Sirius shuffled into the kitchen, his every movement sluggish and heavy. Being three days past his due date, he felt utterly miserable, each step a reminder of the weight he carried. The once confident and energetic young man now felt drained, his usual spark dulled by the sheer exhaustion of waiting for the inevitable. His dark hair was mussed, sticking up in places from a restless night of tossing and turning, and his skin had taken on a pallor that matched the gloominess of his mood.
As he reached the kitchen table, Sirius slumped down into his chair, his back curving as he rested his head on his folded arms, trying to find comfort. He didn't care about appearances anymore—he just wanted this to be over. The room was quiet, save for the soft clinking of dishes and the gentle rustling of Orion Black moving about.
Orion, ever the concerned father, noticed his eldest son's discomfort immediately. He set down the kettle he had been holding and walked over to Sirius, tapping his arm lightly. "Sirius," he said in his deep, soothing voice, as if that alone could ease his son's suffering.
Sirius looked up slowly, his stormy gray eyes bloodshot and weary. Orion was standing there with a warm cup of tea in his hand, the steam curling gently into the air, carrying the scent of chamomile and honey. "Drink this," Orion said, pressing the cup into Sirius's hands with a small, encouraging smile.
Sirius took the cup, grateful for even the smallest gestures. "Thanks, Papa," he mumbled, his voice hoarse. The warmth of the tea was a small comfort, and he coughed lightly as he brought the cup to his lips, savoring the calming effect it had on his raw throat.
Before Orion could say anything more, Regulus stumbled into the kitchen. His movements were unsteady as he grabbed the edge of the counter for support, his face etched with discomfort. At a week before his own due date, Regulus wasn't faring much better than Sirius. His dark hair fell into his eyes, and his hand rested protectively on his stomach, which had swelled noticeably in the last few weeks. He looked pale and nauseous, and a low groan escaped him as he made his way to the chair beside Sirius.
"Morning," Regulus muttered, his voice thick with exhaustion as he rubbed his stomach in slow circles, trying to soothe the relentless nausea that seemed to plague him more with each passing day.
Sirius, despite his own misery, lifted his head slightly and gave his younger brother a tired but sympathetic look. "Morning," he replied softly. There was a deep understanding between them, an unspoken bond that had only grown stronger as they both navigated their pregnancies together. They didn't need to exchange many words to know how the other was feeling. They were twins, after all—what one felt, the other seemed to experience in some way too.
Sirius reached out a hand, resting it on Regulus's knee. "You look as bad as I feel," he joked weakly, though his eyes softened with concern. Regulus chuckled lightly, though it was cut short by another groan as a wave of nausea rolled over him.
"Don't remind me," Regulus muttered, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes for a moment, his hand still rubbing his stomach in a rhythmic motion. He looked as if he could fall asleep right there, but he was too uncomfortable to find any real rest. The past few months had been tough on both of them, but they had leaned on each other for support. Where one of them faltered, the other was always there, a silent pillar of strength.
They had always been close, but this experience had brought them even closer. Throughout their lives, Sirius had been the protector, the one who fought battles for Regulus when they were younger. But now, they were in this together, side by side, sharing their fears and their discomforts. There was a unique kind of comfort in knowing that no matter what happened, they had each other.
Orion watched his sons from across the room, his heart heavy with both pride and concern. He knew how hard this was for them, but he was endlessly proud of how they supported one another. "You two have always been inseparable," he said softly, walking over to the table and placing a gentle hand on Regulus's shoulder.
Sirius smiled faintly, looking over at Regulus with a fondness that only siblings who have been through everything together could understand. "I'd be lost without him," Sirius admitted, his voice low but sincere.
Regulus opened his eyes, turning his head slightly to look at his brother. Despite the exhaustion etched on his face, there was a softness in his expression as well. "And I'd be lost without you," he replied quietly. "You're the only one who gets it, who gets me."
The weight of their words hung in the air for a moment, heavy with the years of shared experiences, of battles fought together, and of the unbreakable bond they had. In this moment, despite the physical and emotional exhaustion, there was comfort in knowing they weren't facing this alone.
Sirius glanced at Regulus's hand, still resting on his swollen stomach, and then back to his own. "Almost there," he whispered, though it felt more like a reminder to himself than anything else. "We've just got to hold on a little longer."
Regulus nodded, though the small gesture was filled with weariness. "Yeah," he whispered back, though his tone hinted at the doubt they both shared. It was hard to hold on when every moment felt like an eternity, but as long as they had each other, they knew they could make it through.
Orion, sensing their need for peace, gently squeezed Regulus's shoulder before turning to leave them alone. "I'll be nearby if you need anything," he said quietly, his deep voice filled with the warmth of a father who had seen his children grow up far too fast.
As Orion left the kitchen, Sirius leaned his head back down on his arms, but this time, he reached across the table, taking Regulus's hand in his own. They sat in silence, the weight of their shared experiences pressing down on them, but there was comfort in knowing they weren't alone. Even in their quietest moments, their bond remained unshakable—twins, brothers, and best friends, facing whatever came next together.