While walking home from probably the most tiring day of work I’ve ever had, trying to put on a brave face for all our clients despite my mental turmoil, something caught my eye. It was an oddly well-lit building I don’t remember ever seeing occupied in all the years I’ve lived here. Did someone just finish renovating the building for use? It definitely was interesting enough for me to at least take a look at it close up.

For a building that just opened up, there didn’t seem to be any other living soul around who seemed to be interested in the new business which was apparently called...Maternity Alyx? That’s the strangest kind of business to open suddenly out of nowhere and expect to make money from, especially if you’re operating at night. My eyes then slowly noticed a flyer on the window that read ‘Free consultation for new clients!’

I guess that answers my question. They were probably looking to gain business by first running a trial with new clients to gain public trust. I don’t know though, even though I fit in this demographic, should I really trust a maternity clinic that popped up overnight? That seems a little too suspicious.

Any and all doubts however were immediately washed away the second I heard the door to the clinic open and saw the person standing there. It was a very tall, beautiful, and very fluffy dragon. I could only reach up to their chest! I couldn’t quite tell what gender they were from their face alone until my eyes met with what I could only describe as the largest pregnant belly I’ve ever seen in my life! Yet despite this fact, she seems to not be deterred by its size and heft in the slightest and carries it as if she was carrying it her entire life!

“Can I help you?” I heard her ask me in a very calm tone. I didn’t know why, but this kind of made me nervous. Something about her is so inviting, but at the same time...intimidating? Though to be fair, it could’ve just been due to her massive baby bump that caused that feeling.

Also I began to notice more things about her that seemed to suggest that she maybe wasn’t female? Her chest area was very lacking for someone who’s that pregnant and also her voice was on the cusp of being masculine while just barely being more feminine sounding. Plus...I find her to be very attractive? I don’t remember ever being a lesbian so either I’m talking to a pregnant man or this has to be some form of awakening to me.

The fluffy dragon, however, seemed to know exactly what I was thinking as they let out a soft chuckle and idly rubbed their belly as they said, “Confused on what gender I am, are you? Heheh, I get that a lot. Refer to me as whatever gender makes you happy.” Gender neutral it is!

“Eheheh...I just happened to be passing by and noticed that this clinic just suddenly popped up here tonight. So I suppose I got curious and wanted to check it out?” I asked with a nervous air in my voice.

“Yeah...” I heard them say with a slightly disappointed exhale, “I opened up for the first time this morning and no one came around during the day, so I decided to maybe open late at night for one day to see if anyone would come around after hours. I understand I’m running a very niche business here, but hey, a dragon’s gotta try right?”

I don’t know how, but their demeanor has managed to calm me down quite considerably. I also noticed that they used ‘I’ a lot in their sentences which gave me the assumption that they are perhaps the one running the business.

“So you’re Alyx, I presume?” I queried them with.

“Indeedy I am! I run this business all by my lonesome to help expecting mothers like you live a happy and healthy life all for the sake of your unborn child.”

I hate to admit it, but I snorted a little at that statement while looking at their belly and said a bit judgmentally, “Shouldn’t you be worrying about your own babies though? It looks like you’re going to have to deal with hell once they’re born.”

What happened next, however, I never saw coming. Alyx beamed at me radiantly as they cradled their belly in the most delicate way I’ve ever seen and rubbed their belly so lovingly that it made me feel bad for judging them.

“I’m more than prepared to carry the weight of the world inside my womb if it means getting to help them live their best life.”
At that moment, a sudden sharp pain hit my head and I slumped onto the ground. I don’t know how or why that happened, but a brief flash appeared in my mind for a split second and the next thing I knew, I was losing consciousness.

---

Read the whole story here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/45477577/

Quick illustrations from a short story by  Zielregen featuring my never before seen character, Cindy! I say never before since she was in my character folder since 2017.

There were some indecisiveness from my part in where her backstory should be heading. At some point it was even grimmer if you could believe that from my content. Nevertheless, it was fun drawing them and giving Cindy a chance!

Alyx belongs to  Zielregen

Cindy and Art by  Derrysome

If you want to see other arts early and in high quality, support me on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/Deliveredmean42