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Cyno closed the door quietly as he stepped into the house, parcels tucked into his arm and under his cloak to protect them from the light drizzle outside.
It had been quite hot the last week or so, and unpleasantly humid as well, so the rain was a welcome change for cooling off the temperature. As someone used to being in unpleasant climes more often than not due to his work, he was hardly bothered by it much.
But Alhaitham…
While mostly confined to the house nowadays as far along as he was, the unpleasant temperatures had him feeling far too hot lately and he’d flatly refused to leave the house. Unfortunately, no amount of light clothes or cold drinks or shade could protect him from heat flashes, so he spent most of his time curled up in their bed silently cursing his circumstances.
Today it was still early, and Cyno had slipped out of their bed to go get some groceries. He set about putting them away and making a light breakfast, hoping Alhaitham was still asleep but also aware that he probably wasn’t, either from the rain or Cyno leaving or his usual symptoms.
He cut up some fresh fruit to go with their meal, loading everything on a tray before making his way to their room. He’d opened the window when he’d left to let in some of the cooler air, and a nice breeze could be felt as he walked in.
Alhaitham was where he left him, curled among pillows and dozing it seemed. He set the tray down and went to press a hand to the side of his face. He didn’t feel overheated, so hopefully he was more comfortable.
“Welcome back,” Alhaitham murmured, pressing into the touch slightly.
“I’m home,” he replied quietly, leaning down to kiss him, enjoying the softness of sleep still clinging to the other’s body, “I brought breakfast. Care to have some?”
Alhaitham glanced behind him at the tray, and his face fell into the neutral expression Cyno recognized as him not being partial to the idea.
“Maybe in a while,” he answered.
Cyno sighed, sitting on the side of the bed and pushing back silver bangs to better see his husband’s face. “You need to eat something. You hardly ate anything yesterday, and you've been picky all week.”
“Tell the weather to improve then, and perhaps my appetite will.”
Cyno smiled, exasperated, and leaned down into his space. “You’re eating breakfast and that’s final. I’m giving you 20 minutes to come to terms with it and then I’m shoving it down your throat.”
“That you’d show such cruelty to your spouse. Who would’ve expected it of the General Mahamatra?”
Cyno kissed him again before drawing back to pat his head. “No one will believe your slander.”
“I see. The perfect crime.”
They settled into the quiet for a few minutes, listening to the rainfall as Cyno idly stroked Alhaitham’s hair.
“Have you thought of any names yet?” He eventually asked.
“I don’t see any point in picking one until the baby is born.”
“Well, it’s more to have ideas and then choose one that suits them best.”
“I assume Kaveh’s still insisting we’ll have a girl.”
“He is.”
It had become a hot topic of debate at one of their group dinners one evening. Kaveh had been the only one drinking wine, Cyno opting for water in solidarity of his husband and Tighnari in case he was needed, when Kaveh had looked up with a big grin and said, “Do you think you’re gonna have a boy or a girl?”
Alhaitham had ignored him, but Cyno had answered, “We’re not hoping for either. Healthy is good enough for us.”
Kaveh sulked. “That’s no fun. Well, I think you’re gonna have a girl.”
“We’re definitely having a boy then, “Alhaitham said.
Kaveh scowled. “You always have to be contrarian, don’t you? Tighnari, back me up!”
Tighnari slipped his drink, looking at the pair speculatively. “Actually...I think they’re going to have a boy.”
“What?!” Kaveh spluttered, “Why?! “
He shrugged. “I just have a feeling. The two of them…yeah, definitely a boy.”
“I can’t believe you’d betray me like this!” Kaveh moaned, “No way, they’re having a girl! I’m sure of it!”
Tighnari raised an eyebrow. “You’re going to bet on it, then?”
“Absolutely!”
And he’d held fast to the idea ever since, loudly and stubbornly proclaiming to all their friends that they were going to have a girl, and then they’d feel really silly about doubting him.
“If he’s determined to look like a fool then so be it.”
Cyno nodded absently. “He’s going to be really upset when Tighnari’s right.”
Alhaitham turned his head to look up at him. “You also believe it will be a boy?”
“I stand by what I said about not caring. But since Kaveh has weighed in so heavily and because the odds are almost never in his favor…I imagine Tighnari had a similar line of thought.”
Alhaitham snorted. “More the fool him.”
Cyno smiled and rubbed his shoulder, fingers creeping under his shirt sleeve and noting that it didn’t feel as warm as before. “How are you feeling now? Better than last night?”
Alhaitham sighed. “Still hot, but less so. The rain cooled things off considerably.”
“Think you can eat something then?”
He sighed again, deeper. “If you insist.”
“I do.”
He grabbed Alhaitham's hand and looped the other behind his back, carefully leveraging him into a sitting position and easing him back against their many pillows. He then grabbed the fruit slices, thinking that would be a good lead in to work up to the rest, and held it to Alhaitham’s mouth, who gave him a look before accepting it.
“I want tulumba when this is over,” he said after swallowing.
Cyno fed him another slice. “Yes, yes. Once the baby is born I’ll make you some tulumba and brew the good beans to go with it.”
Alhaitham frowned as he finished chewing. "I can’t believe Tighnari confiscated them. I wasn’t going to make any.”
“I think it was more to relieve the disappointment of not being able to use them than thinking you would.”
“He has no confidence in my mental stability, you mean.”
“He’s being a good friend.” He fed him another piece.
Alhaitham turned to look out the window.
“I’ll be glad when this is done. Perhaps then everyone else can return to being rational individuals.”
Cyno grinned wryly.
“Unlikely.”
* * * * *
Unfortunately for Alhaitham, the final days leading up to the birth had everyone walking on eggshells. Even Hat Guy had dropped by once or twice when Cyno had to be called in for consultation just to check on him.
And was also the unfortunate party there when his water broke.
Alhaitham was glad at least he remained calm for all that he carried Alhaitham quickly and discreetly through the city to the Bimarstan, and apparently he’d informed Nahida through telepathy because Tighnari and Cyno met them there.
The next 12 hours were a haze Alhaitham would not care to repeat, Cyno there the whole time holding his hand or smoothing back his hair where it clung to his sweat soaked face, Tighnari nearby being quietly encouraging and talking him through it.
At the end of it, they had a tiny but healthy dark skinned little boy. Tighnari left once everything was cleaned up and settled to give them some privacy and also to inform all their friends.
Alhaitham looked down at the baby pressed to his naked chest, fast asleep, and then at Cyno where he was resting his upper body on the side of the bed, head pillowed in his arms and watching them.
“It’s a shame I won’t be there to see Kaveh cry about losing the bet,” he said, leaning back further to get comfortable.
Cyno smiled. “Don’t be mean. He’ll be glad for us later.”
“I was surprised how quickly you got here.”
“I was on my way back with Tighnari when Nahida spoke to my mind. We simply diverted to the clinic instead.”
“I see.”
Cyno chuckled. “Hat guy looked so disgruntled. He was probably cursing his luck that he had to be the one there instead of me.”
“He handled it well, I’m thankful for.”
“He did,” Cyno reached out to pat his leg, “I’m sorry I wasn’t there, Alhaitham.”
The man rolled his eyes. “It hardly matters. Nothing went wrong, and it’s all over and done now. That’s enough.”
Cyno gave a slight nod before staring at their baby, a slight frown on his face.
“What’s wrong?” Alhaitham asked, unsure what he was thinking about.
Cyno opened his mouth, paused, and then blew out an exasperated breath.
“It’s nothing, really. Just…he looks more like me than you.”
Alhaitham blinked, looking down again to study the tanned skin, the fluffy white hair. Earlier they’d seen hints of red peeking out when the baby had briefly opened his eyes.
He raised an eyebrow at him. “How is that a problem?”
“It’s not,” Cyno protested, “I just…I hoped he’d look a little more like you. I’ve always been curious how you looked as a child.”
Alhaitham sighed. “Don’t be ridiculous. I looked more or less the same, but smaller.”
“You don’t get it. That’s not the same at all.”
He scoffed, looking down at the baby. “Poor thing. You’ve just been born and already your father is disappointed in you.”
“Don’t say things like that,” Cyno frowned, pinching his leg, “I was just a little wistful, is all.”
“Well, if I ever let you get me pregnant again, perhaps you’ll have better luck next time.”
They lapsed into quiet, watching the baby who slept blissfully through the whole thing.
“I think the name you picked last week would suit him best.”
Cyno looked up. “The one Tighnari liked?”
“Yes.”
Cyno sat up, giving them both a solemn look. He then reached over to gently rest his hand on their baby’s tiny brow, his heart filling with affection at the feel of his warm, soft skin.
“Arlan,” he named him.
Alhaitham’s face softened as he said it, and he leaned over at the same time Cyno leaned in to kiss him.
Their son.