Archive of Our Own

The smell of coffee and hairspray, which was usually the scent of his day-to-day routine, turned into something revolting. Yoongi tightened his jaw as he felt a sudden gurgling sensation in his stomach just before he stepped onto the stage in the States. He told himself it was the food, blaming the previous night's dinner as he desperately searched for a bottle of water. But as his hands trembled slightly, a part of his omega instinct, the one that was seldom proven wrong, began to whisper something that the exhaustion of the Arirang tour was unable to suppress.

Part 1: The secret's early days (May — USA)

The air conditioning didn't help much when his body decided to stop cooperating. Yoongi stood for a moment leaning against the metal wall in the corridor as he tried to stop the world from spinning after a soundcheck that, in principle, should have been an easy task. It wasn't the usual touring fatigue; it was a heaviness that weighed down on his legs and made him feel as though he'd gained a huge amount of pounds. The smell of coffee wafting from the catering area repulsed him in a way it never had before, and the scent of hairspray lingering in the dressing room, both of which had always been part of his daily routine, now twisted his stomach viciously. "It's the food," he told himself quickly, blaming the typically greasy and heavy North American cuisine. His closest staff members noticed his discomfort and were quick to hand him cold towels and a bottle of water. They kept a constant watch to ensure he didn't get worse, while assuming it was just a simple case of food poisoning.

Seizing the opportunity while traveling to Stanford, Yoongi opted to have a check-up with the team's personal physician, the one who would be looking after them for the rest of their world tour. As everyone was already aware that he was experiencing some stomach discomfort, his visit didn't raise alarm bells. He expected to be given a couple of acid-relieving and vitamin supplements, along with some dietary advice, and then he would be able to carry on with the tour schedule. However, the doctor's quietness after reviewing the test results gave him an initial sense of despair. When he heard the results, he felt as if the ground beneath him was sinking. Regardless, the doctor told him that they needed to run additional tests to be certain, though it was unlikely that the outcome would differ from their current assumptions. Yoongi stared into the doctor's eyes, trying to process the fact that, whilst he was preparing to rap in front of thousands of people, his body was busy beginning to form a new life.

Through the door, he could hear the familiar sounds: Jungkook laughing heartily at something Jimin had said, and Namjoon's voice sorting out the schedule with the manager. A knot of anxiety rose in his throat. He knew full well that if he told them now, the group's protective instincts would make a mess. Namjoon, in his role as leader and main Alpha, would panic and want to cancel the tour dates or send them back to Korea out of fear that the stress of performing might lead to a miscarriage. "This stays between us. Don't say a word… I'll handle it when I'm ready," he instructed the doctor as he gripped his pants with both fists. He decided he would endure it, that he would hide his sickness behind a facade of work-related exhaustion, and that he would protect his cub on his own until the gestation period was stable enough and no one might force him to step off the stage.

He felt as though he was going to throw up again, but he swallowed it down and tucked in his loose-fitting jumper; he stepped out into the corridor with his customary nonchalant expression as he hid the growing secret inside his stomach.

Part 2: A secret is uncovered (June to September — Europe and North America again)

As soon as they set foot on European soil in June, Yoongi felt his body come back to life. The most critical weeks were over, and after a quick check-up before the shows in Madrid, the doctor confirmed that the baby was healthy and safe. He could no longer keep it a secret from his six alphas that surrounded him day and night. He took the opportunity of a peaceful dinner at the hotel, while everyone was calm and relaxed, and dropped the explosive news in one go. The following seconds of silence felt absurd; Namjoon nearly choked with his drink and Jungkook stopped mid-bite, staring at him with his big eyes wide open.

Once they'd taken it all in, chaos broke out at the table. They bombarded him with all sorts of questions: "Why didn't you tell us sooner?", "Are you sure you're okay?", "What can we do to help?". Yoongi had to put them in their seats right away because the pack's overprotectiveness was now at full throttle. They wanted to contact the manager to cancel the dance rehearsals and they even offered to carry his handbag to spare him any effort. Yoongi made it clear to them, in such a firm manner that none of them had the nerve to object; he was determined to finish the tour as planned and he didn't want to be treated as if he wasn't capable of handling the situation. On the inside, he felt great relief it was no longer a secret.

By the end of June, the nausea had finally eased off, but he began to find that his stage trousers were now a little tighter around the waist. It was nothing to be concerned about, but he was starting to realise that he could no longer keep his body hidden for much longer. At the shows in London and Paris, he found himself seeking eye contact with the members more often, searching for the reassurance that only they could give him when he felt a sudden twinge or a wave of dizziness just before the show.

In July, whilst touring the remaining parts of Europe, Yoongi's bump went from being a hint to becoming a full-blown reality. It was no longer just the feeling of being bloated; his belly was round and firm, showing a shape that he could no longer hide with loose-fitting shirts, like he had been doing at tour's early stages. He had to approach costume team staff to get him a few extra-large hoodies and some loose linen shirts, hoping to fool the fans and cameras that always seemed to be following him.

He started to get tired much faster during demanding dance moves. Instead of jumping with his regular enthusiasm, he would search for places to put his feet to support, or he would just stay a step behind, letting the rest of the dance line make up for his lack of energy. The members looked after him with remarkable teamwork: there was always someone close by in case he stumbled or needed a moment to catch his breath. Jungkook seemed to have become his shadow in this regard, as he was always ready to hand him a drink or offer a helping hand on his lower back when they thought no one was watching.

Unfortunately, July's scorching hot weather in cities didn't help. Yoongi couldn't stand the thought of having multiple layers of clothing to hide his pregnancy, but he'd rather sweat buckets than let a picture of his stomach reveal the secret he and his partner were keeping to themselves. The band's medical assistant ended up becoming a close friend. He'd check on Yoongi after every show to ensure that tour stress wasn't taking its toll in the womb. By now, Yoongi could feel the baby moving inside him, which would often distract him mid-song and make him smile, leaving everyone else wondering the reason behind it.

When they returned to North America in August for the shows at MetLife and Toronto, the secret was nearly out. Yoongi was about four and a half months pregnant, and the bump was noticeable enough that even the baggiest hoodies were starting to feel tight. It was during this month that the first high-quality photos taken by fans began trending on Twitter and TikTok. Threads titled "Yoongi is eating really well on this tour" went wild on social media and were packed with pictures of his fuller cheeks and a different glow to his face, which ARMY attributed to the joy of the tour.

Those joking posts stating that Yoongi was pregnant due to his manner of standing went trending more than once. Fans joked about it all the time, sharing funny posts and theories, but nobody actually was serious about it. The fandom's overall take was that Yoongi always put on weight during tours because he liked to try the local food, something he'd mentioned countless times before. "Let him enjoy his food," fans would say, whilst Yoongi sat on his hotel bed in Chicago, stroking his belly, unable to flatten the bulge no matter his efforts. It was almost ironically funny for him to read those comments. On a certain note, it amused him that the truth was right there, in plain sight of millions of people, and yet no one could fully see it. Then again, he felt a rising pressure; it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to move freely, and the fear of an accident onstage kept running through the back of his mind. Namjoon and the rest no longer hid their concern backstage, staring at him with anxious eyes every time Yoongi tried to make a jarring step, but he remained resolute: he would reach Argentina before the world knew the truth.

September was the most challenging month in terms of practicalities. At nearly six months pregnant, Yoongi's body was no longer functioning as it used to. During the dates in Los Angeles, the exhaustion was such that he spent almost all his free time sleeping or resting with his limbs stretched out. The multi-layered outfits he wore already seemed questionable enough even to the most casual observer, and security staff had specific strict orders not to let anyone get too close with cameras at airports. The secret was becoming a heavy burden, both physically and mentally.

The band members were on edge. They no longer just looked after him on stage; they would take turns sleeping next to him in hotel rooms, making sure he ate healthily and didn't burn himself out by staying up late. There were daily discussions about when to make the announcement; the agency was pushing to release the statement before someone leaked a revealing photo, but Yoongi wanted to wait until the very last possible moment. He wanted to arrive in South America again and know that he had achieved the unthinkable: safeguarding his privacy for almost the entire world tour.

By the end of September, Yoongi could already feel the baby kicking with amazing strength whenever the stadium music started playing. It was as if the baby wanted to be part of the show too. He'd look in the mirror before going up on stage and could barely recognise himself with that round and obvious pregnancy bulge, but he'd pull his huge sweatshirt one last time and walk out onto the hall with his signature calm demeanour. Stepping onto Latino soil gave him hope that he was capable of anything if he set his mind to it. But he was also aware that Argentina would be the turning point and the place where he would finally stop hiding and let ARMY in on his new circumstances.

Part 3: The Announcement (October — Argentina)

Just before the plane landed in Buenos Aires, the world received the news that changed it all:

The official statement was released a couple of hours before they were due to land. Inside the plane, the mood was a mix of relief and sheer tension. Yoongi stared at his phone screen, watching as the official report announced to the world that he was six months pregnant; finally, the secret he'd kept locked away at Stanford was no longer his alone. The rest of the members couldn't stop fidgeting in their seats. They kept checking on social media and talking quietly amongst themselves. Namjoon was sitting next to him with his eyes fixed on the window with a serious looking face. You could see the weariness of having carried the weight of this secret for months, knowing that from that moment on, every step they took in Argentina would be closely followed.

When the plane's wheels touched down on the runway at Ezeiza on the 18th of October, Yoongi felt a twist in his guts, and it had nothing to do with travel sickness. As the doors opened, the din of the media and airport security gave them their first jolt of reality. The crew moved with instinctive synchronisation: they surrounded Yoongi, forming a human shield and sticking their arms out so that no camera could invade his personal space. Namjoon led the way in front, carrying himself with a seriousness befitting his role as a leader, keeping a steady grasp on Yoongi's hand to guide him. The Main Pack Omega no longer needed to hide beneath layers of clothing; for the first time, he let his belly show as he walked towards the bulletproof vans. He could feel the weight of countless eyes upon him.

Part 4: «Louder Than Bombs»

It was October 21st, and the Estadio Único looked as though it was about to collapse even before the show had started. Yoongi was backstage, feeling the floor vibrate as the crowd chanted their names. When they finally came out, the energy hit him hard; international artists always said that Argentine audiences were something else, but experiencing it six months into his pregnancy was on another level. He forgot about the dizziness and the heaviness of his stomach. The adrenaline clouded his judgement and he ended up jumping around, racing across the stage and getting caught up in that massive 'pogo' that you only see in Argentina. The climax came when the lights dimmed and the opening chords of "Louder Than Bombs" began. The stadium fell into a deathly silence for a split second before erupting in screams; it was the first time in their entire career that they'd performed it live.

Yoongi felt as though his chest was about to burst; the lyrics took on a new meaning now that his body was literally carrying forward the future of his pack. He sang with a strength he didn't know he possessed and ignored Namjoon's warning glances. He ended the day with a sore back, but with a euphoria that made it impossible for him to forget that first day.

On the 23rd of October, he was hit with some harsh facts. Yoongi woke up feeling as though his legs weren't his own; they were swollen and he felt constant pelvic pressure. "It's the climate up here, I swear the air is just weird, you know," he kept saying as the crew applied cold compresses around his ankles. The band members were reluctant to challenge him; they simply let him be and helped him rest. The show was a constant battle to overcome exhaustion. He moved as little as possible, relying heavily on the pack members who formed a protective shield around him during every move. The spark of the first day had turned into sheer willpower to keep from running out of breath mid-verse.

But for the final show, Yoongi finally listened to his body. His belly felt too heavy, and he felt stabbing pains every time he tried to walk fast. With little preamble, he agreed that he would perform most of the setlist sitting on a chair. Jungkook stayed by his side for almost the entire concert, handing him water and making sure he didn't try to push himself too hard. It was a far more emotional finale; without the dancing, Yoongi focused on connecting with the sea of lights from their ARMY as he sang with one hand protectively resting on his belly. He bid farewell to Argentina with teary eyes, grateful that the audience had accepted him just as he was. He knew he had given his all on that stage and that now only Brazil and five more venues in Asia remained before he could, at last, settle back home.

Part 5: The final part of the journey

When they arrived in Kaohsiung in mid-November, the exhaustion from months of touring began to take its toll on the group. Behind the scenes, air conditioning wasn't doing the trick anymore; he needed someone to massage his swollen feet during costume changes. The pack members were ever-vigilant and rarely let him be alone. Yoongi silently appreciated it, though, especially when Jin would bring him Korean food or when Namjoon helped him settle into his seat on the plane so he could get a few hours' sleep. In Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur during the first half of December, the humid climate proved to be Yoongi's harshest foe. He felt the air thick and dense, and found it progressively harder to catch his breath after each verse. It was no longer about putting on a flawless performance, but about showing that the group stood in unity. Jungkook became particularly protective during this period and made sure that no one from the crew approached Yoongi uninvited. During their time in Malaysia, Yoongi spent much of his free time trying to find the best position to sleep in, saving his energy for the performances. By the time they landed in Singapore on the 17th of December, Yoongi was seven months pregnant and the baby was very active. During the four shows at the National Stadium, he would gaze at his belly with an absent-minded smile as he felt his baby's regular kicks, which he thought seemed to follow the beat of the music. When he wasn't looking, everyone else would take the chance to come over and place a hand on his bump, all in awe of the baby's strong kicks. Backstage, it no longer felt like a high-pressure world tour, but more like a family gathering where the only topic of conversation that mattered was Yoongi's wellbeing.

They spent Christmas in Indonesia prior to their final shows. The night of the 24th, in their hotel suite in Jakarta, the seven of them gathered in front of the TV and surrounded themselves with Korean food that the staff had managed to find. Taehyung was leaning against Yoongi's shoulder, whilst Jimin was trying to come up with ideas for the baby's name. Jin joked, saying, "It's going to be the new leader of the pack. Namjoon won't be able to give a single order anymore." Looking fondly at Yoongi, who was dozing off whilst Jungkook gently stroked his round belly. Namjoon softly replied, "I just want the baby to be born safe and sound." Their future was likely to be a messy one with diapers all over the studio, but he wouldn't change it for anything else. Yoongi half-opened his eyes and murmured that, as long as the seven of them were together, the baby would have everything it needed.

Finally, on the 26th and 27th of December, the Arirang tour reached its final stop of the year in Jakarta. Yoongi was at breaking point; his stomach felt too heavy, making it a daily struggle to find a comfortable way to sleep. The last concert of 2026 was a mixture of relief and sheer sentimentality. When the final song ended, Yoongi stood for a few extra seconds and looked at the crowd whilst trying to control his ragged breathing. He knew that a historic chapter was coming to an end. As he stepped off the stage for the last time, he collapsed into the arms of the team, letting out tears of both joy and contentment. He realised that he had succeeded: the tour was over and his baby was still safe with him.

Part 6: The end of the journey and the beginning of life

When the contractions started coming fast and steady during that early February morning, Yoongi forgot all the bravery he had built up during the tour. The pain wasn't something he could control with breathing exercises; it was a raw and relentless sensation that threatened to snap his spine down the middle. As he lay on the hospital bed, the dim light only served to highlight his paleness and the cold sweat soaking the back of his neck. He was afraid. It was a paralyzing fear that made his throat tighten at the thought that something might go wrong after he'd protected it across so many countries and stages. Every time a wave of pain shook him, Yoongi desperately sought contact with his packmates, digging his knuckles into the sheets until they turned white, and feeling like his body no longer belonged to him.

Namjoon wouldn't let go of his hand and exuded a sort of calmness that Yoongi could tell was just an act, whereas the rest of them moved around the room without making a sound. They were all overwhelmed by their omega's sheer exposure. Yoongi closed his eyes and could only hear the baby's heartbeat on the monitor; it was a reassuring sound that kept him from losing touch with his surroundings as the pain turned into a blinding haze. He felt small, drained before the final push had even begun, and the thought of not being strong enough to bring the baby into the world made him shiver. It wasn't the physical pain that was breaking him, but the overwhelming responsibility that he felt weighing on his shoulders with every contraction.

Finally, the time to push one last time came and Yoongi was out of breath. His lungs were burning and the pain clouded over his vision, but the voices whispering to him (or Taehyung's deep voice urging him to hold on and Jungkook's firm grip) gave him the last bit of energy he needed. It was a slowly and painfully drawn-out process, during which Yoongi felt as though his soul was being torn from his body. But when the first cry broke through the hospital room's heavy atmosphere, the pain vanished as if it had never been there. The feeling of emptiness in his belly was replaced by an immense warmth as they placed the little one on his chest. Yoongi sobbed, not from pain, but out of utter joy, and let his head fall back as the whole pack gathered around him in a warm crowd hug. They were all crying together at the wonder that had just been born.

The private room was filled with liveliness just a few moments later. The members' parents arrived carrying flowers and gifts to create a lasting memento that Yoongi would cherish forever. His own mother wept silently at the sight of her granddaughter, whilst Namjoon's father shook his son's hand with a pride that said it all. Jin's mother, faithful to her style, was already giving them advice on healthy meals for Yoongi's recovery, whilst Taehyung's father held the baby with such naturalness, ensuring that she had the same curious look as his son had when he was young. This was the encounter of two worlds: the family of blood and the family that fate and music had brought them together.

Amidst the visits, the discussion about similarities in appearance resurfaced. Taehyung was convinced that the shape of her lips was Yoongi's, whilst Jimin insisted that the little girl had his same sweet 'aura'. Jin, arms crossed and with a self-satisfied smile, looked at everyone and blurted out: "Look at her jawline, it's clearly the Kim family's good looks. You can tell she's going to be the prettiest in the whole kindergarten." Hoseok took pictures of every feature of the baby as he grinned, whilst Jungkook stood next to the crib, gazing at the baby with almost religious devotion.

Meanwhile, Namjoon was staring at the baby in the arms of one of the adults, absentmindedly stroking his chin. "I don't want to say this, but… take a closer look at her face, will you?" Then he added, "…and the shape of her nose… It's an exact replica of Jungkook's."

Jungkook blushed right away and scratched the back of his neck, but Taehyung stood up from his chair and crossed his arms with an overdramatic look of indignation.

"Don't you dare say that!" Taehyung complained. "That's the last thing we need. If ARMY ends up hearing this, the idea that Yoongi and Jungkook look alike is going to start to be seen as the official truth. What's more, the baby's a newborn! We can't be sure about that, it's just too much! Namjoon, take it back!"

Jin burst out laughing, enjoying Taehyung's melodramatic reaction, whilst Hoseok tried to play peacemaker by saying that the baby took after all of them in some way.

Yoongi, sitting on the bed, was exhausted but seemed to be at a peaceful level of calm. Watching his loved ones bicker over the baby's resemblance, his families gathered in that room, and Jungkook gazing at the baby with almost devotional adoration, gave him a sense of security that success had never been able to offer. His family was fully reunited at last, surrounding the little bundle of joy who had made it through a world tour. He felt like the luckiest omega on the planet.

Outside that room, ARMY were using the hashtag #WelcomeLittleArirang, which went viral worldwide in a matter of minutes. The fandom, which had gone from the jokiness of memes to the shock of the announcement, and then into absolute protection of Yoongi throughout the last few months of the tour, now was celebrating with a series of charity projects in the newborn's name. The respect Yoongi had asked for was honored; fans sent messages of love and hope, understanding that this little one was not just BTS's, but also a representation of an era in which family and love had prevailed over public scrutiny.

That night, when quietness finally fell upon the room and only the seven members remained, Yoongi sat on the bed, leaning against Jin's shoulders. He felt at peace for the first time in many years. The adrenaline of the stage was incredibly powerful, but the weight of that tiny life sleeping in his arms gave him an unparalleled sense of security. And Yoongi felt invincible. He looked at his bandmates, close friends and lifelong partners, and felt certain that this was not the end of their journey, but the start of another new chapter.

At last, Yoongi picked up his phone.

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agustd 엀난, 이 세상에 아주 특&#ubcc4;한 작은 사람을 막이합니다. 기다뫐 주션서 감사합니다. 저희를 존중해 주시고, 우리 가족의 일원이 되어 주션서 감사합니다. 그끔가 성장하는 모습을 함께 지&#ucf1c;&#ubcf4;고 싶고, 우리가 함&#uaebc;&#ud560; 때 이 세상이 알마나 아름답즄지 잠가 만가 알게 되길 &#bc14;랍니다. 저희의 새로운 맥내 몀버를 따뚈하게 맞지주세요: Minseo (민서). 👶

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Today, I welcome a very special little person into this world. Thank you for being patient, for respecting us, and for becoming part of our family. I look forward to watching her grow and hope she comes to see just how beautiful the universe is when we are together. Please give a warm welcome to our newest band member: Minseo (민서). 👶

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Yoongi put his phone away and rested his head on Seokjin’s shoulder once again. For the first time in a long while, he slept soundly, knowing that his rightful home was exactly where his soul belonged.