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The elevator seemed to climb more slowly the more Yunho's anxiety turned into pure desperation.
The small pink cardboard box rested carefully in his arms, protected as though it held something far more precious than a simple strawberry pie.
Maybe it really did, after all, that pie represented the difference between a peaceful night filled with warmth and comfort and an existential crisis brought on by the hormones of an omega who was four months pregnant.
Yes, it was definitely more than just a simple pie.
He took a deep breath as he stared at the elevator display. It was still on the fourth floor.
"Please... please, let today be a good day." he muttered, staring up at the elevator ceiling, engaged in a very serious debate with the god who had abandoned him over the past week.
He loved Mingi with everything he had.
He loved the sparkle in his eyes, his loud laughter, his dramatic personality, and the way he filled any room simply by existing... But pregnancy had turned the omega's moods into a genuine game of Russian roulette.
On Monday, Mingi cried because he could taste watermelon while thinking about eating watermelon... At four in the morning. Yunho had driven to every convenience store in the district until he found one with a slice of watermelon, which turned out to be too sweet and made his husband throw up.
On Tuesday, the omega spent forty minutes upset because Yunho had bought the milk in the blue carton instead of the red one, even though they were exactly the same. Mingi insisted the red carton tasted better.
On Wednesday, he asked for a hamburger, took two bites, then burst into tears because what he actually wanted was pineapple pizza.
Thursday... Yunho didn't even like thinking about Thursday.
The argument, which had lasted nearly an hour, had started because Mingi asked if Yunho still thought he was handsome. The answer had been an immediate, "Of course." Obviously it was yes. Mingi grew more beautiful with every passing day; he was absolutely radiant and full of life.
The problem was that Yunho had answered too quickly, and apparently that meant he'd replied on autopilot.
Yunho had slept on the couch the night before, which was ridiculous because their couch was way too small for two people their size.
The next morning, Mingi apologized through tears, clinging tightly to his waist.
Yunho cried too.
"God, please, I'm a good guy..." Yunho whimpered when the elevator doors finally opened. "Don't screw me over. Amen."
Yunho walked toward the apartment, balancing his backpack on one shoulder and the little pink box in his other hand.
The strawberry pie from the bakery downtown, the one topped with whole strawberries coated in caramel, Mingi's favorite.
At least, he hoped it still was. He had already learned that during pregnancy, liking something was relative, and Mingi could easily turn into a pregnant Godzilla if he so much as looked at it and decided he didn't like it anymore.
He stopped in front of the door, took another deep breath, turned the doorknob, and stepped inside.
"Honey? I'm home."
Too much silence, that was never a good sign.
He quickly made his way down the hallway, still carrying the pie. He found Mingi sitting on the bed, one hand resting on his already rounded little bump, his expression sulky and his eyes slightly watery.
"What happened?" Yunho immediately went on high alert. "Sweetheart, have you been crying?"
"The baby..." Mingi slowly lifted his head. "He's going to be an Aries."
"I know, love." Yunho raised an eyebrow slightly as he walked closer. "He's going to be born around Seonghwa's birthday."
"Exactly!" Mingi whined, gently rubbing his belly again. "And he's going to be an Aries...!"
"And?" Yunho sighed. He didn't know a damn thing about astrology, let alone all the mysticism surrounding zodiac signs. "I'm an Aries too, aren't I?"
"AND SO IS SEONGHWA!" Mingi groaned. "I don't want our baby to be as crazy as Seonghwa hyung!"
Yunho stared at him for two seconds before giving up on trying to comfort his pregnant husband's paranoia and simply lifted the little box.
For a moment, the omega's face seemed to light up... But the happiness lasted exactly two seconds. He stared at the box as though it were hiding a mistress inside.
Then he looked at Yunho, and his lips began to tremble.
"You... brought strawberry...?"
Yunho froze, trying to keep a pleasant expression. Maybe, just maybe, Mingi would feel sorry for him.
"Yes."
"You're so sweet, Yuyu." Mingi sniffled. "I spent the whole day imagining you'd come home with a pumpkin pie!"
"But I didn't bring pumpkin pie..." Yunho looked at the box, then back at Mingi. "You hate pumpkin, sweetie."
"I know..." Mingi pouted, his lip trembling. "But now I'm sad because I spent two hours mentally preparing myself to get mad at you... and you got it right!"
Yunho let out a quiet laugh, utterly defeated. In the end, it was worth it if it meant seeing Mingi with that beautiful round belly and a smile on his face.
Yeah, it was going to be one of those nights.