YOONGI POV:

It's time for (Y/N)'s ultrasound appointment and the build-up and wait to it had the whole house in a tizzy, everyone rushing about cancelling their work, rearranging meetings, lots of rescheduling just so everyone could be there.

Jin hyung rushes about cooking, feeding (Y/N) so often between meals that her appetite gets ruined later on- or that she ends up pushing his hand away, protesting that she can't take down another morsel. He religiously makes sure she's taking her vitamins, pressing a glass into her hands for her to sip as she sits- even if she complains that her bladder can't handle it, angrily huffing when she has to get up and go to the toilet again. Jin hyung is awake the morning she stumbles out of bed to hurl the contents of her stomach back up, bleary eyed but there as he holds her hair back, arms welcoming and inviting as she clambers back into bed with him later.

Joon-ah has mastered a combination of puppy eyes and his dimples and always manages to get (Y/N) curled up on his lap as he works or as the two read in companionable silence, both of them seeking comfort in each other's presences, her head tucked under his as she lies there comfortably. And more often I find him reading pregnancy books, storing and cataloguing useful information into his brain for how we can help her, ease any discomforts and take care of her as best as we can.

Hobi's energy has somehow risen to a level that none of us have ever experienced, as if his ability has somehow adapted in preparation for our unborn baby, always spending time in the evening on his knees talking to her stomach, cooing and telling stories all whilst sending out pulsing waves of calming energy that help both (Y/N) and the baby in her womb to stay calm and unstressed- though she is perfectly content as she looks down at him and strokes his hair as he gazes at her stomach with nothing but love and awe.

The maknaes are a force to be reckoned with.

Kookie has long since been the baby of our group, that role not shifting when (Y/N) became the new maknae- it somehow adjusted that whilst he was still babied and coddled, he took on that role to his only younger soulmate- pampering and showering her with affection and caring for her in the same way we did for him. It made my heart swell with pride to see our baby taking care of his only baby soulmate- rushing to bring her snacks, easing her feet into his lap to massage, and curling protectively around her in his sleep whenever he was next to her. The shine and excitement in his eyes only grew day by day and it made our hearts thump wildly for him too.

Jiminie assigned himself as the primary provider of comfort, always using his ability to materialise blankets, socks, and any other small things he knew (Y/N) would appreciate. His ability became in sync with her body so well that sometimes even whilst asleep and (Y/N) seemed uncomfortable as she slept, body twisting and sheets slipping off- his own ability would gently shift her back into a comfortable position, sheets sliding back up to cover her as the two slept in each other's arms. As if his ability was also rising with the need to protect and help- even if he didn't sometimes actively recognise it.

Tae was a whirlwind. He was the one who managed to wheedle (Y/N) into sleeping more, opening her mouth for just one more bite, persuading her with his thick charm that she should allow us to do more for her, to help her with the small things even if she was perfectly capable because it gave us joy to be able to help her. His ability allowed him to make sure we were keeping the best care of her as we could and sometimes he'd play dirty when arguments would break out about who got to spend time with her next and who's lap she should be in- he'd persuade us all that his lap was the best- deep low voice, hypnotic and entrancing, and moments later, the charm would flicker out and his boxy smile would widen as he snuggled away happily with her in his arms, hands wrapped around her stomach- fascinatedly roving over it and sometimes slipping under her shirt to tease or just provide skin to skin contact to help soothe.

My ability seems to be going haywire. Whilst all seven of them had become a melody to my soul, their small sounds were the soft lullaby that helped me get about my day, one morning I had woken up and heard not two but three heartbeats. It had been me and (Y/N) to go to bed together but when I woke up and heard three I first thought someone had slipped into my bed. But the heartbeat was coming from under my hands which rested on (Y/N)'s small bump and I realised that I could hear the small heartbeat of our baby. I had woken up (Y/N) that day by slowly removing her shirt and kissing her way down to her stomach, tears spilling out my eyes and splashing onto her slightly rounded tummy, staring at in awe as if somehow I could see through it, see our baby that lay cocooned in their mother's warmth. And when she'd awoken and placed her hands over mine over the curve of her stomach I had delved down lower, sliding my hands to part her thighs- and soon her cries and moans filled my ears, adding more to the beautiful song that was my soulmates' essence.

I felt like my ability had made me blessed- that I could hear the small thud of our baby's heart even whilst the others couldn't, that I was the luckiest man alive. I couldn't wait for the ultrasound appointment.

And the eagerness in the car only reflects a tiny echo of the excitement bubbling away through our bond.

(Y/N) POV:

The doctor smiles at me and my soulmates as we enter the private room.

He gets right into it, asking me questions about how my pregnancy has been so far, if I've experienced any pains or aches, have I been eating well and then finally the deeply awaited moment comes.

He laughs at the impatience on all of our faces, gesturing to the bed on the side and asking me to get onto it. I lie back, fingers fluttering nervously before they come to rest around the curve of my stomach. The doctor asks me to lift my shirt, a cold gel being squirted onto my abdomen and spread before he moves the probe, and then an image appears on the screen next to me.

There's quiet murmurs from my soulmates, awed gasps and feet shuffling closer eagerly to get a clearer view, the doctor asks me to breathe in and out, I obey but all my focus, all my attention is on the screen where there's the proof of our baby shifting slightly in my womb. My eyes begin to blur and a few tears escape as I stare in awe at the baby we've created, the proof and symbol of our love.

The doctor wipes my stomach clean and when my shirt is lowered again, he's turned to print out the pictures- giving us some space and the others crowd around me, similar teary expressions and wide smiles as they stare at me, brushing gentle kisses across my cheeks, lips and forehead, gentle squeezes as they all draw me in one by one.

And that photo is on the fridge, held in place by magnets that spell out 'our baby'- a constant reminder for all of us of the baby growing inside me, of the baby we can't wait to see.

----

It's a few days later that I see the beginnings of stretchmarks at my lower abdomen, red lines that pan across my stomach, sign of my skin stretching. I bite my lip as I twist to see them, a few on the side of my hips and cover my waist consciously- unable to meet my reflection and stare at the red lines that stop, a minute distance away from my soul mark. There's a knock at the door and I hastily pull down the hem of my nightgown- letting it flutter back over my thighs as Hobi oppa and Tae enter, smiles wide across their face until they land on me, the grins slipping off and feet hastening forward.

Tae's large hands flutter before landing on my shoulders, expression alarmed.

"Are you okay? Is there something wrong? Is the baby fine? What can I do?" he fusses over me, eyes capturing mine and staring intently into them, I find myself unable to break the stare even though my eyes threaten to well up with tears. My eyelids flutter shut just as two tears escape from under them, marking a hot trail down my cheeks as I shut the view of my soulmate out, breath hitching as a broken sound leaves me.

I can feel the panic and alarm surge through the bond and Hobi oppa steps forward because then there's another presence in front of me, a soft soothing sound low in his throat as he steps forward and rubs the sides of my waist comfortingly. But his hands rub right over where the stretchmarks are forming, and I gasp as if wounded, eyes flashing open and slightly twisting away from his hands.

Hobi oppa's hands drop but he doesn't step away.

"What is it kitten? What's wrong?" he asks, voice low and reassuring- thick and rolling with soothing energy.

Tae leans forward, pressing our foreheads together.

"Tell us jagi, won't you let us help?" he asks and despite there being nothing but raw emotion in his voice, no persuasion, no hypnosis, I find my mouth opening despite my wish to shut it, knowing that if I speak, I'll cry.

My body shudders at the imploring tone of his voice and my hands come to hide my face, fists pressed to my shut eyes as I try to calm down.

"Hey no, don't hide baby. You're beautiful, tell us what's wrong kit." Hobi oppa urges softly.

"I'm not beautiful, you wouldn't say that if you saw." I say, hands resting firmly against my stomach, holding the gown down protectively.

Logically I know that it shouldn't matter, probably wouldn't but there's something so alarming about the change, tiny as it may be, that makes me feel like I've changed- and a part of me that fears that they won't like it. If I don't, how can they possibly?

Tae's eyes catch onto the way my hands tighten at the fabric of my nightgown at my thighs and bends down, sinking to his knees and easily prying my hands away, kissing the clenched knuckles as he moves them to the side.

His hands rest on the hem and without hesitation pushes the nightgown up, I feel the burning intensity of his stare on my thighs, pushing the material up until it bunches above my waist. There's a low curse that slips out of his mouth and I flinch, thinking this is where the disgust comes in.

But then his tone is appreciative, flames licking up my spine as his voice becomes husky and deeper.

"You're going to be the death of us all. You're so beautiful jagi." He croons before his eyes sparkle, head tilting to Hobi oppa who steps forward and sees what it is that Tae has seen.

Hobi oppa groans as if the last shred of resistance is slipping away.

His fingers sends sparks shooting across my skin, as the tips of his fingers trace along the marks with a light scratch of his nails, eyes dark and then he looks at me leaning forward to claim my mouth in heated spark strokes of his tongue, lips unyielding and demanding as they devour me and claim me, branding the mark and shape of his mouth against my own- bruising and unforgiving, demanding my body to keep the imprint of his lips on my own.

He groans deeply into my mouth, shuddering as if he's losing control. He parts our swollen glistening lips.

"There's nothing to hide kit. Your body is showing us yet again the proof of our love, these marks are signs that your body is adapting and shifting to make space for our baby growing inside. You really think that we want to do anything but ravish and worship your body for it." He mutters feverishly against the skin of my neck, biting down a bit harder than usual- as if punishing me for it but then his tongue laves over it- soothing it away with the softness of his love.

Tae leans forwards to trace the stretchmarks with his lips, slowly and luxuriously mapping them, outlining them with the tip of his tongue, muttering how much he loves them between moments when he leans back.

Hobi oppa leans back, eyes stern as he commanders my gaze.

"Never think that way about yourself kit. And next time, I'll make sure you remember exactly how I change your mind." He says, words thick with sensual promise.

But it's with gentle hands the two of them guide me to bed and encase me in their warmth from either side, both of their hands intertwined as they rest on my stomach. A soft kiss pressed to my ear, and another to my hair from either side.

"Love you so, so much kit."

"Love you jagi, always."

Both of their voices mingle together in an intimate whisper that winds itself around my heart. And my heart aches- not with uncertainty and insecurity but with the never-ending comfort and reassurance they bring.

----

Needless to say that when the others hear about it, they all seek me out to reassure me in ways intrinsic to them- in ways that are both physical and verbal- words wrapping and cocooning my heart from my own fears and worries.

Because they love me and whisper it across my skin as they reverently trace the stretchmarks, cup rounded abdomen. They love me for me and seeing my body adjust for our baby makes them want to cherish me more they promise.

And their eyes are filled with nothing but love and adoration.

For me. For our baby. For what tomorrow could hold.

(THERE YOU GO! SOME...NAY LOTS OF SOFTNESS! AND PREGNANCY DOESN'T HAVE TO BE SMOOTH-SAILING, IT CAN BRING AND CREATE INSECURITIES BUT THE BOYS ARE THERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO SAY OTHERWISE. PREGNANCY IS A BEAUTIFUL THING AND THERE'S NO WAY THAT THE BOYS ARE GOING TO LET HER FORGET, RATHER THEY WANT TO KEEP HER ALL TO THEMSELVES EVERY SECOND OF THE DAY- JUST LOVING HER. HOW WAS IT? LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS! STAY SAFE LOVELIES!)

QUESTION...ONE THING YOU ADMIRE ABOUT YOUR CULTURE, AND ONE THING YOU WISH WOULD CHANGE?

Mine is...I love the traditions related to lots of celebrations, especially weddings, the whole red and gold bridal attire, the rituals and customs, the week long ceremonies...LOVE IT! One thing I wish would change is how my Asian background means I am exposed to a lot of views about body image, it matters a lot, and there's no hesitance for the majority of them to point out 'flaws'. Everyone deserves to be admired and love whatever shape and size they are- I wish that my culture wasn't so stuck on it at times.

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3