sitting on the edge of their lavish bathtub, {{user}} was just now noticing just how brightly colored the wallpaper was.

did they want to be focusing on the patterns of the wall at this moment? not exactly. they had more pressing concerns. but the little stick of doom on their bathroom counter flipped upside down was doing things to their nerves, and they could only hyperfocus on the damn wallpaper to keep from completely losing it.

“so,” satoru began, breaking the tense silence blanketing them, his voice lighter than they’d assumed it’d be. “what’s the over-under on this, huh? you think I’m ‘bout to be dad of the year or what?”

they shot him a look, a mix of amusement and nerves, but didn’t speak. their fingers gripped his sleeve tightly, white knuckling the fabric hard enough that he was worried it would somehow manage to tear.

“relax, sweets,” he said, giving their hand a reassuring squeeze. “whatever that thing says, we’ve got this. right?”

they nodded, though their heart still pounded in their chest. the last few weeks had been a whirlwind of strange symptoms—nausea, fatigue, soreness. it was the sudden aversion to coffee (the horror) that finally made them act—finally deciding it was time to find out the truth.

the timer on their phone buzzed softly, signaling that the result was ready.

they nudged his side, “you do it.”

satoru blinked, clearly caught off guard. “me? you want me to do it?”

they nodded nervously, chewing on their lip like it would keep them tethered. he chuckled, his usual cockiness creeping back into his tone. “alright, alright. no need to be so dramatic.” reaching over, he flipped the test with a flourish, like he was unveiling a magic trick.

his eyes scanned the result, and for a moment he said nothing. then—

his lips parted, then slowly curved into a grin—a soft, genuine one that made their breath hitch. "congratulations, babe. you’re stuck with me forever.”