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Sky couldn’t stop staring. He wasn’t sure how much time had gone by, but his feet were cold and numb from the bathroom tiles. The test had been for his own peace of mind. He’d been feeling off lately and couldn’t shake the anxiety.
Take the test, Rain had insisted. It’ll make you feel better.
He didn’t feel better. He kept staring.
Positive.
Fuck.
The thing was, Prapai wasn’t like Gun. He wasn’t angry, wasn’t vengeful, didn’t take things out on Sky. He just wasn't that kind of alpha. And yet, Sky couldn’t bring himself to tell him. Couldn’t force the words out, no matter how many times he tried.
It was obvious. Obvious that something was off. Obvious that Prapai had noticed. But he didn’t ask, didn’t pry. He just remained there, calm and steady and earnestly waiting for Sky to open up. It was almost upsetting.
He had to say something. Prapai clearly wasn’t going to push him. The only problem was, every time he tried, every time he opened his mouth, he was suddenly right back where he’d been at 16. Terrified and anxious of Gun’s reaction, trying desperately to keep it from him.
It hadn’t worked, of course. Gun had gone through his phone, as he always did, and seen his doctor’s appointments. Figured it out.
Things were different now, he knew. Prapai would never react the way Gun had. He didn’t have to worry, this time, about being hurt or being alone. Gun hadn’t cared, had almost been relieved, when he’d lost the baby. Despite everything else that he’d done, that had almost been the worst of it.
This was different. This would be different. Gun never would have tolerated his omega so obviously keeping something to himself. Prapai gave him grace, showering him in affection and letting him take his own time.
He wanted to talk to Rain about it, despite knowing exactly how the conversation would go. Rain would remind him of what he already knew, that Prapai was not Gun and that this time would be different. But, of course, Rain didn’t know about the first time. No one knew. Not his father, not his aunt. No one except Gun. He hadn’t been able to tell Prapai, even when everything else had come out.
Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to tell Rain. Even if he needed that push. A friend telling him to his face exactly what he had been telling himself, forcing himself to actually do something about it. Regardless, Prapai deserved to know before anyone else. This was his child, too. Even thinking the words built up a swell of emotion, a swirling mixture of anxiety, hope, fear, and excitement.
Just tell him, the Rain inside his head insisted. It’ll be fine.
It would be. He knew that, regardless of everything else.
“P’Pai,” Sky began hesitantly. Prapai’s head shot up immediately, his focus shifting to Sky and a slight concern in his eyes. Sky had to bite back a smile. Even that was a reminder of how different things were now. Gun had been able to pick up on his subtleties, sure, but he had always used that information either for himself or to torment Sky. Prapai seemed hellbent on utilizing every tiny detail to maximize Sky’s comfort and happiness.
Prapai took his hand and started rubbing soothing circles around the back of it. Sky took a deep breath, bracing himself for what he knew wasn’t coming. There was a lull for a long moment, Prapai’s gaze steadily fixed on Sky.
“I’m pregnant,” he said finally.
Prapai blinked in shock, and Sky watched him warily. As he did, a wide smile slowly grew across Pai’s face, and he pulled Sky in firmly.
“Really?” he asked in a half-whisper. Sky nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Prapai’s face split into an even wider smile, the corners of his eyes wet with tears. “We’re having a baby,” he said reverently, placing a gentle hand on Sky’s stomach.
Sky placed his hand over Prapai’s, blinking back tears of his own. It was a little jarring, to have such a different reaction the second time around. He watched Prapai’s face, taking in the joy and wonder there, and had a realization.
He needed to tell Prapai everything. He might not be able to feel the same way Pai felt. He might be anxious, scared, or disconnected, and Prapai deserved to know why. They were in this together now, which brought a slight smile to his face.
He pressed a kiss to the top of Prapai’s head, then hid his face in his hair.
Not now, he decided. Let him have the moment, all the excitement and future and anticipation. They could figure everything else out later. At least they’d be able to do it together.
“P’Pai?” Sky asked for the second time, half-smiling as he watched Prapai stare determinedly at his computer.
“Their skulls aren’t fused,” Prapai muttered under his breath, eyes darting around the page as he continued to scroll. “That’s insane.”
“Yes, I know,” Sky said patiently, silently promising to himself that he wouldn’t laugh. Prapai had gotten more and more stressed out over the last few weeks. The more research he did, the more frantic he got as he realized just how reliant infants were on their parents. He really wasn’t in a position to judge, considering that he’d done the exact same thing the first time around. His faint smile faded as he thought of his previous pregnancy, realizing that he still hadn’t told Prapai anything about it.
There had been multiple times over the last few weeks where he could have said something. Times where the conversation had naturally led in that direction, times where he’d had to be careful to avoid lying, which wasn’t a good feeling.
“P’Pai?” he said again, only realizing how different his tone was once he’d already spoken.
Prapai’s head shot up at once, his look of furious concentration quickly shifting to one of concern.
“You okay?” he asked, closing his laptop and shuffling closer when Sky didn’t immediately respond.
“I have to tell you something.”
“Again?” Prapai joked, his smile fading when Sky didn’t roll his eyes. “What is it?”
“I…” Sky took a deep breath, fixing his eyes on the wall behind Prapai’s head. “I was pregnant. Before.”
Prapai was silent for a moment, thinking before realization dawned on his face. He gave a small nod. “How old were you?” he asked quietly.
“Sixteen,” Sky admitted. He could feel his guts churning and his face growing hot as he waited for Prapai to continue.
“Gun?” Prapai’s voice had become even softer.
Sky just nodded.
After a moment, he shook his head.
“I don’t…it was when I was with Gun,” he confirmed. “I don’t know if he was…” Prapai gave him a look of understanding, and he trailed off. He could see the hurt and concern in Prapai’s eyes and felt a stab of hatred towards himself for causing it.
Prapai opened his mouth, cutting himself off before he could speak. It didn’t matter. Sky knew what he was going to ask, and he’d been dreading it. If he was being honest, this had been the main reason he hadn’t wanted to discuss this with everyone.
“I decided to keep it,” he said, holding his voice steady. “But it didn’t–” his voice cracked and he cut himself off, swallowing hard.
Prapai’s arms wrapped around him, pulling him in tightly. Sky opened his mouth to say that he was fine before realizing that he had already started crying. He buried his face in Prapai’s neck and tried to stay quiet enough that he wouldn’t realize.
“I’m so sorry,” Prapai told him emphatically.
Sky continued to cry, not pulling back from the embrace and unable to respond. Prapai just held him, rubbing soothing motions into his back and holding him close.
When he finally pulled back, he was already dreading the expression on Prapai’s face. He didn’t want to see pity, or discomfort, or hesitance.
“I’m sorry,” Prapai said again, and Sky couldn’t entirely decide what feeling was underneath his words. “This must be so difficult for you, and I’ve been stressing out about everything,” he sighed, running his fingers through his hair.
“It’s been nice,” Sky surprised himself by saying. That sentiment was clearly echoed on Prapai’s face, who seemed quite ready to beat himself up over it.
“Nice?” There was a hint of skepticism in his tone.
Sky nodded. “I know you care,” he explained. “You’re stressed out because you want things to be okay. For me, and for the baby. I like knowing how much you care,” he finished.
Prapai gave him a soft smile, pulling him in again for a gentler embrace. “I care,” he affirmed. “So much, and I just want everything to be perfect for you. And if there’s anything I can do to make this easier–”
“You can keep being yourself,” Sky said firmly. “That’s what makes it easier.”
“This is not helping, P’Pai!” Rain snapped.
“I can’t find my keys anywhere! If I can’t find the keys, I can’t start the car. If I can’t start the car, we can’t drive to the hospital. And if we can’t drive to the hospital–”
“You’re not driving,” Phayu interrupted. “You can sit in the back with Sky and hold his hand.”
Prapai looked furiously between Sky and Phayu, clearly trying to decide which option would be better for his omega.
“It’ll make me feel better,” Sky offered, slightly out of breath.
“Okay,” Prapai agreed immediately. “Let’s go,” he decided, huffing out a breath and practically running to the door.
“I need my bag,” Sky reminded him with an arched eyebrow. Before he finished the sentence, Prapai had turned around to run into the bedroom. He emerged with Sky’s overnight bag, something he had insisted on having ready far too early into the third trimester.
“Let’s go?” Prapai said again, this time the words coming out as a question and tinged with desperation.
“Let’s go,” Sky affirmed, unable to hide a soft smile. Somehow, he felt calm in the face of Prapai’s panic. They’d made it this far, and Prapai would be an excellent father. Loving, caring, supportive. Everything a child could need. He’d been nervous, so nervous, when he’d first found out about the pregnancy. But things had a way of working out.
“Oh my god!” Sky gritted out, unsure whether he was yelling at this point.
“You’re okay,” Prapai reassured him, holding his hand and fluttering uselessly by the side of the bed.
The contraction subsided and Sky managed to catch his breath, a bead of sweat trickling down the side of his face.
“You did this to me,” he accused Prapai.
Prapai looked torn, mouth half-open as his eyebrows furrowed together. “Yes,” he finally admitted, his tone caught between pride and sheepishness.
Sky’s eyes narrowed.
“You’ll be okay,” Prapai rushed to reassure him, planting a kiss on his forehead. “You’re doing great.”
“There’s not really another option,” Sky clenched his jaw again as he was hit with another wave of pain. He squeezed Prapai’s hand tighter and heard a small hiss of pain.
“Seriously?” he hissed out.
“Sorry, sorry,” Prapai hurried to apologize. “I’m fine, I’m fine, sorry.”
Sky forced himself to let out a breath and slowly draw in another. Prapai kissed the back of his hand, concern and affection shining through his gaze.
“I love you,” Sky managed, feeling a sudden need to make sure Prapai knew how true it was. “I’m glad it’s…I’m so glad you’re here with me,” he finished, still gripping Prapai’s hand.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Prapai promised.
“Where are you going?” Sky asked, his voice groggy with sleep.
Prapai froze in the middle of opening their bedroom door, turning back to face him with a guilty look. “I’m just thirsty,” he tried.
Sky glanced at the glass of water on his nightstand with a raised eyebrow.
“For some juice?” Prapai continued, his voice rising at the end of his sentence.
“Come back to bed,” Sky instructed, curling up under the covers. When Prapai didn’t move, he poked his head back up, giving him an understanding look. “She’s fine,” he promised. “If she wakes up, we’ll hear it on the monitor.”
“What if it’s not working?” Pai grumbled, shuffling back towards the bed. “I could just go check on her.”
“She’s fine,” Sky reiterated. “Except for the obvious.”
“The obvious?” Prapai asked, clear concern coloring his tone.
“The obvious,” Sky confirmed. “Having the most overprotective father in the world.”
Prapai just snorted at that, climbing back into bed and pressing a kiss to Sky’s forehead. “That’s fine with me. I’ll take that any day.”
“Yeah,” Sky signed, giving Prapai a soft smile. “Me too.”