Archive of Our Own

the first rays of morning sun filtered through the curtains, drawing golden stripes over the blanket that wrapped around the omega's body. seonghwa moved slowly, still enveloped in the fog of sleep, and the movement made a wave of his natural perfume spread through the room, mixing with the clean scent of fabric softener and the woody aroma that still lingered on the empty side of the bed.

seonghwa's scent was truly extraordinary these days. the characteristic sweetness of strawberries, but there was a new layer now, a depth that didn't exist before, a creamy, milky undertone that reminded one of the faint scent of breast milk. the combination of wild strawberry with this milky nuance created an aroma that was sweet and comforting, a perfume that invited protection and care.

the omega propped himself up on his elbows, feeling the familiar and already comfortable weight of his six-month belly. his dark eyes, still hazy with sleep, scanned the room until they found what they already expected: hongjoong's side was empty, his pillow still held his sandalwood scent.

seonghwa pulled the pillow toward him, burying his face in it for a moment, inhaling deeply. the contrast between the alpha's scent and his own created a symphony that spoke of safety and home.

with a soft sigh, he pushed the pillow away and sat up in bed, letting the blanket fall and reveal his body. the champagne-colored silk nightgown, soft, stretched over the pronounced curve of his belly, and he ran his hands over the fabric, feeling the warm skin underneath. a subtle movement, responded to his touch on the right side. his puppies were waking up too.

with a calculated movement, seonghwa got up and walked toward the attached bathroom, each step was more careful now.

their bathroom was small, simple. a shower, and a beautiful bathtub. but today he had no time for long soaking baths, he was going to meet his friends.

seonghwa turned on the shower and, while the water heated, studied his reflection in the frameless mirror. his black hair was disheveled, his skin had gained an extra glow with the pregnancy. his cheekbones were slightly fuller, and his lips, naturally rosy, seemed more voluminous. pretty.

he entered the shower and let the hot water run over his body. steam began to fill the environment, and with it, his scent intensified, filling every corner of the shower. the water ran down his shoulders, the soft curves of his back and around his prominent belly.

after the shower, he wrapped himself in a fluffy white robe and sat at the vanity in the bedroom. the light wood piece was a gift from hongjoong, he had hairbrushes, a lot of creams and some bottles of body oils. his movements were slow as he applied oil to his belly, massaging in circular motions. his twins responded with a series of coordinated kicks, as if participating in the morning ritual.

seonghwa's part of the wardrobe was very different now. before the pregnancy, his clothes were tighter, he loved fabrics that hugged his curves. now, he had some soft dresses, soft jumpsuits, pants with elastic. he chose a big jumpsuit with a white shirt. on his feet, his really old sneakers.

before grabbing his little bag, he stopped at the entrance, where a full-length mirror allowed one last check. the belly drew a perfect curve under his clothes, and he placed both hands on it, feeling the warmth. puppies were quiet now, maybe they're sleeping.

it was at that moment that his cell phone, forgotten on the living room coffee table, vibrated, next to an empty cup of tea from the previous night and a baby name book hongjoong had bought last week, the alpha was obsessed with finding names for their pups. seonghwa picked up the phone and the screen lit up with hongjoong's name.

my joongie 🩷

good morning my star ⭐

did you sleep well? pups let you sleep this time?

i left your orange juice and those rolls you like in the oven.

have a fun day with woo and yeo today!

seonghwa

hi baby! i slept very well! your children were peacefully this night

thank you for breakfast!

my joongie 🩷

tell me where you are after your date and i will pick u up

i love you hwa and i love our pups too 🩷

seonghwa's eyes instantly welled up, it wasn't uncommon, pregnancy hormones left his emotions on the surface, and any display of affection from the alpha was enough to make him cry.

seonghwa

ill message u love, thank you

i love you

we love you alpha! 🩷

he sent the message and put the phone in his bag.

before leaving, he took his delicious breakfast and then ran his hand over his belly once more, feeling the precious weight he carried.

“let's go meet your uncles, my loves” he murmured, his voice soft. “they're dying to see you again.”

with his own scent of strawberries and milk enveloping him like a sweet, maternal aura, seonghwa opened the front door and went out to meet the day, to meet his friends.

(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³

the aurora coffee was located on a small tree-lined alley in the neighborhood, hidden between an independent bookstore and a vinyl record shop. seonghwa loved that place not only for the irresistible smell of sweet bread but also for the veranda covered with climbing plants and small white-painted iron tables.

when he arrived, the sun was higher, but the morning still held that freshness typical of autumn days. his belly felt heavier now, after the short walk, and he stopped for a moment before entering, supporting one hand on his lower back and massaging the spot where a persistent twinge insisted on appearing.

he pushed open the wooden and glass door, and the little bell hanging announced his entrance. the café's interior was cozy, exposed brick walls, shelves with succulent plants in little pots. the smell inside was a symphony: coffee beans, cinnamon, vanilla, the sweetness of glazed cakes inside the display case.

but above all that, two familiar scents caught his attention immediately. the first was wooyoung's sweet scent: red fruits and a provocative touch of burnt caramel. it was an impossible-to-ignore scent, exactly like the omega who produced it: vibrant, explosive. the second was softer, more contained, yeosang's scent reminded one of chamomile tea: calm, serene, comforting.

seonghwa followed the aromas to the back of the café, where a slightly more reserved area housed low sofas and worn velvet armchairs. and it was there that he found them.

wooyoung was sitting in an armchair, one leg folded under him, gesturing animatedly while talking about something and yeosang was smiling, listening to him, while looking for aera, that was sitting quietly playing with his toys and her blanket. his slanted eyes, always lively, met seonghwa's the moment he entered the space, and a huge smile lit up his face.

“HYUNG!”

the exclamation was loud enough to make two ladies at the next table turn around, but wooyoung didn't seem to care. he jumped from the armchair with agility and crossed the small space in two steps, pulling seonghwa into such a tight hug that the older omega laughed, instinctively holding his belly.

“careful, woo” seonghwa protested, but his arms wrapped around wooyoung with the same intensity, and he felt his friend's scent envelop him like a blanket. “the babies are complaining here.”

wooyoung immediately pulled away but kept his hands on seonghwa's shoulders, his eyes running over his friend's body with a mixture of admiration and tenderness.

“oh hyung, you're huge!” he exclaimed, and before seonghwa could respond whether that was a compliment or not, wooyoung was already on his knees on the floor, his face inches from his belly “hi, babies! it's uncle woo! the one who's going to fill you with presents and spoil you until your parents go crazy!”

seonghwa's laugh echoed through the space.

“they won't remember this promise, woo”

“of course they will!” wooyoung looked up, feigning indignation. “they feel everything. you feel it, don't you?” he asked, now speaking directly to the belly. “uncle woo loves you so much. so, so, so much.”

a subtle movement agitated the right side of seonghwa's belly, as if one of the babies had turned toward the voice. wooyoung's eyes widened.

“THEY ANSWERED!” he screamed, jumping back to a standing position with excitement “yeosang, did you see? they recognized me!”

“they move for everything, woo.” yeosang's calm voice came from the sofa, where he remained seated. his light eyes met seonghwa's with a soft smile. “hi hyungie! you should sit down. you shouldn't be standing so long.”

seonghwa nodded and walked toward the sofa, letting himself fall heavily next to yeosang and he sighed with relief.

“did you order already?” he asked, adjusting his belly on his lap.

“we ordered the usual” yeosang replied, passing him one of the cups. “chamomile tea for me, cappuccino for woo, and for you…” he pointed to a glass teapot with a clear golden liquid. “ginger tea with lemon and honey. just the way you like it.”

seonghwa's heart melted a little. yeosang was like that, attentive, always remembering the small details that made all the difference.

“thank you, sang-ah” he murmured, warming his hands on the teapot.

wooyoung, who had finally sat back in his armchair, now looked at seonghwa with a more serious expression, his eyes running over his friend's face with an attention that contrasted with his usual explosiveness.

“how are you, hyung?” he asked, his voice softer now. ”tell us, truly.”

seonghwa held his friend's gaze for a moment, feeling the weight of the question. how was he?

“tired” he admitted finally, “the pups won't stop moving at night. hongjoong sleeps very deeply, but i wake up every two hours. my body hurts in places I didn't even know existed, and i'm scared.”

“scared?” yeosang tilted his head, his expression concerned. seonghwa lowered his eyes to his belly, his hands stroking the curve where the two little ones nestled.

“of not being good enough” he said, his voice almost a whisper. “of not handling two at once, forgetting something important. of…” he hesitated, his eyes welling up again.

damn hormones.

“of not being able to love them the way they deserve.”

the silence that followed was filled only by the distant noise of aera talking to herself. then, wooyoung got up again, but this time there were no jumps or exclamations. he simply crossed the space between them and sat on the arm of the sofa, next to seonghwa, putting an arm around his shoulders.

“hyung” he said, his voice firm but sweet. “you're the most prepared person to be a parent that i know. you're patient, caring, attentive. you remember everyone's birthday, send messages when you know someone is sad, make sure everyone feels loved.” he squeezed his friend's shoulder lightly. “if you already do all this for us, imagine what you'll do for your own children?”

seonghwa blinked, and a tear escaped, rolling down his cheek until it was intercepted by yeosang's thumb, who had leaned over to wipe it away with delicacy.

“wooyoung is right, hyung” said yeosang, his voice calm. “fear is normal. i was very afraid when aera was born. san was afraid. all mothers and fathers have fears.” his eyes met seonghwa's. “but the love... the love is greater than fear. you'll see.” it was at that moment that a small, almost imperceptible sound caught the attention of all three.

“wah.." it was a soft coo, followed by a movement next to yeosang.

“see? even aera agrees!” wooyoung jumped from his place arm and took her daugther. all the seriousness of the previous moment dissolved into tenderness. “is my princess tired of playing?”

aera was small, so small she seemed almost unreal, like a porcelain doll coming to life. her little face was framed by a fine fuzz of brown hair, so soft. her sharp and little eyes, blinking slowly looking at him. she wore a cream-colored cotton onesie with small embroidered daisies on the collar, and her little feet, covered in cute socks, kicked the air happily.

“my love, do you remember uncle hwa?” wooyoung placed a soft kiss on his daughter's forehead, and aera responded with another coo.

aera was a calm child, everyone commented on that, especially considering who her parents were. she rarely cried, and observed the world with a silent curiosity that reminded one more of yeosang.

when wooyoung sat with her in his lap, aera slowly turned her little head toward seonghwa. her dark eyes met the older omega's, and for a moment, nothing happened. then, a tiny, almost shy smile curved her miniature lips, and she stretched a chubby little hand toward him. seonghwa's heart melted completely.

“i guess she wants you” wooyoung laughed, moving closer. “look, aera, uncle hwa has two babies in his belly!” the girl's eyes dropped to seonghwa's belly, and something like fascination lit up her expression. she tilted her head, the wisps of hair falling over her forehead, and emitted a curious sound.

“bah”

“that's right, love” wooyoung agreed solemnly. “babies. there are two babies in there. you're going to have two new friends, can you imagine?”

aera seemed to consider this information, then, again, stretched her hand toward seonghwa, her little fingers opening and closing in a gesture that left no room for interpretation.

“take her a little, hyung” wooyoung offered his daughter. “she wants to be held”

seonghwa hesitated for only a second but then his arms opened instinctively, and wooyoung placed aera in his lap, settling her against the curve of his belly.

the weight of the girl was almost nothing, aera’s had the pure perfume of babies but already carried the characteristic notes of her parents, all mixed with the unmistakable smell of milk, talcum powder. it was an aroma that spoke of innocence.

aera settled against seonghwa's belly as if it were the most natural place in the world, one little hand resting on the fabric of the dress, right where one of the babies must have been. and then, one of the babies gave a strong kick, enough for the girl's hand to feel the movement.

aera's eyes widened. she looked at her own hand, then at the belly, then at seonghwa, and emitted a sharp sound of surprise.

“oh! oh!”

“they greeted you” seonghwa explained. “they said "hello, aera!”

aera seemed to process this information. then, slowly, a huge smile lit up her little face, showing two tiny teeth on her lower gum while she looked at her parents.

“i'm weak” wooyoung murmured, taking his hand to his chest in dramatic exaggeration. “she iis too cute, she is soooo sannie. hold me, yeo.”

“hold yourself” yeosang replied, smiling. “i’m weak too”

seonghwa gently stroked aera's wisps of hair, feeling the softness under his fingers, and a thought struck him like lightning: in a few months, he would be doing exactly this with his own children. holding them in his lap, feeling their weight, their warmth, their scent.

“what's it like?” he asked, his voice coming out lower than intended. “being a mother?”

wooyoung and yeosang exchanged a look, but it was yeosang who spoke first.

“it’s scary, i’m not gonna lie to you, hyungs” he admitted, his voice calm as always. “in the first days, i woke up several times during the night just to see if she was still breathing. i’d put my hand on her little chest, feel her heart beating, and only then could I go back to sleep.”

“hyung, i cried for a whole day when i took her for her first vaccine” wooyoung completed, and for the first time there was no exaggeration in his voice. “it felt like they were hurting the most precious thing in the world, and I couldn't do anything but hold her and promise it would pass.”

seonghwa listened, his hand still stroking aera's hair, who now seemed satisfied to just exist in his lap, her heavy eyes threatening to close.

“but also,” yeosang continued, a soft smile on his lips “it's the first time they truly smiles at you because they recognized your face. it's the first time they sleeps on your chest and you feel their little heart beating in rhythm with yours. it's when they squeezes your finger with their whole hand and you realize that, for them, you are the whole world.”

“it's when they goes "ah". wooyoung imitated his daughter, drawing a laugh from seonghwa “and you swear they just discovered the world. it's when they get sick and you don't sleep, don't eat, don't live until they get better. it's when you look at your alpha holding them in his arms and realize that your heart now lives outside your body, in three different people.”

seonghwa's eyes were moist again, but this time they weren't tears of fear. they were tears of anticipation, of recognition, of a love that didn't yet fully exist but was already beginning to form, cell by cell, inside him.

“and what about the names?” asked wooyoung, skillfully changing the subject to give his friend a moment to compose himself. “have you decided yet?”

seonghwa wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, laughing softly.

“hongjoong is obsessed with the names. he bought a name book and reads it aloud every night. sometimes i wake up in the middle of the night and he's there, with his little light on, writing down possibilities in a notebook.”

“maybe that's an alpha thing” wooyoung rolled his eyes, but his smile was affectionate. “san did the same thing, reading names in the whole internet, and showed us a list with ten different names”

“ten?” seonghwa's eyes widened. “yeah, and he still complained that it was so hard to decide only ten options”

the laugh that escaped seonghwa was loud enough to make aera stir in his lap, but she soon settled again, a small grunt of protest being her only comment.

“so, do you already have options?” yeosang leaned forward, genuinely interested. “do you already know the gender?”

“one girl and one boy!” seonghwa replied, and even saying it out loud still seemed surreal. “hongjoong almost fainted when the doctor said it.” they laugh.

“and what are you thinking?” yeosang insisted.

seonghwa hesitated, his hands still stroking the belly where the little ones nestled.

“i like names that have to do with the sky, stars, moon..with beautiful things like that. hongjoong wants something that means "strength" or "protection." he's very alpha sometimes.” an affectionate smile. “we're trying to find a balance.”

“ i suggest not letting him choose alone” wooyoung advised, serious. “san was going to name aera "aesook”. aesook!”

seonghwa and yeosang looked at him, then at each other, and then the three burst into laughter, a loud, free laugh. aera, waking with the noise, lifted her little head and looked at the three adults with an expression of pure disapproval.

“i’m sorry, baby” wooyoung leaned in and placed a kiss on the tip of his daughter's nose. “we are too noisy. go back to sleep.”

aera considered the suggestion for a moment, then, apparently deciding that seonghwa's lap was too comfortable to abandon over a matter of pride, let her little head fall back onto the belly, her eyes closing almost instantly.

“she sleeps anywhere.” yeosang observed.

“she knows how to enjoy the opportunities” wooyoung commented.

the conversation flowed naturally after that, as always happened between them. they talked about seonghwa's sleepless nights, and wooyoung shared tips for sleeping positions that helped with the belly weight.

and as the day happened seonghwa felt his eyes well up again, third time that morning, a record even for his hormonal standards, but this time he didn't try to hold back. he let the tears flow freely while holding his friends' daughter in his arms and hearing their voices filling the space around him.

“you guys are... “ he began, but his voice failed.

“beautiful, wonderful, the best friends in the world?” wooyoung completed, without false modesty. “yes, we know.”

and seonghwa laughed, and cried, and felt the babies move inside him as if they also wanted to participate in that conversation. the morning at aurora coffee continued like that, between sips of tea, laughter, confidences, and the peaceful sleep of a one-year-old girl.

when the three omegas finally got up to leave the café, the sun was already stronger.

seonghwa stretched discreetly as he rose from the sofa, feeling every muscle in his back protest against the prolonged position. his belly seemed to have doubled in weight over the last two hours, and he placed both hands on his lower back, massaging the spot where a dull ache insisted on settling. the twins, perhaps feeling the movement, stirred in unison, a soft wave running through his belly as if they were stretching too.

yeosang stood up, with aera now sleeping in his arms, his movements calm and firm. the girl didn't even frown as yeosang rose, just turned her little face slightly, burying it in the curve of her mom's neck, and continued sleeping as if nothing had happened.

“she sleeps like a rock," wooyoung commented, approaching from behind yeosang and wrapping both arms around his husband's waist. he rested his chin on the taller omega's shoulder and stood on tiptoe to deposit a quick kiss on his cheek.

“she really does, it's almost scary sometimes," yeosang replied, his voice calm, but a soft smile curving his lips.

seonghwa watched the scene with a tender smile, his bag already hanging from his shoulder. there was something so natural, so right, in the way wooyoung and yeosang moved around each other, as if they were two halves of one whole, completing each other in every gesture, every look, every exchanged word. he instinctively brought his hand to his belly, stroking the curve where the twins nestled, and imagined, for a moment, hongjoong doing the same with him.

"shall we go?" wooyoung disentangled himself from yeosang just enough to grab his bag and his daughter's blanket, while the other hand immediately returned to its familiar place on his husband's waist. "we arranged to meet san at the park nearby, he must be almost here."

seonghwa nodded and yeosang adjusted aera in his arms, covering her little legs with the blanket wooyoung had offered, and the three headed for the exit. the little bell on the door tinkled as it opened, and the fresh morning breeze greeted them.

the street was busier now. a delivery app driver parked his bicycle in front of the record store, two children played on the opposite sidewalk, their high-pitched voices happy and laughing.

seonghwa walked alongside his friends, his steps slower, more careful, but a lazy smile resting on his lips. the park was just two blocks from the café, an expanse of green in the middle of the city's gray, with centuries-old trees, a lake, and wooden benches scattered throughout the area.

as they walked, seonghwa remembered his phone in his bag. with a slightly awkward movement he managed to grab it and unlocked the screen, sending a message to hongjoong.

seonghwa 

joongie!

we're going to the park near the cafe, you know which one, right?

the boys are meeting san, can you meet me there?

they brought aera, joong!

she's so beautiful!

the phone vibrated in his hand before he could even put it away. the reply came quickly, as if hongjoong had been waiting exactly for that message.

my joongie 🩷

hi my star

i know the park, i'll meet you there

aera is an angel, i imagine she must be beautiful.

i can't wait to see our pups faces

seonghwa's heart leaped in his chest, he typed the reply with slightly trembling fingers.

seonghwa 

i hope they look like you

they'll be so cute :(

i'll be waiting for you at the park then

my joongie 🩷 

i want them to have your round eyes, star

i'm on my way, i love you ❤️

I love our babies ❤️

seonghwa

i love you joongie ❤️

we love you too! ❤️

he put the phone away and looked up to find wooyoung watching him with an expression that was pure mischief.

"was that hongjoong?" he asked, though he already knew the answer. "what's with that lovesick fool face, hyung."

"shut up," seonghwa replied, but couldn't prevent his cheeks from taking on a rosy hue. "he's coming to get us."

"of course he is," wooyoung rolled his eyes, but his smile was affectionate. "if it depended on that alpha, he'd never let you go out alone, remember when we went to that pregnant omegas event and he called every half hour?"

"he didn't call every half hour," seonghwa defended, but the memory was too clear to be contested. "he called every forty-five minutes. it's different."

"totally different," yeosang agreed, the sarcasm so subtle it was almost imperceptible.

the three laughed, and the laughter mixed with the noise of tree leaves and the distant sound of a fountain. the park gate was just ahead, a wrought iron structure painted dark green, flanked by two old lampposts.

they entered the park and followed the stone path between flowerbeds and carefully pruned bushes. the lake appeared on the left after a few minutes of walking; the wooden bench under the purple flower tree was empty, as seonghwa expected, and they headed for it.

yeosang sat first, still holding aera with the care of someone carrying the most precious thing in the world. the girl continued sleeping deeply, her little arms hanging loosely at her sides, her little mouth slightly open letting out a soft, rhythmic breath. wooyoung sat next to his husband, so close that their bodies touched from shoulder to knee, and put an arm around his back, pulling him closer.

seonghwa settled on the other end of the bench, his hand resting on his belly in a gesture that had become automatic. the puppies were quiet now, perhaps sleeping too, lulled by the movement of the walk and the soft sounds of the park.

"we arrived just in time, look who's right there!" wooyoung pointed with his chin toward the stone path.

san was coming toward them, and even from a distance it was impossible not to recognize him. the alpha wasn't that tall, but his broad shoulders and his posture that exuded confidence without effort already showed his strong presence. his eyes, even from afar, seemed focused exclusively on the bench where his family was sitting.

when he got closer, seonghwa could see his face better, the strong jaw, the straight nose, the lips in a line that seemed permanently serious. but then his eyes found yeosang, found wooyoung, and something transformed in his expression. the seriousness dissipated like mist in the sun, replaced by a softness that completely transformed his features.

"sani!" wooyoung called, his voice charged with excitement, but keeping low because of his daughter.

the alpha approached and, before any formal greeting, leaned in to deposit a quick kiss on wooyoung's lips, then on yeosang's lips. the scene was so natural, so automatic, that seonghwa realized they must do that hundreds of times a day.

"hi hyung! how are you?" san asked.

"tired, as always," they laughed softly.

"where's my princess?" san asked, his voice soft, his eyes already searching for his daughter.

yeosang tilted his body slightly, revealing aera nestled in his lap. the girl's little face was still peaceful in sleep, oblivious to the world around her.

"she slept through half our meeting," Yeosang informed. "after she saw hwa, she passed out."

san smiled and extended his arms.

"let me take her."

with great delicacy, he settled his daughter against his chest, one hand covering her back and the other supporting her little head. and then, with a tenderness that seemed impossible, he leaned his face and blew softly over his daughter's fine wisps of hair.

"aera~" he called, his voice a grave whisper. "princess~ appa’s here. wake up to see appa, hmm?"

the girl's eyes moved under her thin eyelids, and a small frown appeared on her forehead. she stirred in her appa’s lap, a sound of protest escaping her lips, and then her eyes opened.

for a moment, she seemed confused, blinking slowly while processing the change of lap. her dark eyes ran over san's face, found his smile, and then it happened.

a sharp, happy little scream escaped aera's little mouth, and her whole little face lit up in such a wide, genuine smile that showed her two little teeth again. her chubby little arms stretched toward her father's neck, her little feet swinging happily in a gesture of recognition and adoration that left no doubt: for aera, san was the center of the universe.

"my love," san murmured, while depositing a shower of kisses on his daughter's little face. each kiss was received with another happy little scream, another bubbling laugh.

seonghwa watched the scene with his heart tight in his throat, and it was then that he really saw the resemblance.

aera was a miniature version of san. not just in the features, the shape of her face, her nose, her eyes. the way she tilted her head when looking at something interesting, the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled.

"she's identical to you, san," seonghwa heard himself say, his voice coming out in a wondering whisper.

san looked up, meeting his eyes, and the proud smile that lit up his face was pure joy.

"i know," san agreed, his voice full of pride. "everyone says so, hyung. she's my little princess."

"she really is the spitting image of her father," wooyoung confirmed, reaching out to squeeze his daughter's little foot, which kicked the air happily in response. "the same mischievous little face, the same habit of waking up in a good mood."

yeosang got up from the bench and approached his husband, running his hand over aera's back and placing a kiss on the top of her head.

"and her eyes, especially her eyes," yeosang completed, laughing softly, in love.

the conversation was interrupted by the sound of an approaching car. a black car was parking by the sidewalk that bordered the park, just a few meters from where they were. the tinted windows prevented seeing the interior, but seonghwa didn't need to see to know.

the scent arrived first, the familiar combination that made his body instinctively relax, that told his brain and his heart: safe. home. hongjoong. joongie. alpha

the driver's door opened, and the alpha got out of the car. his eyes scanned the park until they found their target: seonghwa, sitting on the bench under the purple flower tree.

the alpha wore a long-sleeved dress shirt, the top buttons open and sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his forearms, the classic image of the alpha who had just left work that Seonghwa loved so much.

"hongjoong hyung!" wooyoung was the first to greet him, with his characteristic enthusiasm.

"hi wooyo, how are you all?" hongjoong replied, approaching the group with a nod and a quick smile. "how's aera?"

"we're great," yeosang replied. "aera just woke up, san just arrived too."

hongjoong approached san and the two alphas greeted each other. and he turned to greet aera, who hid her little face, shy.

"congratulations, sani, yeo, woo," hongjoong said, and there was sincerity in his voice. "aera is more beautiful every day, you have a beautiful family."

"thank you, hyung," San replied, smiling.

then, finally, hongjoong allowed himself to turn completely to seonghwa.

the omega was still sitting on the bench, his hand resting on his belly, his dark eyes fixed on him with an expression of pure tenderness. the morning sun, filtered through the tree's leaves, created a pattern of light and shadow on his face, highlighting his prominent cheekbones and the soft curve of his slightly parted lips.

hongjoong crossed the space between them in two long strides and knelt on the grass before the bench, placing himself exactly between seonghwa's legs. his hands immediately found the familiar place of the omega's waist, sliding to the curves of his back and pulling him gently closer.

"my star," he murmured, his voice so low that only seonghwa could hear. "i missed you so much."

seonghwa let his hands find hongjoong's hair, his fingers sinking into the clean, slightly messy strands. the alpha's scent enveloped him completely now that they were so close, and he felt his own perfume of strawberries and milk intensify.

"it was only a few hours," he reminded, but his voice was also a whisper.

"too many hours," hongjoong insisted, and then tilted his face to bury it in the curve of seonghwa's neck, right where the omega's scent gland. he inhaled deeply, once, twice, and seonghwa felt the alpha's body relax against his, all the tension in his shoulders dissipating in the sweet, milky aroma of his pregnant omega.

“are the babies okay?" hongjoong asked, his face still buried in seonghwa's neck, the words vibrating against his skin.

"they are," seonghwa confirmed, taking one of the alpha's hands and guiding it to his belly. "here. feel?"

under the palm of hongjoong's hand, one of the twins moved, a firm kick, as if greeting his father. the alpha's eyes, when they rose to meet Seonghwa's, were bright.

"they know i’m here," he said, his voice thick.

"they always know, love" seonghwa smiled. "every time you get close, they move, joongie. they recognize your scent and your voice."

hongjoong didn't respond with words; he leaned in and placed a kiss on the right and another on the left of hwa's belly. one kiss for each pup.

"appa is here," he murmured against the fabric. "appa oves you two~ appa loves your omma more than anything in this world."

seonghwa felt the tears threaten again, the fourth time today, but this time they weren't tears of fear or emotion. they were tears of fullness, of a love so vast it seemed not to fit in his chest.

"you fool," he murmured, but his hands continued stroking hongjoong's hair, and his scent of strawberries and milk enveloped them both like an invisible embrace.

beside them, wooyoung pretended to wipe away dramatic tears, leaning on yeosang's shoulder.

"so beautiful," he whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"shut up, woo," seonghwa laughed, but didn't push hongjoong away.

"never," wooyoung declared. "i'll tease you forever. it's my right as best friend."

it was then that hongjoong, still with his face close to seonghwa's belly, looked up and met the omega's gaze.

"actually," hongjoong began, discreetly wiping his eyes before standing up. "i'm sorry, guys."

he extended his hand to help seonghwa up from the bench, who stood up, confused. the alpha put a protective arm around his waist, then turned to the group of friends watching them with curious expressions.

"but I'm going to kidnap this omega here for the rest of the day."

wooyoung raised an eyebrow.

"oh, really? and where to?" seonghwa replied.

hongjoong looked at him, and there was something in his eyes, a love that overflowed.

"we still haven't bought anything for the puppies, nothing. the little nursery is still empty. and i..." he gently squeezed seonghwa's waist, "i wanted today to be the day, for us to start choosing their first little things."

the silence that followed was dense, charged with emotion. seonghwa's mouth was open in a round "O," his eyes shining with joy.

"that's so cool, hyungs!" yeosang said, with that calm smile. "it's such a fun part, you'll love it!"

san nodded, adjusting aera in his arms.

"enjoy!" he said. "it's a moment that won't come back."

"but you'll send photos, okay? i want to see every piece you choose. and don't buy anything ugly!" wooyoung said, laughing.

"deal," hongjoong laughed.

seonghwa, still wrapped in the alpha's arms, looked at his friends with gratitude overflowing in his eyes.

"thank you," he said, his voice a little thick. "for today. for everything. for being who you are."

wooyoung crossed the space between them and pulled seonghwa into a tight hug, careful not to squeeze his belly.

"we love you," he murmured in his ear. "now go, choose beautiful little things for my niece and nephew."

yeosang approached and placed a soft kiss on seonghwa's forehead.

"if you need anything, just call!"

san, with aera in his arms, just nodded but his look said everything.

and then the two groups separated. wooyoung, yeosang, san, and aera headed toward the parking lot where san's car waited for them, wooyoung's voice complaining about something and yeosang's laughter floating in the air. hongjoong and seonghwa were alone in the park, the midday sun bathing them in golden light.

"so, sweetheart" hongjoong said, turning completely to his omega, his hands finding the familiar place on his waist. "what do you think?"

seonghwa looked up at him, and the smile that lit up his face was so pure, so radiant, that hongjoong felt his heart tighten in his chest.

"i'm excited," he confirmed.

hongjoong leaned in and deposited a slow, lingering kiss on his lips, a passionate kiss. when they separated, seonghwa was slightly flushed, his lips swollen and eyes bright.

"shall we go?" hongjoong asked, extending his hand.

"let's go."

hand in hand, they crossed the park toward the black car parked nearby.

(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(˘³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(

the black car glided through the streets of the neighborhood while seonghwa, in the passenger seat, consulted his phone for the best baby stores.

"there's a store near here that yeosang had already recommended to me," seonghwa said, tilting the phone so hongjoong could see the screen. "he said it has everything and the prices are good."

hongjoong shot a quick glance at the screen before returning his attention to the traffic.

"perfect, star, put the address in the GPS."

"it's already here~" seonghwa smiled, touching the screen to start navigation. "twenty minutes, if traffic helps."

the mechanical voice of the GPS indicated the first direction, and hongjoong obediently followed, one hand on the wheel and the other finding its way to seonghwa's knee. his fingers stroked the soft skin, in a gesture as natural as breathing.

"nervous?" the alpha asked, his eyes fixed on the road but all his attention focused on the omega beside him.

seonghwa considered the question for a moment.

"i'm anxious," he corrected finally. "it's different, you know? until now, the babies were an idea. a reality, of course, but... it seemed so far away. now we're going to buy real things, things that will be in their room, that they'll use, that will have their little scent."

hongjoong's hand gently squeezed his knee.

"i know what you mean," he admitted. "at work today, i couldn't stop thinking. about what they'll be, what they'll like, what it will be like when we can finally hold them."

"joong... do you feel fear?" seonghwa asked softly.

"hmm... a little, baby" Hongjoong confirmed. "but in a good way, i think. but that is normal, do not worry so much."

the silence that followed was comfortable, filled only by the hum of the engine and the occasional voice of the GPS. seonghwa rested his head on the seat back and let his eyes run over the alpha's profile, the strong line of his jaw, the straight nose, the lips slightly parted in concentration while driving. the colored hair, in that autumnal copper shade, fell over his forehead in soft waves.

"you look so beautiful today," seonghwa heard himself say.

hongjoong turned his face quickly, surprised, and a slow smile curved his lips.

"me? i just left work, i'm all rumpled, and you're the one who's beautiful, love." his eyes ran over seonghwa quickly before returning to the road. "this jumpsuit... the color suits you. and your belly... with our puppies," he shook his head, as if words were insufficient. "you're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

seonghwa's cheeks took on that rosy hue that hongjoong loved.

"fool."

"your fool."

the GPS announced they were approaching their destination, and both straightened in their seats, an expectation growing in the air. the store occupied an entire corner, with a facade painted in pastel tones and a window display full of products: cribs decorated with cloud mobiles, latest model strollers, huge stuffed animals smiling at passersby.

hongjoong parked the car in a nearby spot and turned off the engine. for a moment, neither of them moved, just sitting there, looking at the store that represented the next step toward parenthood.

"ready?" hongjoong asked.

seonghwa took a deep breath and nodded.

"ready."

the alpha got out first and walked around the car to open seonghwa's door, extending his hand to help him out. the omega accepted the help with a smile, and together, hand in hand, they walked toward the store entrance.

the store's automatic door slid open, revealing a world completely different from anything the two had ever seen.

the store was huge, divided into carefully organized sections. to the left, the furniture section: cribs of every imaginable style, from the most classic to the modern, colorful dressers, nursing armchairs, organizer baskets in cloud and animal shapes.

to the right, the paradise of little clothes: tiny bodysuits hanging on low racks, onesies, sleeping sets. everything in miniature sizes that made your heart tighten.

in the center, shelves filled with accessories, pacifiers in fun shapes, bottles, teethers, bath toys, cotton blankets with delicate embroidery.

"hongjoong... i’m not going to survive this," seonghwa murmured, his free hand pressed against his chest. "look at that.”

he pointed to an entire shelf dedicated to baby shoes. tiny. perfect. some in bear paw shapes, others with satin bows, others so small they would fit in the palm of a hand.

hongjoong gently pulled him into the store.

"let's take it easy, hwa," he recommended, laughing, though his own eyes were fixed on the little clothes. "section by section. shall we start with furniture?"

seoonghwa agreed, but his eyes kept returning to the little shoes.

"furniture first," he repeated, like a mantra. "then clothes. then accessories. then..."

"then we come back to the shoes," hongjoong completed with a smile. "i promise."

the furniture section was a spectacle in itself. a saleswoman approached, a middle-aged beta with a welcoming smile and a badge that said "mrs. min."

"welcome!" she exclaimed, her eyes running over the couple with professional sympathy. "first baby?"

"first ones," seonghwa corrected, running his hand over his belly. "there are two."

mrs. min's eyes sparkled.

"twins! how wonderful!" she clasped her hands in a gesture of contentment. "then you'll need quite a few things, won't you? but let's take it slow. what are you looking for first?"

"cribs would be a great start," hongjoong replied. "we need two. but the room isn't very big, so maybe something that saves space?"

mrs. min nodded and guided them to a specific section.

"we have several options, some specific for twins. separate cribs, of course, but also models that are two interlocking pieces, great for smaller rooms. and also side-by-side cribs that share a central wall..."

she continued explaining, but seonghwa was already distracted, his eyes running over the options. there were light wood cribs, with hand-carved details. white cribs, with intentionally chipped paint for a rustic look. rocking cribs, cribs with built-in drawers, cribs that transformed into beds for older children.

but it was when his eyes found a specific model that he held his breath.

"hongjoong, love" he called, grabbing his husband's arm, his voice coming out in a whisper. "look."

the alpha approached, following his gaze. the crib was light wood, almost honey-colored, with a simple but elegant design. the sides were thin rails, allowing ventilation and visibility, and at the head, a delicate carving represented a tree with two birds perched on its branches.

"oh! this one is so pretty, hwa," hongjoong agreed.

"there's another one over there," seonghwa pointed. "they match, but aren't identical. they're so pretty! and are very small too!”

mrs. min, noticing the moment, approached discreetly.

"these are our most special models," she said softly. " handmade by a local craftsman. each pair is unique."

the price was high, higher than they expected, but when he looked at seonghwa, at the shine in the omega's eyes, at the hand resting on his belly in a gesture so full of love, any hesitation disappeared.

"we'll take two of this model," he said confidently.

seonghwa turned to him, surprised.

"hongjoongie, you don't have to decide now, we can look at other models first."

"but I want these," the alpha interrupted, firm. "look at them, my star. they're perfect. they're exactly what i imagined for our puppies.”

seonghwa's eyes moistened again, fifth or sixth time today... but who was counting?, and he approached hongjoong, hugging the alpha and leaving a little kiss on his shoulder.

"thank you," he murmured. "thank you, thank you, thank you."

hongjoong laughed softly, his arms carefully enveloping the omega, leaving another little kiss on his head.

mrs. min discreetly moved away to process the crib purchase, leaving the couple to enjoy their moment. when they separated, seonghwa was flushed and smiling.

"what's next?" he asked.

"a dresser," hongjoong decided. "to store the clothes. and space for a changing table on top, preferably."

the dresser section was equally vast, but seonghwa already had a clear idea of what he wanted.

"my love, it has to match the cribs," he said, scanning the options with a critical eye. "light wood, discreet handles, spacious drawers."

they found a dresser that fit the description perfectly, simple, elegant, with six large drawers and a smooth top that could receive a padded changing table. hongjoong immediately approved.

"this one. and the changing table?"

"hmm... there!" seonghwa pointed to a shelf with several models. they chose a padded one with a removable, washable cover, in a light gray tone that would match any decor.

"now, sweetheart, we need to get a nursing armchair," hongjoong reminded. "it's one of the most important items."

seonghwa felt a different warmth in his chest, the one that came from being cared for, being prioritized. hongjoong always made a point of including him in every decision, of ensuring his comfort was at the center of everything.

the armchair section was an oasis of comfort. models of all kinds: reclining, swivel, with built-in footrests, in fabrics ranging from velvet to linen. seonghwa sat in several, testing the height, the softness, the lower back support.

"this one is so comfortable, joong," he said finally, settled in a navy white velvet armchair. the back was high enough to support his entire spine, the arms were wide and padded, and there was a built-in footrest that extended with a light touch. "it's perfect."

hongjoong knelt before it, placing his hands on the arms of the chair, flanking seonghwa's body.

"you look so comfortable there, hwa," he murmured, his dark eyes shining. "my omega, nursing our puppies."

mine. mine. mine. mine. hongjoong’s head was spinning.

seonghwa blushed slightly, but his smile was radiant. "can we take this one?"

"yes."

mrs. min, who had magically appeared to note another purchase, smiled with satisfaction.

"you're making a great start on the layette. would you like to see the little clothes now?"

seonghwa rose from the chair with hongjoong's help, quickly massaging his lower back, which insisted on hurting, and the expression on his face was pure anticipation.

"yes!" he replied, almost breathless. "yes, please.”

the clothing section was the true paradise.

seonghwa could barely contain his sighs as he walked through the racks, his fingers gliding over the soft fabrics. bodysuits in soft colors, white, cream, light gray, blue, pink, purple. onesies and sets with built-in feet, printed with little bears, bunnies, clouds, and stars.

"hongjoong..." he called, his voice strangled. "hongjoongie, look."

the alpha approached and found seonghwa holding a tiny onesie, so small it would fit in his two hands together. it was light brown, with little bear ears on the hood and a small pompom tail on the back.

"it's so small," seonghwa whispered, his eyes moist. "how can something be so small?"

hongjoong felt his own chest tighten. he reached out and touched the soft fabric, imagining his children wearing that, their perfect little faces framed by the hood with bear ears.

"let's take it," he said, his voice a little hoarse. "take two, hwa."

and so began the saga of the little clothes.

seonghwa picked up each piece with delicacy. the bodysuits came in packs of three, five, seven, all so small, all so soft. he chose basic sets in white and cream, some with colors, mint green, baby blue, light pink.

"look at these, love," hongjoong showed him, holding a pair of identical onesies, one in peach tone and one in mint tone.

"this is perfect," seonghwa approved, already putting the hangers over his arm. “for our puppies, our boy and out girl”

then came the onesies, where seonghwa almost had a heart attack when he found an entire line dedicated to forest animals. fox, raccoon, owl, deer onesies, all with hoods and details in soft plush.

"oh no," he said, hand on his chest. "no, no, no. this is illegal. this should be illegal, it's so cute, joong!"

"buy them!" hongjoong encouraged, laughing.

"i can't buy them all," he laughed. "they're expensive and they'll grow so fast..."

"buy two. the cutest ones."

and they spent ten minutes trying to choose until they reached a decision. fox for their girl and owl for their boy.

socks came next, so tiny. seonghwa held one in the palm of his hand, eyes wide.

"how can a baby's foot be so small?" he asked, amazed. "look, hongjoong, look at the size of this."

hongjoong looked, and his eyes moistened.

"their little feet will fit in there," he murmured, almost to himself. "both of their feet. tiny. perfect."

seonghwa leaned his head on his shoulder, and for a moment, the two just existed there, in the middle of the store, holding baby socks and trying to process the magnitude of what was to come.

after the socks came the little shoes, and then seonghwa completely lost control.

"LOOK AT THIS!" he exclaimed, loud enough to make some heads turn. but he didn't care. he was holding a pair of little shoes in the shape of bear paws, complete with pink pads on the soles. "HONGJOONG, LOOK!"

the alpha came running, thinking something had happened, and found seonghwa with the little shoes pressed against his chest, eyes shining.

"they're... little shoes," he said, cautious.

"they're little shoes, little paws!" Seonghwa corrected. "bear paws! look at the pads! look, love!"

hongjoong looked. the pads were, indeed, incredibly cute, and he observed the shelf.

"look hwa, bunny ones!"

"can we just take these? i know they'll take a while to wear shoes but please?" hongjoong laughed and nodded.

"we need to take them!"

the hygiene items section was more practical, but no less emotional. seonghwa walked through the aisles with a mental list, guided by wooyoung and yeosang's recommendations.

"diapers, joong," he murmured, picking up a few packs. "size NB and P. they said they grow fast, so don't buy too many of the smallest size."

"definitely," hongjoong said, pushing the cart that was already starting to get heavy.

"wet wipes. hypoallergenic. several packs."

"several packs, understood."

"diaper rash cream. shampoo and liquid soap for newborns. moisturizer. massage oil. cotton..."

seonghwa filled the cart methodically, reading each label carefully, checking compositions, avoiding products with strong fragrances or potentially irritating ingredients. and hongjoong could only admire him, his omega was already so beautiful, pregnant and just so pretty thinking about the puppies he had placed in his partner's belly.

at the checkout, mrs. min looked at the overlowing cart and then at the couple with a knowing smile.

"you really buyed everything, huh?"

"we did," hongjoong confirmed, pulling out his card. "but it was worth every minute."

while the items were being packed and labeled for delivery (the cribs and armchair would be shipped separately), seonghwa rested his head on the alpha's shoulder, one hand on his lower back, he was so exhausted but so happy.

hongjoong kissed the top of his head, feeling the scent of strawberries and milk that now filled every breath he took.

"thank you for being here, hwa," he replied. "for being with me. for building this family with me."

seonghwa looked up and met his eyes.

"there's no one i'd rather be with."

the kiss they exchanged was soft, sweet, charged with promises but quick.

after sorting out the delivery details, they left hand in hand and walked back to the car, carrying a few bags. the afternoon sun was already tilting in the sky, painting the world in shades of orange and pink. seonghwa felt his feet tired, his lower back aching, but his heart so full it seemed ready to overflow.

"and now?" he asked, when they got into the car.

hongjoong started the engine and looked at him.

"now we go home. order food. gonna put your pretty feet up, take care of your lower back pain... and start thinking about where we'll put all of this."

"and the names!" seonghwa remembered. "love! we still haven't decided on the names."

"we have a huge list of options," hongjoong smiled.

"that you'll read to me tonight?"

"all of them, until we decide."

seonghwa smiled and leaned back in his seat, one hand resting on his belly where the twins moved gently, perhaps excited, did they know that all the shopping was for them?

the car pulled away smoothly, leaving the store behind, but taking with them the beginning of a layette, and the beginning of an entire lifetime of moments like that one. simple, perfect, shared.

"i love you," seonghwa murmured, his eyes already closing.

"i love you more," hongjoong replied, his hand finding seonghwa's over his belly. "you three."

and then the car headed toward home, the gentle motion of the car rocked seonghwa into a well-deserved nap. his head tilted to the side, lips slightly parted in a soft snore, his hand still resting on his belly in a protective gesture even during sleep, he was completely surrendered, exhausted from the day of shopping, the emotions, the weight of the pups that was already beginning to make itself felt more intensely in the final hours of the afternoon.

hongjoong stole furtive glances at the omega while driving, the traffic on the way home calmer than on the way there. the setting sun painted seonghwa's face in shades of amber and pink, highlighting the soft curve of his cheeks, the dark eyelashes resting on his skin, his calm and rhythmic breathing. the alpha felt his chest tighten with so much love.

“my angel” he murmured, almost soundlessly. “my tired angel”

he reached out and gently adjusted a strand of hair that had fallen over seonghwa's face, his fingers brushing the soft skin with delicacy, touching something too precious. seonghwa didn't even move, just sighed softly in his sleep, turning his face slightly toward the touch, like a cat seeking affection.

hongjoong smiled and returned his attention to the road, but his hand found its way back to seonghwa's knee, where it remained for the rest of the journey, a soft contact, a silent promise that he was there, that he would take care of everything.

when the black car finally parked in the apartment building's garage, night was already beginning to descend over the city, and the first stars appeared timidly in the still half-blue sky.

hongjoong turned off the engine and turned to seonghwa, who continued sleeping deeply. for a moment, he just watched the way the soft garage light fell on his face, the almost imperceptible movement of his breathing, the protective hand over his belly.

"star," he called softly, gently touching his shoulder. "we're here."

seonghwa frowned in his sleep, a small sound of protest escaping his lips.

"mm..."

"seonghwa," hongjoong insisted, his voice a affectionate whisper. "wake up, my dear. we're home. you can sleep in our nest very soon”

seonghwa's eyes opened slowly, confused, blinking a few times as they processed the reality around him. the garage. the car. hongjoong smiling at him.

"i slept?" he asked, his voice hoarse with sleep.

"you slept the whole way," hongjoong confirmed, running his hand through his hair. "were you that tired?"

seonghwa stretched as much as his belly allowed, a low groan escaping when one of the twins took advantage of the movement to kick his ribs.

"tired isn't the word," he admitted, making a face. "exhausted. melted. wrecked. i need more synonyms for tired."

hongjoong laughed softly, leaning in to place a kiss on his forehead.

"let's go up. you deserve a hot bath and a bed."

"and food," seonghwa reminded, his hand on his belly. "they're hungry."

"and food," hongjoong agreed. "lots of food."

they got out of the car with the necessary slowness, calmly. hongjoong walked around the vehicle and opened seonghwa's door, extending his hand to help him out. the omega accepted the help with gratitude, sighing when his feet touched the garage floor.

"my back," he murmured, taking his hand to his lower back. "it's killing me."

"i'll give you a massage later," hongjoong promised, putting a protective arm around his waist. "i promise."

the elevator took them to the twelfth floor in comfortable silence, seonghwa hugging the alpha's arm, his eyes half-closed. when the apartment door opened, revealing the living room lit only by the city lights beyond the windows, he sighed with relief.

"home," he murmured. "finally."

hongjoong guided him to the sofa and helped him sit, placing pillows behind his back before seonghwa could even ask.

"stay here," he ordered softly. "i'll get the bags."

"oh, i can help..."

"stay here, baby."

the tone was firm but loving, and seonghwa didn't have the energy to argue. he leaned back on the sofa, his hands resting on his belly, and watched hongjoong come and go several times, carrying the bags from the baby store.

"so many things," he commented, amazed, when he saw the pile forming on the living room rug. "we bought all this?"

"we bought it," hongjoong confirmed, sitting beside him on the sofa. "and next week the cribs and armchair arrive. their room will start to take shape."

seonghwa sat up a little straighter, a new sparkle in his eyes despite the tiredness.

"i want to see the things," he said. "i want to start organizing."

"now?"

"now. just a little bit. i promise i'll lie down after."

hongjoong sighed, but he knew it was useless to argue when seonghwa had that expression on his face.

"okay. but just a little bit! and i'll do most of it."

seonghwa smiled, radiant.

"deal.”

they settled on the living room floor, on the soft rug, with the bags around them like early christmas presents. seonghwa opened each package like he was unwrapping treasures, and with each new piece, a sigh of admiration escaped his lips.

"look at this bodysuit," he said, holding a tiny piece of white cotton with embroidered stars. "it's so small. so soft."

"it fits in my hand," hongjoong observed, extending his palm to compare. the bodysuit fit in his hand, and something about that image made them both fall silent for a moment.

"they're going to be so small," seonghwa murmured. "so fragile. how are we going to hold them without breaking them?"

"we'll learn, baby" hongjoong replied, his voice sure. "everyone learns, and we'll be careful. they'll be safe."

seonghwa nestled one of the bodysuits against his shoulder for a moment, absorbing the certainty in the alpha's voice.

"you're going to be a great appa" he said.

"you're going to be a great omma"

they continued unwrapping. the forest animal onesies drew special sighs, the socks were organized into small piles by color and size, the bunny shoes. everything was lined up on the rug, a large collection.

"i still can't believe we bought all this," seonghwa said, looking at the purchases. "but look at them. how could we not buy them?"

"we couldn't," hongjoong agreed solemnly. "it was impossible."

then came the hygiene items, organized into separate piles for each type of product. the diaper packages were stacked next to the sofa, forming a tower that seonghwa insisted on photographing.

"for wooyoung," he explained. “ i promised i'd send photos."

"send the shoe ones too," hongjoong suggested. "he'll love them."

seonghwa sent them, and his phone vibrated almost instantly with a flood of messages from wooyoung.

seonghwa

(photo)

wooyo!!! we bought quite a few things already

isn't it the cutest thing? :(

everything is so small

wooyowooyo

SEONGHWA

how cute :(

everything so adorable

THE ONESIES ARE SO CUTE

i miss aera's clothes being so small

and those little shoes???

seonghwa

i think i'm even more anxious now

there are so many little clothes and diapers, socks here

i can't wait for my puppies to be here

they're going to be so small, woo, that scares me a little

wooyowooyo

calm down hyung

enjoy these moments, without fear

you'll know what to do when they arrive

i'm sure they'll be beautiful!!!

and they are small! but you get used to it, you'll be too busy doting on them

seonghwa

i hope so

but i can't help being anxious

still three months to go

anyway, thank you woo

we love you!

we love all of you! ❤️

wooyowooyo

we love you all too hwa!

you know we're here for everything

love you hyung ❤️

"he freaked out," seonghwa laughed, showing the screen to hongjoong. "look at this."

hongjoong read the messages over his shoulder and laughed too.

"he’s so sweet, tell him we love him"

"already did." seonghwa put his phone away and sighed, looking at the organized mess around them. "i think that's it for now. the rest has to wait for the furniture."

"and you need to rest," hongjoong reminded him, running his hand over his back. "how are the pains?"

seonghwa considered the question honestly, as he always did with hongjoong.

"my back hurts a lot at the end of the day," he admitted. "and the babies won't stop kicking my ribs. especially at night, when i try to sleep. it seems like they're having a party."

"they're going to be energetic like you," hongjoong teased softly.

"or like you, nocturnal, switching day for night."

hongjoong laughed, without denying it.

and the other pains?" he asked, more serious now. "you mentioned you were feeling twinges..."

"it's normal," seonghwa assured him. "the obstetrician said it's the uterus expanding, the ligaments stretching. it sure hurts, but it's not dangerous." he paused. "the worst are the cramps. i wake up in the middle of the night with my legs locked in pain."

"what? star! why don't you wake me up?" hongjoong frowned, worried. "i could help you, massage..."

"you sleep so heavily, love" seonghwa smiled, touching his face. "and you need to rest for work. i'm not going to wake you up because of a cramp."

"seonghwa." hongjoong's voice was firm, but his eyes were pleading. "wake me up. please. i want to be there. even if it's just to massage your leg in the middle of the night. i want to share that too, the bad parts."

seonghwa felt his eyes well up, seventh time today…

"you're so good to me," he murmured and hongjoong pulled him closer.

"i just love you. and loving you means being present in everything. in the beautiful and in the difficult. deal?"

"deal," seonghwa agreed, his voice thick.

they stayed like that for a moment, hugged on the living room rug, surrounded by tiny clothes and bunny shoes and promises of a future that was approaching quickly.

"bath," hongjoong reminded finally. "you need a hot bath."

"i really do," seonghwa agreed, but didn't move. "but it's so nice here."

"the bath will be nice too, come on."

with hongjoong's help, seonghwa rose from the rug, groaning softly as his sore muscles protested. the alpha kept a firm arm around his waist as they walked slowly toward the bathroom.

"want help?" he asked, and the question was both practical and charged with something more.

seonghwa looked at him, at the genuine concern in his eyes, at the love that overflowed in every gesture.

"yes," he replied. "if you don't mind."

"oh my star.." hongjoong kissed his forehead. "it's my favorite part of the day, taking care of you."

(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(˘³

the couple's bathroom was warm. hongjoong adjusted the water temperature in the shower with the care of someone preparing something precious, while seonghwa slowly undressed, his heavy, aching body complaining with every movement.

when the hot water began to full the bathtub, hongjoong guided him in, keeping one hand on his back to support him. steam began to fill the place, and with it, seonghwa's scent intensified, sweet strawberries, creamy milk, as he sit into his bath.

"relax," hongjoong murmured against his ear, his hands finding their way to his tense shoulders. "let me take care of you.”he said, going into the bathtub and positioned himself behind his omega.

his strong but gentle hands massaged every inch of seonghwa's back, from his shoulders to his lower back, working on the knots of tension with infinite patience. his fingers slid over the wet skin, applying pressure exactly where the omega needed it most, finding each painful spot.

seonghwa groaned when hongjoong's thumbs found a particularly tense spot at the base of his spine. "oh..right there."

"here?" hongjoong pressed gently, in circles.

"yes..." seonghwa's head fell forward, while the alpha worked on the tension in his back. "perfect..."

hongjoong continued, dedicating special attention to his lower back, where seonghwa felt the weight of the pregnancy the most. his hands slid to the sides, circling his belly, before moving to his legs, massaging each tired muscle.

"how are your legs?" he asked, while working on the right calf.

"aching," seonghwa admitted. "but this is helping."

"good." hongjoong kissed his wet shoulder. "i want you to always tell me when it hurts, whenever you need help. don't keep it to yourself, hwa."

"i know," the omega sighed. "it's just... you already do so much. you…you work all day, you take care of me, you prepare everything... i don't want to be a burden."

hongjoong's hands stopped and he gently turned seonghwa's face to look at him, his eyes intense even through the steam that fogged up the bathroom.

"listen here, my star" he said, his voice deep but full of love. "you are not, never were, never will be a burden. baby, you are my person! the person i chose to spend my life with. and now you're carrying pups. our puppies, seonghwa. you're doing the most important work in the world, and i just want to be able to make that work easier in every possible way. letting me help isn't a favor you do for me,it's a need of mine. i need to take care of you..”

seonghwa looked at him, at the raw sincerity in his eyes, at the love that overflowed in every word, and felt the tears mix with the shower water.

"i understand," he murmured. "i'm sorry, love"

"don't apologize." hongjoong pulled him into a back hug. "just promise me you'll tell me. everything. the pain, fears, joy, everything. we share, remember?"

"i remember." seonghwa rested his head against his chest. "we share."

they finished their bath in comfortable silence, hongjoong soaping seonghwa's back with slow movements, then rinsing with the same care. when they got out of the shower, he wrapped the omega in a fluffy towel and dried every inch of his skin with dedication.

he put on one of the new sets they had bought, gray knit pants and a loose t-shirt with front buttons, practical for the breastfeeding that was still to come. hongjoong put on a simple black t-shirt and sweatpants, and together they walked back to the living room.

"hungry, sweetheart?" hongjoong asked.

"starving."

"what do you want?"

seonghwa considered the question seriously, his hand on his belly.

"something warm? hmm, something comfortable. maybe that soup we order from that place? and…and dessert!"

hongjoong smiled, grabbing his phone.

"consider it done. go get cozy on the sofa while i order, baby"

(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)

minutes later, seonghwa was settled on the sofa with some pillows behind his back and some under his feet, a light blanket over his legs. the television was on at low volume, more as background noise than actual entertainment. what mattered was the pile of papers and the notebook that hongjoong had placed on the coffee table.

"the name book," seonghwa recognized, his eyes shining.

"and my notes," hongjoong confirmed, sitting beside him and pulling him so he could lean back against his chest. "get ready. there are so many options."

the food arrived in twenty minutes, some mandu soup, tteokbokki to share, and two bowls of bingsu for dessert. hongjoong organized everything on the coffee table, served the soup to seonghwa first, and only then prepared his own plate.

"eat, baby" he encouraged. "you and our babies need it."

seonghwa ate with appetite, the warm and comforting soup doing good to his tired body. between spoonfuls, his eyes kept returning to hongjoong's notebook, to the meticulous notes in tight handwriting.

"how many names do you have there?" he asked.

"a few," hongjoong replied without hesitation. "i had a lot of options but i reduced it. the first list had almost fifteen."

seonghwa laughed, almost choking on his soup.

"fifteen names?"

"i wanted to make sure I didn't forget any good options."

"love." seonghwa turned to face him, laughing. "we need to choose two names. just two. not two hundred."

"i know," hongjoong defended himself, whining. "but this is fun, and very important. they'll carry these names forever!”

“that's true," seonghwa agreed, turning back to his soup. "so tell me. what are your favorites?"

hongjoong picked up the notebook and flipped to a marked page. he straightened up, though a little embarrassed.

"we have: byeol, obviously. but i also liked hwan, jin, kwang, ryung..." he listed, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. "bada, hae, marin, soo..."

"oh! i like byeol and bada," seonghwa repeated, trying out the sound. "it's star and sea, joongie"

"beautiful, right?" hongjoong perked up. "and they match. the sky and the sea one above, one below, but always meeting on the horizon."

seonghwa was silent for a moment, letting the words echo in his mind. star and sea. the infinity up above and the infinity down below. two worlds that touched on the horizon line, really like two siblings who share the same origin but follow different paths, always connected.

"i like it," he said finally. "i like it so much, love"

hongjoong sat up straighter, his enthusiasm growing.

"really? because i like it too, it's actually my first option. it's simple but so beautiful, and it has such a beautiful meaning."

"but," seonghwa pondered, "we have one girl and one boy. which would be which?"

hongjoong hesitated.

"well, i don't know. byeol can work for both, actually. bada too! but, hm…i thought maybe byeol for the girl? and bada for the boy?”

"that's what i thought too" seonghwa murmured, his hand on his belly. "byeol and bada, our little star and little our sea."

the omega felt the twins moved simultaneously, as if they had heard and approved. seonghwa held his breath and looked at his alpha.

"they answered," he whispered.

hongjoong placed his hand over the belly, feeling the soft but firm movements.

"could it be a yes?"

"maybe..." seonghwa's eyes were moist. "or maybe they're just moving. but i'm going to believe it's a yes."

they were silent for a moment, their hands on the belly, feeling the life that pulsed inside. byeol and bada.

"also, we still have other names," hongjoong reminded, reluctant. "if you ever felt like we could consider..."

"hongjoong." seonghwa turned to face him. "look at me."

the alpha obeyed.

"these names are perfect. i feel it in my heart. and the puppies feel it too." he took hongjoong's hand and squeezed. "it's our byeol and bada."

hongjoong looked at him, at the certainty in his eyes, at the love that overflowed in every word, and felt something calm inside him. all the anxiety of the name list, all the worry of choosing wrong, all the insecurit, everything dissolved in that peaceful certainty.

"byeol and bada," he repeated, trying it out. "kim byeol and kim bada."

"kim byeol and kim bada, that's so pretty…" seonghwa completed. "our children."

the smile that lit up hongjoong's face was so pure, so radiant, that seonghwa felt his heart tighten.

"i love it," the alpha said. "so much. i love it so much, my star"

"so it's decided?"

"it's decided."

hongjoong picked up the notebook and, pen in hand, wrote in large, careful letters on the first page:

our puppies, my little princess byeol and my little prince bada

may the two, infinite as the stars and the whole sea, meet every day on the horizon of our love.

seonghwa read over his shoulder and the tears flowed freely, eighth time today.

"it's so perfect," he murmured. "you're perfect."

"we're perfect," hongjoong corrected, pulling him into a kiss. "and our puppies too."

the kiss was slow, sweet, charged with promises. when they separated, both of their eyes were bright.

"byeol and bada," hongjoong repeated once more, as if he couldn't get tired of the sound. seonghwa’s eyes were shining, his hand on his belly.

the twins responded with a series of coordinated kicks, as if they were celebrating. or complaining about the food. but seonghwa chose to believe it was a celebration.

"they seem happy," he said.

"of course they are," hongjoong agreed. "they just got their names, and are so beautiful"

"it's so perfect for them" seonghwa was smiling.

they went silent, feeling the moment

the euphoria of choosing the names still vibrated in the living room air like a soft melody, but seonghwa's tiredness could no longer be ignored. his eyes were heavy, the yawns became more and more frequent, and his belly seemed to have doubled in weight in the last few hours.

hongjoong observed each sign with the attention of someone who knows every inch of the omega.

"i guess it's time to sleep," he announced, not as a suggestion, but as a done deal.

seonghwa wanted to protest, it was still so nice there, cozy against his alpha’s chest, but his body betrayed his will with another uncontrollable yawn.

"okay.." he gave in, with a tired smile. "but first i need to put oil on my belly. the skin is getting so stretched..."

"i'll wait," hogjoong kissed the top of his head. "i'll put our things away and then head to the bedroom."

carefully, he helped seonghwa up from the sofa, keeping his hands on his waist until he was sure he was steady on his feet. the omega supported one hand on his lower back, making a discreet face as he felt the familiar pain manifest.

"put on the oil and lie down, baby" hongjoong instructed. "i'll massage your back in a bit."

"oh i love you so much joong”

seonghwa walked slowly toward the bedroom while hongjoong began to gather the remnants of the night. but before anything else, he picked up the name notebook and read once more the words he had written.

a silly, proud smile settled on his lips. he carefully placed the notebook on the living room shelf, next to the books he loved most, because those words, those names, deserved to be among his most precious treasures.

(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)⁠♥(⁠ ⁠˘⁠ ⁠³⁠˘⁠)

in the bedroom, the soft light from the lamp created a cozy atmosphere. seonghwa was sitting on the bed, his legs stretched out in front of him, his shirt pulled up to his chest to reveal his huge, glowing belly under the light.

the bottle of oil was by his side, but he hadn't started applying it yet. instead, he had both hands resting on his belly, his eyes closed, his lips moving in an almost inaudible whisper.

hongjoong stopped at the bedroom door, motionless, so as not to interrupt.

"...and then appa wrote in the notebook that you'll meet every day on the horizon of our love," seonghwa murmured, his voice soft. "i thought it was so beautiful that i cried, really. but I think you already know, you were there feeling everything."

a pause, as if waiting for a response. and his belly moved a little, making seonghwa laughed softly.

"yeah, i guess you're agreeing…byeol, my little star, i think it was you kicked so hard just now... and bada, my sea, you seem quieter, but i know you're listening too." he gently ran his hands over the stretched skin. "you're going to be called that, did you also hear it? byeol and bada. and you're going to be so loved, so so loved. because appa and i... we already love you more than anything. more than all the stars in the sky and all the water in the sea."

hongjoong felt his eyes burn. he leaned against the doorframe, not daring to interrupt that sacred moment.

seonghwa continued, his eyes still closed, his hands sliding in circular motions over his belly even without oil yet.

"your room will be ready soon now. your cribs arrive next week. and they're so cute, they have carved trees with birds! you'll share the room for a while, until you get bigger. but you'll always have your own little corner, okay? always."

another pause. more movements from the twins.

"your little friend aera seems super excited to meet you two. she's the cutest! you'll love her. and uncles woo and sang too, of course. and also uncle san, he seems mas but has the softest heart." seonghwa smiled tenderly. "you're going to be so loved, my pups. so, so loved. by so many people."

finally, he poured a little oil into the palm of his hand and began to spread it over his belly with slow, circular, dedicated movements. the scent of almonds mixed with his natural perfume of strawberries and milk.

"omma loves you," he murmured, his hands never stopping. "omma already loves you more than anything. and appa too. we can hardly wait to hold you, to see your little faces, to find out if you're gonna be just like me, or just like appa…but don't worry, in the end it doesn't matter. as long as you're healthy and happy."

his hands slid to the sides of his belly, then up, then in circles again. the oil absorbed into his skin, hydrating, caring, preparing that body for what was still to come.

"sleep well now my babies," seonghwa finally whispered. "omma is going to sleep too. and tomorrow we'll continue to talk. i will talk every day. forever."

it was only then that he opened his eyes and found hongjoong standing in the doorway, his eyes bright, the tenderest smile he had ever seen on his face.

"hongjoongie," he called, surprised. "how long have you been there?"

"long enough to fall in love with you one more time," the alpha replied, approaching.

“i love talking with them” 

hongjoong sat on the bed behind him, his legs flanking the omega's body, his chest against his back.

"finished with the oil?” the omega nodded. “then now it's my turn."

his hands found their way to seonghwa's lower back, and even through the thin fabric of his shirt, it was possible to feel the accumulated heat and tension. his fingers pressed gently, finding the sore spots with the precision of someone who knows that body like the palm of their own hand.

seonghwa sighed, his head falling back against hongjoong's shoulder.

"you work so hard carrying them," Hongjoong murmured against his ear, his hands never stopping their rhythmic movement. "the least I can do is take care of you afterwards."

"you take care of me all the time, love"

"it's never enough."

the alpha's hands slid upward, massaging the area between his shoulder blades, then down again to his lower back, working each muscle with infinite patience. seonghwa gradually relaxed against him, the weight of his body becoming heavier, more surrendered.

"byeol and bada," hongjoong murmured, trying out the names once more. "i still can't believe we chose them."

"we did. and it was perfect."

his hands continued massaging, but now his fingers traced softer, slower paths, almost a caress. hongjoong tilted his face and buried it in seonghwa's neck, inhaling deeply.

the scent of strawberries and milk enveloped him like a hug. there, in the curve of the omega's neck, the scent gland pulsed softly, releasing the perfume that was exclusively his, but now modified, deepened by the pregnancy, sweeter, creamier, more maternal.

"your scent," hongjoong murmured against his skin. “baby, your scent."

"hmm?" seonghwa was almost asleep, but he felt the alpha hold him tighter.

"it's different, did you know? stronger. more... ours." he kissed the soft skin, right where the gland pulsed. "it smells like strawberries with like milk. it smells like babies, our pups."

seonghwa turned his face slightly, offering more space for hongjoong's caresses.

"it smells like you too," he murmured. "always, did you know? ever since i met you, my scent has never been just mine."

"really?" hongjoong's voice was deeper, hoarser.

"really. you marked me, alpha. from the very first day."

hongjoong felt something primal warm in his chest, that instinctive satisfaction of an alpha who marks his omega, who is recognized by him, who belongs and is belonged to. but at the same time, there was love, there was the awareness that this was much more than instinct.

"you marked me too, you know?" he confessed, his voice muffled against seonghwa's skin. "your scent is in everything that is mine. in my clothes, in our car, on my skin. no matter how long i spend at work, when i come back, you're still in me."

"good," seonghwa smiled, his eyes still closed. "that's exactly how it should be. you're mine. mine, alpha."

hongjoong continued kissing his neck, gently licking his skin, tasting both salty and sweet at the same time. his hands, which had been massaging, now caressed, sliding along seonghwa's arms, over his round belly, down his thighs, in a slow and deliberate movement that was more about connection than desire.

"may i?" he asked against his ear, his hands hovering over the belly.

"you may," seonghwa conceded, and the permission was for everything: to touch, to mark, to love.

hongjoong's hands slid under the shirt, finding the bare, warm skin of the belly. the oil still left the skin soft, and he spread what remained with circular movements, imitating what seonghwa had done before.

"they're so active today," he commented, feeling the pups movements under his palms.

"they think it's a party every time you touch here." seonghwa covered hongjoong's hands with his own. "they recognize you, love"

hongjoong leaned in and kissed the belly, right in the center. 

“byeoli~ bada-yah~ it's appa, is time to sleep, my babies. let your omma rest this night too~"

as if they had heard, the movements gradually ceased, replaced by a peaceful stillness.

"how you make them obey you?" seonghwa laughed softly. "they don't obey me like that."

hongjoong laughed against his skin, and the vibration echoed through seonghwa's body.

slowly, the touches became slower, softer and drowsier. hongjoong's hands still caressed the belly, but now in almost hypnotic movements. his face remained buried in seonghwa's neck, inhaling his scent in deep, rhythmic breaths.

"are you sleepy, my star?" hongjoong asked, his voice a whisper.

"mhmm, yeah" seonghwa admitted. "but i don't want to move. it's so warm this way."

they separate for a moment to get comfortable in bed. seonghwa lies on his side, adjusting himself and sighing in relief at having his belly supported on the bed. hongjoong follows his omega and lies down behind him.

hongjoong's fingers found seonghwa's and intertwined, their hands resting together on top of the belly. the warmth of their bodies mixed, their scents creating a unique fragrance.

"today was perfect, joongie" seonghwa murmured, the words slurred by the approaching sleep. "meeting the boys and aera. the shopping, chosing their names. everything."

"it really was," hongjoong agreed, kissing his shoulder. "and there will be many other days like this, baby, with you. and with them."

"promise?"

"i promise."

silence settled in the room, broken only by seonghwa's deep breathing, who was already beginning to fall asleep, and by the distant sounds of the city. hongjoong continued caressing his belly for a few more minutes, feeling the last movements of the twins before they too settled down for the night.

"sleep well, my three treasures," he whispered, kissing the top of seonghwa's head. "byeol, bada, and my hwa. sleep well."

with infinite care, he adjusted them both in bed, getting them more comfortable, placing pillows between his omega’s knees and between them. then he lay down again, pressed against the omega's back, one arm draped over his body, his hand resting on the belly where his pups slept.

the scent of strawberries and milk enveloped him like a blanket, and hongjoong felt, for the umpteenth time in his life, like the luckiest alpha in the world.

"i love you so much" he murmured, already almost asleep.

"mm..." seonghwa replied. “i love you so much too..” his body relaxed even more against hongjoong's, recognizing the warmth.

the moon outside illuminated the room, with some stars shining in the sky. they have so much to live, so many moments to share, but that was the future, and at that moment, what mattered was the present: their two puppies, their room, their house, their family.

hongjoong and seonghwa slept happily and very warm that night, as byeol and bada seemed to be sleeping too. and the night wrapped them all in its mantle of stars and silence.