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[firstbump]

Ardbert here. ... Or not. Leave a message, and I'll get back to you.

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[astralera]

It takes a few long minutes, but eventually her breathing settles. By the time she has regained control she feels utterly exhausted, to such an extent she doesn't bother to keep her eyes open, and she just allows the entirety of her weight to settle against him like a ragdoll.

"Sorry."

[firstbump]

He's used to being a cushion, and part of him is always delighted someone so strong and deadly can use him as a bed without even making breathing difficult for him. But now isn't the time for those thoughts, and they only occur to him at the edges of his mind as a sort of soothing remembrance.

Ardbert sighs at the apology. "... You needn't apologize. I think we're even now. And even if we weren't...."

[astralera]

She rubs her face lazily into the crook of his neck. A residual shudder runs through her and her tail blindly seeks out one of Ardbert's arms, curling loosely over it.

"...'Even'?"

[firstbump]

Ardbert was fairly certain alluding to it wouldn't be enough, despite his hopes. "The medic."

He shared what happened, but she still saw it later.

[astralera]

There is a long, heavy silence as she processes what that means, piecing it all together.

Tentatively, Era asks: "...The Echo?"

[firstbump]

"Aye." Ardbert figures that making her piece things together will be a needed distraction in of itself. "Gods... we've both been through our own special kinds of hells, haven't we?"

It's said seriously, not a lick of self-deprecating humor behind it.

[astralera]

Era can't help but snort at that. "Hells so special that it makes this place a hell all its own."

[firstbump]

Now Ardbert smiles slightly. "A bearable hell... so long as you're by my side."

Or on top of him or under him.

[astralera]

"No war, no monster, no danger..." She presses a kiss to the dip of his neck. "But so long as I'm with you my life will never lack in adventure."

[firstbump]

The smile stays; he shifts slightly underneath her to settle more comfortably. "Because with you, there's always something else to explore."

[astralera]

A hum of agreement, followed by a comfortable silence as she strokes her fingertip along Ardbert's collarbone in long, smooth motions.

"...Like parenthood?"

[firstbump]

He is quiet for a moment, then squeezes his arms around her. "... Aye."

[astralera]

"...We wouldn't need to worry," she says, clearly having given it some consideration. "No nations to liberate, no family to save. No enemies to take advantage if I were in such a vulnerable state..."

[firstbump]

The world around them is silent. Which makes it easier to hear Ardbert's eventual whisper.

"We can... we can try now?"

[astralera]

Her tail tightens around his arm, giving it a quick, gentle squeeze.

"There is biology to contend with, if the primals of this world even permit it." She has no intention of starting this journey without her partner knowing of all the challenges they would face. "Pregnancy is dangerous, and even if we succeed my body may still reject it... But if by some miracle she arrives we would then need to find a way to take her with us."

Era presses a kiss to his skin, letting her lips linger. She basks in the lazy comfort of his warm presence and breathes out a soft sigh.

"If you accept all of the challenges ahead... I would go on this adventure with you."

[firstbump]

"I—" Ardbert stops, then starts again, whispering quickly. "Of course. We already discussed this... I know the challenges that lie ahead. But I wasn't thinking of now. But now works. Now is perfect."

Era wouldn't propose such a thing unless she thought it a good idea. Not when it was so life-changing. Gods, to actually be able to hold the daughter that Era says will be theirs....

[astralera]

"...So from now on there will no more practicing," she comments. "I expect you're competent enough to sow me with your seed, farmboy."

[firstbump]

There's silence. Again. Then Ardbert just starts chuckling from deep within his chest.

"By the gods, Era."

[astralera]

"What? I thought that one was good!" Then again, she always thinks her jokes are good.

[firstbump]

"It caused me amusement and misery in equal measure."

[astralera]

"Shall we turn your misery into something else, farmboy?"

While too far up on his chest to get her point across the way she'd prefer, she does slide her tail from his arm down to the crease of his inner thigh. She leaves it there as a pointed invitation.

"I wouldn't mind a quick session before I sleep."

[firstbump]

Part of Ardbert doesn't expect them to be successful. Not here and now. But part of him hopes and fears that they will be.

Ardbert's hands slide lower down her back, slowly smirking. "I'd be up for plowing your field."

[astralera]

She pauses, then shoots him a look, not quite sure how she feels about that particular play on words.

"...How about you just fuck me instead?"

[firstbump]

Ardbert smirk only grows as his hands rest on her ass. "Are you saying I'm not punny and should use my mouth in other ways?"

[astralera]

Era blows a small raspberry at him, nose crinkling with clear amusement. "Your mouth isn't going to put a baby in me."