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To say Viktor’s feeling a bit rough would be putting things lightly. Still wrapped up in his pitiful excuse of a bed at 1pm, Viktor groans as his stomach churns in the thing Viktor hates the most. Nausea. He hasn't even eaten anything this morning and still his body threatens to hurl up nothing but his stomach acid due to the fact he's existing in this current predicament.
He wants to put the blame on Joker but that would just be unfair. Viktor was equally as careless as his partner was that night which now leads them to now. Viktor has always overheard the horror stories of the first trimester. How it's the worst out of the three, and how it's where everything that can go wrong tends to and now that he's actively experiencing it first hand, he’s starting to understand where it comes from. It seems as soon as the initial panic of the situation settled and he and Joker had started to figure things out, Viktor was thrown head first into the trials of pregnancy before he could even consider asking for time off from Company 8 and Haijima.
Thankfully, the morning sickness ended up working in his favour. With Obi and his manager at Haijima getting to witness firsthand just how hard Viktor was having it, Viktor received time off until he was back to full health, which is still a long eight months out of his reach. At least Haijima is still paying him.
Viktor curls into himself more as another wave of nausea hits him. He considers getting up, trying to get some light food, or at least some fluids in his system but the idea of movement, let alone eating or drinking, only makes him feel worse. He curls an arm around his midsection. Viktor only notices a slight difference, but that's likely due to how lean and skinny Viktor is in the first place. He's always been bony and lanky, so he isn't too surprised that the weight changes are already starting to show themselves.
Before his mind can wander elsewhere, the sound of heavy footsteps fill his ears and his chest fills with relief. Before he can even voice his need, the rough material of Joker’s jeans covers his previous view into the controlled clutter of his lab before Joker crouches down. Viktor reluctantly shifts to lay on his back, both arms resting over his stomach as Joker’s sole eye stares back at him, a look of fondness and also sympathy on his face. Viktor grumbles in response, turning over to his other side to face away from Joker, which earns him a deep gravelly laugh.
“Grumpy this afternoon.” Joker rests a large hand on Viktor’s shoulder, thumb caresses the jut of it in a way to both comfort and apologise for offending Viktor. Content with the apology, Viktor turns back onto his back. Joker’s smile softens at Viktor’s expression. He leans down to press a small kiss to his forehead. Viktor raises a hand to the back of his neck to keep the older man close, finding himself clingier by the day.
“Missed you.” Viktor mutters, almost scared that if he speaks too much, he’ll lose the fight he's currently having with his stomach. Joker lets out a soft sigh through his nose, one of his hands coming to rest over Viktor’s stomach and he basks in the warmth that the pyrokinetic produces.
“Missed you too, Baby. Need anything?” Viktor racks his brain. He hasn't eaten anything all day and has hardly eaten for the past few days as this horrible nausea rocks him to his core. Viktor likely would have been dragged to a doctor by now if it wasn't due to the fact that Joker’s a wanted man and Viktor hates doctors because of the sensory nightmare that they are.
“I should probably try and eat something.” Viktor reluctantly starts to sit up and Joker is instantly there to ease him into a sitting position. He instantly feels his stomach churn as he does so and he catches Joker reaching behind him for a bin that has now become Viktor’s designated sick spot if he can't manage the walk to the connected bathroom.
“Easy.” Joker’s voice is as soft as his smoker habit can allow. He shifts to sit on the edge of the mattress, resting one hand on Viktor’s knee as he brings his legs up to his chest. Sitting like this really goes to show how lanky Viktor is, he's a slim man with long, dangly limbs.
He isn't sure how long they sit like that. Viktor curled in on himself, basking in the minimal warmth that Joker’s hand provides. After what feels like an eternity ticks up, Viktor meets Joker’s eye, the other man so content with waiting patiently for his partner. Viktor hates how he feels his chest tighten with emotion at such a simple thing. He gives into the urge to give up on holding his body upright and allows himself to fall into Joker’s chest.
“Woah there, Baby. Careful now.” Joker presses another kiss to Viktor’s forehead before nuzzling into his thick curly hair. Viktor is more than content with this, happy to sit in his boyfriend's arms as warmth and the smell of smoke and cedar fill his senses. As always, Viktor’s face drifts to Joker’s neck, where he situates himself with his nose pressed right into his skin to try and get the most out of it. It's mainly the scent of cedar from where he is, the smell of smoke mostly lingering from Joker’s clothes. The second Viktor shared the news, Joker snuffed out the cigarette he was currently smoking and threw the ones he had on his person in a lockable drawer in Viktor’s desk. Viktor knows the other is likely still smoking when he's outside, but it's definitely less frequent than the almost constant smoking prior, and Viktor really appreciates it.
“You're so helpful.” Viktor mumbles into the other’s neck, clinging onto Viktor’s waistcoat in a desperate attempt to have his partner that little bit closer. Joker lets out a deep chuckle before he lifts his head from partner’s hair to speak.
“I’m just doing my part in this. Stay there. I’ll get something for you.” Joker stands, and Viktor insistently misses his presence, despite the other remaining in his sight. It only takes a few minutes for Joker to return to Viktor’s side, a simple piece of toast and a bottle of water in hand. “Don’t force yourself if you can’t manage.” Joker sits himself on the ground as Viktor firstly takes the bottle of water from him before taking a tentative sip. The coldness of the liquid does wonders for him and he can’t help but sigh in relief. He catches the way Joker snorts at his reaction, but all he does is shift closer and snuggle into his warmth. After a few more sips, Viktor hesitates before deciding to take a bite of the toast. He hates being sick. The feeling of everything coming up his throat, the burn of it. Everything he hates and more.
He waits after taking the first bite. His body is usually very quick to reject things it doesn’t like, so at least he won’t go through the trouble of eating a load only to throw it all up. After what feels like ages, Viktor starts to feel his stomach settle. He sighs in relief once again, leaning against Joker more as he continues to slowly eat. He even feels Joker relax against him in return.
“Good?” Viktor nods in a response, tilting his up to press kisses along Joker’s jawline, the fabric of his eyepatch tickling the bridge of his nose.
“Seriously, I wouldn’t be surviving this if it wasn’t for you. Thank you, J.” Viktor hears Joker scoff. A hand comes up and maneuvers his face so Joker can kiss him properly. Viktor happily melts into it, sinking a hand into Joker’s hair to prevent the other from pulling away. When they do part, Viktor nuzzles himself into the crook of Joker’s neck as he continues to fidget with the dark strands between his fingers.
“I love you. I'm not abandoning you to survive this on your own. Never will.” Joker presses his nose to the side of Viktor’s head, an action Viktor didn't expect to find so sickeningly sweet.
“I love you too.” Viktor removes himself from Joker’s neck to finish eating. He never expected those words to fall so easily from his mouth. He’s always hated feelings. Hated subjectivity. Things that couldn't be explained by reason and logic. Yet loving Joker is easier than the simplest equations he runs on the daily. If he was going to have anyone by his side during this, it would be Joker.