Articus tightened his grip on Orion's hand, his expression filled with quiet pride. His son had been through so much already, and the end was in sight, but Articus knew this was the hardest part. He could see the pain and exhaustion etched on Orion's face, yet even now, there was a strength in his eyes that made Articus's chest swell with pride.
"You're doing so well, Orion," Articus murmured softly, his thumb brushing over the back of his son's hand. "I'm so proud of you."
Orion nodded faintly, though his face was tight with concentration. The contractions were coming faster now, each one more intense than the last. He could feel his body working hard, the pressure inside him becoming almost unbearable. His breathing was shallow, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he tried to hold on to the thin thread of control he had left.
Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he grimaced, trying to focus on his breathing as the next wave of pain began to rise. The healer had said it wouldn't be long now, but every second felt like an eternity. His hand clenched tighter around Articus's, seeking comfort and grounding in the midst of the chaos surging through his body.
Then, all at once, the pressure in his abdomen shifted dramatically. It felt like a dam was breaking inside him, and for a split second, there was an almost audible snap of release.
Orion gasped, his eyes flying open as a gush of warm liquid rushed down, soaking the blankets beneath him. His breath hitched, and a sharp groan escaped his lips as he clutched his stomach with his free hand. His water had broken.
"Holy…!" he panted, his voice strained, body trembling as the sensation overwhelmed him. The contraction hadn't even finished, and the sudden release of pressure made the pain feel even more intense. He squeezed Articus's hand with all the strength he could muster, the only sound in the room being his shallow, uneven breathing.
Articus's eyes widened for a moment, but he remained calm, his grip steady and unwavering. "It's alright, Orion. It's supposed to happen," he said reassuringly, though his voice carried a note of urgency. He could see how shaken Orion was, how much pain he was in, but his words remained calm and strong. "You're doing great."
The healer quickly moved forward, checking the situation with a practiced hand. "That's it, Orion," she said, her voice firm but soothing. "Your water's broken. It's all progressing exactly as it should."
Orion could barely focus on her words, his body still trembling from the contraction that hadn't fully passed yet. He felt the dampness soaking the sheets beneath him and the strange sensation of his stomach feeling somehow lighter but still wracked with pain. His body was preparing for the final stretch, but in the moment, all he could think about was how badly he wanted it to be over.
Articus leaned closer, his hand never leaving Orion's. "Just breathe, son. Breathe through it," he whispered, his voice a steady anchor in the storm of sensations overwhelming Orion.
With great effort, Orion took a deep breath, trying to follow his father's guidance. His muscles were tense, his body aching in ways he hadn't thought possible, but there was a small comfort in knowing that the end was near. He just had to hold on a little longer.
As the contraction finally began to ease, Orion slumped back against the pillows, his chest heaving with exhaustion. His legs felt weak, and his body was trembling from the intensity of the pain. But through it all, Articus was still there, his hand firm and warm, his presence the only thing grounding Orion in the chaos of his labor.
"You're almost there," Articus said softly, brushing a hand through Orion's sweat-soaked hair. "You're doing so well. Just a little longer, and it'll all be over."
Orion nodded weakly, his mind foggy with exhaustion. His water had broken, which meant that the final stage of labor was fast approaching. It wouldn't be long now. Soon, he would meet his child, and the pain would be a distant memory.
But right now, all he could think about was surviving the next contraction.
