#ghost knows

Ghost knows things, even though the world did not reveal itself to him for a couple of days, as all pups are born blind first, he’d been fully aware of everything the moment of his birth. Knowledge for them is passed down differently. Humans learn in increments; it takes them years to fully mature. For their kind, there is already prior wisdom, ingrained within their blood: instincts sharper than any sword or hidden dagger.

Ghost huffs, pleased with the discovery. He tilts his head, allowing himself to fully look at her. She meets his gaze, rewarding him with a smile meant only for him. His tongue lolls out and a gentle chuckle escapes her. When she’s happy like this, the scent of lemons fills the air. And now, that other smell again, wafting from the warmth of her breath, from somewhere deep inside of her where another life stirs.

There are no visible evidences yet, she is the same as ever: tall, regal and ever graceful. He nudges his face closer to her belly and is delighted at the feel of her long, delicate fingers scratching the back of his ears. He flicks them up, letting her know that he is now aware, he understands now. He will protect her, will never leave her side from this day until the time of her whelping.

Ghost thinks it is quite possible that she isn’t yet aware and his eyes slide over to her companion, narrowing as he hears the words whispered just behind her ears, a familiar playful tone that hinted of just the tiniest bit of jealousy. He turns his attention towards his brother, who still sometimes squeezes himself inside his skin and together they run around Winterfell, tasting the winter wind.

If she is still clueless, then more so was his brother. It isn’t his fault, really. He is older now and has gained immeasurable amount of wisdom over the years, especially after the battle against the dragons and the Undead, but he has retained some of his youth’s obliviousness when it comes to matters of the heart. But Ghost has always been patient.

He watches as they share a look: their happiness is so pure; it smells like the forest waking up in the spring: fresh and lush. The scent is so strong it makes him huff with joy. Two hands reach down to bury their fingers in his fur. The fingers intertwine, curling around each other.