FSE

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These days, there is peace in the Kuzuryuu household. Peko makes sure of that. Fuyuhiko does an amazing job at pissing himself off and stressing by himself, he doesn't need anyone else to help him, or do it for him. That's the reasoning she gives, anyway. In reality, Peko has her own fears about the upcoming birth of their cubs, and Fuyuhiko's well aware of this. That's partially why he lets it happen, going so far as to help her kick Natsumi out and make her go stay with her girlfriend, Sana Sato's, family for a while.

Fuyuhiko's... more than a little scared, too. The expectation has always been that, one day, he'll deliver an heir. Preferably more than one, if it can be helped. The Clan doesn't want to take chances, wants Fuyuhiko to have a healthy boy even if it takes decades, even if it takes too many litters. But Fuyuhiko has no intention of being a Togami. He says the firstborn of his first litter will be the heir no matter what, dammit. Even if they aren't a boy.

It's not like it should matter, Fuyuhiko and Peko both agree. After all, they assumed Fuyuhiko a girl when he was born, and Peko a boy, only for both assumptions to be switched when they got a little older. Foolish assumptions, really. Fuyuhiko has never been and will never be a woman. Peko has never been and will never be a man.

Even so, these are things Fuyuhiko has to remind himself as his belly grows with the lives he's made with himself and Peko.

At first, the fear is simply for his safety. They've only just graduated from Hope's Peak when they find out. Fuyuhiko very vividly remembers screaming and throwing the pregnancy test across the room when his suspicions were confirmed nearly nine months ago. His talent and occupation already puts him in enough danger, even with Peko's constant supervision and the help of some of his other men (though he prefers Peko, especially when it gets to the point where the curve of his belly is too big to hide even with a jacket). Being the shapeshifter head of the largest criminal syndicate in Japan isn't a safe life.

And then there's the fact of his size. Fuyuhiko will still slaughter anyone who insists he's small, or baby-faced, or child-like, but the possible strain of a litter on his body isn't something that can be ignored or denied. Peko isn't that big comparatively, and shifter babies tend to be smaller on average anyway, but the risk of damage from possibly carrying six cubs weighs heavy on everyone's mind until the first ultrasound.

Fuyuhiko and Peko are both glad for Mikan. She's never been one to judge, after all, and she does her duty without asking too many questions. She's able to explain through her stuttering exactly what's going to happen during the process, how Fuyuhiko's body is likely to change, what might happen after nine months of going off testosterone and what the future might hold.

He scoffs when she talks about how he might get more emotional, but that doesn't stop tears from welling in his eyes when he sees the ultrasound, hears his babies' heartbeats for the first time.

There's only two, thank all the gods, and both are healthy. There's no complications through the whole pregnancy, but there is one issue, at least for other members of the Kuzuryuu family: Fuyuhiko doesn't want to know the sexes of the cubs until they're born, and this drives everyone (especially Natsumi) save for Peko quite crazy. The reasoning behind his decision is clear: should both of his cubs be girls, he doesn't want to be pressured into planning for another litter right away. Normally, the endless lifespan of a shifter would mean he'd have plenty of time for future litters should he want them, but being yakuza means one never knows when their life will come to an unexpected end. Should he fail in producing a male heir, they'll want him to keep trying.

But Fuyuhiko stands firm in his choice. He isn't a tool, and neither is Peko. He makes sure to emphasize that emphatically and clearly.

Besides... pregnancy doesn't treat Fuyuhiko well. Between the intense nausea and cravings, mood swings, weight gain and near-constant back pain, he's not quite sure this is something he'd like to experience more than once. Having Peko there helps, yes, and he'd do just about anything for her, but she's going to have to beg to get him to go through this again.

At least for now, he supposes, he can relax. Fuyuhiko rests on his side in the grand nest he's built, head in Peko's lap as she strokes his hair. He's not as restless as many are before the births of their cubs; rather, he's been quite relaxed the past few days, which surprises everyone. Up until then, he was stressing and worrying and snapping at almost anyone who got too close. But now, he looks very much like a tame beast while Peko pets him gently.

After a few moments, he twitches an ear and flicks the tip of his tail, half-opening one eye blearily. Peko notices, because of course she does, and she looks down at him with worry reflected in her ruby eyes.

"'s okay," Fuyuhiko says before she can worry herself anymore than she already has. "They're moving, that's all." He shifts a little to rest more comfortably in Peko's lap, to get some of the pressure off his back from where the cubs are sitting. At least one of them is moving, though they aren't as rowdy as usual. Possibly just a reaction from being woken from their nap.

Tenderly, Peko rests a hand on his side, runs her thumb along the curve of his belly, and he lets her. He purrs softly, a rumbling sound from deep within his chest as she does. He's completely content right now, could probably stay there for hours until he goes back to sleep.

That is, until he gives a soft grunt and sucks a breath in sharply through his teeth. He stiffens only a little, but it's enough for Peko to notice. "Contraction?" She asks softly.

"Yeah. A little stronger." Fuyuhiko nods and shifts to push himself up, bracing his weight on his arms as he pushes himself up into a sitting position. "Came just a little faster, too."

"Do we need to call Mikan?" Peko's voice is still soft, but her growing anxiety is noticeable.

Fuyuhiko shakes his head. "Well -- let her know, but she doesn't need to be here yet." _I don't want anyone to see me vulnerable for longer than they need to _goes completely unsaid, but not unheard. It's not like he's in active labor just yet. He's been having small contractions for days, and it's likely that he has at least a few more hours before things start to get serious.

When Peko leaves the room for just a moment to call Mikan, Fuyuhiko looks down at his stomach and gives a heavy sigh. "Don't be in a rush to come out now, okay? I need another nap." His tone is mostly joking, but he does get a few kicks in "response" to his words. "Yeah, yeah. I hear you."

He leans back, rests his head against one of the many pillows in the nest and sighs. He's definitely ready to meet his children, ready for them to come out of him. He's just not entirely sure he's ready for everything that comes after that.