Juliet's Surrender [Juliet's Tryst #2]

Chapter 13: Catching On, Part 1

It started with an innocent comment. "You smell different," Dee caught a passing strand of hair as they went about their morning routine. Juliet liked to sleep in as long as possible, so Dee got ready first and waited for Juliet to finish so they could breakfast together. Recently, they were making an effort to eat more meals together, on account of how much time Dee spent away. Her wife made it quite clear that it was inexcusable to not use the Kyrion science to spend more time with her family. 

"Hmm?" Blearily looking around for something to wear. These days, Juliet preferred things as far away from form-fitting as possible. Joints were swollen and angry. Skin was prone to rashes against anything other than pure Kyrion synthetics. Nausea at the thought of anything beyond a light walk. A body given is a body created. 

"You smell," a deep inhale from above her head. "Much sweeter." 

"That's nice," today was a light blue sort of day. A light blue shapeless, formless piece of smart fabric that attuned to her body's needs. She had no idea what she would do without it. Spend all day wailing from the widow's walk atop the palace. Showering was torture, but it was the only thing she wouldn't admit to. It felt like the last ritual that "normal", mostly away from tech-utopia inside her home. Zigg advocated for a waterless powder her team had formulated for her, but Zigg also hadn't given her a child yet. Normal shower it was. "Low effort perfume."

Dee's fingertips traced around Juliet's stomach, feeling for something. Anything. Bitterly, she knew that it was barren. Chemically scorched and reformed but nevertheless, completely empty. 

"Nothing is low effort anymore," Dee took her arm and led her to breakfast. "My heart swells with gratitude for what you are doing for us." 

 ☆

"I think it's catching," Zigg sat behind her desk, a cozy little office Juliet often sought refuge in. Compared to any other space in the palace, it was tiny. Three windows, side by side, looking out across the expanse behind the castle. A small couch was installed under these windows, for Juliet to nap at and gaze out of. It was furnished with many plants, and large brown blankets. A shea butter candle was always lit, a scent Juliet now associated with calmness and sleeping. 

There was no need for ultrasounds, all the data at the good doctor's fingertips. 

"The fetus is now past nine weeks. Conservatively, we should wait at least another five before announcing anything. However, as far as a Kyrion pregnancy goes, the risk of miscarriage is quite low. It's all the other stuff we're worried about now. How's your tolerance to water?"

"It's fine, no change," Juliet mumbled, wishing she could interpret what Zigg was seeing, but was simply a bunch of graphs and snapshots of gray and black. It was intentionally scrambled for privacy. 

"You sure? Your skin is showing a high level of irritation in many places." 

"I think my sanity is worth the irritation." 

Zigg conceded silently, saying no more. The moment she had her sight set on leaving, the baby decided to show up to the party. Of course.

"Doctor, if you had to give me care... away from the castle. Do you think you could?" 

"You know I'm obligated to report anything suspicious."

"It's just a hypothetical. Suppose, something happened, like, I don't know, an all out war with the humans, and you had to give me care away from the castle. Would you be able to?" 

"The level of care would be greatly decreased. But I suppose it would be much better than an alternative devoid of a doctor." 

"That's good to know. How about if I had to be alone? Any tips?"