The air rippled just outside the large transport hanger on the Blade property. Just then, without making a sound Sil popped into existence, mid stride, he continued walking without missing a beat. He came in briskly, his long purposeful strides betrayed his preoccupied mind. Looking at the ground ahead of him, he failed to notice the swath of eyes that followed his path across the vast hanger floor.
Finally glancing up to locate the farewell party, he stopped abruptly as several sets of eyes were all locked on him, each with a hint of concern worn on their faces. He nervously scratched the back of his head. "Sorry I am late, I lost track of time."
"Everything alright Sil? You seem— a bit frazzled?" Shiro met him with a pat on the back as they joined the crowd.
"Yeah, everything is fine, I am just glad I didn't miss the departure. I would have kicked myself—" He smiled faintly as he leaned in and gave both Jade and Vorden a quick hug each before standing back next to Shiro.
Vorden studied his face for a brief moment, before he smiled and put an arm around Jade's shoulders. "We wouldn't have left before saying goodbye."
A moment of silence weighed down on the group and Sil took it upon himself to speak first. "Man, what a summer huh?" He received a few chuckles, then it fell silent once more. Vorden and Raten both had far away gazes and Raten clenched his jaw thinking back to the harrowing events that had taken place.
The captain informed them that they would be ready to depart momentarily and took their luggage from Vorden.
The Blade family stood in a semicircle inside the vast hangar, the sleek, silvery hull of the transport ship gleaming behind them. Light conversation eventually echoed softly off the metallic walls, the bittersweet undertone of farewells tempered by the promise of swift reunions. Jade Brightmoor stood with one arm looped through Vorden's, his gentle touch soothing the flutter of nervous excitement that bubbled through her veins.
"So, do you two have everything you need?" Shiro asked, his voice laced with a genuine warmth that spoke volumes of the fondness he held for the couple.
"We're good," Vorden replied, his usual easy confidence now touched by something softer, a private joy that danced at the corners of his eyes whenever he glanced at Jade.
Raten, arms folded and leaning casually against a crate, eyed them suspiciously, his lips quirking with amused curiosity. "Alright, spill it. You two are grinning like you've stolen something."
"Oh, nothing stolen," Jade teased, her smile broadening. "Although, we are technically taking something back with us that we didn't have before."
Shiro and Sil exchanged puzzled glances, their confusion mirrored in their matching expressions. "What, a souvenir?" Sil guessed, chuckling.
The playful suggestion prompted laughter from Cassidy, who was immediately nudged lightly by Raten with his elbow. "Don't encourage him."
Vorden exchanged a knowing look with Jade, and then cleared his throat dramatically, pulling everyone's attention back to him. "Actually, we've got some pretty big news—"
Vorden took the long strip of shiny paper from Jade's outstretched hand and handed it over to Shiro. His mouth dropped open, words momentarily forgotten.
Cassidy, glancing over his shoulder excitedly, gasped aloud, clasping a hand over her mouth as tears sparkled in her eyes. "Oh my gosh! You're—you're pregnant!"
The revelation washed over the gathered family in a wave of surprise, followed swiftly by joyous shouts, excited laughter, and a chorus of delighted congratulations.
"Seriously?!" Raten bounded forward, practically tackling Vorden in a bear hug that lifted his brother off the ground. "I'm gonna be an uncle! Do you know how epic of an uncle I'm going to be? Legendary!"
"Well, that's mildly terrifying," Sil chuckled, shaking his head in amused resignation. But the warmth in his eyes betrayed his happiness.
Shiro, grinning, stepped forward to squeeze Jade's hand. "That's amazing news. Congratulations."
The group laughed again, the moment tender, bright, and full of playful warmth.
Raten threw his arms around both Jade and Vorden simultaneously, grinning ear to ear. "Hell yeah! Uncle Raten's gonna spoil the shit outta this kid. I'm talking about full-on corruption levels."
"Just what we need," Vorden groaned affectionately, rolling his eyes.
A soft hum of the transport engine echoed through the hangar, signaling that it was time to depart. As the group quieted, the warmth lingered, knitting them closer together.
Sil stepped forward last, his eyes gentle but deeply emotional as he embraced Jade, then Vorden. "Take care of each other—and the little one. Call me if you need anything, and I mean anything."
Vorden nodded firmly. "We will."
With heartfelt goodbyes exchanged, the pair boarded the ship, their steps lighter and hearts fuller than they'd ever been. Jade leaned against Vorden, her eyes glowing as she glanced back at their family through the viewport.
"This kid is already so loved," she whispered.
Vorden smiled softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "More than they'll ever know."
As the transport ship began its departure, Jade waved vigorously through the viewing port as the vessel taxied out for take off.
The family watched as the ship gracefully lifted and disappeared into the distance. Raten turned to Sil, eyes gleaming mischievously. "Hey, since we're in the bodies of your clones, wouldn't that technically make the kid kind of yours, Sil?"
Raten burst into laughter, clearly joking, but Sil froze instantly, his eyes widening in horror. "Oh, god," he whispered hoarsely, panic creeping across his features.
Raten slapped Sil's shoulder, chuckling as he walked away, while Shiro shook his head with a gentle smile, also dispersing to his duties. Sil took a breath, attempting to steady himself, and turned towards the orphanage. Halfway there, though, he hesitated and suddenly teleported away.
He appeared in front of his secluded hunting cabin, his heart pounding uncertainly. He entered quietly, deflating when he found it empty. Frustration surged, and he grabbed a small clock from the bedside table, hurling it viciously at the floor, shattering it into a dust-like mist and leaving a crater in the wood as if struck by a small meteorite.
"Sil?" Bliss's voice floated gently from the doorway, startling him. Her hair was wet, droplets trailing softly along her shoulders. "I was down at the creek. You said I could stay, and honestly, I wasn't ready—"
Before she could finish, Sil blurred across the room, wrapping her tightly in his arms and silencing her with a passionate kiss. With a swift motion, he pushed the door shut behind her. Clothes fell to the floor piece by piece as they kissed deeply, slowly migrating across the room towards the waiting bed.
They hadn't discussed anything from earlier, but in his moment of need, he simply wanted her, and she was there. Despite how simple it may sound, it was very, very, complicated indeed.