Requested by xXAiko16xX
Omegaverse/family au.

"Here are your schedules for this month."

Seonghwa's eyes scanned over the printed paper, looking at important dates and events for promotion. There wasn't anything significant this month, photoshoots and short film schedules, except for the scheduled festival at the end of the month.

"As for the festival, we're keeping the stage normal," their manager said. "Perform the songs and a small dance break. I guess Aera is coming?"

Hongjoong and Seonghwa immediately blushed at the comment.

The pair was dating, mated already for the past four years. They even had a daughter together. And at first, the two tried to keep their relationship a secret. But there's only so much you can hide of a pregnancy.

Aera was Hongjoong and Seonghwa's three-year-old daughter. Everyone loved her. And most of the time, she would stay at home with any family member available.

Hongjoong knew Seonghwa didn't like to take her to concerts. And neither did he. The arena was big, and she could get lost, hurt... or worse.

"We'll have to call some friends," Hongjoong replied. Their manager nodded.

Seonghwa could barely see the baby's face through his tears. He could hear Hongjoong crying too, but softer. He then listened to his alpha's slight chuckle, some teasing at him because he was downright sobbing.

"Seonghwa, deep breaths, honey."

"I... I can't," Seonghwa choked.

"All she's going to remember is her dad crying, babe," Hongjoong teased. It made Seonghwa feel a little more cheerful.

"Hello!" Wooyoung and the others burst in, holding balloons and various presents. "We almost weren't allowed in, but-" he stopped mid-sentence to squeal.

All the members gathered around to see the baby, asking questions and making comments.

Everyone was eager to see baby Aera.

"Gw..."

"No, no, sweetheart, green."

"Gween."

Seonghwa laughed. "Grr," he began. "Like a tiger."

"Rrr," Aera growled. Seonghwa cupped her cheeks, giving her a forehead kiss with a grin.

"We're getting there."

Hongjoong entered their room moments after. He looked worried from something occupying his mind.

"Hongjoong, what's wrong?" Seonghwa picked Aera up and sat her in his lap. Hongjoong took a seat on the carpet with them, taking his daughter's hands and playing with her tiny fingers.

"Hongjoong," Seonghwa repeated.

"No one's open the day of the festival." Hongjoong sighed. "We have to bring her with us."

"To the stadium? N-No..." Seonghwa hugged Aera close, pressing his cheek against hers and sniffing her vague scent. She smelled like a mix of his and Hongjoong's.

"I know, but... she'll be okay. She can hang out with the staff members until we come back." Hongjoong reached to trace a hand over Seonghwa's jaw. "Then we can stay at her side at all times. Promise."

"I guess there's no other option."

"No..."

A few weeks later and it was time for the festival. It began in the evening, and lines of fans from the various performing groups formed outside the stadium. It was completely sold out, and they were excited for the groups, especially their favorites, to head out.

"Sa..." Aera babbled, playing with San's styled hair. She stood on the couch next to him, pulling blue strands apart. San didn't mind — he was in love with the toddler. His niece, he called her.

"You're messing up Uncle Sa's hair, Aera," Yunho commented with a smile, sitting down beside them. The little girl didn't seem to care. She continued to play, sometimes humming a melody in her sweet voice.

Seonghwa sat a few feet away, getting his hair and makeup done. He looked in the mirror every few seconds to keep an eye on her. But she would just be messing with another one of her uncles.

"You look beautiful," a voice said and then kissed Seonghwa's cheek. The male immediately went full red.

"Just now? Like... because of this? Because of my hair and makeup?" Seonghwa pressed. Hongjoong laughed and shook his head.

"Always."

Seonghwa gave him a soft and loving look.

"But I need to use that chair now."

Seonghwa rolled his eyes while hearing his alpha laugh behind him. He scooped up Aera into his arms, twirling her first, then kissing her cheek.

"My baby."

Aera giggled. The two sat down again, messing with Uncle Wooyoung until everyone finished.

"ATEEZ, we need you up in five. Let's go," someone called. The men slowly got up to prepare their mics and started towards the stage.

Seonghwa was glued to his seat.

"Seonghwa?" Hongjoong gently called. "We have to go, honey."

"But-"

"She'll be alright. I told a few stylists and our managers to watch over her. They promised to buy her some candy."

Aera looked up at the word. Hongjoong smiled and kissed her temple.

"You listen to what the adults say, okay, princess? Be a big sweet girl."

"Grr."

"Grr," Hongjoong repeated, the two laughing. Seonghwa exhaled, trusting his mate.

"Okay."

A thousand kisses later, Aera sat alone on the couch. Stylists and managers cleaned up and walked around her. Her eyes met the TV screen, where she assumed her parents would appear.

"Aera, do you want to go get sweets now?"

. . .

Hongjoong returned to the waiting room first while breathing heavily in exhaustion. The performance was successful, with everything going just as they'd practiced. Nothing better than that.

Then his eyes scanned around the room. But he could only find his manager and two stylists looking at him with worry.

"What? Where's Aera?" Hongjoong asked. Seonghwa came in behind him, as well as the other members too.

"We walked down to the vending machine around the corner. I bought her something, and we were walking back when..." the stylist pauses. "She ran off."

Seonghwa felt his heart break; something Hongjoong quickly sensed and rushed to comfort him. They lost their daughter.

"Is anyone searching for her?!" San exclaimed and quickly left the room. Yeosang and Mingi followed after him. Then Yunho, Jongho, and Wooyoung went the other way.

Seonghwa wanted to search too, but he found it hard even to stand. He fell to the ground and clutched his chest. It all felt like a blow to his heart.

"Hongjoong-" he panicked.

"I know. They're looking for her. Just breathe for me." Even Hongjoong's voice was shaky. But he couldn't leave his omega alone and in such a vulnerable state right now. He hoped someone else would find Aera before it was too late.

"M-My baby, Hongjoong," Seonghwa sobbed. "Where is she?!"

"Seonghwa, they're looking. But you need to calm down."

"No! They lost her when you promised-"

"Seonghwa! Calm down, omega!" Hongjoong raised his voice. He didn't like doing so, but it was the only way he could get Seonghwa to focus on him. "Please."

Seonghwa clung to Hongjoong quietly, calming down to his alpha's heartbeats and breaths. And Hongjoong cradled his omega, hands deep into massaging his scalp.

.

"Aera- Oh, Changbin!" Wooyoung called at his friend walking down the hall in his direction.

"Hey, Wooyoungie, what's up?"

"Have you seen a little girl? This tall? Dressed in pink? Alone?"

Changbin thought for a moment. "Uh... No, I haven't," he said. "Sorry."

Wooyoung sighed. "That's fine. Let us know if you see anything." He began walking again, his hopes crushed a little more.

"Wait!"

"Is it good? Is the candy tasty?"

"Yummy."

"Yummy," Mingi heard a male voice laugh. But what caught his attention most was the cute giggles of a little girl treading along.

"Dada?"

"We're going to find your dada, sweetheart."

Just a few steps later and Mingi was face to face with Felix holding Aera's hand.

"Min!" Aera made a single grabby hand at her uncle Mingi.

"Aera, oh!" Mingi felt the little girl run into his arms. Behind him came San and Yeosang, relieved she was okay.

"Oh, you guys know her?" Felix asked.

"A little bit," San laughed. He ruffled her hair to see how dirty her mouth was with chocolate.

"Hongjoong and Seonghwa are going to be so happy," Yeosang said with a content sigh.

.

Seonghwa's arms clung to his alpha's torso. His breaths were shallow yet paced. He was trying his best to avoid panicking once more. Just about everyone on their team went in search of Aera, which left them mostly alone.

Hongjoong suddenly chuckled, his rising chest disturbing Seonghwa's calm presence.

"What?"

"Aera," Hongjoong began. "What a troublemaker she is."

A small smile grew upon Seonghwa's face. "Yeah." He was reminiscing memories of her past adventures.

"She's really curious."

"Mhm." Seonghwa shut his eyes again, seeing their daughter for the first time again. And Hongjoong did too.

"I remember when we first told the members...." Seonghwa sighed. "It was chaos."

Hongjoong grinned. "They all wanted to be the favorite uncle."

"And when we found out she was a girl?"

"I promised she would be my princess, and I would treat her that way forever," Hongjoong whispered. "Our princess."

"Our baby," Seonghwa mumbled in agreement.

"Boo!"

"Hongjoong, I can already hear her voice."

"Seonghwa."

Tap, tap, tap.

"And her little pink shoes my mom bought for her birthday."

"Babe..."

"What?"

"Dada?"

Seonghwa immediately trapped Aera in a crushing hug, pulling her up to the couch so both of them could hold her. He didn't even notice his tears of joy until they flowed past his cheeks.

"Dada..." Aera grumbled.

"Seonghwa, you're squeezing-"

"No."

Aera giggled as Hongjoong nuzzled his nose into her neck, tickling and teasing her.

As everyone returned to the room, they witnessed the small family together, relieved and wholesome. Seonghwa held onto his daughter, and Hongjoong had them both.

"I was so worried, Aera... Don't run away like that again," the omega scolded.

"But, but... choco!" Aera held up the messy chocolate bar in her hand. Her parents smiled.

Hongjoong ruffled her hair. "Still."

"Mm." Aera struggled up to hug Hongjoong's neck and plaster a kiss on his cheek. Then he did the same for Seonghwa. "I love you."

"We love you too, Aera."

Then Yunho broke out in laughter. "Guys..."

"What?"

Jongho blurted it before anyone could hide it. "You have chocolate-" he motioned at his cheek.

Aera was attacked with tickling and kisses from her two loving parents, sweet laughter echoing throughout the waiting room.