I suggested to read this first, but it's also fine without

*

"No." Kai scrunched his face. "You can't do that."

During his lunch time, Kai went to a contemporary loft in the heart of Cheongdam-dong to visit a friend. Unlike the generic and functional decor of most Korean's dwelling, this place is sleek and ridiculously clean, as if was coming out of interior magazine. Sitting on 'Kathy Kuo' white sofa, Kai had a hard time being serious with such comfort, yet he still managed to give stern look at the slumped figure across him. It's Do Kyungsoo who was disappeared for almost a month and now curling in his egg shaped armchair, brooding. "Why not?" the brunette pouted in displease, "Why you're against me being a single mom? Even Baekki didn't give a damn."

On a weird-shaped coffee table in front of them, there's an abandoned test pack.

Why? Kai asked himself, mentally noted every reason that brought him here and acted this way. Mostly it’s because he suddenly saw his wife’s shadow on his friend and he couldn’t just accept Soo’s decision to not seeking the baby’s father for responsibility and just raised the baby alone. Call him old-fashioned, but Kai was coming from a traditional family where a kid was only complete when they have a father and mother and he couldn’t imagine a mother raised their kids without a single help from husband/lover or at least closest relatives. No offense, it didin’t mean he was questioning their capability as parent, his concern merely about safety for both mother and kid. For example, if he’s dead, his wife still had full support from Kai’s family, the overprotective big bros, The es, Kai even believed Mrs.Xi would help too.

However, the boy across him didn’t have anyone. That’s what Kai worried the most.

“Tell me, how you'll support your baby? You're jobless now, your family disowned you and instead telling me how I can help, you decided to leave Korea." He gritted his teeth to find Soo looked away with such a bitter smile. “What the heck is happened to you?

Soo glanced back at him, “don’t worry, Kai. You helped by listening.” The eyes said differently, they’re clouded with doubt and frustration as if telling him a sign of love, passion, which ended by heartbreak. He wondered if it was related to his friend’s disappearance, but at this point he became so tired to deal with this stubborn boy, he refused listening to any back story.

“Fine.” Kai sighed in defeat, “I’ll just ask this straight then, who’s the father?”

Maybe if he knew who was the bastard then Tao and him could meet the guy to ‘have a talk’ about the honor of being a husband and then be blessed to be called as ‘Dad’. He’s probably just experienced it in short time, but marrying Luhan was the most amazing thing ever happened in his life and watching Ruka grew each day made him as the luckiest guy on Earth.

“I can’t tell you.” Soo answered calmly, all in while staring intently to judge his reaction, “I don’t know.”

And this was how Kim Kai disconnected with the conversation. All he could think was a repetition of ‘Huh?’ ‘What?’ ‘How?’ even Soo could read it clearly from his dumbstruck face and the boy daringly snorts.

“Why do you care, anyway?” Soo grumbled, “Why are you so kind to me? I am not a good guy, what if, in return to your kindness I use this baby to ruin your marriage? I could tell our sweet Luhan that you screwed me during your ‘off time’ with him. I’m very good at lying.”

Kai stares at his friend skeptically, “That’s too cliché, you wouldn’t do that. If it’s you, you’ll pick a bigger target like, a CEO or Mr.President. You loved bullying men with powerful position.”

There’s a glazing memory flashed in Soo’s eyes and for a second the boy looked so hopelessly in love, before Soo startled and then shook his head in defeat, “you know what? It’s fine. I’ll find a way. I always do. Thanks for coming, anyway. My favorite ears are still Tao’s, since you’re so persistent to nag. I wonder how Luhan can stand your stupid mouth.”

Kai laughs coldly, “funny, ha-ha. If you’re going to be a mother then might as well you learn to love, Soo, because love is so great it could just bond different people from different world.” At the way Soo became stricken, the half-hearted smile on Kai’s face turns into a wide grin, “see, I think you’ve got the sneak peak of your own love story. You’re just too stubborn to admit it.”

“Just get out.” Soo looks away, pouting. “You’re less than helpful. You’re ing annoying.”

“Yeah, see you later, bro. Take care.” Kai waved at the boy, laughing airily as he left.

*

Luhan loved his husband. It was written all over his face, it was in the way he sighed longingly each time he had to study and it was in the way he brushed the paint on the canvas. His brothers mocked him constantly when they’re coming over, his friends would change the topic into talking Ruka when he started to swoon about ‘how handsome’ and ‘gentle’ and ‘adorable’ his husband was. Min even openly snapped at him to shut up. It wasn’t envy, Min just wanted him to be realistic for once and realized loving too much wasn’t healthy.

Deep in his heart, Luhan agreed with Min, however as he stood watching Kai cuddled their baby on the couch, he decided to just smiling blissfully and enjoyed the beautiful moment. It clenched his heart in painful joy to see men from two generation met in warm atmosphere of their home, nose brushed and cute fluffy cheeks of his son showered with butterfly kisses. If there’s audience behind his back, they’ll preen with stupid, ‘Awwwww~’

“Huh?”

Abruptly his fantasy halted and his body froze to hear the news from his husband. “What do you mean he’s pregnant? You really meant it Soo? As in Do Kyungsoo?”

Kai smiled at him, “is there any other Soo?”

Luhan hurriedly approached the sofa and took a seat next to Kai, his eyes widened and his shoulder tensed as he didn’t know how to react without being negative about it. In his family tradition, kids out of wedlock are considered abominable and the parents would get bashing for eternity. Nowadays, though, single moms -not widowed- are tolerable and as a mother Luhan understood that a child didn’t bear their parents sin so he didn’t want to antagonize Soo.

“How he could… ahem… I mean, what should we do now?”

Kai threw him amused glance, he must look so awestruck right now. “We?” his husband muttered huskily.

“We’re his friend! We must help him.” Luhan explained, “Pregnancy is no kidding, Appa. First he needs doctor to examine if the baby is okay then he had to get into pregnancy diet…” his voice faltered when he locked gaze with Kai. Slowly the butterflies in his stomach calmed down and he muttered warily, “I’m just worried, you know because if it’s me instead of him…” and he grimaced in horror as the past replayed where he had to get through all those morning sickness, mood swings, weird cravings, fatigues, back pain and the worst, moments, without his husband in the picture.

No wonder his mother become so cold.

It was hurt, just by imagining the loneliness and longing.

It could be a nightmare for Soo.

“I don’t know what we should do…” he admitted mournfully.

“It’s okay.” Kai leaned in to kiss the side of his head, slowly clearing him from the aching haze and insecurity. In return he shifted and scooted closer, till he clung to the man, seeking for solace. God, at this moment his husband became more precious in his life. He promised he’ll try hard and harder to enjoy every second he spent with Kai and Ruka. He’ll learn to not just blindly in love but also being thankful for this heaven on Earth.

.

“I don’t understand it why he wanted to be a single mom.” He said, breaking the moment of peace.

"He didn't expect us to." Kai sighed. The man wrapped Luhan into a loose embrace while also cradling Ruka, so both arms are occupied but when Luhan looked up Kai was smiling contently as if they finally become complete. It was such a wonderful sight, the butterflies messed in his stomach again but now Luhan wasn’t worried. “Sometimes we had to respect our friend by trusting them with their own life. That way they'll respect ours."

“Except The es.” Luhan giggled when Kai playfully glared at him for cursing, and he pecked the man on the lips to make it up, “they’re really had no manner, Appa. Remember when they’re coming over to visit Ruka when we’re halfway there? They could at least calling us an hour before, not yelling at the front door.”

“Yeah, that.” Kai chuckled helplessly, “still not a good word you said there.”

“I’m just taunting you.” Luhan kissed his husband, “so punish me later, please?” he cackled in triumph to watch Kai blushed furiously against his slyness.

“Umma, if anyone heard that they’ll think I’m truly .”

“You are!” the wife laughed mirthfully, “Sometimes you pinched, even slapped my !”

“Then stop wandering around in your cute boxer, especially in the morning! I’ve got trouble concentrating at work, do you want me to get fired for mooning over your plumply cheeks?!” the man growled, all in while counter-attack Luhan with pecks and bites all around the wife’s comely face, “Hhh, I love your bum… could kiss them all night…”

Luhan face heated, his mind turned dull due to desire. He didn’t even remember what brought them into this lustful banter. With both hands he cupped Kai’s face, “hmm, I love your V-line, Appa… I don’t know why, just loooove the angle when you do the ‘hip ’ thing, hehe…” his smile devoured into a deep kiss, and Luhan moaned, almost forgetting Ruka and just sat on Kai’s lap.

“Let’s put Ruka to bed and I’ll show you my .” Kai smirked devilishly, “by the way, I also love your belly, while you enjoy me, I’ll enjoy feasting on your skin, I’ll kiss, , and blow bubbles till you beg me to stop…”

“God, please!”

.

Ruka was gently placed on his bassinet, the innocent one staring off at his hanging toys ahead. In the background not too far away, his parents shamelessly making out on the sofa with pieces of clothing ripped off by impatience whines and needy growls. Undisturbed by the swirling naughtiness in the air, the baby reached up to touch the colorful toys and then, when his fingertips managed to brush and made it swing, the little boy squealed happily.

*

"We're sorry, Ruka!"

Jin chuckled lightly at Kai and Luhan, both had runny nose and fever as they dropped Ruka in the boy’s apartment that morning. Due to season, cold spread in Kai's office and caught Luhan along from you-know-how. Now to keep Ruka from getting sick, the baby will stay with Jin for a few days.

"Just get well soon." Jin closed the door in front of them, but even after a while, both parents didn't move.

"God I want to cry." Luhan sniffled.

"Go ahead. I'll probably cry too." Kai chuckled weakly, before he coughed and then sighed in defeat. Luhan rubbed his back gently, before Kai grabbed the smaller palms to be entwined with his. Together they walked to elevator with slumped shoulder, "nothing we could do here, let's just focus on our health."

"But..." luhan stared down at his free hand, "without Ruka..." he felt empty, so useless and sad. It’s strange though, how a presence of life being affected them so greatly. They’re just living with Ruka by three months and before that, Luhan enjoyed it the time when it’s just Kai and him. When they decided to have Jin babysit Ruka for a while, he thought they’ll be okay. They’ll miss their son but they could manage it since they have each other. However, it wasn’t as easy. At every step furthering away from Jin’s place, heavy atmosphere surrounded them, gnawing pain and worry grew in their heart. Unimportant detail became fear, like what if they’re absent for too long and Ruka didn’t recognize them anymore?

It’s ridiculous. But sick people tended to be absurd anyway.

When they were back at their own apartment, Kyungsoo was waiting at the front building, holding a grocery bag, "hey." The boy greeted them with sympathetic smile. "Would you like some warm soup?"

.

"Here, I'll also make some food to be reheated later and puddings for your throat. No, Kai. You can’t order KFC or I’ll tell your mum.” Kyungsoo shared snickers with Luhan as they watched Kai scoffed on the corner of sofa, wrapped in blanket. The boy then tapped Luhan’s shoulder gently, “I’ll be going now. Get well soon.”

“Wait.” Luhan grabbed Soo’s jacket, whining lowly, “don’t leave yet. You used to stick around at wrong time, asking annoying question. Now sit with us, please, I had to return the favor and ask some nosy questions for you too. It’s only fair that way.”

Soo took a deep breath and then joined Luhan to sit at dining table. Soon, Kai followed them in the cocoon of blanket. The man was slowly feasting on the warm soup, all in while listening to whatever conversation to begin now. “Before you say anything, if this is about the baby…”

“Why did you quit your job?”

Kai halted and raised his head, eyes expectantly watched both mothers.

The question did turn Soo into blank face.

Luhan pouted, didn’t wait for any answer and just made his guess, “the salary is not enough? Or, are you harassed by co-worker? The boss bullied you?”

Soo cleared his throat and then muttered quietly, “It’s a boring job.”

“Really?” Kai raised his eyebrows judgingly, “then, what are you going to do now?”

Soo gave Kai skeptic look, "okay so when I'm out of this plagued room I'll go to night club and seduce Mr.Right and tricked them to marry me.” Yet the boy couldn’t stay sarcastic for long when Soo found Luhan stared at him in shock. The brunette chuckled, “Oh I'm just kidding Luhan, stop looking at me like that..."

"Stop scaring me!" Luhan whined.

Just then the doorbell rang.

“That must be Suho. He brought us meds. I'll get it.” Luhan jumped from his chair and walked to the hallways. While Soo watched Luhan, Kai glanced at his friend and asked

“How are you? Are you feeling better now?”

“Me? I’m-…” Yet, before the boy could answer, Luhan was back with Lay, Sehun and Chanyeol.

“Hiyaa, not the people I expected to hang around Lay, but since they brought medicine so I let them in…” Luhan’s smile faltered to see how pale Soo became, and how the boy stood from the chair with a huff and an awkward laugh,

“O~~~kay, I think it's my cue to leave.”

TBC