You hadn’t realized just how serious Blaise could get until now. You were perched on the edge of the couch, rubbing your growing belly absentmindedly, and he was hovering like a storm cloud over you, eyes dark and sharp, fists clenched loosely at his sides.

“You need to slow down,” he said, voice low, taut with something you’d never heard before - fear. “You can’t just- stand up that fast, carry that- put yourself through… anything.”

“I’m fine, Blaise,” you said gently, trying to keep the panic from seeping into your voice. “It’s just-”

“No. No, it’s not ‘just’ anything!” he cut in, stepping closer, as if by sheer force he could shield you from every invisible danger. “You’re… you’re carrying our child. You can’t just move like- like the world hasn’t changed.”

You blinked at him. He looked… small in a way that was entirely unlike Blaise Zabini. Usually untouchable, untamed, confident. Now he was jittery, pacing slightly, muttering under his breath, his hand hovering as if he wanted to grab you but didn’t know how without hurting you.

“You’re scaring me,” you whispered, but the edge of a smile tugged at your lips.

“Good,” he said abruptly, and then softened when he saw the look on your face. “I- look, I’m scared, okay? Scared for you. For the baby. I can’t- I can’t lose either of you.”

You reached for his hand, gently guiding it to rest over your stomach. His fingers trembled slightly against yours. “Blaise…”

“Don’t move,” he said, his tone both commanding and pleading. “Don’t lean forward, don’t reach for anything, don’t- breathe too fast. I just- don’t let anything happen to you. Please.”

You laughed softly, though it was laced with affection, and he flinched slightly at the sound, as if he feared your laughter might jolt something inside you. “You’re ridiculous,” you said, leaning into him. “I’m not a porcelain doll. I can handle a little-”

“I don’t care!” he snapped suddenly, then immediately exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t care if you can handle it. I just… I can’t stand the thought of anything happening to you. Or to them.” His voice cracked on the last word, and you felt your chest tighten.

He pulled you into a cautious hug, holding you close, forehead resting against yours, careful not to press too hard, careful of every tiny movement. “I don’t know how to do this,” he admitted quietly. “But I’ll protect you. Every second. Even if it drives me insane.”

You smiled, pressing a hand over his. “You don’t have to know how, Blaise. You just… have to be here. That’s enough.”

He exhaled slowly, eyes still flicking nervously around the room, then back to you, like he couldn’t believe you were real. “You’re mine. And our baby’s. I won’t let anything happen to either of you.”