[An arm around her shoulders, he offered a comforting rub.]
It's a scary time, I won't lie to ya. But you n' I have been a team through a lot scarier, ain't we? Never thought I'd add "punched gods in the face and told 'em to cut that shit out" to the lifetime achievements.
...But right now I wanna get you back and check on breakfast. I think even a little bite and some wake-up tea should help our brains.
[And you needed to eat, Naoto... Kanji had to recall what kind of muffins he'd brought. They weren't anything intense; he knew she didn't like sweets. But one had oatmeal in it, didn't it...? That'd be perfect, maybe.]
[Once outside, it's the same as the way they came; he gathered her up and took off back to the nest without a word. But he was a little more easygoing with his path, if anything not to aggravate any stomachs and with no further urgency on the horizon.
They knew what was happening, and... well, they'd learn more tomorrow.
Once at the nest he set her down, and went to check the status of the bag. Cups? Safe. Contents cooled a bit, but workable. Bag was untouched, with muffins still inside. He was glad he tied off the bag... goodness knows they didn't need squirrels making off with their meal. He was ready to fight a squirrel.]
Here. I have blueberry-oatmeal, cinnamon-walnut, and what they call 'strawberry sunrise'.
[Naoto doesn't object to being carried, leaning against him as they soar together. They knew what they were dealing with, they had things to plan, but she did wonder exactly how long.]
[Back at the nest, there's an immense relief being back in it. She would go over to the spot she'd been earlier resting and settle back down, wrapping her blanket around her shoulders.]
[He brought it and the tea to her, and kept the strawberry sunrise for himself. What can he say? The cutesy name was enough to grab him and it seemed packed full of fruit. He could use a little sugar right now.
He settled next to her before he tucked into his breakfast. He wondered if it was any comfort to add a wing to her blanket cocoon, the claws settled at her shoulder.]
Wish I had some foresight... ginger tea'd be a better idea.
[God, deep down he felt awful. He did this. Was she angry with him? If she wanted to yell, then... you know, he deserved it. But all he knew was that he wanted to make this right and make her as comfortable as possible.
Would it be cheating to offer the full mental link to offload the nausea and aches? He knew there were sympathy pains, but how many dads on earth would kill for the ability to take on everything like that? Would it make future pregnancies- if they did happen- rougher when they couldn't have this?
He didn't know... god, he was getting locked up in his head again.
...and maybe he should learn to keep from transmitting his thoughts, as he did just now. Whoops. Kanji reddened and cleared his throat.]
[Accepting the muffin, she held it close, but didn't take a bite immediately. Instead, she let the scent waft, didn't feel any uncomfortable shifts in her stomach, and took a chance at a small bite. Swallowing, she didn't feel nauseous from it and nodded to herself, taking another bite.]
Neither of us could've expected this. Perhaps we could pick up some later.
[Sitting and continuing to eat the muffin slowly, she was feeling awful... mentally. However, it didn't feel like she was the one generating the emotion. When she steadily received more thoughts such as those on sharing her pain, she paused and glanced over at Kanji.]
Kanji-kun, we both should have been careful. It's not your fault alone.
...But you deal with the result of it. I don't like this feeling of having done somethin' major and wakin' up without- without cramps, or nausea or any'a that. It's bad enough that girls gotta deal with so much.
[He set his jaw and sat upright.]
Y'know what? Screw it...! If it gets bad or if you want a break, share it with me! We're dealin' with a sped-up situation, so any edge we've got, we should take it.
[She was right; even now, he was picking up on a whole lot of things and he wasn't sure how he could even open up other than a hell of a lot of will. But could he take things? Shoulder them? It's probably not how it worked.]
No? ...Damn it. Well, if we find some way we can try, I'm willing to give it a shot.
[For now, he was relieved she was eating. If the chroma was what was nourishing the baby, he would just need to moonlace like this as much as possible. Those dragon eggs were fantastic practice, all told... those suckers needed a whole lot of the stuff.
Mmm... well, if I need to, I can activate my Dusklight. It should deal with the cramping, but I don't know if it will stop any nausea that might come up.
[The muffin she had was gradually disappearing... maybe a little faster than most times she ate actually. She might still be hungry...]
[She nuzzled against him.]
Probably. Though, if I recall, Grampa told me my mother was rather frustrated about taking work leave.
Kanji-kun, I wouldn't want to leave you solely to the kid or kids. I'd see about cases being done remotely or brief if I do have to travel. If uncooperative departments keep me from coming home, that's on them.
[He packed the wrappers in the bag for easy disposal.]
Tell ya what- why don't we go home home, we see how you're feelin' so we don't give you a stomachache, and we get a meal plan together for the next few days? Anything you're cravin'. We're due for a grocery trip anyways.
[Because he had a superpower... he knew how to sniff out bargains just as good as any housewife! He was a househusband.]
[Her face was almost completely red at the mention of him purchasing more. She never ate this much, it was so strange and a little embarrassing. However, she nodded at his suggestion to go to their home - like, apartment home - and figure out a diet. She did have to be more careful at her intake at this time.]
Let's be careful suggesting I plan around my cravings...
[That would be dangerous...]
[Of course, like either of them could plan what would happen. It was almost time for the appointment, but Naoto was still getting dress and staring at her stomach. They had talked about this possibly being accelerated, but wasn't this too fast? It had only been a bump the day before, but her abdomen had become pronounced. Just how much bigger was she going to become?]
[He laughed. That would be incredibly dangerous! Alright. Meal plans had to be carefully thought out and at their utmost in healthy decisions. ...But he still was gonna pick up at least a -couple- of things as a treat. She hadn't had California Roll in a while.]
---
[He bit off the thread ends and checked everything over. With a satisfied nod, he got up and crossed the living room where his sewing machine now sat. His crafting room had been cleared out and shuffled, making way for a cozy nursery. He'd checked with their landlords, assured he would have a crib delivered if he so requested one, but had been hesitant to make the call.
They didn't know what they were dealing with and would find out soon. Hopefully. For now, he checked in on Naoto and offered her the finished pants. They needed an alteration with the sudden growth. No use having a pinchy button area... a strip of stretchy, comfortable material was best to hem the top.]
[Accepting the modified pants, she frowned slightly at the stretch put into the waist. This was only temporary - it would be over... soon? At this rate, maybe a week? She never thought she'd think about preferring a pregnancy lasting nine months.]
Thank you, Kanji-kun.
[With all these preparations, she could only strive for the baby being born healthy. Pulling her pants on, all that left was a shirt which was easier to handle than the pants were. All dressed, she placed a hand on her stomach, concerned again about the leap in its growth.]
[He nodded. But when she seemed to literally navel-gaze he stepped closer and wound his arms around her, a kiss pressed to her forehead. Everything was developing so quickly; he really hoped Dr. Natalus would give them some answers today, maybe a timeline...]
Man, you're always so freakin' pretty... How're ya feelin'? I hope breakfast was enough this morning.
[He may have gone overboard with the meal prep. He was his mother's son, and had a full spread prepared since 5 that morning, and traditional as well: Vegetables and grilled fish, ginger tea to help with nausea and the lot. It was like he was cooking for an entire family already, but he'd long since sheepishly accepted his gusto.]
Guess it's time for answers, at any rate. I think we're through with scrambling.
Pretty? I doubt that. I haven't done anything different besides gain more weight here. [Just near where his arms rested to be exact.]
It was plenty. Thank you.
[It was adequate enough that she wouldn't be going to their appointment hungry and that was a small relief. She might have to put some of that ginger tea into a travel mug however.]
Hm... Well, we can't be sure until this appointment passes.
[He wasn't sure if it was his Sanguis or Astella that guided him like this, but he had to admit that he really got into playing 'House' growing up. A guy wasn't supposed to want a family or nothing like that... but fuck what they said! Maybe it was hella early, but it never hurt to look on the bright side.
Besides, he ain't lyin': Naoto looked really good.
Final prep time: Any information needed would be stored in their devices. Did she want some more tea for her tummy? May as well pack a thermos.
Without any further ado, it was a matter of expending chroma and forming those wings of his. It really was the way to travel. Lifting her today, he couldn't help but be a little more delicate with her, and if she were keen on his eyes he was regarding a number of others. Specifically, he was eyeing others with the strange 'a'-shaped mark both in flight and on the final strides into the clinic with baseless suspicion.]
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It's a scary time, I won't lie to ya. But you n' I have been a team through a lot scarier, ain't we? Never thought I'd add "punched gods in the face and told 'em to cut that shit out" to the lifetime achievements.
...But right now I wanna get you back and check on breakfast. I think even a little bite and some wake-up tea should help our brains.
[And you needed to eat, Naoto... Kanji had to recall what kind of muffins he'd brought. They weren't anything intense; he knew she didn't like sweets. But one had oatmeal in it, didn't it...? That'd be perfect, maybe.]
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[Though, wanting to punch a god in the face? What kind of person would that really be? She shook her head to rid of the crazy thought.]
Right. Let's... try to eat something now.
[Hm, she appreciated the thought. Hopefully, she'd be able to stomach a little right now, or they could find something her senses wouldn't object to.]
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They knew what was happening, and... well, they'd learn more tomorrow.
Once at the nest he set her down, and went to check the status of the bag. Cups? Safe. Contents cooled a bit, but workable. Bag was untouched, with muffins still inside. He was glad he tied off the bag... goodness knows they didn't need squirrels making off with their meal. He was ready to fight a squirrel.]
Here. I have blueberry-oatmeal, cinnamon-walnut, and what they call 'strawberry sunrise'.
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[Back at the nest, there's an immense relief being back in it. She would go over to the spot she'd been earlier resting and settle back down, wrapping her blanket around her shoulders.]
... I will have the blueberry-oatmeal, please.
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He settled next to her before he tucked into his breakfast. He wondered if it was any comfort to add a wing to her blanket cocoon, the claws settled at her shoulder.]
Wish I had some foresight... ginger tea'd be a better idea.
[God, deep down he felt awful. He did this. Was she angry with him? If she wanted to yell, then... you know, he deserved it. But all he knew was that he wanted to make this right and make her as comfortable as possible.
Would it be cheating to offer the full mental link to offload the nausea and aches? He knew there were sympathy pains, but how many dads on earth would kill for the ability to take on everything like that? Would it make future pregnancies- if they did happen- rougher when they couldn't have this?
He didn't know... god, he was getting locked up in his head again.
...and maybe he should learn to keep from transmitting his thoughts, as he did just now. Whoops. Kanji reddened and cleared his throat.]
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Neither of us could've expected this. Perhaps we could pick up some later.
[Sitting and continuing to eat the muffin slowly, she was feeling awful... mentally. However, it didn't feel like she was the one generating the emotion. When she steadily received more thoughts such as those on sharing her pain, she paused and glanced over at Kanji.]
Kanji-kun, we both should have been careful. It's not your fault alone.
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...But you deal with the result of it. I don't like this feeling of having done somethin' major and wakin' up without- without cramps, or nausea or any'a that. It's bad enough that girls gotta deal with so much.
[He set his jaw and sat upright.]
Y'know what? Screw it...! If it gets bad or if you want a break, share it with me! We're dealin' with a sped-up situation, so any edge we've got, we should take it.
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[Another reason it could be so easy to curse herself being born as she was, but she still didn't ultimately regret it. Her eyes widened slightly.]
Share? I... don't think I'll be able to control that anyway when it comes down to it.
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No? ...Damn it. Well, if we find some way we can try, I'm willing to give it a shot.
[For now, he was relieved she was eating. If the chroma was what was nourishing the baby, he would just need to moonlace like this as much as possible. Those dragon eggs were fantastic practice, all told... those suckers needed a whole lot of the stuff.
He leaned a shoulder against her.]
...I wonder if our parents were like this.
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[The muffin she had was gradually disappearing... maybe a little faster than most times she ate actually. She might still be hungry...]
[She nuzzled against him.]
Probably. Though, if I recall, Grampa told me my mother was rather frustrated about taking work leave.
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Color me not surprised. I actually figured you'd feel the same whenever it happened...
[He chuckled:]
Like, "Naoto, honey, you're due any day now, it ain't a good idea to fly to Italy and nail that crime syndicate!"
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I do, but it makes me wonder what their work leave plans are like here.
[She chuckled somewhat.]
Oh no, I could try, but I doubt I'd be able to work up to that far along.
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[He nodded.]
Yeah, I can only imagine what that'd be like. But if we nailed a routine, I bet we could getcha globe-trotting in no time!
I gotchu, y'know? I can handle the kids. Uh... k-kid. Wh-whichever winds up happening!
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[But this was still... a monitor situation.]
Kanji-kun, I wouldn't want to leave you solely to the kid or kids. I'd see about cases being done remotely or brief if I do have to travel. If uncooperative departments keep me from coming home, that's on them.
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Even if that winds up bein' the case, I'll say it every day: I've got your back.
[He finished his muffin and brushed crumbs off his shirt. He laughed softly.]
I'm so relieved you've got your appetite back. I gotta make somethin' extra special for you tonight!
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[Speaking of, she finished her second muffin and noticed that he'd only finished his first. Her face burned.]
I-I didn't even realize... and I still think I'm hungry.
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Whoa... m-maybe I should'a gotten more.
[He packed the wrappers in the bag for easy disposal.]
Tell ya what- why don't we go home home, we see how you're feelin' so we don't give you a stomachache, and we get a meal plan together for the next few days? Anything you're cravin'. We're due for a grocery trip anyways.
[Because he had a superpower... he knew how to sniff out bargains just as good as any housewife! He was a househusband.]
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Let's be careful suggesting I plan around my cravings...
[That would be dangerous...]
[Of course, like either of them could plan what would happen. It was almost time for the appointment, but Naoto was still getting dress and staring at her stomach. They had talked about this possibly being accelerated, but wasn't this too fast? It had only been a bump the day before, but her abdomen had become pronounced. Just how much bigger was she going to become?]
...
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[He laughed. That would be incredibly dangerous! Alright. Meal plans had to be carefully thought out and at their utmost in healthy decisions. ...But he still was gonna pick up at least a -couple- of things as a treat. She hadn't had California Roll in a while.]
---
[He bit off the thread ends and checked everything over. With a satisfied nod, he got up and crossed the living room where his sewing machine now sat. His crafting room had been cleared out and shuffled, making way for a cozy nursery. He'd checked with their landlords, assured he would have a crib delivered if he so requested one, but had been hesitant to make the call.
They didn't know what they were dealing with and would find out soon. Hopefully. For now, he checked in on Naoto and offered her the finished pants. They needed an alteration with the sudden growth. No use having a pinchy button area... a strip of stretchy, comfortable material was best to hem the top.]
Here. These should do it.
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Thank you, Kanji-kun.
[With all these preparations, she could only strive for the baby being born healthy. Pulling her pants on, all that left was a shirt which was easier to handle than the pants were. All dressed, she placed a hand on her stomach, concerned again about the leap in its growth.]
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Man, you're always so freakin' pretty... How're ya feelin'? I hope breakfast was enough this morning.
[He may have gone overboard with the meal prep. He was his mother's son, and had a full spread prepared since 5 that morning, and traditional as well: Vegetables and grilled fish, ginger tea to help with nausea and the lot. It was like he was cooking for an entire family already, but he'd long since sheepishly accepted his gusto.]
Guess it's time for answers, at any rate. I think we're through with scrambling.
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It was plenty. Thank you.
[It was adequate enough that she wouldn't be going to their appointment hungry and that was a small relief. She might have to put some of that ginger tea into a travel mug however.]
Hm... Well, we can't be sure until this appointment passes.
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Bunny, you wear it damn good.
[He could sympathize- he may be saying the same thing were he in her position. But they weren't kidding about the 'glow' people got while pregnant.]
Nothin' to it but to do it. Ready to go?
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Kanji-kun...
[Did he... like this? Oh dear, and here she was hoping her Iris or Ostella instincts wouldn't be prodded. Pushing down her blush, she nodded.]
Yes, I'm ready.
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Besides, he ain't lyin': Naoto looked really good.
Final prep time: Any information needed would be stored in their devices. Did she want some more tea for her tummy? May as well pack a thermos.
Without any further ado, it was a matter of expending chroma and forming those wings of his. It really was the way to travel. Lifting her today, he couldn't help but be a little more delicate with her, and if she were keen on his eyes he was regarding a number of others. Specifically, he was eyeing others with the strange 'a'-shaped mark both in flight and on the final strides into the clinic with baseless suspicion.]
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