Work Text:
The bathroom light flickered overhead, casting its glow over the white tile, causing the air to feel stiff. William sat hunched over the side of the bathtub
Another two lines, another positive.
“Shit”, he muttered, running a hand through his messy brown locks. This was the fourth test he'd purchased, and this was the fourth positive. Over the past few weeks, the boy had seen two plus signs, the double lines currently staring back at him, and an expensive, digital test that blatantly read “pregnant”.
The brunette shoved the test and box into the bottom of the trashcan, desperately hoping Gabe wouldn't see it. The thought of how his boyfriend would react had been looming over William like a death sentence. Before they'd met, Bill had a reputation of letting just about anyone tap him if they asked at least semi-nicely. But Gabe was supposed to be different, they were faithful. Safe when they did anything.
William let out a long sigh, burying his face in his hands. “Fuck. What am I gonna do? He's gonna freak.” Without having talked to Gabe, the boy had already convinced himself that his partner would assume he cheated and would immediately leave him. After all, their relationship was still so young, a few months at most. Therefore the idea of telling Gabe that within that time, Bill was already with child? He'd rather the floor crack open and swallow him whole.
For a long while, William sat there, head in his hands, unable to stop his thoughts from spiraling in every imaginable direction all at once:
“Where am I gonna go when he kicks me out?”
“How am I supposed to care for a child while supporting them financially?”
“My reputation is fucked.”
These thoughts were abruptly cut off as he heard the unmistakable click of the front door opening. “Dammit,” he mumbled under his breath, quickly scrambling up from the tub, “Should've never given him a key.”
Gabe, completely unaware of the other man's turmoil, had simply assumed William wasn't feeling the greatest and that it was his job as his boyfriend to fix it. So, the taller boy had come over to surprise him, not realizing how much distress that would cause his partner. Shutting the door with his foot, Gabe called out into the apartment, “Oh Blivy~ I got your favorite” As evidence, the dark haired boy held up a plastic takeout bag. The fish logo on it taunted the shorter boy.
“Oh, Gabe. You shouldn't have. That's-” Bill trailed off, mind scrambling to create a cover story that was at least halfway decent. “That's really nice of you.”
“Oh, but I did,” Gabe responded, stepping forward to pull the brunette closer by the hips. “You've just been so distant lately. I miss my boyfriend.” Fuck, his voice was so gentle, so innocent in intention. It took all of William's restraint not to confess right then and there. “I've just been feeling out of it. Probably just sick.” He mumbled as an excuse. Luck was on the boy's side, as Gabe took the explanation and didn't push it.
“Here's what's gonna happen tonight.” the dark haired boy stated, “I got your favorite takeout, we're gonna watch your favorite movie, and I'm gonna hold you until you feel better. Ok?” Bill could only nod as his lover guided him to the couch. While unpacking the food and setting up the movie, Gabe was convinced he was doing the best that he could. He'd pamper the hell out of his boyfriend and the two would get their normal relationship back.
The brunette just stared at the takeout box of food, cursing Gabe for knowing him so well. He'd gone through all the effort to get William's favorite food, sushi. Despite never having been pregnant before, the boy knew damn well that sushi was like the most stereotypical food to avoid.
Instead of spending the night watching his favorite movie, The Notebook, William got to use his time stressing out about making it look like he was eating. He'd push around each piece before finally biting into it before promptly spitting into a napkin when he thought Gabe wasn't looking.
Gabe very much noticed the behavior, harboring a sixth sense for when something was up with his boyfriend. After watching Bill spit up too many bites, the taller boy had to intervene. “Babe, talk to me. There's something you're not saying”. William's gaze remained locked onto the floor, worried that looking up would break him. “It's nothing, really. I'm probably just sick, so I'm not hungry”. “Bullshit.” Gabe immediately retorted, not convinced whatsoever. He knew William better than anyone else and could see through the lie.
Being called out this directly and bluntly broke the shorter boy, who buried his face in his hands, breath hitching as he attempted to hold back sobs. “I'm pregnant. It's yours.” He confessed, voice cracking. “It would've been after the last Midtown show. We were always so careful.” Once the initial confession came through, he couldn't stop. “I was too scared to tell you. Scared you were gonna leave me. Please, please don't leave me.” When his rambles were over, the brunette collapsed in on himself, the boy's cries echoing in the now deathly silent apartment.
Gabe could only stare for a few long moments, the air knocked from his lungs.
He blinked once,
Twice
Then finally, he moved, grabbing Bill by waist and pulling the brunette in his chest. “You- You're serious? You're actually?” His voice trailed off, unable to form a coherent thought after that bombshell. Sure, they'd talked about kids a few times, but it was never all too serious. So to be confronted with the information it was really happening? Gabe thought he was dreaming.
After a beat, William finally replied, voice wavering and unsure, “You're not angry?” He asked as if acknowledging Gabe’s reaction would cause him to change his mind. “Upset? No, baby, no. I could never.” While speaking, the taller boy ran his hand through the brunette's hair, knowing it would comfort him. “You don't realize how happy I am about this Blivy.”
It took Gabe five minutes of gently reassuring William that he wasn't upset or planning on leaving him to coax his boyfriend into meeting his gaze. “I can't believe I was scared to tell you because I thought you'd be mad,” he wiped at his large doe eyes, still glistening with leftover tears, “I feel like such an idiot.” At that comment, the dark haired boy delicately, yet firmly cupped Bill's cheeks, “No. I don't wanna hear you saying shit like that. You're going through a lot.” William couldn't find the drive to argue, so dropped the subject.
With the lapse in conversation, Gabe’s mind wasted no time in running off in every direction. This would change the next nine months for the couple in every way imaginable: appointments would have to be made and attended, a nursery needed to be set up, not to mention all the baby-proofing. Then there was the inevitable cravings, and the things his boyfriend could no longer eat. The boy's thoughts cut off.
This was the moment Gabe put two and two together for why Bill hadn't been eating. “Listen,” the taller boy started, “I'm not exactly the most paternal guy, but you're not supposed to have sushi, are you?” That was the first time William smiled that night, “No, sweetheart, I can't.” He paused before adding, “Would you be willing to order me something else? I am eating for two.” Bill's smile very quickly turned into a shit-eating grin. Gabe could only sigh, immediately bending to the will of his slightly more hormonal than normal boyfriend.
After a twenty minute wait, William's true craving, pizza, arrived at their door. Once the food was in the apartment, the boys assumed their normal positions on the couch; the taller boy reclined against its side while Bill essentially laid in his lap. According to the brunette, he'd been too busy stressing about confessing to actually pay attention to the movie, so it was restarted.
Each of them were vaguely aware that the next few months were going to be hard and absolutely suck at certain points, but that could wait. For now, the couple was gonna enjoy their peaceful night, and that was enough.