Anger bloomed over his face, lofting a finger towards her in preparation for accusation. That cheating-Toad froze in his stance, seemingly unable to get his usually sharp mind to work for him. Moments ticked by, holding that position as he tried to comprehend her words. Each second that passed caused his frame to slowly lose his posture, jaw going from grit to slack, pointed finger lilting at the palm.
HE was a dad? Him? One of Magneto’s greatest assassins- the one who’d been the main cause of the incident to occur. The man who’d literally squashed men beneath his feet. The individual who could simply narrow his eyes and send the newer recruits running for the hills- a father? Thousands of thoughts burst into his mind just as quickly as it had gone empty, fast enough that he couldn’t seem able to grasp a single one as it flew by.
However, the moment the first two emotions passed, a sort of…..joy crept in. Blank expression soon tinged with disbelieving delight, frame slumping to plop his rear on the training mat and stare at his shoes. A baby. She was- no, THEY were- going to have a baby. A little him….a little her….what if it was a girl? What if it was a boy?? Would he spoil them? Could he be strong enough to punish something he’d helped bring into the world? Would she be willing to change diapers if he agreed to stay up each night - insomnia really was a benefit in this case- with the little one?
….would she trust him to do that?
He seemed to dismiss the fact that the baby was *already born*.
“W-wot…..” he licked his lips, mouth suddenly dry. “Wot…..gender?” his mind had blanked out on him, trying to gather himself up by doing what he knew how to do- as questions, get answers, and he’d borrow a recruit to stomp on later.
She should have expected this reaction, especially given how long he was gone, but still she was surprised. She held up her hands ready to assure him that the child was in fact his and she was more than happy to do a DNA test if he’d like. Blessedly though her assurance that he was the father sunk in and he relaxed some. She was sure he wouldn’t have hurt her however she couldn’t give the same promise to whichever recruit had the misfortune of crossing his path.
“A baby girl,” she replied. “You should see her, she’s so beautiful. So, so beautiful, and strong. Good grief is she strong.”
She desperately wanted him to meet her, hold her, see that she wasn’t some illusion or trick. She could mention Karin’s deafness later once he was more calm and collected.