Chapter Text
Everything seemed to be normal in the circus—at least, that’s what managed to notice as they quietly observed the passing days. After the absolute chaos of ’s meltdown, things had shifted in ways no one could have expected. Everyone had been worried about him, even if they didn’t always admit it out loud. But somehow, despite everything, the past two years had slowly turned into something… better. Not perfect—never perfect—but manageable.
There were changes now, strange ones that felt almost too real for a place like this. They could bleed, actually bleed, not just glitch or flicker. They had to go to the bathroom, something that had confused everyone at first but eventually became just another part of their routine. Adventures weren’t daily anymore—now they happened every four days, giving them time to rest, to exist without constant pressure. And somehow, that small change made a huge difference. People started enjoying them more, actually participating instead of just enduring them.
Going back to the present day, Zooble was lying on their bed, staring at the ceiling with a quiet, thoughtful expression. Next to them, rested silently, her body relaxed in a way that hadn’t been possible before. She had gotten used to these quiet moments, to simply being still without fear of interruption. The room felt calm, dimly lit, the kind of peace that only came late at night.
After a long silence, she spoke.
— Have you ever thought about what you would do with your future? You know… out of the circus — her question came out softly, almost hesitant, like she wasn’t sure if she should even ask.
Zooble blinked slowly, the question catching them off guard.
— I… I wanted to get married someday… not really as a purpose, but because I always wanted to be a parent… — they admitted, their voice quiet, almost fragile. — Mainly because I wanted to do it right… not like my parents did…
Their body tensed slightly as the words left them, like they hadn’t meant to say that much.
Gangle turned her head slightly, watching them more closely now.
— hmm… did you really want children though? I mean… I don’t want to be invasive, but— — she hesitated, unsure if she was crossing a line.
Zooble let out a small breath.
— yeah… I really did… it didn’t seem like a bad idea, you know? — their voice softened, the confession feeling heavier now that it was out there. — Like… having someone to care for… doing things differently…
It was vulnerable in a way they didn’t usually allow themselves to be.
Gangle’s gaze softened.
— I get it… — she murmured. — I also wanted kids, you know… for all that… having a family…
Her words came slowly, like she was remembering something distant.
— I wanted to grow someone inside me… — she admitted, almost whispering now. — But after I dropped out of college… I just… stopped thinking about it…
The silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable.
Just… full.
— I can understand that… — Zooble whispered, turning their head to meet her gaze. — Having your whole life taken away from you like that…
Their eyes softened.
— I wish we could complete that wish…
And, of course, as if the universe—or rather, —had been listening the entire time, everything changed instantly.
In a blink, they were no longer in the room.
They were in his office.
Caine stood there, practically vibrating with excitement, his grin wide and unsettlingly cheerful as he looked at them both.
— Hello lovebirds!! I didn’t mean to hear you buuuut— I have good news for you! — he chirped, his tone overflowing with energy as he waited for their reaction.
The couple just stared at him, completely bewildered.
One second they were in bed.
The next, here.
— what is it now… — Zooble asked, their tone flat as they tried to process the sudden shift.
Caine clasped his hands together dramatically.
— Some little bird told me that you both want children!! —
Gangle immediately tensed.
— well, not quite like that, Caine— — she tried to interrupt, her voice nervous as she anticipated what was coming.
But it was too late.
— Weeeell!!!! Congratulations!! You’re now pregnant! — he announced proudly, his voice echoing across the room like a grand reveal.
For a split second, everything froze.
Zooble shot up immediately, their entire body reacting before their mind could catch up.
— Caine— don’t get me wrong, this is… this could be great, but I don’t think Gangle could carry that— — they said quickly, their voice firm but clearly overwhelmed.
Caine waved a hand dismissively.
— oh sillyyy! She’s not the one having the baby, you are! —
The words landed.
And just… sat there.
Caine looked pleased with himself, like he had just solved something incredibly complicated. And honestly… in his own way, he had. It wasn’t malicious. It wasn’t chaotic for the sake of chaos.
He was trying.
That alone made it feel different.
Zooble blinked, slowly looking down at themself, half-expecting something to have changed instantly.
Nothing.
They still looked the same.
No difference.
They glanced at Gangle, who looked just as stunned.
After a moment, they let out a small breath.
— wow… Caine, you actually did it right this time… — they admitted, their voice holding a hint of genuine amusement.
Gangle nodded slightly, still processing.
— yeah… Caine… good job… — she said, her voice trembling just a little, something hopeful flickering beneath it.
Caine beamed.
— If something happens, please tell me! Bye bye, lovebirds! — he declared proudly before teleporting them away just as suddenly as before.
And just like that—
They were back.
Back in Zooble’s room.
The quiet returned almost instantly, like nothing had happened at all.
They both looked at each other.
And then—
They giggled.
Soft, disbelieving laughter, the kind that came from not knowing how else to react.
Maybe… just maybe… they had finally found some kind of normal in this place.
Gangle shifted closer, wrapping her ribbons around them tightly, instinctively seeking closeness as her hands found their abdomen, resting there gently like she was trying to confirm something real.
— I really can’t believe Caine would do something like this… — she murmured, leaning in to press a soft kiss against them.
Zooble relaxed slightly into the touch.
— me neither… but… I hope nothing bad happens… — they admitted quietly. — This could be… a new opportunity for both of us…
Their voice was calm, but there was a layer of exhaustion underneath it. It had been a long day—emotionally, mentally, everything.
The room grew quiet again.
Soft.
Still.
Maybe this wasn’t something to fear.
Maybe… just maybe…
This was something good for them.
The quiet didn’t last forever tho.
At first, it was subtle—so subtle that Zooble almost ignored it.
A small shift.
A strange warmth settling deeper in their body, not uncomfortable, not painful… just present. It was different from anything they had ever felt before, something internal that didn’t quite match the logic of this place. Their hand instinctively rested over their abdomen, their fingers pressing lightly as if trying to confirm it was real.
Gangle noticed immediately.
Her ribbons tightened just slightly around them, her body shifting closer in quiet concern.
— what is it? — she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper, careful not to startle them.
Zooble hesitated, their expression thoughtful.
— I don’t know… — they admitted, their voice low. — it just feels… different…
They paused, trying to find the right words.
— warmer… and… like something is there… not physically but… I don’t know…
Gangle didn’t interrupt.
Her hand slowly moved to rest over theirs.
— …it’s real, isn’t it… — she whispered.
Zooble let out a small breath.
— I think it is…
That answer didn’t bring immediate comfort.
If anything, it made everything feel more fragile.
Gangle’s ribbons instinctively wrapped tighter around them, pulling them closer as if she could shield them from something she didn’t understand yet.
— hey… — Zooble murmured, noticing the shift. — don’t panic…
— I’m not panicking — she replied quickly.
She paused.
— …okay, maybe a little…
Zooble let out a soft huff, something close to a smile.
— we’ll figure it out…
They didn’t sound completely sure.
But they meant it.
<¬>
The following days didn’t feel normal.
Not entirely.
Zooble started noticing more changes—not dramatic ones, but enough to make them pause more often. They got tired faster. Their body felt heavier in a way that didn’t match their physical form. Sometimes, they would just sit there, hand resting over their abdomen, as if listening for something that wasn’t there yet.
Gangle noticed everything.
She stayed closer than usual, her ribbons almost always touching them in some way—resting, holding, checking. She didn’t say it out loud, but she was watching them constantly, like if she looked away something might go wrong.
— you’re staring again — Zooble pointed out one day, glancing at her from the corner of their eye.
— I’m not — she answered immediately.
Her ribbons tightened around their arm.
— …okay, maybe I am…
Zooble didn’t argue.
They just leaned into her slightly.
....
Of course, nothing in the circus stayed calm for long.
A few days later, Caine appeared again—completely unannounced, as usual.
— GOOD MORNING, PARENTS-TO-BE!! — he announced loudly, popping into the room with his usual exaggerated excitement.
Gangle flinched.
Zooble didn’t even react this time.
— what is it now… — they muttered, already tired of his energy.
Caine floated closer, inspecting them like they were part of a new attraction.
— I’m just here to check the progress! Any weird symptoms? Glitches? Sudden cravings for… rubber ducks?
Zooble blinked slowly.
— no… just tired…
— PERFECTLY NORMAL!! — Caine chirped, clapping his hands together. — that means it’s working!
Gangle didn’t look convinced.
— you’re sure nothing bad is going to happen, right? — she asked, her voice more serious now.
Caine paused.
Then smiled wider.
— probably!
That did not help.
— CAINE — Zooble snapped slightly, their tone sharper now.
— FINE, FINE! Everything is under control! — he waved it off. — just… avoid excessive stress, dangerous adventures, existential crises— you know, the usual!
Silence.
— that’s literally everything here — Zooble deadpanned.
Caine laughed.
Then disappeared again.
....
Despite everything… they adapted.
They found small routines.
Gangle would sit with them during the quieter days, her ribbons gently resting over their abdomen, almost protective. Zooble would talk more—about things they hadn’t before. About the future. About fears they didn’t even know they had.
Sometimes it was soft.
Sometimes it was heavy.
— what if I mess this up… — Zooble admitted one night, their voice barely audible.
Gangle didn’t hesitate.
Her ribbons wrapped around them tighter.
— you won’t — she said firmly.
— you don’t know that…
— I do — she insisted, her voice softer now. — because you’re not like them…
Zooble didn’t answer.
But they leaned into her more.
— TWO MONTHS LATER —
Things had changed.
Not drastically.
But enough.
Zooble’s body felt different now in a way that couldn’t be ignored anymore. The weight was more noticeable, the fatigue more consistent, the awareness of something growing inside them impossible to push aside. Even if nothing visibly changed, they could feel it.
And that made it real.
Gangle had become… protective.
More than before.
She didn’t like them going too far alone anymore. Adventures made her nervous now—even if Caine had adjusted them. Her ribbons were almost always around them, subtle but constant, like she needed that contact to stay calm.
— you’re doing it again — Zooble muttered one day, glancing at the ribbon wrapped around their wrist.
— doing what? — she asked.
— guarding me like I’m going to disappear…
She hesitated.
— …you might — she admitted quietly.
That made Zooble pause.
They didn’t joke this time.
Instead, they gently took the ribbon in their hand.
— I’m still here… I'm not going anywhere...
Gangle didn’t respond immediately.
But her grip softened.
...
Adventures became different too.
Zooble didn’t move as fast anymore. They stayed closer to Gangle, more aware of their surroundings, more careful. And for once, no one really made fun of them for it.
Even Jax kept his distance.
Mostly.
— wow, look at you, all careful and stuff — he snorted one time.
Zooble just stared at him looking him dead in the eyes.
— say something useful or leave —
Jax blinked.
— …okay, fair enough —
And walked away.
That alone was concerning. At least Jax knew when to stop.
...
At night, things were softer.
Quieter.
Gangle stayed close—always close.
Her ribbons wrapped around them as they laid together, her head resting against them as she listened to their breathing, sometimes even to the faintest shifts in their body.
— do you think it’ll be okay? — she whispered one night.
Zooble was quiet for a moment.
— I don’t know… — they admitted.
Honest.
Tired.
Real.
Then they placed their hand over hers.
— but I think… we’ll try our best…
Gangle nodded slightly against them.
— yeah…
She tightened her hold just a little.
Not out of fear.
But out of something else.
Something warmer, and for the first time in a long while…
The circus didn’t feel like something they were trapped in.
It felt like something they were living through.
Together.