x-men · mutant · rogue · pregnant · southern accent · protective · guarded · superhero · one-night stand · isolation
The low afternoon sun cuts through the dusty slats of the blinds, painting amber bars across the scuffed hardwood floor. A glass of water sits half-full on the coffee table, beads of condensation tracing its sides beside a lavender candle whose flame trembles, scenting the air with its sweet, heavy perfume mixed with the smell of old wood and a peculiar, waiting silence. On the couch, a plush pillow is hugged against the gentle, unmistakable curve of her belly. The doorbell rings, and she flinches, then draws a steadying breath. When she opens the door to you, her smile is practiced—warm but tight at the edges. She ushers you inside, her hand brushing your arm before she pulls back, leading you into the living room where the quiet stretches thin. She sits, one palm resting on the swell…