Sorry this update took awhile, but I thank you all for your wonderful reviews! :) This story has topped as my most popular for the month of January with over 5,000 hits! Thank you all so much for your support of the flu ^_^

Next chapter out soon, as well as replies to some of your questions.

Kisses!

TBF101

Chapter Thirteen: Times of Conflict

"Are you done Onodera?" Takano asked, glancing dryly at brunette's food tray. Onodera nodded, giving it a light shove and settling back into his bed.

The taller man eyed the half eaten food soberly, but said nothing as he picked it up and set it aside. His expression did not change as he watched Onodera shift onto his side and close his eyes for another nap, tucking his wrists into his chest.

Takano gave a light sigh, sinking back into his recliner and taking in the face below the mop of chestnut hair. The pallor of the skin was unmarred and peaceful in its mask-like state, and yet Takano couldn't help but frown at the slightest crease in Onodera's brow. Small, and yet pained. Takano gripped the armrests of his chair, a whirlwind of sharp emotions cutting into his heart.

How Takano longed to seize those feline shoulders. How he yearned to press his tongue against those closed lips and ease them open…

How he desired to give Ritsu some form of comfort, some physical gesture of how much he loved him…

Takano quickly averted his eyes and fixed them on the ceiling, the edges of his frown pulling as his jaw clenched. Ever since yesterday, when Onodera's family had came and left, the brunette had barely spoken a word. He'd been lethargic all day, barely eating and dozing off almost every hour. Even worse, Onodera's father had yet to call.

Takano could see Ritsu's depression plain as day, but he had no words with which to comfort him. It frustrated him to the point of anger. He knew the look on Onodera's face so well it hurt.

It had been the expression on his face for many years. Over time, the man was able to ease his lips and eyes out of it, but the memories of past wounds never faded. And now it was like looking in a pool of black glass, but with the mirroring image of Onodera rather than himself.

He couldn't believe that those wounds could hurt so much when it wasn't his body that had been stabbed.

Takano leaned back in the padded chair and closed his eyes, his mind wandering through a foggy maze with no defined exit.

"Onodera?"

A deep, gentle gruff broke into Ritsu's cocoon of sleep. His eyelids fluttered open and met the face of Takano, who was leaning next to the bed. The brunette blinked a few more times and grunted in response.

"Mmm?"

"It's almost time to eat. Are you hungry?" Takano murmured. Onodera lowered his gaze, shaking his head slightly. But even after he replied, Takano did not move away. The man continued to stare at him, his eyes glossed with a concerned haze. Ritsu looked back just as impassively, not a muscle in his face twitching.

"Do you feel all right?" Takano asked quietly, his warm exhale brushing against the brunette's face.

Onodera swallowed, and slowly opened his lips.

"…I guess."

Takano's lips twitched into a frown, and a slight wrinkle creased in between his eyebrows. Onodera didn't react to their exchange, and he was mildly surprised that Takano didn't either. The two just continued to gaze at each other, invisible tendrils of emotion slipping out and fading away. But slowly, Takano lifted one of his hands. When Ritsu didn't stir, he brought it to the brunette's face and rested the warm palm against his cheek, his fingers smoothing along the subtle cheekbone. The supple fingers traveled upward and combed back a section of his fine-stranded bangs, and Takano lifted his other hand to cup the narrow jaw.

Onodera's eyes were blank, and he said nothing as Takano continued to stroke his face. If he thought a protest, he did not voice it or pull away. He just didn't have the energy.

Onodera was drained in every sense of the word, and he was tired. Tired of rushing. Tiring of yelling. Tired of working.

Tired of living.

After yesterday, Ritsu had seen everything he'd ever worked for broken by his own two hands. His mother's approval, his father's presence and quiet encouragement, and the chance to show them both that he was worthy to work with the best literature of the country.

Now he had nothing left. No family, no friends, and a career in shambles.

And the weight of that had been a block of cement sinking lower and lower into his chest.

He could barely even feel the presence of the babies in his stomach… the only ties to the world he had left.

Even as Takano wordlessly caressed his face, Ritsu had never felt more alone in his entire life.

The tinniest pool of moisture came to his eyes as he felt hopelessness descend on him and cover his eyes with black wings, and depression ate away at his mind and body.

Onodera's eyelids lowered and he began to sink deeper into the abyss…

"Ritsu?"

His eyes slowly reopened and he looked wearily at Takano, who still held his head between his large hands. Without letting go, Takano shifted to sit on the edge of the bed, putting their bodies closer together. The man's face was now colored with blatant worry and sorrow, but he managed to pull his lips into a small smile.

"Ritsu, I love you." He murmured, leaning forward and wrapping his muscled arms around the brunette's shoulders.

A small dam inside Onodera began to leak and he blinked back a bit more moisture as the weight on his heart deepened. He was so tired he couldn't even register Takano's words, but he had the feeling that anything the man said would have provoked the same flow of tears.

Takano released a portion of his embrace, putting his face back in front of the brunette's. He cupped Ritsu's jaw again and moved closer, his lips almost brushing the smaller man's.

A tiny spark flared amidst the black melancholy as Onodera tasted Takano's breath on his tongue, but his face stayed static as Takano finally kissed him. The man's warm lips moved rhythmically, and his tongue slid comfortably into Ritsu's mouth.

The brunette was limp in Takano's arms as he was kissed, but a slight grunt sounded from inside his throat as his head was tilted further back. And a faint glow was ignited from the heated mouth of the other man.

After a few minutes, Takano pulled back, but kept a hand on Ritsu's cheek. Onodera sat there in silent shock, the taste of Takano still lingering on his tongue. He faintly felt emotion stirring inside his head, and yet he couldn't figure out what exactly it was that he was feeling. Not quite pain…and not quite love. He couldn't pinpoint the emotion, and yet there was a certain sensitivity there, quietly pacing circles around his brain…

The two men looked up as a quiet rapping caught their attention.

"Onodera-san?" A nurse called as she opened the door.

"Yes?" Takano replied for him, lengthening out his legs and standing up.

"There's a doctor hear that would like to see you for a few minutes. Are you feeling up to it?"

Takano's brow furrowed.

"Which doctor?" He asked, remembering that Gensei had already made rounds this morning.

"His name is Kusama-sensei," The nurse clarified. "He's from a different ward—pediatrics actually—but he was wondering if it was alright if he had a word."

"A word about what?"

"Onodera-san's condition. The fact that he is a carrier and recipient of the MP3REG36 virus and all."

"Why would he want to talk about that?" Takano inquired coldly.

"I'm not exactly sure." The nurse replied patiently. "But he is a wonderful doctor and I'm sure Onodera-san would benefit from whatever insight he has to offer."

Takano's eyes hardened slightly at the thought of a complete stranger intruding on Onodera. The brunette was under enough stress as it was, not to mention the fact that some doctors saw the flu akin to the black plague.

But then again, doctors were doctors after all, and one probably wouldn't take the time to coming all the way over if there wasn't a good reason. As a man in a business where time was also crucial, he knew that hospitals were always fighting against the clock and wasting time was not optional.

"Are you alright with that?" Takano asked, turning to Onodera. The brunette bumped his shoulders up in a half shrug, but didn't reply verbally.

"Okay." Takano replied to the nurse, easing back into his recliner. "Tell him to come on in."

"Thank you." The nurse bowed, ducking back out the door. A few seconds later, a quiet knock sounded and it reopened, revealing a man as tall and dark-haired as Takano himself. But unlike Takano, this man's face seemed to foster a permanent smile. Onodera glanced up as the doctor entered and shut the door.

"Hello Onodera-san," The man spoke warmly. "I'm Kusama Nowaki. It's very nice to meet you."

Kusama's dark blue eyes drifted over to Takano, who was still scrutinizing the new arrival.

"It is nice to meet you as well." Kusama smiled, dipping his chin to Takano. "Might I inquire as to your name?"

"Takano Masamune." He replied. "…I'm the father."

"I see." Kusama said before turning back to Onodera, who was staring vapidly at his lap.

"Well then," The doctor continued. "I'm sorry but I can't stay long, so I will get right to the point. I heard from the nurse that you are carrying twins?"

Onodera's green eyes slightly rose and he nodded. Kusama smiled elatedly.

"That's wonderful news. And I say that…because I am in the same boat."

Takano's lower lip dropped.

"You're WHAT?"

The doctor lifted up his hospital smock, revealing a slight, but defined bulge in his abdomen. Takano's mouth slipped lower and even Onodera's eyes widened.

Doctor Kusama proceeded to tell them about his condition as a semuke, how the unusual dynamics worked, and why he wanted to help other flu patients who were struggling with their own pregnancies. In light of this information, Takano found some of his initial caution lifted. After asking a few minor questions, he proceeded to sit back, thinking that maybe this visit with another flu victim could help to soothe some of Ritsu's depression.

Onodera had also relaxed a bit under the doctor's warm demeanor, but he still talked very little as Kusama visited with him.

"So, you are about four months now Onodera-san?" Kusama asked, tilting his head to one side.

"Yeah. Thirteen weeks." The brunette answered succinctly.

"Did you have a lot of problems the first two months? Morning sickness? Nausea?"

He shrugged.

"A bit. Not as bad as I've heard."

Kusama nodded and smiled.

"That's good. I actually just finished talking with another flu victim and he had a terrible time with morning sickness. He lost a lot of weight because he couldn't eat. I had a bit of a hard time too. You're lucky."

"I guess."

Kusama smiled patiently in spite of Onodera's monotone replies and apparent disinterest.

"My partner had a bit of trouble coping though, considering no one thought semes could get pregnant." Kusama half laughed, hoping to lighten the mood.

Takano smiled slightly.

"I can see why."

"Not to mention that everyone originally thought HE was the one who was pregnant." Kusama smiled wider. "But he's not exactly a people person in general, so I can see why people assumed that."

Takano chuckled.

"Lord knows what his parents are going to think when they find out it's me." Kusama grinned, patting his belly as he laughed quietly.

At the mention of this particular topic, Onodera looked up.

"Do they know?"

Takano's smiled faded and he inched closer in his seat.

"That we are having twins? Yes." Kusama enlightened. "Though they still think it's my partner who is carrying them."

"If you don't mind me asking…his parents…what did they do when they found out?" Onodera asked, his face an emotionless mask.

Kusama's brow creased.

"Well, his mother was quite thrilled, which came as a surprise to us…however, my partner and his father are not exactly on speaking terms, especially in light of this. I don't have biological parents, so its rather unfortunate things had to be this way for us, though I suppose it wasn't entirely unexpected."

Onodera's eyes drifted back down to his lap, and Takano felt a sharp pain spark through his chest.

"I see." Onodera said quietly. "That reaction seems to be a common theme…"

Kusama's brow lifted in concern as he saw Onodera's posture change for the negative, but he didn't comment.

"I appreciate you stopping by," Onodera murmured. "But I'm a little tired at the moment…"

Kusama nodded in understanding.

"I see. I need to get going anyways so I will let you get some rest. Though let me say it was a genuine pleasure meeting you Onodera-san." Kusama spoke, dipping his chin and smiling.

"Thank you." Ritsu replied, shifting onto his side and settling his head onto his pillow to doze off again.

"I can show you out." Takano said, standing up and heading out behind the doctor. Once they were out in the hall, Takano shut the door behind them.

"Is there something you needed Takano-san?" Kusama said curiously.

"Somewhat." The man replied.

Kusama nodded.

"I take it Onodera-san has had a tough time coping with his condition?"

Takano affirmed soberly.

"He was correct in mentioning that his morning sickness wasn't that prominent, however he has run several high fevers and was anemic his first month."

Kusama nodded.

"I see. I can definitely talk to Gensei-sensei about that."

Takano grunted in response.

"Tell me," Kusama murmured. "That is, if you don't mind, how has his emotional state been?"

Takano sighed.

"Awful. He's always been sort of a moody person by nature, but this pregnancy has almost broken him in that sense. Not to mention, his family found out yesterday…and as you can guess, they didn't take the news well."

Kusama's brow creased painfully.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

Takano nodded.

"And ever since then, he's been even worse off. I…I honestly don't know what to do anymore."

The two men said nothing for a few seconds, but Kusama finally replied.

"Takano-san, I can't really vouch for what your partner—er Onodera-san is feeling, but I can see the sort of thing male pregnancy is causing. And right now, I think the best thing you can do for him is to be by his side and give him support in everything he decides to do. I think right now, he feels more alone than anything."

Takano's lips twitched soberly.

"But Kusama-sensei," He murmured lowly. "What would you do if you didn't want your partner to even be with you…let alone comfort you…"

Kusama's lower lip drooped a bit and Takano could tell the doctor was stunned by the question. The man thought with some difficulty for almost a minute, before speaking with caution.

"Takano-san… there's one thing I can tell you, and it's that in times of conflict, the heart can change, or it can reinforce a strong conviction in what it already feels. I don't know what decisions Onodera-san has made for himself, but I can say that pain is a key that can be used to help a heart heal."

Takano stared in quiet admiration at the man's words for a brief moment before finally nodding.

"Thank you sensei."

Kusama smiled.

"You are welcome Takano-san." He replied, reaching into the pocket of his long white coat. "Here's my card. If you ever need anything, give me a call."

A quiet ringing suddenly came from Takano's back pocket and the two men silently excused themselves. Takano pulled out his cell phone as he took a few steps down the hall, flipping it open without even glancing at the number.

"Takano." He answered.

"Masamune? Are you there?"

Takano's eyes widened in complete shock and he nearly dropped his phone.

"…Mom?"

Next chapter will be Nostalgia as well :)

Thank you again for reading!