The forest had quieted again, as if it knew better than to interfere. I was still sitting against Dreadbringer when the treehouse door finally creaked open above me. Miku stood in the doorway, silhouetted by soft golden light. Her expression was calm, almost serene like the vine-throwing incident had never happened.
"…Come in," she said simply.
I blinked up at her, half-expecting another ambush. "That's it? No lecture? No more flying lessons?"
She tilted her head, a faint smirk ghosting her lips. "Are you going to stand there all day, or are you coming inside?"
I exhaled through my nose, brushing leaves off my shoulders as I stood. "No. I'm coming."
The moment I stepped back inside, the warmth wrapped around me like an embrace. Soft glowing motes drifted through the air, carrying the faint scent of herbs and the dinner she'd started earlier. Everything felt… normal again. I lowered myself onto the cushioned bench, still watching her carefully.
Miku walked past me, then paused. "make space for me.. ."
I raised an eyebrow. "You forgot that you kicked me out two hours ago."
"I don't remember that," she replied smoothly, glancing over her shoulder.
I stared. "You... "
"Mhm." She waited, expectant. "make.... space ."
A reluctant laugh escaped me. "…Unreal." But I shifted anyway,and the second I did, she settled onto my lap as if it were the most natural thing in the world, no hesitation, no apology. Just her body pressing warmly against mine, her her wings folding gently behind her.
I wrapped my arms around her instinctively, resting my chin lightly on her shoulder. "So we're just pretending the vine incident never happened?"
"Mhm."
"You threw me into the forest."
"Must've been a dream you know.. ."
"With vines miku ... Vines... ." I reminded her
She leaned back against my chest, her voice softening. "Well, You should've listened the first time."
I chuckled quietly, the sound vibrating through both of us. "You changed moods in ten seconds flat. One moment you were melting under my hands, the next I was airborne."
She didn't deny it. Instead, she nestled closer, her hand finding mine and guiding it to rest over her belly. "Still your fault."
"Of course it is," I murmured, pressing a light kiss to the side of her neck. "I'm learning to live with that."
A comfortable silence settled between us. I held her tighter, savoring the solid weight of her, the way her body fit against mine like she belonged there. "You're heavy," I teased gently.
Miku lifted her head, eyes narrowing. "Excuse me?"
"Comfortably heavy," I corrected quickly, my hand stroking slow circles over her belly. "Perfect, actually."
She hummed in satisfaction and relaxed again. "Better."
Outside, the world kept turning, search parties, war rumors, whispers of the dragon-user. None of it reached us here. I rested my cheek against her hair and whispered, " Oh.. Don't throw me out again ."
She nodded against me. "And you better not go fighting without telling me ."
"Deal." I said reluctantly
The evening deepened. Miku shifted in my lap, then looked up at me with softer eyes. "We should bathe."
I blinked. "That was sudden."
She stood without answering, taking my hand. "Come."
I followed her into the inner chamber. Her magic had reshaped the space again, a smooth, natural stone basin filled with steaming water, glowing motes dancing above the surface like tiny stars. The air was thick with calming herbs and warmth. Safe. Intimate.
"You really went all out," I said, voice low.
"We deserve it," she replied softly.
We slipped into the water together. The heat sank deep into my muscles, melting away the tension I hadn't realized I was still carrying. I exhaled heavily as I settled against the smooth stone. Miku moved closer immediately, her body pressing against mine, bare skin to bare skin, her belly brushing my side, her wings trailing in the water like silken petals.
For a long moment we just existed there, the only sounds our breathing and the gentle lap of water. Then she turned toward me fully, her hands gliding slowly up my arm, tracing old scars with reverent care.
"You pushed yourself too far last time," she whispered, voice thick with emotion.
I kept my eyes half-closed, letting her touch ground me. "I Had to."
"No." Her fingers tightened slightly. "You chose to. Next time… come back to us sooner instead of pushing yourself to near death... You're going to be a father... Don't forget that ."
I opened my eyes and met her gaze. The vulnerability there hit me harder than any battlefield. Not the powerful fae queen, but my partner, scared, carrying our child, terrified of losing me. I reached up, cupping her cheek, thumb brushing away a droplet of water that wasn't from the bath.
"I'm sorry," I said quietly. "I didn't think about how it felt for you… feeling me slipping away."
Miku's breath caught. She shifted and turned to face me then leaned in, resting her forehead against my chest. "I was scared, Kyro. Really scared."
I wrapped both arms around her, pulling her closer until there was no space left between us making sure not hurt the baby . Water rippled gently around our bodies. One hand stayed protectively over her belly, the other stroking her back in slow, soothing motions. "I'm here," I murmured into her hair. "I'm still here. And next time… I'll think about you two first. I promise."
She nodded against me, tension melting from her frame as she melted into my embrace.
Then I felt it.
A small, subtle push against my palm, barely there at first. I froze. Another movement followed, stronger this time. A tiny kick. Real. Alive.
My breath hitched. "Miku… I felt that."
She smiled softly, her hand covering mine, pressing it more firmly against her skin. "They've been waiting for you."
Another kick, clearer, almost playful. My chest tightened with something fierce and tender all at once. I looked down at her belly in awe, thumb tracing gentle circles as if I could reach the life inside. "That's… our kid."
Miku's eyes shimmered with quiet joy. "They're strong. Like their father."
I let out a shaky laugh, pulling her even closer so her head rested perfectly against my shoulder. "Or their mother. Hopefully both."
We stayed like that for a long time, bodies entwined in the warm water, her belly pressed to mine, my arms wrapped securely around her. Every small kick sent a fresh wave of wonder through me. I kept my hand there, protective, reverent, feeling every flutter of life while Miku's breathing slowed into peaceful rhythm against my neck.
"You're not kicking me out again, right?" I whispered, half-teasing.
She nudged me lightly with her nose, a faint smile in her voice. "Depends… but not tonight."
I chuckled softly, kissing the top of her head. "Good. Because I'm not going anywhere."
The steam curled around us like a cocoon. No war. No enemies. Just her warmth, the gentle movements of our child, and the steady beat of two hearts learning how to make space for three.
For once, survival didn't feel like the most important thing in my life.
This did.