pishirogane | prismatica

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Hm... I'm envious that you were able to gain height.

[Look at her, now twenty and still barely taller than her high school self. Naoto didn't mind his moment's display of affection, but she did somewhat tense when he touched the bump. It wasn't that she disliked it, but it was still strange.]

... Yes. Even if it needs to be condensed into a week or two.

Edited Date: 2020-07-02 02:42 am (UTC)

Hoo, man... I got some stories to tell ya sometime, then. Not that I'm sayin' ya can't be sore about your height, but I gotta tell ya, in a lotta ways you actually lucked out.

[The koi prismal returned and placed the bag on the counter before them. With a cheery smile, she informed them that their cost would be waived, because there was no way in heck they were imposing anything on the people who are responsible for the prismals having a future. What were a few vitamins? Congratulations~]

Uh... thanks.

[He did wish they wouldn't be weird about this, though. We're not zoo animals, dammit...]

Hm, I would like to hear them.

[Ready to pay for her fill, Naoto blinked when the pharmacist said it would be waived. She didn't like this... It was an expectation, but...]

We're monitoring it closely, but please keep the news to yourself. There's no idea how this will turn out yet.

[Which was why they couldn't inform their Queen.]

Yeah, w-we're as confused about this as anybody else! Keep it down!

[It was enough that he withdrew and bristled. The prismal raised her hands with an, "Okay, okay" and perhaps there would be no word to anyone else. Patient confidentiality, perhaps? That'd be nice.

But with this tended to, all that was left was to... well... head home and try not to stress too much. Worrying would make things worse for sure, but Naoto's well-being needed to be taken into major consideration. When the pharmacist greeted her replacement, relieved for the distraction and the chance to head home, Kanji sighed.]

We can only stop a rumor mill so much... and I'm sorry in advance.

[A beat.]

You ain't made of porcelain or nothin', but there's a whole lot we dunno about this and I want you to be safe n' healthy. The kid, too. So... I'm gonna be the 'dote' guy.

But it ain't like you can't tell me to fuck off, neither. I just... I don't wanna mess this up. I'm here for you.

Rather... please don't get anyone's hopes up.

[But she was grateful for Kanji bristling all the same. Walking with him, her thoughts were slowly coming back together - very slowly. She didn't like it.]

Hm? No, it's fine. We know how to handle rumors anyway.

[Her brows furrowed a bit. After a second, she relaxed.]

I couldn't see you any other way if I'm honest. I apologize now if I end up snapping at you.

... Thank you for being here. I might've been scared if you weren't.

[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.]

Mmm... you're right. I don't think most people would, but I'm sure some have.

[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.]

[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.]

... I will have the blueberry-oatmeal, please.

[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.

[He sighed and hung his head.]

...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.

... I can see your point in that.

[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.

[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.

He leaned a shoulder against her.]

...I wonder if our parents were like this.

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.

[Whoa. Bye, muffin. He reached into the bag with a quiet smile and offered her the last muffin, the cinnamon-walnut.]

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!"

[She accepted the muffin, paused, and then bit into it.]

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.

I wonder... guess they're gonna have to put that out there if moonblessed can have kids now.

[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!

Yes. Especially if all births are accelerated.

[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.

[Whoa, she seemed to have it all figured out already. That's Naoto for ya! But he wasn't about to slack off, neither.]

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!

Mmm, and I know you do because you always have.

[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.

[He blinked in surprise.]

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.]

[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?]

...

Y'know what? ...Yeah, you're right.

[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.

[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.]