Iska and the other Astraea familia members, to include the more recent addition of Haruhime, were all enjoying their time to relax in what amounted to an oversized bath. Haruhime being significantly more shy than almost anyone else, ever… Resulted in a sign posted on the door, but this time it wouldn't matter, there was one guy Haruhime wouldn't ever faint around after all, even if she was surprised by him, and he was about to walk in.
On the far side of the bath, Ardee and his other queens were washing the pups' hair, having clear signs of playing in enough dirt to become small planets themselves. They chose the far side because of how much dirt there was, however, even so, they were able to notice the moment he walked in. Geri being the most excited hopped up and ran over making little plopping sounds as she did.
"Daddy! I played a whole lot today! It was fun!?" She spoke with enough innocent cheer jumping up into Shurry's arms, and nuzzling close, getting a bunch of soap bubbles still in her hair all over him.
"That's great, it sounds like you had lots of fun. That makes me happy." Shurry smiled, wiping some of the bubbles away from his daughter's forehead and giving said forehead a kiss causing her ears to flicker a little, and she giggled.
"Daddy, what's wrong? That tickles." Geri asked, while Shurry brought her back over to the washing station.
"Nothing I want to worry my adorable daughter with." He said placing her back down on a stool, grabbing a shower head and rinsing the soap out of Geri's hair.
"Okay! I'll let mommies handle this one. Tag in mommy! Daddy is worried about something." Geri said giggling as her tail brushed side to side.
Ardee smiled, and took Shurry off to the side… The two of them spoke in muffled whispers, all about something clearly troubling to him.
Inside the giant tub, The Astraea familia ladies were all watching with a curious eye. They had been playing, and talking all about stories of heroes, justice, and heroes of justice… A conversation that once stopped so abruptly that Haruhime looked around confused.
"What's wrong, Lady Alise?" Haruhime asked, with a questioning tone, and eagerness in her eyes.
"I'm not sure, but whatever it is, it's serious." Alise said, then smiled, hugging Haruhime close. "But it's Big Brother Shurry, he'll find a way to handle it. We just need to wait for him to open up."
"He is the greatest, right? He's my hero!" Haruhime smiled nuzzling into the hug, her tail briskly waving side to side.
Lady Astraea hadn't gone to the Denatus, opting to enjoy the amenities of the relaxing bath at Hathor's ridiculously large mansion. She currently had a front row seat to his current predicament, and knew what was coming next, but she couldn't say it, not yet.
"Do you know Lady Astraea?" Ryuu asked, standing up and dumping water over her head, and then fixed her hair tie. The years of growing up where bathing with others had long since broken through the elven prudishness. Though she would still get a little embarrassed if she stared at Shurry's body a little too long.
"I have an idea. Though, I can't be completely certain yet. Why don't you wait until he comes over here to talk about it himself. I'm sure that's what he'll do, very soon. Much like those little ones now." Astraea mentioned giggling a little at Shurry's puppies doggy paddling and slashing in the bath.
Shortly after the kids and three of their mothers joined the giant tub… Haruhime had been drawn into the fun and games.
"Ah, it's the fox! Beware the sacred fox!"
"Her splashes are mighty!"
"She's so fast!"
"She's the pretty big sister!"
"Huh, wh-wh-wha?"
"See, her blush is so strong!" Freki teased, and fell on to his back floating face up in the water. Her siblings followed along, which goaded Haruhime to be a little bolder with her splash attacks, and tickle grapples.
A few minutes passed before Ardee joined the tub. Which had some, very eager for answers. However, the queens knew to keep it a secret until their Husband made the final decision on it.
"So, it's about that, right?" Alfia asked, petting one of the younger pups who'd swam over, tired of playing and now wanted to rest with their mother.
"Yeah, he seems to have some issues still hiding in there. Apparently, Lord Goibniu is the one who helped him see through it a little more clearly." Ardee giggled.
"Huh? Him? That's a shock." Neze said, picking up her pup and snuggling them close as well. "Actually, I think it might make some sense, right Rose?"
"It's still hard for me to tell, but I think you're right. It's almost like…" Rose stopped, not needing to say anything more. Also, claiming her pups from the almighty fox lady, with Ardee quickly following up just in time, because Shurry moved, washed himself clean, and then came over to the bath, sinking into the tub.
"Have you decided?" Astraea asked, starting the conversation.
"Yeah, I've decided. On a few things in fact. One of them I'll tell the gods later. But for now, I have an answer to the other important question…" His eyes darted around to all of the Astraea familia who'd all but demanded to carry his kid, then settled on Iska…
She stood up, seemingly feeling something… Different. "You're not turning away?"
"Nope, I'm not."
"Does that mean?"
"Yes, it does."
"Really?!"
"So long as you understand that it's not going to be the same."
"What do you mean?"
"I simply can not bring myself to love you the way a man loves a woman. It's… More painful than fighting the black dragon, and Erebus combined. Of this I'm only more convinced, that I, can never love you as a woman."
"I-I see…"
"However, I also can not bear to see you suffer in such pain, so… I will give you what you want. I can give you a daughter, and though it may sound odd, I can love you as close family, but not lovers."
"So, you'll still love me like the big brother you are?"
"And as a mother of one of my children. Perhaps this will help to drive out the immense suffering from both of our hearts."
Astraea, still feeling a little conflicted, decided to smile anyway since it was more happy feelings than anything else.