Hurt

Getting a future

“You were pregnant before?” Kagami asked in surprise.

“Yes.” Kuroko finally looked away from Shin-chan. “But I was much too young at the time.”

“You mean you were raped.” The redhead gently stroked Kuroko's neck who seemed to like the attention. “You were too unfazed for someone surviving a hunt for the first time.”

“It was your first though, wasn't it?” Still, not even a slice of blame in the shorter one's voice.

“Shin-chan?” Takao asked his boyfriend who had gone very still. Could Alpha males get pregnant? He had never heard of that before. It couldn't be, right?

“How does one determine if he is pregnant or not?” He had no intonation at all.

“Just a second.” Kuroko stood and went over to his bag to take out his wallet. “There is a clinic specializing in male pregnancies without judgment. It is where I went to in middle school.”

“You still have their card?” Kagami asked.

“You never know when you might need help as an Omega.”

Shin-chan accepted the card, Takao reading the data over his shoulder. With a look at the clock he said: “They are still open. Do you want to go? We could still make it.”

“They have an emergency service for these kind of situations.” Kuroko drank the rest of his hot chocolate without sitting down again. “I can accompany you if you like.”

The green haired simply looked at Takao who could read his expression without needing a verbal answer: “Yes, let's go.”

“I need a new recipe anyway, I would have dropped by this week. Is your hair dry, Kagami?”

“Dry enough.” The redhead still looked at Midorima. “Can Alpha males really get pregnant?”

“The chance of a bottoming Alpha to get pregnant is one in ten thousand. It is therefore quite rare but possible.” Kuroko answered.

“You bottom?” Kagami asked as if just realizing it. “Sorry, forget I asked. That was stupid and I don't want to know anyway.” He stood and went over to get his and Kuroko's bag.

Takao took Shin-chan's and his wallets out of their bags, as well as his keys. Whatever the result, he wanted his boyfriend here afterward. The other did not complain about only being given his wallet, so he seemed to think the same. If he was able to think anyway. Right now, Shin-chan looked lost. So Takao took his hand and simply dragged him with them.

“This day is full of surprises.” Kagami sighed, draping an arm over Kuroko's shoulders. “Though you still shocked me more than this.”

“How so? Being an Omega? Having you react to me?” The shorter one asked.

“I have to mull over the second thing. That was quite a strong reaction.”

“Except for Akashi, nobody has ever been able to withstand my pheromones. It is why I keep them reined in so tightly.” Kuroko leaned into the touch, obviously happy with having Kagami to himself.

“What is there that this Akashi guy cannot do?” He asked annoyed.

“Multiply himself.” Kuroko smiled. “Though I only assume that he is single and does not have kids yet.”

“He is betrothed to an Alpha women of another distinguished family. They will marry after he finishes school.” Shin-chan said, openly relieved about not being the center of attention still.

“I am not surprised. Of course they take pride in their Alpha heritage.”

That shut Shin-chan up for good. He came from an Alpha family as well. What would it mean for them if he really was pregnant?
 

“How long until the results are ready?” Shin-chan asked the doctor impatiently.

“Tomorrow morning.” The older male took out the needle and pressed gauze to the wound. “Please press for two minutes.” He threw away the needle and stuck a bar code label to the blood tube. “I will call you with the results. Before I let you go, I would like to know what a pregnancy would mean for you. You are underage after all and here without parental supervision.”

“Will you have to call his parents with the results?” Takao asked taking Shin-chan's free hand into his.

“No, you seem mature enough to me. At least if you can give me a straight answer to this.” The doctor did seem nonjudgmental just like Kuroko had said.

“Shin-chan?” He turned to his boyfriend, fearing he would still be stunned.

But the other seemed rather pensive when he said: “We will have to tell my parents. There is the possibility that they might disown me.”

“I don't think so, your mother loves you more than anything.” Silly Shin-chan.

“She does but my father won't take kindly to it. If he forbids her from seeing me, she will obey.”

“They are conservative like that, true.” Takao sighed. “Well, anyway, I have a flat and enough money to care for you and the child. I might have to take on a part-time job for the more expensive stuff but we can manage. If worst comes to worst, you can count on me.”

“I don't want to completely rely on you.” The taller one said stubbornly.

“Shin-chan.” Takao kissed his cheek, forgetting about the doctor for a second. “You are responsible for two lives. Let me be responsible for your well-being at least.”

It made his boyfriend shut up and even slightly smile. He himself could not get the grin off his face. Shin-chan might really be pregnant. That meant he might come to live with him.

“You do not consider abortion an option at all?” The doctor asked.

“No!” Takao forcefully answered while his boyfriend's arm immediately dropped to his abdomen to protect it.

“I only wanted to ask your reasons.” The doctor calmly stated.

He looked at his side, reading Shin-chan like an open book and answered: “I am sorry but those are private. We would simply never consider it. We might be young but we are able to care for a child.”

“Yes, I see that. You are both mature beyond your years.” The older man nodded. “I have a list of the things you should not eat or do.” He gave a piece of paper to the taller boy. “Also, here is another list of the tests and consultations you should have if you are pregnant.” They got another. “You might want to read through those tonight. There is something though that is not on this because those lists are designed for Omega male pregnancies.”

“Which is?” Shin-chan looked up, aware of his surroundings and fully in reality again.

“Alpha males are muscular and well-toned. While they are bigger and therefore have a lot more abdominal space, their bellies just do not give. You need to immediately stop every kind of sport or training you do or you won't be able to carry the child to term.”

He simply swallowed, looked to Takao for assurance and nodded before deciding: “I will.”

“Kagami will have to wait another half year for his rematch. He will survive, don't worry.” He nudged the other, trying to lighten the mood.

“At least I can still use my brain in the mean-time.” Shin-chan sighed, suddenly pouty. “I'll be so bored.”

“I'll find you something to spend your time on.” Takao stood and helped his boyfriend up. “Now let's go. Does your list say you can eat Okonomiyaki?”

“Looks like I have to watch out with some fillings.” The other answered while reading the first page.

“Thank you, doctor. We'll be awaiting your call.” Takao bowed. “Let's go out with Kuroko and Kagami.”
 

Kuroko had simply smiled when he saw them come out. Kagami had actually looked disappointed when they told him they had to wait for the results. He had not exactly counted them as friends before but they were the most supportive people he ever met. It was nice to be around them, they made the whole strange happenings today seem completely normal and alright.

On the way to the restaurant, Shin-chan was hanging back a bit, finally asking: “How did you know I never considered abortion? We haven't talked about this, have we?”

“That's easy, Shin-chan. First of all, I met your parents. You are a traditionalist just like them. Family is sacred, abortion is thereby never an option.” He smiled at his boyfriend to show him that was alright. “Secondly you told me about Kuroko's abortions. Your voice was broken. You would have wanted those kids if he had decided to have them. Just knowing they might be yours would have been enough, you would have raised them as yours. You simply don't ask if you want them or not, they are a given for you. Just by existing your kids are your everything. It's in how you talk about them.”

“You really know me well.” The taller one smiled. “But what do you want?”

“I want to support you in everything you do.” He answered with a grin. “I am long past the point of asking if I want that or not, it is a given for me. Because you are my everything. You want our kid, so I will do my utmost to make it possible.”

Shin-chan mouthed to him that he loved him. He sometimes did that because he was too embarrassed to say it out loud. He was cute like that. He turned serious afterward and said: “You know that might mean you have to raise our child because I suck at that?”

“You won't. You do everything you do perfectly. I know you will study books on child rearing until they come out of your ears again.”

“It is not as if one can train that skill.” Shin-chan looked aside.

“You could always help out in a kindergarten.” Takao grinned, imagining that. “Actually that would be hilarious, I wanna watch.”

“Stay serious, Kazu.”

“Always am.” He still chuckled to himself. “If your parents throw you out, I will have to do the rearing anyway. You are the genius here, so you stay on in school and study afterward. I can always drop out and take on a job. What do you think would suit me?”

“You would do that?” Those beautiful green eyes widened.

“Well, you won't be allowed to go to school with a baby. So either your mother helps out or I drop out. It is not as if we have other options.”

“You really have thought this through.”

It was so damn cute when he astonished his boyfriend. Of course he had thought it through. Since the moment a pregnancy became a possibility, he had counted his money in his head, coming out with only one conclusion. If Shin-chan's parents did not support them financially and with child-rearing, he would have to drop out anyway. Nappies, formula, toys, clothes, all those things were expensive. His father send enough money for him to eat and pay the bills but not more. If you calculated closely, he could feed his boyfriend and have him live in his flat. But he had no money at all to support a child as well. There way no way he was staying in school. That carefree lifestyle of barely managing their academically focused classes and playing basketball was at an end now. If he wanted his family with him, he would have to work.

This restaurant visit might be the last for a very long time.
 

“Kazu?” Shin-chan asked, his head lying on Takao's chest. For once they had simply switched off the light to cuddle. That warm closeness was something they both seemed to crave right know. “I have to admit that I am scared.”

“Of what?” He laid one hand on Shin-chan's head, scratching it comfortingly.

“Telling people.” The other took a deep breath. “Somehow, as long as you are here, I am sure everything will work out. Even if my parents disowned me, school suspended me and I got complications, you would be here and make it alright.” Well, good if one of them was so sure. Takao hadn't even thought about the fact that Alpha pregnancies were dangerous and they might have complications. “But what will our teammates say? I will let them down. What about the teachers? What about our friends?”

“Kuroko supports us, that means Kagami supports us. Who else matters? Those two are important. Our teammates will be sad not to have you for a season but they will also be happy for us. They have been supportive of our relationship for months now. They won't suddenly let us down. If they do, I'll lecture Otsubo again. Or rather Miyagi, our new captain”

“True.” Shin-chan relaxed against him. “I always thought you were mad to tell the others. Now I am glad you did.”

Takao kissed the green hair in response.

“What if I am not pregnant?” The other asked into the darkness.

“We keep trying for a child. One in ten thousand doesn't sound too hard, does it?” Takao grinned. “We'll simply have lots of sex.”

“Good plan.” He could hear from Shin-chan's voice that he smiled. “Now every outcome is favorable.”

Somehow sleep overtook them, even though both had been sure to lay awake until morning. It was a Saturday, one where they did not have to attend school. So it was Takao's mobile phone that woke them by ringing.

“Good morning.” He blinked the sleep from his eyes, holding a sleepy Shin-chan with one arm. “This is Takao Kazunari speaking.”

“Good morning, I am sorry to have woken you.” He immediately recognized the voice, it was the doctor from yesterday. “Is your boyfriend with you? Are you ready to hear the results?”

“Please wait a moment, I will put you on speaker.” He did so and lay the phone next to their heads. “We are listening.”

“Just as your friend guessed, the results are positive. Congratulations on your pregnancy.” They exchanged a lazy smile and kissed. “I would like you to make an appointment here at the clinic for an extensive checkup. We can determine how far along you are. Please bring all medical documents you have about yourself, Midorima.”

“I will. Thank you, doctor.” He answered from Takao's chest which he was pressed against in a hug right now.

“Good, I'll see you then. Have a nice weekend.”

“Same to you. Goodbye.” Takao said before hanging up.

“We're going to have a kid, Kazu.” There was a happy smile nearly reaching the edges of Shin-chan's face. He had never seen him this expressive.

“We are.” He kissed the other. “What should we name him or her?”

“If it's a girl, I want to name her Kikyo.” The taller one lay on his chest, not exactly being light there. “My grandmother was called Kikyo. I really liked her.”

“Kay … you are kinda heavy.”

“What? I haven't even started showing.” There was a playful glint in Shin-chan's eyes, also something he had not seen before. He rolled off anyway. “If it's a boy we need a strong warrior name.”

“Not Shinichi?” Takao turned to lay on his side. “I would have two Shin-chans.”

“I don't want to share that name.” There it was again, that cute pouting face. “Something along the line of Masaru.”

“We can have the others make suggestions and choose from them. Thereby they will feel included.”

“Whatever is best.” The other drew him into a kiss. “You know, that list said gentle sex is alright. How about it?”

“I would never say no to that.” Takao grinned. “I love you, Shin-chan.”

“Me too.” His cheeks reddened. Oh, their kid would be a cuteness overload.
 

“What was your guess how far along you are?” The doctor asked while holding an ultrasonic device to Shin-chan's lower abdomen.

“Third month?” Takao guessed. “You said that you felt different three to four weeks before the Winter Cup preliminaries.”

“Well, if you ever feel different in the future again, you have already been pregnant for a while.” The doctor typed something on the device and lay aside the device's head. “So this is your child. Head, back, arms, legs.” He pointed to the different parts on the device's monitor. “In reality it is about this big.” He showed them a length of a bit under twenty centimeters between his hands. “At that stage it is easy to pinpoint the exact pregnancy time. That baby is most likely nineteen weeks old.”

“That's … fifth month?” Takao estimated. “That's right after our summer camp.”

“It also means we have less than five months until birth.” Shin-chan said from his lying position. “I guess I should be showing already?”

“Yes, you should.” The doctor sighed and poked his stomach. “But not with those muscles. Even if you stop all activities right now, your muscles won't loosen enough. There is a high possibility we'll have to do a Cesarian in about two or three months.”

“Doesn't that mean the baby will be at least two months early?” He squeezed his boyfriend's hand.

“Yes, it will. It will have some immune and breathing problems in the beginning but that is preferably to the deformities if we leave it in. You are a bit late in recognizing your pregnancy.” Shin-chan squeezed back at the doctor's words. “To be honest it is a wonder you did not have a miscarriage with all that activity. I looked you both up, high-school national basketball champions, right?”

“Yeah.” Takao sighed and kissed his boyfriend's forehead. “We'll have a baby in two months.”

“Do you want to know the gender?” The older man asked.

“Yes!” He looked at Shin-chan for assurance. “Let's see if it is a little Kikyo.”

The doctor changed pictures on the monitor with some clicks and said: “As you see here, there is no penis, so yes, it is a Kikyo.”

“Great.” Though Takao did all the talking, his boyfriend smiled here and there. “She'll one day be a JBL player for the womens' team.”

“I am happy if she is healthy after being born two months early.” Shin-chan took a towel from the doctor to clean himself. “How long does a Cesarian need to heal?”

“If you are asking how long until you can play again, you should wait two months for training and three months for actual games.”

“So I can play the InterHigh if you get the team through the preliminaries. I somehow don't see that happening, we are still in the same bracket as Seirin. You'll have to play them without me.” The taller one lowered his pullover. Since they heard about the pregnancy last Saturday, Shin-chan had only worn at least two layers of warm clothes.

“You won't play at all the next InterHigh. You will do your best to relax, so that the baby can be born as late as possible.” He sneaked a warm hand under the other's clothes. “Is there something we can do to relax those muscles?”

“Simply don't let him do anything. Not carrying any groceries, not hanging clothes, have him laze around as much as possible.”

“Great, I can pamper you on doctor's orders.” Takao grinned. “I can finally state a reason for driving you around in a rickshaw.”

At least Shin-chan had the decency to look a bit uneasy about that. Even after they became actual friends, Takao hadn't stopped the subservient attitude. He still ran to the conbini at least twice a day. Now that he knew why, he had had no problem the last few days to run four times. Because Shin-chan allowed it now, the hunger had caught up with him, so he had been ravenous for days.

“I had the blood rechecked for our usual tests. You are quite the healthy individual. That also poses some problems. There are diseases you can only get once but if you get them while pregnant, they damage the child. So here is another list of things to avoid.”

Shin-chan took it and asked after a few lines: “Kissing strangers? Why would I do that?”

“Look, you aren't allowed to cuddle with baby kittens. That's harsh.” Takao pointed to another one.

“I don't like animals anyway. They are unhygienic.”

“Anyway, the next checkup is in a month, please register an appointment at the reception. If anything happens in between, come here night or day. Abdominal pain, bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, all those are very serious symptoms and require an immediate checkup.”

They nodded, thanked the doctor and went to make a new appointment at the front desk. Afterward they left for Takao's flat. They had stayed there for the last half week, telling Shin-chan's parents as well as the team that he had a slight cold and Takao was caring for him.

“So, we'll have to tell the team and my parents next … who should we start with?”

“Your parents.” He answered immediately. “Their reaction decides a lot about our future. The team will want to know when a how we will come back. While you can continue to play, my future is undecided. If I have to take up work, I won't return to basketball.”

“Never?” His boyfriend looked slightly upset about that.

“Most likely never.” Takao kept up his smile. It was no use to cry over spilled beans. “When do you want to tell them?”

“On Saturday.” The taller one took a deep breath. “If it doesn't go well, we have two days to move me out.”

“I have.” Takao poked him in the side. “You aren't even allowed to pack.”

That had Shin-chan roll his eyes in annoyance.
 

Takao had dressed in his best jeans, a buttom-down shirt and dress shoes instead of sneakers. He used his father's aftershave instead of his normal stuff and even visited a barber a day before. Shin-chan told him he looked fine but he could not deny being nervous as hell.

His boyfriend was unbelievable calm in comparison. He looked the same as ever, wearing a much too wide pullover that made him look a bit smaller than he actually was. They still took the rickshaw, knowing they might need the space on the way back. Shin-chan had stuffed it out with two cushions. They parked in his parent's front yard and entered the house while Shin-chan shouted a greeting.

“You're back!” His mother greeted them with a smile and hugged her son. “Ah, don't you look handsome today, Takao.” He was surprised to receive a hug as well. “Your father has cancelled his appointments for today as you requested, Shin-chan. He is most interested in what you will tell him.” She looked to Takao. “Should I expect my husband to get angry about it?”

“Uhm … most likely.” He admitted.

“I feared that. I prepared some lavender tea, hopefully that will calm him a bit. Try your best to solve this peacefully.” She instructed her son.

“Yes, mother, I'll try my best.” They followed her to a banquet room that was most likely used for tea ceremonies. It was formal, carefully and expensively decorated with a low table in the middle. They sat while the mother went to get her husband.

“Does she know what we are here for?” Takao asked the other.

“No, but I think she can guess. I have been staying at your place too often for simple friends.” Shin-chan took a deep breath. “That is a good thing. If she knows, my father knows as well. As they haven't forbidden me from seeing you, they might be okay with this.”

That were indeed good news. Things seemed to be looking up. At least they did until Shin-chan's father entered, a stern and forbidding expression on his face.

“Good morning, father.” The tall boy bowed while sitting, Takao following his example and greeting the other as well.

“Good morning, son. I see you have brought your friend.” The parents sat on the other side of the table, the mother immediately beginning to prepare the tea. “Are you feeling better? I gathered you haven't been well these last few days.”

“I was physically alright but I needed time to think.” The other hesitated a moment. “How have you been?”

“The same. I used the time to think as well.” The older man folded his hands and laid them on the table. “Your mother and I have discussed our expectations for you these last few days.”

“What are those?” Shin-chan shrunk a bit into himself. Takao wanted to reach over and squeeze his hand in support but that might be a disastrous move right now.

“As you might know, your mother is unable to have more children. Your little sister is a good girl and will make a fine wife some day but she is not able to function as a head of house. So you are our only heir. We want you to inherit this house, our trade and to father the next generation of Midorimas. Whatever you are going to propose, we want you to incorporate those expectations into your plans.”

Oh hell. That sounded exactly like he had feared. They wanted their son to marry. Of course they wouldn't say yes.

“That sounds reasonable and possible.” Shin-chan nodded, leaving Takao to blink in confusion. “Though not in a traditional sense and I want to apologize for being unable to keep the expectations you had before.” His father simply nodded. “As you might already have deduced, I want to stay with Takao. As by our current law, I am unable to marry him, so our children will be born out of wedlock. I plan to keep all other expectations though.”

“How do you plan on having children?” His father bluntly asked.

“I am pregnant in my fifth month.”

His mother looked up sharply, speechless but not aghast. That expression changed in a matter of milliseconds to utter bliss. She forgot about decorum and the tea she was brewing to run around the table and pull her son into a fierce hug.

“Miyako.” Her husband chided her for a moment but there wasn't much force behind it.

“We're having a grandchild!” She exclaimed in joy. “Finally I can cuddle a baby again.”

The older man simply sighed and uttered: “Oh well ...”

“Be still, that is a women's joy.” She chided him in turn. “Boy or girl?”

“Her name will be Kikyo.” Shin-chan answered with a smile. Takao simply relaxed in relief, letting go of all the built up tension.

“My mother would have been happy to hear.” She gave her son another kiss. “I can't believe this is happening. I expected you to fight your father on the issue of children. For you to be pregnant … what a joyous occasion! We have to celebrate.”

“Miyako, there are still quite a few things that need to be discussed.” Her husband said.

“Don't be so cold, this isn't a business meeting. Can't you at least tell you are happy we are expecting a grandchild?” She did not hold back her anger on her son's behalf. If she hadn't been very sympathetic before, Takao would have liked her from here on.

“Not yet, no.”

Shin-chan froze up, making Takao alert in a second. He sat closer to his boyfriend and said is his stead: “Please ask your question. We are not here to antagonize you.”

The older man focused on him after a moment and seemed to accept that he took over for the other: “As I said before, I want my son as head of this family. If you want to stay with him, I'll require you to move in here, lay down your own name for ours and contribute to this family.”

“Hiroto!” Shin-chan's mother exclaimed appalled.

“If that is what it takes to stay with my boyfriend and daughter, I will do so without hesitation.”

“Have you ever learned tea ceremony? Have you learned old etiquette? Do you have any skills useful for our business?” The older man still sounded quite stern.

“None at all.” Takao answered with a clear voice. “I am a Beta male, a half-breed not even fully Japanese. My parents are divorced, my father hasn't shown his face for over a year. I know that I am the least likely candidate you would want for your son. The only thing I can say in my favor is that love Shin-chan more than my own life and I am willing to do everything you ask of me to stay by his side.”

“That is a bold exclamation.” The other did not seem to believe him.

“It is true though. He offered me his home and decided to quit school and basketball to support our family if you were to disown me. He means what he says.” Shin-chan finally seemed able to talk again.

“Saying so and doing so are two different matters. I believe in actions, not words. If you stay true to what you said, I will accept you.” The father said without even blinking, thereby menacingly staring at Takao.

“I will not disappoint Shin-chan. That includes doing my best to appease you.” He bowed as low as he could with a table in front of him. “Thank you for giving me a chance.”

“It seems you found a finer husband than I have.” Shin-chan's mother exclaimed, still openly hostile. “Let me show you your new home then, Takao. I hope I'll be able to make you feel welcome.”

“Thank you, Misses Midorima.” Even though that talk right now felt hurtful and humiliating he couldn't help grinning. He could stay with his boyfriend. He could even live with his boyfriend. This was more than alright.

“Please call me Miyako or mother. You are my son in law after all.” And she definitely sounded welcoming. He had never experienced what living with a loving mother felt like, he had always been jealous of all other kids instead.

“Thank you, Miyako. My given name is Kazunari, Shin-chan calls me Kazu. The name Takao seems unfitting after this decision.” After all, he would be a Midorima now. Even though they could not marry, he would be Midorima Kazunari in his heart from now on. That seemed alright.

“Why do you all insist on calling him Shin-chan?” The father said slightly annoyed.

“Because he is cute.” Miyako and Kazu answered in chorus before smiling at each other.

The older man simply sighed.