Ven's POV
"Do you think they're at the Master's study?" I asked as we walked downstairs, having just finished exploring the castle.
"It's the only place we haven't been at, and Riku probably took it since he is the guardian of this world now. They must be there."
It had been a couple of hours of Aqua and I walking around the Land of Departure to reminisce our days as students. We had even gone as far to explore the hills around a bit for fun, so after getting tired and seeing it was already lunch time we decided to go back to find Terra and Riku.
Stopping in front of the familiar wooden door with the emblem patterns, Aqua gave a gentle knock. "Terra? Riku?"
"It's open." Came Riku's reply from inside.
Stepping inside we found Terra sitting across Riku on Master's former desk. There were a lot of books opened and papers scattered, almost as if they had been searching for something.
"Hey guys." Terra greeted with a smile. "How'd it go?"
"It was fun!" I chimed with a thumbs up. "Aqua and I were going to go have lunch, you want to join us?" Looking back at the papers I smiled embarrassed. "Though if you're still busy we can wait."
"Actually guys, there's more things I'd like to ask Riku, so it might be a while… thanks for the invitation either way. Maybe next time." Terra replied with an apologetic smile.
"Master we can continue this later on, you'll be staying here from now on after all." Riku added. Nice try Riku, but knowing Terra I don't think he'll go for that…
"I want to get this settled as soon as possible." Terra replied with a serious expression. Yep, called it.
Aqua furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, and suddenly moved forward to pick up one of the sheets of paper. "Have there been heartless breaching Land of Departure?" She asked concerned, eyeing the paper then Riku and Terra. Just when did she see that? I honestly didn't bother to try and read any of those.
Riku and Terra shared glances before nodding slightly in agreement.
"I don't see why you guys shouldn't know." Terra said with a serious expression. Know what? Was something bad going on?
Riku straightened his sitting posture, and placed both his arms on the desk. "We know that heartless have always had special paths for themselves to travel across the worlds, but the Land of Departure's balanced location protected it from them. However a few years back, there was a small outbreak of heartless. Though the heartless were easily stopped and there was no damage, I was worried more would come."
Aqua and I gasped in surprise. Heartless? Here? How could that even be possible?
"And as I feared, a couple more outbreaks occurred." Riku continued. "Each one stronger than the last. I went to Master Yen Sid for guidance, and it seems that after years of trying to access this world, the heartless finally managed to rupture a new path to use. It began small, but it has slowly increased in size allowing more heartless through."
"Last week there was another outbreak. It was far stronger, and I came to help Riku get things back under control." Terra said with a concerned expression. Was it that bad?
Aqua brought her hand up to her mouth, judging by her expression both worried and surprised. "Isn't there something we can do to stop them? If this keeps going, we'll reach a point where the heartless' number will be too overwhelming."
"We have to lock the path, of that I'm sure. But since this is no keyhole a single keyblade won't suffice, I've already tried myself." Riku replied, bringing his hands together to rest his chin. "However the path only opens when the outbreaks occur."
"Then we'd need a lot of keyblade wielders to lock it!" If a single keyblade wasn't enough, surely more than 5 would do the trick?
Terra nodded. "That's what we thought too. How many we'd need exactly we're not sure, but we'll need to call the others when the times comes."
"Be sure to include us in that." I said while looking at Aqua, who gave me a determined nod of agreement.
Riku looked through the papers, and picked up one to read it. "Of course, but I wouldn't worry for some time if I were you. The outbreaks have had at least 7 months between them, so it'll be a while before the next one occurs." Riku explained, handing the paper to Aqua.
I took a peek from her shoulder, and only read real quickly a few of the records. "All right." Aqua muttered, analyzing carefully the report.
There was a brief tense atmosphere, and I couldn't help to feel somewhat anxious. "W-Well in that case, we'll leave you to it." I said breaking the silence. "If you need any help feel free to call us."
Both Terra and Riku nodded with a smile. "We will."
"I'm a little worried." Aqua mumbled lazily, resting her head on my shoulder.
After leaving Land of Departure and having lunch, back at Twilight Town Aqua and I watched the sunset from sunset hill. All the way back a faint glimpse of concern invaded her features, and I could tell she was still thinking about it.
"Riku said it'll be a while before another outbreak happens. Until that happens, try not to think about it." I tried to reassure her.
"I know but… aren't you scared something is going to happen to our home?"
I am worried too. The thought of Land of Departure being in the risk of falling to darkness was frightening, but I know Terra wouldn't let that happen and would call us the moment our help was needed. "Not at all actually."
Aqua glanced up at me confused and I smiled down at her. "Do you really think Terra and Riku would just sit by and let those heartless in?" As soon as she shook her head in realization I continued. "There's no way we'll lose, if we work together everything will turn out okay. Besides I'm sure everyone else will help; Sora, Kairi, Roxas, Xion, Lea, Mickey… with their help we'll definitely stop those heartless."
With a relieved smile, Aqua nodded and sank back into my shoulder. "Yeah, you're right."
Bringing our hands together I gently caressed the back of her hand with my thumb. "For now we should stay focused in conceiving." With time still ticking, my priority was to keep trying until the very end. Just like Aqua said, we still had a chance and we most definitely are going to take it.
"I know." She replied with a content sigh. "I don't know why I have the feeling that this time, we'll make it."
I smiled, watching the last golden rays of sun illuminate Aqua's face until they died down. "That can only be a good sign." Looking up at the nocturne sky I spotted a shooting star, and laid upon it my only wish.
Aqua's POV
A chilly breeze blew across my body and I was forced to wake up. Sitting up on the bed I saw Ven still sleeping at my side, completely wrapped in the bedsheets he had again taken for himself in the middle of the night. 'One of these days I'll pull them off him for once.' I thought amused.
Looking at the clock on the nightstand that read 10:15 I widened my eyes surprised. I don't usually wake up at this hour; was I that tired last night? And in that moment last night's memory came back to me. It had been a week since our trip to Land of Departure and I had just started to ovulate, so of course it was to be expected Ven tried to start something before going to sleep. However for some reason for the last two days I've felt my breasts aching uncomfortably, so I didn't really feel like getting frisky.
I actually feel really bad about it considering the situation we are in, but after I told Ven he immediately agreed that if I didn't feel well then maybe it wasn't a good idea. He is such a sweetheart, but I can't help to think that we are wasting time.
Stretching my arms I left the bed to get dressed and make breakfast. Soon enough breakfast was ready to be served and I made my way upstairs to wake up Ven.
"Ven!" I called from the outside just as I was entering the room. "Breakfast is ready." Much to my surprise Ven was already awake, sitting on the bed inspecting the pink wayfinder I had just recently finished.
Ven looked up from the object and greeted me with a smile. "I'll be there in a minute. By the way Aqua, this turned out really good!" He said with a smile while pointing the wayfinder.
"Thank you, I finished it yesterday." I said with a smile. "Hurry before your food gets cold."
Going back to the kitchen, I took a small sample from the scrambled eggs just to have a taste. However the moment it touched my palate, I frowned in disgust as the sudden sensation of nausea washed over me.
I struggled to not spit it out, and dashed to the fridge to get a drink. After making sure there were no more bits in my mouth I took a deep breathe to calm down. 'I guess no breakfast for me then…'
With food out of the question I sat down on the table to read the newspaper while I waited for Ven to come down. Pretty soon I heard his footsteps as he came downstairs and I greeted him with a smile. "Have as much as you like."
Joyfully Ven took a plate and was about to serve his portion when he frowned confused. "There's more than usual, aren't you going to eat Aqua?"
"Oh well, I was going to but I felt nauseous all of the sudden." There was no point in lying really. Though I knew he'd get worried it was better than hiding it from him.
Ven took his place on the table and furrowed his eyebrows in concern. "Are you okay? Maybe you got sick."
"Maybe, I don't know." I shrugged; the possibility of getting sick was not so farfetched, but I don't remember eating anything that could have caused this.
Not entirely convinced Ven frowned. "Well I think it's best if you don't come to patrol with me. Just take it easy, and if you still don't feel good tomorrow we can go see a doctor."
"Alright." Sounds fair.
However Ven remained silent, still in thought. "Do you think this has anything to do with your breasts hurting…?"
"I wouldn't know. Though I admit they are still aching a little bit." To be honest I actually didn't think they'd be related, but I guess it's just a coincidence.
Ven didn't say anything, seeming unsure. For the rest of breakfast we didn't say another word, I was concentrated in reading the newspaper while Ven ate quietly. I wonder what he's thinking about…
After breakfast the subject was completely forgotten and I watched Ven off as he went to start patrolling for the day just like I usually did. Thinking it was best to follow his advice I sat down on the couch to watch some tv.
I wonder if at this rate we'll be able to even try before I stop ovulating. I understand Ven is worried about my health, but we need to hurry if we really want to have a child before the year is over and we give up for good.
These thoughts distracted me from what was going on the screen, and I didn't notice when I suddenly fell asleep.
Ven's POV
"I'm home!" I entered the house after a pretty calm day with no adversities during patrol, closing the door behind me.
When there was no response from Aqua I walked further inside and looked around for her, figuring she probably didn't hear me. Stepping into the living room I smiled as I found her sleeping on the couch with the television on.
I turned it off and walked up to her as quietly as possible. She seemed to be sleeping quite peacefully, so it was hard to think she really was sick. Just to make sure, I placed my hand on her forehead and sighed relieved at feeling her temperature was normal. However my gentle touch awakened her, and I met a pair of sleepy blue eyes.
"Hey there, sleep well?" I asked in a whisper.
Aqua blinked several times in confusion. "Ven? Why are you back so soon?" She asked groggily, sitting back up.
"What time do you think it is?" I asked with an amused smile.
Visibly confused and still somewhat disoriented, Aqua glanced at the wall clock and raised her eyebrows in surprise. "6 o'clock? Did I sleep that long?"
"That was quite the nap you took. Are you feeling better?"
"Well the nausea is gone. I can't say much about my breasts though…" She replied disappointed. I was hoping too she'd be better by now, but at least it's good her nausea is gone.
But isn't it odd? I don't recall any sickness related to aching breasts. I know for sure that's not a symptom for breast cancer, and it can't be flu since only her breasts are aching instead of her entire body. So what gives?
I brought a hand to my chin in thought. "You know, I was thinking that it's pretty strange your breasts began to ache out of nowhere."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, it must have happened for a reason. You don't seem sick so…" The chain of thought continued on my head, and suddenly I found a link between the aching and Aqua's sudden nausea in the morning. Maybe I was thinking too much, but it was still a possibility. "Do you think you're pregnant?"
Aqua widened her eyes. "But I just began ovulating this week! And we haven't done anything recent-" She stopped mid-sentence, and I smiled as I knew she remembered our visit to Land of Departure.
"It is possible you know." I reminded her. A woman didn't necessarily need to be ovulating in order to conceive, it just made it more probable.
"And it has been more than a week…" She whispered in realization. "It matches with the date."
I held her hands in mine and looked at her straight in the eye. "What do you say, you want to find out?"
She looked at me in surprise before nodding excitedly. "Let's do it."
Five minutes can feel like an eternity.
It had been months since I felt this excited and nervous to find out if Aqua was pregnant. I sat on the couch expectantly, twiddling my thumbs while constantly looking at the wall clock, hoping that if I stared hard enough it'd move faster.
The moment the door to the bathroom opened I jolted and sat up, waiting for Aqua to give me any kind of sign. A bright pink hue adorned her cheeks as she smiled and nodded, lifting in her hand the test that bore a blue plus symbol.
I felt my heart jump inside my chest and I ran to hold Aqua's waist to lift her up in the air and twirl her around in a circle. I couldn't control the laughter that escaped my lips as I held her tightly in my arms, and soon I heard her joyous laughter too as her arms enveloped me tenderly.
Deep inside I knew that this time, for sure, we'd finally start a family.
I can't believe they actually got to conceive until chapter 14, that sure took long xD
All your reviews are appreciated, I hope you enjoyed the chapter as much as I did writing it!