Chapter Text
Present
Naga looked up at the house in front of him. It was huge.
Three stories tall, tons of windows. Several of those windows were open. He could hear people laughing and talking. He peeked in, and everyone seemed to be gathered in one giant room. Must have been the living room.
Naga dropped the overnight bag he was holding. He wanted to cry, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He had been crying all the way over, despite Balance's reassurances that everything was going to be fine.
"Naga, was the overnight bag too heavy for you?"
Naga turned around and looked at Balance. "No."
"Well, I told you not to carry anything," Balance said, picking up the overnight bag.
"You have your own to carry."
"Yours is heavy, mine isn't." He looked up at the house. "Damn, I swear they choose bigger and bigger houses every year."
Naga looked down and placed his hand on his abdomen.
"Hey-hey, you're not gonna cry now, are ya?" Balance asked.
"I don't know."
"If you go in there all upset, they're gonna know something's up. And you know how prying some of these people are. I bet Hammie notices and gets on your case right away."
Naga just nodded.
"Besides, what did we talk about when we left the doctor the other day? This is going to be a happy occasion. And aside from Raptor, nobody else needs to know. Look. We've got this giant house, there's music playing, and everyone's happy. I bet there's lots of food there. It's just going to be one giant party for the next two days. So don't be depressed. We'll just find out where the closest bathroom is and we'll be all good to go, k, k?"
Naga smiled for the first time in awhile. "Okyuu."
"Good." Balance picked up Naga's bag.
"I can carry that."
"No, it's too heavy."
"But you don't think they'll notice you're carrying two bags and I'm not even carrying one?"
"Then carry mine. It's lighter."
Naga nodded, and took Balance's bag.
"Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
One week earlier
Balance was laying in his bed in his motel room. He looked as though he was staring at the ceiling, but the reality was, his mind might as well have been in another galaxy.
At one point, Balance had shared a room with Naga. They had done it in secret. It had been after Naga was taken away by Akyanba. He had returned mentally paralyzed, a fact that he and Balance both tried to hide from the rest of the Kyurangers. His first night home, Naga had snuck into Balance's room, finding himself terrified of the dark, and being paranoid that if he left his light on, somebody would have noticed and said something to him.
But he had a trust in Balance that no one else did. Balance welcomed him to his room. Naga snuck in late and left early, making sure to never get caught. He almost did, once, when Kotaro had been up in the middle of the night. Kotaro hadn't been paying attention, and it looked like he had just went to the kitchen for water and was practically sleepwalking down the corridor.
Naga would crawl into bed with Balance. He'd always cry out softly, as Balance's body would often be cold at first, but Naga's body heat always warmed him right up. Balance loved the warm feeling. Balance's body didn't produce heat on the outside like an organic body would do; he stayed warm on the inside, and his protective metal would remain whatever temperature it was. The actual temperature never bothered Balance, not on the outside anyway, and his goal was always to make sure that Naga was comfortable, no matter what. And if the feeling made him happy....
But Naga had never done that away from the Orion, not once. He and Balance had spent their lives together since, hunting for treasure, stealing from Jark Matter, saving up money with the occasional splurge. Usually on hotels with all of the fancy amenities: massages, saunas, anything really. But it was always two beds. Balance always just figured it was because of Naga's emotional growth. He still needed Balance, but not in the way that he had in the past. Which was great, because it meant their relationship was solid. They played around, even occasionally sexually.
It was a carefree life.
Balance rolled over in the bed, facing away from Naga's bed. Naga had wanted to take a walk, and he had been gone for longer than Balance was comfortable with. Balance was trying not to fall asleep, just in case Naga had gotten lost or left his key. He knew that Naga would be able to contact him, and tried to remind himself that Naga was an adult and very much had the tools to protect himself... from anything.
Balance had been just about to doze off when he heard a faint knock at the door.
Balance jumped out of the bed and ran to the door, slamming it open. Naga was standing there, and he wasn't happy.
"Hey," Balance said. "Choriisu! You lose your key?"
"I need to talk to you," was Naga's blunt response.
"Yeah, of course," Balance said. "Come to bed?"
Naga slowly made his way to the bed and got on it carefully. Balance sat down next to him.
"What's wrong?" Balance asked. "You were gone for a long time."
"I'm really sorry," Naga said softly.
"It's all ok, all right? But if there's a problem, I want to help. You still trust me, don't you?"
Naga nodded. He took a deep breath, and it took him awhile to speak up. Balance stayed quiet during that time, trying to be patient, even though he really just felt like screaming at him to speak up.
"Balance," Naga finally whimpered. "I did something stupid."
Balance pulled Naga close to him. "What's wrong?"
"I don't know if I should tell you."
"Naga, we have a trust," Balance said. "Besides, you're sitting here with me safe and sound, so whatever it was, it couldn't have been that stupid."
"It was bad," Naga said softly.
Balance heard the tone in his voice. Naga sounded as if he wanted to cry.
"I don't know what to do," Naga whispered.
"I can help you," Balance said. "But I can't if you don't tell me what the problem is."
Naga looked away from him.
"Hey, I'm not going to judge you, if that's what you're worried about," Balance said. "Look, whatever it is, it's going to be ok. I'll help you. But you gotta talk to me."
"You'll help me?" Naga whimpered after a moment.
"Of course," Balance said. "I'm your aibou, aren't I?"
A tear rolled down Naga's cheek.
"Naga," Balance said calmly. He embraced him. "Tell me what's wrong. Please?"
"Balance..." Naga said. He hesitated, and finally took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."
Balance could only stare at Naga as his mind went from being completely blank, to having about a million thoughts at once. He didn't know how to respond. His mind was racing.
"Balance?" Naga whimpered when Balance didn't say anything.
Balance slowly got up off of his bed and started pacing a little. Naga started crying.
"No, don't cry," Balance said. "I'm not... I mean... I'm just getting my thoughts together. I just need a second."
Naga's cries turned into sobs, and Balance got back on the bed slowly. He put his arms around him and pulled him close, allowing Naga to cry onto his shoulder.
"Shh, it's ok," Balance whispered. "It's ok."
"It's not ok," Naga whispered. "I've fucked up. Big time."
"Whoa, you've never talked like that before," Balance said.
"I'm sorry," Naga said so softly that Balance could ever hear him.
"I wasn't calling you out, just stating a fact." Balance said, holding him tight. "Naga, are you sure you're pregnant?"
"Yes," Naga said. "I took the test and it came out positive."
"But you haven't been to the doctor or anything?"
"Not officially."
"You should go. Maybe you're not even pregnant."
"I am, Balance."
"Well, you need to get checked out then," Balance said.
"I'm scared," Naga said, trying to stop his sobbing.
"I'll take you myself," Balance said, even though it was the last place he wanted to go.
"Balance," Naga whispered. He stayed silent for a few minutes, allowing Balance to just hold him, before he quietly asked, "Do you hate me?"
"No," Balance said. "But... if this is true... there's so much to think about. Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah."
"Who... I mean... I'll be honest. I don't understand your biology at all. But... it takes... two people, right?"
"...yeah."
"And we've... done things... but we... can't... reproduce together...."
"You're not the parent," Naga said. "I'm not even going to pretend you are. I don't want to cause any more trouble than I already have by making a false accusation."
"Then... then who's the parent?" Balance asked. He kept his voice low, even though on the inside, he was starting to panic a bit.
Naga shrugged, and buried his face into Balance's chest.
Balance wasn't sure what the shrug meant... if Naga didn't know, which would imply he had slept with more than one person... or if Naga just didn't want him to know. Balance figured it was the latter. There was no way that Naga was just a guy who slept around with just anybody, right? Either way, Balance knew he had to be there for him.
"Ok, you don't have to tell me," Balance said.
"You think I'm a slut, don't you?"
"When did I ever imply that?" Balance cried out. "Besides, you're with me a lot of the time, I don't even know when you would have...." He trailed off, when a thought suddenly crossed his mind. "Wait, is it... something... you can do... to yourself? I mean, you've... got both sets of reproductive organs...."
"I can't do it to myself," Naga said. "There's no way." He sighed. "I slept with a man. I didn't protect myself. He didn't know."
Well, that had answered one question that Balance had, but for that one question, Balance had another five. What didn't this other guy know? He didn't know that he could get Naga pregnant? You have sex with somebody with female reproductive organs, you risk this chance. He didn't use any sort of protection himself? Had Naga told him it wasn't possible? Or maybe Naga was on some kind of birth control that he thought he hadn't needed to use protection? Or maybe it was just some kind of one-night stand, Naga might not even have known his name, let alone told him of the possibility....
"Don't hate me, Balance, please," Naga said. "Please. I can't lose you."
"Whoa, whoa," Balance said. "You're not going to lose me. I don't hate you. You're still my best friend."
"I am?" Naga asked softly.
"Of course you are. This doesn't change a damn thing."
Naga started sobbing again. "I don't know what I'm going to do."
"Be calm, ok?" Balance said. "You know your options, right?"
Naga nodded slowly. "I, um... I tried... well, I tried to...."
"Tried to what?"
"End it," Naga said quickly. He couldn't even look at him when he said it.
"End it?" Balance looked at him, tilting his head. "You wanted to end it?"
"I thought it would be best. There's no way I can raise a kid by myself. So there was a clinic... last week, when I told you I was at the gym... I got there and they confirmed it. Told me my options. And I was going to... end it. But... I couldn't do it," Naga said. "If I didn't have emotions, it probably would have been easy for me... but... I do... and I... I don't know... it wasn't right. It made me sad. I chickened out at the last minute."
"Naga," Balance said. "You want to keep your baby and that's perfectly fine. It's all up to you what to do next."
"I went for a walk and ended up at the library just now," Naga said. "I looked online. There are resources on Jigama I can use... assistance with doctor's visits, food, parenting classes, transportation. There's a place I can go to help place me in a job. I don't know what kind of work I can do, but I'll take anything they'll give me. I'm going to get a studio apartment or something."
"Naga, I can get us a place," Balance said. "Together."
"Balance, I won't let you take care of me," Naga said. "Or my child. None of this is your responsibility. I have to do what's right."
"But I also have to do what's right," Balance said. "And I'm not abandoning you. Naga... I'm going to protect you. You need to go to the doctor? I'll take you there. Food? We'll go buy groceries and milk, and we can learn how to cook... together. I'll find us a place with a kitchen. Parenting classes? We'll go learn how to change diapers together... although... I'm probably going to let you do that part yourself."
Naga was finally able to smile a little.
"Look, this is going to be hard on you, I know," Balance said. "But you're not alone, and don't talk like you are. I'm not going to abandon you."
"You're not the baby's parent."
"Well... it would be no different than me adopting a kid, right?"
Naga's sobs got more dramatic and he completely buried his face in Balance's chest.
"We're supposed to be on Earth for our annual Kyuranger reunion next week," Balance said, even though he wasn't convinced that Naga could even hear him over his cries. "You need to tell Raptor. You can't go on missions now."
"Everyone is going to find out I'm a slut."
"You're not a slut, quit saying that word!" Balance said. "Besides, Raptor is the only one who needs to know, and you know she won't judge you. It's nobody else's business."
"They're going to know something's up with me."
"I'm sure none of them even realize you can get pregnant. I knew you for two years before I even found out, and it took us being sexually intimate for you to tell me all about it." Balance mentally sighed. "Look, don't think about things right now, ok? Just... rest. We'll head back to Jigama in the morning. Make yourself a doctor's appointment. I'll pay for it. We'll know things for sure by the time we talk to Raptor. She's going to ask you a lot of questions and you need to be prepared for it."
"Will you help me tell her?" Naga asked softly. "I don't know if I can do it alone."
"Yes," Balance said. "From now on, I'm not leaving your side."
"Balance?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
Balance held Naga tight, and continued to do so until Naga had cried himself to sleep.
Present
"Naga! Balance!"
"Brace yourself," Balance whispered as Hammie came running up to them.
Hammie ran over to Naga and threw her arms around him. He looked over at Balance while trying to return the hug. Balance motioned for him to just go with it.
"It's been forever!" Hammie cried out. She pulled away from him, and her smile dropped just a little.
"What is it?" Balance asked.
"Nothing," Hammie said. "You just look a little pale. Are you sick, Naga?"
"He's not sick," Balance said quickly. "We just spent a bunch of time in the Iruka system, swimming with the dolphins, looking for treasure underwater. He didn't get much sun."
Naga looked over at Balance. That... made no sense whatsoever. Balance couldn’t even swim in the ocean.
"Oh," Hammie said. She sounded confused, but she smiled again. "Well, come on in! Spada's cooking, and everyone's already here."
She took Naga by the hand as he asked, "We're the last ones?"
"Yeah, guess those dolphins kept you busy," Hammie said, dragging him.
Naga looked over at Balance again, and Balance simply nodded at him.
Hammie took them into the living room. It was huge. Everyone was there. Garu and his wife Luna, and their son, Syaoran. Syaoran was on the floor playing with Garu and Lucky. Hammie's "not boyfriend" Hoshi Minato... her precious Minaty... was also there.
Everyone greeted them when they walked in. Lucky jumped off of the floor and ran up to them.
"Glad you made it!" Lucky cried out.
"Choriisu!" Balance cried out.
Naga could only nod and smile, but that smile was good enough for Balance.
"Let me show you your rooms," Lucky said.
"Rooms?" Naga repeated.
"You're on the third floor, Naga," Lucky said. "And Balance, you're on the second floor."
"Separate floors?" Naga asked.
"Hey," Balance whispered.
"Yeah, we got you on the third floor near Stinger and Spada," Lucky said. "There's a huge bathroom up there to share."
Naga could feel his heart pounding. A shared bathroom.... with Spada and Stinger? In a house this huge?
"Is that a problem?" Lucky asked.
"It's not a problem," Balance said.
"You ok, Naga?" a voice said from behind.
Naga turned around slowly, and Stinger was standing there.
"You don't want to share a bathroom with me?" Stinger asked, smiling.
"No, it's fine," Naga said. "Thanks."
"This place looks huge," Spada said, walking up to them. He was carrying a tray of appetizers. "But it really isn't. The bedrooms are just big. Are you hungry, Naga?"
Naga hesitated, but he nodded, and took something off of the tray. "Thanks."
Spada smiled. "I hope you like it. I made all of the food myself."
"All of it?" Balance challenged with a chuckle.
"Well, my cooking staff at Grazie did," Spada said. "But it's all my recipes."
Naga took a bite. "It's delicious. Thanks."
"Glad you like it!" Spada turned around and walked around the room with the tray.
Balance turned and looked at Naga. He looked like he was going to be sick.
Balance quickly grabbed whatever it was that Naga was eating. Based off of its smell, it was spicy, which was sure to have upset Naga's stomach. Without anyone seeing, he quickly shoved it into Naga's bag to be tossed later.
"Ready?" Lucky asked. Nobody seemed to notice what Balance had just done, thankfully.
Naga nodded, and the three of them went upstairs.
They had found Balance's room first, and Balance quickly grabbed his bag from Naga's hands and placed it in the room. Lucky had been talking a mile a minute, and didn't seem to notice. He was more concerned about the sunshine shining in through the window, which Balance did like.
They went up to the third floor after that, and Balance quickly noted that Naga was getting winded. Lucky was still talking, and didn't seem to notice.
Lucky had always been oblivious. This was helpful at the moment.
Naga's room was huge. It had a giant bed in it, and it was placed up against the window. There wasn't much else in the room, which probably made it look bigger than it was. Balance placed Naga's bag down near the closet.
"Do you like it?" Balance asked.
"I do," Naga said. He actually smiled a little, and Balance knew he wasn't lying.
"I'll let you get settled," Lucky said. "Are you coming, Balance?"
"No, I'm going to help Naga get settled," Balance said. "We'll be down soon."
Lucky gave him a thumbs up and a grin before leaving the room.
"You like it, for reals?" Balance asked.
Naga smiled again and nodded. "It's nice," Naga said. "Just the right size."
"Right size for what?"
"The baby's bed," Naga whispered.
Balance chuckled when he realized that Naga was daydreaming. Naga's smile was adorable, and Balance loved to see it. "Well, the kid's not going to need that this weekend. Still baking."
Naga giggled a little, and walked over to the bed. He jumped on it.
"Hey, careful," Balance said. "That's precious cargo you're holding!"
Naga sat up and turned and looked out of the window.
On the one hand, Balance was happy that Naga seemed to be in a better mood. On the other hand, these mood swings were going to drive him crazy.
"They got a pool," Naga said.
"I bet that'll feel good on your back," Balance said. "Especially if the water's hot."
"I can't go swimming."
"Why not?"
"Because they'll see me... without my shirt on."
"Please, you're not even showing," Balance said. He reached into Naga's bag and pulled out the food Naga couldn't eat earlier, and threw it in a trash can near the door. "How will they even know?"
Naga shrugged, although Balance knew that Naga was already so self-conscious, had been for a long time. Once, Scorpio had attacked Naga, and he needed bandaging. Naga had been so afraid to reveal his scaly stomach then that he had actually convinced Balance to put the bandages on the outside of his shirt. He needed a new shirt after that, and it took him a while to heal. In fact, he still had a scar from the incident. It wasn't long after that, that Balance had purchased a special lotion for Naga, and Balance made sure to help Naga keep up his scaly skin.
"I don't think you should worry about anything right now," Balance said, sitting down on the bed. "We're here to see our comrades and have a good time. You packed your swimming trunks, didn't you?"
Naga nodded.
"Well, later you can put them on. And don't worry. I'm right here, ok?"
"Will you get in the pool with me?"
"You know I can't do that, I'll short out if I get in up to my chest when the water reaches my heart."
"Please, Balance?"
"Didn't you just hear what I said?" Balance said, chuckling. "How about if I just sit on the side and dip my feet in? My metal boots can get wet."
"You'd do that for me?"
"I bet it would feel good, and you're gonna feel good, too."
"Hey," said a voice from the door.
Balance turned around. Why did Stinger keep sneaking up on them?
"What is it?" Balance asked.
"Nothing," Stinger said. "Uh... I just... wanted to check on you, Naga."
"He's fine, he doesn't need checking on," Balance said. He got off of the bed. "Ever heard of knocking?"
"The door was wide open," Stinger said. "Can I come in?"
Balance looked over at Naga.
"Sure," Naga said.
Stinger walked in. "Nice room, huh?" he said. Balance could tell he was only trying to make conversation.
"Is there a reason why you're here?" Balance asked bluntly.
"I..." Stinger said. "I... just wanted to check on Naga. On both of you," he quickly added.
"We don't need checking on," Balance said.
"I want to hear that from Naga," Stinger said bluntly.
"What?" Balance cried out. He looked over at Naga. "Naga?"
"I'm fine," Naga said. "I don't need to be checked on."
Stinger looked like he didn't believe him, but nodded. "Spada's just served dinner. I know it's early, but we're going to have a pool party later."
"We'll be down in a few minutes," Balance said. "See you downstairs."
Stinger didn't move.
"I said, see you downstairs," Balance said, a little louder.
Stinger nodded this time, and left the room. Balance closed the door behind him.
"Man, what's his problem?" Balance asked, looking back over at Naga.
Naga shrugged. Suddenly, he grimaced, and gave a slight groan.
"What's wrong?"
"I think I'm going to throw up."
"Better get to that giant bathroom, then."
Naga got up and walked quickly out of the room. Balance fumbled around in Naga’s bag for a minute, before pulling out Naga's toothbrush and toothpaste.
He walked out into the hallway, and Naga had already disappeared into the bathroom. Balance stood in front of the door. Luckily, no one else was up there, because Naga wasn't quiet at all.
After a few minutes, Balance heard the toilet flush.
"Naga?" Balance asked. "It's clear."
Naga slowly opened the door. His face was pale.
Balance handed him his toothbrush and toothpaste. "You ok?"
Naga nodded. "Thanks."
"Choriisu."
Naga disappeared into the bathroom again, and Balance could hear the water running. A few minutes passed, and Naga opened the door again.
"Better?" Balance asked.
Naga nodded. "I'm ready to go downstairs."
"You sure?"
"No."
Balance chuckled, and they went back downstairs.
Everyone was still talking and laughing, except for Stinger. He was sitting alone in the living room, listening to everyone else talk.
"Naga, I made pasta," Spada said. "There's a bunch of toppings to choose from. And there's bread, and wine, too."
"Thank you," Naga said.
"Help yourself," Spada said, gesturing to the food.
Everyone else had already been eating, except for Stinger. Naga seemed self-conscious again, and tried to make himself a plate that he wasn't going to gag over. Balance looked over at the wine, but if Naga couldn't drink... he wasn't going to, either. He grabbed a couple of bottles of water, and sat down at the table next to Naga.
"You guys aren't drinking?" Champ asked Balance.
Balance hadn't been expecting any questions, and didn't really have anything prepared. "Nope, not drinking," he finally said.
"But you always drink."
"Well, we're going to stop."
Everyone turned to look at him. Naga had done the same thing, and he was slowly chewing the food in his mouth.
"Why's everyone looking at me?" Balance asked. "What's the big deal?"
"Why are you gonna stop drinking?" Garu asked. "That's not like you."
"How do you know what I'm like?"
"Because we know you, Balance."
Naga swallowed his food, and turned away, quickly putting his fork down. Balance knew he was humiliated, and he had to think quick.
"Well, the truth is...." Balance said. "Ok, well, the truth is, my last physical wasn't so good, I got ticker problems. Doc said to lay off the alcohol."
"Naga's got... ticker... problems, too?" Champ asked.
"Of course not," Balance said.
"If Balance can't drink, then neither will I," Naga said, surprising himself, but no one more than Balance. "I promised to support him any way I can."
"That's really sweet!" Raptor said.
"You guys really are partners," Kotaro said with a grin.
Naga turned to Balance and smiled. He picked up his fork again.
"Well, it agrees with you," Tsurugi said. "You both look great. And Naga...."
Naga looked over at Tsurugi curiously, with a mouthful of pasta.
"Naga, there's something... different... about you," Tsurugi said.
"What's different?" Naga asked. He looked over Balance, and Balance knew he was panicking.
"Not sure," Tsurugi said.
"You know, he's right," Hammie said. "There is something different about you."
"I do not know what you mean," Naga said.
"It's your skin!" Raptor cried out. "Your skin is brighter!"
"I thought he was pale earlier," Hammie said. "But I think you’re right! Naga, your skin is brighter!"
"You're glowing!" Kotaro said with a laugh.
"I'm not glowing," Naga muttered.
"Guys-" Balance tried to say.
"Maybe it's because he hasn't been drinking alcohol?" Tsurugi asked.
"Drinking all of that extra water will do that to your skin," Spada pointed out.
"Naga, you look so handsome!" Hammie cried out.
Naga put down his fork and stared into his plate.
"What's wrong?" Hammie asked.
"Nothing's wrong, you're just embarrassin' him," Balance said. "Naga, don't listen to these people. Eat your Spada food."
"Don't be depressed while you're eating, Naga," Spada said.
Naga nodded, and started eating again.
Stinger walked over to Naga, and put his hands on Naga's shoulders. Naga turned around quickly.
"Are you sure you're ok, Naga?" Stinger asked.
"Didn't we just establish that he is?" Balance asked. "Leave him alone."
"But I just want to-"
Balance stood up, getting into Stinger's face. He ripped Stinger's hands away from Naga and threw them off to the side, throwing Stinger just a little off balance.
"I said, leave him alone!" Balance bellowed out.
Champ and the Commander ran over, Champ grabbing Stinger and the Commander grabbing Balance.
"Balance!" the Commander cried out. "That was unnecessary!"
"I just wanted to check on him!" Stinger cried out.
"Well, you're pryin'!" Balance cried out. "He's ok. He's got everything under control. Just stop houndin' him!"
"What do you mean, he's got everything under control?" Stinger asked. "Does it look like he's under control?"
Balance looked over at Naga. Naga was crying. Balance yanked himself away from the Commander and put his arms around Naga.
"It's ok," Balance said. "It's really ok."
"It's not ok," Stinger said. "You're hiding something."
"I'm not hiding anything," Balance said. "You've just been on his case since he got here. Let the man enjoy his meal and relax."
"Fine," Stinger said. Champ let go of him, and he walked outside.
Everyone else stood in silence for a moment. Hammie brought Naga some tissue.
"Are you ok?" Hammie asked.
Naga nodded, attempting to stop crying. He grabbed the tissue and wiped his face.
"Balance, what's come over you?" the Commander asked.
"I'm sorry," Balance said. "I'm sorry to you, and I'm sorry to you, Naga. Stinger's just been right on top of us since we got here."
"Yeah, he's been acting funny, too," Garu said.
"Don't cry, Naga," Hammie said. "Why are you upset?"
"I'm not," Naga said, trying to regain his composure. "Balance just startled me, that's all."
Hammie hit Balance on the arm.
"Hey, ow!" Balance said.
"Calm down," Hammie said. "You made Naga cry."
"I accidentally scared him, that's all." Balance turned to Naga. "You are ok, right?"
Naga put his fork down and stood up. "Just tired," he whispered.
"You can take a nap before the party starts," Hammie said.
Naga nodded. "I think I'm going to do that," he whispered. "Thank you for the food. It was delicious."
Spada smiled. "Grazie!"
Naga started to walk towards the stairs, but when he was just about there, he stopped. Without turning around, he said softly, "Balance?"
"Coming," Balance said, grabbing the water bottles and running after him. He followed Naga up the stairs.
Everyone else looked at each other. They were definitely confused.
Four days earlier
Naga was tense. He had looked around the doctor's office, and he was holding onto Balance's hand tight.
"Don't be nervous," Balance said.
"I can't help it," Naga whispered. "I hate doctors."
"I know you do. But you gotta do it for your kid."
Naga nodded, and tried to smile. It was an awkward smile, but it was a hell of an attempt.
After a few minutes, a doctor came into the room.
"Good morning," the doctor said. "I'm Dr. Isben. Naga, is it?"
Naga nodded.
Dr. Isben looked over Naga's chart. "We received your medical records. I see that you've confirmed your pregnancy just a couple of weeks ago in the Iruka system?"
Naga nodded again.
"Ok," Dr. Isben said. "We're going to do a blood panel and a urine test. Basically, we're just going to cover all bases, since we use different tests here in the Ite system than they do in the Iruka system. Once we've confirmed your pregnancy through our own lab, we can go ahead and run some tests, to make sure the fetus is ok."
"Fetus," Balance whispered.
"Have you thought about your options?"
Naga nodded. "I want to keep my child."
Dr. Isben smiled. "Perfect," he said.
A nurse entered the room. She carefully took Naga's blood, and then escorted him out of the room for the urine sample.
"Hey," Balance said to the doctor. "Take good care of Naga, all right? He's all I've got."
Dr. Isben smiled. "I promise to take good care of him."
Balance nodded.
They stood in awkward silence until Naga was finally brought back to the room. The doctor excused himself to rush the test results.
"Still scared?" Balance asked.
Naga nodded.
"Well, don't be," Balance said. "All of these tests are going to come out great, and we're going to be able to just relax and enjoy this experience."
"We?" Naga asked.
"We," Balance said. "I've decided. I want to be this baby's parent."
"Balance, I can't ask that of you," Naga said.
"You didn't ask. I'm telling you."
"You don't have to do that."
"Never said I had to," Balance said. "It's what I want."
"You want to?"
"Yep," Balance said. "It's my final decision."
"Balance...."
"Naga," Balance said. "I have the money, I have the time. What, you don't think I'll make a good dad? I was just joking about not changing diapers."
"It's not that."
"Then what is it?"
The doctor came back in then, interrupting their talk.
"Well, the blood panel came back positive," Dr. Isben said. "Congratulations on your pregnancy."
Naga managed a small smile.
The doctor pulled a machine over, and instructed Naga calmly to lay back on the exam table and pulled up his shirt. Naga was nervous, but Balance grabbed his hand and squeezed it gently. He pulled up a seat next to the table, staying as close to Naga as he could.
The doctor fumbled with the machine for a minute. He put some kind of gel on some kind of wand (Balance had no idea what it even was), and warned Naga it was going to be cold. Naga shivered and cried out softly when the wand touched him. Balance recognized the sound... he was only cold.
After a minute, the doctor reached over and hit a switch on the machine. Suddenly, they were able to hear a heartbeat, and a picture came up on the screen.
"What's that?" Balance asked.
"It's the fetus," Dr. Isben said. "See right there? There's the spine, and the arms...."
"My baby is real," Naga whispered.
"Sure is," Balance said.
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Naga asked.
"Too early to tell," Dr. Isben said. "Looks like you're about ten weeks in. Probably give that another couple of months, I'll be able to tell you for sure."
"Ten weeks," Naga said softly.
Balance looked over at Naga. He knew he was thinking out loud. He just wished he knew what Naga was thinking about.
"Is the kid ok?" Balance asked.
"So far, so good," Dr. Isben said. "We're going to run more tests, but right now, everything appears to be fine."
"Thank goodness," Naga said.
The doctor kept on talking, something about due dates and diets, but Balance had let his mind wander.
Truth be told, this was weird. A little too weird. And random, definitely random.
But he was going to do everything he could for Naga, even if it meant sacrificing his lazy way of life.
Present
"Aibou?"
Stinger had been sitting in a deck chair outside, staring out into the sky. He wasn't crying, but Champ knew he was upset.
"You wanna talk about it?" Champ asked him, pulling up another chair.
"There's nothing to talk about," Stinger said.
"Obviously, there is," Champ said. "There's something going on... between you and Naga, isn't there?"
Stinger didn't respond.
"You usually tell me everything," Champ said. "Even though we don't see each other as much as we used to."
"I know," Stinger said. "I'm sorry."
"Nothing to apologize for. We live different lives. But we never lost touch or anything like that. We're still partners, aren't we?"
"Yes," Stinger said. "I don't want that to ever change."
"Well, Naga and Balance are partners," Champ said. "Maybe they're closer than we all think."
"You think I'm interfering?"
"No," Champ said. "But if Balance thinks you're prying, maybe it means you are."
"Naga's hiding something."
"It's obvious they both are. But if they wanted us to know, they'd tell us. Right now, they don't want to say anything, so anything going on with them is none of our business."
"None of our business," Stinger repeated quietly.
"Besides, why worry about them? They can take care of themselves."
"Naga can't take care of himself."
"That isn't true, and even if it was, it's very obvious that Balance is there to help him."
Stinger went silent, and neither said a word for a few minutes.
"I don't know what's going through your mind right now, but you need to get over it," Champ finally said. He stood up.
"You don't even know what I’m thinking," Stinger said.
"That's because you refuse to talk to me. Some aibou you are." Champ walked back into the house.
Stinger sighed, and leaned back into the chair. He closed his eyes, and let the sun shine on his face.
Naga woke up to laughter and talking.
He opened his eyes slowly, and the first thing he noticed was that he was alone.
"Balance?" he whispered, even though he knew that Balance wasn't there.
He sat up in bed, and turned around. The pool party had started already. It was getting dark out, but there were lights on all around the pool. He spotted Balance sitting with the Commander at one of the patio tables.
Balance... wouldn't have said anything to the Commander about this, right?
No. Of course not. They were just chatting. Probably.
He quickly jumped out of bed, throwing the blanket he had on back onto the bed. He put on his swimming trunks. He wasn't sure about going into the pool, but he had thrown on a t-shirt. He would rather have just kept his clothes on, but he knew that everyone would be pressuring him. He decided to just stay as close to Balance as possible. Besides, he was feeling better.
He got downstairs as quickly as possible, but slowed down as he headed out of the back door.
"Naga!" Hammie cried out from the pool. She waved her arm.
Everyone turned to look at him. Balance got up and made his way over to him.
Naga smiled shyly at the attention.
"Did ya have a nice nap?" Balance asked.
"I think so," Naga said.
"Well, you were asleep for over three hours," Garu said.
"I was?" Naga asked.
"Are you sick, Naga?" Raptor asked with concern.
"No, just tired," Naga said, smiling. "I'm fine now. Thank you."
"Well, if you're ok, then you can get in the pool," Kotaro said.
"Maybe later," Naga said.
"Well, there's fruit and drinks," Spada said, gesturing to the set up. "Help yourself."
Naga looked over at where Spada was gesturing. He was starving, and fruit was something he could eat and keep down. He smiled at Spada and nodded.
Balance walked over to the table where Naga was practically drooling.
"You're ok, right?" Balance whispered.
Naga nodded. "This looks really good." He picked up a banana. "They don't have these in Jigama and they're so good."
"We'll make sure to take a supply home," Balance said with a chuckle. "I was worried about you, but I don't need to be, do I?"
"I'm ok," Naga said, peeling the banana. "I had some sleep, now I've got some fruit." He took a bite of the banana and sighed happily.
"Good banana?"
"I could eat this every day for the rest of my life," Naga said, and Balance laughed.
"How are you feeling otherwise? Any pain? Stomach issues?"
"Not right now," Naga said, his mouth full of banana.
"Good. Let's relax. I'm sitting over there."
"With the Commander?"
"Yep. I'm letting him tell me stories of his travels."
"I want to sit next to you."
"You don't have to if you don't want to. Commander's stories are kind of boring."
"I want to be close to you."
"Fair enough," Balance said. "I'll pull up a chair for you. You want me to get you some punch, make you a plate?"
Naga took another bite of his banana and shook his head. "I can do it."
"Nah, go take it easy," Balance said. "I'll get you a little bit of everything."
"Thank you," Naga said. He walked over to the table.
Balance took a look at what was on the table, and started piling fruit on a plate, including another banana.
"I can do that," Stinger said, walking up to him.
Balance was annoyed by his presence, but didn't want to cause another scene. "I've got it."
"At least let me get him something to drink. I promise not to pry anymore."
Balance looked over at Naga, who had sat down at the table with the Commander. The Commander was talking to him, but Balance knew Naga's main focus then was on that banana.
"Ok," Balance finally said. It really wouldn't hurt to avoid a second trip, right? And if Stinger wasn't prying, there probably wasn't any reason for him not to join them. "Thanks."
Stinger nodded, and poured Naga a cup of punch. He grabbed some napkins and a bottle of water, and followed Balance back to the table.
Stinger carefully placed everything in his hands in front of Naga. Naga looked up at him and smiled. Stinger quickly pulled another chair up, sitting across from Naga.
As the Commander told his story about riding a whale in the Kujira system, Balance watched Stinger carefully. Stinger had a weird look on his face, but he was quiet. Naga was too busy eating to notice Stinger staring at him.
Balance was confused. What was Stinger's issue? It had been awhile since they had seen each other, but did Stinger really miss Naga that much? Why?
They hadn't been close during their time together on the Orion. Granted, Stinger had grown a lot since they had first met him, but he was always closer to Kotaro and Champ. Of course, he spent a lot of time with Kotaro, so he probably didn't need to hang around him.
He could have been hanging with Champ, though.
Balance watched Champ, who kept looking over at Stinger. He was sitting with Raptor. Raptor looked beautiful in her two piece swimsuit, but Champ hadn't even noticed. Raptor was staring at somebody... probably Spada. He was splashing around with Hammie and Minato. Garu and his wife were in the pool, too, and Garu's son was wearing a red lifejacket, apparently having the time of his life while Garu taught him to doggy paddle. Tsurugi was doing laps, and Kotaro was jumping off the diving board, with Lucky watching and encouraging him to cannonball.
Balance looked over at Garu's son. Syaoran was getting big. It had been a surprise when Garu had announced he was married, and an even bigger surprise when Lucky had announced that Garu had a son. At the time, Balance couldn't really care less, but now, he regretted that.
Balance knew Naga's baby wasn't his kid, not biologically. This was fact. He and Naga had a sexual relationship, but it was few and far between. They had made a promise that sex would never interfere with their bond. A bond that the two had worked so hard for. And it never had. Besides, Balance was mechanical. He could only mate with members of his own species, where as Naga could mate with plenty of organics.
Or, at least one, anyway.
"Balance?" Naga was asking.
"Hmm?" Balance said. He realized that he hadn't been paying attention to anything that was being said.
"I'm ready to get in the water," Naga said. He was standing up.
"Oh!" Balance said. He stood up and followed Naga.
Naga stood over and looked at the pool. "You think it's cold?" he asked.
"Well, it's dark out," Balance said. "Maybe a little."
"You gonna take your shirt off?" Stinger asked, walking over to them.
"Is that a requirement?" Balance challenged him.
"No, I was just asking," Stinger said.
Kotaro walked up to them. "You're ready now, Naga?"
Naga nodded. "I think I'm just going to-"
Before Naga could finish his sentence, Kotaro shoved him, and he cried out as he landed backwards into the pool.
"Naga!" Balance and Stinger both cried out.
Naga was still underwater, and Balance was starting to panic.
"I can't jump in!" Balance cried out.
Stinger jumped in, even though he was still wearing his Kyuranger Commander jacket, and he quickly pulled Naga up to the surface. Naga was coughing, and Balance pulled him out.
"Naga, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Kotaro said. "I really am!"
"Kotaro, calm down!" Balance cried out. "Naga, talk to me, you ok?"
Naga was trying to catch his breath. "Yeah," he managed to say. "I'm sorry."
"Naga, I'm really sorry!" Kotaro said.
"It's ok," Naga said. "I just... wasn't prepared for that."
"Sit him up," Stinger said.
Everyone had gathered around at that point. Naga had looked up, and Balance knew he was embarrassed.
"Kotaro, why did you do that?" Stinger cried out. "That was stupid, and dangerous!"
"I'm sorry!" Kotaro cried out. "He and Balance did that to me last time, they were just joking around. I thought it would be funny because of that!"
"Well, you need to be careful with him now!" Stinger cried out.
"Why?" Kotaro asked.
"Because he's pregnant!" Stinger shouted out.
Kotaro's eyes widened, and everyone went dead silent as Naga buried his face into Balance's chest and started sobbing.
"Stinger!" Balance cried out.
Stinger's eyes widened as he realized what he had just done. "Naga...."
Balance looked down at Naga, who was still sobbing. He held him tight as he tried to figure out how Stinger knew about Naga's pregnancy... and why he thought it was ok to withhold that vital information.
"It's ok, Naga," Balance said softly. "It's really ok."
"Should we take him to the hospital?" Lucky asked.
"Naga? Do you need to go to the hospital? Are you in pain?" Raptor asked.
Naga managed to shake his head. "I’m fine," he managed to say. "I just need to catch my breath."
"Ok," Balance said. "I'm taking him inside. He needs a hot bath and dry clothes."
Champ helped Balance get Naga up, and Balance quickly took Naga inside.
Everyone looked over at Stinger, who seemed to be frozen in fear.
Champ walked over to Stinger, and asked him a very important question.
"What did you do to Naga, Stinger?"