Chapter Text
The late afternoon rain had started as a light drizzle, barely tapping against the windows of Jungwon and Jay’s home. Nine months pregnant, Jungwon had dozed off on the couch, exhausted from the day spent organizing the nursery and finishing chores around the house. The soft rhythm of raindrops was almost hypnotic, lulling him into a deep, heavy sleep.
By the time the evening shadows stretched across the living room, the drizzle had turned into a steady, heavy rain. The sound intensified, rattling the windows and beating against the roof. Jungwon stirred, blinking through the dim light. That’s when he remembered. The laundry.
His freshly washed large blankets and plush towels were still hanging on the backyard line. A spike of panic shot through his chest. He tried to stand, but the weight of his pregnant belly made the simple act of rising a struggle. Leaning against the couch, he debated whether to risk going outside or just leave the laundry to the storm. But the thought of hours of work ruined by rain pushed him forward.
Meanwhile, Jay had come home earlier than usual, an unexpected break from his schedule. The house was unusually quiet when he stepped inside.
“Jungwon?” His voice echoed faintly through the empty rooms.
No answer.
His brow furrowed. He expected to see Jungwon resting by now. His third-trimester fatigue hitting hard, making even the smallest tasks a drain but there was no sign of Jungwon anywhere. A chill ran down his spine not just from the rain outside that had soaked the front porch, but from the unease of not seeing Jungwon. He noticed the back door was open, swinging slightly in the wind, and without thinking, he hurried toward the backyard.
What he saw made his heart lurch. Jungwon, soaked from head to toe, struggling to gather the heavy, rain-drenched laundry. His face was strained, movements slow and unsteady, every step precarious under the weight of his prominent stomach.
“Jungwon!” Jay shouted, panic tightening his chest.
Startled, Jungwon looked up. “I…I just need to get the laundry,” he gasped, eyes darting to the dripping blankets and towels. His hands fumbled as he yanked down a sodden towel. Its weight pulling at his arms and tipping him off balance, forcing him to brace against the rain and the relentless pull of the waterlogged fabric.
Jay didn’t waste a second. He darted across the slippery yard, mud sucking at his slippers and puddles splashing around his feet. He nearly lost his balance but he pressed on.
“I don’t care about the laundry!” Jay couldn’t contain his frustration. “I care about you. You come inside. Now!” He firmly but gently took Jungwon by the shoulders.
“But… the laundry…” Jungwon protested weakly, feeling a pang of hurt at Jay’s sharp tone.
“Stop! Don’t even think about it!”
Jay guided Jungwon into the house, away from the slippery grass and the heavy sheets of rain. Jungwon’s wet clothes clung uncomfortably to his skin, and shivers ran down his spine. Jay quickly shut the back door, cutting off the cold wind and rain.
They walked into the bathroom. The tiles were already cold under their feet. Silence hung between them. Neither met the other’s eyes. Each lost in their own thoughts. The weight of what had just passed settling gently in the room. Jungwon noticed the muscles in his husband's jaw tighten. Panic and anger flickering across Jay's face, barely contained.
Despite it all, Jay still treated him with careful gentleness. Jay helped Jungwon out of his dripping clothes, piece by piece, and wrapped him in a large, dry towel he had pulled from the linen closet. He turned on the warm water. Checking the temperature. And helped Jungwon step into the shower. Once Jungwon finished, Jay handed him a dry towel and fresh clothes, staying close until Jungwon was fully dressed.