Beastmen Love

On the next day, Claud spends the day teaching Tyr about how to implement new laws, and how to choose the right people to help him with that. He gave Tyr the idea to write down everything he learned so he wouldn’t forget about any details, and Tyr started to write down everything he learned.

When the castle was wrapped in the embrace of the night, Astri and the cubs were fast asleep in the bedroom while a soft glow emanated from the candles scattered around the dining table.

Claud, though not their elder, had become their guide on this quest for knowledge. Cyprian, Zin, Lee, and Wayde sat around the table, their eyes fixed on Claud with a mixture of excitement and determination.

Tonight was special.

Tonight, they were going to learn how to read and write, a secret mission to surprise their beloved spouse Astri. The anticipation in the air was palpable.

Claud cleared his throat and spread some paper sheets before them.

"Welcome to your first lesson. In the beginning, you will feel like there are too many things to learn, however soon you will see that it’s not so hard and you will start to understand everything with just one look and when you less imagine you will be reading and writing like Astri. So, don’t lose your motivation." Claud says.

They nod. They will never give up because they want to do this for Astri and to also feel closer to her.

"We’re ready, Claud. Teach us!" Lee, his eyes shining with enthusiasm, was the first to speak.

"Yes, we want to surprise Astri with our newfound skills." Wayde, one of the smartest between them, nodded vigorously.

"I can imagine her face when we show her what we can do." Cyprian says excited and motivated to start.

Zin, the quiet observer, simply smiled and nodded, his eyes reflecting his determination.

Claud returned their enthusiasm with a warm smile, knowing that Astri would also be proud of him for doing this for them.

"Excellent! First, you need to know what makes the words are letters and there are 26 of them. By combining letters, words are formed. Combining words together texts are formed and books are formed from texts together." Claud explains.

They nod in response to say they understood until now.

"The first letter is "A". Sometimes it has a more open sound, like in the word apple. And sometimes it has a more closed sound, like in the word arm. You try to write it now. Here, I made these pencils for you." Claud explains and then shows them many pencils made with charcoals and leather wrapping them so whoever uses it don’t get dirty.

Claud shows them how to write the letter and they try it. Uneven lines adorned their first attempts, but they wore their mistakes like badges of honor.

"This letter looks like a mountain." Zin says.

"It’s true." The others point it out.

When Claud goes to the letter B, he demonstrates the letter’s formation, emphasizing its resemblance to a butterfly in flight, after noticing they understand faster when they can compare it to something they know.

Their pencils danced across the paper once more, forming ’B’ after ’B’. Cyprian couldn’t help but make his ’B’ look more like a misshapen bug, earning laughter from the others.

As the night wore on, Claud introduced them to more letters, patiently guiding them through each one. They practiced ’C’ and ’D’, giggling at each other’s attempt to make ’D’ resemble a particularly rotund beetle.

As the hours passed, their confidence grew. They could now write their names, simple words, and even a few sentences. Claud couldn’t help but be impressed by their determination and their ability to turn learning into a delightful adventure.

Finally, Claud decided it was time to conclude the night’s lesson.

"You’ve all done remarkably well for your first night of learning." He praised, extinguishing the candles one by one.

"Thank you, Claud! This is going to be the best surprise for Astri." Cyprian beamed.

"We can’t wait to show her what we’ve learned." Zin nodded in agreement.

"I can’t wait to write her a secret note. She’ll never see it coming!" Lee says excitedly.

"Thank you, Claud. This was amazing." Wayde says.

Claud smiled, his heart warmed by the joy and determination in their eyes.

"It’s been my pleasure, my friends. Remember, with practice and perseverance, you can achieve anything. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be able to read and write like Astri." Claud speaks.

All of them are decided to make Astri happy and they don’t give up until they can surprise her.

Tonight had been the beginning of a remarkable journey. Not only were they learning to read and write, but they were also strengthening their bonds of friendship and creating a beautiful surprise for their dear and beloved Astri.

They go back together to their bedroom and get ready to sleep according to that night’s shift. Zin spoons her and Wayde holds her hand and kisses her temple.

Like a cub looking after heat, she gets more relaxed after feeling their warmth around her.

"Rain season is close. I sense that tomorrow will start to rain. Will she be bored like last time?" Zin whispers.

"Let’s think about something. But now we have this castle and not a tiny cabin. She will be fine." Wayde whispers back.

——

Like Zin foretold, next day started rain a lot and Astri focused herself on sewing new clothes for Yuki. The boys will shift only when they’re three or four years old, so she’s not worried about sewing clothes for them at the moment.

Beastmen look like cubs longer than normal animals. The boys grow quickly until they’re eight months and then they slow down and keep growing gradually until they become of age.

As for the girls, they shift after some days after birth and only shift back when they’re seven or eight years old.

At night, after Astri fell asleep, her spouses goes back to study together with Claud’s help. Tyr was writing down all of the knowledge he’s learning from living with them when he heard low voices from outside.

He walks to the dining room and sees the others studying.

"What are you doing?" Tyr asks.

"They want to surprise Astri showing her they can read and write. They’re learning." Claud answers.

They don’t want to admit it out loud, but they want to learn both to surprise Astri and also because she sounded so happy when Tyr told her he could read and write too. They already envied him for being so stoic and romantic, they don’t want to stay behind.

"I think she will be happy with the surprise." Tyr smiles.

"I also want to learn how to draw. All of us have paintings of ourselves that she made, but she doesn’t know how to paint herself. So I’ll learn and make plenty of paintings and memories for her." Zin says.

"I think you will do great. You’re good with delicate tasks. I already tried too, but it takes a lot of training." Claud speaks.

"I don’t think I would be good with drawing and painting. I don’t have even patience with gardening." Lee says.

"You’re good at creating a routine, rules and laws. You would be a good writer too. Wayde is good with his hands too, but things like carving wood." Claud points.

"Those arts she makes on the wood and she keeps getting hurt from it?" Wayde asks.

"Yes. I’m writing a book for her, Zin can paint for her, Lee can also write a book. You can make her some handwork gifts too and she’ll be also very happy. Cyprian is good with handwork too, like with rock. You could try sculpting a statue." Claud brings new ideas for them.

"She mentioned she would love to see a little lake in our backyard, to watch little fish and relax near it. We could build one too." Cyprian says.

They filled themselves with projects, now understanding why she likes to do so many projects.

"Have you guys noticed she always makes things thinking about all of us? It’s time for us to do more for her. I’ll order someone to go buy more papers, ink, and other things. I already have some ideas of what I’ll write for her." Lee speaks.

Again, they’re motivated to make her happier and can’t wait to see her reactions. Tyr only watches and thinks with himself other things he can do for her too.

——

After four more days of training, Astri entered her workshop and there were five papers folded in a way that looked like letters.

When she opened one, she saw a different handwriting. It’s not hers, nor Claud’s. It’s a little trembly handwriting.

"You are the most beautiful, kind, and perfect female that could ever exist. Your smile is perfect, your food is delicious and you are the greatest mother. I love you more than I can express with words and actions. Thank you, because now I can express my love every day and forever. With love, Wayde."

She gets shocked. Wayde wrote it? She opens the next letter and reads it. The letter is also a little rough.

"You are the reason of my life. I lived more than 200 years as an empty dragon, and the last year was the best of my entire life because of you. I love you, and I will love you forever. I will protect you and our cubs. I will make you feel special every day and more. If we live forever, then forever you will feel special. From your dragon, Cyprian."

She smiles thrilled and with her heart warm.

"I always thought the night sky was so beautiful to watch, even more feeling the clouds on my wings. You are more beautiful than the stars, than the whole sky. Your face is softer than the clouds. Your eyes shine more than the sun. Your lips are sweeter than my favorite fruit, and your body is my safe place. I love you so much I can not measure. Feeling your love and seeing you happy every day is what makes my life brighter. From your proud eagle, Lee"

Lee’s handwriting is more beautiful and he writes well, very much like him. Of course, he’s always romantic, and that warms her heart even more.

"Since the day I was born, I only knew that what I would ever find is rejection. I never imagined that I would find the greatest blessing that could ever exist in that river, in the form of the most beautiful female in the world. You changed my life and made me the happiest male and snake. I will love you forever. I love you more than you can imagine. You are more special than you can imagine. With love from your eternal protector, Zin."

Her eyes are already filled with tears. His letters are also beautiful and carefully written, showing very much his personality.

All of their letters reflect their personalities very much. She could feel Wayde’s love even if he’s the one that is more closed than the others, and Cyprian not being sure what the best words to use. Lee’s passion and Zin’s care are tangible too.

She opens the last letter and imagines it’s from Claud.

"I hope you liked the surprise. They asked me to teach them to read and write. All of us want to feel closer to you somehow. They’re not the only ones that want to make you happy forever, I want the same. I fell in love with you from the first day we talked, and I tried to hide it from you and from myself. I might have taken long to admit but I’ll make sure you know for the rest of our days that I love you more than anything else. From your shiny unicorn, Claud."

She giggles with his final remark, then cleans her tears, hugging their letters and feeling overwhelmed with so much love. Feeling the luckiest person that ever existed in all words.