The house was quiet in the evening, the silence pressed against Jihyun's chest.
He paced the living room slowly, one hand pressed against his stomach.
A wave of nausea rose again, forcing him to stop, bend slightly, and breathe through it. His fingers trembled as they brushed his lips.
"What am I going to do?"
He muttered, his voice a mix of panic and weariness.
"How do I tell him?"
Hana appeared from the kitchen, carrying a small tray with warm tea and snacks. She looked at Jihyun with concern.
"Sir, please sit down. You're too pale. Eat something, it will help. Taewon sir is already on his way back."
Jihyun nodded absentmindedly,
lowering himself onto the couch.
His heart thumped heavily, not from the nausea, but from the thought of facing Taewon.
He clutched at his belly, staring down at it as if searching for answers in the soft curve.
(An hour later)
The sound of the front door opening broke the stillness.
Jihyun's head snapped up, and before he could even think, his legs carried him across the living room.
"Taewon!"
He threw his arms around Taewon's torso the moment he stepped inside.
The Alpha froze for half a second before melting into the embrace, wrapping his arms tightly around Jihyun.
Jin quietly took Taewon's luggage while Hana slipped away, leaving the two of them standing there in the entrance, locked in each other's hold.
Jihyun buried his face against Taewon's chest, heart pounding with relief and fear.
He wanted to speak, wanted to confess, but the words stuck in his throat.
Taewon gently loosened his grip and,
without saying a word, took Jihyun's hand.
He guided him back to the couch and made him sit. Jihyun opened his mouth,
"Taewon-ah"
But Taewon cut in mid,
"Are you two feeling okay?"
Jihyun blinked, stunned.
His eyes widened as Taewon's large palm rested against his stomach, gentle but firm.
Jihyun stared at him, breath caught in his chest.
"You… you knew?" Jihyun whispered.
Taewon leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss against his belly, his voice low but steady.
"From now on, I'll take care of both of you. I've got your back."
Tears stung Jihyun's eyes. His lips trembled. "I wanted to tell you"
"No need to explain,"
Taewon interrupted gently, tightening his hold on Jihyun's hand.
"I already know."
Jihyun let out a shaky laugh, half sob, half relief, and leaned into Taewon's shoulder.
Taewon warmth seeped into his body, easing the knots of fear inside him.
"From now on, you'll depend on me only,"
Taewon murmured, his voice calm but full of determination.
"And this little one… if he gives you a hard time, just let me know. I'll handle it."
Jihyun smiled through his tears, pressing his cheek against Taewon's chest.
At that moment, he felt like the burden he'd been carrying alone was finally shared.
Hana's voice interrupted softly from the dining area.
"Sir, dinner is ready."
Taewon straightened, patting Jihyun's head. "I'll take a shower first. You go sit and eat. I'll join you in ten minutes."
He left, leaving Jihyun lying back on the couch, one hand protectively over his belly.
A soft smile curved his lips as he whispered,
"I want you to be exactly like your daddy. No matter what… take after him."
Later,
At the dining table, Jihyun sat quietly, his chopsticks untouched.
The dishes smelled delicious, but just looking at them made his stomach churn.
Taewon, freshly showered, was already eating, but he noticed the way Jihyun only stared at the food.
"What's wrong? You don't like it?"
Jihyun shook his head. "I… I don't want to."
Before Taewon could press further,
Hana brought a small plate of cucumber slices and set it in front of Jihyun.
"What's this?" Taewon's tone carried a warning edge.
Hana hesitated.
"Sir, Jihyun hasn't been eating well. The doctor said the baby is weak. He's only been eating cucumber… it's all he can keep down these days."
Jihyun quickly cut in.
"It's fine. Really, I can manage"
But Taewon was already moving.
He stood, picked up Jihyun's plate, and set it down beside him.
He dismissed the cucumber tray with a firm nod toward Hana, who quietly carried it away.
Then, without a word, he picked up some food with his chopsticks and held it in front of Jihyun's lips.
"Eat."
Jihyun's lips pressed tightly shut.
He shook his head like a child refusing medicine.
"Jihyun." Taewon's voice deepened, calm but commanding.
"Open your mouth. Trust me."
When Jihyun still hesitated, a sudden, strong wave of pheromones filled the air warm, grounding, distinctly Taewon.
It wrapped around Jihyun like a blanket, soothing his nerves.
His body relaxed despite his resistance.
His lips parted almost on instinct, and Taewon slipped the food inside.
To Jihyun's surprise, it didn't trigger nausea. His stomach didn't revolt.
He blinked in shock, then took another bite, and another.
With Taewon feeding him patiently, one bite at a time, he ended up eating more than he had in days.
By the time he leaned back in his chair, his stomach was uncomfortably full.
He rubbed it gently with a small groan.
"I think… I overate."
Taewon caught his hand, stopping the motion.
"Don't rub your belly after eating,"
He said, eyes narrowing.
"It's not good."
Jihyun pouted but nodded.
Hana came to clear the dishes, smiling faintly at the rare sight of Jihyun actually eating.
Taewon took Jihyun's hand and led him straight to the bedroom.
Jihyun gave him a confused look as he was guided onto the bed.
"Sleep early,"
Taewon ordered, tucking the blanket around him.
His eyes softened, though his lips curved in a teasing smirk.
"I want my child to be healthy like me. I don't want him to be fragile like his mother."
"Yaah!"
Jihyun protested, cheeks flushing, but Taewon was already heading toward the living room.
Jihyun lay back,
staring at the ceiling with a small smile.
His hand drifted to his belly again, his heart lighter than it had been in weeks.
For the first time since he discovered the pregnancy, he didn't feel alone.