intertwined. part two
#2 of Danganronpa Wereverse
A few hours later, the pacing starts. Fuyuhiko's showing the characteristic restlessness that tells Peko, from all the reading she's been doing, that active labor is probably close to starting. Mainly, he's going about the nest, pacing the perimeter and re-arranging some of the blankets and pillows to fit his tastes.
"I just want it even," he explains. "I don't like it when I lay down and it's all... lumpy. Hurts my back."
As nervous as she is, Peko doesn't stop him, because this is natural. They've both known this day would come, but now that it's upon them, now that their cubs are so close to coming into the world, they're both having doubts. Even so, Fuyuhiko's handling the early labor well so far, doing his best to stay calm and save energy.
He lays down after doing a few more rounds around the nest, leaning his back against the soft pillows to ease the ache. Apparently, he's finally satisfied, at least for the moment. Fuyuhiko stays that way for a little while longer, with Peko watching as his breathing gets a little faster and more shallow. At one point, she helps him with taking off his sweatpants, as they've gotten uncomfortable for him.
They're getting closer.
It's not much longer after that when Fuyuhiko calls Peko to his side, and of course she's there in an instant. He looks up at her, urgency written on his face and in his eyes as he takes both of her hands.
"What's wrong?" She asks, instinctually, worry in her voice.
"I -- I gotta stand up," Fuyuhiko says. "Help me up."
She doesn't argue. Instead, she carefully helps him stand up, lets him lean against her as he takes shallow breaths. Then, suddenly, all at once in the same moment, Fuyuhiko gives a soft yelp as the pressure increases for just a second, and his waters break, fluid leaving him in a rush.
He breathes shakily, looks at Peko with fear and apology in his eyes. "Sorry, Peko," he says, voice low. "That was --"
"Not your fault," Peko finishes for him. "You just reacted to what your body was telling you. It's fine." She leans down a bit to kiss his cheek. "Does Mikan need to be here?"
"Yes," Fuyuhiko whispers. "Yeah. It's time."
Those words are the ones they've been dreading and waiting for.