Unique

The First Child

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft glow over the village as Daoyi sat outside their hut, his hands resting on his swollen belly. The air was cool, yet his mind was heavy with the weight of what was to come. The child growing inside him had become the center of the tribe’s attention. Every day, whispers followed him wherever he went, all eyes watching to see if he would truly fulfill the role of mother that they expected.

Kenyai emerged from the hut, a worried crease on his forehead. He had been more attentive than ever these last few weeks, his protective instincts growing as Daoyi’s due date neared. He knelt beside him, brushing a stray lock of Daoyi’s hair from his face.

"How are you feeling?" Kenyai asked, his voice gentle but filled with concern.

"Tired," Daoyi admitted, leaning into Kenyai’s touch. "And... unsure."

"Unsure?" Kenyai’s brow furrowed, his hand resting on Daoyi’s back. "About the birth?"

Daoyi shook his head, his gaze distant as he looked toward the village lights. "About everything. The child, the tribe, my role. I’ve spent my time trying to be the leader they need, and now they expect me to be a mother too. What if I can’t do both?"

Kenyai was silent for a moment, his eyes softening as he watched Daoyi’s face. "You’re already doing both, Daoyi. You’ve been leading the tribe for months now, even before the Goddess’s blessing. And you’ve carried this child with such strength... You can do this. You’re stronger than anyone knows."

"I’m not so sure," Daoyi whispered, his voice laced with doubt. "There are days when I feel like I’m being torn in two—between the leader they need and the mother they expect me to be. What if I can’t be both?"

Kenyai’s hand tightened gently on his. "You don’t have to be perfect. Our child doesn’t need a perfect mother, just a loving one. And the tribe doesn’t need a perfect leader, just one who cares about them. You’ve already proven you’re capable of both."

Before Daoyi could respond, the familiar voice of Loma cut through the stillness, sharp and taunting. "Oh, how sweet. The future leader and his perfect little family."

Daoyi stiffened, turning to see Loma standing a few paces away, her arms crossed and her eyes glinting with barely concealed disdain. She took a step closer, her gaze flicking to Daoyi’s belly. "So, when is the great leader going to finally prove himself? The tribe has been waiting." Loma has been married for two years without a child but she was relentless in challenging Daoyi's every move. Daoyi felt it was as a result of her unhappiness and pitied her sometimes.

Kenyai rose to his feet, his expression hardening. "What do you want, Loma?"

She smirked, ignoring Kenyai’s protective stance and focusing entirely on Daoyi. "I’m just curious, that’s all. Curious how someone who’s supposed to lead a tribe can manage to do so while raising a child. Can you even handle it, Daoyi? Or will you break under the pressure?"

Daoyi felt the familiar burn of anger rise in his chest, but he forced himself to remain calm. He had dealt with Abeta’s taunts for years, so this was not new for him but now, with a child on the way, her words cut deeper. "You underestimate me, Loma," he said quietly, his voice steady despite the storm brewing inside him.

"Do I?" Loma took another step forward, her smirk widening. "Or am I simply voicing what others are thinking? The tribe may have accepted you as a Carrier, but let’s not forget—you’ve yet to prove you can be the leader they need and a mother at the same time."

Kenyai started to speak, but Daoyi held up a hand, stopping him. He stood slowly, meeting Loma’s gaze head-on. "I’ve been proving myself my entire life. The tribe doesn’t need more proof of my abilities, and neither do you. I’m not just a leader or a mother—I’m both. And I’ll continue to lead, no matter what challenges come my way."

Loma’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t back down. "You’re overconfident, Daoyi. You’ve always been. Let’s see how confident you are once the child is born and the tribe starts questioning your ability to handle it all."

"Let them question," Daoyi said firmly, his voice strong with conviction. "Let them doubt me, like you have from the beginning. But I’ve come too far to be undone by your petty jealousy, Loma. I will raise my child, and I will lead this tribe. Nothing you say will change that."

For a moment, there was silence. Loma’s smirk faltered, the weight of Daoyi’s words hanging between them. She glanced at Kenyai, who stood resolute beside Daoyi, his expression unyielding. Finally, with a dismissive flick of her hand, Loma turned and walked away, her steps quick and sharp, as though the confrontation hadn’t gone as she had hoped.

Kenyai let out a breath, stepping closer to Daoyi. "You handled that well."

Daoyi sighed, leaning into him. "I’m so tired of her constant attacks. She’ll never accept me, no matter what I do."

"She’s bitter, Daoyi. But the rest of the tribe is starting to see you for who you truly are. They’ve already begun to follow your lead."

Daoyi nodded, but his heart still felt heavy. "I just hope I can live up to their expectations. I want to be a good mother, Kenyai. But I’m terrified."

Kenyai wrapped his arms around Daoyi, holding him close. "You will be, Daoyi. I have no doubt. And I’ll be with you every step of the way."

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Weeks later, the day finally arrived. Daoyi had never experienced such pain, the contractions tearing through him as he clutched Kenyai’s hand, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The Priestess and midwives worked diligently around him, offering words of comfort, but Daoyi could barely hear them through the haze of exhaustion and pain.

"Kenyai..." Daoyi gasped, squeezing his husband’s hand. "I... I can’t do this."

"Yes, you can," Kenyai whispered, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes. "You’re almost there, Daoyi. Just a little more."

Tears slipped from Daoyi’s eyes, his body shaking from the effort. "I’m not strong enough. I can’t—"

"You are strong enough," Kenyai interrupted, his voice firm. "You’ve faced worse than this, Daoyi. You’ve led this tribe through everything. You can do this too."

With a final, agonized cry, Daoyi felt the pressure release, and moments later, the piercing cry of a newborn filled the air. The midwife held the child up, a smile spreading across her face.

"It’s a boy," she announced, wrapping the infant in a soft cloth before handing him to Daoyi.

Daoyi stared down at the tiny life in his arms, his heart swelling with a mix of love and disbelief. The baby’s small fingers curled around his thumb, and for a moment, the world felt still.

Kenyai leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to Daoyi’s forehead. "You did it," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You’re a mother now."

Daoyi nodded, tears of joy spilling down his cheeks. "We’re parents," he corrected softly, cradling their son close to his chest.

As the night settled over the village, Daoyi felt the weight of the tribe’s expectations still lingering, but now it felt lighter—more manageable. He had faced his fears and proven, not just to the tribe, but to himself, that he could be both a leader and a mother.