#chrisvertner

“This is yourgoddamn fault, Nyx Ulric.”

“My fault?” The brown-haired man seemed almost shockedand baffled by the other man’s accusations. Green eyes narrowed for a moment ashis wrist flicked upwards as if gesturing for the white-haired man to offersome sort of explanation. “How was I supposed to know that this would happen,Ravus? Wasn’t she on the pill or something?”

Ravus’s eyes narrowed at Nyx, but soon took themselvesaway from the hero of the hour as the high commander began to beat the milkinto his tea to mix it. “She was, but she outright told you that she needed tocease taking them. Her health was more important than those pills, and you knewit.”

“I didn’t think she’d be off them that soon! Thinks justhappened, and things got sexy that night, and what do you know? It’s themorning after.” Nyx let out a heavy sigh, slouching into his place as hepropped his head up with his arm. It was hard to try keeping everything in aloud whisper as the two men sat in the café together. Having to wait for theirpartner was unbearable with this kind of tension, especially when both werestill trying to cope with the sudden news that their partner was pregnant. Yes,they had heard that right. Pregnant.Meaning that there would be a kid coming soon. That wasn’t something either ofthem could handle, and yet here they were. Nyx’s eyes were left wide as hefound his mind wandering. Oh god… It was going to happen. That kid was going tocome out into this world and see what a bad father he would be.

Though he suddenly stopped as he looked up at thedisgruntled Ravus, who stared off as he absent-mindedly stirred his tea withsuch aggression that he threatened to shatter the cup. Nyx’s eyes narrowedbefore he leaned forward with his arms on the table. “How come it’s my faultanyways? Didn’t you sleep with her too?”

Ravus’s grip tightened on the tea cup, knuckles turningwhite as his lips pressed themselves together as tight as they could. “…I didnothing of the sorts.”

“You’re a really shitty liar, Ravus. I’m pretty sure shetold me that you two had sex before she had sex with me.”

“And last I recall, it was you and I who made love rightafterwards.”

“Hey. Don’t question the mood, Ravus. It happens.” Nyxlet out another sigh, hand running itself along his undercut as his eyebrowsfurrowed. “Shit, man… I’m not ready for a kid. I can’t even pay my bills ontime – or cook for myself some nights. How the hell are we going to raise a kidtogether?”

Before Ravus could reply, it was a little old lady whochimed into the conversation, overhearing the two bickering as she stood inline for her venti frappe. “Oh, you two are having a baby? Congratulations, youtwo! I’m sure the surrogate mother will make your baby look so cute!”

Nyx and Ravus froze, staring at the woman before staringat each other. Ravus had to clear his throat as the silence settled in afterthe awkward statement. “Regardless… If this is what she wants, then we mustabide and show our dedication to her wishes. Raising a child will not becomplicated, so long as you are willing to learn how to act like the father youwere chosen to be.”

“…You’re acting as if you’restill not the father, Ravus. I actually keep condoms in my wallet, just incase. What do you do?”

Ravus looked directly at Nyx, staring at him as he raisedhis teacup and looked at him over the edge of his teacup. Why was Ravus soconfident that it wasn’t him? Nyx took a moment to register Ravus’s gaze andbody language as he heard metal tapping against the wooden table. The heroended up letting out a groan, rubbing his hand over his face as he grumbledunder his breath. “Oh, goddamnit. Ravus.”

“The miracles of this so-called ‘doggy style.’” Ravus scoffedto himself as he took as sip of his tea. He set it down soon afterwards, reachingout and taking the hero’s hand into his own and shaking it just enough to bringNyx’s attention to him. “Nevertheless, Nyx Ulric, you will be a fine father – regardlessof whether or not you think you are ready for the task. Because in the moment,no one is every truly ready. But as time passes and you begin to learn, theexperiences along the way will help you become the father you were meant to be.”

Nyx found his eyes wandering down, taking in Ravus’swords with a small nod as he let out a sigh. “For a geek like you, you can saysome pretty profound things, Ravus.”

“As they say, ‘geeks’ shall inherit the world.” Ravusgave a small nod in response, bring Nyx’s knuckles up to his lips and placing asmall kiss in them. But he soon rose from his place, adjusting his coat andpushing his bangs out his face. “Now then, if you will excuse me, I will betaking my leave now.”

“What? But she said she was going to meet us and-“

“Last I heard, it was youthat was the father. Not I. I have to cater to my work in order to supply theboth of you a suitable place to live. And now, to raise your child.”

“It’ll be your kid too!”

“Not until it becomes capable enough to hold a decentconversation. Then I shall claim ownership.”

Nyx frowned at Ravus, standing up as well as if to goafter the commander. “Ravus! You can’t just leave me here. This wasn’t theplan, Ravus! This conversation’s going to be so awkward!”

“You are the hero, Nyx.” The high commander leanedforward, placing a mocking little kiss on the guard’s lips before he stood uprightagain and made his way to the door. “Since when did heroes ever need plans?”