal. This all lead to Idia relying on the elder Shinigami for assistance when your cravings hit you.
It had already been two years of your hormonal changes and mood swings, so the Shinigami had since resigned himself to simply keeping you from getting under foot while his ancestor made your meals. Honestly, he had to find the time to thank the elder for the extreme help he provided. From ensuring you remained healthy during the pregnancy to making all of the food to satisfy your cravings, Idia likely had the easiest time taking care of whatever his ancestor didn't.
"Hellkitty, let's stay over here so Papa Hades can focus on making you food."
"But I want to see what he is making?"
"I know, but you know it will be delicious every time, let's let him work."
You stared at your beloved and anxious lover for a long moment, noticing the way he seemed to squirm under your gaze. Idia had been a fairly wonderful partner thus far and he did everything in his power to ensure you were comfortable and happy. Still, something in your hormone addled brain took the gentle suggestion as an insult.
"But... but I'm not doing anything wrong... right?"
Idia balked at the sudden distress in your tone and hurried to try and fix it, keenly aware of how the Elder Shinigami concealed an amused chuckle. Despite how stressed your easily wounded emotions made Idia, the elder found great humor in hearing Idia scramble to comfort you. Papa Hades had his fair share of comforting his own long-lost beloved during their pregnancy and he remembered how raw the emotions felt in the moment. Now it was Idia's turn to wrestle with your volatile state.
"No! Not at all! There is nothing wrong with what you are doing, nothing at all! I'm just saying you can rest and stay off of your feet while we wait. That's all."
You continued to stare for a long moment and Idia could feel himself squirming in his skin. Something about your blank expression had him worried that you would respond negatively to his hurried excuse. When you smiled he let out a long sigh of relief, happy to see that you didn't take his gentle direction as an insult.
"Okay~!"
~~~~
Vil:
"Come, my Beloved, I have returned with your meal!"
You were quick to answer the casual call from Vil, keen to see what snacks the Harpy had managed to gather for you while he was out. Though it wasn't particularly easy on you for Vil to spend his days away from your side due to a new film he was acting in, he always brought back the best food when he returned for the day.
Vil proudly set the bag of treats on the table for you, letting you help yourself to the contents while he removed his jacket. Despite his own dislike for how long he spent away from your side, Vil kept himself content with it simply because Rook agreed to keep an eye on you. Still, there was an overwhelming joy in his heart when he was able to return to your side and simply bask in your presence.
It certainly helped his pride to be able to caress that swollen stomach of yours and know his eggs were forming up nicely inside of you.
"I hope I did get all of the treats you wanted today. If there is anything else you are craving in particular, I will be happy to get it delivered for you."
Vil was silently thankful that the Fairest City had all sorts of artisans and cooks who specialized in the rare and niche art of culinary practices. It also made him thankful to know that your presence had caused a boom of artisans to move to the Shaftlands just for the chance of you stopping by to sample their work. Thankfully, due to Vil's renown and social status, that meant most treats and foods were offered to him for the simple fee of giving them to you.
The news of your pregnancy had also spread like wildfire through the city, so countless new bakery and cafe owners were keen to see if you would be willing to try any of their confectionaries. Such overwhelming talent meant that Vil could grab any treat you wanted to bring home when he returned at the end of the day.
It filled him with more than simple pride to see you happily digging into the treats that you desired. It was common for Harpies to feel compelled to feed their mates especially with eggs on the way. He had even set up a comfortable barrier around your shared bed for the moment those precious eggs were brought into the world.
"How was your day with Rook, Beloved?"
"Like any other day. I'm happy you're home, though!"
Where Vil would typically be the first to scold anyone for speaking while their mouth was full, he wasn't about to risk your ire simply for his need to nitpick at manners.
"Thanks for the treats, Vil!"
"Of course, Beloved! It fills my heart with joy to see you so content."
~+~
Neige:
"Look, (Y/n)! This one looks like a heart! That's how I feel about you."
Neige cooed happily as he held up the strawberry that looked like a heart shape, excited to show you something he found cute on your little outing. He was walking with you down the many stalls of fresh food and had stopped to pick out some fruit for you. Your cravings had hit hard while the two of you were out and exploring the bustling city Neige called home.
The plucky Harpy had been thrilled to show you the strawberry and was beaming in excitement while he showed you the plump fruit. Despite your misgivings about going out with Neige while so heavily pregnant, it had been a relatively peaceful day with very few willing to approach you or bother the two of you. Though you had been left relatively undisturbed, you knew that there were still plenty of people who would happily interrupt to talk to you or to the famous Harpy that the world seemed to adore.
As you regarded the strawberry sitting in the open palms of the Harpy, you were completely unaware of your protector that hid in the shadows, ensuring that neither you nor Neige were harmed. Rook sat perched atop a nearby building, bow in hand as he watched the many faces of the crowds glance towards you and Neige. Not a single thing or person would be allowed to interrupt your lovely day out with Neige.
"Aww, I love it!"
"Here, let's buy a few and snack on them somewhere shaded and quiet, okay? That way you can get off of your feet and relax for a bit."
"Sure!"
The Harpy happily gathered up an assortment of fruits, ensuring to get that little heart-shaped strawberry for you. When he went to pay, he was surprised to see the stall owner refused to take payment from him.
"No charge, dear. You and your beloved have a lovely little picknick, okay?"
"Wow, thanks!"
As the two of you walked to a shaded spot together, Neige was keen to feed you fruit, happy to see your smile light up your face with every nibble. For the most part, your cravings had been fairly tame and revolved around fruits and seeds. Naturally, Neige was always quick to get you whatever it was that you wanted and he was just as quick to feed the morsels to you.
It was soothing in ways the Harpy couldn't describe to see you smile and accept the food from him, knowing that he was the one keeping you happy with all he could provide. Perhaps it was his instincts that drove him to do everything he could to make you smile, perhaps it was because he just liked knowing that he had taken care of you. Regardless of what it truly was that drove the Mourning Dove to feed you, the two of you at least got along well.
"Next time, can we get more grapes?"
"Sure! I can even go get them for you right now!"
~+~
(*extra tw for hunting/cleaning wild game + blood, French)
Rook:
There was the heavy scent of copper in the air as you approached the large figure of your beloved and loyal Drider carving away with his tools. He had managed to bring home a fairly large Boar and was now cleaning the meat so it could be cooked later. Rook always ensured that you had as much food as you wished, especially while you were so round with his young.
"Is it ready yet?"
"Non, mon Cœur, not yet. It will be ready soon, though."
"Oh..."
Rook almost swooned when he saw your sweet face fall in disappointment, one of his long and fuzzy legs gently lifting your chin to look at him. He couldn't help but think you were absolutely precious regardless of what expression you made whenever you spoke to him, but even more so when you pouted. Your soft lips just waiting to be embraced and soothed by his own.
"Se détendre, Amour. I need to ensure the meat is clean for you to eat it. It won't be long, je vous promets."
"... Are you sure?"
"I am certain."
You continued to watch as Rook turned back to the kill, cleaning and skinning the meat with the practiced precision of a career hunter. Something about the way the meat itself seemed so fresh and raw pulled at your brain and begged you to take a bite of that still warm feast in front of you.
Rook almost laughed when he saw your hand reaching out as if to grab a piece of the meat you were so transfixed by. With one leg he gently stopped you, keeping you just out of reach even as you whined at him and tried to reach for the promised prize. He couldn't really blame you either, the young were likely hungry and driving you to seek out the freshest food you could find.
"It is not ready yet, (Y/N)."
"But... but can't i just have a little piece?"
"It is not good for you to eat meat raw, you know this."
"I know, I just... it smells so good!"
"That would likely be our little Driderlings talking. They have been so eager these past few days, it must be quite difficult for you to have to restrain yourself."
You continued to look up at him with begging eyes, trying to squeeze as close as your stomach would allow you to see if you could swipe a piece. Ever the patient partner, Rook gently kept you just out of reach from your goal. He was neither frustrated nor restraining you from what you wanted, just keeping you far enough that you couldn't take the raw meat. Despite how indulgent of a lover he was, he was not keen for you to make yourself sick by consuming food your stomach couldn't actually handle.
"Is it ready now?"
"It will be soon, my Dearest. Once it is ready we can both cook up a delicious meal."
~+~
Epel:
"... Can we have something different tonight?"
Epel held back a wince when your unhappy voice sounded out, seeing the plant Nymph once again preparing a quick meal of cloud apples for you. Of course he would choose apples, the two of you were literally in an apple orchard.
"What did you have in mind, (Y/n)? I think there's a few things on hand that we could have. If not, we could go see what the other orchards are harvesting if ya want other fruit."
You frowned somewhat, knowing it would be best for you to try and appease whatever cravings you were having in the moment. Though Plant Nymphs produced seed cores for offspring, they were still developing in your body and you felt compelled to seek out sustenance. Much to your surprise, you were actually feeling a greater craving for meat than you had prior and it was confusing you to some extent.
"Actually, is there any meat?"
"Meat? What kind of meat?'
"I don't know... Ribs or something? I'm just feeling like a need a lot of carbs right now... Maybe I could make a soup or something? Something hearty and meaty..."
Epel wasn't particularly surprised by your craving. Despite most believing that plant nymphs wanted only water or plant matter, that vast majority of the Nymphs were omnivorous and would frequently seek out the higher calorie options such as meats and bones. Even Epel himself preferred meats over fruits, despite his love for apples.
"We can do that, sure! I'm sure Granny has somethin' and if she doesn't, we can always get some meat for ya somewhere!"
"Great! I can have those apples right now so I don't get more hungry while waiting for the meat to cook! Oh, and could we get some honey too?"
"I don't see why not. We could even have some fresh honeycomb if you really wanted."
This made you smile as Epel chuckled, happy to be able to provide for you and make you so excited for your next meal. You were quite pleased to go along with Epel while he led you back to the main Apple tree where his home was. Granny was probably cooking up one of your recipes at that very moment.
~~~~
(*Use of Hindi nickname: meri jaan (my life))
Kalim:
"Here, (Y/n), have a date!"
The Genie happily pushed the fruit towards you, grinning excitedly when you accepted it and popped it into your mouth. It always seemed like any time you had the inkling of a craving, Kalim had the food readily available for you. His unusually helpful behavior was somewhat suspicious to you, as he seemed to know what you were craving well before you actually realized you even had a craving.
"Hey, Kalim?"
"Yes, meri jaan?"
"How do you always know what I'm craving before I do?"
Kalim smiled as he floated over your back, winding his ethereal tail around your midsection as he rest his chin on your shoulders. He gently picked up your hands and placed them with your palm flat against your stomach, his own hands laying over them. From within you, you felt the growing Genie babe stir with life, feeling like there was a feather trailing along the inside of your stomach.
"Because, our little Malik sings to me with his magic."
"He sings to- wait, Malik?"
Kalim nodded excitedly, the red gems adorning him clinking together with his movement. His golden bangles and cuffs glittering and sending a lovely red sparkle of light across your stomach, as he hummed happily.
"Do you like it? I just feel like that should be his name, you know? If you don't like it, we can change-"
You kissed his cheek quieting him as his eyes went wide with surprise. He always seemed like a deer in headlights when you kissed him but soon a love filled smile bloomed across his face just as fast. He seemed to be glowing with a golden light much more than usual, sending a lovely display of glittering light all around the both of you. His intense aura always felt like a the cooling sensation of water on an unforgivingly hot day.
"I love it."
"I love you. The both of you."
As he held you soothingly in his arms another glow seemed to catch your attention. It started faint, but quickly grew to wrap around your stomach and soon overcame Kalim's aura. Instead of gold, a shimmering borealis of color and light flickered to life. The display was dazzling and sudden, flicking out of view just as quickly as it had arrived.
"I think he heard us. Didn't you, Malik~?"
Another sensation of movement inside of you made you realize the infant was actually responding to Kalim.
"When you say he sings to you... how does he do that?"
"With his Magic. Genie's use their magic like another sense and stomach since we have to feed off of residual magic. We can communicate with it too. It's neat, right? Malik is special though. He sings with his Magic. It's hard to explain, but it makes me so happy to hear it... He's going to have the best life, I can just tell!"
"I know he will."
There was a moment of peaceful silence between the two of you before Kalim seemed to perk up, chuckling to himself.
"Some of Jamil's curry coming right up!"
~+~
Jamil:
"Are you sure this much spice is safe for Humans, (Y/n)?"
"Absolutely! Now add some more!"
Jamil let out a bemused hum as you sat comfortably seated on the counter away from the hot stove he was using to cook. You were leaning back onto Jamil's long tail, a section of it curled up behind you to support you back. Beneath your legs another part of his tail rose to elevate your feet so you were reclining comfortably.
Despite your insistence, the Naga was hesitant to add more spice to your meal. He wasn't keen to harm the soft shelled eggs still forming inside of your body with something more suited to his palette. Still, he decided to add just a small amount more to please you, making it look as if he added a lot more than he did. This placated you and left you smiling happily to yourself as you relaxed in the scaled coils.
Where you had been positioned was warm from the rays of the setting sun, leaving you feeling comfortable and content. You had been far colder than usual recently, so you wanted to have something spicy to help warm you up. Something about the heat of the dish seemed to entice you more than any other. The warmth of the sun wasn't too bad either, letting you lay with your stomach exposed to the golden rays of light.
"How have you been feeling, (Y/n)? I trust you will tell me if anything felt off or uncomfortable."
"Of course I will. I've actually been feeling a little cold recently."
"Cold?"
"Yeah, like I need a heat-lamp or something, like a Lizard."
"... Or a Naga."
"Hm?"
"Nothing. Never mind me, we can get you warmer clothes and we can use those heated blankets of yours to keep you comfortable."
You nodded, cuddling into the coils embracing you as you nuzzled into the scales. Jamil smiles at this, getting this genuinely affectionate look as he continued cooking. The delicious smells and relaxing environment had you dozing off, one hand resting on your stomach as you went limp in the Naga's coils.
No one was going to bother you while you rested, Jamil would make sure of it.
~~~~
(*extra: nickname- Angelfish)
Azul:
"Careful, Angelfish, you don't have to rush."
You chuckled as you glanced back at Azul, feeling him grip your elbows and help you into a seated position on the chair despite the fact you could have easily done it yourself.
"Azul, I promise you, I'm fine."
"I know you are. I simply... well you know how I worry about you. I can't help it. There's so much to worry about."
His face darkened for a moment as you watched him, slowly lifting your hand to cup his cheek. It took only a second before he was leaning into your touch, practically cuddling into you as he shivered.
"Look at me, Handsome."
Azul flushed a pretty blue against his purple cheeks, cradling your hand with his own. His hair was starting to get long as it seemed to flow onto his shoulders and tickled your arm while he basked in the gentleness of your touch. His pale eyes glinted in the low light of the room as he stared at you, awaiting your next move.
"I'm okay. I know you are just concerned and I appreciate it, Azul. You mean the world to me, you silly cephalopod. Now, if you'll excuse me, we," you gestured to your stomach, "are starving."
"Right!"
The Octopus quickly moved to push your chair in for you so you could eat at the table, relaxing with the large plate of fried chicken. Azul had been eager to show you he could do it and you were eager to let him cook for you. He had improved his cooking skills under your tutelage and had been so eager to cook you whatever you were craving at the time.
He smiled as you dug in and it was- admittedly- well cooked. The seasoning was decent and the skin was crisp. You were clearly pleased as you snacked on the offering as the persistent craving was once again sated. For all of the odd food you had craved during your time carrying Azul's eggs, fried chicken has been the most persistent and reoccurring.
"I hope they are to your liking."
"I don't know why it is always fried chicken. Honestly, it's like there is so much they could possibly want and fried chicken is the answer every time."
Azul chuckled at this moving to sit across from you with a happy smile on his lips. He could only hope they continued to enjoy the meal once they hatched as it was the one he was becoming increasingly confident in making. He certainly didn't mind partaking every now and again when he really desired it, but he knew better than to try to eat it in front of you while you caried his eggs. Though he was currently adept at navigating the emotional landmines of your hormones, he had made enough mistakes to learn how to avoid them.
"Perhaps I will be a master of it by then and we can all enjoy some together."
~+~
Jade:
"Oya, (Y/n), I thought you were already in bed?"
You glanced over your shoulder at Jade guiltily, barely hiding the sauteed mushrooms behind your back. Jade smiled knowingly at you, moving past you to grab out various ingredients, beginning to make what looked like a mushroom pasta dish using the mushrooms you had cooked up. It was certainly much more appealing to you than the simple mushrooms that you had made.
Despite how late at night it was, Jade didn't seem tired in the slightest. In fact, his scales glowed a beautiful light teal color in the limited lights of the kitchen that transfixed you while he moved around in the darkness with confidence. Occasionally, you saw when his golden eye would peek at you from the darkness, checking in on you as you leaned against the counter top and watched him cook for you.
Jade had been such a quick study when it came to the culinary arts, you were almost surprised at how quickly he picked up the craft. cooking any dish was almost instinctual to the Eel that thrived on your attention and on impressing you. Everything he did was solely for your benefit.
After all, you were carrying his eggs.
"Thank you for cooking for me, Jade. I didn't have the energy to make something big..."
"Of course, my Pearl. How could I ignore you at a time like this? You are using your body for my benefit and for our eggs, it would only be fitting I cook for you. Allow me to set you on the counter, Beloved. I'm sure your feet simply ache standing there."
He easily lifted you, careful of your stomach as he placed you on the countertop. When you relaxed onto the surface he smiled and returned to cooking.
"You can always find me or let me know when you are craving something, (Y/n). Your comfort is important to me."
~+~
Floyd:
"Shrimpy, look what I got for you~!"
Floyd grinned widely as he showed off that impressive array of razor sharp teeth towards you. Still wriggling in his hands was a Mahimahi fish. Something about the flopping creature registered to your mind as a joke on Floyd's part. Having been years yet the hate that he held for the despised Merfolk that once tormented you still burned strong in his chest. Every chance Floyd had to bring you a Mahimahi, he took.
Of course, this was all beyond the fact that you were in a secluded beach house relaxing and Floyd had just swam out to sea to get the fish itself. Even as you stared incredulously at the Eel Merman, your stomach growled impatiently. That sound was all Floyd needed as confirmation that you wanted the fish.
"Floyd, don't tell me that you went and got it just to make it for me."
"Of course I did! I was actually just gonna come back and give you a big squeeze when it swam out in front of me. Too bad for the little fishy that I caught it instead~!"
He happily sauntered off with the still flopping fish in his hand, like going to find Jade so he could bother his twin to cook the fish for you. Where Jade would happily tell Floyd to get lost, he would always set aside time to do something nice for you. It didn't really matter if you told Floyd to put the fish back, he would probably still find a way to make it into a meal for you.
Even as you relaxed and a slow gentle breeze swept across your skin soothingly, you knew the Eel was going to be lurking nearby at any point. That's just how Moray Eels worked. They were ambush predators, after all.
~~~~
*extra: nickname- Mousey
Leona:
"Goodness sake's, Mousey, should I tell the Lionesses to get the whole Savana for you too?"
You hummed, barely looking up from the feast in front of you. Despite Leona's complaint, he was quite fortunate the female guards of the Palace were so fond of you. Certainly, one would be struggling to find any Nemean Lion that genuinely disliked you or the wonderful presence you had while you were among them. If they knew you were the one who wanted the food, they would happily go and retrieve it for you.
"If you wouldn't mind. I do want to know what Zebra tastes like. Oh! And Crocodile too!"
"... You can't be serious?"
You were absolutely serious. If you were going to have an entire elite group of huntresses willing to get you your cravings, you were going to satisfy every craving. It never seemed to be a matter of wanting fruit or vegetables. Almost every craving you had been struck by had been for some kind of meat, from antelope to buffalo, you wanted whatever kind of meat you could possibly get your hands on.
"Dead serious."
"I never knew you were such a carnivore, Mousey."
"I'm literally eating for three right now, and two of them are Lions. I don't think it is all that strange that I want meat."
Leona laughed at this, settling down next to you while you feasted. He knew better than to try to take your meal, having already crossed that boundary and learned you were not one to be trifled with when it came to your cravings. It was better for everyone's sanity that you were allowed to snack and dine as you desired.
Even though Leona complained about the interest that the Lionesses took in you, he had to admit that their presence was a blessing. You were always looked after and protected. You were always fed. Most importantly, there were countless of Doulas and Midwives around you that it was almost a guarantee you would be in good hands no matter when the cubs decided to come out.
"Well, you keep eating up. I want those cubs to be able to beat up Cheka when they're born."
"Leona!"
~+~
Ruggie:
"You touch this cake I bite you."
Your voice was no louder than a whisper but it still sent chills down the Gnolls spine. The way your eyes glinted with light managed to strike genuine fear into Ruggie's heart. It wasn't as if he was unaccustomed to having someone growl at him over food, he just wasn't used to you growling at him over food.
Ever since your stomach rounded up to a nice and obvious bump, you had been territorial over any scrap of food you could get your hands on. So long as it wasn't rotten, you were craving it the moment you saw it. Something about the way you reacted to Ruggie over the meal that you had in front of you reminded him of himself back when he didn't eat very often. He had to fight for every scrap he could get.
His only hope was that it wouldn't be the same for his cub.
Of course, it wasn't like he was ever going to let either of you go hungry if he could help it, but he did have his worries. It was only natural for someone who did not have a lot of food growing up to always be concerned about food security. Still, that didn't mean he wasn't envious of the sweet you had.
"I know, I know. Claws off the cake. I'm not that bad, (Y/n)."
"Yes, you are."
Ruggie began cackling somewhat at this, his lips pulled back in a toothy chuckle at your direct accusation. It's wasn't untrue by any means and he did find it rather humorous you knew him so well. If you weren't his beloved and weren't heavily pregnant with his cub, he would absolutely attempt to take your sweet treat.
"I know, I know. I'm downright awful when it comes to food, but you knew that already. Sides, I've been eating good ever since I managed to meet you, right?"
You actually laughed at this, knowing there was a fair bit of truth to the statement. It was hard to argue with facts and since Ruggie seemed so happy about it, why not let him have this little victory?
Even while the two of you joked and laughed about the situation, Ruggie did hold true to his word to not take your cake from you, no matter how much his stomach rumbled.
~+~
Jack:
"-and there is more in the fridge. When I come back from my trip to the market, I'll make sure to bring some extra snacks so you don't have to wait for something to cook."
Jack continued to chatter on despite the amount of food that you already head available to you. Anything Jack could bring down himself he had brought back to you like a hunting dog trying to impress the hunter. Any time you praised him for another random morsel brought back to you, his tail would wag at incredible speeds and he would tap his paws excitedly on the ground.
Not once in his many trips away to catch or find something for you to eat had Jack stopped to realize that you had plenty of food available to you. Still, it was clearly important to the Werewolf to find you food that he could give to you, needing to show that he was an attentive mate to your needs. Even on the rare and few between times you would get cravings Jack was eager to run off and retrieve whatever he could get for you in that moment.
Your stomach did make it harder for you to move around, so Jack ensured to do whatever he could to make your life easier. He had even tried his hand at cooking but quickly had to give up on that when he almost singed his fur off in the attempt. Beyond that, the Werewolf had been an efficient provider for you in your time of need.
"Jack."
"- but I need to make sure to get some fruit for you too, can't have you just eating meat-"
"Jack."
"-and make sure to tell me when you are wanting something in particular, but I can always make another trip back-"
"Jack, sit!"
The Werewolf went silent as he suddenly sat where he had been standing, staring at you in surprise. You didn't often have to order the Werewolf to do anything, but he always ensured to do as you asked regardless of what he was doing moments prior.
"I think I have enough snacks for now, Jack. We barely have enough room to put all of this food already."
"Right," Jack huffed out a nervous cough, "right.... we already have enough. We don't need more."
"Right."
"Right... but if I could just grab some fresh fruit-"
~~~~
Riddle:
"... And you are certain this is what you wanted?"
"Why are you asking it like that?"
Riddle's heart sank as he saw you begin to tear up, your lip wobbling in distress as you stare at the Unicorn in front of you. He had been trying so hard to go just one day without upsetting you or making you cry and he had been failing rather spectacularly at that task. Something about your mix of hormones and sore body left you in rather sensitive state at almost all hours and Riddle was trying his best to not displease you.
His most recent attempt to keep your spirits up involved a rather large amount of honey and grain filled breads. Trey had been nice enough to bake several loaves and Riddle was considering getting you more due to the speed that you had consumed the bread that was provided to you. From putting fruits on it, to cuts of meat, all the way to your current fancy of honey.
Despite all he had done to ensure that your cravings were satisfied, you were still incredibly sensitive when it came to the topic of food or to Riddle's tone. Any time he questioned your motives or desires, it was usually met with a tearful response. Riddle would scramble to make it up to you just to get you to calm down and the cycle would repeat again.
"I just mean to ask if this is al you want on it. I know you like fruits on this bread too, so I thought it would pair well with the honey and the tea I made for you."
"Oh... I guess some fruits would be yummy on top, sure."
He breathed a sigh of relief as your tears seemed to dry up, quickly accepting his suggestion instead of dwelling on the sorrowful feeling that had been building up inside of you. You were just looking forward to finally having something to satisfy your ever growing sweet tooth. It seemed the growing life inside of you took after Riddle quite a bit with how many sweets you craved at any given time.
"Here, let me go get some for you. Are strawberries okay?"
"Sure!"
~+~
Trey:
"It's all gone!"
You were sobbing heavily into the side of the unsettled Kelpie who tried to keep the hot tray he was carrying from burning you. Even as you pressed your face into his side, he could understand your cried words as you whimpered and hiccupped into his white coat. Your gentle whimpers unsettled the soft spoken man as he adjusted the tray to hold in one hand, the other coming down to rest on your back.
"What's all gone?"
"The bread!"
"The bread I made for you this morning?"
"Yes..! It's gone!"
Trey furrowed his brows, wondering where it could have gone to. He had made you a whole loaf of bread loaded with grains- your most recent and intense craving other than meat- and it was a fairly decent sized loaf as well. It made no sense that the bread was just gone.
"What do you mean it's gone? Did someone take it?"
"No! I ate it... all of it... now it's gone!"
Trey had to stop himself from laughing in a good humored way, knowing that you were more susceptible to your emotions and to any perceived loss that befell you. Even something as simple as not having more bread to snack on upset your delicate heart. He absolutely could not let you know he was chuckling though, as it would only serve to upset you further.
"Here, I was going to save these for tomorrow, but I figure you can have some now. They may not be that exact kind of bread, but they are rather delicious tarts."
You looked up, seeing him lower the tray of sweets for you to take your pick of the sweet treats that he had just made. It was one of your favorite luxuries when it came to being with Trey. The fresh deserts always seemed to taste even better when used to soothe away your tears. Even your ever swelling stomach seemed to agree with the sentiment, your emotions settling quickly while you enjoyed the flavorful baking.
"Thanks, Trey."
"Anything for you, my Sweet."
~+~
Cater:
"Thanks for sharing, Cater."
You sat across from the Water Nymph, helping yourself to his plate as he just smiled at you patiently. Despite the fact that you had your own plate of food, you suddenly seemed to want his, so he figured he could just have your meal instead. It seemed to be an increasingly common trend whenever Cater had something savory to eat or even snack on.
It seemed that savory need for salt and a bit more substantial food was a rather common craving for you. It even went beyond comforting things like sweets where you had switched out the sugary confectionary items for salted foods and heartier flavors. Despite how Cater wanted to believe it was because of his own aversion to sweets, he also knew it was more than likely a result of the Cores growing within you.
With your savory cravings, you had been drinking an ever increasing amount of water at almost all hours of the day. You would even go to sleep with water by your bedside and make Cater go get more water for you whenever you stirred in the night. He was happy to do it for you, of course, you were letting his offspring grow inside of you and just supplying them with the water they needed to form properly.
"Of course! What's mine is yours. You know that."
"I know, I still appreciate it."
"And I appreciate you, (Y/n). Just let me know when you want more food or water. I'm happy to go get it for you."
"Well... now that you mention it..."
Cater chuckled at this, noticing your cup was empty as you drank down yet another glass of the clear liquid.
"Let me get that for you."
~+~
Ace and Deuce:
"Do you think we should stop her?"
"You can try. I'm not going to be the one who makes her cry."
"... I'm sure it's fine."
The Faun and Satyr pair stood watching you as you ripped apart another head of lettuce, breaking off leaves at a time and snacking on them while you paced around absently. Despite how the pair had believed that you would want to be off of your feet, they figured that questioning you wouldn't be worth the coin flip reaction between anger or sorrow. Even as you waddled around with your swollen stomach rather apparent, you seemed more than content to continue pacing with your lettuce.
The two had learned early on in your pregnancy to not question your cravings or the amount of food that you decided to eat. The last time Ace had tried to tease you about it was met with such a fierce response from you the Satyr decided it wasn't worth trying again. Deuce had- thankfully- tried to learn from Ace's mistakes, but still managed to upset you with his own well intended questions that only earned him shame and a tearful reaction.
Now the two simply decided they would just not question your motives or what you decided to do for fear of any negative response. Your cravings had been more about quantity than it had about what it was you were eating, but it made sense given the fact that you were heavily pregnant with at least four Kids. Young Satyrs and Fauns were voracious and near impossible to fully satiate when it came to food, so naturally it would be difficult for you to find anything that managed to fill you up.
"Ace?"
"Yes, (Y/n)?"
"Can you go get more carrots? We're out."
"Didn't I just get some-"
Deuce quickly quieted Ace, speaking over him while trying to cover his mouth to keep him from potentially upsetting you. At least he seemed to have his wits about him even as the Satyr glared angrily.
"Ace can absolutely go get you some more carrots! He can even get you some fruits too!"
"That sounds like a great idea, Deuce!"
Once Ace managed to get away from Deuce's grasp he glared at the other Goat with sheer annoyance. He didn't like being told what to do, especially by Deuce and he had half a mind to headbutt the other hoofed male.
"What the hell was that about?"
"Are you trying to make her upset?"
"Of course not!"
"Then just do what she wants you to!"
"Why don't you do it first?"
"Make me!"
You slowly looked over to see the pair of Goats were using their horns to try and push the other into submitting to them, hearing the pair angrily baaing at one another. It seemed like you were going to be treated to a meal and a show.










