《A/n: I'm sorry I'm slacking off a bit, just struggling on how I want to type these chapters out as of late. Thank you for your patience ♡ (though this chapter is shorter than others and I is sad from it) 》

You stared at the sketch in frustration.

You wanted to release your stress not make matters worse by making yourself more upset.

A month and a half had passed, much to your discomfort. You had always been one to share things that bothered you, it always felt better to share the weight with at least one person than keep it to carry.

Your sketch looked so... wrong, something needed to change or your proportions were off. It was frustrating to feel that your art didn't look right.

You sighed, putting your pencil and sketchpad down.

You needed a walk, or something to calm your nerves.

To experience your's and Michael's reunion was, awkward yet sweet to say.

He had noticed your discomfort, and you were glad he choose to respect the privacy by not asking about it.

With your sign in asking, flashing him the puppy dog eyes, he had (much reluctantly) agreed to cuddling for the rest of your time together.

You had noticed how he had been stiff too, and much like he had, you didn't ask about it.

•▪°○°▪•

Two months...

It had almost been two months and you had done yourself a lot of private research on the matter of pregnancy.

Happy? Yes.

Terrified? Absolutely.

There was no end to the stress for the expectation.

But you realized there isn't that big of an expectation, other than the baby themselves, you just need the right furniture and necessities...

You needed to tell someone asap.

It was Keith who broke down before you did.

"What is seriously going on with you, (Y/n)?!" He exclaims as he walks into your room with worry and concern painted clear as crystals on his face. "You seriously look stressed and mentally drained as hell and I'm fuckin' worried."

You looked down, guilty from the words. "I... I realize that. Sorry, okay?" You sign, still not looking up. "Can you give me until dinner?"

He huffs, clearly impatient as he had been waiting so long; been so worried.

You felt bad. Completely guilty from it, but you had your reasons too.

So he sighs, nodding slowly and without another sound leaves, shutting the door behind him.

You sat upon your bed, just trying to compose yourself enough, to gather enough courage to tell him. Your own brother.

By the time dinner came around, you were sure anxiety flooded from your form. Keith sure tensed up by it when you entered the dining room, finding your own serving of food ready for you.

You sat down, not picking up your fork or spoon.

"Go ahead." He breaks the thick silence with two words like a knife.

You don't meet his eye, but you begin to sign. "I didn't want to share this with you for a few reasons- not because I don't trust you -just because it was very hard news finding out about..."

"Did someone pass away?" He rose a brow, still just as confused when you shook your head.

"I'm pregnant."

"Oh."

"Yeah..." You shifted your weight.

Keith brows knit together, "with who I think it is?"

You grin sheepishly, taking hold of the fork and spoon. You took it as a good sign that he hasn't reacted badly yet.

"That wasn't what I was expecting... but I see now why you look so stressed, why you took so long to tell me." He sighs, "look, on one end, I'm really happy for you. On the other, that's a lot of work and process to go through, and you'll need to buy all those baby stuff... and well, what about Michael. Have you told him yet?"

You shook your head, "no, I... I'm scared for how he'd react."

"Understandable," Keith plays back in his chair, crossing his arms and continues; "but if he cares about you then he wouldn't lash out." You nod when he pauses, so he continues again. "I'm not saying you have to tell him the next time you meet him, when you're ready... but don't say it too late, sooner the easier."

You swallow, "okay."

He gives you a small comforting smile, "seriously, believe me when I say I'm happy for you. I'll help you with almost anything I can alright? The least you could do for me is too tell Michael. Okay?"

You almost tear up, smiling you stood and walked to the other side of the table and enveloped your younger brother in a bone crushing hug.

"Ah! Jesus (Y/n) when did you become so strong?" He laughed while patting you on the back. "So I guess... you lost your card first."

Your face turned red, smacking the side of his arm. "Shut up." You signed, stepping back.

He broke into laughter, shooing you back to your chair. "Come on, you better finish that. Since your eating for two and all."

You huff, a smile still present as you began to eat the meal.

Keith hummed in thought, "I can save up some money to help you with necessities, like diapers, clothes, and stuff." He offers, to which you shake your head.

The child is your responsibility, and Michael's if he accepts it, otherwise Keith didn't have to buy anything.

"Hey, look, what if I wanted to?" He smiles, "I'll help with what I can, but you can help me by taking better care and relax for a while."

You sigh, nodding your head, he's not wrong. You think as you take another bite.

The more Keith talked, the more excitement showed in his voice. About being an uncle and all, which made you break into a laugh. Telling him, "good luck with handling the babysitting." Just to tease with him, though it seemed to make him light up even more.

You felt more comfortable speaking about it with him, though you mostly just listened to him speak.

Maybe a child isn't that bad to think about.

•▪°○°▪•

Michael approached you with the intent to talk, two days after your talk with Keith.

At first you were startled, it never occurred to you that Freddy could have told him. Though when you thought about it, Michael would have approached you on the matter sooner.

With that out of the picture, you still knew it was just as important. You could tell, even without seeing the full expression, his eyes said a lot.

So you sat back in the Strode house, waiting for Michael to hand you the note book he had been writing on quickly. You wondered how his hand writing isn't sloppy from how fast he writes.

Then the paper was handed to you.

I was given a deal, and I wanted your opinion before a decision is made.

In exchange to keep you safe from trials, the Entity stated it'd take you and trap you here like the rest of us. Though I am well aware you have other things and people who care for you outside of this realm.

I want you to be safe, out of harm's way.

What do you want?

The question stuck to you.

It hurt, because this could provide safety to your child too. But would you want to be trapped here as well? Your last strands of freedom from actually being taken permanently.

And yet you haven't been physically harmed, after the (nearly) two months the baby wasn't harmed.

That must be what the Trapper meant, the bracelet had some sort of protection ward.

It was selfish to want to still be able to wake up, to eat breakfast with Keith, take morning jogs, and visiting Leah and Amélia.

It was selfish to wish the ability out of trials and still be able to wake up to a morning in your life.

A line from a book flashed through your mind; "Sometimes we need to make choices we don't want too."

And yet you felt as though you couldn't.

Would this be a good time to even mention the child? To finally confess that you were indeed pregnant?

"Baby." You signed, shaking your head before correcting yourself, "would you ever want a child?"

Michael tilts his head, as though he wanted you to get on with it. Not answering the question.

"Michael..." You frown, meeting his eye. "I'm pregnant Michael. With your child."

He froze, you saw his eyes widen from behind the mask, and he turns his head away.

You held your breath, prepared for anything. Anything than the deathly silence and thick tension in the air. You'd rather him be mad than not react at all.

With a pale face and wide eyes, you feel your world crumble around the two of you when he stands, not looking back towards you until he's right by the door.

His head turned back to glance at you, and without a sound he walks outside.

No... no no no...

"Michael?!" You try to whisper, only a breath escaping. Your fists clench, eyes tearing up.

With the grit of your teeth you rushed to the front door, swinging it open to find Michael gone from sight.

A broken silent sob left your lips, and you sunk down on the wood of the porch.

Broken, and betrayed.