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Kingsly’s mother had come to visit the couple, and now sat across from them with a hot cup of tea. The florist had made a special brew that morning, just in time to share over lunch as they discussed recent events. It had only been a week since they returned from their honeymoon, and they were eager to show off the pictures they had taken on the way.
As the topic moved on to family drama and the like, she put down her mug and gave Kingsly a smile.
“Have you ever thought about having kids?”
Kingsly choked on his drink and had to take a moment to clear his throat. Puddle, who luckily hadn’t been taking a sip when she asked the question, covered their mouth and averted their eyes. The two were beet-red. That was… that was certainly a question. Eventually, poor Kingsly found his voice.
“Mama! What are you talking about? Kids?!”
She laughed at their reactions, “I’m joking, dear. You and your siblings were enough of a handful!”
“Hah, joking, right…” Kingsly looked over at Puddle, who kept their eyes trained at the table they were sitting at.
The topic changed once again, this time to the flowers they had been growing through the change of seasons.
They tried not to dwell on that ‘joke’ from his mother.
Keyword, tried.
Puddle couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like if they did have a child. What would they look like? What would they be named? Would they even have the money to get by with another mouth to feed?
With every thought they tried to shoo away, two others took their place, like some weird hydra was taking over their brain. They just couldn’t quite shake it. Kingsly took concern in their odd demeanor, holding their hand as they sat in bed together. The touch was the only thing that pulled them from their thoughts, to their surprise.
“Petal? You’ve been awfully quiet today, is everything alright?”
“Yeah, I’m just lost in thought.”
“Well what are you thinking about?”
“Just- you know, if we were able to… would you want to have kids one day?”
Kingsly froze for a moment as he processed the question, blushing to the tips of his ears.
“Y-you want to?”
Puddle nodded in response.
“Ah, I– I don’t know, Petal, are we really ready for that? It’s a lot to take on…”
They squeezed his hand to try quell his anxiety.
“We don’t have to just yet! I don’t want to rush you into anything. Let’s just take things as they come, yeah?”
“Yeah… I’m just a little worried, what if I end up being a lousy dad?”
“Oh don’t say that, Kings! Your parents made a fine man out of you, I’m sure you’d be great.”
“Ahah, thanks. I suppose I am getting ahead of myself. It would be nice raising a new life, as long as I have you by my side.”
“Aw, that’s sweet, honey.” They leaned back, yawning, “Why don’t we continue this talk tomorrow? We’ll need clear heads if we’re gonna plan for the future.”
Kingsly dragged them under the covers and held them close, all the answer they needed. After that awkward conversation, the two could really use some shuteye. Though, with how tightly he hugged them, they figured that they wouldn't be sleeping for a while.