Work Text:
When Shin steps onto solid ground after disembarking the helicopter, he's greeted by several officers from the Federacy. He has just arrived at the headquarters in Sankt Jeder.
He returns their salute and hands off his luggage to a young cadet.
"Welcome back, Colonel Nouzen, how was your trip?" the Chief of Staff, Willem Ehrenfried says.
They exchange some small talk and discuss his trip. Shin's been away for three weeks, traveling from country to country, city to city in a whirlwind of a tour of key military bases. Now that the Legion war has been over for some years, the Federacy has made contact with several more neighboring countries, and it's been their priority to maintain diplomatic relations with all these foreign nations.
While Shin technically still holds a rank within the Federacy's military on paper, he hasn't been an active officer for years. He's only ever asked to attend certain political events and tours.
Needless to say, Shin is exhausted and simply wants to go home. Unfortunately, the chain of command has other plans for him, and he won't be able to go back until late in the night.
Just as Shin is about to head inside to prepare for the debrief, Ehrenfried calls out to him.
"By the way, I hear congratulations are in order."
Shin pauses in confusion for a brief moment, but before he can ask anything, Ehrenfried continues.
"I imagine you'll want to take a leave of absence in a few months' time, but the Federacy military is very supportive of these circumstances. Even though you don't get called often, we promise not to bother you for the time you need. Rest assured, there won't be any issues."
Shin has no idea what he's talking about, but at that moment, a staff officer calls out to him, and Shin soon forgets about the odd conversation.
–
"Oh, and congratulations!"
One of the secretaries in Altner's office stops Shin on his way out of the meeting room. Shin is suddenly reminded of the strange conversation he just had with Ehrenfried a couple hours ago.
"I know the first few months can be a bit rough. My sister told me that peppermint tea really helped with the nausea, but if she's really not able to keep any food down, then even just a smoothie can help to get some calories and nutrients."
"...What?"
"For your wife."
Lena had been sick for a few days right before his trip, but he doubts she's still feeling ill after three weeks. Still…
"How did you…?"
Before he can finish, he's interrupted by a Lieutenant needing his signatures.
–
"Congratulations, Colonel!" says a warrant officer quite a bit older than Shin, though he's a bit socially awkward. "Er…I do hope you both put in a bit more thought into names…"
"Excuse me?"
"Not that Fido and TP are terrible! And they're just pets. But maybe put in a bit more effort…"
Shin's eye twitches slightly. While he won't make any comments on TP, Fido is a perfectly acceptable name for-
"Colonel Nouzen, welcome back!" greets a senior Major General as he walks down the hall with his subordinates. Shin and the warrant officer both salute him. "About the debrief earlier, I'd like to discuss the matter of…"
And before Shin knows it, he's dragged away again and the matter is momentarily forgotten.
–
"Congratulations!" says a cheerful second lieutenant who works in Altner's office. "Since I know how much you like to read, I bet you're looking for books on the topic. I highly recommend anything written by DM Brown, she's a doctor so she really knows her stuff, but she also has two of her own so she's good at keeping it genuine. I think you'll enjoy her work."
"Uh…thanks?"
–
Since Shin took a military transport to get from home to the base during his departure, his personal vehicle is still at home. So he asks to be picked up by Raiden.
"Hey, have a good trip?"
Shin enters the passenger side of Raiden's car only to notice Anju and Dustin riding in the back seat. They were apparently eating dinner together when Raiden went to pick Shin up, so they figured they may as well tag along.
It hasn't been all that long since he's seen everyone, but they're able to find quite a bit to talk about and catch each other up on.
Suddenly, Dustin says, "Oh right, congratulations! I'm so excited for you two!"
"What the hell has everyone been going on about? Congratulations for what?" Shin snaps at him.
Anju immediately shoves her hand over Dustin's mouth.
"I'm sure everyone's just congratulating you on a successful mission, right? Dustin?" Raiden grits out through clenched teeth.
Dustin just looks at the other man in pure confusion and is able to bring Anju's hand down for just long enough to cause total chaos.
"What are you talking about? I was talking about the baby-OOMF!"
Before Anju is able to hastily throw both her hands to silence Dustin again, it's too late, and that one word slips out.
Baby.
The whole vehicle goes silent. Raiden almost runs a red light and Anju smacks herself in the face.
Shin takes a very, very long moment to process what he just heard. Leave of absence. Paternity leave. Advice about nausea. Morning sickness. Picking names. Baby names. Book recommendations. On pregnancy.
And finally everything clicks into place.
"Raiden."
"...Yeah, buddy?"
"I don't care if you run every fucking red light, get me home right now. Anju, please kill Dustin for me."
"Roger that," they both reply in unison.
"What?! No please!! What did I do wrong?!"
–
When Raiden pulls up in front of Shin and Lena's house, they can see the lights on inside through the darkness of night. Shin is out of the vehicle and unlocking the door to the house before anyone can even unbuckle their seatbelts.
"Uh…he forgot his luggage," Dustin remarks completely unhelpfully.
"Well you can go unload it for him and bring it inside," Raiden suggests.
"...I'll wait a bit. I really, really don't wanna die yet."
–
The moment Shin sees her, he's struck frozen for a long while.
Lena is asleep on the couch with a book open in her hand. She's laying at an odd angle that can't be comfortable, but he doesn't want to wake her just yet. Her hair is put up in a braid and she's already in a nightdress with a light shawl over her shoulders, but she fell asleep without a blanket. She was probably waiting for him to come home.
He sits on the floor next to her just wanting to be beside her in silence. She isn't showing yet, but even now, there's a small, tiny life forming inside her.
Their child.
He's going to be…a father. Him? Shinei Nouzen, Undertaker, Reaper, monster, Eighty-Six. He's been called a lot of things in his lifetime.
Dad.
That one terrifies him more than any of those other titles ever did. As soon as he thinks of the word, he immediately pushes it down in the deepest recesses of his mind that he can muster. He'll deal with it later.
Shin looks up to Lena's peaceful expression. He's always loved watching her sleep, her light breathing coming in and out of her slightly rounded mouth, the rise and fall of her chest. The rhythmic pattern puts him at ease and relaxes him.
It's always been her. The one he was able to entrust with his heart and memory to for the very first time after carrying that role for five-hundred and seventy-one dead comrades. The one who followed the path he made toward his final destination. The one who inspired him when he no longer had the will to live. The one who fought beside him. The one who vowed to him that she would never leave him. The one he swore would always protect, and she in turn would protect him. The one he chose to spend the rest of his life with.
She, the one who gave him life.
As long as he has her, he thinks he can do anything.
Lena's brow furrows slightly and a light groan escapes her lips. Her body shifts, likely feeling sore from her odd position, and her eyes begin to flutter open. It takes a second for her eyes to focus on him, and she smiles brightly.
"Welcome home, Shin."
"Hey, I'm home," he says gently.
–
Raiden, Anju and Dustin all stand in front of the house in tense silence. They contemplated just leaving Shin's bags by the door and going, but that seems rude and a little irresponsible. Also, Shin would want Dustin to suffer more.
So they wait until either Shin opens the door after realizing he's forgotten his bags or they get a sign that it's safe to knock.
They hear a loud yelp followed by laughter that is undoubtedly Lena. Anju moves over several steps to take a peek inside through the front window. Shin has picked Lena up off her feet and is spinning them both around in their living room. Anju smiles to herself, seeing them both celebrating their life together, eyes only for each other.
When she looks back over at the boys, Raiden is also smiling back at her. The shared happiness they have for their 'younger brother' is something only the two of them can understand.
–
A few moments later, the three of them are invited inside after Shin opens the door to get his forgotten luggage. Raiden and Anju are both overjoyed to see Shin beaming with happiness.
"Congratulations," Anju says softly as she embraces him. She feels him hold onto her a little tighter. "You're going to be such an amazing dad."
"Thanks, Anju," he says, voice filled with emotion.
Raiden gives him an even fiercer hug.
"Times like this make me think about back then a lot. You've come so far, Shin. I'm proud of you," the man says.
Anju's quite positive that Shin's eyes are starting to gloss over with tears, but she decides not to mention it.
"I wish Kurena and Theo were here too, they'll be sad they missed this moment," Anju says.
"It's fine," Raiden begins. "We'll see them again tomorrow for dinner at Ernst's. Besides, they already know anyway."
"Oh right, by the way," Lena begins. Suddenly the look on her face darkens despite the sweet smile on her face. "Who told him?" she asks, her silver-bell like voice chilling to the bone.
Anju and Raiden both push Dustin forward and he falls to his knees in solemn prostration before the Bloodstained Queen of the Eighty-Six.
"Please, I beg your forgiveness, have mercy!" he cries.
–
Bonus:
On weekends, Ernst either hosts a family dinner or brunch, depending on what works best for everyone's schedules. Unfortunately, this week Shin is away on his tour, but they still continue the tradition regardless.
It's a beautiful day outside so Ernst has asked Teresa to set their brunch on the patio.
During brunch, Lena stops eating mid-bite and starts to look pale.
"Are you alright, Lena?" Theo asks, furrowing his brow in concern.
"Sorry, just feeling a bit sick…," Lena replies, trying to smile. "It'll pass, I'll be fine," she tries to reassure everyone.
Frederica narrows her eyes suspiciously. "You've been sick on and off for a while now…"
At that moment, someone interrupts their brunch by clearing their throat. Willem Ehrenfried, clad in uniform on a Saturday morning, and accompanied by his aide, stand at attention to the entrance of the estate's backyard.
"Please excuse us, President Zimmerman. And good day to you, Chairwoman Nouzen, and everyone else, of course," Ehrenfried greets courteously.
Ernst sighs in frustration and walks over to speak to his new guests.
Everyone resumes eating their meals. Kurena, Anju and Theo start discussing something about the latest updates they've been hearing about some of the other Eighty-Six. Raiden chimes in once in a while with one of his own comments but is otherwise silent.
Frederica's eyes have turned a bright, shining red. Suddenly, she gasps and bolts upright, slamming her hands on the patio table.
"You're pregnant!" she shouts at the top of her lungs, pointing directly at Lena.
The woman in question is struck speechless.
"Uhhh…"
"Don't deny it! You just went to the doctor!"
Ernst, upon hearing this, is far too distracted to continue his conversation with Ehrenfried. He simply tells the man to take care of matters before returning back to his family.
Ehrenfried and his aide walk away having heard the exciting news. However…
"Frederica, we need to have another chat about invading people's privacy!"
"Sorry! I was worried that something was wrong and that she wasn't telling anyone!"
Raiden sighs. "I know you meant well, but still, it should be up to her to tell us this stuff."
He eyes the silver-haired woman who's become red and flustered.
"Congratulations," he says in earnest.
Everyone else also goes up to her to give her several warm hugs.
"Does Shin know?" Kurena asks.
Lena shakes her head. "Not yet. I found out after he left, and I want it to be a surprise for him when he gets home, so…"
"You got it! Our lips are sealed, right everyone?" Ernst promises with a wide smile on his face.
Everyone nods their head in agreement.
…Unfortunately, Ehrenfried and his aide never made this promise.