Häti sets the pace, Benji follows.

It's three-fourths concern that she might set too swift a canter and one-fourth some festering, unsightly inclination to protect what is hers; hers in all the ways Häti allows herself to be claimed. Benji never asks for more, never takes, never wants beyond what is freely proposed. There's something wordless and unknowable that ebbs between them now and it's been given quietly, a marrow deep thing that pulls her toward the other and draws the other toward her, and she's too observant of their surroundings to truly wonder what it is.

Acknowledgement is enough.

She's allowed herself to drag a bit farther behind so she could investigate a prospective prey trail, and then...

...Benji's ears perk at the call and wastes no moment to ponder before she answers, offering a short bark to announce her arrival before her flesh could.

Hurry she does.

"You okay?" She asks, concerned only for her companion until a glance toward the little heap of a creature between Häti's paws elicits a furrow of brows. A low, contemplative rumble rolls in her throat. "Oh." Because it is small and alive and that is valuable in a land so determined to raze all who dare to call it home. She lowers her head, sniffs.

I found this.

Benji presses closer, scenting the alive little thing.

It is ours.

She stills, watching the alive little thing writhe.

A son.

And she brings her great muzzle to the soft forehead of their alive little boy.

Benji does not question why this is the case, nor does she desire to protest where logic might typically beg her to, as it is not logic that explains why she watches Häti bring the pup in with gentle touch and wishes only that they had some place to harbor their child. Their child for if any young were Häti's, they were Benji's, too, that is all she needs to care.

"He's cold," she says, giving the boy a single, sodden lick across the face before lifting her head to look at Häti. "Will he nurse?" And because this isn't her realm of expertise, she pushes no further, awaiting only an answer. "He's strong for making it this long alone, that's promising. We'll keep him that way."