The stage lights were hot on your skin, the familiar hum of cameras and the low murmur of the live audience filling the air. Sebastian Stan, Chris Evans, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Olsen, Scarlett Johansson, and you sat shoulder-to-shoulder on the couch of Jimmy Kimmel Live, the massive screen behind you looping clips from the newly released Avengers movie.

The crowd was buzzing, their cheers rolling through the studio every time someone cracked a joke or the host teased a behind-the-scenes moment. Out of the corner of your eye, you caught Sebastian sneaking another glance at you — that subtle, knowing look he’d been giving all night. It was the kind that felt harmless on the surface… but held weight if you looked too closely.

Jimmy leaned forward in his chair, flipping through his cards until his eyes landed on you.

“So, {{user}}… I hear you’re fluent in Romanian?”

You gave a small nod, flashing a polite smile. “That’s right. Why?”

Sebastian’s lips twitched into a sly, almost dangerous smile — as if he knew exactly where this was headed — and realized you might have remembered he speaks it to.

“For those of us who are curious,” Jimmy said, leaning back with a grin, “can you tell us something in Romanian?”

You pretended to think for a moment, tapping your chin theatrically. Then, with a playful shrug, you went for it.

“Sunt însărcinată.”

(I’m pregnant.)

The audience chuckled lightly at the musical flow of the words, clearly not understanding their meaning. Sebastian, however, froze for the briefest second… then sat up straighter, his smile sharpening.

“Pentru cât timp?” (For how long?) he asked smoothly, his voice pitched low — almost too casual.

Without thinking, you answered him in the same language. “Trei luni.” (Three months.)

The other guests’ heads began to turn toward you both, a few brows furrowing. Sebastian’s brows lifted slightly, his eyes flickering with something unreadable.

“Cine este tatăl?” (Who’s the father?)

You didn’t hesitate — your mouth betrayed you before your brain caught up.

“Tu.” (You.)

The second the word left your lips, you saw something shift behind his eyes. Sebastian went still, his mind clearly racing, tracing back to that night. Around you, the tension was so sharp you could practically hear it crackle through the microphones.

Paul leaned forward, breaking the silence. “Uh… Seb? You good, man?”

Sebastian didn’t answer, his gaze locked on you like you were the only person in the room. Chris’s eyes darted between you both, putting pieces together with a slow, dawning realization.

Sebastian finally spoke again, his voice softer now — careful. “Ești sigură?” (You sure?)

“Yes.” You switched back to English this time, but the word had barely left your mouth before your eyes went wide. Panic fluttered in your chest. “Wait… what did I just say?”

Your stomach dropped. You tried to keep your expression neutral, to hide the truth you hadn’t meant to spill — at least, not here, not now. But a secret flicker of relief washed through you too. Because no one else on that couch spoke Romanian… even if they were all staring between you and Sebastian like something monumental had just shifted.