[#] So Marcus and Carlie did the deal and we got a glance where Marcus' sword is, so today we're gonna talk… some jerry spring stuff.
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COMMENTS:
Bladewing4390:
I JUST finished rereading this story, and half-an-hour after I leave the site, I get an email telling me there's an update. Talk about impeccable timing..
Avip:
I wish I could plan like that for real.
BadgeJake_Kloiber:
the bed looks like a gaping maw of a momster mimicking a bed to lure in victims.( im gonna have nightmares tonight! ).
Avip:
Me: Last night was magical.
GF: Aaaah, that's sweet.
Me: No bitch, the bed became a MIMIC!
Nightcore4lyfe:
I gotta ask but at some point in the future are we gonna go on a murder spree to get the sword that's keeping the city powered back?
Avip:
I have plans for the sword, it will take some time cuz... time with anthro girls is nice.
[#*#*# Chapter Start #*#*#]
[Point of view: Marcus Carvalho]
Things got a bit out of hand in the morning, so we missed our intended check-out. So I had to pay for an extra stay plus repairs for the bed and wall.
With the bill paid, Carlie and I went for breakfast, followed by a trip to the pharmacy to buy some pregnancy tests for Tigress.
Now I'm pacing back and forth in Edith's living room, the wooden floor creaking under my feet.
"Come on, Marcus," I mutter to myself, sweating bullets. "You've faced lava slimes in an erupting volcano, tanked an elemental storm of fire and glass, for crying out loud… you can handle this."
But my body reacts differently from my words. My heart hammers against my ribs. I try to steady my breathing, but for some reason my lungs refuse to cooperate.
I sit sinking onto the couch, the cushions sighing under my weight. I lean forward, elbows on knees, head in hands. My fingers tangle in my sweaty hair, gripping tightly on my skull, as if the pressure can squeeze out the anxiety.
I sigh, a long, drawn-out exhale that leaves me deflated.
"I could be a dad," I murmur, the words tasting foreign yet strangely sweet on my tongue.
On my second live In Galbraza, this wouldn't have been an issue. Suzi always handled it with her anticonceptive magic, ensuring my harem was well-protected. But here, in this world, things are different. There's no magic to fall back on, no easy solutions.
"I could be a dad," I repeat, the phrase hangs heavy in the air, a weight settling on my shoulders.
As the reality settles, I realize the churning in my gut isn't dread. It's the jittery anticipation of a challenge, like the moments before a heavyweight fight or a final exam.
I stand, begin to pace again, but this time, there's a lightness in my step. A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth, unbidden.
"I could be a dad." I repeat again.
The thought sends a thrill through me, a warmth spreading from my chest outwards. I've faced dragons, slayed demons, saved kingdoms, but this... this is something new.
I pause mid-step, turn to look at the bathroom door. Carlie's in there, the test in her hands. Our future, held in a tiny plastic stick. I swallow hard, my heart pounding. But it's not anxiety anymore. It's anticipation.
"Carlie," I call out for the Anthro inside, my voice steady, sure. "Whatever it says, we'll handle it together."
There's a pause, then a soft voice answer.
"Thank you, Marcus." Carlie says through the door.
I nod, even though she can't see me.
I feel like I'm ready. Ready for whatever comes next. Ready to be a dad. And with that realization, I find peace. For now, at least.
The front door creaks open, interrupting my thoughts. In stumbles Edith, arms laden with bulging shopping bags. She kicks the door shut, grunting with effort as she lugs her haul towards the couch. I raise an eyebrow at the logos on the bags' content, looking like most is gaming gear, top-of-the-line stuff.
"Hey, Edith. Went for a shopping spree?" I ask, nodding towards the bags.
She dumps them unceremoniously on the floor, then straightens, turning to face me. There's a strange look in her eyes, something wild. I open my mouth to ask what's wrong, but she cuts me launching herself at my body, arms wrapping tight around my neck.
"Thank you, Marcus," she mumbles into my shoulder, voice thick with emotion. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
I stiffen, surprised by her sudden display of affection. Then, slowly, I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. She trembles against me, her breath hot on my neck.
"You're welcome, I guess?" I murmur confused. "What's all this about?"
She pulls back, just enough to look me in the eye. Tears brim in hers, threatening to spill over.
Edith's eyes bore into mine, intense and unblinking. She's close, too close, her breath hot on my face. I can see every freckle dusting her nose, every glint of light in her eyes.
"Marcus," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "You blew into my life like a storm, and turned everything upside down."
I chuckle, embarrassed, looking away from her piercing gaze.
"Yeah, I have a habit of doing that," I admit, rubbing the back of my neck. "Sorry about that."
But Edith doesn't laugh with me. Instead, she reaches up, pressing a single finger to my lips. Her touch is soft, but there's a firmness behind it.
"Don't apologize," she says, her voice steady, sure. "You came saving my life, Marcus. Not just from those hyenas on the street, but from... from all the shit stuff happening to me."
I frown in confusion. I open my mouth to speak, but again, her finger presses gently against my lips, silencing me.
"Shh," she hushes, her eyes never leaving mine. "Let me finish."
I nod, falling silent. She drops her hand, but her gaze holds me captive.
"Before you, I was just... existing. Going through the motions, day after day. I was lonely, Marcus. So very lonely. But then you came crashing into my life, and suddenly, everything changed."
She pauses, her eyes drifting shut as she takes a deep breath. When she opens them again, there's a shine to them, a wetness that threatens to spill over.
"You showed me a world I never knew existed. A world of danger and excitement, of beauty and wonder. You introduced me to people I live close by but never interact with, you helped me without asking anything in return, and cheered up Gorete when she was depressed and almost thinking about resigning."
I swallow hard, a lump forming in my throat.
"Edith, what-." but she shushes me again, that damn finger pressing gently against my mouth. I sigh, the sound muffled against her skin.
"I got a promotion today, Marcus," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "With the biggest raise of my life. More money than I've ever seen."
'That's great news, sure, but why the intensity?' I think as I raise an eyebrow, surprised. 'Why the tears brimming in her eyes?'
"That's amazing, Edith," I say, my words slipping out from under her finger. "You deserve it. You work so hard, and-"
She cuts me off, her finger pressing firmer this time.
"That's not all," she continues, her voice steadier now. "Gorete and I, we got a new workshop, a bigger one. We are in charge of researching and building giant robots with a huuuuuuge budget. "
Her eyes sparkle as she speaks.
"I'm getting paid to build mechas!" Edith squeaks, excited. "It's a childhood dream come true."
I can't help but smile at the happy bunny girl, her excitement is infectious.
"That's great Edith, but-." I try again, but she's having none of it.
"No, Marcus," she insists. "Let me finish."
I sigh, defeated, and nod. She drops her hand, but her gaze holds me captive.
Edith's eyes shine with unshed tears, but her voice remains steady, resolved.
"I owe it all to you, Marcus. My knight in shining armor, who swept into my life and turned it upside down."
"Edith, I-."
She presses that finger to my lips, silencing me AGAIN.
"You're rude, you're crass, you eat too much, drink too much..." she pauses, a soft smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "But you're also happy, kind, gentle. Your smile lights up a room, Marcus. Your spirit, your personality, it pushes me forward, makes me want to be better, do better."
I blush by the sudden barrage of praise. I try to turn my head, to break her gaze, but she cups my cheek, holding me in place. I can't look away, can't escape the raw honesty in her eyes.
"Edith, what are you-?"
"Shh," she hushes me again. "I'm almost done."
I sigh, defeated, and she continues, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I understand, Marcus. I understand that you can't love me back, not the way I love you." She swallows hard, her eyes glistening. "And it hurts, Marcus. It hurts more than I can say. But I can't deny how I feel. I can't deny that I want to be a part of your life, no matter how crazy or chaotic it may be."
I open my mouth to finally say something to the bunny, but something catches our attention.
The bathroom door creaks open, drawing Edith's and my gaze. There, framed in the doorway, stands Carlie, her usually fierce eyes now puffy and red. She's clutching a small plastic stick, holding it up as if it's both a trophy and a curse. The symbol on the end glares at me, a bold, unmistakable plus sign.
"M-Marcus..." Carlie chokes out, her voice raw with emotion. Her lower lip trembles, and fresh tears spill down her cheeks. "I... I'm pregnant."
[Point of view: Edith Nivia]
I pace back and forth, my heart pounding like a kick drum. Carlie's sitting on the couch, still clutching that damn stick, her eyes wide with shock. She's trying to hold back tears, but they're slipping out anyway, trailing down her cheeks.
I can't look at her, can't look at that stick. Not yet.
"How... how did this happen?" I mutter, more to myself than anyone else.
It's a stupid question, I know. I know how it happened. But knowing and understanding are two different things.
Jason's on the floor, kneeling on both knees. He's holding a sign that says 'Bad Horny Male.'
"It just… kind of happened, Edith." Starts Marcus. "We woke up, we were sober, one thing led to another."
I stop, turn to him. My voice is steady, but my hands are shaking.
"Marcus, I'm not mad. I mean, we're not-." I sign, cutting myself off out of frustration. "Look, we're not serious or anything."
I take a deep breath, let it out slowly.
"But, Marcus... you couldn't have... I mean, why didn't you use a condom? Or… you know..." I can feel my face heating up, but I have to ask. I have to know. "Why didn't you pulled out?"
Marcus laughs, a nervous edge to it.
"I... was in leglock, I was also being scratched and bitten."
Carlie ducks her head, ears flattening.
"I'm sorry, Edith. I didn't mean to... I just..." She can't even finish, her voice small and shaky.
I look at her, then at Marcus. My voice is steady, but firm.
"Carlie, you should have controlled yourself. But Marcus..." I turn to him, my gaze unyielding. "You could lifted her with one finger. You could have pulled away."
Marcus's eyes meet mine for a second before he looks down. There's a tense silence. He knows I'm right. He doesn't even try to deny it.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me.
"Look, let's not jump to conclusions. We don't know for sure if you're pregnant, Carlie."
Carlie's head snaps up, ears perking.
"But I did the test, Edith. It was positive."
"I know, Carlie." I nod, choosing my words carefully. "But those pharmacy tests aren't always accurate. Especially this early."
Carlie's ears flatten against her head, but she nods.
"That's true." Admits the tigress. "I've heard false positives can happen."
I sit down next to her, my voice gentle but firm.
"And even if you are... we have options. We can find someone to... take care of it. With Marcus's money and connections, it shouldn't be hard to find a discreet professional, even if it's... against the law."
Carlie's eyes widen, shock etched across her face.
"No!" she gasps, her voice shaking.
I stare at her, taken aback. Marcus is frozen, his gaze fixed on Carlie. She takes a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling with the effort. When she speaks again, her voice is steady, resolved.
"If I'm pregnant, I will keep the baby."
The room falls silent. I can hear the clock ticking in the kitchen, the distant hum of traffic outside. Carlie's words hang in the air, heavy and immovable.
"Carlie-." I start, but she cuts me off, her voice firm.
"I know what you're going to say, Edith. But I want this."
She turns to Marcus, her eyes softening.
"You don't have to worry, Marcus. I can raise the baby on my own. With a child, mother will have to take me back into the family. I can go home, and you can... you can go back to your life."
Marcus's expression darkens. He steps closer, his voice low but intense.
"No, Carlie. If you're having my baby, there's no way I'm leaving you to raise it alone."
Carlie's ears flick back, surprise flashing across her face.
"B-But… you don't have to... I mean-."
He takes her hand, squeezes it gently.
"I can. And I will, if you're having my baby, Carlie, we're in this together."
I stare at them, Marcus and Carlie, their hands entwined, his gaze fierce and protective. A pang hits my chest, a sharp, bitter sting. I wrap my arms around myself, trying to rub away the ache, but it's no use.
'Why couldn't he look at me like that? Why couldn't he hold my hand, be gentle, be fierce, be anything for me? Why was it so easy for him to step up for her, but when it came to me, he hesitated, held back? Why wasn't I enough?'
The questions swirl in my mind, a whirlpool of doubt and insecurity. I try to push them away, to focus on the moment, on the reality of the situation. But they're insistent, demanding. They want answers. Answers I don't have.
Carlie's looking up at him, her eyes wide and shiny with unshed tears.
"You mean it, Marcus? You really mean it?"
He nods, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.
"Every word, Carlie. I won't leave you to do this alone."
A soft smile spreads across her lips, her ears perking up. She leans into him, her head resting on his shoulder. He slips an arm around her, pulling her close. It's intimate, tender. It hurts to watch.
I stand up, sudden and abrupt. They look up at me, surprise etched on their faces. I can't meet their eyes. I can't bear to see the happiness, the hope shining in them. Not when I feel like I'm breaking apart inside.
"I... I need some air," I mumble, already turning away. I can't stay here, can't watch this. Not right now.
"Edith, wait!"
I hear Marcus call after me, but I don't stop, I need to get away, need to breathe, need to think. I rush out the door, slamming it shut behind me. The noise echoes down the hallway, loud and final.
I lean against the wall, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps. I tip my head back, close my eyes, and try to calm down. But it's no use.
I'm just jealous of Carlie. It's painful, sharp and stabbing.
"Why her? Why not me?" I mutter crying.
I sink to the floor, my back sliding down the cool wall until I'm sitting, knees drawn up to my chest. I can't stop the tears, can't hold back the sobs that wrack my body.
"I should be happy, should be celebrating." I whisper in pain to myself. "I got the job, and the recognition I always wanted. So why do I feel so empty?"
[#*#*# Chapter End #*#*#]
E ai gurizada?
[#] So Carlie is pregnant? Probably… maybe… not sure… meh.
[#] Can't wait for the next update? Join my 'P(@)TRE-ON' for just $1 a month to read 5 chapters ahead of everyone else!
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[#] Next chapters already on my 'P(@)TRE-ON':
Chapter 28 - The Yandere Awakens
Chapter 29 - I can fix her
Chapter 30 - Not like that!
Chapter 31 - Her way
Chapter 32 - My way
[#] You can reach me on X/twitter, @AvipBr