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Chocobo tracks led a trail through the badlands of South Thanalan. The air felt crisper. The sun felt brighter. It hadn't been more than a moon he spent on the First. Or was it? X'yahma couldn't tell anymore. He brushed his hair from his eyes and scanned the horizon and spotted the telltale smoke rising from a ridge. He flicked the reins, and the bird picked up speed, kicking dust into the air. Almost home... just a little while longer.
He spied the metal huts glinting in the sun as he neared. A few Amalj'aa were going about their day. The chocobo slowed to a stop as he pulled on the reins. He leaped off the bird's back and fed him a generous handful of greens. The bird chirped with delight as it ate. He paid the bird little mind as he strode through the camp, passing by his brothers on his way to his home.
A few greeted him with welcomes and salutes, and he greeted them back. He didn't mean to be disinterested, but his mind was in one place. She was sitting in the shade of a tree. Loonh Gah stared off to the south, towards the Sagolii. She cuddled an infant to her chest. As he neared, the infant's green eyes lit up and she reached out towards him "Baa," she babbled.
Loonh Gah's ears perked up and followed the child's reach and her red eyes locked eyes with him. X'yahma's breath caught in his chest. On the cusp of speaking, and he'd nearly missed it. Loonh Gah stood and held the child on one side, allowing him to hug them both when they were in arm's reach. He kissed Loonh Gah's forehead and stroked her hair (she grew it out, it seems). "I'm sorry I've been gone for so long," he said after a long silence.
Loonh Gah let out a brief laugh and looked up at him. "You've been gone far longer before. I might forgive you." He noticed the dark circles under her eyes, and the tired smile she tried to wear.
"Has Ruha been eating well? Is she crawling? Have you been keeping her out of the sun? Have there been any-"
"Ruha is just fine," Loonh said, cutting him off. "There have been some Flamefang incursions recently, but all have been driven off. He tightened his hug around them, Ruha grasped at his sleeve. "Yahma, please," she fought against him and pulled away, though he yielded quickly. "There's naught to worry about. Save for one thing."
X'yahma's eyes narrowed as a thousand things ran though his mind. "Tell me," he said, slowly reaching to stroke behind Ruha's ears.
"Do you recall that night you spent after returning from Doma? Before returning to Gyr Abania?"
"Yes, I do," he said. He purred as he recalled their first night together after half a year apart.
"Then I'll make it brief: Ruha's to be a sister." X'yahma's eyes went wide just before Ruha grasped his pinky before yelling something. Loonh Gah smiled as she adjusted her hold. "Seems she's excited."
"Again? So soon? Are you sure?" He flashed between joy and sadness, relief and anger, and many other things in between. But with the Ascians' plans in tatters, warmth burned away his fears and worries. For the moment, at least.
"I've seen a midwife. It's not beyond doubt, but the signs are there." She frowned. "I thought you'd be happy to hear."
"I am, but I..." How could he tell her? How could he tell her that he thought he'd never see them again? Just how close they came to death? That would be for another time. Without warning, he kissed her, Loonh Gah squeaked in surprise. "I'm simply surprised. And quite exhausted."
"I think Ruha's the only one among us with more than half a mite of energy today."
"Maa. Mmm," Ruha cooed.
"By Rhalgr, her first words?" The light returned to his eyes as he watched her with anticipation.
"She can make sounds. I caught her hissing once or twice, but naught I'd call 'words' yet." Loonh Gah purred as she passed the giggling infant to her other arm. "I don't know about you, but I'm famished. The stew should be ready ere long."
"I've missed your cooking. I'll be in shortly."
"See that you are, or there'll be none left for you." She spun Ruha around and held her to her shoulder. Loonh Gah turned and walked towards their home. As her back shrank, Ruha giggled and waved at X'yahma. He waved back, his heart swelling with pride. She knew him. She remembered her father. He rubbed at his eyes as he watched the they vanished inside the hovel. For as many as he'd undertaken, his journey through fatherhood had only just begun, it would seem.