feeling all the shades of indigo

REMI

& now I'm all alone in the dark of night

Tears stream down the alchemist's cheeks—both iterations of him—as he forces himself to take care not to squeeze his new daughter in response to Hotaru's grip upon him. Breathing in shaky intervals that roughly approximate the Valkyrie's own gasps, time swirls away. There are no minutes, just the pause between contractions and screams. Content with her first few sips of air, the child in his arms wriggles but then remains remarkably still as she waits for her counterpart to enter the world.

When he does, when the moment is over, Remi releases Hotaru that he might accept his daughter from his own hands. Dismissing his projection, the alchemist leans against the wall, feeling his knees grow weak and shaky. Rather than a downpour, the rush of love Remi feels is more akin to the floor being dropped out from beneath him. He's tumbling down into it, in a free fall where not even the strong wings can catch him. It's dizzying and terrifying, and gods but they're both so small.

"..thank you.." Remi whispers to Vai. "Grazie per tutto quello che hai fatto." Turning to Hotaru—and offering her their daughter should she want both in her arms—Remi softly wipes a tangled strand of hair carefully from her forehead. "You did it." He breathes with a shaky smile.

The moon is shining but I can't see the light