[Ah. That was exactly what Legosi was expecting, he'd just hoped that maybe he could step further than a few feet into the store before it started happening. It makes sense though- he gets it- he's a hulking Grey Wolf who has to hunch just to be kindof at eye-level with these shorter aisles, and even then it makes him feel like he's a giant in a place built for those much smaller. He hopes Haru hasn't noticed the couple, which he himself spares a brief glance before turning his attention back to Haru solely.
That look said everything, he hopes. It's none of your concern.]
But when he's back with Haru, that look fades pretty immediately, replaced with something far more placid as the tip of his tail sweeps gently across the floor.]
Puppies can be very small, even from wolves. You would be surprised.
[Though he wonders if a child of theirs would be born even smaller. He imagines rabbit kits are so small that he can't even fathom their smallness, whereas a wolf pup to Haru probably seems more like...young toddler size.]
What you have to look out for is them outgrowing everything...it happens quicker than you would expect.
[Luckily enough, the ferrets mind their business even if they do cast a glance in their direction every now and then until they move to the next aisle. It's...likely going to be this way the entire time they're in this section, until they reach the larger mammal section and Legosi is less noticeable among the higher shelves and Haru nigh impossible to see. Small mammals are just built to be inherently nervous and over-aware of their surroundings.
But there's a reason why the two of them aren't getting the usual helpful attentiveness from the floor staff. Different species couples may have gained a bit more acceptance than how things had been years ago, but couples coming into a store catering to expectant parents and those with kids?? The animals that'll gawk, will do so, and the staff keeps a close eye. Society has changed, sure, but old habits in spaces like these still linger.
Haru is either too scatter brained and distracted to notice, or more likely she chooses to ignore it. She blinks away the misty-eyed feeling that wells up immediately on seeing the small clothes (hormones........) and loops her fingers around Legosi's belt loop with her free hand.
(She did, in fact, notice the stares, and will continue to notice it).]
I was a runt of a kit; I wonder if that'll be genetic. But maybe...you'll even it out for them? [She places it back, tugging on Legosi's belt loop towards the slightly larger sizes. Which, compared to a puppy, are still small.] If growing fast is an issue, I'd rather get large sizes outright. Maybe we should get one or two outfits from the large section here, and then maybe one or two from the smalls for large mammals. What do you think?
[Unlooping her finger, she immediately goes to look at some floral patterned onesies despite herself.]
Although...I'd think even the smallest wolf puppy is still larger than a dwarf rabbit kit.
[She sounds calm but, one ear flicks back slightly, conveying uncertainty.]
[Legosi is no doctor, and he's not going to pretend he knows exactly what things will be like when this baby is born. It could be microscopic, or it could be way larger than they're prepared for. Surely not bigger than a normal, healthy wolf, but...he's also learned to trust nothing as gospel these days. It's still early enough along that all they really know is that whoever is in there, they're healthy. That's what matters.
So when Legosi spots the slight shift in Haru's body language, he'll take the iniative and reach out for one of the larger size onesies they'd come up on, particularly in the floral pattern Haru was eyeing. He holds it up a bit to gauge the size, and since these are for newborns...it's not even as long as his hand.
...okay now he's the one having to fight back emotion for a second because that's too small!
But still...he hands it carefully to Haru.]
I think that would cover our bases. I don't think they would be so small that nothing we got would work for them...and if anything, they would grow into it eventually.
[His words carry a deeper meaning. "It's going to be alright," they say. Even if the baby happens to be smaller than any rabbit they've ever seen...it will be fine. They'll just be a little different, that's all.]
[Where Legosi's mind thinks "small", Haru's goes to the opposite end of the spectrum. Because...what if it's big...too big? There was gossip among the seniors at university that a female rabbit broke things off with her boyfriend for that very reason, and foxes are nowhere near as large as grey wolves.
Still, Legosi's words are reassuring, her thoughts fleeting, and when she looks up at him, she looks upbeat, taking the outfit from him as it hands it to her. Where it looked small in Legosi's hands, the sizing looks better placed in Haru's. She won't tell him this size is more for hares or other large-breed Leporidae newborns.]
That's what I was thinking...you grew a lot even in highschool, so there's no predicting how long a baby will fit into something. [She tucks the floral onesie under her arm (the complete opposite of the 'simple' theme she initially suggested), realizing they'll need a cart.] Oh! You should pick something out too. Surprise me! I'll go get us a basket to carry our things.
[And she's!! Unthinkingly leaving her large scary-looking boyfriend alone in the small mammal section, waving him along to browse while she goes to grab a basket.
[Picking something out to surprise his girlfriend sounds nice! It's a downright wholesome idea. Why not, right? There's so much to choose from, surely he'd find something she didn't see and be enamored by it.
Which would be fine...if Haru didn't just hop away from him before he could open his mouth to think to say anything more than-]
Haru-chan-
[Before she's already gone. And he's just...standing there, sticking out like a sore thumb in the damn middle of the small mammal section, dinosaur jesus give him strength.
He'd already been hunched over a little talking to Haru, but that increases by several inches as he tries his best to seem more...unassuming, which is literally impossible when even crouching he can see easily over the tops of the aisles without having to lift his head. Immediately, he focuses his attention on the rest of the onesies, trying to ignore the cold sweat that's broken out on the back of his neck as a very expectant mother chipmunk suddenly steps into the same aisle he was already standing in. It doesn't help that she's not just expecting, but already holding a toddler on her hip as she goes, a little girl with a bright pink bow and one of her paws in her mouth as she stares wide-eyed at Legosi while he tries desperately to melt into the floor.
Oh god. Haru. Why did you do this to him-
...oh. In his muted panic, he does spot something that catches his eye. There's a stag beetle printed on some fabric, so he reaches behind a few of the others to pull it out...and what do you know! It's completely covered with cute little patterns of different bugs. Beetles, dragonflies, ladybugs...it's softly colored too, even with the more eclectic pattern it's got going on there.
Doesn't mean he isn't still being watched like a hawk, but. You know, it's something he has now.]
[Not only has a lone male wolf caught the attention of a mother chipmunk just trying to go about her day, but also a male kangaroo security guard, diligently keeping an eye out on the situation, as well as walking past the aisle a few too many times.
Meanwhile, Haru is, for the moment, completely unawares of the awkward situation she's put the poor wolf in, heading towards the large mammal section to hoist along a basket meant for larger animals to carry, and because of its size in comparison to her, she's hoisted it over her head, ear flattened down so she can rest it on top to keep it balance. In a few months she figures she's going to be denied the ability to carry cumbersome objects anyway, so she's taking full advantage of the mobility she currently has.
And, when she finally ambles back to find where she left Legosi, the security guard finally decides heads down the aisle to confront this weirdo, carefully walking by the chipmunk and her small toddler. This guy has the look of someone who wants to start trouble, and it's better to be safe than sorry when a family-oriented store is concerned, but as soon as the kangroo gets within speaking distance from this wolf in a way not to cause a scene, a small voice pipes up from behind the kangaroo and Haru pushes past the kangaroo, large basket still overhead.]
Legosi-kun! Here, I got a large basket for us. Do you mind carrying it? [She's intentionally placed her small body between Legosi and the kangaroo and sets the basket down for Legosi to take, ears popping back up.] Getting a smaller one just didn't make any sense.
[The kangaroo, meanwhile, looks down at the rabbit, then back to the 1.5 eared scarred up creepy looking grey wolf he was about to confront about causing trouble for the smaller mammals.
"Uh..." This is awkward. "Do you two...need help?"]
[Haru comes back in the nick of time, whether she realizes it or not. Legosi was one step away from a heart attack, or a panic attack, or maybe some weird combo of both because even as he saw that guard coming his way he felt weirdly...calm? Probably because he's seen this sort of sight so many times that his brain is just resigned to it at this point. No, the real issue is how upset Haru would be if he got himself kicked out of the baby supply store just for existing. Not that he could...really help that...but he still doesn't want to upset her.
He'd just been opening his mouth, lifting both hands with one of those onesies draped across his forearm to defend himself, when Haru abruptly pops up in front of him, wedging herself neatly between him and the kangaroo. It leaves both of them bewildered, especially as now Legosi has even more explaining to do.
He swallows thickly, moving to quickly- carefully- pick up that basket that Haru brought, fussing with the handles in one hand while he passes the onesie to Haru to take with the other.]
W-we're fine!
[Haru is clearly with him, and knows him, given the way she'd cheerfully addressed him by name just then. Legosi hopes it's enough for the guard to believe, because...let's be real here he wouldn't blame him if he was still skeptical. Just to try and smooth his concerns over, Legosi will crouch down a little in the aisle so he isn't just standing there like a hulking giant with his head actually poking up above the aisles, his tail curled between his legs as he reaches his now-free hand out to rest gently against the back of Haru's shoulders.]
Thank you for your concern, but um....we are okay from here. Thank you.
[Haru's attention remains on Legosi for a bit, even with the kangaroo now standing confused and awkward behind her. As they trade between basket and the onesie Legosi picked out, Haru takes a moment to hold it up and admire it.]
Ooh, look at all the cute bugs! [Go figure] I'm sure our baby would look so cute in this...and it kind of matches the floral one I picked out, don't you think?
[The kangaroo seems obviously startled at not only this rabbit happily going about her day as though she's not between two large, intimidating-looking mammals, but also the revelation that that they're obviously a couple, and a baby is in the picture.
He rubs a hand along the side of his face, and he's clearly not wanting to believe it, but is obliged to. Without wanting to think further on the why and how and the...mechanics. Because when Haru sets the bug onesie into the basket and turns around to properly face the kangaroo, he's worked here long enough where he can tell they're not adopting either.
"I...um, see you two are...fine." Said as he stares over Haru's shoulder to look Legosi square in the eye. "You looked a bit lost there but, your wife" (????) "seems to have a handle on things." And before he remains standing in this weird scenario for any longer, the chipmunk trying her best to eavesdrop without being obvious, he tips his hat.
"If you need any help, I'll be around." And he does an immediate about face and heads out. Far away from the small mammal section....
Haru remains staring after him, hands on her hips. Her cheerful attitude swiftly darkens to something more annoyed and reflecting how she actually feels, puffing out her cheeks, ear twitching.]
Sheesh. [Turning back to Legosi, she places the floral one she picked out earlier into the basket.] Who does he think he is...what a weirdo.
[By the time the guard finally leaves, Legosi can feel several years that had just been shaved off his life slowly escape away from his body. They're gone, goodbye, he's never getting those back now. He knows Haru didn't intentionally leave him hanging like that (he would have known if she did it on purpose), but still...he's more than a little flustered right now.
And maybe, just maybe, it also has everything to do with the fact that guy just called Haru his wife.]
W-well, I...I did look rather out of place here by myself...
[He says that carefully, hoping Haru will pick up on the fact that they should probably at least try to stick together a bit more, at least until they make it back to the large mammal section. He won't be as out of place there, and Haru...well he won't say it out loud, but she'll probably be more overlooked than he would. At least until people realize that's a very pregnant rabbit in an area meant for lions and shit.]
But he's fine! He's fine. He's going to be the dutiful boyfriend here holding their basket, trying to continue to make himself as small as possible as he remains crouched next to Haru's side.
[Oh dear, sweet Legosi-kun...at least your loss of a few years of life means that you better understand what it's like being an herbivore, where anything that causes your heart to race means knowing you've got seconds less to life. At least he didn't turn white this time...
Unfortunately, Haru was too embroiled with her own annoyance at some security guard attempting to square up with her boyfriend to notice or think much about being called Legosi's wife. Maybe in a few hours...after she's settled in for a good night's sleep she'll actually remember and ruminate over it.
Think about how, in a way, they kind of never did much of their relationship in the expected order. But it's not like theirs is a relationship that could even be expected.]
So? He was obviously looking for a fight! [Now there's the added tapping of her foot, angry on Legosi's behalf, but she also does pick up on what's gone unsaid. The thumping of her foot slows, and she looks at him with a frown.] Do you think we should go to the large mammal section instead?
[Ah, she feels bad, ditching him like that, and she deflates a bit more.]
I'm sorry, I didn't realize I put you in an awkward spot like that. [She looks back down at the pair of clothes they've picked out.] I was serious, though, when I said I like what you picked out.
N-no no! It wasn't like you did it on purpose or anything...this sort of place is just. Erm...
[He glances around, very briefly locking eyes with that Chipmunk lady before he's quick to look away again because he is not here to cause even more of a scene.]
A bit...difficult. To navigate.
[And he means that both figuratively and literally. But you know what? It's fine. He signed up for this when he resolved to having this baby with Haru, it's just one of the many hurdles they're going to have to overcome. It's...okay, well, he can't say it's not worse than being a wolf dating a rabbit because it is, but it's a new kind of challenge. Legosi is more than willing to tackle it for not just Haru's sake, but for the sake of their unborn child.
His ears flick forward with that in mind, a sort of newfound determination causing his shoulders to set as he puts his hand at the small of Haru's back in a sort of gesture that says they're not going to be leaving this section until Haru is ready.]
It's alright. Let's at least finish looking through what they have here before we move on.
[The subject change is grateful and immediately latched onto as Legosi turns his attention back to the baby clothes, eyeing just how many different patterns seem to feature bugs or flowers. It's not surprising; it's a common theme for small children.]
I think that would be perfect. We could get them things themed around what we both like that way, and it would still match fine.
[She nods, a small smile tugging on her face as she looks at the other clothes, PJs and cloth diapers on display. All varying themes, some reflecting popular kids cartoons (she assumes), the plain ones she was initially thinking of…
No matter how the kid turns out, wolf or rabbit or an obvious unmistakable mix of both, it makes the most sense to be unashamed in choosing things that best represent the two of them.] … and when they’re older and they start liking their own things, they’ll be able choose what they want.
But for now, we can get things we both like. It’ll be fun.
[It’s funny in a way, where they as animals and as people are so completely different, yet they work well in that way in where their interests intersect. It’s how she wants to keep living.
And with him still down at her level, his large hand on the small of her back (taking up...all of her back, honestly) she looks him directly in the eye, again taking advantage of the fact he's at her level to rest her hand at his cheek, kissing the side of his muzzle regardless of onlookers.
If anything, it'll embarrass the others into finally minding their own business.]
It's hard for me to navigate too; I'm happy you're here. [And letting her hand fall from his face, she happily clasps her hands in front of her, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet.] So, for the less fun part...we should probably do cloth diapers.
[The fact that it'll save them money goes unsaid. Because that's another not-fun thing to think about]
But! I think we should look at a stuffed toy. It'll be nice to have one around as a reminder. All my toys when I was a baby were hand-me-downs of my older sister's.
[It has the exact effect that Haru desires, that kiss. The Chipmunk lady finally takes the hint and moves elsewhere, but not before her child saw something that she's never borne witness to before, at least not so directly. Of course, a child barely a toddler doesn't yet understand the invisible divide that still exists between carnivores and herbivores, but even she could sense something different about the two. Maybe she's too young to remember it, but there's also a chance she will. Whatever the case, her gaze still lingers on them until they're finally out of sight.
Legosi, for his part, is smiling again. His tail had stopped wagging after that scare they'd had, but now it's slowly sweeping the floor behind him again as he nods. The regular upkeep of a child is something he has far less experience in, though he imagines Haru isn't in much better shape. Perhaps she has some sortof familiarity due to having so many siblings, but it's not something he's asked. It won't matter much anyway, at least in his case. He has no doubts that his grandfather is going to swoop in and teach him everything he's learned from his days as a parent, whether Legosi outright asks for help or not.
He looks up, then, moving to stand while also endeavoring to slouch so he's not standing head-and-shoulders over the aisle they're in.]
Your first toy is something you never forget. I'm pretty sure my Grandpa still has my old toys, somewhere...
[So even though they'll be buying new things, he has no issue with letting their child have the toys he had when he was little, too.]
[Being able to kiss Legosi, in private or public, always has a desired effect. On a personal level, it's because it's still special to Haru after having been with him for so long and only finally getting to a point where she can be more openly affectionate with him and him being more receptive to it without hesitance. And it's always a surefire way to get his tail wagging, a purely canine trait that she can't get enough of. He's inherited the calm and subdued facial expressions and mannerisms from his grandfather, sure, and he can be hard to read at times, but he still has the typical canine body language that make knowing how he feels a bit easier to understand.
The other positive is that it usually gets older or more oldschool-thinking rubberneckers to look away. And in this instance, the lingering gaze of the toddler doesn't bother her, because this is the kind of relationship Haru wants for their kid when they get to that age.
She's perked up immensely now that they're back to just the two of them without any rude interruptions, ears standing straight and eyes bright and attentive when he mentions his own childhood toys.]
Does he? What was your first toy... [she loops her fingers around his belt loop, to keep his hands free but still in touch] a stuffed rabbit?
[Teasing.]
Mine was, actually. It was my sister's...it's still in my old room, actually. When I was a kit I also had this set of building blocks that doubled as chew toys.
[Legosi huffs at that, a cross between a laugh and...well, just him huffing.]
My first toy was...erm. Well...
[He looks up at the ceiling, one of his ears flicking back sheepishly.]
Mine was also...a chew toy? But...more like a canine one......it was a rubber ball. Apparently I used to carry it around in my mouth all the time. I'm not sure if that would be very appropriate for a newborn though...
Apparently, huh? [Another thing to bug Gosha about the next time they pay a visit: ask for evidence of Legosi as a puppy teething on his favourite rubber ball.] But you're right, it probably isn't. Though if they do start teething early...
...now that you say that, I'm realizing they might start very early...
[Like, imagine. A mixture of a rabbit, whose teeth are always growing and need to be worn down, and a puppy who is going to be teething not that long after birth?? They might have to pay even more attention to babyproofing the apartment when the time comes.]
We should see what sizes of bottles they have in this section. We don't want anything too big.
[A truly horrifying prospect. For everyone. They'll definitely have to keep electrical cords as hidden or unreachable as possible too...there've been horror stories down the pipeline in rabbit communities.]
Definitely...and maybe see how much those, uh, pumps cost so we can save up for it-- [This is moving from cute into awkward, body specific territory!! And so she holds her hands up immediately following that, face a bit red despite herself.] Which I can look into on my own! And talk to my mom about later.
I'm definitely getting ahead of myself. It's not like the apartment has a lot of storage!
[Accidentally presenting yet another elephant in the room. So to speak. Just as an actual elephant family enters the department store.]
W-we should focus on the cute and fun things right now. Like clothes, and toys. How about we...look at the large mammal section. See if there's a wolf babydoll or something.
[For the baby of course, and not for Haru to cuddle with whenever Legosi gets home late. Yup.]
[Haru, bless your heart, you're about to give Legosi a heart attack. He's not even sure where he would have begun with that if she hadn't successfully steered the conversation somewhere safer.
It's funny how it's taken this long for it to sink in for Legosi, but preparing for a child is...a lot of work. A lot of little factors come into play that he never would have considered before; to be honest, it's actually a bit overwhelming. He's pretty sure if he didn't have Haru with him here, he'd have been sunk a long time ago.
But, right. Cute and fun things. They still have plenty of time to cover the practical things. It's not like the baby is going to be born tomorow or anything.]
Good idea.
[He's so eager for the idea of moving to a more comfortable section of the store that the potential ulterior motive behind getting a wolf plush is lost on Legosi for the time being as he reaches for her hand, walking with her out of the aisle so they can start heading that way. It's not like they'll get fewer looks here, but at the very least Legosi won't be the first immediate eyesore.]
[Honestly, she would not have wanted Legosi to go shopping on his own for these sort of items either. Not because she doesn't trust him, the guy does do his research to the nth degree when it's something that matters to him (She found...those rabbit behavioral books back in highschool. She Knows.), but because all of this is overwhelming to her, so it must be the same if not worse for him. Her family life was incredibly different from his, after all, and being a rabbit and having the usual extended family as a rabbit has her at least semi-familiar with the basics of what having a kid entails.
Plus, she kind of doesn't...well, as said, she trusts him, but she also trusts that he may either be frozen stock-solid or go overboard in over planning. So, slow and steady (like a lot of aspects in their relationship).
Still, she feels embarrassed bringing up something better discussed with her mom, and her heart is still beating fast from it, feeling yet another fluttering sensation in her stomach which she chalks up to said embarrassment, and it all calms down once she takes Legosi's hand as they head towards the opposite direction of the store towards the larger mammal section. It's kept a distance from the small mammal section for both obvious reasons, and no doubt they walk past same-species couples who are also doing after work shopping for their kids or friends (or similiar species couples...there's a female capybara with a guinea pig in an area for medium-sized mammals who pay little mind when they walk by).
But as they get to the toy aisle, Haru lets go of Legosi's hand to look at the canine toys, though instead of checking out the stuffed animals she instead looks at a rubber ball. Picking it up, she turns and holds it up, gesturing with it.]
Oh! Was your favourite toy something like this?
[There's some give to it, and even though it looks huge in her tiny hand, she squeezes it. And it squeaks.
[While Legosi's own nerves aren't immediately calmed by the change of scenery, it does help immensely. Now he hopes he'll be able to focus his efforts solely on finding things that will work best for their child, and not-]
Hm-?
[He turns his head just in time to see Haru standing there, holding up a rubber ball a mere foot or two away from his nose. It's...more than a little comical how immediate the effect is that it has on him, causing him to go perfectly still with his ears perked as high as they'll sit on his head. His tail swishes over the tiled floor as he adjusts the way he's standing imperceptibly, without even noticing.
It's the perfect image of a dog primed and ready for the ball to be thrown.]
It's exactly the kind of reaction she was expecting from him, and the look on his face, the immediate change in his stance and demeanor, has her holding back a laugh. It does occur to her, from time to time, that this is perhaps the very same look he had that initial night they met. Maybe that's part of why she triggered it.]
Hmm...I see. [Said casually, as though she's considering whether to put it back or not. And with a shrug, she does throw it. An underhand toss straight towards the shopping basket Legosi is holding. He's standing close enough and still enough where it's easy for even someone her size and lacking athletic ability to make it in, assuming he doesn't move to catch it in his own mouth or something.
Either way:] Good. We'll buy it; it's pretty inexpensive.
It's likely that, at this point in time, Haru hasn't yet played catch with Legosi. Not like...explicitly, at least. And maybe, deep down in his wolfy heart, he's wanted to...badly...but it's also kindof weird to ask your girlfriend something like that? Especially when he has no intention of throwing her the ball. Just having it be thrown for him to bring back...endlessly.
So it's instinct and reflex that take over in tandem when she tosses the ball, his head snapping to the side so fast that it actually makes his neck hurt. His teeth close around the ball and just like that, he's holding it in his mouth.
This ball that has probably been touched by countless hands. That they haven't paid for yet.]
...ah... [Her hand has stilled at the end of the toss, hovering as she stares wide-eyed at Legosi standing across from her, ball in his mouth. His head moved so fast, it was practically a blur. She knew exactly what she was doing in throwing the ball, tempting fate and the instincts of a canine, but she didn't actually expect him to go for it.
But--]
I wonder how many other animals put their hands and mouth on that.
[All the parents that come through with their babies and toddlers, grabbing and touching everything...
Like...technically they could just sneak it back on the shelf and pretend they didn't ever see it, but...they would know. That ball would probably haunt them when their kid was in college.
Legosi swallows, slowly lifting a hand to take the ball shamefully out of his mouth. He doesn't even know what to say, his ears laying flat out at their sides as he quickly wipes it off on the front of his shirt.]
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That look said everything, he hopes. It's none of your concern.]
But when he's back with Haru, that look fades pretty immediately, replaced with something far more placid as the tip of his tail sweeps gently across the floor.]
Puppies can be very small, even from wolves. You would be surprised.
[Though he wonders if a child of theirs would be born even smaller. He imagines rabbit kits are so small that he can't even fathom their smallness, whereas a wolf pup to Haru probably seems more like...young toddler size.]
What you have to look out for is them outgrowing everything...it happens quicker than you would expect.
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But there's a reason why the two of them aren't getting the usual helpful attentiveness from the floor staff. Different species couples may have gained a bit more acceptance than how things had been years ago, but couples coming into a store catering to expectant parents and those with kids?? The animals that'll gawk, will do so, and the staff keeps a close eye. Society has changed, sure, but old habits in spaces like these still linger.
Haru is either too scatter brained and distracted to notice, or more likely she chooses to ignore it. She blinks away the misty-eyed feeling that wells up immediately on seeing the small clothes (hormones........) and loops her fingers around Legosi's belt loop with her free hand.
(She did, in fact, notice the stares, and will continue to notice it).]
I was a runt of a kit; I wonder if that'll be genetic. But maybe...you'll even it out for them? [She places it back, tugging on Legosi's belt loop towards the slightly larger sizes. Which, compared to a puppy, are still small.] If growing fast is an issue, I'd rather get large sizes outright. Maybe we should get one or two outfits from the large section here, and then maybe one or two from the smalls for large mammals. What do you think?
[Unlooping her finger, she immediately goes to look at some floral patterned onesies despite herself.]
Although...I'd think even the smallest wolf puppy is still larger than a dwarf rabbit kit.
[She sounds calm but, one ear flicks back slightly, conveying uncertainty.]
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So when Legosi spots the slight shift in Haru's body language, he'll take the iniative and reach out for one of the larger size onesies they'd come up on, particularly in the floral pattern Haru was eyeing. He holds it up a bit to gauge the size, and since these are for newborns...it's not even as long as his hand.
...okay now he's the one having to fight back emotion for a second because that's too small!
But still...he hands it carefully to Haru.]
I think that would cover our bases. I don't think they would be so small that nothing we got would work for them...and if anything, they would grow into it eventually.
[His words carry a deeper meaning. "It's going to be alright," they say. Even if the baby happens to be smaller than any rabbit they've ever seen...it will be fine. They'll just be a little different, that's all.]
you are about to hate me.
[Where Legosi's mind thinks "small", Haru's goes to the opposite end of the spectrum. Because...what if it's big...too big? There was gossip among the seniors at university that a female rabbit broke things off with her boyfriend for that very reason, and foxes are nowhere near as large as grey wolves.
Still, Legosi's words are reassuring, her thoughts fleeting, and when she looks up at him, she looks upbeat, taking the outfit from him as it hands it to her. Where it looked small in Legosi's hands, the sizing looks better placed in Haru's. She won't tell him this size is more for hares or other large-breed Leporidae newborns.]
That's what I was thinking...you grew a lot even in highschool, so there's no predicting how long a baby will fit into something. [She tucks the floral onesie under her arm (the complete opposite of the 'simple' theme she initially suggested), realizing they'll need a cart.] Oh! You should pick something out too. Surprise me! I'll go get us a basket to carry our things.
[And she's!! Unthinkingly leaving her large scary-looking boyfriend alone in the small mammal section, waving him along to browse while she goes to grab a basket.
Maybe she is a bit scatterbrained.]
HARU NO COME BACK
Which would be fine...if Haru didn't just hop away from him before he could open his mouth to think to say anything more than-]
Haru-chan-
[Before she's already gone. And he's just...standing there, sticking out like a sore thumb in the damn middle of the small mammal section, dinosaur jesus give him strength.
He'd already been hunched over a little talking to Haru, but that increases by several inches as he tries his best to seem more...unassuming, which is literally impossible when even crouching he can see easily over the tops of the aisles without having to lift his head. Immediately, he focuses his attention on the rest of the onesies, trying to ignore the cold sweat that's broken out on the back of his neck as a very expectant mother chipmunk suddenly steps into the same aisle he was already standing in. It doesn't help that she's not just expecting, but already holding a toddler on her hip as she goes, a little girl with a bright pink bow and one of her paws in her mouth as she stares wide-eyed at Legosi while he tries desperately to melt into the floor.
Oh god. Haru. Why did you do this to him-
...oh. In his muted panic, he does spot something that catches his eye. There's a stag beetle printed on some fabric, so he reaches behind a few of the others to pull it out...and what do you know! It's completely covered with cute little patterns of different bugs. Beetles, dragonflies, ladybugs...it's softly colored too, even with the more eclectic pattern it's got going on there.
Doesn't mean he isn't still being watched like a hawk, but. You know, it's something he has now.]
it's payback for all the times he's ghosted her.
Meanwhile, Haru is, for the moment, completely unawares of the awkward situation she's put the poor wolf in, heading towards the large mammal section to hoist along a basket meant for larger animals to carry, and because of its size in comparison to her, she's hoisted it over her head, ear flattened down so she can rest it on top to keep it balance. In a few months she figures she's going to be denied the ability to carry cumbersome objects anyway, so she's taking full advantage of the mobility she currently has.
And, when she finally ambles back to find where she left Legosi, the security guard finally decides heads down the aisle to confront this weirdo, carefully walking by the chipmunk and her small toddler. This guy has the look of someone who wants to start trouble, and it's better to be safe than sorry when a family-oriented store is concerned, but as soon as the kangroo gets within speaking distance from this wolf in a way not to cause a scene, a small voice pipes up from behind the kangaroo and Haru pushes past the kangaroo, large basket still overhead.]
Legosi-kun! Here, I got a large basket for us. Do you mind carrying it? [She's intentionally placed her small body between Legosi and the kangaroo and sets the basket down for Legosi to take, ears popping back up.] Getting a smaller one just didn't make any sense.
[The kangaroo, meanwhile, looks down at the rabbit, then back to the 1.5 eared scarred up creepy looking grey wolf he was about to confront about causing trouble for the smaller mammals.
"Uh..." This is awkward. "Do you two...need help?"]
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He'd just been opening his mouth, lifting both hands with one of those onesies draped across his forearm to defend himself, when Haru abruptly pops up in front of him, wedging herself neatly between him and the kangaroo. It leaves both of them bewildered, especially as now Legosi has even more explaining to do.
He swallows thickly, moving to quickly- carefully- pick up that basket that Haru brought, fussing with the handles in one hand while he passes the onesie to Haru to take with the other.]
W-we're fine!
[Haru is clearly with him, and knows him, given the way she'd cheerfully addressed him by name just then. Legosi hopes it's enough for the guard to believe, because...let's be real here he wouldn't blame him if he was still skeptical. Just to try and smooth his concerns over, Legosi will crouch down a little in the aisle so he isn't just standing there like a hulking giant with his head actually poking up above the aisles, his tail curled between his legs as he reaches his now-free hand out to rest gently against the back of Haru's shoulders.]
Thank you for your concern, but um....we are okay from here. Thank you.
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Ooh, look at all the cute bugs! [Go figure] I'm sure our baby would look so cute in this...and it kind of matches the floral one I picked out, don't you think?
[The kangaroo seems obviously startled at not only this rabbit happily going about her day as though she's not between two large, intimidating-looking mammals, but also the revelation that that they're obviously a couple, and a baby is in the picture.
He rubs a hand along the side of his face, and he's clearly not wanting to believe it, but is obliged to. Without wanting to think further on the why and how and the...mechanics. Because when Haru sets the bug onesie into the basket and turns around to properly face the kangaroo, he's worked here long enough where he can tell they're not adopting either.
"I...um, see you two are...fine." Said as he stares over Haru's shoulder to look Legosi square in the eye. "You looked a bit lost there but, your wife" (????) "seems to have a handle on things." And before he remains standing in this weird scenario for any longer, the chipmunk trying her best to eavesdrop without being obvious, he tips his hat.
"If you need any help, I'll be around." And he does an immediate about face and heads out. Far away from the small mammal section....
Haru remains staring after him, hands on her hips. Her cheerful attitude swiftly darkens to something more annoyed and reflecting how she actually feels, puffing out her cheeks, ear twitching.]
Sheesh. [Turning back to Legosi, she places the floral one she picked out earlier into the basket.] Who does he think he is...what a weirdo.
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And maybe, just maybe, it also has everything to do with the fact that guy just called Haru his wife.]
W-well, I...I did look rather out of place here by myself...
[He says that carefully, hoping Haru will pick up on the fact that they should probably at least try to stick together a bit more, at least until they make it back to the large mammal section. He won't be as out of place there, and Haru...well he won't say it out loud, but she'll probably be more overlooked than he would. At least until people realize that's a very pregnant rabbit in an area meant for lions and shit.]
But he's fine! He's fine. He's going to be the dutiful boyfriend here holding their basket, trying to continue to make himself as small as possible as he remains crouched next to Haru's side.
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Unfortunately, Haru was too embroiled with her own annoyance at some security guard attempting to square up with her boyfriend to notice or think much about being called Legosi's wife. Maybe in a few hours...after she's settled in for a good night's sleep she'll actually remember and ruminate over it.
Think about how, in a way, they kind of never did much of their relationship in the expected order. But it's not like theirs is a relationship that could even be expected.]
So? He was obviously looking for a fight! [Now there's the added tapping of her foot, angry on Legosi's behalf, but she also does pick up on what's gone unsaid. The thumping of her foot slows, and she looks at him with a frown.] Do you think we should go to the large mammal section instead?
[Ah, she feels bad, ditching him like that, and she deflates a bit more.]
I'm sorry, I didn't realize I put you in an awkward spot like that. [She looks back down at the pair of clothes they've picked out.] I was serious, though, when I said I like what you picked out.
[Changing the subject while she's at it.]
Maybe...we can do a garden theme?
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[He glances around, very briefly locking eyes with that Chipmunk lady before he's quick to look away again because he is not here to cause even more of a scene.]
A bit...difficult. To navigate.
[And he means that both figuratively and literally. But you know what? It's fine. He signed up for this when he resolved to having this baby with Haru, it's just one of the many hurdles they're going to have to overcome. It's...okay, well, he can't say it's not worse than being a wolf dating a rabbit because it is, but it's a new kind of challenge. Legosi is more than willing to tackle it for not just Haru's sake, but for the sake of their unborn child.
His ears flick forward with that in mind, a sort of newfound determination causing his shoulders to set as he puts his hand at the small of Haru's back in a sort of gesture that says they're not going to be leaving this section until Haru is ready.]
It's alright. Let's at least finish looking through what they have here before we move on.
[The subject change is grateful and immediately latched onto as Legosi turns his attention back to the baby clothes, eyeing just how many different patterns seem to feature bugs or flowers. It's not surprising; it's a common theme for small children.]
I think that would be perfect. We could get them things themed around what we both like that way, and it would still match fine.
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No matter how the kid turns out, wolf or rabbit or an obvious unmistakable mix of both, it makes the most sense to be unashamed in choosing things that best represent the two of them.] … and when they’re older and they start liking their own things, they’ll be able choose what they want.
But for now, we can get things we both like. It’ll be fun.
[It’s funny in a way, where they as animals and as people are so completely different, yet they work well in that way in where their interests intersect. It’s how she wants to keep living.
And with him still down at her level, his large hand on the small of her back (taking up...all of her back, honestly) she looks him directly in the eye, again taking advantage of the fact he's at her level to rest her hand at his cheek, kissing the side of his muzzle regardless of onlookers.
If anything, it'll embarrass the others into finally minding their own business.]
It's hard for me to navigate too; I'm happy you're here. [And letting her hand fall from his face, she happily clasps her hands in front of her, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet.] So, for the less fun part...we should probably do cloth diapers.
[The fact that it'll save them money goes unsaid. Because that's another not-fun thing to think about]
But! I think we should look at a stuffed toy. It'll be nice to have one around as a reminder. All my toys when I was a baby were hand-me-downs of my older sister's.
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Legosi, for his part, is smiling again. His tail had stopped wagging after that scare they'd had, but now it's slowly sweeping the floor behind him again as he nods. The regular upkeep of a child is something he has far less experience in, though he imagines Haru isn't in much better shape. Perhaps she has some sortof familiarity due to having so many siblings, but it's not something he's asked. It won't matter much anyway, at least in his case. He has no doubts that his grandfather is going to swoop in and teach him everything he's learned from his days as a parent, whether Legosi outright asks for help or not.
He looks up, then, moving to stand while also endeavoring to slouch so he's not standing head-and-shoulders over the aisle they're in.]
Your first toy is something you never forget. I'm pretty sure my Grandpa still has my old toys, somewhere...
[So even though they'll be buying new things, he has no issue with letting their child have the toys he had when he was little, too.]
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The other positive is that it usually gets older or more oldschool-thinking rubberneckers to look away. And in this instance, the lingering gaze of the toddler doesn't bother her, because this is the kind of relationship Haru wants for their kid when they get to that age.
She's perked up immensely now that they're back to just the two of them without any rude interruptions, ears standing straight and eyes bright and attentive when he mentions his own childhood toys.]
Does he? What was your first toy... [she loops her fingers around his belt loop, to keep his hands free but still in touch] a stuffed rabbit?
[Teasing.]
Mine was, actually. It was my sister's...it's still in my old room, actually. When I was a kit I also had this set of building blocks that doubled as chew toys.
[Because, y'know...rabbit.]
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My first toy was...erm. Well...
[He looks up at the ceiling, one of his ears flicking back sheepishly.]
Mine was also...a chew toy? But...more like a canine one......it was a rubber ball. Apparently I used to carry it around in my mouth all the time. I'm not sure if that would be very appropriate for a newborn though...
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Apparently, huh? [Another thing to bug Gosha about the next time they pay a visit: ask for evidence of Legosi as a puppy teething on his favourite rubber ball.] But you're right, it probably isn't. Though if they do start teething early...
[Mmmm.]
Yeah, we should look for baby bottles too...
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[Like, imagine. A mixture of a rabbit, whose teeth are always growing and need to be worn down, and a puppy who is going to be teething not that long after birth?? They might have to pay even more attention to babyproofing the apartment when the time comes.]
We should see what sizes of bottles they have in this section. We don't want anything too big.
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Definitely...and maybe see how much those, uh, pumps cost so we can save up for it-- [This is moving from cute into awkward, body specific territory!! And so she holds her hands up immediately following that, face a bit red despite herself.] Which I can look into on my own! And talk to my mom about later.
I'm definitely getting ahead of myself. It's not like the apartment has a lot of storage!
[Accidentally presenting yet another elephant in the room. So to speak. Just as an actual elephant family enters the department store.]
W-we should focus on the cute and fun things right now. Like clothes, and toys. How about we...look at the large mammal section. See if there's a wolf babydoll or something.
[For the baby of course, and not for Haru to cuddle with whenever Legosi gets home late. Yup.]
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It's funny how it's taken this long for it to sink in for Legosi, but preparing for a child is...a lot of work. A lot of little factors come into play that he never would have considered before; to be honest, it's actually a bit overwhelming. He's pretty sure if he didn't have Haru with him here, he'd have been sunk a long time ago.
But, right. Cute and fun things. They still have plenty of time to cover the practical things. It's not like the baby is going to be born tomorow or anything.]
Good idea.
[He's so eager for the idea of moving to a more comfortable section of the store that the potential ulterior motive behind getting a wolf plush is lost on Legosi for the time being as he reaches for her hand, walking with her out of the aisle so they can start heading that way. It's not like they'll get fewer looks here, but at the very least Legosi won't be the first immediate eyesore.]
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Plus, she kind of doesn't...well, as said, she trusts him, but she also trusts that he may either be frozen stock-solid or go overboard in over planning. So, slow and steady (like a lot of aspects in their relationship).
Still, she feels embarrassed bringing up something better discussed with her mom, and her heart is still beating fast from it, feeling yet another fluttering sensation in her stomach which she chalks up to said embarrassment, and it all calms down once she takes Legosi's hand as they head towards the opposite direction of the store towards the larger mammal section. It's kept a distance from the small mammal section for both obvious reasons, and no doubt they walk past same-species couples who are also doing after work shopping for their kids or friends (or similiar species couples...there's a female capybara with a guinea pig in an area for medium-sized mammals who pay little mind when they walk by).
But as they get to the toy aisle, Haru lets go of Legosi's hand to look at the canine toys, though instead of checking out the stuffed animals she instead looks at a rubber ball. Picking it up, she turns and holds it up, gesturing with it.]
Oh! Was your favourite toy something like this?
[There's some give to it, and even though it looks huge in her tiny hand, she squeezes it. And it squeaks.
She knows exactly what she's doing.]
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Hm-?
[He turns his head just in time to see Haru standing there, holding up a rubber ball a mere foot or two away from his nose. It's...more than a little comical how immediate the effect is that it has on him, causing him to go perfectly still with his ears perked as high as they'll sit on his head. His tail swishes over the tiled floor as he adjusts the way he's standing imperceptibly, without even noticing.
It's the perfect image of a dog primed and ready for the ball to be thrown.]
It...um. I think...so...
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It's exactly the kind of reaction she was expecting from him, and the look on his face, the immediate change in his stance and demeanor, has her holding back a laugh. It does occur to her, from time to time, that this is perhaps the very same look he had that initial night they met. Maybe that's part of why she triggered it.]
Hmm...I see. [Said casually, as though she's considering whether to put it back or not. And with a shrug, she does throw it. An underhand toss straight towards the shopping basket Legosi is holding. He's standing close enough and still enough where it's easy for even someone her size and lacking athletic ability to make it in, assuming he doesn't move to catch it in his own mouth or something.
Either way:] Good. We'll buy it; it's pretty inexpensive.
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It's likely that, at this point in time, Haru hasn't yet played catch with Legosi. Not like...explicitly, at least. And maybe, deep down in his wolfy heart, he's wanted to...badly...but it's also kindof weird to ask your girlfriend something like that? Especially when he has no intention of throwing her the ball. Just having it be thrown for him to bring back...endlessly.
So it's instinct and reflex that take over in tandem when she tosses the ball, his head snapping to the side so fast that it actually makes his neck hurt. His teeth close around the ball and just like that, he's holding it in his mouth.
This ball that has probably been touched by countless hands. That they haven't paid for yet.]
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But--]
I wonder how many other animals put their hands and mouth on that.
[All the parents that come through with their babies and toddlers, grabbing and touching everything...
Now we have to pay for it.]
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Like...technically they could just sneak it back on the shelf and pretend they didn't ever see it, but...they would know. That ball would probably haunt them when their kid was in college.
Legosi swallows, slowly lifting a hand to take the ball shamefully out of his mouth. He doesn't even know what to say, his ears laying flat out at their sides as he quickly wipes it off on the front of his shirt.]
Probably, erm. ...a lot. Of them...
[......]
I'm sorry.
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