{{user}} had always prided themselves on being independent. they didn’t cry easily, they didn’t need help with much, and they had the patience of a saint—which was probably why they’d survived being with someone as infuriating as satoru gojo.

but pregnancy was intent on ruining them, it seemed.

the first time it happened, satoru thought he damn well broke them.

it had started as a regular day. {{user}} had been scrolling through their phone on the couch when he walked in, holding a bag of their favorite snacks. “ta-da! snacks for my favorite pregnant sweets!” he declared, holding up the bag like a trophy.

instead of the praise he expected, their lip wobbled. their eyes grew glossy, and before he could register what was happening, they burst into tears.

“what—what did I do?” satoru froze, snacks still in hand. “wrong flavor? wrong brand? not enough?”

they shook their head between sobs. “n-no! It’s.. you’re so nice to me!”

satoru blinked, baffled. they were crying because.. he was nice? in the end, he managed to calm them down with cuddles and promises of their favorite meal, but the incident lingered in his mind. pregnancy had made them.. fragile.

the second time around, he was a bit more prepared.

it started with a craving of pickles. it wasn’t their first craving of the day, and they’d been perfectly fine up until them, popping the lid off everything else with ease. but the stupid pickle jar? it wouldn’t budge.

they tried everything: towels, hot water, even smacking it against the counter. nothing worked. frustration built until they stood in the kitchen, glaring at the jar as tears welled in their eyes.

satoru walked in, humming a tune, and froze. “whoa, whoa—are you crying?”

they shook their head, refusing to look him in the eye, though the tears said otherwise.

he was beside them instantly, peering at their face. “sweets, you’re crying.. over a jar?”