The sun wasn't up when Len's brilliant blue eyes fluttered open. They were blurry from a lack of sleep, and the dark purple shadows under his eyes were a stark contrast against his pale skin. He felt light-headed, and he clenched his eyes shut as he fought a wave of nausea. Not now… I don't want to get up… The bed seemed to lurch beneath him, and with a strangled gasp, Len thrashed away from Gakupo's silky sheets, scrambling to disentangle himself. He fell to the floor, the blankets clinging to his legs as he struggled to stand again. With a few more desperate kicks, Len threw the blankets aside, half running and half crawling to the bathroom where he yanked the toilet seat up just in time to lose his dinner from the night before. The bathroom door creaked open just as Len sank to his knees on the cool tile floor. He leaned down, curling into a small ball and pressing his heated cheek to the chilled marble.
"Len…" Gakupo sighed, bending and running his fingers through his young lover's messy blonde hair.
"I'm okay…" The teen sat up slowly, allowing Gakupo to pull him to his feet. The samurai already had a glass of cold water and a toothbrush waiting for the teen as he helped him to the sink. Len wiped his face with a wet wash cloth, and Gakupo pressed another against the back of his neck as he brushed his teeth.
"You need to see a doctor."
Len rolled his eyes, spitting out the toothpaste and rinsing his mouth, ignoring his boyfriend's concerned voice.
"Len, I'm serious."
"I don't need to see a doctor." Len shot Gakupo an irritated glare.
"Len, it's 2 o'clock in the morning, and instead of being asleep, like you should be, you're in here throwing up your guts!" He caught the teen's wrist as he tried to storm out of the bathroom. "I'm just worried," Gakupo tried again. Len refused to meet his gaze.
"Don't be." The blonde growled. "It's just a stomach bug or something, I'll get over it."
"A stomach bug? For four weeks? Somehow I doubt that." Gakupo narrowed his eyes at Len's blatant look of shock. "You think I don't notice you getting up at obscene hours of the morning and coming back an hour later, shaking like you've just been to hell and back? News flash—I've been awake every single time."
Len felt guilt crashing over him. "I was waking you…?" He turned glistening cerulean eyes to Gakupo's suddenly surprised gaze. "I'm sorry…" He mumbled, feeling tears brimming in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Gaku-nii, I didn't know that I was keeping you from sleeping, I just…" He hiccupped as the floodgates opened, and Gakupo panicked, scooping the boy into his arms.
"Oh, no, no, Len, shh…" He pulled the younger Vocaloid closer, cradling his lover against his chest. "It's okay, Len-kun, it's okay."
"Don't treat me like a child!" Len spat suddenly, struggling out of Gakupo's tender embrace. "I'm not 7 years old!"
"L-Len…!" Gakupo watched, growing more and more confused as Len stormed into his bedroom, slamming the bathroom door and leaving Gakupo there, gaping after him.
"It's just a bug…" Len mumbled to himself, crawling back into bed. He scooted over and nuzzled into Gakupo's pillow, smothering his tears in the scent of his lover.
"Len…?" The mattress shifted, and Len lay still as Gakupo carefully crawled into bed behind him. "Are you alright, love…?"
Len sniffed, swallowing a sob. "Y-Yeah, I think so."
"Are you mad at me…?" He felt Gakupo's arms slide around his waist, even though Len had all of the covers wrapped around himself.
"N-No…" He rolled over, snuggling closer to his boyfriend. "I just…" He shook his head. "I don't even know anymore. I was just so upset but now…"
"Sh…" Gakupo leaned closer, pressing his lips against the younger boy's. "Get some sleep Len-kun."
Len sighed. "I still don't think I need to see a doctor."
Gakupo shook his head, tucking Len closer against his lean chest. "You just don't give up, do you?"
The teen's response was a sarcastic snort. "Yeah, like you've never been stubborn."
"That's different." The samurai smiled into Len's hair as the boy laughed, relaxing in his arms again. "But I really am worried about you, Len…"
For a moment, Len thought he might cry again, the sincerity of Gakupo's soft words piercing straight through his heart. "You really shouldn't be." He muttered. "You have to be on a tour bus in some odd number of hours, you really shouldn't be fussing over me."
"I'm your boyfriend, it's my job to fuss over you."
"Not when it's distracting you from your career."
"If I had to choose I would choose you."
Len opened his mouth, then closed again, feeling choked up yet again. "You mean it…?" He peeked up at the violet-haired Vocaloid, who kissed him in response.
"Yes. Now go to sleep." Gakupo murmured, smiling softly as Len yawned. "We'll talk more when the sun comes out."
Len only mumbled, falling asleep quickly to the steady beat of Gakupo's heart.
"I still don't get it." Len huffed, crossing his arms and pouting on the couch as Gakupo moved around the living room, gathering up the last few things he would need for his month-long tour. "Why would you and Kaito and Meiko and Luka take a tour without Miku, Rin, and me?"
Gakupo sighed. He had already explained it at least 8 times, but it seemed his moody lover still hadn't grasped the concept. "Because you and Miku and Rin are already at the top of the charts. It's like a reward, Len."
Ice blue eyes snapped to glare into Gakupo's own dark violet gaze. "I know, you've explained it like, 80 times already." He his searing glare to the wall, and Gakupo waited for it to spontaneously combust. "Don't talk to me like I'm stupid."
"Len," Gakupo felt a sweat drop sliding down his head. "I'm not—"
Ding dong!
"Ah! That must be Kaito here with the others and the bus." The samurai moved over the couch, kneeling in front of Len as the boy continued burning holes into his living room wall. "Len-kun, look at me…"
"No." The teen tried not to let his resolve waver as Gakupo leaned in and kissed his cheek, but his façade broke as the samurai nuzzled sweetly against his neck. Len threw his arms around his boyfriend's neck. "Don't go, Gaku-nii!"
"Eh? But Len, we already—mm!" He was cut off as Len pressed their lips together, running his tongue shyly along Gakupo's lips in a plea for entrance. The samurai couldn't deny him, almost instantly parting his lips and taking over as the kiss deepened. Len hummed softly into Gakupo's mouth as the violet-haired Vocaloid started running his fingers up the front of his t-shirt (one that actually belonged to Gakupo, (but damn was it hot when that was all Len wore to bed).
"I really need to go," Gakupo murmured as Len broke the kiss, flushed and struggling for air.
"B-But Gaku-nii…" His bright cerulean eyes were dark with his obvious desires, and Gakupo had to bite his lip (hard) to stop himself from taking his boyfriend right there on the couch, Kaito waiting outside and all.
"I'm sorry, Len, but I have…" He trailed off as tears started welling up in his lover's eyes. You've got to be kidding me… "No, Len, please don't start this now…"
"S-Start what?" Len sniffed, turning his head away again. "Neverm-mind. Just go." Suddenly, he sagged back against the plush sofa, looking totally drained of his usual energy. "I'll see you in a month, Gaku-nii…"
Gakupo bit his lip again, before giving in with a small sigh and leaning down to kiss his boyfriend again, this time in a much softer, lingering manner. "Take it easy, love. I'll call every night I can, mmkay? And as soon as I get back, we'll schedule that doctor's appointment."
"Mmkay…" Len mumbled dejectedly, flashing Gakupo one last, forlorn look as the samurai pulled away again. "I miss you."
Gakupo raised an eyebrow. "Already?"
"30 days 16 hours 24 minutes…"
Gakupo chuckled, silencing the teen with another chaste kiss. "I'll be back before you know it." He winked as he headed for the door. "Just take it easy and have fun with your sister—you know she's been jealous of all the time you've been spending with me~!"
Len snorted. "Yeah, jealous because I'm spending time with you and not her." He offered a small smile, reassuring Gakupo that he was over his odd fit. "Have fun, Gaku-nii."
"Don't I always?" With one last kiss (blown from the doorway) Gakupo made his exit, leaving Len to sigh, sinking farther into the cushions of Gakupo's large couch. 30 days, 16 hours, and 19 minutes…
Rin did, in the long run, make Gakupo's absence less boring. It had been a long time since Len had spent so much time at his sister's and Miku's house, and their cheeriness was a welcome distraction from the emptiness beside him when he woke up every morning.
"Len, are you listening?"
The teen's cerulean eyes wandered up to Rin's mock-irritated look, before he offered a sheepish shrug. "Sorry, Rin-chan, tell me again—I'll pay attention this time."
His sister sighed. "I was saying that Gaku-nii's tour is already half-way over. He's going to be home soon, right?"
Len smiled brightly. "15 days."
To this, Rin giggled. "You guys are so cute!" She hopped out of her chair at the table, dancing to the kitchen entrance. "But… Len-kun, does he still know that you're throwing up?"
Len immediately tensed at the reminder. Now that they were only communicating over the phone, it was easier to convince Gakupo that he had made a full recovery—even when the samurai managed to call just as he had finished emptying his stomach. "I'm fine." He mumbled, standing and moving to the fridge, opening it up and grabbing the jar of pickles as soon as he laid eyes on it. Rin looked skeptical, and Len found himself jerking at the lid with a little more force than was necessary, losing his grip and dropping the entire jar on the hard tile. It shattered on impact, sending glass flying everywhere and soaking the floor. He dropped his head, his bangs falling forward to cover his eyes, which were now glistening with tears.
"L-Len-kun…! Are you okay? Don't move for a second, I'm to go grab some shoes and a broom."
The boy didn't respond, leaning back against the counter as the tears started slipping down his face. When Rin returned, it was all she could do to stand in the doorway gaping at her suddenly emotional brother. "Len, why are you crying? It's just a jar of pickles…"
"But I'm hungry." Len hiccupped pathetically, his teary blue eyes still locked on his lost snack. Rin paused for a moment, before snickering and rolling her eyes.
"I swear to God, Len, you're like a pregnant lady."
"I am not!" The teen whipped his head up to fix his sister with a glare.
"Are too." Rin stuck her tongue out, then squatted in front of him to clean the sticky mess. "You're always way moody: happy one second, angry the next, then happy again, then sad, then irate, the too happy, then not angry, but not sad, but not unhappy. Then, you've been throwing up almost everything you eat. You can't keep a solid meal down to save your life. Then, we have your 'snacks'."
Len frowned. "What's wrong with my snacks?"
"Pickles, Len? Just pickles, right out of a jar? You don't even like pickles. Therefore it's a craving. And let's not even talk about that dreadful night that you put ketchup and mustard in your chocolate smoothie." Len shuddered at the thought, and Rin laughed. "I bet you realized how bad of an idea that was when it came back for round two, eh Len-kun?" Her eyes twinkled with well-intentioned teasing, but Len's mind was racing. I'm a boy. He told himself firmly, shaking his head even as Rin finished picking up the last of the glass. It's not possible.
"Len? You okay?"
"Y-Yeah, just… thinking…"
Rin's eyes widened. "You don't honestly think you are, do you…?"
"O-Of course not!" Len shook his head again, stepping around his older twin and making his way out of the kitchen. "That's ridiculous."
"Just like you trying to lie to me." Rin was right beside him, flashing her younger brother a devious grin. "Whenever you're unsure about something, the best place to look is the internet, Len-kun! Come on." She grabbed his hand, dragging him to her room.
"Rin, I'm really not 'unsure' at all—I'm a guy, therefore it's physically impossible." Len frowned as Rin flopped onto her bed, pulling him with her.
"Sure you're not. Now sit down, mommy."
"Wha—mommy?! As if!" Still, Len sat, rolling his eyes. Rin pulled her laptop from who-knows-where, opening it and immediately getting to Google. Len pretended to act uninterested as she browsed site after site, reading off the exact same symptoms he had been experiencing for more than a month, but his mind was racing. Rin's chipper voice was slowly turning more and more awed as every single site said "You are pregnant!"
"Len, are you seeing this?" She turned wide blue eyes to her brother, who pointedly leaned forward and snapped the laptop shut.
"No." He growled. "You're being ridiculous, Rin."
"We have to check." Rin seemed not to notice Len's obvious irritation, jumping off of her bed a dragging Len to the bathroom.
"Ch-Check?" He stammered, his eyes growing wide. "No! Rin you're not listening to me!"
"And you're not listening to me!" Rin dropped his hand, squatting down and digging through the cabinet under her bathroom sink. "All of the symptoms match, Len." She stood again, a pregnancy test in her hand, as well as the instructions. "And besides, I know you. Now that you've thought about it once, it'll bug you to death until you know for sure. Right?"
Len looked down, his bangs falling across his eyes. "I… I guess so…"
"Besides," Rin shrugged, handing him the test and moving back to the hallway, leaving Len standing in the bathroom staring after her. "If it's not positive, it's something we can laugh about later!" With that, the door slammed shut. Len sighed, turning the small tester over and over in his shaking hands.
I'm a guy. He repeated stubbornly in his mind, even as he followed through with directions. It's going to turn out negative, and then I'm going to be fine. It's going to be negative and I'm going to laugh about it. He checked the directions again, sighing. A two minute wait? He lay the test on the edge of the sink, before sitting down on the floor, leaning back against the cabinet doors. What if it's positive? A small voice asked in the back of his head. What if you are pregnant? What is Gakupo going to say?
Len shook his head. "I'm not." He muttered, checking the time on his phone and realizing that his two minutes were already gone. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stand and face the negative reading he was bound to see. His heart pounded a mile a minute as he lifted the test, his eyes seeking out the verdict. His heart stopped pounding, feeling as if it had literally stopped beating altogether, and the test fell from his shaking fingers.
It's p-positive…? The teen didn't realize he had even picked up his phone again—much less dialed anyone's number—until Gakupo answered, sounding tired.
"Hello? Len-kun, is everything alright?"
Len was silent, save for his breathing, which was uneven and shallow. "Gaku-nii…" He rasped softly, his eyes never leaving the positive reading on the test by his foot. "I can't… I… Come home."
"Len, I still have another 15 days on tour I can't just…" His voice trailed off as Len hiccupped, quietly, pressing his hand over his mouth as he sank back onto the floor, his knees pulled to his chest. "Len? Len are you okay?"
"I need you." Len whispered miserably, coughing as tried not to sound as shaken as he felt. "I n-need you, G-Gaku-nii…" He closed his eyes, clenching his free hand in his shirt, over his heart. "Please come home."
Ta-da~ I know Len seems way moody, but that's kind of how I picture him pregnant, his hormones would be way out of control lol. What do you guys think so far? Drop a review and let me know if you want, and constructive criticism is always welcome(: Thanks for reading!