“I can tell you don’t believe me,” Jaeyoung pointed out with a smirk. “I’m a doctor, remember? I’m not clueless.”
“I do not care,” I grumbled. “I will be agitated until you improve.”
He sighed in resignation. “Fine. Then stop thrashing your tail. It’s jiggling me.”
I forced my tail still.
Fhi’ran returned with the gray flower. Jaeyoung’s eyes flashed, and I felt his pulse speed up. He held out his palms eagerly.
“This is it,” he murmured. “The symptoms and timeline are the same as the previous case. Ihaveto be pregnant.”
Fhi’ran placed the pollenairus flower in my filum’s palms. The following seconds seemed painfully slow. We all watched with stalled breath.
And then the flower came back to life.
Jaeyoung gasped. The plant rose, color flooding its leaves and petals like a sunrise painting the land.
Even without my feelers attached to him, Jaeyoung’s joy was palpable. It brightened the den, radiating like the sun’s glow.
He glanced up at me. “That purple rice flour doesn’t have any secret mind-altering traits, does it?”
“No.”
“Then this is really happening,” he whispered. His body couldn’t contain its excitement. His hands trembled as he stared at the whimsical flower. “I’m actually pregnant.”
“Congratulations,” Fhi’ran said to both of us.
He opened his mouth to say something else, but Jaeyoung cut him off. “Quick, I need my notes! I have to do a minute-by-minute analysis of my body’s changes. Where’s my pencil?”
Fhi’ran and I exchanged an amused look.
Humans were so very strange, but adorable.
When we arrived at Levi and Zat’tor’s den, Jaeyoung raised his fist to knock on the door. Now that he was confirmed pregnant, I didn’t want him to hurt his hand or do any unnecessary work. I also remembered how fun it was to ‘pound’ thegaraetteok,so I gently pushed Jaeyoung’s hand aside with my tentacle.
“Please, my filum,” I said. “Allow me.”
“Oh. Okay.” He stepped back.
I slammed my fist against the door.
The wood crunched loudly and crumbled under my knuckles. Splinters fell to the ground. Apparently I used too much force.
Jaeyoung gawked. “Uh...”
My fist created a large hole in the door. It acted like a window, revealing Levi and Zat’tor within.
“Um? Hello?” Levi cried, also gawking. “Why did you just punch my door?” Baffled, he turned to Zat’tor. “Is this a Maeleon custom I’m not aware of?”
“It is not,” Zat’tor replied calmly. He wasn’t upset about the door. “Hello, sibling! Hello, Jaeyoung!”
“Greetings,” I called back. “I apologize. Your door has a weaker constitution thangaraetteok.”
Levi stared at Jaeyoung. “What the hell is he talking about?”
“I’ll explain later,” Jaeyoung promised. “Can we come in and chat?”
“Since we’re currently speaking through ahole in my door, yes, you might as well.”
