>>55131288>Standing at her side, you barely noticed the edge of her smile.>And definitely saw her rubbing her belly.>Your insides seized again.>The welcoming barista only signaled the oncoming discomfort. >With no one else around, you got your piping hot, festive drinks within a minute.>But what a long minute it was.>The fox moved from painting to painting, pulling you along to see each scenic, winter landscape. >Each Santa and his workshop.>And each loving family.>She lingered on those only a second or two longer, but you noticed.>Every one enthralled the pokémon.>Beverages in hand, you sat in the quietest part of the café.>You had the whole place to yourselves.>Using both hands, Zoroark carefully lifted the cup to her lips.>She took a micro-sip, slurping the tiniest fraction of a mouthful. >”Hot.” She warned.>Nodding, you wondered how best to bring up what you needed to.>Thankfully, you didn’t have to think hard.>”Something’s bothering you.” Zoroark stated.>She knew.>Faking it was in her blood, of course she noticed.>You let out a long sigh, and put your face in your hands.>You’d given this thought for months.>Now the time had come, you found your tongue tied.>She waited an entire minute as you pieced things together.>She never took her eyes off you. >Between your fingers, you saw Zoroark shifting back and forth, worried and trying to figure out what bothered you.>She could only wait so long.>”Something at work?”>”Family? Are Mom and Dad okay?”>”Is someone sick?”>All said with the love and care you’d come to expect from her.>Which only made it harder to say.>To ask.>To accuse.>You opened your mouth to begin, but no words came out.>Choking up, you needed another moment to steel yourself.“There’s… There’s no way I-“
>Nothing more would come out.>Zoroark concerned, yet puzzled, narrowed her eyes in confusion.>”What?” 