Gath wandered around the kitchen, not sure what to do. Retvik hadn’t been acting right. Not since the other day. Yes, Gath expected Retvik to be in a funny mood since he’d just given birth to the egg that contained their unborn kid, but the weird snapping and growling, that was not normal. It was as if Retvik was a completely different Rethan.
“Have you tried talking to him yet?”
Tenuk had been sitting at the counter, sipping a mug of hot chocolate. He had been a huge amount of help to both Gath and Retvik. He had helped clean up, he had helped with shopping, he had even assisted Gath in changing the locks on the back door, after Retvik got all paranoid about them for some reason. All this assistance, just so Tenuk could sleep in the spare room. Until their kid hatched. Then Tenuk was planning on leaving.
“I wish you would not intrude on my thoughts…” Gath muttered. “It is quite rude.”
“Sorry…” Tenuk shrugged. “Sometimes I just can’t help it. Especially when you exude so much fear and panic. It’s like a waterfall pouring out of your head.”
“Do I really show my emotions that clearly?”
“Not normally.” Tenuk glanced at the front door. He was looking at the glass in the door, looking into the reflection. That way he could look at Retvik without actually going in there and disturbing him. Last time Tenuk had approached the expectant Rethan, he’d hissed and threatened to tear his lungs out.
“None of this is normal.”
Again, Tenuk shrugged. “I think he’s scared. Or depressed.”
“Scared of what?” Gath grunted. “We have done everything right. He should be healthy… I do not know…”
Tenuk glanced at the reflection again. Retvik wasn’t moving much, just laying awkwardly in his nest, around his precious egg.
“Are all Rethans like this when they’re expecting?” Tenuk couldn’t help but ask.
“I do not know.”
“Really?” Tenuk seemed both pleased and disappointed. “I mean, if every Rethan pregnancy was like this, I wouldn’t know how your society continued to function. But on the plus side, if this is not normal… well, good for normal Rethans, bad for Retvik.”
“I know we get protective. I was protective. Possibly overprotective. But not aggressive.”
“Well… Retvik is kinda… different… compared to you…”
Gath sighed and wandered over to the fridge. He got out a bottle of milk and carried it over to the stove. He then found two mugs, a saucepan, some cocoa and some marshmallows. Maybe some hot chocolate would calm them all down.
In the living room, Retvik had started moving. But not for long. He was just changing his position. Gath had noticed that he was practically wrapping himself around that egg to protect it.
“Retvik, dear, would you like some hot chocolate?” Gath asked as he peered around the corner. He was making extra anyway, but he decided to check and see if Retvik actually wanted any.
“No thank you.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. I am sure.”
Gath tutted as the milk began to heat through. He poured in the cocoa and marshmallows, then took the whole saucepan to the table, ignoring the two mugs.
“You’re not right either…” Tenuk whispered.
“I know…” Gath took an awkward sip from his saucepan.
“Why?”
“Because every time we have gotten this far, something has happened, ending with us losing our unborn kid.”
“Every time?” Tenuk blinked.
“Every time…”
Gath continued drinking his hot chocolate, staring into space. Tenuk thought for a moment, then got up and put on some armour.
“Are you going somewhere?” Gath asked.
“Uh, yes…” Tenuk hesitated. “I… I have to go and speak to someone…”
Gath shrugged. “Fine. See you later…”
“You too…” Tenuk replied as he grabbed his stuff and headed out. “You too…”