Work Text:
Voices buzzed all around him, drowning out the thudding of his boots on cobblestones as Alphen walked around the market in Viscint. Without his armor or the Blazing Sword upon his back, he was able to tour the stalls without drawing much attention. It helped that he had become a common sight in the city as well, and wasn’t so much a novelty as when he was traveling. The difference made it easier to relax, to take in what the city had to offer, not needing to be on guard. Even if someone did approach him, it was more likely to be a child with questions, than adults either idolizing or cursing him out.
A Renan shop drew his attention, and he looked to see if they had any accessories that his wife may enjoy. He was learning, bit by bit, and while some of his purchases had been duds, Shionne still found a way to make them work. Some of the items showed signs of age or damage, secondhand items that had been rescued from the destruction caused by the transformation of Lenegis.
Among items both restored and not, he saw something that made his breath hitch. A doll, old and ragged and all too familiar. He picked it up hesitantly, looking it over, finding new stitches where tears had been repaired. The clothing it wore was both familiar and not. It wasn’t what belonged on the doll, not to his memory, but the style was recognizable.
“I’ve been hoping someone would pick her,” the shopkeep said cheerfully, smiling up at him. “Do you have a daughter?”
“I don’t,” he mumbled, his attention turning back to the doll, “But, this doll, it’s familiar.”
“Familiar? Do you know the one who owned it before? I found it discarded on Lenegis, when the residential quarters were aflame. I thought some child might be missing it, but after so long, I’ve given up hope that I’d find whoever took such good care of her.”
He nodded then tucked the doll into the crook of his arm as though it were a young child, freeing his hand to grab his wallet. “How much for it? I think I do know who owned it last. She’s grown now, but the doll was her closest friend as a child.”
“Far be it from me to keep her from her friend. Just come back and tell me if you’re right, that will be enough for me.”
He hated receiving things for free, but this time it didn’t seem to be his reputation that was the cause. Hesitating only a moment, he decided to graciously accept the offer, though he did pick and pay for a hair clip before leaving the vendor. Carrying the doll with him, he stopped at a few food stalls, picking up ingredients for the evening meal, ignoring any odd or curious looks the doll drew. There were likely to be some rumors that the Blazing Sword might be expecting a child, but it wouldn’t be the first time he and Shionne had weathered such things. Fortunately, here in Viscint, such things were harmless, and everyone was good natured with their speculations.
The walk home along Trasilda Highway was pleasant, the wind blowing from over the fields, keeping the pungent odor of animal droppings away from the light traffic. Farmers called greetings, children laughed and ran around, waving to him and asking him to come play with them sometime, wives hanging laundry on lines and sharing stories and songs with one another. He loved this walk, seeing the people live happily and freely, without concern. Zeugles weren’t even a problem anymore, not here, not with Alphen and Shionne living along the highway.
His own wife was hanging laundry as well, just as those up the way had done, and her cheerful voice half-sang, half-hummed a simple melody. He stood just inside the gate to their yard, watching her with a smile, admiring her as she took to the humble task with joy. She turned to grab another item from the basket and noticed him, and he could see her light up further, a musical laugh making its way to his ears. “Watching me work? Why don’t you set that stuff inside and come help me instead?”
He grinned and nodded, stepping up to their home. “I’ll do that,” he agreed. He left the doll and accessory on their bed and put away the food he’d bought, washing his hands before joining her outdoors. It took only one scolding for hanging the laundry with hands covered in potato dirt to ensure he never made such a mistake again. She had almost finished by the time he joined her, but she didn’t complain about it, simply smiling as he helped her pin up the last of their sheets.
“Anything good at the markets today?” she asked while he picked up the empty basket.
“Mm, some new fish came in from Thistlym. I think they’ve got some Renans helping with transportation now. It’s fresh, not salted. I picked up some winter vegetables from Cyslodia that should go well with it, and fresh butter from our own farms here in Menancia.”
She looked eager at his explanation, and she took his hand with excitement, “Then what’re we waiting for? I’m famished!”
He laughed, drawing her into a hug and kissing her forehead. “Before that, there’s something else I picked up. I think, I think you’re going to be surprised.” Her eyebrows raised at his hesitancy, and he simply shrugged in response to her unasked question.
Hand in hand, they entered their home, and he brought her to their bedroom. When she spotted what sat on the bed, she gasped and raised free hand to her lips. “That’s… How did you… Where?”
He watched as she picked up the doll, not even noticing the accessory that sat nearby. The tender way she brushed back its yarn hair and smoothed out its clothing convinced him he’d been right about the style being familiar. It was incredible, that a Dahnan doll brought to Lenegis three hundred years ago could have found its way into the possession of a Renan girl. That its first owner, a kidnapped soldier from a foreign world, and its last owner, a lonely girl who could touch nothing alive without causing it pain, would meet and discuss the doll, to think on how odd it might be if it were the same doll. Then to find it, and find that it was true, back on Dahna once more, in the shop of a refugee who hoped to reunite it with the one who missed it.
Shionne clutched the doll to her breast, sitting on the edge of the bed, tears rolling down her cheeks. “How…?” she asked again, looking up at him.
He took a seat beside her, arm wrapping around her shoulders. “Found it in a shop run by a Renan. It looked like they had a lot of items scrounged up when the residential district was destroyed by the transformation.”
She nodded slowly, patting its head in what had probably been a calming gesture for a lonely young girl. “And you, recognized it?”
“You were right.” When she looked at him with confusion, he smiled and hugged her closer for a moment. “When I told you about the doll that soldier’s child made for me. You said it would be wonderful if somehow it was the same doll that kept you company. Well. That’s the doll. But the clothes it’s wearing now, they reminded me of your sense of style. It’s certainly not what it had on, back when I owned it.”
Her breath hitched and she clutched at the doll tighter, leaning into his hold and tucking her head under his chin. “I can’t hardly believe it…,” she breathed out, her voice barely audible. He kissed the top of her head, content to hold her as she let all manner of emotion wash through her. He couldn’t begin to guess how many different things she was likely thinking and feeling in that moment, but he was glad he was here to share it with her.
It was some time before she gingerly set the doll back between their pillows, where he had first placed it, She noticed this time, the hair clip he had purchased, a delicate work of gold shaped into roses and set with pink and blue stones to represent the Flowers of Unity. It was pretty, and she traced petals with her fingertip, smiling at it before reaching up to clip it above her ear. Gently tossing her head, she looked to him expectantly, and he nodded with approval.
Her hand came up to run along his jaw, and she drew him in for a kiss. Her lips tasted sweet with balm and salty with tears, and they lingered, a gentle kiss passing silent words, gratitude and love resting heavy in his chest from the way she pressed into him. Then, just like that, she pulled back and drew in a deep breath, steadying herself. “Well! It’s time for dinner, isn’t it? Let’s get cooking!”
“Yes, ma’am,” he grinned, brushing hair behind her ear on the side opposite of the new clip. “I also picked up some fruits and a set of dipping sauces for them, for dessert.”
“Mm, you know how to treat a girl right.” She stood up and straightened out her skirts before turning another look to the doll. Her expression softened, and she rested her hand along the seam of the high waist of her dress, then looked at Alphen with amusement dancing in her eyes. “I think the doll will make a wonderful present for our child, too.”
“Ch-Child!?” he asked, unsure if he understood her implication right.
“Yes, child. What did you think all those long nights spent together would lead to?” she teased.
Well. It seemed that the rumors would be right, for once. He grinned, following her out to the kitchen, and idly wondered just how high their grocery bills would rise over the coming months.