Chapter 64: Crystal Egg

*Ziv*

My eyes fluttered open as the sun peeked through the curtains. I tried to stand, but my legs were too sore. My bottom felt sticky.

Seiya was nowhere to be seen.

I sighed and crossed my arms.

"Had he gone home? Seriously, leaving me like this, what a jerk." I ran a hand through my long hair and made my way to the shower.

After getting cleaned up, I headed out.

I smiled as soon as I saw Ava walk out of her room. "Hey!"

She pouted as she glanced at me. Her cheeks were slightly pink. "Couldn't you have kept it down last night?"

My face reddened. I'd used my powers to make sure our moans and pants weren't heard. "Sorry, Ava."

"Yeah, well, you better be," she grumbled, heading to the kitchen.

I sighed. How embarrassing. Hopefully it was only her and no one else.

"Hey, sleepyhead!" Seiya blurted out as soon as I reached the kitchen. He wore an apron. He could really pull off the look well.

I nearly jumped. "Seiya? You're still here? You startled me!"

He smiled. "Sorry. Should I have gone home?"

"N-no, you're fine. It's just, I'm just surprised that you got up earlier than me. Normally, I'm the one who's the first up."

He smirked. "Well, today is different. I'm cooking for my boyfriend and his family."

I blinked. "You're cooking?"

"Yup! So, you better prepare yourselves. You're going to have a breakfast like no other!"

I gulped. He was pretty confident. But, did he even know how to cook? Sou did, but that was because he helped his mom. To my knowledge, Seiya was more helpful in the field than the kitchen.

Dad came in, yawning.

"Oh, morning," Dad said.

"Morning, sir!" Seiya yelled.

Dad glanced at me. "By the way, who did you ask permission if your boyfriend could stay over?"

I gulped.

Ava snickered.

I sighed. "Sorry. I'll ask next time."

"It's fine. As long as you and Seiya are safe, I don't mind."

I grinned.

"Anyway, what smells so good?"

"I'm making pancakes, sausages, and eggs," Seiya said.

"Wow, Seiya, I had no idea you were such a talented chef," Mom said as she walked up behind Dad.

I frowned. "I didn't either."

Dad chuckled. "Well, let's give him a chance."

I nodded.

Ava blinked "You seem worried, Ziv. Has your boyfriend never cooked for you before? Or, is it that he's a bad cook and you're afraid his food will taste like crap?"

"It's the former," I mumbled.

Seiya hummed. "Is it? Well, guess I'll have to try extra hard. I've seen Sou cook a lot of times, so it's not like I'm inexperienced."

I sighed. "There's a difference between watching and doing."

Seiya laughed. "True."

Ava hummed. "If it's not, I'll just barge into your house and take Sou's breakfast. He's a good cook. Maybe we'll switch places, then."

"Ava, don't be mean to poor Sou," Mom said.

"That won't be necessary," Seiya said, smiling.

I frowned. "Well, alright. If you insist."

Seiya's eyes shimmered as he smiled.

I smiled back. He sure was confident.

I sighed and sat at the table, Mom and Dad joined us.

My little siblings walked in, looking tired.

"You guys sleep well?" Dad asked.

Ava scoffed. "No, they didn't."

I frowned. "Why do you say that?"

She huffed and folded her arms as she glared at me.

"I heard weird moans. I think there's a ghost," my little sister mumbled.

"Those weren't ghosts, silly," my little brother said.

"Really? Then, what were they?"

"Probably a monster!" he said, his eyes sparkling.

"Huh? A monster?"

"Yeah! Like the ones in the movies!"

The tips of Seiya's ears turned red.

I smirked. Oh, it was a monster alright.

"A monster?" Mom asked.

My siblings nodded.

"Then, I'm going to slay it!" Mom said, laughing.

My siblings smiled.

Seiya sighed as he served us our pancakes, sausages, and eggs.

"Well, let's give it a try," Mom said, picking up her fork.

We began eating.

Seiya watched us intently, his eyes shining.

"How is it?" he asked, jumping up and down.

Ava snickered. "Sou and you really are brothers."

"Huh? Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Seiya asked, tilting his head.

"Hmm, both, I guess."

I ate a bit of my pancake. It could've used a bit more taste, but the texture was soft and fluffy.

"So?" Seiya asked.

"Needs sugar!" my brother said, jumping out of his chair. He walked over to the fridge and took out some syrup.

"I-I'm sorry," Seiya said.

Ava chuckled. "Sou's pancakes are much better, but yours are good too."

Seiya sighed. "Guess I still have a lot to learn.

I smiled. "Thanks, Seiya."

He grinned. "No problem. I want to be the best boyfriend ever."

I looked down, my face heating up. Seiya was corny, but sweet.

Dad stood up and stretched. "Well, I better head over to the shrine. I have to make sure the barrier is working properly."

"Barrier?" my youngest sister asked.

"Yeah, the shrine's barrier keeps monsters away from this town. We've been getting more monster sightings as of late."

She yelped and hugged our brother. "So, there are monsters!

He laughed. "Don't worry. Our big brother can fight them off."

She stared at me.

"Right, Zivan?" he asked.

I smiled and nodded.

"Me too!" Ava said.

My siblings smiled.

"We wouldn't be able to live with ourselves if something happened to any of you," I said, ruffling my little siblings' hair.

Ava smiled.

"Anyway, thanks for breakfast," Dad said, heading out.

"Let's go play!" my brother said, running off. My sister chased after him.

Seiya laughed. "Can I join?"

"Sure, we're going to your place anyway!"

I snickered as they ran off.

Mom smiled. "They sure are energetic." She glanced at me and sighed. "That said, about the 'monster' your siblings heard, is that..."

I looked down. "Yeah, sorry. That was us."

She smiled. "It's fine. Just remember to use protection.

"Protection?" I blinked. "I mean, we're both guys who have only been with one another, so diseases aren't really an issue."

Mom's eyes widened.

"Did I say something wrong?" I asked, my heartbeat quickening.

"I see, so, you don't know yet."

I frowned. "Know what? Don't tell me Seiya has something."

She shook her head.

Ava sighed. "Guess it's our fault for assuming you would know. You've read some of the ancient texts before, right?"

"Our clan's? Yeah."

"Well, there's one that mentions that the union between two quartz males can create a child."

My eyes widened. "What? How?"

"You guys have a special organ that can help you reproduce," Mom said, blushing.

"R-really? Does that mean, that the two of us, uh, had, could've created a child?"

Ava nodded.

I sat down and sighed. Maybe I should've been the one on the top.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you two would be fine parents. I'm not surprised that Seiya doesn't know, as this knowledge is only known by us Rose Quartz."

I gasped. "Wait, was that why Dad was fine with me dating a boy?"

"I wouldn't say that, but the fact you can have children together might've made things easier."

Ava sighed. "Lucky. I can't get pregnant by Sayuri or make her pregnant."

"True, she's not a descendant of quartz."

We both blinked. "Wait, even two female descendants of the quartz could have a baby?"

"Yeah."

"How would that happen?" Ava asked, tilting her head.

Mom shrugged. "I'm unsure. But in a way, it mimics the abilities of the Abysmals. Some can reproduce in ways most can't."

I sighed. So, our gems weren't the only imitation.

"W-what are the chances?" I asked.

"Well, they're slimmer than a woman getting pregnant by a man. But, the odds aren't zero. The organ gets stimulated with the more semen you take in. So, if you only did it with Seiya once, you probably aren't pregnant. However, if you had a few rounds with him, then, the chances would be greater."

I gulped. We had four rounds last night.

Ava sighed. "You boys did it more than once, didn't you?"

I nodded slowly.

She smiled. "Don't worry. If anything happens, I'll support you and the baby. After all, we're siblings, no matter what."

I smiled. "Thanks. But... how will it come out? Won't it hurt?"

Mom hummed. "Well, it works similar to laying an egg."

My eyes widened. "An egg?"

Ava nodded. "The texts mention it'll be laid after three days. And, during those three days, you'll experience a lot of pain and discomfort in your abdomen. Over time, the crystal-like egg will expand inside you, and you'll begin to feel sicker. But, when you lay the egg, all the pain will be gone. You'll just be sore, but otherwise, you'll be back to normal."

"But wouldn't the baby be the size of the egg?"

"The egg continues to grow in size until it hatches," Mom said, smiling. "It still takes the nine months, but it's encased in a crystal incubator. This way, the baby won't be hurt. However, it's possible to break the egg and harm the fetus."

I gulped. If I was indeed pregnant, I would have to be careful when sitting down. I didn't want to crack the egg.

"You know, Seiya should be the one who has the baby," Ava said, smiling.

I laughed. "Yeah, if the roles were reversed, it'd be funnier."

"It would. He'd probably cry."

"That's true."

She stood up. "Anyway, I'm going to head out. I'm gonna go see Sou."

I smiled. "Oh, not Sayuri?"

She grumbled. "W-what's with that smile?"

I grinned. "Nothing."

Her face reddened. "I don't like that annoying boy! He's too cocky!"

"Right."

"It's true."

I chuckled. "Whatever you say."

She rolled her eyes and left.

Mom sighed. "Ziv, don't tease your sister like that. Plus, Sou would never respond to her feelings even if she did like him. You know that."

"I know, but I just can't help but mess with her," I said, laughing.

She sighed and shook her head. "If they did end up together, it would be kind of funny. Given your brother like's Sou's sister, while you're going out with his brother."

I laughed. "True. I remember their dad would always tease Sou about ending up with Ava. He'd laugh and say 'when's the wedding?'."

Mom sighed. "Kain really pressured his sons."

I frowned. "Yeah."

"I hope that boy is doing alright."

"Me too. Sou's a great little brother to Seiya. He can be bratty, but is also very nice and caring."

She nodded. "Think that's why even your dad wanted him to end up with your sister."

I snorted. "They really are like an old couple with how they argue."

"Maybe, but I think Sou's a good influence on Ava. She seems happier nowadays."

"True. She does have her moments."

Mom smiled. "And, she has a lot of love to give."

"Underneath that uptight exterior, right?" I said.

She nodded. "I think Seiya has changed you in a similar way."

I blinked. "How so?"

"You were always the calm and collected one, but you're more outgoing and cheerful now. And, you're even more open about your love for Seiya. It makes me happy."

I blushed. "You think so?"

She nodded.

"To tell you the truth, I was scared of my feelings."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I thought he would find me gross. His best friend wanting to be more than just friends. Plus, the whole gender thing."

"Gender?"

"I was afraid he would prefer a girl. He seemed more interested in them when we were younger." I sighed. "Sometimes, I even wonder if he would've liked me if I didn't look like so feminine."

Mom put a hand on my shoulder. "I think he would still like you, even if you looked manlier."

I frowned. "How can you be so sure?"

"Because he looks at you with such admiration and love. And, that's the same way you look at him. When you fought the Dark Lord, you two cared more about the other's safety. If anything, your relationship has brought you closer. It's strengthened your bonds."

I smiled. "Thanks, Mom."

She grinned.

I leaned over and kissed her cheek. "You'll make the best grandma."

Her face turned red. "W-what?"

I snickered. "If Seiya and I do end up having a baby, you'll be their grandma."

She giggled. "True. Well, I hope I get the chance."

I nodded.

Mom's expression became somber. "I know the future is uncertain, but please take care of yourself. Seeing you kids fight like that made me really worried. I wouldn't be able to bare it if something happened to any of you. Promise me you'll be safe."

"Mom..."

"I mean, I can't protect you all the time. I can only do so much," she mumbled, holding back tears.

"Mom, it's okay," I said, hugging her. "We'll be fine. Like I told the kids, I'll make sure none of us get hurt. And, Seiya, Sou, Sayuri, and Purpura will help too."

"I know. But, please, promise me."

I smiled. "I promise. So, don't worry, okay?"

She wiped away her tears and grinned. "Thanks, Ziv. And, I promise, as long as I draw breath, I will protect you kids and your kids." She pressed her hand against my abdomen.

"You think I'm pregnant, huh?"

She giggled slightly. "It's hard to say. But I wouldn't be surprised."

I stared at the window as my face reddened. The sky was cloudy, just like our future.