Chapter Text
It's been about a week and a half since they came back to Evrkynd. And the conditions on her body have worsened. Being barely able to keep up with just being out and about. Throwing up more and the constant nights being unable to sleep well.
"Rayla, want a jelly tart?" Ezran hands one, his face already smeared with crumbs of the others.
"Sure." Yet the very moment she finishes her treat, her stomach churns. "Nngh..."
"You okay?" Ezran cocks his head in questioning, Callum's eyes flit over from his book to her. Yet he doesn't say anything. Callum just... looks at her.
"Yeah, I just... I didn't sleep so well last night." Which isn't a lie. The small pains from her stomach were something that she tried her best to hide. Even when it bothered her to get comfortable.
Rayla gets up, and the familiar bubbling starts to rise once more. "I'll be back." She ushers herself out before Ezran can ask anything.
Slamming the door open, she hunches over the toilet and vomits. Soft footsteps sound from behind, with her bangs being ever so delicately lifted away. Of course it's him, why wouldn't it be?
If he were to not want this with me... do... do I even want this?
"Callum."
"Rayla, I know I said I trusted you until you're ready to tell me, but if whatever this is has to do with your condition. I... don't want to force you, but it's concerning me. I'm worried, Rayla."
I'm making him worry... and if this child makes him worry more? Aaravos will return. Our child could be in danger. I would just become a burden to Callum.
It all... comes undone.
She buries herself into Callum's arms, sobbing as he blinks the confusion away to hug her. Rayla sniffles, wiping her tears away as much as she can. She'd become a lot more expressive, something Callum would never mind. She's opening up more. That's good.
She hasn't told me about any nightmares... but she's so... scared. What is she not telling me?
"Hey, it's okay, Rayla. Whatever it is, I'm here." Callum stifles the burning desire to know what is going on, opting to focus on making Rayla feel better. "Do you wanna go outside? Get fresh air?"
"Yeah, I would." She mumbles, trying to wipe any other tears.
They settle under a tree close to the training grounds. Rayla holds Callum's hand, "I have something to tell you."
The desire for knowledge increases, yet he quells the excitement or guesses he harbors. "Go on."
"I... I didn't know how to tell you, honestly, I'm scared," her voice wavers, "What if you don't like me anymore? What if--"
He grasps both of her hands, smiling, "Rayla, no matter what it is, I'm here. I won't ever leave."
"I'm pregnant." The whole world just goes still. Rayla keeps her eyes down before having the courage to look at Callum.
He's... just sitting there. With his mouth agape, Callum stares at Rayla. The same type of stupid stare he had back at the Oasis.