Walk Tall

Astrid rubbed her swollen abdomen tenderly as she read from her worn out copy of Watership Down in the sunroom, glancing up ever so often to ensure that her rambunctious horde were all accounted for and that they weren’t causing any serious injuries to another. Much like their father, they didn’t know their own strength. One little push ending up feeling like being hit by an Iron Giant. Thankfully, no serious injuries follow, just scrapes and bruises, but the dramatics make it seem far worse than a scraped knee.

Once she was sure that her children weren’t killing each other and none were missing, Astrid went back to reading. She gave a light grunt as she felt a tiny pair of feet kicking in her womb, “I know you want to join your brothers and sisters, but you have another two months to bake.” She cooed, marking her place in her book, watching as a little foot stretched her abdomen in another kick.

Astrid watched as her stomach rippled as the baby moved about, treating her like a punching bag in the process. She rubbed her stomach in hopes to settle the baby with an affectionate smile. Her gaze shifted toward the sky, the sun was still high with not a cloud in the sky. A blessing that was now never taken for granted. All in part to the sacrifice of Noctis, his last duty as king. A blessing she and Gladio were sure their children would forever appreciate and never take for granted.

“Thank you Noctis,” Astrid whispered, smiling up at the sky, “If only you could be with us now.”

“He’s here.” Astrid turned with a start, relaxing when she spotted Gladio leaning against the doorway of the sunroom, he had dirt and grime on his face and clothing, “He will always be with us. Whenever the sun rises he is there.”

“You’ve gotten sentimental in your old age.” Astrid joked, accepting the chaste kiss on her lips as Gladio stepped toward her. “What happened to the tough Crownsguard, now turned Hunter, that I married?”

Gladio chuckled, falling to one knee before her, leaning his forehead against Astrid’s, “I think you have rubbed off on me Princesa.”

Astrid smiled upon hearing the nickname, relishing in the warmth that Gladio always seemed to radiate. She had missed him. It had only been a week since he left for a hunt close to Lestallum. A behemoth was crouching a little too close for comfort to the city. But that week had felt like years—not knowing if he would come back alive or if the only thing she would have of him would be his dog tags. It helped quell her anxiety when he would go on hunts with Ignis and Prompto. It was a knowing comfort that Gladio had people watching his back as well as him watching theirs.

“Thank you for coming home.” The weight lifted off of her chest, wrapping her arms around Gladio’s neck. As she did, she felt Gladio relaxing his shoulders, easing into her embrace.

He took a long breath, as if he had been holding it in, “I’ll always come home to you.” He lifted his head enough to look up at Astrid. His large, callused hands cupped her cheek as he did, Astrid took hold of his wrist, leaning into his touch so her lips could brush against his palm. “How’s our little bud doing?” His other hand rested on Astrid’s stomach, feeling the little one kicking.

Astrid rested her hand on Gladio’s. “Active as ever, as are the rest of them.” She shifted her eyes toward the yard where the children were now climbing the large oak tree, “So far there are no injuries to report.”

They both laughed at that. Last time Gladio was away from home he had gotten a text from Astrid to let him know that they youngest, Diphylleia had split the bottom of her chin open after she fell when chasing after her twin brother—Campion—which was supposed to be a relaxing outing at the park with Prompto and Ignis’s families. It was a miracle she didn’t need stitches, but just a quick glue job from the doctor and a very proud looking Diphylleia, showing off her chin in the photo Astrid sent Gladio from the doctor’s office.

“I’m rather relieved for that,” Gladio grunted as he got up to his feet. His knees popping in the process, “Wish I could say the same for me.”

Astrid took a quick survey of her husband for any injuries but saw none. But she was sure that he was hiding them under his leather jacket. She would have a better inspection of him tonight when the children were all asleep. “Before or after the children get their hands on you?” she joked, kissing the tip of his nose.

He helped Astrid out of her chair, “Behemoth has nothing on how strong my kids are.”

“Brace yourself.” Astrid waddled over to the screen door of the sunroom that opened to the yard. She stepped out first with Gladio squatting down behind her. “My Flower Garden,” Astrid called out to her children, each of them stopping what they were doing to look at her, “Guess who’s home?”

She stepped to the side, giving Gladio a wide berth as he stretched out wide with an even wider grin. It didn’t even take a second before all five children hopped off the tree and made a mad dash toward him, with the youngest ones up front while the oldest two stayed behind. A formation they all just systematically utilized. Soon Gladio was tackled by his children, barely able to stay up as they all swarmed him in a tangle of limbs, all trying to wrap around him. He did his best to wrap his arms around all five of his kids, with mild success.

No matter how many times Gladio had to leave home for hunts, this is what he would never tire of, and hoped his children would still come running to him. No matter how big they got. He wanted them to enjoy their childhood, something he never had the privilege to. Him being the child of the King’s Shield left to little room for him to be a child. Hours spent training and keeping a vigil over Noctis was all he had time to do. He didn’t want that for his children. Never have them think of duty first before one’s self. Though he may not regret it, it wasn’t a life he would have chosen. Though if any of his children wanted to follow in his footsteps to be a Hunter, he wouldn’t be opposed.

“Alright Flower Garden,” Astrid tried to usher the children off of Gladio, doing her best to contain her own laughter, “Daddy missed you all too.”

One by one they were all peeled off of Gladio with fits of giggles.  Gladio got up with a grunt, his smile never leaving his face, “It seems we raised ourselves a bunch of strong hunters.” Gladio beamed at his brood, “But I think they need some more training.” A mischievous glint shown in his amber eyes. A mischievous grin.

Astrid did her best to stifle her laughter as she watched their children gauging Gladio with confused looks on their faces. “I don’t know, they seem to be ready to take on a behemoth like you did when you were younger.”

“You think so?” Gladio scratched the scruff on his chin in feign thought, “only one way to find out.”

He lunged forward, grabbing hold of the first child within reach, lifting their shirt to expose their belly and progressed to blow raspberries on their soft flesh. He proceeded to make munching noises as if he was eating the hapless child. The rest of the children darted back toward the garden, “Run! A behemoth is loose in Insomnia!” Their shrill laughter filled the yard as Astrid watched on as Gladio charged toward the other children with a roar.