Orion's eyes flew open with a start, his entire body tensing as a sudden, sharp pain seared through his abdomen. He gasped, the breath escaping his lungs in a staccato of frightened cries. His heart raced, and his vision blurred slightly as he struggled to make sense of the excruciating sensation that had jolted him from his sleep.
"Holy shit," he exclaimed, his voice a mix of shock and pain. His hands flew to his stomach, gripping it tightly as if trying to hold the pain at bay. He writhed against the couch, the pressure and discomfort intensifying, making it nearly impossible for him to remain still.
Articus, jolted awake by Orion's sudden distress, immediately moved into action. He felt Orion's body convulsing slightly against him and recognized the signs of an intense contraction. His heart pounded in his chest as he quickly shifted, sitting up and turning Orion so that he could face him fully.
"Orion!" Articus's voice was filled with alarm and concern. "What's happening? Are you okay?"
Orion's face was contorted with pain, his breaths coming in short, sharp gasps. He moaned softly, the sound muffled as he buried his face in the cushions, trying to find some relief from the overwhelming pain. His grip on his stomach tightened, his knuckles white against his pale skin.
"It hurts so much," Orion managed to say between gasps. "It's—oh god—it's really hurting."
Articus quickly placed a steadying hand on Orion's shoulder, his other hand moving to rub soothing circles on his lower back. He could feel the muscles there tensed up, the usual ache now replaced by a violent, pulsing pain. Articus's own anxiety was palpable, but he forced himself to stay calm, knowing that his son needed him now more than ever.
"Just breathe, Orion," Articus urged gently, his voice steady despite the worry in his eyes. "I know it's painful, but try to focus on your breathing. Slow, deep breaths."
Orion's breathing was ragged, and he struggled to follow his father's advice. Each breath seemed to catch in his throat, the pain making it difficult to concentrate on anything other than the relentless pressure building in his abdomen. He moaned again, the sound low and guttural, as another wave of pain swept through him.
Articus continued to rub his son's back, his touch as soothing as he could manage. He kept glancing at Orion's face, noting the beads of sweat forming on his forehead, the flushed color of his cheeks. He could see how much effort it was taking for Orion to deal with the pain, and his heart ached for him.
"Let me get the healer," Articus said, his voice tinged with urgency. "Hold on just a bit longer. I'll be right back."
Orion nodded weakly, though he wasn't sure if he could speak through the intensity of the pain. Articus quickly moved to fetch the healer, his steps hurried but controlled as he made his way to the door.
As soon as Articus left, Orion's pain seemed to spike again, a fresh wave crashing over him. He clenched his teeth, his body trembling as he tried to ride out the contraction. He shifted slightly, trying to find a position that might alleviate some of the discomfort, but nothing seemed to help.
Moments later, the healer arrived, their calm presence a stark contrast to the turmoil Orion was experiencing. They quickly assessed the situation, their eyes flicking between Orion's pale, sweating face and the tense, pained expression that contorted his features.
"Alright, Orion," the healer said in a soothing, professional tone. "I need you to focus on your breathing. I'm going to check on you and see what's happening."
The healer moved with practiced ease, their hands gentle but firm as they placed them on Orion's abdomen, feeling for any signs of complications. Orion flinched at their touch, the pain still radiating through him in sharp, unpredictable bursts.
Articus hovered close by, his worry evident in the way he shifted from foot to foot, his hands fidgeting anxiously. He watched as the healer worked, hoping for some relief for his son.
"These contractions are intense, but it's likely a part of the normal process," the healer said after a moment, their voice calm and reassuring. "They're not necessarily a sign of anything going wrong, but we need to monitor you closely. Try to stay as relaxed as possible."
Orion nodded, his eyes squeezing shut as he focused on taking deep breaths, trying to ease the pain. The healer's presence was comforting, and he clung to their words, hoping for some respite.
Articus reached out, placing a comforting hand on Orion's shoulder. "You're doing great," he said softly, his voice filled with unwavering support. "Just keep breathing. We're here with you."
Orion managed a weak, grateful smile, though the pain was still intense. He let out a shuddering breath, trying to follow the healer's advice as best as he could. The sensation of Articus's hand on his shoulder, the healer's soothing words, and the steady presence of his father were small comforts amidst the storm of pain that was engulfing him.
