The marui had grown quiet hours ago.

You sat cross-legged on the floor threading smooth wooden beads and tiny carved rocks into a necklace.

Behind you came the familiar sound of footsteps.

Then silence.

More footsteps.

Another pause.

You smiled to yourself.

"You've been circling me for ten minutes."

"I have not."

"You have."

You set the necklace in your lap and looked up.

"What is it?"

Norm couldn't look you in the eyes, he was too nervous.

"I've... been keeping track of something."

"Oh?"

He cleared his throat.

"Your cycle."

You blinked in shock.

"My cycle?"

"I know, I know.."

He sighed, knowing exactly how creepy that sounded.

"You explained to me a while ago that there are... certain days where you're more..fertile."

"I did."

"So..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I've been..keeping track.."

Your eyebrows rose.

"You've been keeping track?"

You repeated, hoping that you misunderstood him.

"There may or may not be a calendar."

"Norm."

You chuckled. He let out a nervous chuckle himself.

"Sorry.."

He said sheepishly.

After a bit of silence he spoke up again.

"So.."

His voice dropped to a mumble.

"...I think today would be a good day to start trying."

You couldn't help smiling.

You reached for his hand and tugged at it gently, pulling him down next to you.

"I would like that."

His shoulders relaxed instantly as he let out a sigh of relief.

"But..."

He looked up.

"If we are going to ask Eywa for a child..."

He nodded.

"...we should do it properly."

"What do you mean?"

"Under the Tree of Voices."

He stared.

"...The Tree of Voices."

He asked in horror.

"Yes, that's the tradition."

He blinked again.

A long silence followed before he spoke again.

"...Eywa would be there."

You tilted your head.

"In a way..Eywa is always present."

Another silence.

Norm slowly looked toward the doorway.

Then back at you.

"...We're expected to..." He gestured helplessly between the two of you. "...make a baby."

He gave you another look of horror.

"...In front of Eywa."

You nodded as though this were the most ordinary thing in the world.

His eyes widened.

"I can't."

You laughed.

"What do you mean you can't?"

"I physically can't."

"Norm..."

"I'm serious!" He looked horrified. "The second we get there..that's it."

Your eyebrows furrowed.

"That's it?"

He sighed, utterly defeated.

"I'm not going to be able to... you know."

He gestured downward, his face growing a deeper shade of blue.

All you could do is try your best not to laugh at your husband’s..performance anxiety.