Chapter Text
Stein left his computer room feeling as though he had just left a cocoon. New eyes, new wings, new sensations. He figured they were not actually new, just that he hadn't acknowledged them before. None of that mattered now. He was confident for the first time in months, and he knew exactly what he needed to do. What he wanted to do.
Marie is in the kitchen, making dinner, just as she said she'd be. She's looking at a recipe written on a notepad, one hand absentmindedly stirring a pot. It smelled wonderful, but no smell or sight or any other sense could match Marie. She stood in comfy pants and warm socks on the cold tile, and her hair was pulled away from her face. He was on her blind side, and he caught a glimpse of the scars underneath her eyepatch. She was breathtaking, and he loved her. She had waited long enough to hear it — he had waited long enough to say it. Too long.
He took her hand and she stopped what she was doing, focusing on him fully, her one golden eye wide and staring, startled before softening into amusement. She was long used to his antics. He loved her for it.
Marie, he started, and then stopped. His hands did not grow clammy, he did not shake with nerves; truth was, he wasn't nervous. The situation just felt wrong. And while the Stein of a few months ago would've assumed this meant his conclusion was wrong, the Stein of now knew that wasn't the case.
This — the hand holding, the romantic gesture, the dramatic confession — wasn't how it was supposed to go. This wasn't him. This wasn't them. He wanted to tell her, he had to tell her, but not like this. Not like one of the shitty rom-coms she convinced him to watch with her.
She was getting concerned, however, and held his hand with both of her own. She asked if he was alright, was he feeling well? Was something wrong? She suspected the madness, of course. How often had she been a lifeline to him then, even when Medusa's snake had her wavelength making his condition worse? Her soul had hurt him then, but her, her person had saved him. Again and again and again, and he loved her for it.
He assured her it was nothing, and reluctantly slipped his hand out from between hers, missing the warmth before it was even fully gone. He saw the look on her face, and adjusted his glasses out of habit. He might have something to tell her later, he said, but not now. He was fine now. How are you, Marie?
She didn't believe him immediately, damn her caring soul, but she settled back into a smile. She was doing very well, thank you Doctor Stein. No tests to run today?
No tests, he promised. He knew that she didn't like all the tests. He told her that he only did them when necessary, and she shook her head, the smile remaining.
Of course he did, she believed him. All the tests were necessary and none of them were ridiculous. He would never do a ridiculous test in his life, would you, Doctor?
He shook his head with a smile of his own, recognizing her tease. No, he said. Never.
Crona and Ragnarok entered soon after, looking between the two adults to gauge if anything had changed. He carefully stood behind Marie's blind side and held a finger to his lips; don't say anything. They got the message, and Ragnarok cleared his throat very dramatically, leaning on Crona's head as he asked what was being made.
Little monster, Marie teased. Always hungry.
She made clam chowder. The broth was thick and the smell was salivating, and it was certainly very tasty, but Stein could only think of Marie. Had he ever thought of anyone else? In these last few months he certainly hadn't. Regardless of the definition of love, going to the extent of researching whether or not you were in love was answer enough.
He loved Marie. He loved the baby. He loved Crona and Ragnarok. He loved Spirit, and Sid, and his other friends. He loved his students. It was like learning a new word and suddenly seeing it everywhere. Now that he could recognize it, he was overflowing with love.
They ate and talked and Stein cleared the bowls. When he came back, Crona and Ragnarok fell quiet. Marie looked between them and him, and he offered her his hand. He had something to tell her, if she'd come with him upstairs.
Again, she laughed, more amused than anything. Dramatic tonight are we, Doctor Stein? She took his hand and he pulled her up, pulled her closer.
Only as much as would be fun, he smiled. She shook her head, and up they went, hand in hand. He heard Crona and Ragnarok whispering before they had even left the room.
Once in their room, he first pulled her close and held her tight. She hugged him back, just as tightly, a mutter of confusion against his chest. He assured her everything was fine. He just wanted to hold her for a moment. Her warmth seeped into his cold bones, and he never wanted it to leave.
When he eventually let go, Marie sat on the bed and looked at him expectantly. He sat beside her, and took her hands in his. He had something to tell her.
So he had said, she laughed.
He didn't want to be all dramatic about it.
This was still dramatic, she argued.
It was unavoidable, he shrugged, and kissed her. She let go of her hands and wrapped them around his shoulders, one in his hair. When they broke apart, she laughed, leaning her head against his. He basked in the warmth, the joy.
I love you.
She opened her eye, meeting his own. I love you, Marie, he said again.
For a moment she was silent, and then the laugh came back and she kissed him quick. Was that all he wanted to say?
He'd been… troubled, for a while. He wanted to make sure what he felt for her was love.
And now he was sure?
Now he was sure. More sure than he'd ever been in his life, and he wanted her to know.
She kissed him again. I love you, too.
He couldn't even try to describe how hearing those words made him feel. He had heard them before, felt them before. He never doubted Marie loved him. But affirmation was nice.
Between little kisses, he suggested that they should… he didn't know. Go on an actual date? Like normal people? What did people do on dates?
She laughed again. They weren't normal people, she argued. But a date at some point might be nice. They'd have to think of ideas.
He'll keep dissection off the table. For her.
She might be willing to try after the baby was born.
He looked forward to it. But, speaking of the baby, he looked to the door. He had another thought. Something else to pitch to her. What if… they adopted Crona? They wouldn't just be a roommate, and after everything…
They deserve good parents, she finished for him. She thought it was a great idea.
He put a hand on her stomach. She covered it with one of her own, and they met eyes, wearing matching smiles. Crona would be a good older sibling, don't you think?
The next morning, they pitched it to Crona. Ragnarok claimed he didn't care, but he was quick to retreat back into Crona's body; something he often did to avoid embarrassment.
Crona, on the other hand, was overwhelmed. They asked if they were sure, and after being met with enthusiastic yeses, teared up. They had done so much harm to the two of them. They really wanted to adopt them after all that? They weren't sure how to deal with it.
Marie pulled them into a hug, and Stein joined a moment later. They'd find out how to deal with it together. They didn't have to be alone anymore. Ever again.
The first day that Stein got to announce their name as Crona Mjolnir on the roll call was one he looked forward too. The day Marie announced her pregnancy was no longer one he worried over. The day the baby came couldn't be soon enough.
And hell, maybe they would name them after Spirit.