It wasn’t a good day but at least alan had their cigarettes they light one holding it for 30 seconds then they took a drag then the exhaled the smoke curling around their eye they lay down on the couch they stare at the ceiling as the smoke raises and collects in a cloud they reach to touch it but it faded they close their eye their heart settling they hold their breath and wait as long as possible almost passing out they snapped back to reality and they spiraled falling off the couch panting a bit “shit” alan muttered they looked around their vision buzzing they stood up and almost fell over their balance faltered they caught themself before they fell and they were panting like a tired dog they looked around to try and regulate themself their hand was shaking for an unknown reason they hug their arm to stimulate themself mama k sighs sitting next to alan lighting a cigar “what’s wrong hun?” she asked alan shrugged holding the cigarette in their two fingers “it just feels off…” mama k giggles taking a drag of her cigar “you are off” she said sitting down as alan brought their knees to their chest wrapping all four arms around them “it just feels so fuzzy like i’m flying above my own body” alan pushed softly tightening the grip they had on their knees the pain helped subside some panic mama k softened her tone “you’re such a fragile thing hun..but it’s called dissociation" she said holding them closer alan started to cry mama k held alan close alan’s eye head glimmers. later during lunch alan was dabbing a scratch on sadie’s knee humming a lullaby as they dabbed the cut clean sadie sniffles “that hurts daddy” saddie whines but alan holds her hand “it’s okay dear daddy’s got’chu” alan sets the bandaid on her knee and held her close “all better?” alan asked tilting their eye head, Saddie nods “better daddy” alan made a happy look, their eye turning a bright pink. The moment of calm was short-lived. Alan was putting the first-aid kit away when a sharp cry cut through the quiet kitchen. "Argos!" Alan rushed to their partner, who had been sitting at the table, running his hands over his visibly pregnant belly. Argos's wide blue eyes were filled with a mixture of terror and pain, and his porcelain skin was shaking violently, making the single crack in his face look ready to shatter. "A-Alan, I think... I think it's time!" he gasped, his voice tight. "Time? No, no, no, it can't be time yet!" Alan's heart pounded, their pupil turning a bright, frantic red. The baby wasn't due for weeks, but the tension in Argos's shaking body was unmistakable. Mama K's screen flashed a sudden warning sign, and she rushed over, her English accent sharp with urgency. "Right then, no time for panic, sweetheart! Natalie, get the towels and blankets! Ego, you're on distraction duty! Damian, boil some water!" She took charge, pushing Argos to lie down carefully on the couch. Argos let out a loud, painful screech, gripping Alan's four arms so tightly his glass hands threatened to crack. "It hurts! Alan, it hurts so much!" Alan kneeled down, holding Argos's face in one set of hands, their gaze soft yet resolute. "It's okay, darling, I'm here. We're all here. You're safe. We've got this, okay? Just hold my hands." Nin rushed in, seeing the chaos, and his screen displayed a worried frown. He looked at Alan and Argos, then nodded to Mama K, understanding his role. The family, once again, rallied around the one who needed them most, ready to face this new, joyful, and terrifying battle.