"Baby, it's not that bad." Sage tried to calm his sobbing lover down. Rowen was peaking at his third month, and was becoming quite a wreck. He was visibly self-conscious about his growing waistline and he continued to try shutting himself up in his shared room with Sage. He knew subconsciously that the other guys were okay, even sympathetic, to his condition, but he still felt horrible. At the moment, Rowen was wailing over his appearance."Not bad?! I'm grotesque!" He shouted, hugging his arms around himself. He looked like he was about to start crying again, so Sage moved in and slipped his hands around Rowen. He gently rubbed his hands on Rowen's back, causing the blue haired boy to sink into him. His sobbing was slowing to a halt and Sage breathed easier. He pulled back a moment and tilted Rowen's chin up.
"You aren't ugly, or grotesque, or whatever. To me, you'll always be my beautiful baby." Sage whispered and nuzzled Rowen's ear. Rowen sort of smiled and kissed Sage's cheek. "I hope our baby has your beautiful sapphire hair..." Rowen stuck his tongue out.
"Kid'll have a lot of problems at school." He said, chuckling. He raised a hand and gently brushed Sage's hair from his eyes. "Actually, I'm more partial to blonde." Sage smiled.
"Are you ever going to tell me what it is?" Rowen shook his head, smiling slyly.
"You said you didn't want to know, now all of a sudden you do? Sorry, it'll just hafta be my little surprise." Sage smirked.
"Cye knows." Rowen nodded.
"Yes, cause he went with me the last time I had an ultrasound. You'll just have to wait." Sage shrugged. Rowen kissed him more soundly, on the lips, a look of victory in his eyes.
"You'll love it either way, won't you?" Rowen asked. Sage squeezed Rowen playfully and nodded.
"Of course." He raised an eyebrow. "But...what color are we going to redo our room in?"
Sage and Rowen had opted to put the baby in with them, rather than have a nursery. Men being logical, they wanted to be close enough just in case their baby might need something immediately, which was most likely going to be all the time. Mia thought it was a brilliant idea, and agreed that they should make some alterations for the baby's comfort. Rowen shrugged.
"Do you like lavender?" Sage bit his lip.
"I dunno. Why, do you?" Rowen smiled and nodded.
"Reminds me of your eyes. It's a color I can live with. I mean, would you want the room painted yellow?" Sage stuck his tongue out.
"Nothing wrong with the traditional blue or pink is there?" Rowen chuckled.
"Why be traditional?" Sage rolled his eyes.
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The months were passing quickly, maybe a little too quickly for Rowen. He was becoming even more scared with the concept of being sliced open, and he was growing closer to his larger stomach. The morning sickness was gone now, and he wasn't as dizzy anymore, but the back pains were worsening. That and the fact he was outgrowing all his jeans, slacks and shirts. It was horribly embarrassing. Of course, the most sensitive member of the group, Ryo, was the one to point it out."Rowen...I think you're getting too big for your britches, man." Ryo noted one morning as Rowen and Sage were walking towards the den. Rowen stopped and glared at Ryo.
"Excuse me, what was that?" Rowen growled. Sage grimaced and quickly grabbed onto Rowen's arm. Ryo blinked, shocked. Sage shook his head.
"Ryo, not a good thing to say, bud." Sage muttered. Before Rowen could even try a swing at Ryo's throat, Cye and Kento walked in from outside, Kento carrying a pile of heavy textbooks. Cye noted the expression on Rowen's face and stepped forward.
"What is going on here?" He asked. Ryo flashed him a look of panic as he jumped back from Rowen's reach. Rowen snarled, crossing his arms. "Rowen, what's wrong?"
"Um...something I said." Ryo piped up, wincing. Cye blinked.
"What did you say to Rowen?" He asked, scowling. Sage shook his head.
"He just said Rowen was getting too big. Not the nicest thing to say, but," Sage looked at Rowen, a silent apology in his eyes. "He's kinda right. Rowen, baby, you need something looser to wear. Maternity clothes." Rowen turned his eyes to the floor, his cheeks turning a bright pink color.
"I know...knew it was gonna happen eventually. I just..." He started, rubbing his stomach. "Didn't want that..." Cye frowned and walked over to Rowen.
"Why? Rowen," Cye said, tilting Rowen's chin up. Rowen shut his eyes tightly. Cye shook his head. "When a person is pregnant, their body grows. The baby inside you needs room to mature. It's nothing to be embarrassed about." Rowen sighed.
"Maybe...not. I don't know. I just don't want to go shopping for clothes. I don't want to go out. Period." Kento snorted, dropping the books on the hall table.
"Row, you're already a recluse, man. The only time you talk to anyone anymore is on the phone, and it's either Sage or me picking up your homework all the time. You stopped going out the moment you found out you were carrying, even when you were still at your normal weight. You aren't embarrassed about people seeing you, you're down right afraid." Rowen's lip quivered, a bad sign to Sage. He quickly stepped to Rowen's side, wrapping his arms around him as best he could.
"How w-would you feel, huh?! God, I look awful, and y-you're w-worried about m-me being anti-social." Rowen stammered. Kento shook his head, his eyes softening.
"Look, dude, I'm your friend, regardless of how you're thinking. Do you know how many people are worried about you? Now, I'm not saying you should get dressed up and go clubbing, but why not throw on an over large pullover and sweat pants and go out with Sage? You can pick up what you like, what you'll be comfortable in. And, you'll get out of the house for a while. Don't you feel cooped up? At all?" He asked. Rowen blinked. Cye looked over at Kento and smiled.
"I haven't been out for a while, that is true." Rowen muttered. Sage smiled and gave him a quick squeeze.
"Then, do you wanna put on some comfy clothes and we'll go shopping? We'll stay out as long as you want, baby." Rowen licked his lips, unsure. He shrugged and looked into Sage’s eyes.
"I want to go out with you, yes..." Sage nodded. Rowen smirked. "And I don't really have any excuse to refuse you, do I?" He sniffed and rubbed his eyes. "Give me a minute, and we'll go." Sage kissed Rowen soundly, happy with his decision.
"Where do you want to go?" He asked. Rowen snorted and shook his head.
"I have no idea. Anywhere." Sage nodded. Rowen turned to walk towards the staircase, glaring at Ryo a moment. Ryo looked at him, genuine apology in his eyes. Rowen chuckled. "It's okay, Ryo. I'm not gonna kill you." Ryo let out a sigh of relief. Kento shook his head, laughing.
As Rowen and Sage made their way upstairs Cye kept his gaze on Kento. He smiled at him and walked over.
"You know, you can be very persuasive sometimes, love." Kento nodded, shrugging.
"Yep, I think you're right. I can be." He leaned in and kissed Cye. Cye smiled, but his gaze wandered over to where Ryo was sitting, trying his damnedest to ignore the pair. He chuckled and pulled out of the kiss, motioning over at Ryo.
"Upstairs." Kento smirked and nodded.
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"Happy with what you got?" Sage asked as he and Rowen walked out of the mall, bags slung over shoulders and ice cream in hand. Rowen smiled over at Sage, nodding."Remind me to thank Kento when we get home. I guess I need someone to tell me I'm being an idiot sometimes." He stuck out his tongue. Sage laughed.
"You're not an idiot, just stubborn. But that's okay, I love that about you." Rowen grinned. Sage had taken to telling Rowen he loved him periodically, he knew it made him feel better. He didn't mind saying it, either. He slowed his walking pace, his eyebrows furrowing. Rowen tilted his head, looking at Sage, puzzled.
"What's wrong?" He asked. Sage shook his head, distracted.
"Nothing's wrong...it's just..." Rowen blinked, walking closer to Sage. Sage sighed. He threw the rest of his ice cream into a nearby wastebasket, his hand hovering near his coat pocket.
"It's just what?" Rowen asked, raising an eyebrow. Sage smirked.
"It's just...I wanna ask you something, but not here. But...if I don't do it here, where am I supposed to? I mean, would you care..." He rambled. Rowen chuckled, amazed.
"Sage, I think you've lost it, sweetie. You don't have to run around in circles. What is it?" Sage bit his lip, shaking his head.
"No. Not here. I'll tell you later." Rowen rolled his eyes.
"Okay, hun. You keep your little secrets, and I'll keep mine." He stuck his tongue out. Sage laughed.
"You know, you stick your tongue out again..." Rowen laughed.
"Don’t even think about it."
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Sage and Rowen returned home a little later than anyone anticipated, considering Rowen's prior hesitance towards leaving the house. The full moon was high in the sky, illuminating the front yard without the assistance of the porch light. Rowen smiled softly; he loved how the moon bathed everything around in a blue hue. Sage parked the car in the driveway, taking his time turning off the engine and opening his door. Rowen slowly creaked open his own door, sitting and gazing upwards; daydreaming. Sage crossed to the passenger side, smiling down at Rowen."Wanna go inside, or stick around out here for a moment?" Sage asked. Rowen inhaled deeply, tilting his head to the side.
"I wanna stay out here. At least, for a while." Sage smiled. He gently pushed Rowen's door open and held his hand out. Rowen accepted it and, with minor difficulty, stood. Sage wrapped his arms around Rowen's shoulders, hugging him tightly.
"Wanna sit on the grass, baby?" Sage whispered. Rowen smiled and nodded. The pair moved to a well-lit area by the side of the house. Rowen leaned back against the wall, sliding to the grass. Sage slumped next to him, taking Rowen's hand in his. Rowen tilted his head back, silently watching the sky. Sage smiled, his other hand hovering over his coat pocket again.
"Um...Rowen," Sage began. Rowen smiled, and turned his eyes on Sage. Sage coughed nervously, his gaze turned downwards. "Rowen...what do you think of..." Sage trailed off. Rowen leaned over and gave Sage a peck on the cheek.
"Sweetie, you've been trying to tell me something all day. What's on your mind?" Sage heaved a sigh and lifted his eyes, staring deeply into Rowen's sparkling cobalts.
"Baby, there is no one I feel closer to then you. When I feel the darkness try to surround me, you're the star that I follow out of evil's grasp." Rowen blinked, taken aback by Sage's sudden mood change. Sage bit his lip, his hand slipping into his pocket, firmly grasping onto...something. "I want..." He murmured, slowly raising his hand, a small box gripped tightly between his fingers. "I want you to always shine for me. Will you..." Sage opened the box, wrapping his arm tightly around Rowen's shoulders. Rowen felt like he couldn't breath; he couldn't believe what he saw.
Sitting in the tiny box was a simple gold band, a diamond set in the center with two stars etched on either side of the glittering gem. Rowen's eyes flashed at the ring, then at Sage and back again.
"What...are you doing..." Rowen choked out. Sage swallowed, shutting his eyes tight.
"I want you to marry me, Rowen. I..." Rowen shook his head vehemently, and Sage felt his heart drop. "W-why n-not?" He stammered. Rowen was dazed; he wasn't sure where he was anymore.
"Sage, do you have any idea what you're asking me?" He breathed, his eyes firmly fixed on Sage's hand. Not the box, which held the sparkling treasure, but the hand that held it, for it was trembling horribly. Sage's eyes were tearing, and he slowly nodded.
"I...I..." He started. He couldn't seem to get any farther than that. Rowen inhaled deeply, shaking off the cold shiver running down his spine. He lifted his hand and gently touched the side of Sage's face, his fingers raking lightly through his bangs.
"Sweetie..." Rowen whispered, caressing Sage's tightly shut eyelids. Sage inhaled sharply through his teeth, biting his lips closed. "Hun, I didn't say no. You just took me by surprise, that's all. Well, that and my back is really killing me." He smiled. Sage lowered his hand, the one holding the ring, into Rowen's lap. His body went completely slack and he slumped against the wall heavily.
"You didn't have to say anything. I saw your answer, in your eyes." He choked. Rowen frowned.
"I thought you knew how to read my eyes better than that, sweetie." Rowen murmured as he leaned over, grabbing the hand lying in his lap. "Of course I'm yours. I always will be, too. If you needed to get a ring, then I'll wear it proudly. I'll find one just as special for you, too, if you want rings." He pried open Sage's hand, extracting the box and holding it in front of his eyes. "Since you want to be so exact, aren't you supposed to slip this onto my finger?" Sage’s eyes fluttered open, and he stared a moment at Rowen. He was searching for any sign that Rowen may be joking with him, but all he saw in his lover's eyes was sincerity. He smiled as he lifted the ring from its velvet chest, rolling it between his fingers.
Shifting so he was now on his knees, he reached for Rowen's left hand, which he held out eagerly. Sage licked his chapping lips, trying to steady his hand. Rowen was visibly grinning. He reached out, holding Sage's wrist straight. Sage smiled. Breathing shallow, he pushed the golden band onto Rowen's ring finger.
"I wanna go inside now, okay?" Rowen said, clasping his hand with Sage's. Sage nodded and hefted Rowen to his feet. Rowen turned sharply and kissed Sage deeply, unable to hide his grin any longer. "I love you so much, Sage. Thanks..." He sighed. Sage wrapped his arms around Rowen.
"You're welcome, baby."
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The lights inside were still off, though apparently not everyone was asleep. Mia was stretched out on the couch, a book held loosely in her hand. Her eyelids were drooping and she yawned loudly. Sage dropped the shopping bags at the base of the stairs, holding Rowen at bay and peering intently into the darkness."Is someone out there?" He asked. Mia grumbled and shifted, trying to sit up.
"Just us friggin' tired females..." She yawned again. Sage smirked. He flicked on the hall light, squinting himself at the sudden brightness.
"Mia, what in hell's name are you still doing awake?" Mia shrugged, tossing her book over onto the loveseat, disgusted.
"I was waiting to talk to Rowen." She looked up, noticing the blue-headed boy standing behind Sage, clutching at his stomach. She nodded, the hint of a smile at the corners of her mouth. "Well, there you are. I just wanted to tell you we won't be able to have your check-up tomorrow. I've got late class, so I won't even be coming home until after midnight. We'll just reschedule." She said, standing. She walked over to Rowen and gently poked his stomach. "You’ve got nothing to worry about, you're coming along nicely." She smiled. She turned, heading for her room, but halted. Her eyes were set on Rowen’s left hand, widening. "Rowen...is that..." Rowen grinned.
"Mia, you're tired. You should get some sleep. We'll talk tomorrow." He said, grabbing Sage's hand again. Mia blinked a few times, unsure of what she saw. Sage laughed, stooping to pick up the bags.
"Good night, Mia. Oh, and sorry about coming home so late." Mia shook her head, turning. "Yeah...s'okay. Um, g'night then." She muttered. Sage waited for Mia to leave before he leaned over and kissed Rowen.
"Sleep?" He suggested. Yawning, Rowen nodded, and the two headed upstairs.
