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Naofumi stared in anger at the King who'd summoned him to another world, away from his home and away from his Mate. Naofumi then turned to look over his fellow 'Heroes'. Motoyasu was still hugging Myne close as if to protect her, and Itsuki and Ren stood behind them, glaring at Naofumi.
"Just send me back to my world then! I'd much rather be with my Mate than deal with you people, so just summon a new Shield Hero or whatever!" Naofumi yelled, gripping the two spread in front of him
"You're going to run as soon as things go south? Could you steep any lower?" Ren asked
"After all that you've done, how could you even think about not doing your job?" Itsuki asked
"Yeah, get lost. Who would even want to fight alongside a Rapist—" Motoyasu said, getting interrupted
"Shut up! Just send me back to my world already! I'd much rather be with my Mate at home than having to go through this!" Naofumi shouted, only a few actually noticing what he said
Naofumi glared in fury at the King as he explained that unless the Four Heroes either Died or warded off the incoming waves, they had no means of sending them home. Naofumi, in a fit of rage, pushed the Guards around him away before turning around to leave. Motoyasu hurried over, grabbing Naofumi's wrist, planning on asking the raven what he meant by 'be with his mate', but didn't get to. Naofumi just turned to glare at Motoyasu before shaking his hand off and leaving.
Naofumi watched as Raphtalia stood by her parents' grave, telling them about what had happened since the Wave that destroyed the village. When another breeze swept by, Naofumi's nose picked up on something. A familiar smell.
Naofumi looked around, trying to locate where the smell came from. When the wind swept by again, the smell was stronger. Naofumi turned to the ruins of the village and began walking closer, letting the others stay by the cliff. When Naofumi walked through the ruins of the village, the smell became stronger, and Naofumi began walking faster.
When Naofumi rounded the corner of another ruin, he finally found them.
L'Arc was sitting on some of the rubble, taking a short break while Therese was standing by him, scolding him a bit. Suddenly L'Arc seemed to notice something when the wind blew by again. L'Arc sniffed a couple of times before looking over to where Naofumi stood some distance away. L'Arc smiled at Naofumi who rushed over.
When Naofumi came over, he pulled L'Arc into a hug before leaning back and pushing his lips onto L'Arc's in a kiss. L'Arc pushed back, returning the kiss, and when they separated, Naofumi began peppering L'Arc's face in light kisses, making L'Arc start purring.
When they each leaned back, standing in front of each other, holding hands, Naofumi looked at L'Arc softly, before he turned serious.
"Not that I'm not absolutely happy to see you again, but why are you here, L'Arc? You're supposed to be resting at home!" Naofumi asked
L'Arc just shrunk down a bit, ashamed of making his mate angry and worried, but he just couldn't take it.
"I missed you, and the baby wouldn't really let me eat properly after you left..." L'Arc answered, putting a hand on his bloated 5-month pregnant stomach
"You could've sent Therese or Glass to find me instead of coming here yourself, L'Arc. You're pregnant, and you shouldn't be out here adventuring and traveling around; It's dangerous." Naofumi said back, a worried look on his face
"But I wanted to come myself and find you, and it was getting boring just staying in the palace all day. Plus, Therese came with me to I would be safe and not alone." L'Arc said back
Naofumi sighed before leaning up and pressing his forehead to L'Arc's, smiling at the redhead.
"What am I gonna do with you," Naofumi joked, smiling softly.
After the visit to Raphtalia's old village, and finding L'Arc and Therese, who were both added to Naofumi's party, the group set out to get on a ship going to Cal Mira. While they were at the port, Naofumi kept asking L'Arc and Raphtalia if they were going to be okay, as both were likely to have seasickness when they got on the ship. Naofumi did not stop asking when L'Arc mentioned that he didn't even have motion-sickness on the wagon.
When they got on the ship, they were told that the other Heroes and their Parties had taken up all the other cabins, even the captain's, so the group would have to share one for six people. Naofumi almost growled at the poor sailor that told them because of the three but held it back. After putting their things down, the group went up to the deck for some fresh air, and to look out over the sea.
When they got onto the deck, they found Motoyasu, Itsuki, and Ren all slumped again on the side of the deck, looking sick. They each had seasickness, which Naofumi said was karma for taking all the cabins.
After some time, L'Arc's got tired of standing up and found a crate to sit on while looking out over the sea. Despite Naofumi's thoughts and his pregnancy, he didn't feel seasick or even dizzy. After a couple of minutes, L'Arc felt something and called Naofumi, who'd been watching Filo catch fish for dinner, over. When Naofumi came over, he asked L'Arc if anything was wrong, getting worried that L'Arc felt seasick.
L'Arc just smiled at Naofumi as he took his Alpha's hand a guided it to his blown belly. Naofumi looked confused for a couple of seconds before he felt something too.
The baby was kicking.
Naofumi's face turned soft before he broke into a smile as L'Arc took his other hand and put it on another spot on his stomach. Naofumi smiled once again, feeling light kicks under his hands. Naofumi leaned in and kissed L'Arc before peppering the omega's face with kisses. He'd felt the kicking in before, but it never ceased to amaze him. That was their child that he could feel, alive and kicking and growing inside L'Arc's stomach. Naofumi leaned over again and nuzzled L'Arc's cheeks, making the redhead grin and purr.
Suddenly Filo came over and asked what they were doing, having turned back into her human form after catching a bunch of large fish. Naofumi explained that the baby in L'Arc's stomach was kicking.
"You want to feel?" L'Arc asked the young Filolial with a grin
Filo nodded her head enthusiastically, holding her hands out and letting L'Arc move them to his stomach after Naofumi had removed his own. Filo held her smaller hands on the spot L'Arc had moved them to for a bit, waiting to feel something.
"I felt it! The baby kicked! It did it again!" Filo exclaimed excitedly when she felt the baby kick a couple of times, looking up at L'Arc in wonder
"Mhm. That's gonna be your younger sibling soon." L'Arc said, ruffling Filo's hair, not that the young filolial minded
"Really? Can I play with them then?" Filo asked, stars in her eyes
"When they get a bit older," L'Arc answered, a grin on his face as he watched Filo gush over going to be a big sister
After a couple of minutes, Filo left to go over to tell Raphtalia and Therese who'd been conversing on the backside of the deck, talking excitedly to the two. Therese giggled at her enthusiasm while Raphtalia smiled.
Naofumi leaned down from where he was standing beside L'Arc and put his hand on L'Arc's shoulder as he pressed and gentle kiss to L'Arc's head.
"Love you," Naofumi muttered, only L'Arc hearing him
"Love you too," L'Arc said back
When the ship arrived at Cal Mira, Motoyasu, Itsuki, and Ren all had to be carried to the inn by their party members because of their seasickness, while Naofumi and his Party were taken there by the Mayor of Cal Mira.
After dropping their bags and armor off at the inn, the group decided to go have some fun in town and look around for the rest of the day before they would begin grinding levels the next. After hours of looking around the town, the group decided to get some dinner at a restaurant nearby. But, all the different smells blending together at the place made L'Arc nauseous, so they ended up going back to their inn and ordering foom to their rooms and eating together in the one Naofumi and L'Arc shared. After dinner, they all chatted for a bit before the girls went back to their rooms.
Naofumi and L'Arc cuddled in bed for some time, just enjoying each other's presence and scent, their hands laying on L'Arc's stomach. After a bit, they fell asleep cuddled together.
The next day, when Naofumi and the girls were about to leave to start grinding, L'Arc tried to persuade Naofumi to let him come. Naofumi stood his ground. He was not letting his pregnant mate come with them to go grind monsters and fight, Vassal Hero or not.
L'Arc ended up complying and sent off Naofumi and the Girls at the harbor as they were sailed to one of the islands of Cal Mira archipelago. After a couple of minutes, L'Arc turned around and began walking back to the inn they were staying at, having nothing better to do. When L'Arc got back, he found the book he'd brought at a stall the day prior and sat on the bed to begin reading.
After a couple of hours, about an hour after noon, L'Arc finished reading the book. He sat around for a bit before deciding on going on a walk around town again. L'Arc walked by the harbor, looking out over the water. L'Arc walked by the harbor, all the way to the beach. L'Arc, with a bit of difficulty, took his boots off and began walking down the beach as the sky began changing from blue to pink and orange.
When the sky began changing color, L'Arc sat down on the soft sand and put his boots beside him. Suddenly, when peacefully looking out over the ocean, L'Arc began missing Naofumi. Were Naofumi and the girls okay? It was getting late, so maybe they were coming back soon. Unless something happened. What if something happened that they got hurt?!
L'Arc sighed as his mind began to wander over every possible thing that could've happened. Thoughts like that always begin appearing whenever Naofumi was gone for too long. Though they mostly started after he got pregnant, L'Arc knew that Naofumi was a strong a capable Alpha, so he would be fine, but the thoughts still came.
L'Arc steadily stood back up, took his boots, and began walking back along the beach.
As L'Arc came back to the inn, the innkeeper greeted him with a smile. L'Arc smiled back before ordering dinner to his room, before going up to the room. After eating dinner, L'Arc went to bed early, hoping that the others would come back early in the morning.
The next day L'Arc went back to the harbor to wait for Naofumi and the Girls to come back, and just look at the bustling streets. L'Arc had found a crate to sit on outside of a small tavern with a view over the sea, and some of the smaller islands of the Archipelago.
L'Arc sat there for a couple of hours, just watching the waves and the bustling of the streets and boats with adventurers that set sail for the smaller islands. It was pretty nice, to just sit there and watch as everything happened around him.
After a couple of hours, L'Arc was getting bored and worried, a frown on his face as he looked out over the sea, at one of the islands Naofumi and the Girls were supposed to be on. When L'Arc noticed a head of blue hair on one of the boats, and Filo swimming beside the boat in her Filolial form, he smiled as stood up, walked closer to the water to keep an eye on them as they came closer.
When Naofumi and the girls got off the boat, L'Arc went over to greet them and give Naofumi a big hug, or, as much as he could with a 5 and a half month pregnant belly.
That evening, a party was being held at one of the taverns close by, and the group decided to go have some fun. They all got a table and ordered food and drink, and had fun.
Right as L'Arc was about to take a sip of his drink, it was snatched from his hand. L'Arc looked over and saw Naofumi holding his mug away from him.
"Kiddo...?" L'Arc asked confused
"No alcohol for you when you're pregnant," Naofumi answered sternly, leaving no room for arguments, before putting L'Arc's drink down beside his own
L'Arc just stared at Naofumi for a bit before pouting. Naofumi just chuckled at L'Arc before ordering some water for his pregnant mate.
L'Arc took a gulp of the water before he started to eat his food slowly. Naofumi kept an eye on his mate, making sure he didn't try to drink any alcohol during the night. He watched in fondness when L'Arc tried to make Raphtalia and Filo not drink too much.
But, what got L'Arc worried that evening was when Naofumi began eating the berries used for making the alcohol like they were candy. L'Arc knew that, despite being an alpha, Naofumi didn't have the highest tolerance when it came to alcohol. So, when Naofumi began eating the berries that needed to be diluted one berry in a barrel for strong liquor, got obviously got worried for his mate. What shocked everyone who'd watched, was that Naofumi was completely fine. Seemed like the Shield made Naofumi immune to basically all poison, which included alcohol.
L'Arc scolded Naofumi for worrying him like that, which Naofumi apologized for with a chuckle and a kiss on L'Arc's cheek, which made L'Arc smile.
Naofumi's alcohol tolerance suddenly going from medium-low to basically immune got L'Arc thinking.
In their world, Alphas usually had a big, strong build, to help them fight other alphas and protect their mate and family. So, the fact that Naofumi had a pretty small and short build, almost comparable to an omega or small beta, was rare, and it was looked down upon, as it was seen and him being less able to protect his family. Though Naofumi may not have been as physically strong as the generic alpha, he made up for it with an enormous amount of magical power and a lot of various magic spells. His power could rival even natural disasters, together with alchemy with which he could create tools rivaling national treasures, he quickly became a highly respected alpha, mostly amongst others in his field. This had shocked many people, as Alphas were also known for having little magic power, because of their high physical strength, so it was usually betas, and some omegas, who became sorcerers, alchemists, and magicians.
L'Arc was also pretty rare himself, other than being a male Omega and the Crown Prince of his Kingdom. Contrast to how Naofumi was small compared to other Alphas, L'Arc's build was almost on par was an Alpha's despite being an Omega. This, however, was widely sought after, as it was rare for an omega to have such a big and strong build. L'Arc was also naturally strong, which was seen as another positive trait, meaning he would be able to protect his pups better. L'Arc also trained hard and fought in the Waves, despite being an Omega, who was not really as accepted to be on the front lines of battles as Alphas were in the support groups. But, that didn't stop L'Arc from becoming stronger, while also taking good care of himself, as his parents and younger siblings would nag him if he got hurt or anything close.
So, the two were kind of a rare-pair in their world, but they didn't care. While some Alphas would belittle Naofumi for being physically weaker than alphas and smaller, Naofumi would start bragging about how his Mate could Kick. Ass. While this was some of Naofumi's interactions with other Alphas who didn't know him, some of the interactions L'Arc would have with other Omegas would be some of them admiring L'Arc for his build, while some would even mistake him for an Alpha.
L'Arc and Naofumi were happy, and so were their families and friends. Even more so when L'Arc was declared pregnant, despite the Waves raging over the lands, but that's a story for another time.
L'Arc cheered on as Filo began singing and dancing with the musicians at the tavern they were at, and, despite Raphtalia being drunk, also cheered her on a bit while she beat almost every man at the tavern in arm wrestling. It was fun. He also laughed with Naofumi when the Spear Hero, Motoyasu, had come over and tried eating one of the berries Naofumi had been snacking on, thinking all Four Cardinal Heroes had the same immunity. But, they didn't, and Motoyasu had passed out on the ground, black-out drunk and foaming from the mouth as his party rushed over to help.
As the party began to die down as the night went on, Raphtalia had sobered up a bit and sat down beside L'Arc while Naofumi talked with Therese.
"Hey, L'Arc? How did you and Master Naofumi meet? Or, umm, how, how did you become mates?" Raphtalia stuttered a bit as she asked, twirling her cup of water, watching it
"What made you want to hear that story?" L'Arc asked curiously with a smile
"Well, um, I guess, uh, I guess I just got curious." Raphtalia stuttered, her cheeks turning a bit pink
"I guess I can tell you the story. Oh, and don't tell Kiddo, bure before he was summoned he was the softest ball of pure sunshine smiles and giggles." L'Arc leaned in, whispering in Raphtalia's ear
Raphtalia giggled at that, while Naofumi turned around and asked what they were whispering about. L'Arc chuckled, saying it was nothing, to which Naofumi sent him an unbelieving look before turning back to his conversation with Therese.
Raphtalia listened intently as L'Arc began telling her the story of how he and Naofumi met, and how they came to become mates.
The first time L'Arc had seen Naofumi was on the battlefield battling multiple armies of goblins, hobgoblins, orcs, high orcs led by multiple orc kings and queens, and controlling and riding various monsters. The armies had banded together to one and had decided on attacking the Kingdom of Shroud first, L'Arc's Kingdom.
L'Arc had volunteered to go fight in the battle since he was already considered one of the strongest fighters in the kingdom, and it was the duty of the Royal Family, and his father was getting old, and his younger siblings were not old enough. L'Arc was deployed as the leading authority close to the front lines and didn't really have to fight until the monster army had led an ambush on their camp.
Somehow, there were goblin sorcerers that had somehow dispelled the magic barrier that the support, including Naofumi, had put up around the camp before they'd started the ambush. L'Arc had begun fighting together with everyone else while the support and magicians did their part.
It was during a short moment during that fight when L'Arc had seen Naofumi for the first time, wearing the official high-ranking magician robes of Shroud and casting high-class destructive magic at the monster army, while being careful not to hit anyone from Shroud's army. L'Arc had stared, mesmerized. It was love a first sight, as cheesy as that sounds. He couldn't pinpoint what, but he felt drawn to Naofumi, and he wanted to get closer to the other. L'Arc had kept an eye on Naofumi during the rest of the fight.
In the end, they won the battle with deaths on their side in single digits, mostly thanks to Naofumi's high-level healing spells, almost endless magical power, and ability to cast multiple spells at the same time. Everyone had celebrated the victory while also mourning the few losses.
The next day, L'Arc and Naofumi had been officially introduced, as Naofumi had been requested to report what had happened that night together with L'Arc via magic crystals to the rest of the war council. After that, Naofumi and L'Arc had begun working together, while also getting to know each other. A bit over a year after the war began, it ended, with the Shroud Kingdom as the victor. L'Arc, out of excitement, had hugged Naofumi close, while their friends and comrades cheered around them, and that had been the start of their serious relationship.
When L'Arc had gotten back to the Castle, he got a full check-up from the royal doctor, before his mother and father began bestowing honors and rewards upon the people who contributed greatly, including Naofumi, who was rewarded with a noble title, a piece of land and servant, and the status of being a royal palace magician and alchemist. When L'Arc had gotten back to his room to wait for his family to come to visit, he said that they'd found him acting like, and he quote from his mother "A cliché school girl from a cliché romance novel." to which L'Arc insisted that he did not.
Then, L'Arc and Naofumi kept running into each other at the palace and kept having their work intertwining, to which L'Arc was still suspicious that his father had a finger in the game. They also began spending a lot of their free time together, getting closer and closer, which, a couple of months later, ended in them becoming mates, not to the surprise of anyone. Literally, every one of their friends and everyone who worked in the castle knew the two had a thing for each other and had been anxiously waiting for months until the two finally confessed.
Sadly, only a couple of years later, the Waves appeared, and the two had to go into battle together again, though, this time, they fought side-by-side. But, about a year after the waves appeared, L'Arc was announced pregnant, which led to him not being allowed outside of the palace grounds and not being allowed even close to the dragon hourglasses.
"And that's basically how Kiddo and I met and became mates," L'Arc concluded the story
"Oh, I remember Her Highness telling me about how you acted back then." Naofumi suddenly added, smirking at L'Arc
"I thought we agreed not to talk about that!" L'Arc said loudly, really not wanting to talk about that embarrassing time of his life
"Yeah, we agreed not to 'talk' about it, I'm just teasing you about it." Naofumi was still smirking
"Kiddo, pease." L'Arc pleaded, hiding his face in Naofumi's shoulder while Naofumi calmly downed the last of the alcohol he'd taken from L'Arc before
"Please what?" Naofumi teased
"Please stop talking about it." L'Arc pleaded again, looking up at Naofumi with his puppy eyes, his chin on Naofumi's shoulder
"Fine fine, just stop looking at me like that." Naofumi complied while L'Arc grinned
Suddenly Raphtalia chimed in, still holding her cup of water.
"So Master Naofumi was a Magician before he was summoned?" She asked
"Yep! Strongest in the Kingdom." L'Arc boasted about his mate
"Cough-continent-cough" Naofumi fake coughed, correcting L'Arc
"Sorry, strongest on the continent." L'Arc corrected himself, smirking at his mate's antics
"Until I was summoned and my level got reset to 0. I can't even use any of my spells or use my alchemy anymore! I mean, come on, my level was above 200!" Naofumi complained
After a bit more conversing, Filo came over and joined them at the table, sitting beside Raphtalia and leaning against her older sister figure, tiredly. They were all smiling as they talked and the night drew on. It was only when the tavern began to get empty that they decided to leave and go back to the inn again. Raphtalia leaned against Naofumi, who supported her until they got back to the inn. Filo had decided to take L'Arc's hand, but because of how tired she was, swaying a bit as she walked, L'Arc decided to put her up on his shoulders. Naofumi worried if she was too heavy and Therese asked if she should take the Filolial, but L'Arc reassured them that Filo wasn't heavy at all.
As they got back to the inn, Therese went straight to her room, while Naofumi and L'Arc put Raphtalia and Filo to sleep. After that, the two went to their rented room and took off their outer clothes before cuddling on the bed, their hands intertwined on top of L'Arc's blown stomach, smiled on their faces as they fell asleep in each other's presence.
Months Later
Months later, when they were all finally back in the Kingdom of Shroud, it finally happened.
L'Arc went into labor.
After hours of L'Arc shouting, groaning, and clutching Naofumi's hand so tight it probably would've been broken if he wasn't the Shield Hero, a beautiful baby boy was born.
Therese quickly cleaned him up and wrapped him in a soft cloth before coming over and letting Naofumi take the newborn while L'Arc sat up a bit, exhausted as he held Naofumi's free hand.
"His name will be Hikari Iwatani Berg." Naofumi smiled at his and L'Arc's son
Therese nodded before leaving the room, letting the family have a bit of time alone.
Naofumi let go of L'Arc's hand in favor of holding Hikari better and standing up to let L'Arc take him. L'Arc pushed his gown off his shoulder to start breastfeeding Hikari, closing his eyes peacefully as he held Naofumi's hand again and leaned his head against the headboard.
Naofumi leaned over to pepper L'Arc in kisses while muttering praises to his beautiful omega, cooing comfortingly at the other. Hikari squirmed when L'Arc chuckled at the affection, making his chest rumble, which made L'Arc gently shush him.
Hikari had inherited both Naofumi's black hair and L'Arc's red hair, mixing them, giving him crimson red locks, and he'd taken after Naofumi's green eyes, though his eyes were more of a forest green while Naofumi's were more like emeralds. He stared up at L'Arc as he sucked softly, waving one hand around, sometimes slightly smacking L'Arc's chest, which made both parents chuckle.
Naofumi and L'Arc each smiled before the door creaked open to show Raphtalia and Filo peeking inside.
Naofumi waved the two over, and they eagerly came inside, Raphtalia softly closing the door after them. The two came over and stood beside the bed, on the opposite side of where Naofumi sat in a chair.
"He's so tiny..." Filo whispered, staring in awe at her new younger brother, having been told to be quiet, as L'Arc was still exhausted and feeding
"So precious..." Raphtalia whispered, smiling at the newborn
After a bit, Therese came back inside, Glass and Kizuna with her, all three of them cooing over the newborn child, though they quieted down when Hikari began squirming the noise, his face scrunching up before L'Arc shushed him.
Everyone was happy.