"Do you want cubs?"
Ahi's mind went completely blank at Elisa's words, completely forgetting the ugly emotions that had reared its head up earlier this evening. All he could think of was cubs with Elisa.
Did he want cubs with her?
The instinct part of him immediately wanted to say yes. It was his duty to continue his bloodline and what drove many ferals to become desperate for mates.
But the logical side of him was more against the idea. He never wanted to have cubs, especially if it meant forcing a female into bringing them into the world.
He had no desire for it, knowing the cubs would be hated by everyone for simply existing. Even their mother would hate them and he would never want that upon another.
After all, he had experienced such hatred before.
But that was his thoughts before meeting Elisa. Having cubs with her didn't seem like a bad idea, her kindness would make her a loving mother in his eyes. Something primal within him desperately wanted to have cubs with her.
However, the world would still shun their cubs for being feral snakes and Ahi didn't believe Elisa could cope with seeing her cubs being constantly shunned. It would slowly kill her and he couldn't bear to watch that happen.
She would definitely grow to resent him for being a feral beastman.
Besides, it wasn't like he could be a good father. He actually had no idea on how to become a good one other than not killing his cubs. But that was the bare minimum.
Where was he to go from there? He couldn't use his father, if he could call that male such a thing, because that feral tried to eat him…
"Hey Ahi…" Elisa's voice suddenly pulled him back to reality. "Do you not want cubs? Do you hate the idea?"
"I don't hate the idea, but having cubs isn't necessary." Ahi gazed down at the female in his hands who was staring at him intensely. "What about you? Do you want cubs?"
He knew many females desired cubs and if Elisa wanted them too, who was he to deny her that joy. Even if he didn't partially like the idea.
He would just have to make sure he did as much as possible so others wouldn't harm the cubs. Maybe get others to accept them, if that was possible.
That was if they had cubs. It was likely better if she had cubs with another male. Not that he particularly liked the idea at all.
His instincts were running wild, wanting him to hide Elisa away from the world, but he pushed them down. He couldn't let them control his life. It would lead him nowhere.
"Well… I mean I wouldn't mind having cubs, but I've always seen it as something that would happen in the distant future." Elisa replied with a red face. "I was focused on other things…"
"Oh like what?" Ahi asked curiously.
He was a little surprised Elisa didn't have that big of a desire for cubs, but then again she was always surprising him. She was different from anything he had seen.
"Um… finding good mates and settling down I guess." Elisa murmured. "Build a good home for any future cubs we might have…."
"That doesn't sound bad." Ahi thought aloud.
He could actually see such a thing happening and wasn't against the idea. Perhaps having cubs with Elisa wouldn't be as horrible as he thought it would be. He would like to build a nest with Elisa.
"Yeah…" Elisa bit her lip before suddenly asking, "Um… do snakes have any special ways of raising cubs?"
Ahi stiffened slightly at the question, it hitting a little close to home. "No… snakes don't typically raise their cubs."
Once snake beastmen hatched from their eggs, they were tossed out their father's nest and it was them against the big, bad world. That was if their eggs didn't get eaten by their siblings or smashed by a vengeful mother.
Not that he really blamed them. Those females were also victims in the situation.
"Oh… I see…" Elisa cringed. "I should've known better."
"It's fine. You were only curious." Ahi pulled Elisa closer to him so she could lay in the nook of his neck.
Her scent washed over him and he couldn't help but nuzzle her soft hair, his coils tightening slightly around them. His instincts were screaming for him to mate with her, but he couldn't.
Not without her saying yes. He would stay calm and enjoy this moment and her softness against him.
"Do you have more questions?" Ahi asked, wanting to distract his mind.
Talking would keep him from allowing his instincts to dictate what he should do. At least he hoped so. Maybe asking Elisa to stay in his arms was a bad idea…
"Well… I want to know more about you." Elisa pondered, playing with a strand of his hair. "And your thoughts about what we discussed earlier tonight regarding Grasslands City."
"There's not much to know about me. I like warm places, but not hot like the desert, water, eggs and you." Ahi mused. "As for Grasslands City, you don't have to worry too much about it. I have lots of crystals. We can build the best nest in the city."
"That's not the only thing I'm worried about…" Elisa raised her head to stare at Ahi. "What happens if the king refuses to let you in? Xavier said the cold season would happen soon and we'll need to prepare for that."
"While we're traveling, we can look for nearby villages. If Grasslands City doesn't work out, we can move to one of those villages for the cold season." Ahi mused. "We can travel to different cities after the cold season until we find a place you like."
"You have to like the place too." Elisa commented. "Aren't there things you want for the nest?"
Ahi smiled softly. "I'll be happy with any place as long as you're there."
"Y-you…" Elisa went red in the face at his words, making her look incredibly cute.
Ahi had to admit he enjoyed teasing her like this, but he also enjoyed their conversations.. He wished they could last forever, however it was getting late. He wanted to do one more thing before they slept.
"Can I kiss you?"