A/N: Again, a new chapter and yes, I know I am terribly late. Sorry for that. ^.^'

Disclaimer: Do not own anything!

~~ An Ordinary Day ~~

~~ 16. July, Near Midnight ~~

"I want it finished in less than three days! How do you want me to present it at the party if I don't have a reliable product? Fix it, you useless piece of shit!" He didn't waste any time listening to his stupid employee's excuses and let his rage free reign instead. "I don't care about complications or not enough samples. I gave you more than enough samples to experiment on, so get your ass moving this instance and finish it!"

Yagyuu ended the call and threw the phone onto his bed, growling in frustration. How he desired to smash the damn thing against the wall to get some sort of satisfaction out of it. How good would it be to see it bursting into thousands of tiny pieces? However, he wouldn't give in to this stupid and caveman-like desire. His phone held too many important contacts right now and smashing it, no matter how tempting it was, would cost him dearly.

He turned away from the window, stomping over to the mini fridge and pulling out a bottle of green tea, drinking the cool liquid in large gulps as he tried to calm down.

Another failure.

Another unsuccessful try.

Another lost deal with a possible business partner.

He was losing his patience and money! Years had passed after the damn explosion, which had been the result of one of his foolish employee's failures, and he was still at the very beginning of the creation. Most of his useful researchers had died during the explosion and with them their precious and irreplaceable notes. Those who had been able to survive with grave damage had gone into hiding and were untraceable. Now, he had to hold out with this bunch of brainless idiots who were good for nothing due to their incapability of finding the necessary sample for the creation of the virus, even after his sacrifice of dating hundreds of those brainless boys and twinks.

No matter whom he had taken and gotten the sample from, nobody seemed fit for the virus. Some had received his seed and proved the effectiveness of the existing virus, but even their DNA was useless for the re-creation of the virus itself and therefore for the profitable antidote. All of those guinea pigs had also lost the babies or died during pregnancy, confirming their uselessness to him. Whenever he mixed the newest version of the virus with the DNA of a male, the virus would turn completely dormant or utterly aggressive, attacking the sample's cells and killing everything in contact with it.

In other words, the virus and the antidote were still very much non-existing.

Yagyuu crushed the empty plastic bottle in his hand. He couldn't allow such a failure like the explosion again. He had been lucky enough to have his father put enough pressure on the media and some politicians so they hadn't been charged for the hundreds of deaths caused by the explosion. His company, the Genetic and Biological Research Institution, was still standing and, if it went Yagyuu's way, would stay active for many years. It had now a new name in public, but the key and core of the business was still the same. All he needed was a chance to get his hands on the perfect sample. Or even a sample which resembled it.

Kevin had turned out to be a huge disappointment, even after all the grooming Yagyuu had done. Their first encounter had been pure coincidence with Yagyuu needing another quick sample and the blonde being available. The other times when they had met had been purely for stress relief and some further research. The sudden pregnancy hadn't been planned, but Yagyuu had never been one to turn down an opportunity to achieve his goal. It had been way too easy to seduce and move the whore into his home after he had told him about the pregnancy. All he had needed to do was offering him a life in luxury and protection for the child.

For a certain amount of time, Yagyuu had truly believed to have finally found the necessary source for the creation of the virus; a compatible sample of DNA or at least a reliable source of information about Ryoma, who was the key to his masterwork. He had hardly believed his luck when Kevin had told him about Ryoma; the guy he had lived and worked with the last couple of years. The years in which Yagyuu and his private detectives had searched for the little bastard and never found him. Regrettably, his good mood hadn't lasted long with Ryoma having moved into the arms of none other than Atobe Keigo and therefore out of his reach.

He could have overseen the tragedy of losing Ryoma to his biggest enemy if Kevin wouldn't have lost all his worth with the doctor personally informing Yagyuu about the death of the unborn child and the scientist educated him of the uselessness of Kevin's DNA. Kevin was, in other words, a complete failure and waste of time, just like Yagyuu's last attempt to get his hands on his last chance of hope - Dan Taichi.

The tiny guy, who resembled Ryoma in his younger years so much, had fled and received asylum in Atobe's mansion of all cases. Dan's current whereabouts were very unexpected as well as inconvenient. No, inconvenient was an understatement. It was a thorn in Yagyuu's eyes. Not only were Ryoma and Dan now under the protection of Atobe Keigo, but the most influential business man in Japan had turned down all his meeting invitations too and used his influence to spread bad words about Yagyuu. It had only been a matter of time until the first sponsors had withdrawn their financial support, so not only weren't there any good samples, there was now also the problem with money.

Yagyuu threw the empty bottle into the trash bin and returned to the window, looking outside but not seeing anything.

The mastermind behind all his problems was one person - Ryoma. The little bastard had found himself some keepers, influencing them enough to Yagyuu's disadvantage. He would admit to himself that he had underestimated Ryoma, had believed the back then whiny boy would crawl back to him after a few days or weeks. Nevertheless, nothing like this had ever happened. Ryoma had disappeared out of his life instead, only to return with full force to wreck his plans.

No, he wouldn't make the same mistake twice, wouldn't underestimate the little shit another time. The chances of getting his hands now on Dan or even Ryoma were very, very small with both living in the mansion of Atobe Keigo, but what was a life without a challenge? Everything would fall in line. All he had to do was keep his patience and not act rashly. His cellphone rang, putting an end to his fuming as he picked it up and listened without greeting the other person on the line.

"Finally. Where is-" The speaker interrupted him, giving him the information he needed. "I understand."

Yagyuu ended the call without further words, smirking. All would go as planned. Maybe not the research, but surely his prize would fall into his hands.

~~ 17. July, Morning ~~

Ryoma awoke to the mattress wobbling beneath him, hushed voices reaching his ears and soft light shining around him. Was it already morning? He had to try twice to open his eyes due to the light blinding him, but as soon as his eyes adjusted to the brightness did he see his boyfriends all getting dressed and ready for the day.

Monday.

Ryoma groaned in his mind, tempted to turn around once more and return to the land of dreams, to the place where his mind and body were at peace, but the sight of his boyfriends changing clothes caught his eyes and let him watch them. Lean but muscled with broad shoulders and rather slim waists. They really had great bodies to be envies about. Neither of them seemed to notice him staring as they were too busy with getting dressed and helping each other. Sanada bound Atobe's dark purple tie whereas Yukimura helped Tezuka to choose his shirt. Well, choose wasn't the right word as the bluenette grabbed the white shirt out of Tezuka's hands and gave him a dark gray one.

"Shouldn't we wake Ryoma?" Tezuka accepted the shirt without question, putting it on and Ryoma had to agree with Yukimura's choice. The darker color suited Tezuka better.

"Wouldn't it be better to let him sleep in after yesterday?" Sanada pulled on a white shirt and dark blue tie.

"He is already awake and watching us." Fuji snickered and sat beside him, having approached him without Ryoma's notice and stroking his messy hair out of his face as he wished him a good morning. "Did we wake you?"

Ryoma shrugged and stretched his body carefully, not wanting to end the blissful spell of feeling no pain. "I have to get up anyway, getting ready for work."

There was a moment of silence around the room with all eyes resting on him, making him squirm in discomfort.

"You sure you want to go to work and not take the day off, get some more rest?" Yukimura suggested carefully while tying Sanada's tie, glancing over to Ryoma in between the binding. It was tempting to agree and take the day off, getting some more sleep and rest. Nevertheless, Ryoma didn't want to tempt his luck of calmness. Having nothing to do and too much free time would most likely result in the wheel of thoughts spinning once more. His breakdown from yesterday was more than enough for him. He didn't want a repeat, neither from the intense pain nor from his chaotic feelings.

His boyfriends' touch had been calming and soothing whereas their words had given him strength and reassurance. Nevertheless, the problems stayed no matter what they did or said. It would have been too easy otherwise. He would have to make a decision soon. Soon... Ryoma shuddered at the thought alone. He would need to decide about a life...

No, better not start this train of thoughts. Now wasn't the time to think about those problems. He still had time. First, he needed to prepare himself for tomorrow's test and... also the visit at the hospital today. Just thinking about meeting Kevin again gave him the chills and a very bad feeling.

How would Kevin react?
Angry?
Indifferent?
Sad?
Would he behave as if nothing had happened?

Ryoma wouldn't be surprised if Kevin threw him out of the room, not wanting to see or talk to him after their last encounter which hadn't ended well. He couldn't predict Kevin's reaction, not after the last few days with Kevin's unexpected behavior. However, compared to Ryoma's fear of unexpected reactions was the guilt of thinking about staying away and abandoning Kevin much stronger. If he dared to run away this time, Ryoma knew with certainty that he would regret it deeply later on. He would help Kevin to start anew, salving his guilt and any other connected feelings towards the blonde. After that, they could go their separate ways, couldn't they?

The sleepiness faded completely and it was then that Ryoma took a closer look at each of his boyfriends, who waited patiently and worriedly at his reply. "Yeah, taking the day off wouldn't be so good… too much free time… and I want to check on Kevin..."

They all nodded in understanding, though nobody said the words aloud. Instead, they went back to getting ready for the day, all the while keeping an eye on him. It wasn't surprising after yesterday. They had soothed and comforted him while he had cried himself to sleep, had helped him without asking for a decision or pressuring him. Yesterday... Ryoma's hands went automatically to his stomach as the memory overran him.

"Does it still hurt?" Fuji still sat beside him, watching him like a hawk with his ocean blue eyes.

Ryoma shook his head, not only to answer the question but also to get a grip of himself again. Now was not the time to start this wheel of nightmarish thoughts. It was exactly the reason why he didn't want to stay home alone. Getting along his routine and occupying his mind was probably the better idea than being home alone with too much time at hand. "Thanks for yesterday… by the way."

"You're very welcome." Fuji kissed him on the lips while standing up and pulling Ryoma out of bed. Whereas Fuji and the others were nearly finished with their morning routine, Ryoma only started. Luckily, he usually didn't need long to get ready. His feet led him to the bathroom first and then inside their walk-in closet. He yawned and pulled out some comfortable but decent clothes for work, all the while avoiding to look in the large mirror. Ryoma didn't dare to look at himself, not after yesterday.

The others were all finished by the time he returned to the bedroom. "By the way, Ore-sama and Gen will be late for dinner tonight, so don't wait up for us."

"I'll be late too. One of my clients messaged me yesterday, asking for an urgent meeting." The bluenette ushered them out of the bedroom and to the dining room, chatting about his clients along the way. Ryoma felt their hands on his shoulders and spine. They all stayed close to him, but gave him enough room to not feel crowded. It made him smile.

"So only Ryoma, Mitsu and I will be here for dinner tonight? Saa, we will find something fun to do."

"Fun?" Ryoma stumbled but got caught by the others before he could fall. He was absolutely sure that Fuji's kind of fun was not the same as his!

"Mhmmm..." The brunette hummed happily, smiling like always which gave Ryoma a very bad feeling. If there was one thing he found out about his boyfriends, it was the fact that Fuji could be very, very defiant if he was in the mood for it. And the brunette's current smile said it all - he was totally in the mood.

They opened the door and entered the dining room, finding two familiar men already eating breakfast. Dan was talking happily to a grumpy Akutsu who ate quietly his meal. All seemed so normal, cheerful and carefree. It was strange. It didn't take long for Dan to include them all in his talk about a television show as they all ate their breakfast. There was no word about yesterday's happening or anything related to him. No questions, no uncomfortable hints - nothing. Although, Ryoma was sure Dan and Akutsu must have heard about it by now and still all went on as if yesterday's disaster hadn't happened.

It wasn't until they all stood up, ready to go to work, that Ryoma noticed how far his mind had drifted away and how little he had eaten. Well, he hadn't really had an appetite to begin with. The light hairs on his neck stood up as he noticed the narrowed eyes from Yukimura. And the bluenette wasn't the only one. They all looked at him suspiciously and worriedly.

"I will eat a good meal for lunch." He tried to reassure them. "I will eat something, don't worry." Nobody believed him, yet all five nodded in quiet surrender. Ryoma sighed, having been able to ditch the usual scolding for now. But he should make sure to eat something or he definitely would get an earful as soon as Yukimura found out about the lack of food. And his bluenette would find out because his methods to get information were as neat as Fuji's.

Dan wished them all a good day and said goodbye to Akutsu, who would drive them to work, before he headed to Atobe's private library to continue reading some books. It was astonishing. The guy acted as if nothing weighted down on his shoulders, as if the whole pregnancy was truly not a problem for him. Ryoma had a hard time believing it. The guy was pregnant and had currently no idea where he would live in the future due to Yagyuu still searching for him. Furthermore, he had to stop working, which meant no money to save up for incoming hard times. Ryoma wasn't certain if Dan even had any plans about how he would be able to raise the baby once he gave birth to it... if he gave birth to it. He read a lot of books, but Ryoma hadn't heard of any preparations for the baby being done. Or was it still too early? How far along was Dan again? Ryoma couldn't remember.

"Ryoma?" Ryoma jolted and quickly followed his partners. Now wasn't the time to think about such things. He had his own problems to solve first. The car ride went by uneventful with only a few worried glances being shot in his direction. Everyone got dropped off at their workplace, one after another with Ryoma being the last one to be dropped off. He was too early for practice which gave him at least the chance to start with the paperwork and inform Ryuzaki-sensei about his absence tomorrow due to to test.

Ryoma sighed, feeling a bit nervous when thinking about tomorrow. Damn, the test was already tomorrow. He knew he would pass it, had no doubt about it after Tezuka had helped him so much, but it still left him on edge. He had to nail the test to get his high school degree and achieve at least one of his goals. He wanted to do his best and get the best result.

His students started to gather around the tennis courts, eagerly chatting and joking around and therefore stopping Ryoma from having more worrisome thoughts. It was nearly time to start practice now, so he stood up and headed to their usual meeting point. Ryoma had assumed it would be annoying to handle a bunch of teenagers, remembering all too well how he had acted in those times and he sure as hell hadn't wanted to take care after such annoying brats. Yet, it was surprisingly easy. They all respected him since he had played against their best players and won without mercy.

"Alright, everyone. Gather around."

The training was luckily unspectacular with the students running fifty laps and having training matches against each other. Ryoma had to turn down one of his student's challenges, excusing himself for wanting to watch the other students and work on their improvements. He wouldn't dare to do any kind of strenuous workout after yesterday, after having seen the proof of his pregnancy.

Ryoma pinched himself in the arm, stopping the train of thoughts immediately. He would not start this wheel right then and there. Definitely not! He focused more closely at his students, giving them advice and watching their matches until practice was finished. Then he returned to his desk once more, preparing and working on everything which needed to be done for tomorrow. He did everything he could to keep his mind occupied and stay focused. Nevertheless, it didn't last until the end. Ryoma gave up after reading the same piece of paper for the fourth time and still having no clue what exactly was written on it.

He excused himself for leaving early and left the school grounds, intending to stroll around a bit and prepare himself for the incoming meeting with Kevin. He had barely left the building when a familiar voice caught him off guard.

"Brat, are you done?" Akutsu leaned against the car with crossed arms over his chest. His fingers drummed impatiently against his biceps. What the? Why was he already here?

"What are you doing here?"

"I have been here the entire time. Atobe's order."

"The entire time after you dropped me off?" Akutsu just stared at him as if the answer was so obvious. "Why? What for?"

"Have you forgotten who is out there on the streets, brat? Your lovers are worried about you getting kidnapped and therefore asked me to be your new personal bodyguard as we already know each other and I won't allow you giving me crap. And now get in the car. I will drive you to the hospital and then back to the mansion." Akutsu pushed him onto the backseat of the car, not waiting for a reaction from Ryoma.

Atobe had...

Ryoma understood the reason for Atobe's orders but he still found it ridiculous. He highly doubted Yagyuu would try to kidnap him during daytime and at school grounds nonetheless. No, the old Yagyuu wouldn't kidnap him but use a method to force him to follow him, making it look as if he was willingly going with him. He would manipulate others till they broke and couldn't bend anymore. If their last meeting had shown Ryoma anything, it was Yagyuu's unchanged character. He was still the same ruthless, manipulative ass like years ago.

His view drifted out of the window, watching the buildings pass by as they drove to the hospital. The hospital... damn. The thought about the place alone gave him the creeps and it wasn't only because of Kevin waiting there for him but also because these flickering memories from yesterday kept slipping into his consciousness. He had always hated hospitals and now it was even worse with those fresh nightmarish memories clinging to him like moths to light.

He so wasn't ready for it. Shit.

They reached the hospital within a couple of minutes, giving Ryoma far too little of time. Akutsu parked the car near the hospital's entrance and waited impatiently for Ryoma to get out of the car which took quite a while with his body feeling frozen on the spot. A feeling of discomfort spread in his chest and tried to squash his heart and lungs. His heart skipped a beat before it began to thunder in his chest. It was so loud, he thought he could hear it.

Damn, he wasn't ready for the confrontation, yet knew he had to get over it or the guilt would keep nagging at him. Ryoma took a deep breath and forced his heavy-turning limbs out of the car and into the hospital, feeling the nausea and the flashbacks rolling over him as soon as he entered the building. The urge to turn around and run out of the damn white colored and sterilized smelling hospital grew with each step. Damn, had it really been only yesterday that he had been here?

Getting the news about the pregnancy and meeting Ryoga...
He swallowed down the sudden lump of bile and took some more deep breaths to suppress the nausea. He felt sick, hot and cold at the same time and was sweating like crazy for no reason.

"You okay, brat? You look kinda pale." Akutsu stood behind him, having followed him inside like a shadow. His grumpy attitude was gone for once and Ryoma was secretly thankful for it as he wouldn't have been able to deal with it at the moment. Ryoma approached the reception desk with trembling legs and shaking hands, waiting in the short line. It was only a visit, not like him being the patient here. Still, he couldn't shake off the feeling of dread. Before he knew it, he stood in front of the desk and asked for Kevin's room number.

The male nurse gave him the room number but added, "You stand on the list of visitors but we can't let you see him just yet."

"Why?"

The nurse typed something into the computer and read before answering. "We had a few complications earlier this morning and had to give him some extra medication to calm him down when he began to scream and thrash around. It was just a precaution, so he wouldn't hurt himself or anybody else. Your friend is seeing one of our therapist right now. His behavior is understandable, so please don't worry. There are quite a few male patients who react so bewildered after their pregnancy failed. We do everything we can to help him, so please don't worry."

Kevin was...

"So he isn't allowed to see any visitors?"

"Sorry, not today. Maybe tomorrow, but I can't promise."

"A-Alright, thanks then."

Ryoma felt numb and tired, drained out. He left the desk without his notice, getting pulled out of the hospital and into the car by Akutsu. It all happened in a trance. Was it a coincidence - him not wanting to meet Kevin but deciding to go anyway and now he wasn't able to visit. It was good to know that Kevin was more or less okay, alive but not mentally stable. It was better than him acting indifferent and cold, right? The male nurse did say it was normal for some male patients to react so fiercely after a failed pregnancy. So there wasn't much to worry about, right?

Would it have been different if Ryoma had been there with him?

If Kevin had been screaming around this morning, then he would have probably done so with Ryoma by his side too. Their last conversations hadn't gone well at all, always ending with Kevin being angry at him. Ryoma had to admit, he wouldn't have been able to handle the outburst. He still wouldn't be able to handle it right now and who could tell him that his presence alone wouldn't have made the whole situation even worse? In addition, yesterday's disaster, his breakdown, was a clear sign that he had done the right thing by returning home with his boyfriends instead of waiting for Kevin to wake up.

He wouldn't have survived the night without them, so he didn't regret his choice.

~~ 17. July, Afternoon ~~

He had thrown up in the middle of their driveway, releasing all the nervousness and anxiety as soon as he reached his safe haven. It had been all too much for his nerves and his stomach. Nobody beside Akutsu had seen the embarrassing incident, luckily. Also, Akutsu had looked understandably freaked out but hadn't commented on it. He had simply guided Ryoma to the master bedroom and excused himself after being reassured Ryoma would be fine alone. It was really unexpected and kinda sweet of him.

Ryoma had taken a shower right away, letting the hot water relax his sore muscles and let it melt the ice inside of him. How long he had just stood beneath the spray of water was unimportant. It had calmed him down, gave him the peace he needed.

As neither of his boyfriends had returned by the time he had finished his shower, Ryoma decided to use the time wisely by studying as much as possible and keep himself from thinking about the baby, Ryoga, Kevin or anything other than tomorrow's test. An hour later and his head felt like it was steaming but Ryoma welcomed the feeling, seeing it as a sign of being too focused to think about anything else than the questions on the paper. He stretched his arms and legs after solving another question on the assignment and checked the watch on the wall, frowning. Where were Tezuka and Fuji? They should have returned home by now. Should he get worried?

No, not yet. Maybe they were stuck in traffic or something. They weren't so late, just a bit over normal. Ryoma forced himself to finish the last question on the assignment sheet when the door to their bedroom finally opened and his two missing boyfriends entered. The first thing Ryoma noticed was the joy written all over their faces. The second thing he noticed was their ruffled look and their out-of-breath kind of state.

"What happened to you two?"

"Saa, welcome back to you too." Ryoma rolled his eyes at Fuji's remark and gave him a peck on the lips. Tezuka followed suit and kissed him too. "The maids had a few questions and needed our help, so we helped right after coming home."

"Help that made you happy and tired you out?" Ryoma lifted an eyebrow in question, hearing the half-truth of the story. There was something missing, he could feel it and see it by the way Fuji smiled. It was fake, a mask. "So?"

Fuji grimaced and admitted with a small voice, "We helped the maids to carry a few deliveries around the mansion."

Ryoma frowned. "Deliveries?"

"Keigo had ordered a few things and the maids didn't know where to put it."

How many packages had his lover ordered to cause both brunettes to be tired out after carrying them? Ryoma got a bad feeling. "What for and how many things had he ordered?"

Tezuka disappeared in their walk-in closet, changing into more comfortable clothes and obviously leaving the explanation to Fuji who was looking unusually uncomfortable. The brunette crouched beside the chair and turned Ryoma around so they faced each other. Then he rested his hands on Ryoma's knees and looked up with those stunning blue eyes. "You know how Keigo can be when he is in a very good mood, wanting to shower us with presents and love."

Ryoma nodded and waited for his boyfriend to continue. "Remember the day when everybody confused Dan's pregnancy as yours? Well, Keigo had been very happy and had gone out of his way, online shopping all this stuff for you… and the baby… on his way home with Sanada… before we cleared the misunderstanding."

Ryoma blinked, needing time to process those words and their meaning as Fuji watched and gave him a look which he couldn't interpret.

Baby stuff... and stuff for him... during the pregnancy...
Furniture and stuff for the baby...
Baby...

Oh holy shit...

Tezuka returned to their side as Ryoma found his voice to mumble in shock. "He bought… baby stuff…"

Tezuka sighed, rubbed the bridge of his nose and spoke with a pressed voice. "He didn't mean anything bad, Ryoma, just had lost control because he was... overly excited. It had happened to all of us, countless times. Keigo doesn't mean anything bad by it and can act inconsiderate at such times, thinking his likings are ours. He, and us too, forgot about the order and the things got delivered today. The maids wanted to put it in Dan's room, thinking he had ordered it, but we put the deliveries in an extra room for now."

In other words, one of the guestrooms was now filled with all kinds of baby stuff… and his boyfriends were very happy looking through all those boxes. Ryoma had a strange feeling about it; the feeling of a knot in his chest getting tighter and tighter.

"If you don't need… want them, then how about giving them to Dan?" Fuji's voice was off and the way he smiled looked strained just like Tezuka's eyes looked sharper than usual. They really wanted to keep the stuff, Ryoma could see it in their faces. Still, Fuji tried to make it sound like an offer of peace which, in some way, could be counted as one. Offering the stuff to Dan meant not expecting Ryoma to take it and therefore making a decision.

But couldn't it be seen the other way around as well?

Agreeing would sadden his boyfriends while disagreeing would mean he accepted...

"We put the things in the guestroom where you first slept in. We will keep it there until you can decided, okay?" Ryoma felt Tezuka's hands on his shoulders, immediately seeking comfort and strength. Tezuka kissed his head and looked over his shoulder at the papers. "Already finished the last assignment? Do you want me to take a look at it?"

Ryoma nodded, thankful for the change of topic and letting Tezuka take the seat. He noticed his mistake the moment Fuji's hands were on his shoulders, holding him in place as he asked, "Since Mitsu is busy now, how about telling me what you ate for lunch today?"