In Life and Death
Chapter 12: A Long Night

While he had waited for Sora to return from the doctor's office, Riku had had time to think. Questions were planned and he had a lot he wanted to say. But after sitting through the awkwardly silent dinner, Riku was at a loss. His calm, cool, level-headedness escaped him as he slid the card key into the hotel room's door. He heard the lock click and pushed the door open. He could feel Sora staring at his back.

Neither boy said a word as they walked to the restaurant, ate, and walked back. Now, there was no reason to put it off. Riku sighed deeply as he stepped in the room and moved towards one of the beds.

Sora nibbled on his lip nervously as he shut the door behind him. He just wished Riku would blow up at him. He felt so guilty for the words and names he'd used earlier. Riku had every reason to be angry.

"Riku… will you just… talk to me already?"

Riku stood with his back to the brunette but didn't move.

"Damnit! Yell at me! Scream! Call me names! Anything! I just can't stand this silence."

In a split second, Riku had spun around and embraced Sora. He hugged the shorter boy to him, crushing their bodies together.

Sora gasped as the air was knocked out of him and felt a pair of lips on his. He hungrily returned the kiss and laced his fingers in Riku's hair. The taller teen had him pinned up against the door before Sora realized the tightness in which Riku held him. It was causing one of the babies to squirm. Sora gasped as a spasm of pain erupted up his spine. Tearing himself away from the lips that threatened to devour him, he sprinted towards the bathroom, locking the door behind him.

"You couldn't have given me a few more minutes, huh?" He muttered, poking his abdomen. With a smile, he turned towards the toilet. It still amazed him how many times a day he had to pee. He washed up quickly, ran a hand through his hair, and unlocked the door. A sigh escaped him.

Riku stood unmoving, frozen in his place by the door. "I'm… sorry…" He said slowly, looking worried. "Are you… uh… is everything okay?"

The brunette nodded his eyes on the floor. "I… uh… kicking… pee…" He stammered, feeling like a complete idiot.

It was Riku's turn to nod and stammer. "I… uh… didn't mean to…"

"It's okay." Sora's eyes met Riku's and he bit his lip again. What is wrong with me? I want to jump him every time I see him.

Riku crossed the room then, purposely keeping more than an arm's length between them. He sat down on one of the two queen beds in the room and leaned back.

Sora's eyes followed him and after a moment, he sat opposite him on the other bed. Sora's hand unconsciously went to his stomach and Riku's eyes followed. "I'm sorry…" He began after a few more awkward moments.

Riku raised his gaze from Sora's stomach to his eyes. "I…" He opened his mouth to speak.

"No." Sora lifted his free hand to silence the other boy. "Let me just say a few things first." The cat was out of the bag, so to speak. Riku knew he was pregnant. He knew it was twins. And he knew he was the father. All that was left now was to… well… maybe he would explain something… anything to make sure Riku understood. And that he didn't hate him. Or think he was some sort of freak.

In answer, Riku simply nodded and leaned back on the bed. As much as he was confused and secretly freaking out, he knew it was best not to. Not in front of Sora. There were a few things he wanted to say too. He would wait until Sora had his say.

It was amazing that Sora had any lips left to bite at this point. He was slightly nervous but at least the hard part was over. "First… I want to apologize about not telling you and about ambushing you like that. I just couldn't bring myself to get the worlds out. Part of me wanted to just get it over with and tell you. And another part didn't. I thought that… the longer I put it off… the easier it would be. But I should have figured this would never be easy." He managed a small smile. "I was afraid… terrified that you'd be angry… disgusted with me. I thought you'd hate me or just call me crazy. Kairi's been telling me I should tell you… practically since I told her. She actually took it pretty well. But then again… I figured… eventually she would be fine with it and come around. It didn't take her long. Veera was the one who suggested bringing you along. She said she could provide proof and answer questions. And I told her I'd tell you first… like I did with Kairi. And I did come over to tell you… But… well… I did something else instead." He paused a moment, not meeting Riku's gaze. "I just want you to know… I can do this all myself. If you want to forget this whole thing happened, that's perfectly fine."

Riku's face went blank. "Forget?"

Sora nodded, not missing a beat. "I'll take care of them, I'll raise them. I'll do everything. You can just…"

Riku stood up at that point, tired of Sora's ramblings. "Okay. I've sat here for long enough, listening to all your shitty doubts about me but that's where I draw the line." The anger was apparent in his voice. "Sora… you know me better than anyone else."

A slight blush creped across the brunette's face and he lowered it.

"I don't mean that." A smile tugged at the corners of Riku's mouth. "I mean…" He grew serious again. "We've been friends our whole lives. I would think by now that you know the type of guy I am. I would never abandon anyone I got pregnant."

"But… it's not exactly a normal circumstance…"

"No, it's not. You're my best friend. Am I going to freak out? Sure. Anyone would. But after the initial freak out… Sora… I just can't believe you think that low of me. After everything."

"No!" Sora jumped up and grabbed Riku's wrists. He tugged gently when he felt his friend try and pull away. "No, I don't. I swear. You mean more to me that I probably know. I just…" He released his grip on Riku and took a few steps towards the dresser. His back to his friend, he sighed. "Maybe I just… all the anger I was feeling, all the doubts and frustrations… confusion… maybe I just transferred all my emotions onto you… I was so scared… but Veera and Kairi… they made me feel better. And now… I know it sounds weird… but I'm… sort of… happy." He sighed deeply. "And I guess I was just afraid of having to deal with those feelings again."

"I could have been there for you too, Sora." Riku answered softly.

"I know that now." He turned slowly and smiled meekly. "So… what now?"

"I want you to start at the beginning." Riku said, sitting back down on the bed and getting comfortable.

"The beginning?"

Riku nodded. "From the very first appointment when that Veera lady told you to earlier today. Everything."

"Everything?"

Riku nodded again. "Everything."

For the next several hours, Sora relayed everything. He spoke about everything Veera had told him, trying hard not to blush during some parts. He went over telling Kairi and the decision to be homeschooled. He went over his daily routines and eating habits. And the annoyance of having to buy fat clothes. The embarrassing cross dressing incident with Kairi and the shopping trip when she tried to get him to try on maternity clothes.

"And when you left… well… Veera and I… we mostly talked about you."

"Me?"

Sora nodded. "She was a bit upset with me because I didn't tell you beforehand. Mostly she was concerned with if she could trust you or not."

"Trust me?"

Sora nodded again. "She's worried the story will be leaked to the media."

"The media?" Riku seemed to be stuck in a loop of repeating what Sora said. It didn't make sense, what Sora was saying.

Again, Sora nodded. "Yeah. She's always worried that someone will find out and try to exploit us."

Riku shook his head slowly. "Sora… you're a medical marvel. I would think doctors would want to test you, not prevent it."

Sora shrugged.

"Unless she's got some hidden agenda."

"No!" The brunette snapped. "She cares about me! She's helped me! A lot more than you have!"

"And whose fault is that?" Riku snapped back.

Sora looked away, hurt lacing his eyes.

Riku sighed and rubbed at his temples. "Look… I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that, okay? I just hope you wouldn't really think I'd do that. That you couldn't trust me."

"Well…" Sora tilted his head to the side in a shrugging manner.

"Sora!"

"Like I said earlier. I placed all my doubts on you. And Veera just worries."

Riku wasn't satisfied with that answer. He wouldn't press the matter further now, but he would be keeping an eye on Veera. Something didn't seem right, besides the obvious. "Okay… well… you don't have to worry about me. But when we get back, I'm telling Kairi she's been demoted. I'll be going with you to the hospital from now on."

Sora raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Why?"

"Do you not want me to?"

"Oh no! That's fine. Probably better anyways." He answered with a yawn.

Riku nodded and glanced over at the clock. It was nearly three in the morning. He pushed himself off the bed and stretched.

Sora lifted his eyes and watched as Riku let out a yawn and began stripping his shirt off. "Damn hormones." He muttered, looking away.

Riku smiled as he moved to turn down both beds.

Hours ago, Sora had taken a seat on the top of the dresser. Now he shifted uncomfortably. It had probably been a mistake to sit there. And to do it for so long.

"Come on." Riku said, turning towards him. "We should get some sleep if we want to catch the early ferry home."

"Oh yeah…" Sora nodded and slid off the dresser. "I wasn't even tired yet." He said, stifling a yawn.

Riku smiled. "Well… come on now. Let's get you ready for bed."

"What?" Sora tried to protest as his shirt was wrestled off, not to mention the prodding, cold fingers that followed.

"Wow!" Riku smiled, giving Sora's bulging stomach. "You are getting fat."

Sora slapped the hands away. "That is not funny!" He whined.

Riku laughed as he scooped the brunette's smaller frame up in his arms.

"Hey! Put me down! I can walk!"

"Gesh, Sora. How much have you gained?" Riku feigned straining to carry the brunette.

"Oh haha. Are you so weak you can't handle a little weight lifting?"

He laughed and plopped the brunette down on one of the beds.

"I could have done that myself." Sora whined.

"You can carry yourself?"

Sora rolled his eyes. "Yes, Riku. That's exactly what I meant."

Riku turned to the other bed but was stopped before he made it too far. He looked down at the pair of hands latched to his arm.

"I'm… uh… cold." Sora explained.

"Then use the blanket."

"Come on, Riku. Just for a little while."

"Sora…"

"Just lay with me for a little while. Nothing more."

Riku rolled his eyes are he plopped down beside Sora. "You're lucky I'm too exhausted to take advantage of you."

Sora blushed slightly as he cuddled up against Riku's side. He was fast asleep moments later.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

The next morning…

The number on the clock switched to seven in the morning. Sora was draped across Riku's torso, snoring loudly. Gingerly, he peeled the brunette off and rolled away. He dressed in silence and slipped out the door. "The ferry leaves at eight." He said to himself as he walked down the street. "I just hope she's there this early." He mused.

Fifteen minutes later found him in the hospital, back in Veera's wing.

Connie smiled brightly as she spotted him in the doorway. "Riku! What a pleasant surprise! Did you find your friend alright? Does he have another appointment today?" She looked down at her desk calendar and flipped it to today's date.

Riku smiled as he leaned over her desk. "He's fine. And no, not today."

"Great." She said, lifting her gaze with a smile. "Veera would be screaming if I had forgotten to write it down."

He returned the smile and tilted his head slightly. "I was wondering if I could ask you a favor."

She batted her eyelashes and smiled widely. "What sort of favor?"

He leaned closer. "Remember our little conversation yesterday? About your boss?"

"Oh. Her." Connie rolled her eyes. "Real weirdo that one. High-tailed it out of here after your friend left. And called in sick today."

"Really?" He hadn't expected that. But it was a good thing. Veera wouldn't be there to catch him flirting with the assistant.

Connie nodded. "And again… no paperwork was done."

Riku flashed another smile. "Wow. You really are the brains of the operation."

She smiled again. "Well… I do try my best to be… inconspicuous."

"How about you give me a call next time our good doctor does something out of the ordinary."

She smiled slyly as she slid a pen and notepad across the desk. "I would love to."

"This is my personal cell phone." He winked and scribbled down the number. "Give me a call anytime."

"Oh I will."

"And I mean anything out of the ordinary. I don't trust her."

Connie wrinkled her nose in distaste. "I don't either."

"Now then… I need to get going if I'm to catch my ferry." He grabbed her hand and bent over to place a small kiss on it. "Until next time."

Connie giggled as she folded the phone number and tucked it in her purse.

An hour later found the pair of friends on the ferry, about to dock at Destiny Islands. Kairi could be heard screaming before she was seen.

Sora was laughing and screaming back at her over the loud noise of the ferry and its other passengers.

Riku sighed and pulled Sora aside. "Look…" He said frankly. "When we dock, I'm going to disappear."

"What?" Sora asked, confused.

Riku held up his hands. "Just for a little while."

"Why?"

"My whole world just turned completely upside down, Sora." He crossed his arms. "And since I was with you, I didn't get a chance to… well… to really think. I didn't want to freak out in front of you."

"Riku…"

"No, it's okay Sora. You know me. I just need time to process alone."

"But you aren't alone."

"And neither are you, Sora. But I need my time, okay?" He felt bad when he saw the look on Sora's face. He wanted to wrap his arms around the brunette and never leave his side again. But Riku knew he was close to cracking. He didn't want to fall apart in front of Sora. He just needed some time. "Time to deal."

Sora sighed and lowered his head. "How long?"

Riku shrugged. "I'm not sure. But I'll be at your next appointment." He turned as the passengers around them began to file off the boat.

"But that's two weeks away!" Sora said, trying to follow through the crowd. "Damnit, Riku!" He really did disappear.

"Sora!" Kairi bounded over and latched onto him. "How was the checkup? Everything alright? How'd Riku take the news? Is he okay? What happened last night? Riku was really angry when he called… yesterday…" She looked around, noticing for the first time that the silver haired boy was missing. "Hey… where is he?"

End of Chapter 12. Stay tuned for Chapter 13: Stepping Stone