Authors' Note: This took A LOT of study and contemplation, time and research, plus some sleepless nights (we've asked many people some very strange questions as well) and hope you will respect that.

Warnings: This is Riku/Sora pairing in a male/male relationship. There will be some questionable content. This will contain Male Pregnancy. If this makes you uncomfortable in any way, please leave.

Disclaimer: Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Merlin are © Disney. Squall (Leon) Leonhart, Aerith Gainsborough, Yuffie Kisaragi, Cid Highwind, Selphie Tilmitt, Tidus, and Wakka are © Square Enix. Riku's mother and Sora's mother are original characters.

Recap:

"Riku is pregnant."

The group didn't say a word. No one moved, blinked, breathed.

Kairi's cup of tea slipped from her fingers, clanging against the floor, spilling the hot liquid and spreading shards of china on everyone's feet.

All was still.

Until Riku threw up.

A Baby Story

Part One: Stork One

Chapter Two: Enlightenment

--oOo--

The long stretch of silence should have put anyone's nerves on edge, but the group remained rigid as statues... until the lukewarm tea that Kairi had dropped snuck inside shoes.

Blinking out of her reverie, Kairi moved to clean up the broken glass, but was stopped short by Sora. The brunet stood up very carefully, walking over to Riku who was hunched at the waist, shoulder's trembling quietly. He collected the elder into his arms and brought unreadable blue eyes to look at the wizard.

"Merlin, Riku's male. He can't be pregnant," Sora told the mage carefully, not at all finding any humor if this all was some sort of joke. The wizard looked somewhat insulted as he shook his head fiercely.

"I never make mistakes and certainly no false accusations. Riku is indeed with child."

Feeling frustrated and outright lied to, Sora shook his head. He was about to respond but Kairi intervened before her friend could spew something too fiery.

"Merlin, how is this possible?" the red head asked carefully, coming up to stand beside the boys. She placed a hand over Sora's and gave a light squeeze as if to say 'Don't worry, I'll handle it.'

The wizard cleared his throat and took a seat in one of the large plush chairs. Ignoring the obvious puddle of Riku puke on the floor, he summoned a hot pot of tea and conjured a large display chart.

"Do you all remember when that heartless possessed Riku's body?" he asked as if he were talking to a classroom full of kindergarten students.

At this, the couple rose their heads to face him and the chart which displayed a drawing of Ansem. A slight nod of the head from Kairi had the mage continuing.

"The fusion of the heartless inside Riku's body altered his composition. His body underwent a rapid transformation. In fear of being completely taken over, the body evolved just as rapidly in a sort of self preservation."

Sora rose his head off of Riku's and met Merlin's eyes.

"You might have heard of certain amphibious populations. Frogs that transform into females in order to procreate when there is a lack of that gender."

Riku's brow furrowed, and he opened his mouth to protest being compared to a frog. Merlin quickly rose a hand to silence him.

"This is similar to what happened inside Riku's body, but not exact. Obviously, Riku is not female." The silver-haired man scoffed, but continued to listen silently.

The diagram zoomed in on an image of Riku's body from chest to knees. Sora didn't like the fact his lover's body was being displayed like some anatomy book in a Health classroom, but remained quite none the less, frown firm on his features.

"A small bundle of pure DNA. Pure 'Riku' in a sense, collected here." His wand pointed to the stomach, and an image appeared, similar to an egg. "A protective casing formed around the 'egg' for lack of a better word and acts very similar to the uterus. This formed above and slightly to the rear of the urinary bladder."

As the wizard talked, everything he was mentioning appeared on the screen. Riku numbly thought he would never see so close a depiction of his insides ever again.

"This is very similar to the female reproductive system, indeed there a few differences beside sexual organs between the male and female."

He cleared his throat and poured himself a new cup of tea as the images updated with his speech.

"His body also developed something highly unique." The old man paused for a moment to ensure everyone was following thus far. At the rapt stares he was receiving, he continued.

"A small passage was formed between this protective 'uterus' and his rectum, right before his prostate, allowing for semen to pass through to the DNA. I can only assume that this was not initially intended for insemination. I assume the passage was originally created to act as a tunnel for the DNA to escape to form it's own 'being', a sort of 'new Riku' or clone if complete physical invasion was reached."

He paused a moment to let everything digest before continuing.

"When I examined Riku, I did not only find one collection of DNA, but three."

Everyone looked highly startled at this point. Riku frowned harder, and Sora's brows nit together in worry.

"This is because Riku has undergone three transformations. The initial take over by Xehanort's heartless 'Ansem', his reversion to the darkness - taking on 'Ansem's' form to help Sora and everyone else against our latest foes, and the sudden return to normal when the real Ansem's machine exploded, threatening to destroy not only the darkness, but Riku himself."

Riku raised a shy hand, and mentally cursed himself for appearing like a young student, timidly asking the teacher to go to the bathroom.

"But… In the Castle… of Oblivion… a nobody did manage to make a clone of me. Did he.. manage to use one of these DNA things?"

The wizard's calm eyes smiled gently at the nervous boy in front of him.

"No. Vexen made a clone merely from your image and memories. As he was unable to approach you physically, he used the Castle's magic and Namine's to create that clone."

Sora raised his hand, seeming less phased about the reversion to early years. "So… will this just be a miniature Riku with the exact same DNA.. like a clone.. or an actual… baby?"

The old man took the questions in stride. "Because his DNA 'egg' has been inseminated, it will grow and contain both of your DNA, and thus be an actual child as if you were procreating as a male and female."

"Why now? After two years? Why did it happen now and not earlier?"

"My initial thought was that these DNA became inactive after no hostile threat was perceived. Obviously, that was incorrect. The connecting tunnel, from the rectum to the 'uterus' is very small, and the chance that any semen would make it through is highly unlikely. But even a one percent chance can happen. It's not impossible."

After a moment of silence, Kairi spoke up. "So.. if there are three of these DNA thingies… does that mean Riku can get pregnant three times? Or will he have triplets?"

The wizard chuckled, crinkles forming around ancient eyes. "It's possible," Riku's eyes flickered to his stomach fearfully. "However, I am only sensing one growing with Sora's DNA. The other two are left as is. He is only in the sixth or seventh week. I predict the other two DNA bundles will simply be absorbed as the baby grows, demanding more room and space.

"You two have been blessed with a miracle like no other. Finding disappointment in it would be foolish."

Everyone was lost in thought, contemplating the prospect of a pregnant male.

"Why…" Kairi started, but trailed off, trying to find the right words. "Why… is he so sick? I know there is sickness involved for most pregnant women, but he's really really sick for just being pregnant. Are there going to be…." And she hesitating, not wanting to speak the unpleasant. "…complications?"

Riku shifted uncomfortably and everyone turned to stare at him. He is a boy… there is that possibility… Sora bit his lip so hard he started to taste the metallic tang of blood on his tongue. He looked at Merlin expectantly. Let him be okay… Let him be okay…

Merlin just smiled his wizened smile. Not worried at all, even if this situation was new and foreign to him. After all, there was nothing that he couldn't fix by magic.

"His body is completely new to this experience. While females experience discomfort and some illness, their bodies are indeed made for bearing children. Riku's is not, and therefore taking the change quite severely, with illness being far more intense for him. His body still views this as an infection it needs to attack an purge, thus the sickness. It will take many weeks for his body to become accustomed to caryying child. It doesn't help that his stress and worrying only adds to his illness." Kairi frowned and clucked disapprovingly at Riku, petting his somewhat sweat dampened hair.

"There are certain aspects of his body I will need to help him along with for a pregnancy to go smoothly." Riku sent him a pointedly questioning look. One that said 'What the hell are you planning to do to me?'

Merlin ignored the look.

"As Riku is not female-"

"We've already established this." Riku grit out, feeling annoyed, tired, and wanting nothing more than to go to bed.

Merlin stared pointedly back, cleared his throat and continued. "His stomach does not have the elasticity females have. As the baby grows, it will either become crushed inside or burst through the belly." Everyone looked horrified. Riku turned white, then promptly threw up again.

Merlin waved his wand and a clean handkerchief pushed into Riku's clenched fist as he continued.

"I will perform simple magic to allow your stomach to stretch with the child and thicken the layer of stomach to properly support it, so there's no need to look so terrified."

"Um…" Again it was Kairi to speak, seeing as everyone was still somewhat dumbfounded. "So… where will it…" she squirmed, "..come out?"

Riku looked very disturbed and shifted in his seat. "A natural birth would crush his pelvic bones. That is out of the question. Although I could use magic to allow for a natural birth, I am concerned my magic would affect the child. The only option is a Cesarean Section."

The males stared dumbly at him. "A C-section."

Stare.

"Surgically." Riku's hands, which had been resting on his stomach through the whole explanation, clenched his shirt.

"It is relatively painless. Many women have it done so it is fairly common practice." He relaxed somewhat and looked down at his stomach. It was so hard to believe that at that very moment, there was life inside of him.

Aerith, who's dainty hand had been covering the shocked 'oh' of pink lips this whole time, suddenly came to and bent to pick up shards of broken china, clucking about the mess. Before she could get far, an elderly wave of the wand effectively cleaned everything, leaving her to go get fresh tea for everyone. Chamomile, she decided as she fretted about the kitchen, would calm everybody's nerves.

Yuffie, who had stayed not only silent, but serious throughout the whole ordeal, gave an affectionate smile to the expecting parents, "I told you Merlin would figure it out. No worries." She joined Aerith in the kitchen, and for once, helped make tea. Even if she couldn't tell a tea bag from a sugar packet.

Leon, who's face held a very perplexed look the whole time, turned to look at a somewhat stunned looking Cid. "Well, we should make a trip to the hospital."

Cid quirked an eyebrow and chewed on his toothpick. "Why? He obviously can't see a real doctor. Those twits would want to film a fuckin' documentary on him and probe and prod him. Merlin can take better care of 'im."

"Well, we need to see how the ultrasounds work if we want to build one."

"Good point."

They got looks from the couple still at the table. Leon gave a rare, small smile. Even if there wasn't much they could do for Riku, they wanted to help any way possible. The little things like tea and a gentle, reassuring smile.

And the expecting father relaxed. It might be nerve-racking, and he still had the horrible taste of stomach bile in his mouth, but at least he wasn't alone. And he wasn't going to end up with blue blisters and yellow puss pockets.

After a quick cup of very sugary tea, they made arrangements to come back for checkups. Merlin and the girls set them off, waving and shouting well wishes. Riku held his stomach, preparing for the motion sickness he would undoubtedly feel throughout the trip, leaning against Sora, not even caring that Kairi was braiding his hair with flowers from Aerith.

Everyone slept the ride home and collapsed onto the couch when they got there. Riku's hand rested gently on his stomach.

This was nothing like the discomfort when Ansem had taken over his body. There was no mind splitting feeling of another person forcing themselves into his head. There was no horrible feeling of weakness. All he felt was… nothing. Fatigue and sickness aside, he really felt no different.

But the knowledge that something was growing inside him. It was almost as if he could feel it.

Sora wrapped an arm around his lover's shoulders, pulling him close and letting him relax against his body.

Merlin was right. This was a miracle. This was a child from both Sora and Riku. No adoption, no surrogate mothers, no artificial insemination…

This was their child. The thought brought a warm smile to his lips and he reached over to place his hand on Riku's stomach. Riku's eyes, which had slid shut as his head had lolled against Sora's shoulder, opened at the feeling of Sora's warm hand resting on his flat abdomen.

Suddenly, sitting like that in Sora's arms, their heartbeats thumping so closely together, everything in the world started to feel right. The nauseating feeling that had settled inside of him had, for the moment, calmed, and left him with a soft almost tingling feeling that started somewhere in his heart region.

If this is what it felt like to be pregnant, maybe this ordeal just wouldn't be so bad.

He felt the cushions on his other side shift as another hand settled lightly against him. He felt Sora's face smile, and he could almost hear Kairi's grin in response. They knew, without having to say a word, that Kairi would be there with them every step of the way.

The trio sat there for a long moment, relishing in the comfort of one another, each one's mind buzzing with excited thoughts. A baby was coming. They were going to get to hold a squirming bundle of happiness, dress little feet in warm socks, hold tiny fingers that seemed to never want to let go, and kiss sweet tufts of silken hair at bedtime.

"We can turn the office into the baby's room," Sora suddenly murmured, causing the other two to raise their heads to look at him. He cracked a grin at them and fingered a stray lock of Riku's hair. "What? The baby is going to need a room of its own!" he supplied, and Kairi smiled widely.

"I think that's an excellent idea, and I can help decorate," she added, and Riku watched the two talk over him, silent, but feeling himself smile throughout their conversation.

"But you know," the red head started, a mischievous glint in her indigo eyes, "I think it is just a tad tacky for you two to be having a baby without at least getting hitched first!" She grinned widely at the confused faces starring at her. "Sora, really, you should know better."

Her chiding, although playful, had the two looking at each other. They hadn't talked about something like marriage seeing as it wasn't exactly legal or official, whatever they were calling it these days. They had simply agreed that they didn't need a license or someone's approval to be in love and live together. But the idea almost, once again, seemed right.

So Sora, in one swift moment, was on his knees on the floor, leaning against the couch and grasping Riku's hand, much to his lover's confused surprise. "Riku, would you do me the honor in becoming my…uh…husband?" he asked, cheeky grin spreading over his face, but a serious shimmer settled in the recesses of those blue eyes.

"Sora, you can't be serious,…" Riku started, shaking his head at the silly idea. But one smile from the brunet had him pausing and his fingers suddenly turned in his lover's hold, and laced perfectly together. He smiled, leaned forward, tilted Sora's head up, and planted a firm kiss on his lips. Riku didn't need to say "yes" after that.

Kairi busied herself with invitations as their self-appointed "wedding planner". The invites were semi-fancy and included that the happy couple would be making a very important announcement at the end of the night.

A week later, the two of them found themselves standing on the beach surrounded by some family and their closest friends. Kairi rigged white linens to hang from the palm trees like something she had seen on TV (she recently became obsessed with all kinds of wedding shows).

It was a casual event, neither bothered to wear suits, but both made sure to wear crisp white shirts with simple, beachy drawstring pants. It was more of a party than a wedding, but they had stood before everyone, whispering sweet vows and promises, sliding slim golden bands on each other's left fingers, and even cutting cake together. The night was simple, but lovely, which reflected the two of them better than they could've imagined.

Kairi was undoubtedly proud of herself. She hadn't seen the two of the smile like that in a long time.

There was a bonfire and barbeque on the island. And everyone enjoyed the cozy atmosphere of the old kid island. At one point, Tidus threw Riku one of the old wooden swords, as Selphie pushed another into Sora's hands. Both were undoubtly the best fighters now. Riku looked hesitantly up, then at his stomach. Sora's eyes flitted nervously to Kairi as everyone urged them for a round for old time's sake.

"Ahhh…" Kairi tried to think of some excuse. "C'mon guys, it's their wedding! They can fight some other time. Like their anniversary! Besides, they have a very important anouncement!"

Everyone's heads turned to look at the 'newlyweds'. Sora opened his mouth to speak, but Riku halted him before a word could get out. "Not now…"

Blue eyes looked inquisitively over his shoulder.

"My mother's not here."

Sora didn't need to scan the crowd to know that. "Do you really think she's going to come?" He hated voicing it, but they had to tell everyone before the party ended.

"Just… a little bit longer."

And so they waited, roasting marshmallows, Kairi retelling their adventures that everyone had heard time and time again. After, Kairi gave them a freshly picked paopu fruit and placed it into Riku's hand. The couple stared at each other for a moment, before smiling and breaking the legendary fruit into threes. Kairi was blushing as a piece was placed into her palms, but didn't hesitate in nibbling at the bittersweet green inside and swallowing every last bit.

Eventually, when the fire was growing dimmer, Riku turned to the brunet at his side.

"How about… I tell everyone now… and you can tell my mother later." Although it was said jokingly, Sora knew it really hurt Riku for his own mom not to show up at the equivalent of their wedding. He hadn't really expected his father to come. After all, the man was busy, and if his mother wasn't coming, his father wasn't coming.

Sora stood to get everyone's attention when he spotted the elder blonde woman walking briskly through the sand from the docks, a small gift in her hands. When she arrived she looked guiltily down at the fire, brushing a stray lock of platinum out of her face. "Sorry I'm late…"

She looked up in surprise when Sora's mother pulled her into a tight hug, before ushering her to a nearby log, passing her a skewer with an already burnt marshmallow on it.

Green eyes flitted uncomfortably up to meet the aquamarine eyes of her son, relaxing at the soft smile on his face. Thanks for coming.

"Now that everyone's here, why don't you tell us this important announcement?" Selphie asked, smiling up at her two friends from her position next to Tidus.

Aqua met blue in a fleeting glance as the two stood, and the quiet murmur of the group dissolved. All that they could hear was the gentle kiss of the waves on the beach and the whispering rustle of the sea-salted wind.

"You all know about how we went through a lot while we were off in the other worlds," Sora started, ignoring the way Riku turned his head away at the mention of "a lot".

"Well, one of the results of our adventures has ended up becoming very..." he trailed off, searching for the right word.

"Special?" Kairi supplied, saving the brunet.

"Y-yeah! And…uhm…"

"Spit it out already!" Selphie urged, smiling widely at him.

"Uhm…Kai?" Sora turned to the red head, eyes silently begging for her help. He needed someone's support here, and his boyfriend-turned-husband was obviously not planning on interjecting any time soon.

She sighed and stood, turning to face their friends. "Well, what Sora is trying to say is…they're pregnant."

Silence.

"WHAT?!"

"Well, see," she hurriedly jumped in, wagging her hands in defense, "technically, Riku's pregnant," she added pointing to the silver haired boy who had taken a strong interest to the sand between his toes.

'Hm, look. The sand's whiter this season.'

"Oh…okay," Tidus hummed, nodding his head lightly before fully realizing what exactly Kairi had said.

"WHAT?!"

And before anyone could say anything, much less blink, Riku's mother promptly turned her head…and threw up.

"Ew…"

"Well," Sora said, turning to look at his lover who was hiding his face behind pale hands, "at least we know who you got it from."

--oOo--

TBC

Any questions welcomed.

If there was anything unclear, please let us know and we will try to clarify.