“I’m recording this on video,” Hijinks whispered loudly.
“Oh gods,” Doc muttered.
Five steps in, Ottis shuddered again, clutching Doc’s hand. “Pup’s coming. Fuck.”
Doc panicked a little. “Okay, get your pants off. Slide them down to your ankles, and step out of them.”
Luckily, it was a loose pair of pants. Ottis wriggled it off and stepped out of it, taking care to put his foot back on his circle. He made a face, though. They still had half the Circle to go.
“You can do it, sweetheart,” Doc said, kissing Ottis’ hand. “Just a few more steps, and we can get this birth going thenormalway.”
Of course, Ottis’ body decided to push right then.
Ottis yelped. “I don’t think I can stop it!”
“Keep walking.” Doc leaned in, shoving his other hand between Ottis’ legs in case he had to catch the baby. “I feel like we’re in a fucking three-legged race.”
“This is a crazy bonding ceremony,” Ottis whined.
“I’m going to win the internet,” Hijinks said behind his phone. “Just among the Buttler Bros, not to worry.”
Doc kept guiding Ottis forward. Then he felt the wet crown of their baby’s head, and his heart almost beat out of his chest.
“What the fuck,” Ottis muttered. “What the fuck, what the fuck.”
He was walking unsteadily now, trying not to squish their child, at the same time trying to keep his feet on the Circle.
“You’re doing great,” Doc said, glancing at the Circle. “Just a little more to go.”
Ottis clung to Doc’s hand like it was a lifeline. More of their baby emerged. Doc took another step, and another, glad for all the crazy things he had juggled as a doctor that made it possible for him to do this with a calm mind. He was single-handedly guiding Ottis, supporting their baby, and keeping his own feet on the Circle too.
They made it to the end of the third lap. With a sigh of relief, Doc pulled Ottis to a stop.
All the circles glowed a bright blue, and some of the magic from Doc’s body surged into Ottis through their joined hands.
He felt... a little weaker. But that was part of the bonding ceremony; he was giving Ottis half his lifespan, so they could grow old together.
Ottis shivered, his eyes glowing gold for a moment. “Mates now,” he whispered.
“Mates,” Doc murmured.
They had all of three seconds to look into each other’s eyes.
Then Ottis cried out, going into another contraction. The rest of their baby slid out of him, and Doc had to support Ottis with one arm so he didn’t fall over. He caught their baby with his other arm, carefully cradling him.
“Hey,” Doc murmured. “Look at Franklin.”
Ottis looked immediately, reaching out for their baby. “Oh, he’s beautiful.”
He began licking their son clean; not Doc’s first instinct, but it was a wolf thing. Doc hugged them both loosely to give Ottis space, and also to move him somewhere more comfortable.
It was only when they’d gotten settled on a couch that Doc let himself admire Ottis and their newborn son. His heart swelled at the sight; Doc leaned in and pressed kisses all over Ottis’ face. “So proud of you, sweetheart.”
Ottis beamed, turning to show Doc their baby. Franklin was wailing. Around them, the wolves were howling their welcome. “He’s all blotchy and pink now, but he’ll look fine soon.”
Doc carefully took Franklin into his arms. He had held several newborns, but never his own. His heart skipped a beat as he cradled Franklin close, dropping a gentle kiss on his forehead. Maybe he cried a little.
When he looked up, he found Ottis smiling warmly.
