Dr. Corradetti cleared her throat. “In this case, since you are having twins, it wouldn’t just be you in danger. The other egg, if it was still living, would likely be affected by the breach as well. And due to most medicines not working well, or sometimes at all, for Gorgons, the only safe option in the case of one of the eggs dying is to let nature take its course.”
“But it…wouldn’t just be instant, would it…?” Killian stated softly. “The baby would slowly?—”
“Killian.” Cyrus cut him off, and at the same time, reached out to squeeze one of the Siren’s hands.
Killian shuddered, shaking his head once before looking at him with a fake smile on his face. “Sorry.”
Ender grunted. “It is what it is. It's not something you need to try to shield me from. I know exactly what will happen.”
He had seen and experienced exactly what would happen. His hands slid protectively over his stomach.
“I feel we all know what would happen, but it doesn’t need to be said aloud at the moment,” Ruby drawled. “Because, so far, the placentas look solid with no hints of there being a future issue. Until we have something to worry about, it’s better to just keep doing all that we are supposed to. You keep coming to checkups, continue taking your supplements, and…” She sighed.“You need to increase your caloric intake, and that is one thing that needs to happen now. Your weight isn’t where it should be.”
“We’ll make sure it happens,” Cyrus said firmly. “Is there anything else he needs, or that we need to be doing?”
“Development health-wise, make sure he stays on top of his prenatal pills. I have to make them fresh each week, and he sometimes forgets to pick them up. To note, while he does need to eat more, it’s also important to make sure all of his meals are high in protein. I have him on pills for that as well, as a lot is needed for development.
“Mentally, Gorgons when pregnant have a biological need to be near the one, or in this case ones, who impregnated them. So, you two staying close, not to mention just providing some sort of physical touch, will be important in keeping him calm and happy. Really, the closer you two stay, the better his mood will be. I'm not saying he won’t still have meltdowns, but they will be a lot less frequent, and not as volatile or long.
“Physically, he can still stay relatively active right now, as his energy permits. One benefit of that damn barrier inside him is its great protection from outside damage or falls. That being said, it also tends to make him overconfident about what he can do. Make sure he is taking regular breaks, even naps during the day. I would hope I don’t have to say this, but I will anyway…no fighting. Physical activity is okay, but don’t be stupid about it.
“Oh, also, he tends to feel sore by the end of the day, and his limbs swell a bit. Massaging his legs and arms would be helpful for circulation. He already has some oil for his stomach. Other than that, if you can, try to keep him warm, and come in to see me if there are any concerning changes in between the biweekly appointments he already has with me.”
Ender’s gaze had slowly narrowed as Ruby went on, and when she finished, he snapped, “Excuse me, what happened topatient confidentiality, huh?! I don’t need to be babysat. Also, I still haven’t agreed to these two staying here!”
Ender sputtered when the Siren looked at him and had the audacity to say, “You do, and we are.”
“I am seven hundred years old. I can take care of my damn self! RESPECT YOUR ELDERS—where are you going?!” Ender eyed Ruby when she headed for the door.
“As entertaining as I’m sure this will end up being, I have work to do, and other patients to see. Feel free to call me back if you have more questions.” She waved as she left.
“Y-you—” he blustered, before turning a glare on Killian, his eyes growing wide when the Siren moved into his personal space and caressed the side of his cheek. Heat welled up when he found the Siren’s face inches from his.
“Elder, are you?” Killian purred. “Well, that just tells me that you, more than anything, need a keeper. The only question is how badly you need help. You’ve lost weight despite being pregnant, so obviously you need a good reminder to fucking eat. But tell me, old man, how many needs are you failing to fulfill? Can you still reach the bathroom on your own, or—” The man smirked viciously. “—do you need someone to wipe your ass?”
The Siren straightened up and back away, that damn smirk still in place, when Ender let out a low hiss.
Cyrus snickered. “Baby, be nice.”
“Thatisme being nice,” Killian chimed sweetly.
“Listen here, you barely out of nappies fish, I do not need a keeper. And even if I did, I wouldn’t be asking two men who are a fraction of my damn age to do it! Another thing—” Ender’s words cut off as his stomach rumbled loudly, his face heating up further while it did.
He glared when the two men had the audacity to chuckle, staring down at him as if he’d just done somethingprecious—ugh, how dare they treat him like this! He was the damn leader of a fucking revolutionary group!
Ender rested back in the wooden chair with a happy sigh as he finished the last bite of his scrambled cheese eggs, rubbing his stomach. He felt comfortably full.
He eyed Cyrus and Killian, who had just finished eating as well. It was only them at the table. It was odd having the two there, but also just strange to have anyone finish eating with him, aside from Soren. Though even his brother tended to eat faster than him.
Though, as of late, he may have possibly missed a few meals, or…had maybe gotten angry during said meals and overturned the table. Just possibly…
Ender wasn’t sure why he was surprised to find the table full of food and the room empty of people when they’d returned tothe dining room. Those who usually ate with him did tend to eat their food like someone was about to snatch it from their plates. Ender hadn’t managed to break them of that habit, despite how long most of them had been there.
Finally fed, the question now was how long did these two intend to stay…and would he actually let them? Would he even be able to let them leave?
Despite his earlier denials, the idea sort of made him feel a bit violent—ughhh.
Ender sighed as he stopped ignoring that the two men were staring back at him. “I suppose I wouldn’t be fully opposed to you two staying here. Unless you lied about quitting the Bureau, and in that case, well, you still win, as you definitely won’t be leaving, but you may also not be breathing for much longer.”
