Chapter Text
His cat cakes woke him up by slamming their metal pet food bowls against his wooden bed frame posts. It was usually that, or they sat on top of him, meowing for attention. He didn't mind, of course; it was better than waking up to an alarm.
Aventurine fed his cat cakes, got dressed, and then checked his cellphone for the latest in emails and messages. He was lucky it seemed; all the emails he sent last night didn't require any immediate action for once this morning, so he could view his other messages in peace.
He felt even luckier when he realized he received a message from Sunday (a rare occurrence):
I wish you a day filled with easy emails and quick meetings. Please call me when you're done for the day. We'll be at the Herta Space Station for the next couple of days, so I'll have service for once. I look forward to hearing back from you. 💕
Sunday had also attached a heart-shaped Pom-Pom sticker. It was a habit he picked up from the other Astral Express members. They felt more like a supportive but nosy family these days.
It was something Aventurine had to get used to, but he enjoyed it. It wasn't every day that he had extended family to talk to; it was like catching up on life events he had missed out on. A caring and helpful mother, a father that adored his son, siblings that found their home in each other and now, Sunday.
They had gotten married impromptu last year on the Express, making it small affair between each other and their new family, but they still lived separate lives; they made a promise that day that they would come back to each other despite the trajectory of where they stood as individuals. It was hard to keep in contact with one another when Sunday was off in a part of unexplored space with inconsistent cellphone service and different time zones, but they made do.
It wasn't like they were always out-of-range; sometimes they did delivery requests or did favors for friends, certain people, or organizations. It was probably why Sunday was with the rest of the Astral Express at the Herta Space Station anyway.
Aventurine quickly responded to him, not wanting to keep him waiting.
Angel, I just saw your message. I'll call you after work for sure. I'll leave extra early just for you! ✨
It appeared that Sunday was awake as he reacted with a heart emoji.
Aventurine smiled before grabbing his things to leave to the office. He had a long day ahead of him, but not before fighting his cat cakes out the door.
-
Aventurine felt the day drag on slowly. All he wanted to do was hear his husband's sweet and gentle voice. A voice so soft that it could cradle him to sleep without the worry of night terrors or nightmares, just sweet dreams. Instead, he had to listen to Sugilite drone on about some kind of financial report for the rest of a Q3 meeting. He had his own reports to submit later this week, so this easily could've been an email or virtual meeting, but it was "important" as their liquidation efforts have "improved" dramatically. More like they were forced to, but Aventurine would never admit to that out loud.
Considering some of the other Stonehearts weren't here, Aventurine kept wondering why he was forced to sit through this incredibly painful meeting. He should've skipped like the rest of them, but figured the day was easy enough to attend. He needed to ask his assistant to see which meetings the majority of the Stonehearts didn't attend so he didn't have to. Aventurine had been too preoccupied with other tasks (messaging Sunday) to keep up with it.
In the meeting room they were currently sitting in, Aventurine had his cellphone faced screen-up on the meeting table, watching as it would light up occasionally. He only gave specific people notification sounds, so it didn't really bother the others attending; it blended into the array of blue-light holoscreens.
Unfortunately, that was when he received a text message from March 7th. A small chime rang out from his phone. He ignored the notification sound as the meeting droned on until he received another message a few minutes later, but now it was from Dan Heng. Another chime rang out.
He was used to receiving messages from all the Nameless as they cared immensely about Sunday and wanted to make plans that included him, but it was odd to hear from two of them at the same time, especially from one that usually minded his own business.
But then Welt messaged him. Then Himeko.
Jade, who sat across from him, gave him a look of slight impatience despite her smile; her manicured nails tapped against her leather portfolio. His cellphone notifications were not appreciated. She did not mind anything he did (he did a good job regardless of his antics), but this was basic etiquette he usually followed anyway.
Sugilite then gave him a pointed look, mumbling some comment about gamblers, lack of professionalism, and ugly attitudes. He then continued on, pointing to specific slides he had about IPC products monopolizing an entire planet's economy.
After a while, the notification sounds stopped, but then they started back up again. Aventurine continued to ignore his cellphone pings to help ruin Sugilite's meeting until Stelle started to video call him. He shrugged, using it as an excuse to leave the meeting early, definitely not apologizing to anyone as he left.
He sighed, heading down the hallway into a private calling room the office had on standby. He could see Stelle on his screen making faces as an attempt to make him hurry. He found the entire thing hilarious, but at this point, he ignored it until he was ready. Sitting down in one of the chairs provided, he answered. "You know, I do not appreciate being messaged incessantly and called in the middle of a meeting. I know you can see my status."
Stelle rolled her eyes, moving her hand back and forth as show. "It's important! Trust me, just- ugh, here."
The video feed looked blurry as the phone was passed around until he was met with Sunday's serene, smiling face.
Years of travel helped Sunday change his view on life. He had transformed into a kinder and softer man, helping others wherever he could; being selfless in ways that showed his newfound hope for humanity, and it reflected in the way he looked. Nowadays, he usually sported long flowing hair and a beautifully round face with the softest of gold eyes. To think he married an ethereal angel made his stomach twist into knots every time they faced each other in person after weeks of not seeing each other.
He almost couldn't believe it, but it looked like Sunday was glowing, and not just from his halo.
"Angel, you didn't call me yourself?"
"I accidentally left my cellphone on the Express." That wasn't like him, Aventurine noted. The man he married, usually very particular about having everything he needed, forgetting his cellphone?
Something was wrong.
"Are you alright?" Aventurine did his best to decipher where Sunday was. He noticed holographic screens and wires attached to Sunday's lower half, the half he apparently tried to keep away from the camera. "Wait, are you in a hospital?"
"I'm in the Medical Department of the Herta Space Station. I'm fine." Sunday looked eerily calm.
"Then why is your entire family trying to contact me?"
"They were worried when you didn't answer right away. I apologize if you were in an important meeting." Sunday felt very confident about his position with the Astral Express nowadays, not bothering to correct him. Was age making him complacent or was it something else? Aventurine couldn't say.
Sunday waved it off, his voice sounded almost cheerful. "I felt slightly ill and we were already on the Herta Space Station to deliver a few things to Madam Herta and Ruan Mei, so I stopped by for a quick check-up."
Aventurine couldn't understand how Sunday could sound so happy despite his circumstances. "I'm gonna ask again: are you alright?"
"Yes, I just felt a bit nauseous and dizzy." Sunday nodded as if he was also trying to convince himself. Aventurine could see Sunday fiddle with something in his hands, but he was unsure of what; his husband looked anxious.
He could hear Stelle and March 7th groan in annoyance on the other end of the line, behind the camera.
"He vomited in a trash can we had in the Parlor Car right before he left. Pom-Pom was so worried that they kicked Sunday out to see a doctor." March 7th appeared next to Sunday now, leaning on the bed frame and pouting. Well, that explained his missing cellphone. Pom-Pom rushed him out.
It looked like Sunday was trying to shush her with a hand gesture in her direction; his plan not to worry Aventurine had failed. Before March 7th or Stelle could say anything else, he rushed out his words. "Well, they did find something."
"What did they find?" Aventurine looked desperately into the camera, hoping it was something minor.
Sunday closed his eyes, as if it would make it easier to say. "I'm… pregnant."
"What?"
"I-I'm pregnant with your child." He repeated, more confident with the words in his mouth.
This was not something minor.
Aventurine stared at his screen for a few moments, speechless and processing.
Sunday's eyebrows furrowed as Aventurine didn't speak, his eyes searching the screen for any semblance of an answer in his body language.
So Aventurine spoke, his tongue feeling heavy as he reached for words. "Um, how… many weeks along are you?"
"Seven..." He swallowed, unsure of what to do. Aventurine's lack of energy was enough to communicate his response; dread began to creep onto Sunday's features. "I just remembered that you said you didn't want children last year. I'm so sorry, I'll take care of this."
Aventurine watched as Sunday looked side-to-side, as if trying to find a solution or his cellphone to do something. But he was stuck in that position, the camera of Stelle's phone capturing his panic.
He was unsure of what to do or say; it was true, Aventurine didn't want to have children, even after getting married to the love of his life.
It wasn't that he didn't want to have children of his own, but the universe was a terrible place.
He didn't want to bring anyone else into this world if they would suffer to the extent he and Sunday had. If his children had his eyes, would they be treated with prejudice and racism? It was something he didn't want to see after witnessing so much violence and cruelty. His family's blood spilled upon desert sands, he refused to see more bloodshed.
He didn't want Sunday to watch as their child would come home from school crying because of their mistreatment or if they were attacked for being part Avgin. Would they carry the burden of his blessing and continue this cycle? Their children's suffering wouldn't have been solely through looks, but unfortunately, Aventurine carried a specific kind of reputation that he partially created himself and he felt certain that bad things would befall them if others knew who their father was.
What would happen if either him or Sunday died too early? He couldn't bear the thought of it.
And Sunday himself… his body had been frail for so many years, only understanding what true health meant a few year ago. Decades of neglect did leave their mark on him, would childbirth be too much for him?
There was always going to be risk.
The question now became whether or not he wanted to take that chance.
Sunday refused to look at the camera as words began falling out of his mouth in uncertainty. March 7th glared daggers at Aventurine as she hugged Sunday from his side. Tears visibly filled the corners of Sunday's eyes as they began to form, he did his best to blink them away as he tilted the cellphone away from his face.
He was ashamed.
Aventurine felt his stomach sink; he couldn't stand to see his husband cry. If those tears didn't come from joy or pleasure, he did not wish to see them. Or in this case, be the cause of them.
He sat there for a few moments, trying to think of ways they could make this work. Maybe things could be different, maybe things didn't always go as poorly as they did in his mind. Aventurine never thought he was going to get married in the first place, yet here he was.
He had his husband who always came back to him, no matter where he went across the universe.
His husband who wanted to make love and share life with him, to share what he thought was the best news he had ever received.
His husband who, despite becoming an aeon for a moments between time, still chose to love him and stay by his side.
Sunday had seen so much of the universe over these past couple of years as part of the Trailblaze, he wasn't going to take away the hope Sunday still had his despite everything he had seen. Even after his failed attempt to help the universe in his way, all the man wanted was for everyone to be happy.
Despite all these risks and against his better judgment, Aventurine wanted to gamble.
From the tilted camera, he could vaguely see March 7th rub his back as he seemed to be hunched over. He covered his face with his hands, halo dimmed. Oh, his poor birdie was so stressed, his ear wings were shaking.
"Sunday?" He tried to get his attention.
The man started shaking his head, too deep in anguish to respond.
"Angel, come back to me, please?"
It took a few minutes, but Sunday sniffled and finally looked at the camera. Face red and blotchy, he did his best to swallow down his emotions. From the side of the camera, he could see Stelle handing tissues to him.
"Do you want a family?"
Sunday took a deep breath and sighed, laughing nervously. He used a tissue to wipe up tears and inevitable snot.
Regardless of what he truly felt, Sunday refused to accept it, shaking his head. "I-I don't want this if you don't. It completely slipped my mind. I was starting to make so many plans, that was incredibly foolish of me. I wanted to call you to desperately tell you the good news, but I fear I've just made a mistake."
Aventurine mirrored him, shaking his own head. "N-No, No, I'm just worried that they'll face hardship because of me. Remember the conversation we had last year? We can probably work something out."
Sunday paused, digesting his words. His disbelief in his words made itself apparent. After a few moments of feeling like something was stuck in his throat, he asked, "Do… Do you really hate having the idea of starting a family? As Ena, I had given you a dream of your family being by your side. You didn't stay in the dream I made you. Did it really cause you that much pain? We did not address any of this in our conversation last year."
The two girls by either side of him took that as a sign to leave them alone. He watched as Sunday's eyes followed the girls before looking down at him. Melancholic eyes of gold, reflecting the innate traces of divinity, demanded his answer.
Aventurine was reminded every now and then that he had married an ex-aeon. One that had blessed him and answered him time and time again.
It was now his turn to answer him.
He swallowed down his insecurity, his hands trembled under the conference table he sat at. "Your dream was too good, too sweet, too… unachievable. I understand what you were trying to do, but I can never forget that loss. I'll get to see my parents and my sister when my time has come. That time isn't here yet. I'm worried that maybe starting a family would also be too sweet. Could we really live that dream in Reality? Is that something that we could really do?"
His angel seemed to have calm down a tad. Despite his face being red and splotchy, he nodded. It was understandable to some certain extent. He was Ena and saw everyone's dreams, after all.
It only made sense that his dream was too perfect. Everyone who had suffered in life had awakened from his Dream. His husband as sweet as pie, angel cake reincarnate. He tried, didn't he?
Aventurine huffed out a laugh, watching as it caught Sunday off guard. "Do you wanna help make our little dream come true? Even if it's not as easy as the dream you made all those years ago?"
Sunday closed his eyes in contemplation, his nose sniffling still.
"Only if you'll be with me every step of the way."
"Always."
Sunday's face grew round with a smile, his halo beamed light, and those traces of divinity. Ah, that beautiful face was going to make him melt into the conference chair he was sitting in.
"May I tell you about my plans then?" Sunday perked up, hands moving with the flow of his ideas.
"Sure, darling." Aventurine nodded, listening as Sunday went on and on about the Harmony and babies. He had plans of buying baby blankets, little trinkets from his travels, and he wanted a Harmony reveal party for their family, whatever that meant.
Stelle and March 7th finally poked their heads into their conversation again, happy to see Sunday in a better mood. They sat by either side of Sunday again, looking into the camera at him. They were snickering about something he didn't understand.
"Sunny, you were right about him." Stelle chuckled, leaning on the bed frame.
March 7th did the same, opting to hold onto him again. "I didn't think Senior Manager Director Aventurine could make that face."
Sunday giggled, covering his face a little with his hand. He was refusing to address it directly. "Aventurine, will you come to visit me?"
Stelle and March 7th kept making hand gestures to the camera, nodding profusely in his direction.
All of them truly had become their family and supported Sunday in having this child. They wouldn't have bothered to contact him so much if they didn't believe it would make both of them happy. Maybe they were right. Well, it was only a matter of time until he truly found out.
Aventurine took a deep breath and tried to appear calm, knowing he was failing and being teased. He began to change his tune to things, smiling at Sunday genuinely. "Ah, this is exciting! I'll come to you right away. I'll tell my assistant to block off the rest of my week, I can't wait to see you again."
Sunday sniffled a little as he smiled back at him again. "I'll wait for you."
-
The trip to the Herta Space Station ended up being a routine space flight for him. It became familiar as they made it their rendezvous spot every once in a while, taking a space cruiser that he had purchased recently to visit Sunday during his downtime. He was so grateful that Topaz had convinced him to buy a private one after spending some time on her own ship.
During the 3-hour-long flight, all he could think of was Sunday being a father and staying at his condominium permanently as a family.
All he could imagine was Sunday gently embracing their child, waiting for him to come home from work, and maybe even having another child. That was something that he wanted to see so badly, he almost craved it; he'd finally have a family again. He'd never have to worry about taking care of his family in times of need, he had it covered this time around.
He wasn't going to run away this time.
After all of those years of being so mournfully alone, being hit with Nihility, and struggling to find purpose, he finally found something that gave him pure joy and motivation to keep going.
His husband and the beginning of their new family were waiting for him.
-
When he arrived, he saw the Astral Express parked before anchoring behind them. His nerves made themselves apparent as he was getting closer and closer to seeing him again.
Dan Heng greeted him at the Railway Platform, waving towards him. He was a man of few words, but encouraged Aventurine as he led him to the Medical Department.
"He's very happy to see you again, I'm glad you could come."
"Oh, for him? Always." Dan Heng grinned; it was the right answer.
It always weirded him out seeing so many scientists of all ages work around this place with Herta dolls staring back at him every time he looked. Luckily, walking up to the Medical Department didn't take too long, so he could avoid them in peace.
Walking through the door, he couldn't help but smile seeing Sunday in a temporary bed the staff put together. He was lying back among pillows as him, Stelle, March 7th, and Welt were playing a simple card game of Go Fish. Himeko was to the side talking to staff about something he couldn't audibly make out.
Sunday was as ethereal as ever while waving at him. Aventurine's stomach was definitely forming knots now; if not, it was bile having its way with him. He almost couldn't help but feel a little shy around him these days.
Aventurine went by his side, gently embracing him in his arms, careful with his IV. He could feel the tension leave Sunday's body while being held in his arms, his wings fluttered at his touch.
"They said the vomiting made me a little dehydrated, it's just saline." Sunday gestured towards the IV attached to him.
Aventurine melted like butter in a hot pan as soon as he heard Sunday's deep and rich voice. Oh, how he missed hearing him in person. He couldn't wait to bring him home.
"How are you feeling now?"
"So much better with you around." Sunday gently scooted over in his bed to give Aventurine a place to sit. His husband took hold of the opportunity, putting an arm around him.
He leaned in to kiss Sunday, not minding the fact that he vomited today. Stelle and March 7th turned away, calling them cheesy.
Sunday gave out a full-bodied laugh; his voice sounded like church bells. He teased them, feeling comfortable enough to do that nowadays. "I'm married, I can do this."
Aventurine chuckled, hearing his banter with them. His birdie had changed for the better after all these years; he wouldn't have it any other way.
"Now then, someone deal me some cards."
"No, you always win!"