Author's Note: Hello, all! This is another one of those m-pregnancy one-shots that quite a few of you have suggested in the past. Only this one is mainly focused around Zane! *GASP!* Now I know I said I wouldn't get into this until Unexpected but, I figured it wouldn't hurt to lightly dabble on the subject. So please enjoy! And sorry I've been away for a while—meeting soon-to-be in-laws and all that. But I really appreciate everybody's continued patience and understanding! Also, those of you who are waiting for your requests to be acknowledged and written don't worry! I have read every single one from earliest to latest and am working on them as quickly and efficiently as I can. I'm just working my way up from the earliest ones first. Thanks!
Ninjalogy
By: Mad Betrayal
Chapter 18 ~ The Unexpected Buns in the Oven
Zane was getting terribly worried. Something was wrong with him…seriously wrong. Over the last week or so he'd been feeling sort of…"off". None of the switches on his motherboard were malfunctioning, mind you (he'd already checked that), and he'd already ran a maintenance scan on his entire CPU and optical neuro-AI countless times without any errors or viruses being detected, so that was fruitless.
So then…why was he feeling so…unnatural…?
Being the astute and knowledgeable being that he was, he had catalogued his peculiarities one by one the instant they had occurred. The first noticeable oddity was his sudden lack of energy. Which was extremely bizarre as everyone in the clan knew his stamina was superior compared to anyone else's with him being a nindroid and all. So why was he getting so easily winded during Sensei Wu's morning calisthenics? They were always so simple and required very little movement! Strange…
And when the lack of energy became coupled with fatigue, that really had him on aware. His sudden exhaustion spells had him going to bed early sometimes and sleeping deeply. In all honesty, he rarely meditated nowadays. And if he did manage to get himself in the lotus position, it was only for an hour at best, which was barely a fourth of the time he usually would spend tranquilly working out the machinations of his Chi. Baffling…
Then came his inability to keep any food down. Queasiness gurgled in his artificial stomach on most days, especially in the mornings, and he had discovered he couldn't enjoy the victuals he used to. Why, just the other day when Jay had surprised everyone with his patented blueberry pancakes for breakfast—which is considered a clan delicacy from all members—Zane had turned his nose up at them. He just couldn't tolerate the smell. And while everyone else was engorging themselves, smacking their lips, and singing Jay's name in praise from here to Valhalla, he had pushed his plate away and excused himself quickly from the table. All in a rush to empty his poor stomach from what little food it had in it. So bewildering…and miserable…
Zane winced slightly as he absently rubbed at his chest. And just why—oh why—were his nipples so sensitive? It had taken him a startling eight minutes to get his fishnet tank on this morning, and when he had finally did, he was tempted to go to training as he was. However, he knew doing so would raise some eyebrows, so opted not to.
"Hmm…team unity was definitely lacking today." Sensei Garmadon crossed his arms disapprovingly as he eyed the five ninja lined before him. His stern silver gaze shifted from one master to the next until it fell on Zane and lingered. He frowned at the white ninja's distant expression. "Zane, what are the fundamentals for effective teamwork?" He asked, but when the eldest ninja didn't respond—or even acknowledge the question, everyone turned to look at him. Kai especially peered at his boyfriend with bemused concern.
Silent, Garmadon walked to stand right in front of Zane. And it was at that moment when the nindroid blinked, the haze leaving his eyes as he focused on the grandmaster. "Ah! Sensei!" He took in his teacher's displeased stare, as well as the underline of worry within the silver depths. Zane blinked again. "How… How may I help you?"
Never one to mince words, Garmadon got right to the point. "Zane, you are growing increasingly distracted with each passing day, and it's now affecting your training. You had assured us that you were better... Did you misjudge your own health? Are you still ill?"
An edge of irritation struck Zane then, and he frowned at the face of the inquiry. "You know as well as I do, Sensei, that it is impossible for me to become ill. I am well, I assure you."
"Indeed. But I do not mean ill in body." Zane's frown faltered. "Your spirit is disquieted—it has been for almost a week now. It is important for a ninja's spirit to be tranquil, but especially so for a master of elements. Discord from within will weaken your element and disrupt the natural flow of your Chi. And that in itself is very hazardous for anyone's health…including a nindroid's."
Zane bowed his head despondently. "To achieve balance again, you must first identify the anomaly and confront it. But only you can decide on whether or not it will need to be eliminated or accepted." Garmadon went on. "Thus until then…you are here by prohibited from participating in training."
Zane's head shot up, his eyes wide. "Uh…isn't that a bit harsh, Sensei G?" Jay put forth tentatively. "I mean, everyone has days when they're off their game, right?"
But Garmadon didn't bat an eye. "One's spiritual health is not something to be taken lightly, Jay," he replied knowingly. "Zane needs to take the added time to ruminate about his condition and then take decisive action." The silver-haired sensei side-stepped the still astonished Master of Ice and made his way for the Bounty door. He stopped, however, but didn't turn around. "And Zane…I surely do hope you don't misconstrue my words and think this is all about you, because it isn't. You need to consider the feelings of those around you as well…especially the ones particularly close."
The wave of sorrow sent from the nindroid's Emotional Framework was near stifling. He understood, of course—Kai. But how could he share his concerns with his boyfriend when he didn't know the problem? It didn't seem logical or right to just…complain. No, it was his body, thus his problem. He needed to works things out on his own for the time being.
When the grandmaster left, the other four ninjas gathered around their dispirited friend. Jay gave Zane a comforting pat on the pack. "Hey, don't stress, okay? I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's wrong soon. And we're here to help you too."
"But what exactly is wrong with you?" Cole questioned folding his arms, his trademark frown in place. "If it's not in your CPU then maybe something's up with your gears… Have you had a good oiling lately?"
"Ugh…as sensitive as ever," Lloyd deadpanned at the earth ninja, but then turned to Zane with a supportive smile. "Just take the necessary time you need to reevaluate yourself like Dad said, Zane. But whatever you do, don't rush it. Take your time."
"How do you feel right now?" Kai searched his boyfriend's eyes intently before giving him a speculative once over. He splayed his hand over Zane's belly gently. "How's your stomach? Do you need another glass of ginger ale? That helped a little bit, didn't it?"
Zane suddenly felt smothered. Why was everyone so adamant about getting into his business? He didn't want them fretting over him. Why couldn't they understand that? He moved away from Kai's warm touch—away from his entanglement of friends. He had already tried meditation. He had already tried being patient. His "gears" were doing just fine also! And no amount of ginger ale was going to fix his overall problem…WHATEVER IT WAS!
"No…" His white blood pulsed hard in his circuits—why was he getting so hot all of a sudden? He stepped back further. Too bad the motion was less than graceful.
"Zane…?"
Zane blinked. The sun was bright, the ocean air fresh and cool… So what were these black spots doing dancing in front of his eyes…? Goodness… What…? His limbs felt heavy and uncooperative. He stumbled forward, but hands grabbed him—warm hands. Not hot like he was feeling…just warm…
What is…wrong with me…? Unable to keep his eyes from closing, his world faded to black, and his body gave out.
"Zane!"
*~Ninjalogy~*
Zane's vision was dark, his body prone and lax. Where was he? What happened?
"We should get him to a doctor! I can't stand to see him like this any longer!"
"And, just what would a doctor do, Kai? Zane's not human, remember?"
"Then YOU think of something, genius!"
"Kai, calm down, man. We know you're worried—we all are."
"Goddammit…"
"…Maybe we should go get my dad…Oh look! I think he's waking up!"
Zane's limbs were responding…finally, and he opened his eyes with a pained groan. The picture presented before his optics was a blurry mess of earth tones for a moment before correcting and swirled to take shape and form. Kai…and his brothers were, again, circled around him, each wearing expressions of concern. But his boyfriend looked especially worried.
"Zane…Zane—babe, what happened?" Kai helped the clearly struggling white ninja to sit up, but didn't relinquish his hold.
Numerous emotions bombarded Zane's psyche then: confusion, aggravation, and fear were just to name a few. He didn't know what was happening to him. And the terror of not knowing was slowly destroying him from the inside out. A dull ache pulsed from his temples, the sensitive circuits there seeming to twist and pull in his head. Now he was experiencing headaches? Inconceivable!
"Zane…maybe there was something you overlooked or missed while you were running your scans?" Cole surmised.
No.
"Let me take a look at you, Zane," Jay suggested next. "Maybe I can find the problem."
No.
"You're obviously exhausted," Lloyd put forth. "Why don't you rest for the rest of the day, Zane?"
No!
All of his friends' voices soon bled together, each throwing out their own advice and suggestions concerning HIS condition! Zane gripped his head as it continued to throb in pain. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying his damndest to block out everything…including his health.
"Diamond…"
"NO!" Finally, Zane had had enough. He violently pushed Kai away from him, sending his opposite sprawling to the floor. The fire ninja stared up at him in shock—they all did. But Zane didn't care. He glared at them all, his once pure hazel gaze flashing to frigid ice blues. "What I need is for all of you to be silent and leave me alone," he sneered. "None of you can tell me about my body that I don't already know. Ergo, I don't need any of you! Leave!" He had shouted that final harsh word directly at his boyfriend, making his golden-amber eyes widen even further.
Complete and utter silence encompassed the room after Zane's belligerent outburst. Kai sat motionless on the floor, his consternation apparent. But then he sucked his teeth derisively and collected himself to his feet. And without a word to anyone, turned his back on his boyfriend and left the room. Unabashed, Zane frowned after the red ninja before lying back down on the sofa and showing his back to the others.
Getting over his initial shock, Cole shook his head as he eyed his nindroid brother's back. "What the hell, Zane? That was beyond uncalled for. What is wrong with you?!"
"Cole! Stop! Okay?!" Jay put himself between his boyfriend and Zane, his hands held up in a placating manner. "And stop saying that. You're not helping."
"Well it's not my fault he has an attitude problem," Cole scoffed. "All we're trying to do is help."
"Did I ask for your assistance," Zane growled irritably.
"Well you're sure as hell aren't making any progress alone now, are ya?!"
Jay rolled his eyes in exasperation. And they called HIM an instigator. He produced a smile, however, and placed his hands on the black ninja's crossed arms. "Hey, it's fine. Why don't you go find Kai and make sure he's alright?"
"And what are you gonna do?" Much of the steam had fled from Cole's voice as the frown on his face ebbed.
"I'm going to stay here with Zane… I want to talk to him about something…" The lightning ninja looked to Lloyd standing off to the side, looking more than a little off-putted. "Lloyd? You go and tell Sensei G about Zane. And see if he can get in contact with Sensei Wu and Brad."
"What for?" Lloyd asked, but Jay quickly waved him off.
"I'll tell ya later. Just call me if he can, okay?"
"Alright then." And Lloyd left the room.
"Hun, what are you planning?" A thick eyebrow arose. Truth be told, Jay almost always had a positive aura about him, but lately the blue-eyed beauty seemed damn near radiant. "What's that glint in your eyes?"
Surprisingly, Jay blushed and scratched his cheek. He averted his gaze from his boyfriend's inquisitive stare, though his grin still remained. "Ah…Cole…I'll tell you, I promise—today even! Just leave me with Zane for now, okay?"
Cole didn't quite understand, but decided not to press his boyfriend further…for now. He gave Jay a chaste kiss and followed the other ninjas' trail out the room, leaving Jay and Zane alone. Zane had listened to his remaining brothers with half an ear, his mood just too dark to care what the blue ninja was up to. He just wanted to be left to his brooding in peace.
Jay turned around and regarded the eldest ninja. He took a small breath and opened his mouth. "Hey, Zane…I'm not going to criticize you or anything, okay? All I'm asking is for you to let me do one, single test."
Zane resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "And what test, pray tell, would that be?" He asked dryly, and Jay shrugged.
"Nothing much," he replied. "I just want to see if your pregnant or not."
Zane blinked. What? Did he hear that right? Or was the pounding of his headache disrupting his ability to perceive sound. Baffled, he sat up and turned to look at his grinning younger brother dubiously. He was sure his expression spoke for him, but giving the other's patient stare, he opted to elucidate. "Jay, I know I don't need to remind you of the specifics of my blueprints. But just in case I do, let me clarify that my father built me with only male genitalia. Ergo, I assure you…I am not a hermaphrodite."
"I'm not saying you are. I'm sure your dad was decisive in what gender he wanted you to be. But, you know…" Another shrug. "…Never hurts to check, right?"
Impossible. Zane refused to subject himself to any fruitless endeavors. "Please leave, Jay," he sighed tiredly and proceeded to lie back down, an exhaustion spell settling deep into his matrix. "And please turn off the lights on your way out."
"I know it doesn't sound plausible, Zane…" Jay wasn't leaving…he really could be annoying sometimes… "And trust me, I wouldn't suggest such a test if I hadn't listed your symptoms."
This got Zane's immediate attention. "What?" Was his little brother really watching him so intently? Jay moved forward to plop himself down on the floor beside Zane's head, his gaze gentle…and even…understanding…?
He lifted his hand and ran it through the ice master's gravity-defying locks. "Heh…I never would've thought you too…" he breathed cryptically. "But I guess…anything in this world is possible, huh?"
Zane could only stare. He abruptly sat back up and gawked at his fellow ninja. "Jay…what are you…?"
The azure ninja sighed and moved again, this time to sit beside Zane on the couch. He lifted his brother's legs and placed them over his lap. "I thought I was coming down with the flu or something," he began quietly. "But since my symptoms never lasted long, I didn't worry about it and I was able to keep them from showing. The only thing was…my ailments weren't going away." He looked to Zane then—that knowing glint still shining in his sapphire depths. "The nausea, the sudden aversion to certain foods, the tiredness, the MOOD swings…"
Zane subconsciously touched his chest, causing Jay's smile to broaden even more. "Haha… yep! Even the sensitive nipples. You have any idea how much I want to walk around without a shirt sometimes?" He gave a playful wink. "But hey, I don't want Cole drooling and following me around like a puppy. You wouldn't know it since he's so calm and crap, but the guy's a real perv."
Jay laughed again, but Zane just couldn't wrap his head around his brother's words. "Jay?" He started slowly. "Are you saying…that you're actually pregnant?"
The younger ninja quieted down, but didn't answer right away. A beautiful blush tinted his fair cheeks as he gently moved aside Zane's legs and peeled down his ninja robes off his shoulders. He then lifted his tunic and fishnet tank. Pure hazel eyes widened incredulously. Jay didn't show his torso often—rarely in fact, choosing conservative over revealing. But Zane knew his brother was just as finely ripped and toned like the rest of them. Only now…the skin around Jay's stomach had loosened to give way to a small protrusion—a "baby bump" as the saying goes.
"I haven't even told him yet." Jay's voice trembled, and when Zane lifted his shocked stare to the other master's face, he was stunned further to see him on the verge of tears. Wasn't he laughing just a minute ago? He lowered his shirts, but left his robes where they were. Instead, he carefully and protectively curled his hands over his stomach. "I've been…refusing to sleep with him for nearly two weeks now. I don't even let him hug me, afraid he might find out. He's been patient, but…I know he feels neglected. He keeps asking questions when we're alone—wondering if he did something to upset me or if I'm feeling okay…and I just keep giving excuses…"
"Jay…" Zane pulled his dear friend gently to him in a side-hug. He still found it completely unfathomable that the Master of Lightning was carrying a little…"Gravity baby" as it were, even if he did just see the proof with his own eyes. Small sniffles filled the room and Zane did his best to comfort Jay while he tried to collect his thoughts. But then—"What are you doing training?! Jay, you're pregnant! You're the one who should be resting!"
And here everyone else was doting on HIM. The notion seemed even more foolish to Zane now. Jay wiped his eyes. "I'm okay. I get plenty of rest, trust me. Besides, I'm still within my first month, so I'm not that heavy and lethargic yet. And…well, Sensei Wu and Sensei G won't allow me to do anything more strenuous than basic training anyway. As you may have noticed, I don't spar with anyone."
"What?!" This was definitely news to the nindroid. "You mean they know about your condition too?"
Jay leaned away from Zane and smiled, though his eyes were red and puffy. "Yeah, I told them a few days after I found out. I felt so scared and alone because I had no one to confide in, and I knew you guys wouldn't take me seriously. But our senseis… Well, they were baffled, of course, but after I showed them my pregnancy test and the sonogram of the embryo…they believed me. They both looked at it as 'Divine Intervention' and were—heh heh…very happy! They said they would support me as best they could and they were just like you and wanted me to stop training altogether. But after I told them they were the only ones who knew, and that I wanted to keep it secret until I could work up the courage to tell everybody else…they complied. And we agreed to put things on hold."
"But…what about your parents?" Zane asked. "Surely you've told them, haven't you?"
At this, it looked as if the blue ninja would burst into tears again. "Arbitrary, huh? I would rather tell my teachers than my own parents that I have a growing kid inside me. I know it's ridiculous, Zane, but I just couldn't. Just like how I couldn't tell Cole…"
Jay really did have quite the dilemma on his hands. He could quite possibly be the very first (and only) pregnant man on the planet. He had no one to empathize with him or seek advice from… But surely he knew Cole loved him, as well as his parents—and his mother would most definitely have some insight to provide. And as for the rest of them, they were a clan—a family. Love and support went hand-in-hand. He would never be alone.
Jay wiped at his eyes again and sniffed. "Man, I didn't mean to break down in front of you like this," he said. "And here I am supposed to be comforting you. I guess…I'm just glad I won't have to deal with this alone. That there's someone just like me."
Wait… Zane frowned in question. Surely Jay couldn't mean…him? He shook his head. "Jay, even if I am exhibiting the same symptoms as you, that doesn't necessarily mean that I'm pregnant. While I may have similar physiology as you humans for being constructed as a cybernetic organism, I have gears, frames and wires inside of me—hardly a spacious and comfortable place to grow young. Truth of the matter is, I could just be malfunctioning in a way."
"But haven't you already exhausted that possibility?" Jay argued. "Like I said, it wouldn't hurt to check. And…maybe your dad implemented this capability within you as uh…surprise or something. Won't you at least let me test you?"
Zane was still, of course, skeptical, but looking into Jay's shimmering depths…how could he say no? He looked almost desperate to share this experience with someone else. He wanted a kindred spirit. However… "And if I am not?"
Surprisingly though, Jay didn't hesitate to answer. "Then you're not. It's as simple as that. The outcome won't change my confessing to Cole and to the rest of you…including my parents. I'm still going to do that…today. I can't be a procrastinating coward about this anymore…"
Zane had to smile. "Then I suppose it wouldn't hurt," he said, then rose to his feet. "I will meet you down in your laboratory shortly. I must first go and apologize to Kai for being so callous and abrupt earlier. And…I apologize to you too, Jay." Zane's anger and overall moodiness had evaporated over his discussion with the brunet. And now looking back on his behavior with a cooler head—that wasn't pounding anymore, mind you—he could indubitably admit that he was wrong to have snapped at his boyfriend, as well as to the rest of them.
They were only trying to aid me…Kai especially… I must make amends…
Jay grinned and stood up too. "Hey, don't worry about it!" He clapped his hand on the nindroid's shoulder. "All is forgiven! And while you do that, I'll go and get everything ready. And…if you see Cole…tell him to come down to the lab, okay? See you in a few."
*~Ninjalogy~*
Zane made the short trek to Kai's room, but paused before the crimson door, having heard the slightly muffled voices of the fire and earth ninjas from within. He knew it wouldn't be polite to eavesdrop, but felt that listening in wouldn't hurt in determining when to interrupt. Thus after checking that the hallway was clear (still wouldn't be good to get caught despite the act being justifiable), pressed his ear against his boyfriend's door.
"—Now c'mon, Kai, you know that's not true."
"He's been pushing me away for days, Cole…only today literally. Tch… I don't know…maybe I crossed some kind of line or somethin'. I think I've become just a nuisance to him now…"
Zane nearly choked on the guilt that assaulted him. Again, he admitted that Sensei Garmadon was right. He had only been thinking about himself and brushing aside Kai's feelings. And to make matters worse, he didn't think twice about doing so. He was just so consumed with the abhor possibility of coming off as bothersome to his boyfriend that he never thought putting on such defensive airs would affect Kai negatively. But it did. It most certainly did.
"No way! Zane loves you, bro."
"Well he hasn't been acting like it. Maybe…" Kai seemed to struggle to say each and every word. Like it took every ounce of him to dig those words from the depths of his heart, and carry them one by one to his mouth. "Maybe…he wants to break-up with me…"
A vehement throb from his Coronary Circuitry sounded in Zane's ears as his artificial stomach froze over with fear. No… No! Unable to just listen any longer and struck with a desperate sense of urgency and panic, Zane immediately grabbed for the knob and burst through the door, he mouth already open to deny his boyfriend's outlandish claim. "No, Kai! That's not true!"
Both ninjas stationed on the bed jerked their heads up at the normally unshakeable Master of Ice's abrupt entrance, their eyes wide. But Zane carried on, stricken with guilt and shame. "I am so sorry. You didn't deserve such harsh words before—none of you did. I…" Another round of heavy emotion sent from his E.F. soon had the nindroid's vision blurred. "…I need you, Flame. You mean everything to me. So please…don't ever think that…" Zane couldn't stop the tears from streaming down his cheeks in thick rivulets.
He loved Kai with everything he was. And the Master of Fire served as more than his counterbalance, Kai brought new and further meaning to his existence. He didn't want to return to his frozen state of romantic obliviousness. He wanted to stay within this newfound and gratifying limbo of melting. That divine warmth that wasn't hot, but just perfect.
"Diamond…"
Zane didn't notice that Kai had stood up and approached him. However, he instinctively clung to his boyfriend's familiar warmth when the other's arms enveloped him. He pressed the side of his face to Kai's and closed his eyes in bliss. "I am so sorry," he whispered.
"Shhh…it's okay…" Kai soothed, rotating his hand in comforting circles on his opposite's back. "…But, Diamond, I've…never seen you cry before… Man…"
Zane smiled through his tears. "Ah, right. I have cried before Kai, but I was alone at the time. I cried after remembering my father back in Birchwood Forest. And now I'm crying…because I don't want to lose you. I love you so much, Kai. Now and forever."
The next moment, Zane found Kai's lips pressed against his. He gave a slight start, but then immediately relaxed and reciprocated the kiss. Always so sweet and tender. Always so hot and passionate. Zane melted into his boyfriend's comforting embrace, letting all of his previous worries drift away.
Yes…this is what I needed all along… How foolish I was…
"Welp! I guess I'll be seeing myself out. Don't mind me..."
Kai and Zane broke their kiss and shifted their attention to Cole's grinning face. Zane honestly forgot the ninja leader was also in the room. "Oh, Cole—hey, sorry, man," Kai said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly, though, he kept one arm wrapped around Zane's waist.
But Cole just shrugged good-naturedly. "No biggie, I'm sure Jay and I have kissed in front of you guys on more than one occasion."
Yes, right! Jay! Zane had to be sure to pass along the expecting ninja's message. He wiped his eyes and took a moment to compose himself. "Cole, Jay needs to see you down in his lab."
A line of concern creased the earth ninja's brow. "Is he alright?" He asked, and the nindroid smiled knowingly.
"Oh yes—quite in fact. He just wants to speak with you." Zane didn't say more than that. He would leave the rest to Jay.
"Okay, I guess I'll see you guys later then." Cole passed his two friends with a smile and touched Zane's shoulder on the way out—a non-verbal agreement that all had been forgiven. Zane surmised that maybe he was just too consumed in his own problems not to have noticed that Cole and Jay had some of their own. Although now, he was certain they would come out through the metaphorical dark tunnel just fine.
"Diamond…?" A warm caress to his cheek had Zane looking back at his boyfriend again. Kai was peering at him with such blatant concern… It made him wonder why he ever pushed him away in the first place. Zane didn't know exactly how to approach the subject about his condition, but at least he could share with Kai on what Jay wanted to do.
He took hold of the fire master's hand and led him over to the bed. "Come…let us sit for a moment, Kai."
Kai didn't refute and allowed himself to be guided back to his bed. Once the pair was settled, Zane spoke candidly. "Kai, as you and the others know, I haven't been feeling like my usual self as of late. I've been fatigued, nauseated, irritable, and my nipples are very sensitive."
The notched eyebrow rose. "They are? That's…I have to say, Diamond, I didn't know about that. Have you switched detergents lately? You might be experiencing an allergic reaction. Your skin is living tissue after all, despite it covering your titanium endoskeleton."
It made Zane happy that Kai memorized the specifics about his body. Truth be told, in the past, he wasn't sure if it was even possible for him to experience arousal, let alone ejaculation. But his body had indeed reacted to the sexual stimuli. And while initially consternated by the discovery, he had thoroughly enjoyed himself during their first time…and the many other sexual encounters between him and his boyfriend after that.
Zane smiled. "No, dearest, I have not toggled my detergent brand, nor have I modified the amount I use. Unfortunately, I still haven't the vaguest idea what's wrong with me. However, Jay has proposed to perform a specific test."
"Yeah? What?"
As per usual, Zane stated everything in a matter-of-fact way. "He wants to have me take a pregnancy test in his lab."
Kai stared at his boyfriend for a long while, until finally lifting his hand to rub at his temple. "Diamond…babe…you do know that you can't always take Jay seriously, right?"
"Yes, but this time he was being serious…very serious."
Kai rolled his eyes, obviously still unconvinced. "That's impossible, Zane."
"One would think, yes. But do we not live in a mystical world, Kai? Our adventures and experiences are testimony to that. But don't get me wrong, I too believe that performing a pregnancy test on myself would be pointless. As I've reminded Jay, I am not human. However the fact that I am male as well doesn't appear to be an important aspect. And with me not having any other alternatives, I've decided to take the test," Zane ended with a shrug.
Kai's golden-amber stare turned circumspective. "…I don't get it… You're going to take the test…even though you know there's no reason for it…? You wouldn't do that, Zane. There's always been a rhyme or reason for every action you've taken since I've known you. And now you're saying that Jay was being "very serious" when he suggested it? Why? There has to be a reason…" His gaze intensified, making Zane feel like those sharp molten orbs were searching the depths of his soul. He blinked. "…You know something, don't you, Diamond?"
Zane sighed. Yes, Kai was intelligent. Brash and impulsive too…but also very intelligent. Plus, he knew the white ninja on a deep emotional level. "It's…not my place to say…" he muttered softly. "I have no right to disclose Jay's secret."
"Secret?" Kai prompted. "A secret about Jay has something to do with you taking a pregnancy test…" Zane could see the gears turning furiously in his boyfriend's spiky head. "Of all the tests to suggest…why a pregnancy test…? Why was Jay being serious…? He has a secret…"
Kai had taken to mumbling to himself now and Zane felt torn between whether or not to stop him or to let him try to solve the mystery. Nonetheless, the ice ninja kept his face blank. Jay had given him his confidence, thus his friendship and pride wouldn't allow him to betray the blue ninja's trust.
Then again, maybe he should interrupt. Maybe his silence was giving away non-verbal clues? "Oh my god…" Yes, he should've definitely had interrupted… "Oh my god!" Zane berated himself for still not fully grasping all angles of social constructs. Kai's eyes bulged. "He's pregnant! Jay's pregnant! And Cole's the father!"
"Kai…"
"And the reason why he suggested so seriously that you should take a pregnancy test was because he thinks you're pregnant too! He must've been havin' the same symptoms or somethin'!"
Zane tried again. "Yes, Kai, but—"
His boyfriend's face suddenly turned an alarming shade of red. "Then…oh my god…" He started to reach for Zane's stomach with a trembling hand. "Zane…"
Zane got off the bed before Kai could touch him. "Kai, no. I don't want you to get your hopes up."
"But there is a chance, right?" He countered. "You just said so yourself that being a guy isn't an important factor."
"But being an android is!" Zane shouted, a spike of irritation stabbing him. He backed away from the bed. He didn't want to have another argument with Kai, especially not right after they made amends. He calmed himself by taking a deep breath. "I… I have limitations and idiosyncrasies. Thus, because of what I am, there is no remote possibility that I can conceive children like Jay." He peered into Kai's eyes with solemn seriousness. "You know this—everyone does. Please don't make me repeat myself anymore."
The room fell into a dead silence after that. It wasn't as if Zane was putting himself down or anything. He was just being logical. Nothing in his blueprints gave the slightest implication that he could get pregnant. There was ALSO nothing in your blueprints that said you could feel sexual gratification, now was there? A small meddlesome voiced whispered in his head, but he ignored it. That was just a fluke after all. A fluke he was grateful for, mind you, but still a fluke nonetheless.
Kai stood up from the bed, and Zane eyed his smirk-less face with a hint of wariness and confusion. "You know, Diamond…the more you keep saying you can't do stuff because of what you are, the more it sounds like an excuse to me and drives me to prove you wrong."
Pure hazel optics narrowed. "It is not an excuse," he stated lowly. "It is logical."
But his opposite waved off his words like a bothersome fly. "I understand what you're saying—I really do. You were the exact same way during our first time—unsure, scared, and even a little pessimistic."
Zane scowled. "I have no recollection in my database of feeling such emotions during that timeframe. You must be mistaken." Okay, so now he was lying through his teeth. So what! Why did Kai have to be so infuriating at times? So challenging! Has he always been like this? Or…were his emotions just so awry that every little thing made him defensive? Zane was getting tired of not knowing what was wrong with him.
The smirk was back, and Kai moved forward to wrap his arms around Zane's waist, holding him close. "Okay, I don't wanna make you upset again. Honestly, the only thing that matters to me, Diamond, is your health. I just wanna help you get better, that's all."
Zane felt himself gradually relax. "Okay," he said softly. "Thank you, Kai."
Kai leaned back and brushed his lips against his boyfriend's cheek. "Alright. I guess we better get down to Jay's lab then, huh?"
Zane was glad their little altercation hadn't escalated. Kai understood. "Yes."
*~Ninjalogy~*
The ice and fire ninjas opened the door to Jay's lab…and were greeted with a very perplexing sight… The proud and serious ninja leader was on his knees in front of his boyfriend…with the side of his face pressed up against the other's bare stomach and wearing the most stupefied expression Zane had ever seen. Meanwhile, the lightning ninja was blushing up a storm, despite looking mildly annoyed.
"Cole…as endearing as this is, get off the floor. You're disturbing me and our unborn child."
But of course, the enthralled earth master didn't budge from his position. His emerald eyes widened a bit more if possible. "Wait…I think I heard something. I think the baby's moving—No! I think it's crying!" Cole abruptly pulled away and gently petted Jay's baby bump, his voice filled with concern and care. "What's wrong, little one?"
At this, Jay promptly rolled his eyes and shook his head. Though, an adoring smile curved his lips also as he ran his fingers tenderly through Cole's black shaggy mane. "I don't know. Maybe it's because Daddy's acting weird?" He chided playfully. "But anyway, that wasn't the baby that was me. It is getting close to lunch time, yanno."
Cole instantly shot up to his feet, alert and focused as if ready for a difficult mission. "I-I could cook something for you! Fish—uh, carp! Yeah! I heard carp is really good for you. We don't have any but, the ocean's right outside! I can catch some for you, if you'd like."
Jay kept his calm smile. "Carp are freshwater fish, sweetness."
"Oh…right… My bad—s-sorry, hun." Cole had jumped from enthralled to disoriented in a matter of moments, all in an effort to do anything possible to help and support Jay. My oh my, how the roles reverse themselves: Jay becoming the epitome of serenity and calm, while Cole filled the shoes of the high-strung and excitable fast-talker.
Jay lowered his shirts and kissed Cole's cheek. "Thanks, but I'll wait a little bit before eating something." He nodded his head towards the newcomers. "Zane and Kai are here."
Cole turned to the pair as well, his emerald gaze alight with excitement. He opened his mouth, but then shut it, looking from Jay to the other ninjas with clear uncertainty. He pulled his face to exhibit a more composed visage, but Zane could easily tell that his leader was having trouble in doing so. And apparently Kai could too.
He chuckled and shook his head as the earth ninja continued to fidget like an anxious kid wanting to cut loose at an amusement park, only he was being kept at bay by his parents. "Kinda late in trying to regain your tact now, Cole," Kai teased, smirking. "We just saw you cooing over Jay a minute ago."
Jay started to look disconcerted, but Kai was quick to reassure him. The smirk gave way to a genuine heartfelt smile as he walked up to Jay and hugged him. "Congratulations, little bro. I know you'll be one helluva mom. Ah, who am I kiddin'…you already are. To Lloyd, huh?"
Getting over his shock, Jay reciprocated the hug earnestly. "Thanks, Kai. I really needed to hear that from you."
"Speaking of Lloyd, did he report back to you yet, Jay?" Zane asked when he and Kai parted.
"Oh yeah! He and Sensei G were able to reach Sensei Wu and Brad and they're on their way back now with what I wanted." He suddenly blushed and ran his hand through his hair. "And…Lloyd knows now," he said in a breath. "He fainted when I showed him the sonogram, but when he came to he was just as happily bewildered as Tunnel-vision over here," he finished, nudging his beau and Cole blushed himself.
"How was I supposed to act, Jay? This is a true miracle! I…" Cole suddenly took hold of Jay's hands and held them up to his face. "…I promise to do my best. I don't ever want you to feel like you can't count on me."
"No, Cole, that was my fault entirely," Jay admitted, his gaze sullen and downcast. "I should've known better. You're the best thing to ever happen to me, so there was no reason for me to doubt you. I'm sorry again." His face brightened then, and the happiness and love he felt towards his boyfriend permeated from his being. "I know I can always depend on you."
Cole kissed the hands in his and lowered them, his gaze solely on Jay. "Is it okay if we show them the pictures?" He asked and the pregnant brunet nodded.
"Sure." Jay then went to his desk to retrieve two sheets of black film. But upon closer inspection, Zane realized they were sonogram photos of the brunet's fetus. He and Kai crowded around the expecting pair as Jay presented them, their eyes wide and wondrous. "This one was taken during my fourth week—so last week, as you can probably tell from how small the embryo is. This is the photo I showed to Sensei Wu and Sensei Garmadon, and the moment I did…they both knew what it was."
Zane stared. So tiny… The little embryo was barely bigger than a poppy seed, but it was clearly there. "And here's my most recent," Jay declared, switching the photos. "Cole was here for this one. Five weeks. It grew a bit but not much. Now it looks more like a tadpole, huh?"
"Wow…amazing…" Kai whispered. "I've never seen this before… Damn…"
"Hey! No cussing in front of my unborn child!" Jay scolded the red ninja, but Kai just huffed.
"Oh please! I doubt the kid has ears yet! It can't hear me!"
"Jay, I really think we should continue our conversation from earlier…" Cole suddenly suggested, and Jay groaned.
"Oh no…"
"I don't think you should train anymore or go on missions."
"Cole—*sigh*…can't we talk about this later?"
"But this is important, Jay. What if something happens to you? Think of our child."
"I'm always thinking about our child, so don't tell me I'm not! I'm aware of the limits my body has now, Cole, but don't go trying to rip my life out from under my feet just because you're scared!"
"I'm just trying to protect you!"
"Sounds more like DICTATE to me!"
"Wow…you guys already sound like an old married couple…" Kai muttered. Cole and Jay glared heatedly at each other, and when the blue ninja's grip on the photos became lax, Zane took hold of them himself, his eyes never straying from the picture. His friends' voices became mere background noise as the nindroid traced the white lines of the developing being's body. He had never seen something so extraordinary… Life in general was a miracle in itself, but for Jay to be able to nurture life from within himself—a male body—was indeed another blessing.
He's lucky…and I am…envious… Zane recalled his name's meaning: "God's gracious gift". But why did his father give him such a name if he was created by him and not God? It was illogical. His white blood was unnatural. His wires and circuits were unnatural. He was unnatural. Surely he was merely malfunctioning, but that didn't stop his CPU from providing him images to the contrary. He imagined himself with a little infant in his arms—a little being comprised of himself and Kai, but still indubitably human.
Yes…a little baby boy was in Zane's arms, swaddled in a comfy blue blanket decorated with white snowflakes. Wide golden-amber eyes blinked up at him innocently and tuft of silver hair peeked out along his tender forehead. Kai was beside him also, radiating with warmth and love for their son.
A painful tightness entered Zane's chest. The mental image was torturous. What was he doing imagining such things anyway? He was just setting himself up for heartbreak. He knew he wasn't pregnant. He just knew he would never be a mother like Jay.
"Diamond…?"
Zane tore his eyes away from the sonogram and lifted his gaze to meet Kai's. Cole and Jay had ceased their arguing it seems and were peering at him with concern. Zane steeled himself and handed the pictures back to the pregnant brunet. "Congratulations again, Jay." Thankfully, the smile he managed to pull felt genuine. "Now if I may suggest, I'd like to commence with this test. What would you have me do?"
"Oh—um…okay! Right!" Jay pointed to a door. "There's the bathroom. There's a cup in there on the sink I want you to pee in. Just to the marked line if you can. Can you do that?"
Zane nodded. "I believe I'll be able to manage such a miniscule task. I am due for another urination session soon anyway."
"Ugh…too much info, Frosty…" Cole mumbled.
"Awesome! Once you're done, just put the lid on and stick it in the compartment on the wall. The sample will then transport itself for analysis to my machine. After that, I'll draw some blood from you—gotta test that too. We'll only have to wait a few minutes to determine if you're pregnant or not."
Zane made his way to the bathroom, but was stopped by Kai's hand grasping his. He turned to his boyfriend expectedly. The nindroid was sure he had seen all of Kai's many expressions by now, but this particular one was hard to decipher. "You're gonna be fine." Such quiet strength laced his voice. "Whatever the result is, know that I'll be here for you. And I'll support you."
Why was it that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get anything passed his boyfriend? Then again…maybe that wasn't such a bad thing. Zane smiled. "I know." As he expected, he had no problem fulfilling Jay's request and did what was instructed. He departed the bathroom a few moments later to have Jay hook him up to a dialysis machine to extract a pint of his white blood. He then keyed in a number of strokes on his computer keyboard.
"I hafta tell ya, Zane, your body is incredibly unique and fascinating! I doubt you could ever be replicated perfectly. Now hold on, I'm beginning the analysis…now!"
Kai took hold of his hand, but Zane simply focused on keeping his emotions in check and his face blank. While his boyfriend could most likely already tell, he didn't want to let on how nervous he actually was to Jay and Cole. The ninja leader went to stand beside Jay and leaned over his shoulder to peer at the computer screen. Zane couldn't see it from his position, nor did he truly want to.
*Tick Tock Tick Tock*
Zane had always prided himself on his patience, so why was he beginning to feel overanxious? Kai's thumb grazed over the back of his hand. "Do you still want to come with me to get my ears pierced?" He asked, and Zane blinked up at him, caught off guard by the sudden inquiry.
"Pardon?"
A familiar smirk played on full luscious lips. "Do you still want to come with me when I get my ears pierced in town this weekend? You were interested, right? And we could do a little shopping too."
Zane blinked again. Just what was Kai doing asking him such miscellaneous things? But despite how trivial they were, the questions were still valid. So, he decided to just indulge his significant other for the time being. "Yes, I am interested in the process. I would be happy to accompany you, Kai."
"And you needed to replenish your weapon oil, if I remember correctly. We can take care of all of that while we're out."
This was…relaxing. "Yes, and perhaps I could introduce you to a friend of mine. He's a mechanic who specializes in motorcycles. While our dragons are ideal transports, I rather miss racing along city infrastructures and natural terrain."
"Yeah, me too. My Blade Cycle and your Ice Speeder…we can bring those good times back, babe."
"Yes…" He could easily imagine him and Kai speeding during the twilight hours of the night on a deserted dirt road…. The wind whipping through their hair, the stars twinkling in the dark sky…and perhaps the moon would be present… The imagery alone had gratifying effects on Zane's troubled mind, and he felt himself relax further.
Oh… Thank you, Kai…
"Zane? Your results are in…"
Jay and Cole rejoined the two, their expressions oddly subdued. Zane stood up from his chair, his hand still grasping tightly onto Kai's. Jay looked down at the paper in his hand as if making sure he was reading it right, and then lifted his sapphire gaze to meet Zane's. A smile slowly formed. "It looks like I'm not the only one due for congratulations."
Cole grinned as well. "Looks like you're pregnant too, Zane. Congrats."
He heard the words. He HEARD them, but still…what? So many questions swirled around in his head, but amidst the tumultuous twister was a single simple truth. "I…I am…pregnant." He turned his head to regard his boyfriend. "Kai? Is that…really true?"
Those eyes… Zane didn't think they've ever burned as bright as they did now. "Ahaha! Yeah! Yes, Diamond. That's what he said." The nindroid practically fell into Kai's arms, his joints seeming to lock up from sheer shock. He just couldn't believe it… Him. A cybernetic organism. Pregnant.
"So now two of our ninja are pregnant."
Sensei Wu and Sensei Garmadon stepped further into Jay's laboratory followed closely by Lloyd and Brad. Garmadon hummed his affirmation. "Yes, brother, and it is truly a miracle—Divine Intervention at its finest."
Wu stroked his long white beard. "Hmm. We must prepare for the expansion of the clan. A new generation of Elemental Masters is in the making."
"Whoa! Hold on a minute!" Cole intervened, eyeing his teachers. "Before we start talking about that, there are a few things Jay and I have to take care of first…"
Jay rolled up Zane's results and smacked his boyfriend over the head. "Cole! I told you I'm not quitting—"
"I'm not talking about that, Jay…" Cole interrupted softly, and brought the shorter brunet closer, his hands coming to rest on the other ninja's waist. "I'm talking about visiting your parents and my dad. We have to tell them."
Jay's mouth fell open as he gaped at Cole. And Zane, having recovered somewhat, looked at his shell-shocked friend. "You said you would, Jay," he reminded him. "Regardless of the results…remember?"
After a spell, Jay closed his mouth and visibly swallowed. "Yeah, you're right. I did say that, and I can't go back on my word. And…they deserve to know." Regaining his determination and courage, he nodded firmly at Cole. "Alright, let's make plans to visit our folks as soon as possible."
A thought crossed Zane's mind. "Jay, is it possible for me to get an ultrasound? I…I am curious to know how far along I am."
"Yeah, I was wondering that myself," Kai chimed in.
"Oh right! I didn't finish elucidating on that, huh?" The blue ninja unrolled Zane's results. "You're barely two weeks along it seems. So I doubt anything would show up on the ultrasound yet. Let's wait for a full month to go by. That way we can see how your baby develops in your body."
"But…how will it develop?" Zane asked. He didn't need to remind anyone of what he was. How exactly would a baby safely develop in his body? A body comprised of wires and circuits?
"Zane. Let's go back to Birchwood Forest."
Pure hazel eyes turned to Kai with surprise. "Birchwood Forest? You mean back to my birthplace where I lived with my father? Why?"
"We could be able to uncover some valuable information there," Kai clarified seriously. "Maybe something pertaining more about your specs. It wouldn't hurt to try, right?"
Yes, of course. Zane smiled. "Right. Let us do that."
"Oh! And here you go, Jay-Seonbae. This is the stuff you wanted us to bring back." Brad reached into one of the bags on his arms and removed a tube of cream. Jay's deep blues lit up immediately.
"NIPPLE CREAM! Oh thank the baby Jesus!" At the sight of the pure white tube, the nindroid was suddenly reminded of his own dilemma of the nipple-kind. He rubbed absently at his chest just as Jay turned to him excitedly. "C'mon, Zane! Let's go some place private to put some of this on!"
"Private?" Cole folded his arms, a thick eyebrow cocked in bewilderment. "Why don't you just do it here? We're all guys, after all."
Sapphires cut sharply to the father of his child. "You would like that, wouldn't you?"
"What's THAT supposed to mean?!"
"Huh…? I wonder if it's possible for me to get pregnant…" Brad speculated, a cute blush suddenly spreading about his golden cheeks.
*THUNK!*
Everyone stopped and turned towards the abrupt noise…to see Lloyd lying spread-eagle on the floor, his face flushed a crimson red and his eyes closed. "Geez, Lloyd! I just mentioned the possibility! That's no reason for you to faint!"
Jay and Zane shared a look with each other before eyeing the long-haired raven as he knelt down beside his boyfriend. "Brad?"
Author's Note: That was so much fun! I don't know what's due next, but check both stories weekly! Thanks everybody!