Archive of Our Own

Wumuti sat on the cold toilet seat as he waited anxiously for two innocent looking pink stripes to appear- as if they wouldn’t change the entire course of his life forever. 

To be honest, no humiliation could compare to what he had been through earlier. When he felt tears prickling in his eyes when all the tests he found at the nearest pharmacy,– that had to be no bigger than a cage– had hearts engraved on the plastic. 

Maybe marketing companies earned a lot from torturing poor, probably-pregnant-or-not omegas. 

Fucking hearts. 

Like it was just that simple as if the pup had love, it meant you could be a mom. 

Like the omega didn’t have dreams to achieve, or like his parents would adore the idea of their own dear unmated son being all round and well- with a kid. 

For Christ’s sake, he had no idea what those little creatures ate, or how to make them giggle, or how to change dirty diapers.

Are walkers even allowed nowadays? He overheard the nice old ladies that bake cookies and crochet in the office talking something about prejudice in the corporal cognition development. 

Fuck. How did he even get himself into that? 

Right. Like that. 

Don't get him wrong— he’s not a slut. He just wanted to have some fun for the first time in a long while, right? After getting an internship, and itching because of his serious white button up shirt, he needed a distraction. 

So when his friends dragged him to a bar, he decided he would finally allow himself to relax. 

It was nice to feel the buzz of the beat running through his body, as flashing lights made his sight blurry. His senses were dizzy and filled by his surroundings– sticky and dim surfaces that never got to see a disinfectant in their existence.

Although, when a musky campfire-like smell enveloped him and he looked at the chair beside him, it wasn’t exactly relaxation the first word he got on his mind. 

Maybe excitement was a better way to describe it? 

He couldn’t really help it. When you’re always so drowned by papers and books, too overwhelmed to even think about searching for something else — The moment someone looks at you. And I mean, really sees you, it sparks a trigger to a smooth and pulsant substance run through your whole body. One that your nervous system barely remembers how to produce.

Adrenaline. 

It makes all the simple things feel much bigger and interesting, too. To remember how to want. 

To yearn. 

So yes, maybe he didn’t think enough- or at all. Didn’t think about how letting that alpha whisper sweet nothings into his ear, or run his hand through his thigh, or drag him to a more private space would lead to this. 

Believe it or not, the last thing he thought about as he panted under the man, and his hair tangled on rough fingers, was if he took his fucking pills. 

Who cares about them when you’re closer to buying a mansion than to getting glimpsed with desire? 

And he wasn’t even rich. He was only 22. And finishing college, so yes– he didn’t know anything, besides the fact that he wasn’t ready to have a kid.

Sure, he knew he wasn’t that bad looking, but his eyebags only seemed to darken, and his mood wasn’t the lightest either. He was aware that he was seen more as a threat than anything else, especially as a possible romantic interest.

The saying about beauty not being all to a person is indeed truthful, because if he was visually interesting enough to receive (hopefully) honest compliments, then there must be something rotten and wrong inside him.

Something that people can smell, perhaps? So then, they don’t approach him with that kind of intention. Intention to love, want and keep.

It’s just– It’s what it takes to get to be working and studying as an omega. It takes strength, devotion, and a tough kind of shell of a person. No signs of empathy as it always ends up mistaken for weakness. 

Sacrificing his pure, raw, beautifully messy emotions, his free time, his energy, it all made sense to Muti. He knew he just had to bear it for a year– maybe two, so he could get a diploma.

A good curriculum. 

By then, he would be able to follow his dream. His passion. When all his effort would be rewarded with the mere satisfaction of reaching it. 

And if he got lucky, he’d get to enjoy it too. 

It would be nice. 

To have the privilege of working with art, for the sake of making it. Genuinely creating it, twisting it in all different angles, distorting the colors and rubbing it all together again. That made sense to him. 

The omega felt at peace when his limbs carried the rhythm, thumping a beat on his chest. Music soothed his nerves, and all in sync he swayed and twirled. His safe heaven. 

But now– Now, his beloved colors threatened a war on his path. With shaky hands, he held the plastic stick as steady as was possible at that moment. His eyes squinted as he searched anxiously for any sort of pigment to tarnish that tiny tiny part of white. 

He felt a drop of sweat run through the back of his neck. How did people do that kind of stuff alone? That shit was stressing him out. Like, really. 

How could that test be more scary than a job interview? Job interviews were really scary to Muti. And they had none of those pink frills that the package he was holding had. 

So, as the two thin, pale pink lines appeared, he pushed his glasses a bit closer to the bridge of his nose. 

Pregnant. 

A stab to the heart was felt, maybe? Or was that a heart attack coming up? 

With the crazy and violent pangs of his heart, that could be heard even by his own ears, his legs decided to shut down, making him slide out of the seat and leave him by the coldest floor he ever felt.

He was fucking pregnant. With a random alpha’s kid, that probably didn’t even know what an ovarian was. 

Wumuti never considered himself a religious person, but in that moment he prayed in a way that he never did before. He prayed for someone to hear him. For help. For anything, or anyone to send him a sign of what to do. 

What the fuck was he going to do now? 

Well– he could just– get rid of it. Since the constitution still protected his rights, right?  (for the time being, at least)-- so ah yes, good timing, he guessed.  

Despite the fact that he knew, due to twitter and biology classes, nothing was really alive inside him yet— but still. Just a bundle of cells combined in him. But it made him actually nauseous just to think about getting them out. 

So-- he figured he didn’t have as many options as he believed before. 

At that moment he realized how he wanted a normal life for once. 

To have a person by the floor holding his hand, and rubbing his back when the tears came in. Perhaps he’d get a tight hug, a squeeze that said “It’s gonna be okay, sweetheart.”, or “We’re doing this together, ‘kay?”

After all, isn't that all part of the deal? Happy married life, all soft and mated, picking out baby— tiny tiny shoes while holding hands and all the cheesy couple stuff.

Planning the groceries, and maybe picking up the pup together after school to get dinner, all three of them. Vibrant and radiating smiles after a tiring day.

However, that was NOT the case for him. The omega would need to be content with himself for now. Ah— and the baby. 

His baby. 

God, that sounded so weird.

⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊୨ᰔ୧₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹

Eventually, he was faced with the real choice as to keep it or not. 

He knew that rationally, it would be better to erase this “mistake” he created (with many “” included). Taking in the fact that he was really financially unstable, that he had no help or support from anyone, and that he was twenty-two years old. 

And maybe also taking in that he had so much to live yet, didn't he? Like crazy trips, and wild nights out in unknown places. 

However, he couldn’t handle it. He knew that if he chose that— chose to end this for good, he wouldn’t be able to go on with his life pretending this never happened. 

Call him weak, fragile, complexed or whatever degrading adjective ever existent, but to give up on this just would weigh him down to a point he wasn’t sure he could bounce back from. 

That was just who he was. 

Fuck--why did he needed to feel obligated to take care of every minor responsability that appeared before him? Not that this was minor, in any way. But, you get it, right?

To him, it was like he’d need to perform a different personality, one that didn’t forget to lock the door, or knew how to switch light bulbs, or when to take his birth control. Which meant he was imperfect, that he was human, biological. Blood rushed through his veins and pulsed like mad and crimson coloured waves. 

All his life was thoroughly calculated. Everything was as close to perfect as he could achieve whilst possible. Down to his degree, his friends, his work place, even his accent. 

So it was new to be imperfect— It was a bit refreshing even, in a way.

Hence why, after three months he waited in a white office that smelled like antiseptic and alcohol, and contained the weirdest people known to mankind. 

One thing about him was that he despised needles, and hated just looking at them. How could such tiny things be so so scary? 

Sadly, it was pretty much required to run some blood tests to see if everything was okay with uhm…the baby.

He was still digesting that part, to be honest. The part that nobody knew yet, besides the nice nurses from the clinic and the receptionist that scowled like his grandpa used to. 

The judgment glances weren’t missed by him, people could be mean everywhere apparently. 

The omega just didn’t expect the nurse’s terrorized expression when he told her he didn’t want to know the gender. Not because he wanted it to be a surprise— but because he simply couldn’t care less about that. 

“Don’t you want me to send the results to someone at least? A relative? They can prepare a celebration or something for you…I believe my sister ordered a cupcake for my niece’s gender reveal, it was something intimate but really happy!” 

Muti blinked up at the woman. Why did people care so much about that? 

“Ah— It’s fine, really! I’m not, uh, a surprise type of person?…But thank you.” 

“But then…How are you going to pick out clothes? Or the colors of the nursery?” 

“What?” The boy deadpanned. “I…uh, already picked it. The nursery— And, uhm, the clothes.” He lied, obviously.  

“Oh my…I hope you didn’t get pink dear, ‘cause it’s a boy.” She said, puffing her chest in pride. As if she just did him a favor.

What the hell. 

And that’s what happens when you trust people to respect your decision of wanting something different.

For your own baby. 

“I hope they let you return it if you did.” She smiled softly while squeezing his hand once. “Congratulations!” 

He just nodded, absolutely in disbelief.

All of that just because she was petrified of him painting the walls pink, or maybe getting unicorn clothes, just because it was a boy. 

Thankfully, Wumuti knew better than anyone that gender had nothing to do with color. Or with a certain type of thing for the matter. 

So instead of listening to a single word that woman said, he just stuck with buying all the cute, soft, adorable baby stuff a color he felt most drawn to. 

Yellow. 

He didn’t know why, but it just seemed to get his attention. That warm, happy, light and buttery yellow.  

It kind of made him melt like butter too, inside. Muti was now made of sunshine and smiles a little bit. But just a bit.

It gave the omega an alarming amount of satisfaction to buy pretty bibs, and animal painted pacifiers like a total sap. 

He pondered if he used to have big dreams, until he tied himself to this new future. The future of spending the day looking through the baby islands in the stores, with the biggest smile seen on earth because– omg, they have mary janes pup sized! 

Sue him, maybe the hormones were getting to him after all. 

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Looking at Haru, while the baby squealed made his heart flutter. He was so so so precious. The cutest thing he ever saw. 

The prettiest combination of soft cheeks, pale skin and copper baby hair. 

God, it made him tear up just smelling Haru. That smell of milk, mixed with his canine patrol shampoo tugged on the omega’s heart strings. 

So no, he couldn’t really help squishing his pup’s little face and planting kisses all over where he could reach, until he heard—- the sweetest giggles in the world. 

His baby’s squeaks.

“You’re really just trying to make mama cry, aren’t you? You’re so perfect.” He cooed. 

And Haru, looked up at him while he gawned slobber all over his dainty fingers like he knew what he was talking about. His not-covered-in-saliva hand immediately reached up to Muti’s face. 

Wumuti held his tiny wrist and kissed his palm with all the love he had. His kid was on the couch, sated tummy after his bottle, hair sprawled on the pillow as he hovered over them. To him, his baby looked like an angel— a very tiny one. 

Doctors actually made him investigate due to Haru being so petite. He tried it all, eating more, taking supplements and drinking more water. But as it turned out, his baby was just little. No complications, health issues or anything— just, itty bitty. Like really. 

To the point he had to buy smaller clothes when he was born, and he just never grew out of them. His mom was horrified by that though, always shoved more formula into his bottle in an attempt of making Haru at least a bit easier to see. Less fragile to the world. 

It didn’t really work. His pup weighed almost nothing, and looked at least 2 months younger, and Wumuti feared for his kindergarten years. 

Theorically, he knew his child didn’t even know how to walk yet, and he had a lot to go through before getting to pre-school—- But still. It didn’t ease his mom instincts, that yelled inside his head to protect and to keep. 

The omega knew how cruel little humans could be, and he prayed that his wasn’t too much like him. 

That when people yell at him, he wont bow his head and stay quiet. Or cry when his friends forget to put him in their drawings, like he used to. 

“Mama really loves you, baby.” He mumbles into his son’s hand, right before blowing a raspberry on it. 

The brunette immediately let out a smile, a big one. The ones reserved for his mama. 

“Oh you like it?” He smiles and blows some on his belly, feeling him giggle even louder. 

All of Muti’s worries and doubts ceased when he heard those little sounds. He never thought he’d make a good mother, but he decided it was Haru that was a good son—- Yes, that sounded right. He knew how to make the omega content and loved. 

Whereas, during his pregnancy he wondered and thought a lot about many things. Like if he would be able to love his kid if he was exactly like that alpha from the club. It didn’t seem right to call him Haru’s father after everything that happened. 

Thus, when the nurses first handed him over– back when he was so young that it scared Wumuti to even hold him– he was paralyzed. The omega wasn’t sure for how long he spent there, just ogling that new creature that spent nine months inside him. 

He traced his rosy cheeks, the curve of his nose, the form of his arms, and the size of his foot. 

At first glance he decided his baby was just like him. His brown copper-ish hair, the little bump on the nose. It was his mini— but very mini. 

Maybe time would change that. His baby would start looking more like uh, that other man. Perhaps his eyes weren’t like his mother’s, or his personality. And he realized at that second, that no matter what happened he would always love him. 

All of him, including those little freckles on his face. 

It was a kind of love that made him dizzy if he thought about the intensity. Like a dark splash of wine, that rapidly immersed his white colored clothes forever, and now all his life was consumed in burgundy. Or red, like love is portrayed in movies. It’s all over him, for evermore. 

Because he was his. The one he gave life to. 

ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🪽་༘࿐

When Haru first started teething he cried. Full on sobbed. 

He looked in so much pain, his gummy’s hurting and itching were probably a terrifying experience for such a small person. 

The infant stopped wanting his bottle, not even taking his mama’s milk and throwed a tantrum when he tried. 

Getting the boy to sleep was even worse, always fussing over when put on his crib beside Wumuti’s bed. Nothing would help him doze off, but at least in his mom’s arms he’d stop yelling. 

The omega always said he got lucky with Haru. He was such a sunshine. Always smiling, or giggling. Of course he cried sometimes, but all it took him to be comfy again were some cuddles with mama. Otherwise, he had no trouble with him. It was a real blessing, if they even existed.

Which led to why, when nothing seemed to be enough, Muti panicked. He broke down. Not knowing how to get his pup to sleep, bathe and mostly eat, was frustrating. 

By some point, he began thinking he’d really lose Haru for good. Especially since he was already really small in the first place. 

“Baby,” he cried out. “I need you to eat. Please.” He pleaded while holding out a bottle close to the kid’s mouth. 

In response to his attempts, he wailed. So the omega did too. 

It was pretty humiliating to bail your eyes out when you’re holding a six month old that’s crying even harder. 

His hair was a mess, all tangled into a ponytail and his face must’ve been ruined with tears and probably baby drool. He was shirtless too, since he tried to breastfeed and it didn’t work as expected. 

So when he heard the doorbell, all he could think was— Fuck, no. 

Fuck.

If the gods above were kind enough, it would be grandma. If his prayers were heard his mom would pop out of that door and solve this mess. 

The mess that he was, that the house turned into, and that Haru was suffering with.

The way he was, he stood up holding a weeping Haru and opened the door.— And to his surprise it wasn’t his mother. 

What?

“What the hell? Hyun?” he blinked. “Why- What are you even doing here?”

Big dark eyes blinked down at him in happiness.

“Ah Hyung!— Oh no, little one’s throwing a fit?” 

He stood planted by the doorway as his friend appeared by his home unannounced. 

And then was suddenly taking his furious baby from his arms. 

The man appeared so calm that it annoyed him. All happy wearing his dark jeans and light blue shirt. Straight out of a magazine while he looked like he hadn’t seen a blink of sleep for years.

“Shhhh, you’re makin’ mama sad, huh? Didn’t know his little face got so red when crying. Is that like, uh, normal?” 

The boy could only sigh in exhaustion. 

“Apparently, it is.” He muttered while holding his head in his hands. 

“That bad, huh?”

Hyun got closer, and pulled him in to hold his head to his chest while holding his pup with the other. 

“If you told me things were rough, I’d be here in a heartbeat, you know that, right?” 

The omega just grumbled in response, the tiredness catching up to him after his baby’s tantrum finally subsided to small whines.

“Let’s get you two inside, I brought tea.” 

When Muti was seated by the kitchen’s counter and with a proper shirt on, the tallest held Haru tight. He held his delicate chin and seemed to analyze his tear stained face. 

“Wow. Such a tiny thing can cry so much. Kinda impressive.” 

“Are you really saying that to my baby?” He squinted his eyes. 

“Ah yeah, sorry. Forgot you’re a protective mother now” 

Hyun responded without looking at him, focused on studying the kid’s expressions. Like he was in awe. 

He used his thumb to delicately open his mouth, careful to not hurt him. 

“Ah, he’s teething.” The blond realized after what felt like an eternity. 

“No shit.” 

“Did you see it? It’s just like yours.” 

Wumuti gave him a stare. 

What didn’t he know about his son? How could he think he didn’t have all details memorized like the back of his hand.

“The teeth I mean.” his friend clarified, turning his baby’s head towards him. “See those two coming out in the middle? He has a gap. Bunny teeth, you know? Like you.” 

The brunette’s eyes widened as he got closer, leaning to look at it better. 

Hyun was right. Haru had bunny teeth, like him.

How didn’t he notice it? What kind of parent was that? 

“Ha. Just like you.” 

And that was all it took for him to crumble again. Water bubbled up in his eyes and poured down soundlessly. 

Hyun froze in his tracks. Muti almost never cried, and when he did it was scary. 

“Hey, fuck, hey, I’m so sorry…It’s okay.” The blond reached for him reassuringly. “Ah, sorry. I— Shouldn't have said that.” 

In response, his friend actually whimpered. 

“No, no it’s not you. I— just…” he sniffled, “ I didn’t notice it, Hyun…I’m his mother, and I didn’t see it.” 

“What about it? That’s why I told you. I'm a teeth expert.” 

The omega hugged him tight, immediately being eased by his comforting scent. 

“Do you think I’m a bad mom?” He whispered. 

“No one thinks that, Hyung. Certainly not me, or Haru.” The blonde affirmed while rubbing his back. “Doesn’t matter if you thought you were comforting him because of two teeth or twenty— You’re a good mom because you were doing it.” 

Silence filled the air. Not an uncomfortable one, but one that made him feel like he was able to breathe again, and maybe not be eaten by endless guilt. 

…

“Can I tell you something?” The brunette mumbled, earning a nod. 

“…I— I can’t make him eat. He won’t do it. And— He’s already so, you know. This size.” he sobbed out. “What am I supposed to do?” 

His friend stilled. If he focused enough, he could hear the engines running on his head as he tried to figure something out. 

“We’ll try again tonight. And if it doesn’t work, we’ll get him to the doctors tomorrow. That works?” 

He nodded. “Okay. Yeah, okay. I just— I don’t want to—don’t want to lose him.” Hyung let out shaking. 

The blonde swallowed. He didn’t want to lose Haru, either. Really didn’t. 

“You won’t, ‘kay?” 

“...” 

“Muti, hey…He’s gonna be just fine, okay? He still has fat from his cheeks to burn, see?” Hyun poked the baby’s cheek, who opened his mouth and started chewing on his finger. His other hand that was wrapped around the boy squeezed his tiny legs. 

“These thighs here? Very squishy to me.” 

Wumuti let out a wet chuckle. “Ah, yes.”

“See, he's gonna be okay.”

“He has to, Hyun. I can't live without him– I won't–”

“You won't have to.”

“...”

“Wumuti, you heard me? You won’t have to.” 

“...Okay. Yes. I won't." he repeated, to reassure himself.

“Now sit, tea's ready. Maybe it will calm you down a bit”

…

When the night came and Haru didn't eat was a bit less of a nervous wreck than he was before. Not because he wasn't worried,– he was paranoid even– but because his friend didn't leave his side. Their side.

Whilst the omega was very hesitant, Hyun borrowed his baby and tucked him on the couch as he held a babbling Haru. The blonde put on a random show on the tv, light enough to lighten Muti’s worries, but interesting enough to take his attention off the fact that he didn’t have that weight in his arms like always.

“Just for a few minutes, ‘kay? Just stay there and rest.”

He groaned in response, and reached for the pup even though he was exhausted. “It's fine, I can take–”

“Shush, you're tired and anxious. I'll handle some stuff and you're getting him back.” 

“You really don’t have to do all of this for me, Hyun.”

“I know, but I want to.”

And just like that, his friend got to work and cleaned up the mess the omega made earlier while panicking, sorted out his wardrobe, and even got Haru cleaned up and in a brand new onesie. 

Before heading to the kitchen, he decided to handle the baby back to his friend, since he could actually smell the protective instincts off his mom.  

“There, okay? Now you better chill out for good.” 

Hyun chuckled while putting a freshly washed kid in Muti’s arms, aware that it wasn’t personal— his friend trusted him with his son, but his needs to scent and hold him close were louder. 

“Baby,” The brunette sighed in relief, immediately cuddling up his cub and scenting his wet hair. “Mama missed you.” 

Simultaneously, the tallest could only watch with a fond look on his face. He knew how much Haru meant for his mother, and for him too, to be the reason so many mushy words were said. To be why he was celebrated and missed by such a rational and intelligent person. 

The baby squealed in joy, and rubbed its head against his mama’s chin, therefore earning a kiss to his temple. 

It was adorable the way Haru loved the omega back. It was tangible, it hanged in the air when the two were in the same space.

Hyun wouldn’t have it any other way. 

…

They tried again. 

Used Haru’s favorite bottle and all. Tried breastfeeding again. They even got him those chilled teething toys to soothe their gums.

And when nothing worked, his friend helped him get his son in a warm outfit and to the hospital. 

Was Wumuti scared out of his mind? Yes. Abso-fucking-lutely. 

But at least they weren’t alone. 

The man was sure that if the blonde wasn’t there to answer the doctor’s questions, or remember the health insurance number he wouldn’t be able to do it. 

He would’ve started bawling and yelling at the first person he saw until they helped his kid not dehydrate to death.

So yes, Hyun’s calming scent and presence made things a lot better. Made those sad and cold tiles not seem so scary, and not like he was sending his baby to torture. 

By the time the doctor came to a conclusion, he overheard the word “hospitalization” and was about to pass out. But thankfully, the tallest caressed his back and handled whatever diabolical conversation with the professional they were having.

As the two discussed things Muti had nightmares about, he had the time to look down at Haru and watch him for a few minutes. His child looked like the way he always did in new places— shy, and clingy but with sparkling eyes to the new world in front of him. Not one bit worried or aware of the panic they were going through.

And if he was a good enough mother, he planned to keep it that way. To never let his baby worry about anything ever, besides if he wanted his pancakes with or without chocolate. 

The thought of the future made him shed a tear, because if things didn’t work out he’d never get to see his kid ever enjoying a dessert. Or learning how to talk, how to play on a swing and all the happy stuff that the life ahead waited for him. 

A singular droplet of water ran down his cheeks and accidentally landed on an oblivious Haru’s forehead. The boy looked up at him startled, with his big eyes blinking up. 

“Oh baby, I’m sorry.” Muti brushed his hand on his pup’s cheek. “Mama didn’t mean to wet you.” 

In response, his little one smiled wide and happy. Innocent to the reason of the tears, just thriving on his mother’s attention. He was such a cuddle bug. But that was okay— Hyung loved him that way. Loved that his son loved him as much as he did.

He could feel it by the glint in his sight, the grip of his hands on his now crinkled shirt, and the way he always tried to press closer. And maybe one day, when he learns how to pronounce his emotions, he’ll say it to him too. 

After a short while, his friend briefed the conversation with the doctor as much as he could and asked him to choose if he’d rather admit Haru into the hospital or to put him on an IV. 

His eyes burnt. He could swear rage could be smelled from a mile away at the thought of letting them poke his pup around. 

Sadly, he had no other option and he could tell it by looking into Hyun’s eyes. As much as he despised that his kid was going to be stung with needles, it was much better than having him sleep in the hospital. 

He held Haru the whole time, bounced him on his lap when he cried and helped put the decorated sticker where the IV met his delicate skin. 

His friend was beside him though, he refused to leave and kept his eye on the two while Wumuti held the now sleeping boy to his chest, passed out and snuggled up into a blanket. 

“Thank you, Hyun. I— don’t know what I would’ve done without you.” He whispered, as he tried to keep quiet not to startle the sleeping beauty. 

“You know I wouldn’t be able to sleep anyways if I knew either of you were suffering.”

“Thank you for caring about us, then.”

“Nah. It’s kind of the easiest thing I’ve ever done, honestly.” 

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

Muti, sadly, was an adult, and had to handle some other responsibilities every once in a while. 

And when that day came, he had to get someone grounded, loyal and sane to take care of his pup for a while.

So that's why, that day he was found with Haru in his arms, and a bee shaped backpack, in his dearest friend's apartment. 

The friend, Rui, that applied to maybe one of the adjectives established previously. 

“Hyuuuuuuuuunggg~! Omg you came! You really did!” The blonde hugged wumuti tight, engulfing poor Haru in what was supposed to be a hug, and seemed more like a suffocation technique. 

“Missed me that much?” Muti chuckled at the other’s excitement. 

“Course I did! Why wouldn’t I?” Rui asked teasingly, as he let them free of the grasp. He observed the other for a second  “Wow. motherhood really is demanding. Is that drool on your chin? Please tell me it´s a new skincare product you bought… “

Honest as ever, that was something Wumuti hadn't included in the adjectives. Actually, now he's thinking how he’d rather specify this one to not be included. 

“You told me you knew how to take care of babies, Rui.”

“Yeah, cause I can do basically everything! But I didn't know it included being covered in baby saliva.” 

Apparently, not as honest as he thought.

“But, yeah, I'm sure it'll be fine. You think it can use my hair products? I don’t really have baby shampoo here. Or food. Do they eat like, eggs? Cause I think I have some in the fridge.” 

The omega sighed and glimpsed at Haru in his arms in worry. This was such a bad bad bad idea. Terrible. Why did Hyun have to be busy? 

“Rui he's not an “it”, he's Haru. And second, I brought everything you'll need for him, ‘kay? There’s notes here with instructions for like…everthing, really. There's drawings too, in case you’re too lazy to read. I just need you to not let him die, okay? Can you do that?” 

“Oops, sorry. Ah yeah, I think I can do that.” Rui looked deep in thought for a second, and for the first time since they arrived, she looked down at Haru who’s quietly looking up at them. “Woah, he's so tiny. Is that right? He so small only needs one popcorn type of thing?-- Ah, person. Type of person.” 

Wumuti is regretting even thinking about coming here. He was utterly and unbelievably insane to think this was a possibility. 

“He seems so happy. What’s he happy about? Does he know he’s a baby and is in my house to not bother his mother? Like, this guy's so happy ‘bout being a nuisance. Crazy work.” 

“Okay, you’re scaring me.” 

“What? Why?” 

“Fine. Maybe I can take Haru with me and figure something out, I guess…” 

“Hey! What?! No no no, me and Haru have plans now! This small, unsettling, overly happy creature is coming with me, and we're having fun all day, okay?” 

Muti frowned seriously, staring at him incredulously. 

“Stop that face!! It’s gonna give you wrinkles early.” 

Sigh. “Okay, so what's gonna happen is I’m gonna text you every thirty minutes and you're replying, okay? If he cries, you call me.” 

“Yeah, whatever” The blonde rolls his eyes and heads over to take Haru from his mother’s arms. 

“Hey, wait, I need to tell him goodbye.” Muti cups his pup's head carefully with his hand to his chest protectively.

“It doesn’t know goodbye!!!! God, what happened to you? You used to be so smart” Rui pouts in sadness, as if mourning the cleverness that his friend used to have.

“But I know it, and it makes me feel less guilty if I say it to him. Stop thinking he's stupid!! Or that I am, by the way.” He glares at the other as he's kissing his son’s cheeks, head, and basically everywhere he can humanly reach. “I'm not stupid, I just love him too much I think…”

“Ew ew ew you’re stinking up my apartment with those mushy words and feelings.” 

“Sorry I guess?” 

“Ah, It’s fine. Ugh. I think I understand a bit more now that I’m looking at your keyring this close. He's kind of adorable.”

“Keyring?” 

“Yeah! All clinging to you and everything.” 

The omega laughed. Full on teeth laughter. Rui was insane, and so so so incredible at the same time. Really the people’s princess. He was so enormously glad to have her in his life, really. It didn’t seem like it nowadays (due to the endless bickering all the time), but the blonde was the one that helped Muti with everything during the pregnancy. 

They were the one that first looked him in the eye, and told him he was capable of being an amazing mom, and that love was something Wumuti teached him every day.

That day, Muti decided that he was keeping the baby for real. And keeping it close.

So yes, the brunette had a lot to thank Rui for. He knew it was impossible to retribute the gratitude for something so giant and beautiful she did for both of them, but he could spend his whole life trying. So that's what he was going to do.

“Now, move! Go do your thing, save the world, cure cancer, I don't care. Me and Haru got things to do.” 

Another sigh of defeat. The omega passes his baby to his friend’s arms. 

“Don’t drop him.” 

The blonde rolls her eyes and mumbles to Haru. “You’re mama’s annoying, isn’t she? Treats you like you’re made of glass…” 

Wumuti ignores the comments about her— being told to her son, but the pup seems to be smiling the widest, so it can’t be that bad. 

After tortuous, endless and very busy hours, Muti finally finished his errands for the day. With damp hair from the softest rain, made just to annoy him and miss his home a little more, he arrived by Rui’s door again. 

The omega let himself in, since no one replied to his greetings, and thankfully the spare key was placed just in case, in his pocket. 

As he softly padded through the apartment with his white socks, he began running the list in his head of pendencies that still had to be done once he got Haru home. He really should’ve done the laundry yesterday, but he was so tired…And his pup was so clingy. He was obligated to assume defeat. 

Snapping out of his trance, he heard a soft murmuring sound coming from the living room. The lights flickered with a warm and low tone, and highlighted the side of the cream colored couch.

As he peeked more carefully, he saw— The blonde sprawled on the couch in a deep slumber, with his hair up in a hair clip and a moss colored mask covering his face. 

Wait. Wait. 

Where the hell is Haru?

His eyes scrambled anxiously for a sign of copper floppy hair, desperately. Haru, Haru, Haru…Where…?

There! 

Haru was curled up by Rui’s side, just like a tiny little ball, with fists closed around her shirt. 

Wumuti was finally able to breathe again. Haru was there. He was safe. No one took him away, or hurt him, or hid him somewhere Muti would never ever find his pup again. He was there. 

Of course he was there, his tangerine scent lingered through the place…But maybe his senses needed the visual confirmation this time. Yes, being a mom was definitely weird. 

The weirdest ever. 

With relief filled eyes, he scanned the baby’s petite face. A pink shimmer around rosy puffy cheeks caught his eyes. Was that…glitter? Worse. Glitter AND animal shaped stickers. All around his sleeping face. 

There are few things in life that just can’t be fixed. Words, for example, are just like arrows. Once launched can never be returned. And people, just like targets, are left with a hole where the stab stuck forever. 

However, it is possible to grow around the wound. To care for the hurt, and never disregard the pain caused or press it violently again. If cured correctly, that tissue can be repaired in such a way that it turns stronger than before. Different. 

Besides, perhaps to be changed is also to be loved. 

So when even the meanest, cruelest and coldest words can be, maybe not undone, but remembered differently, the only thing in life that cannot be forgotten or fixed— is glitter in a kid's skin. 

It 's torture. 

Rui has done many rights and wrongs, mostly with good intentions. But this? This could not be dismissed. At all.

He needed to have a serious conversation with Rui about gluing sparkly substances on his baby…After he puts Haru in the bath,—maybe in the washing machine together with the rest of the laundry— to try and get it out, of course. God his house is going to be covered in pink. 

So yeah, he was indeed heading home with a passed out baby koala drooling on his shoulder, covered in stickers, shiny powder and butterfly wings costume. (Did Rui get it custom sized? How did they make such tiny ones?) 

Wumuti had to admit, though, that surrounded by his pups' soft scent, and barely-there snores, how grateful he was for his perfectly imperfect life. 

Imperfect, but perfectly his. And how happy that it belonged to him. From his baby, all the way to his very best friends. 

He was so, so happy. 

The omega figured, no, he wouldn’t be ever left alone. His space was carved out into their hearts, and he didn’t have to fight for it. It was almost like it was his birthright. 

The pace of his steps quickened at the realization, how loved and cherished he was. He didn’t feel like he was really deserving of all of it, but perhaps this was put in his best efforts to turn into someone that was. 

Yes, that he could try. But first, he was really excited to get home and take care of his little sunflower. Cuddle him for the night and the day after, maybe? 

Being a better person would have to wait, because being Haru’s made him feel on top of the world. 

And hopefully, his pup felt the same. 

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