“You’re seriously dedicated to the whole research thing, huh?” Levi commented.
“Yes.” Jaeyoung pocketed the notes. “It’s quite refreshing to document everything in real time.”
Levi rolled his eyes in a lighthearted way. “Sorry I couldn’t be your 24/7 personal lab rat.”
“Not at all. I know for a fact my pregnancy notes will be more in-depth than yours ever could be. It was a great idea, Levi.”
“Wow. I think that’s the first time you’ve ever praised me for anything.”
Jaeyoung grinned. “It’s the first time you’ve deserved praise.”
“You’re lucky you’re pregnant,” Levi grumbled, then furrowed his brow. “By the way, have you told Paz yet?”
“No. You’re the first person I wanted to talk to.”
Levi blinked, his green eyes wavering. “That’s... actually really sweet. Man, I’m getting whiplash here.” He suddenly picked up Dai’zee like he was in a hurry to leave. “We should go talk to Paz. Honestly, I’m getting worried about him. All he does is stand at the edge of the village and gaze wistfully over the horizon. It’s weird.”
“That is abnormal,” Jaeyoung agreed. “As his doctor, I want to investigate.”
Levi snorted. “Pregnant with an alien baby and still a workaholic... Some things never change.”
On the way there, the two humans chatted while Zat’tor and I walked behind them. My sibling was not surprised at all that Jaeyoung was my filum, and that he ended up pregnant.
“I should have believed you earlier,” I said.
“All in time,” Zat’tor said kindly.
Dai’zee was old enough to crawl, but not mobile enough to keep up with adults, so Zat’tor held her. She wriggled around, testing her arms and tentacles. It was fascinating to watch her grow. How advanced would she be by the time our child was born? Would she act as a good older sibling to them?
The human Paz was exactly where Levi said he would be—at the perimeter of the Sweetfields with his back to the village. His blue onesie ruffled in the breeze. Something about his posture reminded me of a restless flower waiting for an insectoid to land and pollinate it.
“Hey, Paz!” Levi called.
The third human turned around in surprise. “Oh, hey guys. What’s going on?”
Levi opened his mouth excitedly to share the good news, but my filum launched into investigation mode.
“What’s going on withyou?” Jaeyoung asked. “You spend the majority of your time here staring into space. Is there a reason why?”
Paz blinked, looking flustered. “Huh? Why am I randomly being interrogated?”
Groaning, Levi shook his head at Jaeyoung. “Your bedside manner is atrocious. You’re like one of those mean genius doctors from old TV shows.”
“I don’t know if I should feel complimented or insulted,” Jaeyoung mumbled.
“We can talk about Paz’s issue after we share the news,” Levi began.
“What issue?” Paz asked, bewildered.
Levi went on like he hadn’t spoken. “Jaeyoung has something to tell you. Right?”
“Oh, yes.” Jaeyoung cleared his throat. “I’m with child.”
Paz raised an eyebrow. He looked back and forth between Jaeyoung and Dai’zee, who dangled playfully from Zat’tor’s arms.
“Uh, yeah?” Paz said. “I can see that you’re with a child.”
Jaeyoung sighed. “Not with a child.Withchild. I’m pregnant.”
