Work Text:
their room was quiet aside from cho yeong’s breathing. she looked so peaceful like this and anyone who would come across in this state, would never believe that she was naksu, a cold blooded assassin that instilled fear in everyone.
jang uk smiled down at her sleeping form, the snacks she insisted on having, put aside on a table near their bed, long forgotten. she seemed to get tired quicker these days.
he placed his hand on her lower abdomen, a place his hands would naturally gravitate towards these days. it had barely been 2 months since they’d found out but he could feel the energy surging within her core, right down to her womb. she looked so much younger like this, dressed only in a loose fitting robe. it was sheer and elegant and looked so beautiful against her pale skin. jang uk could and would never tire of simply watching her.
master lee and park danggu had called him a creep but none of them knew about her pregnancy just yet and if master lee had sensed it, he hadn’t said a thing, which jang uk was grateful for. he wanted his wife to have her moment where she would share the news with their family and friends.
“uk-ah?” came a soft whisper, she seemed to be fighting the urge to open her eyes. it was too early for her anyway.
“i’m here darling” he grinned, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead
“tired” she sighed, leaning into his space to feel him closer. he would never tire of seeing this side of her. he knew she trusted him enough to be this vulnerable and jang uk would never truly take advantage, at least not in a malicious manner.
“i know” he chuckles, “but i have to go to songrim today”
“danggu needs you?” she asks, a lot more awake than she had been only a moment ago.
“hm and i thought you’d be visiting chwiseonru”
she sighs before tugging on his sleep robe. it was a sign to help her get up and ready for their day. she had become spoiled ever since they officially became a married couple and jang uk was a weak, weak man when it came to the woman he loved.
he assists her when she’s bathing, even when she complains that she can do it herself. he fusses over her clothing and it’s amusing as it is worrying for their servants who stand aside looking helpless.
“wife” he says, taking her hand as they walk down the pathway leading to the courtesan house.
“husband” cho yeong smiles up at him, and just because she can, she pulls him down and kisses his cheek
she enjoys the way his ears turn red despite him pretending as though she has no effect on him.
“i thought you’d forgotten about me” maidservant kim frowns, “you’re far too busy these days”
cho yeong can only giggle as she watches maidservant kim fuss over jang uk like she’s always done. park jin looks exasperated but she can see him fighting off a smile.
“what is it that you wanted to tell us so urgently, lady buyeon?” park jin asks and jang uk sees the way maidservant kim smiles widely at yeong. she knows
“we’re expecting… a baby” cho yeong smiles, placing her hands over her belly, in similar fashion to the night she had lied about their witness in front of the unanimous assembly
“it’s still early days” she adds after a moment and flushes a little when jang uk takes her hand in his
“we wanted you to be the first to know” jang uk says
and even after everything that has happened, it catches him by surprise when park jin hugs him. he doesn’t dwell on the thought of his own parents and how they’d react to him becoming a father. maidservant kim and park jin were enough.
“congratulations” park jin says and clears his throat to get rid of the lump. he didn’t want to cry.
“thank you” they both smile as maidservant kim places her hand above yeong’s. patting gently and whispering softly to their baby.