Extraterrestrial Exploration

chapter 30

–Nala–

cutting through the ropes with the knife I freed Eiso and Eikan's hands from their bindings.

They pulled free and rubbed their wrists. Eikan stretched his back and arm muscles, happy to be free once more while Eiso sat there staring at me in a state of shock.

looking towards him,  I could see he was struggling to accept what astaria had said before she left.

my arm instinctively moved over my stomach as I averted my gaze, unsure what to say or even do. What if they didn't want kids?

‘Nala!’ Eikan grabbed my shoulders, drawing me out of that thought to pay attention to him.

‘is what that woman said true? you have a child?’ I blinked before sighing bracing myself for this conversation that I wasn't sure I was ready to have. Astaria sure likes to be blunt sometimes…

‘yes…or so everyone thinks. They said they could sense it growing inside of me somehow? I'm not sure I fully understand it yet but I don't think Astaria or nori would lie nor joke about this kind of thing…’

Eikan looked at me in bewilderment as Eiso sat back quietly and avoided my gaze. ‘Then does that mean one of us is the father?! He questioned still in disbelief and excitement over the situation.’

I gave Eikan an awkward smile before responding. ‘yes… that is the only reasonable explanation, I'm not quite sure how it's even possible but–’

Eikan jumped to his feet, pulling me up with him before wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me off the ground to twirl me around. ‘This is wonderful!’ he exclaimed.

I laughed as he stopped and nuzzled me affectionately, Far happier than I expected him to be over the news.

‘Eikan that's enough!’ Eiso suddenly pulled us apart, putting himself between us. with his back turned towards me, refusing to even look in my direction.

I felt a pang of rejection in my chest at his actions while Eikan looked at him with a sense of confusion and anger. ‘Eiso… what is– why are you acting like this?’ Eikan tried to speak only for Eiso to cut him off with a snarl.

‘Did you not listen to a word that woman said?!’ Eiso snapped at him, making Eikan growl back, his tail swiping at the air behind him.

‘I did! she told us Nala is carrying our child…that we are to care for her and it–’

‘no! this is our doing… she said we are responsible for– for this! that we need to redeem ourselves for what we’ve done…’ Eiso’s voice trailed off as he lowered his head and I realized exactly what was going through his head.

He was ashamed.

stepping forward I grabbed Eiso’s hand making him flinch and turn back to look at me with an expression of worry.

‘Eiso, it's okay… sure this wasn't expected or planned but the best things in life never are. I'm not upset with either of you and I'm still trying to come to terms with everything myself but that doesn't mean you should be ashamed… you did nothing wrong, either of you.’

Eiso visibly relaxed as he looked down at me, And Eikan crossed his arms over his chest.

leaning in, Eiso nuzzled the top of my head and pulled me into an embrace as he let out a sigh of relief. I smiled and hugged him back, happy to be with the two of them once again.

Eikan huffed as he watched us. ‘You are so emotional brother, always overthinking everything.’ he mused nonchalantly.

Eiso turned to glare at Eikan. ‘says the one who nearly broke down at the river and shed tears, blaming himself for even looking at Nala.’ he retorted.