So Much More

Chapter 1. Problematic

Ice Bear sighed. Another day of taking care of his older brothers. He didn't mind, really in fact it gave him something to keep busy with while he wasn't tinkering away at some pet-project in his workshop outside. The polar bear chopped up vegetables for a ramen soup for Panda, meat-free as he knew of his elder's restricted diets, species and all… He began to add the pork into the frying pan to make stir-fry for Grizz, and himself a shrimp roll.

He sort of wished they hadn't bought that stupid crab from the grocery store and that he could've just cooked it in some soup or something, as right now it was pinching at his feet. He growled as it nabbed at his ankles. "You are a pesky thing, Ice Bear needs you to go away." He kicks at it lightly and it makes a gurgling noise. He rolls his tired eyes. He's felt like this all day, even throughout breakfast and he doesn't know why.

A wave of nausea hit him this morning, too. He hoped he wasn't… No… No way. It couldn't be. "Impossible." The youngest of the bear trio shrugged, nodding as he began to add the finishing touches on lunch – but he yelped, hissing as the crab gave him another nab at his feet.

"Hey, have you seen Crabo?" Grizzle began chuckling and Ice Bear hissed as he felt burning in his feet. "Oh – there he his. You little rascal," He was totally oblivious to Ice Bear's pain so Ice Bear let out an unhappy snarl. "Oh – hey. Ice. Sorry, did he pinch you again? You okay?"

"Ice Bear is okay." Lie. He hissed and began working on lunch again. But that was apparently all Grizz needed to hear as he began sniffing the air, walking back over to sofa. Ice Bear rolled his eyes as he heard the gurgling noises coming from the stupid crustacean.

"Smells great, what is it today?"

"Ramen for Panda," He began adding salt and pepper to the broth. "Pork stir-fry for Grizz," he heard a satisfied noise from his elder brother as the TV clicked on. "And Shrimp Roll for Ice Bear." He smiled, finally feeling better now that the stupid crab was out of his way.

"Smells great. You're the best cook ever, Ice." 'Damn straight.' The polar bear's nose twitched as he let the aromas of the fresh-cooked food soothe his mind. He wasn't feeling nausea anymore, which was a good sign. Maybe something he ate didn't settle with him…

Whoa.

"You okay – Ice?" A wave of dizziness rushed over him. Ice Bear groaned. "Ice – hold on, I gotcha!" He felt Grizzly's strong arms wrapped around his middle, supporting him up. The polar bear groaned. "Here, let me help you to the couch. I'll watch-"

"Ice Bear needs to finish lunch." He protested, tail brushing up against Grizz's leg. The elder felt a crimson flush appear on his face. Why did this bother him so much? He was used to physical contact with his brothers, but Ice Bear never got sick – especially while cooking. "Grizz, let go of me." He snarled. Grizz let go.

"Ice Bear, let me stand here, I don't want you to hurt yourself." He had a paw on his baby brother's back. Ice Bear sighed. "Just – this has never happened before."

"You've never noticed before." Grizz blinked. Taken aback by how much Ice Bear – freaking Ice Bear managed to say all at once. It was unusual, but he looked exhausted. Still, he was stirring the pot of soup, eyeing it to make sure it wouldn't boil over. "I'm fine, Grizz."

"I just am gonna help you today. No buts. You're not getting out of this. What brother would I be if I'd let you burn yourself, or pass out at the stove or something? Come on, Ice?" Grizz smiled, stepping next to Ice Bear and rubbing his baby brother's back in circles. "Come on, for dinner we can get take out or something, okay? Or pizza. Just take it easy today."

Ice Bear breathed and his ears twitched a little, feeling his elder's support against his back. He couldn't fall asleep, not now. He had to work – but – he was so tired. So… nauseous. "Grizz – I'm" He stopped cooking and pushed Grizz out of the way.

"Ice Bear?"

There were too many things going on at once. He didn't want to think about it. The polar bear began to panic as that morning's content's entered the toilet. "Hey – what's going on?" Great. Panda. Now he's worried. He didn't need anyone worrying about him. He wasn't a baby, he could take care of himself. "Ice Bear! Are you okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"No. I'm fine. Just a little sick." The youngest groaned as he felt Panda help him up. He really wanted to protest but arguing wasn't going to do anything right now. "I need to finish lunch." He repeated like a broken record. Grizz was in the door way – he could smell it.

"No way! You rest! Me and Panda'll take care of lunch."

'Dammit, Grizz.' He sighed, nuzzling into Panda's neck. He then heard the water turn on. "Ice Bear, here, wash up. It'll make you feel better." He did as he was told, splashing cool water on his face. He felt warm. Too warm. His species shouldn't be this warm… He got worried- maybe he was –

"I need to check something." The sudden lack of third-person point of view left the brothers with concerning looks. Panda noticed Ice Bear's aggression towards them increased as he wobbled towards the door. Girzz was blocking him. "Grizz, please." He tried not make a scene. Not here – not now.

"Please rest, Ice." Grizz uncrossed his arms and his expression softened. He put a hand on Ice Bear's shoulder. Ice Bear tensed. 'I really don't want you to touch me –' "We'll take care of lunch, okay?" The polar bear groaned.

"Understood. Ice Bear will go rest now." Sounding like his usual self Grizz was satisfied and let his baby brother pass. Still, Panda looked worried, never has he seen Ice Bear get sick before.

"We gotta fix us some lunch, Pan-Pan!" Grizz didn't seem too concerned, though. He just pumped his paws in the air and moved towards the stove. "Mind turning off the TV? Don't wanna get too distracted." Panda nodded, humming. He quickly noticed Ice Bear heading towards his room – he never goes into his room.

"Uh, Grizz. Ice Bear's heading into his room." He always goes into the fridge if he wants to rest! "Aren't you a little concerned about him?" He could be sick with some terminal illness or – or – or worse! Panda began shaking, looking at his elder brother for advice. "Shouldn't we call a doctor?"

Grizz sighed, shaking his head. "I asked Ice if we should. He looked pretty angry when I did. I think he just needs some rest and space." He began stirring the bowl the his ears twitched. "Do you know how to cook this? Ice said this was yours – the ramen I mean."

"Uh, yeah. Hold on, lemme help."

Meanwhile in Ice Bear's room, the polar bear tossed and turned while he began covering himself. The horrible stenches from anything but his own domain bothered him. He closed the windows, shut the curtains and blocked out all forms of light from entering the room. He made sure he couldn't hear anything – or anyone. He grabbed at his lower belly. He hissed. "No, no I'm fine." He repeated trying to tell himself that he didn't need any help – that he was fine. That he was going to be okay.

Wait. What was today's date? The polar bear's eyes snapped open, he felt like he wanted to vomit again, but he swallowed back the urge. He shoved the covers off and turned the lamplight on – checking the calendar seeing it was April 5th. "Shit…" He groaned, rubbing his head. So it was true.

He was in heat.




Chapter 2. Consequence

He tried.

He really tried to be calm throughout this, but how could he? His body was changing in so many different was he'd never experienced and he had no one to go through during this. If it wasn't for his stupid brothers worrying about him 24-7 about not sleeping in the freezer – maybe he would feel better. But he was –

"I'm fine." Ice Bear sighed as he poked at his Chinese Take-Out Noodles. Third time that week they got takeout. Not that Grizz minded, but he was still looking at his baby brother from across the table with concerning glares.

Ice Bear's stomach clenched. He felt nauseous, yet he swallowed it down. The smell of Chinese food wasn't all that appetizing after all, yet when was the last time he'd eaten? 'Since yesterday morning, probably.' He swore to Panda and Grizz that he was taking snacks into his room and just throwing them out when they weren't noticing, but really he did feel lightheaded – just too nauseous to eat.

He hated this.
He wanted all this nonsense to stop.

He growled, pushing the plate away. "You sure you don't want anything to eat?" Panda looked up from his phone, contacts out, chopsticks in a plate of fried rice. "You haven't been eating much lately," Ice Bear scoffed and wobbled towards the door. He muttered an 'I'm fine' again trying to make this quick and painless.

'A few more days, you're fine. You can do this.' The polar bear tried to reassure himself as he patted his lower belly, hushing his cramps.

He was almost to the door until he heard Grizz aggressively slurping on his noddle's, only to mutter something with his mouthful. "Iseee."The chair that he shifted suddenly got caught in his legs. "Ouch, Ice, wait up!" He heard his baby brother groan. "Come on man, you've been acting strange and you aren't letting us in on it." Ice let Grizz into his room. He sat down on the bed. "Scariest of all, your using your room again!"

Ice Bear sighed, padding his pillow and feeling his aching back rest against the cushioned mattress. "Grizz, I just don't feel well. It's no big deal."

It was annoying that they were prodding him so much, let alone overreacting whenever he spoke more than three-words per-sentence. So, like he calculated before, Grizz gasped. Ice Bear rolled his eyes. "You – what's with you? You're never this talkative." Grizz sat at the foot of the bed, crossing his arms like a grumpy child. "We're worried about you."

"We're?" The polar bear tried to sound cocky, but the headache was too much.

"Yes! Me and Panda! Your brothers! You know you can rely on us when your sick – are you sick? It's nothing terminal, is it?" He looked at Ice Bear with puppy dog eyes. Ice Bear cracked his eyes open, winced and sighed.

"No, Grizz. M'Fine. I just-" He looked over at the calendar, noticing the circled date – just a few more days. 'Hopefully he won't notice.' The polar bear really wanted his brother to leave. "I want you to leave."

Grizz made a frustrated growl. An animalistic-type sound at best, when Ice Bear chuffed. Grizz didn't know what came over him, but he felt warm all of a sudden in his cheeks, a crimson flush appeared faintly – he felt his face. "Ice – what's up? Tell me." He's never heard Ice Bear pant like this, a few times he's heard Panda groan or something when they've been running for a while, but never – like this. "Is it warm in here or –"

He felt Ice Bear's tail brushing in-between his legs. (When did he get that close?) "Grizz," He growled – it was scary. Grizz whined. "Leave if you don't have anything meaningful to do here. Now." Grizz wanted to get closer – he felt his brother's tail brush up against his. They both were wagging their little stubs excitedly. If they were excited, why was Ice Bear telling him to leave. "Grizz – please –"

Their lips met. Ice Bear made that strange groaning noise again. He's never heard it – agh! But he, he couldn't let his lips go from him. Just once did he release for air. Then again, he kissed Ice. "Ice, I – I'm really sorry –" Ice Bear stared blankly at Grizz. His eyes were unmoving. He was breathing heavily but not making any noises. Grizz felt his forehead, he was warm. Unusually warm. "Ice – your hot. You should rest – I"

Another kiss, much more violent than the last one, Ice Bear began chuffing again. Ice Bear grabbed a part of Grizz's fur, carefully and threw him on his back – on the floor. He got on top of him. Grizz steadied himself, placing his hands on Ice Bear's belly. "What are you doing?!" He tried to level his voice so Panda wouldn't come barging in on them.

"Grizz. Just – just play along. Please." He really didn't want to explain. His head was pounding and his thighs hurt. He wanted Grizz to just get this over with and stop worrying. His ears were low, he was panting and his tail was tense, twitching every now and then. "Please." He whimpered nuzzling into his brother's neck feeling like he could cry If Grizz didn't help him sooner or later. He needed this.

And he certainly didn't want this – because this was wrong. They were brothers, he loved Grizz with all his heart, but – he was too young for this. Polar Bears two years of age shouldn't biologically mate yet, and Grizz – "I need your help." He cried, Grizz's eyes popped open.

"Tell me what I can do," His brother was in pain, that much was sure, but this… It felt wrong. He didn't like doing this because he wasn't… Well-educated, or – he just never has done this before, dammit! "I want to help, Ice." He hugged his baby brother, they were standing upright now and Grizz looked over Ice Bear's shoulder. "Maybe we should head to the bed, huh?" Having an idea where this was going, Grizz wasn't stupid.

Ice Bear nodded. "We should be as quiet as possible. Panda –" Grizz shushed him. "You know I'm un-shushable, Grizz." Remembering their time at the movies when the stupid rowdy humans were all disturbing the brother's enjoyment.

Grizz laughed, he positioned himself on top of Ice Bear. "I know, I know." His tail was wagging. Was he really excited for this? In the back of his head – he didn't want this – he wanted everything to remain the same. He knew that if he did this, nothing would be okay again. But as he got ready to put himself inside Ice Bear, licking his ears and making similar chuffing noises as his brother did before, he relaxed. He didn't care, maybe this really was love… "You okay?"

Ice Bear whimpered as he felt his brother slide inside him. His legs opening – fuck he was so tight. His belly hurt, cramps, this whole heat was so messed up. He couldn't move at all because he was on the bottom. "Yes, I'm fine, keep going. But be quiet." He hissed, Grizz nodded hoping he there wouldn't be any blood. He did do some research on things like this, but that was with humans. He had no idea how his own species worked, especially with Polar Bears and Grizzly Bears. "Ice Bear…" He trailed off, calming down, letting Ice Bear rest. "Do you think Grizzly Bears and Polar Bears have ever done this before?"

Ice Bear looked up at Grizz. He knew his brother was intelligent, and knew what Ice Bear was going through. So – he couldn't possibly be thinking of the logical outcome of this? "Grizz, whatever your thinking, don't. I'm not going to get pregnant." Lie. If anything he would but there would be no baby at the end of this. A hybrid wouldn't survive – especially not being raised by him, or the three of them? It'd had no chance of sanity.

"Then why…"

"I'm just different, now keep going, I promise it'll be better when it's over." He felt his tail wag and Grizzly's brush up against him. Grizz's eyes seemed to calm a bit as he believed that lie.

Grizz kissed his brother on the cheek, he began sliding out of him – ice Bear groaned. "Did I do okay?" Ice Bear managed to smile. "You're not in any pain are you?" A nod 'no'.

"You were amazing, Grizz." Ice Bear kissed Grizz on the lips.

No. He wasn't pregnant.
He couldn't be.

Ice Bear groaned and laid on his side, grabbing his belly. "You can't ever exist, you can't." He let his ears flop as he heard Grizz turn on the shower – eventually he'll take one too. Panda will never know, and everything will be back to normal.

Yeah, everything will be fine.


Chapter 3. Consequence

Ice Bear's brow twitched. He was looking up pregnancy facts. Again.

It had been four weeks since him and his brother had sensual night together (would you call it sensual if Ice Bear threw himself onto Grizz?), they did what they had to do. No doubt about that. Sites appeared on his laptop not too much later about Polar Bears and mating in the wild, telling him how he was going to deal with this. It was all about instincts and bullshit.

He groaned, prodding his belly. He didn't feel any different. "You can't exist." Giving one last look at the page he was on he closed his laptop without closing the window – probably should've – and headed into the kitchen to start breakfast. "Grizz." He groaned seeing the grizzly bear humming with his favorite apron on. "Get out of my kitchen." He snarled a bit feeling his tail go tense.

'Every time! That happens! Why?!' He hadn't nauseous since their night together which worried him. He read up about delayed fertilization in Polar Bears but since this child would be a hybrid it could be different. "I wanted to make up for what happened." A sigh, Grizz's cooking didn't actually smell that bad. "I know things can't get back to normal between us but please?"

'Let me try.' Ice Bear noticed a decrease in his brother's moods the past few weeks, they avoided each other and it was driving Panda crazy. It didn't take long for the white bear to sigh. "I'm sorry. I'm the one who forced myself onto you." He should stop talking. "I…" He looked away. "I was in hea-"

"Wow! Smells good! Ice, you up already?" Panda coming out of his room at the perfect time. "Grizz, your cooking again?" A dramatic gasp and then a chuckle came from the oldest bear. "You're not bad at it, I'm just a little surprised. That's usually Ice's job."

A smile from the polar bear lips. "Ice Bear will make lunch. What does Panda want?"

"Really? Awesome! Hmm… I'll have to think about it. You sure you feeling better?" The Panda sat at their dining table and began looking at his phone "Aw man, another person unfriended me! Dangit!"

"Ice Bear feels better now." He sat down smelling Grizz's cooking. Nothing could compare to his own, but it'll have to do.

"They're losers then! You're precious Pan-Pan! Everyone should be friends with you!" Grizz came over with breakfast, it was simple. Eggs, toast, cereal and bacon with sausage and rice (for Panda).

"Thanks Girzz… I get so depressed when stuff like this happens, gah. Hmm smells good." He began digging into his rice and eggs completely distracted now by food.

"They're losers, indeed." Ice Bear felt happy that he wasn't talking about his problems but someone else's. He was happy he didn't have to worry about the fact he may be pregnant. He just wanted to enjoy these sorts of moments with his family while they lasted.

'My family…'

"Thanks guys. You're the best brothers ever." The Panda said tearfully with a mouthful of food. The boys laughed in unison.

Our family.

In total it had been a little over a month since Grizz and Ice Bear's night together. Ice had started sleeping in the freezer again, his nausea stopped and everyone's moods had improved. One day when Grizz got a text from Chloe about a special exhibit in the Museum talking about bears, they should go. Ice Bear was hesitant but eventually mustered up the courage to go. He packed them all lunches and they spent the day out together.

They met Chloe at the steps of the Museum. "Hey guys! It's been a while!"

"Yeah like forever!" Panda high-fived the little human.

"So what's this exhibit about other than… The history of bears in New Harbor National State Park?" Grizz began squinting his eyes reading the sign that had a big arrow pointing towards the museum's entrance. It said NEW! EXCITING! BEARS! "That's where we live!"

"Near the park," Ice Bear was holding bags of lunches for them. He handed one to Chloe and smiled when she accepted it. He liked her.

"It's actually a preserve for wildlife. But yeah, you guys live deeper within it and there's always been bears there and other animals,"

"And bigfoot." Panda coughed while sending a text. The boys laughed.

"Huh?"

"Oh you mean Charlie. He's this big-foot guy that broke into our house and ruined everything after he stayed with us. But he's not living with us anymore, but he's still kinda cool to play video games with." They were heading in now. Chloe was dumbfounded at the idea of bigfoot existing and that her friends had lived with them. She pushed her glasses forward.

"Ice Bear was angry at Charlie for making the house messy." Chloe laughed. That sounds like someone Ice could get annoyed with.

"Anyway, this is the exhibit. They have a bear here that resides deep within the mountains there and doesn't come out to humans much, she's here to talk about what life is like there." Not specific on what kind of bear they all moved past the crowd. This would be interesting. A clash of ideals maybe? Hopefully nothing too serious.

"Cool. Kind of like an Amish person!"

"You know the Amish don't have cellphones."

"Oh… Right…" They laughed again and looked up, Grizz whistled as he saw the bear. A female bear with flowers around her head. She had a necklace, a large tribal cloak and a bear paw patterned on the middle. She was beautiful. Her fur was much more ragged than theirs but still stunning. She looked a lot like a girl version of him, in a way.

"She looks a lot like you," Panda swooned blushing a little. Never really meeting a female bear before seeing how she was so confident and had such grace. "She seems like you."

"I wonder what's her name."

"I don't think she notices that there's more bears," Chloe added mesmerized by the female Grizzly bear. She was stunning. She had these flower hats all made out in different colors that looked handmade and children approached her. "Ooh! I Want one!" Chloe approached the bear and tucked her phone away.

"Hello my child," That fierce determination when she spoke about her passion was gone. She seemed really nice when it came to children. "I wonder which color would look best on you?" She smiled putting her hands on her hips, jewelry chattering about as she did so.

"Actually, yeah I want one. But I want you to meet a friend of mine. He's a grizzly bear too!" Another grizzly bear?

"Grizz! Come on! She's really nice! And even prettier up close!" The lady bear chuckled but it died down as she caught the scent of a male bear approaching. It wasn't unusual for her to be surrounded by males. Just, when this young cub approached her she was gaping into his eyes.

"Hello, Ma'am. Wow my friend's right you are beautiful. Have we met before?" He blushed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Grizz? She said your name was Grizz, correct?" The boy nodded, looking into her eyes, confused. "I… Had a son named Grizz. I lost him one night after I got shot by a hunter." She grabbed at her side. Grizz gasped the crowd looked back and forth with interest. "There's no way," She smiled nodding her head. "No way. I'm kidding myself."

Grizz bit his lip. It beginning to wobble. "I… Can't really remember anything about my parents." The woman's ears flop sadly. "But I do remember a fire fighter rescuing me when I was a cub. It was raining and I was up in a tree. I was crying and I was really scared. He didn't want me to get attached but I did. Shortly after I met my brothers over there." He showed her through the crowd the Polar Bear and the Panda Bear.

"I think I may be your son." The woman gasped. Tears flooded her eyes. The crowd awed. Ice Bear's mouth was agape while Panda had his paws over his mouth. The lady bear wrapped her arms around Grizz for the first time in years.

"Grizz. I'm your mother. Hana. I can't believe I finally found you."

'Dammit Grizz!' Ice Bear felt a flush on his face as his tail tensed and he felt a pit form in his stomach. He didn't like where this was heading.