[It always gave him such a warm feeling to hear that. Later, they could return to the apartment no problem, but right now they had dappled sunshine, plenty of shade and an afterglow to bask in.
All senses keen to any intruders to the nest, Kanji tuned in and kept watch.]
[For Naoto, this was one of the most relaxed sleeps she had in Prisma.]
-----
[Upon waking and returning to their apartment, Naoto was feeling something. Though she had her Dusklight and accelerated healing, she could feel discomfort before both activated. She didn't think much of it until the spacing of it began to decrease and she felt shifting around in her lower abdomen.]
[Discomfort... active healing... oh. She placed a hand on her stomach and felt the eggs shift this time.]
[She went into the bedroom, taking breaths and wondering if there was still time to reach the nest. In the meantime while she made preparations in the event they couldn't - or because her mind was saying there was no way she was delivering in public despite those instincts - she mentally reached out to Kanji. 'They're coming' and hopefully he understood.]
[Hell of a nap! After cleaning up and heading home, Kanji was just hanging a few things up and switched on the chroma-powered kettle. It'd help wake up the sleepy-brain as they readied for the rest of what he thought was going to be a regular day.
They're coming.
He lifted his head and scratched the top. Boy, that was pretty clear in his head. Had nothing to do with where his mind had wandered, and that voice was pretty clearly that of Naoto.
Right, the link. They were coming? Who was, he wondered.]
...Oh, shit-!
[He skidded on his socks as he turned and tore out of the kitchen. He made a beeline for her, the cold sweat beading over his face. He braced against the bedroom doorway, short of breath. His mind ran: Where would they go, the hospital? The nest?]
I-it's happening? R-right now!?
[He stepped in and that's when he could feel pangs over the link, cramps he could feel under his navel. He pushed past it to place his hands on her shoulders.]
[She had it all prepared when she heard the telltale charge of Kanji finally processing what she said. She had picked up on his initial confusion and then realization - she probably shouldn't have made it so vague. Either way, he was there at the door while she was settling in, feeling an egg moving lower.]
I don't think there's enough time. The contractions are becoming more frequent and I think one egg is almost ready.
[She wasn't showing signs of pain herself, but she was working on her breathing. They might be doing this here, but maybe he could call a midwife? Did dragons need midwifes to help with deliveries?]
[O-one was almost ready- they hadn't been home long and everything was happening! Kanji swallowed and brought up his device. He was dialing Dr. Natalus.]
Shit, if one's here soon, time between contractions probably don't even matter...!
[Why wasn't she answering? Come on...! He threw open the closet to get blankets and towels, piling them onto his head and shoulders to keep his hands free before joining her, starting to set up. He wasn't sure how messy this could possibly be, and he needed blankets for the eggs.]
I-I'll get these pants off. Just breathe and grab onto me, a'right?
[He went to get them off, help her get comfortable. If pregnancy was sped up, they likely would be on their own unless the good doc answers her damn line...! Wh-what's got her so busy today? Wait...]
Shit, y'think other babies had the same idea as ours...?
[While Kanji was trying to call Dr. Natalus, Naoto was in the proces of stripping down. God this would be awkward, but at least it was only Kanji. Even so, she still had mixed feelings about being watched delivering eggs - of all things.]
[When he'd been unsuccessful, he helped her get her pants off; which he appreciated because they'd become stuck to her legs. Not exactly amniotic fluid, but she wasn't about to pass eggs dry apparently. Once that was done, all there was left was waiting. It wouldn't be too long though, she could feel it.]
It's possible. Plenty may have started going into labor before me.
[He nudged a pair of towels beneath her before he reached for and took her hand.]
Hell of a synchronized performance, huh?
[Calm was hopefully gonna help with this. If everybody panicked there was no telling how everything would go. But dragons themselves seemed confident, calm and collected when it came time to have eggs... he'd have to be the same and help Naoto have the easiest time they could muster.]
O-oof... they're gettin' pretty close together, ain't they? I can feel 'em.
[Everything seemed to be in place then. Her hand squeezed his as he took hold.]
Yes, they are. I'm sorry... I don't know if I'll be able to keep you from feeling this.
[In particular, the next wave that struck her. Even the dusklight couldn't cover that one up as she tensed and felt that need to push. The first egg was making its way out.]
Don't worry about me. I'll offer up as much good on my end as I ca-ANH...!
[Whoa. Holy shit. It was like someone had a hand inside and made a fist. Poor Naoto... he entwined fingers and kissed her temple. When he drew away, he could sense a pressure. It was time to roll.]
A'right, Bunny, give it whatcha got!
[Wow, it- it really was an egg, wasn't it? O-oh god. He lowered a hand to catch it, unsure if the shell would be delicate so freshly born.]
[Yeah, she thought that might happen. In preparation for this, she'd done extra reading. When it came to the pain, her body would be prepared to try compensating for it somehow, but due to their mental connection, she hadn't been sure how it might be for Kanji. He was fine, but... there were four other eggs after this one.]
It shouldn't be too long...
[In fact, aside from the initial push out of her womb, most of the effort came from getting it out. Even that wasn't so bad because the shell still required hardening. So, with a few more pushes, the first soft egg would land in Kanji's waiting hand. How strange this was...]
... I think I understand. Since I'm an Iris, I can tolerate the pain, but not everyone marked Ostella was also an Iris, were they?
[Wow, this... this is it. One of five. Happy birthday, little dude. He handled the shell so delicately, and set it within a waiting blanket, wrapped securely.]
I've gotten pretty good at pickin' out blessings n' scents. I've picked up Sanguis, Cordis... the signs weren't picky.
They'll need the hospital more than I do. If anything, we can have the eggs examined later if we're concerned about their health.
[But just saying that aloud made her irritated. She didn't really want anyone besides Kanji handling her eggs. Blinking, her anger ebbed at the sight of the first egg wrapped up, and she smiled faintly.]
I'm glad... There don't see to be any issues. Now, there's a matter of four more...
[The second which was making itself known to her.]
[He could sense that irritability and it was palpable, something he understood. To feel so covetous, something that burned in the mind was something he battled with all the time. It was kind of a relief to know he wasn't alone in it.
He eased and nodded. Egg looked healthy. Just needed to toughen up. As he set it aside, he reached for a second blanket. Cramps were building...]
A-ah... whoa. Yeah, I felt that. But I gotchu, Naoto! Whenever you're ready.
[He took a moment to breathe and steeled himself. He was pretty damn sure it'd be more involved if they weren't eggs, but he was totally okay with the two of them rocking this.]
[He was already grabbing the second blanket. God, his preparations for this - even if so sudden - made her love him more.]
Thank you, Kanji-kun. Let's get this second one out...
[Leveling her breathing again, she proceeded to push. This was a little more of a struggle - perhaps the egg was larger than the first one. Right, she should've considered that.]
[A spark of concern flit through his mind. This one was having a bit of trouble, but from the look of the shell alone he could see it was different. Bigger. Wait, would the rest be like this? Was the first one a 'runt'? Was this one going to be more like him considering how much bigger he is?
...He hoped this one took after Naoto more. It'd just be right.
He grunted in frustration at the device and left a callback number. The constant ringing noise was getting annoying. He settled himself as he got back into position, shell to palm, other hand secure with hers. Keen on the sensations shared, he found himself breathing as she was, an inadvertent coach.]
You're kickin' ass, Naoto! I'm so proud of you!
[He kissed her fingers. He told himself he wouldn't cry, but his eyes were stinging. He scolded himself inwardly. Let's get the five out before you became a mess, Kanji, huh?]
[Sensing the spark, Naoto almost shook her head. Instead, she managed to catch herself and send back some reassurance - that she doubted all the eggs were large and this one just happened to be bigger.]
[Able to hold his hand again, she squeezed down tight as she pushed, moving the egg along.]
Hah... Thank you, I think.
[She felt her eyes stinging, but knew that couldn't be her. It took several more pushes with deeper breaths before the egg - roughly a few centimeters bigger than the last - finally passed and she could properly look Kanji's way.]
[Whoa. His hand dipped from the weight of this one and he blinked at it. But after a quick shake of his head for focus, he went to wrap this one up and set it next to its sibling.]
A'right, that's two down. How you feelin'?
[She could squeeze his hand as much as she wished. But he wondered if he should have thought to bring water in here; he knew he'd be parched were he in her position, but... this was happening all suddenly!]
[There was relief after that egg passed. Naoto was feeling the urge to shift a little from her current position; she'd been in it for a while and was feeling numb.]
Hm... I could probably use something to drink.
[The other eggs were shifting around, but she think she had a small reprieve before the third egg.]
Sure thing. Maybe we'll do some little stretches, too.
[Because he could definitely tell that wasn't his tailbone going numb. Kanji pulled away to grab the carafe and get some ice water going. Goodness knows if laying eggs or even having babies did something for hydration, but it was feeling a little warm in the room.
He'd chosen the carafe for how pretty it was, seeing it on display at a glassworker's shop one afternoon. He'd bought it and a set of glasses to match, feeling very adult indeed to be purchasing glassware. He returned to set it on the nightstand and pour a glass for her.]
Man, I wonder how the others are doing...? I don't see anybody like Yosuke bein' calm about any of this, especially if Souji's bein'... Souji about it.
"Take responsibility~"
[With the breathy falsetto and a smirk, he offered the glass.]
[She appreciated the encouragement. Maybe when he got back and she had a little to drink she would try standing up. Getting up right now just seemed precarious.]
[Still, when he did return and pour some water for her, she gladly accepted it and took a long drink. She had been more parched than she realized.]
Mmm... If they're going through this. We should try calling them later. Er, well, you might have to call them, or wait until I sleep this off.
[Because she could guarantee she was going to be tired after this.]
No rush if ya can't, but my ass is goin' TV static... that's probably comin' from you, heheh.
[He didn't normally get the numbness or cramps, but he got it in his neck a lot from his posture. Whoops. Kanji had a little water himself, down like a shot of whiskey before.
He offered his hands next.]
I got ya. Just a little stand n' stretch, get the blood pumpin' again.
[Did he read a library's worth of books on the topic? Sure. Maybe he was a worrywart, but he knew better after his time being thrown into the TV than to not take any opportunity to learn something new. What'd that really badass doctor say, 'Be a perpetual student'?]
I'll definitely give the others a call later, see what's up.
[But did he have to put it that way? Her face turned pink.]
[Still, with his hands proffered, she took hold and rose to her feet slowly, feeling the remaining eggs shift, but not move down yet. It was getting there, but until it did... and there was the feeling coming back to her legs.]
[Until he learned the proper name for the tingles, Kanji could only be apt. He helped guide her up and felt that gradual relief, the static wearing away as nerve endings breathed that sigh of relief.
With the question, he craned his head to peek at the alarm clock.]
Ah... gettin' close to an hour. But that second one came pretty soon after the first, I think.
[He turned pink. He remembered a passage involving sex in the late-term possibly encouraging labor.]
Y'think what we did this morning, uh... m-may have...?
[The only problem would be how those nerves decided to come back. It was not in the fun, cannot move because it's tickling sort of way, but at least that meant the recovery was sped up before it became another problem.]
Hm... and there's still three more.
[She knew labors could be long, but she wondered how long it would be with the eggs. So, one hour mark, two eggs, three more to go... Blinking, her eyes grew, but then closed as the red on her cheeks became more brilliant.]
... Quite possibly. I was close to being due even if that's not the case.
[Live and learn. With a shy chuckle he stooped and kissed her. He brought her hands to his shoulders and reached down to rub her back, mild fire chroma coaxing a little extra heat to his hands as he smoothed over the muscles. It was a slow knead, coaxing circulation to such taut areas.
He didn't fault her for being so tight here, and the least he could do was help Naoto maybe not feel like fresh hell later or tomorrow.]
Let's see if we can't get some help from ol' gravity, too.
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All senses keen to any intruders to the nest, Kanji tuned in and kept watch.]
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-----
[Upon waking and returning to their apartment, Naoto was feeling something. Though she had her Dusklight and accelerated healing, she could feel discomfort before both activated. She didn't think much of it until the spacing of it began to decrease and she felt shifting around in her lower abdomen.]
[Discomfort... active healing... oh. She placed a hand on her stomach and felt the eggs shift this time.]
[She went into the bedroom, taking breaths and wondering if there was still time to reach the nest. In the meantime while she made preparations in the event they couldn't - or because her mind was saying there was no way she was delivering in public despite those instincts - she mentally reached out to Kanji. 'They're coming' and hopefully he understood.]
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They're coming.
He lifted his head and scratched the top. Boy, that was pretty clear in his head. Had nothing to do with where his mind had wandered, and that voice was pretty clearly that of Naoto.
Right, the link. They were coming? Who was, he wondered.]
...Oh, shit-!
[He skidded on his socks as he turned and tore out of the kitchen. He made a beeline for her, the cold sweat beading over his face. He braced against the bedroom doorway, short of breath. His mind ran: Where would they go, the hospital? The nest?]
I-it's happening? R-right now!?
[He stepped in and that's when he could feel pangs over the link, cramps he could feel under his navel. He pushed past it to place his hands on her shoulders.]
Do... do we have time?
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I don't think there's enough time. The contractions are becoming more frequent and I think one egg is almost ready.
[She wasn't showing signs of pain herself, but she was working on her breathing. They might be doing this here, but maybe he could call a midwife? Did dragons need midwifes to help with deliveries?]
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Shit, if one's here soon, time between contractions probably don't even matter...!
[Why wasn't she answering? Come on...! He threw open the closet to get blankets and towels, piling them onto his head and shoulders to keep his hands free before joining her, starting to set up. He wasn't sure how messy this could possibly be, and he needed blankets for the eggs.]
I-I'll get these pants off. Just breathe and grab onto me, a'right?
[He went to get them off, help her get comfortable. If pregnancy was sped up, they likely would be on their own unless the good doc answers her damn line...! Wh-what's got her so busy today? Wait...]
Shit, y'think other babies had the same idea as ours...?
[They... might be on their own.]
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[When he'd been unsuccessful, he helped her get her pants off; which he appreciated because they'd become stuck to her legs. Not exactly amniotic fluid, but she wasn't about to pass eggs dry apparently. Once that was done, all there was left was waiting. It wouldn't be too long though, she could feel it.]
It's possible. Plenty may have started going into labor before me.
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Hell of a synchronized performance, huh?
[Calm was hopefully gonna help with this. If everybody panicked there was no telling how everything would go. But dragons themselves seemed confident, calm and collected when it came time to have eggs... he'd have to be the same and help Naoto have the easiest time they could muster.]
O-oof... they're gettin' pretty close together, ain't they? I can feel 'em.
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[Everything seemed to be in place then. Her hand squeezed his as he took hold.]
Yes, they are. I'm sorry... I don't know if I'll be able to keep you from feeling this.
[In particular, the next wave that struck her. Even the dusklight couldn't cover that one up as she tensed and felt that need to push. The first egg was making its way out.]
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Don't worry about me. I'll offer up as much good on my end as I ca-ANH...!
[Whoa. Holy shit. It was like someone had a hand inside and made a fist. Poor Naoto... he entwined fingers and kissed her temple. When he drew away, he could sense a pressure. It was time to roll.]
A'right, Bunny, give it whatcha got!
[Wow, it- it really was an egg, wasn't it? O-oh god. He lowered a hand to catch it, unsure if the shell would be delicate so freshly born.]
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It shouldn't be too long...
[In fact, aside from the initial push out of her womb, most of the effort came from getting it out. Even that wasn't so bad because the shell still required hardening. So, with a few more pushes, the first soft egg would land in Kanji's waiting hand. How strange this was...]
... I think I understand. Since I'm an Iris, I can tolerate the pain, but not everyone marked Ostella was also an Iris, were they?
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I've gotten pretty good at pickin' out blessings n' scents. I've picked up Sanguis, Cordis... the signs weren't picky.
[He lifted the wrapped egg into view.]
Check it out. Y-you did it. Here's the first...
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[But just saying that aloud made her irritated. She didn't really want anyone besides Kanji handling her eggs. Blinking, her anger ebbed at the sight of the first egg wrapped up, and she smiled faintly.]
I'm glad... There don't see to be any issues. Now, there's a matter of four more...
[The second which was making itself known to her.]
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He eased and nodded. Egg looked healthy. Just needed to toughen up. As he set it aside, he reached for a second blanket. Cramps were building...]
A-ah... whoa. Yeah, I felt that. But I gotchu, Naoto! Whenever you're ready.
[He took a moment to breathe and steeled himself. He was pretty damn sure it'd be more involved if they weren't eggs, but he was totally okay with the two of them rocking this.]
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Thank you, Kanji-kun. Let's get this second one out...
[Leveling her breathing again, she proceeded to push. This was a little more of a struggle - perhaps the egg was larger than the first one. Right, she should've considered that.]
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...He hoped this one took after Naoto more. It'd just be right.
He grunted in frustration at the device and left a callback number. The constant ringing noise was getting annoying. He settled himself as he got back into position, shell to palm, other hand secure with hers. Keen on the sensations shared, he found himself breathing as she was, an inadvertent coach.]
You're kickin' ass, Naoto! I'm so proud of you!
[He kissed her fingers. He told himself he wouldn't cry, but his eyes were stinging. He scolded himself inwardly. Let's get the five out before you became a mess, Kanji, huh?]
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[Able to hold his hand again, she squeezed down tight as she pushed, moving the egg along.]
Hah... Thank you, I think.
[She felt her eyes stinging, but knew that couldn't be her. It took several more pushes with deeper breaths before the egg - roughly a few centimeters bigger than the last - finally passed and she could properly look Kanji's way.]
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A'right, that's two down. How you feelin'?
[She could squeeze his hand as much as she wished. But he wondered if he should have thought to bring water in here; he knew he'd be parched were he in her position, but... this was happening all suddenly!]
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Hm... I could probably use something to drink.
[The other eggs were shifting around, but she think she had a small reprieve before the third egg.]
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[Because he could definitely tell that wasn't his tailbone going numb. Kanji pulled away to grab the carafe and get some ice water going. Goodness knows if laying eggs or even having babies did something for hydration, but it was feeling a little warm in the room.
He'd chosen the carafe for how pretty it was, seeing it on display at a glassworker's shop one afternoon. He'd bought it and a set of glasses to match, feeling very adult indeed to be purchasing glassware. He returned to set it on the nightstand and pour a glass for her.]
Man, I wonder how the others are doing...? I don't see anybody like Yosuke bein' calm about any of this, especially if Souji's bein'... Souji about it.
"Take responsibility~"
[With the breathy falsetto and a smirk, he offered the glass.]
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[She appreciated the encouragement. Maybe when he got back and she had a little to drink she would try standing up. Getting up right now just seemed precarious.]
[Still, when he did return and pour some water for her, she gladly accepted it and took a long drink. She had been more parched than she realized.]
Mmm... If they're going through this. We should try calling them later. Er, well, you might have to call them, or wait until I sleep this off.
[Because she could guarantee she was going to be tired after this.]
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[He didn't normally get the numbness or cramps, but he got it in his neck a lot from his posture. Whoops. Kanji had a little water himself, down like a shot of whiskey before.
He offered his hands next.]
I got ya. Just a little stand n' stretch, get the blood pumpin' again.
[Did he read a library's worth of books on the topic? Sure. Maybe he was a worrywart, but he knew better after his time being thrown into the TV than to not take any opportunity to learn something new. What'd that really badass doctor say, 'Be a perpetual student'?]
I'll definitely give the others a call later, see what's up.
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[But did he have to put it that way? Her face turned pink.]
[Still, with his hands proffered, she took hold and rose to her feet slowly, feeling the remaining eggs shift, but not move down yet. It was getting there, but until it did... and there was the feeling coming back to her legs.]
How long has it been since this started?
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With the question, he craned his head to peek at the alarm clock.]
Ah... gettin' close to an hour. But that second one came pretty soon after the first, I think.
[He turned pink. He remembered a passage involving sex in the late-term possibly encouraging labor.]
Y'think what we did this morning, uh... m-may have...?
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Hm... and there's still three more.
[She knew labors could be long, but she wondered how long it would be with the eggs. So, one hour mark, two eggs, three more to go... Blinking, her eyes grew, but then closed as the red on her cheeks became more brilliant.]
... Quite possibly. I was close to being due even if that's not the case.
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[Live and learn. With a shy chuckle he stooped and kissed her. He brought her hands to his shoulders and reached down to rub her back, mild fire chroma coaxing a little extra heat to his hands as he smoothed over the muscles. It was a slow knead, coaxing circulation to such taut areas.
He didn't fault her for being so tight here, and the least he could do was help Naoto maybe not feel like fresh hell later or tomorrow.]
Let's see if we can't get some help from ol' gravity, too.
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