Exhaustion was settling deep into Sirius's bones. His body, worn from the relentless contractions, longed for even a brief moment of relief. As he swayed in Orion's arms, the rhythmic motion of their dance became soothing, almost hypnotic. Sirius let his eyes drift closed, resting his head against his father's shoulder. The pain was still there, but the warmth of Orion's embrace offered a small measure of comfort.

Orion held him close, his hand gently rubbing Sirius's back. The room was quiet, save for the soft sound of their breathing and the faint rustle of fabric as they moved. For a moment, everything felt peaceful. Sirius allowed himself to relax, leaning into his father's steady presence.

But the peace was fleeting. A sudden, intense contraction ripped through Sirius's body, jerking him awake with a sharp cry. Pain flared, blinding and all-consuming. His eyes flew open, and instinctively, he tried to curl in on himself, desperately seeking some escape from the agony.

"Sirius!" Orion's voice was urgent but calm as he tightened his grip, holding his son steady. "I've got you. Just breathe through it. I'm right here."

Sirius whimpered, his body trembling as he struggled to manage the pain. He could feel Orion's arms around him, strong and protective, but the pain was so overwhelming that it was hard to focus on anything else. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes, and he buried his face against his father's chest, seeking solace.

"Lean on me, Sirius," Orion murmured, his voice steady and filled with quiet strength. "You're not alone. We'll get through this."

Orion's words, along with the steady pressure of his embrace, became a lifeline. Sirius clung to him, breathing raggedly as the contraction gradually subsided. The pain lingered, a dull throb that echoed through his body, but it was bearable with Orion's unwavering support.

As the contraction passed, Sirius let out a shuddering sigh. His muscles relaxed slightly, though the tension of the recent pain still clung to him. He stayed close to Orion, drawing comfort from his father's presence. The fear and pain were still there, but so was the love and strength that Orion provided.

In that moment, Sirius knew he could face whatever came next. With Orion by his side, he had the strength to endure, even as the labor continued. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for the next wave, but feeling a little more prepared, knowing his father would be there every step of the way.

The hours stretched endlessly as Sirius labored on. His contractions were now coming every fifteen minutes, each one a reminder of the long journey ahead. The brief moments of relief between the waves of pain gave him little time to rest, and exhaustion began to take its toll.

Sirius's eyelids drooped, his body heavy with fatigue. He leaned into Orion, finding comfort in the warmth of his father's presence. Each contraction drained more of his energy, and he found himself wishing for just a brief reprieve, a moment of peace.

Orion noticed the weariness in Sirius's eyes, the way his son's body sagged with exhaustion. Gently, he guided Sirius to a nearby chair, helping him to sit. "Here, let's take a moment to rest," Orion said softly, kneeling in front of him. He reached for a glass of water on the table and held it to Sirius's lips. "Drink, my sweet boy. You need to stay hydrated."

Sirius took a few sips, the cool water providing a small but welcome relief. His hand shook slightly as he held the glass, his fingers brushing against Orion's. The simple gesture grounded him, a reminder of his father's unwavering support.

"Thanks, Dad," Sirius murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. He leaned back in the chair, trying to relax his aching muscles. The minutes between contractions seemed both too short and too long—too short to truly rest, too long with the looming pain of the next wave.

Orion sat beside him, his hand resting gently on Sirius's knee. "You're doing so well, Sirius," he said, his voice filled with pride and love. "Just keep breathing through it. You're strong, and I'm here with you."

Sirius nodded, though his eyes were beginning to glaze over with exhaustion. The reassurance helped, but he couldn't deny how tired he felt. His body felt heavy, his mind fogged with fatigue. He closed his eyes, focusing on the steady rhythm of his breathing, trying to remain calm.

Another contraction hit, rolling through him like a tidal wave. Sirius's eyes snapped open, and he gasped, gripping Orion's hand tightly. The pain was sharp and intense, stealing his breath away. He tried to breathe through it, just as Orion had taught him, but the exhaustion made it harder to concentrate.

Orion squeezed his hand, his other hand moving to rub Sirius's back in slow, soothing circles. "I'm right here, Sirius," he said softly, his voice a constant anchor. "Just breathe. You're doing so well."

Sirius's breaths came in short, ragged gasps as he rode out the contraction. His body trembled with the effort, but he focused on Orion's touch, on the steady presence of his father. The pain began to ease, leaving behind a dull, lingering ache.

As the contraction subsided, Sirius slumped back in the chair, his body shaking with exhaustion. He closed his eyes again, feeling tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. "I don't know if I can do this," he whispered, his voice cracking with fatigue.

Orion cupped his face, his touch gentle and reassuring. "Yes, you can, Sirius. You're strong, and you've already come so far. Just take it one contraction at a time. I'm with you, every step of the way."

Sirius nodded weakly, drawing comfort from his father's words. Despite the pain and overwhelming fatigue, he knew that Orion's strength would carry him through. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the next contraction, determined to keep going, no matter how tired he felt.