pishirogane | prismatica

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[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.]

[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 nuzzled her cheek. What, this...? He brought a hand to her belly.]

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?

[At his touch, she didn't react like she did the day before. In fact, his words made her shiver.]

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.

[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.]

[Naoto held onto him like before, soaking up chroma while they moved, completely setting aside the fact he was holding her more delicately than the day before. Did she notice he was watching other Astella warily? Yes. Was she going to say anything? Not really; she didn't want to be near them anymore than him, but she would give him a squeeze to hopefully prevent him from causing a scene. They had an appointment to get to.]

[He felt a pressure and looked down. It helped him realize his shoulders were tight and his jaw was clenched and giving him a headache. After drawing a breath, Kanji put his marbles back together. Yeah... they had something they needed to do.

They requested Dr. Natalus, who called for them in short order once he set Naoto down. A slow morning meant a ready room and a very cheery morning person of an obstetrician! Kanji was still shaking the cobwebs from his brain.]

Man, I gotta work on bein' a morning person... how do people do it?

[When he settled down, she gave him a smile. Hey, she was having the baby with him - no one else. And if another Astella approached, she would refuse and make it very clear.]

[Dr. Natalus was very awake when she received them, but she was probably excited for other reasons too. Naoto, unfortunately for Kanji, was awake herself.]

Hard to say. I tend to be a morning person however.

Hah! Yeah, you are...! Hopefully it rubs off on me- I think I've been gettin' up a couple hours earlier than usual lately.

[The bat was so ecstatic that her vestigial wings were all but twitching, threatening to somehow provide enough lift to carry her. But she kept her cool and was completely jazzed with the progression from yesterday into today.]

Would you look at that...! Now, from what we've learned during our initial check-ups of you more humanoid moonblessed, your pregnancies last approximately 40 weeks. I think with two days of data, we can make a tidy estimate of how long until you meet your bouncing bundle.

C'mon up, Miss Shirogane. I'll take your vitals, then we'll have ourselves a peek inside.

[A cheery pat of the seat, and she swiveled her bat ears. Who needed a stethoscope when you had sharp hearing?]

You, uh... have a really good cup of coffee or somethin'?

Oh no, I apologize- but we in obstetrics and the ob/gyn department are suddenly very, very busy and the Scientia is abuzz!

Uhm... wh-what for?

It isn't just the two of you! The dragons seem to have completely overridden the gods' blessing: We have had a number of pregnancies reported across every hospital in Lunatia, all moonblessed!

I do wonder if the King of the dragons planned any of this.

Whoa... I-I dunno if that's what he was goin' for- dude just wanted the skyway opened and all the dragons wanted to get busy!

[Let's see... pulse is fine, lymph nodes seem normal. The doctor applied the cuff for a quick blood pressure reading.]

Regardless, I take it you followed my instructions? Didn't miss any spots on Miss Naoto's stomach?

[Dr. Natalus grinned a little to Naoto as Kanji sat upright, pink-faced.]

O-of course I didn't miss any spots! I was... I was gonna offer more when we got back.

[Blood pressure looked good. She removed the cuff to give this woman her arm back.]

He's diligent, isn't he?

You have. It helps when we sleep at the same time.

[And considering she wanted to sleep next to him right now, he might find himself waking up even earlier. Naoto was compliant to the tests the doctor put her through; although, she had something to note when it came to the expected due date.]

It should last forty weeks, but at this rate, I doubt that will be the case.

[There was something relieving about hearing she wasn't the only one going through this, but it also made her curious who might be experiencing this as well. Maybe one of them could call the others? See if they encountered this? What about Senpai and Yosuke?]

... Huh?

[Her fact darkened at Dr. Natalus tease, and she looked elsewhere. Still, there was a nod and smile.]

Yes, and very attentive, too.

[Kanji's hands tightened against his knees and he turned bright red. Dr. Natalus laughed good-naturedly. No, these two were cute.]

I-I try...

Well, I'm glad to know of this. Let's see... vitals are fantastic, so we have no concerns about your blood pressure or your immune reaction. Naoto, I just need you to lie back and get comfortable, and we'll get started on your ultrasound.

The gel's going to be rather chilly, and I'm sorry in advance.

[Once made comfortable, the doctor prepped and YEP, that was some cold jelly on the stomach.]

Let's see... just relax, and I'll get us an image.

[This was her first of the day, the first of many. She was curious to see what she would find.]