[labprotocol]

Ivan didn't return back to the cave until early morning. He'd spent the night in dragon form swimming deep under the water were no one could get to him. It also took some of the weight off his back and feet, so he didn't have the constant reminder that he was pregnant again. With elven kits and only a month and a half left before he'd give birth. They were so much safer inside him. They couldn't take them away while they still needed him to survive. He couldn't go through that again. He wouldn't let them touch one kit. He'd be smarter this time. He'd hide during the delivery, he wouldn't let them bring their doctors and let them take his kits while he was still in pain, still in labor with what they viewed as dollar signs. Somehow he'd trick them. He'd make them believe he'd had a miscarriage or he'd... do something. How would he hid them?

Ivan swam in circles until he began to drift off in exhaustion. He'd be sore tomorrow and Ky would probably lecture him on how he needed to get plenty of food and rest. He wasn't sure he could stand hearing again how his health wasn't just his own anymore. As if he didn't know that!

Still dripping wet and cold Ivan slipped back into the nesting cave and wedged between the two dragon. He buried his head in Nym's shoulder and let Ky wrap him in warmth from behind.