adelphoi | (no subject)

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[ never before has alisaie so deeply, keenly known what it is to feel bittersweet.

arriving on hydaelyn again, surrounded by the familiar walls of the rising stones, eorzea's peoples and lands safe, restored, full - is it not what she had dreamt of since first she awoke in that icy pod? since she looked out over a wide vista of stars and attempted to process the fact that her home was gone? mourning an entire world had been a monumental effort, and when the news had come that their homes could yet be salvaged she had never been more relieved.

that relief, of course, had been soon followed by a sweeping despair. they were to return home, and only home, the natha had a duty to fulfill, to see to it that everything was restored exactly as it was, no exception, no compromise. for the greater good, they had insisted, and alisaie's heart had broken clean in two. she had made so many connections, so many close friends, she had carved a life out for herself on el nysa and -

- and prompto. to lose him forever was an ache she could not bear. she had already lost so much, so many, and to lose him.. of course she fought. she railed and shouted herself hoarse, she petitioned the natha again and again, begged, but they would not be moved. and so she was home again, surrounded by familiar walls and familiar friends, but on her clothing she could still smell prompto's skin, the sensation of his last kiss clinging to her mouth like a ghost.

a week of stunned grieving was all she allowed herself, but alisaie would not be defeated. traveling to other worlds.. it is possible, she has seen it done. the ascians, the warriors of the first - all had traveled between the planes, and alisaie was entirely certain, with all of her heart, that his eos was one of the many echoes, the worlds connected to her own by the sundering of the mothercrystal. prompto was gone and yet he still somehow felt so very close, just out of reach of her touch, her voice, her heart.

the pregnancy, of course, had been.. entirely unexpected. the natha had rendered them sterile, but she can only assume that they had reversed it some time before their restoration of their homes, long enough for him to quicken within her womb and leave her with a soul to remember him by, a sweet child with her own dark eyes and prompto's fair hair, and smile, and laugh that breaks her heart to hear. but gods she loves him, this little sunshine boy who thrives on touch and love, who sleeps well and smiles often and gives her the extra drive she needs to work, to finish, to find the way to drive open the doorway between their worlds. it is unstable, and unable to linger for long, it is entirely possible that this is a one-way trip, that she will never be able to find her way back, and that is all that stalls her. prompto is her heart, her husband, the mother of her child - but hydaelyn is her home, her family is here, and the thought of leaving her brother behind forever, leaving urianger, and the scions..

gods, it is nearly enough to unmake her, to convince her to abandon her work.

but they remind her, all of them, that prompto too is her family, that their child deserves to know his father, that if she does not make this step she will never see him again. she will.. simply have to do it again, to find a way to keep the doorway open. and if she has not, at least she has said her goodbyes, she has made her peace, and decided what it is that she needs.

and so that is what brings her here at last, to eos, where the air is thick with darkness, where the aether is in upheaval. gods, this is the home he had returned to? this is where he has been? the atmosphere is heady and oppressive, the roads swarmed with terrible daemons. she had made the right decision.

finding him, however, was much more difficult. finding her way to a well lit station had been difficult enough in a foreign world, and she had learned quickly to arrange her hair to cover her ears, avoiding questions she does not have the time to answer. but soon enough she had learned of him, where he was, and how to arrive there - to a city called lestallum, the last great bastion against the doom hovering on the horizon.

alisaie's heart is pounding when she arrives before the worn wooden door, in a narrow staircase with yellow walls, the paint peeling and the light harsh. she's ruffled and dusty with travel, exhausted and anxious, smelling of sweat and chocobo but once she had arrived in the city she could not bring herself to wait another second before searching him out, finding him. hefting the sleeping child higher on her hip, alisaie presses a kiss to his pale blonde head, taking a deep, stilling breath.

and she knocks. ]

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[ Yeah...she really should have known better, honestly.

Even before Alisaie whisks Louie away Prompto is straightening up. She's not wrong in her assumption that Prompto was hardly a disciplinarian while she was in the hospital, but at least the boy seems to recall quickly what it's like when mom is around. At her summon, Prompto hurries over to the living room before —

Pulling to a halt, still clutching both wailing babies and handing neither of them over to Alisaie. ]

H-hey, I got this! Lemme handle this one.

[ His false confidence is back...but as if to demonstrate this point, he reaches for the nearby diaper bag, pulling out the changing mat. At least these little bugs are too small to move anywhere... ]

[ now she just has four children to take care of instead of two... :weary:

but prompto seems very set on helping her, even if he hardly seems to have matters in hand, so she'll give him the chance to get this under control. louis, at least, is back in line. ]

.. all right.

[ she'll let him give it a try!! for now, she turns to louis again. ]

Fifteen minute time out. When it is up, you will go to the kitchen and clean up your mess, and only then may you play. Understood?

[ he nods again, no backtalk!! so alisaie leans to press a kiss to his forehead, then ruffles his pale hair before she's meandering back to prompto again. ]

Are you sure you need no help?

[ she has two free hands!! ]

[ Ouch, fifteen minutes time out...that's rough, buddy. Prompto shoots Louie a sympathetic look before he kneels to set the changing mat over the carpet, carefully holding both girls as he does so. To his credit, by now he is well acquainted with how to change diapers, and so both babies go down on the mat on their backs before he reaches into the diaper bag for wipes and fresh diapers. The real danger here is Prompto getting distracted by just how cute they are, which happens...about five seconds in. ]

Have you ever seen a pair of kids so perfect in your whole life? ...No offense, Lou.

[ But even Louie is enamored with his little sisters. He gets it!! Prompto tickles their tiny feet, cooing and chuckling softly, before at last he unsnaps their onesies. It definitely helps that they can't really move anywhere yet...once they can, this process is gonna get a lot harder. But for now, he's doing just fine, and he grins up at her with reassurance. ]

Please, I got this! Lemme cover for you where I can! You're still gonna need to take care of the breastfeeding, though.

[ He won't take that away from her........ ]

Oh, well how considerate of you, but please, feel free to try.

[ she's really not looking forward to the sore, chapped nipples, especially once those tiny teeth start to come in.. why is it so hard to be a mom!! prompto got the fun part. :|

but well hey, he really does seem to have it all in hand. for now, at least. once they're crawling, this will get much, much more difficult. she'll take his enthusiasm for now though, she's not super excited to deal with poopy diapers, so no more argument here - there's plenty of baby fluids in her future, for sure.

so for now, she drops heavily onto the sofa beside louie, and tugs him right into her lap to tickle his ribs. just because he's in time-out doesn't mean she can't torment him.. ]

They are probably overdue for a nice bath, as well.

[ Ah, yes, bathtime...his favorite, tbh, even if he usually winds up as wet as the kids. Louie loves the water as much as Alisaie does, so he has no doubt that the twins will love it, too. And afterwards he gets to dress them up in clean, cute baby jammies...that's the stuff right there.

With the offending diapers on both girls removed, he reaches for the wet wipes to clean up their pink lil' bums. Infant poop is...alarming, but he's grown used to it by now. ]

You know I love bathtime. Oh — I even got their PJs for their first night at home allll ready before we picked you up today. They're gonna be perfect for snuggling.

[ Which is the number one requirement for baby jammies, as everyone knows. ]

[ yeah enjoy that poop prompto, especially when it crawls right up their backs somehow, they sure do love to find creative places for it to go.. ]

Did you, now..

[ somehow this is not at all surprising, and yet somehow, it still is. tbh he probably has the entire month's worth of clothing decided for them, right down to the exact socks. tired as she is, it's still so endearing to watch him, to see how much he loves his children, how happy it makes him, to be a parent, to be surrounded by family. a dream come true for him. for both of them. ]

Well, how lucky they are to have such a doting, thoughtful father.

[ Of course he has their outfits for the month planned. He also knows what songs he's going to sing them before bed, how many kisses he's going to give their soft little heads, how long he's going watch them after they fall asleep. They're his perfect little angels. Why wouldn't he do all of these things and more? How can he do anything but?

He pauses a moment, turning a soft smile up at her. ]

Aw, c'mon, you're gonna make me cry again...

[ Haven't they had enough water works for one day?? But of course, he doesn't mind her commentary in the least. It makes his heart swell, already fit to burst, just to hear her call him a father.

To think, he had once been so lonely, and now, he is surrounded by so much joy, so much love. The Starscourge will never take that from him.

He holds her gaze a moment longer. ]

I love you.

[ wow, how dare he assault her with feelings like this. she just gave birth like, a month ago, she's still full of hormones!! enough hormones that she feels a definite mist rising to her eyes, though she dispels it quickly, clearing her throat. ]

I love you, too.

[ she says a bit forcefully, but genuinely, a wry smile at the corner of her mouth. but this is why she loves him. he keeps her hard edges soft, warms all of her cold parts, reminds her, always, that she is loved.

anyway!! sitting forward, she gives louie a glance. ]

Ready to clean up your mess, young man?

[ he nods, eager to be free of time-out, even if it means cleaning up. yes, mama! ]

Good.

[ shooing him off her lap, louie bolts toward the kitchen and alisaie stands again, stretching her arms, her fingertips grazing prompto's jaw as she passes. ]

I shall start the bath.

[ Look, he spent weeks sobbing his eyes out because she almost died in childbirth, let him have his sappy moments! He blinks the tears away from his own eyes, returning to the diaper-changing task at hand while Alisaie stands to head to the bathroom. As he always does, he leans into her touch, the corner of his smile just meeting the pad of her thumb as she goes. ]

Heh, well, guess I ought to just leave 'em butt naked, then! [ No sense in putting on a fresh diaper if they're just gonna dump them into the bath in a few minutes. ] After that, you should take a bath of your own.

[ Look, he knows how much she must be dying to. ]

[ ah, that's her boy, talking about butt naked babies. but man, he is not at all wrong. the very thought of it makes her groan in sweet agony, even as she's turning down the hall. ]

A fine idea.

[ she shouts down the hall, before she's in the bathroom and starting the water, testing it with her fingers to see that it's the proper warmth before she allows it to fill a few inches, just enough to get the foam baby bath mat things wet. ]

[ Yes, the foam baby bath mat things...

With Alisaie gone to start the water, Prompto goes ahead and finishes undressing the girls, before lifting them both back into his arms as well as a pair of fresh diapers for when they are done with their bath. He knows he's putting his life on the line here by holding two naked babies with no barrier between him and their bottoms, but he does this for the sake of efficiency. He doesn't want to be wasteful!

...But seriously, girls, don't poop on him, please...

He stands up a moment later, about when Louisoix reenters the room, looking pleased as punch with himself. All done, daddy! ]

'Atta boy...[ He drops his voice. ] Be good for the rest of the night, and I'll let you have some cookies right before bed. Deal?

[ Deal! And Louie runs off to his room to play, leaving Prompto to head into the bathroom with the twins. ]

Special delivery! I believe these are yours, Miss?

[ that is the technical term for them, yes, you're welcome.

honestly though, alisaie is tempted to just jump right in the bath herself. she can just hold the babies in her lap while she bathes, right? well okay, yes she could, but she also doesn't want to sit in pee water (or worse) if either of the girls decides to let loose. all those pretty magazine photos of mothers with their children, halcyon and clean and smiling so sweetly, are a bunch of lies. a baby in a bubble bath is more disastrous than idyllic.

prompto arrives in the doorway, taking a huge risk in carrying two nappy-less infants, but hey, if he gets disastrous fluids (or solids) all over himself, well, that was the risk he chose to take. no, she has definitely not forgotten how young louie had weed right in his face the first night they had reunited. ]

Drat, and here I was thinking I would escape them. Feel free to keep them for yourself, free of charge.

[ So far, so good. No babies have peed on him...today. It's only a matter of time, of course, but he'll clal this one a win, leaning down to set both Luna and Luci down in the bathtub. Onto the foam baby bath mat things. ]

Nah, how could I deprive anyone of such great company? Buuuut I'll share 'em with you, if you wanna compromise.

[ He leans over to place a quick peck on her cheek before reaching for the washrag. Both girls seem perplexed but not upset. No doubt when they're older they'll love water just as much as their mom and brother. ]

Alright, two nice, clean babies comin' right up...

[ they'd better love water, or she will probably disown them. a family of fishes is what they will be, and also prompto. ]

Well, I suppose you are half responsible.

[ she muses thoughtfully, shutting off the water now that it's a suitable height, and cupping some into her hand to carefully spill onto luna's belly. they're too young to understand what's going on even a little bit, but best that they associate bathtime with good time; twelve forfend the opposite should occur. trying to bathe screaming, unhappy babies sounds like a disaster tbh..

thankfully, so far, so good. she lathers up a sponge with baby soap. ]

You had the fun part. I had all the rest.

[ A family of fishes and a chocobo, you mean.

Prompto follows suit with Luci, a dopey smile on his face from ear to ear as he gently smooths the water over her arms and legs. Her limbs jolt a little in surprise, eyes wide and wandering, and Prompto chuckles, tapping his finger underneath her chubby little chin. ]

Won't argue with that...hopefully next time you won't have to put up with two of 'em!

[ They've been home from the hospital for like ten minutes and already he is talking about the next baby... ]

[ she's opening her mouth to agree, when she suddenly stops, narrowing her eyes. ]

.. next time, is it?

[ she says, turning to glance at him, one brow arched so high it's in danger of disappearing into her fringe. not that she's not open to the discussion of more children, but i mean, she's not really keen on thinking about more while her vagoo is still currently ravaged from the two she popped out already.

meanwhile, she's gently sudsing up the baby!! they weem to be steadily growing used to the concept of being wet babies. ]

[ Ah, so, it's a bit too soon to bring that up, huh? Prompto flashes her a grin, maaaaaybe trying to play it off like he was teasing more than he was. ]

W-well, suuuure! But — w-we can worry about that later. Heh...we already got two lil' munchkins to worry about for now.

[ But since he wasn't around for Louie's birth, he probably has no idea how wrecked her vagoo is, I mean, he probably thinks they're gonna do it tonight. ]

[ they are definitely not gonna do it tonight. or tomorrow night. or for a little while, tbh. sorry prompto. if you're good maybe she'll give you a handy. maybe. ]

.. yes. I am more than happy to keep focused on what we have for now, thank you.

[ NO MORE BABIES, PROMPTO. she has suffered enough for now!! carefully, she wipes luna's face, leaning forward to smile at her, speaking far more gently and softly than she had with prompto. ]

Are we nice and clean now, hmm? All better.

[ He'll be good, he'll be good!!!!

Though she suitably puts him in his place, the way she leans down to speak so sweetly to Luna has him all but melting, the sight of Alisaie's gentleness nearly as heartwarming as bathing the babies themselves. He finishes washing the suds off of Luci, before padding his thumb softly across her cheek. ]

Clean as a whistle. Isn't that right, Luci-boo?

[ You better believe the nicknames are already out in full force. He resists the urge to tickle her further, instead reaching up for a towel to lay across his arm before reaching back into the water to scoop his darling little girl up for drying. ]

Come to papa...

[ He presses a little kiss to the crown of Luci's head before beginning to pat her dry. ]

[ look, it's not like she doesn't want more babies!! someday, at least. maybe. but she's hormonal and still very sore, and bleeding, and the absolute last thing on earth she wants to think about right now is being pregnant and giving birth. maybe he can carry their next kid, then she'll feel better about all of this.

anyway, luci-boo. weh. alisaie is just as gooey inside about prompto being cute with the babies as he is about her being cute with the babies, even if he's pretty much always cooing at them. maybe she'll roll her eyes at it eventually, but for now, it's still sweet.. this is why she fell in love with him, after all. he is strong and hard-working, yes, but it is his soft heart that drew her to him the most, and kept her loyal and loving even so many years - and a long separation - later. it is what makes him different from so many other people. special.

but enough of that mush, alisaie flips the drain on the tub and scoops luna into a towel as well, holding her carefully and sitting back on her heels to carefully pat the water from her hair. ]

All clean now, little love. Now it's Mama's turn..

[ she can already feel the water against her skin, the heat sinking into her sore bones.. ahh.. ]

[ Darn right it's her turn! So once Prompto has Luci dry and snug as a towel burrito, he reaches for Luna to relieve Alisaie of her. It's about to get dad vs. twins and toddler again, but at least Louie seems content to play quietly in his room for now.

... Actually, maybe he should be worried that it's so quiet... ]

Okay, this is your one chance to not worry about the kids for the next eighteen years, so don't waste it! [ He's kidding. Hopefully. Probably. ] Take your time. By the time you're done, I'll have these angels jammified and ready for dinner.

[ Or he figures they'll be hungry about then. Look, all he knows is babies eat a lot. And sleep a lot, and poop a lot...

He stands moving back towards the doorway. ]

Want me to get anything for you?

[ Yes, he has an armful of two babies, but he can grab her something with his...foot? Maybe??? ]

[ by ready for dinner he means ready for the tiddies, doesn't he.. she's gonna stretch this bath out as long as possible!! also, jammified. ]

No, Prompto, I shall be just fine..

[ she says, smiling dryly, but just after she approaches him to press kisses to each of the twins' soft, downy little heads, and then another to prompto's nose, then the corner of his mouth, lingering through a smile. ]

I think I can handle this.

[ Well, Prompto definitely isn't gonna try feeding them. Both the twins and Prompto will be ready for the tiddies, tbh.

His fussing quiets with her warm smooches, though, and he returns the favor with one of his own to her brow. ]

Just...don't rush it, if you hear sounds of distress. I can handle this.

[ Famous last words.

But there he goes, toting both babies out of the bathroom so she can bathe in peace. He's so excited to get them in their jim-jams!!! ]

[ don't ruin her lovely relaxing bath with sounds of distress, please.. she just wants one hour of peace and comfort!! alisaie's brow knits with worry, but she sighs and pulls back, leaning to flip on the water again so the tub can refill. ]

.. all right, well, I believe in you.

[ she says, hoping she will not regret these words!! but she believes them anyway. prompto is.. prompto, but he is helpful and kind and he loves his children, she knows he's a superdad beneath all the fuss and mess.

so, in goes a generous amount of bubble bath. he can do this.. ]

[ He can do this!! He has long been a dad in training, and since he wasn't able to be around for Louie's birth and infancy, he's even more determined to do his best now.

To his credit, it's not a complete disaster. In fact, he's reasonably successful, even if Luna manages to pee on him before he can get a fresh diaper on her (seriously? She couldn't do that in the bath??) and Luci manages to grab a fistful of his hair and nearly rip it out of his head. Babies are so tiny and fat. How is their grip so strong????

But that aside, Prompto manages to get them both dressed in their first-night-home PJs, a feat that is once again made much simpler by the fact that they are not yet mobile. He then checks in on Louie to make sure he hasn't made a complete disaster of his room, and, well — he kind of has, but only so he can arrange his toys into some kind of miniature city. Prompto sets both twins down on the bed so he can sit down among the city with Louie, playing along with the strange world that Louie has put together.

At one point, he plays the part of a dinosaur, and cries out loudly: ]

No! Noooo! I'm too young to die! I must be avenged!

[ There's nothing to be concerned about. ]