Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Three and a half months.

“Welcome home, honey!”

Warmth swallows him whole the moment Sunoo steps past the threshold. Mrs. Park gathers him up immediately, smothering his cheeks in soft kisses as if she’s afraid he’ll disappear again the second she lets go.

He’s home. Sunghoon has finally brought him back to live at the Park Estate.

Aunty Jiah huffs, gently indignant. “Now, let him enter first!”

But the moment Mrs. Park releases him, Jiah steals him into her own arms, clutching him with the desperation of someone welcoming back a missing piece. “My Sunoo…”

He smiles, overwhelmed but glowing, soaking in affection he once thought he’d never be able to return to. Somewhere in the background, Sunghoon has already swept away his belongings to place them back in their bedroom, restoring him to the space that has always been meant for him.

“It’s just as you left it,” Mrs. Park tells him with a kiss on his hand. They’re seated now in the parlour, sunlight filtering through tall windows, surrounded by snacks and carefully wrapped gifts. The two women practically vibrate with excitement as they show him the small collection of welcome presents they’ve prepared.

“Here,” someone murmurs lovingly as a spoon is brought to his lips. A rich dessert touches his tongue — the same one he’d been fed on the day he lied about being pregnant. Except now, everything is different. Now, the sweetness on his tongue belongs to a truth he is finally living.

“How are you feeling, dear?”

“I’m alright,” Sunoo replies with a soft shrug. It’s the truth – no complications, no morning sickness, no uncomfortable aches. Just an insatiable hunger he’s learning to manage and an embarrassing new clinginess he can’t hide.

His gaze flickers toward the entrance again, restless, longing. He’s searching for Sunghoon even now.

“Sunghoonie will be here in a moment,” Jiah murmurs, stroking up and down his spine in comfort.

Sunoo shakes his head, cheeks warming with embarrassment, and switches the subject. “How is Wonnie?”

Mrs. Yang had taken Jungwon back to the Yang Estate, insisting she wanted to care for him herself.

“He’s resting. Little Rika doesn’t let him sleep at night,” Mrs. Park sighs fondly.

Sunoo’s heart softens instantly. “Can I see her later?”

“Oh, of course,” his aunt answers, brightening. “Her papa is already with her.”

The parlour door opens then. Sunghoon enters with his work bag in hand – clearly on his way out. Sunoo’s face falls into an instant pout, eyes dimming with disappointment.

“I’ll be back by evening,” Sunghoon promises, bending to kiss his forehead. “I won’t be late.”

“You better not,” his mother scolds playfully, ruffling his hair.

Sunghoon lingers for one last kiss on Sunoo’s cheek, a warm press that makes Sunoo’s eyes sting. When the alpha finally steps away, Sunoo watches him leave with an ache so sharp he nearly tears up.

“I’m glad you decided to live here again,” Jiah says gently as they walk through the garden afterward. “You’d be lonely when Sunghoon goes to work.”

Mrs. Park hums her agreement. “We know you miss him even then… but at least we can help, yes?”

“You help me so much, mom… aunty…” Sunoo replies, his smile delicate and genuinely bright. “I’m really happy.”

And he is ; resting here among flowers, sunlight, and the arms of a family that has chosen him again and again.

. . .

Rika is barely a month old, so Sunoo holds her with the utmost care, cradling her as though she’s made of cotton candy. The baby blinks up at him with wide, curious eyes – so sweet, so impossibly tiny – that Sunoo feels his throat tighten. He nearly cries from how cute she is.

Riki strokes the soft curve of her bald head with a tragic sigh. “They shaved her head… my poor girl.”

Sunoo rolls his eyes affectionately. “It’ll grow back, hm?”

Rika attempts to chew on her own thumb, lips squishing around it. Sunoo leans in and presses a kiss to her button-nose. “Is she hungry?”

Riki frowns. “I just fed her, didn’t I?”

The baby pushes her face insistently into Sunoo’s chest, and he bursts into laughter. “She thinks I’m Wonnie!”

“Sunoo hyungie!” Jungwon approaches, walking slowly with his mother’s support. The moment the baby hears her father’s voice, Rika turns toward him, her tiny head wobbling.

There’s a single beat of silence before she lets out a piercing wail – a cry so desperate and devoted that the entire room stills. Her little limbs strain inside the swaddle, as if she truly believes she can run straight into Jungwon’s arms.

“Here, here…” Jungwon murmurs, taking her with practiced tenderness. “My princess.”

He shifts her against his shoulder, already swaying. “Excuse me… I’ll come back after feeding her.”

“So?” Riki slips an arm around Sunoo’s waist. “How’s it going?”

Sunoo melts into the familiar warmth. “We fight less but…”

“Hm?” Riki presses a kiss to his temple, pausing as the rose-milk scent hits him. His eyes widened. 

“Why is he always so busy?” Sunoo fiddles with a loose thread on his pants. “He works even on Sundays.”

“Did you tell him that?” Riki squeezes him gently. “And wow, you’re really soft. You smell like a milkshake.”

Sunoo pinches his cheek. “I’ve gained weight — shut up.” Then sighing, he adds, “I told him. He said he’s trying.”

Riki suddenly exhales, half-amused, half-nostalgic. “We grew up so fast, hm? A year ago we were smoking in my car and chasing bad guys.”

Sunoo giggles. “Now we’re dads. How crazy is that?”

Riki’s voice turns soft. “I think if you start working again… you might not feel like Sunghoon is always too busy.”

“Maybe.” Sunoo rests a hand over his small bump, thumb smoothing circles. “We wanted to go on a trip. But I don’t feel like it now.”

The two share a quiet sigh before Sunoo nudges him. “When are you going to mate your omega?”

“I want to do it right away,” Riki admits in a low whisper. “But Jungwon wants to wait until the baby’s a little older.”

“His scent will shift, that’s why.” Sunoo rubs his shoulder reassuringly. “Rika needs to familiarise herself with both of you.”

Riki nods, smiling softly. Sunoo thinks back – he’s never seen them argue. Not once. Not even heard of it.

“How is it that…” Sunoo toys with the ring on his finger. “Do you guys ever fight? Like at all?”

Riki shakes his head. “We fought once and paid the price. I guess we’re too scared to do it again.”

“How?” Sunoo frowns. “Teach me.”

“You’re making that mistake again, hyung.” Riki taps his forehead. “We’re all different. Your relationship doesn’t have to look like ours.”

“Just tell me how to control my anger?”

Riki rolls his eyes. “I’ve dealt with you my whole life and still haven’t learned. You think I know how?”

“What—”

“You literally blocked me for three months because I didn’t reply to your texts on time!”

“You were having fun with your dumb alpha friends — of course I’d react—”

“You are Sunghoon’s problem now.” Riki tickles his sides mercilessly. “And judging by how things are going, he’s managing you pretty well.”

Sunoo sticks his tongue out and retaliates, fingers digging playfully into Riki’s ribs. Their laughter echoes through the room – until they spot Jungwon watching them silently, amusement glowing in his eyes.

“It’s like watching two cats fight.”

“You’re the cat!”

In the end, Jungwon joins them, and together the two omegas overpower Riki in a chaotic tickle battle that leaves all three breathless and bright-cheeked.

By evening, Mrs. Yang has fed Sunoo so much that he can barely walk without support. Yet she complains anyway, fussing over him as though he hasn’t eaten enough for two. Jungwon sits on the divan feeding Rika, while Riki rubs gentle circles on his back. The sight makes Sunoo’s heart swell painfully with affection.

“You don’t eat enough, darling,” Jiah scolds.

Sunoo only pouts. “Sunghoon is still not here.”

“This is a difficult phase,” she agrees. “In the first three or four months, you miss your alpha terribly. Then in the last few months, you can’t stand being near him.”

Sunoo bursts into laughter. “Then I can’t wait.”

. . . . 

That night, his father calls. Sunoo sits curled on the bed, phone pressed to his ear, listening to Mr. Kim’s voice tremble with affection. The man misses his son terribly.

“Dad,” Sunoo whines, stretching the word like he’s still a child. “If you’re so sad, I’ll just go back to you!”

“You said you’d visit me every weekend, hm?” Mr. Kim soothes gently. “I’ll wait for you, darling.”

The bedroom door creaks open.

Sunghoon steps inside – shoulders tense, eyes apologetic, exhaustion clinging to him like a shadow. At the sight, Sunoo’s pout deepens. He mutters a quick goodnight to his father and ends the call, deliberately looking away.

“Baby—”

“I’m tired. I’m going to sleep.”

He buries himself under the blankets like a sulking cocoon. He waits for the soft coaxing he craves, for Sunghoon to lift the covers and gather him close… but nothing happens.

His eyes sting. He presses his face deeper into the pillows, ashamed of how quickly the loneliness hits him.

Then warm fingers slip into his hair.

Sunoo freezes.

“Forgive your alpha, hm?” Sunghoon murmurs, pressing a kiss to his cheek through the blanket.

Guilt crashes over him instantly. Sunghoon worked the whole day. He probably hasn’t even eaten. And here he is, being difficult again.

So when the alpha gently pulls the blanket back, Sunoo doesn’t resist. One look at his face – eyes glossy, lips wobbly; and Sunghoon pulls him straight into his arms.

“Baby,” he breathes against his hair, “just give me one more week. I’ll make it home on time, I promise.”

Sunoo clings to him, climbing into his lap, curling into the warmth he missed all day. He hides his face in the crook of Sunghoon’s neck and inhales deeply, the familiar scent calming his heartbeat.

“I give you a hard time. Always…”

“Never,” Sunghoon frowns, tightening his hold. Their chests are pressed so closely it’s impossible to tell where one ends and the other begins. The alpha almost shivers at the rose–milk scent enveloping him.

“You must be so tired…” Sunoo whispers.

“So must be you.”

“I was at home the whole day.”

“You’re carrying our baby,” Sunghoon sighs. “You don’t need a reason to be tired.”

Sunoo nudges his nose against his, their breaths mingling. “You hungry?”

“Always,” Sunghoon whispers. He leans in, ready to pin him to the mattress when Sunoo whines.

“No! I mean—are you hungry? Did you eat?”

Sunghoon blinks at him, then shakes his head with a dark, amused hum. “No. I want to eat you.”

Sunoo turns red instantly, breath catching. He goes pliant when Sunghoon lowers him onto his back, hovering above him with a hunger that has nothing to do with food.

“You got me pregnant and you’re still not satisfied?” Sunoo whispers, breathless.

“I’ll never be satisfied.” Sunghoon kisses him, tender and deep. “Even when we’re fifty.”

His wrists are pinned to the bed. His legs wrap around Sunghoon’s waist, parting instinctively, welcoming him without a second thought.

And as heat pools low in his belly, Sunoo has a ridiculous, dizzy thought —

At this rate, he will never stop being pregnant.

. . . 

A few days later. 

“Here, try this.” Sunghoon's voice was soft, laced with a triumphant affection as he presented the dish.

He meticulously portioned the black cod with miso, using his chopsticks to perfectly cut a succulent piece before holding it out in encouragement. Sunoo watched the alpha's practiced, elegant movements with a sense of wonder, his eyes tracing the line of Sunghoon’s focused brow before darting back to the food.

They had just returned from the ultrasound imaging, and the air around them was light with relief. The news had been entirely good: they were both perfectly healthy, though the doctor had noted that Sunoo was experiencing a slight weakness consistent with his stage of pregnancy. 

Sunghoon had absorbed the physician’s instructions with utmost, unwavering concentration, determined to ensure his omega was cared for flawlessly.

The alpha had decided on this upscale traditional Japanese restaurant as a celebratory stop before the weekend. He was scheduled to drop Sunoo off at Mr. Kim's residence, but the omega's internal protest was growing louder. Sunoo didn't really want to go. He wanted to remain with his mate, in this safe bubble of new, blossoming domesticity. For now, he would remain blissfully quiet and savor every minute of the precious few hours they had together.

“The doctor stressed healthy eating, remember?” Sunghoon prompted, his smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. With his dark hair slightly loosened and messy, and dressed in relaxed, casual wear, he looked less like the intimidating CEO who was the father of his child and more like Sunoo's charmingly attentive boyfriend.

“If it were entirely up to me, I wouldn't let you walk a single step, but I know you'd likely kill me,” the alpha continued, a playful warning in his tone. He paused, noticing the faint, dazed quality in the omega’s expression. “Sunoo?”

“I hope the baby looks nothing like me and everything like you,” Sunoo blurted out, the thought escaping him before he could censor it.

Sunghoon’s expression froze in utter disbelief. 

“...Take that back right now,” he commanded, the playful mood instantly broken. “How dare you?”

“Why?” Sunoo mumbled, finally taking a bite of the exquisite fish. His eyes widened slightly. “It’s amazing!”

“Because you – how can you wish the baby doesn't look as pretty as you?” Sunghoon leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest in mock annoyance, the gesture signaling the light but firm nature of the argument. “She has to be adorable like you.”

The omega's cheeks puffed out charmingly with the delicate miso-glazed fish. “Hm, no. She needs to have your looks and your personality both.”

“Let’s bet on it.”

“I’m not betting on our daughter’s genetics.”

“You’re honestly wishing she is as stubborn and idiotic as me?”

“Don’t insult my family, Sunghoon.”

The alpha leaned forward again, his voice dropping slightly. “Perhaps, this is not the right public place to have this discussion, my love.”

Sunoo silenced him with a playful but firm spoonful of the black cod, pushing it gently against his husband's lips. “Be a good boy and eat.”

“Do you know…” Sunghoon began, obediently taking the proffered bite. He reached across the table, his fingers encircling Sunoo’s delicate white wrist. He leaned in, his lips brushing the soft skin in a kiss. “That I watch you sleep?”

“You’re crazy,” Sunoo whispered, his breath catching as he tried to subtly pull his hand away.

“I stole your scarf one day and took it to work. I sniffed at it the whole day.”

“That was you?” 

“In the beginning, I was so jealous of Riki. I genuinely thought he was your boyfriend or something serious.”

“Yikes.”

“And Heeseung?” Sunghoon finally allowed him to reclaim his hand, though his thumb lingered a moment longer. “God, I'm still so jealous. I have to pretend to be interested when you talk about him.”

“Really? Then I’ll talk about him more often,” Sunoo teased, a mischievous glint in his eye.

“I know ways to shut you up.’

“Me too.”

This was becoming their frequent, cherished ritual: the soft banter and playful flirting that only made them look forward to their next interaction even more. Sunoo felt a deep satisfaction with this sweet development in their relationship.

“But why are you still jealous of Heeseung, specifically?” Sunoo put his fork down and leaned his cheek against his open palm, his focus entirely on his mate.

“Isn’t he just your ideal type? You two are quite similar.” Sunghoon shrugged, a hint of vulnerability in the gesture. “A lawyer, risk–taking, he has a strong sense of justice…?”

Sunoo blinked rapidly, genuinely surprised. “You think that’s my type? To date an alpha version of me?”

“Then what is your type?” Sunghoon asked, his eyebrows raised in genuine curiosity, a silent, needy plea for reassurance in his eyes.

The omega pursed his mouth thoughtfully. “I didn't really have a type until I met you….”

Sunghoon’s cheeks grew noticeably warm, and he quickly looked away, suddenly shy. “So…?”

“I can’t explain it,” Sunoo mumbled, shaking his head. “Please don't ask me to. Also, what is your type?”

“Uh…” Sunghoon hesitated, picking up his chopsticks but not moving to eat.

“It’s not someone like me, is it?” The omega smiled gently, sensing the alpha’s discomfort but not taking it to heart. He was fully aware of how much he had made his husband suffer in the initial stages of their marriage, knowing that Sunghoon had never dated anyone remotely like him.

Sunghoon finally met his gaze, his eyes dark and sincere. “All my pre–existing knowledge about my type…in omegas, interests, opinions…they all simply ceased to have any meaning after I fell in love with you.”

Sunoo looked up sharply, the casual mood dissolving instantly. “Huh?”

“The concept of a ‘type’ is meaningless to me,” Sunghoon finished, his voice steady and low. “It's just you. And if it's not you, it isn't anyone.”

The omega gulped down the last of his dish, his hands fisting the fine damask tablecloth beneath the table. Sunghoon merely offered him a small, affectionate smile and returned to his own meal, having delivered the most profound declaration of his emotions with the confidence of a man stating an indisputable fact.

. . . 

Sunghoon’s luxury sedan glided smoothly through the evening traffic, the soft hum of the engine accompanying the melodic jazz playing quietly on the radio. Sunoo sat beside him, his gaze fixed on the passing city lights, nibbling absently on a piece of sour candy. Inside his chest, his heart felt heavy and achy; he truly, desperately didn't want to leave. This separation was their small, established rule: a celebratory date night, followed by the compulsory weekend stay at Mr. Kim's for 'space.'

But he didn't want space, not anymore. Seriously, what had been wrong with him in the past? Or perhaps, he mused, it was the potent, overwhelming current of pregnancy hormones making him feel so clingy.

“That’s it,” Sunghoon murmured, easing the car off the main street and swerving expertly into the familiar lane. “We’re here—”

“You wanna come in?” Sunoo interrupted, the words a nervous, testing proposition. He searched Sunghoon’s profile. Didn't the alpha want to be with him too? Or was this overwhelming surge of need entirely his own?

“...Yeah, sure.” The alpha looked at him, his gaze soft and full of immediate, quiet understanding. It was as if Sunghoon had known this request was coming, merely waiting for Sunoo to finally give voice to his deepest desire.

Mr. Kim, as expected on a busy weekend, was still managing his restaurant. The pair entered a house steeped in the deep quiet of night, until Sunoo reached the kitchen and flipped the light switch, bathing the modern space in a warm glow.

“W—water?” Sunoo asked, standing next to the refrigerator, clutching the cold door handle. Sunghoon, who was shrugging off his coat, nodded his acceptance.

“You, alright?” the alpha asked, pulling out a chair at the sleek kitchen table. He was watching Sunoo with an expression of gentle concern.

Sunoo nodded, carefully pouring the chilled water. He thought fleetingly of the next ultrasound, two weeks away. They settled side by side at the table, a comfortable silence falling between them. Sunghoon’s gaze was fixed entirely on him, while Sunoo found the sudden examination of his own hands much more interesting.

“Tell me,” the alpha urged softly, his hand reaching out to cup Sunoo’s warm cheek and gently turn his face toward him. “I know you want to say something, hm?”

“You’re always so busy…” Sunoo began, his voice barely a whisper. “Do you really have to leave me here?”

“I’m sorry,” Sunghoon replied, immediately leaning in to place a comforting kiss on his forehead. “But didn’t we agree on this arrangement for space?”

“I want to stay with you.” Sunoo pushed into the kiss, his eyes beginning to glisten with unshed tears. “Please, alpha?”

“You really waited until the absolute last moment to say this to me, hm?” Sunghoon chuckled, a soft, amused sound, playfully nudging his nose against Sunoo’s. “I’m proud of you. You’ve communicated.”

“I’m pregnant,” Sunoo whined, burying his face in the alpha’s neck. “It’s strange and makes me needy.”

“You think it’s not affecting me?” Sunghoon groaned, pulling him closer. “I go crazy when I’m away from you. Why do you think I stole your scarf?”

“Then why didn’t you say anything?” Sunoo pouted, pulling back just enough to look him in the eye.

“I didn't want to... I mean, I was waiting for you to feel comfortable enough to say something first.” The alpha’s hands cupped his face, drawing him in for a lingering, tender kiss on the mouth. “Forgive your cautious husband.”

“Listen to me,” Sunoo said sternly, placing a finger on Sunghoon’s lips. “I want you to communicate just how you want me to.”

“Yes, my love.” Sunghoon kissed the tip of his finger. “Now what do we tell your dad when he gets home?”

“Leave it to me.”

. . . 

The next morning, Mr. Kim found his son in the kitchen, attempting to brew tea and failing rather miserably at controlling the heat.

“You should’ve just asked me for help—oh, hello Sunghoon!”

He saw his son-in-law quietly stepping out of Sunoo’s bedroom, looking perfectly rumpled and domestic. Sunghoon’s face brightened instantly at the sight of the older omega.

“Good morning, uncle.”

“You should’ve told me he was here, Sunoo!” Mr. Kim exclaimed warmly, quickly ushering Sunghoon to a seat at the table.

“Ah, he didn’t want to leave me behind for the weekend...” Sunoo offered, laughing awkwardly as he fumbled with the stove. But as he glanced at his dad, he saw the man’s eyes suddenly glisten and water, a soft, quiet sniffle escaping him.

“Dad?” Sunoo quickly switched off the stove, his own laughter dying in his throat. Even Sunghoon frowned, moving out of the way so Sunoo could rush to his side.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing—” The man waved his hands dismissively, but a few silent tears had already slipped past his eyes and tracked down his cheek.

“Dad, please.” Sunoo gently made him sit down. Sunghoon wordlessly poured the old man a glass of water and placed it in his hand. 

“It’s just that…” Mr. Kim was finally able to speak, having taken a moment to compose himself. “I got so keenly reminded of your father, that’s all.”

Sunoo deflated slightly, leaning back against the solid support of his husband’s chest. The alpha immediately began to stroke the small of his back in a soothing motion.

“He couldn't stand to be separated from me when I was pregnant with you... and I used to get so annoyed by it,” Mr. Kim laughed, a watery, nostalgic sound as he wiped his face with the back of his hand.

“...Dad?” Sunoo hugged him fiercely, now openly crying as well, the emotional dam breaking at the memory of his deceased father. “I love you, Dad.”

Mr. Kim pulled Sunghoon into the embrace as well, securing both young men tightly. He reached up and kissed the top of the alpha's head. “I’m so happy, Sunghoon. I’m so relieved you’re my son’s mate.”

. . . 

Four and a half months. 

The restaurant is shuttered, a crooked Under Construction sign dangling sadly from the display window. Sunoo sniffles, his arm linked through his husband’s. He burrows into the collar of his coat, looking utterly defeated.

“Ah, crap,” Sunghoon mutters flatly. “They should’ve updated it on Maps.”

“I just thought it’d be great…” Sunoo’s voice wavers, regretful tears already gathering at the corners of his eyes.

Today was supposed to be special — the one day Sunghoon was finally free, and they had driven two full hours just to visit this traditional restaurant. Now everything feels wasted.

“It’s alright,” Sunghoon says, though a small frown dents his brow.

“We should’ve stayed home and ordered like you said…”

“It’s good for you to be out,” the alpha replies, gentle but firm.

“But you have just one day to rest—”

“This isn’t about me.”

Sunoo pulls his arm away and looks aside, wounded. Sunghoon sighs softly.

The sun hangs low, and the late-afternoon light warms their skin in a way that feels almost forgiving.

“There’s a street down here famous for their fishcakes…” Sunghoon offers in a calm, measured tone. “Not fancy. Just how you like it, Attorney.”

Spring has barely begun, and the streets have come alive with color again — flowers in shop windows, chatter in the air, a hum of energy that makes the city feel new.

“The sea is just half an hour away,” Sunghoon adds gently, nudging his nose into Sunoo’s soft crown. “We can have a little beach date.”

Sunoo finally turns to him. The redness in his eyes has faded, replaced now with wonder. His cheeks—forever pink—soften, and the petulant pout slowly dissolves.

They decide to walk instead of going back to the car.

“Is this how you’d take me out if we actually dated before marrying?” Sunoo nudges his shoulder against Sunghoon’s arm.

“Not even close.” Sunghoon narrows his eyes playfully. “I would’ve booked reservations a month in advance.”

“And what else?” Sunoo presses, curious now.

“I’d buy you fancy gifts,” Sunghoon teases, nudging him back. “Send you flowers, pick you up from work…”

“When would you confess?”

“After six months.”

“You think I’d still be interested?”

“Hmm. Have you looked at me?” Sunghoon tugs him closer. “You’d have no choice.”

Sunoo doesn’t know if it’s the dad aura or something else, but these days… Sunghoon looks dangerously sexy. Especially with his new undercut—sharp, commanding, effortlessly magnetic. Even now, passersby keep glancing at him with barely hidden interest.

“But to be honest…” Sunghoon murmurs thoughtfully, “I wouldn’t be able to hold back for six months.”

“…What?” Sunoo’s eyes go wide. “You’d sleep with me on the first date?”

“I mean, yeah, what’s the problem—ow!” Sunghoon groans when Sunoo smacks his shoulder.

“I wouldn’t let you—”

“I meant I’d say I’m in love with you on the first date…” Sunghoon pouts. “You think I’m a freak?”

“Very much so.”

“You’re lucky we’re in public.”

“Why’s that stopping you?”

“You’re the freak!”

“Sirs! Fishcakes for two?” an elderly vendor interrupts, gesturing toward his stall. Only then do they realise they’ve already wandered into the famous food street.

Sunoo gasps.

The entire lane is a flood of people, stalls, sizzling pans, bright lights. Vendors call out, kids tug at parents’ hands, couples laugh, families chatter. It’s loud, chaotic, vibrant—everything Sunoo loves.

“Yes, sure,” Sunghoon says, paying the vendor.

“You won’t get sick?” Sunoo asks, head tilted. He’s certain Sunghoon has never tried street food; the idea of the alpha falling ill worries him.

“Please.” The alpha rolls his eyes. “This is my field of expertise.”

“Really?” Sunoo blinks. As a teen, student, and even a lawyer, he lived on street food. The idea of Sunghoon, one of the wealthiest men in the country, liking it is unbelievable.

Sunghoon guides him onto a rickety wooden stool, leaning forward with a nostalgic smile. “I used to come here with my friends. We loved it…especially the stir-fried octopus right there.” He points to a nearby stall.

Sunoo mumbles, “Friends as in… Jaeyun and Jongseong?”

Sunghoon catches the shift in his expression and nods slowly. “Them and a few others.”

“Don’t you miss them?” Sunoo asks softly. “Why don’t you… invite them one day?”

Sunghoon lifts his hand and presses a kiss to his knuckles. “Okay. Anything you say.”

The fishcakes are delicious—rich, hot, perfectly chewy. Sunoo is about to order more, but his husband stops him.

“You’ll get full. There’s a lot more to try.”

Sunoo beams. “Sure, husband!”

. . . 

“What is that?” Sunoo asks, curiosity glowing in his eyes.

“It’s a ramen competition,” Sunghoon replies, clearly entertained.

“Wow…” Sunoo murmurs, placing a hand protectively over his forming bump.

“You wanna go for it?”

Sunoo shakes his head rapidly, eyes widening. “I’d vomit.”

“Are you still hungry—?”

Before he can finish, a group of men shove past Sunoo without warning, knocking the omega off balance. Sunoo gasps, stumbling face-first into his husband’s chest.

“What is wrong with you?!” Sunghoon roars, fury igniting instantly. He charges after them, clamping a hand down on one man's shoulder with force. “Can’t you say excuse me?”

“Tell him to get out of the way—”

Sunghoon’s fist rises—clearly ready to break the man’s jaw—but Sunoo’s panicked cry cuts through the tension.

“Hoonie, wait—!”

He grabs his husband’s forearm, desperately trying to quell the alpha’s rage. Sunghoon forces himself to still, but his jaw is locked tight. His eyes blaze, his breathing sharp and fast.

“Good move, pretty boy—” the man sneers.

“Shut the fuck up!” Sunoo spits back, startling everyone around them.

The street vendor who’d served them earlier rushes over, waving his hands frantically. “Stop it! Mr. Officer is right there!”

But Sunoo has already dragged Sunghoon away, guiding him into the shadow of a quiet alley corner. Sunghoon’s hands are immediately all over him—checking, touching, soothing in frantic bursts.

Sunoo’s face is peppered with frantic kisses, and he has to hold himself back from crying.

“Why do you get so angry all the time?” he mutters, punching Sunghoon’s chest weakly.

“I can’t control it when it comes to you…” Sunghoon murmurs, pulling him into a tight embrace. They stay like that, breathing into each other’s warmth.

“It’s alright. I’m alright,” Sunoo whispers, cupping the back of his head. He presses a soft kiss to the alpha’s forehead, trying to calm the tremor in his breathing.

“I still wanna kill him.”

“Take me to the beach,” Sunoo whispers, gentle and grounding.

. . .

The drive toward the shore is tense, quiet. Sunoo strokes his belly restlessly, then reaches over and gently pulls Sunghoon’s hand onto the bump.

Sunghoon instantly relaxes. His shoulders ease. He glances at Sunoo once—a soft, fleeting look.

“See? I’m alright,” Sunoo murmurs. “Now smile.”

“How do you bear with me?” Sunghoon sighs. “I lack control.”

“You could never hurt me,” Sunoo says fiercely. “You’re my alpha. You protect me.”

Sunghoon doesn’t respond, but his scent shifts—sweetening, mellowing—exactly the way Sunoo likes it.

“I love you so much,” Sunoo whispers, nuzzling adorably into the warm palm still resting on his stomach. “You’re mine. Just mine.”

Sunghoon’s eyes burn, heart swelling painfully.

. . .

They walk in silence along the shore. The night breeze sweeps through their hair, cool and salty. Sunghoon carries both their shoes, stepping barefoot so he can feel the sea breeze against his skin.

Sunoo inhales the ocean air, sighing in soft contentment.

“You think we’ll still have moments like this after the baby comes?”

“Obviously,” Sunghoon says without hesitation. “What are our parents for?”

Sunoo laughs quietly. “Hmm, but I bet we won’t last two seconds away from her.”

Sunghoon doesn’t respond, which makes Sunoo frown. The beach is dim—just faint lights from the distant road and scattered ships illuminating the waves. He nudged Sunghoon’s side.

“What’s on your mind?”

“I…” Sunghoon stops walking. “You’re the most important person in my life. Nobody comes close.”

Sunoo halts, startled. He turns back toward the alpha. “Not even our baby?”

Sunghoon lowers his gaze. “I’m sorry.”

Sunoo doesn't get angry, or judge him. He gets why Sunghoon always puts him first, and will continue to put him first. His own mother had started to face complications after giving birth to him. The alpha fears that his mate would have to go through the same thing.

Sunoo simply extends his hand.

Sunghoon takes it, their rings clicking gently as they join.

“I’ll wait,” Sunoo whispers, resting against his chest. “It’s alright.”

Sunghoon sways them lightly, voice low and trembling. “I love you more than I can contain. It… doesn’t scare you anymore?”

“I’m yours. Just yours.” Sunoo presses a kiss to his jaw. “Who would you love if not me, hm?”

. . . . 

Five and a half months.

“I don’t like it.”

Sunghoon’s shoulders sink in utter defeat. Sunoo tugs the shirt off completely and throws it onto the bed with a huff. He lowers his gaze to the carpet, jaw tight as he tries to gather his fraying patience.

They’re supposed to be dressing for Jiwon and Wonyoung’s wedding. And they are late, very late. Sunghoon, to his credit, has been remarkably calm for someone who has offered not one, not five, but eleven different outfits so far. 

Eleven exquisite designer outfits ; several of them his own creations ; all of which Sunoo has rejected and tossed aside without mercy.

“Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean I’m supposed to look ugly, Sunghoon.”

“You can never look ugly—”

“Shut up.”

Sunoo flops onto the bed with a long exhale. Within seconds, Sunghoon hears the soft, telltale sniffling. His heart twists.

He lifts his gaze to the mirror, meeting Sunoo’s watery eyes in the reflection.

How could Sunoo possibly call himself ugly? He glows – truly glows. His skin is warm and golden, his hair soft and fluffy, his cheeks adorably round and radiant like a cherub carved from rose quartz. Yet those same eyes shimmer with tears.

“You should go without me—”

“No.”

Sunoo hugs himself, lower lip wobbling. His little tummy interrupts the gesture, rounding his silhouette in the sweetest way. Even in loose clothing, he looks visibly pregnant, and being down to just a black tank top now only heightens his insecurity. He refuses to even glance at his own chest.

Sunghoon steps forward and gently tilts his chin up with one finger.

He looks beautiful tonight – dressed in leather and silk, the deep midnight blue drawing a striking contrast between his pale skin and the sculpted lines of his clothes. Sunoo stares at him, momentarily dazed, and wonders what on earth someone like Sunghoon sees in someone like him, someone so moody, difficult, emotional.

“Jiwon and Wonyoung are waiting for us,” Sunghoon reminds him softly.

Sunoo nods, mesmerized, as if pulled into a trance. He really, truly loves this man. When the alpha cups his cheek, Sunoo leans into his palm, nuzzling instinctively.

“Do you love me?” he blurts, unable to stop himself. Lately, he asks this question every day — sometimes multiple times. And Sunghoon always answers without hesitation.

“I love you,” Sunghoon murmurs, smiling gently. “And it only increases every day.”

Sunoo’s entire face transforms. His smile is so warm, so heartbreakingly earnest that Sunghoon forgets how to breathe for a moment. He loves his husband, really loves him, so deeply, fiercely, relentlessly.

“Dress me in the rose silk satin, Mr. Park,” Sunoo whispers.

The way Sunghoon’s eyes darken – it sends Sunoo’s heart soaring. Even now, after everything, after having him, after claiming him, Sunghoon still wants him with the same hunger as the very first night. They tangle into each other every night, as if there is no such thing as enough.

In the backseat of the car, Sunghoon pulls him close, kissing his fluffy hair. Heat simmers behind his lips, and Sunoo melts instantly.

“Every time we go to a wedding,” Sunghoon murmurs, “I want to marry you again. And again.”

They’ve attended two weddings just last month – marriage seems to be in the air everywhere.

“What’s stopping you, hm?” Sunoo teases, curling his fingers around Sunghoon’s silk tie.

“Say you love me and maybe I will,” Sunghoon mumbles against his mouth. He’s careful not to kiss him – not wanting to ruin the gloss on Sunoo’s cherry-red lips. But Sunoo leans forward anyway, brushing their mouths together and leaving a smear of shine on Sunghoon’s lips. The sight of his alpha with a ruddy, tinted mouth pleases him immensely.

“I love you,” Sunoo says without even a heartbeat of hesitation.

His eyes flutter shut as Sunghoon’s lips descend to his mating mark. His hands rise to curl around the alpha’s neck when—

The car jerks violently.

Sunoo gasps, panic darting through his body. His hand flies to his swollen belly, protective and trembling. Sunghoon’s arms, already around him, tighten with fierce urgency.

Sunghoon inhales sharply, ready to bark at the driver, but Sunoo shakes his head quickly.

His mate doesn’t like yelling anymore – not since the day Sunghoon raised his voice on a phone call and turned around to see Sunoo’s face streaked with tears. The alpha had dropped to his knees immediately, apologizing over and over, but Sunoo had told him to apologize to the actual person on the phone instead. Sunghoon had done it without hesitation – even though he wasn’t at fault.

“I am very sorry, sir!” the poor driver stammers, horrified.

“Be careful,” Sunoo answers softly.

Sunghoon grits his teeth. “From now on, I’ll drive whenever you’re with me.”

Sunoo’s heart softens. He cups Sunghoon’s cheek, making him turn. “Alright. But calm down. Your scent is too strong.”

“Sorry, baby.”

He leans forward immediately, brushing his scent along Sunoo’s neck and cheek; not overpowering, but grounding, soothing.

Sunoo melts into him, letting the warmth settle into his bones as the car rolls gently onward.

. . .

“I’m really, really happy that you’re here.”

Jiwon gathers Sunoo into as much of an embrace as her sleeves will allow. Her crimson-and-gold hanfu ripples like painted silk flames, making her look ethereal. Sunoo cups her cheek gently, blessing her with soft words as his eyes glisten.

The ceremony hall is alive with motion – servers weaving through tables, relatives greeting each other, laughter echoing off high beams. Sunghoon has slipped away to give him this moment of privacy with his friends.

Sunoo laughs. “How could I not come, silly?”

Wonyoung is next, sweeping him into her long arms. Her white-gold hanbok cascades elegantly down her tall frame. She kisses his forehead, whispering, “Thank you so much!”

“You both look so beautiful,” Sunoo giggles, bracing a hand over his tummy as if instinctively shielding his daughter.

The brides decided on a registry marriage first, planning to follow it later with a full religious ceremony steeped in tradition.

Jungwon arrives then, surprising Sunoo with a hug from behind. He plants a delighted kiss on Sunoo’s cheek.

“You look so cute, hyung!”

They’ve left Rika with Mrs. Nishimura for the day so the two of them could attend their friends’ wedding without worry.

Soon, Sunghoon and Riki wander over, drinks in hand – strawberry milk for Sunoo, iced tea for Jungwon. Jiwon and Wonyoung have already gone ahead to prepare for the ceremony now that the Priestess has arrived.

Riki gathers Sunoo into his chest, pinching his cheeks until Sunoo protests, which only encourages the alpha to tease him more.

Sunghoon, meanwhile, hands over the milkshake with exaggerated reluctance. He’s given up drinking entirely and even cleared out his liquor cabinet. Sharing strawberry milk with his mate clearly tests the limits of his resolve; he grimaces after every sip.

“You can drink,” Sunoo murmurs, glancing at the champagne fountain glinting in the corner.

“No.” Sunghoon shrugs as if it’s no temptation at all. He steals a sip of Jungwon’s iced tea instead, visibly pleased.

Jungwon sighs. “I miss drinking.”

“You can, baby. You pumped enough milk,” Riki says, rubbing gentle circles on his back. Both of them are in black suits and soft suede, a matched pair of elegance.

Jungwon glances at Sunoo and shakes his head. “It’s fine.”

Sunoo’s gaze drifts to Jungwon’s chest, startled by how flat it looks. Jungwon notices instantly.

—

After the ceremony, the two omegas retreat to a quiet bench in the garden. This corner of the grounds is hushed, touched only by the soft stir of early summer air drifting across their warm skin.

“How are you dealing with… y’know?” Sunoo finally asks.

“Breastfeeding?” Jungwon lifts a brow. “I get it. It felt weird for me at first too.”

“I can’t even look at my chest without feeling weird.” Sunoo slumps. Sunghoon doesn’t, though – during intimacy, the alpha is endlessly drawn to that part of him. Sunoo never stops him; if anything, he pulls Sunghoon closer. But it still unsettles him… even as he secretly likes it.

“Riki is obsessed,” Jungwon says simply. He taps his own chest. “I’m wearing bands right now. What about you?”

“I’m just wearing a really tight inner.”

Jungwon frowns. “Really? Like a bra? Are they that big?”

“Not really but… What did you do when you were pregnant?” Sunoo asks.

“Well, you saw me. I did nothing.” Jungwon shrugs.

Sunoo tilts his head back, eyes tracing the pale sky. “It’s weird being pregnant.”

“Five months, hm?” Jungwon smiles knowingly. “Wait till you get to seven or eighth.”

Sunoo shivers and curls a protective arm around his belly. Whatever comes, he loves his baby fiercely. He cannot wait to meet her.

“Just enjoy the journey,” Jungwon murmurs, stroking his back. “I’ll come visit you soon, okay?”

Sunoo pulls him into a hug, heart swelling with warmth and gratitude.

. . .

“...Ah, alpha…” Sunoo whimpered, his voice a strained breath. Sunghoon's hand, which had been gently caressing the growing curve of his belly, slowly inched lower and lower, trailing heat in its wake.

“Hm, baby?” Sunghoon’s voice was a low, innocent rumble, completely belied by the fact that his long, skilled fingers were already delving beneath the waistband of Sunoo’s pajama shorts and fondling his slick cunt. His own already-hard cock was firmly trapped against Sunoo's soft, yielding ass, which he subtly began to grind and press against. 

This was how many of their nights ended: Sunoo would be resting, only for the alpha to silently join him and instantly fill the space between them with intense, needy tension. Sunoo cherished this new dynamic; it made him feel utterly and undeniably desirable in his husband's passionate eyes.

Sunoo eagerly thrust his hips back against the friction, already feeling the hot slick beginning to drip onto his alpha’s questing hand.

“You’ve looked ravishing the whole day, my pretty omega…” Sunghoon kissed the curve of Sunoo’s shoulder, a possessive, deep scent-mark. “I’ve wanted to ruin you ever since you walked out of that closet.”

Sunoo threw his head back, an involuntary gasp escaping him when the same skilled fingers plunged unexpectedly into his slick hole.

“Hm, baby? Say something for me.” Sunghoon propped himself up on one elbow, gazing down at Sunoo’s beautiful, scrunched-up face, a mask of pure pleasure and mounting need.

Sunoo pulled him down for a deep, desperate kiss that turned dirty within seconds. Sunghoon pinned Sunoo’s delicate wrists above his head with one powerful hand, while the other fingers mercilessly worked him open and stretched his yielding body.

“Touch me, please,” the alpha suddenly begged, his voice husky, taking Sunoo’s hand and guiding his wrist down to his own swollen crotch. Sunoo immediately complied, pulling down Sunghoon’s pajama waistband and beginning to tug urgently on his thick cock, his mouth wide open, eager to be thoroughly devoured.

Sunghoon’s hands moved next to cup Sunoo’s chest, and he squeezed him, hard and possessively. He groaned at the unexpected softness, rolling the tiny, sensitive nubs of fat between his fingers like a favorite toy.

In return, Sunoo squeezed the tip of the alpha’s cock, a wave of sensation causing him to whimper again. “Hyung—ah—”

But Sunghoon paused abruptly in his movements, inhaling sharply, his eyes widening. Because Sunoo…

“You’re—” He leaned back, removing his hand entirely. Sunoo looked down at his own chest, confusion clouding his passion, to find a pearly white liquid slowly flowing out of his left rosy nipple.

“Sunoo…” Sunghoon whispered, staring at the fresh milk that was already beginning to dry on his palm. “Baby…”

“Take me to the toilet!” Sunoo sobbed out, instantly consumed by a wave of shame and horrified embarrassment. “Now!”

Sunoo slammed the bathroom door shut in Sunghoon’s face the moment his feet touched the tile floor. In the mirror, he stared at his reflection, utterly undone.

One of his… glands? What should he even call them? He certainly could not call them breasts. And visually, they didn't even look like that. It was only that the areola and the surrounding region were slightly swollen, their diameter increased, and from his left nipple, a single, glistening pearly bead dripped. The right side was lactating too, the fabric over it already wet and stained with the translucent white fluid.

Sunoo slowly opened the door, his sobs raw and childlike. Sunghoon was already waiting, standing rooted to the spot, his arms held open, ready to offer an immediate hug.

“W–what is it? Should I call the doctor? A nurse?” Sunghoon’s voice was tight with alarm.

Sunoo only shook his head violently, collapsing into soft, continuous tears.

“Then let me call Aunty or Mom or—” The alpha was clearly starting to panic, his eyes darting frantically.

“I n-need you just please—”

“Okay, okay, my love…” His husband quickly gathered him up, lifting him easily and carrying him back to their vast bed. He poured water into a glass, his hands visibly trembling as he held the rim against his mate’s lips.

Sunoo calmed enough to take a few careful sips. Sunghoon already had a clean, new shirt lying out for him.

“Do you want me to put it on for you?”

Sunoo simply nodded, sitting still and vulnerable as his alpha gently peeled off the wet fabric and changed him into the fresh shirt. Sunghoon then placed a soft, lingering kiss on his forehead before laying him down to rest. But Sunoo immediately grabbed his hand, his grip tight, mumbling, 

“Where are you going…?”

“Just to the toilet, I’ll be right back, my heart, hm?”

By the time Sunghoon returned to the bed in fresh trousers, Sunoo was already nestled deep into the pillows, his eyes heavy. The alpha joined him, sliding under the duvet. “Can I hug you, my love?”

“Hm,” Sunoo confirmed, leaning into the warmth.

“Do you want to talk about what just happened?”

There's a long pause and Sunghoon just assumes the omega isn't yet ready. But then he speaks;

“...I find it difficult to accept the changes my body is going through…”

Sunoo turned slightly, searching his face. “Don’t you find it strange? Don’t I look strange to you now?”

“You look like my Sunoo,” the alpha nuzzled him fiercely, burying his nose in the scent gland behind his ear. “The omega who makes me the happiest man in the world, the one who is nurturing our little life.”

“Sunghoonie…” Sunoo said his name brokenly, the fear finally receding. “Will you wait for me?”

“Always, my love. Always.”

Sunoo was slowly lulled to sleep against his mate's broad chest, his arms and hands tucked tightly together like a child seeking absolute security. Sunghoon remained awake, quietly stroking his back and scenting him with calm, protective pheromones until the first signs of dawn.

. . .

A week later. 

Jungwon took him out for some essential baby shopping, stocking up on tiny clothes and other nursery items. Their alpha companions were busy: Riki was handling an important legal case, and Sunghoon was absorbed in work again.

Little Rika was now three months old and finally beginning to give attention to people other than just Jungwon. She was secured in her baby carrier, quietly suckling on her pacifier as Sunoo gently pinched her cheek. She was delightfully chubby—a little ball of softness! Her hair had grown into soft, golden curls, just like her father’s, but everything else, save for the deep dimples, was beginning to look increasingly like Riki.

“She’s going to look just like Riki,” Jungwon pouted dramatically, pushing their shopping cart. “I’ve already told him the next one must look like me.”

Sunoo laughed, clutching his shopping bag. “You’re crazy, already planning another baby?”

“I’ll see how long you last after your little one is born!” Jungwon retorted with a mischievous grin.

They happily checked out a miniature collection of baby shoes, delicate sweaters, and soft blankets. It was amidst this comforting domesticity that Sunoo finally summoned up the courage to confess to his friend.

“I started lactating a week ago.”

Jungwon stared at him, surprised. “That’s too soon, isn't it?”

Sunoo gave a small, self-conscious shrug, discreetly checking his chest through the layers of his shirt. He hadn't lactated since that night, maybe because he had been careful not to touch the area or let Sunghoon touch it either. The alpha hadn't insisted; in fact, they hadn't had sex at all since that emotionally intense night.

“I read it’s normal, especially when…” Sunoo’s face flushed a delicate pink. Jungwon immediately offered a sly, knowing smirk.

“Yeah, I know.”

Little Rika, who had been observing the conversation silently, suddenly put a tiny, curious palm right on Sunoo’s visible bump, looking up at him in wide-eyed wonder. Sunoo instinctively leaned down and whispered, “Feeling your little sister, sweetie?”

Jungwon smiled, his heart swelling. “They would be best friends, just like us, hm?”

Sunoo imagined two tiny babies playing side-by-side, and a fresh wave of profound, overwhelming love swelled in his heart.

“So I assume you guys must be having crazy good sex now?” Jungwon asked, bringing the conversation back to its usual trajectory.

“Your baby is literally right here, Jungwon,” Sunoo groaned, mortified. “And no, we are not.”

“Seriously?” Jungwon looked genuinely surprised. “Riki went insane when I started lactating—I mean, he's still insane—”

“Shut up!” Sunoo hissed, playfully elbowing him.

“You two are seriously so weird,” Jungwon sighed, shaking his head. “I still wonder how you two didn’t fuck even months after the wedding.”

“Me too,” Sunoo admitted honestly.

“But now is the time to go crazy, Sunoo,” his friend advised with a playful, encouraging tilt of his head. “I mean, no condoms, and no pills, because you're already dealing with the consequences.”

They left the shop, walking side-by-side down the busy pavement. They were a striking sight: one omega noticeably pregnant, the other cradling his three-month-old daughter, both so young and beautiful. Several strangers smiled and waved at Rika, who giggled back, bouncing excitedly in her carrier.

Suddenly, Jungwon accidentally bumped shoulders with a passerby. He was about to offer a quick apology but broke into a wide, surprised smile when he saw who it was.

“Jongseong hyung?”

“...Jungwonnie?”

Sunoo stared straight into the eyes of Park Jongseong, the renowned alpha guitarist and singer, casually walking the streets of Seoul. The alpha’s eyes strayed from Jungwon to Sunoo, and they widened faintly in recognition. He was incredibly handsome, chiseled, and carried an unbothered air that seemed entirely natural. He peeled the mask from his face, smiling at them.

And so, that was how they found themselves sitting at a tiny, chic cafe shortly thereafter. Jongseong effortlessly balanced little Rika in his lap, staring quietly at her perfectly round, sleeping face. There was a look of silent, deep wonder behind his gaze, and Sunoo’s head was still gently reeling from the unexpected encounter.

“How are you?” The singer finally asked Jungwon, smiling politely at Sunoo, though they hadn't been formally introduced yet. Sunoo noted that the alpha spoke very little, his voice a pleasant, low tenor.

“As you can clearly see,” Jungwon smiled brightly, gesturing to Rika. “And you? I can’t believe you’re actually here in Seoul.”

“This is my second home,” Jongseong replied, gently brushing a stray lock of hair away from Rika’s forehead. “I’m quite alright.”

“This is Sunoo, Sunghoon hyung’s husband,” Jungwon introduced them.

“I know that,” the alpha hummed, his eyes briefly meeting Sunoo’s with an appraising, respectful look. “Congratulations to both of you.”

“Did you know?” Jungwon turned back to Sunoo, his smile laced with mischief. “Hyung and I almost dated back then.”

The alpha rolled his eyes good-naturedly. “And then he broke my heart. Really, Jungwon… why didn’t you invite me to your wedding?”

“It was unplanned, really,” the omega murmured, looking down. He then subtly motioned toward his daughter, a silent explanation. Jongseong’s eyes widened, immediately catching the meaning of the gesture.

“Now I really have to meet your alpha,” Jongseong conceded. He finally turned to Sunoo, asking him directly. “I heard Jungwon’s husband is your friend?”

“My best friend,” Sunoo corrected with a happy smile. “And he’s a private investigator.”

“I’m your best friend,” Jungwon pouted playfully. “Whatever. Hyung, are you staying for long?”

“For another two months,” Jongseong replied, carefully adjusting the comfortable baby in his arms. “After this project is done, I’ll leave for Melbourne.”

“Did you tell Sunghoon hyung you’re here?” Jungwon leaned forward, sipping his sweet drink. Sunoo only chose to drink plain water. At the mention of his husband, the omega noticeably perked up.

“Hm,” Jongseong only replied, looking at Rika again, who let out a soft sigh in her sleep. His finger subtly traced her round cheek. “Your baby is really very cute, Jungwon.”

“I would really appreciate it if…” Sunoo began softly, meeting the alpha’s gaze. Jongseong immediately glanced up, his full attention drawn.

“If you and Jaeyun could join us for dinner one day. Or anything, really.”

The famous alpha was slightly surprised by the genuine, spontaneous invitation, but his expression didn't change much. Yet, he smiled gently, a hint of warmth in his eyes. “Sure, Sunoo. Thank you for the offer.”

They departed after a full hour, with Jongseong walking them toward their parked car. Sunoo waved gently at the kind, composed man, still amazed by his friendly and gentle nature. 

Jungwon blew a dramatic kiss, which the alpha pretended to catch with a theatrical flourish. When little Rika suddenly woke up and offered a tiny, innocent wave too, Jongseong’s face finally broke into a genuine, unreserved smile.

Sunoo really liked this new friend.

. . . . 

Six and a half months. 

Jaeyun and Heeseung arrived at the wrought-iron gates of the Park Estate at the exact same moment, a coincidence that sparked an immediate, silent chagrin in both men. 

Jongseong had already arrived much earlier, leaving Jaeyun stuck in an uneasy truce with the lawyer.

As the estate staff began escorting them through the manicured grounds, Jaeyun broke the silence, his voice bored but laced with a secret, burning curiosity. “You’re actually here?”

“As are you,” Heeseung countered smoothly, adjusting the vibrant bouquet in his grip. Jaeyun instinctively tightened his hold on the Cartier bag he carried, a sudden, nagging thought crossing his mind that perhaps he should have brought flowers as well.

Heeseung glanced at him once, his professional composure briefly yielding to curiosity. Jaeyun was breathtakingly beautiful; with his wavy hair catching the sunlight, he looked like a prince.

“Sunghoon may have problems with those,” Jaeyun joked, nodding toward the flowers.

“And Sunoo may have problems with that,” Heeseung quipped back, his eyes lingering pointedly on the expensive gift bag.

When they stepped into the grand living room, the pair fell into a respectful silence. The atmosphere was thick with tradition and warmth.

Sunoo was the centerpiece of the room, seated on a plush, velvet divan and surrounded by an overflowing garden of gifts and floral arrangements. He looked ethereal in a baby pink hanbok, his eyes cast down in shyness as an elderly woman performed a traditional blessing. She fed him a small morsel of a sweet dish, her weathered hand stroking his head with grandmotherly affection.

Hidden in a quiet corner, away from the focal point of the ceremony, Sunghoon was crouched with his camera. He was focused, his finger hovering over the shutter as he captured candid memories of his beautiful, pregnant mate. Jungwon hovered nearby, acting as a creative director and whispering advice on the best lighting and angles.

In another corner, Jongseong was deeply immersed in a conversation with Riki, who balanced little Rika expertly on his shoulder. The two alphas spoke with an easy familiarity, as though they had been confidants for a lifetime.

Nobody noticed the newcomers at first; except for Sunoo. When the omega’s eyes locked onto theirs, Jaeyun was struck by the sheer radiance of the smile directed his way. Sunoo waved, his dainty, pale palms beckoning them forward. At the movement, Sunghoon finally lowered his camera and turned around, his expression unreadable for a split second before he softened.

His eyes met Heeseung’s, and to the lawyer's surprise, Sunghoon gave a brief, firm nod of acknowledgement.

“I can’t believe this,” Heeseung remarked as he finally reached Sunoo’s side. “Your husband doesn’t seem to want to kill me anymore.” He handed over the flowers, posing briefly as Sunghoon clicked the shutter without a single grumble of complaint.

“You never know,” Sunoo joked, his eyes twinkling. He reached forward to offer a hand to the actor. “Hello, Jaeyun hyung.”

“We meet again, Sunoo. Although,” Jaeyun noted, looking around the room, “under much better circumstances.”

Sunoo beamed, his hand resting instinctively on his bump. “Under the best of circumstances.”

“Congratulations, Sunoo,” Heeseung said softly. He took a long look at the younger man and couldn't help but reach out to pat his head, his eyes brimming with genuine affection. “You look truly beautiful.”

Jaeyun found himself staring at Heeseung a second too long; a detail Sunoo noticed immediately. The actor caught himself and looked away sharply, clearing his throat.

“Wonyoung and Jiwon are away on their honeymoon,” Sunoo explained, answering the unspoken question about the missing friends. “But they’ve sent an abundance of gifts and their best wishes.”

“Jaeyun,” Sunghoon called out suddenly, lifting his camera again. “Pose with Sunoo.”

The actor rolled his eyes playfully at his friend’s bossy tone. “Does he order you around too?”

They smiled for the picture, the warmth lingering even after the flash died down. “Quite the opposite, actually,” Sunoo whispered.

“Very good,” Jaeyun giggled.

Sunghoon adjusted his lens. “Jaeyun, pose with Mr. Lee. Come on, move in.”

“Why?” both Jaeyun and Heeseung asked in perfect, bewildered unison. They looked at each other, startled by their own synchronicity.

“He’s making a film,” Sunoo explained gently, his voice full of warmth. “It’s to show our daughter one day who came to see her before she was born. So that she knows exactly who you are when she’s older.”

Jaeyun and Heeseung froze for a heartbeat, the weight of the sentiment melting their remaining defenses. As they moved together, their arms brushed, and a distinct spark of electricity seemed to buzz through the contact. They barely managed to hold a "normal" expression for the photo, both looking slightly dazed.

Jongseong rejoined the group, stepping up to Sunghoon. He watched as the alpha returned to taking candid shots of Sunoo. “How did you manage to get him, Hoon?”

“I don’t know,” Sunghoon shrugged, a small, humble smile playing on his lips. “Sometimes, it still feels like I’m dreaming.”

Nearby, Jungwon balanced Rika on his hip while he reached up to fix a stray hair on Riki’s head. Jongseong watched them, then glanced at Jaeyun, who was still discreetly stealing glances at Heeseung while the latter conversed with Mrs. Yang and Mr. Kim. Mrs. Park nudged Jaeyun playfully, and the actor fixed his expression. 

“You see what’s going on here?” Jongseong muttered.

“Yeah,” Sunghoon smirked. “You’re the only one single.”

“If I wasn’t a victim of the drama between you and Jaeyun back in University, I probably would have someone by now,” Jongseong grumbled.

“I have no idea what you're—”

“Jongseong hyung?” Sunoo’s soft voice interrupted their bickering. They both turned instantly.

The omega handed a refreshing drink to the singer and one to his husband. Sunghoon didn't just take the glass; he pulled Sunoo firmly to his side, using his thumb to gently wipe a bit of stray gloss from the corner of the omega's mouth.

“Tired, hm?” Sunghoon whispered.

“A little,” Sunoo admitted with a gentle smile. He looked up at Jongseong. “Did you have fun today?”

“A lot,” Jongseong replied, his smile reaching his eyes. “Thank you for the invitation, Sunoo.”

Sunoo’s expression brightened. He turned to Sunghoon, a hopeful look in his eyes. “Can you ask someone to click a picture of all of us together?”

The group huddled together in the center of the grand room. Riki and Jungwon stood close with the baby; Sunghoon and Jongseong flanked the other side; Heeseung and Jaeyun stood side-by-side. Sunoo stood at the very center of them all, with Jaeyun instinctively supporting him with a steady hand placed at the small of his back.

Mr. Park took the camera, guiding them into the frame. With a final countdown, he captured the moment; a beautiful, vibrant portrait of loyalty, love, and new beginnings, frozen in the movement of time.

The day ended as it had begun; with nothing but pure, unadulterated joy.

. . . . 

Seven and a half months. 

Sunoo was still navigating the bewildering metamorphosis of his own body. The most disconcerting change was the realization that he could now produce milk; a biological tide that rose and fell entirely outside of his control. It was a constant, pulsing reminder of the life growing within him.

Sunghoon had been swept away by the demands of his position again, having just endured a grueling two-day business trip to Vietnam. He had stumbled back into their home late last night, a shell of himself; jet-lagged, irritable, and utterly exhausted. Currently, he remains buried under the duvet, dead to the world in a heavy, restorative sleep.

Standing before the bathroom mirror, Sunoo stared at his reflection, marveling at the sheer physics of his silhouette. His belly had grown exponentially; it seemed to have doubled in size since just last month, a taut, precious globe. And then there was his chest. The omega thought with a dry, humored tilt of his head that he could—no, he should—officially call them breasts now. They felt heavy, sensitive, and undeniably different.

He reached out, poking experimentally at the soft curve of one side. The flesh pressed upward against the fabric of his top, overflowing provocatively past the low neckline.

“Baby?” Sunghoon’s voice came as a low, gravelly groan from the bedroom. He heard the sound of a hand tapping blindly, searching for a warmth that wasn't there. “Where’d you go?”

A mischievous spark ignited in Sunoo’s eyes, a playful idea taking root. Lately, the rhythm of their intimacy had slowed to a crawl—Sunghoon was perpetually drained, and Sunoo often felt a heavy mix of crankiness and lethargy. But today, a rare surge of energy and confidence pulsed through him.

“In here,” he called out softly, his voice a melodic lure. “Come to the washroom, Hoonie.”

Within seconds, his husband appeared at the doorway. Even through the haze of exhaustion, Sunghoon stood with his arms crossed, his muscles flexed and imposing. He was shirtless—a seasonal necessity as the summer heat clung to the city—and Sunghoon was rarely seen fully dressed within the privacy of their walls.

Sunoo’s mouth watered. He blamed the pregnancy hormones, but even in these later months, he remained utterly obsessed with the sight of the alpha’s powerful chest and sculpted physique.

“Always wake me up when you get out of bed, didn't I tell you that?” Sunghoon grumbled, though his eyes were softening.

Sunoo didn't argue. Instead, he curled a single finger, beckoning him closer. Sunghoon’s brow arched in curiosity, but he followed the command without a second thought.

Sunghoon stepped up behind him, their gazes locking in the mirror. He moved with practiced tenderness, wrapping his strong arms around Sunoo’s waist and sliding his hands beneath the heavy curve of the pregnancy bump to lift the weight.

Sunoo let out a long, shaky sigh, his eyes fluttering shut as the physical burden on his back vanished instantly. “Feeling lighter?” Sunghoon whispered, pressing a lingering kiss to the mating mark on his neck.

The alpha’s focus shifted to confusion when Sunoo reached down, grabbing Sunghoon’s hand and guiding it upward. Sunghoon promptly choked on his own breath the moment his palm made contact with the omega’s swollen chest.

Sunoo turned his head back, his lips brushing against the alpha’s sharp jawline as he breathed a single word, “Feel.”

“You’re going to be the death of me,” Sunghoon managed to say, his voice thick with a mix of agony and reverence. His palm flexed subtly, his fingers sinking into the incredible softness as if he couldn't believe the invitation was real. It was so warm, so lush, and so undeniably his. The alpha let out a needy whine against Sunoo’s hair. “Baby, please…”

“Why?” Sunoo pouted, leaning back into his mate’s heat and pressing Sunghoon’s palm harder against his skin.

Sunghoon inhaled sharply as he watched the soft flesh overflow past the red fabric in the mirror. He gave in completely. He began to fondle and caress the heavy curve, his mind losing itself to the sheer sensory pleasure. Sunoo threw his head back, guiding Sunghoon’s other hand to the opposite side. The alpha’s movements grew rougher, his teeth grazing the mating mark as his instincts flared. To be woken up from exhaustion and granted this level of intimacy? Sunghoon felt like the luckiest alpha alive.

“You like that, hm?” Sunghoon growled, unable to stop himself from grinding his hardening length against the soft curve of Sunoo’s backside.

Sunoo’s breath came in short, jagged hitches. “Not as much as you—”

The atmosphere shattered into something more primal when, within seconds, the thin fabric of Sunoo’s red top began to darken with moisture.

“It hurts,” Sunoo whimpered, his brow furrowing as he looked down at the spreading dampness. The pressure was building, a dull ache that demanded relief. “Alpha, do something!”

“Fuck, what should I—” Sunghoon stammered, his eyes wide and dark with a mix of concern and desire.

Sunoo didn't wait for a suggestion. He reached up and peeled back the thin straps of his top. The red fabric slipped effortlessly off his shoulders, letting his chest jiggle free and spill out into the open air.

Sunghoon reached his breaking point. He bent his head, his mouth attaching hungrily to one rosy, leaking nipple.

“Ah!” Sunoo cried out, his fingers instantly tangling into the alpha’s thick hair to hold him there. His husband began to suckle deeply and harshly, drawing the milk out and easing the painful pressure in an instant.

The relief was so intoxicating, the intimacy so raw, that Sunoo could barely stand. “Bed, Hoonie… bed, now!”

They barely made it to the mattress, their mouths locked in a filthy, desperate exchange of breath and saliva. 

Once on the bed, Sunghoon maneuvered Sunoo with a primal grace, settling his heavy, aching body onto his lap. Without a moment's hesitation, he captured a swollen nipple again, his mouth a hot, demanding vacuum. His large hands roamed downward, squeezing the soft, plush weight of Sunoo’s ass, his fingers having already made quick work of peeling the tiny sleeping shorts away. The red camisole was now a ruined, beautiful mess—bunched up around Sunoo’s neck, soaked through with a mixture of saliva and the white, viscous milk that continued to leak from his heavy breasts.

The warm, milky liquid flushed over Sunghoon’s tongue, and a guttural groan vibrated deep in his throat at the taste. It was sweet, earthy, and intoxicating. He couldn't believe the reality of it; that his omega was finally allowing him this intimacy. He had fantasized about this since the moment Sunoo’s body began to change, but to experience the visceral reality of it was enough to make his head spin.

Sunoo sobbed, his eyes squeezed shut as he hugged Sunghoon’s head to his chest, his fingers tangling desperately in the alpha's dark hair. He pushed himself into Sunghoon’s mouth with a delirious lack of restraint, crying out his husband’s name in a litany of pure delight.

“Baby, baby, baby—” Sunghoon moaned against his skin, his voice muffled by the soft flesh. “Let me fuck you—I need to be inside you—”

But Sunoo was already past the point of no return. The intense stimulation of his breasts, combined with the crushing proximity of his mate, sent him over the edge. With a sharp, broken cry, he came hard, wetting his panties completely. The heat soaked through the thin fabric and immediately bled into Sunghoon’s sweatpants, forming a prominent, dark patch where their bodies joined.

Sunoo panted, his strength failing as he weakly punched at Sunghoon’s shoulders, trying to pull his sensitive chest away from the alpha’s devastating mouth.

“I have… I already…” he gasped, his head rolling back.

“Fuck…” Sunghoon breathed, his eyes dark with a hunger that hadn't been satiated.

Sunoo hiccuped, his walls completely down. In his hazy, post-orgasmic state, his lips moved to utter a request he would never have dared in his right state of mind. “...Come on my chest—my face—whatever you want… but just…”

“I’m gonna die,” Sunghoon whispered, burying his face in the crook of Sunoo’s neck, his breath hot and ragged.

“Please,” Sunoo begged in a broken whisper. He felt a pang of apology, but his body was painfully sensitive now; he knew he couldn't bear the friction of being fucked.

Sunoo moved to his knees on the bed, looking submissive and pliant in the dim light. Sunghoon remained partially dressed, one leg folded on the mattress and the other braced on the floor, his hand working urgently on his own length.

Sunoo leaned forward, his nose brushing against the burning tip of the alpha's cock. He kissed the crown tenderly, his tongue darting out to lick away the beads of precum dribbling from the slit.

The alpha’s voice was a low command. “Lean back and hold your tits for me.”

Sunoo’s eyes filled with tears of absolute surrender. He followed the instruction silently, bringing his palms underneath his raw, aching breasts—the skin bit and sucked and so incredibly sensitive. With trembling, shallow breaths, he held the globes of fat up, squishing them together to create a deep cleavage for his alpha’s eyes. He kept his gaze locked on Sunghoon, his eyes pleading and tear-streaked. There was no room for shame; this was for his alpha, his mate, the father of his child.

“Just like that, yeah baby…” Sunghoon’s strokes turned faster, more desperate. “You have no idea how beautiful you look right now…”

It wasn't just the lust talking. To Sunghoon, Sunoo looked like an angel descended from the heavens to bless him. His cheeks were flushed pink, his body trembling like a leaf in the wind.

With his free hand, Sunghoon reached out to tip Sunoo’s chin up, sighing with a profound, aching love. “My pretty baby…” Then, his voice dropped an octave, rougher than before. “Spread your thighs—let me see that cunt, rose.”

Sunoo bloomed for him like a flower, offering every inch of his vulnerable self. That visual was the final straw.

Sunghoon released with a guttural, long-awaited groan, the white streaks landing across Sunoo’s beautiful face and his milk-stained chest. The alpha immediately placed a flat palm against the taut curve of Sunoo’s bump, his chest heaving as he fought to find his breath.

“At this rate,” Sunghoon panted, his eyes slowly clearing. “I’m just going to keep you pregnant forever, baby.”

Sunoo surged upward, catching Sunghoon’s lips in a darling, lingering smooch. “I’ll let you,” he whispered against his mouth.

“God, I’m gonna get hard again.”

“Hm.” Sunoo smiled, tired but glowing.

Sunghoon reached for a tissue, attempting to wipe the mess from Sunoo’s skin, but it was a futile effort. “It’s useless. We need to give you a proper bath. Let’s go.”

After they had washed away the salt and milk, they returned to the bed, settling into the fresh sheets. Just as they were getting comfortable, Sunoo’s body went rigid.

“Wait…” Sunoo froze, his breath hitching. His hands traveled instinctively to the underside of his belly. “The baby just…”

“Hm?” Sunghoon frowned, his protective instincts flaring as he reached out to caress the bump. “What—oh my god.”

Underneath the heat of Sunghoon’s palm, there was a distinct, rhythmic thump. A tiny, unmistakable movement from within the dark warmth of the womb.

Their baby had just kicked. Sunghoon felt the impact directly against his hand, a physical manifestation of the life they had created together.

“Yes, yes, I’m here,” Sunoo whispered to his belly, his voice thick with new tears as he hugged the curve of his stomach. “I love you so much!”

Sunghoon didn't speak; he simply pressed his forehead against Sunoo’s, his hand remaining anchored to the spot where their child had said hello.

. . . 

Eighth month.

Sunghoon squeezed his eyes shut, a stoic mask on his face as Sunoo’s fingers danced across his ribs. The omega pouted, his lower lip jutting out when the alpha refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

“No tickle-feel? Nothing?” Sunoo challenged, his voice a playful lilt.

“Uh-huh,” Sunghoon grunted. Then, with the speed of a predator, he struck back with his own flurry of tickles. Sunoo squealed, a high-pitched sound of pure joy, as he tried to punch Sunghoon’s shoulders away.

“No! Stop it!”

“Baby…” Sunghoon suddenly stopped, pulling Sunoo into the crook of his neck to inhale the cloying, sweet aroma of rose-milk that seemed to radiate from his skin. “I’m going to miss this phase so much after the baby is born.”

Sunoo tilted his head back against the pillows, the light from the movie playing in the background casting flickering shadows across his face. “Phase?”

“When you’re so needy and clingy,” Sunghoon murmured, pressing a lingering kiss to his cheek.

His mind drifted to the previous night—a marathon of intimacy that had felt endless. They had gone for six rounds straight, until Sunoo’s initial sensitivity had melted into a desperate, sobbing mess of desire. But it wasn't just the sex; it was the way Sunoo seemed physically incapable of being more than an inch away from him. The way he waited by the door, the way he initiated every cuddle, the way he seemed to melt into Sunghoon’s bones.

“You’re going to be so mean to me afterward, aren't you?” Sunghoon teased.

“You still don’t trust me?” Sunoo sniffled, his eyes turning watery with hurt.

“That’s not what I meant…” The alpha’s eyes widened, realizing he had stepped on a hormonal landmine. “We’re just going to be so busy. We’ll hardly have any moments of peace like this.”

“What are our parents for then?” Sunoo countered with a cheeky grin.

Sunghoon’s face broke into a grin. “Right. Excellent point.”

They lay tangled together, Sunghoon’s hand moving in slow, rhythmic circles over the taut curve of Sunoo’s bump. Lately, he found it impossible to stop touching the belly. Sunoo watched with a quiet, glowing pride; he loved seeing his alpha bond with their child. Curiously, the baby—who was usually a frantic kicker—always seemed to settle into a peaceful stillness the moment Sunghoon’s palm made contact.

“Can I have chocolate?” Sunoo whispered into the quiet of the room. “The pistachio one?”

“Sure,” the alpha said, starting to sit up, but Sunoo’s hand shot out, grabbing his arm with surprising strength.

“Leaving without a kiss?”

“How rude of me,” Sunghoon murmured, leaning back down.

They exchanged one soft kiss, then a deeper second one. As Sunghoon tried to pull away, Sunoo hooked a finger in his collar, pulling him down for a third. “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want chocolate.”

“How fickle,” the alpha growled playfully, squeezing Sunoo's hip and nipping at his lips.

Sunoo gasped, a mock-offended look on his face. 

“Objection! False accusation!”

“Objection overruled,” Sunghoon countered, his voice dropping an octave.

“On the grounds of?”

“You’re too pretty. The judge can’t even remember why he’s presiding anymore.”

“So… what do we do, your honor?” Sunoo whispered, his breath hitting Sunghoon’s lips.

“Meet me in the judge’s chambers. The matter shall be settled privately.”

“On what condition?”

“Bend over the desk and remain quiet.”

Sunoo let out a bright, delighted laugh, his heart fluttering at the filthiness of his husband’s words. “How dirty!”

The laughter died out instantly as Sunghoon’s expression shifted. His gaze dropped to the bedsheets, his brow furrowing in confusion. 

“Sunoo…”

“What?”

“Sunoo… did you… did you just pee on the bed?” Sunghoon asked, his voice laced with bewilderment.

A warm, increasingly wet patch was rapidly spreading underneath the omega. Sunoo’s brows furrowed as he looked down. “Huh? What are you even—oh my god.”

He fumbled to sit up, checking the soaked sheets and his own damp clothes. The realization hit them like a speeding train. Sunghoon’s brain, usually sharp and calculated, seemed to skip several beats before landing on the only possible conclusion.

“I think… I think you’re giving birth.”

“You think?!” Sunoo shrieked, the panic finally setting in. “Sunghoon!” He grabbed the alpha’s shoulders, shaking him with a sudden burst of adrenaline. “Dress us both! Get a move on—our baby is here!”

“Yeah. Right. Of course,” Sunghoon said flatly. He looked like a computer that had crashed while trying to process too much data. His eyeballs didn't even move from the spot on the bed.

Sunoo grabbed a pillow and chucked it squarely at his face. “Alpha! Move!”

“Yes! Okay! Right!” Sunghoon snapped into action. He lunged forward and scooped the omega up into his arms.

“What are you doing?!” Sunoo yelped as he was hoisted into the air.

“I’m taking you to the car!”

“Sunghoon,” Sunoo said, cupping his husband's face and forcing their eyes to meet. He spoke slowly and gently, as if talking to a frightened animal. “Call your parents and aunt, okay? I will call the hospital. We have a plan.”

Minutes later, the house was a whirlwind of activity. Sunghoon strapped Sunoo securely into the backseat of the car, his arms shaking so violently he struggled with the buckle. Sweat stood out in beads on his forehead.

He climbed into the seat next to Sunoo, while Mr. Park took the wheel, his face set in a grim mask of determination as he started the engine. In the front, Mrs. Park was already on the phone with Mr. Kim, her voice steady as she informed him that his son was in labor. Meanwhile, Mrs. Yang moved through the house with clinical efficiency, ensuring every one of Sunoo’s pre-packed bags was loaded into the trunk.

The elders shared a look of concern—it was a bit too soon—but they were relieved to see Sunoo remaining remarkably calm. In fact, the omega was faring much better than his alpha, who looked as if he might pass out.

Sunghoon was eerily quiet, his face pale. Sunoo reached out and hugged his arm, leaning his head on Sunghoon’s shoulder to comfort him. “I’m alright, Hoonie. It doesn’t even hurt that much yet.”

The alpha just nodded, gulping harshly, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

“Scent me,” Sunoo whispered, his eyes turning soft and pretty as he offered a small, reassuring smile. “Please?”

Sunghoon leaned in, burying his face in Sunoo's neck. He released a flood of calming, protective pheromones, trying to ground himself as much as his mate. It was all happening so fast.

“You’re going to be a father,” Sunoo whispered into his ear. “I’m so excited to finally meet our little life.”

Sunghoon pulled back just enough to press a deep, fervent kiss to Sunoo’s forehead, his eyes closed as if in prayer. “I love you. More than anything.”

Sunoo suddenly let out a sharp, jagged gasp as the very first true contraction rippled through his abdomen. “I love you too,” he managed to breathe out through the pain.

Sunghoon didn't let go. He held onto Sunoo like he was the most precious thing in the entire universe—because, to him, he was. 

He couldn't wait to meet his daughter.

. . .