(Kyro's Pov)
The evening light filtered through the leaves like warm honey, turning our hidden tree house into something out of a dream. Miku had shaped it herself living wood woven with soft moss and glowing flowers. It still felt strange sometimes, calling a place like this home. But with her here, swollen belly and all, it was starting to feel right.
I sat behind her, careful in a way that would've made my old battlefield self laugh. In my palm rested a small vial of shimmering oil I'd spent way too much System currency on. The scent was already drifting upsweet, warm, like sun-warmed vanilla and wildflowers.
"This better actually work," I muttered, half to myself.
Miku glanced back at me, her golden eyes lazy and half-lidded. A small, teasing smirk tugged at her lips. "It will. Just… don't mess it up, Kyro."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't hide the grin pulling at my mouth. "Yeah, yeah. Hold still, your majesty."
I poured a little into my hands, warming it between my palms before gently pressing them to the smooth, taut skin of her belly.
The swell of our child, our child felt alive under my touch, a quiet miracle I still couldn't fully wrap my head around. I moved in slow, careful circles, trying to pour every ounce of gentleness I possessed into the motion. No rushing. No tension. Just me, trying to take care of the woman who had somehow become my entire world.
Miku let out a soft sigh, her body relaxing back against my chest. Her wings fluttered lazily, catching the golden light. "That feels… really nice," she murmured, voice low and warm.
A quiet pride bloomed in my chest. "Good. Obviously."
For a while, everything was perfect. The scent of the oil, the soft rise and fall of her breathing, the way her hand occasionally brushed mine like she wanted to make sure I was still there. Peace like this used to feel impossible for someone like me.
Then it shifted.
Miku's body tensed beneath my hands. Her wings snapped still. I felt the change ripple through her like a storm rolling in.
I froze. "Miku? What's wrong?"
She didn't answer at first. When she did, her voice was sharp. "Stop."
I pulled my hands back immediately. "Okay… talk to me."
Her head turned, and the look in her eyes hit me harder than any blade. Irritation, frustration, something deeper and raw that made my stomach twist. "I said stop, Kyro. Just… go."
I stared at her, heart stuttering. "Go? I was just"
"I don't care." Her voice cracked slightly, the temperature in the room dropping as her fae magic stirred. "Leave."
The words landed like a punch. One second we were wrapped in tenderness, the next I was the enemy. I stood slowly, hands raised, trying to keep my voice steady even as confusion and hurt clawed at my throat. "Miku, you were fine two seconds ago. Did I hurt you? Tell me what I did"
Wrong move.
Her eyes flashed. "Are you really arguing with me right now?" Vines erupted from the walls like living whips. Before I could even brace myself, they coiled around my arms and torso, tight and unyielding. "I..... said... Leave!"
"Miku... wait!"
Too late.
With a surge of magic, she yeeted me straight out the doorway.
I hit the forest floor hard, rolling through leaves and dirt before slamming to a stop on my back. The breath left my lungs in a wheeze.
"…What the hell?" I groaned, sitting up and brushing debris from my hair. Above me, the tree house door slammed shut with a decisive thud.
"DON'T COME BACK UNTIL I SAY SO!" Miku's voice rang out, sharp enough to cut through the third raikage's skin.
I stared up at the wooden structure, chest tight. Part of me wanted to climb right back up and demand she talk to me. The smarter part, the one that had survived wars and dragons, knew better. "Seriously…?"
I got to my feet, muttering under my breath, "Crazy pregnant fae queens are troublesome eish …"
A beat of silence.
Then, dangerously calm from above: "…What did you just say my love for ?"
My blood ran cold. A single menacing vine slipped out of a window, swaying like it was ready to grab me again.
"…Nothing! It must have been the wind " I called up quickly.
The vine hovered threateningly.
"Nope. Not today." I turned and sprinted into the deeper forest, leaves flying behind me as I put distance between me and the very angry, very powerful mother of my child.
I finally slowed down near a small clearing, chest heaving, and dropped onto a fallen log. A single leaf drifted down and landed on my head. I didn't bother brushing it off.
"…I survived the Raikage. I survived actual dragons. And I get launched out of my own house for belly rubs." I let out a long breath, rubbing my face. "Life is insane."
A low rumble echoed behind me. I raised my hand without looking. "Come out, Dreadbringer."
The massive dragon materialized with a heavy boom, his enormous body settling into the clearing like a living mountain. Heat rolled off him, but when his gaze landed on me, it softened.
I leaned back against his scaled side, the warmth surprisingly comforting. "She kicked me out."
Dreadbringer tilted his massive head, voice deeper and clearer than before. "…Kicked… out?"
I gave a tired laugh. "You're getting better at talking."
He puffed up slightly, proud. "…Learning."
We sat in comfortable silence for a while. Then he rumbled again, "Why?"
"Mood swing." I shrugged. "Pregnancy."
The dragon froze, processing. "…Dangerous female ."
"Exactly." I smirked despite myself. "Worse than half the enemies we've faced.... Even dealing A would be better ."
He lowered his head closer. "…You hurt?"
The question hit deeper than I expected. For a second I felt the sting again, the sudden rejection after I'd been trying so hard to be gentle. "A little," I admitted quietly. "But I'll be fine. She's carrying our kid you know.. . I can take a few vine launches."
Dreadbringer studied me for a long moment then said bluntly . "…You go Apologize."
"I didn't even do anything wrong," I protested.
He blinked slowly. "…Doesn't matter... Master slow brain ."
I groaned and leaned my head back against his scales. "You've been learning way too much, even insults ." I say while clicking my tongue in mock annoyance..
The sun dipped lower, painting the forest in deeper golds and purples. Up in the tree house, I caught the faintest rustle of leaves, like someone was watching. My chest tightened with a familiar ache. I knew she was up there, hand on her belly, probably still annoyed… but also missing me already. Just like I missed her.
"…At least you don't throw me out," I muttered to Dreadbringer.
He rumbled softly, almost affectionately. "…Never."
I closed my eyes, letting the steady warmth of my dragon companion bleed into the quiet hurt. She'd call me back. She always did. And when she did, I'd climb right back up, pull her into my arms, and remind her.. gently, that no mood swing in the world could break what we had.
Until then… I'd wait.
And give the very pregnant, very terrifying fae queen all the space she needed.