Pinky's Baby - Ch. 9

Aside from ten more emotional outbursts, seven being tears and depression and three being temper tantrums, and a second day of fever, Pinky felt that the final week of his pregnancy had gone rather well. Sara Bella had learned to sleep at night, so no kicking awoke him in the middle of the night any longer. And the alien still hadn't eaten her, so he was meeting his demands rather well. In fact, on that Friday, they both seemed so happy that it made the taller mouse happy too! For the whole day! That hadn't happened in a while, so he enjoyed it quite a bit, spending most of the day trying to snuggle, groom, and play with Brain in between bouts of coloring. Not that he didn't spend most of his days trying to cuddle with his husband, because egad, it was wonderful to be married!

So many wonderful things happened now that they were married. They were little things, but it didn't make them any less important in his eyes. Brain had always smelled good to him, he could always pick out his cagemate's scent in their home and be comforted by it, but it had shifted so subtly over the past two weeks. The hormones were probably the only reason he picked up on it, but it was so alluring that Pinky couldn't help the urge to rub against his fur and bury his face in the scent. It also spurred on his need to groom him whenever he stepped out of the cage. And Brain let him! Well, most of the time... sometimes, he supposed, it did get a little excessive. But he couldn't help it. The horgroans were infatuated and so was he.

But then one of the scientists had tugged on his tail to separate him from his husband and take him out of the cage, completely ruining his day. He'd been in the middle of some very important snuggling! And they hadn't even asked permission before whisking him away. Bad temper flaring, Pinky actually bit the one who held him, glaring up at him in an attempt to be taken back. But they just stuck him on a cold metal tray and shone bright lights in his eyes. How rude! Then they started poking him and touching his tummy and stuck him with a mean ol' jabby thing. It wasn't time to have the baby yet, Brain had said so that morning, so the scientists just needed to leave him alone.

Brain had sprung up immediately, had noticed the increased staring throughout the day and had hoped that staying in a back corner would keep them safe. But those scientists were determined and he didn't at all appreciate their placating cooing at him. He didn't need cooing; he needed Pinky. They had no need to check and make sure he was healthy. Brain had been doing that job just fine for nearly two weeks, and they could take Pinky when the baby was due Monday. Not...

Oh, dear, were they going to induce labor? Were they going to remove the baby early? It was too early! They still had three days! He paced along the bars, fur bristled, an angry growl escaping each time a human so much as glanced his way. They had better not be taking his baby out too soon! Cerebellum was still developing!

When the door opened and someone reached in to push Brain back, the small mouse immediately sank his teeth into his skin in retribution. He got a dark sort of satisfaction when the scientist swore at him and darted to Pinky the moment he was deposited back into their cage. He wrapped his arms tightly around his thankfully still-pregnant husband and growled, hovering over Pinky with bristled fur.

"Brain," Pinky whimpered, pressing close against him and away from the rude scientists who were so rude. His tail stayed curled around his thigh and tummy as if to protect his lower half from their prodding. They really should've asked for permission first. He could feel Brain's growlies vibrating against his ear and nuzzled in an attempt to reassure both of them.

The human scent that lingered on Pinky disturbed Brain in an elemental fashion, so he began grooming his husband. The growls still rumbled, though they were slowly softening into purrs as the smaller mouse plucked Pinky up and carted him to bed to hide away from the intrusive scientists.

He hid them both beneath the blanket, tongue gliding through Pinky's fur, hands caressing the swollen belly. Him being taken away was absolutely unacceptable and the megalomaniac's instincts were driving him to fix anything they may have done. He nuzzled Pinky's neck, ears perked and ready for any sounds of discomfort. "Pinky, are you okay?"

"Oh, Brain, it was dreadful! They poked and they shone lights in my eyes and ears and they didn't even ask permission!" he complained, thoroughly enjoying the attention he was getting from his husband. "Zort. And my leg hurts." A tiny piece of gauze had been taped to his thigh when they'd drawn his blood. He pouted at it, then rubbed his cheek against Brain's shoulder. "Sara Bella didn't like them at all, she tried to kick them." Their poor baby must've been scared too, his heart had been going really fast and she must've heard it.

Brain nuzzled him gently, rubbing his belly soothingly. "She's a good baby, Pinky. She knows those scientists are just going to cause trouble." He studied the piece of gauze, deciding to give it a bit of time before he removed it. Arms wrapped around his husband, the megalomaniac kissed him deeply. "But you're both alright now. It's almost time for them to leave and then you and I have the whole weekend all to ourselves. And then Monday, Bella will be here."

Sighing into the kiss, Pinky felt his whole body melt into it. "I was scared they were gonna try and take her out today. It's not time yet. Poit." His fingers curled, clinging to Brain's back in case they tried to take him away again. Their stomachs pressed together and he could feel the baby roll between them. She wasn't ready yet, she wasn't all big and strong and still needed him to keep her safe.

Brain had been worried about that as well, so snuggled a little bit closer and let out a relieved sigh as Bella moved. "No, Pinky, they want this to work just as much as you and I do. They wouldn't do something so foolish." He nibbled his husband's lower lip gently. "But it's alright. You and Cerebellum are just fine."

Pinky's lips parted, eager for another deep kiss. "We missed you," he murmured, rubbing their fur together to mix their scents. He didn't want to smell the scientists or any other room besides this one and their cage. Under the blanket, he felt completely consumed by it and their combined warmth. This was a place that would always be theirs and that comforted him. "Naaaaaaaaarf..."

Brain rubbed back, wanting their scents to mingle and drown out that of the humans just as much as Pinky did. It felt safer that way and he very much wanted his little family to be safe. "I missed you too," he murmured, and obliged his desire for another kiss, sinking into it, tongue lapping. Pinky hadn't been gone long enough to really miss, but Brain had been absolutely terrified for a few minutes there. He supposed it could amount to the same thing.

His tail twitched and looped around them to tangle with Brain's, coiling around the bends. He reached up to stroke his husband's ear as he hummed softly. Pinky could never get tired of Brain's kisses. It more than made up for the bad manners of the scientists, and he was looking forward to having the lab all to themselves for the whole weekend as a married couple. He giggled into the kiss and played with Brain's tongue until he needed to breathe. Luckily, he had such a good baby to remind him of that.

Quivering, ear twitching, Brain panted against his lips. There was something irresistible about his taste. Perhaps it was because of the way his scent was impossible to avoid, so he had no choice but to be surrounded by it. He reached his hand down, massaging Pinky's stomach. He imagined Pinky's stress hadn't been good for her. "Are you feeling better now, my dear?"

About to answer in the affirmative, Pinky paused and his hormones decided to give him ideas. "A little." He looked down at his tummy. "But baby wants kisses, she's nervous still." Bella moved against Brain's hand in response to that. Pinky ignored it. "Yep. That's nervous alright. Troz. And my leg still has an owie, it needs a kiss, too." He nuzzled against him, brushing their noses together.

"Pinky, I have to wonder if it's you that wants the kisses rather than Cerebellum." Brain nuzzled him in return, nudging him gently onto his back. He slid over him to get to the opposite side and leaned over to place gentle kisses to his stomach. "I'm going to remove this gauze from your leg, Pinky. It may sting a little."

"'Kay." Pinky nodded, tilting his head to watch. He placed both hands on his belly, rubbing to continue soothing once Brain turned his attention elsewhere. The baby quieted, and it was only then that Pinky noticed the alien hadn't moved today. He'd gotten quite used to it, unable to tell if it was relief or worry that prodded his heart.

Brain removed the gauze carefully, frowning slightly at the small amount of blood on it. But at least they hadn't shaved his leg to draw blood. Idiots. "I'm going to go get the stethoscope and see how her heart sounds."

"But that means you have to leave our special in-love-husband cave." Pinky grabbed onto his hand, liking how it was just the two of them (and the baby and the alien) under the blankets. "She's okay, she wasn't really nervous, I was just kidding. Poit. Well, she might've been earlier, but then we came back and it was all better. But if you go away, it might upset her again." He knew Bella liked it best when Brain was near, despite what he said about babies being attached to their mummies first.

Brain nuzzled his belly fondly, giving his hand a squeeze. "It's because she was upset earlier that I want to listen now. It's very close to your due date, dear, and it's better that you experience as little stress as possible. I'd like to make absolutely certain that everything's alright. I'll be right back, Pinky."

He sighed and nodded, releasing his hand. "Alright. But be careful, don't let the scientists grab you and take you away." It was bad enough he'd have to have the baby alone, he was going to enjoy the next three nights of just him and Brain and no one was gonna stop him. Unless they took him away, that would probably stop him pretty well. He didn't know how to open the cage by himself.

Brain scowled, giving him another nuzzle. "They wouldn't dare," he grumbled. He poked his head out from beneath the blankets, his fur bristling almost immediately because there were a couple of them peeking in. Sans labcoats, though, which meant that they were on their way out. Good riddance. But he was still unable to help himself, growling and watching them carefully the entire time as he scrambled for his stethoscope and darted back beneath the blanket. He snuggled close to his husband, giving himself a moment while the protective instincts continued to work their way through his body.

Pinky latched onto him, nosing the top of his head and licking behind his ear. The scent hadn't changed and he wasn't in need of grooming, he just felt like doing it. Though his fur was kind of bristly, so that could be his excuse if he needed one. He paused mid-lick when he felt a dull ache low in his belly, but forced it to the back of his mind and continued gliding his tongue through his fur. He really didn't want to be all queasy this weekend, he wanted to cuddle with his husband. His sweet, growly, protective, smarty daddy husband.

Brain noticed the pause, which alerted an entirely different section of his mind. He popped the stethoscope into his ears, placing the little disc over his belly and seeking Bella's heartbeat. "Hm." It was a little slower than he would've expected for all the activity, but nothing too alarming. What bothered him was how low she was trying to settle. He knew from his readings that the baby would drop when it was almost time for delivery, but he gauged the placement and decided that she wasn't too low yet. "Alright, Pinky, you'll certainly have to relax for the next few days, but she sounds well enough."

"She's a happy baby!" Pinky sing-songed, patting his tummy. He hoped the alien was happy too, and not plotting anything drastic. "Poit. Does relaxing include a little bit of love things?" Blue eyes blinked at Brain and he lifted his hand, pinching together his index finger and thumb. "Little bit?"

"It might, Pinky, but just a bit. I don't want you to overexert yourself. She's lower than normal." Brain rubbed his tummy to show him. "She's almost ready to come out."

It hurt a little when Brain touched him, but he didn't say anything. It was probably just the horcows. If he ignored it, it would go away. And he really wanted to at least snuggle with his husband without having to worry him unnecessarily. "We're almost ready too, aren't we, Brain?"

"Of course, my dear. We have all the things we require to raise her." He'd even managed to locate and break into the store of milk they had in reserve for Cerebellum. He'd needed to test it, of course. But the megalomaniac gave his husband an inquisitive, narrow-eyed look. "What's wrong, Pinky?"

The taller mouse blinked twice. "Nothing." His skin prickled beneath his fur and he tried very hard to hold Brain's gaze. "I just want another kiss." He reached out, cupping his face between his palms.

"Alright, Pinky." But Brain was going to keep an eye on his husband. There were too many things that could go wrong in these last few days. He slid up, leaving a hand on Pinky's belly as he let their lips brush together. Their little hiding place beneath the blanket fell darker as they kissed, which made the megalomaniac feel immensely better.

Pinky stroked Brain's cheeks with his thumbs, subtly shifting so the hand on his belly slid up a little more. Away from the ache. "It's just us now," he whispered, giggling quietly as he lapped at Brain's lips. "Naaaaarf."

"For the entire weekend, thankfully." Hopefully that would mean fewer emotional outbursts. Most of them seemed to come because Pinky couldn't get exactly what he wanted because the humans were around and they were stuck in their cage. He lifted his hands to Pinky's cheeks, mimicking his cagemate as he slid back into the kiss, lips parting to grant him access.

He happily accepted, his tongue every bit as enthusiastic as he was as he explored his warm mouth. His arms wound around Brain's shoulders, his finger flicking the curve of his ear as he deepened the kiss. Oh, it would be so easy to take his mind off his stomach, it was already fogging with the delicious scent of his husband. Until the pain sharpened slightly, but he just closed his eyes against it and curled his fingers in Brain's fur. The queasiness and aches always passed.

Brain wasn't normally astute when it came to picking up on Pinky's various emotional states. It was usually only thanks to his over the top displays that he generally had an idea what he was feeling. But something felt very off at this moment, even though his mind was swimming in a rather pleasant fog. Something about his husband's scent kept trying to tug him away from the kiss. He broke it reluctantly, rubbing their noses together gently. "Pinky," he murmured, "are you certain you're alright?"

His stomach clenched and so did his eyes. "I... I think so, Brain," he replied, though he actually gave it some thought this time. His tummy certainly had never done that before. Worry swept through him, worry for the baby in his stomach that depended on him. He placed a hand over where Bella was, felt her kick, and was reassured. Blue eyes blinked open and he focused on Brain's gaze, offering up a smile. "Bella's just moving some, that's all." He kissed the tip of his husband's nose.

Brain nuzzled him, pressing their cheeks together to try and hide the worry in his expression. The change in Pinky's scent was just... It was so subtle that he wasn't at all sure what to make of it, but his instincts were relentless. He reached down, stroking lightly over his companion's swollen tummy. Perhaps he was merely overreacting? But Pinky had never scrunched up as if he were in pain just because Cerebellum was feeling a bit antsy. "Perhaps I should listen to her again." She still wasn't any lower than before from the feel of things, and yet...

Pinky stroked his back and cooed softly. "It's alright, Brain. Please don't worry." He didn't want his husband all upset just because he was in a little pain. "Bella's happy and just excited to come out, right? That's what you-" he cut himself off as he felt a wave of dread overwhelm him. Something wasn't right. It took him a moment to gather himself and nod. "Yeah... yeah, listen again, Brain..." It wasn't Bella though, not all of it anyway. The alien had finally started to move, but it hurt when he did. It also hurt when he didn't. Pinky removed his arms from around Brain to curl into himself, hugging his swollen stomach. "Ow..." His voice no louder than a whisper.

Brain's ears fell as he sat up, pulling the blanket off them both. They hadn't... They couldn't have... He swallowed thickly, picking the stethoscope back up and searching for the baby's heart. It was even slower now than it had been a few minutes prior. And while Bella wasn't any lower, she did feel as though she were trying to get lower. "Egad, Pinky..." They had. The scientists had somehow induced labor. And now they were gone for the entire weekend.

The pain was just getting worse. His insides felt like they were twisting around so much he worried that they would suffocate the baby and the alien. Pinky locked his knees together and his tail went rigid, but he managed to look up at his husband. He sounded so scared, he had to reassure him, even though he was now equally afraid. It wouldn't do any good if they were both scared, so he had to put on a brave face. "It's alright, Brain," he squeaked out, smiling with as much love he could muster even as his eyes welled up. Oh, why did it hurt so much? "P-poit."

"Oh, Pinky, of course it's alright." Brain leaned over to nuzzle him gently, trying to keep the terror out of his tone. "Sometimes babies do this. They just decide that they want to come out a little early." His mind was already racing ahead. He'd already located all of the things the scientists had set aside to use on Pinky, examining each piece of equipment the night before after his partner had fallen asleep. He'd even replaced the blade on one tiny knife. But the thought of having to cut Pinky open himself made him extremely queasy.

"W-wuh...? S-she's coming now...?" Despite being white already, Pinky felt himself go pale and clammy. How could she come now? She wasn't ready! Where would she get out? His chest heaved rapidly and he hugged his stomach tighter as if to convince her to stay in somehow. But it only hurt worse and the taller mouse moaned as his ears fell flat. "Brain...!"

"Don't do that, Pinky. Don't grab tighter." Brain grasped his hands, removing them forcefully from his stomach and letting Pinky cling to him instead. "Just listen to me: I'm going to take care of you. You and Bella are going to be just fine. We don't need those scientists. All they do is ruin things." Brain kissed him softly, shoving his fear aside and replacing it with logic. If his family was going to survive, he needed to take charge of the situation. "You just have to stay here for a few minutes while I gather a few things. Alright?"

Pinky felt wetness on his cheeks as he shook his head rapidly. He trusted Brain completely, way more than the scientists, and knew he could do anything. But the last thing he wanted was to be alone feeling like he was going to burst open or crumble in on himself. He wasn't sure which yet. Another sharp, jabby-jab of pain hit him, making him whimper. Their baby needed them, needed him to let Brain go get whatever it was he needed to help her. Biting down hard on his lower lip, fingers gripping Brain's hands, he blinked up at him. "O-only a few minutes...?" He released him shakily. "'Kay..."

"Only a few minutes," he confirmed and rubbed their noses together. "Try and sing a little, Pinky. It'll make Cerebellum and you feel a little better. I'll be right back." He pressed a warm kiss to Pinky's brow and darted from their cage, picking the lock of their cage in record time. He leapt from the counter, hit the floor running, and zipped into a different section of the lab to locate the tools he needed.

But when Brain got to the surgical tools, he had to push the panic aside and focus so he would only pluck up essentials and not absolutely everything in a terrified rush. The little blade he'd replaced. It was easy to hold and sharp enough that it wouldn't take overmuch time. Overmuch time to cut into Pinky's stomach and pull out a child. He had to stop and swallow, pressing a hand to his brow and focus on not simply fainting. Egad. A small section of the dissolvable stitches was selected next along with the sterile needle to stitch him back properly.

...Hadn't he just been thinking the previous week that Pinky was better at sewing than he was? What if he messed up? What if he accidentally cut the baby? What if he removed something he wasn't supposed to remove? He started to hyperventilate, but shook himself firmly when he realized it. This was absolutely not the time to be thinking of such things. Everything would be fine. He'd told Pinky that everything would be fine.

Once all the tools were gathered, he shot back to their cage and cleaned off the tray his husband had been using for various things and used it to hold his supplies. Egad.

Humming quietly for the baby, not all that aware he was actually doing it, Pinky watched Brain. His eyes followed his movements as he stroked his stomach, resisting the urge to curl up tightly since Brain said not to. But it hurt. It felt like Bella and the alien were even lower, but there was no where left for them to go. He apologized to his baby in his head, feeling bad he didn't have more room to give her.

The glint of the tools caught his eyes. Shiny. His heart leapt in his throat and fear gripped him for a moment before he reminded himself that this was his husband. Brain would never hurt them or let anything bad happen to the baby. She would be so safe with her daddy taking care of her. Tears flowed freely as he whimpered, his legs spreading as his body instinctively sought out some way to relieve the pressure. "Brain...?"

"It's okay, Pinky." Brain had kept a little needle hidden from his husband's sight, aware of his gaze. He walked over, keeping it behind his back and kneeled onto the side of the bed, giving his lover a small kiss. "Roll onto your side, my dear. I'll help you." He hated that Pinky was crying, hated that he was in pain. But at least he could help with that. Pinky was about to feel absolutely nothing from his stomach but dulled movements of the baby. Brain wasn't at all comfortable with the idea of knocking him out completely, so the localized anaesthetic would have to do.

Pinky obeyed, rolling towards his cagemate with a squeaky groan. His head rested near Brain's thigh, trying to focus on his scent to take his mind off of what was happening inside him. "Are you gonna help baby come out now, Brain?" He wanted to be prepared.

"Yes, Pinky, but I'm going to help you stop hurting first." He'd needed Pinky on the other side, but he could deal with this. He leaned over Pinky, stroking his back and bringing the needle over out of his husband's line of sight. "You're going to feel a small pop, but that's okay. This'll help." Swallowing nervously, he pinpointed the proper location and injected him. He petted his side with his free hand. "In just a little bit, you'll feel so much better, my dear. I love you so much. Everything's going to be fine."

The needle hurt too, just like with the scientists earlier, but he didn't move or complain because it was Brain and he was saying such nice things. Though he did cry a little harder. Until it was over and he could focus on the petting. "I know," he blubbered. "I trust you, Brain. Narf. And I love you, too." In fact... he was starting to love him even more as his body became more tingly than full of pain. "Poit?"

Brain pressed their noses together, breathed in Pinky's scent. "There now. Better?" He took the needle away, gently rolling his cagemate onto his back. "I want you to be able to hold Bella and not be asleep for a while, and this is the best way. Now you won't feel a thing."

"Naaaaaaarf." Pinky marveled at that, gingerly poking his stomach. His eyes widened, he really couldn't feel anything. Blinking the last of his tears from his eyes, he smiled adoringly up at Brain. "Egad, you're brilliant, love."

He couldn't even begin to describe the level of relief he felt, so Brain just nuzzled him. "Now it's time to get Bella out. Just lie back and don't look." Taking a step back, the megalomaniac turned away and rubbed his hands together to try and hide the rush of nerves. Getting rid of Pinky's pain had been the easy part. He was shaking a little as he picked up the small blade. He just had to get her out. It would take one incision and just a few minutes. Everything would be fine. He'd read all about it. He could surely manage.

Noticing the way he trembled, Pinky reached out to try and pet his side. He'd been told not to look, but he couldn't help it. He wanted to be ready, and watching Brain helped that. "I love you, Brain. And Sara Bella loves you, too. And so does Romy." And the alien, surely the alien loved Brain too because who didn't love Brain? "You're a great daddy and you're such a smarty. You're the mouse who's gonna take over the world someday. Troz. You're my husband."

Brain stared at him for a moment before cupping his cheek and giving him a warm kiss. "I love all of you too. You're my family. Now lie back, Pinky, really. It'll make things far easier for me." He nudged Pinky back, taking a deep, steadying breath. And couldn't do it. He rubbed a hand over his brow, trying to breathe. He needed to do it before the paralyzer faded and Pinky felt the wound. At least he knew enough about repairing Pinky's injuries that he didn't have to shave him and he had a towel nearby to clean the baby off. He had everything he needed; he just had to do it.

So, steeling himself against the fear, Brain carefully made the incision, ears falling as Pinky's blood was spilled. Ordering himself to not think about it, he set the blade aside and went to work. He pulled on little gloves and reached in, blocking off the part of his mind that was trying to scream that this was Pinky, his husband, his sidekick, his entire world - Stop it, stop it, stop it.

Ears flat, he removed the baby and was very ready to simply faint. She was... disgusting. So the megalomaniac cut the cord and set about cleaning her quickly and set her in half a walnut shell, bundled in the blanket. He still had to adjust Pinky's insides so his body would go back to normal. But as he was dealing with that, and trying not to let his legs quake as Cerebellum began letting out soft squeaks, he felt something that made him freeze. His ears snapped straight, eyes going wide. That was impossible...

Pinky had been very good at not looking and staying still, pretending to be the dead fishy in the bottom of the boat, until he heard the squeaking. His ears perked and his instincts longed for her to be close, as did his heart. He squeaked back as he turned to look at her, though Brain was in the way. And not moving. Not even to zip him back up like a zipper.

Attention piqued, he tilted his head back to survey his husband. The first thing that registered was all the blood. It looked like his insides had been someone's lunch. Pinky swallowed a whine and forced his eyes to find his lover's face. "Brain? Brain, isn't it time to zip me up now? Poit. I want to hold Sara Bella."

"Just... just a minute, Pinky. I told you not to look. There's... there's something else in here." But he couldn't keep the waver out of his voice as he retrieved a second baby. This one was far smaller and, unlike Cerebellum, was a he. His tail, Brain quickly noticed, was also not wrapped smoothly around his body like it was supposed to be. It was scrunched behind him, squished like an accordion. Brain's own bent tail twitched as he separated the baby from Pinky and cleaned him, setting him beside his sister in the walnut shell. He kept his ears perked, one bent in their direction as he got Pinky's innards situated as well as he could and began stitching his husband back together. His heart began to race as Bella's squeaks became louder... and the boy's didn't start.

From the moment Brain had spoke, Pinky wanted to scream 'I told you so!' but he refrained. Very maturely, he might add, chanting it only in his mind. But at least the alien was coming out and wouldn't make his mood all wonky and force him to eat strange foods. His heart couldn't help but start racing as he caught sight of him, panicking even more so as Brain set him in the walnut with Bella. "No! Don't put the alien in with my baby! He'll eat her!" he wailed, wanting to go to her and protect her. But he was unable to sit up from being numbed and lifting his head was no good either, it just made him dizzy when he caught sight of the needle going through his skin. "Naaaaarf..."

"Pinky, stop it. Just..." He still wasn't making any sounds and Brain didn't want to explain at all what he really was. "Just relax, Pinky. I'll take of it." He cut the stitches with his teeth, picking up the shell and carrying it a ways away. He removed his gloves, rubbing Bella's stomach over the towel, but she just continued her squeaks. He wanted to pick her up and hold her tight and never let go, but his focus was on the too-quiet boy. He hadn't even seen him in all the pictures he'd taken... except now the mysterious shadow was explained. And the motions Pinky claimed to have been feeling.

"Come on, baby. You were moving before. He felt you," Brain whispered, rubbing the boy's stomach and lowering to listen for any breaths, any heartbeat. He managed to find the little thing's pulse, but it was slow and if he didn't start breathing soon it would stop. That prospect was even more terrifying than the prospect of having to open his husband up. He hadn't known about this baby, but it was still a part of him and of Pinky.

"Come on, baby," Brain whispered and breathed into his mouth, rubbing his chest and pressing carefully. He did it again and again, shaking helplessly and was ready to give up when the small baby gurgled up the fluid that had been in his lungs and finally began breathing on his own. "Oh, good... Oh, good job, baby." He rubbed his nose to his tiny head.

Pinky had no idea what was going on, not a huge deviance from the norm, but right now it was completely unacceptable. Something had gone wrong, just like he thought. The alien had gotten sick and his baby was taken away and Brain wasn't telling him anything! And he couldn't even sit up to look! Bella was squeaking, she needed her mummy! But clearly Brain didn't trust him, him and his not moving body. His body didn't even trust him. But who could blame them? He'd done everything the alien wanted and he'd made him sick anyway, it was probably a test, to see if he'd be able to take care of a baby, and clearly he failed.

And he still couldn't roll over and curl into a ball to cry properly! This was so unfair! He was losing his baby and his alien and his husband, because who would want to be husbands with someone who failed mummy tests? No one, that's who! But it didn't even matter if someone did if that someone wasn't Brain, and Brain was so smart, he could pass all the tests.

His ears twitched madly since he could still hear Bella, so he turned his head away to cry silently into the pillow. If this was going to be the only time he'd get to hear her, then he wasn't going to ruin it with his own voice.

Because he was still fairly nervous about moving the boy, Brain settled him back into the shell and lifted his squeaking sister to soothe her and take her to Pinky. But when he turned back, he was surprised to see his husband crying. He carried the baby over and perched at the side of the bed. "Pinky? Pinky, don't cry. Don't do that. Everything's just fine." Maybe. As long as the boy kept breathing.

"No, it's not," he gasped into the pillow. "I failed the mummy test! I made him sick and now I can't hold Bella and you're gonna leave me!" He fisted his hands in the blankets, because at least he could control them and he needed something to hold onto as his world was breaking.

"Pinky, I'm not going to leave. And Bella's right here." Brain tilted the still-squeaking baby towards him, even though his face was turned. "She wants her mommy, Pinky. You didn't fail anything. You did such a good job." He heard a soft, sniffling squeak and his ear twitched in the direction of the boy. He nearly succumbed to his own tears, his relief palpable. "Look at her, Pinky. She wants you."

Blue eyes snapped open and he swiveled his head around. Tears still spilling down his cheeks, he reached out for her, even before he thought to question his logic and compare it to Brain's for a new solution. "Sara Bella..." Suddenly his world didn't seem so broken and he glanced up at his husband. "But... but what about my alien?" His ears also perked at the sounds from the walnut shell, they sounded so sad and lonely. "Didn't I break him? P-poit. I didn't mean to, Brain. Honest."

"He's not an alien, Pinky, and you didn't break him." Brain gave his husband their daughter before tilting him up and pushing pillows behind his back to help keep him in a reclined position. He pressed a kiss to his brow, trembling slightly. "He's not an alien," he repeated and rose, going to the shell to pick the boy up. "Baby boy," Brain cooed, rubbing his nose to his head as he began to squeak in earnest now that he was being held. The sounds were just getting louder, Brain's trembles worsening. He had to sit beside Pinky again, showing him the baby. "He's just small, Pinky, but he's our baby too. We've got two babies."

Pinky shifted his gaze between the two. They both looked like babies and they both sounded like babies. And his heart wanted so badly to snuggle up with both of them. It was just hard to wrap his very little mind around it. He'd been convinced for so long that there was an alien and a baby... but he decided, for now since it would take a little bit of time for the thought of a baby and a baby to sink in, he loved his alien anyway.

"Narf," he purred, cuddling Bella until her squeaks quieted to gentle breathing, and kept his gaze on the boy in Brain's arms. "Baby, baby, baby," he sang softly, then finally lifted his shining eyes to look at his husband. "You got our babies out, Brain."

"I did," he whispered and couldn't stop the tears from falling any longer. They dropped onto the boy's head, causing him to squeak a little more and madly twitch his ears. Brain shifted him, wiping at his eyes with one hand before shifting the towel he was still wrapped in and displaying his crooked tail for Pinky to see. He wasn't going to explain that it was all bent because it hadn't had room to form correctly, deciding his husband would get more of a kick out of it if he thought it was natural.

"Oh, Brain," Pinky exhaled, bringing Bella up to nuzzle her gently. "He's got your crookedy tail... oh, he is ours!" Brushing his lips against the now content baby's head, he carefully laid her next to him on the bed. His husband very clearly needed a hug, and little baby-not-alien did too. "Come here, love," he cooed, holding his arms out to him.

Brain settled the boy into Pinky's arms before wrapping his own around his husband and burying his face into his neck. He'd been so terrified. First of Pinky's pain, then causing damage, then the boy hadn't been breathing... He held back the worst of his sobs, not wanting to disrupt the babies, but wept freely against his cagemate and clung as tightly as he dared. "Pinky," he whimpered. "Pinky, you did such a good job carrying them. You did so well. I love you. We have our family."

Carefully cradling his baby boy, Pinky shifted ever so slightly so he could wrap an arm around Brain as well. He rubbed his back gently through his tears, peppering kisses along his ear. "I couldn't have done it without you, Brain. I love you, too." He nuzzled him affectionately, then tilted his head to do the same to their son. "Troz. And you, little baby-not-alien-baby-baby. And Sara Bella. I love us all." They really were the best family ever.

His hold gentled as the tears faded, and he turned his head, pressing a small kiss to the base of Pinky's ear. "I love us all too, my dear." He reached out, stroked a finger along the curve of the boy's ear and smiled slightly when it twitched. Leaning back, Brain wiped beneath his eyes to scrub the tears from his fur. "I'm going to go and get the sheet for over our cage, Pinky. I don't want morning to come and it to get too bright in here. They also need food," he recalled. "This first." He framed Pinky's face in his hands, bumping their noses together before kissing him.

Oh, he was so glad kissing was first. Pinky melted against the pillows, cuddling one baby close to his heart, another baby nestled against his side, and the best mouse ever at his lips, filling him with more love than he ever thought possible. "Egad, I'm so in love with you," he breathed, glowing from the inside out, vivid in his smile and eyes. He just wanted to curl up with his husband and their children and sleep safe and happy, so nuzzled Brain along. The sooner he left to get the sheet and food, the sooner he could come back.

Brain drew back, sighing quietly as he gazed at his family. He supposed he should call Roman and let him know, but that could wait for the next day. He stroked Pinky's cheek gently before darting off. The megalomaniac returned soon enough with two pipets of milk and handed both to his husband before leaving again to locate a big enough sheet. He climbed over the cage, pulling it along behind him until their space was entirely covered. And then he made his way back inside, pulling the cage door closed behind him.

Pinky had fed the little boy first. He'd been squeaking still and he was just so small. He could see all his tiny blue veins and he had no fur to protect his little sad, complainy self. "Oh, I'd complain too if I were you, baby," he assured him as he watched him lap at little drops of milk. "Sorry I thought you were an alien." He whispered that last bit as he finished and set the pipet aside. The baby stopped sniffling, though still shivery and small. Pinky shifted him to one arm and scooped up Bella in the other. Two babies. Egad, they were going to have to find another name! He looked up as he heard Brain enter. "Brain, he has no name yet. Poit."

"I'm aware of that, Pinky." Brain made his way back to bed, picking up the tools he'd needed to use and pushed them aside to clean later. After Pinky and the babies were asleep. Babies, he repeated silently. Jiminy. He climbed into bed beside them, snuggling close and reaching out to touch their children. They were both so soft even without their fur. "We'll have to think of one. Cerebellum can't be the only one with a name, of course."

While his memory certainly wasn't the best, for some reason, Brain's promise to him stuck out. "You said, if we had another, I could pick the name. Right, Brain?" It would of course be something they both agreed on, but he'd get to come up with the suggestions. Pinky held the little boy out to Brain, so he could take him while he fed Bella. Even though she wasn't fussing, that didn't mean she wasn't hungry.

Brain took him, rubbing his nose against his tiny head. Such a little bitty thing. "I suppose this does count." Though who knew how long it would take his companion to come up with something sane? "Alright, Pinky, what would you like to call him?"

"Ummm..." Pinky paused in his thoughts to give Bella a kiss before bringing the pipet up for her to suckle on. A name, a name for baby-not-alien-baby. It had to be a good name, a happy name. Colors were happy. Like yellow! Oh, but he'd already said yellow and Brain didn't like that. What else was happy? Blue and pink were happy. But he was 'Pinky' so it'd be silly to have another name sounding like his own. Blue then. But Sara Bella and Blue both started with Bs. Clearly he'd get confused. He thought back to his big ol' expensive box of crayons Brain splurged on once, all the names of all the pretty colors.

Blue had Royal and Navy and Robin's Egg Blue... egad! He knew the perfect one! "Cyan." He nodded firmly, pleased with his conclusion and looked to Brain with wide, hopeful eyes.

"Cyan?" he repeated and the baby's ears twitched. Brain looked down at him, giving him a gentle nuzzle. That was probably as good as Pinky was going to get. He may as well give in before he heard something like... Orange. Besides, both Cerebellum and Cyan began with a C and he rather liked the symmetry. "Alright, Pinky." Brain leaned over and pressed a kiss to his husband's brow. "His name is Cyan."

"Narf." Pinky beamed, brushing his lips against Brain's cheek in return. Oh, he finally got to name one of their children! And it was Cyan! Oh, he'd be such a happy baby, he just knew it! He set down Bella's bottle once she was through and rocked her gently. Feeling was coming back to his lower half steadily and he was surprised at how sore he felt. Like he'd been cut open and had things moved around inside him and then was sewn back up. Like it, but completely different. Pinky settled his head against Brain's, watching both their children tiredly. He honestly couldn't remember a time where he wasn't tired and was looking forward to the return of tomorrow nights with Brain. But for now he was more than happy to snuggle with his family for as many nights as were necessary.

"How are you feeling, my dear?" Brain turned a little, looking at their babies. Cyan was awfully small and would need extra observation. Runts could have all sorts of internal complications, so he would have to be monitored. But he was lovely and Brain would do whatever was needed to keep him growing right alongside his sister.

"Tired," Pinky sighed, stroking Bella's side. "And my tummy hurts a little. Zort. But I'm still really happy." He glanced between his girl and his boy, their size difference more obvious side by side. "Why is Cyan so small, Brain?"

"Because there just wasn't enough room for them both to develop properly and Bella took most of the space for herself." Brain kissed the base of his ear, humming softly. "But runts aren't unusual. He'll be alright."

"If I'd known, I would've made more room." He yawned, still fighting to stay awake. The babies just got here and he wanted to take care of them. Though it looked like Cyan had fallen asleep already and Bella was on her way to it.

Brain reached out, tracing a finger along the curve of Bella's ear to watch it twitch. "I know you would've. It's alright." He slid the baby girl from his grasp, holding both babies now. "Go to sleep now, my dear. I'll put the babies in their crib." And push it right over so they would be nearby.

"Can't we have a sleepover? I want them close. Poit." He rubbed at one of his eyes, his ears drooping along with the rest of him. Having babies was hard work and he hadn't even done anything. Or it seemed like he hadn't. He was just laying down and Brain did most of the work.

"I'm going to bring the crib by the bed," he assured, giving Pinky a fond nuzzle. "They need their crib tonight. Perhaps tomorrow we can make one for Cyan as well, and you can knit him a special just-for-him blanket."

Half-nodding, half-nuzzling back, Pinky waved goodbye to the twins. He pet Bella on the head softly, then Cyan. "'Kay. Goodnight, babies. I love you. Narf." His tail thumped against the bed once as he smiled up at his husband. "Goodnight and I love you too."

"Goodnight, Pinky." Brain pressed their noses together, giving him a small kiss. "I love you too. Sleep now."

Pinky let his eyes close as his head fell back against the pillow. His body was so drained, the lack of babies confusing it and his hormones still jumping around, unsure of how to settle, he was asleep within minutes.

Brain bundled the babies up in blankets, which may have been a little excessive, but he wanted to make certain they were warm. He carried them to their crib, settling them down gently. They were both so tiny; he was almost afraid of injuring them simply by handling them too much. He pushed the crib over to the side of the bed he shared with Pinky, peeking in a final time before going about cleaning their cage properly.

The tools had to be cleaned, but he could return them to the scientists the next day, so they were carted to the sink and wiped down. A fresh cloth was soaked and taken back to the cage so he could clean Pinky's belly where he'd made the incision. Their bed wasn't a mess, thankfully, so Brain just took the towel back to the sink and left it. He was too tired to deal with it properly, the activities of their evening taking their toll on him.

Twins. They had twins. How on earth were they going to handle two babies? Brain sighed, slipping into bed beside his husband and drawing the blanket up over them both. He snuggled close, rubbing his nose against Pinky's cheek, and let his eyes fall shut. Raising twins and taking over the world. Those scientists just... enjoyed causing trouble for him. The megalomaniac snuggled a little closer, stretching out and settling in. They'd manage, he decided, drifting off.