Articus sat at the kitchen table, watching Orion pace the room. His son had been restless all morning, his usual composure completely unraveled by the unrelenting discomfort of late pregnancy. Orion's hand never left his belly, rubbing it absently as if to soothe the constant pressure. The tension in the air was palpable.
Articus had been putting off this conversation, dreading the inevitable response. But it couldn't be avoided any longer. The rest of the Black family had been asking to see Orion for weeks now, and Articus had managed to fend them off, citing his son's need for rest. But their insistence had only grown louder, and now, there was no more delaying.
With a heavy sigh, Articus finally spoke, his voice low and cautious. "Orion... the family wants to see you."
Orion stopped in his tracks, mid-step, and turned to face his father. His eye twitched in annoyance, and a sharp frown tugged at his lips. "No," he said immediately, his voice tight and unyielding. "I'm not dealing with them right now."
Articus had expected this response, but it didn't make it any easier. He glanced at his son, trying to gauge how to approach the situation delicately. Orion was clearly at the end of his rope—his patience had worn thin, and the last thing he needed was more stress. But the family wouldn't take no for an answer, and Articus wasn't sure how long he could continue stalling them.
"I know you're tired," Articus began carefully, his tone gentle, "but they're asking for you. They haven't seen you in weeks, and they're worried—"
"I don't care," Orion interrupted, his voice rising slightly. He turned away, his arms wrapping protectively around his belly as if shielding himself from the very thought of more visitors. "I'm tired. I'm cranky. I can't deal with them right now, Father. Please."
The sharpness of his words made Articus wince. He could see the tension building in Orion's shoulders, the way his jaw clenched in frustration. It was clear that the thought of facing the family—especially in his current state—was too much for him.
Orion's voice cracked as he spoke again, this time softer, pleading. "I'm begging you, Dad. Don't make me do this. I don't have the energy for their questions, their judgment, or their opinions. I just… I just want to be left alone."
Articus's heart ached at the sight of his son's distress. He could see the exhaustion written all over Orion's face—the dark circles under his eyes, the tight line of his mouth, the way he rubbed at his temples as if the very thought of interacting with anyone outside of their little bubble was too much to bear.
Articus sighed, running a hand through his hair as he tried to find the right words. He wanted to protect Orion from the family's demands, but he was also caught in the middle, torn between his son's needs and the pressure from the rest of the Black household.
"I understand, Orion. I do," Articus said softly, stepping closer to his son. "And if it were up to me, I'd keep them away until after the baby's born. But you know how they are. They're not going to stop asking. Maybe… maybe just a short visit, something quick, just to put their minds at ease?"
Orion shook his head, his hand gripping the edge of the counter as if steadying himself. "I said no, Father. I can't. Not today. I can't handle their comments or their prying. I'm barely holding it together as it is."
The desperation in Orion's voice was unmistakable, and it cut deep into Articus's heart. He reached out, placing a comforting hand on his son's shoulder, feeling the tension thrumming beneath his skin.
"Alright," Articus relented softly. "Alright, Orion. I won't push you. If you need more time, I'll tell them you're resting. I'll make sure they understand."
Orion closed his eyes, letting out a slow breath as he leaned into his father's touch. He was grateful, even if he couldn't find the words to express it. He had been dreading the thought of a family visit for days now, and the mere idea of sitting through their questions, their thinly veiled judgment, was enough to send his anxiety through the roof.
"Thank you," Orion whispered, his voice barely audible. "I just… I can't right now."
Articus nodded, his hand squeezing Orion's shoulder gently. "I know, son. I know. You don't have to explain. You're doing everything you can right now, and that's enough."
For a moment, the tension in the room seemed to ease, the weight of the impending family visit lifting slightly as Articus reassured his son. But even as they stood there in the quiet of the kitchen, both of them knew that this reprieve was temporary. The family would keep pressing, and sooner or later, they would have to find a way to face them.
But for now, Articus was content to shield Orion from their demands, at least for a little while longer.
