2 YEARS LATER
"Dhara, this would be easy if you were here with me!" Naga whined into the phone. He paced around the room! Her hand rubbing the enormous baby bump protruding from under her top.
"I'm sorry, honey...the underworld wouldn't run itself. I'm trying to finish up as soon as I can... I'll be there soon, my love"
"how are you even able to get connection from over there?" she groaned when she felt another contraction. "ugh! get the fuck over here Dhara! or I'll come over there and have our baby in the underworld!"
Ever since Dhara became the ruler of the underworld, he was always away tending to the souls. Fortunately, Tsatu left a system in place to corral the wandering souls before she left. sometimes he'd be away for months, and only coming back to spend a few days with her. He had long quit his job at university and focused more on being a ruler and she understood perfectly that he needed that time away to be taught the ways of the death god and how her realm worked.
"yes! yes! hunny" the call disconnected.
It started as a longing. She felt lonely and always missed him terribly but there was nothing she could do. Then it grew into an intense want of wanting a child with him, hoping that would cause him to spend more time with her, hopefully but she felt she only pushed him further away.
"who's idea was this?" Dhiji quipped, pulling her to a chair. "you're undocumented, you can't go to the hospital! we don't know any private midwives... Dhara and I don't know a thing about babies! Do gods even have babies?"
"it was my idea...I wanted to experience more as a human since at the moment I'm not operating as a god...and yes I know I'm undocumented and I can't go to the hospital but Dhara was supposed to get someone here but apparently building the underworld is more important than having his child safely!" she let out a long groan, gripping Dhiji's hand causing him to yelp in pain.
"breathe...heave! heave! ho! heave! heave! ho!" he was out of sorts.
"I'm not a sailor, dammit!" another wave of pain shot through her. "I'm sorry" she took deep breathes.
"it's alright, Naga. lemme get you a glass of water..." he turned to leave but she grabbed him still.
"she's coming...the baby is coming!" she clenched her jaw.
"Shit!"
"Grab the towels and meet me in the bathroom" he nodded and she rigidly stood up. A sturdy looking staff materialized out of her hands and she leaned on it for support as she made her way to bathroom. "Thank you, Omen"
"Anytime, my lady"
She lowered herself into the tub and warm water instantly filled the tub. She felt one of her forms, run their hand through her hair. it felt soothing.
Dhiji returned later with towels in a basket. His mind raced, not knowing what to do.
"Dammit, man get over here!" he mumbled as he reached out to hold her hand.
"Thank you" she breathed. Beads of sweat rolled down her face. She huffed rapidly as another wave of pain washed through her. "help me remove my dress" she managed to say, failing to notice, his flustered expression she felt around for the shower knob. "what are you doing?" she paused
"are you s..sure...y..you want me to..." he stuttered.
"You really think i care about that right now? I'm having a baby! Take the fucking clothes off... There's a scissor on the cabinet" she clenched her jaw. He grabbed the scissors, steeled his resolve and began to cut through the dress.
The stomach rippled with the movement of the baby. The ceramic tub cracked under her grip. He turned the shower on and water came flooding down.
Dhara suddenly bursts into the bathroom. He hastily rolled up his sleeves and knelt by her, apologizing profusely
"about friggin time!" she glared at him only to throw her head back, groaning in pain. "where's the person you were bringing?"
"everyone's on duty...there was a terrible accident this morning and the next available doctor is hours from here. I was able to get Chaela to come..." he paused, casting a short glance at his brother "...and Strife"
"Okay...where are they then?" he asked "the baby is crowning!" blood stained the white tub.
"ahh! I hate this! I hate this!" A jolt of electricity shot through the two men, throwing them backwards. "I'm so sorry!" she squirmed, red liquid spilling from the tub.
"we're here!" Strife announced behind her was Chaela. she had shed her regal look and looked more casual, her hair tied in a hasty bun, her sleeves were also rolled up and she held a big bag.
"out!" Strife ordered the two men. "what are you doing on the floor anyway? lightweight!" she pushed them out into the bathroom.
"Strife, the baby is crowning...get over here" she drained the water and filled with new water which was quickly becoming red.
"Scream all you want, my lady!" she said as she placed each of Naga's legs on each side of the tub. "this will be over soon...I'm going to need you to push now"
"push? I can't push!" she glared "I'm so tired!... I don't want to be human anymore!" she cried. "Take it out now!" she screeched, her nails digging into Strife's arm. "I'm a fucking goddess! release me!"
"endure it!" she motioned to Strife to hold her down. "she can't push... she's drained so I'm gonna help the baby out" she smiled assuringly at Naga. "Are you ready?" she didn't wait for a response before beginning and the house shook with her screams.
"what's happening? an earthquake?" the two startled men dropped to the floor.
HOURS LATER
The bathroom door creaked open and Chaela walked out wiping her hands with a bloody towel. she looked drained and looked ready to pass out. She dropped on the sofa next to Dhara, her head leaned back.
"congratulations, you're a Father" she sounded tired too.
"ahhh...thank you." he shook her hand in gratitude but he was rewarded with a soft snore from the high goddess. "she must be really tired"
"congrats man..." Dhiji enveloped his brother in a loving hug. "I'm so proud of you" he pats his back. "you should go see her... you've got a lot of explaining to do" he frowned "I don't even want to know what you were doing down there..." he sigh "...but man, am I glad that's over" he sighed.
Strife came out later with a small squirming bundle and a now covered Naga in tow, limping and a tired smile plastered on her face. Strife carefully handed the bundle to Dhara and a pool of tears threatened to fall.
"congratulations, Naga." Dhiji carefully hugged her "you were very brave and strong." he smiled "I can't wait to love and spoil my niece!" he clapped excitedly.
"she's so beautiful" tears streamed down his face as he cradled the baby.
"what are you naming her?" Strife asked while guiding Kaos into their bedroom.
"Dhara?" She looked back at him. "it was one thing we couldn't agree on" she shook her head tiredly.
"we had so many ideas...none of them fit" Dhara replied, sitting on the bed next to her.
"so what do we do...we can't just call the little one baby..." Dhiji leaned against
"but we have to consider the fact that her name will reflect and affect the kind of God she'd become" Strife added thoughtfully.
"really?" the trio choruses.
"Yeah, I was nameless when Indera found me. The name her gave me allowed me to function in his realm as one of his minor deity. I was basically his child." she shrugged "but then again, I realized my name can be alternated...I am Strife, I bless the ones who seek me with pure intentions, I protect who asks to be protected and I scourge their enemies." she further explained. "you have to be thoughtful with names that's all I'm saying"
"woah" Dhiji broke the silence.
"so I'm going to leave you to it...Chaela and I are going home. See you guys and congratulations"
"Thank you so much, Strife. I'm really grateful"
"anytime..." she waved and slipped out of the room.
"wait." Dhiji had followed her. "long time no see, how have you been? oh I'm fine, I'm doing fine..."
"I've known how you were. You were doing fine always" She nodded and turned to leave.
"not a word...for 2 years. I thought we were friends..." he shook his head in disappointment "i haven't seen you since they took you for judgement and that's all you're going to say? after everything we went through?"
"we aren't friends" she stated flatly.
"Oh" he closed the gap between them. "we aren't?" his brows furrowed in concern.
"Indera refused to release me but we came to a compromise... I could live on earth but when he calls I have to obey...I didn't approach you because I couldn't risk his Wrath. I didn't want him to think I wanted to quit because of you" she held his gaze, unflinching.
"That's not the case, is it?" he took her hand in his.
"I don't know. I have no idea."
"why do you care what he thinks anyway?" he squeezed softly "you are a goddess too, he named you doesn't give him the right to control everything about you, does it?"
"yes, it does." she sighed sadly"unlike the relationship Kaos has with her deities, Indera and I are polar opposites who don't get along even when we're supposed to. He's like the overbearing and strict father and I'm the rebellious child. He doesn't see why I should do the opposite of what I'm named..."
"you want to break free, like Kaos...you love humans just like she does..." a gentle look settled on his features "you can do that you know..." he nodded "you can live your life as you wish"
"how?"
"Talk to him. you have a Father and daughter relationship, don't you?..."
"non-existent by the way" she pointed out.
"he's bound to listen..."
"why are you so he'll bent on helping me" she smiled in confusion.
"because I care about you..." he stared at his feet, letting her hand go. "I've been waiting to see you again for a long time and it occurred to me that I wish to keep seeing you..." he murmured and she used a finger to tilt his head up to look at her.
"I didn't quite get that" she smirked, her eyes darkening "do you mind repeating that for me?" she hummed.
"... I wish to keep seeing you..." he felt his face grow hot as her lips brushed against his. "Strife..." she radiated dominance.
"Is that your wish?" she whispered close to his ear, her voice sending shivers down his spine. He was under whatever spell she cast and he found himself nodding along. "Think about it more...you seem to be entranced."
"I'm not..." he shook his head "I want this...I want you... I've only known you for a short time but I feel this so strong in my heart... I want to keep seeing you"
"well then..." she pinned him against the wall. "we'll see" she gently pressed her lips to his.
It was a gentle kiss filled with longing. It wasn't lustful but it was intense still and when they parted for air, Strife smiled and hugged him.
"I wish to keep seeing you too" She pulled away. "I'll come to the restaurant tonight. I have to make a quick trip back with Chaela" she planted a kiss on his lips again, catching him off guard
"Okay. I'll be expecting you" she nodded and walked away, leaving him in the hallway.
Chaela smirked knowingly when she saw her. Strife blushed and tried to explain why she took so long but the high goddess only shook her head and smiled wider.
"so, you're a Dom, huh?"
"what?" she exclaimed.
"you know..." she wiggled her eyebrows teasingly.
"ah...a few hours on earth and you already know that stuff..." Strife shook her head.
"of course, to fit in..." she giggled "I see why you and Kaos wanted to stay here...the humans a little different..." she realized "well, come on... let's get that transfer paperwork done"
"Chaela..." her eyes widened "Thank you..."
"Let's go" The two disappeared in flash of blinding light.