Courtship: Pestilence X Xenomorph

JayTheBird (DA: NonbinaryPixel)

Pestilence considered himself an excellent male specimen of Cryolophosaurus. His markings were bright, and females flocked to him usually. Rarely had Pestilence had to be the courter in a courtship, but sometimes one found a female that was well worth the effort. 

Xenomorph, a Cryolophosaurus female, had caught his attention in his wanderings. Her coloration was even brighter than his was, and though she lacked the spikes he had, that was about all she lacked. Her bright green markings surpassed his, and her beauty was astounding. Even before witnessing her skills in a hunt, Pestilence had been smitten. After watching her conduct a hunt, Pestilence was nearly obsessed.

He had begun his courtship at a distance, watching as she turned down other suitors harshly, sometimes leaving the rejected with injuries. Pestilence did not fear injuries, but neither was he a fool. Observation was an important part of a courtship, because it helped him learn what Xenomorph liked, or in this case, disliked. From knowing what she disliked, he could then use that information to extrapolate what she liked.

She did not seem to like direct approaches, or attempts to show off one’s physical form. So Pestilence decided that it would probably be best if he showed off his skills indirectly. He began hunting prey outside of her territory, and then leaving it for her on the edges of her territory where he knew Xenomorph would be patrolling. Gifts that proved his skill with the art of hunting, that showed he could provide for her and their potential future children.

It did not take long for Xenomorph to catch onto the intentions of the male Cryolophosaurus that only entered the edges of her territory to leave food for her. She took pride in the fact that she was strong enough to hold her territory, and so she appreciated the respect that Pestilence showed in entering just briefly in order to give her food indirectly like this. Still, hunting skills were not the only requirement that Xenomorph looked for in a partner.

She allowed him to leave her offerings, but she considered how else she might test this male. That he showed respect for her was a good sign, but her partner should not be a complete pushover, either. The way forward seemed clear to Xenomorph.

One day, when Pestilence was leaving food for Xenomorph, the female appeared and issued a challenge for a fight. The strength to hunt was not enough for her. She needed to see his fighting strength as well. She gave a vocal call, practically a dare for the male. Her stance was ready.

Pestilence had been caught by surprise for a moment, but he was intelligent enough to get the reasoning behind her challenge. For a moment, he remembered all the rejected males she had sent away with injuries. But he was different from them, he thought. He was better than them for her, and Pestilence would prove it to her.

Rather than let Xenomorph start her own test with her own strike, as some might have considered proper, Pestilence was the one to make the first calculated rush. Xenomorph retaliated. The fight was designed to push him to his limits, and it definitely did. But by the time it was coming to a close, the female Cryolophosaurus had a gleam in her eye, and Pestilence knew that even if he lost this battle, he had won the war. 

Xenomorph needed a partner that would not bend completely to her will, and this male had proven that not only would he be able to provide, but he would also be able to protect their potential offspring.

After the fight, Pestilence was allowed to recover from his injuries in Xenomorph’s territory. The female tended to his wounds and took care of him, and they began to get to know each other’s quirks and limits.

Occasionally one or the other would step over the boundaries of the counterpart, and there would be bared teeth and snapping jaws briefly, but it never devolved into an actual fight. They learned to cooperate during the recuperation period.

Then they began to test their teamwork, hunting side by side. With two of them, they could take down even greater prey than before. Xenomorph eventually started bringing back bones, piling them up, and one day Pestilence realized that this was her version of nesting behaviors. She brought back all sorts of bones, all sizes and kinds, but her favorites seemed to be a snapped off bone from the ribcage of their prey.

Pestilence supplemented the bone nest with softer materials that he found of all sorts. In the end, it was quite the sight.

Xenomorph began to stay at the nest, though she had not yet laid eggs, nor did she seem like she was close to such. Pestilence was quick to realize this was yet another test, because when Xenomorph did get close to laying eggs she would need him to be able to do tasks in the territory on his own for a time.

He proved himself yet again, and soon enough Xenomorph was actually close to clutching. Pestilence brought back food for her and tended to her territory in her stead, chasing out intruders and potential dangers for young hatchlings.

The world was a dangerous one, there was no doubt of that, but Pestilence was determined to make sure that his and Xenomorph’s offspring would have a strong chance at survival.

As he curled up beside Xenomorph in their eccentric nest, Pestilence thought to himself that he had truly chosen an exceptional mate this time around.

Xenomorph had originally caught his attention visually-wise, but she had proven herself a clever Cryolophosaurus that would not accept just anyone as her mate.

As the two dozed off together, he found himself admiring how she had been careful to test him every step of the way.

It made this trust she now gave him all the more precious, because Pestilence knew he had earned it through proving himself. Xenomorph trusted him because he had proven himself worthy, and it felt like an honor to be trusted by this female Cryolophosaurus.

As Pestilence awoke the next morning, he had a feeling today was going to be the day. He happily nuzzled Xenomorph who tolerated the affection with an air of fond indulgence.

He was hesitant to leave Xenomorph, but she had proven to him that she could take care of herself no matter what condition she was in, and he knew that she would require sustenance later.

It was frustrating, only finding small prey, but he caught the prey in question regardless, gathering all the many smaller catches together with his mouth and claws. Many small catches could become a greater meal, after all, and he would rather catch small prey than bring back nothing to Xenomorph.

As he hunted, he reflected on the beginning of his active courtship of Xenomorph, when he had left many a small gift of food for her. How he had been the one to catch her attention when so many had tried and failed. And Pestilence was proud, yes, but he also felt yet again that honored feeling.

It was not simply that he had won a prize. It was that they had navigated their courtship in a way that let them be very aware of the other in every way. Pestilence felt a bond with Xenomorph that went beyond any that he had felt prior with the females that flocked to him.

They had chosen each other, they were equals, truly equals, and Pestilence respected Xenomorph all the more for creating a situation that allowed them to be equals.

Her tests had shown her not only his abilities, but had allowed him to get to know her priorities and then herself as well.

Pestilence was proud to call Xenomorph his mate, and he looked forward to the offspring they produced. No doubt, he thought as he returned to their odd nest, their children would be outstanding.

He gave over the food, taking a small amount for his share, and gave a happy croon that was grudgingly reciprocated by Xenomorph, though her gaze was affectionate.

Xenomorph tore into the food voraciously, as Pestilence continued to think on everything.

How could their offspring not be outstanding, with the two of them for parents?  Pestilence was looking forward to learning more of Xenomorph as the two embarked on a new adventure of raising children together.

This had not been a courtship that went well in spite of tests and trials, but because of the tests and trials. To overcome those things allowed them to learn each other on equal terms.

It had not been an easy endeavor, but it had been worth it, they both thought. Likewise, raising children together would not be simple. But it was, beyond any doubt, the path worth taking for them. 

It would be difficult, perhaps. Raising children in this world simply was. Hardships are a fact of life, but they trusted that their partnership was stronger still.