Two Sides to Every Coin (OPM Garou x OC)

Chapter 21: Little Cub

Garou was still sleeping when this all transpired. Being in a light sleep, though, his mind had started to become restless. Tossing and turning, he tried to push this unnerving feeling away, trying to go back to sleep. What happened, instead, was his body tensing in high alert.
Something was wrong.
"GAROU!!!!" Kaana's sudden scream of distress made Garou's eyes shoot open. He was immediately out of bed, running out of the room and barreling down the stairs. When he got to the living room, he was greeted with Kaana slumped against the front of the couch on the floor, her head was dipped back on the cushions as she groaned and writhed in pain.
He was by her side that second, "Kaana, what--"
"He's coming...The baby's coming..." Kaana was breathing heavily, her face twisted in pain.
Out of the corner of his eye, Garou then noticed the large puddle on the side of the couch and he felt his blood going cold. Just then, he heard a door slam open and quick foot falls coming towards them. Hitomi appeared, her bags in hand and her eyes falling on the scene before her, "Is she okay?"
"She's having the kid," Garou relayed. Hitomi seemed shocked, but quickly regained her composure and approached, "Alright. We need to get her to the bedroom."
Garou turned to Kaana to try and pick her up, but Kaana shied away from him, stopping him, "I'm not moving," she shook her head, now staring hard at the platinum blonde. Her voice was clear enough, which told both him and Hitomi that she wasn't kidding.
"Agh!" Kaana gritted her teeth as another contraction hit her. Her hand gripped at the couch cushion behind her while she cradled her belly with the other. Hitomi sprung into action, she rushed to get towels from the bathroom, grabbing most of them. When she rushed back out, putting the towels beside her, she sat at Kaana's feet, "How long has this been going on?"
"The fuck if I know! I woke up to her screaming for me!" Garou snapped at her, but it was more out of panic than anger.
Kaana's contraction passed, which gave her enough breath back to answer, "A couple hours...I couldn't sleep..." she panted.
Hearing this, Garou looked down at her questionably, "What? Why didn't you say anything to me?!"
Hitomi put a towel on Kaana's legs and under her, then threw some gloves on and slipped her soaked panties off, "What's your pain level, right now?"
"High..." Kaana tensed when another contraction gripped her, yet again. The blonde doctor noticed how quickly Kaana's contractions were coming and going, which was unusual. Hitomi then checked Kaana, only for her eyes to widen in shock.
Garou caught the look, "What?"
"She's progressing really quickly. Too quickly. She shouldn't be, but she's seven centimeters already. Three more to go and she'll be ready to push," Hitomi took her gloves off.
"Is that bad?" Garou questioned anxiously.
Hitomi ignored this question, "Garou, I have to set up for this. I need you to stay with her."
Garou, although was still trying to grasp the situation, gave a stiff nod. Hitomi got up and started to prep everything. She went to boil some water, cleaned the puddle on the floor, taking out the tools she'll need from her bag.
Meanwhile, Kaana was trying her best to breathe and power through the pain, Garou holding her hand in both of his. This was the last thing he expected to happen, much less wake up to his girlfriend screaming for him in the middle of the night. Garou has never felt so powerless, before, watching as Kaana went through wave after wave of pain and not being able to help her. He didn't know what to do.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Kaana slumped as another contraction passed, she huffed in some relief but everything was still hurting.
Garou asked softly, trying to be of some use, "Do you need anything..?" he wasn't sure if he'd get a response, as Kaana looked completely out of it.
Kaana grimaced, "Can you...hold me..? I'm scared..."
Garou was quick to fulfill her request. He coaxed her to sit up slightly so he can seat himself right behind her. She lied against his chest, in between his legs, seemingly more relaxed than before, but still out of breath from the pain.
Garou brushed away some of her hair that was plastered to her forehead from the sweat and he grasped both of her hands. Kaana immediately tightened her grip, just in time for another contraction. Kaana pressed her head back against his chest, the contraction even stronger than the last and she whimpered in pain.
"Breathe," Garou soothed, his nose buried on the top of her head. Kaana let out a long breath, trying to focus on what he told her to do. The pain was making other functions difficult to perform. After a few moments, Kaana relaxed against him, sighing and panting in exertion as the contraction ended.
"I can't do this...this is too much," Kaana whimpered.
Garou planted a kiss on her head, "You're close, just try to power through."
"I hate you...so much, right now..." Kaana replied in between breaths.
A humorless scoff escaped Garou's lips, "I know. Looks like you got your wish, though. A home birth is what you wanted, right?"
Kaana didn't find the humor in this, irritated, tired and in pain, "Don't...start with me..."
Garou understood that she wasn't in a good mood, but it felt as though she was still upset, "Why didn't you wake me if you were having contractions?" he couldn't stop from asking.
Kaana didn't answer right away, "I...was still angry with you. I wasn't thinking...and they weren't consis--" she stopped mid sentence when another contraction hit. She gritted her teeth, "Consistent!" she managed through a pained groan.
Her grip didn't loosen, Garou remained indifferent to her ever tightening grip. He knew that discussing their previous argument, right now wasn't helping her, whatsoever. Still, it was bothering him, but he knew he had to put it aside. He decided not to continue with the subject so she can focus more on having the baby.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
It was a repetitive cycle for the next three hours. Kaana would writhe in pain every contraction and after every one, Garou would try to give her encouragement. He was out of his element, but he was doing his best to support her, even if it meant he had to be her verbal punching bag at that moment. This whole situation was worrying him, though. Kaana was progressing too quickly, which Hitomi thought was also strange. It was disconcerting.
It was 5 am when Hitomi was done up in her scrubs, tools beside her, gloves on. The boiled water had cooled enough to a warm temperature and sat near them in a baby bath on the floor. By this time, Kaana was extremely exhausted, drenched in sweat and flushed as she heaved and groaned in pain.
Hitomi checked Kaana again and confirmed, "She's fully dilated. Kaana, on the next contraction I want you to bear down and push, okay?"
Kaana gave a tired nod, Garou gazing at her intently. The second the contraction hit, Kaana wasted no time pushing as hard as she could.
"Not too hard, Kaana, or you risk tearing," Hitomi warned her. Hitomi wanted to minimize her risk of bleeding since she didn't have all of her equipment with her to help. After all, Kaana was supposed to be having the baby at the hospital, not at home. Kaana whimpered, but eased up slightly.
Her grip on Garou's hands were so tight that bruises were beginning to form. As for Garou, he wasn't saying much throughout this vital process. It seemed he was gazing hard into nothing, his mind racing but was not currently present. He was in a dazed panic, most likely from the highly stressful situation and the fact that all he can do to help, was watch and be her stress ball.
Garou's never felt more useless. Kaana was screaming in anguish as she pushed with everything she can give. Tears streaked her face, which was flushed from the exertion. And Garou couldn't do anything about her pain.
After about fifteen minutes, Kaana felt an indescribable burning and pressure. Then, Hitomi announced, "He's starting to crown, you're almost there. Keep pushing."
"I AM!!" Kaana cried, baring teeth as she strained and groaned. Garou seemed to come out of his daze when he heard that his son was crowning.
Kaana really wanted to stop, but she knew how close she was. She wanted this to be over quickly. As soon as the pressure let up, she was about to start pushing again, when she heard, "STOP! Stop pushing!"
This alarmed both Kaana and Garou, but he was the one to question the doctor, first, "Why?! She's close!"
"The umbilical cord is wrapped around his neck. He's not getting enough oxygen. I need to unwrap it," Hitomi explained before going to do jus that, "Kaana, what ever you do, do not push."
Garou felt more panic set in at this news and everything started to make more sense. This was probably why Kaana had progressed so quickly and why Daichi was so hyperactive.
He was in distress this whole time and neither of them noticed.
He felt Kaana writhe against him in an effort to not push during her current contraction. This was precisely what he was afraid of; he didn't want something like this to happen, and that's why he wanted Kaana to go to the hospital. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Hitomi managed to remove the cord, but was still on high alert.
"Okay, Kaana, start pushing!" Hitomi told her.
Garou felt some relief at this, but he was still worried, seeing how exhausted Kaana looked and not knowing the status of his son.
Kaana tried to push as hard as she could, but holding out on pushing took more out of her than actually pushing, itself.
Hitomi saw this, "Kaana, we need to get him out, now!" this made Garou's panic spike, again. Was Daichi not out of the woods?
"Didn't you get the cord off him?!" Garou shouted at her, but Hitomi was trying to focus on Kaana, "Yes, but that doesn't mean that he's getting enough oxygen. I don't know how long it's been around his neck. Kaana, you need to push! Or your baby is going to suffocate!"
Kaana was nearly hyperventilating, trying to get what little breath she had back and failing. She was on the verge of passing out, but as soon as she heard that her son might not make it, panic gripped her. She wasn't about to let her child die. She wanted this so much and she wasn't going to let anything happen to her son. Not if she can help it. Another contraction hit and she knew she needed to get her son out, now.
Suddenly, her grip seemed to grow impossibly more tighter as she threw her head back with a wail so loud, it rang throughout the entire house.
Then, there was silence, Kaana went limp and so did her grip. She slumped against Garou's chest, taking shallow breaths, her eyes shut in exhaustion, her ears ringing. What followed during this was the gushing sound of fluids and Hitomi's hands started working frantically. As she did, she noticed something else as she was tying off the cord to cut it.
The baby was blue, and the cord had a knot in it. She knew she had to work quickly.
"Kaana?" Garou froze when Kaana slumped against him, he gazed down at her worriedly.
Garou's eyes shifted from Kaana's weakened form, to Hitomi, watching anxiously and fearfully.
He wasn't hearing anything, "Is he okay?"
Hitomi didn't answer him, her hands still trying to work, most likely trying to stimulate Daichi's lungs to work. The time crept and Garou's fear grew. He was mentally cursing whatever it was that was trying to take his son away. He's just an infant. Daichi did nothing to deserve this, he deserved a chance at living. A fair chance. He was internally praying to whatever deity was up there to not take his child away. It'd destroy him and Kaana if Daichi didn't make it.
Then, like someone let the air back into the room, there was a choked gurgle. Then, a weak wail that quickly turned into full on screaming.
Garou let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Hitomi smiled, sighing in relief as well. Finally, she lifted the baby boy up for the new parents to see. Garou was the only one to see but when he did, his eyes softened. In Hitomi's hands, was his son. A towel under the infant, which was now sullied by the fluids and blood that completely coated the screaming newborn. His umbilical cord cut and tied off; and a full head of dark wet hair.
"Kaana, he's here. Your son is here," Hitomi spoke gently, but Kaana barely stirred. Garou quickly looked down at the redhead, caressing her cheek to coax her up, "Kaana. Kaana, open your eyes. He's here."
After some encouragement, with a groan, Kaana's eyes fluttered open. The ringing in her ears was just disappearing when she heard Garou's voice break through. Her vision was blurry, but it quickly focused on Garou's worried expression. She heard the sound of wailing moving to her right side. With a half lidded gaze, she weakly picked her head up to see Hitomi bringing the baby closer for her to see, now sitting beside her.
Upon seeing her son screaming and alive, Kaana's eyes watered as she let out a breathy laugh, "He's here..." she looked up at Garou, "He's really here..."
"Yeah," Garou uttered, mesmerized, watching as his son squirmed and wailed in defiance.
"Congratulations, you guys," Hitomi then looked at Garou, "I'm going to clean him up, then you'll be free to hold him."
With that, Hitomi started with the usual procedure for any newborn. Taking him to the baby bath and wiping him clean. All the while, Daichi was still wailing his displeasure at the sudden cold when he arrived and the odd texture rubbing against his red, puffy skin. Even the warm water didn't soothe him.
Kaana tiredly watched, Garou looked down at her, his gaze was soft, "You did great," he told her.
Kaana looked up at him, giving a weak smile, "Thanks..." Her voice was just as weak, "I really want to sleep, though..."
Garou gave a light scoff at her honesty, the stressful tension slowly seeping away, "I don't blame you."
~
After Hitomi was done with Daichi, Garou helped get Kaana situated and cleaned up. He carried her tired form upstairs to rest in their bed. As soon as Kaana hit the bed, she was out like a light.
"She must be really out of it," Garou stated, his eyes solely on Kaana. He then looked at Hitomi, who was currently placing Daichi in the bassinet near the bed.
"The birth was extremely taxing on her body. It's good that she's resting up," Hitomi then gave a smile, "Daichi was incredibly lucky; not only did the cord wrap around his neck, but there was also a knot in it. It could possibly explain the accelerated progression in the delivery. Aside from those complications, there's nothing wrong with him."
Garou didn't say anything to this, knowing exactly just how lucky his child had been. With a knot in the cord AND have it wrap around his neck; most infants wouldn't have survived such odds.
"Well..." Hitomi tried to change the subject, "At least now, you can use this time to bond with Daichi."
Garou visibly tensed at the very suggestion. Hitomi was familiar with this reaction, seeing it with so many fathers, including Saitama. She reassured him, "You can take your time. I understand it's still a bit scary in the beginning. It seemed to have stopped snowing for now, so I'll see if I can get the power back on. Call if you need anything."
Garou said nothing as Hitomi turned to leave, now it was only himself, Kaana and the baby in the room.
Garou didn't know what to do with himself. He just sat on the edge the bed, his mind racing from the last few hours. Feeling that much panic, stress, relief; all of it almost had his head spinning. He was just glad it was finally over and done with. He glanced over to his left where the bassinet stood.
Little Daichi was now silent, fast asleep after being cleaned up and was just as tired from the difficult birth. Garou was still trying to grasp that his son was now physically here; the whole thing was surreal. After a moment of internal debate, he gathered enough nerve to at least peek into the bassinet. Given the dim light of the candles, any normal person would have difficultly seeing. With Garou's senses, he could see the newborn clearly. Daichi was still red and swollen, but he can see that his hair was far darker than his own. He figured Daichi was going to become a little redhead, like Kaana. He was almost shocked by how small Daichi looked, but according to Hitomi, he was just a few ounces more than Kenji was.
He also didn't seem like he was moving much, either. Garou, slightly paranoid but wasn't ready to touch him, held a finger under the infant's nose. When he felt the air circulation, he pulled away and let out a breath of relief.
"Good, he's still breathing," Garou voice was soft, just below a whisper to not wake Kaana or the infant. However, Daichi did stir, squirming in the swaddle he was in and Garou froze. He was afraid any other movement he made would further upset the newborn. Then, Daichi started to whine, his face scrunched in displeasure. Garou started to panic because if Daichi started to cry, he'd wake up Kaana. The was only one thing he could do, but he was terrified to do so. He didn't have a choice, though, as Daichi was starting to get louder. He had to quiet him down and fast.
Garou stood and went to pick Daichi up, his hands shaking from nerves. He quickly situated Daichi in his arms and gently bounced him. Garou has never felt so out of place; he never thought he'd be holding a baby and trying to coax them to sleep again. Besides, with his strength, he was afraid he was going to break the little guy. Well, it seemed that Daichi was either going to get his way or the hard way would ensue.
Soon enough, Daichi had quieted down, but he didn't fall back asleep. When Garou stopped, he noticed that his son was staring right at him. Curious, wide eyes staring back up at the former hero hunter. His eyes were a dark hazel, but it was clear he was going to have Garou's eyes as they changed with age.
Garou found himself trapped in his son's gaze and he couldn't stop from gulping in nervousness. He slowly sat back down on the edge of the bed, not breaking eye contact. He wasn't sure why Daichi was staring so hard at him. Can he even see him? Newborns' sight are usually grey and blurry for the first two months. Then again, Daichi was different from other infants thanks to Garou's genetics. Maybe he was seeing the glow from Garou's eyes?
'Does he...know it's me?' Garou decided to try and speak to him, "You know me..?"
Daichi blinked at him, then started to strain against the swaddle again, which made a smile appear on Garou's face, "You don't seem to like this thing, huh? Too many restraints. That seemed to be the case since you came this early," Garou lifted a hand to move the covering aside to let Daichi have more arm room. As soon as he lifted the fold of the swaddle, Daichi's arm popped out and...he grabbed his finger. Garou froze as soon as Daichi grabbed him.
Daichi's grip was surprisingly strong, his tiny fingers wrapping around his index finger. Garou could feel the contrast between both of their skins. Daichi's was so soft against his rough and callused skin. Not to mention the size of Garou's hand; Daichi's head can easily fit in his palm. Daichi cooed softly, his grip tightening around his finger.
"Trying to show me how strong you are? Not bad. Just like your...old man," Garou almost laughed at that, "Never thought I'd be someone's old man. You struck the lottery with me, kiddo. I'm probably one of the last people you'd want as a dad, but...who cares? You and your mom know who I really I am and...that's all that should matter."
Daichi looked back at his father, cooing even more at him.
Emotions whirled around inside Garou, despite his attempt to remain indifferent. He felt these emotions coming up behind his eyes in the form of tears. He blinked them back, trying to play off the stray tear that managed to streak down his face, "Look, you're already making me soft," Garou gave a small scoff again, "I never imagined being this happy. I have you and your mom. Master Bang, who's kind of your grandpa. It's you guys that kept reminding me that even someone like me can be happy. I'll always protect that happiness... I'll always protect you."
His expression remained as stoic as he could, but there was a ghost of a smile, an extra tear and the glistening in his eyes gave him away. Daichi seemed content with Garou's speech as his eyes started to droop close. With a long yawn, little Daichi turned to snuggle into Garou's chest. All the while, still holding Garou's finger.
Garou didn't want to put him down, after that. He wanted nothing more than to keep him close and safe.
Just then, the lights flickered on, Garou's gaze turning to the overhead lights. He was quick to get up, reluctantly getting his hand back from Daichi and switching the lights off. No one woke, thankfully. Garou then went back to the bed, propping himself against pillows. He adjusted Daichi so the infant was lying against his chest, still wrapped in his swaddle.
Finally relaxing, Garou noticed how drained he felt. The stress from the last few hours finally presenting itself in the form of mental and physical exhaustion.
Garou wanted so much to close his eyes and sleep, but the bundle of warmth on his chest made that impossible. He didn't want to risk dropping Daichi if he did fall asleep.
Just then, a small voice called to him, "Garou?"
He looked beside him and saw Kaana blearily looking up at him from her pillow.
"Hey. Are you feeling okay?" Garou found himself asking.
Kaana gave a tired smile, "Sore beyond belief, but I'm okay."
Garou frowned at her answer, "You should try to get more rest."
"No, I wanted to see him," Kaana's gaze traveled to the sleeping infant on Garou's chest, her smile never leaving, "Looks like you two are getting along."
Garou didn't know how to respond to that assessment, but he managed a, "Yeah," he was slightly embarrassed, if he was being honest.
Kaana then tried to sit up, groaning as everything was sore and aching. She opted to just scoot closer before settling herself under Garou's right arm, cuddling against his body. Kaana took in his warmth, happy with the closeness. She reached a hand towards Daichi, grazing a finger against his chubby cheek, making him stir lightly, "He turned out so cute. I think he has your nose."
Garou looked at Daichi intriguingly, "You think so?"
Kaana gave a giggle, "Yeah. I think he's going to look like you. I always wondered what you looked like as a child. Maybe Daichi will answer that."
Garou was enjoying this quiet time with Kaana, but something came to mind that had him troubled, again. Their argument about marriage. He wanted to clear anything up that she might've misinterpreted. Was now the right time to bring it up? Would it turn into another argument?
"Garou," Kaana's voice had Garou look back at her, "I want to apologize for assuming a few things. I know you mean well, and when you talked about us not being ready to get married, you were right. Now's not the right time. Still, I'll wait how ever long it takes until we are."
Garou was surprised that Kaana even said anything, first. He felt he was the one at fault, but it's clear that he made some good points. He felt himself relax at her answer and pulled her closer to him with his arm. Regardless, Garou still felt he needed to let her know that he loves her, even if marriage was out of the question. For the time being, that is.
"Kaana...Thank you. For everything," Garou started, just allowing himself to say what was on his mind, for once, "For this life I have with you, and for my son. I've never been this happy. I wouldn't trade my life with you for anything, and I hope you know that."
Kaana's eyes turned glossy at his words, her smile becoming watery. Hearing Garou being honest with her and himself about how he felt melted her heart. She truly never thought he'd let her into his world to this extent, but he did. For that, she would always be grateful. She nuzzled into him, "I love you. So much."
Warmth spread into Garou's heart, the contentment he felt was almost overwhelming. He nuzzled the top of her head, "I love you, too."
He never wanted to lose this. This joy, this happiness. Garou always felt he was undeserving of this, but Kaana and Daichi proved him wrong. And boy, was he glad he was wrong. They were his world now, and he wasn't going to let that go. Never.