Tatara stares at his lover, whom Eto and Noro lead back into Aogiri’s hideout. “She collapsed?”

“She’s sick,” Eto says briskly, laying her down on Tatara’s bed.  

“With what?”

“A child.” Eto flashes a smile before dancing out. 

Tatara’s world tilts. He sucks in air and approaches the bed, on which she lays. Her eyes are shut; she wears a trace of a smile on her face. She looks peaceful. 

He stares down at her. He would love nothing more than to live with her.

But CCG will kill her for this. He can’t protect two people. He can’t protect a family. He couldn’t even protect Fei and Yan.

Noro brushes Tatara’s shoulder.

“Hey.” She stares. “Tatara? Where am I?”

“You’re pregnant.” Tatara doesn’t mince words. “Y/N, you have to end it.”

“What?” she gasps. “No!”

“It’s not a question,” Tatara snaps. “You’ll miscarry and then you could die, too. I can’t protect two of you.” 

“Noro can!” she insists. The masked ghoul nods. 

Traitor. Tatara scowls at him.

“Tatara, I want your child.” She narrows her eyes. “You’re just scared.” 

Tatara shakes his head wildly.

“I know you are!” She leaps up. On the bed, she’s taller than him, and she leaps into his arms. 

He catches her and allows her to pry off his mask. “I want our child, Tatara. Eto said her mother ate meat. I don’t mind. I just…this is a miracle. In the bloody war we’re in, we don’t have long to waste. Aren’t we fighting for ghoul and human children in the end? If our lives include a child, we should seize that chance while we’re here.”

She blinks back tears. “I’m scared, too.”

He draws her face to his and kisses her. “Just promise me you won’t die.” 

“For you and this baby, I’ll survive a thousand Houjis.” She kisses him back. 

She wonders if her brother would use his quinque on her if she knew she was pregnant.