Sirius lay in his dad's bed, his body curled around a pillow as he tried to find a comfortable position. At eight months pregnant, he'd taken to sleeping in his father's room, the familiarity of the surroundings providing a small comfort. His own bed felt too narrow, too far away from the rest of the house. And besides, it was easier for his dad to check on him throughout the night if he was closer.
He could feel a dull ache starting up in his lower back, a nagging pain that had been present for the past few hours. He'd been able to ignore it for a while, brushing it off as the usual discomforts of late pregnancy. But now, as the clock neared three in the morning, the ache turned sharper, more insistent. He shifted restlessly, his breath catching as the pain intensified, spreading from his back to his lower abdomen.
Sirius pressed his lips together, trying not to make a sound. He didn't want to wake his dad. Orion Black had been nothing but supportive through his pregnancy, but Sirius hated to be a bother. He'd already put his family through so much, and this felt like one more burden.
He let out a low whimper as another wave of pain hit, stronger this time. He could feel his stomach tightening with each contraction, the sensation building like a vice around his midsection. He closed his eyes, trying to breathe through the pain, but it was no use. It was too much, too fast. His body was on fire, and he couldn't hold back a gasp of pain.
The sound was enough to wake Orion. The older man sat up quickly, blinking the sleep from his eyes. "Sirius?" he said, his voice thick with concern. "What's wrong?"
Sirius opened his eyes, tears spilling over his cheeks. "Dad... it hurts," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I think... I think it's starting."
Orion's expression turned serious in an instant. He reached out, taking Sirius's hand in his own. "Alright, son. I'm here. Let's get you more comfortable." He helped Sirius sit up, guiding him through the next contraction, rubbing soothing circles on his back.
Sirius leaned into his father's touch, his breath coming in shallow gasps. The pain was unlike anything he'd ever experienced, a rolling wave that left him trembling and exhausted. But there was comfort in knowing he wasn't alone, that his father was there beside him, helping him through it.
"I'm scared," Sirius admitted, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Orion squeezed his hand gently. "I know, son. But you're strong. You can do this. I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere."
Sirius nodded, trying to find strength in his father's words. He took a deep breath, preparing himself for the next contraction. He could do this. He had to. For himself, for his baby, and for his family.
As the pain intensified, Orion called for a healer, his voice steady even as worry etched his features. Sirius focused on his father's voice, grounding himself in the sound, using it to push through the pain. He knew this was only the beginning, but with his father by his side, he felt like he could face anything.