Chapter Text
The sound of a baby crying used to be completely foreign to Shin— now he heard it every day.
Lena was sleeping- she was still recovering after all. So he sent her off to rest for a bit, telling her not to come back down until she got some proper sleep.
She must have been sleeping quite deeply, because Alice had been crying for the better part of an hour, and she had not come down.
Shin was... truly at a loss for what to do.
“It’s alright, your papa is right here! You’re safe and fed and couldn’t be more loved! If there’s something you want, just tell me and I’ll give it to you.”
But of course, she didn’t— and indeed couldn’t, answer her fathers plea. He was growing concerned that something might be wrong. If this kept up he’d have to get Lena, even if he hated to interrupt her rest.
It was an entirely different battle than the ones he once fought. And so Shin was far less experienced in dealing with it. Sitting on the couch of his living room, desperately trying to soothe the wailing baby, more tired than he’d been since the war, Shin felt utterly helpless.
What can I do? How can I tell her she’s safe and doesn’t have to cry?
And then… something strange happened. All of the sudden, like an answer to a prayer, a memory washed over him.
“There there my darling. It’s all right, mama’s here.”
The voice had no face to go with the memory, he didn’t know the context, or the time or place and yet… the warmth, the safety, the feeling of gentle thoughts comforting him was vivid as if he’d never forgotten.
And then a different voice…
“Hey now, little brother, don’t cry! I’ll keep you safe, my thoughts will protect you no matter what.”
“Mom… Brother…” he breathed, almost unconsciously.
And just as suddenly as it came over him, the moment passed, and Shin snapped back to the present. The present where his mother and Rei were gone, and he sat in his living room holding his still wailing daughter.
But the memory stayed with him, and with it came an idea. Shin brought Alice close to his face.
There, there, my little love. Papa is right here…
And much to his surprise, she paused in her crying, blinking up at him. If she was a little older her eyes probably would’ve widened in surprise.
I’ll keep you safe. I promise, anything you need you can have.
He smiled at her, his precious daughter, even though he knew it was silly to try and reassure her that way, when she could barely see yet. And of course she still couldn’t smile back, but then Shin felt something, a faint discomfort. He brought his daughter up to his shoulder and gently rubbed her back. A burp came a moment later, and the feeling began to ease up.
He forgot to burp her when he fed her earlier. Her stomach hurt, that was all it was, just gas. More remarkable was the fact that he was able to sense as much.
It was in that moment he felt a connection form between them— no, that wasn’t it. Now that he thought about it, this connection had been there from the moment he first held her, but now it was finally, truly manifesting.
Shin kissed his daughter’s tiny forehead, keeping their faces closer together even afterward.
“A connection… family… Alice, my sweet baby girl. You don’t know what this means to your papa, of course you don’t.” He laughed, his eyes stinging.
Shin held his daughter close to his chest, right over his heart. Stroking her silver hair with his thumb.
“Thank you, Alice. Just for existing.” A quiet whisper between the two of them, one of whom wouldn’t remember this.
But that was fine, because Shin would, and he’d tell her again in the future.
As many times as he needed to.
~~~
That moment now a memory, along with countless others, circled through Shin’s mind as he stood with his family in the train station. He watched Lena hug their daughter, crying openly. Their daughter, Alice, was no longer a baby, or even a child. She’d matured into a young woman, and now…
Rei and Erich (his two younger sons) were cracking jokes and sarcasm, but he could tell they were doing it to disguise their emotions. This wasn’t easy, not for any of them.
His turn came. Shin hugged her tighter than usual. Alice’s arms slid around his waist as she leaned into him.
“Take care of yourself. Don’t overdo it. Don’t forget to eat right and get enough sleep and-”
“I will, Dad. I promise.” Her voice had grown up, too, into a bell-like tone— just like her mother.
Shin felt his throat tighten, but he managed to hold himself together for the sake of his family. He pressed his hand against the back of her head, cradling her close.
She would be attending a university in Roa Graica, she was trying to make herself independent from her parents. As much as that pained him, he couldn’t be more proud of the woman she had become.
I’ll be okay, Daddy. The thought that entered his mind didn’t come from him. That connection that had been there since her birth stayed to this day.
Yes, a strong, independent, smart young woman… but still his daughter, his little girl.
I know, my brave girl, but I’ll still worry. I’ll always worry.
Shin squeezed his daughter one more time before letting go and stepping back, placing a hand on each of his sons’ shoulders, as they were both close to tears now.
Lena meanwhile, dabbed at her eyes and smiled proudly at Alice as the train arrived.
“Call when you get there, and if there’s trouble don’t hesitate to ask your Uncle Vika for help. Please be safe Alice.”
“I will, Mom. I’ll be fine.”
He could see the nervousness in her expression in spite of her words, could even feel it somewhat via the empathy link their esper ability granted them. Years of training and honing that ability made it so that they only shared their emotions when they wanted too. So for those feelings to leak out unconsciously, they would have to be very strong.
Forget how hard this is for you for a moment, Shin thought to himself, she’s terrified, so be her father and do something.
He caught her wrist, just for a moment. Alice turned around slightly. The feeling was even stronger with the contact.
“Dad, I have to go.” Her voice wavered.
“I know, just…”
~You’re going to be fine– better than fine. I have full faith in you Alice.~
With that thought went all the love and warmth he could muster. Alice inhaled sharply, her eyes welling up, but the tears didn’t fall. Instead, she smiled, truly, not masking her fear, just a slightly teary but real smile.
“Thank you, Dad.”
Shin didn’t say anything else, he didn’t trust his voice enough right now, he just smiled back at her, and then… he let go. Letting his daughter step onto her own path, terrified but believing in her with his whole heart.