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Paedyn

I retch over the sparkling toilet bowl.

"Miss Paedyn?" Ellie calls out. I respond by continuing to throw up in the toilet bowl. It's been a few weeks of feeling like this. Nausea, stomach cramps, and just an overall feeling of tiredness. "May I inquire when was the last time you had your menstrual cycle?" she asks. The realization dawns on me. Kai and I had had sex after that dinner party a few weeks ago. This couldn't be happening.

"I'm not sure," I respond shakily.

"Okay, could I get a pregnancy test for you?" she says quietly. I nod.

Kai

Paedyn isn't at breakfast when I return from my early morning work, which is odd. She hadn't been feeling good this past week. I try to find Ellie, and when I do, she seems busy. I sigh. I'll just have to see Pae when we do training.

Paedyn

Panic takes over when I see a faint line on the pregnancy test. The test sits there, mocking me with its faint line. I can barely focus on anything else, my hands trembling as they hold the small plastic stick. It feels as if the world has suddenly come to a screeching halt, the realization sinking deeper with every passing second. This wasn't supposed to happen, not like this. I swallow hard, trying to breathe, but my chest feels tight. How could I have been so reckless?

Ellie knocks softly at the bathroom door, and I try to steady my breath before answering. "Are you okay in there?" she calls out gently.

I don't trust my voice. The lump in my throat is suffocating, and my stomach churns again. I can't look at the test anymore. It feels like too much. With shaky hands, I drop it into the trash can and quickly flush the toilet. It's as if I'm trying to erase the moment, but it stays.

I step out of the bathroom, wiping my face with the back of my hand, trying to force a smile. Ellie eyes me with concern, but she doesn't ask questions. Not yet. She knows I need time.

Kai

Training starts with a sharp, harsh whistle that echoes through the open field. The usual banter is missing today. The air is thick, heavier than I remember it being. I spot Paedyn in the corner, her eyes distant as she stands by the padded tree. She doesn't even acknowledge me when I approach, and something about that feels... wrong.

"Pae?" My voice is softer than usual, a small frown tugging at my lips. She doesn't look at me. "You feeling okay?"

She pulls her hand away from the tree, the usual energy in her movements muted. "I'm fine." The words come out too quickly, and I can tell she's lying. She's not fine. Her eyes betray her.

I want to press further, to reach out, but something holds me back. Maybe it's the way she's holding herself, like she's trying to hide something. "If you say so..." I mumble, still unsure.

Paedyn

I nod, forcing myself to stay focused. Training. I just need to get through training. If I keep moving, keep fighting, maybe I won't have to think about the tiny, life-altering truth sitting in the trash can upstairs.

Kai watches me like a hawk. I can feel his eyes on me even as I wrap my hands and take my stance in front of the punching bag. He's always been able to read me too well.

"Paedyn." His voice is low, just for me. I swallow hard and lift my fists.

"I said I'm fine."

I throw a punch. My form is off.

Kai steps closer. "No, you're not."

The words hit harder than they should. I clench my jaw and aim another strike at the tree, this time with more force. My knuckles sting, but I welcome the burn. I need something else to focus on, anything but the panic still clawing at my chest.

Kai doesn't push again. Instead, he steps behind me, close enough that I can feel his warmth, but not touching. Not yet.

"You're tense," he murmurs. "Your stance is sloppy."

"I know." My voice cracks. Damn it.

His hands finally find my waist, grounding me. He adjusts my posture, his grip steady and familiar. "You wanna talk about it?"

No. Yes. I don't know.

I shake my head. "Not here."

Kai is silent for a long moment before he nods, pressing a light kiss to my temple. "Okay."

"Come with me," he says, his voice quiet but firm.

I hesitate, my pulse racing, but I nod. I let him lead me out of the field, away from the noise, away from prying eyes.

We don't stop until we reach his room. He closes the door behind us, and suddenly, it's just us. The silence stretches, thick and suffocating.

Kai crosses his arms, leaning back against the door, studying me with those sharp, knowing eyes. "Tell me," he finally says. "Whatever it is, just tell me."

I inhale sharply, but the words don't come. My throat feels tight, my hands shaking at my sides.

Kai steps closer, softer this time. He reaches out, his fingers barely grazing my cheek. "Pae..." His voice is gentler now, coaxing. "You're scaring me."

I squeeze my eyes shut. I can't do this. I can't say it.

But then I feel his hands settle on my waist, grounding me, steadying me. Just like always.

I exhale shakily. "Kai, I—" My voice breaks.

His brows furrow, concern flashing across his face. "Hey, it's okay," he murmurs. "Whatever it is, we'll figure it out."

I shake my head, my heart pounding. "No, Kai, you don't understand."

He waits.

I force myself to meet his gaze, my hands trembling as I press them against his chest. "I'm late," I whisper.

For a second, there's nothing. No reaction, no shift in his expression. Just silence.

Then, realization dawns. His hands tighten on my waist. "Paedyn..."

I nod, my breath catching. "I took a test." My voice is barely above a whisper. "It was positive."

The room feels too small, too quiet.

Kai doesn't move, doesn't breathe. His grip on me tightens just slightly, like he's afraid I might disappear.

Finally, he exhales, a slow, measured breath. "You're pregnant?"

I nod again.

Another pause. Then—

"Okay."

That's it. Just that one word.

I blink up at him, my stomach twisting. "Okay?"

He nods. "Yeah." His voice is steady. Sure. "Okay."

I search his face, looking for anything—fear, doubt, panic. But all I find is certainty.

"You're not mad?" I whisper.

His eyes soften. "Mad?" He lets out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "Pae, I could never be mad at you for this."

"But we weren't ready," I choke out. "This wasn't supposed to happen—"

Kai cups my face, silencing me with his touch. "Maybe not. But it did." He tilts his head, his thumbs brushing against my cheeks. "And we'll figure it out. Together."

Tears sting my eyes. I didn't realize how much I needed to hear that.

I let out a shaky laugh. "You're really not freaking out?"

"Oh, I'm definitely freaking out," Kai admits with a grin. "But that doesn't change anything." His voice drops, turning serious again. "I love you, Pae. And I'm not going anywhere."

The weight on my chest loosens just a little.

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I love you too."

Kai

I hold her tighter, like if I let go for even a second, she might slip away. She's still shaking a little, like the weight of this is finally settling in. My hands move to her waist, steadying her.

"Have you seen a Healer yet?" I ask, my voice quieter now.

She shakes her head. "I only just found out," she murmurs. "I—I don't even know how far along I am. I don't know anything."

I nod, trying to push past the sudden, overwhelming urge to fix everything all at once. "Then we'll figure it out. First thing tomorrow, we'll see someone."

Paedyn exhales slowly, nodding. Her fingers grip the fabric of my shirt like she needs something solid to hold onto. "You're really okay with this?" she asks again, voice barely above a whisper.

I tilt her chin up, making her look at me. "I'm scared as hell," I admit, because I won't lie to her. "But I'm with you, and that's all that matters."

Her lip trembles slightly before she presses it together, like she's trying to keep herself from breaking. I don't think I've ever seen her like this—so unsure, so vulnerable. It does something to me, seeing her like this. I want to take every ounce of doubt and fear and crush it beneath my hands.

Instead, I lean down and kiss her. Slow. Deep. Letting her feel every promise I can't put into words yet.

When I pull back, she sighs, resting her forehead against my chest.

"I don't know how to be a mother," she admits quietly.

I tighten my arms around her. "And I don't know how to be a father." A breath of laughter escapes me. "Guess we'll just have to wing it together."

She snorts, shoving at my chest lightly, but there's a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. That's all I need.

words count - 1485 words

k so i posted early today, and i'm hoping to get one more story out, but not sure yet. 

enjoy!