#echdina

Two particular fish are about to hit shore in one of many of their destinations. Ever since traveling together, these two have been inseparable. For one, it started as an obligation to the other. Now, it was love and loyalty that kept her here. For the other, it was for convenience and an excuse to not go home. Soon after, it became a wonder, an experience, a beautiful romance born of care and love for her knight.

There was always the saying, “there are plenty of fish in the sea”. Whoever came up with that certainly knew what they were talking about. A lot of fish indeed.

Well. She’s her bodyguard, technically speaking. Semantics. 

“Are you monologuing again?”

Undina shuts her mouth instantly at the sound of her girlfriend’s voice. She turns to her, “There you are! I almost thought you got lost again.”

“We’re just swimming, and I’ll have you know, my sense of direction is best underwater. Above water, too!” Echo grins. She’s been doing that a lot more than at the beginning of their voyage. The princess feels as though the dolphin learned to relax around her. See her behind the title of princess.

The feeling makes Undina grin too. As they swim, the fish circle each other, completely in sync with the other. It’s almost as if they were dancing their way to their desired location. They were just about there anyway, might as well have some fun as they go.

Echo and Undina twist and twirl each other around, proving the guardswoman to be quite smooth with swift movement. Perhaps it is because they were underwater, and that they were fish, but who cares?

“You know,” The princess starts, smirking, “You never told me you were light on your feet, Lieutenant.”

“Haha, well!” Echo absentmindedly giggles. “The water certainly helps as if we were!”

It takes a while before they actually progress onwards to where they want to be.

Once they do, both aquatic mobians jump out from the water and land in a port. Their ship was away because, technically speaking, it’s still a pirate ship recognized by a lot of people. Especially by those who had heard and been victims of the previous owner’s plundering. The two were working on having it “rebranded”.

As for their destination? Chun-nan!

Undina has spent a long time (like, at least a month) walking to new places and exploring different parts of the world! Which was somewhat difficult considering the earth split apart and became floating landmasses right in the middle of that.

Then she needed money and lucked out by meeting that friendly fashion designer. Now, she was showing up in places left and right. Undina even recalls catching some glimpses of the Freedom Fighters! That would’ve been a nice opportunity to meet them maybe. 

She’s heard that there was this unofficial branch here but eh. Maybe another time. Hopefully she doesn’t get kidnapped this time.

Echo politely offers her arm to Undina, all the while smiling at her. With an alluring smirk in return, she says, “My my, Echo! How gentlemanly.”

The compliment has the dolphin blushing and giggling a bit. “Only the best for my princess.”

“You charmer!” 

Both laugh together as they make their way into the public, Chun-nan’s capital street being heavy with market places and food stands. They look around, not really aiming for one place to stop at. Though, there is one place that catches their eyes an hour of walking later.

“Is that a restaurant?” Echo points out.

Undina turns to where her girlfriend is looking. Indeed, they have stumbled upon what seems to be… well, a restaurant. What perfect timing!

“We should try it!” She encourages, “We could use a bite to eat.”

“I don’t know, Deena…” Echo replies, unsure and nervous. “It looks expensive. And you know surface currency rates in comparison to Meropis are… You know, large?”

“I understand.” The princess waves a hand flippantly, “But what is the point of exploring the world if not for experiencing what it has for us? Besides, what’s the harm in spending a little more?”

“You’ve also said that for the last few times.”

“And am I correct that you enjoyed those few previous meals?”

“...Yes.”

“Then let’s enjoy this one.” Undina smiles at her reassuringly. “Believe me, I am aware of the ‘budget’,” she says with finger quotes, “we have in regards to funding our travel. And we may not be as lucky to run into someone willing to help us make money.

“But even then, I would much rather enjoy our time than worry. I’m sure it’ll work out.” She pats her back, “Stressing out will give you wrinkles. We’re basically on vacation anyway, learn to relax a little.”

Echo huffs with a smile at that last part, “You’ve been a wonder in helping me with that.”

“Exactly! Now, let’s get some grub—I’m hungry.”

Okay, so maybe Undina was pushing too much. Maybe.

They’re not in debt or anything, she’s a princess for crying out loud, but it would seem that enjoying this vacation had a small unforeseen drawback. Not like she’s about to die or anything, but… Hm. It’s certainly a development. 

It’s been a while since her and Echo first started traveling together and an even shorter time since they started dating. 

She’s not embarrassed about it! It happens and it’s not like it’s an abnormality. Maybe self-conscious about it is the right word. Especially since Echo was hesitant for… doing the reason for this development. 

AKA… spending a bunch of money for food. It was good food, that’s a hill she’ll die on for sure. Totally worth it. 

What the drawback is… Well. It’s obvious.

The fish princess examines herself in the bathroom mirror. She was just getting ready in the morning, with her lover having been up much earlier as part of her routine ever since she first joined the royal guard. That’s when she noticed it.

Undina cups a hand under her stomach, holding it for a moment before dropping it, a slight wobble of said midsection occurring from the action. She could just barely see her finned feet past it. All her limbs feel extremely less thinner than before her first step on The Setting Dawn too.

Normally, she would just chalk this up to her eating more than she probably should and try to work it off as soon as she could. No one likes princesses like this as her parents probably said to her once. It’s why she was encouraged to eat as healthily as possible.

Now though… She’s worried about something else.

What her girlfriend thinks of her now.

As stated before, she pretty much warned her… Sort of. Maybe not for food specifically but still.

“Deena?”

Undina flinches. Great, what perfect timing. She means that sarcastically, by the way. Sort of. Which is weird, considering she’s usually so happy to the sound of her girlfriend’s voice.

A knock is heard from the other side of the door as Echo calls out, “Deena, you there?”

She’s quick to respond, “Yeah, I’m here! You’re back from your jog early.”

“Well, since I knew you’d be up around this time, I thought it would be best to make some breakfast so I quickly got some ingredients from the market. I’ve been here for quite a bit.” Echo tells her. “Are you alright? You’ve been in there for a while.”

“I’m fine!” Undina replied. “Just… Um.” Better to go with the truth. Not much point in lying, is there? “I just realized something.”

“What is it?”

A sigh escapes her. “Wait for me in the bedroom if you’re not busy. I’ll tell ya there.”

“...Okay.”

Steps can be heard walking away from the bathroom entrance. Now or never. Even though “never” sounded kinda good right now.

Undina breathes in and out. She goes about her business, steels her resolve, and exits. She makes her way to her shared bedroom and finds the dolphin waiting patiently for her, sitting at the front edge of their bed. Once the princess enters, Echo sends her a smile so blindingly bright and soft that it could make her melt on the spot in any situation other than this one.

“What did you want to tell me, my love?”

GAIA, GIVE ME STRENGTH.

“U-Um.” Undina stutters at first. Come on, say something! First instinct is better than no instinct!

She unclips her yellow dress coat and reveals her body underneath. Realistically, it didn’t cover much but still. It gets the point across to Echo.

…Echo is blushing heavily and is sputtering unintelligible words, flapping her hands around wildly.

WRONG POINT, WRONG POINT!

“UH, NOT THAT!” Though she wouldn’t be opposed to it, now is not the time. “The thing I realized is… I changed.”

Echo coughs into her fist, clearing her throat, the red hue coloring her purple and white skin fading away. “W-What do you mean?”

Gods, is she gonna make her say it? Is this payback for something? Gaia, please tell her if it is.

Undina just places a hand atop her belly. 

Now, the lieutenant understands. She stands and joins Undina by her side, a hand on her shoulder and another gently holding one of hers. 

“Deena…”

Undina looks to the side, avoiding her girlfriend’s eyes. “If you’re going to tell me it’s okay that I’m like this then… I know. Bodies change, it happens. I get that.”

“Then…?” Echo coaxed, tilting her head.

“I… was afraid you would hold some issues with how I am now.” The princess finally admits. “After all, you always did try to dissuade me from going to those restaurants in… pretty much every area we’ve been to recently.”

“That is true.” Echo nods. “But I would never ever have any sort of problem with how you change. Physically or otherwise. Not like I should have a say in that matter anyhow.”

“So…” A small smirk begins to form on Undina’s face. “You wouldn’t mind if I became a super villian?”

…

“Well…” The royal guardswoman fake winces.

Undina laughs, Echo soon joining her not a few seconds later. They move to sit on the bed, a comfortable silence washing over them. They stare at each other lovingly for longer than either would admit. Well, the princess would definitely admit it actually—she’s the type of person who would brag about her lover no matter the conversation.

“So…” Undina begins, getting the other’s attention. “Do you mind me being…?”

“Rotund?” Echo finishes.

“I was gonna say fat but…”

“Heh heh!”

They laugh once again before Undina coughs. “So… do you?”

Echo smiles, rolling her eyes. Perhaps the point has yet to be made clearly. She leans down, and before Undina could react…

Mwah!

She plants a kiss right in the middle of the princess’s pudgy body.

“No, I don’t mind. I love you, Deena.” Echo declares, still smiling.

…

“Deena? You okay?”

Undina falls backwards onto the bed, bright red and stunned.