The morning was rather awkward. Not because they had woken up entangled in each other’s arms or because of the memories of last night’s kisses, but because Junmyeon, being the kind-hearted soul he is, decided he would surprise the two of them with freshly baked cookies served right to the guest room, only to find out his brother and Kyungsoo in a rather compromising position.

They had stared at each other for a second, and then Junmyeon’s face reddened, and he backed out of the room with unintelligible mumbling, almost knocking a vase over. 

Jongin had spent the rest of the morning trying to hide his pleased smile, and Kyungsoo refused to meet anyone's eyes. 

They had left after breakfast to Kyungsoo's relief. He didn't think he could ignore Sehun clearing his throat meaningfully every minute for any longer and he continued to feign ignorance as they had shared their goodbye's - Sehun tried to not so subtly wink at him and Junmyeon looked even more embarrassed than Kyungsoo. 

However, to say that things were good between him and Jongin after that was an understatement. 

A part of Kyungsoo dreaded the moment they would be alone again, but when Jongin helped him out of the driver's seat and grabbed his hand, threading their finger together, Kyungsoo knew everything would be alright.

And if not that, then maybe the shy peck on his cheek Jongin gave him as soon as they entered the cabin.

---

They seemed to build a new routine for the past few weeks.

Ever since the day Jongin told him about Baekhyun, the alpha seemed more carefree and full of joy, As if an invisible weight lifted off his shoulders, as if he found a new purpose in life. 

He was no longer sullen, smiling more often than not. His usually curt answers changed to long conversations that mostly revolved around his past and of course, Baekhyun. 

And Kyungsoo loved every second of that. It was a sign of trust, that Jongin was willing to share such meaningful moments of his life with Kyungso who he had only met a few months ago.

They enjoyed every second of being together, whether it was talking or kissing or just cuddling on the bed by the sound of crackling flames in the fireplace, which would eventually lead back to kissing.

The issue of Kyungsoo being forbidden to bathe by himself after his little accident was also solved as Jongin simply joined him every single time. 

At first, Kyungsoo was mortified. By both, taking his clothes off and seeing Jongin taking his clothes off but they eventually tackled that hurdle with a lot of giggles and fumbling hands as they had nervously entered the bathtub together for the first time. 

And what started as something unimaginable, too became a part of their everyday life; enjoying their time together in the hot tub, warm skin pressing against each other, fleeting kisses, and lots of giggles.

Though, they never took things further than that. "You're way too pregnant for that." Jongin had said, and on this, Kyungsoo had to agree with the alpha. 

His body felt heavy, back aching all day long and the cravings kicked up, resulting in gaining some undesirable pounds. It did not help that Jongin was hell-bent on discussing Kyungsoo's weight with Sehun every single weekend; according to the doctor, Kyungsoo was still a bit underweight for being eight months pregnant. 

Jongin had threatened to force-feed him on more than one occasion and Kyungsoo was left with no choice but to obey - the alpha could be really scary when Kyungsoo and the baby's health might be at stake.

They also visited Sehun and Junmyeon every weekend. Usually, they would arrive around lunchtime, play with the kids, and then stay up till midnight after the little munchkins went to sleep. Kyungsoo finally learned how to play monopoly (although the whole concept of buying and selling things was utterly weird to him, humans for sure were a very strange breed.) 

Junmyeon was over the moon when Jongin and Kyungsoo awkwardly announced they were dating and on many occasions Kyungsoo caught the fellow omega dragging Jongin to a corner and indulge him in some kind of serious conversation judging from the troubled expression on Jongin's handsome face.

"He's giving him lectures, you know." Sehun bumped his shoulder to get his attention. Jongin was once again dragged away from the kitchen by his brother and Kyungsoo couldn't help but wonder what on earth was so important that they had to do this every weekend.

"Should I ask?" Kyungsoo questioned, knowing very well that whatever it was, he probably didn't want to hear it. 

"Well, all sorts of," The alpha grinned and handed Kyungsoo another plate which the omega dutifully wiped dry, and placed it on the kitchen counter. "Mostly about you, that's honestly all Junmyeon has been talking about you."

"Me?" Okay, now he really didn't want to know.

"Yeah, he's been going on and on about how he has to make sure that Jongin treats you well, that he's practically going to be a father now, and so on..."

"W-wait... So he... Jongin is getting advice on how to..."

"Take care of your child? Yes. Have you not talked about that?" Sehun lifted his brows curiously, his hands momentarily coming to halt as he stared at the shorter boy.

"I mean... he did say he wants to take care of both of us but I didn't know he really wanted to be a father. It's not his baby, it's not his responsibility. He already did so much for me..." Kyungsoo trailed off.

"You do realize that he's in love with you, right? Like seriously in love." Sehun looked him right in the eye, half-glaring at him as if saying that Kyungsoo couldn't be more oblivious. 

"You really think so?"

"You know what? Remember that night you came here for the first time and Junymeon asked Jongin if the baby is his?"

Kyungsoo nodded, confused.

"Ask him about it. About what he thought, I think you'll be surprised." The alpha winked at him and returned to washing the dishes, once again, leaving Kyungsoo wondering. 

---

"Can you believe that Yuna is already able to sit up all by herself? Junymeon said that at her age both boys were so lazy that Sehun thought something was wrong with them." Jongin laughed as he sat by the fireplace, Kyungsoo huddled against his side.

The weather outside has been mirroring Kyungsoo's current mood as the wind hit the windows with such a force that the omega thought the glass panes might crack any moment. It was cold outside, dark clouds hanging above the forest like an ominous feeling, hence why they were cuddled closer together in front of the fireplace with Kyungsoo resting his head on Jongin's shoulder.

"Tell me," Jongin said suddenly, his voice losing the carefree tone. "Whatever's been bothering you I wanna know."

"I'm not bothered by anything," Kyungsoo said unconvincingly and Jongin gave lifted one of his perfectly shaped brows, giving Kyungsoo the look. 

"You've been quiet since dinner. Now, tell me what's wrong."

Kyungsoo sighed, looking down at his feet but leaning closer to Jongin. The alpha wrapped his arm around his shoulders, resting his chin on top of Kyungsoo's head, waiting. 

"It's... it's that Sehun said Junmyeon is giving you advice on... you know... like... baby things and all that..." Kyungsoo sounded like a broken machine trying to form a coherent sentence and the longer he spoke the less sense he was making. "Uhm... do you remember when Junymeon asked about you about us, well not us, just if the baby is yours... I mean I obviously know it's not your baby-"

"Kyungsoo."

"I would have to suffer a serious cause of amnesia to think that you're the father of my chi-"

"Kyungsoo!" Jongin flicked his forehead, successfully shutting off his rant. "What the hell are you blabbering about?"

The omega pouted, looking back at his feet and taking a long moment before he finally gathered up the courage to speak again. "What... what were you thinking about, you know when Junmyeon asked if you were the father?"

"I was angry," Jongin answered in a heartbeat, catching him off guard.

"Oh, oh well." Kyungsoo was speechless, he didn't know what was the proper reaction to this. Of course, he should have expected this. Jongin must have been beyond annoyed to be linked to Kyungsoo that way; getting him pregnant, not being mated, and all that stuff.

"Do you want to know why I was angry?" Jongin asked with a small smile playing on his lips.

"Do I want to know?" He asked uncertainly.

"I was angry because I wished the baby was mine and it pissed me off that it wasn't. That was the first time I realized I want to be here for you, for both of you. When I asked you to stay, I meant it, I want you and the baby and everything that comes with it. Like, being a father." 

"Wow," Kyungsoo said dumbly.

"Yeah, wow. I kind of surprised myself as well." Jongin grinned sheepishly and one would say he looked even nervous all of a sudden. 

And that was all it took to melt Kyungsoo's heart and without batting an eyelash, he leaned over planted a kiss on Jongin's plump lips. "I want you to be here for both of us too, and for everything that comes with it. Like being a father," he added cheekily and Jongin chortled, pulling him in for yet another kiss. 

 ...

Kyungsoo should have known that their almost idyllic life would have to come to a halt at some point. He should have known that one cannot run away from their past. More importantly, he should have told Jongin. 

There were so many opportunities, whether it was their alone time spent together in each other's arms or the weekends spent at Sehun and Junmyeon's house, where he could count on their support.

But he didn't because he didn't want to ruin what they managed to build in such a short time. He didn't want to hurt Jongin.

Kyungsoo was a coward. 

It happened two weeks before Kyungsoo's due date. They had everything settled for the baby's arrival and the only thing left was to count the days until his little one is finally safely tucked in his arms. 

The weather has been crazy for the past week, constant blizzards were hitting the mountains and Jongin had been oúnable to go on a proper hunt for several days. Today, the storm calmed down enough for the alpha to go outside for longer than an hour without coming back freezing to death-

That didn't mean Kyungsoo was happy with the idea but Jognin had made a few reasonable points that even he couldn't overlook. They didn't know for how long the storm might strand them in the cabin and they were already tight on the food. 

So after a good thirty minutes of convincing and promising it would be only a couple of hours, Kyungsoo had reluctantly agreed and bid the alpha goodbye with a kiss on the cheek.

Only that, it wasn't just a couple of hours.

The morning passed by rather quickly, with Kyungsoo preparing lunch for them and then carried wood in from outside and stacked it into a neat pile next to the fireplace. If Jongin had seen him carrying the forearm-sized logs he would have had his head.

The thought made him laugh a little. Jongin was always so over the top when the baby was in question.

He gazed outside with a deep sigh, the storm seemed to once again pick in its strength, the wind blowing mercilessly around the lone cabin, a fresh cover of snow covering the forest floor. 

Kyungsoo's brows furrowed. Jongin should be coming back any time now.

He busied himself by trying to tidy up the cabin but the darker it got outside and the louder the creaking of the wooden walls became, the more worried he grew.

By the time the sun was hidden behind the horizon and night fell, Kyungsoo was worried to death. Jongin never came this late, he knew that Kyungsoo was waiting and he wouldn’t want him to worry. He had always told him when he'll be back, not wanting to cause him unnecessary stress. 

Kyungsoo's mind was playing tricks on him and he couldn't help but to imagine all the scenarios in which Jongin was lying somewhere, hurt and unable to get help.

The omega pondered about going outside and start looking for Jongin but that might cause more trouble because what if Jongin came back and found the cabin empty? He would be worried sick.

Kyungsoo was nowhere near as good at tracking someone as Jongin was and Sehun strictly forbidden him from shifting into his wolf form unless necessary.

Not to mention that he was terrible in orientating himself and he might not find the way back to the cabin if he went after the alpha. 

He was on the verge of a mental breakdown, tears threatening to fall when the door finally opened and cold air stormed in along with the alpha.

"JONGIN!" Kyungsoo stood up, almost running towards the alpha but he halted his steps when he saw Jongin’s expression. 

Jongin's face was void of any emotion as he regarded Kyungsoo with cold eyes, his lips pressed into a thin line. 

It took Kyungsoo a full minute to realize that not only didn't the alpha bring back any catch as he usually would but that he, in fact, looked like he just returned from a battle.

His clothes were torn, one of his sleeves hanging off his shoulder in mere shreds. There were deep, bloody scratches all over his arm and chest and his features looked almost wolfish, a sign that it was not too long since he shifted back to his human form. 

"W-what happened?" Kyungsoo asked with a quivering voice. 

The alpha looked downright scary as he regarded him with a hard stare. He marched over to the sink and started washing the blood off his hands with such a vigor that Kyungsoo thought the skin must have been scrubbed to flesh by the time he was done. 

A long mom