(Y/N) POV:

Waking brings a deep inner content, the same warm pulse of love that matches the unrushed, calmed pulse of my heart, to wake curled against Tae. Body pressed to his. A hand cradling me to him, sprawled loose against the curve of my waist, settled there with an intimate familiarity—a rightness that no other touch will ever bring now.

Waking brings with it the raw tingle to my throat, the faint hoarseness to my voice before I even use it... and the slight soreness to my eyes.

A reminder that draws me back into awareness, into conscious realisation quickly. Awakening is always slow and unrushed and languid. The lazy stretch of limbs across the sheets, hand stretching out to find the source of warmth that keeps the blankets warm, usually pressed to me, sometimes sprawled loose across the mattress.

This time awakening doesn't let me to rest my eyes for too long on the unruly brush of curls covering Tae's eyes, nor the way his breaths deep and even are undisturbed, cheek smooshed against the pillow, the strong curved definition of his arm... this morning doesn't allow for the indulgence to wake him slowly.

Rather a silence sinks, settles. Mind slowly processing, fingers flitting up to my own lips in question whether they had uttered what now remain in my head, loud and clear. Louder than the hushed, quiet admission of truth disguised and cloaked with the protection the night offered.

That allowed his expression to be disguised and hidden enough that should my heart have sunk he'd have no more seen the way my face betrayed me than I did to be confronted with the bold intensity of his stare as I admitted my heart's deepest desire.

I linger, hesitant... wondering whether to remain in the embrace of his touch...debating whether I could slip away without him realising when his voice, heavy and raspy. Thick with sleep rumbles.

"I can feel you staring darling."

I startle, not expecting him to be awake. Hand drifting to brush away curls from his face, heart achingly fond for the press of lips chasing the tips of my fingers, down my palm, to the inside of my wrist, fingers curling around my forearm.

"How long have you been awake?"

"Longer than you."

"Pretended to be asleep so you could enjoy your wife's admiration of you?" I lightly tease.

His breath is warm against my skin, a shudder wracking my body at the brush of his lips slower against the inside of my wrist, lips lingering there.

"Maybe."

"Or maybe..." I prompt, finding the barest flicker of guilt in his eyes. Far too alert and awake for him to only have woken just mere minutes before me.

"Maybe I woke wondering if—"

"If... if last night... if it happened?" I hedge carefully.

His eyes fluttering as he nods, tilting his face to my hand, mouthing gently at my wrist, pressing soft, slow tender kisses to the slither of skin. Thumbing at where my veins are faintly visible.

"We should talk about it." He adds a few long minutes later, voice both hopeful and encouraging but also tinged with a bit of apprehension.

There's almost something soothing about the fact he's facing the same turmoil as me, that his words make my insides tighten, stomach churning with nerves but momentarily soothed... somewhat by the realisation that this matters just as much to him. That we're not shutting this away.

That we're going to talk about it... even if the nerves return ten-fold, stronger than when I'd dared utter the words last night.

It takes a long tense silence, anticipation clawing at the two of us until I slowly draw myself up.

Body turning to slip out of bed, his hand barely brushing against my arm, a soft low murmur of my name.

"(Y/N)..."

"I'll get some tea ready..."

"Honey we can talk here—"

But I need a few minutes, I need a brief slither of time no matter how minute to compose myself, to steel myself for the worst, for morning to turn night on it's head, for it to turn the hope last night brought to disappointment under the clarity of light.

"I just—I'll be in the kitchen Tae. Take your time." Feet hastening to quicken my steps, smoothening over my nightgown, unable to help myself from turning back to face him as I reach the doorway.

Praying...pleading that everything works out.

The flash of uncertainty that lingers on his face smoothens out a bit when our eyes meet.

Silently placating and reassuring one another... the deep shuddered breath echoing the shakiness I can feel.

"I'll be right behind you." he murmurs.

Already moving to push the blankets away, already half-rising from the bed.

The sense of urgency isn't rushed regardless.

But the knowledge he's right there, right behind me... brings a comfort I clutch onto, nodding as I slip past the doorway, already hearing his treads as he moves around the room.

I steel my breaths, drawing in a deep gulp of air, feeling it rattle as I move towards the stairs.

We'll be okay.

Even if it doesn't work out... we'll be okay.

------------------

There's an uncharacteristic nervousness that thrums between the two of us. And when everything we've ever known, ever shared has been so easy, so fluid I almost can't stand the flutter of nerves that makes butterflies swarm my stomach.

I can't hide the tremor in my hands as I draw the whistling kettle off the stove, hands shaking as I carefully draw the kettle away, pouring steaming water into the open teapot, consciously aware of the eyes tracking my every movement, eyes trained to my back, intense and worrisome and the energy pouring off Tae just as restless and fidgety.

"(Y/N)... sweetheart come sit down." Voice imploring and quiet.

Hushed.

Wavering a bit.

It tears at me to hear the uncertainty in his voice, fingers fumbling to set the lid on the teapot. Drawing the tray with me as I walk over to him, heart catching in my throat when he for one instant doesn't let me sink into the seat opposite him, the moment the tray is set down, his hands snag me. Hand curling around my wrist and his other arm snaking around my waist to tug me back against him.

Breaths shaky as he burrows his head against my nape, voice hoarse and low, trembling with emotion.

"Tae honey—" I begin, voice quiet and hushed, almost fearful to broach the words that slipped out last night, that slipped out with the lack of filter sleep and want, and longing had chipped away. Had let dissolve.

But even so the same walled barriers aren't up, the same hesitations and apprehension is.

Rather the bubbling nerves of confronting the truths we'd admitted the night before, now to be spoken again, to be admitted with no darkness to shroud and provide courage to speak the words I'd felt clawing at me, had bubbled to the tip of my tongue over and over but futilely I'd swallowed down.

Tae's lips tremble as he presses slow, lingering kisses to my nape.

A soft wavering huff of quiet, shaky laughter.

"Is it bad I'm still scared? Is it bad I feel I'm terrified I dreamt last night?"

But his words despite wavering with terror, with crippling fear, a part of me feels a relief in knowing that his feelings aren't different to my own, that his turmoil is the same anguish that's been clawing at me despite waking feeling an inner relief and contentment that I hadn't entirely been feeling for quite a while. Since the topic, the hope and wish of a baby became a possibility, a desire that at some point we both started harbouring but never...never quite got the courage to talk about.

I turn in the loose cradle of his arm, turning to face him, drawing the curved tilt of his face upwards, coax his face up, heart clenching and lungs constricting painfully at the sight of red-rimmed eyes, of an ache that's felt so deeply that it brims over, makes his eyes so open and vulnerable. Head tilting to me as I cradle his cheeks, lips pressing a slow kiss to his forehead, head resting to his.

"Not bad... never bad to be scared. Not bad to wonder if our hearts conjured what we couldn't say..."

But with his words I realise it wasn't a figment of a brief, sweetly promising dream.

Whatever transpired last night was real. Every word he said was real.

Every word I mustered to say was real.

And I don't know whether sleep gave way to admitting the rawest part of myself or an unconscious awareness that both of us, with hearts full and aching, had no more restraint to hold back the deepest, almost darkest wish that we buried deep. Words I couldn't bring myself to say before last night. Until... until I did.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart... I'm so, so sorry (Y/N)... the last thing I ever wanted... I never wanted to burden you with it. I thought it would be...that maybe it'd be better if I kept it all in."

A raw ache in his words, emotion that spills out unguarded and freely, voice hoarse as if he's been screaming these words inside for who knows how long... and now that he gets to say it his voice wavers with how tightly he's contained those words. Suffocated and stifled them within himself.

The very tremble of his apology, hushed and broken, strikes at me, chips away at every fragile shred of strength I'd gathered as we'd decided to talk. To not let last night linger unspoken and undiscussed over the two of us.

My hands cradle him closer, nose gently nudging to his, lips a hairsbreadth apart, words hushed and low, reverent and afraid both. Terrified that we could've kept this all bottled in for so much longer, that the same fears and doubts I had he also had. And we kept our silence for each other's sake.

"We're so stupid Tae. I... I saw how happy you were talking about Ji Woo but... but I never wanted to say I wanted to try, that I would love to have a child with you, a baby of our own... I was too scared that I'd pressure you for something we agreed we might never want in forever." Breath hitching when his hand tightens around my waist, tugging me closer, when my name is a low gravelly prayer on his lips.

"So stupid." He echoes with a breathlessness.

"So, so stupid. Because... because a part of me wanted you to say... wanted you to want as much as I was. I never wanted my wish to pressurise you. To burden you."

Hand slipping from my wrist upwards, drifting across the curve of my arm to cradle my cheek, angling my face to his.

The sight of him wavers briefly. Blurring.

"And I was scared of hurting you."

Scared of being hurt in turn too.

"Scared of wishing and it only backfiring." I add, lips briefly, fleetingly brushing against his.

The handle that cradles my cheek brushes against my jaw, against the curve of my ear before fingers gently slip to card through unbound hair, cradling the back of my head, settling against my nape.

A fervent wish and understanding burning in his eyes. Scouring away at any more misunderstanding and uncertainty. Only fierce, fierce emotion burning in the dark flames of his gaze.

"But I'll say what I feared. What I no longer fear in saying, in admitting. Kim (Y/N)... my lady, my love, my wife, my jewel, I want to have a baby with you. I want a baby of our own. I want to have a little one in our family."

Hand cradling me closer, nose nudging to mine, a soft breath that's wavery and trembles with the weight of our shared wish.

"I want... I want nothing more Tae. I want... I want to have a baby with you. I want... I want to have a baby to call our own." Words hushed, his lips bruising and harsh against my own. Unforgiving with the fever of his mouth branding my own, melding his lips to mine with a scorching intensity that scours at the ache that'd settled inside.

Burns away any fear and doubt left in my mind that Tae wants anything different to me, my hands cradling him closer, lips parting for the sweep of his tongue demanding entrance, mouth going lax with a soft groan, fingers sinking into curls and tugging, eyes stinging and prickling, breaths shuddered against him. The assuredness of his hand cradling the back of my head, of his hand brushing up and down the low of my gap, the heat of his touch seeping past the thin fabric, as he tugs me closer, kissing me deeply, fervently as if he can't stand a moment longer to wait without laying claim to the growing laxness of my lips, tongue chasing his.

"A baby... a baby of our own?" words tinged with an awe, a low reverberating rumble in his words, in the breathless joy murmured against my lips before his teeth tug my bottom lip between them, a sharp flicker of a sting that his tongue soothes away, groaning wetly into the heat of my mouth.

"Our baby." I echo, lips chasing his, body tilting closer to his, shifting to wind my arms around him, a breathless tremble to my lungs, to every shuddered exhale, lips feeling swollen and bruised with how harsh and merciless the pressure of his lips are against my own.

"Sorry I never said, sorry I was afraid­—" the sharper sting of his kiss silences every apology, every word, tongue and teeth and lips saying whatever we couldn't dare utter until everything finally crumbled away.

His kiss is fierce and sharp and burns with the knowledge, with the unspoken understanding that he knows, he knows... he understands... and this fear, this nervousness isn't with the thought of having a child but the thrumming pulse of anticipation and excitement and the newly found realisation that this... this may be the next chapter of our lives. The next step of our happiness together. Something we both want. Long for.

Hand dragging from the low of my back upwards, the hand entangled in my hair tugging me closer, sharp staccato breaths muffled against me, the low rumble of his groan against my tongue surrendering and pleading both. Demanding and giving.

My teeth sink in softer against his bottom lip, softer nips, kisses turning slower, languid and indulgent. Lips lazy and unrushed against one another, trying to calm the racing of our hearts, the flick of my tongue against his slower. Sweeping into the crevices of my mouth, staking claim with a slow, thorough dizzying intensity that makes my head swim, breath caught in my lungs. Hair silken curls under my touch, ruining them to further disarray, still rumpled from bed, clothes still rumpled from sleep, dishevelled.

There's a small tentative smile curving at his swollen lips when we draw back for breath, lungs trembling, a smile that brims with hopefulness, stretching wide across his face, a familiar boxy smile that causes the familiar lurch of my heart skipping a few beats, eyes shiny and brimming with giddiness. Hand still settled over my nape, drawing me closer to press fleeting, butterfly kisses to lips that feel seared with the shape of his against my own.

Smiling, curved lips pressed to my own, a stinging tell to my eyes, that mirror the glossiness of his own, tilting to the touch of his hand against my cheek, thumbing at tears I don't even realise have welled up at the sight of sheer exultation on his face. Don't realise how much I needed to hear the words until they've been murmured time and time again against my lips, murmured between kisses, pressed to the curve of my mouth with his own.

Don't realise how light I feel until the weighted burden of silently being stifled with my ache has been removed. And all I can feel is a light airiness that makes me feel like I can breathe. Lungs raw and heart overwhelmingly full.

"Don't cry baby—" words hushed and pleading, the tenderness in his voice makes the sight of him blur, trying to swallow past the lump of emotion, of finality sinking in, the dizzy rush of exhilaration melding into something fragile and raw and bared entirely to him.

"I love you Tae... I love you so much. I can't wait to have a family with you. I love you." I murmur, lips pressing to his between each word, pressing every fervent vow into the softening curve of his mouth, lips bruised and swollen and tingling where his press back firmer, a desperation and gentleness in the soft kisses.

"I love you (Y/N)... and having a family with you will be my greatest happiness."

A tear and laugh hiccups past my lips, entangled together.

Not still quite able to believe it, the truth yet to sink in.

"We're going to try to be parents?"

"I will invest my all in being thorough in trying." He vows, words serious, eyes glittering with both emotion and sincerity. Heat. Burning, scalding heat.

A curl of mischief at the corner of his lips, the thrum of anticipation and nervousness and electric desire and want so strong I can taste it against his lips, against the curl of his tongue.

Fingers gentle against my cheeks, cradling me to him.

"Another vow?" I laugh, though the sound wavers and my breath hitches, cheeks still streaked with tears that his fingers brush against, trying to catch them, nose nudging mine gently.

"A vow. A promise. An oath." Words serious.

"For our family?"

"For us. Because... because we deserve happiness. And I want to give our child every happiness we never had."

"Because we deserve this. We deserve to try."

"And you (Y/N)... you deserve the world. And I will spend every breath devoting it to you. Every second doing anything and everything that makes you smile. So don't cry sweetheart." He implores.

My lips chase his, slick against his, stained with the tang of tears.

There's an impossibility in how fervently he tries to cradle me closer, tighter against him, impossible to be so overwhelmingly more in love with him.

It's impossible to fall so much more deeply in love that it feels as if every breath my lungs take, every beat my heart makes, every single instant I'm alive, it's all the more so vivid, it's all the more so his.

"You're going to make a spoiled woman of me my darling rogue. My sweet, sweet Tae."

"That's all I intend to spend my life doing my jewel. My (Y/N)."

­---------------------

There's surprise. Then overwhelming emotion and brimming joy shining in soft brown eyes. Hands tugging me to close to cradle me in a fiercely tight hug, body large and protective and wounding around mine. Tucking me to his chest.

Lips pressing kisses to my temple, a soft shakiness to his breath once he draws back, appraising me with warm, warm eyes.

So tender and so full of love and affection.

Eyes drifting from me to Tae, arm held out to extend the hug, deep dimpled grooves that grace his face, gently tilting his head to Tae.

"Do you treat every customer like this Namjoon-ah?" Tae asks with an unmistakeable fondness.

"Just the ones that are family." He answers without missing a beat, deep dimpled smile fond and affectionate.

Tender as he gives Tae's shoulder a squeeze, arm slipping away to curl towards me, eyes appraising me.

Hand gentle as it winds around my waist, tucking me back against him, briefly cherishing that moment where I'm encased in his arms, a protective embrace that's almost just as squeezing as Mimi's.

"Minnie's going to riot." He murmurs with a soft huff of laughter, though his dimples deepen further at the knowledge of being told before Mimi.

"I thought he'd be here." I laugh.

"He was still sleeping when I left."

"He's going to say I should've woken him for this."

"He's going to raise hell sweetheart."

"There is the option of keeping a secret for a while. I almost fear how invested Minnie will be in our sex life if he finds out we're trying for a baby."

"You will need the contraception to work its way out your system... you've been on daily protection for quite some time..."

"We have no problem to start practicing without contraceptives." Tae drawls, words low and playful, eyes glittering as he peers past Joon's shoulder to me, lips curved with wicked delight.

"I don't doubt that... it'll just take some time to chart when they've worn off. You're due for your cycle soon aren't you?"

There's a narrowing of eyes from behind Joon and a poke to the side of his arm, lips twisting slightly.

"And you should know that because?"

"I've been her medic for years. Minnie seems to go through something whenever she's on a cycle. He practically lives in bed those days—"

Joon's eyes sparkle with laughter and fondness.

"A creature of habit still I see. He used to spend every cycle with me in bed. Sharing my woes, lessening my burdens with wine and a hamper."

"Is that why he spends some cycles drunk?" Tae asks with bemusement. He's seen Minnie curled up in bed beside me, stealing the space on the rare occasion Tae hasn't spent the days with me, curled together. It's become less of a habit, less frequent.

But it still happens.

"He likes to keep me emotional company." I defend with a laugh.

"I thought that's what we did." Tae's lips curve into a pout, jutting at the thought of him joining a tradition rather than the habit being solely limited to the two of us.

"You give back rubs better than Mimi." I confide with a hush, watching his lips stretch into a boxy smile, pleased as his eyes crinkle slightly, humming contentedly.

The matter settled for now.

"But I make better heat packs." Joon refutes, a competitiveness in the raise of his brows as he stares at Tae that makes laughs bubble out.

A fondness for the men who've been part of my life for so long. For my family who love and take care of me just as fiercely as they've always done if not more.

"And I was hoping... that, that you'd be my doctor if... when I'm expecting."

Joon's face softens, a tenderness in his eyes contradicted by the deep grooves and the wide stretch of his lips as he leads the way to the back of his shop.

"It'd be my greatest honour sweetheart. Not that I'd accept any other person taking my right from me."

Arm still curved around me as he steers me towards the table, drawing the seat out for me before gesturing to the adjacent one with his head for Tae.

A dimpled grin at the small show Tae makes of not having his seat held out for him.

"Not a gent for other men?"

"Just for my own."

"So devoted." I murmur with a smile, watching as Joon rifles through drawers to procure an unused notebook, part amused, greater parts touched with how intently he plans on attending to helping.

Filling out details that he already knows, eyes flitting over the two of us.

A permanent smile gracing his face. Settled there from the moment we'd told him.

"So it's unlikely conception is successful by your next cycle, sometimes medications take longer to wear off." He begins, voice low and soft.

Gentle.

A hand reaches across to take mine, knee nudging against mine before fingers entangle with my own, squeezing tightly.

"It could take time." I nod.

Years of building up contraception by habit, by frequent practice... years of necessity then years of choice... I don't doubt it might take a while.

But the fluttering thought of one day not getting my cycle, of realising that we may be expecting... that nervous thrum of excitement is silently expressed by my hand squeezing Tae's. Tight and grounding. Equal parts nervous and excited.

"But then again every body is different. You don't have medical conditions and you've both got a clean bill of health... who knows. You two are always surprising everyone."

"So it's my greatest pleasure in saying we won't be funding your business for a while."

A soft scoff, an amused curl plays at Joon's lips.

"Whilst your thorough use of contraceptives have always been a boost, I assure you Kim my business doesn't rely entirely on your active sex lives."

"It'll be money well spent elsewhere." I laugh, fingers brushing over Tae's wedding band, thumbing over the smooth metal, fiddling with other rings layered over slender fingers that grasp at my own, finding reassurance and grounding comfort in the familiarity of his hand, of his touch. The gentle nudge of his foot against mine. Understanding. Knowing.

"But apart from being here for the health support (Y/N)... I'm always going to be here as family first... you know that right? That if it ever gets too much... for either of you...there's never judgement, there's never anything except an open door to our house."

Eyes tender. Overwhelmingly full.

That his home and his heart is always open.

Always there for us.

Hand reaching out towards me, squeezing gently when I slide my palm into his, drawing it upto his lips for a soft, chaste kiss. Eyes warm and watching.

Proud.

"The two of you have come far you know... in both your lives to come together to stand at this point. To want a child of your own."

Different courses of life that at some point overlapped and intertwined. And from our own pains, our own pasts we've reached a present where both of us are not only happy, but the two of us live together forging our own path forward.

Where we've grown and healed past the cards fate has dealt us.

Now we craft and forge our own luck, our own happiness, and with Tae's hand tightly entangled with mine, with the press of his ring, warm against my skin, and the brimming excited anticipation I feel reflected back at me in his soft eyes, I know that whatever going forward we have... it's ours.

The ups and downs, the happiness.

It's ours.

"I don't think I ever could imagine such a life awaiting me. I don't think such a happiness, such a dream would await me had it ever been anyone but you sweetheart." Tae's lips brush against the curve of my ear, words low and hushed.

Reverent.

My head tilts to him, feel the press of his lips against my ear, against my hair.

"My happiness is you Tae."

"My life is yours my love."

-------------------

"I do believe this is what it feels to be cheated on." Mimi declares, eyes dark and glittering and full lips thinned with displeasure, haughty expression greeting me as I take a seat at the table. His displeasure doesn't stop him from reaching over for the chair I've sat in, tugging it towards his. A marked distance from the seat Tae has just occupied on my other end.

It's now I notice Joon sits opposite him, barely hiding the dimpled smile as he raises a glass to us in mock commiseration, for the words to be unleashed onto the two of us.

"Who cheated you?"

"You! My very own heart and soul turned to stab me in the back!"

Eyes flashing with indignation, the scowl twisting his pretty lips affronted as he reaches for the decanter to pour himself another drink.

But still the close tilt of his body advances, crowding against me, his free hand winding to rest against the back of my chair, leaning into me until his nose nudges against mine and the full force of the glittering depths of his eyes confront me.

This close I can almost taste the wine he's been indulging in, can feel the shudder of his breath, a hand catching the sloshing glass before it can topple over my lap.

Gently drawing it from his grasp.

He lets his hold on the glass go, hand reaching for my cheek instead.

Touch so gentle and tender despite the fire flickering in his eyes.

Words murmured hushed and low but there's no doubt everyone else seated at the table hears.

"To learn from Joon that there's a yummy secret I'm not yet privy to... we're the scandal together (Y/N)... how could you betray me and tell Namjoon first?"

Lips twisting into a discontent pout, though he tilts close to me, head gently nudging against mine, forehead resting to the side of my head, leaning into me as I reach out a hand for him, thumbing along the high of his cheekbone, delicate lashes fluttering.

"I thought you'd be at the apothecary."

"And when I wasn't...why didn't you come to bed to wake me?" a soft whine tinging his words.

I let out a soft laugh, tilting my face to press a kiss to the tip of his nose, smiling when he reciprocates immediately, gently brushing his nose to mine, a tender, tactile touch.

Eyes imploringly wide and watching.

Waiting for an answer.

"In all honesty Minnie we wanted you to be the first to know." Tae murmurs, laughter lacing his words, his defence falling short when Mimi's eyes trail past to flash a scowl at him.

"Liar! Your pretty looks only keep my love wooed. Not me. Don't try deceive me." The curve of his pout deepening, the sight tugging at me.

A forlorn ache flitting through me, fingers trailing across the curve of his cheek to gently press my finger to his lips.

Heart warming at the soft kiss he presses to the pad of my finger.

Nuzzling closer.

"Trust me my love... my sweet Mimi... you shall get all the sordid details." I bargain with a smile.

Lips quirking at the small hmmph he makes as he draws back the slightest fraction, eyes glittering dangerously.

"That's my right. And I know before anyone else. I know all the dirty details first."

"Only you want to know." Yoongi's voice is dryly amused, carefully setting down a casserole dish at the centre of the table, gummy smile curved with amusement, softening as he looks to the two of us.

"Are you always the late-comers?" brows raised.

"That's on Tae. He's never been good for time all our lives." Kook laughs, nudging Yoongi aside with a bump to his hip, steering past him as he sets down large jugs of ale. Grin toothy and wide, the two of them retaking their seats around the table, both Hobi and Jin still yet to appear.

"A bad influence on you then (Y/N)?" Yoongi asks.

"The worst. He's corrupting my angel... helping her keep secrets from me." Tugging my chair closer, leaning further into me.

Cheek resting against my shoulder, squished against the curve of my shoulder, my hand reaching to cradle him closer.

"We can't have that, why haven't you whisked her away yet?" Hobi says, voice loud and cheery, eyes bright with laughter at the twist of Tae's lips, the almost petulance in his expression.

"Because she's mine." The tug of Tae's chair closer to my own, the way his hand settles over my leg, possessive and sprawling.

In silence, Mimi takes my other hand, tucking it between both of his, settled on his lap, voice morose and dejected.

"To find grand plans from my love who doesn't relish in gossip but relished in this piece of news." Dismayed, eyes drifting to appraise Joon on the opposite end of the table, a soft huff as he curls further against me.

"You can't blame me..." Joon laughs, refuting the words, refusing to be drawn into the air of woe and dismay that makes Minnie droop into me, nuzzling against my shoulder.

"What is the blame for?" Jin asks, settling beside Hobi.

There's no head of the table at these family dinners. There's never a head to a table that's clustered with food and laughter, with warmth and with love.

There's no space solely designated for each person.

There's only family at this table, at the home Jin and Hobi have made for themselves.

I don't know what the Kim estate was like. No idea how the two brothers were raised... I have no idea of the homes that mean familial love... I only know the family we have now and the newly brimming hope, fizzy and electric, for the addition Tae and I want to bring to this close-knit family we have chosen and created together, the eight of us.

"Mimi hasn't taken well to the news that..." Tae begins with a teasing, slowly drawled lilt. Toying with the attention his words garner.

Watches as he rivets everyone's interest, chatter dwindling and eyes focusing, sharp and alert with curiosity.

The weighted pause almost makes them bristle with impatience and curiosity.

"He wasn't the first to know... and it's still a new decision. Still early stages... but... but we're... we want to have a baby." I share, the words hanging suspended in the air. Fragile and delicate.

The words are hushed and quiet, as if voicing it too sudden, too soon might make me realise that this too is a fragment of a beautifully tormenting dream. Words quiet because suddenly the attention thickens as does the silent.

Mimi's hands cradling mine, drawing it up to his lips to press a soft, lingering kiss to my knuckles. A faint dampness that I can feel press to the curve of my neck, the tremble of lips against my jaw, soft and trembling.

And then the table bursts into a wild rush of motion and movement.

A rush of noise and exclamations, the almost deafening, disorientation of chairs being pushed away, of rushing steps, suddenly lost in the rush of it all, in the sudden explosion of movement and sound.

The words, delicate and new, don't shatter under the force of giddiness that brims over and spills out, it's cradled and cherished within them.

Suddenly overwhelmed, lost in the fog of noise that I don't quite know how I manage to process it, how to distinguish them from the way my senses blur.

Don't immediately realise the crushing feeling of my lungs tight and constrained is because of how tightly I'm encased in a hug, arms slowly winding around to draw Jin closer, smiling against his shoulder, eyes stinging at the sheer love and joy in their eyes.

Eyes finding Tae's, proud and gleaming, shiny with giddy emotion. See the proud curve to his lips as he raises his glass in toast to me, holding my eyes, rooting my gaze to him even as I curl into Jinnie's embrace, feeling my heart pound and thud wild and unrestrained with the constant tumult of emotions whirling together.

Feel Jin's arms protective and large and safe encasing me within them before Mimi draws me back, arms winding around my waist, holding me from behind, lips pressing to the shell of my ear, fleeting butterfly kisses in quick succession, each press of his lips accompanied with a trembling shudder of breath, the soft hitch of his murmured words prompts me to turn in the circle of his arms.

There's no more feigned discontent at not being the first. There's nothing but sheer joy and acceptance of my words.

Eyes glittering with tears and lips stretched so wide it almost aches to see the full unrestrained force of his pride and joy in his eyes, hand drifting up to cradle the back of my head, drawing me closer to him, words shaky and raw.

"My love... you deserve this. And nothing... nothing makes me happier to see you heal more and more." words hushed and solely for me to hear.

"We're still scared." I admit, hands cradling his cheeks, drawing him closer, our bodies entangled and drawn into a closer embrace.

"And you're human sweetheart. You're human for growing, for changing, for wanting. You'll be human no matter how long or short the journey to becoming parents will be."

An echo of Joon's words somewhere in his own, the two of them so close, so attuned, so in sync, their minds and hearts are too.

"You'll be all the more human when you come to us for tonics because your body will need rest from all the thorough practice I'm sure you'll both be eager to get in." he teases with a wry laugh, the sound hiccup and the tease lighter than he intends.

My hands cradle him closer, foreheads touching, breathing in the same ragged sparsity of air.

A laugh bubbling out, a whirlwind of emotions tugging at me from all ends.

A giddiness at how happy they all are for the two of us, body stirred to movement as Mimi takes small steps forward, prompting my own backwards, drawing me... leading me back to a familiar pair of arms that curve around me from behind. Drawing me onto his lap. Kneeling down in front of me, hands clasping mine, soft peppered kisses against my palms, leaning back as he draws up to crowd against me.

Glittery, teary eyes shining as Mimi looks at me.

"You're the luckiest man alive to have (Y/N), Tae."

"I know." The words soft, lips against my hair.

One hand reaches to clasp at the arms encircling me, the other gently cradling Mimi's cheek.

The two loves of my life.

So alike and so different.

Two sides of the same coin yet not.

Not cut from the same cloth yet a striking similarity in how fiercely they love, in how in their own ways they are the centre of my orbit and I to theirs.

"And if you should become expecting parents then that baby will be the blessed one. To have two parents who will love them so fiercely and devotedly. That baby will be blessed. And we will have a small addition to our family."

Our family.

Without hesitation. Without question.

And Mimi's eyes shine with knowledge, with knowing full well how much my heart desired, how much I wished and yearned all the time I was unable to say. He knows... he knows just how long the wish has bloomed, how long the yearning has built...

And yet that same look of knowledge and tenderness... that same curved approving smile, the glittering I told you so, is directed towards Tae too.

And there's a fierce friendship and support in the way he reaches to squeeze Tae's hand as he draws back, reaching for the decanter, filling my glass first and topping up everyone else's.

A glowing radiance to his face.

Sparkling with tears and widely curved pinkened lips.

He waits until our small cluster, our family all in orbit of one another, no longer separated by the dinner table but rather gathered close to one another... all of them near, all of them raising their glass towards me and Tae.

And Mimi's toast, his words are cheery and proud and smug. And wildly full of mischief.

"To the wild sex that procreating will bring the love of my life and her love. To the future of catching them be risqué in all possible places. To the absolute pleasure the two will have in trying long past it taking. And to me... for being the silent sufferer wanting nothing more than to share their secrets to one another."

And with the conclusion to his toast I realise he wasn't just my confidante... he was Tae's too.

The brush of lips against the shell of my ear is accompanied with the teasing scrape of teeth, the low rasp of words meant only for my ears.

"We have a lot of scandalous expectations to live upto." The grin pressed to skin, pressed behind my ear, the teasing flick of his tongue as the touch elicits a shiver.

"I'd expect nothing less from my rogue... the question is—can you keep up with me?"

And his low rumbled laugh is deep sinful promise and affirmation.

All the confirmation he needs to give me.

------------------

It's not an explicitly said thing. But both of us reach an unspoken understanding after my first cycle passes without contraception, without any medicine tampering with my hormones... that... that at some point when we have sex... it'll be with the knowledge, that possibility that it won't just be pleasure. It'll be weighted. It'll be trying for a baby.

It's not a pinpointed date that can exactly label the moment my body should be prepared for the possibility, unhindered with the contraceptives in my system. It's not a moment narrowed down to a single, sole instant when the world teeters on its axis, drifts out of its orbit into another... it's a shift that's not distinguishable by sight, by sense.

It's unspoken understanding, an almost nervousness in giddy anticipation, a flicker of excitement reflected in dark eyes, hands guiding him back to bed, small, unrushed steps back towards the large four-poster bed, a spike in my pulse that I'm so certain he can somehow feel, can somehow sense with how his hands squeeze mine. Never once hastening my pace, a slow raking intensity to his stare slowly dragging over my body.

"Taking me to bed Lady Kim?"

"If my lord would do the honour of ridding me of mine." I murmur with a coy lilt to my lips, watching the flicker of amused mischief flash in his eyes, letting my hands guide him further and further into the room but it's him who stills me before we reach the bed, before I can sink back against the sheets and guide his body to follow.

Drawing his hands out of my hold so his in turn cradle mine, wrapped around mine as he draws me closer, head tilting to mine, lips pressing to my hair, to my forehead. Breathing slow and deep.

"Will you give me the true honour of trying to have a child with you?" voice divested of the playfulness, a more serious low huskiness to his voice, eyes earnest and dark.

My hands move to wind around his neck, drawing him closer, though he leans further into me without encouragement, curling closer to me, kissing the tip of my nose.

Head ducking to steal a kiss from my lips.

"Yes. If you remember how much of a gift it is for both of us. And that whatever happens—you are always my first and forever treasure. My love."

His hands move to cradle my cheeks, kisses short and sweet, murmuring softly to me, words hushed and reverent, eyes shining with love.

"And you mine. The only jewel of my life. My forever treasure."

There's wavering emotion in his eyes and pure, unadulterated devotion as he draws back, fingers hovering over the front laces before my hand takes his, guiding it to my front. Every touch slow and measured, careful somehow as he draws layer upon layer off, taking the time to recommit me to his memory, to his sight, drinking me in with a slow aching intensity that makes my heart feel full and overflowing with tenderness and love for the man in front of me.

For my husband.

And when my hands move to guide him, he shakes his head, curls brushing his jaw, a softness to the curve of his lips.

"Please... let me." Words hushed.

Hands only fleetingly skimming over me until I reach for him finally, draw myself closer to him and feel his hands skim over the curve of my back, a lingering drag of his palms, warm against my body, tugging me closer.

"You're so beautiful sweetheart."

My throat tightens with emotion, with the emotion glittering in his eyes as he tilts his head to mine, lips hovering a hairsbreadth apart, that aching tension that simmers between us, thick and palpable until his lips ghost along mine, my own surging upwards with an impatient sound. Slotting my mouth to his with soft pleading urgency.

"You don't need to charm the smitten."

"I do need to spend every moment of my life making sure you know just how loved you are. Just how much I fall day by day, how much I revere you."

"Tae..."

"And above all—this chance, this joy is a gift we may have you'll bear for us... and I don't think words will ever say how much that means."

There's a thrum of pressure that briefly flits through me, at the weighted expectations we have, at how simultaneously fragile and heavy our dream is.

But whatever uncertainty flashes across my features, he catches them before they can be hidden, expression, heart, body and soul all unguarded for him. All bare.

"You won't be disappointed however long it might take us?" I ask, words hushed and quiet, almost ashamed that I need the reassurance, that I need to ask when I trust him implicitly. Trust him wholly.

I need to silence that quiet apprehension before it blooms into something raw and ugly.

"If you think for one moment I won't enjoy every moment I'm with you... if you think the past few years of addiction have taught me nothing then let me tell you Kim (Y/N)... I am a gone, gone man for you. And a child is a gift to what we already have... don't ever feel a single moment, that every single try is not fruitful in itself. I get your pleasure after all. And I'm a starved man for it."

And there's nothing but pure, firm resolve and determination in his eyes and a firmness in the way his hand angles my face up to his, tugging me closer for another kiss, bruising and burning and branding the very air in my lungs as his. Nothing but pure want as his hands drag over the bare lines and curves of my body, tugging me further against him, my hands finding purchase on the looser clothes he's taken to wearing. The cuffs stained with paint, a reminder of how this all began. Hands tugging at his buttons, finding purchase on the slither of skin bared, his body warm and firm under my touch. Shuddering as I let my hand drag downwards, fingers fiddling with the buttons, leaning into the kiss even as my hands wander slowly in lazy exploration over his torso.

Though it's been years everything feels unchanged. And yet... yet time has brought some changes.

Taehyung was a man when I met him and yet it feels like the person that stands in front of me today, surrendering to the touches, eyes dark and glinting with appreciation, are even more so of a man.

He's filled out somehow. Even more so.

Broad and some... some of that softness lost to the muscles that shift under my touch, arms thicker and shoulders broader, an impossibly deeper huskiness to his voice that alone makes my body melt... putty under his touch, so receptive to his voice.

It's my Tae I map out to my touch, but the exploration never gets old because time brings small, subtle changes.

His abdomen tightens under my touch, clenching unconsciously with taut anticipation as my hand drifts to his breeches, not immediately moving to slip the tip of my fingers past the fitted waistband... toying with the laces. The slow tug as my fingers undo the ties, drawing him forward with little encouragement, hips rocking against mine.

Hands clasping at my hips, throaty rumble of words.

"Before a banquet?" I ask with tease bleeding into my voice.

"Nope. Starving for one person and one person alone." The words murmured against my skin, head curving to press lips to the curve of my shoulder, fingers tracing featherlight patterns into skin despite the firmer clasp of his hands tugging me forward, refusing a slither of distance between our bodies.

His intent to not let go leaves his shirt pushed further back, entangled messily around his arms, lips pressing a scattered row of kisses down his sternum, tasting his pulse under my lips.

"You have spoiled me with happiness far greater than I've ever imagined. Ever dreamed of."

But his hands coax me up, the broad sprawl of his hands dragging against my torso before his hand possessively sprawls over my breast.

The sight of jewelled fingers splayed across my curves, against the thud of my heartbeat that spikes under the propriety of his touch. Under the way his dark eyes hold mine, a glinting assessing sharpness, a curl to his lips that's both thrilling and provoking and piercing with knowledge.

With knowing full well how much my body already thrums with impatient wait, the sprawl of his hand a nudging, guiding weight that stays as I take the steps back towards the bed.

The back of my legs hitting the edge of the mattress, a sharp intake of breath at the way his hand remains, a nudge that prompts me to sink back, propping myself up on my arms, legs angled for him as I move backwards.

His body follows, immediately surging to crowd closer to me, arms propping himself up over me, a rakish curve to the smile on his lips. Something simultaneously gentle and mischievous about it. As if that same flicker of nervousness somewhere lingers in him too.

My hand brushes against his jaw, coaxing him closer to kiss him. Slowly reacquainting his lips to mine, tongue flicking at the seam of his mouth, a dizzy intoxication in the way he groans against my mouth, pleading entrance in the way he tilts his face to mine, deepening the kiss, hand gripping at curves, fingers deft as they circle my bud, head lowering to press wet open-mouthed kisses as he lowers himself down my body.

Delighting in the way my body reacts, back curving upwards, fingers grasping at his hair momentarily before dragging down his nape, clutching at the broad muscle of his shoulder.

"Then I still have a lifetime to go, to make sure you know you are every bit of deserving of every bit of happiness."

"We've... we've earnt it haven't we?" I murmur quietly.

Because sometimes feeling it isn't enough... sometimes asking, confirming that this happiness is ours, that it's here to stay.

Sometimes I need to hear it.

His lips press to the softness of my stomach, hands clasping at my waist loosely.

I have to prop myself up on my hands, peering down at the curls against my skin, the drag of lips lingering. The weighted depths of his gaze as he peers up at me, holding my eyes.

"We deserve it. We've earnt our happiness. And... we'll try... we'll try to create a happiness together." Words measured and slow, head dipping lower to press another kiss to my stomach.

"It almost feels like it's new to... to be like this with you. Even if—even if you know my body better than my own."

"And I entrust mine to yours. That—that we'll relearn, rediscover all over again what we know so deeply, so wholly."

The press of his lips slower, reverent as his hands keep the restless shift of my hips still, every sense feeling hyperaware of his every touch, of every sound, the soft quiet breaths that ghost along my skin, warm and content, the way his curls make my skin feel taut, as if every grazing, fleeting touch sparks the embers into a searing flame under my skin, slowly consuming me in its blaze.

There's a stinging prickliness to my eyes, a wavering trembling hitch of breath that has his head rising, body crowding against mine, cradling me to him, curved over me as I will my breaths to calm, shuddering and uneven.

"I love you Tae."

"And I love you (Y/N)... I love you baby. We'll take this at your pace. Always your pace."

I nod, the two of us sharing the same breaths, following the calming, constant thud of his heart, feeling more and more reassured, settled by his touch, by his presence.

"And yours... if you ever feel like it's too much we stop."

He nods, a tremble to the hand that cradles the back of my head, draws me closer to press chaste kisses to my lips.

"No rush. We have all the time in the world remember my love?"

"Forever." I whisper.

"Forever." He echoes against my lips, unrushed and indulgently slow to relearn me all over again. To make me fall apart all the more slowly.

Until everything I know is the way his name tastes torn from my lips.

-----------------

Tae's body slumps against mine, breaths ragged, sharp pants exhaled against the crook of my neck, against flushed skin, hands dragging up and down my sides, settled in the crook of my body, still sheathed inside me, legs locked around him.

Struggling to draw in air, breaths trembling, lips pressing a line of kisses from his temple, down his jaw, lips aching and bruised against his own swollen ones.

"You're so perfect my love. My jewel. Radiant with pleasure." He groans against me, hands skimming lower to drag across my thighs, smoothening over the trembling jolts I can still feel, body wracked with a dizzying rush of pleasure that makes every breath, every movement ache with further want of him.

"I don't know how thorough you intend to be... but I don't doubt it'll take long to take." I murmur, lips curving into a loosely, satiated smile, groaning softly at the pressure of lips trailing down between my breasts, slowly lathing attention to buds already stiff and achingly sore from stimulation, the barest scrape of teeth tugging out a broken sound from the depths of my chest.

"You're already breath-taking my love..." words rasped against my skin, his own limbs gleaming with exertion, curls damp under my touch. The slow flick of his tongue tasting the effort of hours long since passed between us, of our bodies slumped with exhaustion and a deeply satiated soreness.

"But when you're with child, when you're round and glowing—I don't dare think I could breathe easy seeing how much you—"

"Fatherhood will be an extremely attractive look on you Tae..."

"And motherhood on you will make me lose my senses." Voice aching, a low rasp that reverberates against my skin, lips quirking into a lazy smirk against my curves, the taunting drag of his fingers, the spark of stinging pleasure visceral when the sting of his nail dragging against a taut bud makes my back arch, pushing our already entangled bodies further closer to him. Hand clutching at his bicep, nails digging in tighter.

"So gorgeous." He murmurs, teeth against my curves, fingers working to tug out broken, stuttered shudders of breath, hips restlessly shifting, drawing him deeper as my legs around him tighten.

"Your words have a power and pleasure in themselves Tae..."

"You say that about a lot of things." He grins, lips pressing slow kisses to the scattered marks left behind, the combined stimulation of both his lips and fingers sparking strong flickers of arousal to pulse through my limbs.

Feeling his own hips rock further into me, keeping me full, an aching throb of pleasure when I can feel his other hand tighten at my waist.

"I appreciate every single thing... I appreciate the way your body knows mine, knows how to make me beg. I appreciate how readily you can fall apart for me too."

"Your appreciation is in turn much appreciated my lady." He teases, hips giving an experimental thrust, a slow deep grinding circle that makes my legs tighten, clenching around him. A sharp nip before he draws his face upwards. Curls brushing against my skin where they fall forward, tilting to the touch with a tenderness that is at odds with the curved smile, deep and appreciative. His hand drifting to settle against the low of my abdomen. The barest of pressure when the weight of his touch settles, another rocking grind deep that has molten arousal searing through me, core clenching.

"I do believe you said you were a man of action... won't you show just how much you appreciate it?"

I can already feel the way his body responds, can feel the way he draws back slightly, the slow drag of his body teasing... taunting before his hips give a sharp, deep thrust.

Can feel the primal, wild satisfaction in the thorough, grinding circle of hips burying himself deeper in me, see it in the blown-out intensity of his gaze, in the way my body draws his back to mine, feeling impossibly full, a different tautness in the combined grind of his hips rocking deeper and deeper and his hand weighing down. Pinning me. Somehow feeling deeper.

Swallowing the keening moan that slips past my lips, a heady mess of tongue and lips against my own, chasing the way my breath shudders at his doing.

"With pleasure Mrs. Kim."

------------------

Not every time is gentle, nor is every time a rushed, franticness fuelling the urgency in our bodies, in our movements.

Every time is somehow different in itself.

And yet... yet there's a familiarity in falling apart under each other's touches, in feeling the deft assuredness of hands tugging at layers, always impatient to shed them, always eager to divest them off me.

Hands hurried as they drag across my arms, curling around my upper arms, tugging me closer, lips pressing distracting kisses across the curve of my shoulder, trailing upwards, dragging slowly against my collarbones, teeth nipping, the faint flickers of the stinging sensation morphing into quickly bubbling pleasure, head tilting back to grant him access.

Inviting him closer, the low throaty groan against the crook of my neck, lips finding the slither of skin that has my body arching under his touch, body already entirely putty in his hands, surrendering to the touch of his grip, skimming from my arms to drag against the back of my dress.

"Take your dress off." Words murmured against the column of my throat, teeth nipping at my pulse point, breath hitching at the slow flick of his tongue. At the way his lips curve into a deepening smirk against my neck, hands distractingly roving over the curves of my body.

My hands fumbling to undo the buttons, tugging impatiently at the same stays and laces he's always frustrated with. Feeling that same impatience well up, back arching under his touch, his hand slowly dragging downwards, cupping my backside, tugging me against him, his own hips rocking forward.

A sharp hiss that bubbles past my lips, eyes fluttering at the sensation, lips continuing their distracting ascent from my throat to my jaw, nosing along skin, the hot pressure of tongue and teeth, mouth slotting over a slither of skin, teeth nipping harsher.

Tongue slowly lathing over the bite, the stinging sensation, smoothening it over, the slow sucks of his mouth sealing over the mark, hand cradling the side of my throat, angling my head for him, crowding against me, curls brushing against my jaw, silken under my touch as I grasp him closer. Fingers tightening before loosening.

Hands pushing him away for a fraction of a moment to breathe, head swimming with the onslaught of pleasure, with the way the presence of his lips linger even as he unwillingly lets his arms fall away, eyes already dark with lust and arousal, watching as I tug the laces open, hand pushing one sleeve free, then the other, letting the dress pool around my ankles.

Letting him watch, gaze rooted to the sight of the track my hands make of tugging off each layer, every layer falling away to bare more and more of me to him.

The low rasp of his breath trembling as my body stands bare before him.

But before he can slot his body to mine once more, before he can wind his arms around my bare body to draw me closer to him, my hand flits around to reach for the pins keeping my hair away from my face, watching the transfixed, sharpness of his expression as I draw them out. One after the other, letting them scatter to the floor, watch as he in turns watches... unable to tear his gaze away at the ghosting drag of my hand skimming from my throat to where the blooming pressure of his lips and teeth linger, the soft breathiness of my exhale as my fingers trail to where a pleasant ache throbs. Skimming over the mark he's left behind.

"I rather think it's unfair for me to be the only one undressed." I lilt, eyes dragging down his front, watching the harried nature of his hands tugging at the buttons of his shirt, drawing it out of its confine in belted breeches, body rippling with movement as he tugs it off his head. The warm tanned expanse of his torso stretching, muscles and limbs taut, arms thick with muscle as he lets the shirt fall, large hand falling to the buckle of his belt.

The drag of leather against fabric where he tugs it free, fingers moving to tug the article of fabric off.

"I'm never one for unfairness... not when we vowed to be equals on every level." The low drawl of his words are accompanied with a deepening grin, though the fiery weight of his eyes linger on me, watching as my hand trails down.

"A man of your words I see."

"I'd rather be a man of action, if my jewel was to let me near her." Words low and drawled with a cagey impatience.

A restlessness even if he keeps the slither of distance, the pretence of waiting for me as if he doesn't wish to pounce immediately.

"Can I touch now?" voice a rasping plea.

"Such a gentleman to ask... what does that make me?" words coy, fingers ghosting along my own curves.

There's been long years since I've become acquainted with my own body and what gives it pleasure, far too well aware of what touches Tae's learnt... but there's a difference in the pleasure I once sought to give myself and yet... yet it doesn't ever quite reach the new dizzying peaks that Tae brings me to time and time again.

But there's a hunger fuelling his gaze and unravelling restraint as he watches my hand drift lower, brushing against my hip to trail towards the apex of my thigh, the hovering weighted intent of my hand before there's a sudden lunge of movement, hand encircling my wrist and tugging it to draw it away, drawing it instead to his body.

"You have every right to take every liberty. You don't need to ask to touch what belongs to you."

A crooning lilt in his words, his body firm and solid and so, so intimately familiar to the palm of my hand, to the drag of my fingertips tracing the crease of his hip and thigh, ghosting along his length.

But there seems to be no patience for toying or teasing, hand grasping at my waist tight and bruising. Tugging me closer to him, arms wound around me as he draws the two of us to bed.

A tenderness entangled in the fiery need that scours at skin from the inside out.

"Oh? My pretty trinket then? My handsome treasure?"

Hand brushing his jaw, fingers slow and idle in mapping him out under my touch, featherlight, fleeting, drifting across the curve of his arm, down his side, a tenderness in the way his eyes track me with a lazy smile, with something appreciative glinting in dark irises.

"Being your object does more wonders to my pride than you'd think." He drawls, hand drawing me closer, bodies half-entangled with where they lie against one another, facing each other, his hand palming and squeezing at my curves, nudging at my thighs to settle his hand on the inside of my leg.

"What sort of things does it do to you?" I ask, thighs briefly clenching, trapping his hand between them.

"The same things it does to me when you say you're mine... when you entrust yourself to me as my jewel."

"Sweet treasure, sweet talker... there's nothing I wouldn't do for you." I murmur, hand slowly encircling him, the brief, tight squeeze that his hips bucking into my touch, his fingers curling tight against the inside of my thigh, palm drifting upwards in a slow drag.

"No?" gaze contemplative and sharp, the beginnings of a smirk playing at his lips.

"Laundry is still your chore." I laugh, unconsciously parting my legs for him, inviting the teasing drift of his fingers upwards towards my core.

He sucks in a sharp breath, disapproving and feigning a scowl.

"And here you were devoting everything for me."

"Except chores. Although I'd devote mine to you."

"What's a shame—such pretty, empty words my jewel."

But the protest dies on his lips, a low rumbled groan when I let my hand tighten around him, distracting every protest with a growing smile that curves my lips deep.

"Don't worry—you can keep me full."

-----------------------

"How's baby making going?" Mimi asks with a deep grin, drawing me up from my workroom table, steering me from the large swathes of unstitched fabric. Ignoring my protests to steer me further from work and towards a backroom. Away from the shop entirely, tugging me down onto the couch beside him, letting me draw his arm around me as I sink against him with a contented sigh. Stretching out across the upholstery.

"Good. Fun." I divulge, squirming at the poke to my side.

"I would hope nothing less for any sort of sex but that sounds... nice. When do we ever call sex good or nice? When is it meant to be tame?" he retorts, sounding scandalised at the thought.

I laugh, head tilting back against his shoulder, watching the expectant glimmer in his eyes.

"Oh? You'd rather I tell you the filthy details of how I'm being knocked up? Being fucked full?"

The curve of his lips are wide and thrilled, eyes sparking to life, the gleam of his eyes and the glittering dangle of his earrings, the sparkling radiance he looks at me with brims with mischief.

"Precisely. Such crude terms though from a lady's mouth." He tuts, finger poking my lip, laughing when I nip.

"Oh my sweet angel... you know just how filthy this lady's mouth can be." I lilt, watching approval glimmer in his expression, delight in the peals of laughter, eyes crinkling as he tosses his head back.

"Don't I just? But you really won't tell?"

I nudge my head against his shoulder.

"What's to tell? It's the same... except some of Joon's poultices taste vile. Those tonics are a mood-killer I'm telling you!"

"Because you're too busy trying to keep the tonic down that you can't make a mess of your sheets another way?"

I laugh.

"Exactly."

His fingers ghost along my sleeves, the pattern of them sheer, letting him clearly see the fingerprints he tries to remap with his hand, fingers poking at them and watching me squirm with amusement in his expression.

Fingers toying and tracing the pattern of Tae's touch across my arm, full lips curved into a knowing smirk.

"Doesn't seem that way... dear Tae seems to be struggling with keeping his hands off you. Quite literally."

A toying coyness in his words.

And when I move to swat at his arm, he catches my hand, drawing it to his lips to brush a kiss across my knuckles, squeezing gently.

"I'll admit that we're not focusing on when it'll take but enjoying the efforts and labour in trying." I admit, batting my lashes up at him, a soft whined discontent when he nudges at me to straighten, to sit upright as he moves to grab packed boxes of food, my lips twisting into a scowl when he comes back bearing a vial of tonic.

There's approval in his eyes at my words though, a nodding pride.

But then my eyes fall to narrow at the stoppered vial with disdain.

"I'm not drinking that and ruining lunch."

"It helps boost your hormones or something—it'll make you outrageously attractive to Tae!"

My brows rise, pushing his hand back when he holds out the vial, eyes wide and shining with earnest even if he fights a trembling smile from curling his lips.

"Liar! I'm already outrageously attractive for Tae. As if that horrid concoction would have a hand in that."

Mimi's eyes crinkle, eyes turned to crescents as he smiles, swallowing down a bubble of laughter.

"The words might've made it more... consumable." He justifies.

"It'd be easily consumed if Joon didn't make me feel as if I was being punished with vile tonics."

He laughs, sitting back down with enough force that the upholstery jostles under me, fumbling briefly before I right myself.

There's sympathy glittering in his eyes as he sets the vial aside for now, drawing open a box of food instead.

Steering my attention towards the food.

Definitely Jin's cooking. Immediately distinguishable, effectively working in distracting me.

He doesn't hand the spoon to me immediately, drawing the first mouthful to my lips himself, nudging it gently against my lips, eyes tender and empathetic.

"I'll tell Joon to try make them taste a bit better. The least he can do is disguise the herbs."

My mouth is too full to make an immediate remark, hastily swallowing, throat slightly tight with how quickly I've tried to inhale the mouthful, giving him a small shove.

"I knew you knew they were horrid! You told me it was my imagination you... you meanie!"

His lips thin, poorly veiling the flash of guilt and smile both.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'll tell him—I'll drop the box... hey!"

Squirming futilely as I jab a hand at him, tugging the front of his shirt closer to peer at him intently.

Leaning into him, eyes narrowing.

"Make sure you do Mimi... I'm never too selfish to share the tonics your dimpled love makes. How cruel of me to withhold his creations from you."

There's a flash of protest in his eyes and waiting on his lips that he dutifully swallows down.

"Understood my Lady... but please. Your selfishness with them is encouraged."

-----------------------

The sight of paint stained hands shouldn't spark such a visceral carnal heat, but they do. The sight of jewellery stained with the efforts of his labour, clothes rumpled and loose and the lazy satiation of his smile, fingers curled around a wineglass shouldn't make an immediate flaring ache bloom inside me so immediately... but it does.

But maybe nothing... nothing about Tae falls short of sparking a carnal hunger that only grows, an aching, gnawing need that only claws more and more sharply at me.

But something about him, something about him dishevelled from the day, something about the growing smile behind the glass he sets down... something about him half-rising off the seat to move towards me before I'm hastening for him... something... everything about Kim Taehyung makes my mind swim. And reason fail.

"Is that the tonics making me so irresistible?" he teases later, between breaths, head tilting back, granting access to the thick column of his throat, groaning with slick kiss-bitten reddened lips that part for me, hand splayed across the front of his chest, a small shove backwards into the very couch he'd tried to vacate.

"Just you bandit. Makes me want to steal every moment for myself."

"Then what's stopping you?" a breathless laugh that morphs into a rumbled groan I feel with how I press against him, swinging my leg over his lap to straddle him, large hands clasping at my hips, pushing impatiently at my dress, groaning with frustration and lust at the sight of deep red garters, my fingers toying with the dark crimson ribbon I tug free from his hair, fingers brushing over the strip of velvet, toying with it.

"Matching me? You didn't tell me." Half-protest and a low rasping groan at the thought.

"What would you have done if you knew? This time I harboured a little secret no-one knew..." I lilt, lips trailing to the open collar of his shirt, fingers looping into the chain that carries our wedding ring, a sharp tug that has him tilting to me, eyes dilating as he peers up at me, a slow wickedness curving his mouth.

Teeth sinking into his bottom lip as his eyes flutter, rocking his hips up to meet the slow teasing grind of my own, his hands tugging at the garter, hooking his fingers into the looped pattern at my thighs, yanking me to him.

"I would've at least paid you a private visit to your backrooms at the shop. Or stolen you away if I knew this was what was waiting, all prettied up and matching, my gift to unwrap." He grins, the curved depth of his mouth loose and lazy.

Indulgently pressing a kiss to smirking lips. Humming contentedly against his mouth, tongue briefly flicking against his, hips rocking forward towards his touch drifting upwards, pushing at the skirts to grant himself access to my thighs.

"How do you suppose you'd have gotten past Mimi? Or any customer? What would people say if they saw a rogue stealing away a lady... a taken woman to have his wicked way with her at the back of the shop of all places?"

"Oh they'd have heard just how selfish he is with his stolen treasure... right from her pretty lips. Always make such... noises sweetheart... I'm sure your pleasure would've spoken for itself. You're never quiet in bed." Words carrying a teasing, biting undertone, full of wicked, preening mischief.

His words trailing into an impatient growl that sends heat scorching through my veins at his bubbling impatience, hands tugging impatiently at the waistband of drawers, palms dragging over bare curves, tugging me forward to meet each growing roughness of his hips rocking upwards, arousal already making his length stiffen, strain against breeches.

Something animalistic and primal in how wanton our desire becomes, fuelling us, sparking a gnawing hunger, teeth dragging slow against his skin, leaving small blooming marks in their wake, fingers tugging at his shirt, desperate to feel his body under my palms but even more so impatient as he reaches a hand down to ground his palm against himself. Tugging at the buttons, hips rocking up, fumbling to both keep me close and divest himself of layers.

Tugging at me, my own hips rising, letting the drawers entangle around my thighs, half-restraining as his hands guide me closer, fingers drifting inwards to brush slender fingers against my core.

"Get up." Words rasping with command, eyes dark as he nudges at me.

But there's too much hunger to think of making it to bed, to making it to another surface.

There's impatience bleeding into the rasp of his voice, honeyed lust thick and cloying in how his tone becomes deeper, huskier, hands tugging at me the moment the drawers pool at my ankles, stepping out of them, fingers fisting into the skirts of my dress and tugging me back.

Thighs sprawled wide as he sinks down, hand working at himself, eyes dark and beckoning.

Luring.

Entrapping.

Finding purchase on my thighs, skirts rucked up as he guides himself into me, his groan throaty, head tossed back and the uneven bob of his throat as he swallows heavily, fingers bruising against the softness of my thighs.

My eyes drag down to where his hands lie, claiming and demanding, a pulse of arousal at the sight of paint stained hands tugging me closer, hips rocking up to set a deep, sharp quick pace, my own hands finding purchase on his shoulders, body tilting to his, hips rocking back to meet each thrust for thrust.

"Sometimes you ask for your own ruin you know?" he murmurs, teeth catching at my ear, nipping at my throat, hands keeping my thighs angled open for him.

"Just... just sometimes... I can't help it."

MIMI POV:

"Did you two just—" eyes scanning the way (Y/N) slips out, clothes noticeably dishevelled, lips glossy and slick but none of the rouge she usually wears.

Head tilting from the front entrance of the tavern and then to the back entrance from the rooms she's appeared from.

"Did I just what?" voice coy and unassuming, smoothening out her skirts as she slips into a seat beside me, reaching for my glass to draw in deep gulps, the ring on her finger glinting as it catches the light, brushing her hair away, the pinned back strands falling forward. Rumpled.

It's not hard to imagine whose hand has been entangled in it.

I nudge her side, laughing quietly when her grip on the glass jostles slightly, eyes drifting to peer at me, the corner of her lips quirking up with mischief.

"You know what. Did you possibly steal a man's honour in the seedy backroom of a tavern?" my words are low but not hushed enough, the large platter of food set down with a thunk and raised brows staring at the two of us from behind.

Hobi's lips thinned to disguise the amusement in them but his eyes narrow at me.

"I'll have you know that Jungkook and my establishment is one of the luxurious taverns in town. Where else do you get such fine owners at your beck and call?"

(Y/N)'s head tilts back to lean against him briefly, peering at him with a wide smile, raising my pilfered glass in toast.

"Nowhere else. How could you make remarks of reputation Mimi?" eyes admonishing and laughing.

I let my hand settle over my chest, against the thud of my pulse as I dip my head towards Hobi.

"Much apologies. How dare I?" though my eyes narrow playfully at (Y/N), watch her drain the glass and set it down, her eyes drifting to track Tae when he enters long minutes later, lips twitching as I examine his efforts to smoothen down his shirt, a button or two missing.

I lean in towards (Y/N), lips against her ear.

See her fingers still.

"For whatever innocent, utterly coincidental reasons you both came out the back door..."

She hums.

Playing the innocent, unknowing card with a coy lilt to her smile, her eyes tracking his movements as he approaches our table, sinking down beside Kookie.

"He's missing buttons sweetheart. You don't think someone else managed to steal your bandit did you?"

Smile growing as she grins around the rim of her glass, head tilting to peer at me, unbound hair curling as it falls forward.

"As if."

"So you were—"

"Taking opportunity of the fact that Tae has a spare key." Kook snorts, a toothy scrunch to his face, though his gaze is exasperated as he stares at him, eyes hard and knowing.

Somehow hearing us over the lunchtime chatter.

But then again—he owns and works at the tavern. If there's anything he and Hobi have down as a certified skill, it's the art of picking up conversation and gossip from din. This again is still only a lunch between us.

I don't miss the way (Y/N)'s eyes brighten at the prospect, gleaming thought in her gaze before she tilts a warm smile towards Kookie, towards the freshly cut bread platter he slides forward for her. Steering away the tankard for a different pitcher.

"Tea—it's a fruit blend. I suppose it'd be better for you than the wine."

Her smile softens at his words, at the earnestness in his actions and shining in his eyes.

"Steering me away after the last time?" remembering with an exasperated grin how drunk she'd been the last time she'd truly let loose with me and Yoongi.

And I know Kookie remembers too, eyes glinting with amusement, a begrudging grin tugging his lips wider.

"Your private dances should remain that love." pouring himself a glass of ice-tea as well, clinking his glass happily against hers, an almost toast to trying for privacy between the two.

As if it isn't visible exactly what the two were upto in the backrooms... no idea how long they'd been there already.

"Oh I don't know—I think Tae liked the wandering eyes finally knowing that (Y/N) wasn't interested." Reaching over to pile food onto my plate, watching as she drinks to that, a happy hum at the tea, entirely sober yet something wickedly promising in her eyes.

"He knows. I think he liked my attention."

Tae's eyes are dark, boring into her with an intensity that's almost stifling, a lingering heaviness in their eyes before (Y/N) draws her gaze away first. Fingers brushing her hair back, but unable to pin it back, something that doesn't go unnoticed by Tae, lips curving into a preening smirk.

"I'd like the attention on the food I slaved away for." Hobi interjects but there's laughter in his eyes and lighting his face.

Eyeing where Tae sits opposite.

"Maybe next time I'll remember to invite (Y/N) alone."

"As if I wouldn't be invited by Jungkook-ah... hey!" protest welling up at the sight of doe-eyes crinkling with mischief, shoulders shrugging off the possibility.

"I guess that means I'm more in demand Tae~" (Y/N) teases.

There's something that crackles between the two that almost... almost makes it feel as if despite the small cluster of us having lunch together has somehow turned into... intruding on the private world the two are increasingly lost in.

Lingering eyes and half-hidden smiles and unspoken vastness that stretches out across the table.

But it entangles with the warm familiarity of the table, long since designated as ours. To the late-comers slotting into seats, worming into spaces to settle, jostling bodies and ringing laughs and both gossip and news shared alongside happiness.

The table is always another sense of home.

Watching with a wide smile at the immersed debate Joon and Yoongi are in, right alongside Jin and Jungkookie's boisterous laughter, egging each other on, faces creased with laughter and eyes shining with mirth. It's home... (Y/N) beside me, leaning in to whisper some salacious secret or another, or voice low and murmuring about a new design she's gotten into her head.

Distracting me from the sight of Hobi's flushed cheeks, slightly dazed as he swirls his glass around, Jin leaning over to snag it... so attuned to him—

"Will you be my model Mimi? I want to make something."

My eyes drift to hers.

See the sparkling thrill in her gaze.

Leaning in closer to whisper.

Lips brushing against my ear, against the side of my throat.

"A secret. The secret design." Words hushed and full of meaning.

Comprehension dawning quick.

My hand settles at the low of her back, head tilting to nudge my nose against hers, holding her gaze all the whilst.

"It'd be my absolute pleasure to know I'll have some doing in Tae's undoing at your hands." Words low and crooned.

Her eyes flash.

"Perfect."

-------------------

"You look positively sick." I grimace at the sight of her complexion, the dazed, distracted look in her eyes as she returns into the shop, her fan falling slightly away from her face, but she continues to fan herself. Trying to rid the twist of her lips as she takes in a deep shuddering breath.

"Never going down the shortcut near the butchers again—the stench." Swallowing down a reflexive gag, face scrunching with disgust as she moves into the room.

I straighten from the front desk, eyeing the pearling beads of sweat at her temple, the almost feverish flush to her cheeks as she moves further towards me, tugging impatiently at her cloak ties to draw it off. Slinging the fabric over a hook.

Hand rubbing uneasily up and down her front, the nausea seeming to linger.

"Honey I don't think it's just the butchers... you look ill."

Hand brushing over her cheek, checking for fever, gently cradling, thumbing at her cheekbone.

"I'm fine... I'm fine. It's warm out. And that and the smell—" she waves off with a shudder, brushing past me to lean down to grab the account books, continuing to talk.

"I'll try get started on the accounts in the backroom—get some air, do you want to close up the front and help me out or waiting it out a bit?"

My eyes follow her worriedly, an unsettling restless ache chipping at me.

Searchingly examining her for anything amiss.

Catching her before she leaves, hands clasping at her waist, gently tugging her back to me.

"Are you sure you're okay? You've been ailed these past few days—you look so tired." I fret, thumbing gently under her eyes at the faint shadows, watching as her lashes flutter even as she shakes her head.

"Bit restless these days. Can't sleep well. But I'm fine Mimi. Perfect health." She reassures, knowing full well what my eyes are searching for.

"Joon will vouch for me, I don't think he's ever had such an obedient patient taking all those tonics and medications—doing everything I can..."

"I've been hearing nothing but compliments." I coo, leaning forward to press a kiss to her forehead, a part of me still silently fretting and restless.

"As there should be!" she laughs, moving to drift past, brief surprise flitting across her expression when my hold unconsciously tightens to draw her closer, arms winding around her in a squeezing embrace. Tucking her to me.

Feel her arms wound around me to hold me closer to her, something about her touch despite being entirely tucked to me feels as if she's giving comfort to soothe the prickling unease, hand rubbing up and down my back.

"Are you okay Mimi?" head drawing back to peer at me.

I nod, having to clear my throat to get the words out.

"Just... just keeping my eyes open. Not that I can look away from you. My sweet love." nose nudging to hers, her posture loosening as she curls her arms around my neck instead, for a brief moment- time suspended in each other's arms, a glowing love burning in her eyes.

"You always look after me so well my angel. And I adore you for it. I love you baby." Gently pressing her lips to one cheek then the other, fondly pecking the tip of my nose.

"And I love you... I just—I just want to make sure you're okay."

"I am. Just a few restless nights—nothing Tae hasn't been very accommodating with." She lilts playfully, winking at me.

I laugh, nudging her aside.

"Then all good—you go through I'll be right behind you."

"Don't take too long."

"I won't." I reassure, watching as she moves towards the backroom, her eyes drifting to the mannequins around her with a fond smile, a bright, lightened airiness in her posture.

And I wonder whether Tae's given her the dress yet.

And more still whether he's realised that the dress was part of a maternity collection.

­[......]

"Sweetheart the dress is stunning—" I marvel, watching as she steps out in it, hands smoothening over the bodice, fiddling with the in-built laces that allow for her to adjust it, the silky material clinging to ample curves, to the dip of her waist before flaring out in a wide skirt that twirls and fans out as she gives me a spin. Laughing when I duck closer to swoop my arms around her, twirling with her round the shop floor, weaving in and out of the mannequins; silent spectators to my delight.

"Do you truly think? I almost don't want to sell it." Words commiserating and fond, laughing when I start swaying with her, twirling her about the back end of the shop, the two of us dancing to no music, her laughter tugging my own out.

"Then don't."

"But it's to sell—however else will we earn money?"

"You do remember that we have enough to remain settled until a very ripe old age."

She shakes her head at me, guiding my body to sway alongside her, twirling around, the skirts fanning out wide and airy.

"I know the shop started as something small but we're actually making a reputation for our work Mimi, I think... I think these will truly sell. Maternity dresses are so drab, but they don't have to be. And you don't need to keep making new dresses every time their bodies grow."

She marvels at the fit, at the way the skirts float as I lift her up, twirling around with her drawn up in my arms, her eyes shining as she looks at me, hands clasping at my shoulders.

"You are the most remarkable and perfect woman any one could ever know. Your mind takes my breath away." My words ring out with a breathless laughter, carefully setting her down, watching as she beams, expression radiant.

"You think the idea will work?"

"I know it will. As if you don't have every lady of the town chasing the designs you wear." Eyes dragging appreciatively of how attractively it clings to her figure, how well even the soft pastel of the test piece drags across her curves, supple material outlining the silhouette of her body.

"Little do they know you only create one offs when it comes to me. Your test subject."

"My muse." I correct.

She hums, fingers toying with the laces of my shirt.

I can't seem to drag my eyes away from the dress, thoughts welling up in my mind.

"Is there a particular reason why maternity clothes came to mind?"

Her smile stills but it doesn't fade.

And her hand comes to rest against my chest.

"I..."

"You..." I gently prompt.

Sensing there's more behind this design this time.

"I don't like the boring maternity clothes."

"And~"

But there's something she's not ready to say yet.

Say the feelings that have stirred the design from her.

But it's something I won't push.

"Well whatever the reasoning... it's stunning. And I think they could work for all types of women. You can fit the shape to what you like no?" fingers toying with the slightly loose stays, winding them around before giving a sharp tug, grinning at the stuttered breath, the tighter fit to her chest, the way the fabric gives the illusion of an even fuller cleavage.

Not that she isn't gifted with ample curves.

"Yes... you can." She mutters, breath hitched slightly, gaze narrowed at my doing.

"Don't mind if I do." Lips curving into a rakish grin, laughter pealing when she swipes for me, hand reaching to carefully manage her skirts before she lunges forward.

"You.. you..."

"Rake? Charmer? Flirt? Menace? That is indeed me." I laugh, listing the familiar terms she uses as I dart away from her.

"Get back here! Mimi!"

[......]

It takes a few days after that, for (Y/N) to approach, fingers worrying as they fidget and eyes red-rimmed. The sight of her distress makes my heart lurch into my throat, feeling as if the ground has been torn from my feet.

But then... then she says the words which rights the axis again and yet everything has changed.

Voice shaking and hushed.

"Mimi I want a baby."

--------------------

She's already asleep when I make my way to the back of the shop, the accounts lying forgotten on the upholstery, curled up on the large couch, head tucked against her arm, face smoothened with rest.

There's a pinched expression to her features, the shadows lining her eyes a bit more prominent now that her eyes are closed.

She still looks sick.

Looks as if something is wrong and it's not just the butchers... or her disposition to smells recently that makes her complexion clammy.

But she's resting.

And I do nothing more than to draw a blanket to draw over her, her sleep disturbed and roused by the smallest brush of my hand against her shoulder.

Fingers looping around my wrist and tugging me forward with silent plea.

I do nothing more than acquiesce, sinking down behind her, carefully slotting next to her, arm wound protectively around her, tucking her against my chest as I spoon her from behind.

And it's in that slumber, of resting, of falling asleep... that her voice filters through, drowsy and exhausted.

"...Mimi I'm...something doesn't feel right." She admits with a hushed tremble.

My hand smoothens down her front, lips pressing to her nape.

"I'm here... I'll be here when you wake. And we'll go to Joon." Not wanting to disturb her sleep, trying to control the waver to my voice, the tremble of fear that flickers through me at the insecurity in her voice. In the uncertainty. In the fear.

Wanting to hold on for a little while longer, soft kisses presses to the curve of her shoulder, feeling her sink against me.

Her words heavy, tired.

Murmured with sleep.

And though she falls asleep. I can't. My mind suddenly more awake, more alert and more terrified than I've ever been.

--------------------

"Jimin-ah... (Y/N)..." words hushed and low. Quiet. Hand gently nudging me awake, dark eyes hovering over the two of us, messy strands falling forward as Joon leans half-curved, half-crouches over the two of us on the couch.

A warm smile playing at his lips, expression tender as his eyes drift to (Y/N) curled against me, shifted in her sleep so she's burrowed against my chest. The blanket hiding her from view. Lips pressing to my temple, then hers.

"Fell asleep? It's getting late." He murmurs.

Waking is always slow but something about the sight of him stirs an immediate flicker of sharp awareness, body jerking into consciousness as my eyes flit to (Y/N)'s sleeping figure.

"Joon... Namjoon-ah, something's wrong with (Y/N). She said... she said she felt something was off... but she was so exhausted I let her sleep. But—"

"(Y/N)'s fine." Even if his eyes flash with worry, carefully steadying me as I lurch upright, shaking my head, a franticness welling up.

"She's not." I insist, a roughness bleeding into my voice, urgency and panic and sick, sick fear that it might be something more than her just being so sick and tired.

"She will be." Joon promises, voice low and warm and rumbling with promise.

But it doesn't immediately set me at ease the way he wants to.

And neither does his expression entirely smoothen over, he can't quite hide the worry my words have stoked in him.

"Namjoon—" my voice breaks, cracking with the force of the ache clawing at me.

There's none of the ease that comes with awakening, nor any of that looseness that comes with rest, body feeling tightly coiled up and high strung.

"She will be fine Jimin. I promise you that." Words heavy with the vow he makes, hand cradling my cheek, drawing me closer to tilt his head to mine.

I chase the comfort and promise in his words, desperately trying to find solace in them.

Praying and pleading that it's my mind that's overthinking but it can't stop replaying the raw vulnerability in her voice, the quiet admission, the faint murmur of her words.

They return full-force to ring in my ears despite how hushed and quiet they'd been.

"She has to be... she's sick and tired. And she's..."

"Jimin I'll look after her."

His hand smoothens down (Y/N)'s side, moving to check for fever, slowly coaxing her awake all the whilst, measuring how regular her pulse is, hope and optimism in his expression that flares brighter as she stirs.

Disoriented and dazed.

"...mi? Mimi?" my name a bleary mumble, confusion filtering into her expression as she registers Joon first, fingers reaching to grasp at his shirt to steady herself.

"I'm here sweetheart." I murmur, hand rubbing at her back, alarm flaring strong when her dazed slowness turns into urgency, hand pushing at Joon.

"Joon move... move, move." She mumbles, a plea on her lips, hand clasping her mouth as she stumbles upright.

Half-asleep but harried impatience as she hurries away, my own feet hastening after her, heart hammering wildly in my throat as she slams the door shut behind her.

I don't think I've known true fear so wild, so poisonous, so suffocating it claws at me from the inside out than the time I saw a child being auctioned off and her screams and pleas shattering the night, when (Y/N) looked at me when the world ripped out under her feet when news of Tae being imprisoned came and her term at the brothel unending. When I push the door open after her and find her hunched over a basin, sobbing as she's sick, body trembling violently.

I've only know pure fear so crippling my heart stills when it comes to (Y/N), when something happens to her.

Rushing over to draw her hair back, smoothening over warm, flushed skin, her body shaking as she's sick, hunching in on herself, so small of a sudden.

The sound of her tears torn violently from her throat yanks painfully at my heartstrings, until it feels as it'll crush me to hear how much she's paining, eyes stinging as I murmur softly to her.

"Shhh... baby you're okay. We've got you. We've got you."

We'll always be there for her.

A harsh sob sounds like my name, hand clutching at me, limbs strained and taut as she curls forward.

Hands trembling as she reaches to rinse her mouth out, fumbling uncoordinated and shaky.

Unsteady.

There's an inhumane, viscerally raw cry somewhere in the privy.

It takes too long to register that I've made the sound as she draws back, knees buckling as she crumples to the floor, my hands steadying her from falling, her limbs suddenly loose, the taut strings keeping her coiled snapping.

A chalkiness to her complexion, sickly and wan, body slumped in my embrace, head lolling against my arm, hand shaking as I draw her towards me, steady her against me. Her gaze is unfocused, but she clutches at me, fingers grasping at me with a tightness, a need to be grounded.

"Joon...Namjoon...Joon."

"I had—I need to get her home. I need to do a check-up." But there's a trembling fragility in his tone, something vulnerable.

"Minnie...I need to take her home. I need to get her home."

I nod absently, half-hearing his words, cradling her tighter against me, his arms steadying me, one hand hovering for her, as I stand, her body drawn secure into my arms. A soft agonised ground at the lurch of movement, shaky apologies pressed into her hair.

"Home... home." I echo.

I don't know how I manage to not lose my footing, to not surrender to the crippling fear.

But deep down I know there's a greater need to be there for (Y/N). Even as Joon snaps at the driver to get to home. Our home.

There's an aching nostalgia to see her in our bed. But it brings nothing but crippling fear as I sink beside her, watching as Joon flits about her.

Checking the journal he's been recording and monitoring her details with, her cycles, the tonics, the medications... carefully checking over every detail.

Eyes constantly drifting to the two of us, questions murmured that need to be repeated far too many times before my tongue unsticks and my mind processes his words. Answering on auto-pilot.

Clutching at her limp hand, her body so run-down, looking swallowed up by the bedding.

It seems like an eternity later that Joon's almost frazzled pacing comes to still, as he sinks down on the bed on the other side of her. She's not awake any longer. Surrendered to the exhaustion and dizziness, disoriented gaze slowly flitting shut, sinking against the sheets.

Hand reaching to clasp where I hold hers.

It seems an eternity later when the worry finally bleeds out of his body, when he slumps relieved and almost... giddy as his eyes hold mine.

Surging forward to press a bruising kiss, almost breathless with how aching the kiss is, lips desperate and relieved and moving fervently.

Clutching at me.

Kissing me harsher, fiercer. Lips aching when he draws away the barest of distance, letting me draw in shuddering breaths, fingers clasping at his wrist.

Eyes stinging as I hold his, at the joy making his own well up.

"(Y/N)'s okay... she's more than okay... Minnie... Jimin... (Y/N)'s pregnant."

And even with the forceful brand of his lips lingering... with the giddiness in the shakiness of his voice... I can't help the tears that spill over and streak my cheeks.

----------------

I see that moment in Tae's eyes as he hurries into the room, gaze sparked with terror and crippling fear. See the unsteadiness in his body as he lurches forward towards the bed, eyes torn from the sight of her sleeping, curled small and the flushed warmth where the hearth in the room roars strong, keeping her cosy.

I see the moment the fearful question hovers on his lips, but it's interrupted by my voice, broken and wavering, thick with tears.

See the moment... that tiny split-second of a moment before I speak where he has the same look I had. And it looks as if his world has been torn away. Can almost hear how wild and uncertainly his pulse is.

See how he fears the worst.

And see that moment where terror melts to disbelief. Body freezing and a slackness to his jaw as his lips part.

Swallowing heavily.

Processing the words.

"Tae she's pregnant. (Y/N)'s pregnant. You're going to be parents."

See how the world he was so terrified for is rebirthed a new because now a new, tiny, delicate being has somehow settled already into the orbit of their lives, already without realising their worlds have adjusted and aligned with the stars to gravitate towards the tiny, tiny bud that'll take root and grow and live protected for nine months. Shielded by (Y/N).

Already without waiting until the baby's born, I know with a ringing certainty there'll not be any parents that will love their child so wholly, so utterly, so fiercely as (Y/N) and Tae will.

See how his throat bobs, a heavy swallow before he gravitates towards the bed, a trembling thankful smile as I slot out of the place beside her so he can sit there. Hand carding featherlight fingers through her hair and leaning over to press a lingering kiss to the curve of her cheek, body curving there, shaky breaths as he stays hunched over her.

"You're certain?" voice trembling and raw.

It yanks at my heartstrings because somewhere...somewhere along the line though (Y/N) and I were two halves of a whole... Tae is the other side of the same coin to me, cleaved from the same sword, melded from the same metal, born to love and cherish (Y/N) with every fibre of our beings. Just our love is different. (Y/N) isn't.

And I see how his eyes blink rapidly, trying to process, how he presses shaky kiss after kiss to her hair, nosing gently at her temple, her name uttered and over and over, a frantic, relieved plea.

Because she is everything he's pled and worshipped for and been gifted in turn.

"Certain. I'll confirm it again when she wakes... there's some tests... but I'm sure Taehyung-ah.." Joon's voice is low and calm. Rumbling with a deep contentedness, a grounding force that tethers us all and when I slip over to him, his arms wind around me immediately, hugging me from behind. The two of us melded together, hands clasping one another as we watch Tae settle beside (Y/N), propped up beside her, a tenderness that goes beyond any words of expression.

He looks at her not as if she is his world.

But though she has carved and created one alone for him to live in.

The sight of the devotion and love in his eyes makes my own stings, hand swiping at my cheeks to scrub at them, eyes already aching with how sore they are, a breathless wavery exhale, half-laugh, half-sob as I curl against Joon.

"She's going to be so happy." I murmur.

"She will be."

"I'm so happy." I mumble.

Lips press to my hair.

"I am too."

"I knew before Tae." I sniffle, lips trembling as they stretch into a breathless smile.

Joon's laugh rumbles against my back, soaks into skin. Fuses with my blood and bones. His laugh resonates and rings through me.

"You did. Does it make up for not being first to know they wanted to try?"

I sniffle. Nodding eagerly.

"More than. Of course I should be first to know (Y/N)'s pregnant. My (Y/N), my angel is having a baby." Words hushed.

"I knew before (Y/N)." I add with a fond laugh, watching as Tae curls closer.

"You knew before the parents to be themselves." Joon echoes, lips pressing to my cheek, curling closer, head against my shoulder.

"I love them so much."

I want every happiness for them.

No-one deserves the entire world, the happiness so freely, so wholly as they do.

"We all do. And now our family... will have a new addition."

[......]

"Tae... honey where did you—" immediately ducking her head when he surges forward for her, lips pressing to the curve of her cheek instead.

A flash of hurt and protest as she ducks her head to the side, a soft laugh as she nudges him back with the palm of her hand.

"Was sick." She mumbles, eyes drifting to meet his, immediately moving to smoothen the furrow in his brow, accepting the soft kiss he presses to her fluttering eyes. One then the other. Slowly pressing kiss after kiss to her cheeks, to her nose, to the corners of her lips and quickly stealing a brief kiss, chaste and sweet.

"Are you feeling better?"

She gives a small shrug.

"I think it's the turn of the weather." Hand reaching to clasp at Tae's arm, comforted by his presence, by his arms winding around her, a laugh of protest even as she readily sinks against him once he's scooped her onto his lap. Settling against the cradle of his body.

"It's a bit more than that." I lilt, finally drifting back towards the bed, watching as her eyes flicker to me, a brief apprehension that's at odds with the confusion my voice brings about. Coy and lilting out each syllable as I clamber onto the bed.

Eyes sparking with delight at having that information just for a tiny bit longer.

"It is?"

Tae's hand cradles her cheek, guiding her face to his, eyes imploring and hopeful and shining as they look at me, bolstered by my eager nods.

"I know you're not feeling great... that you're tired and run-down little jewel..."

Head resting against hers, foreheads touching, a cradle of their bodies, her body shifting to face him properly.

"Tae tell her!" exasperated and eager, body brimming with a restless energy.

His laugh is exuberant.

"Let me then!" he protests, expression soft and open, hand cradling her cheek, angling her jaw upwards.

Ghosting his lips along hers.

"Tae what is it? You're hiding secrets from me." She accuses.

He laughs, the sound warm and rich and low.

"The reason why you've not been feeling well... the reason why... congratulations little jewel. We're going to be parents."

He shares the news with a hushed indulgence, with a fondness and excitement that brims over, welling up in his voice, making it thicken.

Disbelief.

And pure, raw emotion in its most visceral form.

It's not one single emotion, it's not one single thought as her posture stiffens, stiffens before melting and her hands reach up to cradle his face, drawing him closer.

"Say it again." Imploring. Pleading.

An elated breathlessness in her words.

"We're going to be parents. We're pregnant."

Not her alone. Not solely just (Y/N). It might be her body but it's them that'll experience it together, these nine months are an experience both of them will share.

A dream that's taken root and sprouted in its tiniest form with the news.

And it'll only grow from here, it'll only bloom into something stronger, wilder and beautiful.

"...again. Please...please." Voice shaky.

"Pregnant."

"We're pregnant?" she repeats, words dazed.

But now... now I know that restlessness, that unsettled constant feeling to make sure... that worry has been eased over.

And Joon's arms tighten around me, a quiet sniffle as he cradles me tighter to him, the two of us curving into one another's arms.

"Pregnant. We're going to have a baby little jewel."

Though it'll be some time before her body begins to show of her pregnancy, before there'll be undeniable physical proof of their love... even though her body is unchanged to the eyes, it's changed without us realising.

And his hand brushes tenderly down over her stomach, nothing to show but their hands entangle together.

Settling against her stomach where their love will grow.

Fingers intertwined and resting together, disbelief and exultation, looking entirely dazed and not quite processing it... but slowly getting there.

It'll take longer to sink in. For it to truly sink in.

It almost feels like I'm watching a dream from afar, both disconnected and rooted there.

As if I'm watching it as if it's something impossibly sweet and delicate and I cradle and cherish the sight in front of me in the same way they cradle one another, the way Joon cradles me.

Heart fit to burst at the sight of tears slowly welling up and spilling over, trickling down her cheeks in silent awe, overcome as she clutches at Tae, drawn closer into his embrace, tucked against his chest, small, quiet breaths muffled against him. Tae's arms encircling her with a protectiveness and a fierce, fierce tenderness, curls against her shoulder, leaning into her just as much as she sinks against him.

It feels as if it's a dream that somehow expands outwards from the private moment the two share, soft murmurs too quiet, too intimate to hear. And that dream allows me and Joon to witness the sweet cherished moment where they realise they'll be parents, where I realise with a sharp clarity just how much the two have healed and grown and pieced each other together again. A wholeness that doesn't erase the cracks and fissures their pasts have left on them but melds them together not into the fragile individuals they were but a strong, unmovable united one the two have become.

And in that dream, in that family we've gotten, the eight of us... now there'll be nine.

"I'm the baby's father." I whisper, hushed and delighted. But not hushed enough as the two turn, (Y/N)'s face both bright with giddiness and laughter and lips curved into a trembling smile, wiping her eyes, soft hitches of breath before she holds her arms out for me.

Knocked back against Tae with the force as I rush to her, pressing against her, arms winding to cradle her to me, pressing countless kisses wherever I can, though Tae doesn't let go, so she remains happily sandwiched between the two of us, arms clutching at me tightly.

"I heard that." She murmurs, lips pressing to my cheeks, gently brushing at tears.

"Where's the lie?"

She shakes her head, eyes glittering, gaze drifting to look at Joon as he settles beside me, taking her hand and squeezing tight.

"It's not. This baby will have so many parents."

So many.

And be loved and cherished by so many too.

"But we made the baby." Tae says, words low and proud, though there's a tinge of disbelief there too and fondness in his boxy smile as he looks at me. Leaning forward to press a kiss to my cheek, a soft thanks murmured.

"We did." (Y/N) says softly.

I've never seen expecting mothers, never personally witnessed how pregnancy changes women.

But there's no denying that already (Y/N) glows. And pregnancy will make her radiant.

-------------------

"Hi Jimin-ah..." Tae's smile is warm as he steps aside to let me pass through quickly, ducking out of the rain and into the warm hallway. Shucking off my cloak, wincing at the patter of rain that streaks down, boots leaving damp prints behind before I move to dry them.

"Hi Tae... how's cabin fever treating (Y/N)?" A knowing smile curling at my lips as he sighs, tilting his head to the side.

"You know how restless she must be if emergency support was dispatched." nodding his head to me

I gesture down the hallway, wondering if she's there or upstairs.

It's the worst twist of luck to have gotten a cold so early into the pregnancy, not even yet showing... barely even confirmed to be pregnant.

But I also know it's that delicate just newly-expecting and the symptoms of a chill that flared a collective panic and fretting. Joon's advice to nip the cold in the bud in its early days, his and Jin's collective attentiveness and everyone's insistence to

"I'm sure normally being holed away days on end would do no harm to either of your insatiable appetites but I also know that doctor orders to wait out the stormy season after a cold isn't going to be boding well." Barely having time to register the brief cold that settles, the slight dampness to my clothes where the cloak hasn't entirely shielded me the short walk from the carriage to the front door... barely registering it as I shuck off my boots to make my way down the hallway, hands rubbing briskly at my sides.

Peering past the open entryway to search for (Y/N)... expecting her to be seated towards the crackling hearth. A pulse of alarm jolting through me when I find her at the far end besides the open doors leading out to the garden.

Fretting concern hastening my steps, her body tilting to peer at me as I approach, a tired smile curving her lips even if she makes no move to drift away from the pattering of the rain, leaning against the garden doors leading out.

"(Y/N)! Honey...it's pouring down today. You should be at staying warm." I fret, hands already reaching for her to draw her back, thumbing worryingly at the sleeve of her dress. Not entirely reassured despite the thick fabric, gently winding my arms around her to draw her back.

She doesn't immediately curl away from the open doors even as she sinks back against me, hair slightly damp where the rain must've caught her despite being indoors. Telling me she was veering outwards towards it.

"I'm tired. I wanted some fresh air." She murmurs, expression still slightly wan and fatigued. Still faintly worn down from the mild cold.

"Are you still not well? Did the medicines not work... I can get another carriage back to the apothecary and get Joon–" my words cut off by her hand drifting to squeeze where my arms encircle her.

A fond smile on her lips. Head tilting back to rest against my shoulder, turning to curl against me.

Arms in turn winding around me as she sinks against me in an embrace.

"Even if Joon and Jin hadn't set up some sort of mini apothecary in here with how much they've stocked up some of the cupboards... there's no way I'd let you out into such stormy weather and nor do I intend to let you leave now that you've made the trek here for me." Eyes holding apology and contriteness where there needs be none.

"And besides my acting doctor Lord Kim will give you a clean bill of health and a glowing report of what a dutiful patient I am." Eyes flitting past me and softening further, arms tightening around me as she sighs, nuzzling at my throat as Tae brushes past to draw the doors shut, a shawl in hand to wrap around her from behind, knowing eyes holding mine before he speaks.

"I'd appreciate it my love if we keep it that way as the weather worsens." Lips pressing a lingering kiss to her hair, the faint worry smoothening over as she grumbles against my skin but lets me draw her further back into the living room, a half-waddled process of slowly drawing her alongside me until I'm steering her into the couch nearest to the fireplace.

Watching with a warm fondness as Tae draws a blanket over her lap, something unspoken and shared exasperation in their begrudging growing grins as she sinks back without complaint, tapping her silent lips for the reward of acquiescing.

A reward he readily gives, body curving over hers as he crooks his fingers under her jaw to angle her lips to his, a protective firmness in the breadth of his body, leaning into her, hand curled about the arm of the couch, soft murmured endearments between kisses and an amused murmur of needy as she gives a soft sound of complaint.

"Does it take only a husband's kisses to get you to stay warm and cosy and to warm the sheets or do you suppose that you'd make an exception for me?" I tease, eyeing the expanse of space beside her on the couch, the large swathe of blanket, the way her cheeks, slowly pinking from warmth, curve as she smiles at me.

Patting the space beside her.

"You wade through a downpour for me, the least I can do is give thanks for your efforts and a place in my sheets." Eyes sparking with amusement and laughter as I move towards the couch, hip playfully nudging Tae aside to draw the edge of the blanket up not beside her but rather against the end of the couch, watching her shuffle along for me before taking her space. Arm winding around her to tug her back against me, re-securing the blanket around the two of us, a deep fluttering contentment as she sinks against me with a smile.

Expression brighter.

"Dare I ask if there's space for me?" Tae asks, brows rising though a boxy smile stretches wide across his face as he beams at (Y/N) and me.

"Depends. You've not been keeping my darling occupied and distracted enough if she's getting bored indoors with ample time to have all sorts of fun." Tilting my chin at him, watching as a myriad of expressions flit across his face before his lips take on a smug expression.

"Oh Minnie, that's not the complaint, is it baby?"

(Y/N) elbows me lightly, shaking her head at me with a smile.

"Tae's been thoroughly invested in being a doting husband, my rogue and Doctor... I believe I'm just especially a handful."

"Only the best kind. To have my hands full of you~" I lilt with a wistful, purposely drawn out sigh, laughter welling and bubbling up at the indignation that flashes across Tae's face, the wild streak of possessiveness that makes his features striking.

"Mimi~ speaking that way in front of a husband." A tinge of scandal bleeding into her voice, amusement curling her lips deeper as she sinks against me, tilting her head up to peer at me.

"Well she's my handful. And I'm sure you could occupy yourself if I was to whisk her away right now." Tae drawls, a flicker of heat simmering in his gaze, the upturned corners of his mouth insinuating and promising.

"Oh but why leave... I've never said no to a good show. Or to one that's (Y/N)." Purposely provoking, relishing in the mix of hunger flashing deep and carnal and possessive and the almost resigned fondness as (Y/N)'s hand pats almost commiserating at my side.

"A jealous Kim is a sight I'm sure you're acquainted with... with your own Kim...but my jealous Kim is only mine I'm afraid." A soft cooing lilt that instinctively by sound alone has something warm seeping through my limbs because the tenderness and love she looks at Tae with... that's what I always wanted her to find. What a part of me always felt guilty for not being able to give her the type of love that Tae reveres her with, body, heart and soul.

And seeing it... seeing it makes a part of me ache with how happy it makes me to see her happy.

"Well~ in that case... hot cocoa for my love? I'd be honoured if you'd join us and share your talent of making hot cocoa with me too." batting my lashes at Tae, watching as his expression melts into amusement, a snort of laughter as a grin tugs at boxy lips.

A sweeping bow to both me and (Y/N) before he straightens.

"Nothing would make me happier."

But there's a sincerity in his words, a settled relief to finally see (Y/N) look better, look content. And I wonder how many of these days holed together tending to her cold, making sure it didn't worsen, being alert and keyed up with newly settling instincts and fear both... I know Tae is happy to have me here too.

And when he leaves (Y/N)'s body curls further into me, hand clasping mine with a content hum, eyes tracking him to the last moment before she sets her gaze to me.

"Something tells me you're not having cabin fever the way Tae fears it is."

She gives a small shake of her head, her smile wry.

"I think he's just worried I'm getting cagey... I think he's more afraid I'll make a wild dash for freedom the moment the sky stops pouring down."

"As if he won't chase you down." I laugh.

"There's a lot of fun in being caught~" she hums with a pleased spark in her gaze, fingers brushing against my palm, tracing over my rings.

"Oh honey I know... you've seen how big Joon's getting right? Imagine being pinned by that body... the things you're missing out now he's somehow even bigger–" a wistful sigh slips past my lips, the playful trace of her nails against my wrist, the chiding tap of her fingers.

"Trying to seduce a woman who's always ready to go?"

I tilt my head in curiosity.

"I did hear from Joon that pregnancy makes some people insatiable... but I wonder... what does it do to a vixen who spent a week alone with her husband?"

"It makes a mess Mimi." her body tilts slightly, my head leaning to hers as she beckons with a crooked finger, hand cupping my cheek gently but the words she murmurs coy and lofty.

"It makes me needy. I don't know how Tae, or I will survive the entire pregnancy without exhausting ourselves out."

"I fear more for you... you might think you're the one who's going to have a hard time... but I assure you sweetheart there is no bigger turn on than you. And now you're with child with the man who is always drowning in want for you."

My words become lower, slowly dragged out, every single syllable slowly sinking in, a crooning lilted remark that has her lashes fluttering at the thought, the slight unevenness to her breath as she holds my gaze.

Curious. Pupils dilating slightly.

A soft tremble to her words.

"Hot cocoa as promised and—"

The cheery voice that interjects, falls silent, contemplative and when I tilt my head there's an assessing shrewdness in Tae's stare.

Eyes narrowing.

Positively feline.

"Are you talking dirty to (Y/N)?" It doesn't fail to amuse me how perceptive he is. How easily he gauges the mood.

But he isn't quick on his feet and with his hands without being quick-witted too.

"Putting ideas in her head. Letting my vixen... know things."

I say, voice loft, but my lips curve into a deep grin as he approaches, carefully plucking the tray from him as I tilt my head towards the couch.

Carefully managing the tray as he slips in beside her, a squeal of protest as he chases the warmth of her body. The wriggles of her body as she presses further against me, face alight with laughter and protest.

"You were warming milk so why are you so cold Tae! Do you want to borrow stockings– I have thicker winter ones..."

"Dolling him up?"

"You'll be surprised how good he can look in them." she retorts within a heartbeat, her lips twitching even if her hand moves to bat him away, no doubt chasing his cold feet from her, from stealing the heat, my arm briefly jostled.

"You can mess about in sheets later. The cocoa's going to spill, and I didn't battle the heavens opening to come see you be frisky lovebirds. I came to spoil my sweetheart."

Watching attentively as the two straighten somewhat, Tae reaching to hand her a mug first before letting me scoop my own, drawing the tray away from my hold to set aside onto the table. A deep groan as he stretches out, cradling the drink between his hands, eyes flitting almost near-constantly to (Y/N), fondness in his eyes.

I catch his eyes at one point, over where (Y/N) sinks back a long while later, head drooping with tiredness, his hand guiding her to rest against him, my own moving to resettle the blanket around her properly.

A drowsiness in her eyes as she watches the two of us.

Words mumbled so quietly we almost miss them... almost.

"I'm lucky to have you both. Love you both." eyes fluttering, her hand reaching out to brush against my hair, drawing me closer to tuck against her, sandwiching herself between the two of us.

"We struck lucky." I murmur, lips pressing to her cheek, gently nosing at the soft pink.

"We made our luck. All of us. And we made our family." Tae's voice is quiet and low when he speaks, arm wound around (Y/N)'s waist, drawing her into him, but his fingers briefly unfurl to poke at my side. A surprise jolt as I look at him.

"So thank you for making me yours." eyes holding mine as he speaks.

And I know we've come a long, long way from how our paths crossed years ago. And I know undoubtedly that I'd do anything to support and protect the two of them... the three of them. And that new fragile family within themselves they're creating.

------------------

"Where's the fire sweetheart?" Joon laughs, hands moving unrushed as he continues to pack tonics in, one after the other, my hands clasping tightly at (Y/N)'s health journal, clutching it towards me as I eye Joon drift around the store, a steadiness that's maddening when I'm impatiently dithering, waiting.

"There will be one if you don't hurry. It's (Y/N)'s appointment and I'm sure Tae's already seen if she's got a tiny baby bump—damned dresses hide far too much." I grumble. Briefly distracted by the way Joon's face melts into a lopsided grin, deep dimpled grooves, head tilting and messy strands of hair absently pushed away, the full weight of his gaze confronting and pinning me where I stand.

"He is the father. And they're married. And I wonder whether either of them even have the restraint to let the clothes stay on."

"Because of pregnancy needs?" I tilt my head, watching with a curling smile toying at my lips when his eyes track the soft jangling motion of my earrings.

"Because it's them. This is an excuse if anything to be extra lost in one another—not that pregnancy doesn't bring a whole new level of closeness." He murmurs, smile curved with fondness and amusement, knowing full well that the joy of having a child within the year, of appreciating the changes motherhood was slowly bringing to (Y/N)'s body was making Tae all the more appreciative, and all the more thorough in showing just how lucky he was with her.

If they'd had a problem in keeping their hands to themselves before, it was proving impossible to see them out of each other's orbit for more than a fleeting few scant minutes, bodies gravitating back to one another, curled close with this unconscious force tugging them back to one another.

It was an almost tangible connection that wound the two together.

You could almost see it, how deeply intertwined their lives were.

"I'm really happy for them... I won't be happy if we're late." I mumble, watching his eyes shine with laughter, nodding in acquiescence as he moves around the shop, carefully storing paper packages of possets and poultices. To ease any aches to come.

"Understood my impatient love. Though I'm sure they won't complain." Dimpled grooves deep as he finally makes his way over me, bag slung carefully over his shoulder and hand outstretched to take mine, tugging me closer so he can wrap an arm around my waist, drawing me closer as we leave the shop.

And as my body tilts to his, watching him lock the shop door, testing it before he turns back... I know that in my life too, I've found someone who's tethered to me just as wholly as I'm tethered to him.

I've found my person too.

[......]

"(Y/N)! Aren't you just glowing?" I beam, immediately crowding close, hands steering her further into the hallway and away from the door, hands clasping her waist and scooping her up to give her a twirl, lips immediately pressing to her cheek the moment she's set down. Eyes dragging over the glowing radiance to her expression, to the way her hands clutch at me, to make sure her balance is righted before she draws me close for a hug.

It's minute how small it is, how subtle the difference is to her body... but it's a small, small difference I note immediately. Her body entirely flush to mine but a new growing curve pressed against my stomach, eyes drifting lower to take in the tiny rounded bump beginning to grow, barely showing under Tae's shirt. My hands smoothening over the fabric to feel her tiny bump, watching as her own hands move to draw the loose shirt tighter around her so I can properly see the small bump, a proud, giddy smile as she shares that moment with me.

"You've always been quick to notice haven't you Mimi?" she teases softly, her eyes transfixed not to the sight of her baby bump but to me, a soft quiet sound at the back of her throat when I sink down to my knees in front of her. Kneeling in the hallway as I brush my hand against her bump gently, leaning in to press my lips to the tiny curve of her stomach over the shirt, lips lingering there.

"Always when it comes to you." I murmur.

A deep aching sense of being overwhelmed strikes me.

I know (Y/N)'s pregnant. But something about seeing the small baby grow, about seeing that small shift as she settles into the very early stages of motherhood, her hand brushing against my hair, trailing down to gently cradle my cheek. A tenderness in sparkling, shining eyes as I lean closer to press another kiss to the curve of her stomach.

"Now I have two babies to say hi to. Hi little love." I murmur quietly.

"Does that make me big love? Because you know—I'll withdraw the invite to my bed all the time if you try." She teases warningly though there's an aching softness underlying her words, gaze fixed on me, feeling the weight of love and affection in her eyes without needing to tilt my head up to hold it.

The slight transparency of the shirt lets me see the faint outline of her body. A soft quiet soothing sound slips out of her when her fingers trail up to thumb under my eye, catching a falling tear.

"Oh Mimi baby..."

"I knew you'd start showing soon but this is the tiniest little bump."

"It's not her actual baby bump yet... it's almost as if baby needs to grow a bit more for the baby bump to be truly visible. You're particularly observant." Joon murmurs, voice low and I can hear the smile in his tone, can feel the gently brush of fingers against my nape before he leans in to peck (Y/N)'s cheek.

Hand clasping my shoulder.

But neither of them rush me.

And when my hands drift lower towards the hem of her shirt, there's no hesitance as her hand falls away, silently encouraging. Prompting.

"Want to see it? It truly doesn't look like anything except maybe I've been extra indulgent with all the treats all of you seem insistent in feeding me." She laughs gently, hands guiding mine, drawing the shirt up past silk drawers to the expanse of her stomach.

Hands cupping her waist, cradling her closer, tugging her gently until she's standing closer to me, until my head is at level with her stomach. Squirming as I let my fingers trace the soft curve.

She's right.

It's barely noticeable.

Barely there yet.

And Namjoon makes a soft hum of agreement, tone teasing.

"Can't tell yet. Mimi's just extra astute for everything that comes to you."

"That he is. Always taken such good care of me. Always noticed every single difference. Sometimes I tell Tae that. That you notice the small details better sometimes."

"All the time." I correct, fingers idly tracing her stomach before leaning to press a soft kiss above her bellybutton, eyes crinkling when I give her stomach a small poke and she wriggles.

"Little bean. They'll grow more. And I'll know if you're hiding your beautiful baby bump immediately." I warn, drawing the shirt back down, not missing the slightly reddened marks of faint fingerprints disappearing under the waistband of her drawers, playfully mapping them out, a brief squeeze that startles a soft hitch of breath.

"Wouldn't dream of it. I think it'd break Tae's heart if I try hide the bump at any point." She laughs, my head tilting up to take in her glowing contentment, the thrum of excitement that's still so new, so fragile when it comes to her pregnancy, hands held out for me as she draws me up.

"Joon you were right. Did take time to enjoy our... delay." I tease with narrowed eyes.

There's a smug preening smile that flitters across her face, settles on her lips.

"I did indeed."

"Where's Tae?"

She gives a glimmer of a wicked smile, the sight of it so familiar, the sight of the playfulness in her gaze all too knowing.

"He'll need a few minutes... to get himself together."

To get clothes on. To grab his breath. To stop reeling from the force of nature (Y/N) is.

"Do you want to go upstairs then? Be comfortable for your check-up?"

She nods, her hands still clasped by mine as I draw her close to me, steering her towards the stairs.

"Upstairs or down? I know you have guest rooms downstairs too."

"Upstairs?" the word half a question, gaze drifting towards the stairs where there's the sound of quiet steps, Tae's head ducking into view, smile boxy, breeches slung low and loose and hastily tugged on.

"Upstairs is fine. Hi Joon-ah, Minnie." Eyes bright as he watches us approach, slowly straightening as he waits at the top of the stairs, a rumpled glow to his face, curls messy and wilder than usual, tugged at undoubtedly.

"Hi Tae. What're you doing upstairs?" I tease, lilting my words as I steer (Y/N) in front of me, hand against the low of her back, half a step behind her, eyes carefully darting to watch her every step. My gaze not the only one fixed on her treads, her hand against the curving banister, Tae reaching down the last few steps to draw her up.

Gaze heavy and lidded.

Something weighted and crackling in the intense darkness of his eyes, lips curled with a secretive smirk when it's clear from the scattered line of marks on display at his throat, trailing down his chest.

"I seem to have misplaced my shirt."

"I think we found it." Joon laughs, drawing up the rear, eyes shining with mirth, the four of us walking into their large bed chambers.

My eyes linger on the protective curve of his arm around her, drawing her towards the bed, sheets albeit rumpled but smoothened over- a hasty attempt to keep the room in order.

There's an anticipation brimming in the air despite the lightness their shared amused smiles and furtive glances bring.

Hands drawing up his shirt as she leans back against the pillows I settle behind her back.

"How're you feeling sweetheart?"

"Good! A bit better after those tonics for morning sickness. And the tea blend Jinnie made." Her smile warm, hand brushing over the tiny bump even if Tae's face flickers with a deeply-set frown, displeasure and concern on his face.

"Should morning sickness be so bad in the early stages? She seems to get it around midday too." Frown deepening because (Y/N) brushes it off.

"Unfortunately it's worse before it gets better. And it might get a bit more intense. But the supplements should help make sure you're not weakened (Y/N)." voice soft and reassuring, hand reaching for the first paper package that I hand over to him, rifling through his bag. Perched on the edge of the bed, drawing my legs up to sit curled up beside her.

Tae flanking her other side.

"The tea is a good habit to stick to. To hydrate. And always make sure you're having something light afterwards. Just to settle your stomach."

"Jinnie's making something for you. He's been fussing about with recipes all week—barely noticed Kook's been eating all the sample testers."

Her laugh jolts Tae out of his furrowed concern, brows smoothening out at the sound, lips curving even if the worry lingers in his eyes. Settles there.

"And I know how much you and Minnie love drinking each other under the table but—"

"No drinking. Better safe than sorry." She relents with a smile, eyes drifting to me, giving me a playful wink.

"Minnie will have to be my dark knight. And drink on my behalf."

I nod my head towards her.

"Goes without saying...I vow to be the worst sort of handful for all our family. And to drink horrendous amounts for you."

Tae and Joon's shared groans are no match for the giddiness of (Y/N)'s laughter spurring my own, bubbling light and exuberant, her eyes shining as she looks at me.

"You didn't ask me because?" Tae asks, leaning further into her, head resting against her shoulder, pressing a kiss to her fingers and palm as she moves to cup his cheek from the side.

"Because Mimi is always my dark knight. And besides... he can hold his drink better." Cooing when he grumbles but fails to refute it.

My lips curve wider, stretched into a grin.

"I could be your dark knight too bandit. Whisk you away from disaster and drunkenness if needs be." I lilt, words purposely coy and lilted to him, peering at him from lidded lashes, gaze fluttering.

"How charming." The words drawled out, but attention drifting back to (Y/N) as Joon takes her wrist to measure her pulse all the whilst, carefully jotting down everything, eyes warm and reassuring, that in turn makes a calmness seep into her posture, leaning further against the pillows.

"Playing doctor's assistant today Minnie? Working two jobs?"

I sigh.

"I don't get paid for this one... not in money at least."

"There are far better things than money sometimes." She agrees, eyes glinting with a mischief I know all too well, recognise it as a gaze that's a mirror to my own.

"In trinkets?" Tae asks, a gleaming shine to his eyes.

Always a bandit through and through.

Joon's laugh is low.

There's no sense of filter nor barrier between the four of us, an openness that goes back years. There's no feigned attempt at propriety... not with what circumstances, what place we all met.

Though Joon and Tae go back years their own way.

"In whatever Jimin-ah wants."

"Sometimes its spontaneous dates... sometimes it's him at my mercy. Sometimes the other way around." I shrug.

And through her check-up, (Y/N)'s face brightens as I steer the conversation towards dates, towards ideas for her and Tae, for ideas as the baby grows, keeping that unspoken worry from simmering. Sensing that maybe both of them need the distraction.

It's natural to worry and fret, even more so when this pregnancy is completely new and uncharted waters for both of them.hn

Neither of them had wanted a baby for years and neither of them thought that'd change.

But life has a funny way of surprising you.

And this is perhaps one of the best surprises life could've given them.

Joon's eyes are bright with pride as he draws back. Carefully settling his journal back in, eyes raking in an assessing gaze over her.

"You're in good shape sweetheart. It's early days still but a slow ease into pregnancy usually means good things in the long run."

"And the morning sickness?" Tae reiterates, eyes alert and attentive, body unconsciously guarding and flanking even as he's managed to worm closer to press entirely to her side.

"Stick to the hydrating afterwards and get some rest whenever you feel exhausted. If it gets worse I am working on new medication to help so we'll get through this. All of us. Together."

Voice firm and grounding, gently nudging me aside so he can sink down beside (Y/N), nothing but tenderness and love in his eyes as he carefully draws her close for a hug, only tightening the embrace when she tugs him further against her.

"So you'll help Tae's fussing or add to it?"

"...add to it." There's a brief pause before Joon's voice rings with unison in mine, her face playfully scrunched before she smiles.

The curve of her lips soft.

"And who gets to see the baby bump first?"

"Me!"

Tae's indignation and scowl lost in my laughter as I curve into (Y/N), leaning into her, eyes crinkling.

"Definitely me." I mumble into her throat, nosing gently at skin.

"I heard that... it'll be me."

"Don't bet on it."

[......]

I know I'm not first. I don't know what exact moment of time several weeks afterwards, that (Y/N) walks into the shop, having taken a few days off, working on a dress from the comfort of her home, holding a garment bag in front of her, Tae following half a beat behind.

I know that I wasn't first, but I don't care.

Not immediately seeing the full curve of her stomach, a noticeable swell to her abdomen that catches my eyes as she sits down, gently shooing Tae's fussing and instead drawing him close for a kiss, his body half-curved over her, hand smoothening down her side and resting over a grown baby bump.

I don't care I wasn't first.

Because I get to see that at some point, in the past odd week or so, her stomach has taken on a noticeable curve. Visibly pregnant. But just about so.

The soft roundedness of her stomach made prominent because when she sits in our favourite corner of the shop, the dress clings to it.

And sparkling glittering eyes meet my own disbelieving ones when Tae steps away with a final, lingering kiss against rouged lips. His own stained with the same deep shade.

Eyes shining with pride and tenderness, lips curved softly.

"Your..." I breathe, taking a step forward.

She watches, a fondness in the expectant brimming eagerness of her body, settled comfortably but almost restlessly anticipating.

"Your bump. Our baby's grown." I marvel, words hushed.

Reverent and in awe.

"They have."

And when I lean forward, curving towards her, her hands drift to cradle me close, eyes bright.

"You have a baby bump." I murmur again, watching her nod. Forehead resting against hers.

"I do."

"And it's beautiful. (Y/N) you're going to be a wonderful mama, you're already glowing so much." I marvel.

Tae's voice is low and rumbles with agreement.

"A radiant mama-to-be." I whisper, crowding closer against hers, pressing my lips to her forehead, trailing down to pepper slow kisses to her curved cheeks, soft and pink.

"You're glowing too." She whispers, nose nudging against mine.

"I'm going to be a parent too. Why wouldn't I be the most radiant?" I softly tease, body sinking down into a crouch, hands against the baby bump, gently brushing my palm over it.

A soft, slow rub.

Head tilting back to peer at Tae, the same sparkling excitement making his own expression glow. Proud and loving and bright.

"I have to agree (Y/N), maybe...just maybe Minnie's most radiant."

Her laugh rings out clear and tinkling, leaning forward to brush her fingers through my hair.

"I have to agree with that."

"I didn't think I'd ever love someone as much as (Y/N)... but maybe... maybe that's changing." I accept, voice quiet, words hushed. And eyes drawn back again to her bump, to the baby growing inside, voice softer still as I lean towards her stomach.

"Hi little treasure."

TAE POV:

There's never been a day where life has been static since (Y/N) became the centre of my orbit, the gravitational force I'm drawn to over and over.

And there's been a newness, foreign and thrilling and all at once unfamiliar yet welcomed from the moment I heard word that (Y/N) wasn't well, that she was at Minnie's place.

And found the ground falling away under my feet only for me to settle on a wobblier, uncertain terrain, ears ringing and lungs constricting painfully as his words whirled in my head over and over.

(Y/N)'s pregnant. (Y/N)'s pregnant.

And found the same hope, tentative and shining, reflected back at me in her gaze, the same disbelief, the same giddy hitched breaths muffled against my own, tasting the tang of tears on her lips and the joy in the curve of her smile pressed eagerly to my own, hands tugging me closer.

It's almost as if it hasn't quite sunk in yet. The world entirely changed and yet... nothing that we can see, no immediate physical shift to our lives except now there's an overflowing, electric anticipation that's seeped into our very beings. Fusing with our very breaths.

But that same giddiness brings the plummeting fear and worry when a few weeks into her pregnancy, the morning sickness starts.

Not limited to the early hours of the day, sometimes mid-breakfast when something just doesn't sit right and the smile falters on her face, shaky trembles to her body afterwards.

For all that we want a baby, it suddenly becomes apparent that how daunting it is for both of us, feeling out of our depths, floundering in waters too deep to stay afloat in, brief moments where I wonder whether I'm doing enough to support and help (Y/N) through it.

It often feels like I'm looking from the outside in, helpless to do anything than to support her through the aftermath of the morning sickness, heart cracking and splintering every time I'm greatened with reddened, watery eyes and a shaky quiver to her lips.

The exhaustion that lingers afterwards, trying to stomach the tea, curled up in bed but sitting up, fingers carding through my curls to soothe the restless ache she's recognised in me.

Some days it feels as if she's supporting me more than I am her, but there's a deep, deep rooted sense of grounding she brings and that I bring. Both of us there for one another, navigating the newness, the unfamiliar, with excitement and nerves both.

It's a lifetime ago that I grew up unloved and abandoned. With Jin's love hidden and given in stolen moments as if loving a brother, being there for me, was a danger, a threat to both of us. There always used to be a sense of guilt wondering whether I was making life harder for Jin by being there... whether it caused problems for him to sneak to the adjacent, smaller property away from the Kim estate to see me. I wondered why he'd chosen to find me when we'd both gotten out, gone our own ways away from the bloodline we'd been damned to since birth.

But now... now seeing how fate intertwined our lives deeper than I could've ever envisioned... to find that (Y/N) and Jin already had a deeply cemented friendship, love and trust in one another... to know that Jin had been a shelter, a sanctuary for her and Jimin, their home in the hellhole... there's never been a day where that gratitude or thanks or feeling of relief has ever ebbed.

There is nothing but sheer gratitude to know Jin always had (Y/N)'s back unfailingly. And nothing but pure love for my brother bustling about the kitchen, brewing her tea and setting up snacks to coax her appetite. The unflappable firm resolve in his eyes, the warm doting love as the two of them sit, half entangled, leaning into Jin's broad figure with a sense of protection.

Nothing but pure love for the man who'd been there for (Y/N) whilst being there for me. Who helped her heal through it all.

"He's so domestic." Hobi sighs with a fond smile, watching Jin move about the kitchen with an ease, well acquainted with the cottage, with its ins and outs, moving to stock the pantry as he leaves soup to simmer on the stove, a bustling energy to his movements.

"He is."

"He's the better Kim I'd say." He teases from beside me, laughing when I glower at him half-heartedly.

"You're saying that because you're literally putty in his hands." I accuse.

His heart-shaped smile is infectious, shrugging his shoulders easily, giving the basket he holds a little purposeful shake.

"So is (Y/N). Or will be. I know he's reinstating himself as full-time, on call masseuse for her." Tilting his head towards the couch, watching as Jin helps (Y/N) up, supporting her even if she laughs, sinking against him with a fond smile.

A fluid ease between the two, a familiar pattern they fall into as he winds his arms around her shoulders, smile both teasing and protective.

"I think there's something to be said about seeing my sister-in-law in varying states of undress..." he lilts to her, watching her full lips curve with playfulness, swatting at him.

"You offered. Demanded..."

"Because no-one else knows your body the way I do. No other masseuse or pair of hands will be able to make you feel relaxed. It'll help you feel better, with the baby growing and you rushing about everywhere—won't you let me take care of you?" the teasing melting into something tender and imploring, a strong welling protectiveness as he cradles her from behind, gently swaying with her, hands entangled with her and settled over her growing stomach, her steps slow and unrushed, tilting her head to peer at him.

Pressing her lips to his jaw.

"Your confidence is quite something Jin. Seems to run in the family to be so assertive." She lilts, eyes flickering with embers of heat when her gaze settles on me.

Hobi's laugh rings out. Contagious and loud.

"I second that." He agrees without a scrap of hesitance or shame, giving Jin a lingering once-over that makes my eyes in turn drift from the two to my own wife.

"You like it." I state.

She grins.

"I do. I really do. But right now as tempting as that sounds I need Jin's hands working their magic."

Hobi nudges me, a low croon in his words.

"I second that too~"

Laughing when I give him a shove.

"I don't need to hear that from you." lips twisting into a scowl, watching his face bright with amusement and laughter unfazed as he shrugs, nudging me towards the drawing room.

"Oh I'm sure I can make you more scandalised whilst Jin gives (Y/N) a massage."

"Hob-ah don't share our sex lives with my baby brother." Exasperated and amused as he continues to slowly steer (Y/N) towards the doorway, slow waddles that's especially endearing given how both their hands cradle a baby bump, slow shuffles towards the hallway.

"We'll be upstairs. If you hear... noises, then it means the magic is working." Jin can't help but call over his shoulder, laughing and his voice hushed and entangled with (Y/N)'s as their steps recede, moving towards the stairs.

And Hobi nudges me towards the couch, eyes bright and fond.

"Baby brother having his own baby. Time flies." Voice softer.

Because somewhere along the years, somewhere along where Jin and Hobi met, where Hobi and I met, where all of us became an amalgamation of lives, a family of choice not blood, a family stronger than one forged in bloodlines—even when Hobi and Jin weren't together, weren't exclusively smitten with one another... Hobi's been a brother.

He reaches for the decanter that sits on the side table, holding it out in silent question to me.

"(Y/N)'s not drinking so I've been trying to limit it at home at least—" I murmur.

"A toast? To our baby brother growing up? And starting his own family? And to (Y/N)—the woman we all need in our lives. Our wild spirit." His lips curl as I nod, pouring a generous amount into both glasses, holding mine out before he clinks his.

"To you. To Jin. For being better than your sire. For living full lives free and of your own choices."

I raise my glass with a grin to that.

"Fuck him. To us." I laugh, a warmth pooling in my chest at his words, at the fond, fiercely proud look Hobi sports as we down the drink, my lips tugging wryly at the hiss he makes.

Reaching to refill both our glasses.

"To (Y/N).... Spirit stronger than any that can be bottled." I laugh.

He nods, cheeks flushed as he downs the second, shaking his head in grimace at the taste.

"To (Y/N)." he echoes, rubbing ruefully at his chest.

"I don't know how you can own a tavern and not be able to hold your liquor."

"I don't drink just because I sell it." He laughs.

"Well.. I wear what I pilfer." I retort.

He gives a soft snort.

"I can see that. You also paint to fill your walls." He remarks.

"You noticed?"

He hums.

"This is a home. And you filled it with your love. And your art shows that... your muse. Your happiness."

"I just wished I could get Kook to agree in doing some portraits for us. He's holding out on me." I laugh, heart aching with yearning.

For the walls to be filled with both of us, to have a painting with her.

And though Kook wasn't selling his art—he was exceptionally talented. And the landscape paintings scattering his and Yoongi's home reflected that.

"He's a talented man." Hobi agrees.

Face already flushed with the strength of the alcohol. Cheeks a ruddy pink.

"I want—I want to have a collection of paintings and sketches for (Y/N)'s pregnancy... but I want..."

"To be in them. As her husband, as a father-to-be."

I nod.

"I'll ply Kook with wine, and you try negotiate?" he offers with a conspirator's gleam.

"I'll try talk to him again. Wheedle him into it. If not—I'll call for backup." I agree with a nod.

"Deal."

[......]

"Hey honey...." I greet with a smile, watching the lazy flutter of her lashes, the low moan as Jin continues to knead at the stiffness in the low of her back, trying to keep herself propped up on her arms, trying to not sink down against the sheets entirely, mindful of her stomach.

"Tae..." my name is a keening murmur, the sound so heady it makes a spark of fire lick at my spine, aware that she's just getting a massage, but her voice sounds wrecked.

Jin's lips curve into a knowing grin as his gaze briefly flickers to me, oil-slick hands carefully easing upwards, coaxing out the knots cramping her spine, making her feel uncomfortable.

"Do you always sound like that under Jin's touch?" I murmur, carefully slipping into bed, watching the blissed-out expression on her face with something akin to hunger gnawing at me from the inside.

"He's so good with his hands. I feel like putty." She mumbles, smile curling slow and lazy. Dazed. Hand reaching out for me, Jin's movements stilling as he draws back briefly.

"Want to lean against Tae? You're wobbling." He teases warmly, carefully steadying (Y/N) as I manoeuvre myself to lean against the headboard, positioning myself so she can sink her weight against me instead, a low groan quiet and shaky as her hands clutch at my thighs, head dropping forward as Jin continues to massage her back, fingers working upwards in sweeping circles.

Her huff is amused.

"Feeling better darling?" I ask, fingers smoothening over her hair, coaxing her face up, hand drifting to angle her jaw up to me, ducking my head to her, kiss slow and unrushed, her lips uncoordinated against mine, the slow flicker of heat at her tongue sweeping at the seam of my parted mouth.

"Much." She nods.

"I'll teach you Tae. So you can help if I'm not there or it's during the night." Jin offers with a smile hand brushing down her spine, gently squeezing her waist to let her know he's done as he draws back with oil-slick hands, the faintly scented oil brushing against my nose, a soft, wet moan against my lips as she curls further against me, letting her body sink down more fully.

"Thank you Jin. I'd like that."

"You'd like to have that much more power to make me melt." (Y/N) retorts, lips trailing from the corner of my mouth to my jaw, nosing against my throat, the distracting press of tongue and teeth making my breath quicken.

"And that's my cue to leave."

"Hobi might've fallen asleep." I call ruefully, relishing in the quiet and hushed intimacy as the door closes behind him, retreating quickly with a knowing grin, tilting his head towards the basket of oils.

"Some of them work wonders in baths." Before the door shuts.

A click.

A finality.

"Hi baby." She murmurs against the crook of my neck, teeth working distractingly over skin, particularly when my body gives a small reflexive shudder under her, her hands tightening their clasp on my thighs.

"Hi treasure. Feeling good?"

"So good... so, so good." She murmurs against my skin, mouth closing around skin to suck a slow, thorough mark against my skin, her lips curving into a loose satiated smile.

"I'll have to learn. Look so soft like this." I murmur into her hair, relishing in the quiet of just holding her, hand brushing down her spine, that faint sweet tinge to the oil lingering, her hands brushing upwards against my thighs, trailing up and down with a laziness that slowly stirs a quietly flickering arousal that takes its time to sink in.

A slow indulgence of her hands brushing down my sides, my own drawing her closer, head tilting back to invite the slow press of her lips trailing downwards, fingers fumbling with unbuttoning my shirt, soft exhales against my skin, sparking soft shivers under her lazy, exploratory touch.

"Were you feeling really uncomfortable before?" I ask, guilt creeping into my tone.

A quick shake of her head and eyes drifting up, fingers continuing their slow plucking of my buttons, dragging her nails down my abdomen, lips quirking at the way my body shifts under hers.

"You both seem to have the tendency to be overprepared. Can't be achy if he chases them away before they happen." Lips quirked, leaning into her to kiss her, teeth catching at her bottom lip, tugging, her soft moan muffled against me, hand drifting up to the crease of my inner thigh, brushing over my front.

Relishing in the needier groan that slips past my lips, her pupils dilating at the sound, rocking back slightly to take me in, eyeing the sprawled state of my body under hers.

"Although if it gets you like this under me then it's a double win." She breaths lightly, drawing back to take me in, eyes dragging slowly.

"Take your shirt off Tae."

My hands move to comply, tugging it off, her eyes drinking in the sight of my torso before her gaze drifts downwards, a soft complaint on her lips as my hands reach for the breeches' buttons.

"Not yet Tae. Let me see a mess made of you with my hands now." She lilts, leaning to crowd against me once more, moving to straddle my sprawled legs instead, already bare save for the drawers clinging to her thighs, to her slightly curvier hips, my hands gripping and palming at the new softness with a deep low groan of appreciation, moulding her to my touch.

"And here I was thinking you'd be putty under my touch."

She tilts her head, gaze appraising and dark.

Words slow and drawn out, a crackling, slowly simmering tension that gains heat and fire with the indulgently slow pace her touch sets, hands smoothening down my front. Leaning in to press a kiss to the hollow of my throat, nosing along skin as she lets her lips drift lower.

"Thoughts can change baby."

"I can see that... just takes the right persuasion no?" groaning softly at the way her hand continues to brush over my torso, drifting to wind around my nape, tugging at curls as she draws me closer and closer for a kiss, the bump of her stomach against my navel.

Briefly dazed with the sight of her straddling me, the slow teasing grind of her hips, hand trailing up to let her fingers slowly circle a bud, the purposely slow scrape of her nail against my chest tugs out a sharp hiss, fingers curling around her wrist. The pain-pleasure sting morphing into a thicker cloying heat as her gaze roots mine, mischief curling her lips.

"Not going to let me have my fun?"

I give her wrist a tug, drawing her closer, mouth ghosting along hers, angling her jaw so I can press a slow trail of kisses down her throat, breaths exhaled against the curve of her neck as she arches slightly, hips rocking slow circles against my own.

"As if I'd deny you that ever." I murmur, words dropping lower. Huskier.

Her eyes flutter as she tracks the path of my lips, the tension thick and palpable.

Fingers slowly unfurling from her wrist, groaning wetly against her skin as she continues the slow teasing circling off her fingers, the stinging smoothened over by the pad of her thumb, her own lips peppering kisses across my shoulder.

Tongue flicking against the crook of her neck, teeth nipping at her skin, taking my time in darkening the mark I'm lathing into skin, soft sucks and lazy flicks of my tongue to let the dizzying rush of pain-pleasure linger, the sting morphing into something heavier, felt in the deeper grind of her hips against me.

It's as if every single nerve cell of my body is wired to her touches, reacting to her touches, feeling arousal make me strain against my breeches, stiffening to an almost aching point, her hips continuing to rock against mine, soft breaths muffled against my curls.

There's something even more electric about being both used to help draw (Y/N) to the first peak, soft sounds slipping past her lips, unable to resist tugging her hips closer, rocking my own up to spiral her towards that peak, watching the lazy flutter of her eyes, the soft dewy flush to her body, the hazed look of pleasure slowly melting her features into bliss.

Something electric about how my pleasure brims, teetering on an edge, but yet something greater gnaws at me even as pleasure lances at skin nearly painfully. A dangerous intoxication in the pleasure (Y/N) brings, hand against my sternum, my breaths ragged as her fingers continue to work at my chest, a slow taunting stimulation that makes both nipples painfully stiff, my head lowering to press open-mouthed kisses against the curve of her breasts, hand cupping one, fingers deft as I tug, a slow smirk tugging at my lips, her lips breathless as she kisses me, soft shudders as she clasps at my shoulder. Fingers curling tight, hard enough to leave the indents of her nails behind where she clutches at me.

"Close (Y/N)?" I murmur, teeth sinking in a bit sharper, her hips giving a shaky grinding circle. The slow circling motion turning erratic.

Her gaze lidded, pupils darker and blown wide as she nods.

"Guess it did turn you into the mess after all." I murmur against her skin, fingers trailing lower to brush against the curved roundness of her stomach, to our baby.

"No...not done with you yet." Words trembled, head resting against my shoulder, exhales wavery and uneven.

"No? Your mess might be my undoing." I admit, head tilting back, hips rocking up to meet hers, the friction of fabric against where arousal makes our bodies tighten with a winding coiling tension that feels closer and closer to snapping.

"Seems like such a waste. To ruin your clothes." She murmurs, soft keening hitches of breath and quiet whimpers as she continues to rock her hips, a more rushed, hurried grind, thighs trembling, hand smoothening over the soft curve of her leg, palming and kneading at soft flesh.

"Doesn't seem like you care." I groan at the nipping fleetingness of her lips and teeth against the column of my throat.

Her tongue flicking against my pulse, tasting how erratically it thrums under her.

"I don't... I don't care for ruining your clothes. I did want you to come undone on my tongue though."

My hand clamps tighter at her thigh.

"I don't have anywhere I'd rather be. No rush."

Her thighs clench, tightening where they're sprawled on either side of my hips, my hand drifting to where the silk clings to her core.

Her arousal staining the fabric, knuckles dragging down her centre.

Thumbing slowly.

"And I have a few places to name a least where I want to make a mess."

Her back arches as she comes undone on my lap, hands continuing to guide her hips into rocking motions, prolonging the jolting pulses of pleasure as her peak crashes into her, the sight of her eyes dark with lust and pleasure, the tremors of pleasure that make her back arch, lips chasing pert buds, a shuddered moan torn past my lips as my hands guiding her leads that spiralling pleasure to wind tighter until it snaps.

Rutting against her, feeling release slam in deep waves that bring this scorching heat to suffuse with my limbs.

Bodies entangled together, sharper, erratic thrusts that prolong her pleasure and lead me to a dizzying sensitivity, her hands tugging at curls, guiding my mouth to hers, tongue slick against my own, sweeping through my mouth. Tasting the unevenness to my breaths.

Voice slightly hoarse when she speaks.

Part-way there to being wrecked.

"Where?"

My fingers curl at the waistband of her drawers.

"Where to begin—" a rough rasp in my words.

Undone by her.

And yet either of us are far from over.

---------------------

It's almost routine to purposely distract (Y/N) from getting dressed. It's habit. It's a need, relishing that soft teasing intimacy, those lingering moments where she's stolen away for myself and I can help but indulge fully...thoroughly, slowly in her.

"Tae... stop you're going to be late." Words full of laughter, hands batting at me as I reach for her, desperate to snag her again, to sink back into the bath, slick hands swiping for her body, gaze dragging over the way water trickles against her skin, rivulets that brush over lines and curves.

Gaze fixated to the sight of her silhouette, bare and flushed, as she reaches for a towel.

"I don't care. I don't have to go."

She laughs at that, the sound ringing and bright. Fingers moving to secure the towel properly. Clasping at her front tightly, the sight of her curves hidden away but still my eyes chase the path rivulets of water take against her skin. Hair snaking down her back, leaving droplets to fall to the floor, gaze hungering as I drink in the sight of water slipping under the towel, beading at her throat and collarbones.

Gaze drifting down her towelled form to linger at her legs, watching the way her feet dither. The hesitation in her steps all the answer I need, hands pushing myself upright from the tub as I stand, grinning at the way that roots her where she stands. A flash of surprise, appreciation and amusement as she takes a step back, lips curving coy at whatever she reads in my eyes. Whatever they betray me.

"Tae..." warning, my name drawn out slowly. As if carefully measuring out the syllable on her tongue, letting it linger there.

"(Y/N)...." Relishing in the slow dragged out croon of her name, the way it feels on my tongue.

The way it tastes of slowly coiling anticipation, the air thrumming with a charged energy as I take her in, eyeing the slow steps she takes, her gaze fixed sharply on me. Drifting to drag down my front.

"See something you like?" I drawl.

Her eyes are unashamedly lingering, before they drag upwards again, feeling the heat in her gaze as a weighted caress, as if her hands map out where her touch lingers. Scorches.

"Always."

"And yet you're choosing to leave? To run?"

She takes another... purposeful step away.

"Who said anything about running?"

I take a slow step forward, unbothered to reach for a towel, unbothered by the water leaving puddles on the floor, a quick stride that she moves to increase the gap again.

Hand tightening where she clutches at her towel.

"Seems like it. Seems like you're considering evading capture Lady Kim." I drawl.

"Does it? What exactly else am I evading?"

"The end game we both want."

"I'm not playing. What game?" teasing and toying as she slowly moves to drift further and further towards the door that leads out back towards our bed chamber.

"Oh? So you're not toying with the idea of making me hunt you down and steal you away, little jewel?"

"Whatever gave you that idea my love?"

"You seem to be searching for an escape route. That leads out to a room we both know every nook and cranny of."

Her body slowly drifts towards the door regardless, her free hand reaching back for the handle, fumbling only briefly with it.

"I wouldn't be so sure of that."

My brows rise, advancing with quick, large strides, a crackling tension teetering on the precipice of realisation whether or not she'll manage to escape, whether she'll make a run for it. Her gaze toying and taunting, our eyes rooted to one another.

A teetering dangling fraying thread of control and restraint... towards that next move. Towards whether or not she'll manage to rush out of reach before I lunge for her.

"Why's that darling?"

"Because if...if needs be. You can always find a place to hide– too slow!" she lilts, words suddenly spiking with loudness as she laughs, pushing the door open, lurching away with a suddenness. Using the purposely drawn out words as ploy to get me to dither, her laugh ringing loud and bright, her steps light as she rushes from me.

Moving to create the distance further and further, ignoring my startled shout and her name slipping past my lips, breathless and amused.

"It's easier to give up you know?" I call, eyeing the way the towel slips down lower at her back, eyeing the way her hair, still sopping wet, leaves little scattered droplets against the floor, marking the trail she takes, eyes inviting and enthralling as she tilts her head to peer at me over her shoulder.

"And concede my lord? Never. There's no fun to be had in surrender. In admitting defeat without fighting every last breath."

Slowly circling the bed, gaze lidded as she peers at me from the opposite end of the bed, the two of us circling one another, a dangerous, heady dance she draws me to, a familiar pattern of steps that fall into place almost like routine. Except this has never once been the same. Never once has she led me the same thralling way twice.

It's always a new lure.

"Who said it would be a bitter victory?"

"And who said your win would be sweet if I didn't wish it? You'd rather your triumph over mine Tae? Over your sweet wife?" lips curving into a sweet, enticing pout.

"Stop cheating– get back here!" I laugh, trying to advance, watching as she quickly side steps, a slow circling motion that feels electrifyingly like a hunt.

Except despite me trying to advance on her, there's nothing distinctly about prey when it comes to (Y/N).

There's rather the feeling that though she's being chased, she's the one toying with her predator, with her being hunted to be captured and pinned down.

Heat licks at my skin and bones, melding with it. Fusing with blood.

"Everything's fair in love and war no?" tauntingly playful.

"It is. So what's this... love or war you're waging by denying me my wife?"

She hums, considering, the answer waiting on the tip of her tongue.

"Marriage. Which could be either depending—but surely you're not looking for war with me Taehyungie."

"Well I want to love my wife and show her how deeply I love her. She seems to have a problem with that." I laugh, slowly circling round to her, watching as she moves further and further against the other end of the bed, gaze narrowing at my approach.

"Sounds terrible... why don't you leave her for me?" she laughs.

I tilt my head.

"I'm a taken man my lady."

"Makes it all the more thrilling." She teases.

"And you're married."

She waves her hand at me, ring glinting at her finger, yelping when I suddenly rush for her, a hasty blur of movement as she squeals, laughter breaking the brief heat of her eyes snaring mine, hands fumbling for her.

But rather than dart out away from the bed she dives for it, twisting away from her arms, her hold on her towel loosening as she jerks away, my hand managing to snag around her ankle.

A sharp tug before my vacant hand loops around her other ankle, tugging her down towards me, body curving over hers, looming over her sprawled form, flushed from laughter and the bath, dewy and glowing, breath coming in heaving sharp swells, each inhale and exhale drawing my eyes to the slightly growing curves adding to her already amply full figure.

The way her thighs cross briefly before she crooks them open in invite, eyes sparkling and overflowing with mischief and giddiness, her eyes dragging down my front, to where I curve over her, crowding against her, hands drifting from her ankles up her calves before smoothening over her thighs. sinking into the sheets on either side of her, fingers clutching tightly at them, hard enough that my knuckles, relishing in the betraying waver to her breath, pupils dilated at being tugged into place.

"Like that?" words smug.

"What?"

"Being manhandled into place for me." I croon, leaning into her, her fingers against wet curls, a sharp tug as her back arches slightly, body shifting under where mine crowds against her, almost pinning her there.

"Maybe." She concedes, though the sharp visceral arousal in her eyes betrays hers.

I lean further into her, knee slotting between her thighs, a soft rocking motion of my thigh against her core, feeling the way she shifts to the touch, rocking into it.

The round curve of her stomach bigger than it'd been last month, propping my weight onto one hand, reaching down to brush my hand against the distended curve, feeling the almost squirmy wriggle she gives before my hand trails lower, down to trace slow circles against her nub,

"Pregnancy is making you so sensitive sweetheart." I croon, lips lowering to press to hers, a soft muffled whimper against my mouth as her hand clasps my wrist, tries to draw my touch closer even as her hips rock restlessly, grinding against my thigh.

"Or you just know what buttons to press." She huffs out, lips parting in a silent cry as I lean further into her, thigh against her core, hand trailing back up, skimming against her curves.

"Or both. So responsive." I praise, words low against her skin.

Mouth lowering against her breast, teeth tugging her pert nipple between them, tongue flicking against her, her back arching up with a sharp cry, hands fisting for purchase against the sheets, at my hands.

Slow in lathing over the nip, so easy to stimulate, nubs stiff and hard and so sensitive that the barest drag of my nail against it has her shifting and arching restlessly under my touch.

"Look at you little jewel." I groan in marvel.

The sight of her alone tugs such a visceral, bodily response of arousal from me. The sight of her writhing with a restless ache, limbs dewy and curvy, a softer roundness that pregnancy brings makes her both enthralling and addicting in a whole new way and makes my body tilt to hers.

"So beautiful...so, so beautiful."

"Tae please."

"What baby... whatever you need."

Her eyes are bright, holding mine.

"Touch me."

My hands drag against her curves, leaning further into her, only a slither of distance keeping me from her, her leg hooking around my calf to tug me closer.

"Fuck me." She adds, words raw with need, my fingers trailing down to her slick core, slowly circling her, thumbing deep swipes at her swollen nub.

A moan ripples past her lips as I sink two fingers into her, slowly sheathing them inside her, continuing to thumb at her whilst curling my fingers, eyes intently drinking in every single shift in her expression, the slow dazed flutter of her lashes as she rocks her hips to draw me deeper, the slow drag as I curl and thrust my fingers in her.

Coaxing out cries and sharp keening wanting sounds from kiss-reddened lips.

"Until I'm making you beg for more." I promise, lips sucking dark marks into curves, fingers curling deeper, thrusts quickening, drunk on the sight of pleasure making her thrash against the sheets, so restless, so wanting.

"Until past I beg you to stop." Her voice trembles with need, her gaze dark and lidded as she peers at me. My lips curl into a smile against her skin.

"It's a promise."

[......]

"Keep looking baby. Look at you, so beautiful. So stunning with child." Praise murmured against her shoulder, one arm wound around her to steady the shaking tremors to her thighs, the other between her legs, continuing to work my fingers in and out of her, her lips parted as she draws in ragged breaths, gaze blown-wide but she complies. Taking the sight of her body in the full-length mirror, head tilting back, the contact briefly snapping as her eyes turn to me, heavy and full.

"Gorgeous." I murmur against her, body steadying her own, lips slotting to hers briefly, tasting the faint tang of overstimulated tears against my tongue, the shudder of her breaths uneven but even so she turns back towards the mirror, legs trying to close to hold them shut, trying to trap my hand between them.

"One more then I'll stop teasing you with my fingers." I promise, lips pressing slow kisses against the curve of her shoulder.

But I'm far from over, far from done lathing love and attention to every single inch and curve of her body, eyes dragging with a hungering appreciation for the curvier frame motherhood is bringing (Y/N).

"Tae..."

"You deserve to be worshipped... every single inch of you." I murmur against her skin, lips slotting over the curve of her shoulder to suck in a mark hard enough to leave an ache, mouthing at the deep red against her skin.

Fingers working her closer and closer to another peak, eyes dragging down the tightly coiled curve of her back, arching, snared by the sight of her breasts and hips curvier, fuller... the round taut curve of her stomach and the expression of dazed bliss, lips slightly parted, chest heaving as she draws in ragged breaths.

"I'm so, so lucky to have you. my sweetest treasure, my perfect jewel. Look how well you take my fingers." Glassy lidded eyes tracing the movement of my fingers, feeling her thighs clench tighter, body shuddering as she reaches that sharp, splintering peak when the bubbling pleasure spills over, stains my fingers with her arousal.

My eyes remain fixed on her even as my lips trail back towards the crook of her neck, head tilting to nose along skin, nuzzling against her, breathing shaky as I hear her pleasured whimpers, mouthing gently at her throat.

Her head turns to face me, eyes glittering, new tears trickling down her cheeks, lips soft and unrushed and fiercely tender against my own.

"I love you Tae... love you so much." Words wavered against my lips, hand reaching to cradle me closer, sinking back against me, my fingers slowly easing out of her, squeezing at her thigh, gently grounding.

"I love you (Y/N)... love you for the world you're giving us, for being my world."

Hand drifting from where it's wound around her, smoothening my hand against her waist, trailing up, drifting to cup her cheek, nose nudging to hers, our breaths wavering against one another and the silently aching tenderness muffled against each other's lips, chasing the salty tang of exertion and tears and pleasure on her tongue, tears caught on her lashes, sparkling, pure ecstasy in the curve of her body sinking to lean against mine.

"Motherhood makes you irresistible sweetheart." I whisper against her, hand drifting from the inside of her thigh to trail to her hip, squeezing at the softer, wider curve of it.

Gaze flickering to the mirror, to the way her body flushed and dewy with pleasure looks, exertion pearling at her temples, the ragged unevenness of her breaths felt in the sharp swallows and the way her body, taut with a slowly unravelling pressure, looks pressed against mine, cradled by mine.

"You see life rosy Tae."

"You've made it rosy if anything my love. Besides how could I not revere and cherish your body for all that it is and all that it's doing...raising our baby, sheltering them? When motherhood makes you radiant."

Hands brushing down her sides, feeling the tremors under my touch.

Coaxing her back.

Drawing her with me, the wobble in her legs tugging a satisfied curl to my lips.

Fingers poking at the corner of my mouth.

A breathless, satiated smile on her own.

"You're far too smug Lord Kim."

"Any husband would be to see how physically ruined his wife can be by his hand alone."

Her eyes flutter as I guide her down onto the edge of the bed, kneeling in the space between parted legs, settling there. Hands palming and rubbing and squeezing at her calves, trailing upwards to smoothen my palms over rounded thighs.

"Your hands are just—"

I grin at her, drawing slick fingers into my mouth, tasting the essence of her arousal, tongue flicking against the pad of my fingers, groaning wetly around them, see her eyes burn with a strong intense heat, leaning back on her hands, the rise and fall of her breaths bring my attention to her nearly full-curved stomach.

"I've heard that particularly often these past six months sweetheart." I croon, drawing my fingers away, the glint of my tongue chasing her taste off the tip of my fingers, flicking against them slowly.

A soft nudge of her foot against the side of my leg, leaning back.

The sight she makes, body sprawled and glowing, radiant with release and pregnancy both, eyes dragging down the apex of her thighs, a carnal flicker of heat at her swollen nub, how the occasional tremor wracks her body.

Still feeling the aftershocks of pleasure wash through her body.

I could spend all day kneeling between her legs and worshipping the apex of her thighs, the curved softness that fills her features with a growing tenderness, a maternal curved form that my body is so thoroughly eager to appreciate.

"And your body..." I marvel, words slowly drawled out, her lashes half-lowered as she peers at me.

"Let me breathe you insatiable rogue." She laughs, foot nudging at me as I draw myself closer, head tilting to brush a slow line of kisses from her calf upwards, slowly peppered kisses inching further upwards, hands continuing to grip at her thighs, slipping to hook under her knees, keeping her legs angled open.

"Oh you have all the time to catch it after I've stolen it." I grin.

---------------------

"(Y/N)!" Kook laughs, eyes crinkling as she moves out of place yet again, pushing herself upright with a soft groan of complaint, eyes flashing at him.

"It's not my fault the day you decide to start sketching, baby bean decides that it's the best time to sit on my bladder! And kick a lot." she complains, though her laugh rings out at his unveiled amusement, the laughter lines around his eyes deepening as he throws his hands up with dismay, nodding to the door. Watching me straighten, gaze flashing to me.

"You stay put. I'll help (Y/N)." quickly rising to his feet, hand at the low of her back, something teasing murmured to her that makes her smile widen, swatting at him lightly as he steers her out of the room, eyes warning as he gives me a shooting glance.

"No moving Tae! I mean it!"

Their voices recede, drawing further and further away, my body remaining sprawled back, smoothening over the blankets (Y/N) was wrapped in, the sketch more homey and natural.

Though it'd taken time to persuade Kook, he'd been adamant and firm that his design choice would remain on how he chose to complete the sketches, to complete the painting. One before the baby was born, one after.

The painting was in progress and the sketches were fleeting and brief at times, long and unrushed at others. Sometimes he didn't need us explicitly sat together or in front of him and his sketchpad—sometimes the sketches happen when he briefly catches an instant he wants to add to the growing collection. Sometimes with family, sometimes with each other, sometimes when it's a cluster of us.

And the anticipation of waiting... of waiting for him to finish the sketches and the paintings leaves a bubbling giddiness at the thought—that finally there'll be ones of me and (Y/N) together.

My eyes track them once they return, Kookie's eyes crinkled and face scrunched into an endearing smile, head tilted towards her, listening intently, hand rubbing up and down her back without conscious realisation how much the gesture soothes.

All of them so attuned to (Y/N), in helping and supporting her, the nurturing tendencies unconsciously adopted, seamlessly adapted in the way there was an unspoken sheltering protectiveness that was already there, growing and expanding.

There's a tenderness in (Y/N)'s eyes as she nods, pressing a kiss to his cheek, a soft coy murmur that has his cheeks pinking, eyes briefly scandalised before curious intrigue flickers in them.

Steering her back towards me.

Hand rubbing at her stomach.

"Settle down bean. I need your mama focused." Talking faux-sternly with a furrow in his brows, nose scrunching as he gives soft pats to her stomach.

Kook's hands hovering carefully until she sinks back beside me, weight settling against me, legs slung over my own as she sprawls back, a looser, relieved expression on her face, eyes tracking Kook's back before she muses at the faint charcoal smudges left behind.

"Maybe it's an artist thing and not a you thing." She teases, propping her head up to look at Kookie, winking when he catches her eyes, puckering her lips for him.

"What is?" eyes narrowed in playful warning, poking at her sides, hands ghosting along teasing and coaxing out shrieks and giddy laughter as she squirms in my hold, batting at my hands.

"The appeal. Kook looks hot when he's focused... and I've seen him effortlessly deal with full out brawls."

I give a small growl and Kook laughs, cheeks flushed, nose scrunching.

"Always so generous with compliments aren't you (Y/N)?"

"Just for the ones worth them~" she lilts, drawing her hand round me, to make the curve of her stomach more pronounced, gaze playfully flirty.

"Trying to woo another when you're in the arms of your..."

"Husband." I finish, teeth nipping at the shell of her ear, nosing at earrings, tugging with my teeth, tongue flicking against her lobe.

"Rather clingy one I might add." Kookie retorts, a scrunched grin on his face, fingers plucking the charcoal to continue sketching, sprawling comfortably on the adjacent couch, fingers moving deft and a faint furrow between his brows as he focuses.

He doesn't mind that we move so as long as it remains in the same comfortably sprawled position, content to let us lose ourselves in our own world, though (Y/N) has different ideas.

"Sketched Yoongi before?"

"A few times. Needed a model to try portraits."

"How fussy was he?" she asks knowingly.

"Pink. As if he didn't want to. But he didn't mind either. He likes the quiet." Lips quirking at the corners, a fondness in his words as he continues to sketch, gaze flitting briefly to us every now and then.

"So why'd it take long for you to agree for us?" I ask, head propped up, playfully pinching (Y/N)'s side, laughing softly at the yelp.

Her hand rubbing at her side as she shoots me a look.

"Exactly that. If it's not keeping your hands off you're both so... wriggly. Going to have to pad that crib up so the baby doesn't roll about as much. I'll bet they get your inability to stay still!" he laughs, the shake of his head making his own hair fall forward.

Curving strands that seems to make something in (Y/N) itch restlessly, turning to tweak at my own curls, humming quietly.

"Yup. It's an artist thing—see how pretty Koo's hair is too? Rumpled artists are so attractive." She admits.

"Want me and Tae to switch?"

"So you can keep me still in those big arms? I wouldn't mind~"

Laughs giddy and bright and loud when I wind my own around her, head dropping to mumble a complaint against her laughing frame.

"And you said you thought mine were."

The appreciative squeeze to my bicep seems almost consolation, eyes shining as she tilts to me, grinning back at Koo.

----------------------

"Once upon a time there was a masseuse and a tavern owner..."

"Are you narrating your story to our baby?"

"They're my baby too!" Hobi protests, heart-shaped lips twisting when I interrupt his storytelling, pausing in his rubs to (Y/N)'s stomach, eyes flashing.

A swat to my arm from the side has me pouting.

"Tae let Hobi tell stories! They're always the sweetest ones... you haven't heard the one about the two sparkly fairies! I love that one."

"He never tells nice ones of me! He made me the bandit who stole a fairy cos she was sparkly!"

"Where's the lie?" she asks, gaze pointed, words lilted, fingers continuing to card through his hair, a flicker of jealousy, pout jutting out further.

"Why pouty?" she laughs, head tilting to me, smiling when I lean into her to kiss her, grumbling against her lips.

Drawing her vacant hand into my hair.

"Oh? Want my attention too? Don't want just Hobi getting his hair played with." she laughs.

"Fairness is a must in this household." I grumble.

Hobi laughs, leaning against her, hand drifting from her stomach down her leg to squeeze at her calf, a constant grounding pressure as he absently eases her aches, continuing his story.

"As I was saying... there was a beautiful masseuse and a tavern man made of sunshine and sparkles..."

"He's making his story nicer--"

"Tae will you shush... my baby can't hear me if you keep your grumbling..." a hand swatting at me as Hobi laughs, the sound cheery and bright, head leaning to rest against her leg, tilting into the brush of fingers, the slow drag of nails lightly scratching at my scalp tugging a soft appreciative rumble from somewhere deep in my chest.

"I will kick you out of your own house." Hobi threatens when I interrupt his long ode about the masseuse's beauty.

"(Y/"

"Let him share his stories Tae... baby likes them. So wriggly and excited." her face flushed with a giddy radiance, drawing my hand to feel the nudge against my palm, her body loose with a contentedness as Hobi continues to massage as he speaks. Clearly having learnt from Jin, heart-shaped smile beaming when she tilts her head back, her smile lazy and loose.

"Do tell me sunshine... how does he smile again?"

"With hearts in his eyes!"

"With hearts—these two pretty loves are going to look at you with all the hearts in their eyes." She echoes with a soft lilt.

"I haven't even met you baby bean, but I love you with all my heart." Poking gently at her side.

"You're playing to win favourite aren't you?"

"Of course... and when you're born I'll tell you all the stories... I've got one about a tiny bean that became the most beautiful baby."

"That story I'd like to hear too. You can be as biased as you want." I concede with a grin, curling to nuzzle against (Y/N).

Finally settling to listen to the rest of his story.

----------------------

"You're cheating!" (Y/N) accuses, throwing her cards down as she scowls at Yoongi, huffy protest on her lips as she reaches for the cup of fruity tea, drowning her sorrows in berry blend rather than the whiskey Yoongi holds up with a gummy grin, unperturbed at her outburst, hand almost delicately laying his own winning hand out.

"I am not. Sore loser much? Accept your defeat graciously (Y/N)." he laughs, eyes crinkling slightly, smile widening and showing more of his pink gums.

"You can't be winning every hand. Tae he's cheating!" she protests.

"Am I even part of the game at this point?" I ask with a small twitching smile, surrendering my own cards to the table, to the prize of confectionery being slowly gathered by a sprawled hand, tugging it to himself.

Plucking a bonbon from one of the boxes, leaning forward with a fondness in his dark eyes, holding it against (Y/N)'s lips.

"Come on (Y/N)~ why so prickly?" he coaxes with a growing grin, laughing when she parts her lips almost begrudgingly to take the bonbon, teeth nipping at his fingers.

Her favourite craving.

Strawberry bonbons.

There's true, genuine displeasure on her lips as she eyes them being tugged towards Yoongi's side of the table, the pile of confectionery steadily growing.

Caring very little for the coins on her end, eyeing the sweet treat with pure longing and a mix of frustration.

"You're cheating... you must be, there's no way—"

"I can drink you under the table just as well as I can win cards against you big baby." He teases.

The wide eyes and jutted lips are almost, almost too much to bear, my hand already moving to gently cluck her under the chin.

"I'll buy some tomorrow honey, they're just sweets."

Her eyes fill with a glower.

"They were mine. Until I got cheated out of them."

"I thought you of all people would know about poker faces and luck (Y/N). Big risk-takers... didn't you calculate the chances of you losing today?"

"Clearly not well enough if I've lost all my sweets...." A calculating, contemplative gleam in her eyes, the tilt of her head.

"I'll give you my wins for your wins." She bargains, fingers moving to nudge her coins forward, though they seem significantly less than the small mound of confectionary, the coins alone cover more than them and then some.

"(Y/N)—" I begin with a fondness bleeding into my tone, Yoongi's eyes cutting and narrowed. A silent tilt of his head as he brings a finger to his lips.

"This is (Y/N) doing business with me Tae. Not you~" he drawls, eyes sparkling with flickers of warmth and affection, amusement in them as he watches her eye the bonbons.

Silently holding another to her lips, face softening at the bright beam she gives him.

"I think you're in line for favourite uncle if you keep this up." I remark.

"Flattery won't make me hand over my winnings." He laughs.

Hands gathering the cards and reshuffling them into the deck, hands moving quick and with ease.

I've seen him playing at the tavern before, both with Kookie, with the rest of us... and occasionally... just occasionally with the odd player or so, an unflappable calm and indecipherable stoic expression that reveals nothing in any game.

"One final game love? If you win I'll give you all my winnings and bring you some more bonbons tomorrow."

"And if I lose?" eyes shrewd though she's already nodding, watching him re-deal the cards.

Deft fingers gathering his cards up and drawing them to him.

Brows raised.

"Already considering the sourness of defeat?"

"Never!"

[......]

She still loses.

Looking morose and near tears at the thought. Not because (Y/N)'s a sore loser when it comes to games or bets or bartering but because bonbons are one of her sweetest indulgences through the pregnancy. A strong craving that hasn't been shaken through the weeks.

But Yoongi hands over the bonbons without word, nudging them forward as he gathers the cards and drains his glass, gently pressing a kiss to her temple as he leaves.

And the next day Yoongi still turns up with a packaged box of more.

[......]

There's never a short supply of them after that. In any of their homes, in ours. At the tavern and at the shop.

I don't need to ask to know who it is.

The gummy smile and the faint crinkle of eyes when he sees (Y/N) eating them is enough. And the glow in his eyes when she tugs his hand or the others to feel our baby kick as she's indulging, smile sweeter... it says everything.

----------------------

At eight months (Y/N)'s breath-taking. An internal radiance that seeps out of her, glowing with motherhood, cheeks flushed and full and rosy and somehow so, so soft wherever my hands roam.

Though right now her fingers tease at her softness, hand at her breast, tugging out a keening cry from her throat as she works a stiff, achingly stiff, nipple between her thumb and finger, hand snaking over her body with an assuredness of knowing what her body likes, what she wants, her body settled on top of mine.

In this moment she doesn't want my hands roaming her body, eyes dragging heavily over the glittered tableau she's made of me for her.

The body chain encircling my chest, jostled with the slow grinding circles as she rocks her hips downwards, chasing a slowly pleasurable peak.

"Can I touch now?" I ask, voice low and rough with want, eyes dragging down her front, her own body bare for any single jewel save for her ring, the stark opposite for how thoroughly and intently she'd lavished me in jewels, fingers at my ears, my neck, winding the dark jewelled chain around my torso, the faintest drag of nails teasing at where the jewels sit.

"Not yet.... Look so pretty Taehyung. My pretty, pretty bandit." Praise slipping easily past her lips, her head tilting back, arching the inviting curve of her throat, scattered with fading marks, hands moving to grip her hips regardless, the softly curved amused smile on her lips gratifying, the soft shakiness of her breath even more so as she clasps my hands, hips rocking to meet each thrust for thrust, a slow burning inferno set to consume us both, snare us in its heat and engulf us whole.

But there's a slow maddening descent into the heat that melds with our blood, fuses to our bones, licks at our skin, the heat of our bodies almost unbearable, aching and hating the distance between our bodies, but rooted by the sight of my wife glowing as she straddles me, chasing a pleasure with no true haste in either of our movements.

Hands guiding her hips down, my own rutting up deeper, soft groans where her hand moves to drag up my navel to my sternum, fingers tugging at the chain, body arching up, a slow breathless grin curving at my lips, feeling the slow brush of her fingers chasing out my heartbeat, strong and wild, thrumming under her touch.

There's no need for haste or rush when hours fade away and no sense of time exists between the two of us.

Her fingers trace featherlight patterns against my heated skin, trailing against where the body chain jostles slightly with every thrust, every slow grind of my hips, desperate to bury myself deeper.

"Though you look like treasure." She breathes, words low and crooned, steadying her weight against my front, hands resting against my chest, a sharper cry torn past her lips when my hips buck upwards in a deeper thrust.

With her straddling me, it already allows me to rut deeper in her, every thrust already making her thighs tremble with the ache of every grinding circle, hands tugging her hips to draw her further and deeper into each movement.

"Turned the tables?" I breathe.

She nods.

Hair curling and brushing against flushed cheeks, eyes glittering with warmth and adoration, entangled with wild, untamed desire, pupils dilating.

"I can see why you like jewelling me up." Fingers slipping upwards, trailing against my throat, thumbing at the earrings glinting against my curls.

"It does several things to me... to see my jewel in treasures that'll never match her worth." Her eyes flutter, fingers curling against my sternum, hips slowing.

Almost prolonging the pleasure the two of us teeter towards.

"I love my bandit. I love him in his jewels." Words simple, yet they send sparking heat to pool in my gut, winding the coil tighter.

"Miss seeing you under me, writhing on the sheets, jewels against your glowing skin." I groan, hands clasping tighter, a sharper thrust.

"Going to have me like this." A low throaty groan slipping past slick lips, her teeth sinking into her full bottom lip, futilely trying to stifle the sound that slips past regardless.

"I'll have you any way I can." I grin up at her, breaths ragged and uneven, lungs burning with the liquid fire that sears its paths through my body, hands gripping her hips tighter, the curve of her body tilting to me as much as the full swell of her stomach can allow, glowing with a luminance that goes beyond any of the jewels glittering on my skin. There's something utterly breath-taking about her that makes every wavering breath catch in my throat.

"I've noticed that... becoming fond of doors aren't you?" smile curled loose, leaning further into me as her arms tremble, eyes pinned to mine.

My body tilting up to hers, fingers tugging at her to try draw her closer, lips skimming hot open-mouthed trails across her curves, groaning against her.

"Or maybe you're developing a stronger thing for being pinned." A lazy curl of heat licking at my spine at the way her body curves forward, pure desire swimming in dilating eyes, thighs clenching on either side of me at my words.

"Maybe you have a thing of being held down and filled." I add, teeth against the curve of her shoulder, trailing my mouth downwards, peppering slow kisses until my jewelled hand takes her own one, bar of any adornments, drawing her hand to my lips, pressing kisses across every fingertip, her hand curving as I draw it closer to brush my lips against her knuckles.

Lingering at the wedding band, at the jewels glinting there.

"Takes on a new meaning of to have and to hold." A loose smile on her lips.

The next rock of her hips sheathing her deep, a stuttered, keening moan as she tilts back, my thighs against her beck, bodies fusing together with an unbearable heat and urgency bubbling and welling now. Growing stronger and stronger.

"In every way possible." I vow with a low rumbled laugh.

Gaze fixated on her, watching her fall apart, trembling on top of me, the way her body arches before loosening, fingers aching to sink into her hair and tug her lips to mine, to swallow down the soft trembles of her breath as she falls apart, pleasure prolonged into newer, stronger welling waves as I continue to grind my hips upwards, rutting into her, deeper, rougher thrusts, turned erratic, spiralling towards a precipice she reaches with me.

Hand clasping mine, fingers entangled tight enough to leave the indent of rings against her skin.

"Maybe you have a thing to use that wicked tongue." She finally says, a soft hiss of breath as my hands continue to squeeze at her hips, palming and gripping at soft curves, careful in lowering her against the sheets, a slow turn to manoeuvre her body to lying down, slumped against the sheets before I draw out of her.

A discontented noise as that immediate, deep closeness of our bodies being entangled together is withdrawn in the slightest, her hand reaching to curl against the damp flush of my body, curling into my waist and drawing me against her, my lips chasing to taste the tang of sex and exertion off her skin, mouthing slower and gentler against her skin, trailing to bury my head against the crook of her neck. Her soft breaths turning into quiet giggles and squirms as I continue to nuzzle at her throat, tongue flicking against her pulse, peppered kisses over and over against her throat, trailing up to nip at her ear before she turns her head to face me.

Lips enticing with their wide, beckoning smile, fingers crooking under my jaw to cradle me close as I prop myself up to curve over her, to lean to her.

Slowly chased pleasure chased in the slow flick of her tongue against my own, kisses slow until they're not, frantic for that intimacy, for that closeness that was denied, the nudge of her stomach against me makes me smile against her lips, hand rubbing over the curve of our baby.

"Won't let me kiss your mama properly already." I murmur, lips briefly drifting to her jaw, nosing at her skin, smile growing wider as her hand joins mine, a ruefulness in her voice.

"What if they don't let me kiss you?"

"Impossible. I'll be the one whining just as much as our baby." I laugh softly.

Tilting my face to hers, nudging my nose against hers, head tilted to her.

Eyes drinking her in.

"You already whine big baby... they'll be less fussier." She teases, laughing against my lips, pressing a slower, lingering kiss.

I poke her stomach.

"Well now they have to be fussier."

"It'll be a dream if they sleep through the night—baby bean don't listen to him." hand covering her stomach protectively to shield my words from our baby's hearing.

"Too late... I might be telling them all sorts when you sleep." I tease, playfully poking her sides, laughter melting away when a strong nudge against my palm stills me, eyes brightening, lips stretched with pride and delight.

"See!" hand drawing hers to settle over where the nudge was.

"He's a bad influence, remember mama's always right." She whispers, voice hushed and giddy, laughs ringing loud when I gently swat her hands away, leaning close, pressing my lips to her stomach.

Heart full and aching.

"Lies. I give all the kisses!"

"Cos I can't reach—"

"Dada's been giving the kisses—remember that baby bean."

"Tae stop it!" (Y/N) laughs.

"And the hugs, holding you close!"

"Because I physically can't—"

"And the secrets whilst mama's asleep—"

"Tae stop—hey!" words processing.

I grin at her. Stealing a kiss from her lips.

"Though I do all of that for you too. I'm a firm believer in equality."

Her eyes glitter.

"Is that so Kim?"

I hum.

"I want a kiss for every kiss you've just given baby bean then."

I lean into her. Hand cupping her cheek.

"Gladly... with interest."

--------------------------

When the time comes all the preparing can't truly prepare for that moment. When the world shifts onto another axis and it's wrenched from the orbit we've always know to spiral into an unknowingness.

"Honey...what's wrong?" Catching the grimace thinning her lips, hand rubbing over the curved swell of her stomach, eyes fluttering as she tries to steady her breaths. A soft shake that morphs into a wince.

"My back." She murmurs, brows pinched as she lets out a sharp exhale, shifting restlessly from her recline against the cushions, a flicker of pain and discomfort searing across her features. Leaving their impression long after it melts and she tries to measure her breathing, the sound of the soft keening whimper distressing and yanking harshly at every fibre of my being. Body already moving to curve over her, hand rubbing from between her shoulders downwards, her hands clasping at me, clutching tight as she leans into me. Drawing herself forward with a quiet groan, head resting against my stomach as I try rub slow grounding circles into her back, feeling the stiffness of her muscles under my touch.

"I can give you a massage. Come on sweetheart just let me take care of you." I murmur, carefully helping draw her upright and away from the cushions, keeping her steady and upright, a sharp visceral pain striking at me at the barely muffled groan of discomfort as she steadies her hands on me.

"Hurts too much Tae." Voice shaky, keening with pain as she shakes her head, abrupt and sharp. Trying to nudge my hand away as I draw the loose nightgown up, gently massaging circles, the pressure too much against skin that feels both taut and stretched tight against her flesh and bones, and the aches that have settled there seemingly worsened by touch. I remove my hand, as if scalded, murmuring quiet apologies as I draw my hand to curve around her, pressing a kiss to her temple.

"I can get you some of those meds Joon gave."

"I wouldn't mind falling asleep." She mumbles, knowing that the medication makes her drowsy, makes her tired. But in this state of discomfort and pain, the sleep and rest is by far a greater alternative.

My hands are painstakingly careful as I guide her back against the cushions, leaning over her, touch flitting over to make sure she's as comfortable as she can be, lips lingering against her forehead.

"I'll be quick baby." Steps hurried as I rush towards the kitchen, hand immediately tugging for the cupboard door, drawing out the pain-relief capsules. Small pills that'll help ease the worst of her cramps away, bringing relief to her tightly wound muscles.

It's horrible feeling absolutely helpless. To see her face tight with pain, breaths shaky as I cradle the back of her head, coaxing it upwards a bit so she can take small swallows of water to take the pills, a misery in the tiredness of her eyes that she can't hide.

"I don't like being so uncomfortable. Everything hurts." She admits, voice carrying a faint waver that belies how emotionally run down she is, hand passing over her eyes as I coax her back, guiding her head against another propped pillow, heart twisting painfully at the glossy sheen of tears welling up in her eyes.

"I'm so, so sorry I can't do anything to take away your hurts my love." I whisper, voice hushed and low, fingers gently smoothening out the furrow between her brows, fluttering gently to brush her hair away from her face.

"You're doing more than you'll ever know Tae." Voice wavering but words firm, eyes holding mine, a faint smile curling her lips as I continue to gently card my fingers through her hair, absently letting my nails drag gently against her scalp. Absently massaging her nape, trying to ease the stiffness that seems to be locked there.

"Can you brush my hair?"

But the offer seems more for me, a knowingness in her eyes as she tilts her head further into my touch, arching into it with a relieved sigh as the medicine seems to kick in.

"An extra fancy braid?"

She gives a soft laugh, the sound wan and a bit tired. But it's less burdened of the aches, her expression smoothening out the slightest.

"Spoiling me rotten?"

"The world for you remember? What's an extra fancy braid~" a gentle teasing lilt, voice soft and low. Hushed in this quiet intimacy of trust as she nods, slow deep even breaths as she coaxes herself down. Seeming to calm further and further from the repetitive movement of my hand gently dragging the brush through her hair, a stool tugged behind the large couch to sit perched behind her. Fingers absently continuing to massage her scalp as I go, gently brushing her hair over and over, an almost hypnotic calmness brought about the constant repetition of the movement, her hair silky soft under my touch, drawing it away from her face.

"Can you tell me stories too?" Words heavier than they'd been some time ago, slightly drowsy but her head tilts to peer at me.

"What kind?"

She gives a soft laugh.

"Gossip. I refuse to be left out of the loop just because I'm too big and uncomfortable to leave most days."

"None of that. You haven't left because I'm a selfish, selfish man when it comes to you. And I rather love the sight of you round with child and in bed."

"You like the extra naps." She accuses with a smile, tilting her head slightly as I begin to draw small strands of her hair back, beginning to braid slowly.

"Guilty." I admit without a beat of silence, knowing she's smiling... sensing it even as she's not facing me.

"And as for gossip..." I draw out, smiling at the non-committal hum she makes to show she's listening.

"As far as town gossip goes...this is more businessy, but I hear a certain exclusive tailor shop that are closed for now. But their client list continues to grow." Pride seeping into my voice, fingers reaching for another strand of hair to braid into the pattern slowly...slowly beginning to form.

"Oh? Sounds very private and limited clientele."

I hum, the sound low and rumbling from my chest, scooting forward a bit.

"It is. I know there's a specific demand for more harness designs incorporated into menswear. I've had the chance of modelling that...I can see why."

(Y/N)'s laugh is soft and amused.

"Why didn't you show me? Who did you doll up for?" Words playful and slowly murmured. Tone quieter a bit.

"I'll be very glad to model them again. To give a more thorough experimentation."

"I think you simply must..."

Her words trail off and I briefly pause, wondering if she's fallen asleep, gently brushing my hand against her nape.

"Don't leave me with an incomplete braid and no more stories...keep going." A faint amusement bleeding into her voice, a soft throaty moan of relief as she sinks more heavily against the pillows, the faint flutter of her lashes giving away that the meds have kicked in.

It won't be long until she's drowsy. And she's well aware of the fact.

"Well there's rumours that a certain talented pianist isn't just playing for shows out of town but he's also thinking of starting lessons at some point."

"I want our baby to learn from Yoonie" voice soft and tender, already envisioning our baby's future, boy or girl, plonking away beside an ever patient uncle, learning the scales or simply how discordant to make them sound. The image makes my lips curve wide.

"He'd love that even if he won't say to our faces at least. I know everyone's excited to be uncles...nearly more than we are at being parents."

"They're going to be so loved." The words hushed and quiet, a soft admission of truth that cements our baby, their life, their entire being to be surrounded with the strongest support system and family that anyone could ask for.

"I saw Joonie and Mimi practice swaddling." She adds.

"On a baby?" I ask, curious.

She makes a soft snort.

"On each other. Poor Joonie couldn't wriggle about, but I guess that says something."

The mental image it procures makes laughter bubble out, stilling my braiding as the image takes root and settles there.

"Where was I?" I ask, half wistful and disappointed that I'd missed witnessing this in the flesh, knowing my imagination though humouring me wasn't doing justice to the sight it must've been.

"Think you were getting baby stuff...it was the day I saw so many of you close to tears with the nursery nearly being done."

I lean forward, playfully nipping at the shell of her ear.

"It was a very big moment! It's been our group project for so long. All eight of us!" I protest, watching her lean back, no furrow in sight, the curve of her lips inviting. Leaning in to press a smatter of kisses to soft lips.

"I'm glad it was done. The amount of stress it was giving me."

I give her a mock glare. Finger booping her nose.

"It was a family effort! Dismissing it so easily." I stick by my words, only fondness for how taxing the tasks had been.

But I wouldn't trade them for anything. It was worth every splinter, every bit of ruined clothes, every tear and frustration.

"Meds are taking time today." I observe.

Her eyes narrow, hands pausing their slow rubs over her protruded stomach.

"Are you complaining I'm awake Kim?"

"Never. Never ever." I shake my head vehemently. Fingers continuing to dutifully braid her hair.

Watching with a smile as her eyes flutter again, the soft quietness of her breaths the only thing that filter into my hearing.

Silent save for them.

"What else..." I hum, drawing the words out slowly, her intricate braid almost complete.

Hands slowing. Dithering. Not fully ready to let go, the contentment easing me into a deeper state of calm.

"Jin was limping a bit the last time I saw him." She adds conversationally, my mind processing the true meaning hidden in her words.

"Oh did he get injured, I– (Y/N)!" I exclaim, catching her pleased curved grin too late, the lazy drag of her eyes over me as the words click. The meaning entirely changed.

"I don't need to know any sort of detail about my brother in bed with Hobi."

"It wasn't bed, it was in the back of the tavern."

I groan, head slumping against her shoulder, feeling the slight way her body curves with laughs as she sinks back. Eyes shining with mirth.

"Stop!"

"You know I've always thought Hobi had stamina...have you seen him get down and dirty when he dances, it's quite the pair of hips he's got...on par with me and Mimi." She sings, eyes crinkling, scrunching her face when I clasp my hand over her mouth, eyes narrowing at her.

"No more you minx. I'd like to leave the sordid details of Hobi and Jin out of my ears."

Her laughs are muffled against my hand, her own coming to tug, squirming before she flicks her tongue against my palm, my hand reflexively jerking away.

Her smile far too smug.

"Jin knows all my dirty details."

"Because you and Mimi are terrible oversharers."

"Kook–"

"You menace stop! I'm always more invested in any dirty details of our doings."

She gives a playful drawn out sigh.

"That's not gossip! You're not meant to already know. Besides gossip is meant to shock and that's what I did."

"Maybe a nap would have been better."

"Oh I'm drowsy... I just like teasing you better." She confesses.

"Bed you!"

"Okay okay... didn't want to leave you bored if I fell asleep." She laughs, head twisting to peer at the braid.

"You have a bit left."

I hum.

"Got a ribbon?"

"Use yours..."

"You like my hair open."

Her eyes scrunch as she stifles a yawn, nodding blearily.

"I do. Pretty curls should be free."

"Why don't you extend the same rules to clothes?"

The soft sound of amusement is stifled. Quieter.

"Like you wear much around the house anyways... or let me."

"I just love you au naturale..." I tease with a smile, leaning forward to press a kiss to the back of her head.

"....flirt."

"Just for you."

-------------------------

It isn't (Y/N) who wakes first.

And the bedroom temporarily relocated to one of the guestrooms downstairs. Late afternoon sunlight bleeding into the room, filtering past the slithers of the curtained drapes, the lanterns glowing weaker, darker, burning through the oil.

And it's the sound of quiet whimpered distress, shifting restlessly on the sheets, face furrowed with painful twinges that nearly always seem to have settled in her back, her breathing sharp and uneven.

It's the sight of sweat beading at her temples and the quiet groan of pain she lets out that tugs me closer, hands gently pushing away blankets, body curved to hers, smoothening back hair, lips against her skin.

"Sweetheart... (Y/N)..." words low and heavy with disuse, hoarse but something about the sight of her so restless and pained in sleep strikes a gut instinct of wrongness, her body continuing to shift restlessly, my hands brushing against her stomach, thumbing circles against her hips, hand registering dampness as it drifts.

Startled, a sharp intake of breath at the wetness between her thighs, her breathing sharp but still deeply asleep.

A louder bubbling sound of pain slipping past her lips.

"(Y/N)... (Y/N) honey wake up..." urgency bleeding into my tone, hand jostling her shoulder, panic and alarm pulsing through me, strong and sudden, pushing away any lingering heaviness in my veins.

She stirs groggily, body weighed down and heavy, the groaned sound slurred and unfocused.

"(Y/N)... baby you need to listen, open your eyes." I implore, a sharp rawness creeping into my tone, making it lurch with alarm as I straighten, watching the lazy flutter of her lashes as she registers my voice.

Labour... she must be going into labour... the sharp prickling realisation strikes stronger and heavier, clarity trying to shake a more conscious, alert awareness into me.

Instead, her groan of pain and discomfort, the twist of her lips, the heavy, heavy blinks as she tries to open her eyes, gaze unfocused and drowning in a medicated haze, the pills taken hours ago. Coursing through her body enough that she's still drowsy with them even though they'll wear off at some point.

"...Tae..." the effort it takes to unstick her tongue, to murmur my name, gaze morphing into panic and alarm, hand drifting to her nightgown, feeling the same telling dampness, fear and uncertainty flickering into her expression.

"It's okay... it's okay. How're you feeling?" I murmur, voice soft.

It takes long minutes for her to word her answer, soft pained hitches of breath, face crumpling slightly as she twists, back arching slightly off the bed.

"Uncomfortable... something's... something's—"

"I think you're going into labour sweetheart."

Fingers reach to clasp at me, silently imploring closeness without needing to say, fear swimming in her eyes, still dazed and disoriented.

Pained whimper muffled against my arm as I lean closer, smoothening my hand down her hair.

"We'll get Joon don't worry... I'll be here too." I reassure, though my own voice wavers, quakes with the gripping fear and nerves that settle in, thrum like jolts of electric, lightning pulses under my skin, battering to get out.

"Don't--- don't leave me." Words hushed and raw.

"Nono...never baby." Hand brushing down her arm, rubbing up and down her side to soothe her.

"I think... I think Jungkook-ah was going to come over remember? When he does we can get him to get Joon... I won't leave you (Y/N)." words low, hushed against her skin.

Regardless, her fingers tighten at my arms, twisting with discomforted pressure.

"I don't feel too good—" she murmurs, wincing at a sharper pull, but it seems bearable.

As long as the meds don't wear off before Joon gets here—it seems bearable, her face scrunched, hands gripping at me to be drawn up.

"Are you sure you don't want to lie down?"

"Want to get out of these clothes." Tugging impatiently at her nightgown, the fabric clinging uncomfortably to her front, a grimace twisting her features, leaning into me as I draw her up, arms wound around her to steady her.

Trying to keep her breaths deep and even, the reality not seeming to sink in fully for either of us. The realisation that she's in labour not seeming to strike fully until a while later, coaxing her down into the couch in the room, hands fretting and hovering even as she slumps back.

Not sinking in until she cries out, the sound sharp and trembling with pain, eyes drowning in the agonising sear lancing at her body, uneven swallows as she tries to gain breath.

Until her body stiffens with ache.

The meds not doing enough.

Kneeling beside her, her hand clutching mine, eyes glassy as she sniffles, lips trembling.

"Don't want to be in pain." A fragility in her voice.

Nervousness and uncertainty and fear.

Reminding me just how out of our depths we both our, but we've gotten this far together... we'll get through this too together.

"I promise I'll try do everything I can to help. Anything to try make you hurt less."

Her eyes glimmer as she holds my gaze, fingers clasping tighter.

Lips trembling as they raise into a faint smile.

"We're really doing this. We're really going to have a baby."

And her words seem to try drive it in for herself as well as me.

We're going to have a baby.

------------------------

When Kook hurries back, it's with Mimi rushing forward first, eyes bright and sharp with attentiveness and focus, body drifting to where (Y/N) curls over, hands steadying herself against the back of the couch, hunched over as she levels her breathing, eyes glittering with pain.

Hand smoothening over her back, lips at her nape, a low murmur that only she can hear, expression taut with worry and concern, but brimming with soothing grounding calm.

Something in her expression gives, pain and fear flickering with sheer relief when Namjoon immediately moves to her side, Jin's expression worry and tight.

Hand squeezing reassuringly at my nape.

"She's in good hands Tae-ah. We'll make sure everything goes well."

"I can't make her hurt less and she's getting more and more uncomfortable." My face twists with upset, body unconsciously leaning into Jin, chasing the reprieve of his side-embrace, his hand flitting down to my shoulder, a grounding pressure, words low and controlled.

"She needs you to stay in the present Tae. Don't zone on her. You and Mimi calm her." Words prompting, hand gently nudging me towards her.

Mimi's voice becomes more decipherable, though I've barely taken mere steps away, unable to withstand a greater distance, a faint smile encouraging and warm at his lips, head ducking to meet (Y/N)'s gaze, coaxing her up, hand rubbing circles at the low of her back.

"Let's get you to the bed honey."

She shakes her head, breathing easier as she curls inwards, sensing my closeness again, hand reaching to entangle our fingers together, grip squeezing fiercely tight.

"I don't think I can get onto the bed." Words hushed and quiet, Mimi stepping away as I glance at him with a soft nod, hands slowly easing her upright, easing the stiffness in her back, slowly coaxing her towards the bed once more.

Arms winding around me as I draw them up to loop around my neck, anchoring her to me, our hands easing the transition from standing to guiding her to lie back, Jin already there easing pillows against her back, angling her, avoiding any sort of pressure on her spine.

There's a silent click of synchrony in how everyone somehow seems to settle into roles, into almost place, a great weight of uncertainty lifted off my shoulders with how grounding Joon's reassurances are, eyes firm and alert, despite how rushed and slightly frazzled Mimi looks.

He's been aware of his role in assisting the birth of our baby the moment he announced her pregnancy...he's been aware of the delicate moment when her labour does begin.

"Hi love."

"Namjoonie..."

"Hi baby... gave us all a surprise. Weren't expecting the news so suddenly... though you're perfectly fine. A day or so early... but that could all down to be when your pregnancy was detected." He murmurs, voice soothing, eyes warm and sparkling with a thrum of anticipation and giddiness for her, for us... for him.

For our baby.

"It's nothing bad?" voice small and uncertain.

Tilting to the gentle kiss he presses to her cheek, hand briefly cradling her close.

"Nothing bad. Guess the meds have worn off now—when did you take them?"

"Before sleeping..."

"Noon give or take. I didn't know whether it was safe to give her more or if it'd be too much with the medication you're going to give..." I ramble on nervously, feeling an anxious thrumming flutter to my pulse, drawn by her entangled fingers to curl against her even more so, Mimi's eyes sharp and attentive, hovering besides Joon.

A sharp seriousness on his face. Attentive and alert even if his body unconsciously gravitates closer.

Both protective and ready to help her in any way he can.

"Good. You did good Tae-ah. Do you want an injection, or do you want to take the medicine (Y/N)?"

"Anything that's quicker." Breath sharper, face crumpling with pain as a stronger swelling wave of agony washes over her, eyes stinging at the sight of her pain, feeling it as a visceral ache in my ribs, watching as Mimi hurries to her other side, her hand near bruising with how tightly she grips mine.

"How long have you been getting these contractions? Tae focus—how long has it been?"

"She's had a few since she woke... they seem to be getting stronger."

Mimi's hand brushes over the swell of her stomach, trying to coax her to calm, her breathing uneven and eyes dilated with fear and panic.

But what grounds me, roots me with an unshakeable certainty is that everyone in this room is going to do everything to make sure both she and our baby are okay. And that though it's daunting and new and wildly disorienting for everyone... they're here to make sure everything goes okay.

"Baby might be a bit impatient then. But a quick birth is a blessing than a slow, long labour." Head tilting briefly to call out for Jin.

I draw our entangled hands up to my lips, pressing kiss after kiss to her knuckles, rubbing at them with a rueful, small smile.

Nothing mattering more than the flicker of relief as I squeeze back.

"Seems like they've got your impatience." She says slowly, eyes fluttering, brows pinched when Mimi's hands ease up the short nightgown, Joon's hand carefully rubbing her hip, curved over her as he administers the injection, touch gentle against her body.

"Mimi get hot towels...Kook help him." words firm with the swift orders he begins giving, drawing closer to (Y/N).

His entire focus on calming her, keeping her reassured and settled, the room in a flurry of motion, an antsy restlessness gnawing at me as the others move, feeling as if I'm dithering.

"Namjoon... Joon what do I do?" I ask almost helplessly.

His hands don't pause in drawing the nightgown further up, eyes examining, hands nudging at her thighs, a soft murmur, comfort and trust natural and instinctive.

Wholly vulnerable and terrified but in this moment I see the shift in her eyes, entrusting herself to Joon's attentiveness and his profession.

Entrusting herself to the man she's known for so long.

His dimples appear faintly when he finally draws his gaze up.

"You're her emotional balance. Her rock. And you need to be there because your family needs you more than ever."

---------------------

The sound of aching cries and sobs twist my insides.

(Y/N)'s face drained of energy, eyes glassy as tears trickle down flushed, blotchy cheeks, shaking her head.

"I can't."

"You have to keep pushing (Y/N)... you're crowning." Namjoon urges, the sensation in my right hand numb, her grip tightening, soft pleas tumbling past her lips as she shakes her head again.

"I can't..."

"Just a little bit longer baby... you've been doing so well. I'm so proud of you..." I murmur, lips pressing to her hair, strands pressed to her temple, damp hair against skin, the rise and fall of her chest rapid as she tries to gulp down air, tries to find the resolve and strength I'm so desperately trying to reassure her with.

"It hurts." The raw confession is torn from her lips and neither Minnie nor me can wipe the tears away before more fall. Face crumpling as her back arches, restlessly twisting on the sheets, body glistening with sweat, overwrought and exerted.

Jimin looks as if every nerve of him has been set alight with how much agony swims in his eyes, softly whispering to her, hand squeezing at her shoulder.

It feels like an eternity has passed since she woke disoriented and slowly entering labour, feels like an eternity since the pain has spiralled and grown with agony, the medicines dulling the sharper, stabbing edge but there's still pained, overwhelmed tear stains on her cheeks and new ones streaking over.

My hand dabs at her skin, cool towel against flushed limbs, stomach churning violently, twisting itself into painful knots at the sight of blood staining the sheets, her thighs trembling, body wound tight, no longer able to remain slumped backwards, spine locked.

My lips press over and over to her skin, to her lips, to her hair, eyes stinging at the pleas muffled against me.

"Please...please... Tae make it—"

Strain twisting her features, a rippled cry as she tries to push, tries to keep pushing as Joon and Jin encourage her, the two of them at the foot of the bed, coaxing and praising, low encouragement that keeps them rooted entirely with a focus that I'm so grateful for at this moment.

Thanking high heavens that they're levelled and controlled, that they have the in this situation.

Jin's hand squeezes at her calf, massaging and palming.

"Almost there love."

"No more."

His eyes are warm and empathetic, knowing in a way that maybe I won't ever be, that those years shared between them won't be something I'll know in the way they did.

"My (Y/N) never backs down... not when she's right there. Come on sweetheart—big push."

And though I can see how draining it is, how much it's exhausting her, how much bit by bit it's chipping at resolve and strength, we're all there to steady the falters, glass at her lips the moment I'm setting the towel aside, her gulps wavering, hand reaching to steady the glass.

"This is on you Taehyung." Words aching and eyes flashing past tears, red-rimmed eyes flaring with life and fire and strength as she sinks back, pausing to draw breaths, lips thinned.

"It takes two—"

Wrong answer.

"See if I let you try seduce me into making babies again. Or seduce me full stop."

It tugs a bubble of laughter out, hoarse and strained. Tugs faintly at her lips as she pauses, stilling to draw breaths, to breathe and try ease the strain from her body.

"You seduced me many times in our trying."

Her eyes glower.

"Are you accusing your wife right now when she's—" a tightness as her breath sharpens. Uneven weak breaths before she steels herself at a stronger contraction, her body urging her to push, her fingers digging tight against my hand in silent lieu of what words she was going to say.

"Okay okay... it's my fault, it's my fault. But get through this honey and I'll do everything for you... come on love..."

Her grip on me tightens, nails pressing sharp enough that my skin stings, fingers encasing mine with a bone-crushing hold.

"You're so dead for doing this Kim Taehyung." The hissed threat comes with a glower and a mix of pure agony and misery. But her expression burns stronger, sharper, body damp with sweat and thrashing against the sheets but fighting every single bit of pain.

And I realise (Y/N) was a mother the moment she knew she was sheltering our baby, long before they're even here.

And she's fighting through it all for them.

-------------------------

That earth shattering moment when silence steeped with ragged, painful breaths is broken by small, weak fitful wailing unloosens a tension in me that makes the tethers holding my body up snap.

Cradling (Y/N) to me, lips turning to press a tight, fierce kiss to her temple, tasting the tang of her exertion, of the strenuous labour, salt on my lips, arms steadying the drained slump of her body. Her voice hoarse.

"Our baby...our baby..."

"A beautiful baby boy sweetheart. Congratulations you two...you have a baby boy."

"A boy...(Y/N)... you brought us a boy." My words shake, trembling against her skin, breaths painfully tight as if the air from my lungs has been stolen and simultaneously my heart thuds strong and wild, hammering against my chest, desperate to break free from the confines of bone and flesh.

"A boy..." she echoes, eyes rimmed red and so, so tired but she holds out trembling hands for him, watching as Namjoon smoothens a hand down her thigh, movements still precise and careful, drawing up bloodied hands to set the impossibly tiny small, wriggling baby into Jin's arms, carefully swaddled and tucked.

"He's so red..." the thought slips too easily past my lips, a soft shaky laugh as (Y/N) takes the bundled swaddled figure with outstretched arms, drawing him close to set against her, desperate to tuck him as physically close as she can to her heart.

"He's so teeny. And perfect. And ours."

Body so small and wriggling, fitful cries, face scrunched.

And she tucks him close to her, eyes full of tears and marvel, finger gently tracing soft features, barely ghosting across him with a delicateness, a fear that he's so fragile, so impossibly, wonderfully small that even the barest of touches are too much.

"Can I?" heart aching and raw, hands trembling as I take the swaddled figure, so careful, so slow in every movement, so measured as I peer at him, trying to blink away thick, hot tears.

"Hi baby..." voice raw, hoarse.

I can't fight the lump in my throat or the tears that trickle down thicker, faster down my cheeks as I cradle him close to me. He's so small, he looks as if my hands swallow him up.

"Feels like we waited forever for you. Feels like... feels like we were gifted a new world."

(Y/N)'s head sinks against me, fingers curling to clasp at my arm, proud, happy tears that she can't sniffle back, head turning to burrow against my arm, the tremble of her breathing muffled against me.

My arm moves to wind around her, drawing her against me once I've resettled our baby into her arms, drawing closer to brush her hair from her face, tilting her face to mine to press a firm, bruising kiss against her lips. Thumb rubbing up and down her cheekbone, tasting sweat and tears on her lips, tasting the quiet shudders of her breath, her body tilting close towards me, not sure whether it's her giddiness and tears I taste or my own.

"I love you so much (Y/N). I love you, I love you baby." I murmur against her mouth, lips pressing to tearstained cheeks, catching every new tear that falls, hands cradling her close.

"Our baby... you gifted me our baby... and there'll never be enough words, enough life, enough infinity to cherish you for that."

There's a tired, weighted exhaustion as she sinks back, coaxed down by Mimi's hands, head turning to give him a tired, wobbly smile.

His own tears flowing unrestrained and heavy down his cheeks, every shred of love pooled in his eyes as he looks at her, as he looks at our baby, at me.

At our small family.

Lips pressing to her forehead in a lingering kiss.

"Well done baby mama." He cheers, a soft hiccupped laugh as he eases her back, movements so carefully precise and fretting, hovering.

There's no dry eye in the room and there's no gaze anything but drowned with love and pride, watching as her fingers gently brush against our son's cheeks, cooing at him, her own tears welling up at his fitful cries softening, unconsciously recognising that the arms he's in are his mother's.

Cradled to her as she sinks back.

So, so tired.

So, so proud.

"Baby mama." I whisper in echo, lips curving wide at the name.

"You did so well sweetheart...rest." Jin's voice is soft when she finally relinquishes her gentle hold on our baby to him, his eyes shining as he meets my gaze.

A wholeness settling as one more joins the family we've forged with love and not blood. A family so different to the one we grew up in, were born into.

And I can see the fierce, unwavering love and protectiveness Jin holds his nephew with.

To shelter him from everything we weren't.

To give our baby the world that we want for him, that we'll create and nurture for him.

And I watch as (Y/N)'s track our baby, swaddled and cradled carefully, watching until her eyes flutter heavy, heavy heavier, body slowly sinking against the sheets.

"...Tae..."

I tilt to her immediately, crowding close at the beckon of her hand reaching for me.

"Stay with me."

"Always." I promise against her lips.

"...make sure I don't wake up gross still." A tired murmur of words against my lips, her hold on my arm slowly loosening.

I smile against her.

"Okay."

"Make sure..." she begins.

"Whatever you need baby mama—rest up first." Mimi's voice is faintly amused and fond, hand rubbing at her side, lips pressing soft kisses against her shoulder, nosing at her.

"Stay... Tae stay." She mumbles again.

My hand clasps hers, lips pressing against her knuckles.

"Always baby. Always little jewel."

-------------------------

The room is so, so quiet when (Y/N) speaks. Voice drawing me out my reverie, turning to face her, eyes drifting from our baby to her sleepy blinks, hand cupping her cheek, leaning in towards her, lips soft and slow against hers.

"Hi little jewel... how're you feeling?"

"Like I've been run over with a carriage."

My fingers freeze their sweeping motion of outlining her features, stilling against the curve of her jaw, softened with pregnancy, a sweet roundness to her body that's all curves and softness, that's all motherly and womanly both.

"Do you want me to get Joon?" already half-risen from the bed when her fingers tug at the corner of my shirt, tugging me back down, a small shake on her head.

Not just yet.

"And like the luckiest person alive all the same." She adds.

"Because you survived the carriage?" I ask dryly, smile quirking at the soft huff of breath against my palm, fingers drifting up to loop around my wrist.

"Because we have one gift I never, ever thought I could ever possibly want." Voice hoarse and rough but so, so soft as her eyes turn impossibly softer, sparkling as her eyes mist, a soft shaky breath as she leans to press a kiss to our sleeping baby, fingers against his soft cheek.

"I didn't think I could ever want a baby. But we healed, we grew and now we have a miracle of our own, a miracle we created."

"I didn't think I could love someone so wholly nine months and more before they were ours."

"I didn't know that after nine months our treasure would be so tiny." She marvels, moving to carefully scoop him up, a soft hiss as she turns too quick.

"Lie down honey." I fret, hands smoothening down her side, carefully drawing our baby up to settle in her arms, brows furrowed at the uneven breaths as she concedes, leaning backwards against the pillows behind her.

"Going to baby little treasure or me?"

"Both of you are my babies. My family... my treasures. Going to baby you all I want."

"Our little treasure." She echoes.

Head dipping to press a kiss to his forehead.

Soft fluttering kisses against his face.

It doesn't matter we don't have a name yet for him, it doesn't matter because all he is, everything he is... is our treasure.

Our love and joy, our happiness and healing.

Our treasure.

Our baby boy.

(WHEW! WE GOT THERE—I WAS SO INSPIRED FOR THIS CHAPTER AND I'M SO HAPPY IT GOT WRITTEN MUCH QUICKER THAN THE LAST CHAPTER AND GAHHHH IT WAS MEANT TO BE FINISHED A FEW DAYS AGO BUT THE CHAPTER KEPT GOING BUT I HAVE NO REGRETS! Midiiplier MY DARLING LOVE ENJOY 41K, SHOULD KEEP YOU SITTING AROUND LONG ENOUGH! THEY HAVE A BAAAAAAAABY, A BABY BOY!! AND OF COURSE MIMI NEEDED A POV TOO FOR THIS MONEMENTOUS CHAPTER!! I CAN'T WAIT WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU ALL THOUGHT AND WHETHER I DID JUSTICE TO BOTH THEIR FEELINGS, THEIR GROWTH AND THEIR BABYMAKING~ ;) FINAL, FINAL EPILOGUE CHAPTER NEXT WHICH MAKES ME SUPER EMOTIONAL AND SAD TO THINK ABOUT... BUT I CAN'T WAIT TO WRITE AND SHARE IT WITH YOU!)

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3