#17 for the ficlet starters?
Since there’s no characters I’m gonna use it for my OCs >:3
Gov took a deep breath, staring down at the huddle of little bodies, fourteen eyes staring up at him.
“Okay,” he said, with a sigh. He rubbed his face, mandibles working and popping. He swore every time he spoke or so much as twitched they were going to snap from the stress. Perfectly matched the tension ache through his head and shoulders, which all complemented the churning in his stomach. Under his breath, he muttered, “Well, fuck.”
It could be worse. They were all fine - physically, anyways - and all in the same place. His sister was still alive, and expected to make a full recovery, no matter how much of a ripped up mess she was now. Benefits of being a Higher Being.
He knelt, opening his arms wide.
They didn’t hesitate before piling onto him, some crawling up onto his thorax and draping themselves over his shoulders, some cuddling against his sides, and Bick, ever the snuggler, wedging himself in his lap, burying his face in Gov’s stomach. Seven kids, all accounted for, warm and soft and alive and well.
He rumbled, nuzzling the hatchlings piled in his arms. His cool face pressed against their cheeks, their breaths puffing against him, slowing to match his. They peeped softly, hands curling into whatever gaps in his plates they could find until they were secure and safe.
“I’m here,” he promised. The back of his knuckles drew up and down their backs, each in turn. His arms tightened, stopping before they got uncomfortable or squirmed.
Someone thought he and Judge were weak enough to destroy, and take their land for conquer. Just one for now, but how many more would come? How many before Judge healed? And until then, he had her kids to care for. All seven of them, scared, their world shaken.
He let out a long breath, the air gusting over them. “I’m here. I’ve got you.”
