WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSE

solohux:

“Uncle Kylo?”

Kylo looks down to the sandy seafloor where Coral, the little siren, plays with her collection of shells. She’s a strong swimmer for such a small hatchling, proving it as she leaves her toys for a moment to swim up to where the pregnant merman reclines on a rock formation in the shape of a rugged chaise lounge.

“What, sweetheart?” He opens his arms to offer a hug but instead, she darts around him, showing off the sparkles of her silver-grey tail—just like her mother.

“Mama says I’m gonna have a new baby to play with soon,” Coral says, looking at Kylo’s belly where his pouch houses two eggs.

“Two babies,” Kylo corrects her. “Remember Uncle Hux telling you about having two new mer-horse babies to look after?”

Coral stops swimming and cocks her head inquisitively. Kylo smiles, seeing so much of Phasma in her puzzled expression. He hopes that his twins will be the same, so similar to their parents that it’s endearing.

“Is that why your tummy is so big?” Coral asks, finally swimming to Kylo to put her little hands on his belly.

“I suppose,” Kylo says, fidgeting his long, dark tail when she sits on it, making her giggle. “That, and your mother catches the best fish for me.”

“Mama says she might give me a brother or sister one day,” Coral presses her cheek against Kylo’s belly, smiling. “Can I play with your babies until then, Uncle Kylo?”

“Of course, sweetheart,” he brushes his fingers through her bright blonde hair. “You’re going to be their big cousin. You’ll have to show them how to be a mermaid.”

“I’ll teach them how to swim!”

“I’ll bet you will.”

“And how to collect shells!”

“You’ll be the best cousin ever, Coral.”

The little siren smiles and begins to sing to herself in contentment, and Kylo feels the eggs in his pouch wriggling as they listen to their cousin’s beautiful song. Kylo, too, smiles, knowing that Coral will protect his children like they were her own siblings.

Phasma should be so proud of her little hatchling. Kylo is.