Chapter Text
There it was again, that faint scent tickling his senses.
It had been going on for a few weeks now, and Greg couldn’t put it into words to exactly what this scent meant, other than it was emitting from Petey.
Out of many characteristics, dogs have sixty times the smell receptors compared to other people, to a point their sense of smell can detect certain health conditions and chemicals inhibiting from a place, surface, and living beings. At least that’s the generalization as being a dog goes. Greg still retains to this ability much thanks to keeping his head, though he has never smelt something as drastic as this lingering scent. Especially not from Petey, despite multiple attempts to scent him down in loving or playful intentions, nothing more than that.
Greg assumed it could’ve been a new fragrance once the Cat adapted to a more relaxed lifestyle, the kind where he was beginning to take proper care of himself now that he’s been living with him for a couple of years. Though, it could also be intentional to catch his attention once the kid was away for a sleepover during the weekend, and finding his tail curl around him in anticipation. Petey has done it a couple of times to signal him, though he wasn’t someone who would wear the likes of perfume or cologne everyday, and he did seemed like his usual self for the past few weeks. So maybe not.
It couldn’t be helped to notice such a thing. Greg needed to know where this scent was coming from, at least an understanding of it to confirm why it’s been hogging his mind for days now.
Though, he tries not to pry. Petey preferred to have his personal space untouched rather than breached, and Greg never had a problem with that. He understood Petey was someone who needed time in order to process and adapt a new sense of comfort, despite Greg’s tendency of giving physical affection whenever he can.
He was almost convinced that the scent might’ve been a newfound house smell, knowing it wasn’t long ago they renovated the dog house to add more space now that they have a second floor with rooms and a widened basement for storage and Petey’s workspace. It was one possibility that was believable enough. Didn’t explain why it’s taking him this long to still be wary of its scent.
Couldn’t be any disease or illness, both his favourite cats were perfectly healthy, and neither the chemicals of Petey’s inventions or the food he’s been cooking the past few weeks has been anything different. If it were a gas leak or carbon monoxide, it would certainly be alarming or nerve wrecking enough to get his family out and repair their safety net immediately if it were to happen.
At that point, he was beginning to think he was messing with his own head and just accept he’ll have to get used to the scent no matter how much it bugged him, matting down his paranoia and now feeling drawn to settling down to bed after another long night at work.
As he changed his clothes in the dark of night, joining in the comfort of his bed with a passed out Petey already occupying half of it. Laying down and snuggling close to the Cat for a well rested night to prepare another day of keeping the city safe.
It wasn’t until he gently buried his head towards Petey’s chest, an odd rhythm of Petey’s heartbeat became immediately apparent.
Two heart beats, a millisecond apart, one sang pleasantly to his flopped ears, and the other faint and coming from below the Cat’s chest.
He thought he confused his own heart coming in sync to Petey’s, until he heard it again to confirm that second heartbeat was certainly not his.
He pulls his head away, not detracting the warmth of his lover as his arms rest gently around his boyfriend’s sleeping form. his mind stuck into restless consciousness that whole night.
The same thought recycling in his head once he figured out what that scent meant now.
“Petey might be pregnant…And Petey doesn’t recognize that he is.”
Upon this epiphany, it did resurface a few details he couldn’t believe he missed as the past few weeks went by. Petey had been experiencing more fatigue this month compared to all the years he personally knew him, pleasantly surprised that his cycle was late, dealing with discomfort in particular areas of his body, vomiting within a week later when they had their night together when Li’l Petey headed off to stay at Molly’s for the night, along subtle changes in his mood and appetite were becoming more clear now.
Though, Petey had simply brushed it off. Claiming it was normal for his body to act up like this from time to time, and would eventually feel it wear off once he had enough rest and limit his old habits. Plus, he briefly mentioned they haven’t occurred a lot since he moved in with him, and that Greg shouldn’t overthink it.
Well, he supposed that’s true. Petey’s mood often varied depending how the day turns out, and has gotten a better understanding what he goes through each month and the familiar complaints his body torments him through, not to mention the fatigue. But still, they were becoming more prominent compared to other times when Petey did have his moments of internal suffering. The unusual behaviour of it all couldn’t be ignored.
There also came with another issue. Both of them had a whole conversation about it a couple of years back, taking all of Petey’s words to heart that he was just…not ready to undergo a process that made him overly aware and uncomfortable. That, and a thought of having another kid so soon really scared him. Making a promise that Greg supported Petey’s wishes on the matter, and that if they do end up a bit careless, they’ll figure out a solution.
Greg loved the idea of having another little one around. How could he not? It made his heart soft and warm, ecstatic even, to welcome another addition to his family!
However, he also loved his family enough to respect the choices from either of his kitties. He hates the idea of pressuring someone, or even convince someone over a choice he favoured more than what they didn’t. Just as long it breached into any illegal trouble, He’ll respect whatever choice was best for their little family. He’ll support them no matter what, especially if it meant for Petey to have his peace and be able to be himself.
But time is certainly thinning now.
He knows pregnancy for cats and dogs span a much shorter cycle compared to other people, it’s usually up around two months in total. And since it was nearly a month now. They can't stall anymore time now.
Greg urgently needs to discuss this with Petey during the afternoon, and just to be sure, the Cat can use a pregnancy test to affirm if he's really pregnant. Greg also planned to make an appointment at the hospital for an ultrasound, and see what options they have left before Petey decides in order to avoid reaching into the third trimester.
He might need to remember and check underneath the cabinet sink if they have any pregnancy tests left, Petey usually gets them once in a while when he does errands. But if there's none left, Greg will head out and buy a couple.
Though, if he’s going to arrange this as soon as possible he may need an excuse to get a day off tomorrow, especially something urgent as this.
Tomorrow is left rather uncertain, he could already feel the whirl of emotions and shock once the Cat realized and digested the fact that another soul is growing in his body. He knows Petey doesn't handle well with these kinds of topics, but Greg is prepared enough if it meant to continuing to make his loved ones happy and give them the support they needed.
He just hoped things will be fine in the end, and see that comforting smile rest upon his lover’s face once more.