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"The warriors are home."
If it was any other time, Wonwoo would have rushed to the borders of their pack lands and launched himself into the arms of his alpha. But this wasn't just any other time. He finds himself pacing the length of the medical hut instead, teeth gnawing on his bottom lip as he anticipates the warriors' arrival.
"Do you have any scent suppressants?" Wonwoo asks.
Minghao cocks an eyebrow at his question, lips quirking to one side in amusement. "You do know that he'll figure it out either way, right?" he asks rhetorically. "I know Junhui can be dense sometimes, but he's not an idiot."
Wonwoo can't help the whine from escaping his throat, fully unprepared for Junhui to find out what was going on with him and what exactly he was doing in Minghao's hut. He thought he had a few more days to get himself into the right mindset and be able to tell Junhui everything, but when word got to the pack that their alpha and warriors were returning a week earlier than they had all anticipated, all of Wonwoo's confidence went right out the window.
"I don't understand what's got you so nervous," Minghao sighs. "You know he'll be happy about this."
"We haven't even really talked about this, you know?" Wonwoo whispers.
"When do either of you actually talk?" Minghao interjects. "And I mean that in the best way."
Wonwoo scoffs incredulously. "You just said we don't communicate, how is that the best way?"
"I didn't say that you didn't communicate," Minghao starts, "you two just have a way of learning and understanding things about each other that doesn't necessarily require talking."
Wonwoo looks at him in confusion, brows furrowing as he tries to understand what the pack doctor is going on about.
"I'd give you an entire lecture, but you just ran out of time."
No sooner had Minghao finished talking did the medical hut doors open, the scents of sandalwood and earth with subtle notes of peach and orange flood his sense of smell.
Junhui barges in with a wide smile and windblown hair, his happiness in being home showing in every bit of his being. He opens his mouth to speak, only for his jaw to fall slack a split second later. He takes in several deep breaths, his questioning gaze travelling between Wonwoo and Minghao. Clarity builds up in his expression as the seconds tick by, with Wonwoo's anxiety heightening as the silences goes on for longer.
A smile finally cracks through Junhui's initial shock. But unlike the mirthful grin he was sporting upon his arrival, this one was softer. It's one that Wonwoo is all too familiar with. And with that look on Junhui's face, he finally sighs in relief, allowing himself to crack a shy smile of his own.
Even when he sees Minghao smirking in his periphery, he knows the doctor need not say more.
In the comforts of their own home, Junhui lets go of all restraint, gathering Wonwoo into his arms and planting a soul-searing kiss upon his lips. A chuckle began to bubble in Wonwoo's throat only to dissolve into a moan as Junhui pulls him tighter against his chest. He tries to catch his breath when the alpha lets up, only to gasp as Junhui's lips move to press feather-soft kisses against his cheek, his jaw, and his neck, before finally settling between the junction of his throat and shoulder.
It's there, right against his mate mark, that Junhui takes a deep breath. The contented sigh that follows makes Wonwoo melt even further into their embrace, the worries he voiced to Minghao dissolving into nothing.
"How do you smell even sweeter than you ever did?" Junhui mumbles against his mark. "Almost like candy."
"You're happy, then?" Wonwoo can't help but ask.
Junhui's head snaps up, nearly knocking into Wonwoo's chin in the process. The intensity in his gaze stirs heat in Wonwoo's stomach. "Why would you ever think I'd be anything else but happy?"
"We didn't plan this. We never even talked about it before."
Junhui pulls away ever so slightly, making just enough room for his hands to move up comfortably to cup Wonwoo's cheeks. He leaves a soft but quick kiss to Wonwoo's lips before pressing their foreheads together. His eyes close as he takes deep and purposeful breaths, reveling in the sweeter scents his mate was exuding.
"I remember when you first came here," Junhui starts, a deep sadness tinging his tone.
The senseless attack that had led to the destruction of Wonwoo's old pack never made for easygoing discussion no matter how many years have passed since. Wonwoo takes in a shaky breath before stealing a kiss of his own, a quick action urging for Junhui to continue.
"I remember when Hansol and Chan were still pups, playing pretend warriors and standing guard at Minghao's medical hut. I remember them crying as more days pass that you didn't wake. Sometimes, I can still hear Chan's excited yips when we found you awake."
Junhui pauses to chuckle, his loving gaze moving across Wonwoo's face as if imprinting his features into memory. Wonwoo knew that they had all thought the worst in the days before he roused, even when Minghao's medical expertise and all the world's logic indicated that he was going to be fine, albeit slower to recover considering his traumas. Even with just a gaze, Wonwoo knew that Junhui was thinking back to that time, that he was committing this moment to memory in an effort to erase a sadder one.
"I remember how you let all the pups pile on you that first night," Junhui continues. "You were so patient even with their little paws tracking dirt all over you while Soonyoung and Jihoon tried to coral them all off you to no avail."
Wonwoo snickers, nose scrunching as the moment Junhui speaks of flashes in his mind. He lowers his head to rest on Junhui's shoulder, the alpha snaking his arms around his waist to hold him more comfortably. Wonwoo feels a slight sway, Junhui leading him into a subtle dance as he drones on.
Junhui continues to talk about how the younger wolves kept crying when he was hurt, how lost they were the longer he stayed unconscious. The alpha expresses his awe that, even at their young ages, the once pups that were Hansol and Chan had great resolve in vowing that they'd never let Wonwoo hurt any more than he should. And how, when he finally did wake up, those two pups led the charge into making sure Wonwoo could want for nothing when it comes to comfort.
"You even had Mingyu whing to me that his role as mother hen was being taken away and he couldn't even really be mad about it," Junhui adds.
"He's still mother hen when it comes to feeding time," Wonwoo quips.
"That doesn't take away from how much those pups love you," Junhui says as he presses a kiss against his mate's hair. "I know you'll make the best dad to our pup."
Even as the sweetest words leave Junhui's mouth, Wonwoo can't help but let doubt sink in. "You really think so? Are you sure we're ready."
"You're already pregnant, Wonwoo," Junhui says with a hint of amusement. "If we're not ready now, we still have a few months to get there. We're doing this. Together."
Together.
Wonwoo zeroes in on that one word. And just like that, Junhui's said everything he needed to hear.
In the months leading to the birth of their pup, Wonwoo's gathered every tip he could from other parents and would-be parents in the pack. Every day, he seemingly ends up with a list of things they need to get so they can be ready for their new arrival. Yet once he enters their hut, Junhui somehow always stays several steps ahead of him.
On one morning, Soonyoung spoke to him about nesting, that he should talk to Junhui about moving things around in their hut so he'll have the space to do so as his instincts take over in preparation for the impending birth. That night, he walks into their home that was seemingly transformed to have a more open plan. A pile extra fluffy blankets sit in a far corner, along with several of Junhui's shirts that Wonwoo often uses as his own whenever he has trouble sleeping, usually when his mate is away on pack business.
Another day, Jeonghan reminds him that they would need a cot. While Wonwoo thought it best to have their child as close as possible, Jeonghan vetoes the idea on the argument that, sometimes, it just won't be the case.
"I'm pretty confident that we won't crush the pup in our sleep," Wonwoo says.
"I'm not worried about that," Jeonghan replies. "I'm talking more about wanting your mate and your space. Yes, you will love that child unconditionally the second they come into this world. You will want them close so they can smell you and have a peaceful slumber. But there will be days when you will need it to be just you and Junhui."
"Was it like that with you and Seungcheol?"
"Please," Seungcheol interjects with a scoff as he walks right into their conversation. "I had to leave our daughter with Mingyu and Minghao whenever he needs our time. I don't need her baby eyes and ears experiencing what a rut is just because Jeonghan can't help himself."
"Seungcheol!" Jeonghan exclaims, his ears going red in embarrassment.
Seungcheol laughs heartily before making a run for it, no doubt enjoying being able to pull one over his mate.
An image of Junhui suddenly flashes in Wonwoo's mind, the thought leading to a blush of his own. Jeonghan eyes him knowingly, the look leaving no room for more words.
When he walks home later that afternoon, he finds Junhui with a pile of wood and tools laid out in front of him just outside their hut.
"What are you doing?"
"Building a crib," his mate replies. "I'm trying to figure out if I can make something more modular. It can be a crib for a few months, but taking off a part or two will transform it to a small bed, and adding other things could somehow make it big enough for a small child. Sounds more practical, right?"
Junhui turns his gaze to him right then, and Wonwoo's sure that the look of love and wonder is more than enough of an answer for his mate.
"Bet you don't miss the heats," Seungkwan grumbles.
"Leave him alone."
"Easy for you to say," Seungkwan replies with a small glare. "Jisoo finally claimed you."
Wonwoo chuckles as Seokmin stammers in response, practically screaming that it had nothing to do with Wonwoo's pregnancy.
While it may be a reach on his part, it does make Wonwoo think. Does being pregnant change anything between him and Junhui? Is he still as attractive in his mate's eyes now that he was getting bigger? What about the after?
"Stop thinking," Seokmin says with a few soft pats to his cheek, bringing Wonwoo out of his reverie. He's caught off guard, leading Seungkwan to explain how he looked way too deep in thought for him to be thinking positively.
"He will always want you," Seokmin sighs dreamily. "It doesn't always have to be about sex—"
"Though we won't fault you if it goes that way a lot," Seungkwan interjects, earning him a glare from Seokmin. His "sorry" afterwards lacking any remorse at all.
"As I was saying," Seokmin restarts with a roll of his eyes. "We're wolves. It will always be physical, yes, but it's not always about the sex. Besides, this is you and Junhui we're talking about. There doesn't have to be anything said and done for you to see how much love the alpha has for you. It's in the quiet things he does that will show you that he will always want and love you, pregnant or not, big as a beached whale or not, worrying about stretchmarks and loose skin or not. You're having his pup and I'm sure he's already dreaming of more after seeing you go through the changes."
Wonwoo barely makes it to their front door before Junhui leads him away from the hut, one arm snaking around the small of his back to guide him towards the tree line. Wonwoo gives him a confused glance, blushing slightly at the wink he gets in return. They walked for a few minutes before Wonwoo figures out that Junhui was leading him to a small pond, nothing more than a watering hole if he was so honest, but it was big and deep enough to serve as their own private spring away from the stream that the pack usually goes to.
They waste no time shedding their clothes before sinking their bodies into the water, its cool temperature taking a blissful sigh out of Wonwoo's lips.
"The nights are getting warmer," Junhui starts. "I thought I could take you out here so you can sleep more comfortably later."
Wonwoo's kiss was more than enough to tell Junhui how he feels about the gesture.
Junhui comes home after trade talks with another pack to find Wonwoo shifted lying atop a heap of blankets and one of his shirts thrown over his snout. The soft whine that reaches his ears propels him further into the hut, bringing himself down to the floor and stretching his legs so Wonwoo could lay his head across his lap.
"It won't be long now," Junhui says as he caresses his mate's dark gray coat. "I'm sorry I got back later than we hoped, but I'm here now and I'm not leaving until we meet our pup."
As soon as he finished speaking, Minghao walks in with his medical bag. Mingyu follows suit with a few other tools that make Junhui's eyes widen in panic.
"Don't worry, alpha," Minghao says soothingly. "I only brought those here for precaution. In case something goes wrong, I need everything to be within reach rather than having to scream for Mingyu or anyone in the pack to run from one end of the village to the other. We're talking about the future pack leader after all. I'm not taking any chances."
"Thank you, Minghao," Junhui replies, relieved.
The three of them continued to chat as the minutes and hours ticked by, with Wonwoo's alternating contented whimpers and pained snarls playing in the background. When his sounds turn into lengthy moans, Minghao jumps into action.
"Ready some warm water and towels, Gyu," he instructs his mate as he lays his hand on Wonwoo's belly. "Junhui, just keep his focus, give him support when he needs it."
Wonwoo switches between huffs and moans as Minghao coaches him through birth, his worries whirring through his mind the longer it takes to push his pup out. He can feel the doctor's hands massaging his belly, helping Wonwoo push and guide the little one out in the most gentle of manners.
"Don't think about it too much, my love," Junhui whispers. "Listen to Minghao and our pup will be here in no time."
No sooner did he say that did Wonwoo feel the pressure release from his stomach, a high-pitched howl tearing through the otherwise monotonous thrum in the hut.
"Congratulations," Minghao says breathily. "It's a boy."
Junhui presses kisses against Wonwoo's head and snout. "You need to shift back, my love," he says. "I'm not holding our boy without you."
When Wonwoo shifts, Mingyu is quick to cover him with warm towels in hopes to ease his weary muscles. Wonwoo falls against Junhui's chest, his mate wrapping him in a tight embrace. They watch with rapt attention as Minghao wipes at their newborn pup's fur, happy tears filling their eyes at the little sounds he makes. The floodgates open when Minghao settles the bundle of fur and terry cloth on top of Wonwoo's chest.
"Welcome to the outside world, Samuel. We can't promise to be perfect, but we'll love you the best way we can," Junhui whispers.
Wonwoo tears his gaze away from his son and looks straight into the eyes of his mate. He leans in for a kiss, Junhui meeting him halfway. It was nothing more than a firm press of their lips, but they knew it said everything they ever wanted to say and more.
Wonwoo whines as he feels Junhui slip from under him. He forces his eyes open, his weariness from giving birth still holding him under despite the several days that have passed.
"Go back to sleep," Junhui whispers as he runs his fingers through Wonwoo's hair. "I've got him."
The last three words force Wonwoo into wakefulness, his ears picking up on the small whimpers coming from the crib at the foot of their bed. He watches as Junhui picks up Samuel, the pup quickly curling into his father's chest.
"He's due for a feed," Wonwoo mutters, yet he couldn't bring himself to get up just yet.
"Don't force it," Junhui says sternly as he watches his mate try and fail to sit up. "We still have a few bottles of milk stocked up. I can just warm them up."
"Do you need me to hold him?"
"I've got him. We'll be back in bed with you once I get his bottle ready."
As he listens to Junhui putter around their kitchen, Wonwoo wonders what he did in his past life to deserve this. He turns to his side, eyes squinting in a poor attempt to focus on his mate and their pup. The dim light casts shadows that only serve to accentuate Junhui's frame as he sways from side to side to calm their hungry pup. If this is the sight that awaits him for the days and weeks to come, Wonwoo will gladly lose sleep just to watch Junhui be a father to Samuel.
Junhui turns around as he finishes his thought, catching Wonwoo's intent stare. The alpha smirks as if he knew just what was going through his mate's mind, and Wonwoo won't be surprised if he does indeed. Junhui always seems to know his thoughts, his feelings, and his needs even without saying a thing.
By the time Junhui's standing by their bedside, Wonwoo has mustered up enough energy to sit up. He takes Samuel in his arms and waits for Junhui to settle into bed, before leaning back into his chest. Junhui passes him the bottle and Wonwoo gently presses it against Samuel's mouth. The pup is all too eager to suckle his milk, pulling quiet laughter from both his parents.
"He's got your appetite," Wonwoo jokes. "Might need to pump double tomorrow."
Junhui squeezes his waist in response. "Just tell me how I can help. I'll do everything you need me to do."
Wonwoo knows he doesn't have to say anything. Junhui will do everything he can do anyway. He's the type of steady presence that provides the quiet strength he needs to get through his days — through his mourning, through his grief, and through his recovery to finding himself again, knowing his worth, and falling in love in the process.
Wonwoo's gaze doesn't leave Samuel, but he can feel Junhui's eyes on him. He knows, even without looking, that his eyes are looking at him and their son with so much love, as if they were the ones to hang the moon in the sky. And he knows that, even without speaking, this moment spoke of their love with all the words he can ever say.