A month after Eridan had told Sollux that he was expecting the two found themselves comfortably enjoying each other's company on the couch. Sollux was busy working on a code he had been commissioned to do while Eridan was dozing off with his head resting in his matesprit's lap.
The sea troll's pregnant condition was now much more difficult to conceal. Most of his shirts were too tight over his protruding belly and the only pants that would fit him were a pair of old worn out baggy sweatpants from Sollux's closet. Needless to say, the violet blood hadn't been making many trips outside of the hive lately. Not that Sollux probably would have let him. Lately the psionic seemed reluctant to be away from the high blood for extended periods of time. This was why even though he was coding, an activity he preferred to do in solitude, he had requested that Eridan quietly sit with him on the couch while he worked.
Sollux's full concentration was on the letters and numbers scrolling through his mind and in his haste to type them all out into his husktop he didn't notice the Trollian video call that popped up on his screen until it was too late and he had accidentally answered it.
"Hey Sollux!" Aradia's melodic voice greeted him.
"Shit!" the yellow blood hissed once he realized his mistake. To make matters worse, it wasn't just his moirail on the video call. Nepeta was present as well. Eridan was startled out of his light sleep by the sudden noises.
"Wha-," he tried to ask but felt Sollux's hand clamp down over his mouth. He leaned his head back a bit, careful of his horns, to get a better view of the husktop that rested on the low blood's other leg that he wasn't occupying. One wrong move and he would be visible on the camera.
"Sollux!" Nepeta called out excitedly.
"We need you to settle this little debate we are having," Aradia explained.
"What kind of debate?" Sollux tried not to sound freaked out and released his hold over Eridan's mouth.
"A shipping debate of course!" Nepeta answered enthusiastically.
"What?" Sollux deadpanned.
"Nepeta seems to think that you and Feferi are red for each other but I told her that I disagree because as your moirail I have not heard you mention anything of the sort during our feelings jams," Aradia said.
"Why doeth it even matter?" Sollux asked in frustration as he carefully shifted his body more towards the corner of the couch. Eridan didn't move until Sollux had settled himself against the corner of the cushions and the back of the laptop was facing him. The Aquarius pushed himself up into a sitting position then rose from the couch with some difficulty, his hand automatically going to his swollen stomach. Sollux shot him a questioning look as the two girls giggled about something on the video call. Eridan just mouthed the words 'ablution block' before disappearing down the hall.
"Alternia to Sollux," Aradia teased, pulling the Gemini's attention back to the computer screen. "You kind of spaced out there." Sollux scowled at the loss of Eridan's presence and the interruption of his work.
"You two theriouthly video called me to athk who I have the hoth for? Sure! Let'th have an in depth dithcussion about my quadranth, it'th not like I wath buthy doing anything!" the psionic replied sarcastically.
"Aw, don't be so grumpy, Sollux!" Nepeta cooed. "We were just purrious, as your furriends." Sollux sighed and glanced down the hall where Eridan had disappeared. He should have been out of the ablution block by now. He must've decided it would be best for him to stay out of the living room for now. Sure enough, not too long after Sollux looked back at his computer screen a message box popped up in the bottom corner announcing that caligulasAquarium was now online. At least now he knew where the sea troll was. If he had just logged on that could only mean he was at his desk in the office down the hall.
"You're being awfully defensive, Sollux. Perhaps there is some merit to Nepeta's theory?" Aradia asked suspiciously.
"No," Sollux groaned. "I am not red for FF and I am not being defenthive," he stated. "I am being pithed off that I'm not getting any work done becauthe apparently my quadrant life ith jutht tho fathinating to you two."
"Alright," Aradia submitted skeptically. "See, Nepeta? He's not red for her."
"Fine," the Leo sighed wistfully. "I just had a strong feeling to ship you with someone fishy," she giggled. Sollux blanched at that, hoping he didn't look as nervous as he felt. Luckily, Aradia seemed ready to abandon the topic.
"So this is what your hive looks like," the rust blood admired slyly. "I wouldn't know considering you've never invited me over," she added playfully. Sollux rolled his eyes.
"AA, I thtill hang out with you plenty I don't thee why it matterth if you come to my hive or not," he reasoned. He was pretty sure none of his friends even knew where he lived, which was okay with him because it meant no surprise visitors. Even if Eridan were to not be home at the time it was still glaringly obvious the Aquarius also took up residence there no matter what block of the hive they were in.
As Sollux was occupied with his video chat in the living room, Eridan sat in the office at his computer. He had logged into Trollian to help pass the time and found a message waiting for him from Kanaya.
GA: Hello Eridan. I Hope You Are Doing Well. You Are About Two And A Half Months Along Now, Correct? The Reason I Am Messaging You Is To Inform You That I Have Taken It Upon Myself To Make Some Clothing For You That Should Accommodate Your Growing Eggs. If You Could Stop By My Hive At Your Convenience I Would Like For You To Try Them On.
Eridan was excited about the idea of having access to better fitting clothes. It did not sit well with him that he had to wear ratty sweatpants all the time. Deciding that now was as good a time as ever he set about typing out a response to the message.
CA: hey kan i got your message you are right about howw many months its been you havve no fuckin idea howw happy i am to hear that youvve made me some more clothes seriously kan im wwearin fuckin sweats an that is just not ok ill try to drop by as soon as i can
Satisfied with his correspondence he then began checking all of the blogs that he followed to keep himself entertained. He could still hear Sollux's lisping voice occasionally speaking up from the living room. For the most part, Sollux was stuck listening to the two females excitedly retelling the tale of an adventurous outing they had recently gone on together. He would occasionally throw in obligatory words or phrases that made it seem like he was paying close attention to the conversation.
The epic yarn was suddenly interrupted by a chiming sound coming from the open Trollian window. The text that appeared in the chat box read, "carcinoGeneticist is requesting to join conversation."
"Oh! Karkitty wants to join!" Nepeta clapped her hands together. One of the two girls accepted the request and Sollux groaned as the irritated face of his friend appeared on his screen in a little box alongside the other two. Would he ever get out of this conversation?
"Sollux! Where the fuck have you been?" Karkat growled.
"I've been right here KK," Sollux sighed.
"No shit you've been right there. That's the problem you asshole. You haven't deigned it necessary to hang out with friends in Gog knows how long!" the stubby horned troll nearly shouted.
"I've hung out with you!" Sollux defended.
"Playing online games and Trollian chats don't count, nook stain. When was the last time you actually physically left your Goddamn hive?" Karkat asked harshly.
"I agree, Sollux. It does seem like you've been a bit elusive lately," Aradia chimed in.
"AA, no, don't add to thith," the yellow blood groaned.
"Why do you suddenly have all the time in the world to chat it up with Aradia and Nepeta but when I'm like, 'Hey Sollux, wanna come over and just shoot the shit?' you have every excuse not to come? Not to mention the fact that nobody fucking knows where you even live and you never fucking invite anyone over. It's like you just want us all to think that your hive is some sort of fantastical enigma of hoofbeast shit!" Karkat ranted.
"Oh don't worry, Karkitty! Sollux is only talking to us because I had a very urgent shipping matter that needed to be settled," Nepeta explained.
"I swear to fuck, Nepeta, if you don't stop calling me 'Karkitty'!" Karkat threatened which only led to a giggle fit. Sollux could feel a migraine coming on.
"Would all of you jutht get to the fucking point before I finally come to my thenthes and log out of Trollian altogether tho I can finally get back to work?" the Gemini nearly shouted.
"Fine," Karkat huffed. "The reason I intruded on your little quadrant gossip party in the first place was to tell you that Terezi's wriggling day is coming up and we're having a get together for it. Everyone's invited so maybe Sollux will stop being such a fucking social recluse and get his disturbingly skinny ass out of his hive for once," the Cancer glared into the camera but all parties involved knew the gesture was directed at the yellow blood.
"It hathn't even been that long," Sollux complained.
"As far as I know, it's been about three weeks since anyone has seen you in person," Aradia corrected carefully. Sollux was a bit surprised it had been that long. It certainly didn't feel like it had been three weeks. All he knew was he had decided to take a break from hanging out with other trolls to be around Eridan more often. He had this intensely strong desire to be around his matesprit just in case help was needed or anything happened. The aquatic troll seemed to possess a certain magnetism that pulled at Sollux's senses. He knew it had something to do with Eridan's pregnancy pheromones.
"Fine," Sollux submitted reluctantly. "I'll go to the fucking party. When ith it?"
"A week from today," Karkat informed all three of the trolls in the chat. "Well it's been great but now I have to see who else is online and pass along the invitation. I'll see you assholes next week." Aradia and Nepeta bid farewell in unison and Sollux simply gave a nod.
"Alright, I'd thay we're pretty much done here tho I'm logging off now," the psionic announced.
"See you at the party," Nepeta called to him.
"Bye Sollux," Aradia waved. Sollux waved lethargically and was finally able to log out of Trollian. He went ahead and closed his laptop, setting it aside as he put his feet on the floor and sat up on the edge of the couch. He rubbed his eyes under his glasses and took a deep breath, willing the throbbing in his head to go away.
Once the double horned troll felt more collected he stood from the couch and made his way down the hall to the office. As he came up behind the sea troll that was seated in front of the computer he could see a wall of grey text on the screen.
"Hey," he said softly, placing his hands on Eridan's shoulders and planting a soft kiss on one of his horns. Eridan closed his eyes for a moment to enjoy the feeling. When he reopened them he reached a hand up to grasp one of Sollux's resting on his shoulder.
"Hey Sol," Eridan responded. "So evidently Kar's inviting everyone to Rezi's wrigglin' day thing."
"Yeah he got to me earlier during my highly engaging chat with AA and AC," Sollux said bitterly.
"I don't think I'm goin' to go," Eridan admitted. He turned around in his chair to face his matesprit.
"But I already thaid that I would go," Sollux said a bit surprised.
"Well you can still go," Eridan assured him before looking away somewhat sadly. "I just think it would be best if I sat this one out," he mumbled. Sollux took one of Eridan's hands in his own and rubbed circles over it with his thumb.
"What'th wrong? You love partieth," Sollux asked gently. Eridan gave him a hard look.
"Yeah I know I love parties, Sol, but in case you haven't noticed I'm pregnant now!" the Aquarius snapped. "I can't just waltz into a room full a' our friends an' expect 'em not to notice all the weight I've put on exclusively in my stomach area." He suddenly realized who was at the brunt of his sour attitude and toned his outburst down to just being sulky. "Besides, Kan said that everyone can smell it on me." Sollux squeezed his hand for comfort.
"Yeah but didn't you tell me that she altho thaid that she wath the only one that would know exactly what the thmell meant?" Sollux reminded him.
"Yes, but she also said that the smell was goin' to mess with everyone's instincts whether they recognized it or not. Who knows what the fuck everyone else is goin' to do. It already has you actin' more neurotic than usual around me," Eridan accused.
"No it doethn't," Sollux quickly denied. Eridan quirked a well-groomed brow at the other troll.
"Then why won't you just go to the party without me?" he asked deviously.
Sollux stared blankly at Eridan as he struggled to come up with an answer. Immediately in his mind he imagined actually leaving Eridan at home while he went to the party, but that's when his thoughts started malfunctioning. He felt anxious as his mind went back and forth debating what could happen if he left his matesprit's side. What if he was attacked? Who would be attacking him though, his more rational thoughts wondered. Even if he was attacked, Eridan was a pretty good fighter and could probably defend himself. Then again, what if he was hit in the stomach during the fight? He had to think about the eggs. Vaguely he could hear his rational thoughts screaming at him that there would be no attack in the first place but he couldn't take any chances.
"I jutht don't want to go without you," he finally settled on saying. The look on Eridan's face told him he wasn't buying that excuse.
"Really? You had to think that hard about it before decidin' you'd just rather have me there?" Eridan asked skeptically. "What's the real reason?" he demanded. Sollux glared at him for a moment.
"You might get attacked," the yellow blood mumbled while shifting his gaze to the floor.
"I'm sorry, Sol, what was that?"
"You might get attacked, okay? Look, the point here ith that I jutht want to protect you tho you're going to the goddamn party!" Sollux shouted. Eridan grinned at how flustered the other troll had gotten.
"Well I guess I ain't got a choice then, huh?" the Aquarius smirked in a bemused way. "Kan did say that she's made me some new clothes that should fit better. Maybe they'll help hide this," he gestured vaguely to his stomach area. Sollux decided to use the hand he had been holding to pull Eridan up out of his seat. The sea troll needed a bit of extra help standing but once he was in front of him, the psionic pulled him close and wrapped his arms around him. Sollux shut his eyes and buried his face into the nape of the high blood's neck. He focused on the new enticing scent that had laced itself in with his matesprit's normal smell. It was something that drove him crazy. It made him feel angry, jealous, and turned on all at the same time. It was like a love spell. He nearly laughed at the thought.
"You put a spell on me, ED," Sollux whispered into the chilled skin of the other troll's neck. He could feel Eridan's hands twitch against his back.
"You know how I feel about that subject. Magic isn't real," Eridan told him warily. Sollux could feel the roundness of Eridan's stomach pressed against him and he smiled into his matesprit's neck.
"With you it ith," the yellow blood whispered back, making Eridan blush slightly.
The two spent the next three nights locked up in the hive enjoying only each other's company. They had gone completely off the grid to all of their friends. They would spend the days playing video games or watching movies together or cuddled up together in some room of the hive either talking about everything or just enjoying each other's company. What they spent the most time doing was making love to each other. The two would only leave their respite block to do anything else when they felt too exhausted to keep pailing.
Finally on the third night, as they were cuddled up together on the couch naked Eridan figured they should probably contact their friends to let them know they were still alive.
"I'm sure Ara an' Kar are probably worried sick about you," Eridan sighed while he ran his fingers over every inch of Sollux's skin that he could reach. He was situated between Sollux's legs with his back lying against the warmer troll's chest. Sollux's hands rested on top of Eridan's belly.
"Yeah probably," Sollux agreed noncommittally. Even as he spoke, Eridan could feel the lower blooded troll's bulges squirming back to life against his lower back. A shiver ran down his spine as he thought about how much he loved having those bulges inside him, but he knew they should probably ease up on the pailing.
"I need to go run an errand anyway," Eridan said as he reluctantly slid away from the warmth of the troll behind him. Sollux whined at the loss of contact.
"What errand?" the psionic asked anxiously.
"I need to go to Kan's to try on those clothes," Eridan answered when he had finally managed to stand up from the couch. He was beginning to get irritated at the fact that it took much more effort to get up from anything now that he had a large belly in the way. One look at Sollux and Eridan could tell that he wasn't happy about him going out on his own. The sea troll rolled his violet eyes.
"Sol, you never used to give two shits about where I went an' now it's become this huge ordeal," Eridan commented irritably. "It's gettin' fuckin' annoyin'." Sollux's frown deepened.
"That wath before," the double horned troll eyed the high blood critically.
"Before what? Before you knocked me up then decided to never let me out a' your sight again?" Eridan said angrily. "I mean, I love you Sol, but you are just short of standin' there holdin' my hand when I take a piss." Sollux rose from the couch to be at eye level with Eridan.
"That'th not my fault!" he spat. "It'th all you and your fucking thmell that driveth me up the wall!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you said my pheromones didn't affect you," Eridan said facetiously.
"Well gueth what ath hole? I lied!" Sollux shouted. Under normal circumstances, Sollux would've become physical with the sea dweller by this point in an argument but he didn't dare try to hurt him while pregnant. Sollux was surprised when he heard the troll in front of him laughing.
"What fuckin' quadrant are we even?" Eridan asked with a smile.
"We've already had thith dithcuthion and we're red fithdick," Sollux answered irritably.
"Hm. I say we're both," Eridan said thoughtfully.
"We can't be both, ED," Sollux sighed. "We dethided almotht two sweeps ago that we were going to be red."
"I don't want anyone else, Sollux. I only want you," Eridan said with such sincerity it was almost heartbreaking. The Gemini stood silent for a moment, almost afraid to speak the truth that they had both been ignoring for a very long time.
"I feel the thame," he finally admitted quietly, his words joining Eridan's hanging in the air between them as a tangible taboo. "But the droneth-," Sollux began to argue but Eridan cut him off before he could finish his thought.
"If Fef becomes empress you know she'll change that an' we'll be safe," the sea troll said optimistically.
"Yeah, 'if'," Sollux repeated the word darkly. Eridan furrowed his brow.
"She's a lot stronger than she lets on, you know. Plus, she's been trainin' for it for ages. When the time comes I'm sure she'll give the Condesce a run for her money," Eridan assured. No one really liked to think about the fact that while their lives carried on as usual, Feferi was spending her days preparing for an inevitable fight to the death with the Condesce. Whichever troll survived would be the ruler of Alternia.
Sollux decided that this was not a topic he wanted to discuss at the moment. "Go to GA'th hive," he sighed, leaning in to peck Eridan on the lips. "I'll message KK and AA to let them know I didn't die." The sea dweller returned the chaste kiss before heading off to the ablution block to wash up.
Once Eridan was out of the shower he couldn't keep the scowl off his face as he stepped into the horrible sweatpants that were the bane of his existence. His favorite long sleeved black sweater that bore his symbol was too tight in the stomach area and rode up a bit to reveal the stretched grey skin underneath. He made up his mind to fasten his cape around himself to conceal his body. He stuck his head into the office to tell Sollux he was leaving which somehow led to an impromptu dry humping session against the wall. Eridan was able to pull himself away before he completely lost control of his senses.
"I'll be back in a few hours," the Aquarius panted. Sollux kept placing kisses along his jaw. "I get the feelin' we will be pickin' up where we left off when I get back," he added, thinking back to the last time he came home from Kanaya's hive. Sollux gave a frustrated groan as Eridan separated himself from him.
"You are correct with your feeling," the Gemini replied with a husky voice. Eridan felt heat shoot through his body at the other's suggestiveness but willed himself to remain in control.
"Bye Sol," he said. Sollux appeared conflicted before marching himself back over to his desk where two Trollian conversations were waiting on him.
"Bye," he replied without looking back. His voice was tense. At least his was trying to be okay with Eridan leaving.
It didn't take very long for Eridan to arrive at the jade blood's hive. He knocked on the door and waited. He had his cape drawn tightly around himself to completely conceal his egg bump and was feeling just a bit paranoid.
"Come in, it is unlocked!" he heard Kanaya call from within the hive. He let himself in but didn't see and any sign of his fashionable friend. "I will be with you shortly I am just finishing up a project," she said from another room.
The Virgo had no idea who would be visiting her out of the blue but once she put down the needle and thread she had been working with she thought she could smell a familiar troll. As she made her way to the foyer where her visitor waited the smell became strong enough that she could recognize it as one of her friends.
"Sollux? Is that you? This certainly is unexpected," Kanaya called out but as soon as she rounded the corner she was not met by the double horned psionic troll. Instead she was greeted by the sight of a very pregnant high blooded sea troll that had a look on his face like she had just run him through with her chainsaw. "It is him. Sollux is your matesprit," she stated quietly almost in awe. She remembered back when they were all younger when the Aquarius and the Gemini were the most perfectly matched kismesises. The two were absolutely perfect for each other until out of nowhere they inexplicably broke up and quit speaking to one another. Unless, "The two of you vacillated," she concluded out loud.
"Please Kan, don't say anythin' about this to anyone!" Eridan pleaded desperately. The jade blood lifted a brow at the panic stricken troll in front of her.
"Eridan, I already know that you are gravid yet I have not told a soul. Do you honestly think I would begin to betray you now?" she teased. "Come on. Let us get you out of those atrocious sweat pants," she said as she made to go the direction she had come from. Eridan followed her anxiously.
"How did you know?" he asked once they had entered a room dedicated entirely to fabrics, manikins, and sewing equipment.
"Your pheromones must really be working well on him because heh as utterly marked you as his own," she answered with an amused smile as she gathered up various garments. "Try these on and let me know what you think." She handed him a small stack of clothing and directed him to a separate block for him to change in. He blushed a dark violet color as he took the clothes and went to change.
"Are you goin' to Rezi's wrigglin' day party?" he asked from behind the closed door.
"Yes I do plan on attending. What about you?" Kanaya called back. Eridan emerged from the other room wearing an outfit that was nearly identical to his favorite black shirt and striped pants, only modified to fit his stomach better.
"I didn't want to go because a' this," he motioned to his stomach, "but Sol is makin' me go because he has to." Kanaya was hovering around him checking the fit of the clothing as he spoke. "This looks amazin' Kan. It's so much more comfortable too." Kanaya tried not to look too pleased with herself over the compliments on her work.
"I am glad you like it," she smiled. "The others should fit just fine then. I could probably find a way to disguise your pregnancy with your clothing for the party," she mused.
"That would be great," Eridan said with relief. "Have you found out any more information on this whole situation?" he inquired. Kanaya shook her head.
"Nothing new I am afraid. I will let you know as soon as I do discover something. I am curious as to whether we can attempt to determine how many there are by palpation once you have reached your third or fourth month," the jade blood added in curiosity.
"Shit that just reminds me that I only have a month and a half left before I'm goin' to be layin' these things," Eridan moaned and placed a hand over his stomach. "You'll be there, right?" he asked somewhat nervously.
"Of course I will be there," she assured with her eyes sparkling in excitement. Eridan gave a small smile.
"I'd better get back. Sol hates it when I'm away from him for more than five seconds now," he told the female troll as he gathered up his things. "These better be some healthy eggs because they are gettin' the fuck fertilized out a' them," he added making Kanaya giggle.
"I am sure they will be brimming with health and would love to hear the tale of how their bearer conquered all of the land dwellers by procreating with one," Kanaya laughed. Eridan was caught off guard by her jab and couldn't help but laugh too.
"Oh shut up!" he smiled. He bid his friend farewell before setting off for home. Just as expected, as soon as the door was shut behind him when he arrived home he had a half naked yellow blood attached to him at the mouth. He hated to admit it, but Sollux's new possessive behavior was one of the hottest things he had ever seen.