The drawing room was no longer a haven but a battlefield, filled with the echoes of Orion's ragged cries. The fire cast restless shadows on the walls as if mirroring the turmoil within him. Orion paced the room with unsteady, trembling steps, his stubbornness etched into every strained movement.

"Stop telling me to lie down!" he snapped, glaring at Articus with fiery determination. "I'm not going to sit there like some invalid."

Articus trailed after him, his hands half-raised as if to catch him at any moment. "Orion, you're pushing yourself too hard. Just rest for a minute—"

"I don't need to rest!" Orion cut him off, his voice cracking with the strain of the pain coursing through him. He braced himself against the back of a chair, his knuckles white as he clung to it for support. His breaths came in sharp, shallow gasps, but he refused to give in. "If I sit still, it'll just get worse."

Articus watched helplessly as his brother staggered forward, clutching at his abdomen as another cramp hit. Orion's face twisted in agony, but he bit down on his lip, stubbornly refusing to cry out.

"Orion, please," Articus pleaded, stepping closer. "You're only making it harder on yourself."

"Harder?!" Orion's laugh was hollow, almost hysterical. "You think lying down will magically make this better? Don't patronize me, Articus!" His knees buckled slightly, and he caught himself on the edge of the mantle, his head bowing as he gasped for air.

Articus reached for him, his voice soft but firm. "You're in no condition to be walking around like this. Just let me help you."

Orion straightened with a wince, swiping at the sweat dripping down his temple. "I don't need your help," he muttered, though his voice lacked its usual conviction. He took another shaky step forward, only to freeze as a sudden gush of warmth soaked his trousers.

He let out a startled cry, his hand flying to his stomach. "What the—? Oh, Merlin!" His wide, panicked eyes met Articus's. "I'm wet!"

Articus moved quickly, grabbing his brother's arm to steady him. "It's your water breaking," he explained, his calm tone belying the urgency in his movements. "This is it, Orion. Things are moving forward."

"No, no, no," Orion stammered, his stubborn facade cracking as panic clawed its way to the surface. He gripped Articus's arm tightly, his breaths coming in uneven gasps. "I'm not ready. This isn't—I can't do this!"

Articus wrapped an arm around his brother, guiding him toward the couch despite Orion's resistance. "You can do this, Orion. You're stronger than you think, even if you don't believe it right now."

Orion's legs buckled as another wave of pain hit, forcing him to sit. His trembling hands fisted in his lap, and his head fell forward as he fought against the sobs threatening to break free. "It's too much," he whispered, his voice raw with exhaustion. "I don't know how much more I can take."

Articus knelt beside him, his hands steady as he began gathering towels. "You don't have to do this alone," he said firmly, his voice a steady anchor in the chaos. "I'm here. I'll be here for as long as it takes."

Orion looked up at him, his tear-streaked face filled with both defiance and desperation. For a moment, it seemed as though he might argue, but instead, he simply nodded, his shoulders sagging in reluctant surrender.

The room, now a chaotic mix of tension and determination, seemed to close in around them. The fire crackled on, its warmth a stark contrast to the cold sweat beading on Orion's brow. Articus stayed by his side, ready to catch him if he tried to rise again, determined to see his brother through the ordeal, whether Orion liked it or not.

The dimly lit room was a swirl of tension and movement, with Orion pacing relentlessly across the wooden floor. The faint glow of the fire reflected off the beads of sweat glistening on his pale skin. Despite the agony twisting his features, he refused to sit, let alone lie down.

"Orion, please, you need to rest," Articus urged, trailing behind him with outstretched hands, ready to catch him at any moment. His voice was calm but edged with frustration.

"I can't rest!" Orion snapped, throwing a glare over his shoulder as another contraction seized his body. He hunched over briefly, his hand pressing against the small of his back as he hissed through gritted teeth. "Sitting still makes it worse. I need to move."

Articus ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. "You're exhausting yourself. You're going to need your strength—"

"I'm fine!" Orion shot back, his voice tight with pain and stubborn defiance. He resumed his pacing, each step heavy and unsteady, his free hand braced against the wall for support. His breaths came in short, ragged bursts, and his legs trembled with every contraction, but he refused to stop.

A sudden gush of warm liquid soaked through his trousers, and Orion froze mid-step. His wide eyes darted down, panic flickering across his face. "Shit," he muttered, his voice shaking. "My water just broke, didn't it?"

Articus stepped forward, his movements deliberate and calm despite the growing tension in the room. "Yes, it did," he confirmed, gently placing a hand on Orion's arm. "That means you're getting closer. But you need to let me check your dilation."

"No." Orion shook his head vehemently, stepping away from his brother's touch. "I'm not lying down for that. It'll hurt more, and I can't take that right now."

"Orion," Articus said firmly, his patience beginning to fray. "I can't help you properly if I don't know how far along you are. This isn't up for debate."

Orion glared at him, his jaw tight with defiance. "You can check while I'm standing, then."

Articus stared at him, caught between exasperation and admiration for his brother's sheer stubbornness. "You're impossible," he muttered under his breath. "Fine, but you need to stand still."

Orion braced himself against the wall, his breaths uneven as he leaned forward slightly. Articus worked quickly and efficiently, his hands steady despite the tension crackling in the air. "You're at 8 centimeters," he said after a moment, his tone both relieved and encouraging. "You're doing so well, sweet boy. Just a little longer."

Orion's shoulders sagged, a mix of exhaustion and determination flickering in his eyes. "It still hurts like hell," he muttered, wiping at his damp forehead. "I don't know how much more of this I can take."

"You can take as much as you need to," Articus said softly, stepping back to give him space. "You're stronger than you think, Orion. Just keep breathing and walking if that's what you need to do. But let me stay close. Please."

Orion gave a small, reluctant nod, resuming his slow, uneven pacing. Each step seemed to take monumental effort, but he pushed forward, his hand trailing along the wall for balance. Articus stayed a step behind him, his heart heavy with worry but his resolve unwavering.

The fire crackled softly in the background, its warmth contrasting with the tension that filled the room. As Orion pressed on, his stubbornness keeping him moving through the pain, Articus stayed by his side, ready to catch him if his strength faltered.

Together, they braced for what was still to come, the quiet determination between them a fragile but unyielding thread.