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Estinien gazed around at the opulent room he had been granted at the Meghaduta, his sparse belongings having been picked up and packed away into the rucksack slung over his shoulder. His time in Radz-at-Han had come to a close for the time being. He had at least been able to put away a neat little goose egg of funds, which he intended on keeping close.
Glancing toward the windows, Estinien noted the hues of pink and purple that made up the dusk beyond. He had been intentionally waiting for the evening before he decided to gather his aether in order to teleport. There was a thought that perhaps he could give Vrtra a proper farewell, but…well, that just was not his style.
In a warm, momentary pocket in time, Estinien was whisked into the stream of aether before arriving on the beach that belonged to Nomin’s island sanctuary.
No…
His and Nomin’s island sanctuary.
Estinien had to remind himself that this island was his home as well. It was still a difficult thing to wrap his head around sometimes, especially when he often found himself traveling on a whim, or accepting jobs in order to rub two gil together for food, clothes, or lodging elsewhere. He had become accustomed to not having a home in the over two decades he spent training and honing himself to become a Knight Dragoon that the notion was still foreign.
Still, Estinien walked forward. It was afternoon for the Cieldalaes, meaning Nomin must have been awake and at least tending to something . Such was the hope at any rate.
The familiar cabin came into view, and it looked as if Nomin had been busy since the last time he was here. On the porch was now a bench that was attached to the awning with chain and rope, and box planters were in the process of growing myriad flowers. Estinien wondered just how many of them were seeds that he provided her during some of his visits back, or simply included in packages he sent back here if he could not spare the time to leave Radz-at-Han right away.
Before entering, he unlaced his boots and took them off, bringing them inside the cabin before settling them with the rest of the footwear at the entryway. Looking back up, he scanned the area momentarily before calling out, “Nomin?”
There was no immediate response, and a soft hum of consideration was made.
Setting his bag down in the lounge, Estinien then made his way up the stairs to see if Nomin was perhaps taking an afternoon nap. It would have been uncharacteristic of her, but since the last time he had spoken to and spent time with her, she often found herself taking little naps and extended moments of rest. After all, she had been heavy with child. If his timing was right, Nomin should have had two moons left before the babe was expected.
Estinien reached the door of their room, and again he called out: “Nomin?”
Pushing the door open revealed the room to him. Propped up in bed with a number of pillows to keep her supported was Nomin. She was nestled and her eyes were closed, her hands rested upon her swollen belly. Gazing down to her belly himself, Estinien noted just how much bigger she looked since the last time they saw one another.
Nearing the bed, Estinien eased himself on the edge and leaned over. He pressed his lips against Nomin’s belly first before leaning up and pressing a kiss against her horn. Her tail twitched and she gave a sleepy whine before her eyes fluttered open. It took her a moment, though once her attention settled on Estinien, her lips spread into a warm smile, only tinged by the lingering fatigue that must have still plagued her in that moment.
“... Welcome home…” Nomin softly said, moving a hand so that she was gently caressing Estinien’s cheek.
A smile cracked upon Estinien’s face in response, and he leaned into Nomin’s touch.
“... Have you been well?” Estinien gently asked.
“Mmm…” Nomin soon adjusted herself within her pillows so that she was more upright. “I don’t have any complaints. Nothing major, at any rate.”
“What of the minor things?”
“... Hungry…”
Estinien scoffed in amusement, leaning back in and pressing his lips against Nomin’s forehead before standing from the bed.
“Come, then. I can help with getting something prepared,” Estinien offered, holding his hand out to assist Nomin from her resting spot. “At the very least, I can pick up around the kitchen for you so you have less to worry about.”
Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, Nomin eased herself up into a standing position, her free hand going to her belly as she stood. “I may need some help getting something more involved prepared, but…the gardens have been providing well enough, as you’ll soon see. I have you to thank for always bringing those seeds. Some of them didn’t make it -- not the right climate or season. But I have a lot of other fruits and vegetables that made it.”
Nomin’s tail flicked. It was not as exuberant as it normally was; instead it was a slow and shallow flick. It seemed that her tells were also affected by her lack of energy in recent time.
“Is that right? It gladdens me to hear that a number of things came out of what I managed to get you,” Estinien said in response, keeping his hand out for Nomin as they made their way out of the bedroom and back downstairs.
“There’s always at least something,” Nomin reassured. “It’s been both rewarding and relaxing caring for them. I’m grateful for the lessons my family taught me before I left the Steppe in how to care for the plants.”
“Aye, a sentiment you’ve shared before. I do remember you saying such.”
Nomin giggled. “Well, if you’re staying around for a bit, I can show you the seeds you gave me and how they’re doing in the garden. It’s so pretty with all the seeds you’ve gotten me, and some that I simply bought while in Limsa Lominsa to visit the markets.”
“I look forward to that.” Estinien paused when they reached the bottom of the stairs, and he remained, allowing Nomin to use his arm in order to ease herself to the bottom. Once she was safely down, he went on to say, “my duties in Thavnair have come to an end for now. I hope that you’ll be gladdened to hear that I am resolved to spending as much time on the island as I can. I intend to be here when the babe is born and-”
“Babes.” Nomin corrected.
Estinien paused, and his attention went to Nomin. His expression was one of bemusement in response to her words. “‘Babes’?”
“Mm… We’re expecting twins,” Nomin explained. She motioned to her stomach, soon caressing it gently. “The chirurgeon who’s been tending to me from House Fortemps…she told me that I carry twins.”
Estinien’s lips parted for a moment before he closed his mouth. He had been expecting one child, but two? He supposed Nomin did look rather swollen for just one child, but it was not as if he made a habit of staring at people during their pregnancies. Nor did he have a vested interest in the past to know if those people were expecting one child, twins, or even more than that.
“... By the Fury.”
Another giggle fell from Nomin’s lips before she calmed herself and looked away. “I admit, the news came as a shock to me as well. But…scared as I am to bring them into this world, I’m looking forward to meeting them…giving them a good and loving home.”
Nomin reached out and placed her hand on Estinien’s arm before continuing, “and…I hope that you’re also still looking forward to meeting them. I…can feel the uncertainty, and I understand.”
A silent sigh fell from Estinien’s nose before he affectionately placed his hands on Nomin’s shoulders and leaned down to press his forehead against hers. “No matter the obstacle nor situation, our babes will have what we were stolen of. This I promised myself in the time I had to think about even just the one babe I thought we were having. Twins make no difference. They will both have what we lost.”
Nomin smiled at Estinien’s words and resolve. She bumped her nose against his momentarily before closing her eyes. “Then I’m glad to hear that. I feel the very same.”