Chapter Text
"Seonghwa?"
The taller jumps slightly, hand unconsciously stroking his slightly round belly. A habit that he picked up as his pregnancy progressed further.
Right in front of him stands Kim Hongjoong, his talented and fabulous roommate he would say. Well— except for his messy bedroom, 'Hey, it helps me find inspiration!'
"Why didn't you sleep, Hongjoong-ah? You have class at 9, aren’t you?"
Seonghwa walks past the sleepy man straight to their kitchen, putting away his freshly hunted food into the fridge.
"Hwa, did you walk alone? In the middle of the night? It's dangerous! Nope- I don't want to hear any protests. Next time, wake me up. I don't care what time it is. I'll get them for you both."
With a defeated sigh, Seonghwa just went along with Hongjoong's words. He offers his ice cream to the shorter, which Hongjoong politely declines, content with his black coffee (it's his third glass for the night, don't tell Seonghwa).
Both of them basked in the comfortable silence on their small couch, Seonghwa savoring the chocolate ice cream with fruit mix topping and Hongjoong busying himself with his course assignment.
A few minutes later there’s a groan and crack heard from the right end. The smaller put away his things before slowly laying his head on Seonghwa’s plush thigh, head facing the baby bump as he watches with an unreadable expression.
“Do you think she’s asleep?”
Seonghwa chuckles at Hongjoong’s question. He just entered 16 weeks 3 days ago, and all he could feel were flutters and slight movement from the fetus. From his monthly visit accompanied by his best friend San, the doctor did know the gender but Seonghwa want it to be a surprise for later.
The decision resulted in a lot of whines and dissatisfied grunts from their friends. Wooyoung even threatened to break down into the clinic and steal Seonghwa’s file. Which later screamed on the floor when Jongho said there won’t be any record of the baby’s gender in the report.
Yeosang just shrugged, saying that all colors would fit any gender and boys can play with dolls just like girls can play with trucks. Hongjoong seconded the ideas, he even already started his sketches for the baby’s outfits. His professor once caught him scribbling in the middle of class, praising his creative innovation and cheering him on a small project for his baby.
Hongjoong blush deep red at the comment, stuttering his response saying that it was for a friend and not him. But he secretly likes the idea, of being able to dress his own kid with his creations and many more in the future. For now, he’s quite content with the permission from his pregnant roommate for this small request. And to say that Seonghwa too was excited when Hongjoong told him, his beautiful eyes sparkling accompany by the wide smile on his red plump lips got Hongjoong weak.
“You’re so confident they will be a girl.”
Seonghwa said while fingers twirling Hongjoong’s slightly dry hair, frowning a bit and making a mental note to wrestle his roommate into the bathroom to give him proper hair care. He still remembers the experience he got when working at his sister’s hair salon. Not to mention that Siyeon send him a bouquet of pregnant-friendly products for him not too long after she got the news about his pregnancy.
“Of course, it’s a girl! Uhh, call it uncle’s instinct.” That got Seonghwa cackling loudly till his whole body shook, jostling the resting man. He clutches his middle as the laughter ceases, feeling it cramp a little bit.
“Let’s sleep. It’s still early and you need more rest.”
Hongjoong sits upright before wrapping his arm over Seonghwa’s waist to help him stand which gets annoyed huffs from the man. Saying something about him not big yet and able to stand on his own.
They walk over to Seonghwa’s room still tangling with each other. The pregnant man requesting for a cuddle that night and Hongjoong clearly couldn’t resist that pouty lips. Both of them ended up with Seonghwa’s back pressed to Hongjoong’s warm body which he said was like his heat pad. Seonghwa feels Hongjoong’s hand creep under his nightshirt, holding his belly securely and drawing small circles onto the soft skin.
Not known to the others but they both think the same thing. What if things were different? If they are partners and not just roommates. If the baby in Seonghwa’s belly theirs and not from a random dude after one night stand accident? People assume that they hiding their relationships from the public, not ready to come out yet but are currently expecting their first child. Only if they knew.
*****
“Hello, I’ll be your roommate throughout the years. Nice meeting you, I hope we can be great acquaintances! My name is Park Seonghwa.”
Pretty.
“Kim Hongjoong.”
*****
“H-Hongjoong?”
“Seonghwa. Where were you?”
“At the party still. I’m waiting for San and the others outside. Minho will drop me after he collects Juyeon from the backyard. That boy had been grinding up against the tree for a while.”
Seonghwa giggles, a little lightheaded from the booze he had.
“Hey sweety, what’re you doing here all alone?”
Hongjoong's blood went cold at the unknown voice, immediately panicking when the call died.
*****
Things were normal for college students. Eat. Study. Sleep. Repeat. Classes are scheduled from morning to evening depending on their course subjects, club activities, and sports. Hongjoong had been busy with his elective subject, spending more time in the studio to finish his pieces. His friend respects his work and keeps the boundaries.
Except for his roommate.
Seonghwa keeps coming to his little studio and brings his handmade food a few times per week. Didn't forget to cheer him up on the projects. But it went downhills one day.
Hongjoong had been yelled at by his professor because he accidentally uses different fabrics, pokes himself with needles, getting wet in heavy rain. His mood is dropping dangerously low each minute. And when Seonghwa barged in without announcing his visit, Hongjoong lashed out.
He keep on going about how he disliked the skinship and they made Hongjoong uncomfortable as hell. Picking on every single thing he didn’t even care at the first place. About his clean freak nature, his choice of clothing, his nagging all the time, and more. Hongjoong keeps on ranting till he’s out of breath. He didn’t even notice how silent the others had been from the start.
But when he looked up, Seonghwa looked at him with eyes full of unshed tears, lips trembling and his whole body shaking before turning to leave the stuffy space.
All Hongjoong could do was watch the hunched back leave, his feet didn't cooperate with his brain to run after his roommate.
He officially fucked up.
*****
*Few months later*
Hongjoong wakes up feeling movement, slightly shaking the bed. He opened his eyes, blinking into the darkness, hearing a soft sigh from the person beside him. He looks and sees the clock on the nightstand reads 4 am.
Beside him, Seonghwa is attempting to prop himself into a sitting position, fluffing up his pillow and leaning against them. He had trouble sleeping most days for the past few weeks. Hongjoong often wakes up only to find him sitting in the bed like this, dozing.
When Seonghwa finally finds a comfortable position, he begins to whisper softly as he runs both hands over his growing baby bump. Hongjoong can see him smiling, although his voice is slightly begging.
"Please go to sleep, little princess."
Hongjoong heard him say softly, which brought a smile to his face as Seonghwa talked to the baby. How he loves these little moments that make his heart burst with love and adoration towards the blonde.
"Seems like someone is going to take after Daddy," Seonghwa says fondly, finger nudging the tiny feet.
Hongjoong scoots closer until his face is pressed into the round belly, wrapping his arms around Seonghwa's waist.
"Sorry, did I wake you Joongie?"
Seonghwa threaded his finger in Hongjoong's bed hair before he could feel Hongjoong shakes his head. Both of them basked in the comfortable silence except when the expectant man huffed with how active her baby is that early morning.
Slowly, Hongjoong sits up and scoots over on the bed so his side is pressed against him, resting his cheek against the strawberry-scented hair. Seonghwa leans his head against Hongjoong's shoulder, closing his eyes briefly.
"How long have you been awake, Hwa?"
"A while. Your daughter just won't stay still."
Hongjoong kisses on top of his head and places his hand on top of the belly. "You need to let Mommy rest, sweetheart. He's doing so much to make sure you're cozy inside there."
Seonghwa lets out a small chuckle before continuing to rub his belly and talk to the baby in a soothing voice. He slowly and rhythmically runs his hand up and down his stomach in an attempt to calm the tiny wiggly human inside.
"So… takes after Daddy huh?" Hongjoong decides to break the silence, his heart swells at the thought of the baby taking after him.
Taking the strong hand in his and locating it a little above his belly button, Seonghwa lets out a soft laugh as he looks up and smiles, "It seems like she is going to be gifted in martial arts too. We should ask San to teach her in a few years."
Hongjoong chuckles, running his fingers over his belly. "Oh boy, Uncle San would spoil her so much. He didn't become her godfather for no reason."
Hongjoong runs his fingers down to touch the bottom of Seonghwa's nightshirt and begins drumming his fingers along the fabric as a questioning "mm?" leaves his throat.
When Seonghwa nods, Hongjoong lifts his shirt over his belly to press his hand against the skin, searching.
He finally feels the baby moves against his palm, and feelings of amazement, excitement, and love fill his fragile heart. It hits him again thousands of times how amazing Seonghwa really is for carrying their baby and how lucky he is to be chosen to have them.
After a while of feeling their baby kick against his palm, Hongjoong feels the movement under his hand cease. "I think she's asleep," Seonghwa murmurs.
"We should probably do the same. I'll cook you breakfast later." Hongjoong brings a hand upward and caresses the fluffy cheek before placing a light kiss on Seonghwa's forehead.
Seonghwa nods, muttering 'sounds good’ and they both shuffle around on the bed, trying to find a comfortable position which ends up with Seonghwa on her side, cuddling up to Hongjoong with his head pillowed on his broad chest.
They couldn't wait till the little princess was ready to come into the world. For now, things were perfect.