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Riku’s pregnancy had been a whirlwind of emotions. He had never imagined he would end up pregnant, but here he was, lying in a hospital bed, feeling his baby shift inside him as the baby was about to come. The anticipation was so thick it almost felt like it was wrapping around his chest, making it hard to breathe sometimes. But there was one thing he knew for sure: this little one, as tiny as they were, was going to change everything.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this, though. Riku had pictured his labor as an event of calm, something to endure and power through with strength. Instead, the reality was much harsher. His contractions were coming in waves, one after another, each one worse than the last. He bit his lip, trying to control his breathing, but it felt like the world was spinning.
The room was cool, the sterile scent of the hospital mixing with the slight smell of antiseptic. A nurse checked the IV line running into his arm, adjusting the fluids as Riku tried to relax on the bed. But relaxation was the last thing he felt.
“Riku, you’re doing great,” Daeyoung’s voice broke through his concentration, soothing and calm, though he sounded almost too calm for how frantic Riku felt. His husband had been a constant presence by his side, rubbing his back and keeping him company through every contraction.
“I swear to the gods,” Riku grumbled through gritted teeth, his fists clutching the hospital sheets. “I’ll never forgive you for this.” He shot a glare at Daeyoung, who simply smiled down at him, unfazed by the venom in Riku’s words.
“Anything you want, Riku,” Daeyoung said softly, pressing a cool cloth to his forehead. “I’m here, okay? Just focus on me.”
Riku huffed, barely managing to open his eyes. “I’ll focus on you later. Right now, I want this baby out of me.” He gave him a pointed look. “This is your fault.”
Daeyoung chuckled softly, brushing a damp lock of Riku’s hair from his forehead. “I know. I’m sorry. But we’re almost there, okay? Just a little longer.”
Riku let out a sharp breath, resisting the urge to snap at him. “If you tell me one more time that we’re almost there, I swear I’ll—”
The nurse, standing at the foot of the bed, checked Riku’s progress with a quiet professionalism. “You’re doing great, Riku. You’re almost there. Just a few more pushes.”
Riku tried to push again with his whole energy then finally a sharp cry filled the room, cutting through his frustration like a knife. His heart skipped a beat, everything stopping for a brief moment. He blinked rapidly, his body still trembling from the intensity of the contractions, but now everything else seemed to blur as the doctor and nurse swiftly placed the tiny baby in his arms.
Daeyoung’s face lit up with pure joy, his usual calm demeanor giving way to something far warmer as he leaned over Riku’s shoulder. The moment he saw their child, a tear slipped from his eye. “I know you can do it,” Daeyoung whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Riku’s lips quirked into a tired, pained smile, though there was a hint of exasperation in his voice. “Yeah, yeah….”
The baby was tiny and wrinkled, the softest face Riku had ever seen. But his eyes—big and round—and that tiny little mouth… it looked exactly like Daeyoung. Riku could feel a new wave of frustration rising in his chest as he gazed down at the tiny, perfect little face, which seemed to mirror Daeyoung’s puppy-like expression.
Riku sighed deeply. "Nine months in my womb, making me suffer, and he looks like his stupid dad."
Daeyoung, leaning even closer, peeked at the baby with that proud smile of his, his heart full of happiness. “He looks like me? I’m honored.”
Riku rolled his eyes, his exhaustion mixing with irritation. “Of course, he looks like you. Look at that pout. He’s already giving me that look. He’s going to be just as insufferable as you are.”
Daeyoung chuckled, his smile only growing wider. “You’re the one who agreed to have a baby with me. And hey, he’s got your eyes.”
“Sure. My eyes,” Riku grumbled, his exhaustion getting the better of him. “But his mouth? All you. I bet he’s going to pout at me every time he doesn’t get what he wants. Just like you.”
“Oh, come on,” Daeyoung teased, his voice light, “You can’t tell me it’s not cute. Besides, we’ll both spoil him, so he’ll definitely get his way sometimes.”
Riku scowled, though it was more out of habit than actual anger. “Yeah, well, you better make sure he doesn’t turn out just like you. I’m not ready to deal with two Daeyoungs.”
“I’ll take full responsibility,” Daeyoung said with an affectionate chuckle. “But I think you’re going to fall in love with him all over again when he starts looking at you like you look at me.”
Riku rolled his eyes, but there was a warmth in his voice as he looked at his son. “He looks like you. He’s going to act like you. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.”
“You’ll laugh, Riku,” Daeyoung said, his hand resting gently on Riku’s shoulder. “Because you’re going to love every minute of it.”
Riku sighed deeply, letting his shoulders relax. He looked at the tiny face in his arms, so much like Daeyoung, and despite his earlier complaints, a quiet, undeniable love bloomed in his chest. “Yeah, yeah. I guess he’s cute. Just… don’t let him turn into you, okay? I’m already dealing with one Daeyoung. I don’t need two.”
Daeyoung just smiled, his voice soft as he leaned in. “I can’t promise that. But I’ll make sure you have everything you need, Riku. And if he turns into me, I’ll make sure he knows exactly how lucky he is to have you as his father.”
Riku chuckled softly, feeling the weight of the past few hours finally ease off his shoulders. He let out a sigh, looking down at his baby again—the little one who, despite everything, was perfect in his own way. “Fine. He can look like you. But I’m still blaming you when he starts pouting for no reason.”
“Deal,” Daeyoung said with a wink. And as Daeyoung beamed down at them both, Riku couldn’t help but feel, deep in his bones, that their little family was everything he had ever wanted. Even if it did mean a lifetime of Daeyoung’s puppy-like grin staring back at him.