Authors' Note: We have been plotting this story for over a year and now we feel it's fitting to debut it on the day after Black Friday, since this is where our story begins. This is NOT an Alternate Universe. This is set after all events of Kingdom Hearts I (and sometimes mentioned II).
We have a very plausible explanation for how Riku can get pregnant. Something besides the whole potion excuse.
This story is very dear to us, so please respect that we didn't write this thinking "Hey, wouldn't it be great if he got pregnant! Let's write it!"
Warnings: This is Riku/Sora pairing in a male/male relationship. There will be some questionable content. This will contain Male Pregnancy. If this makes you uncomfortable in any way, please leave.
Disclaimer: Sora, Riku, and Kairi are © Disney. Cid Highwind, Squall (Leon) Leonhart, Yuffie Kisaragi, and Aerith Gainsborough are Square Enix. Sora's Italian Family™ is Caelum's. Sora's mother, Riku's mother, and Riku's father are all original characters.
Enjoy.
A Baby Story
Part One: Stork One
Chapter One: Conception
--oOo--
It was almost cliché, really. They should've known better, and worse was that they actually (for a moment) put it past their families not to be awake at 3am on Black Friday. Sora sighed, running a tired, sloppy hand over his face, before tossing Riku a look. The elder didn't look amused, much less awake. The brunet just sighed, flopping sideways so that his left ear hit Riku's covered thigh.
"I hate shopping," he whined as he nuzzled his face against the sheet and soft skin. Despite how exhausted he felt, Riku let a soft smile grace his lips as fingers wove through chestnut locks. It was almost unbelievable that the person in his lap was a passion fueled sex bomb only two hours previous.
"You have your family to thank for said shopping," Riku hummed, his voice a little scratchy and low. A "humph" and Sora was sitting up, frowning at him in the dark light of the room. At least Sora's mother had left the light off when she decided to knock "pleasantly" at the door only ten minutes ago.
"Hey, I was trying to have a nice Thanksgiving dinner with our families," Sora protested, sitting up and sliding off the bed. With his foot, he began to pick up his scattered clothing, not exactly caring a whole lot about what he actually grabbed.
"And instead we ended up having an all out turkey war between the mafia and the wicked witch of the west," Riku smirked, watching his lover whip his head left to face him. If the light were on, Riku would've been able to clearly see the pouting glare Sora was giving him.
"My family is not the mafia!" he huffed, as Riku finally decided to stand up, arms stretching out in front of him as his toes touched the carpeted floor. "Your mother being the wicked witch is a different story, though," Sora smirked and laughed when a balled up pair of socks hit the side of his head.
"Aw, Ri, don't be mean," the brunet teased, sliding up behind the other as pants were tugged on and shirts were pulled over heads. Warm arms slid around slightly curved hips as both pairs of lips met in a gentle, tired kiss.
"We only have to put up with it for a few hours, I mean, how long could this shopping possibly take?"
-.-.-.-
Seven hours, forty-two minutes and twenty-six seconds later, the two boys stood beside a bustling fountain smack dab in the middle of the largest shopping mall on the island, along with every female and gay man in the surrounding thirty miles. Shopping bags of every size and color guarded their feet and Sora was trying very... very hard to make the day a little better by keeping his spirits up. But his optimism was deflating and frankly he was starting to hate every stinking minute of it.
"'How long could shopping possibly take,' he says, 'It'll only be a few hours,' he says," Riku huffed, glaring over at the brunet who was watching a group of eight women filing out of a nearby housewares store.
"That's about sixteen more bags," Sora nearly whined loud enough for any surrounding people to hear him. Riku could only sigh as he sat down on the fountain's edge, forehead falling into his hands. The joyous group of middle aged woman approached them, smiling widely and laughing amongst themselves. The boys could only cringe.
"Don't look so down. I'm sure we're almost done." Riku reasoned.
"Hey honey!" Sora's mom grinned at him. "Here's some more bags, I'm gonna go around to get the car to load up."
"See, what did I tell you?" Riku flashed Sora a genuine, if somewhat tired smile. The van pulled around and they started loading all the bags and purchases with Sora's aunts and cousins.
Sora returned the smile, as the last of the bags were loaded up and they climbed in the back. Three of his aunts climbed in the van and the others followed in their car from behind.
Pale fingers entwined with sun kissed digits as they rested in the back of the moving van, peaceful for the first time since they got up.
Jerk
The van had stopped. "Alright! Let's unload the cars!" Sora groaned as he opened his eyes. He had fallen asleep for maybe two minutes. Riku gave his hand a comforting squeeze before they dragged themselves up.
They managed to get everything into the house and all Sora wanted was to collapse into bed. "Okay everyone! I made sandwiches." Sora's mother called as she ushered them into the kitchen.
Sora's uncles, aunts, and cousins all piled into their small kitchen as turkey and stuffing sandwiches were distributed.
His uncles all grabbed their food and went straight to the couch to watch TV. "Why didn't they have to come shopping?" Sora whined.
"Oh boys, you know their stamina is not as good as you strapping young bucs!" Replied his great aunt Carmela. Young what?
They were surrounded by Sora's Italian Family™. Uncles, Aunts, Cousins… a whole Italian get together eating leftovers. Just like they were yesterday. When they all came over for Thanksgiving.
"Sora! Help me pull the turkey out of the oven, Uncle Chuck is going to be here soon with everyone else." The brunet rushed over to help his struggling mother with the 18 lbs turkey. They had to cook it an hour longer because the oven wouldn't shut. But between rotating the hot poultry and trying to cover the open part with a towel, they managed to get it cooked. Even with Riku's muttering of 'That can't be safe.'
The turkey went next to the pineapple ham and other dishes. Riku was in the living room setting up tables and pulling out folding chairs Kairi had let them borrow before wisely setting off for Thanksgiving with her own family.. The TV had the Macy's parade going on mute and Christmas music hummed softly from the radio.
Sora came out with plates and silverware, and began setting the table. Riku put the last chair in place and wrapped strong arms around his lover from behind.
"Boys, it's so nice of you to host Thanksgiving this year. Riku, when are your parents getting here?" He smiled past cinnamon spikes at Sora's mother.
"They should be here soon." As the words left his mouth the doorbell rang. They all rushed to answer it, welcoming a beautiful woman with long platinum hair and a gentleman of salt and pepper coloring.
"Hi honey, we brought some fruit and veggies." Riku grabbed the appetizer platter and welcomed them in. "Hello Sora, it's good to see you again." The woman forced a smile at her son's childhood friend.
The same woman who used to welcome him so warmly for sleepovers was now so reserved toward him.
A horn honked loudly in the quiet neighborhood and they all turned to watch as a black car pulled up. And another one. And another one. Until 5 black cars pulled into the driveway and took over the street outside the house. And out came most of Sora's Italian Family™.
"Hey! I brought two of my homemade pumpkin pies with fresh cream!" one aunt hollered. It went next to the other two pumpkin pies on the table.
"I brought some candied yams!" A cousins carried the large dish in, setting it next to the three mashed potato dishes, four green bean casserole dishes and a large bowl of stuffing.
"I brought some hard apple cider!" Yelled an uncle, ruffling Sora's hair on the way in. It managed to land next to the sparkling grape juice, the lone alcoholic beverage amongst a rowdy family.
The food doubled in the kitchen as family members piled in, bringing any and all thanksgiving food. Little Italian girls weaved in and out of legs. Uncles made themselves comfortable on the couch and aunts busied themselves in the kitchen.
Riku's parents stood to the side, somewhat dumbfounded, never having met Sora's whole family before. Their son was right next to them, staying out of the way of the large, boisterous family.
It was all very intimidating.
Soon, dinner was in swing and all Riku wanted to do was sink into the floor and melt into the ground. Everyone at the table was staring. One of Sora's uncles… he couldn't remember which one… had asked in a thick accent, "Hey, you... You sure you a boy? This ain't some hoax?"
Before he could say something, Sora was already chastising his uncle. His parents had become increasingly quiet throughout the evening. And now, his mother looked quite cross. She had been snappier by the minute. Riku contemplated what it would be like if she exploded, and got a comical image of turkey bits plastered all over everyone at the table.
Then he remembered that he would be one of those poor unfortunates to end up covered in half digested food… and it wasn't so funny.
He was startled as he felt tiny cold hands on his side and looked down to see one of the little girls lifting up his shirt.
"Hey!" He batted her hands away. "What are you doing?" Innocent brown eyes stared at him.
"Just checking."
When she said nothing further, he enquired, "Checking what?" somewhat hesitantly.
"To see if you're a girl." Those big brown eyes blinked owlishly at him. "Girls have boobies like mommy."
"I'm not a girl." He deadpanned.
"Sora! Does your girlfriend have boobies!?" Oh great. Now all eyes were once again on him. Sora laughed uneasily.
"Um.. no Aubrey. Riku's a boy. Boys don't have… boobies."
-.-.-.-
Riku escaped into the bedroom. He couldn't stand to be out there anymore. Sora's mother brought out the old album of when they were kids. He had to smile at parts though. At least it was just as embarrassing for Sora as it had been for him.
His mother had turned quite bitchier as the night progressed. She looked like a cat thrown in with all the dogs. He didn't think she took well to all of the jabs made at his expense. He could tell they didn't mean it though.
Mainly with the way they kept trying to feed him. Uncle Chuck kept shoving pieces of his lemon meringue pie at him. The first slice was excellent. The fifth was nauseating.
Italian women clucking over how thin he was. 'Mangi.. mangi...' and Uncle Chuck saying he's gotta put some meat on his bones. 'After all, you're part o' th' family!' Accent and all.
It was somewhat endearing at parts. After all, for such a large group, it was relatively calm during dinner, everyone too busy eating to bother with much else. Until dinner was over and it was time for dessert.
Riku's mother ended up in a turkey battle about the wishbone. She insisted the hosts should get to make a wish, while one of Sora's aunts insisted that one of the little children get to make a wish.
They ended up breaking it evenly down the middle. Then promptly continued to argue over whose fault it was.
It was a whole other fiasco deciding who should take the ham bone home. Riku had to thank his boyfriend's quick thinking, cutting in and saying they promised Kairi they'd save it for her in thanks for loaning them the extra chairs.
Never mind the fact that she wouldn't be able to make split pea soup with it even if she had the help from the world's best chef.
The night progressed nightmarishly.
Riku didn't know his kitchen could fit that many pies. Apparently, before dinner, Sora's aunts had whipped up a few more than what they had already brought. Where they found the stuff for it, he had no idea.
His mother helped clean up for a bit, snapping at anyone and everyone in her path. Dishes were cleaned, tables put away, and sleeping places were made in the living room and spare room.
His mother gave an icy farewell, pulling his father out the door, a bag of leftovers shoved into her hand by Sora's mother on the way out.
Said brunet slipped silently into the room. "Hey, Ri." He murmured, shutting the door with a soft click.
"Sora, we are never doing that again." He flopped onto their bed, feeling the mattress leech some of his stress away. Sora sat next to, a warm hand coming to rest on his back, taking away more of the stress.
"C'mon, it wasn't that bad. After all, you're part o' th' family now!" Sora mimicked his uncle flawlessly. Accent and all. "They're just excited that there's another boy in the family. After all, it was just a household of women and their husbands before I was born. Even if I am gay."
"Sora… it's midnight. What Thanksgiving goes on until midnight?"
"Aww… poor baby…" Sora teased, but moved his hands up and down Riku's spine in soothing motions.
"Mmm…" Riku felt himself turning into jelly as nimble fingers worked out the kinks in his back. They worked at his shoulders and up to his neck, teasing the short strands of hair. The warm hands moved down, soothing the aches.
Yelp
Riku looked at his boyfriend incredulously. 'He just grabbed my ass!' "Sora!" The only reply he got was an impish grin, flashing at him in the darkness of their room.
The younger leaned forward and captured Riku's lips in a deep kiss, playfully nipping at his lips. Riku groaned into the kiss and pulled away.
"I can't believe you have the energy for this..." was all that managed to slip out before his lips were once again taken.
Hands crept underneath a thin shirt, trailing strings of heat across his stomach where ever fingers touched flesh. One bold hand teasingly tugged at the waist of Riku's pants, finger tips dipping in for fleeting tastes of his hips.
"Sora! Your family is here."
Another impish grin.
"So?"
And that was all that was said as they moved against each other in a raw animalistic pleasure. They were quiet though. As much as Riku would have loved to be as loud as possible… he didn't really want to be killed by Sora's Italian Family™. Plus... there were kids in the house.
Under normal circumstances he probably wouldn't have given in.
But it had been a long day.
A stressful day.
He blamed Uncle Joe's Hard Apple Cider...
And then he blamed Sora when his mother knocked on their door two hours later, ushering them up and out of bed to go shopping.
Damn Black Friday.
-.-.-.-
It had been over eight hours since this morning. Eight hours since they climbed out of bed and pulled on clothes, driving off with the merry band of Italian women. To stand outside a store for an hour, freezing in the early morning cold of the islands, clutching cups of coffee as their savior, eyelids heavy as steel curtains seeming to weigh on their whole face.
It was around noon now, and the women had no intention of stopping. They ushered the boys back into the cars for another round.
Damn Black Friday.
Riku had been so glad when the family finally left with as much noise as when they came.
He was not happy when, a week later, he started puking his guts out.
"I can't believe I'm sick. I bet one of those little brats gave it to me." He glared at Sora from his spot by the toilet bowl.
The brunet just smiled sympathetically and brushed silver bangs away with a cool washcloth as Riku turned abruptly to wretch into the bowl once again.
A week later they were getting ready for Kairi's annual Christmas party. This year's theme was Feliz Navidad. They were all required to wear sombreros (Don't. Ask.).
Riku was currently lying on the bed, said sombrero covering his eyes. "Honey," Sora sat down. "Are you sure you feel up to going tonight. You seem so tired."
"I'm fine!" The elder snapped, "Not going to her party will just make her pissy. Let's just get this over with!"
Sora stared at his boyfriend. "Okay, then let's go, there's no need to act so defensive." He reached down to help pull the other off the bed.
Once up, Riku pulled him into a fierce embrace. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap."
"It's s'okay." Sora gave a light peck to the side of the mouth. Okaaay... moody much? "Let's just get going before she sends out a search party to drag us there."
Once they got there, the red head enveloped both of them in a strong hug. Then, she coyly pointed up at the mistletoe hanging above the door. Just like every year.
And just like every year, they gave her a sweet kiss to her cheek. Riku on one side, Sora on the other.
Just as the party was taking off, Kairi brought out the enchiladas and other festive appetizers.
One look sent Riku to his new friend, Mr. Toilet.
The red head turned confused and worried eyes over to Sora who was sporting a disappointed face as he lowered his small cup of Coke away from his lips. "If I knew Spanish food wasn't his favorite I would've changed the theme," she told him, as the brunet shook his head gently.
"He's been like this for about two weeks now. He'll crawl out of bed way early in the morning and start throwing up. Sometimes it'll last all day. It's some sort of on again off again flu," Sora supplied, a tiny shrug of curved shoulders adding to his excuse.
The girl rose an eyebrow as their friend timidly came out of the bathroom, eyes avoiding the food table at all costs. She smiled, almost fondly as Selphie approached Riku, churro in hand and began talking animatedly at him. "I'll go get him some warm ginger ale. Maybe it'll settle his stomach a little," she told the brunet who simply nodded and made a bee-line for his lover before anyone else could approach him with food.
The following week, Riku's body had not yet managed to defeat whatever flu bug that had invaded his insides. He tried going to school, but after throwing up at the professor's feet was sent home, not to come back until he combated what ever it was that was attacking his system.
Christmas was shortly approaching within two days and the most shopping he had been able to get in was something nice for Sora and Kairi. But as it was, he felt as though actually getting up on Christmas morning, or spending a romantic Christmas Eve with Sora was almost out of the question.
The brunet, although trying his hardest to stay optimistic, was starting to become worried. Riku had begun adventuring through his collection of medical books; all the while writing down all the possible things he could have. From common colds to diseases. Sora didn't like the latter much.
"Hey, Ri," Sora called softly, walking into their bedroom with a small glass of ice water. His boyfriend sat propped up against the headboard, eyes trained on a heavy book of common sicknesses. Just the idea of Riku being sick, and worse, having some sort of permanent illness didn't settle well with Sora. He gingerly walked up beside him, pulling the book from Riku's hands, much to the elder's protest.
"Put the books down for a while, I'm sure it's nothing serious," Sora supplied, flashing a warm smile at him and leaning over to kiss the curve of Riku's cheek bone.
"Sora, I don't get sick. Ever. Whatever I have, I'm just having trouble getting rid of it. If I find what's wrong, I can find out if there is some sort of prescription or something to help," Riku countered, giving Sora a look that screamed he currently hated his sick situation.
Sora knew more than anyone that Riku didn't like the idea or the feeling of being weak. Being sick was nothing different. He gave him a small smile, and ran a tender hand along the curve of his boyfriend's jaw. "Kai just called, would you like to come and see the Christmas lights they put up downtown? We don't even have to get out of the car, but at least you can get out of the house for a little bit," the brunet asked quietly, watching for any sign of protest from Riku's face.
The idea of going out with them to see the lights was tempting. It was a tradition the trio had going since they were small. But what if he felt sick again? He didn't want to force them to pull over and wait until he was finished puking. It would only ruin the night, and he would much rather be sick in private. And he was exhausted. So with a soft, warm, but almost disappointed smile, Sora's face fell as he picked up instantly at that look Riku was giving him.
"I would love to go, really, but…" he paused, almost looking for the words. It felt so strange to say 'no I don't feel good' and he really wished he didn't have to. "I just don't want to risk getting sick out there, but, you and Kairi go," he said and began to smile when Sora began shaking his head 'no' to that suggestion.
"Sora, the most you're going to do here with me is watch me sleep," he told his boyfriend with a smile. "Go, and tell me if they put up any new ones this year, okay?"
Sora stared at that smile currently curving the edges of slightly paled pink lips. He could hear the disappointment in Riku's voice, which meant he really did want to go. But Sora knew it would make Riku feel better if at least one of them got to take a breather from the "sick" business. As much as it was killing Riku to be sick, it wasn't exactly a carnival for Sora either. And Riku looked so tired.
So with his trademark grin of sunshine, and a sweet peck to his lips, Sora was pulling on a sweater and telling Riku he'd be back soon. Alone, the elder pulled the book he was reading back into his lap, flipping past the pregnancy section into terminal diseases. Eww… blue blisters and yellow puss pockets. He jokingly thought he'd rather be pregnant than end up with one of these weird diseases.
Christmas came and went very quietly. Riku's mother called, Sora's mother stopped by with a rather large fruit cake from the family. Kairi even came bringing them both presents and a special "get well soon" soup that Riku was ordered to eat as the other two had a nice lasagna for "Christmas dinner". She would continuously tell the eldest through spoonfuls of pasta that it was for his own good and she was only making him eat it because she loved him… and she couldn't let the ham bone go to waste in her freezer.
But when January rolled around, Riku's recovery still hadn't been accomplished. Instead, he seemed to be feeling even worse; aching, puking, and generally feeling miserable. He had snapped at Sora more often than he liked to admit, and was feeling highly depressed every time he said something mean to his boyfriend who was only trying to help.
Sora didn't like to admit it, but he had begun thinking that they needed some sort of professional help. No matter what Riku said.
So as Riku spent yet another hour curled next to the toilet, his temple resting against the cool linoleum of the tub, Sora made a phone call to their hospital. Riku couldn't even bring himself to protest the thought and actually listened when Sora told him gently to "pull some clothes on" and that they were "going to see the doctor."
With one hour of waiting behind his belt, Sora had let his imagination run away with him a little too often by the time his cell phone buzzed gently inside his pocket. Kairi's voice on the other line comforted him somewhat as his eyes never left the door that led to the examination rooms.
"How is everything? Any word yet?" she asked, her voice worried, but trying to sound encouraging for Sora. She was worried sick, but she couldn't imagine how the brunet must have been feeling.
"No, nothing. They won't even let me back there to talk to him," the brunet complained, sounding nearly hurt by the thought of not seeing Riku while he was examined.
"I'm sure everything's fine, Sora. They're probably just running some tests and making sure he doesn't have anything serious," she supplied, her confident voice almost faltering. She didn't like the fact that they didn't even have the decency to update Sora on what they were doing back there. She mildly thought that after this incident, they should be looking for a new doctor.
"I just wish I knew how he was. That's all I want to know. Riku doesn't like other doctor's too much, Kairi," Sora told her, and the red head couldn't help but smile. Her boys were so precious to her.
"I know he doesn't, but just think that maybe they'll find something and be able to give him some medicine to fix it," she supplied, and could feel Sora's little smile through the telephone.
"Yeah, that would be good," he confirmed. The two chatted idly for the next half an hour, Kairi trying to keep the other entertained before she had to say goodbye to go to work. The brunet continued to wait for another hour and a half, blue eyes trying to focus on the TV, news reports playing softly into the room.
When the door opened and Riku stepped out followed by the doctor, Sora sprung quickly and made his way to his lover's side. The elder didn't say much of anything until he was nuzzled against the door of the car, an almost firm pout plastered on his face.
"I have never been poked and prodded so much in my entire life," he huffed, turning the little bottle of liquid medicine in between his fingers.
"What did they say it was?" Sora asked, glancing briefly at him before focusing back on the road. Riku shook his head, placing the medicine back into the prescription bag.
"They just said it was a stomach virus. Maybe some sort of mild food poisoning on top of it," he supplied, and Sora rose his eyebrow faintly.
"It all sounds like some lame excuse for not knowing what's really up," Sora thought out loud, causing Riku to glance at him sideways. The thought didn't settle with Riku well, and before he knew what he was saying he turned fully to look at his boyfriend.
"Maybe we aren't asking the right people for answers," Riku supplied quietly, Sora meeting his gaze as the car rolled to a stop in front of a red light. His look gave permission for Riku to go on.
But he didn't have to. Where Riku was going with his thoughts dawned on Sora almost instantly.
"Merlin."
-.-.-.-
When the boys told Kairi their grand scheme to travel back to Radiant Garden to speak with Merlin, the red head instantly insisted that she come along. Sora didn't argue, and Riku didn't have much strength to even think about it so the three took a smooth journey to visit old friends.
Once landed, Sora held firmly to Riku's waist, careful to keep him balanced. It wasn't like he couldn't walk, his knees were just a little shaky and his equilibrium seemed to have been thrown off.
Leon, Yuffie, Aerith and Cid all welcomed the little group as well as they always had. Some with happy smiles, others with polite nods. Sora wasted no time in nearly demanding to speak with the wizard who appeared shortly after, a confused look in his eyes.
"Why the unexpected visit?" he asked the shorter brunet, who couldn't help but screw his face up in a slight pout. Merlin really was a fantastic man, he just occasionally annoyed Sora.
"Riku's sick," he replied, and all eyes turned to the slumped figure sitting in the chair next to the center table. He didn't seem to be with it at all, eyes starring empty at the scattered pieces of paper and random books that sat on the table before him. Sensing eyes on him, he rose his head up, confused at first, then slowly frowning at all the faces.
"And you didn't think of supplying him with some sort of antidote?" Merlin asked, directing the question to Sora who nearly rolled his eyes. He would've if his mother didn't teach him it was wrong to disrespect your elders... even if said elders asked stupid questions.
"He's taken almost every over the counter drug in existence. We even took him to the doctor, and still, nothing has improved and they don't know what's the matter with him," he told the elder man, who's soft blue eyes landed on the silver haired boy.
A small smile seemed to make his old face glow and he nodded his head once, his beard bouncing gently against his blue cloak. "Well, I'll take a look at him," he told Sora, who turned to him, wide eyes suddenly turned thankful.
The wizard took Riku by the elbow and led him into a separate room, softly shutting the door behind them. The little group left in the main room tossed glances between one another, some confused, others just slightly annoyed and one pair of blue eyes very very worried.
"What exactly did the doctors say?" Leon asked, taking a seat near the computer, arms folding over his chest. Sora simply shook his head, little bangs swishing against his eyelashes.
"Nothing. They labeled it as a stomach virus. But he's had it since after Thanksgiving. There's no way," Sora mumbled in return, taking a seat where Leon was, Kairi sitting beside him.
"We didn't know who else to talk to," she supplied softly, the girls nodding their heads in agreement.
"Well, it's a good thing you guys did think of coming to us. If there is anything wrong, Merlin's the one that can figure it out!" Yuffie supplied, causing the pair to smile. Yuffie did manage lighten the mood when things weren't exactly looking their best.
And it didn't look the best. Sora was terrified that something bad was happening to Riku. He could tell it was bothering Riku too. And it unnerved him even more to think that his boyfriend was so silently and desperately freaking out not knowing what was wrong with him. What's wrong with him…
"Here, it'll calm your nerves somewhat," Aerith said softly, coming up behind them and placing two cups of hot tea in front of them. They nodded their thanks, as Kairi's pale fingers curled around the warm cup gratefully.
It didn't take long for the door Merlin and Riku disappeared into to open, the wizard emerging with that same warm smile on his face. "Come in, come in," he chanted, wagging his old fingers for the group to come into the room before disappearing into it himself.
Sora caught Kairi's glance as they shrugged softly and followed the mage into the room, followed closely behind by the others. No one had been into Merlin's room often before.
Bookshelves lined the entire room, full of books and papers, tea cups and kettles. There was an overabundance of furniture of every shape and size, scrolls and tapestries hanging from the ceiling, and piles of books scattered the floor creating a maze for the group to walk through.
In the center of it all was a great round table, and on it sat Riku, feet dangling over the edge, palms flat against the wooden tabletop. Sora smiled at the sight of him, and Riku flashed it back, happy to see his lover's face, and somewhat relieved since Merlin didn't seem too worried over what was wrong with him.
"Everyone, take a seat, I have something special to tell you all," the wizard said, and with a wave of his wooden wand, six chairs marched up to each person, bumping them in the back of the knees, causing them to flop back into the seat.
"Riku isn't sick," he said, and even Riku looked up at that one. But…how could he not be sick? Throwing up every morning and night, feeling aches and pains from nothing strenuous, constant fatigue. What's wrong with me….
"But-" Sora started but was cut off by a gentle wag of the wizard's hand.
"It is something much more special." Every one waited for him to go on, and Sora thought briefly that the old man liked holding them in suspense. Drawing some sort of sick pleasure out of it.
"Riku is pregnant."
The group didn't say a word. No one moved, blinked, breathed.
Kairi's cup of tea slipped from her fingers, clanging against the floor, spilling the hot liquid and spreading shards of china on everyone's feet.
All was still.
Until Riku threw up.
--oOo--
To Be Continued
Italian Translation:
Mangi: Eat
Any questions welcomed.