Summary: Ichigo falls pregnant after a one night stand with Lord of the Incubus demons, Aizen Sousuke. He's in a long term relationship with Stark Coyote and is overwhelmed when he realises he doesn't know which of the two is the father of his baby. With Aizen Sousuke determined to make him his Mate and Stark battling to ask Ichigo to marry him and be his for as long as they both shall live, who will Ichigo chose?
Hey! I am SO sorry that it has taken me so long to update this story, it is shameful I know. I've been struggling to find plot to work with but today I finally managed it and here is the result!
Thank you to everyone who reviewed on the first chapter, and thank you for your patience, I am very grateful.
WARNINGS:
-male pregnancy (if you don't like it please don't read any further)
Chapter Two: Symptoms:
Stark looped his arms around his lover from behind, leaning down and pressing his lips against his neck as he watched him eating his breakfast, "Good morning love." He murmured with a smile against his skin.
Ichigo shivered and swallowed his mouthful of cornflakes, tipping his head back and smiling at him, "Morning." He murmured and reached up, and stroked the back of his neck, "You don't mind that I let you sleep in for a bit do you?" he asked softly.
"No not at all… Thank you. It was very thoughtful." He leaned down and kissed him softly, brushing his neck with his fingertips, "What about you though? I would have thought you'd want to stay in for a bit too… You were very restless in the night."
Ichigo faltered momentarily and felt blush spread over his cheeks, "I uh… Had a really… Uh… Graphic dream…" He said in embarrassment.
Stark's eyes lit up in amusement and he leaned down, kissing his neck, "Oh? What about?" he whispered.
"Uh… Uh… Well… You know… Just… Stuff…" he stammered, shivered as his neck was kissed.
Stark pulled back and sat down in the seat next to his, taking his hand, "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to embarrass you." He smiled.
He sighed in relief and linked their fingers, "No no… I'm sorry it's me… It was a kind of… Scary dream to be honest… It was… Really real…"
"Hmm… I'm guessing from your expression and apprehension… It wasn't about… Me…" he murmured with a smile.
His head snapped around and guilt flooded his face, "I… Is that terrible?" he asked almost silently.
"No." Stark chuckled and shook his head, leaning over and cupping his cheek, "It's natural. You can't control the things you dream about."
Ichigo relaxed visibly and leaned against him, hugging him with one arm, "I was worried you'd be angry or think badly of me."
"You silly man." The brunette smiled and kissed him softly, stroking his cheek gently, "I love you. No matter what manner of filthy dreams you have… Even if they don' involve me. It just means I'll have to work harder in bed to make a lasting impression." He winked teasingly.
Ichigo blushed and smiled, kissing him back and resting his head on his shoulder.
Several minutes later Stark took the now empty bowl out into the kitchen and popped it into the dishwasher, returning with an apple, "So do you have any plans for today Ichigo?" he asked as he sat down on the sofa and ushered his partner to join him.
"Nah not yet, I might be going out tomorrow about lunchtime, Inoue is insistent on a catch up, you're welcome to join us if you want to."
"Ha-ha I think I'll pass thanks." He smirked, "I'll let you suffer alone."
He slapped his arm and pouted, "Git."
"You love me really." Stark murmured and cupped Ichigo's cheek, silencing him with a kiss.
A short while later Stark left their house to go to work, he paused outside of the front door and inhaled suddenly, his pupils narrowed to slits and a feral growl escaped his now snarled lips as he detected the scent of his former Lord lingering around the window outside of their bedroom.
"Aizen…" he growled, walking over to the window where the man's scent was strongest, "… So he wasn't joking… He did have a dream that wasn't about me… Well… Not a dream…" his hands shook, "That bastard, I'll kill him when I see him. Who does he think he is to trespass on my territory." He glanced around before rubbing himself against the wall, removing Aizen's scent and replacing it with his own.
With a disgruntled sniff he picked his bag back up and continued on his way, stalking all the way to the grocery story with a murderous glare on his face.
When he had pulled on the mossy green apron and adjusted his name tag, he forced his anger down and planted a false smile on his face as he stood behind the counter and waited for the customers.
He couldn't stop his mind wandering to what he had discovered before though; he couldn't believe Aizen had made an appearance after all these years and just when he was happy and settling down! Who did that monster think he was?
Stark's hand shook and he shoved it into his trouser pocket; he closed his eyes and fought to control his temper.
It had been three centuries since he had last encountered Aizen Sousuke, the Lord of the Incubus demons and when they had last met it had been during the process of Stark being exiled from the demon world to live his life as an immortal human. Ichigo knew none of this and he intended to keep it that way for as long as he bloody well could.
He sighed heavily, wondering why Aizen had to go and pick his lover to get all frisky over. Just when he was planning on popping the question too… Damn that man… And how dare he mark his house! It was NOT his territory! The slimy bastard!
A familiar voice calling his name pulled him from his thoughts and his eyes snapped open, they widened slightly as he gawped, "B… Byakuya? Wha… What the… Where… How did you…"
"Calm down Stark." His former fellow demon murmured calmly, "It has been a long time."
"Y… Yeah… How did you…"
"I sensed Aizen's scent around so I came to investigate. I discovered that his scent was on the window of your house and saw you getting rid of it. I decided to follow you and talk to you."
"I… I see… That's kind of scary you know… I'm not supposed to have any contact with you guys anymore…"
"On the contrary… Yamamoto sent me."
Stark's eyes widened at the news that the Lord of the Werewolf clan had sent Byakuya to find him, "What does he want with me?"
"Aizen has been causing trouble in the demon world, it appears he is getting restless and is searching for a mate."
"What?" he said coldly, "He marked my house… Targeted MY lover… Don't tell me he's picked Ichigo?"
Byakuya sighed and hung his head for a moment, "It would appear that way. However, Yamamoto is concerned because the other Incubus are getting restless in the wake of their Lord's arrival here."
Stark raised an eyebrow, "You're an Incubus and you seem fine."
"I already have a mate so of course I'm fine. It is the unmated Incubus that are getting edgy."
"Damn… That's not good…"
"Tell me about it. So far the Vampire clan, the Werewolf clan, and the Witch clan are working together to try and calm the agitation in the Incubus and Succubus clans. But there are a lot of unmated beings to handle. Things are getting ugly."
Stark frowned and looked down at the counter he was stood behind, "Why did Yamamoto send you to find me?" he asked after a few minutes.
"You know why… You are the only one who might be able to talk the others down and maybe put Aizen off his course."
"You think Aizen is going to listen to me?"
"He might…"
"No."
"What?"
"Look Byakuya…" he paused, "You all exiled me. You cast me down here to live as an immortal human. You took my powers. You took my title. I had to start from scratch. Do you remember WHY I got exiled?"
"Uh…"
"Because I tried to tell people that Aizen Sousuke had dictator like ideals!" he growled, "I tried to tell everyone what a jackass he was! And you all tossed me out!"
"Stark please-"
"No!" he snapped suddenly, "I have made myself a new life. I've found someone I've fallen head over heels in love with, and he feels the same way about me." He swallowed, "I am happy and… I'm not going to risk losing that for the sake of you backstabbing bastards. I'm sorry. My answer is no."
The raven haired Incubus nobleman seemed startled by his decision and frowned faintly before sighing, "Very well… But I think you should dig around a little in your lover's past. He isn't what he seems anymore than you are."
"What is that supposed to me?" he asked, but when he looked up Byakuya had vanished.
Stark frowned in confusion and concern. What had he meant? Ichigo… Wasn't what he seemed? Was he something else?
He shook his head; he had met Ichigo's family. They were lovely and welcoming and they didn't care that Ichigo was gay and in love with another man. Kurosaki Isshin was a total idiot but he was a great guy with lots of energy and spirit, Ichigo's younger siblings Yuzu and Karin was just as welcoming and enjoyed spending time with Stark who was a whiz in the kitchen.
There wasn't anything he didn't know about Ichigo and his family. They were what every boyfriend could wish for in an extended family. He sighed and huffed. Bloody life ruining demons.
The rest of his shift went without incident. When he hung up his apron and pulled on his coat, Stark bid farewell to his boss and departed, heading home to cook tea. Ichigo wouldn't be back yet, he had a job at the local play group; his lover enjoyed spending time with kids, but he always joked about the best part was being able to give them back at the end of the day.
Considering this, Stark chuckled and went to unlock the front door but was greeted by it swinging open of its own accord. Instantly on high alert, the brunette crept inside the space silently, he picked up an umbrella from the hallway and held it at his shoulder in case he needed to use it to defend himself or attack whoever was inside his home.
He was interrupted by the sound of vomiting coming from the bathroom and he frowned slightly; following the sound and seeking out its source. He gently nudged open the bathroom door and faltered suddenly as his eyes were assaulted by the vibrant orange of his lover's hair.
"Ichigo?" he exclaimed, dropping the umbrella and dashing to his side.
"S… Star…k…" Ichigo stuttered before he hurled into the toilet basin again and trembled.
The brunette felt deep concern and felt his partner's forehead, frowning at the searing heat coming from his flesh; there was sweat dripping down his face and neck and he was slightly flushed. Stark swallowed and dampened a cloth with cold water, hastily pressing it against the other man's forehead to try and cool him down.
"Can you try and tell me how you're feeling?" he asked gently as he soothingly rubbed the berry's back.
"… Sick…"
"… I'd gathered that much."
Ichigo tried to reply, "Don't ask… Dumb questions-" but was cut off as he threw up in the basin again.
He sighed, "Ichigo… Please. Is there anything else?"
"I've got… Pain in my stomach… And I ache all over… My head's throbbing…" he grumbled, shaking slightly, "I feel… Really hot… But cold at the same time…"
Stark frowned slightly and he looked at him before he knelt down behind him and slowly snaked his arms around his waist, his hands disappeared under the sweat soaked shirt Ichigo was wearing. He rested his palms against his chest.
Ichigo's chest was rising and falling rapidly as he rasped for breath between waves of physical sickness, his skin was coated in a thick sheen of sweat and his skin was slick because of this.
Stark closed his eyes and slid his hands down to his upper stomach, gently pressing against the heated flesh of his partner.
Ichigo's stomach was a little swollen and tender to touch, the young male let out a whimper as pressure was added and slumped slightly before returning to hurling into the toilet basin.
Stark sighed inwardly and moved his hands down to just below his partner's navel and pressed gently at the area there.
There was a different kind of swelling under his fingers, and strangely enough this section of Ichigo's body was cool and not sweaty at all. Stark's eyes flew open suddenly and he glanced at Ichigo before he lifted a hand and squeezed the back of his neck, rendering him unconscious.
The brunette scooped Ichigo up and wiped his face with the cold wet cloth before dashing into their bedroom and changed the berry's clothes. He then shot outside again, locking up the house and bundling Ichigo into the passenger seat of their small car. He climbed into the driver's seat and buckled both of their seat belts before putting the car in gear and pulling out of the driveway.
Within minutes, Stark had pulled up outside of an old friends' house and hammered on the front door, "Urahara?" he yelled.
The door opened and the blonde haired, sandal wearing man emerged, "Oh-ho Stark-san… Long time no see…"
"I don't have time for your secretive… Dual meaning… Weirdness!" he snapped, "You're the only one I can turn to." He said and moved aside so that Urahara could see Ichigo's unconscious form in the car.
"… Kurosaki-kun…" the blonde man frowned momentarily before looking back at Stark, his eyes narrowed suddenly, "Bring him inside. And then… Tell me everything Stark-san."