Teyvat's Academy of Vision-Holders I (Ittorou Edition)

Chapter 11 - La Seine

Itto's POV 

     Four months. Four months of constant appointments. Four months of daily night terrors. Four months of discussing names and choosing clothes - we both wanted the pups' genders to be a surprise that didn't truly matter, so we stuck to little jokes and simple colors for clothes.

     Until about a week before he was due. He was too embarrassed of his belly to attend classes, but insisted I still go. In the middle of History, my phone rang - Mr. Zhongli simply allowed it, well aware of our situation. I answered, leaning back to whisper like usual.

     "Hey Pu -"

     "Hospital - now!"

     "Kokomi?!"

     "Get the fuck to the hospital - his water broke about five minutes ago!" I could feel the eyes staring as I shoved everything in my bag and rushed out, giving Mr. Zhongli an apologetic wave as Istarted running. "Kazuha's driving, Gorou's doing fine - breathing, a little sore, panicking - but fine."

     "I'm on my way out now! Lemme talk to him!" There were some words exchanged before labored breathing reached me. "Gorou, baby, just talk to me, alright? Focus on my voice!"

     "I-It's not as bad as I expected. I'm so tired. The - mmm! - c-contractions are really starting to hurt!"

     "I know baby, I know! Just stay calm for me!" He kept mumbling out short sentences about how he felt, how he could feel them fighting to "escape" - it earned a little laugh from both of us before another contraction made him whine. "You're doing so good, Gorou! I'll be there in a heartbeat, just keep talking!"

     Why're they so early?

     "I-I've heard at least six heartbeats!" he joked, an obviously panicked laugh filling my ears as I ran inside. It was mostly a blur of rubbing his hair and letting his claws rip into my arm - the nurses panicked, but all I could do was smile as he growled and snarled and sobbed. His eyes were unfocused, pupils constricted as a second wail filled the room. No sooner had the third voice hit the air than a fourth did, higher and tighter in its wails. After that, I refused to even look at the sources of such heartbreaking sounds - they were healthy, I could hear it - instead focusing on my mate who was wheezing and shaking on the hospital bed.

     The medical professionals - a mix of nurses and doctors, techs to operate any machines needed to check on the pups' health. Dr. Escarra, the same doctor from the clinic, said it was probably just another precaution, similar to his fairly small stomach throughout the pregnancy. She assured him - however mumbled and exhausted his words were - that they'd be fine and wheeled back in for him to hold and see. Her professionalism was enough reassurance for him to finally rest, my newly bandaged arm hugged to his chest.

     Of course, my adrenaline had shortened the tense moments, but in reality, the entire thing - from his first consistent contractions to the placenta being taken away - had been about fifteen straight hours. Apparently, he'd been asleep when his water broke, so he was fairly rested before the adrenaline kicked in.

     According to Harumi, they only let in the second parent and one biological relative in for about two hours after delivery. Of course, that all had to be explained again, as I had passed out a few minutes after she started talking. I only woke up when a soft whimper terrified me. Harumi was holding a tiny pink bundle in front of me, a pair of blue ones in Gorou's lap.

     "I... Is this...?"

     "Your baby girl? Yes. Now take her - Gorou fell asleep again, so I'm going to move the boys back into their bassinets." The blanket got in the way of her face, but the second I met those little red eyes, I fell in love. Folded white dog ears, chubby little cheeks, curious little eyes that wandered over me, landing on my hovering hand so she could grab it - I would die to see that little smile every day. In a matter of milliseconds, my vision went blurry and I was fully crying.