Hi! Thank you for all those who viewed this story. I'm having a hard time in the mechanics of this universe. But please note that I placed it under "Sci-Fi", which means it's fictional. I try to rationalize male pregnancy in here by researching stuff, but it's very complicated. It's like I'm trying to provide real-life facts to support my weird imagination. Please don't be too critical and ask me too much how it works, because I have no idea at all. T^T And I could use some advices and suggestions too, but please be nice about it!
Thank you Caithlinn for the wonderful review you left. I hope this answers some of your questions. =)
I'll try to keep the personalities intact, UraHime Hikaru, although it would prove to be very hard in this AU. But thanks! XD
And my first friend here in FF, Misakicchi, thank you so much for your support and help! I love you my fellow AkaKuro shipper! ;3
DISCLAIMER: *sigh* no, I don't own KnB. And the picture used also.
Chapter 2:
Kuroko POV
Wow. I never knew a person could be this rich. The man named Akashi brought me to a grand-looking hotel. Well-groomed staff lined up in the front lobby, bowing deeply to greet "Welcome back, Akashi-sama." I felt self-conscious; someone as dirty as me obviously does not fit this place. I froze inside the car, not wanting to get out. But Akashi-kun held out his hand for me and spoke in his sultry, velvet voice, "Come, Tetsuya." My heart missed a few beats. But as I took the red head's hand, it functioned again, only this time it rammed wildly against my chest. I sighed internally.
Big glass doors opened automatically, and my breath was taken away. I have been to hotels in my younger years, but they were nothing as extravagant as this. I gaped at the luxurious lobby, golden walls and floor, expensive furniture and classy paintings. Everything screamed high-class, from the smallest tassel in the curtain to the huge chandelier. I saw Akashi-kun smirk at the corner of my eye and I shyly closed my mouth.
I know people are looking at us, so I keep my head down as Akashi-kun led me to his suite. When we reached the elevator, I couldn't go in. An image of my previous prisons flashes through my mind and I tremble. My chest constricts and I feel light-headed. Tears prickle my eyes and I tried to blink them in. I can't go in there. It's so dark and closed and narrow… I'm alone…
Suddenly, my hand was squeezed. I look up and see Akashi-kun, worry written in his mismatched eyes. He gently holds my face between his hands and talks in a soothing tone. "It's okay, don't worry. I'm here. I won't let you get hurt." A few tears escape, but he wipes it away. "We won't do anything that you don't want to do, okay? I promise that." He searches my eyes for an answer. I inhale deeply and nodded. "Look, we can take the stairs if you want to. But you're tired." He pauses, then looks to the side. "If we take the elevator, I can assure you that I won't let go of your hand. You won't be alone. I'll be here." His words comfort me. I glance nervously at the thing. I look at him and his serious, sincere eyes. Something about it calms me. I nod weakly.
He takes me inside and punches a code or something in a panel. I close my eyes and fight all the horrors. A heavy feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. But Akashi-kun hums a familiar upbeat tune. It soothes my nerves, especially the fact that I know he's here with me. There's something about him that even if I'm scared to be touched by anyone, I feel comfort in the heat of his hand. Why can he make me feel this way?
After a few long seconds, we arrive at the penthouse. The doors open to reveal a spacious and contemporary-looking home. The walls were all glass, revealing the city's skyline. I immediately went to the glass walls and admired the city lights below, my fears forgotten. It's so beautiful.
I look back at Akashi-kun to see him talking on the phone while clenching and unclenching his hand. I must have gripped it hard, I feel embarrassed. But it was forgotten when I saw a basketball signed by a famous NBA superstar. Wow. I wondered if he actually met this NBA superstar. Or how many celebrities have he met already.
Akashi-kun brings me out of my muses to ask, "Would you like to take a shower first before you eat?"
I nod meekly. We walk and he opens the door to a room. Wow. Only the west wall and ceiling are made of glass, but I can really see the whole of Tokyo sprawled beneath. Could anything get more breathtaking? I get inside and look above at the night sky and the stars.
"This will be your room. Feel at home, Tetsuya. You can come to the dining room whenever you're ready." He says with a smile, then leaves. I'm grateful for some time alone to compose myself. I ask myself whether the decision to come with him is right. But I don't really have a choice. If it weren't for him, I would have died out of starvation. Or worse, my captors would find me and bring me back to my prison.
I find the huge bathroom and strip inside. Thankfully the bathroom is not made of glass walls. I was confused at first, but then I figure out the right buttons to press for a shower. I groan at the hot water splashing over my skin, relaxing some knots in my muscles. I would have filled the tub, but I think Akashi-kun will be waiting for me, so a quick shower will do. I wash and scrub the grime and dirt carefully, because I still have cuts and bruises that sting upon contact.
My hands finally rest in my belly. I remember my kidnapers celebrating upon the news of my pregnancy. That time, I was too dazed with pain I couldn't process what they were saying.
"It's a success! Male pregnancy is now possible!"
"Really? Let me see the results!"
"See? Our IVF tests were successful. We have triumphantly planted the embryo and placenta under the patient's peritoneum."
"Wow. We'll become billionaires if we release this into the press!"
"Not so fast. We'll have to see if the patient will be able to withstand the pregnancy and delivery itself."
"You're right. He's only a week pregnant. Many complications may arise."
"We'll have to subject him to more tests and-"
I force myself back to reality. That time, I finally understood why one of my detainers told me I was an experiment. My tears mix with the hot water. Thinking about what I've been through infuriates me. That day, though I felt ill and weak, I managed to slip through the tight security by using my misdirection and phantom-like abilities to break out. I also cut the skin under my wrist to dig out the tracker I knew was there. I've been roaming around for 2 days, trying to get as much distance from that place as possible. I've always been trying to get out in the past but somehow they've always managed to catch me again. But that day, the megane scientist wasn't there. The other torturers weren't there. And also, he has escaped already and they can't use his eyes against me. That was my best chance, and I finally managed to flee.
I get out of the shower and went back to the bedroom. I see fresh clothes on the bed. Akashi-kun probably put it here while I was in the bath. I put on the cotton pajamas and white long-sleeve shirt. I sit on the bed first because I feel slightly dizzy, probably out of the long stay under the hot shower. I stroke my stomach. These past few days, it's been cramping for short span of times, but not that painful. I don't have an explanation for this, but I think it's my body adjusting to the growing baby inside me. After all, men are not supposed to be pregnant.
I find the dining room by following the smell of the food. When I get there, two expectant eyes look at me. One was heterochromatic red and gold. The other pair was green.
Akashi POV
Since when has Tetsuya become claustrophobic? It seems that there are more things to heal other than the cuts and bruises he harbors. In the past years that I've been searching him, I learned that he mysteriously disappeared after his graduation from Seirin Private High School. I immediately called all my contacts and assets and looked for him all over the world. But to no avail. There wasn't even a single clue to lead me to him. And now, out of nowhere, after 8 frustrating years, I find him. I'm thankful because he's with me now, but isn't it strange? I swear I will solve this. A puzzle isn't as complex as it seems when you fit the pieces together. But I'll have to look for the pieces first.
I contacted my colleague. I trust him to heal Tetsuya. An hour later the teal-haired boy arrives at the dining room where we currently are, surprise showing in his sky blue eyes.
"Welcome, Tetsuya." I greet him. "Take a seat." He sits next to me, an act which gratifies me. He is wary and doesn't take his eyes off my companion who sits opposite me. He also eyes the toffee hammer the green head is holding, which is supposed to be his lucky item for the day. I decide to wait until he's nourished before I introduce them to each other.
"Eat." I order him. He doesn't make a move so I put all sorts of food in his plate. That should make you full.
"Itadakimasu." Tetsuya digs in slowly and quietly. Green eyes silently observe him. Don't stare too much at him, I'll gouge your eyes out, I told him with just a glare. He shrugs and sips the brandy I brought out. With just one look at his eyes, I could tell he likes Tetsuya already. Though he'll probably deny it.
Tetsuya finishes his meal. I was going to put more but he shakes his head. I order the dessert in and try to set up a conversation.
"So, how are you feeling?"
"Fine," he says softly. "Thank you for your kindness." He bows slightly.
"You're welcome, Tetsuya."
The green-haired guy inhales sharply. I look at him questioningly. He pushes his glasses upwards. That's when I feel myself smiling. Was he surprised that I could smile? I smirk evilly at him.
"Tetsuya, I want you to meet Dr. Midorima Shintaro."
My teal head boy looks at him pointedly. "Domo sensei. My name is Kuroko Tetsuya." He bows, but is still suspicious of the green head.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kuroko."
The dessert arrives. They were vanilla cream puffs with chocolate-cinnamon glaze. Tetsuya's eyes visibly widens.
I carefully watch his expression as he puts the cream puff in his mouth. He carefully bites a small piece and chews it slowly, and his sky blue eyes sparkle with delight. It's too adorable. I make a mental note to stock the pantry with vanilla. I catch Shintaro's small smile. I also remind myself to thank Atsushi for these desserts.
"So…" I start. Tetsuya's expression is relaxed and I think he forgot Shintaro was around. "The reason Shintaro's here is because I asked him to check you up. Is that okay?"
Strained silence eats up the room. Tetsuya stills. I feel him tense and scared.
"No." he finally says. My heart sinks. But I knew he would say that.
"Tetsuya, I just want to make sure you're okay. I don't want you to be ill or something."
His face hardens and he clenches his hands under the table. "No." he says again, firmer this time.
I sigh. "He won't hurt you Tetsuya. Nothing will hurt you as long as I am here."
He's quiet again. He seems to be keeping something from me. I see fear, distrust and uncertainty in his eyes. Is he just saying no because he doesn't trust Shintaro? Or is there something more?
I look at Shintaro. Tetsuya doesn't want to be checked up. Is it possible that if Shintaro checks him up, I might find out what he's keeping from me?
Shintaro clears his throat. "Kuroko." The teal head doesn't look at him. "I'll just bandage and disinfect your wounds here. We're not going to a hospital. And Akashi will be here all throughout the treatment."
Tetsuya looks at me, searching something in my eyes. I nod at him and place my hand on his. He breathes deeply.
"Okay. But we'll only do what you said." he consents. Shintaro and I heave a sigh of relief.
It's hard trying to keep a straight face while watching Shintaro treat Tetsuya. He's been asked to take his shirt off, and I do my best not to gasp and flinch. The word horrible comes to mind.
His body is filled with cuts and bruises, some yellowish and others indigo. Angry red lines sprawl throughout his back as if he had been whipped. Bluish circles also mar his upper torso. Has he been tortured for 8 years? I clench my fists. I'll find them and kill them. The beautiful, happy Tetsuya from my memory is so far from what I'm seeing right now. I grit my teeth every time Tetsuya winces from the antiseptic stings.
Only his left wrist needs bandaging. He also does not seem to have broken bones. I wanted to have a full-body check up on him, but that doesn't seem like a possibility. I don't want to push him at the moment because I still feel angry at what they've done to him.
Shintaro gives me the list of medicine he needs to take, mostly multivitamins and painkillers. He advises Tetsuya to eat lots of food and sleep to regenerate his health. "If there's anything that's hurting, it's best to inform me." he tells Tetsuya after he packs up his things.
"Shintaro, what have you gathered?" I ask him as we talk outside the apartment.
He shakes his head. "Aside from the terrible wounds, he doesn't seem to be in any immediate danger. Although I would have wanted to take MRI and CT scans to make sure. Can you convince him to go to the hospital?"
"I will. There's something that's bothering me, though. On the way here, he clutches his stomach like he was in pain. Why would he do that?"
"Hmm. He may be suffering a gastrointestinal complication. We'll need X-rays and several tests to confirm."
"How about a blood test?"
Shintaro seemed to be surprised. "Yes, it may detect some, but not all. And how, I pray, would you get him to have his blood tested, Akashi?" he asks suspiciously.
I shrug. "As I said, I'll convince him to go to the hospital."
He narrows his eyes at me. "Be sure to do that." Oh Shintaro, I will soon. Once I find out what's wrong, Tetsuya won't have a choice but to come to the hospital with me.
"It seems that he really trusts you. I would have thought he'd be afraid to let anyone touch him, much less than go with a stranger like you. And he let you help him with his phobia that easily. You know how Takao was." he comments, but I just nod.
"He still doesn't remember you?" he asks. I shake my head. "Why won't you just tell him?"
"Wouldn't it be nicer if he remembers himself how much he loves me?"
Tetsuya's already asleep on the couch when I enter the suite. I tap his shoulder. "Tetsuya, you should sleep in your bed." He blinks and groans, then closes his eyes again. I carry him bridal style to his bedroom, but he doesn't protest because he's half-asleep.
"Drink this." I hand him a glass of milk. He half-consciously jugs it down his throat and slumps back to the bed.
"Sleep well, my love." I whisper in his ear. His even breaths soon fill the room. Looks like I didn't need that sleep syrup.
I waited until he was sleeping deeply before I extract his blood in the syringe I kept in my pocket.
In the next few days, I notice his odd behavior. Shintaro wouldn't agree with me if I told him, because he'll say that Tetsuya's only following his order to sleep a lot. Every time I get back, I see him asleep on the couch, his bedroom, and even in the dining area. Is it normal for someone to sleep all the time like he does?
And I caught him clutching his stomach one time. We were in the living room that time. He was watching a basketball game while I was reading some documents from work. But just as quickly as it came, it was gone again. I pretended not to notice, but it makes me uncomfortable. What's wrong, Tetsuya?
My phone vibrates on the 4th day after I rescued him. "What are the findings Shintaro?"
"You won't believe this, Akashi." he breathes. I can hear the shock from his voice.
"What?"
"Kuroko's almost 2 weeks pregnant."
Fin~
Yes, Akashi is a genius for almost figuring things out on his hunches. And yes, he can be deceiving sometimes. Lol.
Thoughts? =)