[19 weeks]

19 weeks. Leon was 19 weeks pregnant.

One week away from 5 solid months.

And to put his appearance bluntly—he was as big as a house.

There was no denying the obvious perfectly rounded orb protruding from his abdomen. Face slightly fuller and hair twice as long, Leon looked a genuine pregnant woman. Students walked by in awe and disgust at the sight of the young teen even teachers were beginning to treat him differently. Part of them, mostly men, had trouble making eye contact or stumbled over their words when they spoke to him. And let's not forget the flinching.

Whenever Leon's hand oh, so carelessly brushed against his teacher's to take a paper handed back or point to a problem he did not understand, there was always a noticeable flinch and the not so subtle shift away from Leon. The respect the older males had for the boy was gone. It was no surprise that Leon was homosexual, the entire school knew that, but when it was blatantly obvious that he had engaged in gay sex and in turn became impregnated that the lifestyle became a horrendous ordeal.

The women were no better. Like the men, there were some who refused eye contact with the boy but unlike the men, they were not shy about making it obvious how disgusted and disappointed they were at the shinning student. Mumbling cruel things under their breaths. Leon didn't believe they acted this way because he was boy but more likely that it was because he was just pregnant in general. He'd seen it happen to other girls in his classes who were expecting like him. But with catty woman came the overly concerned mothers extending unneeded hands toward the expecting teen. Leon could tell the teacher were raising his scores slightly higher for no reason, counting clearly incorrect answers as true. Leon brought it to their attentions and demand they fixed the mistakes. He did not need a handout. No sympathy. No pity. It only heightened the shame he felt whenever he glanced in the mirror.

The discomfort the faculty and students relayed to him at school followed him to his work as well.

The diner patrons were not as generous with their tips as before. A lot of them refused to look at Leon and requested the service of Rikku or Brother. Leon was barely making ends meet. Even with the overtime, it appeared as though he was making less than he had when he first started. It was burning Leon's pockets and costing Cid money.

"Leon, I need to talk to you about your recent shifts." Cid gestured for Leon to take a seat in front of him inside his small cramped office. Leon lowered himself slowly into the stiff material, grateful to finally get off his feet but wearisome at the news he knew Cid was going to bring up. The bald man let out a slow deep breath looking at a small brown leather bound book in his hand, most likely the ledger for this year.

"I don't think I need to tell you your waiter service has not been the most successful these past few weeks." Leon cringed inwardly afraid of what he was expecting. "I'm sorry Cid! Maybe if you put me on stocks or cleaning or even kitchen duty! I've learned practically every dish on the menu!" Cid frowned refusing to look at Leon as he shut the book placing it back inside the desk drawer it derived from. "Now you know I can't put you in stocks because of all the heavy lifting. And cleaning requires you to be on your hands and knees. Your body can't handle that work right now. As for cooking,well..."

Leon swallowed praying Cid would put him on the position. It would be hell on his back and feet but if it meant working he didn't' care. Cid rubbed his eyes. The toll of the pregnancy was weighing heavy on his shoulders as well, "I can't let you cook in the kitchen because the customers have already said they won't eat or be served from an—abomination."

Leon's heart sank. So, that was it. He was an abomination, even in the eyes of outcasts. Earlier that week a he'd over heard Cid arguing with several male customers. They spoke in al bhed but Leon was still able to pick out words he was familiar with: 'shame', 'filth', 'abomination'. Knowing now that conversation was directed to him cut him like a knife. Leon's head dropped bangs covering his distressed gaze.

"So, you lied?"

"Wha? Excuse me?"

"You said your people were understanding. That they aren't one for discriminating since they've lived their whole lives being looked down upon. And yet,"

Leon's body visibly shook in rage at the hypocrisy. His fingers drug across the material that stretched across his stomach. Cid pitied the boy before him. He extended a hand across the desk to rest on his shoulder. Leon flinched under the contact.

He didn't want this...

"Leon my business is failing. Customers who've been coming here since they were kids refuse to walk through my door. They're refusing to eat the food made by you."

Don't say it—please!

"Know that this hurts my heart kid...I'm afraid I gotta let you go Leon..."

The world came crashing down on Leon. The only job he had gone. It would be close to impossible to find another, after all, the al bheds social scum had abandoned him. It was over for him.

Cid stared at Leon for some time waiting for some sort of reaction to the news. Finally Leon lifted his head to look at the older man. Blank eyes stared into the swirling orbs of Cid, his face empty of emotion or feeling. He looked like a doll.

"Thank you for the opportunity you've given me here Cid. It has been a pleasure."

It was robotic monotone. There was not one ounce of genuine good nature in the sentence. It pierced Cid to the core. "Leon, you alright?"

Leon stood from his seat slowly and upright removing any keys or employee items he'd been given as his time as a diner worker. "Fine. If you excuse me I should be get going. There's a lot of homework I have to do."

"Now wait a minute, why don't you sit down and we can talk about this-"

"There's nothing to talk about. Cid. You've fired me...It's point blank. Just that simple."

Leon began making his way to the door before being halted by Cid's interjection. Cid approached Leon handing over his last check he'd ever receive from the diner. Right as he reached to take it Cid grabbed hold to his wrist and shoved a large wad of bills into his hand. Leon was about to decline but Cid pulled him tightly into the infamous Al bhed hug. Cid embraced the teen for quite some time, biceps squeezing Leon with all the warmth and love his heart could muster.

"You take this you hear? I didn't want this Leon—if it were different I'd...I worry about you kid. All of you. You take care of yourself, don't be like me. Don't settle for what others stamp you as . Please Leon."

Leon did not speak he just stood captured in his employers emotional cocoon holding the wad of money in his still extended hand.

"What are you doing?" Vincent asked Leon who sat on his bedroom floor drowning in a sea of newspaper. Leon had a lot of homework alright. The job hunt was on again. The twins expenses were incredulous. He had to buy duplicates of everything! Which was quadrupled since most parents doubled the amount of necessary items for their sole children any way. All he had was a growing diaper collection in the back of his closet along with some bottles, wipes, and bibs. It was all he could afford at the moment and that sunk most of the saving he had for his children.

"What's it look like? I'm job hunting." Leon spit not bothering to look up at his guardian. Ever since the couple met Irvine they'd some how reconciled their own differences, Cid now sleeping (rather loudly) beside his darling husband once more. They let up on Leon but it was more of pure neglect than anything. Leon lived his life and they lived their own.

Leon could feel Vincent's eyes glaring with inferno into the back of his head. With a heavy sigh Leon spoke again, "I got fired alright? People don't want to have their coffee poured by an abomination."

There was a hesitant pause. Perhaps of Vincent actually felt some sort of sympathy for his adopted child but the thought passed Leon by with out much contemplation.

"Why don't you just ask your father if you could work in his garage? No one's looking for work on the island until the summer. And what few jobs there are won't pay well."

Leon finally faced Vincent. Just as he first thought Vincent had his usual blasé face staring back at him. "What? So I can have him harass and dick me around till the due date? I don't think so. I'll find something."

Vincent shrugged giving up 'helping' his child. He dismissed himself from the room leaving Leon to his useless search for a decent paying job on the small island.

"I'll find something...anything if I have to..." The twins spun about their growing womb, oblivious to the complicated world that lay outside the surface of their thin secure home.

No one on the island was hiring, and like Vincent said those who were it was not worth the time. Not too mention the obvious ominous fear of having a pregnant man service customers. To have the stigma in your shop would be potentially lethal for business.

Leon scaled the island all afternoon and before he realized he found himself in the middle of District 7's red light district. The glow of the whore houses and strip club cast multicolor patterns across Leon's lost face and body. Working men and woman teased that they'd ask for a ride but it appeared that someone already broke the horse; Drunkards hooted and whistled at him wanting to put a baby in him as well. Leon crossed his arms tightly about his chest shielding the soils of the island from his cargo.

What was he doing here?

His feet took him to a large ornate gold building. Giant cutesy pink letters spelled out: Honey Bee Inn.

Leon was so desperate for work. He'd once over heard customers at the diner always over spending whenever they entered the club. That the little minxs always had a way of sweet talking them out of their money without doing much of anything. Leon thought he could at least do waiter duties in the club—but that was only half true. The honey bee had a reputation for odd fetishes you could not experiences else where. Anything you ever dreamed of doing could be done behind the closed walls of the Honey bee. Pony play, water torture, bdsm, even having sexual favors performed by pregnant women.

Leon heart raced in his chest, the adrenaline disturbing the once resting twins within who began twisting and pushing in irritation.

He reached a trembling hand for the sleek metallic handle.

The door opened suddenly from the exit of two familiar acquaintances. A large blonde man with small metal horns and a leaner brunet covered in tattoos. Both were joined by half naked women in bumblebee uniforms.

"Goodnight Kou! Goodnight Volt!" they chimed as they closed the doors behind them.

"Good night ladies, see you next week—what the—Leon?" Kou attention turned stunned to see the young teen. Leon was thrown off as well, quickly becoming embarrassed of the situation that he had ended up in.

The group stared at each other allowing the situation to dissolve into their brains. Leon had was pregnant and standing outside the Honeybee, a Inn the two parlor employee frequented enough for the women to know them by names. They knew went on behind the doors and walls of the inn.

Kou scratched his head not able to look at the blushing shamed child before him, "Christ Leon. I'm not sure why you're here—or maybe I could fathom a guess—but I don't think you should be." Leon put his face in his hands not knowing what to do with himself. He was disgusted with himself. He'd jeopardize not only his reputation and health but the health of his children just to make a few extra bucks. He thought he might throw up.

Volt and Kou looked at one another, thinking Leon was crying instead of quietly seething behind his hands. They offered to take him to a small dinner to talk. They suggested a small Al bhed diner not far but Leon pleaded for elsewhere.

"So, that's it. Wow, that rough Leon I'll give you that. Not only were you fired but you were insulted AND you're left with two kids to scrounge money for. That sounds like hell kid." Kou started to light a cigarette after Leon finished his story. Volt frowned snatching the smoldering stick from his lips and extinguishing it on his empty plate. "Idiot. What part of pregnant didn't you get?"

Kou was about argue but agreed with Volt apologizing. Leon shook his head slowly eyes staring down at the third empty plate he'd devoured since their 30 minutes being in the restaurant. "I don't really care."

"You should! You're pregnant Leon, that's nothing to take lightly."

Leon quirked a brow at Volt's paternal scolding, "What are you a dad?"

"Actually I am."

Leon jumped. "Oh, er, I'm sorry I didn't realize..."

Kou slang an arm around the large man, rudely reaching into Volt's jacket pocket without his consent removing his phone and showcasing his wallpaper to Leon. Volt sat beside a dark skinned woman with wild orange hair holding a small lighter skinned boy with hair a violent yellow and burning blue eyes. They were all smiling. "Aint' she a babe? A bit of a bitch though." Volt socked his coworker in the jaw rescuing his phone from his clutches. "Dumbass. She's only a bitch because she doesn't like your stupid ass."

"How old is he?" Leon asked.

"He'll be three in June."

Leon nodded, a month later and the twins would be delivered. Volt flipped his phone closed in an irate huff securing it back into his pocket. "My point is you need to stop being so reckless. You're carrying a life now and even considering working in that whore factory is unacceptable."

Leon lowered his head again at the reprimanding, "Christ Volt tell him how you really feel."

The two older men looked at the solemn teen for a a long while. Kou looked to Volt before leaning back into his seat and sighed,. "Look if you need a job...you could work for us if you're that desperate."

The proposal made Leon's head rise and as well as Volt's brows. The two had a short voiceless argument until Volt gave in and agreed. Leon shook his head, "Please, spare me the handout. It's a nice offer but I can't accept."

"Handout? Leon this is just opportunity! You were just about to cast your pride aside to become a whore, but now, this 'handout' is suddenly degrading?" Kou gave Leon a look. He was right. Leon was in no position to argue, not now. With some reluctance Leon agreed to work in Volt and Kou's tattoo parlor. They sat through the night exchanging contact information, procedures, and the basis of payment and hours.

The two paid for Leon's taxi fare and set him on his way, teasing he'd better get a good night sleep because they were going to work him into the ground. No mister nice guy because he was a mutual friend.

For the two parlor owners to be so insistent on a 'heavy' work schedule it sure seemed to Leon that he was was given nothing but lazy secretarial duties. All day Leon sat at the front desk bored out of his mind until a customer came through the door, which he would check if either Volt or Kou were available and let the other two take over from there. That was it. Every day.

Whenever Leon asked to clean or straighten or even consulate customers the two owners only frowned and told him to do 'the job they gave him'. The pay wasn't terrible, slightly above minimum wage, but Leon knew he could do more to make more. The empathy the two were giving him was hurting him more than helping and he made sure the two of them were aware.

It was around closing, well for Leon at least. It seemed the teen had an unrequested curfew at 10, while the together two worked until the official lock down at 3. Just as Leon finished shuffling the meaningless papers at the desk Volt rushed past telling him he'd done a good job and could leave like he did every night. Leon stopped the shop owner mid step, requesting the possibility for more work hours and physical activity. Volt vouched to decline the offer, but Leon was persistent. His point s were valid and his sheer determination drove Volt to his breaking point, finally agreeing to allow Leon to actually work starting that night.

Finally , Leon was allowed to do more than frivolously shuffle papers at his desk. For the rest of the evening as late night recipients came through requesting tattoos Leon went station to station cleaning and refilling ink wells and pens. He was up on his feet the next 5 hours, and though his back began to sting and his he could feel his feet blister he carried on with his duties . When he lay in bed, allowing all the pain from the night to circulate around his exhausted body, he could not help but smile, knowing that his hard work would finally pay off. There was nothing his parents could say to discourage him. Cloud would lose the ability to criticize his meager wage and inability to provide for the twins. He was finally doing good.

A week into working at the parlor and the workload Leon was carrying was evident. Zell was shocked Irvine did not comment on Leon's ragged appearance: discolored skin, hair a dull and lifeless tone and let's not forget the obvious bags hugging beneath his eyes. Leon looked like a pregnant zombie wandering class to class without any clear direction.

The blonde was worried about the teen's behavior and work obsession., not to mention the two tag-alongs who had no choice in the unhealthy ethic. Zell knew something had to be done, he tried talking to Leon numerous times but every time he was ready to discuss the topic with his friend he got blue balls. The look in his eyes. Within those red tinged eyes, behind the obvious exhaustion was joy, content, satisfaction. Feelings Zell believed were long lost within in his friend. Although the work would surely kill him, Zell did not have the heart to burst the rising balloon of happiness he'd suddenly been encourage to inflate since he and Cloud's break up.

But a part of him still knew something had to be done.

He knew if Leon ever found out what his plan of action was, what he was planning to do found a way to him, their friendship may be over permanently.

"Cloud, do you have a minute?"

It was during the lunch hour, and since he was utterly uncomfortable being around Irvine's over the top affection, Zell spent the majority of his time around Cloud and whenever he was on campus, Reno. When such a time when the redhead was missing from the trio Cloud found solace working on his bike in the auto shop garage to pass the time.

Cloud did not discontinue his work but grunted for the blonde to continue speaking. Zell rung his hands together, how to approach such a fragile topic? "Well, it's about Leon-"

"Don't care."

"But it's sorta important!"

"What the bitch finally catch an HIV from that prick?"

"What? No, Cloud you shouldn't even joke about that. Look, I don't know if you heard but he's gotten a job over at Volt's parlor."

Cloud did not apologize for his comment continuing his tinkering within his metal behemoth. "Is that right?" was all that was given. The uncaring tone was not comforting but he did respond, more than Zell decided was a good enough to continue.

"Uh, yeah. But I think he's working too hard I mean have you seen him lately? He looks like Hell. His hours are ridiculous...I'm not sure it's worth the money when his and the twins health are jeopardized."

Cloud did not say anything this time. Zell stood and watched impatiently as Cloud fired up Fenrir's engine listen to it's metallic pur a few moments, revving it up every so often before shaking his head shutting the vehicle off and returning to it's inner mechanics. Losing patience Zell called for the other's attention, "Cloud! This is serious!"

"What exactly do you want me to do about it Zell? I've tried to help his ass out before and he's done nothing but bitch about it."

Cloud finally turned to face the teen before him. Eyes piercing waiting for the freshman's answer. Cloud was a good few inches shorter than Zell but from some reason it felt as though it was he looking down at him. Blueballs again. Zell shuffled his feet eyes wandering around the room unable to look the other in the eye. He shrugged, " I don't know but leaving this alone is no good."

Cloud looked at Zell before turning on his heels back to his bike. "I'll go by the parlor during seventh and have a talk with Volt. No promises"

The smile on Zell's face could not have been brighter. Although the chances of getting anything fixed were slim, what with Leon's stubbornness and Cloud's reluctance to help his ex as best he could, at least there was hope for the broken family.

Cloud did as he promised Zell and visited the parlor during his seventh class period. It was not too busy, a few customers here and there either waiting or finishing up their tats and piercings, he hoped he could talk to the owners for a short while and depart before Leon had a chance to catch him in the parlor. He was not at all confident that anything would be done, Volt was a man of business and money, if he was willing to pay Leon at a slightly higher cost than most he'd expect the teen to work just as aggressively (especially if it was indeed true that Leon had bitched and moaned to get the additional workload.)

Cloud frowned seated on the yellow couch in the lobby of the waiting room. Leon was so insufferable sometimes. Selfish and utterly immature. How could he even think it'd be alright to put his body through such strenuous activity almost 5 months pregnant with twins. "Idiot..."

Volt opened the door of his personal office thanking a duo of females for their patronage. The young women giggled their thanks back to the older man on departure. Volt waved them goodbye noticing the fuming teen in the line ."Cloud? I can only imagine why you're here. Come on in."

"I'm sorry to bother you like this. It's honestly none of my business." Cloud followed the the large man into his office shutting the door behind him. Volt motioned for him to take a seat in the available chair in front of his desk. He offered him a cigarette or drink but was kindly declined to both. Volt lit a fag for himself letting the roll hang loosely from his lips as the tip softly smoldered. "I had a feeling you would be popping in my office sooner or later. So, what is it you want?"

"Look, it's not my place to tell you how to run your business or handle your employees. As one business man to another, I wouldn't give two fucks how you got your worth from Leon. But as a father to a potential...well—you can't just have Leon working these hours, it's not healthy for him or the brats. You know that."

Cloud nodded to the framed picture of Volt's own family. The man took a short glance in the direction releasing a thick plume of smoke. "It's not what I know that's the problem Strife. Leon did nothing but ride my ass about extended hours for days. I give it to him and now you're telling me otherwise. It's my employees word against his ex's. My hands are tied."

Cloud figured he'd say something along those lines. Leave it to Leon to fuck something up. Cloud reached into his back pocket removing his money clip. Volt watched in growing interest as Cloud thumbed through the sheets of green paper before him. "How much are you paying him?"

"Cloud, I don't solicit slavery nor prostitution."

"Was that a joke? It's a tad dark but it suits you." Cloud chuckled, "No I have a proposition for you."

Volt leaned back in his seat curious of the proposal.

"Return Leon's original hours and have him continue the work he's doing now while telling him you're going to continue paying him the same he's making now-"

"You expect me to pay more for less work?"

"No no no. You won't be paying him at all. I will."

Volt quirked a brow returning to his relaxed position in his seat. He nodded for Cloud to continue his unorthodox proposal to him.

"You pay Leon the minimum and I'll cover everything else. If anything you'll be getting more labor for less."

The cigarette was down to the last half inch threatening to singe Volt on his pale lips if he was not quick to remove it. He extinguished the bud letting the smoke wafer into he and Cloud's shared senses. This whole event was ludicrous. It took some kind of stupid to pay an ex's employer extra to pay their past love. Or maybe it was another kind. Regardless, Volt did not want to dive any deeper into whatever mess it was.

"And what would I tell Leon? He's a smart boy. Won't make much sense to get paid more for less work."

"Simple. Just pull out some health regulating bullshit as the reason why he can't work later and make something up to the extent that the wage would be increased due to the increase revenue ya'll are experiencing."

Volt meditated on the thought for a long while. Mind circling around the idea trying to find a flaw in the plan. The math would make sense. Leon had be working long enough to realize that the parlor had been much more active recently. Explaining solely to him that the price would 'increase' could surely seal the deal.

Volt grinned at the young teen, "All this for an ex, I never thought I see the day you'd care Strife."

Cloud snuffed, "I ain't doing it for Leon, I'm doing it for the twins. They're all I care about right now. I know Leon probably won't let me within 10 feet of them when they're born and I may never be a true father to them in life. But at least I can try to be a good father to them now. That's something Leon can never take away."

The horned man nodded at his conviction. The two discussed Leon's payroll and execution of handing off money from here till the end of Leon's vocation at the parlor. They shared a drink to toast before Cloud departed celebrating their agreement.

Cloud's plan was surprisingly successful.

Leon, although disappointed about his hours cut short, did not dread on it too much. He simply responded with, "I understand" once Volt finished explaining the situation. Prices of services would increased to compensate in a small raise for all employees. It was a lie and Volt pressed Kou to keep his mouth shut about to Leon. Whenever a client paid the artist had to be the one to check them out, not Leon. And so, for the next three weeks Cloud handed over the agreed amount that would be given to Leon at the end of each week without much question.

Unfortunately the lie could not and did not last nearly as long as they expected. By the end of Leon's third week working at the parlor the charade was exposed. The parlor was particularly crowded, both Volt and Kou were overrun with eager teens and young adults demanding belly button piercings and first time tats. Leon was originally instructed to resupply materials and clean as customers came and went, the desk was left to another employee to run, but as more and more patrons entered and left Leon took it upon himself to help his fellow employee in the rush.

It was then as Leon proceeded to check out a teen for her nose piercing that an altercation arose. The teen accused Leon of over charging her purchase while in contrast Leon suspect the teen for trying to swindle the shop. Kou noticed the uproar at the desk but reached it too late. By the time he made it over Leon had already looked at the ledger, verifying that the teen was indeed correct in the price. Kou flinched as Leon slowly closed the book and apologized to the customer for his mistake. He took 5 dollars off her purchase. He carried on with the rest of his duties without giving Kou a glance.

The employers knew Leon was seething. He was despondent and distant, refusing to look or communicate with his higher ups. At the end of Leon's shift the pregnant teen was finally ready to speak to his cohorts. "What the fucking hell!" Leon took a sharp jab at Kou's arm. Kou hissed at the pain rubbing the bruising skin, "Hey don't look at fucking me! It was all Volt's idea!"

Volt shot Kou a look for ratting him out but refrained from taking a jab at him as Leon had. Leon stood with his arms wrapped about his stomach scratching long streaks at his swollen belly, eyes irate, "Well? Care to explain?"

The blonde rolled his eyes rubbing at his temple, "Look, it was not my idea I was just going along with it."

"Then whose to blame!"

"Cloud. Cloud came here the a few weeks back at demanded I change your work schedule."

"And you fucking listened to him?!"

"Not a first but he was persistent and presented a reasonable agreement."

Leon sneered at his boss, hands working feverishly at the his stomach, "I can't believe you'd fucking listen to that ass! Just because he had a 'reasonable agreement'? And just what the hell would that be?"

Volt explained Cloud's motives and proposition. Although Volt spoke highly of the ex pressing that he clearly only had Leon and the twins best intentions in mind it did not soothe Leon's rage nor the persistence of his nails. Kou pulled Leon's hands away from his belly at the sight of blood bleeding through his shirt. Leon pulled his hand from the brunet's grip not at all realizing the damage he was causing to himself. "He just can't leave me the fuck alone can he? Stupid prick, always in my business." Leon huffed collapsing on the nearby sofa.

Volt shook his head walking to the cash register to count the money they made so far that day. Kou stood and watched Leon on the sofa his face twisted in a look he rarely showed. Eyebrows knotted eyes sharp he took a seat beside Leon, "Just what the hell happened between you too? I remember when you first came to the parlor and how stupid in love you were with him. So in love you got a belly piercing without a second thought."

Leon hand gently stroked his bellybutton, fingers running on the forgotten hole his piercing once occupied. Leon's eyes narrowed dragging over to connect with Kou. "I was stupid that's what. I was stupid give my heart to a drug using deviant."

"Is that all you see Cloud as, a druggie?"

"Is there another side I'm not familiar with?"

"I don't know Leon, you tell me!" Kou shouted. Volt looked up at the sudden outburst. Even Leon was taken back at the yell. He did not know Kou very long but he knew him well enough that getting loud and heated was not his style. "You've had one of the longest relationships Cloud's ever experienced! Almost as long as Kadaj! You know there a lot more Cloud than you keep telling yourself!"

"Is there's so much fucking more to him why the hell did he break up with me! For what, because of my God damn age? Oh, and lest we forget he got me fucking pregnant for lying about his so called swear off drugs!"

Leon panted trying to catch his breath. The twins were restless creating growing discomfort. His skin was ablaze, hot and tight. He could feel his heart stampeding in his throat. Volt finally made himself known taking a seat between the teen and his partner, "Calm down Leon, you'll get your blood pressure up." Volt tried to rub Leon's quivering shoulders to relax him but Leon only retched from his touch pushing himself as far down the couch as possible.

Kou tried to speak again but Volt halted him. When Leon was able to bring his breathing to a moderate rate Kou took the opportunity to speak the last of his mind. His voice was much softer, calmer, "Leon, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to get so bothered. Just know, I've known Cloud since he and Reno wandered into this town on their own. I know it doesn't make sense now, and I can see how much he hurt you but please,"

Kou reached a hand to rest on the expecting man's knee. It took a while but gray eyes slowly drifted over to the older man. The annoyed look he once dawned had vanish. Sincerity was all that remained, "he's a good kid. Things run deeper than they appear."

Deeper than they appear.

Leon did not hang around the shop much longer after the discussion. Things suddenly got awkward when kou took a playful grab of Leon's junk. Leon of course took the obligatory action kneeing him in the balls before wishing Volt a good night. As he lay in bed fingers dancing along the bandages he procured across the deep cuts on his belly, his mind could not help but wander to the days he and Cloud shared as a couple.

What did happen?

Kou was right, they were stupid face in love with each other. Each had exercised spontaneous forms of affection for one another. Leon pushed himself out of his comfort zone and became an academic delinquent; Cloud went cold turkey and showered Leon with gifts and some of his must kept secrets. Leon hated how the two ended up. They couldn't even carry a civil conversation. The once conductive couple were now polar opposites causing hurt to one another in some form whenever brief contact was made.

He wished things had been different—rather, were different...

The next morning Cloud approached Leon at his locker. The last time he and Cloud spoke to one another ended unpleasantly. "Hey, Leon..."

"Hey..."

Deeper than they appear.

Cloud scratched his head eyes abashed to the floor, "So, look I heard you lost your job. I know I'm gonna regret this but here."

Leon looked down to see the ever present wad of cash Cloud had been offering to him through the entirety of the pregnancy. Always there...

"You don't have to take it, but please just don't kick my balls. My nads can't afford another blow..."

Leon did not say a word, but his actions surprised not only Cloud but himself. After five months of bickering, various assaults, insults, and rejection Leon finally took the money without hesitation or comment.

CHAPTER 21: Handouts:: END

AS: So firstly, I'm sorry for my absence. I've been invested in school these last few months so I apologize for making you all wait so long for an update. Secondly, I'm done for the semester! (yea!) Which means more updates from me :D I posted an update about this on my profile page, which btw I'll be using to communicate with you guys in between chapters (so keep your eyes open for that!) My goal is to finish ALL of part two by New Year's day Jan. 1st since that is the story's anniversary~3 I counted and that means a total of 6 chapter between here and now. And I assure you they are much much more interesting than this one lol.

I am proud to say I am EXTREMELY excited to carry on with the rest of Part II! I keep reading through my notes and I drool adjks;fjd;safd So expect more from me as the days go on. Any questions comments concerns? Don't be shy to drop me a PM (I always answer back). As always I hope you all are enjoying this story as much as I am :) See you soon~