Chapter Text
One particularly sunny day, Aegis decided to explore, curious about this new world. After letting someone know, he donned an illusion to hide his identity and went out with two hidden Custodes tailing him from a distance.
Standing on the street amidst the bustle of the crowd, he took a moment to just soak it all in. He remembered when he and father used to do stuff like this; just slap a disguise on and walk among the people. They’d visit parks, playgrounds, markets and even zoos and farms, each planet had their differences, and it was always so much fun. Sometimes the Emperor had a lesson He wanted to teach Aegis, sometimes for no reason at all. Sometimes He did it just to exist so closely with the rest of Humanity, perhaps to remind Himself of His purpose, or maybe just to take some time to not feel so far away from everyone else. Whatever the case may be, Aegis had always cherished those little excursions. Those times when they walked hand in hand in the heart of Humanity as just another person, for once not so different from the rest of their kind. Of course, those walks never lasted long, each only a few hours at most, and as the Imperium expanded, the Emperor had less and less time to spare, but it was fun while it lasted.
Aegis took a deep breath, registered the scents in the air, then slowly exhaled. He could hear the lively drone of a nearby market, the distant peal of laughter from children, the distinct march of his Custodian bodyguards, and the hum of hundreds of conversations happening around him, though he did not listen to any of them, simply soaking them in. He opened his eyes, not even realizing he’s closed them. And though the nostalgia left a hollow weight in his chest, his shoulders felt inexplicably lighter. He picked a direction and continued his walk, this time with an almost unnoticeable bounce in his step. He wove through the crowd, not even needing a compulsion to go ignored and unseen.
He was currently incognito because they’ve had a meeting earlier this week and have come to an agreement that they’ll wait to make an announcement before revealing his identity and, subsequently, the existence of a whole other Imperium in order to closely monitor and minimize the fallout of such a revelation. They were already struggling here after all, they did not need another crisis, not if it can be at all helped. Aegis shuddered at the thought, then shook his head and tried to think about anything else. Eventually, his thoughts happened upon his counterpart.
He still thought it was weird, seeing his own face on a half-eldar toddler who also shared his name. Sure, they had different coloration and all, but aside from the ears, they looked completely identical. The jaw, the nose, the facial structure, even the voice was the same. But he guessed he’s mostly over it by now, he’s had weeks to come to terms with this new reality after all. Plus, it does help that his little nephew is so hecking cute. Aegis still had his reservations about the Aeldari, but if such an adorable little nephew could come from this alliance, he supposed it’s worth giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Lost in his thoughts about cute pointy ears and pettable golden curls, he passed by an alleyway and barely felt something alarmingly familiar brush against his aura. He stopped mid-step, then backtracked.
There was something else here. Something more than the baseline humanity’s candle-light soul. It was surrounded by darkness and felt right at home in the shadows. Yet it wasn’t bad. In fact, he could feel a certain brightness from it, such a hopeful potential for kindness that was so very rare to come by in this galaxy and his. Like a dwarf star, persistently shining through despite the cold and depthless dark that surrounds it. Small, but no less bright. Not to mention the soul itself felt familiar. He had only ever felt the same with Roboute and little Aegidius, though this one reminded him more of Konrad...
Curiously, he entered the alleyway towards this curious soul. His guard closed in, following a few steps behind without making a sound.
Aegis gasped, pausing in his steps. Whatever he expected to find, it wasn’t this.
There, sitting with only sheets of cardboard and cloth to separate her from the ground, was a woman. She had brown hair and pitch black eyes, wearing an old tattered dress that looked like it was barely holding itself together. She looked thin, sickly, starved. She was also blind, he acknowledged distantly, as she only registered his presence when she heard him gasp, and even so, didn’t seem to pinpoint his exact position. A thin hand darted out to grasp a sturdy looking stick.
But that wasn’t what he had eyes for. No, he was focused on the toddler pressed against her side. The boy had black hair, unnaturally pale skin, and his mother’s black eyes, except his was apparently not blind since he was looking right back at Aegis with such naked wonder and curiosity.
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Aegis was so shocked that, embarrassingly, he stood there for a full twenty minutes just staring blankly. At first because his mind went completely blank, but then what felt like a tidal wave of panic crashed over his head and he spent the rest of the twenty minutes trying not to let the internal screaming show on his face. This is— this is big. What were they doing here? Does Roboute know? Does Konrad know? Should he tell them? But that would mean leaving the two behind and what if they were gone when he returns? Oh, just what was he supposed to do, Malcador Isn't here and it’s not like there were protocols for finding long lost illegitimate family!
One he calmed down enough to at least make sense of his thoughts again, he told the Custodes to stay by the mouth of the alley, partially to make sure that no unwanted eyes followed them in and partially to not alarm the woman and child even further. After ensuring that they were alone, he dropped the illusion, deliberately making a show of it after noticing the curious eyes watching him closely.
It unraveled around him in ribbons of light, and he could see the child’s eyes go wide at the pretty light show. Aegis smiled. So far so good.
“Woah!” The toddler clapped his hands and laughed. “So cool! What was that? Can you do that again? That looked really pretty, you are really pretty. Who are you really, mister? Are you a mister? You look like a mister, but you’re pretty like my mom. Isn’t she pretty? I think she’s the prettiest. Oh, oh, do you think you can do that again? Can I do that? Can you teach me? I’m a fast learner, my mommy said so and she’s always right cause she’s my mommy and mommy is always right, did you know that? Did—“
... that seemed to have set him off. Aegis laughed under his breath. The rambling might have been annoying to anyone else, but he couldn’t help but bask in it. It was a refreshing feeling, being the target of such unabashed innocence and unbound curiosity. Though it was a bit odd hearing what looks like a two-year-old being so literate, he finds himself wanting to protect it.
It was also apparently reassuring to the woman, who straightened up slightly from where she was curled around her child in an attempt to shield him with her own body.
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He slowly approached, careful to make his footsteps sound even and steady, not making any sudden noises. The woman looked more nervous, pulling her son closer behind her, though she did not try to get away, and his calm gait succeeded in not alarming her further.
“My name is Aegidius, but you can call me Aegis.” Though she couldn't see it, he gave a reassuring smile. “And if my suspicions are correct, then I’m afraid your little family here is about to get bigger.”
He held out a hand.
“Come with me, and I promise no harm will come to you.” He spoke with conviction, to hopefully put her mind at ease. “I swear it on the throne. On the crown upon my head. I will make sure you’re fed and sheltered, and I will ensure you live in comfort and safety as the mother of my brother’s child. I will make certain that you are able to live like any family of mine should.”
She still looked unsure, clutching little Damien tightly to her side. She could hear his genuine intentions, but... She bit her lower lip, brows furrowed in deep thought. He could see the conflict behind her unseeing eyes.
Eventually, she came to a decision. With a deep breath, she reached out a shaky hand. Aegis almost sighed in relief, then met her half-way when she missed. Their fingers intertwined and, affirming his grip, he pulled her to her feet.
She looked taken aback, probably because his hands were lower, and thus he was shorter than she expected. She stumbled a little on shaky legs, but let herself be steadied, adjusting Damien more comfortably on her hip.
“Is there anything you wish to bring with you?” Aegis doubts it, going by the state of this place, but he asked anyway to be polite.
“U-um, no. I’m afraid not,” she gives a shaky smile. “I have everything right here.” She bounced the toddler playfully, to which the little shadow giggled. The sound seemed to both calm her and steel her nerves.
Aegidius smiled.
He made a gesture, and the Custodes stood ready on either side of the alleyway. He donned the illusion back on with another elaborate lightshow, to Damien’s enjoyment.
Then, with a gentle hand, guided them away from the filth of the open streets.
He led them home.