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It wasn't ideal to be stuck with Itsuki while Alhaitham "handled something" with Kusanali, but Kaveh can handle it.
"You've put on a lot of weight."
Kaveh can probably handle it.
"I'm pregnant."
Despite not needing to, Itsuki blinks a few times, possibly in surprise, but Kaveh suspects it's like when Alhaitham stares blankly at him, waiting for him to realize he said something stupid or obvious.
"What?"
"Pregnant? Expecting? With child?"
"But you're..."
"I'm a man? Yeah, it happens."
Kaveh knows he's coming across as defensive.
He is defensive.
"I honestly didn't know you were...all of the words I know for it are derogatory..."
"Well I am, and-"
"I won't say I feel camaraderie with you, but it's...nice to see that the people of Sumeru are accepting of us...seemingly," Itsuki interrupts.
"Camaraderie? Accepting? Us?"
"I guess I wasn't the only one who hadn't realized we were similar."
Kaveh finally puts it together.
"You're-"
"Only on a technicality, I'm not human, remember?" he sneers at Kaveh.
"I have so many questions about how that works but I don't want you to hurt me-"
"Good instinct." Itsuki moves closer and puts a light hand on Kaveh's stomach, "Does it move much?"
"You're actually interested in the baby?"
"Only mildly."
"Some days they do, some days they're calmer, usually when Tighnari is here."
Itsuki seems to tense at the mention of Tighnari, but keeps his hand on Kaveh's stomach.
"Is it...strange?"
"Incredibly."
"Stop that."
Itsuki is practically on the other side of the room when Alhaitham speaks.
"I don't want you hurting Kaveh or the baby."
"I wouldn't." "He wouldn't-"
Kusanali and Itsuki look at each other for a moment after speaking at the same time, but don't mention it.
"We were talking, Alhaitham," Kaveh assures.
"I don't want to hurt your baby, I just..."
Itsuki stops for a moment.
"He's just curious," Kusanali speaks up for him, "You don't have to be afraid."
Alhaitham still seems tense, but he relents.
"Be careful with them..."
Itsuki moves back to touch Kaveh's stomach again, barely brushing against it.
The room feels tense now.
Alhaitham's glaring isn't helping.
Kaveh takes Itsuki's hand and pushes on the back of it gently.
He looks distressed, or maybe angry, at the contact, but Kaveh doesn't let it bother him.
"If you push gently the baby might move. Didn't you want to feel the baby move?"
Itsuki doesn't answer, but let's Kaveh hold his hand where it is.
Alhaitham moves closer, standing on the opposite side from Itsuki, and puts his hand on Kaveh's shoulder, squeezing it gently.
He's uncomfortable. And upset.
"I don't feel anything except that there's obviously something in there."
"Maybe the baby just doesn't like you."
Kaveh tenses, casting a sideways glance at his partner.
Before he can say something it happens.
The baby moves.
Towards Itsuki.
It's just a small movement, but Itsuki clearly felt it, pulling his hand away and sneering slightly at Kaveh's stomach.
"That felt...weird."
With that he leaves, wiping his hand on his shorts as he goes.
"I'm sorry, he's getting better about not being so...mean...I promise," Kusanali apologizes.
"I'm sorry about him," Kaveh tilts his head towards Alhaitham with a teasing grin, "He's not getting much better, but I'm trying to work on it with him."
Alhaitham huffs, unamused.
Kusanali seems confused, but smiles, "May I feel your stomach?"
"Sure, I guess," Kaveh agrees.
The baby's been shifting since Itsuki ran off, and Kusanali's eyes light up when she feels it.
"You're going to have a beautiful family," Kusanali coos, beaming with excitement.
"We should go."
Before Kaveh can respond to either of them he's being dragged away by Alhaitham.
Kusanali laughs, waving them goodbye.
"Protective much?"
"Shut it."
"I love you," Kaveh laughs softly.
Alhaitham sighs.
"I love you, too..."
