Hello darling readers! All of your reviews have been so wonderful and supportive :) I can't thank you enough for the feedback and I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Cerberus Revised (the original author of the Egoist Uke Flu and also my betrothed seme) and I have been hard at work to coordinate our fics and even do a few little crossovers. And so if you are following her fic as well, stay tuned for a few surprises :)

Enjoy the chapter and tell me what you like! Thanks again for reading!

The Black Flamingo Uke 101

Chapter Nine: Rewind and Fast Forward

In a wing on the other side of the hospital, another pregnant uke was being checked by the doctors to the crackled static of the intercom system.

Takano Masamune was leaning against the wall outside of Onodera's room while several nurses conducted blood work and a couple other tests. The two men had arrived at the ward late last night and the doctor had vouched for the brunette to stay at least a few days to recover his health. Onodera had woken up not long after being settled and given an IV, but he and Takano had barely exchanged a word.

Takano didn't particularly mind this. Considering the amount of what Onodera had screamed the night before, it was only natural he'd want to quiet down and think things over. Not to mention that Takano had quite a bit to think over himself.

The dark haired man leaned against the plaster wall, closing his eyes and letting a breath seep out of his lungs. His mind took him back to yesterday, replaying scenes like an old VCR tape. He studied the vision in his mind, hearing and digesting every word the other man had spoken.

Takano's eyelids drifted open, and he came back to the present. And having gleaned information, he now sought insight. The wheels of his mind began to turn and swirl his thoughts and emotions, and even while his face stayed vapid, he swallowed back bile.

"I HATE YOU." The words of yesterday screamed at him, it's bite not dulled in the least.

Takano's eyes closed again and he sighed. Even if the words stung and lashed, he could understand why they had been uttered. In fact, he'd known Onodera's feelings for quite a time. He knew Onodera hated him and he knew the reasons behind it. Long after they had broken up, the younger brunette was still hurt and damaged, and now that they were together again, the unhealed wounds had opened.

Takano knew this type of wound well. After he'd gained gashes and cuts himself, he had tried to heal them on his own. With friends. With sex. With alcohol. With work.

But none of his hedonistic pursuits had ever taken the twin wolves of sorrow and anger away. Even now, the wounds throbbed.

But through the years of pain, something had been given back in equivalency.

Understanding.

And it was because of this understanding that Takano had begun to see how those wounds could be healed. And this was precisely why he had pushed Onodera so hard last night.

Takano had realized that they wounds the two shared would not heal over time, nor could they be filled by pleasure or distraction. No, in order for them to heal…

They would have to be reopened and purged.

The editor's long legs began to shift, and Takano leaned off the wall, taking a few steps down to the end of the corridor where a large window gave a view of the city. Amber eyes peered over the building block appearance of Tokyo, and he watched as people and cars moved constantly like ants.

Takano had never liked the business of the every day people. How they scrambled through their lives at a breakneck pace, obsessing over their school or job. As a younger man, Takano had always wished they would just slow down…

No one else had ever really appreciated this particular view of his, and it was often branded as being lazy by his teachers and parents…well, that is, if his parents had actually paid attention to him. No one ever saw the attractiveness in just stopping long enough to see and hear the quiet side of the world.

Well, except one person.

Takano's eyes left the window and slid back down the hall, to where "Onodera, R" was written beside the door to his room.

Truth be told, the man was anxious to go back in and to be by Onodera's side through the tests, but he held back his driving want, knowing he needed to give the other man room to breathe.

Ritsu's own wounds were probably still stinging as well. Last night, he had revealed the ugliest facet of his soul to the world, and he was probably reeling from shame.

But in spite of that ugly shame and hate, Takano found that those raw emotions only made him long for Onodera even more.

The truth was never plainer to the raven-haired man.

He loved Onodera with all his heart. And no matter how much Onodera hated him, he couldn't stop.

And he wouldn't. Because there was a reason why he could take the outbursts, the glares, and the animosity. There was a reason why he had put work on the back burner, taken care of Onodera all day, and woke up three times a night to give him his medications.

Because nothing, absolutely nothing could be worse than living in the drunken, desperate hell he found himself in after Ritsu had left.

Takano had a goal, a dream, a longing. He didn't know when or even if he would achieve it, but it was that dream, that light, that gave him a reason to keep trudging through his monotonous life—

"Oh! Please excuse me." A nurse bowed as she noticed Takano standing by the door. Another nurse followed her out of Onodera's room, carrying a plastic container full of blood samples.

"Are you done?" Takano asked, already glancing inside the room.

The nurse gave him a nod.

"Yes, and if you need anything just press the call button." She smiled, bowing again before heading down the hall.

Takano quietly pushed the door opened and reentered the room.

The chestnut haired Onodera lay silently on his white hospital bed, his eyes half lidded as he stared out the window. Takano wordlessly walked over and sat down in the recliner that lay between the bed and the window. Since he was in Onodera's line of sight, he expected him to look away or at least turn his head. But the brunette didn't stir. His green eyes, even almost closed, glistened as they caught a ray of sun that streamed in through the glass. Onodera was clothed in a pale green hospital smock that only seemed to compliment his natural coloring. And even through tubes and needles lined his pale arms, the other man could still see the firm, elegant lines of the brunette's arms and torso.

Takano didn't take his eyes off the sight, his gaze softening at he looked back up at Ritsu's face.

"How do you feel?" He asked, folding his arms comfortably across his chest.

The brunette didn't respond right away, but slowly turned his gaze up towards the ceiling. The seconds ticked by, but Takano waited patiently for Onodera to speak.

"…Takano-san." He murmured after almost a minute.

"Yes Onodera?"

The brunette continued to stare up at the ceiling, even as he spoke.

"I'm sorry about what I said last night. I was incredibly rude."

Takano's dark eyebrows slowly rose in surprise as how easily and coherently Onodera was talking to him. Normally with all his pausing and stuttering (and back talking), it took them forever to get anywhere conversation wise. But there was a sort of restful peace that was masking Onodera's face, as if he had the means and the will to finally speak his true thoughts…

Though it was against his better judgment, Takano reached out a large hand and placed it other one of Onodera's, his thumb running soft circles over the pale skin. And for the first time, Onodera's heavy eyes slid over to Takano's face.

"Don't worry about it." Masamune said, his lips quietly smiling. Onodera's face remained emotionless, and after a couple seconds he resumed looking up at the ceiling.

Silence once again the master of the room, Takano found the TV remote and turned it on, settling back into his chair and dryly watching the news. Onodera watched as well, his eyes and face as unchanging as the rhythm of the rolling sea.

Knock knock knock.

"Pardon me," A nurse said, poking her head through the partially open door. "But Gensei-sensei is here and he'd like to see you."

"Tell him to come in." Takano replied, sitting up and letting out a slight yawn. A second later, doctor Gensei Nobuo entered, carry a folder and thumbing through the pages.

"Onodera-san," He smiled warmly as he walked over. "How are you feeling today?"

The brunette glanced up with cloudy eyes.

"Better, thank you." He replied quietly.

The doctor nodded, making another note on his clipboard.

"Good to hear. As we said last night, I imagine your fever and fainting spell were just a symptom of your condition, but you did have quite a temperature all the same. I'd like to keep you here a few days just make sure all of your tests come out normal."

Onodera dipped his chin in reply. Takano did as well in agreement. He was relieved that Onodera was being especially cooperative today, as well as the fact that Dr. Gensei would be his primary physician. The man was one of the top doctors in the hospital in terms of uke flu treatment, and was incredibly understanding and kind to the patients, unlike so many others who were disgusted by the virus. Some even refused to treat victims all together. Dr. Gensei had been the one to treat Onodera when he was in the hospital previously, and it was a relief to have consistency in one area of their lives.

"Takano-san," The doctor said to the other man. "If you don't mind I'd like to speak to you for a moment."

"Sure." Takano replied. His eyes briefly flickered over to Onodera. "I'll be right back." He said, giving the brunette a pat on the shoulder. Onodera nodded in reply, then resumed looking dazedly at the TV.

Takano followed the physician out into the hallway, shutting the door behind him.

"Sensei, is there anything wrong?" Takano asked soberly. He knew whatever news the doctor had for him probably wasn't good, considering the man didn't want Onodera to know.

"Oh no, nothing like that." Gensei smiled, waving palm back and forth. "There are just a few things I would like to inform you of. You've probably noticed this already concerning his demeanor, but we've put him on a few tranquilizers for the time being."

Takano's eyes widened in shock.

"He's sedated?"

Gensei nodded.

"Yes. After he woke up last night in the ER, he was quite hysterical so we thought it would be in his best interest. Though now that he seems to have calmed down, we will immediately start decreasing them."

Takano ran a hand haphazardly through his hand, still reeling from this little tidbit. It was no wonder that Onodera was speaking so truthfully and coherently. He was on more drugs than a Rolling Stones fan at Woodstock…

Takano sighed, glancing back up at the doctor.

"Is there anything else?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact." Gensei replied. He quickly sifted through a second folder and pulled out a dark piece of paper. Takano's eyebrows went up as he recognized what it was.

"An ultrasound?"

The doctor nodded.

"Yes, when he came in last night one of the first things we did was a heartbeat test, just to be sure the baby was alright. And when the tech noticed something, we did an ultrasound to confirm his suspicions."

Takano swallowed a cold lump that had begun growing in his throat.

"…Is anything wrong?"

The doctor shook his head, still smiling. He was fully aware of their situation, including that Takano was the father of the child, and having children of his own, Gensei could understand and appreciate Takano's quiet concern.

"Quite the contrary Takano-san. Quite the contrary."

After tying up loose ends with the doctor, Takano stood in front of Onodera's door, trying to pull himself back together before he reentered.

The tall man seeped in a deep breath, and finally pushed open the door. As he walked inside, he was a little surprised to see Onodera sitting up and making eye contact.

"What did the doctor say?" The brunette asked, looking up with a bit of apprehension. Takano paused, trying to sweep his thoughts all into a single pile. Onodera continued to wait and stare at him. He seemed more like this normal self, as some of the clouds had left his eyes. But even though he was probably still fairly calm, Takano was wary about just spilling out the news, even though bluntness was his normal specialty.

"Nothing is wrong for the most part." Takano replied, still standing in front of the bed. Onodera nodded, but picked up on Takano's caution.

"Are you sure?" He pressed blandly.

Takano sighed.

"Well, he did have some news…"

Onodera leaned forward.

"About what?"

"They took an ultrasound last night, and he showed me."

Onodera's face started to drain with worry. Takano quickly raised a hand.

"Like I said, nothing is wrong… but there is news."

"Tell me." Onodera pleaded, pressing his lips together.

Takano scratched the back of his neck, still trying to figure out how to put the message delicately.

"Please!" Onodera spoke, his brow beginning to crease in fear. "Please just tell me!"

"Okay," Takano sighed, clenching and unclenching his jaw. "Well…you know that bun you're baking?"

Onodera's eyebrows furrowed at the strangeness of the expression, but he slowly nodded.

"Well…" Takano said. "…there's two.

…we're having twins."