"Are you okay?" Namjoon asked, his brow furrowed with concern as he watched his husband struggle to rise from the bed. The pained expression on Hoseok's face was difficult to ignore, like a shadow cast over his usually bright demeanor. With a quick attempt at reassurance, Hoseok managed a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He slowly pushed himself upright, his feet meeting the floor before he slipped on the bed slippers waiting by the bedside.

"I'm fine," he replied, his voice steady despite the lingering hint of discomfort. To shift the focus away from his unease, he asked, "Are you traveling today?"

Namjoon didn't reply immediately; his gaze stayed locked on his husband, who was looking at him with a smile. "Do you want me to tell Taehyung you need the day off? You don't seem fine to me."

Hoseok crossed his arms tightly over his chest, his frustration and exhaustion showing. "That's really not necessary," he said, sounding somewhat irritated. "I'm perfectly fine. I don't understand why you keep insisting there's something wrong." He took a moment to search for the right words before he continued. "If I were feeling unwell or thought I needed to miss work today, I would have said something when I woke up. You know me well enough to trust that." The annoyance in his tone was clear; he wanted the repeated questioning from his Alpha to end.

Namjoon ran a hand through his hair, a frown creasing his forehead as he watched Hoseok's unusual demeanor. Seeing his husband so visibly annoyed was rare, and the sight tugged at his heart. "I guess this is part of the pregnancy moodiness they talk about," he said out loud, trying to make sense of things.

"If you say you're fine, then I believe you," he reassured while looking at Hoseok, though doubt lingered in his mind. "I'm sorry if it felt like I didn't before. It's just that you don't seem like your usual self this morning. You look like you're in pain..." Namjoon began, but the words hung in the air as he realized he might be misreading the situation. "But I guess I was wrong."

Hoseok sighed, his tone more sharp than usual. "It's fine. I'm just going to shower so I don't end up being late for work. There's a lot of work waiting for me today." With that, he hurriedly made his way to the bathroom, the sound of the door closing echoing in their quiet bedroom.

As the bathroom door clicked shut behind Hoseok, he quickly pressed his trembling hand over his mouth, desperately trying to stifle the cries that threatened to escape him. Tears cascaded down his cheeks, and he leaned against the door for support, his other hand instinctively cradling his belly, wincing at the dull ache that radiated from within. A ripple of fear washed over him, and he couldn't help but let more tears slip free as his mind raced with worry.

He knew he had to find a way to see a doctor without his husband finding out. He needed to ensure that their baby was safe and healthy. Clenching his fists, Hoseok took a shaky breath, fighting against the anxiety that threatened to consume him.

*****

"Kim Seokjin," Taehyung began, his voice steady yet his words firm. "I will not warn you again. While my duty to you as your Alpha is important, I am also responsible to my kingdom. Staying in bed with you, no matter how tempting, will not aid me in accomplishing the tasks I have today." He gently tried to free himself from Jin's warm embrace.

Jin, his eyes softly closed, feigned ignorance of Taehyung's words. Instead, he pressed himself closer to his Alpha, molding his body against Taehyung's side as if unwilling to let go of the comfort and safety he felt enveloped by his scent. His nose nestled into the crook of Taehyung's neck, inhaling deeply, his Alpha's scent sweeping away his need for sleep and replacing it with a soothing feeling wrapped around him like a protective blanket.

"Seokjin—" Taehyung attempted to say but was interrupted by Jin's inquisitive voice. "What about our babies?" Confusion flickered across Taehyung's face as he struggled to understand Jin's sudden shift in focus. He turned slightly, his brow furrowed, searching Jin's sleepy features. "What do you mean by what about our babies? What's wrong with them?"

"Well," Jin started, his voice soft yet loaded with concern, "you said that staying in bed with me will not help you accomplish your tasks today. So I was just wondering, if staying in bed with me helps to bring our babies comfort, wouldn't that hold greater importance than everything else you have on your agenda?" He attempted to maintain eye contact, but the intensity of Taehyung's gaze made him shy away; it was like trying to hold the sun without getting burned.

With a deep inhale, Taehyung shifted onto his side, allowing his hand to find its way to cradle Jin's waist, drawing him closer. "I didn't say that the things I have to do today are of greater importance than you. You are my Omega, and you should know more than anyone else that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that overtakes your importance in my life," he said. "But you must understand that there are responsibilities I cannot ignore. I cannot stay in bed with you when work awaits me. The kingdom will not lead itself."

A frown creased Jin's features as he pulled away, turning his back towards Taehyung, feeling a sudden swell of disappointment. "Okay, go and lead the kingdom, then. I see what's truly important to you."

Taehyung felt his jaw tighten, "Seokjin," he said, struggling to keep his voice steady, "I did not say that leading the kingdom is more important than you as my Omega." However, his voice grew louder as he couldn't understand his Omega reasoning, "You're being a brat right now, and that is unacceptable! As your King and your Alpha, I need you to understand my role, not just as the leader of this kingdom but as your leader!

I've spent all of yesterday evening and every moment until now here with you. Do you expect me to stay here until tomorrow, doing nothing but holding you in my arms? Does that sound reasonable to you?" He questioned, sitting up, an urgency in his tone.

Jin sighed, frustration and tiredness creeping back in, his voice barely above a whisper. "No, King, Alpha, Taehyung, it does not." He averted his gaze, closing his eyes once more in a futile attempt to return to sleep, seeking comfort even as Taehyung prepared to leave their room.

*****

"This is exactly why I didn't need a mate," Taehyung shouted, frustration filling his voice as he fixed his gaze upon the framed photograph of his father hanging on his office wall.

"My destiny was always meant to be that of a king. Instead, here I am, tangled in a web of obligations you imposed upon me. It's ridiculous! This only complicates my life further, burdening it with challenges and responsibilities I never asked for!" His voice roared.

"He expected me to stay snuggled in bed, with my arms wrapped around him as if the threats hiding in the shadows didn't exist. Meanwhile, Jungkook is scheming, devising elaborate plans to infiltrate my kingdom, seeking to undermine everything I have worked for.

And I can't ignore the feeling and the resentment I have toward you, knowing that it was all your doing!" Taehyung spun around, his eyes locking onto a picture of his great-grandfather, frustration boiling over. "I refuse to accept what that ancient decree stated; it became irrelevant the moment he stepped foot in my kingdom and laid a finger on my Omega!"

"I will make sure that you experience my wrath, even from the depths where you are buried, once I am done with him. This..." Taehyung halted in the middle of a heated monologue, a sharp hiss escaping his lips as he pivoted to fix a piercing glare on the intruder who had disrupted him.

Hoseok stood at the threshold, his posture shrinking under the intensity of the King's gaze. He instinctively bowed his head, an apology tumbling from his lips. "I'm really sorry. The guard mentioned it was acceptable for me to enter. Still, I didn't realize you were preoccupied," he mumbled, shifting anxiously from one leg to the other, each movement causing a cramp of discomfort to ripple through his belly.

As the silence stretched between them, Hoseok slowly raised his gaze to meet Taehyung's piercing eyes. Alarm coursed through him as he noted the King striding purposefully toward him, an unsettling look of authority etched across his handsome features.

"I really am sorry. I swear I didn't enter without permission. I simply didn't realize you were in the middle of—" Hoseok faltered, unsure how to categorize Taehyung's passionate monologue.

Hoseok felt his heart race as Taehyung reached him, unsure of why he had come so close to him.

"Where are you hurt?" Taehyung demanded, his eyes sharpening in focus on Hoseok.

Hoseok's eyes widened in shock at the unexpected question. "What?" His voice was barely a whisper, disbelief flooding through him. "I... I am not hurt," he stammered, trying to process Taehyung's keen observation.

"Hoseok, I do not like liars. I particularly hate wasting my precious time. So, don't make me ask you again! Answer me, now!" Taehyung's demand echoed in the room as he gripped Hoseok's arm firmly, a warning that he was serious.

The distress hit Hoseok like a wave, his voice cracking as he finally admitted, "I-it's the baby. I think something is wrong." Tears began to spill as the weight of his fear overwhelmed him. "Namjoon doesn't know, and I'm scared to see the doctor. It hasn't been easy for us to conceive—" His words fell into a heart-wrenching sob.

"Let me see it," Taehyung interjected, stepping back slightly while folding his arms, expecting Hoseok to comply.

When Hoseok froze at the expectation of Taehyung's command, hesitation painted his features. Taehyung's patience wore thin; he stepped forward, lifting Hoseok's shirt. "I want to clarify; I am not touching you because I am interested in you. I have an Omega," Taehyung reminded him.

He placed his hand over Hoseok's belly, feeling for any signs of distress. Almost immediately, he withdrew his hand, stepping back. "The baby is fine. However, the pain you are experiencing seems to originate from your ribs; there's some bruising. How did that happen?"

"I fell—"

"Lies!" Taehyung interrupted with an eyebrow arched, a teasing smirk breaking through his serious demeanor. "You were with Seokjin when Jungkook was around, weren't you?"

Hoseok's head shook in protest, tears streaming down his cheeks now. "Please, please don't tell Namjoon. I beg you."

"Seokjin didn't mention anything about you being there. Did you ask him to keep it a secret?" Taehyung's eyes narrowed, an inquisitive spark igniting in his expression as various thoughts raced through his mind.

"I did. It's my fault he didn't say anything. I didn't want Namjoon to know. I can't bear the thought of him starting a fight with Jungkook."

"Why do you doubt your Alpha's abilities against Jungkook?" Taehyung questioned, amusement flickering in his eyes as he tilted his head curiously.

"No, it's not that," Hoseok murmured, his gaze gloomy.

"Then what is it, Hoseok? Why are you hiding from your Alpha that Jungkook hurt you and nearly caused you to lose your baby?"

"What?" The rumble of Namjoon's voice growled from behind Hoseok.

Taehyung merely shrugged his shoulders, focusing his gaze on Hoseok, amusement mingling with the gravity of the situation. "Well, I suppose you no longer need to worry about it being a secret."

*****

"Why didn't you tell me that Hoseok was with you yesterday when Jungkook was around?"

Jin's heart raced as he absorbed the question, taken by surprise. Although he sensed the presence of his Alpha looming behind him, the sharpness of Taehyung's question felt like cold water cascading over his skin. With some hesitancy, Jin stopped what he was doing and turned to face the storm brewing in Taehyung's dark, piercing eyes.

"He asked me not to say anything," Jin replied, his voice trembling slightly despite his effort to maintain steadiness.

Taehyung's brow arched, skepticism etched across his features as he strode closer. "So, because he asked you not to say anything, you kept it a secret from me?" Taehyung challenged with a tone that was filled with disappointment and simmering anger.

Jin instinctively recoiled a bit, sensing the rage that simmered beneath Taehyung's calm exterior. "I wanted to respect his wishes. I didn't do it for any other reason," he tried to clarify as he searched Taehyung's face for understanding.

"What else are you hiding from me, Seokjin? Whose wishes are you prioritizing over what I have the right to know?!" Taehyung's voice escalated, each word laced with a feeling of betrayal.

In a flash of emotion, Taehyung yanked the bracelet from Jin's wrist. The suddenness of it sent Jin crashing to his knees.

Taehyung's fingers gripped Jin's jaw firmly in that intense moment, his possessive and urgent touch compelling him to meet his tumultuous gaze. "Let me ask this again, in the most respectful way possible," he said, his voice a low growl. "What else are you hiding from me, Seokjin?"

*****