The sun descended slowly on the horizon, casting a soft golden glow over the lake where Duck sat on a grass path. The gentle rustle of leaves whispered in the wind, while a family of ducks glided across the water, leaving rippling trails. Each duckling, small and fluffy, followed closely behind the mother as they bobbed about in a carefree rhythm, creating endless images of innocence and joy.

The buck watched with rapt attention, mesmerized by the simplicity of their existence. There was a certain beauty in their world—how they quacked and splashed, how the mother kept a watchful eye over her brood. As he leaned forward, he couldn’t shake the warmth spreading in his chest, blooming with thoughts he had been nurturing for quite some time. Becoming a dad. The idea had blossomed into something almost tangible, a dream shaped by fleeting moments like this one by the lake. He closed his eyes briefly, imagining his own child—perhaps a doe with a cute smile or a son full of laughter, splashing around in the water just like the ducks. The image brought a smile to his face, and he felt his heart swell at the thought.

Yet deeper currents of doubt flowed through him, tangling with his visions of fatherhood. What would it mean to be a dad? He thought about the weight of responsibility. But alongside the joys were fears and uncertainties. Would he be enough? Would he know how to guide his kids through the trials of life, help them learn right from wrong? Maybe a blessing could ease his mind. He sighed, buried deep in his thoughts.

Fasti wrote:

Duck turned slightly, startled by the sudden appearance of Fierce Warrior. "Not friends, exactly," Duck replied, his attention still captivated by the ducklings. "But I admire them. Look how carefree they are, I hope my kids will be happy like them."

rexcorvus wrote: